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ANOTHER overseas Filipino worker in the United Arab Emirates is fighting to save her life. Jennifer Dalquez of General Santos City was jailed in December 2014; she was convicted of murdering her male employer. She was sentenced to death five months later.

Dalquezs defense said she accidentally killed her employer while she was thwarting his rape attempt. She narrated that he had tried to burn her, hit her with a bottle on the face, and tried to stab her. She was then able to take the knife from him.

The final hearing for the appeal had been scheduled for February 27 but was moved to March 27.

This is what is expected to happen: the children of the employer will be asked to swear, 50 times, before the court and in the name of Allah, that Dalquez was the only one who could have killed their father. If the children are able to do this, the court will uphold the sentence. If not, Dalquez will be made to pay blood money.

The Department of Foreign Affairs says it is doing everything to save the life of Dalquez. The UAE Supreme Court will have the final say regardless of what happens in the appeal, says Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose.

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The Philippine government, he says, has hired a lawyer to be by Dalquezs side every step of the way. The embassy has also reached out to the employers family to ask if they would accept blood money; thus far, they have refused. It has facilitated her parents visit and has given financial assistance to the family.

Such government efforts have proven ineffective, as seen in the case of Zamboanga Sibugays Jakatia Pawa, 44, convicted of murdering her employers daughter despite the failure of DNA evidence to support this claim. This was in 2007. In 2010, then-Vice President Noli de Castro went to Kuwait to appeal for her life.

Pawa was hanged this year, anyway, on January 25.

Of course there is Mary Jane Veloso, who was spared from the firing squad in Indonesia in 2015. Convicted of drug trafficking, Veloso insisted she had been fooled by someone she trusted into carrying the drugs. We did succeed in staying her execution at the last minute, but her legal battles continue. She may still be executed.

We do not have all the information to conclude whether the Philippine government has been doing enough to save these Filipinos on death row in other countries. What we know is that we try to change the minds of those countries, by continuing to assert the migrants innocence, offering new evidence when still possible, and pleading with officials not to impose the capital punishment.

Alas, we know, too, that whatever credibility we might have had in the past in arguing against putting people to death now stands eroded, with our own governments push for the restoration of the death penalty here albeit only for drug-related crimes. How can we argue any longer that executions hardly serve a purpose other than perpetuate injustice, and how dare we ask to spare our people from this punishment when we wish to do so here in our own shores?

The House of Representatives has shown us the stuff it is made of. In May, after the legislative break, we will get to see whether our senators are as enlightened as they make themselves out to be. We hope they realize that this tough position actually weakens us instead.

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The Algerian Defense Ministry announced Monday the killing of two terrorists and the arrest of two others in an army operation in the city of Dellys, 80 km to the East of Algiers.

As part of the fight against terrorism and thanks to the efficient use of intelligence, a detachment of the Army (1st military region) killed two terrorists, and captured two others, the ministry said in a statement.

The army also announced seizure of two Kalashnikov-type submachine guns and two automatic guns in the operation.

The army claims it killed 32 terrorists since the beginning of the year in wide military operations, particularly in the eastern and mountainous part of the country.

The police thwarted a suicide bombing attack early last week in Constantine after an Islamic State fighter attempted to blow himself up in a police station located in a building housing a dozen households.

A policeman shot the suicide bomber before he reached his target.
Cooperation between Morocco and Cote dIvoire is gaining momentum in all sectors and is gearing up towards a sound strategic partnership serving the interests of the two countries which are sharing strong friendship ties and secular relations.

King Mohammed VI paid a friendship and working visit to this country Feb.24-27 at the invitation of President Alassane Ouattara during which the two leaders had talks on bilateral relations and latest developments on the regional and international scenes, according to a joint statement released in the wake of the visit.

The two Heads of States hailed the excellent cooperation ties existing between the two countries which had already signed 143 agreements and stressed the need to follow up the implementation of these agreements, says the document.

They also welcomed the outcome of the second session of the Morocco-Cote dIvoire Economic Impulse Group held lately. The group seeks to set a genuine strategic partnership between the public and private sectors of the two countries.

The governments of the two nations pledge to work to implement the recommendations issued by this group in line with the vision of the two Heads of State, determined to make of bilateral cooperation a true model of South-South cooperation in Africa, adds the joint statement. The 2nd Session of the Moroccan-Cote dIvoire Economic Impulse Group was crowned with the signing of 14 cooperation agreements in housing for low-income families, infrastructure, transport, logistics, banking, finance, social economy, solidarity and handicraft, health, digital economy and industry.

During this visit, King Mohammed VI and president Ouattara visited the rehabilitation of Cocody Bay project to see the progress made in upgrading this Bay which suffered severe environmental degradation in recent years.

It is the Moroccan public company Marchica Med which is project managing the site and supervising this landmark ecological undertaking to cost around 450 million dollars.

During his visit to Cote dIvoire, the Moroccan Sovereign inaugurated some projects financed by the Mohammed VI Foundation. He was also informed by President Alassane Ouattara about the progress made by his country in the fields of democracy, the fight against poverty and against terrorism.

Alassane Ouattara welcomed Moroccos return to the African Union, stressing the decisive role that the North African Kingdom will play within its institutional family and in consolidating peace and security in the continent, says the joint the statement.

This return clearly shows the will and determination of the King of Morocco to engage in South-South cooperation and to participate fully in the development of the continent, as shown by the Morocco-Nigeria pipeline project, which will cross West African countries including Cote dIvoire and will benefit the whole region, underlines the document.

For his part, King Mohammed VI commended Cote dIvoire for its support to Moroccos return to the AU and pledged to back this African countrys candidacy as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2018-2019 term.

The two Heads of State reiterated their determination to endeavor for a more united and solidarity-based Africa able to combat terrorism, cybercrime, maritime piracy and drug trafficking.

Concerning conflicts in Africa, the two African leaders say they support durable and inclusive political solutions to the crises in the continent.
Ugandan security forces on Thursday reviewed the death toll of last year assault on a tribal leaders palace.

Officials said more than 100 were killed in the assault, but denied findings of a new report by Human Rights Watch, which a day before said the death toll was even higher, at least 155, including 15 children.

The New York-based watchdog on Wednesday said it found evidence, including accounts by confidential sources and medical personnel who witnessed the events, that security officials had misrepresented the number of people killed and eliminated evidence of the childrens deaths.

Rights group Amnesty International said earlier that several people appeared to have been executed. It described the killings as extrajudicial.

Over 15 policemen had also been killed earlier by the royal guards in various areas in Kasese district.

As a reminder, members of the so-called Kilhumira Mutima (the Strong-Hearted) group in Uganda are said to be fighters for a movement that seeks to secede from the rest of Uganda and create its own Yiira Republic.

The movement is reported to have support on the other side of the border in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which is populated by people who are ethnically related to the people of the Rwenzori region.
Former Guinean military leader long sought in connection with a 2009 stadium massacre that killed more than 150 people, has been formally charged with several accusations on Wednesday.

The judgment of Toumba Diakite comes few days after his extradition in Guineas capital, Conakry, from Senegal where he was detained since December.

Aboubacar Sidiki Toumba Diakite was the head of the presidential guard in 2009. A Guinean investigative commission has said he was to blame for the violence that killed 150 people at the time.

Diakite is also accused of having organized mass arrests of army officers seen as hostile to the junta. Many were tortured, according to their families.

According to Guineas justice minister Cheick Sakoh, Toumba Diakite appeared on Monday before a judge who confirmed his identity.

The next day, he was presented to the pool of investigating judges in charge of the crimes committed on September 28, 2009, who notified him about his charges.

As a reminder, Diakite has also been at large for the past seven years after shooting ex-president of Guinea Moussa Dadis Camara who tried to blame him for the massacre in the stadium.
President of the national council of the Party for Justice and Development, Saad Eddine El Othmani, has been picked by King Mohammed VI as Head of Government in replacement of Abdelilah Benkirane, discharged from the position last Wednesday.

The King received Saad Eddine El Othmani, former Foreign Minister, at the Royal Palace in Casablanca on Friday and tasked him with leading negotiations to form a new government, announced the royal Office in a statement.

Benkirane was dismissed following his failure to form a coalition government after five months of negotiations with other stakeholders, mainly the National Rally of Independents (RNI), led by Aziz Akhennounch.

Negotiations between Benkirane and Akhennounch hit a stumbling block after the two men failed to overcome their divergences on which parties should be part of the coalition cabinet. While Akhennouch conditioned his partys participation on the inclusion of three of its allies, the MP, the UC and the USFP, although they scored minor results in the October 7 elections, Benkirane flatly rejected the USFP participation and went as far as accusing the RNI of sabotaging the negotiations.

In view of the stalemate that was raising concerns as to its impact on the countrys economy, legislative apparatus and politics, the king made the decision to dismiss Benkirane, and out of many options he had, he chose to pick a new Head of Government from the same PJD party.

The King has thus complied with the spirit and letter of the Constitution, mainly article 47, which stipulates that the Head of Government is picked from the party that wins the largest number of votes in the elections. The article does not specify that the position of Head of Government must necessarily go to the leader of the winning party.

Saad Eddine El Othmani, born in 1956 in Inzegane, near Agadir, is known for his sense of compromise and dialogue and his comrades call him the Wiseman of the party.

He is different from Abdelilah Benkirane and often opts for dialogue rather than polemics and confrontation. His tenure as head of the General Secretariat of the PJD, between 2004 and 2008, was marked by the party adopting moderate positions. He succeeded in negotiating this political turn, at a time when several voices were calling for the dissolution of the PJD for its moral responsibility in the Casablanca terror attacks of 16 May 2003.

The former Foreign Minister will have to catch up for the lost time and form a new cabinet without any delays.
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Russia could lift oil export duties by 2025

Russia could lift the oil export duty in 2022-2025, RIA Novosti quoted the countrys Finance Minister Anton Siluanov as saying March 13.He pointed out that currently, the government is discussing the possibility of setting the oil export duty to zero with gradual transfer of the burden to internal taxation.The Finance Ministry is holding relevant consultations with the Ministry of Energy, Siluanov added.Russia was the world's largest producer of crude oil including lease condensate and the third-largest producer of petroleum and other liquids (after Saudi Arabia and the US) in 2015, with average liquids production of 11 million barrels per day (b/d), according to the data of the US Energy Information Administration.Russia's proved oil reserves were 80 billion barrels as of January 2016, according to the Oil and Gas Journal. Most of Russia's reserves are located in West Siberia, between the Ural Mountains and the Central Siberian Plateau, and in the Urals-Volga region, extending into the Caspian Sea.In 2015, Russia produced an estimated 11.03 million b/d of petroleum and other liquids (of which 10.25 million b/d was crude oil including lease condensate), and it consumed about 3.5 million b/d. Russia exported more than 7 million b/d in 2015, including roughly 5 million b/d of crude oil and the remainder in products and other liquids.
Unrest in Batumi - why did Govt react late?

By Messenger Staff

Overnight on March 11, during a rally in Georgias western city of Batumi, 33 people received light injures while up to 40 (65 by other source) were detained.The rally came after the police fined a local man for a parking violation, which led to a verbal dispute and his detention. This fact is an ordinary occasion. The police stops and fines dozens of drivers around the country, but this time the case was used by destructive forces to show to the world that Georgian government doesn't control the situation.Soon after the incident, a group of people gathered in front of a police station, demanding the dismissal of the police chief, accusing him of insulting the local population and exceeding his official powers. The speed, how the protesting group gathered in front of the police station, is already suspicious, as they came prepared for some aggressive actions. These people were prepared having "Molotov cocktails" and other devices to organize chaos and turmoil.The rally started early in the evening, while a special police unit started making detentions only at about 5am in the morning. The police behaved in a proper way. They tried to calm down the aggressive crowd and didn't start detentions immediately.As senior government officials stated, the rally was a provocation staged by the previous ruling United National Movement party, aimed at stirring larger-scaled actions which were avoided.The Prime Minister stressed that the reason for only making arrests after several hours was that the police believed that most people at the rally were simply curious members of the public who were then appealed to leave the scene, and by 6am only those serious provocateurs remained.It must be stated that this is the first incident of its kind in the history of independent Georgia, in which protesters caused such violence, set cars on fire, and damaged shops and local infrastructure. In all other cases when population was protesting against authorities they were well organized, disciplined and it was police and other law-enforcement bodies, which used excessive force against the population and beat the people as well as arrested them and treated badly.Stirring unrest in the region can be in the interests of opponents to Georgia.The opinion of majority of political analysts in Georgia comes to the conclusion that this is deliberately staged incident and that the opponents of the current Georgian ruling party were looking for the appropriate occasion to cause an unrest. That is why this took place in Batumi. It could have happened anywhere else, where the casual fact could be transferred into a serious incident resulting in possible casualties and damage, probably in fatalities. This was the general preliminary conclusion, which can be drawn from the fact.However, any investigation must be based on genuine evidence. The state officials say that those, who participated in acts of vandalism, burning cars, breaking shop windows, stealing goods, damaging city infrastructure will be severely punished, as this fact took place in the city center the many facts were detected by the video monitoring eyes and therefore the hooligans will be unidentified.On Monday seven attackers were charged and received the sentences, the rest were freed, although some of them were release on bail.
The News in Brief

Race for Most of Abkhaz MP Seats Goes into Runoff



More than half of the seats in breakaway Abkhazias 35-member National Assembly will go into a second round of voting in two weeks, as only 12 candidates managed to gain an outright victory in the March 12 election held under the majoritarian system, local media sources reported on Monday.



Runoff races will be held in those 22 single-mandate constituencies where none of the candidates managed to garner over 50% of votes.



Repeat elections will be held in one district in two months' time because voter turnout there was less than 25%, which is the minimum required number for the vote to be valid.



Among those 12 candidates, who have won the race with over 50% of votes in their respective single-mandate constituencies, is the former Abkhaz leader Aleksandr Ankvab, who stepped down from his post in 2014 after mass unrests in Sokhumi, the regions capital.



Elections in Abkhazia are consistently denounced as illegitimate by Tbilisi and the international community, except for Russia and its allies, which have recognized Abkhazia's independence.



A total of 137 candidates were running for seats in the National Assembly, including eight women and 28 incumbent lawmakers. Only 24 of them were nominated by political parties, while the others were nominated by initiative groups.

(Civil.ge)







If the case is not terminated, it will be necessary to question 47 members of the Synod  Lawyer says



If the case is not terminated, it will be necessary to question 47 members of the Synod at the trial, Mikheil Ramishvili, the lawyer of detained archpriest Giorgi Mamaladze, said in an interview with the Kviris Palitra newspaper.



"I appealed to the Prosecutor's Office to terminate the case. I'm silent so far, since I keep the interests of the state and the patriarchate, but if they do not terminate the case, I have too much to say. I have a lot of materials. I am waiting for the investigation. If the case is not terminated, it will be necessary to question 47 members of the Synod at the trial. I advise them to put an end to this performance," said Mikheil Ramishvili.



[The interrogation of archpriest Giorgi Mamaladze was taking place on Monday. The interrogators comment that Mamaladze try to avoid answering difficult questions. (The Messenger)]

(IPN)







Opinion of Transparency International Georgia on Rustavi 2 Case



Transparency International Georgia is extremely concerned over the unanimous decision reached by the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court, which transferred the ownership of TV Company Rustavi 2 shares to Kibar Khalvashi (60%) and LLC Panorama (40%). The monitoring of the case as well as the final decision provide grounds to claim with assurance that the principle of fair trial has been violated throughout the proceedings. Rustavi 2 case gives an impression of governments attempt to take control over the main opposition media outlet, which significantly damages democracy in Georgia.



At this moment only the ruling is published and the reasoning behind the decision is not available. However, taking into account the general political interests behind the case, we consider it important to point to a few circumstances that raise questions regarding the proceedings in all three instances of the courts as well as the recent decision:



At every stage of the case there have been questions regarding the independence and impartiality of the judges. More specifically, at first instance court doubts were raised that the launching of criminal prosecution against the mother of presiding judge may have be used for pressuring him. Rustavi 2 attorneys asked for judges recusal in Appellate court as well. Also, criminal investigation was launched by the Prosecutors Office over an alleged gross interference in adjudicating process of two members of the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court. It was Rustavi 2 who reported on this case. Before it was reported, an internet campaign was launched and several high officials made statements that the opposition party was trying to influence judges. Such developments may be considered as an attempt to form a public opinion suitable to the government.



The Grand Chamber reached a decision in extremely short period of time. On November 22th, 2016 the case of Rustavi 2 was sent to the Grand Chamber from the Chamber of Civil Cases. The composition of the Grand Chamber was made known only 3 days ago. Notably, the composition of the Grand Chamber was not defined before that date, which was also confirmed to us via telephone communication with the Supreme Court representative last week. It is unclear how a newly composed chamber managed to reach a decision on a case of multiple volumes in just three days, especially taking into consideration the grounds for sending a case to the Grand Chamber, which was the complexity of the case and the fact that the contents of the case had been considered as a rare legal problem. This gives a rise to reasonable suspicion that either the composition of the Grand Chamber had been defined long before it was announced and the judges had been handed the case materials or/and the decision had been pre prepared for publishin.



Since the first days of the hearings there have been doubts about political motivations behind the case. The doubts about political motivations in the first and second instance courts have not been shed, which have been noted many times by the local NGOs and international organizations. A source of special concern was the interim ruling by the first instance court, which criticised the editorial policy of the independent TV company. There are also questions about the insufficient substantiation of decisions by city and appellate courts as well as about the extremely rapid pace of proceedings.



The decision is not consistent with the established practice of the Supreme Court. The decision by the Grand Chamber differs from the previous ruling (? as-1224-1149-2015) of Civil law Chamber on a similar case on May 20th, 2016. The different approach taken in Rustavi 2 case intensifies doubts about the possible political motivation behind the case. Therefore, it is of special interest how the reasoned judgment will explain this difference.



Besides the judicial matters, it is also important to note that Rustavi 2 is critical of government and at the same time is the most-watched private TV company in Georgia. High level government officials never refrained from openly criticizing the station. High ratings and critical editorial policy of Rustavi 2 would explain governments political interests in the case.



Transparency International Georgia has paid special interest to the Rustavi 2 case. Several statements have been made regarding the shortcomings identified throughout the process, including the arbitrary reduction of days for appeal by the appellate court and insufficiently substantiated rulings of first instance court. We will also examine the substantiation of the Supreme Court decision as soon as it is published and will present an opinion on it.



The change of the editorial policy of Rustavi 2, following the March 2 decision, could prove to be a decisive blow for the free media. This will likely cause irreparable damage to the pluralistic media environment in the country. This, in itself, will have an extremely negative impact on the country's democratic development, damage its reputation on international level and jeopardize the future of Euro-Atlantic integration.

(TI Georgia)




Looking down at 747s Daniel Boria 100 helium balloons

Daniel Boria, the lawn chair balloonist who tried to land himself in the middle of the 2015 Calgary Stampede, was unrepentant as he was fined $26,500 Friday after a judge called his stunt unconscionably stupid. Boria went outside court and in an assumed Boston accent mimicked John Kennedys speech when he said the US would go to the moon not because it was easy, but because it was difficult. Boria said: Why climb the highest mountain? Why 85 years ago fly the Atlantic? Why do the Oilers play the Flames? I chose to fly a chair; not because it is easy but because it is hard. Because that goal served to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills. he said. Borias scheme to land at the Stampede fell apart as his uncontrolled flight took him high enough to threaten jets landing at Calgary airport. He spoke of looking down at 747s. Finally, however he had to parachute from the lawn chair. He thumped down far from the arena and injured his ankle. His intention was to promote his cleaning business. The fine will go to charity.
President Donald Trump's budget blueprint, which proposes zeroing out all funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, must have felt like a 1990s flashback to former U.S Rep. Pat Williams.

The Democrat, who served as Montana's sole House representative from 1979 to 1997, led efforts to fight NEA budget cuts twice during his tenure.

He's confident the agencies will prevail.

"I have often said, and I still believe it even in the face of Trump, the national endowments are bulletproof," he said Friday.

Once such defunding effort in 1990 was fueled by controversy over Andres Serrano's "Piss Christ," a photograph of a crucifix in a jar of urine, and over nude photo portraits by Robert Mapplethorpe, who oddly enough didn't directly receive NEA funds.

Williams, the chairman of the subcommittee that oversaw the agencies, made an unlikely advocate. The Butte native and cousin of Evel Knievel admittedly doesn't care for ballet or opera. His support for the NEA led him to be branded as "Porno Pat" by his opponents, and sign-carrying protesters greeted him at airports in both Washington, D.C., and Montana.

As in those past debates, Williams doesn't believe the current Congress will accept the cuts because there are too many members from rural states like Montana.

Major cities like New York and Los Angeles "do not need the NEA in order to have great art." Rural areas do, he said, citing how the funds help maintain community symphonies, theater troupes, art museums and more. Those constituents eventually made their support known.

"Frankly, it took artists and Americans a couple of attacks on the NEA before they rose to defend it," he said. "Once they did, the Congress was flooded with hundreds of thousands  literally hundreds of thousands  of phone calls and letters defending the agencies."

There are key differences to the current cuts. In prior attempts, members of Congress made proposals during the appropriation process. They weren't suggested by the president, who generally supported the agencies during Williams' time.

Nor does Trump's budget blueprint make arguments about specific artworks. The NEA, NEH and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which combined account for 0.07 percent of the federal budget, are listed among 19 total agencies to be cut. The proposal says Trump's budget "eliminates and reduces hundreds of programs and focuses funding to redefine the proper role of the Federal Government."

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, offered an emailed statement about the need to curtail federal spending.

In a time when spending is out of control, we need to ensure every dollar is accounted for and is focused on delivering results for Montanans. The Presidents budget refocuses on the safety and security of the American people. We need to make sure the federal government is more efficient and effective," he wrote.

Daines did not respond to a specific question about the arts funding.

The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, has argued against public funding for the arts. In a 2016 report, it wrote, "private contributions to the arts and humanities vastly exceed the amount provided by the NEA. Taxpayers should not be forced to pay for plays, paintings, pageants, and scholarly journals, regardless of the works attraction or merit. Additionally, government funding politicizes art." Its comments on the NEH follow suit.

Williams noted that the funding has been "enormously helpful at leveraging private money to the arts."

According to the Los Angeles Times, "(t)he NEA's network of matching investors means that every dollar of direct federal funding leverages up to $9 in private and alternate public funds. The organization raised $500 million in matching support in 2016."

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, didn't respond to a request for comment by deadline.

Montana doesn't currently have a U.S. House representative since Ryan Zinke was appointed as secretary of the Interior Department. A special election will be held May 25 to select his replacement.

***

Williams said he's fine with the argument that the government shouldn't fund art.

"That argument's OK. The argument about freedom of expression is not OK," he said.

Williams didn't set out to be an advocate for artists' freedom of expression when the NEA cuts became a national issue.

He "inherited jurisdiction" over the NEA when he was named chair of the subcommittee on select education. With time, he grew so fond of the cause that he took the agencies with him when he moved chairmanships "like Linus with his blanket," he said.

One of the "great thrills I had in the Congress was the opportunity to defend the freedom of expression in a meaningful way," he said.

On a more philosophical level, Williams argues that "art can flourish without politics. The reverse is not true. Art reflects the diversity and pluralism of our society, which is free. And freedom is our bulwark against tyranny."

Politics and art are more often opponents than allies, he said, but they should always remain friends.
A hearing about whether a Stevensville womans 2011 conviction for vehicular homicide should be overturned has been delayed following a judges order.

Katie Irene Garding, found guilty of the New Years Day 2008 death of Bronson Parsons, who was hit and killed by a vehicle in East Missoula, filed a petition in 2015 challenging her conviction after the Montana Innocence Project took up her case.

A hearing was set for Friday on the merits of her allegations that her defense attorney did not do a competent job and that she was denied access to some evidence.

But on Thursday, District Court Judge John Larson issued an order that limited the ability of two witnesses to question the decisions made by public defender Jennifer Streano in representing Garding.

Colin Stephens, an attorney working with the Montana Innocence Project in Gardings case, said the judges decision likely means the witnesses will only be allowed to talk about what an attorney should have done in a case. But they wont be able to make legal conclusions about what could have happened if something else was done.

The hearing, which was scheduled to last through Tuesday, was cut short after a brief discussion about the judges order on Friday. Stephens said the hearing will likely be rescheduled for later in the spring.

Gardings parents Robert and Lori, who came to court on Friday to support their daughter, said that while the delay is unfortunate, they have been assured its the right move.

Thats what were looking for, the best possible case we can present, her father said.

Her parents said they go to Billings once a month to visit Garding  who was brought to Missoula for the hearing  at the Montana Womens Prison. After she was taken back to the Missoula County jail to await transport back to Billings, Garding called her parents about the next steps in the case.

She also asked if they could send her some money to buy clothing for the next hearing so she didnt have to wear the street clothes supplied by the jail. The conversation was played on speaker phone for the benefit of a national NBC crew doing a story on Garding's case.

During a pre-hearing conference earlier in the week, Gardings attorneys also brought up a series of photographs they wanted to include in Fridays hearing. The photos were from a file that former state medical examiner Dr. Gary Dale put together in the investigation of Parsons death.

They depict scenes from a different vehicle-pedestrian fatal crash, and Dale allegedly told a Montana Innocence Project attorney he put them in Gardings file because he thought the circumstances of that crash and the injuries of the victim were similar to Parsons. The vehicle in that crash was a passenger car, as opposed to the SUV Garding had been driving. Dale also said the car in the other crash sustained significant damage to the windshield.

Using a vehicle identical to Garding's, the Montana Innocence Project re-created the crash that killed Parsons. The re-creation also found significant windshield damage occurred if a vehicle struck a pedestrian at the speed and angle at which Parsons was hit. Gardings own vehicle did not have windshield damage.

Dale allegedly said the photos were added to the file after he testified in Gardings trial, and the Montana Innocence Project said they were never turned over to her defense attorney. Stephens said the photos will be included in a new petition so they can be discussed during the next scheduled hearing.
Theres been an explosion of interest from people in western Montana who want to start a new farming or ranching operation, according to Dave Renn, the program manager for beginning farming and ranching at the Community Food and Agriculture Coalition in Missoula.

We get a ton of traffic on Farm Link Montana, which is our website for information and resources for new farmers and ranchers, Renn explained. Thats our target audience. Weve had, I believe it was close to 20,000 visits to our site in the first two months of the year. So weve tripled our traffic from last year, and last years traffic was way more than we were expecting our first year, so were seeing a ton of people interested in farming and ranching.

Among its many missions, the nonprofit CFAC works to provide information and resources to people who want to enter the agriculture industry, Montanas largest.

But when starting out as a beginning farmer, one has to consider all kinds of factors. Where will the packing and storage of vegetables happen? Will the irrigation supply be available during the hottest days of August, or do other water users hold the rights? Is there a market for the vegetables close by? Has the soil been sprayed with chemicals in the recent past? The foundation of a successful farm or ranch business is finding a good piece of land, so the biggest decision any new farmer will make is where to put down roots.

Thats why on Saturday, a crowd of young new potential farmers gathered at the historic Flynn Ranch in Missoula, a 50-acre farm that was first homesteaded in the Civil War era. Maureen Edwards great-grandfather acquired the property in 1872, and seven generations of her family have lived in the two homes on the site ever since. Edwards wants to find someone to lease the land and farm it or raise livestock. She isnt going to charge an arm and a leg, but she wants someone who will take care of the land like her family has for a century and a half.

Edwards and her family worked with Five Valleys Land Trust to put a conservation easement on the site, meaning no permanent structures can be built so that the agricultural land is protected for perpetuity. But there is irrigation, and the soil is what Edwards calls some of the best in the entire Missoula Valley  loamy sand with very few rocks.

So Renn and Seth Swanson with the MSU Extension Office took a class full of potential farmers  along with some veteran farmers and ranchers  to talk with Edwards. He wanted a longtime landowner to talk to potential farmers about any concerns they might have. The Farm and Ranch Site Assessment Workshop, as the day's activities were called by CFAC, included a classroom component to help people understand water, soil sampling, easements, zoning and more.

The idea of the workshop today is sort of the 30,000-foot view of the topics that need to be considered when starting as a farmer or rancher, Renn said. So this is really a run-through of the preliminary questions and considerations. So when youre visiting a spot for the first time or looking for a spot, this is the information you need. So we spent the morning learning about the tools to look into the soils and water and how you can get that information.

The class got information from experts like Seth Swanson of the MSU Extension office, Bart Morris of the Oxbow Cattle Company and Tracy Potter-Fins of County Rail Farm.

Potter-Fins talked to those in the class about the challenges they might face when selecting certain sites. She warned them that using hand lines for irrigation is physically taxing, and drip irrigation is more labor-intensive to set up but saves time over the course of the summer. Except, however, drip irrigation doesnt work well for growing salad greens because you have to move the piping too much. She also said new farmers and ranchers might be surprised at the market for their wares.

If you want to grow heirloom tomatoes, good luck, she said. That market is over-saturated in western Montana by more established growers. But if you can find a way to grow spinach all through the summer, the Western Montana Growers Cooperative will buy as much as you can grow.

Potter-Fins said that besides soil composition and drainage and truck access, farmers also need to feel like they can be happy if they are spending 10-12 hours a day on a certain patch of ground.

You need to be happy here because you are going to be spending a ton of time here, she said.

Potter-Fins also said that she hopes that more consumers across the country will begin to see the value in buying locally produced food, which would do wonders to support agriculture in western Montana and elsewhere.

Renn said that CFAC has various ways to help beginners conduct an onsite evaluation. The nonprofit can also teach people how to use Montana Cadastral, Web Soil Survey and the Water Right Query System to determine if a piece of ground is suitable for animals or vegetables or both.

Were hoping people will get to practice what they learned this morning in terms of actually asking questions of a landowner, Renn explained Were hoping people can really leave here feeling like they can make informed decisions about where they might start an operation.

For more information visit farmlinkmontana.org.
Agriculture is the foundation of Montanas economy, contributing over $5 billion annually in recent years as the states top industry.

With our nearly 60 million acres of farmland statewide, we take pride in our contributions to the state and across the globe. However, just as the world was different even 20 years ago, it is going to be different in the next five, 10 and hundred years down the road. We need to continue to address our current and future challenges by finding new and innovative ways to increase the quality and sustainability of agriculture in tomorrows world.

Despite our states deep roots in agriculture, the challenges facing Montanas farmers are ever-evolving and increasingly demand advanced solutions. In recent years, the value of Montanas crop production has been on the decline. From 2013 to 2014, the value fell a significant 14 percent to just over $2.2 billion. When coupled with lower commodity prices, fluctuating crop yields and weather changes, the hurdles continue to grow. These challenges stand to negatively impact farmers and consumers here in Montana and worldwide. With over 27,800 ranches and farms in Montana in 2014, chances are a neighbor is being negatively impacted by the constant change that threatens our ability to farm efficiently and effectively.

Everyone can agree that innovation is critical to Montanas economic growth moving forward. From our annual Innovate Montana Symposium to encouraging companies to support new research and development in the state, our communities recognize the value in innovation. A great example is the research and development center by Universal Technical Resource Services, INC (UTRS) that was opened in 2010 to find other ways to produce titanium. After years of research and testing, they successfully created a better way of producing titanium  cutting refining costs significantly. This is just one example of how research and development can help Montana take the next step towards a better and more efficient future.

While it is important to focus on the impact of innovation in the obvious industries, such as startups and high-tech manufacturers, it is also important that innovation doesnt stop there. For instance, innovations in farming stand to have a significant impact in coming years. Due to severe weather and drought, there are areas across Montana where agricultural productivity once faced huge challenges. Today however, thanks to investments in research, farmers are able to grow and protect their crops more easily, while increasing productivity, predictability and profitability. These advances are leading to higher production with less riska key to economic sustainability for farmers.

Just as irrigation has solved many agricultural issues for our farming community, advances in biotechnology and digital farming also stand to make a very positive impact on the industry. These types of innovations are only possible with the help of our farming partnersagricultural companies. When seed and crop protection companies work hand-in-hand with farmers to improve farming methods, positive advancements follow.

Innovation across all sectors is critical to our states economic success. If we continue to support innovation in our communities, we will no doubt be able to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Not all of our problems will be solved in a day, but with a continued commitment to innovation, agriculture will remain a strong economic foundation for Montana.
A first step in an effort to roll back environmental protections, Donald Trump is attempting to remove federal requirements that regulate the fuel efficiency of new cars and trucks by re-examining the Obama administrations 2012 rule, issued by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation, to increase fuel economy to the equivalent of 54.5 mpg for cars and trucks by 2025.

Meant to encourage automakers to develop and market new technologies that reduce fuel consumption the rule was originally supported by13 major auto manufacturers, but with a president who doesnt believe in climate change, a new EPA head who denies basic climate science, and the influence of big oil, that support has now vanished.

Mileage standards save consumers money at the pump, make Americans less dependent on foreign oil, reduce carbon pollution and ultimately motivate the development of market leading technologies that drove the resurgence of the auto industry in America.

Undoing the fuel economy standards will lead to costly litigation and create uncertainty for the auto industry, threatening the economic and employment gains automakers have made in recent years. Americans will continue to pay more at the pump, depend more on foreign oil, drive up the trade deficit and pollute our childrens atmosphere.

Jordan Schwab,

Missoula
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Alexis Carrier heard "The Final Battle Cry" in her mind before the University of Montana sophomore listened to it in a recital hall.

Carrier, a composition major, got goose bumps when she heard the piece she had written played live at UM by faculty member Zachary Cooper on the French horn.

"It was actually a little nerve wracking," Carrier said Friday. "It was his faculty recital and the first piece that was on the program, and I didn't know how people were going to respond to it."

In fact, they loved it, and so did the judges in the International Horn Society's composition contest. Carrier, of Manhattan, Montana, took second place in the contest, an honorable mention that means her piece will be performed in Idaho in April and then in Brazil in June.

Cooper, assistant professor of music theory and horn at UM, had approached a colleague, Emilie LeBel, to ask if she had any students who might write a solo French horn piece for his faculty recital. LeBel recommended Carrier, and she composed a piece that was a hit.

After the recital at home, Cooper took the piece to Canada.

"Again, the piece stirred much enthusiasm and interest, and the horn students and professors were thrilled to hear a new work of such high caliber," said Cooper in an email.

Then, he recorded it, and he encouraged her to enter it into the competition. She took honorable mention, or second place, from an organization with more than 3,500 members representing 55 countries, a group filled with "renowned touring artists, symphony musicians, university teachers," and others.

"This is an extremely high honor that has been bestowed upon Alexis," Cooper said.

***

When she was in the first grade, Carrier wrote a little tune with just three notes called "Volcano," and she remembers playing other pieces on the piano that she'd write in her head as she grew up.

"I didn't think that wasn't normal," Carrier said.

In middle school, her band director told her about a program that put 10 young composers in a recording studio and then on a CD. She wrote the piece for it when she was 12.

"That's when I started to feel like this could be a thing," Carrier said.

Then, in her sophomore year of high school, she got into all state orchestra.

"That was the defining moment where I was like, this is what I want to do. This is where I want my heart to be the whole time," Carrier said.

At first, UM was at the bottom of the list of universities she wanted to attend. She initially wanted to attend a more prestigious school, and she got scholarships, but not quite enough.

In her junior year of high school, though, she started warming to the idea of UM.

"I got introduced to their summer camps here and started falling in love with the music program, and the faculty members are absolutely incredible," Carrier said. "And they're one of the main reasons I'm here for sure."

Once she arrived, she was thrilled to be immersed in college life, where music trumps science in her line of study.

***

When LeBel first asked her about writing a solo piece for Cooper, Carrier was surprised. It was only her freshman year, but she studied up on the range and tone of the French horn, just plain horn to musicians.

"I had to figure out how to make an interesting piece just from a single instrument, which was a really big challenge," she said.

Carrier sees music as storytelling, and when she composes, she uses notes to illustrate a story line. The pianist and trumpet player starts to get a scene in her head, in this case, a warrior on the battlefield, and she has poems that go along with her pieces.

At the recital, a student sitting near her complimented the piece before knowing she had composed it. The fan of Chopin, Liszt, and Five Finger Death Punch was pleased at the reaction and the award, and she plans to build on her composition style.

Currently, she writes in the neoromantic style, but she's eager to expand and keep writing music. One composition builds to another, said Carrier, who has also started taking vocal lessons.

"It's just another learning experience, and I think the most important thing for composers is just to keep writing," Carrier said.
President Donald Trump's executive orders on immigration include plans to build a border wall, deport more people and crack down on sanctuary cities.

A temporary ban on incoming refugees and a halt to visas for immigrants from certain countries could also be in the offing.

The measures unveiled this week provide the most detailed information we've seen so far about Trump's overhaul of the US immigration system. But there are many unanswered questions about how things will play out.

Here are seven key questions we're asking:

1. How much will it cost?

That's the more-than-$10-billion question. Trump has used that price tag to estimate how much building a wall on the US-Mexico border would cost. And the wall is only the beginning.

The numerous initiatives outlined in his executive orders also include plans to hire at least 15,000 more people (5,000 new Border Patrol agents and 10,000 additional immigration officers). That could cost another few billion dollars, based on the Department of Homeland Security's 2017 budget request, which asked for $7 billion to hire more than 40,000 officers.

Another possible big-ticket item: plans to build more detention centers.

2. Where will the money come from?

As the New York Times pointed out in a story on Wednesday, no matter what Trump prioritizes, Congress has the checkbook.

The President does have some leeway to shift funds between departments, but money for major initiatives will need to come from lawmakers.

Even if Congress has to foot the bill up front, Trump has vowed to make Mexico pay for the border wall eventually -- something Mexican officials say they'll never do. The latest possibility floated by administration officials: imposing a 20% tax on imports from Mexico to pay for the border wall.

3. What happens to the Dreamers?

On the campaign trail, Trump touted his plans to dismantle his predecessor's crowning immigration achievement: the program that prevented about 750,000 undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children from being deported. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program helps the so-called Dreamers get driver's licenses, enroll in colleges and secure jobs.

And there's little doubt that it will end up on the chopping block.

But so far, Trump's administration is still accepting applications for the program.

4. How will this impact sanctuary cities?

One of Trump's executive orders says the federal government will cut funding to cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration officials.

That means federal grants that provide millions of dollars to local governments could be at stake.

These so-called sanctuary cities say they're committed to protecting their undocumented residents from possible deportation, and they're banding together as they brace for what's likely to be a contentious legal battle.

Already New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has said he's ready to go to court over the issue, and it's likely others will follow suit.

5. When will we start to see these changes happening?

It's unlikely many significant changes in the way the US handles immigration will happen overnight.

But even a small memo outlining priorities can have a big impact on how individual cases are handled. We saw that in 2014, when the Obama administration issued new guidelines that shifted enforcement efforts to focus on recent border-crossers and criminals who posed a threat to public safety. That change meant some cases were dropped altogether, while others were scheduled for court dates several years in the future.

Trump's executive orders would crack down more severely on immigrants accused of criminal offenses, and could signal that cases that might have been dropped before will now become a priority.

6. And how long will they take?

Just because something shows up in an executive order doesn't mean it will become reality.

President Obama tried a similar approach in 2014 to expand the DACA program and create a new program to help the Dreamers' parents.

Those programs faced swift legal challenges and were tied up in the courts for years before the Supreme Court deadlocked over whether they were constitutional, effectively killing the measures that would have helped more than 4 million undocumented immigrants come out of the shadows.

7. Will these measures impact people who aren't undocumented immigrants or refugees?

In all likelihood, yes. But exactly how remains unclear.

Activists quickly slammed a reported policy that would bar people from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia or Yemen from entering the US for 30 days, calling it Islamaphobic and tantamount to a "Muslim ban."

The details of the policy haven't been officially announced, and it's unclear how it would apply to immigrants from those countries who have already obtained visas to be in the United States to study or work.

It's also unclear how immigration authorities will approach Trump's intensified focus on deporting criminals. But it's possible that green card holders and other legal residents could end up in deportation proceedings if they have any charges on their records.

CNN's Tal Kopan and Lisa Rose contributed to this report.
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Butte police and state highway patrol troopers called the Fridays St. Patrick's Day celebration relatively calm  at least before sundown.

Police were broken into three foot patrols of around seven officers each to monitor festivities throughout the Uptown with another group of officers patrolling the perimeter in squad cars. Festival-goers appeared celebratory but not out of control as has been seen in past years.

"This isn't bad at all," said Butte-Silver Bow Sgt. Chris Berger, leading a patrol on Main Street between the Party Palace and Maloney's bar just after 6 p.m. Friday.

Berger's squad was made up of three Butte police officers, two Montana Highway Patrol troopers, and one Probation and Parole officer.

Officers were called in from around Western Montana in response to an event local law enforcement feared could be the rowdiest in a decade based on it falling on a Friday during spring break for the state's college students and with pleasant weather.

Montana Highway patrolman Alex Velasquez of Bozeman said Friday was his first experience covering St. Patrick's Day in Butte and that is seemed pretty tame in the early evening.

Shifts were adjusted for local police, with most of those beginning around 6 p.m. and ending after crowds were expected to disperse at 3 a.m.

Berger said the crowd wasn't as big as last year and said in previous years it was obvious early in the day that people might get more out of control.

From the time Berger's squad began patrolling to sundown, they responded to only one incident  a woman who face-planted crossing the street from Maloney's around 6:30 p.m.

Emergency services responded quickly, but the woman declined medical attention, and the officers soon returned to their post in the street outside the M&M bar.

Crowds outside the Party Palace and Maloney's protruded deeper into the street as the night continued. At one point, they were blocking traffic, so officers herded them back to the sidewalks.

An officer patrolling in a squad car dropped off water for Berger's team around 7:15 p.m., and one member said they expected the night to at least get busier, though hopefully not worse.

"Everybody starts drinking at the same time, and they finish at the same time," Berger said.
A man in his 30s from Idaho was struck and killed by a passing semi-truck early Saturday as he pushed his out-of-gas Subaru off the interstate near the Rocker exit, according to the Montana Highway Patrol.

The man and a female passenger were pushing the 1998 Subaru Legacy to the right side of the roadway about 1 a.m. when the semi-truck struck them from behind, killing the male. The female, also in her 30s, was thrown into the ditch and escaped with minor injuries.

Both vehicles were heading toward Butte on Interstate 15-90 near mile marker 122, between the Dillon and Rocker interchanges, when the accident occurred.

"The driver took most of the blunt force from the vehicle (Subaru) being hit because he was on the left side," said trooper James Beck. "The semi was trying to steer to the left to avoid them, but he hit the driver's side of the Subaru.

"The semi driver did try to stop," he added. "There were skid marks for over 100 yards."

Darkness and traffic may have played a role, Beck said, although the accident is still under investigation. He emphasized that alcohol, drugs, or speed were not factors.

The Subaru driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman "got bounced off the vehicle and into the borrow pit," said Beck. "She only has minor lacerations and a broken finger."

The semi-truck driver, from Pocatello, Idaho, was hauling three trailers with Indiana license plates, said Beck.

Emergency flashers on the Subaru were deployed.

"It was a freak accident," he added. "There are no lights until you get to the off-ramp. I'm not 100 percent sure why the driver couldn't see them 100 yards in advance. And there was lots of traffic. It's a really sad situation."

The patrol cannot release the name of the victim due to notification of next of kin.
When President Donald Trump set out to choose a Supreme Court nominee, one factor was critical: a proven record.

On that front, Judge Neil Gorsuch, who has a long paper trail of judicial opinions from his time on the 10th US Circuit Court of Appeals, appears to be the perfect candidate for judicial conservatives.

They are pleased with the opinions on the books, and they feel confident that on issues he has not directly considered, such as abortion and the gun rights he will be guided by his conservative values.

Here's what we know about Gorsich on many of the hot-button issues of today's Supreme Court:

Religious liberty and the contraceptive mandate

Judicial conservatives believe that Gorsuch's commitment to religious liberty is solid.

He joined an opinion siding with a closely held businesses that objected to the so-called contraceptive mandate in Obamacare.

The case concerned Hobby Lobby, a craft store chain that objected to providing certain contraceptives in their health care plan under Obamacare. In his typically lucid prose, Gorsuch stressed why the Greens, the family that owns Hobby Lobby, had a legal right to be in court.

"This isn't the case, say, of a wily businessman seeking to use an insincere claim of faith as cover to avoid a financially burdensome regulation," Gorsuch wrote. Instead, he said, the so-called contraceptive mandate required the family to violate their religious faith.

"For some, religion provides an essential source of guidance both about what constitutes wrongful conduct and the degree to which those who assist others in committing wrongful conduct themselves bear moral culpability," he wrote. "The Green family members are among those who seek guidance from their faith on these questions. Understanding that is the key to understanding this case."

In another opinion, Gorsuch ruled in favor of an inmate in Wyoming who sought to use a sweat lodge in the prison yard as a part of a Native American religious tradition. The state's prison policy barred him from doing so.

"While those convicted of crime in our society lawfully forfeit a great many civil liberties, Congress has (repeatedly) instructed that the sincere exercise of religion should not be among them -- at least in the absence of a compelling reason," Gorsuch wrote. "In this record we can find no reason like that."

Separation of powers, immigration, and the environment

Gorsuch's views on the constitutional separation of powers issue could have an interesting short-term impact on the Trump administration and immigration.

At issue is what might seem like a dry legal doctrine known as "Chevron deference."In the simplest terms, back in 1984, the Supreme Court held in Chevron U.S.A. Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council that when a law is ambiguous, courts must defer to the interpretation of a law adopted by the federal agency charged with enforcing that law, as long as the interpretation is reasonable.

Liberals in recent years have tended to support Chevron because when there is congressional gridlock, Democratic presidents have interpreted older statutes having to do with issues such as the environment and labor to allow them to implement broader protections. President Barack Obama was especially active on that front.

Gorsuch has been a strong critic of Chevron, arguing it gives agencies too much power to say what the law is, which is really the job of the courts.

"Clarence Thomas is the only current justice who shares a similar deregulatory philosophy," said Michele Jawando of the liberal Center for American Progress.

But Gorsuch's view could cause him to vote against Trump if there were ever a legal challenge to the President's executive order on immigration at the high court.

"If Gorsuch had his way, the court might be less forgiving of the Trump administration's interpretation of immigration law," said Jeff Pojanowski of Notre Dame Law School.

"Justice Scalia was a long-time defender of Chevron deference," Pojanowski said, "while Gorsuch is emerging as one of its sharpest critics."

Abortion

Gorsuch has never ruled directly on Roe v. Wade, the landmark opinion legalizing abortion. But conservatives take comfort from some of the language in a book he has penned on assisted suicide.

"The idea that all human beings are intrinsically valuable and the intentional taking of human life by private persons is always wrong," Gorsuch wrote in "The Future of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia."

They also point to his fidelity to originalism and believe it will lead him to what they believe is the right conclusion, which is that the Constitution does not protect a right to abortion.

"Judge Gorsuch is a remarkably qualified nominee with a conservative judicial philosophy and a commitment to uphold the rule of law and the Constitution," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the conservative American Center for Law & Justice, in a statement.

Meanwhile, supporters of abortion rights are concerned about Gorsuch's dissent in Planned Parenthood Association of Utah v. Herbert.

After videos emerged allegedly showing Planned Parenthood officials negotiating the sale of fetal tissue, the governor of Utah announced that the conduct warranted the suspension of public funding of some programs run by the organization in the state.

A three-judge panel of Gorsuch's court ruled in favor of Planned Parenthood. After a larger panel of judges on the court declined to review the decision, Gorsuch dissented.

The case warranted rehearing, in part, because the panel relaxed Planned Parenthood's burden of proof and applied the wrong standard of review, he wrote.

"Preliminary injunction disputes like this one recur regularly and ensuring certainty in the rules governing them, and demonstrating that we will apply those rules consistently to all matters that come before us, is of exceptional importance to the law, litigants, lower courts, and future panels alike," he wrote.

Second Amendment

Gorsuch has never ruled squarely on the Second Amendment.

Gun rights advocates note that he shares Antonin Scalia's devotion to originalism, and it was Scalia who wrote a landmark opinion holding for the first time that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to own a handgun.

Although Gorsuch's record on the Second Amendment is sparse, gun control advocates are concerned about one case where he opined that the government should meet a tougher standard before prosecuting felons for possession of firearms.

Citing Scalia's opinion Gorsuch wrote: "the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to own firearms and may not be infringed lightly."

"Although Gorsuch's exact views on the Second Amendment remain a mystery, several of his decisions made it harder to keep guns out of the hands of felons," said Adam Winkler, a professor of Law at UCLA School of Law.

National Security

As a federal appeals court judge, Gorsuch has not ruled extensively on national security issues. But before taking the bench, while he was serving at the Justice Department as the principal deputy attorney general from 2005-2006, he was charged with reviewing and editing legal briefs and developing case strategy on a number of national security cases.

At the time, the George W. Bush administration was grappling with several post-9/11 cases and challenges to its detention policies and claims of executive power.

The department has turned over to the Senate thousands of pages of documents and emails that offer a glimpse of Gorsuch's views on several issues, including detention policies and Guantanamo Bay.

Gorsuch himself took a trip to Guantanamo Bay. Upon his return he wrote to colleagues, "If DC judges could see what we saw, I believe they would be more sympathetic to our litigating positions," he wrote in one email. He opined that some of the lawyers for the detainees had spoken about conditions at the detention facility "sometimes quite misleadingly."

In a separate document, dated November 17, 2005, Gorsuch thanked Adm. James M. McGarrah for allowing him to visit Guantanamo Bay. "I was extraordinarily impressed," Gorsuch wrote.

"You and your colleagues have developed standards and imposed a degree of professionalism that the nation can be proud of, and being able to see firsthand all that you have managed to accomplish with such a difficult and sensitive mission makes my job of helping explain and defend it before the courts all the easier," he wrote.

In another document from December 2005, he praised the fact that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had kicked off a European tour to defend US actions and detention policies aimed at preventing terrorist attacks.

Gorsuch wrote he was "pleased and proud" that Rice was traveling. "It is long overdue for the administration to get out publicly and defend our detention policies, trumpet their successes, while also admitting the inevitable and regrettable errors."

The email hints at Gorsuch's broader view: "We've been in a defensive crouch telling the world to buzz off for a long time; we need more of this open and positive communication. Keep it up!"

Big business

Critics of Gorsuch believe he will continue a trend they see on the court in favoring big business.

They point to a case concerning Alphonse Maddin, a driver who worked for TransAm Trucking. In 2009, the brakes on Maddin's trailer froze because of subzero temperatures. He waited for a repair but after several hours in freezing temperatures he was told by his bosses that he either had to drive away with the trailer or continue to stay on site. Instead, he unhitched his truck and drove away.

He was later fired for abandoning the trailer. He filed a complaint asserting that the firing was in violation of a federal safety law. In a 2-1 decision the 10th Circuit ruled in Maddin's favor.

Gorsuch dissented. "A trucker was stranded on the side of the road, late at night, in cold weather, and his trailer brakes were stuck," Gorsuch wrote and noted that the company "fired him for disobeying orders and abandoning its trailer and goods."

"It might be fair to ask whether TransAm's decision was a wise or kind one," he wrote. "But it's not our job to answer questions like that. Our only task is to decide whether the decision was an illegal one."

Gorsuch concluded it wasn't.

"Whatever the case, it is our job and work enough for the day to apply the law Congress did pass, not to imagine and enforce one it might have but didn't," he said.

Judith E. Schaeffer, the vice president at the progressive Constitutional Accountability Center, said Gorsuch's dissent in TransAm Trucking was "anything but a fair reading of a statute enacted to protect worker and public safety. In fact, this is one of the cases cited by members of the business community as evidence that if confirmed he will be another reliable vote for them on the pro-corporate Roberts court."

But David C. Frederick, a lawyer and long-time friend of Gorsuch, says that those people who accuse Gorsuch as being too friendly to big business might be mistaken.

"Anyone who sees Gorsuch as automatically pro-corporation should talk to the officers at Rockwell International and Dow Chemical, against whom he reinstated a $920 million jury verdict for environmental contamination at the Rocky Flats nuclear facility," he wrote.

Law enforcement

"For the heir to Justice Scalia, perhaps the biggest question is whether he will share the late justice's somewhat idiosyncratic approach to criminal cases, which typically led to rulings in favor of the government, but with some important and significant exceptions," said Steve Vladeck, CNN Supreme Court analyst and professor of law at the University of Texas School of Law.

Gorsuch's record on the subject is mixed.

In one unusual case, Gorsuch dissented from his colleagues when they ruled against a boy in seventh grade who had disrupted a gym class by launching a series of fake burps. The student was later arrested by a school law enforcement officer.

"If a seventh grader starts trading fake burps for laughs in gym class, what's a teacher to do?" Gorsuch asked. "Order extra laps? Detention? A trip to the principal's office? Maybe. But then again, maybe that's too old school Maybe today you call a police officer."

Gorsuch said he remained unpersuaded by his colleagues' majority opinion that ruled in favor of the school.

"Arresting a now-compliant class clown for burping was going a step too far," he wrote.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called for a new approach toward North Korea Thursday, saying all the efforts of the past 20 years have failed.

Tillerson was speaking in Tokyo, ahead of stops in Seoul and Beijing, where Chinese leaders are expected to present their own plan to defuse escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula.

"The diplomatic and other efforts of the past 20 years to bring North Korea to a point of denuclearization have failed. So we have 20 years of a failed approach," Tillerson said at a news conference with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida.

China will formally present its own proposal to Tillerson on Saturday, a senior Chinese diplomat told CNN Thursday.

The Chinese plan calls for North Korea to suspend its ballistic missile tests and nuclear activities, and for the United States and South Korea to halt large-scale military exercises that annually antagonize Pyongyang.

"(North Korea) would like to see the Americans move first and take some actions first to show their sincerity, and vice versa," Xiao Qian, the director general of the Asian Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told CNN in an exclusive interview.

"So China's proposal is, why not do these things at the same time?"

This is the second time in as many weeks that China has floated this plan. A similar proposal by Foreign Minister Wang Yi was rejected by the US State Department last week.

"There's no equivalence between North Korea's illegal missile and nuclear activities and what is our lawful, longstanding joint security exercises with our allies in the region," said Mark Toner, the acting State Department spokesman, in response to Wang's initial pitch.

The North Koreans don't seem to be buying it either. In a rare and hastily called press conference Thursday, Pak Myong Ho, the charge d'affaires at the North Korean embassy in Beijing, also rebuffed Wang's proposal.

"Our stance is that since the US and its followers continue their nuclear threats and intimidation -- in the form of their annual military drills -- on the doorstep of DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), we will continue to strengthen our defense and preemptive strike capabilities," he said.

The new path?

Speaking side by side in Tokyo, Tillerson and Japan's Kishida reiterated their countries would stand united against North Korea's provocations.

While Kishida said Japan would assume a larger responsibility in the alliance, Tillerson said it was time for the US to stop throwing money at a solution that's not working.

"The United States provided $1.35 billion dollars in assistance to North Korea as an encouragement to take a different pathway. That encouragement has been met with further development of nuclear capabilities, more missile launches, including those of the recent February 11th and March 5th," he said.

Between 1995 and 2008, the US sent $1.35 billion to North Korea, mostly for food aid and energy assistance, according to a Congressional Research Service report.

Analysts say when it comes to North Korea policy, there are few new options to try.

"Secretary Tillerson's comments on North Korea sound like a simplistic version of the past without a clear vision for the future," John Delury, a professor at Yonsei University's Graduate School of International Affairs told CNN.

"The history of US policy toward North Korea is complicated. It cannot be reduced to a talking point like -- we spent $1.3 billion and got nothing for it."

"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing," he added.

The US, South Korea, Japan, China and Russia have tried repeatedly to negotiate a solution with Pyongyang during Six-Party Talks, which began in 2003.

The sanctions currently levied against Pyongyang are among the most stringent ever enacted, but the pace of both North Korea's nuclear and missile programs appear to be speeding up.

'Face to face'

In his interview with CNN, Xiao addressed criticisms that China can and should be doing more unilaterally to stop North Korea.

The Trump administration has argued the China should use its vast economic leverage over North Korea to force the Kim Jong Un regime to cease its weapons development program.

"This is a rather complicated situation. You cannot solve the problem in a simple way," Xiao said.

"The DPRK has been saying all along that it is the threat from the US to make them choose other options, including nuclearization of their military capabilities. So it is, to a large extent, for the US and the DPRK to face to face, sit down and talk, and try to find a way to work out the problem," he said, using the abbreviation for North Korea's formal name -- the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Xiao also denied claims that Beijing has been carrying out systematic economic retaliation against South Korean businesses as a result of its opposition to the THAAD missile defense system that the US and South Korea believe is necessary to protect against North Korean missiles.

"But if they continue to move on with this deployment, there will be consequences -- and those consequence will be borne by the Americans and ROK (Republic of Korea)," he warned, without elaborating.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made remarks in Seoul Thursday that portend what seems to be a radical shift in US policy toward North Korea.

He said: "Let me be very clear: the policy of strategic patience has ended." Tillerson also eliminated the possibility of negotiating with North Korea before it has "given up its weapons of mass destruction," and did not rule out military action if the US believes Pyongyang's weapons program advances too far. Tillerson's statements are not as radical as they seem, but there is still no visible coherent strategy for the region.

"Strategic patience" was the Obama-era policy toward North Korea. "Strategic patience" seems similar to "doing nothing," but that is only true in a vacuum. Obama clearly supported the US alliance with South Korea, supported the free trade agreement with South Korea, and approved the deployment of the THAAD missile defense system that got underway last week. In the new Trump era, when the President devalues the US-South Korea alliance, the Obama policy looks much more sound.

There is no chance that North Korea will eliminate its nuclear program as a precondition to negotiations. Tillerson must know this, and so he is ending the possibility of negotiations. This is also not an unreasonable proposition.

North Korea is not going to give up its nuclear weapons -- it is the only thing that keeps the regime alive. The nuclear program is even more important than the relationship with China. But even if North Korea did agree to give up its weapons, it would take an almost unimaginably intrusive inspections regime to insure that Pyongyang did not violate its obligations.

Critics may say that people said the same thing about Iran, but the situation is different for two key reasons. First, despite what you may read, the Iranian government cares about its own people. Second, Iran wanted to rejoin the international community, while North Korea prefers to hide from it.

Tillerson's statement about a preemptive strike on North Korea presents another bad alternative. It once again calls into question America's commitment to its alliances. The implication is that Pyongyang's ability to reach American targets is unacceptable; but it can already strike South Korea, which we are obligated to defend.

The time for a preemptive strike ended when North Korea detonated its first nuclear device. Even if the US could guarantee the simultaneous and immediate destruction of every nuclear weapon in North Korea, there are still tens of thousands of artillery shells pointed at Seoul. It is not possible for South Korea and American forces to escape a conflict with North Korea unscathed.

From the outside, it does not look like there is an American policy on North Korea. "All options are on the table" is a normal diplomatic statement and there are two important questions that are still unanswered.

First, how well is the inter-agency process functioning? Are Tillerson's remarks part of a well-conceived -- or even poorly-conceived -- foreign policy toward North Korea? Has that policy been debated and discussed among North Korea experts at the State Department, Defense Department, CIA, and other agencies, and filtered through the interagency process at the National Security Council? That so many positions in all of these agencies remain unfilled suggests no -- as do Trump's previous statements that he would speak to Kim Jong Un, and his claims that "there's a 10% or 20% chance" he "could talk him out of having his damn nukes."

But perhaps even more important is this: Does Tillerson speak for Trump? That, unlike Jared Kushner and Steve Bannon, he has not been present at key meetings with foreign leaders, suggests that he is not necessarily "in the loop." Tillerson's statement in Seoul might have been more meaningful if it had come from someone else -- or perhaps even in a tweet from the President.

The Korean Peninsula is the site of a tremendous amount of upheaval. South Korea's next president may favor talks and greater economic integration with North Korea. Tillerson's visit is also set against the backdrop of THAAD deployment, which has resulted in Chinese economic retaliation against South Korea.

Tillerson's next stop is Beijing, where he will no doubt seek China's help in reining in North Korea. But what incentive does China have to help an administration set on antagonizing it at every turn?
Les emplois a Rennes sont abondants et varies. Il y a quelque chose pour tout le monde. Que vous soyez a la recherche dun emploi []
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 []
When St. Helena architect David Hanawalt told Habitat for Humanity he could design 10 of the most energy-efficient family homes ever constructed in Michigan, he didnt know they would be tested during one of the states most severe cold spells.

No matter.

After one year, one of the families ended up with a utility bill of less than zero, while the other two had bills of $50. Today, after a few modifications, the houses produce more energy than they use.

If zero-energy homes can be built in snowy Michigan, they can certainly be built in sunny California, said Hanawalt, who designs energy-efficient homes for Lail Design Group (LDG) in St. Helena.

Educated in architecture at UC Berkeley and Columbia University, Hanawalt designed the Depot Neighborhood, a net-zero, affordable housing community in Traverse City, Mich.

The project won an Energy Efficient Building Association award, along with the U.S. Department of Energys Zero Energy Ready Homes (ZERH) Housing Innovation Award in Affordable Housing.

The project will be presented as a case study at the Habitat for Humanity global conference in March in Atlanta. The homes are additionally gaining LEED certification with the first five constructed as LEED platinum.

His goal now is to help low- to moderate-income families realize the financial power of avoiding utility bills.

Hanawalt and his employer, longtime St. Helena architect Jon Lail, hope LDG becomes known among contractors and affordable-housing builders as the go-to regional design firm for energy-efficient homes, from affordable clusters to high-end custom homes.

Hanawalts five-step recipe for building net-zero-energy-use homes is basically the same for any house, in any climate:

- Reduce energy leaks with insulation, sealants and high-performance windows.

- Use energy-efficient mechanical systems, such as heat-pump heating and cooling, energy-transfer ventilation, heat-pump water heating, efficient plumbing fixtures and LED lighting.

- Purchase ENERGYSTAR-rated refrigerators, heating/cooling systems, water heaters, washers, dryers and ceiling fans.

- Install photovoltaic solar panels to offset home energy usage.

- Pay attention to thermostats, lighting, plug loads, energy hog appliances and system maintenance.

Traverse Citys Habitat leaders chose Hanawalt for more than his technical ability, however.

They were also impressed by his passion for helping families get zero-energy homes to generate savings for mortgage payments, healthcare, food and education.

He proved to Habitat that the added cost of energy-efficient systems was less than the financial gain from 30 years without utility bills, coupled with lower taxes, and federal, state and local energy tax credits and deductions.

David was a phenomenal consultant for us, said Wendy Irvin, director of the Traverse City Region of Habitat for Humanity.

We needed to serve families in better ways, but we faced a crisis in finding an affordable solution. David knew his stuff, and we needed his help to convince our board of directors by expressing a vision and the ability to execute it with data, background and perspective.

David has a down-to-earth way of speaking on any level and getting his message across. He educated board members, donors and business professionals, as well as the families who were going to be living in the houses about how it would benefit their personal lives, said Irvin.

He has personality and ability, but also heart and compassion, she said.

Lail said North Bay building contractors have been seeking advice from LDG for decades about home and business construction, but now they are asking more questions about how they can incorporate Hanawalts energy-saving know-how for new buildings and renovations.

More information about the Habitat for Humanity project is available at habitatgtr.org/the-depot-neighborhood/
There are a host of issues surrounding the proposed Palmaz heliport that county staff will be grappling with at the request of the Napa County Planning Commission before the next hearing, now set for May 17.

Switching the date for part two of the Palmaz hearing should ensure a full commission will be able to decide the matter. Commissioner Michael Basayne had said he couldnt be present for the original date, which was this Wednesday.

Aviation enthusiast Christian Palmaz now wants to build the heliport on a site on the slopes of Mount George, a few miles east of the city of Napa, instead of at the family home along nearby Hagen Road. County planning staff supports the new site, although many neighbors remain opposed and others fear it could result in more helipads elsewhere in the county.

Research is being done on a proposed no-fly zone over a nearby rural neighborhood. If the county received complaints that Palmaz is violating the zone, Palmaz would provide flight log data and GPS tracking data to determine his guilt or innocence.

But could Palmaz provide fake data?

Perhaps you could address the efficacy of your system, Basayne said at the March 1 meeting. I had the impression this is akin to a black box  once the information is in the box, its in the box and you cant play with it.

Palmaz explained why his helicopter and other modern aircraft have what he called tattle tale tracking systems.

We have lots of no-fly zones, he said. We have protected air spaces around airports. We have protected air spaces around air force bases. There are lots of places that you cant fly in in the United States and beyond.

When the San Francisco Giants play at AT&T Park, there is a temporary flight restriction area that extends 3,000 feet high for a three-mile radius around the stadium, Palmaz said. Modern aircraft such as his Bell 429 helicopter keep a tight log so if a pilot is accused of a violation, the case is black-and-white.

I dont even want to think how quickly Id lose my pilots license if we messed around with engine flight logs or maintenance records, Palmaz said. Thats one of the most egregious crimes you can commit in aviation.

This isnt a custom-built system slapped together for the proposed Napa no-fly zone, but is technology already in the aircraft, he said.

Commissioner Terry Scott said that once the aircraft is in flight, it is governed by the Federal Aviation Administration, not the county. He wondered how the county could enforce a no-fly zone.

Attorney Brian Russell on behalf of Palmaz said the county cant prevent Palmaz from flying into the no-fly zone without stepping on the FAAs toes. But the county can take away the use permit for the heliport if Palmaz violates the zone.

The heliport is a land use right, not the right to fly in air space, he said.

That prompted Commissioner Anne Cottrell to ask how many times the county has revoked a use permit.

County staff will find out by the next meeting, though the consensus was its a rare occurrence. Planning, Building and Environmental Services Director David Morrison said that in his 28-year planning careermost of it in other countieshe has taken three permits to revocation hearings and succeeded once.

Cottrell read a county general plan policy saying agricultural land should be reserved for agricultural use. She asked how a heliport is an agricultural use.

While many people tend to cite that as being an absolute clear and bright line, it generally isnt, Morrison said. We have fire departments in the ag area, which are not agricultural. We have estate homes, which are arguably not agricultural. We have utility infrastructure and other things that are not directly agricultural.

It is a matter of interpretation, Morrison said. Planning staff has offered one interpretation in the Palmaz case and the Planning Commission might arrive at another.

Cottrell also wants to look at general plan policies speaking to the rights of the individual versus the rights of the community.

Commissioner Joelle Gallagher said she needs more information on the county rules of allowing a personal use heliport for individual owners or families. The applicant for the heliport in the Palmaz case is the Amalia Palmaz Living Trust.

I dont feel its very clear at all how this code language relates to the applicant as the Trust, she said.

She and Commissioner Jeri Gill also noted that the Mount George parcel, while owned by the Palmaz family, does not have a house on it. The parcel is a mile to the northeast of the originally proposed site at the family home. They wondered if that poses an issue for a personal use heliport.

I think thats all very muddy and we need a lot more clarification around that, Gallagher said.

All of this came at the end of several hours of testimony from dozens of residents. Most distrusted a county environmental impact report that said a heliport could be made to have no significant impacts. Concerns ranged from noise to helicopter crashes to more wine country residents seeking helipads.
When Republicans imagined having a president of their own and control of Congress, they thought it would be a nonstop string of legislative achievements and improvements to government, bringing an inspiring new era of efficiency and effectiveness that showed Americans what the GOP was really capable of.

That is not quite how things are working out. Let's take a brief tour around the news from just several days this week, to see what is befalling the Trump administration:

--The travel ban: Federal judges in Hawaii and Maryland halted the second version of the administration's travel ban, ruling that its discriminatory intent likely makes it unconstitutional and putting it on indefinite hold.

--The Affordable Care Act repeal: After a brutal Congressional Budget Office assessment showed that the Republican bill would cause 24 million Americans to lose their health coverage, House Speaker Paul Ryan now admits that the bill can't pass the House in its current form.

--The budget: "President Trump on Thursday will unveil a budget plan that calls for a sharp increase in military spending and stark cuts across much of the rest of the government including the elimination of dozens of long-standing federal programs that assist the poor, fund scientific research and aid America's allies abroad."

That last one may not look like bad news - yet. But it's going to produce both internal and external problems. It's already causing consternation among Republicans on Capitol Hill, many of whom like to talk about limited government in the abstract but aren't as happy about the kind of radical cuts the administration is suggesting, setting up a conflict between the White House and Congress. They'll also find that the public, too, thinks "small government" sounds like a good idea until you start cutting the programs they depend on. And that's before we even get to the Russia scandal.

Every administration has good periods and bad periods, successes and failures. But this is more than a slow start; two months in, this presidency is a rolling disaster.

What's going on? The administration isn't failing because of some brilliant strategy on Democrats' part. They're being weighed down by problems of their own making. In isolation each problem would be difficult but ultimately manageable; together they're giving the administration nothing but bad days. Let's take them each in turn:

-- Abysmal management. Trump was only the latest in a long line of political figures who argued that if someone from outside politics took over the government, he'd whip it into shape with his business savvy and management expertise. The result has been the most chaotic and incompetent White House anyone can remember. As Politico reported Wednesday, "A culture of paranoia is consuming the Trump administration, with staffers increasingly preoccupied with perceived enemies - inside their own government," creating "an environment of fear that has hamstrung the routine functioning of the executive branch."

Almost no one at the top levels of the Trump administration has experience in government, which not surprisingly has made everything more difficult as they bumble around trying to figure out how things work. Whether because of their own indifference to governing or the inability to find anyone willing to work for Trump, the administration hasn't even nominated people to fill more than 500 of the 553 key positions requiring Senate confirmation, leaving agencies across the government barely able to function. If this is what Trump considers a "fine-tuned machine," imagine what it would look like if it weren't running so smoothly.

-- A disastrous first legislative priority. Republicans may have had no choice but to pursue the repeal of the ACA right off the bat, but they could hardly have gone about it in a less competent way. After seven years of attacking the law, they still hadn't settled on their alternative, leading to a hastily written plan that not only would create a health-care catastrophe if implemented but also managed to win the displeasure of their members in both the Senate (for being too harsh) and the House (for not being harsh enough). Now the White House is saying it's Paul Ryan's fault, Ryan is trying to make Trump share the blame, and the whole thing is spiraling downward. Rich Lowry, the editor of the conservative National Review, writes that the repeal bill "has had the worst rollout of any major piece of legislation in memory," and has left the GOP "staring into the abyss."

-- An impulsive, distracted president. People keep wondering if the latest Trump outburst is a clever ploy to distract the country from whatever piece of bad news is currently vexing the administration. But the one who's easily distractible is the president himself, and then he in turn distracts his staff and congressional allies. Just look at what's happening with his accusation that President Barack Obama tapped his phones. On impulse, after reading an article on a white nationalist website, Trump levels a ludicrous and baseless charge, then everyone in the White House has to pretend that it's serious and legitimate, and they're forced to answer questions about it for weeks. All that time could be spent advancing an affirmative agenda.

Because he can never admit that he was wrong, Trump drags the issue out endlessly, just as he did with earlier iterations of this pattern, about the size of his inaugural crowd or the millions of phantom illegal votes that led to his popular vote loss (I'd encourage you to read the transcript of his Wednesday interview with Tucker Carlson and marvel at the fact that this man is actually president of the United States). That then makes life difficult for Republicans in Congress, who are put in the awkward position of either defending the latest bit of stupidity issuing from the Oval Office or being honest about how ridiculous it is, which they know would win them the president's ire.

Much as you can blame Republicans in Congress, including Ryan, for being Trump's enablers, there's no doubt that they're not happy about how things are going. And as time goes on and their minds turn to the 2018 elections, they're going to start thinking more and more about their own survival. Given that even in the best of times the president's party usually loses seats in the midterms, they may begin looking for ways to separate themselves from an unpopular president, which is only going to make future legislating more complicated.

Now, the caveat. Liberals shouldn't make the mistake of thinking that if the Trump administration's political standing or basic competence doesn't improve, then lots of very conservative things with profound effects on people's lives won't still happen. They will, and in some cases already have. And there's plenty of time for the administration to get its act together and start operating with some minimal level of competence. But if I were a Republican, I wouldn't be too pleased with what we've seen so far.

Paul Waldman is a contributor to The Washington Post's Plum Line blog, and a senior writer at The American Prospect.
On the morning of February 6th, the seventy-one-year-old Australian childrens-book author Mem Fox arrived on a United Airlines flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles. She was en route to a conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on the theme of diversity, where she was scheduled to deliver a keynote speech on teaching children to read. Fox, whose 1983 book, Possum Magic, is the best-selling Australian childrens book of all time, has travelled back and forth to the United States more than a hundred times in the course of her life. This time, she told me recently by phone, Things began to unravel when the digital photograph machineyou have to walk through one at LAXmalfunctioned, and an immigration official told her, Oh, just go down there and speak to a real person.

Fox said that she felt immediate aggression from the officer. She was a young woman, in her twenties, she told me. Our failing as Australians is that we are friendlyand I think it can be a failing, for we expect friendlinessand I said hello very pleasantly. She said, You have checked business on your form. What is your business? 

Fox replied that she was the keynote speaker at a conference in Wisconsin. The officer asked her what her speech was about. Id never been asked that before, Fox recalled. I told her it was about the best books to teach children to read.

Will you be recompensed for this speech? the officer asked.

Indeed, I will, Mem Fox said.

How much will you be recompensed?

Fox said that she would be paid eight thousand dollars, most of which covered her airfare from Australia. She had never been asked that before, either. Then the officer told her that she would have to answer some more questions.

Within moments, Fox was escorted to a holding room. The door closed behind her. There were about twenty people in the room, including a Taiwanese woman, a Scandinavian woman with a baby, and an elderly woman in a wheelchair, wearing a head scarf. There was a feeling of confusion in the room. A small notice on the wall, in English, prohibited the use of cell phones or laptops. Fox told me, It was not big enough or prominent enough for people to see, even if they could read it, so in the time I was in the room many people who came in took out their phones, at which the guards would bark at them: Put that away! They stood right in front of the person, as close as they could, and yelled at them. She added, Everything in that room was designed to humiliate.

There were several booths in the room, where the passengers who came in were interrogated. Everyone in the room could hear everything that was said. Fox recalled, The Taiwanese woman had something to do with importing cameras, and they yelled at her, Where do you get the money from? It was clear she didnt understand. The woman interviewing yelledits hard to describe how harshly she spokeWhere do you get the money from? Does it fall from trees? Does it fall from the sky? 

Otherwise, the room was quiet. Fox continued, No one in the room looked at each other. We knew instinctively that that might be seen as collusion. They began to try to interrogate the woman in the wheelchair, but it was clear she did not speak English, and the official began to yell at her, Arabic? Arabic? Arabic? And then they started yelling Farsi! Farsi! Farsi! and I thought, Oh, no, shes Iraniani.e., from one of the countries targeted by Trumps immigration ban. The woman was later released.

In an attempt at normalcy, Fox focussed her attention on her bookshe had packed Stendhals The Red and the Black from her shelf at home.

A few minutes later, a woman leaned over and said, Theyre calling Fox. Is that your name?

Fox got up and began to walk over to a booth. A young customs officer, armed and dressed in black, said, No, not there, and pointed to a spot on the floor in front of him. She stood there.

My interview was conducted with him standing in front of me, with my back to the room, with his face barely a foot from mine. I apologized for not hearing my name and he said to me, with so much insolence I was rocked, So good someone is paying attention. I replied in a steady voice, Im so sorry, I was buried in my book, and he said, So what do you expect me to do, stand here while you finish it? 

The interview continued. By this time, I must have looked like a bent old lady in a story, Fox said. I was close to collapse. He told me that I was travelling on a visa illegally, which I knew not to be correct, but I was not about to argue . . . I said, Its probably going to be my last trip to the United States anyway.

At this, he reared up and said, Did you say that before to anyone? I was determined to maintain my dignity. I told him that perhaps I was too old to work and travel so intensively, and perhaps younger people could give speeches. And he said, aggressively, Well, maybe you havent been teaching them well enough! 

Later, in her journal, Fox would write, In the still sane recesses of my mind I felt myself blind with rage that a young man could speak so arrogantly and impolitely to an old woman. I felt myself spinning. My brain was closing. I held on tightly to my Australian resilience in what seemed to me had become a police-state, in which I was undergoing unfair and unfounded interrogation.

The officer continued to bark questions.

So what kind of books do you write?

I write for young children.

Name some titles!

 Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, and Time for Bed. I have books in my luggage if you want to see them.

I dont need the books!

The officer took her documents and disappeared for fifteen minutes. When he came back, he said, I see they gave one of your books to Prince George.

Fox said, They did.

Foxs book Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes was given to Prince George by the Australian government as an official gift to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The work, called by Booklist a standout . . . for beautiful simplicity, is illustrated by Helen Oxenbury with pictures of babies from different cultural backgrounds.

The officer now softened. He smiled, he shook my hand, and he said, Its been a pleasure to meet you, Miss Fox.  That night in the hotel, Fox says, she awoke sobbing in her sleep.

At first, Fox told only her family and her publisher what had happened. I was afraid to discuss it at all before I got home, for fear I would be detained, she told me. She took detailed notes about her experience, and back in Adelaide, where she lives, complained to the American Embassy in Australia. Within hours, she received a formal apology. But she says she cant imagine travelling to the United States again. (When asked for comment about Foxs account, Jaime Ruiz, a spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection at LAX, said, That is not how we treat passengers. We treat passengers with respect and professionalism. We have zero tolerance for passengers being treated unprofessionally.)

Last week, she visited her grandsons elementary school to give a reading of her newest book, Im Australian Too, a celebration of Australias cultural diversity. (I speak just like an Aussie / which is really who I am / my family lives in Melbourne / but we hail from Vietnam.) A reporter for the Adelaide Advertiser was there to cover the event, and Fox described her ordeal. I wasnt pulled out of the line because I was a revolutionary, Fox told me. But now I am.
I'm greatly appreciative of Paul Moser's guest column: Mar-a-Lago's newest: The Situation Terrace, (March 9) a masterful satire, which, nonetheless, falls short of having The Donald , fully arrayed as Julius Caesar, step out of a Caesar salad, avocado stained toga in hand, on the Mar-a-Lago's Taco Terrace.

America's own Thorstein Veblen would have been pleased to behold in tandem his Theory of The Leisure Class folded crisply with the glories of Conspicuous Consumption and cilantro. (Although cilantro is not native to Veblen's Wisconsin, as is Paul Ryan and the song John Johnson, popularized by Carl Sandburg--He works for [Ayn Rand's] government there!).

Staff rumor has it they work for the government at Camp David, already bought, paid for, accessible by limo; but that is apparently an off-books transaction, while the overhead continues to run, we've inherited from Enron and other efficient private sector corporations who --we are told-- are not comprised of bureaucratic inefficiencies, and are oblivious to such as the excessive federal, state and local costs and Secret Service nightmares incurred by the$$$$$ glitz and show of Mal de Lago.

Have you et yet, Brute?

We must not look askance, but look the other way, as The Donald is merely manifesting presidential behaviors. Let us not forget George Washington, who offered to serve just for payment of his exorbitant expenses, whose short-termed surrogate Benedict Arnold succeeded in having Oeufs Georgette with all that Hollandaise sauce named after him (what an oeuvre, George). George did not criticize the previous president, as Donald, the Articles of Confederation, which had existed for an in- glorious six years prior to an instrument we call the Constitution, failed in its test of leadership.

Let us not forget John Adams who developed the Alien and Sedition Acts which for Trump shall no longer linger like Lazarus, dry in his grave without a drought of Sam's Lager. Let us not forget Thomas Jefferson (no not the Louisiana Purchases nor chasing after Sally Hemming, such were his deals) but let us query why Trump was searching the Executive Mansion for the cupboard or closet concealing Jefferson's bathrobe-- at one time more public than Ezra Pound's or Hugh Hefner's (Will the Playboy Mansion go next? In trade for Camp David?).

But, here we've just begun to extol our list of presidential virtues and we've forgotten to mention Virginia's own Trump Winery. Jefferson was a wine aficionado who valued his wine cellar much more than his tax obligations. The Donald's kinship with The Thomas cannot be ignored. In fact it dare not be ignored, the vineyards being located just a few miles away from Monticello and shaped like a violoncello.

Neither Robert Parker nor John Sununu could be reached for comments upon Trump wines, but I'm told that they produce both reds and whites and The Donald can tell the tasting room difference without looking, although he does relish his name upon the labels. It is untrue that some have assessed the white Surrogate Sauvignon, as being somewhere in the range of grapefruit juice to Mediterranean seawater and the red Boers-Ducts as being heavy with bramble and not worthy of Avignon or other French provinces.

Yes, America, it's likely that the taster was no schmoozing Moliere, but a doubting Thomas who would have doubted even Thomas Jefferson's sommelier. And its blatantly untrue that Air Force One flew a few cases of Trump 's vintage to Mal-de-Lago, as the pilot did not belong to MENSA and the guests on the reputed Taco Terrace preferred branch-water with salsa picante.

PS. Some have queried as to why refer to The Donald as The Donald, and not as President Trump. Sound intuition tells me that as it was after Caesar, the title will be changed.

Bob Austin

Napa
I always search for the road less touristed. Yet it was not without trepidation that I drove with my spouse across the Hungarian plain from Budapest into Kosice, Slovakias second-largest city. As the industrial outskirts gave way to a skyline dominated by Communist-era block apartment buildings, I grew convinced that I had made a terrible vacation choice.

The windowless entrance to our pension on a grimy block was equally discouraging. The room was unremarkable, with modular furniture that transformed twin beds into a double, but left metal bars protruding from the walls. When I reported to the concierge that our refrigerator was not working, she answered, Most of them dont.

I couldnt say I hadnt been warned. A Europe-savvy friend advised me to skip Slovakia and head to Krakow. The country gets scant coverage in guidebooks; travel writer Rick Steves deemed it the West Virginia of Europe, which I did not take as an endorsement, although he did note its rustic beauty. A 2015 DK Guide to Eastern and Central Europe describes Slovakia as a relatively little-known country, with few visitors, and Lonely Planet devotes more than half of the thin coverage in its six-year-old Czech/Slovak guidebook to Slovakias capital, Bratislava. Only about 40,000 American tourists visit Slovakia each year, while its more illustrious neighbor and erstwhile bordermate, the Czech Republic, draws hundreds of thousands. The majority of those probably only stop in Bratislava en route to Vienna or Budapest.

Nevertheless, I had opted to bypass the relatively more touristed Bratislava and Western Slovakia to head for Eastern Slovakiawhere I arrived despondent.

But just around the corner, down a graffiti-defaced block with a single cafe, stood a stunning and massive Gothic cathedral anchoring the unexpectedly lovely and lively town center. For several car-free blocks, Hlavna Ulica (Main Street) was lined with dramatic monumentsincluding its Baroque Plague Column, erected in 1722 to offer thanks for the plagues endfountains, shops and buildings from the 13th to the 19th century. Cafes, serving up chocolate and ice cream treats as delectable and sophisticated as any in Western Europe, and restaurants, predominantly Eastern European but also Indian and Irish, offering permutations of dumplings and meat doused in sour-cream-and-mushroom sauce, bustled with activity. Although the restaurants were typically staffed by tattooed, English-speaking waiters, rarely, if at all, did I hear English spoken by the patrons.

Between the cathedral and the Baroque Revival State Theatre, a tree-encircled musical fountain played Yesterday and other familiar tunes; after sunset, colored lights illuminated jets of water pulsing to the music while families with gelato cones strolled by. Climbing the cathedrals steep, cramped stone spiral staircase afforded a birds-eye view of the mosaic roof and the happenings below; one day, the plaza at the foot of the cathedral hosted a bike-stunt competition, the next, a protest of a corrupt official.

Just off Hlavna Ulica, the repurposed synagogues were a poignant reminder of Slovakias past. As part of the Axis in World War II, it rounded up and deported tens of thousands of Jews, most of who perished in the Holocaust.

Kosice exceeded my modest expectations, but Levoca was a small-scale medieval marvel by any standard. Two hours to the northeast, through increasingly pleasant countryside, Levoca makes a great base for exploring castles and national parks. Founded in 1249, this walled town of 14,500 people has an intact center of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance structures painted in pastels.

In the town square sits a circa-1550 Gothic town hall and the St. Jamess Church, with an altar carved by Levocas famous (well, relatively) native son, Master Pavol. A 16th-century wrought-iron cage of shame for unlucky locals also sits in the square.

Despite its iconic status in Slovakia, youve probably never heard of Spis Castle. A 20-minute drive east of Levoca, the sprawling ruins of one of Central Europes largest fortressesa UNESCO World Heritage sitefirst appeared in the distance as a mysterious white smudge in the lush hills. Gradually, the walls and ruins perched on a ridge became discernible. The castle, parts of which date from the 11th century and which housed 2,000 people in the 17th century, overlooks multihued fields, red-roofed villages and rolling hills with a backdrop of snowy mountain ranges. Traipsing around the 10 acres of atmospheric ruins and taking in the views can take several hours.

Nearby national parks, although not exactly untrammeled wildernesses, showcase Slovakias significant natural assets. Swarming with local hikers, Slovak Paradise National Park (also called Slovensky raj) is loaded with user-friendly amenities and covered with signage and hiker assists. We did the popular Sucha Bela trail, which follows a stream and waterfalls via hair-raising gorge-side catwalks and metal ladders. Acrophobics, beware. As I nervously waited in a line of 50 or so people to climb the first intimidating 90-foot ladder, mere inches from a waterfall, I watched fearless 5-year-olds and dog-toting adults scampering up. This was my last chance to turn back: Heading the wrong way on the trail henceforth could incur fines.

I somehow mustered the courage to continue. After several hours of hoisting myself up on chains and praying that the ladder rungs would hold, I emerged at the top of the canyon where, to my delight, mountain bikes awaited. For about $10, you could rattle down the mountain on squeaky-braked, rusty bikes and be back at the base in no time to enjoy a fried dough snack at any of the parks several cafes.

Thirty minutes northwest of Levoca, the ski resort town and former Soviet playground of Stary Smokovec serves as a gateway to hikes in the rugged, Alp-like mountains of Tatra National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. For less ambitious hikers, a funicular railroad delivers you (and hordes of others) to a closer base to access delightful walks to waterfalls and into the mountains.

And the best was yet to come. Pushing southeast to complete the Slovak circuit, we arrived in Banska Stiavnica. (Not to be confused with Banska Bystrica, which is rumored to be worthy of a visit and unlike Banska Stiavnica, made it into DKs guidebook.) It is a perfectly preserved medieval town whose main street winds its way up to the cobblestoned town center, Trinity Square, and whose charms, culture and food rival those of any Italian hill town.

Set in a valley, it has two small-scale castles on either sidethe 13th-century old castle and the 16th-century new castleboth with panoramic views. The town celebrates its mining history with museums. Because our pension was built over a mini-mine museum of its own, we skipped them. But we did take in an organ concert of Bach compositions in a 15th-century church and a medieval festival that fittingly took over the town square, complete with armored knights, blacksmiths, stilt-walkers and makers of chocolates and dumplings, all of them dressed in period garb.
Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Saturday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his demonetisation move and digital drives. "Thanks to demonetisation, India has taken a big leap forward from a predominantly cash economy to a digitally enabled optimal cash economy. It has brought unproductive money into productive use, Ambani said while addressing the India Today Conclave. He said so far credit in the country had been high value and low volume, available only to a few people. "In the coming years based on your Aadhaar identity, it will be possible to get a loan on your mobile in just a few minutes," the richest man in India told the gathering. India underwent demonetisation drive from Nov 8 to Dec 30 of high-valued Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes to cleanse the country of black money. Asked about Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party's landslide victory in the recent Uttar Pradesh elections, despite the demonetisation drive which affected common people as well, Ambani said: "We are blessed to have a leader who not only understands the countrymen but also understands the world and technology." "What impressed me the most was when the prime minister visited the US (at the time Barrack Obama was the US President) and at the dinner they only discussed how technology can benefit the poor people and help develop a country." --IANS ag/hs/vm ( 235 Words) 2017-03-18-15:08:07 (IANS)
Following this announcement, the liquor prices have been hiked in Maharashtra.

The Devendra Fadnavis-led government in the 2017-18 budget promoted the push towards promotion of digital transaction besides reducing the VAT on purchase of card swipe machines to nil from 13.5 percent.

However, the agriculture sector was allocated Rs. 8, 233 crore for various irrigation projects for the farmers.

The budget announced agriculture to be the sector for investment with a view to double the productivity of the farmers by 2021.

The state government also allocated Rs. 200 crore for the community of farming and developing clusters for setting up of farmer producing companies with an additional Rs. 50 crore set aside to develop alternate markets for the farmers to sell their produces and to improve storage facilities.

Finance minister Mungantiwar also announced Rs. 8,233 crore for irrigation project in the 2017-18 budget, and said that the govt. aims at doubling the farmers income by 2021.

The govt. also announced Rs. 2,812 crore allotted for 26 projects under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Scheme along with a substantial provision of Rs. 8,233 crore for the Water Resources Department. (ANI)
People praying for Bollywood superstars Aamir Khan-Shah Rukh Khan combo in a film may have to pray a little harder, and a little longer. SRK, in a recent interview, said that the two actors did not meet to discuss work. "We don't talk work, we haven't spoken work for years. He was in town. He has just been in town, I have been in town and last 2-3 months, he has come home sometimes but nothing, there is nothing work wise that we have discussed," he said. Recently, the 'Raees' star visited Aamir Khan at his residence on his 52nd birthday and speculations were rife that they might come together in a film. When asked about what gift he gave to the 'Dangal' star, SRK jokingly said, "I just hug everyone, that's all. It was his birthday, so I just wanted to wish him and spend some time with him." On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan will next be seen in Imtiaz Ali's upcoming movie 'The Ring' alongside Anushka Sharma, while Aamir Khan is busy shooting for Vijay Krishna Acharya's 'Thugs of Hindostan,' which also stars megastar Amitabh Bachchan.(ANI)
But, it has an interesting fact attached to it.

According to sources, Neeraj Pandey's 'Naam Shabana' is based on real Shabana, who is an undercover agent.

Director Neeraj Pandey took guidance from a full time consultant, an ex-intelligence officer, who have given full details of the life of a spy in addition to sharing intricate details of their operating, to add depth and realism to Taapsee Pannu's role in the film.

Based out of Lucknow, Shabana exists in real life and has been inculcated in the system after they identified her as a potential agent, much like reel Shabana.

The team of 'Naam Shabana' however, have refrained from using the real life identity of the ex spy and have changed the name of Taapsee's character in the film to Shabana and are taking extra precautions in keeping the identity of the ex-undercover agent under wraps.

The movie is believed to be based on a real life undercover operation conducted in Malaysia.

Written by Neeraj Panday and produced by Plan C Studios, Shivam Nair's directorial 'Naam Shabana' is all set to release on March 31.

The flick stars Taapsee Pannu, Manoj Bajpayee, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Anupam Kher.(ANI)
Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet on Wednesday authorised a 50 million euro ($53.7 million) boost in the country's German Federal Film Fund (DFFF) for 2018 to 125 million euros ($134 million) as well as 3 million euros ($3.22 million) more for a separate culture film fundi for smaller projects to 25 million euros ($26.8 million), reports variety.com.

The increase follows a recent hike in this year's DFFF pot of 25 million euros ($26.8 million) for a separate funding pool within the DFFF aimed specifically at international co-productions and big-budget domestic films.

Next year, this second funding pool, dubbed DFFF II, will grow to 75 million euros ($80.5 million).

German culture and media commissioner Monika Grtters has also said she would seek more funding for local VFX companies - a move that would likely increase the number of international projects coming to Germany, which boasts a large number of leading firms in the field.

--IANS sug/vm

( 184 Words)

2017-03-18-15:34:07 (IANS)
The second installment of 2013-flick 'Fukrey' will hit the screens on December 8.

'Fukrey 2' has Richa Chadha, Pulkit Samrat, Ali Fazal and Manjot Singh in pivotal roles.

Since the inception of the shoot last year, the sequel is touted to be the most anticipated movies of the year.

The first installment in the franchise became a huge hit despite of having not so big starcast.

The poster of the release date showcases a snake who is curling himself up in the form of number 8, indicating the release date of the movie. (ANI)
Simran Kaur - the voice behind Nobita Noby from cartoon series "Doraemon" - will be making her television debut with the show "Agnifera". "Agnifera" is a story of two brides and one groom entangled in a marital quandary. Essaying one of the brides named Srishti, her character is of a smart and intelligent middle class girl who is in the final year of studying law. Simran has been researching on the body language of lawyers through online videos and reading up their connotations. "When I was told that I have to play a lawyer's role it really excited me and hence to understand everything about the profession I thought it would be only fair to read up on the subject," Simran said in a statement. She added: "It has been just two weeks since I have started my homework and I am hoping to learn as much as I can." The show will go on air on &TV from Monday. -*- When Sameer Arora was rushed to hospital Actor Sameer Arora, who plays the lead protagonist Kabir in the show "Bin Kuch Kahe", was rushed to a hospital on account of low blood pressure (BP). He says health comes first and one must tend to it. The incident happened when the actor returned to Jaipur, where the show is being shot, after a visit to his hometown Nainital. "I was down with high fever and almost fainted when a crew member from the production house fed me some sugar, chocolate syrup, and lime juice. Finally, I gained some energy and finished my close up shots. But later, again, I felt dizzy and was admitted to hospital where doctor decided to put me on a glucose drip," Sameer said in a statement. He added: "Within a short while, I felt better and decided not to wait as long as the doctor had prescribed and reached the sets to continue shooting. I finished all my scenes for the day because I know what a unit goes through when actors go missing. Health comes first and I did tend to it, but I was not about to let my show suffer either." The show is aired on Zee TV. --IANS sug/ks/bg ( 378 Words) 2017-03-18-19:22:06 (IANS)
Model-actress Nora Fatehi has said that actor Angad Bedi was her best friend unlike the rumors that the two were dating each other. "Angad is my best friend and we understand each other well," Nora told IANS on the sidelines of fourth day of the Amazon India Fashion Week Autumn-Winter 2017 where she was walking for designer Pawan Sachdev along with Angad. When IANS asked Angad about their link up reports, he quickly reacted: "I dont want to comment on that." Sachdev showcased a line titled "Trega that paid emphasize on simple aesthetics making the collection awe inspiring for all the fashion lovers. Angad and Nora seemed very excited before making their ramp appearance. "The feeling is beautifu. I am working for such a good man and the kind of outfit he made for me is fusion with colours that are black and white. It's great to be back here in ADelhi and the city holds important place in my heart." Nora was quick to add. "I am very excited. I never had the modeling experience but I a happy that I reached a point when I can be called a showstopper. It's an achievement. I have a long way to go but whatever I have done now has been appreciated and I love coming to Delhi," said the "Big Boss" famed actress. --IANS nv/ahm/ ( 239 Words) 2017-03-19-01:34:07 (IANS)
Expressing concern over the frequent disruptions of Parliament, President Pranab Mukherjee today said that when our Legislatures cease to function effectively, the very basis of our Democracy gets undermined.Addressing the India Today Conclave 2017 in Mumbai as its Chief Guest on the topic "Such a Long Innings: Politics, Power, Office", the President also cautioned against majoritarianism saying that the country also needs a strong Opposition standing guard. Addressing the conclave, the President said that if Parliament and Legislative Assemblies become dysfunctional, it results not only in institutional paralysis but also has ripple effects across the system. The President said it was difficult for him to stand and watch Legislatures, one of the fundamental pillars of Indian democracy being rendered ineffective. Stressing the need to maintain the sanctity of the Parliament and all Legislatures, the President said,''I speak with some anguish because my entire public life has been defined by my role in Parliament. My substantive political life began from the day I entered the Rajya Sabha in 1969 and ended when my membership automatically ceased upon my being declared elect to the Office of the President in 2012. Whatever I have learnt, what I have achieved and all that I have contributed has been through Parliament. It is, therefore, difficult for me to stand and watch this fundamental pillar of Indian democracy being rendered ineffective. In my view, there is absolutely no justification for constant disruption of proceedings, low level of attendance, shrinking in number of days that the Parliament and State Legislatures meet as well as the irresponsible manner in which important legislation, including the Budget and financial proposals, get passed with hardly any discussion. When our Legislatures cease to function effectively, the very basis of our democracy gets undermined. It is through the Parliament and our Legislative Assemblies that governments are held accountable to the people. If they become dysfunctional, it results not only in institutional paralysis but also has ripple effects across the system,'' Stressing that the foremost responsibility of a Parliamentarian was Legislation, the President said it was most unfortunate that the time devoted to legislation had been gradually declining in Parliament. ''To illustrate, the first Lok Sabha from 1952-57 had 677 sittings in which 319 bills were passed. In comparison, the fourteenth Lok Sabha from 2004-2009 had 332 sittings and passed just 247 bills. The fifteenth Lok Sabha had 357 sittings and passed 181 bills while the sixteenth Lok Sabha has so far had only 197 sittings and passed only 111 bills (upto the 10th session). Figures are available for the time lost due to interruptions/adjournments from the Tenth Lok Sabha (1991-96) onwards. 9.95 per cent of total time was lost due to interruptions in the Tenth Lok Sabha, 5.28 per cent in the Eleventh Lok Sabha, 11.93 per cent in the Twelfth Lok Sabha, 18.95 per cent in the Thirteenth Lok Sabha, 19.58 per cent in the Fourteenth Lok Sabha, a shocking 41.6% in the Fifteenth Lok Sabha and about 16 per cent in the Sixteenth Lok Sabha (upto the 10th session),''the President said. Mr Mukherjee said that it was of benefit to both the Ruling Party and the Opposition to break this vicious cycle of disruptions and disorderly behaviour. ''I appeal to political leadership across the spectrum and across the country to arrive at an agreement that all protests and airing of grievances will be undertaken only in such manner that the functioning of our Parliament and Legislatures are not disrupted,''he said.In his address, the President said we must always guard against majoritarianism. ''Those in power must involve and take the entire nation along with them at all times. Consultation and consensus is the best and often, only way forward. The country also needs a strong Opposition standing guard,''he said.The President said the Constitution of India and the values and principles enshrined in it must at all times remain the lodestar. ''Constitutional provisions must be respected in letter and spirit by all of us, especially those in positions of authority and in public life. Executive action and legislation must indeed conform to the Constitution but going beyond that, day to day activities of political parties and all those associated with it must also conform to the Constitution and its provisions as interpreted by our judiciary. The tendency of individuals and groups taking the law into their own hands should be strongly resisted.''the President said.Expressing his concern over increasing intolerance, the Preisdent said that it would be impossible for us to achieve the progress that we seek, if man turns against man in the name of religion, caste or politics.''One of the principal lessons India's history teaches us is that united we stand, divided we fall. It will be impossible for us to achieve the progress that we seek, if in our country man turns against man in the name of religion, caste or politics. India has always celebrated diversity and debate. Free speech and expression is not only guaranteed by our Constitution but has been an important characteristic of our civilisation and tradition. Indians are known to be argumentative, but never intolerant,''he said.UNI AR SHK 2043 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0092-1193001.Xml
With the Midterm Elections less than one week away: What do you consider the top issues that you will be voting on to be corrected by your better representation?

Education Crime Big Government getting Bigger Biden /Democrat controlled Spike in Energy Cost Inflation created by Legislation of Majority in Power Gender Reassignment Corrupted Bureaucratic /Service (DOJ, FBI, etc.) Institutions Abortion Discredited Legacy Media Ending the Corruption of Dishonest Politicians Corruptive Influence of Social Media Wide Open Southern Border
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement made before Uttarakhand assembly election in Dehradun that the state needs 'dual engines' to speed up development, the Congress on Saturday accused the Centre of doing anything for the progress of the state in the past three years. Speaking to ANI here, Congress leader Pradeep Tamta said, "Uttarakhand people unprecedentedly supported Prime Minister Modi, but he did nothing for the people of the state in the past three years. Citing the example of Gujarat's growth success in UPA government, Tamta said he does not agree with Prime Minister's principle of a 'dual engine'. Earlier in Parivartan rally' of BJP in Dehradun, Prime Minister Modi said that "The development in Uttarakhand needs two strong governments, one at the Centre and another in the state. I am grateful that you have sent us to the Centre and now I urge you to bring the same BJP to the state in 2017 assembly elections so that the development work of the state gets a boost." Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah will attend Trivendra Singh Rawat swearing in ceremony at the Raj Bhavan in Dehradun today. Rawat has maintained that the BJP will provide a corruption-free government to Uttarakhand and will work to uplift the poor. The BJP won with a clear majority in the state with 57 seats in the 70-member Uttarakhand Assembly, thereby ousting the Congress that managed to win just 11 seats this time. (ANI)
All MLAs will meet at 5 p.m. to pick the next Chief Minister of the state.

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu and BJP general secretary Bhupendra Yadav will also be present at the meeting as party's central observers.

The swearing-in ceremony of the new Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister will be held at the Kanshiram memorial ground tomorrow.

Prime Minister Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah will also attend the ceremony.

The BJP marked an astounding victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections by winning 324 seats out of 403, thus dislodging the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) from power. (ANI)
: The BJP led government will take the confidence vote on March 20. Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren has decided to take the floor test ahead of the schedule given by Governor Najma Heptulla to enable immediate commencement of the Assembly session. S Bira the senior most member will be nominated as Protem Speaker. The newly elected members will take oath as members on March 19. The new Speaker will be elected the next day which would be followed by the vote of confidence. Dr Najma A Heptulla will address the session on March 21. The government is preparing to present a vote on accounts to enable payment of salaries and meet other expenses immediately. The 60-member House may pass the Bills on March 23.Talking about the UNC's indefinite economic blockade, the new Chief Minister informed that they have been working to hold another round of meeting on March 19. After taking oath Biren has been trying to end the economic blockade launched by United Naga Council. The UNC which supported the Naga People's Front (NPF) in the elections is part of the coalition and has been given a Cabinet berth. The first decision of the Cabinet was to appeal to the UNC to lift the blockade considering the hardship of the people which was rejected by the UNC. The state government has proposed a talk tomorrow. The BJP, with 21 MLAs, had roped in NPP and NPF with four MLAs each. It also has the support of the lone LJP member. The Trinamool Congress MLA will also extend support to the BJP, it was stated. Though O. Ibobi Singh-led Congress managed to emerge as the single largest party in the assembly polls by bagging 28 seats, the BJP cobbled up a coalition to stake claim to lead its first-ever government in Manipur. UNI NS PL -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0211-1193273.Xml
Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha is "almost" certain to be the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, even as BJP state President Keshav Prasad Maurya was still in the race, informed sources said on Saturday. A senior BJP leader, who declined to be named as the party was still keeping suspense over the post alive, told IANS that Sinha has emerged as the top choice to head the Uttar Pradesh government after strong backing from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party President Amit Shah. "It is almost decided. The announcement is likely to be made after the (newly-elected) BJP MLAs meet in Lucknow" on Saturday evening, the BJP leader said. --IANS bns-sar/vm ( 123 Words) 2017-03-18-12:28:06 (IANS)
Two time F4 title winner and former National racing champion Ashwin Sundar, who had excelled in all formats of motorsport, and his wife Nivedhita were charred to death when the luxury car in which they were travelling rammed into a road side tree and burst into flames in the city today. Police and family sources said the couple were returning home in their BMW car, when the tragedy occurred at the arterial Santhome High Roadon the Marina Beach road early this morning. Thirty-one-year-old Ashwin, who had won several titles and was adjudged Champion of Champions in India for winning the 115cc 4-stroke and 150cc four-stroke titles in 2006, lost control of the vehicle after one of the tyres got burst and rammed into a roadside tree. In the impact, the car burst into flames, trapping the couple inside the car. Immediately, the fire engulfed the car and the couple were charred to death. Acting on information, police and fire service personnel rushed to the spot, put out the blaze, and removed the charred bodies to the government hospitalfor post mortem. Police have registered a case and are investigating. As the news spread, a pall of gloom engulfed the motorsport fraternity, withracing icons, including FMSCI President Akbar Ebrahim, expressing shock and profound grief over his death. "It's a sad day for motor sports," Akbar Ebrahim tweeted. "I knew Ashwin since he was an infant and I saw him excel in all formats of the sport'', he said. ''May his and his wife's soul rest in peace," he said, expressing his his deepanguish and sorrow on behalf of the motorsport fraternity. Ashwin took to racing early in his life and won many titles in his illustrious career. In 2006, he was adjudged Champion of Champions in India after winning the 115cc 4-stroke and 150cc 4-stroke titles. In 2012 and 2013 he became the country's undisputed F4 champion as well.UNI GV CS 1329 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1193434.Xml
With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yet not disclosing its chief ministerial face for Uttar Pradesh, the Congress on Saturday taunted the saffron party while stating that they indulge in 'band baaja' politics. Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar told ANI that the BJP was quick in forming governments in the state of Goa and Manipur where it ended up second in a split mandate. "They formed the governments in those states where they ended up second without any delay. It is strange that they have yet not been able to select their Chief Minister for Uttar Pradesh," he said. Responding to a poser on the BJP contemplating over giving Union Minister Manoj Sinha the coveted post, Babbar said that he would not like to comment in this regard as it is the saffron party's internal matter. Sinha has, however, so far ruled himself out of the race for the coveted throne of Lucknow. Sinha yesterday said neither he is in the race to become the Chief Minister nor does he know of any such race. Meanwhile, the tussle for the chair of power has escalated to levels of demonstrations in favour of the names of contention - UP BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya, firebrand leader Yogi Adityanath and Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh - outside the BJP office in Lucknow. However, reports suggest that the BJP top brass may pick Ghazipur MP Sinha for the coveted post owing to his large experience in the party operations. The BJP is set to hold its legislature meet this evening to elect the new Chief Minister with Shah been empowered to have the final say in the decision. Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu and BJP general secretary Bhupendra Yadav will also be present at the meeting as party's central observers. The swearing-in ceremony of the new Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister will be held tomorrow in presence of Prime Minister Modi. The BJP marked an astounding victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections by winning 325 seats out of 403, thus dislodging the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) from power. (ANI)
The arrested man, identified as Habib Miyan, had reportedly helped the main accused - Abu Hamza, a Pakistani national, and Ahmed alias Saba alias Farhan from Motihari in Bihar to escape to Nepal after the terror attack, which claimed the life of one Prof M.C. Puri and injured several other scientists.

Public Prosecutor Uttam Banerjee told ANI, "One suspect in the 2005 militant incident in Bangalore was arrested from Jogendranagar. He has been identified as Habib Mia and was produced in a local court here with plea for transit remand to take him to Karnataka."

Meantime, Habib Miyan's sister Sabna Begam rubbished the allegations levelled against him and said that her brother was innocent.

"My brother is innocent and is not connected to any crime. He is very religious and works as a plumber. He has not even stepped out of the state. All allegations against him are false," she said.

Earlier on December 28, 2005, two gunmen wearing black masks and army uniforms in a car started firing indiscriminately from a rifle towards the delegates at the IISc killing one Professor Munish Chandra Puri of IIT Delhi and injured four others.

The IISc attack was planned by Pakistan-based banned terror organiSation Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT).(ANI)
"Congratulations to Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat & the entire team sworn in today. Am sure they will work hard & fulfil people's aspirations," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

"The new Uttarakhand government will return the tremendous affection shown by the people of the state with record development," he added.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rawat, who took oath as the ninth Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, will hold his first Cabinet meeting at 4:30 p.m. today.

Rawat was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Krishna Kant Paul.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Jagat Prakash Nadda and Uma Bharti were among the several dignitaries, who attended the swearing-in ceremony.

Prakash Pant, Harak Singh Rawat, Satpal Maharaj, Madan Kaushik and Rekha Arya were sworn-in as Cabinet Ministers.

Ahead of his swearing-in ceremony, Rawat paid tributes at the Shaheed Smarak here.

The former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh(RSS) Pracharak, who succeed Congress leader Harish Rawat, yesterday assured that he would provide a corruption-free government and would work for the upliftment of the poor.

Rawat, a BJP loyalist, guided the saffron party to electoral victory in the 2014 Jharkhand Assembly elections.

In the recently-concluded assembly polls, the BJP won with a clear majority with 57 seats in the 70-member Uttarakhand Assembly, thereby ousting the Congress that managed to win just 11 seats this time. (ANI)
As part of KG to PG free education, the Telangana government will open 119 Residential Schools--one each in every Assembly Constituency for Backward Class students from next academic year 2017-2018, Forest and Environment, Backward Classes Welfare Minister Jogu Ramanna informed the Assembly today. Mr Ramanna, during the question hour said, of the total 119 Residential Schools, 56 schools are for boys and 63 for girls. About 76,160 BC students would be benefitted in the state. The government is spending Rs 1.05 lakh to 1.25 lakh for each student every year. Each School required 10-14 acres of land. Identification of suitable sites was under progress, the Minister said. He said the staff including teaching and non-teaching would be appointed under guest, retired and outsourcing. Later the permanent staff would be appointed through the Telangana State Public Services Commission (TSPSC), the Minister said. As per the demand, the government would increase the BC Residential Schools in the state in a phased manner.UNI VV CS 1540 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1193591.Xml
CPI(M) state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who presided over the Malappuram district committee meet, informed this to media here today.

National Democratic Front (NDA) had zeroed in on Bharatiya Janata Party district Vice President Adv N Sree Prakash for the by-poll, necessitated following the demise of IUML National President and former Union Minister E Ahamed last month.

Ahamed had won the seat with a record 1,94,739 margin in 2014.

Meanwhile, the IUML has kicked off its election campaign for Mr Kunhalikutty, who is also a former state Minister and representing Vengara seat in the assembly, claiming it would exceed the victory margin of Ahamed.UNI PCH CS 1500

-- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0328-1193537.Xml


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Class Size Controversy puts Budget Flexibility at Risk

Over the last six years, the Republican-led General Assembly has granted school districts unprecedented budget, staffing, and class size flexibility. Much of that flexibility has come at the request of school boards and district leaders, who contend that easing regulatory restraints on schools will make them better able to meet the diverse needs of their student populations. Legislators agree that allowing decisions to be made locally, rather than at the state level, is consistent with good governance and, in the case of Republican lawmakers, conservative principles.But over the years, school boards and district officials appear to have used the flexibility generously granted to them by state lawmakers to execute a revenue-maximizing scheme. Whether it is by accident or design, the formula is the same - use budget flexibility to shortchange an essential or popular line-item and then blame legislators for the shortfall. Add a few media reports of dire predictions - mass layoffs, program cancellations, and destitute classrooms - and lawmakers are falling over themselves to make districts "whole," avoiding the protestations of their constituents and political opponents. The textbook funding debate was an early example of this ploy. The class size controversy is the latest.The resource allocation model used by our state to distribute funding to its public schools may be part of the problem. Our current funding system is complex, lacks transparency, and, according to some lawmakers , fails to hold districts accountable for their budgetary or staffing decisions. It is no surprise that some forward-thinking lawmakers in the House want to create a task force that will explore ways to improve the school finance system.State funds are distributed to districts in 37 allotments. Five are position allotments, that is, funds designed to be used for classroom teachers, school building administrators, instructional support personnel, career and technical education teachers, and child and family support teams. The remaining 32 allotments cover teacher assistants, textbooks, central office administration, classroom materials, and other components considered necessary for the operation of public schools. A series of formulas, published in a 150+ page policy manual , determines the amount of money that each district receives.But funds sent to districts in one of these allotments need not stay there. At a recent legislative committee meeting, outgoing Chief Financial Officer for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction Philip Price pointed out School districts then use that funding toIndeed, school district officials may move taxpayer funds between categories after they are received by the state, so long as it complies with state regulations and statutes. A handful of allotments, including non-instructional support personnel, low wealth supplemental funding, transportation, and Disadvantage Student Supplemental Funding are not restricted. Others are subject to rules and statutes that restrict the movement of funds. For example, funds cannot be transferred into the central office administration allotment but may be transferred out. On the other hand, districts may transfer money into the teacher assistant allotment, but they may not transfer these dollars to another one. The latter restriction was a legislative response to another example of budgetary duplicity - school district leaders complaining about proposed cuts to teacher assistant positions while diverting millions of dollars from their teacher assistant allotments.A recent report published by the North Carolina General Assembly's Program Evaluation Division detailed the transfer of funds from one allotment to another. According to the report, during the 2014-2015 school year, districts used 968 transfer to move over $203 million across allotment categories. Even funds set aside for our most vulnerable populations - low-income, at-risk, and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students - were the subject of allotment transfers during that period. But these transfers are across allotments. It does not account for how districts use money within each allotment. This is particularly true for the massive pot of funds used to hire instructional staff across grades and disciplines, the classroom teacher allotment.Late last year, school district leaders began to complain that, once exceptions to mandated teacher-to-student ratios expire next year, they will have insufficient funds to meet K-3 class size requirements. District officials report using their existing budgetary flexibility to reallocated tens of millions of state dollars earmarked for K-3 class size reduction to pay for art, music, physical education, and technology teachers, teacher assistants, and various positions in middle and high schools. They contend that meeting class size requirements in the coming school year may require dismissing teachers and teacher assistants to free up funds for classroom teachers in the early grades. House Bill 13 , which addresses the problem by easing class size requirements, passed the House unanimously and now sits in the Senate Committee on Rules and Operations, but senators are reluctant to move the bill through. Senator Jerry Tillman has been one among a handful of key senators to voice displeasure of school district budgeting practices. Like many in his caucus, Tillman believes that maintaining the current level of budget flexibility may be a sound policy in principle, but it has, once again, become a political liability. If current law is unchanged, they will be blamed for the dismissal of enrichment teachers and teacher assistants. If House Bill 13 passes, they will be derided for raising class sizes. I suspect that the bill will not move until the Senate finds a satisfactory compromise, particularly one that minimizes the potential political fallout.Regardless of the outcome, the class size controversy further impairs the relationship between lawmakers and district administrators and school board members. It is hard to blame lawmakers for hesitating to preserve budget flexibility or grant additional freedoms to districts when they get blamed when local decisions go awry. In the end, districts must take ownership of their decisions and refrain from using it to score political points. Otherwise, beleaguered lawmakers will have no choice but to revoke those budgetary and operational freedoms that school officials claim are essential.
Mr Reddy, during the question hour said, of the total buses, 131 were CNG, 160 AC, 154 Metro Deluxe and 100 mini buses. About 33 lakh people were travelling in these buses every day, he said.

He said 9000 conductors and the same number of drivers were working in the TSRTC. Of them 1600 were women conductors. There were 300 vacancies.The vacancies would be filled soon, the Minister said.

The Government would take necessary steps to run AC and Mini buses in the Old City from April one.

He also assured to mention the bus destinations in Urdu language in Old City area buses.

The Minister also invited the local MLAs to discussion on public transport system.MORE UNI VV CS 1628

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G.M Pens International Private Limited, the pioneer in writing instruments, manufacturer and marketer of 'Rorito', announced its strategic technological association with world-class expert, Schneider Schreibgerte GmbH (Germany), for their new-age Product Design & Development. To mark the commencement of a new and lasting relationship, G.M Pens International signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Schneider, bringing together the two leaders to usher in futuristic technology, in the writing instrument space. The association with Schneider is meant to enable and strengthen the product portfolio, in addition to offering the very best of technologically superior products to customers. The joining of hands was commemorated by the launch of Rorito Teramax & Rorito Robomax, the most advanced offering from Rorito. Rorito Teramax has been created understating the need gaps among the serious writers especially catering to the student segment. Rorito Robomax has been engineered for the smooth writing seekers. Speaking on the occasion, Mr.Indrakumar Mahendran, Joint Managing Director, G.M Pens International Pvt. Ltd said: "We at G.M Pens International Pvt. Ltd. are extremely delighted to join hands with Schneider Schreibgerte GmbH (Germany), to offer our beloved patrons, the very best of writing technology with the launch of Rorito Robomax and Rorito Teramax. Our R&D teams have worked extensively to put together a product based on robust research to understand the subtleties and nuances of Indian writing habits, the angle and speed of lettering, the working hours of the average user, the pressure applied on paper & ink delivery required for good legibility etc. These products are a testimony to our commitment to delivering the best writing instrument in the hand of every Indian," Mr Mahendran said. Speaking on the product launch, Mr. Christian Schneider, Managing Director, Schneider Schreibgerte GmbH) said "We are proud to associate with India's leading pen brand, Rorito. Our revolutionary approach will lead the writing instrument space as it has a state-of-the-art advanced fluid ink system. We are sure that these venerated products will elevate the writing experience of the end consumer, in view of offering the best from across the globe."UNI CS AK1730 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1193763.Xml
He said he has confident that Markfed Chairman Loka Bapu Reddy would work to render justice for farmers.

Mr Bapu Reddy, who was appointed as Chairman of Markfed called on the Chief Minister along with his followers at Pragathi Bhavan, an official statement said here today.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister recalled how Mr Bapu Reddy worked actively and played a key role in the Telangana movement as well as in the TRS. He said all those who worked for the Telangana movement would get justice in the government and in TRS party.

While congratulating Mr Bapu Reddy, Mr Rao assured that all would get positions sooner or later. MP Balka Suman, Mining Development Corporation Chairman Seri Subhash Reddy were also present.UNI VV CS 1801

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Expressing disappointment over the announcement made by Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar in the state budget for 2017-18, the opposition MLAs burnt copies of the same outside the assembly today. Despite demands from the Shiv Sena and other opposition parties, Mungantiwar did not make any announcement on the loan waiver for farmers. The government, however, allocated Rs. 8, 233 crore for various irrigation projects for the farmers. "Maharashtra's growth rate for 2016-17 was 9.4 percent and we aim to take this at least in double digit in the coming year (2017-18). For farmers, Rs. 8,233 crores has been allocated for water resources and Rs. 2,812 crore has been allocated for Prime Minister's irrigation scheme proposed for year 2017-18," Mungantiwar said. Liquor is set to cost more from April 1, as the state has proposed to hike the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 23.08 percent to 25.93 percent on the MRP of country and foreign liquor. Earlier in the day, when Mungantiwar started his budget speech in the assembly, the opposition members protested with banners following which the speaker had to request the opposition to go out. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that the government was willing to allocate financial resources along with the Centre to help 31 lakh farmers reeling under debt of Rs. 30,500 crore. (ANI)
Central Board of Secondary Education has asked parents and students appearing for Class X and XII papers to reach examination centres well before the scheduled time to avoid inconvenience due to the proposed gherao of Parliament House and PM's residence on March 20. CBSE in an advisory to Class X and XII students appearing in exam on Monday said it had come to the notice of the Board through reliable sources that Akhil Bhartiya Jat Aarakshan Samiti had appealed to members of the Jat community to gherao Parliament House and PM's residence in New Delhi on that day. Class XII exams in Mathematics, first aid and Emergency Medical Care, Clinical Bio-chemistry and Microbiology, Microbiology (MLT), Health Centre Management, Opthalmic Techniques, Radiograhpy (Special Investigation Imaging Radiography) and Class X Painting, Spanish and Russian are scheduled for March 20. K K Choudhury, Controller of Examinations, in a release, advised the affected students and parents to take necessary measures to reach the examination centres well before the scheduled time to avoid inconvenience inanticipation of the gherao.UNI SD SW SNU 1828 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0005-1193993.Xml
Union Minister of Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad today expressed happiness about the outstanding academic performance of the girl students of one of the highly reputed law schools in the country -- Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), also a favourite educational institution of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was instrumental in its setting up here, as the then Chief Minister.The Law Minister also termed himself as a champion of gender equality and greater participation of women in the workforce. Mr Prasad was addressing the 8th convocation of GNLU as chief guest and handed over Degrees to 221 students including 4 PhD scholars 66 Post Graduate (LL M) students and 151 Under graduate LL B (Hons) Programme students.Supreme Court Judge Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court Justice R Subhash Reddy, and Minister of State for Law and Justice department of Gujarat government, Pradeepsinh Jadeja and Director, GNLU Bimal Patel were also present on the occasion.Of the 5 PG level and 22 UG level gold medals, most were showered on girl students.Mr Prasad praised the achievements of the students, with special reference to a large number of girls achieving excellence. This was in context with several girls winning gold medals for the highest marks and excellence in various subjects, as well as academic toppers for the entire duration of their degrees, in comparison to the number of boys who won the same, which was lower. The Union Minister extended his support to the women students, stating that he believed that the graduating batch had amongst it, several potential Supreme Court Judges and Ministers. He lauded the efforts of the varsity in having dedicated chair to promote ethics and values in the legal profession.He further spoke about the great heritage of the country, wherein historically, several lawyers, such as First President Dr Rajendra Prasad rose to great ranks in politics. Mr Prasad emphasised on the need to remember the struggle for freedom and the rise of Indian lawyers, and to be motivated by the same. His unsolicited advice to the new graduates was to enter the litigation practice; despite the initial struggle, saying the hard work will always pay off. He made special reference to the Make in India and Digital India campaigns, praising the work of his counterpart- Information Technology Minister in the Cabinet.UNI XC RAJ RJ SNU 1823 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0098-1193892.Xml
BJP leader and NDMC Vice-chairman Karan Singh Tanwar has written to Home Minister Rajnath Singh for immediate arrest of Delhi Cantonment Board Chief Executive Officer B Shankar Babu Reddy for the alleged physical and sexual exploitation of a female teacher.In a letter to Mr Singh, Mr Tanwar expressed concern over non-arrest of Board CEO on account of physical and sexual exploitation of a female teacher of Silver Oak Public School of Delhi Cantonment Board in spite of lodging an FIR under section 354A/509 of IPC for physical and sexual harassment.Mr Tanwar said an FIR was registered against the CEO on March 10 under the section of 354A/509.He, however, said in spite of lodging of FIR, Delhi Police has neither arrested the CEO nor bothered to call him for investigation.''This lenient attitude of the Police helps the criminals to escape from the clutches of the law and the dignity of the women is put to stake. If this is the attitude of the Police for burning issues like physical and sexual exploitation of the women, how the women can save their dignity from the real culprits of the society is a burning issue and matter of great concern,''Mr Tanwar said in his letter to the home minister.Mr Tanwar said ever since the CEO has taken over in 2015, the victim teacher is being subjected to harassment on various occasions.''After the victim lodged a complaint, she was terminated after working for ten years without any notice or explanation, keeping aside all rules and regulations,'' Mr Tanwar said. He appealed to the Home Minister for immediate arrest of the CEO so that other senior officers, who are culprits and responsible for exploitation of women may learn a lesson.UNI AR SW -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0098-1194024.Xml
Odisha Agriculture Minister Pradip Maharathy today denied that all the five farmers who have committed suicide in the state in the current year was related to loan burden or crop failure as alleged by the Opposition and the family members of the deceased farmers. The Opposition Congress and the BJP members however staged a noisy walk out after Mr Maharathy rejected their demand for a house committee to probe into the suicide of the farmers in the state Replying to a motion moved by the Opposition Congress in the Odisha Assembly, Mr Maharathy said during the current year the state government has received the allegation of suicide committed by five farmers. Quoting the report submitted jointly by the Collectors and Superintendents of Police of district concerned, the Minister said Hadu Bagarti of Kendapalli village in Baragarh district, Sibaprasad Bharta of Sanamasingha village in Nabarangpur District, T Bulureddy of Chikarada village in Ganjam District and Sudam Khuntia of Raghunathpur village in Balasore district have committed suicide for reasons not related to agriculture. The Minister said though the exact cause of the suicide of Sibaprasad Bharta was not yet clear but it was not for agricultural loan burden, he said. Mr Maharathy said similarly the inquiry committee could not reach at a conclusion that the suicide of Sudam Khuntia of Balasore was related to agriculture. The Minister rejected the demand of the opposition to constitute a House Committee to probe the farmers suicide cases stating there was no need for it. Stating that he was deeply hurt by the suicide of farmers, the Minister said the government is committed to all round development of farmers. The agriculture production in the state has increased from 55 lakh ton in 2000-01 to 118 lakh ton in 2014-15 and per cent of poverty has reduced from 57.20 per cent in 2004-05 to 32.59 per cent in 2011-12 due to the initiatives taken by the government. The Minister said the government is considering to bring all the farmers under the insurance cover. Mr Maharathy said two Agricultural officers have been placed under suspension for their alleged role in the tractor subsidy case and FIR has been lodged against them. A committee under the Chairmaship of Agriculture Secretary has been formed to inquire into scam. He said as per the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) 1,33,623 persons including 12,602 farmers have committed suicide in the country in 2015. As many as 4087 persons including 50 persons involved in agriculture have committed suicide in Odisha during the period. The Minister as per the NCRB report 4,291 persons in Maharashtra, 1,569 in Karnataka, 1,400 in Telengana, 1,290 in Madhya Pradesh, 954 in Chhatisgarh, 916 in Andhra Pradesh and 606 in Tamilnadu have committed suicide during the period. The persons have committed suicide mainly for loan burden, insolvency, family feud, crop loss, illness or drug consumption.MORE UNI BD DP BM -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0214-1194219.Xml
The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) and the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) today objected to former Chief Minister T R Zeliang allegedly added his signature as the Chief Minister on the list of beneficiaries under the Chief Minister's Road Development Fund (CMRDF) for 2016-17 amounting Rs12,50,00,000. In a joint statement from the JCC and the NTAC stated that while Mr Zeliang had relinquished office on February 19, the document dated March 8 shows him to have appended signature as Chief Minister. "His reappearance to sign as Chief Minister in the distribution of beneficiaries on 8-3-2017 is an insult to the voice of the people by the force of which he was dislodged from the position. This seemingly also invalidates Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu's having taken over as the new Chief Minister on 22nd February 2017," the JCC and NTAC said. Terming this as a case of "blatant bamboozling and abetment of corruption in the system of governance and management of the state of affairs in Nagaland," they accused the former Chief Minister of "manipulating even the highest echelon of governance." "The play of cheap politics of corruption and nepotism and greedy clamour for power by T R Zeliang is revealed once again. Whether the issue is of a claimed leakage of document which is of immense public interest or coincidental detection of dishonest big business dealings, since the cat is out of the bag, the matter needs to be treated as opportune and precise privilege to be given utmost seriousness" it added. The organizations asked the Governor to "ensure stringent action upon the lapses and avoid embarrassment brought entirely to the whole state even if it fails to irk the sentiment of the very person occupying the chair of the state's Chief Minister." Alleging that the office of the Chief Minister is being used for "political interest on ground of pure preferential treatment which possibly is unconstitutional if not unethical," the JCC and NTAC demanded that it is time for the people of Nagaland to "be allowed emancipation from play of corrupt politics by TR Zeliang," the statement added. UNI AS BM -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0214-1194321.Xml
Odisha Finance Minister Pradeep Kumar Amat today urged the Commercial banks operating in the State to extend their outreach to the unbanked gram Panchayats and enhance credit flow to agriculture and allied sector. Addressing the State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) meeting Mr Amat emphasized that "linkages from deposit to credit and from credit to economic activity" is very crucial for financial inclusion. He expressed concern over the credit deposit ratio of the commercial banks in Odisha which he said was around 42 per cent against the all india ratio of 73 per cent at end of the year 2014-15. The banks, he said, need to plug this gap and step up their medium term credit advance. The Finance Minister said during current financial year by end of third quarter the banks have achieved around 47 per cent of the NABARD credit potential. He asked the banks to rise to the occasion and achieve the credit potential target fixed by NABARD to the tune of Rs.66,555 crore during 2017-18. State Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi said that SLBC had decided to extend banking services to 4383 unbanked GPs within a specified time period. Bank wise target and timeline was also worked out. But actual performance of the banks showed that in 2014-15 new branches were opened in 125 GPs. In 2015-16 new branches were opened in 69 GPS and in the FY 2015-16 the branches were opened only in 20 GPs. Mr Padhi said banks need to implement the decisions of SLBC with all care and accountability. The Chief Secretary pointed out that around 78 largely populated villages with population of more than 5000 each were identified for opening of new branches as branches there would be more viable. But as of now only 2 such villages have new branches. Mr Padhi emphasized that this need to be prioritized and achieved. Development Commissioner R.Balakrishnan emphasized on timely compliance of the decisions taken in SLBC and field level convergence between banks and state functionaries. Principal Secretary of Finance Tuhin Kanta Pandey said expansion of banking services in LWE areas is a priority agenda of both the central and state Government. He said since the Maoist activities in Odisha have been curtailed to a great extent in the last few years the Banks could run in many areas without much of the trouble. UNI BD DP BM -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0214-1194373.Xml
A Marine's tribute to the Man in the door

Alex Ortolano recently posted an article here on BCN, which explained how a Medivac crew located and picked up wounded soldiers during his tour in 1965. Here is the link to that article. Finding and Evacuation Wounded in Vietnam. I did a quick YouTube search and found this tribute to the Helcopter crews by a Marine who served there. In this video he reads his tribute with some pictures of various Helicopters operations.I made a short one minute video of the pictures I took when working with the Choppers in Vietnam in 1968.Ask any grunt who was there and they will most likely tell you that they can tell the difference between the incoming sound 'Wop Wop Wop' and outgoing 'Wop Wop Wop'. Some will admit that the sound of that Police Chopper, Traffic Chopper or the occasional random National Guard Chopper going overhead still sends a chill up their back.
Mayor Sovan Chatterjee when presented the budget the opposition Congress and CPI(M) councilors carried placards and posters and demanded resignation of Mayor for his alleged involvement in Narada sting operation.

The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) councilors tried to stopped the opposition members for raising and disrupt the proceedings. Latter, the opposition councilors staged a walkout.

Left women councilors have charged Trinamool Congress councilors for attacking them during the protest session.

According to them some were hurt physical, others lost their mobile phone. The Opposition Left Councilors have filed a complaint at the New Market Police Station.

A two-judge bench of Calcutta High Court, headed by acting Chief Justice Nishita Mathre and Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty, yesterday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to investigate the 'Narada' sting operation of 2016.

The division bench gave its verdict while hearing three separate public interest litigations (PIL) filed before it seeking independent inquiry into the sting operation. Their lordships ordered a CBI inquiry into the allegation of bribery against senior state politicians and ministers that was unearthed in a purported sting operation by naradanews.com.

The court asked the central agency to conduct a preliminary inquiry in the next 72 hours and file an FIR if the probe warrants it.

They said the Bureau should take charge of all the documents related to the operation within 24 hours.

The chief minister said they would move the apex court for justice since they (TMC and the state government) felt that the Kolkata Police was not given enough time to probe the matter.UNI BM

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Uttar Pradesh Congress has expelled a senior party leader Rajesh Singh for six years after he put out a hording in front of the state office announcing a reward of Rs 5 lakhs for anyone bringing poll strategist Prashant Kishore alias PK to a meeting of the Congress workers. Party's disciplinary committee chairman Ram Krishna Dwivedi in a statement here tonight said that state secretary Rajesh Singh has been expelled from the party for six years for putting up such defamatory hording near the state party office. However the hording has raised interest among the people and the act of Prashant Kishore, as most of the Congress party workers blame him for the debacle in the UP polls.UNI MB CJ SHK 2235 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0400-1194389.Xml
At the request of Britain's Foreign Office, the royal couple flew to Paris on Friday, a first stage in a scheduled European Union tour to prepare Britain's exit form the EU and to bolster bilateral relationships, Xinhua news agency reported.

"This visit opens a new chapter of this long Franco-British relationship turning towards a promising future," British Ambassador Edward Llewellyn was quoted as saying by local media.

William and Kate will meet French President Francois Hollande "given the historical relations between France and the United Kingdom", the Elysee Palace said.

The royal couple will visit the military museum Les Invalides with senior French politicians, victims of the 2015 terrorist attacks at the Bataclan theatre in Paris as well as the lorry attack in Nice on Bastille Day last year.

The duo will also attend a reception at the British embassy as guests of honour to launch the "Voisins" (Neighbours) project, aimed at celebrating cultural ties linking the two countries.

William and Kate are also planning to attend the Six Nations rugby international between France and Wales at the Stade de France on Saturday.

The two-day visit is Prince William's first official trip to the French capital since the tragic death of his mother Diana, the Princess of Wales, in a car accident at the Pont de l'Alma tunnel two decades ago.

--IANS vgu/

( 266 Words)

2017-03-18-03:46:07 (IANS)
The UN Children's Fund (Unicef) urged Turkey on Friday not to use children, refugees and undocumented migrants as bargaining chips in its latest dispute with the EU, after Ankara threatened again to break the migration agreement. Unicef humanitarian affairs adviser Lucio Melandri, told a news conference that children should never be used as bargaining chips, and refugees and migrants should not be manipulated for political reasons, Efe news reported. Melandri said he was aware of the situation in Turkey, which is home to 3 million Syrian refugees, adding that Unicef does not take a political stance, but asks all parties to consider the protection of children. Turkey repeatedly threatened the EU to suspend the agreement, closed in March 2016, by which it agreed to receive refugees arriving in Greece from their country, in exchange for economic aid and visa exemptions for its citizens. The threats have risen sharply since Germany and Holland vetoed the campaign rallies of Turkish ministers in their territories, to support the constitutional reform that would hand over all executive power in Turkey to the president. --IANS vgu/ ( 195 Words) 2017-03-18-04:44:07 (IANS)
It's a well known fact that Donald Trump has never shied away from a handshake when it comes to greeting international leaders, and the "death-grip" memes galore are proof to that, however, German Chancellor Angela Merkel had a sticky moment with the U.S. President as besides not shaking her hand, he barely even made eye contact with her during the customary photo-op. In a photo op after their Oval Office meeting, the two leaders sat next to each other in separate chairs. Merkel could be seen leaning towards Trump, who sat with his hands firmly locked between his knees, a very 'un-Trump' like gesture. Merkel then appeared to ask the President if he wanted to shake hands, which is customary in photo ops, but Trump simply did not respond. He barely even looked at his German counterpart while quickly answering a few questions from the press. By contrast, the President did shake hands with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when they recently visited him in the Oval Office, which incidentally did provide great fodder to memesters. Trump's tensed up body-language during the photo-op and his refusal to shake hands with Merkel has not gone down well across the globe, as he was chastised for the incidents and many branded his behaviors as rude and "un-President" like. "Send a good picture back to Germany, make sure," Trump jokingly told photographers, adding that his meeting with the Chancellor was "very good" and said the pair talked about "many things." However, when asked to shake hands by reporters and photographers, Trump and Merkel remained stationary. It wasn't clear if the two heard the request, and the two had shaken hands when Merkel arrived at the White House and they shook hands again after a White House news conference, reports CNN. The German Chancellor is trying to forge a relationship with Trump despite suspicion over his political views, as she congratulated the President after his election win, amid concern in Germany that his stances on issues like immigration run counter to the principles sustaining the Western alliance. Trump had earlier bashed Merkel during his campaign trail, and had also insulted her in his past public comments, criticizing her decision to allow hundreds of thousands of refugees to enter Germany. (ANI)
White House press secretary Sean Spicer flatly denied that the White House apologized to the British government over allegations that a British intelligence agency spied on President Donald Trump, media reports said. on Thursday, when he cited a Fox News report that said British intelligence helped wiretap Trump Tower during the 2016 campaign at the behest of former President Barack Obama. "I don't think we regret anything," CNN quoted Spicer as saying on Friday afternoon. Asked if there was an apology by the administration to the British government over the matter, Spicer replied, "No, we were just passing on news reports." When the issue was raised during Trump's joint conference with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the President said: "We said nothing. All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television. I didn't make an opinion on it." "You shouldn't be talking to me. You should be talking to Fox," the New York Times quoted him as saying. A spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain said on Friday that the White House had backed off the allegation. "We've made clear to the administration that these claims are ridiculous and should be ignored," the spokesman said, on the condition of anonymity. --IANS vgu/ ( 227 Words) 2017-03-18-07:48:07 (IANS)
The Justice Department declined to comment on the contents of the report, but, earlier in the day, a spokeswoman confirmed it had delivered the document.

"The Department of Justice (DOJ) has complied with the request from leaders of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees and Judiciary Committees seeking information related to surveillance during the 2016 election," Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said on Friday.

The House Committee is set to hold a hearing on Monday with National Security Agency director Mike Rogers and FBI director James Comey.

The Senate Intelligence Committee announced on Friday it would hold a hearing on Russia's meddling with the U.S. election on March 30.

Earlier, in a series of tweets, Trump accused Obama of wiretapping his phones without providing any evidence.

"Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my 'wires tapped' in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!" Trump tweeted on March 4.

Trump has stood by his claim, repeating the allegation again on Friday while standing next to German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"At least we have something in common, perhaps," Trump said on Friday, motioning to Merkel, a reference to how the U.S. National Security Agency had tapped the German Chancellor's phone in the past. (ANI)
Outraged over their omission from the census, the Sikh community of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is planning to stage a protest in the federal capital with protests already under way in different districts of the province. "Every religion is mentioned in the census form except Sikhism, which is a religion recognised the world over, but sadly our government has forgotten us in the most important national event that can change the fate of every Pakistani," The Express Tribune quoted K-P's Pakistan Minorities' Alliance president Radesh Singh Tony as saying. "If the government can mention Hinduism, Christianity and other religions, then they could have also added Sikhism but they did not," he questioned. "It is a conspiracy to create a rift between the Sikh community and the government of Pakistan. We will use our right to protest against this act of the government for not giving importance to an important community in the census that can affect our future. We will boycott the census if the government does nothing to safeguard our rights to be counted as equal citizens," he added. Another member of the Sikh community, Harmeet Singh, said the origin of Sikhism is in Pakistan as Guru Nanak was born here in Punjab. Sikhs from all over the world visit their sacred places located in this country but not mentioning our religion in the religious column of the census form is unjust with thousands of Sikhs living in Pakistan, he added. The census exercise is taking place after a delay of nine years, as the last population census was conducted in 1998. The data obtained from the census will be used for distribution of the National Assembly seats and division of financial resources. The population is also the base for distribution of civil service jobs among the provinces (ANI)
The deceased is yet to be identified.

"A man riding a motorcycle tried to intrude into RAB 3 check post in Shekher Jaiga area with explosives around 4:35am on Saturday. He was shot dead," Dhaka Tribune quoted RAB's Media Wing Director Mufti Mahmud Khan as saying.

He added that two RAB officials have also been injured in the incident.

RAB 3 Assistant Director ASM Sakhawat Hossain told Dhaka Tribune they have cordoned off the area.

"We suspect that the person was carrying explosives in his bag. Bomb disposal unit has been called," he said.

Earlier on Friday, a suicide bomber blew himself up near a temporary camp of the elite force in Ashkona Hajj Camp area.

The incidents have occurred few days after the Islamic State (IS) called for suicide attacks in Bangladesh. (ANI)
The "dishonest media" threw the dictionary at him. The Congressional "Gang of Eight" privy to intelligence matters pooh-poohed his claim. But POTUS 45 and his loyal mouthpiece using air quotes doubled down on his charge that 44 had him "wire tapped". "It was in quotes," Donald Trump told conservative Fox News explaining his charge made in a tweet two weeks ago. "That really covers surveillance and many other things." "You're going to find some very interesting items coming to the forefront over the next two weeks," he suggested claiming to have some "secret evidence" for Congress. Then as pundits fumed and chatteratti tittered over a total "rewrite" of his claim, the President used German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to the White House to add fuel to the furore. "As far as wiretapping, I guess by this past administration, at least we have something in common, perhaps," he told a German reporter turning towards a smiling Merkel standing by his side. It was an unmistakable reference to the revelation made by CIA leaker Edward Snowden that the Obama team tapped Merkel's cell phone back in 2010. Trump also had no regrets about his spokesman Sean Spicer repeating an unverified report aired on Fox News that President Barack Obama had him monitored by the British spy agency GCHQ during the 2016 election. "We said nothing," Trump insisted asserting Spicer was simply quoting "a certain very talented legal mind" and "You shouldn't be talking to me. You should be talking to Fox." "I don't think we regret anything," said Spicer later echoing the boss a day after his combative encounter with the press armed with "a ton of media reports". "The failing" New York Times, as Trump loves to call it, acknowledged that it had reported about agencies having "access to intercepted communications" investigating contacts between some Trump associates and Russian figures. However, it never "actually reported that Mr. Obama had authorized surveillance of Mr. Trump or that Mr. Trump had been eavesdropped," insisted the venerated old lady of Manhattan. Lost in the din was any meaningful discussion over his trillion dollar "hard power" budget that boosts defence spending by $54 billion as it makes deep cuts on everything from art to agriculture to environmental protection to foreign aid. Trump's budget director called it "a very deliberate attempt to send a message to our allies and our friends, such as India, and our adversaries" about the new regime changing "course from a soft-power budget to a hard-power budget." The budget found its detractors among both opposition Democrats and Republicans. As did his plans to repeal and replace "Obamacare" with a bipartisan Congressional agency reporting that it would leave some 24 million fewer people with insurance by 2026. Trump was also rebuffed a second time on his new improved travel ban as federal judges in two states in an act of "judicial overreach" blocked it as a "Muslim ban" citing his statements during the election campaign. But amidst the setbacks, POTUS tasted one small victory as an MSNBC scoop on Trump's tax returns backfired. His 2005 tax return showed that he paid $38 million in federal taxes on an income of $152 million at an effective rate of 25 percent. That was much higher than what Obama (18.7 percent in 2015), Mitt Romney (14.1 percent in 2011) and self-styled Democratic Socialist Bernie Sanders (13.5 per in 2014) paid. But instead of feeling vindicated, Trump accused the TV channel of stealing his tax returns for the sake of ratings. "Does anybody really believe that a reporter, who nobody ever heard of, 'went to his mailbox' and found my tax returns? @NBCNews FAKE NEWS!" he tweeted. Meanwhile, according to a Bloomberg report Trump haters spent a whopping $6 million on sign-making supplies in the week of Trump's inauguration and the Jan 21 Women's March against his presidency. Trump who loves to have a McDonald's meal also felt betrayed by the fast food chain this week. "You are actually a disgusting excuse of a President and we would love to have @BarackObama back. Also you have tiny hands," said a post that was up for about 20 minutes on McDonald's corporate Twitter account. McDonald's apologised saying its account had been "hacked by an external source." But for once there was no reaction from the tweeter-in-chief! (Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in) --IANS ak/tb ( 740 Words) 2017-03-18-12:32:07 (IANS)
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said today he held "candid, pragmatic and productive" talks with visiting US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, which included North Korea, Taiwan and bilateral trade.Tillerson said both sides renewed their determination to convince North Korea, which has a fast-developing nuclear and ballistic missile programme, to choose a better path. REUTERS PY AS1444 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1193520.Xml
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said after talks with visiting US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson today that there had to be a commitment to using diplomatic means to peacefully settle the North Korea issue.Tillerson said Wang had agreed they would work together to try to get North Korea's government to change its current course of pursuing nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.The two were speaking to reporters after meeting in Beijing.REUTERS PY RK1550 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1193559.Xml
Allegations from the United States that British spy agency GCHQ snooped on Donald Trump during his election campaign are "arrant nonsense", the deputy head of the US National Security Agency (NSA) said in an interview today.President Trump has stood by unproven claims that the Obama administration tapped his phones during the 2016 White House race. On Thursday his spokesman cited a media report that Britain's GCHQ was behind the surveillance.Richard Ledgett, deputy director of the NSA, told BBC News the idea that Britain had a hand in spying on Trump was "just crazy"."It belies a complete lack of understanding of how the relationship works between the intel community agencies, it completely ignores the political reality of 'would the UK government agree to do that?'", Ledgett said.There would be no advantage for Britain's government in spying on Trump, given the potential cost, he said."It would be epically stupid," said Ledgett, who is due to retire shortly.Current and former NSA officials have described an acrimonious relationship between intelligence agencies and the Trump administration.Trump, who became president in January, tweeted earlier this month that his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama had wiretapped him during the late stages of the 2016 campaign. The Republican president offered no evidence for the allegation, which an Obama spokesman said was "simply false".Fox News analyst Andrew Napolitano on Tuesday accused the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) - the British equivalent of the NSA - of having helped Obama to spy on Trump.White House spokesman Sean Spicer quoted Napolitano's comments on Thursday.GCHQ said the claims it spied on Trump were "utterly ridiculous" and should be ignored, in a rare public statement.On Friday, Trump said questions on this should be asked of Fox News, not him. REUTERS PY RK1530 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1193570.Xml
The next round of negotiations on Afghanistan will take place in Moscow in mid-April, Afghan Special Presidential Envoy for CIS Countries Shakir Kargar said today."There's an agreement to hold the conference on April 14," Mr Kargar told Interfax.He said the Afghan side would welcome Washington's presence at it."We would welcome participation of US representatives in the meeting, but it's unknown, yet whether they will participate and at which level," Mr Kargar said. Meanwhile, Afghan President's National Security Advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar told Sputnik that the United States and Russia should join their efforts in facilitating the peace process in Afghanistan, turning this topic into an area of cooperation."We hope that Afghanistan will be a platform for the US-Russian cooperation, including other key players, because we all want Kabul to succeed in the fight against terrorism and drug threat and reach peace.''We believe that it is time for turning Afghanistan into a platform for partnership, not confrontation," Mr Atmar said in an interview.Speaking about the US role in Afghanistan's peace process, he stressed that Kabul expected from Washington, specific proposals.UNI XC RJ SNU 1739 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0098-1193815.Xml
The world's financial leaders are unlikely to make any reference to trade in their final communique today because they have been unable to find a wording that would suit the United States, officials with knowledge of the talks said."Unless there is a last minute miracle, there is no agreement on trade," one official, who declined to be named, told Reuters.Germany, which holds the rotating presidency of the G20 and hosted finance ministers and central bankers of the world's 20 top economies, saw the lack of any formal endorsement of free trade as a failure."This is not a good outcome of the meeting," a G20 delegate quoted Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann as saying.REUTERS PY AS1827 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1193981.Xml
United States President Donald Trump took to twitter to express his rant against the media, stating that despite its 'fake news' reports, his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel was 'GREAT'. "Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS, I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Nevertheless, Germany owes......vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!" Trump tweeted. It's a well known fact that Trump has never shied away from a handshake when it comes to greeting international leaders and the "death-grip" memes galore are proof to that, however, German Chancellor Merkel had a sticky moment with the U.S. President as besides not shaking her hand, he barely even made eye contact with her during the customary photo-op. In a photo op after their Oval Office meeting, the two leaders sat next to each other in separate chairs. Merkel could be seen leaning towards Trump, who sat with his hands firmly locked between his knees, a very 'un-Trump' like gesture. Merkel then appeared to ask the President if he wanted to shake hands, which is customary in photo ops, but Trump simply did not respond. He barely even looked at his German counterpart while quickly answering a few questions from the press. By contrast, the President did shake hands with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when they recently visited him in the Oval Office, which incidentally did provide great fodder to memesters. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Saturday accused Germany of owing "vast sums of money" to NATO and the US, one day after his meeting at the White House with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He said on Twitter that Germany owed NATO and the US for the "powerful, and very expensive defence it provides to Germany!" Trump also tweeted that he had a "great" meeting with Merkel, despite the "fake news" that, in his opinion, have been published in US media outlets. During his press conference with Merkel on Friday, he again raised complained that many European members of NATO, which he has described as "obsolete", were not pulling their weight within the Atlantic Alliance. "Many nations owe vast sums of money from past years and it is very unfair to the US. These nations must pay what they owe," he said, apparently referring to the failure of some member-states to comply with the NATO guideline calling for devoting at least two per cent of gross domestic product to the military, CNN reported. Merkel said Germany had committed to increasing its military spending to the previously agreed level of two per cent of GDP for NATO's European members. The US President also lashed out at the news media on Saturday. "Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS," he tweeted, "I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel." --IANS soni/bg ( 244 Words) 2017-03-18-21:50:07 (IANS)
Italian police said on Saturday they had arrested a Ghanaian man for alleged murder, rape, kidnapping and people-smuggling after migrants he is accused of mistreating attacked him at a reception centre on the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa.According to the arrest warrant, the African migrants turned on 20-year-old Sam Eric Ackom, known to his assailants as Fanti, when they recognised him as one of a gang that had kidnapped and tortured them in Libya during their voyage to Italy.The warrant, issued by police in the Sicilian city of Agrigento and seen by Reuters, illustrates the plight of thousands of migrants fleeing war and poverty who increasingly fall victim to criminal gangs operating in lawless Libya.Boat migrant arrivals in Italy are up more than 57 percent on the same period last year, according to Italian Interior Ministry figures this month, with about half a million arriving since the start of 2014.Those who have arrived this year have told of increasing violence and brutality in Libya, where rival factions battle for power and people smugglers operate with impunity amid the chaos left by the 2011 overthrow of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi.The 27-page arrest warrant contains testimony by numerous migrants of the treatment they received after being kidnapped by Ackom and other gang members, including rape, scalding with boiling water and beatings.The migrants from Ivory Coast, Guinea and Nigeria said they were held in a guarded compound in the Libyan desert where they were threatened with guns and forced to telephone relatives to request money while they were being tortured."Every time I had to call home, Fanti tied me up with my feet in the air ... and beat me with a rubber tube in every part of my body, especially the soles of my feet," said Ivorian Vadro Diomande.Several migrants said they were tortured with electric shocks and one, Nigerian Efosa Idehen, said Ackom, was "one of the most terrible" of the captors, often electrocuting him by attaching electrodes to his tongue.Ackom, now in prison, arrived in Lampedusa on March 5 after a rescue ship collected him and a group of migrants when the rubber dinghy they were travelling in ran into trouble in the Strait of SicilyREUTERS CJ PM2305 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0400-1194398.Xml
NAIROBI, March 17 (Xinhua) -- China has created close to 30,000 jobs in Africa over the last two years, more than any other country in the world, an expert said on Friday.

"China ranks the 7th in terms of project numbers in Africa, but it created the most jobs, which is unexpected by many people," Jeremy Stevens, economist at Standard Bank Group, told Xinhua on the sidelines of an economic forum in Nairobi.

Stevens said most jobs come from China's greenfield investment by private sector. He attributed the job creation to China's investment strategy as well as its willingness to hire local people.

"On one hand, Chinese investment in Africa is mainly in labor-intensive industry; on the other hand, most African countries see employment as their top priority, which Chinese companies are willing to cooperate," he explained.

Take Kenya for example, according to a policy research working paper released by the World Bank Group in March last year, China ranked as the fifth job creator between 2003 and 2015 through her foreign direct investment in Kenya.

"Contrary to the popular belief that Chinese companies only hire Chinese workers, 93 percent of companies report hiring Kenyan employees," according to the paper.

The paper also said that Chinese companies have a higher number of jobs per project because they have fewer projects than other countries in Kenya.

Between 2003 and 2015, FDI from China created 166.92 jobs on average per project. This was compared to 100 jobs generated per project by total FDI in Kenya, according to the paper.

It added that 60 percent of Chinese companies also offered formal training programs on skills, safety, and hygiene for local staff, compared to 64 percent on the part of all foreign firms in Kenya which offered such training.

During his visit to five African nations in January this year, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said despite the sluggish global economy and trade growth, industrial cooperation between China and Africa has been gaining momentum as more Chinese companies invest in Africa.

He revealed that the total value of all types of cooperative agreements signed between China and Africa between December 2015 and July 2016 had exceeded 50 billion U.S. dollars. During the period, a multitude of cooperative infrastructure projects, economic zones and industrial parks in Africa were commenced or put into operation, he said.

During the second summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in December 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa, China announced that it would roll out 10 major plans to boost cooperation with Africa in the coming three years, in areas including industrialization, agricultural modernization, infrastructure and financial services, among others.

To ensure smooth implementation of the initiatives, China also announced 60 billion U.S. dollars of funding support in the forms of preferential loans, export credit on more favorable terms, interest-free loans and free aid.
TALLINN, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Luxembourgian Prime Minister Xavier Bettel arrived in Tallinn on a visit on Friday for discussions on bilateral ties, joint digital projects, as well as issues concerning Europe's security and unity.

While meeting with his Luxembourgian counterpart, Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas noted the two countries' shared positions on economic and IT-related issues, Estonian governmental representatives informed.

Since digital Europe is one of the priorities of Estonia's upcoming presidency of the EU, Estonia plans to highlight the topic in order to advance the bloc's digital dimension.

"In this respect, Estonia sees Luxembourg as a partner with a great potential," Ratas said, noting Estonian experts' readiness to share their e-services expertise with Luxembourg.

Ratas also mentioned a recently signed agreement with Luxembourg on the creation of a virtual data embassy as a great example of productive cooperation between the two countries.

"The data embassy will enable Estonia to store data and information systems needed for the state institutions' functioning abroad so that they stay under our control and within our jurisdiction," Ratas said, praising Luxembourg's role in this innovative project.

The talks between Ratas and Bettel also touched on the EU's future in relation to the upcoming events marking the 60th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome.

Ratas stressed the necessity to educate EU citizens about the bloc's functions, how it affect their lives and broadens their opportunities.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Researchers have used images from cameras attached to long, flexible instruments called endoscopes and then advanced computer imaging technology to create a three-dimensional computer reconstruction of a patient's bladder.

With this fusion of medicine and engineering, doctors could develop organ maps, better prepare for operations and detect early cancer recurrences.

With endoscopes but without the computer imaging technology, the way doctors examine the bladder for tumors or stones is like exploring the contours of a cave with a flashlight, as they find it sometimes difficult to orient the location of masses within the bladder's blood vessel-lined walls.

However, bladder cancer has among the highest recurrence rates of any cancer. From 50 percent to 70 percent of tumors return after removal, according to Joseph Liao, an associate professor of urology at the Standford University School of Medicine and co-senior author on a paper published in Biomedical Optics Express.

Being able to see each patient's bladder as a three-dimensional model could improve surgical planning and monitor cancer recurrence.

"The beauty of this project is that we can take data that doctors are already collecting," Audrey Bowden, assistant professor in Stanford's Department of Electrical Engineering and co-senior author on the paper, was quoted as saying in a news release.

Endoscopy of the bladder, called cystoscopy, is an integral part of cancer management, according to Liao. One of the technique's advantages is that doctors don't have to buy new hardware or modify their techniques significantly. Through the use of advanced computer vision algorithms, the team reconstructed the shape and internal appearance of a bladder using the video footage from a routine cystoscopy, which would ordinarily have been discarded or not recorded in the first place.

To test the accuracy of their reconstruction, the team created a model based on endoscopy images taken in a 3D-printed bladder, known as a tissue phantom. Because the details of the tissue phantom are known, the researchers compared their rendering to the real thing and found they matched with few errors.

"Sometimes you don't have a sense - where was I in the bladder?" Liao said. Seeing a three-dimensional rendering of an organ before operating, like having a map before embarking on a trip, could make the procedure easier for doctors. Other potential applications include using the 3D reconstruction as a visual medical record.

Although the team developed the technique for the bladder, it could be applied to other hollow organs where doctors routinely perform endoscopy, including the stomach or colon. "We were the first group to achieve complete 3D bladder models using standard clinical equipment, which makes this research ripe for rapid translation to clinical practice," said Kristin Lurie, lead author on the paper, a recent PhD graduate and postdoctoral fellow at Stanford, and a current software engineer at Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.

This technique is the first of its kind and still has room for improvement, the researchers said. Primarily, the three-dimensional models tend to flatten out bumps on the bladder wall, including tumors. With the model alone, this may make tumors harder to spot. The team is now working to advance the realism, in shape and detail, of the models.
MEXICO CITY, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Authorities should try to locate Mexico's 43 missing students "with the same determination" they used to capture escaped drug lord Joaquin "EL Chapo" Guzman, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) said on Friday.

"A state that has shown the capability to trigger the mechanisms to capture 'El Chapo', is a state that can locate the ... disappeared," IACHR representative Paulo Vannuchi said at a hearing on the case, according to the daily Milenio.

Mexican government launched a massive and persistent manhunt to locate serial escapee Guzman, who was recently extradited to the United States, where he is serving a prison sentence.

The hearing at the agency's headquarters in Washington comes two and a half years after 43 students of a teacher's college in Mexico's southern state of Guerrero were attacked, tortured, abducted and likely massacred in a crime that shocked Mexico and the world.

The bodies of the victims were never found, though two were confirmed dead after DNA tests positively identified burnt remains recovered near a river in the town of Cocula.

The official version of the mass kidnapping on Sept. 24, 2014 maintains the students from Ayotzinapa were targeted for their political activism by the mayor of nearby Iguala, rounded up and handed over to a local drug trafficking and criminal organization.

The government says it has arrested scores of suspects, mainly local police officers, believed to have been working in collusion with the criminal ring. The small-town mayor and his wife have been imprisoned.

Parents of the victims attending the hearing accused the government of a cover up to protect other officials involved, including, allegedly, members of the military and federal police.
Workers are seen behind large equipment in the town of Iitate, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, March 7, 2015. (Xinhua/Liu Tian)

TOKYO, March 17 (Xinhua)-- "Such scams are a shame to Japan," said a reporter from Tokyo Metropolitan Television Broadcasting Corp., referring to a recently-exposed scandal involving labor dispatch agencies duping foreign refugees into doing decontamination work in Fukushima.

Various local media have exposed recently that some Japanese companies have swindled foreign refugees into doing decontamination work in Fukushima with empty promises that such work might help extend their visas to stay in Japan.

Fifty-year-old Hosein Moni and 42-year-old Hosein Deroaru from Bangladesh were both caught in such a scam, according to a recent report by the Chunichi Shimbun, one of the largest newspapers in Japan.

The two came to Japan in 2013 seeking to be recognized as political refugees. In Japan, foreigners are given temporary permission to stay for up to six months at one application before they are recognized as refugees and given status as residents.

According to government data, the number of refugees actually afforded recognition as refugees in Japan is disproportionately low among developed nations, while the numbers of those applying for refugee status has been rapidly increasing in recent years in Japan.

The government received some 5,000 such applications in 2014, but only 11 were granted refugee status, according to the data.

Moni and Deroaru were told by a so-called labor dispatch agency in Nagoya that they could do decontamination work in exchange for an extension of their visa.

The two, knowing little Japanese and trying to seize every opportunity they could, accepted the job and worked in Fukushima for three months in 2015.

But when they finished their work and went to the local immigration bureau to extend their stay, they were told by officers there that they knew nothing about such a policy.

They later found out that the construction company that had hired them had changed its company name, and its Fukushima branch had closed.

Half of the 20 workers that they had worked with in Fukushima were foreigners, many of whom had been applying for refugee status in Japan, the pair later recalled.

Their work mainly involved clearing away contaminated soil with spades, and while they were at work might well have been affected by high levels of radiation. "The radiation detectors we brought with us kept sounding alarms, which was rather scary," they were quoted as saying.

The incident, after been exposed by local media, also caused a splash on social network sites. Many Japanese netizens felt indignant that such scams were happening in their homeland.

"Earthquake, nuclear plant, poverty... there are always some people trying to cheat or hurt other people here just for money," remarked Kojima on Twitter.

"Why has my home country degenerated to such a low place," said "Hootoo," another netizen here.

They also called on the Japanese government to strengthen regulations on the Japanese companies to prevent such scams from happening.

Japan's immigration bureau, for its part, said that the incident was with "vile nature", and it would conduct investigations soon.

In fact, however, for a long time, due to lack of manpower, many of Japan's "three-K" (kiken, kitanai, kitsui, which means dangerous, dirty and tiring) jobs have been done by foreign immigrants, as the Japanese are reluctant to do such work.

"As Japanese people don't want to do the work, it has to be done by foreigners," said Ishikawa, a Brazil-born Japanese who was in charge of coordinating foreign workers in decommissioning work linked to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant, according to a report published by the Mainichi Shimbun last year.

Most of the foreign workers could hardly speak Japanese. As anti-radiation brochures provided by the plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. (TEPCO), were only available in Japanese or English, many of the workers could not understand it, Ishikawa was quoted as saying.

The foreign workers, to some extent, saved the contractors and TEPCO by pushing forward the decommissioning work of the nuclear plant, remarked the report.

A magnitude-9.0 earthquake in 2011 triggered a massive tsunami which destroyed the emergency power and then the cooling system of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, and caused a serious nuclear disaster, forcing some 300,000 people to evacuate.

The operator of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, has said it plans to decommission the crippled reactors in about four decades.

However, the difficult tasks such as processing contaminated water, cooling the reactors and removing nuclear fuel and debris, continue to pose serious challenges to the power company as well as the government.
File photo taken on Oct. 13, 2016 shows Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (L) speaking during an interview with Xinhua News Agency in Manila, the Philippines. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

DAVAO CITY, the Philippines, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Friday he is satisfied with the current relations between the Philippines and China as the bilateral ties become increasingly close.

During talks with visiting Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang, Duterte thanked China for its support and aid to the Philippines, saying the Philippines is willing to expand practical cooperation with China, maintain and deepen this strong bilateral relationship.

"I deeply believe the Philippines-China relations will scale new heights," he said.

Duterte said that the Philippines does not want to confront China on the South China Sea issue and on the contrary it wishes to have trust in and be friendly to each other.

For his part, Wang said Duterte's successful visit to China last October was ice-breaking and ushered in a spring season for friendly cooperation between the two countries.

He said there is great potential and broad prospects for cooperation between the two sides.

"I come here to accelerate the implementation of the consensus reached by two countries' leaders and make big the cake of common interest to benefit peoples of both countries," Wang said.

China is ready to focus attention on cooperation with the Philippines and handle the South China Sea issue properly through dialogue and consultation to maintain the good momentum of development in bilateral relations, he added.

Also on Friday, Wang held a high-level meeting with Duterte's economic management team and signed the Six-Year Development Program for Trade and Economic Cooperation between the two countries.
by Xinhua writer Zhu Dongyang

BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Never before has the China-U.S. relationship been so complicated to comprehend, and too important to fail.

Saturday marks Rex Tillerson's first visit to China as secretary of state. Many speculate that one of the top U.S. diplomat's missions in Beijing over the weekend is to communicate with the Chinese side over a possible meeting between the heads of state of the two countries in the coming weeks.

Prior to Tillerson's visit, recent days have seen a number of positive developments in the China-U.S. relations.

In a telephone conversation last month between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. Counterpart Donald Trump, the two leaders pledged to build a constructive bilateral relationship.

President Trump once wrote on Twitter that Washington need not to be bound by the one China policy. While speaking with Xi, he reversed that stance and reassured his Chinese counterpart that the U.S. government will honor the long-standing principle, something fundamental for the world's most important bilateral ties.

The world's top two economies do have every reason to remain committed to a strong relationship because of their broad range of shared interests, especially in trade and commerce.

The two-way trade of goods last year exceeded 519.6 billion U.S. dollars, according to the Chinese ministry of commerce. That makes China America's largest trading partner, while America China's second largest.

Also, instead of taking away U.S. manufacturing jobs, economic and trade exchanges between the two countries have actually supported more than 2.6 million jobs across a host of U.S. industries from automobile, construction equipment to agriculture.

These facts and statistics are a clear-cut demonstration of the interdependence of the world's top two economies. Any setbacks in bilateral ties would cause immeasurable harm to both sides.

Tillerson's trip also comes at a time when Asia-Pacific and the wider world are facing a trove of thorny issues that require close coordination between the two countries, notably on the situation in the Korean Peninsula.

Before he arrives in Beijing, the U.S. diplomat visited South Korea, where he called for a new approach to deal with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and hinted that military options against Pyongyang are on the table.

However, there is nothing new in this approach. These same tactics were once used by Trump's predecessor George W. Bush, and failed.

In the early years of his presidency, then U.S. President Bush implemented an isolationist and coercive policy against the DPRK's nuclear ambition, yet the DPRK did not back away.

Later, the Bush administration started to engage with the country both bilaterally and multilaterally. In exchange, Pyongyang closed its Yongbyon nuclear facilities in 2007, and returned to the negotiating table.

The approach illustrated that Washington needs to talk to the DPRK, not to terrorize it.

Before Tillerson set out on his Asian tour, the U.S state department said the secretary wanted to pursue "a results-oriented" relationship with China.

Positive results require effort and good faith from both sides. China has never fallen short of offering its fair share. It's all up to Washington now.

Related:

News Analysis: Tillerson's first China visit to build on positive momentum in China-U.S. ties

WASHINGTON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's upcoming first visit to China is to build on positive momentum in the relations between China and the Trump administration, experts said.
by Xinhua writer Wang Bowen

BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Businesses in the world's two largest economies were called on to seek common ground for cooperation amid political uncertainties at a U.S.-China business leaders session held here Friday.

"It is more critical than ever that China and the United States find common ground given today's uncertain political environment," said former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson Jr..

"Private sector and subnational leadership in both countries is especially critical given the leadership change in the United States this year. Change often brings new political strategy," he told the 2017 Annual Conference on Sustainability titled "Green Transformation: From Commitment to Action."

Government officials, business leaders and experts from China and the United States at the conference provided an in-depth look at the opportunities and challenges China faces as it undertakes a transition to a green economy.

The conference was co-sponsored by the Paulson Institute and the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, with a focus on U.S.-China business cooperation, regional collaboration, urban resilience, as well as innovative policies and tools for green development.

During the session, Shu Yinbiao, head of the State Grid Corporation of China, expressed optimism about the future of China-U.S. business cooperation.

"The State Grid Corporation of China has always attached great importance to exchanges and cooperation with U.S. companies, and has set up a U.S. subsidiary so as to build a bridge for that purpose," Shu said.

Wang Shi, founder and chairman of China' s real estate giant Vanke Co., Ltd, said he was too optimistic, "because first and foremost, we care so very much about each other."

According to Peter Grauer, chairman of Bloomberg, a global provider of commercial and financial news services, the U.S. corporation has always valued the Chinese market.

"As political winds blow back and forth in different directions, I think the private sector has a responsibility to lead a consistent approach, particularly in terms of cooperation between in the United States and China," said Grauer.

He said he has been thinking about how "U.S. companions can help Chinese companies in the area of corporate governance," which can not only help drive initiatives and expand the overall capital, but also facilitate their access to the market and capacity development.

Paulson said, "Climate change and sustainability has been a key area of cooperation. The strong cooperation has been a real game changer."

"Cooperation can come in many forms: not only between federal governments, but also between states, provinces, cities and private companies," said Paulson, who is also founder and chairman of the Paulson Institute which he said is dedicated to enhancing China-U.S. relations.

He stressed a need for the United States and China to learn from each other.

"Within China, the push toward urbanization provides an opportunity for leadership in a range of areas critical to meeting our climate agreements or commitments. The United States can offer some lessons in the effort of pursuing green development goals. It can also learn from China in its policy commitments and pilot programs," he said.

China's State Grid chief Shu said, "The United States has a huge appetite for infrastructure. The State Grid can satisfy its needs for technology in areas like investment, operation, equipment manufacturing and power grid."

Shu told business leaders attending the conference that the State Grid has established a research and development center in the United States, and utilizes U.S. technologies in its business.

"Under the strategic cooperation with the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory, we've also made progress in areas like collaborative innovation and development in renewable energy and power market design," he said.
PYONGYANG, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Russia have signed a protocol on the export of labor to each other's countries, reported the official news agency KCNA Saturday.

A joint working group "for settling the issue related to the implementation of the agreement on the temporary work of citizens of the other state" whether in Russia or the DPRK was signed here on Friday, said the report.

The protocol was signed by Ri Kwang Gun, DPRK's Vice-Minister of External Economic Relations, and a delegation of the General Bureau of Emigration Affairs of Russia's Ministry of Interior led by Deputy General Director Dmitri Demidenko, it said.

No other details of the protocol were mentioned in the report.

Russia is the only country, apart from China, which has regular flights to the DPRK.
TRIPOLI, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of residents of the Libyan capital Tripoli protested on Friday against militias in the city, local media reported on Saturday.

The demonstrations took place in central Tripoli with people from all walks of life expressing rejection against the militias controlling the city.

Protesters demanded "the rule of law" and "deployment of police and army forces," Gun firing was heard during the protest, with no injuries.

Tripoli has recently been witnessing violent clashes between rival militias.

The fighting took place in many areas in Tripoli. Heavy gunfire and explosions could be heard in the city, while roads in downtown Tripoli were closed, witnesses confirmed.

The fighting erupted a few days ago between two militias loyal to the two rival governments in Tripoli: the UN-backed government of national accord and the deposed government of national salvation that is attempting to take over the city and get back to power.

Libya has been suffering escalating violence and chaos since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011. The country is plagued with insecurity and violence as well as political division.
Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel and U.S. President DonaldTrump listen to a question during a press conference in the East Room of the White House March 17, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Xinhua/AFP PHOTO)

by Xinhua writer Yuan Shuai

BERLIN, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Amid an overlooked handshake request and Trump's little appreciated "wiretapping" joke, German Chancellor Angela Merkel had her first face-to-face meeting with the U.S. president in Washington on Friday.

Although the cool-headed German leader attempted to sidestep Berlin's differences with its longtime cross-Atlantic ally, their sharp contrasts on defense, trade and refugees make it really hard to tune back an already off-key German-U.S duet.

Modified from declaring NATO "obsolete," Trump reiterated his accusation of Washington's European allies for not paying "their fair share" for the alliance during a joint press conference capping Merkel's visit.

Merkel, claiming that Germany is "going to work again and again on this", also said before her visit that the fate of the Europeans should be held within their own hands.

Free trade is another thorny issue where the two sides share little common ground. Trump, discharging himself as an "isolationist," stuck to the claim that free trade has led his country to accumulate deficits, while Merkel, as the head of the Europe's biggest economy, expected to reopen talks on an EU-U.S. free trade agreement.

After Trump took office, negotiations about the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, which Merkel and former U.S. President Barack Obama supported strongly, was quickly put to a stop. Trump also threatened to charge a 35 percent tariff on cars manufactured outside the United States from German brands Volkswagen and BMW.

On the topic of values like human rights, Trump and Merkel also have variance. Trump, vowing to put citizens' safety first, ordered controversial travel bans against refugees and Muslim immigrants, much in contrary to Merkel's welcoming stance toward refugees, which Trump had once ripped into for "ruining" Germany.

For decades, Berlin has been Washington's closest European partner, with Merkel sharing a strong bond with Obama. Their bilateral ties were also described by Merkel as the "bedrock" for German diplomacy.

But now the duet has gone off-key and the two countries seem to be facing increasingly unbridgeable gaps with a new U.S. leader and showed little rapport in their first meeting.

"Talk to each other instead of talking about each other." That's Merkel's motto.
By Yoo Seungki

SEOUL, March 18 (Xinhua) -- One of South Korea's prospective presidential contenders, who was the best hope for progressive voters four years earlier, championed a parallel approach of sanctions and dialogue to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear program.

Ahn Cheol-soo of the minor opposition People's Party said during a dinner meeting with foreign correspondents in Seoul Friday that dialogue will be able to run parallel with sanctions, referring to the long-stalled six-party talks China has offered to resume.

The aid-for-disarmament dialogue to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula has been suspended since late 2008. The six-way dialogue involves the two Koreas, China, the United States, Russia and Japan.

"No precedent is found (in history) that sanctions brought a regime collapse. Nobody has asked questions about what the purpose of sanctions is," said Ahn.

The former People's Party chief said the purpose was to arrange a dialogue table at the right time and under the right conditions, stressing the need to restart any dialogue as rapidly as possible that includes the four-way talks among the two Koreas, China and the U.S. as well as the six-party dialogue.

The four-way talks had been held from 1996 to 1999 to defuse tensions and build a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula, helping lead to the first inter-Korean summit talks in 2000.

Ahn said South Korea should have proactively used its diplomatic ability to influence the United States and China and encourage the two powers to get more actively involved in resolving the peninsula's nuclear issue.

The "strategic patience," Ahn said, effectively meant doing nothing for the peninsula's denuclearization, referring to the U.S. foreign policy in the past decade under which Washington had refrained from having talks with the DPRK before Pyongyang's sincere efforts to dismantle its nuclear program.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in Seoul Friday that the strategic patience policy had ended, and that all options were on the table to resolve the DPRK's nuclear issue. Tillerson visited South Korea for his second stop of his first East Asian tour since taking office.

Ahn saw a "significantly low" possibility for military actions toward the DPRK to become a key policy of the Trump administration, saying the U.S. side would not want tensions escalated in the region. The so-called "surgical strike" against the DPRK's nuclear facilities can put the entire peninsula into an all-out war.

He placed an emphasis on cooperation with the international community, especially China and the United States, to denuclearize the peninsula, saying the inter-Korean dialogue could be relaunched after establishing positions on it through talks with the two powers.

Touching on the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system, he said South Korea is required to talk with the governments of both China and the U.S. as the two countries think of it from a different perspective.

Seoul and Washington have recently launched the process of the THAAD installation in southeast South Korea as part of the missile defense battery, including two mobile launchers, were delivered to an unknown base of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK).

One THAAD battery, valued at about 1.3 billion U.S. dollars, is composed of six mobile launchers, 48 interceptors, an X-band radar and the fire and control unit.

China and Russia have strongly opposed the THAAD battery in South Korea as it breaks regional strategic balance and damages security interests of the two countries. THAAD will boost arms race in the region as powerful missile shields bring more nuclear missiles that can break through the missile defense systems.

"(South) Korea and China had enjoyed the best relationship in history since the two set up diplomatic ties in 1992. Both countries had wanted to become a real friend," said Ahn who stressed the need for dialogue between Seoul and Beijing to broaden their understanding of each other.

PROSPECTIVE PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER

Ahn has predicted a close race between him and Moon Jae-in, former head of the main opposition Minjoo Party, in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for May 9.

As the constitutional court upheld the motion to impeach former President Park Geun-hye last week, the election is to be held about 50 days later.

Recent surveys showed Ahn at a much disadvantage to Moon, but the two-term lawmaker of the People's Party is expected to emerge as a dark horse following the end of the primary in the Minjoo Party.

Three major Minjoo Party presidential hopefuls, including frontrunner Moon, have held three of the top four ranks in recent opinion polls as popularity for conservative politicians fell with the downfall of Park.

Two of the three Minjoo Party contenders will bow out of the race after the primary ends, and the party will field a sole presidential candidate.

Then, public support for Ahn may go up sharply as he can absorb much, or part, of the support given to the two Minjoo Party contenders. "In the end, the presidential election will become an Ahn-Moon race," said Ahn.

Ahn, the software tycoon-turned-politician, gained a sensational popularity in the 2012 presidential election when Park was elected as the 18th leader, but he dropped his bid to throw his support behind Moon.

At the time, there was a belief that if both Ahn and Moon ran for president together, liberal votes would be split. Though Ahn stepped aside, Moon lost to Park in 2012.

Ahn was a medical doctor by training and the country's first developer of the anti-virus software, called V3, which was distributed to the general public free of charge.

Before entering the political arena, Ahn was highly respected for his contribution to the South Korean society, and was considered an icon among the younger generation due partly to a so-called "Talk Concert," through which he toured the entire country and talked with youths about their agonies.

"Forcing people to have an identical thought does not mean a national unity. The unity means finding wisdom on how to enable people having many different thoughts to live together," said Ahn.
GAZA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian sources said that Israeli military tanks fired towards norther Gaza Strip Saturday in response to rocket launching into southern Israel.

The Israeli public radio reported that tank shelling targeted a Hamas military facility in the area, after a rocket was launched earlier on Saturday from Gaza into Israel. No injuries were reported. And none claimed responsibility for the rocket firing.

On March 15, Israeli war jets launched two airstrikes n militant facilities in Gaza in response to a rocket attack, no injuries reported.

Prior to that, Israeli army had struck Hamas sites in Gaza after claiming rockets were launched into southern Israel.

Last February, a Hamas military spokesperson warned Israel that Hamas militants would fire back to any Israeli military escalation on the Gaza Strip.

In 2014, Egypt brokered a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel ending around two months of fighting between the two sides. Israeli large scale offensive killed over 2,200 Palestinians and wounded around 11,000 others.

In the West Bank city of Hebron, a teenage Palestinian boy was killed by Israeli soldiers late Friday night, hours after sustaining a bullet in the chest.

Palestinian Medical sources said that the teenager died after a military force raided Al-Aroub refugee camp near the city. The raid left another young man seriously injured.

A wave of tensions between Palestinians and Israelis has been ongoing since October 2015, leading to the death of over 350 Palestinians and one Jordanian in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and over 40 Israelis.
NEW DELHI, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The northern Indian city of Agra, barely 250 km from the national capital, was rocked by two low-intensity bomb explosions Saturday, a senior police official said.

"Both blasts occurred near the Agra station, just hours after the local police recovered a note threatening terror attacks. However, there have been no reports of any casualty or damage to properties," the police official said.

The explosion took place in a garbage dump when the civic workers were cleaning the site. The second explosion took place on the terrace of a house near the station. Police have, however, ruled out ant terror angle to the blasts.

The Divisional Manager of Indian Railways in Agra, Prabhash Kumar, said the Uttar Pradesh police have taken over the investigation.

"Two blasts were heard near Agra Cant railway station. The causes of the blasts are not yet known. But the police have initiated the investigation with a forensic team on the spot," he told the media.

The police official said a probe has been initiated and a massive manhunt launched to hunt down those responsible for planting the explosives.

The blasts came a day after security at the iconic Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, was stepped up following reports of a possible terrorist attack on the 17th century monument.

"A link, threatening to target the Taj Mahal, was being circulated on WhatsApp. We took the threat seriously and immediately increased the security details in and around Taj Mahal," Daljeet Singh Chaudhary, Additional Director General of Uttar Pradesh Police, said.
JERUSALEM, March 18 (Xinhua) -- A Israeli military spokesman said a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip slammed into southern Israel on Saturday morning, causing no injuries or damage.

The projectile hit an open field in the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council, and forces are searching the area to find its remnants, according to the spokesman.

It was the third time that militants from the besieged Palestinian enclave launched rockets toward Israel over the past month.

Earlier in March, Palestinian gunfire hit an army bulldozer near the security fence, hours after a rocket exploded in an open area in the regional council Hof Ashkelon, causing no damage. Israel's air forces retaliated within minutes, demolishing two Hamas posts in northern Gaza Strip.

In February, Israel hit Gaza with artillery and air strikes, wounding three, after a rocket hit a swath of Israeli territory, without causing injuries or damage.

The rockets were believed to be launched by a Salafi group in Gaza, an ultra-conservative Sunni movement, but Israel's military holds Hamas responsible for the fire.
NEW DELHI, March 18 (Xinhua) -- India Saturday indicated stepping up pressure on Pakistan to locate the two Indian clerics who have reportedly gone missing in the neighboring country, as media reported that the duo were detained by Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI).

"Indian High Commission in Pakistan has taken up the matter of missing Indians Syed Asif Ali Nizami and Nazim Ali Nizami. I am in constant touch with our High Commission. However, there is no official confirmation reg their whereabouts. We are pursuing this further with the Government of Pakistan," Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted.

However, local media reports said, quoting unnamed sources that the two missing Indian clerics are in the custody of ISI for their alleged links with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). They were offloaded from Karachi-bound Shaheen Airlines flight on March 14 at Lahore airport, reports said.

India Friday said it had taken up with Islamabad the matter of the two missing Indian clerics, Syed Asif Ali Nizami, the head priest of Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, and his nephew Nazim Ali Nizami, who had travelled to Pakistan earlier this month.

"Indian nationals Syed Asif li Nizami aged 80 years and his nephew Nazim Ali Nizami had gone to Pakistan on March 8. Syed Asif Ali Nizami is Head Priest (Sajjadanashin) of Hazrat Nizammuddin Aulia dargah. Both are missing after they landed at Karachi airport. We have taken up this matter with Government of Pakistan," Swaraj had tweeted.

The head priest's son Sazid Ali Nizami has said his father and 60-year-old cousin had gone to Pakistan earlier this month on a pilgrimage to famous Daata Darbar shrine in Lahore and were to fly to Karachi from there. His family's last contact with his father was from the Lahore airport.

"On March 14, they offered another chadar at Daata Darbar sufi shrine in Lahore. The next day, they reached Lahore airport to take a flight to Karachi at 4.30 p.m. (local time). At the airport, my cousin was stopped by authorities to clear some documentation and my father was asked to board the flight. Their mobile phones have been switched off since," Sazid Ali Nizami told the media.
UNITED NATIONS, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese concept of building "a human community with shared destiny" was on Friday incorporated into a UN Security Council resolution for the first time, mirroring the global recognition of China's great contributions to the global governance, diplomats told Xinhua here.

Also included in the newly adopted council resolution was China's Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes, they said.

In a unanimously adopted resolution to renew the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for one year, the 15-nation UN body urged to promote security and stability in Afghanistan and the region "to create a community of shared future for mankind."

Meanwhile, the latest council resolution also urged further international efforts to strengthen regional cooperation and implement the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Security Council stressed "the crucial importance of advancing regional cooperation in the spirit of win-win cooperation as an effective means to promote security, stability and economic and social development in Afghanistan and the region to create a community of shared future for mankind," the resolution said.

Since China first proposed the concept in late 2012, it has gone on to shape China's approach to global governance, giving rise to proposals and measures to support growth for all.

In the same resolution, the council "welcomes and urges further efforts to strengthen the process of regional economic cooperation, including measures to facilitate regional connectivity, trade and transit, including through regional development initiatives such as the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (the Belt and Road) Initiative, and regional development projects."

The Belt and Road Initiative, put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, has won support from over 100 countries and international organizations, with nearly 50 cooperation agreements signed between governments.

By adopting the new resolution, the Security Council decided to extend the mandate of the UNAMA for another year, until March 17, 2018.

After the council's unanimous adoption of the resolution, Liu Jieyi, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, told reporters here that the Chinese concept was put into a Security Council resolution for the first time on Friday, thus showing the consensus of the international community on embracing the concept, and manifesting huge Chinese contributions to the global governance.

The Chinese envoy said that latest council move is conducive to creating a favorable atmosphere for China to host a Belt and Road forum for international cooperation in Beijing this May in order to brainstorm on interconnected development.

The upcoming forum will explore ways to address regional and global economic problems, generate fresh energy for interconnected development, and ensure that the Belt and Road Initiative delivers greater benefits to people of the countries involved.

At the same time, Liu also voiced his hope that all UN member states will take an active part in the joint efforts to carry out the Chinese initiative and the Chinese concept by implementing the new council resolution.h Resolutions adopted by the Security Council are legally binding.
DUBAI, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Manager Education Sector at the World Bank group Harry Patrinos said Saturday on Global Education and Skills Forum (GESF) that globally more money has to be invested into primary school education with a focus on reading skills.

Patrinos said that "government and education donors spend rising amounts of money into higher education, while investments into basic education remains stagnant, especially in the developing world."

However, he added "a study conducted by the World Bank found out that it costs just 10 dollars per pupil per year to equip teachers in Malawi with tools to ensure no child is left behind in relation to achieve basic reading skills."

The World Bank said Patrinos has therefore launched reading programs in several developing countries.

The expert added that an estimated 25 percent of children in developing countries cannot read and write, while 50 percent of all kids in middle-income countries are "technically illiterate," meaning they are unable to understand or interpret small text.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, "we found out that 61 million people cannot read," said Patrinos.

"The investments into reading skills shall not be regarded as losses, since the economic loss of creating generations of illiterate people goes into the trillions of dollars globally," he added.
File photo shows John Ndunge roasts maize (corn) while waiting for customers at Imara Daima in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, July 16, 2012. Maize is one of the most popular and readily-available snacks in the country. (Xinhua/Daniel Namale)

NAIROBI, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Aflatoxin infestation continues to be a threat to Kenya's food security as confirmed by a recent study by Nairobi-based International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

The research concluded that most Kenyan households were consuming unprecedented levels of aflatoxin, a

carcinogenic substance, hence putting their lives in danger while hampering efforts to reduce the country's growing cancer burden.

The study focused on maize, sorghum and milk, which are critical staples in both rural and urban households.

Led by Johana Lindahl of ILRI, the researchers also attributed poor development among children living in Dagoretti and Korogocho slums of Nairobi to consumption of cereals infested with aflatoxin.

"Over 41 percent of children who consumed cereals infested with aflatoxin were found to be stunted and underweight," noted the research findings.

Of concern is the lack of awareness on the dangers of consuming aflatoxin-infested staples as many Kenyans residing in these areas purchase flours from kiosks where storage and safety are not given priority.

Mary Odhiambo, a mother of three and a resident of Dagoretti, one of the regions where the research was conducted, confessed her ignorance of aflatoxin, saying it was an alien term that hardly swayed her choice of maize flour or sorghum.

"What else would I feed my children with, if not porridge and ugali, most of us here can not afford any other food apart from maize and sorghum, we hope the government will do the necessary to safeguard our livelihoods," noted Mary.

Researchers from Kenya, Japan, Sweden and the United States have expressed worries that the aflatoxin menace was slowly turning into a disaster that threatened millions of lives.

They analyzed samples collected from over 400 food retailers in Dagoretti and Korogocho.

The researchers also noted that exposure to aflatoxin is rampant in raw milk that is heavily consumed by low-income urban households.

To minimize infestation, researchers urged the government and private sector to invest in modern storage technologies and promote awareness targeting small holder farmers.

"Farmers, traders and the general public need to be educated on the dangers of aflatoxin to the environment and human health," said the researchers

Their findings correlated with a recent study conducted by Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) that revealed a quarter of pregnant women in Western Kenya were consuming toxic levels of aflatoxin.
File photo show the pressure vessel of a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) is installed at the Huaneng Shidao Bay nuclear power plant in east China's Shandong Province, March 20, 2016. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

NAIROBI, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan government must allocate adequate funds to support nuclear research and innovation in a bid to hasten industrial transformation, an expert said on Thursday.

Director of the Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology at the University of Nairobi, David Maina, said Kenya should allocate sufficient funds in the nuclear technology arena if the country is to realize the target of commissioning a nuclear plant by 2027.

"There is no need to train students in nuclear science when you don't know what to do with them later. Many undergraduates study the subject but later divert to other fields due to lack of research funds to further their studies," Maina remarked on the sidelines of the Kenya Nuclear Week and Conference in Nairobi.

During the 2016 financial year, the Kenya Nuclear Energy Board got a budget allocation of 3.4 million U.S. dollars for its nuclear power development.

The director said the university offers scholarships to two students to study nuclear science, out of the 17 students who are sponsored by the government annually.

The forum brought together nuclear energy experts from Kenya, China, South Korea, and Russia to discuss issues related to nuclear energy with the aim of bringing the concerns to the front burner of the national conversation, harness the capacity, knowledge and expertise of the three leading nuclear-producing countries.
A man stands guard during the reception ceremony of the first batch of locomotives for the Mombasa-Nairobi standard gauge railway in Mombasa, Kenya, on Jan. 11, 2017. Kenya has received six locomotives from China, which will run on a China-funded standard gauge railway (SGR) due to start trial operation in June. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)

NAIROBI, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China has created close to 30,000 jobs in Africa over the last two years, more than any other country in the world, an expert said on Friday.

"China ranks the 7th in terms of project numbers in Africa, but it created the most jobs, which is unexpected by many people," Jeremy Stevens, economist at Standard Bank Group, told Xinhua on the sidelines of an economic forum in Nairobi.

Stevens said most jobs come from China's greenfield investment by private sector. He attributed the job creation to China's investment strategy as well as its willingness to hire local people.

"On one hand, Chinese investment in Africa is mainly in labor-intensive industry; on the other hand, most African countries see employment as their top priority, which Chinese companies are willing to cooperate," he explained.

File photo shows vehicles run along the Nairobi Eastern & Northern Bypass, constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Sept. 26, 2012. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

Take Kenya for example, according to a policy research working paper released by the World Bank Group in March last year, China ranked as the fifth job creator between 2003 and 2015 through her foreign direct investment in Kenya.

"Contrary to the popular belief that Chinese companies only hire Chinese workers, 93 percent of companies report hiring Kenyan employees," according to the paper.

The paper also said that Chinese companies have a higher number of jobs per project because they have fewer projects than other countries in Kenya.

Between 2003 and 2015, FDI from China created 166.92 jobs on average per project. This was compared to 100 jobs generated per project by total FDI in Kenya, according to the paper.

It added that 60 percent of Chinese companies also offered formal training programs on skills, safety, and hygiene for local staff, compared to 64 percent on the part of all foreign firms in Kenya which offered such training.

Photo taken on Nov. 18, 2016 shows the terminal of Victoria Falls International Airport in Zimbabwe.The airport was built with support from China. (Xinhua/Chen Yaqin)

During his visit to five African nations in January this year, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said despite the sluggish global economy and trade growth, industrial cooperation between China and Africa has been gaining momentum as more Chinese companies invest in Africa.

He revealed that the total value of all types of cooperative agreements signed between China and Africa between December 2015 and July 2016 had exceeded 50 billion U.S. dollars. During the period, a multitude of cooperative infrastructure projects, economic zones and industrial parks in Africa were commenced or put into operation, he said.

During the second summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in December 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa, China announced that it would roll out 10 major plans to boost cooperation with Africa in the coming three years, in areas including industrialization, agricultural modernization, infrastructure and financial services, among others.

To ensure smooth implementation of the initiatives, China also announced 60 billion U.S. dollars of funding support in the forms of preferential loans, export credit on more favorable terms, interest-free loans and free aid.
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RALEIGH, N.C. Twenty flu deaths were reported in North Carolina for the week ending March 11, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. While flu activity has started to decrease in the state, the virus continues to be widespread.The number of influenza-associated deaths reported this season, which started Oct. 2, is 110.said State Epidemiologist Zack Moore, MD, MPH.Antiviral medications are available to treat flu infections. People who think they might have the flu and are at high risk for severe complications should contact their doctor right away to see if antiviral medications might be needed. High risk groups include those with underlying conditions like asthma or heart disease, pregnant women, people older than 65 and children younger than 5.Precautions that everyone should use to protect against the spread of flu and other viruses include:For more information on flu and to find out where you can get a flu vaccination in your community, visit www.flu.nc.gov Weekly updates on flu surveillance data are also available at www.flu.nc.gov NC Department of Health and Human Services
MOSCOW, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Russian servicemen have distributed 6.8 tons of humanitarian aid to nearly 4,000 Syrian citizens in the past 24 hours, the Russian Center for Syrian Reconciliation said Saturday.

The aid was sent out in nine humanitarian events in the provinces of Aleppo, Hama and Daraa, to a total of 3,950 Syrian civilians, the center said in its daily bulletin posted by the Russian Defense Ministry.

In addition, the Russian military also delivered over 20 tons of UN-provided food to the Deir ez-Zor area in eastern Syria and helped dispatch a humanitarian convoy of 21 refrigerators to Mutaiya in Daraa province, the bulletin added.

Russia has been providing Syrian residents with medical help and regular humanitarian aid despite the continuous chaos in the war-torn country.

Statistics shows that the Russian military has delivered 300 tons of humanitarian aid to Syria since the beginning of this year.
Photo taken on March 18, 2017 shows the highway entrance to Orly Airport in Paris, France. A man was shot dead after trying to seize the weapon from a soldier at Orly Airport Saturday morning and no victim is reported, confirmed the French Interior Ministry. (Xinhua/Han Bing)



PARIS, March 18 (Xinhua) -- A man was shot dead after seizing a weapon from a soldier at Orly Airport Saturday morning and no passengers were injured, confirmed the French Interior Ministry.

At about 8:30 a.m. local time (0730 GMT), the man seized a weapon from a solider of Sentinelle operation at Orly south terminal and hid in a nearby airport shop, before being shot dead by the security forces, Interior Ministry spokesperson Pierre-Henry Brandet told AFP.

No explosive was found during the clearance operation, confirmed the Ministry. About 3,000 passengers were evacuated from Orly south terminal and air traffic was suspended at both the south and west terminals as operations continued.

Meanwhile in another development, local television channel BFMTV reported that at about 6:55 a.m. (0555 GMT) Saturday morning, a man shot at three police agents when they were trying to control his car at Stains, north of the Paris region, and then fled.

The event is possibly linked to the suspect at Orly airport, according to the police.

French national police urged the passengers to respect safety rules and avoid the airport area at their tweeter account.
BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- For Beijing real estate agent Wang Yang, 27, this year may be a turning point in his career. Calling 2016 his best year ever, Wang is a little concerned about 2017.

"These new regulations are really tough and could put the dampers on the market for three years or more," he said.

On Friday, Beijing put the most rigorous strictures yet on the city's real estate market.

From Saturday, second home buyers need to put down at least 60 percent of the price, and anyone who has mortgage records, but no home to sell, is to be seen as a second home buyer. Moreover, there will be no more mortgage loans with a maturity exceeding 25 years.

Beijing is not the only city with these kinds of rules. Guangzhou, Nanjing and Hangzhou recently stepped up their fight against property speculators and rising home prices.

Satellite cities like Zhuozhou and Laishui near Beijing have also been forced into battle, as speculators arrive to try to push up prices there. Zhang Dawei, a Centaline Property analyst, expects more cities will have no choice but to take action.

New home prices in Beijing and Shanghai rose by over 20 percent in the past year, but there were signs of a slowdown in February, when prices in Beijing were flat and Shanghai edged up only 0.2 percent.

China's policymakers announced in December that "houses are for living in, not for speculating with." Over the past few years, speculators have rushed in and out of a variety of financial markets, targeting items ranging from company stocks to farm produce futures.

Credit expansion also helped drive the real estate market. New loans hit a record high last year, the third year in a row in excess of the 2009 level, when the country spent its way out of the global financial meltdown. A sizable proportion, 45 percent, of the loans went to mortgages.

After the national legislature's annual session closed Wednesday, the government added one pledge to its work report to "keep home prices from rising too quickly" in some big cities and promised even more regulation of the real estate market.

With China shifting away from a relatively loose monetary policy, Zeng Gang, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, expects a split in housing policies this year, tightening in first- and second-tier cities but no change in the third and fourth tiers.

Zhou Xuedong, director of business management at the People's Bank of China, said mortgages by individuals may drop to less than 30 percent of total new loans this year, a "clear drop" from last year.
by Xinhua writers Zhu Dongyang, Luo Jun

BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry said here Saturday that concerted efforts of the international society are in dire need to save the world from an escalating possibility of "nuclear extinction."

Perry made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua after attending a seminar on the newly-released Chinese edition of his book "My Journey at the Nuclear Brink."

"Today the likelihood of a nuclear catastrophe is greater than it was during the Cold War," said Perry, noting the Chicago-based Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists in January moved the symbolic "doomsday clock" to its closest time to midnight in 64 years.

"People all over the world, regardless of their nationality, should be interested in working to give future generation a chance to live their lives without fear of nuclear extinction," he said.

Perry said he had been awaken from a sound sleep by a telephone call at 3:00 a.m. some day in 1979. It was from a military general at the North American Aerospace Defense Command, who said his computers showed 200 missiles on the way from the Soviet Union to the United States.

It took Perry, the then under-secretary for research and engineering, several days to determine what he called an "human error of our system."

"When the computer operators changed shift, the new operator mistakenly put a training tape in the computer, which was designed to look like a realistic attack scenario," he recalled. "With all of its safety features, the system was still vulnerable to a single person erring, potentially bringing about the end of civilization."

Besides the high risk of an accidental nuclear war, the world has also faced with the threat of regional nuclear war and nuclear terror attack, which by no means are "a remote possibility" and could have "serious and long-lasting consequences around the world," Perry said.

Hailing China's commitment to the global denuclearization, the former U.S. defense chief said the country "for decades had set an example of restraint by maintaining only a minimum deterrent force."

"All the leading powers today are threatened to some degree by terrorism, and in the worst possible case by nuclear terrorism," said the leading U.S. expert on advanced weaponry technology. "The big motivation for the United States and China to work together, I guess, is to combat terrorism and nuclear proliferation."

The WWII veteran, who has spent his retirement years advocating denuclearization, is in Beijing for the seminar hosted by CITIC Foundation for Reform and Development Studies, a Beijing-based think tank.
GAZA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian sources and eye witnesses said Saturday that Israeli war jets struck the military facilities in Gaza Strip, no injuries reported.

Sources told Xinhua that Israeli jets struck military facilities that belong to Islamic Hamas movement in northern Gaza with three missiles in succession.

The attack came hours after Israeli tank shelling targeted a Hamas military facility in response to a rocket launched earlier from Gaza into Israel.

No Palestinian party has claimed responsibility for the rocket firing.

On March 15, Israeli war jets launched two airstrikes on military facilities in Gaza in response to a rocket attack, no injuries reported.

Prior to that, Israeli army struck Hamas sites in Gaza after claiming rockets were launched into southern Israel.

In February, a Hamas military spokesman warned Israel that Hamas militants would fire back at any Israeli military escalation in the Gaza Strip.

In 2014, Egypt brokered a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel ending about two months of fighting between the two sides, during which Israel's large-scale offensive killed more than 2,200 Palestinians and wounded about 11,000 others.
ISTANBUL, March 18 (Xinhua) -- At least three children died on Saturday when a fire broke out in an apartment in central Istanbul, local media reported.

The fire erupted at the top floor of a four-storey apartment in Beyoglu district, according to the Hurriyet daily.

Fire brigade crew found bodies of three children aged five, three and two respectively after extinguishing the fire, the daily said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to press reports.
PARIS, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The father and brother of the assailant who was shot dead after trying to seize weapon from a soldier at Orly Airport Saturday morning, have been placed in custody, according to judicial source cited by local media.

These are "classical" measures in this type of case, according to the same source.

French Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux confirmed earlier that the assailant was known to the police and intelligence services.

At about 8:30 a.m. local time (0730 GMT), the man was trying to seize weapon from a soldier of Sentinelle operation at Orly south terminal, but he didn't succeed and was neutralized, according to Le Roux.

It is believed that at about 6:55 a.m. (0555 GMT) Saturday morning, the man had shot at three police agents when they were trying to check his car near Stains, north of the Paris region, before fleeing. He was seen later at Vitry-sur-Seine in the southeastern suburbs of Paris, for car-jacking before leaving to Orly airport.

The man has assaulted one of the Sentinelle soldiers, added Defense Minister Jean-Yve le Drian.

About 3,000 passengers were evacuated from Orly south terminal. No explosive was found during the clearance operation.

Anti-terrorist prosecutors has been taking charge of the investigation.
by Alexia Vlachou

ATHENS, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Following Greece's deep recession, a vibrant wave of graffiti art has flourished in Athens in recent years. Many street artists express their messages on the economic crisis, unemployment and social injustice on the walls of abandoned buildings.

Street Art Conservators (St.A.Co.), a volunteer group of 10-20 professionals and student restorers, preserves these artworks as part of the new cultural heritage.

According to St.A.Co. members, the aesthetic improvement of the urban tissue through street art is recognized and welcomed in the city.

Their latest accomplishment was the restoration of an impressive owl mural, inspired by Jimmy Hendrix's quote "Knowledge Speaks-Wisdom Listens", which adorned a building in Metaxourgeio district in central Athens.

During a festival in Athens last year, street artist "WD" born in Bali and currently living in Greece, created the mural urging Greeks and foreigners to recall the owl's wisdom.

He chose the bird because the owl was one of the symbols of Athena, the goddess of wisdom in ancient Greek mythology, and the patroness of the city of Athens.

But, the graffiti was vandalized this February, when someone wrote the word "VIRAL" in pink paint on top.

The St.A.Co. took action.

"Our goal is to rescue and prolong the life of these pieces of arts since they are exposed to environmental pollution and damage from human activity," Eleftheria Mavromati and Calliope Orianou from St.A.Co. told Xinhua.

Five years ago, after a research project on public wall paintings, the young restorers decided to record and breathe new life into works of graffiti that had suffered extensive damage.

They dedicate days and weeks to preserve each work. For the owl mural, they started by making some trials to see which method to follow and what materials to use in order to remove the overpainting.

"With full respect to the design of the artist, we proceeded with the conservation of the surface of the painting with friendly materials towards the colors of the work," they explained.

Besides conservation activities, the group enjoys to organize walking tours to areas with significant street arts, as well as educational programs at schools where they present the history of graffiti, techniques and materials artists use.

Has Athens become a holy place for graffiti artists? "Maybe the combination of the ancient element with the modern is what inspires artists and lends Athens a certain allure," Mavromati and Orianou said.

In time of hardships a dialogue among artists is being developed. A walk in the streets of Athens today is enough to see that street art comments and takes side on what is happening in the society.

The economic crisis has provided fertile ground for developing further the art of graffiti in Greece.

With recession plaguing the country for seven years, numerous retail stores and shops have been forced to shut down in very popular business zones, leaving buildings abandoned but adored by street artists who can exhibit their talents in painting without being disturbed by landlords.

"Street art gives the opportunity to every neighborhood to claim their lost value in the city, to show that all neighborhoods deserve attention," the St.A.Co. restorers stressed.
A smoke plume rises in Gaza City after a reported Israeli airstrike on March 18, 2017. A rocket fired by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip slammed into southern Israel on March 18, 2017, prompting retaliatory Israeli tank fire, sources on both sides said, without any reported casualties. The Israeli army said the rocket hit an open area. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

GAZA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian sources and eye witnesses said Saturday that Israeli war jets struck the military facilities in Gaza Strip, no injuries reported.

Sources told Xinhua that Israeli jets struck military facilities that belong to Islamic Hamas movement in northern Gaza with three missiles in succession.

The attack came hours after Israeli tank shelling targeted a Hamas military facility in response to a rocket launched earlier from Gaza into Israel.

No Palestinian party has claimed responsibility for the rocket firing.

On March 15, Israeli war jets launched two airstrikes on military facilities in Gaza in response to a rocket attack, no injuries reported.

Prior to that, Israeli army struck Hamas sites in Gaza after claiming rockets were launched into southern Israel.

In February, a Hamas military spokesman warned Israel that Hamas militants would fire back at any Israeli military escalation in the Gaza Strip.

In 2014, Egypt brokered a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel ending about two months of fighting between the two sides, during which Israel's large-scale offensive killed more than 2,200 Palestinians and wounded about 11,000 others.
PARIS, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The identity of the man, shot dead after trying to seize a weapon from a soldier at Orly Airport Saturday morning, was known to police and intelligence services, French Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux said.

At about 8:30 a.m. local time (0730 GMT), the man seized a weapon from a solider of Sentinelle operation at Orly south terminal, but he didn't succeed and was neutralized, the minister said at the airport south of the French capital.

It was believed that at about 6:55 a.m.(05:55 GMT), the man shot at three police agents when they were trying to control his car near Stains, north of the Paris region, before fleeing.

He had been seen later at Vitry-sur-Seine, southeastern suburbs of Paris, for car-jacking before leaving to Orly airport.

The man has assaulted one of the Sentinelle soldiers, French Defense Minister Jean-Yve le Drian said.

About 3,000 passengers were evacuated from Orly south terminal. Air traffic was suspended at Orly south and west terminals. No explosive was found during clearance operation.

No one else was injured in the case. France's anti-terror authorities are investigating the case.
NEW DELHI, March 18 (Xinhua) -- India's hilly state of Uttarakhand Saturday got a new Chief Minister, a week after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept the assembly polls.

Trivendra Singh Rawat, known to very close to BJP chief Amit Shah, was sworn into office as the state chief minister by the Governor of Uttarakhand in the capital of Dehradun in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Shah.

The 56-year-old new chief minister is a long-time member of BJP's ideological mentor Rashtriya Swamsevak Sangh (RSS) and played a key role in the recently concluded assembly elections, where the BJP won 57 of the 70 seats in the assembly.

Apart from Rawat, nine cabinet ministers were also administered the oath of office by the state governor. They have all taken charge of their portfolios.

Home Minister Singh had praised Rawat, saying, "Trivendra Singh Rawatji never switched his loyalty. But loyalty isn't the only reason he is in. The Uttarakhand chief minister has the confidence of the RSS leaders and the BJP president."
SANAA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- A helicopter strike off Yemen's Hodeida coast on Thursday night has killed up to 42 Somali refugees, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Saturday.

"Latest Hodeida boat incident update: 42 now reported dead and 39 injured survivors receiving treatment in Hodeida hospitals," UNHCR said in its twitter account.

On Friday, the International Committee of the Red Cross put the death toll at 33, and said 29 were injured and dozens others still missing.

According to Yemen's Houthi-controlled Saba news agency, the Somali refugees came under an air attack late Thursday night, blaming a Saudi-led military coalition which is keeping tight control of the Red Sea and the Strait of Bab al-Mandeb off the western Yemeni coasts.

Yemeni officials said the refugees, carrying UNHCR documents, were in a boat travelling from Hodeida to Sudan.

Sheba al-Muallimy, a spokesman of the International Immigration Organization office in Sanaa, told Xinhua that the organization has no hand in coordinating the Somali refugees' journey on Thursday night.

The organization didn't know that the Somali refugees were travelling to Sudan to escape the conflict in Yemen, until very late.

The Houthis have been controlling northern Yemen, including Hodeida, after they ousted President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi in late 2014.

In March 2015, an Arab coalition army led by Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen's conflict to support Hadi's troops against Houthi fighters to restore power to Hadi.

The coalition forces have been imposing tight control over the Red Sea and strategic strait of Bab al-Mandab which links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

The war has so far killed more than 10,000 Yemenis, half of them civilians, and displaced over two million others, according to humanitarian agencies.
NEW DELHI, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met here with visiting former French president Nicolas Sarkozy on Saturday.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest, a government statement said.

Sarkozy also congratulated Modi on his Bharatiya Janata Party's success in the recent assembly elections and for the success of demonetization, the statement said.

For his part, the Indian prime minister congratulated the former French leader on the publication and success of his latest book, "Tout pour la France," it added.

Sarkozy was the president of France from 2007 to 2012, during which ties between the two countries witnessed an upswing.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The total number of international tourist arrivals to Brunei through the Brunei International Airport reached 218,809 in 2016, up 0.3 percent year-on-year.

The increase can be attributed to the high travel demand from the East Asia market, visa facilitation (visa on arrival) for China and chartered flights from China and South Korea, a local daily reported on Saturday.

According to latest statistics from Brunei's Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT), the East Asia region was the only source market that has continued to show positive growth in 2016 at 10.4 percent, especially from countries such as South Korea, China and Japan which have grown by 23.7 percent, 10.7 percent and 3.2 per cent respectively.

Malaysia contributed to the top tourist arrivals in 2016 due to its easy air accessibility and proximity with 24.8 percent (26.6 percent in 2015), followed by China in second place with 18.7 percent (16.9 percent in 2015).

Indonesia moved up one ranking at 9.5 percent (7.9 percent in 2015), Philippines dropped to fourth place at 7.8 percent (8.2 percent in 2015) and Singapore remained at the same position from last year at 6.6 percent (7.4 percent in 2015).

Last year, the top five countries have contributed the majority portion of international tourist arrivals into the country at 67.4 percent.

According to MPRT, the main of visit to Brunei was for leisure and holiday purposes at 42.8 percent (40.7 percent in 2015).

About 17.1 percent of tourists travelled to Brunei for business (19.0 percent in 2015), followed by visiting friends and relatives at 11.6 percent (12.1 percent in 2015).

China and Malaysia remained as the main contributors for the leisure and holiday market with each comprising 39 percent and 17.6 percent respectively.
SHANGHAI, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) said Saturday it has launched a Chinese registration system for its globally taken Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), making Chinese the first language used in registration other than English.

The Chinese system can help save registration time and avoid mistakes during the registration process.

GMAT's move accommodates a rising number of Chinese test takers and the increasing importance of the Chinese market in international business management education.

In 2016, Chinese people took nearly 70,000 GMAT exams worldwide. Over 50,000 Chinese people took tests in GMAT centers on the Chinese mainland, increasing 12 percent year on year. GMAC added another seven test centers last year.

More than 6,500 business and management graduate programs in the global universities have listed GMAT as one of its admission requirements, including six schools in China.
BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese companies have outperformed their Asian counterparts in digital transformation, according to a report by a leading software developer.

About 91 percent of Chinese mainland respondents used software development strategy DevOps and about 88 percent Agile. In other Asian countries the figures were 88 percent and 86 percent respectively, according to a report by CA Technologies.

Agile and DevOps are two of the most popular tools to help companies to upgrade their IT infrastructure.

Digitalization is expanding into other industries like banking, manufacturing and telecoms, according to Martin Mackay, CA Technologies president and general manager responsible for the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) region.

Despite high awareness of digitalization tools, only 33 percent of Chinese respondents used them throughout the company, the report showed.

Other than technology and investment, Martin pointed out that the biggest challenge for companies in digitizing is culture, with a flat corporate culture easier to digitize than a hierarchical one.

"It's not that the IT department wants to change, but that the business is changing, and you have to adapt to changes faster than your competitors," said Nick Lim, ASEAN and Greater China vice president with CA Technologies.

"China is a key market for us and we will continue to grow business here as ongoing economic upgrades mean more companies in China will go digital," Lim added.
PHNOM PENH, March 18 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese-backed airline, JC International Airlines, was launched in Cambodia on Saturday with daily flights between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap province, and Siem Reap province and Sihanoukville.

Dongyan Huang, chief executive officer of the Phnom Penh-based JC International Airlines, said the airline launched its operation with the investment capital of 50 million U.S. dollars.

She said the company is operating with two brand new Airbus A320 aircraft, a single class with the capacity of 180 seats.

"We will add three more planes throughout this year, including one in June, another in October and the other in December, to expand flights to ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea," she said.

Tong Lecheng, chairman and founder of JC International Airlines, said the airline commenced its first flights on March 17 between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap province, and Siem Reap province and Sihanoukville.

To date, there are a total of five Cambodia's local airlines - Cambodia Angkor Air, Sky Angkor Airlines, Cambodia Bayon Airlines, Bassaka Air and JC International Airlines.

Cambodian Civil Aviation Secretary of State Mao Havannall said the presence of JC International Airlines truly reflected the progress in the kingdom's aviation industry and encouraged the airline to comply with international standard and requirements.

"As an entity, your excellence in business can only be appreciated and valued when you ensure your financial resources and social and environmental sustainability, as complying with the international standard and recommended practice as well as the Civil Aviation requirements," he said during the launching ceremony.

Cambodian Tourism Ministry Secretary of State So Mara said the ministry would provide a strong support to the airline in order to promot tourism in the Southeast Asian country.

"I strongly believe that JC Airlines will contribute tremendously to the growth of tourism industry and the economy of Cambodia through its domestic and international routes and best quality services," he said.

So Mara said Cambodia welcomed 5 million international tourists, including about 830,000 Chinese tourists, in 2016, and the kingdom is expected to receive up to 7 million foreigners in 2020, including 2 million Chinese.

"Chinese tourists rank the 2nd in our top 10 markets and the 1st for the tourists by air," he said.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (2nd L) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (2nd R) in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2017. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States are now in close communication on arrangements for a meeting between the two presidents and exchanges at other levels, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during his talks with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Saturday.

"We attach great importance to your visit," Wang told Tillerson at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.

It is Tillerson's first visit to China since he assumed office last month.

"We have had in-depth discussions on a meeting between the two presidents and begun preparations," Wang told reporters after their talks.

He said that the two sides agreed to keep close communication to ensure the success of the meeting between the two presidents as well as exchanges at other levels.

China-U.S. ties are now developing positively and steadily, Wang said, calling for implementation of the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Wang said China is willing to communicate and cooperate more with the U.S. side, enhance trust and handle differences properly, in a bid to promote a healthy and stable development of bilateral ties and benefit the people of both countries and the world at large.

Wang called for more cooperation in foreign affairs, the economy and trade, the military, law enforcement, people-to-people exchanges and sub-national communication.

China and the United States should do more to coordinate on major international and regional affairs, Wang said, calling for closer communication under the multilateral framework.

Wang also restated China's position on Taiwan and the South China Sea issues, emphasizing that China and the United States should respect each other's core interests and major concerns, properly handle sensitive issues to protect bilateral ties from unnecessary influences.

Reviewing the achievements of bilateral ties, Tillerson said it is necessary for both countries to have closer cooperation and coordination, noting that the United States is ready to work with China to implement the consensus reached by their leaders.

Tillerson said the U.S. side adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to explore more cooperation in the spirit of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation.

The U.S. side stands ready for more high-level exchanges, and more dialogue in diplomatic security, macroeconomic policy coordination, law enforcement, cyberspace and people-to-people exchanges.

The two sides exchanged views on the current situation on the Korean Peninsula and other issues of common concern. Wang reiterated China's opposition to the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in the Republic of Korea (ROK).

On the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Wang also expressed his hope that all concerned parties, including the U.S. side, would be cool-headed and make wise choices.

Tillerson began his first Asian tour Wednesday taking in Japan, the ROK and China.
KUNMING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Police in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Yunnan Province have busted 39 major cross-border drug-trafficking cases and seized a total of four tonnes of drugs over the past five years.

Local police cracked 14 cross-border drug-trafficking rings and arrested 127 drug dealers, the public security bureau of the prefecture announced on Friday.

Xishuangbanna police have established good relationship with parties, governments and armed forces from neighboring countries, which contributed to the achievements.

Xishuangbanna, located in the south of Yunnan, is one of the Chinese border regions most affected by drug use, due to its proximity to the opium-growing Golden Triangle in Southeast Asia.
CAIRO, March 18 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian top court acquitted on Saturday 18 university students loyal to the currently-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group of illegal protests against the ouster of former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, official MENA news agency reported.

The case dates back to November 2013, four months after Morsi's military overthrow and the massive security crackdown on his supporters.

Egypt's supreme Court of Cassation acquitted the 18 students of breaking into Mansoura University in Daqahliya Province north of Cairo, committing acts of violence and sabotage, protesting without permit, joining an outlawed group and resisting the authorities.

The students were sentenced from two to five years in prison by Mansoura Criminal Court in their first retrial, but they appealed the verdict for the second and last time and were acquitted by the Court of Cassation.

Morsi was removed by the military in early July 2013 in response to mass protests against his one-year controversial rule and his now-blacklisted Brotherhood group.

Since Morsi's ouster, growing anti-government attacks, with a Sinai-based militant group loyal to the Islamic State claiming responsibility for most of them, have killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers.

So far, the Egyptian forces have killed hundreds of militants and arrested a similar number of suspects in the restive Sinai Peninsula and nationwide as part of the country's anti-terror war declared by former military chief and sitting President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi following Morsi's ouster.
Our Unemployment and Homicide Rates ... You Think you Understand What they Mean ... But Do You?

Recently I decided I wanted to get a better understanding of the Unemployment and Homicide Rates in the Good Ole USofA. I went to U.S. Government Statisticians Lunch Room and made like I was one of them.



At first, since I was not recognized, I was treated with some skepticism but once I spouted off a sentence that was too long, full of buzz words which made no sense and chock full of numbers that were unrelated to each other, I was accepted.



After lunch we went back to an office that had a sign over the door which read "Conjure Ification Department" (that's where they conjure up numbers to confuse us). -------------------------



Unemployment Rate...

I was shown a monthly chart that went back to the beginning of reported history of the U.S. Domestic Unemployment Rate. It was quite interesting.



Something caught my eye on the right side of the chart. It was identified as the "True Domestic Unemployment Rate". Each of these rates had an asterisk next to it that referred to a footnote that simply said, "Ignore This Rate".



The True Domestic Unemployment Rate was always much higher that the Domestic Unemployment Rate. When I inquired about this rate, I was told that this was the Unemployment Rate after adding in all the people who had stopped looking for work.



I asked how it was determined that a person had stopped looking for work. The explanation I got was so convoluted, long and complicated that I can't possible repeat it to you. I did try hard to get a better understanding so as to educate you but I must have pressed too hard because I was told to shut up.



I then asked if a person who had stopped looking for work was still unemployed? The answer was yes but I was then told that the Folks Back Home did need to know about this. I pressed again and I again I must have pressed too hard because I was told to shut up.



I have often been told, You Can't Beat a Dead Horse. At about this point I came to the realization that I had gone about as far as I could go on the Domestic Unemployment Rate and decided, If The Horse Is Dead, Get Off The Horse, so I moved on the Homicide Rate.

------------------------- Homicide Rate...



A few years ago the Homicide Rate in Honduras was reported by the United Nations as being 91 Killings for every 100,000 people (highest in the world at that time). At the same time the comparable Homicide Rate in the Good Ole USofA was Fewer Than 5.



While looking at the U.S. figures, I took note that the figures for Chicago's Homicide Rate were set off to the side. When I asked what was going on with the Chicago Statistics they said that Chicago was not included in the Fewer Than 5 U.S. Homicide Rate.



At first the statisticians tried to change the subject but I really thought I was onto something, so I continued to ask why Chicago was not included in the U.S. Homicide Rate. Again I must have pressed too hard because I was again told to shut up.



I did not give up on this one. I continued to press them. All of them became very uneasy and started to sweat a lot and eventually they saw that I was not going to be deterred on this one.



Finally the Chief Statistician lowered his head and in a very soft voice said, "If we included Chicago, we would be higher than Honduras". ------------------------ The Bottom Line...

In the future if you want the Unvarnished Truth and getting the Unvarnished Truth will require someone to contact the U.S. Government's Statisticians on your behalf that someone cannot be me because they won't let me in the front door anymore. I have been told to never come back.



Would I kid u?

Smartfella


ADDIS ABABA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Rescue mission to get back abducted children from Gambella region of Ethiopia by the Murle tribe of South Sudan is underway by Ethiopian forces, has said Negeri Lencho, Ethiopian Minister of Government Communication Affairs.

The Minister was speaking to the press conference on Saturday in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, where he said six of the recently abducted children as well as robbed cattle have been returned.

Stating that the tribe from South Sudan has repeatedly attacked Ethiopians in Gambella region, Negeri said the government of Ethiopia has opted to resolve the problem sustainably by working with the South Sudanese government.

"Repeatedly, the Murle tribe of South Sudan have attacked our citizens in some woredas (district) in Gambella region. The government opted for resolving this in a sustainable way," he said.

The government of Ethiopia started working with the South Sudanese government to change the attitude of the tribe that has carried out the attack, according to the Minister.

"The government started taking the immediate action; and security forces, the militia working in the region have taken appropriate action; now some of the children have been rescued, returned; so far, six of them. And among the cattle they took away, 185, all of the cattle have been returned and the security forces are still taking action. Some of these Murle tribe have been arrested; and also there were some who (were killed) in this," he said.
MOSCOW, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Kazakh counterpart, Nursultan Nazarbayev, have held a telephone conversation to discuss bilateral and regional cooperation, as well as peace talks on the Syria crisis, the Kremlin said Saturday.

"Mr. Putin and Mr. Nazarbayev considered pressing issues of the bilateral and regional cooperation, including certain aspects of preparations for the upcoming meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Bishkek," the Kremlin press service said in a statement.

The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council is the highest body of the Eurasian Economic Union, a Russia-led regional economic bloc aiming to optimize the flow of goods and services among its members.

The two leaders also coordinated the schedule of short-term bilateral contacts at various levels, the statement added.

In addition, Putin and Nazarbayev exchanged opinions on the results of the third round of intra-Syrian talks, which took place in the Kazakh capital of Astana on March 14-16, the Kremlin said, without giving further details.

The Astana peace talks closed without progress after rebels boycotted the meeting. Russia, Turkey and Iran agreed to hold the next meeting in Astana on May 3-4.
DUBLIN, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of mourners on Saturday gathered for the funeral of Irish coastguard helicopter Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who died after Coastguard Rescue 116 helicopter crashed off the west coast of County Mayo on Tuesday.

The funeral was held at St. Patrick's Church in Glencullen, County Dublin. Over 200 mourners took up every pew seat while dozens more stood at the rear. Also, many more people stood in the churchyard.

The funeral cortege arrived at 11 a.m. local time and was met by an honor guard from the Irish Coastguard and other rescue services. Fitpatrick's parents, four siblings, her adopted young son Fionn, and other family members accompanied the coffin into the church.

Irish President Michael D Higgins, Prime Minister Enda Kenny, Transport Minister Shane Ross and opposition Fianna Fail (Republican Party) leader Micheal Martin were among those in mourning.

Fitzpatrick was a senior pilot with the Irish Coast Guard, which she served for over 20 years.

Meanwhile, a sea search continued for the coastguard's Sikorsky S92 aircraft despite poor weather conditions. Rescue personnel were yet to find the bodies of the three crew members, who are named as Mark Duffy, Ciaran Smith and Paul Ormsby.

Debris has been located on Black Rock, a small island, over 10 km west of Blacksod on the Mayo coastline where the helicopter was due to refuel. Water in the area is between 30 and 50 meters deep.

Air accident investigators speculated that the aircraft may suffer a sudden and serious mechanical failure which forced an emergency landing.

Gerard O'Flynn, the search and rescue operations manager of the Irish Coast Guard, said there was no prior warning before the helicopter went missing.

Recovering the helicopter's black box flight data recorders could be vital to solving what happened the aircraft. But the black boxes have not yet been found.

The helicopter is one of four in regular operation by the Irish Coast Guard.

The Sikorsky S92, which replaced the old S61 models, is manufactured to allow for long range missions of up to 365 nautical miles and improved cruising speeds. It is also equipped with enhanced technologies and can hover in strong crosswinds or tailwinds of up to 35 knots.
NICOSIA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Standard and Poor's upgraded their ratings of Cyprus's economy from "BB" to "BB+" with a stable outlook, just one notch below investment grade, according to a document made available in Nicosia on Saturday.

An investment grade rating will have a big impact on the eastern Mediterranean island's borrowing costs as it is faced with a high debt-to-GDP ratio, following its 10-billion-euro (10.8 billion U.S. dollars) bailout by the Eurogroup and the International Monetary Fund in 2013.

Standard and Poor's said its assessment of Cyprus was based on a strong expansion of its economy since its bailout.

"The upgrade reflects our views of Cyprus's stronger than expected economic growth and fiscal progress," the rating agency said.

It projected an expansion of the economy by about 2.7 percent this year and an annual growth of just under 2.5 percent between 2018 and 2020.

The European Commission has said that this kind of expansion amounted to overheating of the economy and urged the Cypriot government to slow down its economy.

But Finance Minister Harris Georgiades told state radio on Saturday that he does not share this view, adding that he will not take any measures that would check economic growth.

Despite the strong show of the economy, unemployment still stands at around 12 percent, down from over 17 percent at the start of the crisis.

Georgiades hailed the upgrading by S&P as reflecting "a robust economic and fiscal outlook."

Standard and Poor's said that with the projected rate of growth of the economy and the government's budgetary condition, which outperformed its own target by 0.4 percentage points this year, will lead to a discernible drop of the sovereign debt.

"We estimate that net general government debt will drop to below 90 percent of GDP by the end of 2018 versus slightly under 100 percent of GDP at end-2015" it said.

Standard and Poor's said that an expected weaker rate of reforms ahead of the presidential elections and the still high ratio of non-performing loans after the onset of the crisis is offset by Cyprus's fiscal and economic growth.

It said these factors explain its "stable outlook" view of the Cypriot economy.
WASHINGTON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- If you are not satisfied with the shape of your nose, blame it on climate, not your parents or grandparents.

In a study published this week in the journal PLOS Genetics, researchers from the Pennsylvania State University found that human noses may have been shaped, at least in part, by a long process of adaptation to local climate conditions.

Generally, wider noses are more common in warm and humid climates, while narrower noses are more common in cold and dry climates, it said.

The findings were based on an examination of the size and shape of noses on people with West African, South Asian, East Asian, or Northern European ancestry.

The researchers looked at the width of the nostrils, the distance between nostrils, the height of the nose, nose ridge length, nose protrusion, external area of the nose and the area of the nostrils by using 3D facial imaging.

It showed that the width of the nostrils is strongly correlated with temperature and absolute humidity, but not the result of a random process called genetic drift.

One purpose of the nose is to condition the air that we breathe, to ensure that it is warm and moist when it reaches the lungs, which helps to prevent infections.

The current study found the narrower nostrils seem to alter the airflow so that the mucous-covered inside of the nose can humidify and warm the air more efficiently.

"It was probably more essential to have this trait in cold and dry climates," it said.

"People with narrower nostrils probably fared better and had more offspring than people with wider nostrils, in colder climates. This lead to a gradual decrease in nose width in populations living far away from the equator."

The nose has had a complex evolutionary history, however, and researchers suspected that additional factors, such as cultural preferences when picking a mate, have also played a role in shaping the nose.

Investigations into nose shape evolution and climate adaptation may have medical as well as anthropological implications.

Studies of human adaptation are essential to our understanding of disease and yield insights into why certain conditions, such as sickle cell anemia, lactose intolerance or skin cancer, are more common in certain populations.

The researchers said that it may be worth investigating whether the shape of the nose and the size of the nasal cavity impact one's risk of contracting a respiratory disease when living in a climate that is different from one's ancestors.
CAIRO, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The Egyptian military killed 18 militants during recent air raids in restive North Sinai province bordering Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip, the military spokesman said in a statement on Saturday.

"The air strikes over the past few days killed 18 major, highly dangerous extremist elements in North Sinai's cities of Arish, Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid," spokesman Tamer al-Refaay said in the statement.

Since the beginning of March until today, security campaigns in North Sinai have killed at least 30 militants, arrested over 128 suspects over terror-related charges, busted about 300 suspects over different charges including smuggling and illegal migration, ruined several smuggling tunnels, detonated dozens of explosive devices and seized large amounts of weapons and ammunition.

Earlier in mid-February, at least three Egyptian soldiers were killed in Central Sinai's Mount Halal area when their armored vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. Three militants were also killed and three others arrested in subsequent fighting.

Anti-government terror attacks in Egypt have killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers since the mid-2013 military removal of former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in response to mass protests against his one-year rule.

Later, security crackdown on Morsi's supporters killed about 1,000 of them while thousands others were arrested. The ousted president's Muslim Brotherhood group was also designated as a "terrorist organization."

Most of the terrorist attacks nationwide, particularly those in Sinai, have been claimed by a Sinai-based group loyal to the Islamic State regional terrorist group.

Security campaigns in Sinai have killed hundreds of militants and arrested a similar number of suspects over the past few years as part of the country's anti-terror war declared by former army chief and current President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi following Morsi's removal.

Egypt's military intelligence chief, Gen. Mohamed Farag al-Shahhat, said during a military-held symposium in February that at least 500 extremely dangerous terrorists have been killed since a massive anti-terror campaign, known as "The Martyr's Right," started in September 2015.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (2nd L) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (2nd R) in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2017. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States are now in close communication on arrangements for a meeting between the two presidents and exchanges at other levels, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during his talks with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Saturday.

"We attach great importance to your visit," Wang told Tillerson at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.

It is Tillerson's first visit to China since he assumed office last month. He is also the first cabinet-level official in the new administration of the United States to visit China.

"We have in-depth discussions on arranging a recent meeting between two presidents and starting relevant preparations," Wang said, adding that the two sides agreed to keep close communication to ensure a successful meeting between the two presidents as well as exchanges at other levels in the next stage.

"Your visit marks a very important step to push forward that process," Wang told Tillerson.

China-U.S. ties are now transitioning and developing steadily along a positive direction, Wang said, calling for implementation of the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump.

Wang said China is willing to work with the U.S. side on communication and cooperation, enhancing trust and properly handling differences to promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties in the new phase along the right track so as to benefit the people of two countries and the world at large.

Wang called for more cooperation in foreign affairs, the economy and trade, the military, law enforcement, people-to-people exchanges and local communication.

The essence of China-U.S. trade relations is mutual benefit, said Wang, encouraging both countries to expand trade and investment cooperation and properly handle trade fictions.

He also called on the two countries to reinforce coordination on hotspot issues including the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue, Afghanistan, Syria and maintain close communication under the multilateral framework such as the United Nations, the G20 and the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

Wang also restated China's position on Taiwan and the South China Sea issues, emphasizing that China and the United States should respect each other's core interests and major concerns, discreetly deal with sensitive issues to protect bilateral ties from unnecessary influences.

Reviewing the achievements of bilateral ties, Tillerson said it is necessary for both countries to have closer cooperation and coordination in face with changing international situation.

Tillerson said the United States adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to work with China to implement the consensus reached by their leaders and explore more cooperation in the spirit of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation.

The United States would like to have more high-level exchanges with China, and more dialogue in diplomatic security, macroeconomic policy coordination, law enforcement, cyberspace and people-to-people exchanges.

Tillerson's visit aims to make "political preparations" for the meeting between two presidents, and both sides would make the best use of this chance to seek common ground, said Jia Xiudong, a researcher with the China Institute of International Studies.

He said the necessity of strengthening cooperation between China and the United States have been further strengthened since Trump took office.

"What Tillerson said on bilateral ties this afternoon sent positive signals," said Jia.

IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON KOREAN PENINSULA NUCLEAR ISSUE

Tillerson's visit came at a time when the crisis on the Korean Peninsula was aggravated by the recent test firing of missiles by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), so far the most substantial reaction to the Seoul-Washington military exercises, and the controversial U.S. deployment of the THAAD anti-missile systems in the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Wang said that he had "an in-depth discussion" with Tillerson on the Korean Pensinular nuclear issue and "reached consensus on the general direction" in their talks.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula is now at a new crossroad, Wang said when meeting the press together with Tillerson.

It would either escalate and finally lead to conflicts or have a breakthrough to resume negotiations and bring the nuclear issue back onto the track of dialogue, Wang said.

"We hope that all concerned parties, including the United States, would be cool-headed and make wise choices," he said.

Wang said both countries firmly support the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and pledge a comprehensive and strict implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, Wang said.

"We both hope to find ways to resume talks and will not give up any efforts committed to realizing peace," he added.

Wang said China would like to continue the dialogue on the issue with the United States, as this is an important area of cooperation between the two countries.

Tillerson told reporters that during the talks with Wang, they share a common view that tensions on the peninsula are quite high right now and that things have reached a rather dangerous level.

"We have committed ourselves to doing everything we can to prevent any type of conflict from breaking out," Tillerson told reporters.

During the meeting, Wang reiterated China's opposition to the deployment of the THAAD in the ROK.

Also on Saturday, Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi met with Tillerson, the second meeting between the two within one month as Yang visited Washington D.C. late February.

Tillerson arrived in Beijing on Saturday from Seoul. This is his first official Asian tour which began on Wednesday and also took him to Japan.
BADEN-BADEN, Germany, March 18 (Xinhua)-- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde Saturday called for global cooperation and strong policies to sustain the growth momentum.

"Global cooperation and pursuing the right policies can help achieve strong, sustained, balanced, and inclusive growth,"said Lagarde in a statement at the conclusion of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Baden-Baden, Germany.

The IMF chief urged implementation of strong monetary, fiscal and structural policies, saying that they "matter more than ever for what comes next".

Regarding the world economy outlook, Lagarde pointed out, signs show that the global economy has reached a turning point, even though uncertainties remain.

As global financial conditions may tighten, the IMF is committed to supporting membership in the management of risks stemming from excessive capital flow volatility.

"We will enhance our monitoring tools and stand ready to provide policy advice, including on macroprudential policies, as well as capacity building and financial support as warranted." Lagarde said.
OSLO, March 18 (Xinhua) -- A total of 15 psychiatry patients took their own life during the first month of 2017, newspaper Aftenposten reported Saturday.

There were 137 suicide cases among psychiatry patients last year, which was far more than in previous years. From 2011 until January this year, 618 people committed suicide while they were patients in mental health care, according to the statistics from the board of health supervision.

The statistics have shown that alerts about serious incidents within the special health services have been increasing from year to year. Notifications from mental health care make up around half of them and a large part is related to suicide and attempted suicide.

"The duty of notification is relatively new and we know that it takes time before new arrangements are fully implemented in all areas," said the board's acting director Heidi Merete Rudi.

She added that the increased number of alerts about suicide and other incidents just as easily could be caused by bigger focus and increased work with patient safety, as by actual increased number of incidents.

The board of health supervision is therefore cautious to make any conclusions based on the number of alerts alone, Aftenposten wrote.

Professor Lars Mehlum, head of the National Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, told Aftenposten that the high figures hardly reflect the worsening of patients treatment.

"The reason is probably bigger and bigger focus on ensuring that such cases must be reported to health authorities. But we do not actually know, because the quality of the data around the registration of these events has been so bad. It is getting better now," Mehlum said.

The centre is now establishing a registration and investigation system, where the experts shall systematically go through all the suicides happening within psychiatry.

Erland Vestli, director of Leve, a Norwegian organization for suicide survivors, expressed positive impression of health care system.

"But we are totally dependent on qualified assistance that can be aware of suicide risk and closely monitor patients," he added.

The number of suicides generally rises and it may not be surprising that the same happens in psychiatry, Vestli said.

In 2015 the number of suicides increased again after a few years of decline.

"Preventing suicide is a challenge that the whole society must take much more seriously and we call for greater expertise and earmarked funds for those on the front lines in the municipalities," Vestli said.
NEW DELHI, March 18 (Xinhua) -- A local court in India sentenced 13 people to life and four others to a five-year jail term Saturday for resorting to violence and causing death of a senior manager at a factory of Japanese car manufacturer in 2012, officials said.

"Today Gurugram District Court pronounced the quantum of punishment in the case of violence and death at plant of Maruti Suzuki in 2012. The court granted life sentence to 13 former employees found guilty of murder of a senior company officer," a court official said.

"Four ex-workers convicted of various offences like violence, rioting and attempt to murder, have been sentenced to five-year jail term. Fourteen other convicts have been fined as they had already served a jail term of four and half years."

Last week the court convicted 31 persons in the case and acquitted 117 others.

The violence believed to have broken over disagreement in wages and contracts in the factory at Haryana on the outskirts of New Delhi.

Over 80 people, including two foreigners, were injured in the violence. The violence halted production at factory for a month.

Police had arrested 148 workers and charged them with the murder of Awanish Kumar Dev, human resource manager in the factory.

Workers' union accused Maruti of "anti-worker and anti-union activities."

The trial lasted for four years.

Ahead of Saturday's verdict, local authorities had imposed restrictions that prohibits assembly in public place. Police were deployed to enforce prohibitory orders in anticipation of workers' protest.

Maruti Suzuki is an automobile manufacturer in India. It is a subsidiary of Japanese automobile and motorcycle manufacturer Suzuki Motor Corporation. It is the largest car manufacturer and holds 50-percent share in India's car market.
ISLAMABAD, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The Pakistani army said on Saturday that a woman was killed in Indian firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region.

An army statement blamed India for "unprovoked ceasefire violation" along LoC in Kot Kehtera sector "targeting civil population."

A 60-year-old woman resident of Village Thandi Kassi was killed in the firing, the statement said, adding the Pakistani troops effectively responded.

Pakistan and India had declared ceasefire along the LoC and working boundary in 2003.

The latest incident happened as tensions escalation along LoC, which divides the two neighbors in the disputed Kashmir, has been seen since militants attack on an army center in the Indian-controlled Kashmir on Sept. 18, killing 19 soldiers.

India blamed the Pakistan-based "Jaish-e-Mohammad" group. But Islamabad rejected the charges and suggested independent investigation into the attack.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in Almaty, Kazakhstan, February 27, 2017. (SPUTNIK PHOTO)

MOSCOW, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Kazakh counterpart, Nursultan Nazarbayev, have held a telephone conversation to discuss bilateral and regional cooperation, as well as peace talks on the Syria crisis, the Kremlin said Saturday.

"Mr. Putin and Mr. Nazarbayev considered pressing issues of the bilateral and regional cooperation, including certain aspects of preparations for the upcoming meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Bishkek," the Kremlin press service said in a statement.

The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council is the highest body of the Eurasian Economic Union, a Russia-led regional economic bloc aiming to optimize the flow of goods and services among its members.

The two leaders also coordinated the schedule of short-term bilateral contacts at various levels, the statement added.

In addition, Putin and Nazarbayev exchanged opinions on the results of the third round of intra-Syrian talks, which took place in the Kazakh capital of Astana on March 14-16, the Kremlin said, without giving further details.

The Astana peace talks closed without progress after rebels boycotted the meeting. Russia, Turkey and Iran agreed to hold the next meeting in Astana on May 3-4.
BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday will start a four-day official visit to China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Li Keqiang.

Netanyahu was born in Tel Aviv, Israel in 1949. He completed his academic degrees in architecture, business and political sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States.

He joined the Likud party and was elected as a member of the Israeli parliament in 1988.

Netanyahu served as vice foreign minister between 1988 and 1991.

From 1991 to 1992, he was appointed as deputy minister of the prime minister's office.

In 1993, he was elected chairman of the Likud party. From 1996 to 1999, Netanyahu served as prime minister of Israel.

In the 1999 elections, he was defeated by then Labor leader Ehud Barak. He retired from political life that year and worked as a consultant at an Israeli communications equipment developer, only to return two years later with the collapse of Barak's government.

He was appointed as the finance minister in Ariel Sharon's government in 2003, carrying out tough reforms cutting child benefits for single-mothers, among others.

He left Sharon's government in 2005 after the latter conducted the disengagement plan from the Gaza Strip and spent the next four years as head of the opposition.

In 2009, after six years of rule by the center Kadima Party, the right-wing bloc won the majority of seats in the Knesset (parliament) and Netanyahu, as the Likud head, was assigned again to the post of prime minister.

In March 2013 and May 2015, he was re-elected as prime minister, respectively.
US President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks at former president Andrew Jackson's Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee on March 15, 2017. Donald Trump visited Nashville to rally supporters and pay homage to predecessor and unlikely political idol Andrew Jackson, America's first populist president. (AFP PHOTO/Nicholas Kamm)

by Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's ban on immigration from six majority Muslim countries may do little to deter the terror threat, a U.S. expert told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Trump recently revised the controversial visa ban to bar entry of citizens from six countries - Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen - for 90 days and suspend entry of some refugees for 120 days. But the revised ban has been suspended by federal judges like the original one.

"The new immigration executive order most likely will do little to deter terrorists from entering the U.S. or attacking Americans or U.S. interests abroad," said Wayne White, former deputy director of the State Department's Middle East Intelligence Office.

That's because the ban would alienate many Arab Muslims, especially in countries on the no-go list, he said.

"Such alienation or resentment probably will make radicalization of individuals by IS, al-Qaida and their affiliates much easier," White said, referring to the world's two most dangerous terror groups.

The exemption from the temporary travel ban granted to countries friendly to the U.S. - from Tunisia through Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan - was based not on lack of threat, but merely on political considerations, White said.

Unless U.S. embassies in exempted Arab and Muslim countries double down with crackdown on passport and visa fraud, potential terrorists could make their way to the U.S. on fake or stolen passports from non-banned countries, he said.

The terrorists could even also enter the country with stolen or successfully faked visas, such as one operation run by mobsters in Ghana that was shut down only last December. The operation distributed its high quality fakes throughout Africa and even Europe, White said.

"Moreover, little has been done since I was a senior U.S. visa officer in an embassy some years ago to better supervise line visa officers to make sure all such officers are rigorously diligent and-in a few isolated extreme cases-not corrupt -- as in selling visas under the table," he said.

Of course, most recent cases of terror attacks inside the U.S. were carried out by individuals already in the U.S. who have been radicalized, rather than new immigrants or visitors, White said.

While IS's back is against the wall in the Middle Eastern areas it controls, the group is still dangerous, and could still strike outside of its strongholds, he said.

Although IS combatants within its shrinking caliphate in Syria and Iraq have not had as their leading goal conducting terror attacks on the U.S., many fighters will likely initiate attempts to disperse outward, as did al-Qaida fighters caught in the tightening American military net in Afghanistan in 2001-2002, he said.

At least some will have the goal of reaching the West as terrorists or setting up shop in havens such as Libya, Yemen, and Somalia in order to recruit individuals willing to do so, White said.

Supporters of Trump's ban say he is merely fulfilling a campaign promise and following through with policies he outlined for over a year on the campaign trail.

Trump promised during last year's campaign to get tough on terror and put America's national security first, especially in light of the brutal terror attacks over the recent two years, both on the U.S. and countries worldwide.

Those include the 2015 attack by an IS sympathizer, who shot up a gay nightclub in Florida and killed around 50 people. The shooter did not enter the U.S. from overseas, although his father was an Afghan immigrant.

Related:

Race, education, gender key factors in Americans' approval of Trump: Gallup

WASHINGTON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Non-college educated American white males are most likely to approve of the job of U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a latest Gallup poll.

Overall, Trump boasted a 42-percent approval rating among all Americans, according to the Jan. 20-March 8 poll. Full story

Commentary: First Merkel-Trump encounter witnesses an off-key German-U.S. duet

by Xinhua writer Yuan Shuai

BERLIN, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Amid an overlooked handshake request and Trump's little appreciated "wiretapping" joke, German Chancellor Angela Merkel had her first face-to-face meeting with the U.S. president in Washington on Friday.
MOGADISHU, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said late Saturday on its twitter account that it has called on its partners in the Saudi-led coalition to investigate the raid off Yemen coast.

At least 33 Somali refugees were killed and 29 others wounded when a total of 150 refugees traveling in a boat off the Yemeni coast came under an air attack, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) office in Sanaa said on Friday.

The ministry said it is very sad, targeting a boat carrying Somali migrants near the coast of Hodeidah in Yemen. "Our deep condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in the horrific attack in the Red sea."

The ministry added that Allah's mercy upon those who lost their lives, speedy recovery to the wounded.

Houthi-controlled Saba news agency reported that the Somali refugees came under an air attack late night of Thursday, blaming a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia which is having tight control of the Red Sea and the Strait of Bab al-Mandeb off the western Yemeni coasts.

There was no comment by the coalition forces yet.
by Anthi Pazianou

MYTILENE, Greece, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Over 2,000 refugees, migrants and locals launched a protest on the Greek island of Lesvos on Saturday to protest against the EU-Turkey agreement enforced last March to stem the refugee-migrant flows to Europe.

"Freedom", "Stop deportation" were among the main slogans shouted by refugee seekers from many countries including Syria, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

The demonstration came two days after EU officials hailed the progress achieved in dealing with the refugee influx over the past year.

During a tour at refugee accommodation facilities on the Aegean Sea island on Thursday, European Commissioner for Migration Dimitris Avramopoulos said the successful implementation of the EU-Turkey deal was proved by the reduction of migrants crossing the Aegean sea from about 10,000 per day to less than 100 per day.

UNHCR said more than 20,000 refugees and migrants have arrived in the Aegean islands of Greece since March 20, 2016 when the EU-Turkey deal began to be implemented. Of the total arrivals, about half of them landed in Lesvos which received the bulk of the one million refugee arrivals from early 2015 to early 2016.

The EU said under the EU-Turkey agreement, 916 people had been turned back to Turkey as of March 16.
By Alex Osei-Boateng

ACCRA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Ghanaian graduates and students flocked to the premises of the University of Ghana on Saturday to take part in the 2017 campus recruitment fair organized by the Confucius Institute.

The purpose of the campus recruitment was to connect Chinese enterprises with Ghanaian students.

Most of the graduates and students who will be completing their university education soon had one mission of joining the one-day fair: to pry for employment opportunities with the 35 participating Chinese enterprises.

Joseph Edward Yawson, a final year Chinese language student at the University of Ghana sees the fair as a very good opportunity for students and graduates to link up with potential employers.

"Annually we get about 3,000 students who graduate from various universities and so if we have this program annually it will help them land jobs," he told Xinhua.

"I am a bit confused as to where to drop your CVs because there are a lot of great companies. I hope I will get a very good job," he said.

"It is a very nice forum. I think Ghanaians should emulate them," Margaret Osei, a visitor told Xinhua.

For Ethel Afful, a graduate who studied Chinese at the University of Ghana, the fair is a good initiative to help people get jobs and reduce the level of unemployment in Ghana.

"I have visited seven companies and they are all looking for translators and since I can speak Chinese, I move through all of them because you never know," she said.

Unemployment in Ghana is on the rise. Many companies have downsized their workforce to cope with the harsh economic conditions. Competition for jobs becomes very stiff.

In Ghana, public and private universities churn out over 55,000 graduates annually.

In recent years, the polytechnics have also been upgraded to universities and are also going to add onto the number, meaning that yearly Ghana is going to have over 55,000 university graduates who will be looking for jobs.

This number is expected to rise as more universities are established.

The Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana Professor Samuel Kwame Offei said it is therefore of a great service and very heartwarming that the Chinese business community in Ghana would come to engage students and offer jobs.

He hopes that the students who successfully land jobs will work hard and innovate in their work areas and will be a valuable asset to the companies.
Participants attend the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Baden-Baden, Germany on March 17, 2017. (Xinhua/Luo Huanhuan)

BADEN-BADEN, Germany, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde Saturday called for global cooperation and strong policies to sustain the growth momentum.

"Global cooperation and pursuing the right policies can help achieve strong, sustained, balanced, and inclusive growth," said Lagarde in a statement at the conclusion of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Baden-Baden, Germany.

The IMF chief urged implementation of strong monetary, fiscal and structural policies, saying that they "matter more than ever for what comes next".

Regarding the world economy outlook, Lagarde pointed out, signs show that the global economy has reached a turning point, even though uncertainties remain.

As global financial conditions may tighten, the IMF is committed to supporting membership in the management of risks stemming from excessive capital flow volatility.

"We will enhance our monitoring tools and stand ready to provide policy advice, including on macroprudential policies, as well as capacity building and financial support as warranted." Lagarde said.
ANKARA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- A total of 740 Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) suspects were detained in last three days' 36 simultaneous operations, Turkey's Interior Ministry said on Saturday.

The ministry said in a written statement that the operations aimed at PKK's restructuring efforts ahead of summer.

During the operation, an AK-47 automatic rifle, four guns, 14 rifles and ammunition were seized, as well as numerous documents and supplies.

In previous operations against the PKK in February, 259 suspects were detained, and 39 were remanded in custody.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU, resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015.
ADDIS ABABA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Two institutions will investigate the cause of the garbage dump landslide on the outskirt of Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Minister of Government Communication Affairs said on Saturday.

The government has been taking measures to support those who have been affected by the tragedy, Negeri Lencho told the press.

Ethiopia on Friday concluded a three-day national mourning for the victims by last Saturday's tragedy that had killed 113 people.

The minister stated that the government has focused on providing the affected people with food, water and other needs.

Different bodies and citizens have been cooperating with the government in providing support to the affected people, he noted.

With the view to sustainably and permanently support the affected people, who have lost their beloved ones and properties, the government has set up a committee that deals with issues in connection with the accident, according to the minister.

Responding to a question regarding the narrative of the government on the cause of the accident, the minister said, "As a government, we have not blamed anybody for the cause because we have not yet known the cause of this accident; but the government decided to investigate a cause and two institutions have been selected; one from within the country, that is Addis Ababa University and the other from Texas University. So, this is underway."

"When we are through with the investigation and know the result, it is then possible to disclose the cause of this accident," he said.

Negeri also stated that there is a plan to make the site where the tragedy occurred a greenery area in the future.
Its no surprise that contemporary Christian songwriter-musician Brandon Heath wound up in the music industry.

Heath, 38, was born and raised in Nashville, home to the Grand Ole Opry and musicians of many different stripes. One of his childhood friends had a father who produced all of country star Garth Brooks recordings.

Heath, who will perform in concert at Faith E Church in Billings on March 25, recalls visiting Jacks Tracks Recording Studio.

I remember going in there as a kid and thinking everybody in here makes money doing music, and that just seemed amazing to me, he said in a telephone interview from Nashville. So from an early age I knew thats what I wanted to do.

He got his first guitar when he was in eighth grade, and songwriting came naturally to him. He admits his early compositions were melodramatic tunes about love and heartbreak.

Maybe the typical stuff you hear on the radio, Heath said. But for me, I love those kinds of songs.

When he was 16, Heath attended a camp run by an organization called Young Life, an outreach geared to high school youth who have never heard about Jesus, he said. Heath fell into that category, and the camp helped him connect with God.

In the same way the camp touched his life, it also changed his tune.

Growing up on pop music, I still had that influence  I still do, Heath said. But I really wanted my songs to have a message. I really wanted to appeal to people who are considering Jesus but are not fully committed.

Before he ever had a publishing deal or a recording contract, Heath, just out of college, penned a song about forgiving a person in his life. That song, Im Not Who I Was, turned into his first No. 1 hit, which was nominated for a Dove award in 2008.

The song remains probably the favorite one hes written, which says a lot because Heath has several albums under his belt. It doesnt have a chorus, so it kind of breaks a lot of rules of songwriting, he said.

But it captured a painful point in his life, and Heath used the song to work through the emotions he felt when his dad and his stepmom divorced when he was in eighth grade.

It can be heartbreaking and cause some confusion and anger, he said. Thats what I was dealing with and I used music to do it.

Heaths anger was directed toward his stepmom, he said, whom he no longer had contact with after the marriage ended. But 20 years after the divorce and after he had extended forgiveness through the song, the two reconnected.

He called that a moment of true healing.

Thats why Jesus died for us, it was forgiveness, Heath said. It was the ultimate expression of love, and we didnt deserve it, so that makes it more impactful.

He calls himself a storyteller as much as a songwriter. And another of Heaths songs, Give Me Your Eyes, proves his point.

I started it on a long plane ride squished in with a lot of people, and I didnt talk to the person next to me, he said. As the plane landed I felt like I missed out on an opportunity, not just to share the Gospel but to love someone and to relate to them and acknowledge their presence.

One thing Heath loves is his connection with the people who enjoy his music. He hears from them almost daily, about how a song hes written has impacted their lives.

"Probably the most amazing journey is how your music affects others," he said.

Heath appreciates the opportunities his music has afforded him. He was invited to sing at Carrie Underwoods wedding.

During the time he lived in Houston, he befriended an astronaut who wore a patch Heath designed on his space mission.

And now, back in Nashville, Heath sits on the Board of Governors of the Nashville Chapter of The Recording Academy, the organization that puts on the Grammy Awards. He was nominated by academy staff and some of his peers and elected by those peers.

On the day of the interview, he had just left a meeting at the academy.

The fact that Im getting to speak into a larger music community now, people I look up to, Im humbled by it, Heath said. Getting to be a mouthpiece for the contemporary Christian music world is a big honor.

For the tour that will bring Heath to Billings, all the shows he is doing are acoustic  just Heath and his guitar.

It leaves me a little more space to tell stories and maybe be a little more spontaneous because the band isnt looking for cues from me, he said. I think audiences enjoy it.

Heath is working on a new album, and hell share some of his new songs along with other old favorites. He will also lead worship during the Sunday services at Faith E Church.

I love getting a chance to lead worship, he said. Its rare to be home on Sunday, so I always love joining people in their worship service and sharing a couple of my own songs.

Heath gears his concerts "to the person who may or may not have ever heard the Gospel."

Im going to talk about faith and Im also going to talk about struggles and loss, and there will be some humor here and there, he said. I really want people just to feel like Im telling a bigger story that covers all of us, and everybodys welcome.
A butterfly stays on thenose of a staff member during a butterfly carnival in Anhui, capital of east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 6, 2014. (Xinhua/Liu Junxi)

WASHINGTON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- If you are not satisfied with the shape of your nose, blame it on climate, not your parents or grandparents.

In a study published this week in the journal PLOS Genetics, researchers from the Pennsylvania State University found that human noses may have been shaped, at least in part, by a long process of adaptation to local climate conditions.

Generally, wider noses are more common in warm and humid climates, while narrower noses are more common in cold and dry climates, it said.

The findings were based on an examination of the size and shape of noses on people with West African, South Asian, East Asian, or Northern European ancestry.

The researchers looked at the width of the nostrils, the distance between nostrils, the height of the nose, nose ridge length, nose protrusion, external area of the nose and the area of the nostrils by using 3D facial imaging.

It showed that the width of the nostrils is strongly correlated with temperature and absolute humidity, but not the result of a random process called genetic drift.

One purpose of the nose is to condition the air that we breathe, to ensure that it is warm and moist when it reaches the lungs, which helps to prevent infections.

The current study found the narrower nostrils seem to alter the airflow so that the mucous-covered inside of the nose can humidify and warm the air more efficiently.

"It was probably more essential to have this trait in cold and dry climates," it said.

"People with narrower nostrils probably fared better and had more offspring than people with wider nostrils, in colder climates. This lead to a gradual decrease in nose width in populations living far away from the equator."

The nose has had a complex evolutionary history, however, and researchers suspected that additional factors, such as cultural preferences when picking a mate, have also played a role in shaping the nose.

Investigations into nose shape evolution and climate adaptation may have medical as well as anthropological implications.

Studies of human adaptation are essential to our understanding of disease and yield insights into why certain conditions, such as sickle cell anemia, lactose intolerance or skin cancer, are more common in certain populations.

The researchers said that it may be worth investigating whether the shape of the nose and the size of the nasal cavity impact one's risk of contracting a respiratory disease when living in a climate that is different from one's ancestors.
US President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks at former president Andrew Jackson's Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee on March 15, 2017.

Donald Trump visited Nashville to rally supporters and pay homage to predecessor and unlikely political idol Andrew Jackson, America's first populist president. (AFP PHOTO/Nicholas Kamm)

by Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's ban on immigration from six majority Muslim countries may do little to deter the terror threat, a U.S. expert told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Trump recently revised the controversial visa ban to bar entry of citizens from six countries - Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen - for 90 days and suspend entry of some refugees for 120 days. But the revised ban has been suspended by federal judges like the original one.

"The new immigration executive order most likely will do little to deter terrorists from entering the U.S. or attacking Americans or U.S. interests abroad," said Wayne White, former deputy director of the State Department's Middle East Intelligence Office.

That's because the ban would alienate many Arab Muslims, especially in countries on the no-go list, he said.

"Such alienation or resentment probably will make radicalization of individuals by IS, al-Qaida and their affiliates much easier," White said, referring to the world's two most dangerous terror groups.

The exemption from the temporary travel ban granted to countries friendly to the U.S. - from Tunisia through Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan - was based not on lack of threat, but merely on political considerations, White said.

Unless U.S. embassies in exempted Arab and Muslim countries double down with crackdown on passport and visa fraud, potential terrorists could make their way to the U.S. on fake or stolen passports from non-banned countries, he said.

The terrorists could even also enter the country with stolen or successfully faked visas, such as one operation run by mobsters in Ghana that was shut down only last December. The operation distributed its high quality fakes throughout Africa and even Europe, White said.

"Moreover, little has been done since I was a senior U.S. visa officer in an embassy some years ago to better supervise line visa officers to make sure all such officers are rigorously diligent and-in a few isolated extreme cases-not corrupt -- as in selling visas under the table," he said.

Of course, most recent cases of terror attacks inside the U.S. were carried out by individuals already in the U.S. who have been radicalized, rather than new immigrants or visitors, White said.

While IS's back is against the wall in the Middle Eastern areas it controls, the group is still dangerous, and could still strike outside of its strongholds, he said.

Although IS combatants within its shrinking caliphate in Syria and Iraq have not had as their leading goal conducting terror attacks on the U.S., many fighters will likely initiate attempts to disperse outward, as did al-Qaida fighters caught in the tightening American military net in Afghanistan in 2001-2002, he said.

At least some will have the goal of reaching the West as terrorists or setting up shop in havens such as Libya, Yemen, and Somalia in order to recruit individuals willing to do so, White said.

Supporters of Trump's ban say he is merely fulfilling a campaign promise and following through with policies he outlined for over a year on the campaign trail.

Trump promised during last year's campaign to get tough on terror and put America's national security first, especially in light of the brutal terror attacks over the recent two years, both on the U.S. and countries worldwide.

Those include the 2015 attack by an IS sympathizer, who shot up a gay nightclub in Florida and killed around 50 people. The shooter did not enter the U.S. from overseas, although his father was an Afghan immigrant.
KIGALI, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim is expected in Rwanda on Tuesday next week.

During his visit, from March 21-22, Kim is expected to meet with Rwandan President Paul Kagame to discuss the east African country's development achievements, innovations and the progress made in fostering private sector growth and development, according to a statement issued by the World Bank office on Friday in Kigali.

Kim will also hold meetings with private sector leaders and visit human development and other projects in various parts of the country including an ICT innovation centre at K-lab in Kigali and a social protection center at Kinyana to see how the World Bank Group can help sustain and further strengthen them.

He will also address a public lecture in Kigali on addressing today's challenges for a prosperous future, before winding down his two-day visit.

This is Kim's second visit to Rwanda. The Word Bank has been in partnership with Rwanda since 1963. The current Country Partnership Strategy fiscal year 2014-2018 was endorsed by the Board in June 2014.

Rwanda's portfolio comprises of 10 projects with net commitments of 802.4 million U.S. dollars spread across various sectors of agriculture (35 percent), energy (30 percent), governance (13 percent), urban (12 percent) and transport (6 percent).

Rwanda also participates in six regional projects with the national commitment amounting to 204 million U.S. dollars.
U.S. President DonaldTrump 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)

WASHINGTON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Non-college educated American white males are most likely to approve of the job of U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a latest Gallup poll.

Overall, Trump boasted a 42-percent approval rating among all Americans, according to the Jan. 20-March 8 poll.

Roughly two-thirds, or 67 percent, of Americans who are white, male and without college education approve of Trump's job. Trump also tends to fare better among older than among younger subgroups.

To a large degree, Trump's job approval reflects the underlying partisan leanings of the demographic groups.

Among American adults, 88 percent of Republicans approve of Trump, compared to only 38 percent of independents, and 10 percent of Democrats.

There is a significant gender gap of 13 percentage points in Trump's job approval, with 49 percent of men and 36 percent of women approving of Trump, according to the poll.

White men, at 60 percent, and white women, at 48 percent, are far more likely than nonwhite men, at 26 percent and nonwhite women, at 14 percent, to approve of Trump, Gallup found.

Roughly half of Americans aged 50 and older approve of Trump. Trump's approval rating falls to 39 percent among those between the ages of 30 and 49, and drops further to 31 percent among those younger than 30, Gallup found.
HELSINKI, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The Finnish 2018 presidential election got a third official contender as the Left League on Saturday elected Meja Kyllonen, the party's sole Member of European Parliament, as its candidate.

Kyllonen told local media that in her campaign she would underline peace and everyday living conditions of common people. Originally a worker's party, Left League is now seen increasingly as a competitor to the Green Party for the vote of young urban professionals.

Kyllonen, 40, is a bioanalyst in her original profession. She was elected to the parliament in 2007 and she served as Minister of Transport in 2011-2014.

The major question for the 2018 presidential election is whether the incumbent president Sauli Niinisto will seek re-election. If he runs, his chances are considered excellent for a second term. Should Niinisto choose not to run, the political battle ground would see heavy fighting.

The Green Party has nominated its 2012 candidate, Member of Parliament Pekka Haavisto. In 2012 he got 37 percent of the vote in the second round while Niinisto got 62 percent.

The Center Party candidate is former prime minister Matti Vanhanen. He ran previously in 2006 but did not make it to the second round.

Other parties have not announced their candidates.

After several constitutional changes in recent decades, Finnish president's power has been limited, but the president still has a key role in foreign policy, albeit defined in the constitution as "together with the cabinet".
Syrian opposition fighters and their families are searched as they arrive at a checkpoint on the edge of the rebel-held Waer neighbourhood in the central city of Homs on March 18, 2017, during the first phase of the Russian-supervised deal to complete the evacuation of fighters and civilians. (AFP photo)

by Hummam Sheikh Ali

HOMS, Syria, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The central city of Homs will soon be free of any rebel presence, as the first batch of rebels and their families started evacuating their last stronghold in the city on Saturday under an activated deal with the government.

Busses ready to carry the armed rebels and their families were lined up at the entrance of the al-Wair neighborhood, with government soldiers, policemen, and several Russian military policemen, on alert to secure a smooth process that could see Homs city free of any rebel presence in a matter of days, or weeks, as al-Wair is the last rebel-held neighborhood in the city.

As many as 423 rebels and 1,065 civilians, who are family members of the rebels, evacuated al-Wair on Saturday, with the process ongoing until the evacuation of 10,000 rebels and their families from that large neighborhood at the western outskirts of Homs.

Government officials say those evacuating are from the rebels who refuse to embark on a "reconciliation" with the government, adding that they will be transported to rebel-held areas in the city of Jarablus in the countryside of the northern city of Aleppo.

Saturday's evacuation is actually not the first from al-Wair, as the original agreement for the rebel evacuation was reached in late 2015, when the first batch of rebels left the neighborhood. In 2016, another batch left, and the deal was mired later with renewed tension and battles, until being reactivated this month.

It's worth noting that the first two evacuations were done under the supervision of the UN, but the latest one was reached under the mediation of Russia, with no role of the UN in it.

The governor of Homs said that after the rebel evacuation, over 40,000 people will remain in the neighborhood.

For his part, Ammar Sibai, another official in the Homs Governorate, said that over 100,000 displaced people from al-Wair will return to their homes after the departure of the last rebel batch from the neighborhood.

Previous statistics said that al-Wair used to be a home for 300,000 people ahead of the eruption of the six-year-old war in Syria, and that the number decreased to 75,000 who were besieged by the government forces since 2014.

For the government, regaining the neighborhood is a significant progress that will make them in full control of the city of Homs, which is Syria's third largest city. It's also the heart of Syria due to its location in the central part of the city.

Homs is one of Syria's most important industrial centers, boasting the country's largest oil refinery and key oil and gas fields in its eastern countryside.

The city is also the hub connecting major Syrian cities with one another, and wresting full control over the city will be an important step in the government push to have full control over Syria's major five cities of Damascus, Homs, Latakia, Aleppo and Hama.

For the rebels, losing their last stronghold in Homs is a major blow, following the huge defeat they suffered when the government forces recaptured the entire city of Aleppo in December of last year, after the rebels' evacuation from the eastern part of that key city in northern Syria.

Homs was called the "Capital of Revolution" by the rebels, as it was one of the first cities to join the anti-government movement in Syria in mid-March 2011.

By mid 2012, up to a fifth of the city became under the opposition control. In the same year the government forces unleashed an offensive to capture the fallen areas.

In late 2014, the rebels in the old city of Homs accepted a deal for their evacuation from the ancient part of the city, which has been largely obliterated due to the military campaign in that part of the city.

In 2015, the deal for al-Wair was reached, similar to that of the of old city, before being reactivated on March 14 this year.

"This deal will be conducive in restoring peace and security to the city of Homs in general, and the al-Wair in particular. I think that the next few weeks will see the full evacuation of the rebels from the neighborhood and the return of normal life to the city," Barazi, the Homs governor, told Xinhua at the entrance of al-Wair Saturday.

Following the full evacuation of the rebels from al-Wair, the government efforts will be focused on achieving similar deals in the northern countryside of Homs, where the rebels still hold some areas.

"This deal will help in achieving similar deals in the northern countryside of Homs," Barazi added.

Meanwhile, a Russian officer at the site told Xinhua that his country is guarantor to the activated deal.

"This is why the Russian forces came to Syria, to help our friends restore normal life to this country, and the Russian side is the guarantor to the implementation of this deal in al-Wair and will monitor the execution of the deal," he said.
CAIRO, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The international quartet on Libya said in a meeting in Cairo on Saturday that it backs the Libyan unity government and seeks a peaceful settlement in the war-torn North African country.

Comprising the United Nations, the Arab League, the African Union and for the first time the European Union, the quartet expressed rejection of any foreign military interference in Libya.

The meeting came after days of fighting between forces of Libya's unity government and militants in the capital Tripoli, and it was attended by UN envoy to Libya Martin Kobler, AL Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, AU envoy to Libya Jakaya Kikwete and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini.

In a joint statement after the meeting, the world group voiced concerns over the escalating violence in Tripoli, urging the Presidential Council (PC), which runs the unity government, to assert control over the whole city based on the inter-Libyan political agreement.

The quartet also strongly condemned all kinds of violence in Libya including the recent armed attacks in eastern oil-rich region known as "Oil Crescent" that started in early March.

"The goal of the four organizations is to assist the Libyans and enable them to achieve transition to democracy away from threats and terrorist acts," AL chief Aboul-Gheit told reporters in a press conference following the meeting, adding that they agreed to support the UN-backed PC in its efforts to maintain security control over Tripoli.

Following the ouster and killing of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libyan factions engaged in a state of civil war that escalated in 2014 and resulted in splitting power between two rival governments in capital Tripoli and Tobruk, northwestern and northeastern Libya.

Tobruk government was recognized by the international community then, before the PC was established in late 2015 as a unity government following a UN-brokered peace deal between warring Libyan factions reached Skhirat, Morocco.

Supported by self-proclaimed Libyan national army led by veteran general Khalifa Haftar, the parliament-backed government in Tobruk refused to recognize the UN-backed, Tripoli-based unity government, known as the Government of National Accord (GNA), which is run by the PC.

UN envoy Kobler said on Saturday that it would be untimely to lift the weapons embargo on Libya unless the Libyan armed forces had "a clear chain of command," meaning that the Libyan army should be restructured and run by the PC to be entitled to exemptions from arms embargo.

Haftar generally refused to meet with Kobler or the GNA chief Fayez al-Sarraj, saying he cares only about the Libyan people's demand to eliminate terrorism in the chaos-stricken Arab state.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Engineers at University of Washington (UW) are working on a new technique enabling "smart" posters and clothing to communicate directly with your car's radio or your smartphone.

If it works, a poster for a concert could send your car or smartphone a message or a link that allows you to tune to a radio station and listen to the live music or get tickets or directions to the venue; or if you go for a run, your shirt can sense your perspiration and send data on your vital signs to your phone.

In addition, bus stop billboards could send digital content about local attractions, a street sign could broadcast the name of an intersection or notice that it is safe to cross a street.

"What we want to do is enable smart cities and fabrics where everyday objects in outdoor environments -- whether it's posters or street signs or even the shirt you're wearing -- can 'talk' to you by sending information to your phone or car," lead faculty and UW assistant professor of computer science and engineering Shyam Gollakota was quoted as saying in a news release from the school in Washington state on the U.S. West Coast.

"The challenge is that radio technologies like WiFi, Bluetooth and conventional FM radios would last less than half a day with a coin cell battery when transmitting," said UW electrical engineering doctoral student Vikram Iyer and co-author of a paper presented at a technology conference this month. "So we developed a new way of communication where we send information by reflecting ambient FM radio signals that are already in the air, which consumes close to zero power."

The UW team applied a technique called "backscattering" to outdoor FM radio signals, by reflecting and encoding audio and data in these signals that are ubiquitous in urban environments; and demonstrated that a "singing poster" placed at a bus stop could transmit a snippet of music, as well as an advertisement, to a smartphone at a distance of 12 feet, or about 3.7 meters, and to a car over 60 feet, or 18 meters, away.

Such connectivity can also enable smart fabric applications such as clothing integrated with sensors to monitor a runner's gait and vital signs that transmits the information directly to a user's phone. In another demonstration, the researchers from the UW Networks & Mobile Systems Lab used conductive thread to sew an antenna into a cotton T-shirt, which was able to use ambient radio signals to transmit data to a smartphone at rates up to 3.2 kilobits per second.

The system works by taking an FM signal broadcast from an urban radio tower. The "smart" poster or T-shirt uses a low-power reflector to manipulate the signal in a way that encodes the audio or data on top of the broadcast to send a "message" to the smartphone receiver on an unoccupied frequency in the FM radio band.

"Our system doesn't disturb existing FM radio frequencies," said co-author Joshua Smith, UW associate professor of computer science and engineering and of electrical engineering. "We send our messages on an adjacent band that no one is using, so we can piggyback on your favorite news or music channel without disturbing the original transmission."

In their demonstrations, the power consumption of the backscatter system was 11 microwatts, which could be easily supplied by a tiny coin-cell battery for a couple of years.
KHARTOUM, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Sudan's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) on Saturday announced that it would waive half of ministerial posts and portfolios for the parties and armed movements which participated in the national dialogue conference.

"This indicates willingness to make the dialogue successful," said Hassabo Mohamed Abdul-Rahman, Sudan's vice-president and a leading NCP member, addressing a party meeting.

"The state's leadership is convinced that dialogue and accepting the other is the only way out for resolving the country's issues," he noted.

He further explained that the announcement of the new government delayed because of examination of the proposed names in order to have qualified cadres capable of leading and developing the country.

Sudan's First Vice-President and Prime Minister Bakri Hassan Saleh, in consultation with the Higher Committee to follow up the implementation of National Dialogue outcomes, is scheduled to form a new government that involves the parties and armed movements which participated in the national dialogue conference in Sudan.

In January 2014, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir declared an initiative calling on the opposition parties and the armed groups to join a national dialogue to end the country's crises.

The sessions of the national dialogue conference kicked off in October 2015 with the aim to resolve the country's political and social issues.

In October 2016, the conference concluded its sessions by endorsing a national document which was formulated by the participants in the conference.

Major political parties and armed movements refused to participate in the conference, including the Revolutionary Front Alliance, which brings together the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector and major Darfur armed movements.
LONDON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- One of the biggest deployments of British troops in decades to eastern Europe has seen the arrival of around 120 soldiers in Estonia, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) announced Saturday.

Britain's Defense Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said the deployment was "in the face of an increasingly assertive Russia."

Soldiers from the British Army's 5th Battalion The Rifles Battlegroup (5 RIFLES), including members of an Armoured Engineer Squadron, Military Police Detachment, Artillery Group and Port Task Group, arrived Friday night at the Amari airbase, the MOD said.

An MOD spokesman said: "The 120 soldiers are fundamental to setting up a UK headquarters in the country before the rest of the UK deployment arrives next month, increasing the total number of troops in Estonia to around 800."

"Britain is taking a leading role in NATO's enhanced Forward Presence, alongside several other contributing nations. The deployments are designed to assure NATO allies of the mutual commitment to collective European security," the spokesman said.
ABC News(WASHINGTON) -- The White House is standing by President Trumps assertions that former President Obama ordered a wiretap of his phones, even as others -- Democrats and Republicans alike -- have said there is no proof.

But the president believes he will, ultimately, be vindicated.

Here is a timeline of Trumps unsubstantiated claims, what other officials have said and how the White House has responded:

March 4

Early Saturday morning, while away at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump fired off his first tweet accusing Obama of wiretapping his phones at Trump Tower in New York during the election.

Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my "wires tapped" in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2017

Trump then posted three more tweets, comparing the allegations to President Nixons Watergate scandal.

Is it legal for a sitting President to be "wire tapping" a race for president prior to an election? Turned down by court earlier. A NEW LOW!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2017

I'd bet a good lawyer could make a great case out of the fact that President Obama was tapping my phones in October, just prior to Election!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2017

How low has President Obama gone to tapp my phones during the very sacred election process. This is Nixon/Watergate. Bad (or sick) guy!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2017

Obamas spokesman released a statement later that day, rebutting Trumps accusations:

"No White House official ever interfered with any independent investigation led by the Department of Justice. Neither President Obama nor any White House official ever ordered surveillance on any U.S. citizen. Any suggestion otherwise is simply false."

March 5

Government sources told ABC News that FBI Director James Comey had asked the Department of Justice to publicly rebut Trumps allegations out of concern that the presidents tweets might make it look as though the bureau acted improperly.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer announced in a statement that Trump requested that congressional intelligence committees determine whether executive branch investigative powers were abused in 2016 as part of their investigations of Russias alleged meddling in the U.S. election.

Neither the White House nor the president will comment further until such oversight is conducted, Spicer said in the statement.

March 6

The former director of national intelligence under President Obama, James Clapper, told ABC News that there was no wiretap against Trump Tower during the campaign conducted by any part of the National Intelligence Community ... including the FBI.

The same day, speaking to the media -- in an audio-only gaggle -- for the first time since Trump tweeted, White House press secretary Sean Spicer was peppered with questions about the accusations.

"I think that theres no question that something happened. The question is, is it surveillance, is it a wiretap, or whatever?" Spicer said, giving the first indication that the White House intended to broaden the scope of the allegations beyond monitoring phone calls.

When asked for clarification about whether Trump believed the FBI or Obama committed criminal acts in a potential pursuit of surveillance, as well as the appropriateness of the sitting president making such a public charge, Spicer repeatedly said that Trump's tweets "speak for themselves."

March 7

Another White House press briefing leads to questions about the promised investigation into the claims and Comey's reported request made in private that the Justice Department publicly shoot down Trumps claims.

Spicer tells reporters that "the president has not" asked Comey whether he was wiretapped and stands by his March 5 statement on the direction of the inquiry, saying, "I think the smartest and most deliberative way to address this situation is to ask the House and Senate intelligence committees who are already in the process of looking into this."

The press secretary is also asked whether Trump has "any regrets" about making the accusation.

"No," Spicer said, "Absolutely not."

March 10

The House Intelligence Committee formally requested that the Justice Department turn over any documentary evidence, including applications, orders or warrants, by Monday, March 13.

Also, in the days briefing, ABC News Jonathan Karl asked White House press secretary Sean Spicer whether President Trump would apologize to President Obama if his wiretapping accusation proves to be unfounded.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I think it's important to see where that goes, Spicer said, referring to the request from the chairman and ranking members of the House Intelligence Committee asking the Justice Department for evidence of Trumps claim. I don't want to prejudge their work at this time.

Karl then pressed Spicer about what could happen if no evidence surfaces. Spicer said hes not going to get into a series of hypotheticals but that once the investigation is completed, well respond appropriately.

March 12

Counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway discussed surveillance with The Record of New Jersey, causing a stir when she included an unusual item in a list of appliances that could be co-opted into listening devices.

What I can say is there are many ways to surveil each other, Conway said. "You can surveil someone through their phones, certainly through their television sets -- any number of ways -- and microwaves that turn into cameras, et cetera."

Conway later said her remarks were taken out of context and told CNN that she doesn't "believe people are using the microwave to spy on the Trump campaign," and Spicer would say that the comment was "made in jest."

March 13

Spicer launched a defense of Trump's tweets centered around punctuation, calling attention, in the day's press briefing, to the quotation marks employed by the president.

"I think if you look at the presidents tweet, he said very clearly wiretapping in quotes," Spicer said, indicating that Trump meant the word as a reference to overall reconnaissance.

"The president was very clear in his tweet that it was wiretapping, that that spans a whole host of surveillance types of options," Spicer said.

Two out of Trump's four tweets on the subject do not include the quotation marks, however, and he specifically refers to his "phones" in one.

Spicer also cautioned the media about reading too literally into the claim of Obama's involvement:

"He doesnt really think that President Obama went up and tapped his phone personally.

The Department of Justice also asked for more time in meeting the House Intelligence Committees request for evidence of Trumps wiretapping claim. The committee set the new deadline for before their March 20 hearing on Russias alleged interference in the U.S. election.

March 14

In light of the DOJs being given an additional week to gather evidence on surveillance, reporters continue to ask Spicer whether Trump feels assured in his position.

"I think he feels very confident it that will ultimately come to this -- will vindicate him," Spicer said during the press briefing.

March 15

The House Intelligence Committee leaders announced they didnt find any evidence that Trumps Manhattan office was wiretapped by Obama.

"We don't have any evidence that that took place. ... I don't think there was an actual tap of Trump Tower, House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., said during a Capitol Hill news conference alongside Democratic ranking member Rep. Adam Schiff of California.

Nunes also said it depends on whether you interpret Trumps tweets literally.

I think the challenge here is that President Obama wouldn't physically go over and wiretap Trump Tower, Nunes said. So now you have to decide ... are you going to take the tweets literally? And if you are, then clearly the president was wrong.

Nunes continued, But if you're not going to take the tweets literally, and if there's a concern that the president has about other people, other surveillance activities looking at him or his associates, either appropriately or inappropriately, we want to find that out.

In an interview with Fox News that aired Wednesday night, Trump commented for the first time on the wiretapping allegations.

Trump explained that his claims originated from reading about things and news reports. He pointed to a New York Times article and a Fox News segment, though neither reports that Obama wiretapped Trump Tower.

When asked why he didnt reach out to intelligence agencies to verify his claims, Trump said he didn't "want to do anything that's going to violate any strength of an agency."

He added, "I think you're going to find some very interesting items coming to the forefront over the next two weeks.

March 16

Senate Intelligence Committee leaders -- Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Vice Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va. -- released a joint statement: "Based on the information available to us, we see no indications that Trump Tower was the subject of surveillance by any element of the United States government either before or after Election Day 2016.

Spicer defended Trump during the press briefing and said the congressional intelligence committees statements were not based on investigative work.

They're not findings. There's a statement out today they have not begun this," Spicer said. "Two days ago the Department of Justice asked for an additional week. The statement clearly says at this time that they don't believe that.

Spicer also launched into a lengthy spiel of citing various news reports that inspired Trumps March 4 tweets, and included Fox News commentator Andrew Napolitanos suggestion that Obama used Britains Government Communications Headquarters to spy on Trump.

The bipartisan leaders of the Intelligence Committee would not have made the statement they made without having been fully briefed by the appropriate authorities, Sen. Warners spokeswoman fired back at Spicer in a statement after the press briefing.

March 17

The Justice Department announced it was complying with the Intelligence and Justice Committees' requests for information on surveillance efforts, but did not provide detail on the extent of the information.

Word of the Justice Department's actions came just as Trump was holding a joint news conference German Chancellor Angela Merkel in which he was asked by German media about the claims.

"As far as wiretapping, I guess, by this past administration, at least we have something in common, perhaps," Trump said of Merkel, referring to the revelation first reported in 2013 by a German news magazine that a document apparently from a U.S. National Security Agency database indicated Merkel's cellphone was first listed as a target in 2002.

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Yellowstone Countys election office is ramping up for the Thursday, May 25, special election to choose a new U.S. representative, but whether it will be a polling place or all-mail ballot event remains unclear.

County commissioners this week passed a resolution requesting a mail ballot election in case the Legislature passes Senate Bill 305, which would authorize a statewide mail ballot election. Resolutions requesting mail ballots must be done 70 days in advance of an election.

Were basically covering our bases. Its a show in support of our county that we would prefer SB 305 passes. Most counties in the state have done the same, said Bret Rutherford, the countys election administrator, on Friday.

The bill is set for a March 23 hearing in the House Judiciary Committee in Helena.

The election is to replace former Rep. Ryan Zinke, a Republican, who resigned to become secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior.

The Montana Republican Party selected as its candidate Greg Gianforte, a Gallatin County businessman who lost the gubernatorial race last year to incumbent Democrat Gov. Steve Bullock.

The Montana Democratic Party selected Rob Quist, a professional musician and entertainer from Flathead County, as its candidate.

Montana's Libertarian Party picked Inverness rancher Mark Wicks to be its candidate.

What will it cost?

A mail election would save Yellowstone County taxpayers about $50,000.

A polling site election would cost the county about $150,000, which includes paying judges to staff polling places, overtime, extra postage and other expenses, Rutherford said. Total staff needed would be 165 people on Election Day, he said.

A mail ballot would cost the county about $100,000 and require about 25 staffers on Election Day, Rutherford said.

County commissioners approved at mid-year an additional $131,000 in funding to help pay for the special election.

Having a polling place election also would strand about 50,000 voters statewide, Rutherford said, because of scheduling conflicts.

In Yellowstone County, Pioneer School is unavailable on Election Day, and the 660 voters who would go there to cast ballots would likely be sent to MetraPark if there is a polling place election, Rutherford said.

Passing SB 305 addresses the state having a non-scheduled election on a weird day, he said.

It will give our voters the best opportunity to vote at the best price without causing any security concerns, Rutherford said.

To prepare for the election, the county is proofing its ballot and will probably send it to the printers late next week, Rutherford said. A plan for a mail ballot must be sent to the Secretary of States office by April 10 to meet deadlines.

Set up for mail-in

Rutherford also responded to mail ballot opposition suggesting it hasn't been done before.

The state has been running mail ballot elections in some form for almost 30 years, Rutherford said.

Were not reinventing the wheel here. The system is set up to do this. And security precautions are in place to do it, he said.

Yellowstone County has held 24 mail ballot elections in the past 10 years, including a $120 million school bond election, school trustee elections, levy elections, the Lockwood lighting district election and the failed jail levy election, Rutherford said.

We just havent done it for any state or federal election, and the process is exactly the same. We know how to do it. Thats what drives me nuts, he said.

Absentee roster

Meanwhile, another election-related bill that would make permanent the absentee voter roster has been tabled. The measure, House Bill 287, was tabled in the Senate State Administration Committee.

Rutherford said there are efforts to get the bill reconsidered. Thats a big bill for Yellowstone County, he said. If it does not pass, about 65,000 Yellowstone County voters who are on the absentee roster will have to reapply for mail ballots in 2018.

Every single one of them, he said.
ANKARA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Turkish presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin on Saturday strongly condemned German authorities for allowing PKK followers to march in its city of Frankfurt.

It is unacceptable to see the symbols and slogans of the PKK, which are on the list of Germany's terrorist organizations, the spokesperson said in a written statement.

"It is impossible to explain for German authorities to claim that Turkey's elected representatives' meeting with their citizens is dangerous, but to treat terrorists as legitimate actors," Kalin added.

The spokesperson also condemned some European countries for trying to "interfere the referendum on April 16 in Turkey and take up a position in favor of 'No' vote."

With the increasing tensions between Germany and Turkey, German authorities has cancelled several Turkish high-ranking officials' visit and public rally in Germany since early this month, claiming reason of security problems or capacity limitation.

On the same day that PKK followers marched in Frankfurt, the deputy chair of Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party was banned from addressing local Turkish community in the northern German state of Lower Saxony.
SANAA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi movement on Saturday claimed firing a long-range ballistic missile on Saudi King Salman air base in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, according to a statement released by Yemeni state Saba news agency.

The statement, cited a Houthi military official, said the missile attack hit the target accurately.

It said the attack came in retaliation for Saudi continuing aggression criminal war against the Yemeni people since two years ago.

This is the second time Houthis claiming responsibility for firing ballistic missile on military target inside the Saudi capital of Riyadh in nearly a month, which is about 1,065 km north of Houthi-controlled Yemeni capital Sanaa.

Houthis have been repeatedly firing ballistic missiles deep inside Saudi southern border cities since Saudi Arabia intervened militarily against Houthis in support of Yemeni exiled government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

In March 2015, Saudi Arabia led a mostly Arab military coalition to fight the dominant Houthi rebels, who seized most of northern Yemen including the capital Sanaa.

The coalition announced its goal to restore power to the expelled but internationally recognized government of President Hadi.

Houthis ousted Hadi and seized control of northern Yemen in September 2014.

The ground war and coalition airstrikes have killed more than 10,000 people, half of them civilians, and displaced over two millions, according to humanitarian agencies.
LIMA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Three policemen were shot dead on Saturday morning in an ambush by presumed drug traffickers in the Peruvian jungle, the Ministry of the Interior announced.

The attack, which appears to have been an ambush, occurred during a patrol 30 minutes from the Palpampa military base, in the Ayacucho jungle region in southern Peru.

In a video statement, the attackers waited several days in hiding before opening fire on a patrol. Three police were killed and two more were injured. Bottles of water and food were found at three different spots where snipers were hidden.

The dead were confirmed as Marco Antonio Gomez, Edwin Tipe Fernandes and Bermis Samir Torres Bustamante.

The police patrol was part of the Special Anti-Drug Operations Division and was operating in the conflicted Vraem region, where between 18,000-20,000 hectares are given over to illegal coca plantations and to clandestine laboratories to produce cocaine.

On Twitter, President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski condemned the attack, writing "Unacceptable loss of three brave policemen in Vraem. While the Armed Forces and National Police of Peru help the population, these killers do not believe in the country."
QUITO, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador's President Rafael Correa claimed Saturday that the opposition will seek to start a scandal to tarnish his government ahead of the second round of the presidential election on April 2, with the help of the CIA and fugitive ex-bankers based in Miami.

"The great 'bomb' they are preparing for next week is the leaking of the Odebrecht list," he said at a public event in the town of Salitre. This list contains the names of alleged Ecuatorian officials involved in a bribery scandal with Brazilian construction company, Odebrecht, which has already implicated politicians across Latin America.

Although Odebrecht is accused of paying bribes to senior government officials in a number of countries, Correa said that this was a "dirty campaign" against his government as "they are desperate" about a potential victory of Lenin Moreno, Correa's chosen successor.

Polls ahead of the second round place Moreno as favourite, 15 points ahead of his rival, former banker and conservative, Guillermo Lasso.

In December, the U.S. Department of Justice published documents showing that Odebrecht had paid around 788 million U.S. dollars in bribes in 12 countries.

This includes Ecuador where the company is alleged to have paid 33.5 million U.S. dollars in bribes between 2007 and 2016, in exchange for receiving work contracts worth 116 million U.S. dollars.

Correa, who has been in power since 2007, said that the exact list had not been made available.

"This list has not been released by Brazil, which has a confidential agreement with Odebrecht, or by the Department of Justice," pointed out the president, who added that its release next week would be an act carried out by "the CIA, with the oligarchy and those fleeing from justice in Miami."

"This is the bomb they have prepared for next week to see if it changes the decision of the Ecuadorian people," warned Correa, adding that his attorney-general Galo Chiriboga would meet with Odebrecht representatives in the U.S. next week about having access to the list.

According to Correa, Odebrecht has refused to hand over the list, until Ecuador vows that no civil or penal lawsuits will be brought against any of its executives, which he reject as "unacceptable."

"That is impossible. While I am president, this company will never return to the country, not one more cent for this corrupt and corrupting company," vowed Correa, who expelled Odebrecht from Ecuador in 2008 after deficiencies were revealed in a hydroelectric plant it was building.
CAPE TOWN, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Saturday voiced outrage at a burglary at the Office of the Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, saying the break-in highlights the seriousness of crime in the country.

The ANC has learnt with shock of the burglary in Midrand near Johannesburg in the early hours of Saturday morning, ANC national spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said.

"This dastardly criminal act, targeting the office of the highest judicial officer in our country, should leave all South Africans outraged and our law enforcement officers determined to speedily find and bring to book its perpetrators," said Kodwa.

The ANC, he said, has always held the view that one criminal act, regardless of against whom it is perpetrated, is one too many.

"Targeting the Office of the Chief Justice however is a direct assault on the sanctity of the institutions we, as South Africans, hold dear as propping up our Constitutional order," said Kodwa.

All people in South Africa are entitled to live in safety and free from crime and they also want a strong, robust criminal justice system in which they have the fullest confidence in, he said.

"The cowardly act of breaking into the Offie of the Chief Justice is an affront on these aspirations and an attack on the very fibre of our democracy," Kodwa said in a statement emailed to Xinhua.

The ANC therefore calls on law enforcement agencies to use all resources at their disposal to ensure that these criminals are dealt with to the full extent of the law, Kodwa said.

The ANC further calls on the Office of the Chief Justice to ensure that all its remaining information is secured and mitigate against any efforts to undermine or compromise the dispensing of justice as a result of the break in, the spokesperson said.

"What is required is for a collaborative effort across our law enforcement agencies, sparing no effort and with the full support and confidence of our people, to make those responsible to account," he said.

South Africa, which has one of the highest crime rates in the world, reported 807,000 housebreaking and home robberies in 2015/16, according to Statistics South Africa.
RABAT, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Morocco's ruling Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) vowed late on Saturday support to the newly-appointed Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani, accepting the replacement of their leader Abdelilah Benkirane.

Morocco's King Mohammed VI on Friday appointed Othmani, number two in the PJD leadership, as the new prime minister after Benkirane failed to form a government in five months.

In a statement following the meeting of PJD national assembly, the party urged Othmani to form a government in the shortest terms possible, stressing the need to cement the reforms launched by the PJD-led government in the past five years.

The parliament of the party said the new government should be strong, harmonious and efficient, adding that it should also respect the outcome of the October parliamentary elections, which was significantly led by the Islamist party.

At the opening of the national assembly, Othmani said forming a new government is a "difficult task" during "the critical period" Morocco is going through.

Othmani said that he was "surprised" by the appointment, stressing that forming a new government necessitates "a long term vision."

He added that after listening to his party's parliament views, he will start talks with other parties.

Othmani, 61 years old, was Morocco's foreign minister between 2012 and 2013.

At the meeting of PJD national assembly, former PM Benkirane congratulated Othmani, and said that he is ready to help.

Benkirane has gained support of two parties few weeks after the October elections last year, yet he has been unable to make a deal with a third party to secure the majority of 395-seat parliament.
Citizens shop at a mall decorated with rapeseed flowers in Chongqing, southwest China, March 17, 2017. A local mall brought spring rural sceneries indoor to attract consumers. (Xinhua/Liu Chan)
Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi (R) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2017. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)
HELENA  After failing to win support for an increased wine tax last month, the governor's office returned to lawmakers on Friday to pitch a revenue-raising plan that would broaden the request to include beer and spirits.

It's unclear how much more consumers would have to pay for a bottle of wine or a six-pack of beer because the tax would be charged on producers or retailers, not directly on consumers as a sales tax.

The bill heard Friday comes about a month after the Senate Taxation Committee dashed an earlier effort sought by Gov. Steve Bullock to raise taxes on wine to establish a revenue stream to bolster the state's unrestricted spending account and pay for health and education programs included in his budget proposal.

"We heard out in the hall that the state is short of a couple bucks. We're willing to pitch in and pick up our share of the tab," said John Iverson, who represents the Montana Tavern Association.

However, most other alcohol industry and business groups stood against the new proposal, arguing that the tax would be a downer on business because of the possibility of higher prices.

Christy Blazer of the Montana Beer and Wine Distributors Association called the tax selective and regressive.

Andy Bixler, a lobbyist for the Montana Associated Students, suggested many of his group's 40,000 members probably wouldn't mind passing along some of their beer money to the state's coffers.

"This is a counterintuitive position for students to take," Bixler joked, "but anything we can put back into the general fund that can find its way back to education would help us."

The initial bill sought only to tax wine, but met fierce opposition from wine producers and retailers, who objected to being singled out.

As a result, Democrats regrouped and Sen. Lea Whitford of Browning, who carried the original proposal, offered a new bill that now includes beer and spirits, as well as wine.

If adopted, the tax would raise $3.8 million in its first year, with $2.7 million going to the state's general fund and the rest going to Native American tribes and the state health department.

Under the proposal, the tax on wine would rise from 27 cents per liter to 30 cents  which is a much more modest boost than the doubling that had been initially proposed.

The new tax on beer would vary, depending on the size of the brewer, ranging from $1.43 per barrel for smaller operations to $4.73 for large ones. A barrel generally translates to about 250 pints of brew.
MISSOULA  President Donald Trump's budget blueprint, which proposes zeroing out all funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, must have felt like a 1990s flashback to former U.S Rep. Pat Williams.

The Democrat, who served as Montana's sole House representative from 1979 to 1997, led efforts to fight NEA budget cuts twice during his tenure.

He's confident the agencies will prevail.

"I have often said, and I still believe it even in the face of Trump, the national endowments are bulletproof," he said Friday.

One such defunding effort in 1990 was fueled by controversy over Andres Serrano's "Piss Christ," a photograph of a crucifix in a jar of urine, and over nude photo portraits by Robert Mapplethorpe, who oddly enough didn't directly receive NEA funds.

Williams, the chairman of the subcommittee that oversaw the agencies, made an unlikely advocate. The Butte native and cousin of Evel Knievel admittedly doesn't care for ballet or opera. His support for the NEA led him to be branded as "Porno Pat" by his opponents, and sign-carrying protesters greeted him at airports in both Washington, D.C., and Montana.

As in those past debates, Williams doesn't believe the current Congress will accept the cuts because there are too many members from rural states like Montana.

Who benefits?

Major cities like New York and Los Angeles "do not need the NEA in order to have great art." Rural areas do, he said, citing how the funds help maintain community symphonies, theater troupes, art museums and more. Those constituents eventually made their support known.

"Frankly, it took artists and Americans a couple of attacks on the NEA before they rose to defend it," he said. "Once they did, the Congress was flooded with hundreds of thousands  literally hundreds of thousands  of phone calls and letters defending the agencies."

There are key differences to the current cuts. In prior attempts, members of Congress made proposals during the appropriation process. They weren't suggested by the president, who generally supported the agencies during Williams' time.

Nor does Trump's budget blueprint make arguments about specific artworks. The NEA, NEH and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which combined account for 0.07 percent of the federal budget, are listed among 19 total agencies to be cut. The proposal says Trump's budget "eliminates and reduces hundreds of programs and focuses funding to redefine the proper role of the Federal Government."

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, offered an emailed statement about the need to curtail federal spending.

In a time when spending is out of control, we need to ensure every dollar is accounted for and is focused on delivering results for Montanans. The Presidents budget refocuses on the safety and security of the American people. We need to make sure the federal government is more efficient and effective," he wrote.

Daines did not respond to a specific question about the arts funding.

The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, has argued against public funding for the arts. In a 2016 report, it wrote, "private contributions to the arts and humanities vastly exceed the amount provided by the NEA. Taxpayers should not be forced to pay for plays, paintings, pageants, and scholarly journals, regardless of the works attraction or merit. Additionally, government funding politicizes art." Its comments on the NEH follow suit.

Williams noted that the funding has been "enormously helpful at leveraging private money to the arts."

According to the Los Angeles Times, "(t)he NEA's network of matching investors means that every dollar of direct federal funding leverages up to $9 in private and alternate public funds. The organization raised $500 million in matching support in 2016."

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, didn't respond to a request for comment by deadline.

Montana doesn't currently have a U.S. House representative since Ryan Zinke was appointed as secretary of the Interior Department. A special election will be held May 25 to select his replacement.

The arguments

Williams said he's fine with the argument that the government shouldn't fund art.

"That argument's OK. The argument about freedom of expression is not OK," he said.

Williams didn't set out to be an advocate for artists' freedom of expression when the NEA cuts became a national issue.

He "inherited jurisdiction" over the NEA when he was named chair of the subcommittee on select education. With time, he grew so fond of the cause that he took the agencies with him when he moved chairmanships "like Linus with his blanket," he said.

One of the "great thrills I had in the Congress was the opportunity to defend the freedom of expression in a meaningful way," he said.

On a more philosophical level, Williams argues that "art can flourish without politics. The reverse is not true. Art reflects the diversity and pluralism of our society, which is free. And freedom is our bulwark against tyranny."

Politics and art are more often opponents than allies, he said, but they should always remain friends.
The words typed across the simulated yellow pad are decidedly provocative: Were gonna have to kill Him.

Water marks ring the left corner of the page, and a web address KillHim.tv sits toward the bottom. In truth, the single sheet is a promotional piece Harvest Church created for its series of sermons leading up to Easter.

The Heights church, which also has satellites in Lockwood, Plentywood and Butte and Cody, Wyoming, planned to send out 38,000 mailers to the cities it serves. It hoped to draw people to the website for a preview, and to church for the full sermons.

But the United States Postal Service refused to mail the piece. According to the church, local postal officials cited 9.5.5. of the federal agencys mailability standards.

That section, titled Matter Inciting Violence, reads: Any matter of a character tending to incite arson, murder, assassination, treason, insurrection or forcible resistance to any law of the United States, or containing any threat to take the life of, or to inflict harm upon, the President of the United States is nonmailable.

An emailed statement released Friday afternoon by the Ernie Swanson of the USPS Corporate Communications Office in Seattle, gave a different answer.

He wrote: When presented for mailing, this item did not meet mailing standards for a variety of reasons, including mail thickness, absence of a return address, mailing address, no postage indicia and no name of the nonprofit. The mail piece was properly rejected based on those concerns.

Leann Bennett, communications director for the church, disputes that was the reason. After multiple conversations with local USPS officials, ascertaining the requirements for the mailer, Bennett was told Thursday that the mailer would not be accepted.

They came back and said it was not mailable, Bennett said Friday. They said were not willing to put our name on this.

'Why they got so mad'

The sermon series deals with four incidents in the Gospels that spurred religious leaders to seek the death of Jesus, said the Rev. Vern Streeter, lead pastor at Harvest.

These are four pivotal events that caused God-fearing men to decide the solution was murder, Streeter said. What I want to do in the series is get some perspective on why they got so mad.

Streeter cant resist sharing some of what hell be preaching from the pulpit. Jesus death didnt result from a riot gone bad, he said, but was a long, brooding plot that began a year before Jesus death.

The religious leaders wanted to hold onto their institutional, political, financial and religious power, Streeter said. Hence the plot  and hence the sentence in the mailer.

That sentence summarizes these clandestine, illegal back-office meetings the religious elite had, Streeter said. Where they looked each other in the eye and concluded weve got to kill him, its the only way to solve our problem. 

Drawing interest

Streeter admits the marketing piece is edgy. Its not the first time the Heights church has gone that route to draw interest.

One previous sermon series was titled One Hell of a Day, focusing on the day of Jesus crucifixion and what a hellish experience it was for him, Streeter said.

Another time, Heights billboards proclaimed that Harvest Church is Full of Hypocrites, making the ads appear critical of the church.

But we were admitting that we all have hypocrisy in our lives and others do, too, Streeter said. And we welcomed them to join us.

In the case of this mailer, the church hoped to send out the pieces as single unfolded sheets, where each person gets that startling headline, he said.

But that idea was shot down, Bennett said. Normally for these types of mailers, Harvest works with Mailing Technical Services in Billings. MTS handles large mailings and the permits they require, she said.

Bennett sat down with MTS to explore the best way to send the mailer. When MTS approached the USPS with the idea of a flat postcard-like mailer akin to a political flyer, the USPS contacted Harvest and left a voice mail saying the mailer wouldnt work because it went against the violence section, she said.

Mailing standards

In a conversation with a USPS employee, Bennett discussed different options, including folding and stapling the mailer with the message inside or placing it inside an envelope. Thinking the problem was solved, the mailers were printed and Bennett took them to MTS Wednesday.

When they went to go process them on Thursday, MTS contacted me and said were not allowed to process this, the post office is putting a hold on it, she said. Theyre saying they never gave approval.

So Bennett called the post office to find out what needed to happen next. Did the mailer need to be stuffed in an envelope? Did the postage amount need to change? Could they mail it first class, which is far more expensive than the nonprofit rate?

The final answer Bennett got was the USPS would not mail it. After the USPS released its statement Friday afternoon, Swanson was asked in an email if the content of the mailer had anything to do with the decision.

I believe the decision was based on not meeting mailing standards, he wrote back.

Whatever the reason, the result is disappointing, Streeter said, because the church paid $2,000 to print them. Instead, Harvest will find other ways to get the word out, including relying heavily on social media.

The church, which is holding its Easter service this year at the Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark, is hoping the series will draw people who might not otherwise attend church on Easter.

Without these mailers, we lost a major strategy of getting the word out, he said.
Despite the obvious changes that come with the passing of time and the evolution of technology, the connection between buffalo, buffalo hunting and native peoples remains a vital part of tribal identity in Montana. The relationship between tribal people and buffalo is one that is both spiritual and distinct. The buffalo provided for the daily needs of our people for millennia. In return, tribes honor the buffalo in their commitment to sustainability and celebration of this incredible resource.

Thats why the native peoples of Montana have always watched the buffalo hunt near Yellowstone National Park so closely. And that is why we, as members of the Montana Indian Caucus, feel the need to express our deep concern about the recent hunting behavior exhibited by various tribal members from out-of-state tribal treaty hunters.

In this season alone, reports indicate multiple cases of waste, safety violations, ethically questionable activities and other actions by out-of-state tribal hunters that show a disregard for both buffalo and people who make their home in the Gardiner community. We recognize that mistakes do happen as some have been made in the past. However, we recognize that treaty hunt tribes have stepped up and properly corrected those actions.

The Montana Indian Caucus does not question the treaty rights of those tribes that exercise the right to hunt in the Yellowstone area. However, as servants of the people of Montana and representatives of Montanas seven reservations, we do not accept the lack of accountability for these hunters actions, and we urge the tribes to take a hard look at the shadow these negative portrayals of buffalo hunting cast over all tribal hunters in Montana.

Unfortunately, the reports have added confusion and misinformation to the complex relationship between tribes and the state regarding buffalo. This narrative of disturbing behavior, which often does not distinguish between individual tribes, risks painting all of us with ugly brush strokes. That cannot stand. We ask the tribes involved in the recent incidents to properly discipline, if deemed necessary, those tribal members involved to maintain the respect for both people and buffalo of Montana and the greater Yellowstone area.

Many tribes in Montana are working to save the buffalo and rejuvenate herds on tribal lands, where they can be responsibly managed  culling as needed, hunting in accordance with tradition, and feeding our people. We hunt at the appropriate, culturally sanctioned times and in the appropriate manner, taking only what is needed and leaving no waste.

We do so because our culture and our lives are intertwined with the buffalo. We have a biological and spiritual connection with the buffalo and have learned to coexist with them. When buffalo fare well, we also prosper.

The Montana Indian Caucus agrees that recent negative reports are disturbing. They only serve to highlight the need to find solutions. This is what we believe is best for all of us  the state, the park, private landowners, the tribes and the buffalo.
FRENCHTOWN  A Frenchtown High student has been granted an order of protection against a music teacher who is the subject of a criminal investigation.

Troy Bashor, who teaches music to grades 5-12 in Frenchtown, was served the final order of protection, which cites sexual assault as its basis, on Tuesday. It is effective through June 30, 2018.

According to the Frenchtown School District website, Bashor teaches several classes, including choir, percussion, theater and more. He also leads extracurriculars in music and theater.

Missoula Justice of the Peace Landee Holloway granted a temporary order of protection Feb. 24, based on the student's petition. The student has not been identified as she is a minor.

Bashor was served with a temporary order Feb. 27 that forbade him from entering the school. The final order issued Tuesday allows him to be in the building, but he must maintain a 15-foot distance from the student.

Frenchtown Superintendent Randy Cline said in an email that the district was notified of the allegations and investigated them.

"The District did not substantiate the allegations of inappropriate conduct but did address boundary issues with the staff member," Cline said. "The staff member is back at work and the District is aware of the contact restrictions in the order that was issued by the Justice of the Peace."

On Friday, Missoula County Sheriff's spokeswoman Brenda Bassett confirmed that an active criminal investigation is focused on Bashor.

Bashors attorney Peter Lacny declined to comment about the criminal investigation on Friday, and said he and his client have not made a decision about whether to appeal the order of protection.

Holloway requested all text messages between Bashor and the student from Sept. 1 through March 6. At a hearing March 13, Holloway granted the order of protection, finding that the student "is in danger of harm and that good cause exists" for the order.

The student alleged that the most recent incident occurred Dec. 20 in Frenchtown High's auditorium. She reports that law enforcement was notified.

In describing that incident, the student said Bashor made comments about her underwear and touched her inappropriately.

She said she fled when another student walked in.

In her request for the order of protection, the student described multiple incidents in which Bashor allegedly touched her in ways that made her so uncomfortable that she pulled away from him, including sliding his hands under her shirt and into her pants.

The student said she wants to be in school but feels "unsafe." She describes feeling anxious and nauseous when she sees him.

Bashor started in Frenchtown in 2002 as a part-time music teacher, according to the district website. He offers private percussion lessons, and has helped Missoula Children's Theatre with music and percussion.

Bashor's friends started a GoFundMe page last week that had raised more than $8,300 as of Friday afternoon, with more than 100 messages of support for Bashor accompanying donations.

In early 2016 another Frenchtown teacher, Michael Botsford, was charged with endangering the welfare of children, a misdemeanor, for exchanging thousands of text messages  including ones that were sexual  with a student. Botsford resigned from the school after being put on leave in April 2015, around the same time that a criminal investigation into his conduct began. He eventually pleaded guilty and received a six-month suspended sentence.
CASPER  A Casper man has been charged with negligent homicide in the death of a well-known radio host who died in a motorcycle crash.

William Michael Spicer faces the charge in Montana's Judith Basin County, where K2 Radio morning show host Brian Scott Gamroth died in September.

Spicer also is charged with speeding. Spicer pleaded not guilty to both counts during his initial appearance Monday.

Spicer's attorney couldn't immediately be reached for comment Friday.

The crash happened soon after Spicer and Gamroth passed several other vehicles on their motorcycles. Prosecutors say Spicer's bike made contact with Gamroth's, causing Gamroth to crash into a ditch and strike a post.

Gamroth died at the scene. Spicer suffered major injuries including a hole in his lung, five broken ribs and a lacerated liver.

Gamroth was arguably the state's most well-known media figure, with a devoted following from all walks of Wyoming life, from small-town ranchers to the state's most prominent politicians. He was also a downtown booster and a regular host of community events that raised money for charities and nonprofits.

Negligent homicide is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
Valuation Surveyor: Iron out wrinkles in property tax

He urged that property tax be based not on the rental value as proposed by the Government but on the capital value, the latter which he said is likely to be a more transparent figure for which evidence will exist such as in the form of a title deed. By contrast he said Trinidad has a tradition of secrecy surrounding the level of rents that are actually paid, as he recalled that sometimes even property- owners are reluctant to reveal their rents even to the valuators of their properties.

Mulling how conflicts would be resolved between contrasting valuations done by the State and by the individual property-owner, he said, For the tax to be acceptable, you must have a proper appeal process. He said that valuations of commercial properties should be based on their income earning level, but residential properties on their capital value, especially as homeowners may argue that they have no intention to rent therefore scotching the notion of a rental-value. Regarding commercial properties, he asked audience members if theyd prefer a property that can be rented for $10,000 per month in either the city or the country? When most people replied city he suggested the urban should therefore attract a higher property tax, reasoning, So doesnt that suggest the urban is worth more? Yet still both properties will pay the same tax. He named countries with a property tax based on rental value as being the United Kingdom, but those with a capital basis being Denmark, US, Canada, St Lucia, Australia and Jamaica. The key he said is to take account of each countries circumstances, including market conditions and the system of property registration.

Questions from the audience usually dwelt on a mix of usages and/ or occupiers.

Asked what tax is liable if the people live upstairs and rent out downstairs to a business, Farrell said the tax would be computed asa combination of respectively residential and commercial. Residential is calculated at three percent of rentable value, and commercial is based on five percent of rentable value. For someone renting out an apartment complex to tenants, he reckoned the tax rate would be charged as commercial (as would be the case of a business park). While a landlord is responsible for paying the tax, past experience would suggest hed try to pass on some off such an increase to his tenants. A building owner living on leased land - such as common in Woodbrook - will himself foot the tax, said Farrell.

KPMG director of tax, Gillian Wolffe-ONeil earlier took participants through the basics of the property tax.
Murder of policewoman Carenage woman, boat owner interviewed

The two were interviewed separately at different venues where they remain detained.

The woman was arrested on Wednesday morning while the man surrendered to police that night.

Police sources said that after interviewing the two they intend to interview the main suspect, a 36-year-old Sea Lots man and confront him with certain information.

According to well-placed police sources, they hope to approach Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard SC sometime today to receive instructions.

Police have until Monday to lay any charge against the prime suspect after this deadline was given by a judge when the suspects lawyers argued a habeas corpus motion.

Three other suspects remain in custody. Police confirmed that key information has been received and it is believed investigations can be completed by this weekend.

Joseph, 22, a mother of one, was last seen alive two Thursdays ago when she left her Morvant home telling mother Paula Guy she had to attend to police business.

When Joseph failed to return home that night, Guy reported her missing to the Besson Street Police Station and the main suspect was detained for questioning.

On Wednesday, Josephs body was found in the sea by fishermen. An autopsy was inconclusive.
Burglars hit Courts

According to reports, at about 1.30 am, the burglars used a piece of metal to break into the store on the eastern side of the building.

They removed electronic items including laptops and escaped.

Losses were put at over $60,000.

A passer-by who saw the broken window alerted the St James police, but by the time officers arrived the burglars were long gone.

Investigators were able to secure surveillance footage from CCTV cameras at the store. Yesterday head of the Western Division Senior Superintendent Basdeo Ramdhanie said the police were working on several leads and arrests were imminent. He warned the public it is an offence to purchase stolen items and added that a team of investigators were working around the clock to solve this crime.
Venezuelan among 3 held with ganja

According to reports, officers of the Northern Division led by Insp Green were on patrol in the Maloney area on Thursday at about 10.30 pm when they stopped the car with the three occupants. When they found the marijuana, the three were promptly arrested and taken to the Maloney Police Station where they remain detained.

Also in Northern Division, officers seized a sub machine gun at Wharf Trace in Maracas, St Joseph and arrested a 43-year-old man from Saddle Road, Maraval. According to reports at 5 pm, officers were on their way to the scene of an attempted murder when they searched the mans car, allegedly found the gun and detained him.

Yesterday, Northern Division officers also carried out a marijuana eradication exercise at Wharf Trace and destroyed a quantity of grown marijuana trees. The exercise was led by Snr Supt Mc Donald Jacob.
Villager testifies: I last saw murdered mom in hammock

Ramlochan, 26, was found dead inside a latrine pit and her baby boy, Ishmael Timothy Ragbir, was discovered floating in the Mafeking River, both having suffered multiple stab wounds.

The man on trial before a judge and jury in the San Fernando High Court is Anand Son Baboolal, 40, of Mayaro. The last day Ramlochan was seen alive was on August 10, 2005. The bodies of the woman and her child were found three days later.

Nicholas Mitchell was called by the State yesterday on day three of the trial before Justice Althea Alexis-Windsor and he testified that he used to see Baboolal at Ramlochans home.

Mitchell lived next door to Ramlochan on Solomon Street, Mayaro.

Led by State Attorney Maria Lyons-Edwards, Mitchell said that on August 10 at about 9.30 pm he returned home from a Christian crusade and he saw Ramlochan rocking in a hammock at her house.

Her child, who was dressed in a blue and yellow jersey and pampers, was playing around. He did not see anyone else beside them. Mitchell was handed certain photos and he pointed out Ramlochans house.

He pointed to where she was rocking in the hammock and where Ishmael was playing.

Baboolals attorney Rekha Ramjit, instructed by attorney Gina Ramjohn, cross-examined Mitchell about the time he had seen Ramlochan in the hammock and referred him to his evidence in the magistrates court which stated that the time was 9.30 am. Mitchell insisted that he had said it was night time and that his back door faced Ramlochans house. The villager said he then went to bed about half an hour to about an hour after but saw no one else at the house that night.

Asked if he heard loud noises coming from the house, Mitchell said he did not, nor did he hear any unusual noises.

The prosecutions case which is being led by Senior State Attorney Shabaana Shah, contends that Baboolal and Ramlochan were quarrelling and the accused grabbed a knife from her. Ishmael was on the bed.

Mitchell also testified, in answer to Ramjit, that he used to see Baboolal visit Ramlochan at her home. He said, So long as I home, I use to see him visit. I would see him probably two days a week.

Yes, I see him in July and August. The trial continues on Monday
MOM, BABY BEATEN

One of the men beat the woman with an iron wheel spanner.

The drama did not end there, as one of the two suspects was later nabbed at a police station where he had gone to make a false report of robbery committed against him. The woman, who is now warded in serious condition at hospital, became hysterical on seeing her attacker as she too was at the same police station making a report on the attack.

One of the suspects, is a man whom the woman had brought up in the Pt Fortin Magistrates Court for failure to maintenance for the one-year-old child.

The 33-year-old man pleaded with her not to pursue the court case, but said nothing would stop her from going to court the next day (yesterday).

The man later invited the woman to bring their daughter and accompany him to Chuck E Cheese eatery in Chaguanas.

She agreed.

On reaching Oropouche, Thursday afternoon, the man picked up a male friend and told the woman he (the second man) wanted a drop to Mt St Benedict. According to reports, shortly after 2 pm, the man stopped the car near a farm in Mt St Benedict.

Without warning, both men began to beat the woman with a wheel spanner even as she held her daughter. The baby, who also got some lashes, fell from her mothers arms and landed in the bush.

The screams of the woman and her child, alerted the two forest rangers who rest rangers who were on forest fire watch duty at the time.

When the rangers ran to the womans assistance, both attackers jumped into the car which sped off.

The forest rangers contacted the Tunapuna police and took the badly bleeding woman and her daughter to the station.

While they were at the station, arrangements were being made to take the victim to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) when the main suspect walked into the station to report he had been robbed.

The woman, on seeing her estranged lover, began screaming in the charge room.

The man was immediately detained. The woman was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) in Mt Hope where she was treated and remains warded at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Tests revealed she suffering multiple fractures to her head and there was swelling in the brain.

She was also treated at the Childrens Hospital at the same institution and kept overnight for observation.

The victim was interviewed yesterday at her bedside by the investigators and gave a full statement to officers. A second suspect is being sought in connection with the brutal near fatal attack.

Both forest rangers have also given detailed statements to the police. Northern Division head Snr Supt Mc Donald Jacob praised the rangers for not turning a deaf ear to the womans screams.

Charges of attempted murder, are being contemplated by police who continue their investigations into the incident.

The man remains in custody.
Cops kill mentally ill man

Paul Marchan, a PH driver from Unity Road, Richplain, Diego Martin was shot by police while experiencing a mental breakdown at his home.

Using the gun should be the last resort of the police...not the first, said Purdy Augustine, a relative of Marchan. Police have no training when it comes to this. They could have shot and wounded him. They could have called St Anns for help.

They could have shot him with a rubber bullet. This simply was not handled properly. He never robbed anyone or killed anyone. He was not violent, but sometimes would trip off when he doesnt take medication. The incident happened at about 7 pm when police received a report claiming Marchan was acting violently.

When they arrived and tried to detain him, Marchan resisted and attacked officers. Relatives account differed, as they said Marchan was cornered by officers and appeared confused.

When officers surrounded him, he lashed out.

Relatives confirmed that police were called to subdue him and have him transported to St Anns hospital, but when they arrived he locked himself in his car. Relatives suggested that the police break the window of the car to get to him. When they did, he attacked officers with a razor, and ran to his garage.

After Marchan was shot, he was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Augustine told Newsday that Marchan began suffering from mental illness after his father died four years ago. His father was diagnosed with stage four cancer and died months later.

Not being able to deal with his death, Marchan turned to substance abuse, was eventually admitted to St Anns Psychiatric Hospital and had been in and out of that hospital.

Superintendent of the Western Division Basdeo Ramdhanie said yesterday that some police officers were trained in handling people suffering from mental illness, but could not say whether those at the scene on Thursday were trained. He said that would be determined during an investigation. Ramdhanie expressed regret over the situation and extended condolences to the family.
Govts $B dip into HSF

This US$251 million drawdown will leave a balance of US$5.44 billion (or TT$37 billion) in the HSF, and follows a 2016 Mid Year Review decision to use a mix of methods such as borrowings and drawdowns to plug an overall $16 billion Budget deficit. Finance Minister Colm Imbert told Newsday the drawdown is for an acrossthe- board partial funding of the PSIP, and not any specific project.

Saying an open announcement of the drawdown will avert undue speculation/criticism, Imbert cited the statement saying that Cabinets decision last Thursday was published, in the interest of full public disclosure. Imbert recalled that last Mays drawdown was also used to fund the PSIP deficit.

Caroni Central MP Dr Bhoe Tewarie yesterday said both HSF drawdowns total $4.2 billion, and asked how this would be repaid.

As the country continues to experience severe revenue shortfalls as a result of depressed petroleum prices, the HSF will be carefully used by the Government to ensure the countrys financial stability, a Finance Ministry statement said.

The statement added that Governments first-ever drawdown of US$375 million last May had since been replenished by the HSFs earnings of US$274 million.

At that time (May 2016), the balance in the Fund was US$5.796 Billion, and, after the withdrawal, the balance was US$5.420 billion.

Since then the Fund has been able to recover through good management and good return on investments.

In fact, the balance in the HSF increased from US$5.420 Billion in May 2016 to US$5.695 Billion in March 2017. In other words, between May 2016 and March 2017, the HSF recovered US$274 million. The statement said Thursdays drawdown leaves the HSF at US$5.44 billion, the same level just after the May drawdown.

It stated the deficit to be plugged.

In the 2017 Budget Statement it was stated that in 2017, core revenue  defined essentially as revenue from taxation, royalties and customs duties  is only projected to be of the order of $37 billion, some $20 billion less than two years ago. This leaves a fiscal gap in 2017 of over $16 billion, which must be financed by a combination of borrowings and drawdowns from the HSF and one-off sources of income, such as the sale of assets, dividends from state enterprises, repayment of past lending and so on, the Ministry stated.

The statement said both drawdowns were done in line with the HSF Act. Amid TTs worsening debt-to-GDP ratio, Dr Tewarie said Government failed to spur development, investment, growth and diversification, resulting in a parked up private sector and unstimulated economy.

Alleging that Imbert ignored his query on TTs state in last Wednesdays Lower House debate on the Andean Development Corporation, Tewarie said details are needed of Governments borrowing strategy, allocation of such sums and exactly how supportive is the Central Banks monetary policy.
JACKSON, Wyo.  Biologists at the National Elk Refuge are worried about what the animals they feed are leaving behind.

The Jackson Hole News&Guide reports that biologists are worried that all the feces at the 39-square-mile U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service preserve could cause health problems for the thousands of elk and hundreds of bison at the refuge.

Biologist Eric Cole said years like this one with high numbers of animals and longer feeding seasons have led to hoof rot and other diseases.

While feces are always a byproduct of animals at the refuge, this year has seen unusually large numbers of elk and bison, meaning they're leaving more behind. This year the official count came in at 8,879 elk  the most since 1997.
Teen reported missing

Bobcombe is of mixed descent, standing at five feet, five inches tall, with a dark brown complexion and a slim build. She has a tattoo of a heart on her left thigh and another tattoo of the words baby girl on her chest.

She was last seen wearing her school uniform, which is a moss green plaid skirt and a white shirt. People with knowledge of her whereabouts are asked to call 800-TIPS or contact the police at 555, 999, 911 or any police station.
Students warned about predators

Sgt Roger Worrell said the end result is that these girls are now being murdered.

Worrell was addressing students of the Palo Seco Secondary School during a youth seminar hosted at the schools compound.

The seminar was presented by members of the Hindu Youth Association and the schools staff.

Topics discussed included physical and online safety, gang involvement and teenage pregnancy. Worrell, who has 25 years service, said many young women are becoming sexually active at a very early age and the relationships, many times, become abusive. This abuse, he said, leads to the their death. He urged the girls to speak up and tell a trusted adult if they are being harassed by a male at any time.

The senior police officer told the students that there are laws to protect them from sexual predators.

Worrell said that a person could be charged with sexual grooming if he texts or engages in telephone conversations with a sexual content with any minor.

He said criminals are now not only staying at one location, but are migrating to different areas.

You are at risk no matter which part of the country you are in. Health educator and registered nurse at the Family Planning Association, Anjanie Chotalal, informed students of the risks and dangers of teenage pregnancy.

As a teenager your body is not ready to carry a baby, Chotalal said.

You could end up with serious complications all because your body is not prepared right now. She urged students to practice abstinence.

When you are sexually active you are also prone to sexually transmitted diseases, she said.

The seminar also featured an interactive segment where the students were allowed to ask questions and act out different scenarios.
Bartlett endorses DOMA on legal action against city

Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) president Gregory Aboud said on Thursday that several Port-of-Spain business owners wrote letters to the city corporation threatening legal action.

SBA president Daphne Bartlett told Newsday yesterday she fully endorses the move.

We have been saying for years now that we must uphold the law, Bartlett said.

That is why we think everything is spiralling down at this time because what is illegal we are trying to uphold as legal and that should not obtain, absolutely not. Bartlett said many of the vendors on High Street, San Fernando are actually outsiders who are allowed to sell their products illegally. But instead of taking action against them, she said police often target legitimate business owners. When they (police) want to be very vindictive, when they know it is 5 oclock and business people are closing up and they need to transfer things to their car and take out things and whatever, that is the time they come out and give you tickets.
Cuffie: We couldnt afford $8M for GHRS

While a decision to close GHRS was taken on Thursday at Cabinet, Cuffie conceded he should have told staff beforehand and apologised for how the news was conveyed to staff.

It was a hard decision to make and although it was only announced yesterday (Thursday) it was something we had been considering. Id been speaking to your Chairman over that time to see how best we can make this work, if at all, Cuffie said as he met with staff to hear their concerns.

Glum news from the Central Banks recent First Quarter Report  of further drops in the economy and public revenues  led to the closure decision. Cuffie urged employees to take advantage of the National Employment Service offered by the Ministry of Labour. He also promised to enact a system to help employees through this difficult period.

Cuffie added that GHRS employed some of the brightest minds so he is confident they would not remain unemployed for long.

GHRS chairman Avalaughn Huggins told staff they will be paid a gratuity, as the separation was initiated by the employer (Government).

Deputy CEO and VP (Corporate Planning) Geoffrey Lewis, invited employees to share their concerns with him via email or face-to-face.
Deyalsingh wants back traditional values

He was delivering an address on the final day of a three-day workshop: Strengthening the Capacity of Health Systems to Prevent and Respond to Violence Against Women.

The workshop was held at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Center in Port of Spain.

Deyalsingh offered condolences to the family of murdered PC Nyasha Joseph whose body was found at sea on Wednesday. Deyalsingh said, If ever we needed a wake up call, that was it. He lamented that the death came so soon after celebrating International Womens Day (March 8).

Deyalsingh stunned the audience when he said that of the 42 women present at the event, 14 were victims of sexual violence according to current statistics. That is very scary. He spoke of men in certain societies not being able to cope with women.

Deyalsingh said, We are starting in this country to glorify this institution they call the single parent family and put it as a societal norm.

But what ever happened to old fashion values of a nuclear family? A child, particularly boys, needs to have a male figure around and this new norm is not doing these young boys any good. No one is around to properly guide them. When they drop out of school, they have low expectations of life.

And out of that comes a generation of men with low problem- management skills who cannot resolve conflict, and that leads to violence against women. Deyalsingh also stated, Entwined in all of this is the role of alcohol and drugs.

A lot of domestic violence is fueled by alcohol and drugs. He announced that his ministry is embarking on a mission to reduce alcohol use via its non-communicable disease policy.
Young: Opposition being unpatriotic

Young made the allegation as he responded to questions from the Opposition in the House of Representatives, 24 hours after Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said a gas sales agreement for the supply of natural gas from the Dragon Field in Venezuela to plants in TT could be achieved by July.

Young explained that earlier this week in Caracas, a heads of agreement was signed between the National Gas Company (NGC), PDVSA of Venezuela and Shell. He said this was a follow-up to a heads of agreement signed last December by Rowley and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Responding to questions from Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal and Caroni Central MP Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie, Young observed, What is going on and we are seeing it clearly, let the citizens mark it right now, is a complete lack of patriotism by those on the other side.

Recalling that the former Peoples Partnership (PP) government treated the gas shortage the country is facing as just a maintenance issue, Young said, I will lend a dictionary to them very shortly for them to look at it. They keep trying to throw spanners into the wheel of what is going on. They keep trying to call something that does not exist. Young said the initiative has moved, from talk and conversation into a sanctioned project to operationalise the getting of gas from the Dragon Field into the pipeline and infrastructure that exists in TT to keep our gas industry alive. He said the governments of TT and Venezuela are, ensuring that every step of the way, everything that is being done, is being done in accordance with the respective laws (of each country).

Young added, Every qualified attorney coming out of law school knows they must stay within their own boundaries of the law that they understand.
Young defends Al-Rawi on PI bill

While there is majority consensus that preliminary inquiries have become an unnecessary burden on the system, Young said, I have noticed a trend that is taking place.

He said every time Al-Rawi brings anti-crime legislation to Parliament, the Opposition is openly attacking him. Describing these attacks as, completely personal and without merit, Young said, They are trying to link a statement that he made with respect to the need for constitutionality of certain legislation. Having examined the bill himself and having had conversations with various experts on it, Young declared, There is absolutely no offending of the Constitution in this bill as it finds itself before this House today. Referring to Sections 13, 4, 5 and 54 of the Constitution, Young said, So the argument that we are hearing that it requires a special majority is quite simply a non-argument.

After pointing out the legislation establishes, time frames on getting an accused before the court, Young said this is being opposed by, certain persons trying to protect their turf and their domain and not the rights of their clients. Young, who is an attorney by profession, said this bill will, avoid attorneys from having the opportunity of earning two sets of fees for the same sets of facts.

Young rejected what he said was a naked attempt by the Opposition to claim the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) could be politically swayed by a sitting government since the prime minister possesses a veto power regarding who could be appointed to that office. Explaining that the Constitution clothes the DPP with a degree of insularity, Young declared, That is an argument that is bound to fail.
April 7 to be the Pre-Order Day for Samsung Galaxy S8 in South Korea, Bixby to be its Highlight: Reports

New Delhi, Sat, 18 Mar 2017 NI Wire

One of the most anticipated phones of this year, Samsung Galaxy S8, is about to get launched on March 29 and there is a whole lot of buzz that surrounds the upcoming phone at this moment. One of those says that S8 will be released along with S8 Plus. And then there is again this news that the new flagship device would go for online sale from April 7. The recent addition in this flurry is that Samsung has confirmed the presence of the AI Assistant Bixby on its Italian website.

It is to be noted that the announcement was made on 26th Feb at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona with a teaser and invitation for Galaxy Unpacked event, where the official unveiling would take place.

The invite of the event read, "On March 29, Samsung Electronics will unveil the newest Galaxy as part of its endeavour to unbox your phone." It further said, "The forthcoming addition to the Galaxy line-up represents the start of a new era, by reshaping the device that has over the years become an indispensable tool in our everyday lives." The company also informed that there would be live streaming of the event on the website of the electronic major.

There is whole lot of speculations on the date of sale of the upcoming product by the Android phone maker. Starting from April 7, the carrier would be offering the pre-bookings till April 17, as per reports. However, the devices are expected to hit the shelves, not before April 21. As regards the availability of the phone in the global markets, the April 28 has been pitched as the probable date. A conflicting rumour also has it that there will be worldwide roll out of the flagship phone on a single day. Apart from all this, there is a plan to organise pre-launch party on April 18 in the major physical outlets of the carrier.

As far as the functionalities of the handset are concerned, Bixby is the most attention grabbing feature, the possibility of which has made many headlines. Many companies have given applications with voice detecting and follow up of some preset commands in the form of Siri, Ozlo, Google Now, Amazon Alexa, Motorola Assist, etc. All of these may have been touted as virtual or AI Assistants, but they have not lived up to their names, since their functions are limited mainly to computing or completing actions on the basis of inputs or directions provided by the user and they do not work independently. However, Samsung may enhance the standard of AI Assistants in smartphones by infusing the virtual aid with the interface of the S8 sets.

It has been almost confirmed by the Korean electronics giant that the Bixby, the successor of the not-so-successful S Voice, would be integral part of the new launch. In the privacy document available on the Italian website of the Samsung, there is a mention of the name of the voice enabled application with reference to all mobile devices (which means it may feature in other devices to be launched after S8).

According to the various leaks, some of the significant features that can be commonly found in S8 and S8 Plus handsets are big QHD Super AMOLED dual-edged Display, 12 MP rear/8MP front dual-pixel camera, iris scanner, IP68 waterproofing, Bixby Personal Assistant, USB Type-C Port, a Continuum-equivalent feature, 3.5 mm headphone jack and fingerprint sensor.

The smartphones would be powered by Exynos Series 9 chip or Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor (depending on regions) with 4GB RAM/ 64GB expandable ROM, supported by Android Nougat OS, Samsung Knox and Pay. The differences that the various flying reports have suggested would be found in battery backup and screen size of the two sets. The prices of the gadgets by Samsung are tipped at EUR 799 and EUR 899 for S8 and S8 Plus respectively.
Moto G Plus Makes Entry into the Indian Markets with an Improved Device: A Brief Analysis

New Delhi, Sat, 18 Mar 2017 NI Wire

Moto's new model Moto G Plus has made way into the consumer space in India only after a week of being unveiled in Mobile World Congress 2017 in February. It was released alongside Moto G, which has still not been made available to the Indian subcontinent. The Moto G Plus comes with better power, processor, and design that seem to fill in for the major lacuna observed in its predecessors. While Moto G4 Plus was a minor upgraded version of G series, this one has some serious changes to look out for.

The phone was available for sale on the online store of the exclusive retail partner Flipkart on March 15 from 11:59 onwards. A host of offers had been announced by the e-commerce company to boost the sale. The direct competition of the Moto G4 Plus would quite obviously be the recently launched and very popular Xiaomi Redmi Note 4. Other phones in the same range that may prove as rivals are Honor 6X and Nokia 6. Even Vibe K6 Note and Moto M belonging to the same parent company Lenovo are doing quite well in the same segment.

The Sudhin Mathur, the Managing Director of the Motorola Mobility India told the reporters that India is among the first markets where the Moto G Plus is being placed and the expectations are quite high after the great cumulative success of the G-series. The series altogether saw a sale of 6 million units in India itself. He also added that the company is planning to bring Moto G5, the base model of G5 Plus too very soon.

It is time now to check the highs of this new model, which had created quite a stir ahead of its launch through several leaks.

The first and foremost thing about the phone that makes it stand out is its premium look, different from what we have seen before in Moto phones. Moto G5 Plus is encased in an aluminium unibody frame with rounded curves and chamfered edges. The Nano-coating for the water repellence is also provided for extra protection. The metal design is a complete winner and lends the phone, the much needed elegance, the absence of which led to incompleteness in various models, despite having good features. Moto G5 Plus runs on Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box and like Nexus, other Moto phones provide the stock Android experience to the users. This gives the edge to the handset in comparison to the other rival brands. As announced by Google, every phone with Nougat & Marshmallow update shall have Google Assistant and it pre-loaded in this new model of the brand owned by Lenovo. It is well known that Google Assistant is an upgraded extension of Google Now and is comparable to Apple's Siri, a very efficient virtual assistant. In terms of imaging also the phone has some impressive features, that is to say wider lenses and brighter capturing quality. The sensors fulfil the basic demand of today's camera friendly users in mind. The 13-MP rear shooter has a f/1.7 aperture, Dual Autofocus Pixels, Dual-tone LED Flash (colour balancing). It can record 4K videos at the speed of 30 fps and with 1080p HD resolution. The wide-lens, f/2.2, 5-megapixel selfie snapper, with Display Flash and two modes, is also humbly decent. Although not a pro-camera, the detailing and overall performance is good enough for regular photography. Moto Experiences, seen in earlier handsets of Moto will stay with the users of this latest too. The novel shortcuts are classified as One Button Nav, Moto Display and Moto Actions. Users can navigate through the screen using Fingerprint Scanner on the phone in the case of the first feature. The second one lets users to glance through the notifications and updates without having to unlock the phone with a nudge. Lastly, the third category combines simple gestures like twisting of wrist or chopping down twice for using the favourite features, without touching any button. The substantially good 3000 mAh battery combined with blazing fast 2.0 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa-core SoC and graphically superior 650 MHz Adreno 506 GPU ensures smooth functioning of Moto G5 Plus. The processors make it perform incredibly and the fabulous power backup of the phone can make it last throughout the day. In addition to this, the handset comes with a support of 15W TurboPower charger that is capable of rendering a service of six hours with a rapid charge of 15 minutes (as per the claims of the company).

The 155g weighing Moto G5 Plus with a 5.2-inch IPS LCD, full HD display comes in two shades of Lunar Grey and Fine Gold. Priced at INR 14,999 for 3GB RAM/16GB ROM and 16,999 for 4GBRAM/32GB ROM, the phone is worth clinching. The features of the dual Nano-SIM supporting phone also include Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, 4G LTE, Bluetooth v4.2 LE, 2-Mic supported front-loaded loudspeaker, Micro USB v2.0 with USB Host, 3.5mm Jack, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), A-GPS/Glonass and NFS, etc.
Dispensing of fake currency notes through Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)

New Delhi, Sat, 18 Mar 2017 NI Wire

There have been media reports regarding dispensation of Rs 2000 notes resembling a genuine note but bearing the legend "Children Bank of India" in place of "Reserve Bank of India" from Delhi, Meerut (Uttar Pradesh), Sitamarhi (Bihar) and a few other places.

State Bank of India (SBI) has reported one such case from its ATM in SangamVihar, New Delhi on 06.02.2017. One person, working with the cash replenishment agency and responsible for placing the cash in ATMs, has been arrested.

RBI vide Master Circular dt. July 1,2015 has issued instructions on Detection and Impounding of Counterfeit Notes.

To keep a check on circulation of fake currency, RBI has taken the following steps:

1. Incorporating new security features /new designs in the banknotes to stay ahead of the counterfeiters is an ongoing process. New security features were added to banknotes in all denominations during the year 2005-2006. Government of India, in consultation with RBI, has initiated the process for introduction of new security features in Indian banknotes.

2. RBI regularly conducts training programmes on detection of counterfeit notes for employees / officers of banks and other organisations handling large amount of cash. RBIs website provides information to the public on security features of banknotes. Posters on Know Your Banknotes are also displayed at bank branches. Regional Offices of RBI participate in various awareness programmes where the members of public are made aware of the features of Indian banknotes and ways to identify genuine Indian banknotes. Posters, leaflets, etc. are also distributed in such awareness programmes. The contents pertaining to awareness on Indian banknotes are available in www.paisaboltahai.rbi.org.in.

3. Instructions have been issued by RBI to banks that banknotes in denominations of Rs.100/- and above should be re-issued by banks over their counters or through ATMs only if these banknotes are duly checked for authenticity/genuineness and fitness by machines. The banks should re-align their cash management in such a manner so as to ensure that cash receipts in denomination of Rs.100 and above are not put into re-circulation without the notes being machine processed for authenticity. A directive in this regard under Section 35A of Banking Regulation Act, 1949 has also been issued to all scheduled banks. In order to obviate complaints regarding receipt of counterfeit notes through ATMs and to curb circulation of counterfeit notes, it is imperative for banks to put in place adequate safeguards/checks before loading ATMs with notes. Dispensation of counterfeit notes through the ATMs would be construed as an attempt to circulate the counterfeit notes by the bank concerned. The responsibility of ensuring the quality and genuineness of cash loaded at White Label ATMs is that of Sponsor Bank.

4. The process of reporting and detection of counterfeit notes, by banks, has also been rationalized in order to safeguard the interests of common man, coming across such counterfeit notes unknowingly and bringing in improvement in reporting. Under the revised procedure, all cases of detection of counterfeit notes at the bank branches / treasuries are required to be promptly reported to Police Authorities in the following manner:

(i) For cases of detection of counterfeit notes upto 4 pieces, in a single transaction, a consolidated report as per the format prescribed should be sent to the police authorities at the end of the month.

(ii) For cases of detection of counterfeit notes of 5 or more pieces, in a single transaction, FIRs should be lodged with the Nodal Police Station / Police Authorities as per jurisdiction.

5. In order to train bank staff engaged in cash handling on features of Indian banknotes, RBI has advised Indian Banks Association to ensure, in consultation with the banks, that all bank personnel handling cash are trained on features of genuine Indian bank notes with the objective to train all such personnel. RBI will also provide faculty support and training materials.

6. The banks have been advised by RBI that wherever counterfeit notes are detected but not impounded and reported, it will be construed as wilful involvement of the bank concerned in circulating counterfeit notes and may attract penal measures.

7. RBI has issued banknotes, in all denominations in Mahatma Gandhi Series  2005, with a new numbering pattern. Now the numerals in both the number panels of these banknotes are in ascending size from left to right, while the first three alphanumeric characters (prefix) remain constant in size. Printing the numerals in ascending size is a visible security feature in the banknotes so that the general public can easily distinguish a counterfeit note from a genuine one.

8. Government of India in consultation with RBI has withdrawn legal tender character of banknotes in the denomination of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 issued till November 8, 2016, inter alia, to reduce the incidence of Fake Indian currency Notes. RBI has issued Rs.500 and Rs.2000 denomination banknotes in Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series. Details of the same are displayed on the RBI website for the general public. A mobile app has also been launched for creating awareness among the members of public.

This was stated by Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha yesterday.

Source: PIB
1840 Public authorities aligned with the RTI Online Portal: Dr Jitendra Singh

New Delhi, Sat, 18 Mar 2017 NI Wire

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh briefed the media on RTI Online Portal here yesterday.

Dr Jitendra Singh expressed happiness that 1840 Public authorities are aligned with the RTI Online Portal till date. He said that this portal is in line with the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modis vision of Digital India. The emphasis of the Government has always been on transparency and good governance, he added. He said that the government is persuading the states to implement the RTI Online portal. He said that it is really appreciable to persuade large number of departments to adopt this portal. The Minister also said that RTI online portal will curb delays in responding to the RTIs.

On the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh presented Certificates of Excellence for RTI Request & Appeals Management Information System on the above occasion. The awards were presented in various categories including implementation in a Ministry/Department/Public Authority, Digitising the physically received RTI requests, average time taken for final reply to RTI requests and quality of disposal based on extent of online first appeals received. The PAs who were aligned by 31.03.2016 were eligible for the awards and the performance assessment during 01.04.2016-31.12.2016 were considered for the awards. Under the Extent of Implementation category, Ministry of External Affairs, Department of Posts and Department of Scientific and Industrial Research were given certificates. Under Digitising Physically Received RTI Requests, Delhi Police, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) were awarded. Under Average Time Taken for Final Reply, Cabinet Secretariat (10.73 Days), Staff Selection Commission  HQ (11.52 Days) and Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (11.81 Days) were presented certificates. Under Quality of Disposal category, Department of Revenue, Staff Selection Commission (Northern Region) and Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation were presented certificates.

The Secretary, DoPT Shri B. P. Sharma said that RTI Online Portal (https://rtionline.gov.in) was launched in August, 2013, making it convenient for citizens to file RTI requests and First Appeals through on-line. The portal is now bilingual (Hindi & English) and can be operated through online payment of RTI fee and additional payments through SBI gateway. He informed that out of the five Action Points selected by Niti Aayog, all the Public Authorities registered with the Central Information Commission (CIC) will have to be aligned by 30.06.2017. Shri B. P Sharma said that from only 477 Public Authorities (PAs) aligned as on 01.04.2016, 1363 more PAs have been aligned with the portal as on 17.03.2017, taking the total to 1840. Moreover, 198 Public Authorities under Delhi Government have adopted DoPTs RTI web portal. This way the total PAs aligned with RTI portal becomes 2038. The remaining PAs including those from UTs of Puducherry and Chandigarh will be aligned with DoPTs RTI online Portal by 30.04.2017. Majority of the aligned Public Authorities are under the D/o of Heavy Industry, Financial Services, Ministries of Railways, Power, Steel and Health & Family Welfare etc.

During 2015-16, 175 High Commissions and Consulate General of India (CGI) abroad were also aligned with the RTI Portal. For taking forward this initiative, CICs on-line web portal launched in November, 2016 has been integrated with DoPTs RTI on-line portal in order to provide a single window to citizens for filing RTI Request, First Appeal and Second Appeal. Moreover, the RTI Online Portal with minor customization has been implemented in Maharashtra while work is under process in some other States/UTs. As close to 90% internet usage is through mobile, Mobile App for RTI is planned to be rolled out in near future. For awareness creation, a new audio spot along with the existing spot are being aired on All India Radio w.e.f. 1st March, 2017 in Hindi & 10 regional languages. New building of CIC is under construction and provision of providing Video Conferencing facility for disposal of 2nd appeals/complaints is there so that personal appearances may be dispensed with in most cases.

Click here for detailed presentation on RTI Online Portal

Source: PIB
Surprise! I will be starring on a new show on @nickelodeon called I Am Frankie. With these other amazing actors! #iamfrankie. A post shared by Jayce Mroz (@jayce_mroz) on Mar 17, 2017 at 1:02pm PDT

I'm finally able to announce that I will be starring in @nickelodeon new tv show #iamfrankie Tune in to @cbsmiami tonight at 6 o'clock for an exclusive interview by @bianca.peters with me and some of the cast A post shared by Carson Rowland (@carsonrowland) on Mar 17, 2017 at 1:50pm PDT

I'm SOOO excited to finally announce that I'll be starring in @nickelodeon new show #IAmFrankie!  And if you're in the Miami area tune in to @cbsmiami at 6pmET for an exclusive interview with me and some of the cast!! Special thanks to @bianca.peters A post shared by Kyson Facer (@kysonfacer) on Mar 17, 2017 at 1:11pm PDT

I'm so very excited to finally announce that I'm a part of @nickelodeon's new show I Am Frankie!! Our cast and crew have put in so much effort to make this show great and I can't wait for you guys to see it. If you're in the miami area be sure to tune it at 6pmET on @cbsmiami for a special interview!! A post shared by Mohana Krishnan (@_mohanakrishnan) on Mar 17, 2017 at 1:25pm PDT

Thrilled to finally announce I've been cast on nickelodeon's new show I Am Frankie alongside this incredible cast! These past 3 months of filming have been nothing short of incredible #iamfrankie @nickelodeon  A post shared by Uriel Baldesco (@urielbaldesco) on Mar 17, 2017 at 1:56pm PDT

I'm so excited to finally announce I will be in @nickelodeon new show #iamfrankie!!! Tune into CBS Miami tonight at 6:00 for a sneak peak A post shared by Kristi Beckett (@kristi.beckett) on Mar 17, 2017 at 1:48pm PDT

Super excited to be apart of the new series #iamfrankie on @nickelodeon Stay tuned for more info!   A post shared by  Sophia Forest  (@sophia_g_forest) on Mar 17, 2017 at 4:48pm PDT

I'm glad to announce that I'm on a the new @nickelodeon #iamfrankie tv series!!! A post shared by Armani Barrett (@armanibarrett_) on Mar 17, 2017 at 1:59pm PDT

THE SECRET IS OUT! I'm so incredibly excited to announce that I'm a main character in Nickelodeon's new series "I Am Frankie"- more details coming soon! #IamFrankie A post shared by Nicole Alyse Nelson (@thenicolenelson) on Mar 17, 2017 at 2:29pm PDT

Shooting new @nickelodeon show #iamfrankie ... having a blast! A post shared by Todd Allen Durkin (Official) (@tadurkin) on Mar 17, 2017 at 2:57pm PDT

THRILLED to be a part of @nickelodeon 's new series #iamfrankie !! The last three months have been a little bit dreamy. Can't wait to share more!  me.ow. A post shared by Joy Kigin (@joymkigin) on Mar 17, 2017 at 3:09pm PDT

Beyond excited to share that I am part of the new TV series #IAmFrankie on @nickelodeon Stay tuned for more details! A post shared by Carrie Schroeder (@cschroederact) on Mar 17, 2017 at 3:31pm PDT

Been having to keep this under wraps and I'm SUPER excited to finally share this news! Im a part of the incredible cast on the new @nickelodeon series #IAMFRANKIE! More details to come!! A post shared by jean-carlos casely (@casely) on Mar 17, 2017 at 4:27pm PDT

Been on radio silence awhile, but can finally let you know I'm working on this exciting new series for Nickelodeon. #iamfrankie @nickelodeon A post shared by Michael Laurino (@michaellaurino) on Mar 17, 2017 at 4:27pm PDT

Actors Jayce Mroz Katelyn Adair have announced on their official Instagram profile pages that they'll be starring in Nickelodeon's upcoming brand-new futuristic drama series, set to premiere later this year on Nickelodeon USA!The actors join Alex Hook, who will play lead character 'Frankie Gaines' on the show!Additionally, stars Todd Allen Durkin, who fans will remember as Agamemnon onand, and Michael Laurino have announced that they'll be portraying 'James Peters' and 'Michael', respectively, in the series!It has also been revealed that J C Casely will have a role onIn, Frankie Gaines looks like a typical teenager, but she harbors a very big secret  shes actually a cutting edge, experimental android who must hide her true identity to avoid being tracked down by the evil tech company EGG Labs! Although Frankie attends a regular school, no one but the members of her family can know her secret. But fitting in and staying under the radar become much more complicated once she begins to make friends.and develop her first crush., originally produced as Yo Soy Franky by Nickelodeon Latin America in Colombia, was created by renowned Argentine writer Marcela Citterio, produced in Colombia by Televideo, and is distributed by Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) The Americas through its Division of International Sales Programming (IPS), the division responsible for the international distribution of programs, formats and activities produced by the brands of the company.The English language version,, is being adapted for global audiences by Catharina Ledeboer, who has written multiple Nickelodeon hits, including most recently(which completed four seasons) andProduction ofwill be split between Los Angeles, California, and in the new state of the art Viacom International Studios in Miami. The studio, which boasts two 15,000 sq. foot stages and was completed in late 2015, serves as a multiplatform production hub for all of Viacom's brands. Christine Scowley is serving as Casting Director on the series.To celebrate Nickelodeon's brand-new series, CBS Miami today, Friday 17th March 2017, aired a super sneak-peek of the show!Check out the cast announcing they'll be in Nickelodeon's brand-new seriesbelow, and don't forget to follow them on Instagram!
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Donald Trump wants us to think hes like Andrew Jackson. So there he was, at Jacksons home in Tennessee on Wednesday, celebrating Old Hickorys 250th birthday.

Fans called Jackson Old Hickory because he was tough and shared his mens hardship and deprivation in the Army. There are no similar anecdotes for Donald Trump, although we are looking into a rumor he once sat with an aide in business class.

Quick question: What kind of tree nickname should Donald Trump have?

A) Old Slippery Elm

B) Old Gopherwood

C) Old Hackberry

D) Old Ornamental Dogwood

The visit was part of Trumps ongoing effort to present himself as Hickorys outsider soul brother. Two instinctive friends of the common man, only one of whom has been repeatedly charged with stiffing his contractors.

It was during the Revolution that Jackson first confronted and defied an arrogant elite. Does that sound familiar? the president asked a crowd of visitors as he stood in front of Jacksons house, the Hermitage.

During the Revolution, while Jackson was a teenager, he served as a messenger for the rebels, was captured by the British, spent time in a prison camp, lost two brothers and his mother. The kinship here would be ... that military-themed boarding school?

Trump truly is a big Jackson fan. We know that because he said, Im a fan. But theyre really not all that similar.

Which president would you compare him to? Some people pick James Buchanan, who always winds up on the bottom when it comes to worst presidents. I cannot tell you how eager Buchanan fans are for the day that Donald Trump gets out of office and into the rankings.

Unlike Trump, most of our chief executives came to the job after having experience holding other public office. Even Jackson was in Congress. Maybe we could better compare Trump to Zachary Taylor, who had done absolutely nothing but be a soldier. If Taylor had been required to put together a health care plan, it would probably have looked like the one thats currently staggering around Washington.

Or is Trump like Franklin Pierce? If you want to check it out, Ill bet people at Franklin Pierces home in New Hampshire would be really, really happy to have more visitors. And since Pierce is usually near the bottom of the charts, its another camp thats hoping the Trump administration just keeps going the way it is now.

Like Trump, Pierce was into cleanliness. And neither man was wiretapped by his predecessor. See, theres a lot of commonality.

Rutherford B. Hayes? I am only bringing him up because nobody ever brings up Rutherford B. Hayes. Hayes did get into office without winning the popular vote. And he installed the first White House telephone. Can you imagine a President Trump with no connection to the outside world but telegraph? Has to mean something.

Ronald Reagan? Dont compare Trump to Ronald Reagan. Youll just encourage him.

Since Trump was channeling Andrew Jackson, maybe we could talk about Richard Johnson, who was vice president under Jacksons successor, Martin Van Buren. Now there was a guy who rose to power with the help of an over-the-top persona. Like Jackson, Johnson presented himself as a man of humble origins. But in reality, he had a dad who owned a ton of real estate. And like Trump, he became a politician with a lot of money who complained about the moneyed class.

He also had a wild hairstyle. Things eventually went south for Johnson financially, and he attempted to recoup by opening up a tavern back home. He spent much of his vice presidency tending bar in Kentucky. While this doesnt really serve our attempts to make a connection, you have to love imagining Trump winding up serving drinks at Applebees.

But about Andrew Jackson. He subscribed to 16 newspapers, so thats a little like spending your evenings staring at Fox. And if Old Hickory had access to a Twitter account, God knows what would have happened. (Henry Clay still plotting against me! Stealing my mail! Hiding in the bushes! Sad!)

Some critics have also noted that Jackson was very enthusiastic about clearing nonwhite residents out of the country. On Wednesday, Trump got around that one by declaring the seventh president a product of his time.

When we think of Jackson now, we often remember his war against the banks, which set the stage for a financial panic and ensuing depression. None of that came up in Tennessee, although Trump did say approvingly that Jackson battled the centralized financial power that brought influence at our citizens expense.

During Trumps second week in office he started a review of an Obama rule requiring investment brokers to put their clients interest first. Do you think Andy would have approved? Just asking.
Barcroft Media/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel did not shake hands in the Oval Office on Friday afternoon while pictures and videos were being taken.



The German Chancellor and the president were meeting before their joint press conference. Merkel turned to the president, seeming to ask if they should shake hands while cameras were flashing, and Trump did not turn in her direction.



Trump told photographers while they were snapping photos to "send a good picture back to Germany, please. Make sure." It is unclear why the two did not shake hands.



Trump and Merkel shook hands upon her arrival to The White House and did so following their joint press conference.



The president was critical of the German Chancellor while he was campaigning. He tweeted in December 2015 that Merkel was "ruining Germany," and also called her a "catastrophic leader."

I told you @TIME Magazine would never pick me as person of the year despite being the big favorite They picked person who is ruining Germany  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 9, 2015

The two world leaders held a joint press conference in Washington on Friday in the first meeting between the two since Trump took office in January.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
"With our current budget situation, that is not what we consider a priority now. We'd much rather have the money go to vulnerable adults, K-12 funding, protection and public safety."

 House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Jeff Delzer, R-Underwood, on the decision to drop a $1.25 million loan authorized last session to repair the Double Ditch Indian Village Historic Site.

q q q

"This is one of the most important historic sites in the American West. I'd make an argument it should be a UNESCO World Heritage Site."

 Elizabeth Fenn, a professor at the University of Colorado-Boulder and author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book "Encounters at the Heart of the World: A History of the Mandan People," on the importance of Double Ditch.

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"You could see the pickle we would have been in. It would have been a disaster for us."

 House Majority Leader Al Carlson, R-Fargo, on what would have happened if the 2015 Legislature hadnt lowered the state's 6.5 percent oil extraction tax to 5 percent effective Jan. 1, 2016.

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"His experience overseeing the IT efforts for a world-class health care organization like Mayo Clinic will prove invaluable as technology continues to transform the way government services are delivered in North Dakota."

 Gov. Doug Burgum, in announcing Shawn Riley as the new ITD chief information officer.

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"It takes time to reinvent government. People in the private sector get frustrated, but that's how government is."

 Sen. Rich Wardner, R-Dickinson, suggesting it will take Gov. Doug Burgum the next two years to study the various state agencies and come up with a complete set of initiatives for the 2019 session.

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"We are not going to raise taxes."

 House Majority Leader Al Carlson, R-Fargo, on what the Legislature wont do to address the revenue shortfall.

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"I hate funerals, and today we're here to eulogize probably the most effective state agency I've seen in my 20 years in the Legislature."

 Rep. Jon Nelson, R-Rugby, opposing an effort to defund BreatheND. The House voted Tuesday to defund the agency, 63-29.

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"We really want to demystify the legislative process. We want to take away the barriers that the average person off the street encounters  what keeps you from taking part in this? A lot of times it's just education and not knowing about how it works."

 Caitlin McDonald, of the ND Women's Network, on the 2017 We Rise: Women Empowerment event held Monday. The event helps explain the legislative process.

q q q

"There's not many situations where we can prevent disease, and this is one where we can."

 Dr. Doug Renton, a gastroenterologist at Sanford Health, on how a colonoscopy can detect colorectal cancer and result in treatment.

q q q

"If there's a blowout and 150 people are out on the water in the boats, where are they supposed to land their boats? Where do we go? There are a lot of moving parts here. If they have this one go bad, the three people on the State Industrial Commission will wish they had set this one back."

 Terry Fleck, a Van Hook cabin owner and president of the Friends of Lake Sakakawea advocacy group, arguing there should have been a bigger setback for oil drilling at Van Hook recreational site on Lake Sakakawea.

q q q

"People out there should be able to cross the river when they want to, not when the river lets them. It isn't always the oil company."

 Billings County Commissioner Joe Kessel, on plans for a bridge across the Little Missouri River north of Medora.

q q q

"Now they want to build entirely new roads and destroy even more of the Badlands to go across private land. The public needs to ask what will this cost taxpayers and who will benefit because the only traffic is oil trucks .... Do we need to destroy even more virgin acres and beautiful river bottoms for the profit of a very few oil trucking companies?"

 Sandy Short, explaining that her family will fight the proposed bridge.
FARGO -- North Dakota has toughened up its lightest penalties for sexual assault.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed a law last week that increases the maximum penalty for the least-severe misdemeanor sexual assault conviction from 30 days in jail to up to a year in jail.

House Bill 1218 was initiated by county states attorneys, who have said theres a gap in North Dakota sex-crime statutes.

The bill was approved without a single dissenting vote in the House or the Senate and signed by Burgum on Tuesday.

Aaron Birst, executive director of the North Dakota States Attorneys Association, said it will help bring justice in cases where the defendant says sexual contact was consensual and the victim says it wasnt.

Those cases can be difficult to prosecute, he said, and they often end up falling apart.

A victim would be much more comforted by the fact their attacker got a year in jail as opposed to 30 days, Birst said.

Under the law, sexual assault is basically when you touch somebody inappropriately, he said.

Currently, rape and sex assault convictions range from, at the most serious, a Class AA felony gross sexual imposition charge punishable by a maximum life in prison all the way down to a charge is just a Class B misdemeanor, the states lowest-level criminal offense -- the same level as being a minor in possession of alcohol.

Going from the absolute highest penalty case to the absolute lowest is a tough pill to swallow, Birst said.

The bill changed the lowest charge from a Class B to a Class A misdemeanor.

Another bill initiated by the states attorneys association aims to make it less traumatic for children and vulnerable adults to testify against defendants.

House Bill 1387 would allow them to answer questions live from outside the courtroom, via interactive television, reducing the fear they may feel having to sit near a defendant who has hurt them.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Shannon Roers Jones, R-Fargo, is similar to laws enacted in other states. She said it would minimize the emotional impact on the child or vulnerable adult of having to recount the crime.

Birst said North Dakota currently allows for videotaped testimony in these cases, but its not as effective as a jury being able to hear live testimony from a victim.

That bill passed unanimously in the House and is still pending in the Senate.
This is a response to "Stop talking about Heart Mountain", which appeared in theGazette on March 1, 2017.There is a dangerous trend today of abusing Japanese American incarceration history to justify surveillance, possibly registry, and even potential incarceration of Muslims in the U.S. We must push back against this wave of ignorance and xenophobic nationalism if we are to preserve the ideals that really can make this country great.In a March 1st letter to the editor, C.T. Ripley displayed his lack of knowledge about Japanese American history with his letter published by the Billings Gazette. It starts with the question, "How long do we have to hear about the Japanese internment camps?"I will return to this question later.Let's debunk a few of the major lies or misleading statements.No, this was not done to protect millions of citizens, but as the government confirmed in, Executive Order 9066 was not justified by military necessity but in reality was the result of "race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership."This shows exactly why Japanese Americans must stand up for the rights of our Muslim brothers and sisters here. It was "common sense" in the sense that anti-immigrant and anti-Asian discrimination became normalized to the point that not even the ACLU stepped in when EO9066 was announced (although they assisted later on).It is the wartime paranoia and anti-Japanese American propaganda and lies that overwhelmed our better judgment and caused our government and society to abandon their principles by stripping 120,000 people of their rights, 2/3 being American citizens, and the majority also being women and children.The author provides no evidence of this behavior, only using general statements to label an entire minority population. People made the same claims about Japanese Americans back then, and it is the same paranoia and anti-foreigner propaganda and lies today that have caused many to once again lose that ability to use rational judgment.The author may have missed a larger point. Even if an incredibly minuscule number of Japanese Americans had committed acts of espionage (which they), that would still not justify stripping all 120,000 of them of their basic civil liberties. The same goes for American Muslims today.First of all for your reference:Interned - Refers to imprisonment of non-citizens during a time of war.Incarcerated - Refers to imprisonment of both citizens and non-citizens (in this case during a time of war)Interred - Refers to corpses being placed in a grave or tomb, typically with funeral rites.Now that we have that out of the way...I'm sorry to say this, but you do not empathize with them. If that were the case, you would not belittle their suffering by saying it was insignificant because others suffered more. One group's suffering does not invalidate another group's.The phrase "their countrymen" implies that they were not American. This is how Asian Americans are constantly treated as "others." The only reason the first generation immigrants could not become citizens was because they wereby law from citizenship. They were considered "aliens ineligible to citizenship" by the government. Their children were American citizens by birth, which means THEY WERE INCARCERATED BY THEIR OWN COUNTRYMEN. That's the point.Furthermore, we are forgetting that 33,000 Japanese Americans did indeed serve in the American military during and immediately after WWII, including the brave soldiers of the 442 Regiment, thousands of whom gave their lives for their country despite the fact that their families were incarcerated behind barbed wire.Focusing only on the good things America has done and ignoring the rest is a distortion of history. We should not value thinking positively over the truth, even when it is uncomfortable. This is not even just about Japanese Americans as victims anymore. This is about us as activists for our community protecting our legacy from those who would distort it or have people forget it. This is about making sure that it never happens again to anyone.And now it is time to return to that original question. How long do we have to hear about the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans?The answer is forever, because it is something we cannot allow to be forgotten. Heart Mountain in particular is an incredibly important part of this history. This next part may be useful to those who are not so familiar with its history.The Heart Mountain concentration camp was located in northwest Wyoming, where temperatures could go as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter. The hasty construction of the concentration camp barracks meant that many doors and windows were improperly installed and would not close, and cracks between wall boards meant a lack of both privacy and protection from the elements. At its peak, Heart Mountain was the imprisonment site for 10,767 Japanese Americans. Like many of the U.S. concentration camps during WWII, Japanese American professionals were exploited for labor, with even doctors and lawyers being paid as little as $12 to $16 per month.Heart Mountain is well known among Japanese Americans as the site of some of the most intense resistance to our families' incarceration. The most widely known examples are the Heart Mountain Fair Play Committee and draft resistance beginning in 1944.For example, the majority of working-age men in the camp refused to volunteer to help build a barbed-wire fence around the perimeter of the camp, with 3000 even signing a petition citing it as evidence that they were in a wartime concentration camp.The army began searching for recruits in the concentration camps in 1943. This was when Frank Inouye established the Heart Mountain Congress of American Citizens to demand that the government restore the rights of Japanese American citizens. This is part of the reason that so few Nisei (second generation Japanese Americans) enlisted in the military, earning them the scorn of even fellow Japanese Americans, who felt that they were bringing further suspicion on the whole population.This is why we say, no, we will not stop talking about Heart Mountain. Or Topaz, or Poston, or Gila River, or Amache, or Jerome, or Manzanar, or Minidoka, or Rohwer, or Tule Lake, and for that matter the Alien Land Laws, that barred our families from owning land or the Chinese Exclusion Acts and the 1924 Immigration Act that barred almost all Asian immigrants from coming to the U.S.Heart Mountain is part of a history of xenophobia and discrimination going back much further, showing how our country let paranoia, fear, and propaganda overwhelm our good judgment, and led our country to commit one of the greatest injustices in history. These same warning signs are manifesting themselves in the unprecedented number of hate crimes against American Muslims in recent times. In 2015 there were at least 257 anti-Muslim incidents reported, up from 154 the previous year, and the number has only increased since then. In November last year, our leadership at CAIR Washington called for an FBI investigation after a young American Muslim woman studying at the University of Washington was struck in the face with a bottle. While not all incidents are as extreme as this, we have seen unacceptable normalization of Islamophobia, and understanding our history is a crucial part of combating discrimination in all forms.We cannot allow it to happen again, and that is why we will not stop talking about our history, even when the truth hurts.I write this to honor the legacy of my Bachan, Margaret Takiko Shoji, Heart Mountain Class of 1945.
Photo: Screenshot/HBO/YouTube

New Yorks Andrew Sullivan appeared on Real Time With Bill Maher on Friday night, where he reiterated his view that a recent protest against a speech by author Charles Murray at Vermonts Middlebury College reveals a religion-like zealotry among some American liberals when it comes to views they oppose. Here is the clip of him making that argument during a discussion with Maher and former congressman Barney Frank:

And here is an overtime panel discussion with Maher, Frank, and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on a wider range of political topics, including Sullivans spirited debate with Frank over what he sees as the pathetic composition of the current Democratic party:
The Price is wrong? Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Shortly after winning the presidency, Donald Trump met with U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara at Trump Tower. When Bharara left the meeting, he informed reporters that the president-elect had asked if he were willing to remain in his post, and that he had answered in the affirmative.

Just under two months into Trumps presidency, the White House asked Bharara and 45 other U.S. Attorneys to resign. Bharara refused to tender his resignation. He was then fired.

Bharara announced his unemployment on Twitter, and then posted this enigmatic remark:

By the way, now I know what the Moreland Commission must have felt like.  Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) March 12, 2017

In 2013, New York governor Andrew Cuomo launched the Moreland Commission, to investigate corruption in the Empire States government. But the commissions investigation brought it too close to the governors office for Cuomos comfort, and he ordered it disbanded.

Bhararas implication, then, was that his office was investigating something that the White House preferred to keep quiet.

Its far from clear that there is a basis for Bhararas insinuation. It is standard for new presidents to replace U.S. Attorneys with their own appointees.

However, Bhararas office was reportedly investigating Fox News for an array of potential crimes, including whether the networks executives committed wire fraud by allegedly hiding financial settlements paid to women who had accused Roger Ailes of sexual harassment.

But Rupert Murdoch & Co. may not be the only Trump allies who stand to benefit from Bhararas dismissal: The former U.S. Attorney was overseeing an investigation of Health Secretary Tom Prices stock trades prior to his firing, according to a source who spoke with ProPublica.

In December, the The Wall Street Journal reported that the former congressman had traded more than $300,000 worth of stock in health companies over a four-year period  during which he pushed legislation that could have benefited those companies.

Since then, three of Prices trades have drawn heightened scrutiny:

(1) In March 2016, Price bought $15,000 worth of stock in Zimmer Biomet, a medical-device company. Two days later, the congressman introduced a bill that would have protected that company from a cut in its Medicare reimbursement rate. Zimmer Biomet then put money in his campaign coffers.

(2) That same month, Price purchased thousands of dollars worth of stock in six pharmaceutical companies  and then led a legislative and public-relations effort to defeat regulations that would have (almost certainly) hurt those companiess profits.

(3) Last summer, Price made a bulk purchase of discounted shares in Innate Immuno, an Australian biotechnology company. Shortly thereafter, he helped push through legislation that expedites the FDAs approval process  a reform that directly benefits Innate Immuno, which is working to get its wares onto the U.S. market. Price has already enjoyed a 400 percent paper gain on his investment in the company.

At his confirmation hearings, Price was asked about how he managed to get that discount on Innate Immunos shares. The congressman replied that the discounted shares were available to every single individual that was an investor at the time.

Weeks later, The Wall Street Journal found that the cabinet nominee was one of fewer than 20 U.S. investors who were invited last year to buy discounted shares of the company  an opportunity that, for Mr. Price, arose from an invitation from a company director and fellow congressman.

In January, Democratic Representative Louise Slaughter asked the SEC to investigate Prices trades, arguing that there was reason to suspect that he had violated the STOCK Act  a 2012 law that bars members of Congress from using nonpublic information for personal profit.

The source who spoke with ProPublica did not specify precisely what trades  and potential legal violations  Bhararas office was investigating.

Bhararas former deputy, Joon Kim, currently presides over the office. But Trump is expected to have his own appointee in place in a matter of weeks.
employed

Wenner Media, the owner of Rolling Stone and Men's Journal, has sold the magazine to American Media Inc. which also publishes magazines The National Enquirer, Star, and OK!, and is online with Radar.AMI is reportedly laying off much of the staff at US WeeklyAMI has also been reportedly interested in snapping up the news website that used to be the New York Observer paper, which had been owned by White House advisor Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump, since 2006.Trump, who recently labeled much of the mainstream press the "enemy of the people," has singled out AMI CEO and chairman David Pecker (who he once lauded as "brilliant") for praise.Former editor Janice Min contributed a list-piece to Buzzfeed yesterday inspired by a regular US Weekly feature 25 Things You Didnt Know aboutUS WeeklyDo you think PEOPLE is hiring, ONTD? Is your publicist looking for newfriends?


Zethu Dlomo, who plays Maroon royalty Madi Scott, sat down with Fathoms Deep podcast for an extensive talk on what she has in common with her Black Sails character, about Madi's dread pirate boyfriend being a "rainbow-looking child", the Flint effect, and more.



Think of her personally what you will [OP does have thoughts] but what she has to say about the show is really good stuff.



Highlights & Time-Stamps

3:30 I believe that she grew up in a very loving home, even though Daddy wasnt there. [...] She was born obviously in a home of royalty, and an only child, to people who are leading a community of slaves which got away. [...] And she had to learn quickly to be a leader, to be strong and at the same time very sensitive and loving to her people and their needs.

4:30 On Mr Scotts leadership: She knew and understood from what her Mum was saying that hes out there doing this for their people, that in itself is a great leadership skill. Just think of Nelson Mandela going off for twenty-years, for the people. And it did affect the family, but it didnt mean that it didnt bring out some good.

8:30 On the women of Black Sails: while Anne, Max and Eleanor are in their own ways ready to leave Nassau behind, Madi is all about the bigger picture, and just getting started. Shes not afraid to die or get hurt for her cause. If I die, I die, thats fine. Is there gonna be progress, though? Thats the power she comes in with.

10:40 I had to gird up my loins, girl! before scenes with Toby Stephens. (Like everyone else in the cast.) She tried to channel her mother, that look your mother gives you as youre just about to make her mad.

13:20 Describes her own life in post-Apartheid South Africa, compared to Madis upbringing in a community of escaped slaves: both grew up knowing about racism and its impact on their world, but they never had to directly experience the worst of it, which gives them both a different perspective than that of their parents. Madi, sheltered as she has been from slavery, doesnt see their hiding as a silver lining, but as fear, and wants to see more of the world and change it.

17:40 Tom Hopper accidentally kicked her in the eye during a shoot in S3. She took it in stride and continued the scene with extra make-up covering it up.

20:45 If you dont know better, you cant do better. She didnt give Flint the time of day, to know him, and for him to know her. [...] They finally had that opportunity, they were stuck together on a boat, and floated away, and they had no one else to be watching out for them except for each other.

24:00 Shes always keeping her eye on the prize. I will swallow my pride, I will do what I need to do with people who I dont particularly like in this particular moment. 

25:15 On Silver/Madi: Their priorities are now different, and because they split up. Those however-long days, hours, however long it was, that she thought Silver was dead, decisions were made and other parts were carved out. And you come back and you expect things to go back to normal, when things have changed a lot. [...] Whos this Silver that came back? Is it still the same guy who I was on the ship with before all hell broke loose?

26:50 On when the pirates are infighting: If Im gonna be the most mature person - remember when Rackham said, I will be your daddy ? Madi says, I will be your mama! 

27:35 Really wanted a scene with Clara Paget. And wanted to wear corsets and cool dresses like Max! Hopes the guys will pull through on their jokes of making a Black Sails parody show called Game of Bones.

29:20 Goes a bit further about her personal history as a South-African woman compared to Madis heritage, how their attitudes and relationships with white people are different to their parents, and how their approach to carving out a place for themselves in the world differs.

33:55 Shes got an I can attitude. And its like, what would stop me? What would make me feel like I cant? Even me, growing up, what makes me think I cant be an actor, dream big, go to university as a black child in South Africa? Its an I can attitude because I didnt see the I cant-iness of it.

34:30 Interviewer compares James McGraw to Madi, both of whom see potential and idealism, while Flint is more like Madis parents, who are motivated by trauma. Zethu says that Madi and Flint click because maybe she reminds him of his old self and he wants to both protect her (possibly as a father-figure) and remind her how harsh the world out there is. She also reminds him of the past, reminding him of who he was and how it can work out. Maybe its more fascinating for Flint to see Madi be powerful, the way she is, as opposed to changing. She doesnt have to go to a dark space to make a difference.

36:30 The S3 scene where Madi deals with one of her men that beat up Dobbs, and when handed a knife, cuts his bindings instead of killing someone, which would have been the pirate go-to. Again emphasizes Madis capacity of seeing the bigger picture and be the better leader.

40:25 On Silvers leadership skills compared to Madis: Hes a quick learner, hes a comedian. And Madi is like the earth. Shes the, Come back, you rainbow-looking child, come to me, be normal, breathe, my babe. [...] You need someone whos not necessarily the opposite of you, but somebody who might see what you dont.

41:50 On carrying the heavy crown together: Three legs are better than none!

43:00 Will Madi need her own tether, now she and Silver both have experienced the Flint effect? Zethu says she does, that she could be inside of Flint and Silvers relationship because she was outside of it, because she hadnt established a know-how of Flint at that level. Says Madi will need Silver to pull her out as she tethers him in return, if its to work out.

44:20 On balancing the Madi/Silver/Flint relationship: What Silver will be expecting from Madi in that argument is to just jump rope, Yes my love, where do you want me to go? 

45:50 Im still trying to figure out how [Silver/Madi] fell in love. I mean, how? About stuff happening or not happening offscreen.

46:40 Before shooting together, Luke Arnold took Zethu on a date, to get to know each other and build a connection to then have something to work with onscreen. She goes on to talk a bit about her acting techniques, based on nine basic emotions all humans experience.

50:30 The moment when Madi fell for Silver: when she finds him in pain over his leg & trying to be strong for his men; she recognizes a kindred spirit in someone who has to set aside their hardships to be a good leader to their people.
Jessica in TTOL is the epitome of pure love. The most beautiful mother :')

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mte. if love and light took a physical form it would be her in that movie. that scene at the end when she sees her son again is unbelievable.

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The New World was underrated. As was Colin Farrell's beauty in it.

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So fucking fine and I've never found him attractive until this movie.

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I still remember the day I went to see it in the theater. I was 17 and like

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Looks wise, I was only there for Bale

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I don't generally like Malick but I loved The New World. Not only because Colin Farrell was super fine in it, but ofc it didn't hurt lol

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He was so fucking hot in this-glad Malick's talent for capturing ethereal beauty extends beyond nature shots.

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colin is one of the finest men in the whole damn world

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This movie made be so angry b/c my high-school self was like "I just don't believe it's historically accurate for someone to choose Christian Bale over Colin Farrell."

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I need to rewatch it.

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Between Colin and Christian I was in heaven watching this movie

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mfte i love this movie

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qorianka kilcher was the perfect pocahontas and the new world was malick's last great film imo

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ITA. that's one of my most favorite films ever.



Even his patented nature shots gave me slight depression cause it sort of felt like they actually meant something.



Love that movie

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yeah there is an profound sense of loss and yearning that he tapped into with the new world that his later films only hint at. i haven't watched the whole thing in a while but i remember it would always put in this hypnotic, melancholy mood afterwards









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Absolutely. That was such a great film all around.

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I definitely agree with Linda and Sissy. This might be my favorite scene from any of Malick's films







Edited at 2017-03-18 03:23 am (UTC)

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I was so attracted to Martin Sheen in this movie.

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Sissy is my pick too, by a mile. Badlands is my fave film of his.

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I love this movie. His wears the fucking coolest boots

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this movie is everything to me tbh

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I like how this article is from 2016 so apparently they were like, oh well, the new one isn't worthy anyway, just Tweet our list from a year ago again.

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lol it's so funny how young Chastain looks in that pic, you can really tell it was filmed way before it was released.



Agree with this list. Even though Malick movies aren't really about the performances, I think there are a ton of good ones in The New World because Malick gave them time to breathe instead of focusing on having them twirl or whatever. Q'orianka, Firth and Bale were all award worthy imo.

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She looks exactly the same to me...

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IKR, she's aged so well

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"Did you find your indies John?"





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Is "twirling woman" #1?

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brad pitt gave a great performance in the tree of life. he should have been nominated imo.

terrance is a great cinematographer but hes pretty terrible at writing women

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Having seen Song to Song, I def agree about his writing of women. 

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It came out the same year as Moneyball so he kinda had to make a choice which one to campaign for best actor and he stood a better chance with Moneyball.



Otherwise I def think he would have been nominated, it was a wonderful film across the board. I was glad it atleast got Best Pic and Best Director nominations. I think Jessica got a nod too.

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he's not a cinematographer tho...

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I've seen a couple of featurettes about how he makes his films, and he doesn't really "write women." Most of his films are improvised. The tells the actors what the point of the scene is and what he wants them to convey, and they they improvise. So if you don't like his women, it's not all his doing. He gives the actresses the freedom to do their thing, come up with their own dialog, etc.



I saw Jessica Chastain talking about making ToL, and she said in the kitchen scene for example, he just let the camera run and she and Brad did whatever they wanted. She thought it was some of her best work.



Ryan Gosling was just talking about that in Song to Song, too. How they didn't really get a script, and he really loved working that way. Every scene was fresh and spontaneous.

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brd pitt gave nothing in tree of life

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I loved Jessica in TToL so much. I was so annoyed that she got all the praise/nominations for the dumb old Help that year instead.

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She's always good. You know the studios decide what movie they want to mount an Oscar campaign for, it's very political and has nothing to do with who gave the best performance. A film either has to have a score of over 90 on RottenTomatoes or have some box office success before they will put in the money it takes to get a nomination/win an Oscar.



Every year some of the best performances are completely overlooked by the groups that give out awards. There's nothing fair about it.





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There's a crazy number of awards bait movies with 90+ percent RT scores that are basically unwatchable a year later, forget five bc it becomes apparent how overrated they are when the awards hubris isn't backing them up.

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I fucking love Badlands

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just here to see if hunter mccracken is included and he is. bless.

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No one from To The Wonder should be mentioned, that movie is trash



I think Tree of Life was Jessica's first movie right? Lucky for her she was in his best film and not one of his worst lol

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It was her 10th, but it was her first of A-list caliber. Her first movie was that Salome film with Al Pacino that was never officially released, lol.

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Oh really? I remember she seemed really nervous during the press tour/attention & seemed to take guidance from Brad so I always thought she was like brand new to the scene at the time

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it was her ~break out role along with take shelter, they both came out on the same year iirc, malick used to like using ~unknown actresses

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lmao she had like a good 10 movies out during her breakthrough year, and that was just one of them. i remember oscar pundits going 'damn which movie is she gonna get a nod for????' and of course it was for 'the help'

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The New World was breathtaking. I love that scene where that one white woman tells Pocahontas something like "come back in an hour" and she's like "what's an hour?" that scene gave me goosebumps cause up until then i'd never even thought about the concept of telling time in a precise manner and how some cultures in the past (and even today) don't measure time in the same way as we do.



anyway, A+ movie.

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I wish that Jim Caviezel could have kept the magic he had in Thin Red Line. A shame he had to get struck by lightning filming a movie for Mel Gibson.

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Oh man he was struck by lightning TWICE in that movie..... amongst other insane shit too smh

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we had a post about this stuff the other day

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Edited at 2017-03-18 04:27 pm (UTC) not to judge a book by its cover but if you asked me to pick an anti-sjw out of a lineup....

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what is an incel?I'm not hip to this lingo, i just learned what a cuck was.

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I know a guy irl who is a total incel and it's a wild night anytime he finds his way to our hangouts.

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hahahah ikr

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What ever happened to Chaz Bono?

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I watched the whole debate with Destiny, and he is such a fucking moron.

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I commend you, I tried listening to it but just....wtf?????

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I think what's even more tragic is that he's not the only person who's been susceptible to all the ultra-nationalist, anti-PC rhetoric. So many people are falling prey to it because they lack the critical thinking skills, the research skills, and discerning minds to reject shitty media and to fight their own cognitive biases.

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i wouldn't trust any dude who spends his time on yt identifying as a gamer. they all have some major flaws--racism, sexism, homophobia--SOMETHING LURKING.

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mte hyacinth

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Video game YouTube right now pic.twitter.com/A5xgc9ZQTD  Dan Olson w/ an 'O' (@FoldableHuman) March 15, 2017

I thought this video was the perfect summary



Edited at 2017-03-18 04:43 pm (UTC) I thought this video was the perfect summary

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I love dan

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lmao

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lmaooo

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isn't markpilier and the grump ppl best friends with this dude?

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I don't even know what people see in markpiller, but I'm sure he's gonna go down along the line too

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Nope, parted ways years ago amid lots of conspiracy theories. I think Arin made an appearance on one of his vids a year ago or something, though. But no, they had a mysterious falling out and Jon went his own way again. I wanna say that during a reallllly old Twitch stream his gf at the time was making snide comments about Suzy being a SJW but I'm hazy on ye olden days involving him.



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Arin's never really made a public statement saying he doesn't fuck with Jon anymore(I wish he would though) but to me, Arin is pretty clearly done with Jon.



Can't speak for that ass Mark, never followed him.

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How is Mark an ass? He's obnoxiously loud and screamy but he's an actual decent person.

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Arin comes across as a genuinely lovely person. I've seen him apologize on twitter any time he's said something that he didn't realize was offensive, but Game Grumps is his brand and he's still pretty professional about it, so I don't expect he'll ever publicly comment on this.



Still, I would really love to know how he feels about it.

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Mark is the exact opposite of this dude when it comes to his political views.

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mark defended that trashbag pewdiepie so he can't be trusted either.

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WHY EVEN BOTHER GIVING THIS CUNT THE ATTENTION HE WANTS?!

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Love that he thinks he's not one of the people Steve King would like out of America.

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outside matches the inside

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I hate the "but we need to EDUCATE" argument. We have the same thing in Turkey. No. It's not my responsibility to teach people (who are older than me in some cases) that why their views are objectively wrong. "There's white genocide!" in USA's case and "The ENTIRE WORLD is jealous of us!!!" in Turkey's case are not arguments. I cannot debate on something that is 100% wrong.



Besides, if a person is able to use the internet to spread their idiotic, hateful thoughts, they can also use this magical thing called Google and try to understand MY perspective; instead of me understanding theirs and educating them.



This whole "but we're INSULTING them, that's why Trump/or whoever the fuck is the next populist-racist-idiot leader wins! We're living in our bubbles!" thing is actually so insulting I wanna bash my head on the wall. It's ok when they're insulting us, ignoring our views, but it's wrong for us to do the same? Fuck you.

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IMO it's an unhealthy approach. I always try to educate or speak up, try to give them the building blocks so they can further their education because once upon a time I was ignorant too and if it wasn't for this community and life experience I would still have a lot of awful views on things. Education is key. If it doesn't work they're on their own.

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If one's open to education, of course. But then, it's obvious if someone is open to different points of view. A person who screams FAKE NEWS at everything they don't like, and calls everyone fake when they expose their fave's lies, is not open to education or even "conversation" as they praise every time someone boycotts someone else for being a racist or phobic asshole.



We should not feel bad for not trying to educate people who don't even want to be educated. I was talking about those people.

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yeah i don't like the idea to just yell at people and write them off as a terrible person if they say something ignorant. I hope everyone can be a better person in life and i think the way some social justice people handle "problematic" behavior can be harmful ( more than anything else it often seems that they simply want to look better than the other person) That being said, there is nothing you can do about a literal white supremacist lol

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What I don't like about the argument you're opposing is that it implies 1) you're saying, and 2) that marginalized people are living in some elevated and privileged position, which could not be further from the truth. In my experience, bigoted people and people who adopt bigoted views are typically in a privileged position themselves, and pointing that out to them is what gets them upset.



Privilege of course, does not mean that your life is easy, but it does mean you have a better chance at staying alive/not being made the victim of violence than I am, which counts for a lot.

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yeah i always try and at least be somewhat nice to people at first and give them the benefit of the doubt, but if i explain it to them once and they STILL don't get it i give up. there are a lot of ignorant people in the world and i don't have the time tbh.

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As someone who was raised catholic I'm always surprised by how many people experience that but I guess you had to buy into the religion at one point and I just could never get into it.

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my mother was jewish but raised catholic but my sister and I weren't raised to be religious or have faith or anything, but we still had the catholic guilt (with jewish guilt on top) to deal with, although it has lessened with time.

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meh as a raised catholic and that went to nun schools that they all were gone or dead. I will be the creep out of there...

USA Christian are damn crazy tho even catholic think this. I never understand the catholic guilt unless u were from a very very very catholic family, my parents are catholic and they still go to curch but they never raised us or the nuns or catholic teachers (at least when i was a kid) with guilt...but dunno cos every catholic is different



I will not be in that place at night...



Edited at 2017-03-18 04:57 pm (UTC)

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DAMN! Those nuns were living it up! That place is amazing!

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seriously i never knew the lives of nuns had this many perks?!?!?! maybe i should consider a career change tbh

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Sis I'm broke af in a temp job and if I am out of a livelihood I'll have to go back to my family who will marry me off so I'm thinking of converting to Catholicism and becoming a nun lmao. Sad that my sect doesn't really have space for nuns!

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mte damn

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Haha I once went to a convent to visit this sister who was friends with my nanna and wanted to give me a book and it was like a tiny house on a shitty suburban lane way and the rooms were SO SMALL and smelled so bad and old and musty and I felt ashamed that they had to live like that. It was so bare and gross and I was like "why don't these poor old ladies have enough money?" I was like 8 but still. It was sad and gross.





These nuns have TWO POOLS WHAT THE FUCK HOOK ME UP JESUS

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They even have a fucking pool! I wonder what a nun swims in..

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I'm sure the nightlife developer was super wholesome though.

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right? this was my first thought lol

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mte

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He was apparently trying to pay double but Katy already had a deal in place with the archdiocese. The nuns wanted to cash out, they apparently get a cut of the sale.

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My first thought. They probably think someone like Trump is a Christian.

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lmao seriously, the amount of sex and debauchery that would have happened there if he got it and made it a club or hotel... i kind of wish he had gotten it.

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LOL was my first thought. The nuns think Katy worships the devil but wanted to sell the place to someone promoting the nightlife lifestyle?

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Lol mte

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Hypocrisy from certain nuns never ends. Hating on Katy because she has a tatt on her ass and went to check out Salem? They really act like it's 1620 and no one should ever learn about different ideas or explore the world. Keep than narrow mind closed to anything other than doctrine.



Just chant, light candles, burn incense, worship idols and do rituals with wine and wafers. Sounds like witchcraft to me, but what do I know?



Nuns have a lot of good property in L.A. I used to work next door to one of their estates and had occasion to interact with them once in a while and they were the biggest bitches I've ever had to deal with. So entitled and dismissive.

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WHOA @ those pics

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Wow the ignorance is real from those nuns holy shit

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lol fuck off nuns. Your god is not here sisters.

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clubbing 4 jesus!

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that place would be poppin if that happened lmao

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That view! But it looks like an accident waiting to happen.

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Why would you want to live in that? It's so big yet not enough yard space? Californians don't like backyards? I don't get it.

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She would legit have no privacy unless she plants like bushes all around. That's scary for a celeb considering they attract stalkers and paparazzi. I like the convent but it does not look good as a residential home. The amount of money she's going to spend renovating it hopefully ends up being worth it.

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Privacy looks like something a good renovation can take care of tbh.

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the serial killer dork in me recognized that street name right away Lol

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Los Feliz started getting hot about 10 years ago when Brad and Angelina bought several homes and created a compound there. Natalie Portman and a bunch of other celebs followed suit, and they have a gated community there, too, which is desirable in L.A.





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californians don't care about yards we have beaches, mountains, etc. to go to instead why would i wanna hang out in a yard? also yards are terrible for the environment.

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the disrespect



i feel many in los angeles dont have very much yards due to how many houses there are esp newer houses BUT that is not all of us!!



as a californian i have a very nice big backyard! grass on one side and a pool on the other



i get to soak up those california rays by my pool with a margarita on those hot summer days 

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That nun is a hypocritical cunt.

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Katy I get you. I also want to have that.

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Yeah I'm sure a nightlife developer would be better for Jesus.

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did the sisters use that pool tho

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That's what I was thinking?

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you bet they did, the nuns at my school built a pool. They tried so hard to convince us that it was a gift from an ex-student and not paid by our school fees



Edited at 2017-03-18 05:51 pm (UTC)

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They use it for washing away their sins.

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lmfao

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lmaooo

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Rosavel, I agree!

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Foreign state owned enterprises appear poised to take an even larger, more active role in the interna-tional energy business in all aspects--nuclear as well as renewables.

Press reports indicate that Korea Electric Power (Kepco), controlled by the government of South Ko-rea, might well be the only bidder for Toshibas Westinghouse unit that will pass muster with western governments. The South Korean government, say the reports, wants to make Korea a major player in the world nuclear industry. Kepco would be the "entry vehicle".

Like the French utility, EDF (the present woes with the EPR reactor design notwithstanding), Kepco shares the distinction of being the only other entity to consistently build new nuclear plants on time and within budget. No mean feat. Kepco, it should be noted has a spotty financial record, due largely to a strict domestic regulatory regime. Like most government entities, it is heavily indebted.

The big question, though, is what would Kepco actually purchase if it were to acquire Westinghouse from Toshiba? Asian investors are asking whether whatever Kepco pays for Westinghouse will be ade-quate to right the finances at parent, Toshiba, which is still reeling from the cost over-runs at two U.S. nuclear projects in Georgia and South Carolina. Conceivably, Kepco could make a deal that allows it to only take over future construction projects (probably in the UK) thus sidestepping U.S. cost over-run problems. Related: Oil Prices Wait And Watch For OPECs Next Move

Meanwhile, Chinas battery industry continues to power up so to speak. Owing to government subsi-dies and prohibitions on foreign activity, one firm is expected to produce more battery output than Tesla's new Nevada gigafactory. Companies producing electric vehicles in China, to qualify for subsi-dies, must buy batteries from a list of approved suppliers. That enables approved suppliers to achieve scale, which, it is hoped, leads to cost reductions.

This policy also keeps foreign companies from entering the Chinese market. In addition, the largest Chinese producers of the metals required for the batteries have been buying up mining properties outside China. Some observers worry that the Chinese manufacturers will wreck the battery market. They will drive down price (good for consumers and electric car manufacturers) but bad for competing battery manufacturers. This is the traditional worry about so-called "dumping" although the charge has traditionally been hurled at foreign manufacturers of things like steel or flat screen televisions. Related: Can OPEC Resist The Temptation To Cheat?

In Europe, Hungary just signed a deal with Rosatom, the Russian state owned nuclear group, to build two nuclear reactors. Russia will finance somewhere between 80 percent and 100 percent of the deal. (The official announcement by the European Union said 80 percent but Vladimir Putin said the number could go to 100 percent, according to press reports.)

These stories fit into a developing pattern. Building a nuclear power plant of the currently approved size and design is now out of the reach of ordinary commercial enterprises no matter how large. Toshiba, an enormous, world class technology enterprise, self-destructed due to its ill-timed foray into the nuclear construction business.

The obvious investor-owned buyers for Westinghouse thus far have showed no interest in acquiring this obviously challenged unit. The Russian government may have had more in mind than making money when it signed the deal with Hungary. It is also lending the Hungarians 10 billion to purchase the new nuclear facility. This suggests an eagerness to showcase technology as opposed to a commer-cial motive.

The Chinese government targets markets for Chinese dominance and takes the necessary steps to achieve that dominance. State oil companies already control production in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

State owned entities are not like privately owned businesses. Their actions are not taken solely or even primarily with respect to commercial concerns. Their language, so to speak, is that of low cost debt financing, near unlimited state subsidies and the protection of local markets. As a result, nation states, whether your own or someone else's, make formidable competitors.

By Leonard Hyman and William Tilles for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The oil price slump has put pressure on the budgets of the U.S. oil and coal states that have been struggling with lower energy tax revenues and difficult decisions about which public-sector financing they should reduce. Higher budget deficits have led to cuts across the board, and education has been one of the sectors on the chopping block.

This week, Wyoming became the latest in a series of oil and coal producing states that have cut funds from education. Oklahoma, North Dakota and Alaska had already lowered some of the funding for various education programs throughout last year, when the sting of the low oil prices was most painful to monthly tax collections.

Last year, six of the top eight oil-pumping U.S. states slipped into recession, S&P Global Ratings said in a report in January. Alaska, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Wyoming saw their economies shrink in 2016, while Texas and Montana had GDP growth much smaller than in 2015, estimates in the report show.

The sharp pullback in exploration and production during the past 18 months has inflicted considerable damage on the economies of the oil producing states, S&P said back in January.

While the oil price crash was affecting drilling and consequently, oil revenues of the states, U.S. coal production was also dropping. In the first quarter of 2016, U.S. coal output hit its lowest quarterly level since a major coal strike in the second quarter of 1981, the EIA said last June, with coal production from the Powder River Basin in Montana and Wyoming declining the most in tonnage and percentage since the previous quarter. Related: Oil Prices Wait And Watch For OPECs Next Move

And Wyoming was the latest U.S. state to cut from education funds. Governor Matt Mead approved on March 13 a K-12 education spending plan that cuts $34.5 million from schools.

The education funding shortage was a result of the downturn and previous years of generous spending. Wyomings State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow told The Casper Star-Tribune in December that historically high spending levels are now untenable.

The truth of the matter is that were going to need to think about funding education as a Chevy rather than a Cadillac in the future, Balow told the newspaper.

Since around 30 percent of Wyomings spending on education comes from federal mineral royalties, and another 30 percent from property taxes often backed by these minerals, its hardly a surprise that the state has cut some of the education spend. Future funding for some of Wyomings educational programs could really depend on the state of the U.S. oil and coal industries, The Atlantic notes.



Across the oil producing states, North Dakotas Revised Executive Budget Recommendation 2017-2019 prioritizes K-12 education, but envisages a $31-million reduction to higher education.

In the middle of last year, Alaska Governor Bill Walker cut a total of $150 million in budget allocations to schools, the university and the state education department.

I especially struggled with the funding to education, which I have consistently prioritized. But a $4 billion deficit means nothing can be insulated, Governor Walker said.



In Oklahoma, some school districts have switched to a 4-day school week to save funds in light of declining oil revenues.

Its in Oklahoma, however, that the more stable and relatively higher oil prices since the beginning of this year started turning in increased gross receipts to the Treasury.

Mostly driven by rising oil and gas production collections, gross receipts to the Treasury grew by 0.5 percent on the year in January at $990.5 million, putting an end to a 20-month string of shrinking collections, State Treasurer Ken Miller said. Related: Can OPEC Resist The Temptation To Cheat?

Low prices and curtailed production in the oil field led us into the latest downturn, and it appears rising prices and production are leading us out. Several data points  rising state GDP, rig counts, business conditions, and employment  give reason for cautious optimism, Miller noted.

Receipts in February also inched up compared to February last year.

So, higher oil prices are helping Oklahomas revenues, while Wyomings coal is not thriving, either in production or in revenues for the state. Despite the oil price recovery from last years lows, the U.S. coal and oil states still have substantial budget gaps to fill in, and would be wise to continue sticking to some form of austerity in spending and budgeting.



By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Chinas Sinopec is the last bidder left in the race to buy a majority interest in Chevrons South African assets worth $1 billion, Reuters reported on Friday, citing two people familiar with the deal.

Sinopec is close to sealing an agreement with Chevron over the South African assets that the U.S. major first said would be put up for sale in January last year. Following an auction that had lasted more than a year, Sinopec is now the last bidder remaining, Reuters sources said.

In October last year, Frances oil major Total SA, mining and trading giant Glencore, and crude oil trader Gunvor had reportedly bid to buy 75 percent of Chevrons South African downstream business.

In January 2016, Chevron said it was considering selling its 75 percent of its South African business, including a 110,000-bpd refinery in Cape Town, as part of a multi-billion-dollar divestment plan announced in 2014. Chevron operates in South Africa via Chevron South Africa (Pty) Limited, in which it has a 75 percent stake, while a consortium of Black Economic Empowerment shareholders and an employee trust own the other 25 percent. Chevron South Africa also has a network of Caltex service stations, one of the countrys top four petroleum brands, according to Chevron. The U.S. energy major also operates a lubricants plant in Durban, on South Africas east coast.

Now if Sinopec manages to snap up Chevrons assets in South Africa, it would get its first refinery asset in Africa that would further expand the Chinese companys fuel distribution network across the world.



Related: Is Kurdish Oil A Gamble Worth Taking?

The process of soliciting expressions of interest in the 75 percent shareholding is ongoing, Chevron spokesman Braden Reddall told Reuters.

Rothschild & Co is advising Chevron on the sale of the South African assets, according to Reuters.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
By Eric Shierman

Josh Lehner, the super smart protege of Tom Potiowsky at the Oregon Department of Economic Analysis, posted an interesting fact on his agencys blog recently. More new jobs were created producing alcoholic beverages than writing software from 2008-2016. Oregons software industry has been growing rapidly in the past decade, but that has gotten lots of attention over the years. Until Lehner made this contrast, Oregons robust array of breweries, wineries, and distilleries have largely been taken for granted.

There is heavy government support for Oregons software industry, which is always in a chronic labor shortage of code writers. There is no shortage of Oregon residents interested in producing potent potables, but if you were a regular reader of state economic development plans, this sector gets treated as an afterthought.

The Oregon Business Plan, the flagship of the Governors economic development initiatives has a page on its website devoted to the planners favorite buzzword, describing what a cluster is. This page also has an Oregon list of these sought-after geographically concentrated sectors. Oregons manufacturing of happy hour didnt make the list, though to be fair one of their dropdown menus does have this new link to breweries which includes some interesting facts such as: 9 of the top 50 brewing companies in the US make beer in Oregon. Five are headquartered in Oregon: Widmer Brothers Brewing, Deschutes Brewery, Full Sail Brewing, Rogue Ales and Ninkasi Brewing Co. Yet there was not even an honorable mention of that other cluster in Dundee, Oregon.

In Forest Grove theres man that straddles both of these fast growing industries. Jonathan Kaiser is a senior program manager at Jive Software and owns a brewing company that in my opinion brews the best beer money can buy. Indeed, I had a keg of his Weddingweizen at my own wedding two years ago, and it was a big hit. Of all the many ways you can blow money on a marriage ceremony, theres probably no better bang for the buck than a high quality craft beer on tap and Kaiser Brewing Company delivered in a big way.

While government planners tend to bend over backward for software companies, starting a brewery, winery, or distillery can feel like the opposite is the case. Kaiser wanted to get all of his permits approved at the same time so he could produce for a full year before having to pay for their renewals which would then hopefully all expire at the same time. That was largely possible with state and local licensing, but the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau is inexplicably slow and unpredictable in its approval process, throwing off Kaisers intended timing of his initial roll out.

Of course the feds have been worse. The most heavy handed of all regulations in American history was probably the 18th Amendment. Todays tax and trade bureau is largely a legacy of Prohibition, imposing an excise tax on the production of alcoholic products we would never impose on technology products.

Oregon passed its own state-wide ban four years before the 18th Amendment was ratified. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission enjoys a similar legacy existence as the TTB.

Legitimate health and safety regulations are best administered at the county level. These federal and state entities seem to exist primarily to impose redundant restrictions and taxes to support their superfluous operations.

The 21st Amendment might be described as the greatest act of deregulation in American history except that it did not exactly restore the status quo ante of Americas free liquor market in 1919 (or for Oregon thats 1915). Im open minded to the possibility that the TBB and OLCC might serve some net benefit of some kind, but there is likely much opportunity for removing needless duplication of costs imposed on a sector of Oregons economy where we seem to have a clear comparative advantage.

I also dont want to dismiss all efforts that have been made to attract software companies to Oregon. When they can find the talent, these companies employ a highly compensated work force. The lesson of Lehners comparison is that economic opportunity can come from where government planners might not expect it. Job growth doesnt necessarily need government help. It sometimes just needs the government to get out of the way.

Eric Shierman lives in Salem and is the author of a Brief History of Political Cultural Change.
From Greg Swank, 12-4-2 You are about to read a list of 45 goals that found their way down the halls of our great Capitol back in 1963. As...
Meteorologist Paul Douglas writes about Minnesota weather daily, trying to go beyond the "highs" and "lows" of the weather story to discuss current trends and some of the how's and why's of meteorology. Rarely is our weather dull - every day is a new forecast challenge. Why is the weather doing what it's doing? Is climate change a real concern, and if so, how will my family be affected? Climate is flavoring all weather now, and I'll include links to timely stories that resonate with me.
The mathematical (and other) thoughts of a (now retired) math teacher,




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LOS REVOLUCIONARIOS NO TOMAN CACA-COLA No se trata solamente de un capricho, sino de una sana actitud en todos los sentidos. Desde la solidaridad con el pueblo colombiano donde la empresa Caca-Cola ha cometido los mas grandes abusos contra sus trabajadores incluyendo el presunto secuestro y asesinato de los dirigentes del sindicato, hasta la proteccion de la salud de nuestros hijos, enviciados por ese jarabe de cola y azucar, que les produce obesidad prematura. Pensemos tambien los revolucionarios, que ese dinero que gastamos en los refrescos es utilizado por esas empresas para financiar el terrorismo en nuestro pais. Es cierto, no se trata solo de la Caca-Cola, sino tambien de la cerveza, de los cigarrillos y todos esos articulos innecesarios y mas que eso, daninos para nuestra salud. Podriamos incluso pensar en un dia de parada para cada uno de ellos. Es cuestion de irnos organizando. Pero para empezar, que tal si dejamos de comprar Caca-Cola y sus similares?



























Cuando lo extraordinario se vuelve cotidiano...



Discurso del Acto de Grado en Barinas en 12 de Febrero del 2005 Queridos Graduandos:



Mas que un discurso, quiero dirigirles algunas palabras que escribi anoche, despues de visitar en las clinicas, a los estudiantes heridos, a consecuencia de los enfrentamientos con la policia de hace apenas dos dias.



Me ha tocado por razones del destino, ser la persona que les otorgue el titulo que bien merecieron con sus estudios. Y me siento sumamente orgulloso de serlo. Me consta que la Universidad de Los Llanos Occidentales Ezequiel Zamora, a pesar de lo dicho por los enemigos de esta universidad, es una universidad de primera.



No tendremos la mejor planta fisica, en los salones hace calor. En el comedor hace calor. Pero no es en lo material que las cosas deben valorarse. El mayor capital es el ser humano. Y en eso, nuestra UNELLEZ, lo digo con conocimiento de causa, esta sobrada. Los llaneros venezolanos son nobles, valientes, de coraje.



En la UNELLEZ hacen vida, en este momento, aproximadamente 67000 personas. El 97% de ellas son estudiantes. Jovenes que, como Ustedes hasta el dia de hoy, buscan ese titulo, que constata los anos de dedicacion y de estudio.



Los jovenes son el rio de la vida, ustedes graduados deben ser los capitanes de esos barcos que naveguen por el rio de la vida.



Nuestra Patria atraviesa momentos muy dificiles porque decidio dejar de ser esa matrona de edad vetusta y complaciente, para ser joven, rebelde y altanera. Nuestra imagen ya no es la de una acaudalada ricachona mayamera. En nuestro rostro brilla ahora la sonrisa del Che Guevara, con su diente delantero torcido, su pelo largo y su boina con la estrella.



Entender esto, a mi me ha tomado practicamente toda la vida. Tengo 53 anos, y ya perdi mi oportunidad de derramar sangre joven a causa de un ideal.



Ustedes son jovenes, estan en la flor de la vida. No cometan por favor el error de renunciar a su instinto de rebelion. El Che Guevara fue Ministro de a Economia en Cuba. Los billetes y las monedas se adornaban con su rostro. Nada de eso le importo. Primero fue a Angola donde paso un penoso ano de combate. Despues se fue a Bolivia, donde encontro la muerte. El Che era el ultimo que comia, el que cargaba la mochila mas pesada. Siempre se sacrificaba por los demas en un estoicismo que mas parecia fervor religioso que ideologia marxista.



Si quieren un modelo de vida. Ahi lo tienen.



Dije hace unos momentos que el 97% de la poblacion de la UNELLEZ es estudiante. Se imaginan Ustedes la Universidad que podriamos tener si todos los estudiantes tuvieran la abnegacion, la combatividad del Che?



Los momentos que se avecinan van a requerir de una gran unidad del pueblo venezolano. La alternativa de continuar siendo libres o regresar a la pobreza se nos planteara en los proximos dias de forma enmascarada, o quizas peor, desenmascarada, vestida con uniforme de soldado del Imperio.



Por nuestra parte podemos esperar lo mejor. La macroeconomia no podria ir mejor, la justicia social ha mejorado notablemente. Las misiones ocupan un papel muy importante en el pago de dicha justicia social. Aqui en Barinas ya hemos cumplido con dos de las misiones, la mision Robinson y la mision Sucre. No hay analfabetismo y no hay exclusion en la educacion superior, en estas tierras de Zamora.



Pero ay malhaya! Son precisamente estos exitos los que nos hacen mas antipaticos al Imperio. Para ellos, somos inclusive un mal ejemplo que se esta contagiando al resto del continente y cuidado sino al resto del mundo.



Nunca venceremos al Imperio. Estara siempre ahi, acechando. Por lo menos hasta que el mismo no se autodestruya. Porque, sepanlo senores, el neoliberalismo es canibal. Cuando le ataque el hambre, se devorara a si mismo.



Ustedes, queridos graduandos, a partir de hoy pasan a conformar la elite profesional que debe sostener este pais en los proximos cuarenta o cincuenta anos. Anos decisivos para el logro de nuestra libertad y del rescate de nuestra Soberania.



No se dejen comprar. No se dejen corromper. No se dejen gritar. No se dejen pisar. Que nadie les diga que comer, o que vestirse, o que leer. Sean siempre autenticos, rebeldes, contestatarios. Pero eso si, profundamente patriotas, dignos de ser hijos de Bolivar.



Muchas gracias y que Dios los bendiga.





Alguna duda?



Medio siglo de Holocausto Palestino



Oscar Zanartu Nacio en Caracas en 1960. Ha realizado exposiciones individuales en las galerias Minotauro, Clave y San Francisco, y en salas de Coro, estado Falcon, y Puerto Ordaz, estado Bolivar. En Paris su obra ha sido exhibida en el Centro Cultural Tanagra, en la Exposicion Cite Internationale des Arts, en las galerias De Mars y Arver Space, al igual que en la Galeria Municipal Levallois, en Levallois Perret (Francia). En muestras colectivas, su obra se ha expuesto en Belgica, Francia, Estados Unidos y Venezuela; en Caracas intervino en la exposicion "Del genesis a la memoria", 1995, organizada por la Fundacion La Previsora. En 1982 obtuvo el Premio Nacional Critven y en 1990 la Mencion de Honor Jose Antonio Paez, en la Embajada de Venezuela en Paris. En 1991 se le concedio el primer premio de Pintura Itinerante, en Levallois Perret, Francia.



OZ1



OZ2



OZ3



OZ4



Homenaje a Jason Galarraga



La Victoria de Samotracia



Odalisca



Mas fotos de la nevada del pasado agosto 2008



























La Sierra Nevada de Merida



Nuestro precioso Churum Meru



Homenaje a Picasso



Autoretrato



Sabes lo que bebes en una Coca-Cola?

La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.

Mi profesion?

Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.

Sal en la Coca Cola?

A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.

De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:

Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gusto

Acido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)

azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)

Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantas

Mucha Cafeina

Conservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o Potasio

Dioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebe

Sal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracion

El uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.

Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.

Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.

En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).

Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.

La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.

Bebidas Light?

Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el

Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.



Publicado por loretahur



En realidad, la formula secreta de la Coca-Cola se puede detallar en 18 segundos en cualquier espectrometro optico, y basicamente la conocen hasta los perros. Lo que ocurre es que no se puede fabricar igual, a no ser que uno disponga de unos cuantos millones de dolares para ganarle la demanda que te metera la Coca-Cola ante la justicia (ellos no perderian).La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gustoAcido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantasMucha CafeinaConservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o PotasioDioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebeSal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracionEl uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el aspartamo , despues de tres semanas mojado, pasa a tener gusto de trapo viejo sucio.Para evitar eso, se agregan una infinidad de otros productos quimicos, uno para alargar la vida del aspartamo, otro para neutralizar el color, otro para mantener el tercer quimico en suspension porque sino el fondo de la gaseosa quedaria oscuro, otro para evitar la cristalizacion del aspartamo, otro para realzar el sabor, dar mas intensidad al acido citrico o fosforito que perderia su sabor por el efecto de los cuatro productos quimicos iniciales... y asi sucesivamente.Un consejo final !!Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.Publicado por loretahur

MARGARINA o MANTEQUILLA La margarina fue producida originalmente para engordar a los pavos; cuandolo que hizo en realidad fue matarlos.Las personas que habian puesto el dinero para la investigacion quisieronrecobrarlo asi que empezaron a pensar en una forma de hacerlo.Tenian una sustancia blanca, que no tenia ningun atractivo como comestible,asi que le anadieron el color amarillo, para venderselo a lagente en lugar de la mantequilla.Que tal esa?... Ahora han sacado algunos nuevos sabores para vender mas alos incautos como usted y yo.CONOCE USTED la diferencia entre la margarina y la mantequilla?Siga leyendo hasta el final... porque se pone bastante interesante!Comparacion entre mantequilla y margarina:

1.- Ambas tienen la misma cantidad de calorias.

2.- La mantequilla es ligeramente mas alta en grasas saturadas: 8 gramos,comparada con los 5 gramos que tiene la margarina.

3.- Comer margarina en vez de mantequilla puede aumentar en 53% el riesgo deenfermedades coronarias en las mujeres, de acuerdo con un estudiomedico reciente de la Universidad de Harvard.

4.- Comer mantequilla aumenta la absorcion de gran cantidad de nutrientesque se encuentran en otros alimentos.

5.- La mantequilla provee beneficios nutricionales propios mientras lamargarina tiene solo los que le hayan sido anadidos al fabricarla.

6.- La mantequilla sabe mucho mejor que la margarina y mejora el sabor deotros alimentos.7.- La mantequilla ha existido durante siglos mientras que la margarinatiene menos de 100 anos.

Ahora... sobre la margarina:

1.- Es muy alta en acidos grasos trans. (Si, esos que recien ahora loscientificos descubrieron que son malisimos y los gobiernoscomenzaron a prohibirlos) .

2.- Triple riesgo de enfermedades coronarias.

3.- Aumenta el colesterol total y el LDL (el colesterol malo) y disminuye elHDL (el colesterol bueno).

4.- Aumenta en cinco veces el riesgo de cancer.

5.- Disminuye la calidad de la leche materna.

6.- Disminuye la reaccion inmunologica del organismo.

7.- Disminuye la reaccion a la insulina.

Y he aqui el factor mas inquietante (AQUI ESTA LA PARTE MAS INTERESANTE! ):A la margarina le falta UNA MOLECULA para ser PLASTICO...!!Solo este hecho es suficiente para evitar el uso de la margarina de porvida, y de cualquier otra cosa que sea hidrogenada (esto significaque se le anade hidrogeno, lo cual cambia la estructura molecular de lassubstancias).Usted puede ensayar lo siguiente:Compre un poco de margarina y dejela en el garaje o en un sitio sombreado.Dentro de unos dias notara dos cosas:

* No habra moscas; ni siquiera esos molestos bichos se le acercaran (esto yale debe decir a usted algo).

* No se pudre ni huele mal o diferente porque no tiene valor nutritivo; nadacrece en ella. Ni siquiera los diminutos microorganismos puedencrecer en ella.Por que? Porque es casi plastico!!



No a la guerra, Si a la Paz



Misterios de la ciencia...



Los costos de la guerra



medicos y capitalismo...



Capitalismo...



medicos (2)



Quien educa a nuestros hijos?



Los Medios...



Sin Palabras...



Chistes feministas

- Cual es el problema, Eva?

- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz...

- Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.

- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...

- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.

- Que es un hombre?

- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.

- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.

- Cual es el truco?.

- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.

- Cual?

- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.





Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas?  Porque todos son unos cerdos

Un dia, en el Paraiso, Eva llamo a Dios: Tengo un problema.- Cual es el problema, Eva?- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.- Que es un hombre?- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.- Cual es el truco?.- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.- Cual?- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas?  Porque todos son unos cerdos

Ellas...



Ellas (2)...



Tres venganzas femeninas VENGANZA NUMERO 1

Hoy mi hija cumple 21 anos y estoy muy contento porque es el ultimo pago de pension alimenticia que le doy, asi que llame a mi hijita para que viniera a mi casa y cuando llego le dije:

-Hijita, quiero que lleves este cheque a casa de tu mama y que le digas que: Este es el ultimo maldito cheque que va recibir de mi en todo lo que le queda de su puta vida!!! Quiero que me digas la expresion que pone en su rostro.

Asi que mi hija fue a entregar el cheque. Yo estaba ansioso por saber lo que la bruja tenia que decir y que cara pondria.

Cuando mi hijita entro, le pregunte inmediatamente: -Que fue lo que te dijo tu madre?

-Me dijo que justamente estaba esperando este dia para decirte que no eres mi papa!



VENGANZA NUMERO 2

Un hombre que siempre molestaba a su mujer, paso un dia por la casa de unos amigos para que lo acompanaran al aeropuerto a dejar a su esposa que viajaba a Paris.

A la salida de inmigracion, frente a todo el mundo, el le desea buen viaje y en tono burlon le grita:

- Amor, no te olvides de traerme una hermosa francesita Ja ja ja!!

Ella bajo la cabeza y se embarco muy molesta.

La mujer paso quince dias en Francia.

El marido otra vez pidio a sus amigos que lo acompanasen al aeropuerto a recibirla.

Al verla llegar, lo primero que le grita a toda voz es:

- Y amor me trajiste mi francesita??

- Hice todo lo posible, - contesta ella - ahora solo tenemos que rezar para que nazca nina.



VENGANZA NUMERO 3

El marido, en su lecho de muerte, llama a su mujer. Con voz ronca y ya debil, le dice: - Muy bien, llego mi hora, pero antes quiero hacerte una confesion.

- No, no, tranquilo, tu no debes hacer ningun esfuerzo.

- Pero, mujer, es preciso - insiste el marido - Es preciso morir en paz.

Te quiero confesar algo.

- Esta bien, esta bien. Habla!

- He tenido relaciones con tu hermana, tu mama y tu mejor amiga.

- Lo se, lo se Por eso te envenene, hijo de puta!!!



machismo y cibernetica



Chiste machista La NASA ha enviado al espacio una mision experimental tripulada por dos monos y una mujer.Apenas abandona la atmosfera, se establece comunicacion con Houston.

-Atencion, simio 1, verifique sistemas hidraulicos, controle adecuada presion de los propulsores de arranque. A 60.000 pies disminuya un 25% la velocidad.

El simio hace la sena de OK.

-Atencion, simio 2, nivele al cruzar la estratosfera y active sistemas anticongelantes. No olvide monitorear sistemas de comunicacion e indicadores de presion. Comprendido?.

El simio hace la sena de OK.

-Atencion, Houston llamando a mujer: no se olvide.

-Mujer: Si, si, ya se! -interrumpe enojada- que no me olvide darles de comer a estos monos de mierda y que no se me vaya a ocurrir tocar nada!.



.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti.

Un abogado mantiene un romance con su secretaria.Al poco tiempo, esta queda embarazada y el abogado, que no quiere que su esposa se entere, le da a la secretaria una buena suma de dinero y le pide que se vaya a parir a Italia.Esta pregunta: Y como voy a hacerte saber cuando nazca el bebe ? El abogado responde: Para que mi mujer no se entere, tan solo enviame una postal y escribe por detras: Spaghetti. Y no te preocupes mas, que yo me encargare de todos los gastos.

Pasan los meses y una manana la esposa del abogado lo llama al bufete, algo exaltada: Querido, acabo de recibir el correo y hay una postal muy extrana viene desde Italia. La verdad, no entiendo que significa.El abogado, tratando de ocultar sus nervios, contesta:Espera a que llegue a casa, a ver si yo entiendoCuando el hombre llega a casa y lee la postal, cae al suelo fulminado por un infarto.Llega una ambulancia y se lo lleva. Ya en el hospital, el jefe de cardiologia se queda consolando a la esposa y le pregunta cual ha sido el evento que precipito tan masivo ataque cardiaco.

Entonces la esposa saca la postal y se la muestra diciendole: No me explico, doctor; el solamente leyo esta postal. Vea usted mismo lo que trae escrito.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti."Tres con salchicha y albondigas y dos con almejas



Gol !!!!



Chistes de Borrachos Entra un borracho a su casa todo manchado con lapiz labial por todos lados hecho un desastre, y la mujer le pregunta:-Hombre que te paso?Y el borracho le responde:-No me vas a creer, me pelee con un payaso!



Este es un borracho que entra en un bar y le dice al camarero:-Me da cinco copas de whisky?Al rato:-Me da cuatro?Al rato:-Me da tres copas?Despues:-Me da dos copas?Luego le dice:-Me da una copa?Y le dice al camarero:-Ves? Cuanto menos bebo, mas borracho estoy!


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More than 400 guests filled the August Wilson Center Thursday for the Private Performance and Premiere Party kicking off Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Dance Theatre of Harlems two-week collaboration celebrating the diversity of talent and styles in American ballet.

Presented by BNY Mellon, the collaboration spans nine joint performances and 27 educational programs throughout the community and was made possible with support from BNY Mellon; Richard King Mellon Foundation; Edith L. Trees Charitable Trust; The Benter Foundation; Richard E. Rauh; Point Park University; University of Pittsburgh; Mr. Edwin H. Beachler III; Mr. & Mrs. Tom Hotopp; Ms. Mary McKinney & Mr. Mark Flaherty; Mr. & Mrs. Chris Fleischner; Mr. & Mrs. Mark Popovich; Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Todd; Ms. Lois A. Wholey and Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P.

The partnership is in collaboration with Pittsburgh Dance Council and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. The evening started with a pre-show cocktail hour, featuring vignettes by PearlArts Studios and PBT School dancers, before guests moved into the theater for the first performance of the series. Following the show, the festivities continued with themed food stations, live music and red carpet interviews with the artists. The evenings proceeds benefited Pittsburgh Ballet Theatres Community Youth Scholarship Program.
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LAKE GEORGE  A felony charge that was filed against a registered sex offender who was found to be working at a childrens amusement park last summer has been dropped because of a loophole in state law, officials said.

Francis S. Germaine was charged with failure to register as a sex offender last August after Warren County sheriffs officers received a tip that he was working at Magic Forest in Lake George, but his state sex offender registry profile did not list employment there.

He was not accused of any improper contact with park visitors.

Germaine, 65, of Thurman, is a Level 3 sex offender, and the parks owner, Jack Gillette, said no background check was done because he was a friend of another park employee who vouched for him.

Germaine worked mainly in the maintenance department, but also served as a ride attendant as needed.

Warren County District Attorney Kate Hogan said authorities believed the law required that Germaine disclose his employment when registering his address. But when prosecutors were researching it, they found that while employment is listed on the public registry, offenders arent legally obligated to provide it.

Its a legal loophole and it needs to be fixed, she said.

She said she planned to talk to legislators about changing state Corrections Law to require employment be listed.

State Sen. Elizabeth Little, R-Queensbury, said the Senate has passed bills each of the last three years that would require employment reporting by sex offenders, but the state Assembly has not reciprocated. Legislation that would prohibit sex offenders from working with children also passed the Senate earlier this year, she said.

Germaines lawyer, Warren County Public Defender Marcy Flores, said she could not discuss a sealed case without her clients approval, which she had not gotten Friday. But she acknowledged she advocated for a dismissal.

He should not have been arrested, she said.

Germaine is required to register as a sex offender because of a 1998 conviction for attempted first-degree rape. In that case, he was accused of forcing a 20-year-old woman, who was a friend of his girlfriend, to have sex in Greenwich. She fought him off and suffered minor injuries.

He served 15 years in state prison in that case, according to state corrections records.

He also was arrested in 1995 on statutory rape charges for having sex with two underage girls while living in Warrensburg, though the disposition of those charges was not available as of Tuesday. Police said at the time of the 1998 arrest that he had a record of sex offenses dating back to 1978.
FORT EDWARD  A Washington County man is starting a committee to fight the proposed Brand New Beginnings homes for troubled youth.

This committee has the power and authority to deny or revoke the operating license of any organization that is a direct threat to the citizens it represents, Brian Underwood told the Washington County Board of Supervisors on Friday.

The Brand organization wants to house 24 teenagers in two homes, in Jackson and Salem. They would attend the Salem and Cambridge school districts. The teens would have committed sexual offenses, started fires or have addictions.

To fight the proposal, Underwood plans to hold a public hearing on the issue before May, and asked the county to arrange the venue and announce the time and place.

Supervisors were generally receptive to his complaints about the group homes, but officials werent able to find any way in which a committee could revoke a state license. Underwood declined to explain his reasoning.

He acknowledged that it wouldnt be easy to revoke the license.

I assume this is going to be challenged, he said.

But he will even go so far as to file a lawsuit  which he called federal charges  against Brand New Beginnings and the state of New York for clearly violating our communitys constitutional right to public safety, he said.

While he wants to stop Brand New Beginnings, he said he wants the committee to be made up only of people who are not directly impacted by the proposal. That means no supervisors or other leaders from Jackson, Salem and Hebron.

I want this to be clean, he said.

Although no one could find a way in which his committee could actually revoke a state license, District Attorney Tony Jordan said he could use the committee to send letters to the state. The letters could urge the state Office of Children and Family Services to not issue a license for the Brand New Beginnings homes.

Your conduit there will be your state representative, Jordan said.

He also tried to advise Underwood to be careful in how he talks about the group home. Underwood said that youth who run away from the home would be AWOL criminals.

They are youth, Jordan said. Dont allow word choices to detract from your important message.

No, they are criminals, Underwood answered.

Jordan said they would not all be criminals. Some would be younger than 16, and others would have been adjudicated through Family Court, rather than being charged with a misdemeanor or felony in criminal court, he said.

Hebron Supervisor Brian Campbell praised Underwoods plan, but also cautioned against words like criminal.

I commend him, Campbell said before telling Underwood directly, Salem (school district) survives by those Vermont kids coming in. You dont want to make it sound so bad they pull out. Then you kill the whole school district.

The proposal will probably never get a state license, Campbell added, noting the many holes in the required state application.

Theyll probably never come, he said.

The organization is still searching for an experienced program director who could handle 24 hard to place teenagers, including those with sexual offenses, fire-starting tendencies or addictions. Without a director, the homes cant open.

Also needed is a statement of need in our area, said DSS Commissioner Tammy DeLorme.

The statement might be difficult, since the region rarely needs to place teenaged sexual offenders or fire-starters.

The statement has not been submitted yet by the Brand New Beginnings organization, she said.
FORT EDWARD  A Greenwich man who was put on probation last year for possessing child pornography has been sentenced to prison for violating probation when he was re-arrested.

Aaron N. Minor, 23, was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison by Washington County Judge Kelly McKeighan.

He had pleaded guilty last year to a felony charge of possession of child pornography, and was sentenced to 6 months in Washington County Jail and 10 years on probation. He was arrested in January on a felony charge that accused him of failing to register his address when moving.

The status of that charge was unclear this week.
SOUTH GLENS FALLS  Flames engulfed both ends of a historic two-family home at 26 Fairview St. on Saturday. And as firefighters fought the roaring blaze, three family cats did not survive the fire, according to the South Glens Falls Fire Chief, Keith Dickinson.

When we arrived on scene the back was fully involved, Dickinson said at the scene. We are trying to knock it (the fire) down so the investigator can get in.

The first call came in at 12:33 p.m. and within a short time, word of the village fire spread on social media and from neighbor to neighbor, with concerned crowds growing around the scene.

After more than two hours of pumping water into the structure, with crews on the ground, in a tower truck and from an aerial ladder on the other side of the home, flames continued to break through the structure.

By mid-afternoon, as a firefighter on an aerial ladder lifted up a segment of roof, flames shot out and several other firefighters pulled a fire hose to the top.

According to neighbors and bystanders on scene, a man and woman lived in one apartment at the home built in 1880 and the other apartment was vacant.

One bystander said that the home is owned by Harry and Betty Goldstein, but he said they were in Florida on Saturday. They were unable to be reached.

Public records report the home is 1,700 square feet and has four bedrooms.

The fire was out at about 5 p.m., said Dickinson.

The cause was electrical in the back, he said, adding that the home is a total loss.

The South Glens Falls Fire Auxiliary was on scene with boxes of pizza, water, hot drinks and other snacks to support firefighters.

We come right after we hear there is a working structure fire, said Melissa Rivers, whose husband is a firefighter with South Glens Falls Fire Company. We want to make sure they are hydrated.

And auxiliary member Kelly Cook added that she does it to support the community.

We follow the company and they appear very grateful, she said at the scene.

Dickinson said South Glens Falls, Queensbury Central, West Glens Falls, Fort Edward, Gansevoort and Hudson Falls assisted on scene and Wilton was on stand-by.

Moreau EMS and National Grid were on scene.
Fareed Zakaria ripped into President Donald Trump Friday, accusing him of "bullsh*tting" his way to the presidency.

The charge followed Zakaria's infamous attack during the presidential election, when he called then candidate Trump a "bullsh** artist."

"I got into trouble during the campaign saying something about the President which I still think is true," Zakaria told Don Lemon on "CNN Tonight." "I think the President is somewhat indifferent to things that are true or false."

Asked about whether he thought Trump actually believed he was wiretapped, Zakaria contended that Trump's success is based on a lifetime of falsehoods.

"He has spent his whole life bulls***ing," Zakaria said. "He has succeeded by bullsh*tting. He has gotten the presidency by bulls***ing. It's very hard to tell somebody at that point that bulls**t doesn't work. Because look at the results. He sees something, he doesn't particularly care if it's true or not, he just put it out there."

Zakaria highlighted Trump's brushing off a question about the White House citing a Fox News report, that claimed British intelligence tapped his phones at President Obama's request.

"All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind, who was the one responsible for saying that on television," Trump said at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "I didn't make an opinion on it. That was a statement made by a very talented lawyer on Fox."

"When pushed on it he doesn't take responsibility," Zakaria said. "I wasn't saying that I was just quoting somebody else. When you have the White House press secretary quote somebody to prove a point. You are endorsing that view."
PASCAGOULA, Miss. - Hundreds of people turned out for Saturday's annual Jackson County Heart Walk at Beach Park to raise money for the American Heart Association.

The organization's goal is to raise awareness about issues concerning heart disease and strokes. Both are the #1 and #4 killers in the U.S., per the AHA.

Singing River Health System made a grand entrance to Beach Park as their Flight Team located in Ocean Springs landed their helicopter just outside of the park for all to see.

Children with their camera phones recorded the landing in awe and flocked to the helicopter to either take pictures with the team while learning about the team's role with the hospital.

Lee Bond, Chief Operating Officer with SRHS said it was important the hospital attended the walk because of the walk's importance to overall healthcare.

"Cardiac care is very important to Singing River Health System," he said. "In fact, we are a blue distinction Blue Cross Center of Excellence which shows that we are committed to cardiac care and what better way to further show that in partnering with the American Heart Association and Flight Care with the helicopter service we brought to Jackson County."

Before the walk began, Wyatt Conner, a heart disease survivor prayed over the event. Survivors of heart disease were identified by red shirts and red hats while stroke survivors wore white hats and white shirts.

When recognized by media sponsors from iHeart Radio, K99, and Magic 93.7, everyone in attendance let out a thunderous round of applause for survivors.

Per Christin LeBoeuf, American Heart Association Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Vice-President, the Heart Walk is special and it continues to grow bigger each year.

"The Heart Walk is a culmination of our activities throughout the year working with companies to engage their employees in being healthier and living healthier lifestyles," she said. "The idea behind the walk is that you make small changes that in turn becomes a major lifestyle change overtime. We are very pleased with the outcome."
Shows

Lucia di Lammermoor

Date: April 9-12 - 7:30 pm

Venue: Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center

Price: 100-1632 yuan

At Lammermoor, Scotland in the late 17th century, the clans of Lord Enrico Ashton and Sir Edgardo di Ravenswood have long been in feud. Ashton killed Edgardo's father and seized his lands and properties. Then one day, Enrico's younger sister Lucia gets assaulted by a wild ox nearby her mother's graveyard. By chance, Edgardo passes by and comes to her rescue. They fall into love with each other ever since. As soon as he knows the fact, Enrico feels furious and even desires to take revenge no matter how hard priest Raymundo tries to absolve Lucia. Out of political ambition, Enrico asks his sister to abandon Edgardo and marry his colleague Lord Arturo Bucklaw, which Lucia rejects flatly. Soon later Edgardo would visit France, so he comes to bid Lucia adieu. On that occasion, they both swear to love each other all lifelong and exchange their rings as a show of eternal love. Later Edgardo writes many letters to Lucia, all of which are intercepted by Enrico's aide Normanno. Enrico and Normanno even fake letters to tell Lucia that Edgardo has got a new girlfriend. Upon receiving those letters, Lucia gets overcome with grief. With Raymundo's persuasion, Lucia falls into the trick and agrees to marry Arturo who can help pull her brother out of a predicament. As soon as Lucia signs her name at the wedding, Edgardo returns and appears all of a sudden. He damns her for betraying him and gets his ring back.

Contact: 400-610-3721
Folks, youve got to get a load of this guy Mick Mulvaney. Just looking at his name conjures images of a character from a gangster novel set during Prohibition, but hes actually the Trump White Houses director of the Office of Management and Budget. That means hes the hatchet manthe guy responsible for making sure everything Trump wants to cut gets cut. And it means hes a real human, too. Allegedly.

Case in point: Mulvaney has been producing amazing sound bites lately to explain the contents of Trumps proposed federal budget. Heres one of them right here: its Mulvaney talking about programs like the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program , which, among other things, provides meals to kids in before- and after-school programs designed to improve their academic performance. In case you cant see the video I typed up a transcript:

They're supposed to be educational programs, right? And that's what they're supposed to do. They're supposed to help kids who don't get fed at home get fed so they do better in school. Guess what? There's no demonstrable evidence they're actually doing that. There's no demonstrable evidence they're actually helping results, helping kids do better in school.

Ahh...where to begin? As Mulvaney correctly notes, one objective of the program is to provide food to kids who dont get fed at home so they can do better in school. Zeroing out that program, then, would mean denying some kids who take advantage of itkids who, by Mulvaneys own admission, already dont get fed at homean opportunity to spend additional time at school and get a meal to boot. But those ungrateful kids arent holding up their end of the bargain. Theyre getting their free food, but they are not delivering the results we expect. The obvious solution is to stop giving them the food. Let them eat cake? No. Let them eat nothing.

Thats just ridiculous to the point of absurdity. Maybe Mulvaney didnt check the optics of getting on TV and earnestly defending cuts to a program that shouldnt have to provide evidence of high test scores to be defensibledid the kids get a meal they wouldnt have gotten otherwise? did they also receive some tutoring? looks like the program is working!but, then again, this is the guy who also said Meals on Wheels is not showing results when, in fact, meals are being delivered on wheels and showing all kinds of positive results . He doesnt seem to be too concerned about optics.

But the larger point Mulvaney is making is one that offends almost as much. What Mulvaney is trying to say, in his own awful way, is that our schools are failinghave you heard the news?!?and we just cant afford to pay for anything anymore that doesnt reverse that trend. Were that broke. Hes parroting a line weve all heard too many times: accountability, poor results, wasteful spending. Its all of a piece. Hating on public schools is a pastime in America these days, and it seems that the further you get from them the easier it is to do.

It hasnt always been that way, but thats not the point anymore. The point is that weve been told a tale about our public schools that reflects part of the reality of public education but leaves out too many important parts of the story. The story is that we dont achieve enough, despite spending too much. Public education, were told, is a bad investment. We give too much and get too little in return. But how true is it?

PISA Scores Dont Tell The Whole Story

Its no stretch to say: not at all. No, our kids do not lead the world in achievement on the one widely-given international test that is used to judge the education systems of the worlds most developed countries. You know who kills it on those tests? Macau. Singapore. Canada. Ireland. Finland. Hong Kong. Taiwan. Notice a trend? Of the countries finishing in the top 5 on the PISA tests that were administered in 2015, the one with the largest population was Japan, which has about 127 million inhabitants. The next largest was Canada, which checks in at around 30 million. Population numbers go down from there. Only about a half a million people live in Macau, which means its smaller than Vermont. The United States, at last check, had approximately 319 million people in it. And every one of them is or has been welcome to attend a public school. Because thats how we do it.

Is size all that matters in these rankings? Of course not. There are smaller countries at the bottom of the list too. Thats because theres another factor that makes a difference in PISA test scores: its wealth . Students from smaller, wealthier countries, unsurprisingly, do well on this test. Those from smaller, poorer countries do not do so well. It might be more accurate to say that less equal societies do more poorly, especially if they are larger. China, of course, is the largest on the list. Chinese students do really well in math and science, as youve probably heard. Did you know China lags behind the U.S. in reading? Did you also know that students in Massachusetts, one of the wealthiest U.S. states, earned science scores in 2015 that would have placed them 6th in the world on these rankings?

So were big and relatively rich, but we spread our wealth unevenlywhich explains the middling scores our students bring back on this one test. Thats because theres another factor at play: inequality. Weve chosen a path to school reform that exacerbates our weaknesses while doing nothing to highlight or build on our strengths. We recognized our relatively low scores and then opted for a high-stakes accountability solution that only makes them worse by punishing the under-resourced schools with the students in them who do most poorly on the tests. It might have worked in a more equal society, but it hasnt worked in ours.

This Isnt About Education at All; Its About Politics

This still doesnt tell the whole story though. Our math scores need work, but our reading and science scores are in the top third of the rankings. Given the incredible size of our public system, and our deep and abiding love for local control, scoring in the top third should be recognized as a tremendous accomplishment. Why are the apocalypse alarms sounded every time these test scores come out?

I think I know why: its because this isnt about education at all. Its about politics, and it always has been. Its about using education as a cudgel to beat us into believing that our society has failed. Were supposed to believe that starry-eyed efforts to build a Great Society between the 1930s and 1980 were ignorant and foolish and (get ready to clutch those pearls) unconstitutional. There is nothing in the Constitution, they say, that gives the federal government the right to feed poor kids. You think Jefferson and Madison and Washington sat around worrying about how to feed poor kids in school? If they did, they would have put it in the Constitution.

That kind of ahistorical nonsense sounds ridiculous, but its what a lot of people believe. One of these true believers gave me a lecture on Twitter last week, 140 characters at a time, about how it all went wrong as soon as we decided that everybody should have access to education and health care. Because thats unconstitutional, this person said. Thats what they say whenever someone suggests a policy they dont like.

We Need a Soft Power Budget, Not a Hard Power Budget

Which brings us back to that gangster Mick Mulvaneythe reverse Robin Hood, the guy charged with robbing the old and poor so he can give it back to the rich . The thing is, if you want to solve the achievement problem youre not going to do it by starving poor kids. Crazy as it might sound, youll get closer to solving that problem by providing a nutritious lunch to every kid, rich or poor. If we made our schools more equal, our achievement scores would rise. Im willing to guarantee it. No, I dont have demonstrable evidence to prove it, but thats because weve havent tried it yet. Im listing the Finns as a reference , though, if you want to check in with them.

But the cherry on top here is that Mulvaney thinks hes actually being compassionate by trying to zero out programs like 21st Century Community Learning Centers. I cant go to the autoworker in Ohio and say please give me some of your money so that I can do this program over here someplace else that really isnt helping anybody, he also said . Can we really continue to ask a coal miner in West Virginia or a single mom in Detroit to pay for these programs? he wonders . No, of course not. It just wouldnt be fair. What kind of world would we be living in if an employed adult autoworker had to pay pennies a day in taxes to buy lunch for kids at the local elementary school so they could focus on their school work?

I know this much: thats the world I want to live in. Not this one, where school lunches and Meals on Wheels are dismissed as useless luxuries that keep the takers going while the givers suffer. Thats not my kind of compassion. Im betting its not yours, either. I mean, weve all heard the argument before: when Americans sit around the dinner table trying to figure out how to cut costs, hard choices have to be made. But have you ever known anyone who said: Well, its going to be a tough month. Weve got some money, but we really ought to use it to buy a new gun. We can just skip eating this month. And dont go to school, either. All they do there is brainwash you, and now theyre not even serving lunch!

Thats the world theyre creating for us . Hard power might sound cool to insecure millionaires but for the rest of us trying to get by, soft power will do just fine. It seems to be working pretty well in Finland, Macau, Hong Kong, and Japan. Maybe we should give it a shot.
Neil M. Gorsuch goes before the Senate Judiciary Committee beginning Monday as President Donald Trumps nominee to succeed the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. If recent experience is any guide, the nation will learn much greater detail about the nominees educational background and his views on at least some issues of interest to educators. Here are some things for educators to keep in mind as the hearing unfolds:

1. Gorsuch is a pretty much a private school kind of guy.

Gorsuch grew up in Colorado and attended a Roman Catholic elementary school before his family moved to the Washington area in 1981 when his mother, Ann Gorsuch Burford, became administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under President Ronald Regan. Gorsuch enrolled in the Georgetown Preparatory School, a Jesuit-run boys school just outside the capital, where he was student body president in his senior year, and his yearbook entry contained a reference to his formation of a Fascism Forever Club"reported to be a joking response to his being teased by some classmates as a conservative fascist.

Besides attending private institutions for his undergraduate studies (Columbia University) and law school (Harvard), Gorsuch was a trustee from 2011 to 2013 of the private Boulder Country Day School in Boulder, Colo. As a board member, I participated in meetings where the board dealt with various issues facing the school, including academics, finances, and student activities, Gorsuch wrote in his Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire .

In the 2011-12 school year, Gorsuch and his wife, Louise, were recognized in the schools annual report for donating at least $1,000. And it appears that the couples two daughtersEmma and Belinda, who are now in their mid- to late teenshave attended that school and/or another independent school in the Boulder area, the Dawson School.

2. Gorsuch once criticized liberals for using the courts to achieve their goals on education.

In 2005, while working as a lawyer before he joined the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, Gorsuch wrote an essay for National Review Online that criticized liberals for using constitutional lawsuits to achieve policy goals, including in education.

Theres no doubt that constitutional lawsuits have secured critical civil-rights victories, with the desegregation cases culminating in Brown v. Board of Education [of Topeka, Kan.] topping the list, Gorsuch wrote. But rather than use the judiciary for extraordinary cases, ... American liberals have become addicted to the courtroom, relying on judges and lawyers rather than elected leaders and the ballot box, as the primary means of effecting their social agenda on everything from gay marriage to assisted suicide to the use of vouchers for private-school education.

The reference to vouchers presumably means liberal-led challenges to government voucher programs, such as the suit brought against Ohios private school voucher program for Cleveland, which was led by the teachers unions but resulted in the Supreme Courts 2002 decision in Zelman v. Simmons-Harris that the inclusion of private religious schools among the choices for parents using vouchers was not an unconstitutional government establishment of religion.

(Gorsuch did not acknowledge, in that brief reference, that some conservative groups had years earlier brought constitutional lawsuits that unsuccessfully sought to force the government to provide vouchers.)

3. Gorsuch has been involved in quite a few education-related cases as an appeals court judge.

As a judge on the 10th Circuit since 2006, Gorsuch has written or joined opinions in cases involving school discipline, education finance, special education, employment discrimination, and religion in the public square, among other topics of interest to educators. I wrote about many of the nominees key rulings here .

Meanwhile, in the journal Education Next, Clint Bolick has a nice piece examining Gorsuchs judicial record on education as well. Bolick, a right-leaning liberterian who is now a member of the Arizona Supreme Court, was a litigator who represented intervening private school parents seeking vouchers in the Zelman case cited above.

I found Gorsuchs work to be sensible, law-bound, and quite readable, whether he is addressing high-toned issues such as the First Amendments free exercise clause or more mundane subjects as student burping, Bolick wrote. [The student burping case is here .]

My review revealed five key aspects of Gorsuchs work, Bolick added. He is a textualist, does not automatically defer to government authority, takes a broad view of standing, is a clear writer, and is unfailingly gracious with his colleagues.

It is no small task to replace Justice Scalia, who was a giant of American jurisprudence, Bolick wrote. But Neil Gorsuchs judicial record is impressive. His combination of experience, intellect, and temperament provide the prospect of replacing one jurisprudential giant with another.

4. Progressive groups have focused some of their criticism of Gorsuch on his rulings in the areas of special education and disability discrimination.

Several left-leaning organizations have criticized Gorsuch for some of his special education rulings, arguing that he has been unsympathetic to students and teachers with disabilities.

The Alliance for Justice concluded that Gorsuch has read the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) extremely narrowly. The National Education Association said Gorsuch has an overwhelming body of cases demonstrating his hostility towards this already vulnerable population of students with disabilities.

In a report issued Thursday, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund concluded that Gorsuchs limited but revealing record on education forebodes concerning outcomes for students with disabilities, students facing abuse of authority, and students pressing other civil rights violations if he were to become the new associate justice.

5. The Senate Judiciary Committee will likely ask Gorsuch at least a few questions about education issues.

The nominee is expected to appear before the committee for at least three days beginning March 20. The first of those days will be taken up almost entirely by the committee members (11 Republican, nine Democratic) delivering their own opening statements. But the committee will eventually get around to questioning Gorsuch. Recent experience suggests the topics will veer all over the map, but will include some questions about education.

In 2010, Elena Kagan was asked about Brown v. Board of Education , military recruiting on college campuses during the dont ask, dont tell era for gay service members, and the Supreme Courts tests for evaluating government policies on religion .

In 2009, Sonia Sotomayor was asked about racial diversity and affirmative action in education, strip searches of students , congressional efforts to create gun-free school zones , and Brown v. Board of Education .

I will go out on a limb and predict that Brown, the landmark 1954 decision ushering in racial desegregation in the nations public schools, will get some discussion during Neil Gorsuchs confirmation hearing.

Photo: Judge Neil Gorsuch speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, after President Donald Trump announced Gorsuch as his nominee for the Supreme Court. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli aircraft carried out several strikes on Syria overnight, prompting the launch of ground-to-air missiles in response, one of which was intercepted, the army said on Friday.





It was the most serious incident between the two countries, which remain technically at war, since civil war broke out in Syria in March 2011.

"Overnight... aircraft targeted several targets in Syria," an Israeli army statement said.





"Several anti-aircraft missiles were launched from Syria following the mission and (army) aerial defence systems intercepted one of the missiles."

None of the missiles hit their targets, the army added.

Both Israeli and foreign media have reported Israeli air strikes inside Syria targeting arms convoys of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which fought a devastating 2006 war with Israel and is now fighting alongside the Damascus regime.

But normally Israel makes no official comment.

The missile fire prompted air raid sirens to go off in the Jordan Valley during the night, the Israeli army said.

The missile was intercepted north of Jerusalem by Israel's Arrow air defence system, Israeli media reported.





















Russia summoned the Israeli Ambassador to Moscow Gary Koren to provide clarifications Friday, less than 24 hours after Israel struck targets in Syria, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement explaining the reasoning behind the operation.

Moscow is heavily involved in Syria and strongly supports the regime of President Bashar Assad. Assads forces fired missiles at the Israeli jets overnight after the latter struck what Jerusalem said was a weapons convoy destined for the Lebanese Hezbollah terror group.

Netanyahu said Israel would continue to target weapon convoys.

Our policy is very consistent, he stated in a Hebrew language video released to the press. When we identify attempts to transfer advanced weapons to Hezbollah  when we have the intel and the operational capability  we act to prevent it. Thats how weve acted and how we will continue to actand everyone needs to take this into account. Everyone.

Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Moscow on March 9, where they discussed the situation in Syria.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry earlier sent two letters to the UN secretary-general and to the director of the UN Security Council calling the strikes a violation of international law, of UN resolutions and of Syrian sovereignty.

Syria called on the UN to condemn the blatant Israeli aggression that is considered a violation of international law.

The Israeli military said its aircraft struck several targets in Syria and were back in Israeli-controlled airspace when several anti-aircraft missiles were launched from Syria toward the jets. One incoming missile was shot down by an Arrow defense battery, while two more landed in Israel, causing neither injury nor damage.

Assads army said the Israeli strikes were conducted to support [Islamic State] terrorist gangs and in a desperate attempt to raise their deteriorating morale and divert attention away from the victories which Syrian Arab Army is making in the face of the terrorist organizations, the statement read.

The firing of missiles from Syria toward Israeli aircraft is extremely rare, though Israeli military officials reported a shoulder-fired missile a few months ago.

Jordan, which borders both Israel and Syria, said parts of the missiles fell in its rural northern areas, including the Irbid district. The Jordanian military said the debris came from the Israeli interception of missiles fired from Syria. Radwan Otoum, the Irbid governor, told the state news agency Petra that the missile parts caused only minor damage.

Israel is widely believed to have carried out airstrikes on advanced weapons systems in Syria  including Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles and Iranian-made missiles  as well as Hezbollah positions, but it rarely confirms such operations.




















































2:43 AM The Rocket Alert siren went off in a number of locations in the Jordan Valley region at 2:43 AM on Friday. Israeli social media is going crazy with people in Modiin, Jerusalem, and eastern Israel in general saying they heard a loud explosion.

It is unclear yet what they heard explode. The IDF says they are checking. There is a theory that it was a Patriot missile that was launched to intercept some missiles. 3:15 AM Update: The IDF says they are unaware yet of anything landing inside Israel.

3:21 AM Update: Theres a lot of speculation at this point whether multiple missiles were launched at Israel, and if any landed. 3:52 AM Update: It is now believed that 3 rockets were launched at Israel from Syria at 2:43 AM. The unconfirmed reports say that two rockets landed in Israel. One rocket landed in Jordan. As a result of the rocket intercept, there are fires reported in Almog, Kibbutz Harel, Argeman, Mitzpe Yericho, Vered Yericho. The IDF is expected to make an official announcement in the morning.

























Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday the Israeli strikes on several targets in Syria earlier that day targeted weapons bound for Lebanons Hezbollah, and that the Jewish State would do the same again if necessary.





The Israeli airstrike prompted retaliatory missile launches, in the most serious incident between Syria and the Jewish state since the Syrian civil war began six years ago.





Syrias military said it had downed an Israeli plane and hit another as they were carrying out pre-dawn strikes near the famed desert city of Palmyra that it recaptured from jihadists this month.





The Israeli military denied that any planes had been hit. The Syrian government has made similar unfounded claims in the past. The safety of Israeli civilians or the Israeli air force aircraft was at no point compromised, Israeli army spokesman Peter Lerner told AFP.

Netanyahu said in footage aired on Israels major television networks: When we identify attempts to transfer advanced weapons to Hezbollah and we have intelligence and it is operationally feasible, we act to prevent it. Thats how it was yesterday and thats how we shall continue to act, he added. We are fully determined and the evidence of that it that we are acting. Everybody must take that into account  everybody. The Israeli air force said earlier that it had carried out several strikes on Syria overnight, but that none of the ground-to-air missiles fired by Syrian forces in response had hit Israeli aircraft.





























In addition to his customary invective against European governments for refusing to allow his ministers to rally Turkish expatriates behind him, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that the EUs new ban on headscarves in the workplace would launch a struggle between the cross and the crescent.









Where is the liberty of religion? They have commenced a struggle between the cross and crescent. There is no other explanation than this. I am saying this clearly: Europe is heading toward the days just before World War II, said Erdogan, as rendered by Hurriyet Daily News. Euractiv transcribes Erdogans quote as, The European Unions court, the European Court of Justice, my esteemed brothers, have started a crusade struggle against the crescent, which would be even more incendiary. Jihad and Islamist groups perpetually accuse Western powers of conducting another crusade against Muslims. Shame on the EU. Down with your European principles, values, and justice, Erdogan told his supporters.

In a tirade on Wednesday , Erdogan said the spirit of fascism is roaming the streets of Europe, comparing the treatment of Muslims to how the Nazis treated Jews.





The fear of the Turks is beginning to appear. The fear of Islam is beginning to appear. They are even afraid of the migrants looking for asylum. They fear everything which originates elsewhere; they are hostile to everything that is not from there, he thundered.

Also speaking on Thursday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu predicted that holy wars would soon begin in Europe.

































US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the United States will not continue participating in the Human Rights Council unless the UN rights agency undergoes considerable reform. Washington has long complained about the bodys actions in general and the fact that the Geneva-based Human Rights Council unduly focuses on Israel and includes member countries with poor rights records. The Trump administration has questioned the Councils usefulness. State Department staffers have been instructed to seek cuts in excess of 50 percent in US funding for UN programs, including peacekeeping operations. The United States provides about $2.5 billion per year to fund peacekeepers. The budget proposal reinforces the Trump administrations shift from diplomacy and foreign assistance to increased support of the military.





















If theres one thing that we can trust governments everywhere to do, its to obscure and obfuscate the truth to make themselves look good. Massive global debt-fueled bubble? No problem! Dangerous radiation levels still present from the Fukushima incident? Fake news! Our government has been proven time and time again to be guilty of covering up the truth, and the Japanese government is no different.





In the following video, Right Wing News looks at something that the Japanese government and the American government are desperately trying to downplay  the full severity of the Fukushima incident. Until today, the location of the nuclear cores is still unknown and the Pacific ocean continues to be contaminated by radiation. One nuclear engineer estimates that the effects of this disaster could last for 250,000 years. And what are the world governments doing about it? Nothing of course, but then again since when were they overly worried about the plight of the common citizen.





An eminent nuclear engineer claims that the triple meltdown at Fukushima is the worlds worst ever cataclysm, and is likely to continue affecting wildlife and humans for the next 250,000 years. scientists were not prepared for the explosive radioactive contamination the Fukushima disaster unleashed on the world. According to former nuclear engineer, Anrie Gunderson

Over and over, people ask me about what happened inside the plants and what is still happening inside with robots fried by radiation, corium that cant be found, and massive amounts of radioactivity migrating to sensitive estuaries, aquifers, contaminating all the ground water, and polluting the Pacific Ocean No one has discovered where the nuclear cores have disappeared to. The $400,000,000 ice wall continues to leak Moreover, the cover-up continues, with the health effects from radiation being camouflaged as stress related illnesses





Yes, so the bottom of the reactor under the reactor there is a grating and then under the grating theres the concrete floor, and what this robot discovered the grating was deformed and broken. So, now it appears that some of the molten fuel may have gone through the grating [H]igh radiation turns into heat, so the whole environment around the molten fuel is thermally very hot, and so whether it is going through the concrete, whether it is under the concrete, I dont know that we have a good grip on that issue Fukushima is possibly the longest running, continuous industrial disaster in history.

Life is already disappearing on the seas, our bodies will also be polluted with radiation, that will cause us countless cancers and diseases. Life on Earth is being threatened, and surely, many of us, will have early deaths as a consequence of this radiation. Wake up!









It was the worst environmental disaster in all of human history, and even though six years have passed since that time, nobody knows where the three melted cores are. Just recently, authorities believe that they spotted some melted fuel underneath reactor 2, but even from a distance the level of nuclear radiation that was detected was being described as unimaginable. Six years ago, an absolutely devastating tsunami caused a triple meltdown at Japans Fukushima nuclear power facility.Just recently, authorities believe that theybut Essentially what we are talking about are three enormous dirty bombs that are continuously emitting tremendous amounts of nuclear radiation into the air, water and soil. Some of the radioactive elements that are being released have half-lives that are measured in tens of thousands of years, and so the poisonous effect of these dirty bombs could potentially be with us for generation after generation. Personally, I dont know why the big mainstream news outlets in the U.S. are almost entirely ignoring Fukushima these days. Fox News did a story on the unimaginable radiation at Fukushima just a few days ago, but that was about it. To me, it is certainly newsworthy that nuclear radiation inside reactor 2 at Fukushima is at the highest level ever recorded

Radiation levels inside a damaged reactor at Japans Fukushima nuclear plant have hit a record high, and are the worst since the plant suffered a triple meltdown nearly six years ago. The latest readings now pose a serious challenge as officials prepare to dismantle the stricken facility. Radiation levels inside the containment vessel of reactor No. 2 at Fukushima has reached 530 sieverts per hour a figure described by experts as unimaginable.

















was 73 sieverts per hour, and just a small fraction of that amount Previously, the highest level of radiation measured at Fukushimaand just a small fraction of that amount would be fatal to most humans Needless to say, this plant is not fit for human life. Just one dose of a single sievert is enough to cause radiation sickness and nausea. Exposure to four to five sieverts would kill about half of those exposed to it within a month, while a single dose of 10 sieverts is enough to kill a person within weeks. At 530 sieverts per hour, the radiation is so intense that even robots can only last for a couple of hours in that environment. The Japanese hope to eventually remove the melted fuel from these reactors someday, but first they have to figure out if it is even possible.





The 530 sievert reading was recorded some distance from the melted fuel, so in reality it could be 10 times higher than recorded, said Hideyuki Ban, co-director of Citizens Nuclear Information Center. Experts are also warning that the levels of radiation may be much higher than 530 sieverts per hour in reactors 1 and 3. Nobody knows, because the melted fuel in those reactors has not even been located yet.





































Do you remember Eyjafjallajokull  the obscure, unpronounceable Icelandic volcano that woke up in 2010 after nearly two centuries of slumber, grounding a large portion of the world's planes? Well imagine living under its bigger, more dangerous cousin. The large volcano, called Katla, is long overdue for a violent explosion and recently started rumbling.

At the base of Katla is a tiny town called Vik, and its residents have been living in the shadow of the expected eruption.





Katla is covered by Iceland's fourth largest glacier, and in places the ice is hundreds of metres thick. It's one of the country's most feared volcanoes. When it last erupted in 1918, it extended Iceland's south coast by up to five kilometres and the melting glacier unleashed a torrent of water, mud and icebergs  claimed to be similar in volume to the Amazon.
























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President Donald Trump has let the ax fall on AmeriCorps in his first budget proposala cut that could cripple Teach for America, along with smaller teacher training programs.

Trumps budget, which still has to be approved by Congress, would scrap the Corporation for National and Community Service, which funds programs run by AmeriCorps. This cut had previously been reported by the New York Times last month, and I wrote then about what that would mean for Teach for America , which relies heavily on AmeriCorps funding for its members.

The vast majority of TFA members are AmeriCorps members, and because of that, they can defer their federal student loans during their two years of service, and they dont have to pay interest on the loans during that time period. AmeriCorps members also receive an annual $5,800 award that they can use to pay off student loans, earn a masters degree, or offset the cost of certification.

In a statement, TFA expressed deep concern about Trumps budget proposal, which also includes a $9 billion, or 13 percent, cut to the Education Department.

The initial proposed cuts to the Department of Education and total elimination of AmeriCorps would seriously impact Teach for Americas mission of building a diverse network of leaders committed to educational equity, the statement read. AmeriCorps Education Awards reduce the financial barriers to service, enabling Teach for America to provide a route to service in our nations urban and rural communities for a more diverse group of leaders.

As I reported before, 40 percent of the TFA corps is low-income, and 84 percent applied for financial aid in order to be able to teach. The average student loan burden of a TFA corps member is over $27,000so TFA leaders are concerned that without AmeriCorps loan relief, some of its members will not be able to afford to work in a low-income school.

TFA plans to lobby Congress to protect AmeriCorps in the final budget. The organization also launched an email-writing campaign for its supporters to contact their members of Congress and ask for the national service programs to remain intact.

Must save @TeachForAmerica -who will teach americas rural and inner city youth - school systems cant afford the teachers that are needed. //t.co/trCF1fXKtO -- Hooter Pettus (@hooter_pettus) March 16, 2017

The CEO of TFA, Elisa Villanueva Beard, tweeted:

AmeriCorps is a big part of helping Teach For America recruit the broad and diverse corps we field each year. //t.co/rofY7ZCisF -- ElisaVillanuevaBeard (@VillanuevaBeard) March 17, 2017

Suzanne Harris, a sophomore at Towson University, will graduate and be certified to teach in the state of Marylandbut she hopes to join Teach for America to work with students in areas of greater need. She said in an email that she would rely on the AmeriCorps award to assist with the financial burden of moving to a new state and then paying to become certified to teach in that state.

I grew up attending urban schools and know the struggles students face when theres a lack of resources or qualified teachers at school, Harris wrote. Too many children in the U.S. grow up in poverty, and I want to help them. A proper education by a certified teacher is crucial to provide students with the keys to improve their lives. Im not naive, and I know I cant change the world, but funding AmeriCorps is a step in the right direction.

Alyson Klein and Andrew Ujifusa have covered the ins and outs of the Trump budget , which scraps the $2.25 billion in Title II grants, which states and districts use to hire and train teachers. As my colleague Brenda Iasevoli just reported , education stakeholders are concerned about losing high-quality professional development, although there is debate over whether some of the federally funded programs help student achievement.

Its important to note that Trumps proposed cuts will likely be a tough sell in Congress, and it might take months before a final budget is passed.
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Kayah State and Mae Hong Son Province officials said the new pact will help both sides to boost tourism, trade and rural development projects.

Agriculture is the backbone of our country. In our state, we still have a lot of difficulties with the land. We need investments to help improve [the farming sector], said Kayah State Chief Minister L Paung Sho. Now that we have already signed the MoU [memorandum of understanding] we will work together to improve agriculture.

The two neighbors already signed an agreement for a border training center in Mae Sariang, Thailand in October 2016.

To take bilateral trade a step further, officials from both countries met in Nay Pyi Taw in the second week of January, laying the foundations for the MoU.

We will work toward having our staff members exchange information directly between the two countries in a friendly way which will be eased by not having to first inform the respective [government] departments, Suebsak Eaimvijarn, the governor of Mae Hong Son, said after the March 9 MoU signing event in Loikaw.

Myanmar and Thailand signed their first tourism cooperation agreement in 1998.

Translated by Aong Jaeneh

Edited by Laignee Barron for BNI
It is in this vein that Guinness Ghana is excited by governments Planting for Food and Jobs programme, as it seeks to increase the use of local raw materials for its production to 80% by 2020.

Mr. Agbonlahor made this known on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, when he paid a courtesy call on President Akufo-Addo to congratulate him and the people of Ghana on the successful election of 2016, and also on the 60th Independence anniversary celebration.

With two branches in Achimota and Kumasi, and having invested some $50 million in expanding its productive capacity in the last 4 years, the Guinness MD noted that the company had also invested heavily in training farmers in planting schemes and farming methods so as to increase their yields.

He also noted that the brewery was also exporting its products to neighbouring West African countries such as Cote dIvoire, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso and Togo, and is looking forward to expand exports to other countries in the region.

On the companys corporate social responsibility, Mr. Agbonlahor told the President that Guinness Ghana had initiated schemes which had provided potable drinking water to some 600,000 Ghanaians, and would soon inaugurate a project at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, which would provide water to 35,000 people.

The Guinness MD, in concluding, appealed to government to take a second look at reintroducing the 4-tier system, which would see companies, who use local raw materials in their production activities, benefitting from excise duty concessions.

READ ALSO:Agriculture must move from donor dependency to profitable trade driven

On his part, President Akufo-Addo was happy about the involvement of Guinness Ghanas 50 year involvement in the development of the country.

The President told the Guinness MD that we are here (in government) because for some time, our economy was not performing well. So, the Ghanaian people decided they needed a change in direction, and a change in the leadership of the nation in order to revive our economy and put Ghana to the road of progress and prosperity. That is why I am sitting here.

To this end, President Akufo-Addo noted that the only way to put the economy back on track was to create a good business climate which would enable the private sector to flourish.

If our country is to succeed, it will be a function of how strong, creative and innovative the Ghanaian private sector will be. That is why we are putting all our cards in that particular basket. We want, therefore, to do all we can to create a good business climate for investors like yourself, not just for you to feel secure but also for you to be able to do good business.

The President applauded the companys decision to expand its operations into the ECOWAS market, stressing that I believe that the future of our country is intimately tied up to the regional market that ECOWAS represents. It is good to see Ghanaian companies taking advantage of the possibilities of the ECOWAS market. I am also happy about the use local raw materials in your operations. This is extremely positive news.
In 1993, a German producer teamed up with legendary "King of the B-Movies" Roger Corman to produce a low-budget, feature-length adaptation of the popular Marvel comic book "The Fantastic Four." The movie was never officially released. Producer Bernd Eichinger owned the film rights to the comic, but a clause in his contract stated that he would lose the rights if he didn't go into production on a "Fantastic Four" movie by December 31, 1992. Up to that point, Eichinger had failed to convince a Hollywood studio to commit to a big-budget version of the story. The producer crafted a clever way to hold onto the rights so that he could later make a big-budget version of "The Fantastic Four." He called on Roger Corman, a legendary producer famous for his ability to crank out movies with low budgets and short schedules. It turns out that Eichinger never had any intention of releasing this low-budget version of the comic  a fact that he withheld for the movie's cast and crew. After Corman announced plans to release the film theatrically, Eichinger paid Corman $1 million to stand down, and all available prints were reportedly destroyed by then-Marvel chief Avi Arad. Arad didn't respond to our request for a comment for this story. Thanks to bootlegged copies that surfaced online, the unreleased "Fantastic Four" movie has become a cult classic.blank"Death Race 2050,"We also talked to the director of "The Fantastic Four," Oley Sassone. Corman and Sassone give an enlightening account of one of the most bizarre Hollywood tales you'll ever hear.
Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, and Ben Cardin of Maryland sent a joint letter to the US Justice Department on Friday asking the agency to look into whether Gorka "falsified his naturalization application or otherwise illegally procured his citizenship."

The inquiry comes after an expose earlier this week alleged that Gorka had ties to Nazi-aligned groups.

The story, published by The Forward, alleged that Gorka is a sworn lifetime member of a Hungarian anti-Semitic, far-right group known as Vitezi Rend, which is listed by the US State Department as having been "under the direction of the Nazi Government of Germany" during World War II.

Gorka has denied the allegations.

The senators said in their letter that they are "deeply concerned" by reports Gorka allegedly hid his supposed connections to Vitezi Rend when he applied for US citizenship, citing US code that prohibits such applicants from making false statements during naturalization proceedings.

The senators said in the letter their concerns about Gorka are aggravated by "the White House's own checkered record on religious discrimination."

"For the first time in decades, the White House's statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day failed to mention the Jewish victims, an omission which Dr. Gorka publicly defended," the letter read. "President Trump was slow to condemn the wave of attacks on Jewish community centers and has yet to condemn the surge in anti-Muslim bigotry."

Additionally, the senators' letter linked the Trump administration's moves to temporarily ban travel to the US from six majority Muslim nations as evidence to suggest public policy from the White House is being guided by principles uncharacteristic of American democracy.
And what could be to blame is a major provision in the bill that Republicans say is designed to encourage more people to sign up for insurance.

The AHCA includes a provision that says anyone who does not have health insurance coverage for a period of 63 days or more in the previous year is subject to a 30% increase in premiums for up to the next year as a penalty. The GOP says that the penalty would discourage people from waiting until they are sick to access coverage.

The CBO, however, found otherwise. According to the report, the "continuous coverage" provision would lead more people to sign up for insurance coverage in 2018 (the first year of the law), but reduce that number in the years after.

"By the agencies estimates, roughly 1 million people would be induced to purchase insurance in 2018 to avoid possibly having to pay the surcharge in the future. In most years after 2018, however, roughly 2 million fewer people would purchase insurance," the report reads.

Further, the CBO suggested that the people deterred from buying coverage would tend to be healthier than those who did buy coverage.

Richard Frank, a professor of health economics at Harvard Medical School, told Business Insider that the "continuous coverage" provision will come down harshly on both young people and lower-income people. Both groups, according to Frank, tend to have incomes that fluctuate heavily from month-to-month and make financial decisions with the view on the immediate future, often because they have to.

If a person is fairly healthy and doesn't think they can afford insurance to begin with, the possibility of a 30% rate hike if they lose their job, or suffer some other financial misfortune, is a further disincentive to buy insurance, he added.

"Its a fairly harsh penalty," Frank said. "That doesnt incentivize people to sign up."

Yuval Levin, a former policy adviser to George W. Bush and a conservative commentator, wrote in the National Review that the provision could actually keep people out of the healthcare market until they get sick.

"It would create a disincentive for everyone who hasnt been continuously covered to get coverage, by making insurance more expensive for them," Levin wrote. "But that disincentive would do more to drive away healthy people than sick people, since the added premium is more likely to be worth it to someone who otherwise would have higher costs than to someone just looking to get insurance for a rainy day. It would, in other words, exacerbate the problem it is trying to mitigate."

One of the biggest problems for the ACA has been that the risk pools in the individual market  in other words, the demographics of the people signing up through Obamacare's exchanges  are tilted toward older, sicker people. This has led to large losses for some insurance companies, because the pool is more expensive to cover than was expected.

The worry, based on Levin's analysis, is that without any incentive to stay in the pools, more young people will pull out of the plans and wait until they get sick to sign up. Eating the 30% premium increase might be viewed as small potatoes compared to paying expensive medical bills if a person falls ill.

Americans seem to be looking at the penalty with extreme skepticism early on. According to a Morning Consult/Politico poll, only 18% of people surveyed supported the measure.

Another potential issue for Republicans hoping to pass the legislation into law is that the 30% penalty is not paid to the federal government. Since the GOP is using the budget reconciliation process to move the AHCA to avoid a Democratic filibuster, all measures in the bill have to be pertinent to the federal budget.
Trump, who sought to establish the now-debunked idea that Trump Tower was spied on by the Obama administration, went further with the claim on Friday, suggesting during a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel that both he and Merkel "have something in common"  referring to reports that alleged Obama's National Security Agency intercepted Merkel's phone calls and spied on German officials.

Trump also sought to justify press secretary Sean Spicer's attempt to implicate the British spy agency GCHQ in the nonexistent wiretapping.

"We said nothing. All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television. I didn't make an opinion on it," Trump said.

Tapper ripped into Trump's remarks.

"The White House, apparently unaware that when the White House in the world's most powerful nation cites a news story as proof of what the president of the United States has said that that tends to suggest to people that you think you believe the story you're citing as proof."

"But now in a fevered effort to try and force this outlandish claim into something remotely resembling  passably, perhaps, maybe the truth, the White House appears actually willing to repeat another wild accusation that could potentially alienate our nation's most important ally," Tapper said.

He continued: "Does smearing British intelligence make your family more safe? No? So, why is the White House doing it? What is the White House defending here?"

"Because it damn sure isn't national security or American credibility before the world," Tapper said.

Multiple US officials, the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee, Global Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), and current and former Obama associates have denied all of the Trump administration's claims that Obama directed a spy operation at Trump. But the White House has persisted.
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The obvious cruelty throughout Trump's smash-the-state budget shocked and awed America this week, but right after the thief-in-chief proposed to destroy an array of relatively low-cost federal programs that feed poor rural school children and keep grandmothers from freezing to death, he did something really extraordinary.

He flew to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. On our goddamn dime.

Politico estimates that his trip to the 'Southern White House' (gag) costs about $3 million each weekend. And he keeps going, weekend after weekend. He's conducting business there. Whose? His own, his family's, our America's? Who knows. Maybe the spies who have it locked down, because right now it looks like foreign espionage paradise.

The Washington Post breaks it down:

If that $3 million estimate is true, he could have funded the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness  budgeted at $4 million in 2016  for three years if he'd just stayed in the White House. Others noted the cost of protecting first lady Melania Trump and the Trumps' young son, Barron, at Trump Tower. Shortly after the election, a CNN Money report indicated that protecting Trump's family in New York cost $1 million a day. If they instead joined him at the White House, of course, that cost would essentially be eliminated. Combined, these costs could make Trump's presidency awfully expensive, particularly in light of that proposed budget.

Trump's first multimillion-dollar trip to Mar-a-Lago was a mere two weeks after taking power. The man is not shy about jet-setting, despite the fact that he and the GOP gleefully bashed Barack Obama for trips away during his presidency.

From Politico:

"The habitual vacationer, @BarackObama, is now in Hawaii. This vacation is costing taxpayers $4 milion +++ while there is 20% unemployment," Trump wrote on Twitter in December 2011 (when the unemployment rate was actually 8.5 percent). "President @BarackObama's vacation is costing taxpayers millions of dollarsUnbelievable!" Trump opined again on Twitter a few days later. That July, he took aim at the first lady: "With 15% US real unemployment and a 16T debt, @Michelle Obama's luxurious Aspen vacation  her 16th  cost us over $1M." (The unemployment rate at the time was actually 8.2 percent.) But now, as Trump is setting off on his own working vacation to his "winter White House," he is getting a taste of his own medicine. Judicial Watch, the conservative nonprofit that tracked Obama's travel, told POLITICO that it plans to file a Freedom of Information Act request on Monday for a full accounting of Trump's travel costs for the weekend getaway. "I hope he reflects on the costs of doing that and sees if there's any savings to be achieved," said Tom Fitton, president of the group. "He should check out Camp David and see if he can make better use of that."

[via @thegarance. Photo, top: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump talks to members of the media at Mar-a-Lago. Reuters.]
Tillerson said the US' main objective with regard to the east is a denuclearized Korean peninsula.

He also believes that based on recent actions taken by North Korea, the nation is "an imminent threat" that China needs to work with the US to combat.

The secretary of state articulated a the need for a "higher level of dialogue" between Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping.

Tillerson said that his relationship with the press would be "trip dependent" and that he is not a "big media press access person."

Regarding the revelation that he allegedly used an email alias to communicate with Exxon officials about the risks of climate change, Tillerson said he could not comment on it and that questions should be directed at Exxon Mobil.

During the start of the interview, conducted by the right-leaning Independent Journal Review, Tillerson addressed recent media reports that he cut his trip to South Korea short because of "fatigue."

"[The South Korean government]

Regarding foreign policy, Tillerson stressed that the US' main objective is a denuclearized Korean peninsula, but that "circumstances [regarding North Korea] could evolve" to a point where the US may have to consider allowing South Korea and Japan to develop nuclear weapons.

For the moment, Tillerson said he hopes to de-escalate the conflict with North Korea by imposing strict sanctions on the rogue nation. In addition to imposing sanctions, he voiced the need for stronger cooperation between the US and China to deter North Korea from nuclearization.
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This development comes after the completion of the Africa Free Trade Zone policy.

He explains that the continental free trade will grant exporters duty and quota free access to any African country.

Hopefully by the end of 2017, Africa is going to become a free trade zone which is under the framework of the continental free trade area. It does mean that by the end of 2017 hopefully, you can export duty-free, quota-free to any country in Africa.

READ ALSO:GEPA and West Blue train exporters on online registration system

Mr. Kyerematen noted that the move is a step towards making exporters more competitive on the global market.

So we are just not focusing on ECOWAS, you talking about exporting to any part of the continent, so can you imagine that if we as a government can support them to become more competitive, to be able to expand their export business to the rest of Africa. That is very good business for government and also for the company.

Over the period exporters have lamented on the high cost of doing business at the various borders.

However, trade ministers says the Africa Free Trade Zone policy will reduce their cost of doing business.

About the Continental Free Trade Area

The Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) negotiations was launched by the AU leaders in June 2015 in Johannesburg.

Once in place, the free trade area will cover more than a billion people with a continental GDP of over US$ 3 trillion.

READ ALSO:Here are the countries Ghana has signed Double Taxation Avoidance agreements with

Successful implementation of the CFTA will enable members to expand and accelerate the dynamism of intra-African trade, including the declared objective of increasing trade by 50 percent among African countries by 2022.
The trade minister stated that government will make sure that access to medium and long term financing as well as technical support to companies becomes readily available.

READ ALSO:Bawumia expresses concern over galamsey

Speaking at the 60th Anniversary Celebrations of Nestle Ghana Limited the minister said government will provide other incentives including marketing and distribution support to companies.

"What government is interested in, is creating jobs. Whatever it takes to support a company for them to survive and create jobs is what we are interested in".

The Minister of Trade lauded for its tax compliance over the years.

"They are paying taxes. My understanding is that they are the second best tax payer in Ghana. Government needs revenue to be able to support its projects".

READ ALSO:GEPA and West Blue train exporters on online registration system

He also reiterated that the policy initiatives introduced by government will encourage Ghanaians to patronize local products and services.

Managing Director of Nestle Ghana Ltd Mrs Freda Y Duplan said all though there have been some challenges the company has survived primarily by creating shared values for both businesses and society.

"Nestle is driven by one purpose-enhancing the quality of life and contributing to a healthier future."

READ ALSO:Mahama mourns with Alan Kyeremanten

For a multinational company, Freda Duplan said their commitment to local agricultural sector has been encouraging.
The notes were released on Tuesday, March 7 to mark the 60th anniversary of the countrys Central Bank.

The notes have Ghanaian patriot and educationist James Kwegyir Aggrey on the front with the FPSO at the back. It has security features including a watermark of Kwegyir Aggrey and thread

It is public knowledge that the introduction of the new legal tender has been greeted with mixed reactions.

Even though some sellers as well as transport operators continue to reject these new notes, the Bank says its efforts in campaigning for the acceptance of the notes is yielding positive results.

According to the head of communications at the Bank Bernard Otabil, the market has been very appreciative of the new notes.

Thats exactly what we expected, he noted on TV3 on Friday, March 17.

He explained that the notes are to be used alongside the old GH5 notes.

The point is that we were not introducing new notes at all. This is just a commemorative note and it is not meant to replace the existing GH5 note which is already in circulation .
"It is being funded from the budget," he said. "We have begun a new commitment... to fund free senior high school programme. We have begun from the budgetary sources, a more efficient use of our resources, we have found the money to begin the process. We will find the money to begin the process. You can count on us to find the money to sustain the programme.

He assured that the free SHS programme is not a political "gimmick."

"This matter is not, and I kept saying, I want to repeat this again, it is not a political gimmick, it goes to the heart of our effort to develop our country.

"Unfortunately [at] this stage of our history, the numbers of people which have access to education but because of money they cannot are much more than those who are able to enter the system."

His comments follow calls for him to declare a dedicated source of funding for his flagship programme.

Asked if the numerous tax cuts will not compromise the funding of the programme, coupled with his "elephant-sized" government, the president said measures are being put in place to grow the consolidated fund.
The latter mentioned in an Instagram comment posted on Saturday, March 18, 2017, gave an explicit detail of her sexual encounter with Suleman at the actress' Lagos residence.

According to Ogbonna, her first meeting with the Omega Fire Ministries overseer was at an airport in Kenya.

Their first sexual intercourse however happened in Dubai. The apostle also sent another invitation asking her to visit him in Nigeria.

I have been very silent on Apostle Suleman issue because I want to see how far he is willing to take this lie.

I had to come on Instagram to put my story out there.

I met him at the airport in Mombasa Kenya and he took my contact. We had sex in Dubai on that trip.

He called me two weeks after and invited me back to Nigeria cutting short my trip in Dubai.

He bought me a business class ticket and sent me an address in Agungi area of Lekki to wait for him at his girlfriends house as he would want us to have a threesome as he enjoyed my breasts.

Lo and behold the house was the house of Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo (@iyaboojofespris) in an estate called 5Streets in Agungi.

She made me comfortable and told how she doesnt mind whatever the pastor does as long as he keeps giving her money.

He had just rented the house for her. She said her black range was giving her problems as it was also in the mechanics place.

Apostle came in around 11pm. He drove himself in a black Gwagon and his driver drove a silver range one of his other cars.

After our round of sex in Iyabo Ojos room, he gave her the keys to the range that she should sell the black range off since it was old already.

He gave her $3000 to send to her son in the US as he was said to be taking a trial exam and needed to pay some bills.

He gave me $5000 and a key to a room at Protea hotel. I called Uber and went to the hotel to wait for him.

He came on the third day on his way to Abuja and gave me another $2000.

He is a nice man and the sugar daddy of most Nollywood actresses. But for Gods sake, he should stop lying."

Addressing Ojo's involvement in the matter, Ogbonna claimed that the actress once confided in her about how Suleman often supports her financially.
The President of the court, Chief Mukaila Balogun, dissolved the marriage on Friday, following a suit instituted by Tope who accused Alao of abandonment and lack of care.

Tope also told the court that her husband was not responsible adding that he failed to cater for her and their two children in the course of their 16-year union.

The plaintiff further told the court that she shouldered the care and maintenance of the two children alone and was not ready to continue with the marriage.

She turned down all moves for reconciliation, saying that her husband was trying to ruin her life and that of their two children.

Mutiu, in his defence, did not agree with the divorce, claiming that he still loved the plaintiff and was not ready to allow a broken home for the sake of their two children.

He promised to change for the better and make effort to provide for the plaintiff to make her and the two children have better future.

In his judgment, Chief Mukaila Balogun, the President of the court, said that evidence of both parties before the court had proved that the couple no longer love each other.

Balogun, therefore, dissolved the marriage and ordered that the plaintiff to take custody of the two children of the union.
The Magistrate, Aisha Bawa, who said the accused would be on remand pending the conclusion of police investigation,adjourned the matter to April 12 for further mention.

The accused, who resides at Kundu area in Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area of the state is facing one count of rape.

The prosecutor, Insp. Emmanuel Danladi, told the court that the wife of the accused, Fatima Danjuma, reported the matter at the Niger State Child Rights Agency, on March 6.

Danladi said that the complainant alleged that on Feb. 11, the accused, lured her 3-year-old daughter, whom she had for her former husband into his room and had sexual intercourse with the victim.

He also told the court that the victim sustained injuries on her genital as a result of the forceful intercourse.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 283 of the Penal Code Law but the accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

Danladi, therefore, asked for an adjournment of the case to enable police complete their investigation.
In 2012, Kim Stanley Robinson published 2312 , imagining how the world and its neighbors might look in 300 years, loosely coupled with the seminal Red Mars books, a futuristically pastoral novel about the way that technology can celebrate the glories of nature; in 2015, Robinson followed it up with Aurora , the best book I read that year, which used 2312's futures to demolish the idea that we can treat space colonization (and other muscular technological projects) as Plan B for climate change -- a belief that is very comforting to those who don't or can't imagine transforming capitalism into a political system that doesn't demolish the planet. Now, with New York 2140 , Robinson starts to connect the dots between these different futures with a bold, exhilarating story of life in a permanent climate crisis, where most people come together in adversity, but where a small rump of greedy, powerful people get in their way.

It's 2140 and trillions of dollars' worth of the world's most valuable real estate is now submerged under fifty feet of water, resulting from two great "surges" where runaway polar melting created sudden, punctuated disasters that displaced billions of people, wiped trillions off the world's balance sheets, and turned the great cities of the world into drowned squatter camps.

But it's 2140, and the cities are coming back. The combination of financial speculation, desperate refugees willing to do anything to find shelter, and new technological innovations are spawning "SuperVenice"s where boats replace cars and high-rises connect to each other with fairytale skybridges, and pumped-out subway stations become underwater leisure clubs. No SuperVenice is more super than New York City, where the boats ply midtown Manhattan's skyscrapers and everything from Chelsea down is an intertidal artificial reef where, every now and again, hundreds of squatters die as the buildings topple.

The forces of finance are deeply interested in the intertidal zones. These great cities were once the world's ultimate luxury products and now they're marine salvage, waiting to be dredged up from the tidal basins, dusted off and monetized. Yeah, there's millions of inconvenient poors hanging out in them, but they're a market failure, producing suboptimal rents on some seriously distressed assets that need a little TLC, capital infusion, and ruthless securitization to bring them back.

Robinson is a master of turning stories about zoning disputes and local politics into gripping, un-put-down-able adventure tales (his novel Pacific Edge remains the most uplifting book in my library). New York 2140 is a spectacular exemplar of the tactic: the financial shenanigans form a backdrop for submarine drone-wars, black-ops kidnappings, private security assassinations, non-state actor cyberwar and economic terrorism, buried treasure hunting, and big, muscular technologies from giant dredging barges to aerosolized diamond sprays.

But more than an adventure tale, New York 2140 is a vivid narrative about how our best natures can best natural catastrophes: how the goodwill, cooperation, and kindness of humans can overcome the wickedness, self-deception, and greed of humans.

I am increasingly certain that these stories are an urgent political project. We are all prone to the availability heuristic, in which things that are easily imagined are considered more likely than things that are hard to imagine. Since the Reagan years, our overwhelming stories about humans is our greed and selfishness (indeed, these are virtues in the Randian conception of free market utopianism), and so whenever someone says, "We will need to cooperate with each other to solve climate change," it's hard to imagine  but it's easy to imagine how, after the change, we can set up brutal, Mad Max-ian strong-man societies (see, e.g., The Walking Dead) where you're either a cannibal warlord, or your dinner.

The space of stories we can imagine constrains the space of political solutions we're willing to include in the Overton window. Vivid, engrossing tales about the best natures of humans overcoming the worst are a weapon against despair and cynicism  and may be the necessary precondition for the survival of our species.

New York 2140 [Kim Stanley Robinson/Orbit]
However, there are concerns over the printing cost and whether or not the BoG organized a competitive bidding process for awarding the printing contract.

This development some Ghanaians say is likely to end up in a fierce parliamentary debate akin to the 2007 cedi re-denomination exercise.

Most people are unaware of the cost of printing the new notes. They have also expressed their dissatisfaction with the inadequate public briefing by the Bank of Ghana (BOG) on the printing.

The printing of the new currencies in 2007, generated a heated debate with respect to the cost, the then BOG Governor, Dr. Paul Acquah, could not tell the actual cost of the job, and the huge media campaigns which came with it.

Vice president Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was in-charge of supervising the 2007 re-denomination.

During the 2016 general elections, President John Dramani Mahama stated that his outfit was never briefed on the cost and procurement mode of the re-denomination exercise on 2007.

Parliamentary debate on the 2007 currencies printed under the Kufuor administration has been unclear as details of the contract still in mystery.
Set and shot in London, UK, the film also stars Nollywood veteran, Rykardo Agboh, alongside UK actors of both Nigerian and British backgrounds, such as popular British TV actress, Nicola Alexis (currently starring in Harry Porter musical), Max Cavenham, Moji Bamtefa and talented eight-year-old, Angel Agala.

The story follows a casual extramarital affair that soon becomes a living nightmare for Dr. Daniels who quickly discovers that his free-spirited conquest (Rita Dominic) wants more and would go to great lengths to achieve it.

He must now find a way to make her disappear before her obsessive nature destroys his family.

Desecration was produced by Bode Odetoye of Kherut Films. Helming the motion picture as the director is international multi-award winner, Niyi Towolawi of HekCentrik Films.

Incidentally, for the director who is London based, "Desecration" is his first feature film set in London, his previous three films being shot in the US and Nigeria.

Says Bode Odetoye about the project: We put a lot of effort into this project and its finally great to see this movie coming out. I want the audience to appreciate the efforts of the cast and crew, especially Rita Dominic and my erudite director, Niyi Towolawi. He has been a top filmmaker for over 12 years and displays his complete mastery of his craft on Desecration.

Niyi Towolawi adds, I believe the Nigerian audience will love this film. I hope they find it as rewarding as it was to work on it, with such talent, and a producer that allowed me so much space to put my signature as an auteur on the film.
One of the movies high selling point was its star-studded cast featuring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens in the lead roles, with Luke Evans playing the arrogant villain, Gaston.

Ian McKellen, Ewan McGregor, Emma Thompson and Gugu Mbatha-Raw completed a decent ensemble.

Rehashing the famous story would seem redundant as the movie sticks to the core of the original animated feature, but for the odd person out who doesn't know, it is based on the fairy tale by French author, Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont.

The tale tells the story of an ingenious French girl who is bored with the dull routine life of her small provincial town and wants more than it offers.

She soon gets her wish when her father is unreasonably imprisoned by a beast who lives in an enchanted castle thats shut off from the rest of the world, and she offers herself to be prisoner in exchange for him.

The events of the first act leads the way to what is one of Disneys most iconic love stories.

Beauty and the Beast excels due to its music more than the other elements in the story. It is near impossible to love the movie without its incredible music score.

The music serves as a window to the deepest parts of the characters when they're happy, sad, reflective, or just having fun.

Director Bill Condon admitted that the movies original score was why he ever entertained the idea of getting on the project.

If theres any one obvious detail in the new live-action Beauty and the Beast movie, its that it looks and sounds the same as its original, only fancier and louder.

Emma Watson, as Belle, effortlessly assumes the life of the beautiful young French girl who is a bibliophile and quite adventurous in ways that all the other villagers consider very abnormal.

The movies first score, "Belle", underlines the young maidens struggles as she colours outside of the lines that her society has set for her. She laments the limitations of her society and craves for one that doesnt suck so much life out of her.

The character of Belle is an interesting choice for Watson, a proud feminist, to play, especially since she had to turn down the lead role on the multiple award-winning La La Land to focus on the movie.

Belle reads a lot of books, she thinks wildly as an inventor, and is quite capable of making her own decisions; all things that are apparently not expected of a woman in the movies 18th century France.

The villagers resent her for her 'strange', 'funny' behaviour and even openly antagonise her when she tries to teach a little girl how to read.

Belles biggest worry in the village is Gaston, an arrogant war veteran who is smitten and wants to marry her by any cunning means he can device.

Gaston is the stereotypical alpha male who doesn't see Belle as an equal, but as a trophy wife to add to the collection of animal trophies he mounts on his wall.

It is quite easy to understand why a girl like Belle repeatedly turns down his aggressive proposals as that kind of relationship would be unhealthy for her, or anyone else.

Watson is sweet when Belle needs to be, and stern when the occasion calls for it without letting either trait define her character.

She portrays her resentment of Gaston with impressive subtlety as she looks uneasy any time she's in close proximity with him.

Evans' portrayal of the boorish Frenchman is one of the movie's high points as he huffs and puffs around the village trying to lay claim to anything that catches his fancy.

He flows nicely with Lefou, his flamboyant companion whose altered character trait has caused a lot of controversy for the movie.

The two are involved in two of the most energetic songs in the movie ("Gaston" and "The Mob Song") and they deliver the sort of electrifying sound that the movie needs.

Dan Stevens doesn't disappoint as the titular Beast.

As in the animated version, the Beast is a bratty Prince who is unkind to an enchantress disguised as an old haggard woman seeking shelter, who condemns him to live his days as a Beast until he can find a place for love in his heart and be loved in return. His entire castle is also enchanted so that his servants turn into household objects.

Cogsworth, Lumiere (the one character who actually speaks like a Frenchman), Mrs. Potts, Plumette, and Chip form a very good supporting band that carry the movie in the events that transpire in the Beast's castle.

They even get to perform one of the most popular musical sequence in the movie, "Be Our Guest".

The brains behind this remake had promised the movie is a remarkable recreation that improves greatly on the 1991 movie. It's debatable how well the movie delivers on this promise.

The movie toes the line of its original almost to the point of irritation, but it delivers on a few new details that are refreshing even if some of it feels ordinary and/or exploitative.

It is 45 minutes longer than the original as it tosses in a couple of hammy, cliche Disney back stories, as well as three new musical scores, with the Beast finally getting his own solo performance.

The Beast is also more well-read here so that book connection pays off beautifully between Stevens and Watson when he shows her his library.

Also, one of the flashback back stories in the movie casts a whole new light on the character of Bell's father, Maurice (Kevin Kline).

It makes you care about him not just because he is the father of the pretty girl you are rooting for, but as a standout character thats worthy of empathy for his own past scars.

The flashback also deepens his relationship with his daughter as Kline shares standout scenes with Watson.

In the end, Belle and the unnamed Beast still get their happily ever after to the rendition of the original Beauty and the Beast song, this time by the duo of Ariana Grande and John Legend.

The movie is a celebration of an unusual love story that probably should make people feel more uneasy than the controversy that heralded the movie's release.

Prior to its theatrical release, Condon dropped the bombshell that one of his major changes in the new movie is a gay Lefou, effectively creating Disney's first openly homosexual character.

This revelation was welcomed with a huge outcry that led to the movie's ban by Malaysia's Film Censorship Board in the country, and it was also banned in some American theatres.

The move appears as nothing short of a distraction because Lefou's sexuality doesn't contribute anything meaningful to the story and the suggestion that he is attracted to men lasted all of two to three seconds of screen time in the ballroom scene at the end of the movie.

It is also a distraction from the wonderful job Josh Gad does to bring life to the bumbling idiot character from the animation.

You keep holding your breath every time Lefou is onscreen expecting to see the "exclusively gay moment" the director promised and you're let down at every point until you witness the actual thing and sigh in disappointment, or relief.

This liberal shoehorning makes Disney's announcement feel exploitative as the only way you even pay attention to Lefou's sexuality here is because the film makers called attention to it.

Beauty and the Beast is a good dose of nostalgia for movie-goers who grew up to the animated version, and a wild fun journey for the new generation of kids who will be allowed to see it.
READ MORE:Woman beaten to death for wearing miniskirt

The judgement came a day after parliament had approved President Akufo-Addo's first budget. Parliament will on Tuesday, March 21 begin debate on the appropriation bill.

The presiding judge, Justice Anthony Yeboah, said the case borders on the fundamental human rights of citizens and public interest.

The ruling was as a result of a case filed by a private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, praying the court to direct the government to fully comply with the domestic violence act passed a decade ago.

He argued that section 8(3) of the Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (Act 732), mandates the State to provide free medical care for victims of domestic violence.
He was booted out of the race by the GJA Elections Committee for not being a member in good standing per the association's constitution.

READ MORE: Lloyd Evans disqualified

Records available to the Committee indicate that Mr Evans paid his membership dues covering 2015 on 5th Dec. 2016 and that for 2016 on 14th Feb, 2017. In view of these, Mr Evans is also caught by the 90-day rule and therefore disqualified, a statement signed by chairman of the Election Committee, Ben Assorow said.

But in a strongly worded statement, Mr Evans' campaign team slammed the disqualification, urging supporters to remian "calm in the face of this obvious tilted interpretation of the GJA Constitution."

"We want to assure our supporters to continue the campaign to bring about the much needed change in the leadership of our once vibrant and envious association."

The statement signed by the campaign manager, Boahene Asamoah, said, "We are more than convinced that a cabal of benefactors and surrogates of the incumbent President are bent on perpetuating themselves and their personal aggrandisement at the expense of the collective good of all Journalists.

"'Team Lloyd' has been made aware almost a month ago about this ploy to deny Lloyd the Presidency by any means possible and we are working hard to reverse this bogus decision by any means possible.

"We therefore, call on all journalists to disregard this obvious Machiavellian tactics at the 11th hour, because no force or army is too strong to stop a peoples will for change.
According to a statement by the pressure group, the countrys finances could not support the number of ministers appointed by the president and that an elephantine government would increase the chances of corrupt officials plundering the little that we have left as a nation

In his inaugural address, the President promised to protect the national purse. The appointment of 110 ministers who, in comparison to the average Ghanaian, will be earning a considerable amount of money in salaries, allowances and benefits over the next 4 years (in addition to enjoying a range of ex-gratia benefits when they leave office) does not sound to us like a diligent attempt to protect a sorely-depleted purse.

The statement follows the decision by the president this week to appoint more ministers and deputies, bring the number of ministerial appointments to 110. That figure is the largest ever the country has ever witnessed.

The group called on the Akufo-Addo government to reconsider the size of his ministerial appointments and consider consolidating some ministerial positions.

Analysis

The Minister of Information, Mustapha Hamid has said in interviews that the government did not promise a lean government during the campaign but an efficient one. According to him, the problems of the country meant that there was the need for a strong and competent army.
This is because the legislature is set to rise at the end of the March and resume sitting later in May 2017.

Earlier this week, the president presented another list of ministerial nominees for consideration by members of Parliament, bring the total number of ministers and their deputies in this administration to 110.

That figure is the largest the country has ever witnessed.

The presidents nominees include members of the Appointments Committee itself, which is responsible for vetting ministerial nominees, a situation which has in the past raised concerns about conflict of interest. They include Adwoa Safo, the Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya and Anthony Karbo, the Member of Parliament for Lawra.

After vetting, the names of the ministerial nominees would then be put forward to the house for a vote. Although the president does not risk any of his nominees not passing through - because his party has is in the majority- it is unclear if the Appointments Committee can handle 54 interviews in six days.

The president has previously said he is in a hurry to fulfil his promises and as such he would be unhappy if the Appointments Committee is unable to vet his ministers before the house rises.

Failure to do so would leave the new government without a large portion of its army for more than a month.

The vetting sessions, which are televised, can last for hours at a time per nominee. The vetting of the Minister of Finance lasted over four hours.

Analysis

The government has been fumbling in its bid to convince Ghanaians that it indeed needs 110 ministers. While in opposition, it criticised President John Mahama for the size of its administration.

The Minister of Information, Mustapha Hamid has said in interviews that the government did not promise a lean government during the campaign but an efficient one. According to him, the problems of the country meant that there was the need for a strong and competent army.
In the memo, which was leaked to the media last Thursday, el-Rufai criticised the President and the party for poor handling of issues of governance.

According to The Sun, the Presidency and the APC are yet to find the appropriate words to reply the Governor.

The newspaper, citing a 'highly placed official' in the presidency, said Buhari is shocked that the content of a supposed private letter to him was leaked to the media.

The National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, had said given the number of pages and the issues raised in the memo, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party would need some time to study it before responding.

In the memo, dated September 22, 2016, el-Rufai, a staunch loyalist of the President noted that his warning becomes necessary because his political future is intrinsically tied to that of Buhari, adding that: "poll after poll in Kaduna State, before and after the 2015 elections, clearly shows that my fate, politically and otherwise, is uncannily tied to yours. If you do well, I stand to benefit immensely. If you do not do well sir, whatever I try to do in Kaduna matters little to my present and any future political trajectory."

"There is a perception that your ministers, some of whom are competent and willing to make real contributions, have no clear mandate, instructions and access to you. Ministers are constitutional creations, Mr. President, and it is an aberration that they are expected to report to the Chief of Staff on policy matters," el-Rufai said.

He also echoed the insinuation in some quarters that appointments into Buharis government was lopsided, in favour of a particular section of the country, saying: "There is a strong perception that your inner circle or kitchen cabinet is incapable, unproductive and sectional. The quality and the undue concentration of key appointments to the North-East and exclusion of South-East are mentioned as evidence of this."

ALSO READ: 10 Missiles el-Rufai fired at Buhari
American penitentiaries, in idealized Quaker imaginings, were to be a place for reflective penitence followed by forgiveness. That's not how it worked out, especially for the poor. And the problem goes far beyond prison reform:

Every year, more than 600,000 individuals are freed from America's jails and prisons.But many of America's formerly incarcerated people face numerous obstacles when integrating back into public life once free, according to Wes Caines and his former colleagues Scott Hechinger and Hannah McCrea at Brooklyn Defender Services, a public defender service in New York City. Former prisoners are routinely denied employment, housing, education, and other benefits that would help ease their integration into life on the outside, Caines says. For more read our Q&A with Wes Caines where he discusses his personal story of life after prison.

The shunning ex-cons experience is called a "social death," and it makes them harder to re-assimilate into society after doing their time. This makes it far more likely that they will re-offend.

The same denial of justice also happens to poor crime victims, especially when the person who committed the crime against them has the means to mount a costly defense.

 How America's justice system is rigged against the poor (YouTube / Vox)
He was speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic and Ghana Television at the Flagstaff House which aired on Friday.

"All of us know there is enormous challenge with system of public procurement in our country in these last five, six years in which contracts, many of them had questionable sole sourcing," he said

"I want somebody familiar with the process, whose duty will be to keep me fully engaged all the time on what is going on, and therefore, being able at anyone stage to be able to alert me the issue she sees that something has gone wrong in that system," he said.

President Nana Akufo-Addo said there was "dramatic experience" with public procurement under the Mahama administration, saying "it is necessary for us to focus on it. It is an area of special concern."

He said he is determined to ensure that competitive bidding is upheld, stressing his commitment to protecting the public purse.

The President on Wednesday appointed Deputy Majority Leader and MP for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Sarfo, as Minister of State in Charge of Public Procurement.
The current 275-seater parliament was reconfigured in 2013 to accommodate more Members of Parliament after additional constituencies were created in 2012.

The India government decision to build a new parliament house for Ghana was disclosed by the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Aaron Oquaye, in an interview with the Daily Graphic.

The India firm that built the Flagstaff, Shapoorji Pallonji, is said to have begun feasibility studies on the site which is located behind the Speaker's chamber.

Shapoorji Pallonji construction firm will in the coming days present a proposal and drawings of the new facility to the leadership of Parliament to be studied for a possible approval.

The cost estimate for the new facility is around $200 million, according to the Daily Graphic.

The new building will also have a 400-seater capacity public gallery, side wings to accommodate other visitors, underground car parks, offices, a cafeteria for MPs and a museum of Parliament.
By the fall of that same year, Xiao, known as something of a risk-taker, had moved himself and his family from New Jersey to Silicon Valley, and raised some modest seed funding for his new startup focused on self-driving cars.

His startup, dubbed AutoX, has done its best to stay under the radar to date  apart from a filing with the California DMV to test self-driving vehicles.

The filing officially put the professor's mysterious startup in the company of giants, such as Tesla, Waymo (formerly the Google self-driving car project), Uber, and numerous other big auto companies testing self-driving cars.

But Xiao isn't worried about getting run over by the giants, saying that his small team of academics possesses the kind of expertise in computer vision that big corporations just can't match. Exhibit A: after only six months on the job, Xiao says he's already developed a prototype vehicle that can do the same things as the cars made by his deep-pocketed rivals, at a fraction of the cost.

AutoX gave a first peek at its creation on Friday, with a debut video showing its prototype system in action. The car itself isn't anything special in terms of style (it's basically just a regular that's been rigged with AutoX technology), but it deftly navigates residential streets near San Jose, seeming to handle driving situations such as cloudy days and night-time, historically a challenge for self-driving cars, with ease.

As noted in the video, AutoX's system doesn't rely on the LIDAR laser arrays or other expensive sensors that most self-driving cars, including Waymo's and Uber's, require to function. Instead, AutoX uses advanced artificial intelligence to "see" through cameras mounted on the car and steer the car accordingly.

Better yet, Xiao tells Business Insider that the cameras that power this AutoX prototype were purchased at Best Buy for $50 a pop. "It could not be cheaper than that," he says.

From Xiao's standpoint, that's a crucial point: While future iterations of AutoX technology will support ultrasonic sensors and LIDAR and all that stuff for the sake of enhancing driver safety, the startup is currently focused on building the cheapest and most accessible system for self-driving cars that it possibly can.

To Xiao, self-driving cars have the potential to benefit society, from cutting down on traffic, to providing more autonomy for the disabled, to making long-distance trucking safer and more efficient. The next step for AutoX is building out a fleet of test cars, so it can test the technology with a variety of different vehicles types.

"Self-driving [cars] shouldn't just be a luxury, but be available to every citizen," Xiao says.

Purely academic

Athoughtful speaker, Xiao says he got the nickname Professor X because some of his peers at Princeton found his actual name "very complicated" (his personal web page includes a link to hear a sound of how his name is pronounced).

The term for Xiao's specific field of study is "computer vision," a branch of artificial intelligence that's just as applicable to self-driving cars as it is to Snapchat puppy filter selfies.

For Xiao, it's been a long-time area of interest. Over the years, he's won recognition from the likes of Google and Amazon for his and his team's advancements in the field of computer vision. In 2013, Xiao received his PhD from MIT, right before he went to Princeton.

The impetus for going from academia to Silicon Valley was simple, he says: He had long seen self-driving cars as a huge potential market for computer vision. After consulting with his network of computer vision and autonomous driving experts in academia, he decided the time was right to take a big leap and go into business.

It's that academic pedigree that gives AutoX an advantage, Xiao says, as it "enables us to to tap into the academic research network." With artificial intelligence experts in such high demand in Silicon Valley, it helps with recruiting that Xiao and his team already have personal relationships with many of the best and brightest in the field.

"We've known these people in person for many years," Xiao says.

Nowadays, Xiao says, AutoX is about 20 people strong, almost all engineers, with PhD-level computer vision talent that had previously worked at companies like Apple, Magic Leap, and Microsoft.

And with all that brainpower on board, Xiao says that they were able to build their prototype from scratch in only six months, without using anyone's technology. With the Waymo/Uber self-driving car IP lawsuit rocking Silicon Valley, that's a huge plus.

Xiao says the shift from academia to startup has required a subtle change in how he approaches problems. In academia, you tend to flit from one project to the next. At a private company like AutoX, you "actually make things work, actually get things done" in service of one big idea. In this case, self-driving cars.

Driven to success

While Xiao stresses this system is still a prototype, he does say it indicates the way he wants to see AutoX go, with a focus on building real self-driving technology that can handle every situation, versus more limited driver-assist features like Tesla's autopilot, which can only be engaged on freeways.

AutoX isn't much interested in manufacturing cars and going head-to-head with Tesla, Xiao says. He's equally uninterested in following the controversial Comma.ai into helping people give their existing cars limited self-driving features.

Instead, Xiao says, he's looking to partner up with auto manufacturers for their future vehicles. AutoX provides the core technology, almost like an operating system, that car companies can then take, customize to their exact needs, and use as the basis for their own autonomous systems.

Additionally, Xiao says that AutoX is similarly looking to license out its software to trucking companies, factory operators, and the like.

Xiao also wants to distinguish between AutoX and the technology from companies like Mobileye, which Intel bought for $15 billion this week  Mobileye helps self-driving car "see," sure, but other software has to take its perceptions and translate it into action for the car. AutoX is the whole package, says Xiao.
Justice Rayo Taiwo sentenced Garuba to death after being found guilty of hacking Ayomo to death.

Principal state counsel, Mr O. S. Tella had told the court that Garuba killed Ayomo when he was about to buy bean cake at about 8.30p.m. at Oke-Are, Ijaye Moniya, Ibadan.

Garuba suddenly appeared and hacked Ayomo with a cutlass, leading to his death three days later at the hospital due to injuries sustained in the incident.

Four other persons were also sentenced to death by Taiwo of the same court for armed robbery.

They are Alaba Akinola, 30, Sarafa Babalola 25, Sola Kolawole, 27, and Ibrahim Gbedeogun 28,.

The state counsel, Mr I. O Mojoyinola, said the defendants committed the crime on July 19, 2011 at Ayekale, Ibadan at about midnight.

Mojoyinola said the defendants robbed their victim of cell phone valued N10,000 on Oct. 16, 2011 at Gangansi at about 4.30a.m.with guns and cutlasses.
Twenty-eight-year-old Alapa, who resides at Bamigboy, Ikorodu, Lagos, allegedly used a mop stick to beat the housekeeper to death on Dec. 12, 2016.

Chief Magistrate Oluyemisi Adelaja ordered Alapas remand at the Ikoyi Prisons custody pending the advice of the states director of public prosecutions.

Consequently, the court did not take the plea of the accused.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Chinalu Nwadione, told the court that the accused committed the murder at her residence.

He submitted that the housekeeper, Joy Mbafan, was confirmed dead on arrival at a hospital.

Nwadione said that murder contravened Section 222 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, and punishable with death.
I write on behalf of the entire Ifesowapo-Irewolede of Osin Okanji community in Ilorin West Local Government of Kwara State to bring to your notice sir, the illegal acquisition and demolition of our buildings to pave way for the national housing scheme under your ministry.

As law abiding citizens, we are not in any way against your vision of providing affordable housing to Nigerians through the national housing project.

What we are against is the impunity with which the kwara state government through the DG of bureau of land is going about the whole matter.

As a lawyer yourself sir, you are aware that the law stipulates the procedure through which land can be acquired under the land use act as amended.

We have been existing as a community for almost a decade only for us to notice to our surprise, the movement of people who claim to be agents of the government last year surveying our community, and what followed was the opening of roads in our plots of land.

Just this year, January 26, 2017, to be precise, our buildings were marked for demolition. All efforts to seek clarification with the DG land bureau in Kwara state were rebuffed as he claimed the land had been acquired.

Up till now sir, there no notice of acquisition has been given to us, not to talk of paying due compensation as required by law.

In conclusion sir, it will be a great injustice to us as citizens of Nigeria for the government to demolish our houses and erect other residential houses on the same land.

Will this act solve the housing shortage you are working hard to address?

May God give you wisdom for prompt intervention sir.

CC: Alhaji Lai Mohammed

Honourable minister of information and culture.

CC: Hon. Razak Atunwa

Member, representing Asa/Ilorin West, Federal House of Representative.

This letter was sent in by:

Mr. Balogun Johnson

Secretary, Ifesowapo-Irewolede community, Osin Okanji, Kwara State

08077940982.
The group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), said the lawmakers are refusing to confirm Magu because they have something to hide.

The Senate last Wednesday refused to confirm Magu for the second time in three months.

In a statement released on Saturday, March 18, the group's director, Ishaq Akintola, said corruption is the underlining reason Magu is being rejected.

"Senate has shown that it is not fighting corruption. On the contrary, it is fighting for corruption by rejecting a firebrand anti-graft boss, it has exposed itself as an institution with skeletons in its cupboard," the statement read.

MURIC quoted Senator Godswill Akpabio of saying, 'Magu wants us to confirm him so he can use some of us for peppersoup.'

It said: "Akpabios alleged utterance confirms our worst fears. This senate will not confirm any EFCC boss who refuses to withdraw cases involving its members. This Senate will not confirm any anti-graft boss who is not ready to treat senators as sacred cows even if they are corrupt.

"Our suspicion has been confirmed by senator Akpabio. Now we know why senate rejected Magu. It is simply because our senators hands are not clean so they fear a no-nonsense anti-graft boss."

ALSO READ: Magu joins Buhari at Fridays Prayer

The group said the "senate has demonstrated its readiness to kill EFCC and any other anti-corruption agency that has the temerity to investigate its members.

"The issue is not even Magu this time around. We also entertain the fear that these senators will not allow any other EFCC boss to function effectively even if Magu is removed.

"Senate does not want any agency investigating fraud anywhere around the red chamber. Senate wants its members to be untouchable.

"The first rejection of Magu was meant to serve as a yellow card from the senators and the message was clear, Back off or we will never confirm you.

"The excuse used by Senate to deny Magu that confirmation is neither here nor there. Somebody somewhere is playing Jekyll and Hyde."

MURIC urged Nigerians to vote the 'corrupt' lawmakers in the next election.

"Nigerians should reject this crop of senators at the next general election. With the exception of a few senators, we are constrained to conclude that these are not the true representatives of the people," it said.
The Senate last week failed to confirm Magu as the substantive chairman of the anti-graft agency, making it the second the lawmakers would reject him.

Melaye, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said there is a provision of the Senate rules which would not allow members consider Magu for the same position again.

As contained in a statement signed by Melaye, the lawmaker disclosed this while commenting on the debate in the media about whether Buhari can renominate Magu for the third time.

According to Order 131 of the Senate Rules, Melaye said after the rejection of Magu's nomination, his candidacy is considered lapse and therefore advised the President to consider a fresh nominee who is qualified, in terms of experience, integrity, knowledge and temperament to lead the anti-graft agency.

Order 131 of the Senate Rules states that "nominations neither confirmed nor rejected during the session or within 21 working days in the case of Ministerial nominees shall be returned by the clerk to the National Assembly to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and shall not again be made to the Senate by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."

During the last hearing on Magu's confirmation, Melaye said the Acting EFCC Chairman even failed to impress some senators who would hav supported him.

He said: "Those suggesting to the President that after failing to scale the confirmation process twice, the President should leave Magu to be acting are only recommending violation of the law, disrespect for due process and perpetration of illegality. All these will only undermine democracy and constitutionalism in our country.

"Those drafters of the law who made the provision that the Senate should confirm the nomination of the EFCC chairman did not make any mistake and nobody should observe the law in the breach by getting a person into that office who has not been confirmed. Magu is not greater than the law creating EFCC. Magu is not the last messiah. He can't be the only competent person for the job out of 170 million Nigerians. Should he voluntarily decline the appointment today, will EFCC fold up?"
The development may have further solidified Sheriff's Chairmanship amid the leadership tussle that has completely robbed the party of the goodwill it once enjoyed in Nigeria's political setting.

The state chairmen also backed recommendations made by the Governor Seriake Dickson's Peace and Reconciliation Committee for a unity national convention to hold not later than August this year.

This was disclosed in a communique released to newsmen on Saturday, March 18.

The state chairmen are worried that if the ongoing leadership crisis in the party is not resolved as soon possible, it would affect the fortune of the party, especially as the Independent National Electoral Commission has released the 2019 election timetable.

The Federal Capital Territory PDP chairman, Mr. Yunusa Suleiman, who read the communique of the meeting held by the chairmen in Abuja on Friday, said he and his colleagues are throwing their weight behind Sheriff because of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which pronounced him as the partys substantive national chairman.

ALSO READ: Stop representing PDP - Sheriff tells Jerry Gana

Suleiman, however, said that their support for Sheriff is without prejudice to the ongoing appeal lodged by the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the party, at the Supreme Court.

He said they will also abide by the decision apex court if it favours Makarfi.
Sani, who is the Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, urged the All Progressives Congress (APC), to punish El-Rufai for the action.

In a statement, he released in Abuja on Saturday, March 18, the Kaduna Senator said it is ironic that El-Rufai, who he said cannot stand constructive criticism, has the audacity to criticise the President.

In the memo, which went viral last Thursday, El-Rufai was quoted as saying that Buhari is losing the vision and the momentum with which APC started the change campaign.

He also urged the President to communicate constantly with Nigerians, so they will know the plans of his government.

The Governor also buttressed the claims that a cabal is working hard to isolate the President from those, who tirelessly worked to secure his victory during the 2015 election.

Sani said: "The governor always recommends that our party should punish me for criticising him.

"Now that he has fired a cruise missile at the President through a deliberately leaked memo, he should also be treated the same way.

"He accused me of being disloyal and disrespectful to the President and the party for speaking my mind.

"Now he has done his own cunningly by criticising the President and the party, disguised it as a memo and leaked it out to the press.

"If our able party chair would give me five strokes of the cane for speaking out, the governor (El Rufai) should be given thrice that for 'leaking out.'

"Its often said that look at the message and not the messenger, but there are times when you can only decipher the message by looking at the messenger."

The Senator stressed that though El-Rufai is entitled to his opinion and perception, the contradiction and irony is that he carried out an action he always stood against when criticised.

He added: "The difference is that while mine is blunt, his is dubious.

"Secondly, for all the issues he raised against the President, his own is worst in his space of governance both in the existence of cabal or politics of exclusion, incompetence or public perception.

"The difference is that the President is tolerant of criticisms and alternative views."

ALSO READ: 10 Missiles El-Rufai fired at Buhari

Sani said by leaking the memo, Elrufai is trying "to rouse popular sympathy and create the image of a competent alternative to 'Baba.'"

"The memo suggests he is trying to do what he recently accused me of.

"He said that I am in the habit of criticising him because I want to become Kaduna State Governor," Sani said.
His latest tweetstorm comes a day after he met German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Washington, where the two leaders showed little common ground over a host of thorny issues, including NATO and defense spending.

On Saturday, Trump tweeted: "Germany owes vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!"

He prefaced his statement by lashing out at the news media. "Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS," he tweeted, "I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel."

During his joint news conference with Merkel on Friday, Trump demanded that America's allies in the military alliance pay back "vast sums of money from past years."

Merkel said Germany had committed to increasing its military spending to two percent of GDP, a target NATO member states formally agreed in 2014 to reach within 10 years.

Trump set the tone for his relations with Merkel during his campaign last year, saying her decision to allow refugees into Germany was a "catastrophic mistake" and suggesting she was "ruining Germany."

He also made European defense spending an issue during his campaign, saying the United States -- which spends just over 3 percent of its GDP on defense -- carries too much of the financial burden for supporting NATO.

He has also worried US allies by criticizing the military alliance as "obsolete" at a time many of its members are concerned about Russia's aggressive posture on the continent. Russia annexed the Black Sea peninsula Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and has backed separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine.

US defense spending -- $679 billion in 2016 -- accounts for 68 percent of the total defense budgets of NATO's 28 members.
Speaking at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Trump answered a question on the wiretap allegation by referring to the US National Security Agencys reported tapping of Merkels phone several years ago.

As far as wiretapping, I guess, by this past administration, at least we have something in common perhaps, Trump said.

But Trump also said he did not endorse a Fox News claim that Britains GCHQ spy agency did the wiretapping for Obama  an allegation repeated by Trumps spokesman Thursday, sparking a sharp rebuke from London.

We said nothing about the GCHQ claim, Trump told journalists.

That was a statement made by a very talented lawyer on Fox. And so you shouldnt be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox, he said.

Fox News said it could not confirm the allegations.

Fox News knows of no evidence of any kind that the now president of the United States was surveilled at any time in any way, full stop, anchor Shepard Smith said, reading an official statement on-air.

 Waiting for evidence 

Trump has accused Obama of ordering wiretaps at his Trump Tower in New York, but two weeks after the extraordinary claim, he has not delivered any evidence.

The claim has led to investigations in Congress and by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, but so far no one has provided any evidence to substantiate it.

Top Republicans and Democrats on the House and Senate Intelligence Committee have all said they have seen no evidence.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has remained quiet, however.

On Friday, the Justice Department said it had complied with requests from the Intelligence and Judiciary Committees in both houses of Congress for information related to surveillance during the 2016 election.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes confirmed Friday evening that the DOJ had fully complied with his panels request for information regarding potential surveillance of Trump or his circle during the presidential race. He did not elaborate on the details of the information.

The National Security Agency had partially met the committees request with plans to fully comply by end of next week, Nunes said, but the committee still has not received information requested from the CIA and FBI that is necessary to determine whether information collected on US persons was mishandled and leaked.

On Monday, FBI Director James Comey is to testify before lawmakers on that and other issues relating to what US intelligence says was Russian interference in the election.

Trump first made the wiretapping accusation on March 4.

Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my wires tapped in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism! he tweeted.

Is it legal for a sitting President to be wire tapping a race for president prior to an election? Turned down by court earlier. A NEW LOW! he continued, accusing Obama of crimes comparable to those of Richard Nixons Watergate scandal.

Obama flatly rejected it, but the White House refusal to back down has kept the issue alive.

On Thursday, White House spokesman Sean Spicer defended his boss, citing news stories alleging wiretapping including the Fox News report.

That sparked a rebuke from GCHQ and calls from British officials.
Turkey angrily denounced the demonstration as "unacceptable". Many demonstrators carried symbols of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which has battled the Turkish state for over three decades in a continuing insurgency.

Tensions are already running high between Berlin and Ankara after German authorities refused to allow some Turkish ministers to campaign in the country for a "yes" vote in the April 16 referendum that would hand Erdogan an executive presidency.

Significantly more people turned up than organisers had been expecting for the rally, which took place ahead of the annual Newroz festival when Kurds mark the traditional New Year.

Saturday's protest march in Frankfurt went off peacefully, a police spokesman said.

Some of the participants carried flags and banners of the outlawed PKK, as well as portraits of the group's jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan, who is serving a life sentence in Turkey, calling for his release.

Police said no banners or flags were confiscated so as to not provoke the crowd, but added that photos had been taken which could lead to future prosecutions.

Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said in a statement that the presidency "condemned in the strongest terms" the fact that the rally had been allowed to go ahead.

"It is unacceptable to see PKK symbols and slogans... when Turkish ministers and lawmakers are being prevented from meeting their own citizens," he said.

He said the "scandal" of the Frankfurt demonstration showed that some EU countries were actively working in favour of a "no" vote in the critical referendum.

"We once again remind European countries: on April 16 the decision is to be made by the (Turkish nation), not Europe."

More than 40,000 people have been killed since the PKK launched its insurgency against the Turkish state in 1984.

The group is listed as a terror organisation not just by Turkey but also the European Union and the United States.

The Turkish foreign ministry said in statement that Germany's toleration of a rally with symbols of a group that it itself regards as a terror outfit was the "worst example of double standards".

Erdogan on Monday accused German Chancellor Angela Merkel of "supporting terrorists", in a spiralling diplomatic row.

Turkey has long accused Germany of providing refuge to Kurdish and other militants.

A Merkel spokesman described Erdogan's jibe as "clearly absurd".

Erdogan has also accused Germany of "Nazi practices" for blocking his ministers from speaking to Turkish voters resident in Germany.
The Yesha Council, the main Israeli settler organisation, said it was believed to be the highest level official meeting ever for the organisation with a US administration.

The meeting was attended by Yesha leaders Oded Revivi and Yossi Dagan, the group said.

"Representatives from Yesha have met with (former US secretary of state) John Kerry and others on the sidelines of events, but we have not had official meetings like this," a spokesman said.

"The previous administration never met like this."

Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law and major obstacles to peace as they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state.

Israeli settlement expansion has been the subject of harsh international criticism, with many warning it is gradually eating away at prospects for a two-state solution, the basis of years of negotiations.

Last week, British foreign minister Boris Johnson met with anti-settlement NGO Peace Now during a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Israeli settler leaders had also called for Johnson to meet with them, but a British embassy official said the brief visit allowed no time to do so.

Greenblatt, Trump's special representative for international negotiations, has met a range of people on both the Palestinian and Israeli side during his visit this week, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.

Abbas and Trump spoke for the first time by phone last week, and the Palestinian leader said Thursday he believed peace was possible.

"Our hope is that those contacts result in the end in a peace that is led by the United States and the international community," Abbas told journalists in Ramallah.

Greenblatt was due to meet Netanyahu again on Thursday.

New settlement pledge

The peace process has been deadlocked since April 2014.

Greenblatt's visit comes after Trump cast uncertainty over years of international efforts to foster a two-state solution to the conflict when he met Netanyahu at the White House last month.

At that meeting, Trump broke with decades of US policy by saying he was not bound to a two-state solution to the conflict and would be open to one state if it meant peace.

Netanyahu said Thursday he was in discussions with Trump's administration on ways to move ahead with settlement construction.

He also reiterated he intended to build a new "community" for residents of a wildcat Jewish outpost in the occupied West Bank known as Amona, evacuated under court order in February.

An Israeli government-sanctioned settlement would be the first official new settlement in more than 20 years and would surely draw intense international criticism.

Construction in recent years has involved expanding existing settlements in the West Bank.

"We are in the midst of a process of dialogue with the White House and our intention is to reach an agreed-upon policy regarding settlement construction," Netanyahu said.

Predecessors stumped

US president Barack Obama's administration frequently criticised Israel over settlement construction.

Obama's White House also declined to veto a UN Security resolution condemning Israeli settlement building in December, deeply angering Netanyahu.

Greenblatt's visit to the region marks the Trump administration's dive into the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which the new US president said he intended to resolve.

Many have questioned Trump's ability to pull off the feat that stumped previous administrations, especially with newly appointed advisers such as Greenblatt having no experience in Middle East diplomacy.

An Israeli analyst agreed that Greenblatt's meeting with settler leaders was unusual, but said he did not disagree with it.

"I think what Jason Greenblatt is doing is to consult with all kinds of political forces," Eytan Gilboa, an expert on Israeli-US relations with the Begin-Sadat Centre for Strategic Studies, told AFP.
Deere & Co. has teamed up with Kespry Inc., a producer of automated drones, to make topographical mapping in construction faster, easier and more economical.

John Deere Construction and Forestry dealers will provide the Kespry Aerial Intelligence System to their customers on job sites around the world. Starting with North America, the alliance enables John Deere customers to use Kesprys fully integrated industrial drone platform to capture topographical data in minutes with survey-grade accuracy.

Tammo Wagner, manager of technology partner integration at Moline-based Deere & Co., said that about 18 months ago, Deere began exploring how to help contractors obtain topographical survey data more efficiently.

Obtaining topographical and survey data, he said, is commonly done with base stations and rovers."

"These devices sit on a tripod and another person walks around shooting points. While this can be very accurate with GPS measuring latitude and longitudinal elevation, it also is manual labor intensive.

Thats been the process for a while and we decided to see if we could make this process rapid, seamless and automated, Wagner said.

Deere looked at using satellite and other systems to integrate with the mapping technology, he said. We determined we really needed to use unmanned aircraft systems, Wagner added.

After evaluating a number of companies that make drone systems, Deere settled on Kespry, based in Menlo Park, California.

David Shearer, vice president of marketing for Kespry, said the company has been in business since 2013, which may not seem like a long time, but in drone years its a very long time.

Shearer said the company was founded on finding new ways to serve business solutions rather looking for a problem to solve.

The goal at Kespry, he said, is to reduce the amount of friction in getting high-quality data from the field into the business as quickly as possible so that decisions can be made and work begun.

What John Deere saw in us is a company dedicated to a complete solution that makes it easy for people to capture field data without having to become drone experts, Shearer said.

But of vital importance is the fact that Kespry is a one-stop shop. Not only do they make the drone, they provide all of the technology that captures all the data and transfers it to the cloud so it is readily available to a business decision-makers.

There are a number of companies that produce good drones, Shearer said. But these drone makers don't have an integrated cloud solution. And there companies that have good cloud technology but they don't make drones, he added.

Other companies leave it to the drone customer to cobble together the technologies that may not be compatible.

But, Shearer said, Kespry provides the whole package, drone, technology, software and support.

Additionally, having people out in the field can be dangerous depending on the area being surveyed. Deere and Kespry make topographical surveying much safer.

You dont fly a Kespry drone, Shearer said. You send it on a mission. You hit the button and the drone does the rest. It is technology that anyone can use, and augments the potential of your team."

Wagner said that a Quad-City construction company recently had to survey a 100-acre site. Because it was such a large mapping job, surveyers attached the rover equipment to an ATV. The ATV would move 8 feet before stopping at each shooting point so that the person with the base site could take the measurement.

It took them 2 weeks to complete the mapping, Wagner said.

Shearer said that for a 25-50 acre site, a person could go out before breakfast with one of Kesprys drones and Deeres technology and have the data by lunch.

"It's not drones they're interested in but the data it provides," he said. The technology that Deere and Kespry offer provides that data, in minutes or hours, not days.

What Deere and Kespry are offering, Shearer said, is real-time data to effectively manage operations from the beginning of the job to the end. Its beginning a journey to give our customer base the kind of information and operating data theyve not had before.
Concerts to benefit church organ

Free noon organ recitals at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 121 W. 12th St., Davenport, will take on a new focus for the next few weeks.

At each of the 30-minute recitals, those in attendance will be asked to contribute toward the cost of renovating the pipe organ damaged by the March 6 tornado at Wesley United Methodist Church in Muscatine. It is asked the donations be made at the concerts, and the funds will be sent directly to the church.

These musical programs are traditional at the cathedral as part of a Lenten devotion. Members of all faiths and traditions are welcome.

Remaining concerts will feature the following organists: Chris Nelson on March 22; Ahreum Han Congdon on March 29 and Stephen Steely on April 5. Recitals begin at noon. The public may bring a sack lunch and gather following the concert in the Cathedrals Great Hall,where coffee and lemonade will be provided.

Coffee house, silent auction at UUCQC

A 1960's-style coffee house with red-and-white checkered tablecloths and glowing candles burning in wine bottles is the setting for the coffee house and silent auction fundraiser at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities, 3707 Eastern Ave., Davenport.

The event is Saturday, March 25; doors open at 4:30 p.m. and music starts at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for children age 12 and younger. Tickets are available at the door.

Live music will include performances from Rose n' Thorns; Mark Ridolfi; Chris Dunn; Fanny & Doug; Dave & Rex; Larry Miller & Steve Burke; and Dr. Heat. Visit uucqc.org for the music schedule and more information.

Second Baptist sponsors Women's Day

The women of Second Baptist Church, 919 6th Avenue, Rock Island, will host the annual Womens Day Celebration at the 8 and 10:45 a.m. worship services on Sunday, March 26. The theme is "Super Woman."

Featured speakers are both from the church: Toni Smith at the 8 a.m. service and Toni Thomas at 10:45 a.m.

A Womens Day Choir will perform, directed by Evelyn Gay, with Julie Nash as the musician. The chairpersons this year are Latricia Andrews and Allycia Minter. For more information: 309-788-0677; email@sbcri.org, and online: sbcri.org.

Our Lady of the Prairie sponsors retreat

Our Lady of the Prairie, a retreat center in Wheatland, Iowa, is operated by the Congregation of the Humility of Mary, Davenport. The event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, is the Clifton "StrengthsFinder" workshop and is led by Pat Shea.

StrengthsFinder Workshop is an opportunity to identify and develop unique talents to enhance personal and professional lives. This source of wisdom and power may allow one the ability to transform every moment, every interaction, and every day. The process begins with a web-based survey, taken prior to the workshop. Fee: $30. To register, call 563-336-8414, or message: olpretreat@gmail.com. It is online, chmiowa.org, and click on the icon.

 Do you have a new or interesting event going on at your place of worship? If so, please contact Deirdre Baker  message dbaker@qctimes.com or call, 563-383-2492.
DES MOINES  Political observers looking at potential challengers to Iowa 2nd District Democratic Rep. Dave Loebsack may have the right family, but the wrong generation.

Recently Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann was among those listed as a possible 2018 challenger. However, its his son, Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, who is considering the race.

I wouldnt rule it out, but Im not ready launch an exploratory committee, the younger Kaufmann said, adding that he thinks most of the 150 members of the Iowa Legislature have entertained thoughts of higher office.

Hes not ready to commit to the race and thinks he has until the end of the year before he has to make a decision.

Among others considered as potential candidates are Jeff Kaufmann, Sens. Roby Smith of Davenport and Mark Lofgren of Muscatine, and Gov. Terry Branstads chief of staff Michael Bousselot.

Kaufmann doesnt expect to see much activity until after the legislative session. His father is busy with party activities while the legislators and Bousselot are busy with legislative issues.

Fifty percent of me is public servant, but the other 50 percent of me is very strong farmer, Kaufmann said. I dearly love my farm and you cant be a congressman and a farmer  and put in the amount of time (farming) that I like to put in.

Chris Peters, a Coralville physician, who ran against Loebsack in 2016, is in the very early stages of discussions with an exploratory committee and others about running again in 2018, according to the Burlington Hawk Eye.

I have high regards for Dr. Peters. If he runs, it would definitely impact peoples decision, including mine, Kaufmann said.

Kaufmann believes he would offer a strong contrast to Loebsack, who he said is very good at keeping in touch with constituents, but has accomplished little since being elected in 2006.

You cant point to things and say Congressman Loebsack got that done, Kaufmann said.

In contrast, Kaufmann pointed to a handful of things he has done in his five years in the House. Among them are defending property rights from unjustified use of eminent domain, never voting for a budget that was not balanced, being an original sponsor of legislation approved this week to expand insurance coverage of autism, protecting elders from abuse and including pets in protective orders so people dont stay in abusive relationships to protect their pets.

Kaufmann is confident he could raise enough money to be competitive and pointed to his success in liberal Johnson County as an indicator that he could be competitive across the 24-county district.

He won 63 percent of the vote in the six Johnson County townships that make up about one-third of his district. He ran unopposed in 2016 after defeating Solon businessman Dick Schwab in his initial race.

Thats something Gov. Terry Branstad hasnt been able to do, Kaufmann said. 33 percent of the district is in Johnson County. The fact that I was able to achieve that kind of success in Johnson County would make me a formidable candidate.

Loebsack received 65 percent of the vote in Johnson County last year.
DeWITT, Iowa  Donna Jeanne Helble, of Winona, Minnesota, formerly of DeWitt, died following a short illness Monday, March 13, 2017, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

Donna, the adored only child of Donald and Helen (Krause) Helble, was born December 17, 1948, in Davenport, Iowa. She spent her childhood in DeWitt, which always held a special place in her heart. Donna graduated from Simpson College with a B.A. in elementary education and French, received an M.S. in remedial reading from Winona State University, Minnesota, and an Ed.D. in language arts education from the University of Northern Colorado.

Donna was professor emerita of Winona State University. Education and childrens literature were her passions. Following in her mothers footsteps, she began her teaching career at Minnesota City Elementary School as a second-grade teacher. In 1973, she moved to Goodview Elementary School, where she taught grades one through four in the Program for Learning in Accordance with Needs.

In 1988, Donna began her career at Winona State University as a professor of education. She served as adjunct professor at St. Marys University of Minnesota, and the University of Northern Colorado. She also served as Teacher Intern for the Hon. Tim Penny, First District Minnesota U.S. Congress.

While at W.S.U., Donna chaired the popular community-wide Reading on the Mall event for 25 years. Through activities designed by her W.S.U. Childrens Literature classes, the event promoted childrens literacy in Winona and the surrounding communities. A booklet of activities was published for parents, teachers, and day care providers. The daylong February event attracted more than 2,000 people annually, and each child who attended received a new book to take home.

As a proud and dedicated member of the Rotary Club, for 26 years Donna was the chairperson of the Rotary Readers program, which sent Rotarians into elementary classrooms monthly to read to the children. Three books were donated to the classrooms each month, and once a year, Rotary gave a book to each student. Donna also worked with Books for Babies, another Rotary Club project, to donate board books that community health nurses could take to visits with new parents to encourage them to begin reading orally to their children. More than 5,000 books were donated through the program.

Through Rotary Club, Donna chaired the Shadow Program for more than 28 years, matching high school students with Rotarians or community members in a profession in which they were interested. She was also a multiple Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club.

Donna designed the model for the Maxwell Math Club, an after-school enrichment program for elementary students held on the W.S.U. campus. She was co-founder and co-advisor for the Student International Reading Association on the W.S.U. campus, and Kappa Delta Pi, an education honorary at W.S.U.

In the wider community, Donna served as president and board member of the following: Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Winona, Winona Rotary Club, United Way of the Greater Winona Area, the Winona County Unit of the American Red Cross, the Winona County Cancer Society, the Winona Friends of the Library, the Winona Community Foundation, and the Winona branch of the American Association of University Women. She also served on the boards of the Winona State University Foundation, where she was heavily involved in planning for the Education Village, and the Winona Area Public Schools Foundation. Donna was a member and held offices in the following: the Southeastern Minnesota Reading Council, Phi Delta Kappa Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Chapter CS of the PEO Sisterhood, the D.A.R., Sequoia Club, and the Ruskin Study Club. She attended the Blandin Community Leadership Program, as well. It must be mentioned that Donna was an avid bridge player.

For these and other professional and community contributions, Donna was the recipient of many awards, including: Winona Teacher of the Year, inclusion in "Whos Who Among American Teachers," the Thomas Stark Award from the United Way, the Celebrate Literacy Award from the International Reading Association, the Athena Award for women in leadership from the Winona Chamber of Commerce, the Ben and Adith Miller Tribute from Winona Health, Rotary International Distinguished Club President (awarded in Barcelona, Spain), a Certificate of Appreciation from the city of Winona for increasing literacy among community youth, and a certificate from the Minnesota Senate for promoting literacy. Her name was also included in "Whos Who of American Women," the international "Whos Who of Professional Business Women," and "Outstanding Young Women of America."

Beyond her professional and civic contributions, Donna will be remembered as an energetic, witty, loving and giving friend to many people locally and around the world. She never stopped learning through her many activities, friendships, and her extensive travel to Europe, India, Australia, and all over the world and the United States. Donnas willingness to host myriad public and private events, her generosity of spirit as well as treasure, love of educating children (even teaching them to swim), her ready laugh, her appreciation of beauty and humanity will all be missed by a community that has benefitted from her full and benevolent life. As Donnas mother would say, we will miss Donnas personality plus!

Donnas survivors include her cousins, Steve Duffy and Lynn Enlow; special friend, Brian Williamson, of Australia; and many, many other friends.

A funeral service for Donna Jeanne Helble was Saturday, March 18, at 11 a.m. with visitation at 9:30 a.m. at her church, Wesley United Methodist, in Winona. Visitation was Friday, March 17, from 4-8 p.m. at Fawcett-Junker Funeral Home. Visitation will be 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m., Monday, March 20, at the United Methodist Church, 222 12th St., DeWitt. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, DeWitt.

Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com.
Father Steven Biegler appointed to Cheyenne

Rev. Steven Biegler has been appointed as the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Cheyenne.

Fr. Biegler, of the clergy of the Diocese of Rapid City, is currently the Vicar General and pastor of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, in Rapid City. His Episcopal Ordination and Installation will take place on June 5, 2017 in Cheyenne, WY.

Fr. Biegler started in Rapid City in 2007 as chaplain of Rapid City Catholic Schools. He was Pastor at Our Lady of the Black Hills from 2011 to 2015 and Pastor at Cahtedral of our Lady of Perpetual Help from 2016 to present.

Parish and community feed hosted by St. Isaac

St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church and the Flowers of Many Colors, a St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church outreach ministry, will host a parish and community feed, on Thursday, March 23rd from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. in the Mother Butler Center at 231 Knollwood Drive in Rapid City. Our menu incudes soups, sandwiches, salads, chips, and desserts. Everyone is welcome. Please come and share a meal with us.

Family Heritage Alliance holding legislative debrief

The public is invited to one of two Family Heritage Alliance Action's Legislative Debriefing Events.

People may attend either Tuesday, March 21 at 6:30 p.m. for a dessert reception or Wednesday, March 22 at 11:45 a.m. for a luncheon. Both events will be held at the Cedar Canyon Wesleyan Camp, 5130 Memorial Road in Rapid City and a freewill offering will be received.

FHAs Executive Director Dale Bartscher and Norman Woods will share as they share a debrief of this years 92nd South Dakota Legislative Session - the good, the bad, the ugly!

Go to www.FamilyHeritageAlliance.org or call 605-718-5433 for more information and/or to register.
If you have some free time and an interest in downtown Rapid City, security and municipal politics, the city has an opportunity for you: Downtown Security Task Force member.

Rapid City is seeking applicants for the task force, which will be responsible for reviewing options for increasing security in the downtown area. Task force representatives will join Mayor Steve Allender, city council members and community leaders in regular working sessions that will likely meet for about six months.

Downtown business owners and Native Americans are encouraged to apply before the deadline on March 31 on the Rapid City government website under the city online forms tab.
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala | Five civic and business leaders from the area have received personal invitations from the Secretary of the Air Force to attend the 64th annual National Security Forum at the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

Sandy Burns, founder, president and CEO of Project Solutions, Inc., Vance Crocker, vice president of electric operations for Black Hills Energy, Ken Davis, civic leader and member of the Ellsworth Task Force, Linden Evans, president and COO of Black Hills Corporation, and Dr. Helen Usera, owner of Aspiring Business Consulting, are among the handful of individuals from across the nation invited to participate in the NSF May 9-11.

According to military officials, the purpose of NSF is to expose influential citizens to senior U.S. and international officers and civilian equivalents in order to engage each others ideas and perspectives on Air Force, national and international security issues.

Approximately 150 civilian leaders in business, education and government from around the U.S. will meet with senior military leaders to explore current and future national security issues facing our nation. The NSF provides a great opportunity for an open and candid exchange of ideas among these guests, senior military and civilian leaders, and Air War College students. All selectees will attend lectures, meet in seminars for in-depth discussions and participate in social events.

The Air War College is the senior professional development school in the Air Force officer education system as a part of Air University. AWC educates selected senior officers to lead at the strategic level in the employment of air and space forces. The curriculum focuses on coalition warfighting and national security issues, with emphasis on the effective employment of aerospace forces in joint and combined combat operations.

Air University is a major component of Air Education and Training Command and the intellectual and leadership center of the Air Force. Air Universitys eight colleges and schools provide the full spectrum of Air Force education, from pre-commissioning to the highest levels of professional military education, including degree granting and professional continuing education for officers, enlisted and civilian personnel throughout their careers.

For more information, contact Michael Ritz, 42nd ABW/PA, at (334) 953-6328 or Michael.Ritz.2@us.af.mil. For information about Air University and the Air War College, visit www.au.af.mil.
The publics right to know who is involved in this countrys election and public policy processes is a bedrock ideal of our democracy. Yet, some folks just dont seem to get that. Instead of focusing on the principle involved, they want to sue or demonize public officials.

Two recent cases in point: the Feb. 27 ruling on Independence Institute v FEC by the U.S. Supreme Court turned back yet another attack on disclosure, and the resignation of FEC Commissioner Ann Ravel in frustration over the commissions inability to do  anything.

With Independence Institute v FEC, the Court ruled that groups that run candidate-focused advertising just prior to elections must disclose who sponsors those ads. Since these disclosure requirements apply only to groups that spend more than $10,000 on advertising, its not onerous to mom-and-pop outfits who are supporting their local or state candidate. Pretty simple, right?

The history of such disclosure dates back to the U.S. Supreme Courts 1996 landmark ruling in Buckley v Valeo, in which the Court balanced the publics right to know who is involved in elections with an individuals right to free speech and freedom of association. The Court found that when it came to politics and campaign finances  which have a direct bearing on the public policies decided by lawmakers and paid for by taxpayers  knowing who supports candidates is important because it helps voters evaluate candidates, helps deter corruption and the appearance of it, and helps detect violations of laws. The Court upheld these basic principles in McConnell v FEC in 2003 and again in Citizens United v FEC in 2010.

Disclosure helps provide transparency in our elections and public policy processes and ultimately supports a more healthy democracy.

So, when FEC Commissioner Ravel, a longtime and ardent advocate for disclosure and transparency, stepped down recently and expressed her frustration with the election commissions partisan gridlock, she became a target for those who see disclosure as an ill that weighs down our democracy. The Wall Street Journal in a Feb. 26 editorial accused Ravel of the weaponizing of campaign-finance law, despite the long and constitutionally tested reasoning behind such laws.

Instead of demonizing disclosure as an ill on our democracy, we should be celebrating it. It is one of the things that makes our democracy so resilient and respected. The Wall Street Journals editorial brought to mind a personal conversation we had with an elected leader from Algeria who was visiting our country to understand more fully how our democracy works. When offered assistance with educating lawmakers in his country, he cast a serious smile and said, No, thank you. People who do what you do in my country get shot.

Disclosure is a powerful weapon. Lets protect it and use it wisely.
People gather to protest the land swap contract between the military and Lotte Group in Seoul, South Korea, Feb 27, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

The unprecedented ruling of the Republic of Korea's constitutional court on Friday made Park Geun-hye the first president to be removed from office after impeachment. The ROK has to complete a presidential by-election within 60 days, and the next president faces the formidable task of righting the wrongs of the Park administration.

From a geopolitical perspective, the decision to deploy a US missile defense system tops the series of mistakes committed by Park during her four years in office. The move caused China-ROK relations to plummet to the lowest level since the establishment of diplomatic ties between them.

The ROK's retail giant Lotte Group agreed to a land swap deal with the government on Feb 28 paving the way for the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system in the country. In fact, a part of the THAAD battery and other related equipment have already reached the ROKon March 6, to be precise.

With the ROK expediting the process of deploying the US missile shield under the pretext of guarding against the military threat from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, its ties with China have soured further. As China was forced to take necessary countermeasures, more and more consumers have shunned retail stores operated by Lotte in China.

By jumping on the ROK government's bandwagon to help deploy THAAD, Lotte has crossed the bottom line of business operations and ethics. Therefore, it is only natural that its businesses in China have suffered a heavy blow.

Yet the severe consequences of THAAD's deployment go far beyond the economic and trade fields, for it poses a threat to the security of countries in the region, including China. One country's security apparatus should not threaten, let alone sabotage, those of other countries. This is the overriding principle defining international relations. And history warns us that even one misstep in this regard could push friendly countries to the brink of crisis.

The excuse used by the ROK to deploy THAAD does not hold water. Even ROK citizens know the US anti-missile system can only intensify tensions with the DPRK and thus make the country more insecure.

The developments on the Korean Peninsula in recent months show that responding to an arms threat with a counter-threat will not ease the long-standing hostility between the two neighbors. In fact, it could only break the established strategic equilibrium in the region.

Although both Washington and Seoul refuse to concede that the deployment of THAAD poses a severe threat to China's security interests, there is no denying that it could be used to spy on Chinese territory.

The anti-missile system can detect the launch of a single or a few missiles as far as 3,000 kilometers away, George Nelson Lewis, a physicist and expert on missile defense at Cornell University's Judith Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, was quoted last week by the London-based Financial Times as saying.

If that were even half true, it would mean a large part of Chinese territory would be under THAAD's surveillance. No country will tolerate such an act of blatant infringement on its national security. As such, the next ROK president will have to face other countries' backlash against Park's THAAD policy, which has already thwarted the healthy development of Beijing-Seoul ties.

A sensible approach for Seoul would be to mitigate the THAAD security threat to China by canceling the wrong decision or at least postponing its deployment permanently. The ousting of Park has created an opportunity to change the THAAD policy, and the next ROK president should seize this opportunity so that its ties with China can be repaired, because amiable Beijing-Seoul relations will benefit both countries.

The author is a senior writer with China Daily.

wanghui@chinadaily.com.cn
One of the most troubling ideas floating around the North Dakota Legislature this session is a proposal to allow up to six state-owned casinos. Proponents, led by Rep. Al Carlson, R-Fargo, tout the idea as a way to create tourist destinations in rural areas. But opening gambling to state casinos would create a wrecking ball that could cripple charitable gaming and the five tribal casinos that provide badly needed revenues and jobs on poor reservations.

The proposal, in the form of a concurrent resolution that was quietly slipped in the hopper on the last day for submitting legislation, would amend the North Dakota Constitutionif passed by lawmakers and ratified by voters. Legislators should quickly dispose of this corrosive piece of legislation and get back to more important business.

The stakes are high for organizations that would be put at risk if the measure is approved.

Charitable gaming in North Dakota raised more than $43 million for a wide range of charities during 2013-15. The resolution would not allow casinos within 5 miles of the state's cities with a population of 5,000 or more, a way of trying to put lipstick on a pig. But there's no question that if a casino were located just outside the legal geographical limit of a major city that charitable gaming operations would suffer a major blow.

The proposal also poses a major threat to the five casinos operated by North Dakota tribes, authorized under federal law. The casinos generated $237 million in revenues in 2014, an economic engine that has beneficial ripple effects around the state. Each of the casinos employs between 200 and 400 workers, mostly American Indians on reservations with sky high unemployment rates.

Clearly, North Dakota already has destination casinos in rural areas, operated by the tribes, whose casinos often are located in attractive settings along the Missouri River, on Lake Sakakawea or Devils Lake, for instance.

It's impossible to overlook the timing of the proposal, which comes in the midst of the turmoil over the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline, which opponents believe threatens the water supply of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. American Indians from Standing Rock and elsewhere have been trying to block the pipeline, backed by the state because it would transport Bakken oil to markets.

As a result of the friction, relations between the state and its tribes are badly frayed. Legislative leaders canceled the customary address by a tribal leader and rejected a bill to allow the display of tribal flags in the state Capitol. There's no reason to further alienate the state's American Indian residentswhich some suspect is the entire point of the casino resolutionby undercutting important sources of revenue and jobs. It's a bad bet and should be discarded.

 Fargo Forum
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is expected to challenge China to do more to rein in its nuclear-armed neighbor and ally North Korea during his visit to Beijing this weekend, his first since taking office.

Tillerson arrived in the Chinese capital Saturday after issuing the administration's bluntest warning yet to North Korea, saying that no option was off the table -- including military action.

He was speaking Friday in South Korea on the second stop of his first Asian visit, which also included Japan. The tour comes amid flaring tensions on the Korean peninsula following recent North Korea missile launches and fears it's preparing for another nuclear test.

In Beijing, he will meet with his Chinese counterpart Foreign Minister Wang Yi and is due to meet with China's President Xi Jinping on Sunday. He's expected to raise the prospect of financial penalties on companies and banks that do business in North Korea.

"The Trump administration is banking that threats of US military action in South Korea and tougher sanctions on Chinese entities will intimidate Beijing into changing its policies," said Ashley Townshend, a research fellow at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney.

US President Donald Trump on Friday denounced North Korea and singled out China, tweeting, "North Korea is behaving very badly. They have been 'playing' the United States for years. China has done little to help!"

Beijing is North Korea's only real ally and its main economic benefactor, accounting for 70% of the country's trade.

Beijing irked

Beijing, however, has been irked by calls that it isn't doing enough to lessen tensions in the region.

"Washington and Seoul are trying to shift all the burden of solving the North Korean nuclear issue onto China and include China into their strategy toward Pyongyang," said an unbylined opinion piece in the Global Times, a state-run tabloid.

"But that way, China and North Korea will become enemies, further complicating the conflict. The North Korean nuclear issue is caused by Washington-Pyongyang confrontation, to which China has no obligation to shoulder all the responsibilities."

A senior Chinese official told CNN Thursday that Beijing plans to present its own plan to Tillerson during his visit, but Tillerson has dismissed the proposal that the US should drop joint military exercises with South Korea as a show of good faith to Pyongyang.

He said Friday that Washington did "not believe that conditions are right to engage in any talks at this time."

"Conditions must change before there are any scope for talks to resume, whether they are five party or six party," he said.

Tillerson also called on China to give up its opposition to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, or act to "address the threat that makes THAAD necessary."

The missile defense system, which the US and South Korea believe is necessary to protect against the North Korean missile threat, is in the process of being deployed in South Korea

He also urged Beijing to drop any retaliatory action against South Korea, amid allegations businesses and the tourism industry is being punished for Seoul's stance on the issue.

Summit preparations

Tillerson is also in Beijing to iron out the details of a tentative Florida summit scheduled in April between Trump and China's President.

It would be the first meeting between the two men, in what many argue is the most important bilateral relationship in the world.

Despite fiery rhetoric on the campaign trail and prior to his inauguration, Trump and his administration have taken a relatively hands off approach to China so far. Tillerson's visit has the potential to set the tone for the relationship.

Trump has not followed through on campaign threats to label China a currency manipulator or impose steep tariffs on Chinese imports. He also endorsed the "One China" policy, which has governed relations between the US, China and Taiwan for decades, after questioning its legitimacy shortly after his election.

Tillerson also will likely raise Beijing's build-up in the South China Sea. At his confirmation hearing, Tillerson suggested Beijing should be denied access to the artificial islands it's built in the disputed waters.
First Peoples Buffalo Jump is where beauty meets history and the seemingly endless prairie momentarily falls away to the sky.

Records of Native Americans using the buffalo jump, called Ulm Pishkun, near Ulm date back thousands of years. Now a state park, First Peoples Buffalo Jump offers visitors an interpretive center and 3.5-mile hiking trail that allows nearly unparalleled access and education.

A lot of people really feel a sense of spiritual connection to this place when they come to visit, said park manager Rick Thompson. It really gives you a sense of time and place.

Herds of 100 or more bison were funneled to the sandstone cliff which at first glance seems only to be a part of the prairie. But here the ground suddenly disappears, sending unsuspecting bison plummeting 30 to 50 feet as they followed the animal in front of them.

When youre on top you really get that deceptive feeling like youre on the prairie and its very apparent to visitors that a stampeding herd of buffalo wouldve been totally surprised, Thompson said.

Still evident drive lines lead to the edge while bison bones and other remnants below demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency with which Native Americans used the site, with artifacts dating back to 300 A.D. In 2015 First Peoples was listed as a National Historic Landmark.

Along with the history, the beauty is also a major attraction for visitors.

The view is very panoramic and one of my favorite views in Montana, Thompson said. You see the Rocky Mountain Front, the island mountain ranges and the view of Square Butte is really second to none.

Carleen Faulkner, who is going into her third summer working at the state park, agreed that the aesthetics and history are what sets the park apart.

Its the largest jump in North America and it was used by 13 different tribes that would travel here, she said. There is a lot of history to it but I would say it is the whole experience. The view is just awesome, its beautiful everywhere you look and thee are all kinds of wildlife and plants.

A tour of the interpretive center provides some history of those tribes, which include Pend O'reille, Shoshone, Assiniboine, Blackfeet, Cree, Gros Ventre, Salish and others.

Events honoring the history of First Peoples have also become a staple of the park. A day of traditional Native American games and opportunities to try primitive weapons such at the atlatl and archery have become annual summer programs. The Little Shell Chippewa Tribe held a powwow here in 2015 and organizers are hopeful for a return this year.

More information on the state park and upcoming programs is available at http://stateparks.mt.gov/.

While every season offers a different experience at First Peoples, the most popular times tend to be early summer and fall. Located only about 4 miles from the interstate, both tourists and Montana residents have easy access to the park.

Most folks are pleasantly surprised to find a facility and site like this out here, Thompson said. The landscape is mostly wheat fields and not very dramatic, but then you find a very nice visitor center and the largest buffalo jump in North America. Folks really enjoy it.
Jack Hellner

The federal budget in FY 2007 was around $2.7 Trillion. By FY 2017 it had soared to $4.1 Trillion -- but it has never been enough.

Politicians of both parties have continuously added programs that benefit some people and which the politicians promise will be paid for. Once programs start, they are hard to stop because there are always some beneficiaries who will be hurt.

Even though politicians promise the programs will be paid for, they obviously aren't, which is why we owe 20 trillion dollars and have tens of trillions of dollars in unfunded liabilities. They either borrow or add new taxes and fees to pay for new programs and to fund previous underfunding. There is always some service or product they can tax. It is very easy to use other people's money or to borrow to buy votes.

Many times they promise to tax the rich, but most often they end up putting in additional taxes on which focus on income earners in higher brackets -- people who don't have the scale of resources to hire teams of experts, structure income in ways that minimize tax liability, and hire lobbyists. But for the poor and low income, taxes may weigh even heavier, in the form of consumption taxes on essentials. With outgo always exceeding income unless they spend very carefully, each new tax increase is a challenge.

Government entities at all levels steal money from motor fuel taxes and then complain that they don't have enough money for roads and bridges. Instead of spending the money on its intended uses, they say they need to raise fuel taxes. The latest excuse is that all those government-subsidized electric cars is cutting into gasoline tax revenue. So those gasoline taxes have to be increased.

Recently Philadelphia instituted a heavy (and heavily regressive) sugary drink tax.

From a Facebook post, the Philadelphia sugary drink tax implemented today damn, between that & Pennsylvania gas tax no wonder folk revolted pic.twitter.com/ZUtmufCyQn

Sales crashed by as much as half, because lower income people consume a disproportional share of soft drinks, and they had to give them up. Social engineering, no doubt. But the politicians didn't collect what they thought and stores and distributors started laying off people. Instead of the mayor recognizing the problem, the mayor called employers greedy.

Basically, through it all there has been little concern for the common man and taxpayer. It is always "How can we get more money for the government?" Surveys have shown that fewer than half of Americans can come up with $1,000 to pay for an emergency. Politicians don't care, as they continue to raise taxes and fees and make more promises.

As the politicians and government bureaucrats have enhanced their power by buying votes with government programs, they have also enriched themselves with great salaries and benefits, have protected their power by drawing voting maps to protect incumbents, have written campaign finance laws to ward off competition and have made sure that term limits don't make it on the ballot. None of that is done for us or our children.

What the powerful politicians can't handle is an outsider like Trump who is not beholden to either party. Entrenched politicians of both parties, therefore, seek to destroy him each and every day. They must protect themselves. They do not want someone who will actually cut duplicate and unaffordable programs.

Obviously, the powerful politicians from both parties are responsible for the disastrous fiscal condition the country is in, but almost equally complicit are the significant majority of the media who support the massive spending and tax levels almost 100% of the time. They deride any attempt to cut or freeze as mean and disastrous. The media willingly trots out victims of any cuts because victims are the currency of progressives. Find some new victims and presto! there is a need for another government program.

Making people dependent on government enriches the governing class and provides them with job security. The media compliantly calls anyone who wants to make government smaller and cut taxes mean-spirited, inhuman, stupid, or sums up those characteristics with the expression "right wing extremist." They never label anyone who wants government to get bigger and more powerful a "left wing extremist."

Economies collapse because government gets too big and powerful, not because the people have too much power. It appears that we have a chance to give some of the power of the purse back to the people. If we don't do it now, we never will. If the media actually cared about future generations they would be terrified of too much power going to the government. They certainly wouldn't want to make future generations completely dependent on government.
Empowering women and ensuring gender equality is more than just a development goal. It is vital to advancing human development and achieving sustainable development. Sustainable development will not be possible without girls and women fully realizing their rights in all spheres of life.

The gender landscape has changed positively since the 2000s largely as a result of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Noteworthy progress has been made in reducing gender disparity in education, and participation in economic activity. More girls go to school now than they did 15 years ago, and over 40 percent of women are engaged as paid workers outside of agriculture. Such progress, however, has been uneven across regions and countries. Millions of women have been left behind, and gender inequality remains a serious concern at multiple levels, and in many different forms. The issue is more serious in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) where gender gap and gender inequality are very high.

Gender equality and womens empowerment are central to the work and philosophy of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). The organization is committed to addressing gender equality and womens empowerment through a gender transformative change approach that is reflected in its policies, strategic plans, and practices. The projects being implemented by the organization aim to impact the most economically deprived, discriminated, and marginalized people, many of whom are girls and women. This is true not just for the HKH, but also other parts of the world. Girls and women continue to suffer discrimination, and the violation of rights just because they are female, ascribed to a gender that is somehow always second.

In the HKH in particular, universally discriminatory barriers include laws, traditions and accesses which bar women from owning and inheriting land in many societies. In the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh, for instance, one-fifth of the female population cannot inherit property, and virtually none of the Mro and Khyang communities can. In neighbouring Nepal, the national government is trying to encourage land ownership for women through an incentive in the form of tax reductions for land registered in the name of a woman. However, in spite of this policy, the pace at which the share of land owned by women is increasing in Nepali is very slow. Government data based on land ownership certificates from 2011 shows that women have limited land ownership, ranging from 8-10 percent. This averages to less than 0.1 hectares of land per woman per holding. What must be taken into account here is that the absence of claims to property can not only muffle the voices of women, but also make it harder for them to enter and flourish in commercial, economic and even certain social activities.

An important lesson learnt from several decades of gender research is that although gender relations play a critical role in the management of natural resources, women tend to be systematically disadvantaged in terms of access to resources, and decision-making. According to data from the Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal (FECOFUN), one of the most successful development initiatives in Nepal, womens participation as decision makers on the executive committees of community forest user groups (CFUGs) reached an average of only 25 percent of membership in 2012. The numbers clearly indicate that the road to achieving womens empowerment and gender equality in a manner that prioritizes the well-being of both men and women remains a long and challenging one.

Achieving greater equality between men and women will require a transformation in power relations between men and women and a breaking of structural barriers impeding progress in this area. Sustainable Development Goal 5 which seeks gender equality and empowerment for all women offers an opportunity to embed gender equality into transformative approaches to sustainable development. In order for this promise to be fulfilled, though, policy actions for sustainability must redress the disproportionate impacts of social, economic, and environmental shocks and stresses on girls and women. Womens agency, potential, and knowledge for collective action can improve resource productivity, enhance ecosystem conservation, encourage the sustainable use of natural resources, and help create more sustainable, low-carbon food, energy, water and health systems. Failure to capitalize on this would be a missed opportunity.

Prioritizing investment in the empowerment of girls and women in the HKH is not only a direct path towards gender equality, poverty reduction and inclusive economic growth, it also ensures that nobody is left behind. An enabling environmental and transformative policy is crucial to ensuring sustainable development, and the social and economic empowerment of women. This would also help accelerate the implementation of existing commitments in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and support conscious efforts being made to meet SDG 5. It is imperative that we promote and enact legislative and administrative reforms to ensure womens equal rights to economic and productive resources. This includes womens rights to inheritance, and access to, control over and/or ownership of land and other property, credit and other financial services, information, and communication technologies.

---------------

Kamala Gurung (kamala.gurung@icimod.org) is Gender and NRM Specialist and Dr Golam Rasul (golam.rasul@icimod.org) is Golam Rasul is a Senior Economist and Theme Leader Livelihood at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, ICIMOD.
Guwahati: Assam Governor Banwarilal Purohit made a request to British Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata Bruce Bucknell to do the needful for returning the Vrindavani Vastra, the 16th century treasure of the State to Assam.

The British envoy who is on a tour to Assam, this morning called on the Governor at Raj Bhavan in Guwahati as the duo talked on a wide spectrum of issues of mutual interests.

Purohit drew the attention of Bucknell that once Assam's treasure Vrindavani Vastra, a drape woven by Assamese weavers during the 16th century under the guidance of the Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardev are with the possession of Victoria and Albert Museum London, and he sought his help in the getting the drape back to Assam.

Drawing the attention of the Britsh envoy, Purohit said that the State is rich in Eri and Muga silk, handloom and bamboo craft among others as he said that both Assam and Britain can work on these sectors for their further promotion so that both the geographical entities can reap rich dividends from these sectors.

Purohit also said that Assam is rich in bamboo and cane craft as he requested Britain's help to organize an exhibition of Assam's handicrafts in Britain for the mutual benefit of both Assam and Britain.

Stating Assam's richness in cultural diversity and for facilitating cultural exchanges between Assam and Britain and the cultural troops of Assam should be invited in Britain to perform in Royal Albert Hall and the same would follow suit in Assam.

The British Deputy High Commissioner also hailed Assam's prolific and pristine tourism and said that the State's tourism can be extensively used to facilitate people to people contact between India and Britain.

Purohit also acknowledged the British envoy's gesture of visiting Assam as he said that both the geographical entities will keep working to strengthen bilateral relations.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati : Assam government has decided to release first six months arrears of revision pay scale recommended by the 7th Assam Pay & Productivity Pay Commission to the state employees before the Rongali bihu.

The state government cabinet on Friday had approved to release the first six months arrears of revision pay scale to the state government employees before April 14 next.

Assam Finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said about the cabinet decisions that, the recommendations of 7th Assam Pay & Productivity Pay Commission will be implemented from April 1, 2016 and the state cabinet had approved it.

The Assam minister said that, the state government to bear additional burden of Rs 1600 crore to implement the new pay commission.

'For this around 5 lakh state government employees will be benefited,'A Sarma said.

Earlier, the state finance minister had declared about implementation of new pay scale from April 1, 2016 in his budget speech for the financial year 2017-18.

On the other hand, the state government cabinet also approved to establisha separate directorate of Science and Technology.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
KATHMANDU, March 18: The Embassy of Nepal in the UK has organized a literary festival and book exhibition program on the occasion of the bicentennial diplomatic ties between Nepal and the UK.

The Embassy has organized a literary festival and books exhibition published from the Sajha Publications.

As high as 3000 books have been kept in the three-day-long event, it is said.

Visiting the exhibition, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs as CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Narayankaji Shrestha said that such exhibitions would be instrumental to familiarize Nepal and Nepali writers' creations. He also added that contribution of Nepalis living at home and abroad should be in the nation building process.

Likewise, leader of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Democratic) Jitendra Dev praised the event conducted from the government level to uplift the Nepali literature. He hoped that such activity would help further cement the Nepal-UK diplomatic ties.

On the occasion, Chairman and General Manager of Sajha Publications Dolindra Prasad Sharma expressed his gratitude for the support received from the Nepali Embassy, London.

Also speaking at the programme, Nepal's Ambassador to UK Dr Dubasu Chhetri said that he would take initiatives to take the Nepali literary pieces in other European countries.

During the programme, a book 'Belayetman Nepali Kabi Ra Kabita' (Nepalis poets and poems in the UK) edited by Dr Chhetri was released. RSS
Kathmandu, Nepal: The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has on Saturday concluded to protest the Election Commission (EC) decision to remove the provision of Hindu state and monarchy.

An emergency meeting of the RPP held on Saturday concluded to seek constitutional remedy against the EC decision.

With the decision, the RPP would move to the Supreme Court (SC) seeking order against the EC decision to remove the provision of Hindu state and monarchy from the partys statue.

The RPP has requested the Election Commission to rethink over the decision.

The EC had on Friday decided to remove the portion of the RPPs statue that advocates Hindu state and monarchy with the conclusion that the revisions of the constitution contradict to the constitutional provisions.

The meeting has termed the EC decision as an objectionable and against sentiments of the Constitution.

As the Constitution has guaranteed freedom of expression and organization, the RPP does not accept the decision which would forbid the partys principal norm, reads the statement.

The RPP has also decided to launch a nationwide protest demanding reinstatement of the Hindu state.
Rhododendron flowers are seen in full bloom on the backdrop of majestic view of mountains from Kahunkot of Pokhara in Kaski district, on Sunday, February 26, 2017. Photo: RSS

ILAM: The national flower of Nepal, rhododendron, is seemingly falling into the list of endangered species of flora in face of negligence and lack of proper conservation efforts by the concerned authorities.

The open border, lack of awareness, open grazing, unsystematic urbanisation and use of unrestrained timber have resulted in decline in the number of rhododendron found in the highlands of Ilam.

Rhododendrons are being used by the Indian Seema Surakchya Bal (SSB) and in hotels and construction purposes in the eastern Pushapatinagar to Sandakpur are being conserved in the Singha Lila National Park. Since the entry has been banned there, the illegal traders have shifted to Nepal.

There is a need to develop substantive policy from the Ministry of Forest and the Department of Forestry for proper conservation of rhododendrons, High Hill Herb Associations Deepak Rangeli shared.

Rhododendrons can be seen in Majhamjhuwa, Mawu, Jamuna, Majhpori, Puwamjhuwa, Pyang and Jogmai VDCs of the district.RSS
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Crowds gathered Friday to pay their respects to Lompoc Police Officer Miguel Grijalva, who died of an apparent suicide last week, and support his family, friends and fellow officers.

Grijalva, a three-year Lompoc Police Department veteran, was off-duty and outside of the citys limits when he died in the early morning hours of March 7.

Before serving with the Lompoc Police Department, Grijalva served as a U.S. Marine.

A memorial service was held at noon Friday at Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Lompoc, where a large number of police officers and members of the military were in attendance.

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Anthony "Tony" San Juan, 43, of Santa Maria, was shot and killed early Saturday morning, March 11, behind Elmer's bar, in what some are calling a "senseless" act of violence.

The shooting occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m., and during the course of the investigation, Santa Barbara County Sheriff's detectives developed information that pointed to suspect David Highley, 35, of Orcutt, who lives directly behind the bar.

Both Highley and his wife, Mayra Perez, are in custody and are on trial for various charges stemming from the incident. Follow the case in this collection of stories by court reporter Gina Kim.
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US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is expected to challenge China to do more to rein in its nuclear-armed neighbor and ally North Korea during his visit to Beijing this weekend, his first since taking office.
Okay. Our apologies to the Boston Underground Film Festival (BUFF) for our tardiness in getting to this announcement about the lineup of awesome short films playing at their 19th annual festival. But if you think about it, sending out a press release that close to Irish Competitive Drinking Day, it was a crapshoot if anyone in the ScreenAnarchy would be vertical at all this weekend.

Alas, I am the loser who had to shy away from competing this year. But I am also the winner because I get to share with your this year's excellent lineup of short films playing at the festival!

BUFF continues the fine tradition of supporting filmmakers who favor the short format and have always spread that love to not only local ('Merica!) and very local (Mass!) but to filmmakers around the World. The ScreenAnarchy family is also very proud of our own Izzy Lee (very local) who has two short films in this year's festival.

Below is the press release and the complete list of all short films playing at BUFF 19.

19th Annual Boston Underground Film Festival Unveils

Sumptuous Selection of Shorts Screening March 22nd through the 26th

Titles Include Computer Fighters, The Bridge Partner and Izzy Lees Latest, Rites of Vengeance!

Cambridge, MA  The 19th annual Boston Underground Film Festival returns to Harvard Square to usher in New Englands direly-needed Spring season with five days of Bacchic cinematic offerings to the gods. BUFF delivers a cornucopia of bite-sized terror, laughs, animations, music videos and more with a variety platter of 60+ short films spread between six thematic programs and accompanying select feature films.

Ashlea Wessels haunting INK provides a strong aperitif of pregsploitation horror to opening night feature film Prevenge, by Alice Lowe. Gabriel Olsons stunner, The Bridge Partner, stars Beth Grant (Donnie Darko, No Country for Old Men) as a timid housewife jolted into a fight for her survival or sanity, a pitch perfect pairing with closing night feature film, Marianna Palkas Bitch.

BUFF is pleased as pie to be giving the big-screen treatment to Computer Fighters, the latest comedic jam from YouTube overlords Neil Cicierega, Kevin James, and Ryan Murphy. Lavishing love upon the local filmmaking community is our the all-New England mainstay shorts block, Homegrown Horror, featuring Anna Gravels harrowing Fractal, Stee McMorriss gooey Strange Harvest, and Ben Swickers fantabulous The Dissolving Man.

Speaking of local love, BUFF is also proud to be hosting two shorts in the lineup from horror maven Izzy Lee: For a Good Time Call can be found creeping around the Trigger Warning transgressive midnight shorts program, and her unholy latest, Rites of Vengeance precedes Skip Sheas equally unholy feature debut, Trinity.

Additional programs in this years lineup explore fantastic feats of animation (Shorts Block: Get the Balance Right), a collection of international shorts exploring the human condition (Shorts Block: Disordered States), a block dedicated to dementedly funny shorts, Dont Look Back into the Sun, hosted by comedian Kevin Harrington, and a dazzling array of genre-bending music videos given the silver screen treatment, Sound + Vision.

BOSTON UNDERGROUND SHORTS LINEUP

Shorts Block DISORDERED STATES:

A TOWN CALLED THEOCRACY

Jehad Al-Kateeb, Syria/USA, 15 min.

Boy and girl meet cute through the magic of municipal overreach.

GUTS

Carrie Drzik, USA, 4 min.

The delightful tale about a plucky young heroine left to her own devices.

MARGINAL CIRCUS EMBASSY

Oliver Kowalczyk, Spain, 10 min.

We can't always hide our anxiety and loneliness with costumed pool parties.

ISADORE

Brooke Paxton, Australia, 14 min.

A German Expressionist ode to pantomime and our desperate need to please another at our own expense.

YULETIDE

Marinah Janello, USA, 5 min.

Krampus can spy you. But that doesn't mean you can spy on Krampus.

WALL

Giannis Vlahopolous, Greece, 14 min.

Those who control the money may also be controlling your outrage.

YOU CANT ESCAPE

Goirick Das, USA, 3 min.

Ding dong ditchingor the endless cycle of running from our fears and ourselves.

NO WAVE

Stephane Lapointe, Canada, 12 min.

After he hears a man scream within the calming sea of a relaxation radio station, sleep deprivation is the least of Henrys problems.

BROADCAST SIGNAL INTRUSION

Tim Woodall, UK, 15 min.

The brief hijacking of a TV signal leads a lonely, grief-wracked video archivist onto an obsessive quest for meaning.

Comedy Shorts Block DONT LOOK BACK INTO THE SUN:

DEATH METAL

Chris McInroy, USA, 5 min.

A metalhead gets passed down a satanic guitar that riffs to shreds.

CALLING IN DEMONS

Porcelain Dalya, USA, 8 min.

Instead of calling out of work sick, Daphne finds that she has demons in her home.

EULOGILIA

Alex Grossman, USA, 11 min.

After her bizarre addiction to eulogize is discovered, a troubled young woman fights to prove her sanity while attempting to survive group therapy.

EARWORM

Tara Price, USA, 5 min.

A lonely man does battle with a relentless piece of music.

IDIOMS ORIGINS ANOTHER TALE

Jim McDonough, USA, 6 min.

According to the legend, each and every idiom came to be after happening in real life. These stories have never been told. Until now

COMPUTER FIGHTERS

Kevin James & Neil Cicierega & Ryan Murphy, USA, 22 min.

When the local rich kid begins to hog a new groundbreaking video game at the arcade, it's up to Ryan, Neil, and Kevin to stop him.

PET MONKEY

Eric Maira, USA, 8 min.

A date night turns ugly when a persistent boyfriend offers to buy his girlfriend a monkey.

STAYCATION

Zachary Fleming, USA, 12 min.

Rob just wants some quality alone time. So does the apartment he rented.

4D

Laurence Rosier Stanies, Australia, 7 min.

if the fourth dimension is time, what would a real 4D printer look like? A time machine? A black hole?

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Mark Kuczewski, UK, 6 min.

One man's quest to rekindle his love with his zombie bride.

TAMPOON

Jeanne Jo, USA, 7 min.

When Miranda makes bad decisions about her love life, a possessed tampon enters to take care of business.

CHICKEN TUESDAYS

Brandon Daley, USA, 10 min.

Will Gillman sets out to impress his date by bringing her to a chicken photography competition at a local bar. From the director of last years Savasana.

Animated Shorts Block GET THE BALANCE RIGHT:

THE PAST INSIDE THE PRESENT

James Siewert, USA, 12 min.

A couple replays the same encounter day after day.

ADAM

Veselin Efremov, Sweden, 6 min.

A criminal wakes to find he has been stripped of his body and placed into a machine.

MOLAR

Luke Liberty, USA, 2 min.

Strange things are afoot in the dark of the forest.

HOLD ME (CA CAW CA CAW)

Renee Zhan, USA, 11 min.

A bird and her boyfriend are seemingly happy until she wants more.

PANIC ATTACK!

Eileen O'Meara, USA, 3 min.

Maybe you did leave the coffee on; maybe your house plants are gaslighting you.

LILLY HITS THE ROAD

The Bum Family, Canada, 5 min.

An adventure of a 10 foot tall orange monster and her friend Fluffle.

ROGER BALLENS THEATRE OF APPARITIONS

Emma Calder & Ged Haney, UK, 5 min.

The theatre of the subconscious; sex and death cavort for the audiences amusement.

THE GOLDEN CHAIN

Adebukola Bodunrin & Ezra Claytan Daniels, USA, 13 min.

On a distant space station, a scientist becomes obsessed with the pocket universe she is monitoring.

THE HISTORY OF MAGIC: ENSUENO

Jose Luis Gonzalez, USA, 5 min.

In a small Texas town, a teenage girls imagination transforms her bike ride home.

THE ITCHING

Dianne Bellino, USA, 15 min.

A wolf just wants to party with some bunnies, but there is something under her skin.

OPOLIS

John F. Quirk, USA, 3 min.

Lookout! Space alien Attack!

Midnight Shorts Block TRIGGER WARNING:

HELL FOLLOWS

Brian Harrison, Japan/USA, 11 min.

The soul of a sadistic killer posses the body of his identical twin, and is out for vengeance.

STUDDED NIGHTMARE

Jean Claude Leblanc, Canada, 9 min.

Can a man resist the pull of the suicide chair?

FOR A GOOD TIME CALL

Izzy Lee, USA, 12 min.

Maybe you shouldnt.

MUTT

Bruce James, USA, 14 min.

Faith will do some crazy thing to you, down in the buckle of the bible belt.

MOUSE

Celine Held & Logan George, USA, 11 min.

Two cokeheads come up with an uniquely opportunistic way to stick it to the man. Held and George are a filmmaking duo to keep an eye on.

THE LOWER RACE

Graham Roberts, USA, 10 min.

In the near future, when our toxic earth is ruled by giant ants, one part-human warrior is all that stands against total Insecta domination.

FANGS & CLAWS 2

Francisco Lacerda, Portugal, 17 min.

Get ready for the trashiest sequel of the year!

PRINCESS

Jonty Williment-Knowles, USA, 5 min.

A troubling love story, told through a broken lens.

FUCKING FREAK

Salamo Manetti-Lax, USA, 15 min.

As an Alien walks the sun drenched landscape of Los Angeles, it encounters a slew of angry inhabitants mirroring various facets of LA society. A nice little message picture.

New England Horror Shorts Block HOMEGROWN HORROR:

LETTING

Hannah Neurotica, Vermont, 3 min.

A little girls nightmares manifest in her toy collection.

LOOKER

Kyle Johannessen, Massachusetts, 10 min.

A scorned woman has a special plans for her lecherous harassers.

FRACTAL

Anna Gravel, Maine, 14 min.

A womans return to her childhood home releases terrible memories.

STRANGE HARVEST

Stee McMorris, Massachusetts, 6 min.

A pair of strangers awaken to find themselves imprisoned in a bizarre alien goo.

THE DISSOLVING MAN

Ben Swicker, Massachusetts, 20 min.

An aimless young adult finds his life literally disintegrating before his eyes.

THE PRICE OF BONES

Brandon Taylor, Massachusetts, 10 min.

A pair of women go to disturbing lengths to achieve a socially-desired body type.

THE CALL OF CHARLIE

Nick Spooner, Rhode Island, 14 min.

A Lovecraftian creature makes things awkward for guests at a dinner party.

PEPPERCORN HEARTS

Christine Louise Marshall, Maine, 13 min.

A funeral holds more than sadness for the spurned mourners gathered there.

Shorts Playing with BUFF Features:

WALDEN PINK

Peter Bolte, USA, 11 min.

Walden sits on a park bench as an endless stream of religious proselytizers, process servers, and angry bartenders distract him from from finding peace and clarity to his repetitive and draining existence. From BUFF alum Peter Bolte (Dr. Sketchys) and starring David Yow of The Jesus Lizard.

HOME EDUCATION

Andrea Niada, United Kingdom, 25 min

A domineering mother and her inquisitive daughter engage in unusual acts of faith in an attempt to cajole an attic-bound pater familias back from the dead.

THE BRIDGE PARTNER

Gabriel Olson, USA, 14 min

A timid housewife is jolted into a fight for her survival or sanity by her new partner at a weekly bridge game when she thinks she hears a whispered threat.

FROM THE DIZZINESS OF FREEDOM: THE PHILOSOPHY VESSEL

Melissa Ferrari, USA, 8 min.

A visualization of the strategies people incorporate to find meaning in their lives inspired by the mythology and functions of mazes and labyrinths across history.

THE QUANTIFIED SELF

Gleb Osatinski, USA, 16 min

Lozinski, Clare and their daughters Daniela1 and Daniela2 prepare for the girls first trip to a The Pillar, which gives meaning to their highly ordered lives. But The Pillar takes and gives and when it blesses the family with a new addition, it takes from them in ways they cant anticipate.

INK

Ashlea Wessel, Canada, 10 min

A traumatized woman seeks penance and personal transformation through tattooing after surviving a devastating pregnancy. One night, drenched in booze and ink, her deepest fears threaten to consume her.

THREE POINT DYNAMICS

Keaton Smith, USA, 15 min.

An alcoholic, theoretical physicist seeks to right the wrongs of his past by applying his unified theory to reality.

BYEFURNOW

Michael Elliott Dennis, USA, 17 min.

A bereaved pet owner, on the suggestion of a stranger in a bar, resorts to a mobile app to help him find closure.

AN ELDRITCH PLACE

Julien Jauniaux, Belgium, 17 min.

Terror grips a man keeping watch over an erratic researchers late night experiments.

RITES OF VENGEANCE

Izzy Lee, USA, 5m

Nuns justice comes, their will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

TROLL: A SOUTHERN TALE

Marinah Janello, USA, 12 min.

An eccentric artist navigates self-expression through his experiences living and growing up in the South.

DISCONTINUITY

Lori Felker, USA, 15 min

When Tabitha moves back home to the house she shared with her long-distance boyfriend Stephen, their reunion is interrupted by communication problems, neighbors, and a clowder of cats.

BOSTON UNDERGROUND MUSIC VIDEOS

Turbo Killer

Carpenter Brut

Seth Ickerman

Shooter

Clipping.

Carlos Lopez Estrada

Being

Millington

Josh Thomas & Darcy Prendergast

Father

Rysy

Martyna Iwa?ska

Ten Year Tenure

Halfsour

Ariana Ratner

Molly

Palehound

Lara Jean Gallagher & Brian Kinkley

No Reason

Bonobo & Nick Murphy

Oscar Hudson

Bury the Body

Ruby Rose Fox

Ruby Rose Fox & Dave Brophy & Roger Metcalf

Happy

Mitski

Maegan Houang

Good Earth

Fawn

Ariana Anderson

Nothing

Tesla Boy

Ryan Patrick

Roller

Quilt

Adi Putra

Ya Ya Ya

You Won't

Josh Arnoudse

Big Dead Heart

Eldridge Rodriguez

Pat Breen & Cameron Keiber

Overcame the Sun

Cloudy Busey

Julian Clark & Adam Hersko & Matt Twohig

Dropped Bench Press

Skinny Bones

Eli Susser

Back Around, Devil

Dessert

Alex Lill

Black Man In A White World

Michael Kiwanuka

Hiro Murai

Lite Spots

Kaytranada

Martin C. Pariseau

Blood in Love

Ruby Cube

Pierre Teulieres & Milo Gony

Closer

Lemaitre

Ewan Jones Morris & Casey Raymond

I Wanna Prove To You

Lemon Twigs

Nick Roney
There are countless films set in in the future and also that deal in some way with nuclear issues, but Syfys Atomica introduces a future where basically everything depends on nuclear energy. While its a big concept, the movie is actually quite minimalist, focusing - for most of its time - on only a couple of characters; one is a young woman (Sarah Habel) who works for the company behind the nuclear energy system, while the other is a mysterious man (Dominic Monaghan) who might be just a simple employee of a power plant that requires assistance (and where the two eventually get together).

Habels character will soon find out that this plant is not really like the others (the man in charge of it is missing to begin with) and that Monaghans role doesnt exactly evokes confidence, before the movie goes for a sociopolitical commentary on how men in power usually have an agenda and dont really care about the regular people.

Atomica is out in theaters now, and will be available on VOD and Digital HD on March 21, therefore I had the chance to talk briefly with Monaghan, who is best known for appearing in The Lord of the Rings trilogy as the hobbit Merry, though the following conversation is exclusively about his latest effort.

ScreenAnarchy: How did you became involved with this Syfy project?

Dominic Monaghan: I worked as executive producer in the film, its been interesting. Ive been an actor for a long time, now I had the opportunity to suggest the cast and find ways to make the job easier for people. I was going to be on the set anyway!

What was the thing that got you interested in the script?

While reading a script I always think about the character, more than the genre, and if I like the character and can do something with it. For Atomica, there was a lot and thats why I did it.

For most of its time, ATOMICA is basically you and Sarah [Habel] interacting. What was the main challenge in doing a minimalist science fiction film?

For me it was kind of fun, I really liked Sarah, really liked working with her, shes a nice person and a great actress. That was fun. I felt sorry for Sarah because her character is well-behaved, keeping all together, while my character comes from me just being wacky.

Theres a fantastic joke involving the Berlin wall and also some references to Oasis and other music. How fun is to pretend that you are in the future?

Thats definitely a fun part of the film, different pop culture references. And its fun playing futuristic films, I love doing that.

How did you approach a character like this one, which may not be who he says he is?

Yeah, thats the challenge, trying constantly to make people question can we trust him?. We wanted to leave open that, who should be believed. Its probably the most concise character Ive played.
 Capital debates in central Florida after new prosecutor says she will no longer bring capital charges | Main | A Canadian perspective on constitutional proportionality review 

March 17, 2017

"Good, Bad and Wrongful Juvenile Sex: Rethinking the Use of Statutory Rape Laws Against the Protected Class"

The title of this post is the title of this new article authored by Anna High that a helpful reader flagged for me. Here is the abstract:

This article considers the question of whether statutory rape laws can and should be used against members of the class they were designed to protect. Many commentators have argued that meaningfully consensual sex among similarly situated and sufficiently mature teenagers should be beyond the scope of strict liability rape laws, but the question becomes more fraught in the context of the contested outer limits of adolescent sexuality  sexual contact among children and adolescents that offends social norms, leads to harmful outcomes or appears to be exploitative. What are the implications of using statutory rape laws against minors to target bad sex? I contend that even in relation to bad sex, there are serious policy and constitutional objections to the use of statutory rape laws against a member of the class they are designed to protect. In jurisdictions without all-encompassing age-gap provisions, the response to sex among adolescents needs to be reformulated to ensure that the use of statutory rape laws against minors is confined to cases involving wrongful, as opposed to mere bad, sex, and is predicated on a clear and objective definition of exploitation, as opposed to mere fornication, as the punitive target.

March 17, 2017 at 08:42 PM | Permalink

Comments

Statutory rape is a feminist scheme to go after productive males. They disrespect the smart 17 year old girl who wants to skip the "Let's Struggle Together" phase of a relationship. She has decided to have a relationship with an established 30 year old.

NJ Senate has banned all marriage before 18, even one with parental consent or even judge consent. They mislabeled as child brides females aged 17 years, 11 months, 29 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes.



http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/03/nj_senate_votes_to_outlaw_minors_from_getting_marr.html



Posted by: David Behar | Mar 17, 2017 11:03:31 PM

Bad sex? Is that a new law term?

I think the rape laws when it comes to teens, definitely need to be examined. Teenagers are fickle, their raging hormones often get the better of them and while not fully mature, most know what they are getting into when they have sex.

What starts out as consensual sex between teens too often turns out to later be panic, regret and fears of STD's or unwanted pregnancy. That's when charges of rape get thrown into the mix, AFTER the fact. Teens want to have it all and still retain their "good girl, stellar boy" images in front of their parents.

We live in an age of "he said, she said" especially when it comes to teens and sex. It's an age old question, who took advantage of who, or did two teens just have sex.?

Posted by: kat | Mar 18, 2017 10:07:36 AM

Only physically forcible sex is a crime. The rest is lawyer jihad against the patriarchal family.

All false reports to government officials should be punished. A minimum sentencing should be statutory. Parties making false reports, including witness misidentification, should get what Martha Stewart got for lying to FBI agents, in her home, not under oath. She told them, she did not receive a specific phone call. Phone records showed she did. She was sentenced to 5 months in prison, 5 months of home arrest, and 2 years of probation. Such liars should be liable to damages done to the victim in torts. "Parties" should include police officers, prosecutors, lawyers representing the false accusers, forensic experts, and judges.

This liability should be strict liability. To deter.

Posted by: David Behar | Mar 18, 2017 10:57:16 AM

Here in Kentucky, where the age of consent is 16, we had one of these cases just 2 years ago. A 15 year old boy was convicted (in juvenile court) of having sex with his 13 year old girlfriend in Woodford County, Kentucky. The two kids had "dated" for two years before they decided to have sex together -- the sex was consensual, and occurred at the girl's home, when her parents were not home. She called the boy and invited him to come have sex with her on several occasions. Eventually, her parents discovered nude pics of both their daughter and the boy on her iPhone. When questioned by her parents, she admitted that they had had sex on multiple occasions. Her parents went to the County Attorney, who prosecuted the 15-year old boy for statutory rape, despite the fact that he was himself younger than 16. A public defender pleaded the boy guilty in juvenile court and he was removed from his parents' home and sent to live at a Kentucky Juvenile Detention Center until his 18th birthday. His convictions were appealed to the Woodford Circuit Court and then to the Kentucky court of Appeals, which affirmed. The Kentucky Supreme Court granted discretionary review to address whether a child younger than 16 can legally be convicted of the statutory rape of another child younger than 16. The structure of the statute strongly implies that to be prosecuted for statutory rape, the defendant child must be older than 16. After oral argument was held, the Attorney General's Office filed a Motion to Dismiss the appeal on the ground that the public defender in Juvenile Court (5 years earlier) had failed to make a Conditional Guilty Plea, to preserve the issue for appeal, so all of the prior appeals and the case at the Supreme Court were in error and without jurisdiction. The Ky. Supreme Court granted the Motion to Dismiss the appeal for lack of jurisdiction, so this boy (now 22 or 23 years old!) is stuck with his statutory rape conviction and registration on the Sex Offender Registry. To me, this case clearly cries out for a Governor's Parson and for the rewriting of the statutory rape statute by the Kentucky Legislature.

Posted by: Jim Gormley | Mar 18, 2017 3:00:18 PM

Sexual Prudery. Why are we Americans such prudes? Why is it that so many adults are uncomfortable with the idea of teen sexuality, and prefer to remain in ignorance or denial? Young people begin to have sex at about the same age in most industrialized countries, yet we prosecute kids

According to Pierre-Andre Michaud, chief of the Multidisciplinary Unit for Adolescent Health at the University of Lausanne Hospital in Switzerland and a leading researcher in European teen sexuality, "In many European countriesSwitzerland in particularsexual intercourse, at least from the age of 15 or 16 years, is considered acceptable and even part of normative adolescent behavior."

Americans suck. Period.

....

Posted by: Huh? | Mar 18, 2017 9:36:42 PM

To the lawyers repeatedly claiming that crime is decreasing, are we counting all the statutory rapes that take place every day?

Is doing everything, but not having intercourse, statutory rape or is it child sexual abuse, a separate crime? How many crimes of everything but intercourse are being committed?

Are millions of statutory rapes a year not being counted in the crime statistics?

If a 17 year old girl gets married in Arkansas, but moves to New Jersey, will she be arrested? Will the Full Faith and Credit Clause prevent New Jersey from arresting young married couples from other states? Will underage marriage in New Jersey be counted in the crime statistics used by lawyers seeking to justify decarceration?

Posted by: David Behar | Mar 18, 2017 10:18:29 PM

Looking at 20 years for raping 14 year old boy.

http://ijr.com/2017/03/825294-woman-charged-rape-listing-14-year-old-boy-father-child-medicaid-forms/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Owned&utm_term=ijamerica&utm_campaign=ods&utm_content=Family

Is the lawyer profession the stupidest group of people in this country? Students in Life Skills Class would have 10 times the common sense.

Posted by: David Behar | Mar 18, 2017 10:39:49 PM

What ever happened to parent responsibility and moral teachings? My opinion: Government corruption and self-satisfaction, Hollywood, media, and public schooling rules and regulations. Thanks to these influences our children are no longer children, by 12 years of age (some younger) they know it ALL. A lot of women use their children against the men in their lives, some out of greed, some out of pay-back,some for benefits and the judicial system doesn't mind getting involved because the court system benefits also.

Posted by: LC in Texas | Mar 19, 2017 11:52:02 AM

More in the annals of unbelievable lawyer sentencing stupidity. Guy kidnaps, kills 13 year old girl, and hides the body under a porch. Gets seven years.

http://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/03/17/man-charged-1982-killing-13-year-old-gets-7-year-sentence/99332476/

Posted by: David Behar | Mar 19, 2017 12:22:28 PM

@David

You should start you own blog about sex. Call it "Sexaul Treats for David" or std for short.

Posted by: Daniel | Mar 19, 2017 1:57:20 PM

@Daniel. Only if you promise to serve as its resident expert.

Posted by: David Behar | Mar 19, 2017 4:19:00 PM

@David

Gladly. And as the blog's medical resident the first thing I will do is sedate you into a coma.



Posted by: Daniel | Mar 19, 2017 5:08:43 PM

I know its probably not mentioned but states have held that an male who is a "victim" of statutory rape could be held liable to pay child support. Thus a female could simply use that threat if a male victim goes to the police/da and presses charges as female could not be forced to get an abortion.

State courts have said that since the "child" is innocent, the father should pay. Also its ironic that many conservative states want to try juveniles as adults,but when it comes to things like sex/abortion they think they are "too immature".

Posted by: ash | Apr 16, 2017 1:32:24 AM

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Kennebunk Post

"We need to invest in our kids," said resident Brenda Robinson. "That's how we keep graffiti out of Waterhouse Center and mischief out of the downtown on Saturday night."
Danai Gurira's 2009 play Eclipsed made a splash on Broadway last year with Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o starring, and it's currently finishing a short, two-week run at the newly reopened Curran Theater  the second of two productions coming direct from Broadway selected by artistic director and producer Carole Shorenstiein Hays that represent her intention to bring more edgy theater to San Francisco. And much like Fun Home before it, it represents the type of complicated and un-commercial theater that often does not make it out of New York or on tour  or, if it does, it's picked up years later by repertory companies and regional theaters that like to push the boundaries of their subscriber bases.

Eclipsed was the first play with an all black female cast and creative team to appear on Broadway, and it was nominated for a Tony for Best Play (and won one for costume design). For those reasons alone it is worth seeing, and the Curran production also boasts some impressive performances by its cast of five, all portraying women who have been variously trapped by the Second Liberian Civil War.

As an American who perhaps hasn't kept track of the plethora of brutal civil conflicts that have torn apart a variety of African nations over the past forty years, you may be forgiven for not knowing that Liberia had two civil wars in recent decades, separated only by a couple of years, with the second ending in 2003. It should be noted that Gurira, while she is African-American, is actually first-generation African-American, and her parents emigrated from Zimbabwe in 1964.

Eclipsed drops us into the conflict in mid-2002, and concrete hovel outside Monrovia where two women who only refer to each other as numbers are hiding a teenage girl under a plastic tub whenever the soldiers who essentially own them pass by. We're never told how the character known as The Girl (Ayesha Jordan) appeared at this compound, but we immediately understand that the oldest woman there, known as Number One (Stacey Sargeant)  who is only about 25 years old but isn't even sure about that, and has only known war and sexual servitude since she was a young girl  is intent on protecting her as long as she can, as a mother might.

Protection doesn't go far in this world where these women, Number One and Number Three (Joneice Abbot-Pratt), "wives" of a commanding officer (CO) whose face we never see, live only to cook meals and serve his sexual needs, and never get to leave the compound. Before long, while she goes out of the hut one night pee, The Girl is discovered by the CO, and she is immediately known as Number Four.

Stirring up the day-to-day routines of the three women are visits by the former Number Two (Adeola Role), who has given up being a sex slave in favor of becoming a rebel soldier, taking pride in the semi-automatic rifle she now carries everywhere. Also disrupting this small world is an older woman, Rita (Akosua Busia), a representative of the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace organization who ultimately pressured President Charles Taylor to engage in peace talks.

And in between, there is a surprising amount of comic relief provided by a beat up copy of a biography of Bill Clinton which only Number Four knows how to read, and serves as a nightly bedtime story about Congress, impeachment, and Clinton's own Number Two named Monica.

The balance between light and darkness is achieved throughout by astute direction by Liesl Tommy, who was Tony-nominated for her work on this play on Broadway.

The fascinating and wrenching moral tension that Gurira highlights in the play is that between the fog  and intoxication  of war, as felt by women empowered for the first time in their lives by become soldiers, and the fact that these women had to be complicit in the atrocities their fellow male soldiers regularly committed against fellow Liberians in Charles Taylor's army, and in villages loyal to him. Number Two convinces Number Four to join her as a rebel fighter, but it isn't long before Number Four is faced with just such an atrocity, and literal blood on her hands that becomes a horror she may never forget.

Role's performance as Number Two is a powerful one, but Jordan shines especially powerfully in role N'yongo played on Broadway, transforming between Acts One and Two from a skittish, innocent child to an angry soldier  representing also the use of child soldiers in this conflict.

Also stunning is Sargeant as the initially powerful but soon fragile Number One, whose world is upended as the only existence she's ever known suddenly falls away.

There are only four performances left of this play, but judging by Thursday's full house and standing ovation at curtain call, it's a play that strikes a chord and speaks powerfully to Bay Area audiences. Assuming you can stomach such serious fare, check it out before it's gone.

Eclipsed plays through Sunday, April 19. Find tickets here or via the TodayTix app.


In a move prompted by the Department of Homeland Security and being carried out by the Department of Justice, immigration judges are being temporarily reassigned to a dozen cities, including San Francisco, with high populations of illegal immigrants. As Reuters reports, the plan for the reshuffling of judges is just getting underway, but the purpose is to speed up deportation proceedings in places where backlogs of cases have been building up.

Cities that will be receiving an influx of judges for their immigration courts are New York; Los Angeles; Miami; New Orleans; San Francisco; Baltimore, Bloomington, Minnesota; El Paso, Texas; Harlingen, Texas; Imperial, California; Omaha, Nebraska and Phoenix, Arizona.

There are some 18,000 cases pending in immigration courts relating to crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, which can include crimes like driving without a license, as ABC 7 reports.

As of December, according to figures from the University of Syracuse, California had the highest number of backlogged immigration cases, with 97,860, and Texas came in a close second, at 95,193.

The choice of cities for the judge reshuffling is interesting in that Imperial, California is home to a large number of undocumented immigrants who came to the country for agricultural work, and Bloomington, Minnesota is home to a large number of Somali immigrants who sought asylum here.

Meanwhile, SF Mayor Ed Lee and the Board of Supervisors have been debating how much of the city budget to allocate to adding public defenders specifically for immigration cases. As of this month, the mayor OK'd the hiring of three new lawyers at an expense of $200,000 per year.

Paul Schmidt, a former immigration judge and chairman of the Board of Immigration Appeals, tells Reuters that all this will amount to is "aimless docket reshuffling" in which judges will have to postpone hearing cases they would normally be hearing in their home courts. Also, he says, "It seems they have an assumption that everyone who has committed a crime should be removable, but that's not necessarily true. Even people who have committed serious crimes can sometimes get asylum."

Some similar judge shuffling occurred under the Obama administration as well, and rather than physically relocating judges, they would sometimes hear immigration cases via video conference.

Fox News notes that the Justice Department's Executive Office for Immigration Review will additionally be temporarily transferring judges to six immigration detention centers along the southern border of the country at four locations in Texas and one each in Louisiana and New Mexico, starting Monday.

Previously: Federal Judge In Hawaii Blocks President Trump's Revised Order On Travel And Immigration
LOS ANGELES | Sometimes, actor Stephan James says, success isnt planned. Its just a matter of coincidence.

Within the space of two years, the Canadian-born actor has played American Olympian Jesse Owens, Civil Rights leader John Lewis and a special prosecutor who reminds him of Barack Obama.

Its a lot, the 23-year-old says. But I was just fortunate that they considered me. As an actor, I just look for stories.

With Selma (in which he played Lewis) and Race (in which he played Owens), James had a responsibility to the real people. You have to understand their legacies are at stake. Jesse Owens legacy is humongous. I just wanted to make sure I was doing him justice  and giving it my all.

Owens daughters, he says, were instrumental in helping him craft the character  the athlete, the humanitarian and the father.

There are extra steps youve got to take when youre playing a real-life person, James says. Youve got to talk to the family, youve got to do your research, youve got to understand the person. And, then, you tell the story.

For Shots Fired, the limited series that begins this month on Fox, hes a special prosecutor who has been sent to a small North Carolina town to investigate a shooting  an African-American sheriffs deputy has killed an unarmed white college student. The neglected murder of an African-American is brought to light shortly thereafter and the town begins to split apart.

Teamed with Sanaa Lathan  who plays a seasoned investigator  James character suspects there could be a cover-up by prominent community members.

Obama, James says, became his template. Weeks before filming, I watched his speeches. For the character, Preston Terry, hes a big inspiration  someone he wants to be someday.

Former Attorney General Eric Holder was a resource as well.

I had the opportunity to Skype with him a couple of times, he says. He spoke to me about what it would mean for a person like Preston coming into a situation like this. He spoke to me about not only his successes but all the hurdles and obstacles he had to face to get where he was.

I knew right away that Preston, being this young, super-intelligent, driven, passionate (man)thinks he can change the world.

Canada, he says, doesnt have the same level of distrust between communities and officials who police them.

Living here the last eight to 10 years, Ive gotten a different perspective and how these relationships affect you.

Like others in the series (it boasts Oscar winners Helen Hunt and Richard Dreyfuss), James thinks Shots Fired can prompt discussion and lead to change.

I was scared to do a series, he says. But because this is an event series, it wasnt a six-year contract to sign. It offered me flexibility and allowed me to tell more stories.

Shots Fired begins March 22 on Fox.
SERGEANT BLUFF | Armed with a love of television cooking show competitions and the meticulous approach in crafting and sharing delicious foods, five Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School juniors have advanced to a national competition.

"I am really passionate about food and putting it together," said SB-L student Bradee Bouman.

Bouman, who also relishes watching "Cupcake Wars" and other such food reality shows, said it was fun to come out on top in a similar real-life competition for Iowa high school pupils.

The SB-L team won a March 1 state contest where their culinary and restaurant management skills were rated by judges. Bouman, Heather Collins, Cierra Ellington, Alijah Ridley and Jakob Dunlap were crowned the Restaurant Management Champions of the 2017 Iowa ProStart Invitational, hosted by the Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation in Des Moines.

"We all thought that we presented it well," Bouman said. "We knew we did good, but we didn't expect to win. So when we did, we were excited."

By virtue of the win, each SB-L student can choose from scholarships totaling $30,000 from various college and culinary institutions, including Iowa State University. That scholarship total would balloon if they finish in the top five in the upcoming National ProStart Invitational in Charleston, South Carolina, on April 28-30.

Like "Shark Tank" and other food competition shows, the national contest assesses the abilities of students to create a restaurant concept from scratch.

The SB-L project was a mobile gourmet food truck restaurant named Fusion. They borrowed the mobile food concept after seeing some in Sioux City, particularly after the June 2016 launch of Food Truck Fridays.

Some of Fusion's menu includes a spicy chicken quesadilla, shrimp tacos and a steak sandwich topped with caramelized onions. Among the desserts and beverages are strawberry citrus slush and lemon sorbet.

In the competition, judges looked at five different aspects of the Fusion proposal, with seven minutes on each part. The judges could ask questions on such things as restaurant floor plans, menu items and marketing concepts. They wanted to see a strong idea, teamwork, presentation skills and critical thinking.

The first-place finish improved upon the third place showing by SB-L in 2016, when one current team member, Bouman, participated.

The state ProStart competition also included a culinary competition, where student teams prepared food items. SB-L competed in that category, but did not place.

Dunlap said the team is using the days leading up to the national competition in April for expanding the Fusion concept beyond what it presented at state. The team will veer from having a television ad to a radio commercial, in response to a comment from one of the state judges.

"We are just perfecting it and making sure there are no errors and flaws," Ellington said.

The team is hopeful about nationals, where one team from each state will take part.

"It is not going to be as nerve-wracking as state," Dunlap said, since he gleaned experience that will help him in nationals.

Sergeant Bluff-Luton ProStart Lab Teacher Andrea Kuhl said the astute students are poised to do well.

"They all have very businesslike minds," Kuhl said. "They work really hard and do not accept failure."

Said Collins, "We all really work well as a team, and I think that really matters."
SIOUX CITY | Everybody knows how the story of William Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" ends. Star-crossed lovers meet an early demise, right?

Well, what would have happened had they lived? That was a premise posed by playwright Lorenzo Sandoval.

The artistic director of the Iowa Shakespeare Experience in Des Moines is currently in residence at Morningside College as part of the school's Dimmitt Fellows program.

Sandoval's "Romeo and Juliet: Thrice-Told Tales" -- a finalist in Cambridge University Press's 2016 international Shakespeare as Interpreted by the Next Generation of Great Playwrights competition -- is being presented at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Morningside's Klinger-Neal Theatre, 3700 Peters Ave.

"Romeo and Juliet had a fiery passion that we associate with young love," he explained. "However, it's hard to keep that fiery passion alive as the years go by."

This is why Sandoval's play explores Romeo and Juliet as teenagers, a middle-aged married couple and, ultimately, a much older couple reflecting upon a life spent together.

The bulk of the play occurs during the middle years when Romeo's going through a midlife crisis and Juliet is getting an invitation to the wedding of her former suitor, the handsome, wealthy and frequently divorced Count Paris.

"Romeo's in a professional rut while Juliet is looking back to the love they once shared," Sandoval said. "That's quite the change for Romeo, who had formerly been so stalwart and Juliet, who had previously been so strong-willed."

However, such emotions are what keep the couple interesting to modern audiences.

"This is certainly a reinterpretation of Shakespeare's vision," Sandoval said. "But this also keeps him relevant."

A longtime Shakespeare scholar, the Quad Cities native has frequently acted and directed in productions of Shakespeare's plays.

"When I attended Morningside as a student in the early 1970s, I appeared in a production of (Shakespeare's) 'Measure for Measure,'" Sandoval said. "So, I guess that means I have a long history of bringing the Bard to the Morningside campus."

Indeed, Sandoval didn't just write "Thrice-Told Tales"; he'll also be directing this version in addition to playing the part of Romeo as an older man.

"In 'Thrice-Told Tales,' we'll have three sets of Romeos and three sets of Juliets," he said. "Even though the stories will be told separately, all the couples will interact during a pivotal moment."

Sandoval said that even the greatest love affairs can cool over time. This simple passion gives way to other emotions as a couple matures.

Even through the decades, a couple's love can endure and grow stronger.

"You can't remain a teenager forever and everyone must grow up," Sandoval said. "Romeo and Juliet begin to appreciate that. This will make them stronger than ever before."

Is parting really such sweet sorrow? It won't be when you live life with a partner by your side.
SIOUX CITY | Iowa Senate Minority Leader Rob Hogg and Rep. Chris Hall said they sat in on a Veterans Treatment Court proceeding Friday to push the vitality of the Woodbury County public service in the midst of statewide reductions.

There are so many things that can be passed up to the legislators in the form of phone calls or emails," Hall, D-Sioux City, told reporters after the meeting at the Woodbury County Courthouse. "But it has a completely different point when you actually can see the human value of these veterans stepping into the courtroom, seeing the structure and the support that they get from working with other veterans and having a support system that is geared to their needs and circumstances.

Woodbury is the only Iowa county to have a Veterans Treatment Court, a diversionary program designed to help keep military veterans in trouble with the law out of jail. Those approved meet before a judge who reviews their progress every other Friday. Failure to meet qualifications can add penalties to the veterans, but meeting accomplishments can add perks. Each participant is paired with a mentor with a military background. Officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Corrections also attend the meeting and provide counsel to them.

"Look, they made bad decisions," Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, said. "... But they are trying -- with the help of the courts and the VA and the DOC -- to turn their lives around. It is really important that the state is able to provide that kind of service."

Hogg and Hall also met with staff who run the county's other specialty court programs that help those with drug or mental health problems. Both said their visit Friday was to encourage Iowans to get involved and to speak up for the important public services that face pressure in the coming fiscal year.

Spurred by lower-than-expected revenues, the state needs to cut nearly $118 million from the state budget. The lurking deficit has forced the state's court system to shave $3 million from operational spending.

"We are very worried if there are additional budget cuts, that those specialty courts may be in danger," Hogg said. The recent cuts for the courts have caused vacant full-time positions in the system. Judgeships have gone unfilled and all judicial branch employees -- except judges and magistrates -- are slated to take an unpaid furlough day May 26.

"What Woodbury County is doing is a model for the rest of the state," Hogg added. "We should be adding specialty courts and not taking them away."
SIOUX CITY | The woman found in a rural creek about one-half mile north of her Kingsley, Iowa, home in February died of natural causes, Plymouth County Sheriff Mike Van Otterloo said Friday.

Lisa Derby, 57, was reported missing after leaving her home on the late afternoon of Feb. 19. Derby's body was found about 8 a.m. on Feb. 21, by a man living north of Kingsley.

Van Otterloo said Derby's death was accidental, from hypothermia in the cold conditions. Van Otterloo said the case is closed. He added that Plymouth County Medical Examiner Sheila Holcomb did not order an autopsy.

Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation official Mitch Mortvedt earlier in the week told the Journal the DCI "has had no involvement with this investigation" and referred questions to the sheriff's office.

Several authorities were involved in the search for Derby, who on Feb. 20 had been announced by the Iowa Department of Public Safety as a missing person. Her son, Josh Derby, also of Kingsley, initially contacted the Kingsley Police Department to report her disappearance.

Van Otterloo on Friday said Derby had walked to the creek from her home.

The man who found Derby had been checking the unnamed creek, which is close to the Little Sioux River West Fork, near his home at 43755 County Road C-66. He found Derby unresponsive in the creek.

Derby's body was taken to Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars, where she was identified. On Feb. 21, the sheriff's office said an investigation into Derby's death was continuing.
SIOUX CITY | Siouxland students interested in pursuing a degree through Iowa State University's College of Design will have the option to complete a first-year "foundation" program in Sioux City starting this fall.

Representatives of ISU and Western Iowa Tech Community College signed an agreement Friday to partner to offer the "Core Design Program" in Sioux City. Students who enroll in the first-year, freshman-level program will complete design coursework at Sioux City's ISU Design West building, 1014 1/2 Design Place, while taking general education courses at WIT.

Students will then have the option to transfer to the ISU campus in Ames for the College of Design's professional degree programs. Students could also remain in Sioux City an extra year to complete an associate of arts degree at WIT before transferring.

"This is the first time were able to offer one of the state university courses in Sioux City," said Steve Warnstadt, coordinator of the Northwest Iowa Regents Resource Center, which helps connect northwestern Iowa counties to the state universities. "Its an example of a great collaboration."

The college is planning one face-to-face design course this fall and another in the spring, both of which will be taught by Iowa State faculty members on site. Two other design courses will be offered through distance education.

ISU's College of Design currently offers 10 undergraduate degrees including architecture, graphic design, interior design, landscape architecture and art and design.

"Right now these programs are growing in demand, nationwide and worldwide," said Luis Rico-Gutierrez, dean of the College of Design. "Its a market that is growing. We want to feed that market."

WIT president Terry Murrell said 95 percent of the community college's students stay within driving range of the region, and he hopes that this additional opportunity will increase the number of young professionals staying in Siouxland.

"The longer our students stay in our communities, the higher chance there is that they will return to our communities if they leave," Murrell said.

Anyone interested in the program can learn more at www.design.iastate.edu. Students can also contact Western Iowa Tech for more information.

Murrell said the coursework would also be available to interested high school students through the college's partnerships with area schools.
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US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made remarks in Seoul Thursday that portend what seems to be a radical shift in US policy toward North Korea.
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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.
CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (March 17, 2017)Investigators from the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office have made an arrest in reference to a fire earlier this month in Waldorf. Lawrence J. Jones, age 43, was charged with First Degree Arson for a fire intentionally set at his residence on March 8, 2017 around 9 am located at 4413 Quillen Circle in Waldorf. Firefighters from the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding fire departments responded and extinguished the fire within 15 minutes. The damage from the fire totaled approximately $20,000.



Jones was taken into custody without incident at the Spring Valley Apartments in Lexington Park, St. Mary's County. He was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center, where he is awaiting a bond hearing.
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.




An Australian pacer that on paper looks like an Ontario-bred and sired racehorse will be heading to North American soil after a recent sale.

Reports from downunder indicate that six-year-old Tenacious One has been sold and will do his future racing in the United States. A graduate of the Australian Pacing Gold Yearling Sales, the Mach Three  Miss Astronomical gelding was purchased by the Brisbane-based Brendan McMullen.

Tenacious One commenced his career in Victoria with trainer Andy Gath where he managed to win two of his 11 starts before being switched to the Queensland stables of Donny Smith. Under the tutelage of Smith, Tenacious One showed his true potential where he won his first six starts, all at Albion Park and all in fast time.

In 23 starts in the Sunshine State, Tenacious One won 11 races and took a career best time of 1:51.3, impressive considering the Albion Park track record belongs to Australasian harness racing legend Im Themightyquinn at 1:50.2.

Tenacious One won 13 from 34 while being minor placed on a further 11 occasions while banking in excess of $76,000.

The deal was negotiated through highly respected agent Frank Ranaldi.

Another talented pacer that will join Tenacious One on the flight north is Iam Mr Brightside, a former member of the Kerryann Turner/Robbie Morris Sydney stables. The Julius Caesar gelding has won 22 races from 86 starts while banking more than $325,000 in purses.

His biggest victory came via the 2014 Gr.3 $40,000 Simpson Memorial at Menangle in a time of 1:51.3 while being placed in many other feature events.

Both Tenacious One and Iam Mr Brightside will do their future racing in the state of New York.

Recent results for Ranaldi in North America have been very solid highlighted by the success of former Victorian mare Shes Just A Delight.

The New Zealand bred mare raced with distinction from the stables of Kerryn Manning before her sale. Shes Just A Delight won a division of the famed Blue Chip Matchmaker series at Yonkers Raceway overnight (Friday) in a time of 1:53 on the half-mile oval.

Since arriving in North America, Shes Just A Delight has won 13 of her 15 starts.

(with files from Harness Racing Australia)


The Marine Corps of China. An internet photo

BEIJING (PTI): China is set to increase the number of its marine corps from 20,000 to one lakh as part of plans to deploy them overseas for the first time, including at the strategic Gwadar port in Pakistan and military logistics base in Djibouti in the Indian Ocean.



The expansion is planned to protect China's maritime lifelines and its growing interests overseas, Hong-Kong based South China Morning Post reported on Monday.



Some members would be stationed at ports China operates in Djibouti and Gwadar in southwest Pakistan, Chinese military insiders and experts were quoted as saying.



Gwadar port is a deep-sea port next to the Strait of Hormuz, the key oil route in and out of the Persian Gulf, built with Chinese funding and operated by mainland firms.



Although the port is not home to any PLA installation, navy ships are expected to dock at the facility in the near future, the report said.



Gwadar also connects the US$ 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) through PoK with China's Xinjiang.



Reports from Pakistan said the country itself is setting up Special Security Division comprising 15,000 troops, including 9,000 Pakistan Army soldiers and 6,000 para-military forces personnel to protect CPEC and Chinese personnel.



The expanded Chinese marine corps is part of a wider push to refocus the world's largest army away from winning a land war based on sheer numbers and towards meeting a range of security scenarios using highly specialised units, the report said.



Towards that end, Chinese President Xi Jinping is reducing the size of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) by three lakh, with nearly all of the cuts coming from the land forces, it said.



For this, two brigades of special combat soldiers had already been moved to the marines, nearly doubling its size to 20,000, and more brigades would be added, the report said.



"The PLA marines will be increased to 100,000, consisting of six brigades in the coming future to fulfil new missions of our country," it quoted a source as saying.



The size of the navy would also grow 15 per cent from its current estimated size of 2.35 lakh personnel.



China this year plans to increase its defence spending by about seven per cent to US$ 152 billion. Much of it was expected to go to the navy as China plans to spread its influence far from its shores.



Traditionally, marines have mostly operated only in China's coastal areas, as their role was limited by their relatively small numbers and basic equipment, Beijing-based naval expert Li Jie said.



But a bigger corps could be deployed much farther afield as the navy takes on more challenges.


Dit schreef ik ruim 20 jaar geleden over Paul Cliteur Het recht om Cliteur te kwetsen Ik vermoed dat het de drie sloten op zijn voordeur zij...
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An advertisement for discounting international roaming fees. [Photo/IC]

Mobile phone users in China will not have to pay roaming charges while travelling within the Chinese mainland from October and people in European Union member countries will start enjoying the same concession within the union from mid-June.

Many in China say the movemade by China Mobile Communications, China United Network Communications and China Telecommunicationswas influenced by cell phone users' shift to social media to communicate with friends and relatives. For example, there are more than 800 million WeChat users in China who can all use the app to send messages, buy tickets, order meals, book hotel rooms, and even hail taxis. Many other users prefer WhatsApp or Skype, which means the competitiveness of mobile phone service providers has been eroded.

To some extent, the same reason forced the EU telecom companies to scrap the roaming charges, although the Europeans generally spend less time on social media than their Chinese counterparts.

The EU has also been thinking of setting up a single digital market, which is high on the agenda of the European Commission. Cancelling the roaming charges is a decisive move by mobile phone service providers to unite the fragmented telecom market in the 28-member bloc, which is now facing tremendous existential challenges.

Of course, the move will slash the revenues of many telecom companies, because roaming charges account for nearly 10 percent of the net profits of China's big three telecom companies, and they are also a key source of revenue for EU companies. But the benefits of the cancellation of roaming charges to users will be immense as digital barriers will be lifted. For example, the monthly phone bill is likely to be less surprising for regular travellers, the cost of doing business may reduce and the communication flow could expand.

Operators in the EU and China should now consider other, bigger moves, since they have a combined market of 1.9 billion consumers.

China and the EU are now in tough negotiations to achieve a high-level investment agreement. Hopefully, the officials are also discussing the prospects of deeper market penetration by telecom companies in China and the EU. And now that Chinese and EU telecom companies have decided to cancel the roaming charges within their own economies, they should also consider cancelling international roaming charges for people travelling to and from the two economies.

Such a move has the potential to expand their digital markets. Although it may be difficult to persuade the telecom giants on both sides to do so, it will be worth the effort as it will make the use of mobile phones less taxing.

The telecom operators, in the long run, will have no reason to keep international roaming charges so high. Again, the benefits will be immense if a single EU-China digital market can be formed, as it will remove many communication barriers and help boost the flow of investments.

As the China-led Belt and Road Initiative (the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road) is aimed at bringing Asia, Europe and Africa closer, the formation of a EU-China digital market with free roaming will be an apt example of how to create an even bigger market.

Next year, the main theme of China-EU ties will be tourism. And the two sides would do better to discuss the possibility of cancelling roaming charges for mobile phone users travelling between the two economies, because it will help boost the tourism industries in both economies.

The author is deputy chief of China Daily European Bureau. fujing@chinadaily.com.cn
*M*ake what you will of this. In the modern era of partisan polarization, which can be dated back to the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980, only the presid...
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The autonomous car space is getting a bit crowded these days. Not with actual cars, but continued promises from renewed and new partnerships between companies involved in the self-driving car space. Now BMW, who is quite ahead in the electric and hybrid car segment, has announced that it too is pursuing a self-driving car, but unlike the rest its car will raise autonomous driving standards up a notch, by tapping into level 5 autonomy.

Reuters reported that the German car maker is on track to ready its fully autonomous self-driving car by 2021. The company's SVP for Autonomous Driving, Elmar Frickenstein told the publication that it will deliver a car in 2021 that will work with level 3, level 4 and even level 5 autonomy.

While most outgoing vehicles are stuck at level 2 and 3, the goal for those pursuing a self-driving vehicle is currently set at level 4, one that requires some level of human input and also means that vehicle cannot drive itself in all driving conditions or scenarios.

Level 5 takes things up a notch by delivering a vehicle that capable of navigating roads without any driver input whatsoever. It also means that the car will and can take decisions in any driving condition, or the equivalent of a human driver at the driving seat.

Indeed, the news does not come as a surprise as the company recently announced that it had teamed up with Israeli self-driving technology company Mobileye to collect high definition map data for self-driving cars.

Mobileye just last week was acquired by chipmaker major, Intel for $15.3 billion.
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Elon Musk, an active Twitter user, has been Tesla's mouthpiece to the public, informing them about the electric car maker's upcoming products and plans. On Wednesday, in response to a letter by a fifth grade student, the founder and chief executive of Tesla made another announcement on the social media platform - the company will hold a contest for homemade advertisements.

Bria, daughter of Twitter user Steven, suggested that Musk should run a competition to find the best homemade commercial for Tesla, which has been averse to commercials. "Thank you for the lovely letter. That sounds like a great idea. We'll do it!" Musk responded to the letter in a tweet. Bria, who aspires to be a politician, wrote in the letter that Tesla cars were the "best thing" she had ever seen and that she hoped to drive a Tesla car in the future.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/837113202030759937

"You could give the winners a year of free Supercharging or a Model 3 Easter Egg or something," Bria suggested in the letter, which was written for a school project. "The cool part is that you still won't be taking the time and money to advertise for yourself," she wrote, adding "it would be so cool if you could hook me up with a Tesla t-shirt."

She also expressed her disappointment over Tesla cars not being sold in Michigan. Steven, who shared the letter, is a journalist and a professor at Art Institute of Michigan, his Twitter account showed.
Aditya Madanapalle

From taking marketing advice by ten year olds, to making an electric street vehicle that floats like a boat, Elon Musk never seems to run out of audacious ideas, and those are only the tamest of examples. Musk seems to be pushing mankind desperately to a technofuturustic utopia of solar powered cities, self driving cars, vehicles on ground achieving the speeds of spacecraft, and human colonies on neighboring planets. Is he a mad genius or a hack, or a little bit of both? We take stock, here are some of ideas by Musk that cannot be considered tame by any measure.

Plugging an energy gap in Australia in 100 days

A number of coal power plants across Australia have been shutting down, which is why the country is facing frequent black outs and power problems. After a Tesla employee offered to fix the electricity supply for the country, Musk was asked if he was serious about the proposition. Musk replied that he would commit to filling the gap in as little as 100 days after the contract was signed, and that if he was not able to do this, Australia could have the electricity for free. It was a dramatic proclamation considering over 250 million US dollars (roughly 1,636 crore) were at stake.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/840032197637685249

The interest of the Australian public and the politicians were piqued. A number of high ranking officials got on calls with Musk, and it looks like the world's largest integrated energy company will be plugging Australia's energy hole. Australia went ahead and asked for "mate's rates" on the deals, which is a way of bargaining for the price. Musk quoted a price of $250/kWh. Will he manage to do it? Well, Tesla has already managed to install 80 MW battery farm in California within 90 days, so setting up a 100 MW farm in 100 days totally seems plausible. Musk has demonstrated that he can do it, and that these are not mere boasts.

The safest, fastest and cheapest mode of transport ever

Irked by the massive projects that aim to build high speed railway networks, Elon Musk set about envisioning a rapid transportation system of the future. The key features of such a system would be that it would have to be safe, fast, cheap to construct, powered by renewable energy, not disruptive to those living along the route, immune to weather conditions, and resistant to earthquakes. The result was Hyperloop, capsules of fast moving transport levitating magnetically in vaccuum sealed tubes that offer little air resistance. Hyperloop is a space age transport system for the ground, and offers to transport people and cargo in excess of 1,000 kilometers an hour.

There are a number of companies that are working on realising the vision of Elon Musk. Two companies, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies and Hyperloop One are both in the early phases of bringing Hyperloop tracks to India. SpaceX or Elon Musk are not directly related to any of the Hyperloop companies, but provide them with the technical grounding for the Hyperloop projects. Essentially, Elon Musk gave his idea to the world, for free. Hyperloop is a technically sound proposition, and the first set of loops may be connecting cities in the UAE. In India, the technology promises to reduce travel times between cities from hours to mere minutes.

Going to the moon as a tourist

Say you have a ton of cash, and want to be one of the first private citizens to take a tour to the far side of the moon and come back to Earth. Who would you call? There are a few options. Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Blue Origin, Virgin Atlantic and Nasa are some of the organisations that could potentially take you to the Moon. Maybe the two mysterious tourists with deep pockets called these other companies, but it was SpaceX that bagged the contract for an undisclosed amount. Elon Musk is sending tourists to the Moon in the Dragon spacecraft, which is normally used for resupply missions to the International Space Station.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/836328719165763584

Nasa has approved that the launch of the first private spaceflight beyond the orbit of the Moon will take place from the historic Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral. The launchpad was the one used for the series of manned missions to the Moon by Nasa, designated as the Apollo program. There are two space tourists, whose identities are not yet known. SpaceX has started preliminary examinations of the tourists, and will be providing training on how to man the spacecraft. Nasa has released a statement saying that it will work closely with SpaceX to make sure the space tourists have a safe journey, so this mission looks like it is in good hands.

Direct current as the future of energy

The battle of the currents was waged in the 1890s between Thomas Edison's Edison Electric Light Company and George Westinghouse's Westinghouse Electric Company. Edison supported direct current (DC) as the more practical mode of delivering energy, while Westinghouse promoted alternating current (AC). Nikola Tesla, supported AC as it had the potential of transporting larger amounts of energy. Westinghouse even licensed a poly-phase AC induction motor by Tesla. Elon Musk even named his Tesla Motor Company after Nikola Tesla.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/840772319526113280

Edison won that war, partially because of sustained propaganda campaign. In part due to exhibitions by General Electric, AC was adopted across most of the world for power grids. Your home is likely to be lit by AC, but the consumer electronics that you use are powered by DC. By and large, AC is the most used form of energy delivery at the present time. However, Musk is of the opinion that the future of energy is DC. Solar power and electronic devices both use DC. Will the world shift to DC? That depends on how soon the roll out of solar panels and batteries happens across the world.

Landing a rocket on a barge in the middle of the ocean

SpaceX cut down the cost of launching satellites in western countries to about half their existing rates. Of course, Isro in India can afford to send them up for much cheaper, in part because of lower salaries to its scientists. However, Musk used a novel approach for cutting costs, a capability that Isro does not yet have. Instead of disposing rockets after they were launched, Musk's brilliant idea was to re-use the first stages of the rockets. The problem was that the rockets could not always hold enough fuel to return to the launchpad. The solution by Musk? land in a drone ship, in the middle of the ocean.

SpaceX became the first company to land a stage of a rocket on the Of Course I Still Love You barge in April 2016. The 23 story tall managed to land and stay erect on a floating platform about 300 km northeast of the launchpad at Cape Canaveral, two and a half minutes after launch. The milestone was achieved after four previous similar attempts failed. "The rocket landed instead of putting a hole in the ship or tipping over," Musk told reporters, "Were real excited about that." The recovered rocket was later used for other spaceflights. The first stage booster is good for 10 to 20 launches, and probably can go up to 100 after minor refurbishments, according to Musk.

The world's heaviest heavy lift rocket

In 2017, SpaceX is scheduled to launch the Falcon Heavy, the launch vehicle from SpaceX with the most capacity. The Falcon Heavy can put into orbit 54,400 kilograms. However, for 2022, Elon Musk plans to launch the biggest rocket ever built by man. The Interplanetary Transport System launch vehicle has a planned capacity of lifting 550,000 kilograms into low Earth orbit. That is more than four times the capacity of its closest planned competitor, a Space Launch System rocket developed by Boeing, Orbital ATK and Nasa. The Space Launch System rocket has a planned capacity of 130,000 kilograms.

Considering that SpaceX already has a proven history of rocket launches, it looks like Elon Musk will successfully build and launch the biggest rocket ever. Elon Musk hopes to cut costs of lifting insanely heavy loads into space, by making the first stage of the Interplanetary Transport System rocket re-usable. The first stage of the rocket is planned to have 42 Raptor rocket engines, also designed by SpaceX. The upper stages of the rockets are also designed to be one of two full fledged spacecraft in themselves, a novel approach by SpaceX. One of the two upper stages, the Interplanetary Spaceship, can also land on surfaces of other planets, such as Mars.

Making human life interplanetary

Musk outlined ambitious plans for making human life interplanetary at a presentation given to the International Astronautical Congress in September 2016. Musk said that this was the most important personal mission for him, and that he was only collecting assets through his various commercial projects, to fund his dream of establishing a permanent human settlement on another planet. Musk wants to use every launch window available, to fly a fleet of spacecraft to Mars, similar to the regular scheduled departures from a regular subway terminus on Earth. SpaceX will have to make 5000-10,000 trips with at least a 100 people on board each ship, to get 1,000,000 people on Mars, which is the minimum self-sustaining population for a permanent space colony.

The first phase of this incredible undertaking, a pathfinder mission to Mars with the Dragon spacecraft, known as the Red Dragon, is on track. The path-finding mission will explore the planet for potential landing sites for the first colonial ship. The spacecraft will specifically try and identify locations on the surface of the planet where carbon dioxide can be collected, and water can be mined. There are two back to back path-finding missions planned, the first one in 2018, and the second one in 2020. While SpaceX wants to attempt to establish a human colony on Mars, Nasa wants to send pioneers, and the United Arab Emirates wants to build the first city on Mars within the next hundred years. Maybe Musk can make his life easier by considering Nasa's idea of making Mars more suitable for human colonies by giving it an artificial magnetosphere.

Interplanetary voyages beyond Mars

This one proclamation is at the very limits of what seems plausible for humans to achieve within one lifetime. Musk wants humans to explore beyond Mars, and visit the other planets and moons in the solar system. The Dragon 2 spacecraft is straight out of science fiction, the kind of spacecraft that can hop between planets by landing on the surface of one, and taking off to visit another one. At the presentation for the International Astronautical Congress, Musk showed slides that presented the icy moons of Enceladus and Europa as possible destinations.

In September 2016, Musk renamed the Mars Colonial Transporter (MCT) as the Interplanetary Transport System (ITS). Musk asked for feedback on social media before choosing the name of the series of spacecraft that would support interplanetary travel, and one of his favorite suggestions was the Heart of Gold from Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Apart from the Dragon 2 spacecraft, Elon Musk showed that he is deadly serious about exploring planets and moons beyond Mars with the nomenclature of the Interplanetary Transport System. Even if these plans do not come to pass, at least they set an inspiringly high bar for flights of fancy, and men can only achieve something after they dream of it.
tech2 News Staff

Local handset maker Micromax wants to step back in to the smartphone market after a what appeared to be a rather quiet quarter. The company recently launched its Canvas Mega 2 Plus budget smartphone, is also teasing a flagship model with a dual camera module. However, with the level of competition of Chinese smartphone brands, Micromax is taking a rather unusual route to increase its overall market share and that would be by selling feature phones.

According to the Economic Times who interviewed Micromax chief marketing officer Shubhajit Sen, the company is aiming to sell about 5-6 million units of the upcoming Bharat 1 and Bharat 2 4G VoLTE smartphones in India.

The move according to the marketing officer would help Micromax increase its overall marketing share in India and compete better with Chinese brands.

To ensure this, Sen confirmed that Micromax is in talks with telecom operators for collaboration.

The same publication also revealed that Micromax's Bharat 2 would be the first to launch in about two weeks, while the Bharat 1 would be launched later.

There is also a Bharat 3 feature phone in the works but no details regarding the same were shared.

The Bharat 1 is going to be the first 4G VoLTE feature phone and will be priced at Rs 1,999. Which begs the question why VoLTE on a tiny feature phone?

According to Sen there is a demand for such smartphones in the entry-level segment. The same comes from tier 2 and tier 3 cities.
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Nokia's head of mobile networks, the division which accounted for more than half of the Finnish telecom network equipment maker's sales last year, is leaving the company.

Nokia said on Friday it would break out services as a distinct business group from mobile networks following the departure of Samih Elhage, who joined the company in 2012 and helped to turn around its network business at a time when it was a troubled joint venture with Siemens.

Services were growing in importance because of the weak global outlook, Nokia said. The global networks market is expected to fall this year as telecom operators' demand for faster 4G mobile broadband equipment has peaked, and upgrades to next-generation 5G equipment are still years away.

"He has been a close friend and advisor... I fully support his desire for a change," Nokia chief executive Rajeev Suri said in a statement detailing Elhage's departure and the changes.

These involve Marc Rouanne, currently Chief Innovation and Operating Officer, becoming head of the mobile networks products business while another Nokia veteran Igor Leprince will take over the new service organisation.

Reuters
British troops have arrived in Estonia as part of a major NATO mission in the Baltic states to deter Russian aggression.Russia has a long history of aggression against NATO members, beginning with its notorious invasion of France in 1812, at a time when the relationship between Britain and its US ally was slightly less special than usual.Forty years later, Russia's aggressive attempt to invade Britain through Turkey led to the Crimean War, foreshadowing present troubles in the region.In 1945, just as the Second World War was being won by Sir Winston Boris de Pfeffel Churchill and a few Americans, Soviet Russia launched an unprovoked attack on Berlin which drew an iron curtain across the continent and precipitated such evils as the Cold War and the European Union.Russia's aggression towards NATO even extended to the 1979 invasion of Afghanistan, where British and Estonian troops have recently worked together in the interests of the peace that has been blossoming in the country since 2001.Further threats to NATO emerged in the 1990s, with the collapse of the Soviet empire and increasingly blatant Russian attempts to keep NATO away from its borders, despite consistent NATO tolerance of Russia's presence inside its ring of military bases.
G20 ministers struggle to find consensus on trade, climate

AFP, Germany :

Finance ministers and central bankers from top economies are battling Saturday to find common ground on world trade in the face of US President Donald Trump's "Buy American" drive.

Ministers from G20 nations have gathered in the picturesque western German spa town of Baden Baden since Friday for a meeting clouded by fears of growing protectionism fuelled by Trump's stance.

Trump, whose tough "America First" talk helped win him the presidency, has withdrawn the US from a trans-Pacific free trade pact and attacked export giants China and Germany.

That stance has grated with Washington's partners, who are trying to persuade US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to hold fast to a long-standing G20 anti-protectionism commitment.

But talks have so far failed to produce a breakthrough for consensus on the issue, and the clock is ticking down to the close of the two-day session when a final statement is due to be published.

The separate issue of climate change has also become a sticking point, participants said, noting that the US delegation is reticent to sign up to previous pledges to help fund mitigation programmes.

French Finance Minister Michel Sapin said if no agreement could be found on both issues, that could be reflected in Friday's final statement.

"Our heads of states are meeting in a few weeks. On subjects that are so important, it's not up to the finance ministers to block or to walk back on the issue, there will not be any backsliding on such fundamental issues," he said.

Carried to power on the back of a political storm over deindustrialisation in vast areas of the US, Trump vowed in his inauguration speech to "follow two simple rules: buy American and hire American."

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) head Angel Gurria pointed to similar developments elsewhere, in a "backlash against globalisation" which is seeing growth and economic reforms stutter as populations grumble over inequality.
Husband to die for killing wife

UNB, Khulna :

A tribunal here on Thursday convicted a man and sentenced him to death for killing his wife in 2010.

According to the prosecution, Sheikh Mirajul alias Amanullah, 27, son of Wajed Ali Sheikh of Tungipara in Gopalganj, and his wife Hosne Ara had been living at Natunbazar of the city.

On January 28, 2010, the couple locked into an altercation over a family problem, and Mirajul, at one stage, hit his wife with a grinder stone, leaving her dead on the spot.

Nannu Shikder, brother of the victim, then filed a case with Sadar Police Station. Police submitted a charge-sheet against Mirajul on February 3, 2011.

After examining records and witnesses, Khulna Special Tribunal Judge SM Solaiman handed down the verdict.
Pry edn hampered in Sylhet Divn

Sylhet Correspondent :

Academic activities at government primary schools across the Sylhet Division are being seriously disrupted due to shortage of teachers.

Some 2,711 posts of schoolteachers are now vacant 1,507 for headmasters. Official Source said.

Although assistant teachers are filling in for the headmasters, the overstretched teachers find it difficult to concentrate on the class. This eventually affects the quality of education, said teachers and leaders of primary teachers' associations of Sylhet.

There are around 4,951 state-run primary schools in the Sylhet Division.

Educationists have long been pointing out that shortage of teachers is a big hurdle to ensure quality education, and that the only way to overcome this is to recruit adequate qualified teachers.

Anam uddin headteacher of Paschim bhag Government Primary School in Dakshin Surma upazila and two other teachers are taking care of their 330 students for months now.

"We have Six posts for teachers, but we are just the three of us at the moment. We actually had four teachers, but one of them is now working in another school on deputation. This has made our job even more difficult," He added.

Asked how they take care of everything, he said, "We are facing problems in carrying out academic activities, but we have no choice. The teachers take extra pressure as they need to hold classes. I also try my best to manage the classes."

He said the authorities repeatedly assured them of appointing teachers, but nothing actually happened. "Still my school is doing well."

President of Bangladesh Government Primary Head teachers Association Sylhet, said it was extremely difficult to ensure quality education with only one or two teachers.

"Things get really difficult when the head teachers go to the district or upazila education offices for official purposes. During those times, only two or three assistant teachers have to look after everything," he said.

"Primary schools have four teachers on average. If one teacher attends training, falls sick or goes on leave, children's education suffers badly."

About the crisis of headmasters, he said the head teachers played a vital role in almost every school activity -- from managing daily schedule and the staff to implementing academic calendar to monitoring co-curricular activities.

The assistant teachers filling in for the post often find it difficult to make many decisions, he added.

Every year, a huge number of posts fall vacant temporarily, but for a significant period, because of training, retirement, resignation and death, said officials from primary and mass education ministry.

Besides, many female teachers take maternity leave while others take leave for medical reasons or to perform hajj. It takes several months to fill the posts, they added.

Also, there was a long-standing wrangle over the qualification for teachers to be promoted to the post of head teacher. In fact, several cases have been filed over a government decision on recruiting head teachers, adding to the present crisis.

Dr Md Abu Hena Mostofa Kamal, ndc, director general of the Directorate of Primary Education, said a process of recruiting teachers was underway.

"We're almost at the final stage of appointing around 4,000 teachers under freedom fighters' quota.

He said the government was recruiting teachers from time to time, around 1.45 lakh in the last seven years alone. "But if we follow the student-teacher ratio as per our National Education Policy-2010, we will have to hire more teachers."

Under the 2010 policy, there should be one teacher for each 30 students by next year. As of December last year, the ratio is 1:38, according to the Directorate of Primary Education.
Senior UN official quits after 'apartheid' Israel report pulled

U.N. Under-Secretary General and ESCWA Executive Secretary Rima Khalaf speaks during a news conference announcing her resignation from the United Nations in Beirut, Lebanon on Friday.

Reuters, Beirut :

A senior U.N. official resigned on Friday over the withdrawal of a report accusing Israel of imposing an "apartheid regime" on Palestinians, saying "powerful member states" pressured the world body and its chief with "vicious attacks and threats."

United Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretary for the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Rima Khalaf, announced her resignation at a news conference in Beirut after U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres asked for the report to be taken off the ESCWA website.

ESCWA, which comprises 18 Arab states, published the report on Wednesday and said it was the first time a U.N. body had clearly charged that Israel "has established an apartheid regime that dominates the Palestinian people as a whole."

Israel fiercely rejects the allegation and likened the report to Der Sturmer - a Nazi propaganda publication that was strongly anti-Semitic. The United States, an ally of Israel, had said it was outraged and demanded the report be withdrawn.

"I do not find it surprising that such member states, who now have governments with little regard for international norms and values of human rights, will resort to intimidation when they find it hard to defend their unlawful policies and practices," Khalaf, of Jordan, wrote to Guterres.

"It is only normal for criminals to pressure and attack those who advocate the cause of their victims," Khalaf wrote in the resignation letter, seen by Reuters, adding that she stands by the ESCWA report.

Israel and the United States did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Khalaf's letter.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said earlier on Friday that Khalaf's resignation was appropriate and Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon said it was "long overdue.

"Anti-Israel activists do not belong in the UN," Danon said in a statement."

"U.N. agencies must do a better job of eliminating false and biased work, and I applaud the Secretary-General's decision to distance his good office from it," Haley said in a statement.

The report was published without consultation with the U.N. secretariat, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric had said.
Erdogan tells Turks in Europe to have 5 children

AFP, Ankara :

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday urged Turk residents in Europe to have five children, telling the millions-strong diaspora they were the continent's "future" as a bitter dispute festered between Ankara and Brussels.

Turkey and Europe are locked in diplomatic crisis after Germany and the Netherlands blocked Turkish ministers from campaigning for a 'yes' vote in next month's referendum on expanding Mr Erdogan's powers.

Mr Erdogan has repeatedly accused EU states of behaving like Nazi Germany over what he sees as discrimination against Turks, in comments that have caused outrage across the continent.

"From here I say to my citizens, I say to my brothers and sisters in Europe... Educate your children at better schools, make sure your family live in better areas, drive in the best cars, live in the best houses," said Mr Erdogan.

"Have five children, not three. You are Europe's future."

"This is the best answer to the rudeness shown to you, the enmity, the wrongs," he said in a televised speech in Eskisehir, a city south of Istanbul.
Birthday of Bangabandhu celebrated

Alhaj A B M Mohiuddin Chowdhury, President, Chittagong City Awami League and CCC Mayor A J M Nasir Uddin cutting cakes in observance of the 98th birthday of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children\'s Day in Chittagong on Friday.

The 98th birthday of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children's Day-2017 was celebrated here yesterday as elsewhere in the district with a call to follow his ideology and to implement his unfinished tasks.

City Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin, placed wreaths at the portrait of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in front of CCC Friday morning.

Acting Chittagong Divisional Commissioner Sarwarjahan, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shamsul Arefin, , and leaders of different cultural organisations placed wreaths at the portrait of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Shilpakola Academy.

Later, a large number of children and adolescent rally started from Chittagong Circuit house that ended at Shilpokala Academy after parading different important city streets.

Huge number of people including schoolboys and girls with colorful dresses joined the rally.

Earlier, a discussion meeting on the life and works of Bangabandhu and children gathering was held at Shilphokal Academy premises this afternoon.

Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Iqbal Bahar along with Deputy Inspector General of police, Chittagong range Shafiqul Islam and high police officials paid rich tributes by placing wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at city's Dampara police lines field yesterday.

Local units of Bangladesh Awami League and its front organizations also celebrated the day through a daylong programme. The programme included hoisting of national and party flags, garlanding portraits of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and holding discussions.

Former city mayor and President of Chittagong city AL Mohiuddin Chowdhury presided over and addressed the discussion at Shaheed Minar premises, organized by city AL. General Secretary of City Awami League and city Mayor AZM Nasir Uddin, AL leaders Mahtab Uddin Chowdhury, Noimuddin Chowdhury and Advocate Iftekher Saimul addressed the function.

The speakers said if the children learn the proper history of Bangladesh, they would be worthy citizens of the country in future. Chittagong north and south district units of AL also arranged separate children rallies and discussions.

Apart from this, separate discussions were held at all educational institutions in the city and district under the auspices of respective authorities.

Chittagong Press Club celebrated the day through elaborate programmes. The programmes included discussion meeting, poetry recitation, placing of wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu, essay competition, drawing competition and poetry recitation.

Bangladesh Chhatra League units of all educational institutions in the city including Chittagong University, Chittagong Medical College, Chittagong University of Engineering Technology (CUET), University of Science and Technology Chittagong and Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University and Umra Koijon Mujib Sena also held discussions on the life and works of Bangabandhu.


The robots are coming, your job is at risk

Martin Khor :

Last year Uber started testing driver-less cars, with humans inside to make corrections in case something goes wrong. If the tests go well, Uber will presumably replace their present army of drivers with fleets of the new cars.

Some personally owned cars can already do automatic parking. Is it a matter of time before Uber, taxi and personal vehicles will all be smart enough to bring us from A to B without our having to do anything ourselves?

But in this application of "artificial intelligence", in which machines can have human cognitive functions built into them, what will happen to jobs? It is estimated that in the US alone, 4 to 5 million drivers of trucks and taxis could be rendered unemployed.

The driver-less vehicle is just one example of the technological revolution that is going to drastically transform the world of work and living.

The risk of automation to jobs in developing countries is estimated to range from 55 to 85 per cent, according to a study in 2016 by Oxford University's Martin School and Citi. Major emerging economies will be at high risk, including China (77%) and India (69%), higher than the OECD developed countries' average risk of 57%.

There is concern that the march of automation tied with digital technology will cause dislocation in many factories and offices, and eventually lead to mass unemployment.

Just a day before he left office, former US President Barrack Obama warned in a farewell interview that "jobs are going away because of automation and that's going to accelerate," pointing to "driverless Uber" and "displacement that's going to take place in office buildings across the country."

Also voicing concern about the social impact of automation, Microsoft founder Bill Gates recently proposed that governments should impose a tax on robots. Companies using robots should have to pay taxes on the incomes attributed to the use of robotics.

That proposal has caused an uproar, with mainstream economists like Lawrence Summers, a former US treasury secretary, condemning it for putting brakes on technological advancement. One critic suggested that the first company to pay taxes for causing automation should be Microsoft.

However, the tax on robots idea is one response to growing fears that the automation revolution will increase inequality as many lose their jobs while a few reap the benefits of increased productivity and profitability.

The new technologies will cause uncontrollable disruption and add to the social discontent and political upheaval in the West which had fuelled the anti-establishment votes for Brexit and Donald Trump.

Recent studies are showing that deepening use of automation will cause widespread disruption in many sectors and even whole economies. Worse, it is the developing countries that are estimated to lose the most, and this will exacerbate the already great global inequalities.

The risk of automation to jobs in developing countries is estimated to range from 55 to 85 per cent, according to a study in 2016 by Oxford University's Martin School and Citi. Major emerging economies will be at high risk, including China (77%) and India (69%), higher than the OECD developed countries' average risk of 57%.

The Oxford-Citi report, "The future is not what it used to be", provides many reasons why the automation revolution will be particularly disruptive in the developing countries.

First, there is "premature deindustrialisation" taking place as manufacturing is becoming less labour-intensive and many developing countries have reached the peak of their manufacturing jobs. Manufacturing processes are more automated today, also in low and middle income developing countries.

Second, while 20th century technologies allowed companies to shift production abroad to take advantage of cheap labour, recent developments in robotics and additive manufacturing now enable firms to locate production closer to domestic markets in automated factories.

Seventy per cent of clients surveyed believe automation and 3D printing developments will encourage companies to move their manufacturing close to home. China, ASEAN and Latin America have the most to lose from this relocation, while North America, Europe and Japan are the main winners.

Thirdly, "the impact of automation may be more disruptive for developing countries, due to lower levels of consumer demand and limited social safety nets" as compared to the developed countries, according to a summary of the Oxford Martin School report.

The report warns that developing countries may even have to rethink their overall development models as the old ones that were successful in generating growth in the past will not work anymore.

"In the light of these technological developments, industrialization is likely to yield substantially less manufacturing employment in the next generation of emerging economies than in the countries preceding them. Hence it will be increasingly difficult for African and South American manufacturing firms to create jobs in the same numbers that Asian countries have done. In other words, today's low-income countries will not have the same possibility of achieving rapid growth by shifting workers from farms to higher-paying factory jobs."

Instead of export-led manufacturing growth, developing countries will need to search for new growth models, said the report. "Service-led growth constitutes one option, but many low-skill services are now becoming equally automatable."

It cites a World Bank report showing developing countries are highly susceptible to their workforce being affected by increasing automation, even relative to advanced economies where labour costs are high.

Moreover, countries with lower levels of GDP per capita typically have a higher share of their workforce "at risk". "Thus there are reasons to be concerned about the future of income convergence, as low income countries are relatively vulnerable to automation," concludes the report.

Another series of reports, by McKinsey Global Institute, found that 49% of present work activities can be automated with currently demonstrated technology, and this translates into US$15.8 trillion in wages and 1.1 billion jobs globally.

About 60% of all occupations could see 30% or more of their activities automated and 5% of jobs can be entirely automated.

But more reassuringly an author of the report James Manyika says the changes will take decades. How automation affects jobs will not be decided simply by what is technically feasible. Other factors include economics, labour markets, regulations and social attitudes.

Which jobs are most susceptible to be affected? While most people think they would be in manufacturing, in fact many jobs in services will also be disrupted. The McKinsey study lists accommodations and food services as the most vulnerable sector in the US, followed by manufacturing and retail business.

In accommodations and food, 73% of activities workers perform can be automated, including preparing, cooking or serving food; cleaning food-preparation areas, preparing beverages and collecting dirty dishes.

In manufacturing, 59% of all activities can be automated, especially physical activities or operating machinery in a predictable environment. Activities range from packaging products to loading materials on production equipment to welding to maintaining equipment.

For retailing, 53% of activities are automatable. They include stock management, packing objects, maintaining sales records, gathering customer and product information, and accounting.

A technology specialist writer and consultant, Shelly Palmer, has also listed elite white-collar jobs that are at risk from "robots" which she defines as technologies, such as machine learning algorithms running on purpose-built computer platforms, that have been trained to perform tasks that currently require humans to perform.

Those she assessed would be displaced include middle managers, salespersons, report writers, journalists and announcers, accountants, bookkeepers and doctors.

While some analysts are enthusiastic about the positive effects of the automation revolution, others are alarmed by its adverse effects.

Certainly, the technological trend will improve productivity per worker that remains, and increase the profitability of companies that survive.

While there are benefits at the micro level for those companies and individuals that thrive in the new environment, there are adverse effects at macro level, especially retrenchment for those whose jobs are no longer needed.

What can be done to slow down automation or at least to cope with its adverse effects?

The Bill Gates proposal to tax robots is one of the most radical. The tax could slow down the technological changes and the funds generated by the tax could be used to mitigate the social effects.

Another radical idea which is generating a lot of debate is to provide "universal income" to everyone irrespective of whether they are working. The high productivity will allow everybody to be paid a comfortable income, and thus there is no need to worry that automation will displace jobs.

Governments can also take the attitude of "join them if you can't beat them." For example, China is seeing major opportunities in joining the technological revolution and has drawn up plans to invest in robotics and artificial intelligence.

Other more conventional proposals include upgrading the education of students and present employees to take on the new jobs required in managing or working with the automated production process, and training workers to be made redundant with the new skills needed to work in the new environment.

Overall, however, there is likely to be a net loss of employment, at least in the short term, and thus the potential for social discontent.

As for the developing countries in general, there will have to be much thinking of the implications of the new technologies for their immediate and long-term economic prospects, and a major rethinking of economic and development strategies is also called for.



(Martin Khor is Executive Director of the South Centre, a think tank for developing countries, based in Geneva).


Millions of dollars siphoned off for `Second Home` outside

THE New Nation reported that at least US$278 million was siphoned off from Bangladesh to Malaysia till November 2016 under the 'Malaysia My Second Home' (MM2H) project through money laundering. A total of 3399 Bangladeshis made investments to avail the 'second Home' benefit since 2003. The money laundering allegedly by politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen has weakened the financial strength of the country. Apart from political issues, money laundering is a prime cause that contributes to the lower availability of funds in the national economy and hinders the growth potential. Neither Central Bank nor Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) could prevent the siphoning off of money that leads to a loss in economic growth.



To avail the MM2H, every applicant has to transfer at least $82,000 (about Tk 6.4 million) and over the years the number of such Bangladeshis who prefer second homes increased without any interception. Money laundering has potentially devastating economic, security, and social consequences as it diminishes government tax revenue and thereby indirectly harms honest tax-payers. This also makes government tax collection much more difficult. Because the loss of revenue ultimately means imposing higher tax rates, and corruption-inflated higher costs of public works.



Money laundering creates an unstable liability base and unsound asset structures for financial institutions, creating risks of monetary instability and even systemic crisis. This crisis further leads to loss of credibility and investors' confidence and the potential of destabilising financial systems, particularly in emerging economies.



According to Global Financial Integrity estimates, illicit financial outflows from Bangladesh stood at $ 9.66 billion in 2013 which was $ 7.22 billion in 2012. Despite the scenario, no major initiative to bring back the siphoned off money has been taken. Instead of nabbing the illegal money launderers, the ACC is busy over pursuing petty corruption and thieves to show that they are achieving success.



As ruling party men, Ministers, blessed bureaucrats and privileged businessmen are among the top people who transfer money under MM2H program, no government initiative would bring them under legal scanners. Happily, the ACC has asked Malaysian government for mutual legal assistance and to provide detailed information of some 50 big investments and in response Cash Transaction Report on 14 Bangladeshis has been sent from Malaysia.



Our anti-money laundering laws are strict on paper but not in application. Where actual capital flight has taken place attempts of recovery predictably hit snags. The government must handle the money laundering crimes strictly and at the same time, the legal transactional procedures should be eased up. Only, investment friendly climate can successfully prevent money laundering.
Poor vigilance invites tragedies

Mega projects lack safety measures: Moghbazar-Malibagh flyover cost jumps to Tk. 1219 cr from Tk 773 cr

The construction company, assigned for building Malibagh-Mouchak-Moghbazar flyover, seems to be careless even after the death of one person due to fall of a girder. Photo shows, the construction work is going on without any safety warning where different

Badrul Ahsan :

Legal bindings of safety measures for pedestrians, residents and workers in and around the under construction mega projects in Dhaka and other cities have long been violated by the contractors mainly due to poor vigilance by the concerned authorities, sources said.

They added that due to the insufficient measures for safety and security, several casualties like death and injuries have occurred several times centering these projects.

Besides, slow progress or no progress in delivering justice for such incidents also made the contractors darer to show thumb to the government authorities as well as to the life and properties of general people.

People involved with the mega projects preferring anonymity said, "Several incidents like death and injuries have occurred earlier both in Dhaka and Chittagong but we did not see any sign of punishment of the culprits till date. So, neither the government's concerned authorities nor contractors bother about the safety measures."

After a visit to the city's Moghbazar-Malibagh flyover, the costliest project in South Asia, on Thursday, this correspondent found that although a man died and two others were injured after a girder fell off from a flyover during construction work at Malibagh rail gate just three days ago, safety measures were widely ignored in the project till yesterday (Thursday).

Workers at the project were found working on the flyover without wearing any helmet, safety belts, boots or other things needed as safety measures. Besides, no measures like isolated boundaries and steel sheds were not in place to ensure safety of the pedestrians or nearby residents.

Shopkeepers and pedestrians alleged that small incidents frequently occur in the area due to apathy of the authorities concerned.

"Many people have been facing various incidents from the beginning of the flyover project, but they couldn't say anything as the contractor is a political muscleman," said Golum Nahid Rabbani, a shopkeeper adjacent to the under construction flyover at Malibagh.

"Few days back, oil tanker of a biker was also damaged due to fall of a piece of stone from the top of the flyover. If the stone would fall on his head, what would be than? he questioned.

According to our district correspondents, similar scenarios also persist in the mega projects in other cities, including Chittagong and Comilla.

Our Chittagong correspondent said, small or medium incidents centering construction of flyover have become a regular phenomenon in the port city.

"None wants to speak against the unlawful activities of the contractor as political musclemen are involved with the work. Besides, absence of justice also forced them to be mum over the irregularities," he added.

According to him, 15 people died and more than 50 others seriously injured in November 24 in 2012 in Chittagong as girder fell off from the under construction Bahaddar Hat flyover. The than government formed three committees to find out the guilty, but the committees are yet submitted their reports.

"We are in doubt whether the victims would get justice. If not, then the scenario would go worst gradually. None will expect any punishment of their illegal activity," Nazma Sultana, a resident of Chittagong, said.

Our Comilla correspondent said, the contractor of flyover in Comilla does not even comply with a single safety issue.

"There is neither any barricade nor any cautionary signs in the project area which frequently lead to medium and minor accidents," he said.

However, the construction of the Moghbazar-Malibagh flyover is unlikely to end soon, mainly because the project had changed of its plans, said a top official of the Local Government Division requesting anonymity.

The 8-km Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover project was taken up in January 2011 by the LGED and it was supposed to be completed by December 2014. The concerned authorities brought changes in the design along with expanding project cost and extending time by one and a half years, until 2016. But the progress of the construction work is still unsatisfactory. The cost of the project jumped to Tk 1,219 crore from Tk 773 crore, an increase by 58 per cent.

The construction cost was calculated at Tk 97 crore per km at the beginning but now it stands at Tk 152 crore per km. The work has not been completed yet even though an extended deadline expired several months ago.

Meanwhile, neither any project official nor contractor wanted to talk to the journalists regarding the issue despite several attempts.
College student held with 7 bombs in Jessore

UNB, Benapole :

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in a drive arrested a college student along with seven crude bombs from Porakhali village in Abhaynagar upazila here on Friday night.

Acting on secret information, a RAB team conducted the drive around 10:30pm and arrested Mintu Mollah, a 3rd-year student of Noapara College, along with the bombs, said Lt AMM Jahidul Kabir, assistant director of RAB-6 in Khulna zone. A case was filed.




No room for militants in BD: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said the stern stance of the government against militancy and terrorism will continue. "There'll be no place of militancy and terrorism on Bangladesh soil... the stern stance that we've taken against it will continue," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said this while addressing a discussion organised by Bangladesh Awami League, marking the 98th birthday of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).

She came up with this view as an unidentified criminal was killed in Rab firing when he tried to enter a Rab-3 check post with a motorcycle and explosive at Shekher Jaiga in Khilgaon early today while another suspected suicide bomber sneaked into a Rab barrack and blew himself up in Ashkona.

The Prime Minister urged the people of all strata, including teachers, guardians, imams, ulema and professionals, to get united against the social menaces. "You have to remain vigil so that no one of your children can get involved in militancy and terrorism."

Hasina called upon all to inform the law enforcement agencies if anyone notices anything related to militancy and terrorism to take appropriate measures. "You must have information about your children, where they go, with whom they spend time and what they do," she said.

Sheikh Hasina, also the ruling Awami League chief, urged Awami League leaders and activists to remain vigil as well regarding the militancy and terrorism.

She reiterated her pledge for establishing Bangladesh as the most peaceful country in South Asia saying that it is her responsibility to complete the unfinished tasks of the Father of Nation and change the fate of people.

Mentioning the huge sacrifice of the Father of the Nation for the welfare of the country's people, she said Bangabandhu had dedicated his entire life for the Bangalees and given the nation an independent country but he could not materialise the dream of achieving economic emancipation because of the conspiracy of the anti-liberation forces at home and abroad.

Like Bangabandhu, Hasina said, the aim of her politics is to ensure the welfare of people and not to undermine their dignity and honour. "No one will be allowed to disregard the dignity of the entire country through false accusation of corruption," she said adding that her government has been working to uphold the dignity as she is doing politics with honesty. Rather, she said, it was BNP that destroyed the country's honour and dignity through their misdeeds and creating terrorism and militancy in the country as well as through arms smuggling and siphoning off money abroad. Referring to the long struggle of Bangabandhu for the political and economic emancipation of the Bangalees, Sheikh Hasina said he had united people and prepared them for the Liberation War to establish independent Bangladesh.

She said, Bangabandhu was an independent personality but had been in jail months after months when the Pakistani rulers had kept him in isolation and not even allowed him to read newspapers.

He had inspired the people with the spirit of independence through long struggle starting from the language movement to the Six-Point Movement, she said.

The Prime Minister said Bangabandhu never compromised on the question of justice and truth as well as the welfare of the people of Bangladesh.

Terming 7th March Speech of Bangabandhu as one of the best 45 speeches of 2500 years of the world's history, the Prime Minister said he had made everything clear to people with his farsightedness to get ready with whatever they had to free the country.

She said that soon after the independence, Bangabandhu formulated a well-planned constitution incorporating how the country would be rebuilt and be advanced in all sectors, including education, health, communication and infrastructure development.

He also formulated necessary policy, law and other rules to develop the country alongside putting efforts to earn international recognition of the newborn Bangladesh, she said.

"It's also stunning that Bangabandhu in a very short period of time had done or initiated most of the works required for building a newborn nation apart from framing necessary laws," she added.

She said the politics of killing had begun in Bangladesh after the assassination of Bangabandhu and military dictator Zia becoming self-declared president when he made anti-liberation forces Prime Minister, MPs and advisers as well as gave killers of Bangabandhu posting in foreign missions.

Zia, Khaleda and Ershad annihilated freedom fighters, leaders and workers of the pro-liberation forces indiscriminately and continued their efforts to derail the country from the path of Liberation War spirit, she added. The Prime Minister directed leaders and workers of Awami League to take preparations from now on to celebrate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu in 2020 and golden jubilee of country's independence in 2021.

AL presidium member and deputy leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Advisory Council member and Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Advisory Council member and Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Advisory Council member Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun, Presidium member and Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, joint secretary Jahangir Kabir Nanak, AL organising Secretary Ahmed Hossain and AL Office secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap also spoke on the occasion.




Militant suspect gunned down in city

He tried to attack Khilgaon checkpost : RAB

An unidentified militant was shot dead riding a motorcycle tried to attack RAB-3 checkpost with explosives in city\'s Khilgaon area early Saturday.

Staff Reporter :

A suspected motorcyclist militant carrying bombs was gunned down as he tried to attack members of the crime-busting Rapid Action Battalion's check post at Khilgaon in the city early Saturday morning.



At least two RAB personnel received injuries in the incident that took place just 20 hours after a suspected suicide bomber was killed at the proposed RAB Headquarters in city's Ashkona area on Friday afternoon. "The motorcyclist, who was carrying explosives and a bag, died on the spot at around 4.30am," RAB Legal and Media Wing Director Mufti Mahmud Khan told journalists at a link road to Nandipara of Khilgaon.



One improvised explosive device was recovered from the bag and several bombs were tied to a vest on his body, the RAB official said.



Other RAB men, who were on the spot, claimed that riding motorcycle, the suspected bomb-carrying criminal had tried to launch suicide bomb attack at the check post.



"When he tried to go through the check post, the on-duty RAB personnel asked him to stop but did pay any heed to the law enforcers. Sensing danger, our force opened fire leaving the suspected militant dead on the spot," said Mufti Mahmud Khan.



He said the identity of the dead miscreant could not be ascertained immediately.



"The suspected militant's body bore more than seven bullet wounds," the RAB official said.



He said the members of the law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area, while a bomb disposal unit of RAB is examining the devices found in the bag of the killed miscreant.



Talking to journalists ASM Shakhawat Hossain, Operational Officer of RAB-3, said a bag containing two bombs left abandoned beside the body. A bomb disposal unit now on the spot was trying to defuse the bombs till filing of this report yesterday evening.



"The motorcycle doesn't have number plate," he said, adding the law enforcers cordoned off the area.



Talking to journalists, officials of Criminal Investigation Department said they have collected DNA samples from the body for confirming his identity.



"We have also collected some evidences from the spot and helped police in sending the body to the Khilgaon Police Station," the official said.



Meanwhile, a case has been filed with Airport Police Station in connection with Friday's suicide bomb explosion at a barrack of RAB at Ashkona in the city that killed the attacker.



Rasheduzzaman, Sub-Inspector of the Police station, filed the case on Friday night against the suicide attacker and seven unnamed men, said Azaz Shafi, inspector (Investigation) of the Police station.



Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Asaduzzaman Miah on Saturday termed the recent militant attacks as not stray incident.



"We had obtained information earlier about the latest militant attacks. These attacks are not stray incident. There is a political motive behind the attack. A vested quarter at home and abroad is trying to destabilise the country in order to thwart the country's development," the DMP Chief told journalists after attending at a function at Sufia Kamal Complex at Dhanmondi in the city.



Asaduzzaman Miah claimed that the members of law enforcing agencies know the connections and contacts of the militants.



Meanwhile, a woman on Saturday claimed that the suspected suicide bomber, who blew himself up on Friday at the Ashkona RAB camp in Dhaka, as her son.



The woman, Amiran, went to the RAB camp in the morning and told reporters that her son Rafique remained traceless for the last five days. Hailing from Pirojpur, her son used to work in a tea stall in Dhaka.



Agency adds: the law enforcement agencies have been instructed to eliminate militants, terrorists and the neo-Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh along with their networks with an iron hand in the country, said Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque yesterday.



He said they have already identified masterminds of militants and their networks alongside the neo-JMB (Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh). The law enforcement agencies are working to arrest militants and their close associates, he added.



He said the government has undertaken various measures to ensure security of the common people and foreign nationals, adding, "We have taken special measures for ensuring security in the diplomatic zone."



Terrorism and militancy have become a global issue but the police are closely working to eliminate extremism and terrorism following the government's "Zero tolerance" policy against all forms of terrorism and extremism, Hoque added.



Referring to government's stern actions against militancy and terrorism,the IGP said different quarters are patronizing militancy to weaken the government.



The IGP also made it clear that the law enforcement agencies have not found any evidence of links between the home-grown militants and the IS.
Peace, HR, good governance must to achieve SDGs

UNB, Chittagong

Speakers at a dialogue here on Saturday said peace, security, human rights and good governance will be the key priority areas in achieving the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development.

The Bangladesh government has taken measures over the past few years to reform laws and strengthen institutional initiatives to establish good governance in the administrative system, they said laying emphasis on citizen's awareness and strengthening institutional capacity to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs).

They observed that unfortunately the advantages of these initiatives have not reflected on public life, for which it is essential to increase citizen's awareness, strengthen administrative capacities and make political will visible.

Citizen's Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, in association with Transparency International Bangladesh's (TIB) Sachetan Nagarik Committee (SANAC), Chittagong and the Community Development Centre (CODEC), Chittagong arranged the dialogue titled 'The New Global Development Agenda: Peace and Security, Human Rights and Governance'.

City Mayor AJM Nasiruddin attended the dialogue as the chief guest with convenor of the Citizen's Platform and Distinguished Fellow,

Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya in the chair. Vice Chancellor of East Delta University, Chittagong Prof Sekandar Khan, eminent educationist Prof Ferdous Ara Alim attended as special guests, said a press release.

Executive Director of TIB and Core Group Member of the Citizen's Platform Dr Iftekharuzzaman made the keynote presentation at the session, highlighting that institutional and policy framework that would be helpful in establishing good governance and control corruption.

Transparency and accountability of the political parties are essential elements of the democratic system that impact other institutions of democracy, said the participants.

Discussants at the event highlighted that attaining SDGs require inclusiveness of different marginalised groups who lag behind in the development landscape of the country.
3 Jamaat men held with arms in C`nawabganj

UNB, Chapainawabganj :

Police arrested three activists of Jamaat-e-Islami along with arms and explosives from a house at Baluchar village in Shibganj upazila early Saturday. The arrestees are Shariful Islam, 52,Ashraful Alam, 50 and Taiyubur Rahman, 50 of the village.

Mahbub Alam, superintendent of police said tipped off, a team of police conducted a drive in the area when some Jamaat activists were holding a secret meeting at the house of Shariful around 1:30am and arrested the trio. Some other Jamaat men managed to flee the scene. Police also recovered two pistols, six rounds of bullets, two magazines, 1.5 kg gunpowder and some Jihadi books from the spot. A case was filed in this connection.


Don`t give wrong message to govt high-up

If judiciary can work independently, the level of corruption, terrorism will decrease, says CJ

Staff Reporter :

Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha has said that the volume of corruption and terrorism has been increased in the country as the judiciary cannot work properly.



"If everything goes on in accordance with the Constitution and existing law; if the judiciary can work independently, the level of corruption and terrorism will be decreased. A vested quarter is misguiding the head of the government giving wrong message with an intention to create a gap between the legislative and executive branches," he said.



The CJ came up with the above remarks while addressing at an inaugural ceremony of 'Online Application Registration System' of Judicial Service Commission at Judicial Administration Training Centre in the city on Saturday.



"Some little problems existing in the judiciary are not properly placed before the head of the government, rather these are placed with wrong interpretation, along with a campaign that the judiciary is an opponent to the administration," the CJ said.



Pointing that about 300 posts of judges have fallen vacant, he said: "We send letters to the government about the vacancy of judges in due time, but do not get administrative cooperation. It's a lower tier of administration, which sends misinterpretation to the government high-up."



"I hope that those who are in the administration and deal this issue will not give wrong reports to the head of the government. I'm urging them to give correct information in a bid to ensure a sound and good relation between the judiciary and executive branches," he said.



Now the administration is getting incorrect message. It is said that judiciary is the rival of administration. But it is a wrong conception. In each government's tenure, there are excessive responses over some maters. Here, the judiciary plays the role to control such activities. If not so, the judiciary still has to remain under the administration; in which way the kings and monarchs had conducted trials. But the judiciary has been separated as it could give judgment without any pressure and partisan interest."



He also cautioned: "Don't think that only judiciary is being affected for giving such wrong reports, instead the government itself getting hampered. The main object of government is to maintain law and order perfectly. And to maintain law and order, it needs proper trial of criminals. If the trial is not held timely, the criminals will come out of jail getting bail and again will get involved in crimes."



Blaming a few persons for harming judiciary, the CJ said: "History says some persons of our own judiciary are causing harm to the judiciary since Pakistan tenure. Only a few are responsible for such situation."



Referring to question leakage in the public examinations, he claimed the Judicial Service Commission is only an institute where no question papers have been leaked.



It is to be noted that earlier on March 15, the CJ had expressed unhappiness over the Attorney General Mahabubey Alam during the proceeding of historic Masdar Hossain case, known as the case of separation of the judiciary from the executive, after it came up in the daily cause list of the Supreme Court for 65 times.



"The institution [judiciary] has to be protected. But the judiciary has been held hostage by the non-issuance of a gazette notificationI wonder how long would this go on! Is there any government in the country? How much time do you [AG] need to issue the gazette notification? There is an issue of fair play by the government. Everything is going on as usual. But the judiciary has been held hostage," he further said raising the questions.



However, the apex court allowed two more weeks for the government to issue the gazette notification when AG sought four more weeks by filing a petition.



The verdict given by the Appellate Division in the historic State vs. Masdar Hossain case on December 2, 1999 had mandated the drafting of a 12-point set of guidelines on the separation of the judiciary from the executive.

The judiciary was officially separated in November 2007. But the disciplinary rules for lower court judges are not finalized till the date. For several years, the SC has issued multiple rulings, asking the government to issue a gazette notification on the finalised rules.



The government had drafted the rules and sent those to the apex court for its opinion on May 7, 2015. On August 28 , 2017, the Appellate Division declared the government's draft rules to be in contradiction with the verdict in the Masdar Hossain case because the draft was similar to the Government Servants [Discipline and Appeal] Rules, 1985.



The SC, after revising the rules drafted, sent those to the Law Ministry and asked the government to issue the gazette notification by November 6. On the other hand, the government repeatedly sought time without issuing the gazette notification.



On December 8, the Appellate Division summoned two secretaries of the Law Ministry the next day for failing to comply with its November 14 order. But the two secretaries appeared before the court on December 12 with a gazette notification issued by the President that stated that there was no need to notify the rules in the official gazette.



Against this backdrop, the apex court asked the government to issue the gazette notification by January 15 and said the executive had misled the President on the matter.


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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News / Africa

by Thulani Nkala

The time is drawing nigh for the historic anti-gukurahundi genocide march which will reverberate in Johannesburg on the 21st March 2017 under the auspices of uLoyiko. Gukurahundi is a Shona word which means early rain that washes away the chuff, this was an operation which took place in the areas of Matebeleland and Midlands in 1982 to 1987. The operation from the onset bore all the hallmarks of a genocide which was fuelled by tribal hatred and inferiority complex of the new government. The international organisation Genocide Watch has since officially declared gukurahundi as a Matebeleland Genocide.The Siphesakhe Youth Organisation wrote a theatre play called uLoyiko whose thrust is to uncover what really happened during the genocide. The play has slowly but surely gained prominence particularly within the Matebeleland community in South Africa, but also it is gaining inroads within the South African community."We cannot blame our fellow South Africans for lack of knowledge of this genocide, our leaders have been so quiet about it, it is as if they knew nothing about the genocide" Mr Yanga Mhluzi the Public relations officer for uLoyiko explained. He continued "we have taken this upon our shoulders to educate our fellow South Africans about the evils of tribal hatred which led to the Matebele genocide, in the process we are confident that we shall awaken the Matebeles from their fear so they work towards their emancipation".The demonstration on the 21st March against the gukurahundi genocide it is going to be the first of its kind in South Africa, it is going to be a noise and exciting event which will see the convergence of many different stakeholders, which will include the South African human rights activists, ordinary members of the public and the Matebele community at large."We arrived in Johannesburg yesterday, and some of the prominent invited guests have started arriving as well, in attendance at the historic demonstrations would be Chief Nhlanhla Ndiweni, Dr Dumiso Dabengwa ZAPU President; Mqondisi Moyo-President of MRP; Ibhetshu likaZulu, Mr Silonda- Chair of uMhlahlo wesizwe Sika Mthwakazi and Moses Mzila -President of ANSA" Mr Mhluzi said. This is an interesting line-up, however, Mr Mhluzi indicated that the list is not exhaustive as some invited guests are still confirming their attendance.Mr Mhluzi informed this writer that tomorrow they will be performing uLoyiko theatre play at Market Theatre.When asked of the purpose of the demonstration, Mr Mhluzi eloquently responded as follows "Firstly, we aim to expose the genocide which has been hidden under the carpet for three decades, second, we need to expose the culture of impunity which has developed in Zimbabwe which may encourage another genocide; thirdly, we are seeking justice for the victims, we aim to mobilise human rights activists in South Africa and beyond to pile pressure on the relevant regional and international bodies""We are taking this to the next level now, our first phase was the theatre play but we soon realised that theatre on its own will not change the status quo, the perpetrators of the genocide are still oppressing the Matebeles without shame and relentlessly. We therefore implore the whole of Matebeleland in South Africa to be part of this revolution, if they come in great numbers their plight will never be ignored by the international community" Mr Mhluzi said inviting the masses.Over the years, the people of Mthwakazi have spoken in hushed tones about their plight in Zimbabwe, but of late they are surely regaining their voice and their cause is gaining currency.
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John Houghtaling IIs 2005 lawsuit claims Perret, who is now seeking an appellate judgeship, once followed him and his new girlfriend to Europe to further the threats and harassment.

Candyce Gagnard Perret Photo by Robin May

Candyce Gagnard Perret was sued by her former fiance John W. Houghtaling II in 2005 for defamation and stalking following their 2004 breakup, according to a lawsuit obtained late Friday by The IND.

The suit paints a picture of an unhinged, spurned lover (Gagnard Perret) bent on revenge.

It was filed on behalf of Houghtaling and his then-girlfriend, Brittany Benoit, against Gagnard on July 1, 2005, by Stephen Huber, an attorney in Gauthier, Houghtaling, Williams, & Sculzer, the firm that Houghtaling has headed since 2001.

The suit sought and received a temporary restraining order requiring defendant Candyce Gagnard ... domiciled in the Parish of Orleans, to stay away from plaintiffs, their residences, their businesses, and schools, cease and desist all threatening and intimidation of plaintiffs, to not defame or slander plaintiffs or their businesses, and otherwise be restrained from interacting with plaintiffs in any manner either directly or indirectly for reasons the petition goes on to list.

The petition states that Houghtaling and Gagnards relationship had ended approximately 11 months before he filed the suit. That would have put the breakup shortly after Gagnards 2004 arrest on public indecency charges stemming from an incident on the beach at Seaside, Fla., in which Gagnard told Walton County sheriffs deputies that she was an assistant district attorney, a position she has never held. The deputies made the arrest at Houghtalings home there.

Candyce Gagnard married Hunter Perret of Lafayette in 2009. She is one of three Republican women seeking a seat on the Third Circuit Court of Appeal.

Click on image to enlarge and read full suit.

The petition for the injunction alleged that after the 2004 split with Houghtaling, Gagnard began a consistent and persistent pattern of harassing and threatening him. Those acts are listed as:

a. constant and continued phone calls all during the day including inappropriate hours including making repetitive calls to Plaintiff Houghtaling between the hours of 1:00 - 4:00 in the morning;

b. repeatedly threatening to physically accost Plaintiff Houghtaling

c. repeatedly attempting to intimidate Plaintiff Houghtaling;

d. repeatedly threatening to harm Plaintiff Houghtalings business, reputation and career;

e. unauthorized accessing of Houghtalings personal and professional information.

The suit alleged similar threats and intimidation attempts by Gagnard directed at Benoit.

Gagnards actions were not confined to the United States, the suit charged:

During a recent trip to Europe by Plaintiffs, Defendant Gagnard discovered their itinerary and repeatedly contacted them at their hotel. Plaintiff Gagnard then notified them that she had followed them to Europe and that she would be waiting for them outside their hotel at the time they were scheduled to depart.

The petition did not state whether Gagnard made good on that threat. At the time the suit was filed, Gagnard was living in downtown New Orleans, not at the Lake Vista neighborhood address she had shared with Houghtaling at the time of her 2004 arrest.

The suit also asserted that Houghtaling and Benoit believed that Gagnards harassment is escalating in intensity and severity, Plaintiffs fear for their safety. Therefore immediate action is needed to protect plaintiff. (Emphasis in the original.)

The 2005 suit is one of three civil actions filed by Houghtaling against Gagnard over a 16-month period beginning in October 2004 and ending in February 2006.

The IND is seeking to obtain the other suits, which appear to be sealed. Representatives of the Orleans Parish Civil District Court initially told The IND that all three cases were sealed.

On Monday, IND Media attorney Gary McGoffin will initiate proceedings to have the two remaining cases unsealed.

The IND contacted the Perret campaign for comment earlier in the day, after we learned that Houghtaling had filed three lawsuits against his former Loyola College of Law classmate. At that time, the content and purposes of the suits were not known to us. This afternoon, the campaign declined to comment on the suits.

When we received the 2005 suit seeking the injunction, we again sought comment from the campaign. Spokeswoman Marie Centanni did not respond to a request for comment.

The record of the lawsuits contrasts radically with a March 3 letter from Houghtaling, which he emailed to Candyce Gagnard Perret and had his secretary share with The IND.

Click on image to read full letter.

In the letter, published by The IND on March 6, Houghtaling is apologetic to Gagnard Perret, assuming blame for her 2004 arrest in Florida and for failing to file a civil suit alleging wrongful arrest against the Walton County Sheriffs deputies who made it.

Houghtaling gave his version of the events that led to Gagnards arrest, claiming that it was a form of the officers retaliation against him after he mouthed off to the officers.

Houghtaling said that the listing of Gagnards occupation as assistant district attorney in the arrest was intentionally false to evade exculpatory evidence in the report. Gagnard was a city prosecutor in her hometown of Marksville between 1998 and 2001, several years before her arrest, but never served as an assistant district attorney. In the letter, Houghtaling later concedes that the ADA listing might have been an inadvertent mistake (as they are similar terms) but it is clear they [the arresting deputies] manipulated the report.

John W. Houghtaling II

Houghtaling then expressed his remorse about learning that the statute of limitations covering the filing of false arrest petitions had expired on the matter.

The injunction paints a picture of Gagnard Perret that is radically different from the woman Houghtaling described at the close of his March letter he shared with The IND:

I understand that you are seeking to run for the appellate court and this false [arrest] report is being circulated and used against you unjustly by an opponent. I feel the pain of injustice return that I felt that night. I cant think of a more moral, caring and smart appellate judge. While we havent spoken in a while, I for one am grateful you are offering to serve our great state.

This is the third major revelation affecting the Perret campaign that has cast doubt on what once appeared to be her inevitable election based on the array of political and business support her campaign attracted. The INDs reporting on a federal investigation into her husbands company, Louisiana Specialty Institute, and a subsequent report about Gagnard Perrets Florida arrest coupled with he falsely identifying herself as an ADA has resulted in Perret avoiding forums with her opponents Vanessa Anseman and Susan Theall, each of whom are now dealing with problems of their own. (Read more about Anseman here and Theall here.)

The election to fill the eight remaining years for the seat vacated by Jimmy Genoveses election to the Louisiana Supreme Court last year is Saturday, March 25. A runoff, if needed, will be held April 29.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The IND reached out via email to Houghtaling earlier today for comment (before we obtained a copy of his 2005 lawsuit). He sent the following statement at 7:50 p.m. and requested that The IND publish it in its entirety.

I understand you were involved in the effort to unseal a filing on a personal matter that I had sealed long ago. It is my understanding your efforts went through a duty judge who was unfamiliar with the matter and I was not given sufficient notice to oppose your efforts to unseal the document that was filed. When you contacted me I asked if your efforts were a partisan political attempt or whether you were acting as an objective reporter. You told me you were an objective reporter. Instead I found out that you fund abortion doctors, a cause directly opposed to Mrs Perretts platform, and her father in law was on a board which previously sanctioned you for campaign ethic violations. You have inappropriately asked me questions about my private and decade old romantic relationship with Ms Perrett. Your crusade is as desperate as it is inappropriate, and your readership would be better informed if your true personal dispute with Ms Perrett was exposed. As for the action you improperly had unsealed without notice or hearing, it was sealed because it was filed in the heat of the romantic moment and shortly after its filing, I deemed the filing inappropriate.

The IND has not yet taken action to unseal the cases. As we stated in the story, we plan to do so Monday.

On the ethics issue: After Mike Stagg ran for governor in 2003, he was late in filing a required campaign finance report. He asked the Ethics Board for leniency at that time, and it suspended part of the fine he owed. Hank Perret, candidate Candyce Perrets father in law, was on the board back then. After Stagg ran for Lafayette city-parish president in 2011, he was late with another report. That brought a fine and also triggered the re-imposition of the suspended portion of the fine from the 2003 campaign. He contacted the Ethics Administration and worked out a payment plan and paid the fine over a 90-day period. Those payments were arranged through the Ethics Administration and did not involve the board itself. The IND reported on the ethics fines several local politicians, including Stagg, were facing in this 2012 story.
CARTERVILLE  At 7 p.m. Tuesday, the two candidates for mayor of Carterville will square off in a debate at in the auditorium of Carterville High School. Jennifer Fuller of WSIU will moderate the debate, which is hosted by Carterville Area Rotary Club.

The race for mayor of Carterville pits incumbent Mayor Bradley Robinson against John Frost, former assistant police chief in Carterville.

Robinson was elected mayor in 2013 and alderman of Ward 4 in 2011. Prior to being elected as alderman, he spent nine years serving on Carterville Zoning and Planning Board and 18 years with Carterville Fire Department. He was a full-time firefighter-EMT, and was promoted to EMS coordinator in 1999.His campaign Facebook page is Bradley Robinson for Mayor of Carterville.

Frost worked for Carterville Police Department as an officer for 24 years, before retiring at the rank of assistant chief and detective in July 2015. He also taught the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) until the school district discontinued the program. He currently works as an officer at Williamson County Courthouse for 45 hours every two weeks. His campaign Facebook page is John Frost for Mayor-City of Carterville.

When Robinson was elected four years ago, he felt like he was prepared for the job, considering his background on zoning and planning board, as and alderman and as a firefighter-EMT.

I felt like all of that prepared me pretty well, but theres always things to any job that you havent done before that you find surprising, Robinson said. I think the most surprising was the depths of the rules and regulations, state and federal.

He is proud of the accomplishments the city has made during his tenure, and stressed that they were not solo acts.

Im proud of the fact that we, as a community, have been able to put over $5 million in infrastructure improvements in place. With a town our size and with our budget, you cant do that without grants, Robinson said. Weve been fortunate, through state and federal means, to obtain grants and get some of these needed projects done.

He noted that the $5 million does not include the work Illinois Department of Transportation has done on the Illinois 13 corridor and Division Street intersection, which has been a great improvement as well.

In the last four years, Carterville has put more than 15,000 feet of new water line in the ground. While completing the infrastructure improvements, the city also has obtained an A+ credit rating from Standard and Poors.

Being able to chip away at these large infrastructure projects, and being able to do while at the same time have an A+ credit rating is one of our biggest accomplishments, Robinson said. There are many more things to go. There are a lot of roads wed like to continue to fix and more water and sewer issues that we are short- and long-term planning for.

Frost said when he considered running for mayor, he saw some things that he really thought needed to change, like the city budget.

Everything runs out of the general fund now, but each department needs to have a separate budget, Frost said.

He cited an items on the city council agenda for the March 14 meeting from Carterville Fire Chief Ron Rains to send two firefighters to IFSI Fire College. If the department had a set budget for the year, the chief would know whether or not he could afford to send firefighters to training.

He also claims it eliminates the city from qualifying for some federal grant monies. Frost tried to obtain a federal grant as a Carterville police officer, and was turned down because the department did not have a budget.

He also wants to see infrastructure improvements, especially in downtown water lines.

Downtown water needs repaired. We have some fire hydrants there in bad need of repair, Frost said. If we have a major fire downtown, are we going to have the water to take care of that?

Other issues that Frost believe need addressing include downtown parking, city donations to organizations and causes, and attracting new business to town.

Both candidates mentioned videos and comments circulating on social media. Carterville Needs a New Mayor in 2017 is a Facebook page dedicated to unseating Mayor Robinson. Frost said he has nothing to do with the page, even though it includes a photo that says John Frost for Mayor.

More information about the debate can be found on Carterville Mayoral Debate Facebook page.
CARBONDALE  Five returning Southern Illinois University Carbondale students will receive in-kind gifts totaling nearly $1,500 prior to the fall semester thanks to a continuing scholarship targeting retention from the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce.

It was designed as way to help students who maybe could not afford to come back, so it was very much a retention effort, said Director Les ODell, the chambers executive director.

This is the sixth year for the Saluki Stay Scholarship Program, ODell said. The chamber is currently seeking applicants.

This past year, students received in-kind gifts in the form of free haircuts, at least one free meal a week at a member restaurant, oil changes, $250 toward books from 710 Bookstore, among other things. The scholarships are funded by in-kind gifts and cash donations from the chambers members.

Since the program began in 2012, about 25 students have received the award, and all have graduated or are on target to graduate, ODell said. It is overseen by the chambers Saluki Pride Committee, which has a mission of strengthening the relationship between SIU and the Carbondale business community.

SIU is a top economic driver of the Carbondale and greater Southern Illinois region. While much focus is placed on new student recruitment, retention of returning students has been a renewed focus of university, city and business leaders in more recent years.

Applicants for the scholarship are judged anonymously by Saluki Pride subcommittee members based on a combination of financial need, potential for success and students involvement in positive SIU and community activities.

We like to call it the most unique scholarship on campus because its so much fun, he said. Its been a really great scholarship program and a simple way for our members to support students.

To be eligible for the award, students must be enrolled full time for the fall semester 2017, be juniors or seniors with at least a 2.8 grade point average, have attended SIU for at least four semesters and show demonstrated financial need.

Completed applications are due April 5, 2017. Applications and additional information are available online at www.salukistay.com or at scholarships.siu.edu.
CARBONDALE  Members of the faith community sometimes face questions about assistance with food, housing, financial assistance, medical issues or legal help.

Sometimes, they don't know where to refer people, said Marleen Shepherd, the communications director for the Sparrow Coalition, a group of community residents formed to address issues of poverty and homeless in Southern Illinois.

Members of the Sparrow Coalition and staff at the Carbondale Public Library created the "Carbondale Area Resource Guide" to provide a reference for these local resources.

The guide is available on the Sparrow Coalition website and at some local churches and other faith institutions.

"What people are usually looking for are shelter, food, transportation, health care ... legal help," Shepherd said. "We couldnt put all of the resources that Carbondale has, but what we wanted to do  was to have something that was one sheet that churches would have, businesses could have, people could carry, like if the see someone on the street ... they can say, here you go, here is a list (of resources).

The document, a front and a back page, is filled with information on food pantries and soup kitchens, housing; economic, utility and legal aid; medical care; and transportation in the area.

The guide is Carbondale-specific, but does include information on shelters in Marion and Herrin, and low-income housing in Marion and Murphysboro.

The guide also includes information on public transportation, such as that provided by Saluki Express, MedTrans and the Jackson County Mass Transit District.

Shepherd said the goal is to update the guide at least once a year, maybe twice.

For more information, visit the Sparrow Coalition at https://sparrowcoalition.org; to view or download a copy of the 2017 resource guide, click on Find Community Resources; call 314.669.1577; or email Sparrow Coalition the sparrowcoalition@gmail.com.
MURPHYSBORO  Marielis McCormick has heard people often wonder aloud why the German people did not do more to prevent or fight against Adolf Hilter's repressive and murderous campaigns, especially against the Jewish people.

If they were anything like her family in Germany, they were trying to stay under the radar of Hitler and his officers, being careful about whom they talked about the war with or not talking at all and doing what they were told in their own labor camps, otherwise trying to survive.

Just having finished high school, McCormick, who is Christian, said she found herself being sent to a sort of labor camp in Germany, where her first day the farmer's pregnant wife asked her to help deliver her baby  she said all she could do was hold the woman's hand  and then trying to milk a cow or plow a field, nothing the daughter of a parish pastor had ever had to do before. She said some Germans were not aware of what was happening to their Jewish neighbors during the Holocaust.

McCormick shared her story Friday with students at Carruthers Elementary School in Murphysboro, relating how a girl who grew up in relative ease in Germany found herself living in Southern Illinois, where she spent 30 years teaching in Grand Tower.

Born between two wars in Germany

McCormick was born Marielis Hoehn in 1925, to Karl and Helene Hoehn in Kassel, Germany. Her father, a soldier during WWI, was a pastor in a parsonage, where she and her two sisters and brother grew up.

The man who was known to the world as the murderous dictator Adolf Hitler did not start that way, she told the group. She told how he wanted every family to own a vehicle, hence the creation of the "Volkswagen."

She said she remembered the date  Sept. 1, 1939  when Hitler's army invaded Poland. Two days later, Britain and France declared war, leading to WWII.

"It was easy for him" to invade that country, McCormick said. "There was no resistance. People were surprised, and his troops marched into the houses and settled in. Can you imagine a troop marching into Murphysboro and settling every house? You can't do anything about it? You know, you can't fight them. And so that was the first country he took over."

She said no one talked about Hitler or what he was doing, fearing that there might be retribution.

"If you spoke out against him, you could find yourself in a camp," she explained.

"Hitler had planned to get rid of the Jews, and the next on his list were the Christians," she told one class. "People that were really professing Christians were sought after, and some of them were put into camps."

She said she worked at the labor camp until the war ended in September 1945.

"We were always obedient," she said, doing whatever they were told. "It was just a country where you didn't do your own thing.  Nobody thought about getting away from that."

Then, when the war over, she, like so many other displaced Germans and others  started the long walks back home. She said she initially started out walking with two other girls from the labor camp she was in; they befriended some former German prisoners along the way. At one point, she was left alone as each person started off for their own way home way.

Hers was back to Kassel, near the center of the country.

Her father, a German solder during WWI who had been drafted back into service during Hitler's reign, arrived home shortly after she did, she said. She learned after arriving home that her own brother had been killed during the war.

After the war ended and the Germans tried to rebuild their lives, her father started working with German prisoners, she said. She went with him, offering her translation skills.

One of the U.S. soldiers, who served in the Air Force, came by the family's house one night, the family presumed, to get help with his German language skills.

The second night, he came by the house again, presumably for more lessons.

On the third night, McCormick said her parents were slightly puzzled by his return for more German language lessons, but left him alone in the company of their daughter.

That night, the young serviceman proposed to her, she said.

Barely knowing the tall American, she accepted.

He returned to the states, and in 1947, she finally arrived in America, making her way from New York to St. Louis, to rural Arkansas, where her betrothed lived with his family. They were married that July 1947, within days of her arriving in Arkansas, she said.

Her husband's family had no indoor plumbing, she said.

"It was a culture shock," she said.

She and her husband enrolled in and earned degrees from Missouri State University.

They had two sons and a daughter and now have five grandchildren.

Despite their unconventional courtship, the McCormicks were married for 62 years, until the Rev. Robert S. McCormick's death in 2008: He was 93.

Visit part of life-history lessons

McCormick's school visit came at the end of a unit on the struggles of various peoples that students had been studying, said Matt Todd, a Carruthers teacher at the school. The children learned about the Holocaust from Lois Lowry's children's historical fiction book "Number The Stars."

"It was really great to have Mrs. McCormick come and visit the class," Todd said. "We did so much talking about the Holocaust and learning about the different events that took place, the concentration camps. It really helped students connect what we'd been reading about and talking about in class and the actual events, like she talked about Kristallnacht. To hear her experience and what that was like and what that meant for the people there in Germany, the Jewish people (was amazing). The kids  you could see it  they just lit up. It was exciting for them, and just to hear about those personal experiences was just amazing."

After her presentation, the students asked her a variety of questions.

Kaeden Smith, a 10-year-old fourth-grader, said he was surprised by some of the things he learned.

"I never knew that they had (trashed) Jewish places and Jewish stores," Kaeden said.
CAIRO  Illinois Sen. Dale Fowler has a soft spot for Cairo.

When driving through the citys streets, pocked with abandoned homes and shuttered storefronts, he sees a city that wants to be better but cant quite find the way.

Fowler said he sees a glimmer of hope. He has since his first visit shortly after being elected last November to represent Illinois 59th District.

All I saw was potential, Fowler said of his first trip.

He has been back five more times, including Friday with Cairo Mayor Tyrone Coleman, Illinois Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno, of Lemont, and a busload of other local leaders. The group hit the highlights of town  Fort Defiance, the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers and Magnolia Manor.

But, at the top of their visit was the quiet levee road to the west of the city. Along the red mud and gravel road, Fowler and his team looked out at the Mississippi River to what they hope will someday soon be the location of a thriving river port.

In a document produced by the City of Cairo and the Cairo Public Utility, which maintains the land where the proposed port terminal would go, it explains that a location study and a site design and scoping study, concluded that a new dock facility is feasible, and it was concluded that conditions are favorable for a new port terminal facility located adjacent to the river terminal facility.

The document states that the next steps are to perform an economic impact study, further site investigations, surveying and getting the necessary permits from several government agencies. There is no estimated completion date.

This is where Fowler and Radogno come in.

The potential should just be smacking people in the face, but its not, Radogno said after her first visit to Cairo.

She said while these matters are complicated, she has faith in Fowler but also the people of Cairo.

The people that I have encountered today are all born and bred here and they arent giving up, Radogno said. She said this kind of determination is admirable.

While Fowler recognized the work involved in pulling such a project off is not small, he said all that can be done is taking the first steps.

What we are wanting to accomplish is not like winning the lottery  this is all reality, Fowler said. Sometimes you just have to take the action and take the steps.

These trips in Cairo are not uncommon for politicians. In fact, Larry Klein, Cairo Public Utility general manager, said hes seen at least 50 such trips with promises of revitalizing Cairos long-lost port culture.

But, there was something different for him Friday.

I think this senator is a ball of fire, Klein said of Fowler.

Coleman felt it too.

Weve just never had the support that weve gotten as we have with Sen. Fowler, he said.

For Coleman, the day could not have gone any better.

Its just like seeing everything that youve talked about and planned for and thought about and dreamed about, kind of seeing a little opening of a door, Coleman said.

Coleman, like Fowler, said the possibilities are endless with what development along the river could mean not just for Cairo, but the entire region.

The sky's the limit, so-to-speak, or the river is the limit, Coleman said.

Coleman said the city has been in the process of getting a river port plan moving for four years and have had limited success until Fowler was elected. Coleman said in his first meeting with the freshman senator from Harrisburg, he was told Cairo was at the top of Fowlers list.

For whatever reason, Cairo has the heart of Sen. Fowler, Coleman said.

When thinking about what this massive development could mean, Coleman said he thinks it's bigger than what the city has ever seen.

It goes beyond the metrics and dynamics of the greater part when Cairo was thriving, Coleman said. Its bigger than that.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Concerns are escalating that the newly introduced education curriculum by the Primary and Secondary Education Minister Lazaras Dokora has future repercussions from the students who are likely to face challenges in securing either international study scholarship or work due to some of the subjects which are now hidden in the new names which are not commensurate with the international standards.Teachers in both primary and secondary schools are still confused over the curriculum and what it is meant to achieve as the nation had so far achieved a lot through the old curriculum which produced highly recognised qualifications globally and earned the nation so much respect since 1980.Most surprising and baffling is the change of English language which is regarded as an international language of communication and instruction which in now hidden in the so called Foreign language. One wonders if such as learn completes his education here and goes to secure a job in a foreign land or in Britain what will the think the subject is because they will be expecting someone who learnt English.A teacher at a rural school said the whole subjects had a change in the new curriculum which a lot of implications to the teachers who will spent almost two years to adjust to the demands of those subjects at the time this means a loss of time for the learners.At primary school level the students are confused with the introduction of Agriculture which however they recommend as better than other subjects in terms of benefiting the learners in future. Other subjects with serious negative effects to the future of the learners are Indigenous language which one would ask which one among the host of languages, Foreign language which teachers said envelopes English language and this confuses as to which foreign language the subject name refers to.Other subjects which were introduced at primary level which Dokora must be commended for are Information and Communication Technology, Family and Moral Education, Physical Education, Science in Mathematics, Heritage Social Studies, and Visual Arts and this citizens have viewed them as progressive for the learners despite the set backs which are highlighted on English and Indigenous Languages which are not clearly spelt out."we are still struggling to copy with the work lord following the introduction of many subjects which some of them we are not yet able to deliver due to resource and training set backs," said a teacher.
CARBONDALE  A Southern Illinois University Carbondale Paul Simon Public Policy Institute poll released Friday shows Illinois voters are deeply divided over how to handle the states budget impasse.

Given three options for addressing the deficit, 45 percent favor cutting waste and inefficiency as the only way to handle the problem, while 11 percent favor a tax increase. However, 35 percent agreed with the statement that the state budget crisis will require both budget cuts and an increase in revenue. When the 35 percent who chose this option are added to the 11 percent who say they favor a tax increase, the result is 46 percent total who favor both raising taxes and cutting spending while 45 percent believe that cutting waste and inefficiency is sufficient.

The statewide poll of registered voters was taken March 4-11, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Sixty percent of the interviews were via cell phones.

The increasing revenue option was favored by 13 percent in both Chicago and suburban Cook and the five Collar Counties while only 7 percent of downstate voters favored it. Forty-three percent of Chicago voters thought a combination of both increased revenue and service cuts would be required, compared with 32 percent of suburban voters and 33 percent of downstate respondents who chose this option. Fifty percent of downstate voters chose the cut waste and inefficiency option, followed by 47 percent of suburban voters and only 34 percent of Chicago voters who chose this answer.

In terms of party identification, 18 percent of Democrats said increased revenue was the key; 7 percent of Independents and 4 percent of Republicans chose this solution. In contrast, 60 percent of Republicans thought eliminating waste and inefficiency was the answer, while 45 percent of Independents and 34 percent of Democrats took this choice. The combination of both increased revenue and cuts in services was the solution to the impasse according to 38 percent of Democrats, 39 percent of Independents, and 29 percent of Republicans.

The voters of Illinois are apparently as conflicted and divided over what to do about the budget impasse as their legislators and the governor are, said John Jackson, one of the designers of the poll.

When the voters are deeply divided, particularly in policy areas where the divisions are close, the office holders are given more leeway to fashion workable solutions to problems like the budget impasse, and then explain them and sell them to the voters, which is an obligation of leadership in a representative democracy, Jackson said.

Despite the growing number of Illinoisans who have come to the conclusion that the states budget crisis can only be managed by a blend of tax increases and program cuts, that forces legislators to vote for a pair of negatives; voting for tax increases while voting to cut programs people want and need.

The voters were asked about specific areas where there could be budget cuts in state service in areas ranging across education, welfare and a wide range of other state government services such as the state police, prisons, and parks and environmental regulation. Not a single governmental function was targeted by a majority of the voters as places they would support cuts in the agencies budgets.

In the case of K-12 education, fully 82 percent of the respondents were opposed to cutting budgets, and only 15 percent supported. The only function which came close to majority support for cuts was pension systems for public workers where 45 percent favored cuts and 49 percent opposed.

In programs for poor people, only 21 percent favored cuts, while 72 percent opposed cuts in those areas. Possible cuts to the states universities were opposed by 67 percent and supported by only 30 percent  both providing somewhat unexpected high levels of opposition to places where cuts have already been deep.

The respondents were then asked about a series of specific ways that the state might raise additional revenue. The results showed that naturally some proposals were more popular than others. The most popular proposals had well over majority support.

The single most popular proposal was applying a surcharge of 3 percent on income above $1 million per year: 78 percent approved; 19 percent disapproved, and 3 percent had no opinion or were undecided. This is a measure which has been championed for several years by House Speaker Mike Madigan. Illinois voters overwhelmingly supported an advisory referendum on the millionaires tax proposal in 2014, but House lawmakers narrowly rejected two attempts to place the amendment on the ballot in 2015 and 2016.

The next most popular revenue proposal was amending the constitution to allow a graduated income tax, which 72 percent supported, with 24 percent opposed and 4 percent undecided.

In that same vein, 55 percent favored applying the state income tax only to retirement income above $100,000 per year; 39 percent opposed, and 5 percent were undecided.

Another proposal, which is a part of the current debate over raising revenue, is the possibility of expanding gambling in Illinois. This plan was a part of the grand bargain, which had been advocated by Senate President John Cullerton and by Republican Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, which passed the Senate in late February before the bargain fell apart. The bill would have allowed Walker's Bluff in Carterville to open a casino, which it has been seeking for several years. Gambling expansion was approved by 55 percent and disapproved by 41 percent of respondents, with 4 percent undecided.

Other revenue plans garnered less than majority support. Raising the income tax to 4.99 percent was approved by 35 percent and opposed by 61 percent, with 4 percent undecided. Applying the income tax to all retirement funds was favored by only 23 percent; with 72 percent opposed and 6 percent undecided.

The respondents were asked about expanding the sales tax base to cover services like home repairs and landscaping. This proposal was supported by 36 percent and opposed by 60 percent, with 4 percent undecided. But asked if they favored this addition to the sales tax if the overall tax rate was reduced by half a percent, 57.1 percent favored, 39.4 percent opposed, and 3.5 percent said they did not know.

Finally, the poll asked if the gasoline tax should be raised in order to fund improvements to state highways, roads, and bridges: 42 percent favored, 56 percent opposed, and only 2 percent were undecided.

Its a perfect storm. There is divided government in Springfield, no clear voter support for a solution, no taste for cuts to specific areas of the budget, and tremendous amounts of campaign cash already gearing up for the 2018 election, said Delio Calzolari, associate director of the Institute.
MARION  John P. Hill, 86, passed away peacefully at 6:28 p.m. Thursday, March 16, 2017, in Integrity Health Care Center of Marion.

He was born Thursday, Jan. 29, 1931, in Benton, the son of Bryan and Ruth (Fletcher) Hill.

John attended school in Marion and was a graduate of Marion High School Class of 1949. He also attended Southern Illinois University Vocational Technical Institute where he learned the skills of being a machinist.

He answered the call of this nation by serving in the U.S. Army during the time of the Korean War. He faithfully served from January 1952 until the time he was honorably discharged in October 1953, with the rank of Sergeant.

John was united in marriage to Mildred Louise Mandrell on Saturday, July 9, 1955, in Corinth, Mississippi, and together they shared nearly 56 years of marriage until her death Thursday, June 23, 2011.

Early in his working career, prior to serving in the Army, he worked at Elliots Dairy in Marion. He also worked many years for Container Stapling in Herrin and later as a miner for the Consolidated Coal Mine of Sesser, working for 20 years until his retirement.

John was a member of the Reorganized Later Day Saint Church of Marion and was baptized on June 22, 1947, in Benton.

When he was a young man he loved roller skating. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, writing songs, pitching washers, working crossword puzzles and woodworking. He loved his family and enjoyed the many times they spent together. The memories that have been created will now be cherished by those he leaves behind.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Vickie (Hill) and Rick McAlpin of Marion; granddaughters, Stacey (McAlpin) Rix and husband, Ryan, and Janie (McAlpin) Havens and husband, Chad, all of Marion; great-grandchildren, Loralie and Cora Rix and Jacie, Victoria, and Chase Havens, all of Marion; son and daughter-in-law, Robert Kelley and Gloria Wall of Marion; grandchildren, Anita (Wall) Gentry of Carterville, Erica (Wall) Blumenstock and husband, Joe, of Nashville, and Chad and Todd Wall, both of Marion; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Gentry, Joshua Blumenstock, Joseph Blumenstock, Hannah Gentry, Heidi Gentry, Gunner Wall and Jackson Blumenstock; three sisters-in-law, Gaynelle Hill of Evansville, Indiana, Deloris Hill of Independence, Missouri, and Betty Jean Hill of Colorado; several nieces and nephews; other extended family; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sister, Ruby Evans; five brothers, Delmar, Bryan Jr., Jimmie, Billy and Robert Hill; half sister, Denzil Launius; and half brother, Forrest Buster Hill.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 19, in Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home in Marion, with David Rix officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Pleasant Poordo Cemetery located east of Pittsburg. Military honors will be accorded at the graveside by members of Heyde-Pillow V.F.W. Post No. 1301, American Legion Post No. 147 both of Marion and the Illinois National Guard Funeral Honors Burial Detail of Marion. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

For those who prefer, memorials may be made to either or both Shriners Hospitals for Children and Veterans Hospital of Marion and mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court St., Marion, IL 62959. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

For additional information or to leave an online condolence, visit www.wilsonmcreynolds.com or call the funeral home at 618-993-2131.
Opinion / Columnist

A lot has been said recently about alleged raids carried out by the Ndebele State on their then neighbours in 19th century. I say alleged because while some think it is a forgone conclusion that the raids took place I am not convinced. First off the place the Ndebele people settled in 1838 was occupied by the Kalanga under their Chief Ndumba. The Ndebele under Gundwane and later Mzilikazi took over the territory without any resistance in what can nowadays be termed a bloodless coup. There was never any war between the Ndebele and the Kalanga.The area Mzilikazi settled in is the Southwest of what is now known as Zimbabwe. Mzilikazi liked this part of the country as it was good for cattle rearing. While we on the subject of cattle please note that the Ndebele people brought their own cattle. The cattle even today is similar to those that you find in KwaZulu-Natal Mzilikazi's place of origin. To the Ndebele cattle were essential economic assets that they wouldn't have parted with in their long journey. Not only did cattle provide meat and milk but they're also used for lobola and for ceremonies like funerals, with the cow skin being used to wrap the body as people didn't use coffins then.The Ndebele were not like many would now like us to believe blood thirsty barbarians who survived by raiding but were competent agriculturalists, hunters and traders. Raiding was not an essential way of bringing in anything into the Ndebele state. When raiding did happen it was mostly used for defence purposes against threatening neighbours. The Tswana, Ngwato, Kololo and even the recently arrived Afrikaners did raid their neighbours from time to time.The Shona (please note that these comprised of many disjointed groups and not one group) as well also raided other people from not only weak but stronger groups. Hence Mutapa means "pillager" and Rozvi means "destroyer". So dear reader dispel the thinking that the Shona were these weak victims of Ndebele raids. Shona groups raided each other and even raided the Ndebele. Tohwechipi is one such person who successfully raided and ran off with Ndebele cattle. Others are Mutinhima and Govera.In fact a Shona raid by the Gomala and Bere people is what brought about the attack that resulted in the colonisation of the Ndebele state by the British. The Ndebele went on a punitive counter raid after the raid by the Gomala and Bere people. The white settlers in Fort Victoria (now Masvingo) intervened siding with the Shona chiefs. This is incident is what was used by Rhodes in 1893 to overthrow the Ndebele kingdom, something they had been planning to do. When the whites settled and occupied Mashonaland in 1891 Lobengula didn't attack them because they were not on his territory. This territory belonged to the Shona groups.So where do the generalisations, fallacies, myths, distortions about the Ndebele raiding the Shona for cattle and women that is now the stuff of legends come from? First it is from early settlers whose writings about Black people was stereotypical and contained a lot of misleading as it potrayed the Ndebele people as people who survived by stealing grain and cattle from the Shona. The settlers wrote history in such a way to show as if there was never peace between the Ndebele and Shona. There was in pre colonial times peace between the Ndebele and Shona people with Shangwe, Nemakonde, Hwata and others being an example of Shona Chiefs who formed alliances with the Ndebele state.Secondly, the European settlers misunderstood the payment of tributes by tributaries who paid the Ndebele state things like skins, feathers, hoes, tobbaco, spears and other things. Payment of tributes was done in exchange of protection in the same way we pay governments tax today for them to provide police services. Chief Chirumanzu is one such Chief in 1857 asked for protection and paid tributaries to Mzilikazi.Thirdly and most likely is that the Shona confuse the Ndebele people with other Nguni people who passed through their territory. These are the like of Mpanga, Ngwana Maseko, Zwangendaba and Nyamazana. The raids carried out by the ones I just mentioned may have been added to the exxagerated raids supposedly made by the Ndebele people. The larger distances covered by the likes of Maseko who ended up in present day Malawi might also explain why even though the Ndebele people were not as numerous to attack the vast areas oocupied by the Shona groups some in far away places like Seke swear they were attacked by the Ndebele.Do you have evidence that the Ndebele people raided the Shona people looting cattle and women? If you do please send it to veapndlovu@gmail.com please note that Chigwedere inspired history doesn't count as evidence therefore spare me.
Orangeburg Preparatory Schools graduates Ann Marshall and Carlyle Watt didnt make the list of finalists for a prestigious culinary award, but found the experience of becoming semifinalists rewarding.

Marshall is an Orangeburg native and 1997 graduate of Orangeburg Preparatory School who now lives in Charleston. Watt is a Denmark native and 2001 graduate of OPS who now resides in Anchorage, Alaska.

Both were listed among Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists for the 27th annual James Beard Foundation Awards. Selected from a list of more than 24,000 online entries, the prestigious group of semifinalists in 21 categories represented a wide range of culinary talent.

Watt, the son of Larry and Bruton Watt of Denmark, has excelled as the head baker and executive chef at Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop in Anchorage.

Marshall, the daughter of Theresa Marshall of Orangeburg, has proven herself to be among the nations top wine and spirit professionals at High Wire Distilling Company in Charleston, a business she and her husband, Scott Blackwell, co-own.

Watt said while he and his longtime friend were not among the list of final nominees, the experience of having made it that far in the contest was rewarding.

"What I got out of this is renewed sense of purpose in my profession. We can feel a little bit forgotten up here in Alaska, and it felt so reassuring to receive this recognition," Watt said.

He added, "I have already begun pushing harder to coax more flavor in our bread and reaching out further to connect with the people that make or grow the foods unique to Alaska. When people come up here to eat, I want them to understand what Alaska tastes like with a hint of Denmark, South Carolina."

Marshall has said that becoming a semifinalist in the prestigious contest was an honor.

"The beverage award is a national award, so it is just an overwhelmingly incredible honor to even be on that list of 20 producers with people  who are peers that we have met and known and have spent time with, Marshall said.
President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for visiting Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday.[Photo/ Xinhua]

While some countries blame globalization for their sluggish economies, others remain positive about and ready to explore business opportunities offered by free trade. Saudi Arabia belongs to the second group and is eager to continue reaping the fruits of globalization.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud landed in Beijing on Wednesday on a state visit to China, which is the highlight of his one-month Asia tour. The Saudi king's visit comes 14 months after President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Saudi Arabia in January 2016, during which the two countries elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

China-Saudi Arabia ties have developed in a sound way because the Middle East country sees China's rise as an opportunity and appreciates its proposals for regional and cross-continental development. Saudi Arabia was one of the first countries to respond positively to China's Belt and Road Initiative (the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road), which was proposed by Xi in 2013 with the aim to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient land and sea trade routes.

Chinese businesses have already helped develop 56 economic and trade cooperation zones in countries along the two routes with a combined investment of $18.5 billion, generating nearly $1.1 billion in tax revenues for and creating 180,000 jobs in those countries.

Given the Belt and Road Initiative's potential, Saudi Arabia, a hub connecting Asia, Africa and Europe, hopes to play a bigger role in the initiative and integrate it with "Saudi Vision 2030", a growth strategy Riyadh launched last year to diversify its oil-dependent economy. The Beijing-Riyadh relationship has reached such a high level also because the two sides share broad common interests.

In recent years, thanks to the complementary nature of their industrial structures, the two countries have deepened cooperation in such fields as energy, trade, investment and infrastructure construction. China became Saudi Arabia's largest trading partner in 2015, and Saudi Arabia has been China's biggest crude oil supplier and largest trading partner in the Middle East for years. Enjoying such a close relationship, China and Saudi Arabia are expected to further consolidate their relations for more mutually beneficial results.

During the Saudi king's visit to China, the two sides have discussed enhancing cooperation in areas such as culture, economy, trade, technology, security and defense. They have also signed agreements and memorandums on education, investment, transfer of technology, industry and trade.

China is ready to share its development opportunities with the world. Adopting a closed-door policy or a beggar-thy-neighbor attitude will not make anyone a winner. And China and Saudi Arabia both know that.

The author is a writer with Xinhua News Agency.
I am a Cat Woman. My self-appointed mission in life is to save the feline world! To accomplish this mission, I get cats fixed. Perhaps my mission might be slightly delusional. This blog is a mishmash of wishful thinking, rants, experiences as I remember them and of course, cat stories and cat photos. I have a nonprofit now, to help keep the cats here cared for and to fix community cats. Happy Cat Club formed in 2015. Currently, we are on a mission to fix 10,000 cats.
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Please note that the poems and essays on this site are copyright and may not be reproduced without the author's permission.






Investment Saudi Arabia and Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu have signed a milestone agreement with leading information and communications technology (ICT) company Huawei to establish a training academy and a smart city innovation centre in Yanbu region of the kingdom, accelerating smart city deployment in line with the Kingdoms Vision 2030.



The agreement was signed on the sidelines of King Salman bin Abdulaziz visit to China and during the 2017 Saudi-China Investment Forum.



It was organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Investment in co-operation with Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (Sagia) and the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) along with Saudi Aramco.



As per the deal, the smart city innovation center - which is the first of its kind in the region, is set to open this year. The academy too will open for training soon.



On the agreement, Dr Alaa bin Abdullah Nassif, the CEO of the Royal Commission of Yanbu and Jazan Economic City, said: "Enforcing the directives of the wise leadership and with the aim of achieving the strategic goal of developing a unique city that is technologically advanced based on global standards of smart cities, the Royal Commission of Yanbu established and developed the first smart city in the Saudi Arabia through partnerships with several private sector companies."



"Today, we signed a partnership deal with one of the leading companies, Huawei, to develop and establish the smart city innovation center - which is the first of its kind in the region - as well as developing the Huawei training academy in order to transfer the knowledge and global experience in the technology field," he noted.



In order to build the most skilled team in the kingdom, Huawei will be supplying the latest in lab equipment, training instructors, monitoring talent development and other proactive knowledge sharing initiatives.



The smart city innovation center is also begged to be open in 2017, and will aim to support Saudi Arabia 2020 transformation program focused on growing their digital economy. The center will be home to innovative smart city technology, providing a platform for the two parties to create, build and deploy new services in Yanbu industrial city.



Ramadan Ding, the CEO of Huawei Tech Investment Saudi Arabia, said it is proud to be a strategic partner to the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu in developing local ICT capabilities that will support the development and implementation of His Majestys 2030 vision for the Kingdom.



"Huaweis advanced smart city innovation coupled with its global leadership in research and development will ultimately benefit the people of Saudi Arabia. Huawei reaffirms its full support and commitment to the Kingdom and its people," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
A terror suspect was shot dead at Paris Orly airport on Saturday after snatching a soldier's weapon and shooting at three police officers from a car prompting an evacuation of the entire airport, said media reports.



Anti-terror officials have launched an investigation into the incident after reports surfaced that the man was on a watch-list of radicalised individuals and had been involved in a shooting hours earlier in the north of Paris, reported The Guardian.



The airport has been shut after what the authorities described as an extremely serious incident.



French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the Orly attacker assaulted a patrol of three air force soldiers, one of whom was a woman.



The attacker wrestled her to the floor and tried to take her weapon, but she managed to keep hold of it. The two other soldiers then opened fire to protect her and passengers in the airport.



The soldiers were part of the Sentinelle special forces, an elite military group installed around France to protect sensitive sites after a string of deadly Islamic extremist attacks.



The gunman launched his first attack after being stopped at a road check north of the city early this morning, shooting a policewoman in the head, before fleeing in a stolen car, reported Sky News.



He then drove to Orly airport where he wrestled a gun from a counter-terrorism soldier before running into a McDonald's restaurant, where he was shot dead by security forces.



The man was shot after he tried to grab a soldiers weapon at the airport. Interior ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet said: A man took a weapon from a soldier then hid in a shop in the airport before being shot dead by security forces.



Less than two hours earlier, three police officers were shot at in a suburb in northern Paris by a gunman during a routine stop-and-search operation.



Bruno Le Roux, the interior minister, said the man shot dead at the airport was linked with a car-hijacking incident earlier on Saturday in a northern suburb of Paris. He said the man shot a police officer at a traffic stop before stealing the womans car at gunpoint.



Le Roux confirmed that the gunman was known by police and intelligence.



French presidential hopeful Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to the French troops involved in the Sentinelle operation. The independent centrist said in a speech in Paris that the soldiers who were attacked in Orly airport demonstrated one more time calm, control and professionalism.



No explosive devices were found on the dead mans body, an interior ministry spokesman said.



About 3,000 people were evacuated from both terminals at Orly and all flights have been suspended, with some diverted to Charles de Gaulle airport.



The policewoman was said to have been "lightly injured" by the shotgun attack and a spokesman for the Interior Minister said there had been no reports of any other injuries.
SNC-Lavalin is currently conducting a feasibility study for Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) for its 10th generation Technology Pilot Section project, located at EGA's Al Taweelah site in Abu Dhabi, UAE.



The objectives of the study are to define the project and validate the budget in order to launch the execution phase of the pilot section, said the company.



The work is being carried out from EGA's Al Taweelah site. Design and detailed engineering work has already been completed by the EGA technology team.



"We have established a long-lasting relationship with EGA, and we are proud to once again work with them on setting the foundations for another ambitious project," said Jose J Suarez, president, mining and metallurgy. "We are looking forward to the next phase of this project that expands and adds to EGA's already impressive asset portfolio, being one of the largest aluminium producers in the world."



SNC-Lavalin is one of the leading engineering and construction groups in the world and a major player in the ownership of infrastructure. - TradeArabia News Service
So when they butt-stroked me to the head from an AK-47 and I was bleeding down the side of my face and they threw me back in the cell I could
Saturday support meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous: 9:30 a.m., womens meeting, 500 S. Wolcott; 10 a.m., 328 E. A; noon, 500 S. Wolcott; 7 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott; 8 p.m, 328 E. A; 8 p.m., 917 N. Beech; 10 p.m., 917 N. Beech. Douglas: 7:30 p.m., 628 E. Richards (upstairs in back). Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are open. Casper info: 266-9578; Douglas info: (307) 351-1688.

Al-Anon: 10 a.m., 4600 S. Poplar, Shepherd of the Hills Church, New Starts.

Narcotics Anonymous: Noon, 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 6 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club, closed meeting; 7 p.m., 15th and Melrose, at the church. Web site: http://www.urmrna.org.

NAMI: 4 p.m., 133 W. Sixth St. NAMI C.A.R.E. (Consumers Advocating Recovery through Empowerment) Support Group for individuals with mental illness. Info: 234-0440.

Adult Children of Alcoholics: 1:30-3 p.m., 12-24 Club, 500 S. Wolcott St., Suite 200. Open meeting.

Open jam at airport

This Sundays Wyoming Blues & Jazz Society open jam heads to the Casper/Natrona County International Airports Sky Terrace Lounge, which is the new venue for the monthly event.

The jam 4 to 8 p.m. March 19 features The Working Mans Band, comprised of Casper musicians Larry Neeff and Ruben Jaquez. Joining them are Bob Sellers on bass and Jim Kopp on drums.

Bring your instruments and a song to share with fellow live music lovers. This is an all ages event at a family-friendly venue.

Free parking is available on the southwest side of the terminal building, as well as four hours of free parking in the airport lot.

Wyoming Blues & Jazz Society open jams take place the third Sunday of the month.

Skate all day

during break

The Casper Ice Arena will be hosting Skate All Day sessions from March 27 to April 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission and skate rental for Skate All Day is $6. Participants can come and go throughout the session. Skating-tutors are available for $3 each. Children four years old and under are free with a paid admission.

The Casper Ice Arena offers Public Skate on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. all through the spring season. Admission is $4.50 and skate rental is $2.50. Children four years old and under are free with a paid admission.

For the current public skating schedule and additional information on public skating, birthday parties, skating classes, or any other upcoming ice arena special event, please call 235-8484 or visit www.casperwy.gov.

Passover meal

March 29

Hilltop Baptist Church and Jews for Jesus would like to invite the public to join them for a Passover Meal at 6 p.m., on Wednesday, March 29, at Hilltop Baptist, 220 S. Pennsylvania Ave.

Community baby shower April 8

The Natrona County Prevention Coalition (NCPC) presents the Community Baby Shower from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 8, 2017, at the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming, 1701 E. K St. The Community Baby Shower is a free celebration for all things babies and toddlers. All expecting parents and parents of children up to age 3 are invited for giveaways, door prizes, interactive activities, and the opportunity to learn about local community resources.

Founded in 2002, the Mission of NCPC is to prevent substance abuse in our community by promoting healthy and positive choices. NCPC is a collaboration of over 40 members made up from community agencies, businesses, and concerned citizens. NCPC is responsible for conducting and holding multiple substance-free events for the community throughout the year, including: Family Day, Community Baby Shower and First Night. Mercer Family Resource Center is the lead agency for NCPC and acts as the Coalitions fiscal agent.

For more information on the Community Baby Shower, please contact Lisa Brown, family and parenting co-chair, at 265-7366 or lbrown@mercercasper.com.
Iris Clubhouse info night

Iris Clubhouse Information Night is 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 20, at the Crawford Room in the Natrona County Public Library. Iris Clubhouse is a working community of people with a significant mental illness who believe reclaiming a positive future is possible. Leaders of Caspers mental health facilitators are excited to bring the Clubhouse model to our community. Based on 69 years of success, Iris Clubhouse will benefit this community by decreasing hospitalizations and increasing employment for people suffering from mental illness. Come hear all the details and find out how you can be a part of making our community better.

Habitat breaks ground

Habitat for Humanity, the Heart of Wyoming, will break ground at 4:30 p.m., on Monday, March 20, for the future home of the Sabrina Hurst family, 1242 S. Conwell St. Supporters, volunteers and those interested in the program are invited to attend. For more information, call 234-1348 or visit heartofwyoming.org.

12-24 Club receives operations gift

The 12-24 Club has received $60,000 from the McMurry Foundation for operations.

This grant will allow us to continue serving all who seek recovery from addiction every day, said director Dan Cantine. The McMurry Foundation has supported our efforts for over 20 years. Just as important is their commitment to helping others. We are grateful for all that the McMurry Foundation has done for many.

For more information about the 12-24 Club, call 237-8035 or visit www.1224club.org.

Donations needed

The American Legion Post 2 in Casper is asking for donations of garage sale items for a booth at the Super Garage Sale on March 25. Proceeds from the booth help continue to serve veterans and their families in Natrona County.

Large items like furniture cannot be accepted because their is no storage space, but sporting goods, camping gear, hunting and fishing gear, any tools and small cooking appliances would be greatly appreciated.

All items donated are tax deductible and all funds will stay in Natrona County.

For free pick-up of donations, call or text 267-1800. God bless America and all veterans, past and present.

Caps 4 Kids

March 22

The March gathering of Caps 4 Kids is 12:30 or 1 p.m., until mid-afternoon on Wednesday, March 22, at the Central Wyoming Senior Center, 1831 E. 4th St. All who knit or crochet are welcome for a few hours of crafting and socialization.

A generous donation of yarn has been received. Come select favorite colors and make a few caps that will be donated next fall to the young and old. There are patterns available or you may use your own design. All sizes of caps are created.

Please contact the Senior Center at 265-4678 for more information. They will forward your inquiry to a member of the group.

School collects shoes March 25

Mount Hope Lutheran School is conducting a shoe drive from 9 to 11 a.m., on March 25, 2017. Mount Hope will earn funds based on the total weight of the shoes collected as Funds2Orgs will purchase all of the donated footwear. Those dollars will then help MHLS to purchase new playground equipment. Anyone may help by donating gently worn, used or new shoes, at Mount Hope Lutheran School, located at 2300 Hickory St. If anyone would like to donate and is unable to stop by on Saturday, March 25, an alternate drop box is located inside Lifetime Fitness, 300 Landmark Dr.

All donated shoes will be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of microenterprise partners in developing nations. Funds2Orgs helps impoverished people start, maintain and grow businesses in countries such as Haiti, Honduras and other nations in Central America and Africa. Proceeds from the shoe sales are used to feed, clothe and house their families. One budding entrepreneur in Haiti even earned enough to send her son to law school. With Funds2Orgs, your shoes are given a second chance and could help a family in need.

In the U.S. alone, over 600 million pairs of shoes are thrown away per year. A special thanks to Lifetime Fitness for their tremendous support.

Scarves for Special Olympics

Special Olympics Wyoming invites those who knit and crochet to make scarves for the Wyoming Special Olympics athletes to wear at State Winter Games in February 2018. Please use black, grey and white colors, approximately 6- by 60-inches in any pattern. The deadline to receive the scarves is January 2018. Please send scarves to Special Olympics Wyoming, attn. Scarf Project 2017, P.O. Box 624, Jackson, WY 83001. There is more information available at www.sowy.org/other-fundraisers.

Monthly vets ceremony March 31

The Natrona County United Veterans Council and the staff of the Oregon Trail Wyoming State Veterans Cemetery conduct a monthly memorial service for those known Wyoming veterans who have died since the last memorial service February 28, when 86 Wyoming veterans were honored.

This months memorial service is at noon, March 31, in the Tom Walsh Chapel at The Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery. All are welcome to attend.

The memorial service is provided on behalf of a grateful state and nation as an expression of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service rendered by each of these veterans.

The veterans name, Wyoming community and branch of service is read at roll call. There is a rifle salute, taps, and the folding of a flag.

Community baby shower April 8

The Natrona County Prevention Coalition (NCPC) presents the Community Baby Shower from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 8, 2017, at the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming, 1701 E. K St. The Community Baby Shower is a free celebration for all things babies and toddlers. All expecting parents and parents of children up to age 3 are invited for giveaways, door prizes, interactive activities, and the opportunity to learn about local community resources.

Founded in 2002, the Mission of NCPC is to prevent substance abuse in our community by promoting healthy and positive choices. NCPC is a collaboration of over 40 members made up from community agencies, businesses, and concerned citizens. NCPC is responsible for conducting and holding multiple substance-free events for the community throughout the year, including: Family Day, Community Baby Shower and First Night. Mercer Family Resource Center is the lead agency for NCPC and acts as the Coalitions fiscal agent.

For more information on the Community Baby Shower, please contact Lisa Brown, family and parenting co-chair, at 265-7366 or lbrown@mercercasper.com.

Food of the month

Wyoming Food for Thought Project has announced its food of the month suggestions for the nearly 1,000 weekend food bags its volunteers prepare for food-insecure school students in Natrona County each week. Often, schools, churches and other groups designate certain collection days for a specific type of food as a donation.

The suggested food items may be taken to program headquarters at 900 St. John, but its best to call ahead to make certain someone is there to receive it.

March, cereal; April, granola bars; May, tuna; June, peanut butter; July, pork n beans; August, mac n cheese; September, Chef Boyardee products; October, cereal; November, soup; December, chili.

For more information, call Cassandra at 337-1703.

Blood centers extend hours

United Blood Services is expanding hours at its Casper and Cheyenne donor centers in an effort to make blood donation more convenient for more donors.

The center at 2801 East 2nd Street in Casper will be open six days a week. Closed only on Tuesday, the Casper center will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

The center at 112 E. 8th Ave. in Cheyenne will be open five days a week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Blood donations can drop as much as 20 percent during the holidays and winter months, but every two seconds, every day of the year a patient in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion.

Whole blood donors are eligible to give blood every eight weeks and are encouraged to donate at least three times each year to help UBS meet the needs of patients.

Donors can save time and fill out their Fast Track Health History Questionnaire online at unitedbloodservices.org the day of their donation. To donate blood, volunteers must be at least 16 years old (16 and 17-year-old donors need a minor donor permit which is available online) and be in good health.

In addition to its community donor centers in Cheyenne and Casper, UBS operates various blood drives across Wyoming. To make an appointment call 877-827-4376 or go to unitedbloodservices.org.

Disabled vets need volunteer drivers

The Disabled American Veterans need volunteer drivers to take veterans to their medical appointment at the VA hospital in Cheyenne. The volunteer driver will transport them in a VA vehicle. If you are interested, please call the DAV transportation office in Cheyenne at 307-778-7577 for further information.

English speakers needed

CHAT, the English Conversation Club at Casper College Adult Learning Center, needs English speakers to meet international community members and help them speak English. Join us for an international potluck in the Werner Technical Center, Rm. 105: March 22, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.; April 13, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; and May 4, 11 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 268-2230 or email mdugan@caspercollege.edu.
CODY  When Bonnie Smith first saw three golden eagle nests on a cliff above an ancient American Indian thunderbird petroglyph, she had to wonder if there was a connection.

Was that intentional? she thought. It seems so obvious.

That question has launched her on a search across the Bighorn Basin for other rock art sites depicting eagle-like creatures close to eagle nests, eagle capture sites and fasting beds used by native people before the Euro-American migration west.

Im looking for positive ways to make the correlation in the Bighorn Basin, said Smith, the curatorial assistant at the Draper Natural History Museum in Cody.

The work ties in nicely with her bosss research. Charles Preston is studying golden eagles in the area. He has identified 70 nest territories occupied by golden eagles at least once since 2009.

Special bird

Folklore and myth across many cultures have long conveyed special powers to eagles because of their size, hunting prowess and flying ability.

Descriptions of Sioux tribes building pits to capture eagles for their feathers have been recorded by historians. The feathers were valued for headdresses and were seen as symbols of power for those who possessed them.

They are a pretty special bird, said George Frison, archaeologist emeritus at the University of Wyoming. It was a rite of passage to trap an eagle.

Smith said historical accounts point to the activity as male only, with purification rituals before the hunt began.

This was a holy activity, she said.

Eagle feathers, since they were part of an eagle, aka the thunderbird, were considered a special item, something youd earn the right to use, wear or touch, said Rebecca West, curator of the Plains Indian Cultures and the Plains Indian Museum in Cody. It was not done by just anyone.

West said although some people may look at a feather bonnet as a piece of clothing, it was actually an earned right for a leader, spiritual leader, healers and medicine man or woman.

So its a lot deeper than people think, she said. Its not just for warriors. Thats why its so controversial today when a New York fashion model wears a feather  because its an earned right.

Symbolism

Likewise, eagle-like birds  such as the thunderbird  are depicted across North America, from Alaska and the Northeast to the Southwest. The paintings or etchings often show the bird in profile with wings outstretched and claws extended.

Stylistically they are similar with regional variations, Smith said. Which makes sense when you consider artistic variation in people  differences in technical ability  and the way people view the world is very different.

The thunderbird is so named because the flapping of its wings caused thunder, lightning flashed from its eyes and wind roared from its rapid flight.

The thunderbird is an ancient symbol that goes way, way back with Plains Indian cultures, West said. Its considered to be one of the most powerful creatures. It controlled the weather, thunder and lightning in the skies, and is often shown with symbols of lightning coming out of its talons or eyes.

West said the bird was also seen as a messenger between humans and spirits in the heavens.

So its pretty special and super powerful, she said. It appears on shields and clothing. There are lots of references to the thunderbird.

Legend Rock

Places depicting thunderbirds as well as other rock art were spiritual sites where people would go to make offerings to the gods through rituals, ceremonies and the creation of rock art in hopes of earning favor or goodwill.

I can see people going to Legend Rock, asking for help from the gods, Smith said. They went close to the eagle nests to guarantee they got the message.

Legend Rock is a state park located about 40 miles southeast of Meeteetse, Wyoming, along Cottonwood Creek. Amid the dry, rolling sagebrush hills, sandstone cliffs rise as high as 90 feet above the stream for about three-quarters of a mile. Pecked and incised into the soft rock is a collection of 300 figures, animals, humans and horned, wide-bodied creatures in a style termed Dinwoody. Conservative estimates date some of the artwork to 6,000 years old while others consider the oldest to date back 10,000 years.

You have to look at Legend Rock as a place of power, where people were seeking power, said Julie Francis, an archaeologist for the Wyoming Department of Transportation who has co-authored books on rock art.

Other art at the site dates to as early as 100 years ago, Francis said. The Eastern Shoshone are some of the oldest inhabitants of the region, but the Blackfoot, Cheyenne, Arapahoe, Kiowa and Sioux would have also visited the region. The Crow Tribe, relatives to the Hidatsa tribes along the Missouri River, migrated to the region possibly in the late 1600s.

It was a place people repeatedly came back to, Francis said.

Ancient artists

West said rock art sites are often associated with lone males who have fasted as part of a vision quest, but not always.

To commemorate a successful vision or give thanks to the spirit world, the supplicant then painted pictographs of the guardian spirit or other dream subjects, write James Keyser and Michael A. Klassen in their book, Plains Indian Rock Art.

Mythical looking creatures might refer to Water Woman or water monsters, female spirits that hid in the water and would harm humans, West said.

Even inanimate things like rocks have a life  a life breath and spirit to them, West said. Thats why some images emerge from cracks in the rocks. It was thought that spirits emerge out of these rocks to reveal themselves.

In aboriginal societies, many pictorial expressions were produced and used as parts of rituals and ceremonies, write Keyser and Klassen. Indeed, the process of making rock art may often have been more important than the images themselves.

Francis doesnt discount Smiths theory that thunderbird depictions might be related to eagle nesting or capture sites, even if no eagle capture or fasting sites have been located near Legend Rock.

They could have gone there to seek power even if they captured eagles somewhere else, she said.

Medicine Lodge

Another site that does combine eagle traps, established occupation dating back 10,000 years, rock art and nearby eagle nests is Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site near Hyattville, Wyoming, on the western slope of the Bighorn Mountains.

There are many closely related sites in that part of the Bighorn Basin, Francis said. Such a large concentration speaks to the religious importance of the area.

Since eagles are picky about where they nest, and will often return to nests again and again, Smith said it makes sense that the same areas may have been used by eagles hundreds if not thousands of years ago. As an example she pointed to a study of gyrfalcon nests in Greenland that showed 2,500 years of occupation.

Although there is still much research to do, Smith said she would like her study to answer questions about what season the petroglyphs were made and document the direction the thunderbirds face. She also wonders how the artists had so much time to create the petroglyphs, which were chipped into the rock in great detail.

Ultimately, by drawing attention to the sites and eagles, Smith is hoping to protect both.
A Casper man has been charged with negligent homicide in the death of a well-known radio host who died in a motorcycle crash.

William Michael Spicer faces the charge in Montanas Judith Basin County, where K2 Radio morning show host Brian Scott Gamroth died in September.

Spicer also is charged with speeding. Spicer pleaded not guilty to both counts during his initial appearance Monday.

Spicers attorney couldnt immediately be reached for comment Friday.

The crash happened soon after Spicer and Gamroth passed several other vehicles on their motorcycles. Prosecutors say Spicers bike made contact with Gamroths, causing Gamroth to crash into a ditch and strike a post.

Gamroth died at the scene. Spicer suffered major injuries including a hole in his lung, five broken ribs and a lacerated liver.

Gamroth was arguably the states most well-known media figure, with a devoted following from all walks of Wyoming life, from small-town ranchers to the states most prominent politicians. He was also a downtown booster and a regular host of community events that raised money for charities and nonprofits.

Negligent homicide is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and Zhongshan College based in China's Nanjing City hold a Regional Expert Forum on Integrated Care for Older on March 17, 2017, with an aim to enhance the access of older persons to services in China, including health and long-term care services. [Xu Lin/China.org.cn]

The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in cooperation with Zhongshan College based in Nanjing City, launched a forum on Friday aiming to help older people gain better access to health and long-term care services in China.

The three-day Regional Expert Forum on Integrated Care for Older People is organized within the framework of a project entitled "strengthening national capacity for promoting and protecting the rights of elders." It particularly focuses on the provision and financing of long-term care.

Dr. Nagesh Kumar, director of ESCAP's Social Development Division, said population ageing was a major problem facing the whole world, and one of the key challenges in achieving the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.

The number of older persons in the region is expected to almost triple from 514 million in 2015 to more than 1.31 billion by 2050. By then, one in four people will be over 60 years of age, out of which number those over 80 year will constitute about one-fifth.

This demographic phenomenon will have a profound impact on the wellbeing of all generations. Older persons are among the groups most likely to be left behind if no adequate policies are adopted. Increasing numbers of elderly will require long-term care, and it is increasingly difficult for their needs to be met by family care alone.

Therefore, Kumar said, population ageing requires innovative policies, especially to address the increasing demand for healthcare services. Using Information and Communication Technologies is one possible approach to increase healthcare access .

One good thing was that the expanding care sector can become a growth sector and a sector driving employment opportunities. "If we train people adequately to provide care for older persons, we can achieve two goals: we increase the quality of care that older persons receive and we increase the potential for them to find decent jobs in the care sector."

At the forum, Zhongshan College was appointed as the INIA (International Institute on Ageing) Zhongshan Satellite Center by the United Nations. Chen Yi, chairman of Board of Zhongshan College, told China.org.cn that the college is working on the project of Human Resource Development Center for Elderly, featuring a student internship base, a rehabilitation hospital, a nursing home, a training center and a research center of ageing development. The college has provided training in elderly care for more than 1,500 persons so far.

China now has less than 300,000 paramedics, and only 40,000 have qualification certificates, said Professor Jiang Fuxin, president of Zhongshan College. Based on the international standard, China needs a total of 10 million paramedics.

To fill in the gap, the college is offering eight majors of elderly service and management, community-based rehabilitation, community management and service, rehabilitation treatment technology and nursing, etc. A major of rehabilitative engineering technology will be introduced within this year.

Officials, experts, scholars and entrepreneurs from 21 Asia-Pacific countries and regions attended the forum.
JACKSON  Biologists at the National Elk Refuge are worried about what the animals they feed are leaving behind.

Biologists are worried that all the feces at the 39-square-mile U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service preserve could cause health problems for the thousands of elk and hundreds of bison at the refuge.

Biologist Eric Cole says years like this one with high numbers of animals and longer feeding seasons have led to hoof rot and other diseases.

While feces are always a byproduct of animals at the refuge, this year has seen unusually large numbers of elk and bison, meaning they're leaving more behind. This year the official count came in at 8,879 elk  the most since 1997.
LARAMIE  The Wyoming Supreme Court has heard arguments in the case of a man convicted of first-degree murder for allegedly stabbing a man to death in Laramie.

Attorneys for 31-year-old John Michael Schnitker argued Thursday he had the right to claim self-defense in the death of 59-year-old Clinton Garman in 2015.

The high court took the arguments under advisement and will rule later.

Prosecutors say the confrontation happened after Schnitker began rummaging through Garman's truck on Garman's property. Garman confronted Schnitker with an axe and Schnitker allegedly stabbed Garman with a knife from the truck.

Garman died later at a hospital.

A jury last year convicted Schnitker of first-degree murder and aggravated robbery. Jurors also convicted him of battery for attacking another man earlier that day.
Editor:

Well, I made it to 89 last month. I'm sure glad I was still around to watch "the election of the ages." Who could spend the most money and call the other side no-gooders the most times was fun to watch. We know who everyone that voted, voted for with our Electoral College set up.

I was somewhat surprised to learn that Liz Cheney was registered to vote in Wyoming. She must have lived with her father, since the president and vice president can't live in the same sate, according to my copy of the United States Constitution. So he's around here somewhere unless he's on vacation in Texas is my guess.

I did vote against putting up some of our "rainy day" funds in to stock holdings, but only because I heard it would be handled by an out-of-state firm at a cost of around $30 million. Of course I could be wrong, but I'm so old-fashioned I like to see in-state businesses to at least bid on our state's projects of any kind.

I will confess that I broke rank and voted for Audrey. I thought, and still do think, that she was best qualified to do this job. Yes, lightning did strike a tree in my front yard but it was way before the election, and, yes, I know she was female and a Democrat in Natrona County.

We are getting rid of Obamacare finally! I have no idea how it worked but my representatives said it was bad and we understand politicians seldom stray from the truth.

I still think we should have China make a deal with Mexico to sell them their wall and send Mexico the bill. Work will be done by illegal Mexican immigrants living in the U.S.A.

All my friends said I should toss this letter. In fact, they both said it's "water under the bridge" whatever that means.

Please God bless America.
The Screamery, the Tucson-born ice cream shop that specializes in natural, handcrafted ice cream starting with pasteurizing its own cream base, is opening its fourth and final Tucson area location, this one in Marana.

Kenny and Linda Sarnoski will open the Marana shop on May 1 in the small plaza at 5920 W. Arizona Pavilions Drive, off Cortaro Road and Interstate 10. It will be the only ice cream shop in the bustling Cortaro Road-I-10 corridor populated by several chain restaurants and large retail stores including Walmart and the weeks-old TJ Maxx/Ross Dress for Less retail complex.

Were making a lot of new friends and lot of happy faces, Kenny Sarnoski said. And were excited about that.

Meanwhile, Sarnoski said his small Tucson company will make inroads into the Phoenix market before the end of the year. They are negotiating for a location in Gilbert, the first of at least eight Phoenix area shops. All will be corporate owned and operated, with a focus on the couples popular ice cream that comes in inventive flavors like Bees Knees  honey-swirled in a sweet cream and lavender base  and Rough At Sea  a sea salt-kissed base to complement honey-swirled candied pecans, almonds and pistachios.

He said they also have had people outside Arizona, including in Florida and Las Vegas, who have expressed interest in franchising.

We want to be as big as Ben & Jerrys, Kenny Sarnoski said.

In addition to cones and cups ($2.75 for a kids scoop, $4.50 for a single), the Screamery offers a variety of treats from Ice cream Nachos, with a single scoop of ice cream topping waffle chips drizzled with hot fudge; ice cream floats and sundaes; and the meant-to-be-shared Farmhouse with a whopping eight scoops of ice cream loaded with cookies, brownies and buttercake and your choice of toppings. At $24.50, its the most expensive item on the menu.

To have ice cream where its a $4.50 for a scoop of ice cream ... theyre walking out spending $10 for two people, Sarnoski said. In order to do that in Tucson, you have to have a great product and great customer service. The customer service has to be as good as the product.

The Screamery is the latest Tucson company to take on the Phoenix market. The Flores family launched its Sir Vezas Taco Garage brand at Sky Harbor International Airport in 2012. It branched out to US Airways Center  now Talking Stick Resort Arena  in 2013 and Chandler the following year. El Guero Canelo Mexican Restaurant, which specializes in Sonoran hot dogs, opened last year in west Phoenix.
Heres how Arizona members of Congress voted on major issues in the past week.

HOUSE

Donald Trumps tax returns: The House voted 223-183 on Wednesday to block a Democratic attempt to force consideration of a resolution directing the Ways and Means Committee to use its authority under law to obtain from the Treasury copies of President Trumps 2006-2015 tax returns, review the documents in a closed session and then report the information therein to the full House. A yes vote was in opposition to the Democrats bid for disclosure of the presidents tax returns.

Voting yes: Martha McSally, R-2; Paul Gosar, R-4; Andy Biggs, R-5; David Schweikert, R-6; Trent Franks, R-8

Voting no: Tom OHalleran, D-1; Raul Grijalva, D-3; Ruben Gallego, D-7; Kyrsten Sinema, D-9

Staff dismissals at Veterans Department: The House voted 237-178 on Thursday to pass a bill reducing civil service job protections and weakening collective bargaining rights at the Department of Veterans Affairs in order to make it easier to fire or discipline poorly performing employees in the 350,000-person workforce. A yes vote was to send HR 1259 to the Senate over arguments it disregards workers due-process rights.

Voting yes: OHalleran, McSally, Gosar, Biggs, Schweikert, Franks, Sinema

Voting no: Grijalva, Gallego

Gun purchases and veterans mental health: The House voted 240-175 on Thursday to require patient-by-patient judicial review before the Department of Veterans Affairs can submit the names of veterans with serious mental issues to the FBIs system of background checks on gun purchasers. Such referrals now occur without judicial oversight. A yes vote was to send HR 1181 to the Senate.

Voting yes: McSally, Gosar, Biggs, Schweikert, Franks, Sinema

Voting no: OHalleran, Grijalva, Gallego

SENATE

Jobless benefits, drug tests: The Senate voted 51-48 on Tuesday to nullify an Obama administration rule under which states can subject applicants for unemployment compensation to drug testing. The Department of Labor rule limits scrutiny to occupations where testing already occurs such as aviation and railroading. Republican advocates of a replacement rule support drug checks on a broader array of occupations or even blanket testing. A yes vote was to send HJ Res 42 to President Trump.

Voting yes: John McCain, R; Jeff Flake, R

Seema Verma, Medicare administrator: The Senate voted 55-43 on Monday to confirm Seema Verma, a private health-care consultant, to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. A yes vote backed Verma as leader of an agency that helps administer healthcare coverage to more than 100 million Americans through Medicare, Medicaid, the Childrens Health Insurance Program and Affordable Care Act marketplaces.

Voting yes: McCain, Flake

Dan Coats, director of national intelligence: The Senate voted 85-12 on Wednesday to confirm Dan Coats, a former GOP senator from Indiana, as director of national intelligence. A yes vote was to put Coats, 73, in charge of a directorate that oversees and meshes the work of the 16 U.S. intelligence agencies.

Voting yes: McCain, Flake

H.R. McMaster, national security adviser: The Senate voted 86-10 on Tuesday to reconfirm Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster as a three-star general, enabling him to stay on active duty while serving as national security adviser to President Trump. A yes vote was to qualify McMaster to hold both posts while still in uniform.

Voting yes: McCain, Flake
Trevor Barroero is wrapping up his tenure at the University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music with the traditional honors concert.

But Barroero, an accomplished percussionist whose fledgling resume already includes several notables  he soloed on marimba in Canada and guested as principal timpanist with the Moscow Philharmonic in Russia in December  is turning that final undergrad moment into a cause.

The 23-year-old Tucson native and Flinn scholar will perform ... in loving memory, a benefit concert for the Alzheimers Association.

The concert on Wednesday, March 22, honors his grandmother, who died of Alzheimers in April 2012 as Barroero was finishing high school; and his father, who died unexpectedly when Barroero was 9.

Claudette Maddox, his maternal grandmother, had lived with Barroero and his family since he was a toddler. After his father died, Maddox quickly filled the role as second parent.

She used to sit in on all of my drum lessons growing up, he said.

Maddox lived with the family until Barroeros junior year in high school. By then her Alzheimers had advanced to the point that the family could no longer care for her on their own, so she went to an assisted-living facility.

Her death five years ago at the age of 78 led Barroero on a mission.

After seeing the effects of that when she passed away  thats when I kind of knew that as a musician my goal is to help raise awareness and raise funds to find a cure for Alzheimers, he said.

Over the past five years, he has held a number of fundraisers including participating in the Alzheimers Associations Longest Day the year Maddox died.

I knew that my final graduation recital at the UA I would find some way to incorporate a fundraising aspect for the Alzheimers Association, he said.

Wednesdays concert will be a showcase of all that Barroero has learned in his three years at the UA and the two years he spent at the University of Georgia working with former Tucson Symphony Orchestra timpanist Kimberly Toscana and her husband, Timothy K. Adams Jr., the former principal timpanist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. The program includes solo works for marimba, a new work he commissioned for multipercussion called To Brighter Directions, and a bass drum solo work that Barroero described as a really exciting piece. Kind of like a taiko drum piece.

The program also will include a solo marimba transcription of The Christmas Song, which Barroeros father used to sing for him when he was young. The evening will close with Andy Akihos funky NO one To kNOW one, featuring fellow Flinn scholars  none of them music majors  playing percussion, clarinet, cello, flute and piano, and a solo vocalist.

Barroero is expected to graduate with a degree in percussion performance. He plans to pursue a masters degree and has auditioned for several music schools including at Yale University and the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Wednesdays concert is at 7:30 p.m. in Crowder Hall on the UA campus.
We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some March 18 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.
The human rights hegemon [By Jiao Haiyang / China.org.cn]

The U.S. State Department has just published its traditional annual human rights report providing a scorecard on all other countries for their human rights performance, under which China traditionally gets low grades. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has replied in kind by issuing a critical report on the state of human rights in the U.S.

It is ironic that the U.S, which is so committed to due process of law that it is guaranteed twice in its Constitution, has not allowed the countries concerned the opportunity to comment on its draft findings, which mean it being declared null and void if challenged in an American court of law.

It is rather surprising that this ritual survives despite arrival of a new administration seemingly keen on minding its own business and which doesn't have to cater to liberal audiences and interest groups. However, the report does carry the signature of Rex Tillerson, the secretary of state. It may be that the report had already been completed under the previous administration and it was considered a waste of time and energy not to publish it. Maybe, then, it will be last of its kind.

There are good reasons not to continue with this routine. The report only looks at the formal measures taken by states to promote and protect human rights, such as law and policies. The U.S. government considers these probably the best way to implement human rights, and there is nothing wrong with that.

However, despite the fact the U.S. prefers such implementation methods, that does not mean that they enjoy exclusivity. Other states, especially those in the Global South, often do not rely on law and formal institutions to implement human rights, but lead on culture.

Thus, domestic violence in Swaziland is not combated with the help of law and courts, but through singing. In Swaziland, the women sing at all festive and solemn occasions. During their performances, everybody is supposed to listen, including the men. This is why the women address social issues, such as domestic violence, through their repertoire and this proves to be very effective. The same is not true for law: women are reluctant to file complaints and testify against their husbands, because if the men are sent to jail there is no breadwinner.

The Chinese people, also, tend to prefer to rely on culture to protect and promote human rights. General Secretary Xi Jinping has often emphasized that the Party and the people should rely on cultural self-confidence and cherish their values.

Thus, in his speech marking the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party, he stated that both China's cultural traditions and its revolutionary accomplishments house the deepest aspirations of the Chinese people. These include the promotion and protection of human rights, where China's cultural confidence can serve as the backbone of the human rights protection system.

China has the oldest system still in place to petition government authorities concerning problems and failures, including human rights. It may be that, nowadays, other countries also have elaborate complaint systems, but only China can claim that petitioning has always been part of its "cultural genes." This home-grown remedy for human rights protection therefore deserves to be further developed.

Similarly, when the People's Republic of China was established, the equality between the sexes was introduced, decades before it happened in western societies. Consequently, women acquired the right to decide for themselves whom to marry, and gained access to education and the labor market. This gender equality, which is steeped in China's revolutionary tradition, served as the first major step towards gender justice.

Such an approach is not only in line with international law, which leaves it to the states to implement human rights obligations as they see fit, but also in accordance with the object and purpose of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This was meant to be a people's charter, i.e. a tool to apply human rights in people-to-people relations. The best way to ensure that rights are applied in this way at grassroots level is to use local culture as their basis.

Relying on culture and traditions as building blocks for human rights protection is called the receptor approach to human rights involving two phases. During the matching phase, cultural traditions and values which meet the international human rights obligations are identified through anthropological research. If such cultural traditions are not adequate, they will have to be strengthened. This will be done during the amplification phase with the help of home-grown remedies rather than foreign transplants.

By only looking for human rights protection in laws and formal institutions, the U.S. loses sight of the many efforts undertaken by countries through culture.

Tom Zwart is a professor of cross-cultural law and human rights, Utrecht University.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn
An unusually snowy winter in the northern Rockies has for now helped put the kibosh on a statewide plan to conserve Colorado River water to stop Lake Mead from falling too low. Future conservation efforts are highly uncertain.

For many months, water agencies including Tucson Water have discussed a plan to save 1.2 million acre-feet of river water over three years to delay the threat of shortages to the Central Arizona Project, which brings drinking water to Tucson and Phoenix and irrigation water to Central Arizona farmers.

But the snowy winter appears to mean that the river and lake will be flush enough this year to significantly reduce the odds of short-term water cuts even without a conservation plan. The abrupt weather shift has intensified an already major split among water officials about what to do next.

CAP officials say the earlier proposal is no longer viable and that its time for a new approach.

The improved hydrology has changed the landscape and given us a reprieve, said Suzanne Ticknor, CAPs water-policy director. We have the opportunity to get it right, to sit back and find out what we want to do to find consensus in the state. We dont need to do huge volumes of conservation right now.

Other water users disagree with this position, including the Arizona Department of Water Resources (DWR), the Tucson and Phoenix water utilities and the Gila River Indian Community, which controls the largest share of CAP water.

I do not believe one year of good hydrology is enough to stop us from seeking to conserve water in the lake, Arizona DWR Director Tom Buschatzke said, referring to Lake Mead, a reservoir of Colorado River water.

He and other officials said recent weather doesnt substitute for a long-term policy during a 17-year drought, the longest in the historical record dating to 1906.

Water feast or famine

At stake is an Arizona version of the Drought Contingency Plan, an effort by this state, California and Nevada to negotiate a long-term, water-use reduction agreement. The goal is to reduce the risks of Lake Mead dropping below 1,025 feet, compared to the 1,070s to 1,080s it has been at recently.

At the lower lake level, water deliveries to Tucson and Phoenix would be jeopardized and Hoover Dams power output would be dramatically curtailed. The risk is due to what authorities say is a structural deficit, in which people in the Lower Colorado River Basin use more water each year than the over-allocated river provides, even when its not in a drought.

The Arizona plan, called DCP Plus, seeks to delay for three years or longer the first CAP shortage, which would happen if the lake drops below 1,075 feet at years end. Last December, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation predicted that the chance of a shortage for 2018 through 2020 was around 50 percent and warned the river was on the brink.

But at a March 2 CAP board meeting, project officials were rejoicing over the heavy snowfalls that had fallen in the rivers Upper Basin, which supplies crucial spring runoff to Lake Powell, another Colorado River reservoir.

The Green River has a tremendous snowpack situation. Flooding will occur in that watershed this spring. Not that were wishing it on our Wyoming friends, but quite frankly Im for it, said CAP Colorado River program manager Chuck Cullom.

Theres so much snow that a major Wyoming cloud-seeding program has been suspended to reduce the risk of flood damage, Cullom added.

As of March 1, Upper Basin snowpack was 154 percent of normal. Annual spring runoff into Powell was predicted to be 10.4 million acre-feet, or 145 percent of average, said Brenda Alcorn, a federal Colorado Basin River Forecast Center hydrologist.

The reclamation agency now sees a greater chance of above-average water releases from Powell to Mead for three years than it does of shortages.

So instead of a fixed, three-year conservation plan, CAP official Ticknor said that while the agency remains committed to reducing the rivers structural deficit over the long term, the best solution now is to plan annually.

It has to be more of an adaptive approach and look at things in real time and understand the hydrology, what the inflow to Powell is and what Meads elevation is each year, she said.

Overconserving

becomes an issue

Setting hard, three-year targets can create an overconserving risk, Ticknor said.

Thats possible due to the complex, seven-state guidelines covering management of Lake Mead at the Arizona-Nevada border and Lake Powell at the Arizona-Utah border, she said. Worrying about overconserving is a shift in emphasis among CAP officials, who have a Protect Lake Mead message on their home page and produced videos and other material saying the same.

While remaining concerned about Meads long-term risks, CAP officials say that under certain circumstances, the guidelines mean that too much conservation can reduce how much water Powell releases to Mead. That deprives the three Lower Colorado River Basin states, including Arizona, of additional water.

Phoenix Water Director Kathryn Sorensen counters, The risk of overconserving is a Colorado River that is less vulnerable to shortages and more resilient over the long run, a river that is more protective of our economy and our quality of life.

Under guidelines approved in 2007 by the seven basin states, Lake Mead gets an extra surge of water from Powell in a year in which forecasters predict that Powell will stay above 3,575 feet while Mead falls below 1,075 feet on a given date.

This year, conditions are good enough that the lake is expected to get at least 9 million acre-feet, nearly 700,000 acre-feet above average. But if conservation pushes Meads forecast above 1,075 at the end of 2017, that extra water goes away.

You could have an unintended consequence, Ticknor said. You have a narrow band of operating space with the reservoirs. You have to be careful about what you do.

Not a game of poker

Phoenixs Sorensen replied that playing the probabilities of shortage year-by-year is a short-sighted strategy that fosters uncertainty and keeps Arizonas economy closer to the razors edge.

This is not a game of poker. Arizona has weathered the last 17 years of drought precisely because generations ago, we planned methodically for the long run. We must continue this legacy, Sorensen said.

State Water Resources Director Buschatzke said he prefers the risk of overconserving because if you underconserve there isnt much you can do about it if a shortage occurs. Tucson Water Director Tim Thomure said authorities should err on the side of conservation and focus on the longer term.

We have to be nimble enough to manage year by year, but decisions need to be made with the long-term in mind, Thomure said.

Plus, Mother Nature can make unanticipated weather shifts, Buschatzke said. Just since March 1, hot, dry weather has caused federal river-basin forecasters to lower projections for runoff into Powell by half a million acre-feet. Thats enough to serve Tucson Waters 700,000-plus customers for five years.

The April runoff forecast is still expected to be high enough for an above-average release from Powell. But if the region experiences the flip side of the Miracle May rains that pounded the Rockies in May 2015  saving the river from an almost certain shortage  that wouldnt leave authorities much time to forestall a 2018 shortage, Buschatzke said.

These are hard issues  harsh decisions. I want to err on the side of more certainty, he said.

The bottom line is that the water agency now cant meet its goal of getting a water-saving plan to this years legislative session for approval, he said.
A former Border Patrol agent was sentenced to more than 13 years in federal prison for cocaine smuggling and bribery.

Juan Pimentel, 48, pleaded guilty to trying to drive what he thought was 110 pounds of cocaine from Tucson to Chicago in November 2015 in exchange for $50,000. The cocaine was a dummy substance placed in four black suitcases by an undercover law enforcement officer.

Pimentels arrest by a state trooper on Interstate 10 in Marana came a decade after he began smuggling marijuana, Pimentel said at a sentencing hearing Friday in U.S. District Court in Tucson. At times, he would hide bundles of marijuana inside his Border Patrol vehicle.

Over the years, he worked for several different drug traffickers, Pimentel said in response to questions from defense lawyer Mark Williams.

Pimentel said he met the man who recruited him to smuggle the cocaine at a barber shop in Mexico. In the following months, Pimentel met the man twice a week at a supermarket in Rio Rico.

About six months before his arrest, the subject of smuggling cocaine came up, Pimentel said. He resisted at first, but eventually gave in. Pimentel met the man at a Walgreens in Tucson and the two drove to a hotel, where a hidden camera recorded their interaction. Pimentel then drove off in a rented SUV loaded with the fake cocaine.

Pimentel agreed to smuggle cocaine, rather than continuing to smuggle marijuana, after he felt pressured by the undercover officer, Williams said. He asked Judge Raner C. Collins to sentence Pimentel to four years in prison, noting Pimentel lost his job and his family had to leave Arizona and move to New York.

Federal prosecutor Gordon Davenport described Pimentel as a guy who was continually working for the people his fellow Border Patrol agents were trying to stop.

Davenport asked Collins to send Pimentel to prison for the maximum sentence of 180 months.

Collins sentenced Pimentel to 160 months for the smuggling charge and a charge of accepting a $1,500 bribe from drug traffickers as payment for providing information from a law enforcement database.

Pimentel received the bribe on Feb. 13, 2015, while his wife was in the car with him. The couple then went to Walmart, dinner and a movie to celebrate Valentines Day, Davenport said.

When a date with your wife involves a little light corruption, youve made a serious mistake in your life. Youre not redeemable, Davenport said.

Collins said Pimentel violated his oath as a Border Patrol agent four years after he joined the agency in 2001 and continued to do so until he was arrested.

Collins cast doubt on Williams assertion that Pimentel was pressured into smuggling cocaine, noting Pimentel changed the schedule for the smuggling attempt several times.

You chose to smuggle drugs on a day that was convenient to you, Collins said. You had plenty of time to say cocaine was not my thing.

More than a dozen uniformed Border Patrol attended the hearing in what Davenport said was a training and deterrence measure.

A charge of possessing a firearm during a drug crime was dismissed.
To the great consternation of a Pima County Superior Court judge, federal immigration agents arrested a Mexican man at the county courthouse before he could be sentenced for a minor drug crime.

The arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents is part of a sea change in how agents operate in the courthouse since the presidential election, public defender Margo Cowan said.

The Feb. 24 arrest of Jose Salome Zazueta Medina was not acceptable, Cowan said, because it interrupted the judicial process.

But ICE said in a statement it has not changed how it makes arrests at the Pima County Courthouse, which the agency has done for years. Instead, what has changed is the news medias scrutiny of those arrests in recent months.

Arrests by ICE agents at courthouses in Texas, Oregon and California have prompted headlines since January.

Judge Michael Butler said at a March 10 hearing he is ready to hear what the story is from ICE. So far, Butler said ICEs story is that agents arrested Zazueta Medina because he exited the courthouse elevators and they thought he was trying to flee.

The arrest caused Zazueta Medina, who is being held at a federal detention center in Eloy, to miss a sentencing hearing the day of his arrest by ICE and another sentencing hearing March 10.

ICE did not inform Cowan that her client was going to be arrested, she said. Under the previous administration, that action would have been taken after a completely civil discussion with ICE agents.

Katie Daubert works with Cowan on a team of public defenders that handles local cases of noncitizens charged with serious crimes.

Daubert said ICE agents wait for her clients to plead guilty and then take them into custody, which is something that didnt happen a few months ago.

Cowan stressed courthouses must remain safe spaces for people who are in the country without legal status, especially those who are witnesses or victims of crimes.

ICE agents frequently make arrests in the county courthouse, but it was unusual that agents made an arrest prior to a sentencing hearing, said Deputy County Attorney Kellie Johnson, who responded to questions from the Star but did not handle Zazueta Medinas case.

The County Attorneys Office is working with ICE to make sure Zazueta Medina attends his sentencing hearing, Johnson said.

Zazueta Medinas third sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 7.

Deportation officers with ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations arrested Zazueta Medina at the courthouse after he pleaded guilty to a felony, ICE spokeswoman Yasmeen Pitts OKeefe said in an emailed response to questions from the Star. He will remain in ICE custody until an immigration judge reviews his removal case.

In general, decisions about where and how to make arrests are based on the arrestees criminal history, safety considerations and any sensitivities involving the arrest location, Pitts-OKeefe said.

Many of the people ICE arrests at courthouses are foreign nationals with prior criminal convictions, the agency said in an emailed statement.

In years past, most of these individuals would have been turned over to ICE by local authorities upon their release from jail based on ICE detainers, the agency said.

Jails and prisons are considered safe locations to make arrests, according to the statement, as are courthouses, where visitors are searched for weapons at entrances.

When the address or place of employment of someone they plan to arrest is not known, a courthouse may afford the most likely opportunity to locate a target and take him or her into custody, ICE said.

When making an arrest at a courthouse, every effort is made to take the person into custody in a secure area, out of public view, but this is not always possible, the agency said.

Zazueta Medina is a 47-year-old physical education teacher at a high school in Hermosillo, Mexico, Cowan said. He has had a visa to visit the United States since he was a boy.

He had no intention of remaining in the United States, Cowan said, noting he has a job in Mexico.

He was in Tucson visiting friends at the time of his initial arrest, she said. He was not feeling well and went to a hospital, where he was told to empty his pockets, which revealed a plastic baggie with cocaine residue.

Tucson police took him to the county jail Sept. 27 and he was released shortly thereafter, court records indicate.

He pleaded guilty Jan. 24 to a Class 6 undesignated offense  meaning it could be downgraded from a felony to a misdemeanor if he satisfies the conditions of his plea agreement  of solicitation to unlawfully possess cocaine.
The oblong wooden boxes and personal possessions that lined the sidewalks in downtown Tucson as part of a homeless safe park are long gone, and now the remaining issues of the associated legal fight are over.

Tucson has settled a lawsuit with homeless advocates John Cooper and Jon McLane, giving them each $20,000 with no admission of fault from the city.

McLane and Cooper filed the lawsuit in federal court seeking millions in damages for harassment from city officials over the homeless encampment that sprang up at the downtown park.

The men won a court injunction that prevented the city from enforcing a policy of what possessions a person could have while sitting on the sidewalks in downtown.

The city eventually closed the park where homeless camp activists had set up sleeping pods in October 2013. And an appeals court in May 2016 sided with the city allowing it to enforce the rules over possessions.

The city also approved a new law, that went into effect in January 2016, which defined what possession may be kept on the sidewalk.

As part of the agreement with the two men, City Attorney Mike Rankin was required to talk with the Tucson police chief to identify how McLane and Cooper could provide input on homeless issues.

McLane said he is happy with the settlement but said the safe park movement isnt over  and more importantly, the people behind it are still actively involved with helping the homeless find shelter.

McLane said he recently became a nondenominational priest and is setting up a church to help homeless veterans.
The sight of her fathers unopened heart medication still makes Oro Valley resident Laurie Moore feel sick to her stomach.

For 30 days while Moore traveled last summer, she says, her 80-year-old father, Larry Foreman, did not get any of his two 5 milligram daily doses of Eliquis, a blood thinner prescribed by his heart doctor.

Her father, who lived with Moore but stayed at an Oro Valley assisted-living center during her trip, was hospitalized three times after he left the facility, and died on Oct. 29. She attributes his decline to the month when he didnt get the medication he needed.

All but one of Moores complaints to four different state entities was dismissed. The one she filed with the State Board ofNursing is pending.

The news of the dismissals left Moore feeling like shed been punched in the gut.

But her situation is not unusual. The agency that handles reports about mistreatment of vulnerable adults in Arizona rarely affirms the complaints it receives.

Last fiscal year, the states Adult Protective Services (APS) investigated and closed out 21,602 allegations of neglect, abuse and exploitation of vulnerable adults. Just 167 of those allegations  less than 1 percent  were substantiated.

At APS, substantiated means evidence exists to support the allegations, and one or more perpetrators were identified. Last year, 170 names were added to Arizonas public registry of known perpetrators against vulnerable adults.

The state data shows not one of the 2,419 allegations of neglect APS investigated and closed out in Pima County last year was substantiated, though 21 percent were verified.

Verified means evidence exists to support the allegations, but the case cant be substantiated because the alleged perpetrator is a vulnerable adult or is unknown.

The vast majority of mistreatment allegations APS investigated and closed last year in Pima County and statewide were neither verified nor substantiated.

Roadblocks

Officials with the Arizona Department of Economic Security, which oversees APS, say part of the problem with its data is that there are numerous roadblocks to investigating abuse of vulnerable (usually elderly) adults.

The burden of proof to substantiate an APS case of abuse, neglect or exploitation is preponderance of the evidence, which can be difficult to meet based on a variety of factors.

Although most complaints arent getting substantiated, theres no question elder abuse exists. A 2017 study published last month in The Lancet Global Health estimated the global prevalence of elder abuse at 15.7 percent, meaning that about 1 in 6 older adults worldwide experience abuse.

Elders make up a growing proportion of the U.S. population. The problem is, elder abuse is not always detected, investigated or tracked.

Older people can be unreliable witnesses because of health issues like dementia, and in some cases, theres no one except for an older and sometimes sick adult who saw what happened. Other times, the situation comes down to he said, she said.

Excluding self-neglect, 46 percent of alleged perpetrators investigated by Arizonas APS last year were family members.

In those cases, the investigations may reveal that the family member was not trying to mistreat or harm the vulnerable adult but was providing the level of care they were able to with the resources available to them, state APS officials wrote in an emailed statement.

Further, in cases of neglect by another individual, a clear and definite pattern of neglect needs to be established for substantiation, which may not be evident in the information collected during the investigation, according to the statement.

And the data are affected by the fact that nearly 40 percent of the reported cases of neglect are self-neglect, which means that they cant be substantiated since there is no perpetrator.

Such cases can be particularly difficult for investigators. Unlike children, vulnerable adults can live their lives as they see fit, unless they have been adjudicated incompetent in a court of law.

Also, resources to conduct the investigations are stretched  the nearly 22,000 communications to APS entered into its computer system last year comprise a 62 percent jump over 2012 numbers, and while the average caseload per investigator has declined, it continues to exceed targeted levels.

The agency prioritizes cases where vulnerable adults are in immediate risk of harm. In Moores case, for example, by the time Adult Protective Services was contacted, the situation she was complaining about had passed.

But Moore thinks her fathers situation fits the agencys definition of neglect, which is a pattern of conduct without the persons informed consent resulting in deprivation of food, water, medicine, medical services, shelter, cooling, heating or other services necessary to maintain minimum physical or mental health.

My father had no voice and no choice, Moore said. He did not know he wasnt being taken care of for 30 days.

National problem

Measuring Arizonas low substantiation rate against other states is not an apples-to-apples comparison.

Part of the problem is that states have differing definitions of abuse, neglect and exploitation, elder advocates say  an issue the federal government is trying to rectify with a National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System.

The system is on track to begin producing uniform data in a few months, and officials with APS in Arizona say they are preparing to submit data to the national system.

The system was created because numerous entities, including the Government Accountability Office, have said a lack of data is a significant barrier to improving APS programs nationwide.

Adults with disabilities and older people who are victims of crime and abuse receive no designated support from the federal government.

Federal money for APS comes to state programs through federal Social Services Block Grants which each state decides how to use, leaving the programs historically underfunded and underdeveloped across the country, said Andrew Capehart, assistant director of the National Adult Protective Services Association.

Legal action

Phoenix-based elder abuse attorney Melanie Bossie of the law firm Wilkes & McHugh says she finds the latest substantiation rates for APS cases in Arizona extremely low, but at the same time, she understands the agency has limited time and resources.

If investigators dont take the extra step of talking to multiple people and asking for employee files, they can miss crucial information, Bossie said. Employee files can reveal disciplinary action against workers that will provide evidence of mistreatment, she said.

We do commonly have people frustrated with administrative remedies and many times, weve been able to pursue a resolution when a case has been unsubstantiated with APS or ADHS (the Arizona Department of Health Services), Bossie said. I am not trying to be critical  we are just going to do a deeper investigation.

Bossie stressed she has also encountered cases where state agencies do substantiate complaints of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation, but families still want to pursue legal action.

Bossie and her Tucson-based colleague Mary Ellen Spiece say theyve seen facilities improve their policies because of litigation, particularly when theres a pattern. If facilities are being looked at and watched more closely, they generally will attempt to do better, Spiece said.

Our clients as a whole are not litigious, Spiece said. They are just so upset about what happened.

Confusion

APS has a hotline for reporting abuse, neglect and financial exploitation; and the ADHS has a process where people can file complaints about licensing violations in state-licensed facilities like nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.

Complaints filed with the health department have a low rate of substantiation, too, though it is higher than the APS rates.

Our substantiation process is done through observation, documentation and/or interviews, department spokeswoman Holly Ward wrote in an email. So, unless a case is observed, well documented or the employees are available to interview, we could run into challenges.

Last year, 20 percent of 2,155 allegations reported by the public about residential facilities to ADHS were substantiated, state records show. Residential facilities include both behavioral health residential and assisted-living facilities.

In Arizona nursing homes, 7 percent of 1,064 allegations reported last year in 1,287 complaints were substantiated, state figures show.

There are examples where the state health department has taken action against facilities where medication errors occurred.

In one case thats pending in Pima County Superior Court, the family of Eugene Johannes, who was an insulin-dependent diabetic, is suing BeeHive Homes of Green Valley, saying the facility did not give Johannes his insulin for 19 days in March 2015, resulting in his death. In court filings, the facility has denied wrongdoing.

State health department records show BeeHive was fined in May 2015 for failing to ensure two of three insulin dependent diabetic residents  including one who was there in March 2015  received their insulin as prescribed.

Officials with the Pima Council on Aging say their office is usually the best place for people to start when they have a concern about elder mistreatment. In many cases, thats going to be all it takes to solve a problem  they can mediate issues in long term-care facilities at the local level, for example.

People often dont know about all the wonderful resources in the community. It is nice to be able to give someone hope, said Rae Vermeal, who is the Pima Council on Agings elder rights and benefits coordinator.

Heartbreak

When Moore picked her father up from the Mountain View Retirement Villages assisted-living facility in Oro Valley on July 15 and saw his unopened medication, she was heartbroken. Then, the home health care company shed hired to do rehabilitation work with her father while he was at Mountain View showed her a documented decline in his health while he was there.

Hells bells. I panicked, said Moore, who had paid $4,150 for her dads one- month stay, including $450 for a special level of care to include medication management.

My dad seemed exhausted, frail and weaker. I left them with three sealed boxes of Eliquis samples, and three closed bottles. None had been opened.

Her father, a former high school homecoming king who worked in construction in Maryland until the age of 70, was affable and trusting. Moore could not bear the thought that his health had suffered because of the mistake. She wanted an acknowledgment that her dad mattered.

She started with the Oro Valley assisted living facility, which is owned by The Ensign Group, a California-based, for-profit company that is one of the countrys largest senior-care providers. Moores father had stayed there once before and liked it.

Moore said when she dropped her father off at the beginning of his stay in June, she provided the facility with two medication lists  one from his primary care doctor and the other from his heart doctor. The primary care list included 10 different medications that her father needed daily. The list from the heart doctor was a repeat of the first list with one exception  it included the Eliquis.

In an Aug. 25 email from Mountain View executive director Tim Nelson, which Moore shared with the Star, the facility said it never received the heart doctors list.

The email included an offer of a $500 refund. But Moore said it wasnt satisfactory. She insists the facility did receive the heart doctors list and in any case should have called her or her fathers doctor to ask what to do with all the Eliquis she gave them, if they werent sure.

Lack of evidence

Nelson told the Star that because of privacy regulations, the assisted-living facility would not comment on medications or any aspect of the health care related to former or current residents of Mountain View.

He wrote in an email that Mountain View routinely trains its staff on various aspects of resident care, including the facility procedure for handling medications when they are brought into the facility by family members.

Moore ended up complaining to four state entities and also got advice from the Pima Council on Aging.

The Arizona Board of Examiners of Nursing Care Institution Administrators and Assisted Living Facility Managers dismissed her complaint against Mountain Views executive director at a meeting on Oct. 17 for lack of evidence, the meetings minutes say.

After her dad died later that month, Moore paid $2,000 for an autopsy, which showed the cause of death was heart failure.

She later got letters from APS and the health department to tell her that her complaints had not been substantiated with them, either. She is now considering legal action.
A jury on Friday found a former Tucson Fire Department captain guilty of killing his ex-wife, her mother and her mothers friend.

The Pima County Superior Court jury reached its verdict Friday afternoon after deliberating since Thursday morning.

David Watson, 47, was convicted of one count of second-degree murder in the 2000 death of his ex-wife, Linda Watson, 35. He also was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder in the 2003 fatal shootings of Linda Watsons mother, Marilyn Cox, 63, and Coxs friend, Renee Farnsworth, 53.

After the verdict, Coxs sisters, Pat Hinkle and Bobbie Kutasy, said they were relieved, but theres still pain in their family.

I take no great pleasure in seeing anybody have to spend the rest of their life in prison away from their family, but these are the choices he made, Hinkle said.

I dont know how to react right now, because someone got hurt, Kutasy said.

Linda Watson disappeared in 2000 from her house in the 2600 block of West Curtis Road. Investigators found blood in several locations inside the house.

Three years later, her skull was found near the Silverbell Mine northwest of Tucson. The skull wasnt identified as hers until 2011, due to a mistaken assumption it belonged to someone who died after crossing the border illegally.

Cox tried to find her daughters killer and fought David Watson and his then-wife, Rosemary Watson, in court for visitation rights to Coxs granddaughter, who was 4 years old when her mother disappeared.

In 2003, Cox and Farnsworth were fatally shot in Coxs driveway by a lone gunman after Coxs first unsupervised visit with the Watsons daughter.

Hinkle described Farns-worth as an innocent lady who was just being a friend to my sister.

Members of the Watson family and defense lawyer Natasha Wrae declined to comment after the verdict.

County prosecutor Jonathan Mosher praised the patience and strength of the victims families.

This has been 100 percent draining for me to go through, and I cant imagine what they have gone through, Mosher said.

Mosher also noted insightful questions asked by the jury during the trial. Kutasy praised the jury for being focused every day and a great bunch of people.

The first trial of Watson ended with a hung jury in November. Mosher said the decision to pursue a second trial was not ever in doubt and he would have pursued a third trial if necessary.

The prosecutions case was difficult and depended on circumstantial evidence, Mosher said, but he and prosecutor Nicol Green knew it was a strong case.

One difference between the first and second trials was that the prosecution brought in witnesses from outside Arizona for the second trial, Mosher said.

A sentencing hearing for Watson is scheduled for April 17.
As the woman headed into the court building, she was stopped by a security guard who informed her she had to move her car, as that parking spot was reserved for Arizona Supreme Court justices only.

It took some doing, laughed Lorna Lockwood, but I finally persuaded him that I was entitled to it, even if I was a woman. In 1961, at the age of 58, Lorna climbed the steps of the courthouse as the first woman to sit on the bench of the Arizona Supreme Court.

Lorna Elizabeth Lockwood was born in Douglas on March 24, 1903. The family moved to Tombstone in 1913 when her attorney father, Alfred C. Lockwood, was appointed Superior Court judge for Cochise County. Lorna graduated from Tombstone High School in 1920 but only after obeying her father and spending a year at home learning the domestic arts.

She graduated from the University of Arizona in 1923 and set her sights on a law degree. My entrance into law school at U of A was much against the wishes of the dean, Lorna said, who tried (without success) to talk me out of it. She received her law degree in 1925.

Lorna discovered no one would hire a woman lawyer and the only jobs available were as legal secretary or law clerk. With her father now sitting on the bench of the Arizona Supreme Court, she worked as his secretary until 1939 when she and attorney Loretta Savage opened their law firm. People were still hesitant to hire women attorneys, however, and the partnership dissolved after a few years.

During this time, Lorna won a seat in the Arizona House of Representatives as a Democratic representative from Maricopa County. Active on the child welfare committee as well as in public health and education, her legal background provided her the opportunity to serve as vice-chair of the House Judiciary Committee. Re-elected in 1941, she presided over the judiciary committee.

At the beginning of World War II, Lorna resigned her position and headed to Washington, D.C., to work as secretary to Arizonas lone member of the U.S. House of Representatives, John R. Murdock. After the war, she joined her father in private practice.

Entering politics again in 1947, Lorna won her third term in the Arizona House. She left the Legislature in 1949 to accept the position of assistant attorney general.

In 1950, she sought a seat on the Superior Court representing Maricopa County. One of 13 lawyers running for five seats on the court, she told her audiences to vote for the first candidate of their choice and for their second, third and fourth selections. All I ask is that you cast your fifth vote for me and give a woman a chance to prove herself on the bench in Arizona. On election day, she garnered enough votes to land the fifth position on the bench, the first woman elected to Arizonas Superior Court.

Quickly earning the reputation as a tough but fair judge, she brooked no nonsense in her courtroom from attorneys who thought a woman judge was easy prey. Antics from over exuberant litigators frequently resulted in a fine and a stern lecture.

In 1954, she presided over the juvenile division of the court, making needed improvements in the treatment of children in the legal system.

Her work with children extended beyond the courtroom as she was instrumental in founding the states Big Sisters and Big Brothers organizations as well as the Girls Ranch of Arizona.

In 1960, she was elected the first woman to serve on the Arizona Supreme Court. She moved into the office once occupied by her father and resurrected his well-used desk, the one he had sat behind for 18 years, most of those as Arizonas chief justice.

In 1965 and again in 1970, she was selected as Arizonas chief justice, the first woman in the country to attain the highest state judicial position. When vacancies on the U.S. Supreme Court occurred in 1965 and 1967, Arizona Sen. Carl Hayden put her name before President Lyndon B. Johnson as a possible candidate. Johnson, however, was not convinced the country was ready to accept a woman on the U.S. Supreme Court.

While serving on the Arizona Supreme Court, Lorna delivered more than 500 opinions on cases. An advocate for womens rights, she did not consider herself a militant feminist, but I am terribly glad when women succeed.

She retired from the bench in 1975 and died Sept. 23, 1977.

After her death, a group of women lawyers instituted the Lorna Lockwood Traveling Trophy, a svelte blonde Barbie doll dressed in a black robe with a plaque attached listing the names of Phoenix women who had ascended to the judiciary. It was agreed that when the first Arizona woman was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, the trophy would be retired. In 1981, Justice Sandra Day OConnor took the bench on the U.S. Supreme Court and acquired the trophy.

Each position I held in Arizona was one which was attained by following a course made far more accessible because Lorna Lockwood had prepared the way by proving it could be done and done well by a woman, said OConnor. As I look out my window each day, I am reminded of the contributions Lorna Lockwood made in opening doors for other women in the legal profession. Her kindly interest and encouragement of other women lives on in the work of those of us who were privileged to know her.
 Flash

China and the Philippines agreed on Friday to strengthen trade and economic cooperation between the two countries after the conclusion of a high-level meeting.

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang meets with the Philippine cabinet's economic management team, in Davao City, the Philippines, on March 17, 2017. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

During a meeting with the Philippine cabinet's economic management team, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang said China is willing to join hands with the Philippines to promote free trade and widen bilateral trade between the two sides.

Wang said that leaders of the two countries made a right decision last October to push bilateral relations back to the track of good neighborly friendship and cooperation.

"Institutional cooperation has been completely restored. Cooperation in major sectors has witnessed quick development. There is a boom of Chinese companies investing in the Philippines and there is a rapid increase of Chinese visitors," he said.

Wang said China is buying more and more tropical fruits from the Philippines.

"All these show that bilateral relations between China and the Philippines have returned to the right track," he said.

Wang, who is on a four-day visit to the Philippines, said he came here to push forward pragmatic cooperation in various fields in the hope that the two peoples would benefit from bilateral cooperation.

"China invites the Philippines to join China's Belt and Road initiative to help the Philippines to develop," he said.

Wang said China regards the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as its top priority in its peripheral diplomacy and China supports the establishment of ASEAN community and its central status in regional cooperation.

He said China is willing to throw full support behind Philippines' rotating presidency of ASEAN in 2017.

"China would like to work with the Philippines to deepen China-ASEAN relations, properly handle South China Sea issue, jointly safeguard stability in the South China Sea and maintain the good momentum of development in China-ASEAN relations," Wang Yang said.

Wang said China hopes to see an early conclusion of the negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in building a free trade zone in the Asia-Pacific region.

"It will bring more opportunities for the region's countries, including the Philippines," he said.

Officials of the Philippine side expressed their gratitude for China's support and aid, saying the Philippines will join hands with China in deepening cooperation in sectors such as infrastructure, trade, investments, agriculture, fishery and tourism.

They said the Philippines attaches importance to China's role in regional cooperation, saying the Philippines will use its presidency to enhance China-ASEAN partnership and push forward RCEP negotiations.

They said that the Philippines supports China's Belt and Road initiative and is willing to join it.

The two sides signed the Six-Year Development Program (SYDP) for Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Philippines and China.

The SYDP aims to promote stable and orderly development of economic cooperation, enlarge the scope and enhance the level of cooperation, and drive sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development in both countries.
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 former conservative pastor in Payson.
Help India!

By Soroor Ahmed, Twocircles.net

A bigger picture emerging after the electoral verdict of March 11, 2017, shows that it was a vote against all five state governments. Two of the chief ministers, Laxmikant Parsekar of Goa and Harish Rawat of Uttarakhand lost their seats, with the latter losing from both the constituencies.

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Besides, the results implied that the Bharatiya Janata Party performed much below expectation in the states where Muslims were not at all a factor and it did exceedingly well in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, which have 19.3% and 13.9% population of the community respectively.

Whatever be the reasons, it is a fact that the anti-incumbency factor worked strongly everywhere. That is why in Goa, even the Congress managed to win more seats than the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

The outcome of the elections made it clear that the anger against the ruling establishment was tactfully exploited by the BJP in UP and Uttarakhand. In Uttar Pradesh, in particular, the saffron party played the caste and communal cards very well as space for it was provided by Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and some self-appointed Muslim leaders.

But amidst the euphoria, victorious parties in all the five states need to understand the strong undercurrent of disenchantment and resentment for the ruling parties. The electorate got an opportunity to ventilate their grievances they voted out the parties in power. So if the rival parties won in these states their victories were more by default and less by design. If peoples anger is not checked in time, more electoral upheaval cannot be ruled out in near future.

In Punjab, the saffron party and its major ally the Shiromani Akali Dal faced the same fate as Congress-Samajwadi Party combine in UP. In both states, the electorate ensured victory to a major rival party to avoid hung assembly as feared by many poll-pundits. The Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab suffered heavily in the process. Among other things drug, demonetization and plight of farmers did become election issues. It is important to note that except drug, most of the issues were common in UP too, especially, (like Punjab), in the Green Revolution region of the west, or say Jatland. Here the BJP intelligently channelised the anger towards a different direction and succeeded in putting the blame on the ruling state government.

The issue of Dalit empowermentArvind Kejriwals November 25 promise to make Dalit the deputy CM if voted to power in Punjab and Mayawatis bid to stage a comebackdid not work as the poor lot were more interested in getting their basic problems of hunger and unemployment solved.

Goa and Manipur threw up fractured mandate as in both the places the ruling party fell short of a majority. In Goa, the opposition Congress managed to emerge as the biggest party in spite of the presence of AAP, which was initially expected to perform better. In Manipur, the opposition BJP came up from nowhere to walk away with 21 seats.

If the BJP has mastered the art of turning a disadvantage into advantageat least in UP and Uttarakhandthe Congress has one thing to console. It has done well in Punjab and Goa though AAP was very much there to spoil its prospect. The campaign of Congress-mukt (free) India certainly received a setback.

If the descending trend of AAP continues, it may face a big challenge in the upcoming Gujarat election later this year where BJP would be feeling the heat of incumbency. Till now the saffron party is pretty comfortable that the presence of AAP may help it a lot. It is to be seen how the duo of prime minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah perform on their home turf.
Help India!

By TCN News

Famous entrepreneur and philanthropist Yusuffali MA earned praise from Government of India for his contributions to India Development Foundation of Overseas Indian (IDF-OI) for the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Support TwoCircles



Yusuffali MA, who is an overseas Indian based out of the United Arab Emirates, has contributed to building community toilets in Vijayawada, Amritsar and Gangtok. Yusuffali, who is the chairman of the Lulu Group, is well-known for his contributions to humanitarian causes. Most recently, he contributed to building a community toilet in Tirupati.

NRI @Yusuffali_MAs contribution to IDFOI for @SwachhBharatGov gives 1600 Residents of Tirupati & thousands of pilgrims access to sanitation, IDF-OI said in a tweet.

NRI @Yusuffali_MAs contribution to IDFOI for @SwachhBharatGov gives 1600 Residents of Tirupati & thousands of pilgrims access to sanitation pic.twitter.com/fJPLnIV6pO  IDF-OI (@GivingtoIndia) March 16, 2017

An Overseas Indian from U.A.E, Mr. Yusuff Ali M.A. apart from being the Managing Director of the Lulu Group, is also a firm proponent of philanthropy whose symbolic achievements on the business and social front and ceaseless efforts to promote India amongst the Overseas Indians community have won him several accolades including the esteemed Padmashri award in 2008 and the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in 2005, IDF-OI says about Yusuffali on its page of success stories.

Congratulating IDF-OI on its initiative, Yusuffali said, I think setting up of IDF-OI is one of the best initiatives of the Government. In my view, it is serving the dual purpose of tapping the much-needed funds for our community development and connecting the large Indian Diaspora with the nation building process. This surely makes us all feel very proud of India and its future.

Yusuffali has in the past contributed substantially to the victims of the Latur Earthquake, Gujarat Earthquake, Tsunami Tragedy, Uttarakhand Floods & Landslides.

He was the first to contribute to the rehabilitation of the Calicut market fire victims when thousands lost their livelihood and during the amnesty period in the U.A.E. he was at the forefront by providing free air tickets including other facilities to hundreds of hapless Indians who could not even afford a ticket back to their motherland.

IDF-OI is a not-for-profit trust established by the Government of India with Sushma Swaraj as its chairperson.
What has triggered the rift between Turkey and the Netherlands? Turkish government officials were stopped from rallying support for a referendum that would expand the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was prevented from entering the Netherlands to prevent the rally in Rotterdam from holding. The plane carrying the Minister was prevented from landing on Saturday.

The rally is in support of a constitutional referendum that would grant more powers to Erdogan. This new amendment to the constitution will hinder free speech and silence the voice of minorities.

There is already a crackdown on the opposition, and the media after the attempted coup of 2016.

The Turkish family minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya was also barred from entering the Turkish consulate after entering the Netherlands by car. The minister refused to exit the vehicle but was eventually deported by Dutch police.

Turkish response

In a rally, President Erdogan called the Dutch remnants of Nazism and fascist referring to the Netherlands as a Banana Republic. Both countries have expelled their diplomats and barred them from returning to their consulates.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte refers to Erdogans comments as "a crazy remark, of course. But I understand they are angry, but this is, of course, way out of line."

Turkey vs the EU

Austria, Switzerland, and Germany also banned rallies in support of the constitutional amendment.

Germany has a large population of Turks numbering about 1.4 million making it a very important place to get votes. The Turkish Foreign affairs minister appeared in the Turkish consulate in Hamburg after the German government banned the planned rallies around Germany.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Germany of "Nazi practices" accusing the German Chancellor of mercilessly supporting terrorism, Chancellor Angela Merkel calls the comparison "unacceptable".

President of the European Council Donald Tusk said Turkey is completely detached from reality for referring to the Dutch as fascists.

Some contentious contents of the possible new constitution

A change from a parliamentary to a presidential system of government.

The president may be a member of a political party and even be the leader of the party with the power to choose candidates for parliamentary election granting him control of both the executive and legislature.

A new impeachment procedure that is unrealistic  a simple majority of MPs will need to sign for beginning the process, a three-fifths majority to start the commission of inquiry and two-third of MPs will be needed to finalise the judicial process.

The president can appoint one or more VPs; the VPs will act on behalf of the president if there is a vacuum.

The president can dissolve parliament at will, however, parliament can call for early elections with a three-fifths majority.

The president will have the power to appoint ministers and choose most senior judges and enact certain laws by decrees.

Presidential and parliamentary elections will hold on the same day after five years.

The amended constitution is expected to change about 2000 laws.

Erdogan and the future of Turkey

In Obamas address to the Ghanaian parliament, Africa does not need strongmen, it needs strong institutions. There is a lesson in this message for every democracy; the thirst for power by African leaders has destroyed the continent. Governments are run like a family business without any concern for the social welfare of the citizens.

The Turkish people must understand the implications of this referendum and make a wise decision. The international community must also encourage the Turkish state to make the right choice. The Turkish state must sue for peace with its allies and not create more tension in the region.
A $624 million contract for Epic Systems Corp. and a Lockheed subsidiary to produce an online medical appointment scheduling program for the nations military veterans is apparently back in business after being on hold for nearly a year, published reports say.

The Veterans Administration is moving forward with the Medical Appointment Scheduling System (MASS), being developed by Verona-based Epic and Systems Made Simple, an official told the House Committee on Veterans Affairs at a hearing in February.

A pilot project is underway and results will be available in 18 months, Jennifer Lee, Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Policy and Services, told committee members, according to an article in Healthcare Informatics.

The test is being conducted in Boise, Idaho, according to FCW, a publication for federal technology executives. At the same time, though, the VA also will continue work on updating its own, home-grown scheduling software, the FCW article said.

Epic officials were not available to comment on the reports.

Epic  one of the nations largest electronic health records developers  and Systems Made Simple won the five-year, multimillion-dollar contract in August 2015. But last April, the Veterans Health Administration decided to shelve that agreement and focus on fixing its own system at a fraction of the cost, $6.4 million.

The decision drew some big concerns at the time from members of the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

Subcommittee chairman Mike Coffman, R-Colorado, called it a dramatic about-face, according to an April 2016 article by Modern Healthcare.

Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-New Hampshire, said the VA already had spent $27.5 million toward a MASS pilot project, and previous efforts to update its home-grown software were unsuccessful.

This seems like deja vu all over again to me, Kuster said, the Modern Healthcare story said.

The Epic-Lockheed contract came after a 2014 scandal in which VA employees falsified records on the wait times veterans endured before they could see a doctor. The wait was so long, at least several dozen veterans died before they could get care, investigations found.

Now that Epics MASS project apparently is back in gear, the Verona company says it is working with Nuance Communications, of Orlando, Florida, to include innovations aimed at disabled veterans.

A statement from Nuance in February said the Florida companys artificial intelligence technology, combined with Epics electronic health records system, will provide a hands-free virtual assistant for veterans with disabilities.

We are very proud of our work with Nuance, Epic president Carl Dvorak said in the statement. By going above and beyond what is required ... Epic is focused on delivering a completely new experience to those veterans that have suffered physical disabilities due to their service to our country.

Founded in 1979, Epic says 190 million patients in the U.S. and around the world use its electronic health records software. The company has more than 9,600 employees and had 2016 revenue of $2.5 billion.

Epic nuggets

Epics website often lists some of the gains that its health organization clients attribute to the Verona companys software system, and two recent ones went beyond the usual cost-saving and procedure-preventing conclusions.

Geisinger Health System, which serves more than 3 million people in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, used Epic software to identify patients with a life-threatening, genetic disorder and help them get treatment. Geisinger collected genetic samples from more than 50,000 patients as part of its MyCode Community Health Initiative and found that 229 of them have a gene variant for familial hypercholesterolemia, a disorder that prevents the body from eliminating LDL cholesterol  considered the bad cholesterol because it can lead to clogged arteries. The study was reported in the publication Science.

Parkland Health & Hospital System, Dallas, is identifying patients who are considered at high risk of committing suicide using its Epic system. In 2015, Parkland adopted a screening tool to assess patients in the emergency department and in the first year found that about 6 percent showed an elevated suicide risk. They were given counseling and support resources. A Parkland official said research shows about 40 percent of people who die by suicide have been emergency department patients in the year before their death.

Contact Judy Newman at jdnewman@madison.com with tips and story suggestions.
Ever since the early days of his campaign for president, Donald Trump has made a point to hit back at certain foreign countries. In his latest social media rant, Trump decided to set his sights on North Korea and China.

Trump on Twitter

When Donald Trump first announced his candidacy for president, he vowed that the United States would get tough on China, especially when it came to issues dealing with trade. The former host of "The Apprentice" also spoke out in favor of the United States increasing its military, and taking whatever options are necessary to the protect the country.

Recently, North Korea has become aggressive when it comes to their weapons program, as the country has conducted several missile and nuclear tests, while announcing that they are close to being able to test long-range missiles that could reach the United States. As seen on his Twitter account on March 17, Trump decided to offer his thoughts.

North Korea is behaving very badly. They have been "playing" the United States for years. China has done little to help!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 17, 2017

As he has in the past, Donald Trump didn't hold back his thoughts when it came to the aforementioned nations. "North Korea is behaving very badly. They have been 'playing' the United States for years," Trump wrote on Twitter on Friday morning.

Not stopping there, the president hit back at China, tweeting, "China has done little to help!"

US on North Korea

Donald Trump's tweet comes as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson went on the record to confirm that military action against North Korea was a possibility. "If they elevate the threat of their weapons program to a level that we believe requires action, then that option's on the table," Tillerson said.

US would consider military action against North Korea if provoked, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says. https://t.co/TW5ylH5mjE  CNN (@CNN) March 17, 2017

China has not been pleased with the more aggressive stance of the Trump administration when it comes to handling North Korea, as the two countries appear at odds at how to handle the issue at hand.

Officials in Beijing have warned of a potential economic sanction against the rival nation, which is at odds with what the United States believes is the right course of action. Rex Tillerson called the potential economic sanctions by China "unnecessary and troubling," while referring to North Korea as a "serious threat."
home World Franklin Graham says he questioned God after aid workers got infected with Ebola

Evangelist Franklin Graham said that he questioned God when two aid workers working with Samaritan's Purse got infected with Ebola while serving in West Africa.

Dr. Kent Brantly and nurse Nancy Writebol caught international media attention after they got infected with Ebola while they were working to fight against the spread of the virus at the ELWA Hospital in Monrovia, Liberia.

The documentary titled "Facing Darkness" chronicles their efforts to fight the outbreak and the race against time to bring them home and get treated.

In an interview with The Christian Post, Graham, the president of Samaritan's Purse, recounted how he struggled to seek help for Brantly and Writebol.

"To be honest when I first heard that Dr. Brantly had been infected, I didn't even know how to pray. At first, I just kept saying, 'God why? Why, [he's a] young doctor, such a great guy, why?'" Graham said.

The evangelist narrated that as he made several calls to help the aid workers, he saw how God provided him with a solution to a difficult problem.

"You could see God's hand at work through this entire film," he said. "It's a documentary of God's faithfulness and [shows that] God is a good God, He's a loving God [and] He cares for us," he added.

The Ebola virus began to spread in March 2014, and it became a raging epidemic by June. Over 28,000 people were infected in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. The outbreak caught the attention of the international community with the help of the brave aid workers from Samaritan's Purse. However, the virus claimed over 11,000 lives before it came under control.

Liberia was eventually declared Ebola-free following a massive public health education program that helped to stop the spread of the virus.

Graham said that the Samaritan's Purse aid workers who bravely went to Africa were inspired by the Gospel. He said that the team believed that Jesus was the great physician, and they used their knowledge in medicine as a tool to show God's love to the Liberians.

Apart from the story of Brantly and Writebol, the documentary will also show what happens when people choose compassion over fear in service to others.

"Facing Darkness," which won the Best Feature Documentary Premiere Award at the 2016 Heartland Film Festival, will premiere in select U.S. theaters for one night through Fathom Events on March 30.
Vox recently interviewed former Texas State Senator Wendy Davis, a Democrat, who has also served as a councilor with Fort Worth, about the 2016 election, and what it reveals about "how America thinks about women as political leaders." Ms. Davis' first words were, "We have a lot of work to do."

Hannah Cranston, with The Young Turks, summarized the Texas senator's view as one where women need to stop "being nice" if they wish to take part in a "meaningful conversation about gender inequality," and to "advance the movement of the Women's March." Davis has described the Women's March following the January 20 inauguration for President Donald Trump as being the result of "pent-up 'good-girl' behavior." The senator described some women who navigate "more subtly through the challenges we face," and the notion of it somehow serving "our ultimate goal," and held the women's march up as a "cold splash of water" in the faces of American women.

Hannah Cranston: Women's March a 'wake-up call'

Davis continued that the movement was not "being ugly now," and that it was "being much more assertive," unafraid to confront those who believe that the gender equality conversation isn't a one worthy of taking place. Citing the march following Trump's inauguration and the Day Without Women protests, Ms. Cranston cited a "change of direction of the narrative" surrounding women's issues. She called the day a "wake-up call" and agreed with Davis that women need to stop "being nice."

Francis Maxwell, with TYT, expressed disagreement with Davis over her contention that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton "lost the election, because she was a women." Mr.

Maxwell cited Davis' description of the environment surrounding Clinton's loss as a "misogynistic climate." Cranston stated that, as a woman, anytime she appears in the media and espouses an opinion on gender equality, she quickly becomes labelled. She held that for a "long time" she refrained from taking "aggressive" positions on gender equality issues, citing fears of "backlash."

'Misogynistic climate'

Cranston explained that issues facing women today are not new, including health care, pay equity, the number of women on corporate boards, and the number of women in politics, but that they are being considered in a new light under a president who has claimed to "sexually assault women." She stated that women need to be "more vocal" and "more aggressive" with their messaging as a result.

Brett Erlich summed up part of Davis' view, with regard to a climate of misogyny that exists, seemingly reinforced by the rhetoric of Donald Trump, and her questioning, "What do we do now?" The TYT host described a choice faced by women, whether to play offense or defense, and noted that leaning too far to either side has consequences. Erlich surmised that Davis is suggesting that women "go on the offensive," which he described as "great." He called the Vox-Davis interview an "effective" one.
Recently Roscosmos has put out a call for new cosmonauts, specifically to fly on board a new spacecraft called the Federatsiya to the moon. The idea that one can apply for a job to be the first Russian to fly beyond low Earth orbit is a great selling point and will no doubt cause many to respond eagerly. Whether any Russian will fly to the moon on board a Russian spacecraft remains to be seen.

To be sure, a Russian lunar expedition would fit into President Vladimir Putins desire to, as one might coin the phrase, make Russia great again. The Russians never quite got over being beaten to the Lunar Surface by the United States during the 1960s.

A purely Russian expedition would go a long way toward wiping out that stain, especially if NASA remains mired by small budgets and a lack of direction.

But the sad fact of the matter is that Russia lacks the resources to mount a serious lunar exploration program. The price of its export commodity, oil and gas, is rock bottom and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. The development of other aspects of the Russian economy has been hampered by corruption and mismanagement. What extra money exists is being used to finance imperialist adventures in Syria and the Ukraine and on a military buildup to confront the United States and her allies.

That is not to say that no Russian will walk on the moon in the future.

However, as is the case with the International Space Station, the only way that a cosmonaut is going to get to the lunar surface is as part of a joint effort with another country. That partner could be China, which has its own moon shot, or the United States, which is increasingly turning its attention back to the moon and is presided over by a president who is keen to form an alliance with Russia.

The use of a lunar exploration program to try to mend fences between the United States and Russia, two countries that have been at odds in recent years, makes a lot of sense. The ISS partnership, some hick ups notwithstanding, has worked to the mutual benefit of the two countries. An international lunar effort could have the same effect. And a Russian cosmonaut, 50 or so years after Apollo 11, will have made it to the lunar surface at last.
A comment in an Italian newspapers internet site caught my attention this morning because it showed the importance of individual moments in the lives of politicians. A photo taken in a wrong instant or a slight misunderstanding due to language can follow politicians for the rest of their lives, for better or for worse. This happened to President #Donald Trump once more.

Oval Office

On Friday the White House hosted German Chancellor #Angela Merkel. This was always going to be a delicate encounter as the two politicians have famously diverging opinions on a number of topic, beginning with immigration.

According to the now famous stream of leaks about his first telephone conversations with World Leaders, the call between Donald Trump and Angela Merkel were marked by what was called a lesson by the German Chancellor to the newly installed American President of his responsibilities towards refugees.

During the presidential campaign then Candidate Trump had used the German model as an example of the problems caused by large numbers of Moslem refugees as a justification for his proposed ban of Moslem migrants. This proposal then became two executive orders that are now blocked by the courts and will be contested in the Supreme Court.

As with many of his announcements Donald Trumps comments about Germany were incomplete.

The accusations of problems in Germany were made by certain media sources and in recent weeks the German authorities have publicly stated that the reports of sexual assaults used by opponents of Moslem migration had in fact been greatly exaggerated.

Hand shake

With this background the many members of the worlds press were curious to see the rapport between the two world leaders.

It was obvious that there was a degree of uncertainty in both of them that led to a moment that some interpreted as a rebuff by Donald Trump of a hand shake by Angela Merkel. This was the moment that inspired the Italian journalist on the news site.

In a play of words on the phrase Commander in chief that is often used to describe the Office of President of the United States Vittorio Zucconi, a veteran Washington correspondent for major Italian newspaper La Repubblica described Donald Trump as the Cafone in chief, effectively the Boor in chief

Image

This description encapsulates the problem facing the White House regarding its occupant.

Ever since the release of the tape with his comments on women and then with the subsequent comments made by the new President on a number of issues, he is not seen as presidential by many inside and outside the United States.

This impression has only increased with the stream of tweets and in recent weeks particularly in regards to the accusation of wiretapping of Trump Tower during the election campaign by the Obama Administration. An accusation he referred to during yesterdays meeting with the Press Corps together with the German Chancellor.

The Italians comment simply shows that Donald Trump does have an image problem and this is confirmed by the comments of prominent Republicans this week rebutting his wiretapping allegations.

The saying is that an old dog does not learn new tricks may often be used to people of a certain age but it is one that Donald Trump must belie and quickly.

While his behaviour may please many of his diehard supporters the image of the President of the United States is the international face of the country and we suspect that many Americans would not be happy with the nickname coined in Italy this morning. Yet reading the international social media the voices agreeing with the Italian journalist are on the rise and fewer users defend their President, beginning in the United States. This is a real problem for the White House.
Terrorism was a central theme of the 2016 presidential race and the Republican candidate #Donald Trump promised that he would get tough on terrorists. When he entered the Oval Office he then signed the contested ban on illegal immigration and ordered a raid on a terrorist target in Yemen that resulted in the death of naval SEAL William Ryan Owens. Yet in the anti terrorist rhetoric he concentrated only on the Islamists and forgot that terrorism has many faces and not just Islamic.

Reminders

This week BBC News gave us reminders of two tragic periods of recent history marked by terrorism.

The first example has religion as its root cause and the second was freedom for an ethnic group that considers itself a prisoner of a colonial power.

Both the examples no longer dominate the worlds headlines as they once did but they are useful reminders that terrorism has many faces and that is had been with us in many countries and for longer than many remember.

Northern Ireland

The problem of terrorism in Northern Ireland is a matter of religion but not Islam. What we now call terrorism was part of the process that led to the independence of the Republic Of Ireland and terrorism created the period known as the Troubles in Northern Ireland with the open warfare between the Catholic minority and the majority Loyalist Protestants.

This period seemed to have ended but the Brexit vote and a murder this week may well bring be the harbingers of another period of instability in troubled Ulster.

This week high profile Loyalist George Gilmore was murdered by masked men in Carrickfergus, County Antrim Northern Ireland. It is believed that the murder was due to a feud between loyalist groups in the region.

Two men have been charged with the murder and will face court in Belfast on Saturday.

The use of masks was a normal part of terrorist attacks in the region by both Catholics and Protestants and the attack is a strong hint that the fear of the Troubles never totally expired.

This week also saw the approval of the law beginning the British Exit from the European Union after last Junes Brexit plebiscite.

This is a strange coincidence as there are now fears that one of the consequences of the vote will be renewed pressure for the region to merge with the neighbouring Catholic majority Republic of Ireland.

Although it is as yet too early to predict with precision, this region may well see a return to a period of armed struggle between the two Christian groups.

Spain

The other news item this week about terrorism came from Spain with the announcement that the Basque separatist group ETA will hand over its remaining weapons on April 8th. The Basque region has its own language and culture and considers itself separate from Castilian dominated Spain.

ETA was created after the crackdown of non Spanish groups by former Dictator General Francisco Franco suppressed the teaching and use of the Basque language and also of Catalan in that region.

The forty years of revolt against Madrid by ETA caused over 800 deaths from assassination and bombings.

Although ETA declared a ceasefire in 2011 this has not stopped the arrest of members and the seizure of weapons stashes by the Spanish government since then.

Only time will tell if the April 8th will signal an end to this period of violence or is only a transitory phase in the armed struggle by separatists.

Future

These items are only two examples of non Islamic terrorism and they are not isolated cases. The threat of terrorism has many faces and many religions. The solution to these threats is not religious or military but political and it requires a will to face up to responsibilities that up till now have been lacking on the world stage.

It takes little for old problems to flare once more and concentrating on only one group of terrorists only encourages others to take the same road to resolve their own causes. Too many have died for these causes and it is time that the worlds Leaders truly play a role in solving them.
On Wednesday night, a federal judge in Hawaii blocked Donald Trump's latest attempt at a travel ban. The reactions fell down party lines, which was evident on the latest episode of "The View."

"The View" on Trump

Not long after President Donald Trump was sworn into office, he signed off an executive order that banned travel to and from seven majority-Muslim countries in the Middle East. The order was labeled a "Muslim ban" and received heavy backlash from critics of the former host of "The Apprentice." Despite defiance from the president, the ban in question hit its final wall when the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against it.

In retaliation, Trump signed off on what he describes as a second "watered-down" ban, which was also shot-down by a judge on Wednesday night. This issue was a hot topic during the March 16 edition of "The View."

.@Sunny Hostin reacts to federal judges blocking Pres. Trump's order: "This is a Muslim ban dressed in a national security dress." pic.twitter.com/i3sbUb3fhB  The View (@TheView) March 16, 2017

After playing a clip of Donald Trump vowing to take his travel ban to the Supreme Court, "The View" co-host Whoopi Goldberg hit back. "The Supreme Court is gonna tell you the same thing," Goldberg said, before adding, "they are gonna look and say listen." Goldberg went on to say that Trump needs to start doing things "under the law," noting "You can't just get rid of people because you don't like their region or their skin color."

A federal judge in Hawaii blocked Trump's new travel ban on Wednesday afternoon. Here's what you need to know https://t.co/gqO8Utjukm pic.twitter.com/pdvu5j0unu  CNN (@CNN) March 16, 2017

Fellow co-host Sonny Hostin also piled on, pointing out that, despite Trump's rhetoric, numerous judges can't be wrong.

Hostin also went on to cite that the Donald Trump administration had referred to the executive order as a "Muslim ban" in the past, while they try to push back on the claim in present day.

At this point, co-host Jedediah Bila tried to defend the travel banning, referencing the importance of the "screening process." When co-host Joe Behar asked why a country like Saudi Arabia wasn't on the ban list, Bila argued that their government "cooperates" with the United States.

In response, Hostin shouted, "That's where the terrorists came from, Jed on 9/11!" before adding, "Thats where they came from, if you want to ban anyone, ban that country!"

Next up

While the travel ban continues to divide the American people, Donald Trump doesn't look to be backing down from his executive order anytime soon. Though Trump said during his recent rally that he plans to take his order to the Supreme Court, the White House has not offered an offical comment.
By Deng Yanzi in Hong Kong and Wang Qingyun in Beijing | China Daily | Updated: 2017-03-18 06:53

Philippine tour operators are optimistic that more than 1 million Chinese tourists will travel to the nation this year, due to a relaxed visa policy, the opening of new hotels and possibly more flights.

Stephen Techico, chairman of Philippine travel agency Uni-Orient Travel Inc, observed "a noteworthy change of perception" among Chinese tourists amid stronger diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.

"The growth is palpable," Techico said on Thursday, when the China-ASEAN Year of Tourism was kicked off in Manila, the Philippine capital.

Vice-Premier Wang Yang, who is in the Philippines for a four-day visit, addressed the opening ceremony of the tourism year.

China and ASEAN are each other's largest overseas tourist destinations and largest sources of tourists, and more than 2,700 flights shuttle between both sides each week, according to Wang.

China hopes to work with ASEAN countries to further facilitate travel, strengthen promotion of tourist resources and expand mutual investment in tourism, Wang said.

Wang was scheduled to meet with the economic management team of the Philippine Cabinet and with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Davao on Friday.

The Philippine government recorded an increase in Chinese visa applications of more than 250 percent in the first two months of 2017, the Philippine newspaper Business Mirror reported.

And it is planning to allow the Chinese tourists to obtain a visa on arrival for their trips within 2017, Xinhua News Agency quoted Philippine Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo as saying in February.

Techico said he believes a visa-free policy would be more appropriate and efficient, as the procedure of visa on arrival may create hassles for the tourists and could affect the airport's capacity.

He said the two countries need time to figure out the best practices through continuous communication and cooperation.

Contact the writers at wangqingyun@chinadaily.com.cn and iris@chinadailyhk.com

(China Daily 03/18/2017 page3)
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French firefighters evacuate a woman near the Tocqueville high school after a shooting incident injuring at least eight people, in Grasse, southern France, March 16, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

GRASSE - A teenager opened fire at his high school in southeastern France on Thursday, wounding up to four people, in an attack apparently inspired by videos of US mass shootings such as Columbine, officials said.

The incident in Grasse, which does not appear to be linked to militancy, comes with France on high alert after more than 230 people were killed in the past two years by attackers allied to Islamic State.

"It was total panic," Achraf, a student in the school, said on BFM TV. "The gunshots were at 4 to 5 metres from where we were. We thought the gunman was coming towards us. We heard him shouting."

France's Education Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem visited the scene in Grasse, a town known for its perfume industry, and said the attack appeared to be "a crazy act by a fragile young man fascinated by firearms".

"His motivations seem to be linked to bad relations he had with other students in school," Grasse prosecutor Fabienne Atzori told reporters.

With a presidential election less than six weeks away, the attack by a 16-year-old armed with a shotgun loaded with lead pellets looked likely to further stoke France's debate on security.

Separately in Paris, an employee of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was injured in the face and arms when a letter bomb posted to the world lender's local office blew up as she opened it, police said.

Atzori said 10 people had been hurt in the school attack, either physically or emotionally. One person was shot in the stomach and the headmaster was injured in the shoulder after trying to stop the gunman.

The youth, who was also carrying munitions, handguns, a grenade and what seemed to be a homemade explosive device, put up no resistance when he was arrested at the school, she said.

The youth was not known to police and checks were being made to establish whether there were any accomplices and how he had acquired his weapons.

"The first investigations suggest he had consulted videos of mass killings in America," an interior ministry spokesman said.
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HCM CITY  The countrys leading retailer, Saigon Co.op, has set itself a target of 13 per cent sales growth this year.

It also plans to open eight to 10 Co.opmart supermarkets, one Co.opXtra hypermarket, one Sense City mall, 65 Co.op Food shops, and 500 Co.opSmile convenience stores, develop a new business model targeting high-end customers and enhance the distribution of organic products.

Diep Dung, Saigon Co.op chairman, said the co-operative would seek to optimise its existing operations, expand its network and improve the quality of goods, services and management and develop human resources and logistics to retain its leading position.

Despite economic difficulties and intense competition last year, Saigon Co.op saw a 11 per cent growth in revenues, while its exports via Co.opXtra hypermarkets, a joint venture with Singapore, went up by 60 per cent.

It opened 42 new Co.opmart supermarkets, Co.op Food stores, Sense City and Co.opSmile convenience stores last year.

Speaking at a Saigon Co.op review meeting yesterday, Tran Vinh Tuyen, deputy chairman of the HCM City Peoples Committee, hailed the co-operatives achievements, saying it had contributed greatly to the citys economic development.

He urged the company to focus on both expanding at home and strengthening co-operation with foreign partners to sell Vietnamese goods abroad.  VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Information and Communication urged enterprises to collaborate with the Government in efforts to build a healthy Internet society through advertising only on online channels which comply with established laws.

Minister Truong Minh Tuan issued the advice at a meeting on Thursday with major brands, saying that online advertising was an inevitable trend but also implied risks, especially inadequate attention to control the appearance of advertising.

The call came several days after advertisements by some major brands accidentally appeared in clips containing pornographic, slanderous or anti-government content on YouTube, the worlds largest online video site.

It is really worrying, as it badly affects the prestige of brands, Tuan said as quoted by online newspaper vnexpress.net.

Tuan said that this was not only a problem for the advertising industry of Viet Nam, but also for the global industry.

What was more alarming was that running advertisements on clips with questionable content could help owners of these accounts earn money, which indirectly encouraged them to unload more, a representative from Qnet said.

Nguyen Thanh Lam, Director of the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information, cited statistics that as of Thursday, there were 15 accounts uploading 8,000 clips with immoral content, and attracting nearly 1 million subscribers. Those clips boasted a combined 500 million views.

Lam said that the department was working with Google, which owns YouTube, to remove such clips, and to date, only 42 had been removed.

At Thursdays meeting, all major brands including Vinamilk, Ford Viet Nam, VinHome, Sungroup and Unilever Viet Nam, said that they had stopped advertising on YouTube after receiving the Ministry of Information and Communications request.

They also said that they would not resume advertising until ad agencies developed comprehensive solutions to ensure compliance with the established laws.

Through our advertising agents, we have asked Google and YouTube to ensure a safe advertising environment so as to protect businesses brands, a representative from the dairy giant Vinamilk said.

Ad agencies said that when signing contracts with Google to run advertisements for their partners on YouTube, they selected the appearance of ads through key words and categories of clips, adding that the cooperation of Google was necessary in filtering and preventing the appearance of ads in toxic clips.

Online newspaper vneconomy.vn reported that Google had sent an official response late on Thursday, saying that YouTube had clear policies for governmental requests for content removal.

A YouTube spokesperson also said that the company did not comment on specific cases, but it will continue working with the Government of Viet Nam and was always willing to receive questions or concerns from the Government, according to the newspaper.

The ministry called for enterprises to participate in an action programme which includes saying no to advertising on immoral clips, only running advertisements on channels which comply with Vietnamese law, building a healthy Internet society and protecting copyright. - VNS
HA NOI  The police, army and customs are acting together against smuggling and counterfeiting, but the results fall short of expectations because the crimes are getting more sophisticated, officials say.

Authorities discovered 27,327 cases of smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeiting in the first two months of this year, the National Steering Committee for the Prevention and Control of Smuggling, Trade Fraud and Fake Commodities (also known as the 389 Committee) reported on Friday.

It said 304 cases were taken to court.

As many as 223,262 cases of violations were handled last year, up 8.23 per cent year-on-year, the committee said.

Administrative fines totaling over VN21.5 trillion (US$940 million), up nearly 60 per cent over 2015, were submitted to the State Budget.

Relevant authorities prosecuted 1,560 cases and 1,863 people involved.

am Thanh The, Chief of Office of the 389 Committee, said the smuggling of fake goods was getting more complicated as smugglers were using sophisticated techniques.

Despite several agencies co-operating with each other in cracking down on smuggling and other crimes, the results had not been as good as expected, he said.

Fake goods are still rampant (in the market) and criminals have become more and more artful, The added.

He said six separate agencies are responsible for preventing and fighting smuggling and trade fraud: customs, border police, police, tax authorities, maritime police and market management forces. However, fake goods continued to flood the market because of ineffective co-ordination among several agencies and law enforcement.

Apart from smuggling and trade fraud, there is a pressing need to fight the evils of corruption and moral degeneration. "Those who abuse their positions and power to sponsor crime should be dealt with strictly," The said,

In 2017, the 398 Committee will intensify its focus on clarifying responsibilities of heads of ministries, agencies and localities for letting smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit products happen in areas under their jurisdiction.

Those found not fulfilling their tasks or caught covering up illegal activities would be strictly punished, The said.

Any official caught facilitating serious and prolonged smuggling and other forms of crime, arousing public indignation, would be severely penalised, and even be charged with criminal liability.

In cases where there is insufficient direct evidence, but sufficient circumstantial evidence of collusion with criminals, all concerned officials would be transferred to other jobs, he added.

He said the 389 Steering Committee had directed its standing office to be available 24 hours on two hotlines 0981.389.389 and 0961.389.389 to receive any information and ideas as well as public petitions against smuggling activities.

Since the establishment of the hotline, the 389 Committee has received hundreds of reports of violations, of which 114 with adequate proof were transferred to competent authorities for further investigation.

This led to the seizure of 90,000 smuggled JET and HERO cigarettes without legal stamps in Tay Ninh province and the launching of an investigation into suspected smuggling of 21 containers with over 10 million packs of foreign cigarettes found at Quy Nhon Port in Binh inh Province.  VNS
NGHE AN  For generations, weaving has been important heritage of Thai people of Quy Chau District in northern Nghe An Province. Developed as the ancient peoples traditional art to make clothing, modern weaving has taken a new form as a collective production method to fight poverty and preserve cultural identity.

Local authorities have played an active role in preserving the heritage in recent years by starting a project to help Thai women with funding and knowledge to improve quality and build brands.

They have also been encouraged to set up co-operative units and exchange ideas to cut cost and make better products.

For many, the efforts have begun to pay off with the weaving art bringing in extra income for their families.

Nowadays, traditional Thai textile production in the district caters to locals demand and also offers tourists with quality, authentic and original products.  VNS
HA NOI  The participation of children in policy-making needs to be encouraged by families, schools and society, experts have advised.

Policy makers, researchers and representatives from social organisations and businesses gathered at a conference in Ha Noi on Thursday to discuss initiatives to promote childrens rights and their participation in the development of child-related policies.

It is essential to create a safe environment where children can voice their opinions, said Nguyen Phuong Linh, director of the Research Center for Management and Sustainable Development at the conference, while mentioning recently discovered child sexual abuse cases in the country.

"Most of the cases were discovered too late, she said. So it is really important that parents, schools and communities take time to listen and talk to children, making them comfortable to share their most intimate issues," she said.

The right for children to get involved in child-related issues has been included in chapter V of Viet Nams Law on Children, and so are the responsibilities of adults to create favourable conditions to encourage the actualisation of those rights.

The importance of adults involvement in childrens participation is illustrated in the matter of how to get children involved in policy-making workshops, said Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, head of the Child Care and Protection Department under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

Its just the mundane issues like whether children should take days off school in order to take part in the workshops  and the fact that their parents would have to take some time off work to take them there  that keep children out of the policy-making process, she said.

Some projects and models that aim at boosting childrens confidence to make decisions in daily life were presented at the conference by representatives from social organisations.

Duong Thuy Ly, project co-ordinator at the Live & Learn Environmental Education centre, stressed the importance of the co-ordination between families, schools and society in promoting the comprehensive development of children.

We shouldnt be doing those PTA meetings where head teachers and parents gather to talk about students anymore, she said. Students should also be invited to the meetings and be able to raise opinions on issues that affect them.

While acknowledging the efforts of projects from social organisations that have helped children be confident that their voices matter in policy-making, a representative from the Viet Nam Union of Science and Technology Associations said that families and schools are the closest foundations on which such confidence should be placed.

Instead of implementing projects outside of school that require a lot of effort from both children and project coordinators, the awareness-raising tactics should be integrated in the school environment in order to maximise their effects on children, he said.

At the conference, based on opinions and suggestions by experts, the social organisations working on childrens rights made commitments to promoting models and initiatives on childrens participation in policy-making, as well as establishing and expanding a working network for childrens rights.

They also made commitments to provide consultancy and technical support for the State on children-related issues, as well as helping the State to monitor and evaluate the quality of childrens participation in the policy-making process.  VNS
HCM CITY  Housing, meals, social and medical insurance and labour safety were the main topics of concern of more than 100 representatives of workers who met with HCM City Councils Standing Committee and business leaders on Thursday.

We know that Party Secretary inh La Thang is concerned about how to build social houses worth VN100 million (US$4,500) each like those built in Binh Duong Province. So, we want to know, when we will have this kind of house? Nguyen Thi Cam Ly, a worker from Khai Hoan Company, asked.

Ly said that many workers had moved to work in HCM City, but still could not afford to buy a house after many years.

I earn VN4.8 million ($210) each month. After spending, I can only save VN1 million ($45). Right now, housing prices in HCM City in the outskirts are at least VN1 billion ($45,000) each. How can we afford to buy a house? said Nguyen Thi Quyen, a worker at inh Cao Limited Company.

The chairwoman of the citys Peoples Council, Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam, asked Quyen if she had ever thought about long-term renting.

Most of us have to rent. If youre single, it can be affordable, but if we have a family, it takes half of our income, Quyen said.

Quyen said that most workers would like the city to support them in buying social housing.

Tran Trong Tuan, director of the citys Construction Department, said the city has over 40,000 accommodations for workers, which only meets 15 per cent of demand.

We estimate there are around 100,000 workers who have to live in slum accommodations, Tuan said.

He said the city was building 30 social housing projects with a total of 45,000 apartments, and, by 2020, 30,000 social housing units would be completed with varying prices, social conveniences and locations.

Tuan said the city was able to build a VN100 million ($4,500) social housing unit, but only if the city did not have to invest in land and infrastructure such as roads, electricity supply, water supply and trees.

The Construction Department has submitted sites to build social units worth VN100 million but such places should be close to industrial parks to serve workers, Tuan added.

Worker representatives also complained about the low-quality meals served at their companies.

We would like authorities to increase their inspections of food quality for workers and set up more mini-marts around industrial and processing zones, Bui Cam Tien of Thang Loi Ltd. company said.

In addition, workers said they needed schools and daycare for their children.

It is difficult for us to send our children to school nearby or to move them from our native province to HCM City, Phan Thi Lien, a worker from Viet Nam Fan Company, said.

Tam said the Construction Department would speed up social housing projects by reforming its administrative procedures.

She told officials in the departments of Education and Vocational Training, Healthcare and Social Insurance to ensure that workers received more information about government policies.

She also asked the citys Labour Union to work closely with the Food Safety Commission to supervise food quality in and around industrial and processing zones.  VNS
HCM CITY  A plan to better regulate the pork industry with identification rings at several stages has shown up glaring loopholes, but the city is determined to persist with the effort.

Although its only about two weeks since the plan began implementation, several problems have cropped up, a Tuoi Tre (Youth) report says.

The rings are supposed to help track the origin and journey of pork from the farm to the wholesale markets, from the wholesale markets to retail markets, and from retail markets to consumers.

Each pig at breeding farms will wear two yellow rings that contain an electronic stamp on their legs. The stamp will record information about the farms and the pigs growing process. Farmers are responsible for activating the QR code on the stamp to start recording the information.

When the pigs are out of the farm and delivered by traders to slaughterhouses, an orange ring will be attached to their containers, recording information about the traders and the containers.

When they arrive at the slaughterhouse, quarantine staff will check and attach the third ring (blue) to pigs that meet hygiene and food safety standards. Only the pigs with at least two rings on their legs will be eligible to enter the wholesale market.

However, several traders say they only attach the rings to the pigs after they get out of the slaughterhouse, not from the farms.

The report quotes Ngo Doanh of ong Nai Province as saying he cant track the farms where the pigs were raised though he has put 200 rings on the pigs himself. (The rings are sold to traders because not enough farmers have registered to be part of the initiative.)

Its hard. Each time, I have to collect pigs from dozens of households. I only put rings on the pigs after they leave the slaughterhouses, and have all been mixed up, so its impossible to tell which pig comes from where, he said.

Luc, a staff of the Nghia Hung slaughterhouse in Long An Province, said being able to distribute a large number of rings does not mean success in tracing their origins.

Distribution units once sold 60,000 rings in four days, he said. But the majority of traders buy the rings, put them on their pigs and take them away immediately without activating their QR codes.

I wonder how authorities can track the food origin with such loopholes, he said.

Tran Quang Thai, head of ong Nai Provinces Sub-department of Animal Health, said that tracing the pigs origin does not necessarily improve the porks quality.

Current regulations allow quarantine-certified, sealed containers of pork to enter the markets, so it is unfair and in defiance of regulations to ban the meat from entering the markets just because it lacks the rings, he said.

Nguyen Tri Cong, chairman of the ong Nai Livestock Association, said he was worried that the initiative would cause farmers more trouble, as it increases their costs. About VN6,000-7,000 (20-30 US cents) each has to be spent on buying the rings and VN30,000 ($1.3) for doing paperwork and procedures for each pig.

It is more urgent that the management of pig farms and their food resources is tightened, including imposing strict measures against the use of banned substances in raising poultry and livestock.

For the consumer

While acknowledging the initial obstacles, Nguyen Ngoc Hoa, deputy director of the HCM City Department of Industry and Trade, said that city is determined to implement the initiative.

However, he acknowledged that nearby localities are not obligated to do so.

It is ineffective to try to raise food quality by relying solely on farmers awareness and responsibility, he said. We need rules and regulations.

At the moment, the rings are being sold to traders since too few farmers registered to participate in the initiative, Hoa said. However, traders are required to put in names and addresses of farmers from whom they buy the pigs.

The city will rely on such information to track the pigs origin and persuade more farmers to participate, he said.

For the time being, the city will still allow pigs without rings to enter markets, to give localities time to adjust to the new regulations, he said, adding that fines will be imposed in the long term.

After the technology is applied well from farms to slaughterhouses, the city will implement it in the next stage, in the process of delivering the meat from wholesale markets to retail markets, Hoa said.

Only the pigs with rings will be allowed to leave the wholesale markets and enter retail markets, he added.  VNS
HA NOI  The second three-day National Press Festival, themed Vietnamese press develops together with the nations renewal, kicked off yesterday in Ha Noi with 470 news organizations in attendance.

Ho Quang Loi, vice chairman of the Viet Nam Journalist Association (VJA) said the festival aimed to praise the countrys achievements during its renewal process.

The event was also a chance to honour the national press and promote valuable journalism to the public, he said.

We see it as a lively convergence of the press and the public nationwide, he said.

The event was held after the success of the first national press festival last year. This year, many changes were made, he added.

The festivals scale was larger. Only 400 news organisations participated last year, but the number was 470 this year.

Last year, the event presented excellent press works, but this year, it also displayed modern equipment used by media outlets, he said.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Vu uc am, said the event offered a chance to bring the press closer to the public.

am also said each journalist should fight negative phenomena and set a good example in obeying laws and regulations.

The festival, set to finish on March 19, includes a forum discussing the morality of journalists in the digital era, a workshop honouring Journalist Luu Quy Ky and the Vietnamese Revolutionary Press, a photo exhibition named Nhung neo uong at nuoc (On every road of the country) and a meeting among news organisations, State managerial agencies and the public to exchange ideas.

The organising board will grant awards on March 19. This year, the organiser plans to award the best reporting on environmental issues in 2016.

Journalists morality in digital era

The rapid development of social networking sites was a challenge for traditional media, heard the forum discussing the morality of journalists in the digital era yesterday.

Therefore, journalists morality should be raised more than ever because journalists now face many temptations, for example, using clickbait headlines to gain more views from readers, or writing stories with information from social networking sites without fact-checking, participants said.

Tran Trong Dung, editor in chief of Cong an Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh (HCM City Public Security) online newspaper said each editor in chief should be a good example for their staff to follow moral principles of a journalist.

Trinh Quoc Dung, from the VJA said each journalist was required to put their professional skills and responsibility first so that they can report news in the most exact and quickest way.

A representative from Nguoi lam bao (The Journalist) Magazine said In the race between traditional media and social networking sites, traditional media have no choice but to build public trust.

This was because the the public has always demanded valuable and qualified journalism, he added. VNS
HA NOI  Avoiding paying social security fees and social security debt has continued to increase, said the Social Insurance Agencys Deputy Director General Pham Luong Son.

According to the agency, the number of employers that dont pay workers social insurance or health insurance has risen in the first two months of this year.

Non-payment of the obligations is a problem at State-owned, private and foreign-invested enterprises, Son said.

By the end of last year, total social security, health and unemployment insurance debt was VN7.58 trillion (US$336.8 million), equivalent to 3.2 per cent of the collection plan.

Of that, social security debt was VN6.55 trillion, unemployment insurance debt VN323 billion, and health insurance debt was VN705 billion.

The causes of the situation, according to Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Doan Mau Diep, was a lack of awareness from employers, few inspections from the State, weak punishments and labourers lacking knowledge of their rights to insurance.

The deputy minister said punishments for employers who avoid paying social security obligations have been applied, while the labour inspection force was urged to collect social insurance money.

Meanwhile, the Viet Nam Social Insurance Agencys Deputy Director General Pham Luong Son said this year, under the direction of the Government and insurance company, the agency would name and shame enterprises that were in social security debt.

By the end of February, the number of people participating in compulsory social insurance was 13 million, unemployment insurance 11.2 million, voluntary social insurance 225,000 and health insurance 76.1 million people.

In the first two months of 2017, the whole sector earned VN33.37 trillion, up VN7.53 trillion over the same period of last year.

Of which, compulsory social insurance was VN22.99 trillion, voluntary social insurance was VN130 billion, unemployment insurance was VN1.83 trillion and health insurance was VN8.42 trillion.  VNS
Good morning, Cedar Valley! It's Saturday, March 18, 2017.

Today's forecast: Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Northwest wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. North northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm.

Today in the Cedar Valley:

--- The UNI-Dome Antique and Vintage Market will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Cedar Falls. Admission is $8.

--- The Kids Dream Spring Film Series continues today at 10 a.m. with a showing of "The Wild Life" at Marcus Theatres in Waterloo.

--- A pancake fundraiser will be 5 to 8 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 301 First St. NW, Waverly. Wartburg College's Water to Thrive chapter will host the dinner. Freewill donations will be accepted. Proceeds will fund buildling clean water wells in rural African countries.

--- Union High School's production of "Anything Goes" will be 7 p.m. at the Jr./Sr. High School in La Porte City. Tickets are $5.

--- The Waterloo Black Hawks take on Chicago at 7 p.m. at Young Arena, 125 Commercial St., Waterloo. For tickets, call 291-7680 or go to www.waterlooblackhawks.com.

--- Independence High School's production of "Little Mermaid" will be 7:30 p.m. at the high school. Tickets are $10.
WATERLOO  U.S. Rep. Rod Blum, R-1st District, joined his Republican colleagues in advocating for the repeal and replacement of the federal health care reform known as Obamacare. But he says hes keeping an open mind about the actual Obamacare replacement legislation thats been proposed.

I didnt have a preconceived idea if Im voting yes or no. I actually wanted to see what the bill looked like, Blum said Friday. Im keeping an open mind about the bill, and well see what it ends up being.

Blum, who is in his second term, said aside from reading the legislation and keeping up on its changes, he also is hoping to hear from constituents about their thoughts on the proposed American Health Care Act.

He said hes already gotten plenty of phone calls and emails and has sent a survey to the more than 1,000 people on his email list. The survey also is on his website at https://blum.house.gov/health-care-survey.

Well be gathering those right up until we have a vote. Well be gathering up those responses, and my staff compiles them and Ill be looking at those every night, Blum said. I encourage people to go out there and give us their thoughts.

Blum said he expects the legislation to go through some changes before it is brought to the full U.S. House for a vote. He called it a work in progress.

The bill could come up for a vote as early as the end of next week, but Blum said a lot will depend on the changes that are made and whether they can lead to a majority of legislators supporting the proposal.

Ill only vote for the bill if I feel like its going to bring down insurance costs, Blum said. If I feel like were replacing Democrat overregulation in the marketplace with Republican overregulation in the marketplace, Ill buck my leadership and my party on it.

Blum said overall his position on repeal and replace has not changed. He wants to see a plan that increases competition in the insurance marketplace and helps people who cant afford health insurance, particularly through health savings accounts.

Blum is a member of the House Freedom Caucus that has been opposed to the American Health Care Act. But he stressed the group does not automatically follow leadership, and he will vote for whatever he thinks is best.

Its evolving and the president wants to make it better than the current House bill is what I have heard, so Im all for that, Blum said, adding that Republican President Donald Trump is a businessman and deal maker who is talking to various Republicans at the Capitol to work on improving the bill.

While Blum is continuing to take input through his offices and the survey, he said he has not yet found the time to schedule a town hall, though staff is working on it. He said hes not ducking the meetings with his constituents but rather has had a busy schedule in Congress.

He said he takes a long view and, recognizing hes little over two months into a two-year term, he has plenty of opportunities to hear from constituents yet during this term.

But he made clear it matters that constituents weigh in on the health care legislation.

Im listening. Im listening to the people in my district, and Im watching, Blum said.
DES MOINES  Many significant changes would be made to Iowas gun laws if a bill working its way through the Iowa Legislature gains sufficient approval in coming weeks.

Those charged with keeping the peace and enforcing Iowas laws say they have serious concerns regarding some portions of the wide-ranging proposal.

Many of Iowas county sheriffs, city police chiefs and county attorneys say their deepest concerns lie with two particular provisions:

One that would lessen an individuals burden to justify the use of lethal force in self-defense.

One that would allow Iowans to sue local governments that prohibit the possession of guns in public buildings, such as county courthouses.

Multiple sheriffs, police chiefs and county attorneys interviewed said they think much of the sweeping legislation would have little to no effect on their duties, and some pieces they supported.

But the so-called stand-your-ground provision and the notion of guns in courthouses and other public buildings give many law enforcement officials cause for concern.

Waterloo Police Chief Dan Trelka said hes received many questions about the bill and needs to look at it more closely to gauge the impact on his officers and the publics safety.

What I look at is, what impact is it going to have on the practitioners  the law enforcement officers, Trelka said. I see some good. I see some things that concern me. I need to digest this, look at this. I have some concerns about the impact this is going to have not just on our officers, but whats the best interests of the community.

Im a pro-gun guy, but Id like to see some changes on the shall issue (a gun permit) provisions of the existing law, Trelka said.

He described one situation in which Black Hawk County Sheriff Tony Thompson had to give a permit to a guy that had some yet-unidentified psychological issues. That created some safety concerns for our officers.

He and Thompson were able to address that situation and take care of it, Trelka said. The situation resulted in a committal for that individual.

But challenges like that arise, Trelka said, and he and Thompson have had good constructive dialogue on such matters.

Im big on cause and effect, Trelka said, and looking for unintended negative consequences of any such legislation.

I think sometimes our legislators are short-sighted in that regard, he said.

Trelka is a board member of the Iowa Association of Chiefs of Police and he was unaware if that organization, as yet, had taken a formal position on the bill.

Cedar Falls Police Chief Jeff Olson said those with a permit to carry a gun kind of always had that ability of self-defense without the extra stand-your-ground provision.

The new (bill), if you look at them from both sides, you kind of see some strengths and weaknesses, he said. I would hope that people wouldnt use that law as an excuse to go further than what they would need to do to defend themselves and their property.

Thompson is fine with provisions allowing usage on snowmobiles and ATVs and with keeping weapons permit records confidential. But hes worried stand-your-ground would shift the burden of proof from the shooter to the officer investigating the shooting.

Prove that I wasnt in fear for my life, says the gangster, says the drug dealer, Thompson said.

Hes also worried a provision allowing short-barreled rifles and shotguns puts his officers in danger.

I know the vest I wear will stop a small-caliber handgun, and I know that it will not stop a larger-caliber shotgun, he said.

Organizations representing the states peace officers, sheriffs and police all are registered as undecided on the bill. The organization representing the states county attorneys is registered in opposition to it.

Thompson doesnt think any opposition from anyone will ultimately matter. He said he has been talking with legislators about the bill every two weeks since it was brought up without changing minds.

This is the steamroller of inevitability  its gonna pass, Thompson said. Theyre sticking to their agenda and theyre executing their agenda. ... We do our best to give sound judgment to it, but Ive yet to see anyone heed any of that advice.

Stand-your-ground laws have been debated passionately and nationally, particularly in the wake of a 2012 incident in Florida in which a black teen was shot to death and the shooter was acquitted of murder after claiming self-defense under the states stand-your-ground law.

Iowa law enforcement officials, particularly county attorneys, said their concern is a stand-your-ground provision could make it difficult to prosecute shooting deaths.

Unfortunately, at least in Davenport, we have the exchange of gun fire on a frequent basis, and unfortunately people get killed. And our fear is the unintended consequence of this bill is going to make those types of cases difficult to prosecute, even if an innocent bystander were to be killed, Scott County Attorney Mike Walton said. It builds in a defense, because both sides are going to be able to say they were standing their ground. ...

Certainly, its going to be difficult to prove beyond a reasonable doubt who shot first. The law makes it difficult to prosecute. It builds in immunities.

Woodbury County Sheriff David Drew, like many others who have raised questions about the bill, said Iowa does not need a stand-your-ground provision because current state law already permits the use of lethal force in self-defense of ones home or vehicle. The proposal would expand that permission to anywhere.

I think stand-your-ground is a bad law. I agree with the attorneys, Drew said. I think what you can have is two people that are really of a criminal mindset say, I feared that guy, and he feared that guy, and were going back to the wild, Wild West.

Rep. Matt Windschitl is a Republican state legislator and gun shop owner from Missouri Valley and an advocate for reducing restrictions on gun ownership and use. He said stand-your-ground laws are designed to protect individuals from being prosecuted for acting in self-defense and such a protection should extend beyond the individuals home or vehicle.

Windschitl said the potential for more difficult prosecutions is outweighed by the expansion of protections for law-abiding gun owners.

May a sheriff or prosecuting attorney have to reach a new standard to prosecute? Under those rare instances when someone may claim stand-your-ground, yes, that may happen, Windschitl said. But I think the burden that may put on that prosecuting attorney far outweighs the burden upon an Iowan to have to try and run away from a very dangerous situation that endangers their life or safety or the life or safety of another. Were allowing Iowans the responsibility.

Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden and others said they also are worried a stand-your-ground law will lead to an increase in gun violence.

Floridas monthly homicide rate increased nearly 25 percent after implementation of its stand-your-ground law, according to a 2016 study conducted by a University of Oxford social policy professor published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

I believe the stand your ground law would embolden some to unnecessarily resort to deadly force and increase the likelihood of physical violence, Vander Sanden in an emailed statement.

Sheriffs and county attorneys said they also think any provision that makes it easier for individuals to bring guns into public places such as county courthouses is bad policy. They said emotions can run high in the courthouse and adding guns to that mix could be dangerous.

That would be a huge step backward for public safety, Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner said. Some of the most contentious occurrences happen in the courthouse.

Walton described prohibiting local governments from regulating firearms in courthouses as lunacy that puts the public and courthouse workers in danger.

People are facing bad consequences in the courthouse. They may be prosecuted for crimes, their family members, relatives may be prosecuted for crimes, there may be juvenile situations, domestic abuse, divorces. It just goes on and on, Walton said.

A courthouse is supposed to be a place where things are peaceably resolved. I think its a shame that the Legislature would put my staff and all the staff in the courthouse at risk with people with firearms. I dont know why they would do that.

The proposed legislation does not repeal any local ordinances that ban weapons in courthouses or other public buildings, and judges would retain authority to ban guns in the courtroom, Windschitl said.

Judges still have domain over their kingdom, Windschitl said. Theyre still the masters of their judicial branch.

The bill does permit individuals to petition the court if he or she feels adversely affected by a weapons ban. Creating that opening concerned many of those county law enforcement officials.

We have always been able to represent the courthouse as a safe place to victims and witnesses who are sometimes fearful about coming to testify in court, Vander Sanden said. If this legislation passed, it would subject counties across the state to lawsuits by those who believe they should have a right to bring firearms into county buildings.

Courier staffers Amie Steffeneicher and Pat Kinney contributed to this article.
For nearly two weeks now, President Donald Trump and his aides have floated a conspiracy theory involving President Barack Obama wiretapping then-candidate Trump's phone lines in his Manhattan office building.

Even now, as bipartisan agreement has emerged that no such thing happened, Trump has dug in, leaving Trump aides and allies fumbling for excuses and explanations -- like that spying microwaves are apparently a thing, according to White House counselor Kellyanne Conway.

Standing next to German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a Friday news conference, Trump showed that he was not ready to quit the wiretapping story, giving it another boost, even if it meant embarrassing a world leader.

"At least we have something in common, perhaps," Trump said, gesturing to Merkel, whose phone was once tapped by the National Security Agency.

Trump's embrace of conspiracy theories is, of course, not new.

He launched a kind of trial run for the White House in 2011 by embracing birtherism, laying the groundwork for his successful 2016 bid by aligning himself with the far right, talk radio wing of the GOP. Long after most had given up speculating about Obama's birthplace -- and years after Obama released his birth certificate -- Trump clung to the racially charged conspiracy theory, insisting that there were still more unanswered questions.

Now, it seems, Trump may have landed on a conspiracy theory that has equal staying power.

In fact, the contours of his recent Obama fixation have much in common with birtherism. With his wiretapping claims, Trump once again positions himself as the great unmasker of Obama, a fraudulent figure who isn't who he says he is -- or so the theory goes.

For Trump's base, Obama is the ready-made villain, now recast as the embodiment of the "deep state."

But with Congress, the press, (even Fox News hosts), and intelligence agencies all casting doubts on his claims, Trump is a man on an island, a familiar and comfortable place. As with birtherism, it's Trump against almost everybody, a vantage point that allows him to constantly be the embattled, populist outsider, even as he sits in the White House.

Key to his birtherism claims were constant promises of the big reveal. Investigators had been dispatched to Hawaii, Trump claimed. Once that approach grew thin, Trump's relationship to birtherism devolved into a constant cliffhanger, which is precisely where things stand now with the wiretapping claims.

Does Trump believe Obama wiretapped or spied on him more broadly at Trump Tower or anywhere?

For now, Trump seems happy to tell the country what he said for five years about Obama's origins: stay tuned. Let the countdown clock 'til the big reveal begin.
Advertisement

By West Kentucky Star Staff

Mar. 16, 2017 | PADUCAH, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Mar. 16, 2017 | 11:21 AM | PADUCAH, KY

The young woman who stole merchandise from a midtown Paducah business is facing charges Friday.



21-year-old Cynthia L. McKibben, of Paducah, came to the police department Thursday afternoon, according to Paducah Police PIO Robin Newberry, after her employer showed her the photographs that were shared by local news media and on social media.



McKibben allegedly admitted taking the items Wednesday morning, according to police, from Uniform Headquarters along the 200 block of Lone Oak Road.



Officers obtained a summons Friday morning charging McKibben with theft by unlawful taking (less than $500).







Previous Story:





Police are asking for help identifying a suspect related to theft from a Paducah business.



According to the Paducah Police Department, the thefts were reported late Wednesday morning. The owner of Uniform Headquarters told police a woman came into the store and chose a bag from a sales display. The woman reportedly used it to conceal an undetermined number of scrub tops and pants, then walked out of the store and fled the scene with the merchandise.



A white woman with brown hair was captured on surveillance video wearing blue jeans, boots and a camouflage hoodie. Anyone who recognizes this woman or has information related to the reported crime should contact Paducah Police at 270-444-8550 or call CrimeStoppers at 270-443-TELL. Tipsters also may access the online tip form through the City of Paducah website at http://paducahky.gov/west-ky-crime-stoppers.



Information leading to an arrest or indictment may result in a reward of up to $1,000.
Want to know a good recipe for tons of different bird species? Mix high mountains with abundant water, add warm stable temperatures, throw in a pinch of dry areas, and blend it in a place where different evolutionary lineages meet. The end result is southern Central America and in terms of birds, we get a bonanza of literally hundreds of bird species in a pretty small place.

Whether volcanic, tectonic, or both, the mountains are a vital part of the species equation. The slopes catch or prevent water from falling and thus produce conditions for different habitats and continue with habitat generation by lifting land to different elevations with accompanying cooler temperatures. Microhabitats also come out of this situation for an extra dose of biodiversity, including transition zones that have their own suites of adapted birds. One of those transition areas is my favorite habitat in Costa Rica because it blends the richness of lowland avifauna with some aspects of the highlands along with a local set of restricted bird species. Although the prospect of rare and little known birds is always a draw, the slightly cooler temperatures and dripping mossy vegetation of foothill forests likewise make them an attractive place to visit, and in Costa Rica, another bonus comes into play for birding foothill forests. While steep slopes and heavy rains make these interesting transition areas tough to access in many other parts of the globe, the rare combination of good roads and protected areas makes them one of the easier places to access when visiting Costa Rica.

Its always exciting to go birding in foothill rainforest!

The foothill forests are on the Caribbean or Atlantic slope are especially easy to reach and include such hotspots and well known sites as Rancho Naturalista, the Arenal Volcano area, Virgen del Socorro, and Braulio Carrillo National Park. Located less than an hours drive from San Jose, this latter spot also offers some of the most exciting and accessible birding near the capital of Costa Rica. After escaping the vehicular congestion of the Central Valley, just stay on Route 32 and you will quickly find yourself driving through the cloud forests of Braulio Carrillo. Sadly, there arent any trails or pull-offs to explore the upper elevations but once you reach the foothills, there are a few spots to see some serious avian gems. These are the birds that can be hard to find in other habitats, and as implied, are also pretty easy on the eye. Some of the highlights include the following beauties:

Snowcap

Like a rare living garnet, or a chocolate-burgundy truffle topped with ultraviolet, glow in the dark icing, this hummingbird is always unreal.

Black-crested Coquette

Yep, another unreal hummingbird. Tiny and exquisite, it looks like a finely crafted, flying bit of emerald and burnished gold.

Red-headed Barbet

Bold and with bright colors, look for this fancy bird in mixed flocks and at fruiting trees. That sort of goes for most birds in the foothills.

Lattice-tailed Trogon

This rare, glittering species is royalty of the foothill forests. Like a picky, feathered aristocrat, it refuses to live in second growth or any forests that are not mature, nor found outside of a band between 500 and 800 meters.

Emerald Tanager

Much more common than the trogon, this emerald green bird with onyx highlights even comes to feeders in a few places!

Black-and-yellow Tanager

Another common, signature tanager species of foothill forests, the Black-and-yellow looks kind of like a Prothonotary than tried to be an oriole. It calls often, is usually in the canopy, and looks like a meeting of yellow beryl, topaz, and jet.

Dull-mantled Antbird

Ok, I couldnt resist throwing an antbird in there, and one that has dull in the name doesnt exactly evoke visions of jewelry stores or hordes of dragon treasure. Not to mention, dull being superfluous when it comes to descriptions of antbirds. But, take a closer look and you can at least see a ruby red eye on this foothill specialist.

In common with the mineral version of gems, you have to invest some time in the right places to find them. The search will require some careful prospecting of tall, mossy canopies, walking trails through humid, dense rainforest, and being quick with the bins when a mixed flock comes blasting through your field of view. Despite hardships, though, its hard to think of better ways to spend ones time than searching for avian treasures in beautiful surroundings. And isnt that why we bird anyways?
COLUMBUS  Fun items for both kids and adults were on sale Friday at Columbus Community Hospital.

Collective Goods, a philanthropic company based in Louisville, Colorado, was selling its wares in the third-floor conference room of the local hospital to aid the CCH volunteers.

The sale featured various types of books, ranging from childrens to adult, along with stuffed animals, games and other gift items.

Collective Goods recently changed its name from Books Are Fun to reflect the variety of items it offers, according to owner Hector Centeno.

(The new name) better reflects what we do, Centeno said. We carry everything under the roof. We usually come here (to the hospital) twice a year.

Centeno said 10 percent of the sales will go back to the hospital. Proceeds go into a fund that is used to help pay for medical equipment and program advancement purchases for CCH.

Money from events such as this was recently used to purchase a 3-D breast tomosynthesis machine for mammograms.
COLUMBUS  Cathy Tierney was living in fear.

She finished her treatment for breast cancer, but still couldnt shake the thought that the disease might return. It wasnt so much a concern for herself, but for her family.

The cancer experience changes everything. I had completed my treatment. I had chemotherapy and surgery, but I didnt feel well. I had a fear that it was going to come back, and I couldnt get past it, Tierney said.

She wanted to get back to where she was before her diagnosis in the spring of 2013, both emotionally and physically. Following a friend's suggestion, she tried hypnosis.

The experience, she said, literally changed her life.

I had no fear of the cancer coming back, Tierney said of her mindset after undergoing hypnotherapy in Omaha.

The difference it made in her life led her to become a certified hypnotherapist. She wants to help others through her business, Abundant Health & Hypnosis, which she started about a year ago.

Tierney is a registered nurse with a masters degree. She taught for 10 years at Central Community College-Columbus and currently teaches at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing Northern Division in Norfolk.

Hypnosis is complementary medicine, Tierney said, and something health care providers are becoming more open to.

I dont diagnose or treat any medical condition, but this is a therapy you can use in conjunction with what you are working on with your counselor, your health care provider, your primary provider, she said.

Hypnosis can be used to help people control their weight, stop smoking, manage stress, resolve fears and address other issues.

Tierney said hypnosis isnt for everyone, and she is upfront about that with potential clients.

If you think it wont work, it wont work, she said, adding that the person has to have the want and desire to make the change.

A free initial consultation helps determine if hypnosis might work. If so, one to four sessions typically follow.

During a session, clients can sit in a recliner at her 3763 39th Ave. business. The lights are dimmed while soothing music plays to help them relax.

Tierney said hypnosis is a very-relaxed state that opens a persons subconscious to suggestions and changes. She likens the experience to cleaning out files on a computer.

Your mind is like a computer with all kinds of files in there. Essentially, you tell me what files you dont want anymore that are no longer serving you, and we replace them with things that you want. If you want to be happier and feel less stress, that is the goal for the session, she said.

Tierney is certified through the International Association of Counselors and Therapists.

Appointments can be made by calling 402-276-2966.
Why this microscopic mussel poses a problem to South Dakota

Some say the issue could be chalked up to boaters following regulations, but the issue is more complex than that.
Lekki Lagos, February 1st 2019. Rilla Web Hosting, one of the top players in domain registration and web hosting has announces its full ...
There. That headline will torment Mr. Barry Barnett on his Google searches for a good long time. Are you tired of kids with autism getting the short end of the stick? Read this story.... Mr. Barry Barnett is the head of Barnett Management, of Beachwood, Ohio. Barnett Management runs a neighborhood association for MEADOW LAKES in North Ridgeville, Ohio. Mr. Barnett is trying make a mother who has cerebral palsy take down her autistic son's swingset because "play apparatus" is not allowed in the neighborhood according to the association rules. Mom had gotten a verbal "go ahead" from a previous board. Mom is unable to drive her son to the park.

Barry Barnett, the managing agent for the association, said the Chapeks live in a part of the subdivision that has property restrictions.

"One of the restrictions, as it clearly states in the documents, is play apparatus not permitted," Barnett said.

Let's help out another autism Mom as only we can. You can go into Mr. Barnett's Meadow Lakes association website HERE. And you can email Barry RIGHT HERE. Or if you have free long distance..... 216-831-0165.

Read the full article HERE.
I shared Dan and Mark's passion about the origin of AUTISM. MERCURY, both environmentally and in pharmaceuticals, like VACCINES, has been, and continues to be a significant culprit in the damage being seen in both the BRAIN and the MICROBIOME .

I didn't understand why this "lumberjack guy" was talking to all of us parents about trees, Lignasan, and ethylmercury. My daughter became sickly and regressed in skills after vaccines -- many with the vaccine mercury called thimerosal. Bacterial and viral infections were then to be constant unwanted parasites in her life as her immune system took a direct hit. Meg was diagnosed with autism shortly after and just recently has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. Dan seemed to me to be on the wrong trail. It took me a while to connect the research and see that these clues Dan, along with Mark Blaxill, had been discussing and writing about for quite some time were the first "puzzle" pieces to Autism.

It was a very warm, September night in 2008, when I first met with Dan Olmsted. I had first seen Dan in a large auditorium at an autism conference a few years earlier. He had been up on the stage in a plaid shirt, talking about mercury, seeds, and Ceresan. With glasses and a laid back way about him, he seemed like Richard Dreyfuss as Hooper in Jaws, ready, willing, and able to take on Autism's menacing monster -- MERCURY.

Dan Olmsted was a hero to me and so many others who have children and young adults diagnosed as, "AUTISTIC." His Columbo investigations about the FIRST CASES of Autism, convinced me, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that there was an epicenter to Autism and exposure to certain toxins -- Mercury and Vaccines -- seemed to be a huge trigger to increasing numbers of children being diagnosed. The search for cause and then treatments became a passion of mine, as well. Dan's support and frequent emails helped me through many a rough day, as well as his encouraging me to keep on investigating how Megan, and so many others who regressed into Autism, became so ill. Dan told me how much he was learning about the MICROBIOME from all of the articles I had posted over these past years on Age of Autism and told me -- "keep going as nobody is tying it together like you." He cut out an article from the NYT when they were finally mentioning "viral and bacterial issues of the gut" and gave it to me one night at dinner. I have it on my fridge always as a pledge of not giving up on the research (or Megan and so many others!) and also of how motivating an influence Dan was in my life. I could not attend Dan's Memorial today in Virginia but wanted to share how fortunate I was to know Dan and be involved in the investigations regarding the Age of Autism:

I was lucky to be invited into some of the before and after research that both Dan and Mark were investigating in their groundbreaking book, The Age of Autism: Mercury, Medicine, and a Man-made Epidemic. I was able to find "Barbara" [Barbara's father is a prominent psychiatrist] and "Virginia," [Virginia, the younger of two siblings, was the daughter of a psychiatrist] two of the three girls that Dr. Leo Kanner included in his original eleven patients, all children born in the 1930's. Dan mailed me all 467 pages of the 1941 American Psychiatric Association's, Fellows and Members Biographical Directory. He, Mark and I would have many emails and conversations about potential psychiatrist, father candidates for Barbara (real name Bridget Muncie) and Virginia (real name Vivian Murdock). Ironically, in years of searching and of all the hundreds of psychiatrists in those 467 pages, Wendell S. Muncie was on page 295 and inches away, on page 296, was Harry M. Murdock.

I jump on Ancestry still, looking for "Elaine." Finding these first-ever, diagnosed children is important to me. There were hundreds of emails about those, "11 Kanner Kids," that I exchanged with Dan and Mark over the years. Our search for them often felt like a rescue mission, as for many of them, their existence became a trail of group homes and state mental hospitals .

Dan's passion in establishing The Age of Autism was also out of compassion for so many ill children -- children with damaged immune systems; violent seizures; painful gastrointestinal disease; excruciating obsessions and compulsions; life-threatening allergies; self-injurious behaviors; and the devastating inability to communicate (SPEAK) -- My daughter, Megan, is one of them, severely affected. I remember Dan coming in to Chicago and meeting him for dinner about six years ago. Megan had begun to have severe catamenial seizures, aggression, and self-injurious behavior. We were investigating medically with doctors and labs, to see what was happening to cause the behaviors. I was hardly getting any sleep, missing work, and so very worried about Megan. Dan sat across from me, tears filling his eyes, as I tried to explain our very hard life. He was always a good listener and a good friend. I need to add that Meg is better now, seizure-free almost 2 years and agitation and pain much less in her life. The reason - our focus on her MICROBIOME!

Another thing Dan was exquisitely good at was pointing out those who had a piece in causing and denying the growing epidemic cases - here is a sample of Dan's writing (some co-written with Mark Blaxill, too) on that topic and links to longer articles:

That truth, as you know, is that autism is the defining disorder of our age, man-made and thus treatable and preventable. It is made, largely, by a reckless and bloated vaccine schedule that has long since passed the risk-reward point, wherever that might be, and is wreaking all kinds of havoc. So the epidemic is real, the causes are clear, the remedy we embrace is investigating and telling the truth and bringing like-minded people to a common platform.....

...The Age of Autism will be wide-open and transparent in its reporting and commentary on causes and treatments; I am beholden to no individual, organization or fixed point of view. My commitment is to in-depth reporting. I am not a social worker or an autism parent, I'm a journalist drawn to what I called, in my last UPI column, "the story of a lifetime." Based on my own work, I do believe mercury  including the horrendously neurotoxic ethyl mercury in vaccines  is clearly implicated in the rise of autism, and that its continued use in flu shots for children and pregnant women is catastrophic......

...If someone asked what our goal is, I guess Id say its to rally the troops  those who know what is going on and need some reinforcement and sense of community. Thats why I sometimes think of us as the pirate radio station of the rebel alliance, broadcasting every day to those in the fight. Some might call that preaching to the choir, but thats OK, to my mind. As more people, sadly, learn the truth first-hand, they will find their way to us.Others can blast away at us -- it's good for our circulation! There are some vaccine injury deniers out there who would pretty much be rendered mute without us to give them something to spew about.

Our other goal, Id say, is to hasten the day of reckoning  and to make sure it finally comes.....

Voting Himself Rich: CDC Vaccine Adviser Made $29 Million Or More After Using Role to Create Market

An Elaborate Fraud, Part 8: In Which The British Medical Journal Tries to Debunk a Clear-Cut Case of Regressive Autism

Olmsted on Autism: ABC, NYT and the Verification of Truth

OLMSTED ON AUTISM: CDC triggers measles outbreak

Dan Olmsted: The Amish All Over Again

......We'll follow the truth wherever it leads, and we hope you'll come along with us and, if you can manage it, donate to The Age of Autism and help us pursue this story. Fasten your seat belts  it's going to be a bumpy ride...

Eloquent and correct were these words from Dan and they will live on always. Our hero and friend will always be here with us.

Teresa Conrick is Contributing Editor for Age of Autism.
OMAHA  It's the end of an era for three Columbus High School graduates.

University of Nebraska Medical Center students Katie Irby, James Trenhaile and Daniel Kuehler will head their separate ways in May after being classmates over the past 15 years.

The three 26-year-olds all attended Columbus Middle School, Columbus High School and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln before medical school.

We all took separate paths, but we took the same route I guess, Trenhaile said.

The end of their run together was announced Friday when they learned where their residency assignments will be.

Irby, studying pediatric medicine, is heading to the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City for four years while Trenhaile, also in pediatric medicine, is going to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois, for four years and Kuehler, studying to be a surgeon, will go to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, Pennsylvania, for five years.

Itll be weird not to be together next year, Irby said.

Health care fascinated all three students from a young age, but they never planned to stick together for this long.

We didnt intend to go to UNMC together, but thats where we all ended up, Irby said.

Theyve come a long ways since their middle school days, when Trenhaile and Kuehler played flashlight tag together along Second Street and Kuehler and Irby performed together in the band.

Their paths kept crossing as they were connected through classes, marching band, cross country and swimming during high school.

That continued at UNL, where the same familiar faces kept popping up among the 25,000 or so students attending the university.

Kuehler said everyone has to find their group of friends in school, some of his just never changed.

It was kind of nice to have them to talk about class or life with, Kuehler said.

When their senior year at UNL came around, it wasn't much of a surprise that they all applied to UNMC and all three were accepted.

Its been nice having someone from home to always fall back on, Irby said.

It was always nice talking with each other about the community gossip, Trenhaile added. It was kind of a stress-relief to have each other.

The CHS graduates have another connection since their families know each other and are friends.

They keep each other informed about us. Sometimes Ill get updates about Dan from my dad before I get them from Dan, Irby joked.

Although their paths were always heading in the same direction, they never shared the same road. The group didn't carpool for trips back to Columbus or live together in Lincoln.

We all fight like were brother and sister, Trenhaile joked.

They've even pinned down each other's personalities. Irby is the dependable one, described as the mom of the group, Trenhaile is sincere and genuine and Kuehler is the relaxed one the others turn to in stressful situations.

Their career goals are also slightly different.

Trenhaile and Irby want to practice medicine somewhere in the Midwest while Kuehler is looking to land in a bigger city elsewhere.

Three other Columbus-area students will also be graduating from UNMC in May.

Cody Bonk of Columbus will graduate with a degree in emergency medicine. He is heading to the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee for his residency.

Emily Maguire of David City will complete her residency in psychiatry at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Craig Baumgart of Humphrey will graduate from UNMC with a degree in internal medicine and primary care. His residency is at the medical center in Omaha.
New research is turning on its head the idea that legacy systems -- such as Cobol and Fortran -- are more secure because hackers are unfamiliar with the technology.

New research found that these outdated systems, which may not be encrypted or even documented, were more susceptible to threats.

By analyzing publicly available federal spending and security breach data, the researchers found that a 1% increase in the share of new IT development spending is associated with a 5% decrease in security breaches.

"In other words, federal agencies that spend more in maintenance of legacy systems experience more frequent security incidents, a result that contradicts a widespread notion that legacy systems are more secure," the paper found. The research paper was written by Min-Seok Pang, an assistant professor of management information systems at Temple University, and Huseyin Tanriverdi, an associate professor in the Information, Risk and Operations Department at the University of Texas at Austin.

"Maybe the conventional wisdom that legacy systems are secure could be right," said Pang, in an interview. But the integration of these systems "make the whole enterprise architecture too complex, too messy" and less secure, he said.

Federal agencies have seen a rapid increase in security incidents, the paper points out, citing federal data assembled by the Government Accountability Office. From 2006 through 2014, the number of reported security incidents increased by more than 1,100 percent, or from 5,503 to 67,168. An incident can cover a range of activities, such as a denial of service, successfully executed malicious code, and breaches that give intruders access.

[ To comment on this story, visit Computerworld's Facebook page. ]

One of the largest federal system breaches occurred in 2015, when hackers gained access to some 18 million records at the Office of Personnel Management.

Tony Scott, the former federal CIO under President Barack Obama, told lawmakers at a hearing last year that nearly three quarters of IT budgets are spent maintaining legacy systems.

"These systems often pose significant security risks, such as the inability to utilize current security best practices, including data encryption and multi-factor authentication, which make them particularly vulnerable to malicious cyber activity," Scott said.

The U.S., overall, has more than 3,400 IT professionals employed to maintain legacy programming languages, a U.S. House committee was told after the OPM breach.

If the federal government doesn't modernize its systems, Pang said it may see more large breaches similar to the OPM hack.

In the absence of modernization, Pang said that effective IT governance "mitigates security risks of the legacy systems." It also recommended moving systems to the cloud.

Pang said the government needs to pass the Modernizing Government Technology Act. That legislation, which was approved by the House last year, would have boosted IT spending by about $9 billion from 2017 to 2021 had it reached the president's desk.

This story, "Cobol plays major role in U.S. government breaches" was originally published by Computerworld .
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. Near record high temperatures. High 79F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low 62F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.
Do you "like"? Do you "tweet"? Do you tube? Does your business do any or all of these things and, if so, does it really ...
Aroon Purie, Chairman The India Today Group

The biggest obstacle to India's growth is its slothful, unresponsive, wasteful bureaucracy. It is the delivering arm of any government. However great government plans are and, however noble its intention, it is likely to get lost or at best diluted in our bureaucratic maze... We don't need to cut the red tape--we need to throw away the tape most of the time.
Advocates for the arts in Alabama say that, regardless of what happens on a national level, support in state remains strong.

That's after this week's first federal budget outline from the Trump Administration, which proposes slashing a host of agencies, including the National Endowment for the Arts.

Established in 1965, the NEA provides grants in a range of disciplines, including education, dance, folk and traditional arts, music and theater.

Al Head, executive director of the Alabama State Council on the Arts, said the proposal wasn't a surprise, but that "there's a long way to go with the budget process."

"There's a lot of optimism that Congress will recognize the importance of the NEA, and will come to a position of sustained funding," Head said.

Alabama gets about $775,000 each year from the NEA, which is then given in grants to other arts organizations, big and small, throughout the state, Head said. Those organizations include the Alabama Symphony, Alabama Public Television, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and others.

Though critics of the NEA say it has occasionally funded controversial art projects over the years, the majority of its work has been positive, he said.

"They make tens of thousands of grants around the country, and 99 percent have been of the most positive and uplifting kind," he said. "For example, if you're talking about arts programs that are reaching kids in poor neighborhoods. It's done a world of good and has created an economic stimulus and found a match from the private sector."

What Head alluded to was a 2012 study by Southern Arts Research, which found that arts in Alabama accounts for about five percent of the state's economy. Around 5,000 creative industries employ more than 70,000 people, generating $9 billion in revenue, as well as $2 billion in wages.

That's more than just museums. That's jewelry makers, performers, printers, publishing, design and many other disciplines.

Jeanie Thompson, executive director of the Alabama Writer's Forum, said many of these individual categories aren't often recognized as encompassing the arts.

"You look down into the numbers and you see," she said. "It's just like little startups and auto plants and biomedical firms. All of these matter, not just in terms of the economics but also in what they mean to the quality of life in our communities."

Head said the arts also matter in terms of economic development, as they affect the quality of a community's education and in terms of making desirable communities where business - the business of life - happens.

Regardless of what occurs at the federal level, state support for the arts remains strong, he said. Alabama currently appropriates $4.7 million for the Council on the Arts, which gives Alabama a higher per capita support for the arts than California, Thompson said.

That money is also spread out among more than 200 organizations, community art festivals, performances, special events and other initiatives.

"Alabamians can be encouraged by the fact that for years our state has supported the arts," Thompson said.
Here are the top business stories on AL.com for Friday, March 17, 2017. Follow all of Alabama's business news here anytime.

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is celebrating 47 years of educating America and the world about NASA and the U.S. Space program.

Madison Hospital, which celebrated its fifth birthday in February, plans to add 30 beds to its U.S. 72 facility. The more than $5 million project will break ground this summer and bring the total number of beds at Madison to 90.

JC Penney is fighting for its life and closing 138 stores nationwide including stores in Auburn, Bessemer, Jasper and Gadsden.

Birmingham Museum of Art's director of more than two decades will retire this fall. Gail Andrews, a California native, has worked at the museum for more than 40 years in total.

Team One Toyota of Gadsden held the grand opening of its new dealership this week. The new facility, located at 927 West Grand Ave. in Rainbow City, sits on seven acres neighboring its original location.

The Regional Alabama Launchpad program is off to a good start, organizers say, and they want to take it to other parts of Alabama. The program, from the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, is a way to identify and encourage entrepreneurs throughout the state.

Visit Anders Hardware in Northport, and you can still see reminders of the store's beginnings back in 1909. Metal hooks that once hung galvanized buckets and well buckets hang from the ceiling, now supporting gas cans. Employees still use the long metal hook to pull down merchandise.
Authorities said three University of Alabama students were arrested for drug and alcohol possession during spring break this week in Destin.

Jacob Annan (left) Bradley Thomson

The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office said students Bradley Thomson, 18, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina and Jacob Annan, 19, of Flagstaff, Arizona were caught with narcotics, marijuana and alcohol during a security check on a boat anchored at Destin's Norriego Point on Wednesday, authorities said. Two females were also on the boat with the students.

A deputy smelled the strong odor of marijuana coming from a bong Thomson was reportedly holding. Thomson was also trying to hide a black and silver lockbox, which contained an assortment of narcotics in baggies with labels listing types and prices, the sheriff's office said. Deputies found 24 cans of Bud Light in Annan's backpack.

Electronic scales, more alcohol and fake driver's licenses were also found on the boat, deputies said.

Thomson was charged with possession of controlled substances with the intent to distribute. Those drugs included alprazolam, cocaine, and amphetamine. He was also charged with possession of marijuana THC extract with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a fraudulent driver's license.

Annan was charged with underage possession of alcohol and possession of a fake driver's license.

The two females did not face any charges.

During a separate incident on March 11, student Alden Whiteside, 19, of Fairhope, was pulled over for driving recklessly in his black Ford F-150 on Interstate 10. According to an arrest report, Whiteside gave deputies a driver's license with a "clearly altered" date to make it appear that Whiteside was born on Feb. 27, 1993. When deputies confronted Whiteside about the ID, the student said it was just dirty. He later admitted that he was born in 1998 and that he was on his way to Destin.

During a search of his vehicle, authorities found seven cases of Natural Light beer in Whiteside's truck and marijuana in a center console.

If you're only 19 years old and heading to Spring Break in Destin with seven 30 pack cases of beer in your truck,... Posted by Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office on Friday, March 17, 2017

Whiteside was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and possession of alcohol by someone under 21 years of age, both misdemeanors.
Prosecutors plan to use a private investigator's report on an alleged affair between suspended Jefferson County District Attorney Charles Todd Henderson and a woman whose daughter he once represented as guardian ad litem in a divorce case.

The Attorney General's Office, which says it is ready for a trial, last week placed, as a trial exhibit, into court records a Jan. 11 report submitted by the Comprehensive Investigative Group.

The private investigations firm had been hired by Charbel Akl to "determine if elements and activities exist that identify an extra-marital relationship" between his wife Yareima Akl and Charles Todd Henderson."

Based on investigative and surveillance efforts beginning July 17, 2016 through the date of the report "I find activities consistent with an extra-marital relationhip between Yareima Akl and Charles Todd Henderson," an investigator wrote.

The report details Henderson's visits to Yareima Akl's apartment, including apparent overnight stays.

PI Surveillance by KentFaulk on Scribd

One of Henderson's attorneys, Clayton Tartt, declined comment Saturday on the investigators' report and the Attorney General's responses to their motions.

The Jan. 13 perjury indictment by the special grand jury alleges that Henderson at a Sept. 26 hearing before Circuit Judge Patricia Stephens in the divorce case of Charbel Akl v. Yareima Carmen Valecillos Akl "did... swear falsely and such false statement was material to the proceeding in which they were made."

According to a transcript of Henderson's testimony in the case obtained by AL.com, here is the section that prosecutors appear to be focusing on regarding questions posed by Virginia Meigs, an attorney for Mr. Akl:

MEIGS: Okay. Now, since she has been campaigning for you, has there been a time where you have spent the night at her apartment?

HENDERSON: No.

MEIGS: No?

HENDERSON: No.

Meigs previously told AL.com they already had private investigator reports by the time Henderson took the witness stand.

James Parkman, another of the attorneys representing Henderson, has said Henderson was asked questions about his relationship with the wife in the divorce that were "fuzzy" at best and that Henderson gave the appropriate answers. He said Henderson thought the question meant whether he had a relationship with Mrs. Akl during the time he was guardian for her daughter.

Parkman had said Henderson and Akl didn't "hook up" romantically until July.

Henderson's attorneys have called the prosecution politically motivated because Henderson, a Democrat, defeated longtime Republican Jefferson County District Attorney Brandon Falls in the general election. The indictment - and suspension - came the week before Henderson was to take office. Deputy D.A. Danny Carr was appointed D.A. pro-tem.

Court records show Henderson had been appointed guardian ad litem in the Akl's divorce case (at the request of Mrs. Akl) in January 2016 to represent the interests of the couple's child. But in May he was removed as GAL after allegations that he was biased against the father and the mother was working on Henderson's campaign.

Around the time Henderson was removed, Mr. Akl filed a bar association complaint against Henderson for his wife's involvement in his campaign. A bar complaint is still pending. Henderson could be removed from office if he were convicted of the perjury charge or if he were to have his law license suspended by the State Bar.

Chilton County Circuit Judge Sibley G. Reynolds is presiding over Henderson's case after Jefferson County judges recused themselves.

Henderson has denied the allegations and has pleaded not guilty.

Dismissal request

Henderson's attorneys recently asked Reynolds dismiss the indictment because they say it does not specify the exact questions and responses Henderson gave that prompted the perjury charge. Alabama law and previous court rulings state that an indictment must specify the alleged conduct so the defendant can prepare a defense if one is available, the motion states.

The Attorney General's Office, however, told Reynolds in a reply last week that he shouldn't dismiss Henderson's indictment.

"In summary, the indictment's legally sufficient facts--the date, court, and case in which Henderson testified falsely--protect his right against Double Jeopardy," according to the response.

Speedy Trial

The Attorney General's Office also responded last week to Henderson's request for a speedy trial. While he has a constitutional right to a speedy trial Alabama law does not define what that means.

For the most part, the Attorney General agrees with Henderson's request for a speedy trial, according to the Attorney General's response. "Certainly, every criminal defendant has a constitutional right to a speedy trial," the AG's response states.

"But to the extent that Henderson is arguing for an expedited trial date because he was elected District Attorney of Jefferson County, the State objects," the Attorney General states. "Undoubtedly, there are criminal defendants in Jefferson County who have been awaiting their trials for much longer than Henderson has at this point. The State objects to any implicit assertion that Henderson's case is more important than another defendant's simply by virtue of his status as a public official."

But the Attorney General went on to say "with that said, the state is ready for trial."
Inside Tutwiler Prison

A guard stands in the medical clinic Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, during a tour of Julia Tutwiler Prison For Women in Wetumpka, Ala. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

(Julie Bennett)

The National Labor Relations Board is investigating a sweeping social media policy instituted Dec. 1 by the Alabama Department of Corrections.

The new regulation has raised concerns about employees' free speech rights because it imposes broad limits on what they can post on social media platforms.

The policy is now under federal investigation after an employee filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board in January alleging that it violates the National Labor Relations Act.

"Within the previous six months, the Employer has interfered with, restrained, and coerced its employees in the exercise of rights protected by Section 7 of the Act by maintaining work rules that prohibit employees from discussing wages, hours or other terms or conditions of employment," the employee wrote in the complaint.

Beauford D. Pines, a field attorney with the National Labor Relations Board's regional office in New Orleans, confirmed that an investigation is underway.

"If a charge is filed our office looks into it. We don't solicit charges but once a charge has been filed with our office we have to investigate it to see whether it has any merit," he said. "I cannot discuss the specifics of the case. The case is still open."

The federal agency confirmed Friday that it is still processing AL.com's request for documents related to the case filed Feb. 21 under the Freedom Of Information Act.

The new regulation does not sit well with a Department of Corrections (DOC) employee who spoke with AL.com on condition of anonymity.

"It was basically an effort to shut everyone up," the employee, who is concerned that the policy may infringe DOC workers' free speech protections under the First Amendment, said. "The policy oversteps too far into the personal lives of employees and their activities online outside of work."

Bob Horton, a spokesman for the DOC, countered that assertion in an email to AL.com.

"The ADOC stands by the policy and disagrees with the claim that it violates a person's First Amendment rights," he said.

But the employee's concerns are echoed by Lee Tien, a senior staff attorney and Adams Chair for Internet Rights at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a San Francisco nonprofit that advocates for digital rights. He said via email that "[s]ome of the ADOC rules" in the portion of the regulation that deals with employees "acting in a private capacity using private resources ... probably go too far from a First Amendment perspective."

Tien expanded on that claim by explaining that "the [government] is limited by the Constitution in setting conditions for employment. Very roughly, it can't end-run the First Amendment just by saying, 'these are conditions of working here.'"

If a government employee is speaking as a citizen about "a matter of public concern," Lien said, that is considered protected speech. But that protection does not apply to speech that does not concern the public.

"So if an ADOC employee learns of corruption in the ADOC, and speaks about it publicly, or in her [Facebook] group, that's probably of public concern," Lien said. "The Supreme Court has often said that exposing corruption is an important factor in favor of protecting the speech. But suppose the ADOC employee is about a personal squabble in the office, probably not of public concern."

As such, much of what DOC employees say about the department on social media may not be considered protected speech. But by banning any and all discussion of the DOC on social media, both Tien and the employee who filed the complaint with the National Labor Relations Board said they believe that the DOC's new policy goes too far.

"Employees have the right to discuss these matters in a public forum; however, employees fear disciplinary action for doing so due to the new regulation," the employee said.

Horton said the DOC's motivation for the institution of the regulation was to provide "guidance" for employees.

"The Alabama Department of Corrections established the social media policy in December 2016 to give employees guidance and an understanding of the department's expectations for posting information to both official DOC and private social media platforms," he said.

The employee said the regulation appears to have been instituted in response to online conversations critical of the department.

"We know we were targeted for having the private discussion forum, as well as, the Alabama Correctional Officers public [Facebook] page," the employee said. "There was too much negative information being disseminated online which adversely affected the image of the department."

The Alabama Correctional Officers Facebook group was public as of Nov. 18, but has since been closed to all but its members, meaning people who are not approved members of the group can no longer see what is being discussed there.

But the Alabama Correctional Officers Facebook page remains open to the public. New posts and comments often pop up on the page, some of which are posted by retired correctional officers. It is not clear if any current DOC employees interact with the page.

The text of the policy states that it "is a new Administrative Regulation and does not [supersede] any other regulation," suggesting that it is the first of its kind for the DOC.

Tien said there are other potential concerns about the wording of the regulation's restrictions on speech.

"Note there's a rule that the government can't categorically treat speech that uses information learned on the job, even if it could only be learned on the job, as unprotected speech," he said. "Obviously an employee can't really expose corruption without those kinds of facts. That renders [Section] 5.C.1. a bit of an overreach, since it covers 'any information relative to the ADOC.'"
Donald Trump

In this Jan. 28, 2017 file photo, President Donald Trump speaks on the telephone in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C. Trump's proposed federal budget would eliminate the Appalachian Regional Commission and Delta Regional Authority. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

(AP file)

President Donald Trump's proposed federal budget would eliminate two agencies that spend millions of dollars each year providing services and opportunities for communities in Alabama's Black Belt and Appalachia regions.

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and Delta Regional Authority (DRA) are among the lesser-known federal agencies. But their efforts have real impact on some of Alabama's rural communities.

Both ARC and DRA are federal-state partnerships that have invested tens of millions of dollars in Alabama over the past decade. They rely on public and private funding to help boost economic development, make infrastructure improvements, create jobs and otherwise improve opportunities in rural areas of select states including Alabama.

The budget plan Trump revealed Thursday would slash all federal funding for ARC and DRA and ultimately eliminate them from the federal bureaucracy.

That may win Trump political points with some hardcore fiscal conservatives, but it would have dramatic impacts on many people living in the 37 Alabama counties considered part of Appalachia and the 20 counties in the state's Black Belt.

Last fiscal year alone, "ARC awarded $5 million in projects that involved infrastructure improvement, job creation, technology upgrades and school programs and materials in" Alabama's Appalachia region, according to Jim Byard, Jr., director of the Alabama Department for Economic and Community Affairs, a state agency that partners with ARC.

"Without these investments, many projects would not be completed. We are concerned about the ability to help rural Alabama with elimination of the ARC program."

Between October 2015 and January 2017 alone, "ARC has supported 64 projects in Alabama totaling $11.2 million. These investments have been matched by $24.0 million and will attract an additional $21.6 million in leveraged private investments in Alabama," Wendy Wasserman, a spokeswoman for ARC, said via email. "They will also create or retain nearly 900 jobs, [and] train and educate more than 14,000 students and workers."

Between 2002 and 2016, DRA "has collaborated with public and private entities to invest $71.5 million in the Black Belt from 2002-2016," according to the agency.

That money went to a wide range of projects. For instance, DRA contributed resources and funds to make "road improvements in Tuskegee, rehabilitate an industrial park in the Town of Frisco City, and develop the Rivercane Industrial Park to aid in recruiting Brown Precision to Atmore," according to an agency press release.

"This investment announcement is great news for Tuskegee, Frisco City, and Atmore, and I am confident that DRA's continued commitment to job growth will help to build a brighter future in these areas," Sen. Richard Shelby said at the time.

The DRA's contributions to these types of projects and initiatives would be eliminated if Trump's budget is approved, a fact that DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Masingill lamented in a Thursday statement.

"You cannot advocate for infrastructure development and economic security in rural America without also supporting the mechanisms, such as DRA, that make those projects a reality," Masingill said.

"As Chairman of DRA, I will continue to fight for the residents and businesses of our region. The people and communities in the Delta will always be worth fighting for."

Byard echoed the concerns about the potential elimination of DRA.

"Without DRA investments, many projects would not be completed," he said. "We are concerned about the ability to help rural Alabama with the elimination of the DRA program, and we will work with our federal delegation partners to educate and answer any questions on DRA investments in our state as this important issue is debated in Washington."
Walter Leroy Moody Jr., the man on Alabama's death row for the 1989 pipe bombing death of federal appeals judge Robert S. Vance, had asked to represent himself at his 1996 capital murder trial.

But once the jury selection began, Moody asked for a 12- to 18-month continuance so he could hire two lawyers. The judge refused to grant a continuance.

Last week the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed lower court rulings that stated Moody had "knowingly and voluntarily waived his right to counsel" and the denial of a continuance at his trial was not contrary to federal law as determined by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Moody, now 81, is the oldest inmate on Alabama Death Row.

In his direct appeal, Moody did not challenge the trial court's decision to permit him to represent himself at trial pursuant to a previous SCOTUS decision, the 11th Circuit stated in its opinion on Thursday. "He did, however, argue that the trial court erred in refusing to grant him, after voir dire examination of the jurors had begun, a 12- to 18-month continuance so that he could obtain the services of two new attorneys who had expressed an interest in representing him."

According to the opinion the trial judge held two lengthy discussions with Moody--one on August 2, 1994, and another on May 7, 1996-- "during which it explicitly warned [Mr.] Moody of the perils of going forward without counsel," and made multiple inquiries over the course of the proceedings to determine whether Mr. Moody was "standing by his request to proceed pro se."

The trial judge noted that Moody had been a party in 63 other legal proceedings, both civil and criminal, and had represented himself for all or part of about 35 of those proceedings. The judge stated Moody was "not a novice."

While concurring with the majority opinion, 11th Circuit Judge Beverly B. Martin wrote a separate opinion. She stated she was writing because the case "demonstrates the troubling consequences" of the U.S. Supreme Court's 1975 ruling in Faretta v. California.

In the Faretta case the SCOTUS ruled that a criminal defendant could proceed without counsel "when he voluntarily and intelligently elects to do so."

Martin noted that at the time of the Faretta ruling, Chief Justice Warren Burger predicted the right to self-representation would "only add to the problems of an already malfunctioning criminal justice system."

"Representing himself at his capital trial, Mr. Moody made no objection to any evidence," Martin wrote. "He made no opening or closing argument to the jury. He failed to put on any defense. He essentially refused to participate in the trial."

"During the part of the trial in which the jury was called upon to decide whether he should be put to death, Mr. Moody gave them no evidence in mitigation," Martin stated. "After this paltry presentation, it is of little surprise that the jury found Mr. Moody guilty and then, by a vote of 11-1, recommended that he be sentenced to death."

"This kind of one-sided proceeding is concerning not only because it fails to effectively protect the constitutional rights of capital defendants, but also because it fails to protect the public's interest in fair and accurate criminal proceedings," Martin stated.

As a federal court of appeals the judges are bound by the SCOTUS decision in Faretta, but Martin wrote that she hopes SCOTUS will reconsider the contours of the rule in the context of capital cases.

"We know that high quality legal representation is essential in capital trials. Capital trials are more complex. They have their own unique set of rules," Martin wrote.

Judge Vance was killed Dec. 16, 1989, and his wife, Helen, was seriously injured after the judge opened a package that had been sent to his home, detonating the pipe bomb. A similar pipe bomb killed a lawyer in Atlanta two days later.

Moody was linked to the crimes through a similar bomb nearly two decades earlier that had injured his wife when it exploded. His prosecution in that case led to his resentment of the courts leading up to the 1989 bombings.

In 1991, a federal jury convicted Moody of 71 charges related to the pipe-bomb murders of Vance and civil rights attorney Robert E. Robinson.

Months later, an Alabama grand jury indicted Moody on two counts of capital murder and one count of assault in the first degree (for injuries suffered by Judge Vance's wife). Moody represented himself at his state trial, which took place in October of 1996.

The jury found him guilty and recommended a sentence of death for the murders. The trial judge followed the jury's recommendation and sentenced Moody to death.
tedac

The FBI's Terrorist Explosive Devices Analytical Center (TEDAC) at Redstone Arsenal. (Paul Gattis/pgattis@al.com)

The FBI is looking to bring more than 4,000 jobs to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Mayor Tommy Battle said Friday.

The jobs are not a "guarantee" at this point, Battle said, but he said he was "cautiously optimistic."

The high-paying jobs would further power Huntsville's prospering economic engine, yielding an economic impact of about $40 million annually, Battle said.

The mayor also credited U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, for his diligent work bringing the project to the brink of reality.

AL.com first reported on the prospect of "hundreds, if not thousands" of FBI jobs coming to Huntsville last month.

The jobs are expected to be primarily related to FBI headquarters. The FBI is currently considering a new home for its headquarters in suburban Washington as it seeks to leave the deteriorating downtown Hoover Building.

Battle said the jobs projections were discussed during the annual Redstone Update last November at the Von Braun Center. Battle said he was in attendance when the jobs were discussed before business and community leaders.

"The report coming out of Redstone Update was that there could be a capacity of up to 4,400 jobs and it's over the next eight to 10 years," Battle said in an interview with AL.com. "It's a slow but steady buildup of FBI presence here in Huntsville. It's great news for the arsenal, great news for the city. It just diversifies our portfolio we already have at Redstone Arsenal.

"We're almost a federal campus more than we're an arsenal. We have NASA, we have Army Materiel Command, we have Army Aviation. We do 85 percent of America's missile defense agency work. Add to that the FBI presence. It gives us a continuum of service out at Redstone Arsenal and gives us a very broad, diversified group that we pull our federal tax dollars from."

Multiple sources have told AL.com that the number of jobs could be as high as 5,500. Battle said he has heard that number as well.

"We've got to give Sen. Shelby a lot of credit," Battle said. "Richard Shelby has worked very hard to make sure this happens. It is a year by year process. It's going to take a year by year budget. You see right now, budgets are changing quite a bit. The thing we've got to realize is that these are projections. But being projections, they show bright promise for us.

"You should be excited. But you also have to be cautiously optimistic on it. It does have to depend on budgets each year, the growth of the budgets and the emphasis of this budget. And it's a new day in Washington. New things are coming out. We want to be optimistic. We'd love to see all this come to fruition and we'll work to make sure that it does. But there aren't any guarantees yet and the guarantees don't come until the budget has actually passed and the moves are authorized."

It would be a windfall of jobs if the project reaches its full potential. Redstone Arsenal provides almost 42,000 jobs today.

Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the FBI's Terrorist Explosive Devices Analytical Center (TEDAC) on Redstone Arsenal in February 2016, FBI Director James Comey spoke highly of Huntsville and acknowledged the prospects of bringing more jobs to the arsenal in the future.

"What we see here is an opportunity to have a center of gravity for the FBI," Comey said at the time. "The new headquarters building that we're building outside of Washington will not be big enough for the entire FBI. We're going to have to move some of our support to some good place in the United States.

"As we were discussing with (Sen. Shelby), this may be a perfect location for that kind of thing."

An office complex would be built on Redstone Arsenal to accommodate the new jobs and the FBI said at the Redstone Update that it anticipates ultimately having a footprint of about 1,800 acres on the Army base.

The FBI is considering locations in both northern Virginia and Maryland for its new headquarters. An announcement was planned for last month That announcement was then pushed to March and, last week, postponed again with no specific date in the future.

The economic impact of the jobs on Huntsville and north Alabama, Battle said, will be significant.

"It's a huge economic impact," he said. "When we start talking about 400 jobs coming here a year for 10 years and each of those pays between $80,000 and $100,000 a year, just doing the math, it's a $40 million impact on this community each and every year and it builds on top of itself.

"The numbers add to your economy and adds to your base. And it insures that you continue to have growth and you continue to be a prosperous community."

Alabama's low cost of living and operation for businesses makes it an attractive location, Battle said.

"When you look across the board at the savings we can provide cost-of-living wise, it gives you a great argument as to why Alabama or why Huntsville," Battle said. "We are very fortunate to have the groups that we have here. We even hear reports there were 200 (FBI) jobs slotted to come here (last year) from Washington D.C. and of those 200 jobs, 198 took those jobs (and transferred from Washington). Because, quite frankly, livability wise, cost of living wise, it's much easier to be in Huntsville than it is to be in some of these other metropolitan areas."

The FBI already has a major presence on Redstone Arsenal.

TEDAC relocated from Quantico, Va., to Redstone Arsenal last year. The center brings together more than two dozen U.S. intelligence agencies into a single organization to collect, catalog, analyze, exploit and store terrorist improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

TEDAC is also undergoing a $28 million expansion with the construction of three buildings on the same campus of the original building that opened last year.

The Hazardous Devices School brings personnel from across the country to Redstone for training. All public safety bomb technicians receive training at the school. The school certifies about 200 new bomb technicians each year.

A $27.5 million expansion is also ongoing at the Hazardous Devices School on the arsenal.

The FBI announced last year that after a 45-year partnership with the Army, it was accepting primary responsibility for the Hazardous Devices School.

Battle said the FBI jobs, assuming the project is realized, will slowly transfer to Redstone.

"If it's anything like other government moves we've had, it's a trickle effect," he said. "It's a few added as we go along each month. It will be something that most people won't even recognize as it comes in because it comes in as a slow roll.

"But eventually, you will look around and say there 'Wow, there is a lot of people working for the FBI at the arsenal.'"
A video that went viral on Thursday showed an Amtrak train barreling through huge snowdrifts, blasting the white stuff toward passengers waiting to board at a New York station.

The frigid encounter aside, at least those patrons can bank on coming back to the station next year and finding a train still running.

Under President Donald Trump's budget blueprint called "America First," 23 of 46 states that Amtrak serves - including Alabama - would be cut off from the company's long-distance routes.

Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, which is the company's most profitable, would likely be expanded. But Alabama would get left behind.

The cut to Amtrak's service is part of an overall 12.7 percent reduction in the U.S. Department of Transportation's budget.

While passenger rail advocates are urging calm, some Alabama city officials are concerned about what's next as the budget heads to Congress. In Anniston, Tuscaloosa and Mobile, plans are under way to either build new train stations or make improvements that would service an anticipated growth in passenger rail customers. In Birmingham, a gleaming new transportation hub is rising on downtown's south side, soon to welcome Amtrak trains, Greyhound buses and the metro area's public transit fleet.

Meanwhile, the Trump budget creates new doubt about the prospects of restarting wide-ranging passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast. The only possible option, under Trump's budget, would be for state-supported service between New Orleans and Mobile that would require backing and substantial dollars from legislatures in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

"It's very strange that an administration that is supposed to be the infrastructure administration, with great commitments to infrastructure and transportation in particular, starts out by decreasing transportation funding by 13 percent," said John Robert Smith, a former mayor of Meridian, Miss., and the current chairman of the board for Transportation for American - a non-profit alliance that pushes for grassroots support of innovative transportation policy in the U.S.

"But this is not a surprise and it's not territory we haven't been in before," he added.

Amtrak has long been a favorite target of conservatives who criticize the federal subsidies that are regularly invested to keep the system afloat. President George W. Bush's budget regularly took on Amtrak. His fiscal year 2006 budget, much like Trump's, zeroed out Amtrak's federal subsidy.

"But Congress pushed back," Smith accurately notes, as Congress often restored Amtrak's funding even if it was lower levels than previous years. "I think there is greater support for passenger rail in the U.S. Congress now than when we fought those battles against President Bush."

In fiscal year 2016, Amtrak incurred a $227 million operating loss. But Amtrak points out that it was the smallest such loss since 1973, and, further, that public funding is a way of life for passenger rail all over the world.

In the Deep South, lawmakers such as Mississippi's Sen. Roger Wicker and Gov. Phil Bryant have been advocates for passenger rail and are pushing for restoring service along the Gulf Coast.

In Alabama, where there are fewer Amtrak stops and annual passengers than in Mississippi, lawmakers are more muted on the subject, although criticism and skepticism are regularly heard. U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, has said that Amtrak must be "weaned from the taxpayer's nipple," while Gov. Robert Bentley has called for "private-public" partnerships in any passenger rail expansions.

'Wait and see'

In the three cities where Amtrak stops - Anniston, Birmingham and Tuscaloosa - officials hope that the trains stay. Those three are the Alabama stops on Amtrak's Crescent route, which runs from New York City to New Orleans.

And in each of the three, major investments are in the works to enhance Amtrak service.

The new intermodal hub in Birmingham, costing $32 million, is expected to be completed this year.

In Anniston, city officials are anticipating a late fall or early spring construction of an improved platform that would allow bicyclists to board the trains.

The $150,000 project is supported mostly through federal grants.

"If Amtrak service changes drastically, and the Crescent is impacted drastically, there may not be the need for us to extend the platform," said Corbett "Toby" Bennington, Anniston's director of planning and development services. "But that's a wait and see."

He said, regretfully, that the Trump budget is arriving just as Amtrak "is starting to come up with efficient ways to improve service."

In Tuscaloosa, the city is pressing ahead on designing a new train station near University Boulevard East and 26th Avenue, which will replace the city's existing station in the Alberta city suburb. The new station includes an 850-foot-long platform, and will connect to the City Walk - a new shared-use bicycle and pedestrian path.

Robin Edgeworth, chief resilience officer with Tuscaloosa's Office of Resilience and Innovation, said "it is too early to predict" if any of the Amtrak cuts will be made. "The city of Tuscaloosa enjoys the presence of Amtrak within our community and it would be our desire to see Amtrak continue to be a vital service," Edgeworth said.

'Just proposals'

Along the Gulf Coast, the Southern Rail Commission - the leading advocate for rail service in the Deep South - is pressing ahead in efforts to restart passenger rail from New Orleans to Orlando along a CSX freight line that once served Amtrak's Sunset Limited route. The Gulf Coast line has been without passenger rail service since Hurricane Katrina shattered the region in 2005.

A Gulf Coast Working Group, approved by Congress in 2015 to look into the logistics of restarting passenger rail, could have its final report completed and forwarded to the Federal Railroad Administration within "four to six weeks," according to Gregory White, chairman of the group. The report is eventually destined to go to Congress.

Ahead of that report, the commission has forwarded federal assistance to cities to help improve train stations or build new ones. In Mobile, for instance, the City Council will vote on Tuesday on whether to accept a $150,000 grant to support the planning and design of a new passenger rail terminal.

The re-started Gulf Coast route, among coastal rail supporters, includes two options:

Establish a train running between New Orleans and Mobile that is supported by state governments.

Create a much more expansive route that links up with Orlando and with Chicago's Union Station via New Orleans.

Under Trump's budget, only the state-supported line is feasible. But it's iffy - the only Southern state that funds a passenger rail route is North Carolina.

White, who lives in Andalusia, said that, in his opinion, a minimalist route without the long-distance connection, makes little sense.

But White, like others, is urging everyone to stay cool and see how things begin to play out. "These are just proposals, and I'm sure there will be a lot of negotiations and discussions," he said.
Mosul, Iraq  Last month, Iraqi forces resumed their assault on the city of Mosul, which has been under the control of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group (ISIL, also known as ISIS) since 2014.

The eastern side of the city was recaptured in a three-month offensive that ended in January, but the west, with its densely populated maze of narrow streets, is thought to pose a greater challenge.

Surrounded by a diverse array of Iraqi forces, the remaining ISIL fighters are digging in for a fight to the end, using car bombs, snipers and grenade-laden drones to slow the troops advances.

Meanwhile, civilians have been fleeing Mosul in droves, with tens of thousands more expected to be displaced as fighting continues in the weeks ahead.
The militarised nature of the US-Mexico border sustains the fallacy that the US is under attack by criminal migrants.

As Donald Trumps sordid vision of a big, beautiful wall on the United States-Mexico border begins to take shape, The Guardian has revealed that  of the more than 600 companies currently vying to get in on the wall-building action  10 percent are identified as Hispanic-American-owned businesses.

Posing a greater ethical dilemma, perhaps, is the potential opportunity for Mexican cement manufacturing giant Cemex to profit handsomely from manic border fortification efforts. The firm has seen its shares leap in value since Trumps election in November.

Of course, theres little room for ethics when gobs of money are at stake. According to Reuters, an internal US Department of Homeland Security report puts the price-tag of the wall at up to $21.6bn.

Indeed, in a world ever more committed to walls, barriers, and the profitability of exclusion, it seems ethical boundaries are the easiest to knock down.

Not just a wall





While Trump would have his followers believe that the US-Mexico border was itself dangerously nonexistent prior to his ascension to the presidency  with Mexican rapists, and other figments of his own imagination, flowing unencumbered into the country en masse  reality tells a very different story.

Frequently lost in all of the big wall talk, for example, is the fact that there is already a wall on the US-Mexico border and that it happens to be quite big.

A recent AJ+ video notes that the wall in its current form covers 1,051km and was erected at a cost of $3m a kilometre in certain parts.

But the wall cant be measured in units of distance alone, encompassing as it does a vast border security apparatus involving everything from helicopters and drones to blimps, watchtowers, and gunboats, not to mention an ever-evolving number of armed personnel.

In an email to me, Todd Miller  author of Border Patrol Nation: Dispatches from the Front Lines of Homeland Security  remarked that the number of US Border Patrol agents has increased five-fold from 4,000 to 22,000 over the past 25 years, with annual budgets for border and immigration enforcement rising from $1.5 to $19.5bn.

OPINION: Whats behind the Great Wall of America?

In reference to the intense build-up of border machinery, Miller observed: All of this Trump had at his disposal without any executive order and before he ever set foot in the White House.

Now that Trump has two feet planted firmly therein and xenophobia has not only been catapulted into the realm of political correctness, but also embraced as a mark of national pride, you might say weve definitively crossed the border into a state of upbeat sociopathy.

Criminalising existence

The increasingly militarised landscape of the US-Mexico frontier serves a variety of pernicious functions.

For one thing, the obsession with border security helps to sustain the notion that the US is somehow under attack by migrants from Mexico and Central America, many of whom have either been forcibly displaced from their livelihoods by US-engineered free trade agreements and other punitive economic measures or are fleeing violent contexts the US itself has played no small role in creating.

The effective criminalisation of migrants for pursuing a dignified existence translates into an existential hazard, and an untold number of travellers have perished at the mercy of the elements while endeavouring to navigate the border regions hostile terrain.

Beyond the actual physical barrier, there's also a significant psychological dimension to the wall, which operates as a conferrer of value upon human life and skews the results in favour of those lives north of the line. by

Migrants also run the risk of being kidnapped, murdered, raped, extorted, and otherwise abused in transit  a risk that exists purely because, as global have-nots, theyre denied many options for legal movement between countries and thus rendered even more vulnerable to exploitation.

According to a 2013 Amnesty International report on US-bound Central American migrants in Mexico, it is believed that as many as six out of every 10 migrant women and girls experience sexual violence during the journey.

But who in the US has time for empathy when our country is under migrant siege?

Cake and more cake





Since the border wall is designed to block human movement in only one direction, I, as an American citizen, am permitted easy access to Mexican territory.

From my present location on the Yucatan peninsula, I can report that there are, in fact, certain Americans residing in Mexico who apparently detect no irony in verbalising their support for Trump or referring to undocumented Mexicans in the US as illegals.

A bigger and better wall will no doubt further facilitate the job of persons intent on upholding the standards of imperial hubris.

Beyond the actual physical barrier, theres also a significant psychological dimension to the wall, which operates as a conferrer of value upon human life and skews the results in favour of those lives north of the line.

Meanwhile, the climate of fear perpetuated by militarisation schemes helps justify the schemes themselves, in addition to distracting popular attention from national defects.

OPINION: Mexico needs to stop accommodating Trump

On a bus the other day, I chatted with a Mexican American man who resented the idea that his mother -herself a resident of the Mexican border town of Nuevo Laredo  could be deemed a security threat and potential invader in the eyes of Caligula, as he referred to Trump.

The man reasoned that, were the US concerned about invasions, it should perhaps stop invading other countries.

But that, of course, would cramp Americas style and ruin the good old tradition of having ones cake and eating it, too. Unfortunately, cake and ethics dont mix.

Belen Fernandez is the author of The Imperial Messenger: Thomas Friedman at Work, published by Verso. She is a contributing editor at Jacobin magazine.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Though some Syrians will accept his rule, embarking on a reconciliation process would be difficult with Assad in power.

Professor in Conflict and Humanitarian Studies at Qatar Foundations Hamad Bin Khalifa University and an Honorary Professor of the University of York

There are many remaining unknowns of the Syria conflict but it is increasingly becoming clear that the situation is moving into its final phases.

All indications are that there will be no clear military victory and that some form of negotiated settlement is inevitable.

The Syrian context has been transformed since the failed coup in Turkey last summer and President Recep Tayyip Erdogans subsequent shift to consolidate his grip over the country.

This opening has led to the Astana process and rejuvenated hopes in an Eastern solution, based on Turkish, Russian and, to some extent, Iranian cooperation.

While Astana has presented the most durable set of ceasefires so far in the conflict, it reinforced the inevitability of Bashar al-Assad remaining central to the foreseeable future of Syria.

In public, the calls for his removal are becoming fainter by the day, while in private, many, including some leading figures of opposition, are actively considering their options with him in office.

A political settlement that includes Assad will have far-reaching implications for Syrias long-term peace and stability. In the immediate term, this will affect the efficacy of a transition on a number of fronts.

Simultaneous processes

First, given the likelihood that some remnants of the armed opposition will neither be defeated nor incorporated into a political settlement, any peace agreement is likely to uneasily coexist alongside efforts to combat ongoing resistance.

Rejectionist rebels will likely regroup, rearm, and fortify in the rural hinterlands with the aim of destabilising any post-conflict transition in Syria. This is already happening to some degree in Idlib, Daraa and elsewhere.

Similarly, the militias that fought for Assad will continue to seek a role in the post-settlement era.

One of the major challenges will, therefore, be the Demobilisation, Disarmament, and Reintegration (DDR) of tens of thousands of fighters who have known nothing but war over the last six years.

Those not addressed will quickly disperse, and be driven into the arms of new insurgent groups, most likely in the form of a hybrid insurgency composed of the hardline anti-regime and or anti-settlement forces.

Second, while the political process will likely frame Syria as one unitary state with formal institutions, such as a governing council or another transitional body, new parliament, or legal system, informal aspects of the political settlement will constrain state effectiveness.

OPINION: Six must-read opinions on Syrias sixth war anniversary

Given the nature of the conflict, backroom deals must, out of necessity, be formed at all levels, whether to satisfy Iranian ambitions, assuage the sectarian divisions, or reward Assad supporters who will inevitably feel that they have won the war for him on the battlefield.

These unwritten, informal agreements, pacts and alliances could prove to be an immense handicap on Syrias formal institutions.

Administratively, state revenue will be a great challenge, in particular, the issue of local taxation, which is critical to a sustainable funding base and also to reconstituting state-citizen relations.

Even with a potentially strong asset base, it is likely that Syria will, for many years to come, generate symptoms of state fragility and lack of financial resources.

Reconstructing Syria

Furthermore, the nature of political transition will have a strong influence over the possibility for financing reconstruction. The cost of reconstruction will be high, with estimates ranging from $170bn to over one trillion dollars (PDF). Whatever way the numbers are interpreted, Syria will be in need of vast amounts of international aid.

Yet, Russia cannot afford to foot the bill for large-scale reconstruction and the United States President Donald Trump has announced an end to the era of nation-building.

The biggest contributors will therefore likely be the European Union and the Gulf states. However, under an unreconstructed Assad regime, it is unlikely that the Gulf states will go back to their prewar levels of support to Syria.

The EU has a clear interest in bringing stability to Syria, in particular since Turkey can no longer be expected to act as a buffer zone.

While the EU will have to hold its nose and deliver the cash, it will expect its funds to be handled separately from the Syrian state coffers.

This will involve the design of sub-entities and parallel structures  some of which may bear the name of the Syrian government  but under a high degree of international supervision to ensure acceptable standards of accountability.

The move of rebuilding under a protracted insurgency will lead to uneven reconstruction and development in Syria. by

This poses dangers for Syrian ownership of the reconstruction process and a long-term risk in de-capacitating the Syrian state while it is in a process of state-building.

The inability to trust the government will also mean that for the transitional phase reconstruction will be conceptualised only in terms of incremental, small-scale, humanitarian-driven projects rather than the massive economic and infrastructure reconstruction efforts that are required.

Furthermore, with sanctions, travel bans and other punitive measures are likely to be put in place if Assad were to continue his hold on power, and there is a risk of creating an isolated regime in the mould of Eritrea or Sudan rather than bringing the country back into the international fold of trade and development.

Uneven reconstruction

Fourth, the move of rebuilding under a protracted insurgency will lead to uneven reconstruction and development in Syria.

In the absence of an effective state, the private sector which in Syria has traditionally been efficient and effective  in part because of the dependable inefficiency of the prewar Syrian state  is likely to be welcomed back with open arms.

Yet, given its nature and drive to generate a high return, its investments are likely to target areas where stability and security have also returned.

This will create a situation with sharply defined corridors of growth and a national development landscape that is operating at two or three different speeds.

OPINION: Reconstructing Syria  The need to break the mould

Such an imbalance would offer the warlords, who have thrived throughout the conflict, the opportunity to launder their reputation into reconstruction lords in its aftermath, with more or less consistently marginalised areas of Syria continuing to pay the price.

Finally, although perhaps half of all Syrians will accept Assads rule, embarking on a reconciliation process would be extremely difficult with him in power.

Given the launch of the international commission into abuses as well as the numerous accusations that have and will be made about the regime, transitional justice  particularly at the local and village level where local communities have witnessed the worst atrocities  may require imaginative forms of integrating religious and tribal justice mechanisms to reach a degree of closure and heal the wider wounds caused by six years of war and decades of repression.

Sultan Barakat is the director of the Centre for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies and professor at the University of York, UK.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Activist with ties to Basque community says separatist group ETA will officially hand in its weapons by April 8.

Basque separatist group ETA will fully disarm by April 8, a French environmental activist with ties to the Basque community promised on Friday.

The group announced a permanent ceasefire in 2011, but the governments of Spain and France have so far refused to take part in its disarmament because ETA tied it to the future of its members, both in and out of jail.

The two countries have demanded that ETA lay down its weapons without conditions and disband.

Txetx Etcheverry, a prominent figure in the French Basque community who tried to arrange a disarmament in 2016, told AP news agency that the new initiative was agreed upon with the ETA and will be carried out whether French authorities agree to receive the weapons or not.

If the French government doesnt take responsibility, the Basque civil society will take a step forward. We cant imagine five more years of inaction, Etcheverry said, pledging that ETA will be disarmed by midnight on April 8.

READ MORE: Basque group ETA to put weapons out of use

ETA, which in Basque stands for Basque Country and Freedom, was founded in 1959 during the Spanish dictatorship of General Francisco Franco.

It has killed 829 people in its nearly four-decade campaign to create a Basque homeland in a region straddling northern Spain and southwest France.

The group was most violent in the 1980s, staging hundreds of shootings of police, politicians and businesspeople.

One year after its last deadly attack, the killing of a French police officer near Paris in March 2010, the ETA announced it was renouncing violence.

In recent years, police operations have weakened the ETA. If the disarmament were completed, it would primarily be symbolic, given that the groups reduced arsenal is believed to be obsolete.

ETA has linked its total dissolution to allowing imprisoned members to serve their sentences closer to home in northern Spain, among other demands.

Q&A: Jailed Basque leader Arnaldo Otegi

But on Friday, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy rejected any concessions.

ETA has chosen to disarm unilaterally. It should do it and should also disband, Rajoy, who leads Spains conservative Popular Party, said at a party meeting.

The government of Spain will do what it has always done  to apply the law, which is the same for everybody.
Khalifa Haftars Libyan National Army kills 23 rival fighters and arrests six more, ending weeks of siege.

Khalifa Haftars east Libyan forces have claimed capture of the final holdout of hardline armed forces in the southwest of Benghazi, ending weeks of resistance by fighters camped in a group of tower blocks.

Milad al-Zwai, spokesman for the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), said on Saturday the siege at the 12 blocks ended when rival fighters tried to escape at dawn.





He said 23 of them had been killed and six arrested while five LNA troops were killed and six wounded.

Dozens of family members had also been in the besieged buildings and an unknown number were detained by the LNA.

It was not immediately clear whether any of the LNAs opponents or their families had escaped.

A news agency run close to a parallel government in eastern Libya said LNA forces had intensified their raids against the last bastions of the jihadist groups in Benghazi, some of whom tried to flee during the night.

The LNA said it had lost a MiG-21 fighter jet over the Benghazi district of Sabri on Saturday, though the pilot had ejected.

Persistent conflict in Libya since the 2011 ouster of Muammar Gaddafi allowed hardline organisations, including the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), to gain a foothold in the country.

Benghazi, which fell to hardline groups in 2014, has been the scene of deadly fighting between them and forces loyal to Haftar, who controls much of eastern Libya in defiance of the UN-backed unity government in Tripoli.

READ MORE: Khalifa Haftar forces capture key Libya oil terminals

The LNA has managed to retake a large part of Benghazi, the birthplace of the 2011 revolution but it says hardline forces are still present in the central districts of Al-Saberi and Suq al-Hut.

Among them is the Revolutionary Shura Council of Benghazi, an alliance of militias that includes al-Qaeda-linked Ansar Al-Sharia.

UN-backed government

Haftar has rejected a UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in the capital Tripoli that was meant to reunite the country after it split between eastern and western based governments and military factions in 2014.

On Saturday, representatives of the United Nations, European Union, Arab League and African Union said in the Egyptian capital of Cairo that they supported the Tripoli-based government.

The meeting came a day after gunmen opened fire on demonstrators protesting against militias in Tripoli.

Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul-Gheit said: We agreed on supporting the (UN-backed) presidential council in its efforts to exert security control in the capital, including the implementation of the truce agreement.

Militias have been key power brokers in a country plagued by violence and lawlessness since the NATO-backed ouster of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

The embattled GNA has secured the support of several armed groups, but dozens of militias continue to operate in Tripoli.
Turkeys president assures supporters that he will keep on standing firm despite some European governments actions.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged at a commemoration of a World War I campaign to keep on standing firm despite forces against him before a constitutional referendum next month on whether to expand presidents powers in Turkey.

Speaking in the Aegean port of Canakkale, near where Ottoman armies held off an Allied expeditionary force in 1915-1916, Erdogan criticised some European countries that have prevented Turkish ministers from campaigning for votes in the Turkish diaspora.





Let them try and hinder them. Whether Germans, Dutch, Austrians, Swiss, Belgians, Danes or whoever it is, know that your president has stood firm and will keep on standing firm, he said.

He maintained that an executive presidency and the abolition of the prime ministers post would help Turkey develop economically and deal with security challenges, which included a botched coup attempt last year.

Opponents of the democratically elected president view the April 16 referendum as part of a dangerous drift towards authoritarian rule.

Speaking in Ankara, Turkeys main opposition leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, urged Turks to vote no in the referendum, saying approval would undermine democracy.

Supporters see him as a pillar of stability, Muslim piety and nationalist pride in a turbulent region that includes neighbouring Syria.

READ MORE: Erdogan says Germany aids and harbours terror

The March 18 anniversary marks the beginning of an Allied naval bombardment near Canakkale, at the Dardanelles strait.

The Canakkale battle is referred to by its former Allied adversaries, including Australia and New Zealand, as the Gallipoli campaign.

Former Allied nations hold their own commemoration on April 25, the day in 1915 when troops under British command landed after the bombardment.

The Allied force failed to advance and withdrew in early 1916.
Finance ministers from 20 world powers have failed to reach an agreement to endorse free trade and rejection of protectionism in the face of US opposition, according to the communique of the G20 participants.

The ministers and central bank chiefs of the G20 countries ended talks in the German town of Baden Baden on Saturday, making only a token reference for the need to strengthen the contribution of trade to the economy.

This is not a good outcome of the meeting, a G20 delegate quoted Germanys central bank chief Jens Weidmann as saying. Germany has a $65bn trade surplus with the US.

Breaking with the blocs decade-old tradition of rejecting protectionism and endorsing open trade marks a win for US President Donald Trump and his anti-globalisation agenda.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Thursday in Berlin that the Trump administration had no desire to get into trade wars but that certain trade relationships need to be re-examined to make them fairer for US workers.

Fairer trade

After a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday, Trump said that he did not believe in isolationism but that trade policy should be fairer.

The G20 financial leaders on Saturday reaffirmed their commitment to refrain from competitive currency devaluation, a key agreement as the US has repeatedly complained that some of its trade partners are using artificially devalued currencies to gain a trade advantage.

G20 also walked back on a pledge to support climate change finance, an anticipated outcome after Trump called climate change a hoax.

On Thursday, Mick Mulvaney, Trumps budget director, said climate change funding would be a waste of money.
Condemning deaths on boat off Yemeni port of Hodeidah, NGO official says civilian casualties could have been avoided.

The International Organization for Migration has decried the apparent helicopter attack on a boat off the Yemeni coast that killed dozens of Somali refugees, calling it unacceptable.

Officials in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland in northeast Somalia told Al Jazeera the boat was heading from Hodeidah to Sudan, a major transit point for refugees and migrants to Europe.

Mohammed Abdiker, emergencies director of the Geneva-based IOM, said the civilian casualties could have been avoided in Fridays attack if they could have checked to know who was in that boat before firing on it.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) put the death toll at 33, adding that 29 people were wounded and some other passengers were missing.

It was not immediately clear who carried out Fridays attack.





They shot at us, we could see the flashes of bullets. We were shouting at them to hear us. Signalling with lights, but they kept shooting. The Apache came above us and shot at us. Our friends were dying, Al-Hassan Ghaleb Mohammed, a survivor, told Al Jazeera.

Survivors conveyed conflicting accounts of who was behind the attack.

We do not know who carried it out, but survivors said they came under attack from another boat at 9pm, the crew used lights and shouted to signal this is a civilian boat, Iolanda Jaguemet, ICRC spokesperson, told Reuters news agency.

Nevertheless, it did not have any effect and a helicopter joined in the attack.

Arab coalition statement

An Arab coalition that is involved in fighting in Yemen said it did not conduct any operations or have any engagement in the Hodeidah area.

The coalition was assembled by Saudi Arabia in 2015 to fight the Houthis and troops loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh, the former long-serving president, who have fired missiles into neighbouring Saudi Arabia.

General Ahmed Asseri, the Arab coalition spokesman, said Hodeidah remained under the control of the Houthis and the port continued to be used for trafficking people, smuggling weapons and attacks against the line of communications in the Red Sea.

The UNHCR says more than 250,000 Somali refugees are in Yemen.

Hodeidah, on the Red Sea, is controlled by the Houthi fighters, who in 2014 overran Yemens capital Sanaa and forced the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to flee into exile.
Iraqi police say the recapture of al-Kur and al-Tawafa will enable civilians to move to safer areas.

Iraqi forces in Mosul have said they have captured two key neighbourhoods in its offensive to retake the western part of the city from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS).





Adel Ahmed, the captain of the federal police, said control of the al-Kur and al-Tawafa will allow for a safe corridor for civilians to leave the city.

Liberating both districts will allow opening secured corridors for the exit of civilians to safer areas, he told the DPA news agency.

Ahmed also said Saturdays advance followed intense clashes between Iraqi forces and ISIL fighters.

The Iraqi military launched the most recent offensive on western Mosul, the largest remaining ISIL stronghold in Iraq, on February 19.

On Wednesday, Iraqi forces took control of a main bridge leading to the city and advanced towards the mosque where ISILs leader declared a caliphate in 2014.

Nearly 100,000 Iraqis have fled western Mosul over the past three weeks, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Wednesday.

The Iraqi Ministry of Displacement and Migration said that as many as 600,000 civilians remained trapped in neighbourhoods of west Mosul.

IN PICTURES: The battle for western Mosul

The operation in the city officially began in October last year. In January, its eastern half was declared fully liberated.
Two soldiers patrolling Orly airport in Paris have shot a man dead after he tackled their female colleague to the floor and tried to take her weapon, according to French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Witnesses said the Orly south terminal was evacuated following the shooting at around 8:30am local time (07:30 GMT) on Saturday.

Thousands of travelers were evacuated and at least 15 flights were diverted to the citys other airport, Charles de Gaulle. No one else was hurt.

Al Jazeeras Natasha Butler, reporting from Paris, said that there was a lot of confusion among the travellers.

People didnt know whether to come or go. One of the terminals has been reopened and I could see some people wheeling their bags towards that terminal. But the terminal where the incident happened has been shut, she said.

The man, a known figure to French police and intelligence officials, had earlier in the day opened fire on a police officer during an identity check in the northern Paris suburb of Garges-les-Gonesse, according to Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux.

Then, Paris police said, he stole a womans car at gunpoint. It was found near Orly.

Police did not immediately provide a motive or identify the attacker, though the Paris prosecutors office said he was 39 and had a record of robbery and drug offenses.

The office said he did not appear in a French government database of people considered potential threats to national security.

The prosecutors office said its anti-terrorism division was handling the investigation and had taken the attackers father and brother into custody for questioning.

Francois Hollande, the French president, praised the courage and efficiency of troops and police following Saturdays incidents.

In a written statement, Hollande reaffirmed the states determination to act without respite to fight terrorism, defend our compatriots security and ensure the protection of the territory.

Operation Sentinelle

The soldier from whom the man tried to take the weapon was part of Operation Sentinelle, a force of 7,000 troops deployed in the capital and other cities after the January 2015 Paris attack on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

The force was reinforced after the assaults that left 130 people dead in Paris in November of that year.

A notice was posted on the Paris airports authority website urging passengers not to travel to Orly.

Budget airline easyJet said it expected interruptions and flight delays, adding that 46 of its flights were due to fly in and out of the airport on Saturday.

Orly is Paris second-biggest airport, behind Charles de Gaulle. It has both domestic and international flights, notably to destinations in Europe and Africa.
Prime Minister Netanyahu says recent Israeli raids aimed at preventing attempts to transfer advanced arms to Hezbollah.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the recent air strikes by his country inside Syria targeted weapons bound for Lebanons Hezbollah, and the same would be done again if necessary.

Israeli warplanes struck several targets in Syria early on Friday, prompting retaliatory missile launches, in one of the most serious incidents between the two countries in recent years.

Syrias military said it had downed an Israeli plane and hit another as they were carrying out pre-dawn strikes near the famed desert city of Palmyra which was recaptured from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) this month.

The Israeli army denied that any planes had been hit.

Netanyahu said in footage aired on Israeli television networks: When we identify attempts to transfer advanced weapons to Hezbollah and we have intelligence and it is operationally feasible, we act to prevent it.

Thats how it was yesterday and thats how we shall continue to act, he added.

The Israeli air force said earlier that it had carried out several strikes on Syria overnight, but that none of the ground-to-air missiles fired by Syrian forces in response had hit Israeli aircraft.

It was an unusual confirmation by Israel of air raids inside Syria.

Overnight  aircraft targeted several targets in Syria, an Israeli army statement said on Friday.

Several anti-aircraft missiles were launched from Syria following the mission and [army] aerial defence systems intercepted one of the missiles.

The Syrian army described the attack as an act of aggression that aided the ISIL group, which is fighting against the Syrian government.

Rocket sirens sounded in Israeli settlements in the Jordan valley, the military said and two witnesses heard an explosion a few minutes later, Reuters news agency reported.

A Jordanian military source said shrapnel from one missile fell in the north of the kingdom without causing any casualties, according to AFP news agency.
Hundreds of mourners gather in the West Bank for funeral of activist killed by Israeli forces.

Hundreds of Palestinians have paid their respects to slain activist and youth movement leader Basil al-Araj.

A funeral procession that started from his family home in al-Walaja, a village near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, went on until well into the evening on Friday.

Araj, 31, was killed in an Israeli raid in Ramallah on March 6, after spending months on the run.

Israeli authorities notified the family late on Thursday that his body would be returned to them for burial the following day. Since a wave of violence began in October 2015, Israel has routinely been holding the bodies of Palestinian attackers or alleged attackers, ostensibly as a deterrent or bargaining chip, while denying families the right to bury their loved ones.

I am happy we reached this moment, Arajs father, Mahmoud al-Araj, told a group of reporters near the mourning tent upon hearing news that his sons body had reached the nearby Beit Jala hospital for an autopsy.

Israeli authorities handed it over to the Palestinian Red Crescent at a Bethlehem checkpoint.

According to a statement by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the autopsy identified at least 10 bullet wounds, including one to the heart which was found to be the main cause of death, and several to the head.

READ MORE: Basil al-Araj was a beacon for Palestinian youth

Araj and five others had been imprisoned by the Palestinian Authority (PA) in April 2016 on allegations they held unlicensed weapons and were planning to carry out an attack on Israeli targets.

In late August, the six staged a hunger strike to protest against torture and mistreatment while in PA detention, leading to their release without charge nine days later. The case sparked widespread criticism of the PAs security coordination with Israel.

Araj was a well-known activist who regularly took part in non-violent protests and actions against the separation wall and settlements. Many young and politically-engaged Palestinians have publicly been mourning his death since he was killed, remembering him as a struggler against the Israeli occupation and an intellectual.

Basil succeeded in his idea of gathering people from all walks of life and political parties, and this is reflected in the people who are here today, Mahmoud al-Araj said.

Many familiar faces from the Palestinian non-violent struggle movement joined his family and close friends in the two tents set up for mourners on Friday, watched over by at least 30 Israeli soldiers and border police officers stationed on a hill in the nearby settlement of Har Gilo. The Araj family home is located right by the entrance to the settlement.

Basil started to fight the occupation peacefully, and he was one of us, Issa Amro, a well-known activist and cofounder of the Hebron-based group Youth Against Settlements, told Al Jazeera. I knew him well, he came to many of our protests. But the oppression, attacks, and violent reaction from the Israeli army, made him move from non-violent to armed resistance. By doing that, they killed him, he added.

Emotions ran high when the body finally arrived and the funeral procession began along the route of the separation wall, against whose construction Araj and others had organised several protests.

Why, why, why? Once the Authority, once the army, sang the women alongside the customary chants in honour of Palestinian martyrs.

Palestinians have been increasingly vocal in denouncing the PAs security coordination with Israel, which they see as being used to arrest Palestinians while Israelis who attack Palestinians enjoy virtual impunity.

Unfortunately the PA, in general, is becoming a sub-contractor for the occupation, and they are just giving free information to the Israeli security forces instead of protecting Palestinians, Amro said.

While Araj had been on the run until Israeli forces stormed the home where he had been staying in Ramallah, four others were immediately re-arrested by Israel after their release from a PA jail and are currently in Israeli custody.

A small, peaceful demonstration held in Ramallah last Sunday to protest against the PAs decision to go ahead with their trial was violently dispersed by Palestinian police.

Hundreds of people took to the streets of Ramallah the following day to express their outrage. Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah later announced he would open an investigation into the events.

We came from Ramallah and other cities in Palestine to participate in the funeral because of the message Basil sent to all of us, to the Palestinians and to the Israeli occupation, said Muataz, who works in IT in Ramallah and preferred to be identified by his first name only.

On social media, people are not afraid any more. They are writing posts against the Authority, what they did, and the security coordination between Israelis and Palestinians. I think this movement will keep going and grow in the coming weeks or months. Because whatever we risk, its nothing compared to what Basel did, he added.
Police demolish the homes of more than 4,700 people in Lagos Otodo-Gbame as they clear area in defiance of court order.

Thousands of people fled Nigerias largest informal fishing settlement on Friday as security forces used gunfire and tear gas to make way for demolitions in defiance of a recent court order, rights groups said, describing it as a violation of human rights.

The homes of nearly 4,700 people in the Otodo-Gbame community in Lagos were destroyed on Friday, despite a previous court order that halted such evictions, according to Amnesty International and Lagos-based group, Justice and Empowerment Initiatives (JEI).

Speaking to Al Jazeera by phone, Otodo-Gbame residents said they had no warning their homes were going to be demolished.

We were so surprised. We didnt know where they came from, Paul Kunnu said. They pulled down everything.

READ MORE: Nigeria  Fishermen and chiefs

Another resident, Ahisu Celestine, said he and other community members woke up to the presence of Nigerian authorities and bulldozers on Friday.

We tried to block the way, Celestine said.

They started shooting tear gas, he added, saying there were dozens of police present.

Megan Chapman, co-director of JEI, who arrived at the community shortly after the demolitions began, told Al Jazeera that police used live bullets to disperse the crowds.

Authorities were not available for comment on the incident.

No other place to go

The Otodo-Gbame community is one of many informal settlements along the Nigerian commercial hubs waterfront.

In November of last year, an estimated 30,000 residents from the community were evicted to make way for development projects, rights groups said.

But after a court injunction issued in January halted evictions, many of the residents, including Celestine and Kunnu, decided to rebuild.

We dont have any other place to go, Celestine told Al Jazeera. We are a fisherman community and have been here for hundreds of years.

Chapman, who has been working with the community in mediation efforts with the government, echoed Celestines sentiment.

Residents dont really have any options. Its an ancestral community. Many of the people in the settlements are fishermen and fisherwomen. They are among Lagos urban poor and there isnt an alternative for them to move someplace else.

We have to rebuild

Following the November 2016 eviction, rights groups warned that more than 300,000 people faced eviction from waterfront communities across Lagos state.

Makeshift housing is common in the poorest parts of Lagos, a city of more than 21 million people. Thousands from across Nigeria and neighbouring countries arrive daily in search of work.

Both Kunnu and Celestine told Al Jazeera they will remain in Otodo-Gbame.

We have to rebuild. We dont have anywhere else to go. This is our home, Kunnu said.

Celestine also called on the international community for help.

We want international communities to help us, the poor, he said. It is a not a crime for poor people to live where rich men are.

Additional reporting by Laurin-Whitney Gottbrath @ElleDubG
Global companies as well as small rivals face crackdown as inquiry finds proof inspectors and politicians were bribed.

Brazilian police have raided the premises of global meatpacking companies JBS SA and BRF SA, as well as dozens of smaller rivals, in a crackdown on alleged bribery of health officials.

The anti-corruption campaign threatens $12b in annual exports.

The probe, known as Operation Weak Flesh, found evidence of meatpackers bribing inspectors and politicians to overlook unsanitary practices such as processing rotten meat and shipping exports with traces of salmonella, police said.

Mauricio Moscardi Grillo, police investigator, said there was evidence of some companies manipulating certificates for meat exports to European markets, raising the risk of foreign restrictions on Brazils powerhouse protein industry.

READ MORE: The local food revolution in Brazils schools

Brazil exported $6.9bn of poultry and $5.5bn of beef last year, according to industry groups, as producers boosted shipments to China and started sending fresh beef to the US.

Shares of JBS and BRF plunged 11 percent and seven percent, respectively, in Sao Paulo. JBS, the worlds biggest meat producer, booked net revenue of 170b reais ($55b) last year from sales in 150 countries.

BRF, the largest poultry exporter, booked net revenue of 39B reais in 2016.

Employees arrested

Police said they arrested three BRF employees and two from JBS in Fridays raids, as well as 20 public officials.

JBS said in a securities filing that three of its plants and one of its employees were targeted in the probe, but its senior executives and headquarters were not targeted.

The ruling by federal Judge Marcos Silva also included transcripts of BRF government relations executive Roney Nogueira allegedly discussing bribery of health inspectors, including one called on to help avoid the closure of the same Goias plant.

READ MORE: Is hoarding causing Venezuela food shortages?

The judge also ordered that Jose Roberto Pernomian Rodrigues, BRF vice president, be brought in for questioning.

Brazils agriculture ministry has temporarily closed three plants cited in the investigation, one run by BRF and two run by smaller rival Grupo Peccin, and began removing their meat products from supermarkets.

Eumar Novacki, the ministrys executive secretary, said there was some concern that other countries would begin blocking shipments of Brazilian meat.

Documents falsified

Police said there was evidence that meatpackers falsified documentation for exports to Europe, China and the Middle East.

Judge Silva wrote in his ruling that employees of some meatpackers, including BRF, arranged bribes and favours for inspectors ranging from political donations and favourable bank loans to small bribes including hams and other meat products.

In some cases, those inspectors would then allow employees of the meatpackers to enter government offices, access computers and issue their own export certificates, investigators said.
Thousands rally in cities across the country against rise in racist sentiment after last Junes vote.

Protesters have voiced their anger at rising anti-immigration sentiment in the UK in a series of demonstrations across the country.

Thousands of anti-racism activists at Saturdays rally in central London took aim at the increasing number of attacks on foreigners in the aftermath of the vote to leave the European Union last year.

Similar demonstrations, which were organised to mark the UNs International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, drew crowds in the Welsh capital Cardiff, and in the Scottish city of Glasgow.

Many activists condemned the governments refusal to guarantee residency for EU nationals living in the UK after it leaves the bloc in just over two years time.

INTERACTIVE: Brexit  What is Article 50?

Despina Karayianni, a Greek national living in London, told Al Jazeera that the British Prime Minister Theresa May was using EU nationals like her as bargaining chips.

She wants to frighten EU citizens living, working and studying here, she said, adding I dont think she will succeed because we are part of this society and the majority here dont want us kicked out.

The British government says it will not guarantee residency rights for EU nationals living in the UK until it receives reciprocal guarantees from the EU for Britons living in other member states.

May is expected to formally announce the UKs intent to leave the EU by invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty later this month, sparking negotiations on a wide array of issues, including the fate of nearly three million EU nationals living in Britain.

Junes vote led to a dramatic rise in racist attacks on visible minorities and immigrants from EU countries.

Hate crimes for the July to September quarter rose from 10,793 incidents in 2015 to 14,295 in 2016, according to a report published in February by the Press Association, which was derived from police statistics.

[Political] rhetoric contributes to the toxic racist atmosphere that has led to attacks on EU citizens and on Muslims, said Karayianni; a view shared by many of the protesters in London.

Tom Corbin, an activist from the western English county of Wiltshire, told Al Jazeera that the rhetoric attached to Brexit had encouraged people to speak in a way they hadnt spoken for years.

(Brexit) has given people an excuse to have racist views towards immigrants, he said, adding he held the political class responsible for the rise in xenophobic sentiment.

I dont hold Theresa May singularly responsible, it was David Cameron (her predecessor) who instigated Brexit and I think him and the Conservative party have an awful lot to answer for.

The Conservative party government has condemned the rise in xenophobic violence, which it says has no place whatsoever in British society.
Fighters and their families moving out of Al Waer and into rebel-held parts of Aleppo under arrangement with government.

Scores of rebel fighters and their families have begun leaving the last opposition-held area in the Syrian city of Homs, state media and witnesses say, under an evacuation deal with the government expected to be among the largest of its kind.

By midday around 100 fighters and their families had left the city, once known as the epicentre of the 2011 uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. They were bound for a town on the Turkish border after the latest in a series of local agreements in which opposition fighters have relocated to the rebel-held north after months or years under siege in the countrys major cities.

Green government buses ferried the fighters, who were carrying assault rifles, and their families from the northern Al Waer neighbourhood to Homs western entrance, where they disembarked and had some of their bags searched under the supervision of Syrian and Russian military police.

The men, women and children, most of them carrying their belongings in suitcases and plastic bags, then boarded white buses that were to take them to the northern rebel-held town of Jarablous on the border with Turkey. The evacuees were assisted by Syrian Arab Red Crescent members as they put their belongings in the buses.

READ MORE  Syria war: Worst man-made disaster since World War II

The Al Waer neighbourhood is home to about 75,000 people and has been under a government siege since 2013, triggering shortages of medicine, and occasionally of food. The evacuation is the third phase of an agreement reached last year that saw hundreds of fighters and their families leave the area.

Talal Barazi, the Homs governor, told Reuters news agency that about 1,500 people would depart for Aleppos countryside on Saturday, including at least 400 fighters.

Russian and Syrian forces were overseeing the evacuation, and the full departure of rebels from Al Waer would take about six weeks, he said.

The preparations and the reality on the ground indicate that things will go well, Barazi said.

The Syrian government has increasingly tried to press besieged rebel areas to surrender and accept what it calls reconciliation agreements that involve fighters departing for northern Syria.

Damascus describes such deals as a good way of bringing the country closer to peace after six years of conflict. But the opposition describes them as a tactic of forcibly displacing people who oppose Assad after years of bombardment and siege.

There is a deliberate strategy from the Syrian government in terms of retaking some of these areas is that they lay a siege on the area preventing all kinds of supplies from getting in, including food, medical supplies etc and then they indiscriminately attack these areas, the deputy director of emergencies at Human Rights Watch, Ole Solvang, told Al Jazeera.

Aleppo was perhaps the most egregious example of that but weve seen it in many other places as well, so one of the major concerns HRW has is about these deals and the way they come about.

Under the Al Waer deal, between 10,000 and 15,000 people would evacuate in batches over the coming weeks, according to a Britain-based war monitor and the opposition Homs Media Center.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said the buses would go to the Jarablus area in the north, held by Turkey-backed rebels.

Once completed, it would mark the biggest evacuation during the war out of one Syrian district, which is home to about 40,000 civilians and more than 2,500 fighters, the SOHR said.

The deal follows other agreements that were never fully implemented between the government and rebel groups in Al Waer, which has been targeted heavily by air strikes in recent weeks.
US secretary of state travels to Beijing after saying pre-emptive military action against North Korea may be necessary.

Rex Tillerson has arrived in Beijing for his first face-to-face talks with Chinese leaders expected to focus on North Koreas nuclear programme.

The US secretary of states visit on Saturday followed his remarks the previous day in South Korea where he cautioned that pre-emptive military action against North Korea might be necessary.

He said US military action against North Korea is an option on the table, and warned the country to end its missile and nuclear programmes.

The policy of strategic patience has ended, Tillerson said during his joint press conference with his South Korean counterpart, Yun Byung-se, on Friday.

Strategic patience is the term given to the US policy under Barack Obama when the US ruled out engaging the North until it made a tangible commitment to denuclearisation, hoping that internal stresses would bring about change.









Tillerson held talks with Wang Yi, Chinas foreign minister, on Saturday.

Yi gave warning last week that North Korea and the US-South Korea duo were like two accelerating trains headed at each other, with neither side willing to give way.

The question is: Are the two sides really ready for a head-on collision? Wang said. Our priority now is to flash the red light and apply the brakes on both trains.

Wang said North Korea could suspend its nuclear and missile activities in exchange for a halt in joint US-South Korea military drills, a proposal quickly dismissed by Nikki Haley, US ambassador to the UN, who said the US has to see some sort of positive action from North Korea before it can take leader Kim Jong-un seriously.

First Asia visit

Tillerson, a former oil executive, began his first Asian visit as secretary of state in Japan on Wednesday followed by South Korea. He travelled to China from South Korea on Saturday.

Previously, Tillerson had said in Tokyo that 20 years of diplomatic and other efforts, including a period when the US provided North Korea with $1.35bn in assistance to take a different pathway, had come to nothing.

The US has been pressing China to do more to rein in North Koreas nuclear and missile programmes, including imposing tougher sanctions on North Korea.

However, China has been angered by the deployment of a US missile defence system to the South.





China says the systems radar is a threat to its security.

Al Jazeeras Adrian Brown, reporting from Beijing, said the Chinese government was worried about American statements that the US might take some sort of pre-emptive military action against North Korea in a worst-case scenario.

What they are concerned about is the missile defence system that is now been deployed to South Korea, he said.

The worry is that in the near future, if the North fires another long-range missile, this system might be used to intercept that missile, and that could eventually lead to military action against North Korea.

North Korea has a long-standing ambition to become a nuclear power and conducted its first underground atomic test in 2006, in the teeth of global opposition.

The country has continued to defy the international community for years, even after two rounds of UN-backed sanctions. It has conducted two nuclear tests and a series of missile launches since the beginning of last year.

North Korea recently launched four more ballistic missiles and is working to develop nuclear-tipped missiles that can reach the US.
After reports of dozens of civilians killed, Pentagon releases picture of the site of a US raid in Aleppo province.

The United States has denied hitting a mosque in Syria where activists say dozens of people, mostly civilians, were killed.

The Pentagon said the US targeted an al-Qaeda gathering across the street from a mosque, and released footage showing that a mosque next to a destroyed building remained standing. It said the photo was taken less than five minutes after the strike on Thursday.

Syrian opposition activists said at least 40 people were killed in the Omar Ibn al-Khattab Mosque in Al Jinah village in Aleppo province. They accused the US of carrying out the raid.

Friday prayers were cancelled across rebel-held parts of northern Syria after the raid.

Bahaa al-Halaby, an Aleppo-based opposition activist based, said the air raid hit as about 250 people had gathered at the mosque for prayers or to attend a religious lesson.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the air strike on the mosque killed 46 while the Local Coordination Committees, another monitoring group, said 40 were killed.

Resident Abu Muhammed told the AFP news agency that he heard powerful explosions when the mosque was hit. It was right after prayers at a time when there are usually religious lessons for men in it.

I saw 15 bodies and lots of body parts in the debris when I arrived. We couldnt even recognise some of the bodies, he said

Pentagon spokesman, Eric Pahon, said US surveillance of the target area indicated evening prayers already had concluded before the attack.

He said the building that was struck was a partially constructed community meeting hall that al-Qaeda leaders used to gather and as a place to educate and indoctrinate al-Qaeda fighters.

Initial assessments based upon post-strike analysis do not indicate civilian casualties, Pahon said. He said the Pentagon would investigate any credible allegations it received.

US claims that it's airstrike that killed 56 in Jeena didn't hit the mosque are false. See for yourself pic.twitter.com/tInKTlMTME  Bilal Abdul Kareem (@BilalKareem) March 17, 2017

Al Jinah lies in one of the main rebel-held parts of Syria, encompassing the western parts of Aleppo province and neighbouring Idlib.

Bilal Abdul Kareem, a documentary filmmaker, visited the mosque and posted footage online.

Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Observatory, which monitors the war via a network of contacts across Syria, said that most of those killed were civilians.

Activists posted pictures of bodies scattered on the floor near the mosque.

Teams with the White Helmets, or Syria Civil Defence, a volunteer rescue group that operates in rebel-held parts of Syria, shared images of people being pushed into ambulances and panic-stricken residents searching among the rubble for survivors.
US government begins its legal battle to reinstate immigration order courts ruled discriminated against Muslims.

The Trump administration has appealed a Maryland courts block of its revised travel ban, aiming to reinstate the temporary halt to immigrants and travellers from six majority-Muslim countries.

The justice department filed a notice of appeal with the district court in Greenbelt, Maryland, on Friday, two days after that court and one in Hawaii ruled that the travel ban discriminated against Muslims.

The case now goes to a federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia.

US District Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland on Thursday issued an emergency halt to the portion of President Donald Trumps March 6 executive order temporarily banning the entry of travellers from Iran, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Syria and Yemen for 90 days.

He left in place the section of the order that barred the entry of refugees to the United States for four months.

Another federal judge in Hawaii struck down both sections of the ban in a broader court ruling that prevented Trumps order from moving forward.

EXPLAINED: How could Hawaii block Trumps travel ban?

In Washington state, where the ban is also being challenged, US District Court Judge James Robart put a stay on proceedings for as long as the Hawaii courts nationwide temporary restraining order remains in place, to conserve resources and to avoid duplicative rulings.

Detractors argue the ban discriminated against Muslims in violation of the US constitutions guarantee of religious freedom. Trump says the measure is necessary for national security to protect the country from terrorist attacks.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said at a press briefing the government would vigorously defend this executive order and appeal the flawed rulings.

He said the plan was to appeal at the 4th Circuit in Richmond first and then seek clarification of Hawaiis ruling before appealing to the 9th Circuit US Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

The 9th Circuit court last month upheld a decision by Judge Robart that halted an original, more sweeping travel ban signed by the President on January 27.

OPINION: The Muslim ban and the ethnic cleansing of America

The new executive order was revised with the intention of overcoming the legal concerns. It removed any references to religion and affected fewer individuals.

Trump has vowed to take the fight all the way to US Supreme Court.

The 4th Circuit is known as a more conservative court compared to the 9th Circuit, said Buzz Frahn, a lawyer who has been tracking the litigation nationwide.

The government is probably thinking that the 4th Circuit  would lend a friendlier ear to its arguments, he told the Reuters news agency.

Judges have said they are willing to look behind the text of the order, which does not mention Islam, to probe the motivation for enacting the ban, said Frahn. Trump during the campaign promised to ban Muslims from entering the US.
The case against Assange is as political as it is legal; where does it go from here? Plus, Kenyas election influencers.
Could President Erdogans narrative of a Europe at battle with Turkey sway voters in advance of Aprils vote?

On The Listening Post this week: Could Erdogans narrative of a Europe at battle with Turkey sway voters in advance of Aprils vote? Plus, the tale of a face-off between two Pakistani channels.

Referendum in Turkey, breaking news in Europe

Next month, the Turkish people will vote in a referendum which could grant the countrys presidency and, by extension, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, sweeping new powers. But with as many as three million Turkish votes in European countries up for grabs, campaign headlines have focused on a war of words with Germany and the Netherlands over their decision to ban rallies in their territory.

President Erdogans rhetoric of a Nazi, Islamophobic Europe crushing Turkish ambitions has been echoed by a cohort of loyal media, looking to stir up nationalistic fervour and drum up support for a Yes vote.

A few journalists daring to openly support the No vote have been showed the door.

Contributors:

Ravza Kavakci, AK party legislator

Meryem Ilayda Atlas, journalist, Sabah

Mehves Evin, journalist, Diken

Ceren Sozeri, associate professor, Galatasaray University

On our radar:

 Israels new public broadcaster set to be launched next month may have to be postponed yet again as it continues to be mired in political controversy.

 A Basque reporter, fined by authorities under Spains contentious gag law, has had his case dropped by public prosecutors.

 There has been another murder of a reporter in the Philippines. The motives are unclear, but the government of President Duterte says it is looking into the crime.

Media battles on the air in Pakistan

A verdict from a British court in late 2016 signalled a formal end to a long-running battle between two of Pakistans biggest news channels  Geo and ARY. Now, in the aftermath of that fight, is a moment for the news industry there to reflect and reform.

Contributors:

Sadaf Khan, director of programmes, Media Matters for Democracy

Munizae Jahangir, senior anchor & executive producer, AAJTelevision

Imran Aslam, president, Geo TV

Arshad Sharif, host, ARY News
Willie Sutton robbed banks because thats where the money is. Connie Francis went to Florida for Spring Break because thats where the boys are. And if you want to preserve American culture, you have to reform academia because thats where bad ideas come from.

Signs that something is deeply wrong with the Ivory Tower seem to be everywhere. One recent example is an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education by unrepentant 1960s Students for a Democratic Society radical Todd Gitlin, entitled Promoting Knowledge in an Age of Unreason. Professor Gitlin, who teaches sociology and journalism at Columbia University, declares that we are in an age of unreason, where political nihilism eclipses reason; he sounds a clarion call for academics to combat a rising tide of anti-intellectualism by speaking out aggressively. When reason is itself so besieged, the university cannot be content to marinate in defensiveness and self-pity, he writes. It is in a fight for its life.

Gitlin accurately captures the current frame of mind of the academic left. But that frame of mind is the result of an illusion, one that flips reality on its head. For it is not the national mood that is unreasonable, nihilistic, and anti-intellectual, but Gitlin and his fellow-travelers.

There would be no problem if Gitlin were considered an isolated kook baying at the night skies expecting to elicit a response from the heavenly bodies above. But he is hardly that; he is one of the academys prized members, having occupied desirable chairs at prestigious universities, headed important programs, and received distinguished awards. It is very likely that his views are much nearer to the political center in academia than are the views of most Americans. That contemptuous dismissal of the majority of Americans as unreasonable, nihilistic, and anti-intellectual by a wide swath of academia is why the academic stables need to be mucked out.

The actual evidence suggests a very different national dynamic than the one presented by Gitlin. For the most glaring recent examples of unreasonable political behavior are clearly come on the left. The Internet is filled with videos that show campus leftists behaving in bizarre and disturbing ways, throwing tantrums and spewing irrational diatribes. Sensible discussion does not exist for these politicized students, such as one young woman at Yale who shrieked hysterically at a faculty member because she felt he was not doing everything he could to provide her with a safe space free of Halloween costumes that offended her.

The nation has also seen a growing trend of violent leftist mobs silencing alternate views from being expressed on campus, surely as unreasonable as conduct can be at an institution devoted to the free exchange of ideas. A recent row at Middlebury College, where heralded sociologist Charles Murray was chased off campus (and a faculty member accompanying him assaulted), is representative of this dismaying pattern.

And while these acts are largely performed by students, they have the support of many faculty. There is also no shortage of faculty members who disgrace themselves when speaking out politically (as Gitlin advises faculty to do). What reasonable person would argue that the unhinged rants of professors such as George Ciccariello-Maher and Steven Salaita raise the intellectual or moral level of the national discourse?

As you may recall, Ciccariello-Maher is the Drexel University political scientist who gained notoriety for tweeting on Christmas Eve of 2016 that All I want for Christmas is white genocide. Salaita is a former Virginia Tech ethnic studies professor who was rejected by the University of Illinois in 2015 for making such comments as I wish all the f**king West Bank would go missing after a couple of Israeli teenagers from the West Bank were kidnapped and killed.

Gitlins argument that mainstream anti-intellectualism threatens the university also betrays his skewed worldview, because the real threat comes from inside the academy. He briefly acknowledges that anti-intellectualism entered the left and academia in the 1960s, but he ignores the extent to which it now dominates both.

Citing historian Richard Hofstadters celebrated Anti-Intellectualism in American Life, Gitlin suggests that anti-intellectualism is the product of political, religious, and business currents. Business and religion today are generally considered by the left to be to be allied with conservatism, a contention that would support Gitlins claim that willful ignorance today comes from the right. But he fails to mention that Hofstadter also blamed two other impulses that are foundational to todays left.

The first such impulse is egalitarianism. As British philosopher Roger Scruton pointed out in Fools, Frauds, and Firebrands: Thinkers of the New Left, most of the highly cited academic intellectuals of the last century have been thinly veiled Marxists, adherents of an egalitarian social order. Another egalitarian theme that is ubiquitous in academia today is philosopher John Deweys concept of participatory democracy as a guiding principle for society and education; Hofstadter soundly criticized Dewey as an anti-intellectual for his leveling influence.

The other anti-intellectual impulse identified by Hofstadter is primitivism. Academias celebration of postmodernism owes much to this sentiment, as postmodernism attacks the forward intellectual thrust of modernism and its instrumental reason (simply, the use of science and technology to improve human existence). Primitivism provides much of the justification for another of academias current commandments, multiculturalism, especially the belief that all cultures are of equal value.

Gitlin made brief mention of conservatives attempts to keep the traditional literary canon in higher education as a half-hearted attempt to fend off anti-intellectualism, but for the most part, casts them as villains mounting an assault on the nations intellectual life that is safeguarded by the academic left. He cherry picks events of the last 70 years or so to forward his dubious perspective of traditionalist America content to wallow in ignorance: attacking Bob Dole for railing against intellectual elites; stating that Fox News, founded in 1996, arose to consolidate a burgeoning market for the eclipse of reason and evidence; and suggesting that mainstream Republicans married [George] Wallaces racism to populist suspicion, and so forth.

Gitlin fails to notice that conservatives and libertarians have created a vibrant intellectualism that lives in student groups, in independent academic centers, in outside think tanks, and on the Internet. Rather than giving little thought to what the university could do to further public enlightenment, as Gitlin described them, conservatives have been successfully enlightening the public through a variety of channels for several decades.

A comparison of todays two political youth movements reveals a wide chasm in intellectual seriousness. Todays college left bears no resemblance to the New Left intellectuals of the 1960s. Many of the politically involved on the left are inarticulate, hyper-emotional, and uninformed; they are more likely to make their point with sneering contempt and pointless ad hominem accusations, such as calling those who disagree with them racists, than they are through reasoned argument.

Todays college conservatives and right-libertarians are their polar opposite; they tend to be highly engaged with ideas and eagerly pursue the life of the mind while proudly clutching their copies of The Road to Serfdom or Ideas Have Consequences.

This is not to say that the entire academy is anti-intellectual; there are still a great many faculty who embody the concept of scholar. Yet many are content to remain inside their narrow silos and leave political commentary to their less rigorous peers. Or if they do speak out, they often seem incapable of escaping the rigid ideological constraints imposed by their academic environments.

Yet, unless serious scholars are willing to stand against the substantial and influential radical fringe, the universities moral standing is compromised. Some liberal professors, such as NYUs Jonathan Haidt, are starting to counter their more extreme peers, but so far they only address the low-hanging fruit of keeping free speech on campus.

As important as maintaining free speech is, academias problems go much deeper. The fact that Gitlin and so many other 1960s radicals were given academic platforms from which to continue their campaign to undermine our society reveals a sick institution. Ending, or at least limiting, their influence as soon as possible, so that we can once again have an educational system that supports liberty, reason, and prosperity, is a moral imperative.

Jay Schalin is the Director of Policy Analysis at the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal.
The latest indication of the need to drain the judicial swamp comes in the form of Hawaii Judge Derrick Watsons ruling placing a hold on President Trumps second executive order placing a temporary immigration ban on six predominantly Muslim countries. It is, as President Trump noted, a classic case of "judicial overreach."

Judge Watsons logic belongs in a parallel judicial universe where judges are allowed to regulate foreign policy, clearly a presidential prerogative defined in both law and the U.S. Constitution. Judge Watson cites no law and, in the case of the Constitution, says the travel ban violates the Establishment Clause which forbids favoring or disparaging a particular religion. By that logic, you could never restrict any immigration from any Muslim country for any reason. Judge Watson strays outside the four corners of the executive order and ignores explicit U.S. law to cite President Trumps campaign statements, which are totally irrelevant. Motive, even if correctly discerned, is irrelevant here. Only the law and presidential authority should apply. As the Washington Post describes Judge Watsons flawed logic:

In a blistering 43-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson pointed to Trumps own comments and those of his close advisers as evidence that his order was meant to discriminate against Muslims and declared there was a strong likelihood of success that those suing would prove the directive violated the Constitution. Watson declared that a reasonable, objective observer -- enlightened by the specific historical context, contemporaneous public statements, and specific sequence of events leading to its issuance -- would conclude that the Executive Order was issued with a purpose to disfavor a particular religion.

Judge Watson even cited statements by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani to buttress his assertion of a religious animus toward Muslims. Watson favorably cited the plaintiffs citation of President Trumps words regarding Muslim persecution of Christians in the Middle East. As CNN reported Trumps remarks:

President Donald Trump said in a new interview Friday that persecuted Christians will be given priority over other refugees seeking to enter the United States, saying they have been "horribly treated." Speaking with the Christian Broadcasting Network, Trump said that it had been "impossible, or at least very tough" for Syrian Christians to enter the United States. "If you were a Muslim you could come in, but if you were a Christian, it was almost impossible and the reason that was so unfair -- everybody was persecuted, in all fairness -- but they were chopping off the heads of everybody but more so the Christians. And I thought it was very, very unfair. So we are going to help them."

And just what is unconstitutional about helping victims of religious persecution? If we had given preference to German Jews before the Holocaust, would that have been unconstitutional? We in fact gave preference to Russian Jews fleeing the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Was that unconstitutional? It is amazing that Judge Watson seems blissfully unaware of the ongoing persecution of Christians in predominantly Muslim countries or the Obama administrations curious selectivity in admitting refugees. As Fox News reported:

The Obama administration hit its goal this week of admitting 10,000 Syrian refugees -- yet only a fraction of a percent are Christians, stoking criticism that officials are not doing enough to address their plight in the Middle East. Of the 10,801 refugees accepted in fiscal 2016 from the war-torn country, 56 are Christians, or .5 percent. A total of 10,722 were Muslims, and 17 were Yazidis. The numbers are disproportionate to the Christian population in Syria, estimated last year by the U.S. government to make up roughly 10 percent of the population. Since the outbreak of civil war in 2011, it is estimated that between 500,000 and 1 million Christians have fled the country, while many have been targeted and slaughtered by the Islamic State

Disparate impact, anyone? Discrimination? Gross injustice? Where were the lawsuits? Where were the judicial rulings saying that President Obama was favoring one religion over another? Where was Judge Watson and his liberal brethren? As Rush Limbaugh noted on his show, President Trumps travel ban is lawful under 8 U.S Code 1182, and there is ample historical precedent for employing its bestowed authority to ban any class of aliens at any time, for any reason if the President deems the national security of the United States requires it:

Here is number eight US Code 1182, inadmissible aliens. This law was written in 1952. It was passed by a Democrat-controlled Congress, House and Senate, and signed by a Democrat president. Suspension of entry or imposition of restrictions by president. Whenever the president finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, the president may, by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or non-immigrants or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate. Over here, everybody in the establishment in the political class, Republican, Democrat, media, you name it, is all claiming that what Trump said is dumb, stupid, reckless, dangerous, unconstitutional, while it is the law of the land. And it was utilized by Jimmy Carter, no less, in 1979 to keep Iranians out of the United States In November the 1979 United States attorney general had given all Iranian students one month to report to the local immigration office. Seven thousand were found in violation of their visas, 15,000 Iranians were forced to leave the United States, 1979.

As for the application by Judge Watson of the Establishment Clause to Trumps travel ban, this is from some Alice In Wonderland law book. If travel ban violates the Establishment Clause, why hasnt 8 U.S. Code 1182 been struck down by Judge Watson or any other liberal judge? Oklahoma Attorney Robert Barnes, interviewed on Sirius XM radio, says Judge Watson is clearly wrong in extending the Establish Clause to non-citizen foreigners:

His basis for doing so was an extraordinary interpretation of the right to travel and the freedom of association, which before, has only been associated with U.S. citizens, Barnes continued. Every court decision in the 200 years prior to this has said that people who are not citizens of the United States, who are not present within the United States, have no First Amendment constitutional rights. The Constitution doesnt extend internationally to anybody, anywhere, anyplace, at any time The Hawaii judges decision says he has a First Amendment constitutional right to do so because hes Muslim. It was one of the most extraordinary interpretations of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment ever given, which is that because these are Muslim countries that were banned where the issue of terror arises from that that meant they had a special right to access the country and visit the country, he said. As long as there is somebody here that wants them here, no president can ever preclude them from coming here. He basically gave First Amendment rights to everybody around the world and gave special preferences to people who are Muslim under his interpretation of the First Amendment, Barnes summarized. So its an extraordinarily broad order. Its legal doctrine has no limits. If you keep extending this, it means people from around the world have a special right to access the United States, visit the United States, emigrate to the United States, get visas to the United States...

And who is this Imam who prompted Judge Watsons order by asserting he had been harmed by President Trumps travel ban? Conservative Review described the man behind the lawsuit:

Dr. Ismail Elshikh -- the imam of the Muslim Association of Hawaii -- is suing Trump in reaction to the second version of his immigration moratorium, which was signed on Monday. The order imposed a 90-day hold on foreign nationals from six terror-tied countries from entering the United States. According to the Muslim Association of Hawaii website, Imam Elshikh is a member of the North American Imam Federation (NAIF), a fringe Islamic organization that has a board and current leadership stacked with radical Islamic connections. Kyle Shideler, a terrorism expert and director of the Threat Information Office at the Center for Security Policy, tells CR that its concerning that Imam Elshikh is a part of NAIF. Given NAIF's history it should come as no surprise that the end goal of this lawsuit is, ultimately, weakening American counter-terrorism or immigration security efforts, Shideler said. He added: "That a member of an organization whose leaders have included a convicted war criminal, an individual who defended donating money to a Hamas linked charity, and an unindicted co-conspirator in a terrorism bombing wants to tell the American people who they can admit for immigration should say a lot about why such an executive order is needed in the first place."

The fact is that the Constitution, which gives the president exclusive power to conduct foreign policy, does not extend infinitely to every non-citizen on this planet who may have some connection to someone here. The law clearly gives the president the legal authority to ban entry to any noncitizen who he determines may be a threat to the national security of the United States.

Judge Watson has not interpreted this or any other law. He has written law, very bad law, and has become the poster child for the need to drain the judicial swamp.

Daniel John Sobieski is a freelance writer whose pieces have appeared in Investors Business Daily, Human Events, Reason Magazine and the Chicago Sun-Times among other publications.
Perhaps the most challenging foreign policy dilemma facing the Trump administration is none other than Iran. Issues include Irans nuclear program, a regional policy focused on increasing its hegemonic reach, a network backing a conglomerate of militia groups rampaging the entire region, a dangerous missile program, and continuing human rights violations. The question before Washington is how to tackle these issues without launching yet another unnecessary war or adopting an appeasement-based policy.

This situation has become ever more sensitive as Tehran once again resorted to a new round of hostilities in successfully testing a naval missile hitting a target at 250 kilometers, launching a new pair of ballistic missiles last weekend, and again dispatching its fast-attack boats to harass a U.S. Navy surveillance ship in the international Gulf waters of the Strait of Hormuz. The provocative move was described as unsafe and unprofessional by a U.S. official.

Washington has continuously witnessed those favoring efforts to find so-called moderates/reformists inside the regime. However, after 38 years in power, the mullahs have through their atrocious domestic crackdown and wreaking havoc across the Middle East proven this perspective to be nothing but a hoax.

Wrong mentality

Such unfounded hope has focused on a figure emerging from within the regime to spearhead reform measures and ultimately shift significantly its foreign policy. Advocates of such an approach also argue mistrust and misunderstanding have rendered hostilities between the Washington and Tehran, adding the source of this mistrust has been U.S. hostility against Iran.

Supporters of this policy call on Washington to be less hostile on Tehran to allow moderate factions rise, leading to a gradual reform and Iran emerging as a responsible regional powerhouse.

Such a misconception dates back to the 1980s when voices in Washington described as moderate former Iranian president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who went on to father Irans nuclear program and purge a slate of political dissidents abroad. Former U.S. president Bill Clinton pursued a similar approach with reformist Mohammad Khatami, who viciously oppressed the 1999 student uprising in Iran.

The climax of these strategic mistakes by Washington came under the administration of Barack Obama, who turned his back to the 2009 uprising, wrote secret letters to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and with his rapprochement in effect provided Iran a green light to engulf the entire Middle East in flames, as we have so unfortunately witnessed in Syria and Iraq. So much for Obamas mentality of signing a nuclear deal with Iran to result in the transformation of the mullahs and their foreign policy altogether.

Disastrous results

The concessions made by Obama in this regard to Iran were unnecessary, to say the least. Not only was Iran allowed to preserve its ballistic missile and nuclear program, Syria is now a radicalized state thanks to Tehrans meddling. One can truly argue Obamas approach allowed Tehran to support Assad in the massacre of over half a million Syrians, the displacement of 12 million and the entire country left in ruins.

Obama also turned a blind eye to Iran brewing disaster in Iraq through the Revolutionary Guards proxy militias that continue to massacre the Sunni minority to this day, all under the pretext of battling Daesh (ISIS/ISIL).

Speaking of the Guards, the Iranian opposition held a press conference in London on Tuesday unveiling the IRGCs secret network of 90 docks used to send arms to militia groups across the region and smuggle a whopping $12 billion of goods in the ongoing effort of taking control of Irans economy and providing illicit funds for its terrorist activities.

The Obama-crafted nuclear agreement actually encouraged the Iranian regime to increase its belligerence and press the gas pedal on its radical Middle East agenda.

The road ahead

The Trump administration should not forget the failure of his predecessors in adopting a correct Middle East policy. The U.S. has lost credibility, influence, commerce, and most importantly the trust of the Iranian people. This is not to mention the loss of thousands of American lives and massive treasury wasted.

Iran poses the most substantial threat to U.S. Central Command's multifaceted area of responsibility, CENTCOM commander Gen. Joseph L. Votel told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday.

We are also dealing with a range of malign activities perpetrated by Iran and its proxies operating in the region, he continued. It is my view that Iran poses the greatest long-term threat to stability for this part of the world."

The main cause has been none other than the grave misunderstanding about the reality of Iranian politics and internal factions that leaves no room for moderates or reformists. The history of appeasement/engagement/rapprochement vis-a-vis Irans mullahs is enough proof that such an illusion must be set aside for good.

Amir Basiri (@amir_bas) is an Iranian human rights activist.
President Trump promised to destroy ISIS, and the movement of conventional American ground troops into Syria marks a substantial departure from the Obama administrations feckless policy. Trump is delegating authority and allowing his new Defense Secretary and responsible generals make operational decisions, rather than running the war from the White House. The Pentagon has already increased the pace and focus of American efforts in Syria, which hopefully is geared to the objectives Trump and the American people want: Annihilate ISIS and get out.

Among Napoleons famous maxims was one admonishing the indecisive. If you set out to take Vienna, take Vienna. The U.S. Army embodies this maxim in its Field Manual (FM 3-0) with the first of nine basic principles of war: Direct every military operation toward a clearly defined, decisive and obtainable objective. 

Maxims and principles are fine, but these things are much easier said than done. Any military maneuver involves substantial risk and uncertainty, but the Syrian quagmire complicates operations there. Four national militaries now operate in northern Syria (American, Russian, Turkish, and Syrian) as well as a confusing welter of Syrian rebel groups, Kurdish militias, Syrian auxiliaries (e.g., Hizballah) as well as ISIS itself and any allied organizations.

A complete military dilettante, Obama nonetheless dictated strategy and even minor operational decisions against ISIS to the point of counting bombs dropped and the number of Apache attack helicopters permitted in theatre. While the left is fond of making ridiculous comparisons of Trump to Hitler, it was the German dictator and former Bavarian infantry corporal who insisted on shuffling around Nazi battalions rather than letting his more competent generals to conduct operations.

Trumps ability to effectively delegate authority, something Obama clearly lacked, is indicative of his superior management experience. Trumps selection of James Mattis as Defense Secretary was bold and inspired. Mattis is uniquely equipped by experience, knowledge, and temperament to ride herd over the generals who will have to translate Trumps goal of destroying ISIS into reality on the ground.

That may not be as easy as dropping more bombs. Conversely, Trump and Mattis must also ensure that the generals conducting operations (who are still largely Obamas guys or at least appointed by him) do not fall victim to excessive caution, incrementalism, or fantasy, which have largely characterized the campaign against ISIS so far.

As noted here, the allied bombing campaign against ISIS has been characterized by a remarkable lack of bombs dropped per sortie, which supposedly has caused enormous casualties for ISIS. Were these statistics credible, which they are not, ISISs continued resistance would be one of historys greatest military feats. Presumably, we can attribute this absurd situation to the Obama White House, but the sorties and stats were mostly generated by the same generals that now will be conducting the campaign in Syria.

Mattis not only has to deal with the Pentagons Obama hangover, but also some ideas which have infected the military even before Obama, and which still are a drag on American (and in general Western) military performance.

Some are leftovers from the days of Colin Powell, who introduced two questionable concepts to American military doctrine. One is the concept of overwhelming force, sometimes called the Powell Doctrine which is really a list of preconditions that if applied hinder and complicate military action to an extraordinary degree, and require in the event of action, establishing conditions in which a victory is a guarantee. This idea worked one time, during the Gulf War over which Powell presided, but the conditions of that campaign were unique and heavily advantageous to the coalition that waged it.

Those conditions have not recurred and likely never will again. Mattis knows this as well as anybody, having subsequently commanded one of two major American task forces that waged a much less opulent campaign against Saddam Hussein a decade later.

Powells reaction to the Iraq invasion was a bon mot he got from Pottery Barn -- If you break it you own it -- a military non sequitur if there ever was one. Traditionally, the function of armies is precisely to break the other guys stuff, and make him pay for it. Powell got it exactly wrong, but unfortunately it is an idea now accepted by many in and out of the armed forces.

Another bad trend is the hypersensitivity and misapplication to modern law of war doctrines. The American military currently follows law of war statutes this country is not a party to, most particularly the 1979 Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions, which forms the bases for onerous rules of engagement that hamstring military operations. At times it seems like we and the Israelis are in a race to see whose lawyers can hogtie their own armed forces more completely.

For now, the American operation in Syria seems to be following the course of the operation against ISIS in Iraq. This means limited bombing and ground operations in support of various anti-ISIS groups, and directed at a particular urban target, Mosul in Iraq and Ramadi in Syria. If Mosul is a gauge, the prospects for a quick resolution in Ramadi are not good.

Still, there is no evident popular groundswell of urgency in the country to do more, and Trump ought to be reluctant to mount a substantially more robust effort unless he can garner that support. Even if that becomes desirable, such a deployment may not be practicable given the many competing and/or friendly armies in the area.

For now, Trump is right to give Mattis and his generals the reins, adding support as they call for it. The military generally appears happy to have Trump in the White House, though there are some dissenting voices. But unless things take an unexpected positive turn in our favor relatively soon Trump has a difficult decision. If he is to honor his election pledge regarding ISIS he will have to do more, and make sure the military completes its objective.
Have you heard that a bill has been introduced in the House prohibiting federal employees from using government computers and devices to watch pornography on the job?

The bill is in response to many stories of federal employees spending their workdays watching pornography. Evidently, this practice is rampant in the federal bureaucracy, and under the current rules, people employed by the federal government cannot be fired for it.

Please note that if the bill passes and has its intended outcome, in order to be in compliance with federal work rules, employees will need to use their personal devices to spend their workdays watching pornography. Perhaps this bill is better than nothing, but it is also pretty close to nothing all the same.

Is it possible that we have a deeper problem in here somewhere?

I recently got into a conversation with a young couple about government employment. They made it amusing, though it was maddening at the same time. He works for the federal government; she has a real job. He told me that he has never yet seen anyone in his section do any actual work. He amuses himself during his hours at the office by collecting anecdotes for his wife about the various ways the others in his section pass the time.

I was not surprised to hear his story because I had been fortunate enough to get my own experience of government employment once upon a time.

In the early '60s, the federal government, in its restless search for problems to solve, discovered that many college students wanted summer jobs. This fact was declared to be a "problem" (or perhaps it was called a "crisis"; I don't recall). The decision  surprise!  that emerged was to throw money at it. I got a position at the motor pool on a military base. And a position is literally what it was. It was the middle position on the bench seat of a truck. My job was to occupy that part of the seat. I spent eight hours five days a week sitting between the driver and his assistant. The government had decreed, "Let there be jobs," and lo and behold, jobs appeared. But there was nothing for me to do, except to coordinate with the driver so as not to interfere with his operation of the floor shift.

For that matter, there was almost no work for the other two men in that truck. The civil service commissar who ruled the motor pool had two rules: always look busy, and constantly vary where you eat lunch. So it was that our days consisted of racing around the Navy base as if we were on urgent business while keeping an eye out for pleasant spots to open our lunchboxes and enjoy not being in the truck. That was it. The commissar occasionally did assign us tasks. Now and then we would make deliveries, usually transferring furniture from one place to another.

The driver and his co-pilot were pleasant fellows who took a friendly interest in me. The Navy base covered a vast area of great natural beauty, and my colleagues kindly made sure I got to experience all the best spots. And the money was great  much better than any summer job in the private sector. In fact, what with one thing and another, more than fourteen years were to pass before I made as much money again. Because I was living at my parents' home, I was able to save nearly everything after taxes, so my college fund grew rapidly.

All in all, you would think this was a very good deal for a college kid who needed money to get through the school year. Nonetheless, I could take it for only so long. I quit about halfway through the summer.

Whether or not it was a good deal for me, it was not such a good deal for the taxpayer.

The lesson about the problem with government is perfectly clear: the incentives are upside-down. It's just common sense. Imagine if the commissar was the owner of a trucking service business instead the administrator of a government operation. He would have had to raise money, and quite a lot of it, too, to go into that business. Instead, he was able to requisition money from taxpayers. To stay in business, he would have had to make a profit. Instead of telling us to look busy, he would have had to find a way to keep us busy doing something that paid our salaries and his costs and made enough profit to keep the business going.

As a government administrator, the more money he spent, the greater the number of trucks in the motor pool, the more people reporting to him, the better for his career. Those bigger numbers were the basis for determining his civil service rank and, therefore, his pay and benefits.

So it has long been this way and will no doubt continue in this way. What, then, is the commonsense explanation for the continued existence of this vast federal jobs program? Think of it this way: it is a fabulously lavish welfare program for an army that can be relied on to vote for the Democrats.

Robert Curry is the author of Common Sense Nation: Unlocking the Forgotten Power of the American Idea from Encounter Books. You can preview the book here.
Long before the creation of ghettos and concentration camps, the demonization of Jews began in 1933 when Germany elected Adolf Hitler as Chancellor. Following his election, Hitler created a fascist dictatorship which eventually led to the Holocaust and the extermination of six million Jews whose only crime was their Jewish identity. The dehumanization of Jews was a necessary requirement for Hitler and his fellow Nazis and they did so with a campaign of demonization, ridicule, and blame. Hitler's election provided Germans a daily dose of anti-Semitism and gave it legitimacy while providing a rationalization for the extermination of six million Jews.

The persecution of European Jewry was gradual. At first Jews were no longer welcome at schools and universities. Later, they were no longer able to own their businesses and homes. With time, public transportation was unavailable to them, public restrooms were forbidden, hospitals excluded them and eventually they were no longer able to use public streets or go outdoors. They were complete outcasts in a land they called home. By the time the crematoriums were running, Jews were no longer viewed as humans, but as vermin to be stamped out for the good of humanity.

Today, the election of Donald Trump to the Presidency has provoked the fascist Left to reject the election results. Taking a page from Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radials, in which Alinsky advised his followers in Rule 13 to "pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it," the Left is now resorting to the fascist tactics of targeting Conservatives much like the Nazis who targeted European Jewry for their economic and social ills. Conservatives and Trump supporters are reluctant to identify themselves and conceal their support for fear of a backlash from the Leftist elites.

From the Berkeley riots to Black Lives Matters marches it is not safe to be a conservative Trump supporter on American streets and college campuses.

Unbelievably, key political leaders on the left egg on their fellow leftists and advocate the use of violence against Conservatives. Former Attorney General Loretta Lynch stated:

"it has been people, individuals who have banded together, ordinary people who simply saw what needed to be done and came together and supported those ideals who have made the difference. Theyve marched, theyve bled and yes, some of them died. This is hard. Every good thing is. We have done this before. We can do this again.

Recently, former Vice Presidential candidate Tim Kaine stated,

"what we've got to do is fight in congress, fight in the courts, fight in the streets, fight online, fight at the ballot box, and now there is a momentum to be able to do this."

Their followers are listening and taking heed. It was only a few days ago that talk show host Michael Savage, a huge Trump supporter, was violently assaulted outside a Marin County restaurant by a man who clearly did not like his politics. Recently, a dispatcher at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse was fired for defending Trump's Executive Order, and UCLA is offering a seminar by a clinical psychologist to diagnose President's Trump's mental capacity. Such occurrences as these are matter of fact in fascist Third World dictatorships. They should not be routine in the land of the free. Yet, with each passing year, it is becoming much more difficult to be free if one is a Conservative.

The mainstream establishment media, which is no longer an unbiased source of information, has become the mouthpiece for the Democratic Left. They give voice, legitimacy, and cover while Conservatives are smeared as bigots, homophobes, racists, and fascists. It advances a narrative which it hopes will lead to the delegitimization of President Trump and his eventual impeachment.

Thus, it is Conservatives who are blamed and smeared for ruining the environment, for Wall Street greed, for maintaining Judeo/Christian biblical values, and for seeking to preserve our culture, language, and sovereignty. Conservative speakers are no longer welcome on college campuses much as Jews were no longer welcome at German universities decades ago. Conservatives have become caricatures and are subjected to ridicule on American television and in newspapers. The marketplace of ideas is verbotten among many of the institutions that are now controlled by the Left. Instead of a free marketplace of ideas, we have a fascist political thought police that takes Conservatives to task for crossing the acceptable political and social gibberish designed by the Left.

Our institutions, media, and Hollywood define our culture. They have created a climate of hate that threatens the exercise of free speech for Conservatives as well as for their safety. Given the hostile environment created by the Left with the aid of the media, is it any wonder that elderly Trump supporters were recently beaten up at a Trump rally in California or that Conservatives are afraid to wear any memorabilia that would identify them as Trump supporters. In todays America, Conservatives are branded, targeted, ridiculed and punished for their beliefs much as the Jews were targeted and persecuted in pre-Holocaust Europe.

The past should have taught us the danger of vilifying fellow citizens. But in today's America, Conservatives are the new Jews to be ridiculed, shamed and ostracized. We know where that road led to in the past. Do we really want to go down that road again?

Shari Goodman is an educator, activist, and journalist. Her commentaries have appeared in American Thinker, World Net Daily, Israel Today, and various other publications. She is a red dot in the blue state of California.
The federal budget in FY 2007 was around $2.7 Trillion. By FY 2017 it had soared to $4.1 Trillion -- but it has never been enough.

Politicians of both parties have continuously added programs that benefit some people and which the politicians promise will be paid for. Once programs start, they are hard to stop because there are always some beneficiaries who will be hurt.

Even though politicians promise the programs will be paid for, they obviously arent, which is why we owe 20 trillion dollars and have tens of trillions of dollars in unfunded liabilities. They either borrow or add new taxes and fees to pay for new programs and to fund previous underfunding. There is always some service or product they can tax. It is very easy to use other peoples money or to borrow to buy votes.

Many times they promise to tax the rich, but most often they end up putting in additional taxes on which focus on income earners in higher brackets -- people who dont have the scale of resources to hire teams of experts, structure income in ways that minimize tax liability, and hire lobbyists. But for the poor and low income, taxes may weigh even heavier, in the form of consumption taxes on essentials. With outgo always exceeding income unless they spend very carefully, each new tax increase is a challenge.

Government entities at all levels steal money from motor fuel taxes and then complain that they dont have enough money for roads and bridges. Instead of spending the money on its intended uses, they say they need to raise fuel taxes. The latest excuse is that all those government-subsidized electric cars is cutting into gasoline tax revenue. So those gasoline taxes have to be increased.

Recently Philadelphia instituted a heavy (and heavily regressive) sugary drink tax.

From a Facebook post, the Philadelphia sugary drink tax implemented today damn, between that & Pennsylvania gas tax no wonder folk revolted pic.twitter.com/ZUtmufCyQn  SalenaZito (@SalenaZito) January 2, 2017

Sales crashed by as much as half, because lower income people consume a disproportional share of soft drinks, and they had to give them up. Social engineering, no doubt. But the politicians didnt collect what they thought and stores and distributors started laying off people. Instead of the mayor recognizing the problem, the mayor called employers greedy.

Basically, through it all there has been little concern for the common man and taxpayer. It is always How can we get more money for the government? Surveys have shown that fewer than half of Americans can come up with $1,000 to pay for an emergency. Politicians dont care, as they continue to raise taxes and fees and make more promises.

As the politicians and government bureaucrats have enhanced their power by buying votes with government programs, they have also enriched themselves with great salaries and benefits, have protected their power by drawing voting maps to protect incumbents, have written campaign finance laws to ward off competition and have made sure that term limits dont make it on the ballot. None of that is done for us or our children.

What the powerful politicians cant handle is an outsider like Trump who is not beholden to either party. Entrenched politicians of both parties, therefore, seek to destroy him each and every day. They must protect themselves. They do not want someone who will actually cut duplicate and unaffordable programs.

Obviously, the powerful politicians from both parties are responsible for the disastrous fiscal condition the country is in, but almost equally complicit are the significant majority of the media who support the massive spending and tax levels almost 100% of the time. They deride any attempt to cut or freeze as mean and disastrous. The media willingly trots out victims of any cuts because victims are the currency of progressives. Find some new victims and presto! there is a need for another government program.

Making people dependent on government enriches the governing class and provides them with job security. The media compliantly calls anyone who wants to make government smaller and cut taxes mean-spirited, inhuman, stupid, or sums up those characteristics with the expression right wing extremist. They never label anyone who wants government to get bigger and more powerful a left wing extremist.

Economies collapse because government gets too big and powerful, not because the people have too much power. It appears that we have a chance to give some of the power of the purse back to the people. If we dont do it now, we never will. If the media actually cared about future generations they would be terrified of too much power going to the government. They certainly wouldnt want to make future generations completely dependent on government.
I give Donna Brazile just a few points for finally fessing up (after lying and denying) that she stole and supplied CNN debate questions to Hillary Clinton, helping the establishment candidate triumph over insurgent Bernie Sanders. But I have to deduct even more points, because she did so in a context of blaming the Russians and partially exonerating herself. The expression non-denial denial has a cognate in her non-apology apology.

In an essay in Time, after fulminating against the Russians for allegedly hacking the DNC emails (an assertion whose evidence has never been provided, and denied by Wikileaks), she admits:

In October, a subsequent release of emails revealed that among the many things I did in my role as a Democratic operative and D.N.C. Vice Chair prior to assuming the interim D.N.C. Chair position was to share potential town hall topics with the Clinton campaign. I had been working behind the scenes to add more town hall events and debates to the primary calendar, and I helped ensure those events included diverse moderators and addressed topics vital to minority communities. My job was to make all our Democratic candidates look good, and I worked closely with both campaigns to make that happen. But sending those emails was a mistake I will forever regret. By stealing all the DNCs emails and then selectively releasing those few, the Russians made it look like I was in the tank for Secretary Clinton. Despite the strong, public support I received from top Sanders campaign aides in the wake of those leaks, the media narrative played out just as the Russians had hoped, leaving Sanders supporters understandably angry and sowing division in our ranks. In reality, not only was I not playing favorites, the more competitive and heated the primary got, the harder D.N.C. staff worked to be scrupulously fair and beyond reproach. In all the months the Russians monitored the D.N.C.s email, they found just a handful of inappropriate emails, with no sign of anyone taking action to disadvantage the Sanders campaign. But the damage was done. Politics has never been considered a clean sport, but 2016 marked a new low. The D.N.C., a political party committee dedicated in part to defending free and fair elections, was attacked by the Russians while the Republican nominee for president openly encouraged it. This was not a Hollywood movie about rogue spies and super agents. This was real life.

Face it: Brazile is a liar and cheater who evades responsibility for her own admitted misdeeds. Anyone who employs her knows this, and is responsible for her future misdeeds on their air or in their party.
The rising tide of Jew-hatred raised its ugly head in Chicago this week, hurling a slur that could signal a new rationale for anti-Semitism. The University of Illinois, Chicago (where Bill Ayers was a professor for decades), saw antisemitic pamphlets and posters. Stephen Gossett of Chicagoist writes:

"Ending white privilege starts with ending Jewish privilege," the flyer reads. Several figures with Stars of David stand atop a pyramid. "Is the 1% Straight White Men? Or is the 1% Jewish," it reads. Student and Rohr Chabad House president Eva Zeltser, who posted a photo of the flyer on Facebook, sent a letter to the Dean of Students asking that the university take action. "If you are against hate crimes against one group, you should be against these acts of violence for ALL groups," she wrote. "I understand free speech, but what about my freedom to feel safe on campus," she added. As several commenters noted, the math on the flyer, which tries to cobble together two PEW Research polls, does not add up, either.

The universitys response contained boilerplate about "the importance of tolerance, inclusion and diversity" and also "the right to free expression, but did use the word anti-Semitic to describe the posters.

No doubt some people will tally this rise to Trump supporters for no good reason, but the rhetoric of white privilege suggests a demographic that voted heavily for Hillary. Which leads me to believe that the perps here will suffer no consequences.

The expression Jewish Privilege is particularly chilling for Jews, of course, because Jews are so disproportionately successful in many realms of competition. In an era when claims of victimhood are rewarded, few targets are more tempting than the disproportionately successful.
With all the problems facing the Chicago Police Department, the news that Sergeant Charles Artz is facing an Internal Affairs investigation would be laughable, if it were not so outrageous. His crime? Rescuing three young girls he found living in squalor in an abandoned home by raising money for them and giving them to their grandmother for care. Sarah Schulte of WLS-TV, ABC 7 reports:

The Chicago Police Department is investigating one of its officers after he helped three young girls found living in an abandoned home.



The officer set up a GoFundMe page for the girls who were known as the Englewood Angels.



The police department said the officer violated its policy by helping the girls.



Chicago Police Sergeant Charles Artz is learning that no good deed goes unpunished.



After discovering the deplorable conditions the girls were living in, Artz launched the effort to raise money and supplies for the kids and the grandmother who agreed to take care of them.



Dolores Anderson has a roof over her head and, for now, enough food and clothes to help raise her granddaughters who were found living in squalor just a few months ago.



"They've been doing very well, picking up weight, eating good, sleeping better," she said.



Last year, the 53-year-old immediately agreed to take care of the kids, even if it meant losing her temp jobs.



Anderson said she would be homeless and the girls would be living in foster care if it wasn't for the generosity of 7th district Chicago police officers.



With approval from his superiors, Artz spearheaded an effort to raise money through a GoFundMe page. Now, Artz is under investigation for violating police department policy.



"I believe it is waste of time, energy and money because he is a good man. I have good feelings about people and he is one of the best," Anderson said.



Artz is accused of violating rule 52 which prohibits officers of seeking or soliciting contributions of any kind from anyone. The complaint against him was lodged by CPD Internal Affairs Commander Robert Klimas.



Calling the policy obscure and outdated, Chicago police sergeant's union president Jim Ade said the investigation is just another nail in the coffin for police morale.



"Take a guy running across the street saving someone from a burning building and three months later he gets a ticket for jay walking, that is what the department is doing," he said.



And saving the three young girls is exactly what Anderson and Artz's supporters said he has done. Now the police sergeant has a complaint on his record.

Bureaucracies, obsessed with rules and procedures, tend to be immune from common sense. But there is little slack in Chicago for wasting time and money on ridiculous investigations.
As the debate over repealing and replacing Obamacare continues, it's important to address one of the root causes of skyrocketing health care costs: the middle men standing between patients and doctors, driving up the price of care.

Prior to Obamacare, the government's preferential tax treatment of employment-sponsored health insurance shifted the market away from doctors and patients and toward the insurance industry. Health insurance companies effectively became the "de facto" customer in the health care market place.

When insurance companies, acting as middle men, took on the role of patients, costs were driven up. This fact is illuminated by "cash only" clinics, like in Oklahoma City. While one Oklahoma hospital offered knee replacement surgery for upwards of $40,000, a nearby cash only clinic, that didn't run through insurance, offered the same procedure for $19,000. That price even included a plane ticket to fly the patient out for the procedure and put him up in a nice hotel room, where he was visited by his doctors throughout the recovery process instead of a hospital room. The cash only clinic also offered a warranty in case the patient experienced complications resulting from the surgery.

This perfectly illustrates the added cost of having a middle man stand between doctors and patients, looking for a cut of the money. This process is not dissimilar to ordering a pizza from Dominos  you can pick it up in store for lower prices than if you pay a person to deliver it to you.

The other middle man that has supplanted patients is the federal government itself. Obamacare shifted the burden of insuring Americans away from employers and towards the bloated federal government. This resulted in over 7 million people being issued insurance cancelation notices while working families saw their premiums rise by an average of 25%. By placing itself between doctors and patients with higher taxes and new regulations, mandates, and subsidies, the federal government drove up the cost of care.

Some on the left, like socialist Senator Bernie Sanders , acknowledging the failures of Obamacare, have begun to call for "Medicaid for all" as a solution. But just look at what that would entail. Since Medicaid reimburses doctors for sometimes as little as 50% of what their services actually cost, fewer and fewer doctors are accepting Medicaid patients, causing Medicaid beneficiaries to flood emergency rooms instead. This drives up the costs of health care even further, as E.R. visits average roughly $580 more than seeing a primary care physician. Clearly, putting government in between patients and doctors produces a failed system, regardless of whether government props up insurers or tries to insure people directly.

As we look to replace Obamacare, it is important to remember that further propping up the health care middle men will only ensure that costs continue to rise.

To truly reform medicine, the role of 'health care customer" must shift back to ordinary Americans, rather than multi-billion-dollar insurance companies or the bloated federal government. When the patient-doctored relationship is given greater priority, the cost of care will naturally go down.

Mark Elsasser is editor-in-chief of Conservative Force.
A laptop belonging to a female Secret Service agent was stolen from her unattended vehicle in Brooklyn, NY on Thursday. The device contained sensitive information, including the floor plans for Trump Tower, and other "national security" information according to a spokesman for the Secret Service.

The Secret Service also confirmed that the laptop was agency-issued. While no classified information was apparently on the device, access to secret information could be gained through the computer.

Politico:

Two of the sources said that some items stolen from the vehicle  including a set of lapel pins that allow agents entry into security perimeters around dignitaries protected by the Secret Service  had been recovered in the vicinity soon after the break-in. One person who is in contact with the Secret Service said that an agency-issued radio used for secure closed-circuit communications also was among the stolen items, but the person did not know whether it had been recovered. The Secret Service declined to comment on the pins or the radio. But, in a statement, the agency said that it is investigating the laptop theft with help from the New York City Police Department. The statement stressed that agency-issued laptops contain multiple layers of security including full disk encryption that prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing their contents. A law enforcement official who has worked with the Secret Service said that, in order to access agency computers, users need an authorized electronic identity card and at least two different passwords. The closed-circuit agency radios are encrypted, said the person who is in contact with the Secret Service. Nonetheless, the incident provoked alarm among law enforcement officials. One official characterized as highly sensitive the information on the laptop about the physical layout of Trump Tower, where President Donald Trumps family maintains a residence and the Trump Organization and campaign maintain offices. The official said the theft of the laptop feeds the perception that that theres a culture of complacency among the agents as to the gravitas of the mission. The missing laptop is the latest embarrassment for the agency, after recent revelations about an intruder who managed to jump the White House fence and evade apprehension for 15 minutes, as well as an investigation into two agents who reportedly are under investigation for taking photos with Trumps sleeping grandson.

The New York police say that they will be able to ID the thief from surveillance video near the scene of the crime. But this raises the troubling question that if the police can find the perp, won't foreign intelligence agencies also be able to track him down?

Unless you believe the New York city traffic cams are unhackable, the Secret Service must assume that the identity of the thief could become known to spies who may have great interest in what's on that laptop. While a common criminal wouldn't be able to gain access to classified information, if the laptop was in the hands of a sophisticated intelligence agency, that might not be the case.

Such a scenario is not likely, but possible. As for the "complacency" of the Secret Service, there is no doubt that since responsibility for the agency was removed from the Treasury Department and placed in the Department of Homeland Security, the performance of the agency has gone downhill. Numerous scandals involving drinking on the job, security breaches, prostitutes, and lapses like the most recent incident involving a disturbed person climbing the White House fence and wandering around the grounds for 15 minutes, reveal an agency in crisis.

Will it take a horrible tragedy to reform the Secret Service? We can only hope not.
President Trump's budget cuts funding for the LIHEAP program, which pays for heating and air conditioning bills for poor people. And rich people. And dead people. And prisoners.

[M]ore than 11,000 dead people and hundreds of prisoners were used as applicants for LIHEAP benefits. More than 1,000 federal employees whose salary exceeded the maximum income threshold also received benefits. In several cases, people living in million-dollar homes paid their utility bills using money from the program, which is run by the Department of Health and Human Services. The GAO report uncovered in Illinois $540 in energy assistance given to an applicant who used the identities of two deceased family members to qualify for the funds. In New Jersey, the program gave $3,200 in assistance to a nursing home whose director claimed to represent eight patients residing in the facility, but whose care was already covered by Medicaid. GAO investigators also posed as prospective LIHEAP recipients by producing bogus addresses, fabricating energy bills and pay stubs when applying for assistance. Many of the claims received payments.

More:

A popular program that helps poor people pay their heating bills is easy to cheat because the state department running it doesn't keep close enough watch on the private agencies doling out the benefits, according to a report by the Office of the State Comptroller. Some applicants submitted phony social security numbers or misleading income information. One social security number was for a dead person, and it had been used in 25 different applications. The comptroller launched the inquiry into the program after it got a tip that the Puerto Rican Action Board, a private, nonprofit social service agency in Middlesex County, was "cutting corners" to enrollment quotas. Some applicants received benefit without having to document their income, the comptroller found.

At the New York Times, a woman says that if she doesn't get her heating subsidy, she will be forced to move in with family members, and she would much rather that taxpayers took care of her.

Ms. Feltner said that without the heating subsidy she would probably have to move in with her daughter and two teenage grandchildren. "I'd still like to have a little dignity left, and not have to move in with someone else," she said.

All this raises an interesting question  how did people live in the northern part of the country before heating subsidies? Did people regularly freeze to death in their homes?

A clue to this can be found in a WaPo article, which states that:

[T]he biggest problem with LIHEAP appears to be that it's chronically underfunded: It's typically only able to serve 20 percent of eligible homes each year before funding runs out.

So if 80% of people eligible for LIHEAP are not getting it, and we haven't read about people freezing to death in their homes (have you? I haven't), we can safely conclude that LIHEAP is a luxury, not a life essential.

Furthermore, if states like New Hampshire or Vermont have problems with people being cold in the winter, why can't they pay to subsidize their residents' own bills? Why should people in Florida and Georgia be asked to pay for them?

This is another program that is not only rife with fraud, but also totally inappropriate to be funded on the federal level. And I'd be very surprised to see it phased out.

Ed Straker is the senior writer at NewsMachete.com.
Whats his plan?

The headline on Drudge is: Trump Budget Proposes Killing All Funding for PBS, NPR and National Endowment for the Arts. The budget proposes many other cuts in discretionary spending as well  see Ed Straker here -- but defunding these three along with Planned Parenthood have been a Conservative fever dream since I dunno  LBJs administration? And we dont see anybody falling over in a swoon thinking its actually going to happen now.

And it does seem a (Malcolm) Muggeridge too far. Because under all foreseeable conditions youre not going to get enough dishwater Liberal Republicans in Congress to vote to defund. Not when you might have beloved establishment types like Laura Bush defending the National Endowment for the Arts, as she has done before, or has one of her daughters, as is happening now, out raising money for Planned Parenthood.

So is Trump just entertaining us with the notion?

It does seem hes up to something. We know that from the new round of campaign rallies because Trump primes himself with moxie from those adoring crowds in the exact same way a camel sucks his hump full of water before his next trek across the Sahara.

In Agatha Christies The Sittaford Mystery a wealthy retired army officer rents his mountaintop mansion to a woman for the winter and moves seven or eight miles downhill to a more modest house in the village. Meanwhile a big snowstorm hits and the woman invites her new neighbors on the lonely mountain in for the evening. A group then decides to entertain themselves with a seance. Joining them is a life-long friend of the wealthy ex-army officer who is shocked when the table knocks out the message that the other man is being murdered down in the village. Everyone else laughs it off but the man is so disturbed that he overcomes their strident objections and insists upon trudging downhill all those miles through the storm in order to make certain his friend is okay.

Several hours later he arrives in the village, discovers his friend has in fact been murdered, summons the police who examine the body and conclude that yes, he was killed very close to or at the time the spirit summoned by the seance knocked out the warning.

Long story short the murderer gets away with the killing until a pair of boots is discovered hidden in the village house which reveal that the friend who insisted upon trudging down through the snow all those many miles, never did. Instead he skied down the mountain in a few minutes, immediately murdered his friend, disposed of his skis in a closet filled with many others and then waited several hours before calling the police who believed him when he said he had just arrived.

Moral? That Trump in his quest to defund may not have a long hard, maybe impossible, slog ahead of him like we think he does. Like any normal Republican politician would. Instead just as he won the election with the endorsement of only one out of a hundred U.S. senators or pulled Ohio out of the knotted angry grasp of a popular Republican governor who hated his guts or just like he made a fool out of Megyn Kelly when she hit him with the ultimate, cannot weasel away from, knockout gotcha question possible at the primary debate - he may have a set of skis hidden somewhere.

Stay tuned.
A small ray of hope pierced through the muck of United Nations hostility to Israel, and cost the head of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia her job. Barney Breen-Portnoy of the Algemeiner reports:

The head of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) has resigned over pressure she said she received from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to withdraw a report published earlier this week that accused Israel of establishing an apartheid regime that dominates the Palestinian people as a whole, according to Reuters. Under Secretary-General and ESCWA Executive Secretary Rima Khalaf made the announcement on Friday in Beirut, Lebanon  where the 18-member ESCWA is headquartered. As of Friday, a link to the report could no longer be found on the front page of the ESCWA website.

It is hard to know if US pressure led to the forced resignation, but pressure there was:

On Wednesday, after the publication of the report  which was authored by Richard Falk and Virginia Tilley  Haley slammed it, saying, That such anti-Israel propaganda would come from a body whose membership nearly universally does not recognize Israel is unsurprising. That it was drafted by Richard Falk, a man who has repeatedly made biased and deeply offensive comments about Israel and espoused ridiculous conspiracy theories, including about the 9/11 terrorist attacks, is equally unsurprising. The United States stands with our ally Israel and will continue to oppose biased and anti-Israel actions across the UN system and around the world, she continued.

Does anyone remember anything at all like this happening in the 8 years of the Obama presidency? Does anyone remember Samantha Power, the Genocide Chick who preceeded Ambassador Haley, accomplishing anything remotely comparable?

Hat tip: Cheryl Jacobs Lewin
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration has issued a statement on the death of Caribbean Nobel Prize winning poet, Dereck Alton Walcott.

The Bahamas along with the rest of the Caribbean mourns the death of Dereck Alton Walcott, a Nobel-prize winning poet. Mr. Walcott, who hails from St. Lucia was also a playwright and painter. According to a statement issued by his family, he died peacefully Friday 17th March, 2017, at his home in Cap Estate, Saint Lucia. The Bahamas extends heartfelt condolences to his family and the Government and people of St. Lucia.

Walcott, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1992, was a prolific and versatile poet, whose immense body of work included the epic poem Omeros and the plays the Last Carnival and Dream on Monkey Mountain, the latter of which earned him an Obie Award.

While his birth place was St. Lucia, he identified with and took every opportunity to celebrate the Caribbean.

This luminary of the Caribbean will be sorely missed and we thank him immensely for the rich body of work he has left with us.

May his soul rest in peace.

(Via the Bahamas Information Services)
Via The New York Times: Lack of Oxford Comma Could Cost Maine Company Millions in Overtime Dispute. Excerpt:

A class-action lawsuit about overtime pay for truck drivers hinged entirely on a debate that has bitterly divided friends, families and foes: The dreaded  or totally necessary  Oxford comma, perhaps the most polarizing of punctuation marks.

What ensued in the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and in a 29-page court decision handed down on Monday, was an exercise in high-stakes grammar pedantry that could cost a dairy company in Portland, Me., an estimated $10 million.

In 2014, three truck drivers sued Oakhurst Dairy, seeking more than four years worth of overtime pay that they had been denied. Maine law requires workers to be paid 1.5 times their normal rate for each hour worked after 40 hours, but it carves out some exemptions.

A quick punctuation lesson before we proceed: In a list of three or more items  like beans, potatoes and rice  some people would put a comma after potatoes, and some would leave it out. A lot of people feel very, very strongly about it.

The debate over commas is often a pretty inconsequential one, but it was anything but for the truck drivers. Note the lack of Oxford comma  also known as the serial comma  in the following state law, which says overtime rules do not apply to:

The canning, processing, preserving, freezing, drying, marketing, storing, packing for shipment or distribution of:

(1) Agricultural produce;

(2) Meat and fish products; and

(3) Perishable foods.

Does the law intend to exempt the distribution of the three categories that follow, or does it mean to exempt packing for the shipping or distribution of them?

Delivery drivers distribute perishable foods, but they dont pack the boxes themselves. Whether the drivers were subject to a law that had denied them thousands of dollars a year depended entirely on how the sentence was read.

If there were a comma after shipment, it might have been clear that the law exempted the distribution of perishable foods. But the appeals court on Monday sided with the drivers, saying the absence of a comma produced enough uncertainty to rule in their favor. It reversed a lower court decision.

In other words: Oxford comma defenders won this round.
YEREVAN, MARCH 18, ARMENPRESS. Artsakhakertum NGO and the Union of Journalists of Artsakh are organizing an International Bloggers Forum in Stepanakert on March 19-20, reports Armenpress.

The Forum will be attended by over 30 bloggers from 11 countries of the world.

The Forum will focus on the topic of coverage of conflicts in social media and ensuring freedoms of bloggers and journalists.
HARRISBURG  Firefighters from across the state gathered in the Forum Auditorium on Friday to honor Harrisburg Bureau of Fire Lt. Dennis DeVoe.

A procession passed by the front of the Capitol before continuing to the service that began at noon.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse spoke at the service and called Devoe a man of duty and discipline, a protector of the city who will not only be missed by his fellow firefighters, but by the thousands of people who call Harrisburg home. He said the city owes Devoe a debt it can never repay.

Fire Chief Brian Enterline called Devoe a true fireman and a subtle and positive role model to all.

Denny was never a mediocre firefighter just waiting for the next paycheck, sitting in a recliner, reading some off-topic magazine. He was always researching, reading and working to make himself and the troops safer, smarter, and more proficient at our craft, he said.

Enterline said there was no task Devoe couldnt do, no snotty hallway he couldnt crawl, and no unaccounted for life he wouldnt search for.

He said Devoes courage and heroism were recently exemplified on a building fire at 1219 Kittatinny Street.

Squad 8 under the command of Lt. Devoe arrived on scene just two minutes later and confirmed a working fire with neighbors screaming that there was a victim inside the building. It was without hesitation that Lt. Dennis Devoe and firefighter Nathan Martin crawled through a ball of fire to reach the trapped occupant on the first floor of the living room and successfully rescued them from the building, Enterline said.

It is for this successful rescue and without due regard to his own life that today we award Lt. Dennis H. Devoe the Award of Heroism, he said. Well done, good and faithful servant.

DeVoe, a 21-year veteran of the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire, was headed to a house fire on March 10 when his vehicle was struck at the intersection of 14th and Walnut streets. The other driver was arrested for DUI and other charges.

Two girls died from injuries sustained in the house fire. Three-year-old Ashanti Hughes died Saturday and 10-year-old Savannah Dominick died Thursday.

Investigators have blamed the fire on a recharging hoverboard. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating. Its looked into more than 60 fires caused by hoverboard batteries. The deaths in Harrisburg are believed to be the first.

Devoe lived in Stewartstown, in southern York County. He was a volunteer member of the Whiteford Volunteer Fire Company in Whiteford, Maryland, and Citizens Volunteer Fire Company of Fawn Grove. He was also a past active volunteer member of the Eureka Fire Company in Stewartstown, according to a news release from the City of York Department of Fire/Rescue Services.
He was hospitalised a couple of weeks ago owing to poor health conditions.

Mumbai: Father of former Miss World and Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Krishnaraj Rai, breathed his last today after being in the hospital for a few weeks owing to health issues.

Rai continued to be in a critical state and showed little improvement in the past few weeks that he was in the hospital. Aishwarya had cut her trip short to be by her fathers side when he was admitted to the hospital. Son-in-law Abhishek had also flown back from New York.

Bachchans did not celebrate Holi this year because of Rais poor health. Krishnaraj Rai is survived by wife Vrinda, son Aditya and daughter Aishwarya.
Seyfried and Sadoski, who are expecting their first child, eloped and got married in a secret ceremony.

Mumbai: Congratulations are in order for Amanda Seyfried as it turns out, she is not only a mom-to-be, but also married!

Seyfried and her fiance Thomas Sadoski, who are expecting their first child, eloped and got married in a secret ceremony on March 12.

During an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden, the 40-year-old actor revealed, We eloped. We just took off into the country with an officiant and, just the two of us, and we did our thing."

Showing off his own wedding band on the talk show, Sadoski declared Seyfried his wife and said, "Listen, she's the person that I love, admire, respect most in the world," Sadoski.

The 'Wild' star, who revealed that he and his new bride wrote their own vows, also noted, "It was beautiful. It was everything that it should be. It was just the two of us talking to each other."

The lovebirds first met when they were working together on the off-Broadway show 'The Way We Get By' in mid-2015, but their romance started after they reunited on the set of their forthcoming drama.
Additional district and session judge RP Goyal granted life sentence to the 13 men, who had been convicted for murder by it earlier.

Gurgaon: A Gurgaon court today awarded life sentence to 13 former employees of Maruti-Suzuki India Limited, who it had found guilty of murder, in connection with the violence at the automobile giant's Manesar plant in 2012 in which a senior company officer had died.



Additional district and session judge RP Goyal granted life sentence to the 13 men, who had been convicted for murder by it earlier.



Of the 18 other ex-workers, who had been convicted of various other offences like violence, rioting and attempt to murder, four have been given a sentence of 5 years.



Fourteen other convicts would be released after paying a fixed amount of Rs 2,500 as fine.



The court termed these 14 as "undergone accused" as they had already served a jail term of four and half years, which it felt was enough punishment.



The 13 persons who have been sentenced to life term are identified as Ram Mehar, who was the union president, Sandeep Dhillon, Ram Bilas, Sarabjeet Singh, Pawan Kumar, Sohan Kumar, Pradeep Kumar, Ajmer Singh, Jiya Lal, Amarjeet, Dhanraj Bhambi, Yogesh Kumar and Pradeep Gujjar.



During the proceedings today, the prosecution counsel Anurag Hooda sought death penalty for all the 13 murder convicted employees. Sessions judge R P Goyal, after taking into consideration all aspects, awarded life sentence to each of them.



Defense counsel, Rebbecca John however said she would approach the High Court against the decision.



Earlier, 31 workers had been convicted and 117 were acquitted by the court on March 10. Thirteen of the accused were held guilty of murder while the remaining 18 were convicted of violence, rioting and other offences.



Violence had erupted at the facility in August 2012 over disciplinary action against an employee during which agitated workers went on rampage, torching a part of the factory, setting senior human resource manager Awanish Kumar Dev on fire, and beating up and bludgeoning with rods 100 others.



Those wounded included some foreigners and policemen.



The police had arrested 148 workers in connection with the murder.
New Delhi: The son of the Nizamuddin dargah head priest, who has gone missing in Pakistan, today pleaded that his father be "released" as he is not involved in "any activity" that should invite any action.

Sajid Ali Nizami told reporters that his father Syed Asif Nizami (80) went missing at Karachi Airport while few others, including Nazim Nizami, who were travelling with him were detained at Lahore.

"We have this information that he (Syed) is in Karachi. Our relatives went to the airport to receive them but he never came out. They directed them to send my father to Karachi alone. But then he never came out of the airport.

"Whoever has him, we just want to tell them we are not involved in any activity. We are sufi people. We belong to Hazrat Nizamuddin, we are staying here for the last 700 years. We want him to be released as soon as possible," Sajid said.

When contacted, Syed Afsar Ali Nizami, in-charge of the Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, said they were yet to receive any information about their whereabouts.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said the Indian government has taken up the matter with Pakistan.

The two had gone to visit the famous Daata Darbar shrine in Lahore and were to catch a flight to Karachi on Wednesday.
After demonetisation, Modis 2nd gamble ahead of 2019, claims BJP leader.

New Delhi: The chants of Sabka saath sabka vikas on Saturday gave away to frenzied cries of Jai Shree Ram and UP mein rahena hoga toh Yogi Yogi kahena hoga as the BJPs Gorakhpur MP, Ajay Singh alias Yogi Adityanath, known for his divisive past and politics, was anointed as the next chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Sources said putting the Hindutva hawk and founder of the Hindu Yuva Vahini at the helm of affairs in UP was a conscious decision by the BJP top brass in consultation with the RSS. The decision to pick Adityanath as chief minister was sealed at a meeting between BJP chief Amit Shah and RSS second-in-command Bhaiyyaji Joshi in Mumbai last week.

The BJP now appears all set to step up the politics of polarisation ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in order to consolidate the entire Hindu votebank, cutting across caste dynamics, with Uttar Pradesh seen as the gateway to New Delhi, some in the party feel. One of the main things that Yogi Adityanath is expected to focus on is the construction the Ram temple at the disputed site at Ayodhya.

Talking about the decision, a BJP leader said: After demonetisation, this is Modis second gamble before the 2019 elections. It was, however, also felt in some circles that Adityanaths choice as chief minister runs the risk of the resurrection of a decimated Opposition in UP as well as across the country.

Moderates in the BJP who had been claiming that the UP mandate was a vote for development appeared stunned and till the last moment some top UP leaders kept saying that it could not be true.

The decision to make Adityanath chief minister was a closely guarded secret and a number of other names, including that of Union minister Manoj Sinha, were kept in circulation to keep everyone guessing.

A top Cabinet minister, speaking to this newspaper late on Friday night, said: Its decided. Manoj Sinha will be the CM. Unaware of the developments behind closed doors, a confident and beaming Mr Sinha went Saturday morning to temples in Varanasi to offer prayers. By the afternoon he was snapping at the media, and accusing them of dragging his name into the race unnecessarily.

To find out the reasons for this somewhat contentious decision, this newspaper spoke to several senior BJP and RSS leaders. Sources said even before the UP polls were under way, the RSS and BJP decided to seriously start the process of building the much-promised Ram Mandir at Ayodhya if the BJP won the polls. Both outfits felt the construction of the much-awaited Ram temple will galvanise the majority of the Hindu community in the BJPs favour before the 2019 general election. For this, they needed a strong Hindutva icon and therefore zeroed in on Adityanath.

Yet Yogi Adityanath was not given any clear indication during the campaign, but merely told he will have no reason to complain... and be given a major responsibility if the party came to power in the state.

While the BJP refused to give any commitments, two top RSS leaders reassured Adityanath that his name for the CMs post will be seriously considered. At the same time it was made clear he could be made chief minister only if the BJP managed to come to power in the state on its own. Adityanath apparently promised that the Ram Mandir will be a reality if he was made CM, sources said.

Before the UP elections, a conscious decision was taken to play to the Hindu gallery when the BJP decided not to give tickets to a single Muslim candidate, the sources said. The partys historic victory, with well over 300 seats in the 403-member Assembly, vindicated the party strategy to stick to the Hindu votebank and isolate Muslims as far as electoral politics was concerned.

In the entire UP campaign, the BJP kept two narratives running side by side. One was of development while the other was of strident Hindutva. It may be recalled that before the UP election, a survey was done of party cadres to decide on the main electoral plank. A majority of BJP workers and leaders said Hindutva and nationalism should be the main planks in UP.

While speaking about development, top BJP leaders including the Prime Minister touched on communally-sensitive issues during the campaign. At the same time, Adityanath and other saffron fringe elements kept their divisive rhetoric going.

Adityanath had earlier attacked Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, saying he should remember that if people boycott his films, he would also have to wander in the streets like a normal Muslim... These people are speaking in the language of terrorists. I think there is no difference between the language of Shah Rukh Khan and Hafiz Saeed. He had also earlier targeted Mother Teresa for conspiring to Christianise India.
Parliamentary panel feels that the Aayog should focus on resolving inter-state disputes and community related conflicts.

The much-hyped Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and Self-Employment and Talent Utilisation (SETU) schemes, which are the brainchild of the Niti Aayog, have failed to use up the funds allotted to them under the Union Budget.

New Delhi: Two years after the Niti Aayog was carved out from the Nehruvian-era Planning Commission, there has been no concrete outcome of the various initiatives which it has launched since January 2015, according to a high-level Parliamentary panel.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance has asked Niti Aayog to focus more on results and outcome as well as concretisation of well-conceived ideas.

It has suggested to the government that the present role and mandate of Niti Aayog should be simplified with more clarity about its assigned role and functions. The panel feels that the Aayog should focus on resolving inter-state disputes and community related conflicts.

Advising Niti Aayog to function as an effective think tank guiding the government as well as states in policy making and shaping policies and schemes, the high-level panel has made these observations in the light of the fact that some of its major schemes have not been able to utilise their budgetary allocations.

The much-hyped Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and Self-Employment and Talent Utilisation (SETU) schemes, which are the brainchild of the Niti Aayog, have failed to use up the funds allotted to them under the Union Budget.

Both AIM and SETU were allotted Rs 150 crore and Rs 1,000 crore respectively in the 2015-16 Union Budget. However the actual expenditure under these schemes have been consistently lower than the budgeted expenditure, the committee has noted its report which was presented to Parliament last week.

These schemes had been envisioned as an innovation promotion platform as well as a technical, financial, incubation and facilitation programme to support self employment initiatives, especially start-ups.

However owing to lack of detailed guidelines and ongoing consultations with various stakeholders, have led to under utilisation of budgetary funds for the two schemes, the committee has noted.

In this scenario, the committee felt that although various initiatives seem to have been launched by Niti Aayog with much fanfare, the concrete outcomes expected from them seem to be missing.

The Parliamentary panel further noted that with its frugal budget (to the tune of around Rs 250 crore for 2017-18), the Niti Aayog should not be involved in any central scheme, which should actually remain in the domain of the concerned administrative ministry, in this case the ministry of planning.

Such schemes (like AIM and SETU) should be transferred forthwith to the respective line ministries for greater synergy in implementation, the committee has advised in the report.
So far, bodies of five Naxals have been recovered along with a cache of arms including one AK 47 and one Insas assault rifle.

Recovery of AK 47 and Insas assault rifles indicated that the slain Maoists may include commander ranking rebels.

Bhopal: At least seven suspected Maoists were on Saturday gunned down in an encounter with security forces near the forested village of Berrempara under Aranpur police limits in Chhattisgarhs south Bastar district of Dantewada. Two policemen were also injured in the incident. Five bodies have so far been recovered.

Search operation by security forces is still on at the encounter site. So far bodies of five Naxals have been recovered along with a huge cache of arms and ammunitions and explosives including one AK 47 and one Insas assault rifles at the encounter site, Dantewada district additional superintendent of police (ASP) G.N. Baghel told this newspaper on phone. We expect the casualty among the Naxals to rise, he added.

Recovery of AK 47 and Insas assault rifles indicated that the slain Maoists may include commander ranking rebels, he added.

Two sub-inspectors, D. Patra and Sangram Singh, were also injured in the incident. They were evacuated from the encounter site and admitted in the district hospital at Dantewada.

The encounter took place when a joint search party comprising district reserve force (DRG) and special task force (STF) was ambushed by armed guerrillas in Berrempara jungle leading to a fierce gun battle between them.

Reinforcement has been rushed to the spot to back up the search party, Mr Baghel said. Details were still awaited, he added.
Mumbai: Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah on Friday said he will "never accept" the job of advising the Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi.

"I will never accept this job," Shah said, when asked what would he do if he were asked to advise Rahul Gandhi after the Congress' poor show in the recent elections.

Shah was speaking at an interactive session at the India Today Conclave here tonight via video link.

Asked if he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had no reason to worry as long as the Congress was led by Rahul Gandhi, Shah said, We don't depend on our rivals' weakness."

To a question about his "earlier stint as a stock broker", Shah said, "I earned enough money then. ("Paisa toh maine theek thak kamaya tha").

On his relationship with Modi, Shah said, "My relationship with him is the same as it should be between a PM and (ruling) party president."

On the BJP and its bickering ally Shiv Sena contesting the recent civic polls separately, Shah said, "It was a friendly match. It has ended. Our alliance has been there for a long time and will continue."
BJPs Hindutva mascot, the saffron-robed has made several polarising remarks.

Lucknow: In a surprise move, the BJP on Saturday announced that Gorakhpurs controversial MP Yogi Adityanath would be the next chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. The state will also have two deputy chief ministers  UP BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and Lucknow mayor Dinesh Sharma.

The chief minister-designate and the two deputy chief ministers are, incidentally, not members of the state legislature. Yogi Aditynath and Keshav Maurya are MPs, while Dinesh Sharma is not a member of either House of the state legislature.

After his election, Yogi Adityanath along with his senior colleagues from the BJP went to Raj Bhavan to officially stake claim. Governor Ram Naik has invited him to form the government. The chief minister and his Cabinet will be sworn in at a grand ceremony in Lucknow on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah are expected to be present at the swearing-in.

A Thakur and a five-time MP from Gorakhpur, Yogi Adityanaths name was declared by Union minister Venkaiah Naidu, one of the two central observers at the first BJP legislature party meeting held in the newly-constructed chief ministers office known as Lok Bhavan. His name was proposed by Suresh Khanna, an eight-term MLA and was unanimously accepted by the MLAs amidst chants of Jai Shri Ram.

The election of Yogi Adityanath was preceded by high drama. Adityanath was summoned to Delhi by a chartered flight on Saturday morning. After meeting BJP president Amit Shah, he returned to Lucknow along with Mr Maurya on Saturday afternoon. The legislature party meeting was also delayed by over an hour as Mr Naidu held a closed-door meeting with Mr Maurya, party general secretary Bhupendra Yadav, Yogi Adityanath and senior BJP leader Om Mathur at the VVIP guest house.

The presence of BJP MP Yogi Adityanath at the meeting triggered off speculations since his presence as an MP was unwarranted. The presence of union minister Anupriya Patel at the meeting was equally surprising. Thousands of his supporters, who had started coming to Lucknow as soon as Yogi Adityanath left for Delhi, thronged the Lok Bhawan gates chanting, Yogi Yogi.

The supporters became restive as the meeting continued and many of them tried to scale the high iron gates and break into the venue. As soon as news of him being appointed chief minister trickled out, his supporters danced with joy and burst crackers.

His supporters had been demanding that he be named the chief minister even before the results were announced. Posters depicting him as Lord Krishna and Ram have surfaced all through the state.

The 45-year-old leaders name is believed to have been finalised keeping in mind his immense popularity in eastern UP. The BJP has the highest stakes for the 2019 general elections and Yogis image as a Hindu hardliner will keep the votes polarised on religious lines.

With two deputy chief ministers, the BJP has also tried to strike a caste balance in Uttar Pradesh. After its thrust on OBCs during the elections, the BJP leadership has tried to placate the upper castes with a Thakur chief minister, a Brahmin and an OBC deputy chief minister.
Staying physically active is important for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Walking the dog and playing with grandchildren relates to better health, specifically higher levels of physical activity. (Photo: Pixabay)

Walking a dog and spending time with grandchildren keep people with impaired lung function more active than their peers who dont have these outlets, researchers say.

Staying physically active is important for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and finding things that motivate patients to move is central to tailoring physical activity recommendations and planning interventions, the authors write in Thorax.

Patients with COPD who regularly engage in physical activity, even of mild to moderate intensity, have a better prognosis, said senior study author Dr. Judith Garcia-Aymerich of the Barcelona Institute of Global Health in Spain. The effect of physical activity is "very consistent . . . regardless of subjects characteristics, geography, and methods to measure activity, she said by email.

COPD are lung diseases that make breathing difficult and can cause wheezing or coughing. The most common forms are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. They most often occur in smokers and former smokers. About 30 million Americans currently have COPD, according to the COPD Foundation.

Garcia-Aymerich and her colleagues analyzed data on 410 COPD patients living in Barcelona and four other seaside cities in the Spanish province of Catalonia. Participants answered questions about their daily activities, marital and working status, health conditions and how their health affects their quality of life.

Researchers also used participants addresses to determine if they lived within a 15-minute walk of green spaces like parks, or blue spaces like the ocean, lakes or rivers. For one week, participants wore activity trackers that allowed researchers to tally their physical activity and its intensity.

About 85 percent of the participants were men, 69 years old on average. Nine percent had mild COPD, 53 percent had moderate disease, 31 percent had severe COPD and 7 percent had very severe COPD.

About 12 percent of participants reported walking their dog and about 38 percent said they cared for their grandchildren. Half of them lived near green or blue spaces. The week of activity tracking showed that participants spent an average of three hours each day being active, about half of that moderately intense.

Participants who walked their dogs were active about 18 minutes more each day than those who didnt walk a dog. And people who took care of their grandkids were active an average of 9 minutes more each day than those who didnt. Nearness to green or blue space did not seem to influence activity levels.

Walking the dog and playing with grandchildren relates to better health, specifically higher levels of physical activity, even in subjects with moderate-severe respiratory disease, Garcia-Aymerich said.

One challenge about observational studies such as this is that we dont know if people with COPD who chose to have (and walk) dogs or be involved in grandparenting are different in difficult-to-measure ways from those that dont do these things, said Dr. William Ehlenbach, a pulmonologist with the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison who wasnt involved in the study.

Patients with COPD who are not physically active are much more likely to develop progressive activity limitation than those with similar severity of disease who are active, he added.

Muscle weakness can become a significant problem in patients with COPD and contributes to disability in these patients. With COPD, the adage move it or lose it really seems to be true, Ehlenbach told Reuters Health by email.

He found it interesting that proximity to green space was not associated with increased physical activity and added that its hard to translate these findings into specific recommendations since some people dont have grandkids or like dogs.

In general, I try to encourage my patients not to let fear or anxiety associated with shortness of breath prevent them from being active. I also encourage going for walks outdoors (weather permitting) or walk in a store or shopping center; even short walks at a slow pace are beneficial, he said.
MP Sushmita Dev has started an online petition to abolish tax on sanitary napkins, in an effort to make them affordable.

It is an issue that affects nearly half of the population, but even today, menstrual hygiene is a cause of concern for women in rural India. The 14.5 per cent tax on sanitary napkins makes them unaffordable, one of the main reasons why girls in rural areas discontinue their education. Over the years, various activists have been demanding that the government should either reduce or abolish the tax on sanitary napkins, as it is a necessity for women. When products such as condoms and contraceptives are tax free, then why are sanitary pads still categorised as luxury products and taxed heavily?

Bringing the issue to the forefront, MP Sushmita Dev from Silchar, Assam, has started a petition called #TaxFreeWings on Change.org, calling for 100 per cent tax exemption on the production and distribution of sanitary pads.

The petition has been addressed to the Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley and already has around 66,529 supporters. Once it reaches 75,000, it will be sent to the government for consideration. Signing the petition, politician Rahul Gandhi tweeted, Take a step to change the lives of millions of women this #WomensDay. I signed this petition, so should you, because Indian women deserve better. (sic) Politicians Salman Khurshid and Baijayant Jay Panda have also signed the petition.

Aditi Gupta, founder, Menstrupedia, an online guide that helps women to stay healthy and active during their periods, says, Its absolutely essential to exempt tax on sanitary pads or female hygiene products like tampons and menstrual cups. Our girls and women deserve better sanitation, as only 32 per cent of women use hygienic products in the rural areas. Due to Arunachalam Murugananthams innovation, many low cost sanitary napkins are being made and distributed. This has also created jobs for rural women. Getting the pads tax free would help the process work smoothly and help our girls and women to experience periods comfortably, which are anyway made worse due to the social stigma and many myths and misconceptions surrounding this biological process.

However, the plastic used in disposable sanitary napkins is non-biodegradable. Sushmita Dev says that a minimal tax can be imposed on disposable napkins and there must be 100 per cent tax exemption on environment friendly napkins. But Dia Mirza says that all sanitary napkin companies must make biodegradable napkins. While I appreciate the desire to make sanitary napkins affordable and accessible to more women, I am concerned that they are non-biodegradable and there is a complete lack of waste management systems. The waste generated could lead to a huge environmental hazard. If every woman in India were to use sanitary napkins, we would generate up to a 100 million tonnes of non-biodegradable toxic waste. What would be admirable and deeply appreciated is to make biodegradable, reusable/washable napkins that can become accessible to women and then making them tax free, she says.

Ayesha Farheen, an MSc Nutrition student from Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, says that when womens issues such as eve-teasing are now being spoken about, it is high time we talk about this too. Im proud of the MPs move. Nobody talks about menstruation and the problems women face because of it. Some of my friends from lower income backgrounds cannot afford sanitary napkins and I have seen them face many problems. I hope the government takes action soon, she says.
Over 65,000 BJP booth in-charges in the national capital are estimated to assemble to prepare for the civic polls.

New Delhi: Fresh from victories in Assembly polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday exuded confidence that it will perform well in the Municipal corporation elections and lashed out at AAP for "wasting" Delhi taxpayers' money on campaigns in Punjab and Goa.

Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari also sought to allay the apprehensions of the sitting councillors, who may be feeling resentful about the party's decision to field only fresh faces.

"26 of these sitting councillors, who have contributed to the party and served people for years, would be chosen for special roles, maybe for next Delhi Assembly elections," he told reporters at Ramlila Maidan here.

"The civic elections are an opportunity for the people to give their mandate against the government which has neglected the development of Delhi and kept itself busy in its bid for political expansion at the cost of the public exchequer. "I am confident that the people will give a reasonable verdict in the MCD polls," he said.

Seeking to micro-manage its campaign, the party is holding a convention of its polling booth in-charges at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, which the party's chief Amit Shah and Union minister M Vankaiah Naidu are slated to address the crowd.

Over 65,000 BJP booth in-charges, five from each of the 13,372 polling stations in the national capital are estimated to assemble for the event to prepare groundwork for the April 22 civic polls.

The BJP has dubbed the group of five booth in-charges as 'Panch Parmeshwar' with Tiwari, saying these "workers will work like 'panchs' towards getting administrative justice for people".

"The event is not a rally but a convention meant only for booth in-charges, for whom special passes have been made.

Other workers are welcome but will have to come like any other visitor. The idea is to let the party chief convey the strategy to the lower level, so they can execute the plan as desired," Tiwari said.

Citing the victories in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand as a major factor, he said, "At nearly booths, we did not even have a single volunteer, but now we have 'Panch Parmeshwars' coming from all the polling stations."

When asked if these were Muslim-dominated regions, the Delhi BJP President only said, "Our aim is in consonance with the government's vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'."

"Muslims would be adequately represented in the election and ticket distribution," he said in response to another question.
Metro services to be severely curtailed, stations outside Delhi to be shut n CBSE issues advisory.

New Delhi: Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC has been imposed all over the city from Saturday onwards in the wake of the Jat bodys plan to ghearo the Parliament on March 20. All Metro stations outside Delhi will be shut down from Sunday night onwards till further orders.

To prevent protestors from entering the city, all border points will be under heavy surveillance of the police. A three tier security arrangements have been made. Tractors and trollies will not be allowed inside Delhi, said Madhur Verma, Delhi police spokesperson. He further added that 110 companies of forces from other states and the whole of Delhi police will be strategically deployed in Delhi on the day.

Because of the security arrangements, the public may find it inconvenient to commute in the city on Monday as all the routes coming to New Delhi district, including Rajiv Chowk, Rashtrapati Bhavan and parts of south Delhi will be restricted for the general public.

Vehicles will not be allowed to enter or exit from the New Delhi district, except for emergency vehicles, said JCP (Traffic) Garima Bhatnagar.

We will be checking if they have a legitimate reason to enter New Delhi district. They might have to show evidence of for the same, she added. Considering the ongoing CBSE Board examinations of Class 12 students, the police said, Parents and candidates should take preemptive measures to reach their destination on time because checking and blockade may cause delay. The police will cooperate with students to reach examination centres on time, said a senior police official. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) also issued an advisory for students of Classes 10 and 12 appearing for examinations on Monday. The students and parents are hereby informed and advised to take necessary measures to reach the examination centres well before the scheduled time to avoid any inconvenience in anticipation of the gherao, the advisory said.

Meanwhile, it is going to be a tough Monday for the Delhi Metro commuters as all Metro stations outside Delhi will be shut down from Sunday night onwards till further orders. Apart from this, 12 Metro stations in Central Delhi will be closed from 8 pm onwards on Sunday till further clearance from the Delhi police. The extraordinary measures, that are likely to throw life out of gear in the national capital, will be enforced in view of Jat groups threatening to intensify their agitation from Monday demanding quota in education and employment.

DMRC has been directed by the Delhi police to terminate all trains at Delhi border w.e.f 11.30 pm on March 19. It is therefore requested that necessary arrangements may kindly be made for maintenance of law and order at these stations. All entry gates of all Metro stations outside Delhi shall remain closed from 11.30 pm on March 19 till closure of arrangements by Delhi police, the letter written by the DMRC to the police chief of Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Faridabad said.

The Metro stations that will be affected by the security measures in place include Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan, Lok Kalyan Marg, Janpath, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, R.K. Ashram Marg, Pragati Maidan, Khan market and Shivaji stadium. The interchange facility will, however, be available as usual at Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat.

As directed by the Delhi Police, services will not be available at Yellow Line stations at Gurgaon, Blue Line stations at Noida and Violet Line stations at Faridabad.

The services will be resumed only after getting clearance from the police, a official said.

Security arrangements will be beefed up at the stations as chaos is expected on Monday morning.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been asked to stay on alert and deploy quick reaction teams at the closed stations. The DMRC staff has been asked not to sell tickets.
Superstitions prevent many people from donating organs, claim health officials.

New Delhi: Around five lakh Indians die waiting for an organ every year. The perpetual problem of shortage of organs has led to an ever-increasing demand supply gap, even though every person who dies naturally or is declared brain dead is a potential donor.

Sample this  according to figures with the National Organ Transplant and Tissue Organisation (NOTTO), while there is a demand for two lakh kidney transplants annually, only 8,000 are being done. Similarly, around 50,000 people need liver transplants and 30,000 need heart transplants against the availability of 3,000 and 100 respectively.

Besides, Delhi lags far behind in terms of organ donation when compared with other cities like Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Maharashtra.

The situation has improved a bit after formation of NOTTO in 2014. The body is the nodal networking agency which coordinates procurement, allocation, and distribution of organs in the country. However, there is still a long way to go. While in its first year, it coordinated 10 organ transplants, it increased to 78 in 2016.

The country sees around 1.3 lakh road accident deaths each year, of these 70 per cent are declared brain dead, which are potential organ donors. But most of them go waste due to various reasons ranging from unwilling families, religious beliefs and sometimes police intervention.

There are myths and misconceptions among general public regarding organ donation. Out of every 100 cases we counsel (counselling families of brain dead patients), we receive success in only five of them. Most families do not give consent. Some have religious superstitions like in the next birth they wont get the organ they donate, said an official from NOTTO.

There is a need for a massive awareness campaigns and that at the moment is missing, believes Sunayana Singh, CEO, Organ India, an initiative by Parashar Foundation, a Delhi-based NGO, which works to propagate the cause.

There are many myths surrounding donations. When we help in coordinating facilitation of organ donation, we receive questions like where will the organs go, whether these will be given to rich or poor patients. So, there is a need for an aggressive awareness drive to address these queries and make people more aware about the process, said Ms Singh.

According to the transplant law, organs for transplants can be retrieved in four ways: through cadavers or brain dead patients with the consent of their families, from living donors who include spouse and blood relations, from living donors who donate out of love and affection for the patient, without any commercial motive, or swap donors in which a willing close-relation donor, who is incompatible with the patient, exchanges his or her kidneys with another donor and recipient pair.

Also, according to the law, retrieval of organs has to happen before post-mortem but in some cases, the transplant coordinators have a hard time convincing the police for it.

We show them the guidelines but they are in a hurry to do the post-mortem. In the last two-three months, we have lost so many such cases where the family is willing but police is not, said the official, who did not wish to be identified.

Lack of infrastructure in various parts of the country is another hindrance in the process. States like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, and Jammu and Kashmir do not see any donation or transplant activity due to lack of trained experts to perform these procedures.

When it comes to the national capital, while private hospitals and those under Central government like AIIMS are conducting transplants, hospitals under Delhi government like Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP), GTB, etc which see a huge rush do not even have organ retrieval centres.

Delhi government hospitals are not registered with NOTTO or state transplant authority yet. We cannot say that hospitals like LNJP do not have proper infrastructure in place. I dont know whether the problem is at administration level or technical, the official said.

At times, even if an organ is available for immediate transplant, families cannot afford the high costs for such transplants. At private hospitals, a liver transplant costs anywhere between 20-22 lakh, heart transplant around 15-20 lakh, and kidney transplant around 5 lakh. In government ones like AIIMS, most of the transplants are done free of cost and rest at subsidised rates.

Ms Singh said that the states should follow the Tamil Nadu model under which the government has set up a corpus fund to provide financial help to patients in need of transplants and also for post-operative medication.

It will still take five more years to see some change, said the official from NOTTO.
On March 16, a group of unidentified men had looted Rs 1.5 crore from an ATM cash-van of State Bank of India.

Mumbai: Three persons have been arrested from Satara district in western Maharashtra in connection with the Rs 1.5 crore ATM cash van loot in Dharavi here, police said on Saturday.

The trio, who were trying to flee, was nabbed from a private travels bus on Friday night after Dharavi police, on a tip-off, intensified searches near Aanewadi Toll Plaza under Bhuinj Police Station jurisdiction in Satara with the help of local crime branch.

The arrested were identified as Sureshkumar Pandurangam, Arumugam Subramanyam Sherve and Kamala Nagraj Devendra.

Also, Rs 15.42 lakh cash was recovered from their baggage, police said.

Subsequent interrogation of the trio over the source of cash revealed their involvement in the Dharavi loot. The accused have also given the names of nine other accomplices who were involved in the crime, a police official said.

While arrested accused Pandurangam and Sherve hail from Tiruchirapalli in Tamilnadu, Devendra is a resident of Antop Hill in Mumbai, the official said. He further added that investigation in the case is underway to trace the remaining culprits as well as the looted money.

On March 16, a group of unidentified men had looted Rs 1.5 crore from an ATM cash van of State Bank of India.

The incident had occurred near the ONGC building on Sion-Bandra Link Road when the van had stopped in front of an ATM for refilling cash.

The robbers had then decamped with the amount in the cash box.
"I like Kangana, her style and more power to her," said the actor.

Mumbai: Actor Varun Dhawan says he doesn't think nepotism exists in the Hindi film industry.

The nepotism debate took centre-stage in Bollywood after actress Kangana Ranaut kicked off a controversy recently with her remarks on filmmaker Karan Johar's talk show. The actress called the ace director the flag-bearer of nepotism and labelled him as someone intolerant to outsiders.

Karan hit back at Kangana, saying that he did not know what Kangana meant by 'nepotism' as he has not worked with his family members, and instead launched several actors and directors, who hail from non-filmy background.

When asked if nepotism exists in the film industry, Varun says, "I don't think. I don't want to talk much about it."

The 28-year-old actor, however, praises Kangana, saying, "I like Kangana, her style and more power to her."

Though Varun was not launched by his father, director David Dhawan, his big ticket break by Karan's Dharma Productions in Student of The Year provided a big launchpad.

He consolidated his position by delivering hits like Humpty Sharma Ki Dhulania, Main Tera Hero and critically acclaimed Badlapur.
Pakistan's intelligence agency had taken them into custody over their alleged links with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

Karachi/New Delhi: The two missing Indian clerics of Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah have been "traced and have reached Karachi", Pakistan today conveyed to India.

"Pakistan Foreign Office has confirmed that the two Indian clerics have been traced and reached Karachi," a source said in New Delhi.

The confirmation came after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke to Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, regarding the case. Aziz is in London currently.

The two missing Indian clerics -- Syed Asif Nizami, the head priest (Sajjadanashin) of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah, and and his nephew Nazim Nizami -- reached Karachi this evening.

According to Pakistani media reports, both clerics had been in "interior Sindh where there was no communication network" and that is why they could not tell their relatives about there whereabouts. They will leave for India on March 20.

Earlier in the day, Pakistani sources had said the two clerics were in the custody of Pakistan's intelligence agency over their alleged links with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

They were offloaded from Karachi-bound Shaheen Airlines on March 14 at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, the Pakistani sources said.

"The personnel of an intelligence took both the clerics into custody after getting them offloaded and shifted them to an undisclosed location for investigation," a source had said.

They further said both clerics had been detained for their alleged links with Altaf Hussain's MQM.

80-year-old Asif along with his nephew Nazim had gone to Pakistan on March 8 to see his sister in Karachi. They arrived in Lahore on March 13.

Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria yesterday said Pakistan was "pro-actively pursuing" and have asked all departments concerned to look into the matter.

A senior Pakistani police official said the two clerics were being questioned on their exact whereabouts since March 15 when they went missing.

"The two have shown up today in Nazimabad and have informed the police about their presence in Karachi," SSP police Tariq Jameel said.

Another police official confirmed that the police had studied the CCTV footage at the Karachi airport to confirm if the two clerics came from Lahore or elsewhere.

"They apparently came to Karachi by road," the official said.

IG Police of Sindh A D Khawaja had told reporters yesterday that the clerics had not reached Karachi as they had not reported to the special branch.
Last years crisis, which blocked the travel of Iranian faithful to the Muslim holy site, seems to have been overcome. At least 80 thousand citizens of the Islamic Republic expected to participate in most important pilgrimage. Iranian Foreign Minister: "Constructive" relations with countries, including Saudi Arabia.

Teheran (AsiaNews)  Having overcome last years crisis, which effectively blocked the travel of Iranian pilgrims to the holy places of Islam, Tehran is ready to seal a deal with Riyadh to send Iranian citizens to Mecca for the Hajj. The Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif speaking on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting, confirmed the willingness of the Islamic Republic to establish "constructive" relations with the countries of the region, including Saudi Arabia.

The head of Tehran's diplomacy stressed that, thanks to the efforts by the Organization for the Hajj pilgrimage, Iran is in favor of sending compatriots to the nation considered its greatest rival in the Middle East. The decision is the result of the diplomatic work and mediation undertaken by representatives from Tehran and Riyadh in the body that regulates the trips to Mecca, visited each year by millions of believers from around the world.

Following the agreements reached, Iran hopes that this year the faithful departing from the Islamic Republic can enjoy a "calm, perfect and dignified" atmosphere during their pilgrimage. On 23 February a Tehran delegation went to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the kingdom for further talks to iron out the remaining details.

Last year more than 1.8 million faithful attended Hajj minus the Iranian faithful, following a harsh verbal and diplomatic row between Riyadh and Tehran, exacerbated by regional political events that have overlapping religious and spiritual elements.

According to forecasts, this year "at least" 80 thousand faithful Iranians could participate in the great pilgrimage to Mecca. In addition to Iran, the preparatory meetings of the Saudi organizers  to discuss the issue of visas and accommodation of pilgrims on site - involve delegates from more than 80 Muslim majority countries.
The official news from the Vatican press office. The pressing invitation of President Al Sisi, the Coptic Patriarch Tawadros II, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar mosque. Fr. Rafic Greiche: He comes to comfort the Christians of the East and support them in living together with Muslims. But also to honor Christian martyrs.

Cairo (AsiaNews) - "We are very happy that Pope Francis is coming to us. We knew of his plans, but did not yet know the dates." This is the immediate reaction of Fr. Rafic Greiche, spokesman for the Egyptian Catholic Church to the news released by the Holy See Press Office that Pope Francis will travel to Cairo April 28 to 29.

Press Office director, Greg Burke, says that the pope has accepted "the invitation of the President of the Republic, the Bishops of the Catholic Church, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Mosque, Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed el-Tayyib ".

"In fact - said Father. Greiche  everyone in Egypt was waiting for this. And President Al Sisi, is the Coptic Patriarch Tawadros II, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar mosque, as well as the entire Catholic hierarchy have urged that there was this visit. "

The visit will be a litmus test of the security situation in the country, shaken in recent weeks by attacks and violence.

"The Pope is coming to comfort the largest community of Christians of the East," said Fr. Greiche, "and to support us in our coexistence with Muslims." His coming, he added, "will also be a way to honor Christian martyrs, who were killed because of their faith."

Last December 11, 25 Coptic Christians were killed in St Peter's Church, adjacent to the St. Mark's Cathedral. In recent weeks, several Christians were killed in North Sinai. All the attacks were claimed by the Islamic State.
Since 2011, Mehdi Kharroubi is under house arrest for participating in peaceful Green Wave protests. He was never brought to trial. Mohammed Hussein Kharrubi condemned for publishing a letter by his father.

Tehran (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Interviewed by Persian VOA in England, Mohammad Taghi Kharroubi speaks of his brother Hossein condemned to six months in prison, and his father Mehdi under house arrest and constant control from 2011.

Commenting on his brother's condemnation of last March 13, Taghi declares that "it has no legal basis", and "is only to put increased pressure on my family."

According to the national ILNA news agency, he is accused of anti-government propaganda for making public a letter that his father had sent to President Rouhani in April 2016. Kharroubi asked to be brought to trial. "I do not think that publishing such a request would have legal consequences for anyone," said Taghi. The day of sentencing, he tweeted that the letter has not been answered yet.

Mehdi Kharroubi, 79, had unsuccessfully led a presidential campaign in the 2009 election which ultimately assured a second term to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, raising protests from the opposition. The charge of electoral fraud and support for peaceful Green Wave demonstrations led Kharroubi to be confined under house arrest since February 2011. This fate was shared by Mir Hossein Mousavi and his wife Zahra Rahnavard, an activist for women's rights . None of the three have ever been formally charged. Meanwhile, the Iranian media cannot talk about the issue and the Green Wave movement, which was violently suppressed, is still labeled as subversive.

" Regarding the impact of six years of house arrest on someone of my father's age, all I can say is that the regime will be held responsible if anything happens to him because of these restrictions," Taghi reported to the Center for human rights in Iran (Chri) that the phone of the floor where his parents live is detached, so if something happens they are forced to warn security officers first. In case of illness, as happened last week, Kharroubi must be taken to the Intelligence Ministry hospital, which is too far from the house.

Taghi denounces complete control of his parents privacy: "Even basic housework is in their hands." The officers, who live on the first floor of the building, must be informed of everything, even the minimum purchase for the house must be approved before being taken upstairs, where the couple lives. "They want to cut my father out of the current political and social scene in the country. And they have succeeded. "

According Taghi, the condition in which they live the father and the two other dissidents cannot be defined house arrest, but "legal limbo, a situation without precedent, and for that you cannot seek justice through the normal judicial channels. The problem is that they are punished without being convicted."

Attorney Mohammad Jalilian, reports that Hossein intends to appeal his conviction. The Iranian judiciary had no immediate comment, and it is unclear when Hosseins appeal will be heard.
Francis, who did not deliver the homily, was confessed for about five minutes and then confessed, for about 50 minutes, some of the faithful. This morning he said that the confessor must pray, discern  to avoid generalising  and remember that the confessional is also a place of evangelisation, because it allows an encounter with the true face of God, which is that of mercy.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  Pope Francis presided over the penitential service this afternoon in St Peter's Basilica during which he was confessed (pictured) for about five minutes and then confessed, for about 50 minutes, some of the faithful.

The pontiff, who did not deliver the homily, spoke this morning about confession and confessors during a meeting with participants to a course promoted by the Apostolic Penitentiary on Confession.

In his address, Francis said that to be good a confessor one must pray, discern  to avoid generalising  and remember that the confessional is also a place of evangelisation, because it allows an encounter with the true face of God, which is that of mercy.

First, then, comes prayer, because "a confessor who prays knows himself to be the first sinner and the first one to be forgiven". Hence, "prayer is the first guarantee to avoid any attitude of harshness, which unnecessarily judges the sinner and not the sin."

Secondly, a good confessor "is a man of the Spirit, a man of discernment." The Spirit "allows one to empathises with those who want to confess. The confessor does not act out his own will nor does he teach his own doctrine. He is called to always and only do Gods will, in full communion with the Church, of which he is a minister, that is servant" for discernment allows him to always distinguish" with a necessary demeanour towards those who open the shrine of their conscience to receive light, peace and mercy."

The third point is that the confessional is also a place of evangelisation. "However brief the dialogue he weaves with the penitent, the confessor is called to discern what is most useful and what is even necessary for the spiritual path of this or that brother or sister". Indeed, "sometimes one will need to announce again the most elementary truths of faith. [. . .] Such an action of quick and intelligent discernment can do a lot of good for the faithful".
by Wang Zhicheng

Today the meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi; tomorrow with Xi Jinping. Patience toward North Korea "is over." Proposed boycott of Chinese banks and companies that trade with Pyongyang.

Beijing (AsiaNews) - US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, arrived in China this morning, greeted by Chinese Minister of Foreign Wang Yi, and tomorrow he will see the President Xi Jinping. Talks will focus on preparation of a meeting between the leaders of the two superpowers, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, but almost certainly there is another issue that needs to be addressed: the nuclear threat of North Korea and options to defuse it.

With regards the meeting between Xi and Trump, American media have been rumoring that they will meet next month in Florida. In a phone call last month, the two leaders committed to shaping constructive bilateral relations. Trump also reiterated the US adherence to the principle of the One China, which had been questioned just weeks before.

But it is likely that North Korea and the threat of its nuclear program will dominate these talks.

Tillerson arrives in Beijing after visiting Japan and South Korea. At a press conference in Seoul yesterday, he said that if the military tension and nuclear threat continue to grow on the peninsula, the United States does not rule out a military operation against Pyongyang , given that its "strategic patience" is now "over." The same Trump, yesterday tweeted that China does too little to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis.

Through Premier Li Keqiang, last weekend China reiterated that it is necessary to stop the North's nuclear program, but also to avoid provocations by the South and the United States, especially taking joint military exercises. In an editorial published today by Xinhua, Washington is called upon to open a dialogue with North Korea rather than terrify with threats.

The North Korea question however hides tensions between the two powers. Reuters, collecting statements of an undefined US representative, said that the United States would take action against Chinese banks and firms that operate with Pyongyang. For its part, Beijing accuses the US of having sold an anti-missile system to South Korea, Thaad, which serves not only to stop possible missiles from Pyongyang, but also spy on military facilities in China.

In any case, as the Xinhua editorial says; "The world's top two economies do have every reason to remain committed to a strong relationship because of their broad range of shared interests, especially in trade and commerce. The two-way trade of goods last year exceeded 519.6 billion U.S. dollars, according to the Chinese ministry of commerce. That makes China America's largest trading partner, while America China's second largest.
JERUSALEM  Syria fired missiles at Israeli warplanes on a mission to destroy a weapons convoy destined for the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, prompting Israel to deploy its missile defense system, Israeli officials said Friday.

The Israeli military said its aircraft struck several targets in Syria and were back in Israeli-controlled airspace when several anti-aircraft missiles were launched from Syria toward the Israeli jets.

Israeli aerial defense systems intercepted one of the missiles, the army said, without elaborating. It would not say whether any other missiles struck Israeli-held territory, but said the safety of Israeli civilians and Israeli aircraft was not compromised.

Israel is widely believed to have carried out several airstrikes in recent years on advanced weapons systems in Syria  including Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles and Iranian-made missiles  as well as Hezbollah positions. It rarely comments on such operations and the military statement detailing the raid and comments confirming the operation by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were unusual.

Our policy is very consistent. When we identify attempts to transfer advanced weapons to the Hezbollah, and we have the intelligence and the operational capability, we act to prevent that. That is what was and that is what will be, Netanyahu said.

Hezbollah is fighting alongside President Bashar Assad in the Syrian civil war. The Iran-backed group is sworn to Israels destruction and fought a monthlong war with the Jewish state in 2006.

The firing of missiles from Syria toward Israeli aircraft is rare, though Israeli military officials reported a shoulder-fired missile attack a few months ago.

Israeli Channel 10 TV reported that Israel deployed its Arrow defense system for the first time against a real threat and hit an incoming missile, intercepting it before it exploded in Israel.

However, Arrow is designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles high in the stratosphere, so it remained unclear why the system would have been used in this incident.

The Israeli military would not comment on the type of system used.

Israels transportation and intelligence minister Yisrael Katz told the station our message is clear, we will not be complacent with a Syrian policy that arms Hezbollah. Katz said the fact that the incident developed into a situation where Israel claimed responsibility and the Syrians responded is significant.

A Syrian military statement said four Israeli warplanes violated Syrian airspace  flying into Syria through Lebanese territory  and targeted a military position in central Syria.

Damascus said Syrian anti-aircraft systems confronted the planes and claimed one of the jets was shot down in Israeli- controlled territory and that another was hit. The Israeli military denied the claim, saying none of the jets had been hit.

There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah.

The pan-Arab Al-Mayadeen TV, which has good sources within the militant group, dismissed reports by other Arab media outlets that a Hezbollah commander, Badee Hamiyeh, was killed in one of the airstrikes. It said Hamiyeh was killed Thursday in the southern Syrian region of Quneitra, near the Israeli-held Golan Heights.
by Mathias Hariyadi

Pluralism of Indonesian society inspired the theme of the event. The Catholic Church in Asia in the wide variety of ethnic groups, languages and cultures. Msgr. Suharyo: "All participants deeply understand the importance of the concept of unity in diversity". Msgr. Prapdi: "Diversity is a priceless" social and cultural asset.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Three thousand young people from 29 Asian countries will take part in the 7th Asian Youth Day 2017, which will be held from July 30 to August 6 in Yogyakarta (Central Java), Indonesia. The appointment Indonesian edition for young Asian Catholics will have as central topic the spread of the spirit of pluralism, expressed by the theme: "Joyful Asian Youth! Living the Gospel in Multicultural Asia."

The Catholic Church in Asia lives and bears witness to the faith in a wide variety of ethnic groups, languages and cultures. Indonesia is the place where such diversity also exists in society. The adoption and defense of the concept of "unity in diversity" is in fact the foundation of the Indonesian nation.

Msgr. Pius Riana Prapdi, president of the Youth Commission of the Indonesian Bishops Conference (KWI KomKep) tells AsiaNews the theme of the 7th Asian Youth Day was chosen in agreement with the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC).

The event will be an opportunity to live the daily experience of the Catholic Church in Asia and Indonesia: a pluralist society characterized by diversity of languages, cultures, traditions and values. The young people who will take part will have the opportunity to renew and strengthen their faith as disciples of Christ and become witnesses for others in the social context of Asia.

The Asian Youth Day in Yogyakarta follows, the one held in Daejeon (South Korea) three years ago. Msgr. Ignatius Suharyo, President of the Indonesian Bishops Conference (KWI), explains that these events have the task of giving a strong boost to the morale of all young Asian Catholics in promoting a spirit of solidarity and generating positive values, as disciples of Christ and members of the Catholic Church. "As hosts - says Msgr. Suharyo - we hope that all participants deeply understand the importance of the concept of unity in diversity ".

Msgr. Prapdi emphasizes that diversity is a priceless social and cultural assest. It must be seriously defended and carefully maintained. The bishop's comments are in line with the concepts expressed by the more moderate part of Indonesian society, which in recent years has been opposed to the radical Muslim groups who deny the pluralistic reality of the country.
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India, Brazil finalise social security agreement

Published: March 18, 2017

India and Brazil have finalised text of the Social Security Agreement (SSA). It will come in force by early 2018 after it is ratified. It will be the first such agreement between the BRICS countries.

This SSA takes forward the spirit of Goa Declaration adopted at 8th BRICS Summit, outcomes of the meetings of BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers held in June 2016 in Geneva and September 2016 in New Delhi.

Key Features of the agreement

Detached workers of the two countries exempted from making social security contributions in either countries so long as they were making such contributions in their respective countries.

Rights and obligations of nationals of both countries have been established. Equal treatment will be provided to nationals.

Unrestricted payment of pensions will be provided to nationals even in the case of residence in the other contracting state.

The requirements to be entitled to a pension can be met by aggregating the periods of insurance completed in India and Brazil, whereby each country will only pay pension for the insurance periods covered by its laws.

Comment

Once SSA between Brazil and India is brought into force, it will favourably impact the profitability and competitive position of companies of both countries with foreign operations in either countries by reducing their cost of doing business abroad. It will also help promote more investment flows between the two countries.

Background

So far, India has signed and operationalized Social Security Agreements (SSAs) with 18 countries. They are Australia, Belgium, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Japan, Luxembourg, Hungary, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, and South Korea.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2017

Topics: Ease of Doing Business  India-Brazil  National  Social Security Agreement

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I am trying to make my own timeline, but seems to not be allowed to do so. I can`t get the code I need to update my signature - am i missing something..?
Thanks for the replies.



Since the original post I have applied for a PMV 300 on 3rd April 2017, and now the long wait. Education for her son is free in Queensland under the 300 visa whereas under a tourist visa I would have to pre pay for a full term.



I have also applied for tourist visa 600, 12 month multi entry for her and son. She has Cambodian citizenship and her son has Korean citizenship. I have been told this is an "ambitious application" which it is, but she has been with me to Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Australia, so she has a good history of abiding by different countries visas. She is currently employed by her mother selling cloths and working a coffee stall so employment is not a compelling reason for her to return.



But the good news is she may have picked up a more legitimate employment as a Khmer, Korean, Vietnamese, English translator at a Korean car dealer in Phnom Penh so if tourist visa rejected this time another application in 3 months may be looked at more favourably.



Thanks again for the replies
Sundar was driving a BMW Z4 when it hit a tree and caught fire; accident occurred in Chennai

Ashwin Sundar, 27, a multiple national racing driver on two and four wheels, along with his wife Niveditha, 26, a doctor, died in a road accident in Chennai in the wee hours of Saturday. Sundar was at the wheel of his BMW Z4 when it crashed into a tree and caught fire.

Caught between a tree and a wall, the couple ended up being trapped inside the car as it burst into flames and were unable to escape. Eyewitnesses said it took the police and fire brigade more than 30 minutes to recover the bodies. The police said the couple could be identified only through the car's registration number. The accident occurred around Pattinapakkam area on the Santhome High Road. Sundar lived near Porur and initial reports suggested he was returning home from a friend's place at MRC Nagar in Raja Annamalaipuram.

Sundar had enjoyed an illustrious national racing career  including winning the MRF Challenge beating the likes of current F2 driver Jordan King in 2011-12.

Deepest condolences to the Sundar family from all of us here at Autocar India.
18 March 2017 10:35 (UTC+04:00)

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed Turkeys firm stance on the Turkey-Armenia border issue in a speech in Azerbaijans Parliament during his last visit to the country, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hikmat Hajiyev told Trend.

Erdogan stated that Turkey closed its borders with Armenia after it occupied Azerbaijans territories and therefore the borders would only be reopened after Armenia ceases the occupation, Hajiyev noted.

Earlier, Russian foreign minister in his interview with the Armenian media touched upon the issue of opening Armenian-Turkish border.

Turkey supports the resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on Azerbaijans territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of internationally recognized borders in accordance with the norms and principles of international law and the relevant four resolutions of the UN Security Council, Hajiyev said. This just and fair position of Turkey is highly appreciated by the government and people of Azerbaijan.

We should also bear in mind that Armenia has territorial claims against Turkey and those claims are embedded in the Constitution of Armenia, Hajiyev added.

Armenia also puts forward groundless blames against Turkey on the so-called fabricated genocide which has no historical background, he said.

Ending occupation of Azerbaijani lands and ceasing the claims against neighbors by Armenia would consequently serve to establishment of lasting peace in the region and pave the way to creation of comprehensive regional cooperation and restoration of transport links, he noted.

First and foremost, Hajiyev said, Armenia and Armenian people will get benefit from the prospects of this cooperation.

Turkey and Armenia severed diplomatic relations in 1993. Occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenian Armed Forces and Yerevans claims to recognize the so-called Armenian genocide were the reasons for the closure of the Turkish-Armenian border in 1993.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
18 March 2017 12:26 (UTC+04:00)

The Senate of Colombia adopted a resolution related to the 25th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, the Azerbaijani Embassy in Colombia told Trend.

In the document, the Senate of Colombia honored the memory of the victims of the genocide and expressed solidarity with the Azerbaijani people, the embassy said.

The resolution noted the importance of preventing the similar acts which led to the death of hundreds of civilians in the history of mankind.

The Colombian senators also expressed support for the peaceful settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The document signed by the vice president of the Senate of Colombia, the president of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, was handed over to Azerbaijani Charge d'Affaires in Colombia Ramil Farzaliyev.

On February 25-26, 1992, the Armenian armed forces, together with the 366th infantry regiment of the former Soviet troops, stationed in Khankendi, committed an act of genocide against the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly.

As many as 613 people, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old people were killed as a result of the massacre. A total of 1,000 civilians became disabled as a result of the onslaught. Some 1,275 innocent residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 people still remains unknown.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
TULSA, Oklahoma  Iowa State kicked off the first day of the Tulsa Duels and the 2017 outdoor track and field season with three wins in the field. The Cyclones swept the hammer throw via Ariana Kuhn and Chris Celona , while Trey Achterhoff picked up a victory in the men's javelin contest.

The women's hammer throw competition saw Ariana Kuhn continue her strong form from indoor season into outdoor season with a win in the contest with a personal best toss of 196-8. The throw, which came on her fourth attempt, was a personal best by nearly seven feet and moves her to third all-time in Iowa State history in the event. Tessa Krempel had a personal best by over five feet to finish second at 165-11.

The men's hammer throw saw Chris Celona tie his personal best of 183-10 to win the competition. Brett Peters just missed out on his personal best on his final throw to take third with a 168-2, while Vlad Pavlenko made his first outdoor appearance in ISU colors by taking fourth at 167-11.

Trey Achterhoff marked his first appearance of the 2017 track season with a win in the men's javelin with a best toss of 192-6. The senior posted the four best throws of the competition, his winning effort coming on his third attempt.

In the women's javelin, Bailey Righi marked her Iowa State debut with a second place finish, on a personal best throw of 134-4. The Blue Springs, Missouri native surpassed her previous PR by almost eight feet, and moved to No. 6 in Iowa State history in the event in her first competition.

Up Next

Iowa State returns to action at the Tulsa Duels on Saturday. Field events begin at 9:30 a.m., while running events start at 1 p.m.
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The Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo and members from Kisumu yesterday accused the president of being too abusive. They remembered the president that the projects that he is boasting with were started by the last government headed by Former President Mwai Kibaki and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.The projects that the president has been financing from all taxpayers money and making the country go beyond zero but having bigger debts are in the blueprint of Vision 2030.The members also mentioned about the graft claims and cited about Sh284 million (Eurobond), Sh5.3billion (health ministry) and Sh1.6billion (NYS) scandals which the government has failed to address and jail the ring leaders.We cannot continue to have in place a government where Ruto and Uhurus close relatives are involved in corruption. Kenyans are tired to be led by thieves, Jakoyo said."The cost of living has become unbearable to many Kenyans because of massive looting of public resources by those in the Government," The Members added.The high wage bill issue that has made the government panic is because of the inefficiency and poor governance.Jubilee administration has completely ruined what Kibaki and Raila left. Now they are busy stealing billions of shillings and when you speak you are abused, Jakoyo said.The Machakos senator Johnson Muthama, Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay woman representative) and Francis Nyenze (Kitui West MP) also said the abusive nature of the president show how Kenya is divided into political ethnicity. They said that president Uhuru Kenyatta abuses people from other regions, not from Central. He abused Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok(Rift Valley Region), Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho (Coast Region), Hon Millie Odhiambo and Raila Odinga (Nyanza Region) and Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana (Eastern region) of late."As a president, instead of being a national example to people, he abuses even primary school kids abuse others when they are quarrel(Shetani ushindwe kabisa). This is not national cohesion and we are preparing the country to be in tribalism. Said Jakoyo.
The Eurobond partners are now visible to the public, Nairobian blew up the booming relationship saga as how a former KBC TV star changed abruptly to a multi-millionaire later to be a senator. Leaked emails and Whatsapp messages leaked to the public that embarrassed the Elgeiyo Marakwet Kipchumba Murkomen.Now it is evident that the two senators are squandering life in a booming relationship blossoming between Elgeyo Markwet Senator and Samburu County Senator Naisula Lesuuda.The Nairobian has released a shocking series of emails and whatsapp messages between the two exposing deep mental, physical and emotional connections and really fallen Love. Here is what the senator and his girlfriend were texting on WhatsApp.He saysHe tells her while confessing how she drives him crazy whenever she giggles or talk in the media.she tells him.Murkomen sends Lesuuda a shocking text.Lesuuda responds.The senator is married with children and living in a stable relationship while Lesuuda is dating an unknown IT guy in Nairobi. It is now noted that the Eurobond saga that the Senator Kipchumba Murkomen is involved started here. Later the senator told Lesuuda to Open companies which are claimed to be used in the saga.
Two people have been arrested in West Virginia stemming from the missing person case in Palmetto, Florida.

Two arrested in connection with Palmetto missing person case

Roy Nichols, Kayla Colyer suspected of stealing missing woman's car

Tricia Freeman, of Palmetto, went missing earlier this week

Roy Nichols, 26, and Kayla Colyer, 21, are suspected of stealing an abandoned car in Ashland, Kentucky that belongs to Tricia Freeman.

Officials have reported that Colyer is Freeman's daughter.

Freeman went missing earlier this week. Her car was discovered abandoned in a park in Ashland on Thursday.

The Ashland Police Department started working with the Palmetto Police Department after Nichols and Colyer were suspected of stealing Freemans vehicle.

The pair was then spotted at a Wal-mart in the South Point, Ohio area early Friday and were arrested in Cabell County, West Virginia.

This is a developing story, please check back for updates.
Two paramedics in southern Illinois are being praised for their quick thinking and efforts in rescuing an infant from an SUV sinking in a lake.

The paramedics said they werent sure if anyone was inside the SUV when they first arrived on scene.

After braving the chilly 45-degree water, they were able to rescue an infant and perform CPR on the SUVs roof.

An Illinois congressman honored the pair of heroes in a speech to congress.

They said a strange set of coincidences lined up to put them in the right place when they were needed the most.

Unbelievablethe stars were aligned for us to be in that situation to help that baby. And the stars were aligned for that baby in that situation, said one of the paramedics.
** Missouri 117th District House Representative Mike Henderson, R-Bonne Terre, files his Capitol Report at the end of each week during the state legislative session.

It has been a long busy week at the Capitol with session lasting late into the night. We have passed a lot of legislation. Some great legislation and others that I am not in agreement with.

My bill, HB87 passed out of the House on Tuesday. HB87 Revises the definition of counties exempt from certain requirements of the county special road and bridge tax. This bill is specific to Saint Francois County and will help the county be able to spend their special bridge tax money more efficiently. Thus, this bill will save the county up to $400 thousand a year. Currently, HB87 is headed to The Senate. It is my hope that my bill will make its way out of The Senate and onto the Governors desk.

Four bills caught my attention this week. HCB3 eliminates the circuit breaker tax credit for renters and transfers the savings into the Missouri Senior Services Protection Fund. HCB 3 provides the state with $55 million for healthcare. This fund will be used to pay for senior services such as in home health and nursing home care. The focus will be on our most vulnerable citizens in the state and is merely a transfer of funds to continue defending those in need.

HB270 also caught my attention this week. HB270 raises the marriage age in Missouri from 15 to 17. We hope that this bill will reduce human trafficking. Currently, Missouris low marriage age allows human traffickers to bring people to the state for marriage. HB270 would fix this problem and send message that Missouri is addressing the issue of human trafficking.

HB634 has been a hot topic bill this week. HB634 will allow Charter Schools to open in any district that has one building underperform on its annual performance report for any two out of three year period. The Charter Schools have no accountability standard for student performance but we were able to get some accountability added. In this bill they are given 5 years. After that if they underperform for any two out of three year period they lose their charter and are shut down. Those provisions make the bill better than it was going to be but I am not convinced it is suitable for kids in areas where schools are already successful. However, In Saint Louis and Kansas City where entire school districts are failing kids I support the formation of Charter Schools. Those kids need another choice. The problem we have is many of the Charter Schools are in those areas were also an abject failure.

House members showed their support for the thousands of Missourians with developmental disabilities who develop professional skills in the states sheltered workshops through HCR 28. Sheltered Workshops provide a controlled work environment and a program designed toward enabling individuals with disabilities to progress toward normal living. Currently, more than 6,300 Missourians with developmental disabilities are employed by Missouris 92 sheltered workshops, with another 1,100 waiting to work. Unlike many states, Missouri does not use federal dollars to fund the workshops. Instead, the workshops generate as much as 70 to 80 percent of their funding from contract services, and then receive additional funds from their county and the state. Despite this, the federal government has impacted the way workshops operate in Missouri. Supporters of workshops say the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which went into effect in 2016, is adding bureaucratic layering that slows the process of finding work for those who have disabilities. They refer to it as an unfunded mandate that is placing an undue burden on the workshops. The House approved a resolution to reaffirm Missouris support of the sheltered workshops in the state. The sponsor hopes it will help send a message to federal legislators that will cause them to take a second look at the unintended consequences of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

This week I met with many people from my district. Wednesday was Disability Advocacy Day and I was able to meet with Roger and Bill representing the LIFE Center in Farmington. Visited also with Liz Galt from Farmington also a champion for Disability Groups. As shown below, I met with Jamie Lipe, Dan Combs, and Don Thompson of the Missouri Bankers Association. As always, thank you for visiting and sharing your questions, comments, and concerns with me.
An infant that in 2013 suffered child abuse so severe it was compared to a fall from a two-story building has been adopted by her "forever family."



Now 3-years-old, Baby Faith, whose last name was Mason prior to her adoption, became a permanent part of her new family on March 10, said Shari Pulliam, Department of Family and Protective Services spokeswoman. As part of the placement system, Pulliam explained, Faith has lived with her new family for longer than six months. She is now the youngest of four with two brothers and one sister.

> > RELATED: 2013 victim of horrific child abuse has new 'forever family'
** U.S. Representative Jason Smith, R-8th District, files a weekly column each week the legislature is in session.

Did you know that on his way out of office, President Obama tried to regulate the ammo in your gun and the fishing sinkers in your tackle box?

Before he jetted off to the Caribbean, President Obama managed to take a final swipe at Missourians way of life with Directors Order No. 219, a last-minute regulation that banned lead ammunition and fishing tackle on federal lands. In other words, President Obamas rule would not have allowed you to take shotgun shells or fishing sinkers with you to hunt in Mark Twain National Forest or fish at Clearwater Lake.

Printed out, the current Code of Federal Regulations would physically cover more than 2.5 acres of land. That is 175,268 pages of burdens weighing down Missourians. Fortunately, I was able to stop them from adding another page to that stack and defend our right to decide what we do with our weekends.

After hearing the concerns of hunters and fishermen in southern Missouri, I led the effort to have 60 Members of Congress send a letter to President Trump asking him to overturn the ban. You see, in Missouri, we know how to be good stewards of the land God has given us, and we do not need the federal government monitoring our movements while we enjoy creation. At the beginning of this month, my letter to President Trump resulted in the Obama-era lead ban being overturned by my friend and former colleague Ryan Zinke in one of his first acts as U.S. Department of Interior Secretary.

This rule had no basis in science and was written without any input from those most affected by its enactment. Sportsmen and fishermen are some of our countrys greatest conservationists. Obamas order only served to hinder them from participating in the recreational use of federal lands theyve enjoyed for decades. The regulatory red tape thrown up by unelected bureaucrats over the last eight years is exactly what the American people soundly rejected when they elected Donald Trump in November.

It was a complete overreach by the Obama administration to decide what type of ammunition or fishing tackle you carry while exploring the great outdoors of Missouri. In typical Washington, D.C. fashion, President Obama wanted to show Missourians that he knew what was best for us. Fortunately, we have a new president who understands and trusts us to tell him what we need, not the other way around.

We have all seen President Trumps work thus far, undoing the damage of President Obamas executive actions and appointing the right people like Secretary Zinke to do the same thing. After eight years of Obamas overreach, whether it is something as big as Obamacare or as small as the fishing tackle you pack on a weekend trip with your family, I am committed to defending southern Missouris way of life.
Moody's Investors Service said it expects the current draft of Republicans' ACA replacement plan would be credit negative for for-profit hospitals, pharmaceutical and medical device companies.

Here are six things to know.

1. Moody's attributed the negative credit rating to the Congressional Budget Office's projections of an increase in the number of uninsured people as well as an expected decline in federal Medicaid spending. Still, the ratings agency said it expects most effects of these projections would not actualize until 2020 when the most significant proposed changes would occur.

"The proposed changes to the individual insurance market would be modestly credit negative for healthcare companies over the next year or so, as some people choose to forgo health insurance," Moody's Senior Vice President, Jessica Gladstone, said in a news release. "But from 2020, the proposed law, if enacted, would be increasingly credit negative because healthcare coverage would become less affordable for more people  particularly older Americans  resulting in a larger uninsured population and a greater reduction in demand."

2. Moody's estimates a rise in the number of Americans without coverage would result in less demand for healthcare and increased uncompensated care at hospitals. "The costs of providing urgent care to the uninsured would fall on hospitals, increasing bad debt expense," the ratings agency said.

3. Because medical device companies' largest customers are hospitals, they would be indirectly affected, as would pharmaceutical companies, Moody's said.

4. In the near term, hospitals in states that did not expand Medicaid under the ACA would receive additional funding triggered by the AHCA, Ms. Gladstone said. For instance, she said the AHCA calls for additional "safety net" funding to assist nonexpansion states in caring for people without coverage.

5. However, beginning in 2020, Medicaid funding would be cut significantly under the AHCA, Moody's said. "The cuts are large  $880 billion from 2017-2026 according to the CBO. This would negatively affect hospitals as well as medical device and pharmaceutical companies," the ratings agency added.

6. Moody's expects the repeal of industry taxes scheduled for 2018 "would modestly benefit pharmaceutical companies and medical device makers."
A bill that recently passed the House aims to increase accountability for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employees, reports Stars and Stripes.

Here are seven things to know about the legislation.

1. The House passed the VA Accountability First Act of 2017, or H.R. 1259, in a 237-178 vote Thursday, according to the report.

2. Under the bill, VA secretary David Shulkin, MD, would be able to "quickly fire, demote or suspend VA employees and recoup bonuses," reports Stars and Stripes.

3. The VA Accountability First Act of 2017 would also not allow VA employees as much time to appeal corrective measures against them, according to the report. The Merit Systems Protection Board would also have to make faster decisions on appeals.

4. Additionally, the VA secretary could regain bonuses "if employees performed poorly on the job" and regain relocation costs "if employees were found to have committed fraud, waste or malfeasance," according to the report.

5. Commenting on H.R. 1259, bill sponsor Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., said, "The lack of accountability at the VA isn't just a failure to our heroes, it's dangerous," reports Stars and Stripes.

6. The American Federation of Government Employees, a union representing hundreds of thousands of VA employees, has opposed H.R. 1259.

7. The bill must still gain Senate approval.
Already subject to a state investigation, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, on the Cherry Hill campus of Seattle-based Swedish Health Services, is now being investigated by federal authorities as well, The Seattle Times reports.

The U.S. Attorney's Office is leading the new investigation.

The investigations were launched after a Feb. 10 Seattle Times report uncovered concerns related to surgeons pushing for increased patient volume and a culture of intimidation at SNI. Swedish's then-CEO, Anthony Armada, stepped down in the wake of the report, as did Johnny Delashaw, MD, the chairman of neurosurgery at SNI.

Guy Hudson, MD, the interim CEO of Swedish, sent a memo to staff Wednesday regarding the newly launched investigation from the U.S. Attorney's Office. "As with all regulatory reviews, we will cooperate fully to ensure that we are living our values and upholding the highest standards," he said in the memo, according to the Seattle Times.

A Swedish spokesperson told the Seattle Times she did not know the scope of the federal inquiry or if it was a criminal or civil investigation. Swedish did not immediately respond to a Becker's request for comment.
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Annemarie with her husband Michael Meade and their children, from left, Conor, Patrick and Rory. This was taken during a holiday in Ireland when the boys were younger

On St Patricks Day, we talk to three expats - now living in London, Australia and South Africa - to find out how they ended up so far from home and what the day means to them.

Everything here is centred on the colour green and having good time

Author Annemarie Neary is originally from Newry and has lived near Clapham Common in London for more than 20 years. Annemarie, whose first thriller, Siren, was published last year, is married to Michael Meade, a financial adviser, and has three boys, Patrick (24), Conor (21) and Rory (19). She says:

I grew up in Newry as the eldest of three children. I studied law, as did my younger brother and sister. My late father, Kevin Neade, was a lawyer with his own practice and my mother, Rhonda, is a retired primary school teacher who still lives in Newry.

"I left Newry when I was 18-years-old to study at Trinity College Dublin, where I met Michael who was brought up in London by Irish parents.

"I studied literature and after graduating, worked as a civil servant in Dublin while studying part-time for the next four years to qualify as a barrister.

"Michael returned to London to work and, as soon as I finished the bar exams, I joined him and have been here ever since.

"In London, St Patrick's Day is a big cultural opportunity and they do quite a lot; there is always some kind of event sponsored by the Lord Mayor.

"We also have that global greenery with the London Eye turning green as do Selfridges and Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square. I always think that, as a country, what Ireland has achieved in branding with the colour green is amazing.

"The shops here would devote a section to St Patrick's Day selling themed goods - even the cake shops - and tonight you will see a lot of people, mostly in their 20s, in the bars wearing Guinness hats and drinking green beer.

"But all of that is not really my thing. When the kids were young, mum would have sent them some shamrock which was quite special as it was impossible to get any in London. The closest shops here got to it was to sell clumps of clover. The kids would have worn their shamrock to school and all the other kids would have wanted to know what it was, which was quite fun for them.

"We never do much on St Patrick's Day - I'm not one for parades. However, the events here are not political, but cultural, and everything is centred on having a good time and the colour green. This year though, I'm having friends over for dinner on St Patrick's night and I will cook something Irish as a nod to the day.

"As a child my biggest memory of St Patrick's Day is getting a day off school.

"We did go to the parade in Dublin a few times and as a young child it was amazing to see the floats, they were all so colourful. I also remember as a kid we would always try and wear something green on St Patrick's Day - not a leprechaun suit - but an item of clothing. Here, on the Tube, you do tend to see a lot of people wearing green on St Patrick's Day and I'm not sure if that is a coincidence.

"It was never really a religious thing for us. However, I do remember singing some hymns in school for St Patrick.

"As a child, I'm sure I can remember some talk about moving St Patrick's Day to July so there would be better weather, but obviously while the idea was mooted nothing ever came of that."

'I must admit that I feel lucky to have been born on the 17th'

Lynne Hanna, who turns 55 today, is originally from Dromara and moved to South Africa five years ago to take up the post of CEO for cosmetic giant Clarins. She lives with her husband Noel (50), a renowned endurance athlete. The couple enjoy the distinction of being the first husband and wife in the world to climb to the top of Everest together from both sides of the mountain. She says:

I was working for Clarins as manager in Northern Ireland when they offered me the job in South Africa. This meant a major move for Noel and I. It was a total change for us, but because I was still working with Clarins, it made the move easier and we really love the country and the South African people.

"Moving here was a big challenge and change from Northern Ireland, but the basics are the same. There are department stores and beauty counters here, just as there are in Belfast.

"Mind you, we also have clear blue skies and very little rain, so from that point of view, the move was not that difficult to make.

"I wasn't changing jobs as such because my role is very similar. However, it takes in Sub-Saharan Africa, from the Democratic Republic of Congo and right down the continent, so it is a huge area. It is exciting, new and we love it. We still have our house in Dromara and we get home as often as we can to see our family and friends.

"As St Patrick's Day is also my birthday, growing up I always got special St Patrick's birthday cards with shamrocks on them and a birthday cake from the Ormeau bakery delivered by the bread man. Of course, all the schools were closed for the day, and I must admit, I felt very lucky to be born on the 17th.

"Last year, my South African team really got behind St Patrick's Day and planned a surprise party for me.

"They dressed up in green and we had green cupcakes and, of course, only Irish music, although all they could find was U2.

"They love the idea of a country where there is a lot of rain. We have just come through one of the worst droughts in recent times here with virtually no rain for almost seven months, which makes you realise that we do really take our 40 shades of green for granted.

"This year we will be attending a party at the Irish embassy in Pretoria where no doubt there will be plenty of green Guinness.

"If we were at home, rain, hail or shine we would have been going up Slieve Donard for my birthday with a full Irish breakfast beforehand. However, in Johannesburg it's work as usual today.

"We are family members of The Irish South African Association.

"It exists to facilitate social contact between people of Irish descent and anyone who has an interest in all things Irish.

"They are organising the flagship party at the Irish embass y and it will be our first time attending a St Patrick's Day celebration here in South Africa.

"Noel has been home in Ireland for the past few weeks and came back yesterday with special treats for my birthday - Tayto cheese and onion crisps, a wheaten loaf and Sun-Pat peanut butter. It's funny how you miss the strangest of things when you are far away.

"From South Africa, whatever you do, I hope you have a wonderful St Patrick's Day."

'Australians really do pull out all the stops for St Patrick's Day'

Zoe Smith (40), a journalist with News Corp Australia, is originally from Lurgan in Co Armagh and now lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her five-month-old son Lewis. She says:

Mine is a classic immigrant story - I grew up in Australia after emigrating here when I was five. My parents Margaret and David moved from Lurgan where I still have a large extended family. As I got older I was torn between the two countries and felt the urge to return to Northern Ireland. So I applied to study at Queen's University in Belfast and made the trip back, only to realise my true home was the land of Oz.

"I came back to Melbourne in 2000 and I've been here ever since, though I often get back to Northern Ireland for holidays and I love it. We also have plenty of family visiting from home.

"The Australians really do pull out all the stops for St Patrick's Day. For proof that St Patrick's Day is a truly global event, you only need to pull up a pew and grab a pint of green beer at one of the many Irish-themed bars in Melbourne.

"Geographically speaking, you can't get much further away from the Emerald Isle - it's roughly 10,600 miles from Royal Avenue to Melbourne's Bourke Street.

"But March 17 is the day Australia turns 40 shades of green. We're a country built on migrants and the Irish blood runs thick.

"St Paddy's Day is all about having fun, not to mention lashings of the black stuff. There are street parades, fancy dress and parties - lots of them.

"The Guinness is flowing and everyone imbibes a wee bit more than they should, which incidentally, can be a dodgy thing in 30 degree heat.

"In Sydney the huge St Patrick's Day parade - known as The Green Gathering - is a family event that attracts thousands, featuring marching bands, Irish dancers and a children's parade.

"My St Patrick's Day this year will be a bit more low-key - I'll be giving the Irish bar near my workplace a miss and will be celebrating a much bigger event, my son's five-month birthday.

"Growing up, St Patrick's Day wasn't really a big deal for me and it wasn't huge for my family. One year I did go to Dublin where there was an amazing vibe, with thousands of people and the biggest parade I've ever seen.

"For many migrants, it becomes so much bigger when you leave Ireland's shores. It's not just a day of partying - it's a way of reconnecting with home. It got much bigger when I left Northern Ireland for Australia."
Tourists will be able to spend a few hours viewing the sunken liner

A tour operator is offering a cruise with a difference - exploring the wreck of the Titanic.

Adventurous tourists can dive down and see the wreck of the luxury liner that sank over 100 years ago after setting sail from Belfast.

But punters will have to dig deep as the trip will set them back 86,000. Those who do splash out can dive down 4,000 metres to the floor of the Atlantic in a submarine.

Starting in May next year Blue Marble Private will take customers on the eight-day holiday, starting on the coast of Newfoundland in Canada.

A helicopter or seaplane will take passengers to a support yacht where they will spend the first two days being taught about the ship's workings by guest explorers, scientists and the expedition crew.

The wealthy customers will then help plan the dive, and get familiar with the equipment needed for their adventure.

On day three, nine passengers will board the titanium and carbon fibre submersible three at a time.

Under guidance, the tourists will travel down four kilometres in five hours in the sub to view the ship's deck and famous staircase.

According to the company, fewer people have visited the wreck of Titanic than have been to space or climbed Mount Everest.

It was on April 15, 1912 that the Titanic sank after hitting an iceberg on what was her maiden voyage en route from Southampton to New York.

More than 1,500 people out of the 2,224 aboard lost their lives in the disaster.

Some of those on the ship were emigrants from Ireland, Britain and Europe who were seeking a new life in North America.

First class tickets for the fateful journey cost the equivalent of 3,500. Now, 105 years later, the price to see the wreck in its watery grave is a lot more.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and an expedition designed only for those with a truly adventurous spirit," said Blue Marble Private.

There has been a resurgence of interest in the Titanic as visitors have been flocking to Titanic Belfast, which opened its doors five years ago.

The Belfast museum, sited in the very area the ship was built, was named last year as the world's best tourist attraction at the World Travel Awards.
There's a race going on for states to file or join new lawsuits against President Trump's second executive order temporarily halting entry into the U.S. for some people from a few terror-plagued countries. The new actions promise to be rehashes of the states' earlier suits against Trump's original order. Washington State, for example, which managed to stop the first order, has gone so far as to argue the new order and the now-rescinded original measure are identical, and has asked a judge to simply apply his emergency stop to the new order as if nothing has changed.

But the first state to file suit against the new order, Hawaii, has taken a new tack from the suit it filed on Feb. 3 against Trump's original order. The new Hawaii suit, which will come before a federal judge on March 15, relies not only on claims of economic damages to the state resulting from the Trump order but also on claims of damages to Hawaii Muslims' feelings and perceptions of the world.

The original Hawaii suit was simply the state versus the president and his administration. The new suit adds a new plaintiff, a man named Ismail Elshikh, who is identified as "an American citizen of Egyptian descent" who has lived in Hawaii for more than a decade and is now imam of the Muslim Association of Hawaii.

The Trump order "inflicts a grave injury" on Elshikh and other Muslims in Hawaii, the suit says, by subjecting them to "discrimination and second-class treatment."

"The order denies them their right to associate with family members overseas," the lawsuit alleges, and forces Elshikh and other Hawaii Muslims "to live in a country and in a state where there is the perception that the government has established a disfavored religion."

Elshikh's particular problem is this: His wife, the suit says, is an American citizen "of Syrian descent and is also a resident of Hawaii." She and Elshikh, who has a Ph.D. in Islamic Studies from an Egyptian university, have five children, all of whom, according to the suit, are American citizens and residents of Hawaii.

Mrs. Elshikh's mother, Ismail Elshikh's mother-in-law, is "a Syrian national, living in Syria." According to the suit, she wants to come to the United States. "Elshikh's mother-in-law last visited the family in 2005, when she stayed for one month," the lawsuit says. "She has not met two of Dr. Elshikh's children, and only Dr. Elshikh's oldest child remembers meeting her grandmother."

The suit says that in September 2015, Elshikh's wife filed an I-130 petition on behalf of her mother in Syria. United States Citizen and Immigration Services describes the I-130 as a form "for citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States to establish the relationship to certain alien relatives who wish to immigrate to the United States."

The mother-in-law's I-130 petition was approved in February 2016, according to the suit, but so far, the suit says, "Elshikh's mother-in-law does not currently hold a visa to enter the United States."

Eleven of the 12 months during which Elshikh's mother-in-law's I-130 petition was approved but she was not granted a visa occurred during the Obama administration, which boasted of the thorough, time-consuming, multiyear vetting process it applied to Syrians attempting to come to the United States. Elshikh did not sue the government during that time. After Trump declared a 90-day moratorium on visas, Elshikh went to court.

On January 31, 2017 -- after the first Executive Order was put in place -- Dr. Elshikh was notified by an individual from the National Visa Center that his mother-in-law's application for an immigrant visa had been put on hold. Then, on March 2, 2017 -- after the first Executive Order was enjoined -- Dr. Elshikh and his family were notified by the National Visa Center that his mother-in-law's visa application had progressed to the next stage of the process and that her interview would be scheduled at an embassy overseas. Under the new Executive Order, however, Dr. Elshikh fears that his mother-in-law will, once again, be unable to "enter" the country under Section 2(c) of the Executive Order.

The suit says that Elshikh's children, who were apparently not harmed by the Obama administration's (and Congress's) action to make it difficult and time-consuming for Syrians to come to the U.S., are "deeply affected" by Trump's executive order. "It conveys to them a message that their own country would discriminate against individuals who share their ethnicity, including members of their own family, and who hold the same religious beliefs."

"We feel both bans, Version 1 and Version 2, are delivering on Trump's promise to some of the far-right groups that he is going to have a Muslim ban," Hakim Ouasanfi told me by phone Thursday. "Our viewpoint is that any discrimination is not acceptable. It is not the way to keep our country safe."

"How can you explain to a daughter that your grandmother will not be able to visit?"

I asked Ouasanfi whether the temporary nature of Trump's action made it less burdensome. "If my daughter is graduating in 90 days, then it is a burden," he answered. "If the wedding is planned for May, that is a burden. I don't think Muslims should plan their lives around Trump's decision."

On the other hand, Elshikh's mother-in-law has not visited in 12 years -- for whatever reason, she did not visit for the births of grandchildren or the various milestones in their lives. And now this 90-day delay is a violation of her family's constitutional rights?

The plaintiffs did not file suit over earlier government actions that made coming to the United States a difficult and drawn-out effort. Some in the Obama administration made clear that it could take years for a Syrian to be admitted to the U.S. But when Trump announced a 90-day delay, the Hawaii plaintiffs went to court. Why?

Perhaps there is a clue in some of the words in the lawsuit that convey emotion. Elshikh and other Muslims feel this or that, or they are devastated, or there is this or that perception, or this or that message conveyed. It could be that much of the energy behind the lawsuit is emotional, caught up in a hysteria about Donald Trump as much as a rational reading of the new executive order.

Now the Hawaii case goes to court. The new Trump order was amended specifically to address some of the legal objections raised against the original order in court challenges across the country. But how to craft an order to protect feelings?

Byron York is chief political correspondent for The Washington Examiner.
Police have named the motorist who died yesterday morning in a two-vehicle road collision in Ballywalter

Police have named the motorist who died yesterday morning in a two-vehicle road collision in Ballywalter.

Fifty-two-year-old Dean Weir was the driver of a white Suzuki Alto that was involved in a collision with a blue Nissan Micra on the Dunover Road shortly before 9am. The road was closed in both directions after the crash.

It is understood that Mr Weir was living in Portavogie, but was originally from Bangor.

The male driver of the Nissan and a female passenger in the Suzuki were taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries.

DUP councillor Robert Adair, who lives in Portavogie, said the whole village community was shocked and saddened at the news of Mr Weir's tragic death.

"This is dreadful news for the family" he said.

"We are upholding them all in our prayers and they are very much in our thoughts tonight - as are the two people injured in the crash," he told the Belfast Telegraph.

The councillor said that the Dunover Road was a quiet country road.

Police have appealed for any witnesses to the incident to contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 101. Mr Weir's death brings to 10 the number of people who have died on roads here so far this year.
Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Churches in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Churches serve tea and Coffee in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Scenes in the Holyland area of Belfast on St Patrick's Day 2017.

Scenes in the Holyland area of Belfast on St Patrick's Day 2017.

Scenes in the Holyland area of Belfast on St Patrick's Day 2017.

Scenes in the Holyland area of Belfast on St Patrick's Day 2017.

Scenes in the Holyland area of Belfast on St Patrick's Day 2017.

Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Eleven people have been arrested in the Holyland area of Belfast over the St Patrick's Day celebrations.

Police said they made the "drink-related arrests" in the area on Thursday night and Friday.

The Holyland has become infamous in recent years for large numbers of young people taking part in anti-social behaviour to the distress of residents.

In a bid to crack-down on loutish behaviour off-licences across the area agreed to close for a period of time on St Patrick's Day .

Getting busy now in the Holylands. pic.twitter.com/a1vjTqaGAl  Alex Keery (@AlexKeeryRadio) March 17, 2017

Read More

Businesses in the south Belfast area signed up to the voluntary booze ban as police warned they would confiscate alcohol from anyone seen drinking in the street.

Those on the ground on Friday said there was up to three times the amount of police in the area compared to previous years.

PSNI Superintendent Melanie Jones told the BBC that the arrests were for "low-level alcohol and disorder-related offences and some low-level assault".

Police said behaviour in the area had "generally been better than in previous years".

Superintendent Melanie Jones said: "At the very maximum number, we would have seen a crowd of about 300 or 400.

Expand Close Crowds at WineFlair on Friday evening. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Crowds at WineFlair on Friday evening.

"We've worked very hard to make sure we're getting the messages out early about what sort of behaviour is acceptable."

A heavy police presence was in the area on Friday and was expected to remain during the evening.

Queen's and Ulster University have said the majority of those who travelled there on previous St Patrick's Days were post-primary pupils or non-students.

They warned students that if they are caught causing trouble they face being kicked out.

Read More

Ray Farley from the Holyland Regeneration Association said while the behaviour is never acceptable - had the heavy police presence not been there it would have been much worse.

He told the Belfast Telegraph: "There was quite a big police presence from around 10am. Everything was quite subdued, cold and wet and about 20 Land Rovers in the area cruising around.

"Then at about 2.30pm the sun came out briefly and all of a sudden the streets were full and it ended up Agincourt Avenue was blocked off.

"Police must have had about 15 or 16 Land Rovers parked in the Ormeau Road area and slowly moved officers down and separated and spread them apart."

Speaking at around 9pm Mr Farley said there were still people in the area and police were maintaining their patrols.

He said: "It's still quite noisy and a lot of drinking going on and behaviour you'd expect to see.

"Although they did their 'rock the boat' it disappeared quite quickly as the ground was so wet from the rain."

He added: "It's not acceptable, but had we not had the police presence, it could have been a different situation but the police presence was much more than previous years."

Mr Farley said that all statutory agencies including the Universities 'did their bit' to avoid a repeat of last year's disorder.
Outpouring of grief: Tributes placed by mourners at the location where the body of Irish tourist Danielle McLaughlin was found in Goa

Danielle McLaughlin was found dead in Canacona, a popular tourist area in the south of Goa

The body of Buncrana woman Danielle McLaughlin is expected to arrive back in Ireland early next week after a repatriation fund raised more than 36,000 in just two days.

Danielle (28) was found dead in Goa on Tuesday, and police say that a man, whose name has been reported as Vikat Bhagat (24) has confessed to her rape and murder.

Bhagat was captured on CCTV walking with Danielle the day before her death.

A police officer told the Associated Press that Danielle had travelled to Goa with a female friend.

The pair were staying in a beach hut before attending the Hindu spring festival of Holi in a nearby village on Monday night.

Danielle's body was discovered in a field the next day, less than 2km from the popular beach of Palolem in south Goa.

Bhagat appeared in court on rape and murder charges on Wednesday.

News of her death was greeted with shock in the County Donegal community, and local man Christy Duffy launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with her repatriation and funeral expenses.

Donations flooded in and rapidly exceeded the initial 10,000 target, now sitting at 36,572 after just two days.

Posting on the fundraising page, Mr Duffy said that everyone who knew Danielle was "completely devastated," and described her as a "beautiful and kind-hearted, funny young lady who loved life and was a loyal and devoted friend, sister and daughter".

"This fund is to assist the repatriation and funeral expenses for our friend Danielle who was tragically taken from us all too soon this week," he stated.

"At the moment the family have the Irish embassy, the British embassy, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and many close friends working hard on the arrangements to take her home.

"They say the brightest stars burn the quickest and no other analogy could describe Danielle's life better.

"On behalf of her family thanks in advance for the donations and keep on smiling as Danielle would have wanted."

Colin Bell of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust told the Belfast Telegraph that Danielle's body would "hopefully be brought to Mumbai" today and could be home "early next week".

"It's a real tragedy for the family, I believe Danielle had only been away a short time" he said.

"Her family are absolutely devastated. A couple of Danielle's friends have flown out to be with her, which will be a relief for her family as they will know she isn't alone."
Brexit could destroy years of goodwill built up during the peace process in Northern Ireland, former Irish president Mary McAleese has said.

She warned the UK's impending divorce from the European Union would create fresh divisions between communities.

Earlier this week the Queen signed the Article 50 Bill into law, giving Prime Minister Theresa May the right to formally start talks to leave the EU.

The PM says she will trigger the process by the end of the month. However, Mrs McAleese has warned that Brexit - and the possibility of a hard border - could seriously jeopardise the progress made in Northern Ireland. She said: "If we're talking about Britain withdrawing from the single European market, (and) withdrawing from the customs union... we know that no matter who says 'everything will be all right on the day', it won't, because it has to change. If the border hardens, I'd be worried that hearts would harden too."

Mrs McAleese made the comments in an interview with Catholic weekly The Tablet.

Originally from Ardoyne in north Belfast, Mrs McAleese served as Irish President from 1997 to 2011, and has maintained a public profile since leaving office. Last year she campaigned for a Yes vote in the Republic's same-sex marriage referendum.

Now she has waded into the Brexit debate, claiming that Ireland has a "vested interest in ensuring that the relationship Britain maintains with the European Union is as strong as it can be".

The former President added that membership of the EU had played a huge part in improving Anglo-Irish relations, and was crucial at the time of the 1998 Belfast Agreement. Without it, she said, there might have been a different outcome to the vote in support of the peace process.

Mrs McAleese added: "I'm not sure, to be frank, if we had known at the time that Britain was going to pull out of the EU and bring Northern Ireland out... that people south of the border would have been as quick to sign off on changing the Irish constitution, because it was easier to do that (as) we were all members of the EU."
A DUP MP voiced concern last night after Oscar-nominated director Jim Sheridan revealed he is planning to make a movie about the IRA mass breakout from the Maze Prison in 1983.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Sheridan, who co-wrote the screenplay for Some Mother's Son about the republican hunger strike in the jail, said he'd always been fascinated by the escape.

He said: "I know there is another film being made at the moment called Maze, but I want to do it in a different way.

"My approach to it would be that the prisoners were at the end of the hunger strike and that they were at their lowest point, in despair.

"And somebody figured out that the thing that tortured them in the past during the hunger strike - the food lorry - was the way out."

Sheridan added: "The fact that the prisoners couldn't use guns during the escape was significant, and it was almost the prescription for the ballot box and the Armalite strategy that republicans were later to adopt."

The fleeing IRA men stabbed warder James Ferris with a chisel and he died of a heart attack.

Last night Sir Jeffrey Donaldson called for Sheridan to avoid glamorising terrorism.

He said: "There has been a series of films that have sought to romanticise the Provisional IRA as some kind of 'freedom fighting' organisation - and the difficulty I have with that is that they never examine the thousands of incidents the IRA were involved in, and the thousands of lives they destroyed in Northern Ireland and elsewhere as a result of their terrorism.

"There was a prison officer murdered in the Maze escape.

"I just wonder what message this sends to the next generation, whom we are trying to persuade that violence and terrorism is wrong?" Sir Jeffrey invited the director to meet some of the families of IRA victims.

He said: "I really think that if he is going to make a film about the Troubles in Northern Ireland he should look at other events, and take a much more balanced approach to all of this."

Sheridan said many of the incidents during and after the escape were intriguing, particularly how the IRA men told a Protestant family to stay silent about their presence in their home near Dromore. The Provo escapees were holed up in the house for 24 hours as the security forces searched for them, and IRA bomber Bik McFarlane made the family swear on the Bible that they wouldn't contact the police for 72 hours after he and his colleagues left the house.

The family were true to their word, but only after contacting their local minister.

"That is a great story to me," said Sheridan, whose latest movie The Secret Scripture deals with the story of a Protestant woman who once lived in Belfast and who spent 50 years in mental institutions and a Magdalene laundry after giving birth to an illegitimate child.

If the 68-year-old Dubliner goes ahead with his Maze film, it would be the second movie to deal with the controversial escape by 38 IRA men - the biggest ever in the British Isles.

The film Maze, which is based on Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly's book, is currently in post-production.

It has drawn protests from unionists and prison officers.

Among the cast are Niamh McGrady, who starred in The Fall, and Martin McCann, who appeared in movie The Survivalist.
Michaella McCollum with Melissa Reid at the time of their arrest in Peru in 2013

Peru Two drugs mule Michaella McCollum stands to make up to 250,000 if reports of her plans for a TV career pan out, according to a top publicist.

The 24-year-old flew into Liverpool's John Lennon Airport this week amid rumours of meetings with showbiz bosses about fronting a new prime time programme about prisoners, and even starring alongside her Scottish accomplice Melissa Reid on the next series of Big Brother.

But, warned Amanda Stocks, who runs Exclusive Press and Publicity in London, the Dungannon woman should be wary of cashing in on her notoriety.

She added that Michaella, who returned home to Northern Ireland last August, could secure a more successful and longer-lasting career if she used her experiences to help other people.

"I can absolutely see Michaella's appeal," said Amanda. "She's young, she's beautiful, she's obviously got lots of personality and extraordinary experiences to talk about.

"TV bosses and agents will be drawn to her. She could make an appearance on a show like Big Brother for as much as 150,000 - top that up with a book deal and accompanying publicity and you're easily talking a quarter-of-a-million.

"But as far as I can see, that's not the best way for her to go if she wants her career to last more than the blink of an eye. Documentaries and more serious options would work better to start."

Amanda, who manages publicity for celebrities and people behind some of the UK's most high-profile headlines, said Michaella should think long and hard before she signs up for anything.

"I really think she could do quite well long-term if she makes the right choices," she added.

"Yes, reality TV bosses would naturally be interested for the instant big audience figures. But if she's seen to be cashing in on something that was essentially breaking the law, then she's risking a big backlash.

"I'm not even sure TV bosses would be allowed to pay her at this stage. In any case, people wouldn't take kindly to any sense she's glamorising criminality or making money from the fame she gained through what was a very serious crime. Instead, she would do better to use the platform she has to help other young people, to tell them about the serious consequences of the mistake she made, and try to discourage anyone from doing the same thing."

This, said Amanda, needed to be done away from shows like Big Brother, at least in the beginning.

"Reality TV might seem like the sexy and most lucrative option," she said. "But it's not going to help her long-term. Michaella should take her time and establish herself away from what we know her for already."

Along with Scottish accomplice Reid, McCollum was caught trying to smuggle 24lb (11kg) of cocaine worth 1.5m out of Peru in 2013.
Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

There was a heavy PSNI presence in the Holyland area of south Belfast on Friday night during St Patrick's Day.

PSNI sources told the Belfast Telegraph that 10 people had been arrested during its operation in central and southern Belfast.

All were for minor public order offences, but a spokesman was unable to quantify how many were made in the Holyland.

Five more people were arrested on Thursday night for minor offences in the area, police said.

South Belfast DUP MLA Christopher Stalford said official sources had told him that there were three times as many police in the area this year as were on duty in 2016.

But he felt that the cost of policing what has almost become a "rite of passage" for students and their friends, as well as teenage school pupils, would be "money well spent" if it kept a lid on the levels of anti-social behaviour.

Officers had a mobile cell van available in case of trouble.

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As evening fell, Ulster University spokesman Dr Duncan Morrow said things in the area were "lively".

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Scenes in the Holyland area of Belfast on St Patrick's Day 2017. Scenes in the Holyland area of Belfast on St Patrick's Day 2017. Scenes in the Holyland area of Belfast on St Patrick's Day 2017. Scenes in the Holyland area of Belfast on St Patrick's Day 2017. Scenes in the Holyland area of Belfast on St Patrick's Day 2017. Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Churches serve tea and Coffee in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Churches in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 17/3/2017 Police and student Safety representatives in the Holylands area of Belfast for St Patrick's day on Friday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker / Facebook

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Senior officers said the conduct of most people was very positive.

Behaviour in the area had generally been better than in previous years, they added.

"At the very maximum number, we would have seen a crowd of about 300 or 400," said PSNI Superintendent Melanie Jones.

Ray Farley, from the Holyland Residents' Association, said there was a "huge amount of students, young people and non-residents" in the district, adding that it was very noisy. "If it wasn't for the police presence, it would have been a really bad situation for everyone here," said Mr Farley.

"It's not as bad as last year - police are managing to keep it at a level that, while not acceptable, is not serious."

Five local off-licences closed voluntarily for some time yesterday.

But the raucous revellers appeared to have had no difficulty obtaining all the alcohol they wanted.

Street disturbances and anti-social behaviour have previously erupted at this time of year in the area, behind Queen's University, which is packed with student housing.

Both Queen's and Ulster University have said the majority of those who travelled to the flashpoint on previous St Patrick's Days were post-primary pupils or non-students.

Students who are found to have engaged in anti-social behaviour may be dismissed from their studies, Ulster University has warned.

Vice-chancellor Paddy Nixon said he was extremely concerned about behaviour by a minority of students in the Holyland.

Several Queen's University and Ulster University students have in the past been disciplined for engaging in anti-social behaviour.
George Gilmore was shot in his car in Carrickfergus

Two men have been charged with murder following the death of a prominent loyalist in Northern Ireland.

George Gilmore, 44, was driving in his car when he was shot in the neck in Carrickfergus on Monday afternoon.

He died in hospital on Tuesday.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said that two men - aged 28 and 25 - had been charged with murder, two counts of attempted murder and possession of a firearm.

They are due to appear at Belfast Magistrates' Court on Saturday.
Donald Trump made this promise on the campaign trail: "I'm not going to cut Social Security like every other Republican, and I'm not going to cut Medicare or Medicaid."

All politicians make promises they cannot keep, but this one is a particularly devastating deception. The health care bill now being drafted by the House, and enthusiastically endorsed by the president, makes major cuts in Medicaid, the joint federal/state program that protects the most vulnerable Americans.

Like so many of Trump's proposals -- on immigration and refugees, for example -- this one is not just bad public policy. It's also immoral, violating the most basic obligation of Christianity, described in the New Testament as caring for "the least of these brothers and sisters."

As John Kasich, the Republican governor of Ohio, said on NBC's "Meet the Press": "We're talking about lives. ... We better be careful we're not losing the soul of our country because we're playing politics."

The health care debate has focused primarily on proposed alterations to the insurance system established by the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), but the Medicaid issue is equally important. Under Obamacare, states could utilize federal funds to expand Medicaid eligibility to families earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty line. Thirty-one states took advantage of the option, adding about 11 million Americans to the Medicaid rolls.

Under the House bill (call it Ryan/Trumpcare), that expansion would be phased out in 2020. According to the Congressional Budget Office, about 5 million people would be forced off Medicaid in the first year, and 15 million would lose coverage by 2026.

Speaker Paul Ryan defends his plan by saying, "We're going to have a free market and you buy what you want to buy." Nice words, which totally ignore the fact that most of those covered by Medicaid cannot afford any health insurance at any price.

But that's not the whole story. Ryan has spent his whole career plotting to do exactly what Trump said he would not do: reduce entitlements. By ardently abandoning his promise, Trump has reinforced the impression that he doesn't really care about policy at all.

What he cares about is winning. So he's bought into Ryan/Trumpcare because he thinks it's the only health plan with a chance of passing.

Fortunately, a number of Republicans are appalled, especially governors who actually have to solve real problems in their states. They cannot afford Ryan's theological crusade against government spending or Trump's refusal to recognize the human misery this proposal would entail.

Many of those governors agree with Kasich, who notes that 700,000 Ohioans have gained insurance coverage under Medicaid expansion. "If they don't get coverage, they end up the emergency room, they end up sicker, more expensive," he told state business leaders. "I mean, we pay one way or another. And so this has been a good thing for Ohio."

It's been a good thing for Massachusetts, too, says Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, where about 300,000 have been added to the Medicaid rolls. "Medicaid is an important safety net for a significant portion of our state's population," Baker told CNN.

Four Republican senators -- Rob Portman of Ohio, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Cory Gardner of Colorado and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska -- wrote a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell saying that while "structural reforms" could improve Medicaid, those changes "should not come at the cost of disruption in access to health care for our country's most vulnerable and sickest individuals."

Attacks on Medicaid often echo the old debate about welfare, implying that beneficiaries are able-bodied slackers who don't want to work. Of course some people game the system, but they're far from a majority. Many suffer from a range of disabling conditions: physical handicaps, mental illness and substance abuse, for example.

Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval of Nevada says Medicaid expansion has "allowed thousands of Nevadans needing mental health treatment to receive care." Kasich says a "big chunk" of those covered in Ohio "are mentally ill and drug-addicted and have chronic diseases."

Impoverished seniors who cannot afford nursing care are also major Medicaid recipients. Under Ryan/Trumpcare, says Tom Wolf, the Democratic governor of Pennsylvania, "You're either basically consigning the seniors to less care or the commonwealth of Pennsylvania to spend more, or a combination of both. That's a real problem."

Those real problems are not limited to governors who would have to administer Medicaid under Ryan/Trumpcare. The Republicans who vote for it also stand to pay a large price: Their souls, as well as their seats, could well be at stake.

Steve and Cokie Roberts can be contacted by email at stevecokie@gmail.com
Businessman and former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg has praised Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny for urging Donald Trump to help the US's undocumented immigrants.

During his annual St Patrick's Day visit to Washington on Thursday, Mr Kenny pressed Mr Trump to support the 50,000 Irish living illegally in the States who are seeking a route to secure citizenship.

The discussions drew intense public focus, given the president's hard-line stance on immigration issues.

Mr Bloomberg hosted Mr Kenny at an Ireland-themed event in his company's New York offices on Friday.

He used the St Patrick's Day occasion to congratulate the Taoiseach for lobbying on behalf of the undocumented in the Oval Office.

"It was great to see him raise the issue of undocumented immigrants when he was at the White House yesterday - thank you for that," he said.

"This is a country that has benefited from immigrants. Without immigrants we wouldn't have a country and immigrants from Ireland have played a very important part and a number of different waves of Irish immigrants coming here and really contributing to our society.

"They contribute to our cuisine and to our culture, to our economy and to our wellbeing and happiness, and I think it's fair to say without the Irish, New York City would not be anything as great as it is today.

"America became a global powerhouse because we welcomed immigrants and to remain a global powerhouse we really do in this country have to continue to welcome immigrants and give them a chance to play their part in our country's future.

"And that's really what celebrating St Patrick's Day is all about."

Mr Kenny told the event he hoped progress could be made on the issue with the new US administration.
The coffin arrives for the funeral of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick at St Patrick's Church, Glencullen

The captain of a Coast Guard helicopter that crashed into the Atlantic during a rescue mission was a brave hero, an adoring mother and a champion of the underdog, her funeral Mass has heard.

Mother-of-one Dara Fitzpatrick, 45, was among the four crew members of a Sikorsky S92 that disappeared without warning off Co Mayo, in the west of Ireland, on Tuesday.

Fr Andrew O' Sullivan told a packed St Patrick's Church, Glencullen, in the Dublin mountains, that few funerals were "as profoundly sad and sorrowful" as Ms Fitzpatrick's.

"We could scarcely believe it then, we can scarcely believe it now," he said.

"We have lost a talented young woman, who along with her colleagues lived good and generous lives and did so much in helping others in their time of need."

He added: "How these extraordinary people put their own lives at risk in order to save others - what bravery. And they truly are heroes."

Draped in an Irish tricolour, Ms Fitzpatrick's coffin was carried into the small granite church through a uniformed guard of honour amid hundreds of mourners who spilled out into the wet and windswept churchyard.

Fr O'Sullivan said everyone was praying the "nightmare of waiting may soon be over" for the families of the other crew members - Captain Mark Duffy, Winchman Ciaran Smith and Winch Operator Paul Ormsby - who remain missing.

Ms Fitzpatrick, who "adored" her three-year-old son, was remembered as an adventurer, great horsewoman and hillwalker who was "fierecly loyal" to her family. She had a "goofy" sense of humour, was fun-loving yet quite shy and loved to cook - being renowned for making "a mean chocolate roulade".

She also loved fashion, "most especially her Gucci boots and her Tom Ford perfume".

"She was kind to her core and a champion of the underdog," the parish priest told the service.

"The day Dara formally adopted Fionn was one of the happiest days of her life and that of her family.

"Fionn, now embodies Dara's characteristics of family - he loves to and often instigates the family group hug. Dara adored Fionn."

Uniformed Coast Guard officers, Naval Service and Air Corp staff, RNLI volunteers and other rescue workers from throughout the country travelled to bid their colleague a final farewell.

President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin were among the mourners.

Ms Fitzpatrick's family take consolation that she lived life to the full and packed a lot in, Fr O'Sullivan said.

He added: "When a life is torn away from us, then we see that our friends, people, life, are all that matter."

Ms Fitzpatrick is survived by son Fionn, parents John and Mary, sisters Niamh, Orla and Emer and brother Johnny.

A major search for her missing colleagues is focusing on a "three-hour window" to find the crashed helicopter amid fierce weather conditions.

Organisers hope a critically timed operation between low tides on Sunday will lead them to the aircraft and the bodies of the three men.

The search has been narrowed to a 100 metre by 80 metre section of the ocean around Blackrock lighthouse, around 13km offshore from Blacksod, where the aircraft was to land to refuel moments before it vanished.

The detection of a black box signal in that area has raised hopes that the bulk of the wreckage can be found along with the three remaining crew members.

The Dublin-based helicopter crew was providing cover for another Coast Guard helicopter involved in an early-morning evacuation of a crewman around 240km off the west coast.

It had flown directly to the scene from the Irish capital, travelled around 16km out to sea, then turned back towards land to refuel.

There was no indication of any danger moments before it vanished, with the crew's final transmission: "Shortly landing at Blacksod."
The coffin arrives for the funeral of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who died in the Coast Guard helicopter tragedy off Blacksod, Co Mayo at St Patrick's Church, Glencullen. Picture date: Saturday March 18, 2017. See PA story IRISH Coastguard. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Leader of Fianna Fail Micheal Martin arrives for the funeral of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who died in the Coast Guard helicopter tragedy off Blacksod, Co Mayo at St Patrick's Church, Glencullen. Picture date: Saturday March 18, 2017. See PA story IRISH Coastguard. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Members of the Coast Guard await the arrival of the coffin for the funeral of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who died in the Coast Guard helicopter tragedy off Blacksod, Co Mayo at St Patrick's Church, Glencullen. Picture date: Saturday March 18, 2017. PA

The coffin arrives for the funeral of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who died in the Coast Guard helicopter tragedy off Blacksod, Co Mayo at St Patrick's Church, Glencullen. Picture date: Saturday March 18, 2017. See PA story IRISH Coastguard. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Members of the Fire service arrive for the funeral of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who died in the Coast Guard helicopter tragedy off Blacksod, Co Mayo at St Patrick's Church, Glencullen. PA

President Michael D. Higgins arrives for the funeral of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who died in the Coast Guard helicopter tragedy off Blacksod, Co Mayo, at St Patrick's Church, Glencullen. PA

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny arrives for the funeral of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who died in the Coast Guard helicopter tragedy off Blacksod, Co Mayo, at St Patrick's Church, Glencullen. PA

President Michael D. Higgins arrives for the funeral of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who died in the Coast Guard helicopter tragedy off Blacksod, Co Mayo, at St Patrick's Church, Glencullen. Picture date: Saturday March 18, 2017. See PA story IRISH Coastguard. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

The coffin arrives for the funeral of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who died in the Coast Guard helicopter tragedy off Blacksod, Co Mayo at St Patrick's Church, Glencullen. PA

The funeral of hero Irish Coastguard captain Dara Fitzpatrick has taken place in Dublin.

Captain Fitzpatrick died when Coastguard Rescue 116 helicopter crashed off the Mayo coast on Tuesday.

Hundreds of mourners are gathering at St Patrick's Church in Glencullen, Co Dublin.

The funeral cortege arrived at 11am and was met by an honour guard from the Coast Guard and other rescue services.

Captain Fitpatrick's parents, four siblings, her young son Fionn, and other family members accompanied the coffin into the church.

President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Enda Kenny were among those attending.

Rescue 117 did a flyby over the church in tribute to their fallen colleague.

Expand Close Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who died after she was found in a critical condition by RNLI crew / Facebook

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In his homily, Fr. Andrew O Sullivan told mourners: "Daras tragic death has stunned all of us gathered here this morning.

In particular, it has created a deep void in the lives of her loving family who are truly heartbroken. The reality of death with all its pain and sense of terrible loss, confronts us at this moment."

He told mourners Captain Fitzpatrick and her missing colleagues were heroes: "We are expressing gratitude to the Fitzpatrick family for moulding Dara into that wonderful young woman and mother that she was.

Expand Close An Taoiseach Enda Kenny arrives for the funeral of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who died in the Coast Guard helicopter tragedy off Blacksod, Co Mayo, at St Patrick's Church, Glencullen. PA PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp An Taoiseach Enda Kenny arrives for the funeral of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who died in the Coast Guard helicopter tragedy off Blacksod, Co Mayo, at St Patrick's Church, Glencullen. PA

"Over the last few days many stories have been told about Dara and how she was a wonderful colleague and friend and indeed of the incredible professionalism and bravery of those in the coastguard and in our emergency services.

"How these extraordinary people put their own lives at risk in order to save others  what bravery. And they truly are heroes."

He also spoke of Dara's other loves in life: "Dara loved travelling and had so many adventures. She was not only a professional and talented pilot and excelled in what she did, but also, a great horsewoman, she loved donkeys; a hillwalker and an adventurer.

Dara Fitzpatrick...Captain, Colleague, Daughter, Sister, Mum, Friend and Hero. We love you and won't forget you. Go Mairidis Beo #Rescue116 pic.twitter.com/NbgT5y9tLq  Rescue 117 (@R117Waterford) March 18, 2017

"Dara was quite shy and she hated small talk. She was kind to her core and a champion of the underdog. She was fiercely loyal and her family was of paramount importance to her. Her family describe her sense of humour as goofy and she had a great ability to find the fun in life. I know today, that Daras family take great consolation in the fact that she lived life to the full  she packed a lot in.

"Dara loved to cook and as her sisters say - she was a feeder  she made a mean chocolate roulade for her work colleagues and for home. Dara loved her clothes and most especially her Gucci boots and her Tom Ford perfume. As her family put it: a beautiful young woman, who of course, got her looks from her family.

"The day Dara formally adopted Fionn was one of the happiest days of her life and that of her family. Fionn, now embodies Daras characteristics of family  he loves to and often instigates the family group hug  Dara adored Fionn."

Expand Expand Previous Next Close Irish Coast Guard helicopter captain Dara Fitzpatrick. PA PA Dara Fitzpatrick meeting the Queen at Bangor RNLI HQ in 2009 / Facebook

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The search continues for the Coast Guard's Sikorsky S92 aircraft and the bodies of three men who have not been found since the helicopter disappeared without warning off Co Mayo early on Tuesday.

Debris has been located on Black Rock, a small island with a lighthouse and helipad 13km west of Blacksod on the Mayo coastline where the helicopter was due to refuel.

Investigators are now examining the theory that the aircraft suffered a sudden and serious mechanical failure which forced an emergency landing.

Expand Close President Michael D. Higgins arrives for the funeral of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who died in the Coast Guard helicopter tragedy off Blacksod, Co Mayo, at St Patrick's Church, Glencullen. PA PA / Facebook

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It comes as officials hope a "three-hour window" between low tides will be sufficient to find the submerged aircraft, amid fierce weather conditions.

They believe they have identified from preliminary sonar scans and beacon triangulation data the main wreckage of the downed Irish Coast Guard helicopter on the seabed.

Naval Service and salvage experts are now "very hopeful" that the bodies of the three missing Rescue 116 crewmen will be found trapped within the wrecked fuselage of the helicopter.

Expand Close Members of the Fire service arrive for the funeral of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who died in the Coast Guard helicopter tragedy off Blacksod, Co Mayo at St Patrick's Church, Glencullen. PA PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp Members of the Fire service arrive for the funeral of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who died in the Coast Guard helicopter tragedy off Blacksod, Co Mayo at St Patrick's Church, Glencullen. PA

The wreckage lies at a depth of 40 metres, some 60 metres off Black Rock Island and lighthouse.
Phil Shiner was declared bankrupt on Tuesday, according to the Insolvency Service

A criminal probe into a disgraced lawyer who brought false claims against Iraq War veterans has a number of "lines of inquiry", the National Crime Agency (NCA) has said.

A file on Phil Shiner, who was struck off last month for dishonestly pursuing torture and murder claims against British troops, has been passed to the agency by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

It comes after 60-year-old Mr Shiner, from Birmingham, was declared bankrupt on Tuesday, according to the Insolvency Service.

The NCA, the UK's equivalent of the FBI, took the unusual step of confirming its investigation after the Daily Telegraph reported its director general, Lynne Owens, had written to a former Conservative minister to say there were a "number of lines of inquiry".

The paper said Ms Owens told Lord Blencathra, who had requested a criminal probe, that the NCA was working with the SRA and the Legal Aid Agency and was looking into whether there was sufficient evidence for a prosecution.

She said: "Whilst I cannot directly comment on the scope and direction of this investigation, I can reassure you that one of the NCA's priorities is to investigate those who are alleged to have used their professional expertise to enable serious organised crime to take place. We will do all we can to bring theses professional enablers to justice."

An agency spokesman said: "The NCA has previously confirmed that it is in receipt of a file from the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA). As you might expect, that provides lines of inquiry for the NCA to consider, however, we cannot comment further."

Mr Shiner was found to have been dishonest in agreeing to pay "sweeteners" to a fixer, understood to be Abu Jamal, to persuade him to change his evidence to the 31 million Al-Sweady Inquiry.

He also acted "recklessly" in making claims at a press conference in February 2008 that the British Army had unlawfully killed, tortured and mistreated Iraqi civilians during the Battle of Danny Boy.

Several veterans of the 2004 battle described their ordeal in facing the false accusations.

Mr Shiner and his firm, the now-defunct Public Interest Lawyers (PIL), were behind 65% of the 3,392 allegations received by the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (Ihat).

After Mr Shiner was struck off, the discredited 60 million Government probe is being wound down and its remaining caseload of around 20 cases handed to the Royal Navy Police.

Mr Shiner was told by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal he faces paying at least 250,000 in costs to the SRA, whose prosecution of the lawyer is thought to be one of its most expensive to date.

The MoD has paid out more than 100 million on legal costs and compensation linked to the war in Iraq, with a large proportion over allegations brought by PIL.
File photo dated 21/11/16 of Jeremy Corbyn who is warning that immigrants should not to be held to blame for Britain's economic difficulties.

Immigrants should not to be held to blame for Britain's economic difficulties, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is warning.

In an address to the Runnymede Trust today, Mr Corbyn will say it is "vitally important" to protect Britain's diverse society in the wake of the referendum vote to leave the EU.

Speaking in Birmingham, he will say that in "volatile times", when people feel insecure in their jobs and about the future of the country, there is a tendency to look for people to blame.

"In the wake of the Brexit decision, it is vitally important that we value, celebrate and protect our diverse society," he will say.

"Syrian refugees did not trade in credit default swaps and crash the economy.

"East European builders and technicians did not slash funding for children's centres and libraries.

"What we need is leadership that does not stoop to preying on those anxieties and blaming people who look differently, talk a different language or dress differently, for the mess that we're in."

Mr Corbyn will accuse the Conservatives of pursuing an agenda favouring the elite at the expense of the majority - particularly those in black and Asian communities.

"Under my leadership, a Labour government will commit to eliminate racial inequality in our economy and society," he will say.

"It's indefensible that in Britain today, if you're black or Asian you are more likely to be living in poverty than if you're white.

"Or that young black men have experienced the worst long-term employment and economic outcomes in generations."
Nicola Sturgeon is to warn the Prime Minister she will "shatter beyond repair" the notion that the UK is a partnership of equals if she turns down a request from the Scottish Parliament to hold a second independence referendum.

MSPs are expected to back the First Minister's call for a Section 30 order to be granted when Holyrood votes on the issue on Wednesday.

That would then see the Scottish Parliament formally request that Westminster grants it the authority to hold a legally binding referendum.

Theresa May has already said the time is not right for another ballot on independence, saying such a vote would be "bad" for both the UK and Scotland.

Ms Sturgeon will tell the SNP spring conference in Aberdeen that if the vote is passed next week, the demand for another independence ballot will become "the will of the democratically-elected Parliament of Scotland".

She will say: "To stand in defiance of it would be for the Prime Minister to shatter beyond repair any notion of the UK as a respectful partnership of equals."

The First Minister shocked the UK Government with her announcement on Monday that she wants a second independence referendum to be held between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.

With the UK having voted to leave the European Union in 2016 and Scotland voting to stay part of the bloc, she will insist the future "looks very different" than it did in 2014 when Scotland said No to independence.

Closing the SNP conference, Ms Sturgeon will say: " We know change is coming. The EU referendum has made sure of that. The only question is what kind of change."

She will insist Scots are "not powerless" and can "still decide which path we take".

Ms Sturgeon will say: "Whatever our different opinions on independence, we can all unite around this simple principle - Scotland's future must be Scotland's choice."

The SNP manifesto for the 2016 Holyrood election set out the prospect of a second independence referendum if there was a "material change in circumstances" in the UK, such as Scotland being removed from the EU "against its wishes".

The First Minister will say: "Next week... we will ask the Scottish Parliament to agree that the Scottish people should have the right to choose our own future.

"We will ask Parliament to agree that this choice should be exercised at a time when we know the terms of Brexit but before it is too late to take a different path.

"And we will ask Parliament's permission to seek the legal authority that will allow the people of Scotland to have that choice.

"If a majority in the Scottish Parliament endorses that position, the Prime Minister should be clear about this. At that point a fair, legal, agreed referendum - on a timescale that will allow the people of Scotland an informed choice - ceases to be just my proposal, or that of the SNP. It becomes the will of the democratically-elected Parliament of Scotland."

She will tell the Prime Minister: "If her concern is timing then - within reason - I am happy to have that discussion."

Mrs May said on Friday: "It is now clear that using Brexit as the pretext to engineer a second independence referendum has been the SNP's sole objective ever since last June.

" The fact that more Scottish voters backed Scotland staying in the UK in 2014 than supported the UK staying in the EU in 2016, and that almost half a million independence supporters actually backed Brexit last year, seems to count for nothing."

Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont said: "Nicola Sturgeon said as late as Thursday that a referendum after April 2019 would be 'too late'. Now she has changed her mind and appears to be trying to engage in some kind of horse-trading with the UK Government.

"The future of Scotland is not a game. It is time for the First Minister to act responsibly over our future."

Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont said: "Nicola Sturgeon said as late as Thursday that a referendum after April 2019 would be 'too late'.

"Now she has changed her mind and appears to be trying to engage in some kind of horse-trading with the UK Government.

"The future of Scotland is not a game. It is time for the First Minister to act responsibly over our future."
Theresa May has accused the SNP of being "divisive and obsessive" nationalists as the feud between the Prime Minister and the Scottish Government over a second independence referendum intensified.

Mrs May accused First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her party of being in a "muddle" about their plans and warned that breaking up the UK would be "bad for us all".

Her intervention, at the Conservative spring forum in Cardiff, came as SNP deputy leader Angus Robertson insisted there was "no doubt" that a second referendum would take place - even though Mrs May has ruled out a vote on independence before Brexit has been finalised.

Downing Street dismissed the suggestion that the SNP could hold a legal referendum without the PM's approval between autumn 2018 and spring 2019, the timetable set out by Ms Sturgeon.

The countdown to Brexit will begin during the next two weeks when Mrs May triggers Article 50, the formal mechanism for leaving the European Union, and she acknowledged the process could be "uncertain at times".

Mrs May said: "A t such moments - great national moments that define the character of a nation - we have a choice.

"We can look forward with optimism and hope. Or give in to the politics of fear and despair.

"I choose to believe in Britain and that our best days lie ahead.

"Because while the road before us may be uncertain at times, I believe - with the British people - that it leads towards a brighter future for our nation's children and grandchildren."

The Prime Minister accused the SNP of "tunnel vision" and seeking to exploit the vote to leave the European Union.

"The fact that more Scottish voters backed Scotland staying in the UK in 2014 than supported the UK staying in the EU in 2016, and that almost half a million independence supporters actually backed Brexit last year, seems to count for nothing.

"It is now clear that using Brexit as the pretext to engineer a second independence referendum has been the SNP's sole objective ever since last June.

"But it would be bad for Scotland, bad for the United Kingdom, and bad for us all."

The Brexit negotiations would be "vital" for every citizen, business and community and required all parts of the UK working together, she said.

"It is essential that we get the right deal, and that all of our efforts and energies as a country are focused on that outcome.

"We can only get that deal if we are united, as one United Kingdom, all pulling together to get the best outcome."

She hit out at the " divisive and obsessive nationalisms" of the SNP and Plaid Cymru, and mocked Ms Sturgeon's party over its approach to EU membership.

"They are happy to see power rest in Brussels. But if those powers come back to London, they want them given to Edinburgh, so that they can try to give them back to Brussels.

"And now they apparently say that an independent Scotland would no longer seek to become a member of the EU after a vote for separation. It is muddle on muddle."

Earlier, Mr Robertson set out the potential for a constitutional crisis if Mrs May blocked a fresh independence ballot.

If Holyrood on Wednesday backs Ms Sturgeon's bid for a fresh ballot when the terms of the UK's Brexit deal are known, it would be "undemocratic and totally unacceptable" for this to be denied by Westminster, he said.

At his party's spring conference in Aberdeen, Mr Robertson said: "The Tories' argument is not about process, it is about their desperate desire to prevent anyone having the chance to reject the hard-right Brexit that they are so wedded to.

"The truth is, it should not be for either Theresa May or the Scottish Government to decide Scotland's future - that choice belongs to the Parliament and the people of Scotland and it is one this party will never, ever shy away from."
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive for a dinner at the British embassy in Paris

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have heard the moving stories of Bataclan terrorist attack survivors as France was rattled by a security incident at a major airport.

As William and Kate met a 25-year-old woman who survived being shot seven times during the 2015 atrocity that killed 130 people, reports were coming in of a man shot dead after grabbing a soldier's weapon at Paris Orly Airport.

Despite the incident there were no signs of security - which included armed French police - being increased around the couple as they travelled around Paris,

The Duke and Duchess were in the French capital on a two-day visit dubbed a Brexit charm offensive by some of the local press.

The airport is a number of miles from Paris and a Kensington Palace spokesman said the royal visit was not affected by the shooting.

But the incident was a further blow to the psyche of France, which remains under a state of emergency after attacks over the past two years that have killed 235 people.

During William and Kate's visit to Les Invalides - Paris' historic military hospital - the couple chatted to the 25-year-old survivor, known only as Jessica, who was shot in the leg, hip and back as she dined with friends at La Belle Equipe restaurant.

They were also introduced to Kevin, a 28-year-old fireman, and a Bataclan concert-goer who was shot in the leg.

The Duke said: ''We think you are very strong and very brave, you've made amazing progress.''

Jessica said: ''At first (after the shooting) I was a bit shy and didn't want to talk about it because of all of the pain and grief.

''But now I want to say we are not only victims, we have lives, we have boyfriends, girlfriends, work. I want to speak about my friend who died to honour him, I want people to remember who he was.''

She was shot on her birthday as she dined with three female friends outside the restaurant, who all survived the attack. Her friend Victor Munoz, who was inside, was killed with one shot.

France's defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the man was shot after assaulting three soldiers patrolling the airport.

He added that the attacked soldier managed to hold on to her rifle and her colleagues opened fire to protect her and the public.

French president Francois Hollande said investigators will determine whether the attacker ''had a terrorist plot behind him''.

Authorities have said the 39-year-old Frenchman killed was involved in an incident earlier in the day when he fired bird shot at police during an early morning traffic stop before speeding away and heading for the airport south of Paris.

No-one else in the busy terminal was hurt, but thousands of travellers were evacuated from the area and flights were diverted to the city's other airport.

William and Kate's visit has been overshadowed by newspaper criticisms the Duke has faced for his weekend away on a "lads only" ski trip to Verbier.

The papers poked fun at his antics on the dance floor and in the DJ booth but also questioned his judgement at missing a major Commonwealth celebration with the Queen for the social event.

While in Paris - often cited as the one of the world's most romantic cities - the royal couple visited its iconic Musee D'Orsay, which houses the largest collection of Impressionist masterpieces in the world.

They later posed for a picture with the Eiffel Tower in the background before travelling to the Stade de France to watch Wales play France in a Six Nations rugby match, which the home side won.
Mr Trump was scathing in his criticism of the German leader in the 2016 US election campaign

German Chancellor Angela Merkel listens as President Donald Trump speaks during their joint news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, March 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel participate in a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, March 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 17: German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on March 17, 2017 in Washington, DC. This is Merkel's first visit to the U.S. under the Trump administration. (Photo by Pat Benic-Pool/Getty Images)

US president Donald Trump and German chancellor Angela Merkel have tried to sidestep differences after their first meeting at the White House.

Mr Trump said they had at least one thing in common: being wiretapped by the administration of former president Barack Obama.

He repeated his contention that Mr Obama may have tapped his phones in Trump Tower.

He sought to turn it into a joke when asked about concerns raised by the British government that the White House is now citing a debunked claim about UK spies.

"At least we have something in common, perhaps," Mr Trump said, referring to 2014 reports that the US was monitoring Mrs Merkel's mobile phone conversations.

As for the most recent report, Mr Trump said he should not be blamed for quoting a Fox News analyst who had accused British intelligence of helping Mr Obama spy on him.

When a German reporter asked Mr Trump if he regrets any of his commentary on Twitter, he said: "Very seldom."

On another subject, Mr Trump also pushed back against the notion in Europe that his "America First" agenda means he's an isolationist, responding firmly: "I don't believe in an isolationist policy."

The president appeared to bristle at the suggestion from a German reporter, adding, "I don't know what newspaper you're reading, but I guess that would be another example of, as you say, fake news."

Mrs Merkel often attempted a more conciliatory approach, saying she and Mr Trump had not had much time to discuss economic issues.

She said the "success of Germans has always been one where the German success is one side of the coin and the other side of the coin has been European unity and European integration. That's something of which I'm deeply convinced."

Those comments appeared aimed at making a case to Mr Trump on the benefits of the European Union.

He backed Britain's departure from the EU and has expressed scepticism about multilateral trade agreements.

The two leaders tried to express their common bonds but showed minimal rapport, a departure from Mrs Merkel's warm relations with Mr Obama.

During a photo opportunity in the Oval Office, the two did not shake hands before reporters.

At the start of the news conference, Mrs Merkel sought to break the ice, saying it was "much better to talk to one another than about one another".

She said delicately that while she represents German interests, Mr Trump "stands up for, as is right, American interests".

They were "trying to address also those areas where we disagree but tried to bring people together", she said.

"We need to be fair with each other," Mrs Merkel said, saying both countries were expecting "that something good comes out of it for their own people".

The meetings at the White House included discussions on strengthening Nato, fighting Islamic State, the conflict in Afghanistan and resolving Ukraine's conflict, all matters that require close cooperation.

As a candidate, Mr Trump frequently accused the chancellor of "ruining" Germany by allowing an influx of refugees and migrants from Syria and accused his campaign rival, Hillary Clinton, of wanting to be "America's Angela Merkel".

During the news conference, Mr Trump predicted that a new health care law would be passed by a substantial margin and "pretty quickly".

The new president reaffirmed the United States' "strong support" for Nato but reiterated his stance that allies need to "pay their fair share" for defence.

Prior to his inauguration, Mr Trump declared Nato "obsolete" but has since modified his stance, telling European leaders the alliance remains of strategic importance.

When the topic moved to trade, Mr Trump said the US would do "fantastically well" in its trade relations with Germany.

The president has been deeply critical of foreign trade and national security agreements but suggested he was only trying to revise trade deals to better serve US interests.

He said trade agreements have led to greater trade deficits. The US trade deficit with Germany was 64.9 billion US dollars (52 billion) last year, the lowest since 2009, according to the Commerce Department.

"The negotiators for Germany have done a far better job than the negotiators for the United States, but hopefully we can even it out. We don't want victory, we want fairness," Mr Trump said.

Mrs Merkel emphasised the need for trade deals that fairly benefit both countries.

"That is the spirit I think in which we ought to be guided in negotiating any agreement between the United States of America and the EU," she said.

AP
Donald Trump offered no public apologies for his unproven claim that President Barack Obama got GCHQ to wiretap his phones (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

President Donald Trump has defiantly refused to back down from his explosive claim that Barack Obama wiretapped his phones.

But he sidestepped any blame for the White House decision to highlight an unverified report that Britain helped carry out the alleged surveillance.

In brushing off the diplomatic row with perhaps America's closest ally, Mr Trump also revived another - the Obama administration's monitoring of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's calls.

"At least we have something in common, perhaps," Mr Trump quipped during a joint news conference with Merkel.

Mrs Merkel, who was making her first visit to the White House since Mr Trump took office, looked surprised by the president's comment.

The Obama administration's spying infuriated Germany at the time and risked damaging the US relationship with one of its most important European partners.

Mr Trump's unproven recent allegations against his predecessor have left him increasingly isolated, with fellow Republican as well as Democratic politicians saying they have seen nothing from intelligence agencies to support his claim.

But Mr Trump, who rarely admits he is wrong, has been unmoved, leaving his advisers in the untenable position of defending the president without any credible evidence.

On Thursday, spokesman Sean Spicer turned to a Fox News analyst's contention that GCHQ, the British electronic intelligence agency, had helped Mr Obama wiretap Mr Trump.

Fox News anchor Shepard Smith said on Friday that the network could not independently verify the reports from Andrew Napolitano, a former judge and commentator who has met Mr Trump.

The GCHQ vigorously denied the charges in a rare public statement, saying the report was "utterly ridiculous and should be ignored".

According to a Western diplomat, Britain's ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch, had told the White House on Tuesday that Mr Napolitano's assertions were not true.

Still, it was among several news reports Mr Spicer referenced in his briefing on Thursday as part of an angry defence of the president's claims.

Mr Darroch and other British officials complained directly to White House officials after the episode, and Prime Minister Theresa May's office said it had been assured the White House would not repeat the allegations.

Mr Spicer was very apologetic when confronted by Mr Darroch at a White House dinner on Thursday, the Western diplomat said.

But Mr Trump himself offered no public apologies and suggested there was nothing wrong with the White House repeating what it had heard.

"All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television," Mr Trump said during Friday's news conference.

"You shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox."

Mr Spicer was also defiant on Friday, telling reporters: "I don't think we regret anything."

A White House official confirmed that Mr Darroch and Mrs May's national security adviser, Mark Lyall Grant, expressed concerns to both Mr Spicer and Mr Trump's national security adviser, HR McMaster.

The US and UK are members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, which prohibits members from spying on each other. Australia, Canada and New Zealand are the other members.

Some Republicans in Congress said Mr Trump should retract his claims, with Charlie Dent calling the accusation against Britain "inexplicable" and Mr Trump's accusation against Mr Obama unfounded.

He said: "A president only has so much political capital to expend and so much moral authority as well, and so any time your credibility takes a hit, I think in many ways it weakens the officeholder."

AP
The boat was more than 30 miles off war-torn Yemen's coast when it came under attack (AP)

A "horrific" attack on a boat that killed at least 42 Somali refugees is being blamed by Somalia's government on the Saudi-led coalition.

The boat, packed with dozens of refugees, was more than 30 miles off war-torn Yemen's coast when it came under attack

A Yemeni trafficker who survived said the refugees had been trying to reach Sudan.

Friday's assault by a military vessel and a helicopter gunship was described by Somalia as "horrific."

Somalia's foreign ministry urged the US-supported coalition to investigate, saying: "It Is very sad, targeting a boat carrying Somali migrants."

Yemen's Shiite rebels have also blamed the Saudi-led coalition.

The attack highlighted the perils of a heavily used migration route running from the Horn of Africa to the oil-rich Gulf, right through Yemen's civil war.
Shining light: St Patrick showed us the way but we have not followed

By the time you read this I will hopefully be celebrating St Patrick's weekend in bright sunshine some 2,000 miles from home, but my thoughts will still be on our patron saint.

St Patrick's Day is special to me because even from my boyhood in south Armagh it had a special resonance.

Even then, I felt the aura of Patrick among the green fields of Ireland, and I wondered why our Presbyterian Church had no service on March 17 while my Catholic friends and neighbours went to church and celebrated joyfully afterwards.

It's a pity that most of the headlines here in recent years have been about drunkenness and the bad behaviour of students in the so-called Holyland in Belfast, and from this distance I hope that things improved this year.

The modern universality of St Patrick was illustrated this week by the shared lecture in Armagh about our patron saint by the Church of Ireland Primate Archbishop Richard Clarke and the Roman Catholic Primate Archbishop Eamonn Martin, with input from Cardinal Dolan of New York.

The worldwide appeal of Patrick was underlined to me also last year during one of my Caribbean Princess cruises into Belfast, when I spoke about Belfast Harbour.

One of the young stewards on the vessel was a devout Catholic from the Philippines who asked me earnestly where he might find traces of St Patrick in Ireland.

Sadly, however, not all the places bearing his name here have a true association with Patrick. Historians are not certain that he worked as a slave at Slemish, or that he visited Lough Derg or Croagh Patrick, or that he was present at all the springs and wells in Ireland bearing his name.

However, there is strong evidence that he founded his first church in Armagh and that he moved to the east Down area with the powerful tribes of his time - even though there is no strong confirmation that he is buried at Downpatrick.

What is clear, however, is his deep spirituality and great courage in returning to Ireland voluntarily after his captivity here as a slave, and his mission to bring Christianity to Ireland.

One of the most comprehensive pictures of Patrick is contained in his short autobiography, titled Confessio. It is written in rudimentary Latin, but an English translation is available in most good bookshops, and it is well worth reading.

Some years ago, I wrote a detailed life of Patrick in a book to mark the millennium in Armagh, and titled St Patrick's City - the Story of Armagh.

The beginning of his Confessio is direct and humble: "I am Patrick, a sinner, most unlearned, the least of all the faithful and utterly despised by many".

This, remember, is the main who braved all sorts of hardships to come back here and spread the Gospel, who had the backbone to speak up for Christianity at a time of flux and danger, and who had the political skill to retain the support of some of the most powerful people of his day.

By the time he wrote his autobiography, Patrick had the privilege - not given to everyone - of surveying the success of his life's work.

As Professor John Coulson has pointed out in his Concise Biographical Dictionary of The Saints, Patrick "had before his eyes the success of his work. The whole island was almost entirely linked up, even to its remotest parts, with churches and monastic foundations, in which flowed a strong tide of conversion.

"A vigorous native clergy was in position: a native bishop had been nominated to succeed him".

Professor Coulson concludes rightly: "The Irish people have responded with a degree of human affection undimmed by the passage of the centuries. On March 17 they celebrate his feast all over the world with a fervour which makes his cult perhaps the most living one of all fifth century saints".

St Patrick has indeed done us proud, but can we truly say that in our shared and divided Irish history thus far, we have done the same for him?
The scene at Blacksod yesterday as the search for the downed helicopter continues. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

A massive search for three rescuers missing after an Irish Coast Guard helicopter crashed into the Atlantic is focusing on a "three-hour window" tomorrow to find the aircraft amid fierce weather conditions.

Organisers hope a critically timed operation between low tides will lead them to the Sikorsky S92 and the bodies of three men who have not been found since the aircraft disappeared without warning off Co Mayo early on Tuesday morning.

The search has been narrowed to a 100-metre by 80-metre section of the ocean around Blackrock lighthouse, around 13km offshore from Blacksod, where the aircraft was intended to land to refuel moments before it vanished.

The detection of a black box signal in that area has buoyed hopes that the bulk of the wreckage can be found along with the three remaining crew members.

Declan Geoghegan of the Irish Coast Guard, said the likelihood is that the black box recorder is still attached to the helicopter and it was also more likely than not that the missing crew members are still inside.

"If you look at helicopter crashes, 92 or 93% of the time the bodies are found within the wreckage of the fuselage, it is so small," he said.

"The other thing is that they are either strapped in or tethered - one or the other."

Captain Dara Fitzpatrick (45), the only one of the crew to be recovered so far, was found critically ill in the water on Tuesday and later died.

The highly experienced and ground-breaking pilot, well known to Irish television audiences for her role in a fly-on-the-wall documentary about the Coast Guard, was the mother of a three-year-old son.

Her funeral will be held at Glencullen in south county Dublin this morning. The other three crew, who have yet to be found, are chief pilot Mark Duffy from Dundalk, Co Louth; as well as Ciaran Smith and Paul Ormsby, both winchmen from north Co Dublin.

It is hoped if tomorrow's tightly managed operation to try and locate the helicopter is successful, then a "bigger window" will be available on Monday during which divers or remotely operated underwater vehicles will be deployed to the wreckage.

The Commissioner Of Irish Lights ship the Granuaile, which is equipped with a heavy lifting crane, is being loaded with equipment at Galway as it makes its way to the scene.

Two naval ships, Garda RIB boats and trawlers, with local fishermen who have expert knowledge of the waters, will be used to mount tomorrow's operation.

The underwater terrain, part of the lighthouse rock, and dangerous underwater currents in the area are adding to difficulties.
Country

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CNN did a documentary that was called "Atheists: Inside the World of Non-Believers." The film documented people who struggled with leaving their faith.

The 2015 Pew Religious Landscape survey reported found that 22.8 percent of the American population is religiously unaffiliated. Atheists make up a sliver of this with 3.1 percent, while agnostics were at 4 percent. Because they are not represented by large numbers, atheists are afraid to admit they don't have a supernatural god. Stan Bennett (This is not his real name) was a pastor at the time and no longer believed in God. Today he's a closet atheist. He offered his insight on the common misconceptions about atheism.



He shared that "atheists are associated with other labels such as satanists, communists, fascists and in my part of the world -- Democrats," he expressed to CNN."We're the bogeyman that will trample their rights, steal their children and TP their front yards."



Bennett has a blog called "A Preacher Man's Secrets" and still leads a small church somewhere in rural America. "And I still need a paycheck. I can't simply hop a freight train and move on. Well, I could but we need the healthcare and the income," he wrote.

Like Bennett, many are ashamed to come forth about being an atheist. Here is what they want people to know.

They are not less trustworthy.

They are not bad people.

Atheists are one of the highest group of people that Americans distrust. Atheists received a rating of 33 percent and lower on a scale between 0-100, only 20 percent of respondents gave atheists a rating higher than 67, Pew found. Atheists are no less trustworthy than anyone else as this is based on a person's character not on their religion.

Author Greg Epstein wrote the best-selling book, Good Without God: What a Billion Nonreligious People Do Believe. He said that people believe that atheists are a bunch of angry white men. "Maybe some of us just want to put greater emphasis on who we are, rather than on what we're not. Sure, we don't believe there's a supernatural god. But it's more important to many of us to just try to live our lives as good people," he said. If you are religious, you don't want to be labeled as being a bad person. Yet, we do this to people who are not believers. You might not agree with atheists, but not all atheists are horrible people or evil.

"A sense of community is not limited to a church, but the willingness to connect with people."

They want to contribute to the world.

They believe in community.

They are capable of being in political office.

They would like to stop the labels.

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.

Some research found that children who are nonreligious are more generous than those who are affiliated with a religion. "Our findings robustly demonstrate that children from households identifying as either of the two major world religions (Christianity and Islam) were less altruistic than children from non-religious households," a study published by Current Biology found. Famous atheist and biologist Richard Dawkins started a relief fund after the Haitian earthquake to help victims. The bottom line here is a generous heart will give out of love for humanity, regardless of faith.Epstein, who connects nonreligious people to community programs, told CNN that community is important, even if it is not in a congregation. "Congregations have been shown to help people live longer, be happier, less depressed and anxious, more likely to donate blood or give up a seat on a bus." A sense of community is not limited to a church, but the willingness to connect with people. Having healthy social networks can impact people all over the world, no matter what the religious affiliation may or not be.A misconception that people have about atheists are they can't be in political office.Currently, there are no atheists serving in in office. This could because most "Americans would be less likely to support an atheist candidate for president," Pew found. The lack of support for atheism in the political world could be due to them unlikely winning an election. In an editorial on CNN, author Carlos S. Moreno explained: "Atheists are virtually unelectable and are a mark of prejudice against them and it impacts the ways we formally educate the future leaders of this country." Some states like Texas, Mississippi, Maryland, Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, ban atheists from legally running from office. "No person who denies the existence of a Supreme Being shall hold any office in this state, the Mississippi Constitution said. Outside the county, atheism is banned in Iran, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen and in the United Arab Emirates.David Silverman is the head of the American Atheists, a non-profit organization that supports the rights of atheists and the removal of expressions of religion in public. He caused a controversy with his anti-Christmas billboard, which claimed that Christmas is a myth. Silverman said that if you don't believe in any god, you are an atheist--there is no in-between. He promotes more usage of the word "atheism."If you want to choose a different primary label, that is up to you, but we encourage the use of atheist because it's the most straightforward and the more we use it, the more we de-stigmatize it," he shared with CNN.You don't have to support atheism or even understand why people turn to it. Yet, we need to stop using broad strokes that all are horrible people, bad parents and are a drain on society. According to the studies and our culture, it doesn't look like Americans are changing their perception or position on atheism anytime soon.
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The Bible has been under attack in the western world for over 200 years but never more intensely than today. These attacks have taken different forms and have come from many different corners of the academic world, from philosophers, to scientists, to textual critics. In the specialized world of archaeology the attacks have increased dramatically in the past 50 years. Once a specialization filled with Bible believing individuals, the field of archaeology is now overrun with atheists and skeptics, agnostics and those committed to the destruction of the Bible as a source of true historical information.

These attacks on the Bible are a part of a sweeping movement in western culture. Spearheaded by academic elitists in the university and the public educational system, the news and popular media, and the entertainment industry, these revisionists cloak themselves with supposed objectivity, purity of motives, and the superiority of science over the "uninformed", "unscientific", religious community.

They regularly mock those who question their world-view and their conclusions by name-calling and the worst forms of anti-Bible and anti-Christian propaganda. They have powerfully infected the church by turning Bible believing Christians against the very Scripture which is the foundation of truth and life in this world. Instead of contending for the Bible, Christian academics, pastors, and lay-persons are making egregious accommodations to these destroyers of faith and truth.

In these days of intense spiritual battle, God has called ABR to step into the gap to contend for the truth and to assist the church in this critical hour. ABR is a non-profit ministry dedicated to demonstrating the historical reliability of the Bible and to give answers to questions being asked by believers and non-believers alike. We do this by using original archaeological fieldwork and research along with studies in other apologetic disciplines. We take on the bold claims of skeptics and critics. We challenge the bizarre anti-biblical propaganda that is purveyed upon the public as gospel through television and print media. We uphold the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is God's message for the salvation of all mankind!
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
Kerrville, TX (78028)

Today

Rain showers this morning with some sunshine during the afternoon hours. Thunder possible. High 78F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 63F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
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Growing up in an English family, Steve recalls the shandy Christmas tradition  a drink made up of three-quarters ginger ale and one quarter beer.

He was about eight years old when he had his first taste.

I already liked that effect, he remembers.

By 13, he was playing bartender at a bar his grandfather built, and taste-testing the beverages.

As his teenage years progressed, so did his drinking habit, and he became a self-described blackout drunk.

After I opened the bottle, I wasnt going to finish until that bottle was empty, he said.

Steve went through a series of relationships due to his drinking, but at the time he didnt think he had a problem. He continued his partying habits, sometimes drinking till 2 a.m. when he had to start work at 6 a.m.

It was an ultimatum from his wife years later that finally made Steve want to make a change. At the time, his wife was about five years into the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program.

My wife basically said, either youre going to stop drinking, or Im going to start drinking, or we are going to end it, he said. And she said, youre not worth drinking over.

He started by attending local AA meetings, and ended up in treatment. Steve admits it was slow-going at first, going back and forth in the program.

I really wasnt ready for it, but at the same time I had listened to what some of these old-timers were talking about, and I finally realized that everything they talked about was coming true for me.

He soon realized he was in the right place. If he didnt make a change, there would inevitably be consequences  another failed relationship, a drunk driving charge  or worse.

Looking back now, the key to Steves sobriety was his AA sponsor.

When I would deal with something that was bothering me, Id always turn to alcohol, he said. Well, now I didnt have the alcohol to turn to, so I had to find something else, and that was unfortunately my sponsor who I probably  drove crazy. He could talk me down from this crisis I thought I was in.

Steve is now 28 years sober. He still attends one to two AA meetings per week, and credits that sense of community for helping to keep him on the straight and narrow.

Do I think about a nice cold beer on a hot summer day? Yeah, I do, but I can easily flip that over and say well, Pepsi will do I havent probably had a drinking dream in years.

Steve will be one of 200 attendees at the 69th annual Alcoholics Anonymous Roundup happening in Brandon today.

The sold-out event draws people in from across Manitoba and Saskatchewan and beyond. Its a time to celebrate how far recovering addicts have come. The event features speakers, literature on addiction, and a dinner held at the Ukrainian Reading Hall.

One of the most poignant moments of the night will be the Sobriety Countdown, according to Debbie, co-chair of the event.

Starting with the most sobriety in the room, going down to the least amount and just  having those people stand up and be recognized for the sobriety that they have, she said. It is a very, very powerful, moving experience to be in the room for that  The power of the spirituality that is in that building is unbelievable.

For those thinking of taking that first step and seeking help, Steve suggests phoning the local AA answering service 204-571-3684 to find a meeting.

They can give you a list of meetings in the area or they can send somebody to talk to you, he said. I would suggest going to a couple different meetings  try it and have an open mind about it.

 jaustin@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @jillianaustin

MANY RESOURCES, TREATMENT OPTIONS

If youre struggling with an addiction, one of the first steps you can take is calling the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba at 204-729-3838.

There are many resources and treatment options available for people in Brandon and the surrounding area.

AFM offers a 21-day alcohol and drug residential treatment program. There is currently a wait list, but according to Lisa Thibeau, AFM director for Brandon and surrounding area, they try to get clients in as quickly as possible.

In the meantime, they have access to other services like one-to-one counselling, group sessions, etc.

Once they come in for their assessment, we help them figure out what options we have and what might be best suited for them, she said. Each person has individual needs and so we have lots of options for them to pick from thats going to suit them best.

Other options include a non-residential treatment group, auricular acupuncture (which helps reduce cravings), and a session called Exploring Choices, an educational group for clients.

There is 21-day gambling residential program, as well as an after-care group, for people who are abstinent but looking to continue with additional support. AFM also offers youth-based councillors in high schools and prevention education consultants who conduct presentations in the community.

We have lots of options and we encourage people to reach out to us  we really want to help them be healthier and well, Thibeau said.

To coincide with the AA convention, AFM is hosting an alumni event on Sunday at the Parkwood Centre at 510 Frederick St. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Its sort of a celebration of all of our clients that have come through our programs, and had some successes, she said. A lot of them work with AA, so we kind of bring them all together and do a bit of an alumni event.

 The Brandon Sun
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Division Scolaire Franco-Manitobaine will be consulting parents in Brandon on Tuesday to gauge the need for a francophone school on Brandons west side.

Adding a school within Brandons perimeter was put in DSFMs five-year plan a few years ago, said Bernard Lesage, chair of the commission Scolaire Franco-Manitobaine.

After looking at some numbers at Statistics Canada and also seeing a rapid increase in our numbers at Ecole La Source in Shilo, we thought it would be a good idea to start looking at maybe opening a new school in Brandon, Lesage said.

DSFM has already heard from parents in Brandon expressing the need for an additional fully French school.

Some of the parents find that to enrol your child at Ecole La Source makes for a long trip on the school bus, Lesage said.

The division has a few options for what type of school to plan on, including the possibility of a kindergarten to Grade 8 school, as well as a kindergarten to Grade 12 school that would become the central school for the region.

Were going to first of all consult with the parents, then have this conversation with the school board to see what the most appropriate way to move forward, Lesage said.

The Brandon School Division has been faced with increasing demand from parents wanting to enrol their children in French immersion schools.

The division introduced the lottery system last January for Ecole Harrison as a solution to parents lining up, in some cases overnight and in frigid temperatures, for kindergarten enrolment.

There is a high demand in Brandon School Division for places in French immersion school. Thats been a constant pressure for quite a few years, said Peter Buehler, president of Brandon Teachers Association. If the (DSFM) is exploring starting a school in Brandon, they must believe there is a demand for it that they might be able to satisfy We need space period, whether its for French language instruction or English language instruction.

The province is aware that a new school is in DSFMs five-year plan, Lesage said, but they would still need to approach the Public Schools Finance Board once with a more concrete idea of what is needed.

Consultations will be held on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Room 2 at the Victoria Inn.

 edebooy@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @erindebooy
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This article was published 18/03/2017 (2060 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A few months into their operations, staff at the Brandon Chamber of Commerces latest member organization is already bursting with business.

Formed in October, CW2 Construction and Design Ltd. has already been awarded 24 projects, but the companys significant scope doesnt come across in its difficult-to-find office space.

Down a long unmarked hallway, company partner Bart Curtis was found cheerfully speaking on the phone with a client earlier this week.

Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun Bart Curtis co-owns C2W Construction and Design Ltd. with three partners, Matt Gorgerat, Crane Steel and S. Wilson Construction. Formed in October, the company has already been awarded 24 projects, including for the GoodLife Fitness addition to Shoppers Mall.

Aside from a few pictures of family, Cutiss nondescript office is starkly decorated, with everything coming across as temporary.

In it for the long haul, Curtis said, clarified that the interim office space isnt indicative of the companys longevity, with the current business space set up out of necessity.

The day it opened, the company already had $1 million in projects on the books that it needed to move on, tying up its resources during the proceeding months. Curtis said they were lucky to secure a temporary space that would allow them to meet their various clients needs.

CW2 Constructions leadership hopes to have their own standalone building constructed across the street from their current 2B Park Ave. E. location by this winter, which will enable further expansion.

The company, headed by partners Curtis, Matt Gorgerat, Crane Steel and S. Wilson Construction, started out as a means of accomplishing their shared goal of paving a new path for themselves.

While Curtis has 22 years experience in construction, he considers this new company the embodiment of a new generation of construction professionals who are dedicated to seeking unique solutions using todays technology.

Its not that older ways are wrong, there are just different ways of cutting costs for clients that people who have been in it for generations arent willing to try, he said, later clarifying that he recognizes that new doesnt necessarily mean better, and that knowing the difference is key.

I think its just a matter of youre kind of the master of your own ship, now, Curtis added. Its an opportunity to do things the way youve always wanted to do them, with your own qualities, morals and integrity behind it, instead of (being in) your own box.

Carrying a staff of about 12 so far, CW2 Constructions first big project was a tenant infill job for Alliance Accounting Group Chartered Professional Accountants Inc. at 2425 Victoria Ave. Unit E.

Completing what was anticipated to have been a five-month project two months early in order to accommodate the companys move-in date, the project remains a source of pride for Curtis.

Rightfully so, with Alliance Accounting Group partner Scott Anderson commending their efforts.

We were certainly working within time constraints, and we worked well with them and they get the job done, he said, adding that despite their imposing a time crunch on the contractors, the quality of workmanship was retained.

They went the opposite route, Anderson said, adding that they did certain things he doesnt believe other builders would have done, just little things where they want above and beyond.

While CW2 Construction is new to the Brandon business community, Anderson said that they were hired based on Curtiss positive reputation with past companies hes worked with.

Thats how business is done in Brandon, Curtis said, adding that his company is striving toward the type of long-term sustained growth that many local businesses have fostered over many years.

In the end, we want friends out of it, he said.

Last week found CW2 Construction beginning work at one of the latest additions to Shoppers Mall, GoodLife Fitness, where theyre building the commercial spaces interior.

Like the Alliance Accounting Group job, theyve been given a compressed time frame to work within that has added a level of stress to the job.

As challenging as it is, theyll make the deadline, Curtis said, adding that the new companys reputation depends on their following through with what they say theyre going to do.

 tclarke@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB
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This article was published 18/03/2017 (2060 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The provincial government is tossing transparency out the window in their proposed repeal of the Public-Private Partnerships Transparency and Accountability Act.

So described Brandons own Manitoba NDP provincial council member Lonnie Patterson, who said that the Tories dismissal of the act as red tape does not do it justice.

I think that it is really important for transparency and accountability for there to be clear rules and regulations in place with respect to the P3 partnerships, she said. I dont think it is onerous if a company or a private business is partnering with the government on a significant public project, to make sure the publics aware of what the deal is.

Public-Private Partnerships, or P3s, are financing and project management arrangements that have the private sector partner with governments to build and manage projects  an arrangement Manitoba Finance Minister Cameron Friesen said is best used with major infrastructure projects costing tens or hundreds of millions of dollars.

The acts proposed repeal joins a number of red tape reduction efforts within an omnibus bill the provincial government intends on bringing forward, and as a majority government is likely to pass.

Theres an over-regulation problem in this province, Friesen said on Friday, adding that despite its name, the Public-Private Partnerships Transparency and Accountability Act serves to prohibit P3s.

While 56 P3 projects have been approved across Canada since 2012, accounting for $36 billion worth of investment, the Manitoba government hasnt undertaken any, he said.

Manitoba should not be fooled by what the opposition is saying, he said. That was prohibitive legislation that was designed to enforce status quo approaches. We need more than status quo approaches. We have huge capital requirements and we need to think creatively and use innovation to get the investment we need.

While Friesen wasnt making any funding announcements on Friday, he listed schools as one of the key examples of where P3 arrangements might benefit in Manitoba, alongside hospitals, personal care homes and highways.

P3s wouldnt be suitable for just one school, but if three or four schools-plus were built under one overall contract, there might be benefits to such an arrangement.

The Government of Saskatchewan, whose Sask. Party leadership has embraced P3s in recent years, is currently building 18 elementary schools using a P3 model, which they anticipate will both save them money and deliver the schools in a timely manner.

The Saskatchewan NDP has consistently countered the Sask. Partys claims by calling P3s more expensive rent-a-school schemes.

Brandon is currently in need of more classroom space, with students spilling out into the hallways at Earl Oxford School.

There are many ways in which P3s can be contemplated, Friesen said, adding that theyre another tool for consideration they do not intend on rejecting for idealogical reasons.

Fort Rouges Manitoba NDP MLA Wab Kinew said that Public-Private Partnerships Transparency and Accountability Act is intended to do exactly what its name implies, and make sure that theres accountability.

He questions whether P3s actually save government money, noting that governments borrow money at lower rates than private enterprise and that private enterprise must factor in profit margins where governments dont.

Along these lines, CUPE Manitoba representative Liz Carlyle said that theyd been pushing for added legislative protections for P3s, not the deletion of all P3s regulations as the Tories have proposed.

The City of Portage la Prairie is upgrading its wastewater treatment plant under a P3 model to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the facility, and during public meetings has yet to answer some key questions around its financing, Carlyle said.

Existing legislation around P3 accountability wasnt strong enough, Carlyle said. In fact, governments could continue to avoid answering important financial questions  We need to have better legislation, not no legislation.

The Public-Private Partnerships Transparency and Accountability Act requires the proponent undertake a preliminary analysis of the project, including costs and benefits of using a P3, hold public consultations, release a report, appoint a fairness monitor and report to the provincial auditor after construction is complete, among other stipulations.

They dont stop anybody from doing anything, they just create a basic minimum bar for a process that nobody could say was unreasonable, Carlyle said.

Given the massive, multimillion-dollar scope of P3 projects, Carlyle said that these provisions arent too much to ask.

Projects that employ the P3 model will be evaluated on a case by case basis, Friesen said  a process he said does not need to be legislated, as indicated by the fact that Manitoba is the only province with a piece of legislation regulating P3s.

When it comes to P3s, the government is now saying Lets get this rolling, Friesen said.

City of Brandon communications director Allison Collins wrote in emailed correspondence on Friday that the municipality is not considering any P3s at this stage, as they do not currently have any plans of a magnitude that might benefit from such a model.

Nobody contacted for this story was able to cite any P3s that have been undertaken in the Brandon and Westman area.

 tclarke@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB
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This article was published 18/03/2017 (2060 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Going into this springs buying season, the average housing price in Brandon has gone up slightly and there are fewer units listed this year than last.

Overall, however, conditions remain pretty much on par with last year when factoring in year-to-date statistics to the end of February.

At 82 housing units sold to the end of February, 2017 is exactly on pace with last year, Brandon Area Realtors executive officer Jen Pearson said.

Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun For sale signs advertise homes in Brandons south end on Friday afternoon.

These units average price has gone up by 4.65 per cent, from $254,000 to their current $265,800.

These figures have been bolstered by the addition of high-end condominium units, with condominium units average price so far this year $287,000 to last years $319,000.

In a broader context, condominium unit starts have been outpacing single-family detached homes, with the Brandon marketplace favouring row condominiums in recent years, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. senior market analyst for Manitoba Heather Bowyer said.

In 2015, there were 82 housing starts and 107 condominium unit starts, while last year saw 85 housing starts to 96 condominium unit starts.

Condominium units tend to be popular among an aging population of people who are looking to get into a home that requires less maintenance, she said, adding that despite this sustained push the market still doesnt appear to be over-saturated.

The number of new listings is down so far this year, to the end of February, with 198 to last years 231.

Still, with 286 residential properties of all types currently on the market, theres a healthy enough number to keep prices at a decent level, Pearson said, adding that the greatest drop in units has been with the higher-end properties.

When all of these figures are factored in, these statistics all point to a near status quo 2017, Pearson said, adding that its been fairly consistent in recent years, with this year neither leaning to a buyers or a sellers market.

City of Brandon director of economic development Sandy Trudel agrees with this sentiment, adding that theres nothing out there that would say theres a significant deviation in the market.

While houses seem to be staying on the market a bit longer, she said that theres no reason to suspect any significant changes in the citys housing market this year, she said tends to be the case in Brandon.

What you see is nice, steady increments upwards, she said. We dont see those wild fluctuations of pricing value going up or going down, were just really solid. Our new builds tend to be on the high side of solid, and our resales are solid, so it gives a really stable housing market.

Pearson clarified that anything can change during the buying season, which tends to pick up between May and June.

Although Brandons average housing price has nudged up to its current $265,800, those in the Wheat City continue to face a more affordable housing market than the national average.

The national average price for a home sold in February was $519,521, which is up 3.5 per cent from a year ago. Excluding the Greater Vancouver and Greater Toronto areas, the average housing price was $369,728.

 tclarke@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 18/03/2017 (2060 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The chairperson of a Westman group who wants a multimillion-dollar soybean processing plant in the region no longer believes the construction of a similar facility in North Dakota will be detrimental to their efforts.

For an hour we were, when we first heard this, said Ray Redfern when asked if plans for a soybean crushing facility in Spiritwood, N.D., announced last month, worries him.

But as feedback came in, we were told perhaps that you should consider an endorsement that the whole plains areas of the Prairies is growing to a point where soymeal plants are becoming a practical opportunity, Redfern said.

It would take anywhere from 4-6 hours to drive to that prospective plant from various Westman communities  too far for Canadian soybean producers, he said.

We wont be a target market of theirs.

This co-op (in North Dakota) wont be building a plant based on the assumption of the availability of acres in Manitoba, only marginal acres at the most.

Redfern didnt hold the same viewpoint last December when the Westman Opportunities Leadership Group was announced. In an interview with The Brandon Sun, he said he could almost assure you there wouldnt be a second plant within the northern Great Plains. The group was partially formed in the first place to mobilize companies to build in Westman instead of elsewhere.

Discussion with industry leaders changed Redferns mind. He has since heard the distance between a Westman and a Spiritwood plant is farther than most other soybean facility in North America.

Whether theyre in competition with each other or not, the parallel campaigns are a testament to the crops popularity on both sides of the border.

In Manitoba, soybean has rapidly become the third-highest-acreage crop in the province. More than 1.6 million acres, a record, was planted last year. Estimates say as much as two million acres could be planted this year.

Within 2004 to 2014, while soybean production doubled in Canada, Manitoba experienced a six-fold increase.

The Westman Opportunities Leadership Group will not own or operate their plant, but instead promote southwestern Manitoba  where the majority of the provinces soybean production is taking place, Redfern said  as a suitable home.

In addition to consultants, the Rural Development Institute at Brandon University is on board as a key partner for the coalition.

The City of Brandon and Brandon Economic Development Corporation each provided $25,000 in initial seed money to fund the groups strategies. Motions of support from the Municipality of Oakland-Wawanesa, Town of Neepawa and Riverdale Community Development Corporation have also been provided, with a family of municipalities and other organizations expected to sign on, shared Rob Woodward, a Regina-based consultant.

Based on the early study, hes optimistic a soybean plant, and a supplemental economic windfall, is on the way.

Getting a company that would process soybean into the meal and the oil thats extracted makes sense, now that we see acreage growth happening, Woodward said. Its as straightforward as that, theres now a competitive reason for bringing a soybean plant into Manitoba.

Announced in February, the Minnesota Soybean Processors wants to build a $240-million, 3,400-tonne-a-day soybean meal, oil and biodiesel plant in Spiritwood, 140 km west of Fargo.

The co-operative also owns a soybean crush facility in Brewster, Minn.

Redfern did not provide an estimated cost or tonnage but said a Westman plant would be comparable in scope. A specific location for the plant has not been determined, he said.

 ifroese@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @ianfroese
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A 38-year-old Wawanesa woman was arrested early Thursday morning after police found her drunk behind the wheel in a parked, running vehicle.

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Opinion

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This article was published 18/03/2017 (2060 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG  Manitoba is unique among Canadian jurisdictions when it comes to governing its Crown corporations.

Shortly after assuming power, the Pallister government fired the board members of the major Crowns  Manitoba Hydro, Manitoba Public Insurance and Liquor and Lotteries  and replaced them with its own appointees.

While every government retains the right to do this, rarely do incoming governments clear out boards lock, stock and barrel. Governments customarily leave sitting board members to run out their terms and replace them with their own appointees afterward.

The Pallister government, however, argued such replacements were necessary as the Crowns were overly politicized. I have no means of verifying those claims, nor do I have any evidence of problematic political interference in the operations of the Crowns.

The Tories actions speak to their perceptions of the composition of the boards and the problematic close connection between the former NDP government and its Crown appendages.

The Progressive Conservatives plan to introduce a new governing regime, contained in Bill 20, is a welcome change to the governance model of this provinces Crown corporations and will hopefully lead to a structural shift in how these firms are managed.

Its goal, very generally, is to clearly set out the roles and expectations that the government will have for its Crown appendages in a formal, written and public mandate. This legislation seeks to clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of the Crowns executives, board members and other officials through a number of mandatory reporting mechanisms. It will also establish transparent evaluative criteria for the firms and their operations, as well as do away with the old Crown Corporation Council that performed well, but had a relatively limited mandate.

From the sounds of it, the new secretariat created in the legislation will have an expanded role to play in managing the relationship between the government and its Crowns. Hopefully, the creators of this new agency will take lessons from Saskatchewans Crown Investments Corp., considered the gold standard for managing Crowns. It owns the shares in the Crowns and is governed by a board made up of MLAs and ministers reporting directly to the minister responsible for the Crown Investments Corp. Its board, then, acts as a de facto subcommittee of cabinet.

Most critically, the Crown Investments Corp. has substantial policy capacity and is run by politically astute executives. Its goal, in essence, is to formalize the relationship between the Crowns and the government so that expectations and demands on Crowns are made in writing through regular and transparent channels.

It is fair for the government to set the long-term policy and commercial goals and expectations for Crown corporations. What is more problematic is when governments make ad hoc decisions and give directions to the Crowns to do things to meet short-term partisan or specific political needs.

Setting goals is one thing, but unduly interfering in their operations or micromanaging how they fulfil those goals is quite another. Finding the right balance  as in many other cases  is easier said than done.

Of course, strategic goals and long-term capital spending plans must involve the government of the day and therefore are inherently politicized. This is not to fault the former NDP government, which pushed the Crowns  and particularly Hydro  to act boldly in their capital investments. The new Hydro One place, Bipole III and the Keeyask generating project are three examples of the audacious vision the NDP had for this Crown.

The Progressive Conservative government, as is its right as the single shareholder, has a more modest and restricted vision for this firm as it faces some significant financial challenges. The proposed new Crown, Efficiency Manitoba, should be better positioned to reduce energy consumption rates as it will be easier to incentivize an independent entity to meet its energy reduction targets.

Power Smart, while an excellent program, was constrained as a unit within Hydro as its mandate, to some degree, conflicted with the demands made on the firm, principally to return revenues to the government and to keep power cheap.

We will not understand the legacy left by the Conservative changes to the governance regime until a new party is elected and boards are replaced with partisan appointments that fit the new governments point of view.

With luck, Manitoba will migrate to a new governance paradigm where the Crowns are managed in the interests of all citizens and their board members and the executives are not judged primarily on their partisan affiliations but for their care and concern for the firms under their charge.

 Malcolm G. Bird is an associate professor of political science at the University of Winnipeg. His column was also recently published by the Winnipeg Free Press.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 18/03/2017 (2060 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

One of my courses this term is a third-year course on political parties in Canada. It is one of my favourite courses to teach, and this year I am fortunate to have a wonderful group of informed, engaged young students who follow the ins and outs of Canadian politics closely. Yet when I asked my students the other day who among them had watched last Sundays NDP leadership debate, not a single person put up their hand.

I cant blame my students, because for most people, the contest to decide who will lead the countrys third-largest party has largely been a non-event. Even those within the NDP dont seem particularly enthusiastic about choosing the partys next leader, normally an historic event for political parties.

The numbers tell it all: in the partys previous leadership contest in 2012, there were nine contenders in the race. This time, only four people have thrown their hats into the ring, with two of the candidates only declaring their intention to run in the past couple of weeks. You know things are bad when even New Democrat MPs dont seem interested in leading their own party. And while candidates have until July 3 to officially declare their leadership intentions, the series of upcoming candidate debates means that those seriously interested in running have already jumped into the race.

CP Peter Julian, right, speaks as fellow federal NDP leadership candidates Guy Caron, from left, Charlie Angus and Niki Ashton participate in the first debate of the race in Ottawa last Sunday. Kelly Saunders notes that the NDPs previous leadership contest, in 2012, attracted nine candidates, before the party lost much of its support in the 2015 election after making a strategic miscalculation of offering a platform that appeared staid and uninspiring compared to the Liberals bolder and more progressive ideas.

It is hard to believe that this is the same party that dominated Quebec in the 2011 election and that went on to form the Official Opposition for the first time in the partys history. Or, even more astounding, the same party that entered the 2015 election in first place, with polling numbers upwards of 40 per cent  enough to win a majority government.

This begs the question, what has happened to the NDP between then and now? And perhaps more importantly, where does the party go from here?

That the NDP appears to have lost its way is perhaps a bit of an understatement. The party has long struggled to balance the various ideological factions that together comprise its ranks  traditional trade union members, many of whom live in the northern regions of the country; progressive urbanites; environmentalist and anti-pipeline advocates; and social justice activists.

And while this may have proven to be a bit of an uneasy alliance at times, the election of Albertas first-ever NDP government elected in May 2015 blew these divisions wide open. Debate over the proposed Leap Manifesto at the partys national convention last April revealed the conundrum facing the NDP. Calling for a swift end to the use of fossil fuels and a moratorium on pipelines, advocates of the manifesto ran squarely up against the Albertan wing of the party  the only province in the country with an NDP government, and a province that remains heavily reliant on its oil and gas sector for jobs and economic growth.

The federal NDPs success in 2011 and in the early months of the 2015 election campaign have, in hindsight, also led to its current lack of direction. Trying to present itself as a prudent, responsible government in waiting, in the last election the party made the strategic miscalculation of offering a platform that appeared staid and uninspiring compared to the bolder and more progressive ideas offered by the Liberals. The election results showed the ineffectiveness of this attempt to out-Liberal the Liberals, with the NDP managing to hold on to only 44 seats and 20 per cent of the national vote.

This time, however, the existential crisis facing the party has taken on a heightened urgency. The Liberals, if recent polls are to hold, appear to be as popular as ever, and Trudeaus brand of progressive liberalism hasnt left much ideological space for the NDP to stake out. At the same time, it seems that the usual kind of simplistic solutions the leadership candidates are likely to offer have lost much of their appeal in the current political climate.

As John Robson recently argued in the National Post, the NDP needs to do more than advocate for more or bigger government. As the rise of populist leaders like Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump remind us, government isnt working for growing segments of the population in the U.S. and, I would add, here in Canada as well. People are feeling increasingly unmoored and fearful by the changing world economy, by mass immigration and other macro socio-economic forces beyond their control.

They are also feeling increasingly disconnected from the very government that is supposed to represent them and their interests. The message that more is better is not going to do much to salve their growing sense of insecurity in a world that is becoming more insecure, especially if that message is being delivered by the very Ottawa political elites who many see as the problem to begin with.

Throughout its history, the NDP has been an important voice for social justice and progressive ideals in Canada. Lets hope the current crop of leadership candidates can find their way to make the NDP relevant once again.

 Kelly Saunders is an associate professor with the department of political science at Brandon University.
The body of Danielle McLaughlin is expected to begin its journey home to Ireland today.

The young Donegal woman was murdered while traveling in Goa in India this week.
A man in his 40s has been left with serious head injuries following an attempted robbery in Dublin.

Two men entered a newsagents on Fitzmaurice Road in Finglas at around 8.15am today and assaulted the member of staff.
Two men have been charged with murder following the death of a prominent loyalist in the North.

George Gilmore was driving his car when he was shot in the neck in Carrickfergus in County Antrim on Monday afternoon.
US President Donald Trump has defiantly refused to back down from his explosive claim that Barack Obama wiretapped his phones.

But he sidestepped any blame for the White House decision to highlight an unverified report that Britain helped carry out the alleged surveillance.

In brushing off the diplomatic row with perhaps America's closest ally, Mr Trump also revived another - the Obama administration's monitoring of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's calls.

"At least we have something in common, perhaps," Mr Trump quipped during a joint news conference with Merkel.

The look that Merkel gave Trump... priceless. pic.twitter.com/T3qayr92tY  Jason Wade Taylor (@JWadeTaylor) March 18, 2017

Mrs Merkel, who was making her first visit to the White House since Mr Trump took office, looked surprised by the president's comment.

The Obama administration's spying infuriated Germany at the time and risked damaging the US relationship with one of its most important European partners.

Mr Trump's unproven recent allegations against his predecessor have left him increasingly isolated, with fellow Republican as well as Democratic politicians saying they have seen nothing from intelligence agencies to support his claim.

But Mr Trump, who rarely admits he is wrong, has been unmoved, leaving his advisers in the untenable position of defending the president without any credible evidence.

On Thursday, spokesman Sean Spicer turned to a Fox News analyst's contention that GCHQ, the British electronic intelligence agency, had helped Mr Obama wiretap Mr Trump.

Fox News anchor Shepard Smith said on Friday that the network could not independently verify the reports from Andrew Napolitano, a former judge and commentator who has met Mr Trump.

The GCHQ vigorously denied the charges in a rare public statement, saying the report was "utterly ridiculous and should be ignored".

According to a Western diplomat, Britain's ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch, had told the White House on Tuesday that Mr Napolitano's assertions were not true.

Still, it was among several news reports Mr Spicer referenced in his briefing on Thursday as part of an angry defence of the president's claims.

Mr Darroch and other British officials complained directly to White House officials after the episode, and Prime Minister Theresa May's office said it had been assured the White House would not repeat the allegations.

Mr Spicer was very apologetic when confronted by Mr Darroch at a White House dinner on Thursday, the Western diplomat said.

But Mr Trump himself offered no public apologies and suggested there was nothing wrong with the White House repeating what it had heard.

"All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television," Mr Trump said during Friday's news conference.

"You shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox."

Mr Spicer was also defiant on Friday, telling reporters: "I don't think we regret anything."

A White House official confirmed that Mr Darroch and Mrs May's national security adviser, Mark Lyall Grant, expressed concerns to both Mr Spicer and Mr Trump's national security adviser, HR McMaster.

The US and UK are members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, which prohibits members from spying on each other. Australia, Canada and New Zealand are the other members.

Some Republicans in Congress said Mr Trump should retract his claims, with Charlie Dent calling the accusation against Britain "inexplicable" and Mr Trump's accusation against Mr Obama unfounded.

He said: "A president only has so much political capital to expend and so much moral authority as well, and so any time your credibility takes a hit, I think in many ways it weakens the officeholder."

- AP
Hillary Clinton has said she is "ready to come out of the woods" and help Americans find common ground.

Clinton's gradual return to the public spotlight following her presidential election loss continued with a St. Patrick's Day speech in her late father's Pennsylvania home town of Scranton.

"I'm like a lot of my friends right now, I have a hard time watching the news," Mrs Clinton told an Irish women's group.

But she urged a divided country to work together to solve problems, recalling how, as first lady, she met female leaders working to bring peace to the North.

"I do not believe that we can let political divides harden into personal divides. And we can't just ignore, or turn a cold shoulder to someone because they disagree with us politically," she said.

The speech was one of several she is to deliver in the coming months, including a May 26 commencement address at her alma mater, Wellesley College in Massachusetts.

The Democrat also is working on a book of personal essays that will include some reflections on her loss to Donald Trump.

Mrs Clinton was spotted taking a walk in the woods around her home town of Chappaqua, New York, two days after losing the election to Mr Trump.

She quipped she had wanted to stay in the woods - "but you can only do so much of that".

She told the Society of Irish Women that it will be up to citizens, not a deeply polarised Washington, to bridge the political divide.

"I am ready to come out of the woods and to help shine a light on what is already happening around kitchen tables, at dinners like this, to help draw strength that will enable everybody to keep going," said Mrs Clinton.

She was received warmly in Scranton, where her grandfather worked in a lace mill.

Her father left Scranton for Chicago in search of work during the Great Depression, but returned often, and she spent summers at the family's cottage on nearby Lake Winola.

She fondly recalled watching films stretched across a bedsheet in a neighbour's yard, and told of how the cottage had a toilet but no shower or tub.

"Don't tell anybody this, but we'd go down to the lake," she said.

- AP
Update 10.50am:A man has been shot dead after grabbing a gun from a female anti-terror officer at Orly Airport in Paris.

Authorities say earlier, the man shot and injured a traffic officer, before escaping and driving to the terminal in a stolen car.

The airport has been evacuated, and flights are being diverted to Paris' other airport - Charles de Gaulle.

Update 9.55am: Police in Paris are linking two shootings that took place in the city this morning, one at a police checkpoint and one at Orly Airport.

French police shot dead a man at Orly Airport after he grabbed a soldier's gun, while a traffic officer was injured in the earlier incident.

Passengers at Orly described gunshots and panic.

A witness identified only as Dominque said on BFM television: "The soldiers took aim at the man, who in turn pointed the gun he had seized at the two soldiers."

Another man said a group of three soldiers were targeted, and they tried to calm the man who had seized the weapon. Then the man said he heard two gunshots.

Another witness, identified as Patrick, said he was at the check-in counter when he saw someone come in from outside and the incident began.

Travellers walk on the highway to the Orly airport, south of Paris.

A French journalist on a flight that landed from Nice told France-Info radio that passengers were being kept on the plane.

Britain's Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are on the second day of their trip to Paris where they will meet victims of the Bataclan and Nice terror attacks later.

Update 9.10am: A man has been shot dead by the security forces at Orly airport in Paris - after stealing a soldiers gun.

The man ran into a shop at the south terminal with the weapon, but was shot a short time later.

The airport has been evacuated and SWAT teams have been sent in.

Counter terrorism police are now searching the airport for explosives. There are reports the man may have had an accomplice.

In a separate incident, a policeman has been shot at a traffic checkpoint north of Paris.

It is unclear if the two events are related.

Earlier: A man has been shot dead after trying to seize the weapon of a soldier guarding Orly Airport in Paris, police said.

The soldier is part of the Sentinel special force deployed around France to protect sensitive sites after a string of deadly Islamic extremist attacks.

Police evacuated part of the airport and warned visitors in a tweet to avoid the airport while the police operation was under way.

The shooting on Saturday morning came after a similar incident last month at the Louvre Museum. France remains under a state of emergency.

The Sentinel force includes 7,500 soldiers, half deployed in the Paris region and half in the provinces.

Orly is Paris's second-biggest airport behind Charles de Gaulle, serving domestic and international flights, notably to destinations in Europe and Africa.
Canberra couple Rebecca Stones and Adam Duffy have been together for more than 10 years and have every intention of one day getting married.

However, the pair are willing to wait potentially several more years before they tie the knot, declaring they won't get married until same-sex marriage is legalised in Australia.

Belconnen couple Rebecca Stones and Adam Duffy with their 14-month-old son Henry. The couple are engaged but will not marry until same sex marriage is legalised. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong

Ms Stones said the decision to delay their marriage was made in support of LGBT friends and family who also have to wait in order to marry.

"It's personally important to us because we have many gay and lesbian family and friends, and we wouldn't feel comfortable to have them at our wedding and they couldn't get married," she said.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is carrying the twin burden of climate change and childhood obesity on each bicep, but the strongman apparently also needs a team of 40 to protect him.

Schwarzenegger swooped into Melbourne Exhibition Centre on Saturday for fitness expo the Arnie Classic, which this year is tackling childhood obesity.

However, most children wouldn't have been able to see the film star, so well surrounded was the Governator by "Arnie's Safety Team".

This SWAT-like security presence ensured no one could get near the Last Action Hero.
Another overseas leader, another awkward handshake moment at the White House.

This time, it was German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who met with US President Donald Trump on Friday.

Things seemed to be going well when Trump greeted the long-time German leader with a handshake as she arrived at the White House.

But, it was when the pair sat down in front of the press, after a private discussion covering America's NATO involvement as well as the situations in Ukraine and Afghanistan, that things went awry.
The northern Sunshine Coast has been warned to brace for severe weather, with forecasters saying flash flooding is possible.

Mount Kanigan, north of Gympie, copped 56 millimetres of rain in just half an hour when a severe thunderstorm sprang up about 4.45pm.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe storm warning for Noosa and Cooloola about 4.45pm on Saturday. Credit:Jorge Branco

That storm was predicted to make its way towards Rainbow Beach over the following hour, as a severe storm further south moved toward Noosa Heads.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned heavy rainfall, possibly leading to flash flooding, was likely.
A man convicted for his part in a heroin import scheme after he was caught covered in white powder has had his appeal application dismissed.

Lam Hoang Tran was sentenced to 10 years' jail in 2015 along with two other men, Tam Minh Dang and Duy Hoa Pham, for the role they played in smuggling $20 million worth of heroin from Vietnam to Brisbane inside intricately decorated altars.

Customs officers had discovered more than 33kg of pure heroin concealed inside altars and alerted police.

The trio was caught after customs officers discovered 33 kilograms of heroin hidden inside the bases of the altars, and replaced it with a harmless substitute and placed tracking and listening devices in the wooden altars.

The men were arrested during a police raid at a Munruben property in 2012, where officers found the men inside a locked shed with the altars dismantled and 78 blocks of white powder laid out.
A teenager attacked by a crocodile in far north Queensland was dared to jump into the croc-infested waters, paramedics say.

Innisfail man Lee de Paauw also reportedly punched the crocodile to get away, according to reports the paramedics heard.

Queensland Ambulance Service Cairns senior operations supervisor Neil Noble said the 18-year-old was "revelling" with friends about 2.30am

"The circumstances that led up to this attack are quite sketchy but reports from the scene are that he was dared to jump into the water, which he did," he said.
The untold stories of two World War I soldiers have been recognised during a memorial ceremony in England on Friday, with Governor Paul de Jersey honouring the fallen Queenslanders.

The memorial at Harefield House, about 32 kilometres north-west of London, included the grave of one young gunner who survived the war only to die a matter of weeks afterwards from a flu epidemic.

Queensland Governor Paul de Jersey lays memorials at the graves of two fallen Queensland World War I soldiers in England.

The army hospital was donated by a couple of Australian expats, Charles and Letitia Billyard-Leake, and housed wounded Australian soldiers during the war.

"That was a remarkable act of patriotism and generosity, and one which no doubt saved the lives of many service personnel," Governor de Jersey said.
A teenager who police allege went on a three-week crime spree in Melbourne's south-east is in custody after he was arrested on Saturday.

The 16-year-old Koo Wee Rup boy was taken into custody in Pakenham and interviewed by detectives from Casey Criminal Investigation Unit.

Police are investigating reports of a man in a red sedan approaching girls in the Mentone area. Credit:Cathryn Tremain

He was charged with more than 60 offences over a three-week period from February 22, including six aggravated burglaries, nine burglaries, 16 thefts, 13 motor vehicle thefts, criminal damage, dangerous driving and two counts of evading police.

The teen appeared before a Children's court on Saturday and was remanded in custody to appear again at a later date.
A Czech national has been fined $2000 for attempting to smuggle 4226 Australian native insect specimens - including 27 spiders and seven scorpions - on a flight out of Perth.

The news comes after a Chinese national arrested attempting to post bobtail lizards to Hong Kong was sentenced to six months in prison on Friday.

Rare and beautiful beetles can trade for high prices.

Museum of WA entomologists have spent the past few weeks identifying the insect specimens after Australian Border Force personnel seized them on February 20.

The offender, about to board a flight to Abu Dhabi, admitted the insects were in his bag.
Preferences will be counted from last weekend's WA state election, with one seat remaining undecided.

Preference counts were expected to begin on Saturday in all districts, a Western Australian Electoral Commission spokesman told AAP.

We answer your voting questions

Kalgoorlie, a large regional electorate in the state's Goldfields-Esperance region, is too close to call, with about 80 per cent of votes counted by Friday evening.

There's about 600 primary votes separating Liberal candidate Kyran O'Donnell, the Nationals' Tony Crook and Labor's Darren Forster, who have been waiting for a result since voting occurred last Saturday.
Beijing: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson signalled the Trump administration was prepared to scrap nearly a decade of US policy toward North Korea in favour of a more aggressive effort to eliminate the country's nuclear weapons program.

Whether that means pre-emptive action, which he warned was "on the table," will depend a great deal on how China responds.

A security official stands guard under red flags at Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, China. Credit:Bloomberg

North Korea relies on Chinese trade and aid to keep its economy afloat, and China has long been unwilling to withdraw that support. Up to 40 per cent of its foreign currency -- essential for buying goods abroad -- comes from a network of about 600 Chinese companies, according to a recent study by Sayari Analytics, a Washington financial intelligence firm.

Tillerson, who is travelling to China, a day after saying in Seoul, South Korea, that the United States would not negotiate with North Korea on freezing its nuclear and missile programs. His interactions with his hosts in Beijing, and whether he takes a hard line with China over its support for North Korea, will be closely watched -- as will be China's response.
Blog Hinangai

While there is much discussion in Guam about the economic benefits of increasing the islands military presence, the damages/dangers that they represent are rarely mentioned. This blog, a supplement to the Peace and Justice for Guam Petition, is meant to counter that by providing information about the US military in Guam, with the hopes of steering policy away from a dangerous unilateralist course to more sustainable notions of regional development and a strengthening international solidarity.
Jerusalem: The Syrian armed forces fired anti-aircraft missiles at Israeli warplanes that had struck targets deep in Syria early, in what appeared to be the most serious clash between the two militaries since the start of the Syrian civil war six years ago.

The Syrian army's General Command asserted that its forces downed one of four Israeli aircraft that conducted operations around the ancient city of Palmyra, and hit another on Friday, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported.

The Israeli military denied that claim, saying in a statement that "at no point was the safety of Israeli civilians or the IAF aircraft compromised," referring to the Israeli air force.

Anti-Assad activists ridiculed the Syrian army's claim, sharing a post on social media showing the "evidence": a photograph of a paper plane, singed at the edges, with crude drawings of a Star of David on its wings.
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A "dangerous and sickening paedophile" abused a toddler in the back of a van, while a 17-year-old girl filmed the assault on a mobile phone.

Kristopher Jane, of Warwick Road, Keynsham, has been jailed for 14 years, with a further eight years on extended licence, making his total sentence one of 22 years.

The sexual assault on the distressed little girl took place in 31-year-old Jane's white Transit van.

He and the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted a string of sex abuse charges and were both locked up yesterday.

Police discovered the offending when they found images, described by Judge David Farrell QC as "appalling and depraved", on Jane's phone.

Sentencing him at Cambridge Crown Court, Judge Farrell told Jane: "You are a dangerous and sickening paedophile.

"You abused a (toddler) for your perverted sexual gratification.

"I had to listen to the most harrowing account of how that baby was suffering as you abused her and held her against her will."

He described Jane's behaviour as "unnatural and monstrous".

Jane admitted 12 offences and as well as his extended sentence he was made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

The 17-year-old female co-defendant, from the Wisbech area of Cambridgeshire, admitted six offences and was sentenced to four years' detention and subjected to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

Judge Farrell told her: "You knew full well what you were doing was wrong, and very wrong."

Andrew Shaw, prosecuting, said Jane had refused to provide the PIN for his phone to police, but officers were able to access it.

They found videos and photos of Jane abusing a toddler, including one filmed in the back of his van.

The court heard the footage was filmed by the 17-year-old girl.

In another video, the toddler was seen crying and trying to push Jane's hand away.

Mr Shaw said police searched Jane's lock-up and found a digital camera, and searched his van, which was on false number plates, and found a large camera bag with laptops in it.

The court heard Jane had tried to dispose of the items in his van around the time of his arrest.

Jane also admitted sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl, and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl.

Mr Shaw said the 17-year-old girl had filmed herself abusing a seven-year-old girl and sent the images to Jane on WhatsApp.

Jane admitted offences including sexually assaulting a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and making indecent photographs of a child.

The 17-year-old girl pleaded guilty to offences including sexually assaulting a child, taking indecent photographs of a child and distributing indecent photographs of a child.

Courtenay Griffiths, for Jane, said the defendant recognised his offences were "despicable and unforgiveable" and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Claire Matthews, for the 17-year-old girl, said the teenager was acting under Jane's influence.

"He was exerting considerable pressure in pursuit of his own sexual gratification," Ms Matthews said.

She added that the girl was of below average intelligence, was remorseful and had provided police with the PIN to Jane's phone when he was not co-operating.

The 17-year-old girl wept through much of the hearing, but Jane showed no emotion.

Note: This story has been updated on May 17 to amend the sentence handed to Jane, after the Bristol Post was supplied with erroneous information from the initial court hearing in March.
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A driver faces trial after a fatal road collision on Roman Farm Road.

Shakrun Islam appeared at Bristol Crown Court after Kyle Clarke, 27, from South Gloucestershire, died under the wheels of a car on January 10.

Islam, 31, of Rounceval Street in Chipping Sodbury, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter in a brief hearing attended by Kyles family and friends.

The Recorder of Bristol His Honour Judge Peter Blair QC adjourned the case for a trial on July 3.

Bearded Islam, who simply confirmed his identity during the 14-minute hearing, was remanded in custody.

The court heard a vast majority of evidence will be presented via CCTV.

Anna Vigars, prosecuting, said consideration is being given to apply for a site visit to help the jury.

This week Kyles loved ones said an emotional farewell to the much-loved son and brother.

Some 60 people gathered at St Stephens Church in Southmead to pay their respects to Kyle at a funeral service, before a cremation at Canford Crematorium.

The scene was bathed in glorious sunshine as a gleaming white hearse arrived with Kyles flower emblazoned Nasa-themed coffin.

Kyle, a mechanic who loved cars, had enjoyed a trip to NASA and some of his family and friends donned grey NASA T-shirts for the occasion.

(Image: Dan Regan)

Kyle's mum Helen gave up her right to anonymity after she was the victim of a horrific rape to campaign for sex attack victims.

The attack, which happened in 2009, may have continued if Kyle - then 19 - had not returned home.

Kyle proved a hero to his mum when he unwittingly disturbed her being brutally raped in her own home by a killer in March 2009.
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The mother of a teenager who died from meningitis after doctors sent her home from hospital has paid tribute to her "darling, bright and beautiful" girl.

Speaking on the steps of Avon Coroners Court, Claire Booty's voice broke with emotion as she described the enormous loss her family has endured after the death of her 16-year-old daughter Isabel Gentry, known as Izzy.

Flanked by dozens of Izzy's friends and family, Mrs Booty described how their lives are a "joyless struggle" without the teenager.

Izzy died in the Bristol Royal Infirmary on May 20 last year from bacterial meningitis, two days after a doctor had discharged her from the same hospital having failed to diagnose the deadly disease.

University Hospitals Bristol NHS foundation Trust, which runs the BRI, was heavily criticised during the inquest in to Izzy's death, with senior coroner Maria Voisin ruling that "neglect" and "gross failures" led to the teenager's death.

There was an initial clap, followed by loud sobs from Izzy's friends and family when the conclusion was read out.

Speaking to the media at the end of the five-day inquest, Mrs Booty said: "Isabel was a darling.

"She was bright and beautiful, she was witty, she was sassy, she was thoughtful, she was kind, she was generous, she was bubbly and she could be zany.

"She never did anything to disappoint us. She was full of life.

"She was 5ft 10, with a model figure, she was asked to model prom dresses by the shop owner - how many girls does that happen to?

"She had long brown hair with an auburn glow in the sunshine. We were so proud of her.

"She loved all of her friends and they loved her back."

The mother went on to explain that Izzy wanted to become a midwife and had been studying for her A-levels when she contracted meningitis.

The day before she was first admitted to hospital, the 16-year-old sat a psychology exam, which she passed with a B.

Her family is now left struggling to cope with their loss.

"Her death has left her family joyless," Mrs Booty said. "Living each day without Isabel is a constant struggle.

"Life now is about how to get through today. I dare not think about how many years of life we may still have ahead of us without her.

"This grief is not something you get over or move on from.

"It doesn't diminish or go away. Her death has left a gaping hole."

The family said it has serious concerns about the treatment Izzy was given at hospital.

During her evidence Mrs Booty told the court that the first doctor to see Izzy, William Ibbotson, seemed "fixated" by her upset stomach.

She claimed that she told Dr Ibbotson that Izzy had received a warning letter from school after another pupil had recently been diagnosed with meningitis.

Dr Ibbotson denied this and said that the treatment given was appropriate for the information he was given.

Mrs Booty told the media that she thinks Izzy would have "stood a better chance" if she had been taken to the children's hospital.

She said that the family has been left "very upset" by the Trust's approach to "self-inquiry" and remains "unconvinced that the BRI has the culture, common sense and the strength of character to properly review any serious incident".

UH Bristol has said its deepest condolences were with the family and has promised to learn lessons from the "missed diagnosis" which led to Izzy's death.
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A Bristol child molester has gone to court in a bid to clear his name - after being released from his prison sentence.

But judges who heard his appeal said it was "muddled and misconceived" - and threw it out.

Robert Clive Glasspool, 67, told the Court of Appeal in London that jurors were wrong to convict him "because he was innocent".

But three Appeal Court judges were unimpressed and declared that the jury's verdicts were safe.

Glasspool, of Knighton Road, Southmead, was jailed for five-and-a-half years at Bristol Crown Court in July 2010.

He was convicted of offences including two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13.

Glasspool has already been released from his prison sentence, but that did not stop him from bringing a challenge against his convictions, which was heard yesterday.

At London's Appeal Court, he claimed prosecution witnesses were lying and should not have been believed.

Presenting his own home-made documents to the court, Glasspool also criticised his trial lawyers and said jurors should have accepted his denials "because he was innocent".

But High Court judge Sir Kenneth Parker described Glasspool's grounds of appeal as "muddled and misconceived".

Trial lawyers could not be criticised and the judge's summing up of the case to the jury had been "impeccable," he added.

Ruling that Glasspool's appeal had "no merit whatsoever", Sir Kenneth, who was sitting with Lord Justice Flaux and Mr Justice Popplewell, said the convictions would stand.

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In a major victory for government-owned Air India, the airline won an arbitration case against US-based air charter company Dynamic International Airways, putting an end to a more than three-year-old legal tussle between the two parties. The order given by arbitrator, former Comptroller and Auditor General P Sesh Kumar will require the US-based charter operator to pay an amount of around Rs 65.71 crore to the national airline.
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International Pvt Ltd, owner of Rorito brand of writing instruments, has entered into strategic technological tie-up with German writing instrument brand Schneider Schreibgerate GmbH to launch pens with German technology and components. The company is also planning to expand its business to other school stationery products such as geometry box soon and to sell its products in the Middle East and African markets.

GM Pens, which was earlier manufacturing and selling the Reynolds brand of writing instruments in India, is expecting the tie-up to help it offer quality products at affordable prices, especially for the students.

With the tie-up, the company will bring in precision components used in manufacturing pens, from Schneider's plant overseas to offer superior quality products to the customer. For Schneider, it will give an entry into the mass segment of the Indian writing instruments market, which would be a difficult task had it decided to enter directly.

The writing instruments market is worth about Rs 5,500 crore in India, of which Rs 3,500 is in the organised sector. Almost 60 per cent of the organised sector business is from school students, said Indrakumar Mahendran, joint managing director of International.

"The tie-up helps Schneider to enter into the mass market in India, which is a large market," said Christian Schneider, managing director, Schneider Schreibgerate.

It has launched two products under the tie-up -- Rorito Teramax and Rorito Robomax -- for school students at the price of Rs 45 and Rs 50 respectively. The products will have both Rorito and Schneider brands labelled on it.

Rorito, which is starting exports to the Middle East and Africa, is also planning to expand its business to the adjacent stationery business, and would launch a geometry box product under the brand in a few months. The company would be manufacturing these products with Korean and would expand to other products by the end of the year.

The company is also expanding capacity by rolling out a new facility in Puducherry by May 2017. It currently has eight manufacturing units in Puducherry and three in Chennai, with a total capacity of around 2.7 million pens a day. The new facility will add around 500,000 more capacity and contribute 7-8 per cent to the revenue. The investment in the new facility would be around Rs 45 crore.

has clocked in Rs 430 crore revenue in last fiscal year and expects a 6-7 per cent growth this year. It roped in Sachin Tendulkar as its brand ambassador for five years when it launched the brand Rorito. GM Pens launched Rorito brand as they parted ways with Reynolds, the multinational writing instrument brand, recently.
A court here will deliver today the quantum of punishment in a case of violence and rioting at Suzuki India Ltd's (MSIL) Manesar plant in 2012 in which a senior officer was burnt alive.

The court of additional district and sessions judge R P Goyal reserved its order after argument of the prosecution and defence over the quantum of sentence today.

Prosecution counsel Anurag Hooda today demanded death penalty for the 13 workers who were found guilty of murder.

On March 10, the court had convicted 31 employees of MSIL, including 13 of murder, in connection with the case.

The judge had acquitted 117 of the 148 employees named in the charge sheet in the case for want of evidence.

Violence had erupted at the facility in August 2012 over disciplinary action against an employee during which agitated workers had gone on the rampage, torching a part of the factory, setting senior human resource manager Awanish Kumar Dev on fire, and beating up and bludgeoning with rods 100 others.

Those wounded included some foreigners and policemen.

Hundreds of policemen in riot gear have been deployed at the court and outside the automobile maker's offices over threats by workers to mobilise large-scale protests if their colleagues "did not get justice".

The administration has imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC in the district till March 25.
Business Standard is republishing this 2012 article, as a court in Gurgaon in Haryana on 18 March, 2017, sentenced 13 of the 31 workers convicted for violence at Suzuki's Manesar factory in 2012 to life imprisonment. The 2012 violence had seen a manager dying of asphyxiation.

No one knows yet who killed Awanish Kumar Dev, general manager (HR) of Suzuki India Limited, who was mercilessly beaten up and burnt to death inside the factory at Manesar. Was he the victim of spontaneous mob violence, which followed an altercation between a worker and his supervisor? Or was he the target of a carefully planned conspiracy by a union leader, as has been alleged by the late executives friends? The Gurgaon Police are apparently still clueless, after having arrested almost 100 workers, including union office-bearers.

Although its important that justice must be done and the guilty are dealt with ruthlessly, the latest round of violence in Manesar brings into sharp focus how could have done better in terms of industrial relations management.

Consider the timing of the Maruti Suzuki MDs statement that the company will derecognise the newly instituted union with immediate effect, just a couple of days after the gruesome violence. Showing your muscle is one thing, but flaunting it at a time when the atmosphere is so volatile doesnt speak well of the managements maturity in handling such situations. No wonder Maruti had to swiftly clarify that it had no plans to take any such step.

The uneasy relationship between the Maruti management and its workers was evident after reports surfaced that workers were unhappy about the failure to implement several clauses in a tripartite agreement that was signed last year before they decided to call off a strike. In fact, the Haryana labour department had initiated proceedings against Maruti executives for allegedly violating the agreement  media reports the Maruti management did not deny. Maruti, for example, had committed in that agreement to form grievance redressal and labour welfare committees. These have not been set up and the wage increases agreed in that agreement were still under negotiation.

The withdrawal of last years strike also coincided with reports that a troop of disgruntled workers led by Sonu Gujjar had stopped production only to slyly broker a side deal with the management in which they got hefty payouts. This raised the question whether Maruti deviated from best corporate governance practices by helping Gujjar and others suspended for indiscipline cut a sweet deal for themselves and leave the company. To be sure, Marutis decision to offer these workers a settlement package was legal since the company was well within its rights to offer a settlement higher than the general severance rules. Legal experts agree that the Industrial Disputes Act only prescribes a floor  15 days for every completed year of service  and not a ceiling for severance packages.

But the timing of that decision was an industrial relations and public relations disaster: a few workers got a hefty payout after creating trouble while others in the same factory had to forfeit wages for their participation in the over two-month old strike; this surely did nothing to bridge the trust deficit between the management and workers.

It is also pointed out how Maruti goofed up during last years strike by insisting that all workers sign a good conduct bond. The bond said workers would follow discipline, would not get involved in absenteeism, not resort to go-slow tactics, follow the production principle and not sabotage production or indulge in activities that may hamper production. Apart from the fact that such strong-arm tactics invariably fail in a hostile environment, the move was not sound  even legally. Schedule 5 of the Industrial Disputes Act says to insist upon individual workmen, who are on a legal strike to sign a good conduct bond, as a pre-condition to allowing them to resume work is an unfair labour practice. In the past, such attempts have been held to be an act of force and coercion by the courts.

The way it has handled its contract workers also doesnt improve Marutis industrial relations score. A huge discrepancy in the wages of permanent and contract workers for the same amount of work; no leave for a segment of workers who constitute almost half your workforce; and no social security benefits  these issues had been festering for a long time. Sadly, Indias largest car maker wasnt proactive enough to lead the way on this issue.

Maruti would do well to realise that communication with workers also involves dialogue. And such an approach calls for a willingness to empathetically understand the other point of view and act on it  thats what industrial democracy is all about. And HR is not just about building a leadership development pipeline, flow charts and diagrams; it also involves industrial relations in which you are dealing with human beings on the shop floor.

Finally, Maruti must ignore the so-called mahapanchayat of leaders from some 100 villages who supported the management with a rider that the company should recruit only locals from nearby villages and that the villagers would constitute a committee comprising people from seven villages of the area, who will work with the Maruti management to find a solution to the labour crisis. Heeding such helpful advice would be nothing but a jump from the frying pan into the fire.
Business Standard is republishing this 2012 article as a Gurgaon court on 18 March, 2017, sentenced 13 of the 31 workers convicted for violence at the Maruti Suzuki factory in Manesar in 2012 to life imprisonment. The violence had seen a manager dying of asphyxiation. He led the strikes that paralysed Marutis Gurgaon plants, and then quit under a cloud of suspicion. Former labour leader Sonu Gujjar talks to Rrishi Raote.

Sonu Gujjar is supposed to have gone into hiding, yet here we are at his home in a village near Jhajjar in Haryana, and here he is. We are in a room on the upper floor of the house, drinking tea. Three or four of his cousins, all young men, drift in and out. Gujjar is telling us about the workers strikes that he led at Maruti Suzukis Manesar plant near Gurgaon last year.

When the last strike ended in October, reports indicated that Gujjar and his fellow leader Shiv Kumar took a big payout and quit. The sum was variously reported from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 1 crore. The company was said to have suffered a loss of Rs 1,700-2,000 crore during the months of trouble at the factory  at a time when the car market was weak. The other 28 workers of Gujjars core group received Rs 16 lakh each as a final settlement when they too quit, after their leaders. Some, it was reported, considered Gujjar a traitor and sellout.

Did he in fact go underground, and stop answering his phone? He says, That was my NCR number. Im not so big that I can pay roaming charges to hear other people talk. Its not like nobody had my local number. Was his house locked and closed, as reported? You see me here. Yes, I might have gone to Jhajjar for some work, but there was no lock. When Business Standards photographer visited at the time, he was told by locals to go away.

* * *

It has taken us three hours to get here, much of that time spent on zigzagging village roads. In the end we found Gujjars house just 1 km off the district road. The old man who pointed it out said: Oh, the boy who was kicked out of his job? There!

The area looks prosperous. Delhi is arriving, with housing projects and industrial estates half an hour away. New four-lane roads end abruptly in narrow rural lanes, along which tractors chug. Smoke pours from the chimneys atop dozens of brick kilns, and fields are dug up to provide soil for the bricks. It is disconcerting to see lush fields next to empty, barren pits.

Village paths are cemented. Houses are pucca, and some are palatial; each is built around a courtyard which accommodates the shaggy local buffaloes. The air is clear but everything is dusty  everything except the cars, most of them white and new-looking, tucked into every other lane. Marutis are everywhere, but also mid-size sedans of other brands.

Outside Gujjars house, too, sits a new and white, slightly scuffed Swift. It is there when we pull in.

He was just about to leave for Jhajjar, he says, showing us courteously up to his room on the roof.

Gujjar is instantly recognisable from photographs, though he has put on some weight and his face seems to have hardened a little. He looks educated. He speaks fast and clearly, repeating his points like one accustomed to speaking in public. He is wearing a gold chain under his shirt.

When we leave, the Swift is not there, and Gujjar explains, The car is not mine, its the car of the son of my tau [uncle], one of the men we met in his house.

The house is by no means impressive. It is not small, but is not new and shows no sign of recent improvement. The walls are faded and lined with cracks, to which Gujjar draws our attention. There is a brick-paved courtyard. In a large alcove is a machine for chopping buffalo feed. A well-swept room houses the buffaloes. There are two rooms for the family. There is a motorcycle, which Gujjar used to ride one and a half hours each way to the factory.

A narrow cement staircase leads to the roof and Gujjars room. It is crowded with a large bed on which he perches as we talk, a pile of clothes in need of washing, and a small sofa set. Also on the roof: several rows of drying dung-cakes, a satellite TV dish and another charpai on which his elderly mother sits sunning herself. Later Gujjars wife, who has a BA, joins her mother-in-law in the sun, her face veiled. Neither woman says anything. Two very small children potter about. These people, together with Gujjars father, who is not well and whom we later see sitting quietly on a charpai outdoors, are the family.

* * *

No sign of luxury here; no sign of Gujjars golden handshake. It was Rs 16 lakh, he reiterates, and when presented with alternate figures gives a bitter defence: nothing was done in secret, he discussed everything with his group of 30 and was to discuss it with all the workers as well. Afterwards people say what they want, and one knows why they say it. He showed his fellow workers the cheque, he says, and they agreed to take the payout and sacrifice themselves so that their goals would be achieved. That is, a new independent union (the Maruti Suzuki Employees Union, or MSEU), kinder leave policy, bus pickup for workers from Jhajjar and Rewari, contract workers being given priority in hiring, and a return to production.

In short, he says, unions in other did not act in MSEUs support, and meanwhile the strikers families were suffering. Political groups were getting involved  Behti Ganga mein sab haat dhote hain, he says, pointing to their opportunism and MSEUs popularity  but the support never came.

The company was adamant, he says, that with Gujjars group in control no new union would be allowed  better to go, and clear the way. Since most of MSEUs demands were met, and now the union is registered, albeit without its founding group, Gujjar counts the experience a victory. Its always been that way, he says. The one who makes a start gets nothing.

He has not found a job. As you know, my name is such that no give me work. I ask whether he has set up a business or bought land, and he laughs. To start a business Rs 16 lakh seems a lot to you? In our village 1 keela [about 1 acre] of land is Rs 85 lakh. Some of his payout went to repay loans, some goes in buying medicines for his father, and Rs 5,000 per appearance goes to his lawyer, because five court cases are still pending against him for maar-pitai (beating up) during the strike.

Maruti Suzuki did not comment on any of these matters.

Yet Gujjar does not look downcast. After he wishes us farewell and we drive off, the photographer suggests we go back to see whether the vanished Swift has rematerialised. And it has! Gujjar says again that this is his cousins car; the cousin says he owns a travel agency in Jhajjar.

Gujjar is so likeable that one wishes to believe everything he says. Its no surprise that he was an effective leader.
Friendship Force is an international organization consisting of more than 300 clubs in over 60 countries whose mission is to promote international understanding and peace through travel emphasizing the importance of person to person connections.

Corvallis student awarded grant

Trisha Chau of Corvallis recently was awarded a study-abroad grant worth $1,000 from the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

Chau is one of 26 students nationwide to receive the award.

Currently a junior majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology (premed) at Oregon State University, Chau will use the grant to study in Indonesia.

Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants are designed to support undergraduates, both members and nonmembers, as they seek expanded knowledge and experience in their academic fields. Since the program's inception in 2001, the society has awarded more than $775,000 in study-abroad grants.

CHS alum performs in festival

Andrew Atwood of Corvallis participated in the renowned St. Olaf Christmas Festival, held in December.

Atwood is a member of the St. Olaf Chapel Choir at St. Olaf College, where he is a music education major. He is the son of John and Christine Atwood, and a graduate of Corvallis High School.

The St. Olaf Christmas Festival is one of the oldest musical celebrations of Christmas in the United States. Started in 1912 by F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the St. Olaf College Music Department, the festival features more than 500 student musicians who are members of five choirs and the St. Olaf Orchestra.

Local lodge receives grant

Corvallis Elks Lodge No. 1413 is a recent recipient of an Elks National Foundation $2,000 Promise Grant.

The grant is being used to support lodge events for the children in the community, including a Halloween party, a Christmas party and another event being planned.

OSU claims win in blood drive

Oregon State University won the 2016 Civil War Blood Drive, collecting 2,629 votes.

OSU now takes the lead 8-7 in the friendly battle between the Beavers and the University of Oregon Ducks, who collected 2,153 votes during this years blood drive battle, held last Nov. 1 through 20 under the auspices of the American Red Cross.

The 15th annual Civil War Blood Drive welcomed 4,782 fans, students, faculty and community members during the campaign.

Student picked for symphony

Santiam Christian High School student James Johnson was selected for this year's All-Northwest Wind Symphony, Oregon All-State Symphonic Band and the Western International Band Clinic.

James is a junior and plays alto saxophone. He was among more than 1,000 other high school musicians who gathered Feb. 16 through 19 in Bellevue, Washington, to rehearse and perform.

Students offer renovation ideas

Oregon State University students in the College of Engineering practiced responding to a request for proposal last November by presenting to members of construction firm Lease Crutcher Lewis and the SAIF project management team working on the renovation of the organization's High Street building.

The presentation was part of the student's preparation for an Associated Schools of Construction competition held February in Sparks, Nevada. The six students, part of the College of Engineering's Construction Engineering and Management program, were mentored by Lease Crutcher Lewis for the competition over the course of a 10-week class. Lewis was selected by SAIF in May 2015 as the general contractor on the renovation of SAIF's Salem campus, which is expected to be completed in April 2018.

The class studied two "real world" examples, including spending five weeks learning about SAIF's Salem campus renovation, where they discussed concrete, structural, new building construction, renovation, seismic upgrades and key phases of the project, including budget, contingency, scheduling and building.

This culminated in a written request for proposal document and presentation.

Foundation makes local grants

Oregon Commuity Foundation anounces $135,000 in Benton, Linn grants

In November, the Oregon Community Foundation Board of Directors approved $135,000 in grants to nonprofit agencies in Benton and Linn counties.

A $50,000 grant to the Benton County Historical Society and Museum will allow it to develop a larger space to accommodate its acquisition of OSUs Horner Museum Collection.

Grants awarded last fall also included:

 The Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence, Corvallis; $20,000 to expand services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence;

 Grace Center for Adult Day Services, Corvallis; $25,000 to assist with the purchase of a facility currently leased from Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center;

 The Pastoral Counseling Center of the Mid-Willamette Valley, Corvallis; $10,000 to expand behavioral health services for low-income and underinsured families;

 Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services, Corvallis; $15,000 to help engage community residents and leaders in establishing a South Corvallis Urban Renewal Plan; and

 United Way of Linn County, Albany; $15,000 to support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, providing books to low-income children.

Woman initiated into society

Madeleine Roppe of Corvallis recently was initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

Roppe is pursuing a degree in exercise science at University of Idaho.

Students named to dean's list

Tiffany DeVos and Emily Nelson, both of Corvallis, were among the 1,575 students named to the Biola University fall dean's list.

Biola students with a grade-point average of 3.60 or higher while enrolled in 12 or more credit units and whose cumulative GPA is at least a 3.20 are placed on the list.

Student makes honor roll

Brooklyn Coe of Corvallis was named to the McPherson College fall honor roll.

Coe is a junior at McPherson. To qualify for the honor roll, students must be a full-time student and earn a grade-point average of 3.55 or higher during the previous term.
Posco-India has requested the Odisha government to take back its 2,700 acres of land provided to it near Paradip for setting up a 12 mtpa steel plant at an investment of Rs 52,000 crore.

"We have received a letter from Posco-India in this regard. The steel major has offered to return the land near Paradip in its possession," state Industries Minister Debi Prasad Mishra told PTI.

When asked whether Posco-India offered to return the land on its won, Mishra said: "No, the state government had requested the company to pay pending dues of about Rs 82 crore towards forest land diversion, cess and others. While replying to our letter, they (Posco-India) said that the company is not interested to take possession of the acquired land and will pay the remaining amount".

Mishra said that the state industries department had acquired 2,700 acres of land for Posco-India's proposed steel mill. Of the 2,700 acres of land, 1,700 acres were handed over to the company while the remaining land was in the possession of the state government.

"In the letter, has cited its failure to start work on the proposed 12-mtpa steel plant project near Paradip to be the reason for the request made to the Odisha government to take back the acquired land," the minister said.

The minister said the matter was placed before Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who had approved a proposal of the industries department to get back the land from Posco-India and retain the land in the Land Bank.

Earlier, Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Kumar Mallick had said that Posco-India had not in clear terms conveyed that it would not set up steel plant in Odisha.

"However, we came to know from the media that the south Korean steel major had decided to keep the Odisha project on hold," Mallick said.

Without informing about its plan, Posco-India had also earlier told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that its proposal for setting up the mega steel plant project in Paradip could not proceed due to legal hurdles.

As the steel major had not made any formal communication with the state government about its plan, the present letter is considered as the first such move for scrapping of the project. Earlier, another FDI investment worth Rs 40,000 crore by ArcelorMittal was withdrawn from Odisha in 2013.

Posco-India had signed an agreement with the state government in June 21, 2005 for setting up its mega steel facility near Paradip. The company then sought 4,004 acres of land for the project.

However, later the company changed its plan and wanted only 2,700 acres for setting up a 8 mtpa plant in the first phase in wake of the stiff opposition to the land acquisition. The state government in the first phase had transferred 1,700 acres of land to Posco-India.

However, the uncertainty over the Posco-India's project started when the Centre amended the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act in January, 2015. The amended Act made it mandatory for all companies, including Posco-India, to go through the auction route in order to get captive mines.

The steel major had also not taken any step to renew its MoU with the state government, which expired in 2010 after a gap of five years.
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In 2004, a scientist working at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the government company that manufactures Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) was called as a witness in the Karnataka High Court. The scientist, who was also the co-designer of the machine, appeared as a witness for the Election Commission of India (ECI) which was defending itself in a case filed by Micheal Fernandes, the brother of Samata Manch leader George Fernandes. Fernandes had challenged the efficacy and integrity of the in court after he lost from Yelahanka in the 1999 general elections.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama inaugurates Nagajurna Faculty Building at Nav Nalanda Mahavihara

On the 2nd day of the ongoing International Buddhist Conference today, a new history was made when His Holiness The Dalai Lama visited the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara near Rajgir in Nalanda district of Bihar after a gap of 60 years and planted the sapling of the Bodhi Tree and inaugurated Nagajurna Faculty Building as well as Santarakshita Hostel. The Vice-Chancellor, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Shri M. L. Srivastava offered His Holiness a plaque of Nava Nalanda bearing its seal, originally found in the Ancient Nalanda Mahavihara. Registrar Dr. S. P. Sinha was among the dignitaries present on the occasion. His Holiness remembering His past visit to Nava Nalanda Mahavihara said that sixty years ago, it was the Chinese Prime Minister who was supposed to come. But for some unavailable reason, he sent His Holiness The Dalai Lama on his behalf to offer the body Relics of Master XuanZang to the then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The Dalai Lama thanked India for being a wonderful host which has offered him guest status for such a long time. Mentioning the tradition of Nalanda He said that Dignaga and Dharmakritis contribution is unforgettable for the world. He also mentioned about the contribution of Chandrakirti, Nagarjunand Buddhapalit. He said that Buddhism is science and it has compatibility with quantum physics. The Dalai Lama praised the rich spiritual tradition of India. He said Nava Nalanda Mahavihara should design its curriculum based on Nalanda tradition and focus on Ancient India. He praised Indias rich tradition of inner wisdom and secular tradition. The Dalai Lama said He Himself respects all the religious of the world, for all of them preach truth.

On the occasion The Dalai Lama offered the Vice-Chancellor Shri M. L. Srivastava Thangka Painting with His message and a Buddha statue.

During the day, various sessions and deliberations were held on the theme of Buddhism for Twenty First Century- Perspectives and Responses to Global Issues with the following themes:

1. Conflict Avoidance and Peace Building: The Buddhist Response

2. Environment & Nature Conservation: Buddhist Perspective & Response(Sub Theme/Groups: Environment Consciousness, Response to Climate Change, Wildlife Trade & Conservation, Water)

3. Buddhism & Sciences: Expanding Newer Grounds with Ancient Wisdom (Sub Theme/ Groups Mindfulness, Quantum Science, Neuroscience and Psychology, Astro Science)

4. Women in Buddhism: Contemplation on Past, Present and Future

5. Preservation of Nalanda Tradition

6. Ethics & Values: Universal Responsibility (Sub Theme/ Groups: Governance, Education, Business and Economy, Society and Social Responsibility, Media)

7. Secular Ethics & Interfaith Understanding

8. Buddhism & Global Engagement (Sub Theme/ Groups: Engaged Buddhism - Compassion in Action, Sustainable Economy, Buddhism in Multi-Cultural World)

9. Preservation & Development of Buddhist Holy Sites & Heritage (Sub Theme/ Groups: Holy Sites, Tangible and Intangible Heritage, Conservation of Buddhist Heritage sites)

10. Divergence in Buddhism- Developing a Collective Wisdom

The conference's key objective is to deliberate on Buddhist perspective towards addressing or approaching issues such as ecological sustainability, social and economic justice, ethics and values, a holistic approach to education, inter-religious harmony and cooperation, gender equality etc. Discussions about fundamental human values and modes of disseminating and internalizing these ideals in contemporary settings are being organised. Reflecting on these questions in light of the teachings of the Buddha and of the great Buddhist masters, the Conference will recommend ways of addressing our most pressing problems and provide us with solutions to the challenges faced by humanity.

Renowned Kathak dancer Manisha Guliyani and sarod players brother duo Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash gave performances today.

The International Conference is graced by more than 600 delegates from 32 countries.

The President Shri Pranab Mukherjee will grace the valedictory function of the Conference tomorrow as the Chief Guest. Governor of Bihar, Shri Ram Nath Kovind and Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar will also attend the function tomorrow.
The Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) & Parliamentary Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has said that the Central Government has been working on priority basis to provide better education as well as job-oriented skill training to the Minority Communities..

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Chairing the 53rd General Body Meeting of Maulana Azad Education Foundation in New Delhi today Shri Naqvi said the Government is committed to provide modern education and skill development training to youths of the Minority. Ministry of Minority Affairs is establishing 5 world class educational institutes to provide better traditional as well as modern education to students belonging to Minority communities. These world class institutions will provide education in technical and medical fields including Ayurvedic and Unani way of medicine. A high-level committee is preparing framework of these institutes and will submit its report soon. The government is working on a strategy to start them in 2018. It has proposed 40 per cent reservation for girls in these institutes..

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Shri Naqvi said that in the Budget allocated to 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. More than 70 per cent of this Budget would be utilised for educational empowerment of Minorities and job-oriented programmes for them..

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Hundreds of crores of rupees has been provided for various scholarships and skill development schemes such as Seekho aur Kamao", Nai Manzil", Nai Roushni", Usttad", Garib Nawaz Skill Development Centre" and Begum Hazrat Mahal Scholarship for Girls". Besides this, funds under Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) will also be utilised for various educational development activities. Rs. 393.54 crore has been given for Merit-cum-Means based scholarship; Rs. 950 crore for pre-matric scholarship; Rs 550 crore for post-matric scholarship; Rs. 250 crore for Seekho aur Kamao); Rs. 176 crore for Nai Manzil"; Rs. 113 crore for Maulana Azad Education Foundation and Rs. 170 crore as equity for NMDFC..

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Shri Naqvi said that for 2017-18, we have set a target to provide scholarships to about 35 lakh students. Employment oriented training will be provided to more than 2 lakh youths belonging to Minority communities. We have also approved 16 Gurukul" type residential schools across the country. We have also decided to help those Madrasas who are also providing mainstream education. .

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Shri Naqvi said that our efforts for educational empowerment of Minorities include establishing Garib Nawaz Skill Development Centre", Begum Hazrat Mahal Scholarship" for girls, and establishing 500 quality residential schools and job-oriented skill development centres..

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BCK/AK
Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy, former President of France, meets PM

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Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy, former President of France, met Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today. .

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Mr. Sarkozy congratulated the Prime Minister for the success of demonetization", as well as on his partys success in the recent Assembly elections in several States. .

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The Prime Minister congratulated Mr. Sarkozy on the publication and success of his latest book, Tout pour la France". .

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The two leaders discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest. .

.
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare addresses the 5th International Convention on Changing Dynamics of Commodities Market"

Government working on a concrete plan to link the farmers with the markets: Shri Radha Mohan Singh The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh has said the Government is working on a concrete plan to link the farmers with the markets. Addressing the 5th International Convention on Changing Dynamics of Commodities Market here today, he said this will help the farmers participation in the trading of food grains. Shri Radha Mohan Singh said Forward Trading is an index of predictive pricing and as a result both the buyer and seller can plan their futures trading. This will help farmers plan their crop planting and also do away with the role of middlemen.

The Minister said marketing in farm produce is carried out through State Government designated 6,746 Mandis spread across the country. He said the Government is leveraging the APMC Mandis and at the same time amend the Marketing laws to facilitate setting up of Mandis by the private sector.

Shri Radha Mohan Singh said the e-NAM offers an online commodities trading platform that helps the farmer fetch optimum price for his farm produce and the money is also credited directly to his account. He said a total of 277 Mandis spread across 12 States have been linked on the e-NAM portal and 585 Mandis will board the platform by the next year.

The Minister said today India is not only self-sufficient in agricultural production but also exports food grains and the Agricultural Growth has more than doubled from 2% to 4.4%. In the 2017-18 Budget the funding provision for Rural, Agricultural and Allied sectors has jumped 24% to Rs.1,87,223 crores.
Apple Chief Executive expressed support for globalisation and said China should continue to open its to foreign firms, while speaking at a forum in Beijing on Saturday.

"I think it's important that China continues to open itself and widens the door if you will," said Cook, speaking at the government-sponsored China Development Forum.

Cook's comments come amid rising tensions between the US and China, with protectionist rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump sparking concern of increased trade friction between the two countries.

"The reality is countries that are closed, that isolate themselves, it's not good for their people," said Cook, in a rare public speech.

Apple said on Friday it will set up two new research and development centres in Shanghai and Suzhou in China.

It has pledged to invest more than 3.5 billion yuan ($508 million) in research and development in China.

Apple has been singled out in Chinese media as a potential target for retaliation in the event of a trade war.

The Global Times warned last November if Trump triggered a trade war with China, Beijing would then target firms from Boeing to Apple in a "tit-for-tat" approach.
Religious freedom is vital in the world today. Thousands of individuals are fleeing from their homes because their religious beliefs are not tolerated. Christians and others are persecuted for their beliefs. Muslim mosques and Jewish synagogues have been recent victims of vandalism and hate crimes.

In the United States, we are blessed with a Constitution which strives to protect government from religion and vice versa. But that almost didnt happen. When representatives of 13 colonies met in 1774 for the First Continental Congress, they brought with them many religious persuasions. Thomas Jefferson, raised an Anglican-Episcopalian, had developed a Deist philosophy. John Adams was raised in a Congregationalist home, but later became a Unitarian. James Madison, educated in Presbyterianism, leaned toward a world view of Christianity.

The entire Continental Congress was nearly derailed the first day, because no one could decide who should give the opening prayer. Fortunately, Samuel Adams, known for his strong religious beliefs and sometimes intolerance for others, moved that Rev. Jacob Duche, an Episcopalian minister, give the prayer the next day. The Congress approved, because if Samuel Adams could tolerate another persons religion, then any of them should do likewise. And so religious freedom and tolerance paved the way for what led to the formation of the U.S. Constitution.

The First Amendment to the Constitution in the Bill of Rights begins, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof

The leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are strong proponents of religious freedom. One reason for this is because they, like many religious groups, have experienced hardships because of their tenets. In 1838, Missouri Gov. Lilburn Boggs issued an executive order which directed, the Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the State if necessary for the public peace Fleeing Missouri, they went to Illinois and founded the city of Nauvoo.

Joseph Smith, the first church president, wrote in 1843, If it has been demonstrated that I have been willing to die for a Mormon, I am bold to declare before Heaven that I am just as ready to die in defending the rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or a good man of any denomination; for the same principle which would trample upon the rights of the Latter-day Saints would trample upon the rights of the Roman Catholics, or of any other denomination who may be unpopular and too weak to defend themselves. It is a love of liberty which inspires my soul  civil and religious liberty to the whole of the human race. But differences in religious practices and lack of dialogue led to additional persecution in Illinois, forcing the Mormons on their arduous 1,300-mile trek to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.

On the Latter-day Saints' website, it reads, Religious freedom is more than just the freedom to believe what you want. Its the freedom to talk about and act on your core beliefs without interference from government or others, except when necessary to protect health and safety.

Elder Todd D. Christofferson shared this vision at an interfaith gathering in Sao Paulo, Brazil: A robust [religious] freedom is not merely what political philosophers have referred to as the negative freedom to be left alone.  Rather, it is a much richer positive freedom  the freedom to live ones religion or belief in a legal, political, and social environment that is tolerant, respectful, and accommodating of diverse beliefs.

How can each of us be an emissary of religious freedom in our communities and throughout the world?
has revealed plans to set up two more research centres and boost investment in China, a pivotal market in which the iPhone has been rapidly elbowed aside by local rivals.
China and Saudi Arabia inked 14 cooperation deals in capacity and investment, nuclear energy, trade, finance, spaceflight, education, human resources and other fields while reaffirming their commitment to strengthening practical cooperation.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a press conference here on Friday that the deals were inked in the presence of Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz al-Saud, who is currently in Beijing, and President Xi Jinping.

King Salman, who is presently in Beijing on a four-day state visit beginning March 15, held talks with the Chinese head yesterday. He also held separate in-depth discussions with Premier Li Keqiang and Chairman Zhang Dejiang on bilateral relations and other issues of common concern, said Chunying.

"The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening practical cooperation in various fields under the Belt and Road framework, and aligning the Belt and Road initiative with Saudi's Vision 2030. The two sides also signed an MoU which covers 35 major projects for capacity and investment cooperation with a total volume of USD 65 billion," she added.
President Trump provoked a rare public dispute with Americas closest ally on Friday after his White House aired an explosive and unsubstantiated claim that Britains spy agency had secretly eavesdropped on him at the behest of President Barack Obama during last years campaign.
On February 21 2017, a man committed suicide in Mexico. The 25-year-old had recently been deported from the United States, and he threw himself off a bridge in Tijuana, Baja California, just kilometres from the US border.
Will President Trump ever learn  or care  that his fact-free tweets have painful consequences, not just at home but abroad? Surely he must sense this by now, as the administration faces the outrage of British allies who have been dragged into his increasingly bogus allegation that he was spied on by the Obama administration.
One of the many issues that have been raised here in the aftermath of the Brexit vote revolves around identity. What does it mean to be British, to look British, to sound British?
For sale: one billion accounts, $200,000 or best offer. The passwords dont work, but the dates of birth, telephone numbers and security questions could still be useful to an adept cyberthief.
More than 30 terrorists and nine security personnel have been killed in Pakistan since the army launched a major operation last month, the military said on Friday.

The military announced on February 22 the start of the countrywide operation codenamed "Radd-ul-Fasaad" (Reject Discord) after a series of terrorist attacks killed over 100 people in the country.

According to the army's Inter-Service Public Relations, the security forces also foiled a number of terrorist attacks during the operation, which still continues across the country.

Nine security personnel have lost their lives in the operation.

In one of the major raids, five terrorist were killed on March 7 when they were planning to attack a judicial complex in Swabi, a district in northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

The intelligence-based operation targeted militant sleeper cells which were using their hideouts to facilitate bombers for terrorist attacks.

Army spokesman Major Gen Asif Ghafoor said in a statement that the operation was aimed at "indiscriminately eliminating residual and latent threat of terrorism, consolidating gains of operations made thus far and further ensuring security of the borders."
Derek Walcott, whose intricately metaphorical poetry captured the physical beauty of the Caribbean, the harsh legacy of colonialism and the complexities of living and writing in two cultural worlds, bringing him a Nobel Prize in Literature, died early Friday morning at his home near Gros Islet in St Lucia. He was 87.
Bharat Maa Shaheed Samman Trust had yesterday organized "Bharat Maa Gaurav Sandhya" a musical program of patriotic songs, to felicitate families of freedom fighters, in the remembrance of their supreme sacrifice.

Sanjay Dalmia, Chairman, Dalmia Group of Companies honoured the families of the freedom fighters, who were invited from various parts of India.

Bharat Maa Shaheed Samman Trust has been organizing "Bharat Maa Gaurav Sandhya" a musical program of patriotic songs in various parts of India as an accolade to the memory of freedom fighters and to instil a sense of pride and gratification among the young of the society.

Commenting on the event Dalmia said, "As a responsible citizen of India, it is our duty to give back to the nation in whatever small tokens we can. It is my endeavour to lead the conversation on highlighting the supreme sacrifices which fueled our freedom struggle and Bharat Maa Gaurav Sandhya is a vital cog in this movement."

He further said there is a dire need in today's fast paced society/culture to engage with the youth and encourage them to be proud of the rich history of our great nation.

"This felicitation event is a small step by the Dalmia Group to instill patriotism and pride in each and every Indian citizen," he added.

Speaking on the same, Amit Azaad said, "We encourage such events where freedom fighters of the country are remembered and recognized. For our nation to emerge as a superpower we need to revive the spirit of patriotism in the country. Passion for the betterment of the country should be in the heart of each and every individual."

Sanjay Dalmia is a noted Industrialist and former Member of Parliament, known for his philanthropic activities.

He co-founded the Bharat Maa Shaheed Samman Trust with the sole focus of expressing gratitude and applauding the freedom fighters who came together to brawl against the colonial powers and win freedom for India at the cost of surrendering their very lives.

The trust also extends financial support to the dependents of the bravehearts for education and livelihood.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
LEBANON  Lebanon High School students will have early release days only every other Wednesday starting this fall, the Lebanon School Board has decided.

Board members received two calendar proposals for 2017-18 at their March 9 meeting and voted unanimously for the one recommended by the calendar committee, which made the change to early release days.

Only the high school is affected by the new early release schedule. Students will go home early every other Wednesday starting Aug. 30. All other schools will continue to release students early every Wednesday.

Maureen Twomey, president of the Lebanon Education Association, said Lebanon High teachers asked for the change to be able to have more class time with their students, particularly in labs.

High school teachers have prep periods, but elementary teachers don't have the same ability to get together and plan, so the weekly early release schedule is better for them, she said.

Board members said they were concerned parents of students at more than one school would struggle with the schedule. However, they agreed to follow the committee's recommendation.

"It fits my goal about having the kids in class," Chairman Russ McUne said.

The adopted 2017-18 calendar starts school on Aug. 28 and ends on June 8. The last day of school before Christmas is Dec. 15 and classes resume Jan. 2. Spring break is the week of March 25.

In other business, board members received a recommendation to move forward with naming the Pioneer School library for Sgt. 1st Class Scot R. Noss. Public comment must be taken again at the April meeting before the board can vote on the recommendation.

The board also heard a report on a planned "360" evaluation for the district and held a short discussion surrounding some of the fallout from an anonymous complaint that circulated through the district last month.

A 360 evaluation survey invites comment from parents, teachers and the public about the performance of the district.

Superintendent Rob Hess said he is working with the Oregon School Boards Association on development of the survey. The OSBA representative will work with board members individually on questions they'd like to see and the survey's overall design, then present a draft April 27 to be sent out in May.

Hess said results will be used to help with goal setting in the fall and for his evaluation next year.

Hess received an overall rating of 3, or "effective," on a scale of 1-4 on his 2017 evaluation, which board members completed in January. The following month, the board voted 3-2 to extend his contract through 2021.

During public comment at the March meeting, Jason Pottorf said he disagreed with the contract renewal, saying he felt the board had not had adequate time to review its particulars, and that issues in the district, particularly Lebanon High School's graduation rate, warrant more attention from the superintendent.

Pottorf also said he didn't like the board's lack of public response to a three-page, unsigned letter that was widely circulated through district schools last month. The letter questioned academic achievement at Lebanon High and Hess' personal relationship with a district principal.

"To dismiss a concern simply because it was submitted anonymously is outrageous and when I hear a statement from the board that when allegations like this are made, theres no way to vet it, it is even worse," Pottorf said. "There is a way to vet it. You get out there, do your due diligence and investigate."

During board discussion, board member Mike Martin said he's still troubled by the letter as well, and especially by what he perceives as a lack of transparency about Hess' relationship with Principal Tonya Cairo.

Richard Borden, then the board chairman, signed his name and title to a statement from the two acknowledging their relationship but had no full board authority to do so, Martin said. "That's part of the transparency and the trust levels."

McUne reminded Martin that all information from the Oregon School Boards Association, Teacher Standards and Practices and the district's own law firm found "no wrongdoing, period."
With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yet not disclosing its chief ministerial face for Uttar Pradesh, the Congress on Saturday taunted the saffron party while stating that they indulge in 'band baaja' politics.

Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar told ANI that the BJP was quick in forming governments in the state of Goa and Manipur where it ended up second in a split mandate.

"They formed the governments in those states where they ended up second without any delay. It is strange that they have yet not been able to select their Chief Minister for Uttar Pradesh," he said.

Responding to a poser on the BJP contemplating over giving Union Minister Manoj Sinha the coveted post, Babbar said that he would not like to comment in this regard as it is the saffron party's internal matter.

Sinha has, however, so far ruled himself out of the race for the coveted throne of Lucknow.

Sinha yesterday said neither he is in the race to become the Chief Minister nor does he know of any such race.

Meanwhile, the tussle for the chair of power has escalated to levels of demonstrations in favour of the names of contention - UP BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya, firebrand leader Yogi Adityanath and Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh - outside the BJP office in Lucknow.

However, reports suggest that the BJP top brass may pick Ghazipur MP Sinha for the coveted post owing to his large experience in the party operations.

The BJP is set to hold its legislature meet this evening to elect the new Chief Minister with Shah been empowered to have the final say in the decision.

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu and BJP general secretary Bhupendra Yadav will also be present at the meeting as party's central observers.

The swearing-in ceremony of the new Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister will be held tomorrow in presence of Prime Minister Modi.

The BJP marked an astounding victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections by winning 325 seats out of 403, thus dislodging the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) from power.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The much-anticipated duel between Roger Federer and Nick Kyrgios in Indian Wells is off, as the Australian has withdrawn from the tournament after falling ill.

Hours before the pair were scheduled to meet Friday at the BNP Paribas Open, Kyrgios announced on social media he had been sick overnight.

"At this stage we think it's food poisoning and I'm praying it's nothing more," the 21-year-old said in a statement. After a restless night of being sick I have nothing left and to play a great champion like Roger I need to be at my best to have a chance. I don't take this decision lightly. These are the matches we train for but I'm in no fit state to take to the court," he said.

Kyrgios, who beat the Serbian Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-6 (7-3) this week, was aiming to make his third consecutive ATP Tour semifinal.

"I'm very impressed with him taking out Novak, back-to-back weeks, on Novak's best surface. I hope it's going to lead to something great for Nick, that he realizes if he puts his head down and focuses that he can bring it, day in and day out, week in and week out," Federer said after reaching the final eight.

After cementing his quarterfinal place with a straight-sets defeat of Rafael Nadal, Federer will now play either American Jack Sock or Japanese fourth seed Kei Nishikori in Saturday's semifinals.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bollywood's first take on spin-off's 'Naam Shabana' unfolds the backstory of Shabana from the much loved action spy thriller, 'Baby'.

But, it has an interesting fact attached to it.

According to sources, Neeraj Pandey's 'Naam Shabana' is based on real Shabana, who is an undercover agent.

Director Neeraj Pandey took guidance from a full time consultant, an ex-intelligence officer, who have given full details of the life of a spy in addition to sharing intricate details of their operating, to add depth and realism to Taapsee Pannu's role in the film.

Based out of Lucknow, Shabana exists in real life and has been inculcated in the system after they identified her as a potential agent, much like reel Shabana.

The team of 'Naam Shabana' however, have refrained from using the real life identity of the ex spy and have changed the name of Taapsee's character in the film to Shabana and are taking extra precautions in keeping the identity of the ex-undercover agent under wraps.

The movie is believed to be based on a real life undercover operation conducted in Malaysia.

Written by Neeraj Panday and produced by Plan C Studios, Shivam Nair's directorial 'Naam Shabana' is all set to release on March 31.

The flick stars Taapsee Pannu, Manoj Bajpayee, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Anupam Kher.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, who today read the state budget 2017-18 in the Maharashtra assembly, increased the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 23.08 percent to 25.93 percent.

Following this announcement, the liquor prices have been hiked in Maharashtra.

The Devendra Fadnavis-led government in the 2017-18 budget promoted the push towards promotion of digital transaction besides reducing the VAT on purchase of card swipe machines to nil from 13.5 percent.

However, the agriculture sector was allocated Rs. 8, 233 crore for various irrigation projects for the farmers.

The budget announced agriculture to be the sector for investment with a view to double the productivity of the farmers by 2021.

The state government also allocated Rs. 200 crore for the community of farming and developing clusters for setting up of farmer producing companies with an additional Rs. 50 crore set aside to develop alternate markets for the farmers to sell their produces and to improve storage facilities.

Finance minister Mungantiwar also announced Rs. 8,233 crore for irrigation project in the 2017-18 budget, and said that the govt. aims at doubling the farmers income by 2021.

The govt. also announced Rs. 2,812 crore allotted for 26 projects under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Scheme along with a substantial provision of Rs. 8,233 crore for the Water Resources Department.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Expressing happiness over the news of return of the two Indian Sufi clerics of Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah who went missing in Pakistan, Amir Nizami, son of one of the clerics thanked the Indian Government and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for their efforts in tracing the two.

"We got to know the news circulating in Pakistan media. We also got a call from the Indian government. We would like to thank the Indian government and Sushma Swaraj for their efforts. We would also thank Pakistan media," Nizami told ANI.

Nizami also informed that the phone of the clerics was now ringing, adding that they would be able to talk to them very soon.

The two clerics are set to return to India on March 20, according to Pakistan media reports.

According to Pakistan media reports, two Indian clerics surfaced in Karachi and told that they had gone to meet their devotees in interior Sindh, where there was no phone connectivity.

The clerics identified as Asif Nizami and his friend Nazim Nizami, belong to Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah.

The duo had travelled to Pakistan to visit their relatives in Karachi and then embarked on a pilgrimage to Lahore.

One of them went missing in Karachi and the other in Lahore, reports claimed.

The Indian authorities had raised the issue with the Pakistan Foreign Ministry seeking its help in tracing their missing citizens.

Syed Asif Ali Nizami is the head priest of New Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah.

Meanwhile, a Dargah Committee meeting is underway in Delhi's Nizamuddin regarding the disappearances.

Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that she has taken up the matter to Islamabad officials.

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria also acknowledged that an Indian request seeking assistance for the recovery of two clerics had been received.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Slamming Pakistan over the controversy surrounding missing of two Indian clerics, the defence experts on Saturday said it is Islamabad's responsibility to inform the Indian High Commission about their whereabouts, adding the incident was against the diplomatic protocol.

"There are two speculations, one is that ISI has taken them into custody on some suspicion of them being involved in anti Pakistan activity if that be so then it is incumbent on Pakistan to inform our high commission in Islamabad as to why they have been taken into custody. Second possibility that they could have been kidnapped by somebody if that is so then it is again incumbent on the Pakistani government to locate them," Lieutenant General (Retd.) Raj Kadyan told ANI.

Defence expert Major General (Retd.) P.K. Sehgal also cornered Pakistan, saying that clerics had gone there as pilgrims and to kidnap a guest clearly exposes Pakistan.

"I don't know as to what is the intention of Pakistan behind this but whatever it is doing is absolutely wrong. This kind of behavior of Pakistan is very weird," Sehgal told ANI.

Two Indian Sufi clerics Asif Nizami and Nazim Nizami, who were on a pilgrimage to Pakistan, have gone missing prompting India to take up the matter with Islamabad.

The clerics had gone to Karachi to meet their relatives after which they headed to Lahore to visit the shrines of Sufi saints.

Syed Asif Ali Nizami is the head priest of New Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that she has taken up the matter with Islamabad.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sajid Ali, the son of missing cleric Asif Ali Nizami, on Saturday requested the agencies in Pakistan to free his father, adding the former is innocent and not involved in any unwanted activities.

"I would like to request the agencies in Pakistan to free both of them. They are not involved in any unwanted activities," Ali told media.

He further said his father had all documents and visa that is required to prove him innocent.

Two Indian Sufi clerics Asif Nizami and Nazim Nizami, who were on a pilgrimage to Pakistan, have gone missing prompting India to take up the matter with Islamabad.

The clerics had gone to Karachi to meet their relatives after which they headed to Lahore to visit the shrines of Sufi saints.

Syed Asif Ali Nizami is the head priest of New Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that she has taken up the matter with Islamabad.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Son of Azim Nizami, one of the Indian clerics who went missing in Karachi since Thursday, Sajid Nizami said an acquaintance of his father named, Hammad who went to receive them is also missing.

"Hammad is a local who works at the airport. He is also missing since then. He was an acquaintance of my father. There is no information on the whereabouts of him," Sajid Nizami told ANI.

He added that Hammad was told that Azim is not in a condition to walk therefore Hammad went inside to receive him, but since then he is nowhere to be found.

"We are getting information through news only. We are told that the process is underway to find them by the Foreign Ministry and the Home Ministry," he added.

Two Indian Sufi clerics, who were on a pilgrimage to Pakistan, have gone missing, prompting India to take up the matter with the Pakistani government.

Asif Nizami and Nazim Nizami, had gone to Karachi to meet their relatives after which they headed to Lahore to visit the shrines of Sufi saints.

Syed Asif Ali Nizami is the head priest of New Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that she has taken up the matter with Islamabad.

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria also acknowledged that an Indian request seeking assistance for the recovery of two clerics had been received.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Left-arm orthodox spinner Keshav Maharaj displayed a stupendous display of spin bowling to help South Africa defeat New Zealand by eight wickets on Day Three of the second Test and go one up in the three-match series in Wellington on Saturday.

Chasing a target of 81 runs, the visitors lost the wickets of openers Dean Elgar and Stephen Cook on their respective scores of 17 and 11 respectively.

However, veteran batsman Hashim Amla and Jean-Paul Duminy made sure there were no more hiccups in the chase and steered their side to a comfortable victory.

Amla remained unbeaten on 38 off 61 balls that included 5 cracking fours while Duminy contributed 15 off 16 that saw him striking the final run.

Earlier, Maharaj scalped as many as six wickets in the second innings to bring down the spin-fearing Black Caps lower-middle order on Day Three. The Kiwi batting line-up fell like a pack of cards and were eventually bowled out for 171.

Apart from opener Jeet Raval, who played a gritting knock of 80, none of the New Zealand batters could stay long at the crease and provide stability to the innings.

This was South Africa's fifth win at the Basin Reserve in the seven games they have played so far.

Maharaj's figures of 6 for 40 were sufficient enough to earn him the Man of the Match award.

Morne Morkel picked three wickets for 50 runs while Kagiso Rabada claimed the remaining one.

The two teams will next meet in the final Test beginning March 25 at the Seddon Park, Hamilton.

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Outraged over their omission from the census, the Sikh community of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is planning to stage a protest in the federal capital with protests already under way in different districts of the province.

"Every religion is mentioned in the census form except Sikhism, which is a religion recognised the over, but sadly our government has forgotten us in the most important national event that can change the fate of every Pakistani," The Express Tribune quoted K-P's Pakistan Minorities' Alliance president Radesh Singh Tony as saying.

"If the government can mention Hinduism, Christianity and other religions, then they could have also added Sikhism but they did not," he questioned.

"It is a conspiracy to create a rift between the Sikh community and the government of Pakistan. We will use our right to protest against this act of the government for not giving importance to an important community in the census that can affect our future. We will boycott the census if the government does nothing to safeguard our rights to be counted as equal citizens," he added.

Another member of the Sikh community, Harmeet Singh, said the origin of Sikhism is in Pakistan as Guru Nanak was born here in Punjab.

Sikhs from all over the visit their sacred places located in this country but not mentioning our religion in the religious column of the census form is unjust with thousands of Sikhs living in Pakistan, he added.

The census exercise is taking place after a delay of nine years, as the last population census was conducted in 1998. The data obtained from the census will be used for distribution of the National Assembly seats and division of financial resources.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
CORVALLIS  The Oregon State University Board of Trustees postponed a scheduled vote on a possible tuition increase Friday after a group of 15 people interrupted the meeting to protest the proposal.

The full board was scheduled to take action Friday after the Finance and Administration Committee made a recommendation Thursday to increase tuition 4 percent for resident undergraduates and 2 percent for nonresident undergraduates.

But that action never came. Instead, the board opted to adjourn after the protesters marched into the center of the Horizon Room at the Memorial Union around 12:25 p.m., locked arms and began chanting demands.

As the demonstrators shouted, board members declared a recess, got up and walked out. OSU President Ed Ray sat and listened for several minutes before also walking out.

The protesters continued to chant for nearly an hour after board members left the room. An Oregon State Police trooper was eventually called in to monitor the situation but no attempts were made to arrest the protesters.

The board reconvened at 1:40 p.m.  nearly an hour and 20 minutes later  with the protesters, still in the center of the room, resuming their chants. Chairwoman Pat Reser offered the demonstrators 15 minutes to comment. The group then chanted, Your listening time is not what we call listening time, at which point Reser declared the meeting adjourned and announced that it would be rescheduled for a later date.

They are not listening, they are leaving, the protesters chanted before marching out themselves and chanting, Shame, shame, shame on you.

Steve Clark, a spokesman for OSU, said the university would announce a new meeting date.

A new meeting date will be set. The matters on the agenda will be considered at that time or at a future date, dependent upon the agenda, Clark said. We understand that students are concerned about tuition. Students have the opportunity, as do other members of the public, to address the board in public comment.

The protesters came into the meeting just after two public comment periods in which more than 20 students and staff members asked the board to listen to their stories and reconsider the tuition increase.

The protesters made several demands and chanted, Weve had enough, we will disrupt before inviting those in attendance to join them.

The demands included reducing the financial burdens on students and lower-level staff, holding board meetings at times when students would be able to attend, making employees earning more than $150,000 a year take a voluntary pay cut, halting pay increases for administrators, altering the appointment process and formation of the board, and supporting underfunded departments.

We are escalating our actions today because business as usual is unacceptable, the group chanted in unison. In past attempts to communicate through official channels, our concerns have repeatedly gone unaddressed and unnoted.

Several students joining the demonstration spoke during the public comment portion of the event as well. Many of the protesters were a part of Allied Students for Another Politics. Those joining the demonstration included current and former students and professors. Among those joining in were OSU ethnic studies graduate student Alex Riccio, third-year political science and philosophy major Justin Nielsen, third-year political science major Azeem Hussaini, environmental sciences major David DeHart and OSU botany graduate Rolando Beorchia.

Candalynn Johnson, executive director of government relations with the Associated Students of Oregon State University, OSU's student government, said after the meeting that she sympathized with the protesters.

I think a lot of people sympathize with it, Johnson said, adding that the reason the protesters escalated their tactics is "because they have been going to board meetings and they have been testifying. They felt like testimony wouldnt have changed anything.

Johnson said she also understood the board's decision to adjourn.

They obviously couldnt have talked over the students, Johnson said. I hope they see what happened as an act of desperation and feeling silenced.

Joshua Kaufman, speaker of the house for ASOSU, said he was disappointed with the results Friday.

I think (the protesters) have good intentions, but I also think this had been moving in a positive direction and I think our testimony did make a difference, Kaufman said. For them to come in after a group of students just spoke and say they werent listening to students made me wonder where they were when the board listened to students for the last hour.

Kaufman said three years ago he attended tuition meetings that were held over spring break and noted that the board had come a long way since then to accommodate and listen to students. He noted that the finance committee originally considered a tuition hike of around 12 percent and that committee members reduced the recommendation as a result of listening to students.

I think this was moving in the right direction and I think this disruption came at the wrong time, Kaufman said. After all of these progressive steps have happened, to come in (and) disrupt the meeting and make it so they cant vote just seems silly and almost counterproductive to me.

Johnson agreed that the board had become more inclusive, but the protest highlighted the need for more inclusion.

I do think there have been improvements. But the fact of the matter is that a lot of students dont think its enough, she said. Why isnt the administration sending out emails to students notifying them of these things? Yes, there are improvements. But I dont think its nearly enough. If you want students to not disrupt meetings, you need to educate students about whats happening and include them more.
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Trivendra Singh Rawat will take oath as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand today.

Rawat, who will be administered oath of office and secrecy by Governor Krishna Kant Paul at the Parade Ground at 3 p.m. here, will succeed Congress leader Harish Rawat to become the eighth Chief Minister of the hill state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah are among the several dignitaries who will attend the swearing-in ceremony.

Rawat was unanimously elected the leader of BJP legislative party yesterday.

The former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh(RSS) Pracharak assured that he would provide a corruption-free government to Uttarakhand and would work for the upliftment of the poor.

A BJP loyalist, Rawat guided the saffron party to electoral victory in Jharkhand assembly elections in 2014.

In the recently-concluded assembly polls, the BJP won with a clear majority with 57 seats in the 70-member Uttarakhand Assembly, thereby ousting the Congress that managed to win just 11 seats this time.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
United States President Donald Trump took to twitter to express his rant against the media, stating that despite its 'fake news' reports, his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel was 'GREAT'.

"Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS, I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Nevertheless, Germany owes......vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!" Trump tweeted.

It's a well known fact that Trump has never shied away from a handshake when it comes to greeting international leaders and the "death-grip" memes galore are proof to that, however, German Chancellor Merkel had a sticky moment with the U.S. President as besides not shaking her hand, he barely even made eye contact with her during the customary photo-op.

In a photo op after their Oval Office meeting, the two leaders sat next to each other in separate chairs. Merkel could be seen leaning towards Trump, who sat with his hands firmly locked between his knees, a very 'un-Trump' like gesture.

Merkel then appeared to ask the President if he wanted to shake hands, which is customary in photo ops, but Trump simply did not respond. He barely even looked at his German counterpart while quickly answering a few questions from the press.

By contrast, the President did shake hands with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when they recently visited him in the Oval Office, which incidentally did provide great fodder to memesters.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The tense ties between U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel were highlighted during their first face-to-face meeting, as both leaders could barely manage to keep their fundamental differences in policy and style under wraps.

Even though Merkel said she was "gratified" that the President pledged support for NATO and Trump insisting that he is a believer in free trade, their friction in opinion and believe could be seen, reports the Guardian.

In her remarks, Merkel also referred to past tensions with Trump, as she seeks to build a new relationship with the third US president she has encountered as German Chancellor.

Addressing the media through an interpreter, Merkel said, "It's always better to talk to one another than about one another," and defend her stance on refugees, to which Trump had taken a harsh stand during his presidential campaign.

Throughout his campaign, the US president had criticised the German leader's handling of the refugee crisis, saying her behaviour was "insane" and that she was "ruining Germany".

His backing for the Nato alliance, came with cautions. "I reiterated to Chancellor Merkel my strong support for Nato as well as the need for our Nato allies to pay their fair share for the cost of defence. Many nations owe vast sums of money from past years and it is very unfair to the United States. These nations must pay what they owe."

Business and trade were already a sore point of discussion for both nations as Trump had previously warned German car companies that he would impose a border tax of 35 percent on vehicles imported to the US market.

A German journalist challenged Trump over his potential to weaken the EU and his criticism of "fake news" in the media, to which Trump said sarcastically, "Nice, friendly reporter."

"First of all, I don't believe in an isolationist policy. But I also believe a policy of trade should be a fair policy and the United States has been treated very, very unfairly by many countries over the years, and that's going to stop. But I'm not an isolationist. I'm a free trader but I'm also a fair trader," he said.

Careful in her words and choosing to not openly disagree, Merkel said, "I believe globalisation ought to be shaped in an open-minded way but also in a fair way. Freedom of movement within the European Union, for example, is a very important element of our economic progress, of peace, has been for many decades."

Asserting that immigration and integration "have to be worked on" Merkel said that refugees should be given the opportunity to "shape their lives where they are", adding that these were issues that she and Trump had an "exchange of views" about.

When yet another German journalist asked Trump if he ever regretted certain tweets accusing his predecessor Barack Obama of wiretapping him, he replies saying, "Very seldom. I can get around the media when the media doesn't tell the truth."

Then taking a jesting note, he turned to Merkel saying, "This past administration, at least we have something in common perhaps," which provoked some laughter in the East Room of the White House, but none from the Chancellor whatsoever.

Trump's joke was in reference to the alleged tapping of Merkel's phone by the US National Security Agency - an incident that was reported to have infuriated Merkel when it came to light in 2013.

But the development which caught the by storm is the awkward moment in the Oval Office before the press conference when the two leaders sat for photographers, who shouted a request for them to shake hands.

Merkel turned to Trump and asked: "Do you want to have a handshake?" The president ignored her and kept looking straight ahead, his hands clasped together. Merkel looked at the photographers with a half-smile, half-grimace.

By contrast, the President did shake hands with British Prime Minister Theresa May, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when they recently visited him in the Oval Office.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two Indian Sufi clerics of Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, who went missing in Pakistan have reached Karachi, are all set to return to India on March 20.

According to local media reports, two Indian clerics surfaced in Karachi and told that they had gone to meet their devotees in interior Sindh, where there was no phone connectivity.

The clerics identified as Asif Nizami and his friend Nazim Nizami, belonged to Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah.

The duo had travelled to Pakistan to visit their relatives in Karachi and, then, embarked on a pilgrimage to Lahore.

One of them went missing in Karachi and the other in Lahore, reports claimed.

The Indian authorities had raised the issue with the Pakistan Foreign Ministry sought its help in tracing their missing citizens.

Syed Asif Ali Nizami is the head priest of New Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah.

Meanwhile, a Dargah Committee meeting is underway in Delhi's Nizamuddin regarding the disappearances.

Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that she has taken up the matter with Islamabad.

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria also acknowledged that an Indian request seeking assistance for the recovery of two clerics had been received.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
While expressing disappointment over justice still a dream for many in the country, Chief Justice of India J. S. Khehar on Saturday said expeditious disposal of cases is the need of the hour, adding that the voiceless and vulnerable must not be denied legal aid and services.

"No accused should remain unrepresented and legal aid should be given to everyone as and when required," CJI Khehar said while addressing the 15th All India Meet of State Legal Services Authorities here.

CJI Khehar further said that procedures should be less in the cases to ensure their earliest disposal.

He said the judiciary should make sure that cases are not closed with acquittal of an accused.

Expressing disappointment over the guilty getting a free hand in many cases, CJI Khehar said, "Ours is a strange country, the bigger the criminal the bigger the outreach."

"Never seen before a terror convict who failed up to the Supreme Court and in his review can get access to justice in the manner we extended," he added.

CJI Khehar further said that such things make him think about the victim and his family who lost its breadwinner.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Law and Justice P. P. Chaudhary pitched for providing justice to the poor as well as strengthening the judicial system in the country.

"Legal services across the country should be upgraded. There is a need for more courts as several cases are pending for quick disposal," Justice Chaudhary said.

Calling for legal awareness among people, the minister said the legal authorities should conduct seminars and conferences in this regard to inform the people about their legal rights.

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The White House has flatly denied all reports suggesting that the United States tendered an apology to the British government over a report alleging that a UK intelligence agency spied on President Donald Trump, at the behest of his predecessor Barack Obama.

Earlier in the day, however, a senior administration official told CNN that White House press secretary Sean Spicer and national security adviser H.R. McMaster offered what amounted to an apology to the British government for Spicer's comments on Thursday, when he cited a report stating that the said British intelligence helped wiretap Trump Tower during the 2016 campaign.

When asked if there was an apology by the administration to the British government over the matter, Spicer replied, "No, we were just passing on news reports."

Earlier, a spokesman for UK Prime Minister Theresa May said senior UK officials had protested to the Trump administration after the claims were repeated by Spicer.

"We've made clear to the US administration that these claims are ridiculous and should be ignored. We've received assurances that these allegations won't be repeated," May's spokesman said.

Spicer had read out allegations that the UK intelligence agency GCHQ had spied on Trump.

"Judge Andrew Napolitano made the following statement, quote, 'Three intelligence sources have informed Fox News that President Obama went outside the chain of command (to spy on Trump). He didn't use the NSA, he didn't use the CIA ... he used GCHQ,'" Spicer told journalists.

However, GCHQ said the claim was "nonsense" and should be ignored.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
West Bengal's opposition parties on Saturday protested on the streets and also inside the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) demanding resignation of the ministers, MPs and lawmakers of Trinamool Congress whose names figure in the Narada sting footage.

A day after the Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI probe into the Narada sting operation case, slogan-shouting Congress and Left Front councillors demanded the resignation of Mayor Sovan Chatterjee and tried to prevent him from presenting the civic body's annual budget.

As the opposition councillors tried to move towards the Mayor, the Trinamool councillors stopped them, leading to a scuffle between the two groups.

"The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has been disgraced. A person whose name figures in an allegation of bribery which is being probed by the CBI is not fit to place the budget of such an august organisation. But when we tried to prevent him (the Mayor) from placing the budget, we were physically assaulted.

"So, all opposition councillors boycotted his budget speech. We want that all those who are involved should be punished," said Congress Councillor Prakash Upadhyay.

Chatterjee later said the opposition's behaviour reflected their culture.

"They could not stop us from presenting the budget. We read the entire budget. They should have listened to it. We are here because we have the mandate of the people," he said.

Led by its state General Secretary Om Prakash Mishra, the Congress took out a rally from Hazra crossing to Shakespeare Sarani, demanding the resignation all ministers seen taking money in the video footage.

Youth Congress activists staged a demonstration outside the gate of the Raj Bhavan.

"Remove all ministers tainted by the Narada scam," said posters and festoons carried by the Youth Congress workers.

The CPI-M took out rallies in several localities of the city and districts on the issue.

The Calcutta High Court on Friday ordered a CBI preliminary inquiry into the Narada footage case, and asked the CBI to take possession of all devices used for the sting operation in 24 hours. It also directed the central agency to finish the preliminary inquiry within 72 hours and thereafter register an FIR depending on the inquiry findings.

Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has described the order as "unfortunate" and said it would be challenged in the Supreme Court.

The controversy erupted in March last year when Narada News portal uploaded a series of video footage, purportedly showing a number of high-profile Trinamool leaders, including former and present ministers, MPs and state lawmakers, receiving money in exchange of favours to a fictitious company.

The Narada News footage became a big issue during the 2016 West Bengal assembly polls, but the Trinamool Congress managed to retain power despite a vigorous anti-corruption campaign by the Opposition.

Soon after, in June, Banerjee ordered a probe headed by the city Police Commissioner to find out the "conspiracy" angle to the sting.

Police booked Narada News CEO Mathew Samuel, who had conducted the sting, on several charges and issued him summons for personal appearance.

However, in August, the Calcutta High Court ordered an interim stay on the police probe.

--IANS

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Fired US Attorney Preet Bharara was investigating a key member of President Donald Trumps cabinet, a new report has revealed.

Bharara was looking into allegations that Tom Price, the Health and Human Services Secretary and the administration's point man on efforts to repeal and replace ObamaCare, improperly traded healthcare stocks while he was a member of the House of Representatives, New York Post reported on Friday.

Price maintained that he broke no laws when he traded healthcare stocks even as he was involved in legislation relevant to the healthcare sector.

He traded over $300,000 worth of shares of relevant companies during a four-year period in the House, the report said.

The issue played a significant role in Price's confirmation process, and he was asked about it numerous times during his Senate hearing.

The revelation that Bharara was investigating Price comes as many were surprised the US attorney from the Southern District of New York was not retained by the Trump administration.

The then-President-elect had met with Bharara after the election and during the transition period, Trump had reportedly asked him to stay on during his administration.

But last week, Attorney General Jeff Sessions notified all leftover federal prosecutors appointed by President Barack Obama would be let go.

Bharara, however, refused to go and was fired by the Trump administration, the Post said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Information Technology major Cognizant Technology Solutions may not vastly differ this year from its regular annual lay off numbers post completion of employee appraisals, said company sources.

Rumours abound about a spike in the employee see-off numbers this year contrary to the annual one to two per cent, sources said on Saturday.

The company's workforce number stood at around 260,000 as on December 2016 with the majority of them in India.

"Post appraisals it is normal that the company asks some to leave based on their performance rating. It happens every year. This year it seems this aspect has got media attention and the percentage seems to be inflated," a long-term employee of the company told IANS on the condition anonymity.

"The managers have not been told to warn their team members about their impending exits," he added.

"As part of our workforce management strategy, we conduct regular performance reviews to ensure we have the right employee skillsets necessary to meet client needs and achieve our business goals," a Cognizant spokesperson said.

"This process results in changes, including some employees transitioning out of the company. Any actions as the result of this process are performance-based and generally consistent with those we've made in previous years," the spokesperson added.

According to him, in any given year, the layoff numbers may bounce a percentage here or there, but this is part of standard practice.

"At the same time, we continue to enhance our capabilities and hire for roles across all our practice areas in the company," he said.

He said the layoff numbers would be clear only when the appraisal process gets completed by the end of this month.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Some districts in Haryana, adjoining national capital Delhi, were put on alert on Saturday ahead of the protests planned on March 20 by the Jat community outside parliament.

Authorities imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Cr. PC on Saturday to check the movement of Jat community protesters towards New Delhi.

The district administration in Jhajjar, Hisar and Rohtak imposed the prohibitory orders on Saturday, a state government official said here.

In Jhajjar district, authorities have restricted the use of Internet and social media platforms.

The Haryana Police and civil authorities have been directed to ensure that Jat protesters are not allowed to move towards Delhi on tractor-trolleys.

Fuel pump owners have been asked not to sell more than 10 litres of diesel to tractor-trolleys till March 21.

Police and civil officers in the districts held meetings with officers of para-military forces ahead of the Jat protest moving to Delhi.

Accusing the BJP government in Haryana of hatching a "conspiracy" to weaken their agitation, the Jat community on Friday said they will continue with their protests across the state and will also lay siege to the national capital on March 20.

Talks between top Jat leaders and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, which were scheduled to be held in New Delhi on Friday, could not be held.

Jat leaders accused Khattar and his government of going back on assurances made to the Jat community on Thursday and earlier.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar blamed the Jat leaders for backing out of talks and that he was ready to meet any leaders.

Jat leader Yashpal Malik told the media in Rohtak town, 70 km from Delhi, on Friday that the BJP government had hatched a conspiracy to weaken the Jat agitation by misleading the Jats.

He said Khattar left Delhi on Friday for Chandigarh without meeting the Jat leaders.

The meeting had been announced by the seniormost minister in the Haryana government, Ram Bilas Sharma, in Panipat on Thursday.

The Jat agitation, which began on January 29, completed 49 days on Saturday.

The Jat leaders were earlier in talks with a five-member panel of senior government officers but the talks had remained inconclusive.

The All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) had earlier announced that the community would intensify its agitation by taking their protest to Delhi on March 20.

The Jat leaders said that they would gherao entry points of Delhi from seven sides and protest at the Parliament complex.

Talks between the state government and the Jat leaders hit a roadblock last month as the Haryana government made it clear that it has no jurisdiction to withdraw cases being investigated by the CBI against some Jat leaders over violence during the agitation last year.

Khattar accused the Jat leaders of changing goalposts.

Their demands include reservation for Jats, jobs to the next of kin of those killed in violence in the Jat agitation last year, compensation to those injured, withdrawal of cases against them and action against the officers, who ordered action against the Jats, among others.

Violence during the agitation last year had left 30 people dead and over 200 injured. Government and private property worth hundreds of crores of rupees was damaged during the violence in February 2016.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Haryana Agriculture Minister Om Prakash Dhankhar on Saturday urged people to have 'ghee' and milk of desi cows to look slim and fit as Bollywood stars.

Dhankhar, addressing a two-day second Agri Leadership Summit being organised at Surajkund here, said the milk of 'Rathi' breed of cows was being used by Bollywood stars on a large-scale.

Dhankhar urged the farmers from Haryana to adopt modern and more cash-oriented methods and adopt cash crop farming.

He urged the farmers in Haryana to target the milk and ghee market in Delhi and the national capital region (NCR).

He also said people of Haryana should keep one more buffalo in their house to increase the state's milk production.

He said Haryana currently has 21 lakh buffaloes which should be doubled so that Haryana could lead the country in milk production.

There would be 18 seminars during the two-day summit in which experts from various fields will share their views and experiences.

The Haryana government launched pasteurised milk of desi cows in July last year through the Haryana Dairy Development Cooperative Federation Ltd which markets its products under the "Vita" brand.

--IANS

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A 33-year-old man trying to rescue an alleged abducted woman was beaten and drowned in a stream in a north Kashmir village on Saturday, police said here.

A police officer said a resident of Rafiabad in Baramulla district had filed a complaint that his wife, mother of two, was kidnapped by a person belonging to the Uri border town.

A police team went to search for the woman and took along two civilians from the complainant's family to identify her.

However, a mob assisting the accused attacked the policemen and "held one of the two civilians as hostage", said the police officer.

"The hostaged civilian was severely beaten and thrown into a stream from where his dead body was recovered," he said.

The deceased was identified as Bashir Ahmad.

--IANS

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Marking the 31st anniversary of the first recorded farmer's suicide on March 19, 1986, lakhs of farmers in Maharashtra will observe a one-day 'fast' on Sunday, an activist said here on Saturday.

"It was exactly 31 years ago that a farmer, Sahebrao Karpe and his entire family comprising wife and four minor children, ended their lives owing to unpaid farm debts. It is the first recorded farmland suicide in the state which took place in Cheelgavhan village in Yavatmal," Kisanputra Andolan leader Amar Habib told IANS.

At that time, renowned farmers leader and Shetkari Sanghatana founder, late Sharad Joshi had visited the village and warned that unless the government acted urgently, farmland suicides would become a norm in the state and country.

"Since the death of Karpe and his family, farmland suicides have not stopped with an average of nine debt-hit farmers ending their lives daily. In 31 years, Maharashtra has recorded over 67,000 farmers' suicides, including women and youth," Habib said.

Sunday's spontaneous statewide agitation would serve to highlight the plight of the farming community in the state and other parts of the country besides sensitising the government on the need to take urgent measures to ease their sufferings, he said.

Habib would lead the agitation in Yavatmal, while several thousands of farmers in Vidarbha, Northern Maharashtra, Western Maharashtra and Marathwada will join the day-long 'fast' in their villages, talukas and district headquarters.

Farmers, who have migrated to Mumbai in search of (non-farming) jobs and other major cities like Pune and Nagpur shall also join Sunday's agitation which has secured support from all the major political and non-political organisations, NGOs, grassroots activists and individuals across the state, he added.

However, the farmers of the coastal Konkan belt districts of Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg will not participate since they are not solely dependent on farming for their survival, but engage in tourism, fishing, or employment in Mumbai or Thane.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
This quiet town, situated at the tip of a narrow peninsula abutting the Atlantic Ocean and part of the Western Sahara, is buzzing with sudden activity with over 1,000 delegates from across the world descending on it for a forum to deliberate on development in Africa and South-South cooperation.

With the blue expanse of the Atlantic as a perfect backdrop, Dakhla, known as a destination for kitsurfing and windsurfing, is witnessing a gathering of ministers and senior government officials from several African countries and from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), besides delegates from Asian and other regions for the five-day Crans Montana Forum (CMF).

The March 16-21 event is being held for the third time in a row in Dakhla, which has a population of just over 100,000 spread out on the flat expanse of the Western Sahara in the Maghreb region of northern Africa.

Hosted by Moroccan King Mohammed VI, the theme of the event is "Towards a New Africa for the 21st Century - Stability, Cohesion and Solidarity for a Sustainable Development".

With Morocco joining the African Union in January this year and the kingdom eager to play a leadership role in the continent, the forum has the underlying theme of "The Structuring Role of Morocco in Africa".

The formal inauguration on Friday of the event, held in a large convention hall, saw a message by the King read out by the President of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, Ynja Khattat.

Referring to his country's return to the African Union, more than three decades after it quit over the issue of Western Sahara, whose separatist movement was once supported by many African countries, including Algeria, the King said Morocco will be at the forefront of contributing to serving Africa's interests and "consolidating its peoples' unity and cohesion".

But, he added: "Morocco will not, however, give up defending its lofty interests, particularly its national unity and territorial integrity."

He said "The Moroccan Sahara region, and Dakhla in particular", play a special role and "as a historic platform connecting Morocco to Africa" and of his country's push to turn it into a hub to promote communication with other African states.

US civil rights activist Jesse Jackson, addressing the inauguration, was critical of the "tendency towards isolationism" in the world and referred to the BRICS -- Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa -- forum as an example of cooperation between countries.

The Forum, over the next few days, will discuss food security and sustainable agriculture, public health, renewable energies, migration to Europe, and women's participation in the economic and political spheres.

The Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region is one of the 12 regions of Morocco and Dakhla is considered by Morocco to be the "pearl" of the southern provinces.

With Morocco's re-admission, the African Union now comprises all 55 countries of the continent.

Morocco has launched a number of infrastructure projects in the Western Sahara -- whose sovereignty is disputed by neighbour Algeria which supports the region's independence or autonomy -- part of an $8 billion development plan designed to "make the Moroccan Sahara a hub for communication and exchange with sub-Saharan African countries". The projects include new ports, fish markets, desalinisation and fertiliser plants, and road infrastructure improvements.

(Ranjana Narayan is in Dakhla on the invitation of the Crans Montana Forum on Africa and South-South Cooperation. She can be reached at ranjana.n@ians.in)

--IANS

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Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Saturday expressed interest in teaching and said in the coming days he along with his wife, Nita Ambani, will get involved in education.

"Until my father brought me into Reliance I was pretty sure that I wanted to study in a US university, hopefully a little bit of time either work at the World Bank or teach as a professor," he said at an interactive session at the India Today Conclave here.

"So with my wife being a teacher, she is now saying that it is high time that you teach. Both of us will be involved in the education in the coming years, that is something that we want to do more for our own satisfaction than anything else," he added.

--IANS

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The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Saturday announced that metro services outside Delhi will be suspended from Sunday night till further notice in view of Jat groups threatening to intensify their agitation from Monday.

Twelve metro stations in central Delhi will also be shut from 8 p.m. onwards, however interchange facility will be available at all interchange stations, a DMRC official said.

In an advisory, the DMRC said that metro services will not be available at all metro stations outside Delhi -- Guru Dronacharya to Huda City Centre, Kaushambi to Vaishali, Noida Sector-15 to Noida City Centre and Sarai to Escorts Mujeswar -- from 11.30 p.m. on Sunday (March 19) till further instructions from the Delhi Police.

Metro Stations Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhavan, Lok Kalyan Marg, Janpath, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, R.K. Ashram Marg, Pragati Maidan, Khan Market and Shivaji Stadium will be shut for the public from 8 p.m. onwards on Sunday.

Jat groups have announced to hold a massive protest outside Parliament House here on March 20.

The Jat groups are demanding reservation for the community in government jobs and educational institutions, jobs to the next of kin of those killed during the Jat agitation last year, compensation to those injured, withdrawal of cases against them and action against the officers who ordered action against the Jats, among others.

Violence during the Jat agitation in February 2016 had left 30 people dead and over 200 injured. Besides, government and private property worth crores of rupees was damaged.

--IANS

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A man has been shot and killed by security forces after attempting to seize a soldiers gun at Orly airport in Paris on Saturday morning, a media report said.

A soldier fired at the man who was then detained by security forces, as the police did a sweep of the airport in search of potential accomplices or explosives, reported the Mirror.

The man was later pronounced dead, France's BFM TV reported.

Parts of the airport were evacuated and passengers were not allowed to disembark after witnesses reported hearing shots.

Passengers wrote on Twitter that they had heard gunshots in the south terminal on Saturday morning and police were carrying out a security operation as they were told to flee.

A police spokesman wrote on Twitter: "Ongoing police operation. Do not cross the security perimeter, follow the instructions."

Passengers who were scheduled to catch flights later in the day were told not to come to the airport.

The incident, which happened at the "South" terminal, revived memories of a machete attack on soldiers at the Louvre museum in February.

The attacker, a 29-year-old Egyptian, was shot by a soldier. The identity of the man was unknown.

--IANS

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Prohibitory orders banning the assembly of five or more persons have been in this suburb of the national capital in view of a court likely to pronounce sentence on those convicted for the violence at a Maruti Suzuki plant in Manesar that left a senior officer dead and several others injured.

The decision to impose Section 144 of the Code for Criminal Procedure in Gurugram district with immediate effect and till May 14 also comes in the wake of plans of Jat protesters from Haryana to take their stir to Delhi on March 20.

The district administration is prepared to meet all eventualities, an official said on Saturday.

The violence on July 18, 2012, on Maruti Suzuki India's Manesar plant near here had left the company's Human Resource Department General Manager Ashwin Kumar Dev dead and over 50 persons injured. Several policemen were also injured in the fracas.

As per orders issued by District Magistrate Hardeep Singh, all unlawful activities, blocking of roads, passages, railway tracks, water channels, power houses etc. by agitators have been banned.

Carrying of firearms, batons and sharp-edged weapons of offence that are likely to cause obstruction in maintenance of peace and tranquility has also been prohibited.

Any person contravening the order is liable for punishment under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.

The orders will not apply to police force and other public servants on duty for maintenance of law and order.

A senior district official said that during February 2016 agitation by the Jats, Gurugram district remained peaceful even as violence was reported from other districts.

At that time, the borders of Gurgaon district along Jhajjar district and Kapashera area in Delhi were sealed.

--IANS

pradeep/tsb/vm

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The man shot dead after attempting to steal a soldier's gun at Paris Orly Airport on Saturday was a "radicalised Muslim" known to security services and was also involved in another shooting incident hours earlier in the day, French authorities said.

Security forces opened fire, killing him during the attack at the airport, the Telegraph reported.

The attacker assaulted a patrol of three soldiers including a woman, who he wrestled to the ground as he tried to grab her weapon at the airport, French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said.

Two other soldiers then opened fire "to protect her" and the public at the airport.

French Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux said at a press conference that the man was known to the police and intelligence services.

The man had earlier fled the suburb of Stains on Saturday in a car stolen from a woman at gunpoint after opening fire on officers, injuring one, during an identity check.

The car was later found abandoned. According to one report, it contained a bloodstained T-shirt.

Meanwhile, Paris Orly Airport was evacuated while it was searched by bomb disposal squads. No explosives were found, said the report. An investigation was underway while the airport remains under maximum security alert.

Some 3,000 people were escorted out of the airport terminals. Passengers in planes that had landed before the shooting were being kept aboard the aircraft until the airport was declared secure, said the officials.

The CEO of Operator said Orly's south terminal, where the incident occurred, may remain closed until Saturday night. The airport's west terminal may reopen soon.

This was the fourth attack against security forces deployed as part of France's Operation Sentinel, said the French defence minister. The national security operation was launched following the Paris terror attacks in January 2015.

The French interior minister praised the swift response of security forces at the airport.

The incident came as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Catherine Middleton, were in Paris to meet survivors of the Bataclan attacks.

The airport, the second largest serving the French capital, is about 20 miles from the central Paris residence of the British ambassador where the royal couple are staying, the Telegraph report said.

The couple, who began a two-day visit to Paris on Friday, were to attend a France-Wales rugby match later on Saturday as well as meeting victims of the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks at the Invalides military museum complex in the centre of the capital.

A police spokesman said they were being closely guarded.

France remains under a state of emergency declared after the 2015 attacks. Armed police and soldiers routinely patrol the streets of Paris, airports and railway stations.

The soldier whose gun was seized by the unidentified man at Orly Airport was part of a special counter-terrorism patrol.

The airport incident revived memories of a machete attack on soldiers at the Louvre museum in February. The attacker, a 29-year-old Egyptian, was shot by a soldier.
Twitter on Saturday was flooded with posts paying tribute to Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott, who died on the island of Saint Lucia at 87.

The Saint Lucia government and the Nobel Prize academy were among others which, via twitter, paid tribute to the writer.

The Office of the Governor General of Saint Lucia, in an official statement, confirmed that Walcott died at his house in Cap Estate on Friday morning.

"Derek Walcott was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature 1992 'for a poetic oeuvre of great luminosity, sustained by a historical vision, the outcome of a multicultural commitment'," the Nobel Prize team wrote in its official website.

The Saint Lucia government paid tribute to the poet and tweeted: "St. Lucian poet, playwright, and Nobel Laureate, Sir Derek Alton Walcott, has passed. Sir Derek was 87 years old."

Saint Lucia Prime Minister Chastanet, in a brief address, said that Derek was an icon and offered condolences to his family.

"When everyone speaks of excellence, the two names that stand tall in Saint Lucia's history are Sir Arthur Lewis, and Sir Derek Walcott. As such, today is a historical day, as it marks the passing of Sir Derek," Chastanet said.

"His is a household name, as he made himself so available and participated in many national and local events in Saint Lucia. It has become customary for all of us to see Sir Derek, and to know that he was here all the time. There is one thing that Derek truly was a Caribbean patron. He was always very consistent about being Caribbean, and being original."

Ava DuVernay, an American director and screenwriter, tweeted: "For poets, it is always morning in the world. The fate of poetry is to fall in love with the world -- in spite of history -- Derek Walcott."

Twitter handler Olivia Hope posted Walcott's poem "Love after love" and said: "Walcott has died. This is a wonderful poem about being kind to yourself."

Another handler Nayyirah Waheed condoled the death and prayed that Walcott may rest in peace.

Victoria MacCallum in his twitter account, said: "The writer of one of my favourite poems, which is stuck on my bedroom mirror and I read most days, died."

Walcott was born in Saint Lucia in 1930.

--IANS

akk/sm/sac

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Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up the recent killings of Indians in the United States with the US authorities.

In a letter to Modi, the Chief Minister said the killings had shaken the confidence of families of Indians working in the US.

"It has also been noticed that hate crimes against Indians have increased," Rao wrote.

He referred to the killings of Hyderabad's aeronautical engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Warangal's software engineer Vamshi Reddy Mamidala last month.

Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and his friend Alok Madasani injured when Adam W. Purinton, who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them in Olathe, Kansas state, on February 23.

Mamidala was shot dead in Milpitas, California, on February 10 in a garage in his apartment building.

--IANS

ms/tsb/bg

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US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrived here on Saturday and is set to discuss a new strategy to deal with North Korea with top Chinese officials.

Tillerson, the first member of US President Donald Trump's cabinet to visit the Asian giant, arrived in Beijing following a visit to South Korea and Japan, where he emphasised the need to change Washington's approach to Pyongyang and asserted that "all options are on the table", Efe news reported

The US Secretary of State, upon his arrival, met his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

"We attach great importance to your visit," Xinhua news agency quoted Wang as saying.

Tillerson is slated to meet State Councillor Yang Jiechi at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse for foreign leaders in Beijing later in the day.

Tillerson will conclude his visit on Sunday with a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In both South Korea and Japan, Tillerson advocated a new plan to counter the military developments of the North Korean regime following its latest weapons tests but did not offer further details.

He also stressed he will seek to involve China, North Korea's only ally, in this new plan and ask the Asian country to step up pressure on Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear program.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday that China is open to talks on the new plan provided it leads to a reduction in tension on the Korean peninsula and its denuclearisation.

Tillerson is also expected to finalise, in his meetings with the Chinese leaders, plans for an upcoming meeting between Xi and and Trump.

--IANS

ksk/sac

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A total of 740 Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) suspects were detained in last three days' 36 simultaneous operations, Turkey's Interior Ministry said on Saturday.

The ministry said in a written statement that the operations aimed at PKK's restructuring efforts ahead of summer, Xinhua reported.

During the operation, an AK-47 automatic rifle, four guns, 14 rifles and ammunition were seized, as well as numerous documents and supplies.

In previous operations against the PKK in February, 259 suspects were detained, and 39 were remanded in custody.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the EU, resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015.

--IANS

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Two Indian clerics who went missing in Pakistan have been found, Sindh Police officials told the local media on Saturday.

The two clerics of Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah were reportedly found in a remote village of Sindh province with no mobile connectivity.

Both were sent to Karachi, from where they will be deported to India on March 20.

Syed Asif Ali Nizami, 80, and his nephew Nazim Ali Nizami, were visiting Data Darbar in Lahore when they went missing on Wednesday.

However, reports of their recovery emerged after Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke to Pakistan Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz.

"I spoke to Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan prime minister's adviser on foreign affairs, regarding the missing Indian nationals Syed Asif Ali Nizami and Nazim Ali Nizami of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah. He assured me of all help in tracing the missing clerics," Swaraj tweeted.

Separately, local media reports, citing unnamed sources, said both the clerics were recovered from Karachi's Nazimabad neighbourhood, apparently the religious figures had been to "(rural) Sindh to meet their followers, where there was no communication network", which is why they could not inform their relatives about their whereabouts.

--IANS

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Final Rajya Sabha term for Yechury



Nine Rajya Sabha members retire in August. They include Congress Ahmed Patel, Trinamool Congress member Derek OBrien and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) chief Sitaram Yechury. While Yechury could have returned to the House with the support of Congress legislators in West Bengal, the CPI-M bars its leaders from being a member of the Upper House for more than two terms. This is Yechurys second term. OBrien and Patel are likely to be sent back to the Rajya Sabha by their respective parties.
It was at a cosy dinner on a summer evening at the Gujarat chief ministers bungalow in Gandhinagar that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is said to have asked Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members in the state to ensure victory for the party in 150 seats in the Assembly elections later this year.
In late 2014, addressing an event of the Hindu Yuva Vahini at Jhandewalan in New Delhi, implored the gathering  attended mostly by young men  to launch a reverse love jihad. He said if Muslims married Hindu girls to convert them, Hindu men should also marry Muslim girls.

The yogi, named on Saturday to become the next chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, also said if there was any trouble, he would provide them support, just as he did to Hindu young men in Gorakhpur.

Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was once described as the mukhauta, or the mask, of the Sangh Parivar; Prime Minister Narendra Modi reinvented himself from his image of a Hindu hridaya samrat, or the emperor of Hindu hearts, to a vikas purush or the man of development. The saffron clad 44-year-old is the brazen face of aggressive Hindutva.

The head priest of Gorakhnath temple is never defensive about his brand of Hindutva. In Gorakhpur, he has taken up causes such as conversion of Christians and Muslims to Hinduism, and cow protection. Adityanath has even been briefly jailed for allegedly inciting violence during the Gorakhpur communal riots in 2007.

But he remains enormously popular among his supporters. A five-time Member of Parliament of Lok Sabha from Gorakhpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath was first elected in 1998 at the age of 26 and has never lost an election.

In Parliament, Adityanath has earlier moved a private members Bill for amending Article 1 of the Constitution to replace the word India with Hindusthan. The Bill argues that Article 1 should read Bharat, that is Hindustan and not India, that is Bharat

In Gorakhpur, a town on the India-Nepal border, Adityanath is a revered figure.

Each morning, he meets his constituents and sundry petitioners on the premises of Gorakhnath Mutt. The petitioners could range from a poor peasant wanting financial assistance to a mid-level bureaucrat in need of a transfer. All approach him and touch his feet, including government servants and police personnel.









In his speeches, Adityanath frequently boasts that professors of universities and bureaucrats come to him for help because they are being terrorised by a particular community or their daughters are in love with a man from a minority community. He claims to quickly solve such cases.

Adityanath is a Rajput from Garhwal in Uttarakhand. He is unmarried, always wears saffron robes, including matching socks, and thick earrings. Of late, Adityanath has also taken to wearing dark glasses when outdoors in daytime.

After the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, BJP chief Amit Shah made Adityanath the in-charge of by-polls in 10 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh that took place later that year. At least for a year now, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has wanted him to be declared the BJPs chief ministerial candidate, but the party leadership thought this could lead to infighting.

While Adityanath might be an upper caste Thakur, the Gorakhnath Mutt is frequented mostly by Other Backward Classes, which has always helped him garner support from across the caste spectrum in Gorakhpur.

Such is his popularity that in the recently concluded Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP leadership was jittery that Adityanath might field independent candidates to ensure the defeat of official party candidates since some of his recommendations in distribution of tickets were not met.

The party leadership reached out to him, provided him a helicopter to tour the state and address public meetings. On Sunday, he will be sworn-in as the states chief minister.
The two missing of Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah are in custody of Pakistan's intelligence agency over their alleged links with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), official sources said on Saturday.

Syed Asif Nizami and his nephew Nazim Nizami were offloaded from Karachi-bound Shaheen Airlines on March 14 at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, they said.

"The personnel of an intelligence took both the clerics into custody after getting them offloaded and shifted them to an undisclosed location for investigation," the sources told PTI on condition of anonymity.

They further said both clerics have been detained for their alleged link with MQM of Altaf Hussain.

"They are being interrogated for their alleged links with Altaf's partymen in Karachi," the sources said, adding they will be freed if nothing is established against them.

The MQM emerged as a largely ethnic party in the 1980s. It has political dominance in the southern Sindh province's urban areas - notably in Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Sukkur where a large number of Urdu-speaking people who fled to Pakistan from India during 1947's partition reside.

80-year-old Asif Nizami is the head priest of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah. He along with his nephew Nazim Ali Nizami had gone to Pakistan on March 8 to see his sister in Karachi. They arrived in Lahore on March 13 and visited shrine of sufi saint Baba Farid Gang in Pakpattan. The two went missing on March 14 from Lahore.

Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria yesterday said Pakistan was "pro-actively pursuing" and have asked all departments concerned to look into the matter.

He had told PTI in Islamabad that, "no clue to the missing Indian priests has been found so far".

India has taken up this matter with Pakistan and ensure the safe recovery of Indian nationals. Official sources in New Delhi said Pakistan has conveyed that it was "seriously pursuing" the case with its law enforcement agencies.

"We have taken up this matter with Government of Pakistan and requested them for an update on both the Indian nationals in Pakistan. Both are missing after they landed in Karachi airport," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had tweeted.

"We have also contacted their host in Karachi who appears to be under pressure not to speak to the Indian High Commission. I am in constant touch with our High Commission. However, there is no official confirmation regarding their whereabouts," she said.

Pakistan has launched a crackdown on the MQM after party leader Hussain made anti-Pakistan comments during speeches at a hunger strike camp in Karachi last year.

Pakistan has charged the self-exiled leader in London with treason for his inflammatory speech that incited party workers to attack media outlets.
Two small planes collided over a bustling shopping mall south of Montreal, killing one person and injuring three others, Quebec's public security minister has said.

Martin Coiteux gave the update while attending an event in Montreal last afternoon.

Police in the city of Longueuil, Quebec, said each plane only had a pilot on board and that both were injured. "One of the planes crashed on the roof of one of the stores and the other one on the asphalt of the parking lot," said Nancy Colagiacomo, a spokeswoman for the police force that serves Montreal's south shore.

A security perimeter has been set up near the shopping centre. Witnesses at the scene described hearing a loud bang. Nheil Martinez, who works inside the mall, was outside smoking a cigarette when he says he saw the shadow of a plane and heard its motor.

"I heard the motor so low to the ground and then a loud boom," he said. "Then we saw pieces of plane fall out of the sky everywhere."



Martinez said he ran to the plane and saw a man inside, whose body appeared to be crushed. Jonathan Vanasse, who was eating inside a mall restaurant next to the crash site, said he and several others ran outside and saw a plane, which he said was leaking fuel.

He said all that was left of the aircraft was shredded metal.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada announced it was deploying a team of investigators to the site. The regulatory board said in a statement that both planes were Cessna 152 aircraft operated by Cargair, a pilot-training academy based in nearby Longueuil.

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Yogi Adityanath's elevation as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh is part of Narendra Modi's vision of a "new India", AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi said today, taking a jibe at the decision.

Owasi, a firebrand Muslim leader, said he was the least surprised by the decision.

This is an assault on India's age-old "ganga jamuni tehzeeb" -- a fusion of Hindu and Muslim cultures, he said.

"This is Modiji and BJP's new India. But this is not at all surprising. The Samajwadi Party cheated the Muslims when it was in power. And now we will see a model of exclusivist development. This is the 'vikas' they talk about," Owaisi told PTI.

While Owaisi was vocal on the issue, another prominent Muslim leader, Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari took a guarded approach, hoping Adityanath would shed his controversial past.

"I welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi's post-election statement that a government has to be run through consensus, not majority. I hope the new chief minister of Uttar Pradesh will follow these words. Hope the controversies will remain a thing of the past," Bukhari said.

Earlier, Owaisi, a firebrand Muslim leader, tweeted, "Mr Modi is making a "NEW INDIA" in UP (sic)."



44-year-old Adityanath, a priest-turned-politician, is known for his provocative speeches and mass following across the state and never shies away from making controversial remarks, be it about Islam or Pakistan.

Right from comparing Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan to Hafiz Saeed during the intolerance debate in 2015 to asking people to leave India if they don't practise 'Surya Namaskar' in 2015, the Yogi has been at the centre of several controversies.

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The suspect in the 2005 terror attack at Bengaluru's Indian Institute of Science (IISc), who was arrested near Agartala, will be brought soon to the city, a top police official said here today.

"Our four-member City Crime Bureau team is waiting to get a transit remand of the suspect from Jogendranagar court. As soon as they get the transit remand, the suspect will be airlifted to Bengaluru," Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Praveen Sood told PTI here.

The suspect could be airlifted and brought to the city today or tomorrow, depending upon the weather conditions, another senior police official said.

In a joint-operation yesterday, Karnataka Anti-Terror Squad and Tripura Police had arrested Habib Mia (37) from Jogendranagar area near Agartala.

On December 28, 2005, suspected terrorists had barged into the IISc campus and opened fire, killing a retired professor of IIT Delhi and injuring four others.

Prof Munish Chandra Puri, Professor Emiratus of Mathematics Department of IIT Delhi, had fallen victim as the gunmen sprayed bullets from an AK-47 rifle when delegates attending an international conference were proceeding for dinner at around 7.20 pm.

The IISc attack was suspected to have planned by Pakistan-based banned terror organisation LeT.

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Troops at Paris' Orly airport today shot dead a man who tried to grab a female soldier's weapon, triggering a major security alert that shut down the airport, leaving thousands stranded.

The incident comes as France remains on high alert following a series of jihadist attacks that have claimed over 230 lives since January 2015.

Prosecutors said they had opened an anti-terror investigation.

Flights were halted at Orly for several hours, with incoming flights diverted and thousands of passengers stranded at Paris' second-largest airport, but normal service resumed mid-afternoon.

France goes to the polls on April 23 in the first round of a two-stage presidential election in which security is one of the main issues on voters' minds.

Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux said the man who was killed was "known to the police and intelligence services".

He said the suspect was also linked to an attack on police just north of Paris today in which an officer was slightly wounded.

At the airport, the 39-year-old man knocked the soldier to the ground and grabbed at her rifle, a senior military source said.

The two other soldiers with her then opened fire, killing him, the source said.

No-one else was injured in the incident.

According to an eyewitness who spoke to AFP, the man had at one point held the female soldier hostage.

"The man took a soldier hostage, he was holding her by the neck and he was threatening two other soldiers with the woman's rifle," said a man who catching a flight to the Dominican Republic who gave his name only as Dominique.

"I heard cries and I saw the soldiers who were holding a person at gunpoint."



The incident took place at around 8.30 AM in the Orly-Sud terminal. Around 3,000 people were evacuated from the building.

Addressing reporters at the airport, Le Roux said the man had tried "but not succeeded" in his bid to grab the soldier's rifle who was on patrol with two male colleagues.

He said the same man was also suspected of opening fire on police during a routine traffic inspection in the northern Paris suburb of Garges-les-Gonesse at around 7.00 AM. One officer suffered minor head injuries.

He was thought to have stolen a car and driven to Orly, Le Roux said.

Sources close to the investigation said the man had committed several armed robberies and was investigated for radicalisation in 2015, although he did not feature on the list of those thought to pose a high risk.

Franck Lecam, a traveller bound for Tel Aviv, told AFP he heard "three or four shots" as he was queueing to check in.

Air traffic to Orly was suspended and all incoming flights rerouted to Paris' main Charles de Gaulle airport, north of the city.

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Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan shared six wickets between them but Sri Lanka fought back through a fighting century of Dimuth Karunaratne in the second Test here today.

Karunaratne held one end for a long period to score 126 before a dogged unbeaten inning of Dilruwan Perera helped Sri Lanka reach 268-7 at stumps on the fourth day to stretch their lead over the visitors to 139 runs.

This much lead looked a distant possibility once Mustafizur and Shakib triggered a collapse in Sri Lankan innings in the post lunch session but Karunaratne hang on to score 126 before Perera hit an 26 off 126 balls.

Perera received support from tail-enders Rangana Herath (9 off 32 balls) and Suranga Lakmal, 14 not out as the hosts were hoping to expand their lead to give their bowlers something to fight with.

Bangladesh struck in the day's second over through off-spinner Mehedi Hasan, who spun one sharply to bowl out opener Upul Tharanga for 26 after Sri Lanka resumed on 54-0.

But Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis shared 86-run for the second wicket to help the hosts wipe out their first innings deficit and put Sri Lanka in good stead to set up decent target for Bangladesh.

"I think the wicket is really good. We lost a few wickets and after that we could not capitalise," said Karunaratne.

"Three of our main batsmen got out in one phase. At the end of the day we have stay positive. We just wanted to play our normal game," he said.

"If we can get 200-plus, it's a good score. We are happy if they can bat till we get 200 or more."



Mustafizur helped Bangladesh bounce back in the contest with quick strikes in his second spell as Mendis edged an angular ball outside the off-stump to wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim for 36.

Five overs later it was the turn of first-innings centurion Dinesh Chandimal, who played a loose drive to be caught behind for five.

Asela Gunaratne was adjudged leg-before for seven off Shakib without offering any shot before Mustafizur struck again to hand Dhananjaya de Silva a duck.

Niroshan Dickwella survived a close call for lbw but could not make use of it giving Mushfiqur his fourth catch down the leg off Shakib to depart for five.

An edge off Mustafizur flew to third man boundary to earn Karunaratne his fifth Test century but he fell in the final session edging Shakib to Soumya Sarkar at slip.

Perera batted with grit but should have been dismissed for four had umpires Aleem Dar not made an error of judgment with Bangladesh already completing their quota of reviews.

Taijul Islam removed Herath, who was equally stubborn but Bangladesh were yet to find an answer for Perera's ultra-defensive batting, much-needed effort for Sri Lanka though. Mustafizur claimed 3-52 for Bangladesh while Shakib finished the day with 3-61.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A supporter of the ruling BJD was hacked to death and his friend seriously injured by a group of unidentified people at Rohigaon in this district, police said today.

Ashok Jena (38) and his friend were attacked with sharp weapons when they were going to a community hall riding a motor-cycle last night.

They were taken to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital here, but Jena succumbed injuries while being shifted to Visakhapatnam, said Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Berhampur Sadar, AK Mohanty.

The condition of the injured, who was undergoing treatment at the medical college, was critical, hospital officials said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Canadian government formally apologised in a statement to three of its citizens who were tortured in Syria, which Canadian officials allegedly played an indirect role in.

The government said it had settled civil suits with three Canadian nationals -- Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad Abou Elmaati and Muayyed Nureddin -- who were arrested and tortured in Syrian custody just after the 9/11 attacks and detained until 2004.

"On behalf of the Government of Canada, we wish to apologize to Mr Almalki, Mr. Abou-Elmaati and Mr. Nureddin, and their families, for any role Canadian officials may have played in relation to their detention and mistreatment abroad and any resulting harm," read a statement from the country's public safety minister Ralph Goodale and the foreign minister Chrystia Freeland.

The statement did not divulge the nature of the agreement reached.

Amnesty International welcomed the and said the settlement included financial compensation.

Released in 2004 without charges against them, the trio sued the Canadian government for damages.

This past September Canada's CBC network obtained exclusive documents showing that Canadian officials had fed Syrian officials questions they asked the men who were detained and tortured.

"We hope the steps taken today will support them and their families in their efforts to begin a new and hopeful chapter in their lives," the Canadian ministers' statement read.

In a similar case, Canadian computer engineer Maher Arar was tortured in a Damascus prison in 2002, after he was transferred there by US officials based on a Canadian tip-off.

But Arar was later cleared of any suspicion by the Canadian authorities, and in January 2007 won an apology from Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Can$10 million in compensation from the Canadian government.

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As Hindutva hardliner Yogi Adityanath was set to assume the reins of UP, Congress leader Veerappa Moily called it the "biggest assault" on secularism, but the party's official reaction was tempered with caution as it said it will act as "watchdog of people's interest".

The BJP, however, stood behind the Yogi, notwithstanding his strident pro-Hindutva credentials, insisting "he stands for development".

"It is a big assault on secularism in the country. Maybe, the BJP or RSS would like to endorse their cause of Hinduism. India is not Hinduism. Hinduism is not India.

"India is built above castes and religions and 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family) is the very foundation of our secular society. It is the biggest assault ever done on secularism," Moily said.

Congress incharge of communications department Randeep Surjewala said, "Congress Party will continue to act as watchdog of people's interests and play a constructive role in progress of the state of UP."



Maintaining that the prerogative of choosing a Chief Minister rested with the ruling party, Surjewala said, "Excessive delay in arriving at a decision as also the compulsion to create two posts of Deputy CMs reflects a bitter conflict to share spoils of power despite overwhelming majority of over 300 MLA's."



Notwithstanding the Hindutva rabble rouser image of the 44-year-old 5-time MP from Gorakhpur, BJP spokesman Siddharth Nath Singh said, "That image may be with media but he has been elected again and again. He stands for development and that is the agenda we have got and we will will stick to the agenda."



Several other leaders said Adityanath will take the state on the development path and make it 'Uttam Pradesh' (best state).

"New dimensions of development will be established in the state under him," party general secretary Bhupendra Yadav said.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said UP will benefit a lot from his "competent leadership" and will soon become 'Uttam Pradesh'.

"Every citizen of the state will benefit from Adityanath's philosophy of people's welfare and taking everybody along. Development of all will be done," Chouhan tweeted.

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, the lone Muslim minister in the Narendra Modi government, defended BJP's choice of Adityanath as the next UP chief minister, saying he will work for the party's "inclusive growth" agenda.

"I congratulate him. He has been in public life for a long time. He will realise the Prime Minister's commitment of inclusive growth in Uttar Pradesh. Definitely, he will prove best chief minister of the state," Naqvi told PTI.

Rejecting suggestions that he was a Hindu hardliner, Naqvi said Adityanath was a "hardline leader of inclusive development" who will prove political pundits and analysts who have apprehensions about him "wrong".

Samajwadi Party MP Naresh Agrawal reacted cautiously to the Yogi's elevation.

"I congratulate him on his election. We will wait and watch for six months. We hope he will change his thinking and desist from creating a divide between Hindus and Muslims. If he does, we will go among the people and oppose him," he said.

CPI-M's Brinda Karat termed Adityanath's election as part of "RSS agenda".

"It is clearly the RSS agenda and UP is the new experimental field for it. Since it is the victory of RSS (in UP elections), it has chosen the CM.

"This gentleman has a criminal record. Several charges like rioting and more serious offences are against him in various courts in UP. That's the issue. Then why this rhetoric of ending criminalisation," she said, apparently referring to the BJP's criticism of the erstwhile Samajwadi Party government over alleged poor law and order.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today said the farm debt waiver scheme assured by the BJP in the run-up to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections was "state-specific" and not a "national policy" of the Central government.

"Crop loan waiver for farmers of UP was a state-specific assurance given by the BJP leadership during the election campaign (of UP polls). Once the government is formed (in UP), they will definitely consider it positively and try to implement the same.

"This is not the national policy of the government. It is state-specific," he told PTI amid ongoing attempts by the Opposition to pin down the BJP over the issue in Lok Sabha.

Recently, during a debate in the Lower House, members from several parties, after taking objection to the farm loan waiver promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during campaigning in UP, had demanded that the government waive loans of farmers across the country to bring down the number of suicides.

Referring to demands by some other states for a similar waiver, the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister said, "It (loan waiver) depends on the resources and financial viability of the states. They (states) are free to take their own decisions."



Charging the Centre with discrimination is not correct, he said, adding "there is no North and South issue involved in this," making a thinly-veiled reference to the comments made by popular Telugu actor and Jana Sena founder Pawan Kalyan that the "Centre discriminates between North and South."



On the issue of the election of BJP Legislature party leader in Uttar Pradesh, Naidu said he will be attending it as a party observer.

"I am already in touch with the state leadership and legislators. After the meeting we will complete the consultation. I will have a word with the national president (of BJP). The leader (the Chief Ministerial candidate) will be declared by this evening. Swearing in will be tomorrow," he said.

He added that the Prime Minister, chief ministers of BJP-led governments, besides senior party leaders would be attending the swearing in ceremony.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das today congratulated Yogi Adityanath on being elected as the next chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

In a message, Das said UP would rapidly develop under Adityanath's leadership, according to a release.

BJP Jharkhand unit president and MP Laxman Gilua also congratulated Yogi Adityanath for being unanimously elected as the leader of Uttar Pradesh BJP legislature party.

44-year-old Adityanath, a priest-turned-politician, will the next chief minister of Uttar Pradesh after he was unanimously elected as the leader of the Uttar Pradesh BJP legislative party.

In his congratulatory message, Gilua said Adityanath is an experienced and popular leader, on whom the people have faith and confidence, a party release said quoting Gilua.

"Under his leadership, Uttar Pradesh will speedily grow and will meet the expectations of the people," he said.

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The Delhi BJP's mega convention for booth-level workers will now be held on March 25 as the party's local unit chief Manoj Tiwari will be in Uttar Pradesh tomorrow for the swearing-in of the BJP government.

Addressing a press conference, Tiwari apologised for the postponement. It was to be held at the Ramlila Maidan tomorrow.

"We did not know that the incoming ministry at Uttar Pradesh will take oath tomorrow. But since we will be away we had to postpone it. It will now be held on March 25," Tiwari said.

Yesterday, he had announced the program, which aims to micro-manage BJP's municipal election campaign, with much fanfare.

BJP president Amit Shah and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu are slated to address the convention which is likely to be attended by over 65,000 BJP booth in-charges, five from each of the 13,372 polling stations in the national capital.

The party has dubbed the group of five booth in-charges as 'Panch Parmeshwar' with Tiwari, saying these "workers will work like 'panchs' towards getting administrative justice for people".

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: The Comptroller and Auditor General has criticised the functioning of disaster management system in Kerala, saying there are deficiencies in the functioning of 'emergency operating centres' in the state.

The CAG report for the year 2016 March, tabled in the recently concluded session of the Assembly, said the EOCs were not equipped to properly respond to a disaster in the state, which is vulnerable to various hazards due its geographical peculiarities and population density.

It also pointed out that the state was continuing a "relief-centric approach" in disaster management activities rather than a "pro-active prevention, mitigation and preparedness drive approach" as envisaged in the Disaster Management Act (DMA).

"As per the Kerala State Disaster Management Policy, EOCs should function round the clock. But, the State Emergency Operating Centre and the two District Emergency Operating Centres were not functioning round the clock," it said.

Very High Frequency radio communication systems, to be used as Early Warning Systems at the time of disaster when normal communication fail, were not available, it said, citing the various deficiencies listed out in terms of the EOCs.

Training on disaster management and VHF operation was not imparted to DEOCs staff and toll free number 1077 was not functioning or accessible to all consumers, it said.

On the flaws of early warning systems, the report said failure of District Disaster Management (DM) Authorities in repairing essential communication system may make "dissemination of proper information impossible to lower levels such as taluks, villages and thereby to vulnerable communities during a disaster."



Though the National Disaster Management guidelines warranted that all hospitals should have an 'all hazard' plan to tackle disasters, many government hospitals in the state were lacking various significant aspects of the preparedness.

"In 8 government hospitals selected for audit in Alappuzha, Kottayam, Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram district, various significant aspects of preparedness were lacking," it said.

Stating that DDMAs had failed in identifying locations other than educational institutions for relief camps as suggested in the national policy, the audit noticed that of eight schools selected in four districts, two schools were used as relief camps.

Holiday was declared to the schools on the days when relief camps functioned.

The report also found deficiencies in management of finance and inadmissible expenditure from the State Disaster Response Fund with expenditure impact of Rs 153.63 crore.

DM plan at the state/district levels and by Local Authority were not prepared even after 10 years of enactment of the DMA, 2005, it said.

Provisions of National Disaster Management Authority guidelines were not included in the municipal and panchayat building rules dealing with the construction of buildings in the state, the CAG report added.

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The European Union would "disintegrate" if the growing refugee problem is not addressed, said Liz Mohn, vice-chairwoman of Bertelsmann Stiffung, a prominent German NGO, here today.

Mohn was speaking on 'The Great Debate: Refugee Crisis, Open Borders or Closed Minds' at India Today Conclave.

"I have seen men, women and children living in refugee camps in various areas....They have come to European countries seeking safety....85 per cent men are in the age-group of 25-30 years. I saw very few women with children," Mohn said.

"We want to help them but we can't help them all...If the issue is not addressed, EU would disintegrate," she said.

European countries are grappling with a huge influx of refugees in the recent years, mainly from strife-torn Syria.

Elhadj As Sy, secretary general of International Federation of Red Cross, said, "We must show tolerance towards other people's religion, faith and values. At the same time, it can not be ignored that refugees is an enormous economic challenge to the country."



Only 14 per cent of refugees are in the developed countries while rest of them are scattered across the developing world, he pointed out.

Riad Abbas, Syria's ambassador to India, said, "The Syrian crisis is actually from the external forces and not internal ones. The growing power of Wahabis is affecting the country, and everyone knows who is behind it."



On India's stand on refugees, Venu Rajamony, additional secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, said, "India was born with refugee issue. Millions of people moved from one geography to another. On the other hand, after Bangladesh formation, some six million refugees went back to Bangladesh from India. It does put some stress on resources, but the developing countries are coping with it.

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Actress Eva Mendes made her first public appearance after staying out of the spotlight for past six months.

The actress looked stunning at the grand opening of her New York & Company store at the Dadeland Mall in Miami, reported People magazine.

Mendes, 43, glammed up in one of her own creations, an aqua blue one-shoulder maxi dress and finished up her look with a colorful belt and a pair of candy stripe heels at the event.

"It is such a thrill to open more stores, especially in the Miami Area. I was born in Miami, so this city has always been dear to me," she said.

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said he had positive discussions with the Centre over formulating a scheme to bring back farmers defaulting on loans, into the institutional credit system in such a way that investment in agriculture is not affected.

Making a statement in the Legislative Assembly, Fadnavis said he had assured Union Finance minister Arun Jaitley and Agriculture minister Radhamohan Singh that the state was willing to contribute its share in this scheme to help farmers.

Fadnavis said out of the 1.36 crore farmers, 31 lakh had loan dues worth Rs 30,500 crore.

"These farmers are not eligible for fresh loans. There is a need to bring them back into the institutional credit system. But we have to give an incentive to over one crore farmers who pay their loans on time. Systems need to be created as such decisions cannot be taken overnight.

If farmers who pay their loan on time get a message that if loan dues are not repaid, the loan will be waived off, then the banking system will collapse," the CM said.

"A wrong message will be sent among agriculturists," Fadnavis felt.

He said his government's endeavour is to ensure that the farmers are not debt-ridden again.

Fadnavis also took a jibe at Opposition Congress-NCP saying, "you cannot be a messiah of farmers by raising slogans on loan waiver. The plight of farmers is because of your 15-year rule."



Earlier as soon as the House assembled for the day, the Opposition accompanied by Sena members came into the Well shouting slogans for loan waiver.

Speaker Haribhau Bagde immediately adjourned the House till the end of the Question Hour.

Later when the House assembled, Fadnavis made his statement and appealed to the House to allow smooth presentation of the State Budget.

Bagde then adjourned the House till 2 pm.

(REOPENS BES 2)



Meanwhile, making a statement in the State Legislative Council, amidst uproar from Opposition parties who refused to relent until a loan waiver is announced, Fadnavis said loans are not the only reason behind farmer suicides.

"Farmers are not only committing suicide because they are burdened with loans. They require a proper source of income, water and electricity for their produce," he said.

He said the government is already working for the cause of farmers through schemes like Jalyukta Shivar and Krushi Samruddhi project, funded by the World Bank.

"If the Opposition is truly concerned with the plight of farmers, they should listen to the Budget, what does it offer to farmers and wait for the Centre to come to a conclusion. A decision like loan waiver cannot be taken in one day," the CM said.

As the din continued with Opposition members shouting slogans in the Well of the House demanding a loan waiver, Council Chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar adjourned the House till 2 pm.

Earlier, as the House assembled for the day, Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde said that suicides are continuing unabated and over 9,000 farmers across the state have ended their lives in last two years.

"It is condemnable that the government is not considerate towards the plight of farmers. The CM talks about Centre being positive towards helping farmers but their own Agriculture minister (Radhamohan Singh) says a loan waiver will be only given to Uttar Pradesh," Munde said.

Munde further said that possibly, the BJP-led government is also fooling its ally Shiv Sena along with the farmers.
For its development, India needs a movement akin to the freedom movement, Prime Minister said today.

"Similar to the freedom movement, we need a movement for development, where the collective aspirations propel the country's growth," Modi said, addressing the India Today Conclave here via video link.

"We all should get involved in our dream of a new India, whose mantra will be 'opportunity for all' and an India of self-respect.

"For several decades, we had embarked in wrong directions with wrong policies," Modi said.

"The decisions then were 'election-driven' or based on set notions of the officials, but this has changed now," he said.

His government is not looking (at issues facing the country) with "tunnel vision" but with "total vision," said the Prime Minister.

Referring to India Today Editor-in-Chief Aroon Purie remark describing him as the "disruptor-in-chief," the PM said, "If there is a disruptor-in-chief, it is not Modi but the people of India who are entitled to this moniker.

"The new India is not about 'upkaar' (favour) but about



'avsar' (opportunity). This is about opportunities for all," said Prime Minister Modi.

"The people are coming together in the country today to finish bad things within (it). This will strengthen the foundation of the new India," the PM said.

Seeking to allay apprehensions over some policies of his government, Modi said, "This is not an ideology to destroy systems. This is about 'kaya-kalp' (transformation).

"We have changed the work culture," Modi said adding the emphasis now is on re-engineering the processes to improve efficiency.

"We have focused on time-bound implementation and integrated thinking. Our processes are citizen-friendly," he added.

"The way in which the GST was achieved is as important as the GST itself. The states have taken ownership of this," he said.

"We believe in cooperative federalism. The GST process showed what the deliberative democracy is all about," he said.

The PM said India's economy is being transformed and the manufacturing sector is getting a boost.

The technology has undergone a drastic transformation in the last 20 years, Modi said adding the aspirations of the youths have to be kept in mind in this era.
US President Donald Trump today accused Germany of owing "vast sums of money" to NATO, and said Berlin should pay Washington more for defense, a day after meeting Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The two leaders showed little common ground Friday over a host of thorny issues, including NATO and defense spending.

Today, Trump tweeted: "Germany owes vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!"



During their joint conference yesterday, Trump -- who has criticized NATO as "obsolete" -- demanded that America's allies in the military alliance pay back "vast sums of money from past years."



Merkel said Germany had committed to increasing its military spending to the previously agreed level of two percent of GDP for NATO's European members.

Trump set the tone for his relations with Merkel during his campaign last year, saying her decision to allow refugees into Germany was a "catastrophic mistake" and suggested she was "ruining Germany."



He also lashed out at the media on Saturday. "Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS," he tweeted, "I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

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Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal today said the government will aggressively pursue strategic sale in loss-making units and has put Hindustan Photo Films on the block, but ruled out privatising bleeding Air India, saying every major country needs a national carrier.

"We have decided on strategic disinvestment of several loss-making companies," the minister told the India Today Conclave here today, adding that the struggling Hindustan Photo Films is among the first PSUs to be divested.

Without naming Hindustan Antibiotics, Goyal said a Pune-based pharma company is also under the hammer.

He said the government is talking to employee unions and other stakeholders for an "amicable settlement" and there will be some progress on this front soon.

The government has set an ambitious Rs 72,500 crore fund mop-up from the divestment process next financial year. The strong political mandate the BJP got in the recent state polls is expected to give a further impetus to reform measures.

To a question whether there is any plan to privatise the loss-making national carrier Air India, which is surviving on government assistance, he replied in the negative, saying "every major nation has a national carrier".

But Goyal conceded that Air India needs to improve its operational efficiency. Acknowledging that AI reported operational profits last year, he said now the focus should be on financial re-engineering and effective deployment of routes.

He challenged private carriers to undertake missions like ferrying pilgrims to Mecca for the Haj as the national carrier does.

On the power sector, the minister said the UDAY scheme has helped Tamil Nadu discoms cut losses by 60 per cent in a single year, which are likely to post profit next year. He identified Uttar Pradesh as the next state for initiating power reforms.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
NRI businessmen Hindujas have retained their position as the richest Asians in the UK in 2017 with an estimated wealth of 19 billion pounds, an increase of 2.5 billion pounds over last year, according to an annual ranking of the richest Asians in Britain.

Steel tycoon Lakshmi N Mittal secured the second place with a fortune of 12.6 billion pounds - up from 6.4 billion pounds last year - in the Eastern EyeAsian Rich List, Britain's 101 Wealthiest Asians 2017, released on Friday night.

According to the list, the - Srichand and Gopi in London, Prakash in Geneva and Ashok in Mumbai - have seen sharp increases in profitability in Ashok Leyland, IndusInd bank, Gulf Oil, energy and real estate.

This has justified the family's long adopted policy of pursing the path of diversity, the list said.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who was the Chief Guest at the 20th Annual Asian Business Awards organised by the Asian Media & Marketing Group, presented the first copy of the Rich List to G P Hinduja, Co-Chairman of the Hinduja Group.

Britain's 101 wealthiest Asians are collectively worth 69.9 billion pounds, up from 55.4 billion pounds last year - a rise of 25 per cent.

According to the list, the recovery in the European steel market has enabled the Mittal family to double its net worth during the year.

Prakash Lohia, Chairman of the Indorama Corporation (Petrochemicals) is the third richest in the list with a fortune worth 4 billion pounds - up 1 billion pounds over last year.

Anil Agarwal, executive chairman of Vedanta Resources, one of the fastest growing mining and metals group in the world, is fourth in the list along with Arora brothers - Simon, Bobby and Robin who own a chain of retail stores.

Leading NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul is 14th in the list with an estimated wealth of 800 million pounds as against 300 million pounds last year.

At the awards ceremony, Surinder Arora, founder and Chairman of the Arora Group, collected the prestigious Asian Business of the Year Award. The Arora Group is one of the UK's largest private owner operator of hotels.

Other winners included Young Entrepreneur of the year Aly Esmail, CEO of SME Group, Entrepreneur of the year Subodh Agrawal, Chairman of Euromax Capital and the Business Personality Award winner Prakash Lohia, Founder and Chairman of Indorama Group.

"London is home to one of the largest, and most diverse South-Asian communities in the world, which contributes a huge amount to the city's success - socially, culturally and economically," Khan said in his keynote speech.
Nearly 1,500 people, mostly civilians, left the last opposition-held district of Homs today under a controversial Russian-supervised deal to bring Syria's third city under full government control.

The evacuation of Waer, a northwestern district of the city that has been under siege by the army for years, is the latest in a series of "reconciliation" deals struck by the government that the rebels say amount to starving them out.

It comes ahead of a new round of UN-brokered talks that open in Geneva on Thursday in an attempt to end the conflict that has killed more than 320,000 people and driven millions from their homes.

Thousands are expected to leave Waer in the coming weeks in the final phase of the evacuation agreement, which had stalled in recent months.

An AFP correspondent saw a first wave of three green buses carrying civilians including children as well as dozens of fighters, their rifles slung over their shoulders.

Throughout the day, women and children munching on pieces of bread lined up to load their luggage onto the buses, while men appeared to go through extra screening in separate lines.

Stern-looking Russian forces looked on, wearing green fatigues with black bulletproof vests emblazoned with the word "Police" on the front.

"Syrian police, Russian military police and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent will protect the convoys and accompany them from Homs onto Aleppo province," Homs governor Talal Barazi told AFP.

Barazi said evacuations were over for today and that a total of 1,479 people -- including 423 rebels -- had left.

"Not a single weapon or fighter will be left in Waer," he said, adding that about 40,000 residents were expected to stay in the district.

Three waves of rebels and their families had already left Waer under an agreement first reached in December 2015, but subsequent evacuations stalled.

In a new deal reached last week, government and rebel representatives agreed that up to 100 Russian troops would deploy inside Waer to oversee the final phase of evacuations.

"Russia is a guarantor of the Waer agreement's implementation and will monitor its execution," said the Russian colonel overseeing the operation.

"Russian forces came to Syria for this -- to help their friends and allow people to live safely in this country again."



Moscow is a decades-old ally of the Damascus regime, and in September 2015 launched an air campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad's forces.

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Two personnel of the state-run Gandhi Hospital here were suspended today for allegedly demanding money for providing a wheel-chair to a patient having severe mobility problem.

The matter hogged limelight after the patient S Raju (in his 40s) had to move around in the hospital using a children's tricycle because he was unable to shell out "tips" of Rs 100 to Rs 200 for getting a wheel-chair.

"The two personnel (class IV employees), a male and a female, were suspended based on the report of an inquiry committee constituted yesterday," hospital Superintendent Manjula said.

The administration would look into steps that need to be taken to avoid recurrence of such incidents, she said.

Meanwhile, the Gandhi hospital officials briefed Governor ESL Narasimhan on the incident. The officials met him in the Raj Bhavan.

Raju had been visiting the Gandhi hospital for a follow-up treatment for the burn injuries that he had suffered due to electrical shock last August.

His wife Santoshi alleged as they did not have money to pay "tips" to the ward-boys, he was not being given wheel-chair and had to use a children's tricycle to move around in the hospital.

She further claimed the ward-boys had been demanding Rs 100 to Rs 200 for providing wheel-chair, and had been bringing her son's tricycle to the hospital during visits.

The hospital superintendent had yesterday said that the patient, who had suffered electric burns, had undergone treatment at the hospital for over three months and he himself got discharged against medical advice, though he had been visiting the hospital as outpatient.

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The Indian Medical Association (IMA) today sought some amendments to the West Bengal Clinical Establishments (Registration, Regulation and Transparency) Act, 2017, to bring a single-window accountability.

"The Medical Association is not against regulations and accountability, but the manner it has been put into the Law is contradictory to the Central Establishment Act. The IMA wants a single-window accountability, a single-window regulation and that's not there in this Act," IMA President KK Aggarwal told PTI.

"There is no provision in the Law for making medicine cheaper, no mandate for cheaper investigation, nor for taking action against fraudulent complaints or a quack," he said.

"As per the Law, even for a clerical error a doctor can be put behind the bars... And for every complaint made against him, a doctor has to get an advance bail... Why is this difference between doctors in private and government facilities," Aggarwal said.

"The matter is that the Clinical Establishment Act of West Bengal contradicts some of the IMA's stands. We want the Mamata Banerjee government to consider some amendments," the cardiologist said.

Earlier, Aggarwal along with IMA Secretary General Dr R N Tandon and others met West Bengal Governor K N Tripathi and submitted their objections.

The IMA president said the governor's office was trying



to facilitate their meeting with the state health ministry and the Chief Minister's Office.

Aggarwal said they had apprised the governor of some provisions which were neither community-friendly nor doctor- friendly. The governor said that he would send our recommendations to the Mamata Banerjee government for consideration of amendments to the Law.

He said that the IMA was already a part of a five-member ministerial committee in the central government.

"There we are coming out with an alternative Clinical Establishment Act, compensation for negligence, violence against doctors. These are totally different from it," he said.

Whether the IMA is mulling the option to move court against the Law, Aggarwal said, "At the moment we have our representation to the governor. He has said that he will put his recommendations to the health ministry... We will have to meet the ministry and wait for those amendments.

"But if the ministry rejects our suggestions then our legal team will decide what to do," he said.
An Indian delegation will tomorrow leave for Pakistan to take part in the meeting of Permanent Indus Commission (PIC), beginning March 20 in Islamabad.

The 10-member delegation, which will take part in the two-day meeting, comprises India's Indus Water Commissioner PK Saxena, MEA officials and technical experts.

Government sources said India is open to discuss concerns Pakistan has over its projects under Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) bilaterally.

They, however, reaffirmed that there will be no compromise on India exploiting its due rights under the 57-year-old pact.

"The treaty mandates that the meeting be held at least once in a fiscal. Accordingly, the parleys will be held," a senior official said.

The meeting will take place nearly six months after India decided to suspend talks on the pact in the wake of the Uri terror attack by Pakistan-based outfits.

India has already downplayed its participation in the meeting, saying it does not amount to "resumption" of government-level India-Pakistan talks.

Declaring that "blood and water cannot flow together", Prime Minister Narendra Modi had held a meeting in September to review the treaty in the backdrop of the terror strikes, including the Uri attack.

After the meeting, officials had announced the government's decision to suspend further talks and increase the utilisation of rivers flowing through Jammu and Kashmir to fully exercise India's rights under the pact.

The PIC had last met in May 2015 here.

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India's ambassador to China Vijay Gokhale has met Wang Qi, the Chinese soldier who was stuck in India for over five decades after he had crossed the border during the 1962 war.

Gokhale met 77-year-old Wang and his family including his son Vishnua Wang, daughter-in-law Neha and granddaughter Khanak during their visit to Beijing yesterday.

The ambassador enquired about their stay in China and assured all support, a twitter message posted by the embassy said.

Deputy ambassador Amit Narang has hosted a lunch for them, the embassy officials said.

Wang who arrived in his native village near Xian last month for the fist time after over 54 years is currently touring Beijing and expected to return to his village in the next few days and later decide his plans to return to India.

Wangwas caught when he entered the Indian territory shortly after the Sino-India War of 1962.

He was later released from jail and settled in Tirodi village of Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh where he married a local woman.

Wang returned to China on February 11 after India and China worked out modalities for bothWangand his Indian family to travel together to Beijing and later return as per their wish and stayed near Xian meeting friends and relatives.

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Ahmed Kathrada, an 87-year-old Indian-origin anti-apartheid activist in South Africa, remains critical after undergoing a surgery, his foundation said, describing as "fake news" the reports that he passed away.

Kathrada underwent surgery a fortnight ago for blood clots in his brain.

"We condemn these rumours and request the public to refrain from reposting or spreading fake or any updates that cannot be verified," said Nishan Balton, the Director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, who earlier this week confirmed that there had been complications following the surgery which had slowed down Kathrada's recovery process.

Kathrada, who frequently refers to Mandela as his 'elder brother' is one of only three surviving political prisoners who were sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island together with him after the infamous Rivonia Trial of 1964. The others are Andrew Mlangeni and Denis Goldberg.

All of them played major roles after their release and Mandela's election as the first democratic President of South Africa in 1994.

"We reiterate our commitment to providing regular and accurate updates about Kathrada's condition both to the media and the public," Balton added as he thanked people who have for the past week held mass vigils and prayers across the country.

Balton encouraged people to follow the Foundation's social media accounts, where updates to Kathrada's condition will be regularly posted.

Honoured with doctorates from universities all over the globe, Kathrada also received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, India's highest honour for foreign nationals of Indian origin, in 2005 from the President of India.

In December last year, Balton announced that a donation to the Foundation of two million rand from the Indian government would kick start a campaign to raise 90 million rand before Kathrada's 90th birthday to establish an endowment fund to support anti-racism struggles globally into the next generation.

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A poster carrying the name ISIS asking youths in Bihar to join the terror organisation was found pasted on an electricity pillar in Rohtas district today, police said.

Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Dehri, Mohammad Anwar Javed Ansari said that the police has seized the poster carrying the name and flag of Islamic terror organisation ISIS.

The poster in English appealed to youths of Bihar to become members of ISIS. There is no name of the person issuing the poster.

The SDPO said that recovery of ISIS poster is being probed.

He, however, suspected it as foul play by some anti-socials to create fear in minds of people.

The police has been asked to be on extra alert in view of recovery of the poster, the SDPO added.

Dehri is a Sub-Division in Rohtas district of Bihar.

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Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC were imposed and internet services suspended in many 'sensitive' districts of Haryana today in the wake of the Jat body's plan to ghearo the Parliament on March 20.

The section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), prohibiting unlawful assembly, has been imposed in many sensitive districts, including Rohtak, Jhajjar, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri and Hisar, where internet services have also been suspended for indefinite period, official sources told PTI.

Restrictions have been imposed on the movement of tractor-trolleys from one district to another, they said, adding that the Army has been called in to manage the situation.

Meanwhile, All-India Jat Aarkashan Sangarsh Samiti (AIJASS), the body spearheading the agitation for reservation, remained firm on laying a siege to the national capital from March 20 as they alleged that their demands had not been met.

AIJASS president Yashpal Malik said the Centre should intervene to resolve the issue.

"From February last year, we have held talks on six occasions with the Haryana government. But our demands have still not been met," he said.

He also alleged that the Manohar Lal-led state government was "confused and not showing sincerity in resolving the issue".

Reacting on Khattar's statement that the Jat body was "frequently shifting the goal posts and that Malik had made unilateral announcements in Panipat that they (Jats) were to have a meeting with the CM in Delhi yesterday", the AIJASS president said, "Attempts are being made to weaken our agitation. This government looks utterly confused. Their statements are only complicating the situation."



"We wanted the Chief Minister to take a final call on our demands. It was decided that he will meet us in Delhi and discuss all issues with us. But the CM skipped the meeting despite being in Delhi," he claimed.

"Therefore, we have decided to continue with our agitation and we will now move to Delhi on March 20," he said.

On the imposition of prohibitory orders in the state, Malik said, "We have the right to protest. We have been doing so for the last so many days in a peaceful manner. The law of the land does not prevent us from going to Delhi to raise our point in a democratic manner."



Besides seeking quota, the demands of the Jats include release of those jailed during last year's agitation, withdrawal of cases slapped during the protest and government jobs for the kin of those killed and injured while taking part in the stir.

The Jats have been sitting on dharna in various parts of Haryana since January 29.

(Reopens DEL 25)



The Haryana Chief Minister had yesterday reiterated the commitment of the state government to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.

"I am always prepared to negotiate with an open mind to resolve the issue and the Jat leaders can hold dialogue with me at any place," he had said.

Khattar had maintained that the government had already given the benefit of reservation to Jats and others, which is pending in the court.

"The advocate was appointed with the consent of Jat leaders to plead the case in the court. The compensation to the victims has already been given. The offer of job was also made by the government and compensation to the injured is being delivered.

"The cases which are pending in the court are not under the purview of the state government. The state can only ask the court to re-examine some cases," he said.

(REOPENS DES16)



Meanwhile, prohibitory orders under Section 144 had been imposed as a precautionary measure. It prohibited sale of liquor, carrying of firearms and other weapons as well as assembly of five or more persons near railway tracks, an official spokesman said here



Plying of tractor-trolleys with five or more persons on state and national highways has been prohibited, he said.

A 10 litres limit has been imposed on refuelling of tractor-trolleys, and directions have been issued to petrol pump owners to record details like the driver's name, the vehicle's registration number and the number of people travelling in it, he said, adding sale of petrol and diesel in bottles or other containers has been banned.

The administration has banned plying of tractor-trolleys with food items, cooking equipment and weapons, including lathis and swords, on highways, the spokesman said.

He said that pitching of tents along highways has also been prohibited and owners of dharamshalas, hotels and restaurants have been directed to maintain complete record of guests.
It has been over a year since Alia Bhatt portrayed a fun-loving Tia Singh in the tale of a dysfunctional family, "Kapoor & Sons", and the actress says that film has a special place in her heart.

Taking to Twitter, Alia thanked director Shakun Batra for giving her the movie, which also starred Sidharth Malhotra, Fawad Khan, Rishi Kapoor, Rajat Kapoor and Ratna Pathak Shah.

"Such a special film and such lovely memories!! Thank you for the love #KapoorAndSons love you @shakunbatra @AyeshaDeVitre. Here's to the team," she wrote.

While, Sidharth tweeted, "One year of 'Kapoor & Sons' trending! Thank you @shakunbatra @karanjohar and my on screen Kapoor family for this memorable experience love you all."



Producer Karan Johar heaped praise on Shakun by writing, "A film we are so proud of... Thank you @shakunbatra for your brilliance... And gratitude to the entire cast and crew!! #1YearOfKapoorAndSons."



The movie released last year on March 18.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao today requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up issue of 'hate crime' incidents against Indians in the USA with the government of that country.

In a letter to Modi, he referred to the recent killings of two Telugu-speaking Indians Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Vamsi Chander Reddy in the US.

"It has also been noticed that hate crime against Indians has increased. As we all know, the Indian diaspora in the US are contributing immensely to the development of US and India as well. I request you to take up the matter with the US authorities at appropriate level," Rao said in the letter.

On February 22, Indian nationals Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani were shot at a bar in Olathe, Kansas, by a man shouting "get out of my country". Kuchibhotla, 32, later died at a hospital.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
South African captain Faf du Plessis hailed an "impossible" victory after the Proteas recovered from a desperate situation to win the second Test against New Zealand by eight wickets in Wellington today.

Keshav Maharaj took a career best six wickets as New Zealand crumpled in their second innings and needed just 25 overs to reach the modest 81 to win.

Just five sessions after South Africa were on the ropes they found themselves with an unbeatable 1-0 lead in the series with one Test to play.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson branded the change in fortunes and his side's second innings capitulation when they were out for 171, as a "very, very poor" effort.

But du Plessis said the result was testimony to the determination of the South Africans.

"It's happened a few times this season where we've been in impossible situations," he said.

"At lunchtime yesterday, 90 for six, it's not too long ago, and here we are.

"We've somehow found this ability to have a lot of faith in our batting line up or whatever, for guys in the team to stand up when there's a pressure situation."



From being 94 for six before lunch on Friday, South Africa rallied to be all out for 359 to take a 91-run lead into the second innings.

On a flattening track and with nearly three days remaining, there was time for New Zealand to mount a strong comeback.

Instead their second innings was done in 63.2 overs with a career best 80 by Jeet Raval and a 65-run partnership between Raval and BJ Watling (29) the only sign of resistance.

Raval's dismissal signalled the beginning of the end as the last five wickets fell for 16 runs.

Faced with the guile of Maharaj's left-arm spin and the seam and bounce of Morne Morkel New Zealand struggled through their second innings.

Maharaj finished with six for 40, the best figures and second five-wicket haul in his fledgling six-Test career while Morkel took the top off the New Zealand innings, including the key wicket of Kane Williamson, to have three for 50.

Du Plessis admitted to being "surprised" because there was not a lot of spin in the wicket.

"I thought both spinners this Test match bowled incredibly well. Their consistency in their areas, the New Zealand batsmen couldn't get way."



New Zealand said before the Test they did not particularly want a green wicket given the high quality of the South African pace attack.

- The spin doctors -



====================



But it was the South African spinners who did serious damage, claiming six wickets in each innings with Maharaj having match figures of eight for 87.

Williamson said that was disappointing and something New Zealand needed to address.

"We have to do a lot better," he said.

"It wasn't offering a huge amount of spin so it is something as a batting unit we're disappointed in."



Morkel removed Tom Latham, Williamson and Neil Broom to have New Zealand at three for 64 early in their second innings.

Once Williamson fell for one, New Zealand needed the remaining batsmen to step up but instead Neil Broom, Henry Nicholls and Jimmy Neesham could only add 31 in total before BJ Watling joined Raval to halt the flow of wickets.

On 53, Raval was dropped by JP Duminy in the gully and on 67 he charged down the wicket to Duminy and missed the ball, but so too did wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock when a stumping was on the cards.

De Kock made amends the next time Raval danced down the wicket and completed the stumping for Maharaj's third wicket.

The third and final Test starts in Hamilton next Saturday.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has prohibited American fast food chain McDonald's from selling Coke Zero across its outlets in the state for violating the Food Safety and Standard Regulations.

The order was issued after the company was found manufacturing and selling carbonated water--Coca Cola Zero-in loose and unlabelled paper glass. The carbonated water was being prepared from post-mix manufactured by Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages by diluting it with processed water and impregnating the mixture with carbon dioxide and was being served to the customers including children, FDA said in its circular dated March 15.

The artificial sweeteners contained aspartame and accsulfame potassium, which causes obesity and higher blood pressure, it said.

The FDA action came after a Kolhapur-based FDA official has found that the product was being sold loose to unsuspecting clients, including children.

"We have banned the sale of this drink across all McDonald's outlets in the state with immediate effect. The drink was being served straight off the dispensing machines without any packaging or warning," FDA commissioner Harshdeep Kamble said.

McDonald's could not be immediately contacted.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Electronics incubator Maker Village here will host the India finals of the AlphaLabGear Hardware Cup on March 27.

Promising early-stage hardware startups stand to win exciting prizes, a chance to get an acceleration program in the US as well as compete for a USD 50,000 grand prize, at thecompetition that is being conducted in India for the first time, a press release said here today.

The AlphaLabGear National Hardware Cup is an annual pitching contest conducted in seven cities in the US to identify and nurture talented early-stage startups that have created at least one physical product.

The fact that India has been chosen to host the first such competition outside the US is a sign of the growing global interest in the country as a source of hardware innovation, especially given the government's current thrust on boosting ESDM (Electronic Software Design and Manufacturing) as well as flagship programmes such as Make in India and Digital India, said Maker Village Chief Consultant Prof S Rajeev.

Kerala StartUp Mission CEO Jayasankar Prasad said the support from Kerala government to IT sector over the past years has transformed the state into an emerging technology innovation hub.

Prestigious startup support programmes like the AlphaLabGear Hardware Cup coming to Kerala signal the maturing ESDM environment in the state, he said.

Maker Village, a project funded by the Union Ministry of Electronics and IT and state has facilities in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram to incubate and supports startup companies in electronics.

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Holland was smart. They chucked their electronic voting system this week and everyone voted using paper ballots after Fancy Bear and Cozy Bear were caught trying to hack into electronic voting equipment the way they did in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Florida and Ohio, putting Trump over the top. Instead Putin's candidate in Holland, neo-Nazi Geert Wilders, did significantly worse than polls had predicted, winning just 20 seats in the House of Representatives, where he and his racist thugs will just be a noisy opposition party in the 150 seat chamber. The U.S. should go back to paper ballots immediately-- starting with Georgia. Why Georgia? (Ahhh... Glad you asked.)





Georgia's a very gerrymandered state. There are 4 Democratic seats with strong enough Democratic registration advantages so that no Republican can win in any of them. Nice for team blue, right? No, terrible for team blue. That's because there are 10 Republican seats with strong enough Republican registration advantages so that no Democrat can win in any of them. Here's how that works. John Lewis' GA-05 has a PVI of D+32. In 2008 Obama beat McCain there, 84-15%. In 2012, Obama was reelected 83-16%. Hillary did even better, beating Trumpanzee 85.0% to 11.9%. John Lewis was reelected with 75.6% of the vote, nearly a 200,000 vote margin.





The most backward pigsty of a district in George is Doug Collins' GA-09, in the far northeast corner of the state where rural Georgia meets rural North Carolina and rural South Carolina. There are 20 counties with no cities. Hall County is the closest thing to a population base, where the county seat, Gainesville has a population of 35,000. GA-09 is very white and very poor and with the fewest number of blacks of any district in the state. McCain beat Obama 75-24% and Romney beat Obama 78-21%. And the 9th was, predictably, Trump's strongest district in Georgia. He beat Clinton 77.8% to 19.3%. No Democrat bothered to even run against Collins last year but he took 81% of the vote the last time a Democrat did run against him.





Those are both safe seats-- which is exactly what they were drawn to be. And so was GA-06 in the suburbs north of Atlanta. And sure enough McCain beat Obama 59-40% and Romney beat Obama 61-37%. This last year incumbent wing-nut Tom Price was reelected 61.6% to 38.4% but then something peculiar happened. Trump wasn't popular in the district. Rubio kicked his ass in the GOP primary and in the general, Hillary nearly did the unthinkable. Trump won 48.3% to 46.8%. Imagine if she had campaigned there! Imagine if there was a Democratic Party fighting for down-ballot candidates there!





After the election, Pence picked Price, an old crony of his and Ryan's to put into Trump's cabinet as Secretary of Health and Human Services-- just the man to repeal the Affordable Care Act, replace it with TrumpCare (basically nothing), and set off to destroy Medicaid and eventually Medicare. That left an open seat. The election will have two steps: an open (or jungle) primary April 18, followed by a run-off on June 20th. There are 11 Republicans running and 5 Democrats (as well as a Libertarian and a couple of independents). Both polls show Democrat John Ossoff in the lead and indicate a run-off between him and controversial anti-Choice fanatic Karen Handel (although there is also a close friend of Trump's in the race, Bruce LeVell who would get a huge boost if Trump endorses him).













state voter data kept by the Center for Election Systems was compromised [and that] the Georgia Secretary of State uses the Center for Election Systems at Kennesaw State to facilitate elections in all Georgia counties and maintain voting machines... Sources said the breach happened Wednesday night and the hacker made off with millions of voter records." So what's the connection to the Dutch Parliamentary elections from this week? And paper ballots? The race is widely seen as a referendum on Trump. If Ossoff wins, the fear in the White House and the Kremlin is that congressional Republicans will abandon Trump and his legislative agenda in droves. So Putin is feeling around to see if he can steal this one the way he stole swing counties in the Rust Belt. Think I'm kidding? WSB is the biggest TV station in Atlanta. Just over a week ago they reported that the FBI is investigating a data breach at the Center for Election Systems at Kennesaw State University. So? Kennesaw isn't even part of GA-06. It's in the 11th district. But WSB reported that "thevoter data kept by the Center for Election Systems was compromised [and that] the Georgia Secretary of State uses the Center for Election Systems at Kennesaw State to facilitate elections in all Georgia counties and maintain voting machines... Sources said the breach happened Wednesday night and the hacker made off with millions of voter records."





Now big a deal is this? Of course, Putin isn't claiming responsibility. But... this week a group of technology experts said Georgia should stop using electronic voting machines and switch to paper ballots for the April 18 Special Election. The successfully hacked Center for Election Systems tests and certifies Georgia's voting machines and electronic polling books used to check in voters at polling locations. Employees also format ballots for every election held in the state. In a letter to Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp (R), a candidate for Governor in 2018, twenty technology experts and computer science professors affiliated with the national Verified Voting organization said paper ballots will preserve voters' confidence in the results of an upcoming special election to fill Georgia's 6th District congressional seat. The letter said using equipment maintained by the center while it is the focus of a criminal investigation "can raise deep concerns."

Verified Voting, which closely tracks voting systems used throughout the U.S., and other advocacy groups have long expressed concern with Georgia's reliance on voting machines. Barbara Simons, chairwoman of the nonpartisan organization's board, said paper ballots allow voters to ensure their choices are correct and create a trail if there are any questions about the results. It also lets officials do a hand count of the physical ballots, she said.



"Under the circumstances, the only prudent thing to do is make sure voting is done in a secure fashion," Simons said. "This should not be a partisan issue. Republicans and Democrats both care about secure elections."

Wednesday Kemp's office rejected their plea and said the special election will used electronic voting machines, even though the cyberattack could easily have infected the electronic voting machines with a virus that could manipulate vote totals.





Journal-Constitution Monday the Atlanta reported a dust-up over this between Kemp, a highly partisan wing nut who could easily be on Trump's or Putin's payroll, and DuBose Porter, chairman of the Georgia Democratic Party, who demanded Kemp accept help from the Department of Homeland Security to get to the bottom of the hack. Kemp, true to form, accused Porter of playing politics while trying to create a "manufactured crisis" to help Democratic candidates. Something of a fascist, Kemp said of the Democrats that "They would love nothing more than for us to flout Georgia law and use paper ballots so they can challenge the results when they lose, but we will not cater to such childish antics."





and give the folks in Montana an idea that they can do the same on May 25 when Democrat Rob Quist meets crackpot multimillionaire wing-nut Greg Gianforte to replace Ryan Zinke, Trump's Secretary of the Interior, in another special election. Blue America is helping raise money for Jon Ossoff's get out the vote efforts. That's the key to winning this race-- getting everyone in GA-06 who wants to put the brakes on Trump to turn out and vote. Please consider helping by clicking the ActBlue thermometer on the right and giving what you can. And remember, April 18 is just one month from tomorrow! Republicans are biting their nails over a seat in suburban Georgia. Who would have ever thunk? Let's help put Ossoff in Congress--give the folks in Montana an idea that they can do the same on May 25 when Democrat Rob Quist meets crackpot multimillionaire wing-nut Greg Gianforte to replace Ryan Zinke, Trump's Secretary of the Interior, in another special election.

UPDATE: Remember How East-Peasy It Was To Hack Diebold Machines?

One of the country's top experts on electronic voter fraud just responded to the post above by telling me, among other things, that "Moving to paper ballots in GA would be great, of course. They (with Maryland) were the first state to go to touch-screen voting systems back in 2002 and still use those same shitty Diebold machines-- the same ones we hacked years ago-- in all of their elections. It's insane! Of all of the systems, those are likely the easiest ones to manipulate by both outsiders (hackers) and insiders (officials with access to the machines or, much easier, central tabulator)."
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to meet senior officials of Apollo Gleneagles Hospital in connection with allegations of medical malpractice and overcharging patients at the facility here.

According to a senior official at the state secretariat, the meeting between Banerjee and Apollo Gleneagles Managing Director Dr Preetha Reddy is likely to take place on Tuesday.

Incidentally, the Chief Minister had yesterday said that Apollo authorities has sought a time for a meeting.

"Apollo Group has written to us seeking time for a meeting... But it is impossible for me to give time everybody individually," Banerjee had said yesterday at the state secretariat.

Apollo Gleneagles was in the for allegedly overcharing patients, medical negligence and other malpractices for which the Chief Minister had pulled them up during a meeting with private hospitals and nursing homes last month.

Soon after the Apollo Gleneagles hospital in the city found itself embroiled in controversy after Dankuni resident Sanjoy Roy died allegedly because of medical negligence and delay in his release.

The state government formed committees to probe into the allegations by Roy's family as the police started another investigation simultaneously after getting a formal complaint from the deceased's kin.

Reports filed by the committees have said "medical negligence and other anomalies" in the bills charged by the Apollo Gleneagles.

Incidentally, the state government introduced the West Bengal Clinical Establishments (Registration, Regulation and Transparency) Act, 2017 to bring in transparency in the Health system principally monitoring practices at private hospitals and nursing homes.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Troops at Paris' Orly airport today shot dead a man who tried to grab a soldier's weapon, triggering a major security scare that shut down the airport and left thousands of travellers stranded.

Nobody was hurt in the incident which comes as France remains on high alert following a series of jihadist attacks that have claimed over 230 lives since January 2015. Prosecutors said they had launched an anti-terrorism investigation.

France goes to the polls on April 23 in the first round of a two-stage presidential election, in which security is one of the main issues on voters' minds.

The latest shooting also came on the second day of an official visit to Paris by Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate.

Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux said the slain man had been linked to an earlier attack on police north of Paris, in which an officer was slightly wounded, and was "known to the police and intelligence services".

The incident took place at around 8:30am (0730GMT) in the Orly-Sud terminal at the smaller of Paris' two international airports, located south of the capital.

"A man took a weapon from a soldier then hid in a shop in the airport before being shot dead by security forces," an interior ministry spokesman told AFP. No-one was injured.

Addressing reporters at the airport Le Roux later said that the man had tried "but not succeeded" in grabbing the rifle of the female soldier on patrol with two male colleagues.

Le Roux said the man was suspected of earlier opening fire on police during a routine traffic inspection in the northern suburb of Garges-les-Gonesse at around 7:00am (0600GMT). One officer suffered minor head injuries.

He was suspected of then stealing a car in another suburb and driving to Orly, Le Roux said. Police sources said he was aged 39.

A witness to the events at the airport told BFM TV he saw the man in possession of the soldier's rifle and threatening her.

"The soldiers were trying to reason with him," he said, adding that as he fled the scene he heard two shots.

Franck Lecam, a traveller bound for Tel Aviv, told AFP he heaed "three or four shots" nearby as he was queuing to check in.

"There are policemen, emergency workers and soldiers everywhere," he said after being forced to evacuate the terminal with around 3,000 others.

Air traffic to Orly was suspended and all incoming flights rerouted to Charles de Gaulle airport north of Paris.

Several planes that were preparing for takeoff or had just landed in Orly were grounded on the tarmac while the security operation unfolded.

France is still in a state of emergency after a series of terror attacks, including the November 2015 massacre in Paris and a truck attack in Nice, in July last year.

The soldier from whom the man took the weapon was a part of Operation Sentinelle, deployed after the January 2015 Paris attacks.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The bad blood between Australia and India continued with spin allrounder Glenn Maxwell making fun of host captain Virat Kohli's shoulder injury while fielding on day three of the third Test here today.

On the opening day, Kohli was left clutching his right shoulder in pain after he dived while fielding at the mid-on area and later scans revealed that he had suffered a strain and missed fielding action for 400 minutes the entire day two.

Maxwell, who had struck a brilliant hundred yesterday, was today seen mocking Kohli's injury when he replicated the Indian skipper's action by clutching his right shoulder after his dive to save a boundary in the 80.3 overs.

Pujara had played a fine flick through the mid-on off Pat Cummins and Maxwell gave a fine chase at the deep, exactly in the same region where Kohli had that awkward dive to injure his right shoulder in the post-lunch session of day one.

During the Bangalore Test, Kohli had stopped just short of labelling Smith a "cheat" after the Australian skipper was caught looking up to the dressing room for help for a DRS call after being caught lbw.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Kick starting its bypoll campaign for the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, the National Conference (NC) today accused Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti of working on the "diktats of RSS" and pursuing its policies for power.

"The only aim of People's Democratic Party (PDP) is power and it can go to any extent for this. It is the greed of the power that Mehbooba chose not to speak over anti-Kashmir policies of the Centre.

"The number of pellet guns have been strengthened from 500 to 6000 with six lakh rounds of ammunition but Mehbooba did not utter a word," former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said addressing a rally at party headquarters here.

The rally, which was also addressed by NC president and party candidate from Srinagar parliamentary constituency, Farooq Abdullah, was organised to kick start the party's election campaign for the April 9 bypoll.

Omar accused Mehbooba of working on the "diktats of RSS" and said "everything is done in the state to please the RSS".

"Every decision in the Chief Minister's office is taken at RSS headquarters in Nagpur. She was the one who was protesting against arrests on the streets (while in opposition) but her government arrested 10,000 persons and slapped Public Safety Act against 1000 youth."



"In the past, Mehbooba was talking about self-rule, revocation of AFSPA, talks between India, Pakistan and Hurriyat but after coming to power she forgot everything. If she is remembering anything, it is power and how to safeguard it," Omar said.

Accusing the PDP of inflicting only "miseries and problems" on the people during its rule, Omar appealed NC leaders and workers to reach out to the people and caution them about the "anti-Kashmir" policies of PDP and RSS.

The NC's working president also accused the Jammu and Kashmir government of using "government machinery, money power and other tactics to win the polls".

Farooq, in his address, said the upcoming bypoll was a test for the party and the people.

"While on one hand the communal forces have fielded PDP and activated all its machinery to harm the interests of Kashmiris, on the other new ways and means are explored to divide the voice of the people," he said.

He said the people have to decide whether they will vote for PDP to strengthen RSS or safeguard their interests and aspirations by making National Conference successful.

"Shrewd conspiracies and abhorrent policies of RSS are behind the communal atmosphere in the country. It is trying to extend its reach to Kashmir through PDP," the senior Abdullah said.

He accused the ruling PDP-BJP coalition of working jointly to "divide people in the name of caste, creed, colour, religion and region".

"The party leaders and workers have the responsibility to visit every household and make the people aware of the dirty tricks of the two parties," Farooq said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Morocco's king today appointed a new prime minister to end a political deadlock that left the North African country without a government for five months, the royal court said.

King Mohammed VI named Saad-Eddine El Othmani, a former foreign minister who belongs to the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), to form a new government.

El Othmani will replace Abdelilah Benkirane, who had been previously asked by the king to form a new government after his PJD won the most seats in elections in October 2016.

The prime minister-designate is a trained psychiatrist who served as secretary general of the PJD from 2004 to 2008 and as foreign minister from January 2012 to October 2013.

The PJD had come to power after the king relinquished some of his near-absolute control following Arab Spring-inspired protests in 2011, with Benkirane heading a previous coalition government for five years.

But the party failed after last October's polls to form a majority despite five months of intense negotiations -- the longest time Morocco has been without a government in its recent history.

The palace announced yesterday that the kind had decided to appoint another PJD member to lead the government "within the shortest possible time".

Benkirane said he would bow to the king's wishes and also told AFP he would step down from the leadership of the PJD in the coming months.

"We cannot comment on decisions taken by the leadership. All I can say is that of course I accept this decision, which falls in line with the constitution. One cannot say no to His Majesty," he said.

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Opposition NDA in both Houses of Bihar Legislature today demanded resignation of two state ministers in the wake of their names appearing in the police probe into the Bihar State Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) paper leak incident.

According to media reports, the Special Investigation Team has submitted a report to the Special Vigilance court in which names of two ministers -- Krishnandan Prasad Varma and Alok Mehta -- have appeared among others on the basis of call details of arrested Secretary of Bihar State Staff Selection Commission (BSSC), Parmeshwar Ram.

While Varma is from JD(U) and is the Law and Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) minister in the Nitish Kumar Cabinet, Alok Mehta of RJD is the Cooperative Minister.

Besides them, names of former MP and RJD leader Raghubansh Prasad Singh, JD(U) MLA Ram Balak Singh and BJP MLA Suresh Kumar Sharma have appeared in the scam, the reports said.

Legislators of BJP and its NDA partners trooped into the well in the state Assembly as well the Legislative Council demanding resignation of the two ministers.

BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi told reporters that the ministers concerned should be removed immediately.

He further alleged that OSD of Health minister Tej Pratap Yadav had given three to four instructions over the phone to the Commission officials in the recruitment of ANM (Auxiliary Nurse Midwife) conducted by BSSC earlier.

"If a minister telephones any official or sends recommendation it is taken as order of the government," he charged.

His party colleague and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, Prem Kumar said, "The Chief Minister had ignored the opposition protest in the BSSC paper leak matter earlier, asking them to reveal names of ministers in the scam ... Now the names are out. Why is he not sacking the two ministers?"



In the eye of storm, the state Law minister told reporters, "It is the routine work for MLAs or MPs to fulfill expectations of voters of their constituency. There is no evidence of exchange of money in 2-3 recommendations sent by my staff to BSSC Secretary...I did not ask him to leak the question paper or get a non-meritorious candidate clear the exam.

"If you examine closely, all MLAs or MPs of a party send words to officials in favour of some needy people of their constituency," Varma said in his defence.

On the NDA's demand for a CBI probe into the matter, the Bihar minister said the opposition was doing it for political gains.

Mehta also made similar pleas, saying it was normal for a public representative to help few needy people of their constituency.

(REOPENS CAL 4)



Both the ministers got backing from others in the Grand Alliance.

Congress state president and minister Ashok Choudhary while talking to reporters termed the NDA demand as "baseless."



"As a public representative our duty is to put forward plea of some needy to concerned persons to help but it does not mean to help by bending rules," Choudhary said.

His party colleague and Animal Husbandry minister Awdesh Kumar Singh echoed similar views and said "even Sushil Kumar Modi do the same."



Urban Development minister and JD(U) leader Maheshwar Hazari said public representatives help needy people of constituency.

Paper leak scam has provided an issue to opposition to attack Nitish Kumar government.

The question paper and answer of clerical grade exam conducted on February 5 last was circulated on social media following which based on probe by state police chief and recommendation of Chief Secretary, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had ordered cancellation of the exam.

Chairman of BSSC Sudhir Kumar, who is a senior IAS officer, and Secretary of the Commission Parmeshwar Ram were arrested and are now lodged in jail with others in the paper leak case.

Results of recruitment of about 3000 ANM, in which similar corruption has been alleged is yet to be declared by BSSC.

Sushil Modi, Leader of opposition in state Legislative Council, demanded resignation of Health minister Tej Pratap Yadav.

"The OSD of the Health minister send names of three candidates for recruitment as ANM which highlights involvement of the minister in recruitment of ANM," he Modi told reporters in support of demand for sacking of the Health minister.

Tej Pratap Yadav is son of RJD President Lalu Prasad.

Asked about name of a BJP MLA Suresh Kumar Sharma also coming in SIT report, Sushil Modi said when the party asked him he denied making any telephone call and was ready to undergo any probe by the state government.

He demanded that the entire call details of arrested BSSC Secretary Parmeshwar Ram be made public.
Nepal's poll watchdog has decided to remove "Hindu state and monarchy" clauses from the statute of the pro-monarch and pro-Hindu Rastriya Prajatantra Party, saying that they contradicted constitutional provisions of a republican system and secularism.

The Election Commission's (EC) decision sparked a protest from the party with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Kamal Thapa urging the EC to correct its decision.

"The EC has robbed the party of its soul by deleting a section about Hindu state and monarchy off the party's statute," said Thapa, also the Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP).

The EC yesterday decided to remove the portion that advocates Hindu state and monarchy from the RPP statute, saying the sections contradicted constitutional provisions of republican order and secularism.

After an emergency meeting, RRP termed the decision as "unconstitutional" and decided to challenge it in a court.

"The EC's decision to remove some sections of its charter was unconstitutional as the Constitution had ensured ideological freedom," said the party.

The RRP has been campaigning for reinstatement of a Hindu state since Nepal was converted into a secular nation through a parliament declaration in 2008, when monarchy was abolished following the success of the People's Movement.

"The RPP does not accept the decision which would forbid the party's principal norm, and requests the EC to rethink over the decision," RRP spokesperson Roshan Karki said.

The party has decided to submit a memorandum in all district election offices across the country on March 20 and put pressure on the government for the reinstatement of a Hindu nation from the first week of April.

The party would also register a Constitution amendment bill, demanding the reinstatement of the Hindu state and monarchy at the Parliament, and would raise a strong voice for the same, Karki said.

He said the party has also decided to launch a nationwide street movement demanding reinstatement of the Hindu state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The White House has expressed no "regret" in citing an uncorroborated report that alleged a British intelligence agency, on behalf of the then US President Barack Obama, spied on Donald Trump when he was the presidential candidate.

"I don't think we regret anything. We literally listed a litany of media reports that are in the public domain," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters soon after a joint conference of US President Trump and visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"We just reiterated the fact that we were just simply reading media accounts. That's it," he said in response to a question amidst reports that the White House has apologised to Britain for Spicer making such an allegation of wiretapping against them.

GCHQ, the British Electronic Intelligence Agency, had yesterday said such a report of spying on Trump was utterly "ridiculous" and should be ignored.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
There is nothing new in poll boycott calls made by separatists in Kashmir, BJP's national general secretary Ram Madhav said today as he asked people to vote in large numbers.

"There is nothing new about it. Separatists have been giving such calls every time elections are round the corner. They have done the same thing now," Ram Madhav said while talking to reporters here.

Asked about the call by separatist leaders for the boycott of upcoming bypolls in Srinagar and Anantnag Lok Sabha seats, Madhav said, "We also do the same thing and appeal to the voters to come out in large numbers and participate in the elections".

He said people should vote for whichever candidate they like as democracy is a celebration and everybody should participate in this celebration.

On whether the BJP would contest the Lok Sabha bypolls, Madhav felt that a mutually acceptable decision should be taken after consultations with the PDP, the party's alliance partner in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We had suggested to the leadership of the coalition partners BJP and PDP that they should sit and talk to each other. PDP should talk to the state leadership here and after that today or tomorrow the (BJP) central leadership will take a decision," Madhav said.

"Let the two parties sit and talk to each other first. BJP had fought on all the six in Lok Sabha elections earlier and after that in assembly elections too", he added.

The PDP has already announced its candidates for the two Lok Sabha seats but the BJP is yet to field any nominees. The rival parties, the National Conference and Congress would be contesting the elections as an allies and have shared one seat each.

"Whether BJP has very less votes and what decision is to be taken in account of that vote bank, the two parties should hold discussions to talk each other and both should be satisfied that should be the way out," Madhav told reporters.

The BJP leader had earlier held meetings with state party leaders here on their opinion about the by-elections for two Lok Sabha seats and legislative council polls.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Concerned over farmer suicide incidents, the Odisha government today said it was planning to insure life of all farmers even as the Opposition Congress and BJP staged a walkout in the assembly demanding constitution of a House Committee to probe agrarian deaths.

"The state government is worried over the farmer suicide incidents. However, the cause of farmers suicide in Odisha was not related to agricultural activities, but for the some other reasons," Agriculture minister Pradip Kumar Maharathy said while replying a special debate on the farmer suicide cases.

The Odisha Assembly, which remained paralysed for four consecutive days, today become normal after Speaker Niranjan Pujari allowed a debate on an adjournment notice on the farmers suicide subject. However, the opposition demanded a special debate on farmers suicide as it was very important matter concerning public.

Rejecting the opposition allegation that the farmers committed suicide due to crop failure and the debt burden, Maharathy said: "Odisha farmers have all along shown courage. They cannot commit suicide. The farmers of Odisha did not commit suicide even during the infamous famine in 1866 and also



after the 1999 super cyclone and 1982 floods when they had lost everything."



In reply to the opposition demand that the deceased farmers family be given compensation as given by the Karnataka government, Maharathy said that it may not be good for the farmers family to get compensation.

"Rather, we are thinking to insure life of all farmers in the state. The person who dies will automatically get the insured money," Maharathy said.

As the minister did not concede to the opposition demand of setting up a House Committee to probe into the allegation of crop loss and debt burden as cause of farmers suicide in the state, the Opposition members of both Congress and BJP led by Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra walked out of the House.

Mishra and other opposition members refused to admit the minister's version that the farmers deaths have no way connected to agricultural activities.

"We do not accept the government sponsored joint investigation of district collectors and SPs on farmer suicide cases. The members of the assembly should probe the matter to ascertain truth behind farmer's suicide cases," said Congress chief whip Taraprasad Bahinipati and BJP member Pradeep Purohit.

The Congress members also strongly criticised the BJD government for not being able to convince the Centre for raising the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy.

Maharathy also said that though the BJP led



central government raised MSP for wheat, cotton and sugar cane, it is yet to consider the case of paddy.

"I will take up the matter with the Union Agriculture Minister who is scheduled to visit Odisha on April 1," Maharathy said.

Maharathy said that so far five farmers have committed suicide in 2017. "This is unfortunate that farmers commit suicide in the state. We are worried over the incidents. But, none of the five farmer death cases received so far in 2017 were due to crop failure or loan burden," Maharathy informed the House.

He said farmer suicide cases were reported from the districts of Bargarh, Nabarangpur, Balasore, Boudh and Ganjam. The district collectors and SPs have undertaken joint investigation into all such cases and found that the farmers died for some other reason, the minister said.

Regarding Bargarh district case, the minister said, "Farmer Hadu Bagarti committed suicide not for the crop failure. The reason could be something else". Earlier, the minister in a statement in the assembly on March 4, had said that Hadu Bagarti committed suicide following a quarrel with his wife.

Earlier, the House during the question hour witnessed uproar over farmer suicide incidents as BJP members created ruckus. The House was adjourned for one hour till 11.34 AM.

The BJP members demanded a House Committee to probe farmer suicide case and were seen wearing black gowns.




that's bad. They can choke on it; they deserve it. Do you get excited that Trump's approval ratings keep sinking and sinking in most polls? How about how much Americans dislike the congressional Republicans? Nice, huh? But, you realize, of course, that those same Americans rate the congressional Democrats almost as badly. Sometimes just 1 point better. The Democrats seem to revel in the idea of being the lesser of two evils and even seeing how far they can push the "evil" thing without being seen as worse-- or even just as bad-- as the Republicans. How lucky they are that the Republicans are actually existentially bad . Andbad. They can choke on it; they deserve it.





be a Democrat, just to assimilate with all that has made the Democratic Party the vehicle for working families and for peace on earth, while rejecting the corporatism, the corruption, the elitism, the careerism... all the garbage that today's Democratic Party has adopted and absorbed and become more and more defined by. Yesterday, Trevor Timm, writing for The Guardian reminded people But what about the Democrats? Here we get into a little problem. Are "the Democrats" Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Rahm Emanuel, Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, Jim Himes, Joe Crowley, the Clintons, the Blue Dogs, the New Dems... the Wall Street Dems ? Or are "the Democrats" Elizabeth Warren, Donna Edwards, Barbara Lee, Alan Grayson, Ted Lieu, and these people ? And Bernie. Bernie's been smart enough to not evena Democrat, just to assimilate with all that has made the Democratic Party the vehicle for working families and for peace on earth, while rejecting the corporatism, the corruption, the elitism, the careerism... all the garbage that today's Democratic Party has adopted and absorbed and become more and more defined by. Yesterday, Trevor Timm, writing forreminded people why Bernie would have won if the corrupt corporatists didn't cheat their own widely hated candidate into the nomination. Short version: A new poll found Bernie's the most popular politician in America. But instead of embracing his message, establishment Democrats continue to resist him. The Fox poll showed American voters rating politicians like this-- most favorable first, least favorable last:

 Bernie- 61%

 Mike Pence- 47%

 Trumpy-the-Clown- 44%

 Elizabeth Warren- 39%

 Paul Ryan- 37%

 Nancy Pelosi- 33%

 Chuck Schumer- 26%

 Miss McConnell- 20%

Bernie's "net" rating is +29. The only other politicians with net favorable ratings are Elizabeth Warren (+8%) and Pence (+4). All the other politicians are in net negative territory: Trumpanzee is at -9%, Ryan at -10%, Pelosi at -17%, Schumer at -4% and Miss McConnell-- no one likes a congenitally deceitful closet case-- negative 24. Eek! He's almost as hated as Bernie is beloved!

This poll is not just an aberration. Look at this Huffington Post chart that has tracked Sanderss favorability rating over time, ever since he gained national prominence in 2015 when he started running for the Democratic nomination. The more people got to know him, they more they liked him-- the exact opposite of what his critics said would happen when he was running against Clinton.



One would think with numbers like that, Democratic politicians would be falling all over themselves to be associated with Sanders, especially considering the party as a whole is more unpopular than the Republicans and even Donald Trump right now. Yet instead of embracing his message, the establishment wing of the party continues to resist him at almost every turn, and they seem insistent that they dont have to change their ways to gain back the support of huge swaths of the country.



Politico ran a story just this week featuring Democratic officials fretting over the fact that Sanders supporters may upend their efforts to retake governorships in Southern states by insisting those candidates adopt Sanders populist policies - seemingly oblivous to the fact that Sanders plays well in some of those states too.



Sanderss effect on Trump voters can be seen in a gripping town hall this week that MSNBCs Chris Hayes hosted with him in West Virginia - often referred to as Trump Country-- where the crowd ended up giving him a rousing ovation after he talked about healthcare being a right of all people and that we are the only industrialized nation in the world who doesnt provide health care as a right to all its people.



But hand wringing by Democratic officials over 2018 candidates its really just the latest example: the establishment wing of the party aggressively ran another opponent against Keith Ellison, Sanderss choice to run the Democratic National Committee, seemingly with the primary motivation to keep the party away from Sanderss influence.



Theyve steadfastly refused to take giant corporations head on in the public sphere and wouldnt even return to an Obama-era rule that banned lobbyist money from funding the DNC that was rescinded last year. And despite the broad popularity of the government guaranteeing health care for everyone, they still have not made any push for a Medicare-for-all plan that Sanders has long called for as a rebuttal to the Republicans attempt to dismantle Obamacare.



Democrats seem more than happy to put all the blame of the 2016 election on a combination of Russia and James Comey and have engaged in almost zero introspection on the root causes of the larger reality: they are also out of power in not the presidency, but both also houses of Congress, governorships and state houses across the country as well.



As Politico reported on the Democrats post-Trump strategy in February Democratic aides say they will eventually shift to a positive economic message that Rust Belt Democrats can run on. However: for now, aides say, the focus is on slaying the giant and proving to the voters who sent Trump into the White House why his policies will fail.



In other words, theyre doubling down on the exact same failing strategy that Clinton used in the final months of the campaign. Sanders himself put it this way in his usual blunt style in an interview with New York Magazine this week when asked about whether the Democrats can adapt to the political reality said there are some people in the Democratic Party who want to maintain the status quo. They would rather go down with the Titanic so long as they have first-class seats.



In the long term, change may be coming for Democrats whether they like it or not. Sanders loyalists are quietly attempting to take over many local Democratic party positions around the country. While Ellison lost the race for the DNC chair, it was incredibly close-- closer than Sanders came to beating Clinton. And Sanderss supporters are already organizing primary challenges to incumbent Democrats who arent sufficiently opposing Trump.



One things for sure: Democrats who refuse to change do so at their peril.

This manifests itself in many way. Timm talked about the DNC chair battle and the refusal of the party to take on the big corporate donors or the lobbyists, allowing the direction of the party to be set by special interests who don't have America's working families first and foremost in their minds. We see it every day when it come to DCCC candidate recruitment. They always seem to prefer "ex"-Republicans like Charlie Crist, Tom O'Halleran, Monica Vernon, Randy Perkins, Tim Mahoney, Mike Derrick... and conservative Democrats with Republican DNA-- i.e., the New Dems and Blue Dogs (the Republican wing of the Democratic Party).





Democrats should be overjoyed that a real, honest-to-goodness Democrat, Marie Newman, is getting ready to challenge a right-wing Tennessee Blue Dog, Dan Lipinski, who inherited his father's blue Chicago seat and masquerades as a Democrat-- except when it comes to voting on crucial issues. ProgressivePunch rates Lipinski an overall "F," but an especially low "F" because his district is so blue (D+5). IL-03 gave Obama wins over McCain (58-41%) and Romney (56-43%) and Trump did far worse there than either McCain or Romney. Hillary beat him 55.2% to 39.9%. The Republicans love Lipinski and didn't even bother fielding a candidate against him. The last serious challenge he had was... never.





The bungalow belt district has virtually no blacks (3.7% around the same as the Asian population). It's 62.4% white and 29.4% Latino. It includes a chunk of Chicago between McKinley Park and Armour Square, Bridgeport, Canaryville, swings down along a narrow corridor to Gage Park, Marquette Manor, then opens up into West Lawn, Midway Airport, Oak Lawn, Western Springs, Palos Hills, Orland Park and all the way west to Lockport and Crest Hill just north of Joliet.





Back to that ProgressivePunch "F" for a moment. Lipinski's lifetime crucial vote score is a reprehensible 57.84 and this year he's got a 9.09 so far, easily the worst of any Illinois Democrat and, in fact, only Kyrsten Sinema-- the Arizona ZERO girl-- has a worse voting record among Democrats. That 9.09 score is shared with ultra right-wing Democratic shiteaters Collin Peterson (Blue Dog-MN), Henry Cuellar (Blue Dog-TX), Ami Bera (New Dem-CA), Thomas Massie (R-KY), John Katko (R-NY), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), John Faso (R-NY), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and-- drumroll-- Louie Louie Gohmert (R-TX). and 8 Republicans have flat out better voting records this term than Lipinski. So, like I said, shouldn't the House Dems be just delighted to be on the verge of possibly getting rid of this worthless sack of excrement? They're not. Marie Newman , isn't exactly being welcomed in Democratic circles, even if progressives are excited about her challenge to Lipinski. There are Indivisible groups in the Chicago area already making her election their cause.

In an interview, Newman makes it clear that she's going to run as a "real Democrat" of sorts-- my phrase, not hers-- against the more conservative Lipinski.



"People need to have someone who represents their values," says Newman, noting that Lipinski was the only Democratic congressman from Illinois to vote against the Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare. "It's clear they feel Mr. Lipinski is out of touch."



Lipinski also has voted against family planning, women's health care and reproductive rights, she says, "ignores" small business, and routinely accepts campaign donations from PACs and lobbyists.



Newman, who lives in La Grange with her husband, Jim Newman, and her two children, has been involved in various social action groups, including one that opposes school bullying, which resulted in a book that she says is used in schools nationwide. She has also volunteered in the campaigns of Foster and U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, and presidential hopefuls Obama and Hillary Clinton.



Lipinski, in an interview, waved off the challenge, saying he's focused on things such as "jobs for the middle class. That was the message of the past election." While he did vote against Obamacare, he now wants to "fix, not repeal it."



Lipinski also has repeatedly voted against the election of Nancy Pelosi as House Democratic leader, and Pelosi has lots of ways to get involved, if she so chooses, particularly with fundraising. Lipinski's response: "I don't think Nancy Pelosi would get involved here. This is not a Nancy Pelosi San Francisco district."

Unfortunately, he's all too correct and if Pelosi does get involved it will be to bolster the execrable Lipinski, the same way she did-- unsuccessfully-- when Tim Holden (PA) and Al Wynn (MD) were challenged-- successfully-- by progressives Matt Cartwright and Donna Edwards. (By the way, a savvy operative friend of mine told me this is all a proxy war between the dark evil forces behind Emanuel and the dark evil forces behind the Daley Machine. Pick yer poison.
One more person charged with covering up the rape of a minor girl allegedly by a catholic priest in Kottiyoor in the district, surrendered before police today.

Thangamma Nelliyani, the second accused, surrendered around 7.00 am. She will be produced before a court today, Peravoor Circle Inspector Sunil Kumar said.

Thalassery Additional Sessions court had yesterday granted bail tothree accused in the case- Wayanad Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Chairman Fr Thomas Joseph Therakam, its committee member Betty Jose and Superintendent of an orphanage in Wayanad Sister Ophelia- after they surrendered before Sunil Kumar.

The Kerala High Court had on March 14 directed the four accusedto surrender before the investigating officers within five days while hearing their bail pleas.

Fr Robin alias Mathew Vadakkencheril, who was the vicar of the local church in Kottiyoor and the prime accused in the case wasarrested on February 28 on charges of sexually exploiting andimpregnating the 16-year-old girl.

The victim gave birth to a child onFebruary 7 at a private hospital in Kuthuparamba in thisdistrict. The child was taken to an orphanage at Vythiri in Wayanad district.

The officials of the orphanage had alleged that the CWC did not take any action even though they had informed it about the newborn on February 8.

Eight persons had been booked for their alleged role in the sexual exploitation and subsequent delivery of the baby by the girl, police said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The body of one of the three villagers, who had been abducted by armed Maoists in Kalahandi three days ago, was found in Karlapat village of the district today.

While the body of Banamali Naik (32) with gunshot marks was found in a pool of blood in the village, the other two were set free by the abductors, said Kalahandi SP Brijesh Rai.

The Maoists had left a leaflet in which they took responsibility for the act.

Search operation has been intensified in the area, he said.

More than 20 armed rebels had abducted the three villagers on the suspicion that they were acting as police informers on March 15.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan has put its cash- strapped national carrier's German CEO on the exit control list, preventing him from travelling abroad following the initiation of a probe against him for 'funds embezzlement'.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar at a press briefing here yesterday said that the name of PIA CEO Bernd Hildenbrand has been put on the exit control list (ECL).

The decision to put Hildenbrand on ECL came after the National Assembly was told that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) had suffered losses of about Rs 180 crores on a premium service on the domestic route and also in connection with the airlines acquiring a plane from Sri Lankan Airlines at an exorbitant price than the prevailing market rate.

Apparently the airlines acquired a plane from Sri Lankan Airlines at USD 8,000 per hour, while another airline had acquired the same type of plane at USD 4,000 per hour.

PIA has already invited applications for a new CEO and chief operating commercial officer or director marketing through a tender.

Hildenbrand was also barred from leaving the country in December 2016 after a controversy erupted when the national airlines sold a flight-worthy aircraft (A-310) to a German museum at throwaway price.

Interestingly, although Hildenbrand has been working in the high-profile post since 2015 he has yet to be given security clearance by the country's security agencies.

Hildenbrand is presently in Karachi.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An Ethiopian Airlines plane today made an emergency landing here when a Chinese man attacked his co-passengers on board and injured them.

Upon landing at the Allama Iqbal International Airport here, the crew called in officials from the Chinese Consulate and handed over the passenger.

The crew described the passenger to be "mentally deranged".

"The Boeing 777 carrying more than 300 passengers was heading to Beijing from Addis Ababa when a Chinese passenger had a brawl with more than five passengers. He and a couple of other passengers also suffered minor injuries," an official of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) told PTI.

He said the Chinese passenger got out of control after he had an argument with a passenger sitting next to him.

"He got violent and started punching the fellow passenger. Those tried to intervene he also lashed them," he said.

The official said as the crew failed to handle the 'mentally deranged' Chinese passenger, the pilot contacted the CAA authorities and requested for emergency landing.

"Upon emergency landing at Lahore, the Airport Security Force officials took unruly passenger into custody. A couple of passengers with minor injury were also provided with medical aid at the airport," he said.

The official further said the Chinese Consulate officials were called in and the Chinese passenger was handed over to them for further investigation.

The plane left for its destination after a four-hour halt.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A body of journalists from Jammu and Kashmir today staged a protest demonstration against the alleged assault on photojournalists by the state police and sought an apology from its top officials.

Condemning the police "highhandedness", the Kashmir Editors' Guild (KEG) members urged Director General of Police (DGP) S P Vaid to tender an apology to the journalists beaten by police personnel and take appropriate action against the erring officer.

"The recurrence of these incidents has become frequent and it hampers in discharge of professional duties by the media persons. It has been unanimously decided that we (local newspapers) will publish neither press releases nor advertisements of the Police department till appropriate action is taken against the erring officer," a KEG member said.

On Thursday, some journalists were allegedly assaulted outside the residence of Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, where the separatists had called for a press conference.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan today said a trial in a terror case like 26/11 takes time to conclude and one must not "jump the gun" and must wait for the court verdict.

Abdul Basit, Pakistan's High Commissioner to India, said Pakistani nationals suspected of involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attack case have been booked by the authorities and further progress is expected in the matter.

"The accused have been booked and we hope to make further progress in the matter," he said at the India Today Conclave here.

"The crime took place in India. The trials in such cases do take time. Our government is trying hard to ensure justice (to the victims). But, let's not jump the gun. Let us please wait for the final verdict of the court," he said.

The Pakistani diplomat was replying to a query from a 26/11 attack survivor who attended the event.

"But, at the end of the day, bilateral cooperation is required to dispense justice," Basit said, adding, "We also need to see why it is taking too long to bring the perpetrators of the 2007 Samjhauta Express bombing (to book)."



Replying to another query, he said as far as the trial in the Pathankot terror attack case was concerned, "we strongly feel that both the countries should cooperate (in the investigation) and we need to sit across the table".

During an interactive session, Basit asserted that there were "no terror training camps" in Pakistan and maintained that his country too was a "victim of terrorism".

"This blame game is not going to take us anywhere. Let's not forget that Pakistan has been a big victim of terrorism."



Asked if Islamabad considers 26/11 attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed a terrorist, the Pakistani envoy evaded a direct reply and said the LeT founder has been put under house arrest as per the anti-terrorism law.

Speaking at the event, former High Commissioner to Pakistan G Parthasarathy questioned the neighbouring country's commitment to fight terrorism.

"The world's most wanted terrorist Osama bin Laden was found living with his family members in Pakistan (in Abbottabad town which houses a military base). Every terror attack in Afghanistan emanates from the neighbouring country (Pakistan)," he said.

Taking a dig at Pakistan's claim that it too is a victim of terrorism, the veteran Indian diplomat said, "You can't nurture a snake in your backyard hoping it will bite only your neighbour.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The pilot scheme for promotion of electric and hybrid vehicles will continue beyond March 31 as the modalities for subsidising clean vehicles under FAME India are yet to be worked out, a top official has said.

"The new scheme is not coming. We are extending the old scheme for a few months. The pilot will continue for a few more months till we finalise our new policy.

"We have not decided about the funding pattern but it has been agreed by every stakeholder that we must go for the public transportation where the frequency of use of vehicles is higher, so that the impact (on lowering pollution) is much more," Secretary in the Department of Heavy Industries Girish Shankar told PTI.

He was here to participate in the International Engineering Sourcing Show organised by EEPC India. National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) participated as Associate Sponsor in the show.

To promote eco-friendly vehicles, the government has been offering incentives on electric and hybrid vehicles of up to Rs 29,000 for bikes and Rs 1.38 lakh for cars under the FAME India scheme launched last year.

The scheme has been in a pilot phase, and a nation-wide rollout was scheduled from April 1.

FAME India - Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India - is a part of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan. In Budget 2017-18, Rs 175 crore has been earmarked for the FAME India scheme as against the revised and budget estimates of Rs 122.90 crore for the current financial year.

However, experts believe that the provision of funds is insufficient to incentivise the use of electric vehicles.

Shankar also spoke on the meeting of the government's top brass including several Ministers earlier this month to promote large-scale use of electric vehicles in the country.

"The meeting was for a consensus building as the Finance Ministry has to provide funds for the scheme. We also discussed what should be the future of the electric mobility policy," he said.

According to experts, several factors including higher cost of vehicles, power outages, lack of charging infrastructure and dearth of facilities for eco-friendly disposal of batteries to curb pollution are among the factors inhibiting consumers from buying electric vehicles in India.

"Of course, the (lack of) charging infrastructure is a major concern. We are finalising the protocol for charging. We will be coming out with our new policy soon," Shankar said.

The Department of Heavy Industries is the nodal agency for implementing the FAME India scheme.

In 2013, the then UPA government had also launched the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020. It aimed to achieve national fuel security by promoting hybrid and electric vehicles in the country.

It had set an ambitious target to achieve sales of 6-7 million hybrid and electric vehicles year-on-year from 2020 onwards. The government has been keen to provide fiscal and monetary incentives to kick start this nascent technology and boost sales of electric and hybrid vehicles.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The first session of the 15th Punjab Vidhan Sabha will be held from March 24.

The decision was taken at the first meeting of the state cabinet under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh here today.

The newly-elected members of the Vidhan Sabha would be administered oath on March 24 and 27.

The election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker would be held on March 27, followed by obituary references to prominent dignitaries who passed away during the intervening period of the current session.

The Cabinet also authorised the Chief Minister to approve the Governor's address for the first session, said an official release here.

The Punjab Governor would address the Vidhan Sabha on March 28, followed by a debate on the Governor's Address and Motion of Thanks, besides presentation of Supplementary Grants for year 2016-17 and the Vote on Account for 2017-18 on March 29.

The Congress has won 77 seats in the 117 member Assembly elections, wresting power from the SAD-BJP alliance.

In another decision, the Cabinet okayed the terms and conditions for the appointment of retired IAS officer Suresh Kumar as the Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister in the rank of Government of India's Cabinet Secretary.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Opposition today demanded resignation of Mayor Sovan Chatterjee on Narada issue when he presented the budget for 2017/18 at the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

Cong, BJP and Left Front councillors demanded resignation of the Mayor raising banners and slogans in the House on Narada sting operation in which Chatterjee was purportedly shown taking money.

TMC councillors protested and a scuffle ensued.

Amid the din, the Mayor presented a deficit budget in which the income is estimated at Rs 3230.50 crore and the expenditure 3399.88 crore.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India's ban has been in place since March 7, causing a holdup in Vietnamese coffee shipments and pushing down pepper prices.

Vietnam has requested the Indian government to abolish a ban on the import of its six commodities, including coffee and pepper, the Vietnamese government said in a Friday statement.

India may have agreed with the request and will remove restrictions against the Vietnamese goods in question, the Saigon Times quoted a Vietnamese pepper industry official Saturday as saying, a development VnExpress International could not immediately verify independently.

India imposed the ban against six commodities from Vietnam, which also included cinnamon, bamboo, cassia and dragon fruit, effective from March 7 after Vietnam's agriculture ministry had ruled to suspend the import of India's five agricultural commodities for 60 days starting March 1, citing the infection of peanut beetle.

Vietnam's Industry and Trade Ministry, in an official letter, told India to uphold international practice -= referring to the ban, the government statement said, adding that it had Thursday asked the Vietnam embassy in India to deliver the letter.

The letter also urged India to "soon abolish the suspension of the import", the government statement said.

India has agreed to remove the suspension against several items, the Saigon Times quoted Nguyen Mai Oanh, deputy chairwoman of the Vietnam Pepper Association, as saying late Friday.

"India will abolish the suspension order on the import of agro-products from Vietnam", after Vietnam's agriculture ministry officials met Thursday with the Indian embassy in Hanoi, she was quoted as saying.

In return, Vietnam will adjust its decision on the suspension of five commodities from India and resume their import, Oanh said in the report.

India's ban has delayed several shipments of Vietnamese coffee and pushed down pepper prices on Vietnam's domestic markets in recent days, traders and industry officials say. Vietnam is the world's largest exporter of robusta coffee and black pepper.

The country's coffee export volume on March 1-15 fell 10 percent from the same period last year to 81,000 tons, based on Vietnam Customs' data released Friday.

Traders in Vietnam said if the situation is prolonged, Indian roasters would have had to buy their raw material from African nations.

While domestic pepper prices have eased, due in part also to the ongoing harvest, Vietnam has shipped 13,600 tons of the spice in the first half of March to various destinations, up 31 percent from a year ago, based on customs data.

Last year India, the third-biggest buyer of Vietnamese pepper after the United States and the United Arab Emirates, imported 11,100 tons of the spice, up 37 percent from 2015, the customs data showed.

Related news:

> India suspends imports of six Vietnamese agro-products

> Harvest rain takes the flavor out of Vietnamese coffee crop
Real estate developer RMZ Corp.Has announced a strategic partnership with Hyderabad-based business house, My HomeGroup to develop premium commercial office spaces in the city with an investment of over USD one billion.

Spread across 10 million Sft, the office space project would be jointly developed and managed by RMZ Corp. And My Home Group, a joint statement said.

The first phase of this project covering 3.5 million sq. Ft is already underway here. This commercial property is expected to be delivered by December 2018, it said.

Manoj Menda, Corporate Chairman, RMZ Corp said, "We are pleased to enhance our portfolio in Hyderabad through this 50:50 joint venture with My Home Group, as this is a strategic business accelerator and demonstrates the fundamentals of our assets."



"This project is a location of choice for many multinational companies and is earmarked for technology, research and development and high value added knowledge intensive companies," Menda added.

Rameswar Rao, Chairman My Home Group, said, "The joint venture with RMZ will accelerate and drive rapid commercial development in Hyderabad. We are positive about the future and look forward to more such strategic partnerships.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Russia today marked a low-key third anniversary of the seizure of Crimea from Ukraine, as Kiev blasted the annexation of the strategic Black Sea peninsula as a "crime".

State-run television showed footage of sparsely attended concerts and parades in cities across the vast country and there was much less fanfare over the event than in previous years.

President Vladimir Putin - who last year spent the anniversary visiting Crimea - was not expected to take part in any of the official celebrations that include a concert and firework display in Moscow.

Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 following the ouster of its Kremlin-backed leader by mass protests in Kiev.

Putin ordered out thousands of special forces troops to take control of strategic infrastructure before a hastily organised referendum was held that was rejected by the international community.

The Kremlin argued it was reacting to an illegal coup in Kiev. The move unleashed a wave of nationalist sentiment that saw Putin's popularity soar, with many Russians seeing the region that once belonged to Moscow as their country's rightful property.

The annexation plunged ties between Russia and the West to their lowest level since the Cold War, as the US and EU responded with sanctions against Moscow.

"Three years ago Russia committed a crime many thought unimaginable for 21st century - occupied Crimea," Ukraine's foreign ministry wrote on Twitter.

The takeover of Crimea was followed by a separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine that has claimed some 10,000 lives in nearly three years of fighting that Russia is accused of stage-managing.

Ukraine said today that four of its soldiers were killed along the volatile frontline in fighting over the past 24 hours.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Yemeni rebel missile was intercepted over Saudi Arabia, a Saudi-led coalition said, as the death toll from a rebel attack on a Yemeni army camp rose to 32.

The rebels' Saba agency said the missile was aimed at offices of Saudi oil giant Aramco in the town of Jizan.

The coalition, which has been fighting the rebels in support of government forces for the past two years, said the missile was intercepted without casualties or damage.

The Yemeni army said the toll from yesterday's rebel rocket attack on its camp in Marib province, east of the capital Sanaa, had risen to 32 dead and 81 wounded.

Marib province lies on the border with Saudi Arabia and most of it has been retaken by government forces.

Military sources said the rebels hit the Kofel camp in Sarwah district with a Katyusha-type multiple rocket launcher and hit a mosque crowded with soldiers for the main weekly prayers.

Despite the coalition's military intervention, the rebels still control Sanaa and much of the northern highlands and Red Sea coast.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury today alleged that a seminar at the Nagpur University where he was to be the chief guest was postponed under political pressure.

The Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University two days ago indefinitely postponed a seminar on 'Erosion of Indian Democracy: Challenges and Solutions' on March 18 and 19, organised by the Post-graduate Department of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Thought of the varsity.

Speaking to reporters here, Yechury said, "There was definitely some political pressure. The Vice Chancellor should clarify whose pressure it was.

"If there was any possibility of law and order situation arising because of my visit, the VC should also state if there was any report on the same from the Intelligence Bureau," he said.

The VC had cited apprehension of law and order situation as the reason for postponement.

To a question, Yechury said the leftist-democratic parties in the country should form a mega-alliance for 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Earlier, delivering a lecture at Dr Ambedkar College here, Yechury said the democracy in India cannot be saved without protecting the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity.

These principles were under attack in the country "in the name of nationalism", he said, adding that protecting them was the real nationalism.

"We salute the soldiers guarding our borders. Similarly , the youth in our country and universities who are struggling and fighting for making a new and better India are also the soldiers of this nation," said the CPI(M) leader.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Shiv Sena today asked Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to apologise to farmers in the state, claiming he had "deceived" them with fake promises of loan waiver during the 2014 Assembly polls.

"The Chief Minister informed the Assembly that the state government cannot waive off the loans of farmers. He should apologise for giving false assurances to the farmers before polls and thereby deceiving them," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

"You (the BJP) should not forget that you came to power by promising that you will not let any farmer suicide take place in the state," it said.

It further said that the Chief Minister should meet the families of farmers who have committed suicide and seek forgiveness for the government's inability to save their lives.

The Sena also expressed surprise over Fadnavis asking the Opposition members in the Assembly to give a guarantee that farmers won't commit suicide if the government waived off their loans.

The Sena said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised several things as an after effect of demonetisation, but none of them fructified.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The United States' top diplomat will press a tougher new line on North Korea in talks with a wary China today, in a tense atmosphere after President Donald Trump accused Beijing of failing to rein in Pyongyang.

On a tour of Asia, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has broken with years of strategic patience over North Korea, saying that approach had "failed" and that US military action against North Korea was possible if its threats escalated.

The sea change in US policy follows two North Korean nuclear tests last year and recent missile launches including a salvo earlier this month that Pyongyang described as practice for an attack on US bases in Japan.

Trump upped the pressure on China to get tough in a Twitter blast yesterday accusing Beijing of failing to use its leverage as North Korea's key diplomatic and trade partner to put a leash on Pyongyang.

"North Korea is behaving very badly. They have been 'playing' the United States for years. China has done little to help!" Trump said.

But Beijing is deeply reluctant to get too tough with its volatile neighbour lest it trigger a confrontation or a messy regime collapse on China's front door.

China has hit back at the US, angrily accusing it of fuelling tension by holding military exercises with its ally Seoul and deploying an anti-missile system in South Korea.

Beijing called this month for all sides to take steps to defuse the situation and avoid a "head-on collision", calling for re-started diplomatic efforts to dismantle the North's banned nuclear and missile programmes.

Years of diplomacy, however, have failed to deter Pyongyang, and Washington has rebuffed the Chinese proposal.

China's state-run Xinhua agency said in an editorial today that "there is nothing new" in the harder stance outlined by Tillerson during meetings with allies in Tokyo and Seoul, saying that approach had "failed" in years past.

It rejected suggestions that Beijing was not doing enough.

"Positive results require effort and good faith from both sides. China has never fallen short of offering its fair share. It's all up to Washington now," it said.

Tillerson, a former Exxon oil executive who until now had adopted a low profile in office, was to meet Foreign Minister Wang Yi today afternoon. The two were to hold a press conference at 4:00 pm (local time).

Later, he was to meet China's top foreign-policy official Yang Jiechi.

Plans also are in the works for Tillerson to meet with President Xi Jinping tomorrow as Beijing and Washington negotiate a possible first summit with Trump -- a frequent China critic -- next month in the United States.

Beijing shares US concerns over Pyongyang's nuclearisation but appears to prefer the tense status quo over drastic action.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three persons have been arrested from Satara district in western Maharashtra in connection with the Rs 1.5 crore ATM cash van loot in Dharavi here, police said today.

The trio--Sureshkumar Pandurangam, Arumugam Subramanyam Sherve and Kamala Nagraj Devendra-- who were trying to flee, was nabbed from a private travels bus last night after Dharavi police, on a tip off, intensified searches near Aanewadi Toll Plaza under Bhuinj Police Station jurisdiction in Satara with the help of local crime branch.

Also, Rs 15.42 lakh cash was recovered from their baggage, police said.

Subsequent interrogation of the trio over the source of cash revealed their involvement in the Dharavi loot. The accused have also given the names of nine other accomplices who were involved in the crime, a police official said.

While arrested accused Pandurangam and Sherve hail from Tiruchirapalli in Tamilnadu, Devendra is a resident of Antop Hill in Mumbai, the official said adding that further investigation in the case to trace the remaining culprits as well as the looted money is underway.

On March 16, a group of unidentified men had looted Rs 1.5 crore from an ATM cash-van of State Bank of India.

The incident had occurred near the ONGC building on Sion-Bandra Link Road when the van had stopped in front of an ATM for refilling cash.

The robbers had then decamped with the amount in the cash box.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tobacco consumption has fallen by 13.5 per cent in Rajasthan in the past 10 years.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)- IV of 2015-16, released in January this year, tobacco consumption in the state has come down to 44.8 per cent from 57 per cent in 2005.

However, the number of patients suffering from cancer, the fatal disease believed to be caused by tobacco consumption in any form, has gone up in the state in the past decade.

At least 77,000 people suffering from cancer die annually in Rajasthan compared to 72,000 annual deaths a decade before, said Pawan Singhal, associate professor at Swai Maan Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur and the state patron of the Voice of Tobacco Victims (VOTV).

Singhal said that the number of cancer patients were higher as many from adjoining states were visiting Rajasthan for treatment after upgradation of cancer hospitals.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump has repeated his charge that predecessor Barack Obama had ordered a wiretap against him, rejecting rising calls from Republicans and Democrats to withdraw the charge and apologise.

Speaking at a joint press conference yesterday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Trump answered a question on the wiretap allegation by referring to the US National Security Agency's reported tapping of Merkel's phone several years ago.

"As far as wiretapping, I guess, by this past administration, at least we have something in common perhaps," Trump said.

But Trump also said he did not endorse a Fox claim that Britain's GCHQ spy agency did the wiretapping for Obama -- an allegation repeated by Trump's spokesman Thursday, sparking a sharp rebuke from London.

"We said nothing" about the GCHQ claim, Trump told journalists.

"That was a statement made by a very talented lawyer on Fox. And so you shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox," he said.

Fox said it could not confirm the allegations.

"Fox knows of no evidence of any kind that the now president of the United States was surveilled at any time in any way, full stop," anchor Shepard Smith said, reading an official statement on-air.

Trump has accused Obama of ordering wiretaps at his Trump Tower in New York, but two weeks after the extraordinary claim, he has not delivered any evidence.

The claim has led to investigations in Congress and by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, but so far no one has provided any evidence to substantiate it.

Top Republicans and Democrats on the House and Senate Intelligence Committee have all said they have seen no evidence.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has remained quiet, however.

Yesterday, the Justice Department said it had complied with requests from the Intelligence and Judiciary Committees in both houses of Congress for information related to surveillance during the 2016 election.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes confirmed yesterday evening that the DOJ had "fully complied" with his panel's request for information regarding potential surveillance of Trump or his circle during the presidential race. He did not elaborate on the details of the information.

The National Security Agency had partially met the committee's request with plans to fully comply by end of next week, Nunes said, but "the committee still has not received information requested from the CIA and FBI... That is necessary to determine whether information collected on US persons was mishandled and leaked."



On Monday, FBI Director James Comey is to testify before lawmakers on that and other issues relating to what US intelligence says was Russian interference in the election.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Donald Trump defiantly refused to back down from his explosive claim that Barack Obama wiretapped his phones, and sidestepped any blame for the White House decision to highlight an unverified report that Britain helped carry out the alleged surveillance.

In brushing off the diplomatic row with perhaps America's closest ally, Trump also revived another: the Obama administration's monitoring of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's calls.

"At least we have something in common, perhaps," Trump quipped during a joint conference with Merkel.

Merkel, who was making her first visit to the White House since Trump took office, looked surprised by the president's comment, which he appeared primed to deliver. The Obama administration's spying infuriated Germany at the time and risked damaging the US relationship with one of its most important European partners.

Trump's unproven recent allegations against his predecessor have left him increasingly isolated, with fellow Republican as well as Democratic lawmakers saying they've seen nothing from intelligence agencies to support his claim.

But Trump, who rarely admits he's wrong, has been unmoved, leaving his advisers in the untenable position of defending the president without any credible evidence.

On Thursday, spokesman Sean Spicer turned to a Fox analyst's contention that GCHQ, the British electronic intelligence agency, had helped Obama wiretap Trump.

Fox anchor Shepard Smith said yesterday that the network could not independently verify the reports from Andrew Napolitano, a former judge and commentator who has met with Trump.

The GCHQ vigorously denied the charges in a rare public statement, saying the report was "utterly ridiculous and should be ignored."



According to a Western diplomat, Britain's ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch, had told the White House Tuesday that Napolitano's assertions were not true. Still, it was among several news reports Spicer referenced in his briefing Thursday as part of an angry defense of the president's claims.

Darroch and other British officials complained directly to White House officials after the episode, Prime Minister Theresa May's office said it had been assured the White House would not repeat the allegations. Spicer was very apologetic when confronted by Darroch at a White House dinner on Thursday, the Western diplomat said.

But Trump himself offered no public apologies and suggested there was nothing wrong with the White House repeating what it had heard.

"All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television," Trump said during yesterday's news conference. "You shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Permalink Notice

Because of changes created by Blogger, older permalinks to my archived posts no longer work. My apologies for that. The year-and-month in the old permalinks are correct, however, so you may be able to find the post you are looking for with some work. Alternatively, e-mail me for the currently functioning permalink.


China and the US today agreed to jointly address the threats posed by North Korea's provocative nuclear and missile programmes as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned that tensions in the region have spiked to "dangerous levels".

"We noted the efforts made in the last 20 years has not succeeded in curbing the threats posed by North Korea's illegal nuclear weapons programmes," Tillerson, who is on his first official visit to China, said after talks with his Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi here.

During his visit to South Korea yesterday, Tillerson had cautioned North Korea that all options are on the table to deal with Pyongyang's provocative actions.

US President Donald Trump had also put out a tweet criticising Beijing's role in dealing with North Korea.

"North Korea is behaving very badly. They have been 'playing' the United States for years. China has done little to help," Trump's tweet said.

Both Tillerson and Wang avoided direct response to Trump's tweet.

"We renewed our determination to work together to convince the North Korean government to choose a better path and different future for its people," Tillerson said.

He said Wang has agreed to work together with the US to see whether "we can bring the government in Pyongyang to a place where they want to make difference and a make course correction and move away from their development of nuclear weapons".

He said the common view is that tensions in the Korean peninsula are very high and things have reached "dangerous levels".

Tillerson affirmed China and the US' commitment to prevent further escalation of tension in the region.

He said issues related to the disputed South China Sea where Trump administration has criticised Beijing's island building were also discussed.

"I discussed the importance of rule-based order with freedom navigation and over flights and made clear that the US will continue to advocate for universal values human rights and religious freedom," he said.

(Reopens FGN16)



After his talks with Wang, Tillerson met Chinese top diplomat State Councillor Yang Jiechi whose rank is higher than that of Foreign Minister



Tillerson is due to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping tomorrow.

Though his visit is overshadowed by the North Korean crisis, Tillerson and Wang discussed a broad agenda and arrangements for the first summit meeting between Trump and Xi due to be held in Florida next month.

Wang who earlier this month has proposed a double suspension formula suggesting the US and South Korea to tone down the military exercises and North Korea to halt the development of nuclear weapons programme said legitimate concerns of all parties should be addressed in "synchronised fashion".

"The most important principle we have identified is that no matter what happens we have to stay committed to diplomatic means as a way to seek peaceful settlement," he said.

Stating that the main problem in the Korean Peninsula is the conflict between the US and North Korea, he said right now the situation on the peninsula has arrived at "new cross roads".

"We could either let the situation to continue to escalate and aggravate, which could finally lead to confrontation or we could continue to implement the security council's resolutions that seek a breakthrough point to start the dialogue come back to the right track of negotiated settlement," he said.

All parties, including the US, should view the situation in a cool headed and compressive fashion and arrive at a wise decision, he said.
The Gujarat High Court has been moved for its direction to hold the next state assembly elections using either EVMs with voter-verified paper audit trail or simply the ballot papers instead of the plain EVMs.

The court has been moved by the quota agitation leader Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convener Reshma Patel with a plea contending that there is no basis to believe that the EVMs cannot be tampered with.

"In the upcoming 2017 Gujarat assembly election, the EVMs are required to be replaced with ballot papers as the EVMs, related systems, procedures and personnel are not fully reliable, fool-proof, tamper-proof or hacker-proof.

"There is no basis to believe the respondent (Election Commission) that embedded/fused programme cannot be hacked or is fool-proof," she said in the petition which is likely to come up for hearing next week.

"The Supreme Court had in 2013 directed the Election Commission to introduce the EVMs with VVPAT -- Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail -- in gradual stages to ensure complete transparency.

"In the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections, if the respondent (EC) fails to provide VVPAT system in the EVMs, then the election be ordered to be held by use of the ballot papers," the petition said.

The Centre, the state government, the Chief Election Commissioner, the state Election Commission, Bharat Electronics Limited and Electronics Corporation of India have been made respondents in the PIL.

"According to technical experts, the EVMs can be used to manage the result of elections, and can be tampered by an election officer. Even the electronic software of EVMs can be changed... Even the BJP has raised the question... The EVMs have even been banned in many countries," she said in the petition.

Patel also said the names of thousands of members of a "particular community" (Patel) were missing from voters' list in the 2015 municipal corporation elections and sought the court's direction to ensure that "no voter is deprived of his valuable right to votes due to the fault on the part of the respondents."



Gujarat Assembly polls are scheduled to be held in later part of the year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Five-time Lok Sabha member from Gorakhpur and the controversial head priest of the Gorakhnath Mutt, the saffron-clad is set to be the next chief minister of Uttar Pradesh (UP). Adityanath, 44, is a firebrand Hindutva leader.
Sunil Bansal has good reason to cheer the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) performance in Uttar Pradesh, where it was leading in 293 seats as at 11.40 am on Saturday.
The Bharatiya Janata Party will hold its legislature meet on Saturday to elect the new chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in Lucknow.

All MLAs will meet at 5 pm to pick the next chief minister of the state.

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu and general secretary Bhupendra Yadav will also be present at the meeting as party's central observers.

The swearing-in ceremony of the new Uttar Pradesh chief minister will be held at the Kanshiram memorial ground on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Amit Shah will also attend the ceremony.

The marked an astounding victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections by winning 325 seats out of 403, thus dislodging the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) from power.
A five-term Lok Sabha MP, BJP leader is a fiery Hindutva mascot who has developed a reputation of being controversy's favourite child over a period of time.

Named as the next chief minister of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, 44-year-old Adityanath, a priest-turned-politician, is known for his provocative speeches and mass following across the state and never shies away from making controversial remarks, be it about Islam or Pakistan.

Clad in his trademark saffron-coloured robe, Aditayanth, a Gorakhpur MP, has been seeking greater power and is expected to give a push to BJP's Hindutva-wrapped agenda of development with the emergence of a separate powerbase for the party in eastern UP.

Born Ajay Singh, the diminutive shaven headed politician is known for his powerful oratory, though most of his speeches hinge on divisive lines and has been in the forefront in keeping the communal politics alive in the country.

Adityanath, who is a strong votary of construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, drove BJP's Hindutva campaign in eastern UP in the just concluded Assembly polls in the politically crucial state where it won three- fourths majority.

Adityanath has rebelled against his party on several occasions, but because of the sway he holds over the 'Hindu' voters, the BJP apparently could not ignore his 'leadership qualities.'



He had floated Hindu Yuva Vahini, a right-wing outfit, in 2002. Ever since, the HYV has been largely instrumental in his meteoric rise - from a student leader to five-time MP.

Right from comparing Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan to Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed during the intolerance debate in 2015 to asking people to leave India if they don't practice Surya Namaskar in 2015, the Yogi has been at the centre of several controversies.

Playing the religious card during the pre-poll campaign, the firebrand leader had said that controversial issues like 'love jihad' and 'Kairana Hindu' exodus have always been on his party's agenda.

He had also said that the hurdles on the path of construction of a grand Ram temple will be gradually removed and its construction will soon start in Ayodhya.

Born on June 5 1972, Adityanath was the youngest member of the 12th Lok Sabha at 26. He has been elected as an MP from Gorakhpur to the Lok Sabha in the 1998, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014 elections.

In 2005, Adityanath allegedly led a purification drive which involved the conversion of Christians to Hinduism. In one such instance, 1,800 Christians were reportedly converted to Hinduism in the town of Etah in UP.
Business Standard is republishing this April 2014 profile as the Bharatiya Janata Party's legislature has unanimously elected as its leader and the next chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

From 8 am to 10 am each morning, Yogi Adityanath, high priest of the Gorakhnath mandir and Gorakhpur's Member of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party since 1998, tends to his constituency from a low desk in a spacious room in the administrative block of the temple's sprawling lands.

Assisting him is a team of scribes, seated cross-legged on the ground before a set of ancient Devnagari-script typewriters, balanced on bricks wrapped in old newspaper. Petitioners pass through a security check, leave their shoes at the gate, and approach the priest with folded hands and bowed heads.

Adityanath - short, stocky, and clad in saffron robes, thick transparent plastic earrings, and vermillion socks - listens with the fragile patience of a self-consciously busy man. "Write an application," he occasionally declares. The clerks nod dutifully and slide another sheet of paper into the typewriter.

Recent reports describe Adityanath - a Hindutva hardliner, and prime accused in Gorakhpur's 2007 communal riots - as a key coordinator of the BJP's election strategy for Uttar Pradesh, the state with the most Lok Sabha seats. He first won the Gorakhpur seat when 26-years-old; now 42, he has fashioned himself as the BJP's most recognised face in east Uttar Pradesh.

The BJP has spoken of a wave in favour of their prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, but Lokniti-CSDS post-election surveys over the past 15 years establish that a quarter to a third of the electorate vote on the individual qualities of a candidate rather than the party she represents, suggesting many seats could turn into head-to-head contests between candidates with specific local histories, rather than the competing narratives of Modi and Rahul Gandhi.

In 1999, won Gorakhpur by the slimmest of margins - 7,339 votes; 10 years later in 2009, he romped home with a winning margin of 2,20,000 votes. This year, locals are speculating on the winning margin, rather than the possibility of his victory, despite no particular signs of progress in this constituency.

Gorakhpur appears a melancholic border town on the Uttar Pradesh-Nepal border, yet to overcome the loss of its fertiliser factory, shuttered in 1990, its sugar mills that collapsed over the next decade, and its children - claimed by the hundreds every year by Japanese encephalitis. Male and female workforce participation is amongst the lowest in the country and a little more than 70 per cent of households still do not have an indoor toilet.

Over 15 years, Adityanath, an upper caste Kshatriya, has sunk deep roots in Gorakhpur. His clerks resolve squabbles in city neighbourhoods; his foot soldiers from the Hindu Yuva Vahini have been criticised for engineering riots in the countryside. His inflammatory anti-Muslim rhetoric has polarised eastern Uttar Pradesh, while his position as the mahant of the Gorakhnath temple lends his pronouncements an air of mystical profundity.

This election season, the BJP has publicly focused on the need for good governance and development and steered clear of overt communal and regional propaganda but on the ground, Modi is banking on regional satraps like Adityanath to bring in the votes at all costs.

"We solve problems," said Dwarika Tiwari, Adityanath's head clerk, gesturing to his typewriter, his telephone, and a stack of tattered notebooks filled with telephone numbers gathered over decades, "We write to the appropriate authorities, we telephone the superintendent of police, we inform the district magistrate and tell him to investigate."



Jung Bahadur, a retired infantryman, has come on behalf of his grandson, "Rajbir, my grandson ran away with a dhobi caste girl. Her parents say she was kidnapped. He is in police detention." Chandra Prakash Gupta, dismissed from a private distillery eight years ago, has been coming ever since in search of a job. Suresh Sharma, a Gorakhpur resident now employed as an accountant in Chennai, has dropped by to have his photograph taken with the yogi, "I go to the BJP office in Chennai; it is good to have a photo to show them."



No problem is too small for Adityanath's attention, no trouble too trifling. "We'll do whatever is needed," Tiwari said, as he churned out the latest application on official MP letterheads, "This? This one is for someone who urgently needs a train reservation using the MP quota."



An MP is expected to legislate, hold the executive to account and represent the interests of her constituency in Parliament. Adityanath, for his part, has sponsored five Bills - there was one in 2009, asking the Centre to pass a national law banning cow slaughter, another to change the country's name from "India that is Bharat" to "Bharat that is Hindustan", and a third banning forced religious conversions. He has also called on the Allahabad High Court to set up a bench in Gorakhpur, and for a uniform civil code.

Yet, in their constituencies back home, MPs aren't judged by House attendance, questions asked, or participation in debates, but on their ability to leverage the state on behalf of their constituents.

Most MPs have neither the funds nor staff to implement big-ticket projects that could ensure re-election.

For example, a representative can spend Rs 5 crore per year on her constituency under the MP Local Area Development Scheme, which works out to a total of Rs 400 crore a year for Uttar Pradesh's 80 Lok Sabha members; a minuscule sum compared with the state government's budgeted expenditure of Rs 221,201 crore for this year. This is where Adityanath's morning meetings prove crucial.

"Voters perceive the role of MPs as that of a problem solver," said Chakshu Roy of PRS Legislative Research, explaining MPs are often voted for doing everything apart from their constitutionally mandated jobs, "Voter expectations, therefore, align the incentive structure for MPs to address constituency concerns at the cost of their legislative responsibilities."



Further, before selling their message to their electorates, prospective MPs must first convince their own parties of their candidature - this makes the creation of a committed base and local politics even more critical. Rajnath Singh could replace BJP stalwart Lalji Tandon in Lucknow, but no one is likely to replace Adityanath in Gorakhpur.

"The public is deeply attached to my name, to my thought process, to me," said Adityanath in an interview soon after his durbar, "The public wants their elected representative to be in touch with them." Through his daily hearings, he said, "I have a constant conversation with the public about their personal problems, problems with the administration, problems with a powerful oppressive person. That is why they vote for me."



Yet, any other candidate could arguably set up an equally efficient grievances cell. Adityanath's biggest asset, his critics said, is an amorphous vigilante army of youth organised as the Hindu Yuva Vahini and tasked with protecting the Hindu faith.

In 1999, made front-page news as an MP. "BJP out to protect trigger-happy MP" ran the second lead on the March 6 Lucknow edition of The Times of India, detailing an extraordinary story that began as a minor dispute over the fate of a peepul tree in a Muslim graveyard in a faraway village, acquired increasingly communal overtones, and ended with Adityanath desecrating the graveyard and his supporters fatally shooting a 26-year-old policeman in the face.

"A pattern emerged," said Manoj Singh, a senior journalist in Gorakhpur, "Yogiji or his supporters would interfere in a village-level fight between two communities and turn it into a big case of Hinduism under threat."



An anecdotal list of communal incidents compiled by Singh describes the vigilante group's involvement in at least 18 separate incidents of communal violence since 1999. While the 2007 Gorakhpur riots, in which a Hindu man was killed and hundreds of Muslim shops burnt, were widely reported, the incomprehensible banality of minor incidents makes for more chilling reading.

In 2002, for instance, Adityanath and his followers arrived at Gorakhpur's Turkmanpur locality and escalated a squabble between a Hindu and Muslim over who spat paan on whom into a full-blown communal confrontation in which stones were thrown, a street brawl erupted and the police were called in.

Adityanath insists the Yuva Vahini is simply a cultural organisation. "Our philosophy is to live and let live, but if someone puts their hand on our throats, we have the right to remove that hand by force if need be," he said.

Yet, his critics, both inside and outside the BJP, said Adityanath's vigilante army was set up to build a power base and grassroots network independent of the the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. BJP leaders begged off from commenting on Adityanath or his politics. "To be honest, I don't have the time," said Varun Gandhi, the BJP's other star campaigner in Uttar Pradesh, before hanging up.

His critics in the Congress were more forthcoming.

"Adityanath is undoubtedly a rabble rouser. His speeches are venomous and vitriolic even in Parliament," said Jairam Ramesh, the Congress leader who most recently served as the Union minister for rural development, "He is more of a politician than a sanyasi, peddling a very destructive ideology of hate and prejudice."



In the meantime, the Yuva Vahini has expanded its influence across the region and its strategy of casting routine street fights as ideological struggles is paying dividends.

Last month in Rasoolpur, a village in Azamgarh constituency, 100 km south of Gorakhpur, a group of Hindu youth decided to build a brick enclosure around a Hindu deity installed under a roadside tree. The Muslims protested, a fight broke out and a young Muslim man was shot. He survived but his friends grabbed Vijay Pratap Yadav, a father of four and the brother of the sarpanch of Rasoolpur, and beat him to death.

Days after Yadav's death, the local representative of the Hindu Vahini contacted his elder brother, Uma Shankar, and asked him to join the vigilantes. "Of course, something will have to be done," Uma Shankar said in a recent interview at his house, "The Muslims have terrorised us."



Despite the fact that Mulayam Singh Yadav, leader of the Samajwadi Party, will contest from Azamgarh this time, Uma Shankar said the family was switching allegiance from the Samajwadi Party, the party of choice for most Yadavs, to the BJP.

"The Samajwadi Party thinks it wins because of the Muslims, so let's see what happens when the Yadavs leave it," he said, "I think we will join the Yuva Vahini, and if we do, we will bring another 50 men with us for Yogiji."

UTTAR PRADESH'S PRIESTLY POLITICIANS

1967: The high priests of the Gorakhnath Mandir have played a role in Eastern UP's politics since Mahant Digvijai Nath represented the constituency in the Lok Sabha from 1967 to 1971 from the Hindu Mahasabha

The high priests of the Gorakhnath Mandir have played a role in Eastern UP's politics since Mahant Digvijai Nath represented the constituency in the Lok Sabha from 1967 to 1971 from the Hindu Mahasabha 1984: Digvijaynath's successor, Mahant Avaidyanath, sets up the Sri Ramjanmabhoomi Mukti Yagna Samiti and leads a march from Sitarmahi, Bihar, to Ayodhya to "liberate" the temple. Avaidyanath served as an MLA from nearby Maniram from 1962 to 1980 and as Gorakhpur's MP from 1989 to 1996, frequently using the Ram Janmabhoomi issue to garner votes

Digvijaynath's successor, Mahant Avaidyanath, sets up the Sri Ramjanmabhoomi Mukti Yagna Samiti and leads a march from Sitarmahi, Bihar, to Ayodhya to "liberate" the temple. Avaidyanath served as an MLA from nearby Maniram from 1962 to 1980 and as Gorakhpur's MP from 1989 to 1996, frequently using the Ram Janmabhoomi issue to garner votes 1992: Avaidyanath plays a crucial role in mobilising crowds around the destruction of the Babri Masjid. On the eve of the demolition, the mahant is spotted on the terraces of the 'Ram Katha Kunj', the building facing the Mosque, among senior leaders such as L K Advani and Ashok Singhal, according to court documents

Avaidyanath plays a crucial role in mobilising crowds around the destruction of the Babri Masjid. On the eve of the demolition, the mahant is spotted on the terraces of the 'Ram Katha Kunj', the building facing the Mosque, among senior leaders such as L K Advani and Ashok Singhal, according to court documents 1998: Avaidyanath retires from politics and his role as the head of the Goraknath temple. His protege, Ajay Bisht - a disciple from Uttrakhand who takes on the moniker Yogi Adityanath - wins the Gorakhpur constituency at the age of 26

Avaidyanath retires from politics and his role as the head of the Goraknath temple. His protege, Ajay Bisht - a disciple from Uttrakhand who takes on the moniker Yogi Adityanath - wins the Gorakhpur constituency at the age of 26 2014: With the Ramjanmabhoomi issue losing its appeal, Adityanath recasts village level conflicts as religious ones and is set to win his fourth full term

With each generation, Gorakhpur's mahants have harnessed the Goraknath temple to consolidate their unchallenged hold on power
After fighting, and winning the UP elections, on the plank of development, the BJP's nomination of Yogi Adityanath, a man notorious for his diatribes, has come as a complete shocker to many, and possibly also to some who may have voted for the BJP.

Yogi Adityanath to be UP CM? Is BJP confusing a majority mandate for a majoritarian one? #UPCM Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) March 18, 2017

Analysts are likely to interpret Yogi's selection as the chief minister as the RSS' flexing its muscles and influencing BJP's decision-making, but frankly, it does not matter if Prime Minister Modi or the RSS are on the same page or not.

What happens to Indian citizens with Muslim names in UP? Will they get justice & services in Hindu Rashtra? #YogiAdityanath Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) March 18, 2017

The people of Uttar Pradesh will now be under a chief minister whose obnoxious statements from the past are reasons enough for anybody sensible to fear the road ahead for Uttar Pradesh.

Exclusive Hindutva replaced Inclusive Hindutva in choice of Yogi Adityanath. Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) March 18, 2017

For a state that has always had law and order issues, the nomination of Yogi Adityanath as the chief minister, only brings more worry and bares open the possibility of a rise in religious intolerance. Yogi's presence on top of the leadership is going to energise the rank and file of the saffron party. This would have been better avoided.

My driver in Lucknow, a BJP voter says, "Yeh (#yogi) Hindu Aur Musalman Ko Larva Na de.Humne Iske liye vote nahin Diya" #HisNameIsNotVikas barkha dutt (@BDUTT) March 18, 2017

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the past, has largely remained silent on hate speeches made by his party members, including some by the Yogi. Will he be able to control the Yogi and his tongue in future remains to be seen, but there will be questions asked to prime minister if the choice of Yogi Adityanath as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh is betrayal of trust.
Globally acclaimed economist Jagdish Bhagwati on Friday said demonetisation will promote growth while Amartya Sen and other experts who denounced it stand "humiliated and exposed".



"On the effects of demonetisation on growth, I should say that I was the one economist who had argued (with my co-authors), from first principles, that demonetisation would increase, not diminish, growth," he said.



"And that is exactly what appears to have happened," he said further. "The Prime Ministers success in Uttar Pradesh has therefore meant that Amartya Sen and his friends who argued that demonetisation would hurt growth, have been humiliated and exposed as much as the Congress," Bhagwati told PTI in an email interview. He is a professor of Economics, Law, and International Relations at the Columbia University.



"After BJPs victory in Uttar Pradesh, indeed Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now in an even stronger position than when he was first elected resoundingly," Bhagwati said.



He also said that three things ought to be noted that made (Prime Minister Narendra Modis) current position unassailable. "First, he has finally decimated the Gandhi-Nehru dynasty, so the Congress is not merely on the ropes; they also lack currently anyone of stature who can rescue it from oblivion," he said.



Second, the Muslim vote no longer is a monolithic anti-BJP vote, Bhagwati said, adding, "I suppose that while BJP did not field Muslim candidates in the Uttar Pradesh election, surely Muslims were aware that the propaganda that Prime Minister Modi was anti-Muslim was an outrageous lie."


Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani today revealed that before coming back to India from US he wanted to work with World Bank. He was speaking at India Today Conclave 2017 in Mumbai.

Ambani was responding to a question whether there was something else that he wanted to do apart from what he has achieved in life.



He said: "Until my father brought me into Reliance, I was pretty sure that I wanted to study in US university, hopefully at least for little bit of time either work at the World Bank or teach as a professor."

Ambani went on to explain what he will be doing in years to come. He said: "My wife being a teacher says that it's high time that you teach. So, both of us will be involved in education in coming years. That is something that we want to do for our own satisfaction than anything else."

On asked how much money means to him, Ambani said 'nothing really.'

"My father (Dhirubhai Ambani) used to tell me 'if you start anything just to make money, you are a fool. You will never make money and you will not be billionaire. You must start with a purpose and be the best in the world.' Money is a by-product. All of us eat the same dal-roti. Always chase your purpose. Always have a purpose in life. Dreams are something that you don't have when you sleep. Dreams should keep you awake. All this money, the day you it seriously, it will disappear," Mukesh Ambani said.

Ambani also praised Prime Minister Modi's demonetisation move saying,"Thanks to demonetisation, India has taken a big leap forward from a cash economy to an optimum cash economy."



"Based on Aadhaar and big data based on your behaviour it would be possible to get a loan within minutes," Ambani further added.




The Central government has collected over Rs 6,000 crore as tax on unaccounted deposits post demonetisation, reported the Economic Times.

According to the report, Justice Arijit Pasayat, Vice-chairman of the SIT on black money, said that the amount could further go up.

The tax authorities have sought explanation from individuals, who deposited substantial amount of cash after demonetisation, either in their own account or in the name of others, the report said.

Informing about the latest development, Pasayat said as many as 1,092 people, who had deposited over Rs 50 lakh, have not yet responded to notices.

"The onus is on those who have deposited huge cash to explain the source," Pasayat further Said.

"The authorities, while examining the huge bank deposits, will finally have to come down to the macro level at some point of time to examine sudden huge deposits of cash in even Jan Dhan accounts. The exercise will be tedious and time consuming. But the tax authorities are determined to undertake this workload," ET quoted Pasayat as saying.

Many later agreed to avail the amnesty scheme which earlier allowed compounding by payment of 60 per cent of the deposits as tax, now hiked to 75 per cent, the report said.

Soon after the government announced the demonetisation of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, SIT Chairman & Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India Justice MB Shah and SIT Vice- Chairman Justice Arijit Pasayat wrote a letter to Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley suggesting him some of the measures to ensure that the people holding black money in cash are not able to convert it.

After the reports of people buying gold, they suggested that the deposits made by jewelers should be correlated with their sales and PAN number of the buyers of jewellery. "The same should then be analyzed against known sources of income of PAN holders and action taken accordingly," the letter said.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2017 in Mumbai, Piyush Goyal, Minister of State with Independent Charge for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines said that every big country needs a national carrier.

Responding to a question regarding disinvestment of Air India, Goyal said that Air India played a key role in bringing Indians who were stuck in Yemen back to the country during Operation Rahat in 2015.

Hinting that the government has no plan to sell the national carrier, Goyal said none of the private airlines would agree to operate Haj flights to take muslim pilgrims to Mecca.

The minister also compared Haj flights by Air India as an example of 'Sabka saath, sabka vikas'.

Earlier, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said in a written reply in Lok Sabha Sabha that the government is not considering inducting banks as strategic investors in Air India or privatising the airline

Comptroller and Auditor General of India in a report earlier this month said that the government may need to reassess the amount of bailout funds given to Air India because the state-run carrier has breached loan limits set under a government restructuring plan, causing its finances to be squeezed.

Heavily-indebted Air India, which was bailed out in 2012 with $5.8 billion of government funding, saw its short-term loans rising to four times the limits laid down in its turnaround plan, the CAG said.
In Somalia, the civilian population continues to suffer the consequences of Somalias long-running conflict, despite the fact that the government of Somalia has made strides toward improving governance. The U.S. State Departments 2016 Human Rights Report on Somalia underscores the need for the government of Somalia to do more to ensure that its citizens live a dignified life.

Federal and regional security forces, often acting independently, continued to arbitrarily detain and recruit children. Large-scale forced evictions of internally displaced persons, including by government forces, continued in 2016. The government of Somalia must focus on human rights training of its security forces, respect for internally-displaced persons and accountability for those government officials who abuse their power.

The worst violations of human rights were committed by the Al-Shabaab terrorist group. The group perpetrated targeted killings, beheadings, and executions. Within the territory it controls, it administered arbitrary justice, forcibly recruited children, and severely restricted basic rights.

In 2016, Al-Shabaab targeted civilians and civilian structures, resulting in numerous casualties.

Al-Shabaab has conducted attacks on employees of nongovernmental organizations, the United Nations, and diplomatic missions. It also blocked humanitarian assistance, conscripted child soldiers, and restricted freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and movement.

Al-Shabaab has banned independent media from reporting in areas under its control, and threatens and targets journalists in government-controlled areas.

There were also reports that AMISOM troops also committed sexual abuse and exploitation, including rape of women and girls.

As Secretary of State Rex Tillerson wrote in the introduction to this years Human Rights Report, Standing up for human rights and democracy is not just a moral imperative but is in the best interests of the United States in making the world more stable and secure. The 2016 Human Rights Reports demonstrate the United States unwavering commitment to advancing liberty, human dignity, and global prosperity.
The report recommended policy changes should be implemented, including to eliminate managerial discretion of the right to request flexible work, and seeing this right as available to every worker.
"[The teacher's aide] is for the teacher and not for singling out a child, and as soon as an adult is sitting beside a child, other kids don't want to be around."
When the government was approached by Fairfax Media in 2014 about the bushfire risk it backflipped on the decision to release the land for aged care. The ACT's own bushfire management plan determined it unsuitable for such a development.
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 ...
Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact.

Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here.

Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing.

You are our people. You Care. We Care2.
Online Course On Introduction To Clinical Psychology is offered by The University Of Queensland, which helps you to learn about psychological disorders and how it can be treated.

Interested candidates can enroll in this online course on or before March 28, 2017.

About clinical psychology:

Clinical psychology is the study of psychological disorders and the treatments designed to improve the day-to-day lives of people suffering from them.

The focus of the course will be on common psychological disorders, such as schizophrenia, and the symptoms of each. In this course, one will understand the role of stress and how it affects a person mentally and physically. Also, consider more general issues and theories around personality and intelligence.

Have you ever pondered what causes mental illness, or why we react to stress the way we do? Or what is to expect as you get older?

To all the questions running through your mind, you should take this course if you want to understand psychological disorders and how we can treat them.

What is learned in clinical psychology?

Common psychological disorders including anxiety, mood disorders, and Schizophrenia.

Treatments for psychological disorders.

How stress affects us and how we cope.

Theories of personality and intelligence.

What normal aging is?

Duration of the clinical psychology:

Length: 7 weeks

Effort: 1-2hours per week

Institution: UQx

Subject: Social Science

Languages: English

Video Transcripts: English

Price: Free Add a verified certificate for $99

Level: Introductory

For further information visit the official website

Also read: Online Course On Social Psychology
Leicester Castle Business School will offer postgraduate scholarships for September 2017 intake.The scholarship is aimed for the International Postgraduate Scholarships is aimed at students from India, Taiwan, and Russia.

Which are the eligible countries?

Students from India, Taiwan, and Russia are eligible to apply for these scholarships.

The scholarship is aimed for:

The International Postgraduate Scholarships is aimed at students from India, Taiwan, and Russia.

The Course Level for the scholarship:

Scholarships are available to pursue the postgraduate program.

What is the study subject:

Scholarships are awarded to learn any of the courses offered by the university.

The scholarship Award:

The full Postgraduate Scholarships will cover a total value of the course fee and will be awarded to three outstanding students one domiciled in India, one domiciled in Russia and one domiciled in Taiwan.

Also, will cover the cost of the course tuition fee for September 2017 intake. Students who have excelled academically completed an application statement and must have an offer of admission for any one of the eligible Leicester Castle Business School full-time postgraduate programs.

Award of this scholarship is through an application and selection process.

The scholarship also includes an additional 5,000 which can be used towards assistance with accommodation and living costs.

Where can the scholarship be taken?

The scholarship can be taken in the UK.

Eligibility Criteria:

The following criteria must be met in order for applicants to be eligible for the scholarship:

An offer of admission from Leicester Castle Business School, De Montfort University.

Domiciled in India, Taiwan, and Russia with overseas student status and paying overseas tuition fees.

This scholarship is only available to students domiciled in India, Taiwan, and Russia who have overseas student status and paying overseas tuition fees.

Nationality:

Students from India, Taiwan, and Russia are eligible to apply for these scholarships.

College Admission Requirement:

Entrance Requirements:

Students must have an offer of admission from Leicester Castle Business School, De Montfort University.

English language Requirements:

Applicants from outside the home country will often need to meet specific English language/ other language requirements in order to be able to study there.

How to Apply for the scholarship:

To apply, candidates must complete the scholarship application web form.

The maximum 500-word statement should cover the following points:

Why should you be awarded the scholarship?

Your understanding of and passion for your chosen area of study.

How would you make a positive contribution to Leicester Castle Business School during your studies?

How would a Leicester Castle Business School education benefit you in the future?

Application Deadline:

The closing date for this scholarship is midnight June 30, 2017, for the September 2017 intake.

Apply for National Overseas Passage Grant 2017 for Study Abroad
When the Toyota Raize came into the picture early this year , it commanded the kind of attention that made you think of it as possibly just ...
Police in Philadelphia are on the hunt for a man who stole a Range Rover while its owner was pumping gas.



CCTV from the station shows a white four-door sedan pulling alongside the SUV as the owner steps out of the Range Rover and walks away.

When he returns to the car, opens the fuel cap and begins pumping gas, an unidentified man exits the sedan and casually strolls into the Range Rover. Before the SUV owner noticed anything was happening, the thief accelerated out of the station, tearing the fuel hose from the pump.

Police report that the vehicles were last seen on Cottman Avenue on March 5 and are asking for any locals who have spotted the perpetrators to submit a tip to authorities.

VIDEO
Nissan have teamed up with the city of Yokohama, Japan to launch a new car sharing service.



Unlike their previous conducted two-year trial, this is a round-trip service, and features the Nissan New Mobility Concept, an ultra compact electric vehicle based on the Renault Twizy.

Before getting to drive the small EV within Yokohama, users will have to register online, have a valid drivers license, a smartphone, and a Japan-issued credit card. Subsequently, they will be able to pick up and return the cars in 14 locations around Yokohama Station, and will be able to reserve them 30 minutes in advance.

For this service, the automaker is charging 250 yen per 15 minutes, plus a 200 yen basic charge, which equals to $2.2 and $1.8 respectively, at the current exchange rates. The maximum daily charge is 3,000 yen ($26).

The new round-trip service is meant to further promote ultra-compact mobility and build a sustainable business model through public-private cooperation. The service will also include guided tours around central Yokohama and long-term car rentals for businesses. Nissan and the City of Yokohama will continue usability and feasibility studies by encouraging various local entities to join the program, Nissan writes.

PHOTO GALLERY
When looking for artists to hire, Guerlais said that he looked for individuals who have the ability to create appealing characters, with vivid colors, very stylized shapes, sometimes using squash-and-stretch principles, and influenced by vintage design and UPA look.

He acknowledges that other members of Deux Coqs dOr Editions editorial team brought their own tastes to the reboot, leading to a diverse selection of artists, including Sarah Andreacchio and Philippe Jalbert.

The first four books in the series, released last month, are:

The husband-and-wife team of Aurore Damant and Julien Bizat created Le Chanteur et la Baleine (The Singer and the Whale). Damant, who wrote the book, created the tv series Zip Zip and has worked as a character designer on shows like The Mighty B! and Robotboy. Bizat is an animator who has worked on The Illusionist, Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Scroll, and Dreamworks unproduced Me and My Shadow.

Mael Gourmelen illustrated Quel morfal ce Gwendal!, written by Emilie Chazerand. Gourmelen, who directed the short film The Inspector and the Umbrella, is currently working at Illumination Mac Guff and has previously worked at Disney, Laika, and Dreamworks.

Dormir, quelle drole didee (Sleeping, What a Funny Idea), written by Veronique Massenot, was illustrated by Caroline Piochon, an animator who has contributed to The Secret of Kells, Long Way North, and The Red Turtle.

Guerlais himself illustrated Papa bisous, written by Karine-Marie Amiot.



Currently, no American publisher has signed on yet to print English editions of the book, but Guerlais hopes that the titles will eventually become available in the U.S. as well.

Three additional titles will be available later this spring, including a book illustrated by former Dreamworks production designer Christophe Lautrette.
Vanille, a 9-year-old mixed race Parisienne straightens her hair as usual every morning. But how could she know that in a few days time shell be in the heart of the lush tropical rainforest in Guadeloupe accompanied by a boy who was half-child, half-shrub, searching for the rarest of all flowers, the pollen of which was the only thing that could save her aunt from a dreadful curse?! Vanille doesnt even realize that the key to her success resides in the very nature of her own hair

For me, the main message is to accept who you are and where you come from, Lorin recently explained to Animation Week. Love yourself the way you are. In the story, Vanille doesnt like her hair. When she goes back to Guadeloupe, she meets other people who likes her hair the way it is. Her hair is just like a personal symbol. She will learn to love herself the way she is, the color of her skin, the way she acts, and its all about accepting who you are.

A graduate of the French animation directors school La Poudriere, Lorin brings strong art credentials to the project. He was an animator on the 2016 Cartoon dOr short film winner Yul and the Snake and also worked on the Folimage feature Aunt Hilda!

Vanille, which mixes hand-drawn animation with live-action backgrounds, would be set up for production at Folimage. Nadasdy Film in Switzerland is on board as a co-producer. The project is currently looking for a French or European broadcaster.

Besides a fresh sense of design, what stood out most to me about Vanille was the animation in the teaser. The performance of Vanille is not puppeted or limited in the way of most tv animation; shes a living and breathing character in the tradition of all great 2D animation.

Lorin adds a unique voice to the art form and his artwork speaks for itself. I hope we get to see Vanilles adventure sooner than later.
Photo: Contributed - Facebook Dejan (DJ) Rasovic

Dejan (D.J.) Rasovic is being remembered as a great family man and community leader.

Rasovic, 40, was killed Monday afternoon when he was crushed by a piece of equipment on his property on Fairwind Court in East Kelowna.

He moved to the Okanagan about a dozen years ago with his family from Vancouver.

According to Dan Jovanovich, a spokesman for Saint Elijah Serbian Orthodox Missionary Parish, Rasovic's loss is being felt within the Serbian community both in the Okanagan and the Lower Mainland.

"He was involved with the church parish since he arrived in Kelowna. He's been an active participant, he's been on the board of directors and he's been president of the Parish for a couple of different terms," says Jovanovich.

"He was an amazing family man and a good role model to all. Everybody really, really liked him at the church Parish."

Jovanovich says news of Monday's tragic accident was very surreal, coming just a day after a positive and uplifting church AGM.

"He was very optimistic about the future. With some successful years we finally had managed to retire our mortgage debt for the Church Parish.

It was an exciting time. We were talking about future planning and he was very encouraging - it was just such a positive day."

Jovanovich says Rasovic was a credit manager at a local car dealership before returning to his 'true love', construction.

He built up a successful company, Vivar Contracting, before his untimely death.

"He was constructing his home. He's got other projects he was managing but his home was a long term plan," says Jovanovich.

"Any spare time he had, he would devote to some project on the home."

Rasovic was working on a dump truck at the home when he was crushed.

A worker, scheduled to do some work on the home, and a relative, found Rasovic's body.

He leaves behind a wife and three children.
Photo: Canadian Forces

The Liberal government will commit in Wednesday's federal budget to offer disabled veterans the option of a lifetime pension by the end of the year, The Canadian Press has learned.

While the actual details of the pension will be worked out in the coming months, the commitment to a specific timeline will mark an important benchmark for the Liberals' signature election promise to veterans.

Canada previously offered lifelong pensions to those hurt in the line of duty, but they were abolished in 2006 and replaced by a new system centred on a lump-sum payment for injuries and career training.

But the new system has become a lightning rod for veterans' anger, with many complaining that it provides less financial support over their lifetimes and demanding that the pensions be restored.

The Liberals were the only party to promise in the 2015 election to bring back life pensions for injured veterans, with the pledge serving as the centrepiece of their effort to court veteran voters.

In last year's budget, the government moved to increase the maximum lump-sum payment to $360,000 from $310,000, starting this April 1, with the increase retroactive for all who had received it.

They also topped up a number of financial benefits for veterans injured while in uniform and unable to work and re-opened nine Veterans Affairs Canada offices that had been closed by the Conservatives.

Those measures were expected to cost $5.6 billion over six years.

But many questioned whether the government would make good on its pledge to bring back the disability pensions, which both the Conservatives and NDP said would be prohibitively expensive.

Representatives from a number of veterans' groups interviewed earlier this week expressed frustration about the government's silence and perceived lack of progress on a number of fronts.

Those included providing free education to ex-soldiers and creating a new centre for veterans suffering from PTSD and other psychological injuries.

But the promise to bring back lifelong pensions as an option for disabled veterans alongside lump-sum payments and career training was clearly foremost in their thoughts.

"There's a lot of things left on (Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr's) mandate letter that we're waiting for," said Deanna Fimrite, dominion secretary-treasurer of Army, Navy, Air Force Veterans in Canada.

"I think probably in the minds of most veterans it is: What is going to be done about lifelong pensions? I think that's number 1 on most of their lists."
Photo: Thinkstock.com

Seat belts could soon become mandatory on school buses in Canada under proposed regulations now out for review.

In an online notice, Transport Canada says the proposal would improve safety for children caught up in severe crashes, especially rollovers.

As it is, the key requirements on buses are to have high-back padded seats closely spaced together, known as compartmentalization, to protect riders without the need for seat belts.

Canada has no requirements for seat belts on any size of school bus, meaning there is no way to ensure that seat belts installed on some buses are installed safely and correctly, the agency says.

School buses can have lap-only seat belts, but Transport Canada says they can raise the risk of injury compared to existing features on buses, which is why the agency is looking to require over-the-shoulder belts instead.

The proposed regulations in the Canada Gazette stress that school buses are safe to ride.

There hasn't been a single child fatality on a school bus in Canada since 2008 and only one per cent of all school-age child fatalities in the preceding decade were on a school bus.

Transport Canada says children are over 16 times more likely to be killed walking to school than while riding a school bus.
Photo: The Canadian Press

The federal Conservative party removed more than 1,300 people from its membership rolls Friday following a review triggered by leadership hopeful Kevin O'Leary's accusation that one of his rivals has been engaging in widespread fraud and vote-rigging.

The party's announcement capped a day in which O'Leary's allegations were attacked or mocked by a number of his leadership rivals, most particularly by Maxime Bernier, who bluntly dismissed the celebrity businessman as a sore loser.

Yet the party's findings backed up O'Leary's assertion, levelled late Thursday, that unnamed backroom organizers were trying to buy the leadership race by using untraceable, pre-paid credit cards to sign up fake members.

After an expedited review, the party revealed Friday that it found 1,351 memberships were purchased through two IP addresses, not paid for by each individual as required under party rules. Those memberships have been cancelled and the individuals are no longer eligible to vote in the leadership contest.

Over the last six months, the party said it has received 1,233 pre-paid credit card transactions through its website, roughly half of which have been traced to the two IP addresses.

Party spokesman Cory Hann said it wasn't possible to determine which leadership campaign or campaigns were involved since the memberships were purchased anonymously through the party's website.

While O'Leary never pointed a finger at a specific campaign, sources had said the Bernier campaign was the alleged culprit.

Bernier fired back Friday, pulling no punches in a bluntly worded fundraising email to his supporters.

"Kevin O'Leary is a loser. I'm a winner," Bernier said.

"He knows my campaign has raised more money, signed up more members, has more supporters and more volunteers. He's a bad candidate. Instead of trying to win people over by putting out a platform, he's throwing mud to try to save his campaign."
Photo: Contributed

No winning ticket was sold for the $10 million jackpot in Friday night's Lotto Max draw.

That means the jackpot for the next draw on Mar. 24 will be approximately $15 million.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Mourners are gathering on a military base southeast of Montreal for a regimental funeral for an RCMP officer who died after a crash between his vehicle and a farm tractor.

Dozens of Mounties dressed in red serge and Stetsons solemnly marched to the sounds of bagpipe music in memory of Richer Dubuc, who died on March 6 in Lacolle, near the U.S.-Canada border.

Dubuc, 42, was a seven-year veteran of the force and a father of four.

Uniformed police officers as well as emergency first responders also joined the procession, led by a black hearse.

A native of Joliette, Que., Dubuc began his career with the Codiac Detachment in New Brunswick in November 2009.

He joined the Integrated Border Enforcement Team based in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., in January.
Photo: CTV

Quebec provincial police say they have arrested a truck driver who they allege refused to allow his vehicle to be towed from a highway during a snow storm Tuesday night.

The 57-year-old man was arrested at his residence in Laval Saturday morning.

Hundreds of motorists were stranded overnight in their vehicles on Highway 13 near Montreal as the city was blanketed by over 40 centimetres of snow.

Police say the man could eventually be charged with mischief.

For now he has been turned over to police in Kingston, Ont. where there was also a warrant for his arrest.

Quebec police are still looking for a second truck driver who is considered an important witness.
Madras High Court on 17 March came down heavily on a man who claimed that he is a secret son of former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa who died on December 5 and the late Telugu actor Shoban Babu.

Justice R Mahadevan threatened the man identified as J Krishnamoorthy and warned that he can send him to jail straightaway.

"I can send this man straightaway to jail. I will ask police officers to take him to jail now itself," Time of India quoted HC Justice R Mahadevan as saying.

According to TOI report, the case has not been numbered and listed by the court registry. However, he came up before the judge for maintainability today.

Talking about the documents that Krishnamoorthy had submitted in the court, Justice Mahadevan blasted that the documents are clearly fabricated.

"Even if the documents are placed before an LKG student, he will say that they are fabricated. You attached a photo available in public domain. Do you think anyone can just walk in and initiate PIL proceedings? This man has fabricated the document," said Mahadevan and further asked, "Where is the original (document)?"

Krishnamoorthy, reportedly, wants himself to be declared as Jayalalitha's son after which he will legally be entitled to her properties.

He had submitted documents such as 'deed of adoption' along with some other after moving the court.

Krishnamoorthy has now been directed by Justice Mahadevan to appear before the Chennai city commissioner of police on 18 March to provide the original documents for verification.
It was 1992. I was 23 years old. And it was my first year as a Chicago Public Schools teacher. My school was on the South Side, and I was determined to shape a positive life trajectory for my students, many of whom were mired in turmoil during one of the heights of Chicago's gang violence. Political assaults on public schools were ramping up as accountability mandates were put into place to reverse years of poor academic performance in many South and West Side schools.

By 1995, my third year teaching, the Republicans in Springfield had passed the Chicago School Reform Amendatory Act. This law gave Chicago's mayor the power to appoint school board members and replaced the superintendent's role with a chief executive. This shift led to a host of changes that included school accountability measures, trimmed union bargaining rights and school rehabilitation and construction projects under CPS's first CEO, Paul Vallas. In 1996, more than 100 CPS schools were placed on academic probation, and the state legislature passed the Illinois Charter School Law, which approved the creation of 15 charter schools in Chicago. The tensions between CPS and Illinois state legislature were put into motion.

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All of this is a prelude to Chance the Rapper's philanthropic donation to CPS.

After Grammy Award-winning artist Chance the Rapper, now 23, met with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on March 3, he assessed the meeting as less than productive. In response, he decided to donate $1 million to CPS and an additional $10,000 to each of nine individual schools.

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A graduate of CPS, this young black man has sent a message to youth: Continue to seek support from others, but in the meantime be willing to take action on your own.

Chance the Rapper is the embodiment of the message I provided to my students 25 years ago when I implored them to arm themselves with intellect and the passion to create Chicago. His actions also remind me of the words of my CPS teachers in the early 1980s who challenged me to memorize the poem "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley, who wrote, "I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul."

Chance the Rapper's action should be a call to arms for all youth in Chicago to become engaged, both civically and politically, at a time when they are besieged by ignominious commentators who insist that young people are unwilling to engage in matters of importance.

It is my hope that young people  who can't donate $1 million like Chance did  find a way to donate their time by volunteering. Change does not happen by chance; it happens by choice.

Alfred W. Tatum is dean of the College of Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Reader Liz Herman sent us this photo of her mother's recipe for Hermit cookies, which she says has been around for "50 years easily." (Liz Herman)

Hermit cookies like his mother used to make  that was the reason Don Hildebrandt of Carol Stream wrote to the Daley Question, looking for a Chicago Tribune recipe from 1964. The recipe, from Mrs. Frances Flanagan of La Moille, Ill., was found and published as a Daley Question column recently.

Two readers then emailed me recipes for hermits, and I'm sharing them with all of you, especially those looking for an easy project on a snowy winter day.

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"This is a photo of my mom's recipe for hermits," wrote Liz Herman of Oak Park. "It's been around 50 years easily. And they fit Mr. Hildebrandt's description  chewy and full of flavor. Mom always used walnuts."

"Mom" is 85-year-old Mary Ann Nelson of Mount Pleasant, S.C. "My mom likes to bake cookies. Me  not so much," Herman wrote in a subsequent email. These cookies were a childhood favorite of hers, but she hasn't made them in a long time. This recipe is found below.

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Jan Matheny of Western Springs submitted the other recipe, "a variation" from one found in "Betty Crocker's Cooky Book" of 1963. This recipe differs in some important ways from the Nelson recipe. I'm including it so readers can choose the one they want to try. (I haven't made either but would bake both so I could compare them side-by-side. Plus, you can always freeze extra cookies for later.)

Another thing you might want to consider whatever recipe you choose: Who is going to eat these cookies? Adults or kids? Matheny substitutes 1/2 cup apple juice for the coffee if making these cookies for her grandchildren.

Do you have a question about food or drink? E-mail Bill Daley at: wdaley@tribpub.com. Snail mail inquiries should be sent to: Bill Daley, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago 60611. Twitter @billdaley.

"Hermits!"

Makes: 6 dozen cookies

A cookie recipe from Mary Ann Nelson, mother of Oak Park's Liz Herman.

1 cup shortening

1 cup each: brown sugar; white sugar

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2 eggs

1/2 cup cold coffee

3 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon each: baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon

1 1/2 cups raisins

1 cup nuts

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1. Cream shortening and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs and coffee. Stir in dry ingredients which have been sifted together and work in the raisins and nuts. Mix well. Drop. Bake in 400-degree oven 10 to 15 minutes.

Hermits

Makes: 7 to 8 dozen cookies.

Jan Matheny of Western Springs described this recipe as a variation on one in "Betty Crocker's Cooky Book." You'll note this recipe uses only brown sugar, calls for more raisins and offers a bit more procedural detail. The dough is chilled before the cookies are baked  and the timing is less than the Nelson recipe. I suspect these cookies are smaller because one batch makes 7 to 8 dozen cookies, not the 6 dozen of the Nelson recipe.

1 cup shortening

2 cups packed brown sugar

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2 eggs

1/2 cup cold coffee

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3 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon each: soda, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon

2 1/2 cups raisins

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

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1. Mix shortening, sugar, and eggs. Add coffee and mix.

2. In separate bowl mix dry ingredients, then blend into shortening mixture. Add raisins and nuts. Chill dough one hour or more.

3. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Drop rounded teaspoons of dough 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes until set.
When Mayor Rahm Emanuel's media handlers call, they're not inquiring about my health. They're pitching architecture stories they think will make the mayor look good. This week's offering: City officials on Sunday will unveil designs for three outside-the-box buildings that combine public housing with public libraries.

Nothing wrong with that, at least at first glance. The designs  by John Ronan Architects and the Chicago offices of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Perkins+Will, all highly respected local firms  put alluring flesh on the concept of "co-location," which links libraries with other public buildings to lower construction costs and increase patronage.

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But it's difficult to judge at this stage whether the plans rise to the most important standard for projects of this type: Meeting human needs.

The plans were the winning entries in a city design competition announced last October that drew submissions from 32 firms. Two will be built in North Side neighborhoods, Irving Park and West Ridge, each with 30 housing units. The other development, set for the Near West Side's Roosevelt Square area, is expected to have at least 40 units.

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What's troubling is that the rapid-fire competition did not allow for extensive community input. That's still to come. So even though the concepts behind the designs seem solid, I wonder whether the process was ill-designed. Was it backward, placing imagery before substance rather than beginning with a sound understanding of what residents and communities need?

When the mayor called Friday to talk up the designs, he spoke of the need to connect public housing with libraries, transportation and parks. No one disputes that now, not after the failed policies that physically and socially isolated residents of such infamous, now-demolished public housing projects as the Robert Taylor Homes.

Veering from this well-trodden path, I asked Emanuel if there's any connection between his co-location initiative and his attempt to rehabilitate his political standing with African-Americans after the uproar that followed the 2015 release of a video showing a police officer shooting Laquan McDonald 16 times. African-Americans, after all, have long formed a major bloc of Chicago public housing residents.

"No," the mayor replied, saying he'd been a backer of co-location back in 2012, when he pushed for putting a public library branch in a Back of the Yards high school. "That predates everything."

Whatever one thinks of Emanuel's response, this much is certain: The mayor is the latest in a long line of leaders who have used architecture to advertise their power to get things done and their avowed concern for the citizenry.

Former Mayor Richard M. Daley cemented his image as a builder with Millennium Park and the Museum Campus. Emanuel's design calling cards are linear public spaces, such as the extension of the downtown riverwalk, and small-scale jewels, such as the Chicago Public Library's Chinatown branch, that reject Daley's cost-saving, cookie-cutter approach to building public schools, firehouses and libraries.

"I do want  civic projects to stand out," Emanuel said.

If built in their current form, the winning library-public housing plans will certainly do that:

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As designed by Perkins+Will's Ralph Johnson, whose credits include O'Hare airport's international terminal, the West Ridge building would rise at the intersection of Western Avenue and Pratt Boulevard. The plan calls for a high-ceilinged lobby at that corner and a one-story library, set mid-block, topped by a planted roof. Three floors of senior housing, sheathed in corrugated metal, would snake above.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill's Roosevelt Square branch also would feature a green roof atop a high-ceilinged library near the corner of Taylor and Ada streets. A wood screen would shade the library's interior from the sun. There would be four stories of mixed-income housing with a total of 40 to 50 units, according to the chief designer, SOM's Brian Lee, whose portfolio includes the Chinatown branch.

The design for 4022 N. Elston Ave. in Irving Park calls for a long rectangular building with apartments above and a library below. A rendering shows what appear to be balconies cut into the facade while the street-level library projects from the main building. The designer, John Ronan, is best known for his Poetry Foundation headquarters in Chicago.

Officials did not provide cost estimates. "We're confident we can build beautiful buildings that will be neighborhood anchors in a cost-conscious way just as we did with Chinatown," Molly Sullivan, a Chicago Housing Authority spokeswoman, said in an email. The Chinatown branch cost $19.1 million, about 5 percent more than a conventional library.

The fraught history of public housing in Chicago offers reason for caution, particularly because the community input phase is yet to come. The Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago Public Library and Department of Planning and Development will host design workshops in the communities where the projects will be built. The architects and each project's developer will soon begin community meetings "to come up with a final design for each of the buildings that meets the needs of each community," a city news release said.

Let's see where this goes. The drawings are promising, but pretty pictures have a way of looking different when the messy reality of human life intercedes. For now, the jury's out on whether these plans will become symbols of the mayor's ability to get things done not just quickly but right.

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bkamin@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @BlairKamin
The Chicago Public Library expanded its CyberNavigator program to its branches almost a year ago. Patrons are taught how to use a computer, the internet and email and how to do online job searching and resume writing. Since then, nearly 1,000 patrons have self-reported they were able to secure a job. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

Charles Dortch showed up at the Frederick Douglass library branch in the Lawndale neighborhood on a mission: to find a job.

The 58-year-old Chicagoan didn't have a personal computer to search job sites or know how to upload his resume to apply online. He borrowed a laptop from a friend, but he needed help connecting to free Wi-Fi networks so he could pursue his job search. He found the help he needed through the Chicago Public Library's CyberNavigator program, which provides technology tutors at library branches citywide.

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"The purpose of me coming here was to put my resume out there and start going on interviews," Dortch said. "Basically, it's been a good three months that I've been here. I call the library my second home."

CyberNavigator offers residents free one-on-one assistance on basics like how to use a computer, navigate the internet, download e-books, create email accounts, use social media sites, and search and apply for jobs online.

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The availability of the program, first launched in 1998, grew last April from 48 public library branches to nearly all of the 80 branches. In addition to the expansion, the program adjusted the allocation and hours of the 60 tech support staffers based on need and demand. More resources were devoted to library branches that saw a greater demand for such services and high usage of the library computers and had patrons that were living in communities least likely to have access to internet access at home, according to city officials.

The program provides about 10,000 sessions a month with tech-savvy assistants; about 20 to 30 percent of the sessions are focused on searching for jobs and applying online, said Andrea Saenz, first deputy commissioner of the city's library system. Over the past year, 978 library users reported that CyberNavigator helped them secure jobs, with the Douglass branch among the top three locations behind ones in Englewood and Chatham, she said.

Dortch said he was looking to start a second career after working as a Chicago Public Schools substitute teacher for years. "What can I do today that's going to help me and my future tomorrow?" his thought was.

He got help navigating job-recruiting websites and submitting at least 30 online applications, some of which involved extensive questionnaires. He said he had about a dozen interviews and received a few job offers including one as a substitute teacher at Chicago charter schools and a position at a security firm.

When CyberNavigator staffer Lexi Naples began assisting Dortch, she said it was clear he had some understanding of how to use a computer but got flustered applying online.

"Part of what I do is just encouraging that we're going to be able to get this together, that it's not going to be the hardest thing in the world," Naples said.

Dortch progressed right away. "Trying to upload (his) resume at first was like pulling teeth," Naples, 33, said. "Now, (he's) like, 'Don't worry, I got it.'"

Dortch proudly says he no longer needs to raise his hand often to ask for assistance, though Naples still checks on him when he's at the library.

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Without basic skills, residents can get left behind in the workforce and be seen as less competitive as employers expect and require job applicants to have some type of tech skills, said Andrew Wells, Chicago Urban League's director of workforce development.

"Nowadays, everything is done through technology," he said, using manufacturing as an example. "As these new hubs pop up and businesses transform their operations to tech platforms, those who don't have those skill sets, they will be shut out of the job market.

"If a person doesn't have those technological skills, where do they go? They end up in mom-and-pop restaurants in low-wage jobs," he said.

Providing skills to help disconnected residents become digitally literate removes a barrier, opens the door to the workforce and helps people stay connected socially, Saenz said.

Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >

"We know people who have access to the internet and use the internet are more likely to be employed," Saenz said. "We can stay connected to friends and family, read the news in a timely way and connect, for example to your child's school and school records  all the things many of us take for granted."

Last year, library users citywide logged 2.3 million computer sessions, which indicates there are still residents who don't have access to the internet at home or a personal device. That makes them less likely to hone their digital skills and more likely to need tech support, Saenz said.

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"There's still many people who don't have confidence and a comfort level using technology that we would expect them to," she said.

In 2016, the computer experts logged more than 110,000 computer help and job search sessions in the program. About 80 percent of program users are adults ages 18 to 65 and the remaining 20 percent are seniors, she said. CyberNavigator costs more than $1 million annually and is privately funded by the Chicago Public Library Foundation and its partners.

A similar computer program through the Urban League provided job readiness training to 1,100 participants last year. The next step is to teach people how to use Excel and PowerPoint, as most companies rely on those software programs, Wells said.

lvivanco@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @lvivanco
David Mitchell, 11, disappeared from the 2100 block of West Birchwood Avenue about 8:10 a.m. on March 17, 2017. (Provided by the Chicago Police Department)

An 11-year-old boy who disappeared from the Rogers Park neighborhood Friday morning has been located, police said Saturday evening.

David Mitchell had last been seen about 8:10 a.m. Friday, according to a missing person alert from the Chicago Police Department. He went missing from the 2100 block of West Birchwood Avenue on the Far North Side. Police sent out an update about 6 p.m. Saturday, saying that he had been located. He was safe, police said.

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Anyone with information about him was asked to call Area North detectives at 312-744-8200.
Chicago police investigate where a 3-year-old boy was shot in the head in the 6200 block of South Aberdeen Street in the Englewood neighborhood on March 16, 2017. (Eric Clark / Chicago Tribune)

The father and mother of a 3-year-old boy who was critically wounded in an apparent accidental shooting on Chicago's South Side were charged Friday with related crimes as the state's child welfare agency said it was investigating both parents for neglect.

Police said Michael D. Riley, 34, had been charged with one felony count each of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and possession of a controlled substance and four misdemeanor counts of child endangerment. Gwenddolyn Holloway, 28, was charged with four misdemeanor counts of child endangerment.

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Police said Riley and Holloway were charged with leaving their four children unattended in their home while a firearm was not properly secured. One child discharged the firearm, striking 3-year-old Jamere Riley in the head, police said.

Court records show that Riley has an extensive criminal record with at least five felony drug convictions and more than 40 arrests. In January, police responded to the family home in the 6200 block of South Aberdeen Street after Riley allegedly woke Jamere's mother by placing a gun against her head and asking, "You think I won't pop you and kill myself?" according to an arrest report.

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Riley, identified by police as a reputed Black Disciples gang member, was charged with misdemeanor aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for the incident and ordered not to return to the home as part of the conditions of his bail, the records show. Jamere's mother paid $700 to bail Riley out, records show. That charge is still pending.

In 2014, police executed a search warrant at an apartment in the 800 block of West 72nd Street after an informant told police Riley sold crack cocaine there, according to the court records. Numerous bags of crack cocaine and marijuana were recovered, but a judge acquitted Riley last year of felony drug possession charges, the records show.

In announcing its investigation of both of the boy's parents, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services said it has placed three of Jamere's siblings in the care of a relative while it investigates the shooting.

DCFS said it had found both parents neglectful in the past  the father once in 2009 and the mother twice in 2013. One child was taken into custody in March 2013 and placed in what DCFS called "a therapeutic setting."

Michael Riley, 34, charged with a gun offense and child endangerment and Gwenddolyn Holloway, 28, was charged with four misdemeanor counts of child endangerment on March 17, 20167, after their 3-year-old son was accidentally shot in the head a day earlier. (Chicago Police Department)

On several occasions, DCFS said it has been denied access to the home by the family. The family was referred to services, and the mother has completed many of them, according to DCFS.

Police said Jamere was critically wounded Thursday evening during a game of "cops and robbers" as he and his siblings were left home alone in a filthy apartment with no heat, hot water or food.

Officers described the boy as "alert" and "crying" as he was taken to Comer Children's Hospital about 3 1/2 miles away. An officer said he was taking a sibling to the hospital "to comfort the child," according to a recording of the police radio traffic.

The boy remained in critical condition Friday after undergoing surgery overnight.

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Officers were called to the apartment in the Englewood neighborhood just before 5 p.m. Thursday.

Police said they recovered an "unsecured" handgun and seized a "sizable" amount of drugs.

Officers found a .40 caliber handgun in an unlocked lock box in the home, police said.

A spent shell casing found next to the boy matched the caliber of the gun recovered.

The boy's great-grandmother, Margaret Bishop, said she didn't know the circumstances of what happened. The boy's grandmother came over and told her of the shooting, and the two headed to Comer.

"Is he gonna be all right? That's my main concern," Bishop, 76, said Friday afternoon from the doorway of her South Side home.

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She described the boy as "an average, playful 3-year-old."

A neighbor said she knows the boy as "Bam Bam" and called the parents "good people."

"They work every day, take their kids to school, take them home," Ann Hughes said. "I just saw them 30 minutes before it happened."

Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >

Inspectors from the city's Buildings Department have issued an order to vacate the building where the family lived because of "unsanitary and deplorable conditions," according to Bill McCaffrey, a city spokesman.

A complaint filed in Housing Court said the children were living in the first-floor apartment "without heat, hot water, working furnace or food."

"There (are) piles of clothes and trash throughout the apartment," the complaint said. "Children were found to be sleeping on filthy mattresses on the floor. The apartment also has a pest issue."

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City attorneys were expected to appear in court next week to seek a full inspection of the building, which is owned by a single-beneficiary trust.

Chicago Tribune's Peter Nickeas, Elyssa Cherney and Megan Crepeau contributed.

sschmadeke@chicagotribune.com

jgorner@chicagotribune.com
Cook County sheriff's deputies who showed up to enforce a court-ordered eviction Friday instead arrested the resident because they found marijuana, 900 ecstasy pills and a gun, officials said.

Willie Chapman, 29, the former resident of a house in south suburban Burnham, appeared in court Saturday and was held in lieu of $25,000 bail, according to a spokeswoman for the Cook County sheriff's office, correcting earlier information that he was held in lieu of $20,000 bail.

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About 8:30 a.m. Friday, deputies went to a home in the 14100 block of South Hoxie Avenue in Burnham to enforce the eviction, according to a news release from the Cook County Sheriff's Office.

No one answered the door when deputies knocked, so deputies forced entry. Inside they smelled marijuana, and they spoke with the resident who was being evicted from the home and explained the court-ordered eviction to him, the statement said.

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Chapman was then detained when deputies saw a gun and a bag of marijuana in plain sight in an upstairs bedroom, authorities said. In a nearby bathtub, deputies found a clear bag filled with smaller plastic bags containing suspected marijuana, and in another room, on the floor, they found a clear plastic container full of pills that are believed to be ecstasy, officials said.

Sophia Ansari, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office, said about one pound of marijuana was recovered as well as 900 ecstasy pills.

The handgun was loaded, and it has a 30-round clip. Officials said Chapman does not have a firearm owners card and he subsequently was arrested at the home.

He later was charged on suspicion of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, possession of ecstasy and manufacturing and delivery of cannabis, all felonies, officials said. He additionally was charged with have no Illinois firearm owners card, a misdemanor.

Chapman's next court date is set for March 21, officials said.
Chicago police investigate where a 3-year-old boy was shot in the head in the 6200 block of South Aberdeen Street in the Englewood neighborhood on March 16, 2017. (Eric Clark / Chicago Tribune)

The father of a 3-year-old boy who was critically wounded in an apparent accidental shooting on Chicago's South Side was ordered held in lieu of $750,000 bail Saturday.

"We have a situation where children who are vulnerable were living in filth... now we have a child fighting for his life," said Cook County Judge James Brown before setting bail. "I believe this defendant poses a tremendous danger not only to himself but" to those around him.

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The boy's father, Michael D. Riley, was charged Friday with related crimes as the state's child welfare agency said it was investigating both parents on suspicion of neglect.

Police said Riley, 34, has been charged with one felony count each of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and possession of a controlled substance and four misdemeanor counts of child endangerment. The boy's mother, Gwenddolyn Holloway, 28, was charged with four misdemeanor counts of child endangerment and is not in custody, her attorney said after Riley's bond hearing Saturday.

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Michael Riley, 34, charged with a gun offense and child endangerment and Gwenddolyn Holloway, 28, was charged with four misdemeanor counts of child endangerment on March 17, 20167, after their 3-year-old son was accidentally shot in the head a day earlier. (Chicago Police Department)

Riley and Holloway have lived together for 14 years, their attorney said, and have five children together -- one of whom has cerebral palsy, and has been in the custody of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, prosecutors said.

Riley and Holloway, both of the 6200 block of South Aberdeen Street, were charged with leaving their four children unattended in their home while a firearm was not properly secured. While playing "cops and robbers" in the living room, their 11-year-old daughter found a black box lying next to the couch in the living room, which contained the loaded black semi-automatic .40-caliber Ruger, prosecutors said. While the box had a lock attached to it, the lock was not locked, officials said.

The gun went off and struck 3-year-old Jamere Riley in the head, in the right temple area, prosecutors said. He was taken to Comer Children's Hospital, where he underwent surgery. His parents' attorney, Nicholas Economakos, said Saturday that Jamere is "doing well" and "up and moving."

Prosecutors said the parents' house at the time of the incident was "filthy." It was littered with clothes, garbage, debris and dirty dishes. The oven in the kitchen was on, and was the only source of heat in the apartment. The door was open. There was little food inside a dirty refrigerator, and the children's bedroom contained soiled mattresses on the floor without sheets or blankets, prosecutors said.

Police found the .40 Ruger and a spent .40 shell casing from the living room, prosecutors said. Riley admitted that he previously took Holloway to a gun range to show her how the weapon worked and how to fire the weapon. He also admitted to previously firing the weapon himself, prosecutors said.

Police also found in the parents' bedroom a knotted plastic bag containing 50 smaller knotted plastic bags, each containing what is suspected to be crack cocaine. The drugs, found beside a digital scale, weighed about 26 grams--just under an ounce. Riley admitted the drugs were his, prosecutors said.

Court records show that Riley has an extensive criminal record with at least five felony drug convictions and more than 40 arrests. In January, police responded to the family home after Riley allegedly woke Holloway by placing a gun against her head and asking, "You think I won't pop you and kill myself?" according to an arrest report.

Riley, identified by police as a reputed Black Disciples gang member, was charged with misdemeanor aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for the incident and ordered not to return to the home as part of the conditions of his bail, the records show. Holloway paid $700 to bail out Riley, records show. That charge is still pending.

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In announcing its investigation of both of the boy's parents, DCFS said it has placed three of Jamere's siblings in the care of a relative while it investigates the shooting.

The parents' fifth child with cerebral palsy was taken into custody in March 2013, and placed in what DCFS called "a therapeutic setting." DCFS said it had found both parents neglectful in the past -- the father once in 2009 and the mother twice in 2013.

Riley's attorney affirmed in court Saturday that the parents did not neglect their children.

"What about the boatload of drugs?" asked the judge. "What about the deplorable living conditions ... the danger posed by heating a house with a cooking stove?"

Economakos said the drugs were not immediately accessible by the children. He said Riley isn't as concerned with the bond amount as he is with not being able to see Jamere, and check on his well being.

"It's a heartbreaking story for them just as I'm sure it is for everybody else," Economakos told reporters. "I believe the evidence will eventually show that they didn't do anything negligent or terrible, or put their children in dangerous situations."

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Riley, a mechanic who occasionally works for his brother's carpet cleaning business, is due in court March 23. Economakos said Riley regularly attends church and suffers from Type 2 diabetes.
Keon Hargrove, 36, is charged with aggravated driving under the influence, causing death, in the July 31, 2015, death of passenger Akia J. Wallace in a crash on the Eisenhower Expressway near Laramie Avenue. (Cook County sheriff's office)

A Berkeley man has been charged with felony drunken driving causing death in a 2015 crash on the Eisenhower Expressway that killed a 32-year-old woman and injured five other people, according to prosecutors and court records.

Keon Hargrove, 36, was ordered held in lieu of $250,000 bail Friday in connection with the crash early July 31, 2015, that killed Akia J. Wallace, 32, when the minivan Hargrove was driving flipped over, according to authorities.

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The crash happened about 4:30 a.m. near Laramie Avenue on Interstate 290. The crash came after Hargrove, Wallace and several other people visited a club in Markham, according to Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Craig Taczy.

The evening before, Hargrove had driven his 1999 Chevrolet minivan to pick up Wallace  who lived in the Kenwood neighborhood  and several other people before they went to the club, prosecutors said Friday. After Hargrove picked people up, he and another person went to a liquor store and bought alcohol, some of which he drank on the way to the club.

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The group got to the nightclub about midnight, and Hargrove kept drinking until they left around 4 a.m., prosecutors said.

When the group left the nightclub, Hargrove again took the wheel, and Wallace rode in the back seat of the minivan, prosecutors said. Hargrove lost control of the minivan while he drove at high speed west on I-290 near Laramie, prosecutors said. The vehicle went from left to right across all four lanes of traffic, then Hargrove overcorrected to the left, sending the minivan rolling over several times before it stopped on its roof.

Wallace was ejected from the minivan and died on the scene. Two men and three other women were taken to hospitals in serious condition.

Hargrove was among those injured, suffering a large cut on his scalp; a large amount of blood was found in the vehicle fabric above the driver's seat, as well as on the driver's seat belt and the steering while, prosecutors said.

Blood taken from Hargrove at Mount Sinai Hospital showed he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.214, more than twice the legal limit, although court records indicate he was not cited or charged at the time of the crash. Three witnesses identified Hargrove as the driver, and DNA tests eventually matched the blood to Hargrove.

Hargrove, of the 1400 block of Morris Avenue in Berkeley, is due back in court April 5.
A group of three or four men have been punching "L" riders and people walking in the Loop and robbing them over the past few days, police said.

The latest robberies took place about 1:50 a.m. Friday in the 100 block of West Van Buren Street and about 1:25 a.m. Friday in the 100 block of West Adams Street, according to a police community alert.

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In the robberies, three or four men have gone up to people on the sidewalk or on a CTA Red Line train, and one asks "a distracting question" and then punches the victim in the face several times, according to the alert.

The other men then go through the victim's coat and pants pockets and take valuables like a cellphone and wallet before running away.

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The first of the robberies took place about 11:20 p.m. Wednesday in the 100 block of South State Street  the block address of part of the State Street subway in which the Red Line runs  according to the alert. The other addresses referenced in the alert don't correspond with Red Line stops; police did not make clear whether the other robberies happened on other CTA property.

Police did not release surveillance photos of the robbers.

The robbers were described as black men. Detailed descriptions were released for three:

 A black man, between the ages of 18 and 26, 5-foot-9 to 6 feet tall, weighing about 175 to 200 pounds and wearing a black, hooded sweatshirt.

 A black man, between the ages of 20 and 25, 5-foot-9 to 6 feet tall and wearing a black jacket.

 A black man, between the ages of 18 and 25, weighing about 170 to 180 pounds and wearing a white bomber jacket.

Anyone with information about the robberies is asked to call Area Central detectives at 312-747-8384 about robbery pattern P17-1-064.
Surveillance photos of a woman who robbed a bank in the North Center neighborhood about 10:35 a.m. Saturday, March 18, 201 (Surveillance photo via the FBI)

A woman robbed a North Center neighborhood bank branch Saturday morning, according to the FBI.

The woman went into the US Bank branch, 4037 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago, about 10:35 a.m. and demanded money, according to Special Agent Garrett Croon, an FBI spokesman.

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The woman took money and fled the bank on foot, according to Croon. She showed no weapon and no one was injured.

Surveillance photos from the bank show the woman with what appear to be two plastic bags, one clear and one black with lettering or designs on it. In one of the photos, she appears to be holding a piece of paper in her left hand; in another, she appears to be leaning over a teller's counter, holding cash.

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The robber was described as a black woman in her mid-30s with a dark complexion, standing 5-foot-4 to 5-foot-8, weighing about 140 to 150 pounds. She was wearing a black knit hat, a black scarf and a long-sleeved red shirt or sweater over a black top, as well as black sunglasses.

Chicago police released no information.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Chicago office of the FBI at 312-421-6700.
Gov. Bruce Rauner answers questions from the press at his office in the State Capitol in Springfield Thursday Feb. 23, 2017 and talks about the AFSCME vote and the budget impasse. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner tried to jump-start a stalled labor dispute Friday, asking the Illinois Supreme Court to allow him to impose his preferred contract terms on the state's largest public worker union.

Earlier this month, the 4th District Appellate Court in central Illinois prevented Rauner from trying to implement his last, best and final contract offer until after the court has decided an appeal by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union.

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Rauner on Friday asked the state's highest court to bypass the usual appeal process and take the case on now. In a filing to the Supreme Court, the governor's lawyers argued that the delay caused by the appeal was costing the state money. They warned that a prolonged legal battle could prevent the Rauner administration from setting up a new health insurance system for state employees  a plan designed to reap savings for the state by passing a greater share of the costs of health insurance onto workers.

Briefs in the appeal in the case aren't due until June, Rauner's attorneys said, meaning the case is likely to drag beyond the state's May 1 deadline to open an enrollment period for state workers' health insurance.

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The union had challenged a ruling by the Illinois Labor Relations Board that found Rauner and the union to be at impasse in their contract talks. That stage in negotiations would allow the governor to press forward with his preferred terms and put the union in the position of having to accept them or go on strike. AFSCME appealed to the court, which temporarily halted implementation of Rauner's contract. The temporary stop became a permanent one in early March.

Meanwhile, AFSCME announced in February that its members had voted overwhelmingly in favor of going on strike if necessary to resist Rauner's contract terms. The vote was intended to give the union greater leverage in its battle with Rauner.

Rauner's lawyers, in their filing to the Supreme Court, alluded to the possibility of a strike as they argued that both sides should be free to use the tools at their disposal to resolve the dispute. Having the issue tied up in court causes a costly delay, they wrote.

"Continuing the current situation in which the parties are precluded from exercising their economic weapons for multiple months while the appeal remains in the Fourth District and then appealed to the Supreme Court is simply not tenable and will only further harm the public," the filing reads.

The administration asked the high court to lift the stay preventing Rauner from installing his contract terms  particularly the health insurance portion.

"After 67 days of negotiation, the Administration presented AFSCME with a contract that reflects our last, best, and final offer," Rauner General Counsel Dennis Murashko said in a statement announcing the administration's request. "This is as far as we can go, and it is time to implement it. Every day we don't costs our taxpayers more than $2 million, which is why we are asking the Illinois Supreme Court to resolve this case quickly."

AFSCME Spokesman Anders Lindall argues that the appeals court has already signaled that there was a likelihood the union would prevail in its legal challenge of the impasse ruling.

"Instead of wasting more time and money in the courts, Governor Rauner should simply do his job and negotiate with our union," Lindall said. "State workers are willing to do their part, but Bruce Rauner is so blinded by his anti-union animosity that he refuses to compromise."

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Rauner and the union are at odds over worker pay, health care costs and rules governing outsourcing. Rauner wants a wage freeze with bonuses to be paid to employees based on a merit system, while AFSCME originally sought a 2 percent pay raise in the first contract year followed by 3 percent increases for the following years.

On health care, Rauner is seeking to significantly increase the worker-paid share of health care costs. AFSCME wanted to add benefits without increasing the cost to workers. Rauner also wants to delete provisions that would restrict the administration's ability to subcontract, and he wants overtime pay to kick in after 40 hours have been worked, rather than the current 37.5-hour threshold. AFSCME has objected to both ideas.

kgeiger@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @kimgeiger
A group marches toward the Wear Orange Party for Peace to raise awareness against gun violence at Harold Washington Playlot Park on June 2, 2016, in Chicago. The nationwide event is held in conjunction with National Gun Violence Awareness Day. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

Two Illinois members of Congress plan to introduce legislation aimed at helping identify and aid children who have experienced violence-induced trauma.

The Trauma-Informed Care for Children and Families Act would create a federal task force and expand Medicaid coverage for child trauma services, while increasing mental health care in schools, among other steps, officials said.

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While working to learn more about Chicago's gun violence, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said he visited the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center about nine months ago and was told that most of the children there had previously experienced trauma. A 2004 study of the juvenile detention center found that 92 percent of detained youth had experienced a trauma, officials said.

"Many of these kids have faced terrible things no one should face, and it impacts their lives," the Democratic senator said in an interview.

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Colleen Cicchetti, executive director of the Center for Childhood Resilience, worked with officials on the bill and said chronic exposure to stress and trauma creates risk that needs to be addressed.

Some children's "fight or flight" mechanism is so frequently being triggered that their bodies are on constant alert, creating problems that can affect their ability to concentrate and function at school and work.

"It may work for you on Saturday night at 110th and Halsted (streets)," Cicchetti said. "But you walk to school and you're bouncing into trouble at every moment."

Cicchetti said she's optimistic the bill, also backed by U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, D-Chicago, would give individual kids skills that would help them stop from participating in violence and better cope with trauma.

The task force created by the bill would coordinate research, review models and develop a strategic plan to address trauma, officials said.

The bill would also authorize an additional $20 million funding increase for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative to evaluate "new strategies that improve trauma-informed care."

It would also make training recommended by the task force eligible for major federal grant programs, including early childhood programs like Head Start and educational grants, officials said.

Other steps include training programs to prepare educators to work with students who have experienced trauma and the authorization of a grant program to support the development of state and local coordinating bodies to identify needs, collect data, build skills and develop a strategic community plan, officials said.

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Nearly 35 million children across the country have had at least one serious traumatic experience, and roughly two-thirds of children have been exposed to violence, officials said. At Chicago Public Schools, 30 percent of students with a reported personal history of abuse or neglect received an out-of-school suspension during the 2013-14 school year, officials said.

And a 2012 study found that when young students in Chicago were examined within a week of a homicide that occurred near their home, the children exhibited lower levels of attention, impulse control and cognitive skills, officials said.

Early intervention for youth who have been affected by violence is important, Durbin said.

"I think it's part of the solution to the violence we see in our streets here and across the country," Durbin said.

gpratt@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @royalpratt
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi reach to shake hands at the end of a joint press conference at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on March 18, 2017. (Mark Schiefelbein / AFP/Getty Images)

Reporting from BEIJING  China on Saturday dismissed U.S. efforts to adopt a a stronger stance toward North Korea, testing the progress Secretary of State Rex Tillerson hopes to achieve in Beijing on the final, most precarious leg of his Asia tour.

Tillerson's visit came a day after he warned of using "all options" against North Korea, reversing the tactics of previous administrations and sending a direct signal to Beijing that the U.S. has not ruled out military strikes on China's ally.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, standing next to Tillerson after their meeting, urged the U.S. to stay "cool-headed" as it seeks to suppress North Korean nuclear ambitions that have reached "a new crossroads."

"No matter what happens, we have to stay committed to diplomatic means as a way to seek a peaceful settlement," Wang said, adding that sanctions are largely an issue between the U.S. and Pyongyang.

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But Wang emphasized a desire for collaboration and Tillerson took a gentler tone than in his previous comments. He warned that tensions with North Korea had reached a "dangerous level," and said the U.S. planned to work with China and others "to bring North Korea to a different place where we are hopeful we can begin a dialogue."

Tillerson's trip marks the first high-level official visit to China under President Donald Trump  who repeatedly attacked the nation's trade practices during his campaign  and will set the tone for a new administration that has offered China little indication of its policies.

The Texas oilman also met with a top Chinese foreign policy official, Yang Jiechi, on Saturday at the lakeside Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in west Beijing. Tillerson will see President Xi Jinping on Sunday.

These meetings wrap up a six-day Asia tour during which Tillerson sought to reassure allies in Japan and South Korea of the United States' commitment to the region. His role in China is much different.

Tillerson will continue to lay the groundwork for a Florida resort summit between Trump and Xi in early April, and navigate Chinese leaders' concerns about U.S. policy toward Taiwan, disputes over the South China Sea and a potential trade war. The Chinese government is especially keen to maintain stability before a leadership transition this fall.

Tillerson said he discussed human rights with Wang, a topic the administration has not appeared to prioritize.

"For Tillerson, and the Chinese largely, this trip is an opportunity to sort of measure each other," said Harry Kazianis, director of defense studies at the Center for the National Interest, a Washington think tank founded by former President Richard Nixon. "There are so many problems that can occur in this relationship. It's important for Tillerson to get out there and get a lay of the land."

North Korea's nuclear aims feature most prominently in the discussions, particularly after Trump berated China on Friday for failing to rein in its neighbor.

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"North Korea is behaving very badly," he wrote on Twitter. "They have been 'playing' the United States for years. China has done little to help!"

The Chinese government  North Korea's biggest trading partner and main ally  has for decades refused to impose sanctions that would cripple its neighbor's economy out of fears of a refugee crisis on the border. Leaders also worry about the loss of a buffer between democratic South Korea and its allies.

China took an initial step last month to squeeze North Korea by temporarily suspending imports of North Korean coal. But further collaboration with the U.S. is complicated by the recent deployment of an American anti-missile system in South Korea that China sees as a threat to its own security.

Beijing has positioned itself instead as the mediator. It recently proposed a swap: North Korea would freeze its nuclear and missile programs in exchange for a halt of American and South Korean military exercises. The U.S. and South Korea immediately rebuffed the idea.

The U.S. and North Korea "are like two accelerating trains coming toward each other, and neither side is willing to give way," Wang, the foreign minister, told reporters last week. "The question is: Are both sides really prepared for a head-on collision?"

Tillerson, while in Seoul earlier, rejected negotiations with North Korea. He was expected to warn Chinese officials that the U.S. is willing to bolster military defenses and put pressure on Chinese banks if the country doesn't do more to curb its reclusive neighbor's efforts. Wang said on Saturday that China had come up with proposals for all sides to study, but did not explain them.

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"For the Chinese, Tillerson is still a bit of a mystery," said Paul Haenle, director of the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center in Beijing and former China affairs director on the National Security Council during the George W. Bush and Obama administrations. "They're still trying to figure out who he is, what role he'll play on China policy in the White House."

A commentary on Friday from the official Xinhua News Agency warned that George W. Bush also had threatened military options and gotten nowhere. "The approach illustrated that Washington needs to talk to [North Korea], not to terrorize it," the analysis said.

Chinese state media largely cast the visit as an opportunity for understanding. But few analysts believe the talks will produce definitive action.

"China now has a very difficult diplomatic relationship," said Shi Yinhong, director of the Center for American Studies at Renmin University in Beijing. "I don't expect Tillerson's visit to make any breakthroughs."

Meyers is a special Los Angeles Times correspondent. Times staff writer Jonathan Kaiman in Beijing contributed to this report.
This image released by the Department of Defense on March 17, 2017, shows the site of a mosque hit by U.S. forces targeting an al-Qaida leadership meeting in Jinah, Syria, on March 16, according to the Pentagon. (Defense Department)

BEIRUT  The U.S. drone aircraft fired missiles and dropped a 500-pound bomb outside Aleppo on Friday in an attack that the Pentagon said killed scores of al-Qaida militants but that local residents described as an assault on a mosque crowded with civilians.

U.S. officials said the strikes in the town of Jinah had killed "dozens" of militants at a meeting of the terrorist group. But local activists and a monitoring group reported that at least 46 people died, and more were trapped under rubble, when the attack struck a mosque during a religious gathering.

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The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring network, described the scene in Jinah as a "massacre," saying the dead were mostly civilians. Photos from the area showed rescue workers pulling mangled bodies from a mound of rubble.

"Bodies filled the space," said Mohamed al-Shaghal, a journalist who arrived at the scene shortly after the attack. He said the mosque had been destroyed.

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The disputed strike occurred as the Trump administration makes plans to expand its troop presence in Syria, part of a push to intensify counterterrorism operations across the Middle East, and weeks after a U.S. operation against al-Qaida left civilians dead in Yemen.

It also takes place as the White House considers lifting rules enacted by the Obama administration that sought to avoid civilian deaths, another sign of President Donald Trump's more aggressive approach to dealing with terrorist threats overseas.

If confirmed, Thursday's killing of civilians would mark one of the worst instances of errant deaths alleged against the United States since it began its air campaign in Iraq and Syria more than two years ago. Pentagon officials said they had no credible allegations of civilian casualties in the strike but would begin an investigation if any surfaced.

While the ongoing U.S. air campaign in Syria has mostly targeted the Islamic State, the U.S. military has also launched a parallel effort against what is described as a growing al-Qaida presence there.

U.S. aircraft have struck dozens of locations in northwest Syria, where an al-Qaida-linked alliance of rebel groups known as Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, is now the ascendant force. The area is also home to an assortment of other rebel groups active in Syria's ongoing civil war.

Residents in Jinah described powerful blasts Thursday night that shook the ground and sent civilians fleeing, many of them dazed and bleeding. Three residents said that at the time of the attack at least 200 people were gathered in the mosque and a nearby building for religious instruction.

Aerial imagery appeared to confirm that much of the northern section of Jinah's mosque was destroyed, although it was unclear whether the strike was a direct one.

This image released by the Department of Defense on March 17, 2017, shows the site of a mosque hit by U.S. forces targeting an al-Qaida leadership meeting in Jinah, Syria, on March 16, according to the Pentagon. (Defense Department)

Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, told reporters that the American munitions struck a "partially constructed community hall" that was being used by al-Qaida fighters. He said there was a mosque nearby but it had not been hit.

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A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment on the record, insisted the decision to conduct the strike was based on verified intelligence. He said that militants had gathered to discuss future operations.

Eric Pahon, another Pentagon spokesman, said the fighters used the half-built hall "as a place to educate and indoctrinate al-Qaida fighters."

Thursday's attack involved two Reaper drones, which fired more than four Hellfire missiles and dropped at least one 500-pound guided bomb in a follow-up strike, the U.S. official said.

Mohamed Shakourdi, a local activist, said the final explosion came as people streamed out of the mosque. "They were running as a fourth rocket hit," he said.

The mosque was believed to have housed several displaced families from the nearby city of Aleppo, much of which was leveled by Syrian government forces during an extended campaign to recapture the eastern half of the city from opposition forces.

"Whether U.S. drones directly targeted the mosque at al-Jinah, as some allege - or it was instead caught up in a U.S. drone strike in the immediate vicinity - a significant number of civilians died at the scene, according to the White Helmets, local media and casualty monitors," said Chris Woods, director of Airwars, a Britain-based group that tracks allegations of civilian casualties.

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The organization said the rate of civilian deaths caused by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes, as well as unilateral U.S. actions, had been rising "steeply" in Syria and Iraq.

"Minimizing harm to noncombatants on the battlefield needs to remain a central priority, not an afterthought," Woods said.

While the U.S. military has placed an emphasis on avoiding civilian deaths since the Islamic State operation began, it has acknowledged at least 200 such casualties since 2014.

Now, U.S. officials are reviewing whether to roll back rules, put in place by President Barack Obama, that subject counterterrorism strikes to close scrutiny by the White House and require the United States to have "near certainty" that strikes outside war zones will not kill civilians.

The change would hand greater decision-making power back to the Defense Department and CIA, but activists say it would also alienate people in countries with counterterrorism problems and create additional national security threats in the long run.

It is not clear whether the strike in Jinah would have been affected by any changes to those rules.

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Six years after the Syrian conflict began, neither the government, backed by Russian and Iran; a small moderate rebel force backed by the United States; nor an array of other armed groups appears to have a clear path to victory.

The northwestern provinces of Idlib and Aleppo are home to hundreds of thousands of civilians displaced by fighting between forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and rebels present in a shrinking sliver of territory along the country's border with Turkey.

In addition to U.S. aircraft, Russian and Syrian aircraft are also known to operate in the area, turning the battlefield into a microcosm of the geopolitical tensions that have come to define Syria's long war.

As the conflict has dragged on, it has allowed Tahrir al-Sham, with its deep ties to al-Qaida, to play an increasingly powerful role.

The expanding U.S. campaign against al-Qaida in Syria is believed to have spread fear among the group's ranks. Its second-in-command in Syria, Abu al-Khayr al-Masri, was killed in an airstrike on his car in late February. The U.S. Central Command said a separate bombing raid on an al-Qaida training camp in January killed more than 100 militants.

Activists and journalists in northeastern Syria said the group has become more cautious about large gatherings, including those such as the one the U.S. military described as taking place Thursday in Jinah. Members often choose to travel by motorcycle instead of by car, and without circulating movement plans ahead of time.

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Gibbons-Neff and Ryan reported from Washington. The Washington Post's Heba Habib in Stockholm and Zakaria Zakaria in Urfa, Turkey, contributed to this report.
In this Jan. 3, 2013, file photo, Rep. Steve Stockman, R-Texas, right, participates in a mock swearing-in ceremony in Washington. Former Texas Rep. Stockman, who invited rocker Ted Nugent to President Barack Obama's 2013 State of the Union address, is accused of spending money meant for charity on himself and contributions to his campaign. (Evan Vucci / AP)

HOUSTON  Former Texas Rep. Steve Stockman, who invited rocker Ted Nugent to President Barack Obama's 2013 State of the Union address, is accused of spending money meant for charity on himself and contributions to his campaign.

Stockman, a Republican who served two non-consecutive terms in the U.S. House, is charged with conspiracy to make conduit contributions and false statements. He was released from custody after a hearing Friday in Houston federal court.

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The Houston Chronicle reports that Stockman on Friday blamed his arrest on a "deep state" shadow government, which is a theory that has taken hold among some conservatives that there is a shadowy network of powerful entrenched federal and military interests working to undermine President Donald Trump.

In an affidavit, FBI Agent Vanessa Walther wrote that in January 2013, shortly after starting his second House term, Stockman solicited $350,000 in charitable donations from an unidentified wealthy businessman on behalf of a Nevada-based nonprofit, Life Without Limits, which had been set up to help people through traumatic events.

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The donation was solicited for the purpose of renovating a house in Washington, D.C., called the Freedom House. But the check was deposited at a bank branch in Webster, Texas, into an account set up by Stockman doing business as Life Without Limits, according to the affidavit. Financial records show that Stockman made no significant expenditures toward the purchase, renovation or operation of Freedom House, which never opened.

Rather than spending the money on Freedom House, Stockman secretly diverted the money to pay for a variety of personal expenses and to funnel contributions to his campaign under the guise that they were from other people, the affidavit states.

"It is a crime for a campaign contribution to be made by one person in the name of another. It is also a crime to make a false statement" to the Federal Elections Commission, according to Walther's sworn statement, which was unsealed Friday.

Stockman served a term in the U.S. House from 1995 until 1997 and another from 2013 until 2015. He ran for the U.S. Senate in 2014 but lost in the Republican primary to incumbent John Cornyn, who won re-election.
BADEN-BADEN, Germany  The Trump administration on Saturday rejected a statement from other leading economies that warned against the perils of trade protectionism, the latest sign of how the administration's more combative approach to diplomacy could create rifts with U.S. allies and leave traditional partners in the dark about the direction of U.S. policy.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, appearing at a gathering of economic ministers and central bankers from the 20 largest economies, rebuffed multiple entreaties from German officials to include in the meeting's joint statement language stressing the importance of free trade and that it should be conducted in a "rules based" manner, following existing standards and agreements.

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By rejecting language that would have said the United States is opposed to protectionism, the White House sent a clear signal that it would not accept existing trade norms and could pursue a more antagonistic approach with trading partners around the world. Such language has been considered ordinary and uncontroversial in recent meetings of the Group of 20.

"I understand what the president's desire is and his policies and I negotiated them from here, and we couldn't be happier with the outcome," Mnuchin said at a news conference Saturday.

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Trump made opposition to free trade a cornerstone of his presidential campaign and pulled the United States out of a sweeping Asia trade deal shortly after taking office, but has not yet followed up with other concrete steps to revamp the terms of America's economic relationship with the world. He has threatened tariffs and other measures to correct what he says are other countries' unfair advantages in their trade relationships with the United States, mostly taking aim at China and Mexico.

For many years, the United States has been the country rallying other nations to the cause of free trade and common language in the communiques that follow meetings of economic ministers and central banks. Several European officials and one former U.S. official who had attended past G-20 meetings said it was the first time the United States had blocked such an effort.

The move follows new strains in the U.S. relationship with Britain and Germany, traditionally two of America's most steadfast allies.

The White House on Friday cited an uncorroborated Fox News report to accuse a British spy agency of surveilling him - an accusation the agency said was baseless.

Then Trump launched a pair of tweets Saturday morning accusing Germany of failing to fulfill its obligations after several negative headlines about his meeting Friday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Washington.

"Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS, I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel," Trump said on Twitter. "Nevertheless, Germany owes vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!"

(Germany does not owe vast sums of money to NATO, the defense alliance. Member nations are expected to spend 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense spending, but Germany only spends 1.2 percent. It's unclear what Trump is referring to when he says the United States must be paid more for its defense of Germany, which hosts a major U.S. Air Force base.)

German economic officials spoke Saturday in Baden-Baden about the same time Trump sent the accusatory tweets.

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German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble said the United States was at an "impasse" with others about what they should say on trade protectionism, so they decided to say nothing at all. He also accused the Trump administration of not having a firm view on what it was seeking in terms of a trade policy.

"Obviously he had no mandate to talk about any definitions or interpretations of what the U.S. administration means by 'fair trade,' and that is something we have to accept for the time being," Schauble said.

Schauble said that the finance ministers struggled to reach a consensus on how to approach trade.

"We have agreed on some wording and language on trade policy which may be helpful or not," he said at a news conference.

He added that "sometimes at such meetings you cannot reach all the results that you may want to achieve because you cannot force partners to go along with wording they are not [okay] with."

The Germans had tried to get Mnuchin on board. Sensing opposition to the initial language from the Trump administration, German officials had watered it down several times but Mnuchin resisted.

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Finally, about 1 p.m. Saturday, Germany's top central banker, Jens Weidmann, told his colleagues that the efforts to reach an agreement on the trade talks had failed.

Mnuchin then spoke up and asked whether they could agree on more generic language that said the countries wanted to "strengthen the contribution of trade." Several other finance ministers balked, saying such watery language was meaningless.

Still, a version of Mnuchin's proposal ended up in the final agreement, which contained just a brief generic reference: "We are working to strengthen the contribution of trade to our economies."

The new language was markedly different from last year's, when the finance ministers issued a joint statement that said, "We will resist all forms of protectionism."

"We believe in free trade. We are one of the largest markets in the world. We are one of the largest trading partners in the world. Trade has been good for us and good for other people," Mnuchin said at the news conference. "Having said that, we want to reexamine certain agreements. . . . To the extent that agreements are old agreements and need to be renegotiated, we will consider that as well."

The G-20 first met during the George W. Bush administration, and its purpose is to try to get global agreement on common issues that face each of the countries, such as trade, taxes, financial regulation and national security.

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Trump was elected in part because he vociferously rejected existing trade agreements, and the message Mnuchin delivered on behalf of the White House was that it planned to follow through on his campaign-trail promises.

Gary Schmitt, co-director of the Center for Security Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, said Trump could be sending a signal to other leaders that this is a negotiation, and the actions by Mnuchin at the meeting are an opening bid.

"You make people come to you by laying out a strident position," Schmitt said, summing up the approach Trump has used for years in real estate and business. "But over the long term, it's much harder to hold to that. These are people who lead countries and have other trade agreements. The U.S. is going to learn it's not as in-the-driver-seat as they think."

Joint statements issued after G-20 meetings are difficult to finalize and are only as meaningful as the countries want them to be. They aren't formal treaties, but they do signal whether where there is consensus. Many world leaders are trying to determine how Trump's "America First" mantra will affect existing and future trade agreements, which dictate how goods and services are imported and exported around the world. The U.S. economy is the world's largest, and changes the way it buys and sells goods will have global ramifications.

The White House has said it thinks existing U.S. trade deals are unfair to American workers because it allows countries to lure away American jobs and send their goods to the United States at unfairly low prices. In addition to scrapping the Asian trade deal, Trump has also said he will renegotiate - or scrap - the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Critics of this approach have said it could isolate the U.S. economy, make goods more expensive for Americans, and hurt American companies that rely on exporting their goods around the world.

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The angst about Trump's approach quickly became the backdrop at the Baden-Baden meeting, and many foreign officials came seeking more clarity from Mnuchin, whom most had never met. Mnuchin had spent his career in part at Goldman Sachs, starting a hedge fund and working as a Hollywood producer. They wanted to know whether he would veer from Trump on some of the economic nationalism they had heard coming from the White House.

He wouldn't, they quickly learned.

During a closed-door meeting Friday with other finance ministers and central bankers, Mnuchin delivered the same message that Trump had made for months, just slightly softer, according to attendees who spoke on the condition of anonymity to reveal internal discussions: The United States would unapologetically work to redraft trade practices in a way that helps American workers. He said trade agreements need to be "free and fair" and balanced. He also said an overhaul of the U.S. tax code was overdue and that the United States would rethink regulations put in place after the Great Recession.

Mnuchin made clear again and again that what's good for America's economy is good for global growth.

"My primary focus is on economic growth in the United States," Mnuchin said after meeting with Schauble in Berlin. "I think that economic growth in the United States is good for us and good for the other major economies in the world."

The message was not unexpected, but for many of the officials it was the first time they had heard it in person from a member of Trump's Cabinet.

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Mnuchin quickly became the "center of attention," Canadian Finance Minister William Morneau said in an interview. Many sought one-on-one meetings with Mnuchin to explain their position and hear his views. The trade language in the joint statement served as a test to see how dug in Mnuchin - and ultimately Trump - was willing to be on trade.

Still, Mnuchin agreed to numerous meetings as he said he wanted to develop more relationships with his foreign counterparts. He met with top officials from France, South Korea, Japan, China, Saudi Arabia, the European Central Bank, Britain, Germany and Argentina, among others. His first international trip was a blizzard of bilateral discussions, with everyone trying to size up the new treasury secretary.

Despite the reservations about a variety of Trump's positions, numerous officials said they were impressed with Mnuchin's presentation and command of issues. So far, he is one of the only members of Trump's Cabinet who has sought to develop relationships with other foreign leaders. They still don't know whether they will be able to influence his thinking, but they feel he has a willingness to listen, several G-20 attendees said.

"To a person, they have said they have been pleased with the way he is coming at issues," Morneau said. "He is very constructive and talking about good relationships with all of his international counterparts."

Two European officials described Mnuchin as friendly but "tough." They also said the U.S. delegation at the G-20 was routinely checking back with its counterparts in Washington on certain issues, leading some Europeans to wonder with whom they were negotiating, Mnuchin or Trump. But one of the European officials said this was not uncommon for a new administration, which was still formalizing its viewpoint on an array of complicated matters.

The G-20 finance ministers' meeting is the precursor to a gathering of the G-20 heads of state this summer in Hamburg. Many expect the discussions on trade will only intensify by then, but now they know where the United States stands.
A jury late Friday afternoon convicted a 49-year-old Sugar Grove man of sexually assaulting a foster child 13 years ago.

Noel Buhay was found guilty of three counts of predatory criminal sexual assault. Judge D.J. Tegeler revoked Buhay's bond and ordered him held in Kane County Jail pending a sentencing hearing June 2.

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Prosecutors said Buhay performed sex acts on the then-10-year-old boy who was placed into foster care with Buhay and his wife by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services during a five-month span between January and May 2004. The boy, with hope for a normal life complete with family vacations and stability, was taken advantage of by Buhay, who saw the child as a "perfect victim," Assistant State's Attorney Lori Schmidt said in her opening statement.

The boy, now a 23-year-old man, testified during the trial, which began Monday. Buhay's defense team suggested in their opening remarks to jurors that prosecutors wouldn't be able to provide direct evidence of the assaults, adding that testimony from the man would be "flawed."

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Prosecutors did not charge Buhay with assaulting the boy until 2014, only after Buhay was accused in 2013 of nearly 30 counts alleging he sexually abused and assaulted a second boy. Buhay contacted his former foster son during the latter investigation to tell him to stay quiet about his claim, according to prosecutors. The case involving the second boy remains pending.

Dan Campana is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
Community Unit School District 308 board members moved in a split vote to look for a new home for a special education program, which has been the subject of heated debate in the district about the interests of students and the interests of residents of the neighborhood in which the program is located.

Now, less than a year after the district's transition program moved into a house on Brock Court in Oswego, administrators are looking for a new location for the program. Board members Mike McDowell and Greg O'Neil voted against the measure, while Brad Banks, Lauri Doyle, Danielle Paul, Jared Ploger and board president Matt Bauman voted in favor.

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Bauman said the move is not because the current neighborhood is unsafe, but because there could be a better location.

"There was always going to be tension, I think, in the neighborhood if the program remained there," he said. "And we don't want the kids in that environment."

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The district's transition program is designed to prepare special education students between 18 and 22 to move from high school to further education, training or employment in the community. The program moved into the home on Brock Court after the board approved the purchase in June as part of a larger plan to relocate several district programs. It had previously been housed, along with other special education programs, in a district building that officials have said needs large-scale improvements.

Since then, Brock Court residents have expressed concerns about safety, school buses, traffic and other issues. Program staff have said locating the transition program in a house teaches students daily living skills in a natural setting and students have made the home their own, but acknowledged challenges with the Brock Court home.

During the debate, some board members said the scenario taught students about tough situations, while others weighed whether the district was putting students in an unkind or unsafe environment. Administrators have said the home has been made compliant with the American with Disabilities Act, and work would have to be done to reverse some of those changes before it could be sold.

In late February, an attorney who said he was representing neighborhood residents sent a letter urging the Oswego-based district to relocate the program, saying in part that board members had made "insensitive and inflammatory" comments about residents. Among the concerns raised in the letter were comments from some at a meeting who he said had called residents "intolerant" and "jerks."

Bauman said the board chose at a meeting Monday to move toward relocating the program because the Brock Court location has "flaws," and board members want to find a solution that will work better. They are recommending the program remain with the same format and to look for another house.

He said the board has not set a deadline for the move because members want to move "a little bit more diligently" than when they purchased the Brock Court house.

"It's just wanting to move cautiously, making sure it's the right one, that there are not similar mistakes made," he said.

He also said the board has not set a hard budget for the purchase, and the expense will depend on the locations available.

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Final options will come before the board for a vote, he said.

Sfreishtat@tribpub.com

Twitter @srfreish
Regular, everyday school buses for East Aurora School District 131 for years were rejected by both the district and voters, who have often cited the expense as a barrier to providing transportation.

But forgoing busing may have cost the district in more ways than one.

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Transportation can affect attendance, some experts said, and the number of students in school is factored into the amount of state funding the district receives. East Aurora's attendance rate, based on the number used to calculate its funding, is lower than in neighboring districts.

East Aurora officials are moving forward with a plan to expand traditional busing to more than 3,000 additional students who live more than 1.5 miles from their school  the distance, in most cases, at which the state will provide some reimbursement. Projections place the cost of the expanded busing between $1.2 million and $1.4 million before any state reimbursement, though that number doesn't include some possible related expenses.

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The district already buses some groups of students, but, unlike many other districts, is not required by state law to provide widespread transportation.

East Aurora is classified as an "old-type" unit district, which is among the categories of districts exempt from a state requirement to, in most cases, provide transportation to students who live at least 1.5 miles from their school. Statewide, 32 of more than 380 unit school districts were not required to provide busing this school year, along with additional elementary, high school and other types of districts, according to Illinois State Board of Education data.

East Aurora's proposal to expand busing has been met with resistance by some. Among the comments left on a Beacon-News comment line are concerns that property taxes will rise or that buses will cause traffic problems. But others, including alumni and staff, have said buses would improve student attendance and safety.

Interim Superintendent Mark McDonald and district officials did not respond to interview requests. But in a February interview about efforts to boost student attendance, Beatrice Reyes Childress, assistant superintendent for educational services, said transportation ties into the attendance discussion about how to keep kids in school.

"I think it's reasonable to believe that if you provide transportation, that should help our attendance," she said at the time. "But that's a hard thing to isolate, to say that this is ... the only thing that's impacting attendance."

Attendance  not enrollment  is factored into the amount of aid the district receives from the state, and aid would be significantly affected if 100 students miss school each day, said Jackie Matthews, a spokeswoman for the Illinois State Board of Education. East Aurora gets about 60 percent of its revenue from the state, according to 2015-16 state data.

The district's average daily attendance during the 2015-16 school year that was used to calculate state aid was listed at 12,861.2 students  about 88 percent of the district's total enrollment  according to state data. That percentage was roughly the same 10 years prior and for the 2001-02 school year, the earliest for which state data is readily available. Boosting that number could increase state aid.

But attendance issues in East Aurora could be even more serious. Hedy Chang, executive director of the Attendance Works organization, said average daily attendance and truancy numbers are less accurate measures of student attendance than what is known as chronic absence numbers, which track students who have missed 10 percent or more of school days. Tracking chronic absences paints the best picture of students who might be academically at risk because they've missed too much school, she said.

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During the 2015-16 school year, more than 19 percent of East Aurora students missed at least 10 percent of school, according to district data obtained by The Beacon-News. By grade level, the highest chronic absence rates were among high schoolers.

Michael Gottfried, a professor at the University of California-Santa Barbara who has researched student transportation, said district-provided transportation is particularly important for student attendance during "transition" years, such as when students are entering a school system. Buses help establish a routine, which helps ensure kids are attending school, and eliminate the need to figure out a way to get kids to class, he said.

He only studied kindergartners, but he said the logic could apply also to students transitioning to middle school or high school.

Buses are "a really helpful piece in getting kids into the classroom," he said, though the "school bus effect" could be created in other ways.

"It sounds like these buses could be really helpful in setting these transitions up and helping kids get to school at all ages," he said.

sfreishtat@tribpub.com

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Twitter @srfreish
2022 election guide: Here are Pueblo County's top races, ballot issues

Here's what you need to know about the local candidates and ballot questions in the 2022 election, as well as how to vote in Pueblo, Colorado.
Two special exhibitions at National Gallery Singapore showcasing the evolution of Chinese ink painting and its impact on Singapore art history opened to the public on Saturday.

Entitled "Rediscovering Treasures: Ink Art from the Xiu Hai Lou Collection", the exhibition is the first comprehensive survey by a national museum to focus on collections from Xiu Hai Lou, one of the most important ink collections in Singapore.

The exhibition offers important insights into how art collecting and patronage developed in Singapore during the early 20th century, and provides visitors the chance to see rare masterpieces by prominent artists such as Chen Hongshou, Qi Baishi, Xu Beihong and Zhang Daqian.

Chen Chong Swee was one of the first artists in Singapore to use Chinese ink painting techniques to depict local landscapes. The exhibition "Strokes of Life: The Art of Chen Chong Swee" is a major retrospective survey of Chen's artistic career spanning six decades, and it focuses on his key contributions to artistic developments in Singapore from the 1950s to the 1980s.

"Many of these masterpieces are rarely seen in public. In these exhibitions, visitors can look forward to a visual feast of masterful brushwork, inventive approaches and distinctive styles," said Low Sze Wee, Director (Curatorial, Collections & Education), National Gallery Singapore.

The exhibitions will run till Dec. 4, 2017. National Gallery Singapore will organize a series of complementary programs to encourage greater appreciation of ink art, including lectures by respected academics and practitioners, and hands-on activities for visitors of all ages.
Over four million rural residents in eight ethnic minority autonomous regions and provinces escaped poverty last year, said a forum on poverty relief hosted by Minzu University of China on Friday.

The total poor population in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Tibet Autonomous Region, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and provinces of Guizhou, Yunnan and Qinghai, has dropped to 14.1 million from 2015's 18.1 million.

According to the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, the central government spent about 28 billion yuan (US$4 billion) on poverty alleviation in the eight autonomous regions and provinces last year, up 39.8 percent, accounting for 41.9 percent of the total poverty alleviation funds.

Zhang Lijun, president of the school of economics of Minzu University of China, said ethnic regions are the most difficult in China's war against poverty, and still need more targeted policies.
A recent Brookings report suggests that restraint between China and the U.S. would likewise encourage restraint between India and Pakistan.

The Washington-based Brookings Institute is a highly influential think-tank which actively participates in U.S. policy-making. Recently it conducted an extensive 15 month research on the dynamics of the China-U.S. and Pakistan-India relations visualized as an inter-connected " strategic chain ." The basic concept being that, "While Pakistan responds strategically to India, India responds both to Pakistan and China, which in turn responds both to India and the United States."

The Brookings report is timely, balanced and inclusive as scholars and retired senior officials from all four countries debated over strategic doctrines, strategic programs, measures of restraint and bilateral restraint management, as well as the convergence and divergence of mutual strategic interests.

The China-Pakistan equation was examined vis-a-vis U.S.-India ties. Especially after their nuclear and logistics deal, it was noted that these two sets of alliances set off the fastest growing nuclear and missile programs. Thus, a quadripartite solution is a must -- as bilateral engagement did not suffice.

The senior retired officials and academics representing China were: Professor Li Bin , Major General Yao Yunzhu , Zhao Tong and Ambassador Sha Zukang . Zhao Tong's paper, "China's Strategic Environment and Doctrine" highlights that the U.S./China relationship is China's most important bilateral relationship. Based on mutual economic interests, it seeks to maintain a stable international financial system along with a strong and open global economy. However, its rapid economic growth has narrowed the power gap and consequently, Washington seeks to contain Beijing.

Zhao Tong observes that, "Seeing that a power transition between Washington and Beijing is very likely in the mid- to long-term future, China worries that the deep ideological and political differences between the two countries will drive the United States to do everything to resist and prevent this power transition from happening."

His concern is that the U.S. may be using its alliances for containing and undermining China regionally. Previously, U.S. officials had acknowledged during Track 2 and Track 1.5 dialogues that Washington was willing to accept a mutual vulnerability relationship with China. But the recent "rebalance to Asia" strategy negates the previous standing. However, China is heading towards achieving an assured nuclear retaliation capability as its economy grows.

On South Asia, Zhao Tong states, "China also fears that the widening nuclear and conventional military gaps between India and Pakistan may also exacerbate a regional imbalance and threaten stability. As China significantly increases its investments in the region, through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and other investment projects, China has begun to hold much greater stakes in the overall stability of the region. The combination of terrorism and the nuclear security threat has drawn increasing Chinese concern as well."

To counter this aspect, the main Brookings report suggests that restraint by the United States and China might be a necessary precondition for the adoption of certain types of restraints by India and Pakistan.

Zhao Tong mentions that China felt strongly when President-elect Trump had taken a congratulatory call from Taiwan's leader, breaching a 35-year old diplomatic protocol between the U.S. and China, symbolizing a U.S. departure from its One China policy.

Notably, Japan, South Korea and North Korea present various nuclear challenges for Beijing and if the U.S. seeks a first-strike capability against China, it would be unsettling as the latter adheres to a strategy of minimum nuclear deterrence.

Additionally, "China also suspects that South Korea has decided to side more firmly with the United States by choosing to join the U.S. missile defense network and to deploy the THAAD system on its territory."

From the American side, Matthew Kroenig states, "With regard to China, the United States continues to seek a stable strategic relationship. While there are serious concerns in Washington about the increasingly competitive nature of many aspects of Sino-U.S. interactions, Washington's overriding objective remains the maintenance of strategic deterrence and stability. The United States understands that China will take whatever steps necessary to maintain an assured retaliatory capability and Washington does not believe that U.S. programs, current or planned, would pose a threat to China's nuclear deterrent." He further elaborates that the U.S. wishes to "maintain and strengthen strategic stability with China."

Finally, new geopolitical re-alignments further tense up the atmosphere in South Asia, with the "strategic chain" concept seeking to resolve this by initiating engagement and dialogue to stem reflex chain reactions between the four nations. The report assesses that "restraint between China and the U.S. likewise encourages restraint between India and Pakistan," consequently one platform is intrinsic towards resolving issues.

Overall, enhanced connections were established between the nations which have already resulted in collaborative measures and the resolve to continue the discussion further in future meetings. As Strategic Chain Project Coordinator James Tyson pointed out in the article "Existing Measures to Promote Stability in the 'Strategic Chain'," "The countries of the 'strategic chain' have undertaken some measures to promote strategic stability and reduce strategic uncertainty. These include declarations, memorandums of understanding (MOUs), confidence and security-building measures (CSBMs), and strategic dialogues."

The author is a geopolitical analyst at think tank Katehon, Pakistan.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting Rwanda President Paul Kagame on Friday, and the two leaders agreed to upgrade bilateral strategic cooperation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd R) and his wife Peng Liyuan (1st R) pose for a photo with Rwanda President Paul Kagame (2nd L) and his wife in Beijing, capital of China, March 17, 2017. Xi held a welcome ceremony for Kagame's China visit before their talks on Friday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Xi hailed the growth of bilateral ties over the past 46 years, citing enhanced political trust, trade cooperation and cultural exchanges.

He called on both sides to further deepen trust, boost personnel exchanges, share governance experience and keep close contact in global and regional affairs.

Xi vowed to support Rwanda in building an economic zone, calling for stronger bilateral cooperation in the areas of industrialization, agricultural modernization, capacity, infrastructure building, tourism and security. China will encourage more enterprises to invest in Rwanda's major infrastructure projects.

During his visit to Africa in 2013, Xi proposed developing relations with Africa with sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith and the correct viewpoint of righteousness and benefit.

"The essence of this is to combine China's growth with helping Africa's development, in a bid to realize win-win cooperation and common development," Xi told Kagame.

China is not only a supporter of Africa's sustainable development, but a pioneer leading global cooperation with Africa, said the Chinese president.

"No matter how the international situation changes, China's policy towards Africa remains unchanged, and China will not reduce its efforts to boost win-win cooperation with Africa," Xi said.

China hopes to work closely with African countries to implement the decisions of the summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in South Africa's Johannesburg in 2015, he added.

Kagame, in his turn, said Rwanda cherishes its friendly ties and cooperation with China, and appreciates China's contribution to his country's reconstruction and development.

He welcomed more Chinese investment in Rwanda's agriculture, mining, tourism and infrastructure.

Rwanda appreciates China's friendly policy towards Africa, and spoke highly of China's adherence to equality and mutual respect while developing ties with Africa, Kagame said.

Before their talks, Xi held a welcome ceremony for Kagame's China visit.
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The Ugandan police on Friday said its spokesperson was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Kulambiro, a suburb in the capital Kampala.

The police in a brief statement said Andrew Felix Kaweesi, who was also director of human resource development in the force, was shot on Friday together with his bodyguard and driver.

Emilian Kayima, Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, told reporters at the scene of the crime that security agencies have launched a joint investigation to establish the cause and motive of the killings.

"We ask the public to remain calm. All experts have been put together to manage the situation," said Kayima.

Eyewitness accounts according to local radio stations said Kaweesi was shot by gunmen moving on a motorcycle.

Similar shootings have in the recent past occurred in Kampala as gun wielding men killed Muslim clerics.
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The top trade representatives of China and the United States who negotiated China's historical entry into the World Trade Organization 16 years ago sat down on Friday to discuss the future trajectory of bilateral trade ties, as Donald Trump's China trade policies are still quite murky four months after his presidential election victory.

Former top trade representatives of China and the United States discuss free trade and bilateral relations in Beijing on Friday. [Photo by Zhang Lulu/China.org.cn]

Charlene Barshefsky, former United States Trade Representative, and Long Yongtu, China's former Chief Representative for Trade Negotiations, attended a seminar held by the Pangoal Institution, a Chinese think tank, in Beijing.

Trade prospects between China and the United States are believed to be unpredictable and can worsen to a state of confrontation -- with some fearing an imminent "trade war" -- under the Trump administration.

The new president threatened to slap an all-round 45 percent tariff on China and label it a currency manipulator during his campaign trail. Though this has not appeared so far, Chinese analysts and officials are still closely watching for possible future moves.

Ms. Barshefsky said American skepticism towards trade, a wave that Trump rode during his presidential campaign, is nothing new, but could actually be dated back hundreds of years. However, she warned about some "very unusual" facts, noting some of America's policy elite were becoming increasingly critical of China's trade policies.

"The bilateral relations between the two countries are viewed as being highly unfavorable to the U.S. and skewed very much in Chinas favor."

She said this had to do with the feelings of American businesses operating in China, as well as what was perceived as the country's decelerated reform and opening-up, citing China's policies towards the state-owned sector, technology and intellectual property, among other things.

In order for the world's two biggest economies to continue good relations, it was vital for China to rebalance its trade relations through further reform and opening-up, she added.

However, Long Yongtu apparently struck a more optimistic tone, saying he was not worried about future China-U.S. trade relations. "I actually appreciate Trump's promises of reviving American manufacturing and infrastructure industries, which may spell good news for the world."

China was a powerhouse of manufacturing and infrastructure industries, this could lead to expanded cooperation between it and the United States. In future, apart from the export of goods, the two countries might achieve more cooperation in investment, he added.

However, he cautioned that there were some "misguided criticisms" directed against each other, such as the belief that China's WTO entry might have hurt American manufacturing. He said such misconceptions needed to be rectified in order for the two countries to continue sound cooperation.
The 18th China Development Forum, held from Saturday to Monday in Beijing, will cover international dialogues concerning crucial issues such as economic reform, struggling globalization and China-United States relations.

"The world is entering a phase of profound global uncertainty due to declining globalization and rising protectionism," said Zhang Laiming, deputy director of the Development Research Center of the State Council. "We need to face those challenges through communication and collaboration."

Organized by the China Development Research Foundation, the annual forum aims to engage with the world to achieve common prosperity. It is the first State-level meeting to be held after the two sessions, with the theme "China and the World: Economic Transformation through Structural Reforms".

This year's event concentrates on key domestic issues such as supply-side structural economic reform, intelligent manufacturing, the environment and increasing capital outflows. It will also cover international topics such as China-US relations, the future of globalization and the Belt and Road Initiative.

Lu Mai, secretary-general of the China Development Research Foundation, said that people are keeping a close eye on which direction China-US relations will go, against the backdrop of a Trumpled US, as well as recent political developments in Europe.

Commenting on economic issues, Lu said: "To our surprise, last year we witnessed more capital outflow than foreign direct investment. It is an inevitable phase of China's growing economy that companies start to seek more opportunities abroad."

Lu said he expects more investment abroad during the Belt and Road Initiative efforts, for example.

The forum has attracted more foreign attendees this year due to the significance of China in the global economy and its structural economic reforms.

"It's not just a challenge for China, as foreign companies are also facing structural reform," said Lu.

"Many foreign companies that used to manufacture products such as refrigerators have had to sell their factories and set up research centers instead in order to survive China's economic reform."

According to Lu, in 2016 China attracted $126 billion in FDI, the third-highest figure globally after the US and Europe. The figure rose 4 percent year-on-year despite global averages being on a declining trend.

This year, more pharmaceuticals companies are attending the forum, attracted by the potential market opportunities of China's large population. The expanding services industry has also revealed a profitable future for foreign investors in high-tech industries.

"We can detect some clues from this year's guest list and people from high-tech giants such as Tim Cook are coming," said Lu.

He also made optimistic comments about Guangzhou's prospects for the upcoming year: "China's economic reform requires the government to catch up and I think Guangzhou has been doing a great job."
During the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), China is emphasizing supply-side reform and long-term prosperity brought about by economic restructuring. With the annual China Development Forum that kicks off in Beijing on Saturday, senior executives of multinational companies from a variety of sectors share their insights into the country's new five-year plan and how their companies expect to adjust or improve their strategies in China.

Q1:

What business opportunities do you see as China pushes the Belt and Road Initiative? Have you participated or do you plan to participate in any projects under the initiative? How do you think infrastructure investment can contribute to global growth?

Q2:

How do you expect the Chinese economy to perform this year? How would you comment on the business environment for foreign companies? Do you plan to increase investment or expand your presence in the Chinese market?

Q3:

China will continue to carry out supply-side reforms this year. What do the reforms mean for business and how will you adjust your business strategy in China accordingly?

Q4:

How do you think China's effort to upgrade its manufacturing capability and boost innovation will spur vitality and competitiveness of the economy? What business opportunities will likely emerge in this process?

Hans-Paul Burkner global chairman of Boston Consulting Group. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A1 The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, has brought numerous economic benefits to the world economy and has been a win-win solution for countries involved in the plan. The initiative has dramatically increased investments in infrastructure of countries along the route and spurred international trade. China's advanced technologies, facilities and experience in infrastructure offer new opportunities for member countries to upgrade their industries and market mechanisms. The initiative has also become a driving force for China's growing industries, including energy, information technology, finance and tourism. As one of the biggest consulting firms in the world, BCG has set up offices in many countries along the road. It helps to assess the investment risks and opportunities for China' real estate companies and financial firms who are eyeing markets along the road.

A2 China's economy will stay stable this year but we are confident about future growth. History has shown that the opening-up of the market is key to China's economic growth in the past 30 years and we think the country will continue its integration into the global economic system. We should focus more on the quality of economic growth and the reform goals in China's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) rather than pursue short-term, high-speed growth. We predict that supply-side reform will help to improve the quality of economic growth this year in terms of lowering capacity, destocking, deleveraging, reducing costs and overcoming deficiencies. We also predict that foreign companies will benefit from the process, especially highly localized ones who are more adaptable in the market. We support the policymakers of Chinese companies to form professional advice on key issues such as globalization and digitalization. BCG will continue to invest in the development of technologies and professionals in China.

A3 In the first few years of China's supply side reform, we have witnessed a stable macro economy. As a powerful measure to foster economic growth, it has shifted focus from economic increments and speed to quality and structure. The reform requires government to reinforce the values of innovation, management, research and development and services. On the macroeconomic side, the budget def i cit will not expand. On the microeconomic side, enterprises should focus on innovation and human capital, while financial institutions need to control risks and apply financial tools to restructuring industries and allocating resources. The reform will also exert profound influence on the real estate, agriculture, auto and service industries. As a leading consulting firm, BCG aims to improve the ability of companies at different developmental stages. We are excited to cooperate with local enterprises and create more value for the Chinese market.

A4 We believe that manufacturing has been a pillar industry in China through the long term, regardless of the country's stages of economic transformation. The industry is indispensable for employment and economic development. China needs to upgrade its manufacturing industries, as detailed in the Made in China 2025, a plan released by the government in 2015 to transform the country from a manufacturing giant into a global manufacturing power, during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20). BCG has a deep understanding of manufacturing in developed markets such as Germany and the United States.

We believe China should combine its own conditions with international experiences to improve technology, management and infrastructure of the manufacturing industry.

We believe upgrading of the manufacturing industry may improve the efficiency of China's enterprises to 25 percent and help to create new jobs. With the high quality of labor in manufacturing, and with new technologies such as robots and sensors, Chinese enterprises have many opportunities with high-end products.
Chinese railcar manufacturer CRRC Sifang America broke ground on Thursday in Chicago at a $100 million plant that will build railcars for the city's transit authority and become the company's North American hub for the assembly of railcars.

In 2016, CRRC Sifang, a unit of China Railway Rolling Stock Corp, was awarded a $1.3 billion contract by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) to supply more than 840 new railcars to replace approximately half of the agency's fleet. As part of the contract, the company agreed to make the railcars in Chicago.

In addition to fulfilling the CTA contract, the plant will give the company a foothold in North America to assemble railcars and, potentially, high-speed trains, CRRC officials said.

The 380,944-square-foot railcar manufacturing plant will be on 45 acres (18.2 hectares) in Chicago's Hegewisch neighborhood on the Southeast Side, the first of its kind in the city in 35 years. The factory will employ roughly 170 workersthe majority of them union, high-skilled, sheet metal and electrical workersand create almost 130 other construction jobs. CRRC Sifang America will spend $7 million to train the factory workers, according to a statement from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office.

CRRC Corporation Vice-President Sun Yongcai said: "CRRC Sifang America is grateful for the opportunity to work with the Chicago Transit Authority to produce the next generation of railcars in Chicago, for Chicago. We are committed to producing top-of-the-line railcars to enhance CTA rider experience, while also creating new jobs at our assembly facility in the city."

Emanuel said the plant represents a major investment in Chicago that will bring economic development to the Southeast Side, while creating well-paid jobs.

He said: "The railcars that emerge from this facility will be the latest step we have taken to invest in world-class transportation, and to create a 21st-century transit system."

Production will begin in early 2019, and after testing the cars are expected by 2020. The new cars will replace the CTA's oldest rail cars, which date back more than 30 years, officials said.

It will be CRRC's second plant in the US. Construction began on a $95 million plant in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 2015 to build railcars for Boston's transportation agency. Completion of that plant is scheduled for this year, and the first cars from that plant are expected to be delivered to Boston in 2018.

Train-makers CSR Corp and China CNR Corp were combined to form CRRC in 2015 to better compete in overseas markets.
Apple CEO Tim Cook (right) talks to Professor Qian Yingyi, dean of School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University at the 18th China Development Forum (CDF) in Beijing on March 18, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

Latest visit: March 18, 2017

Apple CEO Tim Cook attended the 18th China Development Forum in Beijing on Saturday, announcing the company will set up two more research and development (R&D) centers in Shanghai and Suzhou.

Cook had an open dialogue with Professor Qian Yingyi, dean of School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, at the forum, talking about innovation, entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the new era of globalization.
BEIJING  Businesses in the world's two largest economies were called on to seek common ground for cooperation amid political uncertainties at a US-China business leaders session held here Friday.

"It is more critical than ever that China and the United States find common ground given today's uncertain political environment," said former US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson Jr.

"Private sector and subnational leadership in both countries is especially critical given the leadership change in the United States this year. Change often brings new political strategy," he told the 2017 Annual Conference on Sustainability titled "Green Transformation: From Commitment to Action."

Government officials, business leaders and experts from China and the United States at the conference provided an in-depth look at the opportunities and challenges China faces as it undertakes a transition to a green economy.

The conference was co-sponsored by the Paulson Institute and the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, with a focus on US-China business cooperation, regional collaboration, urban resilience, as well as innovative policies and tools for green development.

During the session, Shu Yinbiao, head of the State Grid Corporation of China, expressed optimism about the future of China-US business cooperation.

"The State Grid Corporation of China has always attached great importance to exchanges and cooperation with US companies, and has set up a US subsidiary so as to build a bridge for that purpose," Shu said.

Wang Shi, founder and chairman of China's real estate giant Vanke Co Ltd, said he was too optimistic, "because first and foremost, we care so very much about each other."

According to Peter Grauer, chairman of Bloomberg, a global provider of commercial and financial news services, the US corporation has always valued the Chinese market.

"As political winds blow back and forth in different directions, I think the private sector has a responsibility to lead a consistent approach, particularly in terms of cooperation between in the United States and China," said Grauer.

He said he has been thinking about how "US companions can help Chinese companies in the area of corporate governance," which can not only help drive initiatives and expand the overall capital, but also facilitate their access to the market and capacity development.

Paulson said, "Climate change and sustainability has been a key area of cooperation. The strong cooperation has been a real game changer."

"Cooperation can come in many forms: not only between federal governments, but also between states, provinces, cities and private companies," said Paulson, who is also founder and chairman of the Paulson Institute which he said is dedicated to enhancing China-US relations.

He stressed a need for the United States and China to learn from each other.

"Within China, the push toward urbanization provides an opportunity for leadership in a range of areas critical to meeting our climate agreements or commitments. The United States can offer some lessons in the effort of pursuing green development goals. It can also learn from China in its policy commitments and pilot programs," he said.

China's State Grid chief Shu said, "The United States has a huge appetite for infrastructure. The State Grid can satisfy its needs for technology in areas like investment, operation, equipment manufacturing and power grid."

Shu told business leaders attending the conference that the State Grid has established a research and development center in the United States, and utilizes US technologies in its business.

"Under the strategic cooperation with the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory, we've also made progress in areas like collaborative innovation and development in renewable energy and power market design," he said.
Henry M. Paulson, Jr (right), chairman of the Paulson Institute and former US Secretary of the Treasury, talks to Professor Zhu Min, dean of the National Institute of Financial Research, Tsinghua University, about China-US relations in the Trump era at the 18th China Development Forum (CDF) in Beijing on March 18, 2017. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 18th China Development Forum, being held from Saturday to Monday in Beijing, will cover international dialogues concerning crucial issues such as economic reform, struggling globalization and China-United States relations.

Organized by the China Development Research Foundation, the annual forum aims to engage with the world to achieve common prosperity. It is the first State-level meeting to be held after the two sessions, with the theme "China and the World: Economic Transformation through Structural Reforms".

This year's event concentrates on key domestic issues, such as supply-side structural economic reform, intelligent manufacturing, the environment and increasing capital outflows. It will also cover international topics such as China-US relations, the future of globalization and the Belt and Road Initiative.
A visitor tries a pair of HTC Vive virtual reality (VR) goggles, during the annual Computex computer exhibition in Taipei, Taiwan. [Photo/Agencies]

Taiwan-based smartphone company HTC Corp announced that it will sell its land and plant in Shanghai for 630 million yuan ($91.5 million), in a strategic move to fund expansion of its fledgling virtual reality business.

The 114,831 square meter smartphone factory will be sold to Shanghai Xingbao Information Technology Co Ltdand the net gain of the disposal is estimated at about 147.76 million yuan, HTC said.

The decision was made on Wednesday by its board, with the aim of restructuring its operations and assets.

The company said the move was part of its asset rationalization program to improve operational efficiency. HTC added that there were no implications for its business or staff levels and its production capacity would remain as planned.

After the sale of Shanghai factory, HTC's smartphone production will rely mainly on its Taoyuan factories in Taiwan, and the net gain is expected to be invested on its VR unit, HTC Vive.

Zhao Ziming, an analyst at Beijing-based consultancy Analysys, said the move showed HTC's resolve to gear up its expansion in the emerging VR business, in order to gain a leading position in the market.

"In recent years its smartphone business has declined rapidly, especially in the Chinese mainland market," Zhao said. "After selling the Shanghai facility, the company will be able to use more resources to develop the VR business."

Zhao said the sale would likely impact HTC's smartphone business and there could be changes to staff deployment.

HTC used to own several factories across the Chinese mainland and in Taiwan, which produce its own brand of smartphones.

The Shanghai plant, which stands out as one of the key manufacturing facilities, was reportedly able to produce up to 2 million smartphones per month.

But analysts said that the current demand for HTC smartphones does not appear to support that level of installed capacity, and it was proving hard for the Taiwan phone maker win back its past glory in the global smartphone sector.

HTC reported in January that its annual revenue declined by more than a third in 2016. Last year the company earned NT$78.16 billion ($2.55 billion), a fall of 35.77 percent, on revenue of NT$121.68 billion.

Zhao said the move also showed that HTC was pinning its hopes on its VR brand, HTC Vive.

"In recent years, HTC's priorities have transferred from the smartphone to the VR business," Zhao said.

Ma Si contributed to this story.
The Korean Peninsula nuclear issue is rooted in distrust among the sides concerned, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday, responding to reports that US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will press China on the issue during his upcoming visit.

"The current situation of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue is not because there is no good agreement or dialogues, but because some important achievements were not implemented tangibly and effectively," ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular news briefing.

"We believe that the reason for the peninsula issue lies with the deep-rooted hostility and distrust among the relevant parties," she said.

Hua said China has seriously fulfilled its responsibility as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and opposes any country imposing unilateral sanctions on another country according to its own laws.

Tillerson is expected to demand, during his first visit to China since taking office, that Beijing exert pressure on Pyongyang, Reuters reported. His visit begins on Saturday.

"I don't believe we have ever fully achieved the maximum level of action that can be taken under the UN Security Council resolution with full participation of all countries," Tillerson said on Friday in Seoul, the second stop of his Asia trip. "We know that other nations can take actions."

Tillerson said on Friday that Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programs must be halted.

Military action is an "option on the table", he said, adding that "the policy of strategic patience has ended", according to Agence France-Presse.

Tillerson said in Tokyo, the first stop of the trip, that 20 years of efforts to denuclearize the Democratic People's Republic of Korea had "failed".

Hua responded to the remarks on Friday, calling on countries concerned to follow the dual-track approach proposed by China, which calls for denuclearizing the peninsula while also establishing a path to ensure peace.

On Friday, Tillerson visited a US base about 400 meters from the demilitarized zone between the DPRK and the Republic of Korea, where he greeted US soldiers.

Fan Jishe, a senior researcher of US studies with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the Trump administration should look into why the issue has not been solved in recent decades.

"They should also notice the fact that when Washington wanted to look after Pyongyang's concerns, Pyongyang was actually willing to cooperate."
By Deng Yanzi in Hong Kong and Wang Qingyun in Beijing | China Daily | Updated: 2017-03-18 06:53

Philippine tour operators are optimistic that more than 1 million Chinese tourists will travel to the nation this year, due to a relaxed visa policy, the opening of new hotels and possibly more flights.

Stephen Techico, chairman of Philippine travel agency Uni-Orient Travel Inc, observed "a noteworthy change of perception" among Chinese tourists amid stronger diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.

"The growth is palpable," Techico said on Thursday, when the China-ASEAN Year of Tourism was kicked off in Manila, the Philippine capital.

Vice-Premier Wang Yang, who is in the Philippines for a four-day visit, addressed the opening ceremony of the tourism year.

China and ASEAN are each other's largest overseas tourist destinations and largest sources of tourists, and more than 2,700 flights shuttle between both sides each week, according to Wang.

China hopes to work with ASEAN countries to further facilitate travel, strengthen promotion of tourist resources and expand mutual investment in tourism, Wang said.

Wang was scheduled to meet with the economic management team of the Philippine Cabinet and with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Davao on Friday.

The Philippine government recorded an increase in Chinese visa applications of more than 250 percent in the first two months of 2017, the Philippine newspaper Business Mirror reported.

And it is planning to allow the Chinese tourists to obtain a visa on arrival for their trips within 2017, Xinhua News Agency quoted Philippine Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo as saying in February.

Techico said he believes a visa-free policy would be more appropriate and efficient, as the procedure of visa on arrival may create hassles for the tourists and could affect the airport's capacity.

He said the two countries need time to figure out the best practices through continuous communication and cooperation.

Contact the writers at wangqingyun@chinadaily.com.cn and iris@chinadailyhk.com
China dismissed on Friday media reports that an X-band radar unit, part of a controversial US anti-missile system, has arrived in the Republic of Korea and urged that its deployment be immediately halted.

The media reports indicated that the X-band radar, a key component of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, or THAAD, arrived at the Osan Air Base about 60 kilometers south of the capital city of Seoul on Thursday.

"The ROK Foreign Ministry has made a clarification to China, saying the reports are not true," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Friday at a daily news conference in Beijing.

Hua reiterated China's resolute opposition to the advanced missile defense system, urging those involved to take China's concerns into consideration and stop the deployment.

She also said China understands the ROK's concerns about ensuring its security, but said the deployment of THAAD would harm the strategic balance in the region and would not help maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

"It may also put the ROK in a more unsafe situation," she said.

Hua said China's reasons for opposing the THAAD deployment are "sufficient and just" because the system's X-band radar, which has a range of more than 2,000 km, can peer deep into Chinese territory.

"This is far more than the scope the ROK needs to deal with any external nuclear or missile threat," she said.

China has no objection to the ROK taking necessary measures to preserve its own safety, Hua said, "but such measures should not be done on the basis of harming the security interests of China, its friendly neighbor".

Da Zhigang, director of the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies at the Heilongjiang Academy of Social Sciences, said when the ROK considers protecting its own interests with THAAD, it also should think over the possible regional impact.

"The system, which allows its ally, the US, to monitor China, will inevitably make others doubt its real intention behind the deployment," he said.

He also suggested a consultation mechanism so both sides can sit down and express their concerns over the THAAD deployment.

mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn
NANCHANG - The mountainous terrain of Jiangxi province in eastern China is the birthplace of rice cultivation, which dates back to around 10,000 years ago.

In 1995, archaeologists tested phytoliths - microscopic pieces of silica found in plants that persist in the soil long after the plant has died and decayed - found in Wannian county in eastern Jiangxi. They concluded that Wannian was the first place in the world where rice was cultivated as a crop.

"Wannian rice is remarkably old, a prototype variety if you like," said Wang Bingwan, former head of the county museum, who took part in the research.

At Wannian, about 20 hectares of rice paddies have been earmarked for the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems Program by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization.

Wannian rice contains genes that resist disease and insects, and is especially resistant to cold, said Wang.

"It is a location-specific variety from Heqiao village in Peimei township. Scientists tried to grow it elsewhere, but its genetic qualities changed with the environment," he said.

The 20 hectares have been taken over by the local government. It allocates plots to farmers who live in Heqiao and nearby Longgang village.

Since 2013, the grain-processing company the Jiangxi Wannian Rice Group has bought rice from the farmers there for three times the price of ordinary rice.

It takes about 175 days from April to October for the rice to mature, said Shi Guozhao, a manager with the group.

"Farmers harvest the rice by hand. And fertilizer and pesticides are banned, so the yields are small. The only thing farmers do is plant the rice and harvest. They do not spend much time in the fields," he said. "Some of grain is kept for R&D, and the rest is sold.

"The most important thing is to keep the genes of the rice intact."

Shao Yanlin lives in Heqiao and has been a rice farmer since his youth.

The 63-year-old owns a piece of land on the plains where it is easier to grow rice, but his family also has land in the mountains, near the protected rice fields.

Shao previously paid very little attention to the mountain plot, saying it was colder and wetter in the mountains than on the plains. There is also less sunshine.

He used to say that the mountains only offer one annual harvest, while the plains offer two.

But Shao's views began to change last year after businessman Luo Huimin rented 66 hectares of rice paddies on the mountain to begin rice cultivation.

"The Chinese now value quality, and they are happy to buy good rice, free of fertilizer, even if it costs more," said Luo.

Luo's rice costs 10 times more than ordinary rice. He expects his rice to be organically certified by the end of the year.

"It is now possible to promote environmentally friendly farming while catering to the needs of the market," said Luo, adding that he also plans to get into ecotourism in Wannian.

"People love to see the old rice-planting tradition. I bet a child would love to get into a paddy field and try planting rice," he said.

Wannian has 42,000 hectares of farmland, 5 percent of which is green or organic rice fields.

Head of the local agriculture bureau, Chen Zhangxin, said: "We plan to expand high-quality rice cultivation in Wannian."

Xinhua
Beijing's new "green police squad" has launched its first joint crackdown on polluters with environmental protection inspectors.

Officers with the squad - part of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau - have been helping environmental protection inspectors carry out surprise checks on manufacturing companies since Feb 27, with the campaign set to last through March.

"The joint inspections will focus on major industries discharging airborne pollutants, such as printing houses and furniture factories, and also diesel trucks," said Zhao Zhiwei, deputy director of the Beijing Environmental Inspection Team.

He gave the example of a furniture plant that had failed to deal with the large amount of dust it produced, which contributes to air pollution. The business, which earlier had production suspended due to pollution issues, was ordered to install new equipment to control dust.

Environmental protection inspectors are usually required to report serious pollution violations - which can carry criminal punishments - to the public security bureau for further investigation. The joint campaign would help streamline the process of prosecuting offenders, Zhao said.

Also, the joint campaign will make environmental protection inspectors feel safer during their inspections.

Wang Yankui, an environmental inspector, said that a few companies have been known to resist inspections and sometimes even threaten officials with violence.

"We hope the police can better protect our safety during checks," he added.

The environment police squad was launched on Jan 18 with 50 officers, as part of the capital's efforts to shore up environmental supervision.

"Open-air barbecues, garbage incinerators, biomass burning, dust from roads - these acts of noncompliance with the regulations are actually the result of lax supervision and weak law enforcement," Beijing Mayor Cai Qi was cited saying in a Xinhua News Agency report in January.

Pei Xudong, head of the environment police squad, said in a statement that his officers will cover a range of areas to protect the environment: "In addition to working with environmental authorities, the new squad will also cooperate with the land, resources and water authorities to address illegal mining or misuse of farmland."

More joint campaigns will be conducted in future to control pollution, especially air pollution, he added.

zhengjinran@chinadaily.com.cn
Taiwan-based smartphone company HTC Corp announced that it will sell its land and plant in Shanghai for 630 million yuan ($91.5 million), in a strategic move to fund expansion of its fledgling virtual reality business.

The 114,831 square meter smartphone factory will be sold to Shanghai Xingbao Information Technology Co Ltd - and the net gain of the disposal is estimated at about 147.76 million yuan, HTC said.

The decision was made on Wednesday by its board, with the aim of restructuring its operations and assets.
Mauritius is looking to expand tourism cooperation with China and attract more Chinese tourists.

The Mauritius tourism authority paid a visit to Shanghai on Feb 15.The delegation met Chinese travel operators to better understand the Chinese market and introduced local tourism resources to attract more mainlanders to "the pearl on the Indian Ocean".

"This year marks the 45th anniversary since establishment of diplomatic ties between Mauritius and China, and the two countries have always maintained good relations over the years," says Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, head of the Mauritius tourism authority.
ZHAI HAIJUN/CHINA DAILY

Raising the individual income tax threshold is always in the public's interest. But since an indiscriminate increase in the threshold will neither be fair nor serve the purpose of China's tax reforms, the authorities have decided to adopt various exemption standards to ease different income groups' financial burdens.

The Government Work Report mentions applying different exemption standards for different sectors to charge individual income tax; the application also found mention at the finance minister's news conference during the just-concluded annual sessions of China's top legislature and top political advisory body.

The pace of the tax reforms, however, should be progressive, with the individual income tax reform leading the overall reform process. The reforms will ease the financial burdens of families and individuals if they can help improve people's livelihoods. That's why some have suggested that the expenses for raising a second child, supporting the elderly and acquiring professional training should be deducted from an individual's taxable income, because it will provide incentives for people to better fulfill their responsibilities.

Programs allowing certain types of expenses to be deducted from the taxable income were put on trial in some places last year. For example, the policy to exempt the premium paid for commercial health insurance from the taxable income, which was launched in 31 pilot cities, will raise the individual income tax threshold from 3,500 yuan ($506.4) per month to 3,700 yuan if the premium for commercial health insurance reaches 2,400 yuan a year, according to a document jointly released by the Ministry of Finance, the State Administration of Taxation and China Insurance Regulatory Commission.

However, this doesn't mean the government's tax revenues will reduce in the long run. Since "nothing is certain except death and taxes", the government will talk about tax reduction only if its overall tax revenues remain stable. For example, if employees are trained to acquire more professional skills, they will earn more in the future. And the more they earn, the higher the income tax they will pay.

The method of paying income tax could pose a problem, though. Private companies and government organizations now deduct the individual income tax from employees' salaries and deposit it with the tax authorities. With the deepening of the reform, people might have to report their personal incomes and provide the details of their exemptible or deductible expenses themselves, which will require a more comprehensive and stricter regulatory environment, especially for supervising the certification of taxpayers' deductible expenses.

The need, therefore, is to build a modern information tracking system across China, which will include all the information on personal incomes and property, and the entire process of tax collection, management and validation. Also, some sectors and groups of people require special supervision. For instance, specialized tax records and files should be put in place for professionals who manage cross-border investments and trade.

Another point I tried to make in my proposal to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee this year is to reduce the number of tax rate categories. At present, salaries and wages are classified into 11 types, so there is a different exemption threshold and tax rate for each type of income. Developed economies' experiences show simplified tax rates can be better managed. Besides, the tax rates at the primary stage should be lowered as the lower-income groups are not targeted to pay higher taxes.

The tax reforms can achieve major breakthroughs this year, though they should be initiated gradually across the country owing to the different levels of development and supportive measures in place in different regions. Also, to make the reforms more effective, we need a more comprehensive policy design based on the advice of experts and public opinions.

The author is a member of the 12th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee and partner of Ruihua Certified Public Accountants. This article is an excerpt from his interview with China Daily's Wu Zheyu.
With a postgraduate degree, Shen Haimei could have chosen to make a fortune doing a regular office job. Instead, she has chosen to work with manure and offer organic fertilizers to farmers, free of charge. Shen, 45, an overseas returnee, is pursuing green agriculture in Harbin city in northeast China's Heilongjiang province.

Inside a huge gray capsule on Qingyuan Farm, 6,000 cubic meters of manure are under fermentation.

"It will turn into organic fertilizer in six months, and be applied to nearby farmland," she said.

Six years ago, she quit the dairy company where she had worked for over a decade, to study agricultural economy at Aarhus University in Denmark.

"Dung disposal facilities were way behind the increasing number of farms in China," she said. "Dung should not become a burden for the environment. We must figure out a way to make use of it."

When interning for an agricultural technology outreach center in Denmark, she was impressed by their advanced technology for disposing livestock dung.

"A truck was applying liquid manure fertilizer to farmland efficiently. Farmers recorded down the exact time and quantity of fertilizer added. All of this was new to me," she said.

She decided to bring what she had learned back to China and establish her own green business.

But after visiting nearly 100 farms, she was frustrated by the pollution caused by livestock dung and the huge waste of the resource, due to livestock raising being separated from farming in China.

"In the past, farmers did farming and raised some pigs or chicken at the same time. Livestock manure was used on their own land," she said. "But large scale farming has separated them."

In 2014, she started a company to re-connect farming with raising livestock, making personalized plans on dung disposal for each farm.

At the beginning, her idea was not welcomed by farmers. She knocked on the door of every farmer she could reach.

"I explained to them how excessive chemical fertilizer use would lead to soil degradation and low fertility, but organic fertilizers could make the soil soft again and increase productivity."

Over the years, agricultural experts repeatedly warned that the precious black soil in China's northeast, which was once fertile, had been degraded due to excessive use of chemical fertilizers and long-term cultivation, threatening stable output.

Now, with Shen's help, farmers are witnessing real changes in their land - soil becoming soft and loose, and production increasing.

Last year, Qingyuan Pig Farm joined Shen's efforts in developing the capsule technology to dispose around 12,000 cubic meters of pig manure a year.

Nestle Corporation also found her and reached a cooperation plan to dispose 80,000 cubic meters of manure a year in 10 capsules.

Making money has never been her priority.

"It is more important to develop the industry to turn dung into fertilizer, and encourage the use of organic fertilizers. This benefits the environment and agriculture in the long term."

China is making efforts to scale back use of chemical fertilizer and switch to organic alternatives.

According to local authorities, Heilongjiang plans to cut the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides from 2015 levels by 10, 20 and 30 percent respectively by 2020.

With 1.25 million yuan ($180,800) in financial support from the local government, Shen is now spreading organic fertilizers on 367 hectares of land.

Her green business has attracted young environmentalists, which has delighted her.

"I will continue to improve the technology with what I have learned abroad and hope to see China set a green standard for modern agriculture," she said.
Roughly 80,000-90,000 Chinese tourists annually have paid visits to Mauritius in recent years, according to the country's tourism authority. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Mauritius is looking to expand tourism cooperation with China and attract more Chinese tourists.

The Mauritius tourism authority paid a visit to Shanghai on Feb 15.The delegation met Chinese travel operators to better understand the Chinese market and introduced local tourism resources to attract more mainlanders to "the pearl on the Indian Ocean".

"This year marks the 45th anniversary since establishment of diplomatic ties between Mauritius and China, and the two countries have always maintained good relations over the years," says Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, head of the Mauritius tourism authority.

"Although China's economy witnesses slowing growth, we remain fully confident in the Chinese market," Gayan says.
Every lunchtime during the week Wu Xiaoling has to rush home, pedaling her bicycle madly for 15 minutes, so she can feed her 9-month-old son. That done, she cycles back to work and has no time even for that Chinese specialty the quick desktop nap.

She is delighted that her second child is also a boy, which means her 6-year-old son's clothes and toys can be handed down to his brother.

During her latest pregnancy, Wu says, she underwent more medical examinations than she did during her first pregnancy, anxious about herself and her son, and felt much more tired in the first month of confinement after giving birth to the second son.

Wu, 36, who works in a government institution in Beijing, says: "It's much more stressful physically and mentally looking after kids than it was 20 or 30 years ago. For safety's sake you really do have to watch them around the clock. For example, there are many more electrical appliances and power points around the home than there used to be."

She recalls that when she was 5 or so she would play with other children in the neighborhood, but she is worried about letting her son have the free rein she did because these days there are far more cars and a lot more strangers about.

In all, raising a baby is more complicated and time-consuming than it used to be, and the duties involved in that huge task need to be delegated out to members of the family, she says.

Her mother and mother-in-law take turns staying at her place looking after the children and cooking. She buys all the ingredients for cooking on her way home and then plays with her sons. Her husband does household chores such as washing dishes and doing the laundry, and takes the elder son to piano and fencing lessons three or four times a week.
As global warming reshapes the Arctic and Antarctic, a new museum built by the son of a renowned French explorer aims to show "the beauty of polar landscapes" and illustrate the consequences of climate change.

The center in eastern France is "the only permanent museum devoted to the Arctic and Antarctic in the world," said communications director Anthony Renou.

Built in the shape of a jutting iceberg and with 60 percent of its volume buried underground, the museum was conceived by anthropologist Jean-Christophe Victor - son of the French polar explorer Paul-Emile Victor - and Stephane Niveau, a naturalist.

Once inside, visitors are plunged into a world of intense white. Huge video screens show the ice caps amid the noise of an icy blizzard.

Photographs, items from polar expeditions and video presentations - on ecosystems, rising sea levels, indigenous peoples and other themes - bring the polar environment to life and expose its vulnerability to global warming.

The Arctic's surface temperature has risen by more than 2 C since the late 19th century - double the pace of the world as a whole.

At the other end of the planet, scientists are most concerned about Antarctica's western peninsula, sitting underneath a kilometer-thick ice sheet with enough frozen water to lift global sea levels by 6 or 7 meters.
Three relatively unknown Spanish architects - Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem and Ramon Vilalta - recently won the prestigious Pritzker Prize for modern works that are deeply rooted in their local surroundings.

The choice was seen as a move away from the celebrity architects that have dominated the field in favor of a trio of professionals who have worked together for 30 years in their hometown of Olot in Catalonia.

Nestled deep in the countryside of Spain's northeast, Olot is surrounded by beech trees, marshes and volcanoes - a dramatic natural landscape that has long inspired their work.

In a globalized world, the prize announcement said, people increasingly fear "we will lose our local values, our local art, and our local customs".

"Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem and Ramon Vilalta tell us that it may be possible to have both ... our roots firmly in place and our arms outstretched to the rest of the world," it said.

Among their most celebrated buildings are the La Lira Theater public space in Spain and the Soulages Museum in Rodez in southwestern France.

"Their vocabulary is metal," especially weathered Cor-Ten steel, which has been deployed at some of their best-known works, said Francis Rambert, who directs the French Architecture Institute at the Chaillot museum in Paris.

But light also plays a fundamental role in their creations, Rambert said, referring in particular to Les Cols, a restaurant in Olot where the rooms have glass walls on all sides, while still providing a sense of intimacy.

"You feel as if you are alone," he said.

It is only the second time that the Pritzker Prize has gone to Spanish architects, and the first time that it has been shared by a trio.

"It is a great joy and a great responsibility. We are thrilled that this year, three professionals, who work closely together in everything we do, are recognized," Pigem said.

"Sometimes, it feels as if you have to choose between the local and the global. With us, everyone can understand that you can be closely tied to the local while being open to the world."
The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William visit the Irish Guards at their barracks in London to mark St Patrick's Day, March 17, 2017. St Patrick's Day, or the Feast of St Patrick, is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March, to mark the death of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland. [Photo/Agencies]
The United Nations Security Council on Thursday unanimously adopted a new resolution to extend the mandate of the UN assistance operation in Afghanistan, which also urged more efforts to strengthen regional economic cooperation through initiatives such as the Belt and Road.

The 15-member council extended the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for another year until March 17, 2018, in a move to emphasize its role in supporting an inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.

According to the Resolution 2344, the council urges further efforts to strengthen the process of regional economic cooperation, including measures to facilitate regional connectivity, trade and transit. These include regional development initiatives such as the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (the Belt and Road) Initiative and regional development projects.

The Belt and Road Initiative was proposed in 2013 and has received support from more than 100 countries and international organizations, with more than 40 signing cooperation agreements with China.

It aims to boost interconnectivity by reviving the ancient trade routes, which run through the continents of Asia, Europe and Africa, with a focus on infrastructure.

The resolution urged all parties to provide a safe environment for the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, step up efforts to develop policy connectivity and promote pragmatic cooperation.

The resolution said that all parties should further regional cooperation in the win-win spirit to promote safety, stability and development in Afghanistan and the region, and build a community of shared destiny.

The resolution said that all parties should further regional cooperation in the win-win spirit to promote safety, stability and development in Afghanistan and the region to create "a community of shared future for mankind".

President Xi Jinping elaborated the concept of building a community of common destiny during his speech at the UN Office in Geneva in January.

Liu Jieyi, Chinese ambassador to the UN, said the inclusion of "building a community of shared destiny" for the first time in a UN Security Council resolution reflects the consensus of the international community and the international recognition of China's contribution to global governance.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi said he had "very in-depth discussions" with visiting US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, and they "made fundamental consensus in some general directions".

During their Saturday talk in Beijing, they exchanged views on issues that included the Korean Peninsula situation.

Speaking to a joint press conference following their talk, Wang said both sides vow to strictly fulfill the relevant resolutions by the United Nations Security Council and they both hope to find ways to restart talks on the issue.

"We are willing to maintain such a kind of dialogue. This is a very important area for cooperation between China and the US," Wang said.

Now the peninsula situation is at another crossroads, heading toward either further tension, deterioration and even conflicts, or breakthroughs in resuming the Six-Party talks, Wang noted.

"Parties, including the US, are hoped to judge the situation with a cool head and make a wise choice," Wang said.
In 1800, when Alexander von Humboldt, the famous German naturalist, was exploring the jungles of South America, he made a side journey to the swamps of Calabozo, Venezuela, to look for a strange electric fish he was told about along the way. On arriving at the confluence of the Orinoco River, he stopped at the waters edge to watch the indigenous people attempt to catch one for his expedition. This was not as easy as it seemed because the eels could not be caught with ordinary nets because they bury themselves deeply into the muddy bottoms of the marsh. Not wanting the exploring party to go away empty handed the Indians drove a pack of wild horses into the lagoon with the idea that the enraged eels would soon expend themselves shocking the horses. After a while five large eels were captured for Humboldt to examine and bring back. His journal describes the observations:

If by chance you receive a stroke before the fish is wounded, or wearied by a long pursuit, the pain and numbness are so violent that it is impossible to describe the nature of the feeling they excite. I do not remember having ever received from the discharge of a large Leyden Jar, a more dreadful shock, than that which I experienced by imprudently placing both of my feet on a gymnotus (eel) just taken out of the water. I was affected the rest of the day with a violent pain in the knees and in almost every joint.

He further noted that the electric action of these animals were subject to their will and does not depend solely on their state of health or vigor, effectively saying that they can turn their electricity on and off whenever they choose to. A strange animal found only in a remote region of our planet. One has to wonder how it descended through natural selection processes to attain the ability to shock other creatures.

Despite its name, the electric eel is not really an eel at all but is more related to a catfish. It is so unique that it is the only species in its genus of Electrophorus electricus. They of course get their name from the enormous electrical charge they can generate to stun prey and dissuade predators. Contained within their bodies are electrical organs with about 6,000 specialized cells called electrocytes that store power like tiny batteries. When threatened or attacking prey, these cells will discharge simultaneously, emitting a burst of at least 600 volts  over five times the potential of a standard U.S. wall socket.

A large and robust electric eel can deliver a jolt of current totaling over an ampere if the conditions are right, indicating a power output on the order of 600 watts. While this may seem like a large number it is only produced in bursts that typically last a few milliseconds in pulse width. Such a shock is extremely unlikely to be deadly for an adult human, due to the very short duration of the discharge.

To be fatal, a current of more than 700 mA must be delivered across the heart muscle for at least 30 milliseconds, far longer than the eel can generate. Still, the pulse of current from an eel can produce a brief and painful numbing shock, something akin to the discharge from a Taser stun gun. The fact that the animal uses water as its habitat only increases the risk of danger since the electric field can extend many feet in distance from its body. Precautions must be taken for aquarium caretakers and biologists attempting to handle or examine electric eels.

Besides being electrical, another adaptation for the muddy and poorly oxygenated waters in which they live is that electric eels dont rely on their gills to breathe. They get around 80 percent of their oxygen by gulping air at the surface of the water and must surface every 10 minutes to breathe. In what is one of the most odd and unappealing forms of parenthood, male electric eels will create a nest of spit into which females will lay thousands of eggs. An average of 1,200 baby eels will hatch from the well-guarded nest. Both the male and female stick around to protect their offspring until the juveniles are around 4 to 6 inches long. Although the male electric eel is much smaller than the female, it can reach up to 6 feet long and weigh over 30 pounds.

The actual electrical producing regions of their body works with the action of open ion channels that allow sodium ions to flow through but create a sudden difference in potential when the transport is reversed on a nerve command from the brain. By placing many such sites in series a large voltage is generated. Just for the record, an equivalent circuit making 600 volts and 1 Ampere requires one to put 400 D size batteries in series, not a simple arrangement as you can see, but somehow the fish manages this and not get shocked itself.
(Photo : Getty Images. ) U.S. President Donald Trump has once again accused China of doing very little to convince North Korea in giving up its controversial nuclear program.

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U.S. President Donald Trump has once again lashed out at China for doing little on the North Korea issue. Trump's latest tirade has come just hours before the U.S. Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, begins his maiden visit to China during the weekend.



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Trump fired the salvo against China and North Korea through his trademark tweets, which is fast becoming a handy arsenal for the outspoken Republican leader. He tweeted: "North Korea is behaving very badly. They have been 'playing' the United States for years. China has done little to help!"



The timing of Trump's tweets appears to be little conspicuous, given that it has coincided with Tillerson's high profile visit to South Korea and China. At his first stop in Seoul, Tillerson clearly stated that the U.S. is bringing an end to 'strategic patience' and would soon explore a range of military options alongside diplomatic and economic actions to deal with Pyongyang.



However, the U.S. Secretary of State did not elaborate on what specific actions Trump administrations is most likely to take against the reclusive communist state. Tillerson's next stop is Beijing, where he is expected to directly convey Trump's tough message to President Xi Jingping on doing more on North Korea nuclear issue.



But the message is expected to have little impact on Beijing, which already seems to be running out of options to convince Pyongyang on giving up its controversial nuclear program. Last month, China probably implemented the strictest economic sanction by imposing a one year ban on North Korea's coal import.



However, North Korea remained unfazed as it tested fires four ballistic missiles to Sea of Japan almost a week after the sanction was announced.



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(Photo : Getty Images) Locals walk past Chinese missiles named 'Red Flag Number Three' at the Aircraft Museum May 12, 2001 in Beijing.

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Taiwan, for the first time, publicly claimed that it is capable of launching missiles that will hit China, Feng Shih-kuan, Minister of National Defense, said while delivering a four-yearly report to parliament on Thursday.



"It is the first time the ministry has confirmed this," Wang Ting-yu told AFP, adding that Taiwanese missiles could travel over 1,500 kilometers.



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Taiwan has previously acknowledged that it produces cruise missiles, but it had never detailed their capabilities. Ties between Taiwan and China have grown cold after Tsai Ing-wen was elected president, bringing an end to an eight-year rapprochement.



"Should the enemy insist on invading, we will weaken their capabilities by striking enemy troops at their home bases, fighting them at sea, crushing them as they approach the coastlines, and wiping them out on the beaches," the report said.



China still considers Taiwan as part of its territory and is willing to bring it back into its fold, by force if necessary. This is despite the fact that the island has been self-governing after the two sides split in a civil war in 1949.



According to the Defense Ministry, China has over 1,500 missiles aimed at Taiwan, most of which are believed to be positioned near the Chinese coast. Taiwan's 200,000 troops is only a fraction of China's 2.3 million army.



In addition, the Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense also plans to buy new-generation stealth fighter jets with short or vertical takeoff and landing abilities from the United States to deter China. The Taiwanese military wants to acquire stealth jets to improve its asymmetrical capabilities as the cross-strait military balance between China and Taiwan starts to tilt in Beijing's favor, according to Taipei Times.



Aside from acquiring stealth jets from the US, Taiwan also plans to develop home-grown submarines and upgrade surface vessels; improve air-defense missile and road-mobile missile systems; and establish a fleet of unmanned aerial combat drones.



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(Photo : US Army) Surveillance photos of China's naval base in Djibouti. (Left) Before construction. (Right) Military facilities almost completed.

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The United States will take measures to strengthen the protection of Camp Lemonnier, its vital military base in the Republic of Djibouti, once China's new naval base only 13 kilometers away becomes operational in the next few months.



China's first overseas naval base and military outpost at the small port town of Obock on the Horn of Africa is on ground originally intended for use by the U.S. Army. The Chinese base on a 364,000 square meter (90 acre) plot houses supply stores; barracks for a small force of Chinese marines or Special Forces; maintenance facilities for aircraft and ships and weapons sites.



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China refers to the Obock naval base as a "support facility" and said it doesn't have plans of building large bases such as those the U.S. military favors. It also denies the base is ratcheting up tensions with the U.S. whose Camp Lemonnier is the largest U.S. military base in Africa.



Camp Lemonnier currently houses over 4,000 U.S. troops and is used for Special Forces and drone operations against jihadist groups in the region. These troops and contractors are assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.



Camp Lemonnier is home to Special Operations Command (Forward)-East Africa, which has carried out operations against Al Shabab militants in Somalia and Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula group in Yemen. Personnel at Camp Lemonnier are involved in highly secretive missions.



The U.S. has increasing security concerns about China's base at Obock, said Marine Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, commander of United States Africa Command (U.S. AFRICOM) with headquarters in Germany.



Gen. Waldhauser told the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee he expects the Chinese base at Obock to be operational later this summer. He recently he met with Djibouti's President Ismail Omar (who is pro-Chinese) "and expressed our concerns about some of the things that are important to us about what the Chinese should not do at that location."



Gen. Waldhauser said the Chinese base in Djibouti will support China's naval presence in the Horn of Africa. He also revealed China has some 2,200 troops in international peacekeeping operations in Africa.



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(Photo : Getty Images. ) The mayor Sansha City has told local newspaper that China is planning to start construction of a environmental monitoring station on the Scarborough Shoal.

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China plans to consolidate its construction activities further in the disputed South China Sea region by announcing that it will soon construct an environmental monitoring station on the Scarborough Shoal. The announcement comes amid fresh allegations by Philippines over Beijing's recent aggressive actions in the disputed waterways.



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The news was revealed by Xiao Jie, the mayor of Sansha City, in an interview to Hainan Daily news paper. Xiao's comments assume importance as Sansha City is considered as the administrative base of the almost all the islands and reefs controlled by China in the disputed South China Sea.



The monitoring stations, along with docks and other infrastructure, constitute part of island restoration and erosion prevention efforts slated for 2017, Xiao told the Hainan Daily.



The Philippines has so far declined to comment on the report, saying that it was trying best to verify the reports. But the news will certainly come as a setback for President Rodrigo Duterte's efforts to ties with China.



Since his historic visit to China last year, Duterte and his ministers have been busy seeking promise from Beijing that it would not carry any further constructions and will also allow Filipino fishermen to access the Scarborough Shoal.



Analysts say that China's concessions on Scarborough Shoal will help Duterte to convince its local constituency that friendship with its bitter and long time rival is not a bad thing at all.



China seized the Scarborough Shoal in 2012, following a long military stand-off with Manila. Taiwan is another clamant that stakes claim over this disputed Shoal.



The news about China's latest construction activities in South China Sea region coincides with Rex Tillerson's maiden visit to China that will begin on Saturday. The sensitive North Korea and South China Sea issues are likely to dominate Tillerson's meeting with Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jingping.



At his confirmation hearing in senate in January, Tillerson called on China to immediately stop all the construction activities across the artificial islands. He compared China's artificial island building with Russia's forceful conquest of Crimea.



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(Photo : Getty Images. ) Chinas Vice Premier Wang Yang met Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday amid recent allegations that Chinese ships intruded in Manila's territory in South China Sea.

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China's Vice Premier Wang Yang met Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday to reaffirm their peace vows amid latest tension over South China Sea, which erupted following Filipino defence minister's last week revelation that Chinese ships recently intruded into Manila's territory.



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"Both sides reaffirmed the stronger bilateral ties between Philippines and China. Both noted the progress being made in broadening cooperation," Philippines spokesperson, Ernesto Abella, said in a text message. Abella added that Beijing and Manila also agreed on "peaceful settlement of all disputes."



According to reports, Wang and Duterte also discussed about issues related to terrorism and pirates during the talks. Furthermore, the Chinese vice premier reiterated Beijing's commitment that it will follow through all the investment agreements signed during Duterte's historic visit to China last year.



Wang's four day visit to Philippines, which began on Thursday, is result of the recent thaw in China and Philippines bilateral relationship. The unexpected bonhomie in the relationship began after Duterte began to revamp Manila's pro American foreign policy soon after assuming office last year. He paid a historic visit to China in October last year, signifying the importance he attached to improving relation with once long time rival.



Meanwhile, Wang is reported to have carried investment deals and loans worth $6 billion to Philippines. The economic assistance is seen as China's return gift to Manila for its recent overtures and subsequently distancing from its long time ally the U.S.



Filipino Defence Minister Accuses China's intrusion in South China Sea



Last week, Philippines Defence Minister Delfin Lorenzana claimed that several Chinese ships were recently spotted in Manila's administrated territory in the South China Sea region. He also made a startling claim that a satellite images provided one of its allies recently detected Chinese ships carrying out surveys in the Benham Rise.



Lorenzana's claim set off round of heated statements between Manila and Beijing. Duterte immediately staked open claim over the Benham Rise, while China said that its ships had every right to conduct freedom of navigation in the disputed waters.



The maritime tensions have been the focal point between China and Philippines, with South China Sea being the most contagious flashpoint in their bilateral relationship.



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(Photo : USMC) U.S. Marines F-35B stealth fighters.

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The United States and the three Asian counties that have bought the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter met this week in a symposium to discuss how best to employ the world's most advanced stealth fighter in Asia, especially in trouble spots such as the South China Sea.



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Some 90 representatives from the U.S. Air Force; U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, and from Australia, Japan and South Korea, attended Pacific Air Forces' (PACAF) inaugural F-35 Symposium to discuss plans for leveraging the immense advantages proffered by the fifth-generation fighter in Asia.



Discussions focused on "enhancing F-35 operations in the Pacific; sharing fifth-generation lessons learned and building a foundation for future F-35 bilateral and multilateral engagements." Specifically, the meeting dwelt on integration, logistics, sustainment and combat operations.



"This symposium marks an exciting new chapter in Pacific combat capability," said Air Force Brig. Gen. Craig Wills, PACAF's strategy, plans and programs director.



"Together, our joint and international partners have introduced the most capable combat aircraft in the world to the Pacific."



The symposium affirmed the F-35 will be the backbone of future joint and combined air operations, enabling critical interoperability. It noted that when pilots from different nations fly the same plane, they talk the same language.



Asian nations that operate the F-35 ensure successful joint and combined operations well into the future through the F-35's foundational interoperability.



In January, the first 10 Lockheed Martin F-35B stealth fighters belonging to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121) arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan, marking the first permanent international deployment of the U.S. stealth fighter.



VMFA 121, also known as the "Green Knights," flies the F-35B, the Marine Corps version of the F-35 Lightning II. VMFA-121 will be the first F-35 squadron permanently based in Japan.



The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) on Dec. 1, 2016 received its first combat ready F-35A at the U.S. Air Force's Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. The Japanese government signed a deal to buy 28 F-35As over the next five years, and will buy 14 more of the fifth generations stealth fighters part of a plan to purchase 42 of the jets.



The acquisition of the F-35s is a key part of Japan's plan to re-arm the JASDF with more modern weapons and equipment in the face of untrammeled Chinese aggression in Asia.



South Korea has ordered 40 F-35A jets for the Republic of Korea Air Force and expects to receive its first F-35s in 2018. The F-35 was selected because North Korean air defenses have difficulty detecting stealth aircraft.



The Royal Australian Air Force has 100 F-35As on order and in April 2015 confirmed the purchase of 58 of these stealth jets. The first four F-35s will be delivered to Australia in 2018, with initial operating capability being reached in 2020.



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(Photo : USAF) F-35s

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The Republic of China (Taiwan) has indicated its intention to again try to acquire the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter as part of a furious military buildup aimed at defending itself against what it sees as an inevitable invasion by communist China.



The Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) published by the Ministry of National Defense said Taiwan intends to buy two versions of the F-35 Lightning: the F35A, the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) jet operated by the U.S. Air Force and the F-35B, the short take-off, vertical landing (STOVL) variant flown by the U.S. Marine Corps.



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The F-35s will be deployed by the Republic of China Air Force to support the Republic of China Army and the Republic of China Navy, according to the QDR. The report also said the F-35B, the STOVL variant, is necessary for rapid response to threats from the People's Liberation Army.



The stealth fighters will be vital in adding more muscle to Taiwan's strategy of "double-level deterrence" which the defense ministry defines as a strategy of not just defense, but of rapid response to prevent an invasion.



The defense ministry said China has not given up on its plans to invade Taiwan. This assessment means Taiwan must better prepare for this forthcoming invasion with all the means at its disposal, including the purchase and development of more advanced equipment such as combat aircraft, missiles, submarines and warships.



Taiwan expects a Chinese invasion before 2020, at the earliest.



Taiwan will increase its current military budget by seven percent to $147 billion to enable the acquisition and development of military equipment amid rising tensions with China, said the QDR report.



The report was released before the Trump administration said it plans to provide "more and better defensive arms" for Taiwan. Taiwan, however, is uncertain if the F-35s will be included in the deal.



The Pentagon recently reaffirmed that "the objective of our defense engagement with Taiwan is to ensure that Taiwan remains secure, confident, free from coercion and able to engage in a peaceful, productive dialogue to resolve differences."



Taiwan first sought to acquire F-35s in 2009. The Obama administration, however, rejected the request in 2011 out of fear of agitating China.



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ELKO  Instead of selling products or services, companies should tell their customers what pain they ease.

This was just one of the lessons learned during the second annual Elko Mining Reverse Expo this week in the Conference Center.

The one-day event had two guest speakers and speed pitching between companies and booth analysis.

Erik Kieser talked to the attendees about communication and the four types of listeners. He said communication is always about the receiver and it is never, ever about the sender.

His 90-minute interactive speech had people examining how they communicate their message when trying to sell a product or service.

We think in terms of services, but we need to think in terms of easing pain, Kieser told the group.

Part of easing someones pain and presenting a message effectively involved understanding the different types of listeners. Kieser said there are four types: analyze the crap out of it, look at the details, how it feels, and cutting edge people.

The analyze group always moves to the end and wants information in bullet points. They look for the optimal solution.

The details group wants the best solution and every question answered. Kieser said these people want extra material left behind so they can read over it.

How it feels people want a connection and think in terms of conversations. They are about the team win.

Cutting edge people love blazing new trails, but are terrible at listening. They are imaginative and out-of-the-box thinkers.

Kieser told the group as they give an elevator speech to sell a product or a service, they must pay attention to how the person is listening so the speech can change according to the person receiving it.

Elevator speeches are not cut in stone, he said. They are living creatures. They are a base line or starting point.  An elevator speech is a foot in the door.  they are not closing the deals.

Northeastern Nevada Regional Development Authority Executive Director Pam Borda said she was very pleased with this years event.

We sold out everything, so not only do we have the max that we could get in front of the operators for the reverse expo part, but we offered Michele (Reeves) as kind of an additional bonus for them.

Reeves talked to the group about prominent branding and marketing and evaluated the booths set up at the expo.

Im really, really happy with how its turned out, Borda said. The nice thing this year is we were really focused on trying to get some locals and some of the companies that Sheldon (Mudd) and I have been working with to try and get to locate here and they all had an opportunity to get in. We have some companies here from Canada and Australia. Were excited about that.

First time attendees Pedro Ormaza of Ormaza Construction and Ardys Johnson of Absolute Promotions said they wanted to participate this year to see what the event was about.

His speech was good, Ormaza said of Kieser. I figured out Im a feel good person.

He said he was looking forward to talking face to face with companies.

Johnson said she enjoyed this event and wants to participate next year.

Im a big fan of the Nevada Mining Association, and also I want to build a business, she said. All the education that I can get is better for me.

Nevada Mining Association President Dana Bennett said the Elko Reverse Expo started last year after association members expressed a lot of interest in the fall event at Lake Tahoe.

Of course we want everybody to come to the convention, but we also recognize that its difficult to travel to Lake Tahoe for some folks, she said. For some of the smaller vendors that are located in the Winnemucca, Battle Mountain, Elko area, this provides an opportunity for them to participate in ways that they might not be able to at Tahoe in September.

Borda said they host the Elko event in March so it is six months before the fall one.

We dont want to burn the operators out, because theyre so kind to do this for us, she said. Its a really good mixture of the mine support companies, which is our focus. Were focused on the companies that work directly with the mines and not so much other stuff that everybody uses, like hotel rooms. Some of those people who wanted to be in are sponsoring so thats very cool. Weve tried to make it a place where theres space for everybody, but the operators really want to talk to the people who can help them at the mines, that provide some kind of service or support. I think we did much better with that this year.

The association said 175 people signed up for the event, which is more than last year.

Weve had great participation and great enthusiasm, Bennett said. People registered quickly. Its something that is now becoming a part of their regular calendar and their regular rotation and people are very excited about it.

While the focus is on the mining vendors the mining companies also participate.

At the mine expo in June, if youre selling something, you set up a booth and you hope that that buyer will stop and talk to you, Bennett said. At a reverse expo, its the buyer who sits still and the seller goes by, and so the seller has very short period of time  seven, eight minutes  to make their pitch and hopefully they catch their attention and a business relationship can develop out of that. So really the pressure then is on the seller to present a compelling presentation to the operator.

Were all familiar with Barrick and Newmont and Kinross, that are major mine operators, but the Elko area also has a lot of major vendors, big companies that also hire other vendors and so this provides an opportunity to connect with some of those big vendors as well.

This year will be the fourth year for the reverse expo in the fall at Lake Tahoe.

We like it because its different, Bennett said. People in business are always looking for opportunities to present their products, to find new products, to find new services and this is a great way to showcase the innovation thats happening in the mining industry in an innovative way. Its innovative conversations being done in an innovative way. From what I hear from our convention planner, this is whats happening nationally. People want the opportunity for face to face, so thats what were providing.
home US IRS rushed tax-exempt status of 'After School Satan Club,' new documents reveal

New documents obtained by Judicial Watch reveal that the IRS granted tax-exempt status to The Satanic Temple's "After School Satan Club" in just 10 days while making conservative groups wait for years.

Records from the Treasury Department indicate that the Satanic Temple applied for tax-exempt status for the After School Satan Club at Point Defiance Elementary in Tacoma on Oct. 21, 2014 and received it on Oct. 31, 2014.

During that time, the IRS was being sued for delaying applications of several organizations that include "Christian," "Patriot" or "tea party" in their names, according to World Net Daily.

Judicial Watch, a conservative group that uses open records or freedom of information laws to expose misconduct by government officials, stated on its website that IRS political appointees under the Obama administration illegally targeted conservative groups, making them wait for years for tax-exempt status or denying their application altogether.

The organization behind the After School Satan Club is a nonprofit called Reason Alliance, based in Somerville, Massachusetts, and conducts its operation in Washington State as the Satanic Temple of Seattle.

Records reveal that the Point Defiance Elementary Satanic club was established by Lilith X. Starr, the director of Satanic Temple of Seattle. The club stated in its application that its purpose is "character development," and it indicated that the adult instructors are vetted by the Temple's "Executive Ministry."

The documents also show that Starr told Tacoma School District Superintendent Carla Santorno that the effort to launch the club in Tacoma schools was in direct response to Christian-based Good News Clubs operating in schools across the district.

The Satanic Temple's own website states: "Please keep in mind that the Satanic Temple is not interested in operating After School Satan Clubs in school districts that are not already hosting the Good News Club. However, The Satanic Temple ultimately intends to have After School Satan Clubs operating in every school district where the Good News Club is represented."

Starr also told the superintendent that the clubs are led by "caring Satanists," and the children who join will receive membership cards.

The records also indicate that the parent permission forms used for children to join ask for the name of the child's pastor and church. It was also revealed that no one had signed up for the After School Satan Club two weeks after it began its operations.
Gordon Brown sets out 'third option' for Scotland of more powers in bid to preserve the Union

Gordon Brown, who is widely credited with saving the pro-Union campaign in the 2014 Scottish independencereferendum, will today set out a 'third option' for Scotland's future, based on more powers being transferred to Holyrood after Brexit.

The former Labour prime minister will suggest that the Scottish government should be given the power to set VAT rates and sign international treaties.

Brown, who argued for 'devolution max' in 2014 and since, will say in a speech that control over agriculture, fisheries and environmental regulation could be transferred.

His intervention comes after a speech by Theresa May yesterday pledging to preserve the 'precious, precious Union' and as Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader addresses her party's Spring conference.

The first minister set out her position five days ago, saying a fresh vote was necessary in the wake of Brexit.

She will tell the SNP conference that the will of the Scottish Parliament 'must and will prevail' over the issue.

Brown, who is seen as one of the few former Westminster politicians with credibility north of the border, will address the Festival of Ideas, in Kirkcaldy, Fife, where he will call for the repatriation to Scotland of 800m spent by the EU.

Further, he will propose that the Bank of England becomes the Bank of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with fully staffed representation in Scotland, 'to reinforce the fact that the pound is for everyone'.

Brown was the main architect of the 'Vow', a cross-party promise of more powers for Holyrood, which many believe boosted the No vote ahead of the Scottish independence referendum in September 2014.

Brown will argue a new form of federal home rule is needed to unite the country and avoid years of 'bitter division'.

'The third option, a patriotic Scottish way and free from the absolutism of the SNP and the do-nothing-ism of the Tories, is now essential because post-Brexit realities make the status quo redundant and require us to break with the past,' he is expected to say.

'The status quo has been overtaken by events because unless powers now with the European Union are repatriated from Brussels to the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and the regions, Whitehall will have perpetrated one of the biggest power grabs by further centralising power. employment and energy.

'The patriotic way means that Scotland is not caught between a die-hard conservatism that denies the Scottish Parliament the powers it needs and a hard-line nationalism that throws away the resources we secure from being part of the Union.'
Man shot dead at Paris airport 'after trying to grab a gun'

French soldiers shot a man dead at Orly airport in Paris this morning after he tried to grab a weapon, the interiorministry has confirmed.

Police evacuated both terminals at the airport and all flights have been suspended, with some diverted to Charles de Gaulle airport, reports said.

People traveling have been told to avoid the airport while the security operation was under way. Some passengers whose flights had already landed were being held on board.

No one else was injured in the incident, according to reports.

An interior ministry spokesperson said officers were sweeping the airport to make sure that there were no explosive devices.

'A man took a weapon from a soldier then hid in a shop in the airport before being shot dead by security forces,' the spokesperson said.

The soldier was part of the Sentinel special force installed around France to protect sensitive sites after a string of deadly Islamic extremist attacks.

The French interior minister, Bruno Le Roux, is due to visit the airport, south of Paris, later.

A witness, Franck Lecam, said: 'We had queued up to check in for the Tel Aviv flight when we heard three or four shots nearby. We are all outside the airport, about 200 metres from the entrance.

'There are policemen, emergency workers and soldiers everywhere in all directions. A security official told us that it happened near gates 37-38 where Turkish Airlines flights were scheduled.'

France remains under a state of emergency in the wake of the attack on the Bataclan music venue in November 2015 in which 90 people were killed by Islamist gunmen, and the Nice truck attack last July that claimed the lives of 84 people and injured hundreds more.

No further details about the man killed at the airport were immediately available.
Trump stands by claims Obama tapped his phones, despite denial by GCHQ

US President Donald Trump stood by unproven claims last night that the Obama administration tapped his phones during the 2016 White House race and shrugged off a dispute with Britain over the notion their spy agency had a hand in it.

British Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman earlier in the day dismissed the charge against Britain's GCHQ spy agency as 'ridiculous' and said the White House had promised not to repeat it.

But at a news conference Trump brushed aside a question about whether it was a mistake to accuse British intelligence of eavesdropping.

'We said nothing. All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television. I didn't make an opinion on it,' Trump said.

He was referring to Fox News analyst Andrew Napolitano who on Tuesday accused Britain's Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) intelligence agency of having helped Obama, a Democrat, wiretap Trump, a Republican.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer on Thursday quoted Napolitano's comments about GCHQ during a testy briefing with reporters.

But speaking at the White House news conference, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, at his side, Trump distanced himself.

"That was a statement made by a very talented lawyer on Fox, and so you shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox. OK?" Trump said while standing by his initial charge that the previous US administration eavesdropped on him.

'As far as wiretapping, I guess by this past administration, at least we have something in common, perhaps,' he said to Merkel.

US ties with Germany were frayed by news reports in 2013 citing leaked intelligence documents that Washington had bugged Merkel's mobile phone.

A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said British officials had voiced concern to senior Trump aides but the official declined to explicitly apologise for Spicer's citation of the Fox News allegations.

The Republican Trump, president since January 20, tweeted this month that his Democratic predecessor had wiretapped him during the late stages of the 2016 campaign. Trump offered no evidence, and an Obama spokesman has said the claim is 'simply false'.

Leaders of both major parties in Congress have joined a growing chorus disputing it.

On Friday, the US Justice Department said it had responded to a request by committees in Congress for documents that could shed light on Trump's claim.

A government source, who requested anonymity when discussing sensitive information, said an initial examination indicated it contained no evidence to support Trump's charge.

On the 'Fox & Friends' program, Napolitano, a political commentator and former New Jersey judge, said that rather than ordering US agencies to spy on Trump, Obama had obtained transcripts of Trump's conversations from GCHQ so there were 'no American fingerprints' on it.

Late on Friday, Fox News anchor Shepard Smith said: 'Fox News cannot confirm Judge Napolitano's commentary. Fox News knows of no evidence of any kind that the now president of the United States was surveilled at any time in any way, full stop.'

Dominic Grieve, chairman of the British Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee, said a US president cannot task the GCHQ to intercept an individual's communications.

In a rare public statement, the GCHQ, Britain's equivalent of the U.S. National Security Agency which monitors overseas electronic communications, said the claims should be ignored.

Reuters reported earlier this week that an unidentified British security official had denied the allegations about Trump.

GCHQ, based in western England, is one of three main British spy agencies alongside the MI6 Secret Intelligence Service and the MI5 Security Service.
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When 16-year-old Elena Ebbie Mondragon left her Antioch home Monday, her mother expected her to return within hours because she didnt have any makeup on, was wearing sweatpants and left her cell phone behind  unusual for a girl who loved to joke around and was into fashion and cosmetics.

On Thursday, Michelle Mondragon was reeling from a double dose of tragic news: Not only was her daughter shot to death on Tuesday by Fremont detectives while riding in a stolen car in Hayward, but also an autopsy showed she was within the first trimester of a pregnancy.

While the mother was too distraught to speak, relatives described Elenas death at the hands of police as an unfathomable blow for the entire family.

More Bay Area news Fremont detectives fatally shoot girl, 16, in car that rammed...

She was our baby. This family will never be complete, its broken, Elenas aunt, Christina Flores, told The Chronicle while sobbing outside her Pittsburg home. She enjoyed being a kid. (She was) always smiling.

When Elena didnt come home Monday, her family started to worry. Later that night, she called from an unknown number and seemed to be in distress.

She was crying, Come get me, come get me, then the phone hung up, Flores said.

When her mother tried to call back, the phone was answered by a man the family believes Elena met when she left her home Monday to get food, a boyfriend they only knew as Rico and suspect was driving the stolen car when the girl was shot dead.

I feel like he was manipulating her. She wasnt involved in what (police) were looking for him for, Flores said of Rico. Maybe she hung around them, but she didnt do none of those things.

The shooting unfolded about 5:20 p.m. when Fremont detectives discovered a car in Hayward that had been reported stolen. The car, linked to a series of armed robberies around the Bay Area, was spotted at an apartment complex at 25200 Carlos Bee Blvd. near California State University East Bay, police said.

Police said that when detectives tried to stop the car at Campus and Oakes drives to talk to its four occupants, the driver rammed the unmarked patrol vehicle, injuring the two detectives, officials said. The detectives opened fire into the vehicle, hitting Elena multiple times in the passenger seat.

Two other occupants of the car were taken into custody. A fourth occupant fled on foot, but was arrested about 8 p.m. Wednesday night in San Francisco on an outstanding warrant for multiple robbery charges, police said Thursday. The persons name was not immediately released.

Elenas family is feeling a pain that seems in this moment that will never go away, wrote Miguel Minjares, Elenas uncle, in a Go Fund Me page. She is our Ebbie & always will be.

Elena was the second oldest of nine children and a student at Golden Gate Community School in Pittsburg. And she was known in her family for being caring and dependable when it came to her brothers and sisters.

She was a good girl, very respectful. When it came to her siblings, she was very responsible, said Evelina Minjares, Elenas 26-year-old cousin.

Elena shared a birthday with her 9-year-old brother. But instead of making the day about her, she would wake up early to get her brother a card and other birthday gifts to surprise him with, Flores said, as she smiled through tears.

A vigil was held for Elena on Wednesday night at Knoll Park in Antioch, just hours after her family was notified of her death. On Thursday, six white balloons still tied to a tree and the flames of flickering candles honored the young woman. A red teddy bear clutching a bouquet of six white roses rested against the tree.

Numerous handwritten messages were left behind, one reading, Rest in paradise, beautiful.

Hayward police and the Alameda County district attorneys office are investigating the shooting.

I was pissed. Im still pissed, Flores said. Police shouldve been professional about it and not just start shooting. Aim. Aim at the tires. She was a little girl.

Geoffrey Alpert, a professor of criminology at the University of South Carolina, said many cities across the nation, including San Francisco, prohibit police from firing at moving vehicles.

Of course there are some exceptions to the rules, like if a driver or passenger were shooting at police.

The standard is if someone is threatening with immediacy or imminency the life or bodily harm of someone else, you can take a life to save a life. But other than that, theres no justification for the use of deadly force, Alpert said.

Its a law enforcement dilemma, he added. Using good police work to apprehend a driver later is probably your best bet.

The Hayward incident was the third fatal police shooting in the Bay Area in less than a week.

I knew she wasnt a perfect girl, but to us, she was, Flores said. It was all about her family and having fun and just being Ebbie.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
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SUNDAY

Rice Design Alliance wine reception:Sarah Whiting, dean of Rice University's school of architecture, will present her selection of the best architecture books, 5 p.m., Brazos Bookstore, 2421 Bissonnet; 713-523-0701 or brazosbookstore.com.

MONDAY

Meg Howrey: Author will discuss and sign "The Wanderers," 6:30 p.m., Murder By The Book, 2342 Bissonnet; 713-524-8597, or toll free 888-424-2842 or murderbooks.com.

Kathy Hepinstall: Author will discuss and sign "The Book of Polly," 7 p.m., Blue Willow Bookshop, 14532 Memorial; 281-497-8675 or bluewillowbookshop.com.

Stan Crawford and Varsha Saraiya-Shah: Crawford will discuss and sign "Resisting Gravity" and Saraiya-Shah will discuss and sign "Voices," 7 p.m., Brazos Bookstore.

TUESDAY

Lyndsay Faye: Author will discuss and sign "The Whole Art of Detection: Lost Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes," 6:30 p.m., Murder By The Book.

Colson Whitehead: Author will discuss his books, including "The Underground Railroad," at a Rice Seminar Lecture, 6:30-8:30 p.m., St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 5501 Main. Sold out.

Cassandra Rose Clarke: Author will discuss and sign "Star's End," 7 p.m., Brazos Bookstore.

Will Schwalbe: Author will discuss and sign "Books for Living," 7 p.m., Blue Willow Bookshop.

WEDNESDAY

Kathy Hepinstall: Author will discuss and sign "The Book of Polly," 6:30 p.m., Murder By The Book.

THURSDAY

Amanda Hendrix: Author will sign "Beyond Earth: Our Path to a New Home in the Planets," 5-7 p.m., River Oaks Bookstore, 3270 Westheimer; 713 520-0061 or riveroaksbookstore.com.

Harry Hunsicker: Author will discuss and sign "The Devil's Country," 6:30 p.m., Murder By The Book.

Daniel Pena: Author (and University of Houston-Downtown professor) will discuss his Pushcart Prize-winning story "Safe Home" and other stories, 7 p.m., Building G-102, Lone Star College-Montgomery, 3200 College Park Drive, Conroe; 936-524-6537 or lonestar.edu/montgomery.

Richard Russo: Author will discuss and sign "Everybody's Fool," 7 p.m., Brazos Bookstore.

FRIDAY

Randy Wayne White: Author will discuss and sign "Mangrove Lightning," 6:30 p.m., Murder By The Book.

SATURDAY

Space City Poetry Slam:Youth poets will compete in the semifinal round of this competition organized by Writers in the Schools, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., MECA Houston, 1900 Kane; witshouston.org

N.B. Grant:Author will sign "A Journey to Freedom Through Prayer," noon-3 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 7626 Westheimer; 713-783-6016.

Rosalie King: Author will sign "Deadly Transformation" at a book launch party, 5-7 p.m., Becker's Books, 7405 Westview; 713-957-8088 or beckersbooks.com.

William Geroux: Author will discuss and sign "The Mathews Men: Seven Brothers in the War Against Hitler's U-Boats," 2 p.m., Houston Maritime Museum, 2204 Dorrington. Admission $5; free for members, active-duty military, veterans and children 11 and younger; 281-497-8675 or bluewillowbookshop.com.

Jennifer Hamburg: Author will discuss and sign "Hazy Bloom and the Tomorrow Power," 3 p.m., Blue Willow Bookshop.

C.J. Box: Author will discuss and sign "Vicious Circle," 4:30 p.m., Murder By The Book.

Monette Chilson: Author will read and sign "My Name Is Lilith" at a Women's History Month reception, 6-7:30 p.m., Body Mind and Soul, 7951 Interstate 10 W.; 713-993-0550 or bmshouston.com.

Alyson Ward
The search is continuing for a man who robbed a Christian book store and a massage parlor in west Harris County, sheriff's deputies said.

The man struck the Lifeway Christian book store about 9:30 a.m. Monday along the 20200 block of the Katy Freeway.

TRAGEDY: Safety complaint warned city of problems two years before deadly fire at rooming house

Deputies said looked at merchandise and spoke with employees and books and inspirational pamphlets. Then, he walked over to the counter and demanded the cash.

The man told store employees he had a gun they said he never showed it to them. He took cash from the money drawer before fleeing the store, officials said.

The man also is wanted for pulling a knife of an employee at a Thai massage parlor in the area that same night.

He placed the knife against the throat of a female employee before demanding money. But, he ran away when the worker said she couldn't open the register.

Sheriff's deputies described him as a 5-foot-7 white man with brown hair and a brown mustache and goatee. He weighs 160-180 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
A woman died when she struck the back of an 18-wheeler early Saturday in South Houston.

The 18-wheeler was stopped while waiting for a gate to open at a property in the 3200 block of Almeda Genoa when the woman - who police did not immediately identify - came speeding eastward in a red Volvo and struck the back of the vehicle. Emergency crews learned of the accident at 1:24 a.m, but the woman was already dead, authorities said.
ELKO  The National Weather Service issued a flood warning Friday afternoon for the Bruneau River, including Rowland, in northern Elko County.

Minor flooding is occurring, with river levels forecast to rise to moderate flood stage on Sunday.

Well above normal temperatures were expected to continue Saturday, melting the surrounding mountain snowpack.

Flood stage on the river is 7 feet, and the forecast for Monday is 8.4 feet.

Water levels are expected to continue to rise through the weekend with moderate flooding likely Sunday into early next week, stated the warning.  Cooler temperatures late this weekend and early next week will help to slow the snowmelt process, thus allowing the river to level off or slowly recede into the middle of next week.

The Elko forecast calls for highs this weekend in the upper 60s to lower 70s, with a 60 percent chance of rain Saturday night.

More scattered showers are forecast for Sunday night and throughout all of next week, with highs gradually dropping into the 50s.

Flooding has been a concern in northern Nevada since an early snowmelt in February caused significant damage. Mountain ranges throughout this part of the state still have snowpacks of 150 percent of average, and streamflows near Elko could be 300 percent of normal, according to the USDAs Natural Resources Conservation Service.
A sergeant in the Army National Guard has been arrested in Rosenberg and is accused of trying to sexually assault an underage girl.

Leigh Fox, 29, of Richmond, allegedly met a person he thought was a 14-year-old girl online and left his place of employment on Thursday, March 16, to meet the teenager in a park, police said in a report.
Friendswood police continue to warn against leaving items inside vehicles after two women reported purses stolen recently in smash-and-grab-style burglaries.

The first victim parked her vehicle at 7:44 p.m. March 9 at Centennial Park, 1000 Manison Parkway, and returned 10 minutes later to find the driver's side window smashed and her purse, wallet and cell phone gone.

Then on March 11, an employee at Friendship Haven Healthcare in the 1500 block of Sunset reported a purse stolen out of her vehicle. Two windows were smashed, and a makeup bag, purse, prescription medications and cell phone were stolen.

ASSAULT

Police charged a Friendswood man, 32, with assault causing bodily injury-family violence, enhanced, after a school resource officer investigated a child's throat and neck injuries March 10. The man reportedly placed the child in a headlock for failing to clean up after a dog. Bond was set at $15,000.

FRAUD

A Friendswood woman said she received a letter from Verizon about an account created using her identifying information, according to a March 7 police report.

A Friendswood business reported two forged checks March 10, police said. One check was cashed for $4,600 and the other for $621. Both were dated March 2. Two recently terminated employees were named as possible suspects.

THEFT

Attempts to hide a vehicle from a repo man backfired when a Pearland man, 25, said he parked his white 2008 Ford F-250 truck March 8 at Bridgestone Apartments, 4949 FM 2351, only to have it stolen. The man, who had 13 active warrants, was taken into custody and turned over to Alvin police.

Forty dose units of hydrocodone were reported stolen March 12 at Friendswood Health Care Center, 213 E. Heritage Drive. An employee was placed on leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation, police said.

NARCOTICS

A Baytown woman, 37, was charged with possession of a controlled substance after a traffic stop for expired registration March 6 in the 16600 block of Beamer Road. An officer reportedly found a bag of methamphetamine in the woman's jeans. A passenger, a 42-year-old Palestine man, was charged with failure to identify.

Police charged a 21-year-old Texas City woman with possession of drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop for an insurance violation March 9 in the 1700 block of South Friendswood Drive. During a search of the vehicle, an officer reportedly found marijuana inside a Bluetooth speaker box.

Police arrested a Pearland man, 22, on a McLennan County warrant for nonpayment of child support after a traffic stop for an insurance violation March 10 in the 100 block of North Friendswood Drive. A female, 17, was charged with possession of marijuana and resisting arrest. Bonds for each were set at $2,500.

DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED

Responding to a witness report of a truck in a ditch, police found a Friendswood man, 37, slumped over with his head resting against the driver's side window March 6 in the 1500 block of Falling Leaf Drive. Officers broke a window and removed the driver from the vehicle. He remained unresponsive and was loaded into an ambulance. As officers searched the vehicle for the driver's identification, they reportedly found three full bottles and one empty bottle of whiskey. A charge of felony DWI, third or more offense, is pending.

Police charged a Nassau Bay man, 46, with DWI and possession of a controlled substance after a traffic accident March 7 near Brookside Intermediate School, 3535 E. FM 528. The man failed a field sobriety test and refused a blood test. During a vehicle inventory, the officer reportedly found injectable anabolic steroids and three syringes. Bond was set at $1,500.

A Friendswood woman, 24, was charged with DWI after a witness reported a reckless driver March 8 on FM 2351. An officer arrived to find the suspect vehicle stopped in the 4900 block of FM 2351. The driver said she had run out of gas, and the officer and a couple of good Samaritans helped push the vehicle into a parking lot. The officer reportedly noticed several pills, later identified as lorazepam, on the driver's seat. The woman failed a field sobriety test and refused a blood or breath test. During an inventory of the vehicle, the officer reportedly found marijuana. Bond was set at $500.

Police charged a Manvel man, 36, with DWI after an officer reportedly observed him driving in the bicycle lane March 10 in the 1700 block of FM 528. The vehicle also was traveling on a flat tire, police said. The driver failed a field sobriety test and refused a breath test. Bond was set at $500.

A Friendswood man, 24, was charged with DWI after crashing into a mailbox March 10 in the 1200 block of Red Wing Drive. He reportedly fled the scene on foot, leaving his white Cadillac behind. Stopped in another vehicle by police later, he said he was returning to the crash scene to leave a note. He failed a field sobriety test and refused a blood test, police said. Bond was set at $1,000.

FAILURE TO IDENTIFY

A Houston woman, 21, was charged with failure to identify as a fugitive from justice after a traffic stop March 11 in the 300 block of East Parkwood Avenue. During the stop, the officer discovered the woman had two felony assault warrants. She was granted a $1,500 bond for the failure to identify charge; however, bond was denied for probation violation and assault charges.

TRAFFIC

Police charged a Houston man, 43, with driving while license invalid after a stop for an equipment and insurance violation March 8 in the 1200 block of South Friendswood Drive. The officer checked the man's driving status and found his driver's license was suspended and he had an outstanding warrant with Harris County Precinct 8.

FOUND PROPERTY

A hoverboard abandoned March 10 in the 300 block of East Edgewood Drive was turned over to police.
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A 19-year-old Houston woman is behind bars for her alleged involvement in forcing a runaway teenage girl into sexual slavery.

Denise Coronado was charged with compelling prostitution, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in state prison, according to a press release from the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

SHOCKING CRIME: Baytown man sentenced for forcing teenager into prostitution

The 14-year-old girl told authorities she was walking down the street when she was pulled into a van. She was driven into the woods and held against her will for five days. Then, she was taken to a Houston motel, where she met Coronado.

The girl told authorities she was threatened, burned with a cigarette and made to engage in prostitution. Coronado photographed the girl for an advertisement and published it on Backpage.com, according to the district attorney's office.

GANG VIOLENCE: Young woman in satanic killing identified

During a one-week period in March, the girl was forced to have sex with more than two dozen men. Eventually, she escaped.

The Houston Police Vice Division's Human Trafficking Unit is continuing to investigate the case.

NEW WEAPON: Houston man faces rare human trafficking charge

Coronado has prior charges in Harris County of possession of marijuana under two ounces, assault of a family member and assault causing bodily injury. She pled guilty to the marijuana and assault of a family member charges.

Coronado was arrested Thursday and is being held in the Harris County Jail. She is expected to appear in court Monday for arraignment.
A 24-year-old Abilene man who was caught masturbating in his car while staring at a 13-year-old girl was indicted by a grand jury on Thursday, according to police records.

Michael Arredondo was indicted by a Taylor County grand jury of indecency with a child, a third-degree felony.

RELATED: S.A.'s 'DWI Dude' denies scamming Colombian narco-terror group chief

Arredondo was inside his parked car at a Walgreens on June 26, 2016, when he began masturbating while staring at a 13-year-old girl, who was in the car next to him, according to court documents originally obtained by KTAB-TV in Abilene.

When the girl's mother returned to the car from the store, her daughter said a man had been staring at her. She looked at the adjacent vehicle and made eye contact with Arredondo as he "pointed to his genitals," the indictment states.

The woman and her daughter "could see that he was masturbating," so the woman told her daughter to take a photo or video of Arredondo while she called the police.

Arredondo then "smiled at them and gave a 'thumbs up' as he drove away," according to court records.

RELATED: Police arrest 23-year-old suspect accused of fatally stabbing woman at Converse apartments

The woman posted the video of the man to social media to warn people in the area.

"Within a few hours she received replies identifying the man as Michael Arredondo," the indictment states.

Police eventually tracked him down and arrested him. If convicted, Arredondo could face up to 10 years in prison.

cdowns@mysa.com

Twitter: @calebjdowns
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More charges are expected against at least one of the three men who police believe robbed a barbecue restaurant in Oak Ridge North Wednesday night.

Police say Cameron Moore of Houston, Xavier Flowers of Houston and Patrick Wilson of Tomball entered the Pappas Bar-B-Q restaurant in the 27700 block of Interstate 45 North shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday and held up customers and staff. One of them went table to table demanding wallets, purses and cell phones while the other two robbed restaurant staff, Oak Ridge North Police Chief Andrew Walters said.

"They pretty much seized the store," Walters said. "They robbed the store and they started to rob each individual customer."

One of the robbers pointed a gun at children in the restaurant, Walters said, while making small talk with others as he was robbing them.

"They were asking them 'are you having a nice day?' or 'how's your day going?' and stuff like that," Walters said.

As the robbery was going on, an off-duty Harris County jailer and his significant other were able to slip out the restaurant's back door and dial 911. The jailer strapped on a bulletproof vest and armed himself as he watched for the robbers to exit the building.

When they rushed out of the restaurant, the jailer wound up running alongside them toward Woodson Road. The robbers allegedly shot at two cars that were driving in the area during their escape, Walters said, which is what could lead to additional charges for some of the three.

Moore, Flowers and Wilson are all charged with three first-degree felony counts of aggravated robbery, court records show. Walters is reviewing evidence to determine what kind of additional charges would be appropriate.

"If they hit up in the vehicle near the driver's area, it's not just an aggravated assault," Wilson said. "They were attempting to shoot the driver."

The robbers allegedly made off with only $3,000 in cash, Wilson said.

"We've got three men's lives ruined and a bunch of people traumatized all over $3,000," Walters said, adding the money will be returned to the proper owners soon.
Houston police pursued a black Mercedes through the Acres Homes area on the northwest side just after midnight Saturday.

The chase ended around 12:15 a.m. in the 7300 block of Phillips near West Little York when the driver stopped and fled on foot.
A man crashed his minivan Friday night into the front of a Montrose home, knocking over a part of the front porch, according to Houston police.

A man was traveling northbound around 11:30 p.m. on Whitney Street, when he didn't realize the street ended at Bomar Street, police said. He continued to drive, eventually slamming into the front of the house, knocking over the brick facade and a portion of the front porch.
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WASHINGTON  Key Texas Republicans with oversight of agricultural issues were already quietly perturbed by President Donald Trump's fierce opposition to the North American Free Trade Agreement and the time it took him to nominate an agriculture secretary.

Now the Republican president, swept into office with the help of rural voters, is looking to slash the federal agriculture budget, raising further alarms about how his administration will handle the issues most important to America's farmers.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, R-Midland, voiced concern Thursday over Trump's proposal to cut discretionary spending at the U.S. Department of Agriculture by $4.7 billion, a 21 percent decrease to $17.9 billion.

Only the Environmental Protection Agency and State Department were slated for deeper proportional cuts.

The significant cuts, Conaway warned in a written statement, "could hamper some vital work of the Department." Net farm income has decreased by 50 percent over just the last four years, the Midland Republican noted, placing the agriculture community in an already precarious position.

"America's farmers and ranchers are struggling, and we need to be extremely careful not to exacerbate these conditions," he said.

The proposed cuts for the USDA would halt funding for rural clean water initiatives and development programs, decreasing county-level staff and some statistical services offered by the agency that many farmers rely on for their planning.

Rep. Jodey Arrington, a new member of the agriculture committee in his first term in Congress, said "there are plenty of places to cut some fat out of government," a sentiment long shared by conservatives across Capitol Hill.

Arrington worked with federal agencies during the George W. Bush administration and said that all departments, including agriculture, could absorb budget cuts by trimming administrative overhead and improving efficiency.

But the Lubbock Republican, whose district is heavily dependent on the agricultural economy, is wary about targeting the USDA.

"In every agency, there are programs that are unnecessary and there are cuts that can be made responsibly across the board," he said. "But our safety net has to cushion and consider the unevenness of the international playing field."

Fortunately for agriculture watchers, the White House's overall budget proposal appeared dead on arrival in the Capitol, with congressional Republicans panning a whole host of aspects in the blueprint.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry, R-Clarendon, reiterated his view Thursday that the $603 billion Trump requested for defense is not enough "to do the things the president wants to do" in terms of building out the military.

Conaway cautioned against getting too worked up about the proposed cuts, noting that this is just "the start of a longer, larger process."

But the signal Trump is sending by even suggesting such drastic reductions for the agricultural agency may continue to worry the industry.

"Agriculture has done more than its fair share," Conaway said, highlighting billions of dollars in savings his committee squeezed out in the most recent farm bill in 2014.

Cautious Republican concerns paled in comparison to unreserved Democratic pushback to the president's proposal.

"I strongly oppose the Trump administration's proposed budget cuts to programs that are critical to farmers, ranchers and families in small towns across America," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, the senior Democrat on the Senate agriculture committee, in a written statement.

Trump took weeks after first interviewing former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue before nominating him for agriculture secretary just a day before his inauguration in January, leaving the industry on pins and needles.

Trump was reportedly looking to tap a Hispanic candidate for the last role in his cabinet to tamp down complaints about diversity, and he met with several during the interview process, but industry insiders pushed back on each one. Four Texans were in the running for the job and Conaway's first choice was the state's ex-comptroller Susan Combs.

Because the president's budget offers a mostly top-level outline, it did not give details about which services could be cut. The changes would not affect mandatory spending, meaning the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program  also known as food stamps  and crop subsidies for farmers would go untouched.

But the elimination or reduction of programs focused on supporting rural communities could be in the offing.

"There are some hard choices that are going to have to be made over at the USDA," Conaway told The Dallas Morning News late Thursday.
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The 54-year-old man wanted in connection with a double homicide that occurred Wednesday in Austin came to an end in Mississippi Friday.

Randall Lee Burrows of Lakeway, a suspect in the shooting death of Richard Dale Guthrie and Susan Gulla-OLeary, both 60, shot and killed himself Friday after leading state troopers on a high-speed chase, according to an Associated Press report.

Burrows was last seen driving a white 2011 Ford Escape with Texas license plate number FVX 4037, a news release said (see in slideshow above).

RELATED: Boyfriend indicted on murder charge in death of West Texas college student Zuzu Verk

Travis County deputies responded to a report of shots fired at 7:40 p.m. Wednesday in the 2000 block of Whitebead Trail, where Guthrie and Gulla-O'Leary were found dead with gunshot wounds, the news release said.

A third victim was shot and is currently recovering at an area hospital.

Evidence at the scene points to a possible business dispute among the suspect and the victims on the night of the shooting.

RELATED: S.A. man arrested on capital murder charge allegedly swapped cars with mother to avoid arrest

Mississippi Highway Patrol spokesman Cpl. Brandon Fortenberry said the suspect, traveling in a white Ford Escape, had crossed the Mississippi-Louisiana line on Interstate 55 about 4:33 p.m.

About a mile south of Summit, he went into a field where he apparently shot himself about 5 p.m.

Authorities didn't name the man killed in the chase but said that he was suspected of killing the two people in Austin on Wednesday.

Text "Breaking" to 48421 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com

The Associated Press contributed to this report



twhite@mysa.com

Twitter: @tylerlwhite
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.
CARSON CITY  A proposal to change the name of McCarran International Airport to Harry Reid International Airport was criticized Friday by the Nevada Assemblys minority leader.

Senate Bill 174 was given a hearing in the Senate Committee on Government Affairs. Testimony in favor of the bill centered on allegations that former U.S. Sen. Pat McCarran was anti-Semitic.

Those testifying against the bill cited former U.S. Sen. Harry Reid as having been a divisive force in the Senate, stating there was no rational reason to change the name of the airport.

While we have gotten used to the political theater perpetuated by the majority party, this is a whole new level of farcicality, Assembly Minority Leader Paul Anderson said in a statement on the bill, adding former Senator Harry Reids legacy is one of bitterness, anger, petulance, divisive political maneuvering, and pure partisanship.

Nevada has a long history of electing statesmen from both sides of the aisle to the Governors office, the U.S. Senate, and Congress. From Kenny Guinn to Richard Bryan, and from Barbara Vucanovich to Alan Bible. These were people of great accomplishments, dedication to country, family, and God, Anderson continued. It seems only fitting that if McCarran Airport is to be renamed, its renamed after someone who best exemplifies Nevada values. 

Reids replacement, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, said in a statement released Thursday that no one represents quintessential Las Vegas like Reid.

Senator Reid has dedicated decades of his life to Nevada. From fighting mobsters as Nevadas Gaming Commissioner to representing Nevada on the world stage as the Senate Democratic Leader, Senator Reids contributions are innumerable, stated Cortez Masto. Because of Senator Reid, the states first national park was created and millions of acres of pristine lands have been protected, forever changing Nevadas environmental and economic landscape. Nevada would not be what it is today without Senator Reids decades-long work on behalf of all Nevadans. I look forward to the day when I come home to Las Vegas and land at the airport named after the greatest fighter Nevada has ever seen.
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Actor Rakul Preet Singh is in love with the City of Destiny. Having shot many of her films here, she feels a special bond with the city. I love the young vibes of the city. After Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam is the next city to have a cosmopolitan culture in the Andhra-Telangana region, the actor said. She was here on Friday to launch the second branch of the Australian fitness chain F45 for which she took up a franchise last year.

After opening the first branch in Gachibowli in Hyderabad, Rakul has turned her focus on tapping into the Visakhapatnam market which she feels has great potential considering the young crowd.The gym is located above Varun Nexa showroom at Daspalla Hills. Actors Rana Daggubati and Akhil Akkineni joined her at the launch of the gym.



Earlier, in an interaction with The Hindu , Rakul spoke about her fascination for beaches and her special connection with the city. Visakhapatnam has always been one of my favourite cities. My first fan group was from here, said the actor, who will be next seen in A.R. Murugadoss big budget flick Mahesh23opposite Mahesh Babu. Last year, she acted in films like Nannaku Prematho ,Sarrainodu and Dhruva .

Speaking about her shoots in the city, she said, I am a totally beach person. So I always look out for a chance to wet my feet in the waters here. The last time I was here for a shoot, I actually went to the beach near the shoot location and did that! Rakul, who hails an army background, said having seen the army colonies closely, the city brings back the memories of her childhood years with her family.
BEREA, Ohio -- From Massachusetts and Milwaukee to the rice paddy fields of South Korea, the Rev. David Radzik has traveled great distances while gathering meaningful experiences that have enriched his spiritual journey.

The new priest of St. Thomas Episcopal Church grew up in Massachusetts, attended college there and later studied at Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Wisconsin. He began leading the Berea congregation in January.

Radzik wasn't sure what to do with his life after he graduated college, so he responded to a recruiter searching for people to teach in the South Korea public schools.

"By the end of the summer of 2008, I was on a plane," Radzik said. "I taught English as a second language in a very rural area of South Korea, with rice paddies and mountains. It was a wonderful, formative experience in my life. I learned a lot about what's universal in people, how big the church is and how diverse it is. I also learned how many different ways there are to worship God."

And he learned to ride a scooter.

He bought it his first week there for the American equivalent of approximately $100 and "very nervously let it sit there" for a while before motoring out on the bustling Korean streets.

"It was the first time I ever operated one, so I learned very quickly," Radzik recalled. "I talked to my neighbor, who was a police officer, and he said as long as you wear a helmet and obey the traffic signs, you'll be OK. You don't even need a license."

He later taught in China for a short time by assisting students with pronunciation skills. Radzik went on to work as a hospital chaplain in Milwaukee and married his wife Lorrin four years ago. She is an ordained Methodist elder.

"It's one God, one faith," he said about their related religious lives, which they share with their dog Becket. "The worship is very similar, so we have that center and that's where we live our life."

Radzik's role as palliative care chaplain for University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital can be "a daunting thing," he said.

"I work with very sick, critically ill babies and children and their families," he explained. "Their spirit is something that's very inspiring in the midst of these really terrible situations. I get as much out of that work as they do from me. It's a lot of really deep listening and helping them understand themselves better and their relationship with a higher power."

That mission is not very different from his work at St. Thomas, he added.

"My job here is to walk alongside people and help them see how their individual stories are part of the larger story," Radzik said, sharing his Easter message for the community. "We are called to be a light in the midst of darkness. The light and hope of Easter shines, even in the midst of a broken and darkened world."
Ajit Pai

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai visited the Cleveland Clinic Thursday as part of a three-day driving tour that began in Pittsburgh and ended in Detroit. In this AP file photo, Pai speaks during a net neutrality hearing in Washington, D.C. (Associated Press photo)

(Associated Press photo)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Seeing the doctor could increasingly have more to do with clicking on a mobile app than visiting a medical office.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai visited the Cleveland Clinic Thursday to learn more about distance health and telemedicine, such as using a mobile app for a remote doctor's visit. He said the clinic is "on the cutting edge" of using this technology" that is only possible with broadband internet access, which is regulated by the FCC.

"It provides direct access to health care providers in a way patients previously couldn't have had," he said of this emerging way to deliver medical care. "Instead of having a patient come in and take time off from work, and find childcare for the kids, and other things that create a big hassle; now a physician is able to engage with her patient on a mobile app and get her vital signs and other information remotely. It's better for everybody."

Pai, the son of two doctors, contrasts this example with the experience of his father, who practiced in rural Kansas.

"I remember my dad waking up early in the morning and driving 45 minutes west to a small town where he would be the only urologist that people in that small town would see," he said. "The next day he would drive, let's say 45 minutes north, to another town."

The FCC chairman said broadband access could have improved such medical visits for both doctor and patient.

"With an internet connection, you're able to provide care to a greater number of people in a more sophisticated way than you ever could have before," he said.

The FCC has an initiative, Connect2HealthFCC, which explores "the intersection of broadband, advanced technology and health."

At the clinic, Pai visited the mobile stroke unit, equipped to quickly send images to a doctor who can determine if a patient is having a stroke. This saves vital time in diagnosing a patient, which leads to more rapid treatment.

"One of the interesting facts I learned is that, thanks to this mobile unit, they were able to cut down the time it takes to provide stabilizing care to a patient by 38 minutes," he said. "To be able to save 38 minutes is potentially life-saving in many ways."

Pai toured the remote monitoring area, where clinic staff can check the chronic conditions of patients at other hospitals, even in other states. He learned about Cleveland Clinic's mobile app, through which patients can get diagnosed and receive prescriptions.

The FCC chairman's visit to the hospital was one stop on a three-day driving tour that began at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and ended at GM in Detroit. He also met with entrepreneurs at the Youngstown Business Incubator. The tour focused on the importance of broadband connectivity in spurring economic growth.

For economic growth to be maximized, Pai said broadband must be expanded. This includes expansion to the many rural areas that still don't have broadband access. But it could also include places like Northeast Ohio, which may need to build new broadband networks as telemedicine and entrepreneurial ventures in other industries expand.

"I want internet access to be ubiquitous," he said. "I want the markets to be as competitive as possible. We are looking at trying to create a regulatory framework that will incentivize every provider -- telephone companies, wireless companies, satellite companies, etc. -- to invest as much as possible in these next generation networks.

"In that kind of marketplace, the sky's the limit in what could be achieved in health care or education or entrepreneurship or any of these fields," Pai said.

Follow: @OPinfo
Fire truck.png

A man was rescued from a rock in the water at Perkins Beach Saturday afternoon.

(File photo)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Cleveland Metroparks ranger rescued a man hanging onto a rock in Lake Erie Saturday, the Cleveland Fire Department said.

The ranger and the man were taken to MetroHealth to be treated for hypothermia, Acting Assistant Fire Chief Kenneth Guyton said.

The rescue happened around 1:30 p.m., at Perkins Beach he said. The beach is located at the bottom of a bluff north of Cliff Drive, according to the Cleveland Metroparks website.

The man was in the water hanging on a rock and called out for help, Guyton said. People heard him calling for help and called park rangers.

A ranger went down an incline and pulled the man onto the rock with him. The water was rough and the man was getting splashed with ice cold water for a while, Guyton said.

The fire department was called out and lowered a basket down to where the man was. He was able to get in the basket and be hauled up the hill, Guyton said. The ranger was able to climb back up.

"He (victim) was kind of disoriented, he didn't know why he was down there," Guyton said.
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One man is dead and another injured after a shooting in Copley.

(File photo)

COPLEY TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- One man is dead and another was sent to the hospital Friday evening after a double shooting.

Multiple reports say two men got into an argument at 6:15 p.m. on Lakeland Avenue near Copley Road. Officers believe the two men shot each other.

A woman was at the home when the shooting happened, the reports say.

No other information is available.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Saturday's crime and courts comments section.
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A 17-year-old teen died in a Friday afternoon crash in LaGrange Township.

(File photo)

LAGRANGE TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- A 17-year-old man died in a car crash Friday, authorities say.

The crash happened just before 4:30 p.m. on Ohio 301 south of Whitney Road in LaGrange Township, according to a news release from the State Highway Patrol.

Nathanial Barrett, of Wellington, was traveling southbound on Ohio 301 in a 2006 Acura MDX.

Barrett lost control of the car, went off the side of the road and struck two trees, according to the release.

He was extricated from his car by the LaGrange Fire Department before being taken to University Hospital Elyria Medical Center.

Barrett was wearing his seatbelt.

The State Highway Patrol, LaGrange Police Department, Lorain County Sheriff's Office, LaGrange Fire and Rescue, Carlisle Township Fire Department and D & A Towing were on the scene of the crash.
Armenians of Syria and Iraq should be given priority entry in the United States (video)

A Christian activist group called on the Trump administration Friday to grant Yazidis and Christians fleeing Islamic State-held territories special designation as victims of genocide and allow them to enter the United States, Voice of America reports. All of these Yazidis, all of these Christians, all of these Armenian people that are fleeing genocide should be given priority entry in the United States, said Philippe Nassif, executive director of In Defense of Christians (IDC), a Washington-based nonprofit group. Not because we favor them more, he said, but because they are at risk of being wiped out completely. Nassif, his supporters and members of a broader anti-genocide coalition issued their call in person, descending on the U.S. Capitol to mark the first anniversary of the United States official recognition of acts of genocide by Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria. One year ago, then-Secretary of State John Kerry declared Islamic State ideologically, actively genocidal in its treatment of Yazidis, Christians and Shia Muslims. The statement came shortly after the House of Representatives voted 393-0, recognizing acts of genocide. According to genocide survivors, official recognition and military operations against Islamic State are the first steps in a much longer process. About 1,000 Yazidi kids are still being held by ISIS, Yazidi genocide survivor Nadia Murad told VOAs Armenian service, using an acronym for the Islamic State, which is also known as IS, ISIL and Daesh. Most of them are in Syria, and they have been trained and brainwashed to commit suicide, she added. These kids will be used to blow themselves up in the future if they have not been saved. Representative Anna Eshoo, a California Democrat who supports the IDCs work, stressed the importance of continuous efforts. We cant take our foot off the pedal, she said. We have to stay on it because, listening to Nadia, it reminds us that we still have a great deal of work to do. And it's not only hosting refugees but also securing territories for them in Syria and Iraq. Safe zones proposed by President Donald Trump will help, said Representative Jeff Fortenberry, a Nebraska Republican. Once these areas are resecuritized, people can potentially return home and potentially have expanded rights and their own governments, he said. U.S. lawmakers stressed that American responses to atrocities, and efforts to stop them, are what history will record. The IDC on Thursday issued an open letter to Trump urging him to ensure the survival of vulnerable ethnic communities on the ground in Iraq and Syria.
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Where will Artur Sargsyan be buried?

The Armenian Government will answer today whether Artur Sargsyan, nicknamed the bringer of bread, will be buried at Yerablur Military Pantheon or not. On Friday, March 17, a group of activists held a march to the government building and delivered a letter to the executive body. In the letter, the activists demand that Artur be buried at Yerablur Pantheon next to the heroes of Artsakh war. About 30 activists spent the night at Liberty Square. Talking to A1+ Company, activist Shahen Harutyunyan said no one disturbed them at night. Artur Sargsyan, nicknamed the bringer of bread for taking food to members of the Sasna Dzrer group who seized a Yerevan police building last July and remained barricaded there for nearly two weeks, died on March 16 while being treated at the Armenia Medical Center. He died ten days after being released from prison following a 25-day hunger strike. Sargsyan, 49, underwent urgent bowel surgery at the hospital the previous night. Artur Sargsyan was first arrested last August for aiding the gunmen and released in December because of his deteriorating health condition. He was again arrested in February 2017 allegedly for not showing up in the hearing of last years standoff. Sargsyan began a hunger strike in protest against his detention. He was released from pre-trial detention earlier in March after six MPs from several political parties paid a bail for him in the amount of 3million drams. On March 17, Armenias Investigative Committee (IC) launched a criminal investigation into the death of Artur Sargsyan.
The primary area of uncertainty for iron ore prices rests squarely within China's borders, according to Jean-Sebastien Jacques, chief executive for Rio Tinto .



Speaking with CNBC on Saturday morning at the China Development Forum in Beijing, Jacques said that iron ore volatility won't come from questions about the strength Chinese economy  he said it appeared solid. It won't come from China's rebalance within the steel industry  which he said could help companies like Rio Tinto. Instead, all eyes will be on Chinese iron ore production as the major question mark for prices.

That's the "key source of uncertainty, and therefore potentially volatility, in terms of iron ore prices," he said.



"It's going to be interesting to see what will happen as we get into summer months  are they going to restart some of this capacity. Depending on this decision, it may have an impact on the iron ore prices," he said.
Meridian Hive Meadery in Austin, Texas. Source: Lea Hendry-Valle

To the probable delight of revelers attending this year's annual South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas, craft distilleries are becoming a growing feature of urban culture. As of August 2016, there were 1,315 active craft distillers in the U.S., according to a joint study released last year by the American Craft Spirits Association and the International Wine and Spirits Research. According to the report, those distillers account for approximately 12 percent of cases of spirits sold each year. As it happens, more than 70 of those establishments are located in Texas  and several are concentrated in and around the rapidly growing Austin area. The craft liquor boom is partially an exponent of Texas' strong reputation for cultivating small business and entrepreneurship. Austin, a university town with offbeat appeal and an entrepreneurial spirit, provides spirit makers with a ready-made customer base of young customers and hipsters  many of whom are known to gorge on artisanal foods, coffee and liquor. The city's motto, "Keep Austin Weird," is reflected in its burgeoning craft distillery industry. Recently, CNBC took a look at some of the more noteworthy establishments that have sprung up around Austin, and regardless of one's preference  be it whiskey, gin, tequila, moonshine, or even mead  there's something for practically everyone.





Revolution Spirits in Austin, Texas. Source: Lea Hendry-Valle

Revolution Spirits Distilling Co.

During a trip to Kentucky in 2007, Revolution Spirits co-founder Mark Shilling had an epiphany while sampling some high-quality, homemade moonshine. In 2014, Shilling and his partner Aaron Day opened Revolution, a craft liquor business that offers a dizzying array of specially blended gin, whiskey and liqueurs that are popular with Austin's faithful.

"Being small and independent gives us the freedom to be experimental," Shilling told CNBC  and that spirit of experimentation is apparent in Revolution brands like its Single Barrel Series gins and "Farmhouse Series" of fruit liqueurs.



Deep Eddy Vodka Distillery and Tasting Room, Austin, Texas. Source: Deep Eddy Distillery



Deep Eddy Vodka Distillery

Nestled on Highway 290 between Austin and Dripping Springs, Deep Eddy's spacious glass and timber distillery and tasting room is a well-trafficked tourist attraction. Named after the historic, man-made Deep Eddy swimming pool (the oldest public pool in Texas), the distillery was founded in 2010 by Chad Auler and Clayton Christopher, two Texans who wanted to develop and market premium, high-quality vodkas made with all-natural ingredients. Deep Eddy's first release was a Sweet Tea Vodka, which was a hit with locals and led to more flavors like lemon, peach, cranberry and the store's current top seller, Ruby Red Grapefruit.

Although Deep Eddy Vodkas are now distributed in all 50 states and Canada, the company remains ingrained in Austin's unique culture.



Treaty Oak Distillery in Austin, Texas. Source: Lea Hendry-Valle

Treaty Oak

The Treaty Oak owns an important place in the history and folklore of Texas, with its namesake partly derived from a landmark treaty in the 1830s between local Native Americans and Texas' first colonists.

Located just outside of Austin, the spacious property includes a tasting room, a gift shop, a bar and a restaurant in addition to the distillery. The brand's primary products include a range of vodkas, rums and gins that include Graham's Texas Tea, a sweet tea vodka; Starlite Vodka; Red-Handed Bourbon; and Waterloo Gin. In addition, Treaty Oak markets an experimental brand of spirits produced in limited quantities and only available in Austin.



A sampler of Meridien Hive Meads. Source: Lea Hendry-Valle

Meridian Hive Meadery

Made from a fermented mixture of water and honey, Mead is considered the world's oldest alcoholic beverage. Although often associated with Vikings and Norse gods like Thor as opposed to cowboys, one of largest, top-selling "meaderies" in the U.S. is located deep in the heart of Texas.

Meridian Hive Meadery was founded in 2012 by Eric Lowe and Mike Simmons, both engineers by trade, who saw tremendous marketing potential for high-quality mead within the growing craft beer scene, where an estimated 80 percent of craft bars also serve mead. Meridian Hive currently offers three carbonated draft meads (Discovery, Rhapsody and Haven), as well as several traditional uncarbonated versions and limited- run special batches. Meridian is available throughout Texas, and can be ordered online.



Austins Argus Cidery Source: Gavin Valle

Argus Cidery

Texas's first Cidery, which opened its doors in 2010, is named after the Founder's Father, Argus Delbert Mickel. Argus's son Wes Mickel (also named Argus; Wesley is his middle name) and his older brother Jeff now serve as co-Owners of the business, which has been influenced by Wes' culinary training.

Available nationwide, Argus Cidery produces artisanal ciders and fruit wines that are 100 percent natural, with no sugar or additional added ingredients. Unique offerings abound, like "Vinho Pearde" (fermented, lagered pear juice) and "Tepache" (made with pineapple juice). Argus also offers a host of apple-based ciders, including the dry and tart Ciderkins and Ginger Perry. "It's fruit as it ferments, all natural and no tricks," Jeff Mickel told CNBC.



Dulce Vida in Austin Source: Dulce Vida Tequila
Chief Executive Tim Cook expressed support for globalization and said China should continue to open its economy to foreign firms, while speaking at a forum in Beijing on Saturday.

"I think it's important that China continues to open itself and widens the door if you will," said Cook, speaking at the government-sponsored China Development Forum.

Cook's comments come amid rising tensions between the U.S. and China, with protectionist rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump sparking concern of increased trade friction between the two countries.

"The reality is countries that are closed, that isolate themselves, it's not good for their people," said Cook, in a rare public speech.

Apple said on Friday it will set up two new research and development centers in Shanghai and Suzhou in China.

It has pledged to invest more than 3.5 billion yuan ($508 million) in research and development in China.

Apple has been singled out in Chinese media as a potential target for retaliation in the event of a trade war.

The Global Times warned last November if Trump triggered a trade war with China, Beijing would then target firms from Boeing to Apple in a "tit-for-tat" approach.
Bill Gates suggested in a recent interview that robots should be taxed when they are doing the role of a human worker, but the CEO of a leading automation firm took issue with that idea.

ABB Group CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer, speaking Saturday with CNBC on the sidelines of the China Development Forum in Beijing, suggested that many have the wrong idea about robots' place in the economy, and he took on the Microsoft co-founder's tax proposition.

"Taxing robotics is as intelligent as taxing software," he said. "They are both productivity tools. You should not tax the tools, you should tax the outcome that's coming."

Robotics, he explained, is one of the fastest growing technologies in the world, and it makes a "significant contribution" to society by helping to make work safer and less dull.

"If you look at economies with the lowest unemployment rates in the world and correlate it with robotics: Germany, Japan, South Korea have the highest robotics rates with more than 300 robots per 10,000 workers, and they have the lowest unemployment rates," Spiesshofer said. "So robotization and automation, wealth and prosperity go hand-in-hand."
A GOP-proposal to shift health-care costs to the states has many governors worried that the plan would create a financial squeeze on their budgets.

Now, municipal bondholders can share those concerns.

The Republican-proposed bill to replace Obamacare would hurt the credit ratings for U.S. states, according to Moody's Investors Service, because it would shift a greater share of the cost of Medicaid to the states.

That could raise borrowing costs for states and lower the value of bonds already held by investors.

The joint state-federal Medicaid program for low-income households grew rapidly under the six-year-old Affordable Care Act (ACA), better known as Obamacare, and has been consuming a larger share of many state budgets every year.

It's far from clear that the Republicans' proposed replacement, known as the American Health Care Act, will survive in its current form. The proposal has already drawn criticism from both the conservative and moderate wings of the GOP.

States currently run the Medicaid program and pay part of the cost; Washington pays the rest based on a formula that varies from state to state, no matter how much the program costs. The new proposal would replace those reimbursements with a fixed payment.

That would leave the states on the hook for extended coverage or rising costs beyond those capped federal contributions. The change would create a greater financial burden on states, Moody's reported.

The proposal would also phase out funding for expanded Medicaid by 2020, leaving states to pick up the difference or to drop enrollees from their Medicaid programs.

It's also not clear just how hard the proposed formula would hit state budgets. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated the proposed health-care law would cut federal spending by $880 billion between 2017 and 2026, when spending would fall by 25 percent compared to current-law projections.

"States will face difficult decisions in this regard," Moody's reported on Friday. "If states maintain the expansion programs for non-elderly adults with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, they will be on the hook for a larger portion of expenses related to new enrollees."

State Medicaid spending has been growing steadily, placing a financial strain on state budgets and forcing tax hikes or spending cuts to make up the difference. The state share of Medicaid spending is expected to grow to 28 percent of tax revenue by 2025, up from 24.5 percent in 2017, Moody's estimated.
A woman walks past a Trump Place building, part of an apartment complex on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, in New York.

The never-ending quest for the perfect apartment in New York City could be getting that much tougher, new data suggests, thanks to new competition for scarce supply from other parts of the worldand one surprising country in particular.

Newly released figures from TripleMint, a residential real estate start-up based in New York, points to a shift in the countries most interested in buying into the city's active housing market, which attracts more than its fair share of domestic and international buyers and remains one of the world's priciest.

Over the course of 2015 and 2016, the company tracked the location of visitors on its website hunting for housing, ranking countries by a percentage of total foreign searches for that year, and compared the results. It found the biggest mover was Russia, which jumped from #20 on their top searchers list in 2015, to #2 last year, landing just behind the United Kingdom.

The results were somewhat surprising, taking place during a volatile period in U.S./Russia relations. The country is being hammered by accusations of hacking as well as electoral meddling, although it was unclear to what extent those events influenced TripleMint's data, if at all.

Nevertheless, the findings came as a surprise to the company.

"We had no idea that we were going to find that," David Walker, TripleMint's CEO, told CNBC in an interview. "It was fascinating seeing this data and how much search traffic has picked up from Russia."
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) (R), and ranking member Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) speak to the media about Committee's investigation into Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election, at the U.S. Capitol on March 15, 2017 in Washington, DC.

The U.S. Justice Department on Friday said it delivered documents to congressional committees responding to their request for information that could shed light on President Donald Trump's claims that former President Barack Obama ordered U.S. agencies to spy on him.

The information was sent to the House and Senate intelligence and judiciary committees, said Sarah Isgur Flores, a Justice Department spokeswoman.

The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Republican Devin Nunes, said in a statement late on Friday that the Justice Department had "fully complied" with the panel's request.

A government source, who requested anonymity when discussing sensitive information, said an initial examination of the material turned over by the Justice Department indicates that it contains no evidence to confirm Trump's claims that the Obama administration had wiretapped him or the Trump Tower in New York.
Bank of Mexico document identifies various security and other features of the new commemorative 100-peso note.

A new 100-peso note is Mexicos first commemorative bank note since 2009. It celebrates the centennial of its constitution and was released on the centennial date of Feb. 5, 2017.

A new 100-peso note is Mexicos first commemorative bank note since 2009. The red and yellow 100-peso note entered circulation on Feb. 5, the 100th anniversary of the approval of the Mexican constitution.

Both sides depict the scene at the event. The main image on the face shows Venustiano Carranza, Mexicos president at the time, next to the chairman of Congress, Luis Manuel Rojas, being sworn in before the Constituent Assembly after amending the Constitution.

How $75 worth of Thomas Jeffersons silver helped launch the U.S. Mint: Inside Coin World: On the morning of July 11, 1792, Thomas Jefferson took a historic two-block stroll through the streets of Philadelphia carrying $75 worth of his own silver.

The back is described by the Bank of Mexico as Congressmen of the Constituent Assembly swearing to observe and enforce the Mexican Constitution. Both images were furnished by the National Institute of Anthropology and History.

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The note measures 134 millimeters by 66 millimeters and is made of cotton paper with a number of security measures. Among them are intaglio printing, a book that changes color from green to gold when the note is tilted, a security thread that changes from green to orange displaying a cube or zipper effect when tilted, a watermark, microprinting, and fluorescence.

The Bank of Mexico has a Spanish language video on its YouTube channel describing the note and the 20-peso ringed-bimetallic coin for the same event, which appears below.
Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH

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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

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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

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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
EquipmentShare officially celebrates expansion

EquipmentShare will expand its corporate office footprint in Columbia following the success of its application for a 10-year property tax abatement.
Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH

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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".

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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
One of the many curiosities of the EU referendum campaign was that the Scottish National Party overwhelmingly backed the Remain campaign. Odd, because voting to leave is also voting for the opportunity for power to be devolved from Brussels to Edinburgh. Once the United Kingdom has control over its laws and its money then it can also make the decision to devolve some of that power that was previously held by Eurocrats.

Today Gordon Brown is giving a speech where he will show his enthusiasm for more powers being transferred to Holyrood after Brexit.

He wants Scotland to be able to vary VAT rates and to have control over agriculture, fisheries and environmental regulation. Brown will address the Festival of Ideas, in Kirkcaldy, Fife, where he will call for the repatriation to Scotland of 800m spent by the EU.

He will say:

The third option, a patriotic Scottish way and free from the absolutism of the SNP and the do-nothing-ism of the Tories, is now essential because post-Brexit realities make the status quo redundant and require us to break with the past.

The status quo has been overtaken by events because unless powers now with the European Union are repatriated from Brussels to the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and the regions, Whitehall will have perpetrated one of the biggest power grabs by further centralising power. employment and energy.

One could be churlish, of course, and quibble over the way he makes his case. For the UK to become a self governing nation will mean a huge power shift from the EU to Westminster; to call that centralising power is a muddled presentation. Furthermore if Brown, as a Remain campaigner, had got his way there would be no possibility of the House of Commons agreeing to pass on any of these powers  as they would still be held by the Eurocrats.

But instead, we should reflect on how to make the most of the democratic opportunities that Brexit offers  which should include more devolution. This was a prospect that Leave campaigners (including the SNPs Jim Sillars) emphasised. One prospectus said:

In the event of the UK leaving the EU, important powers will accrue to the Scottish parliament, including the responsibility for fishing and farming, education and industry. These competencies would bring home to the Scottish Parliament the power to address significant issues, such as the management of the nations fisheries that could revive local communities, support for our farmers that suits their particular needs and industrial and procurement policies  all of which would at last be accountable to the Scottish people.

Scottish legislation, such as minimum pricing of alcohol, would be decided for good or ill only in Scotland. Politicians would be directly responsible for their decisions, improving political accountability and respect for our democratic processes.

As well as noting the chance to open up markets, such as selling more whisky to India by reducing its tariffs it added:

Scottish universities are amongst the best in Europe but EU rules prevent them charging EU students the full fees they charge students from the rest of the UK. Following the UK leaving the EU all Scottish universities would be free to charge students from the EU the capped rate of 9,000 worth 122m of income to Scotlands universities per annum. Membership of Erasmus+ and Interrail would continue to be available to the UK and Scotland, just as it is currently accessed by Norway, Switzerland and other countries not in the EU.

Before the Scottish Government cheer too loudly, they might also reflect that the case for decentralisation also extends to local government. Reform Scotland has called for power to be passed down from Holyrood to town halls in Scotland. If, as I hope and expect, the Scottish Conservatives make substantial progress in the Council elections this May, then this is a subject they will probably wish to pursue.

However grudging and grumpy he might be, the speech from Brown today is welcome. It reminds people that Brexit is not about taking power from Scotland  but a discussion about how much extra control the Scots will have the chance to take back.
Channel programs News

Ciber CFO: Without A Significant Deal, Our Ability To Continue Going Is In 'Substantial Doubt'

Michael Novinson

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Ciber Chief Financial Officer Christian Metzger said the solution provider's future is uncertain if it is unable to repay Wells Fargo $28.2 million by the end of the month.

"Without a transaction sufficient to address the company's financial situation, the company expects to conclude  that there is substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern," Metzger wrote in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Friday afternoon.

Ciber, No. 43 on the CRN Solution Provider 500, told the SEC that it had failed to strike a deal by March 15 that provides proceeds sufficient to cover its 13-week cash forecast, which was one of the conditions of a March 3 agreement with Wells Fargo. That agreement stipulated that Ciber would be in default it was unable to meet any of the conditions imposed by Wells Fargo.

[RELATED: Solution Provider Ameri100 Makes Unsolicited Offer To Merge With Struggling Ciber]

The March 3 agreement also orders Ciber to permanently repay its $28.2 million outstanding balance to Wells Fargo by March 31. Without alternative financing or proceeds from mergers, acquisitions or other transactions, Metzger said Ciber expects it will be unable to repay the balance to Wells Fargo by the end of the month.

"Unless the company is able to address the liquidity challenges addressed above, the future of the company is uncertain," Metzger wrote. Ciber did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment.

Greenwood Village, Colo.-based Ciber is continuing to negotiate with Wells Fargo around its credit facility, Metzger said, and is also having discussions with other lenders regarding financing that would be used to repay Wells Fargo and potentially provide other working capital.

But there aren't currently any binding commitments for new financing, Metzger said, and Ciber can't provide any assurance that the company will be able to obtain alternative financing or resolve its issues with Wells Fargo.

Technology management solution provider Ameri100 announced Monday morning that it had offered to buy Ciber for $0.75 per share, a substantial premium over Ciber's March 10 closing stock price of $0.28. Ciber announced Tuesday that it was carefully reviewing and considering Ameri100's offering to determine if it was in the best interest of the company and its stockholders.

But Ameri said Monday that it had submitted a formal proposed to Ciber's board a few weeks ago and never received a response. Ameri said it owns 5.5 percent of Ciber's outstanding shares, or approximately 4.5 million shares.

"[This] strongly suggests to us that the M&A committee of the Board is not serving the best interests of CBR [Ciber] stockholders," Ameri wrote in a statement. "We have, therefore, reluctantly come to the conclusion that the Ciber board, and especially its M&A committee, is not serious all exploring all strategic alternatives."

Ciber's stock jumped to $0.65 Monday after Ameri made its offer public, but the stock price sunk as the week progressed and closed Friday trading at $0.47 per share.

Ameri joined Legion Partners - which hold 14.99 percent of Ciber's outstanding shares  in nominating two independent directors to Ciber's board. Ciber said March 10 that it would review Legion's nominations and present its recommendations to stockholders in its proxy filing with the SEC.

Legion proposed having Richard Genovese  Ciber's CFO from February 2012 to January 2014  and former Alliance Semiconductor Corp. CEO Melvin Keating join Ciber's board. Ameri, meanwhile, proposed having Robert Pearse  NetApp's vice president of strategy and market development from 2005 to 2012  and former Axalta Coating Systems CIO Dhruwa Rai join Ciber's board.

Ciber also reported Friday that sales from continuing operations for its 2016 fiscal year, which ended Dec. 31, fell 12.6 percent to $378.3 million.

Ciber's North America segment posted 2016 revenue of $375.1 million, down 12.6 percent from the year prior due to implementation delays and cost overruns in its Oracle practice as well as a decrease in its SAP, talent services and application development and management business due to projects ending or ramping down.

The company recorded a North American operating loss of $190.9 million in 2016, down from an operating loss of $7.9 million in 2015 due to decreased revenue, higher sales, general and administrative costs, and a goodwill impairment.

Revenue for Ciber's international segment in 2016 plummeted to $233.1 million, down 34.2 percent from $354.3 million last year due to the sale of its Netherlands and Norway businesses to ManpowerGroup over the summer. The company was additionally impeded internationally by increased labor costs for both internal resources and subcontractors, as well as lower utilization.

Since summer 2016, Ciber has sold its Swedish, German and Danish, and Spanish businesses.
March in memory of Artur Sargsyan continues in Yerevan (video)

21.10 The protesters closed Republic Square where the Government Building stands for some time but the police used force to drive them away from the square and restore the traffic there. Someone urged citizens not to incite provocations and wait for the governments reply. The situation remains tense at the square. 20:42 Reaching the Government Building, the protesters gave time to government representatives to come out and answer the question whether Artur Sargsyan will be buried at Yerablur Pantheon or not. After waiting for a long time for government officials, the group started a sit-in on Nalbandyan street. 19.27 One citizen was injured as protesters jostled with police in downtown Yerevan. The citizen had his shoulder broken and was taken to hospital by ambulance, said one of the demonstrators. When the police officers started to push aside the group, he fell down and several other citizens fell on him, breaking his shoulder, he said. 19.25 After short negotiations, the police allowed the demonstrators to continue their march along Mashtots Avenue. At present, they are marching through the avenue chanting, Artur, Artur! 19.20 The police threaten to use force if citizens participating in the demonstration in memory of Artur Sargsyan do not open the busy area of the street. One of the protesters, Shahen Harutyunyan is negotiating with the police and asking for their permission to continue the march but the police would not agree, assuming that the protesters might close Mashtots Avenue. 19.00 Numerous questions concerning the death of Artur Sargsyan remain unanswered. Sargsyans backers against gathered at Liberty Square on Saturday two days after his death to once again press their demands. They do not believe the official version of the death. Artur was killed, they say. The angered citizens demand that Artur be buried at Yerablur Pantheon. Now they are waiting for the reply of the Armenian Government. The group is expected to hold a march to the Government Building to know the reply.
Galaxy Quest

Back in November, a rumor circulated that Samsung was looking to get out of the PC business. But the company's activities in the ensuing months would seem to suggest otherwise. Samsung has released a string of inventive new products for its PC line so far in 2017, including laptops and 2-in-1s. Most recently, the company unveiled a pair of 2-in-1 tablet/keyboard combos at Mobile World Congress in February -- the Galaxy Book and Galaxy Tab S3. Which one might be a better fit for you? In the following slides, the CRN Test Center breaks down how Samsung's Galaxy Tab S3 compares vs. the Galaxy Book on specs, features and price.
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Everybody loves puppets.

A gaggle of those adorable creations will be coming to the Stamford Palace Theatre in a swashbuckling tale on Sunday, March 26, when Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers presents Everybody Loves Pirates.

According to the Maine-based company, the plot is: Eight-year-old Lucy and her goofy pal Little Chucky are searching for buried treasure, but a gang of bumbling pirates keeps getting in the way. The kids get some help from their new ocean-dwelling friends, including enthusiastic superhero Lobster Boy, his reluctant sidekick Crabby, and an overgrown sea monkey.

The production will feature 15 handcrafted mouth and rod puppets, and an 8-foot paper-mache pirate ship.

Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers, based in Bar Harbor, is made up of three siblings, brothers Erik and Brian Torbeck and sister Robin Torbeck Erlandsen. Founded in 2000, Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers has performed at festivals, schools, libraries and theaters in the United States and Canada. They write and create all the shows they perform and have received three Citations of Excellence from the American Chapter of the Union Internationale de la Marionette, the highest national award in puppetry, Frogtown said.

The Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford. Sunday, March 26, at 3 p.m. $12.50, plus fees. 203-325-4466, palacestamford.org
What do aspiring cooks in Florida and Rhode Island have in common? They both search for recipes for chili more than any other dish.

Google Trends data collected between Jan. 26, 2016, and Jan. 26 of this year show the most popular recipe searches for every state. And while Floridians and Rhode Islanders love their chili, much of the rest of the nation craves sweets and baking instructions.
STRATFORD  Nearly 100 friends, acquaintances and politically motivated people turned out Saturday morning at St. James Roman Catholic Church to pay their last respects to George Mulligan, a thorn in the side of many  perhaps all  of those who have held an elected position in town.

Mulligan, 66, who died on March 11 of liver cancer, was a regular at Town Council meetings over the years, at which he often accused town leaders of spending too much on pensions and salaries.

I think George raised a lot of issues that we needed to look at, said Neil Sherman, who ran against Mulligan for the District 2 Town Council seat in 2015, when both lost to Republican Mark Dumas. He wasnt always listened to, which wasnt always in the towns best interest. But he had certain peculiarities that got in the way of his message.

Mulligan was an unsuccessful candidate in every contest for mayor in Stratfords history, in 2005, 2009 and 2013. He had entertained the thought of running again in 2017, again on a platform of tax and sewer-fee reductions. He ran unsuccessfully for the District 2 council seat again in 2016, when there was a special election after Dumas resigned.

The Rev. Rogerio Perri led the hourlong Mass, which did not include a eulogy. Some of those who turned out for the service included mayoral candidate Joe Paul, District 10 Councilwoman Tina Manus and Shakespeare Subcommittee member Ed Goodrich.

George was a real asset to the town, and the council meetings will be a little different without him, said District 6 Councilman Phil Young.

Mr. Mulligan was an inspiration and a role model for all of us, said Greg Cann, who represents District 5 on the Town Council.

Mulligan was employed as a letter-carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for 16 years, and later worked as a telemarketer. He worked for a time for a company that resupplied vending machines and he managed the Circle Lanes Fairfield for several years. Mulligan grew up in Fairfield and Stratford; he moved to Stratford for good in the late 1970s.
A revised green-energy bill that environmentalists and the AARP believe unfairly favors the owner of the Millstone nuclear plant in Waterford is heading for a showdown vote next week in a key legislative committee.

Opponents say the legislation is essentially a giveaway to Dominion Energy, but the company says Millstone Power Station, which provides about 60 percent of Connecticuts power needs, fits green-energy criteria and could save ratepayers money.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has some problems with the bill, but is willing to keep revising it with legislative leaders as the session heads toward its June 7 adjournment.

Dominion officials say that if they cant offer consumers relief from what are already the highest electric rates in the continental U.S., then as many as four levels of state regulators  including the attorney general and the consumer counsel  could reject Dominion.

The bill that the Energy & Technology Committee will vote on Tuesday afternoon was rewritten by legislators following a recent public hearing. John Erlingheuser, advocacy director for the AARP Connecticut, said the bill is still anti-ratepayer because it would lead to higher electric bills.

I think the motive here is Dominion keeps saying this is a bill to allow fairness and to have them provide lower electric rates, Erlingheuser said in an interview, charging that the giant energy company wants to avoid public disclosure.

The irony of that is that, as a private company, they have an obligation to their shareholders to get the highest prices they can for electricity, therefore the highest profits, he said. Its basically a giveaway, because if Dominion wanted to have contracts for electricity ... with Eversource and UI, they can do that under the law now, but those contracts would have to be in a cost-to-service basis, meaning expenses and a reasonable rate of return would be all theyre entitled to. They dont want to do that because they want no transparency  they dont want to open their books to ratepayers.

Erlingheuser said he expects the committee will move the bill to the Senate floor, as Dominion portrays its product as a non-carbon-emitting nuclear fuel which is not renewable and produces the problematic spent fuel rods that will be stored on the site until the federal government comes up with a long-term storage solution.

Nancy Burton, of Redding, director of the Connecticut Coalition Against Millstone, said the plant emits radioactive Carbon 14, a greenhouse-gas component, into the air over the plant.

I am honestly outraged at the process that the committee is following on this bill, Burton said, recalling that the recent public hearing was based on a one-sentence description of the legislation. Still, many environmentalists from throughout the state opposed it.

The idea of the nuclear industry coming in to squeeze out the trivial funding there is for renewable energy, it boggles the mind, Burton said. It boggles the mind. the whole process is a travesty  theres no good reason to do this.

Kevin Hennessy, Dominions director of federal, state and local affairs, said Friday that the bill would continue a long-established practice of public solicitations to buy power, while allowing Millstone to compete along with solar, wind, large-scale hydro from Quebec and other renewables.

You have the highest retail electric rates in the country, Hennessy said in a phone interview. Over the last decade youve paid 7 1/2 cents per kilowatt hour, not including delivery charges. We feel extremely confident, if given opportunity to bid, we can reduce the 7 1/2 cents number in the best interest of ratepayers.

Hennessy said that the DEEP, the attorney general and the consumer counsel would all review proposals, with oversight by the Department of Public Utility Control.

Its simply buying power smarter, he said.

Dennis Schain, communications director for the DEEP, said Friday that the agency, which still has concerns about the bill, would continue to work with lawmakers and stakeholders in attempt to reach a consensus.

Consideration of the future of Millstone is an issue worthy of discussion, given the large percent of power it contributes to the regional grid, the fact that this energy does not create carbon emissions linked to climate change, and the number of jobs provided at this facility, Schain said.

Any bill the legislature considers should clearly define the circumstances under which we would want to use the procurement authority it would provide, Schain said. The bill should also make clear that the interests of ratepayers would be fully considered and protected before moving forward with a procurement - including potential impacts a procurement of this magnitude would have on energy markets.
Many people see the world of finance as dog-eat-dog, but recent data indicates that the best companies are often the most empathetic ones. A Global Empathy Index report showed that the top 10 businesses on the index outperformed the bottom 10 by 50 percent.

Related: How to Find Your Profitable Idea

This makes perfect sense. Founders often build businesses out of a personal need to address their frustrations with the status quo in their industries. Developing a company around a passion or personal problem motivates many entrepreneurs to design high-quality products, by prioritizing honesty and transparency -- not just profits and viability.

Empathy isnt just a feel-good corporate social responsibility concept; its also smart business. When you build products and services to meet your own needs, you already intimately understand the pain points, use cases and obstacles your audiences face.

The best ideas start with empathy

My personal vexation with the volatility, low returns and lack of investment options outside of the stock market inspired me to start my current company. I wanted to enable millions of Americans, myself included, to enhance their financial well-being by providing access to high-quality investment products that only the wealthiest investors had previously enjoyed.

Having been in my customers position before, I set out to build an easy-to-use, transparent investment platform where I could browse and understand offerings, invest with a few clicks and manage my portfolio in real time. To eliminate the complexity of investing without obscuring important educational information, we designed the system around needs and concerns: Why am I investing? What impact will my investments have on my financial wealth? How do I get paid back?

Solving a problem I myself had encountered as an investor enabled me to empathize with my audience and design solutions that spoke to their needs. Every feature of the platform addresses real-life issues; nothing is extraneous or superfluous. If you develop your business around filling a genuine need for yourself, you can connect more meaningfully with your potential customers.

Related: Does Your Business Idea Solve a Problem? Does It Fit You Personally? Ask Yourself These Questions Before Committing.

Here's how to take an empathetic approach to developing successful, customer-centric products:

1. Solve your own problems.

Seek out opportunities in industries where current offerings are inadequate or controlled by monopolistic companies that provide poor service. Dig around and find out whether your friends and family members share your complaints. Then, start building an alternative.

Joe Gebbia and Brian Chesky, for example, built a $30 billion company by solving their own pain point. After renting out their loft to cover rent, they realized they probably weren't the only ones who wanted to make easy money off of their abode. They scaled their concept, and the resulting company, Airbnb, became one of Silicon Valleys greatest success stories.

Uber, another Bay Area unicorn, got its start in a similar way. After Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp couldn't hail a cab one snowy evening in Paris, they came up with the idea for an app that would allow them to book a ride with the tap of a button. When Uber launched in San Francisco in 2009, it offered a much-needed alternative to the citys fractured transportation system. The rest, as they say, is history.

2. Make sure you (and your teams) know why you do what you do.

Before diving into product development, ask yourself some questions: Why this product? Why this industry? If youre driven purely by profit and feel no enthusiasm about what youre creating, stop what youre doing and find something that ignites your passion. You cant get on your customers wavelength if you dont care deeply about the problems that your product will help them solve.

Take Jan Koum, for example. He started WhatsApp as a way to post status updates from a phone, and he initially wanted users to pay for the app. But when he heard from a lonely exchange student who cried herself to sleep every night because she couldn't afford to call her family back home, the true mission of his product came to him: Make it easy and cheap for people to communicate from anywhere in the world.

It was this shift in his "why" that led him to sell WhatsApp to Facebook for $19 billion in 2014 -- so that his vision could be fully realized.

All employees should also share your why so theyre working not only for the paycheck, but also for a way to turn your vision into reality. The products, marketing and branding should always reflect your underlying mission. As Simon Sinek says, people dont buy what you do; they buy why you do it.

3. Dont just sell to people -- educate them.

Every industry has certain areas that are difficult for the general consumer to comprehend. Think about which aspects of your field were most challenging for you to understand; then, use your insights to illuminate those areas for your clients. Theyll appreciate the forthrightness, and theyll be more likely to buy from you because of the added value.

The biggest challenge my company faced was the perception that investing is confusing and inaccessible. According to research by Transamerica, 72 percent of millennials surveyed said they didn't fully understand retirement investing. Its our job, then, to educate them on strategies and options.

Our YieldStreet University now includes more than 100 pieces of content designed to make our product accessible and easy for everyone to understand. When upward of 40,000 readers return repeatedly to your educational materials, you know youve struck a chord.

Related: Forget Your Product: Start Selling 'Solutions' Instead

Human beings are innovation engines. We constantly evolve to make our lives easier and better. Technology enables entrepreneurs to leapfrog past barriers and reach unprecedented numbers of consumers. But, remember: You cant lose empathy with your customers as you use those emerging tools to conquer new markets.

Related:

Want to Build Better Products? Own Your Customers' Pain.

If Your Potential Managers Don't Have These 7 Skills, Don't Promote Them

An Entrepreneur's Story of Life During Wartime



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
Five Somerset County soccer and volleyball teams begin PIAA playoffs

Three Somerset County volleyball teams and two girls soccer squads open the PIAA playoffs on Tuesday. Here is a look at all the first-round matchups.
Day after day, the already deeply tarnished reputations of the filth-peddling, tax-dodging, terror-abetting internet behemoths sink lower into the mire.

Apparently above the law, they allow on their platforms the most depraved content, from extreme pornography to terrorist propaganda and images of child abuse.

Adverts for the Home Office, the Royal Navy and the BBC have been run beside videos by the likes of US white nationalist and ex-Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke

In the latest sickening twist, we learn that rape apologists, anti-Semites and hate preachers receive taxpayers money when government-funded adverts appear alongside their YouTube videos.

Adverts for the Home Office, the Royal Navy and the BBC have been run beside videos by the likes of US white nationalist and ex-Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke.

Major commercial brands have also been affected. Adverts for Argos, Sainsburys and The Guardian appeared next to videos by US preacher Steven Anderson, who praised a terror attack on a gay nightclub.

Google, which owns YouTube, rightly stands accused of profiting from hatred.

But while this lax approach is deeply disconcerting, it is hardly a surprise. For many years, Google  like Facebook and Twitter  has wilfully turned a blind eye to poisonous content.

Last week, the BBC reported that of the 100 sexualised and lewd images of children it reported to Facebook site monitors, only 18 were taken down.

Last week, the BBC reported that of the 100 sexualised and lewd images of children it reported to Facebook site monitors, only 18 were taken down. Pictured, a BBC advert next to a neo-Nazi video

The other 82  including a freeze frame apparently from an abuse video  were allowed to remain. Worse, when it was confronted over its pusillanimous response, the site reported the BBC to the police.

Last year, the home affairs committee condemned all three web giants for acting as the lifeblood of Islamic State, by consciously failing to stop terrorists and their sympathisers from targeting the vulnerable with bile on their sites.

As senior security officials have warned, tech firms often refuse to help the authorities identify suspected terrorists, citing privacy concerns. But at the same time, they ruthlessly invade the privacy of their users by gathering their personal information and exploiting it commercially.

Meanwhile, endless fake news and blatant libels are spread with impunity around the world. Unlike newspapers in this country, which follow strict regulations, content from web publishers such as Facebook and Google is almost entirely unregulated.

We reveal how internet giants like Facebook and Google publish material aimed at young women which glamorises eating disorders and self-harm

Today the Mail adds to the already lengthy charge sheet. Alongside all the other destructive influences on their sites, we reveal how these internet giants publish material aimed at young women which glamorises eating disorders and self-harm.

And when this newspapers reporters began investigating backstreet beauty clinics offering to inject young women with dangerous lip-fillers, where do you think some of the adverts appeared? Facebook, of course.

For any parent already worried about what their children are viewing online, it is enough to make them hurl the computer out of the window.

But at last the tide may be turning. In a hugely significant step, ministers yesterday removed government advertising from YouTube, and hauled in its executives for a dressing down.

And in another welcome move, major advertising firms are asking their clients if they want to pull YouTube ads. Rightly, no chief executive wants their branding to pop up alongside a hate video.

But the response must not end there. Concerted political action is needed to impose regulatory controls over the anarchic internet. Unlike David Cameron, whose close colleagues were hand-in-glove with the web giants, Theresa May has no such questionable relationships.

She is therefore free to confront the issue head on. She could start by instructing HMRC officials to look at how Google shifts its earnings around the world to avoid tax.
On the face of it, Theresa May should be the mistress of all she surveys. The Prime Minister is hugely popular in the polls. Her Tory Party is at its most dominant since Margaret Thatcher was leader.

The Opposition is at its weakest in living memory. Ukip is in utter chaos. Most importantly, Mrs May is showing firm, principled leadership as Britain heads towards Brexit.

But look a little deeper and its a different story. Some Conservative MPs are becoming mutinous and party discipline is slack.

At the risk of sounding politically incorrect, I am afraid that they have yet to make their mark. Home Secretary Amber Rudd hasnt made an impact

In the Commons tea-room, plots are being hatched, and it is beginning to feel a bit like the unhappy final days of John Majors government when it was riven by divisions on Europe and trailing in the polls to Tony Blairs New Labour.

The truth is that Nature abhors a vacuum. In the absence of an effective opposition, restive Tory backbenchers are filling the void.

In recent weeks, they have seized several issues with which to challenge government ministers. This week, they scored a notable victory when they forced Chancellor Philip Hammond into a humiliating U-turn over his maladroit Budget decision to hit the self-employed with higher National Insurance payments.

Mr Hammond had little choice but to cave in. But his swift surrender sent out the unfortunate message that the Cabinet is prone to mistakes and can be easily knocked off-course. After this climbdown, backbenchers smelled blood.

Next, they mobilised over concerns that state schools in England will suffer a financial shortfall as a result of plans to change the national schools funding formula.

Core per-pupil funding would be cut, with more money given to schools on the basis of such factors as deprivation, poor prior attainment, special needs and having English as an additional language.

Although schools in urban areas are expected to be hardest hit, some in rural Tory heartlands also face severe cuts.

For my part, I believe these reforms are well thought-out and fairer, but it is true there will be schools that will lose out.

Steeled for a fight, a group of embittered Tory backbenchers (doubtless under pressure from angry parents in their constituencies) led by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown complained to Mrs May.

Justine Greening is performing as poorly as Education Secretary as she did previously at International Development. Andrea Leadsom (at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) is all but invisible

Its surprising to see the veteran Cotswolds MP, who has had a long but relatively undistinguished parliamentary career, involved in such a revolt. But school standards are a key issue for Tories worried that too many schools in the shires are deprived of money.

The fact is that although MPs such as Mr Clifton-Brown are the ones challenging ministers, behind the scenes, backbenchers are being encouraged to rebel by Mrs Mays Remainer enemies such as George Osborne, who she sacked from the Government.

Even by Mr Osbornes exceptionally low standard of recent behaviour, his plotting reeks of self-interest and hypocrisy. For, as Chancellor two years ago, he introduced the new national schools funding system as part of his annual spending review.

He promised to phase out the arbitrary and unfair school funding formula that has systematically underfunded schools in whole swathes of the country.

Suddenly, he has found it politically opportune to change his mind. This is petty revenge, pure and simple. The unedifying truth is that he and fellow Project Fear architect David Cameron are scheming to undermine both Mrs May and her Brexit strategy.

Indeed, Mr Cameron was spotted disloyally bad-mouthing Mr Hammonds Budget when cameras caught him telling a Tory colleague the hike in National Insurance contributions for the self-employed broke the partys manifesto promise, adding: How stupid can it get?

Even a bitterly sore Edward Heath behaved better towards his successor Mrs Thatcher. This is morally shoddy behaviour, and Mrs May deserves better.

In the meantime, she has mammoth challenges ahead  none of which will be made easier by such disloyalty from senior Tory figures, especially if you add this to the incompetence that characterises many of her Cabinet colleagues.

For her part, Mrs May has risen in stature since entering Downing Street. Yet worryingly, too often, the Government looks like a one-woman band. Mrs May promoted a number of women to the Cabinet when she became Prime Minister, and was praised for doing so.

At the risk of sounding politically incorrect, I am afraid that they have yet to make their mark.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd hasnt made an impact. Justine Greening is performing as poorly as Education Secretary as she did previously at International Development. Andrea Leadsom (at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) is all but invisible, while Priti Patel has yet to get to grips with flagrant waste of money in the overseas aid budget.

Some hugely gifted male politicians are wasted on the backbenches. Andrew Tyrie, chairman of the Treasury Committee, has the sharpest mind in the Commons and is a plausible replacement Chancellor if Mr Hammond goes on making mistakes.

Michael Gove was one of the most formidable ministers in the Cameron government and merits a recall. Jacob Rees-Mogg has tons of ability, is an ardent advocate of Brexit, and would be a powerful addition to the government front bench.

Meanwhile, following his Budget debacle, Mr Hammond urgently needs to salvage his reputation and repair damaged relations with 10 Downing Street.

I regret to say Patrick McLoughlin has proved a sad disappointment as Tory chairman, as he showed this week with his inept response to the Electoral Commission fining the Tories 70,000 for over-spending on election campaign expenses.

BRANSON IS SHAMELESS TO SUE THE NHS Sir Richard Branson is suing the NHS after one of his firms, Virgin Care, failed to win a contract to provide health visitors, school nurses and speech therapy to children in Surrey. His decision is shameless. Despite saying hes hugely proud of the NHS, he must realise that his legal challenge will cost taxpayers a lot of money to defend and will take up valuable management time. No doubt, in sunny tax exile on his private Caribbean island of Necker, it seems good business sense to fight for the interests of one part of his empire. But he should consider its effect on the public purse in a time of austerity. Virgin is a major player in the healthcare business, with more than 400 NHS contracts. But if Branson truly values his reputation  and the NHS  he should back off. Advertisement

This threatens to turn into a major scandal. Twelve police forces are investigating a number of Tory MPs and there is a serious risk of criminal prosecutions.

It was utterly unacceptable for Mr McLoughlin to refuse to answer a TV reporters questions on the scandal and then push the camera toward the floor.

There is no sign that this deadbeat chairman understands the magnitude of the threat and that the integrity of the Tory Party  and, more widely, that of our whole political system  is at stake.

The consequence of these collective Cabinet failings is that Britain risks moving towards Brexit  one of the biggest challenges of our national history  with a government that is, at best, only partly functional.

Many of Mrs Mays problems stem from the fact that she has a parliamentary majority of 17 and was not elected Prime Minister in her own right (she owes her job to the votes of 199 Tory MPs).

Gordon Brown was in a similar position when he took over as PM from Mr Blair ten years ago  and it blighted his premiership.

True, the Tories are 19 per cent ahead of Labour in the opinion polls, but Mrs May badly needs her own mandate from the British people. In the light of the events of the past two weeks, the case for a General Election looks stronger by the day.

Understandably, there has been no wish to unsettle matters further at such a delicate time, but well-placed sources tell me that the mood within the Tory party command is changing.

The party machine is being put on a war footing in case Mrs May decides there should be a General Election. The candidates list is being spruced up. Regional officers are being hired.

Increasingly, Theresa May needs to reinforce her own authority and only a General Election victory can achieve that properly.
British slang is littered with insults for every occasion.

But to the untrained ear these cutting jibes can be difficult to decipher.

Indeed even those born and raised in Britain would struggle when pressed on the origins of their favourite put downs.

Here, FEMAIL rounds up 10 of the best insults, what they mean and where they come from.

So keep reading to learn the difference between a div and a ninny - and why you should never call your mother an old fart...

Hard edge: The word muppet first referred to the puppet characters created by Jim Henson, pictured, but now means an inept, incompetent or ineffectual person in British slang

MUPPET

Meaning: An incompetent or ineffectual person; an idiot. Also: someone enthusiastic but inept; a person prone to mishaps through naivety (OED).

Origin: The word was apparently coined by James Maury Henson, better known as Jim Henson, the American puppeteer who created the much-loved Muppets characters. He claimed the word was an arbitrary formation, although it perhaps came about by combining the words 'marionette' and 'puppet'.

BARMY

Meaning: 'Soft', weak-minded, idiotic (Oxford English Dictionary).

Origin: There is debate over the origin of this mild insult. The OED suggests it is an altered form of the word 'balmy', which can have the same meaning.

Another widely-held belief is that the word originates from the former County Lunatic Asylum in Barming Heath, in Maidstone Kent.

Foolish: The Twits was the title of a Roald Dahl book, pictured, but also means a stupid person

TWIT

Meaning: A fool; a stupid or ineffectual person (OED).

Origin: Believed to be derived from the verb to twit, meaning to censure or reproach. A twit would therefore be a person given to twitting.

NAFF Meaning: Unfashionable, vulgar; lacking in style, inept; worthless, faulty (OED). Origin: The Oxford English Dictionary states the word is of unknown origin. However there are some convincing hypotheses elsewhere. Brewer's Twentieth Century Phrase and Fable suggests that it derives from Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, or NAAFI, which were known for providing poor quality goods in their shops. Another theory is that it was first used in the period after the Second World War when equipment to be scrapped was designated 'no apparent function', or NAF. Advertisement

Author Roald Dahl later used the term in his story of the same name.

BILLY NO-MATES

Meaning: A person (usually a man) regarded as lonely or having no friends (OED).

Origin: Not known where the word originated, although one of the first recorded uses is believed to be a Sunday Telegraph article from 1993.

'No-mates' can also be combined with other generic male forenames, ie. Norman and Johnny.

DIV

Meaning: Someone who is silly or foolish.

Origin: Dispute over the origin. One theory is that it originates from prison, where one of the worst jobs given to inmates was to insert cardboard dividers into boxes.Someone given this job is a 'divider' or a 'div'.

Potty mouth: Calling your girlfriend a 'slapper' is a sure fire way to prompt a tirade

NINNY

Meaning: A simpleton; a fool (OED).

Origin: Although this is of uncertain origin, the OED speculates the word could be an abbreviation for the word 'innocent'.

It may have also been influenced by the Italian word ninno, meaning baby or child.

POXY Meaning: Of poor quality or useless (OED). Origin: Used to describe something spotty or infected with pox as in the case of several infectious diseases characterized by a rash of pustules (pocks), especially smallpox, cowpox, and chickenpox. Now applied more broadly. Advertisement

SLAPPER

Meaning: A woman of loose morals (OED).

Origin: According to the Bloomsbury Dictionary of Contemporary Slang, this term is probably a corruption of shlepper or schlepper, a word of Yiddish origin, one of whose meanings is a slovenly or immoral woman.

It can also be used to mean an over-grown or strapping person.

OLD FART

Meaning: A contemptible or tiresome person, especially one who is old-fashioned, stuffy, or close-minded (OED).

Origin: Believed the insult originally meant something or someone who no one cares about - like an old fart.
Having poker-straight hair is something of a mixed blessing; while it's easily tamed, like many women I've spent countless hours attempting to add volume to it with an armoury of styling tools, from my three different brushes to tongs, straighteners and everything in between.

Teasing my lank locks into curls every morning can take anywhere up to half an hour - yet even loose waves inevitably drop out within a matter of hours, no matter how many litres of spray I've doused them with.

Whether it's heated curlers and a can of mousse, or drying my hair upside-down, at 27 Ive gone to increasingly desperate lengths attempting to give the illusion of shape and volume - to little avail.

Before: Unity Blott (pictured before the cut on Day 1) has long since bemoaned her long, poker-straight hair but a clever cut called the Antibob promises to add instant shape and texture

So naturally I was delighted  albeit sceptical  to learn that celebrity hairdresser Luke Hersheson had devised the Antibob, an ultra-textured, undone take on the classic bob designed to give natural shape and volume.

The idea is that by clever shaping - short at the front, long at the back - and invisible layering, my hair will need little to no styling for up to two weeks.

A bob cut involves heavy corners and the precise evenness of every hair strand, whereas the Antibob ignores this, explains Luke.

We cut a reverse triangle shape that meets at the lowest point at the back of the head so the shape is long at the back and shorter at the front, and then we add in a hint of a fringe.

Braving the chop: Unity's hair is a dramatic 6in shorter after the cut on Day 1, left, and the next morning it manages to maintain a natural wave for the first time, right

By Day 3, left, the hair still retains a slight wave, and on Day 4, right, it's still not back to straight - testament to the clever designer cut

As someone who's had long hair since toddlerhood, going short is a terrifying prospect but with stylist Jordan Garrett  who has coiffed the likes of Olivia Palermo, Poppy Delevigne and Sofia Richie  I know Im in good hands.

During my consultation at Daniel Hershesons' Conduit Street salon in Mayfair, London, Jordan convinces me to part with an even larger chunk of hair than I'd anticipated, to ensure that the style works its magic on my heavy, uber-straight tresses.

Within seconds of Jordan tackling my hair with thinning scissors and a terrifying-looking razor, almost half its length is already falling to the floor in great swathes.

Stylist Jordan advises not washing the hair for 'up to a week' and on Day 5, left, I scrape it back into a messy topknot. A wash on Day 6, right, means it loses its curl but it's still volumous

A dinner date on Day 7, left, calls for a spritz of hairspray giving it a natural wave without having to reach for the tongs. It keeps much of its volume at the roots the day after, right

By the time he's finished, my head feels at least two stone lighter. It's a drastic change, but I'm immediately taken with the Antibob  this messy, undone look gives the exact effect Ive spent hours trying to achieve with a curling iron  but the real test will be whether it stays in place.

I'm encouraged not to wash it for 'up to a week' to maximise that messy, textured look (but I'm already mentally calculating that four days is my absolute limit). I'm also told to let it dry naturally rather than blow-drying - which is another handy time-saver.

On Day 9, left, and Day 10, right, I'm impressed to note my formerly flat tresses are still looking naturally tousled without the need for styling tools

The 'invisible' layering mean that even a few days after washing, the hair still keeps an impressive amount of shape and volume compared to when it was longer (pictured Day 11, left and Day 12, right)

Waking up on day two, my hair keeps its choppy, textured shape and all it needs is a quick drag through with a brush before I'm all set for the day.

Jordan's right - as three, four and even five days pass without me washing my hair, its structured shape keeps its form. When I eventually wash it on day six, I simply rough-dry it with a spritz of salt spray and it arranges itself into loose waves.

Getting ready for a dinner date a week in, I douse it in hairspray before tying it into a bun. Without me having to reach for the tongs, I'm impressed to note it's got impressive volume and holds its shape which lasts for two days.

By Day 12, left and Day 14, right, Unity has downed her styling tools

After a fortnight, I'll happily admit to being totally won over by the Antibob. My lacklustre hair finally has a pleasing tousled look rather than hanging limply and, surprisingly for shorter hair, requires minimal maintenance or styling.

Best of all, I'm no longer a slave to my curling tongs, have shaved 20 minutes off my morning routine - and am already mentally planning my next trip to the salon for a trim.

The Antibob is from 80, hershesons.com
They may be man's best friend, but when it comes to parties our pets are often left out in the cold - literally.

But now one Gold Coast woman has begun a bakery business that not only offers pups special sweet treats, but also gives them a chance to have their own birthday party.

Sue Barker is the mastermind behind K9 Cakes, a bakery specialising in doggy treats that include everything from 'pupcakes' to 'puppicinos'.

The 63-year-old was inspired to open her own bakery when she read an article about an American woman who started a successful puppy party business in the US.

Sue Barker, 63, (left) has started a Gold Coast bakery business called K9 Cakes that specialises in healthy treats specifically designed for dogs

K9 Cakes also sets up doggy birthday parties that come with these adorable 'pupcakes', as Sue calls them, to be enjoyed by the canine guests

'She went on Shark Tank in the USA and they pretty much laughed at her and said what a stupid idea,' Barker told Daily Mail Australia.

'This lady now has 16 shops! I thought, what a great idea to treat our puppy dogs. So I did some research and just started the business.'

Sue wanted to make her treats as healthy as the food she gives to her own pup, a 15-year-old Toy Maltese named Molly.

The pupcakes, biscuits, muffins and doughnuts sold at K9 Cakes are often peanut butter or honey-based, and feature honey, apple and oats.

They are usually either topped with yoghurt or carob, a chocolate substitute.

The healthy ingredients meant Molly didn't add any inches to her waistline despite being Sue's star taste tester.

And Sue said they have been a hit with customers, who love that they can treat their dogs to something delicious that is still good for them.

Sue was inspired to start her own doggy treat business after reading an article about a US woman who built an puppy party empire after getting rejected on Shark Tank

Sue's pupcakes, biscuits, muffins and doughnuts are often peanut butter or honey-based, and feature honey, apple and oats

K9 Cakes, which Sue began in November, is just recently starting to take off - and the puppy parties have also proved to be a popular choice.

The bakery will either set up the party for customers or provide all the supplies, which include a cake and pupcakes for the guests and dog-themed decorations.

Puppicinos and Tall Blondes - which Sue joked is the equivalent of 'doggy beer' - are also served as refreshments.

But, true to Sue's motto, the drinks are just as healthy as the snacks, packed with probiotics and ingredients that benefit the joints and arthritis.

And, before they leave, each doggy gets a goody bag filled with treats.

Sue believes that puppy parties are taking off because dogs have become a part of the families that take care of them.

'People want to spoil them because they're such beautiful creatures,' she said. 'And they get a lot of enjoyment from their dogs.'

K9 Cakes also provides special custom-made birthday cakes for dogs to enjoy on their big day

They may look sweet, but Sue wanted to make sure her treats were as healthy as the food she feeds her own pup at home

'People these days don't have a lot of children, so dogs are treated like their kids,' she added.

'So we spoil them - and why shouldn't we? They're just beautiful.'

And Sue's favourite thing about running K9 Cakes is adding even more joy into people's lives.

'Just the look on people's faces when they see what they've got, they just come up and go, "Oh wow, look at that"', she said.

'They get so excited about our products, and that gets me excited and I just want to do more.'

Sue is already stocking some of her products in pet stores and is now hoping to open a doggy coffee shop in a couple of months.

The unique cafe would allow dogs to enjoy a puppicino while their owners sip on cappuccinos and the like without having to tie them up outside.

'I think that'd be amazing,' she said. 'To have a place where you can have a coffee with your doggy.'
It was after her fifth suicide attempt that Andrea Josephs decided to choose life.

The Australian Army veteran had been battling PTSD, a diagnosis doctors failed to make for 10 years, when a film made by her daughter proved to be a turning point.

It was a tribute video that honoured not only the mother-of-four, but the soldiers, sailors and airmen and women who had put their life on the line for Australia.

The gesture was pivotal for Andrea, who had felt like she lost her identity ever since she was medically discharged from service in 2004.

Army veteran Andrea Josephs (pictured left in 2000 after returning overseas) has launched a not-for-profit to help veterans after battling PTSD and surviving five suicide attempts

Andrea (pictured centre with her four daughters) said some of her PTSD symptoms were derived from the fear that she could not protect her girls

Andrea, now 43, knew since she was young that she wanted to follow in her father's footsteps after he served in the Royal Australian Air Force.

'All my life, from the smallest age, it was what my hopes and dreams were pinned upon,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

Andrea enlisted in the Army as a soldier in 1991, and was shipped overseas as a truck driver and supply operator in 1999 during the East Timorese Crisis.

'When I went to Timor, it was the most exciting time,' she said. 'Because that's what you train for.'

'You spend hours, days, months, years at home, in peacetime service training, for those particular times.'

'And when you get there, you know what you've been trained to do is going to help others. That's the epitome of what your service is.'

But those childhood dreams became a nightmare in reality after Andrea returned from Timor.

Doctors initially diagnosed that she had Adjustment disorder, later claiming she was suffering from postnatal depression or Bipolar 2 disorder.

They train you to go to war. They don't train you to come home.

'My issues were folded under female emotional characteristics,' Andrea said.

'It was much easier for them to treat me as a postnatal sufferer, as a depressed mother, rather than dealing with me as a veteran who came back from service and was still struggling.'

'They train you to go to war,' she added. 'They don't train you to come home.'

Andrea was sexually assaulted in 2002, and medically discharged not long after her court hearing. The first suicide attempt occurred that same year.

'I felt abandoned,' Andrea said of her discharge. 'Angry.'

'When you have this career in the military, it becomes your life - you sacrifice your family and your friends and your normality.'

'It doesn't matter what the trigger or the catalyst is, we all lose faith in the identity that we're worthwhile in our communities.'

Andrea enlisted in the Army as a soldier in 1991, and was shipped overseas as a truck driver and supply operator in 1999 during the East Timorese Crisis

Andrea, now 43, knew since she was young that she wanted to follow in her father's footsteps after he served in the Royal Australian Air Force

There would be two suicide attempts before Andrea was officially diagnosed with PTSD in 2004.

Andrea mainly struggled with hypervigilance, which left her in a constant state of heightened awareness as her brain searched for threats 24/7.

'I had instances where I covered the entire house and windows with aluminum foil, thinking I wasn't doing enough to protect my children,' she said.

She became fearful of large crowds and avoided doing anything pleasurable for fear of triggers.

'I wasn't able to go to shopping centers without support, to get groceries, the simple things you as a human being should be able to do.'

Andrea tried a slew of medications and sunk deeper into alcoholism. At one point, the single mum and her four daughters were homeless.

There were two more suicide attempts in 2012, the final one occurring three years later after Andrea was triggered while volunteering at her local pensions office.

A young 22-year-old woman had come in with her husband. Andrea learned she had been trying to kill herself for months. It was her last effort to get some support.

Andrea tried a slew of medications and sunk deeper into alcoholism as she struggled with PTSD. At one point, the single mum and her four daughters (pictured) were homeless

'It absolutely broke my heart to see this young woman so broken, who didn't know how to fix herself,' Andrea said.

'I kept wonder, how do I help? How do I help those people who are dealing with something I'm dealing with? I felt hopeless.'

On that same day, Andrea picked up her girls from school, gave them their afternoon snack, grabbed her bottles of alcohol from the fridge and went to her room.

She locked the door, turned the television on, and then 'took everything I was capable of', Andrea explained.

'I rang my psychiatrist and said I was done.'

She said that moment was about wanting to make the pain finally stop.

'When you're in that moment when you attempt suicide, there's nothing anyone can tell you that will make you think the pain will go away,' she said.

'You get to a point where there's part of you that doesn't want your life to end, but you want the pain to end.'

'And when you can't understand how to fix that pain, you feel like a burden to everyone. I felt my children would live happier lives, that it would be better for them.'

Andrea, pictured here with one of her daughters in 1999, had a turning point after her fifth and final suicide attempt in 2015

It was that final attempt that Andrea's children - now aged 20, 16, 15, and 10 - truly found out she was struggling with PTSD.

'They thought mum's ups and downs were something they had done to trigger me,' she said. 'Or mum being upset about things not being done correctly.'

'Now they have a better understanding of what the real issues were.'

That's what inspired one of Andrea's daughters to make the tribute video, and the idea behind what would become the not-for-profit organisation Matilda Poppy.

'My daughter wanted to convey that she understood, that she was proud of me and my service no matter what,' Andrea said. 'I thought that was so important to share.'

The video made Andrea feel less alone, and it was a feeling she wanted to spread to other veterans. That's how she fell upon the orange poppy flower.

'We have the red poppy for the fallen, but it struck me that in Australia we only recognise veterans twice a year,' she said.

'I wanted the public to be aware that veterans are living and breathing among you. They're in the coffee line behind you, in the supermarket line in front of you.'

'I wanted people to reach out and show these veterans that they're proud and grateful for that service. Give them a reason to smile - it could be the thing that saves their life.'

Now Andrea is hoping to start an initiative that will spread across the country, and comfort her fellow servicemen and women.

It's called the 'Gday Thank You Challenge', which involves walking up to an Australian Defence Force Member and simply shaking their hand and sayind 'G'day, thank you.'

'I think that would be instrumental in reinstilling that pride we had when we served our country,' Andrea said.

'Because when we leave, we seem to lose our identity, our value, our worth. I think it's important to celebrate veterans, not just commemorate them.'

Andrea will be launching Matilda Poppy this Sunday at her new home in Emu Park, a patriotic Queensland town she said ignited the fire to get it off the ground.

Andrea will be selling these orange poppies - as well as pins, shirts, drink coolers, and jacket patches - with the hope it will become a symbol for veteran appreciation

'I see Australian flags everywhere,' she said. 'And it makes me so proud to know that I served my country under that flag, and that there are people willing to put that flag out there.'

'It makes me feel I did something worthwhile. Now I want to share what I felt here, and get it out across Australia.'

Every penny Andrea raises with Matilda Poppy - which is also selling shirts, drink coolers, stickers and jacket patches - will also go toward veteran services.

She also hopes to advocate for legislative change and to spread awareness about veterans' struggles.

'Matilda Poppy started from one voice, one family's experience,' Andrea said. 'But we know our situation isn't unique or special.'

'There's a saying - that we don't heal in isolation, but rather in community,' she added.

'Australia needs to get back to that community, and show veterans and their families that we know they exist, we acknowledge them, and we're there for them.'

And Andrea hopes her own story will inspire veterans to keep fighting, even when they return from the battlefield.

'I've lived through the journey, I've gone through hell, and I've come out the other side,' she said.

'My PTSD isn't gone, but every day gets a little bit easier. And that's my message out there to everyone that is a veteran and suffers from mental illness.'

'Every day is a new day, and every day will get easier with the right tools.'

For confidential support call Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14.
A woman who quit a high-flying City career to launch her own fashion label has designed a pioneering footwear collection for 'ladies who can't wear heels'.

Lisa Kay, 53, from north London, took a leap of faith when she left her accountancy job while expecting her first child to start a company with her husband - but now says business is booming with the pair turning over 2million last year alone.

The mother-of-two has high hopes for her latest venture, heels aimed at the 10 million women in the UK who suffer from bunions.

Shoes and accessories designer Lisa with some of her creations. The mother-of-two took a leap of faith when she left her high-powered accountancy job while expecting her first child

Lisa, who is mother to Oliver, 26 and Zak, 22, with husband Roger, 55, told FEMAIL: 'Leaving behind my career felt like a huge jump but I was confident in my ability and I always had the support of my husband.'

The couple started out making handcrafted flourescent belts in a factory in Shoreditch, east London, which were quickly snapped up by the likes of Selfridges, John Lewis and, eventually, Topshop.

Their company, which started out as a 'small cottage industry', has gone from strength to strength as the pair eventually branched into accessories and eventually footwear in 1999.

From juanets to kukis: The anatomy of a Sole Bliss shoe Lisa says she wanted to develop a collection of shoes which are both deep and wide enough for the 'bunioned' foot, including a special shock-absorbing layer in the sole 'I wanted to develop a collection of shoes which are both deep and wide enough for the "bunioned" foot, whilst still looking really stylish and fashionable,' Lisa explains. 'The shoe business is incredibly technical, so it took years of face-to-face meetings with the last-maker, and multiple adjustments to the hand-crafted wooden lasts (adding small amounts of putty to the lasts, shaving them down with a rasp, re-moulding and altering the shapes). A snakeskin shoe from Lisa's new Sole Bliss collection, designed for comfort 'We did this while developing the rest of the components which comprise our patent-pending Juanet Technology (juanet taking its name from the Spanish word for bunion).' The shoes feature: . Three distinct layers of high quality memory foam underfoot to cushion, support and protect the foot; . A bunion bed, stretch panel inside the shoes to accommodate and comfort the bunion area which is invisible from the outside of the shoes; . A kuki, an anti-pronating device to counter inward rolling of the foot . Luxuriously soft upper materials and lining for ultimate comfort. Advertisement

Lisa says business is booming with the pair turning over 2million last year alone. Her latest venture is a range of heels aimed at the 10 million women in the UK who suffer from bunions

Lisa's company, which started out as a 'small cottage industry', has gone from strength to strength as they eventually branched into accessories and eventually footwear in 1999

These days, they employ 15 people and turned over nearly 2million last year alone, with Lisa regularly jetting out to Spain and Italy to visit her shoe and handbag factories.

Lisa has now put her technical expertise to good use after unveiling her latest collection, Sole Bliss, this month.

'I have always been aware of the huge number of women who suffer from bunions and cant fit into stylish shoes,' said Lisa.

Lisa hard at work on her new shoe collection. She now employs 15 staff and turned over nearly 2million last year, with Lisa regularly jetting out to Spain and Italy to visit her factories

The mother-of-two has now put her years of technical expertise to good use after unveiling her latest collection, Sole Bliss, earlier this month

'I often try to accommodate these bony prominences when designing our shoes and cutting our patterns, but I also understand that it is not just the styling of the shoe that counts.

The whole construction of the shoe with all its various components needs to be considered when accommodating bunions.'

The shoes, which were 'years' in the making, feature memory foam, a 'bunion bed' and a special device to counter inward-rolling of the foot.

Lisa, pictured with her two sons, quit a successful City career in the 1980s to launch her own fashion label has launched a footwear collection for 'ladies who can't wear heels'

Lisa's vision for Sole Bliss is for women to slip their feet into shoes that are fashionable, 'feel like slippers,' and make them exclaim that they 'havent been able to wear a heel like this in years'.

The collection comprises mid- and high-heeled shoes, including courts and slingbacks, in a range of colours.

'Weve started the brand with elegant shoes because our years of market research told us that this is the area where ladies with bunions and sensitive feet struggle the most,' said Lisa, who now has her sights set on ankle boots and block heels.
Jasmin Salmons childhood in the village of Great Shefford up to the day of the crime, as she calls it, was quite perfect.

She remembers it vividly: the thatched cottages as you entered the Berkshire village, the two pubs, the Brownie hut across the road from the house where she lived with her mum and dad, Rena and Paul, brother Ben, and Jasper the springer spaniel.

Her best friend was a girl called Kendall. And Kendalls parents, Lorna and Keith Rodrigues, were her mum and dads best friends.

Jasmin Salmon, 24, (pictured with boyfriend Julian) remembers how her father Paul, a wealthy IT consultant, began an affair with beauty salon owner Lorna. In 2002, mother Rena shot Lorna

Among the Great Shefford set, Lorna stood out. A beauty salon owner and practising Buddhist, who once turned up at a party dressed in a kimono, she had about her an air of the exotic.

It wasnt long before Jasmins father, Paul, a wealthy IT consultant, began an affair with Lorna  the consequences of which devastated the lives of their two families.

On September 10, 2002, three months after Paul had left the family home and moved in with Lorna, Rena drove to her love rivals beauty salon in Chiswick, West London.

At close range, Rena shot dead the 36-year-old mother of two with a double-barrelled shotgun taken from her husbands gun cabinet.

It later emerged that Lorna was two months pregnant with Pauls child.

Rena Salmon (left) took a double-barrelled shotgun from her husband's gun cabinet to kill Lorna. It was later revealed that Lorna was two months pregnant with Paul's child. Pictured with Paul

The murder shocked Britain and had repercussions for the two families involved that continue to this day  not least for Jasmin, who was ten at the time. In an instant, her storybook childhood disintegrated.

With a mother in prison, and a father unable to face up to the devastating consequences of his actions, family life was inexorably ruptured.Even now, aged 24, Jasmin is no nearer to closure.

Pictured, Lorna Stewart, who was killed by Rena Salmon. She was a Buddhist who once turned up at a party dressed in a kimono

On the contrary, for an innocent daughter who has suffered so much from her parents behaviour, there now comes the most appalling sequel.

Six months ago, Rena, who was sentenced to life imprisonment, was released from jail.

But what Jasmin hoped might have been an emotional reunion of mother and daughter after an enforced separation of 14 years has, in fact, turned into yet more despair.

For despite her mothers actions, Jasmin had stuck by her mother, and longed for the day of her release.

Eager to introduce her mother to her boyfriend, Jasmin had high hopes that a positive new chapter was about to begin. But there was to be no happy ending.

Indeed, so complete has been the breakdown between mother and daughter since Renas release, that Jasmin fears her mother may harm her  and her boyfriend Julian Young, 24.

I fear for my life, says Jasmin. Its her behaviour. She has been massively erratic since she got out of jail.

She is mentally unwell. She began phoning me and telling me how horrible I was.

She told me shed taken my camera and a journal of mine. Its just my personal thoughts, but its mine.

Jasmin was 10 at the time of the crime. Her mother was sent to prison and her father was unable to face the consequences of Rena's actions. Rena was released from prison six months ago

'If shes likely to harm anybody, its somebody she is in an emotional relationship with, which is me, or anyone who disturbs that relationship, which is Julian.

'To start with, I was scared for Julian, that she would remove him from the equation. But Im scared for my own safety as well.

Within weeks of Renas release, the fault lines were starting to show.

Rena, says Jasmin, expected to have her daughter all to herself and resented the time she spent with her boyfriend.

And Jasmin, who had perhaps built up unrealistic expectations herself, was dismayed her mother appeared to carry no guilt about her actions, and all the lives she has destroyed.

I would ask her if she felt guilty, and she would just say shed served her time  as though her 14 years in prison made up for it.

Jasmin fears her mother may harm her  and her boyfriend Julian Young, 24. She said: She is mentally unwell. She began phoning me and telling me how horrible I was'

Jasmin soon began to have serious concerns about her mothers state of mind.

When she was released, we were talking about her prison life, about murder in general, because she loves talking about prison, almost bragging. She said of murder: Im told its easier to do a second time.

If it was someone whod never done it (killed someone) it would seem illogical, but given her history, I worry where that can go.

Little wonder, then, that the sinister events of September 2002 are yet again uppermost in Jasmins mind.

Her parents had married in 1985 after meeting in the Army. Belfast-born Paul had been a technician in the Royal Signals, his wife was a data telecoms operator in the Womens Royal Army Corps who had represented her squadron at shooting.

When Paul left the Army and took a job as an IT consultant, the family moved to a large, detached property in Great Shefford.

Ben, Jasmins brother, attended the prestigious grammar, Reading School.

Paul was soon earning 130,000 a year, and Rena was driving a Mercedes. There was a holiday home in Devon.

Warming to his new-found wealth, Paul started pheasant shooting, and bought a number of shotguns  one of which Rena later used to shoot Lorna.

My dad was aiming for a certain image, says Jasmin. Hed shoot a pheasant, and my mum would pluck and cook it.

But this new-found affluence did not make Rena happy. She was putting on weight, and her marriage was in the doldrums  when along came sylph-like Lorna Rodrigues, who was later to revert to her maiden name, Lorna Stewart.

Lorna and her husband Keith would often visit  on one occasion they sat with Rena and Paul in the hot tub drinking Pimms.

Lorna was very ahead of her time, recalls Jasmin. She was into holistic medicines and Buddhism.

I remember she once showed up at a birthday party in a sarong and three of the dads in the village got caught leering at her.

Paul left the army and got a job as an IT consultant, where he earned 130,000 a year. The family moved to Great Shefford and Jasmin's brother attended the prestigious grammar, Reading School. She said: My dad was aiming for a certain image'

Their wives all went mad. My dad just took it a bit too far. Paul and Lorna began meeting in secret in November 2001.

Three months later, Rena learned from Keith, who had discovered an incriminating email, that her husband was having an affair.

My mum came apart at the seams, says Jasmin. There was no relationship after that. It was war by text. Lorna lived 200 yards up the road.

'My mum would turn up at her house, and try to confront her, and text her nasty things.

In June 2002, Paul, who had by now spent long periods of time away from the family home, moved out for good, setting up a new home with Lorna in a flat in Iver, Buckinghamshire.

Rena was beside herself  and enlisted her daughters help in wreaking havoc. Jasmin helped her slash Lornas car tyres; once they drove to the familys holiday home in Devon, where Paul had been staying since the separation, and cut up his clothes and smashed photographs.

Jasmin helped her slash Lornas car tyres; once they drove to the familys holiday home in Devon, where Paul had been staying since the separation, and cut up his clothes and smashed photographs

Mum let me cut up his bedsheets, she says. I was angry at my dad. I thought: How could you do this to me? 

On the day of the murder, Rena made an effort to get dressed up, which Jasmin interpreted at the time as a positive sign her mum was getting better.

She now knows she wanted to look her best for her murderous encounter with Lorna.

She put on one of her favourite outfits. I think it was a blue-and- white striped top under this knitted green and brown blazer, with co-ordinated trousers. She used to wear it on special occasions.

Mum plaited my hair, which she hadnt done for months. She took me to school, and at the school gates she said: Whatever happens, remember, I love you.

Before school was finished, my aunt and uncle had arrived to pick me up because shed shot Lorna.

Days earlier, Rena had persuaded a locksmith to open the gun cabinet, claiming she needed to retrieve a document in it.

On the morning of the shooting, Rena had driven to Lornas beauty salon, Equilibrium, in Chiswick High Street.

When she saw Rena standing before her with the shotgun, Lorna said: So youve come to shoot me.

Rena shot her in the heart, and again in the back as she collapsed. She then lit a cigarette, phoned the police and texted her husband: Ive just shot Lorna. This isnt a joke.

Jasmins father arrived at her aunt and uncles house later that night, ashen-faced. He was white, white and shaky, recalls Jasmin.

He sat down on the edge of an armchair and said: Your mum has killed Lorna. I remember being spectacularly calm. Everyone else was coming apart, it just didnt feel real. It was insane.

At the outset, Jasmin admits, she was sorry more for the fact that her mum wouldnt be coming home than for the fact that Lorna was dead.

As horrible as it sounds, thats true. I thought, shes never coming back, and if she is, I wont be a kid any more. Thats my time with my mum done.

Rena shot her in the heart, and again in the back as she collapsed. She then lit a cigarette, phoned the police and texted her husband: Ive just shot Lorna. This isnt a joke

For a long time, I felt bad for her. I thought shed been pushed into this situation by his (Pauls) behaviour.

Up until the murder, Jasmin had been closer to her dad than her mum, but now, she says, he began to distance himself from her.

Jasmin the Daddys girl was suddenly Jasmin the daughter of the woman whod killed his pregnant lover. Whats more, Jasmin was the spitting image of her mother.

He couldnt look at me because hed look at me and see her (Rena), says Jasmin. He made sure we were fed, clothed and washed, just the basic necessities. It was hard.

There were other ramifications, too. Jasmins father used to have to drive his son and daughter to Holloway Prison in London to see Rena. Because I was so young, he had to stand in the prison while they searched me. He didnt come in the room and see her  he refused to do that.

And Jasmins best friend, Kendall, was no longer in her life. After the murder, Australian-born Keith Rodrigues took Kendall and her younger sister, Megan, back there to start a new life. Apart from one brief phone call, no contact was permitted between the two girls.

Meanwhile, within a year of Lornas death, Jasmins father had begun a relationship with another woman, Cheryl Adams, whom he married in 2004. They now have two young children.

Jasmin would often return from prison after a visit to her mother  her head filled with vitriol, after her mother had poisoned her mind about her father  to find that the evening meal had been eaten without her. She felt an outsider in her own home.

Around this time, Jasmin was sent to boarding school in Devon. My father and the school told me not to tell anyone (about the murder). But somehow it got out.

There were parents who wouldnt let their kids hang out with me because of who my parents were.

But I probably was a pain because I had very little to lose.

Jasmin would often return from Holloway prison after a visit to her mother to find that the evening meal had been eaten without her. She felt an outsider in her own home

Jasmin was expelled and moved to another boarding school in Surrey. She left at 16, and worked in shops and cafes, but felt restless, unsettled.

One day when she was 19, she felt compelled to pay a visit to Great Shefford, the village where she had so many memories.

People stared at her in the street; someone spat at her. There was to be no escape, it seemed, from the past.

Her relationship with her father, now 56, deteriorated further. A few years ago, he and his new family moved to Greece.

During a visit two years ago, there was a terrible row between father and daughter.

Lornas name came up again. Wed had a bit too much to drink. I called her a home-wrecker. I regretted it afterwards. He said he wanted nothing to do with me.

Since then, there have been text messages at birthdays and Christmas, but nothing more. The relationship has all but collapsed.

And now there is no relationship with her mother. Just fear.

Jasmin has been in touch with the police, whom she says have issued a harassment warning against her mother that forbids her from having contact with Jasmin or Julian.

Informed that her daughter has made allegations that she is frightened that her mother might harm her, or even kill her, Mrs Salmon said: There is no truth in the allegations, and I have nothing further to say.

For now, mother and daughter both live in Liverpool in flats 100 yards from each other.

Jasmin, who is currently out of work due to stress, says she cannot afford to move.

Given her past and the breakdown of our relationship, Im scared, but in a calm way, she says. Theres nothing I can do about it.

Jasmin says she and Julian are planning to go travelling when they get enough money, another attempt to put the tragic events of her childhood behind her.

One person she wont be telling where shes going is her mother.
Samantha Camerons chi-chi new fashion label, Cefinn, already has a sky-high price-tag to match its 110 T-shirts.

Now I can reveal that savvy Sam Cam has sold more than 11,000 shares in her company to well-connected investors, who include an Old Etonian chum of husband David Cameron.

According to new financial documents, the shares in Cefinn were sold in two tranches in December and February, at 33.40 per share, totalling more than 371,000.

Samantha Camerons chi-chi new fashion label, Cefinn, already has a sky-high price-tag to match its 110 T-shirts

Sam Cams backers own 10 per cent of the company, meaning Cefinn has a paper valuation of 3.71million  just weeks after the wife of the former prime minister launched her contemporary designer womenswear garments in Selfridges.

One of Sam Cams backers is her old boss Mark Esiri, who was chair of stationery firm Smythson while Sam Cam was paid a 400,000 salary as creative director.

In a recent interview, Sam Cam said that Old Etonian Esiri, the founder of venture capital firm Venrex Investment Management, has a minority stake in Cefinn. Venrex investors include multi-millionaire PR man Matthew Freud, a stalwart of the Camerons Chipping Norton set, and financier Sir Mark Weinberg, who has given the Tories more than 150,000.

Venrex is also backed by members of the Fleming banking dynasty, who helped bankroll Camerons 2005 leadership campaign.

In the same year, Esiri was among a group of investors who bought Smythson for almost 16 million, reportedly netting Sam Cam, who owned shares in the retailer, just over 437,000.

Now her old boss appears to be set to cash in from Cefinns pricey frocks, it seems its payback time for the Cameroons.

A spokesman for Cefinn declines to comment.

Clarkson shows off racy new blonde

Jeremy Clarkson went out in public with his new girlfriend, Lisa Hogan, for the first time on Thursday, to a charity gala in London

Jeremy Clarkson went out in public with his new girlfriend, Lisa Hogan, for the first time on Thursday, to a charity gala in London.

Since his divorce from his wife of 21 years, Frances Cain, in 2014, the 56-year-old former Top Gear host has been linked to several blondes, but rumours of a romance with Hogan were confirmed last month when the pair went to Barbados.

Hogan, 46, an Irish mother-of-three, split from her former husband Steven Bentinck in 2005.

Millionaire Mr Bentinck, nephew of Europes greatest art collector, the late Baron Heini Thyssen, was dubbed Baron Bonkers due to his eccentric ventures into the showbiz and publishing industries.

Hogan was discovered in the early Nineties by John Cleese, who gave her a minor role in his film Fierce Creatures.

Clarkson, who has three children with Frances, was sacked from the BBC motoring show in 2015 for punching a producer.

Lisa told guests on Thursday that she and the pugilistic broadcaster were very happy.

Emilia's Foxy in faux fur

Some people sew their names into their clothes  but Silent Witness star Emilia Fox likes to be branded in plain sight.

Emilia, 42, was photographed in London in a 350 Miranda Dunn pink faux fur coat with her surname emblazoned on the back.

Lucky its named or I might never have seen it again! jokes the mother-of-one. Got stopped at the school gates twice by mums asking about it!

Rothschild makes rapper ex jealous with latest stallion

They are both well-bred with glossy, chestnut manes, chocolate-brown eyes and lustrous lashes. Banking heiress Kate Rothschild looks in her element as she gazes affectionately at her handsome horse. Neighvel gazing, she captioned the image on social media.

This picture makes me so jealous, responded her sometime lover, U.S. rapper Jay Electronica. The couples affair led to the breakdown of her nine-year marriage to financier Ben Goldsmith, the father of her three children. Rothschild said at the time that Electronica had saved my life in many ways.

Banking heiress Kate Rothschild looks in her element as she gazes affectionately at her handsome horse

The long-awaited Downton Abbey reunion has come sooner than predicted. This week, Hugh Bonneville, who played the Earl of Grantham, bumped into former co-star Dan Stevens, 34, while filming BBC comedy W1A in London.

Hugh, 53, posted online this picture, and said: You never know who youre going to run into when filming outside the BBC. Stevens, who played Matthew Crawley in the period drama, stars in new movie Beauty And The Beast.

Downton creator Julian Fellowes admits he has been working on a film version of the ITV series, with original cast members returning to the big screen.

This week, Hugh Bonneville, who played the Earl of Grantham, bumped into former co-star Dan Stevens, 34

Jeremy Ironss actor son Max admits he struggles with the social demands of his job. Im really anti-social. To a fault, explains the 31-year- old, who starred in 2014 film The Riot Club. My girlfriend is constantly telling me I have to make an effort to make friends. I dont like going to any parties. The actors I look at and respect tend to go to work, do a really good job, occasionally pick up an award, but then disappear home and remain mysterious.

JOB of the week: Head of soft furnishings for three royal palaces, on a salary of 22,000 a year. Those who say its curtains for the Royals, after Prince Williams Swiss nightclub exploits, may have a point.
In these health-conscious times, millions of us wash down a vitamin pill as part of our breakfast routine.

But it seems we may be wasting our time. Researchers claim swallowing vitamin supplements with tea or coffee can wipe out all the good they do.

The heat in the drinks can dramatically reduce the effects of tablets, and even kill the friendly bacteria in probiotic foods such as yoghurts, experts said.

Researchers claim swallowing vitamin supplements with tea or coffee can wipe out all the good they do

A University of East Anglia study found that hot drinks and food such as porridge inhibit the absorption of iron by up to 73 per cent. Around 46 per cent of British adults take daily vitamin supplements, and 70 per cent of those who do take them with breakfast.

Now experts suggest waiting at least an hour before consuming hot food or drink after taking tablets.

Dr Sarah Brewer, a GP and medical nutritionist, said: I dont advise taking probiotics, vitamin or mineral supplements with tea or coffee.

These drinks contain compounds which, although beneficial at other times, also bind iron and other minerals to reduce their absorption.

In fact, coffee can reduce iron absorption by up to 80 per cent if drunk within an hour of a meal. Very hot drinks can also inactivate some vitamins, and kill live probiotic bacteria.

Dr Sarah Brewer, a GP and medical nutritionist, said: I dont advise taking probiotics, vitamin or mineral supplements with tea or coffee'

To ensure beneficial bacteria survive, Glenn Gibson, professor of food microbiology at the University of Reading, advises washing down supplements with water or milk. Breakfast is still the best time to take pills, as the gut has rested overnight and is therefore more receptive, he added.

Research by supplement company Healthspan also found that, among potential buyers of probiotics, few were aware of the alleged benefits of taking them during and after a course of antibiotics. While antibiotics kill the bacteria that cause infections, they can also destroy good bacteria in our bodies.

Arthur Ouwehand, professor in applied microbiology at the University of Turku, Finland, claimed: Its important to begin taking probiotics from the moment you start antibiotics and continue for a few weeks after finishing the course.
Excessive drinking by wives is contributing to as many as one in seven divorces, lawyers say.

While overall divorce rates are falling, the number granted to husbands on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour by the wife has tripled since 1980  and many cases involve alcohol abuse, a law firm said yesterday.

Hall Brown said a major factor is wives drinking at work. The warning comes amid growing concern over women generally drinking more.

Excessive drinking by wives is contributing to as many as one in seven divorces, lawyers say (Stock image)

The most recent divorce figures for England and Wales, from 2014, show 47 per cent of 111,169 divorces were for unreasonable behaviour, which can cover a wide range of disputes.

Of these, 15,630 were because of wives unreasonable behaviour and 36,908 were husbands. This means unreasonable behaviour by women accounted for 14 per cent of divorces.

There were just over 4,000 of such complaints about wives in 1980, and 10,000 in 1993.

Lawyer Laura Guillion said many cases involve womens drinking, adding: Men are more likely to be accused of having an alcohol problem but the frequency with which wives drinking has been cited over the last few years is marked.

The most recent divorce figures for England and Wales, from 2014, show 47 per cent of 111,169 divorces were for unreasonable behaviour, which can cover a wide range of disputes

It is unusual to find alcohol as the only issue causing couples to part, but it can be one of those factors with a corrosive effect.

She said in quite a few cases husbands said their wives drank with work, such as taking lunches with colleagues or networking with clients.

Miss Guillion said reasons wives drinking can lead to divorce include the effect on children.

In one case, she said, a husband was tired of making excuses for a wife who repeatedly passed out at home.

But Harry Benson, of the Marriage Foundation, said: Heavy drinking among women is likely to be a consequence of unattentive behaviour by men. It is often a product of unhappiness rather than a cause. It then becomes easy for a man to write it into the divorce.

There are two other grounds for quick divorce: adultery and desertion.

Divorce can also be granted after two years separation where both agree, or after five if one party disagrees.
Increasing numbers of doctors are eschewing the NHS for work abroad  there is a massive brain drain

My friend is everything youd want in a doctor. Hes kind, caring and very knowledgeable. He won awards as a student and came top in many exams. Hes the kind of doctor Id want to treat me.

Unfortunately hell never help a single patient. Why? Hes just quit training as a surgeon to become a banker. Im distraught that the profession has lost him, but sadly this is becoming more and more common.

Of course, when I was at medical school people dropped out or left because they failed their exams. But the idea that you would get a degree in medicine with no intention of being a doctor was unheard of. This, however, is becoming a real problem.

Last year I gave a talk at a medical school and afterwards, some of the staff and students took me for dinner  halfway through the meal the admissions tutor told me that about 10 per cent of their students didnt go on to work as a doctor. Instead, they left the profession after graduation.

I stared at him in disbelief (this was before my friend dropped out). What do they do instead? I asked. Oh, mainly banking, management consultancy or start-ups. The usual.

And increasing numbers of doctors are also eschewing the NHS for work abroad  there is a massive brain drain  or to work as a locum, for which the pay and conditions are so much better.

This year, only half of junior doctors completing their first two years went on to train in a speciality in the NHS.

We are haemorrhaging doctors. So this week Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced his proposals to tackle this. Doctors will be required to work for a minimum of five years in the NHS or they will have to pay back a proportion of the 230,000 that it is claimed it costs the taxpayer to train them.

I feel very torn by this. It seems to me perfectly reasonable that doctors should be value for money. In the armed forces, people have to work for a minimum period.

But is the best way to tackle the retention crisis to effectively hold the junior medical workforce as hostages for five years? Besides, City firms will think nothing of paying off the remaining fees owed if they really want someone.

THIS TIME SCIENTISTS HAVE GONE TOO FAR... We are told that it was a great day for science, evidence of mans brilliance and mastery over nature. But news this week that Newcastle University has been given the green light to create the worlds first three-parent babies left me feeling very uncertain. The technique is a type of IVF where the DNA from two women and one man are combined to avoid certain  rare  genetic conditions inherited from one of the women. The embryo has DNA from a womans egg and a mans sperm, but defective DNA in the eggs mitochondria  the powerhouses within cells  is replaced with a second womans DNA, creating an baby with genetic material of three parents. The Human Fertilisation and Embryo Authority has given this technique the go-ahead, and we are all supposed to embrace this brave new world  but I cant quite celebrate. I have great sympathy for those who have mitochondrial-related diseases, but this makes me feel uneasy. Merely expressing this is denounced as antediluvian, but I am a man of science and my hesitation is not a result of a Luddite attitude. Generally, scientists push medicine forward with the best intentions to help humanity. But this advance is rewriting the basic principles that underpin biology, meddling in things we dont know enough about. When I was training as a psychiatrist, it was impressed on us that we should learn to trust our instinct more. This is one of those times when we should listen to our gut, even when we cant put our finger on why. Advertisement

Surely a better way is to address why doctors are leaving the profession in the first place. There is a lot of talk about conditions in the NHS, and while these play a role, I think a large part of the crisis has been an unintended consequence of the introduction of tuition fees.

When I was at medical school, there were no fees and, because my family were poor, I got a full grant of 5,000 a year. I was incredibly grateful: without it, I wouldnt have gone to university, let alone done a six-year medical degree.

But fees have turned this degree from a vocation into a commodity. Regardless of the fact that the taxpayer still subsidises the actual cost, students now think that as theyre landed with about 80,000 of debt, why shouldnt they take lucrative offers?

When I was a junior there was free hospital accommodation for your first year. There was a doctors mess with hot drinks and newspapers and rooms to sleep in when on call. There were even budgets for training courses.

This helped to forge a strong sense of vocation. We felt indebted to society and the NHS.

Yet over the past few years, all of this has been gradually taken away. Its contributed to a feeling of disenchantment among juniors, made all the worse by the new contract imposed last year.

BOYS ARE LEFT TO SUFFER IN SILENCE... What is happening to teenage girls in this country? An alarming number  more than a third  have experienced symptoms of psychological distress, according to a recent Department of Education survey, with problems such as low self-esteem, a sense of worthlessness and feelings of despair or anxiety. Whats interesting is that only 15 per cent of boys reported the same symptoms. This has led many to conclude that girls are under more stress than boys, with the pressures of social media, body image issues and early sexualisation, as well as the suggestion that theyre under more strain than boys to succeed academically, and that they tend to be more self-critical and lacking in confidence. Im not so sure its this simple. These are self-reported symptoms, so really all this shows us is that more girls communicate their difficulties than boys do. In fact, young boys are more likely to be diagnosed with a mental health problem than girls. The gap narrows as children age so that by late adolescence, more girls are diagnosed with mental health problems. But this is not because girls suddenly start having a harder time: I think its because girls become good at articulating their problems, and therefore get a diagnosis. The boys suffer in silence. Males between 15 and 24 are significantly more likely to kill themselves than females. In fact, suicide is the leading cause of death in young men after road traffic accidents. Boys are feeling just as distressed  theyre just unable to tell anyone about it and no one is showing them how. Advertisement

I fear the same will happen with nurses. The government has now scrapped bursaries and introduced fees, so they will accrue significant debt  a disaster for the nursing profession.

The solution is to acknowledge the vital jobs that nurses and doctors do.

I think there should also be increased bursaries available to help medics with their degrees  perhaps with part of their debt from loans written off if they complete a minimum period in the NHS. As for nurses, who have lower earning potential, tuition fees must be scrapped and the bursary reinstated.

Its not that a sense of vocation comes only if youre subsidised, but if we expect people to feel obligated to the NHS, we have to demonstrate that society will invest in them. Otherwise medical degrees will become like any other: a commodity to trade.

Cinderella specialty is an odd way to describe any field of medicine, not least mental health. After all, the girl and her prince lived happily ever after, so whats the problem?

The issue for mental health is not just lack of money  throwing more about is a waste of time if theres no one to deliver the services. In particular theres a chronic shortage of psychiatrists, with the highest number of unfilled posts of any speciality.

This affects us all, because mental illness is incredibly common and at some point, many will need mental health services.

So why dont more doctors choose psychiatry? When I told one of my professors at medical school that was my choice, he replied: But youve done really well, you dont have to do that, as though this was a last resort.

This reflects the stigma in society mental illness attracts. But mental health is a fascinating, enjoyable and rewarding career  dont dismiss it!

I do wonder sometimes if we havent all lost the plot a bit. A survey for the Physiological Society found that the prospect of losing their mobile phone stresses people almost as much as the fear of a terror attack.

A survey for the Physiological Society found that the prospect of losing their mobile phone stresses people almost as much as the fear of a terror attack

What? Are people completely bonkers? Sure, misplacing your mobile is irritating, but as someone who has treated several patients whove survived terrorist attacks  I was also on call in A&E when the July 2007 bombs went off in London  I think people need perspective. Its not often youll hear a psychiatrist say this, but, get a grip!
Dressings made from discs of human placenta are being used in NHS hospitals on victims of eye injuries  to save their sight.

The patches can be applied directly to the eyes of burns or trauma victims, reducing pain by up to 70 per cent and promoting wound-healing.

Experts say that the medical advance has transformed the way such injuries are treated.

The placenta, above, can be turned into discs and used to help patients with eye wound in their recovery

The remarkable material, known as Omnigen, is made from amnion, which is part of the placenta and is the innermost layer of the sac that surrounds the baby in the womb.

This is normally a waste product of birth, but experts at the University of Nottingham have developed a method of screening, sterilising and then preserving donor tissue given by women who have an elective caesarean.

After trials in specialist hospitals around the UK, it will be available nationally from April.

Amnion contains growth factors and has natural healing properties. Since it is transparent, it can be applied directly to the cornea to promote healing.

The amnion once had to be frozen, which damaged the tissue and compromised its wound-healing properties. The Nottingham team has devised a way to preserve it so it can be kept in sealed packets at room temperature.

Omnigen is now available at about 40 UK hospitals, where surgeons stitch it to the eye.

The manufacturers, NuVision Biotherapies, have also launched a contact lens version of the patch, called OmniLenz, which means Omnigen can be applied directly to the eye without the need for complex surgery.

The hope is to be able to treat sight-threatening eye injury simply by applying the contact lens, says Dr Andrew Hopkinson, principal research fellow at the University of Nottingham and CEO of NuVision Biotherapies, who devised the new method of preserving amnion as part of his ophthalmology PhD.

OmniLenz is a unique contact lens that can be used to apply Omnigen without the need for stitches, which can be very complex in the eye, and will allow hospital ophthalmology departments to treat patients quickly in clinic and improve their chance of recovery, he says.

There are more than 120,000 eye injuries every year in the UK. Up to 2,000 people injure their eyes at work each day and about one in seven injuries will cause temporary or permanent vision loss.

Aside from this, sport is the biggest cause of hospital admission for serious eye injury in the UK. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents estimates that squash balls alone are responsible for 2,000 hospital admissions in the UK each year, while squash rackets account for about 2,400.

To make Omnigen, the amnion is separated from the adjacent layer of donated tissue. It is sterilised, dried and cut into discs to be stored. When it is applied to the human eye, the natural moisture in the eye rehydrates the patch, where it reduces pain, fights infections and promotes healing.

This is an advanced type of healing therapy which can be used to repair damage to the surface of the eye, and saves patients having to be taken to the operating theatre, says Alex Shortt, consultant ophthalmologist at University College London and Optegra Eye Hospital. It is transforming practice since it can conveniently be used in an emergency or military setting.
Victim: Karl Murphy as a boy. He was left with deformed fingers

A pregnancy test pill given to more than a million British women in the 1960s and 1970s may have caused severe birth defects and life-threatening abnormalities in thousands of cases, a shocking investigation has revealed.

Damning new evidence exposes the scale of the growing scandal and an alleged cover-up over Primodos super-strength hormone tablets, given to women by GPs.

A review of archived documents found a study by renowned Professor Bill Inman, who was responsible for helping to revise medication safety regulation following the thalidomide scandal.

He concluded that the 1.5 million women given Primodos were five times more likely to have a disabled child than those who didnt take the drug.

The findings have renewed hope for the affected families, who have so far not been compensated by the drugs manufacturer - but could now have a 'strong case' to sue the manufacturer for tens of millions.

And last week Health Minister Lord OShaughnessy announced the Government had ordered medical chiefs to investigate, saying: Its vital we take concerns such as these seriously. Thats why weve asked the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to conduct a thorough scientific review of the evidence.

Prof Inmans research, carried out in 1975, three years before the pills were eventually withdrawn from the market, was only passed to the drugs manufacturer, German pharmaceutical firm Schering, and not made public.

The investigation also reveals that the potent hormone pills were never tested  even on animals  before being given to women.

The latest revelations, following a lengthy Sky News investigation, are to be broadcast on Sky Atlantic on Tuesday in the documentary Primodos: The Secret Drugs Scandal.

In it, campaigners, who have spent years fighting for a public inquiry into the scandal and justice for the thousands of victims and their families around the world, claim they were used as guinea pigs.

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Karl Murphy. He had a cleft palate rectified as a baby but has been left without some fingers

Drugs giant Bayer, which took over Schering in 2006, continues to deny Primodos caused deformities in children.

But Robin Hayes, founder of the campaign group Association for Children Damaged by Hormone Pregnancy Testing, whose son Sean died aged ten after being born with serious defects, said: I am convinced, and I will be until my dying day, that this drug was responsible for the death of my child.

Primodos was introduced in 1958. Before this, to confirm a pregnancy, a sample from a woman had to be sent to a lab where, bizarrely, it was injected into a toad. If the toad produced eggs in response to the high levels of hormones, it meant the patient was expecting.

DRUG THAT BECAME INFAMOUS The Primodos story raises the spectre of thalidomide, the medication given to pregnant women to combat morning sickness between 1958 and 1961, when it was withdrawn after doctors noticed an increase in the number of deformed babies born to mothers who had been on the drug. After a long battle, the families affected received total of 28 million in compensation, paid out by manufacturer Diageo during the 1970s. Advertisement

Primodos contained high levels of synthetic progesterone, a hormone that helps maintain pregnancy. Women were told they were pregnant if they did not bleed after taking the tablets. But some of them suffered miscarriages and others had babies missing limbs, or with serious heart defects and other physical deformities. The drugs contained 40 times the dose of a contraceptive pill and 30 times that of a morning-after pill.

Researchers found Primodos pills were used regularly for abortions in countries such as South Korea.

Campaigners believe the extent of the defects unborn babies suffered depended on when the pill was taken during pregnancy, and the precise stage of development.

The alarm was first raised in 1967, but it was eight years before warnings were placed on packaging, and ten years before the medication was withdrawn.

A damages claim was launched in 1982 but dropped over fears that victims would struggle to prove Primodos caused the malformations.

However Lisa Lunt of law firm Gregory Abrams Davidson told The Sunday Times families affected had a 'strong case' to claim compensation.

She is now representing 100 alleged victims whose mothers took Primodos. Of those, some 66 suffered organ abnormalities, 43 had brain damage, 42 limb defects ans 34 heart defects.

The documentary also found evidence of a collusion between Schering and the British regulatory authorities. A study by the Royal College of GPs, part-funded by Schering, linked the drug to birth defects in 1969 and recommended it be withdrawn.

But this was passed to the manufacturer, and not to the victims families for legal action, a decision the RCGP said followed due practice. Marie Lyon, chair of the campaign group, described the revelation as morally indefensible.

A pack of the Primodos pills with its 'quicker than the toad' message. More than 1.5 million women were offered the test

Karl Murphy, 43, was born with multiple deformities he believes were caused by Primodos. He had a cleft palate rectified as a baby but has been left without some fingers, others that stop at the knuckle, and no toes on his left foot.

Karl, from Liverpool, re-formed a campaign group for families  disbanded following the failure of the 1982 legal case  after finding boxes of documents on Primodos in his mothers attic in 2011. All of the damning documents have been handed to the Governments expert working group on Primodos, which meets on March 27. Its findings will be published later this year.

In a statement to the documentary, Bayer says Primodos was on the UK market in compliance with prevailing laws at the time. Bayer rejected any suggestion that evidence was concealed and said evidence that the drug caused birth defects was extremely weak.
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The artist jailed for Britains most audacious art fraud has sneaked into top art galleries to hang his fakes next to real masterpieces. Dont worry, John Myatt tells Event , Ive done my time and its all perfectly legal...

John Myatt has a Van Gogh in the kitchen, a Monet in the sitting room and a Matisse on the stairs. His sprawling farmhouse, just north of Stafford, would be among the great galleries of the world except for one thing  the man who painted all those masterpieces is, in fact, Myatt himself.

John Myatt has a Van Gogh in the kitchen, a Monet in the sitting room and a Matisse on the stairs. The man who painted all those masterpieces is, in fact, Myatt himself

Myatt with Stephen Fry and his portrait of Fry as Pope Innocent X by Diego Velasquez;

He was once a criminal faker, and in 1999 was convicted for taking part in what was called the biggest art fraud of the 20th century. Using a mixture of emulsion paint and K-Y Jelly, Myatt faked dozens of paintings by artists including Matisse, Giacometti and Ben Nicholson. Dealers in London and New York were fooled by his fakes, as were Sothebys and Christies. A receipt for 140,000 for a fake Ben Nicholson from Christies still hangs in Myatts loo.

His criminal period began in 1985, when his first wife left him. Formerly a supply teacher, he had to work from home to look after his two young children. Always keen on painting in the style of Dufy and Monet, he started selling copies, putting an advert for genuine fakes in Private Eye. That was when his partner in crime, John Drewe, walked into his life. Drewe, a regular customer of Myatt, told him Christies had paid 25,000 for Myatts copy of an Albert Gleizes, a French Cubist.

Myatt's harlequin with a rose, in the style of Picasso

He said, How would I like 12,500 in a brown envelope?, and I said yes.

Myatt started churning out Chagalls, Mattises and Giacomettis, and Drewe sold them for a fortune to dealers and auction houses. In 1995, they were rumbled when Drewes ex-girlfriend, angry at being abandoned, spilled the beans. Myatt pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a years imprisonment. Drewe got six years. You cant excuse it, says Myatt. I dont think of myself as dishonest, but I was dishonest.

To begin with, prison was an overwhelming experience for Myatt. Its frightening when you go in, he says, Its noisy, theres quite a lot of unpleasant people there. You cant sharpen pencils. You have to go cap in hand to the screws office  they had a sharpening machine there. You couldnt get hold of paint; you could only draw.

Myatt wasnt allowed to draw pictures that might threaten security, but he managed to smuggle out one drawing of the prison wall, done in E Wing.

He has nothing but praise for the superb police. In fact, it was a policeman who persuaded him to return to painting after he was released from jail. Myatt had been planning to give it all up. The police sent art materials into Brixton for me, says Myatt. One policeman commissioned a picture of his family, and the barristers in the case wanted a memento, too.

These days, Myatt makes a living as a professional, self-confessed faker, and stamps the back of his copied paintings with the words Genuine Fakes. He launched his career as a legitimate faker, appearing on the Sky Arts show, Fame In The Frame, painting Stephen Fry in the style of Velazquez, and later this month he will appear on Fake! The Great Masterpiece Challenge, presented by Giles Coren and art historian Rose Balston. In the eight-part series, fakes painted by Myatt are smuggled onto the walls of art galleries in place of genuine masterpieces by British painters. Ten finalists compete to spot the imposters, to win their own faked masterpiece.

On faking a Gainsborough, Myatt, 71, reveals: He underpainted in grey, he says, He established the whole painting, almost in black and white, and went on to tint it.

He was a much better technician than [his rival] Reynolds. His work is beautifully done, with a feathered, soft edge. Reynolds big problem was that he was very impatient. He wanted his painting to dry as quickly as possible. He used honey as a binder [the material used to hold the paint in place]. Even within his lifetime, customers came back, saying, Its all very well, but my nose has fallen off. Thats why Myatt uses acrylic paint and emulsion  acrylics will dry while youre drinking your tea  and K-Y Jelly as a thin wash over colours. K-Y Jelly gives you, say, a deeper blue and you get a smoother finish.

Any scientist analysing these paintings would spot that theyre made with modern materials. But the point of a good fake is that its so convincing no one will think to analyse it. A Gainsborough is covered with several coats of varnish, he says, if you can fake the smoothness of the surface texture, then bury it under varnish, its hard for anyone to spot a fake, unless youre a Gainsborough expert.

He says the more recent the artist the easier to fake. In the first half of the 20th century, painters didnt go through all this technical stuff. That was all old hat. What you wanted was an immediacy in the way you painted. The same goes for Van Gogh, who was doing two paintings a day in a frenzy.

If a painting was originally done quickly, its that much easier to fake it. Van Gogh is a particular favourite of Myatt. In his studio, he has three van Goghs on the go  a self-portrait, a church and a street scene in Arles.

For a good fake, its not enough just to paint a good copy. Everything that goes with an old painting must match up, too.

If you gave me a year, I could do a very good fake of a 1920 Modigliani, Myatt says. First, Id get a cheap Twenties painting, scrape it down and find primer [undercoat] from the same period. Id pretend I was an art restorer and get a paint with the same constituents from a vintage paint supplier.

To age old paintings, Myatt uses strong coffee or brown umber, a natural earth pigment. He is currently working on a 17th-century Dutch painting of a young woman.

To give the impression of craquelure  a fine web of cracks in old paint  Myatt puts down a layer of slow-drying varnish beneath a layer of quick-drying varnish. The combination produces an ultra-quick cracking pattern.

Whenever Myatts second wife, Rosemary, wants a new masterpiece, he simply rustles one up. Sometimes, theyre direct copies; sometimes, he adapts the style of famous artists. In the sitting room, hes got a Majorca seaside view, where he and his wife went on holiday. Two men are dragging a boat from the water.

HOW TO MAKE A FAKE

Vincent Van Gogh - The Starry Night A clever forger would replicate the surface painting. He would look at the thickness of the paint and make sure that was the same. 'What is difficult is to get the same paint. Van Gogh used Sennelier paint, with a binder of linseed oil, which had a particular, fluorescent look. Vincent Van Gogh - The Starry Night (left). John Myatt's copy of Van Gogh (right) Claude Monet - The Houses Of Parliament The problem with Monets series of paintings of Parliament was that he later worked on them for about a year or more back in his studio in Giverny. The difficulty is getting the paints consistency right, because he kept on adding to the pictures, producing such a complicated layering of paint. Claude Monet - The Houses Of Parliament (left). John Myatt's fake Monet (right) Advertisement

I nicked this idea from Monet, says Myatt, He had one guy; I had two. Its in the style of Monet  his brushwork, his immediacy.

On the staircase, theres a Matisse portrait of a womans head. Hes actually quite hard to do, says Myatt, If one of those lines goes wrong, youre finished. You have to have a properly loaded brush to get it to work.

Myatt is relieved to finally be able to make a living out of these legitimate pictures, and he now advises the police on catching fakers.

Last January, I gave a talk in Whitehall to the Hong Kong Police and Interpol, he says, They think theyre getting closer, through scientific analysis, to tracking down fakes. Still today, between 20 and 30 per cent of what goes to auction is fake.

Myatt may have gone straight. But there are still plenty of crooked artists out there.

Fake! The Great Masterpiece Challenge is on Sky Arts from March 28
There arent many teenage boys who can claim to have lost their virginity with a high-class call girl paid for by their father, but actor Ian Ogilvy, star of Seventies TV series Return Of The Saint, belongs to that rarefied group.

I think he saw me as being a terrible mummys boy, says Ogilvy, so he took me to the Embassy Club in London, where the girls would dance with the clients, and he paid  probably a lot of money  for this very sweet girl to be with me. When youre a boy whose hormones are raging and somebody does something about it, youre the happiest boy in the universe. I mean, what a lovely, strange, funny thing to do for your son. It helped enormously, because Id been to Eton, where I came out knowing nothing about women.

Ogilvy with Candice Bergen in the 1967 comedy The Day The Fish Came Out

Although to this day, he adds, I still dont!

Frankly, that seems highly unlikely. Ogilvy, whos back in the limelight aged 73 in a new gangster movie, We Still Steal The Old Way, became one of the leading heart-throbs of the Seventies as the dashing Simon Templar.

Off-screen he enjoyed relationships with actresses Francesca Annis, Maria Aitken and Nicola Pagett, while as The Saint his leading ladies included the gorgeous Britt Ekland and Susan Penhaligon.

The crew and I had a private prize for the girl we liked best on the show and Rula Lenska won. Britt only got three out of ten because she was a movie star by then and as much as I like her, she came in with that whole star attitude. It was all very sexist back then, but that was 1978. There was a lot wrong with the show and I used to moan about the scripts because many of them were just rejigs of stuff that Roger Moore had done. Saying that, it was a lovely period in my life. I wish it had gone on for ever.

When the show was axed after one season in 1979, despite being hugely popular, Ogilvy struggled to escape from The Saints shadow and moved to Los Angeles to start afresh. He starred in the Meryl Streep film Death Becomes Her and appeared in such series as Murder, She Wrote, Diagnosis Murder and Baywatch.

He even managed to reinvent himself entirely by writing a successful series of childrens fantasy novels featuring a ten-year-old boy called Measle. And that was very gratifying, he says. I got 2,500 an episode for The Saint and never saw any money from it after 1979, but made far more from the books, which were sold all over the world.

While he rarely acts these days, he now has the lead role in We Still Steal The Old Way, where, as an East End criminal trying to pull off a heist with a bunch of his mates, he is as far removed from the debonair Simon Templar as can be.

Thats what made the part attractive, he admits. As The Saint I was too slim and pretty-looking and it looked silly when I knocked out these huge guys with one punch.

Now I can do it and at least look like I mean it.

Ogilvy is back in the limelight in a new gangster movie, We Still Steal The Old Way

Still ridiculously handsome, he looks 15 years younger than his actual age of 73. I was drinking heavily all through the Eighties and I think coming to America and meeting my second wife, Kitty, helped me enormously both personally and healthwise, he admits. She basically said Its the bottle or me, dear, so I stopped. I was never an alcoholic or a mean drunk, just a very boring one.

Rather un-boringly he spent inebriated evenings with both Roger Moore (who looked like a teenager the morning after, whereas I didnt) and Oliver Reed, who called Ogilvy a poofter, challenged him to a fight and then backed down, preferring to become quietly sozzled with him instead.

I did end up going to AA meetings a few times in England but I never stood up and told my story because I didnt have one, says Ogilvy. I didnt lose my family or jobs or wake up in gutters. But my dad had been a huge drinker and my mother drank a lot towards the end of her life, so it was definitely in the genes.

Considering the manner in which Ians father facilitated his sons loss of innocence, its fair to say that his family were a colourful bunch. His father, Francis, helped set up the advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather with his brother David, who in turn is said to be one of the inspirations for Don Draper in Mad Men.

My uncle David marketed himself brilliantly, always smoking a pipe and wearing his signature red braces, but my father was more like Don Draper personally, says Ogilvy. He never saw any of my success, though, because he died when I was 20. Funnily enough, I did go for a small role on Mad Men, he admits. I was too old for it but it would have been a nice connection.

Ians mother, actress Aileen Raymond, had previously been married to actor John Mills, while her sister Betty worked as a forger during World War II for Canadian spymaster William Stephenson  said to be one of the inspirations for James Bond.

In a pleasing bit of symmetry, Ogilvy himself was considered for the part of Bond when Roger Moore vacated the role in 1985.

Ian Ogilvy sitting on a Jaguar XJS as Simon Templar in the television series 'Return of the Saint'

In real life, Stephenson perhaps wasnt so Bond-like, says Ogilvy. He was quite small, slightly pudgy but very charismatic and he and my aunt had an affair. I suppose she would have quite liked me playing Bond. But when they told me I wasnt going to get the part because I was too similar to Roger Moore, I felt relieved. You have to be terribly confident as Bond and I honestly dont think I could have carried it off.

Ogilvy is endearingly honest about his shortcomings. In his memoir, Once A Saint, he recounts an instance of stage fright while performing a decade ago. The doctor said I was having a small breakdown but it felt like a very big one at the time, he admits. I felt better when I told myself I didnt have to go on stage again, and I havent done since.

He is equally candid about the failure of his first marriage, to former model Diane Hart, whom he married at 25 and with whom he has a son, Titus, now 48.

My parents had a volatile marriage with terrible rows where my father would go to France for two weeks while my mother would have her boyfriend live at home, so maybe thats why I gravitated towards marriage, says Ogilvy. I loved the idea of family and settling down but Diane and I were far too young and, unfortunately, I went through that middle-aged thing of male-pattern boredom.

He embarked on an affair with actress Maria Aitken that effectively ended his marriage, and even though I dont regret our eventual divorce because it was the right thing to do, it wasnt the right thing for Diane because she didnt do anything wrong at all.

He later became involved with Francesca Annis. He admits that that was a love thing, although Annis was still with her partner, photographer Patrick Wiseman, at the time. We didnt get as far as discussing marriage, but then she wasnt the marrying kind. She was a very free-spirited woman.

Ogilvy in 1970. As The Saint I was too slim and pretty-looking and it looked silly when I knocked out these huge guys with one punch'

Ogilvy has been married to Kitty Holcomb since 1992, and is the slightly subversive stepfather to her two sons. He laughs when asked if theyve seen The Saint, although concedes that the series still holds a fascination for audiences. The 1997 remake with Val Kilmer took more than $150 million and last year Ogilvy himself, alongside Roger Moore, starred in the pilot for a series reboot. And recently Paramount acquired the rights to the Leslie Charteris books for a possible movie franchise.

Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston  theyd be terrific as The Saint, says Ogilvy, and theyre lucky because theres a vogue for posh actors now, which wasnt there when I was a kid  back then, working-class was king. But theyd have to update it a bit, he adds. Back then, all the women were helpless damsels. Now theyd just beat the guy up themselves.

Perhaps the new Saint could be a woman? Why not? he says. Im open to anything.

We Still Steal The Old Way is out on digital download on March 27 and on DVD and Blu-ray on May 11. Once A Saint is out in paperback on May 4
The Replacement

Tuesday, BBC1

Rating:

Big Little Lies

Monday, Sky Atlantic

Rating:

Two female-led dramas this week, which is excellent, but as neither did women any favours, all excitement must be firmly kept in check.

First, the denouement of The Replacement, the three-part psychological thriller that was a wonderfully tense watch, which meant it absolutely worked on that level.

No complaints there. But it left much unanswered and as for its final message about motherhood, it kind of made me want to heave.

This was the All About Eve-style tale of one woman, Paula (Vicky McClure), attempting to steal the life of another woman, Ellen (Morven Christie). Or was she? Who is insanely delusional here?

This was the All About Eve-style tale of one woman, Paula (Vicky McClure), attempting to steal the life of another woman, Ellen (Morven Christie)

Much of the joy came, wardrobe-wise, from the face-off between Cos (Ellen) and Reiss (Paula) and, non-wardrobe-wise, the terrific performances.

McClure was chilling, with her false smiles and the niceness that had oops, sinister and danger written all over it.

Christie, meanwhile, took her character from saintly sanity to obsessional derangement in a way that made you think it could happen; that you could have the loveliest life one minute and be acting like a cornered animal the next, and no amount of Cos tailoring will save you, although its striking asymmetry may prove sufficiently distracting at times.

It was cunningly directed. All those scenes in the glass, open-plan office where either could see they were being talked about but couldnt hear. Or that gut-twisting moment when Ellen arrives at Paulas house and sees though the window that Paula, having moved in on her job, now seems to have appropriated her family.

True, the plot was often barely credible. One plot point required leaving a baby to nap on a windowsill as you do? A woman plunges to her death and the police say suicide without any further investigation? But as you knew you had signed up for an all-out melodrama you were probably prepared to let all that go, just as you were, for instance, prepared to let go how ruthlessly telegenic everyone was.

The husbands. The boss. The social workers. I am sure there are some supremely dishy social workers, yet even so. But you couldnt overlook everything. It even felt like, after a certain point, that this had lost its own marbles. Or did I just not get it? It wouldnt be the first time, if so, but Ill stick my neck out and ask if you were just as baffled.

Why was Kay in touch with Georgia? Why was Ellen trapped in the car that had killed Caris? How did Ellen know Lia was in the library? Did we ever find out what Paulas lipstick was doing in the bosss bathroom? And as for the message, it was plainly this: working mothers are bad mothers. Ians mother said as much.

The final scene showed that Ellen had decided to swap being a high-achieving architect in favour of devoting herself to her daughter, was now happy and fulfilled, and was about to be rewarded in the form of the dishy boss. And thats when I wished to heave. (And I did. A little.)

HBO has repeatedly said that Big Little Lies is not, not, not the new Desperate Housewives, but here is the news: it is, is, is. Pretty much.

The major difference, I suppose, is that instead of all not being what it seems behind the white picket fences of Wisteria Lane, all is not what it seems behind the doors of magnificent oceanfront houses.

This suburban noir has an A-list cast featuring Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman and follows four mothers who live in Monterey, California, and have children at the same elementary school.

Madeline (Witherspoon) and Celeste (Kidman) are fabulously wealthy but, of course, secretly unhappy. (Madeline pines for her ex; Celeste is in an abusive marriage; the clue is in the title.)

Jane (Shailene Woodley) is new to the area and a part-time bookkeeper who sleeps with a gun under her pillow.

Renata (Laura Dern) is a corporate warrior so they all hate her. (What is it about scriptwriters and working mothers vs stay-at-home mothers? Do they imagine its gang warfare out there? That its best not to walk the streets at night, in case you find yourself caught between the two?)

Every character is shallow, bitchy and awful, while the talky script tells everyone what they would already know. (Would you have to point out to someone that their daughter is your daughters half-sister? Twice? In the same conversation?)

The characters may develop beyond caricature but, thus far, they are simply negative female stereotypes, while Witherspoons performance, which is very Legally Blonde, is wholly out of register with everyone elses.

Why does she think shes in a comedy when the rest of the cast are playing it straight? And I forgot to say: the framing device is a murder, so were spooling back in time to find out who murdered whom at some gala charity event, as attended by all the mothers.

Is it too much to hope that an assassin mowed them all down? Guessing so. Pity.
Michelangelo & Sebastiano

The National Gallery, London Until June 25

Rating:

There is a genuinely jaw-dropping moment at the heart of this revelatory exhibition dedicated to the High Renaissance master Michelangelo Buonarroti and his brilliant acolyte, the Venetian Sebastiano del Piombo.

The show is arranged over six rooms that follow Michelangelo and Sebastiano from their first meeting in 1511, through their joint development of a Roman style in tandem with Raphael, and their eventual separation.

By halfway round youll be dizzy with the rediscovery of Sebastianos forgotten genius in big, ambitious oils such as the The Raising Of Lazarus.

Sebastiano's The Virgin And Child, 1517. We will never know if Sebastiano was Michelangelos lover but they lived in each others pockets

On the next wall Sebastianos Lamentation Over The Dead Christ, from the Hermitage museum in St Petersburg, joins Christs Descent Into Limbo, from the Prado in Madrid, for the first time since they were separated in 1646 (a 17th-century copy of Christ Appearing To The Apostles completes the broken-up triptych).

Then you come to Room Fours wide doorway. Inside, two life-size Michelangelo sculptures of The Risen Christ hover at head height, bathed in an apparently heavenly glow.

The one at the back is a plaster copy of the original that never leaves Romes church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva.

Sebastianos Lamentation Over The Dead Christ, the Viterbo Pieta, 1512-16

In the Eternal City, Catholic decency requires that Christ wears a bronze loincloth, but here the muscular saviour, Michelangelos fully realised synthesis of Christianity and the classical world, steps forward with unfettered loins.

Before him, miraculously, stands another Risen Christ, known as the Giustiniani  the original marble version abandoned when Michelangelo discovered a vein of dark stone as he carved the face. The pairing knocks you back on your feet.

There are more wonders and some surprises, including a computer-mapped facsimile of Sebastianos frescoes of The Transfiguration and Flagellation Of Christ (drawn by Michelangelo) in the Borgherini chapel. But the pairing of the Risen Christs is a world first.

Another of Sebastiano's Lamentation Over The Dead Christ (1516)

Gazing upon the finished Risen Christ in 1521  harder today in Santa Maria sopra Minerva, where visitors are obliged to feed coins into a meter for the spotlight  an awestruck Sebastiano said: One knee is worth all Rome.

The two men  Michelangelo the Tuscan country boy born in 1475 who became the greatest artist who ever lived; Sebastiano, the lute-playing Venetian ten years his junior who swaggered into Rome in 1511  became remarkably close.

Sebastiano was invited on to the scaffold for an on-the-spot view of Michelangelos progress on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and in moving letters displayed on the gallery wall Sebastiano writes to Michelangelo of the love I have of you.

Yet it was not love that sealed the partnership but bitter rivalry with Raphael, a painter Michelangelo damned for stealing figures from the Sistine Chapel and placing them in the Stanze, or Raphael Rooms, the fabulous decorated Vatican staterooms two floors above the Sistine.

Michelangelo's The Risen Christ (The Giustiniani Christ). Michelangelo's sculptures of The Risen Christ hover at head height, bathed in an apparently heavenly glow

Michelangelo complained of Raphael: Everything he did in art he got from me. Unfortunately, everything Raphael did tended to be painted in oil with a facility that Michelangelo  master of fresco, sculpture and architecture  lacked.

Sebastiano had that facility in spades, as a smaller oil, Judith (or Salome?), of a woman in luminous blue silk, reveals.

In return, Michelangelo offered an unparalleled ability with the human form that gave the world David, The Creation Of Adam and the heart-breaking Pieta, completed when he was only 24, that stands in St Peters and is represented here in plaster but is no less powerful.

The artists were different in temperament and approach, as two pictures in the show illustrate.

Sebastianos unfinished The Judgement Of Solomon bears the marks of a man willing to improvise.

Sebastiano's Christ's Descent Into Limbo, 1516, comes from the Prado in Madrid

Michelangelos The Entombment, also unfinished, is heavily plotted, sculptural in its intensity.

But their collaboration worked, nowhere more so than in Sebastianos The Raising Of Lazarus, the very first entry into the National Gallerys collection, acquired in 1824.

Michelangelo took on Lazarus and the workmen around him; Sebastiano took on Christ and the onlookers repelled by the stench of decay.

Lazarus, face still grimy from the tomb and leg cocked to flex off rigor mortis, moves his right arm across his body to push away the winding sheet, eye fixed on the Christ who has delivered him.

It is both an astonishing and intensely moving painting, and mattered all the more to Sebastiano and Michelangelo because, like Raphaels Transfiguration, it had been commissioned for the cathedral at Narbonne.

Sebastianos unfinished The Judgement Of Solomon bears the marks of a man willing to improvise

Why the great enmity with Raphael? Simply the resentment of men jostling for the Popes favour? A feud between one homosexual artist and another so vigorously heterosexual that his death was allegedly caused by a night of too much sex?

We will never know if Sebastiano was Michelangelos lover but they lived in each others pockets. Sebastianos Lamentation Over The Dead Christ is one of the most striking images in the show and features the first nocturnal landscape.

Unlike Michelangelos Pieta, here Mary, her eyes to the heavens, sits apart from her dead son.

But go round the back and youll find Michelangelo has, in a few sketched lines on the wood-wormed poplar boards, been working on figures for the Sistine ceiling.

IT'S A FACT In The Agony And The Ecstasy, with Charlton Heston, the 'paint' dripping into Michelangelo's mouth from the Sistine ceiling is really chocolate pudding. Advertisement

The friendship of more than 25 years ended in the Sistine Chapel, when Michelangelos first attempt at The Last Judgement, encouraged by Sebastiano, ran into trouble.

When Sebastiano died in 1547, Michelangelo  hurt, old and perhaps a little cranky by then  dismissed him as a lazy artist.

The claim was manifestly untrue, as this remarkable show, bringing major works together in celebration of their respect and love for each other, proves.

But you might want to go to Room Four first.

ALSO WORTH SEEING

Madonnas And Miracles

Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge Until June 4

Its a bold call to make in March, of course, but Madonnas & Miracles is surely the exhibition of the year.

Based on a holy trinity of solid scholarship, thoughtful installation and fascinating exhibits, it also overturns preconceptions about the Renaissance. Not bad for a show thats free to enter.

In the exhibition were shown that the Renaissance wasnt quite the era of worldliness and secularisation that many today suggest  life was still marked by profoundly observed religious devotion.

A jewelled cross pendant. Madonnas & Miracles is surely the exhibition of the year

We also see how wrong the old generalisation is that Protestant families in Northern Europe practised their Christianity privately at home, while Catholics did so publicly (through priests) in churches.

In fact, religion was highly domesticated in Italy too  and there are 150 exhibits here to prove it.

Among them are a comb bearing an image of the Annunciation, a cup with St Franciss image at the bottom, an inkstand in the form of a Nativity scene, a jewelled cross pendant, and a set of knives engraved with lyrics and musical notation, encouraging diners to sing their thanks to God before every meal.

In short, the everyday was invested with the spiritual. When we think of the Italian Renaissance, masterpieces by Leonardo and Raphael come to mind, but you wont find any of those here. Instead, these are objects with a personal touch.

A comb bearing an image of the Annunciation. The exhibition shows how the everyday was invested with the spiritual

For instance, a drawing of the dead Christ, in which areas of the paper have been abraded through excess touching and kissing.

Or an unassuming, wooden doll of the baby Jesus. Women were often given such dolls upon marriage and told to dress, cradle and adore them in preparation for having children.

The curators look beyond Venice and Florence and include pieces from across Italy.

These pieces belonged to folk from up and down the social scale, too: a wealthy Italians rosary beads (made out of rock crystal) can be seen alongside a poorer ones equivalent (made out of rosewood).

The show has been laid out to resemble a Renaissance home. We enter and exit through arched doorways, the walls are painted green (as was contemporary fashion), and dim lighting helps create an atmosphere of religious quietude.

The most eye-catching exhibits are a wall of ex-voti: small, wooden tablets painted to express gratitude for a miracle.

Hence we see scenes of a man surviving a fire in his cellar, a woman surviving a difficult childbirth, and a girl surviving a fall into a vat of wine  all attributed to divine intervention.

In many ways, the exhibitions final object is the most remarkable. Its just a small book of spiritual sonnets by the poet Vittoria Colonna, but it was owned by Michelangelo, who also signed the copy.

Alastair Smart
Staunch nationalist and former RSS man Trivendra Singh Rawat has taken over as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.

He was unanimously elected as BJP's legislature party leader by party MLAs in Dehradun on Friday.

Having defeated Congress by bagging almost 80 per cent majority in the 70- member house, the BJP chose the former RSS man as its chief ministerial candidate who is party in-charge for Jharkhand and helped the saffron party bag power there in the last elections.

Trivendra Singh Rawat was greeted by supporters after he was elected as the legislative party leader

'We will follow in the footsteps of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is running a corruption-free government,' Rawat said soon after he came out of the party meeting.

'Our first priority would be to give a corruption free government to the people of Uttarakhand.'

He will take over as the eighth chief minister of the state in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah.

RSS volunteers out on parade after a training session during a training camp at Gandhi Nagar

Rawat is from a military family as his father joined the army in the British era and served in the post independence times also.

As one of the nine siblings, Rawat made his mark as a ABVP leader and was leading the student union in Srinagar Garhwal University in Uttarakhand where he completed his education.

A staunch army enthusiast, he has been associated with several organisations working for the welfare of army personnel and their families.

Rawat also organised a function to congratulate the sister of Indian prisoner Sarabjit, who was killed by inmates in a jail in Pakistan, who alleged he was a RAW spy.

The chief minister-elect of Uttarakhand also has a large number of friends in army circles and is known to be raising their grievances and issues at different platforms.

At the legislature party meeting in Dehradun, Rawat's name was proposed by the other two contenders for the Chief Minister post - Prakash Pant and Satpal Maharaj - MLAs from Pithoragarh and Chaubattakhal respectively.

Soon after the meeting, Shyam Jaju who is in charge of the party's affairs in the state, described Rawat as the most suitable choice for the new post, since he was a leader who had both organisational and ministerial experience having served as BJP's organisation secretary and a minister.

'Rawat is a leader who has both organisational and ministerial experience. He is perfectly equipped to give the state the kind of leadership it needs, 'he said.

Suspense on UP CM to be over today

Suspense remained on BJP's chief ministerial pick in Uttar Pradesh as newly-elected MLAs are all set to meet today to elect the leader, with union minister Manoj Sinha among the front runners.

The new chief minister of Uttar Pradesh along with his cabinet colleagues would take oath at 5pm on March 19 at Kanshiram Smriti Upvan, governor Ram Naik said in a statement in Lucknow.

State BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi said that the legislature party meeting will be held today at Lok Bhawan the newly constructed chief minister's office located adjacent to the UP BJP office.

BJP woman workers celebrating the party's victory in Assembly elections

Central observers - union minister M Venkaiah Naidu and national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav - will remain present at the meeting to elect the chief minister.

Besides Sinha, home minister and former state chief minister Rajnath Singh and state party chief Keshav Prasad Maurya are being projected as strong nominees for the post by their party.

All these leaders in their interactions with the media have played down their chances with Sinha turning poetic on Friday, citing a verse which translates as 'desires are treacherous, and change once fulfilled'.

A BJP worker holds a huge laddu during the celebration of the party's victory in UP and Uttarakhand Assembly elections

Naa mujhe kisi race kaa pata hai, naa main kisi race main hun (neither do I know about any race, nor am I in any race), Sinha told reporters outside Parliament when asked if he was in the race to become the chief minister of the country's politically most important state.

Maurya, who was discharged following his hospitalisation on Friday after he complained of uneasiness, is seen as a favourite if the party opts for an OBC face.

He parried questions and said the state legislature party will decide on the chief minister on Friday.

Sources said a relatively lesser known leader cannot be ruled out.
Fresh from his party's success in Uttar Pradesh, BJP president Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity and the effective implementation of pro-poor schemes led the party to a landslide win in the Hindi heartland.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave in Mumbai, Shah said he had been confident that the BJP would get two-third majority in UP.

'There is no way one can calculate a wave, but we were sure that if we cross 240, then the final tally could settle at any number,' Shah said.

Saffron ascending? BJP President Amit Shah

The BJP president did not consider a Bihar-like grand alliance for the 2019 election a worthy challenger to the Modi government.

He said two major parties had joined hands in UP, but it did not yield the desired results for them.

Shah said that the huge mandate in BJP's favour in the assembly elections has forced a change in the political discourse of the country.

'The results have shown that caste politics, dynasty politics and appeasement politics will not work and only politics of performance can win the voter,' Shah, who is now being hailed as the 'Chanakya' of Indian politics, said.

Replying to Hyderabad AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi's statement at the Conclave that the verdict in UP was exclusive and not inclusive, Shah said that the BJP never said that it did not want Muslim votes.

'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas is not about giving tickets, but ensuring that development reaches all sections of society, including the minorities,' the BJP president said.

Accused by the Opposition of 'stealing' the mandate in Goa and Manipur where the BJP did not get the maximum seats, Shah said that his party polled more vote share than the Congress in both the states.

Modi said, 'I am seeing a new India, the India of the dreams of the youth. A new India that fulfills the aspirations of our women. A new India that is about opportunities for the poor'.

'In a hung assembly, whichever party can prove its majority in the House forms the government,' the BJP president said, adding that the victory in Manipur shows that the party has now reached almost every corner of the country.

Promising a pro-development government in UP, he said that the BJP government would not indulge in politics of discrimination and fast-track development projects to dust off the 'BIMARU' tag from the largest state of India.

When asked if demonetisation worked to the BJP's advantage in the assembly elections, Shah said that the decision was not taken for electoral gains, but for the benefit of society and to curb black money.

Without Modi's credibility and authoritative leadership, it is doubtful that the BJP would have done so well against a well known regional party and leader

However, he was quick to add that the mandate shows people are fully behind Modi's decision.

He ducked the million-dollar question on who will be the next chief minister of UP however.

Shah said that the party is now focusing on the upcoming elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat.

Shah said that the BJP's definition of a Congress-mukt India is an India that is free of the disease of corruption and dynasty politics.
A group of Muslim women lawyers and activists have come together to demand an action for repeal of triple talaq from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

They claimed women across India - in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, - were pained by the practice, and local courts and police officers are also not sympathetic to their woes.

The laywer say that the lack of education and respect for women was harming them and the government must address this issue appropriately.

Triple talaq is a controversial law that allows Muslim men to divorce their wives by saying 'I divorce you' three times (file pic)

The programme was held at the Vithal Bhai Patel House in New Delhi. 'Muslims have realised that BJP is not against them.

'That is the reason the party received their votes in Uttar Pradesh, from both Muslim men and women. Just look at the candidates Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati fielded. They have clear criminal cases against them,' said Shehnaz Afzal, a resident of Kashmere Gate.

'More so, Mulayam Singh Yadav says 'bachchon se aisi galtiyan ho jati hain' (boys commit such mistakes) when rapes happen,' she added.

Another participant, Rehmani, said, 'Triple talaq is a black spot on our community. Men divorce women by uttering the three words using excuses like 'she is too short,' 'she is not beautiful,' 'she doesn't cook good food,' and such.

A group of Muslim women lawyers and activists have come together to demand an action for repeal of triple talaq from Prime Minister Narendra Modi (file pic)

'Are these valid reasons for divorcing a woman who you married willingly and in your full senses?'

'Nobody listens to these women thereafter', said Fatma Begum from Nangloi, adding, 'Families abandon them. They are left with no financial means to raise kids and they are also scared away at local police stations.'

Saima Nizami felt that Muslim women are leading dark lives. She said, 'Nobody bothers about their education, especially if they are from economically weak backgrounds.

The lawyers say that the lack of education and respect for women was harming them and the government must address this issue appropriately (file pic)

We have been working in groups to impart them training in various skills, educate them on health and sanitation, and take classes on personality development.' On Friday, RSS-affiliated body Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) claimed that it has already received one million signatures on its petition against triple talaq.

Union Minister for Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad also said at the Gujarat National Law University on Saturday that 'Muslim women affected by triple talaq voted for the BJP in good numbers' during the recent Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections,leading to their massive win.
Bounce: Manager Colin Croft remains upbeat despite a baptism of fire at the trust

When Colin Croft took the helm at Jupiter Emerging European Opportunities Fund in early 2014, he must have thought that opportunity knocks.

Having co-managed it for the previous four years with the highly regarded but financial crisis-weary Elena Shaftan and been involved with it as an analyst since 2006, it was finally his moment to grab the spotlight.

But Croft has not had an easy time of it. Both 2014 and 2015 were difficult years as the fund suffered from the economic sanctions imposed on Russia as a result of its actions in Ukraine.

It is only in the past 15 months that the fund's fortunes have turned around for the better.

Remarkably, Croft has stayed in good spirits. 'Yes 2014 and 2015 were difficult years, and before them all the fallout caused by the 2008 financial crisis,' he says.

'But as an investment manager, you have to accept short-term volatility and cling to the belief that long-term your investment approach will work.'

The performance numbers are certainly a mixed bag. Over the past year, the fund has returned 43 per cent, buoyed primarily by rising oil prices.

Croft's 42-strong portfolio is heavily skewed towards oil and gas stocks, as well as financials.

But over ten years, losses of 3.6 per cent have been registered.

Since launch in 2002, the numbers are far more impressive, with an overall return of 333 per cent, against 106 per cent for the FTSE All-Share Index.

The immediate future looks rosier than for a long time.

He says: 'The Russian stock market had a great 2016, up in sterling terms by more than 80 per cent.

Despite this bounce, company valuations still look attractive and there are dividend yields of six per cent available.

'There is also the Donald Trump factor. The US President has said some nice things about Vladimir Putin and Russia.

'In time, it might lead to an easing of sanctions, but then it might not.

'All the same, the Russian economy is in slow expansion mode.

'Yes, Russian politics are difficult to grasp, but it does not mean you cannot make money from Russian equities.'

'Yes Russian politics are difficult to grasp, but it does not mean you cannot make money from Russian equities'

The biggest contributor to the fund's recent performance is Russia's Sberbank.

Now representing more than nine per cent of the fund's portfolio, Croft is reluctant to take profits. 'Its share price still looks cheap,' he maintains.

Though the fund's biggest geographic exposure is Russia (57 per cent), Croft has holdings in six other eastern European stock markets. While Poland is the next largest, he is most excited about Romania.

He says: 'The economy is in growth mode and competitive labour costs mean companies are keen to build factories there. It also has low debt, both at a consumer and government level.'

His biggest Romanian holding is Banca Transilvania. Croft believes eastern European economies are on track to enjoy at least five years of 'high growth'.

He is also pleased that corporate governance standards are improving there, giving him more comfort when scrutinising company accounts.

Bosses of most of the companies he holds shares in also visit London regularly, while he goes to eastern Europe at least once a year.

'I see the fund as a diversification asset for UK investors', he says.
Waitrose and Tesco are leading the way in taking on more small British suppliers, according to a new report.

Buying British In 2017, by supply chain member organisation GS1 UK, said that of the major supermarkets, Tesco as Britain's largest retailer, has afforded the most opportunities to GS1 UK's new joiners over the past five years, trading with 33 per cent of them.

But Britain's seventh-largest supermarket, Waitrose, sits in second place, defying its 5.3 per cent market share by providing opportunities to 18 per cent of GS1 UK's new joiners.

In fashion: Premium preserves and dressing producer Mammy Jamia boss Andrew Cairns, says it is essential to buy British

Many of the 2,500 local and regional products Waitrose stocks regularly outsell their big brand equivalents.

Asda and Morrisons came at the bottom of the list of supermarkets, offering opportunities to 8 per cent and 3 per cent of joiners respectively.

They were beaten by Lidl, Co-operative, Iceland, Sainsbury's, and Aldi.

Morrisons last week revealed more than 500 small producers have signed up to its new search for local and British food in the first two weeks since launch. It has started its local food search in Yorkshire, with suppliers showcasing products to its buyers and customers.

GS1 UK, with a community of more than 31,000 UK firms, found an uptick in modest-sized new joiners in 2016 compared with previous years, as shoppers increasingly want food, drink and clothing to show their local heritage and have a smaller carbon footprint.

In 2016, 78 per cent of new members had a turnover of 500,000 or less, compared with 58 per cent of all members in 2015, showing a strong shift towards smaller businesses.

The clothing industry was the most significant source of new joiners in 2016, with 21 per cent of firms coming from this field, pushing their total numbers beyond 4,000.

Local hero: Tesco as Britain's largest retailer, has afforded the most opportunities to GS1 UK's new joiners over the past five years, trading with 33 per cent of them

Following various sweatshop controversies, consumers now pay more attention to the 'Made in' labels in garments.

And a 'Made in Britain' tag is increasingly important to buyers not just here, but around the globe, with a 25 per cent rise in the export of British-made clothes since 2011.

Businesses in the food and groceries sector account for the largest single slice of GS1 UK's membership at 20 per cent. The sector is also one of the fastest-growing, with 12 per cent of new joiners in 2016 originating from it as shoppers seek to buy British.

The British beer brewing sector has grown from just 140 breweries in 1970 to more than 1,700. The number of gin distilleries has doubled in six years and sales of the spirit recently surpassed 1 billion for the first time.

Gary Lynch, chief executive of GS1 UK, said: 'Buying British is back in vogue and it's the smaller firms that are driving this trend. Heritage, provenance and traceability are no longer nice-to-haves.'

Meanwhile, Andrew Cairns, chief executive at Mammy Jamia's, a premium preserves and dressing producer, said: 'Buying British food and grocery is essential for the sustainability of UK food businesses, food self-sufficiency, jobs and growth'.
Boost: Peter and Valerie Woodward bought a second home in Spain

Older homeowners with interest-only mortgages they cannot pay off at the end of the term are being offered more ways to stay in their homes.

By releasing equity from a property, it is possible to clear the debt, meaning a homeowner can live there until they die or go into long-term care.

In the past, those whose homes were not mortgage-free had limited options for equity release.

Although they are now rare, interest-only mortgages were widely sold in the late 1980s and early 1990s by commission-hungry salesmen who assured borrowers that if they invested in the stock market, rather than repay the loan, they would have extra cash at the end of the term.

This is a promise many borrowers are finding has been broken as their mortgages mature after 25 years.

Yorkshire Building Society has just teamed up with equity release specialist Age Partnership to give such borrowers access to the full range of equity release options.

Andrew Clare, Yorkshire's senior risk and customer operations manager, says: 'The equity release sector grew last year at a record level.

Those using it to repay interest-only mortgages fuelled a significant part and that is likely to continue.'

But equity release is not to be rushed into. Family members need to be involved because it affects the size of inheritance left to children. With many types of plan available, independent advice is vital.

Lifetime mortgages are the most popular form of equity release. Here a loan is secured against the home with interest payments added to the outstanding balance.

How much can be borrowed depends on age. A 55-year-old may be offered a fifth of their home's value, but older homeowners can borrow up to half. The loan is repaid from the sale of the home when the surviving owner dies or goes into care.

In the past, this left homeowners with few possibilities, if they found they needed more  or less  money.

Other options for mortgage shortfalls Equity release is not the only solution for those facing shortfalls on their mortgage. Other options exist. Moving to a cheaper property  known as downsizing  is the most straightforward. Yet this will only work if sufficient cash is left after the sale to buy somewhere that is comfortable. Another option is to convert an interest-only mortgage to a repayment loan, but this may not be easy in later life. It will depend upon the ability to satisfy the lending criteria of the loan provider and to meet the mortgage repayments. If repayments prove a struggle, family members may be prepared to give or lend money to meet any mortgage shortfall  particularly if they stand to be eventual beneficiaries of the estate.

But Dean Mirfin, technical director at equity release specialist Key Retirement, says many lifetime mortgages now provide borrowers with payment flexibility. This includes the right to make monthly interest payments before switching without penalty to a roll-up loan.

Borrowers can also ring-fence some of their home's value as a future inheritance for children. Other plans allow ad hoc repayments. Mirfin says: 'There are schemes that allow voluntary repayments of up to 10 per cent per year without penalty.'

Some schemes allow equity to be drawn down in stages, again slowing the build-up of interest. Tom Moloney, at Age Partnership, says this is sensible, adding: 'Many plans offer a pre-approved further borrowing facility should you need more funds.'

Planholders are given a 'no negative equity' guarantee, which means that on the death of a homeowner their beneficiaries are not chased for any shortfall on the sale of the family home from other assets.

The best variable rates on a lifetime mortgage are about 3 per cent, while the lowest fixed rate is 3.92 per cent. On an 80,000 lifetime mortgage, the set up costs will be about 2,500. Specialist providers offer bigger loans to those with certain medical conditions or 'lifestyle' issues, such as a history of smoking.

An alternative to a lifetime mortgage is a home reversion plan. Here, a homeowner sells part or all of their property at the outset in return for a lump sum. They can still live there until death, when the company takes its slice of the proceeds.

The lump sum will typically represent between 30 and 50 per cent of your home's market value.

Moloney urges consumers not to borrow more than they need, and says they should consider flexible mortgages. He says: 'Many offer a pre-approved further borrowing facility should more funds be needed in the future.'

Equity release can fund a variety of retirement plans. Valerie Woodward, 77, and her husband Peter, 83, released equity from their property in Perranporth, Cornwall, four years ago to buy a second home in Spain.

The couple, who ran a restaurant before retiring, now winter in Mar Menor, on Spain's east coast.

They released a third of the value of their British home and were able to give some money to their granddaughter to buy her first property.

Valerie says: 'We discussed what we were doing with our two children and they were happy.

'After taking advice, we went for a fixed-rate lifetime mortgage with Just Retirement. We love our place in Spain and all the family use it as a holiday home.'
Bosses of two leading companies have warned that expelling European Union workers from Britain will deal a massive blow to the economy.

Mike Coupe, chief executive of Sainsbury, said it would be 'unacceptable' to force 8,000 of his staff to leave the UK after Brexit.

Meanwhile, Tim Martin, founder and chairman of pubs group JD Wetherspoon  who was one of the most prominent pro-Brexit business leaders during the referendum campaign  said it was vital that immigration stays close to current levels to keep the economy dynamic.

Booze Baron: Tim Martin, founder and chairman of pubs group JD Wetherspoon said it was vital that immigration stays close to current levels to keep the economy dynamic

Martin, who described himself as a 'liberal' on immigration, said he had supported the Leave campaign because he objected to what he saw as a lack of democracy in the EU. Not because he was against immigration.

Last week, MPs rejected a House of Lords amendment calling on the Government to guarantee the rights of EU citizens already working in the UK as part of its Article 50 Bill.

Theresa May is expected to trigger Article 50 in the next ten days, eventually leading to Britain's exit from the EU. The rights of EU citizens living in the UK will be determined during negotiations at a later stage.

Speaking before the parliamentary votes last week, Coupe, who employs 163,000 workers across Sainsbury's 1,300-store empire, said: 'About 5 per cent of people who work for us are from the European Union.

Plea: Sainsbury's boss Mike Coupe

'If it was decided that those 5 per cent were not allowed to work in the UK, that would be a big deal for us and it would be a big deal for the country more generally. If there is a different set of rules post-Brexit then of course we'll comply with those, but clearly it would be wholly undesirable if people were asked to go home tomorrow.

'For a business like ours, losing 5 per cent of our workforce would be unacceptable.'

He added: 'You can broaden the issue more widely to the food industry. There are 80,000 people who come to pick fruit and vegetables in the UK. Our agricultural industry relies on seasonal labour.'

Coupe's words echoed views expressed earlier this year at the annual National Farmers Union conference, where Environment

Secretary and prominent Leave campaigner Andrea Leadsom was warned that fruit and vegetables could end up 'rotting in fields' if pickers from the EU were not given visas.

Martin added: 'I'm a liberal regarding immigration and we've generally benefited from immigration from both within the EU and outside the EU.'

He made similar remarks in the Cambridge University magazine Varsity earlier this month when he said the ideal amount of immigration was 'about the level we've had in recent years'.

Martin told The Mail on Sunday last week: 'There is a low birth rate in Britain, but we need a gradually rising population in order to be a successful economy.'

He said he favoured regulating immigration by introducing a points-based system. Some argue that such a method could protect highly-skilled migrant workers, but say it would do nothing to help the unskilled EU workers who are heavily represented in the retail, leisure and farming sectors.

Earlier this month, sandwich chain Pret A Manger revealed that just one in every 50 job applications it receives are from British citizens.
Dom or non-dom? HSBC chief Stuart Gulliver

HSBC chief executive Stuart Gulliver may have set up a trust specifically in order to test whether the taxman would accept he was a 'non-dom', according to experts.

It emerged last week that he is being investigated by Revenue & Customs over whether he can claim to be a non-dom  a tax break allowing him to avoid paying tax on foreign earnings.

The probe became public after Gulliver asked a tax tribunal in London to stop the investigation on the grounds that in 2003 the Revenue had classed him as a non-dom.

Gulliver has been asked more than 120 questions about his life going back to 1981 to establish if he is 'domiciled' in Hong Kong as he claims.

He has been resident in the UK for the last 13 years.

In 2002, Gulliver had set up a trust for his family with 273,677  an amount which exceeded the tax-free threshold at the time.

Mark Davies, who runs specialist tax advice agency Mark Davies & Associates, said: 'This is a well-known test.

You set up a trust with slightly more than the nil-rate band.

'If you are UK domiciled you have to pay tax. If you aren't, you don't. You only do it when you are not sure.'

The investigation is continuing.
Burning isue: Energy firms are set to resist Government proposals to cap prices

Energy firms are set to resist Government proposals to cap prices by calling for green taxes to be levied out of general taxation rather than energy bills.

Prime Minister Theresa May said on Friday that the Government was prepared to 'step in' on behalf of consumers in the energy market, noting 'the market is not working as it should'.

City analysts now expect the Government to outline plans for price caps in its markets Green Paper this spring.

But energy firms fiercely oppose capping and will argue that it distorts competition.
Silver lining: The pound's crash has lured overseas shoppers to buy British

Small firms saw sales rocket in the second half of last year as the falling pound lured overseas shoppers to buy British.

The boom was revealed by online payments group PayPal, which showed overseas sales at small and medium-sized firms rose by 34 per cent in the second half of 2016.

Sales rose in the first half, too, but by just 10 per cent.

Mark Brant, PayPal's UK managing director, said: 'When the buying power of international shoppers increased, we expected a surge in online exports. But there were other factors.

The best placed firms were those that had already adapted their online stores, for example by letting customers browse in their own language, and pay in their own currency.'

PayPal's data shows that tens of thousands of firms with a turnover of less than 1 million a year sold online to a new country between July and December 2016.

The top five markets were the US, Germany, Australia, France and Italy.

PayPal said customers in all five were attracted to new products exclusive to the UK. There was a 49 per cent a year rise in fashion and sport exports.

Ian Bristow, of outdoor fashion retailer Blackleaf in Lincolnshire, said: 'We feel like we've become a global company over the last six to nine months.'
Hillary Clinton continued her a gradual return to public spotlight following her presidential election loss on Friday in a St. Patrick's Day.

The speech took place in her late father's Pennsylvania hometown of Scranton, where she said she's 'ready to come out of the woods' and help Americans find common ground.

'I'm like a lot of my friends right now, I have a hard time watching the news,' Clinton told an Irish women's group.

The speech was just a few hours after she took to Twitter to make fun of the Trump administration's first few months in office.

She quoted a tweet written by her former adviser Philippe Reines, who sarcastically pointed out what is obvious to many seasoned politicians- 'Russians spy. Health Care is complicated. Diplomacy is exhausting. Who knew?'

Clinton shared his tweet and added: 'Things I learned today,' in an obvious jab at President Trump.

Hillary Clinton said Friday she's 'ready to come out of the woods' and help Americans find common ground

The speech was just a few hours after she took to Twitter to make fun of the Trump administration's first few months in office

Reine's original tweet, sent around 11:38am on Friday morning, likely refers to a sampling of the newest administration's blunders, the first of which being the relationship with Russia.

The second point mocks the comment by the President when he confessed he didn't know 'health care would be so complicated. His third point likely refers to the President's difficulty with other countries' leaders, such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The president and the German leader endured a frosty meeting at the White House on Friday, with Trump point-blank refusing to shake her hand after she suggested to him they could for a photo-op.

Friday night's speech is one of several Clinton is to deliver in the coming months, including a May 26 commencement address at her alma mater, Wellesley College in Massachusetts.

In her first few months after losing the election she was rarely seen out and about.

Her first public outing was while she was walking her dogs in the woods near Chappaqua, New York on November 10.

In her first few months after losing the election she was rarely seen out and about. Her first public outing was while she was walking her dogs in the woods near Chappaqua, New York on November 10

Clinton's gradual return to the public spotlight following her presidential election loss continued with a St. Patrick's Day speech in her late father's Pennsylvania hometown of Scranton

'I'm like a lot of my friends right now, I have a hard time watching the news,' Clinton told an Irish women's group

Guest speaker Hillary Clinton greets supporters after her speech

During the speech, the former Secretary of State urged a divided country to work together to solve problems, recalling how, as first lady, she met with female leaders working to bring peace to Northern Ireland.

'What can we do to try to bring people together and to try to find that common ground, even higher ground, sister, so that we listen to each other again and we know that we can make a difference?

'I'm not sure it will come out of Washington yet, but I think it can come out of Scranton. Let's find ways to do that,' she told the Society of Irish Women.

During the speech, the former Secretary of State urged a divided country to work together to solve problems, recalling how, as first lady, she met with female leaders working to bring peace to Northern Ireland

Hillary Clinton waves as she arrives at the Society of Irish Women's annual dinner on St. Patrick's Day in her late father's hometown

'I am ready to come out of the woods and to help shine a light on what is already happening around kitchen tables, at dinners like this, to help draw strength that will enable everybody to keep going,' said Clinton, who was spotted taking a walk in the woods around her hometown of Chappaqua, New York, two days after losing the election to Donald Trump.

The Democrat also is working on a book of personal essays that will include some reflections on her loss to Donald Trump.

Clinton was received warmly in Scranton, where her grandfather worked in a lace mill.

Clinton was received warmly in Scranton, where her grandfather worked in a lace mill

Hillary poses for a selfie with a young supporter on Friday after her speech

He left Scranton for Chicago in search of work during the Great Depression, but returned often.

Clinton spent summers at the family's cottage on nearby Lake Winola.

She fondly recalled watching movies stretched across a bed sheet in a neighbor's yard, and told of how the cottage had a toilet but no shower or tub.

'Don't tell anybody this, but we'd go down to the lake,' she quipped.

The Democrat also is working on a book of personal essays that will include some reflections on her loss to Donald Trump

Friday night's speech is one of several she is to deliver in the coming months, including a May 26 commencement address at her alma mater, Wellesley College in Massachusetts

The day before, Hillary Clinton and Huma Abedin were spotted together for the first time in months - with the pair stopping by the Bergdorf Goodman salon for a quick cut and color.

The former Secretary of State was photographed as she made her way to a waiting car after a day spent at the John Barrett Salon, showing off the results of her new $600 haircut and $600 dye job.

It was a softer and lighter look for Hillary, who likely never saw herself spending a Thursday afternoon inside a Fifth Avenue department store across the street from Trump Tower back in October.

Reunited: Hillary Clinton (left) stopped by the John Barrett Salon in Bergdorf Goodman on Thursday with Huma Abedin (right)

Hillary went to Barrett in 2007 and 2015 with Huma (above on Thursday), right around the time she entered the Democratic primary, and last March when she became the likely nominee

This very public and photographed reunion of the Democratic party's favorite female duo comes as rumors continue to circulate about the possibility of Hillary making a bid for mayor of New York City.

Hillary and Huma have remained quiet on the subject, but would have to announce their intentions soon given that the election is this March.

It is worth noting that at the start of both her Democratic primary campaigns in 2009 and 2015, Hillary and Huma made a trip to John Barrett for a slightly new look.

Hillary also visited the salon in March of last year, at around the same time she managed to reach the number of delegates to eventually seize the party nomination two month later, thanks to the support of a majority of super delegates.

Huma meanwhile has stuck by her boss' side ever since her shocking election loss back in November to Trump.
Authorities say a man found dead during a southern Illinois house fire had been shot in the head, and that a gun was found in his ex-wife's SUV after the vehicle plunged into a lake with a three-month-old baby inside who was soon after rescued by a hero paramedic.

The Madison County coroner released preliminary autopsy results Friday for 37-year-old Justin Campbell.

Firefighters found his body after responding to the blaze Thursday at a house where he lived with his ex-wife, 32-year-old Cristy Campbell.

The fire was reported about 15 minutes before her SUV was seen driving into a nearby lake.

Authorities say Justin Campbell (left), 37, who was found dead during a southern Illinois house fire, had been shot in the head, and that a gun was found in the SUV of his ex-wife, Cristy Campbell (right), 32, after the vehicle plunged into a lake with a three-month-old baby inside

The couple's three-month-old infant son (seen above being held by Cristy Campbell as she stands beside her ex-husband and their six children) was inside the submerged SUV when a paramedic dived into the freezing lake and rescued him

The infant boy was lifeless when the paramedic swam into the lake toward the submerged SUV, though the medic managed to resuscitate him. He is expected to survive. The other six children managed to escape their burning home unharmed

Conservation police search Silver Lake in Highland, Ill., on Thursday after Cristy Campbell is believed to have driven her SUV into the water with an infant

Some of the children ran to a nearby Wal-Mart, others to a home in the neighborhood. The children at the Wal-Mart asked an arriving worker to call 911

Cristy Campbell was not in the home when firefighters arrived nor was the couple's infant son

The Campbells' infant son was rescued from the submerged SUV by a paramedic, and six other children survived the house fire.

Cristy Campbell's body was found hours later in the lake.

Coroner Steve Nonn says a gun was found in the SUV.

But he says testing can't be done to determine whether the gun was used to shoot Justin Campbell because the bullet that struck him hasn't been found.

The paramedic who swam into a southern Illinois lake to save a baby says he briefly questioned his decision to jump into the frigid water, but is glad he did.

Paramedic Todd Zobrist spoke at a news conference on Friday, a day after jumping into 46-degree water at Silver Lake near St. Louis and saving 3-month-old Julian Campbell.

Paramedic Todd Zobrist (above) was hailed as a hero after he swam about 75 feet into the lake and performed live-saving CPR on the infant who was inside the submerged SUV

Zobrist says he swam about 75 feet and thought a doll was floating inside the SUV, but realized he was holding a baby when he reached inside the vehicle.

Zobrist performed CPR on the roof of the SUV, then swam the infant to shore. The baby is expected to survive.

Authorities say the boy's mother was driving the SUV that plunged into the lake Thursday morning, about 15 minutes after a fatal fire erupted at the family's nearby home.

The mother, 32-year-old Cristy Lynn Campbell, was found dead in the lake hours later.

The coroner in Madison County, Illinois, released the information confirming Cristy Campbell to be the mother earlier Friday as investigators try to untangle the events that preceded her death.

A fire broke out at her home around 5:15am Thursday in nearby Glen Carbon, Illinois. Six children escaped, but their father, Justin Campbell, died.

About 15 minutes later, an SUV was spotted driving into Silver Lake, about 16 miles away in Highland, Illinois.

A paramedic found Campbell's 3-month-old son in the car and saved him.

Court records showed that Cristy Campbell and Justin Campbell had a volatile relationship.

In 2005, before they were married, Justin Campbell was charged with domestic abuse for allegedly attacking Cristy Campbell, then known as Cristy Brueggemann, by slapping her in the head when she was pregnant.

He was sentenced in March 2006 to probation and fined $500.

Despite the violence they married on Nov. 3, 2006. She filed for legal separation in September 2010, but the matter was dismissed two months later.

Court records showed that Cristy Campbell (left) and Justin Campbell (right) had a volatile relationship

In 2005, before they were married, Justin Campbell was charged with domestic abuse for allegedly attacking Cristy Campbell, then known as Cristy Brueggemann, by slapping her in the head when she was pregnant

In April 2012, Cristy Campbell obtained an emergency protection order against her husband and filed for divorce, alleging in court papers that he 'abuses me on a weekly basis,' including punching and choking her.

'He has told me that I'm a no good wife,' Campbell wrote in her application for the protection order.

The divorce was granted in February 2013.

A body is recovered near Silver Lake in Highland, Illinois, on Thursday after a car with an infant was pulled from the lake

Firefighters and other emergency workers at the scene near Silver Lake where the submerged SUV was found

The infant is being treated at a St. Louis hospital after the car the child was in rolled into the lake

Despite these reports, a manager at Bob Evans restaurant in Collinsville, where Justin Campbell was an employee, said the staff is distraught, and told STL today that Campbell was 'an outstanding guy who loved his kids'.

Lakin said Glen Carbon police have answered several calls to Campbell's home, including some 'domestic-related situations,' but he declined to elaborate.

'The Glen Carbon Police Department was aware of that house,' Lakin said.

Authorities said the children are with Illinois authorities and will be placed with relatives.
The US government took the legal battle over President Donald Trump's travel ban to a higher court on Friday, saying it would appeal a federal judge's decision that struck down parts of the ban on the day it was set to go into effect.

The Department of Justice said in a court filing it would appeal a ruling by US District Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia.

Chuang on Thursday issued an emergency halt to the portion of Trump's March 6 executive order temporarily banning the entry of travelers from six Muslim-majority countries. He left in place the section of the order that barred the entry of refugees to the United States for four months.

Fight: US President Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One at the Palm Beach International Airport to spend part of the weekend at Mar-a-Lago resort on March 17

US District Judge Derrick Watson in Hawaii struck down both sections of the ban in a broader court ruling that prevented Trump's order from moving forward.

The decisions came in response to lawsuits brought by states' attorneys general in Hawaii and refugee resettlement agencies in Maryland who were represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Immigration Law Center.

Detractors argue the ban discriminated against Muslims in violation of the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of religious freedom.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said at a press briefing the government would 'vigorously defend this executive order' and appeal the 'flawed rulings.'

Struck down: US District Judge Derrick Watson ruled that Trump's revised travel ban was unconstitutional on Wednesday

He said the plan was to appeal at the 4th Circuit first and then seek clarification of Hawaii's ruling before appealing to the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

The 9th Circuit court last month upheld a decision that halted an original, more sweeping travel ban signed by the President on Jan. 27. The new executive order was reissued with the intention of overcoming the legal concerns.

Trump has vowed to take the fight all the way to U.S. Supreme Court.
Hundreds of British troops and tanks are on their way to an EU border with Russia in the biggest show of force against Moscow since the Cold War.

An advance guard of some 120 troops touched down last night at an air base in Estonia, a country which borders Russia and sees Moscow as a threat to the West.

Three hundred vehicles will arrive by next week, including Warrior infantry fighting vehicles, Challenger 2 tanks and AS90 artillery weapons.

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Hundreds of British troops and tanks are on their way to the Russian border in the biggest show of force against Moscow since the Cold War. They have touched down in Estonia. Pictured, vehicles being deployed to Poland

120 soldiers have already arrived in the country, with 300 vehicles arriving by the end of next week. Pictured, workers moving vehicles bound for Poland in Germany

More troops will follow, bringing the UK total to around 800 by next month  all there at Estonias request  as part of a major Nato deployment to Eastern Europe.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said the move was about standing up to Russian aggression.

He said: In the face of an increasingly assertive Russia, Nato is stepping up its commitment to collective defence.

The arrival of 120 British troops this weekend marks the start of our largest ever deployment to Eastern Europe.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said the move was about standing up to Russian aggression. Pictured, mechanics change the rubber parts on AS90 tracks before deployment to Estonia

The vehicles being sent to Estonia include Warrior infantry fighting vehicles, Challenger 2 tanks and AS90 artillery weapons (pictured)

By the end of next month, we will have 800 British troops, with armour, with tanks, ready to help reassure our allies and to underline our commitment to the security of Europe.

And this isnt just about the Baltic states, this is about NATO, this is about NATO standing up to Russian aggression and being ready to defend and deter.

He added: British troops will play a leading role in Estonia and support our US allies in Poland, as part of wider efforts to defend NATO.

The UK is taking a leading role alongside other nations in Natos Enhanced Forward Presence designed to respond quickly to any threat from Russia

A further 150 British troops will also be sent to Poland. Pictured, Jackal armoured vehicles arrive in Germany in preparation for deployment to Poland

Our rising defence budget means we can support those deployments in the long-term and strengthen our commitment to European security.

Commanding Officer of 5 Rifles Lieutenant Colonel Mark Wilson added: The UK and Estonia have a long and proud history of serving together, including in Afghanistan, so it is an honour to lead 5 RIFLES on this deployment as a part of NATOs enhanced Forward Presence.

'My soldiers are looking forward to again be working, training and exercising alongside their Estonian counterparts.

The UK is taking a leading role alongside other nations in Natos Enhanced Forward Presence designed to respond quickly to any threat from Russia.

Some 150 British personnel are also deploying to Poland.

Commanding Officer of 5 Rifles Lieutenant Colonel Mark Wilson added: The UK and Estonia have a long and proud history of serving together. Pictured, soldiers from the 20th Armoured Infantry Battalion
A schoolgirl has been left with first-degree burns after her Samsung mobile phone exploded in her lap and set fire to her skirt.

Brooklyn McDonald, 15, was being driven to Mooroolbark College, east of Melbourne, on Friday morning when her Samsung Galaxy S4 burst into flames.

The terrified teenager screamed as her clothes caught fire, with the blaze then spreading to the car's upholstery as her panicked aunt desperately tried to stamp out the fire.

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A schoolgirl has been left with first-degree burns after her Samsung mobile phone exploded in her lap and set fire to her skirt

Brooklyn McDonald, 15, was being driven to Mooroolbark College, east of Melbourne, on Friday morning when her Samsung Galaxy S4 burst into flames

Courtney Handley, whose 'scared' 18-month-old son was also in the car, told The Sydney Morning Herald she heard the device 'hissing' before it blew up.

'There was a big pop and there was smoke everywhere inside the car,' she said.

'There were flames and burns to her lap, burns in the middle of the car and then the battery flew out of her phone and landed onto the ground at her feet.

'I was trying to stamp out the fire while she was screaming, I pulled over, got out of the car and made sure she was alright. She was pretty hysterical.'

Shocking photographs of Brooklyn's skirt show how the fire burned all the way through her clothes, leaving her in agony.

Ms Handley drove the teenager to hospital where she was treated for first and second-degree burns to her thighs.

Samsung said the battery inside the teenager's phone was counterfeit. The charred remains of Brooklyn's phone are pictured

The phone was not charging at the time but Brooklyn did have headphones plugged in, Ms Handley said.

Samsung told The Sydney Morning Herald the battery inside the teenager's phone was counterfeit.

'We are currently in touch with the teen's parents and are assisting the family,' a spokesman said.

'Samsung has examined photos of the device and it is clear to us that the battery is non-genuine and a counterfeit product.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Samsung for further comment.

Samsung's phones have been plagued with issues in recent months, with the Galaxy Note 7 device recalled after several exploded.

The fiasco cost the South Korean company billions of dollars lost profit and left its reputation in tatters.

Internal and independent investigations 'concluded that batteries were found to be the cause of the Note 7 incidents', Samsung said in a statement.
Hundreds of Marines who were members of a Facebook group that allegedly disseminated thousands of nude photos of Marine servicewomen as well as female veterans and civilians have been identified, according to the Marine Corps Times.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is making progress in the investigation, a Democratic House lawmaker told the newspaper.

NCIS is trying to determine whether the members of the Facebook group Marines United shared the photos without the consent of those photographed.

The members of Marines United are also suspected of harassing women online.

Marines United has since been shut down. That apparently prompted members of the defunct page to found Marines United 2.0, which was also terminated, according to Inquisitr.

Hundreds of Marines who were members of a Facebook group that allegedly disseminated thousands of nude photos of Marine servicewomen as well as female veterans and civilians have been identified. A similar Facebook page, Marines United 3.0, is seen above

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is trying to determine whether the members of the Facebook group Marines United shared the photos without the consent of those photographed. A few of the photos (above) of servicewomen were disseminated

At least 20 victims have now come forward to complain that explicit photos of them are being shared online by active duty and retired members of the Marine Corps and others, investigators say

There is now a Facebook group called Marines United 3.0. Its logo features the famous Marine landing of Iwo Jima, although instead of an American flag, the banner they are carrying reads 'Nudes.'

The flag is also being raised on a silhouette of a woman's body.

At least 20 victims have now come forward to complain that explicit photos of them are being shared online by active duty and retired members of the Marine Corps and others, one of the leading Navy investigators said Friday.

Curtis Evans, the division chief for criminal investigations for NCIS, told reporters that he expects more victims will come forward as the probe continues.

Former and current female Marines say their photographs and those of women in other services have been shared without their consent on social media, including on Marines United and a Google Drive linked to that page.

That Facebook page has been taken down, but officials say the photos may have simply migrated to another private site.

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller told lawmakers on Tuesday that he believes approximately 500 of the 30,000 listed members of Marines United have viewed the photographs.

Kelsie Stone (pictured) broke up with her Marine boyfriend in 2016, and not long after received a text from a friend containing screenshots of the photos of her without clothes that had been posted to the page

In testimony before Congress, Neller said he could not explain why the Marines cyberbullied the women whose explicit photos were shared online.

'I've heard it described as the dark humor of veterans, but that's a cop-out,' Neller said. 'But we also know that there are Marines that are participating in this, who have never been shot at in their lives. So they're just trying to get credibility  I don't know.'

Meanwhile, a California Congresswoman is proposing a bill that would allow the military to prosecute servicemembers who disseminate revealing photos that 'a reasonable person would know or understand' are meant to remain private and who do so without permission.

The proposal by California Rep. Jackie Speier would change current military laws which prescribe more severe punishment for the soldiers who took the original photos consensually rather than the Marines who disseminated them without permission.

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller (left) told lawmakers on Tuesday that he believes approximately 500 of the 30,000 listed members of Marines United have viewed the photographs.

Evans said the investigation has expanded into many more sites online.

Officials said that earlier this week at least 17 new sites were being reviewed and that as many as 30,000 images were cataloged on the sites, although many were duplicates.

A majority of the photos, officials said, were selfies and did not appear to have been taken surreptitiously, although it's not clear under what conditions they were shared.

The officials weren't authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

So far, the victims who have come forward are not men, and the investigation has now expanded to gay pornography sites.

But, Evans said NCIS will look into every complaint.

He said NCIS is working with the other military investigative services and with federal and local law enforcement, including the FBI.

Facebook and Google have been cooperating with the investigation, he added.

There have been about 1,200 screen names identified on the Facebook site, and of those, 725 were active duty Marines, 150 were in the Marine Reserves, 15 were in the active duty Navy and the rest were unidentifiable.

Those people were only on the main Facebook page, which involved other issues.

It is not known who may have accessed or commented on the Google Drive linked to the Facebook page where the explicit photos were stored.
Harrison is one of two grown-up children from Nickys 17-year relationship with Lesley Clarke (pictured)

Here's a strange state of affairs. Celebrity hairdresser Nicky Clarke parades his much younger girlfriend Kelly Simpkin and her baby bump on the pages of a glossy magazine as they gushingly announce her pregnancy.

Kelly, 35, who is due to give birth in August, is wearing a carbuncular pink emerald on the third finger of her left hand. Not an engagement ring as such, apparently, but a sign of their commitment.

And while Kelly, an aspiring fashion designer, says she is keen to get married, the perennially boyish Nicky, 58, is evidently less so. He doesnt like the term fiancee. Neither does he want to make a thing of it as everyone will start asking if theyve set a date.

So a not-quite engagement and a summer baby for the man who has styled the hair of, among countless others, Elizabeth Taylor, Kate Moss, Brad Pitt, Princess Diana and Margaret Thatcher.

What is conspicuously absent from the article, however, is any mention of the fact Nicky was, when it went to print, also about to become a grandfather for the first time.

Today, he has a week-old grandson Casper, born to Harrison, 31, and his wife Rhian, 32. Harrison is one of two grown-up children from Nickys 17-year relationship with Lesley Clarke. Nicky and Lesley, although she took his name and everyone assumed they were married  and they chose not to disabuse them  never actually did tie the knot. But well come to that.

And glamorous Lesley remains CEO of the 60 million family business and the astute financial brain behind it, despite her 20-year separation from Nicky. They split because of his infidelity, yet the relationship remained eminently civilised and he lives just a few doors down from her in a smart street in St Johns Wood, North-West London.

So when Nicky spoke about the prospect of becoming a father again, why didnt he choose to mention he was also shortly due to be a grandpa? Lesley, 64, is bemused by this reticence. Im so proud and delighted to be a grandma and I want everyone to know about Casper. So I was surprised and quite disappointed Nicky didnt mention he was going to be a grandad, too. But perhaps it was an oversight.

She adds: Or maybe he just didnt want to dilute the glory of becoming a dad again. I dont really know how he feels about it. He hasnt commented.

But I do think that women, when they reach an age when they cant have children any more, naturally look forward to the next generation. Its Natures way of making us good grandmas. But do men want to be grandads in the same way? Im not so sure.

Certainly no word is calculated to make a man feel the passing of the years more acutely than grandpa  while becoming a dad again at 58 suggests virility, vigour and youth.

Could it be that Nicky, such a prominent figure in an industry that prizes style and appearance, simply doesnt want to admit hes knocking on a bit? Nicky certainly wants to hang onto his youth, concedes Lesley. He takes great pride in his appearance. Looks are important to him  and good for him for looking as young as he does. I dont think hes had any work done either.

Lesley was at North Middlesex Hospital with Rhians mum Linda and sister Nina last Saturday evening when Casper was born by caesarean, weighing 9lb 12oz.

I saw my grandson within half an hour of his birth, she says. You feel just as much love, definitely, as you do when you become a mum, but youre not so scared. You have this quiet, grandmotherly confidence.

We didnt have champagne, but we did have a cup of tea and a quiet tear. Now Im looking forward to helping look after him when Rhian goes back to work. As a family well all look after Casper and support Rhian.

Casper will come to me for a couple of days a week. I cant wait to take him to the zoo and the park, give him piggy-back rides, read him stories and teach him nursery rhymes. Ill be doing lots of the things I couldnt do with my own kids because I was so busy running the business.

While Lesley will retain her role as company CEO  along with her 50 per cent shareholding  Rhian, who also works in the family business, will take over some of her mum-in-laws duties with a view to becoming managing director.

Neither of the Clarke children  Harrison, a corporate financier, or daughter Tellisa, 30, an investment banker  has joined the family firm but both have inherited Lesleys head for figures (she has a maths degree) and her artistic flair. Before she began working with Nicky, she was a successful fashion designer.

Kelly Simpkin (right), an aspiring fashion designer, says she is keen to get married to the perennially boyish Nicky (left), 58

However, while her role in the company lessens, there will doubtless be no remission in Nickys workload as he provides for his new baby.

Lesley admits she wouldnt wish to be parent of a newborn again at his age.

Oh my God, I couldnt be bothered with all those nappies! she cries. Or the sleepless nights. I need very little sleep and if I wake naturally Im fine. But to be woken forcibly every couple of hours by a crying baby  it would make me feel physically ill.

So I hope Nicky keeps up his energy levels because hes certainly going to need it.

As near neighbours who have two children together and also jointly run a business, Nicky and Lesleys lives remain enmeshed.

When in 2008 he won an OBE, and although they had long since separated, it was Lesley who went to the Palace to receive it with him, rather than his then girlfriend, interior designer Kelly Hoppen, 57.

An unusually close and amicable relationship persisted. Nicky and Lesley still share a holiday home in Majorca; until recently they bought each other lavish presents on their respective birthdays.

(Nicky gave her a Tiffany diamond when she turned 48  four years after they split up  and a diamond Cartier watch on her 50th.)

I ask if she still loves him. I care about him  he is the father of my children and I only wish him happiness.

Is he happy?

I think so. But even if he wasnt I dont think hed tell me.

She recalls the moment when Nicky broke the news that he and Kelly (Mark II) were planning to be parents. He said: Shes of that age when she wants to have a baby. What can I do? 

Would it have been Nickys choice? She laughs. I dont know, she says. Their baby will have zero impact on my life; as long as it doesnt change the family dynamic, it wont affect me.

A less magnanimous person than Lesley could well feel aggrieved that Kelly (II)  who met Nicky when she became a junior stylist at his salon and has been in a relationship with him for nine years  has acquired a luxury lifestyle and a lavish home thanks in no small part to Lesleys hard graft, sacrifices and financial acumen.

She says: When you build a successful business yourself, you own it. Its yours. You take pride in it. If you walk into something thats already fully formed, isnt it a bit empty? I think Id feel insecure. Im proud Ive earned this.

The this includes her six-bedroom Georgian home with its elegant living room, a symphony of cream and ivory. Silver-framed family photos stand on a white baby grand once owned by Neil Sedaka; crystal vases brim with velvety roses and downstairs in the kitchen, with its four-oven Aga, the housekeeper bustles.

Its a gilded life, but it has been built from nothing: Lesley and Nicky set up their business from scratch in the early Nineties after Nicky, who was raised in a London council flat, left John Friedas salon following a series of disagreements.

He and Lesley took a huge risk, taking out an 80,000 loan to fund their first Mayfair salon, which they filled with borrowed antiques.

Meanwhile, Lesley  also self-made, and the daughter of a milkman  was raising two small children while working full-tilt. She has recalled that at home they sat on deckchairs on bare floorboards because they couldnt afford furniture or carpets.

But Nicky  who today commands 600 for a haircut  swiftly accrued a high society clientele, becoming one of the most sought-after hairdressers in Britain with royalty and rock stars clamouring for appointments.

In 1997, he and Lesley bought the 6 million house in which she still lives, but shortly after they moved there, Lesley discovered Nicky was having an affair with Susie Bick, then a Vivienne Westwood model.

It was as if the heavens had opened and pain was falling down on me, she said at the time.

She suffered a nervous breakdown and sought counselling from a therapist who advised her to leave Nicky.

She now realises that she should not have made such a momentous decision while in the throes of emotional tumult.

We shouldnt have separated or made life-changing decisions at such a time  no couple should, she says. That said, I know I wouldnt want to be with Nicky now.

Much was made of the fact that the Clarkes had an eminently dignified and civilised divorce. But, of course, only they, and their closest family, knew they had never actually married. Even their children were unaware until theyd reached their teens.

Now Nickys about to have a new family, I might as well fess up and make it public, says Lesley. The truth is, weve never married.

She explains how the assumption was first made and never corrected.

I blame Sarah Ferguson [the Duchess of York] who was a good friend of mine at the time  I still see her  and I was going to visit her at the Palace. You had to leave your name at the Privy Purse door, and Sarah put me down as Mrs Lesley Clarke.

So its her fault! That was how it started and we never bothered to correct anyone.

Indeed, the misapprehension was perpetuated when Nicky bought her a Tiffany wedding band, she assumed his name and newspaper articles reported theyd married in Las Vegas.

Actually it didnt cross my mind to get married, she says. And even the children didnt know until Nickys mum flushed us out one lunchtime. She just announced it out of the blue one day when the children were teenagers.

It didnt traumatise them. They knew how much they were loved.

So the much-vaunted amicable divorce wasnt actually a divorce at all, and they continued to run their business, spend holidays with each other and share their Christmases.

Nicky used to come to us for a family Christmas every year, and one year Kelly (Hoppen) and her daughter Natasha joined us, Lesley remembers.

Nickys relationship with Hoppen ended when he was unfaithful and, shortly after, the younger Kelly succeeded her.

Much has changed, however, since she arrived on the scene. The gulf in their ages  almost three decades  means she and Lesley have little in common. Lesleys wide circle of supportive friends moves in different circles.

I wonder  the question is tinged with mischief  if Lesley would ever agree to baby-sit for Nickys new baby.

No! she cries. Id have a maternity nurse on speed dial.

There remains the vexed issue of whether, having never walked up the aisle in his (almost) 60 years, Nicky will be persuaded to do so by his (almost) fiancee.

Lesley says: Ive obviously no idea. Only time will answer that question.
The US government has no evidence to back up President Donald Trump's claim that his predecessor, Barack Obama, ordered intelligence agencies to spy on him during the 2016 election campaign, according to sources who have seen classified Justice Department documents.

The Justice Department on Friday said it delivered documents to congressional committees responding to their request for information that could shed light on Trump's claims.

The information was sent to the House and Senate intelligence and judiciary committees, said Sarah Isgur Flores, a Justice Department spokeswoman.

The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Republican Devin Nunes, said in a statement late on Friday that the Justice Department had 'fully complied' with the panel's request.

The US government has no evidence to back up President Donald Trump's (above) claim that his predecessor, Barack Obama, ordered intelligence agencies to spy on him during the 2016 election campaign

Speaking at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (left), Trump (right) answered a question on the wiretap allegation on Friday by referring to the US National Security Agency's reported tapping of Merkel's phone several years ago

A government source, who requested anonymity when discussing sensitive information, said an initial examination of the material turned over by the Justice Department indicates that it contains no evidence to confirm Trump's claims that the Obama administration had wiretapped him or the Trump Tower in New York.

Two government officials told CNN the same thing - there is no evidence in the documents that suggest Trump's allegations are true.

The House Intelligence Committee will hold a hearing on Monday on allegations of Russian meddling in the US election.

Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey and National Security Agency Director Mike Rogers will testify and are expected to field questions on Trump's wiretap claim.

Trump is refusing to adhere to calls by lawmakers to retract his claim that Obama (above) ordered a wiretap on Trump Tower

Leaders of both the House and Senate intelligence committees, including from Trump's Republican Party, have said they have found no evidence to substantiate Trump's claims that Obama ordered US agencies to spy on Trump or his entourage. The White House has publicly offered no proof of the allegation.

On Monday, the House panel sent the Justice Department a letter asking for copies of any court orders related to Trump or his associates which might have been issued last year under an electronic surveillance law or a wide-ranging anti-crime statute.

Meanwhile, Trump on Friday rejected calls from both Democrats and Republicans to retract the charge and apologize.

Instead, he repeated the claim that Obama ordered his administration to spy on him.

Speaking at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Trump answered a question on the wiretap allegation by referring to the US National Security Agency's reported tapping of Merkel's phone several years ago.

'As far as wiretapping, I guess, by this past administration, at least we have something in common perhaps,' Trump said.

But Trump also said he did not endorse a Fox News claim that Britain's GCHQ spy agency did the wiretapping for Obama -- an allegation repeated by Trump's spokesman Thursday, sparking a sharp rebuke from London.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer (above) sparked a diplomatic incident on Thursday when he repeated an unsubstantiated report from Fox News alleging that Obama used British intelligence to spy on Trump

'We said nothing' about the GCHQ claim, Trump told journalists.

'That was a statement made by a very talented lawyer on Fox. And so you shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox,' he said.

Fox News said it could not confirm the allegations.

'Fox News knows of no evidence of any kind that the now president of the United States was surveilled at any time in any way, full stop,' anchor Shepard Smith said, reading an official statement on-air.
A man who slit his throat with a razor blade in a California courtroom after he was convicted of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl has been sentenced.

Former English teacher Jeffrey Scott Jones, 57, was sentenced on Friday to 46 years in state prison, the Orange County District Attorney's Office said in a release.

Back in October, the Huntington Beach man was found guilty of two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of continuous sexual abuse, prosecutors said.

Jeffrey Scott Jones (pictured), who slit his throat with a razor blade in October 2016 after he was convicted of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl, has been sentenced to 46 years in California state prison

Jones, who taught Advanced Placement English classes at the Libra Academy in Huntington Park, had been accused of molesting and having sex with a teenage relative of his live-in girlfriend in 2012 and 2013.

Prosecutors said that his victim, known as 'Jane Doe,' wasn't one of his students.

The release said: 'Between Sept. 1, 2012, and April 30, 2013, Jones, who held a position of trust, frequently and continuously sexually assaulted 13-year-old Jane Doe.

'On May 4, 2013, and May 9, 2013, Jones raped the victim, stating that he would ruin her life if she told anyone what he was doing.

'The victim went to a friend's home and the defendant went to get her. The friend's mother refused to allow the defendant to take Jane Doe.'

The crime was reported to Huntington Beach police in May 2013, and Jones was arrested on June 27, 2013, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors presented DNA evidence they said implicated Jones but his lawyer argued the DNA evidence was not conclusive and claimed the girl lied to cover up her marijuana use.

Moments after being convicted, Jones pulled out a razor blade and slashed his throat.

Jones, who had been free on bail, somehow managed to get the razor blade through security at Orange County Superior Court (pictured)

Prosecutors said he had a non-life threatening injury, and 'was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment before being taken into custody'.

'Right after the judge asked if we wanted jurors polled, both attorneys said no, and then he took a razor out of his left pocket and slashed his throat,' prosecutor Heather Brown previously told City News Service.

'His head hit the table, and I thought he fainted. But then I saw the blood and the razor on the table.'

Defense attorney Ed Welbourn said he was sitting next to his client but did not see him cut his throat but became concerned when Jones' head hit the table they were sitting at.

Prosecutors said that at Jones' Friday sentencing, a victim impact statement was read in court on behalf of the girl, which said: 'You broke and brought me down to feel worthless.

'There were days I blamed myself thinking I did something wrong to the point that I wanted to take my life  I was a little girl and you took my innocence.

'Parents and kids trusted you to be a teacher, not a predator.'

It ended with: 'I have a family and a support system that you can't take from me. I refuse to allow your abuse to stop the woman I want to become.'
Google was accused last night of profiting from hatred.

In a devastating attack, MPs said the technology firm had totally failed to control offensive online content.

Its bosses were charged with breaking promises  made just days ago  to ensure neither the firm, nor extremists, cashed in on vile propaganda.

Google has been accused of profiting from hatred. Government bodies like the BBC have suspended advertising with YouTube after their adverts played alongside videos of 'hate crime'

The Commons home affairs committee said it was astonishing that the second richest company on the planet had failed to take even the simplest steps to root out abuse.

The 482billion American firm suffered a further blow yesterday when ministers suspended all government advertising on its YouTube video-sharing platform.

The Cabinet Office said the ban would be lifted only when Google could all but guarantee public money would not fund hate-fuelled content.

Officials learnt that adverts for public bodies such as UK Aid and the Metropolitan Police had been running alongside YouTube videos containing extremist material.

The Cabinet Office said the ban would be lifted only when Google could all but guarantee public money would not fund hate-fuelled content. Pictured, a BBC advert beside a neo-Nazi video

Google hands a slice of the revenue generated by the adverts to the individuals  or groups  that post the content it features on.

Google executives were summoned to the Cabinet Office for a dressing-down following the investigation by the Times.

We want to hear what they are going to do to prevent this happening again, said the Prime Ministers official spokesman.

We need to make sure they have the technical expertise to prevent our adverts appearing in the wrong places.

As the backlash intensified, Group M  a firm which buys up advertising space on behalf of major brands  said it would ask its clients whether they wanted to pull advertising from YouTube.

It called for Google, which made 15.7billion in profits last year, to apologise. The Guardian, Channel 4 and the BBC have also halted their advertising with the firm.

On Tuesday Google executives assured the home affairs committee it would work harder to remove offensive material, and agreed with MPs that a video by neo-nazi group National Action should be removed.

MP Yvette Cooper wrote a letter to Google vice-president Peter Barron. She said: 'The lack of effort and social responsibility it is showing towards hate crime on YouTube is extremely troubling'

But in a letter to Google executive Peter Barron last night, Yvette Cooper, chairman of the committee, said National Action videos were still available.

She added: Google is the second richest company on the planet. The lack of effort and social responsibility it is showing towards hate crime on YouTube is extremely troubling.

During Tuesdays select committee hearing, Mr Barron admitted the company had no one watching for offensive content. Instead it relies on users to report extreme material.

The firm makes the vast majority of its money from adverts, which it places using complex computer technology.

Those posting videos on YouTube take a cut of the advertising worth up to 6.15 for every 1,000 views, and many are watched millions of times.

According to marketing experts, extremists have made 250,000 from ads for household brands and government departments hosted on Google.

During Tuesdays select committee hearing, Mr Barron admitted the company had no one watching for offensive content

The search giant has earned around 120,000.

One of the biggest earning hate preachers is the Egyptian cleric Wagdi Ghoneim. Videos on his YouTube channel have netted him around 63,500. He is banned from visiting the UK.

Rob Norman of Group M said: We believe Google owes two apologies, one to advertisers for compromising their brand reputations and the other to consumers for the presence of the content.

Googles UK boss Ronan Harris admitted in a blog published yesterday morning that the company can and must do more to combat bad advertising, and said it had begun to review its systems.

He added: With millions of sites in our network and 400 hours of video uploaded to YouTube every minute, we recognise that we dont always get it right.

'In a very small percentage of cases, ads appear against content that violates our monetisation policies. We promptly remove the ads in those instances, but we know we can and must do more.

Google and other technology companies do have some measures in place to try and remove child pornography from their websites.

They fund the Internet Watch Foundation, which seeks out offensive material.

However, it relies entirely on users to flag up other kinds of offensive content, which are then reviewed by Google staff.

They look at 98 per cent of the videos within 24 hours, and removed 92million videos from YouTube in 2015.

Miss Cooper told Google: The committee expects to hear from you on how you are using some of YouTubes very significant revenue to put this problem right by devoting sufficient resources to ensure that vile and illegal material is removed proactively from your platforms, and that neither you nor those that create these videos profit from hatred.
A pilot and his wife have died of an apparent drug overdose, authorities said.

The bodies of Brian J Halye, 36, and 34-year-old Courtney A Halye were found by their children Thursday morning in Centerville, Ohio, about 50 miles north of Cincinnati.

One of the four children living in the home, ages 13, 11, 10 and 9, found the couple unconscious on the floor of their upstairs bedroom and called police.

An unidentified 13-year-old boy told the dispatcher: 'My two parents, I just woke up, and my parents are on the floor. My sister said they are not waking up.'

He said his parents had been fine the night before.

The bodies of Brian J Halye, 36, (left) and Courtney A Halye, 34, (right) were found Thursday

Courtney Halye (left) had a history of drug abuse and had threatened suicide, relatives said

The couple was found in their home (pictured) on East Von Dette Circle in Centerville, Ohio

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One of the three girls also called police and told to the dispatcher: 'My mom's on the floor and my stepdad ... they're not waking up ... we just woke up for school.'

Brian and Courtney Halye each had two children from previous relationships, Centerville police said.

Courtney Halye's former husband and father of her two children, Jacob Castor, died in August 2007 at age 27 from an accidental overdose, according to the Montgomery County Coroners Office.

Brian Halye was a pilot for Spirit Airlines, which told the Dayton Daily News that Halye last flew March 10.

The preliminary cause of the couple's death appears to be an accidental overdose of fentanyl, an opiate many times more powerful than heroin, said Montgomery County Coroner's Office Director Ken Betz.

On Thursday, the United Nations labelled fentanyl, the drug responsible for the death of musician Prince last year, as one of the most dangerous substances in the world.

Two ingredients used to the make the drug fentanyl were added to the United Nations's international list of controlled substances.

A final determination on the cause and manner of the couple's death will take six weeks until toxicology reports are completed, Betz added.

Drug paraphernalia was found inside the home, Centerville police said.

Nancy Casey, Courtney Halye's mother, contacted police in January 2016 because she felt her daughter was abusing drugs and had threatened to harm herself.

Halye had been "hooked on drugs" on and off for about seven years, Casey told police.

Halye's mother told NBC News that her daughter was a Type 1 diabetic, being treated for depression and had been prescribed medication.

Brian Halye also contacted police in January 2016, this time to report his wife missing.

He found Courtney Halye locked in their home, the Dayton Daily News reports. He worried she might use the two unloaded guns he kept inside so he forced entry.

Brian and Courtney Halye (pictured) each had two children from previous relationships

When Brian Halye got inside the house his wife was holding both guns, according to the police report.

He took them from her before police arrived.

Police said she appeared either intoxicated or having a medical issue related to diabetes. She was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Brian Halye told officers that his wife had battled heroin and cocaine addiction 'for quite some time'.

Courtney Halye was convicted of a drug possession charge that was later expunged in 2010, the Dayton Daily News reports.

Courtney Halye's mother, Nancy Casey, said her daughter (left) was a Type 1 diabetic, being treated for depression and had been prescribed medication. She added that Brian (right) had last flown on March 10

Since January, Montgomery County has had 165 accidental drug overdoses, with heroin, fentanyl and carfentanil being the current fatal mix of drugs most seen by Betz.

In nearby Columbus and surrounding Franklin County, Fentanyl has already figured in 55 overdoses in January and February - one fatal overdose a day, NBC News reports.

Brian Halye's two daughters were picked up by their mother from the scene Thursday morning, police said.

Warren County Court records show he was divorced in 2011 in a joint custody case.

The Halyes purchased their home on East Von Dette Circle in Centerville during the summer of 2013.

The neighborhood, Pellbrook Farm, is a quiet suburban cul-de-sac, with homes valued around $150,000 to $225,000.
Promising young doctor Chloe Abbott is one of four junior doctors to take her own life in the past six months.

The 29-year-old Sydney woman's suicide is just the tip of the iceberg in a shocking epidemic currently rocking the medical industry.

Dr Abbott took her own life on January 9 but her family is now speaking out in an effort to shed light on the medical industry's 'shameful secret'.

Dr Abbott took her own life on January 9, but her family is now speaking out in an effort to shed light on the medical industry's 'shameful secret'

Dr Abbott's younger sister Micaela said the industry set 'brutal' and 'unsustainable' expectations for its young professionals.

'The day before she passed away I begged her to leave medicine,' Micaela told The Saturday Telegraph.

'From what I saw, the expectations were brutal someone that had so much to offer was made to feel like, in the end, she wasn't good enough, would never be good enough and anything she did would never be enough.

'It's such a loss. She was so brilliantly smart.'

Micaela said her sister, a qualified podiatrist who worked at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, studied 40 hours a week on top of her full-time work commitments.

Micaela said her sister Chloe Abbott (pictured) a qualified podiatrist who worked at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, studied 40 hours a week on top of her full-time work commitments

An urgent investigation into the suicide epidemic was launched by Health Minister Brad Hazzard on Friday night.

The investigation found 20 young lives were lost to suicide in the medical industry between 2007 and 2016 due to the overwhelming pressure.

Dr Abbott's devastated mother Leonie Eagles also spoke out after learning her daughter was not the only young doctor to lose her life to the industry's 'great stress and pressure'.

'I wouldn't want anyone to do medicine  it cost her her life,' she told the Saturday Telegraph.

Promising young doctor Chloe Abbott (pictured) is one of four junior doctors to take her own life in the past six months

The tragedy-stricken mother said 'you cannot imagine the pain and grief'.

Health Minister Mr Hazzard acknowledged the risk and said the suicide epidemic was more widespread than just doctors.

He said all medical staff including nurses and paramedics, especially anyone who dealt with patients on an urgent basis, were at risk.

The Health Minister said the number of doctors found to have committed suicide since 2007 could be much higher than 20 - the number revealed in the investigation launched on Friday - because the police did not record every person's profession.

Mr Hazzard has given his department a month to come up with a plan to bring the suicide epidemic to an end.

Mr Hazzard (pictured) has given his department a month to come up with a plan to bring the suicide epidemic to an end

Dr Moutzouris (pictured) was a young doctor in renal medicine at Liverpool Hospital until he took his life on January 26

Dr Abbott's tragic death follows Dr John Moutzouris' suicide.

Dr Moutzouris was a young doctor in renal medicine at Liverpool Hospital until he took his life on January 26.

His family and friends appealed for the industry to open its eyes following his death.

A fundraising page was set up in his honour to increase awareness about doctors' welfare and mental health.

'Since John died, we have heard of many more doctors who have taken their own lives and it seems to be an endemic problem in the medical profession,' creator of the page, Jane Moye, said.

'It's medicine's shameful secret but hopefully we can start shedding some light into these dark corners and encourage people to get help.

'To heal our healers.'

The fundraising page said Liverpool Hospital, where Dr Moutzouris worked, was working together with the family to organise a memorial section in his honour.

Dr Moutzouris and Dr Abbott were two of four young doctors to commit suicide in the past six months.

Dr Moutzouris 'friends and family have labelled the suicide epidemic 'medicine's shameful secret'

A young doctor working at Campbelltown Hospital ended their life in September, and most recently a surgical registrar from Sydney also fell victim.

The South Western Sydney Local Health District issued its 'sincere condolences to the families' in the wake of the shocking investigation findings.

While it appreciated the tragedy of the situation, it said programs and activities were in place to provide ongoing support to its workers.

A doctor who wished to remain anonymous painted a chilling picture of the medical profession on an online blog he wrote on January 26, the day Dr Moutzouris died.

'There is something rotten inside the medical profession,' he said.

'In the year it has taken for me to finish my medical residency as a junior doctor, two of my colleagues have killed themselves.

'I've read articles that refer to suicide amongst doctors as the profession's 'grubby little secret', but I'd rather call it exactly how it is: the profession's shameful and disgusting open secret.

'Weakness in medicine is a failing, and if you admit to struggling, the unspoken opinion [or often spoken] is that you simply couldn't hack it.'

A first-year doctor who wished to remain anonymous told Daily Mail Australia it was a sink or swim culture  and often trainees were left to sink.

Sydney based Medical Director Dr Anthony Llewellyn (pictured) said the tragic suicide of young doctors was a 'far too common experience'

'I just finished my first week as a doctor on night shift,' he said.

'Luckily I have done night shift before and there was a great senior rostered on with me, but several of the new interns at this hospital would have sunk rather than swam.'

Sydney-based Medical Director Dr Anthony Llewellyn said the tragic suicide of young doctors was a 'far too common experience'.

He said it was paramount medical supervisors took 'an interest in the welfare of the trainee'.

'The medical supervisor has a responsibility to performance manage the trainee,' Dr Llewellyn wrote on his online blog.

He said the more support given to trainees, the better the system.

But the doctor said it was just the beginning of a long road ahead for the embattled medical industry.
Dressed only in their nightclothes, some clutching teddy bears, others clinging to each other, the tiny occupants of Lifeboat Eight were the first to be lowered from the ship. Suddenly, a rope slipped.

For a moment, the boat dangled vertically, spilling its 30 terrified passengers in to the sea, before crashing down on top of them. In the teeth of a North Atlantic gale and in the dead of night, they all disappeared.

They included 13-year-old Gussie Grimmond, and her sisters Violet, ten, and Connie, nine. Their little brothers, Edward, eight, and Leonard, five, assigned to another lifeboat, were never seen again, either.

They were 600 miles from land and even further from the parents who packed them off in search of a safer, better life.

These stunning pictures show the incredible undisturbed wrecks left from the two World Wars off the coast of Ireland

The Grimmond children, whose home had been bombed to pieces weeks before, were among 262 passengers and crew who would perish on that appalling night in September 1940. Even today, it is shocking to read details of the sinking of the City of Benares, an 11,000-ton British liner hit by a German torpedo while carrying evacuees to Canada.

The tragedy would be debated for years. Where was the Royal Navy? How could Germany attack a ship full of children?

Now an intriguing new dimension to the tragedy has emerged. The City of Benares, along with many other ships, may have been targeted for a reason: its secret cargo of gold bullion.

After 25 years of research, a group of marine experts has produced a comprehensive and closely-guarded database of secret gold movements from Britain to the U.S. and elsewhere in World Wars I and II.

The gold was being sent by both the government and private institutions to pay their wartime bills. But a substantial amount ended up on the seabed, courtesy of the German U-boats which made every trans-Atlantic voyage a game of Russian roulette.

Now some of it may be heading for the surface as the most ambitious treasure hunt of modern times gets underway.

For, after painstakingly cross-referring classified Bank of England and government records with new archive material in Britain and overseas, the researchers believe they have pinpointed a series of Atlantic wrecks containing gold with a combined value of at least 4.5 billion. That is just a conservative estimate.

The research also revealed that many of these ships were attacked precisely because of their precious cargo.

The enemy had worked out ways to identify which vessels might be carrying gold, and U-boat commanders were told to make them priority targets.

Not only would sinking them reduce Britains ability to buy munitions and food but the plan was to return and salvage the gold after winning the war.

Might this have been why the City of Benares was singled out from a convoy of 19 ships on that ghastly night?

Even today, it is shocking to read details of the sinking of the City of Benares, an 11,000-ton British liner hit by a German torpedo while carrying evacuees to Canada

For there is now strong evidence that, sealed inside her at the bottom of the sea, lies a cargo of gold.

It all sounds like the plot of an Alistair MacLean thriller.

But I am in the offices of top City of London marine law firm, Campbell Johnston Clark, under conditions of strict confidentiality, inspecting what is perhaps the most valuable sunken treasure map of all time.

It features wrecks all over the Atlantic. Many are already on nautical charts, as are the resting places of thousands of ships lost in two World Wars.

But what no one has worked out, until now, is which of them were carrying gold, how much was on board and where it was stored. Without that information, any hit-and-miss salvage exercise would be a ruinous waste of time and money.

Armed with this fresh data, a pioneering 15 million recovery operation is due to get under way in a few weeks a few hundred miles west of Ireland.

Using precision robotics rather than human divers, the salvage team will target a cluster of three ships in one area, two from World War I and one from World War II, and cut into them. All lie in international waters. A second cluster has been earmarked elsewhere.

If the first three wrecks yield just half of what they are believed to contain, the result should be a jackpot for the investors, as well as for the taxman and for charities, too.

Between them, they contain an estimated 750 million in gold. And once the amount of recovered gold hits a certain level, a percentage of profits will go to maritime causes.

But one decision has already been taken. We will not touch the City of Benares, says Will Carrier, operations director of Britannias Gold, the company behind the project.

We will treat all these wrecks with respect but Benares is designated as a war grave and should be treated as such. Its still a very sensitive subject.

All British warships sunk since 1914 are classified as both war graves and sovereign territory. But most merchant wrecks have no such protection. And though the City of Benares was granted war grave status in recognition of its exceptionally tragic circumstances, the three ships earmarked for the initial cluster were not.

Former diver Will Carrier has worked in deep water robotics for 15 years. He was part of the team that helped raise the Kursk, the Russian submarine which sank with all hands in the Barents Sea in 2000.

He says looking for Britains wartime gold is a lot easier than looking for wooden Spanish galleons that have often broken up by now. Steel-built 20th-century warships tend to be in one piece.

SS Empire Heritage was sunk during the Second World War as it was carrying a cargo of war materials, including these Sherman Tanks

The hard part is working out which wrecks to aim for and where the gold was actually stored within. And that is where 25 years of research kicks in.

This extraordinary detective story began in the early Nineties when a founder member of this secretive project was looking for World War I wrecks that had cargoes of copper and tin.

While in the Public Records Office, going through a box of mariners wills, he found a folder which had been filed in the wrong place. A scribbled handwritten note on the front stated: Publication of Gold Imports and Exports by the Bank of England. Inside was a typed letter, written in 1915, from the Prime Ministers senior economic adviser, George Paish, to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Reginald McKenna.

In it, Paish points out that two passenger liners heading for the U.S. with substantial amounts of gold on board had recently been torpedoed. On the very same day each one had set sail, he notes, the Bank of England had announced sales of large quantities of foreign gold coin.

It turned out that it was standard Bank of England practice to inform the financial markets of gold sales on the day that the gold was shipped out.

Using this publicly available information, German intelligence could then see which ships of a certain size and class were leaving the UK that day and target them.

Eventually, the Bank of England stopped broadcasting gold sales.

The researchers decided this was a line of investigation worth pursuing, even though officialdom had tried to cover up its losses.

The government didnt want the public to find out how much of their money had been lost at sea, says Will Carrier. We have even found documents alluding to the destruction of other documents about gold shipments.

Over time a picture started to emerge thanks to fresh discoveries in long-forgotten archives. In one, they found an invaluable register of all the ships authorised to carry gold at a particular time.

Will takes me through a typical case study from 1915. Bank ledgers show that on one particular day, more than 1 million in gold belonging to the French government was sold via the Bank of England to Morgan Grenfell in New York, along with 1 million more from the Midland Bank.

One liner designated as a gold carrier left Britain that day . . . and it was torpedoed 48 hours later.

The ships inventory shows a small cargo of fish, steel, palm oil, soap and a mysterious final item  quarries.

Finally, there is an insurance claim for its unremarkable cargo.

Forget the fish and soap, the quarries were valued at an astonishing 1 billion in todays money.

Another example is a World War II liner that left Glasgow soon after the benighted City of Benares. It was promptly attacked a few days into the Atlantic voyage, though nearly all 300 people on board were quickly rescued.

Again, the archives show a small cargo valued at 29,000. Yet the war insurance payout was a thumping 550,000 back in 1940.

And that only covers gold owned by private institutions. The government never insured its own gold. And a secret Bank of England memo suggests the ship was also carrying 4.5 million of government gold.

All told, that ship alone could contain anywhere up to 500 million in gold at todays prices.

Will Carrier says one ship has already been explored by a foreign salvage team which failed to find any gold in the bullion room.

We tracked down the intelligence officer on that voyage  hes now very elderly and lives in Australia  and he told us that when they got the gold on board, they sealed it up in a completely different part of the ship.

There are also four promising cases, courtesy of the descendants of a U-boat commander who kept precise notes of his victims.

Despite the potentially huge prizes, treasure-hunting is an costly business. A typical salvage ship can cost 100,000 a day and, even in good weather, it might take weeks to locate and penetrate a strongroom.

The maritime world is full of tales of botched attempts to raise the wealth of Midas from the deep. That is why a consortium has been formed, involving marine and financial experts to raise the initial 15 million.

Philip Reid, a former banker with Merrill Lynch and a former chief executive of the National Research Development Corporation, is chairman. Hedge funds and City backers, he says, are coming on board, though he also wants to appeal to ordinary investors via the Governments Enterprise Investment Scheme.

I know the risks because I lost 5,000 in a quest for sunken treasure in the Caribbean some years ago, says Philip. There was meant to be a great pot of gold and they never found a thing. This is completely different because we have solid intelligence.

Photographer Steve Jones, 43, from Aberdare, South Wales, took these amazing shots while on a dive at Malin Head, off the coast of Donegal, Ireland

He explains that the first portion of any recovery will go to the British Government since, having paid out all insurance claims, it is the owner of the cargo. After covering the operations costs, the rest will be shared among investors, with a percentage going to charities.

How much the taxpayer gets will depend on the Government. Five years ago, the Department of Transport received a mere 20 per cent of 48 million of silver bullion recovered from the merchant ship SS Gairsoppa which sunk off Ireland in 1942  but that arrangement has since been described as a procedural error. A spokesman says there is a temporary moratorium on salvage contracts.

None of which prevents the Britannias Gold salvage team from setting sail. Under international maritime law, the company merely has to inform the owner of anything it brings to the surface, then agree a salvage fee for doing so.

Will Carrier says: Well keep them fully informed as a courtesy. This is a British operation and we dont want someone else taking what is British gold.

For their part, government officials are waiting to see what emerges. But I suspect theres a lingering sense of embarrassment that they dont know the whereabouts of so much gold.

In 1981, ministers commissioned a salvage operation which retrieved gold worth 40 million from the destroyer HMS Edinburgh, even though this, too, was a war grave. The vessel went down in the Arctic in 1942. The gold was Russias payment for war debts.

Whitehall knew all about this valuable cargo because it had been travelling in a warship. But details of shipments in merchant vessels seem to have vanished in the fog of war  until now.

No doubt if Britannias Gold start hauling up armfuls of shiny ingots, the Chancellor will soon be on the phone to arrange a deal.

Perhaps, one day, the Government might even approve an attempt to salvage the secret cargo from the tragic City of Benares. Considering the number of young lives lost, how apt if there was enough money down there to build a childrens hospital.
Lord Bramall is set to receive 100,000 in compensation from Scotland Yard over its bungled VIP paedophile inquiry.

The 93-year-old ex-military chief, whose home was raided at dawn by 22 officers after he was falsely accused of child sex abuse, has been offered a substantial sum.

The Mail has learned the Metropolitan Police, which spent 2.5million on the inquiry, has negotiated hard over compensation, saying it would have to come out of its policing budget.

The 93-year-old ex-military chief (pictured here in 1995) whose home was raided at dawn by 22 officers after he was falsely accused of child sex abuse, has been offered a substantial sum

But a former senior detective said last night: This is a ludicrous argument, given how much money was wasted on Operation Midland in the first place. If the Met cared so much about budgets, why did it drag out the inquiry for so long?

Sources confirmed the Met is very keen to settle legal action threatened by Lord Bramall, and that a six-figure pay-out is close to being agreed. The Mail understands it is in the region of 100,000, less than previously expected and significantly lower than payouts in other high-profile cases.

It comes five months after Lord Bramall received an apology over the police raid from departing Met boss Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, who expressed regret for the time his officers took to drop the investigation into the former Chief of the Defence Staff.

Now, days after the police watchdog cleared a string of senior officers of blame over the investigation into VIP child abuse, the Met has offered to pay damages to Lord Bramall.

A final settlement of his claim is expected later this month, sources said. The payout has been sanctioned by senior figures in City Hall in London, who oversee the running of the Met.

D-Day veteran Lord Bramall had been advised he has a strong case. He had instructed a QC to represent him and a letter before action, outlining his complaints against the Met, was sent earlier this year.

His wife, who was terminally ill at the time of the raid two years ago, died before the Met announced he was exonerated.

Although he was reluctant to sue, Lord Bramall was keen to ensure that the Met learns lessons. He is expected to donate the money to a charity.

Former judge Sir Richard Henriques produced a scathing review of Operation Midland last year, identifying 43 key failures. He criticised detectives for saying lurid claims of child murder and abuse from their key witness, a man known only as Nick, were credible and true.

The report attacked the use of inaccurate information to obtain search warrants and the delay in concluding the case.

Sir Bernard announced his retirement weeks before the report was published. He left the Met last month.

In October Lord Bramall, who was never arrested and always denied the allegations by Nick, hit out after Sir Bernards apology, saying: Although police knew from very early on I had no case to answer  they didnt want to be accused of not investigating it properly.

Sir Bernard told me, We couldnt take you out of it earlier because it would look like I had preferential treatment.

Lord Bramall said he did not want to be too hard on the police, and gave credit to Sir Bernard for setting up the Henriques inquiry

The ex-military chief said Sir Bernard had asked to meet face to face after being made aware of the Henriques reports tone.

As someone  who has suffered great distress and whose reputation and integrity has been questioned as a result of the misguided Operation Midland, I am very pleased to have received this apology, Lord Bramall said.

But he told the Daily Telegraph: My wife died without me being cleared. It didnt come into their consideration that my wife was dying.

Lord Bramall said he did not want to be too hard on the police, and gave credit to Sir Bernard for setting up the Henriques inquiry.

He added: The trouble was, after the apparent mistakes back in 2012 relating to revelations of very serious and serial child abuse, a mixture of public outrage and propaganda  put immense pressure through the Home Secretary, on the police.

This situation, he said, produced a witch-hunt culture.

Former Tory MP Harvey Proctor, falsely accused by Nick, is expected to make a claim for damages over his treatment by Operation Midland.

Diana Brittan, widow of Lord Brittan who was also the subject of bogus claims by Nick, is considering legal action against the Met after their homes were raided weeks after the former home secretary died.

Nick, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is being investigated for allegedly attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Last night the Met said of Lord Bramalls settlement: The Metropolitan Police Service is keen to resolve this matter as quickly and fairly as possible, balancing the fact any settlement will be made from public funds.
A prominent architect and his wife are ensnared in 'revenge porn' allegations leveled by an ex-girlfriend, as prosecutors struggle to decide whether the case merits charges.

New Orleans architect Gerard Billes, 70, and his wife Carmen Midence, 41, were arrested on December 8 on suspicion of harassing an ex-girlfriend of Billes, but prosecutors have not yet filed charges against the pair, a Friday report by The Times-Picayune revealed.

The pair were booked on suspicion of two counts of online impersonation, two counts of video voyeurism and two counts of non-consensual disclosure of a private image, Louisiana's relatively new 'revenge porn' law that took effect in 2015, and are currently out on $20,000 recognizance bonds.

Billes' ex-girlfriend claims the married couple emailed two nude photos of her, one taken without her knowledge, to her friends.

Prosecutors have until a May 7 court date to decide whether to accept the charges, which Midence calls the 'exaggerated' lies of 'a jilted ex.'

New Orleans architect Gerard Billes, 70, and his wife Carmen Midence, 41, were arrested on suspicion of harassing an ex-girlfriend of Billes, but prosecutors have not yet filed charges

Prosecutors have until a May 7 court hearing to decide whether to charge the married couple

'She is a jilted ex, is what she is,' Midence (pictured) says of the accuser, who claims Midence and her husband emailed nude photos of her to friends.

Police first heard the sordid tale in April of 2015, when the ex-girlfriend approached New Orleans police detective Robert Long with 'a voluminous amount of documentation' of alleged harassment at the hands of Billes and Midence, including 'harassing emails, the creation of fake online social media accounts purporting to be [the accuser], as well as the capturing and subsequent dissemination of nude photographs of [the accuser] without her knowledge and consent,' according to Long's warrant affidavit.

The ex-girlfriend, who had previously lived with Billes for four-and-a-half years, claimed that Billes had given two nude photographs of her to his new wife Midence, who then emailed them to at least two of the accuser's friends.

One of the photos, of the woman having sex with Billes, had been taken without her knowledge, the woman claimed. She admitted to posing for the other nude photo, but said she'd asked Billes to delete it.

The ex also accused the pair of creating fake social media accounts to impersonate her, and using them to 'post inflammatory remarks on her own business profile.'

The case stalled until November of 2016, when detectives got responses to search warrants from Facebook, Cox Communications and Yahoo that confirmed the fake accounts were created from an IP address that was registered to Billes' home, according to Long's affidavit.

Midence told the Times-Picayune that 'the charges are absolutely exaggerated' and a concoction by her husband's spurned ex-fiancee.

Midence (right and with Billes left) and Billes have been married since July 2016. The accusations date back to 2013 and 2015, when the accuser says the pair emailed around nudes

'She is a jilted ex, is what she is,' Midence told the newspaper. 'She never got over the fact that we got married.'

'She won't stop harassing us. It's been a living nightmare,' Midence said.

Midence also claimed that investigators hadn't yet asked for her side of the story.

Billes' lawyer did send a letter to district attorney Leon Cannizzaro in Januar, stating the accusations are 'without merit.'

The nude photos in question 'were clearly taken with one another's consent, the letter said.

Billes 'is adamant that he did not give out or reveal any photos of [the accuser] to anyone,' the letter continued, adding that the nude photo was taken from Billes' computer by Midence and sent directly to the accuser in a text message.

Billes (right) has no prior convictions. Midence (left) was convicted in 1998 of credit card fraud, and twice on battery and disturbing the peace charges, in 2013 and 2015, records show

The letter also said, 'There are no facts whatsoever to suggest that Mr. Billes had anything to do with the fake (Facebook) profile.... Mr. Billes had nothing to do with the creation of the profile.'

Billes and Midence have been married since the summer last year, according to their Facebook profiles.

Billes, who has no prior convictions, is the CEO and principle owner of architectural firm Billes Partners, whose major projects include the redesign of the Louisiana Superdome after Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans House of Blues, and Concourse C of Louis Armstrong International Airport.

Midence was convicted in 1998 of credit card fraud, and twice on battery and disturbing the peace charges, in 2013 and 2015, court records show.

The accuser has since moved out of Louisiana, Midence said. Both she and her husband are forbidden by a restraining order from having contacting the accuser or coming within 600 feet of her until June 8.
Hospitals have been ordered to free-up between 2,000 and 3,000 beds to avoid a winter crisis next year.

The NHS watchdog has written to all trusts urging them to use new social care funding to discharge so-called bedblockers.

NHS Improvement has also compiled a list showing how many beds could be freed up at each trust if patients were discharged on time.

Hospitals have been ordered to free-up between 2,000 and 3,000 beds to avoid a winter crisis next year

The worst affected hospitals could make more than 70 beds available if patients were sent home once well enough.

Bed-blocking occurs when patients remain in hospital despite being medically fit to go home because care is not ready for them at home.

But the problem has intensified in the past few years due to a drastic shortfall in social care funding.

Hospitals are becoming increasingly overcrowded and this winter they were their busiest in living memory.

To alleviate the crisis, Chancellor Philip Hammond unveiled a 2 billion cash injection for social care in last weeks budget.

Now NHS Improvement has written to hospitals urging them to work with local councils and use this money to help discharge patients.

The letter instructs them to do this as a matter of urgency.

We run the risk that the additional funding will not have the intended impact if NHS trusts do not work proactively with their social care colleagues. It adds.

The figures show that University Hospitals Birmingham could free up 73 beds by using the money to discharge patients.

University Hospitals Southampton and University Hospitals of South Manchester could each make 55 beds available.
Canada's border authorities detained more Mexicans in the first 67 days of 2017 than they did annually in any of the three previous years.

The spike comes immediately after Canada's federal government lifted its visa requirement for Mexican citizens in December.

Many Mexicans looking north have shifted their focus from the United States to Canada as President Donald Trump vows to crack down on America's undocumented immigrants, about half of whom are Mexican.

On Friday, immigration judges were reassigned to 12 U.S. cities to speed up deportation.

An asylum claimant and her two daughters cross the border into Canada from the United States on Friday near Hemmingford, Quebec

Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers arrest an asylum claimant and her two daughters after they crossed the border into Canada from the United States on Friday

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said it detained 444 Mexican nationals between Jan. 1 and March 8, compared with 410 for all of 2016, 351 for 2015, and 399 for 2014.

The CBSA can detain foreign nationals if it is believed they pose a danger to the public, if their identity is unclear or if they are deemed unlikely to appear for removal or for a proceeding.

The number of Mexicans turned back at the airport has risen, too - to 313 in January, more than any January since 2012 and more than the annual totals for 2012, 2013 and 2014.

With the visa requirement lifted, all that Mexicans need to come to Canada is an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), obtainable online in a matter of minutes. But they cannot work without a work permit, and the eTA does not guarantee entry.

Canada issued 72,450 travel authorizations to Mexican citizens between Dec. 1, 2016, and March 10, 2017 - a significant increase compared with a similar period when visas were required.

Canada's Immigration and Refugee Minister Ahmed Hussen has said his department is monitoring the situation.

'It would be premature to draw conclusions or to speculate on future policy at this point,' Hussen's spokeswoman, Camielle Edwards, wrote in an email Friday evening.
The three oldest Trump children will be heading west this weekend for some fun on the slopes, with Don Jr., Ivanka and Eric meeting up in Aspen for a family vacation.

It will be a reunion of sorts for the group, who take the same vacation together back in 2015 with their spouses and children, just a few months before their father announced he would be running for president.

The three Trump children will not be joined by the commander-in-chief on the trip, with President Trump taking off for Mar-a-Lago on Friday afternoon with third wife Melania and their son Barron.

It is still unclear what Tiffany's plans are this weekend.

Family portrait: Ivanka Trump and her family (above in 2015) are travelling to Aspen this weekend for a family vacation with brothers Don Jr. and Eric

Snow day: There will also reportedly be 100 Secret Service agents in town when the family arrives (Arabella building a snowman in 2015)

Gang's all here: The group previously took this same vacation back in 2015 (Don Jr. and Vanessa in 2015)

There is no word yet on where the Trump party will be staying, though it will likely be clear once the group arrives in town, as in addition to the six adults and eight children on the tip there will also be 100 Secret Service agents according to one source who spoke with The Aspen Times.

US Secret Service agents had already spoken to local authorities in advance of the group's arrival, and a local law enforcement source said that the Aspen Police Department was told they would not have to provide any assistance during the trip.

The cost of the tip is unclear, but it will likely be even more than the reported $3million bill that President Trump racks up every weekend he heads down to Palm Beach.

And it will likely all be covered by taxpayer money.

Attack ad: President Trump criticized the Obamas on multiple occasions for their trips to Aspen

Off they go: He is in Mar-a-Lago this weekend for the seventh time, with each trip costing a reported $3million

The trip comes just a few years after Trump criticized the Obama family for travelling to the same resort town on vacation.

'Michelle Obama's weekend ski trip to Aspen makes it 16 times that Obamas have gone on vacation in 3 years,' wrote President Trump in a 2012 tweet.

'With 15% US real unemployment and a 16T debt, @Michelle Obama's luxurious Aspen vacation - her 16th - cost us over $1M.'

President Trump is currently heading down to Mar-a-Lago for the seventh time in his two-month presidency, for a total cost of approximately $21million.
Sydney and large parts of New South Wales are set to be lashed with rain for the next week, with forecasters warning that 16 rivers could burst their banks.

There is a 'huge risk' of flooding in the coming days, with the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warning that the rain is set to continue for the rest of the week and next weekend.

Forecaster Gabrielle Woodhouse told Daily Mail Australia that the heavy showers would not let up any time soon, with the BOM issuing a severe weather warning.

'We've got some very heavy rainfall at the moment and these sort of smaller bands of heavy rain that are coming are notoriously difficult to predict,' she said.

Scroll down for video

Sydney and large parts of New South Wales faced another deluge of torrential rain on Saturday morning

It was a damp start to the weekend for much of the state's east coast, with nearly 100mm of rain falling in just two hours in some areas

The mid north coast has faced the brunt of the wet weather, with more than 200mm falling in Bellingen in the last 24 hours, flooding roads

It was a damp start to the weekend for much of the state's east coast, with nearly 100mm of rain falling in just two hours in some areas.

The mid-north coast has faced the brunt of the wet weather, with more than 200mm falling in Bellingen in the last 24 hours, causing rivers to rise to dangerous levels.

The BOM forecaster said 204mm fell in Bellingen in 24 hours, with similar rainfall in Coffs Harbour and other parts of north east New South Wales.

Yamba saw 156mm of rain and 151mm fell in Comboyne in just a day.

'There's a number of places up and down the coast where we have warnings for rainfall of more than 100mm,' Ms Woodhouse said, adding that 96mm fell in Evans Head between 9am and 11am on Saturday.

'We're expecting rainfall to continue to be heavy in the north east and mid north coast for the rest of the day,' the forecaster said.

'We're looking at 100mm to 200mm today, with up to 250mm in localised places. Flooding is a huge risk.'

A total of sixteen rivers and valleys are subject to flood warnings, including the Orara River, Bellinger River, Hastings River, Williams River and Coffs Creek.

Forecasters said that the heavy showers would not let up anytime soon, with the BOM issuing a severe weather warning

Grey sky day: It was a murky morning in Sydney on Saturday as clouds gathered overhead

The rain held off to begin with, before a sudden deluge of heavy rain in the morning in Sydney

Well, they do hate water: This cat did not look too pleased with the wet weather as it took shelter inside

Brunswick, Wilsons, Richmond, Clarence, Nambucca, Macleay, Manning, Karuah, Paterson, Lower Hunter including Wollombi Brook, and the Nepean Hawkesbury river valleys are also at risk of minor flooding.

People living and working nearby have been told to prepare to move to higher ground.

Ms Woodhouse added that a band of humidity would bring more showers to the coast of northern New South Wales over the weekend, as well as thunderstorms.

'I'd bring in your umbrella for the rest of the week,' she said.

There will also be dangerous swells on Saturday, with four-metre waves expected on the north east coast.

The warning to surfers comes a day after a 70-year-old man died while swimming at Sydney's Coogee Beach.

Temperatures are likely to remain in the mid to high 20s throughout the week for much of New South Wales' north east coast, as well as Sydney.

Elsewhere, Melbourne and Hobart will enjoy a sunny weekend before showers set in from Monday.

Brisbane, Canberra and Darwin can all expect showers over the next five days at least, but in Adelaide it will remain largely sunny.

It will rain in Perth on Saturday but pick up on Sunday and Monday, with temperatures reaching highs of 28C.
Nicola Sturgeon will today blink first in her stand-off with Theresa May as she admits she will compromise in her demand for a referendum in the next two years

Nicola Sturgeon will today blink first in her stand-off with Theresa May as she admits she will compromise in her demand for a referendum in the next two years.

The First Minister will concede that the independence ballot could be put back until after Brexit in an apparent climbdown just days after demanding a vote by spring 2019.

After Mrs May warned on Thursday that now is not the time for a referendum, Miss Sturgeon will say: If her concern is timing then  within reason  I am happy to have that discussion.

The First Minister will tell the SNP spring conference in Aberdeen that if MSPs pass a vote next week, the demand for another independence ballot will become the will of the democratically-elected Parliament of Scotland, and that refusing a referendum will shatter beyond repair any notion of the UK as a respectful partnership of equals.

She will say: If a majority in the Scottish Parliament endorses that position, the Prime Minister should be clear about this.

At that point a fair, legal, agreed referendum  on a timescale that will allow the people of Scotland an informed choice  ceases to be just my proposal, or that of the SNP.

It becomes the will of the democratically-elected Parliament of Scotland.

Mrs May warned on Thursday that now is not the time for a referendum

Her comments come as Deputy First Minister John Swinney refused to rule out holding an unofficial vote if Mrs May completely refuses another referendum, and the SNPs leader in Westminster Angus Robertson accused Mrs May of being too scared to accept Miss Sturgeons demand for a vote in 2018/19.

He told the conference in Aberdeen: Just in case some people in Whitehall arent listening, Scotlands referendum is going to happen, and no UK Prime Minister should dare to stand in the way of Scottish democracy.

But Mrs May dismissed the plans as muddle on muddle. She rejected the SNPs divisive, obsessive nationalism at the Conservative Spring Forum in Cardiff and said the First Minister was using Brexit as a pretext for a second ballot.
Britain should scrap its rules banning building on the green belt, a think tank has suggested.

A shortage of housing was holding back UK growth, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said.

It also warned poor skills and a lack of investment in infrastructure and research was hampering the UKs productivity.

Among its other recommendations in its report, Going for Growth, were more toll roads, an expansion in vocational education and better provision of social housing.

Britain should scrap its rules banning building on the green belt, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Researchers said: Governments cannot afford to let up on reform if they want to escape the low-growth trap many of them are facing and to ensure that the gains of economic growth benefit the vast majority of citizens.

Detailed recommendations for boosting housing supply included: Further relax regulatory constraints to release more land for housing, in particular by thoroughly reviewing the boundaries of protected areas of the green belt and by easing skyline restrictions.

The international think tank also urged the government to enhance the provision of social housing where private sector activity is insufficient to promote greater equity in housing access.

Higher housing supply would improve labour mobility and reduce skill mismatches, resulting in additional income gains.

More investment in research and development and higher infrastructure provision would support technical progress and boost the capital stock, also enhancing progress in living standards.

On transport, it said Britain should move towards user pricing, especially in areas where negative environmental externalities exist, such as road transport.

The report said a shortage of housing was holding back UK growth and the Government should consider building more on the protected green belt. Pictured: Handy Cross area of outstanding natural beauty and green belt land

The report found that income inequality had fallen somewhat in the UK but remain above the average of the 35 developed countries which make up the OECD.

And it said that efficiency in public sector administration had improved since it was raised as an issue in the last such report in 2015.

Greater spending on education and training would raise skills and enhance productivity, allowing for higher wages.
Tory MPs warned Theresa May last night they would rebel against a school funding shake-up if she didnt amend it.

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown told the Prime Minister and Education Secretary Justine Greening that backbenchers would block the proposed changes.

Every school in England faces a real-terms cut over the next three years under the funding formula, which is out for public consultation until Wednesday.

Tory MPs including Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (right) told the Prime Minister and Education Secretary Justine Greening that backbenches would rebel against a school funding shake-up

Mr Clifton-Brown warned that heads would have to sack teachers and education standards would slip, with schools in London particularly badly hit.

He said: They will have difficulty getting it through the House. Theyll have to alter it.

Asked on Radio 4s Today programme whether he was telling the Government, U-turn or youll lose, he said: Exactly.

He added: The Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Education have indicated very strongly that they are listening to the consultation.

Mr Clifton-Brown said he hadnt voted against his party on major policies in 25 years, but the shake-up was unfair.

Fellow Tory Ben Howlett said he would vote against it unless the Government avoided cutting funds to the poorest areas.

Justine Greening's new funding formula is out for public consultation until Wednesday. Every school in England faces a real-terms cut over the next three years

Mr Howlett said: My real concern is that the schools that miss out are the ones in our most socially deprived communities.

He added that he would vote against it unless the government could avoid cutting funds to the poorest areas.

I have not had that reassurance yet, he added.

Many London schools receive more funding than those in other parts of the country due to deprivation levels.

In a speech to Tory activists in Cardiff, Miss Greening said: Increasingly children are growing up facing a postcode lottery on educational standards across our nations.

But as a London MP, Miss Greening is also under pressure locally to reverse the proposed cuts.

Friends have made clear that the policy was leftover by her predecessor Nicky Morgan.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said the existing funding formula was unfair and outdated.
Victoria Wood has left none of her 9million will to her ex-husband and father of her two children, Geoffrey Durham.

The comedienne, who died of cancer aged 62 last April, left her 4million Highgate mansion and Lake District cottage to their kids Grace, 28, and Henry, 24.

But the Dinnerladies star made no mention of her comedy magician ex partner, known as the 'Great Soprendo', who she was married to for 22 years.

Victoria Wood has left none of her 9million will to her ex husband and the father of her two children, Geoffrey Durham

Details of the BAFTA award winner's will were made public on Thursday.

The comic left half of her fortune to set up the charity Victoria Wood Charitable Trust, to support causes like helping young and disabled people, The Sun reported.

Handing over her Lake District property to her children, she gave the instructions that it should not be sold so long as its enjoyed by family.

Grace and Henry were also given her letters, diaries and photos which it's believed she wanted to be kept private.

She also gave 50,000 each to her three siblings - Rosalind, Penelope and brother Chris Foote Wood, 76.

The screenwriter gave between 2,000 to 25,000 to ten of her closest friends, including her two godchildren.

The Dinnerladies star made no mention of her comedy magician ex partner, known as the 'Great Soprendo', who she was married to for 22 years

The comedienne, who died of cancer aged 62 last April, left her 4million Highgate mansion and lake District cottage to their kids Grace, 28, and Henry, 24 (pictured in 1997)

Wood met her husband Geoffrey Durham in 1976 shortly after she won New Faces, when they were both appearing at the Phoenix Theatre, Leicester.

She later said of him: 'It was just one of those things when you click. He was encouraging because comedy's a very lonely thing to do without someone in your corner. I don't think it would have worked as well with him. We just did everything together.'

Durham quit acting and became a magician called the Great Soprendo while Wood starting writing. Wood fiercely maintained her privacy and that of her children, even originally refusing to release the name of her son when he was born.

She suffered from depression after they separated, saying in an interview: 'I take a lot of responsibility. I bear the consequences. I don't feel hard done by.

Wood met her husband Geoffrey Durham in 1976 shortly after she won New Faces, when they were both appearing at the Phoenix Theatre, Leicester (pictured together in 1995)

Christopher Foote Wood (left) set up a crowdfunding page to help raise money for the tribute to his sister (right)

'I've felt very guilty about my part in it. I felt a failure, completely. That's quite hard to live with.'

It comes as Victoria's family reportedly fell out over the plans for a 30,000 life-sized statue of the comedian to be built in her home town.

Christopher Foote Wood, set up a crowdfunding page to help raise money for the statue.

He said the statue would be unveiled in Bury, Greater Manchester, by May or June and a public vote decided it would be based on her character Bren from Dinnerladies.

But he has now revealed that the project is not 'exactly straightforward' and added that he will own it once it is finished, reports Robert Mendick at the Daily Telegraph.

Mr Foote Wood, a journalist and author, was accused of 'firing off under his own steam' after her children were not fully involved in the choice of the artist or design.

The newspaper reported the two sides - Mr Foote Wood and her two children - had reached a deal following talks in Bury and it is believed Wood's children will be given more control over the statue.
A Canadian entrepreneur who attempted to skydive on a lawn chair strapped with balloons has apologized for the danger the stunt caused but doesn't regret his actions - despite being fined $26,000.

Daniel Boria used 120 helium balloons for his 20-minute 'balloonatic' flight on July 5, 2015, to promote his start-up All Clean Natural.

The 27 year old's plan was to land onto the Calgary Stampede grounds during chuckwagon races, but he missed his mark because of high winds and landed in an industrial area southeast of the venue, the Calgary Sun reports.

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Daniel Boria, 27, (above) had hoped to fly a balloon chair across Calgary, Canada, and crash a local festival at the Calgary Stampede grounds on July 5, 2015

Boria (pictured) strapped 120 helium balloons to a lawn chair for his 20-minute flight

Boria was fined C$5,000, with an additional C$1,500 tacked on as a victim impact fee. He was also required to donate C$20,000 to a local veterans food bank.

'I have the greatest story to tell for the rest of my life,' said Boria when asked Friday outside his sentencing hearing if the stunt was worth the fine.

'I understood the risks but, if you do anything, you're going to get in trouble. If you don't do anything, you won't be in trouble but you won't get anywhere either,' he told CTV News.

Boria pleaded guilty in December to dangerous operation of an aircraft.

He missed his mark because of high winds and landed in an industrial area southeast of the venue. The failed stunt was to promote his start-up All Clean Natural

The Canadian entrepreneur (above) was fined C$6,500 and required to donate C$20,000 to a local veterans food bank for the stunt, which the judge called 'unconscionably stupid'

His lawn chair was caught floating into the flight paths of commercial airplanes by an incoming plane and air traffic control.

Judge Bruce Fraser said the stunt could have led to a plane crash and loss of lives to both those in the aircraft and on the ground, noting that Boria had two passenger jets fly underneath him.

'The stunt was unconscionably stupid,' said Fraser. 'There was nothing fantastic, fun or exhilarating about it as the offender was quoted describing it. It was dumb and dangerous.'

Boria said he originally planned to jump from a plane into the Stampede grounds, but all pilots he contacted in North America refused.

That's when he came up with the idea of using a lawn chair and balloons.

He told the court Friday that he's pursuing a hot air balloon pilot's license 'so we can do our next stunt legally'.

Boria would have likely received a harsher sentence if he wouldn't have pleaded guilty, said his attorney, Alain Hepner.

'I said I apologized and understand some of the danger that I may have caused, and I really do apologize for wasting everybody's time,' Boria said.
Labour's Lord Desai has accused his fellow socialist Ken Livingstone of being a tax dodger. The claim was made in a House of Lords speech in which Desai, the wild-haired former London School of Economics lecturer, said he thought it a good idea to raise taxes on the self-employed.

We know that self-employment is a tax dodge, he said, and it has been since my friend Ken Livingstone became a company and started paying himself  a good socialist such as Ken Livingstone discovered 15 years ago that it paid to dodge taxes.

We have to stop pretending that the self-employed are the backbone of society and guarantee growth. They are no such things. They are just tax dodgers. Tax dodgers ought to be treated like tax dodgers.

Labour's Lord Desai (right) has accused his fellow socialist Ken Livingstone (left) of being a tax dodger

Former London mayor Livingstone, who has called tax avoiders rich b******* who should not be allowed to vote, was accused of hypocrisy in 2012 for channelling his earnings through Silveta Ltd, paying corporation tax at 20 or 21 per cent, rather than income tax at up to 50 per cent.

Livingstone could not be reached for comment, but it is hard to believe that a statesman of such well-known benevolence and sobriety would do anything untoward.

Fury at palace basement plans

My revelation about plans to dig an iceberg mega-basement in the grounds of Kensington Palace have enraged the Duke and Duchess of Cambridges neighbours.

Furious Kensington residents say Historic Royal Palaces plans for a 50 metre-long basement underneath the Grade I-listed Orangery are shoddy and that there is no justification for a double basement.

Usually, two-storey basements are banned in Kensington & Chelsea, but forelock-tugging council planners have indicated they are prepared to make an exception at Kensington Palace. Donald Cameron, a retired communications CEO, says the double standards are bogus.

The planning department seems to have been bedazzled by courtiers when giving pre-application advice, he writes in an objection letter.

A decision is expected at the end of April.

You can quote me on that

People who mistake me for Ed Sheeran, I do question their dedication as a fan. I cant really see a huge resemblance, apart from the hair.

- Rupert Grint, Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter films.

Im always amazed at how many ways I can incorporate quinoa into my meals.

- Lily Collins, actress daughter of musician Phil Collins.

I believe theres a special place in hell for women who dont support other women. I cant bear women not being good sisters to one another.

- Author Joanna Trollope.

The mirror is a shocking thing to find yourself standing in front of, thinking: Wait a minute, Im still in my 20s . . . arent I? 

- Actor Griff Rhys-Jones, 63.

Mentioning no names...

Which chatelaine of a grand country home saves on household dusting by sliding down the banisters?
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has revealed how he first met his wife, Natalie, of 24 years.

While studying accountancy at the University of New England, a brash and confident Senator Joyce, who was a rugby player at the time, approached the raven-haired beauty.

The young Senator Joyce was in a ute at car rally for O Week when he uttered the words: 'You'll do', Natalie told The Weekend Australian.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has spoken of the toll his political career has taken on his family life and the pick up line that began it all

'The last day was a car rally in a ute and he just came up to me and went, 'You'll do', she said.

Fortunately the now Ms Joyce (nee Abberfield), a fellow university student, saw through the awkward chat and a few years later in 1993 the pair married.

The couple have four daughters together - Bridgette, 20, Julia, 19, Caroline, 17, and Odette, 15.

His wife, Natalie, says the family has taken a 'back seat' to her husband's political career but her daughters 'haven't really known any different'.

'Odette's never known anything but politics,' Natalie said.

'Every time he'd come home she actually wouldn't go near him because he hadn't been home. It's taken a long time to get that father-daughter rapport.'

Joyce was in a ute at car rally for O Week when he uttered the words 'You'll do' to future wife Natalie Abberfield (right)

Joyce described the guilt he feels for not being there for his family a fact reflected in only spending 22 nights in his own bed the first year he was elected as senator

Joyce says that managing his time is an incredible juggling act and he colours in purple in his diary the dates when he can sleep in his own bed

Bridgette said she spent most of the time she had together with her dad in the car.

Joyce says managing his time is an incredible juggling act and he colours in purple in his diary the dates when he can sleep in his own bed.

Joyce's four daughters even have to call his personal assistant to gain access to their father, something Natalie describes as 'really sad'.

Bridgette said the family had not been able to spend time together since 2004 - the year her father got elected - and added politics was 'a horrible life' she would not 'wish upon anyone'.

Joyce described the guilt he felt for not being there for his family - a fact reflected in only spending 22 nights in his own bed the first year he was elected as senator and 45 in the second.

'In the end they give up on you. They just don't think you're going to be there,' Senator Joyce said.

Joyce's wife Natalie says the family has taken a 'back seat' to her husbands career but her daughters 'haven't really known any different'

Joyce's four daughter's even have to call his PA Kate to access their gain access father, something Natalie (right) describes as 'really sad
Ministers are poised to unveil a cap on energy prices after Theresa May yesterday promised a crackdown on rip-off gas and electricity bills.

Firms will face limits on the difference in price between their cheapest and most expensive tariffs under plans that will be finalised within weeks.

The Prime Minister said yesterday that relying on customers to switch energy suppliers to keep prices down was clearly not working.

Ministers are poised to unveil a cap on energy prices after Theresa May yesterday promised a crackdown on rip-off gas and electricity bills

She declared that the Government was ready to step in so that consumers get a fair deal.

Addressing the Conservative Spring Forum in Cardiff, Mrs May said: Energy is not a luxury, it is a necessity of life.

But it is clear to me  and to anyone who looks at it  that the market is not working as it should.

Prices had risen 158 per cent over the past 15 years, while the vast majority of consumers were on the most expensive tariffs, Mrs May said.

She added: Relying on switching alone to keep prices down is clearly not working. Our party did not end the inefficient monopolies of the old nationalised energy corporations only to replace them with a system that traps the poorest customers on the worst deals.

So we are looking very closely at how we can address this problem, and ensure a fairer deal for everyone. We will set out our plans very soon. This is a government on the side of working people, acting to repair broken consumer markets, to improve the spending power of people who are just about managing with everyday costs and bills.

Because it is the job of government to act in the national interest and to protect the people. To crack down on individuals and businesses that abuse the system so that everyone  however big or small  plays by the same rules. That is the fairer Britain we are building.

The problem surrounds so-called standard variable tariffs (SVTs), which more than 60 per cent of households sign up to.

They are up to 300 a year dearer than the cheapest market deals. Millions who have never switched supplier are on an SVT and those on good value fixed-rate tariffs are automatically switched to an SVT when their deal ends.

A Downing Street source said the Governments plans would be outlined in a Green Paper as soon as next week.

Former shadow energy secretary Caroline Flint said: For six years, I have been telling the Government that the energy market isnt working and is not delivering fair prices to consumers.

Firms will face limits on the difference in price between their cheapest and most expensive tariffs under plans that will be finalised within weeks

Today, Theresa May has owned up that all of their tinkering and urging consumers to shop around has failed, and the market isnt working.

This is the strongest signal yet that a cap on energy prices is coming. Campaigners say SVTs should be no more than 6 per cent dearer than a suppliers cheapest deal. Mrs May used her address to expand on her Plan for Britain, as she pitched the Conservatives as the new centre ground of British politics.

She highlighted investment in housing, the NHS and getting people back to work, as well as ensuring the welfare system is fair to those who need it and fair to those who pay for it.

She also said the vote to leave the European Union was an instruction to change the way our country works, and the people for whom it works, forever and vowed to turn Britain into a great meritocracy.

The Prime Minister said: The Britain we will build must be a country where everyone has an equal chance to succeed and where getting on in life is dependent on talent and hard work, not background or connections.
It has been extinct since the early 1930s but one man claims he has sighted a family of Tasmanian tigers roaming in far north Queensland.

Queensland tourism operator Brian Hobbs claims the Tasmanian Tiger is not extinct at all after he reportedly saw the animal in Queensland's remote Cape York.

Mr Hobbs revealed his unlikely encounter with the Tasmanian Tiger - officially known as the thylacine - while camping in the far north Queensland town n 1983.

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The Tasmanian Tiger (pictured) has been extinct since the early 1930s but people swear they have sighted the animal in years since

'I was walking around the camp towards this ravine area and all of a sudden I have these sets of red eyes looking at me,' he told the ABC on Friday.

Mr Hobbs said the red eyes belonged to a family of Tasmanian Tigers - a male, female and two young pups.

'Now these animals, I've never seen anything like them before in my life. They're dog shaped and in the spotlight I can see they're tan in colour and have the stripes on their side,' he said.

'I was thinking to myself "now what in heavens have I seen?" I'd never seen anything like them before, ever.'

Mr Hobbs said the red eyes belonged to a family of Tasmanian Tigers, a male, female and two young pups (stock)

Mr Hobbs claims to have spotted the animal while camping in Queensland's Cape York (pictured)

Mr Hobbs told the ABC he came within 20 metres of the animals who made no noise and no sign of aggression.

He said the curious but cautious animals paid him a visit once more that night, peering into his camp site before wandering back off into the bush.

Now 34 years later, Mr Hobbs said he never forgot the moment he 'saw' the elusive Tasmanian Tiger.

The reported sighting comes two months after a trail camera reportedly captured the Tasmanian Tiger on the other side of the country in Perth.

While the last known thylacine died in Hobart Zoo in 1936, hundreds of people claim to have seen it

The Tasmanian Tiger The thylacine looked like a large, long dog with stripes and a long stiff tail.

Often shy and secluded the thylacine became extinct after the introduction of European settlers

The last known thylacine died in Hobart Zoo in 1936

Despite hundreds of reported sightings no conclusive evidence has been provided that the Tasmanian Tiger is alive

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The Thylacine Awareness Group claims to have captured the animal on camera on the outskirts of Perth in January.

Members of Victorian Wildlife Research/ Rescue said they left a camera on a bush trail for three weeks in 2014 before returning to collect the tape.

After going through hundreds of hours of footage, the team discovered a few grainy seconds of a large dog-like animals moving through the undergrowth.

The footage was widely circulated online, garnering huge attention in November last year.

Amateur investigators from Victorian Wildlife Research/Rescue suggest this footage shows a Tasmanian Tiger, thought to have gone extinct in 1936

While an animal was clearly captured on the footage, its legitimacy was questioned.

It was not the first time wildlife watchers claimed to have captured a thylacine on camera.

In September, residents in the Adelaide Hills claimed to have captured a thylacine rooting around some bins in blurry footage.

For a split second an auburn-coloured creature can be seen slipping between fence posts around a set of houses.

Claims of another Tasmanian Tiger sighting surfaced in September, this time in Adelaide Hills, after this amateur footage was posted online

While the animal could easily have been a fox, the appearance of the thinner and stubbier tail attracted attention.

Several groups carrying out amateur research into the thylacine pointed to the clip being genuine, though more prominent researchers cast doubt on the claims.

Catherine Kemper, a researcher from the South Australian Museum, told ABC she thought it was extremely unlikely.

She said every photo or video claiming to show the animal was poor quality, and thought it strange no good quality photos or video had emerged.

James Cook University research professor Bill Laurance has not ruled out the possibility the Tasmanian Tiger (pictured) still existed

Other researchers did not rule out the possibility the animal was still around, albeit elusive.

James Cook University research professor Bill Laurance told the ABC people should 'never say never'.

He said he was open to the possibility of their continued existence because 'every time we think we know everything it turns around and bites us on the backside'.
Col. William Jones, the former vice commander of the 20th Fighter Wing, pleaded guilty to possessing images and videos of child pornography

A US air force colonel who was sentenced to a year in prison on Friday after he pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography received loving support from his wife and daughter who hugged each other as the judge read the verdict, according to Fox News.

Col. William Jones, the former vice commander of the 20th Fighter Wing, was discharged from the air force after he pleaded guilty to possessing images and videos of child pornography.

The judge, J. Wesley Moore, handed down the sentence in a courtroom on Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.

Jones was initially suspected of downloading child pornography after the South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force noticed that someone living on the air force base was browsing through explicit material on the internet.

The task force then alerted the Air Force Office of Special Investigation, which followed up on the suspicions.

When Jones' materials were searched, investigators found over 7,000 pictures and 10 video clips on an external hard drive that he owned.

Pornographic images were also found on his laptop, desktop, and iPhone, according to Fox News.

During the trial, it was learned that Jones started downloading the images in August 2012.

Jones was initially suspected of downloading child pornography after the South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force noticed that someone living on Shaw Air Force Base (above) was browsing through explicit material on the internet

He continued to consume child pornographic material as recently as February 2016, when the military began to investigate him.

Owning child pornography is a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

After Jones was charged, he was stripped of his position as vice commander.

During the sentencing phase of the trial, Jones pleaded with the court to show mercy in light of his rough upbringing.

Jones testified that his father had committed suicide when he was seven years old and that his mother abandoned him and his brother shortly afterward.

He also told the judge that his adopted brother killed himself in 2015 and that his adopted mother attempted suicide just a few months after that.

Jones' attorneys also called a number of character witnesses to the stand during the sentencing phase, including his wife.

'I know him better than anyone,' she told the judge.

'He is a great father, great friend, and he loves teaching people. and I love him.'

A number of retired officers who served with Jones in Jordan also testified to his character.

'Anybody that knows him or has served under him is trying to make sense of it,' retired Lt. Col. Kendall Dean Potter said while fighting back tears.

'Maybe he snapped, something happened, I don't know.'

Jones read a letter to the court acknowledging that what he did was wrong.

He pleaded with the judge to allow his family to continue to receive health benefits.
It wasn't an ordinary police call for someone trying to duck a subway fare.

New York City officers found themselves chasing down a duck that strayed onto the tracks at a Brooklyn subway station Friday morning.

Police arrived at the Jefferson Street station on the L line in Bushwick around 9.20am to find the duck down in the tracks.

Officers Frantz Chauvet and Anastasiya Mishchenko, who discovered the duck, asked for backup from the Emergency Services Unit, NBC New York reports.

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Ducking the police! New York City officers found themselves chasing down a duck that strayed onto the tracks at a Brooklyn subway station Friday morning

Got 'em! A man is seen holding the duck down on the subway tracks at the Jefferson L Train stop in Bushwick on Friday morning

Detectives Kevin Conway and Michael Black responded and worked to rescue it.

Police told the New York Daily News that train service was temporarily put on hold as the duo climbed so as to retrieve the duck.

A video obtained by NBC New York shows the two men down on the tracks, with one person successfully collecting the bird.

The New York Police Department's L Train Twitter account posted a video of police carrying the bird along the platform.

'All in a day's work, all in a day's work,' a voice says in that clip.

The tweet said: 'Sick of the snow & too tired to fly, Bklyn duck tries taking #Ltrain south for warmer air. Thanks @nypdtransit @nypdspecialops for the lift!'

Get quackin'! The New York Police Department's L Train Twitter account posted a video of police carrying the bird along the platform

Chief of Transit Joseph Fox tweeted a video of Chauvet and Mischenko later releasing the duck in Highland Park from a police-tape-wrapped box.

The bird hopped out and waddled off down a snowy path.

Fox quipped: 'Ducked our cops at Jefferson St, nearly roasted by the L train, apprehension went swimmingly, we'll add the return trip to his bill...'

Authorities think the bird may have gotten out of a poultry store, the Daily News reported.

Freedom! Chief of Transit Joseph Fox tweeted a video of Chauvet and Mischenko later releasing the duck in Highland Park from a police-tape-wrapped box
This is the man police want to speak to after an elderly man died following a violent home invasion in Adelaide.

The 70-year-old died in hospital on Friday night after he was bashed at his home in Elizabeth South in the city's north last week.

The intruder demanded money along with the victim's ATM card and PIN number.

He left the man's home but returned about 15 minutes later and brutally assaulted the pensioner.

This is the man police want to speak to after an elderly man died following a violent home invasion in Adelaide

Police have released CCTV footage of a man they want to speak to following the violent attack.

The victim was taken to hospital following the incident suffering broken ribs, but later died from his injuries.

A post mortem will also be conducted to determine the cause of the man's death.

Police are appealing to the community for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.

The 70-year-old died in hospital on Friday night after he was bashed at his home in Elizabeth South in the city's north last week
Three Australians arrested in Ecuador for attempting to smuggle 10kg of cocaine could face more than 10 years in jail.

The two men and a woman from Melbourne were arrested on January 29 as they prepared to board a flight in Guayaquil, south-west of capital city Quito.

All three are have been detained since their arrest, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Three Australians arrested in Ecuador for attempting to smuggle 10kg of cocaine could face more than 10 years in jail

The trio maintain their innocence saying the drugs worth an estimated $3 million in Australia were planted in their bags when they checked in at the airport.

Although not named it is believed the man and woman are a couple, and the other man is friends with the couple.

Under Ecuadorian law, possessing five kilograms of cocaine or greater has a maximum penalty of 10 to 13 years imprisonment.

It is also believed one of the man has links to a significant Melbourne organised crime figure and alleged drug trafficker who helped plan the expedition.

They will next face court on April 4.

The two men and a woman from Melbourne were arrested on January 29 as they prepared to board a flight in Guayaquil, south-west of capital city Quito
One day after an FDNY medic and mother-of-five was run over and killed by a man who stole her ambulance, harrowing emergency radio recordings have revealed her chilling final moments.

This comes as the murdered woman's colleagues packed a New York City courthouse to witness the suspect's arraignment.

The chaotic minutes after EMT Yadira Arroyo, 44, was fatally struck unfolded around 7.10pm on Thursday in The Bronx, after she and her partner Monique Williams were flagged down by members of the public.

They were told a man was riding on the back bumper of their rig as they rushed to an emergency to do with a pregnant woman.

The man, identified by police as 25-year-old Jose Gonzalez, overpowered her and jumped into the vehicle and plowed straight into Arroyo, according to witnesses and cellphone video from the scene.

Seconds later, a woman's voice can be heard screaming over the FDNY EMS dispatch radio.

'Please we need assistance,' the woman pleads.

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Fallen Partner: Slain EMT Yadira Arroyo (left) is shown with partner Monique Williams, who was riding in their ambulance when a carjacker used it to murder Arroyo

Yadira Arroyo (left), a 44-year-old mother of five children, was killed Thursday night after Jose Gonzalez (right) carjacked her ambulance and ran her over

'What unit is that?' the dispatcher asks.

After verifying their location, the dispatcher puts out the code for additional units: 'All Bronx North units, unit 82 Nora has a 10-85.'

Moments later, a commander comes on the air with the code for an officer in distress.

'10-13, 10-13,' the commander says. 'All units in the Bronx stand by.'

'I don't think we're too far from that,' a radio patrol car responds.

'Get going, get going, get going, get going,' the commander says.

It was initially unclear to responders whether the unit in distress was a police officer or EMT.

Several other units call in as responding. 'Traumatic arrest,' one responder shouts, referring to Arroyo's condition.

Arroyo's body is seen in the street after Gonzalez stole her ambulance and ran her over. The scene was captured by a bystander

Newly obtained surveillance footage appears to show the man standing on the ambulance's rear bumper clinging to the rear door

Several minutes of chaos follow as the dispatcher tries to clear the airwaves to coordinate the responding units.

One unit repeatedly tries to call in that she's on a meal break, using the code 10-63.

'I got a 13 going on, I'll get back to you as soon as I can, just stay off the air!' the dispatcher snaps.

Seven minutes into the events, the dispatcher issues a 'slow down,' indicating that the situation at the scene is under control.

The dispatcher coordinates a road bock and escort for the ambulance transporting Arroyo.

About 11 minutes after the distress call hit the airwaves, the ambulance arrived at Jacobi Medical Center, where Arroyo was pronounced dead.

Meanwhile, EMTs from across the city packed a Bronx courthouse for suspect Gonzalez's arraignment on Friday.

EMTs from across the city packed a Bronx courthouse for Gonzalez's arraignment on Friday

Jose Gonzalez was arraigned on murder and other charges in Arroyo's gruesome death. The fallen EMT's colleagues struggled to compose themselves in the courthouse

'I'm innocent. I didn't do nothing,' Gonzalez said as he was escorted out of a police station, surrounded by angry, uniformed emergency medical technicians hurling insults.

Gonzalez, 25, goes by the alias 'Breezy Blood' and is a Bloods gang member, police sources told the Daily News.

Police say he is an emotionally-disturbed person with a criminal history of 31 prior arrests. Twenty one of those arrests are sealed, but the 10 that aren't include charges of robbery, assault, criminal mischief, criminal possession of marijuana, public lewdness, graffiti and sale of marijuana.

Police said Gonzalez had been high on drugs during the deadly encounter.

His lawyer, Alice Fontier, said he has a severe mental illness. She didn't identify it, saying his history would be disclosed later in court.

'Whatever may have happened here, none of his actions were intentional,' Fontier said, calling Arroyo's death a tragedy for both the EMT's family's and the suspect's.

'I'm innocent. I didn't do nothing,' Gonzalez said as he was escorted out of a police station, surrounded by angry, uniformed emergency medical technicians

Gonzalez is being held without bail.

Police said Gonzalez, who lived for about a month at a group home for chronically homeless single adults, had a history of violent and erratic behavior with officers.

Fontier said his record involves mostly marijuana possession charges, as well as misdemeanor assault and criminal mischief cases.

Paramedics and firefighters struggled to compose themselves in the packed courthouse during the arraignment, as they mourned their fallen comrade.

'Yadi, Yadi, Yadi,' the first responders chanted, repeating Yadira Arroyo's nickname in sadness and defiance.

'Yadi was the matriarch of the station,' Lieutenant George Lampon said, choking back tears during a somber ceremony at Arroyo's stationhouse. 'She was not only a mother of five, but a mother to the 100-plus people who worked here.'

Another medic, Anastasia Rabos, said Arroyo was a great mentor and friend and 'a very humble person.'

'Yadi, Yadi, Yadi,' chanted fire and EMT workers outside Gonzalez's arraignment, repeating the nickname of slain paramedic Yadira Arroyo

Fire and EMT workers made a show of force at Gonzalez's arraignment on Friday

Arroyo's death unfolded in a matter of heart-pounding seconds while she and partner Monique Williams were on a routine call to assist a pregnant woman on Thursday evening.

Arroyo, a 14-year veteran of New York's Bravest, was driving the ambulance when members of the public flagged her down to warn her that there was a man riding on the vehicle's back bumper.

Newly obtained surveillance footage appears to show the man standing on the ambulance's rear bumper clinging to the rear door.

Arroyo got out of the ambulance to confront the man when he jumped into the driver's seat and pulled away - running her over

Arroyo's partner Monique Williams (third from left) started kicking Gonzalez in the head after he was arrested

A bereft Monique Williams stands over her colleague's body following the carjacking - which unfolded in a matter of mere moments

Witness Anis Nagi, 40, said that he flagged down the ambulance when they saw a man on the back.

'The female EMT came out of the vehicle,' Nagi told the New York Daily News. 'She left the door open.'

According to Nagi, the man jumped from the back, tried to mug someone and Arroyo attempted to stop him.

As Arroyo attempted to intervene, the man overpowered her following a brief struggle and jumped behind the wheel of the vehicle, where Arroyo's partner, Monique Williams, 31, was sitting in the passenger side.

Shocking cellphone video shows the ambulance reverse and plow straight into Arroyo, who tries to desperately hold onto the still open door, leaving her for dead in the middle of the road.

'He reversed so hard and she was dragged,' said Nagi. 'He ran over her and she went under the wheels.'

Without stopping, the man then mindlessly drives about 20 feet straight into a parked car.

FDNY members salute the body of Arroyo as it arrived at the Medical Examiners Office in New York City Thursday night

Yadira Arroyo's body is lifted from the ambulance draped in the Stars and Stripes

Wearing their dress uniform, members of the FDNY salute Arroyo's body as it was taken inside

The man was immediately apprehended by a passing off-duty MTA K-9 Officer Danny McCabe and members of the public.

'He was incoherent and talking to himself,' a witness said.

A solemn guard of honor was laid on later that evening for the fallen officer by members of the FDNY as her body was brought to the Medical Examiner's Officer in Manhattan.

Meanwhile, Gonzalez was arrested and now faces charges of murder, grand larceny and operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs.

The New York Times spoke with two relatives of Gonzalez, who said he had been depressed since his mother died as a child.

He was escorted by police from the 43rd Precinct early Friday morning to be booked in jail.

Gonzalez muttered to himself as EMTs watched him being put in a police cruiser.

'I'm innocent. I didn't do nothing. I'm innocent,' Gonzalez said.

Some of the EMTs yelled at Gonzalez as he was led past them.

'Youre a piece of s***,' one EMT said, according to the Daily News.

'Theres a special place in hell for people like you,' another added.




Mauricio Hochschild, who is now being called the 'Bolivian Schindler facilitated the escape of at least 9,000 Jews from Nazi Germany

A Bolivian business tycoon with a reputation as a 'bad guy' facilitated the escape of at least 9,000 Jews from Nazi Germany, new documents reveal.

Mauricio Hochschild, who is now being called the 'Bolivian Schindler,' is now believed to have had strong connections with the Nazi resistance movement, despite being vilified in his time.

Documents found in a storage unit in La Paz, Bolivia, were mixed among trash and decomposed, but shed light on the thousands of lives he saved decades ago.

Hochschild made a name for himself in the tin-mining industry and was one of the three 'Barons of Tin'.

He was, at the time, known for not paying taxes and exploiting his workers, which even landed him in jail in the mid-1900s.

Historians believe that this new revelation will completely shift the country's perspective of Hochschild.

Edgar Ramirez, the archive director of the Mining Corporation of Bolivia said that this new revelation will completely shift the country's perspective of Hochschild

Documents found in a storage unit in La Paz, Bolivia, were mixed among trash and decomposed, but shed light on the thousands of lives he saved decades ago

Hochschild was Jewish himself, and reportedly paid out of pocket for many of the travel arrangements and accommodations for the incoming refugees.

The documents show that he established two companies to aid in the resistance: the Society for the Protection of Israeli Immigrants, which obtained funds for the Jewish families, and the Colonization Society of Bolivia, which managed an agricultural project in Nor Yungas, where he bought three estates to house the persecuted individuals.

He also placed many of them at work in his mining companies, and established a school in La Paz for the Jewish children.

One handwritten note described the need to expand his school to accommodate the number of children he had brought in, and the amount he was anticipating enrolling soon.

Edgar Ramirez, the archive director of the Mining Corporation of Bolivia said: 'These papers are going to change many things of the Bolivian history; the political ramifications are yet to come.'

The documents show that he established two companies to aid in the resistance

One handwritten note described the need to expand his school to accommodate the number of children he had brought in, and the amount he was anticipating enrolling soon

In 1938, he convinced then-President of Bolivia German Busch to allow special visas for Jewish immigrants, arguing that they could be vital to the work force.

This led Ramirez to conclude that Hochschild had significant connections in the political sector and used them to protect others.

'I am convinced that Hochschild was part of the anti-fascist apparatus,' Ramirez said.

'In order to do what he did, he had to be a man linked to the resistance movements that were operating around the world.'

In 1938, he convinced then-President of Bolivia German Busch to allow special visas for Jewish immigrants, arguing that they could be vital to the work force

Ramirez took on the task of deciphering the files, which was no easy feat, as they were mixed with trash and other materials.

The discovery has raised a lot of questions about Hochschild and how he ought to be remembered.

'Was he a charitable man? I have a question mark there because Hochschild is considered the worst of the three 'Barons of Tin'; they say he was short-tempered, he didn't pay taxes, he exploited his workforce,' said Ramirez.

When mining regulations changed in the 1940s, he refused to comply with the new rules, and was put in prison. He then traveled to America when he was released in 1944, and died in Paris in 1967, the owner of a business dynasty - and secretly, a savior to thousands of Jewish lives.
Donna Brazile, the former interim chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, admitted for the first time on Friday that she fed Hillary Clinton a question that would be asked during a televised town hall debate last year.

Although she initially denied sending emails to a Clinton staffer about the question, the long-time Democratic Party operative now writes in Time magazine that it 'was a mistake I will forever regret.'

'[Hacked emails] revealed that among the many things I did in my role as a Democratic operative and DNC Vice Chair prior to assuming the interim DNC Chair position was to share potential town hall topics with the Clinton campaign,' Brazile writes.

'I had been working behind the scenes to add more town hall events and debates to the primary calendar, and I helped ensure those events included diverse moderators and addressed topics vital to minority communities.'

Donna Brazile (above), the former interim chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, admitted for the first time on Friday that she fed Hillary Clinton a question that would be asked during a televised town hall debate last year

Brazile emailed a Clinton staffer about a question she would be asked during a March 13, 2016, town hall debate with her Democratic rival, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders (seen right with Clinton during a town hall debate in Brooklyn, New York, on April 14, 2016)

'My job was to make all our Democratic candidates look good, and I worked closely with both campaigns to make that happen. But sending those emails was a mistake I will forever regret.'

On March 12, 2016, one day before the CNN-moderated Democratic debate between Clinton and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Brazile sent an email about the death penalty to Clinton staffer Jennifer Palmieri with the subject: 'From time to time I get the questions in advance,' according to emails obtained by WikiLeaks.

The death penalty question was repeated verbatim in an email debate co-host Roland Martin sent to CNN producers the next day, and the question was asked using similar wording during the event in Columbus, Ohio.

Brazile's message was among the emails from Clinton campaign manager John Podesta's account that were hacked by an unknown agent and then published by WikiLeaks.

On March 12, 2016, one day before the debate, Brazile sent an email (above) about the death penalty to Clinton staffer Jennifer Palmieri with the subject: 'From time to time I get the questions in advance,' according to emails obtained by WikiLeaks

The US government and the intelligence community believes that Russia was behind the hacks against Podesta, which were part of a strategy to help Donald Trump eventually win the presidency.

Initially, Brazile denied sending the emails.

During an appearance on Fox News, she claimed that the hacked emails which were published by WikiLeaks were altered.

When Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly confronted Brazile on October 19 asking how she got the question in advance, Brazile said she refused to be 'persecuted' before adding: 'I am not going to try to validate falsified information.'

When Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly (left) confronted Brazile on October 19 asking how she got the question in advance, Brazile (right) said she refused to be 'persecuted' before adding: 'I am not going to try to validate falsified information'

Clinton's campaign has refused to verify whether the hacked emails were real.

During the presidential debates, however, Clinton's answers about paid Wall Street speeches, snippets of which were cited in the hacked emails, seemed to confirm their validity.

Brazile's message to Palmieri opened with the statement: 'Here's one that worries me about HRC.'

The email then states: '19 states and the District of Columbia have banned the death penalty. 31 states, including Ohio, still have the death penalty. According to the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, since 1973, 156 people have been on death row and later set free. Since 1976, 1,414 people have been executed in the US That's 11% of Americans who were sentenced to die, but later exonerated and freed. Should Ohio and the 30 other states join the current list and abolish the death penalty?'

On the day of the debate, Roland Martin's email to CNN producers contained three questions, the last of which mirrored the exact wording in Brazile's message to Palmieri.

The US government believes that Russia was behind the hacks against Clinton aides, which were part of a strategy to help Donald Trump eventually win the presidency. Trump (left) and Clinton (right) are seen during their debate in St. Louis on October 9, 2016

During Wednesday's interview with Kelly, Brazile said: 'I have my documents. I have my files. Thank god I haven't had my emails ripped off from me and stolen and given to some criminal to come back altered.'

She also said: 'As a Christian woman I understand persecution but I will not stand here and be persecuted because your information is totally false.'

'Podesta's emails were stolen. You're so interested in talking about stolen material, you're like a thief that wants to bring into the night the things that you found that was in the gutter.'

On October 31, CNN cut ties with Brazile.

Two weeks after the network made the decision, Brazile launched a scathing attack in response, accusing CNN of besmirching her reputation.

Network head Jeff Zucker reportedly called her behavior 'disgusting' during an editorial meeting after the network announced her resignation.

Brazile maintains that the network did not provide her with the information she allegedly passed on.

'CNN never gave me a question,' she said.

'I wish CNN had given me some other things, like the ability to defend myself rather than ripping me a new one.'
Paul Ryan is being roasted on Twitter for toasting a Friends of Ireland lunch event with a flat pint of Guinness.

The Republican Speaker of the House is of Irish descent, but has unknowingly become the joke of St Patrick's Day 2017.

It all began when an Irish woman Naomi O'Leary tweeted a photo of Ryan holding his 'appalling' pint.

'Grave missteps by the US' she wrote in the Tweet.

Paul Ryan is being mocked on Twitter for toasting a Friends of Ireland lunch event with a flat pint of Guinness

It all began when an Irish woman Naomi O'Leary tweeted a photo of Ryan holding his 'appalling' pint

The lunch was held in Washington on Thursday, ahead of the St Patrick's day celebrations around the country.

The luncheon has taken place every year since 1983 either on or close to St Patrick's Day. Because he is Irish, Ryan was chosen as the speaker.

In his speech he paid tribute to the Republic of Ireland and closed with remarks about his own ancestry.

After O'Leary's first tweet about the offending beverage, which was retweeted more than 3,800 times, hundreds of people replied to further make fun of the politician

After O'Leary's first tweet about the offending beverage, which was retweeted more than 3,800 times, hundreds of people replied to further make fun of the politician.

Many people said that he would be lucky to ever be let back into the land of his ancestors again, while Terry Winchcombe tweeted 'Fake Brews' in reference to the president's favorite criticism of the media.

One Twitter user shared a photo of former President Obama holding up a pint of Guinness for comparison, saying that his pour is 'one of the many areas he excelled in.'

The lunch was held in Washington on Thursday, ahead of the St Patrick's day celebrations around the country

One Twitter user shared a photo of former President Obama holding up a pint of Guinness for comparison, saying that his pour is 'one of the many areas he excelled in.'

Some other Twitter users were a bit more harsh with their insults, and brought specific political issues to front.

Tad Boomer tweeted: 'Odd. It looks like the tap water from Flint,' referencing the Michigan city's water crisis that many people have criticized the administration for not addressing more fervently.

Another twitter user, Daniel Norman, apologized on behalf of Mr Ryan and of the USA, saying: 'On behalf of my countrymen and women, we're sorry.'

He also added a political jab, saying: 'If it's any consolation, Mr Ryan's political career is likely ending soon.'

Tad Boomer tweeted: 'Odd. It looks like the tap water from Flint,' referencing the Michigan city's water crisis that many people have criticized the administration for not addressing more fervently
The source of a Fox News commentator's claim that then-President Barack Obama enlisted British intelligence to spy on Donald Trump during the recent election campaign is reportedly the same man who propagated the baseless claim that Michelle Obama used a racial slur against white people.

Larry C. Johnson, a former CIA intelligence officer, told Fox News legal analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano that Obama used the GCHQ, Britain's high-tech global listening post that monitors communications around the world, to spy on Trump, according to The New York Times.

Johnson called the Times at Napolitano's behest. He confirmed to the newspaper that he was one of the sources for the judge's claims - which were then repeated by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on Thursday.

The White House had latched onto the disputed Fox News report on Thursday in its latest battle with the press to produce evidence of Trump's claim that Obama wiretapped him.

Larry C. Johnson (seen in the middle testifying before Congress in 2005), a former CIA intelligence officer, is a source of a Fox News commentator's claim that then-President Barack Obama enlisted British intelligence to spy on Donald Trump during the recent election

Johnson (left) is the same man who propagated the baseless claim that Michelle Obama (right) used a racial slur against white people that was caught on camera

He started it: The row with Britain - first over claims of spying, then over who did or did not apologize - was prompted by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer quoting Fox News' Judge Andrew Napolitano. Johnson was one of Napolitano's sources

It quoted Napolitano as saying that 'three intelligence sources' had told the network about President Obama using GCHQ to access transcripts of Trump phonecalls without leaving any official record.

Johnson said that he had gotten the information from his own sources inside the US intelligence community.

No regrets: Sean Spicer told reporters on Friday that the White House did not apologize to Britain for saying its spies helped surveil Trump - contradicting UK intelligence sources who were already denying that they would spy on their closest ally

Spicer's remarks prompted a rare and furious response from GCHQ, which denied the claim.

The incident sparked a diplomatic row, since it infuriated the British government and intelligence officials who felt that Trump's top spokesperson was essentially accusing the UK of violating the Five Eyes Agreement.

Spicer on Friday denied he apologized to Britain for repeating the claim.

'I don't think we regret anything,' Spicer told reporters who asked him directly if the White House had apologized to Britain's government, CNN reported.

He replied: 'No, we were just passing on news reports.'

Intelligence sources said both Spicer and General H.R. McMaster, the US National Security Adviser, had apologized over the claims - meaning Spicer is now at odds not once, but twice with the British spies.

No evidence: Fox News anchor Shep Smith described the claims initially made by Judge Andrew Napolitano as 'commentary' for which there was no evidence

WHAT FOX NEWS JUDGE SAID TO START UK-US STANDOFF Andrew Napolitano, a former judge who is the Fox News senior judicial analyst, appeared on Fox and Friends on Monday and was interviewed by Brian Kilmeade. Here is what he said. Judge Napolitano: OK so the statues authorize the president of the United States to order the surveillance of any person in the United States of America without suspicion, without probable cause, and without a warrant, meaning he doesn't have to go to a court to do it. So he can order the NSA, which already has the digital version of our phonecalls to transcribe the digital version into a transcript and give it to him. But if he does that there's a record of the order. So three intelligence sources have informed Fox News that President Obama went outside the chain of command. He didn't use the NSA, he didn't use the CIA, he didn't use the FBI and he didn't use the Department of Justice. He used GCHQ. What the heck is GCHQ? That's the initials for the British spying agency. They have 24/7 access to the NSA database. So by simply having two people go to them saying 'President Obama needs transcripts of conversations involving candidate Trump, conversations involving President-elect Trump', he's able to get it and there's no American fingerprints on this. Brian Kilmeade: So you're saying that the British used their version of the CIA to wiretap Donald Trump's phone? Judge Napolitano: Well it's not a wiretap. The concept of plugging a wire into a phonebox in the basement of a building is what the law was when the statues were written in 1978. Everything is done electronically now, via computer. The NSA has 24/7, 365 access to every mainframe computer of every telecom and every computer service provider that does business in the United States and they share that with various intelligence agencies including the Brits. So the British intelligence agency had this. What happened to the guy who ordered this? Resigned. And three days after Donald Trump was inaugurated. Advertisement

Britain's ambassador to the United States Sir Kim Darroch spoke directly to Spicer about the incident in the White House.

Sources told CNN that the meeting was 'serious' in tone - and not cordial.

McMaster also spoke to his British counterpart, Sir Mark Lyall.

The White House said in a Friday morning statement that Darroch and Lyall 'expressed their concerns' to the Trump administration officials.

'Mr. Spicer and General McMaster explained that Mr. Spicer was simply pointing to public reports, not endorsing any specific story.'

No 10 today said it had received assurances the claims would not be repeated.

'The apology came direct from them,' an intelligence source told the Telegraph.

Another source told the Sun: 'Under the Five Eyes convention, we never spy on our main allies, and that includes the United States.

'This allegation is so off the scale crazy, it's very hard to understand.'

At his Friday press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Trump directly referred to the judge's claim when he was asked about wiretapping - despite the promise apparently made to the British government not to repeat it.

'All we did was quote a certain, very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television,' Trump said.

'I didn't make an opinion on it. That was a statement made by a very talented lawyer on Fox. And so you shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox.'

But the credibility of the claim was falling apart on Friday afternoon as Fox News anchor Shepard Smith distanced the network from the judge's report - calling it 'commentary'.

'Fox News cannot confirm Judge Napolitano's commentary,' Smith on his afternoon news show.

'Fox News knows of no evidence of any kind, that the now president of the United States was surveilled at any time, in any way, full stop.'

Judge Napolitano made his claim on air since Monday - and the description of it as 'commentary' is at odds with how he originally said it.

On Fox & Friends, he said that 'three intelligence sources have informed Fox News that President Obama went outside the chain of command'.

Later the same day he diluted slightly his position. He told Outnumbered: 'Fox News has spoken to intelligence community members who believe that surveillance did occur, that it was done by British intelligence.'

And he further diluted the claim in feature on the Fox News website called Judge Napolitano's Chambers, using the word 'probable' to describe that version of events.

Spicer had made use of it on Thursday after a stinging rebuke from the Senate.

Just before press secretary he was due to take questions from reporters on camera, the Republican head of the Senate Intelligence Committee and the panel's top Democrat released a joint statement affirming a lack of evidence to support the president's claim.

Meanwhile, a British tabloid is reporting that UK intelligence officials believe the claim of GCHQ spying on Trump at the behest of Obama originated with Russia.

'We have identified the site where the claim was first made,' an intelligence official was quoted as telling The Sun.

This undated photograph shows the British Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) in west central England

British officials have denied Napolitano's report. 'No part of this story is true,' a British government official told Fox News. British PM Theresa May is seen above

Napolitano had said: 'They have 24/7 access to the NSA database, so by simply having two people go to them and saying, 'President needs transcripts of conversations involving candidate President-elect Trump,' he's able to get it and there's no American fingerprints on it'

Trump said Wednesday in a Fox News interview that he was referring to surveillance of all kinds, not just the form he specified in his tweets - wiretapping. So far, the FBI has not produced evidence that he was spied on in any way

'The whole incident bears all the hallmarks of the Russians. It's a shame people who should know better fell for it.'

The Sun says that GCHQ investigated the matter and found that the allegation was first disseminated throughout fake news sites created by the Russians.

The newspaper reported that spreading false claims is a tactic used often by Russia as a means of sowing dissension among allies.

While the US has formally apologized, it may not pacify everyone in Britain.

The former foreign minister, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, is calling on Washington to make clear that there is no evidence that GCHQ ever took part in espionage against Trump.

'That's just foolish and very, very dangerous stuff, and President Trump better get a grip - not only on his own press officer, but on the kind of encouragement being given from the White House that makes a press officer make these stupid remarks in the first place,' Rifkind told BBC Radio 4.

'It's dangerous because we're not talking about a candidate for the presidency, that would be bad enough. We're talking about the president of the US. You cannot have his official spokesman making allegations against a fellow NATO government.'
A gay cafe owner has claimed that a couple have stopped visiting his establishment after discovering his sexuality.

Jay Horne, the co-owner of Paradiso Cafe in Cairns said the couple who were regulars told his staff who are also gay they would not be back.

'The couple had a conversation in which they stated that they wouldn't be coming here any more because we're a gay-owned business, Mr Horne told TropicNow.

A gay cafe owner has claimed that a couple have stopped visiting his establishment after discovering his sexuality

Mr Horne, who is also the publisher and editor of gay travel publication FNQ Magazine, said he had no idea what the reason was behind their decision.

'They still walk past every single day but now they refuse to acknowledge us,' he said.

'The only thing I could really think was, "Okay, maybe these people think that we have a disease or a virus that they were going to contract through our cafe", or that they believed that if we touched them, they would end up gay.

Mr Horne took to Facebook on Thursday to vent his frustrations.

Jay Horne, the co-owner of Paradiso Cafe in Cairns said the couple who were regulars told his staff who are also gay they would not be back

Mr Horne, who is also the publisher and editor of gay travel publication FNQ Magazine, said that he had no idea what the reason was behind their decision.

'I'm curious,' the post began.

'Do you think you are going to turn gay [if you're not already] if you eat and drink at a gay owned and operated cafe?

'I heard the funniest thing today... One of our regular "straight" couples have stopped frequenting our cafe because we are gay owned and operated and they had no idea.'

The post has been met with plenty of support for Mr Horne and his business.

'Haven't been by recently but always enjoy the food the coffee and the company when I do.... their loss,' one person wrote.

'I was trying to figure out why I am gay ... must have been the cafe and restaurants I ate at as a young impressionable boy,' another said.

Mr Horne took to Facebook on Thursday to vent his frustrations
A woman who started to get a headache as she celebrated her 20th birthday with friends died just hours later.

Photos from the night show Auckland woman Gabby Marsh's final moments as she raised a toast with friends.

About two hours after the picture was taken, Ms Marsh was unconscious and on life support having suffered a catastrophic brain haemorrhage, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Photos from the night show Auckland woman Gabby Marsh's final moments as she raised a toast with friends. Not long after the picture was captured, Gabby was unconscious and on life support

Ms Marsh's family made the heartbreaking decision to switch off the life support machines later that night. This is one of the last pictures ever taken of her

Doctors told her family she was unlikely to survive and they made the heartbreaking decision to switch off the life support machines later that night.

But the compassionate young woman's tragic death saved the lives of six others.

On her 20th birthday on March 6, the popular university student had her organs removed to be donated.

'The woman at the hospital called me and said it was all done, and the donation was taking place as we speak,' Ms Marsh's mother Kathryn told the paper.

The compassionate young woman's tragic death saved the lives of six others after she donated her organs

The University of Auckland have established the Gabby Marsh Scholarship to honour its former student

'Gabby loved doing things for other people, and that was her biggest, most amazing gift.'

The University of Auckland have established the Gabby Marsh Scholarship to honour its former student.

A Givealittle crowdfunding page to help fund the scholarship has already raised over $35,000.

'Gabby was passionate, fun loving and kind. She smiled easily and often,' the page reads.

The University of Auckland have established the Gabby Marsh Scholarship to honour its former student. Pictured, Ms Marsh with her boyfriend Bradley

Ms Marsh's close friend Sumner Hutton (pictured together said the support has been overwhelming

'She was selfless, considerate and generous. She was someone who impacted everyone she met.

'Gabby changed the lives of so many around her, and we dream for her character and kindness to continue changing the life of others.'

Ms Marsh's close friend Sumner Hutton told Stuff the support has been overwhelming.

'It's been quite astounding really,' she said.

'I didn't realise how much of an impact Gabby's life would have on a huge range of people.

'It seems like she's touched a lot of people's hearts.'
On Saint Patrick's Day, President Trump met with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, and decided to share his favorite 'Irish Proverb' with the crowd.

Despite his unwavering confidence in its validity, the 'proverb' he read is in fact a poem written by a well-known Nigerian poet, Albasheer Adam Alhassan.

The poem, titled 'Remember to Forget' was written by the young Muslim man in 2001, 'before people in Nigeria had access to the internet,' he said.

President Trump met with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, and decided to share his favorite 'Irish Proverb' with the crowd

Despite his unwavering confidence in its validity, the 'proverb' he read is in fact a poem written by a well-known Nigerian poet, Albasheer Adam Alhassan

During the annual meeting in Washington DC, Trump said: 'As we stand together with our Irish friends, I'm reminded of a proverb  and this is a good one, this is one I like. I've heard it for many, many years and I love it.

'Always remember to forget the friends that proved untrue, but never forget to remember those that have stuck by you.'

The quote is pulled word for word from Alhassan's poem, much to his surprise, as he posted it online many years ago.

The quote is pulled word for word from Alhassan's poem, much to his surprise, as he posted it online many years ago

REMEMBER TO FORGET Always remember to forget, The things that make you sad, But never forget to remember, The things that make you glad. Always remember to forget, The friends that proved untrue, But never forget to remember, Those that have stuck to you. Always remember to forget, The trouble that passed away, But never forget to remember, The blessings that come each day. Always remember to do your duty, And some kindness day by day, But never forget to live a useful and happy life, That is the only way. Albashir Adam Alhassan Courtesy of PoemHunter Advertisement

The quote has appeared in some books and on various Pinterest and Instagram pages since then, but Alhassan maintains that he is the original author of the President's words.

'I don't know why he related it to St Patrick's Day  it's got nothing to do with that,' Alhassan told NBC.

'It's just based on my personal experiences.'

Alhassan said he doesn't have much time for poetry these days, as he now works at the largest bank in Nigeria.

The irony of Trump citing his own words does not escape him, given President Trump's view on those of the Muslim faith.

Of Trump's travel restricting order, dubbed the 'Muslim Ban' Alhassan said: 'I think that policy is very harsh. There is a big difference between the way people see Islam and how it actually is.'

Prime Minister Kenny himself took the opportunity to press President Trump on his immigration policies, and reiterated the importance of immigration in his country.

He said he and Trump spoke on the topic and that the conversation was 'constructive.'

When Trump was still a hopeful candidate in the 2016 presidential race, Kenny referred to Trump's rhetoric as 'racist and dangerous'.
Four Melbourne men have been charged after allegedly robbing a jewellery store in a shocking heist caught on video.

The suspects allegedly used mallets to smash the display case at the store at Westfield Plenty Valley in Mill Park shortly before noon on Tuesday, according to police and media reports.

The video, apparently captured by a witness and first reported by Nine News, shows the four men allegedly running away with the loot as onlookers are heard screaming.

Four Melbourne men were charged after allegedly robbing a jewellery store in a shocking heist caught on video

A 27-year-old from the Melbourne suburb of Lalor was arrested later the same day and charged in relation to the alleged armed robbery, as well as with theft of motor car and handle stolen goods, police said.

He was released on bail and ordered to appear in court on August 4.

Two days later police arrested a 25-year-old from the town of Stawell, who was charged in relation to the alleged robbery. He is due to appear in court on June 8.

On Friday, a 19-year-old and a 21-year-old, both from Melbourne's Craigieburn suburb, were also nabbed by police.

The 21-year-old was charged with alleged theft of motor car and other unrelated offences, but was not charged in relation to the alleged robbery. He is due to appear in court on April 13.

The teenager was charged with alleged theft of motor car and driving offences, but was likewise not charged in connection with the jewel heist. He will appear in court on June 28.

A fifth man is being sought in relation to the robbery.

The suspects allegedly used mallets to smash the display case at the store at Westfield Plenty Valley in Mill Park shortly before noon on Tuesday
A convicted criminal with links to radical Islam shouted 'I am here to die for Allah, there will be deaths' seconds before he was shot dead during an attack at Paris Orly airport.

The 39-year-old, named locally as career criminal Ziyed Ben Belgacem, was killed after wrestling a soldier's gun from her and fleeing into a McDonald's.

He sent a text message to his brother and father stating 'I shot the police', shortly before he was killed.

Revealing his chilling final words, Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said an anti-terrorist enquiry had been launched.

Scroll down for video

A picture purported to show the man who was shot dead at Paris Orly airport this morning after snatching a soldier's gun

The 39-year-old, named locally as career criminal Ziyed Ben Belgacem, was killed after wrestling a soldier's gun from her and fleeing into a McDonald's

Travelers wait outside the Orly airport, south of Paris, which was evacuated this morning after a man was shot dead

The man opened fire on three police officers in Stains, in the north of Paris, at 6.55am. He fled in a Renault Clio, which was found in Vitry-sur-Seine, where a woman's car was stolen at gunpoint. He was shot dead after grabbing a soldier's gun at Orly airport at 8.30am

Cocaine was found in the dead man's flat, and Mr Molins said there had been fears about the 'extremely violent' Ben Belgacem's mental health.

Less than two hours before he was killed, he had shot a female police officer in the head in a northern Paris suburb after being stopped for speeding.

The Paris prosecutors' office said he was suspected of having terror links, and Ben Belgacem's home was among scores searched in November 2015 following attacks which killed 130 people.

The wanted man's father and brother turned themselves in at a police station after receiving the message, according to French TV network BFM. They have been taken into custody, and a home is being searched, officials have confirmed.

WHAT HAPPENED IN PARIS THIS MORNING? French authorities have established a rudimentary timeline for the attack on Saturday at Orly Airport: 6.55am - The suspected attacker fires birdshot at police officers, wounding one in the face, when stopped for a traffic check. He flees, using a weapon to threaten a motorist and steal her car, which was later found at Orly Airport. 8.30am - The man assaults a patrol of three soldiers, all from the French air force. He wrestles one soldier, a woman, to the ground, and tries to take her weapon. Advertisement

Ben Belgacem was stopped by police in the suburb of Stains, close to his home, at around 6.55am.

The 39-year-old, who was driving a Renault Clio, pulled out a shotgun and fired at the officers while he was fetching his ID.

He sped off, and the car was found abandoned 11 miles away at Vitry, south of Paris.

He then hijacked a woman's Citroen Picasso at gunpoint, and this second car was later found parked at the airport.

Today's incidents come as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Paris, where they have met with victims of terrorism. They were around 10 miles from the airport when the shooting happened.

Ben Belgacem had previously been jailed for drug trafficking and authorities believe he was radicalised in prison.

He first came to police notice in the late 1990s, when he was involved in a series of bank robberies in the Paris suburb.

Police sources said Ben Belgacem was close to his family, and was staying with them at their flat on a council estate in Garges-les-Gonesse, where he was first stopped this morning.

The family are French and come from a Tunisian background. He was armed with a shotgun when he opened fire on police. He sped away in a Renault Clio, which was later found in Vitry, in the south of the city, containing a bloody t-shirt.

Here he hijacked a woman's car at gunpoint and drove to the airport

Police officers investigate at the home of Ziyed Ben Belgacem, who was shot dead at Paris Orly airport this morning

The apartment block where Ben Belgacem lived is being searched by police after this morning's shooting

A source said: 'The Clio was found abandoned some thirty kilometres away with the man's identity papers and a bloodied T shirt. The man had hijacked a Citroen Picasso and made for Orly.'

Checks soon revealed that Ben Belgacem was subject to a 'File J' - meaning he was wanted by the judicial authorities but was not under surveillance.

His family are from the Val dOise department north of Paris.

French Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux said the man shot dead at the airport is the same as the one who 'is linked with car hijacking' earlier.

Ben Belgacem had previously served time in prison for armed robbery and drug trafficking, and had been radicalized in prison, Le Parisien reports.

Anti-terror police stormed the airport searching for possible accomplices and explosives, and authorities warned the public to stay away.

Flights from the south terminal have been suspended, but airport officials confirmed this afternoon that the west terminal is operational again.

Passengers landing at Orly were kept on planes while the anti-terror operation was carried out.

A spokesman for the military force that patrols public sites in France says the soldier attacked at Orly Airport was 'shocked' but uninjured after the 'very violent aggression'.

The spokesman, Benoit Brulon, was speaking to BFM television.

Passengers landing at Orly were kept on planes while the anti-terror operation was carried out

The airport was evacuated after the shooting, which happened at 8.30am today, less than two hours after the 39-year-old man had fired at three police officers on the opposite side of the city

Explosives experts are searching the airport for bombs amid fears the man may have had an accomplice

Three police officers were shot at in the Paris suburb of Stains 90 minutes before the airport shooting

A witness identified only as Dominque told French TV network BFMTV: 'The soldiers took aim at the man, who in turn pointed the gun he had seized at the two soldiers.'

This account was contradicted by French defense minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, who said the attacker wrestled the soldier to the floor, but she was able to keep hold of her weapon.

The minister says the two other patrolmen opened fire 'to protect her' and the public in the airport.

FRENCH PRESIDENT HOLLANDE PRAISES ACTION AGAINST 'DANGEROUS INDIVIDUAL' The French President, pictured this morning with the Duchess of Cambridge, said the fight against terror continues Following this morning's attack at Paris Orly airport, French president Francois Hollande praised the bravery of officers, and said the fight against terrorism continues. A statement issued today by the Elysee said: 'The President of the Republic salutes the courage and effectiveness which the police and military have demonstrated against the aggression of a particularly dangerous individual. 'The anti-terrorist section of the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation to shed light on the motives and circumstances of these acts and on possible complicities. 'The President of the Republic reaffirms the determination of the State to act relentlessly to fight terrorism, to defend the security of our compatriots and to ensure the protection of the territory. 'Vigilance will be maintained at its highest level and once again Operation Sentinel has demonstrated its usefulness in addition to the police and gendarmerie forces.' Advertisement

A large emergency services operation was launched after this morning's shooting at Orly airport

A woman clasps a young child after being evacuated from the terminal during this morning's attack

French policemen secure the area at the Paris' Orly airport after this morning's attack, carried out by a convicted criminal

A helicopter checks the roof of Orly airport southern terminal after this morning's shooting

Another man says on BFM that there was a group of three soldiers targeted, and they tried to calm the man who seized the weapon. Then the man said he heard two gunshots.

French national police tweeted: 'Ongoing police operation, we recommend that you avoid the airport.'

Passenger Isabelle Raynaud said she was not being allowed to leave her plane as a result of the operation.

She wrote on Twitter: 'Stuck in the plane to #orly we are prevented from disembarking. There have been shots...'

Large teams of police have descended on the airport following the shooting at 8.30am today

The airport - the second largest serving the French capital - was evacuated, as anti-terrorist police flooded into the area.

A police source said the suspect had been killed by troops taking part in Operation Sentinelle, a security initiative that has been in place since 2015, and involves some 7000 soldiers.

'It happened in the south terminal - it is being evacuated,' said a source at the airport. 'Passengers and staff are being moved out of the areas.'

France is currently under a state of emergency following a series of attacks by Islamic State and al-Qaeda operatives over the past two years.

Prince William and wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, pose in front of the Eiffel Tower during a visit to Paris today

Today's incidents come on the second day of a visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Paris. They are currently staying at the British Ambassador's residence by the British Embassy.

This morning they met with people affected by terror attacks in Paris and Nice.

Then they will attend this afternoon's rugby international between France and Wales.

A COUNTRY UNDER SIEGE: TERROR ATTACKS IN FRANCE OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS Rescue workers take a woman to safety in November 2015 after the shooting at the Bataclan music venue February 3, 2017 - A man is shot five times outside the Louvre museum in the heart of Paris after attempting to storm the historic art gallery. July 14, 2016 - Amid Bastille Day celebrations in the Riviera city of Nice, a large truck is driven into a festive crowd. Some 86 people from a wide variety of countries are killed. The driver is shot dead. Islamic State extremists claim responsibility for the attack. The state of emergency in France is extended and extra protection, including robust barriers to prevent similar attacks, is put in place at major sites in France. June 13, 2016 - Two French police officers are murdered in their home in front of their 3-year-old son. Islamic State claims responsibility for the slaying, which was carried out by a jihadist with a prior terrorist conviction. He is killed by police on the scene. Nov. 13, 2015 - Islamic State militants kill 130 people in France's worst atrocity since World War II. A series of suicide bomb and shooting attacks are launched on crowded sites in central Paris, as well as the northern suburb of Saint-Denis. Most of those killed are in a crowded theater where hostages are taken. Islamic State extremists claim responsibility and say it was in retaliation for French participation in airstrikes on the militant group's positions in Syria and Iraq. It leads to the declaration of a state of emergency in France. Police powers are expanded. Jan. 7, 2015 - Two brothers kill 11 people inside the Paris building where the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo is headquartered in what Islamic State extremists claim is retaliation for the publication of cartoons about the Prophet Muhammad. More are killed subsequently in attacks on a kosher market in eastern Paris and on police. There are 17 victims in all, including two police officers. The attackers are killed. (Source: AP) Advertisement

A man has been shot dead after reportedly trying to steal a soldier's weapon at Paris Orly airport

Large groups of police descended on the airport, in the south of the French capital, following this morning's shooting

A woman in a wheelchair is helped to evacuate Orly airport this morning after the security alert

Eyewitness Franck Lecam, 54, said the killing happened close to a departure lounge where people were waiting to board a flight to Israel.

THE OPERATION TO PROTECT FRANCE The soldier attacked by the man was part of Operation Sentinelle, a military operation launched after terror attacks in January 2015. It involves some 7,000 troops of whom roughly half are deployed in the Paris region. They are charged with guarding religious sites which could be targets of terror attacks as well as airports, railway stations and tourist spots. On Thursday, a letter bomb exploded at the Paris offices of the International Monetary Fund, injuring a secretary who suffered burns to her hands and face. French President Francois Hollande called it an 'attack', saying it showed the country was 'still targeted'. 'All this leads me to justify the state of emergency' that has been in effect since November 2015, Hollande said. Advertisement

Mr Lecam said: 'We were waiting in line to check in on the flight to Tel Aviv when we heard three or four gunshots nearby.

'The entire airport has been evacuated. We are being kept at the front of the airport, about 200 meters from the entrance hall.

'There are policemen, emergency workers, and soldiers everywhere, and they are running in all directions.'

Explosives experts at the scene said the man who was shot dead soon after 8..30am was not wearing a suicide vest.

French Interior Minister spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet said man 'hid in an airport shop before being defeated by the security forces.'

Mr Brandet said nobody else at the airport was injured, and that both terminals at Orly - South and West - were now closed.

It came as three policemen were shot at by car driver in Stains, the northern Paris suburb.

He was stopped by the officers just before 7am, and then opened fire while pretending to take out his identity papers.

One of the policeman was slightly injured, as the man fled. He was still at large by mid-morning.

French Red Cross workers stand by as travellers are evacuated from Paris' Orly airport this morning
Blundering armed police officers have shot themselves in the leg, discharged weapons into the boots of their vehicles and accidentally opened fire on a dual carriageway, it has been revealed.

In total, armed police were responsible for a total of 66 mishaps over the past four years, according to data from 39 UK police forces that responded to a freedom of information request.

The mishaps are known as 'negligent discharges' (NDs), the name given to incidents that occur when a weapon is fired unintentionally.

The data was obtained by the Liberal Democrats, who called for more training for armed police.

According to the Home Office, there are 5,639 authorised firearms officers in England and Wales, with 14,753 firearms operations carried out in the year to March 2016.

Armed police were responsible for a total of 66 mishaps over the past four years (file picture)

As an extra 1,500 armed cops are due to be drafted in to tackle the 'severe' terrorist threat in Britain, campaigners have called for more training for officers.

Speaking as the party's spring conference in York, Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said: 'These figures are worrying and police forces should improve training to make sure these cases are even rarer in the future.

'This is particularly important as the extra 1,500 officers come on stream and we have more coppers, on our streets, with firearms.

'Every incident of negligent discharge must be thoroughly investigated to determine the cause, which could include incorrect drills by personnel or a fault with the weapons.'

Among incidents revealed by police forces was a negligent discharge by a cop from the West Midlands force, who suffered a perforated eardrum after accidentally firing a Sig Sauer 516 assault rifle while unloading at the force armoury.

A cop from the same force accidentally discharged a Sig 516 while officers were searching an address, but faced no further action.

Essex officers also fired Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifles into the boots of their armed response vehicles twice in two months.

The force said of both incidents: 'During the operational loading of their H&K G36 carbine an officer has fired one round from the weapon into the boot of the ARV.

'No one was injured. The matter was investigated and after receiving some additional development training and assessment the officer was returned to full duties.'

According to the Home Office, there are 5,639 authorised firearms officers in England and Wales (file picture)

While in South Yorkshire, a cop was redeployed from the armed unit after firing a round from a G36 into the back of a car.

The force said: 'Whilst loading kit and equipment into the rear of an armed response vehicle parked within the operational base, officer discharges a single round into the boot of the vehicle.

'The officer was 'subject to misconduct proceedings (and) transferred to a different unit'.

While in North Wales, an officer was stripped of firearms duties after accidentally discharged a weapon on a dual carriageway.

Officers had been called out to the A55 Expressway at Bodelwyddan, to shoot a dear, which was posing a danger to traffic.

After the animal had been shot, an officer accidentally fired a round while unloading his weapon.

The force said: 'following the destruction of a deer, the shotgun used was negligently discharged as it was being unloaded.'

In Northern Ireland, where officers are routinely armed, incident included weapons being accidentally discharged in a police car park, an office, an officer's home and during a vehicle stop.

A PSNI officer also suffered a leg injury when a Glock pistol was accidentally fired on police premises. No further action was taken by the force.

As an extra 1,500 armed cops are due to be drafted in to tackle the 'severe' terrorist threat in Britain, campaigners have called for more training for officers (file picture)

An officer from The Ministry of Defence Police was given a final written warning after accidentally firing a weapon at Burghfield Atomic Weapons Establishment, where Trident nuclear missiles warheads are assembled and maintained.

The force said: 'one round of ammunition (was) unintentionally discharged into the ground whilst carrying out armed foot patrol within the confines of the site'.

Police Federation chairman Steve White told the Mirror: 'Working with firearms is a challenging area.

'Obviously there are safety issues and the training needs to be as good as it possibly can be, acknowledging where there are lessons to be learned.

'It is a difficult and dangerous job and we need to be thankful for those officers who volunteer to do it.'

National Police Chiefs' Council lead for armed policing, Deputy Chief Constable Simon Chesterman, added: 'All unintended discharges are subject to investigation in line with the seriousness of the incident.

'Where appropriate, the Independent Police Complaints Commission is notified, and force review and debrief procedures both encourage learning and keep risk to a minimum.

'Context is hugely important: for example, there is a significant difference between a discharge in public and one during the loading or unloading of a weapon in a safe environment, which presents much less danger.

'Armed policing can never be completely risk-free. Firearms training for UK police officers is amongst the best in the world and discharges continue to be very rare.'
The BBC's Asian Network has provoked uproar by asking its Twitter followers 'what is the right punishment for blasphemy?'

A video posted on its account shows Muslim activist Shazia Awan asking followers to get in touch and offer their opinions on how blasphemy should be dealt with.

Her assumption that blasphemy - which is still punishable by death in some Muslim countries - should also be punished in Britain shocked many viewers.

The BBC's Asian Network has provoked uproar by asking its Twitter followers 'what is the right punishment for blasphemy?'

Paul Joseph fumed: 'There should be no punishment for 'blasphemy'. It's the 21st century for f***s sake. BBC is CANCER.'

Incredulous Ali A. Rivaz asked: 'Is this a serious question?'

Another wrote: 'If today @BBC talking about punishments for #blasphemy in Britain with 6% of population #Muslim what's our future in 30 years?'

Linda sulher wrote: 'This is BRITAIN, folks. WOW. 'What is the Right Punishment For blasphemy?' asks Muslim-focused BBC Radio Network'.

Maryam Namazie added: 'Disgraceful that @bbcasiannetwork @ShaziaAwan would ask what 'punishment' should be for blasphemy. You know people get killed for it.'

And Safiya Alfaris wrote: 'There should be no punishment of blasphemy... instead punish those who scare children into believing they'll burn in hell.'

Asia Network's video came after Pakistan asked Facebook to help it crack down on 'blasphemous content' as Pakistanis 'badmouthed' Islam online.

Her assumption that blasphemy - which is still punishable by death in some Muslim countries - should also be punished in Britain shocked many viewers

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif earlier this week described blasphemy as an 'unpardonable offence'.

Since 1990, 62 people accused of blasphemy in Pakistan have been murdered before their trials ended.

Facebook said it viewed government requests with care keeping in mind 'the goal of protecting the privacy and rights of our users.

'We disclose information about accounts solely in accordance with our terms of service and applicable law.

Asia Network's video came after Pakistan asked Facebook to help it crack down on 'blasphemous content' as Pakistanis 'badmouthed' Islam online

'A Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty or other formal request may be required for international requests, and we include these in our Government Requests Report.'

Blasphemy has not been illegal in England and Wales since 2008 when the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act abolished the common-law offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel.

The BBC today apologised, writing on Twitter: 'Apologies for poorly worded question from Asia Network yday. Q was in context of Pak asking FB to help we shd have made that clear.'

'We never intend to imply Blasphemy should be punished. Provocative question that got it wrong.'

A BBC spokesman added: 'Asian Network's Big Debate asks difficult and provocative questions every day. This programme was an engaging discussion on the subject of blasphemy but we admit that the question could have been phrased better, as we have since made clear.'
Right-wing extremists in Germany have hampered the construction of a mosque by erecting ten large crosses at the site.

The group, planted the wooden structures in the small village of Marbach, near Erfurt, in the central eastern state of Thuringia, in early March.

The owner of the site has said he plans to take legal action against the activists, named as 'Citizens for Erfurt'.

The crosses were hammered into the ground at the construction site for a mosque in the state of Thuringia

The mosque is being constructed for the Ahmadiyya Muslims in the area. The sect of Islam was founded in the 19th Century by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.

The community's imam, Imam Said Ahmad Arif, said the move by the right-wing demonstrators would not stop the construction of the Mosque.

He told Sputnik News: 'This is not something that scares us.'

He added that the demonstrators were in the minority and that the Muslim community had received support from a range of politicians, apart from the growing right-wing populist party Alternative for Deutschland (AfD).

On the Citizens for Erfurt Facebook page, the group wrote: 'We built a sign of identity and our way of life. For the preservation of our culture.'

Evangelical pastor Ricklef Muennich condemned the actions of Citizens for Erfurt.

He said: 'There is no reason to ram ten crosses into the ground as a sign of battle. The cross of Jesus really stands for love, for love of your neighbor and your enemies.

Right-wing activists from the Citizens for Erfurt group erect the cross at the site

'According to our constitution, this freedom is not only for Christians but also for Jews and Muslims. Therefore, we support the right of the Ahmadiyya community to set up a mosque here.'

But Corina Herold, spokeswoman in the Thuringia state parliament, said the planting of the crosses was a 'fundamentally good' action.

She claimed that Muslims do not need a mosque in which to worship and should be content with prayer houses.

A spokesperson for the Thuringia state government said they could not remove the crosses because they had been erected on private land.
The body of victim Keith Bennett (pictured here) has remained a tragic mystery for decades as twisted serial killer Ian Brady refuses to say where he buried him on Saddleworth Moor

For decades the location where sadistic serial killer Ian Brady buried the body of his victim Keith Bennett has been kept a cruel secret.

But now a private detective might be one step closer to finding the final missing body of the 12-year-old schoolboy, who vanished in June 1964.

Two bullet shells which match a gun belonging to Brady have been discovered.

And investigator Darren Rae said he believes he is close to solving the infamous case.

Jailed serial killer Ian Brady suggested a shotgun found on Saddleworth Moor last year was part of a secret arsenal of weapons he kept.

The Eibar double-barrelled weapon, in its original case, was found wrapped in a polythene sheet beneath rocks under an oak tree.

It was uncovered in December by a group searching for the remains of Keith Bennett, who was 12 when he was murdered.

Now investigator Mr Rae believes he is getting close to a breakthrough.

Ian Brady (pictured left) tortured and killed five children with his then-girlfriend Myra Hindley (right) during the 1960s. Brady has always refused to reveal with 12-year-old Keith Bennett was buried, but new evidence may help find him after 53 years

Saddleworth Moor: Countless searches have been carried out over the five decades since Keith Bennett went missing

He told Manchester Evening News: 'Brady had sick fantasies about shooting someone.

'It is possible Keith's body may still hold the two bullets that can be matched to the shell casings I found.

'It is a really sad and tragic case, but I know I am so close to solving it. I want to bring some closure to Keith's family. The ultimate aim is to find his body.'

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police has been contacted for comment.

The tragic timing of these findings come five years after Keith's mother Winnie Johnson passed away.

She fought tirelessly for decades to find him and provide a Christian burial but Brady always refused to tell her where he was buried.

But she died in 2012 after battling cancer.

Her son Keith disappeared on the way to his grandmother's house on June 16, 1964. Brady's sick partner Hindley lured him into her car and drove him to the Moors.

Heartbroken: Winnie Johnson spent her life campaigning to find her son's body but died in 2012, aged 78, after battling cancer

Brady took Keith to a gully next to a stream where he was murdered then buried.

Child serial killer Ian Brady, 79, tortured and murdered five children in the 1960s along with his accomplice Myra Hundley.

Four of the victims were buried on Saddleworth Moor in the south Pennines, which is where the bullet cases were discovered.

Darren said they are two casings for a Smith and Wesson revolver, which was the type of weapon Brady owned.

He claimed to have taken the evidence to police, but was told there were not enough resources to start a new search.

They said they needed more a 'more precise' location of young Keith Bennett's body, he said.

As well as exchanging letters with the sick murderer, Darren became friends with Keith's mum during his 16-year hunt for her son.

Winnie Johnson, who spent her life campaigning to find the truth, died in 2012 still not knowing where he was buried.

Brady was jailed for three murders in 1966 and has been at Ashworth since 1985  but recently admitted he had only ever pretended to be mentally ill because he had thought that life would be better in hospital than in jail.

Victims: Brady and Hindley murdered Pauline Reade, 16, John Kilbride, 12, Keith Bennett, 12, Lesley Ann Downey (left), 10, and Edward Evans (right), 17, between 1963 and 1965

Victims John Kilbride (left) and Keith Bennett (right) were lured to their deaths and tortured before being buried on Saddleworth Moor

He and Hindley later confessed to another two murders before she died in prison in 2002.

He has spent decades in Ashworth psychiatric hospital where he is force-fed at a cost of 300,000 a year.

The evidence will be revealed in a book Darren is writing called Finding Keith? The Definitive Investigation into the Moors Murders.

THE MOOR'S VICTIMS Pauline Reade, 16, was the couple's first victim. She was on her way to a local dance when Hindley persuaded her to get in her car. They drove Pauline to Saddleworth Moor where she was raped Pauline, beaten and stabbed.

John Kilbride was snatched from Ashton market on Saturday November 23, 1963. He was strangled and buried in a shallow grave. He was the second of Brady and Hindleys five victims

Keith Bennet, 12, disappeared on the way to his grandmothers house. Hindley had lured him into her car and driven him to the Moors where he was murdered. The method of killing has never been made clear. The pair buried his body which has never been found.

Lesley Ann Downey, 10, disappeared on Boxing Day. She had been snatched from the fair and taken back to Hindleys house. She was brutally assaulted with the ordeal captured on tape.

Edward Evans, 17, was the sick duo's final victim. He had just been to see Manchester United play when Brady lured in Edward. Brady repeatedly bludgeoned Evans with an axe. Advertisement

Along with Hindley  who died in prison aged 60 in 2002  Brady murdered Pauline Reade, 16, John Kilbride, 12, Keith Bennett, 12, Lesley Ann Downey, 10, and Edward Evans, 17, between 1963 and 1965.

Victims were lured to their deaths, sexually tortured then buried on Saddleworth Moor above Manchester.

In recent years, he has hit the headlines from inside prison for writing sick letters.

In his last letter, published in 2015, Brady expressed no remorse for his sickening killings.

Instead he complained he is 'still bedridden and worsening' after breaking his hip and arm in fall a year ago.

He wrote: 'This cell block is described as a "discharge ward"; I've been sitting here 30 years... and there's no turnaround of inmates unless in a coffin.

'So it's more accurately a blocked sewer-pipe!'

Brady also suggeseted he wishes he had taken his own life years ago.

He wrote: 'Had I divined the future of spending half a century in prison and the final fifteen years being force-fed by nasal tube in an unmonitored zoological cesspit of regression, I would've exited decades ago.'

Forensic psychologist Dr Chris Cowley, who has met Brady numerous times, said at the time the killer may be feeling ignored by the public.

Dr Cowley said: 'Brady's a very egocentric person.

'He likes being in the limelight. I think probably at this point in time he's a little bit frightened that people aren't remembering him and people have maybe forgotten about him.'

Taxpayers have forked out more than 14 million on Brady since he was convicted over 50 years ago.

The Moors murderer has racked up the costs of his keep by staging a 15-year hunger strike and a series of failed legal challenges - for which he has relied on legal aid.

Relatives of the five children murdered by Brady and Myra Hindley in the 1960s have said the money would be better spent tracing the remains of victim Keith Bennett.
A woman who was sexually assaulted by her ultra-Orthodox Jewish female principal of her school from the age of 15 has opened up about it for the first time.

Dassi Erlich was raised in Melbourne's small and strict Adass Jewish community.

She and her six siblings had very little access to the outside world  and weren't allowed to watch television, listen to the radio, use the internet or read magazines or newspapers.

Her upbringing also meant that Ms Erlich was not given any sex education  so she was left completely confused when Malka Leifer, the highly respected principal of the Adass Israel School in Elsternwick, began grooming her.

But almost ten years ago, when Ms Erlich's allegations were brought to the school's attention  along with multiple other girls  Leifer was quickly whisked off to Israel, where she continues to avoid extradition, The Weekend Australian reported.

Dassi Erlich (pictured) has opened up for the first time about how she was sexually assaulted by the female principal of the Orthodox Jewish school she attended in Melbourne

In 2015, Ms Erlich brought a civil case against her former school  who were ordered to pay her $1,024,428 in damages.

Now 29, Ms Erlich  a single mother to her six-year-old daughter Leah - has opened up for the first time about how the years of sexual abuse tormented her for years, affecting her mental health and leaving her suicidal.

'This is about owning my story. My daughter will one day grow up and read about my life,' she told The Weekend Australian magazine.

She explained that she wanted her story to be one of 'strength and inspiration rather than victimhood.'

Although Ms Erlich has now left the tightly-knit and reclusive religious community she grew up in, she says she doesn't wish to further tarnish the reputation of the Adass after the negative publicity her case attracted.

However, she says she does feel their way of life and tendency to make the outside world appear dangerous breeds the kind of sexual abuse she suffered.

She has since learned that Leifer allegedly abused at least 15 other girls at the school, including two that she was close to.

For her, it started when she was just 15 and continued until she was married at 18 to a man her parents chose for her.

Malke Liefer (pictured) is wanted in Australia on 74 criminal counts of child sex offences

She said Leifer, a mother-of-eight who was aged in her late 40s at the time, was recruited to run the school from Israel in 2000.

Members of the community idolised her like she was 'an angel who had flown in from overseas' and 'listened to her as if hers were God's words,' Ms Erlich said.

Because of this, when the principal offered Ms Erlich private religious lessons, she was flattered.

She said she felt loved and 'really special' to have Liefer's attention.

But her naivety and sheltered upbringing meant she was left confused when Liefer started rubbing her thighs against her.

She told Victoria's Supreme Court that Liefer touched and digitally penetrated her during meetings over the next three years.

After her marriage, she left for Israel with her husband and started seeing a therapist after a miscarriage.

She said she opened up to the therapist about what Liefer had done, which she says she'd kept hidden up until then because of her self-loathing and shame she felt.

Ms Erlich said her therapist didn't believe her claims at first.

But when she said that she knew of two others who had also been abused, the therapist passed the information along to a colleague in Mlebourne's Adass community.

In 2008, the claims reached a teacher, Sharon Bromberg, at the school, who confronted Liefer.

Liefer deflected the questions, but the teacher took her concerns to the school and leaders of the Adaas community members.

In March that year, a meeting was held about the eight separate allegations against Liefer, attended by the school board president Yitzhok Benedict, board member Meir Ernst, barrister Norman Rosenbaum, psychologist Vicki Gordon and Bromberg.

Ms Erlich attended the Adass Israel School in Elsternwick and was just 15 when she was groomed and sexually abused

The group spoke to Liefer, who denied the allegations against her, and told her she would be removed from her position.

But shockingly, instead of reporting the allegations to the police, they decided to help Liefer flee the country.

The school reportedly paid for a flight to Israel for Liefer, who left the country in the middle of the night, just hours after that conversation.

Supreme Court Judge Jack Rush called the actions of that night 'deplorable.'

But school board president Benedikt insists the decision was the right one  and done with the intention of ensuring Liefer was kept away from the school's children.

'We have acted as any normal person would act, we have responsibilities for our children and for our community,' he told the Weekend Australian.

He added that it was Liefer who decided to leave the country that night.

But Judge Rush says the decision was made in a bid to preserve the community's reputation and Victoria Police is investigating whether an offence was committed.

Ms Erlich learned of the arrangements for Liefer's departure in court, and said she wasn't surprised the community would attempt to sweep the issue under the rug.

She had returned to Melbourne in 2009  a year after Liefer fled to Israel  and gotten pregnant with her daughter.

But she began exhibiting signs of post-traumatic stress disorder and suffering from flashbacks.

'I was suicidal, I was self-harming and I felt like the worst mother in the word,' she said.

Her marriage broke down and she was admitted to a mental health clinic.

There, she finally met other mothers and started reading books and educating herself on religion, history and philosophy.

And finally, although she knew it would mean isolation from the community she grew up in, she decided to pursue legal action in a bid to ensure that what happened to her would never happen to her daughter or another child.

She said Judge Rush's judgement meant she was finally vindicated.

She felt proud of herself for going through with it but remains frustrated that Liefer has continued to evade justice.

Liefer is wanted in Australia on 74 criminal counts of child sex offences.

But she has repeatedly claimed to be too mentally unwell to attend extradition hearings.

Last year, an Israeli judge halted the proceedings so Liefer could be receive psychiatric treatment.

But although Ms Erlich has no confidence that Liefer will ever be prosecuted, she is glad to have told her story and hopes she can inspires others to share theirs.
The man accused of murdering, raping and strangling British backpacker Danielle McLaughlin told Indian detectives that the pair had enjoyed an on-off relationship for over a year, MailOnline can reveal.

Vikat Bhagat, 22, was the last person to be seen with the 28-year-old Liverpool university student before her beaten body was discovered in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The known petty criminal was arrested only hours after she was found.

Vikat Bhagat, 22, has been accused of murdering, raping and strangling British backpacker Danielle McLaughlin

He told Indian detectives that the pair had enjoyed an on-off relationship for a year

Friends of the McLaughlin family have arrived in India to repatriate her body

Police say Bhagat has admitted killing the adventurer after she spurned his sexual advances following the Holi festival party at a Palolem beach resort, near Canacona.

But Inspector Filomeno Costa, Officer in Charge of Canacona Police Station, told MailOnline that twisted Bhagat had rejected the allegation of rape because he said the pair had been in a relationship dating back to her last trip to Goa 12 months ago.

Vikat claims he has enjoyed relations with Miss McLaughlin since last year. This is his defence  that he was in relationship with her.

A lawyer representing Miss McLaughlin has confirmed that the young backpacker had been in contact with Bhagat for over a year.

Bhagat and Danielle were seen drinking together in several bars in the Palolem beach resort in the afternoon before her death.

Pictures have emerged showing Danielle (top right) enjoying a night out just hours before she was brutally raped and murdered

She is seen holding hands with an unidentified man, although there is no suggestion that he had anything to do with the murder or behaved inappropriately towards anyone at the party

But Goan attorney Vikram Varma said the nature of their relationship remained unknown.

Mr Varma told MailOnline: It is true that Danielle and Vikat knew each other last year. You can see evidence of this from her Facebook page.

But whether they were intimate or not I cannot say.

Danielle, from Buncrana in Ireland, studied at Liverpool John Moores University

Danielle is pictured during a mountain hike in the Himachal Pradesh, northern Indian, in March 2016

Bhagat and Miss McLaughlin were seen drinking together in several bars in the Palolem beach resort in the afternoon before death.

A post-mortem revealed she had been strangled and raped. She also had suffered severe injuries to her face and head consistent with being attacked with a broken bottle.

Floral tributes were left at the site where Danielle was found murdered

More than 200 locals and foreign nationals gathered at a vigil to pay tribute to the 28-year-old

Friends claim Bhagat had offered to help find the backpacker cheap accommodation  something highly-prized among the long-term residents of Goa who spend months living on meagre savings.

The pair had met last year 2016, when Danielle had spent six months in India.

Bhagat, a known petty criminal, was arrested just hours after Danielle was found dead

However the nature of the relationship last year, and in the days leading up to her death remain in question, Police Inspector Filomeno Costa claims.

He told MailOnline: You simply cant believe a word that Vikat says. However this is his defence.

Meanwhile two close friends of the McLaughlin family arrived in India today to begin unenvious task of repatriating Danielles body.

Police officers pictured at the spot where the murder took place

The unnamed pair travelled to Goa from Australia and will accompany her remains to the UK as soon as possible. British Consular staff are helping with the arrangements.

Lawyer Vikram Varma told MailOnline: Two close family friends arrived in Goa today. They have come from Australia to sort out all of the paper work and take Danielles body back home.
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have bid a fond farewell to Paris after wowing the French people during their two-day Brexit charm offensive.

In a cheery final message before departing, a Kensington Palace spokesman said: 'What an incredible two days in Paris! Thank you to everyone who made the visit so memorable. Au revoir for now!'

Kate was handed a posy of lilac flowers by a pair of schoolchildren before the royal pair headed back home to the UK.

Earlier they endured a nail-biting finish to the Six Nations rugby today when victory was snatched from Wales after twenty minutes of overtime at the Stade de France.

Kate looked a picture of elegance in a double breasted Carolina Herrera coat and flashed a beaming smile as she chatted to William when the players entered the pitch.

As The Dragons took the lead the future Prince of Wales finally looked back in his comfort zone after appearing awkward since he was filmed dancing 'like a dad' in a club in Verbier, Switzerland earlier this week.

But he looked a bag of nerves as France pushed for the line in the dying seconds and Wales desperately held on in a bid to secure the win. To his dismay, France scored in the 100th minute and converted to win 20-18.

Au revoir! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have bid a fond farewell to Paris after wowing the French people during their two-day Brexit charm offensive

Gutted: William looked devastated as France scored in the dying seconds and snatched victory from his beloved Wales

In a cheery final message before departing, a Kensington Palace spokesman said: 'What an incredible two days in Paris! Thank you to everyone who made the visit so memorable. Au revoir for now!'

Dejected: The royal couple appeared glum as France scored in the 100th minute and converted to win 20-18

I can't look: Kate could barely watch as there was a tense finish with France pushing for the line in the dying seconds

Lady in red: Kate looked a pictured of elegance in a red coat as she cheered on Wales against the French at the Stade de France

Vive la France! French players celebrated their victory at the end of the Six Nations tournament this afternoon

It's all over: Welsh national rugby team players looked downcast after the final whistle was blown after the match

Final push! French and Welsh forwards fought for the ball in a scrum during the tournament at the Stade de France

Overjoyed! France's scrum-half Antoine Dupont (left) and France's fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc (right) celebrate their victory

Beaming: Kate dazzled as she showed her dimples with a radiant smile before brushing her brunette hair behind ears

What's that Wills? Kate appeared to cup her hand to her ear to try to hear her husband over the noise of the crowd

Intense: Prince William appeared glued to the match as he pointed to the the players singing the national anthem

Loyal supporters: The pair cheered on Wales today as The Dragons took on the French in the Six Nations rugby at the Stade de France

Rather be playing? At times Kate appeared disinterested in a marked contrast to her excitement at passing a ball around earlier

Suit and tie: Prince William looked smart in a red tie and white shirt, surrounded by fellow smartly-dressed spectators

Excruciating: William threw his arms in the air as he cut an animated figure in the crowd at the end of the game

Tense: The couple appeared gripped to the game as France pushed for the line at the end while Wales held on

Game on: France's Francois Trinh Duc in action against Wales at the Stade de France, Saint-Denis near Paris, France

Crestfallen: Wales' Leigh Halfpenny took a knee at the end of the match after an enormous effort from the team

The couple were watching Wales' final Six Nations game as part of their two-day tour to Paris. This morning they met with war veterans and victims of the Nice and Bataclan terror attacks at the famous Les Invalides military hospital.

They then visited the Impressionists' gallery at the Musee d'Orsay before playing rugby with some French youngsters outside the Eiffel Tower. The couple will be flying back to the UK early this evening by private jet.

While attending their engagements this morning, the royals were but 10 miles from the scene of a shooting at Paris's Orly airport.

But they are unaffected by the airport's closure as it is understood that the couple had always intended to use a different airport to get home.

The Duke and Duchess arrived for their first engagement in the centre of the city on time this morning and there was no obvious sign of increased security.

Kate was wearing a chic Chanel suit - a choice bound to delight fashionistas - in muted shades of black, grey and burgundy, with her hair loose, courtesy of her personal hairdresser, Amanda Tucker, who is travelling with her.

Business as usual: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge went about their planned schedule in Paris despite a shooting at the city's Orly airport

William and Kate met victims of terror attacks and Second World War veterans at a military hospital in the centre of the city

Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge visited Les Invalides and spoke with victims of the Paris terror attacks

The Duke and Duchess also met emergency crews who attended the Nice and Bataclan terror attacks that rocked the country

They learnt about the important historic and current roles of the site, in particular its work supporting veterans undergoing rehabilitation programmes

Emotional: One of the inhabitants of Les Invalides put his head in his hands as became overwhelmed when speaking to the royals

Dazzling: Kate greeted Parisians who turned out to meet her at the military hospital as she clutched a bunch of flowers

Kate flashed a beaming smile as she met children outside the Les Invalides hospital and received a charming bouquet of flowers

Warming up: Kate threw a rugby ball with a youngster outside the Eiffel tower as she and William met young fans ahead of the Six Nations match later

On her feet were a favourite pair of block-heeled burgundy Tod shoes, a more practical choice for the Paris cobbles than her normal high heels.

William and Kate were first visiting Les Invalides, an iconic French military hospital in the heart of the city.

They learnt about the important historic and current roles of the site, in particular its work supporting veterans undergoing rehabilitation programmes.

The Duke and Duchess also met victims and emergency service teams from the Bataclan and Nice terror attacks.

Among those they met were Jessica Bambal Akan, 25, who was shot seven times in the leg, hip and back as she dined with friends at La Belle Equipe restaurant in Paris.

There was also Kevin, a 28-year-old fireman, a concert-goer at the Bataclan, who was shot in the leg. Both have been undergoing rehabilitation at the hospital ever since.

Jessica said the encounter meant a great deal to both, who have found it invaluable to speak about their trauma and prove to the public that life goes on.

William told the Bataclan attack survivors: 'We think you are very strong and very brave, you've made amazing progress.'

The Duchess added she would be keeping an eye out for Jessica's work, after learning she is retraining to work in fashion.

Stunning: Kate was wearing a chic Chanel suit - a choice bound to delight fashionistas - as she entered the hospital this morning

That's the spirit! Kate was seen playing rugby with a youngster outside the Musee d'Orsay ahead of the Six Nations match

Les Invalides: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the military hospital in Paris which houses several military veterans

The museum: After visiting the hospital, the royal couple were shown around the Musee d'Orsay by its director Laurence des Cars

The pair browsed the Impressionists' Gallery as they attended the museum on the second day of their official visit to the French capital

Jessica, 25, said: 'At first [after the shooting] I was a bit shy and didn't want to talk about it because of all of the pain and grief.

'But now I want to say we are not only victims, we have lives, we have boyfriends, girlfriends, work. I want to speak about my friend who died to honour him, I want people to remember who he was.'

She was shot on her birthday as she dined with three female friends outside the restaurant, who all survived the attack. Her friend Victor Munoz, who was inside, was killed with one shot.

'We were very lucky,' she said of her friends outside. 'We all got shot and we all survived.'

The Duke and Duchess toured the Trocadero square with the Eiffel tower in the background before joining in with some rugby

That's a try! The Duchess smiled as she watched the French youngsters ahead of France's final six nations game

Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, center, and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, tour the Trocadero square in Paris

The prince hailed the 'quick-thinking' of her boyfriend, who made a tourniquet for her leg on the scene.

'It's been very difficult,' she said. 'I like to move. I got through this because of my friends, my boyfriend, my family who helped me all the time.'

The Duchess asked how she had found readjusting to life after the accident.

'You feel like you're in a dream,' Jessica said, adding that she had tried to view her rehabilitation work as a job in the week, and enjoy her weekends as she did before.

She used her convalescence to learn Italian, and is now hoping to work organising fashion shows, telling the Duchess she had noted her Chanel outfit.

'I was ambitious, I am still ambitious,' she said, speaking in English. 'If I want revenge I must live and work and prove they [the terrorists] can't touch how we live in our great country. It sparked something: I realised you need to live.'

Kevin described how he attended a concert at the Bataclan, only to hear shouting and gunfire. They started shouting at the audience and opened fire.

'Anyone who shouted was shot, so I tried to be as quiet as possible. I was hit twice in the leg but lay there and kept quiet.'

Team talk: The Duke and Duchess chatter to French children as they played rugby in the capital city

Beaming: Kate was a picture of delight when she spoke to some of the youngsters as the artificial grass where they were playing rugby

One at a time! The Duke and Duchess appeared to be bombarded by excited schoolchildren as they walked near the Eiffel tower

Romantic: The pair shared a tender moment when they posed for a photo as they gazed into each other's eyes

Kate played with youngsters who were full of energy as they bounded around the pitch set up outside the Eiffel Tower

Of meeting the Duke and Duchess, he said: 'It was a very positive experience because I was able to speak about this experience and what I went through.

PRINCE GEORGE HAS A TOY RABBIT CALLED BUN BUN The Duchess of Cambridge revealed today that Prince George has a toy rabbit called 'Bun Bun.' Kate made the sweet revelation on her penultimate engagement on a whirlwind trip to Paris. She was chatting to Zena and Graeme Hilton who had been watching an open-air rugby drill practice at Paris' Trocadero. The couple, who moved to France at the start of the year for work, had brought their children, Anna, aged four and one-year-old Toby to the event. Mrs Hilton said afterwards: 'Kate was interested in my daughter's toy monkey she was holding and said that George had a toy rabbit called Bum Bum.' Advertisement

'It feels very important to tell these stories and be listened to.' Asked how his emotional recovery had been, he told the Royal couple: 'It gave me a challenge, I like a challenge.' The Duchess said: 'You're a very brave man.'

The couple also spent time with the elderly inhabitants of Les Invalides, including one 101-year-old man who escaped the Nazis three times during the Second World War.

The Duchess was charmed by Colonel Jean Camus, 100, and Chief Petty Officer Georges Zwang, who will turn 102 in May.

Both reached for her hand to kiss it as they were introduces, prompting a smile from Kate.

Col Camus fought in France in 1939-40, was taken prisoner by the Germans, escpaed, joined the French resistance and escaped twice after being captured by Vichy forces and the Germans.

He managed to reach London in 1943 and served as an intelligence officer in the Central Bureau of Intelligence and Operations, before returning to France in August 1944 for the end of the war.

As they were introduced, the Duke exclaimed: 'As escape artist!' The veteran joked: 'I spent most of my life in jail. I could write a book.' The Duke replied: 'You should, it would be a bestseller.'

Col Camus added: 'I didn't expect to live so long, it's a surprise. I'm very glad to see you living and not on pictures as I saw the Queen and Charles. Thank you for listening.'

The veteran told the couple his wife had been made an MBE but the now suffers from Alzheimer's and could not make the journey to meet them. The Duchess said: 'Please send her our best wishes.'

They were also introduced to Chief Petty Officer Georges Zwang, who will turn 102 in May, served in the French navy from 1934-1940 and went on the join the Royal Navy. He then joined the Free French Forces and took part in the landing and battle of Provence where he was seriously injured.

Britain's Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, were welcomed by school children and students from the British Council's Somme project

Captain Stephane, from French Special Forces, severely injured during Operation Serval, joined them, along with Mrs Montcorge, 94. She was a lieutenant in the Free French Forces in 1943 in London and was appointed as liaison officer to General Patton commanding the 3rd US Army from June 1944 to the end of the war in 1945.

She told the Duke and Duchess she had been appointed after studying in the US.

Moving to the prosthetics room, the couple met Sergeant Phillippe, who was training in the French army as a dog handler when he had motorcycle accident in France leaving him with one prosthetic leg.

He has previously met the Duke, who presented him with medals at the Invictus Games, where he won a gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m in 2014, then a gold in the driving challenge and bronze in the 100m in 2016.

The Duke said: 'You are a huge inspiration for all the other guys.'

They also met two servicemen suffering from PTSD, to be known as Kevin and Francis, who discussed their mutual love of football and tonight's rugby match.

The Duke and Duchess, who was wearing a Chanel coat, were greeted by General Ract Madoux, governor of Les Invalides, who introduced them to a short history of the hospital, built in 1670 by Louis XIV for his veterans.

Today, Les Invalides houses around 80 pensioners, with a cutting-edge prosthetic department helping wounded servicemen and women.

All smiles: The couple appeared delighted as they were shown around the museum with security guards by their sides

President of the museum Laurence Des Cars shows Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge around at Musee d'Orsay

William and Kate were also shown an ornate book, explaining how Charles II, king of England, wrote to Louis XIV to ask him to share with him the plan about the creation of the hospital.

It went on to inspire the foundation of the Royal Chelsea Hospital.

The Duke of Duchess of Cambridge rekindled their shared love of art today when they visited Paris's iconic Musee D'Orsay.

The couple first met when they both studied history of art at St Andrew's University in Scotland (although William later switched to geography) and were keen to visit the museum which houses the largest collection of Impressionist masterpieces in the world.

In a tender moment William and Kate even looked out onto the world's most romantic city through the face of a giant clock.

The couple toured the gallery on the second day of their two-day visit to Paris.

It remained open to the public throughout, prompting gasps from tourists who crowded round to take pictures and videos of the royals on their phones.

Home to some of the greatest works of French and European art produced in the 19th and 20th centuries, they had specifically asked to see one some of Claude Monet's most famous paintings including one of his water lilies series, painted in 1904.

The French impressionist painted around 250 oil paintings of the flower garden at his home in Giverny, which were the main focus of his artistic output during the last 30 years of his life.

In a tender moment William and Kate even looked out onto the world's most romantic city through the face of a giant clock

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge took a tour at Musee d'Orsay during an official two-day visit to Paris

The couple were also shown other Monet masterpieces, including his 1873 work Coquelicots or wild poppies and his 'parasol' paintings from 1886 titled, Essai de figure en plain-air femme a l'umbrelle. They stopped to take a close look at London, Houses of Parliament, which was inspired by Monet's 1871 visit to London when he was struck by the 'effects of fog on the Thames'.

William, 34, asked director Laurence des Cars: 'This is one of his most famous paintings isn't it?'

The 1904 masterpiece will go on loan to the Tate Britain later this year as part of an exhibition called: 'The Impressionists in London'.

The couple were also shown Monet's La Rue Montorgueil a Paris, a 1878 painting of a street which the Queen visited during her 2004 tour of France.

Art enthusiast Kate, 35, who graduated with a 2:1 in 2005, asked lots of questions, particularly about Edouard Manet's Olympia, a nude painted in 1863. Seemingly unfazed by the topless scene, William pointed to a black cat in the picture and was told it was a tongue in cheek addition.

Another painting that caught their eye was Gustave Caillebotte's Raboteurs de Parquet (1875) featuring half-naked men sanding a floor by hand.

Crouch, bind set! The royal couple played with some children outside the Eiffel tower as they prepared to head to the Stade du France

A keen photographer, Kate has been patron of the National Portrait Gallery in London since 2012 and is also patron of a charity called The Art Room, which encourages disadvantaged children to express themselves through artistic endeavours.

Kate once said: 'I am a firm believer in the power of art to make a difference'.

William, whose father and grandfather are both keen artists, also studied history of art before switching to geography.

It is thought that Kate's support in convincing him to switch subjects rather than quit university altogether is what first drew them together.

Situated on the left bank of the Seine, the Musee D'Orsay is houses in the former Gare D'Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built between 1898 and 1900.

It holds mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1914 including works by Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cezanne, Gaugin and Van Gogh.

Having been used as a railway station for more than 80 years, the decision was taken to close it down because its platforms were deemed too short for modern trains. In 1970 permission was granted to demolish the building but after an eight year row it was finally placed on the list of historic monuments and former French president Georges Pompidou gave the go ahead for it to be turned into an art gallery. It opened in 1986, with its original clocks remaining as a reminder of its transport heritage.

A picture purported to show the man who was shot dead at Paris Orly airport this morning after snatching a soldier's gun

Travelers wait outside the Orly airport, south of Paris, which was evacuated this morning after a man was shot dead

Passengers landing at Orly were kept on planes while the anti-terror operation was carried out

The airport was evacuated after the shooting, which happened at 8.30am today, less than two hours after the 39-year-old man had fired at three police officers on the opposite side of the city

Explosives experts are searching the airport for bombs amid fears the man may have had an accomplice

Large teams of police have descended on the airport following the shooting at 8.30am today

A man was shot dead at Paris Orly airport this morning after taking a soldier's gun and fleeing into a shop, taking aim at soldiers.

Less than two hours earlier, three police officers were shot at in a suburb in northern Paris by a gunman during a routine stop-and-search operation.

Police now believe the shooting in the northern Paris suburb of Stains, which left one officer injured, was carried out by the man who was later killed.

After fleeing the scene, the man stole a woman's car at gunpoint.
Two women who partied with William in Verbier promised him they would not speak about or share pictures of their encounter.

William met model Sophie Taylor and beautician Rosie Peate during a ski weekend.

Others have divulged footage of William dancing but Rosies boyfriend Aly Bootle said: We promised we wouldnt talk to the press.

The topless model who partied with Prince William in Verbier is back at her day job serving food and drinks in a luxury hotel bar

The topless model who partied with Prince William in Verbier is back at her day job serving food and drinks in a luxury hotel bar.

Australian Sophie Taylor has also been pictured working her eight-hour shift at the Farinet Hotel at the same time Prince William was back on royal duty with wife Kate in Paris.

The 24-year-old blonde busied herself bringing plates of food to groups enjoying some apres-ski on an open terrace at the hotel.

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Australian Sophie Taylor was pictured working her eight-hour shift at the Farinet Hotel at the same time Prince William was back on royal duty with wife Kate in Paris

Few of those being served had any idea that the waitress was the girl at the centre of the William's rowdy lads' ski trip that has led to the future king being mocked for his 'dad dancing' and accused of being 'work shy'.

The Prince had skipped a memorial service attended by other members of the royal family on Monday to enjoy a weekend break with three male friends in the up market ski resort of Verbier.

Ms Taylor was photographed dancing with William at the nightclub where she works.

The Prince placed a hand on her waist as he leant in to hear what the model was saying as she joined him on the dance floor.

He also swiped her cowboy hat during his awkward 'dad dancing' to Pharell Williams' song 'Happy' with other clubbers saying he was 'worse for wear'.

Ms Taylor, who has previously worked for Australian agency Chadwick Models and also posed topless for photographer Glen Krohn, is believed to be in a relationship with Aaron Goodfellow.

The 24-year-old blonde busied herself bringing plates of food to groups enjoying some apres-ski on an open terrace at the hotel

Flashback: The Australian model gave Prince William a high five during his ski holiday in Verbier

Living the dream! Sophie has previously worked for Australian agency Chadwick Models and

Bartender-turned-chef Aaron has claimed he was also present as William enjoyed Jagerbombs, beer, and wine, calling the royal a 'great guy' and 'very down to earth.'

Ms Taylor also had lunch with the Prince and his friends after being invited to a mountainside restaurant where they shared pizza and Rose wine.

She was pictured high fiving the 34-year-old Prince as she sat with the group along with her friend, British former beautician Rosie Peate, 30, from Blackpool.

The Australian model has so far remained silent about time with the Prince.

Her mother Joni Taylor who lives in Australia said of the encounter: 'Sophie said they met and had a few drinks. She said he was a lovely and a down to earth person.'

But yesterday Taylor, dressed in figure hugging skinny jeans, low cut black top and ankle boots joined other waitresses to serve skiers during Happy Hour at the Farinet bar.

When approached by MailOnline she declined to offer any comment about her Royal encounter.

One manager of a five star hotel said: 'Verbier prides itself on the privacy of its guests'

Taylor, dressed in figure hugging skinny jeans, low cut black top and ankle boots joined other waitresses to serve skiers

Hoteliers in the ski resort have told MailOnline she would be 'banned' from working ever again if she told talked about the Prince.

One manager of a five star hotel said: 'Verbier prides itself on the privacy of its guests.

'If she started talking about the Prince I have no doubt she would be sacked on the spot and no one would ever hire her. I would not have her on my staff as we want people who are discreet.'

Another hotel manager added: 'No one likes a gossip. If she talked about the Prince she would be finished. No one would hire her again.'

Taylor is expected to stay in Verbier until the end of the ski season in April.

William had flown to Verbier with close friends Guy Pelly, Richard Meade and Thomas Van Straubenzee.

He has come under fire for his boisterous weekend as it meant missing a Commonwealth Day Memorial Service attended by the Queen and most other senior members of the Royal family.

When approached by MailOnline she declined to offer any comment about her Royal encounter

'She said he was a lovely and a down to earth person': Sophie Taylor was photographed high-fiving the second in line to the throne during a break from skiing at the mountainside La Vache restaurant in the upmarket Swiss resort, Verbier

Australian beauty! The stunning model went to Terrigal High School, on the Central Coast of New South Wales

Video of the balding father of two gyrating to rap songs has also led to him being teased for his wooden 'dad dance' moves.

Revelers at the club have told how they were stunned to see the second in line to the throne letting loose. At first they though it must be a lookalike, they said.

The Prince was first spotted on Saturday as he took to the slopes.

Later that evening William, having changed into a Nordic-style sweater and jeans, and the group were seen dining at La Channe restaurant, where a beef fondue costs 48 and a chicken salad is 32.

Quick service: Miss Taylor was seen dishing out meals to punters at outside at the restaurant

On the move: The stunner wore a low cut top with a plunging neckline as she enjoyed the spring weather

On Sunday the group enjoyed a challenging day on the slopes, and a lazy lunch at mountainside restaurant La Vache, which is known as one of the best in Switzerland.

A waitress said he was the 'life and soul' of the party as he ate pizza and drank rose wine.

William flew back to London  and to face the music with wife Kate  on Monday afternoon.

He has been accused of being a 'work shy' royal having only attended 18 engagements in 2017.
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The man seen holding hands with murdered Danielle McLaughlin an hour before she disappeared with her alleged killer has been revealed to be a local taxi driver who told his wife he had not spent the evening with the tragic Briton.

Rajesh Sarokomart Pant is one of six men brought in for questioning by police investigating the 28-year-old backpackers rape and murder at an idyllic Indian beach resort in Goa.

Pant, who is known as Kanar, spent hours drinking with adventurer Danielle in various bars in Palolem before she mounted on the back of the scooter of Vikat Bhagat who has allegedly admitted murdering her.

The 37-year-old taxi driver later received an early morning text from prime suspect Bhagat demanding help.

Today Pant protested his innocence in an exclusive interview with MailOnline.

I am innocent, he proclaimed.

Rajesh Sarokumar Panth, pictured with his wife Reshma Panth, is one of six men brought in for questioning by police in relation to the death of Danielle McLaughlin

Pictures emerged showing British backpacker Danielle McLaughlin holding hands with a man later identified as Rajesh Sarokomart Pant

Pant, who lied to his wife about where he had been that evening, is one of six men brought in for questioning by police investigating Danielle's murder

I had nothing to do with Danielles murder. It is a terrible crime, a real tragedy, but I had nothing to do with it.

Rajesh Sarokumar Panth, pictured with his dog, was seen holding hands with Danielle

That is me in the picture with Danielle. That was in the Green Park bar. The photo was taken at about 9.20 in the evening [on Monday night].

I am not holding Danielles hand. She is helping me to stand up.

I was sitting on the ground and she helped me get up.

He added: Shortly after that I went home. Danielle got on the back of Bhagats motorbike. I drove my friend home, then picked up my wife and son from a relatives house and came home. I was home at about 9.45pm, certainly before 10 oclock.

Initially Kanar told MailOnline that he had not been drinking with Danielle after 6pm and that he had come across her by chance at the Green Park bar later in the evening  although they were sitting at different tables.

He said: I was with Danielle in the afternoon. We were drinking beer at the La La Land bar. We all left there at about 6pm. I paid the bill.

Then I went to a restaurant to eat fish curry with my friend.

Later we went to Green Park [bar] and Danielle was there but she was sitting at another table. I was sitting at a table with my friend and she was at another table in front of us.

But when shown the picture of him holding hands with Danielle he changed his story.

Rajesh Sarokumar Panth lied to his wife Reshma Panth, pictured behind him, saying he had been drinking with a friend that night and not with Danielle

The couple have been together for 16 years and have a five-year-old son named Rajat

Rajesh Sarokumar Panth, pictured with his wife, claims Danielle was 'helping him to stand up'

He explained: Yes that is me in the pictures. That was at about 9.20pm [on Monday night].

I am not holding Danielles hand. She is helping to stand up.

The picture, the last known photos of Danielle alive, show her holding hands with a local man just hours before she was brutally raped and murdered in Goa.

The images show the 28-year-old Briton is a bikini top standing behind a group of tourists in a bar at the popular beach resort of Palolem.

She is believed to have left the party just an hour later on a scooter with her alleged killer.

Her stripped and beaten body was found the next morning in a field four miles away.

Kanar failed to explain his inconsistent account of his involvement with Danielle on Monday night when confronted with the evidence by MailOnline today.

He replied simply: My wife Rishma and my son are my world.

Friends of Danielle say they were put in the same room as the main suspect Vikat Bhagat, who has allegedly confessed to the crime, to identify him. He is pictured with a hood over his head being escorted by police in Goa

Indian police are facing criticism over their investigation into British backpacker Danielle McLaughlin's rape and murder amid claims they made a series of blunders. They are pictured taking suspect Vikat Bhagat into a police station after medical tests at Goa Medical College

The couple have been together for 16 years and have a five-year-old son Rajat.

Earlier Kanars distraught wife broke down in tears as she explained to MailOnline how the stress of her husbands involvement in the police investigation into Danielles death was making her sad.

Rishma, 31, said: All of this is really getting me down.

I am very sorry for the British girl. But my husband had nothing to do with it. He told me he was not with the British girl that night. He said he was out with his friend.

Wife Rishma added that Kanar was a good husband and was kind to her and their son.

She told MailOnline: My husband really is innocent. He would never do anything like that. He is a devoted family man.

He told me that he did not know the British girl and that it was a friend of his who invited him to come for a drink. And that was where he came across her.

He came home about 9.45 on Monday night.

She added that prime suspect Bhagat texted her husband early the following day.

She said: Early in the morning Bhagat sent my husband a text, saying Call me.

But Kanar was sleeping so he did not answer. I asked him why does Bhagat text you?.

Everyone knows he [Bhagat] is not a good guy. He replied he is a friend of a friend.

Kanar told MailOnline he did not call Bhagat or return his text.

Danielle McLaughlin, 28, is pictured playing guitar in Kasol town during her first visit to Himachal Pradesh, northern India in March, 2016

Staff at one of the bars where Danielle was drinking on the day of her death confirmed Kanar was with the British backpacker.

Barman Aaron James told MailOnline: Kanar was one of the six men who were drinking with Danielle at La La Land [bar].

He was there between about 2.30pm and 5.30pm. They left at about 5.40pm. I dont know where they went after that.

Police brought Kanar in for questioning following the discovery of Danielles battered and abused body.

He was later released on police bail but must sign on at the Conacana Police station regularly, along with some of the other six men who were drinking with Danielle that night.

Vikat Bhagat is in custody after allegedly admitting to Danielles murder.

There is also surprise that Bhagat (pictured being led into a police station) was free despite having a long criminal record

Friends of the 28-year-old, who lived in Liverpool, have told how they watched dozens of people trample over the crime scene after her body was found stripped and battered on Tuesday morning. Police are pictured investigating at the scene on Tuesday

Danielle's family has hired a well known Indian lawyer called Vikram Varma who has worked with British mother Fiona MacKeown on the investigation into her daughter Scarlett Keeling's murder.

Danielle was last seen dancing and laughing at a party with Bhagat to celebrate the Holi festival at the Green Park resort in Palolem Beach.

Other partygoers told how a group of Indian men were 'glued' to Danielle, who had painted her face, at the party for local ex-pats.

Another partygoer Angela, 33, said: 'I saw her here and she looked so happy. I noticed she was with three or four Indian men. They were glued to her. It was strange as it was a party for ex-pats but there were these men here.

'I wanted to ask her what they were doing with her as I could hear her Irish accent. She had two men on each side of her and one in front covering her. But she kept dancing on the floor looking like she didn't have a care in the world.

'At one point, one of the men wearing a hat came up to me and asked where I was from. I'm not sure if it was Bhagat as he was covered in paint.

'But I politely told him to get lost and moved away. It has made me scared for my safety here. I want the British government to act strongly to make sure justice is served here.'

Suspect Vikat Bhagat, 23, is pictured with his head covered on Thursday after being arrested over Danielle's murder. Her friends have told how she fell in love with India during her first trip to the country last year (left)

On Thursday, police confirmed Danielle's post mortem had been completed as they held Bhagat (pictured) in custody. Deputy Superintendent Sammy Tavares, from Canacona Police Station, said results confirm cause of death was by strangulation and injuries to the head

Danielle McLaughlin's body is now set to be returned to home with friends arriving tonight. A page from her passport is pictured above

Danielle had spent some of the night chatting to British couple David Woodruff.

David said: 'She had a strong Irish accent and straight away told me her life story. She was really funny, bubbly girl.

'She was off dancing and having a great time. She introduced me to an Indian guy who she knew from last year and said he was going to help find her a place to stay.

'He was one of the five guys with her but I got a weird vibe from this guy who I guess is Bhagat and not even in retrospect - right at that time. I didn't really talk to him and he just sat there glaring.

'At the end of the night I said we are going for a quick swim and would she join us to swim around. She said give me two minutes I need to speak with my friend.

Bhagat, 23, has reportedly confessed to the killing, saying he sexually assaulted Ms McLaughlin before disfiguring her face with a beer bottle

'We went to the sea and we were there for 20 odd minutes but she did not join us. By the time we got back, it was 9.37pm exactly. She was gone.'

Indian police have been slammed over their investigation amid claims they have made a series of blunders.

Friends of the 28-year-old, who lived in Liverpool, have told how they watched dozens of people trample over the crime scene after her body was found stripped and battered on Tuesday morning.

One friend said she saw 30 or more men standing next to her body taking photos and watching.

It has also emerged that friends were put in the same room as the main suspect, Vikat Bhagat, who has allegedly confessed to the crime, to identify him. And there is also surprise that Bhagat was free despite having a long criminal record.

Families of British girls Scarlett Keeling and Sarah Groves, murdered in India, have previously hit out at authorities bungling the case and the length of time that has been taken to get justice in their cases.

Danielle's friends have now set up a Facebook page - Justice for Danielle McLaughlin - calling for the death penalty in the case.

Saskia Gall was one of her friends who had to identify the body but she was also asked to ID the suspect in his cell.

She also questioned police activity at the crime scene, adding: 'We went out to the field and there were about 30 or more men standing next to the body taking photos and watching.'

A friend added: 'The girls who brought her down to Palolem from Agonda. They had to go and identify the body and so on. They also had an opportunity to identify the suspect and the police put him in the same room with all the girls, like 24 hours after. It is an awful situation to be in.

'Also Bhagat seems to have a criminal record as long as my arm - how can he be free after all the things he is said to have done.'

There was also shock that pictures of Danielle's battered body were leaked to the media in the hours after her death with some put up online. They have not been used by MailOnline.

Police have denied mishandling the case.

Two pathologists on Thursday revealed that Danielle (right) had died as a result of a compression of the neck and their report has been passed to police. Suspect Vikat Bhagat is pictured (left)

Danielle is pictured during a walk in the mountains at Kasol town during her first visit to Himachal Pradesh, northern India in March, 2016

Sammy Tavares, Deputy Superintendent of Police said: 'There is no question of polluting the crime scene. We always sanitise the area of crime. We call the crime scene experts and forensics.

'But in this case it might have taken a couple of hours for the team to turn up. So I am not sure what happened in between.

'The police did not release those pictures of the victim. They must have been circulated by the media or something

'The accused was identified by some witnesses, but it was done with due diligence. I don't have reports that witnesses and accused were brought face to face with each other. '

Danielle's body is now set to be returned to home with friends arriving tonight.

He added: 'We have informed the embassy and her friends are expected to reach by this evening or tomorrow morning from the UK to get her body. Her mother is not coming. There were at least 15 cases of theft against and petty crime against Vikat.

'She was with him (Vikat) only all the time. They were last seen at Green Park Resort. They drank there and then hopped to some other pubs.

'They were not in any relationship and we cannot confirm if they were physically involved before. But the accused said he felt an urge to have sex with her and confessed to raping. But because she was struggling he attacked her head with a beer bottle and she died instantly.

'He was apparently helping her with a stay at Palolem where she had come a day before for Holi celebrations. We have spoken with all the resort owners where she was seen the day. There were some four other friends of the accused but they don't seem to have been involved.

Danielle McLaughlin, 28, (showing the victory sign) is pictured with her friend Rishabh Surana, 29, (playing the flute) at his office in Kolkata, India in March, 2016

CCTV video has emerged showing the final movements of British tourist Danielle McLaughlin (left in both pictures) before she was brutally raped and murdered in an Indian holiday resort

Danielle McLaughlin (left in both pictures) was seen carrying a bag and walking along a road in Goa with an unknown man behind her in the grainy footage

Ms McLaughlin (left), who is thought to have lived in Liverpool, had just arrived from the north of the state and had been seen out and about at a party on Monday night at nearby Palolem beach, popular with Western tourists. A local man named as Vikat Bhagat (right) has been arrested

'The victim and Vikat did not have a brawl as such. He tried to force himself onto her and he raped her. But as she struggled he hit her and she must also have fought back.

'We have the post-mortem report and the accused has confessed to the crime as well. We will continue collecting evidence and then file a charge sheet at the right time.'

Last night, pictures emerged of the suspect being escorted to a police station with a bag over his head, as authorities confirmed the 28-year-old backpacker was raped before her death.

It has since emerged that Danielle's family have hired well know Indian lawyer Vikram Varma who has worked with Brit mum Fiona MacKeown on the investigation into her daughter Scarlett Keeling's murder.

He said: 'The quality of the evidence collection system is far more inferior here than what they are in UK or elsewhere.

'But if the police are confident that they have the confession of the accused and they have sufficient evidence then they may not have not taken everything into consideration.

'I must add here that a confession of the accused is not enough because it is not admissible in the court.

'Saskia Gall helped the police identify the body and she followed due procedures as was asked. She had a few questions and concerns regarding how the police had gone on about managing the crime scene but we cannot comment on that for now. '

Last night, pictures emerged of the suspect being escorted to a police station with a bag over his head, as authorities confirmed the 28-year-old backpacker was raped before her death.

Danielle was found dead on Tuesday morning after she had attended Holi celebrations at Palolem beach. Her alleged killer reportedly sexually assaulted her and 'disfigured' her face with a beer bottle.

A post mortem on Danielle has revealed that she was strangled to death later that night and it also confirmed she had been sexually assaulted. Two pathologists revealed that she had died as a result of a compression of the neck and their report has been passed to police.

Ms McLaughlin's badly beaten body was discovered by a farmer at Deobag Beach about four miles away on Tuesday morning. She had suffered extensive injuries to her face and head

At the vigil on Wednesday night, 200 local and foreign nationals gathered with flowers to pay tribute to Ms McLaughlin in Goa

A 28-year-old, named by police as Danielle McLaughlin (pictured), was found dead in a field on Tuesday morning after attending Holi celebrations in the Canacona area of southern Goa, India

Floral tributes are left on Deobag beach in Goa, India where Danielle McLaughlin was found dead. On Wednesday, hundreds gathered to pay tribute to the 28-year-old

Danielle McLaughlin, 28, was found dead on Tuesday morning after attending Holi celebrations in southern Goa. A picture of the backpacker is seen on Wednesday at the spot where she was found

The Ourem Shack in the Agonda festival village, Goa, India where Danielle McLaughlin was staying before she was murdered

Her family will then be able to take her body home which is currently being sorted by the British Consulate.

Tavares said: 'She died of compression of neck and suffered cranial cerebral damage. There was also wounds showing there was rape. She suffered grave injuries to her head and face and died.'

It comes as it emerged that Ms McLaughlin may have met her alleged killer a year ago and amid claims he told police he was not alone when the backpacker was killed. Officers are now understood to be quizzing three other suspects.

Backpacker Ms McLaughlin, who arrived in Goa on February 23, had been at Agonda beach and Patnem beach with friends during her first fortnight in the state.

It emerged that Bhagat has told police that he was friends with Danielle and the pair had first met on her previous visit a year ago.

Taveres added: 'We suspect Vikat tried to sexually assault her as he has injury marks on groin area and thighs. They do not look like nail marks but they are deep cuts.

'It seems the deceased struggled to get off his grip. But we cannot tell you anything until the post-mortem report is out. Only the report would confirm if she was raped or sexually assaulted.

'We are still interrogating Vikat. He has been maintaining that he killed her with a broken beer bottle but not speaking up further.

'He is not telling the reason for the murder. We also found the shards of the same near her body at the crime spot. But it is unclear if they were drinking together.

'Vikat has told us that they knew each other as Danielle had visited Goa last year and became friends with him. But she used to call him brother. They would hang out but had never gone out of the area (Canacona) together. It was more like a local knowing a foreigner.

'We are yet finding out where all she had gone before the incident and who all were with her. Vikat had tried to name a few men before but later said he was all alone with her before her last. We are investigating all angles and interrogating suspects. She was not with any foreigner the day before, this we know.'

In further police interviews, Bhagat has reportedly revealed that he was not alone when Danielle was killed. Police are now quizzing three other suspects.

Danielle arrived in Goa on February 23 and stayed at Arambol beach in Pernem, northern Goa, but she left for Cancona last Sunday with a British friend.

She checked into a hotel in Agonda and on Monday is understood to have left the friend at about 1pm to meet friends from a previous visit to Goa  believed to be Bhagat.

As they moved around the Palolem beach area, they went to a beach bar which was holding a party to celebrate the Holi festival where they began drinking.

It is claimed the pair even had a row with a bar owner at about 9.30pm as they bought bottles of beer. They were then seen leaving together on Bhagat's scooter.

A floral tribute in the shape of a heart is left at the murder scene earlier this week. Hundreds have come to the secluded spot to pay their respects

Officers from Canacona police station (pictured) are investigating the murder and rape of the British backpacker

Police revealed earlier this week that they had arrested a suspect named as Vikat Bhagat (pictured) who they said was a petty thief. He is said to have made a confession, saying he sexually assaulted Ms McLaughlin and disfigured her face with a beer bottle

After her body was found, police were told by other party goers that Bhagat had been spotted with her and when they found the footage of the pair, they arrested him. They then reportedly found her clothes packed in a bag dumped near Bhagat's home.

She had been at the La La Land restaurant in the Dreamcatcher resort at about 5.30pm on Monday afternoon and was reportedly seen sitting with two or three men and was not drinking.

A local said: 'We didn't pay her much attention as it is a common sight to see foreigners with Indian men. The area is very popular with tourists.'

But she is believed to have then left with Bhagat and drank at several bars before reportedly heading to the Leopard Valley nightclub.

On February 22 Ms McLaughlin revealed she was 'off on another adventure' to Goa.

She wrote: 'Thank you to all my friends and family for making home so special and always looking after me. I am very grateful and the luckiest person I know... Off on another adventure.'

The 28-year-old's body was discovered by a farmer about four miles away from Palolem beach on Tuesday morning

Deputy Superintendent of Police Sammy Tavares said that officers had arrested Vikat Bhagat (pictured) and that 'he has confessed to raping the victim and later killing her in order to hide his identity'

Ms McLaughlin's Facebook profile says she had studied at Liverpool John Moores University and was from Buncrana in Ireland. She is pictured, centre, with some children during one trip abroad

About 200 mourners attended a vigil on Wednesday night to mourn McLaughlin, as her mother, Andrea Brannigan, said she would be 'sadly missed'

Under the same post earlier this week, which included a sunset landscape picture, a friend wrote: 'Beautiful sunset for a beautiful soul'.

Her mother, Andrea Brannigan, said last night her daughter would be 'sadly missed' as 200 locals and foreign nationals gathered in Goa to pay tribute to Ms McLaughlin.

On Wednesday. 200 local and foreign nationals attended a vigil to pay tribute to the backpacker.

The same day, it emerged that Bhagat was arrested in March 2014 for targeting foreigners in a string of burglaries in the area.

One British holidaymaker revealed a thief had sneaked into their holiday villa through a balcony and taken a laptop, two mobile phones and a portable hard drive worth around 1,620.

Another told how the thief had taken a laptop, camera, mobile phone and CDs worth more than 1,100.

FARMER WHO FOUND DANIELLE'S BODY 'RESCUED A FOREIGNER FROM THROUGH SAME FIELD IN 2015' A farmer who found the body of a British backpacker in a field in Goa on Tuesday has told how he rescued a foreigner running through the same field two years ago. Prashant Kumar Pant, 50, was checking his land on Tuesday morning when he found Danielle McLaughlin's body. He said: 'I've felt very scared since. I haven't slept very well. I can no longer pass the area where the girl was found. I take a different route through my fields now.' Prashant said the area where the body was found was littered with empty crisp packets and empty bottles of Kingfisher beer. He also said there was evidence of urine and feaces nearby, which officers took away for testing. 'There were many things around her,' he said. 'The police searched the area and took it all away. There was also a gold locket near her too.' But Prashant, who owns a coconut and cashew nut plantation, remembered finding a crying young girl aged around 18-years-old running through his field two years ago. 'I was checking my fields for cattle again that time,' he said. 'When I saw this girl crying and running. I went to help her and she looked like she was on drugs. She was white but I don't know which country she was from. I called my relative as I didn't know what to do and she called the police. The police came and took her away. 'It saddens me that such things happen near my home. This is a lovely area but we have these tragic events that change our home town.' Advertisement

Following the reported crimes, police watched the flats and caught Bhagat who had been found guilty of seven previous offences.

A worker at the Dreamcatcher resort where Danielle had reportedly visited the day before her murder said he knew of the arrested man and that he was 'the biggest thief of the area.'

'He steals from foreigners only - break into their rooms and loot everything. He scares outsiders who have set up their business here. He is a powerful person, by powerful I mean he scares people using weapon. He is a nuisance for the society.'

Detectives had earlier said they had questioned up to 15 people over the killing of Ms McLaughlin, who was travelling under a British passport.

Heartbroken friends of the 28-year-old backpacker (above in a Facebook picture) say she 'added happiness' to the world

It is thought Ms McLaughlin (pictured) who had a tattoo saying 'Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery', lived in Liverpool, but may have been born in Ireland

THE LEAD UP TO VIKAT BHAGAT'S ARREST At 8.20am on Tuesday, police received information from Prashand Komarpant in Palolem, Canacona, about a body for a foreign female in an open field in Devabag, about 150m from a road leading from Canacona to Agonda. The woman had injuries on her face and head when her body was discovered. The body was identified as Danielle Mclaughlin by foreigners. She had arrived in Goa on February 23 and was staying in Arambol, but she had travelled to Festival Valley with a British friend on March 12 to stay with other foreigner friends over night. At about 1pm on March 13, Ms McLaughlin left Festival Valley and went to Palolem, where she was seen with 23-year-old Vikat Bhagat in Waddo Canacona. The pair were seen together on CCTV near a restaurant in Ourem. Miss McLaughlin was last seen with Bhagat at about 9.30pm on March 13, and was found dead the next day. Bhagat was arrested on March 14 at 3.10pm. His scooter allegedly had blood stains on it, as did his clothes. During a medical examination, officials found Bhagat had nail wounds. Bhagat has since confessed to killing Ms McLaughlin, saying he sexually assaulted her and disfigured her face with a beer bottle. Advertisement

Police are studying the CCTV footage of all the shacks the victim visited on Monday night, and are working with teams of sniffer dogs and forensic teams.

Ms McLaughlin, who had a tattoo saying 'Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery', was born in Glasgow but grew up in County Donegal.

Her Facebook profile says she had studied at Liverpool John Moores University. A spokesman said: 'The University is shocked and saddened to hear of the death of one of our former students, Danielle McLaughlin.

'We send our sincere condolences to her family and friends from all at LJMU.'

In early February Ms McLaughlin posted a thank you to her friends for wishing her a happy birthday.

Police said this morning that they had arrested a man called Vikat Bhagat and that he had made a confession. Ms McLaughlin is pictured left with a friend

The victim's badly beaten body was discovered by a farmer at Devbag Beach (pictured) about four miles away on Tuesday morning. She had suffered extensive injuries to her face.

In a heartbreaking post on Facebook written just days ago on February 22, Ms McLaughlin revealed how she was 'off on another adventure' to Goa

Ms McLaughlin had just arrived with a friend from the north of the state so they could celebrate Holi (file picture), a spring festival famous for crowds of people throwing paint - and held to celebrate the triumph of good over evil

'Thanks for all the birthday love. It was filled with dancing, dinners and family time. Very grateful for all the beautiful pals I have accumulated in life,' she wrote.

Christy Duffy, a close friend of Ms McLaughlin's from Buncrana, Donegal, has already raised several thousand euro on a fundraising website to help pay for the funeral and repatriation costs.

'There's not really much anyone can say at the moment as I know we are all completely devastated,' he said.

'There is nothing I need to say about Danielle as anyone who knew her, knew that she was a beautiful and kind-hearted, funny young lady who loved life and was a loyal and devoted friend, sister and daughter.

'They say the brightest stars burn the quickest and no other analogy could describe Danielle's life better.'

Mr Duffy said the Irish embassy, the British embassy, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and many close friends are working hard on the arrangements to bring Ms McLaughlin's body home.

'The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust have been brilliant and cover most arrangements and expenses, so basically this fundraiser is to help her family with the added costs of having someone with her when she returns and to give her the send-off she deserves,' he said.

Another Friend Candice Faulkner, who grew up with Danielle in the small town of Buncrana said on Facebook: 'We are in shock. Danielle was an amazing person with so much adventure in front of her. Our small town is devastated.'

MYSTERIOUS DEATHS HAVE BLIGHTED BEACH HAVEN British schoolgirl Scarlett Keeling was found dead in Anjuna in mysterious circumstances in 2008 It is one of India's top tourism destinations with millions drawn by the promise of palm tree-fringed beaches and hedonistic parties. But the murder of 28-year-old Danielle McLaughlin is the latest case to blight picturesque Goa and its reputation as a holiday haven. In 2008, the body of British schoolgirl Scarlett Keeling was found bruised and semi-naked in shallow water in Anjuna, 70 miles from the spot where Ms McLaughlin was killed. The 15-year-old drowned after allegedly being plied with drugs - though her mother Fiona MacKeown has long insisted she was murdered. Goan police initially said her death was the result of an accidental drowning before two men went on trial for assaulting and killing her. But in September, Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho were cleared in an Indian court. Mackeown said that she was not surprised by Danielle's murder. The mother from Bideford, North Devon said: 'This story reinforces my belief that Goa is a dangerous place to visit. 'Scarlett's murder was covered up and I hope this one isn't. People are already comparing the two cases. It should put more pressure on the government to clean up the area. 'If they don't do something, tourists will not feel safe to come to Goa. In my case, the court revealed they did not do a proper investigation. Two years after Scarlett's death, in 2010, another mysterious death took place. Edinburgh-born Denyse Sweeney was 34 when she collapsed outside a bar in Anjuna. She was declared dead at hospital less than an hour later. An Indian post mortem result put her cause of death down to a drugs overdose and said the evidence pointed to it being an accidental death. But in 2012, an inquest in Derby heard that there were no drugs in the mother of two's system. There were 20 unexplained marks on her body. The tests in the UK showed that she had in fact died from a head injury. The family campaigned for a new investigation in India. But detectives from India's Central Bureau of Investigation later dropped the probe, insisting there was no evidence of violence. Her sister Maureen said afterwards that she still believed Denyse had been murdered. Edinburgh-born Denyse Sweeney (pictured) was 34 when she collapsed outside a bar in Anjuna. She was declared dead at hospital less than an hour later According to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, between 2010 and 2014, 58 British nationals died in Goa in what are described as 'unknown' circumstances. And seven foreigners, including four women, were murdered in Goa between 2013 and February 2016, according to a local paper. Half a million holidaymakers  including more than 100,000 Britons  visit Goa each year, enticed by the Indian state's cheap deals and winter sun. Its golden beaches, laid-back vibe and abundance of cheap drugs, make the former Portuguese colony a destination favoured by hippies and backpackers. But the murder of Danielle McLaughlin has again exposed a menacing undercurrent. The seedy side of Goa was depicted in a controversial 2011 Bollywood thriller which had a trailer with the line: 'Here in Goa, liquor is cheap but girls are even cheaper.' Tourist chiefs have desperately attempted to downplay the image  and tried to get the film banned  but Goa has developed a reputation for police corruption, extortion and sex attacks which allegedly involve a drug mafia with links to top politicians. Goa's reputation as a bohemian paradise was sealed in the Sixties when hippies went there in search of peace, love and hashish. But the rise of harder drugs  including heroin, ecstasy and cocaine  has had often devastating consequences (file picture) Foreign Office advice features a stark warning to British travellers heading to Goa. It states: 'There have been reports of drinks being spiked and travellers, including British nationals, subsequently being robbed, sexually assaulted or dying. 'There have also been reports of locals posing as police officers or government officials in order to extort money, so be alert if approached. Avoid beaches after dark.' It also warns of reports of bag snatchings on smaller roads in some of the main tourist areas, with thieves 'with headlights on full-beam to blind their victims'. It adds: 'The possession or consumption of drugs is illegal and conviction for either offence may lead to a very long prison sentence. A number of British nationals in Goa die each year due to drug or alcohol abuse.' Goa's reputation as a bohemian paradise was sealed in the Sixties when hippies went there in search of peace, love and hashish. But the rise of harder drugs  including heroin, ecstasy and cocaine  has had often devastating consequences. Stories abound of travellers being fleeced  and sometimes sexually assaulted  in coordinated scams between drug dealers and police in resorts where hotel rooms cost as little as 20 a night. It usually involves a proposed sale of cheap drugs to naive young tourists on the beach. But police arrive and threaten the buyer with jail unless they pay the officers a hefty bribe  some of which is given to the dealer  or provide sexual favours. Advertisement

And another friend of the family, Ruth Taylor said: 'My brain won't let it register!! Our poor Danielle, it's such a shock, I'm heartbroken!'

Danielle had been travelling the world, meeting up with friends as she went.

She had lived in Liverpool for many years, and had worked in the Pump House Bar on the Albert Dock before going travelling.

The firm said on Facebook: 'Very sad to hear we have lost one of our old team members Danielle McLaughlin in Goa this week. She was only 28. Goodbye Danielle. Deepest condolences to her family in Ireland.'

The Irish Independent quotes Rena Donaghey, a councillor in the Buncrana area as saying the death had left the whole community 'in deep shock'

'Everyone is very saddened by the news. She was a lovely young woman who has come to a very sad end. She was very popular and very liked in the community. She headed off on a backpacking holiday in February to do some travelling.

'On behalf of the community, I would like to offer sympathy and condolences. I hope God will give the family strength at this tragic time to help them through the weeks and months ahead.'

Police are also studying the CCTV footage of all the shacks the victim visited on Monday night, and are working with teams of sniffer dogs and forensic teams (file picture)

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin earlier confirmed it was talking to its embassy in India about the reports.

The Irish embassy said: 'Ireland's Embassy in New Delhi is in contact with Indian authorities in relation to reports of an incident involving an Irish citizen.

'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stands ready to provide consular assistance.'

But the Department later said it was 'following up on the suspected murder of an Irish woman in Goa' who had been 'using a British passport'.

'It has been confirmed that the woman travelled to India using a British passport, so the local British consulate have the lead responsibility in terms of dealings with the Indian authorities,' the spokesman added.

'The Irish Embassy is liaising closely with the British authorities and an Irish consular official is travelling from New Delhi to Goa today.'

An FCO spokesperson said: 'We are supporting the family of a British-Irish woman following her death in Goa, India. Our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time. Indian police are conducting an investigation and we are in close contact with them.'

In 2008, British teenager Scarlett Keeling (left) was found dead on Goa's popular Anjuna beach. Her mother, Fiona Mackeown (right) said that she was not surprised by Danielle's murder

In 2008, British teenager Scarlett Keeling was found dead on Goa's popular Anjuna beach.

The 15-year-old drowned after allegedly being plied with drugs - though her mother Fiona MacKeown has long insisted she was murdered.

Two men, Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho, were cleared of raping and killing her by an Indian court last year.

Mackeown said she was not surprised by Danielle's murder.

The mother from Bideford, North Devon said: 'This story reinforces my belief that Goa is a dangerous place to visit.

'Scarlett's murder was covered up and I hope this one isn't. People are already comparing the two cases. It should put more pressure on the government to clean up the area.

'If they don't do something, tourists will not feel safe to come to Goa. In my case, the court revealed they did not do a proper investigation.

'I would think knowing what they know now they will not make same mistakes. The police seem to have acted quickly and picked up someone - they did the opposite with Scarlett.

'Goa will not be safe until there is stiffer punishment for rapists and a change in attitude from men.'
Kate McCann is threatening legal action against social media users stealing extracts from the best seller book she wrote about her missing daughter Madeleine.

She also hit out at claims she is cashing in on her daughter's disappearance, saying: 'For those posting that we are trying to make money, you are absolutely wrong.'

The warning comes as Mrs McCann and her husband Gerry hit back at reality TV star Marco Pierre White Junior after he posted a foul-mouthed ran on Twitter accusing the couple of making money from their daughter's disappearance.

Kate McCann reveals her book, Madeleine, with her husband Gerry

Madeleine McCann went missing in 2007 on a family holiday in Portugal

Mrs McCann vented her anger at the people stealing extracts from her book on a Facebook page promoting the hunt for her daughter.

The official Find Madeleine Campaign is endorsed by the former GP and her heart doctor husband.

All posts by the site's un-named web chief, a mother who runs the site with a group of fellow supporters, are approved by the couple.

On Mr McCann's behalf she wrote: 'I would like to remind those who are sharing Kate's book online, you are violating copyright law.

'Kate's publisher has notified Facebook and other social media networks of the links and people engaging in this illegal activity. You risk having your Facebook account terminated and could face prosecution brought by the publisher. Downloading and sharing copyrighted material is illegal.'

She urges campaigners: 'If you see Kate's book posted online out of the normal ways to purchase an e-book, please let us know.

Kate and Gerry are bracing themselves for the painful milestone 10th anniversary of their daughter's disappearance

'We will notify Kate's publisher and they will have the links removed and determine if the person posting should be prosecuted.'

Kate, 49, and Gerry, 48, are bracing themselves for the painful milestone 10th anniversary of their daughter's disappearance in less than seven weeks.

Three-year-old Madeleine vanished from a holiday apartment in Portugal's Praia da Luz in May 2007 while her parents were dining in a nearby tapas bar.

The couple, from Rothley, Leicestershire, are clinging on to a glimmer of hope that the girl, who would now be aged 13, nearly 14, would still be alive.

In May 2011 Kate penned her memoirs 'to give an account of the truth' and to help boost the dwindling public fund set up to find her daughter.

The legal warning was posted on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign page which is endorsed by the McCanns

The 20 book, simply called 'Madeleine', and published by Transworld, part of Bantam Press, was a huge success.

It made 1million from sales and a newspaper fee for serialisation which went straight into the search for Madeleine.

The campaign webmaster added: 'For those posting that we are trying to make money, you are absolutely wrong! By posting the book online, you are stealing from the publisher.

'Kate was given an advance for her book which was put into the fund. This isn't about us making money.

The book was a huge success, making 1million and Mrs McCann has threatened to sue those who steal extracts from it

'It's about participating in an illegal activity and stealing from the publisher, which is punishable under the law.

'If you don't want to purchase the book, that's fine. Just don't steal it!'

The McCann's have recently been subjected to a cruel torrent of online abuse from minor celebrities and so-called criminal experts.

They spouted off after it was revealed Scotland Yard had been handed an extra 85,000 of taxpayers' money to continue the hunt for Madeleine.

Marco Pierre White Junior launched his attack on the McCanns on Thursday

One of these celebrities is the Big Brother star and son of chef Marco Pierre White, who in a vile online rant accused the McCanns of murdering their daughter and cashing in on her disappearance.

He wrote: 'Kate and Gerry MacCann are f*****g guilty sick mother f*****s defiantly killed there daughter [sic]. Look at the money they've made out of it in 10 years.'

The outburst, littered with spelling mistakes, was posted to 40,000 Twitter followers.

Spokesman for the McCann's Clarence Mitchell told The Sun the couple hope 'any right minded person will see his totally ignorant abuse for what it is'.

The tweets sent out by Pierre White Jr are littered with spelling mistakes and explicit language

He added that they 'will not be dignifying his abuse with any further comment'.

Pierre White Junior's comments could be deemed 'malicious and libelous', leaving him potentially open to legal action.

A source close to the McCann's told The Sun: 'He comes across as a complete and utter idiot. His father must be appalled by his behaviour.

'But even mentioning him and like-minded people might give them some sort of spurious credibility.'
A Louisiana man livestreamed his own fatal shooting by a police officer on Facebook during a traffic stop on Thursday as his fiancee watched helplessly.

Rodney James Hess, 36, was acting erratically and had attempted to hit cops with his car 'at least twice' before he was killed at around 2:15pm, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation told NBC News.

In the video streamed on Facebook Live from a roadside in Alamo, Tennessee, Hess can be heard saying he wants to speak to 'the higher commands' before leaving his car.

He then appears to make some kind of movement and is shot several times through his windshield.

Scroll down for video

Dead: Rodney Hess (pictured with his daughter), 36, was shot dead by cops on Thursday while filming his traffic stop. Police say he tried to drive towards them twice before they shot him

Hess, who is from New Orleans and lives in Texas but had been visiting his mother in Memphis, can be heard screaming after being hit, then appears to crash his vehicle.

His phone drops to the floor and begins to ring, while the sound of breaking glass - possibly officers trying to open the car door - can be heard.

He died after being airlifted to hospital.

Hess's fiancee, Johnisha Provost, said that his request to speak to 'the higher command' was a sign that he was asking for help.

'He was not on a suicide mission,' she told the Commercial Appeal Friday from their home in Texas.

'He was not trying to harm anybody. He was asking them for help and they shot him down.'

She explained: 'He couldn't get his mind together. That's why he asked for a higher command.

'I always told him, "Babe, if you are ever in a situation where you need help, ask the person in charge for the higher command to help you," and that's what he kept saying.'

Last moments: These policemen are the last people Hess saw. In an earlier video he apparently walks around in a daze. Family and friends said he was struggling with mental illness

Provost watched his death as it occurred, she said.

'I found out as it was happening,' Provost said. 'I was at work and my aunt called me and was like, "Rodney is in trouble." He was on Facebook and I logged on and I watched it.'

Hess' cousin, Donald Hess III, said that the slain man was 'a father, a son and hard worker.'

'Rodney suffered from mental illness but was a functioning member of society. He often traveled for work - mostly construction work - and he did everything for his children,' he said.

Some livesteam commenters suggested that Hess might have been on drugs. Noey Torres, one of Hess's friends, responded: 'He was off his medication he was not on drugs.

'Rodney wasnt a user. He was a hard working family man who was in need of some medical help all u people talking like yall know something should be ashamed of yallselves.'

Troubled: Hess' fiancee, Johnisha Provost (left) said she told him to ask cops for a 'higher command' if he needed help. The father-of-one was repeating those words before he was shot

'Great dad': Provost said he was a 'great dad' and 'a great provider' whose mental illness should have been dealt with in a different way by police

Hess also streamed another video, prior to the traffic stop by Crockett County sheriff's deputies in which he acted oddly.

In the first, 17-minute long video he parks by the side of the road - with no police in sight - before walking around his vehicle, filming it. He then stands by the side of the road, filming passing cars.

A passerby stops to ask if he needs help, but he tells them, 'Nah, I'm good, go ahead.' They drive off.

At one point he moves his car so that is parked horizontally across one lane of traffic, then mumbles something about the 'CIA.'

He moves the car a number of other times before blocking the road again. Police are seen through a rear window pulling up just before the video ends.

Muttering: In a video streamed before his shooting, he appeared to walk around in a daze and mutter about the 'CIA' before blocking traffic with his car. Police then arrived to investigate

A tearful Provost told the Commercial Appeal that Hess was 'a great person. A great dad. A great provider.'

'He just suffered from mental illness and people need to be aware of how to deal with mental illness,' Provost said. 'They could have just shot his tires out or they could have handled it differently. They didn't have to kill him.'

It is not clear exactly what happened at the moment the police fired on Hess. The officers' identities are not being released as the investigation is still active.

'Though we are aware such a video exists, we cannot confirm its authenticity,' Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Public Information Officer Josh DeVine said.

'As with anything that might potentially be evidence, we will examine it to determine if it has probative benefit.'

Once the investigation is concluded, details will be handed to 28th district attorney general Garry Brown, who will decide on whether to send the case to a grand jury.
Dozens of people had to be rescued from raging floodwaters in northern NSW as a month's worth of rain caused rivers to burst their banks.

More than 250mm fell in some areas as the weather bureau warned of a 'huge risk' of flash flooding as bad weather was forecast for the next week.

Photos and videos shared online by locals show fallen trees, submerged roads and bridges, swamped backyards, and overflowing rivers.

Scroll down for video

Dozens of people had to be rescued from raging floodwaters in northern NSW as a month's worth of rain caused rivers to burst their banks

Photos and videos shared online by locals show fallen trees, submerged roads and bridges, swamped backyards, and overflowing rivers

A waterfall gushes out on to the road in Dorrigo National Park, west of Coffs Harbour

More than 250mm fell in some areas as the weather bureau warned of a 'huge risk' of flash flooding as bad weather was forecast for the next week

The State Emergency Service conducted 70 flood rescues and received 550 calls for help on Saturday, with 2,748 phoning in over the past week.

SES spokesman Brent Hunter said many rescues were a result of people not heeding warnings to stay out of floodwaters.

'We have had people disregarding the warning signs and walking across the weir, which obviously is idiotic in itself. Its a quick way to end your life,' he said.

The Bellinger River Bridge in Bellingen,south of Coffs Harbour, is completely submerged

A footbridge in the town of Coramba is completely underwater

Hartleys bridge at Coramba is flooded and covered in debris, with the floods also causing a crack in the road

Waterfalls spill on to the road in Dorrigo National Park, west of Coffs Harbour

A young family had to be winched to safety by a rescue helicopter after they were surrounded by floodwaters in a remote area south of Byron Bay.

Ian Lecki from the SES told the ABC that finding mother, father and four-year-old child was hard because they were seven kilometres away from any road access.

'We have a lot of fog in the area so the helicopter had a lot of difficulty finding them and our initial co-ordinates [made it] quite a difficult rescue,' he said.

The M1 highway was at a standstill for hours after 30 cars tried to drive through floodwaters and many got stuck, prompting a massive rescue effort.

The bureau renewed its severe weather warning for the state's north, with damaging winds and flash flooding still expected before rains eased on Sunday.

Well, they do hate water: This cat did not look too pleased with the wet weather as it took shelter inside

The bureau renewed its severe weather warning for the state's north, with damaging winds and flash flooding still expected before rains eased on Sunday

Map showing the heavy rainfall in the northern part of the state on Saturday

People had to be rescued from the Audley Weir in the Royal National Park

BOM forecaster Gabrielle Woodhouse told Daily Mail Australia that the heavy showers would not let up any time soon.

'We've got some very heavy rainfall at the moment and these sort of smaller bands of heavy rain that are coming are notoriously difficult to predict,' she said.

It was a damp start to the weekend for much of the state's east coast, with nearly 100mm of rain falling in just two hours in some areas.

The mid-north coast has faced the brunt of the wet weather, with more than 200mm falling in Bellingen in the last 24 hours, causing rivers to rise to dangerous levels.

The BOM forecaster said 204mm fell in Bellingen in 24 hours, with similar rainfall in Coffs Harbour and other parts of north east New South Wales.

Yamba saw 156mm of rain and 151mm fell in Comboyne in just a day.

A river dramatically bursts its banks in northern NSW after warnings that 16 might

A town in NSW is cut off by this bridge being submerged by floods

Another road completely submerged by floodwaters

'There's a number of places up and down the coast where we have warnings for rainfall of more than 100mm,' Ms Woodhouse said, adding that 96mm fell in Evans Head between 9am and 11am on Saturday.

'We're expecting rainfall to continue to be heavy in the north east and mid north coast for the rest of the day,' the forecaster said.

'We're looking at 100mm to 200mm today, with up to 250mm in localised places. Flooding is a huge risk.'

A total of 16 rivers and valleys are subject to flood warnings, including the Orara River, Bellinger River, Hastings River, Williams River and Coffs Creek.

Brunswick, Wilsons, Richmond, Clarence, Nambucca, Macleay, Manning, Karuah, Paterson, Lower Hunter including Wollombi Brook, and the Nepean Hawkesbury river valleys are also at risk of minor flooding.

Sydney and large parts of New South Wales faced another deluge of torrential rain on Saturday morning

It was a damp start to the weekend for much of the state's east coast, with nearly 100mm of rain falling in just two hours in some areas

The mid north coast has faced the brunt of the wet weather, with more than 200mm falling in Bellingen in the last 24 hours, flooding roads

People living and working nearby have been told to prepare to move to higher ground.

Ms Woodhouse added that a band of humidity would bring more showers to the coast of northern New South Wales over the weekend, as well as thunderstorms.

'I'd bring in your umbrella for the rest of the week,' she said.

There will also be dangerous swells on Saturday, with four-metre waves expected on the north east coast.

The warning to surfers comes a day after a 70-year-old man died while swimming at Sydney's Coogee Beach.

Forecasters said that the heavy showers would not let up anytime soon, with the BOM issuing a severe weather warning

Grey sky day: It was a murky morning in Sydney on Saturday as clouds gathered overhead

The rain held off to begin with, before a sudden deluge of heavy rain in the morning in Sydney

Temperatures are likely to remain in the mid to high 20s throughout the week for much of New South Wales' north east coast, as well as Sydney.

Elsewhere, Melbourne and Hobart will enjoy a sunny weekend before showers set in from Monday.

Brisbane, Canberra and Darwin can all expect showers over the next five days at least, but in Adelaide it will remain largely sunny.

It will rain in Perth on Saturday but pick up on Sunday and Monday, with temperatures reaching highs of 28C.
The wife of a Tennessee teacher who vanished with a 15-year-old student has begged him to turn himself in to police and bring the girl home safely.

Authorities have now issued two Amber Alerts regarding the disappearance of Elizabeth Thomas, saying they have reason to believe her 50-year-old teacher Tad Cummins may have lured the girl to sexually abuse her.

The Maury County health teacher's wife, Jill Cummins, pleaded for her husband to return after authorities revealed they were charging him with aggravated kidnapping in addition to sexual contact with a minor.

'I had no idea my husband was involved with anything that lead to this,' Mrs Cummins said on Friday at the Maury County Sheriff's Office.

'My heart breaks for her family of Beth Thomas. I want you home just as much as the rest of you, but I'm also very worried about Tad.'

Authorities have now issued two Amber Alerts regarding the disappearance of Elizabeth Thomas, saying they have reason to believe her 50-year-old teacher Tad Cummins may have lured the girl to sexually abuse her

Jill Cummins spoke at a press conference at the Maury County Sheriff's Office on Friday begging her husband Tad to turn himself in to authorities

'Let me speak directly to my husband. Tad this is not you. This is not who you are. We can help you get through this.

'No matter how far you've gone or what's happening right now, God's grace is sufficient for you and he wants you to come home. Your family wants their poppy back. Please do the right thing, and turn yourself into the police and bring Beth home.'

The nationwide search for Thomas and Cummins has now entered its sixth day. Cummins has been added to that state's 'Top 10 Most Wanted' list.

'It's absolutely important that everyone in this nation know about these individuals because frankly, they could be anywhere right now,' Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesman Josh DeVine told Fox 17 Nashville.

'We've amped up our language because we really need the public to know that this young girl is in danger.'

According to TBI's second Amber Alert, the investigation into the alleged abduction has revealed 'a troubling pattern' by Cummins. It suggested the married father and grandfather 'may have been abusing his role as a teacher to groom this vulnerable girl for some time in an effort to lure and potentially sexually exploit her.'

The FBI has now joined the search for the runaway teacher-student duo, and on Thursday evening a nationwide BOLO, or a be on the look out alert, was issued for both Cummins and Thomas.

Surveillance footage shows teacher Tad Cummins filling up his silver Nissan Rogue at a gas station near a Shoney's in Columbia, Tennessee, on the day he vanished with a student

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released these photos on Friday showing Cummins in the weeks before he vanished with the teenager

Authorities released a photo of the car Cummins is said to be driving with plates 976-ZPT

Authorities in Tennessee released surveillance video from a gas station showing the final sighting of the married teacher who filled up his SUV before disappearing with Thomas.

Footage from surveillance cameras at the Shell gas station near a Shoney's in Columbia shows Cummins pulling up in his silver Nissan Rogue at 8.35am on Monday morning.

The 50-year-old is seen getting out of his car and filling up, before driving off almost four minutes later.

Thomas was last seen being dropped off at the same Shoney's eatery by her friend at 8am. Her parents reported her missing later in the day.

Investigators said Cummins had also secured a $4,500 title loan for a personal vehicle just days before his disappearance.

Amber Alerts were issued Tuesday across Tennessee and Alabama for the pair who left town after Cummins was caught kissing the young student and was suspended. He has since been fired.

'To that end, the TBI would like to hear from anyone who may have had an interaction with either individual prior to their disappearance,' the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a news release.

Police say the 50-year-old is wanted on a charge of sexual contact with a minor.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued an Amber Alert for Thomas on Tuesday, followed by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

Cold trail: Tennessee law enforcement officials say five days into the search for Thomas (left and right), the trail has gone 'fairly cold'

A Maury County Public Schools spokesperson said Cummins was suspended last month from teaching and was terminated on Tuesday.

Cummins, who had been at Culleoka for a decade, was removed from the classroom in February after a student caught him and Elizabeth Thomas kissing, the Columbia Daily Herald reported.

Thomas, who is a freshman at Culleoka, allegedly met Cummins through the local chapter of HOSA, an international student organization that promotes career opportunities in the health care industry.

The TBI said in the press release Thursday that since issuing the initial Amber Alert at 6pm Central Time on Tuesday, the agency has received about 125 leads - a number the agency characterized as 'shockingly' low - but none has produced any credible information.

Thomas (pictured above with students) met Cummins through the local chapter of HOSA, a student organization that promotes careers in the health care industry

Urgent search: Authorities in Tennessee and Alabama are searching for missing 15-year-old Mary Catherine 'Elizabeth' Thomas (left) and her teacher, 50-year-old Tad Cummins (right)

Investigators can place Thomas in Decatur, Alabama, at 3.06pm. Since then, efforts to track down the pair have proven unsuccessful.

The teenager is described as being 5-foot-5, weighing 120lbs, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing a flannel shirt and black leggings.

Cummins is described as 6 feet tall, with brown hair, brown eyes, and weighing 200lbs. The former health science teacher at Culleoka Unit School, is carrying two handguns and is driving a silver Nissan Rogue with Tennessee plates 976ZPT.

On his Twitter account, Cummins describes himself, in part, as a 'Jesus freak,' husband, father and grandfather.

Anyone with information on the pair's whereabouts is being asked to call the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-TBI-FIND, or the Maury County, Tennessee, sheriff at 931-375-8654.

Cummins is said to be armed with two handguns and driving a silver Nissan Rogue, similar to the one pictured above

Clue: Tad Cummins' vehicle has Tennessee plates 976ZPT
Police in Thailand are today hunting a cruel mother who punished her young son by tying him to railings with plastic cord.

The angry woman was spotted yelling at her son outside a food market in the Nonthaburi province near Bangkok, as she holds his head down with her foot.

She makes him bend double while straddling the railings and then wraps the thick plastic style string around his head, arms and back.

The petrified young lad is heard gasping 'I can't breathe, I can't breathe'.

But the woman refuses to let go and the lad, believed to be around five years old, remains tied to the white roadside railings while crying after the incident.

A shocked onlooker recorded the clip which has since been viewed more than two million times.

She passed it to Thai authorities who published it online and are now trying to trace the mother.

The woman was captured tying up her child in the middle of a crowded market

Corporal Rangsan Namsang said: 'The mother has a bad heart. She was seen at the entrance to the temple near the Park Kret market.

'She does something really bad. Is this really what a mum should do? The only way the lady could help was by taking the video and sharing it.

'Listen to the kid, he says 'I cannot breathe, I cannot breath'. The woman can help the kid a little but by taking picture, but they did not have the chance to get involved.'

The boy can be heard moaning and saying 'I can't breathe' but she continues on with her cruel punishment

The boy is understood to have been released a short time later by the mother after she was satisfied with the punishment.

Corporal Namsang said that the authorities had been alerted to the footage and are likely to to start an investigation to trace the mother.
A pregnant teenage girl has been shot and killed by cops in California and her boyfriend has been captured.

Elena Mondragon, 16, was three months pregnant when she was shot by Fremont police who were trying to stop a stolen car being driven by her boyfriend on Tuesday night.

Fremont officers claim the man was suspected of armed robbery. Officers say he rammed the car in which Mondragon was riding, into police. The car had been linked to a string of crimes in the area.

16-year-old Elena Mondragon, who was three months pregnant was shot and killed by police officers Tuesday in Northern California after the car she was riding in rammed a police vehicle

Mondragon was one of four people in a car that had been reported stolen. The car had been connected to multiple armed robberies in Fremont and the Bay Area

Investigators caught the suspect on Wednesday but not before his girlfriend lost her life.

The tragedy unfolded after Fremont police detectives spotted the vehicle they were travelling in. It had earlier been reported stolen and was wanted in connection with multiple armed robberies in Fremont and throughout the Bay Area.

When detectives tried to stop the vehicle, the driver suddenly drove into the police vehicles, injuring two Fremont police detectives.

As a result, police pulled out their weapons and fired at the suspect who was driving the vehicle.

One of the bullets struck Mondragon who was sitting in the passenger seat.

Instead of stopping, the driver rammed cars including a police vehicle  injuring the two Fremont detectives, authorities said

Police opened fire at the driver but they struck only the car and Mondragon who died

'When they go to contact the vehicle the driver, the vehicle takes off, rams the detectives vehicle,' said Hayward Police Sgt. Ryan Cantrell to CBS San Francisco. 'The detectives return fire, trying to strike the driver of the vehicle.'

Family members say Mondragon was simply caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

They questioned why police shot at the car if it was being driven away from them and no longer a threat to their safety.

The two Fremont police detectives who were injured were treated and released from a local hospital.

Family members have been holding a vigil outside the family home as a tribute

Others have been openly sobbing in the street at the death of the teenager

Friends say Mondragon was a girl who liked to joke around and loved fashion and cosmetics

Mondragon was the second oldest of nine children and a student at Golden Gate Community School in Pittsburg.

Her friends say she was known in her family for being caring and dependable when it came to her brothers and sisters.

'She was a good girl, very respectful. When it came to her siblings, she was very responsible,' said Evelina Minjares, Mondragon's 26-year-old cousin to SFGate.

Her aunt, Christina Flores said she knew that her niece had got caught up with the wrong kind of people.

'I knew she wasn't a perfect girl, but to us, she was,' Flores said. 'It was all about her family and having fun and just being Ebbie.'
A 10-year-old boy who alleged he was kidnapped by a convicted sex offender Friday morning might have made the story up, police determined after questioning the suspect.

The 46-year-old unnamed suspect was released Saturday morning following inconsistencies in the boy's story, the New York Daily News reported.

The boy said he was walking along Kingsbridge Avenue on his way to Public School 7 around 8.30am Friday when the 46-year-old suspect, a Level 3 sex offender, pulled up alongside him in a gray van.

Police are now saying they have released the 46-year-old man who a 10-year-old boy alleged had taken him off the street and brought him to his basement apartment in the Bronx, New York (pictured). Police said there were inconsistencies in the boy's story

The boy had said that he was on his way to Public School 7 on Friday morning when he was taken by a man driving a gray van in front of 3214 Knightsbridge Avenue (pictured) in the Bronx. The boy said the man, a Level 3 sex offender, took him to the man's basement apartment

The boy alleged that the man kidnapped him in front of 3214 Knightsbridge Avenue and took him to The Greenberg House, an assisted living home for disabled seniors, the New York Daily News reported.

He said the man took him to a room in his basement apartment and told him to stay there.

The boy said he escaped and then ran to the 50th Precinct Station about 0.5 miles away, NBC New York reported.

The boy, who was not hurt, identified the since-released suspect from an assembly of mugshots and took police back to the group home.

Boy escaped and ran to the 50th Precinct Station, where he identified the suspect from an assembly of mugshots. The man was arrested at his home on Friday morning, was questioned by authorities and was released Saturday morning. Pictured: Scene at site of basement apt

Police arrested the suspect at his apartment, questioned him at the 50th Precinct and apparently determined that he did not kidnap the boy.

Police said the investigation is ongoing.

A Level 3 sex offender is determined by authorities to both have a high risk of repeat offense and pose a threat to public safety.
The TV camerawoman grabbed everyones attention as she threaded her way through the bombed-out streets of the most dangerous city on Earth.

Planes screeched above the ruins of eastern Aleppo, but all eyes were on Waad al-Kateab. To the astonishment of locals, the 26-year-old Channel 4 News journalist was filming the carnage while intermittently stopping to pacify her baby daughter, Sama, clinging to her side in a sling. At the same time, her unborn daughter kicked inside her.

Every day followed a similar high-stress pattern, and the dangers facing the young mother did not end with bombs and artillery shells.

Defiant: Waad al-Kateab in London, covering her face because she hopes to return to Syria to continue her work

For Waad was working undercover in the city and Syrian security forces were trying to track her down, regularly visiting the home of her parents, who told them she was studying abroad. She sent memorable dispatches to this newspaper  and if caught, she would have been jailed, tortured and quite possibly executed.

Last week, as the duration of the Syrian conflict eclipsed that of the Second World War, Waad  safe in London  recalled: It was difficult working while pregnant and having the baby with me. Once, a TV crew turned their camera on me because of the baby. People found it unusual.

Waads appearance was unexpected even for the streets of Aleppo, which at the time, late last year, was a place of few moral certainties, where the unimaginable had become normal.

Waad, who was evacuated in December from the rebel-held enclave where she was filming, added: It might seem crazy but we could just as easily have been killed in our home as on the streets. Nowhere was safe from bombs.

No one has chronicled the human cost of the conflict  which has claimed the life of a child every hour for six years  with as much bravery, dedication and sympathy as Waad.

"Sama" baby daughter of Waad al-Kateab, who travels with her on her work

Her film of two dust-covered boys kissing and stroking the face of their little brother, fatally injured by a bomb as they played in a house, is one of the most viscerally heartbreaking scenes ever shown on British television.

By the time Waad and her doctor husband, Hamza, and Sama, now 14 months, escaped their homeland, this and other astounding footage had been viewed across the globe more than 400 million times.

In London earlier this month she received four Royal Television Society awards and a standing ovation from 1,000 guests. When she met Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow beforehand, he was so overwhelmed that he burst into tears. But for every viewer who marvelled at her exploits there was another who questioned her decision to take her baby from the safety of Turkey into the conflict zone.

When it became clear that Assads forces and their Russian allies were about to lay siege to Aleppo, Waad and her family were in Turkey visiting family. They were implored to stay  but decided to return to witness what was to come, and to help.

Today, in an interview with The Mail on Sunday, she answers her critics and explains what lay behind her decision to risk her life day after day, come what may. She felt  and still does feel  an unshakable sense of purpose: I want to show the world how President Assad is destroying my homeland.

What strangers think of her matters little to Waad. She cares more about what they think of her work. And vastly more again about Syrias fate.

Now seven months pregnant with her second child, another daughter, she says: There are a lot of children inside Aleppo. What is the difference between them and my daughter? It was our choice to stay in Syria, our choice to work to try to help the people of our country and show the world what Assad was doing.

Everyone was dying around us. I was sure we would die too  all together

Of course we were in a lot of danger and we were afraid for Sama all the time. Everyone was dying around us and we were sure we would die too, all together.

What we did was for all the children of Syria. We followed our beliefs  we couldnt do anything else.

Sitting in the elegant drawing room of a Central London hotel  for once on the other end of the camera  she is mistaken by a passer-by for a model. Possessed of a modest dignity, she is affable and composed. She has seen way too much but her face betrays nothing of the cumulative effects of daily exposure to extreme suffering.

It is only when asked how she is coping now  far from the theatre of war  that her green eyes moisten and she gazes into the distance.

Many times I felt that I couldnt go on, but if you think too much in Aleppo you will die, she says wistfully. So you have to work always to forget what is happening.

It was so sad with those two little boys saying goodbye to their brother. The camera was my shield. It was only afterwards that I found a step and sat down and cried.

A Mail on Sunday report on one of the convoys that took civilians, including Waad and her family, out of Aleppo

Both me and my husband were stronger there than here. Now that we have time to think about what happened, we cry, but in Aleppo we were just too tired.

Waad grew up near the city, the eldest of the three children born to a professional couple. Their life was happy and she fondly recalls wandering through the citys markets with her family, stopping off for ice creams at cafes.

From an early age she wanted to be a journalist. Her parents tried to dissuade her because they felt that in Assads Syria she would be frustrated by restrictions on expression and human rights.

Instead, she began a marketing course at the university of Aleppo in 2011. That year, in what became known as the Arab Spring, revolts toppled Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

In March, there were peaceful protests in Syria, coalescing in Aleppo around the university students. Waad caught the mood of euphoric optimism in a series of films she made using her mobile phone.

But as the world knows, the optimism didnt last. Assad responded to the protests by killing hundreds of demonstrators and imprisoning many more. In July 2011, defectors from the military announced the formation of the Free Syrian Army, a rebel group aiming to overthrow the government, and Syria began to slide into civil war.

I felt I had to do something to fight for the ideals I believed in, says Waad. This was a chance to try to fight for the rights my parents spoke of. So I began filming what was happening.

A scene from Waad's report showing two boys mourning their dead brother. Waad said if you think 'too much in Aleppo, you will die'

It caused arguments with my parents, who were very worried about me, but this was about what they believed in too so they were also proud of me.

At first she used her mobile phone to record the government crackdown and later, as her reputation grew, she found work with a Turkish TV network and was allowed to borrow a proper camera.

Attaching herself to a group of medics  one her future husband  she focused on the carnage in hospitals, the victims and their families.

When ISIS briefly controlled Aleppo, Waad was the citys only female journalist. She escaped their notice by using the camera on her mobile phone.

Over time, she attracted the attention of Channel 4 News, which, as part of its remit, is committed to helping independent film-makers. She has worked for the network full-time since January.

I felt the baby kick. She was telling me: Dont do anything dangerous!

Producers were intrigued by her work. Few male cameramen, they noted, would have filmed an emergency caesarean performed on a woman hit by shrapnel.

It took 12 minutes to resuscitate the baby before he finally took a breath and started wailing. He was dead and he came back to life, says Waad. All the doctors and nurses were crying.

This joyful moment has now been seen by 60 million people around the world.

In December 2014, Waad and Hamza married in a ceremony attended by a small group of their friends. Afterwards we danced while shells fell outside, says Waad.

For a while they moved out of the makeshift hospital where they were living with friends and moved to a rented house.

We had to adjust and it was strange having this space together. We talked about children, we had a lot of fears about having a baby with the war going on. We decided against it at first, believing that we should wait until the situation got better. It never did. Instead it got worse.

We had our lives to live and we didnt want to give in so we eventually decided that we would try for a baby after all.

It was hard being pregnant in Aleppo. I would play relaxing music all through the night to drown out the sound of the bombing. Sometimes when I was outside, I felt a kick as though the baby was saying, Dont do anything dangerous!

Friends thought I was crazy to have a baby, but when she was born, they changed. It gave us all hope and inspired us.

When the siege began last year the couple moved with their baby into a small hospital where Hamza was working. They lived above the emergency room and their days and nights were punctuated by screams of the wounded and the wailing of families.

One morning I woke to the sound of a couple screaming, says Waad. I got up and found the father cradling his dead 12-year-old daughter. She was killed when the family tried to leave the city. The father was addressing her, saying that they had wanted to get her to safety but because we tried to leave, you are dead. It was one of the most upsetting things I witnessed.

A few weeks later, on a snowy night in December with the battle of Aleppo all but over, Waad and her family left the city in one of the last convoys of green buses. They were among the last to leave because they refused to go until all the injured had been evacuated.

There were reports of civilians being hauled off one convoy of buses taking refugees to safety and executed by Syrian and allied militia. I was frightened but we were told we would not be questioned, says Waad. Still, I hid the hard drive containing all my film in my clothes and carried Sama in my lap.

After crossing briefly into western Aleppo, they made it to the city of Idlib, where they stayed for ten days before crossing the border into Turkey.

For now, Waad will continue working in Turkey for Channel 4 News, but she says: Of course when the time is right we hope to return to Syria.
A 62-year-old South Australian man who unexpectedly died in bed two years ago is believed to have been deliberately poisoned, police have revealed.

David Lawrence was found dead by his wife at their suburban Adelaide home on December 3, 2015.

Police investigated because the death was deemed unexpected, but did not find any evidence of wrongdoing.

However this week, police revealed they suspect Mr Lawrence's death was caused by poisoning - and that investigators are working on the theory that someone known to Mr Lawrence fed him opiates with the intention of killing him.

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David Lawrence was found dead by his wife at their suburban Adelaide home on December 3, 2015. Police now believe he was deliberately poisoned - possibly by someone known to him

'We believe that a person very close to David deliberately poisoned him and that they did that with the intention of killing him,' said Detective Superintendent Des Bray, the officer in charge of Major Crime at South Australia Police, at a press conference on Thursday.

'We're certain that the fatal overdose that was given to him was given to him in drinks, and possibly food, in the lead up to his death,' Detective Superintendent Bray said.

He went on to say police were not sure about the timeline, however 'certainly, the last dose would have been given to him proximate to his death.'

Police arrived at this theory after toxicology reports revealed Mr Lawrence died from a lethal overdose of several substances, including opiates and other prescription medication.

Although Mr Lawrence was on some minor medication for back pain, those substances were not believed to have caused his death, Detective Superintendent Bray said.

The investigation is focused on those close to Mr Lawrence, including 'those involved in changing his will and the beneficiaries of his will,' he said.

'We believe that a person very close to David deliberately poisoned him and that they did that with the intention of killing him,' said Detective Superintendent Des Bray

Police have searched a property in Dapto, NSW, where 'people of interest' were interviewed.

'Investigators have been in regular contact with Mr Lawrence's next of kin  his three brothers and two sisters  throughout the course of this inquiry,' Detective Superintendent Bray said.

Mr Lawrence lived at the house on Godfrey Court in the suburb of Morphett Vale for 30 years, and his 'de facto wife' lived with him there for the last 18 months of his life, Detective Superintendent Bray said.

Police are urging anyone with information about the death of Mr Lawrence to call Crime Stoppers.
Archaeologists discovered a giant polar bear skull in Alaska that may indicate the existence of a previously unknown subspecies - and perhaps be the fabled 'king bear' described in native accounts.

The bear's skull - the fourth largest ever found - was discovered on a beach in far-north Alaska after a storm in 2014 near archaeological site Walakpa, a human settlement site more than 1,000 years old.

The skull was determined to be around 1,300 years old and scientists are calling it 'The Old One.'

Archaeologists discovered a giant polar bear skull, pictured, that measures 16 inches from nose to back. Its facial features are similar to today's polar bears but its back is 'noticeably longer.' The skull was found on a beach in Alaska after a storm in 2014

A visual comparison between the unusual skull, left, and modern polar bear skulls, right, shows the marked differences

The skull was found near Walakpa, pictured, an archaeological site that dates to the more than 1,400-year-old Birnirk culture, which hunted whales from Siberia to Alaska

Researchers from the Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corporation work to excavate Walakpa - whose former residents could have shared the land with a 'king bear'

The bear's skull was found to be about 16 inches from nose to back and was stretched out more than those of today's bears, Western Digs reported.

Its facial features were found to be similar to today's bears but scientists said the back is 'noticeably longer' than those of comparable bears.

Doctor Anne Jensen told the news site: 'We don't know the exact size [of the whole animal], but we do know it was a huge bear.'

Jensen said it was possible that the skull was part of a 'subspecies' and that such bears could 'certainly' still roam the Arctic.

The discovery could shed light on Inuit accounts of 12-foot long bears, called 'king bears' or 'weasel bears' by Inuits and other native groups.

Inuit accounts describe 'weasel bears' and 'king bears' that measured 12 feet long, larger than today's seven- and eight-foot-long bears. Pictured: Polar bear Giovanna and her 14-week-old offspring at a zoo in Germany

Today's polar bears are between seven and eight feet long, National Geographic reports.

Walakpa, the site near which the polar bear skull was found, dates to the more than 1,400-year-old Birnirk culture, which hunted whales from Siberia to Alaska, according to Radio Canada International.
The sister of an 11-year-old boy who died when he was sucked into a stormwater drain has penned a heartbreaking final letter to him.

Ryan Teasdale was riding a bodyboard down a hill at the local park on Thursday with his brother Jason, 13, and 20 other kids as 200mm of rain thundered down.

At about 4.30pm, Jason ran home to tell their mother Melissa and father Neil that his brother had disappeared, sparking a major search.

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Brooke Teasdale (R), the sister of an 11-year-old boy who died when he was sucked into a stormwater drain has penned a heartbreaking final letter to him

Police have found the body of 11-year-old boy Ryan Teasdale (pictured), who was last seen riding a boogie board in Riley Park in Unanderra on Thursday afternoon

His body was found after 11am on Friday at a creek bed at the end of a stormwater drain about 500 metres from the park in Unanderra, near Wollongong.

Ryan's sister Brooke, 18, described 'Ry-Ry' as 'the most caring and nice young boy I know' and wrote of her heartbreak at knowing she would never see him again.

'In only 11 short years you brought so much joy into our lives, so I find myself questioning how Im going to continue on living without you,' she wrote in the letter obtained by the Daily Telegraph.

His mother Melissa Teasdale (pictured) recalled the how she search frantically for her son before coming across the drain and realising he was likely dead

SES volunteers had frantically searched a stormwater drain near Riley Park at Unanderra on Friday for 11-year-old Ryan Teasdale

Police had believed the 11-year-old may have fallen down one of the drains around Riley Park, Unanderra

However, Brooke wrote that she knew Ryan would want her to be happy and to stay strong, vowing to remember him as a happy boy who 'always has food on his face', and their 'silly' Snapchats together - one of which she shared on Facebook.

'I know that you will forever be with us, you will watch down over us and smile with that big grin of yours... I love you to the moon and back,' she wrote.

Brooke thanked the many neighbours and emergency services who search for her brother and asked for him to be remembered as a symbol of love and hope.

Crews also searched countless areas on Friday where the drains run into creeks

A camera was sent down with a SES flood rescue specialist tasked with searching beneath the streets of Unanderra

The SES flood rescue specialist was called in to help find the body of Ryan Teasdale

Ms Teasdale recalled the how she search frantically for her son before coming across the drain and realising he was likely dead.

'And then I saw the drain. That was when I rang the police. Once we had seen the drain we just knew,' she told the newspaper.

She said while Ryan's death would never leave her, at least he wouldn't have suffered.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Council workers joined with SES volunteers on Friday in searching for Ryan Teasdale
A 17-year-old girl who filmed a crying toddler being abused by a paedophile in the back of a van has been jailed.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, recorded 31-year-old Kristopher Jane as he carried out the twisted acts.

Cambridge Crown Court heard how the video showed the toddler crying and trying to push Jane's hand away.

It was found on Jane's phone by police and was called 'appalling and depraved' by a judge.

Prosecutor Andrew Shaw told the court the 17-year-old girl had also filmed herself abusing a seven-year-old girl and sent the images to Jane on WhatsApp.

Defending her, Claire Matthews said the teenager was acting under Jane's influence.

She said: 'He was exerting considerable pressure in pursuit of his own sexual gratification.'

She added that the girl was of below average intelligence, was remorseful and had provided police with the PIN to Jane's phone when he was not co-operating.

The teenager from Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, admitted six child sex offences and was told she must serve four years in a young offenders' institution.

Judge David Farrell told her: 'You knew full well what you were doing was wrong, and very wrong.'

The judge also branded Jane, of Bristol, a 'dangerous and sickening paedophile' and described his behaviour as 'unnatural and monstrous'.

He said: 'You abused a (toddler) for your perverted sexual gratification.'

'I had to listen to the most harrowing account of how that baby was suffering as you abused her and held her against her will.'

Mr Shaw said police searched Jane's lock-up and found a digital camera, and searched his van, which was on false number plates, and found a large camera bag with laptops in it.

The court heard Jane had tried to dispose of the items in his van around the time of his arrest.

Jane admitted 12 offences, including sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl and was jailed for 22 years.

The pair were both handed sexual harm prevention orders.
The Trump administration wants to build a 30-foot-high border wall that is visually appealing from the north side and is difficult to climb or cut through, new documents have revealed.

A pair of contract notices posted online late Friday by Customs and Border Protection provide some specification of what President Donald Trump wants for his 'big, beautiful wall' at the Mexican border.

This is the second time the Trump administration has asked for private companies to bid on building the wall. Last month CPB put out a call for 'concept papers' to design and build prototypes by March 10.

Proposals for the wall are due to the government by March 29.

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Trump is calling for proposals from private companies to build his 'big, beautiful wall' at the Mexican border. CBP memos are asking for 'physically imposing' and 'aesthetically pleasing' designs. Pictured: U.S.-Mexico border fence at Santa Teresa, New Mexico

Proposals for the DHS in President Donald Trump's first budget are displayed in Washington. The budget requests call for billions of dollars for some of Trump's most high-profile and contentious campaign promises, including a $2.6bn down payment for a border wall

One of the CBP contract requests calls for a solid concrete wall, while the other asks for proposals for a see-through structure.

Both require the wall to sink at least six feet into the ground and include 25- and 50-foot automated gates for pedestrians and vehicles.

The proposed wall must also be built in such a way that it would take at least an hour to cut through it with a 'sledgehammer, car jack, pick axe, chisel, battery operated impact tools, battery operated cutting tools, Oxy/acetylene torch or other similar hand-held tools.'

It also 'shall be physically imposing in height,' and must be 'aesthetically pleasing in color,' at least on the U.S. side, CNN reported.

The government will award a contract based on 30-foot-wide sample walls that are to be built in San Diego.

Trump has bragged in recent days that the wall is ahead of schedule, though it's unclear from the latest contract notices if any firms have submitted wall proposals or if any such submissions have been rejected.

The government has not said where the wall will be built, though the contract notices suggest some pieces of a new wall could replace existing fencing that stretches over about 700 miles of the roughly 2,000-mile border.

One CBP contract request calls for solid concrete wall proposals while the other asks for proposals for see-through structures. Proposals for the wall are due to the government by March 29. Pictured: The border at Hidalgo, Texas

Trump, pictured on March 17 touching down to mar-a-Lago yesterday for his 5th visit there since his inauguration, has been bragging that the wall is ahead of schedule. It is not clear if any proposals for the wall have been received

The current fencing is of mixed construction, including 15-foot steel posts set inches apart that are designed to keep people from crossing and shorter posts that are intended to block cars.

Border Patrol agents are constantly repairing holes in the structure.

CBP is the Homeland Security Department agency that will oversee the building project and eventually patrol and maintain the wall.

Trump has long promised that Mexico would pay for the wall, which he has said is necessary to stop the flow of immigrants crossing the border illegally as well as drug smugglers.

This week the president sent a budget proposal to Congress that included a $2.6bn down payment for the wall.

The total cost for the project is unclear, but the Government Accountability Office estimates it would cost about $6.5m per mile for fence to keep pedestrians from crossing the border and about $1.8m per mile for a vehicle barrier.

Congressional Republicans have said Trump's wall would cost between $12bn and $15bn and Trump has suggested $12bn.

An internal report prepared for Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly estimated the cost of building a wall along the entire U.S.-Mexico border at about $21bn, according to a U.S. government official who is involved in border issues. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the report has not been made public.

That report proposed an initial phase that would extend fences 26 miles and a second wave that would add 151 miles, plus 272 'replacement' miles where fences are already installed, according to the official.

Those two phases would cost $5bn.

It is unclear how soon Congress might act on that request or how much money lawmakers will ultimately approve for the wall.

Democrats and some Republicans have said a border-long wall is unnecessary.

The Department of Homeland Security reported earlier this month that the number of border arrests dropped about 44 per cent from January to February, the lowest monthly tallies since at the least the start of the 2012 budget year.
Engagement proposals are supposed to set hearts a-fluttering, but for one Ohio couple that proved a little more scary than it ought to.

George Begalla and Katie Woodford had hiked to the top of Camelback Mountain in Phoenix on Thursday afternoon when he got down on one knee and proposed - at which point things went wrong.

'She said yes. We hugged. We kissed. We got the round of applause,' George told azfamily.com. 'We were really excited and all of a sudden she started to say, "I'm not feeling good.'

'I could see she was getting pale and she went down slow and asked for help.'

On top of the world: George Begalla (right) proposes to Katie Woodford (left) on Thursday after they scaled Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona. Soon afterward she began to feel ill

Flying away: Woodford was airlifted down the mountain, and Begalla followed soon afterward when he also suffered an increased heart rate - apparently because of the 33 degree heat

The pair had been hiking in the 93 degree weather just before Begalla proposed, and that - plus the shock of the engagement - seemed to take its toll.

'I had this full speech I had planned, but because I was struggling so hard just to get up there, my long speech turned into, "I love you so much, will you marry me?"' Begalla told Fox 10.

'I was like, "Yes!"' said Woodford. 'I was really surprised and everything, then my face started to tingle, and my hands started locking up and my legs started cramping real bad, and I was like, "I can't make it down."'

Begalla and another hiker prayed while a helicopter was sent out to pick up Woodruff, who was flown off the mountain.

Soon afterward, however, Begalla also began to show a heightened pulse, and was also airlifted away.

Wed soon: After they were treated in hospital, the couple (pictured) agreed to get married on Sunday - in the Valley of Fire, Nevada

'I was absolutely terrified,' Begalla said.

'I mean, I just proposed and I'm seeing the woman I love really suffering, and it definitely made me appreciate her more and I definitely think it brought us closer together.'

And that's why, once they'd been treated in hospital, he suggested they get married in Nevada this Sunday.

The location?

The Valley of Fire, Nevada, a stunning, hilly area where temperatures are predicted to reach 88 degrees.

Clearly they're not afraid of a challenge.
A little girl whose biological parents were jailed for horrifically abusing her as a baby has now been adopted by a new family.

Faith Mason was dubbed Baby Faith back in 2013 when she was found in Southeast Texas with injuries so severe authorities had compared it to falling from a two-storey building.

Now three years on, Faith is still recovering but has a permanent home after being official adopted by her new family on March 10.

Faith Mason was dubbed Baby Faith back in 2013 when she was found in Texas with injuries so severe authorities had compared it to falling from a two-storey building

The little girl has been living with her adoptive parents and three teenage siblings for the past six months, according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Now three years on, Faith is still recovering but has a permanent home after being official adopted by her new family on March 10

Faith is still recovering from her horrific abuse injuries, but authorities say she has already improved much more than anticipated.

During a court hearing last year, prosecutors said Faith was still being fed through a feeding tube and her left arm had still not healed properly in the three years since the abuse was uncovered.

Faith was taken to a hospital in Southwest Texas back in 2013 by her mother Christine Johnson.

An emergency room nurse who was on duty when Faith was brought in called the abuse the worst case she had ever seen, the Port Arthur News reported.

Doctors found she had suffered at least 40 broken bones and fractures, including two broken arms, two broken legs, a broken neck and dislocated shoulder.

They said many of the one-month-old's fractures were about three weeks old at the time she was examined.

Faith was officially adopted on March 10 and has been living with her new parents and three teenage siblings for the past six months. Their identity and location is not being made public

Faith (pictured prior to the abuse) was only one-month-old when she was admitted to hospital

Faith was taken to a hospital in Southwest Texas back in 2013 by her mother Christine Johnson. An on duty nurse at the time called the abuse the worst case she had ever seen

The little girl had an IV drip placed in her neck as doctors tried to stabilize her.

Her injuries were so extensive, a team of doctors from a children's hospital in Houston had to fly down to help treat her.

Her biological parents, Christine Johnson and Darrell Mason, were both charged with child abuse.

Johnson was found guilty in 2015 and sentenced to 65 years in prison.

During her trial, the jury heard that Johnson had broken the baby's neck and left her with brain damage when on one occasion she yanked her from her cot.

Faith's father Darrell Mason reached a plea deal and was sentenced to 25 years in 2016 for failing to stop the abuse.

Her new adoptive family requested that their name or location be made public.

Mom Christine Johnson was jailed for 65 years in 2015 for abusing Faith. The child's dad Darrell Mason was jailed for 25 years in 2016 for failing to stop the abuse
A husband has been jailed for terrorism offences after he attempted to travel to Syria to join Islamic State - and his pregnant wife was also locked up for helping him.

Ijaz Khan, 29, had planned to join his brother-in-law who had already fled to the Middle East to fight with jihadis, a court heard.

Khan was arrested at Manchester Airport after police received a tip-off that he was preparing to fly to Athens and then on to Syria to fight alongside Islamic State troops.

Leeds Crown Court heard his wife Afsheen Khan, 28, had provided some money from joint funds in her account for him to buy the ticket and provided 1,000 in cash.

Ijaz Khan, 29, left, and his wife Afsheen Khan, 28, right, were jailed at Leeds Crown Court

Her brother Rohan Malik had joined Islamic State aged 17 after flying out of Leeds Bradford Airport to Turkey - without telling his family.

The court the teenager remained in contact with his family as they tried to persuade him to return without success.

In December 2014 they heard the news that Rohan Malik, who was only 18, had been killed in a coalition airstrike in Syria.

But rather than joining his brother-in-law in the fight Ijaz Khan then decided 'to replace him on the battlefield'.

Prosecutor Jonathan Sandiford said Ijaz Khan 'became radicalised' because of the youngster and decided to join his brother-in-law by jumping on a plane on February 1, 2015.

A video discovered on Ijaz Khan's phone showed him saying his farewells and expressing the belief that he would become a martyr himself.

Imran Shaffi, defending Ijaz Khan, said he had previously been someone with a western outlook - but contact with his brother-in-law persuaded him to have different feelings.

He viewed the teenager as a younger brother and initially like others in the family had tried to persuade him to return, but Rohan Malik wanted to become a martyr.

Rohan Malik had joined Islamic State aged 17, and was killed in a coalition airstrike in Syria

Mr Shaffi told the court: 'In the grip of his grief over him the defendant resolved at the end of 2014 to travel to Syria himself.

'He was in an emotionally disturbed state and could no longer tell what was right or wrong.'

Ijaz Khan, of Bradford, West Yorks., admitted preparation for terrorism acts and was jailed for five years.

The court heard Ijaz had missed the birth of his son after Afhseen had their child in New Hall Prison in Wakefield.

She admitted aiding and abetting the offence and was jailed for 35 months.

Judge Peter Collier, QC, said he accepted Khan had not disseminated material to radicalise others - but had planned to go to Syria with the hopes of engaging in terrorism activities.

Following the outcome of the case, Detective Chief Superintendent Clive Wain said: 'British citizens involved in terrorism in Syria and other conflict zones have the potential to pose a significant threat to the UK upon their return.

'Those who actively support others to travel to support terrorist organisations are themselves committing terrorist offences and will be dealt with.

'We are aware of the far reaching effects on local communities and the families of those involved.

'If anyone is concerned that a friend or family member is thinking of travelling to Syria it is very important that they tell us as soon as possible.

'The sooner we can intervene, the better chance we have of preventing people from becoming embroiled in the conflict and facing potential prosecution.'
A convicted killer blamed for the deaths of six people in four states and serving a life prison sentence is trying to persuade the Maine governor to give him another chance.

Richard Steeves, 75, told Governor Paul LePage's board on executive clemency last month at the Mountain View Correctional Facility in Charleston, Maine that he's rehabilitated himself.

He argued that he has conquered his demons and performed good works that include providing hospice care to inmates, caring for neglected dogs and giving piano lessons.

No attorney, friend or family member provided support during Steeves' presentation, the Boston Globe reported.

Richard Steeves (pictured in a mugshot in 1961), 75, is currently serving a life sentence in Charleston, Maine, after being convicted of fatally beating a shopkeeper

Steeves, who contends he's suffered extensive sexual abuse since childhood, has spent all but 18 months of his life in state custody since the age of 12.

He was blamed for a three-state killing rampage in 1965 and 1966 that claimed the lives of two men in Maine, a father and son in Ohio, and another man in New Hampshire.

Steeves was found to be criminally insane in New Hampshire and Ohio but was never tried in Maine for those killings, the Globe wrote.

He was released from New Hampshire's custody in 1984 after being treated for mental illness. Less than six months later, he fatally beat a 69-year-old shopkeeper in Wells, Maine.

Steeves (pictured left in a recent mugshot and right in 1981) was blamed for a three-state killing rampage in 1965 and 1966 that claimed the lives of two men in Maine, a father and son in Ohio, and another man in New Hampshire

It was while Steeves was detained for the shopkeeper's killing that he made incriminating statements about that slaying to a Concord Monitor reporter in New Hampshire while awaiting extradition to Maine.

That reporter, Robert Hohler, refused to testify at Steeves' trial in Maine and was convicted of contempt of court. In 1987, he was given a six-month suspended sentence and a $2,500 fine.

Hohler, now a writer for the Globe, watched as Steeves went before the clemency board on February 24.

Board chairman Richard Harburger told the newspaper later that the board scheduled the clemency hearing not knowing about the earlier five killings. Steeves didn't have to disclose those in his application because he was never tried and convicted of them.

Lisa Marchese, chief of the state attorney general's criminal division, said her office was 'vehemently opposed' to letting Steeves out of prison.

Since parole was abolished decades ago, Steeves' only hope is a pardon or commutation of his sentence from the governor. A decision is pending.
Nicola Sturgeon addressed a crowd of hundreds today as she pledged to continue her fight for Scotland's independence.

And it seems the politician is ready for anything - with a make-over to match.

Ms Sturgeon debuted her new look on the first day of the SNP's spring conference as she reiterated her promise that 'there will be an independence referendum'.

Nicola Sturgeon addressed a crowd of hundreds today as she pledged to continue her fight for Scotland's independence

The Scottish First Minister seemed ready for anything - with a make-over to match

Ms Sturgeon debuted her new look on the first day of the SNP's conference as she reiterated her promise that 'there will be an independence referendum'

She went on to lambaste Theresa May, saying that 'the Prime minister's attitude should worry us all' and warning: 'Stop putting the interests of the right wing of your party ahead of the interests of the people of our party.'

And she added: 'Scotland's future must be Scotland's choice.'

Still mid-speech, Ms Sturgeon had no less than three standing ovations.

Setting out her plan, she said she wants a 'fair, legal and agreed' referendum 'at a time when we know the terms of Brexit but before it is too late to take a different path'.

Ms Sturgeon's confident speech seemed to match her striking new look. But her make-over got mixed reviews from Twitter users

Heather Walker wrote: 'Sturgeon's hair though? She's gone all Clare Balding'

During the speech Andy added: 'All very good but what IS going on with hair?!

And her confident speech seemed to match her striking new look. But her make-over got mixed reviews from Twitter users.

Conor Conneally complimented her and said: 'Nicola Sturgeon's hair is on point.'

Carol Murphy said: 'Nicola appears to have had a spray tan and a new hair do...And has adopted a cuddly- wuddly attitude. Well unless you're a Tory obviously.'

While Ray Tipping said: 'Is it just me or is Nicola Sturgeon getting to look more and more like Jimmy Krankie?'

Heather Walker added: 'Sturgeon's hair though? She's gone all Clare Balding.'

Gayle was not a fan of the makeover. She wrote: 'Bloody hell what's Nicola Sturgeon done to her hair'
A police officer has died after shooting himself in the head during Holi celebrations in Northern India.

The tragic accident happened on March 14, just a day after the Hindu festival of colors.

Police in the Shivpuri district, near the city of Bhopal, had taken the chance to cut loose and enjoy some celebrations.

They are seen covered in bright colours and dancing while they shoot their weapons into the air.

Head Constable Rajendra Jatava, who was allegedly drunk at the time, started joining in and fired his service revolver.

According to eyewitnesses Rajendra shot into the air twice before his third round got stuck in the barrel .

While he was trying to fix it, he shot himself in the head accidentally and slumped on the ground.

As the video starts off festive music can be heard in the background, and the officers appear to be enjoying their Holi celebrations

One officer (centre right) can be seen loading a magazine into his handgun before firing it in the air

The head constable was immediately rushed to the hospital where the doctors declared him brought dead.

Senior police officers visited the hospital to express their condolences, according to local media.
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Former Guantanamo Bay prisoner Moazzam Begg has said Donald Trump is one of the 'bad dudes' who should be sent to the internment camp in Cuba.

President Trump has previously said that people should stop being released and announced he would be sending more inmates to the infamous prison.

Mr Begg said: 'The rise of the far right and the Nazis and fascists has seen a new wave with the election of Donald Trump, who said when he came to power, 'I'm going to load up Guantanamo with some bad dudes.'

Former Guantanamo Bay prisoner Moazzam Begg (left) said Donald Trump is one of the 'bad dudes' who should be locked up in the controversial prison. President Trump has previously said he is going to 'load Guantanamo up with some bad dudes'

Around 30,000 protesters attended the Stand Up to Racism march today. Crowds met outside Broadcasting House on Regents Street, London, and marched down to Parliament Square. Pictured, a protester with a Donald Trump mask on

Several protesters held up signs likening Donald Trump to Hitler (pictured). At the rally Mr Begg said: 'The rise of the far right and the Nazis and fascists has seen a new wave'. President Trump said Guantanamo Bay should stop releasing prisoners

Pictured, a protester wears a Donald Trump mask to the march, while another wears two AIDS awareness ribbons and holds up a sign in 'solidarity with Syrian refugees fleeing ISIS and Assad's barrel bombs'

'So my response is: 'When are you going, dude?'

Speaking from a stage in Parliament Square as part of Saturday's March Against Racism, Begg referenced a speech by the American president in which he said he would be sending more inmates to the controversial facility on the Cuban mainland.

Begg, a British Pakistani from Birmingham, joined Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy at the March Against Racism in Parliament Square today.

Many made their own signs for the protest. One read, 'Say no to loud men with distinctive hair who scapegoat minorities', while another read, 'We are all refugees, racists can go home!'

A Spartacist holds up copies of the Workers Hammer and the Workers Vanguard at the rally. Her plaques read: 'Down with racist fortress Europe! Britain out of the EU for a workers Europe! Spartacist'

Members of the public and trade unions gathered in London to march in solidarity with minorities and against racism. Mr Begg joined Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy at the protest

One poster read: 'Love music, hate racism'. Mr Begg said: 'We have smashed the EDL. 'They are no longer of any consequence. But let's not pat ourselves on the back too early, because some of their views have become mainstream'

A small group of counter-protesters, suspected to be from the English Defence League (EDL) were spotted near the march.

Mr Begg said: 'We have smashed the EDL.

'They are no longer of any consequence. But let's not pat ourselves on the back too early, because some of their views have become mainstream.'

When Mr Begg was released from Guantanamo Bay, he has spoken widely of his experiences as a prisoner in the Guantanamo Bay institution and other detainment camps under American control. Pictured, a protester in a union flag hat

A protester at the march holds up a sign with Donald Trump's head on a baby's body. Theresa May's head is glued to a picture of a woman standing in lingerie over the bed. The sign reads: 'Shame! We won't take this lying down'

Three young people stand outside the BBC building. One sign reads: 'My ancestors didn't go through 400 years of opression for bullshit.' Another wrote, 'White silence costs lives', while the the third sign reads: 'The new racism is to deny that racism exists'

A group of protesters walk through central London holding up a banner, which reads: 'No to Islamophobia'. The march was organised by the group Stand Up to Racism

He spent almost three years under US custody on suspicion of terrorist affiliations between 2002 and 2005.

He was later released and has spoken widely of his experiences as a prisoner in the Guantanamo Bay institution and other detainment camps under American control.

When Mr Begg was released from prison, he joined Cage, a controversial group who have been accused of being terror apologists.

In February 2015, the group provoked outrage when they said that ISIS executioner Jihadi John 'wouldn't hurt a fly.'

The march congregates near the BBC offices in Portland Place, near Oxford street. A giant ball is held up by protesters, while others loft handmade placards

A group of people, believed to be the counter-protest, stand on a fountain in Picadilly. They are suspected to be members of the England Defence League, or EDL

A group of marchers hold up a banner in support of children who are stranded in Calais with the legend 'Refugees Welcome'

Many people at the march were in good spirits as they made their way down Regents Street. One woman held a sign which reads: 'Existence or Resistance['

Research director Asim Qureshi said the killer, Mohammed Emwazi was a 'beautiful young man'.

But human rights activists say the small group do good work to show the UK government that Muslims should not be alienated from society.

Cage regularly criticises the Government's anti-terror policies.

An estimated 30,000 people joined Saturday's march, which started outside the BBC's London offices in Portland Place at midday, before moving to Parliament Square at the base of the Palace of Westminster - now famous for scenes of political protest and upheaval.

A woman holds up a sign criticising Rupert Murdoch and his media empire. The sign reads: 'Murdoch media: spreading racism since 1980'. Other placards slammed Donald Trump's proposed travel ban

Badges of someone binning a swastika were being handed out at the rally. Other anti-Nazi badges included one with a red line through a swastika

A man covered in badges holds up a sign saying 'Refugees welcome'. He was pictured wearing a t-shirt with the legend 'not dead yet'. A young girl attended the march in support of EU workers and students

A woman who attended the march wearing a 'pussy hat' from the Women's March holds up a sign which reads: 'Respect refugees, tolerance welcome kindness'

Four men marched in the protest wearing matching white hoodies with the words: 'Against racism, against hatred'

Anti-racism supporters carrying signs with colourful slogans including 'Migrants make our NHS' and 'Black Lives Matter' led a peaceful, but spirited, course through the fashionable thoroughfares of Regent Street and Haymarket, banging drums and singing songs as they marched.

Mr Lammy said this week's meeting between former Ukip leader and key Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage and far-right French politician Marie Le Pen was evidence of current ill-feeling towards minorities.

He said: 'This week Nigel Farage met Marie Le Pen and we are sending a message that we don't want that kind of fascism and xenophobia across our planet and in our country.

'My parents arrived in this county in the 1950s to signs that said 'no blacks, no Irish, no dogs' and we thought because of so much strife that by the time we got to the 21st century we had turned our backs on racism.

'And then, we get June the 21st. We get a rise in hate crime across the country almost by 50%.'

Anti-racism supporters carrying signs with colourful slogans including 'Migrants make our NHS' and 'Black Lives Matter' led a peaceful, but spirited, course through London

Mr Lammy said this week's meeting between former Ukip leader and key Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage and far-right French politician Marie Le Pen was evidence of current ill-feeling towards minorities. Pictured, an anti-Trump t-shirt

Mr Lammy said: 'This week Nigel Farage met Marie Le Pen and we are sending a message that we don't want that kind of fascism and xenophobia across our planet and in our country.' Pictured, protesters near the BBC building

Four banners are laid out before the march got underway. Police line the area around Portland Place while unions and members of the public gather

Three women and three children attended the protest. One held up a sign which read: 'Laundry should be the only thing separated by colour'
The star of Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch has been sued by his adult daughter who says her father abused her when she was two years old.

Sig Hansen, 50, is named as a defendant in a court declaration filed in Seattle, Washington, by Melissa Eckstrom. The DailyMail.com doesn't usually name people who say they are victims of sexual abuse, but Eckstrom recently decided to forgo anonymity in what she has described as her quest for justice.

Hansen's daughter, who is now 28 and a lawyer, accuses the fisherman of molesting her in 1990, after he and her mother separated.

The television star has denied the allegations and has dismissed them as 'an old-fashioned shakedown'.

Sig Hansen (pictured), 50, is named as a defendant in a court declaration filed in Seattle, Washington, by his daughter, who says he molested her when she was two years old

In the filing is a copy of a diagram she drew during a counseling session, with characters named 'mommy' and 'daddy' and arrows pointing to various areas, including one to 'potty pot'

Eckstrom, who says she has been estranged from her father for most of her life, told the court in legal filings obtained by the Seattle Times that she battled eating disorders, depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts as a result of the alleged abuse.

'I have memories of my father hurting my genital region. Memories of being in a room alone with my father and crying out in pain,' she wrote in the court declaration.

The daughter filed the document in November last year, but the accusations were only made public Friday by the newspaper after Eckstrom decided to disclose her identity.

To support her claims, Eckstrom included several official records, including the result of a medical examination, an evaluation done by a therapist, and findings from Child Protective Services dating back to the time she says her father abused her.

Eckstrom alleges in her filing that her mother, maternal grandmother and aunt found traces of abuse on her after her father began having private parental visits with her.

A deputy prosecutor's letter, written in August 1990 to Eckstrom's mother, states that 'the information at hand suggests that Mr Hansen has acted in a sexually inappropriate manner' towards his daughter.

However the prosecuting attorney's office declined to file criminal charges because they felt it wouldn't be able to prove 'beyond a reasonable doubt' that the accusations were true.

The fisherman and television star (pictured on the show) has denied the allegations and has dismissed them as 'an old-fashioned shakedown'

Eckstrom filed her court declaration in November last year and recently decided to forgo anonymity in what she has described as her quest for justice

A deputy prosecutor's letter states that 'the information at hand suggests that Mr Hansen has acted in a sexually inappropriate manner' towards his daughter but the office declined to file criminal charges because they felt it wouldn't be able to prove 'beyond a reasonable doubt' that the accusations were true

Hansen told the Seattle Times that his daughter's allegations weren't true and dated back to his separation from her mother.

'This is nothing more than an old-fashioned shakedown,' he told the newspaper. 'It's a completely frivolous lawsuit full of lies that my ex-wife made up to take away my daughter, and still uses to try to extort money from me. It's blackmail.'

He added in a statement to the DailyMail.com: 'I'm a pretty plain-spoken guy, and to me, this is nothing more than a shakedown. The allegations are completely false, rehashed lies my ex-wife Lisa Eckstrom used nearly 30 years ago to take away my daughter, and has continued to try to use to extort money from me.'

It is now up to the state Court Of Appeals to decide whether the trial can happen.

Hansen's legal team has tried to get the daughter's suit dismissed, saying he has already been exonerated from the accusations during his divorce trial with her mother.

But a judge denied their request based on state law that enables people who were abused as children to file civil claims once they're adults.

The same judge denied another motion from Hansen's lawyers to keep Eckstrom from using documents from the sealed divorce and custody court file, the Seattle Times reported.

Hansen, who has starred in The Deadliest Catch since 2005, gave up his parental rights on Eckstrom after the divorce. He has since remarried and adopted his second wife's two daughters.

The daughter says in her court declaration that her mother and other relatives noticed traces of abuse after she returned from a visit with her father (circled in red) in 1990

SIG HANSEN REPLIES TO THE ACCUSATIONS 'I'm a pretty plain-spoken guy, and to me, this is nothing more than a shakedown,' Hansen told the DailyMail.com in a statement. 'The allegations are completely false, rehashed lies my ex-wife Lisa Eckstrom used nearly 30 years ago to take away my daughter, and has continued to try to use to extort money from me. 'The fact is, decades ago I was exonerated of these allegations after a full court trial. My ex-wife Lisa took me  and worst of all, my parents  to court for this back in 1990, making these baseless claims. We were fully exonerated after a prosecuting attorney, a judge, court-appointed experts, a guardian ad litem and team of other child experts all agreed that these claims were pure fiction. I cooperated 100 per cent, including taking a polygraph test that also confirmed my innocence. 'The tragedy is that my ex-wife Lisa has poisoned my relationship with our daughter through years of vile lies. Lisa has spun a web of deceit, depriving my daughter and me of a healthy, loving relationship. To me, that is the definition of child abuse. 'This is the third time the Eckstrom family has threatened to publicly rehash lies about me unless I pay them a pile of money, and I finally said enough is enough. If you've got something, bring it, because it was BS then, and it is BS now.' Advertisement

Eckstrom says in her court declaration that her mother and other relatives noticed in 1990 after she returned from a visit with her father that her rectum seemed 'blue or discolored'.

She then recounts saying during a medical examination that 'daddy puts his finger in my potty-pot,' and telling both her grandmothers that 'daddy pottied on my leg'.

A doctor who examined her said the findings were 'rarely seen in children without a history of sexual abuse', as quoted in the court declaration.

Eckstrom also includes findings from counseling sessions, which state she as a little girl said she 'did not like her daddy and that she was fearful of her daddy and that her daddy had hurt her potty-pot'.

In her filing is a copy of a diagram she drew during a counseling session, with characters named 'mommy' and 'daddy' and arrows pointing to various areas, including one indicating 'potty pot'.

Hansen meanwhile told the Seattle Times that his daughter was 'brainwashed and programmed by her mother and multiple members of her family'.

He claims a previous attempt at a reconciliation ended after Eckstrom and her mother said they would 'go to the media' if he didn't give his daughter $300,000, after she sought help to pay for law school.

But Eckstrom told the newspaper she isn't seeking money and instead wants 'justice' and 'accountability for what my father did to [her].'
Scientists are conducting a massive computer simulation to work out how New York would respond to a nuclear attack in the heart of Manhattan.

The three-year, $450,000 project will simulate two nuclear detonations and their effects on up to 20 million virtual 'agents' each representing a civilian, first responder or other official over the course of 30 days.

But first they need to input data - a lot of data, taken from disaster reports across the US - to figure out how individuals really react to catastrophe.

'Computational social science is not experimental.' Professor William Kennedy of Virginia's George Mason University told The Atlantic. 'We dont terrorize people and see how they behave.'

Escape from New York? Virginia scientists are building a complex model that will show how 20 million people would react to nuclear bombs going off in Manhattan (pictured)

As well as 'big data' statistics, the researchers are using individual testimonies from disaster survivors to govern their virtual victims' reactions.

And that doesn't necessarily mean movie-style panic and screaming in the streets, said Kennedy, who is heading up the project at the Center for Social Complexity along with Andrew Crooks.

'We've found that people seem to be reasonably well behaved and do what they've been trained to, or are asked or told to do by local authorities,' he said.

'Reports from 9/11 show that people walked down many tens of flights of stairs, relatively quietly, sometimes carrying each other, to escape buildings.'

But there are other cases, he explained, where things haven't gone so well - such as the response to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

Master of puppets: Prof, William Kennedy of George Mason University is one of those heading the study. Virtual 'agents' will react to the horrors and stresses in the simulation

'There, we have reports that people already didn't trust the government, and then with the isolation resulting from the flooding, they were actually shooting at people trying to help.'

Once their personalities have been set, the agents - up to 20 million, roughly the same population as New York state - will be dropped into a virtual New York map and left to react to events as they unfold.

The simulated bombs will have a strength of 10 kilotons. For comparison, the bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima were around 20 kilotons, and North Korea's current missiles are in the 2-5 kiloton ranges.

As the simulation progresses it will look at their movements, their attempts to find water and food, and their communications with their friends and families.

'Part of our modeling challenge is going to be figuring out if a parent would go through a contaminated area to retrieve a child at a daycare or school, putting themselves at risk in the process, because it's important to them to physically be there with their children,' Kennedy said.

'Or do they realize that they're isolated, that communications aren't going to be available in the near term, and they only deal with their local folks who are now their family?'

Each agent is given a series of 'decision trees' - flee immediate danger or stay to help the injured, for example - informed by their desires and needs.

Horror: Kennedy is using the testimony of real survivors to model the agents and their reactions to the explosions, which will be half the size of those seen in Hiroshima (pictured)

The agents will also be informed by where they are in the New York map - who and what is around them, and how far they are from the explosions and their loved ones.

The model will include subways, bus routes, bridges and roads. But it's not as easy as cribbing off Google Maps, Kennedy says.

'Its frustrating us a little bit that the publicly available data is not very clean,' he said. 'We've found lots of road segments that arent connected.

'We can't just import somebody elses map of New York and the surrounding areas and have our agents fleeing the area, so we're spending some effort in the last several weeks trying to collect and clean up that data so that we can actually use it.'

They also have to calculate the number of floors in the various buildings so that they can model evacuations properly.

And a debate at the minute is whether each agent should take up a square meter of space when they move, and if buildings should have doorways built into them or if agents should be allowed to leave blocks through a building's walls.

Williams says the simulation will initially model the movements of each agent in five-minute intervals, extending to 15-minute intervals as the 30-day window develops.

When it's finished, it should take 'a couple of days' to run through from beginning to end, he says - and that's with entire banks of computers to process the data.

But it could take up to five years to reach that stage, he said. Current funding runs to three years.
Priests who hear confessions that sound 'demonic' should call on the services of exorcists, according to Pope Francis.

In scenes reminiscent of the famous occult film, exorcists are supposed to vanquish demons living inside a host's body by citing religious texts at them.

The 80-year-old pontiff believes that a good confessor mustn't hesitate to use an exorcist in the event of 'real spiritual disorders'.

The Pope has urged priests who hear troubled confessions to call upon the services of exorcists. The pontiff advised the priests at a Vatican training session to choose with 'great care and prudence'

Pope Francis' comments were made at a Vatican training seminar on the art of confessions.

He told the room full of priests that disorders could be down to varying disorders, including the supernatural.

Pope Francis said a priest: 'Must not hesitate to refer to exorcists... chosen with great care and prudence.'

Pope Francis said a priest: 'Must not hesitate to refer to exorcists... chosen with great care and prudence.'

The Pope has previously discussed the process of exorcising demons from a subject while Vatican universities also hold courses to teach proper exorcism technique.

The outspoken pope previously attacked jihadists who murdered a French priest - describing the stabbing as satanic, while he referred priests who commit sexual abuse on children as part of a satanic mass.
A person jumped over a bike rack in a buffer zone in front of the White House on Saturday while President Trump was in Florida, but was not able to make it over the fence into the grounds.

Two Secret Service agents tackled the individual, who was arrested and is being questioned, CNN reported.

Sources told CNN the suspect was intercepted quickly and White House spokesman Sean Spicer tweeted that the bike rack was on Pennsylvania Avenue, which borders the White House's North Lawn.

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US Secret Service officers stand in the cordoned off Lafayette Park in front of the White House, after a person jumped over a bike rack in a buffer zone between a public area and the white house on Saturday

The individual was tackled by Secret Service agents, was taken into custody and is being questioned. Donald Trump is currently in Florida. The area around the White House returned to normal following the incident

Sean Spicer tweeted that the individual jumped a bike rack on Pennsylvania Avenue, which borders the White House's North Lawn. He praised the Secret Service's 'great response'

He also said there was a 'great response' from Secret Service agents.

Security later returned to normal.

The First Family touched down in West Palm Beach on Friday afternoon and headed straight to President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, for the fifth time since he took office.

This follows the revelation that a California man who scaled the White House fence on March 10 was on the property's south grounds for more than 16 minutes before he was captured.

Trump raised his fist as his family disembarked Air Force One ready for another weekend at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Friday

Jonathan Tuan-Anh Tran, 26, who had two cans of mace and said he had an appointment with his 'friend' President Donald Trump, faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for entering the grounds without permission.

The individual managed to climb over an outer perimeter fence, scale a vehicle gate and hop another fence near the southeast corner of the White House's East Wing before he was captured after his 16 minute-plus jaunt, according to the Secret Service statement.

'The Secret Service can confirm that at no time did the individual gain entry into the White House,' the statement said.

Jonathan Tuan-Anh Tran, 26, of Milpitas, California, is accused of jumping a fence near the White House March 10 before being stopped near the South Portico (pictured)

While Tran set off several alarms, he avoided other sensors, highlighting 'vulnerabilities in the system'. President Donald Trump was inside at the time of the breach

While Tran set off several alarms last Friday night, he avoided other sensors, highlighting 'vulnerabilities in the system', an anonymous Secret Service source told CNN.

Tran was spotted 'looming around' Pennsylvania Avenue nearly six hours before his arrest, CNN reported.

Trump was inside the residence at the time of the security breach, and House Oversight Committee chairman Jason Chaffetz is launching an investigation into the incident.

Chaffetz detailed new allegations in a letter to the acting director of the Secret Service, writing that the triggered alarms were ignored, CNN reported.

The suspect 'may have attempted entry into the building' and 'may have moved around on the White House grounds undetected for a considerable amount of time,' he added.

Chaffetz said: 'If true, these allegations raise questions about whether the agency's security protocols are adequate.'

Chaffetz dubbed the incident 'a total and complete embarrassment'.

'(Homeland Security chief John) Kelly told me that this person was there on the ground for 17 minutes, went undetected, was able to get up next to the White House, hide behind a pillar, look through a window, rattle the door handle,' the lawmaker told CNN.

Tran was seen jumping a fence near the Treasury Building, eventually approaching the South Portico entrance, according to the arrest affidavit

Tran was seen 'walking from the east side of the south grounds of the White House Complex,' then 'walking close to the exterior wall of the White House Mansion ... approaching the South Portico Entrance to the White House Mansion,' the arrest affidavit states according to ABC News.

Security footage shows Tran jumping a fence near the Treasury Building, which adjoins the White House, the complaint says.

He set off a sensor alarm in the Treasury Moat, according to the Secret Service source, but Tran had already gone by the time an officer appeared.

The source believes Tran made his way past a several Secret Service posts and jumped the White House gate, hiding behind a pillar of the East Wing entrance, CNN reported.

He eventually made his way to the South Portico Entrance, saw a Secret Service officer in uniform and went towards the South Lawn, the affidavit reads.

That is when the officer stopped him, after which Tran said: 'I am a friend of the President. I have an appointment,' the complaint states.

When asked how he managed to get here, Tran replied: 'I jumped the fence,' authorities said.

Tran was carrying two cans of mace, a US passport, an Apple laptop, a book written by Trump, and a letter to the president.

In the letter, 'Tran mentioned Russian hackers and said he had information of relevance. Tran alleged that he had been followed, and his "phone and email communications (had been) read by third parties," and that he had "been called schizophrenic," ' Secret Service officer Wayne Azevedo said in the complaint.

Tran's 19-year-old brother told CNN the suspect had been fired from his job at an electrical engineering company and was 'troubled'.

He was living in his car, the sibling added, before calling Tran a 'very good brother'.

House Oversight Committee chairman Jason Chaffetz is launching an investigation into the incident

President Trump on Saturday commended the Secret Service for its 'fantastic job'.

'It was a troubled person,' he said about the intruder, whom authorities later identified as Tran. 'It was very sad.'

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters the agents did a 'phenomenal job' protecting the first family and said 'the president was very appreciative of their efforts.'

Agents previously said the president was not in danger, and the Secret Service initially reported that the backpack didn't contain anything dangerous.

'Nothing of concern to security operations was found,' the Secret Service said.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly was briefed on the incident, according to White House press secretary Sean Spicer.
Malia Obama, the eldest daughter of former President Barack Obama, has reportedly turned down multiple offers to become a model.

The former First Daughter, who is now 18, is currently on an internship working for Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein in New York City.

Her assignments include reading scripts and pitching them to executives at the film production company.

However, according to a report by celebrity blog Naughty Gossip the teenager has been approached to become something of a star in her own right.

President Obama's eldest daughter, Malia, is being sought by modelling agencies who hope to lure the teenager in front of their lenses

Malia is currently working as an intern during her gap year at the Weinstein Company in New York City. In the fall, the teenager is planning to attend Harvard University

Malia grew up in the spotlight and quickly attracted the attention of modeling agencies. She is pictured here outside Downing Street in London in June 2015

Arguably as much of a style icon as her mother, the gossip blog says that the teen has been asked several times to model for the catwalk, but she has no interest whatsoever in being in the public eye.

The 61 former first daughter is often spotted in printed dresses, cute overalls and statement-making coats  all of which sell out the minute she wears them.

She is also reportedly obsessed with shows such as America's Next Top Model and Project Runway.

'Malia has a model body that would be great for runways. She has been offered several opportunities to model but turned them all down. She wants to be behind the camera, not in front of it,' sources told Naughty Gossip.

Malia is more than six-feet tall and is reportedly obsessed with shows such as America's Next Top Model and Project Runway. Younger sister, Sasha can be seen, right

The 18-year-old wants to stay firmly behind the camera and has so far batted all offers away

'She loves the film and TV business and loves reading scripts. She will leave the modeling to Kendall Jenner. She has zero interest of being famous like her dad.'

Malia is believed to be planning to work in the film industry having also interned with the HBO show Girls in 2015.

The teenager is currently on a gap year but plans to attend Harvard University in the fall.

Sasha, left, and Malia Obama's style transformed as they grew up in the White House. As young women, the Obama sisters come into their own, sporting a mature sense of style
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President Trump headed to his own Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach to play his 10th round of golf of the eight weeks he has been president.

A picture of Trump giving the thumbs up wearing a Make America Great Again cap alongside Peter Flaherty, a former aide to Mitt Romney was posted online by Christopher Ruddy, the CEO of Newsmax Media.

The president spent four hours at the golf club where an aide told reporters he may 'have hit a few balls' and then returned to Mar-a-Lago where he will eat with Marvel CEO Isaac Perlmutter.

On Friday the First Family touched down in West Palm Beach for their fifth visit to President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort - this time joined by Melania's mom and dad.

Viktor and Amalija Knavs, who now both live in the US but return to their home country of Slovenia every year, were seen departing Air Force One in smart black suits and sunglasses.

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Happy days: Donald Trump was joined by Peter Flaherty (left) a former aide to Mitt Romney and Max Kramer (right)

Viktor and Amalija Knavs, Melania Trump's mother and father, are pictured arriving in West Palm Beach on Friday, having flown over on Air Force One along with the president, their daughter, and their grandson Barron

The couple - who emigrated from Slovenia to the US - joined the First Family on what is their fifth visit to Trump's Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago

President Donald Trump points from Air Force One with First Lady Melania and son Barron after arriving at the Palm Beach International Airport

First Lady Melania Trump waves she walks from Air Force One with President Donald Trump and their son Barron

President Trump turns to speak to his 10-year-old son and his wife after they touched down

Trump raised his fist as his family disembarked Air Force One ready for another weekend at Mar-a-Lago in Florida

Melania glides down the walkway from Air Force One and prepares to be taken to Mar-a-Lago with her husband and son Barron

President Donald Trump's wife Melania Trump and their son, Barron Trump walk to their vehicle after arriving together on Air Force One

President Trump and First Lady Melania have made numerous trips to his Florida home since the inauguration

They joined Donald Trump, Melania and their grandson Barron - who had made his first trip across the White House lawn earlier that day - before they they were whisked to Trump's luxury club - the so-called Winter White House.

Melania stood out from her navy-blue clad boys in a stunning red coat dress designed for her by Alice Roi that was cinched with an equally gorgeous red leather belt and gloves by the same designer.

And if the styling looked familiar, that is because the First Lady wore Alice Roi to the National Prayer Service in January, the day after her husband's inauguration.

The look was finished off with her favorite pair of Gucci sunglasses and tan suede heels by Jimmy Choo.

Barron had made a rare appearance at the White House on Friday, his first since his father took office almost two months ago in January.

The 10-year-old son of President Trump was photographed while making his way across the White House lawn for the first time, where he boarded Marine One with his mom and dad.

The Trumps walk with their son Barron to Marine One at the White House

Visiting dad: Barron Trump was at the White House on Friday (above) for the first first time since the weekend of President Trump's inauguration in January

Away they go: The 10-year-old was photographed with his mom Melania and dad Donald (above) walking across the lawn outside the Oval Office to Marine One

Like father like son: The schoolboy wore a blue blazer for his weekend away

Barron and Melania listened as The President spoke on the walk out

Slaying with her style: Melania managed to steal the show however, outfitted in a stunning red coat dress which she wore with matching red leather belt and gloves

She paired the coat with a towering pair of nude suede heels

Barron steps onto Marine One for the first time

The family was greeted by their pilot when they arrived at Andrews Air Force base

Barron is already almost as tall as his father, despite only being ten years old

One big plane! Friday was no doubt the first of many commutes from the White House lawn to Air Force One, but the site still seemed to impress the young man

Barron will be celebrating his 11th birthday day on Monday March 20

Barron boarded Air Force One behind his mother

Barron wore a pair of New Balance sneakers with his blazer and slacks

Waving: The first family waved to onlookers - not something the President always does when he boards

He joined in his parents with a wave before going inside the plane

Same designer: Melania Trump also wore an Alice Roi design at the National Prayer Service in Washington on her husband's first full day as president in January

It's unknown how long Barron will stay in Florida as many New York schools are starting spring break for the next two weeks

Barron got a chance to check out the White House earlier that day after it was confirmed that the middle school student and his mom Melania would be making 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue their primary residence starting in June.

His time in DC was brief however, and after Marine One dropped him and his folks of at Joint Force Andrews it was on to Air Force One and off to Mar-a-Lago for Barron, who spends most winter weekends in Palm Beach.

The 10-year old will turn 11 on Monday.
A terminally ill Illinois mother whose best friend promised to adopt all four of her children has died, prompting an outpouring of grief.

Sara Hankins, 36, died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on Monday at home and surrounded by her family.

The single mother, who was diagnosed with the terminal illness in the winter of 2015, went knowing that best friend Missy Armstrong would step in to care for her beloved children.

Sara Hankins (right) died of a neurological disease on Monday. Best friend Missy Armstrong (left), had previously promised to adopt all four of her children

'The thought of where they would go was killing her more than the ALS was,' Armstrong told People in December.

'It consumed her everyday thoughts because none of her family members were able to take in all four kids together.

'So I decided to step in. I knew in my heart this was the right thing to do, that this was how it was meant to be.'

The 42-year-old, who is a single mother of two children herself, offered to adopt the kids and is now going through the legal processes to do so.

She will legally be able to adopt Hankins' three youngest children, Cayden, 11, Micah, 9, and Amara, 8. She has promised to also take in her 18-year-old daughter Alexis who, is too old to legally adopt.

Armstrong is undergoing the legal procedures necessary to adopt Cayden, 11, Amara, 8, Alexis, 18, and Micah, 9

Hankins (second from left) is seen here in hospice at her mother's house in Illinois, with her kids, and Armstrong and her son Kairee. Hankins died surrounded by her family

As news of Hankins' death spread, tributes to her poured in online.

'My thoughts and prayers are with your beautiful family. It makes me angry that life has chosen to hurt such an amazing family who don't deserve anything bad to happen to them,' said Jamy Tunnell on a tribute webpage.

'I have known your family for 30 years and they have always been willing to give the shirts off their backs to anyone in need.

'Anyone would be proud to call you or anyone in your family a friend. Heaven has certainly gained another beautiful angel.'

Beth and Bill Schmidt wrote: 'Sara was a special, precious gal with a vibrant smile and love radiating from her heart. [We] have been so sad since hearing of her debilitating disease.'

On Facebook, friend Alicia Anne wrote: 'I LOVE YOU Sara Hankins!!! So thankful for all the years and memories I have with you and your family. I feel so blessed to have such an amazing person be apart of my life.'

Brooke Marie shared those thoughts, saying 'My heart is broken for the Hankins family. Sara was such a beautiful person inside & out! Prayers for the entire family and her 4 beautiful children.'

Armstrong could not be contacted for comment.

Angel: As news of Hankins' death spread, friends posted online tributes to a woman unanimously recognized as a wonderful mother

Beautiful: Another friend said that 'Sara was such a beautiful person inside and out!' Hankins' children will now be care for by Armstrong, with support from Hankins' family

Love: Hankins' friend Alicia Anne said that she loved her departed friend and was 'blessed' to have her be a part of her life

Armstrong and Hankins met in hairdressing school in Illinois 17 years ago.

They have been inseparable ever since. The two single moms went on to work together at several jobs and were even present when each other's children were being born.

Armstrong said her own kids Kairee, 14, and Alexa, 22, have grown up alongside her best friend's children.

'When we met, she only had one daughter, Alexis, who was 2. Of course we stayed best friends through her other three,' she told Today.

Alexis, Micah, Amara and Cayden Hankins will move in with Missy Armstrong and her two children now that her mother has passed away

'She would grab her kids and come to my house, or I would grab my kids and go to her house. We were always together.'

Armstrong said it was an easy decision to take in her friend's children.

'I love them and I've known them their whole lives. I make a decent living. I have the support of her family,' she said.

The two families are now trying to secure a five-bedroom house so Armstrong can look after the six children.

They set up a GoFundMe page to raise $20,000 for a down payment on a home, which has now collected more than $22,000.
A brazen crook swiped a staggering 38,000 from an ATM by ramming a convenience store with a JCB digger so hard the building almost collapsed.

Lewis Holdstock, 22, ploughed the stolen vehicle into a Spar shop to rip out a cash machine - causing a further 55,000 of damage.

CCTV footage captured Holdstock smashing into the shop front four times, Hull Crown Court heard

Lewis Holdstock, 22, swiped a staggering 38,000 from an ATM by ramming a convenience store with a JCB digger so hard the building almost collapsed, Hull Crown Court heard

Prosecutor Andrew Bailey told the court: 'Neighbours said they were woken by a large bang like a skip being dropped as the shop wall was left in a pile of rubble.'

Holdstock had stolen the yellow digger from Marsh House Farm in Keyingham, East Yorkshire, in the early hours of the morning on February 9 of this year.

Security footage then showed Holdstock using the digger to rip away the wall of Spar convenience store in Thorngumbald.

A Spar shop supervisor arrived at 6.35am to open up the building and was shocked to see the devastation caused.

She said in a statement to police: 'The whole shop was dusty, there was glass everywhere and the stock had been damaged.'

The cash machine was later found abandoned in the back of a silver van in a farmers' field off the B1362 near Burstwick later that afternoon.

Holdstock ploughed the stolen vehicle into a Spar shop to rip out a cash machine - causing a further 55,000 of damage

The sum of 38,000 was stolen from the ATM but was recovered by police and the defendant was later tracked down and arrested.

Holdstock of Hull, East Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to burglary, theft and taking a motor vehicle without consent - but his case was adjourned after a vital piece of evidence was missing.

Spar estimates the cost of rebuilding the shop will come to 42,000, with further cash needed for loss of stock and to make the building safe again.

But Judge David Tremberg said he couldn't sentence the defendant until the CPS provided more evidence on how much the ATM machine cost to repair.

Holdstock of Hull, East Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to burglary, theft and taking a motor vehicle without consent

Judge Tremberg told Holdstock: 'I have done as much as I can (today). This is obviously a very serious matter and you want to know what is going to happen to you.

'I want to tell you but there is just information I am short of - if I dealt with you today, someone would go away unhappy.

'Either you would say it is an undeserved sentence or all of the public might be aggravated that you got a lenient sentence because I was not told how much loss had been caused.'

Holdstock was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on March 24.
When a marriage crumbles, dividing up the family valuables can be a difficult  and very lengthy  process.

But shipping tycoon Minos Kyriakou, one of the richest men in Greece, claims his wife blatantly short-circuited the procedure  by commandeering his jet, filling it with items worth hundreds of thousands of pounds and ordering the family pilot to fly to London.

Lawyers for Mr Kyriakou, 74, claimed in the High Court that his glamorous 45-year-old actress wife Marie may now have sold some of the loot.

Millionaire Minos Kyriakou (right) claims his ex-wife Marie commandeered his jet and flew to London with the plane filled with hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of jewels

Auctioneers Christies, a Mayfair jewellers and a safe deposit facility have been ordered by a judge to disclose any dealings they may have had with her.

The tycoon was said in court to have amassed a lavish collection of jewellery, silver, crystal and carpets.

It was not specified exactly what has disappeared, but sources close to Mr Kyriakou said the list of missing jewellery includes rings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches and belts.

These items are gold and silver and have stones which, at their most valuable, include diamonds, said one source.

Other items include paintings, religious icons, sets of silver cutlery and antique clocks. A set of documents is also said to be missing.

Mr Kyriakou, the former president of the Greek Olympic Committee, is the founder and owner of ANT1 Group, a media company that owns one of the oldest TV channels in Greece. He and Marie married in 2004.

Friends have said that Mrs Kyriakou grew increasingly embarrassed by talk of the age difference between them.

And it was claimed that a decision to axe a talk show she hosted on her husbands TV channel left her humiliated.

Friends have said that Mrs Kyriakou grew increasingly embarrassed by talk of the age difference between them

Reports in the Greek media have suggested that they had decided on a divorce  which is not yet finalised  based on mutual consent.

But talks had started to go wrong over the past few months and Mrs Kyriakou is said to have told close friends and relatives that she decided to take what was due to her.

The High Court heard that, two weeks before Mrs Kyriakou filed for divorce on February 22, she was seen by a member of staff packing up a number of valuable items, in 25 to 30 boxes, and moving them out of the family home in Athens.

At the time her husband was away from home receiving medical treatment.

Alan Maclean QC said: On February 8, at Mrs Kyriakous request, the familys pilot flew her to London in Mr Kyriakous private jet.

She took with her four large heavy pieces of luggage, including a red cabin suitcase in protective black wrapping.

He said that the pilot glimpsed inside one bag and noticed it was filled with valuables.

It is alleged Mrs Kyriakou made a series of visits to Christies, Metropolitan Safe Deposits in Knightsbridge, and JS Jewels Ltd, in South Molton Street, Mayfair. All three companies are named as respondents in the case.

The court heard that Mrs Kyriakou left Athens with 70kg (154lb) of luggage but when she returned to Athens it weighed 10kg (22lb).

Mr Maclean said: It seems very likely that a large number of valuable chattels were transported by Mrs Kyriakou to London, which she did not take back to Greece.

The couple were not in court and could not be reached for comment last week.

A Christies spokesman said: We have been asked to provide information by the courts and are co-operating.

John Souglides, owner of JS Jewels Ltd, said: We have to comply with the court order. Lawyers are handling it. Im not worried. He declined to say if he had sold any of the items.
Jordan McCready, 23, from Scotland, who kicked a schoolboy to death has apparently threatened to rape and kill a baby boy from behind bars

A twisted killer who kicked a schoolboy to death has apparently threatened to rape and kill a baby boy from behind bars.

Jordan McCready, from North Ayrshire, Scotland, was given a life sentence in 2012 for killing 13-year-old Jon Wilson.

But sickening Facebook messages seem to show the thug, 23, telling a 'terrified' woman he would kill her one-year-old son 'like we did with Jon'.

He and two other men bombarded the unnamed woman with sick threats in a messaging group.

Using a false name, McCready told the woman: 'Ill rape um [sic]'.

Another lag replies 'n il kill um [sic]', to which McCready says: 'Like we did with Jon'.

He later told the user: 'I'm gawny rape you'. The messages were sent using a phone smuggled into prison.

The woman is now living in fear that McCready will harm her - who she added because she has a friend in the same prison who knows him.

'He has been boasting about killing that wee boy,' she told The Sun.

McCready (left after his arrest) attacked schoolboy Jon Wilson while high on alcohol and drugs

'Now he is telling me he's going to rape and kill my son  the whole thing has terrified me.'

It comes just days after McCready boasted about the murder to a woman on Facebook.

The woman received the vile messages after she accidentally added McCready, who was using a false name online, as a friend on the social network.

From his cell in Lanarkshire's HMP Shotts, McCready sent the woman a picture of his feet, commenting they had 'done yer boy'.

After the woman slammed him over the messages, he taunted her saying 'I'm coming for you' and 'How's Jon doing?'.

He also threatened to rape the woman and wrote: 'Kick to kill, stab for a laugh,' the Daily Record reported.

It comes just days after he posted a sick selfie of his feet, telling a woman they had 'done' his victim Jon

He has repeatedly sent messages from inside jail, boasting last year about his 'hotel lifestyle' and saying he'd be 'back on the streets in no time'

McCready attacked schoolboy Jon while high on a cocktail of alcohol and drugs, telling police how he 'jumped up and down' on his head.

He has repeatedly sent messages from inside jail, boasting last year about his 'hotel lifestyle' and saying he'd be 'back on the streets in no time'.

Last year he posted a photo captioned: 'Eazzzzzzy Dayyzzz'.

The Scottish Prison Service said: 'Possessing a mobile phone in prison is a criminal offence.

'If we receive information that prisoners are in possession of such devices, we will take all appropriate action and report it to the relevant authorities.'

Speaking after McCready last posted comments online, Jon's sister Lisa, 27, questioned how the killer was able to access social media sites from behind bars.

She said: 'Why can't prisons stop this happening? The authorities clearly aren't doing their jobs properly.'
Flying Squad detectives were last night searching for 7million in cash that was snatched from a security van in one of the biggest raids in British criminal history.

Banknotes weighing half a ton were stolen from an armour-plated Loomis International truck. The vehicle was later found abandoned in a suburban street near Heathrow Airport last week.

Two of the companys cash-in-transit workers have been charged with conspiracy to steal. Police are still hunting other suspects.

Police are trying to track down 7m in cash snatched from a security van in one of the biggest raids in British criminal history. Two cash-in-transit workers, Mohammed Siddique, 31, and Ranjeev Singh, 40, both from Slough, have been charged with conspiracy to steal while police are chasing other suspects

The money was picked up on behalf of Credit Suisse bank from Heathrows Terminal 4 on Tuesday morning and was due to be taken to a Loomis depot in Shepperton, Surrey. But the large grey van was found abandoned just half a mile from the airport a short time later.

Residents in West View, a quiet street of semi-detached houses, said police swarmed around the vehicle at about 8.30am. One man, who asked not to be named, said: The van was parked there with the engine running.

Police were banging on the back doors and shouting, Come out, weve got you surrounded, you cant go anywhere. But it turned out there was no one inside.

Another Loomis truck then came and a guy got out with a key. He opened up the back of the truck and it was empty. Police sealed off the street all day. They were doing forensic tests.

Another resident said the cash must have been taken within minutes of the van pulling up in the road.

He said: I saw the security truck parked there. There was no one else around. I thought it was very odd that vehicle being here. You normally see them outside shops or banks, not outside houses.

The money was collected on behalf of Credit Suisse bank from Heathrows Terminal 4 on Tuesday morning. It was due to be taken to a Loomis depot in Shepperton, Surrey. However the large grey van was found abandoned just half a mile from the airport a short time later minus 7 million in cash

I was thinking I should probably call the police when a patrol car came up the road and four policemen got out.

Mohammed Siddique, 31, and Ranjeev Singh, 40, both from Slough, Berkshire, were charged on Thursday with conspiracy to steal. Both work for Loomis International.

The pair appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court later the same day and were remanded in custody. No pleas were entered. The case was sent to Kingston Crown Court.

Britains biggest cash robbery was the notorious Securitas depot heist in Tonbridge, Kent, in February 2006, when raiders stole more than 53 million. In 2004, 26.4 million was seized from the Northern Bank HQ in Belfast.
The family of FDNY medical technician Yadira Arroyo, who was run over and killed by a man who stole her ambulance on Thursday, has spoken out about the heartbreaking loss.

Arroyo, 44, and her partner Monique Williams were rushing to an emergency involving a pregnant woman in the Bronx on Thursday night when Jose Gonzalez, 25, overpowered her, jumped into the vehicle and plowed straight into her.

Members of the public had flagged them down because a man, Gonzalez, was seen riding on the back bumper of their rig.

Arroyo leaves behind five sons ranging from age seven to 23.

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Two of the five children of Yadira Arroyo, who was killed Thursday night, have spoken out about her untimely and heartbreaking death. Son Jose Montes, 23, said: 'My mom is going to protect me from a higher place.' Her sons, all pictured, range in age from seven to 23

Arroyo (left), a 44-year-old mother of five children, was killed Thursday night after Jose Gonzalez (right) carjacked her ambulance and ran her over

EMTs from across the city packed a Bronx courthouse for Gonzalez's arraignment on Friday

After her death, her son Jose Montes, 23, told CBS Local: 'I held her hand and I told her that I loved her, and I told her she's in a better place right now.'

He added: 'Don't feel sorry for me because I know my mom is going to protect me from a higher place.'

Son Edgar Montes, 22, said: 'I miss her. Of course, you know, I love her.'

He added: 'I feel like I didn't tell her enough. But I think she understands now.'

Arroyo's three other sons are aged 19, 16 and seven.

The family's plans for her funeral are not known.

EMTs from across the city packed a Bronx courthouse for suspect Gonzalez's arraignment on Friday.

'I'm innocent. I didn't do nothing,' Gonzalez said as he was escorted out of a police station, surrounded by angry, uniformed emergency medical technicians hurling insults.

Gonzalez, 25, goes by the alias 'Breezy Blood' and is a Bloods gang member, police sources told the Daily News.

Jose Gonzalez was arraigned on murder and other charges in Arroyo's gruesome death. The fallen EMT's colleagues struggled to compose themselves in the courthouse

'I'm innocent. I didn't do nothing,' Gonzalez said as he was escorted out of a police station, surrounded by angry, uniformed emergency medical technicians

Police say he is an emotionally-disturbed person with a criminal history of 31 prior arrests. Twenty one of those arrests are sealed, but the 10 that aren't include charges of robbery, assault, criminal mischief, criminal possession of marijuana, public lewdness, graffiti and sale of marijuana.

Police said Gonzalez had been high on drugs during the deadly encounter.

His lawyer, Alice Fontier, said he has a severe mental illness. She didn't identify it, saying his history would be disclosed later in court.

'Whatever may have happened here, none of his actions were intentional,' Fontier said, calling Arroyo's death a tragedy for both the EMT's family's and the suspect's.

Gonzalez is being held without bail and faces charges of murder, grand larceny and operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs.

'Yadi, Yadi, Yadi,' chanted fire and EMT workers outside Gonzalez's arraignment, repeating the nickname of slain paramedic Yadira Arroyo

Fire and EMT workers made a show of force at Gonzalez's arraignment on Friday

Police said Gonzalez, who lived for about a month at a group home for chronically homeless single adults, had a history of violent and erratic behavior with officers.

Fontier said his record involves mostly marijuana possession charges, as well as misdemeanor assault and criminal mischief cases.

Paramedics and firefighters struggled to compose themselves in the packed courthouse during the arraignment, as they mourned their fallen comrade.

'Yadi, Yadi, Yadi,' the first responders chanted, repeating Yadira Arroyo's nickname in sadness and defiance.

A bereft Monique Williams stands over her colleague's body following the carjacking - which unfolded in a matter of mere moments

Yadira Arroyo's body is lifted from the ambulance draped in the Stars and Stripes

The Fire Department of New York conducts a bunting ceremony to honor fallen EMT Yadira Arroyo

'Yadi was the matriarch of the station,' Lieutenant George Lampon said, choking back tears during a somber ceremony at Arroyo's stationhouse. 'She was not only a mother of five, but a mother to the 100-plus people who worked here.'

Another medic, Anastasia Rabos, said Arroyo was a great mentor and friend and 'a very humble person.'

A solemn guard of honor was laid the evening she died by members of the FDNY as her body was brought to the Medical Examiner's Officer in Manhattan.
The BBC has been attacked as disgraceful after one of its reporters posted a video online asking: What is the right punishment for blasphemy?

The clip, which was shared on the BBC Asian Networks official Twitter account, showed presenter Shazia Awan challenging viewers to contact her about controversial blasphemy laws in Pakistan.

But critics took to Twitter to attack the Corporation for apparently suggesting that blasphemy  which can carry a death sentence in some Muslim countries  should be punishable at all and that there should be penalties for free speech.

The BBC has been attacked as disgraceful after reporter Shazia Awan posted a video online asking: What is the right punishment for blasphemy?

Former Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith tweeted: Next week on the BBC: What is the correct punishment for being gay? .

Human rights activist Maryam Namazie said: Disgraceful that BBC Asian Network would ask what punishment should be for blasphemy.

'You know people get killed for it.

The question was posed after Pakistans government called on Facebook to help it crack down on blasphemous content that badmouthed Islam.

Her assumption that blasphemy - which is still punishable by death in some Muslim countries - should also be punished in Britain shocked many viewers

A BBC spokesman said: Asian Networks Big Debate asks difficult and provocative questions every day.

This programme was an engaging discussion on the subject of blasphemy, but we admit that the question could have been phrased better, as we have since made clear.
WINED AND DINED: Gregg Wallace, left, and his fiancee of the time, Heidi Brown, right, enjoyed nights out with the couple

Masterchef host Gregg Wallace has told how he was targeted by an elderly couple who have left a trail of angry investors hundreds of thousands of pounds out of pocket.

Businessman Harvey Langer, 85, and his wife Jane Lee, 76, convinced more than 40 people to hand over savings to fund their lifestyle.

In return, they promised a share in a 1billion-plus payout from a mysterious Swiss trust fund.

In five years the couple have spent up to 1million living in a plush four-star London hotel and eating at some of the capitals most exclusive restaurants  while investors, who handed over up to 270,000 each, have not yet seen a penny.

Now police fraud investigators are looking into a complaint about the couple made by a disgruntled backer.

However Mr Langer, who admits his scheme must look like a scam, insists all is above board and says: Were not con artists.

The couple say Ms Lee is due to inherit a fortune from her late father who she says was a Singapore tobacco tycoon, but in the meantime they asked for money for living expenses, which have included spending five years living in two rooms in the 250-a-night Marriott Marble Arch.

Wallace was wined and dined at The Dorchester by the couple after they met in 2010, but the relationship soured when they asked for cash.

WERE NOT CON ARTISTS: Harvey Langer, left, and Jane Lee, right, leaving the Marriott last week

Gregg Wallace, above right pictured with Masterchef co-host John Torode, said he initially found the couple 'utterly charming'

The presenter said he initially found the couple utterly charming and that he and his fiancee of the time, Heidi Brown, shared several meals with them at exclusive restaurants such as Le Gavroche and the Waterside Inn, Bray.

Wallace said: They were the most delightful couple. We got into conversation at Selfridges where I had a fruit and veg concession at the time. We had some really entertaining meals together, but after a while, I did begin to wonder how much of the stories were true.

He even invited the Langers to his and Heidis wedding in Berkshire. In return they offered him a luxury honeymoon with them in the Caribbean, travelling by private Gulfstream jet and on a 120ft yacht, ending at the exclusive Sandy Lane Hotel, Barbados.

Wallace recalled: I said to Heidi that I didnt really want to go on honeymoon with someone else, so we said Thanks, but no thanks.

But then they phoned Heidi and said, Look, you know weve got this money coming, were temporarily embarrassed at the moment could you lend us some?

'I said, No, Im sorry, I think this would impact on our friendship in a really bad way. At that point we stopped being friends.

When told of concerns about the couple, 52-year-old Wallace  who has since divorced from Heidi, 35  added: If this is true, its awful.

Looking back, I think they were most certainly targeting me, although they never offered me any money.

'But maybe having me at these meals and social occasions was to add credibility to them.

The couple asked for money for living expenses including spending five years living in two rooms in the 250-a-night Marriott Marble Arch, pictured

The couple told their investors that blue-chip City firms were handling the transfer of funds, but when The Mail on Sunday contacted the companies they named, none had any trace of the pair.

One businessman told us he had sunk his six-figure savings into the scheme and was promised more than 20 million back.

I feel such a fool, he said. When I first heard about it, my reaction was that, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I wish Id stuck to that.

The MoS spoke to four people who had put in sums ranging from a few thousand to over 100,000.

All were embarrassed and angry and didnt wish to be named. One hadnt even told his wife.

One said: Im 99.99 per cent sure it is a scam, but Id be lying if there wasnt a tiny part of me that still wants to believe Ill be a multi-millionaire.

Yesterday, the Langers insisted their fund would pay out. Of course its a real trust, said Ms Lee, refusing to elaborate.

Mr Langer added: I know it must sound like a scam, but honestly its not.

'I feel bad for investors, but they will all get their initial investments back on Monday and, within a month, their full payment  and the margins are enormous.

'Were not con artists, Im a respectable businessman with no criminal record. What would be the point of this? It clearly couldnt go on indefinitely.

The City of London Police confirmed the case has been reported to the Action Fraud hotline and that it was being assessed.
President Donald Trump owes Barack Obama - and the American people - an apology, said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

The Democratic leader said Friday during a preview of her upcoming interview with Face The Nation that President Trump wrongfully accused Obama of having his wires tapped in Trump Tower during the 2016 campaign.

'Its not just about this allegation that President Trump has made,' Pelosi explained to CBS News. 'Its about the frivolity of it all. I call him the Deflector-in-Chief.

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Nancy Pelosi (pictured) said President Trump wrongfully accused Obama of wire tapping

'Hell come up with anything to change the subject from something thats not going well for him ... he comes up with these schemes, which are beneath the dignity - not only beneath the dignity of the office of the president, beneath the responsibility of the President of the United States to respect the office he serves in,' Pelosi said.

Pelosi's full interview will air Sunday.

President Trump made the accusation earlier this month when he tweeted: 'Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my "wires tapped" in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!'

He continued the allegation against the former commander-in-chief in other tweets but offered no evidence.

So far, the FBI has not produced evidence that Trump was spied on in any way.

The FBI has reportedly pressured the Department of Justice to publicly disavow Trump's tweet, something the agency has not done yet.

President Trump (pictured) made the accusation earlier this month in a series of tweets

Trump made the announcement on Twitter (pictured) on Saturday, March 4. Obama's director of national intelligence has denied the claim

He claimed that Obama had personally requested a tap on Trump Tower but was "turned down by court"

Trump called his claim a "fact", even though he has not yet produced any evidence of a wiretap having been ordered

The president had previously said that he enjoyed Obama's company, but in these tweets he refers to the former commander-in-chief as "low", "bad" and "sick"

FBI Director James Comey will testify Monday before Congress, where he sure to be asked about the wiretapping allegations.

The public hearing is the first of several that the intelligence committees are expected to hold on Russia's interference in the election.

Pelosi said she hopes members ask Comey for clarity on the wiretapping controversy.

'I hope that  they would ask him to denythat what the president charged President Obama with, wiretapping him, is not true,' Pelosi said.

Trump's administration has been repeatedly trying to clean up his allegations, arguing that the quotes around the words "wires tapped in the presidents tweet suggested he didnt mean for the charge to be taken literally.

'There's a whole host of tactics that can be used to monitor somebody, either wiretap or other ways that you can surveil somebody,' said Trump's press secretary Sean Spicer.

Trump's allegations have left him increasingly isolated, with fellow Republican as well as Democratic lawmakers saying they've seen nothing from intelligence agencies to support his claim.

The FBI has not produced evidence that Obama (pictured) spied on Trump in any way

But Trump, who rarely admits he's wrong, has been unmoved, leaving his advisers in the untenable position of defending the president without any credible evidence.

On Thursday, Spicer pointed to a March 14 Fox & Friends broadcast in which Judge Andrew Napolitano claimed he had three sources tell him that Obama used Britain's GCHQ intelligence agency to spy on Trump.

British officials have denied Napolitano's report.

Reading from a transcript of Napolitano's remarks, Spicer said, 'President Obama went outside the chain of command. He didn't use the NSA, he didn't use the CIA, he didn't use the FBI and he didn't use the Department of Justice, he used GCHQ.'

Immediately after the broadcast a spokesperson for the British government told Fox that 'no part of this story is true'.

A British security official told Reuters the same thing. The claim was 'totally untrue and quite frankly absurd,' said Britain's ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch.

Darroch and other British officials complained directly to White House officials after the episode.

FBI Director James Comey (pictured) will testify Monday before Congress. Pelosi said she hopes members ask him or clarity on the wiretapping controversy

Prime Minister Theresa May's office said it had been assured the White House would not repeat the allegations.

Spicer was very apologetic when confronted by Darroch at a White House dinner on Thursday, the Western diplomat said.

But Trump himself offered no public apologies and suggested there was nothing wrong with the White House repeating what it had heard.

'All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television,' Trump said during Friday's news conference. 'You shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox.'

Spicer was also defiant Friday, telling reporters, 'I don't think we regret anything.'

A White House official confirmed that Darroch and the British prime minister's national security adviser, Mark Lyall Grant, expressed concerns to both Spicer and Trump's national security adviser, HR McMaster.

Spicer and McMaster said that the press secretary was simply pointing to public reports and not endorsing any specific story, the official said.

The US and United Kingdom are members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, which prohibits members from spying on each other.

Australia, Canada and New Zealand are the other members.

Trump is a voracious consumer of news and frequently repeats information he reads or hears on television, often without verifying it first.

It was a story in Breitbart - the far-right website once run by his senior adviser Steve Bannon - that appeared to spark Trump's March 4 tweets accusing Obama of wiretapping the New York skyscraper where he lived and ran his presidential campaign.

The White House has asked the House and Senate intelligence committees to investigate the matter as part of their inquiries into Russia's hacking of the presidential election and possible contacts between Trump associates and Russian officials.

But the top lawmakers on both committees have said they have seen no indications that Trump Tower was wiretapped.

Republicans in Congress also said Trump should retract his claims.

Republican Representative Charlie Dent called the accusation against Britain "inexplicable" and the Trump's accusation against Obama unfounded.

'A president only has so much political capital to expend and so much moral authority as well, and so any time your credibility takes a hit, I think in many ways it weakens the officeholder,' Dent said.
Women should be able to have abortions simply because their unborn child is the wrong sex, a leading ethics expert at the British Medical Association has said.

In a highly provocative interview with The Mail on Sunday, Professor Wendy Savage called for the law banning such terminations to be scrapped.

But pro-life campaigners immediately slammed her demands as utterly abhorrent.

Women should be able to have abortions simply because their unborn child is the wrong sex, a leading ethics expert at the British Medical Association has said

Her comments will cause shockwaves as Professor Savage is an influential member of the BMAs 18-strong medical ethics committee.

She also courts controversy today by saying women should be able to abort at any stage of pregnancy  even when the unborn child is developed enough to survive outside the womb  and that abortion pills should be available to women online, without them needing to see a doctor or nurse.

Her contentious comments come amid concerns that British parents are seeking abortions based on the gender of babies  which has led to some NHS hospitals refusing to tell parents-to-be that information. Prof Savage said not telling parents the sex of their babies was outrageous.

But Conservative MP Mark Field said: Suggesting that women should be able to abort babies solely because they happen to be either male or, much more usually, female, is utterly abhorrent.

If a woman does not want to have a foetus who is one sex or the other, forcing her [to go through with the pregnancy] is not going to be good for the eventual child, and its not going to be good for [the mothers] mental health. Prof Wendy Savage

To have someone like Wendy Savage with her extreme views at the heart of the BMA is a very worrying sign. The majority of people in this country, even those who support abortion, think sex-selective abortion is a step too far.

Fears that British women are undergoing abortions based on the gender of their babies have grown since a 2014 study found that Britain had up to 4,700 fewer girls than would be statistically expected.

And undercover journalists have secretly filmed doctors appearing to agree to carry out abortions for reasons of gender alone. This led the Department of Health to issue new guidance clarifying the law, which stated: Abortion on the grounds of gender alone is illegal.

In a highly provocative interview with The Mail on Sunday, Professor Wendy Savage called for the law banning such terminations to be scrapped

Globally, sex-selective abortion is thought to have led to millions of girls being aborted, and both the United Nations and the World Health Organisation have campaigns to stamp it out. A UN report recently stated that around 117 million women are missing from the expected population in Asia and Eastern Europe.

Despite this Prof Savage, a retired obstetrician and gynaecologist who performed 10,000 terminations, believes it is a myth that sex selective abortions happen in Britain or that women would choose to undergo a sex-selection abortion even if permitted to do so.

She said she had only been asked for such a termination once in her 35-year career  and pointed to a 2013 Government study that found no statistically valid evidence they were taking place.

However, many NHS hospitals have stopped telling parents the sex of their unborn child at their 12-week scan, instead waiting to 20 weeks, and some hospitals have a policy of not telling patients the sex of their baby altogether, according to the NHS Choices website. The 2014 study of census information suggested sex-selective abortions may be a particular issue in Britains South Asian communities, where there is a cultural preference for boys.

Prof Savage said: Because of this sort of anxiety some places wont tell the woman the sex of the foetus, which is outrageous. Its her body and her foetus, so she should have that information... If a woman does not want to have a foetus who is one sex or the other, forcing her [to go through with the pregnancy] is not going to be good for the eventual child, and its not going to be good for [the mothers] mental health.

She has previously signed a letter claiming sex-selective abortion is not gender discrimination as that term applies only to living people.

Speaking today in a personal capacity, Prof Savage also insisted a woman should have the legal right to demand an abortion at any stage of pregnancy, saying: It is the womans right to decide.

Its her body. She is the one taking the risks.

Many NHS trusts refuse to tell parents the sex of the foetus at the 12-week scan for fears of gender-selective abortion

The foetus is a potential human life at that stage [in the womb]; it is not an actual human life... I think youve got to concentrate on the [rights of the] woman.

Currently abortion is legal up to 24 weeks if signed off by two doctors, but only allowed in exceptional circumstances after that. Prof Savage said women only very rarely asked for abortion after 24 weeks.

In my career, I have only had a couple of cases over 24 weeks. So its not something that women tend to do.

This is another myth propagated by the anti-abortion lobby, like women wanting sex selection.

Prof Savage is behind a bid, revealed in last weeks Mail on Sunday, to convince BMA members to back a policy calling for abortion to be removed from criminal statute, submitting a successful motion at last years BMA conference seeking a policy on decriminalisation.

The doctor  who formed her strident views after seeing women in Nigeria and Kenya suffer horrific deaths from botched backstreet terminations and witchdoctor abortion potions  said: The law which requires women to get the consent of two doctors does not give them the right to choose what happens to their own bodies.

She said pregnant women should be able to order abortion pills over the internet, without seeing a doctor or nurse and without fear of prosecution. While consulting an expert was advisable, she did not think it should be mandatory, as women can make their own decisions.

The issue of abortion pills was raised last week by Labour MP Diana Johnson, who has submitted a Bill calling for an end to Britains Victorian abortion laws.

But pro-life campaigners fear decriminalisation will open the floodgates to ever increasing numbers of terminations  particularly after 24 weeks. MP Mr Field added: Effectively we have abortion on demand nowadays, and all the safeguards we are supposed to have are being ridden roughshod over.

The BMA says it has no policy on the decriminalisation of abortion.
A heartbroken war widow last night led a chorus of military families and former top brass voicing their fury over the scrapping of the system which provides frontline soldiers with letters from loved ones.

Jacqui Thompson, whose husband Gary was killed by a Taliban bomb in Afghanistan, accused the Ministry of Defence of abandoning troops and their families by cutting the online letter service known as E-Blueys to save just 1 million, as revealed by The Mail on Sunday last week.

Veterans and Lord West, the former Government Minister and First Sea Lord, have demanded a rethink to save the service that prints out cherished letters for troops to take with them to read for comfort and to ease the pain of separation.

Mrs Thompson (centre right), widow of Senior Aircraftman Gary Thompson, accused the Ministry of Defence of abandoning troops and their families by cutting the online letter service known as E-Blueys. She is pictured with her five daughters

The system was praised by Prince Charles as boosting morale while his son Prince Harry was serving in Afghanistan.

Last night, Ms Thompson spoke of her sense of loss over the scrapping of E-Blueys, saying: I wrote to Gary every day. It was my way of supporting him and keeping him in touch with our home life.

'You cannot put a price on the emotional and morale boost the E-Blueys give not only to our military personnel but also their families.

The MoD has defended the move on the basis that troops and their families are using social media and wi-fi services rather than E-Blueys.

Yet the first of hundreds of British troops who deployed to the Russian frontline in Estonia this weekend have been ordered not to use any local wi-fi over fears their phones and computers could be hacked by President Putins intelligence services.

The E-Bluey service offers security because troops and their loved ones access a password-protected website, or smartphone app.

Their electronic messages are then printed out at the frontline so soldiers can carry them with them in their backpacks. Soldiers reply using the same system and the letters are printed in the UK.

While the MoD has pledged to reinvest the E-Bluey running costs to pay for top security wi-fi provision, Lord West said there was something special about receiving actual letters from loved ones.

A soldier on the front line reading his E-Blueys. Soldiers received the letters through a secure, password-protected website that their loved ones at home could access

The great joy of the E-Bluey is that it gives troops some reassuring words from their families to have in their pocket or in a backpack, in particular when they are unable to use their phones or laptops, he said.

In the middle of battle, you dont get your computer out to read emails from family. So I hope the MoD puts a system into place which gives servicemen and women something tangible. But I fear the E-Bluey service will prove hard to match.

Former Royal Signals sergeant Paula Scully, 40, who served in Iraq and Bosnia, has launched a petition to save E-Blueys on change.org. She said last night: E-Blueys are a lifeline for the thousands of soldiers currently serving overseas.

They are a simple, secure and most importantly quick way for anxious families and friends to communicate with their loved ones and help ease the separation.

The MoD has defended the move on the basis that troops and their families are using social media and wi-fi services rather than E-Blueys. Yet British troops deployed to the Russian frontline in Estonia this weekend have been ordered not to use any local wi-fi

It angers me that the MoD scraps E-Blueys when the other options they provide for troops and families to speak are unworkable.

Soldiers are not always near to a base and access to wi-fi is not always easy  and social media shouldnt be used on operations for security reasons.

British troops who arrived in Estonia this weekend have been ordered to use a top security MoD internet server for communications with their families and browsing the internet, such is the concern about the threat of Russian hackers.

At the peak of its popularity, troops and loved ones were sending 100,000 E-Blueys every month.

The system was praised by Prince Charles as boosting morale while his son Prince Harry was serving in Afghanistan

But since thousands of British military personnel returned from the campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, the number has dropped to just 3,000, according to MoD figures. The service is due to end on March 31.

An MoD spokesperson said: The welfare of our people is very important to us and we are committed to making sure they can keep in touch with their families.

'Thats why we are updating our service and reinvesting E-Bluey funds into ways of communicating more suited to our modern Armed Forces.
Emmanuel Ayapar, three, (right) can no longer walk and is wasting away because he and mother Veronica, 28, (left) do not have enough food. The boy weighs just 15 lbs

Emmanuel Ayapar is three years old and can no longer walk. The flesh on his legs, which dangle from his mothers hip as she carries him around, is wasting away.

He seems listless and sad, tongue flicking repeatedly in and out of his mouth.

We do not have enough food, said Veronica, his 28-year-old mother. We eat only once a day.

The little boy is suffering from severe malnutrition and is at risk of starving to death. He weighs just 15lb  half the typical weight for a boy of his age. His fearful parents have taken him to hospital but as poor casual workers they do not have money to pay for the medicines prescribed to help children in Emmanuels condition.

Veronica is deeply stressed and herself alarmingly thin. Sometimes I cant sleep since I am so depressed, she told me. I cant eat because there is no food and I am worried my baby is so sick. Then I cant go out to work.

This friendly Kenyan family, like millions more across East Africa, are suffering from terrible drought ravaging vast swathes of their continent and bringing sickness and starvation in its deadly wake.

The United Nations claims it is part of the worst humanitarian crisis since the Second World War, with 20 million people facing devastating levels of food insecurity in a sweeping arc from West Africa to the Middle East.

Stephen OBrien, Britains former international development Minister now heading UN relief efforts, visited northern Kenya earlier this month to raise the alarm while an appeal was launched last week in Britain for Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan.

The UN claims the famine in East Africa is the worst humanitarian crisis since the Second World War, with 20 million facing 'devastating levels of food insecurity'

Crops are failing, food prices are rising and families are going hungry, said Mr OBrien. The spectre of hunger and disease is haunting East Africa again.

Thats true enough. Yet while drought is a dreadful act of nature, regularly striking these parts with frightening ferocity, the horrors of hunger and famine are different. For they are disasters made and inflamed by humans.

We simply should not see distressing images of malnourished children in the 21st Century. But in fast-growing Kenya, just as in war-torn Somalia and South Sudan, people are starving in misery because of gross political failure.

They are victims of vultures who feast on their country through wanton corruption, wearying tribalism and woeful governance.

Kenya has some of the worlds best-paid politicians who pamper themselves and their cronies while less fortunate citizens end up dead.

President Uhuru Kenyatta (left), son of Kenyas founding leader, is worth an estimated 400 million placing him among Africas wealthiest men. His deputy William Ruto (right), a former teacher, has also become amazingly rich

God makes drought and man makes famine, said John Githongo, the countrys most famous whistleblower who, in 2006, exposed a 500 million corruption scandal involving top politicians. In this day and age there should be no Kenyans dying for lack of food.

This courageous man is correct. Yet even now, as the scale of this crisis emerges with shocking clarity, political fat cats are calculating the best way to cream off cash from these lethal events.

This is, after all, a country led by people who have become obscenely rich in power, and whose president and vice-president only escaped charges of crimes against humanity after witness intimidation.

There is ceaseless theft from public coffers, even on the front line of the fight against drought. Among last years financial scandals were scams involving the health services and efforts to improve food security by irrigating more land.

What shameful contrast these crooks are to people such as Mansani Lemoyok, a tall woman in a tatty striped tank top whom I met beside her home created from scraps of sacking stretched over a web of bent wooden sticks.

Emmanuel's mother Veronica said: Sometimes I cant sleep since I am so depressed. I cant eat because there is no food and I am worried my baby is so sick. Then I cant go out to work.' The boy sits down, with his tongue lolling out

Two days earlier she had been forced to sell her last two cows. Mansani did not get much for the beasts since they had shrivelled from hunger and prices have fallen almost four-fold in recent months. But at least it meant some money to help her starving children, who constantly beg for food when she has little to offer beyond their single daily meal of maize porridge.

The children are always asking for food and milk, said the young mother of four. But I just have to tell them to keep quiet until the evening when we eat.

The droughts awful grip could be seen in scorched scrubland and shrivelled river beds around the hamlet of Lolngerded as we talked beneath straggly acacia trees offering shade from the savage sun.

It has been bad, really bad, since this drought came, Mansani said. This is the worst I have ever seen it  we have had no rain since December. We are all really worried.

Travelling around the Isiolo and Samburu regions, sometimes passing men frantically digging in dried ground to find water holes, I heard similar tales of deprivation and desperation among these proud pastoralist communities.

These are people whose lives revolve around cattle. The creatures are both a sign of status and source of the protein-rich blood and milk cocktail that helps families survive in such arid terrain. Yet hardly any could be seen alive.

The family are suffering from a famine in the Turkarna area in Northern Kenya. Drought has ravaged the country bringing sickness and starvation in its deadly wake

Some have died. Some have been killed for cash, despite crashing prices. And some have been slaughtered for food, such as the trio I saw  their heads staring balefully out of a puddle of their innards as I drove through a village whose people had combined their money to buy meat.

Whatever happens we share things around, said Ntausen Lolema, 44, a mother of eight waiting patiently with other women for a lump of flesh while men hacked up the beasts. But we are very afraid because when nothing is left what will we do?

Many surviving cattle have been driven huge distances to find food, invading the white Kenyan farming heartlands and provoking incendiary tensions over grazing rights. That was what lay behind the killing of a former British army officer on his ranch earlier this month.

Leloon, eight, pictured collecting water for the village of Lolngerded. Around the hamlet are scorched scrubland and shrivelled river beds

Experts blame the droughts severity on climate change, inflamed by rapid growth of population. A national emergency has been declared in Kenya with 2.7 million people suffering food insecurity and 180,000 children dropping out of school.

In a pitifully poor cluster of homes called Ololokwe  named after an imposing flat-topped mountain nearby  I met a grandmother named Naalmalees and her shy teenage relative Kumontare.

The women had just fetched water from a wind-powered pump, carrying heavy ten-litre containers hung from scarves round their heads for more than an hour despite the fierce heat and being famished from hunger. When there is no wind, they must walk three hours further to a bore hole along dusty paths punctuated by desiccated livestock carcasses. Everything seems to have changed this year, said Naalmalees. It is hotter and we have had less rain. I have never seen drought like this.

I do not have powers to change the climate or bring the drought to an end, so all I can do is encourage the younger ones to stay strong as we wait for the rain.

Both wore traditional Samburu beaded necklaces while the shine on copper rings in Kumontares ears showed she was newly married. If there is nothing in your stomach you are afraid, said the teenager. But we do not know what we can do.

We talked near the new grave of an old man who died in the drought, watched by skinny children. The villagers, eating at best once a day, told me they fear more of their young and old will succumb to starvation before the drought ends.

Ian Birrell speaks to Ntausem Lolema, 44, who has brought a cow to share with the community around Samburu, northern Kenya. She said: Whatever happens we share things around

Relief groups are scaling up their efforts in this middle-income country famed for its fertile land. Malnutrition rates seem higher here although the crisis seems bigger in South Sudan and Somalia, said Philippe Carette, country director for Action Against Hunger.

One in three young children have malnutrition in the worst-afflicted parts of Kenya. These are rates that demand an urgent response, said Mr Carette.

At a clinic in Isiolo run by the Catholic Church, I watched as a subdued 11-month-old boy was weighed, then his arm carefully measured to assess his malnutrition before he was given food supplements. We have a problem getting food since my husband does casual jobs and it is not constant, said the boys mother Sophia. The drought means there are few jobs, with no farming and more people wanting work.

Pictured, Sophia Ekileu, 21, and under nourished son Ciphus Ekau, 11 months. She said: The drought means there are few jobs'

On some days the family does not eat at all, especially since their small plot of kidney beans and maize dried up. Little wonder the tiny boy had a smear of clay, oil and cow dung across his forehead, a tribal mark for good luck.

He was found by Claudia, a 23-year-old volunteer who tours villages searching for malnourished youngsters. It is very distressing, she said. You see so many of these children and they are deteriorating so fast. Mothers are also starving. Few can quibble with urgent need for humanitarian help, yet troubling questions lie behind these scenes of tragedy.

Take neighbouring South Sudan, where the UN warns almost half the population of 12 million people is at risk from famine.

The short history of this nation  the worlds newest  is scarred by the most savage factional fighting over the spoils of oil and aid.

In 2012, just a year after becoming an independent country, the president begged senior officials to return 3.2 billion stolen from his impoverished state.

Yet aid poured in, especially from Britain, often ending up with warlords carrying out atrocities. It is hard to think of a more damning indictment of naive Western dreams of building functional states with huge dollops of aid.

There was even a fake ministry of finance for gullible foreign donors while generals carried on back-door dealings elsewhere.

Now the grotesque regime wants to rake off more cash from misery by ramping up visa costs to 8,000 for foreign aid workers flocking into the famine-hit country.

Similar venality is seen in Somalia, an anarchic state in which Islamist terror group al-Shabaab serves as a foil for Western failure. Famine has been a business here for 20 years, said Ben Rawlence, an author and analyst on the area.

Among the proud pastoralist communities of Samburu, there are tales of deprivation and desperation. Pictured, an unnamed child in the region, which is a semi desert

There are few cash sources in this shattered state. Britain pumps half a billion pounds of aid into Somalia while  as I revealed last year  accepting a certain risk of funds being diverted to terrorists and gangsters wrecking their country.

Meanwhile, one British expert told me of his frustration at being unable to drill cheap bore holes because only big aid outfits could access a 10 million Department for International Development fund.

Another source of income is illegal charcoal  and Kenyan army chiefs have been accused of taking a hefty cut in the lucrative trade sustaining the al-Shabaab forces they are supposed to be fighting in Somalia.

Given the egregious history of Kenyas elites, this is entirely believable. Close to half the population lives below the poverty line yet its self-serving MPs are the second-highest paid in the world.

Despite the drought crisis, Kenyas rulers have revealed plans to spend millions refurbishing other state lodgings. Pictured, a child in the desert around the Samburu region

Some pocket 60 times the average Kenyan salary, taking home 10,000 a month in pay and perks. And earlier this year, as hunger began to bite and doctors went on strike, they handed themselves an extra 100,000 each in payoffs after their terms expire this summer.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, son of Kenyas founding leader, is worth an estimated 400 million placing him among Africas wealthiest men.

His deputy William Ruto, a former teacher, has also become amazingly rich. Ruto lost a previous job as agriculture minister amid accusations of illegal sale of grain put aside for tough times.

Both men only escaped prosecution at the International Criminal Court over links to political violence after witnesses disappeared or were terrified into silence.

On Friday, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson visited State House, former home of the colonial governor that now serves as the presidents seat of power in the heart of Nairobi.

The British Foreign Secretary was handing over seven ambulances, bought with fines imposed on a British print firm found guilty of bribing Kenyan officials.

One in three young children have malnutrition in the worst-afflicted parts of Kenya. Pictured a child stands beside goats in the semi desert of Samburu

Despite the drought crisis, Kenyas rulers have revealed plans to spend millions refurbishing other state lodgings, including retreats enjoyed by Kenyatta and Ruto, as well as splashing out huge sums on homes for diplomats abroad.

Devolution of power under Kenyatta has improved infrastructure and relief efforts. Yet many ask why is there still hunger in this fertile, educated country that exports beans, coffee, flowers and tea to Europe?

Especially when Ethiopia, the country that once symbolised such issues and still suffers rigid state repression, is learning to navigate drought  without a massive mortality explosion  through peace and prudent planning.

For Boniface Mwangi, a prominent Kenyan activist, the answer is simple  contracts for relief distribution go only to firms with political connections.

He says: Our politicians capitalise on our peoples problems. Famine makes people money.
They are an elite fighting force with proud history and a fearsome reputation for being among the toughest soldiers in the British Army.

But now, in an extraordinary military first, a battalion of the crack Parachute Regiment are to receive key aspects of their training from Barclays Bank.

The astonishing scheme has echoes of the classic sitcom Dads Army, in which hapless bank manager Captain Mainwaring attempted to whip his platoon into shape.

A battalion of the Parachute Regiment (pictured) will receive training from Barclays Bank HQ in Canary Wharf, London. It is the first time a civilian corporation will help with military training

But despite criticisms of a civilian corporation taking a role in military training for the first time, top brass have hailed it an imaginative solution to the manpower crisis.

Barclays is sponsoring the training, which will take place at its London HQ in Canary Wharf and be conducted by its employees who are also trained instructors with the 4th Battalion The Parachute Regiment, a reserve unit.

Reservists will be drilled in all aspects of soldiering  including basic fitness, map-reading and first aid  but not the use of weapons, which will continue to be taught at Army Reserve Centres.

The bank is sponsoring the training, which is hoped to make it easier for reservists to fit their training around their civilian jobs. They will be drilled in all aspects of soldiering

The six-month trial is designed to make it easier for troops to fit in military training alongside their civilian jobs and aims to address the shortfall of 3,000 reservists predicted by 2019.

It was given the green light after a year of negotiations between the bank and Ministry of Defence, but retired senior officers have voiced fears.

Colonel Richard Kemp, who led British troops in Afghanistan, said: The key thing is that the Army maintains complete control over its high standards.

'No matter how desperate we are, that cannot be placed in the control of a civilian organisation.

The project is the brainchild of Colonel Stuart Tootal, a former commanding officer of the Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan who is now global head of security at Barclays.

In Dad's Army, hapless bank manager Captain Mainwaring tried to whip his home guard platoon into shape, with disastrous consequences

He said: This allows us to support our colleagues to fulfil their reserve service training commitments while pursuing their civilian careers  not least as journey times to their training will be shortened.

Lieutenant Colonel James Loudon, commanding officer of 4 Para, added: This allows us to bring the training to the reservists and ease their civilian work pressures while enhancing their military skills.

It is a win, win, win for the soldier, the civilian firm and 4 Para.

Though run by his battalion, the training will be available to members of all units and take place at other sites in Canary Wharf.

Members of 4 Para based elsewhere will continue to train at local centres.

Major General Simon Brooks-Ward, deputy commander of the Field Army, said: I am delighted with this imaginative solution.

While it will not replace traditional reserve centre-based training, it brings us another step closer to a modern, flexible Army reserve.

The number of soldiers in the British Army is at a 200-year low following budget cuts, but the MoD is falling short of its target of recruiting reserve troops to replace them.
That old cliche about going to India to find oneself can be tiresome. So, those who wince at the hippy path of patchouli and perspiration should visit Raas Devigarh in Rajasthan. This is spa-goes-mystical with luxury bells on.

A former 18th-century palace, the hotel has undergone an impressive makeover. But its the new Devi Blessings package that gives it especially good karma.

Everything - from the spa treatments to the yoga, meditation, and healing ceremonies - has been devised by Denise Leicester, of organic UK beauty brand Ila.

Palatial: Jane Alexander says that a stay at Raas Devigarh, in Rajasthan, is restorative

The aim? To recalibrate the central nervous system, calm the adrenals and provide spiritual sustenance, she says. Sounds ideal.

Devigarh rears up from an outcrop with views across a fertile bowl of land around which the Aravalli hills, some of the most ancient on the planet, curl.

My room is white, airy, serene and spacious, but the antithesis of sterile. The world from my turret window is a serene palate of moss, sage and ramshackle village life.

There are colourful pagodas atop temples, a birthday cake fort, cows wandering stiff-legged, as motorbikes weave around them. Two little girls dart after one another, wearing fuchsia and saffron.

Sense of calm: From superb spa treatments to yoga and healing ceremonies, all of the offerings at Raas Devigarh have been devised by Denise Leicester of UK beauty brand Ila

Sublime setting: The resort is perched on high, offering stunning views of the surrounding area

All too often, spa rituals are a bunch of random treatments. Here, they are subtle, sophisticated and potent. Each lasts two hours and is focused on a different energy centre of the body.

In the first session, my skin is scrubbed and massaged and my marma points (the Indian equivalent of acupuncture points) are gently pressed. This is sensory immersion  the scent of frankincense is calming; crystal singing bowls overlay the soothing chants.

There are colourful pagodas atop temples, a birthday cake fort, cows wandering stiff-legged, as motorbikes weave around them

In between treatments, I explore Devigarh. This is Gormenghast meets Gondor, Kings Landing with a dash of Narnia. There are a couple of wobbly lifts, but they dont take you far  its better to explore by stair and step.

There are surprises at every turn  a courtyard with a tall wooden swing here, a terrace heady with jasmine there.

Turn a corner and theres a swimming pool swathed in shadows. Climb a flight of steps and you stumble upon a meditation room, once the abode of a holy man. Back at Raas, try nidra (the yogic art of deep relaxation) which is designed to soothe.

Food at the retreat pairs clean flavours with palate-twitching spices. Even cauliflower becomes a moreish delicacy.

At night, Devigarh turns into a labyrinth of light with tiny lanterns shimmering. Follow a trail of petals to eat supper by candlelight, shadows dancing up the walls. This is more than the posh hippy dream. It is a balm for the soul.
We looked as if we were setting off on a weekend jaunt to Broadstairs. Most of us were white-haired, pensioners, and quite a number had dodgy knees.

But this was a Saga Holiday and Saga holidaymakers are a resilient and adventurous bunch.

Arent you daunted? I asked Margaret, a feisty octogenarian from Kent. I mean, Uzbekistan is not exactly your usual holiday destination.

Soaking in the sun-kissed sights: Mail on Sunday's Giles Milton went on a Saga Holiday to Uzbekistan (above, the stunning Registan in Samarkand)

Theres nothing daunting about Uzbekistan, dear, she said. I crossed the Mongolian desert a few years ago.

Our Heart Of The Silk Road itinerary promised the fabled caravan cities of Central Asia  Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, whose fantasy turrets and domes have long held a spell over Western travellers.

This was once the imperial playground of Tamerlane, warlord-turned-emperor, who ruthlessly conquered all the petty fiefdoms of Central Asia before launching a building programme like no other in history.

Central Asia was a land where oriental potentates carved out city-states that they ruled with autocratic splendour.

Nothing prepares you for your first glimpse of the Registan... lop-sided minarets and tile-clad facades that reflect and refract the sunlight like gigantic kaleidoscopes

Id always dreamed of visiting these far-flung realms but was daunted by the logistics of travelling to a place where most people speak only Uzbek or Russian.

But now, after a seven-hour flight to Tashkent, I was heading towards Bukhara with my 12 intrepid companions and a guide.

We arrived just as the fiery sun was slumping into the scrubland that surrounds the city. In the deepening twilight, the cliff-like ramparts seemed to march off into the night and the medieval mud-brick citadel was stacked up as a series of silhouettes.

In the Middle Ages, Bukhara was home to the greatest intellectuals of the Islamic world, but by the 19th Century it had degenerated into a city-state ruled by a capricious despot named Nasrullah Khan, who murdered his family and chief adviser.

Magic carpet ride: Traditional rugs on sale at the bazaar in the city of Bukhara

If only Bukhara were more accessible it would be awash with tourists. Yet we had the city to ourselves. Even the bazaars  stashed with spices, rugs and jewellery  were devoid of visitors.

Our guide, Devron, gave us all the juicy bits from history, including how medieval criminals used to be hurled off the top of a minaret each Friday.

He also explained how Uzbekistan has been transformed since gaining independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991.

In the deepening twilight, the cliff-like ramparts seemed to march off into the night and the medieval mud-brick citadel was stacked up as a series of silhouettes.

It is moderately Muslim, but women are forbidden from covering their faces, and alcohol is on sale in restaurants and bars.

The following morning, Devron took us to a mausoleum which houses the tomb of Bukharas unofficial saint, Bahauddin Naqshband (try saying that after a few vodkas), and it was awash with pilgrims.

It transpired that the principal object of curiosity was our group. Scores of pilgrims asked to be photographed with us. Theyve never seen English people before, explained Devron. Theyre amazed by you.

We left Bukhara by train for a three-hour journey to Samarkand, the most famous city on the Silk Road. Its future was guaranteed when Tamerlane selected it as his capital in 1370.

Sparkling: A dancer in traditional costume

The city never looked back, and it wasnt long before stunning mosques and madrassas began to be built.

Nothing prepares you for your first glimpse of the Registan, the citys massive central square. Its flanked by majolica domes, lop-sided minarets and tile-clad facades that reflect and refract the sunlight like gigantic kaleidoscopes. Another must-see is the observatory of Ulugh Beg, perhaps the most brilliant astronomer ever.

Part of Ulugh Begs sextant is still in situ. Long before the invention of the telescope, this vast measuring instrument enabled him to calculate that the Earths axial tilt was 23.20 degrees  a calculation confirmed by modern computer analysis.

Our final stop, Tashkent, struggles to compete with the colourful Silk Road cities. Its a strange hybrid of Uzbek, Soviet and imperial Russian. The Stalinist Uzbekistan Hotel has undergone a facelift, but itll take more than a lick of paint to transform it. Altogether more elegant is the former mansion of Grand Duke Nikolai Romanov.

I wandered through the backstreets, where black-marketeers gave me a rate for my dollars that was more than double what was being offered at the hotel. I became a millionaire in an instant, and spent the rest of the afternoon swaggering about with a bag full of tattered banknotes.

We flew back home with the feeling that we had visited an extraordinary place. My companions agreed that Uzbekistan seemed to have dropped from another world.
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From bustling swimming pools in South Africa to the wilds of Kyrgyzstan and the Faroe Islands, photographers from around the world have revealed where their 'meaningful places' would be.

In a bid to win the 2017 Zeiss Photography Award, the artists played with the given theme and traversed the globe to find their special spots.

Kevin Faingnaert from Ghent, Belgium, was crowned the winner with his photography project Foroyar, which investigates the peace of life on the remote and sparsely populated Faroe Islands.

He said the area became a 'meaningful place' for him because of the 'small, simple comforts of life... listening to stories told in the welcoming warmth of Faroese homes, the sound of songs against the roaring backdrop of the sea, and my memorable encounter with a message-in-a-bottle collector on the beach'.

Claire Richardson, the picture editor of Lonely Planet Traveller and one of the judges on the Zeiss Photography Award panel, praised Faingnaert for his 'tenderly composed portraits which immediately draw you in'.

The judges also recognised the work of nine further photographers, with all of their work set to be exhibited in London at Somerset House from April 20 to May 7.

In February 2016, Kevin Faingnaert immersed himself in the community of the remote Faroe Islands. He couch-surfed and hitch-hiked his way across the islands, finding doors opening everywhere he went

Dressed to impress: Christopher Roche from the UK was shortlisted for this image in Tibet, taken as part of his Devotion series of photographs, which explores different faith traditions across the world. He says the images reveal a 'shared thirst for spiritual fulfillment'

Super seven: Fabian Muir from Australia wanted to depict North Korea in a different way, in 'an attempt to go past the cliche and open unexpected perspectives to the viewer' (above, a septet of children pose in matching outfits on a sofa)

Crowd-pleaser: British photographer Christopher Roche captures the burning Ghats of India

Water baby: South African photographer Nicky Newman says whenever she is stressed or sad she heads to the ocean or pool

Childhood memories: Newman says she has an 'ongoing love affair' with The Pavilion, a special public pool in Cape Town, separated from the ocean by a single wall

My meaningful place: Ben Bond Obiri Asamoah from Ghana works as a fashion and portrait photographer. Although he lives in a city environment he travelled to a rural community to experience 'raw uncut, everyday, unpolished beauties'

Girl power: Sonja Hamad from Germany focused her work on the woman of Western Kurdistan

Contrast of cultures: Sonja Hamad said the women she encountered 'muster up the courage to face the heavily armed IS in Syria' (left) while photo contest winner Kevin Faignaert found the people on the remote Faroe Islands fascinating (right)

Say a prayer for me: Mario Adario from Italy ventured to Ethiopia in January 2015 to document various rituals in the area. He says 'pilgrims from all over the country flock to the sacred city of Lalibela to pray in the famous rock-hewn churches'

Taking time out: Nicholas White from the UK headed out into the countryside to find his special spot

The Brit focused his work on capturing mountain bothies, which provide a refuge from the vast terrain that surrounds them

Ray of sunshine: Fabian Muir says 'life in North Korea is by no means one of constant singing, visits to the beach or fun fairs. But nor is it a constant military parade or weapon's test'

A world away: Bulgarian photographer Anna Filipova visited Ny-Alesund. It's situated on the 79N parallel on Svalbard Archipelago, which makes it the most northerly civilian settlement in the world

Filipova says Ny-Alesund is 'unique and one of the most peculiar places on earth, housing the largest laboratory for modern Arctic research in existence, alongside a predominant population of research scientists'

Snow-swept: Frederik Buyckx from Belgium says 'Kyrgyzstan has always been a nation of horsemen and has rich nomadic heritage and traditions that have been woven into the identity of the Kyrgyz people'
Ancient charm: The Plaza de Espana in Seville

We knew Seville was one of the hottest places in Spain. What we didnt predict was the wettest weather for a decade. It was so bad they closed the Andalusian capitals spectacular Plaza de Espana.

A pity, but cruising the streets in a car while trying to find our hotel, we saw some of the old towns most spectacular sights  without getting wet.

The Gothic cathedral, and its Giralda bell tower (a converted 12th Century Moorish minaret made partly of stones from an old Roman wall) are magnificent.

Seville is 2,200 years old, and its beauty has attracted film crews  Lawrence Of Arabia was shot here  and inspired operas such as Fidelio, The Marriage Of Figaro, Carmen and, of course, The Barber Of Seville.

One way to beat the rain is to do the tapas equivalent of a pub crawl, trying a couple of small dishes in one restaurant after another. And rain or shine, you could never run out of things to see and do here.

But should you want to escape the city for a day, its tempting to visit Ronda, 80 miles away, which we did on our way back to Gibraltar for our flight back home.

It is perched above the River Guadalevin, which divides the town in two, carving out the steep and spectacular El Tajo canyon, which has three ancient bridges.

Hemingway and Orson Welles spent summers in La Ciudad, the old town quarter, and both wrote about Ronda.

Hemingway and Orson Welles spent summers in La Ciudad, the old town quarter, and both wrote about Ronda.

In spite of another downpour, wed soon covered the 70 miles back to La Linea, right on the Gibraltar border, and home to our hosts.

We had a birds-eye view of the border from their penthouse flat window, and we could tell when a plane was due to take off or land because the border closed.

The road into Gibraltar town centre crosses the somewhat scary runway, so motorists are left queuing until the runway is clear.

At least the sun pierced the gloom a little as we toured the Rock.

The upper area is a nature reserve populated by its celebrated Barbary macaque monkeys. Unlike us, they didnt seem to mind to recent deluges.
She's the Sydney nurse who has enjoyed one of the more stable love matches on Married At First Sight.

And Alene Khatcherian has revealed she plans to keep normalcy going once the show ends and will return to her job nursing.

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, the 31-year-old said that she has no interest in a media career and only went on the show because she was 'getting desperate' in her search for love.

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'I was getting desperate': Married At First Sight's Alene Khactcherian went on the show because she was 'sick of being alone' and plans to stick to nursing once series ends

Alene was matched on the show with Ipswich truckie Simon McQuillan, with the two enjoying a scandal-free relationship in the face of other couple's cheating scandals and verbal spats.

The couple have also expressed no interest in further media attention, unlike their fellow contestants who have used their time on the show to attend events and boost their social media profiles.

The bubbly brunette told News Corp Australia that she had only gone on the show because she wanted to find love.

Lucky in love: Alene was matched on the show with Ipswich truckie Simon McQuillan, with the two enjoying a scandal-free relationship

'I actually applied because I was getting desperate': The bubbly brunette told News Corp Australia that she had only gone on the show because she wanted to find love

'I actually applied because I was getting desperate, I was sick of being alone,' Alene confessed.

She also explained that she had made a conscious effort to be herself and act naturally on the show, and would be happy to have things return to normal once the show's publicity died down.

'I know media and TV work is not for me, I will stick to nursing,' Alene said.

Alene revealed that she had received a largely positive reaction from the public, often getting stopped on the street by fans.

'I know media and TV work is not for me': She also explained that she had made a conscious effort to be herself and act naturally on the show

She said the warm reception was in contrast to her school yard days.

'I was never that popular at school so this was a welcome relief,' Alene said.

During a recent Married At First Sight episode, Alene hinted that she would be open to relocating to the country to live with Simon.

The couple have purposefully been taking things slow during their relationship, with Simon explaining that he wouldn't be saying I love you to Alene until they were further along.
She knows a bargain when she sees it.

Olympic gold-medal swimmer Ryan Lochte's pregnant fiancee Kayla Rae Reid took to Instagram on Thursday to share her latest fashion look - a beautiful off-the-shoulder lace mini-dress that cost just $19.

'Can't decide what's better,' she captioned the selfie, 'my amazing organic spray tan from @bronzedbunny or my 19$ dress from @tjmaxx ... pretty sure I love both.'

Bargain hunter: 'Can't decide what's better,' Olympic gold-medal swimmer Ryan Lochte's pregnant fiancee Kayla Rae Reid captioned this selfie on Thursday, 'my amazing organic spray tan from @bronzedbunny or my 19$ dress from @tjmaxx ... pretty sure I love both'

The 25-year-old former Playboy model took the snap standing in the nursery that she's getting ready for the baby boy she and Ryan are expecting.

Kayla Rae wasn't wearing a lick of make-up, allowing her natural beauty to shine as her blonde hair cascaded down her back.

She and Ryan have chosen to paint the nursery yellow and have already bought a large grey cot for their little boy, which looks big enough to last until he's a toddler.

Lip lock: On Thursday night the parents-to-be kissed as they enjoyed a grown-up night out at the Tao Group Los Angeles Grand Opening Block Party in West Hollywood. Kayla Rae shared the snap, captioned, 'Date night with my two boys' adding a heart emoji

A glass side lamp and a plush white Mother Goose stuffed toy sat on a matching side table.

On Thursday evening she and the 32-year-old athlete joined celebs at the Tao Group Los Angeles Grand Opening Block Party held at the corner of Selma Avenue and N. Cahuenga Boulevard in West Hollywood.

Ryan, who looked tanned and relaxed, was dressed in a smart suit and crisp white shirt.

Ryan looked tanned and relaxed in a smart suit and crisp white shirt while Kayla Rae opted for a cream dress and a beige long-line jacket

Kayla Rae showcased her blossoming baby bump in a high-necked cream dress teamed with a beige, long-line jacket, and accessorized with a tan suede clutch and lace-up heels.

She shared an Instagram as she and Ryan kissed at the event, captioned: 'Date night with my my two boys' adding a heart emoji.

The couple, who met in January 2016 at a party at Bootsy Bellows in West Hollywood, have enjoyed a whirlwind romance.

Checking stuff out: The couple, who met in January 2016 at Bootsy Bellows in West Hollywood, went to Kari Feinstein's Pre-Oscar Style Lounge at the Andaz Hotel on February 23 in LA

Ryan surprised fans in October when he announced he had popped the question to Kayla Rae.

And in December, the 6ft 4ins athlete took to Instagram to tell his 975,000-plus followers that they were expecting their first child.

'My Christmas gift came early this year, cant wait for next year!' said Ryan, who was pictured kissing the beauty's baby bump underwater in a swimming pool. 'Best news Ive ever received.'
They were last photographed in public together having a bitter fight on a Perth street in February.

And amid rumours that the couple may have split, The Bachelor's Alex Nation, 25, has made a solo appearance at Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival on Friday night.

But the single mother made sure to wear her diamond promise ring, given to her by Richie Strahan, 32, in the show's finale last year.

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It's still on! Alex Nation goes solo at VAMFF but wears her promise ring from Richie Strahan

Alex cut a chic figure at the Melbourne event, wearing a striking black Shona Joy dress which featured a sheer skirt.

The blonde beauty showed off her recently shorter hair, which was styled into elegant waves.

The reality TV accessorised with a gold choker and notably her promise ring given to her by Richie when he declared his love for her last year.

Stylish: Alex cut a chic figure at the Melbourne event, wearing a striking black Shona Joy dress which featured a sheer skirt

The white gold promise ring was worn by Alex on her right hand's middle finger and features two diamond-encrusted bands that are connected by a larger rose-cut diamond at the centre.

While Alex uploaded to Instagram her own photos from the night out at VAMFF she has not shared an image of she and Richie on social media for the past six weeks.

Richie has also not shared a snap of him and Alex together for three weeks, with the couple last making a public event appearance at the Australian Open in January.

Bling ring: The white gold promise ring features two diamond-encrusted bands that are connected by a larger rose-cut diamond at the centre, complete with light reflecting facets

Promise ring: Richie gave Alex the diamond piece as he revealed he was in love with her on The Bachelor's finale

In February, Alex and Richie were pictured looking tense on a Perth street, with the single mother's eyes appearing bloodshot from crying.

Despite Alex looking distraught, Richie did not offer any comfort to his partner, instead choosing to walk in front of her.

NW Magazine reported the couple had a 'huge fight' in public and a witness had said Alex's eyes were 'red raw from crying'.

Trouble in paradise? In February, Alex and Richie were pictured looking tense on a Perth street, with the single mother's eyes appearing bloodshot from crying

Why the gap? Richie has also not shared a snap of him and Alex together for three weeks, with the couple last making a public event appearance at the Australian Open in January

This week New Idea claimed the couple were struggling with the geographical distance between them, with Alex residing in Victoria's Mornington Peninsula while Richie lives in Perth.

The publication claimed that the Richie and Alex had been spending weekends apart recently.

'Alex's little boy Elijah had spent the weekend with his dad. Usually when this happens, she makes most of her time and heads straight to Perth to see Richie,' an insider revealed.

'The fact that they both spent the weekend alone is unusual.'
Eden Sassoon is not taking life advice from Wendy Williams.

The 43-year-old daughter of late makeup magnate Vidal Sassoon shot back on Twitter Friday after the talk show host warned her of the dangers of meeting an online mystery man in person, calling her 'entitled' in the process.

Eden, who's a cast member on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, recently revealed on the Bravo reality series that she was slated to meet her romantic interest, who's nicknamed London, in New York City.

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Feud alert! Eden Sassoon (L) Friday jabbed back at Wendy Williams (R) after the talk show host called her 'entitled' in a segment on her program

Wendy examined Eden's romance with a skeptical eye amid her segment, Hot Topics, on her talk show. She said that Eden might be out of touch with the dangers of meeting strangers over the Internet.

'I think that she's got that growing up rich and entitled thing,' she said, 'where she's not really on track with what is going on out here.'

She said that Eden's bachelor could be a killer, or carrying incurable sexual diseases.

Red carpet ravishing: Eden was snapped at an Academy Award bash last month in LA

Bling: Wendy sported glimmering jewelery and a fur coat in New York last month

'People get very angry when they realize that they got something that maybe is incurable and they do terrible terrible things,' Williams said.

The 52-year-old New Jersey native also remarked about Eden's vulnerability, as a wealthy heiress, to potential criminal-minded Lotharios.

'He could find out you're a Sassoon, wait for you to get into the shower, go into your check book, steal a few checks from the bottom - you never steal from the top! Get smart before someone takes from the bottom of your checkbook,' Williams said.

Answering back: Eden took exception to the notion that she was spoiled and entitled, pointing out that she's been working since her teens with her family's encouragement

Legacy: Eden defended her work ethic, stating how her father passed it down to her

After catching wind of the warning, Eden fired back on Twitter with a series of posts defending her character, while saying that she lost all respect for Williams (sans her weight loss).

Eden, who runs a nonprofit called Beauty Gives Back, took exception to Wendy's characterization of her as 'rich and entitled,' as she said that she's been working since the age of 15, with her first job at Mrs. Field's Cookies at the insistence of her famous father.

90210: Eden (L) posed with her Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills castmates at a premiere in LA in December

Eden, who is also the proprietor of two Los Angeles-based Pilates studios, wrote, 'Know the facts before u speak #Sassoon came from nothing & raised his children knowing the value of a dollar & the importance of others', adding, 'the fact that u would ever call me #entitled is a slap in my [father's] face.'

Eden noted that she'd previous sent Williams a wig, because she knew she was fond of them, and called upon the host for an apology.
Fans of the Great British Bake Off were up in arms on Thursday following the announcement of Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig as the new hosts.

However it has now been claimed that the Mighty Boosh star, 43, and the comedienne were not the top choices for the role - and were only picked following the rejections of a number of other stars.

According to The Sun, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and comedic duo French and Saunders turned down the presenting gig prior to Noel and Sandi's appointment - which has left show bosses concerned about the new line-up's success.

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Fraught: It has been claimed that Noel Fielding (L) and Sandi Toksvig (R) were not the top choices for the hosting role on the Channel 4 revamp of the Great British Bake Off

The paper reports that the famous 'Naked Chef', Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders had been given the opportunity to host the Channel 4 version of the beloved baking show.

However a source told the paper that the channel's 'most loyal presenters' did not believe the series could work away from the BBC - leading them to cast Noel and Sandi instead, alongside Prue Leith.

A source close to the show revealed: 'Noel and Sandi are an odd combination and they certainly werent top of the list  or even tenth on the list.'

In demand: It has been reported that famous TV chef Jamie Oliver (above) had first been approached for the role

Following suit: Dawn French (R) and Jennifer Saunders had also been given the opportunity to host - but opted against it like Jamie as they felt it could not work away from the BBC

The insider then went on to claim that Love Productions, the creators of the original premise, are now concerned about what will happen to the show's popularity and cult following.

The producers are reportedly fearful that Noel, who is best known for his wacky sense of humour, will not translate with elderly viewers or school kids.

The Bake Off source continued: 'A lot of people at Love Productions are worried about what Channel 4 is going to do with their show.

'Noel is going to turn off a lot of the family viewing that made Bake Off such a favourite.'

Bad to worse: The show's producers are now reportedly concerned about what will happen to the show's popularity - with them unsure of how viewers will receive Noel's quirky humour

Representatives for Love Productions told MailOnline: 'Love Productions chose Noel and Sandi as hosts of GBBO in full collaboration with Channel 4 and we are all thrilled to have secured such a terrific team.

'The notion of any dispute between Love and Channel 4 is nonsense and totally untrue, we enjoy a great creative relationship.'

After months of speculation, Noel and Sandi Toksvig were confirmed as the new hosts of the beloved baking show on Thursday.

The trio will join expert new judge Prue, as well as show stalwart Paul Hollywood, when the series returns to screens later this year on Channel 4.

However, not everyone was pleased the shock new casting, with Bake Off fans taking to Twitter to slam the line-up.

Surprising new choice: After months of speculation, Noel Fielding has been confirmed as the as one of the new hosts of The Great British Bake Off

One user wrote: 'Noel Fielding is an unfunny creep and he's going to RUIN BAKE OFF. THIS IS THE WORST DECISION #gbbo.'

Others added: 'Is @Channel4 having an early attempt at an April fools day joke? Noel Fielding? WTF #GBBO', and 'Noel Fielding?! Really? RIP #gbbo'

Discussing his new role, Noel - famed for his role in The Mighty Boosh - said: 'GBBO is one of my favourite shows.

'I've always loved brightly coloured cakes and Sandi Toksvig so this is a dream come true for me! It's basically the double.'

New stars: Prue Leith will be joining the new Great British Bake Off team as a judge, whilst Sandi Toksvig will take on a hosting role alongside Noel Fielding

Returning: The new line-up is completed by returning judge Paul Hollywood

Prue echoed his sentiments as she announced: 'I am just so thrilled to be joining Paul, Sandi and Noel on the biggest show on TV and I cannot wait to see what the real stars of the show  the bakers  are going to create for us.

'It is such an honour to be part of The Great British Bake Off team.'

Another new addition, Sandi, described the new role as an 'extraordinary honour' as she gushed: 'It is an extraordinary honour to part of this national treasure of a show.

The originals: Following Love Production's decision to leave the BBC, Mary Berry, Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc quit the show, whilst Paul decided to move to Channel 4

New face: Noel will take on a hosting role in the new revamped show, replacing Sue Perkins

Out with the old: Sandi will be replacing Mel Giedroyc as one half of the double act

Shoo-in: Prue Leith has been announced as Mary Berry's replacement

She continued: 'Noel Fielding is one of the nicest guys in show business. The first time I met him I felt like I had met a rather wayward cousin whose take on the world made me laugh.

'The only down side is that he has much better dress sense that I do. I spend my daytimes on Channel 4 already so it will be a treat to be there in the evenings.

'I am so delighted to be working with Love Productions and Channel 4 on this best of British show.'

The Mighty (Amouse) Boosh: A look back at new GBBO host Noel Fielding's wacky career Noel began working as a stand-up comedian in the late 1990s

He soared to fame in 2004 when he starred in long-running surreal comic fantasy series The Mighty Boosh

The star is also a talented artist, ans held his first exhibition, entitled Psychedelic Dreams of the Jelly Fox, in 2008

In 2009 he was picked to be a team captain on The Mighty Buzzcocks

In 2011 he founded alternative music band, Loose Tapestries

Noel has had guest roles in The IT Crowd, AD/BC: A Rock Opera and Garth Marenghi's Darkplace Advertisement

Explaining the changes viewers can expect to see, Channel 4 Chief Creative Officer Jay Hunt announced: 'The Great British Bake Off will have a uniquely Channel 4 take when it airs this autumn.

'Paul and Prue have huge amounts of expertise and warmth. I'm looking forward to seeing them putting our great new bunch of amateur bakers through their paces.

'Sandi and Noel bring a fresh wit and quirkiness to the tent.'

Great British Bake Off ended its seven series run with the BBC in September after they were unable to match rival broadcaster Channel 4's reported bid of 75m.

Following Love Production's decision to move channels, judge Mary Berry, and hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc quit the show.

Paul was the only member of the team who decided to make the move to Channel 4 with the programme.

Speculation as to who the new host could be has been rife for months, but Prue was named of the frontrunners from the start.

Ahead of the announcement, Prue told the Daily Mail that she was terrified of 'doing a Chris Evans' but admitted she would love the chance to pick up Mary Berry's mantle.

Reports have speculated Prue was offered at least 200,000 for the role, dwarfing the 70,000 Mary was paid when the BBC broadcast the show.

Unsure: Fans were not sure what to make of Noel Fielding's surprise casting

Referring to former Top Gear presenter Chris Evans' doomed attempt to step into the shoes of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, Prue quipped: 'It's a bit scary following Mary, but I don't want to do a Chris Evans.'

She also backed Paul's decision to follow the show to its new home, despite the departure of his co-presenters.

She said: 'I think Paul Hollywood was quite perfectly within his rights to stay with Love Productions. They'd made him famous, he was getting a decent salary and he was enjoying it.

'Why shouldn't he stay with them?'

Payrise: Reports have speculated Prue was offered at least 200,000 for the role, dwarfing the 70,000 Miss Berry was paid when the BBC broadcast the show

Awkward: Prue revealed she did not want to be like Chris Evans - who had a doomed attempt stepping into the shoes of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May for Top Gear

On his side: Speaking to the Daily Mail, Prue backed Paul Hollywood's decision to follow the show to its new home on Channel 4, despite the departure of his co-presenters

Prue, who lives in a Jacobean Cotswolds village, was married to author Rayne Kruger for 38 years until his death in 2002.

The grandmother's book Leith's Cookery Bible is revered in the culinary world, and she has plenty of TV judging experience, having spent 10 years on BBC2's Great British Menu.

The author, who founded cookery school Leith's in 1975, received an OBE in 1989 and a CBE in 2010.

She married retired clothes designer John Playfair, 69, last year.
Blac Chyna's is known for turning heads with her sultry Instagrams, but her latest shot may be giving some a case of deja vu.

Posting a slinky image of herself clad in lingerie and glammed to the nines, it looked like the mother-of-two may have taken a note out of Kylie Jenner's playbook.

It was hard to ignore how the 28-year-old's pic looked surprisingly similar to images Kylie posted to promote her online store's launch last Fall.

Look-a-like? Blac Chyna posted a sultry Instagram shot that reminded some of Kylie Jenner's provocative photos to launch her lingerie line

Mirror, mirror? Chyna's Instagram looked a lot like some sexy images Kylie used to promote her Kylie Shop last fall

In the photo, the video vixen reclines on a luxurious bed, showing off her thick thighs and curvy bosom in a barely-there sequined number where the glamorous star's hair matches the rosy glow of the photo.

The picture bares a striking resemblance to Kylie pics where she was sporting bombshell blonde hair while posing in provocative lingerie. Chyna's rose gold locks are also evocative of an earlier Jenner look.

This is far from the first time that the ex of Rob Kardashian borrowed from the Calabasas local's style.

Pretty in pink: The video vixen is on the cover of Cosmopolitan South Africa this month, where she rocks a rosy hair color and poses in a number of boudoir style shots

Rosy! Chyna also sported rose gold hair, which Kylie rocked back during Summer 2016

The Washington DC native and KUWTK star are both makeup entrepreneurs. Chyna's Lashed line even sells the same style of liquid lipstick that made Kylie's lip kits a sensation.

The two social media stars have a relatively frosty relationship, as the step-sister of Rob Kardashian is currently dating Tyga, who is the father of Chyna's four-year-old King.

Last year the former stripper also let herself be inspired by Kim K, releasing a set of 'Chy-moji' emoji's for iPhone. Kim released her own Kim-moji set in 2015.

Frenemies: Blac and Kylie have a unique relationship. The 19-year-old star is now dating Chyna's ex and the father of her son, Tyga

More similarities: Blac has her own makeup line called Lashed, another way she and Kylie Jenner are similar

Try as she might, it's unlikely that the mother of two will ever have the Kardashian surname.

Chyna and Rob broke off their engagement in January after enduring a stormy relationship, but the pair has said they are still committed to raising their daughter Dream together.

Interestingly, today's provocative shot was posted on ex-fiance Rob Kardashian's 30th birthday.

'Happy Birthday Rob!' Blac Chyna publicly buries the hatchet with Kardashian ex... despite claims he wants dual custody of baby Dream

What's the problem? The Washington DC native was spotted arriving to Rob Kardashian's birthday without the massive engagement ring Rob gave her during their relationship. It's reported the former couple are at odds over the custody of their daughter Dream

Earlier, the star proved she and the sock entrepreneur were on good terms by sharing a throwback pic of the former couple while wishing him a happy birthday.

Later in the day Chyna was pictured arriving at Rob's birthday celebration with gifts in hand.

The star was not wearing her ring, however, as it is reported the reality duo are at odds over who will get main custody of their four-month-old daughter Dream Renee Kardashian.
What happens in Cabo does not stay in Cabo.

Brandi Glanville is turning up the heat in Cabos San Lucas, Mexico, as she helps boyfriend Donald 'DJ' Friese celebrate his birthday.

The 44-year-old shared some saucy snaps of herself, her beau and their pals on Instagram on Friday.

Party time: Brandi Glanville turned up the heat in Cabos San Lucas, Mexico, on Friday as she helped boyfriend Donald 'DJ' Friese celebrate his birthday

Aside from the obligatory group shot, the star also shared a snap of herself and the birthday boy posed up on grand white chairs by the pool.

With her legs stretched out across DJ, the former Real Housewives star declared them 'the royal couple of Cabo'.

They were not exactly behaving like royalty as in another snap Brandi and her pal each stood over their partners and flashed their swimsuit-clad derriere's to the camera.

The 44-year-old reality star opted for a tiny almost thong bikini which was purple highlighting her tan.

Saucy ladies: In an Instagram snap Brandi and her pal each stood over their partners and flashed their swimsuit-clad derriere's to the camera

Itty bitty: The 44-year-old reality star opted for a tiny almost thong bikini which was purple highlighting her tan

Brandi and DJ have been dating for around six months after meeting on Tinder.

But it has been all systems go with the pair often declaring their love for each other on social media and even posting a naked selfie on Valentine's Day.

DJ is in line to inherit a huge slice of his billionaire father's fortune. Donald Sr made waves after he sold his business C.R. Laurence for an eye-watering $1.3 billion, then handed over $85 million to his employees.
He's currently in Australia to host the multi-sports festival, The Arnold Classic, in Melbourne.

And during one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's promotional duties on Friday, the former Governor of California was gifted a helmet by television journalist Seb Costello.

The random act of kindness was in relation to the 69-year-old being spotted without one, when riding a bike on the city's streets during his last visit.

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Wear it if you want to live! Arnold Schwarzenegger, 69, was gifted a helmet by a television journalist in Melbourne on Friday, after being spotted riding without one on his last Australian visit

Seb, a reporter for Channel Nine News, took to his Twitter account shortly after the press conference.

A picture saw the helmet left on Arnold's table as he answered questions regarding the festival.

Seb Tweeted alongside the image: 'Last time @Schwarzenegger was in Melb he got snapped riding a bike without a helmet. It won't happen again, I just gave him a brand new one.'

Hilarious: Seb Tweeted alongside the image: 'Last time @Schwarzenegger was in Melb he got snapped riding a bike without a helmet. It won't happen again, I just gave him a brand new one'

The helmet was in relation to Arnold's previous Melbourne trip that saw him riding on the city's streets, without wearing any safety gear.

Arnold was pictured wearing a T-shirt, shorts, joggers and sunglasses, while utilising one of the Melbourne council's city bikes, without a helmet.

Meanwhile on his current visit Down Under, The Terminator star has been in no mood to discuss his feud with US President Donald Trump.

Couldn't find one? The last time Arnold was in Melbourne, he was pictured utilising one of the council's bicycles, but failed to wear a helmet

On Friday, Arnold shut down a question about Trump during an interview on Channel Ten's The Project.

Host Gorgi Coghlan directly asked the muscular personality: 'Do you think Trump will last the four years (of his presidency)?'

But Arnold bizarrely deflected the question by pretending the journalist had asked about The Arnold Classic, the event he was promoting.

In a surreal exchange, he said: 'The Arnold Classic, we will be here for four years, much longer. I think for the next 400 years you will see Arnold Classic in Melbourne.'

Changing the subject! Arnold shut down a question about whether President Donald Trump will last four years in office during an Australian TV interview on Friday

Arnold is a prominent Republican who served two terms as the Governor of California from 2003 to 2010. He stated last year that he would not vote for Trump in the presidential election.

The Kindergarten Cop actor explained he wouldn't be voting for the billionaire businessman, despite having voted for the Republican candidate in every election since becoming an American citizen in 1983.

The bitter fall-out between the two intensified when Arnold signed up as host of The Celebrity Apprentice, taking over from Trump.

Quick thinking? Arnold bizarrely deflected the question by pretending the journalist had asked about The Arnold Classic, the sports event he was promoting

In January, Trump claimed Arnold's tenure on the show was plagued by poor ratings, as he posted several tweets about the reality TV series.

'Wow the ratings are in and Arnold Schwarzenegger got 'swamped' (or destroyed) by comparisons to the ratings machine, DJT.

'So much for being a movie star - and that was season 1 compared to season 14. Now compare him to my season 1. But who cares, he supported (John) Kasich and Hillary (Clinton).'

Feud: Arnold is a prominent Republican who served two terms as the Governor of California from 2003 to 2010. He said last year he would not vote for Trump in the presidential election

Last month, Trump again took to Twitter to criticise the Jingle All The Way star.

'Yes, Arnold Schwarzenegger did a really bad job as Governor of California and even worse on the Apprentice... but at least he tried hard!'

In an interview with Men's Journal, Arnie addressed Trump's tirade by jokingly saying: 'I called my assistant and said, "I think what we really should do is request a meeting and go back to New York. And then we just smash his face into the table."

Tirade: The fall-out between the two intensified when Arnold became host of The Celebrity Apprentice, taking over from Trump. And in January, Trump claimed Arnold's tenure on the show was plagued by poor ratings, as he posted several tweets about the reality TV series

'At least he tried!' Donald tweeted in February, 'Arnold Schwarzenegger did a really bad job as Governor of California and even worse on the Apprentice'

The bad blood between the pair has continued, with Arnold announcing he was stepping down from Celebrity Apprentice this month after just one season.

He claimed the show has 'baggage', saying: 'With Trump being involved in the show people have a bad taste and don't want to participate as a spectator or as a sponsor or in any other way support the show.'

But the President hit back, saying that Arnold was instead fired from the show for 'pathetic ratings.'
They've been accused by fans of lacking chemistry, and things looked tense between new couple Nick Viall and Vanessa Grimaldi during an outing in Hollywood on Friday.

Dressed in matching black workout gear, The Bachelor hunk and his chosen lady appeared disconnected as they walked down the street together.

Nick, who kept his headphones in his ears, was seen walking with his arms folded, while his new fiancee kept her head down and was seen with a serious expression on her face.

Working it out: Vanessa Grimaldi and Nick Viall seemed tense as they walked through Hollywood dressed in gym gear on Friday

All for show? Fans have accused the couple of lacking chemistry, with some questioning the legitimacy of their relationship

After spotting the cameras though, the pair drastically perked up, both smiling and laughing with one another.

It comes after their awkward appearance together on After The Final Rose on Monday, which left some fans wondering if they were even together.

But Nick, 36, defended their strained appearance on the TV special.

Putting on a brave smile: The pair's moods drastically changed after they spotted the cameras in front of them

'After The Final Rose had a heavy tone to it,' he told The Insider. 'We made a conscious choice to not show up and be like, "Oh my God..." Things are great, but also, this hasn't been the easiest.'

Vanessa, 29, also spoke about their controversial appearance on the show, saying they're just trying to be 'realistic' about their relationship.

'We're very optimistic about the future but it's just we are very realistic about real life,' she added.

Speaking honestly: 'Things are great, but also, this hasn't been the easiest,' The Bachelor hunk revealed of his relationship

But it wasn't just fans who noticed the tension between the pair.

After watching ATFR, last year's Bachelor Ben Higgins offered up some advice to the new couple.

'It sounds like their relationship is off to maybe a difficult start,' the 28-year-old told ET. '[Nick] needs to start investing in their relationship more than anything else. That would be my advice. It is a tough season of life.'
Danny Dyer is set to return to Eastenders very soon following a well-publicised extended break.

The soap-star, 39 - who takes on the role of pub landlord Mick Carter in the popular BBC soap - reportedly paid Albert Square a visit to discuss his upcoming storylines.

A source told Daily Star: 'He dropped in to get his new scripts. He hasnt started filming just yet. But he is expected to return imminently.'

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'He will be back imminently': Danny Dyer, 39, is set to return to Eastenders very soon following a well-publicised extended break

'Everyone is looking forward to seeing him back in action. Hes one of the soaps key stars,' the insider continued.

This comes after writers of the hit soap reportedly 'working around the clock' to amend his character's impending story-lines.

The actor has fast become a fan favourite and is currently involved in some big storylines, including the funeral of his grandmother.

But due to his recent break from the soap, writers may have to come up with an 'excuse' why the character will not attend the funeral.

'He dropped in': The soap-star - who takes on the role of pub landlord Mick Carter in the popular BBC soap - reportedly dropped by Albert Square to discuss his upcoming storylines

Under pressure: This comes after writers of the hit soap reportedly 'working around the clock' to amend his character's impending story-lines

An insider told the Daily Star newspaper: 'It's going to look very odd for Mick not to attend the funeral, but the writers are having to come up with some excuse as to why he cannot be there.

'We all know Danny comes first so the writers are working around the clock to tweak key stories.'

However, an EastEnders spokesperson told MailOnline the claims have been exaggerated, revealing that show writers 'were well aware of Danny's break and are not working around the clock to amend storylines'.

The actor recently took a break from the soap amid claims he was suffering from 'exhaustion and stress'.

Drama: The actor has fast become a fan favourite and is currently involved in some big storylines, including the upcoming funeral of his grandmother

Danny jetted off to South Africa last month to recuperate in the midst of his momentary split from the BBC show.

But he returned to Britain earlier this week as he was spotted reunited with wife Joanne Mas on a shopping trip in Essex on Wednesday.

It was reported in January that an incident at the National Television Awards saw an 'intoxicated' Danny become embroiled in a 'meltdown' leading to claims that he was bowing out of EastEnders for a rest period.

Despite the claims, and an accompanying video, soap bosses came forward after the leaked clip to deny that he is 'spiralling out of control, exhausted and needs to control his temper.'

Loved up: Danny is reportedly planning to whisk his wife Joanne Mas on a 'no expenses spared' second honeymoon following his alleged work woes

Following the explosive allegations, Danny has removed himself temporarily from his role as Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter to recuperate in South Africa.

Now, sources have revealed that aside from his professional dramas he is planning to dedicate himself to his wife Joanne, who proposed in February 2015, before they walked the aisle in Hampshire last year.

According to The Mirror the couple are now set to relight their romance by jetting to the Maldives: 'Since they got married Danny has been working non stop, they havent had a lot of time together and he wants to make Jo feel special.

'Hes very focused on his family. His time in South Africa has done him the world of good. Now he just wants to do lots of fun things with his family.'

Say cheese! Danny jetted off to South Africa last month to recuperate in the midst of his momentary split from the BBC show




Chad Michael Murray is one delighted dad.

The One Tree Hill star, who on Monday welcomed a newborn girl with wife Sarah Roemer, opened up about expanding his family in a Friday appearance on Live! With Kelly.

'We have a 22-month-old boy and now we have a few day-old girl and were so blessed,' said the 35-year-old Buffalo, New York native, noting that he and Roemer 'just divvy the responsibilities' now that they're parents of two.

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'Were so blessed': Chad Michael Murray, 35, opened up on Live! With Kelly Friday about the past week, in which he welcomed a baby daughter with wife Sarah Roemer

Parents-of-two: Murray and Roemer, 32, were snapped in January at a Hollywood premiere

'Turns out I cant breastfeed, so she has to take that responsibility,' the 6ft actor joked, to which Friday's co-host, comedian Chris Hardwick, joked, 'You dont want it bad enough, you just gotta keep trying.

'Just gotta do it bro, just gotta keep at it, you gotta want it.'

The one-time teen idol said he's been focusing on his son, whose name he and Roemer have yet to reveal publicly.

The charismatic Murray has been seen on a number of show, most notably One Tree Hill and Sun Records

Taking it in stride: The star said that he's been tending to their toddler son while his spouse has cared for their baby girl

'Its one of those things where now Im just taking on 100 percent of the boys responsibilities, our boy, he's very much a daddy's boy - and shes taking care of our daughter at the moment,' the Sun Records star said.

Ripa said, 'Youll see, that [dynamic] will switch.'

Murray responded, 'Thats what Im hearing,' calling his current parenting situation 'the greatest thing in the world.'

Smooth sailing: Murray said his boy has taken well to having a baby sister so far

The Agent Carter star said his son is already 'getting used to' having a younger sibling.

'He jumps in bed now, in the morning, and he goes, "Baby, baby," and he smiles and that means its OK, she can stick around for a little while. Hes just not allowed to throw those blocks anymore in the house.'

Murray wed Disturbia actress Roemer two years ago. He was previously married to One Tree Hill co-star Sophia Bush from 2005 until 2006.
The Chateau Marmont has long been a place for Hollywood's elite to get away from the glare of the public eye.

And on Friday, Kendall Jenner took advantage of the famed hotel's exclusivity as she recovers from being robbed.

The 21-year-old model was spotted at the ionic hotels' restaurant grabbing a bit to eat.

Stepping out: Kendall Jenner was at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles on Friday. It was the first time she has been seen since her home was robbed

It is not known if the star has opted to live at the hotel while police investigate the theft of $200,000 worth of jewelry from her home on Wednesday night.

The hotel has been called home by numerous celebrities over the years as its private bungalows are the perfect way to escape from the stresses of the real world while still being in Los Angeles.

Despite what happened Kendall did seem relaxed on Friday albeit a touched confused over the menu.

The star sat back in her chair soaking in some sun while wearing a white T-shirt and carrying a silver Saint Laurent bag.

Lunch or something more long term? It is not known if the star has opted to live at the hotel while police investigate the theft of $200,000 worth of jewelry

What to pick: Despite what happened Kendall did seem relaxed on Friday albeit a touched confused over the menu

As she relaxed, her family were throwing her brother Rob Kardashian a birthday party across town.

No doubt due to her ordeal she was excused from going to the big bash.

Kendall had called 911 on Thursday morning after discovering her jewelry box open and she feared someone was still in the house.

Investigating: Police were called to Kendall's home on Thursday morning when she noticed her jewelry box open (pictured is detectives the following day)

But, according to TMZ, police insiders believe no one broke into the home but it was someone who was at her party as they seemed to know exactly where the jewels were.

During the evening an alarm warning went off when someone opened a door but Kendall apparently thought nothing of it.

The source says Kendall left her friends in her home at midnight and returned just after 1am to find her jewelry box open and that's when she called the police.
She's the former Bachelor star and I'm A Celebrity contestant, who recently returned from the South African jungle.

And on Saturday, Keira Maguire returned to her glamorous self as she was spotted in Sydney's exclusive suburb of Double Bay, with a brunette pal.

The 30-year-old looked primped to perfection in a plunging silk top and denim skirt, while being sure to carry her belongings in an embellished Gucci shoulder bag.

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I'm A Celebrity! Keira Maguire, 30, returned to her glamorous self in Sydney's exclusive suburb of Double Bay on Saturday, after roughing it in the South African jungle

Keira was dressed to impress as she enjoyed a chat with her companion at Indigo Double Bay.

A plunging silk top revealed her delicate decolletage and toned arms, tucked into a lightwash denim skirt that exposed her lean legs.

Squeaky-clean white sneakers, delicate gold chokers and a statement watch worked as casual yet stylish accessories.

Seen the cameras? A plunging silk top revealed the reality star's delicate decolletage and toned arms, tucked into a lightwash denim skirt

Pulling out all the stops: An embellished Gucci shoulder bag and pair of Dior sunglasses worked as luxurious accessories

Not afraid to splash the cash, the reality star placed her black and gold Gucci shoulder bag on one of the eatery's tables, and later concealed her eyes behind Dior sunglasses.

Allowing her shoulder-length blonde locks to fall in relaxed waves, Keira opted for a glamorous makeup look.

The outspoken star drew attention to a bronzed complexion, defined brows, lashings of mascara and a coat of glossy nude lipstick over her very plump pout.

Far from impressed: The snaps are in stark contrast to Keira's appearance on reality series, I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Here! that saw her having multiple breakdowns in the South African jungle

The snaps are in stark contrast to Keira's appearance on reality series, I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Here!

Roughing it in the South African jungle, the usually confident personality got quite the shock of her life.

She endured a series of meltdowns during the tucker trials, in particular when she came face-to-face with hundreds of cockroaches.

Unappetising: The blonde endured a series of meltdowns during the tucker trials, in particular when she came face-to-face with hundreds of cockroaches

Distraught: The Bachelor reject looked clearly distressed during one of the most remembered tucker trials of the season

The Bachelor reject openly wept as the creepy crawlies ran rampant over her face from within a clear container.

'Get the cockroaches off me! Get the cockroaches off me. Stop celebrating!' Keira exclaimed while shaking her short locks of the roaches after stepping out of the contraption.

But luckily for the blonde, she didn't last until the very end of the competition, being eliminated alongside model Kris Smith.
Dr Chris Brown recently confirmed he was off the market, revealing he is dating Nine News producer Kendall Bora.

And after a month away filming I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in South Africa, he was spotted buying a bouquet of flowers in Bondi on Friday.

The 38-year-old was photographed looking over several different arrangements before leaving with lovely pink roses.

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A gift for the new girlfriend? After a month away filming I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in South Africa, Dr Chris Brown was spotted buying a bouquet of flowers in Bondi on Friday

He chose Sydney's premium floral specialists Tulipanna to pick up his special bunch, presumably a gift for his new girlfriend.

The Bondi Vet host walked down the aisles of the boutique store, stopping to examine each ready-made selection carefully.

Dr Brown took off his sunglasses as he glanced back and forth between his favourites.

The love doctor! The 38-year-old Bondi Vet host was seen looking over different arrangements before leaving with lovely pink roses, perhaps a gift for his new girlfriend Kendall Bora

Every little helps! At one point, a retail clerk offered assistance before serving the handsome TV personality at the counter

At one point, a retail clerk offered assistance before serving the handsome TV personality at the counter.

On the rainy afternoon, Dr Chris kept it simple in cargo shorts, a grey T-shirt and a cream-coloured knit jumper.

He maintained a low profile in a dark blue cap and swiftly replaced his sunglasses as he left the store.

Rainy day in Bondi! The I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! star kept a low profile in a dark blue cap and swiftly replaced his sunglasses as he left the store

Since returning to Sydney on Wednesday, Dr Chris has made no delay in catching up with his new girlfriend.

Kendall was even seen leaving his home in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Climbing into her car on his front drive, Kendall wore in smart attire and was perhaps on her way to work at Nine.

It's good to be home! Since returning to Sydney on Wednesday, Dr Chris has made no delay in catching up with his new girlfriend as she was spotted leaving his home on Thursday morning

Earlier this month, The Daily Telegraph reported the couple had got together around six months ago.

Kendall, who is the chief of staff for Channel Nine, also flew out to join Chris in while filming in South Africa.

The TV presenter was spotted showing the brunette around Cape Town with his father Graham and brother Tim.
She is fast becoming one of the fashion world's most prominent party faces.

And Lottie Moss yet again made herself known on the London clubbing scenes as she enjoyed a glamorous night on the town with her Made In Chelsea star Emily Blackwell on Friday night.

The 19-year-old half-sister of supermodel Kate looked sensational in a thigh-skimming fur coat paired with leg-lengthening heels and a barely-there mini dress just visible underneath.

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Legs eleven! Lottie Moss yet again made herself known on the London clubbing scenes as she enjoyed a glamorous night on the town with her Made In Chelsea star Emily Blackwell on Friday night

Lottie ensured she pulled the style big guns for the first night of the weekend, as she wowed in her barely-there mini dress which made the most of her endless legs.

As she headed on her night on the town she made sure to put all her best assets forward in her racy yet incredibly chic ensemble.

Proving she knows how to work all her best assets, the stunning star wrapped up against the spring evening chill in her fur coat yet no doubt felt the breeze due to her bare legs.

Giving a touch of designer cool to the look was her staggering heels with one crossover strap over her foot with the black colour coordinating with her just-visible mini dress underneath.

Smoking hot: The 19-year-old half-sister of supermodel Kate looked sensational in a thigh-skimming fur coat paired with leg-lengthening heels and a barely-there mini dress just visible

Fur Pete's sake! Lottie ensured she pulled the style big guns for the first night of the weekend, as she wowed in her barely-there mini dress which made the most of her endless legs

Allowing her youthful beauty to shine through, Lottie opted for minimal make-up with a touch of foundation boosting her glowing complexion.

A slick of liquid eyeliner drew attention to her almond shaped eyes while she added a Sixties siren feel with a dab of nude lipstick.

Her blonde tresses, enhanced by lengthy extensions, cascaded over her shoulders falling from a centre parting and adding to the sex kitten look.

Fabulous in fur: Proving she knows how to work all her best assets, the stunning star wrapped up against the spring evening chill in her fur coat yet no doubt felt the breeze due to her bare legs

Oh my: Allowing her youthful beauty to shine through, Lottie opted for minimal make-up with a touch of foundation boosting her glowing complexion

Noting her attention to detail, Lottie clutched an iPhone encased in a trendy case adorned with her name in bold metallic lettering.

Lottie's housemate Emily looked incredibly stylish in a black sheer top with cobweb detailing paired with a blazer and drainpipe jeans.

Noteably absent was her boyfriend Alex Mytton, who she been dating for several months yet is certainly not set to join him and Emily on Made In Chelsea.

Look at me! Lottie's housemate Emily looked incredibly stylish in a black sheer top with cobweb detailing paired with a blazer and drainpipe jeans

Stunner: A slick of liquid eyeliner drew attention to her almond shaped eyes while she added a Sixties siren feel with a dab of nude lipstick

Name in lights: Noting her attention to detail, Lottie clutched an iPhone encased in a trendy case adorned with her name in bold metallic lettering

He confirmed to MailOnline that Lottie won't appear onscreen and instead, he'll be a 'shoulder to cry on' for his co-stars as this series new girls are set to stir up trouble between the show's existing relationships.

Alex, meanwhile, is more than loved up with Lottie. Gushing about his other half in an interview with Closer magazine last month, Alex credited his girlfriend, who is seven years younger, for acting older than she is.

'It's weird because she is more mature than me,' he said. 'I like to go out and get hammered and I behave like a child, so she has to look after me.'
She took her two-year-old son Hunter to see his jailed father Oliver Curtis in January.

And on Saturday, Roxy Jacenko may once again have flown her young son to pay daddy a visit at the Cooma Correctional Centre.

The PR maven shared several cute Instagram photos of herself and Hunter on a private jet, but their destination is yet to be confirmed.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Roxy for comment.

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Frequent flyers? On Saturday, Roxy Jacenko (left) sparked rumours she had flown to visit her jailed husband Oliver Curtis at Cooma Correctional Centre with their son Hunter (right)

While Roxy did not specify her destination, fans of the social media enthusiast noticed photos of the trip looked rather familiar.

One follower even commented, 'Back to China?', a reference to the fact Roxy has previously said her children believe their jailed father is on an overseas business trip.

Hunter's older sister, five-year-old Pixie Curtis, was not present. In the past, the Sweaty Betty PR founder has claimed her daughter is not allowed to visit Oliver.

Oliver was jailed for insider trading last June for a minimum of one year, leaving Roxy as a self-described 'single mother' while he serves out his sentence.

Speaking earlier this week on Mia Freedman's No Filter podcast, the 36-year-old Sydney publicist revealed why she didn't take Pixie along for the first jail visit.

Taking to the skies! Roxy several cute Instagram photos of herself and Hunter on a private jet, but their destination is yet to be confirmed. Daily Mail Australia has reached out for comment

'I didn't tell Pixie because it's my duty to protect her,' she said. 'She's five, she understands separation - to have taken her into that environment and then have had to go... no.'

The businesswoman has told her children that their father is away in China. Hunter apparently believed the story even after visiting Oliver behind bars.

'Hunter was probably thinking "Why is my dad all in green?" and 'Oh China! Very interesting here, not much around... a lot of high fences,' Roxy said.

'Jet life': Roxy has told her children that their jailed father is on a business trip in China. Hunter (pictured) apparently believed the story even after visiting Oliver behind bars earlier this year

On Saturday's trip, Roxy shared a cute selfie of her and Hunter sitting in the plane.

'Saturday's (with) my little buddy,' she wrote in the caption, as Hunter clutched a blanket and looked into the camera.

Later in the day, Roxy added two pictures to her Instagram Story, possibly as she prepared to fly home to Sydney after visiting Oliver.

Family drama: Oliver (left) was jailed for insider trading last June for a minimum of one year, leaving Roxy as a self-described 'single mother' while he serves out his sentence

Mummy duties! Roxy has been juggling her busy schedule as the founder and CEO of Sweaty Betty PR and agency The Ministry Of Talent with family life. Pictured with Hunter

The first photo showed Hunter wearing a bright red puffer jacket, running towards the jet which was parked in a rural area.

The second image then showed the tired-out little boy taking a nap on the plane's seats, seemingly exhausted by the day of travel.

Roxy has been juggling her busy schedule as the founder and CEO of Sweaty Betty PR and agency The Ministry Of Talent with family life.

She often shares photos of her two youngsters with her 154,000 Instagram followers, describing them recently as her 'best friends'.
Kim Kardashian thought the sound of Paris robbers breaking into her apartment was a drunken Kourtney in an ordeal that left her fearing for her life.

In a new KUWTK clip, the make-up free reality mogul confides in sisters Kourtney and Khloe that she was woken by loud pounding, which she initially believed was Kourtney coming back from a raucous night out.

She said: 'I was lying in bed like, Should I wash my face? Im so tired'... and ten minutes later I was dozing, dozing and then I heard pounding up the stairs. I thought it was you [Kourtney] and Stephanie, drunk.'

Heartbreaking : Kim Kardashian West said she feared for her life when robbers broke into her Paris apartment and snatched her phone off her

After calling out to who she thought was her sister and friend, she grew increasingly concerned when she didn't get a answer.

A visibly emotional Kim said: 'My heart started to get really tense, like, you know your stomach just kind of like knots up and youre like, "okay, whats going on?"

'I knew something wasn't quite right.'

She was confronted by the sight of two men holding down another man dressed in police uniform.

Emotional: A fresh-faced Kim confided in her sisters Khloe, 32, and Kourtney, 37 about her harrowing ordeal on the upcoming episode of KUWTK

'I slid off my bed and picked up my phone and Im like, "I dont know how to call 911 in a different country."

The curvaceous star tried to call her bodyguard Pascal Duvier but her phone was snatched away and thrown onto the bed, leaving her terrified she would be killed.

'He grabbed the phone from me and threw me on the bed. I was like "this is it"'

She spoke to the robbers through the concierge who said they kept asking 'where the rapper's wife was'.

Fearful: Kim looked distressed as she said her stomach was 'tied up in knots' when she realised the noises on the stairs were not Kourtney

Horror: The 36-year-old suffered a horrific ordeal when masked raiders tied her up in her bathroom and stole her jeweller from her apartment during Paris Fashion Week last October

The 36-year-old beauty previously said she believes the Paris robbers targeted her because they could track her whereabouts on social media.

Kim suffered a horrific ordeal when masked raiders tied her up in her bathroom and stole jewellery from her apartment during Paris Fashion Week last October.

And on reflection she feels they saw her as an easy target because she shared her entire trip to the French capital on Snapchat and Instagram and from her posts they could see she was alone. The star made the admission during a teaser for the next episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

The brunette beauty said: 'What I think happened now, after like thinking about it so much, is that there was probably a group of guys that were following us the entire trip.

'I was Snapchatting that I was home and that everyone was going out. So I think they knew [bodyguard Pascal Duvier] was out with Kourtney and that I was there by myself.

'They had to have known we were leaving that I was there by myself.

'They had to have known we were leaving that day. They had this window of opportunity and just went for it.'

It comes after the reality star - who has children North, three, and Saint, 15 months, with husband Kanye West - said she feared she would be 'shot in the back' if she tried to escape the robbers.

In a previous preview clip for the E! show, Kim told her sisters Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian: 'They asked for money. I said "I don't have any money."

Out with pals: The star shared several Snapchat videos of herself with friends

Last week: This comes after the reality star - who has children North, three, and Saint, 15 months, with husband Kanye West - said she feared she would be 'shot in the back' if she tried to escape the robbers

'They dragged me out to the hallway, on top of the stairs. That's when I saw the gun like, clear as day. I was kind of looking at the gun, looking down back at the stairs...

'I had a split second in my mind to make this quick decision.

'Am I gonna run down the stairs... Either they're gonna shoot me in the back, or if I make it and they don't, if the elevator does not open in time, or the stairs are locked, then like, I'm f***ed. There's no way out.'

The next episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians airs Sunday on E!

This week: The reality diva seen with husband Kanye West in LA on Monday

The episode will air tomorrow night (Sunday, March 19)
In May 2015, he was stopped by police for not wearing a helmet while riding a bicycle around the streets of Melbourne.

And on Saturday, Arnold Schwarzenegger was spotted in the same city, committing the same offence yet again.

It comes a day after the 69-year-old was gifted a helmet during a press conference, so he could avoid repeating the same mistake.

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Repeat offender! On Saturday, Arnold Schwarzenegger (right) was spotted out for a bike ride in Melbourne without wearing a helmet - two years after he was stopped by police for the same offence in the same city

In Melbourne, mandatory bicycle helmet laws have been in place since 1990, with police issuing fines or warnings to those who do not follow the rules.

Arnold is currently Down Under hosting multi-sports event The Arnold Classic, and took the time to squeeze in a workout, heading out for a bike ride with a friend.

The Terminator star was seen smiling as he pedalled along the city's footpaths, looking casual in sunglasses, a grey T-shirt and white Adidas sneakers.

Thanks, but no thanks! While Arnold was gifted a helmet on Friday, the very next day he was seen with one uselessly swinging around his handlebars during a bike ride

Spoke too soon! Journalist Seb Costello presented Arnold with a bicycle helmet at a press conference, but the Terminator star decided not to wear it

While Arnold's friend sensibly wore a helmet, the Hollywood actor's headgear hung uselessly around his handlebars as he rode along.

It is possible the helmet was the same one presented to the former politician by journalist Seb Costello on Friday during a press conference.

The gesture was in response to Arnold being infamously stopped by police for riding without one during a previous visit to Melbourne.

Seb tweeted afterwards: 'Last time @Schwarzenegger was in Melbourne he got snapped riding a bike without a helmet. It won't happen again, I just gave him a brand new one.'

First offence: In May 2015, the 69-year-old was famously stopped by police for not wearing a helmet while riding a bicycle around the streets of Melbourne

Whoops!: The former Governor of California was seen riding without a helmet in heavy Melbourne traffic in 2015

But despite his best intentions, Seb spoke too soon - because Arnold would be photographed without a helmet less than 24 hours later.

On Friday, the Austrian-born former bodybuilder was seen at The Melbourne Convention Centre at one of The Arnold Classic events, joined by his son Patrick.

Patrick, who previously had a high-profile relationship with Miley Cyrus, is following in his father's footsteps as an actor, and will next be seen in the thriller Go North.
She's one of Australia's most beloved actresses, winning four Gold Logies for her starring role in Blue Heelers.

But Lisa McCune, 46, has remained tight-lipped about her private life over the past several years, after being spotted kissing her co-star Teddy Tahu Rhodes in 2012.

At the time the kiss made headlines, it was reported that Lisa was still married to her husband, Tim Disney, with whom she shares three children.

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Private: Lisa McCune (pictured) told The Daily Telegraph on Saturday why she did not make public statements after she was photographed kissing co-star Teddy Tahu Rhodes in 2012. At the time, it was believed the Gold Logie-winning actress was still married to Tim Disney

In a new interview with The Daily Telegraph, Lisa spoke about that period of time, saying: 'I was getting advice saying, "Make statements" and I just thought, 'No, I dont need to, because its my life'.

The Sydney-born actress shot to fame at the age of 22 on Blue Heelers, starring as Maggie Doyle on the top-rating police drama from 1993 until 2000.

Lisa married husband Tim in 2000, and the two went on to have children Archer, Remy and Oliver.

What's going on? Lisa married Tim Disney in 2000 and the pair have not publicly announced a split, despite unconfirmed reports Lisa began a relationship with Teddy Tahu Rhodes in 2012. Pictured: Lisa and Tim at the 2002 Logie Awards

Rumours of an 'open marriage': In 2012, Lisa starred alongside Teddy Tahu Rhodes (right) in a stage production of the musical South Pacific before they were spotted kissing

In 2012, she starred alongside Teddy Tahu Rhodes in a stage production of the musical South Pacific before they were spotted kissing.

'For me personally, I have always been open and happy to talk about my babies when they were born and my marriage, and then I hit a speed bump,' Lisa continued. 'I went, "All of a sudden, this is not coming out in a positive way", and I rethought it.'

Lisa did not publicly announce a separation from Tim at the time, leading some publications to speculate the couple had an 'open marriage'.

Embrace: Teddy and Lisa went on to star in The King and I together in 2014 (pictured)

'That gives me the giggles. I think the description (open marriage) is hysterical. It does make me laugh when I read that,' Lisa told The Sunday Telegraph at the time.

It is unknown whether Lisa is currently with Teddy, whom News.com.au have previously called her 'partner'.

The intensely private star also claimed she admires actors who keep their personal lives out of the limelight, such as Hugo Weaving and Sam Neill.

Family life: Lisa shares three children with Tim Disney. Pictured this year with daughter Remy

She told The Daily Telegraph: 'Every time I see them do something, I believe them because I don't know who they slept with last night, and I really like that. I hate knowing that (actors) go to the gym.'

While she does not have any public profiles on social media, Lisa said she does understand why it is necessary for some in the industry, explaining: 'I'm starting to see people getting work because of the number of Instagram followers they have, so I can understand the power in that.'

Meanwhile, Lisa is set to return to TV alongside Vince Colosimo in the The Warriors, an ABC series about Indigenous AFL players, which will air next month.
Fans of the Great British Bake Off had mixed reactions to the news that Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig will be the new series hosts.

But the Mighty Boosh star, 43, has taken to Twitter to defend his decision to host the new Channel 4 version of the show.

And his pal, Kasabian star Serge Pizzorno, told Nick Grimshaw on Radio 1 on Friday that the pair had discussed the move, citing surrealist artist Salvador Dali as a reason behind Noel's justification to cross over into mainstream TV.

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Big shoes to fill: Mighty Boosh star Noel Fielding, 43, apparently defended his decision to host the new Channel 4 version of the Great British Bake Off by comparing himself to Salvador Dali

The quirky Mighty Boosh comedian apparently deliberated with the Kasabian frontman before agreeing to replace beloved duo Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins alongside the QI lead.

Serge, 36, who just released a new single, explained: 'We figured, Salvador Dali did a chocolate advert, so that sort of makes it all right.'

The renowned surrealist artist starred in a Lanvin chocolate advert in 1968 to make money in addition to his earnings from selling artworks.

Precedent: The renowned surrealist artist starred in a Lanvin chocolate advert in 1968 to make money in addition to his earnings from selling artworks

The rock star said he believes his friend will be 'absolutely fantastic' in the series, but was sad not to be able to go out and celebrate the news on Friday night.

He said the pair decided not to head out partying because of the anger displayed by some fans over the Channel 4 and Love Productions execs' choices for Mel and Sue's replacements.

Meanwhile Noel took to Twitter to explain his decision, humorously writing that he would be 'representing goths in the mainstream', in response to a jibe from fellow comedian Russell Brand.

After the news broke Russell, 41, wrote sardonically: 'Right. If Noel Fielding can do Bake Off I'm replacing Len on Strictly.'

Goths representing: Noel replied to friend Russell Brand that he will be 'representing goths in the mainstream'

Defensive: Noel took to Twitter to defend his actions, humorously writing that he would be 'representing goths in the mainstream', in response to a jibe from Russell Brand

Dismay: Fans' reactions after the news broke on Thursday were less than complimentary about the appointments

Fans' reactions after the news broke on Thursday were less than complimentary about the appointments.

One user wrote: 'Noel Fielding is an unfunny creep and he's going to RUIN BAKE OFF. THIS IS THE WORST DECISION #gbbo.'

Others added: 'Is @Channel4 having an early attempt at an April fools day joke? Noel Fielding? WTF #GBBO', and 'Noel Fielding?! Really? RIP #gbbo'

But discussing his new role, Noel said: 'GBBO is one of my favourite shows.

Fraught: It has been claimed that Noel Fielding (L) and Sandi Toksvig (R) were not the top choices for the hosting role on the Channel 4 revamp of the Great British Bake Off

'I've always loved brightly coloured cakes and Sandi Toksvig so this is a dream come true for me! It's basically the double.'

Prue echoed his sentiments as she announced: 'I am just so thrilled to be joining Paul, Sandi and Noel on the biggest show on TV and I cannot wait to see what the real stars of the show  the bakers  are going to create for us.

'It is such an honour to be part of The Great British Bake Off team.'

Returning: The new line-up is completed by returning judge Paul Hollywood

Another new addition, Sandi, described the new role as an 'extraordinary honour' as she gushed: 'It is an extraordinary honour to part of this national treasure of a show.

Explaining the changes viewers can expect to see, Channel 4 Chief Creative Officer Jay Hunt announced: 'The Great British Bake Off will have a uniquely Channel 4 take when it airs this autumn.

'Paul and Prue have huge amounts of expertise and warmth. I'm looking forward to seeing them putting our great new bunch of amateur bakers through their paces.

'Sandi and Noel bring a fresh wit and quirkiness to the tent.'

The originals: Following Love Production's decision to leave the BBC, Mary Berry, Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc quit the show, whilst Paul decided to move to Channel 4

Shoo-in: Prue Leith has been announced as Mary Berry's replacement

GBBO ended its seven series run with the BBC in September after they were unable to match Channel 4's reported bid of 75m.

Noel and Sandy will join expert new judge Prue, as well as show stalwart Paul Hollywood, when the series returns to screens later this year.

Mary Berry chose not to accept the higher pay deal and make the move to Channel 4, much to fans' dismay.
The global superstar's sold-out Australian tour has attracted thousands of fans.

And Adele once again caused traffic chaos in Melbourne on Saturday night as 75,000 people left Etihad Stadium.

Many fans took to social media to document their slow journey home, describing it as a 'mission'.

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Rolling In The Deep delays! Adele once again caused traffic chaos in Melbourne on Saturday night as 75,000 people left Etihad Stadium after her concert

The guests flooded the stadium's exits after Adele's last song, posting photos of the crowd walking shoulder-to-shoulder.

Twitter user @AleksDevic shared a photo fans outside the stadium doors, writing: 'Getting home after the Adele concert in Melbourne is a mission.'

Another person tweeted a picture of a similar scene, writing in the caption: 'The post #Adele crowd.'

'Getting home after the Adele concert in Melbourne is a mission': Fans flooded the stadium's exits after Adele's last song, posting photos of the crowd walking shoulder-to-shoulder

Imagine the traffic! Another person tweeted a picture of a similar scene, writing in the caption: 'The post #Adele crowd.'

Meanwhile, Etihad Stadium took to Twitter to thank Adele for her record-breaking performance.

Despite Justin Bieber performing at the venue earlier this month, they confirmed the Rolling In The Deep star had hit a milestone.

'It's the biggest crowd EVER at an Etihad Stadium event! Thank you,' read the post.

Later, the venue's Twitter page was updated: 'Adele has toppled Robbie Williams off the top of the list, and a few sporting crowds too.'

'It's the biggest crowd EVER at an Etihad Stadium event!': Meanwhile Etihad Stadium took to Twitter to thank Adele for a record-breaking performance

'Adele has toppled Robbie Williams off the top of the list': The stadium confirmed Adele's performance drew bigger crowds than any other performer or sports event

Etihad Stadium also tweeted their car park spots were 'sold out', despite fans being urged by Public Transport Victoria to take public transport.

The Victoria Police also tweeted: 'Aint nobody got time for that CBD traffic.'

Early reports by the Herald Sun suggested overcrowding at tram stops at Bourke St Mall and congestion at Southern Cross railway station as concertgoers arrived early.

The publication claimed while Yarra Trams scheduled extra services for the event, the trams were already at capacity when they arrived at the packed Bourke St stop.

Stopping traffic: Early reports by the Herald Sun suggested overcrowding at tram stops at Bourke St Mall and congestion at Southern Cross railway station as concertgoers arrived early to the stadium to settle into their seats

Adele has created traffic chaos during her previous Australian tour dates, forcing her to start 45 minutes late in Sydney earlier this month.

The mother-of-one performed hits from her critically-acclaimed album 25, as well as old favourites in her 18-song set list.

Adele will perform her last Australian concert in Melbourne on Sunday, before jetting to Auckland, New Zealand next week.
She's a pro when it comes to juggling her presenting career with being a mother-of-two.

But taking some time out of her busy schedule to focus on her family, Stacey Solomon enjoyed a day out with her sons - Zachary, eight, and Leighton, four - at Chessington World of Adventures on Saturday.

Dressed in a cute grey sweatshirt that featured a fun unicorn design, the Loose Women panellist proved that she can still cut a stylish figure despite being on parenting duties.

Yummy mummy! Stacey Solomon proved she can still cut a stylish figure even on parenting duties as she attended Chessington World of Adventure's ride launch on Saturday

Stacey teamed her jumper with a pair of white form-fitting trainers - sporting a manicure to match as her nails were painted the same pristine shade.

She covered up from the chill in a quilted jacket that included a fur-lined hood and wore her caramel-hued tresses in loose braids.

The former X Factor star added a touch of glamour to her getup, thanks to her enviably flawless make-up and long lashes.

Stacey - who was without boyfriend Joe Swash at the launch of the theme park's new Gruffalo themed river ride - happily flashed a huge smile for photographers at the event, before taking her sons and their friends for a whirl on the rollercoasters.

Family affair! The mum-of-one was joined by her sons Zachary, eight, and Leighton, four, and one of their friends at the theme park

Doting mum! And the Loose Women star made sure to get plenty of pictures as they enjoyed the new Gruffalo themed river ride

Making a splash! It seems Stacey was a little concerned about getting wet, however, and pulled a comical face mid-ride with her mini-me companions

Doting mum Stacey was later seen trying her own hand at photography and hid behind the camera as she took snaps of her boys and their pals.

She wasn't the only celebrity stepping out to enjoy a fun-filled day at the resort, as Imogen Thomas made an appearance alongside partner Adam Horsley and their two daughters Ariana, four, and Siera, one.

The family of four seemed to be enjoying themselves as they tested out the main attraction, with Imogen getting into the spirit of things by sporting a set of fluffy ears.

The former Big Brother star also spent time at Chessington's zoo and got up close and personal with its inhabitants - voluntarily holding an owl on her arm.

Say cheese! Imogen Thomas also made an appearance at Chessington with her partner Adam Horsley and their daughters Ariana and Siera in tow

Nice ears! Getting into the spirit of things the former Big Brother star even donned a set of fluffy ears while making her way around the theme park

Getting involved: Imogen didn't shy away from volunteering to hold an owl while nosing around Chessington's zoo

Getting involved: Imogen didn't shy away from volunteering to hold an owl while nosing around Chessington's zoo

Like Imogen and Stacey, former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt and Dance Dance Dance star JB Gill were keen to get involved in the day.

Kimberly looked gorgeous in a loose-fitted olive green tunic top and styled her blonde tresses into a chic up-do.

She added a pop of colour to her chic outfit with a slick of bright red lipstick.

JB, meanwhile, cut a dapper figure in a white polo shirt and grey crew neck jumper.

All smiles! Linda Robson was in good spirits as she joined her fellow Loose Women panellist Stacey at the fun-filled resort

Strike a pose! Sophie Ellis Bextor and husband Richard Jones posed on arrival, along with Katherine Kelly

One for the family album! Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins stepped out with her daughter Ella Rose and husband Mark Herbert

Mr Selfridge actress Katherine Kelly and Loose Women's Linda Robson werealso present, while Sophie Ellis Bextor and her husband Richard Jones - who share four sons together - didn't miss out on any of the action either.

Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins brought her daughter Ella Rose along and Suzanne Shaw made sure to turn the day into a family affair too.

The former Emmerdale actress was flanked by her fiance Sam Greenfield and their one-year-old son Rafferty, as well as her teenage son Corey, 13, who she shares with her ex Darren Day.

Smile! Suzanne Shaw donned Gruffalo ears to cosy up to her brood and fiance Sam Greenfield at the launch

A fun-filled Saturday: TV presenter Konnie Huq (left) cut a smiley figure at the launch, while The Jump star Jodie Kidd made sure to check out the park's latest offering
She plays whip-smart paralegal Rachel Zane in Suits.

But it seems Prince Harry's girlfriend Meghan Markle is preparing to quit acting altogether after the seventh season of the USA Networks original series wraps.

The 35-year-old actress is in Toronto to film new episodes but is 'ready to be done with Suits' and with 'acting in general,' a source told E! News on Friday.

Change of career? Suits star Meghan Markle, seen in New York last July, is reportedly set to quit acting to concentrate on philanthropy, a career more suitable for Prince Harry's girlfriend

'Even before Harry, she was starting to think about transitioning out of acting,' the source added. 'She wants to focus on other worldly endeavors she is passionate about, like her philanthropy.'

Meghan has already made a move in that direction. In January, she spent a week in India on a World Vision Canada humanitarian mission to help impoverished women and girls.

Prince Harry's relationship with the American actress was confirmed by Kensington Palace in November, following many sightings of them together in the past year.

The 32-year-old prince was spotted in Toronto where Meghan films Suits, while she has traveled to London to be with him.

Red hot: The 35-year-old actress, who popped into the Today Show in July, and the 32-year-old British royal have been heating up their romance, spending more time together

Most recently they attended the wedding of his best friend Tom Skippy Inskip in Montego Bay, Jamaica, which gave the actress a chance to get to know the prince's inner circle better.

The couple have been photographed together many times, including at the wedding, but they have yet to make their public debut at an official event.

But rumors are building that the couple will announce their engagement on August 4, Meghan's 36th birthday - a date she shares with the late Queen Mother.

Royal duty: Prince Harry chatted to folks lined up to see the Royal Family after a Common- wealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in London last Monday

Harry is currently in London and has solo engagements in the U.K. throughout the beginning of next week, according to E!.

Meghan is in Toronto where she's 'just keeping a super low profile right now,' the source told E!

'Meghan is the darling of Toronto,' the source added. 'Locals love her so much and she really engaged herself into the community when she moved here for Suits years ago.

'She's just not as accessible now but she's always been so kind and genuinely so sweet to people around town.'
She has been throwing herself wholeheartedly into getting in shape after making a recent vow to shed a few excess pounds.

And Vicky Pattison appears to be well on her way to achieving her goals as she slipped down to a tiny black bikini for a sizzling selfie shared with her 3.6million Instagram followers on Saturday.

The 29-year-old former Geordie Shore star revealed in the caption that her body is 'really getting there' with a combination of the gym atop taking her Mini V Nutrition supplements - for which she is the perfect advertisement.

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Hot stuff: Vicky Pattison appears to be well on her way to achieving her goals as she slipped down to a tiny black bikini for a sizzling selfie shared with her 3.6million Instagram followers on Saturday

Vicky looked phenomenal in the snap in which she was trying on swimwear ahead of an upcoming trip to Dubai, possibly with her boyfriend John Noble.

The black swimsuit boasted a triangle cup which made the most of her perky cleavage, the result of a boob job in 2014, after she admitted her weight loss left her chest 'droopy and sagging'.

Showing off her flawless curves, the black bottoms featured a strappy detail which sat perfectly on her slender hips and made the most of her taut abs.

She hooked her thumb into the waist band of the bottoms to best show off every inch of her stomach and wow her millions of followers.

Sizzling: The 29-year-old former Geordie Shore star revealed in the caption that her body is 'really getting there' with a combination of the gym atop taking her Mini V Nutrition supplements - for which she is the perfect advertisement

Vicky wore her raven tresses in loose waves with lengths tumbling over her shoulders while she kept her make-up extremely minimal and pulled a pout.

She added a caption on the snap reading: 'SwimsuitSaturday... Just trying on some bits for Dubai and loving this cute little number! What you's think?! Body is really getting there with the help of Mini V'.

John may have needed to look away as one of Vicky's former flames was quick to point out how fantastic she was looking.

Daniel Conn, who Vicky met while filming Geordie Shore in Australia and later starred opposite on Ex On The Beach, wrote: 'We are all training this week! Secret session just you, John and me! Then maybe a sneaky drink ps you're looking amazing you little weapon!'

Oh my: Vicky announced to followers after Christmas that she planned to drop 10lbs to kick off 2017, and return to the figure she paraded last summer - and return she did

Vicky announced to followers after Christmas that she planned to drop 10lbs to kick off 2017, and return to the figure she paraded last summer - and return she did.

The Newcastle-born beauty famously dropped from a size 16 to a size 10 in recent years, and even released a DVD to help others do the same.

Having appeared on I'm A Celebrity in 2015, the star admitted that she felt she had been the only contestant to gain weight on the show.

However, she did acknowledge that before her entrance she believed she had become 'too skinny' in light of her fitness DVD release.

'When I first started losing all my weight I became obsessive,' she told The Mirror Online.

'In the end it was unrealistic for someone my height. I ended up looking too skinny. My mum was worried. My face looked gaunt and I became obsessed.

She continued: 'I looked good and I was fitting in size six clothes but I had no social life. I felt guilty if I had a Nandos or a night out with my mates. And thats not the right way to live.'
She visited the Happiest Place On Earth on Friday.

And while at Disney World, Reese Witherspoon enjoyed another surprise - a visit from Josh Gad.

The 40-year-old actress rocked a red lacy dress while posing for a picture with the actor, who plays LoFou in Disney's live action film Beauty And The Beast.

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Beaming: While at Disney World, Reese Witherspoon enjoyed another surprise - a visit from Josh Gad; pictured on Friday in Orlando, Florida

The mother of three was on hand for the Planet Hollywood Disney Springs ribbon cutting at the themed park.

Reese showed off her sculpted legs in the bold dress, which featured a cinched waist and delicate long sleeves.

The Legally Blonde star, who was joined by Mickey Mouse himself, complemented the frock with ribbon style blush heels.

She rounded out her ensemble with loose locks and minimal makeup.

Fancy: The Legally Blonde star, who was joined by Mickey Mouse himself, complemented the frock with ribbon style blush heels

Having a blast: The mother of three was on hand for the Planet Hollywood Disney Springs ribbon cutting at the themed park

Reese also brought along her mother and two of her children on a fun-filled trip to Disney World.

The Walk The Line star shared many of her activities on Snapchat.

The Oscar winning actress donned some wild, gigantic cat-eye shades with gradient lenses, and quirky sky blue top which featured a large collar and tiny white pompoms along the seams.

Looking good: She rounded out her ensemble with loose locks and minimal makeup

Can't stop smiling: The movie star was joined by Robert Earl, the found of Planet Hollywood, as well as Mickey Mouse, Maribeth Bisienere and Keith Bradford

Ready: Reese took giant gold scissors to the ribbon to officially open Planet Hollywood Disney Springs on Friday

It seems she started the day off with a selfie, which showed the film star in front of the iconic castle along with 'I [heart] Disneyworld!' scribbled in magenta.

She also added an adorable pair of ears to herself as well.

Another snap showed Reese with her mother Betty, who are both smiling and employing a bunny Snapchat filter, along with the caption 'with my moms.'

Of course no trip to Disney World would be complete without a trip to see Mickey Mouse.

Reese documented her four-year-old son Tennessee waiting eagerly in line with bigger brother Deacon, 13.

Strike a pose: Reese stayed close to Mickey Mouse during the ribbon cutting

Having a good time: Reese enjoyed Snapchat filters with mom Betty

She loves Disney! Reese posted a Snapchat with Mickey Mouse ears digitally added

Finally it was the big moment, during which Mickey bent down for a warm embrace. She captioned the snap 'Hugs from Mickey.'

The two boys were then joined by two friends for a portrait with the famous cartoon mouse.

Apparently the trip was quite a success, as the star posted yet another picture from the excursion on Friday, which seemed to show Deacon sitting with a buckled-up Tennessee.

'Off to Disneyworld,' proclaims the caption, which is also underlined in red.

Making memories: Reese filmed her four-year-old son Tennessee waiting line with brother Deacon, 13, to see Mickey

So much to do! The two boys were then joined by friends for a snap with the Mickey Mouse
They have been married for nearly two years and together for seven.

And Jacqui and Guy Ritchie, who have three children together, looked to be more blissfully in love than ever in a snap shared with fans to mark their anniversary of being a couple.

Model Jacqui, 34, posted the sunset-kissed picture of the two locking lips on a European rooftop on Sunday evening.

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Love: Model Jacqui Ritchie, 34, posted a sunset-kissed picture with film director husband Guy of the two locking lips on a European rooftop on Sunday evening to mark their anniversary

Guy, 47, can be seen leaning in towards his stunning spouse with his eyes closed in the moment of happiness.

The filmmaker appears to have found happiness with the Essex-born model after an acrimonious split from ex wife Madonna - with whom he is still locked in a custody battle over their son Rocco.

Jacqui and Guy had three children in successive years and split their time between a London townhouse in Marylebone and a country pad, complete with a lake.

They have sons Rafael, four, 20-month-old Levi and daughter Rivka, three.

Romantic: Jacqui shared another adorable snap on Valentine's Day of herself and Guy, who can be seen staring lovingly at his second wife

Jacqui, who models internationally and maintains a svelte figure after having three babies recently, captioned the snap: 'Seven years (love hearts). A solemn passion is conceived in my heart; it leans to you, draws you to my centre and spring of life... #SevenYears. #NoSignOfAnItch #Love #HappyAnniversary#LifeCompanion'

The model wore her blonde tresses straight and loose around her shoulders and displayed her flawless skin and sunkissed glow.

While Guy, who was sporting a trendy beard, could be seen wearing a crisp white shirt and light jacket.

Amazing lifestyle: Jacqui and Guy had three children in successive years and split their time between a London townhouse in Marylebone and a country pad, complete with a lake

Baby mama: The filmmaker appears to have found happiness with the Essex-born model after splitting from ex wife Madonna and they now have three children together

The couple met through mutual friends at The Langham hotel in London.

The model told the Evening Standard: 'Guy said: "That's a pretty dress," and I thought, "Well, he could just be a bit of a charmer." So I said, "Are you auditioning for a new wife?" And he went, 'Oo-ooh, cocky,' and we laughed.'

By the time the couple went on their first date, they had been emailing and texting 30 to 40 times a day, including reciting poetry to each other - perhaps explaining the lyrical Instagram caption.

Star packed family: Though she is not transitioning into acting, Jacqui did make an appearance in Guy's recent movie The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Jacqui speaks fluent French, as does Guy and their children, and both share an interest in Kabbalah.

Though she is not transitioning into acting, Jacqui did make an appearance in Guy's recent movie The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Madonnna and Guy were married between 2000 and 2008. Rocco has been living in London or at Guy and Jacqui's Grade II listed Ashcombe House in Wiltshire.

Soulmates: Like Guy, Jacqui speaks fluent French and both share an interest in Kabbalah and poetry




She won the National Television Award for Most Popular Actress in 2005 thanks to her role in Doctor Who.

And Billie Piper was all smiles as she greeted fans and signed autographs during the MCM Birmingham Comic Con at the NEC Arena on Saturday.

The 34-year-old actress, who played the role of Time Lords companion Rose Tyler, looked utterly thrilled as she took time out of her hectic schedule to mingle at the eagerly anticipated event.

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Happy: Billie Piper, 34, was all smiles as she greeted fans and signed autographs during the MCM Birmingham Comic Con at the NEC Arena on Saturday

Billie was dressed in a trendy black denim shirt and sported matte pink lips as she basked in the company of her fans.

A smile every forewent her face as she took time with each individual - having a chat and penning her autographs on posters of herself.

Billie has been a Comic Con favourite given her long-running role on Doctor Who - which culminated in 2013.

Having fun: The actress, who played the role of Time Lords companion Rose Tyler, looked utterly thrilled as she took time out of her hectic schedule to mingle at the eagerly anticipated event

Stunning: Billie was dressed in a trendy black denim shirt and sported matte pink lips as she basked in the company of her fans

She took on the highly-coveted role alongside Doctors Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant.

The portrayal helped her garner a number of awards, including the Rose the Companion Champion award after she topped a Radio Times poll.

Billie also starred in another Comic Con favourite - Penny Dreadful.

Content: A smile every forewent her face as she took time with each individual - having a chat and penning her autographs on posters of herself

She took on the role of Lily in the fantasy drama for two years.

The actress - who split from second husband Laurence Fox last year - and her ex Chris have remained on very good terms since their split, so it comes as no surprise she was a guest on his show.

An 18-year-old Billie married Chris - who is 16 years older than her - in 2001 following only six months of dating, but divorced in 2007.
The starry couple has been hit by persistent rumours that their marriage is on the rocks as they struggle to spend time together.

But Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright shot down the speculation with a romantic display at a friend's wedding on Saturday.

The Our Girl star, 29, posed for a loved-up selfie with husband Mark, 30, and shared it with her Snapchat followers.

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Loved-up: Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright brushed off rumours that their marriage was in trouble by posing for a romantic selfie as they attended a friend's wedding on Saturday

In the picture, Michelle and Mark snuggle up close with the former TOWIE star shooting the camera a toothy grin.

Emphasising their nuptial bliss, Michelle added a pink heart emoji to the romantic snap.

The actress and her Essex-born husband sported co-coordinating white ensembles to the wedding with Mark opting for a crisp white shirt.

The former Coronation Street actress showed off her slim physique in a white crochet outfit with her strapless bralet and toned tummy clearly visible.

A bit of all white: Michelle looked stunning in a white crochet dress which showed off her glowing tan and toned arms as she posted a selfie before attending the wedding

The pair showed off matching glowing tans.

Michelle's brunette tresses were teased into curly waves and she had loaded her lashes with mascara.

Earlier this month, the actress brushed off rumours that her marriage of a-year-and-a-half was in trouble.

Photogenic: The beautiful couple married in 2015 but have been beset with break up rumours

She told Daily Star Sunday's TV Life magazine: 'Are the rumours rubbish? Yeah. We are all very good and everything is fine. Our marriage is going really well.

'Were happy. I dont want to constantly say "were happy, were fine", because why validate it? If were happy, were happy.'

She also says that Mark has never had a problem with her racy appearances on TV - which has included a steamy sex scene with Our Girl co-star Luke Pasqualino.

Starry couple: Mark and Michelle began dating in 2013 and just nine months later announced that they were engaged

Different schedules: Rumours began to fly when Michelle's hectic acting schedule kept her away from Mark for months at a time

'He's seen it so many times, I don't think it fazes him': Earlier this month Michelle rubbished rumours that Mark was unhappy about her steamy Our Girl sex scenes

Brunette beauty Michelle said: 'People like to build [the sex scenes] up like its really embarrassing for him, but hes seen it so many times, I dont think it fazes him.'

The pairs marriage came under scrutiny last year as Michelle filmed Our Girl over several months in South Africa  away from Mark.

Rumours at the time surfaced claiming Michelle was growing increasingly close to her co-star Luke, who plays maverick Special Forces officer Elvis Harte.

The actress - who plays Corporal Georgie Lane in the hit show - is set to jet back to South Africa to film the third series of the popular drama next month.

The starlet is reportedly expected to be away for up to eight months but her man will no doubt fly out to join her on occasion.
It was a role that was to become one of the most iconic in the history of film.

But back in 1976 as he arrived for his first day on the Star Wars set in Tunisia, Mark Hamill had no idea that this was to become his career-defining moment.

Sharing a treasured photograph from his private collection to social media on Saturday, the veteran star explained it was the 'very first Luke [Skywalker] picture'.

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'The very first Luke picture!' Mark Hamill shares snap from first day of filming the original Star Wars movie in 1976

He wrote: 'Taken in Tunisia early morning Day #1 waiting for my 1st shot (emerging from home for robot auction)-Perhaps the very 1st #LukePic #SW.'

The image showed Hamill dressed in the instantly recognisable costume of the 1977 movie, hands folded across his heart, surrounded by the desert sand.

Forty years after filming the first movie, the franchise is still going strong.

Original co-stars: Mark with Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia and Harrison Ford as Han Solo

J.J. Abrams restarted it after a 10-year break with Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens that bowed on December 18, 2015, and introduced new stars and characters to the space sci-fi adventure.

The cast included Daisy Ridley as Rey, a young Jedi warrior who had yet to learn of her true power.

She was joined by John Boyega as Finn, Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron, Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, Lupita Nyong'o as Maz Kanata, Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma, Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke and Dohmnall Gleeson as General Hux.

Aside from Mark as Luke Skywalker, the reboot also featured stars and their characters from the original trilogy, appropriately 30 years older.

These included Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Carrie Fisher as General Leia, along with Anthony Daniels as diplomat droid C-3PO and Kenny Baker as R2-D2.

Carrie died of a heart attack in December, age 60, but she will be seen in Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi as she had finished filming her scenes.

Iconic role: Mark made a brief return to the screen as Luke at the very end of The Force Awakens and will play a much bigger part in Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi

Meanwhile producers had to find another actor small enough to play the diminutive R2-D2 after Kenny passed away in the U.K. last August at 82. Now Jimmy Vee, 57, will squeeze into the metal casing.

Other newbies joining the franchise are Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern and Kelly Marie Tran but their roles have yet to be revealed.

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi is set to be released worldwide on December 15.
They welcomed son Dimitri three months ago.

And Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis were very much hands-on parents as they juggled their two children and brunch orders on Saturday morning.

The 39-year-old actor and his 33-year-old Black Swan star wife kept it casual as they headed to Joan's on Third in Studio City, California.

Multi-taskers: Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis were very much hands-on parents as they juggled their two children and brunch orders on Saturday morning

Their daughter Wyatt, two, took a ride on her famous mum's hip, as the actress carried a coffee cup in the other hand.

Mila chose a voluminous white hooded Tee, with an elephant design on the front, keeping it practical with combat pants and flip flops.

Meanwhile, Ashton - who teared up earlier in the week at a senate hearing on Wednesday as he called for an end to child sexual exploitation - made a nod to his Iowa roots in a grey T-shirt.

He channeled his inner cowboy with leather boots and felt hat - whilst artfully juggling a car seat containing Dimitri in the crook of his arm.

Natural beauty: 33-year-old Black Swan star wife kept it casual as they headed to Joan's on Third in Studio City, California

Ashton appeared to be supping on an iced-tea, as he kept his cool in the Californian sunshine.

Mila has been happily married to her former That '70s Show co-star since 2015.

after taking a break following Dimitri's arrival, she is tipped to star alongside Kate McKinnon in upcoming comedy The Spy Who Dumped Me.

The actresses are being considered for the leading roles in the movie, written and directed by Susanna Fogel, about two best friends who become caught up in international espionage after one of their former boyfriends was revealed as a spy.

Home boy: Ashton made a nod to his Iowa roots in a grey T-shirt

Thumbs up! She kept it practical with combat pants and flip flops

Trunk show: Mila chose a voluminous white hooded Tee with an elephant design on the front

Talking to Glamour magazine in July last year, the 33-year-old confessed becoming a mom led to her taking a long time off work, where she questioned if she even wanted to return to acting.

'Let me tell you, when I would get a call with an offer, I wouldnt even flinch. I was like, "No, Im pregnant." "No, I have a baby,"' she admitted. 'I wasnt ready to go back. I was so happy saying no that I knew it was the right decision.'

Ashton has been focusing on his tech career - having already invested early in AirBnB and Four Square.

He spoke to the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington this week in his role as chairman of Thorn, which develops software to locate victims of abuse.
Stephanie Davis has returned to social media with a fresh update, almost a week after ex-boyfriend Jeremy McConnell was arrested on suspicion of assault.

The former Hollyoaks star, 24, posted a snap of their two-month old son Caben-Albi's freshly decorated bedroom as she moves on from a tumultuous seven day period, during which McConnell, 27, was probed by police after she shared an image of her heavily bruised legs.

Captioning her latest shot, she gave no mention of her ex-boyfriend while crediting family member for helping to assemble her son's furniture.

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Onwards and upwards: Stephanie Davis has posted a snap of their two-month old son Caben-Albi's freshly decorated bedroom as she moves on from a tumultuous seven day period, during which Jeremy McConnell was probed by police after she shared an image of her heavily bruised legs

'Cabens wardrobes and Cot up in his new room,' she wrote: 'Still lots to do but it finally feels like home.

'Thankyou to my dad for helping all today with Building Everything hope your backs not to sore. Just to finish it off now.'

Celebrity Big Brother star McConnell was released after being questioned by police but according to new reports his arrest has consequently led to to MTV bosses weighing up his involvement with reality show Ex On The Beach.

Ex On The Beach appearance in 'jeopardy': Jeremy McConnell has been contacted by MTV Bosses after being arrested on suspicion of assaulting ex Stephanie

A spokesperson for MTV has declined to comment to MailOnline; McConnell's rep also refused to comment.

A source claimed that bosses are 'considering dropping Jeremy from the lineup,' telling The Sun: 'Jeremy has been called by EOTB regarding the assault allegations against him.

'Whilst there is still an ongoing investigation with the police regarding this, MTV are considering dropping him from the latest series.'

The Irish model and reality star was set to come face-to-face with Stephanie's ex-boyfriend Sam Reece - who is allegedly in talks with the show - for the first time.

Unlikely to cross paths: Stephanie's ex boyfriend Sam Reece (pictured) had reportedly been set to face Jeremy on the dating show's new series

McConnell had struck up a romance with Stephanie on Celebrity Big Brother early last year when she had still been dating the First Dates star.

Reports that he will no longer appear on Ex On The Beach come after he was released on Wednesday following his arrest.

A spokesperson for Merseyside police told MailOnline on Thursday: 'A 27-year-old man arrested earlier today on suspicion of assault and criminal damage has been released pending a disposal decision.'

The comment follows an earlier statement which explained McConnell had voluntarily attended a police station.

'MTV bosses are considering dropping Jeremy': Stephanie's ex was released by police on Thursday following his arrest but the investigation is still ongoing

That was then: A police spokesperson confirmed the news while a representative for Jeremy explained: 'Jeremy denies any wrong doing, however he is fully cooperating with the police in their investigations' (pictured entering the Big Brother house in January 2016)

Stephanie was reportedly 'shaken' after calling the police on Jeremy at the home she shares with their baby son Caben-Albi, a source told MailOnline.

On Wednesday, one newspaper named the alleged victim as former Hollyoaks actress Stephanie, following pictures she posted of her heavily bruised legs.

Merseyside Police previously confirmed to MailOnline that were called to a property in the city on Sunday regarding an incident that happened there on 9 March.

Shock: The investigation comes after Stephanie stunned followers on Snapchat with a picture of her bruised legs. She made no reference to the marks, simply writing: 'Trying to relax'

Cute: Stephanie gave birth to Caben-Albi, her only child with Jeremy, in January

Naming Stephanie as the victim, The Mirror claims McConnell allegedly began 'behaving oddly' during a visit to the home where Stephanie lives with son Caben-Albi.

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police had told MailOnline: 'Merseyside Police can confirm a report was received of an assault at a property (in Liverpool) on Thursday (9 March). Officers were contacted on Sunday, 12 March and an investigation into the incident is on-going. At this time no arrests have been made.'

Meanwhile, a representative for Jeremy explained to MailOnline: 'Jeremy denies any wrong doing, however he is fully cooperating with the police in their investigations.'

The claims come a mere few days after his ex posted shocking pictures of her bruised legs on Snapchat.

Though she did not mention how she received the marks, she simply wrote: 'Trying to relax.'

Investigating: Police say they were called to a home in the city on March 9. It is alleged Stephanie made a statement

The actress went on to 'like' a tweet from a concerned fan, who wrote: 'What the hell has happened to your legs love?'

Another message liked by Stephanie read: 'Jesus love, them bruises. Hope youre OK.'

McConnell is said to have relocated to Liverpool in recent weeks to be closer to his ex-girlfriend - who split from last year - and their two-month-old son Caben-Albi.

It was reported earlier in the week that his auntie had died in his native Ireland, just days after his father's death - leading to claims he has jetted back to Ireland to deal with his grief.

Tough times: A spokesperson for Merseyside Police told MailOnline: 'Merseyside Police can confirm a report was received of an assault at a property (in Liverpool) on Thursday (9 March)'

Sources told The Sun: 'Jeremy has temporarily left Liverpool  where hes been renting a flat nearby Stephanies home  to be with close friends and family in Ireland. He needs the support of loved ones during this tough time and has headed home so he can have space to properly grieve.

'Its been an incredibly stressful for Jeremy... As a result his relationship with Stephanie has become strained again but hopefully some time apart will do them both good.'

McConnell has always been candid about his tragedies, having discussed his triple loss when he first appeared on TV on MTV's now-defunct reality show Beauty School Cop Outs, with his father and sister being his only remaining family members.

Moved: Sources told The Sun: 'Jeremy has temporarily left Liverpool  where hes been renting a flat nearby Stephanies home  to be with close friends and family in Ireland'

The Dublin native had already been through incredible heartbreak, having previously opened up about his mother, brother and sister passing away within months of each other when he was a teenager.

He said: 'When I was 15 I was at my cousin's and my mum fell asleep. I got back about two hours later and she was gone  she had a brain haemorrhage. Shortly after that my brother broke his neck in a motorbike accident. After that, my sister had a heart attack  she suffered with epilepsy. All in the space of 15 months.

'Of course I miss them, I loved them dearly, but I think that's what levelled me out a bit  I express myself the way I want to. I just grew up really fast.'
She's been playing Brooke Logan since the first episode aired in 1987.

And Katherine Kelly Lang is set to marry her fictional husband Ridge Forrester, played by Thorsten Kaye, yet again.

With The Bold And The Beautiful episodes filmed in Australian are due to air in the coming week, the actress talked about the impending soap opera nuptials.

'I loved them all!' Katherine Kelly Lang has dropped hints about her character, Brooke Forrester's impeding nuptials to Ridge Forrester

'She's engaged to Ridge again and we're supposed to be going to get married in Australia, but we'll have to see what happens,' the 55-year-old actor told The Daily Telegraph.

But when asked who of her leading men did she love playing opposite of the most, the blonde beauty remained diplomatic in her choice of co-star between Ronn Moss (who played the role between 1987 and 2012) and Thorsten Kaye, who is currently playing the debonair designer.

While many fans are excited to see Brooke and Ridge get hitched in Australia, Brook has taken an interest in her character's story arc with Bill Spencer, played by Don Diamont.

World wide locations: 'She's engaged to Ridge again and we're supposed to be going to get married in Australia, but we'll have to see what happens'

Down under: While many fans are excited to see Brooke and Ridge get hitched in Australia, Brook has taken an interest in her character's story arc with Bill Spencer

'The more recent storyline with Bill and how romantic they are together and bring different things out in each other ... that's been good for Brooke. It's more of a positive relationship for her.'

Meanwhile her Australian starlet and recruit Ashleigh Brewer has been excited to come home and film episode back on home turf.

The 26-year-old actress joined the long running soap three years ago as Ivy Forrester and has been thankful to have secured a role in Hollywood.

Hollywod starlet: Australian actress and recruit Ashleigh Brewer has been excited to come home and film episode back on home turf

'I just finished watching Big Little Lies and realised I was watching (Alexander) Skarsgard, (Nicole) Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and Shailene Woodley and it's impossible to break into the film world because of these people and now it's impossible to break into TV because of these people,' she told the publication.

An All Star Family Feud with the cast of the soap will air on Thursday, March 23 at 7.30 on Ten.

The Bold And The Beautiful airs 7.30am and 4.30pm weekdays on Ten.
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She's been celebrating her one year anniversary to boyfriend Johnny Dex over the past several days.

And Devon Windsor continued the festivities as she soaked up the sun during a romantic sun-soaked getaway in Miami Beach, Florida on Saturday.

The 23-year-old Victoria's Secret model paraded her flawless figure in a tiny two-piece which left little to the imagination.

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Beach babe: Devon Windsor continued her anniversary festivities as she soaked up the sun during a romantic sun-soaked getaway in Miami Beach, Florida on Saturday

The 5ft 11in statuesque stunner rocked a red off-the-shoulder criss cross style bikini top from Oye Swimwear which flashed a hint of underboob as she frolicked on the shore.

Her pert derriere was on full display in a pair of barely there crochet style colorful bottoms.

She swept her signature blonde tresses up in a high ponytail while enjoying a warm, sunny day at the beach.

Cute couple: She's been celebrating her one year anniversary to boyfriend Johnny Dex over the past several days. The runway model and her hunky beau frolicked in the warm coastal waters as he playfully picked her up and tossed her in the waves

Bootylicious! Her pert derriere and sculpted abs were on full display in a pair of barely there crochet style colorful bottoms

Sun-soaked holiday! Devon and her boyfriend Johnny celebrated their one year anniversary in Miami Beach on Saturday

Bikini babe! The 23-year-old Victoria's Secret model paraded her flawless figure in a tiny two-piece which left little to the imagination

The St. Louis-born beauty opted for minimal make-up, allowing her natural good looks and flawless complexion to shine through.

Devon kept her hazel eyes concealed from the blazing sun beneath a pair of dark aviator shades.

She wore a dainty gold necklace and several matching bracelets for a touch of added sparkle.

Red hot: The 5ft 11in statuesque stunner rocked a red off-the-shoulder criss cross style bikini top from Oye Swimwear as she cuddled up to her handsome beau on the shore of the beach

Details: The runway model wore a dainty gold necklace and several matching bracelets for a touch of added sparkle

The runway model and her hunky beau frolicked in the warm coastal waters as he playfully picked her up and tossed her in the waves.

Meanwhile, Devon took to Instagram on Thursday and gushed over her boyfriend in celebration of their one year anniversary.

'365 days of pure love and happiness! You and me against the world bubba, I adore you with my whole [heart],' she wrote alongside a stunning snapshot of the pair.

Dressed down: Devon layered up in a pair of printed purple palazzo pants as she got ready to leave the beach

Steady on: The Victoria's Secret model nearly lost her balance as she slipped into her beach pants

Tanned and toned: The starlet layered up in her printed trousers as she headed away from the beach
Women carry food in gunny bags after visiting an aid distribution centre in Ngop in South Sudan's Unity State on March 10, 2017

Canada's government pledged Can$120 million (US$90 million, 84 million euros) Friday to help relieve food crises in four countries where 20 million people face starvation and famine.

The funding for afflicted populations in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen came a week after the United Nations launched an urgent appeal for $4.4 billion in aid by July to "avert a catastrophe" in the region.

"It is a human tragedy that the situation has deteriorated to the extent where we have over 20 million people facing starvation," said international development minister Marie-Claude Bibeau.

"This assistance will be disbursed immediately to the most affected areas. We urge all actors in the affected countries to facilitate humanitarian access so that assistance can reach those most in need."

The UN has warned that the world is facing its worst humanitarian crisis since the end of World War II because of the food crisis, brought on by conflicts in northeastern Nigeria, South Sudan and Yemen, as well as a severe drought in Somalia.

Famine has already been declared in parts of South Sudan.

Canada said its funding would take into account the specific needs of women and children, and include the provision of food, healthcare services, clean water and sanitation facilities.
The White House has seen a string of high-profile trespassing incidents in recent years

A man who scaled a White House fence earlier this month traipsed the grounds of the executive residence for more than 16 minutes prior to his arrest, the US Secret Service said.

The trespasser breached the grounds while the president was in the Washington mansion just before midnight on March 10.

The individual managed to climb over an outer perimeter fence, scale a vehicle gate and hop another fence near the southeast corner of the White House's East Wing before he was captured after his 16 minute-plus jaunt, according to the Secret Service statement.

Uniformed officers took the intruder -- who CNN reported was identified in court records as Jonathan Tran, 26 -- "into custody on the grounds without incident."

"The Secret Service can confirm that at no time did the individual gain entry into the White House," the statement said.

Republican Congressman Jason Chaffetz dubbed the incident "a total and complete embarrassment."

"(Homeland Security chief John) Kelly told me that this person was there on the ground for 17 minutes, went undetected, was able to get up next to the White House, hide behind a pillar, look through a window, rattle the door handle," the lawmaker told CNN.

According to the Washington Post, Tran, who is from northern California, was carrying a backpack and two cans of mace.

If convicted he faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, according to the paper.

Following the incident US President Donald Trump praised the Secret Service for a "fantastic job."

The White House has seen a string of high-profile trespassing incidents in recent years.

In one notable 2014 incident, while Barack Obama was president, a disturbed Army veteran jumped the White House fence, sprinted across the lawn and entered the building with a knife in his pocket.
South Africa's Hashim Amla (L) and Jean-Paul Duminy celebrate after winning their 2nd Test against New Zealand, at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, on March 18, 2017

South African captain Faf du Plessis hailed an "impossible" victory after the Proteas recovered from a desperate situation to win the second Test against New Zealand by eight wickets in Wellington on Saturday.

Keshav Maharaj took a career best six wickets as New Zealand crumpled in their second innings and needed just 25 overs to reach the modest 81 to win.

Just five sessions after South Africa were on the ropes they found themselves with an unbeatable 1-0 lead in the series with one Test to play.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson branded the change in fortunes and his side's second innings capitulation when they were out for 171, as a "very, very poor" effort.

But du Plessis said the result was testimony to the determination of the South Africans.

"It's happened a few times this season where we've been in impossible situations," he said.

New Zealand's cricketers walk off the field after loosing their 2nd Test against South Africa, at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, on March 18, 2017

"At lunchtime yesterday, 90 for six, it's not too long ago, and here we are.

"We've somehow found this ability to have a lot of faith in our batting line up or whatever, for guys in the team to stand up when there's a pressure situation."

From being 94 for six before lunch on Friday, South Africa rallied to be all out for 359 to take a 91-run lead into the second innings.

On a flattening track and with nearly three days remaining, there was time for New Zealand to mount a strong comeback.

Instead their second innings was done in 63.2 overs with a career best 80 by Jeet Raval and a 65-run partnership between Raval and BJ Watling (29) the only sign of resistance.

Raval's dismissal signalled the beginning of the end as the last five wickets fell for 16 runs.

Faced with the guile of Maharaj's left-arm spin and the seam and bounce of Morne Morkel New Zealand struggled through their second innings.

South Africa's Morne Morkel (C) celebrates with team mates after New Zealand's captain Kane Williamson was caught on day three of their 2nd Test match, at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, on March 18, 2017

Maharaj finished with six for 40, the best figures and second five-wicket haul in his fledgling six-Test career while Morkel took the top off the New Zealand innings, including the key wicket of Kane Williamson, to have three for 50.

Du Plessis admitted to being "surprised" because there was not a lot of spin in the wicket.

"I thought both spinners this Test match bowled incredibly well. Their consistency in their areas, the New Zealand batsmen couldn't get way."

New Zealand said before the Test they did not particularly want a green wicket given the high quality of the South African pace attack.

- The spin doctors -

But it was the South African spinners who did serious damage, claiming six wickets in each innings with Maharaj having match figures of eight for 87.

Williamson said that was disappointing and something New Zealand needed to address.

"We have to do a lot better," he said.

"It wasn't offering a huge amount of spin so it is something as a batting unit we're disappointed in."

Morkel removed Tom Latham, Williamson and Neil Broom to have New Zealand at three for 64 early in their second innings.

Once Williamson fell for one, New Zealand needed the remaining batsmen to step up but instead Neil Broom, Henry Nicholls and Jimmy Neesham could only add 31 in total before BJ Watling joined Raval to halt the flow of wickets.

On 53, Raval was dropped by JP Duminy in the gully and on 67 he charged down the wicket to Duminy and missed the ball, but so too did wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock when a stumping was on the cards.

De Kock made amends the next time Raval danced down the wicket and completed the stumping for Maharaj's third wicket.

The third and final Test starts in Hamilton next Saturday.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) shakes hands with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson after a joint press conference in Beijing, on March 18, 2017

The US and China pledged on Saturday to work together in addressing the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear programme, as US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned regional tensions had reached a "dangerous level."

The language from Tillerson and his Chinese counterpart after talks in Beijing was notably conciliatory after a run-up in which US President Donald Trump accused China of doing nothing to control its rogue neighbour while Beijing blamed Washington for fuelling hostilities.

"I think we share a common view and a sense that tensions in the peninsula are quite high right now and that things have reached a rather dangerous level," Tillerson said after talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

"We will work together to see if we cannot bring the government in Pyongyang to a place where they want to make a different course, make a course correction, and move away from the development of nuclear weapons."

Tillerson arrived in Beijing earlier Saturday after visits to US allies Japan and South Korea where he said the US would no longer observe the "failed" approach of patient diplomacy, warning that American military action against the North was an option "on the table."

The United Nations has imposed multiple sets of sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear and missile programmes

But Tillerson refrained from further tough talk in his joint appearance with Wang, who appeared to chide the US diplomat over his rhetoric this week.

"We hope all parties including our friends from the United States could size up the situation in a cool-headed and comprehensive fashion and arrive at a wise decision," Wang said.

Neither side indicated any concrete next steps, and Tillerson did not explicitly back Beijing's calls for negotiations with North Korea, which Washington has rejected.

- Twitter blast -

In a Friday Twitter blast, Trump had accused Beijing of failing to use its leverage as North Korea's key diplomatic and trade partner.

"North Korea is behaving very badly. They have been 'playing' the United States for years. China has done little to help!" Trump said.

The hardened US stance followed two North Korean nuclear tests last year and recent missile launches that Pyongyang described as practice for an attack on US bases in Japan.

North Korean soldiers at the border between the two Koreas, in Panmunjom, on March 17, 2017

Beijing is reluctant to squeeze the unpredictable North, now led by Kim Jong-Un, too hard lest it trigger a confrontation or messy regime collapse.

China, however, has accused Washington of escalating tensions by holding military exercises with its ally Seoul and deploying an anti-missile system in South Korea.

Beijing wants to resume multi-lateral diplomatic negotiations with North Korea on dismantling its nukes -- which UN resolutions bar it from having. Various rounds of such talks in years past failed to deter Pyongyang.

- Summit looms -

"We both hope to find ways to restart talks and do not give up hope for peace," Wang said.

China has criticised the US get-tough approach, saying diplomacy was the "only feasible option" and challenging the Trump administration to propose a clear alternative.

One reason for the amicable tone Saturday may be that delicate negotiations are under way for President Xi Jinping's first summit with Trump next month in the United States.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (C) visits the border village of Panmunjom during a trip to the Demilitarised Zone dividing the two Koreas

Trump has been a frequent China critic, and the encounter could be crucial to setting the tone in the big-power relationship.

Tillerson was expected to meet Xi on Sunday morning.

Beijing shares US concerns over Pyongyang but has been accused of not fully enforcing UN sanctions.

But it took one of its toughest steps yet in February, halting all imports of North Korean coal -- a key source of income for the impoverished state -- for the rest of this year.

Wang Dong, a North Korea expert at Peking University, said it was wrong to think Beijing can control the unpredictable and head-strong Pyongyang.

"It is unreasonable for the United States to accuse China of doing nothing on the DPRK (North Korea)," Wang said.

"This is an extremely complex and sensitive issue. There is no one magic formula."

The Obama administration had ruled out diplomatic engagement until Pyongyang fully committed to denuclearisation.

North Korea insists it needs nuclear weapons for defense. It conducted its first underground atomic test in 2006, triggering global condemnation. Four more followed.

There was no immediate reaction from North Korea but the country's top newspaper Rodong Sinmun carried a commentary Saturday threatening to launch a devastating nuclear attack if the US takes military action.

"Should the US government continue putting pressure on us, efforts to seek a new exit (in the nuclear impasse) would be lost forever," it sai
Chile President Michelle Bachelet (L) accepts a donation of land from Kristine McDivitt (R), widow of Douglas Tompkins, co-founder of The North Face and clothing brand Esprit

Douglas Tompkins's widow vividly remembers the suspicions the late billionaire raised when he started buying up land in Patagonia, the natural paradise at the bottom of South America.

Some accused him of preparing a storage site for American nuclear waste, she says. Others said he was starting a cult, still others that he wanted to launch a Jewish state -- even though he was raised Episcopalian.

Now, just over one year after his death, she hopes her late husband's final wishes for the land will lay the controversy to rest for good.

Tompkins, the co-founder of The North Face outdoor label and clothing brand Esprit, has donated a tract of land the size of Rhode Island to the Chilean government as a national park -- the largest such donation in history.

This week, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet accepted the 407,000-hectare (one million-acre) donation in a ceremony held in a verdant Patagonian meadow and attended by Tompkins's widow, Kristine McDivitt, a former CEO of the outdoor clothing and gear company Patagonia..

The ceremony came a year and three months after Tompkins's death at age 72 in a kayaking accident in the Patagonia region he adored.

"Douglas Tompkins's generosity and love of nature" shine through in his gift, Bachelet said on accepting the land on behalf of the Chilean state.

"If there were still any suspicions, with this gigantic donation they have been definitively left in the past," said Chilean journalist Andres Azocar, who has written a biography of Tompkins called "The Green Billionaire."

- Powerful enemies -

Much has changed in the quarter-century since Tompkins moved to Chile and started buying up huge swathes of land here and in neighboring Argentina.

The American magnate stoked controversy with his outsized ambition and ability to use his massive fortune to gobble up privately owned land in the remote southern region.

His plans to turn the land into national parks made him some powerful enemies in a Chile just emerging from the bloody 17-year dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.

It was a time when the country was deeply suspicious of outsiders, especially from the United States, which had backed Pinochet's coup.

Tompkins's opponents included president Eduardo Frei, whose administration stalled him on his first initiative, the creation of Pumalin Park -- a private nature reserve of 3,000 square kilometers (1,200 square miles) in southern Chile.

And while the animosity faded over the years -- the parks Tompkins created are today broadly hailed as an environmental and tourism boon in both Chile and Argentina -- some still harbor lingering bitterness toward the late conservationist.

"He pressured landholders to sell their land at despicable prices," Belisario Velasco, the deputy interior minister under Frei, told AFP Friday.

"I don't see the benefit of this deal for the state."

- 'Skin of a hog' -

Tompkins launched North Face as a mountaineering store in San Francisco in 1966.

He and his first wife, Susie Tompkins Buell, soon began selling quirky fashions that, in 1971, became the Esprit brand -- today a hugely popular global chain.

Tompkins sold his stake in The North Face in the late 1960s and in Esprit in the 1980s.

The rugged, white-haired adventurer moved to Chile in 1990.

The controversy around him also extended to Argentina, where some accused him of buying up freshwater supplies for a future business venture.

"They're accusing me of all kinds of things," he told Argentine newspaper La Nacion in 2013.

"I've already developed psychological armor against it. Sometimes it's tragicomic. You have to have a good sense of humor and the skin of a hog: hard and leathery."
Supporters of South Korea's impeached President Park Geun-Hye cry during a rally opposing the impeachment, in Seoul, on March 11, 2017

Protesters marched through the streets of Seoul on Saturday demanding the repeal of ex-President Park Geun-Hye's impeachment.

Prosecutors have ordered the ousted president to appear before them on Tuesday next week for questioning over the corruption scandal that triggered her dramatic downfall.

A criminal suspect in the scandal, Park had repeatedly refused to make herself available for questioning by the prosecutors before the country's highest court confirmed a parliamentary impeachment motion against her.

Saturday's protest against the impeachment saw 2,000 of her supporters walking slowly, waving banners and national flags, including a huge one carried by some 100 people.

They followed a black funeral limousine decorated with national flags.

Friday's final ruling stripped her of power and executive privileges, including protection from criminal indictment, and she left the presidential palace at the weekend.

The corruption and influence-peddling scandal is centred on Park's close confidante Choi Soon-Sil, who is on trial for abuse of power and coercion.

Choi is accused of using her presidential ties to force local firms including Samsung to "donate" nearly $70 million to non-profit foundations she allegedly used for personal gain.

Park -- the 65-year-old daughter of the late former strongman Park Chung-Hee -- has been named as Choi's accomplice who helped her extract money from the firms.

The scandal that rocked the nation has also seen the heir to electronics giant Samsung, Lee Jae-Yong, arrested and charged with bribery for offering millions of dollars to Choi in return for policy favours from Park.

Park has voiced defiance over the court ruling, saying "the truth will eventually be revealed".
Palestinian militants carry a home-made rocket after taking part in a 2016 training exercise in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip

A rocket fired by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip slammed into southern Israel on Saturday, prompting retaliatory Israeli tank fire, sources on both sides said.

The Israeli army said the rocket hit an open area. "No casualties have been reported."

Palestinian security officials said the Israeli tank fire targeted an observation post of Gaza's Hamas rulers, near Beit Lahiya in the north of the territory, close to the border with Israel.

An Israeli military spokeswoman confirmed the tank fire "in response to the rocket attack".

Last month, Israeli warplanes and tanks pounded Gaza in response to a similar rocket launch, hitting Hamas military facilities and wounding four Palestinians, none of them seriously.

Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2008.

Since the last one in 2014, a fragile ceasefire has been observed along the largely closed border.

Missiles and rockets are periodically fired at Israel, generally by hardline Islamist groups opposed to Hamas.

But Israel holds Hamas responsible for all rocket fire from Gaza regardless of who carried it out.
Relatives transport the bodies of west Mosul residents allegedly killed in an airstrike targeting Islamic State group jihadists on March 17, 2017

As a convoy of wooden carts descends a hill outside Iraq's war-torn second city of Mosul, a child's foot, greyed with dust, pokes out from under brightly coloured blankets.

Ziad Khalaf says an air strike earlier this week targeting Islamic State group fighters in west Mosul killed 21 members of his family.

"They were pulled from the rubble. Twenty-one bodies, women and children. Even a baby of just six months," he says.

"I hadn't seen them in 20 days."

The rickety carts crawl along the muddy road under a leaden sky.

More feet protrude from under red, green, blue and pink blankets. Some are bare and dusty, others wear socks. A deep wound splits a little girl's face from cheek to ear.

Iraqi forces backed by a US-led coalition are pressing a vast offensive to seize Iraq's second city from IS, whose members have used civilians as human shields to slow approaching forces.

Relatives mourn as bodies of Iraqis allegedly killed in a west Mosul airstrike targeting IS jihadists are covered with blankets

When Iraqi fighters entered Khalaf's Wadi Hajar neighbourhood in the city's southwest, he was able to hide as IS withdrew.

His relatives were not so lucky. They were forced to join the jihadists as they retreated towards a nearby railway station which Iraqi forces captured Tuesday.

"They were human shields for the jihadists," says Khalaf, a man in his thirties with greying hair. "A plane came. There was a strike."

"I've lost my two brothers, my nephew, my cousins... a whole family -- 21 people," he says.

"When we went to retrieve the bodies, the jihadists fired mortars at us. We couldn't get them out until the Iraqi security forces arrived," Khalaf says.

It could not be independently confirmed that the raid had taken place or whether it was carried out by Iraqi or coalition aircraft.

- 'Dead inside' -

The six old carts draw to a halt and line up side by side in a muddy field. Some men burst into tears, others scream in despair.

"It was a very violent strike. Two houses were reduced to dust," says Shehab Ahmad.

A man mourns relatives allegedly killed in a west Mosul air strike targeting IS jihadists

He cries as he kisses a little girl with light brown hair who was lying on one of the carts. He sits head in hands, his face lowered to the ground.

His wife and their son Ahmad, three and a half years old, were killed in the raid. He and his three young daughters survived.

A man with thick black hair and wrinkles around his eyes, he was in a third building that was spared.

"I feel dead inside," he says, tapping a hand on his chest.

Among the carts, Rayan Khalaf huddles in the arms of a relative. He cannot hold back his tears as he blurts out incomprehensible remarks.

He rises and kisses the bodies one by one.

"Where's Younes? Here's Younes. A kiss from your mother, a kiss from your grandmother," he says.

An imposing flat-backed military truck arrives. Black and beige body bags are retrieved from an ambulance and one by one, the bodies are wrapped.

"This is my brother," Rayan Khalaf says, struggling to carry a body in his arms. He refuses to be helped.

"This is Younes," Ziad Khalaf tells his father.

The old man stands by his side, a grey coat over his black gown and a traditional kuffiyeh scarf on his head, holding a thick pile of green ID cards.

He leafs through each one carefully before placing it on a body.
Hundreds of Angolans hold placards and shout slogans as they march to protest against a draft law that would criminalise all abortions

About 200 demonstrators protested under heavy police surveillance in the Angolan capital Luanda on Saturday against a draft law criminalising all abortions.

The proposed new penal code has been sharply criticised, including by Isabel dos Santos, reported to be the richest woman in Africa and the daughter of veteran President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.

The mostly female protesters chanted "Freedom for women", "Prison will not solve anything" and "Let us decide", before dispersing after about two hours.

Public protests are rare in Angola and can often be targeted by Angola's security forces, but the peaceful march was allowed by authorities.

The draft penal code, currently before parliament, punishes anyone who has an abortion or performs one with up to 10 years in jail.

"The government or lawmakers have no right to decide whether we must have a child or not," Lauranda Gouveia, a marcher, told AFP.

"If this law is passed, women who get pregnant after rape will have the choice of trauma, prison or possible death after a clandestine abortion," added Sizaltia Cutaia, of the local Open Society activism group.

The draft code was strengthened after lobbying by church leaders and has triggered public debate.

Isabel dos Santos this week used her Instagram social media account to denounce the "criminalisation of women".

Dom Manuel Imbamba, spokesman for the Episcopal Conference of Angola, told AFP that it supported the anti-abortion law, saying "life cannot be negotiated or trivialised."

The ruling MPLA party on Thursday said that a vote in parliament next week had been postponed.

Angola, which had been ruled by President dos Santos since 1979, is updating its 1886 penal code dating back to the Portuguese colonial era.
Bangladesh security personnel guard the entrance of Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport in Dhaka on March 17, following a suicide bomb attack on a military camp in the city

The Islamic State Group claimed responsibility Saturday for a suicide bomb attack on a Bangladesh security forces camp, while police in Dhaka shot dead a suspected militant in a separate incident.

The Bangladeshi government has repeatedly denied the presence of IS in the country, blaming attacks on local extremists.

"A caliphate soldier in Bangladesh carried out a martyrdom operation with an explosive belt in a camp for special forces in Dhaka," IS announced in its daily al-Bayan radio bulletin Saturday.

Two policemen were wounded in the apparently botched attack on Friday when a man blew himself up at an elite forces camp near Dhaka's international airport.

The camp attacked was occupied by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), an elite force tasked with combatting militancy.

Asked about IS' claim of responsibility, RAB spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan told AFP: "IS has no presence in Bangladesh at all".

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a major attack on a Dhaka cafe last year in which 22 people, including 18 foreign hostages, were killed.

The Bangladeshi government however has said a new faction of homegrown extremist group Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) was behind that and other attacks.

Critics accuse Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's secular government of using the spate of attacks in the country to demonise her domestic opponents.

On Saturday a man on a motorbike tried to cross a RAB security roadblock in Dhaka carrying a bag with improvised explosive devices.

Bangladesh police shot the suspected militant dead, Khan said.

"As he was carrying explosives we primarily suspect him of being a militant," Khan told AFP, adding further investigation was needed to ascertain his identity.

A bomb disposal unit recovered the biker's bag containing multiple small improvised bombs, which were later defused, Khan said.

Friday's bomb attack was one of the first in recent years against the elite RAB force, which has led a nationwide crackdown on Islamist extremists, arresting scores of suspects.

Police have this month also been carrying out a series of raids in the southern Chittagong region and say they killed four suspected militants when they stormed an extremist hideout on Thursday.

Former US Secretary of State John Kerry said last year there was evidence to link extremists behind attacks in Bangladesh to IS.

"There is the ideological footprint of IS in Bangladesh, there is no denial about it," said Shahab Enam Khan, a terrorism expert at Jahangirnagar University.

"However, we have not received enough evidence of their physical existence in concrete organisational form in the country yet."
US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held talks at the White House in Washington DC, on March 17, 2017

US President Donald Trump unleashed a diatribe against Germany on Saturday, saying Berlin owes NATO "vast sums of money" and must pay the United States more for security.

His latest tweetstorm comes a day after he met German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Washington, where the two leaders showed little common ground over a host of thorny issues, including NATO and defense spending.

"Germany owes vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!" Trump tweeted on Saturday morning.

He prefaced his statement by lashing out at the news media. "Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS," he tweeted, "I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel."

US Vice President Mike Pence (L) recently met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on February 20, 2017

That appeared to be far from the case on Friday, when the veteran German leader arrived hoping to reverse a chill in relations after Trump had said during his campaign last year that her decision to allow refugees into Germany was a "catastrophic mistake" and suggested she was "ruining Germany."

But during a joint news conference, Trump accused Germany of unfair trade practices and ripped into Washington's NATO allies, demanding they pay back "vast sums of money from past years."

Merkel said Germany had committed to increasing its military spending to two percent of GDP, a target NATO member states formally agreed in 2014 to reach within 10 years.

A German government spokesman declined to comment about Trump's tweets on Saturday, referring AFP to Merkel's statements on the subject during Friday's news conference.

- Treaty commitment -

US defense spending -- $679 billion in 2016 -- accounts for nearly 70 percent of the total defense budgets of NATO's 28 members

Trump had made European defense spending an issue during his campaign, saying the United States -- which spends just over three percent of its GDP on defense -- carries too much of the financial burden for supporting NATO.

However, critics pointed out on Saturday that NATO members don't pay the United States for security, but contribute by spending on their own militaries.

"Sorry, Mr President, that's not how NATO works," tweeted Ivo Daalder, a former US ambassador to NATO. "This is not a financial transaction, where NATO countries pay the US to defend them. It is part of our treaty commitment."

"We fought two world wars in Europe, and one cold war," he added. "Keeping Europe whole, free, and at peace, is vital US interest."

US defense spending -- $679 billion in 2016 -- accounts for nearly 70 percent of the total defense budgets of NATO's 28 members.

But member states resolved to increase their defense spending after the dramatic events of 2014, when Russia annexed the Black Sea peninsula Crimea from Ukraine and began backing separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine.

Then, the Islamic State group declared a "caliphate" just across NATO's southern border in Syria and Iraq.

Germany currently spends 1.2 percent of its GDP on defense

NATO members agreed on a ten-year plan to each increase their national defense spending to two percent of their respective GDPs.

Five -- Britain, Estonia, Greece, Poland and the United States -- have met that goal. Three more -- Latvia, Lithuania and Romania -- are expected to do so this year.

Last year, according to the alliance, 23 of the 28 member states increased their defense spending in real terms, the first time that has happened in more than two decades.

"This is not a business ledger sheet with credits and debits," another former US ambassador to NATO, Douglas Lute, told AFP. "It's a ten-year investment program and allies are making progress, slowly."

Trump has also worried US allies by criticizing the military alliance as "obsolete" and failing to meet the challenge posed by Islamic terror groups.

- Added value -

Germany, whose militaristic past has led it traditionally to be reticent on defense matters, currently spends 1.2 percent of GDP.

But the country's defense minister has called for changes to the way NATO members' commitments to budget targets are assessed.

Speaking on Friday ahead of Merkel's trip to Washington, Ursula von der Leyen told AFP that the two percent target paints an incomplete picture of actual contributions, saying member states that take part in NATO operations and exercises or contribute personnel and hardware should get credit toward the two percent goal.

"For me, the question is who is really providing added value to the alliance," she said.

Von der Leyen proposed using an "activity index" that would take participation in foreign missions into account when assessing budget earmarks for defense.
UN envoy Martin Kobler and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini pledge their support to Libya's unity government during talks at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, on March 18, 2017

A quartet of international groups said Saturday it supported efforts by Libya's unity government to assert control over Tripoli after days of fighting with rival militias.

The Cairo meeting by representatives of the United Nations, European Union, Arab League and African Union came a day after gunmen opened fire at demo nstrators protesting against militias in Libya's capital.

Speaking at a press conference afterwards, Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit said the quartet had followed the "dangerous developments in Tripoli."

"We agreed on supporting the (UN-backed) presidential council in its efforts to exert security control in the capital, including the implementation of the truce agreement," Abul Gheit said.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, UN envoy Martin Kobler and African Union Libya envoy Jakaya Kikwete also attended the meeting.

Friday's protests followed four days of clashes between pro-unity government forces and rival militias.

Kobler said it would not be time to lift an arms embargo on Libya until its armed forces had a clear chain of command.

"If you have an army with a clear chain of command, reporting to the supreme command of the army and the presidency council, they are entitled to exemptions from the weapons embargo," he said.

The fighting in Tripoli lasted four days and subsided only after the GNA signed a ceasefire agreement with militias from Tripoli and third city Misrata, along with local mayors.

The truce announced Thursday has largely held despite brief clashes the same day in the south of the city.

Militias have been key power brokers in a country plagued by violence and lawlessness since the NATO-backed ouster of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

The embattled GNA has secured the support of several armed groups, but dozens of militias continue to operate in Tripoli.

Abul Gheit said the quartet that met in Cairo was "prepared to support and facilitate any mechanism for dialogue between the Libyan parties."
Newsweek reporter Kurt Eichenwald, who suffers from epilepsy, was incapacitated for days after he received an animated tweet that immediately gave him a seizure

A Maryland man has been arrested on federal charges that he intentionally used an animated tweet to trigger an epileptic seizure in a Newsweek reporter who had been critical of President Donald Trump.

The reporter, Kurt Eichenwald, was at his home office in Dallas on December 15 when he clicked on a Twitter message sent him by a man using the pseudonym "@jew_goldstein." A blinding strobe light began flashing on his screen, sending Eichenwald -- who has openly discussed his epilepsy -- into a seizure. His wife found him on the floor.

The Justice Department said Friday that it had arrested John R. Rivello, 29, of Salisbury, Maryland, on a criminal complaint from Texas charging him with cyberstalking with the intent to kill or cause bodily harm. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

An affidavit filed with the complaint said that a search of Rivello's Twitter account showed he had sent other messages about Eichenwald saying "I know he has epilepsy" and "I hope this sends him into a seizure."

The authorities also found an altered Wikipedia page in Rivello's iCloud account that showed a fake obituary for Eichenwald with a death date of December 16.

Eichenwald's lawyer Steven Lieberman said the use of a strobe light against a known epileptic was "no different than a bomb sent in the mail or anthrax sent in an envelope," according to The New York Times, where Eichenwald spent years as an investigative reporter.

That made the incident different from other cyberstalking cases, where the intent is to cause psychological -- not explicitly physical -- harm.

Eichenwald, 55, has some 319,000 Twitter followers. He had been critical of Trump throughout the presidential campaign last year.

When his wife found him on the floor on December 15, she first called 911, and then alerted the authorities to the message from "@jew_goldstein."

Eichenwald was incapacitated for days, lost feeling in one hand, and had trouble speaking for weeks, his lawyer told The Times.

Since the attack, Eichenwald said, 40 more accounts have sent him strobe lights messages. He has passed their information to the FBI.
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The U.N. Security Council called on Afghanistan's government Friday to tackle the "alarming threats" posed by the Taliban, al-Qaida, Islamic State affiliates and other extremist groups which threaten the security and stability of the country.

A resolution adopted unanimously by the Security Council extending the U.N. political mission in the country until March 17, 2018 expresses serious concern at the presence and potential growth of IS affiliates which pose "serious threats to the security of Afghanistan and the countries of the region."

The Security Council reiterated its support for the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces "in securing their country and in their fight against terrorism and violent extremism." It called on the Afghan government, with international assistance, to continue tackling threats from "terrorist groups."

Council members called for strengthened international and regional security cooperation to deal with violence in the region and attacks by the Taliban, the Haqqani Network, al-Qaida, IS, other extremist and armed groups, criminals and "foreign terrorist fighters."

The Taliban, who have been waging an insurgency against the U.S.-backed government in Kabul for more than 15 years, advanced on a number of fronts in 2016. Afghan forces have struggled to combat the militants since the U.S. and NATO formally concluded their combat mission at the end of 2014.

The government is also facing an Islamic State affiliate, which is seeking to expand its footprint in the country beyond the eastern Nangarhar province, as well as attacks by al-Qaida and other groups.

The U.N.'s most powerful body expressed "deep concern" at the record number of civilian casualties reported in February and condemned suicide attacks, often in populated areas, and the deliberate killing of women and girls, including those promoting women's rights, and journalists.

According to the U.N. report, 3,498 people were killed in 2016, including 923 children, and another 7,920 people were wounded, the highest total of civilian casualties recorded since 2009 when the U.N. mission known as UNAMA began systematically documenting civilian casualties.

The resolution adopted by the council authorizes UNAMA to continue supporting the Afghan government including it coordinating international civilian efforts, organizing future Afghan elections including the upcoming parliamentary elections, and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The chairman of the House Oversight Committee says an intruder on the White House grounds was able to "look through" a White House window and "rattle the door handle" before being apprehended last week.

Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz (CHAY'-fits) tells CNN he was told by the Homeland Security Secretary that the person went undetected on the grounds for 17 minutes while President Donald Trump was inside.

Chaffetz calls the incident a "complete and utter total failure."

The Secret Service said in a statement that the intruder breached a 5-foot outer perimeter fence and scaled an 8-foot vehicle gate to gain entry.

The agency stressed the intruder never made it inside White House.

It is still investigating and has put additional security posts, technology enhancements and new response protocols into place.
MOSCOW (AP) - Russia's lower house of parliament is launching an investigation into U.S. news media that operate in Russia, a move that comes amid growing suspicion in America of Russian interference.

A statement on the website of the chamber, the Duma, does not specify how the investigation would be conducted or what might be done with its results.

Deputy Konstantin Zatulin, who initiated the move, calls it "a response to the actions of American politicians who have systematically accused Russian news media of interference in U.S. internal affairs," according to the Friday statement.

The statement singles out a bill introduced this week that would give the Justice Department authority to investigate Russia's English-language news outlet RT America for potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
BERLIN (AP) - Germany's foreign minister says Turkey's chances of joining the European Union are dwindling, but the country might one day hope for a privileged partnership with the bloc.

Sigmar Gabriel told German weekly Der Spiegel in an interview published Saturday that "Turkey is further away than ever before from EU membership."

Gabriel, whose center-left Social Democrats have tended to back Turkish membership in the EU, says he was always skeptical of the idea.

He says upcoming negotiations about the EU's future relationship with Britain might provide a blueprint for Turkey "in the long term."

Relations between Berlin and Ankara have soured recently over a German Parliament resolution labeling the 20th century killing of Armenians as "genocide," Turkey's crackdown on the opposition and civil society and appearances by Turkish officials in Germany.
MOSCOW (AP) - Residents of cities in Crimea and Russia are gathering to commemorate the third anniversary of Russia's annexation of the Black Sea peninsula from Ukraine.

The annexation was widely denounced by the West, and both the United States and the European Union imposed sanction on Russia in response.

The annexation agreement on March 18, 2014, came two days after a referendum on secession that was hastily called in the wake of massive protests that drove Ukraine's pro-Russia president to flee the country.

In Sevastopol, Crimea's prime port of the base for Russia's Black Sea Fleet, about 3,000 people gathered to mark the anniversary. Other commemoration festivities were held throughout mainland Russia on Saturday, news reports said.
WATERTOWN, Mass. (AP) - A memorial fund has been established for the family of a Massachusetts firefighter who collapsed at the scene of a house fire and died.

Officials are directing donations for the family of Joseph Toscano to the Watertown Firefighters Relief Association's Toscano Fund. Proceeds will benefit Toscano's wife and five children.

Earlier Saturday, the 54-year-old Randolph resident's body was escorted to the medical examiner's office with a solemn procession by uniformed firefighters from across the region.

A firefighter is consoled at the scene of a house fire, Friday, March 17, 2017, in Watertown, Mass., where 54-year-old firefighter Joseph Toscano collapsed and died. The cause of death is still under investigation. (Jonathan Wiggs/Boston Globe via AP)

A wake is expected in Randolph, followed by a funeral Mass in Watertown.

Officials say Toscano suffered a medical emergency. The medical examiner's office is determining the exact cause of death.

Toscano is the first Massachusetts firefighter to die in the line of duty since 2014, when two Boston firefighters were killed.
PARIS (AP) - Far-left French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon gathered tens of thousands of supporters in Paris at a rally Saturday calling for deep reforms in the French constitution.

Melenchon, who wants to shorten France's 35-hour workweek, leave NATO, block free-trade deals and stop using nuclear energy, has pledged to summon a constituent assembly if he wins the election.

The 65-year-old former Socialist who previously served as minister for vocational training often depicts himself as the candidate of the people. He promises to get rid of what he calls the "presidential monarchy" and give more power to parliament.

Thousand of poeple gather on Republique square in Paris, Saturday, March 18, 2017 as supporters of hard-left French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon march through the French capital. The first French presidential ballot will take place on April 23 and the two top candidates go into a runoff on May 7. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

The gathering Saturday between two iconic squares in the French capital - the Place de La Bastille and Place de la Republique - took place on the anniversary of the Paris Commune, an alliance between the middle and working classes who broke into revolt on the 18th of March 1871 in the wake of the collapse of Napoleon III's Second Empire.

Melenchon was greeted to chants of "President! President!" as he joined the rally. He later said on his Twitter account that 130,000 people had attended.

"Without us, nothing makes sense in France," Melenchon told his supporters. "We are not here to support a person, but a platform. This is a political demonstration, a citizen's insurrection against the presidential monarchy."

Melenchon, who is supported by the Communist party, has so far struggled to make his campaign take off. Opinion polls suggest he has no chance of making it to the second round of France's presidential ballot on May 7.

Melenchon and his Socialist rival Benoit Hamon are running neck-and-neck in opinion polls, but well behind far-right National Front candidate Marine Le Pen, independent centrist Emmanuel Macron and conservative hopeful Francois Fillon.

Both Melenchon and Hamon have criticized Socialist President Francois Hollande's austerity politics but have failed to join forces in the presidential race.

The first round of the French presidential vote will be held on April 23, with the two top vote-getters there going into a presidential runoff ballot on May 7.

Thousand of poeple gather on Republique square in Paris, Saturday, March 18, 2017 as supporters of hard-left French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon march through the French capital. The first French presidential ballot will take place on April 23 and the two top candidates go into a runoff on May 7. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Thousand of poeple gather on Republique square in Paris, Saturday, March 18, 2017 as supporters of hard-left French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon march through the French capital. The first French presidential ballot will take place on April 23 and the two top candidates go into a runoff on May 7. Poster at left reads: End the presidential monarchy. Others read: Green rule. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Authorities say a man has turned himself in to face a firearms charge in the shooting death of a 3-year-old girl in Pittsburgh.

Public safety officials said 40-year-old Paul Parrish surrendered Friday afternoon. He's charged with being a felon illegally in possession of a firearm.

Police say Yasha Ross of Coraopolis was shot March 12 in a home in the Mount Washington neighborhood and later died at Allegheny General Hospital.

This undated photo provided by the Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety shows Paul Parrish, a convicted felon charged with a weapons violation. On Friday, March 17, 2017, Pittsburgh police are searching for Parrish, after a 3-year-old girl was fatally shot at his home. (Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety via AP)

The public safety department said the shooting remains under investigation, but it's possible that the child "may have accidentally shot herself."

Police said the gun belonged to an acquaintance of Parrish's. Court documents don't list a defense attorney for Parrish who could respond to the charge, and a listed number for Parrish couldn't be found Saturday.
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump said Saturday that Germany owes "vast sums of money" to NATO and the U.S. "must be paid more" for providing defense, reiterating his stance that European allies need to meet their end of the bargain if they are to continue benefiting from the military alliance.

Trump's tweet from his Florida resort, where he is spending the weekend, came the day after his first meeting with Germany's leader.

"Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS, I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel," the president wrote. "Nevertheless, Germany owes ... vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!"

President Donald Trump, with his son Barron Trump, wave they disembark from Air Force One upon arrival at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., , Friday, March 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Trump and Merkel tried to sidestep their differences in their meeting at the White House on Friday, but it was punctuated by some awkward moments.

During a photo op in the Oval Office, the two did not shake hands before reporters. Later, during a joint news conference, Trump pushed back against the notion in Europe that his "America First" agenda means he's an isolationist, calling such a suggestion "another example of, as you say, fake news." And he referred to the United States as "a very powerful company," before quickly correcting that to "country."

When a German reporter asked Trump if he regrets any of his commentary on Twitter, Trump said, "Very seldom."

The new president reaffirmed the United States' "strong support" for NATO, but reiterated his stance that NATO allies need to "pay their fair share" for the cost of defense. Trump said at the press conference that many countries owe "vast sums of money" - but he declined to identify Germany, at the time, as one of those nations.

Prior to his inauguration, Trump declared NATO "obsolete" but has since modified his stance, telling European leaders the alliance remains of strategic importance. Only the U.S. and four other members currently reach the benchmark of spending 2 percent of GDP on defense. Germany currently spends 1.23 percent of its GDP on defense, but it is being increased.

When the topic moved to trade, Trump said the U.S. would do "fantastically well" in its trade relations with Germany. The president has been deeply critical of foreign trade and national security agreements but suggested he was only trying to revise trade deals to better serve U.S. interests, rather than pull back from the world entirely.

Trump said trade agreements have led to greater trade deficits. The U.S. trade deficit with Germany was $64.9 billion last year, the lowest since 2009, according to the Commerce Department.

Merkel maintained her composure when Trump repeated his contention that former President Barack Obama may have tapped his phones in Trump Tower. He sought to turn the explosive charge into a light joke when asked about concerns raised by the British government that the White House is now citing a debunked claim that U.K. spies snooped on Trump.

"At least we have something in common, perhaps," Trump said casually, referring to 2013 reports that the U.S. was monitoring Merkel's cellphone conversations. As for the most recent report, Trump said he shouldn't be blamed for quoting a Fox News analyst who had accused British intelligence of helping Obama spy on him.

On economic issues, Merkel attempted to project a conciliatory approach. She said the "success of Germans has always been one where the German success is one side of the coin and the other side of the coin has been European unity and European integration. That's something of which I'm deeply convinced."

Those comments appeared aimed at making a case to Trump on the benefits of the European Union. Trump backed Britain's departure from the EU and has expressed skepticism of multilateral trade agreements.

The two leaders tried to express their common bonds but showed minimal rapport in their first encounter, a departure from Merkel's warm relations with Obama during his eight years as president. At the start of the news conference, Merkel sought to break the ice, saying that it was "much better to talk to one another than about one another."

Merkel said delicately that while she represents German interests, Trump "stands up for, as is right, American interests. That is our task respectively." She said they were "trying to address also those areas where we disagree but tried to bring people together."

"We need to be fair with each other," Merkel said, saying both countries were expecting "that something good comes out of it for their own people."

The meetings at the White House included discussions on fighting the Islamic State group, the conflict in Afghanistan and resolving Ukraine's conflict, all matters that require close cooperation between the U.S. and Germany.

The talks aimed to represent a restart of a relationship complicated by Trump's rhetoric on the campaign trail. As a candidate, Trump frequently accused the chancellor of "ruining" Germany for allowing an influx of refugees and other migrants from Syria and accused his campaign rival, Hillary Clinton, of wanting to be "America's Angela Merkel."

___

Associated Press writer Vivian Salama contributed to this report from Palm Beach, Florida.

___

On Twitter follow Ken Thomas at https://twitter.com/KThomasDC and https://twitter.com/colvinj

German Chancellor Angela Merkel listens as President Donald Trump speaks during their joint news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, March 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump looks to German Chancellor Angela Merkel as she speaks during a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, March 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel sits next to Ivanka Trump during a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, Friday, March 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
VATICAN CITY (AP) - Prague Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, who ministered clandestinely to Catholics for years while officially working as a window-washer during communist rule in Czechoslovakia, has died at age 84.

The Vatican said Pope Francis sent condolences Saturday praising the emeritus cardinal as a "generous pastor."

"I recall with admiration his tenacious fidelity to Christ, despite the deprivations and the persecutions against the church," the pope said in the message to Prague Cardinal Dominik Duka.

FILE - In this Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010 file photo, Cardinal Miloslav Vlk poses by a statue of St. Agnes as archeologists start to work on removing stones under an altar in the church of St. Castalus, in Prague, Czech Republic. Prague Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, who ministered clandestinely to Catholics for years while officially working as a window-washer during communist rule in Czechoslovakia, has died at age 84, it was announced on Saturday, March 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)

Czech Culture Minister Daniel Herman said Vlk died of cancer on Saturday.

The Vatican in its tribute noted that Vlk did hard farm work as a child in southern Bohemia. Because the communist regime at the time made theological studies impossible, Vlk worked at a car factory in the early 1950s. In 1968, during the Prague Spring era of liberalizing reforms, he was ordained a priest when he was 36 and appointed secretary to the bishop of Ceske Budejovice.

But state authorities, "worried about his influence and pastoral activity, forced him" in 1971 to leave Ceske Budejovice and sent him to isolated parishes in the mountains of the Bohemian forest, the Vatican said. Then, in 1978, state authorities, "in collaboration with the local communists, revoked his state authorization to exercise his priestly ministry," the Vatican said.

"'Citizen Miloslav Vlk' was thus forced to live underground in Prague" from October 1978 through the end of 1988, according to the Vatican.

For most of those years, Vlk worked officially as a window-cleaner in Prague, while secretly performing his pastoral activity with small groups of lay Catholics.

After Czechoslovakia's Velvet Revolution, which saw the nation end communist rule and eventually become two countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, his pastoral dedication was recognized quickly and openly. Pope John Paul II made him a bishop in Ceske Budejovice in 1990, a year later appointed him archbishop of Prague, and in 1994, elevated him to the rank of cardinal.

In 2009, Vlk greeted Pope Benedict XVI during the pontiff's visit to the Czech Republic. Vlk retired a year later.

Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, in a Twitter post, praised Vlk as a "highly-respected man who was not afraid to act according to his conscience."

___

Fisnik Abrashi contributed to this report from Prague
BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo (AP) - Republic of Congo police say security forces have killed 15 rebel fighters during an operation in the Pool region that has been plagued by violence since last year.

Police on Saturday said the Ninja militia members had been trained in explosives and were preparing to commit a series of attacks along the railway between Pool and the capital, Brazzaville.

Police say they seized weapons and ammunition in Madzia, about 53 kilometers south of Brazzaville.

Ninjas Nsiloulou fighters began launching attacks in April 2016, just weeks after President Denis Sassou N'Guesso's re-election.

An arrest warrant is out for Frederic Bitsangou, a pastor who led the group until it disbanded in 2003. He has been missing since April, but through a spokesman in October called for a political solution to hostilities.
PITTSBURGH (AP) - A woman accused of fatally shooting her husband after an argument about a burned casserole, and then taking a photo of the body and texting it to a friend has been ordered to stand trial on a homicide charge.

A district judge in Allegheny County also Friday allowed prosecutors to add an evidence-tampering charge against 38-yeaer-old Teresa Drum in the Feb. 27 death of 42-year-old Dennis Drum Sr.

A friend testified Friday at her preliminary hearing that the defendant told her on the phone that she had just killed her husband and then sent her a cellphone picture of the body.

Christina Caudill of Lexington, Kentucky, said she earlier heard the man speaking in the background, berating his wife and threatening to kill her. She said Teresa Drum then told her that she was going to kill her husband and use "purple gloves" to cover up the murder. Caudill testified that the two women have talked and texted daily for years and the couple routinely quarreled, especially while drinking.

Frazer police found the victim lying dead on a bed with a gun in his hand and a gunshot wound to the forehead. But authorities say there was no gun in his hand in the photo, which was taken 11 minutes before a 911 call was made.

Authorities said in a court documents that in an interview later with investigators, Teresa Drum said she drank seven beers and her husband was insulting her and cursing her cooking. She said they wound up in the bedroom, where her husband pulled the gun from a holster and she put her finger on the trigger and it went off, authorities said.

She told police she took a shower "to rinse off" and then put her bloody clothes in a laundry basket before calling police, authorities said. The couple's two children were in the house at the time but were unhurt, police said.
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (AP) - Andy Murray has pulled out of the Miami Open with a right elbow injury.

The world's top-ranked player and part-time South Florida resident made the announcement in a tweet on Saturday, saying he will turn his focus to the upcoming clay-court season.

Murray lost his only match at Indian Wells last week in straight sets to Canada's Vasek Pospisil. He reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and won the final at Dubai this year.

Murray is a two-time winner at Key Biscayne, prevailing in 2009 and 2013. He also lost the 2015 final to Novak Djokovic, the three-time defending champion at the Miami Open.

"Apologies to the fans," Murray said. "It's one of my favorite tournaments."
ATTLEBORO, Mass. (AP) - Police say a speeding driver has been charged with rear-ending a taxi in Massachusetts, killing a Rhode Island man inside the cab.

Police say a car driven by 41-year-old Michael Spinale, of Boston, crashed into the back of the taxi early Saturday on Interstate 95 in Attleboro.

The victim was 39-year-old Warwick resident Kailash Bolar. The taxi driver was treated at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence for minor injuries.

Spinale faces motor vehicle homicide, operating under the influence, speeding and other charges. He's being held on $10,000 bail and will be arraigned Monday in Attleboro District Court.

It wasn't immediately clear if Spinale had a lawyer.

___

This story has been corrected to show the victim is a man, not a woman, based on corrected information from police.
Photo: VNA

Phan Xuan Dung, Chairman of the National Assembly Committee for Science, Technology and Environment, proposed major draft law amendments to the committee. The amendments pertain to State policies on transfer technology, technology assessment in investment projects and solutions to encourage technology transfer and develop technology markets.

According to Dung, Article 34 of the draft law gives priority to those using machines and equipment that Vietnam manufactured through public purchase.

NA deputies argue that the article conflicts with World Trade Organisation regulations, banning protection of domestic products and those of Investment Law.

The regulation is also said to discourage research, innovation and development of domestically-manufactured technology.

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan demanded a reconsideration of Article 34, wanting to assure that it is in accordance with Vietnams integration context and Competition Law.

State assets given to scientific technology researchers must be presented to management agencies after research is finished. These agencies must responsibly managing them as State assets, Ngan said.

Dung also called it necessary to assess and control imported technology to put an end to obsolete technology that causes pollution and affects human health. The move also aims to prevent impacts on Vietnams investment and business climate.

Ngan said State agencies technology assessment responsibilities must be clarified in the law.

If technology that causes pollution is approved, which agencies must hold responsible?, she asked.

The committee agreed that technology assessment is a complicated process, especially the assessment of technology transferred from overseas. The assessment time of imported technology must be in accordance with the Investment Law and requires longer time. However, it must reduce unnecessary administrative procedures that cause obstacles for enterprises.

The draft law also proposes the establishment of National Technology Innovation Fund which supports small and medium-sized enterprises to transfer technology and boost technology transfer serving agriculture, forestry and aquatic products in disadvantaged areas.

NA Chairwoman Ngan rejected the fund, saying that it only expands the National Technology Renovation Fund, which is stated in hi-technology law.

The Committee reached final conclusion that the draft law on technology transfer must be reviewed in accordance with Public Asset Management Law and avoid overlaps with laws on State budget, tax, investment, science-technology to ensure its feasibility.

The law terminologies must also be reviewed to ensure the synchronisation with those stated in Law on Science and Technology./.
Editors:

The Senate Judiciary Committee will take up the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch for Supreme Court starting Monday, with hearings running through Thursday. Below is The Associated Press' summary of stories moving in advance of the hearings, an outline of the committee's tentative schedule, cross-format coverage plans of the hearings, and a rundown of content already transmitted.

The AP's reporting on Gorsuch can be found here: http://apne.ws/2mfXk4V :

Moved Saturday:

SUPREME COURT-NEIL GORSUCH - Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch is roundly described by colleagues and friends as a silver-haired combination of wicked smarts, down-to-earth modesty, disarming friendliness and thoughtful deliberation. His critics largely go along with that description of the self-described workaday judge in "honest black polyester" robes. Even so, they're not sure it's enough to earn him a spot on the court, thinking him too prone to rule on the side of conservative and business interests. By Nancy Benac and Mark Sherman. SENT: 1,600 words, photos. Abridged version also moved.

Moving Sunday:

AP EXPLAINS-SUPREME COURT NOMINATON - Thirteen months after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, the Senate is finally holding confirmation hearings to fill the vacancy as it considers President Donald Trump's choice of Neil Gorsuch for the high court. Republicans refused to even grant a hearing to former President Barack Obama's choice, Merrick Garland, insisting the next president should decide. Now, the Senate will exercise its "advice and consent" role, a politically fraught decision with liberals pressuring Democrats to reject Gorsuch. A look at the process. By Mary Clare Jalonick. UPCOMING: 820 words by 11 a.m., photos.

Moving Monday:

SUPREME COURT-IN YOUR LIFE - The rhythms of daily life for ordinary Americans may seem far removed from the rarified world of the U.S. Supreme Court. But from the time people roll out of bed in the morning until they turn in at night, the court's rulings are woven into their lives in ways large and small. So pay attention as Congress prepares to take up the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to join the high court. The AP walks through a day with an eye out for how the Supreme Court affects the average person. By Nancy Benac. UPCOMING: 990 words by 1 a.m., photos. With an online AP video illustrating how the high court's rulings intersect with everyday life.

SENATE-SUPREME COURT - The Senate opens confirmation hearings on Judge Neil Gorsuch, President Donald Trump's choice to fill a 13-month vacancy on the Supreme Court. The nomination has been below the radar on Capitol Hill, where health care legislation and the first weeks of the Trump presidency have dominated attention. But the hearings at the Judiciary Committee push the nomination and its myriad political pressures to the forefront. By Erica Werner and Mark Sherman. UPCOMING: 500 words by 1 a.m. Monday, photos. Then developing through the day after the hearing starts at 11 a.m., with photos, video and audio coverage. With: SENATE-SUPREME COURT-THE LATEST - Running developments from the hearings.

TENTATIVE COMMITTEE SCHEDULE:

Monday - Opening statements from committee members, Gorsuch.

Tuesday - First round of questioning from committee. Each of the 20 members has 30 minutes.

Wednesday - Second and perhaps third round of questions, after which Gorsuch is dismissed. Possible outside panel remarks start.

Thursday - Outside panel remarks conclude.

AP COVERAGE

TEXT

Mainbars will move under the keyword SENATE-SUPREME COURT, starting with overnight previews of the day to come and recaps of previous action, and updates through each day. SENATE-SUPREME COURT-THE LATEST will move throughout the hearings. Separate sidebars will move as events merit.

PHOTOS

The AP plans photo coverage throughout, with a steady stream of images coming from multiple photographers assigned to the hearings. The AP will expedite photos of Gorsuch arriving and being sworn in Monday.

VIDEO

AP Video will offer live coverage of the hearings, along with edits for broadcast and online platforms throughout each day.

RADIO

AP Radio plans to offer the hearings live on AP Special Events Channel AP-2. The coverage will be unanchored. Produced correspondent reports and other sound from the event will be available on the hourly cuts feeds via satellite and on PrimeCuts.

CONTENT ALREADY MOVED:

(All keywords are prefaced with SUPREME COURT-GORSUCH)

-ASSISTED SUICIDE - Trump's high court pick is harsh critic of assisted suicide. March 17.

-AP EXPLAINS-CHEVRON DEFERENCE - AP Explains: The doctrine sure to emerge in Gorsuch hearings. March 16.

-SECOND AMENDMENT - Gorsuch view on scope of Second Amendment a judicial mystery. March 15.

-ENVIRONMENT - Gorsuch's environment record: Neither a clear friend nor foe. With ENVIRONMENT-ABRIDGED. March 14.

-IMMIGRATION - Few clues on how a Justice Gorsuch would vote on immigration. March 13.

-CRIMINAL LAW - Gorsuch has ruled for police, and suspects, in crime cases. March 11.

-THE WRITER - High court nominee praised for breezy, witty writing style. With -EXCERPTS. March 8.

-PUBLIC LANDS - Gorsuch willing to limit environmental groups in land cases. March 5.

-WORKER'S RIGHTS - Gorsuch sympathizes with workers, often sides with bosses. With WORKER'S RIGHTS-GLANCE. Feb. 25

-EDUCATION - AP review: Gorsuch backed minimum standard for disabled kids. Feb. 17

-FIRST AMENDMENT - Supreme Court nominee has defended free speech, religion. Feb. 12

-FINANCES - Gorsuch paid $3.28 million by former firm, under 2005 deal. Feb. 7

-LABOR - Gorsuch seen as business-friendly on labor, workplace issues. Feb. 6

-CAMPUS CONSERVATIVE - At liberal Columbia U, Gorsuch raised a conservative voice. Feb. 5

-JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY - Trump's Supreme Court pick wary of "politicians with robes." With JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY-GLANCE. Feb. 4

-FEDERALISM - Supreme Court nominee a champion of federal restraint. Feb. 2

-MOTHER - A teenage Gorsuch learned from mother's stormy tenure at EPA. Feb. 2.

-LIFE AND DEATH - AP: Gorsuch case review shows he's no crusader on abortion. Feb. 1

-THE JUDGE - Conservative Gorsuch emulates Scalia minus the rough edges. Feb. 1

-CASES-GLANCE - A look at some of Judge Neil Gorsuch's notable opinions. Dec. 31

For questions, please contact interim legal team news editor Evan Berland at eberland@ap.org.

The AP
HONOLULU (AP) - The government is asking a federal judge to clarify his order blocking President Donald Trump's revised travel ban, arguing it shouldn't apply to a global freeze on refugees entering the United States.

A Justice Department motion filed Friday asks U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson to clarify that the temporary restraining order only applies to the president's temporary ban on travel from six mostly Muslim countries.

Watson issued a 43-page ruling on Wednesday after Hawaii requested he block enforcement of Trump's executive order, which the government calls a national security measure and critics call an unconstitutional and bigoted attempt to bar Muslims from entering the country.

Watson's ruling concluded there was "significant and unrebutted evidence of religious animus" behind the travel ban, including the president's own campaign comments regarding Muslims.

He said Hawaii would suffer financially if the executive order constricted the flow of students and tourists to the state.

In seeking clarification, the Justice Department argued that the lawsuit "failed to meaningfully challenge" another section of Trump's order that bars refugees from traveling to the United States for 120 days and caps the number that will be allowed into the U.S. this fiscal year at 50,000 - a drop of nearly half.

The cap "draws no distinction whatsoever on the basis of religion," government lawyers argued in a filing.

Opponents have argued that if that aspect of the ban takes effect, 60,000 people would be stranded in war-torn countries with nowhere else to go.

The Justice Department also argued that the Hawaii ruling shouldn't block Trump's order that security officials review whether other countries are providing enough information to ensure would-be immigrants aren't a security threat.

Hawaii believes that the court's order applies to the sections of the executive order mentioned by the government lawyers, said Joshua Wisch, special assistant to Hawaii's attorney general. "We do not believe the motion is necessary because the court's order was clear. We are drafting a memorandum in opposition that we expect to file soon," Wisch said in an email.

Trump has called the Hawaii ruling an example of "unprecedented judicial overreach" and has indicated it will be appealed.

Similar cases are being heard in federal courts in Washington state and Maryland. In all, more than half a dozen states are trying to block the travel ban.
Arnav Uppalapati, 17, (above) was arrested Thursday for allegedly strangling his mother, Nalini Tellaprolu, in the garage of their Cary, North Carolina, home on December 17, 2015

A North Carolina teen has been charged with murdering his mother after an investigation that stretched more than a year.

Arnav Uppalapati, now 17, was arrested Thursday night for allegedly strangling his mother in the garage of their Cary, North Carolina, home, police said.

Uppalapati has been charged as an adult and faces a life sentence.

On December 17, 2015, emergency personnel found the body of his mother, Nalini Tellaprolu, on the garage floor of their home on Roland Glen Road.

Tellaprolu had a plastic bag over her head and her feet were in the back seat of a car, according to an autopsy report.

Her body was covered with bruises and scratches on her face, neck, torso and arms, the News & Observer reports.

There were minor blunt force injuries, and the cartilage in her neck was fractured, according to the autopsy report.

Uppalapati had called 911 to say he found her in the garage after returning home from school.

He told police that he had last seen his mother alive the night before, when the two had dinner together.

Tellaprolu's (above) had a plastic bag over her head and her feet were in the back seat of a car

Uppalapati (center) has been charged as an adult and faces a life sentence

In the days after Tellaprolu's death, investigators learned that her husband, Babu Uppalapati, was out of state on a business trip.

Uppalapati told police that he had tried to contact his wife without success.

Investigators also learned that Tellaprolu, who activated the home security system nightly, had failed to do so on the night of December 16, 2015.

There were no signs of forced entry into the familys two-story, $450,000 home.

The 51-year-old mother of two failed to show up for work at Duke University Health System the following day.

Police found the 51-year-old mother of two on the garage floor of her home in this subdivision

Friends of the family were shocked to learn of Arnav Uppalapati's arrest.

'Were shocked as a community,' Tellaprolu's longtime friend, Padma Tummala told the News & Observer. 'This was not something we expected to hear. She focused all of her energy on her kids.'

Cary police Captain Randall Rhyne said they had not determined a motive or cause for the attack.

Rhyne declined to discuss what evidence led investigators to Uppalapati.
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump has chosen the husband of White House counselor Kellyanne Conway to head the civil division of the Justice Department, The Wall Street Journal reported.

George Conway was chosen to head the office that has responsibility for defending the administration's proposed travel ban and defending lawsuits filed against the administration, the newspaper reported.

Conway is a partner at the New York law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. The law firm's website says Conway has extensive experience in litigation involving securities, mergers and acquisitions, contracts and antitrust cases. He graduated from Harvard and then Yale Law School. He joined the law firm in 1988, soon after his graduation from law school.

FILE - In this Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017 file photo, President-elect Donald Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, center, accompanied by her husband, George, speaks with members of the media as they arrive for a dinner at Union Station in Washington, the day before Trump's inauguration. Trump has chosen George Conway to head the civil division of the Justice Department. The Wall Street Journal reports that he was chosen to head the office that has responsibility for defending the administration's proposed travel ban and defending lawsuits filed against the administration. The White House and the Justice Department would not confirm the pick Saturday, March 18, 2017. George Conway declined to comment. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

He has been involved in numerous complex, high-profile cases with that law firm, where he has been a partner since 1994. In the 1990s, Conway wrote the Supreme Court brief that cleared the way for Paula Jones' civil suit against President Bill Clinton. Clinton's denial of an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky during a deposition in the Jones case led to his impeachment trial.

The White House and the Justice Department would not confirm the pick Saturday. George Conway declined to comment.

Kellyanne Conway is a longtime Republican pollster who helped turn around Trump's presidential campaign at a critical time last summer. She joined the campaign as a senior adviser and quickly earned the candidate's trust. She's also close with daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, another influential voice in Trump's inner circle.

Kellyanne Conway stepped in to manage Trump's bid against Democrat Hillary Clinton when the campaign began flailing in the face of a series of controversies. Many credit her with boosting him toward his Election Day victory after she urged him to more closely follow the teleprompter in his speeches and helped him deliver clearer talking points that minimized controversy in the final days of the campaign.
Roger Federer advanced into the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Open after Nick Kyrgios pulled out of their quarter-final clash due to illness.

It is not the way the 35-year-old will have wanted to progress in Indian Wells as fans were denied a potential blockbusting clash with the Australian, who beat world number two Novak Djokovic in the previous round.

But Kyrgios was struck down by food poisoning and unable to take to court.

(Mark J. Terrill/AP/PA)

Federer will meet Jack Sock in the last four after the American reached his first Masters 1000 semi-final by beating Kei Nishikori.

The 24-year-old won 6-3 2-6 6-2 to record the first victory over a top five player.

Stan Wawrinka meets Pablo Carreno Busta in the other semi-final.
The Duchess of Cambridge has paid homage to her hosts in Paris by wearing a coat from one of the citys famous fashion houses.

Kate stepped out in a Chanel coat for a visit with William to a historic military hospital on the final day of their visit to the French capital.

Bonjour Paris! The Duke and Duchess arrive at the Elysee Palace for the start of #RoyalVisitParis  pic.twitter.com/gWdaFIaYNX  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 17, 2017

Kate disappointed fashion watchers by arriving in the French capital in the same Catherine Walker coat she wore earlier on Friday to an Irish Guards event in London celebrating St Patricks Day.

The Duchess of Cambridge

What a wonderful start to #RoyalVisitParis! Thank you to everyone for such a warm welcome  pic.twitter.com/FVSNjHPdOE  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 17, 2017

But for an embassy reception, she wore a chic sleeveless black outfit by Alexander McQueen and changed into her third outfit, the glittering Jenny Packham gown, for the dinner at the British ambassadors residence.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have sympathised with survivors of Paris devastating Bataclan terrorist attack, praising their bravery and the amazing progress of their recovery.

The royal couple met a 25-year-old, known only as Jessica, who was shot seven times in the leg, hip and back as she dined with friends at La Belle Equipe restaurant in Paris in 2015, and Kevin, 28, a Bataclan concert-goer shot in the leg.

As the couple visited the hospital where the pair have been treated, reports came in of a terrorist incident at Paris Orly Airport, but a Kensington Palace spokesman said the royal visit was not affected.

The Duke and Duchess chat to Les Invalides patients - two Parisians wounded in the recent Paris attacks #RoyalVisitParis pic.twitter.com/ijX3d5xZe5  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 18, 2017

A man was shot dead after wrestling a soldier to the ground at Orly Airport and trying to take her rifle, officials said. No-one else in the busy terminal was hurt, but thousands of travellers were evacuated and flights were diverted to the citys other airport.

There were no signs of security  which included armed French police  being increased around the couple as they travelled around Paris.

William and Kates two-day visit to Paris comes in the month that Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to trigger Article 50, beginning Brexit negotiations.

The Duke and Duchess meet British and French children from @BritishCouncil programmes #RoyalVisitParis pic.twitter.com/u5FbUF43AS  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 18, 2017

The couples trip has been dubbed a Brexit charm offensive by some of the French papers, with the royals using soft diplomacy to renew ties with its European neighbour.

Williams recent lads-only weekend trip, which was criticised by the press, has overshadowed the two-day visit, but he looked relaxed and at ease with his wife especially when they later posed for pictures with the famous Eiffel Tower as a backdrop.

During the hospital visit, the Duke told the Bataclan attack survivors: We think you are very strong and very brave, youve made amazing progress.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Les Invalides (Tim Rooke/PA)

The Duchess added she would be keeping an eye out for Jessicas work, after learning she is retraining to work in fashion.

The 25-year-old said: At first (after the shooting) I was a bit shy and didnt want to talk about it because of all of the pain and grief. But now I want to say we are not only victims, we have lives, we have boyfriends, girlfriends, work. I want to speak about my friend who died to honour him, I want people to remember who he was.

The Duke and Duchess bid au revoir to the team at Les Invalides #RoyalVisitParis pic.twitter.com/jKkAC6rqOk  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 18, 2017

She was shot on her birthday as she dined with three female friends outside the restaurant, who all survived the attack. Her friend Victor Munoz, who was inside, was killed with one shot.

We were very lucky, she said of her friends outside. We all got shot and we all survived.

The Duke hailed the quick-thinking of her boyfriend, who made a tourniquet for her leg on the scene.
An individual has been apprehended near the White House a week after an intruder was caught in its grounds, a US government spokesman said.

Press secretary Sean Spicer wrote on Twitter that the individual jumped bike rack on Pennsylvania Ave but did not make it onto White House property.

Individual jumped bike rack on Pennsylvania Ave, not @WhiteHouse fence. Great response by @SecretService  Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) March 18, 2017

President Donald Trump was not at the White House on Saturday. He and his family are spending the weekend at his Palm Beach, Florida, resort.

US Secret Service officers stand in the cordoned off Lafayette Park (Alex Brandon/AP)

The incident comes about a week after a man breached a five-foot outer perimeter fence and scaled an eight-foot vehicle gate to gain entry to the White House grounds.
West Ham winger Michail Antonio looks set to be withdrawn from the England squad.

The 26-year-old played the full 90 minutes of the 3-2 defeat by Leicester but manager Slaven Bilic revealed afterwards he had suffered a hamstring injury.

Bilic said: Hes probably going to be withdrawn from the England squad with a hamstring problem.

Picture

SB "[Michail] felt a hamstring. We have to assess him in the next couple of days. He might have to withdraw from England.."  West Ham United (@WestHam) March 18, 2017

He felt something. He played the whole game but the medical team have told me now. He didnt limp off, though, so we will see.

The news will come as a blow to Antonio, who was hoping to make his international debut in the matches against Lithuania and Germany.

It also further weakens the attacking options of Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate, who is already without Harry Kane, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney.

Southgate, who left Theo Walcott out of his squad, may now have to consider bringing in reinforcements.
Rory McIlroy put himself in contention at the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a seven-under-par third round of 65 to race up the leaderboard at Bay Hill.

The world number three had started Saturday morning at one over, some 11 shots off overnight leader Charley Hoffman, with Englands Matt Fitzpatrick two behind.

However, the four-time Major winner hit two birdies on the front nine and then five more after the turn, including three on successive holes from the 10th, to finish in the clubhouse at six under, a climb of some 39 places.

(Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)

Make that 7. @McIlroyRory fires a 65 to jump up the leaderboard. pic.twitter.com/heoJaX0qLX  PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 18, 2017

McIlroy told www.pgatour.com: The conditions changed a little bit because you were going out in the last couple of days when it was cold and breezy, which were tough scoring conditions.

[Saturday] presented us with a chance to go low, it was warmer with not much wind and the course played a bit shorter as well, so you could take advantage of the par-fives.

I just played better, held some putts, which was nice to see, and it was a score I had been waiting on, I felt like it was in there, I just had to put it all together and I did. Hopefully I can be in with a shout and then if I get off to a fast start [on Sunday], I can be right in there, so I just have to keep it going.

Rickie Fowler also matched the Northern Irishmans 65 to recover from two over and leave himself in the mix at five under, which lifted the 28-year-old up 49 places.

It could have been an even better day for the American, who dropped an early double bogey on the par-four third hole, only to then sink three successive birdies to recover and complete the back nine in 35.

Fowler, the world number nine, picked up four more strokes  while also saving his par from the water at 11, trousers rolled up to the knees  and then landing an Eagle putt on the par-five 16th.

The red cardigan that Arnold Palmer made so famous will be given to the winner of this year's @APinv. pic.twitter.com/EvJc9Jm6Dt  PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 18, 2017

I swung well in warm up and felt this one was coming back where it needed to be. I just stayed patient and got a few to roll in, said Fowler, who had started the day some 12 shots off the lead.

Kevin Kisner moved to the top of the leaderboard at 10 under after his opening nine holes, which saw the American pull back from a bogey on the par-three second to hit four birdies to turn at 33.

Fitzpatrick, though, struggled for consistency, as he dropped shots on the first, third and eighth holes, with two birdies seeing him through the back nine at 37, one over for the day at seven under.
The opening ceremony. (Photo: CPV)

The event attracted the participation of 1,700 kiosks by 234 domestic enterprises, 84 joint venture enterprises and 141 foreign companies from 18 countries and territories such as the Republic of Korea, Germany, Singapore, the US, France, China, Switzerland, Sweden and Spain.

Products exhibited at the exhibition were researched and produced from the end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017, with new models and high quality; meeting the increasing demand of customers.

In his speech at the event, Deputy Minister of Construction Bui Pham Khanh said the event offers opportunities for investors and contractors to exchange and share practical experience with foreign companies.

In addition, it also creates good chances for enterprises and managers to measure and study more about the market in the new period of economic development, export-import and investment.

On the sidelines, the event will have seminars with special subjects about existing difficulties and solutions for unbaked building materials and hi-tech production for profile, colours and 3D wood grain.

The exhibition will run until March 19th./.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 16 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge gave the final approval on Thursday to a settlement agreement in a class-action lawsuit against Lyft, ending a legal case that challenged the independent contractor status of the company's drivers.

U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco gave his approval to the $27 million settlement, after granting preliminary approval in June.

The judge had previously rejected a $12.25 million settlement offer because it "short-changed" drivers.

Lyft drivers in California had sued the company, arguing they should be classified as employees and therefore be entitled to reimbursement for expenses, including gasoline and vehicle maintenance. Drivers pay those costs themselves.

In his order, Chhabria cautioned that "The agreement is not perfect. And the status of Lyft drivers under California law remains uncertain going forward." (Reporting by Heather Somerville; Editing by Sandra Maler)
By Paul Sandle

LONDON, March 17 (Reuters) - George Osborne, who lost his job as Britain's finance minister last year after helping lead the doomed campaign to stay in the European Union, was given a high profile platform on Friday as the editor of London's main metropolitan daily paper.

The announcement that Osborne will edit the London Evening Standard despite virtually no journalism experience astonished his fellow politicians, and gives a tribune to a rival of Prime Minister Theresa May within her Conservative Party.

He is one of the leading Conservative opponents of exiting the European Union, fired unceremoniously by May as one of her first acts after taking power following the referendum last June.

"I am proud to have an editor of such substance," said the Standard's owner, Evgeny Lebedev, adding that Osborne's socially liberal and economically pragmatic political views matched those of the paper's readers in London.

Unlike the other major British newspapers, morning papers sold nationally, the Standard is distributed exclusively in London, which voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU.

Its 900,000 copies are distributed free in train stations and are ubiquitous among homebound commuters, making it influential with the capital's elites in media, the arts, business and politics.

Osborne, now 45, became Britain's youngest chancellor of the exchequer for more than a century when the Conservatives took power in 2010.

As the country's second most powerful politician under then Prime Minister David Cameron, he was the architect of Cameron's "austerity" policy of spending cuts to tame historically large budget deficits in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.

He was widely tipped to succeed Cameron, until last year's Brexit fiasco, when Cameron called the referendum on EU membership, campaigned to stay in, lost the vote and quit.

Osborne, who had privately had warned Cameron that the referendum was a mistake, campaigned hard to stay in the EU, warning of devastating financial repercussions if Britain left. His opponents accused him of scaremongering.

Since Cameron left politics, Osborne has become the leading figure from the former cabinet still serving as a member of parliament (MP) on the "back bench" of Conservatives excluded from May's government. He has occasionally criticised some of her rightwing initiatives, such as promoting schools that select pupils based on academic ability.

"I am proud to be a Conservative MP, but as editor and leader of a team of dedicated and independent journalists, our only interest will be to give a voice to all Londoners," Osborne, 45, said in a statement.

"We will be a fearless paper," said Osborne,

The appointment is a coup for Lebedev, 36, who became a newspaper baron when his father Alexander, a former KGB spy turned Russian tycoon, bought the Standard and the Independent, a national paper now distributed online. The younger Lebedev said Osborne would bolster the Standard's influence.

EXTREME MULTI-TASKING

Rival politicians and journalists questioned how Osborne could remain an effective lawmaker with such a big job. He already has a part time job with a salary of 650,000 pounds a year for working just 48 days at asset manager BlackRock, and earned hundreds of thousands of pounds giving speeches.

"It's taking multitasking to an extreme level - what a joke," said Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Labour lawmaker John Mann told the BBC that Osborne should quit parliament because he was not giving value to the taxpayer. The basic salary for MPs is 74,962 pounds.

Osborne will edit the newspaper in the morning before going to work in parliament in the afternoon, where he represents the Tatton constituency, a wealthy area near the northern city of Manchester. His salary as editor was not announced.

Journalism veterans mocked his inexperience in their trade.

"When made Editor of The Sunday Times I was criticised because I hadn't been an editor. Mr Osborne hasn't even been a journalist," said Andrew Neil, who edited The Sunday Times for 11 years.

While at the University of Oxford, Osborne dabbled in student journalism and was proud enough of his efforts to display the two issues of the magazine he edited in his Downing Street flat while chancellor.

His student editing included stories on gambling, an essay on cannabis published on hemp paper, and a story he wrote himself on recruitment to Britain's MI5 security service.

After university, Osborne tried but failed to get a place on The Times graduate scheme, though he wrote occasional pieces as a freelancer before entering politics. When asked once what his dream job would be outside politics, he said: war correspondent. ($1 = 0.8087 pounds) (Editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
By Umberto Bacchi

ROME, March 17 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Countries trading in Chinese poultry should step up surveillance at farms, markets and border checkpoints to prevent the spread of H7N9 bird flu from China after a more severe strain of the virus was detected in chickens, a U.N. agency said on Friday.

H7N9 has killed almost 500 people in China since it was first reported in 2013 but until recently had shown little or no clinical symptoms in birds, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

But in February Beijing reported it detected an evolution in the virus that caused severe disease and death in poultry within 48 hours of infection.

"It now goes beyond being primarily a public health concern," said FAO's veterinary epidemiologist Sophie von Dobschuetz, adding the new strain heightened the risk for farmers to lose animals and livelihoods.

The highly pathogenic variant has only been reported in China's southeastern Guangdong province and will become more apparent in some flocks if birds begin to die off, making detection and control easier, FAO said.

"The earlier you pick up the incursion of the virus the more chance you have to control it," von Dobschuetz told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone.

The new strain has raised concerns that the infection could pass from chickens to other birds, increasing the risk of it spreading across borders, the FAO said in joint statement with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

The FAO said the new H7N9 strain maintained its capacity to cause severe illness in people, but the World Health Organization said there was no evidence of changes in the virus' ability to spread between humans.

Von Dobschuetz said China was assessing the virus' prevalence and results were expected in the coming weeks.

Since the virus was first identified in 2013, 1,320 human cases have been recorded in China, including 492 deaths, according to FAO figures. (Reporting by Umberto Bacchi @UmbertoBacchi, Editing by Ros Russell.; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights, climate change and resilience. Visit http://news.trust.org)
SAO PAULO, March 17 (Reuters) - The Brazilian unit of retailer Carrefour SA said on Friday it has asked its meat suppliers for information about a police investigation into alleged bribery of health inspectors to overlook unsanitary practices such as processing rotten meat.

Carrefour said in a statement that it demanded strict compliance with food safety regulations from all its suppliers, after police raided dozens of Brazilian meatpacking companies on Friday, including global companies JBS SA and BRF SA .

The raids raised concerns over food safety in the South American country.

(Reporting by Paula Arend Laier; Writing by Tatiana Bautzer)
Following is a summary of current odd news briefs.

Chinese firms offer pollution solutions with bottled air, hat filters, smog socks

Even as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pledges to ensure that blue skies never become a luxury, a state-backed firm is doing brisk business selling 48 yuan ($6.95) cans of fresh air bottled in a forest in western China. Each bottle is good for two minutes of uninterrupted use.

Thimble, wheelbarrow, boot kicked out of Monopoly board game

If you have ever wanted to rampage through a game of Monopoly like a dinosaur, you're in luck. The popular U.S. board game is changing out three of its playing tokens, swapping in a penguin, T-Rex and rubber ducky in for the thimble, wheelbarrow and boot, Pawtucket, Rhode Island-based toymaker Hasbro Inc said Friday.

Sierra Leone pastor discovers 706-carat diamond

A Christian pastor has found one of the world's largest uncut diamonds - weighing 706 carats -- in Sierra Leone's eastern Kono region. The stone, a photograph of which was posted on the president's official website, is being stored in the country's central bank, government sources said.

Jack Russell Olly gains viral status after going off course at Crufts

Forget the top "Best in Show" prize, Olly the Jack Russell has gained his own celebrity status at Britain's Crufts dogs show after enthusiastically going off course and even falling flat on his face during the agility round of last week's competition. Stumbling on jumps, going the wrong way and running off to the sidelines, the dog's energy and enthusiasm came through in Friday's session, a video of which has reached more than 7 million views on Crufts' YouTube channel.
BERLIN, March 18 (Reuters) - German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said in an interview with news magazine Der Spiegel published on Saturday that Turkey has never been less likely to join the European Union than now, as relations between Ankara and Berlin hit a low point.

"Today Turkey is definitely further away from becoming a member of the European Union than ever before," Gabriel said in the interview.

He also said that he always had doubts about whether Turkey should join the EU but found himself in the minority in his Social Democrat (SPD) party.

Before taking power in Germany in 2005, Chancellor Angela Merkel was an outspoken opponent of Turkey's membership and instead called for a "privileged partnership".

Gabriel disliked that idea because he thought it would make Turks feel like second-class Europeans but he said his opinion had changed since Britain's decision to leave the EU.

"Today the situation is totally different due to Brexit. We'd be well advised to bring about a 'special relationship' with Great Britain after its exit from the EU," Gabriel said.

"That will be an important learning process for the EU and perhaps some of it can serve as a blueprint for other countries in the long term," Gabriel said.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is courting Turks abroad for support in an April 16 referendum that would grant him sweeping new powers.

He infuriated Germany and the Netherlands by describing bans on planned rallies by Turkish ministers as "fascist". The arrest of a Turkish-German journalist in Ankara has also caused upset.

Gabriel said Erdogan was taking advantage of a sentiment many people of Turkish origin have in Germany that they are neither accepted nor welcomed.

He said Germany should avoid reacting in kind to provocations from Turkey because that would only give Erdogan the "who needs a bogeyman for his campaign".

He also warned Turkish politicians that they could be banned from holding rallies in Germany if they do not stick to German laws: "Whoever crosses these lines cannot expect to be allowed to propagate his political ideas here." (Reporting by Michelle Martin; Editing by Julia Glover)
By Fumbuka Ng'wanakilala

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, March 18 (Reuters) - Tanzania will send 500 doctors to Kenya to help overcome the effects of a strike in public hospitals, the Tanzanian president's office said on Saturday.

Kenya's doctors went on strike in public hospitals on Dec. 5 over pay and working conditions. A deal struck this week opened the way to negotiations to end the strike, but many doctors are still not back at work.

The strike means many public hospitals, already stretched for cash and materials, have had to turn away some patients. The situation threatened to undermine Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta's bid for a second term this August.

Tanzanian President John Magufuli approved Kenya's request for more doctors after he met Kenya's health minister, Cleopas Mailu, in Dar es Salaam on Saturday.

"Tanzania has accepted Kenya's request for 500 doctors to help the country deal with a shortage of doctors at its medical centres following a doctors' strike," the statement from Magufuli's office said.

"Kenya's problems are Tanzania's problems," Magufuli was quoted as saying.

Kenya will pay the Tanzanian doctors and provide them housing, the statement said. Tanzanian Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu said Tanzania had many qualified, unemployed doctors.

The Kenyan Health Ministry and the Kenyan doctors' union were unavailable for comment.

On Friday, there were only two doctors on duty at the Kenyatta National Hospital, the biggest public hospital in the country, a nurse told a Reuters reporter.

"We can give you some pain relief but it will be a long time before you see a doctor," she cautioned a bleeding, screaming car accident victim as hospital staff inspected a deep cut to her leg. (Additional reporting by Katharine Houreld in Nairobi; writing by Katharine Houreld; Editing by Stephen Powell)
By John Irish and Marine Pennetier

PARIS, March 18 (Reuters) - Presidential favourite Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday he wanted to restore military service to France for some 600,000 young people each year as part of efforts to face a world entering an era of "turbulence" comparable to the Cold War.

The 39-year-old former investment banker, running as an independent centrist, is seen winning the April/May election in a runoff with far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who herself has promised to bring back conscription 16 years after it ended.

Ahead of the first face-to-face televised debates with his rivals for the Elysee palace next week, Macron's speech to the military, defence and foreign policy community, sought to allay criticism from his opponents that he would be too inexperienced for the top job.

He vowed to strengthen France's overseas operations against Islamist militants in the Middle East and Africa, face Russia's "military affirmation", the United States' "unpredictability" and the "militarisation of terrorism" that was leading to acts of war on home soil.

"The current period is a turning point comparable to the Cold War, but this time we are entering an era of extreme turbulence, a new era of conflicts," Macron said.

Outlining the need for Europe to reaffirm itself in the face of major powers like Russia, China and the U.S., Macron insisted that he would "serve France's interests firsts" to ensure it kept its strategic autonomy and was able to act alone at any moment if needed.

The former economy minister under outgoing Socialist President Francois Hollande was accompanied on Saturday by officials from current Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who has been advising his ex-cabinet colleague.

He is one of the few ministers in the existing government that has won plaudits and is expected to officially back Macron next week.

The country is in the throes of a highly charged election campaign after two years of attacks on civilians and public targets by Islamic State militants - several of them in Paris - that have killed more than 230 people and forced the government to put 10,000 soldiers on the streets to reinforce security. France has been under a state of national emergency since November 2015.

The threat was again highlighted on Saturday after security forces shot dead a man who tried to seize a soldier's gun at Paris Orly airport after he had earlier shot and wounded a police officer during a routine police check.

"The strategic situation that I have described and the threats that weigh on our country forces us to reinforce the link between the army and the nation," Macron said.

"I therefore want every young French citizen to experience, even if only for short time military life - a short, obligatory and universal national service," Macron said.

He said the conscription would involve about 600,000 young men and women each year and occur for a one-month period between the ages of 18 to 21. The army and national gendarmerie would oversee the service.

"This is a major Republican project for society that must enable our democracy to be more united, but also resilient," he said. (Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Stephen Powell)
RIO DE JANEIRO, March 18 (Reuters) - Meat companies JBS SA and BRF SA took out full-page advertisements in Brazilian newspapers on Saturday in efforts to burnish their image a day after police conducted a series of raids investigating bribes at meatpacking facilities.

Police said the raids, which threaten an industry with $12 billion in annual exports, were prompted by evidence that some meatpackers had paid inspectors and politicians to overlook the processing of rotten meat and exports with fraudulent documentation and even traces of salmonella.

Facing a crisis that even Brazil's government said threatens its reputation as one of the world's biggest exporters of meat products, JBS and BRF launched a public relations offensive to defend the integrity of their practices.

"Quality is the foremost priority of JBS and its brands," read an advertisement by JBS, the world's largest meat producer, in publications that included the major dailies of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, plus the weekly newsmagazine Veja.

In ten bullet points underneath, the company touted its role as an exporter to more than 150 countries and the certificates earned and audits passed at facilities throughout Brazil.

In an email, a JBS spokeswoman said the advertisements, which also include radio and television spots, would run across 27 different media outlets through Monday. The company did not respond to a Reuters request about the cost of the campaign.

BRF, for its part, ran ads addressing "the millions of consumers whose confidence we have earned," vowing to adhere to the principles of "truth, respect, quality and transparency."

Officials at BRF did not immediately respond to requests about the details of its campaign.

Investors on Friday hammered shares of both companies after news of the raids. JBS plunged 11.0 percent, while BRF fell 7.0 percent at the Sao Paulo stock exchange.

In their advertisements, and in communiques following the raids, both companies denied systematic fraud or abuse within their operations and condemned any wrongdoing that may be uncovered by the probe. (Reporting by Paulo Prada; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
By John Irish and Gus Trompiz

PARIS, March 18 (Reuters) - Eleven candidates got the go-ahead on Saturday to run in France's presidential election in a vote that independent centrist Emmanuel Macron remains favourite to win.

French voters go the polls on April 23 and May 7 in the two-round election, which is being closely followed outside France as another test of popular discontent with traditional parties and institutions like the European Union.

The campaign has been highly unpredictable, dominated by a fraud investigation into conservative Francois Fillon, which has cost him his place as election front-runner.

French voters will have a choice of 11 candidates after the country's Constitutional Council announced the list of contenders that had met conditions to stand.

In addition to leading candidates Macron, Fillon and far-right leader Marine Le Pen, the list included three candidates who passed the threshold of 500 elected officials just in time: Jacques Cheminade and Philippe Poutou of small far-left parties and centrist lawmaker Jean Lasalle.

The expiry of the deadline would put paid to any further attempts by members of the conservative Republicans party to seek an alternative candidate to Fillon, who is being investigated on suspicion of misusing public funds to pay his wife and children and over a gift of expensive suits.

A BVA poll for Orange released on Saturday showed Macron was best placed to win. He was second in first-round voting intentions, a point behind the National Front's Le Pen who had 26 percent, but would win a run-off against his far-right opponent 62-38, according to the survey.

Fillon has slipped to third in the polls, recording 19.5 percent in the BVA survey, suggesting he would fail to reach the run-off.

Benoit Hamon, the ruling Socialist party's candidate, ranked fourth with 12.5 percent, the poll showed, only slightly ahead of radical left-wing contender Jean-Luc Melenchon.

Several thousand supporters cheered Melenchon on Saturday at a central Paris rally billed as a show of force after he spurned Hamon's overtures to join him.

The left's divisions have favoured the emergence of Macron, a 39-year-old former economy minister of incumbent Socialist President Francois Hollande.

Macron on Saturday said he wanted to restore military service to France for some 600,000 young people each year as part of efforts to face a world entering an era of "turbulence" comparable to the Cold War.

The shooting of a man who attacked a soldier at Paris Orly airport on Saturday refocused attention on security, a major concern after a series of attacks by Islamist militants.

Le Pen blames immigration and shortcomings in the EU for contributing to security risks, and has promised to take France out of the euro zone and hold a referendum on its EU membership.

Her popularity has been a concern for international investors, and a rise in her ratings in another poll on Friday pushed the euro lower.

(Reporting by John Irish and Gus Trompiz; Editing by Adrian Croft)
Photo for illustration

The conference, themed Vision toward 2030: Promoting Stronger Partnerships between Government and Co-operative in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), offers chances for the cooperative sector, Governments of countries in the region and international organizations to understand more about Vietnams socio-economic development in general and the cooperative movement in particular.

It will highlight the ways in which cooperatives are contributing to achieving the SDGs; explore ways to strengthen partnerships between Governments and Co-operatives; and draw a road map toward realizing the potential of co-operatives in sustainable development.

At the event, representatives will focus their discussions on issues including food security, new approach to cooperatives with renovation and innovation and engagement of cooperatives in the region and the world, among others.

The previous Asia-Pacific Ministers Conference was hosted by Thailand on February 27th-29th in 2012.

In celebration of the event, the VCA will host and coordinate with ministries, branches and enterprises to organize a fair on agricultural products, small scale industry of cooperatives and cooperative alliances from April 18th-24th, at Thong Nhat Park, Hanoi.

The fair includes more than 250 booths of cooperatives, cooperative alliances, Vietnamese enterprises and some countries in the region, to promote the brand of agriculture, forestry, fishery products, fresh fruits, arts and handicrafts of Vietnam./.
The Government is reported to have amended the agreement with China Merchants International Ltd. on the Hambantota Port Development Project with the inclusion of a proposal, among others, for a 60 per cent equity swap instead of 80 per cent as proposed in the initial agreement.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Management is said to have discussed the amended version at its meeting this week. A memorandum containing the salient features of the amended version was presented to the members. Daily Mirror learns that the Chinese Company has agreed to do away the provision in the previous draft agreement that the Sri Lankan authorities should stop any port development activity within a 50-kilometre radius of the Hambantota Port.

According to the new agreement, the port security is a matter for the Sri Lankan authorities and that a 20 percent equity of the proposed joint venture can be sold to a third party.

The amended version of the agreement has been sent to the Port and Shipping Ministry for perusal. (Kelum Bandara)
India's MDMK general secretary Vaiko on Friday urged the Indian government to oppose the resolution in the United Nations that would give two more years to Sri Lanka to submit its report based on investigation into alleged war crimes against the Tamils.

With all sincerity and anguish, I would request you that the Indian Government should oppose this resolution, he said. If India supported the resolution, then it would be recorded in the history as a country that supported the genocide of Tamils, he warned in his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A copy of the letter was released to the media here.

Noting that Tamils were terribly shocked to know that the US, the UK, Northern Ireland and Macedonia had sponsored a resolution in the UNHRC, He said the most unkindest cut was the newly added provision that said only with the Sri Lankan governments consent foreign jurists, lawyers, rapporteurs could enter Sri Lanka in relation to this issue.(The Hindu)
The Supreme Court Bench comprising Justices Eva Wanasundera and Nalin Perera yesterday granted leave to proceed with the fundamental rights petition filed by MV Avant Garde's Ukrainian Captain challenging his arrest and detention.

Court fixed April 4 to consider interim relief and fix the date of the hearing.

Petitioner 49-year-old Gennadiy Gavrylov said he was arrested in October 2015 outside Sri Lankan territorial waters and was being detained at the Galle remand prison.

He said he had no political affiliations to any group or political party in Sri Lanka and that by some misfortune had been embroiled in a political tug-o-war prevailing in the country.

The petitioner cited the CID OIC, CID Director, CID DIG and Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Limited (RALL), a government-owned business undertaking affiliated to the Defence Ministry, Avant Garde Maritime Services (AGMS), Sri Lanka Shipping Company Limited, Lanka Maritime Services Limited, the Defence Secretary and the Attorney General as respondents.

He said the MV Avant Garde was chartered by Avant Garde Maritime Services belonging to Sri Lanka Shipping Company and was seized while in international waters in the wake of the change of government in Sri Lanka.

The petitioner said some of the respondents subjected him to cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment through falsely accusing him of entering Sri Lankan territorial waters in the vessel which he took over as captain on July 24, 2015.

He said SLNS Nandimithra had accosted MV Avant Garde and took it into custody while in in international waters 15 nautical miles from the baseline.

The petitioner said Galle's Deputy Harbour Master, who is also the Acting Residential Manager of the Galle Port in his statement had admitted to the vessel being seized outside the territorial waters of Sri Lanka.

Manohara de Silva PC with Arinda Wijesurendra appeared for the petitioner. Romesh de Silva PC with Kuvera de Zoysa PC and Sugath Caldera appeard for the Avant Garde Maritime Services (AGMS) and Sri Lanka Shipping Company Limited. Deputy Solicitor General Ayesha Jinasena appeared for the CID, Defence Secretary and the Attorney General. (S.S. Selvanayagam)
It must be the worst job in the world, but Abdul Basit, the high commissioner of Pakistan to India can't be faulted for doing his job well. To keep a calm face and brave the barrage of allegations over gravest of terrorism, including Mumbai 26/11 attacks, must be difficult. Nevertheless, that's exactly what Abdul Basit did at India Today #Conclave17, which is currently going on in Mumbai.

Basit, along with Gopalaswami Parthasarathy, former high commissioner to Pakistan, talked to India Today TV's executive editor, Gaurav Sawant, and the session was titled "Conversation: India Pakistan | Love Story or Hate Tale?".

Photo: Indian Express

In what expectedly turned out to be a heated exchange and a clever display of dodging bitter questions, Basit toed the usual line of denialism, saying "there are no terror training camps in Pakistan".

Here are some of the highlights of the discussion.

On 26/11 Mumbai attacks

Governments in India and Pakistan are in touch on 26/11 trial. It is a complex trial, please don't jump the gun: Abdul Basit.

If 1993 Mumbai blast mastermind Dawood Ibrahim can't be executed, how can we expect justice for 26/11 so soon: G Parthasarathy.

#Conclave1726/11 terror attack survivor asks this question to high commissioner of Pak to India @abasitpak1 pic.twitter.com/XtPZ7F8x3j  India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

Why is it taking time to bring perpetrators of Samjhauta blasts to books: Abdul Basit.

#Conclave17 Bilateral cooperation is a must in order to bring the perpetrators to justice: @abasitpak1 on 26/11 terror attack  India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

Hope things would move forward as far as 26/11 trial is concerned. For that to happen there has to be a conducive environment. We need to sit across the table and discuss things, we can't expect action in vacuum: Abdul Basit.

On terrorism

Nothing justifies terrorism. Osama, world's most wanted terrorist, was found living close to a military cantonment in a palatial house in Pakistan and they deny backing terror groups: G Parthasarathy.

#Conclave17It's not just us, even Afghanistan are facing this cross-border terrorism from Pak: G Parthasarathy https://t.co/VHffbecDJh  India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

#Conclave17There are several means to deal with such cases: G Parthasarathy on 26/11 terror attack LIVE https://t.co/VHffbecDJh pic.twitter.com/RLpywwHrol  India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

We need to look ahead. Dialogue should be there but only terrorism-centric: Parthasarathy.

#Conclave17 Two Indian Sufi clerics are missing in Pak, here's what @abasitpak1 said about this LIVE https://t.co/VHffbecDJh pic.twitter.com/8uB8IjBD0x  India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

There are no terror-training camps in Pakistan. Terrorism is one issue which is a common challenge for both the countries. We also need to discuss Siachen, Jammu and Kashmir. We need to pug the trust deficit which exists at the moment. Dealing with terrorism requires cooperation between both the neighbouring nations: Abdul Basit.

On future of India-Pakistan talks

We want to be reassured that nothing happens in the future and so, the borders should be sealed: Parthasarathy.

Let's call a spade a spade. We all know who runs Pakistan. It is not the government, but the military: Parthasarathy.
The biggest question facing the nation at present is that of identity, and how it impacts our relationship with India. The spate of communal incidents, the highly polarised election campaigns, the issue of freedom of speech, the idea of "azadi" and sloganeering to that end, the question of the university, higher education, majoritarianism in democracy, etc are all linked to the idea of what it means to be an Indian.

At India Today #Conclave17, a vibrant and no-holds-barred debate on what's ailing the idea of India and Indians rocked the dais at Mumbai's Grand Hyatt.

The discussants at the session titled "The Great Debate: A Million Mutinies | What Makes an Indian" included the following public figures: Sajjad Lone, minister for social welfare, ARI and trainings and science and technology, Jammu and Kashmir government; Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen and Lok Sabha MP; Dipankar Gupta, sociologist; Sukhadeo Thorat, chairman, ICSSR; TM Krishna, musician; Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, RSS.

The session was moderated by India Today TV's Rahul Kanwal, managing editor and the journalist who isn't afraid of asking unsettling questions to prominent politicians and public intellectuals.

Here are the highlights of the debate:

On being Muslim in India

Unfortunately, what happened in Uttar Pradesh is shamshan won over qabrastan: Asaduddin Owaisi.

#Conclave17 When data comes out, it will be known not many Muslims have voted for BJP in UP: @asadowaisi LIVE https://t.co/VHffbdV2RJ  India Today (@IndiaToday) March 17, 2017

Anyone who doesn't agree with the idea of Hindu state is not a nationalist:Asaduddin Owaisi.

India is a vibrant democracy: Vinay Sahasrabuddhe.

UP Assembly polls

Uttar Pradesh election verdict is all about exclusive development: Asaduddin Owaisi.

Modi had all majorities by his side in UP and his message for minorities was go take a walk: Dipankar Gupta.

Photo: Indiatoday.in

On Congress

There is a reading on the wall which Congress just refuses to read: Dipankar Gupta.

Rahul Gandhi is no competition. A leader equal to Modi has to be brought in: Dipankar Gupta.

Days for dynasty politics are gone: Asaduddin Owaisi.

On Kashmir

There has been no change in Kashmir in particular: Sajjad Lone.

Either you accept democracy or you reject it: Sajjad Lone.

#Conclave17 Anybody who has been able to capture the imagination of Kashmiris, it is Atal Bihari Vajpayee: @sajadlone  India Today (@IndiaToday) March 17, 2017

We are very happy with the NDA government: Sajjad Lone.

#Conclave17 I don't see much change. Things are where they were earlier: @sajadlone LIVE https://t.co/VHffbdV2RJ  India Today (@IndiaToday) March 17, 2017

Kashmiris very much Indians like anyone else: Sajjad Lone.

On challenging Modi

If you have to defeat Modi, don't become a junior Modi, there has to be a difference. Convince the people, work hard: Owaisi.

On Jallikattu and Tamil identity

Jallikattu is a complex issue and needs to be seen with great sensitivity: TM Krishna.

Democracy changes, it can't be spoken in white and black: TM Krishna.

Jallikattu issue got mass support but it was a caste issue. It is a complex issue. Half of the people who gathered at Marina were not aware what Jallikattu was: TM Krishna.

On democracy

Democracy is a very difficult thing. Its the most delicate of political systems, and everyone must come forward, participate as citizens first: Dipankar Gupta.

Marginalised voices are being suppressed: Krishna.

There's complete freedom of worshipping whichever god you like. Unless there is no difference of opinion there will be no democracy, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe.

Voices favourable to the establishment will not be suppressed: Owaisi.

Problem is not with minorities but with their spokespersons: Dipankar Gupta.

I am an Indian Muslim, is it a threat to the country: Owaisi.

The need is to secularise our politics. The minority feels insecure because the majority tends to get a religious base. We are a working democracy. We can't deny the fact that state after state we have the government which has people from the majority caste: Sukhadeo Thorat.
It's Yogi Adityanath. The week-long suspense over who will be the next chief minister of Uttar Pradesh finally got over following an announcement by the BJP.

The new chief minister and his new cabinet will take oath on Sunday.

The announcement came following intense drama on Saturday even as sources claimed MoS for Railways Manoj Sinha was "almost" certain to be the chief minister.

But there was no clarity as the BJP top brass remained tightlipped over the decision following reports of a tussle with the party's ideological mentor, RSS.

The RSS reportedly wasn't too happy with Sinha as the CM candidate. Sinha was reportedly the original choice for CM and was backed by PM Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah.

Adityanath allegedly led a 'purification' drive for conversion of Christians to Hinduism in 2005. Photo: PTI

The suspense grew after the Gorakhpur MP Adityanath was flown to Delhi to meet BJP president Amit Shah, which was followed by a formal announcement later in the evening.

Here are 10 things to know about the new chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

1. Born on June 5, 1972, Yogi Adityanath's real name is Ajay Singh. He has a BSc degree from HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar, Uttarakhand.

2. He was elected as the member of the 12th Lok Sabha in 1998 from Gorakhpur constituency, becoming the youngest MP at the age of 26. He has so far been MP from the same constituency five times.

3. Known for his firebrand politics, Adityanath never had to rely on Modi wave to cling on to his seat or get anointed as the Uttar Pradesh CM.

A fact that proves his immense popularity among the electorate is the margin of 1, 42,309 votes with which he won the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

4. Adityanath has several criminal cases against him. But that didnt stop him from becoming the CM of the most populous and communally sensitive Uttar Pradesh.

He has been charged in the past with rioting, attempt to murder, armed with deadly weapon, endangering life or personal safety of others, unlawful assembly, trespassing on burial places and criminal intimidation.

5. Often caught in controversy because of his speeches, Adityanath allegedly led a purification drive for conversion of Christians to Hinduism in 2005.

In 2015, he reportedly said those who oppose yoga can leave India and that they should all be drowned.

6. He was arrested for inciting Gorakhpur riots in 2007. In Gorakhpur riots of 2007, a Hindu boy was killed after some people opened fire on a Muslim procession that took place on the occasion of Moharam.

When the youth succumbed to the injuries and died, Yogi Adityanath allegedly vowed to deliver justice to Hindus. He announced a torchlight procession and a Shraddhanjali Sabha (pay homage).

7. Adityanath is the founder of the Hindu Yuva Vahini - a social, cultural and nationalist group of young people.

Known for his impeccable Hindutva credentials that includes support for Ghar Wapsi and fight against Love Jihad, Adityanaths Hindu Yuva Vahini in 2015 embarked on a mission to declare the cow as rashtra maata (mother of the nation).

The Hindu Yuva Vahini even launched a missed-call subscription initiative on a pilot basis in Aligarh to canvass support for the cause.

8. In the run-up to Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, he said the alleged exodus of Hindus from Kairana and Love Jihad were important issues for the BJP.

The new UP chief minister is a strong proponent of the "anti-Romeo squads".

He has been saying that the squad will work towards restoring the pride of women.

"There are areas in western UP where girls can't go to school. The squad will work for their rights and ensure safety of women in the state," he had said earlier.

9. He, however, has had a strained relationship with the BJP for more than a decade. The troubled relationship was finally normalised with the RSS's intervention.
The media lab of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has recently announced MITs first-ever Disobedience Award competition. The award carries a whopping $250,000 in cash. It can either go to a person or group engaged in what MIT believes is an extraordinary example of disobedience for the benefit of society.

The question that obviously comes to mind is why to institute such a weird award? Does it simply reflect the institutes worry about the growing power of a host of global leaders, known for either open or subtle dislike of fact-based no-holds-barred discussions?

Or, is MIT simply trying to respond in its unique fashion to the ongoing fundamental shift in society caused by the extremely disruptive nature of the current technological revolution?

Judging by the large number of publications - not only of MIT but of many other globally reputed institutions, the ongoing fourth Industrial Revolution (IR) - also known as the Second Machine Age - is really a major concern for many.

If the civilisation is unable to manage the mesmerising power of this revolution then the resulting mass disgruntlement can throw the entire world into a deep turmoil. Like Hitlers ascension to power (which was possible because of his ability to cleverly use the economic dissatisfaction of the population and exploit German anger against the humiliating treatment it received after the First World War), any mismanagement of the tectonic shift in technology - particularly picking up mesmerising momentum from the beginning of this century - is likely to create very conducive socio-economic conditions for demagogues to occupy the seat of power in many countries. In that sense, the questions raised above are not unrelated.

Paradigm shifting transformation

Previously, I discussed how with rapid progress of deep learning and neural network a lot many jobs were about to disappear soon. Jobs that many still consider as immune to technological shift, such as lawyer, teacher, caregiver, financial analyst and even journalist, may now come into the firing range of machines.

Is MIT trying to respond in its unique fashion to the ongoing fundamental shift in society caused by the extremely disruptive nature of the current technological revolution? Photo: Reuters

For example, last month tax preparer H&R Block announced that it began to use IBMs Watson computer system to maximise customer deductions. Watson is capable of reading and interpreting thousands of pages of tax code and can continually update changes as they occur.

The spell-binding breadth and depth of these technological changes demand urgent transformation of our entire system of production, management and governance. But, such changes, which are often quite painful cannot be introduced without transforming the mindsets of individual citizens and their leaders.

Need for inquisitive minds

Unlike all other social transformations of the past, transformation in the Second Machine Age cannot be made a top-down process. Individuals, irrespective of their positions in the organisation, must have the liberty to express and experiment with their ideas without any fear of intimidation.

Any employee should be able to contribute to the development of a new product or even a business model, without having to look behind the shoulder even if the proposed product or model goes totally against the companys existing line of business or philosophy.

For maximising the creative output of an organisation - an essential condition for survival of any entity in the innovation-driven economy of the Second Machine Age - it is imperative for each and every employee to keep active their inquisitive mind while performing regular duties.

Say for example, an employee should continuously ask about the skills she must acquire to improve her scope and job satisfaction when in the future her current job is outsourced to the machine. Questions can be also related to the very purpose and relevance of the organisations existence.

Similarly, an inquisitive mindset is also essential for a leader of the organisation. Using innovation guru Gary Hamels expression, a leader should also continuously figure out: How to turn 'ordinary' employees into extraordinary innovators? How do you firmly implant the innovation gene in a company that has spent a decade focused on efficiency and short-term operational efficiency?

A questioning mindset can also work as a good insurance against any backlash of disruptions.

How to create the new mindset?

We need to admit that the work for nurturing every individuals creative potential must start quite early in life. Otherwise, potential innovators in large numbers will keep falling through the big cracks of the system and the society will continue to depend on a small number of innovative idea generators.

As a result, countries will keep spending a large amount of resources on a small number of individuals for idea development without generating many game-changing ideas. According to a recent Stanford University research paper, the number of Americans engaged in research has increased more than 20-fold since the 1930s, yet there is no similar explosion in research productivity. As per the authors conclusion, it is because big ideas are just getting harder to find.

By developing a questioning or research-oriented mindset early in life the society can ultimately create a much larger pool of out-of-the-box idea generators. Finland has already taken a bold initiative in this direction by introducing a very innovative, but highly disruptive, idea to its highly-acclaimed school education system.

For maximising the creative output of an organisation - an essential condition for survival of any entity in the innovation-driven economy of the Second Machine Age - it is imperative for each and every employee to keep active their inquisitive mind while performing regular duties.

It is eliminating all subject-based teaching in schools. This in turn will certainly impact the tertiary education system of the country very soon. Hopefully, in the not very distant future the Finnish economy will have a workforce with a very different mindset.

There must not be any taboos

There can be no two opinions that we need to radically transform our education system and make it Second-Machine-Age ready. However, any such transformation can have an impact on the economy only after a time gap. But, in the meantime we also need to bring innovative thinking immediately to our existing businesses and institutions.

The businesses and institutions must be able to face the existing and rapidly increasing technological challenges that are brought to their doorsteps by competitors with increasing frequency. To some extent these challenges can be effectively met by making use of the creativity of the collective brainpower of the organisation and its network.

The necessary, though not sufficient, condition for securing better output from the creative power of the organisation is to make everyones mind free to ask questions and let everyone experiment with out-of-the-box ideas. Similar to total quality revolution of yesteryears, when quality was made everyones responsibility instead of a few quality managers, now the time has come for a total innovation revolution.

This revolution demands that everyones mind has to be free to ask questions, express opinions and conduct experiments irrespective of the dominant culture and belief in the organisation or society.

Unlike in the economy of mass production that all of us are so familiar with and which demands standardisation and conformity to rules, the fourth IR puts high premium on our ability to creatively deviate from rules (creative deviation).

People who are able to question rules, dominant beliefs and taboos have to be now considered as assets for an organisation. Only such people can take it forward. It is not difficult to understand what MIT says in its disobedience notification: Societies and institutions lean toward order and away from chaos. While necessary for functioning, structure can also stifle creativity, flexibility, and productive change - and ultimately, society's health and sustainability. This is true from academia, to corporations, governments, the sciences, and our local communities.

Fight the HIPPO syndrome

Unfortunately, even when the initial waves of innovations of the fourth IR have already started uprooting many of our iconic businesses and institutions, most of our organisations are still following a highly-centralised governance system.

As a rule, the prevailing tendency in these "legacy" organisations is to retain the status quo, impose rules and discourage questioning. Dissent is generally frowned upon because it is perceived as a threat leading to weakening of the managements power.

This in turn creates a syndrome known as highest paid persons opinion (HIPPO) syndrome. This syndrome is responsible for the downfall of many mighty giants. Many of these HIPPO-infected giants will be hit by tomorrows tiny startups with devastating effect. Examples like Kodaks bankruptcy after tiny Instagrams appearance on the horizon may soon become a commonplace occurrence.

What is true for a business is also true for any organisation, including a political party. Unfortunately, in India all political parties, from the extreme Right to extreme Left, are suffering from acute HIPPO syndrome.

To make India shine at a time of technologys exponential growth and mindboggling possibilities for combinatorial innovation, a culture of disobedience or creative deviation has to be promoted across all institutions, businesses and political parties.
Source: linkedin.com

Participants agreed that journalists should be aware of the importance of occupational ethics amidst the countrys deeper global integration and a boom in social networks and smart-phone apps.

Tran Trong Dung, Editor-in-Chief of Ho Chi Minh City Police Newspaper, highlighted the pioneer role of editors-in-chief of newspapers in strictly following occupational ethics in press activities.

Editors-in-chief must have a firm political stuff and extensive professionalism, thus leading their newspapers in line with the registered guidelines and purposes, and protecting the countrys and peoples interests, Dung said.

In sensitive areas, editors-in-chief must have clear stances and put the interests of the community higher than the interests of their newspapers and the interests of their newspapers higher than the interests of individuals and themselves, he stressed.

Meanwhile, Trinh Quoc Dung from the Vietnam Journalists Association held that the provision of information is now no longer a special privilege of the traditional press, as the social media has enabled individuals to directly provide information to the community in the fastest way.

Therefore, journalists joining the social media should show their professional skills and role by sharing accurate, objective and responsible information, he said, adding that this is also an important factor that makes journalists different from the social media.

Minh Nam from the Journalist Magazine, said that in the fierce race of information between the press and social networks, press agencies should build up the trust of readers who still need high-quality articles instead of sensational news.

Also on the fringe of the festival, the Vietnam Journalists Associations Journalism Photograph Club hosted an exhibition to introduce 60 works capturing different aspects of the life across the country./.
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The programme aims to lure domestic and foreign visitors to Quang Binh in order to develop its tourism into a spearhead economy, provide a platform for travel operators of Hanoi and Quang Binh to form networking and attract more Hanoi investment into Quang Binh tourism.

At the press conference, Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Nguyen Huu Hoai introduced the potential, strength and new products of Quang Binh tourism sector, investment attraction and tourism demand stimulation policies, and plans to open flight services connecting Quang Binh with Thailands city of Chiang Mai, and Dong Hoi city with Cat Bi in the northern port city of Hai Phong.

Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan asked the province to popularise its tradition, history, and culture, and sacred land with talented and heroic people while bringing more images of Quang Binh as well as Vietnam abroad.

A music show Quang Binh in songs will take place at the Hanoi Opera House from 8-10:30pm on March 26th-27th.

From March 25th-27th, a series of events are also planned, including a tourism promotion and connectivity seminar, a photo exhibition Quang Binh  most attractive destination in Asia, a cultural space of Le Thuy folk song heave-ho, a marketing programme Quang Binh  Kingdom of world caves combined with music activities, among others.

A highlight of the programme will be a space to attract visitors to Son Doong  the worlds largest cave, affording them a chance to experience Son Doong in the midst of Hanoi.

The central province of Quang Binh boasts the most special tourism resources in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, notably Phong Nha  Ke Bang National Park twice recognised by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage thanks to its geological, geo-morphological, biodiversity and aesthetic values. It is also the first heritage in the region to meet three out of the four criteria for the status.

The locality is also endowed with the longest coastline with a number of pristine, crystal-clear and sandy beaches, and a variety of specialties.

As the native land of the late General Vo Nguyen Giap and labour heroine Mother Suot, Quang Binh also holds special tangible and intangible cultural heritages such as ceremonial songs and Le Thuy folk song heave-ho./.
THE CENTRAL ORGAN OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF VIETNAM The Voice of the party, State and Vietnamese people on the internet

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As President Donald Trump continues to advocate buy American and hire American, his sons Albemarle County winery has again applied to hire foreign workers.

Trump Vineyard Estates, better known as Trump Winery, has asked to bring in 29 workers this season through the federal H-2 visa program. The winery initially applied for six vineyard farm workers in December and applied for an additional 23 workers in February.

Its not the only local vineyard to apply to hire foreign workers. Horton Vineyards, Early Mountain Vineyards and Barboursville Winery also have applied for workers this year. Glass House Winery and Grace Estates Winery didnt apply for workers for this season, but they have utilized the program in the past.

Trump Winery did not respond to a request for comment.

Its difficult to find people, said Libby Whitley, the president of masLabor, which works with employers on labor services. People these days say there are no workers that will perform seasonal work like agriculture jobs, landscaping, entry level, low skill ... I think thats an overstatement. I dont think there are no people do to it, theres just a deficiency of people to do it.

Whitleys firm, based in Lovingston, has worked with all the local vineyards, as well as orchards, nurseries and other farms, that are utilizing the H-2A program.

The H-2A program is for agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers to bring foreign workers to the United States to perform agricultural labor or other temporary or seasonal services.

The employer must file an application with the Department of Labor stating that there are not sufficient workers in the U.S. who are able, willing, qualified and available to do the work. They must have initially attempted to find American citizens to fill these jobs.

The employers also have to engage in positive recruitment efforts, which include placing a newspaper advertisement on two separate days  one of which must be a Sunday  in a paper serving the area where the workers will be used and in other multistate papers.

This is a program for employers who typically hire larger numbers of temporary seasonal labor and whose alternative choice would be hiring from the undocumented population, Whitley said.

There are limitations to the programs, she said, when it comes to cost, general regulations and the lack of flexibility.

You cannot permit them to do any work that isnt described in the job order, Whitley said.

Both job orders for Trump Vineyard Estates say the primary tasks include planting and cultivating vines, adding grow tubes and pruning grape vines. It says workers also may perform general tasks relative to vineyard and winery operations when work in the vineyard is not available.

Theres a great deal of flexibility when you have a U.S. worker and  these temporary workers can only come in the exact same time period every year, theres no upward progression potential, Whitley said.

H-2A workers and U.S. workers in corresponding employment must be paid a certain rate  which this year in Virginia is $10.72 an hour for vineyard farm workers  and must be provided housing and transportation to the job site if their employment requires them to be away from their residence overnight.

Whitley said that with all the media coverage Trump Winery has received for using the H-2A program, she assumed her company would be flooded with people applying for the jobs.

Guess how many applicants we had? ... 13, she said. And they were all from places like the Philippines, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria. We did not have one American worker apply on [the first job order].

She said there has been more advertising for the Trump jobs than theyve had for any H-2A application in decades. They also have received emails from people who are outraged, and others who are curious or puzzled about the program, she said.

I qualify every one of those responses and I say, Are you interested in the job? If you are, please get in touch with us immediately, Whitley said.

Under the program, employers are required to hire any qualified American worker who indicates an interest, regardless of how they found out about the job.

But recognizing the majority dont stay, [employers] have a significant interest in making sure that they can meet the labor needs by using the H-2A program and getting the labor certification so that if the domestic workers dont show, that they then have the ability to recoup the workers that they need, Whitley said.

Early Mountain Vineyards applied for 12 workers for this season through the H-2A program.

In an emailed statement, General Manager David Kostelnik said Early Mountain employs mostly Virginian workers and many of its H-2A workers have been with the vineyard for more than one season.

We are proud that 85 percent of our team members are from Virginia, Kostelnik said in the email. The other 15 percent are seasonal workers, most of whom have been with us for multiple growing seasons, who come through the H-2A visa program. We value the experience our entire team brings, and are grateful for their dedication to excellence.

Kostelnik said that while they cannot comment on the employment practices of others, they believe their practices are consistent with other significant vineyards in the state.

Glass House Winery owner Jeff Sanders used the H-2A visa program to hire one worker in 2015 and 2016.

Its hard to find good, local work, very hard for this, and that was true three years ago when the economy wasnt as good, Sanders said. Now, its even harder. These arent high-paying jobs.

Because the vineyard is only 12 acres, Sanders said, he typically only has one full-time worker, one H-2A worker and himself working in the vineyard, which works out to about two full-time-equivalents year-round. This year, he lost his full-time worker, so he went a different route.

This year, I hired Vineyard Services of Central Virginia to do a considerable amount of layout, contractual vineyard work over the course of the year, and that replaces my employee and my H-2A worker, Sanders said. Im still helping, Im still out supervising and doing some work, but I basically gave them 80 or 85 percent of the vineyard and Im keeping 15 percent.
Bridge maintenance work on Interstate 64 has been rescheduled.

The Virginia Department of Transportation will close lanes on I-64 at mile marker 119 to accommodate bridge work over Route 781 (Sunset Avenue Extended) from March 26 to 31.

Travelers can expect alternating overnight lane closures from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday.

Work will continue on the eastbound bridge from March 31 to April 3 and April 7-10 on the westbound bridge.

Weekend lane closures will start at 8 p.m. on Fridays and go until 6 a.m. on the following Mondays.

The work will extend the service life of bridges in both travel lanes, according to a VDOT news release.

In order to reduce delays during this phase of the work, VDOT is implementing a zipper merge pattern.

Rather than merging at the first lane closed sign, drivers should stay in their current travel lane up to the merge point and take turns merging  similar to a zipper  into the open lane, VDOT said in a news release. When traffic is heavy, this merge method has been shown to reduce backups and keeps traffic flowing through the work zone.

Additional single-lane closures are expected through mid-April for pavement marking and other work at night.
An official ceremony has taken place in Kherson region's Chonhar village to open a telecommunications tower that will allow test digital broadcasting of Ukrainian television and radio programming to Russian-occupied Crimea.

The completion of the facility set the stage on Friday for a test digital transmission to Crimea for analyzing the strength of the signal, the Ukrainian Information Police Ministry's press service reported on Friday.

"Currently six Ukrainian television and radio companies are broadcasting to the peninsula," the ministry's press service said.

The radio station Krym.Realii also began working in test mode on 105.9 MHz with a 5 kW transmitter. The station will start normal broadcasting at the end of May. Ukrainian Radio on 100.7 MHz, 2Meydan2 radio on 101.4 MHz and Kherson FM2 on 107.8 MHz are also broadcasting to Crimea.

The height of the tower is 150 meters, but a competition will be held to raise it to 200 meters to enable digital television broadcasts.

In addition, the television and radio broadcaster tower in Chaplynka will be raised from 92 meters to 110 meters this year.

"We are also considering the possibility of building another broadcasting tower on the administrative border with Crimea. During the course of the year the number of radio stations which can reach Crimea will be doubled," the ministry's press service quoted Information Policy Minister Yuriy Stets as saying.

Chairman of Ukraine's National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council Yuriy Artemenko said during the upcoming weeks the regulator will receive digital radio broadcasting frequencies from Ukraine's state radio frequencies center, and will "announce a competition for space in the Chonhar multi-complex" next month.

As per the results of the competition, from four to six Ukrainian television and radio companies will broadcast their programs to Crimea.
Ukraine reports 60 attacks on its positions in Donbas, one killed, one injured on Friday

Illegal armed formations opened fire 60 times targeting positions of Ukrainian troops on Friday, the press service of the Ukrainian Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) headquarters said.

"Since the beginning of the day, the Russian terrorist troops have attacked Ukrainian army positions 60 times. Heavy weapons were used among other equipment," it said on Facebook on Friday evening.

One Ukrainian serviceman was killed and another one injured in an explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED), it said.

In addition, in the Mariupol sector, Ukraine's adversary carried out fire on Ukrainian strong points near Lebedynske, Shyrokyne, Hnutove and Vodiane, using mortars and 122mm artillery systems and 120mm mortars on the positions near Talakivka and Chermalyk. Various systems of grenade launchers were used to shell positions near Maryinka, it said.

In the Donetsk sector, instances of shelling grew dramatically near Avdiyivka on Friday afternoon. Weapons used there included heavy weapons, tanks and 120m mortars. Several shells hit the area of Avdiyivka's old part. Illegal armed formations fired 82mm mortars on Ukrainian position near Opytne and 122mm artillery systems, SPG grenade launchers, and the weapons mounted on infantry fighting vehicles near Luhanske, according to the ATO HQ.

In the Luhansk sector, the Ukrainian positions near Novozvanivka were shelled by SPG grenade launchers and antitank missile systems, while the positions near Valuiske came under fire from small arms, it said.

Two Ukrainian soldiers were killed and another eight injured in the ATO zone in Donbas in the previous 24 hours, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman Andriy Lysenko said earlier on Friday.
Ukrainian prosecutors receive no response from U.S. to requests to question Manafort

Ukrainian prosecutors have made seven separate appeals over the past two years for help in questioning President Donald Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort in connection with a corruption investigation, and the U.S. has not responded to those requests, CNN has reported.

According to CNN, the prosecutors in Kyiv sent requests, including letters to FBI Director James Comey and U.S. Justice Department officials.

"Ukrainian officials said the U.S. has not responded to those requests," CNN said.

U.S. authorities confirmed to CNN that the requests were received but declined further comment.

As reported, in August 2016 the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) confirmed that the name of Manafort was among the persons in the so-called "black ledger" of the Party of Regions. Manafort quitted the Trump campaign after the scandal.
U.S. President Donald Trump high appreciated the efforts of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande in the process of resolving the conflict in Ukraine.

"I also appreciate Chancellor Merkels leadership, along with the French President, to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, where we ideally seek a peaceful solution," Trump said at a joint press conference with Merkel.

"We need to come to a solution of this problem. There has to be a safe and secure solution for Ukraine, but the relationship with Russia has to be improved, as well, once the situation there on the ground is clarified," Merkel said at the press conference.
We need to come to solution of Ukrainian problem, but relationship with Russia has to be improved

A solution of the situation in Ukraine should be found, but the relationship with Russia has to be improved, as well, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said.

"We need to come to a solution of this problem. There has to be a safe and secure solution for Ukraine, but the relationship with Russia has to be improved, as well," she said at a joint press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump in White House.

"I am very gratified to know that the American administration and also the President, personally, commits himself to the Minsk process," Merkel said.

"Minsk is a good basis, but, unfortunately, we havent made yet the headway that we want to. But we are going to work together with our experts in the next few months to come on this issue," she said.
Four Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in action (KIA), while three were wounded in action (WIA) or injured in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) zone in the east of Ukraine in the past 24 hours, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman Andriy Lysenko has said.

"In the past day, four Ukrainian servicemen were killed in action, another three army members were injured or wounded in action," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Saturday.
The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine has reported that since Thursday, March 16, the ministry has been providing explanations on the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine to temporarily halt cargo shipments across the line of demarcation between Ukrainian troops and combined Russian-militant groups in Donbas to foreign partners.

"We have started explaining and bringing our position to our partners: the NSDC decision that was enacted by the president's decree and why we have made it," Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mariana Betsa said at a briefing on Friday.

She said that the measures have been taken only to protect the national interests of Ukraine. This step is a temporary measure, until Ukraine restores control over the enterprises and Russia starts observing the Minsk agreements, Betsa said.
U.S. experts share combat experience of using radar stations with Ukrainian colleagues

The Ukrainian-U.S. conference for using U.S. firefinder radar systems in the Armed Forces of Ukraine was held at the artillery practice ground near Divychki (Kyiv region).

"U.S. specialists presented their recommendations on combat use of the radar systems and exchanged experience with Ukrainian officers," the press service of Defense Ministry of Ukraine reported on Saturday.

"Some urgent issues concerning the use of AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder Weapon Locating System and further cooperation with the United States were discussed," the press service said.
The new cultural center in the Embassy of Israel in Ukraine was opened in Kyiv on Thursday, March 16.

"This is an Israeli House You can touch the state and become its part. Someone would be able to learn in Israel what he or she learnt in the center," Minister of Immigrant Absorption, a member of the Knesset, Sofa Landver said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Kyiv.

Israel's Ambassador to Ukraine Eliav Belotserkovsky said that the center is functioning in modern premises and more people will be able to visit it.

"We have finally moved to the center that presents our state in the right way. Here we have modern premises where more programs could be held. More and more people are interested in our programs and cultural ties," the ambassador said.
New Delhi: The government is considering a proposal to shuffle the heads of some public sector lenders, including IDBI Bank, to improve their performance and resolve the issue of bad loans.

"There is a proposal for swapping of MD level position in banks which is being looked into. Final decision would be taken after careful consideration," said a source. There are also talks of the CEO and managing director of IDBI Bank, Kishor Kharat, being moved to another bank.

The Appointments Committee of the Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will take a final decision on this issue. IDBI Bank has largest presence in joint lending and a has critical role in many Corporate Debt Restructuring (CDR) proposals, sources said.

According to a Parliamentary Committee report, although IDBI Bank has been a pioneering institution in the financial sector of the country, in 2015-16 it registered a loss of Rs 3,664 crore as against a net profit of 873 crore in 2014-15.

The bank has also seen decline profits on a sequential basis  Rs 2,031 crore in 2011-12, to Rs 1,882 crore and Rs 1,121 crore in 2012-13 and 2013-14, it said.

The decline in profits of IDBI Bank could be attributed to increase in Gross Non-Performing Assets, loan write-offs and poor financial results, Committee on Petitions said in its report.

It has recommended that the Finance Ministry should effectively liaise with the IDBI Bank for formulating a Transformational Plan with a target of putting the stressed projects back on track.

It has suggested bringing down Gross NPAs to 3 per cent and Net NPAs to zero per cent by 2018-19, selling of non-core assets to fund the growth. The board of IDBI Bank last month approved proposal for dilution of stake in some non-core businesses to shore up capital base.
New Delhi: A top parliamentary panel today began examining Reliance Industries "unfairly" producing over Rs 10,000 crore worth of natural gas belonging to state-owned ONGC in the KG-basin and constituted a sub-committee to go deeper into the issue.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) began examining the CAG report of last year that had red-flagged USD 1.6 billion of excess cost recovered by RIL in the KG-D6 gas block as also state-owned ONGC's gas flowing into the eastern offshore fields of the Mukesh Ambani-led firm.

Sources said a sub-committee headed by TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy was constituted to look deeper into the matter. Officials of RIL and ONGC appeared before the panel and presented their case. The PAC has decided that its sub-committee on infrastructural projects headed by Roy will look into the matter, a source said.

As much as 11.122 billion cubic meters of ONGC gas had migrated from its Godavari-PML and KG-DWN-98/2 blocks to adjoining KG-D6 of RIL between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2015.

Last year in November, the Oil Ministry had sent a notice seeking USD 1.55 billion from Reliance Industries and its partners for drawing natural gas belonging to state-owned ONGC in the KG basin over the last seven years.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), had in a report tabled in August 2016, said that 831.88 sq km of KG-D6 area needs to be taken away from RIL as per the contract and cost of discoveries it had relinquished should not be allowed to be recovered from sale of oil and gas from the block.

Also, cost recovery for doing discovery conformity test should be looked into, it had said. CAG had said that the November 2015 report of independent

expert DeGolyer & MacNaughton (D&M) submitted on reservoir continuity between the KG-D6 and contiguous ONGC operated blocks has pointed out that gas has migrated from the blocks owned by state-owned firm to the private company operated fields.
Hyderabad: Bank unions today said they will strongly oppose any voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) that is likely to be announced soon for the employees of five associate banks of State Bank of India, which will be merged on April 1.

The five associate banks of SBI are State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur, State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Travancore, State Bank of Patiala and State Bank of Hyderabad.

"They may announce a VRS any time now. As a matter of principle, we unions totally oppose the VRS. Earlier, the SBI chairperson had said there would be about 26,000 employees retiring in the next two years.

"So, there is no need for VRS. But now the bank has deviated from its word," State Sector Bank Employees Association general secretary KS Krishna told PTI here today.

"Why is that the VRS is applicable only to the employees of associate banks? It should be applicable to all," the union leader said. Krishna said about 50 per cent of the total 73,000 workforce of the all five associate banks will meet the

eligibility criteria for the proposed VRS  which is those on the rolls and having put in 20 years or above 55 years.

Eligible employees will be paid an ex-gratia amounting to 50 per cent of the salary for the residual period of service, subject to a maximum of 30 months salary, he said.

"We will be educating our people. Our jobs should be protected. The VRS decision is unilateral. If they consult us, we will oppose it," he said, adding the merger process will not be smooth if the SBI management fails to take unions into confidence.
Gandhinagar: Digital economy will require both technological and legal innovations, and law graduates have enormous opportunities to tap in the push for Digital India, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said today.

The Minister for Law and IT delivered the convocation address at Gujarat National Law University here. Prasad said law graduates will have new avenues opening up for them especially in the fields of "intellectual property, competition, data privacy, and a whole range of other innovative laws."

"Indian digital economy is going to become a trillion dollar economy in the coming 5-7 years. Communication, IT services, digital delivery, e-commerce, cyber security, digital payment, are also going to create new avenues for legal redress," he said.

"Digital coverage is good coverage, digital delivery is faster delivery, but this will throw up legal challenges, issues of privacy, cyber security, competition. Why? Because digital world is a virtual world, and the problems of the virtual world have to be addressed in the real world," he added.

"(Digital economy) will require not only technological innovations but also legal innovations. And there I see an enormous opportunity awaiting for you (graduating students) to tap in the field of intellectual property, competition, data privacy, and a whole range of other innovative laws," Prasad said.

"Once this digital profile becomes an important component of India's digital and commercial discourse, I see larger avenues opening for you," he said.

Prasad said that out of a population of 1.25 billion, Indians have 1.08 billion mobile phones, 1.12 billion Aadhar Cards, 50 crore people are connected to internet, and 35 crores own smart phones.

"India is at the cusp of a big digital revolution. And some of the transformative programmes that we have started under the guidance of Prime Minister -- Digital India, Make in India, Stand Up India, Start-up India, Skill India -- are all designed to make India an empowered nation," he said.

Stressing on the need for ethics, Prasad told graduating students that "legal profession demands a lot of ethical values. Ethical values are being articulated as a great component of your training, research programme".

"Our profession is very demanding, challenging. If you slip at one point, you may shine immediately but you will loose in the long term. Choice is yours. Be more focused on the ethical values," he said.
Karan hit back at Kangana, saying that he did not know what Kangana meant by 'nepotism'.

Mumbai: Varun Dhawan says he doesn't think nepotism exists in the Hindi film industry.

The nepotism debate took centre-stage in Bollywood after actress Kangana Ranaut kicked off a controversy recently with her remarks on filmmaker Karan Johar's talk show.

Karan hit back at Kangana, saying that he did not know what Kangana meant by 'nepotism' as he has not worked with his family members, and instead launched several actors and directors, who hail from non-film background.

When asked if nepotism exists in the film industry, Varun says, "I don't think. I don't want to talk much about it."

The 28-year-old actor, however, praises Kangana, saying, "I like Kangana, her style and more power to her."

Though Varun was not launched by his father, director David Dhawan, his big ticket break by Karan's Dharma Productions in "Student of The Year" provided a big launchpad.

He consolidated his position by delivering hits like "Humpty Sharma Ki Dhulania", "Main Tera Hero" and critically acclaimed "Badlapur
Mumbai: People are praying for Bollywood superstars Aamir Khan-Shah Rukh Khan combo in a film may have to pray a little harder, and a little longer.

SRK, in a recent interview, said that the two actors did not meet to discuss work.

"We don't talk work, we haven't spoken work for years. He was in town. He has just been in town, I have been in town and last 2-3 months, he has come home sometimes but nothing, there is nothing work wise that we have discussed," he said.

Recently, the 'Raees' star visited Aamir Khan at his residence on his 52nd birthday and speculations were rife that they might come together in a film.

When asked about what gift he gave to the ' Dangal' star, SRK jokingly said, "I just hug everyone, that's all. It was his birthday, so I just wanted to wish him and spend some time with him."

On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan will next be seen in Imtiaz Ali's upcoming movie 'The Ring' alongside Anushka Sharma, while Aamir Khan is busy shooting for Vijay Krishna Acharya's ' Thugs of Hindostan,' which also stars megastar Amitabh Bachchan.
At the Kuttram 23 success meet, Arun Vijay seemed very emotional, as he recalled how significant the film is his career. Yennai Arindhaal was a big hit, but that was Ajith sirs movie. I did get a good name as well. But when Arivazhagan approached me with this medical thriller in which I play a police officer  I felt that this would properly ascertain where I stand in the industry. I worked with lot of fear and responsibility. Now that it has turned out to be a hit, it is really heartwarming and God has given Arivazhagan as a gift to me!

He adds, Apart from everyone who lauded me for my work, it was my appas appreciation that I consider the most precious. I also told him that I am nobody in front of his achievements!

Aruns dad, veteran actor Vijayakumar, who received a honorary doctorate from Dr. MGR University recently, was also honoured on the occasion.
Reshma Rajan was content doing her duties as a nurse at Rajagiri hospital in Kochi when she was called for the audition of the Lijo Jose directed Angamaly Diaries. Suddenly the nurse was catapulted from the sterile walls of the hospital room to the bright arc lights thanks to the much loved character Lichi of Angamaly Diaries, who is coincidentally also a nurse. Her nurse uniform has now been kept aside, caught as she is in the whirlwind of promotions and success meets of her debut film.

Much like Lichi in Angamaly Diaries, Reshma talks nineteen to the dozen. She speaks about signing on the dotted line for the first time, I was one among the many whose faces appeared in a hoarding all over Kerala. Lijo happened to see the hoarding and thought I was apt for the role. Zeroing in on her was the easy part but contacting Reshma proved to be very tough. Several attempts to find her number proved futile till someone informed that she was a nurse working in Rajagiri. Reshma quips, The producer Vijay Babu joked that they were planning to hold an identification parade of all the nurses at the hospital to find me! Unaware of the hunt going on, Reshma was pursuing her dreams of a nursing job abroad and planning to settle there with her family like what most nurses aspire to. But then her life changed with that single audition.

Reshma also faced some opposition from home as most of her family members were settled abroad and her family too wanted that. It was the support of her friends that pushed Reshma to take a risk and attend the audition and subsequently sign on for the film with a cast of 86 new faces. She was understandably nervous and tense on the first day of her shoot about which she explains, I went on the sets with just three words ringing in my ears  start, camera and cut. Then I saw a whole sea of people there. My first scene was shot in a church where the hero and me were praying. Nobody said any Start, so I just raised my hands and started praying fervently. The next thing I heard was someone telling me to walk backwards slowly and then I realised the shot was being filmed! When the first shot was okayed, Reshma saw it as a good sign coupled with the initial shot being canned in a church.

Lijo proved to be very supportive and cool and Reshma credits him with utmost patience. Reshma says, Since the entire cast was new; we were all supportive of each other. Lichi and Reshma share a lot of similarities except, as Reshma quips, the drinking part. Though a lot of offers are coming her way, Reshma is taking her time to decide.
Chennai: Getting the consent of family members for the donation of their deceased kins organs has been a challenge for years. However, when individuals possess a donor card, it makes matters simpler.

Despite the fact that awareness on donations is on the rise, people fail to step out of their comfort zones and register for a donor card or pledge their organs.

Therefore a need for a simpler procedure was felt by many who work towards organ donation. With this in mind, the Mohan Foundation, with support from other NGOs, has been urging the government to introduce a consent sign on the driving license.

We have been working on this for the past 10 years, putting forth multiple appeals to the transport authority. We are in the hope that it will be introduced this year, said Dr Sunil Shroff of the Mohan Foundation, on the sidelines of the Indian Society of Organ Transplantations second mid-term meeting, themed Asian perspectives on Organ Donation and Transplantation.

The license could bear the symbol of a heart, implying that the individual has pledged his organs. The white space on the license could also bear the statement I have pledged my organs. This will reduce further complications of seeking the consent of the deceaseds organs, he added.

Stating that Sri Lanka has already introduced the consent bearing license, Dr Niroshan Seneviratre, Consultant Urologist and Transplant Surgeon, Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, Colombo, said, It has made matters a lot simpler for doctors. Also, this helps increase the number of donations per se.

Illegal donations down

The enormous demand, supply gap in organs, and an increasing number of people falling prey to diabetes and other diseases causing kidney failure, are only two among many other reasons why people choose to opt for paid living organs.

The government and the state health department should provide an easy way to avoid people opting for the difficult and illegal way of donation. Also, no VIPs should be bypassed from following the same laws that are cut out for the public, said former convener of the state Transplant Network (Transtan) Dr Joseph Amalorpavanathan.

With Indias laws having undergone amendments in 2011, the donation of unrelated living organs, which is illegal in the country, has become increasingly difficult.

Commerce in organ donations is illegal and anyone planning anything commercially in this field, should be highly careful, especially practitioners, who could lose their licenses, said Dr Sunil Shroff of the Mohan Foundation.

Other countries like Nepal, too see some cases of unrelated organ donations.

Those who indulge in illegal donations, tend to create fake documents to start it off. However, the cases have come down in the recent past, said Dr Rishi Kumar Kafle, chief consultant nephrologist and executive director, National Kidney Centre, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Countries like Sri Lanka, however, do not have any laws forbidding the same. Most of the Sri Lankan population is Buddhist and it is a belief among Buddhists that a donation is an act of charity. Priests, therefore, have been granted the permission to donate organs while alive as it is considered a very noble deed, said Prof. Renzvi Sheriff of Western Hospital, Colombo.

Stating that Tamil Nadu hasnt seen a kidney racket in the past five years, Dr Amalorpavanathan said, It is because of increased awareness on donations and the law forbidding illegal donations. The transparency of cadaver donations is another factor why illegal donations have come down.

As the donations are all registered in the organ donation registry, it makes it all the more difficult for people to carry out illegal donations in the state, he said, adding that a national-level ombudsman, independent of the government, should come up soon. This will help check the racket in other parts of the country as well, he opined.
The Foreign Ministry of Turkey three years after the unlawful annexation of Crimea by Russia reiterated that the country does not recognize the outcome of the illegitimate referendum and confirms its support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

"Three years have passed since Ukraines Autonomous Republic of Crimea was annexed by the Russian Federation on the grounds of an illegitimate referendum held on 16 March 2014. We reiterate that we do not recognize the de-facto situation caused by this act which is a clear violation of the international law," the ministry said in a press release posted on its website on Saturday.

"Turkey will continue to follow the situation in Crimea closely, and to defend the rights and interests of Crimean Tatar Turks, who are among principal constituents of the peninsula," the ministry said.
Bengaluru: A woman, who survived a brutal attack on her at an ATM kiosk in the IT capital more than three years ago, has identified her assailant during an identification parade at the Parapanna Agrahara central jail.

"Yes, she had been to Parapanna Agrahara central jail yesterday and she identified the assailant, Madhukar Reddy..," the woman's husband said.

A jail official said the identification parade did not last an hour.

The woman was calm before she was taken for identification, but the moment she identified the assailant, panic writ large on her face, the official said.

43-year-old history-sheeter Madhukar Reddy, who escaped from a hospital in Kadappa in 2011 while serving a life sentence for a murder and allegedly committed the ATM crime two years later, was arrested on February 4 from his native Chitoor District of Andhra Pradesh during a routine police operation to trace absconding criminals.

Police said, during interrogation, Reddy had confessed to the brutal assault on the woman, a bank official, inside the ATM kiosk on November 19, 2013 when she was repeatedly attacked with a machete, with the crime caught on CCTV.

The accused allegedly had also murdered two women in Andhra Pradesh and a sex worker in Hyderabad.

The ATM incident triggered widespread outrage as the woman, an employee of Corporation Bank, was left paralysed on her right side following the attack, which brought to the fore safety issues with government directing banks to shutdown unguarded booths.
While the Department of Collegiate Education (DCE) has removed the lecturer from the college and sent him on deputation to a government college in Jewargi, Kalaburgi district in response to her complaint, no police case has been lodged against him, say sources in the higher education department.

Bengaluru: Bringing more shame to the city, a lecturer in a government women's college close to the Vidhana Soudha, has now been accused of molestation by a student, who claims he kissed her on seeing her wearing a new dress.

While the Department of Collegiate Education (DCE) has removed the lecturer from the college and sent him on deputation to a government college in Jewargi, Kalaburgi district in response to her complaint, no police case has been lodged against him, say sources in the higher education department.

The lecturer in question is reportedly a writer and a well known cultural personality of the state. "The incident was reported Thursday morning. The girl is from a very poor family. He allegedly kissed her as she was wearing something new to college and she immediately lodged a complaint, said sources in the higher education department.

Confirming the incident, Dr. Ajay Nagabhushan MN, commissioner, Department of Collegiate Education, said the college principal had forwarded the complaint from the girl student to it. Following a preliminary investigation, we have sent the lecturer in question to the government college in Jewargi on deputation and I have directed the college authorities to take all legal action necessary besides counselling the victim, he added.

But questioning the departments actions, a higher education officer claimed the lecturers supporters had ensured he got off scot-free and there was no police investigation into the incident.

 The college should have requested the police to investigate the incident immediately as otherwise there is every possibility of the evidence being destroyed and eye-witnesses being pressured to retract their statements. This is a classic example of girl students, who are vulnerable to sexual offenses , being treated lightly even after they lodge a complaint," said an officer. Sources in the DCE confirmed that no police complaint had been registered against the lecturer as yet.
KOZHIKODE: A 70-year-old man hailing from Chorode, near Vadakara, was found hanging in his house, a week after the police registered a case against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly trying to rape a minor girl who was mentally challenged. Though the family of the victim was reportedly hesitant to proceed with the case, the Childline authorities informed the police about the same. Maniyarathumukk Nadukkandi Kunhiraman was arrested on March 10 for trying to abuse his 12-year-old neighbour.

Kunhiraman was upset at the turn of events, one of his relatives said. The man was granted bail considering his age. His relatives believe it was a fabricated complaint. Additional district and sessions court had remanded him for 14 days. As per the complaint, the girl was subjected to abuse for six months. Last Friday, in a similar case, a 45-year-old man had committed suicide at Kalpetta in Wayanad when a POCSO case was registered against him. Pallikkandi Abdul Gafoor, was found hanging in his courtyard after he was released on bail a week ago. He was jailed for 40 days for reportedly abusing a minor girl.

Psychiatrist Dr C.J. John said the advances by elderly towards minors cannot be clubbed with 'traditional crimes'. There is a feeling that age could serve as a cover in society. However, once they are exposed, they experience a loss of face, not only for themselves, but for the entire family. This could be a reason they take the extreme step which they feel is an act of reparation," said Dr John.
Bhubaneswar: Police on Friday arrested the son of a prominent industrialist on charges of wife-swapping in Odishas capital Bhubaneswar.

The accused was identified as Sabyasachi Mishra, son of industrialist Trailokya Nath Mishra, the owner of the Nayagarh Sugar Mill, said commissioner of police YB Khurania.

Sabyasachi was arrested by Mahila police from his Kharavel Nagar house.

Six months ago, Sabyasachis wife had accused her husband and his family of torturing her as she refused to take part in wife-swapping.

She also alleged that she was tortured for dowry, both by her husband and his family.

According to the wife, after their marriage, Sabyasachi had taken her abroad where he had forced her to get involved in wife-swapping.

When she refused, he harassed her with support from his family, the police said quoting the contents of the FIR.

She also alleged that there were attempts by her in-laws to kill her and her son, after which she reported the matter to Mahila police six months ago.

While police had summoned the industrialists family, the Mishras had fled fearing arrest. The family had also got an interim protection from court.

After the interim protection was removed, police had issued a lookout circular against them.

When police came to know that they were at their Kharavel Nagar house, a special squad raided the house and arrested Sabyasachi.

Both Sabyasachi and his father Trailokya Nath Mishra rubbished the allegations.

I have always treated her as my daughter and not as daughther-in-law. She has been misled, said Trilokya Nath Mishra, while his son totally rejected the allegation of wife-swapping.
KOZHIKODE: Thankamma Nelliyani, second accused in the case in which a priest raped a minor at Kottiyoor, has surrendered before the investigating officers in Peravoor. Thankamma reported to Peravoor circle inspector N. Anilkumar around 6 am. They interrogated her on her role in hiding the newborn to save Fr Robin Vadakkumchery from the disgrace. The POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act) Court, Thalassery, released her on bail. The priest was arrested on February 27 from Thrissur after the girl who delivered a boy revealed to the police that he raped her resulting in the pregnancy.

Police says the woman coordinated shifting of the newborn to an orphanage at Vythiri. Sr Ophelia, the superintendent of Holly Infant Jesus Fondling Home, Vythiri, who surrendered the other day, suppressed the information while the Child Welfare Committee failed to report it to the government. Among the ten accused, Wayanad CWC chairman Fr Thomas Joseph Therakam and member Sr Betty Jose had also surrendered on Friday.
Hyderabad: A 28-year-old man who was detained by the Mangalhat police died under suspicious circumstances leading to tension in the area on Saturday. Alleging custodial death, scores of people gathered at the police station demanding action against the police. Police said Bheem Singh, a resident of Mangalhat, had collapsed at the police station. He was taken to the Osmania General Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead. Bheem Singh specialised in making Ganesh idols at Dhoolpet.

The protesters and family members of Bheem Singh alleged that he was beaten by the police. Local MLA Raja Singh and his aides joined the protesters, heigh-tening tension in the area. Senior officials from West Zone denied the allegations and said he could have died due to a heart stroke. According to victims relatives, police had picked up Bheem Singh on Friday evening. He was in police custody till Saturday morning, when he collapsed.

Singh had a quarrel with his acquaintance named Ajay on some petty issue. Ajay lodged a complaint with the police against Singh. Mangalhat police arrested Singh and took him to the police station, said a local source. It is not yet clear if the police had issued an FIR. Singhs friends said that th-ere was no FIR against him, and the police had called him to the station orally without any arrest warrant. A large police force rushed to the spot to control the protesters. Senior police officials went to the police station to calm down the agitators. by promising a fair inquiry.
Gurgaon: A Gurgaon court today awarded life sentence to 13 former employees of Maruti-Suzuki India Limited, who it had found guilty of murder, in connection with the violence at the automobile giant's Manesar plant in 2012 in which a senior company officer had died.



Additional district and session judge RP Goyal granted life sentence to the 13 men, who had been convicted for murder by it earlier.



Of the 18 other ex-workers, who had been convicted of various other offences like violence, rioting and attempt to murder, four have been given a sentence of 5 years.



Fourteen other convicts would be released after paying a fixed amount of Rs 2,500 as fine.



The court termed these 14 as "undergone accused" as they had already served a jail term of four and half years, which it felt was enough punishment.



The 13 persons who have been sentenced to life term are identified as Ram Mehar, who was the union president, Sandeep Dhillon, Ram Bilas, Sarabjeet Singh, Pawan Kumar, Sohan Kumar, Pradeep Kumar, Ajmer Singh, Jiya Lal, Amarjeet, Dhanraj Bhambi, Yogesh Kumar and Pradeep Gujjar.



During the proceedings today, the prosecution counsel Anurag Hooda sought death penalty for all the 13 murder convicted employees. Sessions judge R P Goyal, after taking into consideration all aspects, awarded life sentence to each of them.



Defense counsel, Rebbecca John however said she would approach the High Court against the decision.



Earlier, 31 workers had been convicted and 117 were acquitted by the court on March 10. Thirteen of the accused were held guilty of murder while the remaining 18 were convicted of violence, rioting and other offences.



Violence had erupted at the facility in August 2012 over disciplinary action against an employee during which agitated workers went on rampage, torching a part of the factory, setting senior human resource manager Awanish Kumar Dev on fire, and beating up and bludgeoning with rods 100 others.



Those wounded included some foreigners and policemen.



The police had arrested 148 workers in connection with the murder.
Srinagar: A day after separatists asked voters to desist from participating in the bypolls to Srinagar and Anantnag parliamentary constituencies, JKLF chief Mohammad Yasin Malik was on Saturday arrested from his office in Srinagar.

"A posse of policemen raided Abi Guzar office of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) in the heart of Srinagar and arrested Malik to desist him from spearheading the poll boycott campaign," a JKLF spokesman said.

Activists of JKLF and a constituent of hardline Hurriyat Conference headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani had on Friday started a joint election boycott campaign by holding a protest rally in Srinagar. They also visited various areas in Ganderbal and Budgam districts and distributed pamphlets, urging people to remain vigilant and boycott the upcoming elections.

The bypolls to Srinagar and Anantnag parliamentary constituencies are slated for April 9 and April 12, respectively.

"Casting or boycotting vote is a democratic right of every human being but when election process is facilitated and pro-boycott people are terrorised, raided, arrested and put in jails, this process is reduced to a military operation," Malik had said in a statement yesterday.

Terming the participation in election process and voting as "disrespecting the sacrifices", the JKLF chief said the elections for assemblies and Parliament have been used to "hoodwink international opinion" on Kashmir.
Mumbai: BJP chief Amit Shah on Friday said he will "never accept" the job of advising the Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi.

"I will never accept this job," Shah said, when asked what would he do if he were asked to advise Rahul Gandhi after the Congress' poor show in the recent elections.

Shah was speaking at an interactive session at the India Today Conclave here tonight via video link.

Asked if he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had no reason to worry as long as the Congress was led by Rahul Gandhi, Shah said, We don't depend on our rivals' weakness."

To a question about his "earlier stint as a stock broker", Shah said, "I earned enough money then. ("Paisa toh maine theek thak kamaya tha").

On his relationship with Modi, Shah said, "My relationship with him is the same as it should be between a PM and (ruling) party president."

On the BJP and its bickering ally Shiv Sena contesting the recent civic polls separately, Shah said, "It was a friendly match. It has ended. Our alliance has been there for a long time and will continue."
Hyderabad: Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday said the farm debt waiver scheme assured by the BJP in the run-up to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections was "state-specific" and not a "national policy" of the Central government.

"Crop loan waiver for farmers of UP was a state-specific assurance given by the BJP leadership during the election campaign (of UP polls). Once the government is formed (in UP), they will definitely consider it positively and try to implement the same.

"This is not the national policy of the government. It is state-specific," he told PTI amid ongoing attempts by the Opposition to pin down the BJP over the issue in Lok Sabha.

Recently, during a debate in the Lower House, members from several parties, after taking objection to the farm loan waiver promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during campaigning in UP, had demanded that the government waive loans of farmers across the country to bring down the number of suicides.

Referring to demands by some other states for a similar waiver, the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister said, "It (loan waiver) depends on the resources and financial viability of the states. They (states) are free to take their own decisions."

Charging the Centre with discrimination is not correct, he said, adding "there is no North and South issue involved in this," making a thinly-veiled reference to the comments made by popular Telugu actor and Jana Sena founder Pawan Kalyan that the "Centre discriminates between North and South."

On the issue of the election of BJP Legislature party leader in Uttar Pradesh, Naidu said he will be attending it as a party observer.

"I am already in touch with the state leadership and legislators. After the meeting we will complete the consultation. I will have a word with the national president (of BJP). The leader (the Chief Ministerial candidate) will be declared by this evening. Swearing in will be tomorrow," he said.

He added that the Prime Minister, chief ministers of BJP-led governments, besides senior party leaders would be attending the swearing in ceremony.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has said that the criminal proceedings against Head of the State Fiscal Service Roman Nasirov is linked to a lack of legal grounds for granting installments to business entities, which led to losses for the state of about UAH 2 billion.

"In response to statements by some deputies that due to the detention of the fiscal service head the authority will stop providing deferrals on tax liabilities to business, we emphasize that the criminal prosecution of the fiscal service head is not linked to the fact of granting installments to business entities, but to the lack of legal grounds for its application. It is resulted in the damage caused to the state in the amount of about UAH 2 billion, "the press service of NABU said late on Friday.

The bureau said that the investigators have evidence that when deciding to grant royalty payments in installments to three companies controlled by MP Oleksandr Onyshchenko operating under joint activities agreements with state-run company Ukrgazvydobuvannia, the head of the State Fiscal Service deliberately ignored a number of conditions for the application of this tool outlined in the legal documents.

In particular, the decision to allow royalty payments in installments was made backdating, without any valid grounds, and after the royalty payment date for the above-mentioned companies matured. Installments were provided without approval by the Finance Ministry of Ukraine.

"In addition, Nasirov presented unreliable information to Ukrgazvydobuvannia and Ukraine's State Service for Geology and Deposits that the above-mentioned companies did not have tax debts. He concealed the fact that the operators did not observe the terms of the joint activities agreements in paying the royalty for the use of deposits the budget. This could be a ground for the termination of the contracts between Ukrgazvydobuvannia and the companies involved in the so-called Onyshchenko gas scheme," NABU said.
Chennai: Doubting the genuineness of the documents produced by J. Krishnamurthy, who claimed to be the son of actor Shoban Babu and former chief minister J.Jayalalithaa, the Madras high court, on Friday, warned him of dire consequences if his claim was found to be fake.

The court directed him to appear before the Chennai police commissioner on Saturday with original documents for verification.

"I can send this man straightaway to jail. I will ask the police officers to take him to jail now itself", said Justice R.Mahadevan while hearing a petition from Krishnamurthy, which was posted before him for maintainability.

According to Krishnamurthy, who appeared as party-in-person, he was born to Jayalalithaa and Shoban Babu on February 15, 1985 in Bengaluru. However, due to difference of opinion between his parents, they got separated and he was subsequently given on adoption to a couple in Erode district.

He submitted certain documents, including a deed of adoption, to substantiate his claim. He claimed that former chief minister M.G. Ramachandran had signed as a witness in the deed of adoption. Though he was given on adoption, he was in touch with Jayalalithaa and had visited her several times.

Alleging that he was kept under illegal custody by Sasikala and her relatives and he was prevented from attending Jayalalithaa's funeral, he said he somehow managed to escape from their custody. He prayed to direct the police to provide protection to him as he faces threat to his life from Sasikala and her relatives.

When the petition came for hearing on Friday, Justice Mahadevan said, The documents have been clearly fabricated. Even if the documents are placed before an LKG student, he/she would say that they are fabricated.

Then, the judge orally directed him to appear before the Chennai police commissioner on Saturday and submit the original documents for verification. The commissioner was directed to verify the genuineness of the documents and file a report before the court by next Friday.
BJP President Amit Shah is offered sweets to Uttar Pradesh BJP President and party MP Keshav Prasad Maurya at Parliament House in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

Lucknow: Newly-elected BJP MLAs in Uttar Pradesh will be meeting here today to elect the leader of the state legislature party. The meeting will be held on Saturday evening at Lok Bhawan, state BJP spokesperson Manish Dixit said.

Central observers - Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav -- will remain present at the meeting to elect the chief minister.

BJP vice-president Om Mathur, state party chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and other senior party leaders are also likely to attend the meet.

"The new Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh along with his Cabinet colleagues would take oath on March 19 at 5.00 PM at Kanshiram Smriti Upvan," Governor Ram Naik had said in a statement yesterday.

Union Minister Manoj Sinha, Home Minister and former state chief minister Rajnath Singh, Maurya and eight-time MLA from Shahjahanpur Suresh Khanna are being projected as the main contenders for the post by their partymen. All these leaders in their interactions with the media have played down their chances.

Sinha was in Varanasi yesterday where he offered prayers at Sankatmochan temple.

The BJP is forming government in the politically crucial state after a gap of 15 years.

In the recently-concluded Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the party secured 312 seats in a 403-member house, while its allies Apna Dal (Soneylal) and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party got nine and four seats respectively.

Samajwadi Party bagged 47 seats, while its ally the Congress stooped to its lowest tally with seven seats.

Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party could manage to get only 19 seats in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly.

With the BJP leadership often springing a surprise with its choice of state leaders like Manohar Lal Khattar in Haryana, Vijay Rupani in Gujarat and now Trivendra Singh Rawat in Uttarakhand, sources have said that a relatively lesser known leader cannot be ruled out.

The central observers will most likely inform the MLAs about the BJP top brass' choice which will be subsequently endorsed at the meeting today.

The BJP top brass has taken its time to decide on the UP Chief Minister after results were declared on March 11.

The sources said the party is extra cautious as it is returning to power in Uttar Pradesh after a 15-year hiatus.

Moreover, in view of Lok Sabha election in 2019, BJP cannot afford to take any wrong decision, said some party insiders when asked about the delay in declaring the CM's name.

After a stupendous win in the Assembly election, the party can ill afford to lower its guard. Uttar Pradesh sends 80 MPs to Lok Sabha and is extremely important in the BJP's scheme of things.

Party insiders said the overwhelming mandate has posed a fresh challenge for the BJP to meet sky-high expectations.

Meanwhile, Naidu said the new chief minister of the state will be elected by the legislators in a meeting later in the day and all reports in this regard are mere media speculation. He was speaking to newspersons on his arrival at Lucknow airport this morning.

"The news reports about CM contenders and probables is media speculation. The final decision would be taken in the meeting," he said.

Meanwhile, party leaders said that invitation for Sunday's swearing-in ceremony has been sent to all the CMs of BJP-ruled states.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah will also attend the ceremony.

According to the Raj Bhavan, the timing of swearing-in ceremony has been advanced, and it is now likely to be held at 2.15 PM tomorrow.
Coimbatore: An outspoken rationalist was brutally hacked to death by an unidentified gang in Ukkakadam here on Thursday night, sending shockwaves across the textile city.

Police said on Friday, H Farooq, 31, an iron scrap merchant from Bilal Estate in South Ukkadam and a member of Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam (DVK), a breakaway group of the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK), was very vocal in his rationalistic thoughts.

On Thursday, around 11 pm, Farooq had left his house on receiving a phone call in his moped. While nearing the sewage treatment plant near Ukkadam bypass road, the assailants intercepted him in two-wheelers and auto. Sensing trouble Farooq had tried to escape by turning away his moped, but the gangsters hacked him with sickle and knives.

The body of the victim bore multiple stabs and cuts inflicted by the assailants. On hearing the loud noise, the local residents rushed out of their houses and found the victim lying dead in a pool of blood. However, the assailants managed to flee away. Following this the deputy commissioner of police Saravanan inspected the spot and held enquiries.

Police have collected video grabs of CCTV cameras installed in commercial outlets on the stretch to identify the culprits. Police traced the last call to have been made from a SIM obtained by furnishing a fake address in Vellore. Cops are also analyzing the call log in the mobile of Farooq.

Tension prevailed for a short while at the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), where a post-mortem was performed on the deceased as members of DVK refused to receive his body demanding that the assailants be arrested. After police promised speedy and impartial action, the relatives took the body for doing the last rites.

As a large number of DVK cadres gathered at the hospital, a heavy posse of police was deployed at the premises to prevent any untoward incidents. Police who are privy to the investigation said that they are probing on certain leads on the brutal murder.

We are looking into multiple angles and it is yet to be known if he was executed by communal groups, business rivalry or for personal reasons. One of his controversial religious posts shared in FB attracted criticisms. He was also detained recently under Goondas Act in connection with the violence that arose following the murder of Hindu Munnani leader Sasikumar, said a police official. Meanwhile, four special teams have been formed to nab the offenders and further investigations are on.
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh presiding over the Cabinet meeting at Punjab Bhawan, in Chandigarh on Saturday. (Photo: PTI)

Chandigarh: In a major decision, the Punjab cabinet has decided to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in all government jobs.

The decision was taken in the first cabinet meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh in Chandigarh, said an official spokesperson.

He added women will be given the reservation also in the contractual appointments of the state government.

Reaffirming the Punjab Congress's commitment towards empowerment of women, the cabinet also decided to increase their representation in the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) from the present 33 per cent to 50 per cent, the spokesperson said.

A series of decisions were also taken for the benefit of freedom fighters.

The cabinet has decided to provide a house to every freedom fighter in the place he resides, besides allocating 300 units of free electricity every month, he said.

It was also decided to provide one out-of-turn tube well connection to the freedom fighters and to exempt them from paying toll tax for state highways, the spokesperson added.
Mumbai: Shalabh Kumar, founder of the Republican Hindu Coalition that rallied behind Donald Trump during the US presidential election, on Saturday said reports on the racial attacks in the US were exaggerated.

"Let the investigation agencies do their job," Kumar said at the India Today Conclave here on growing racial attacks in the US.

He was responding to questions after making the key-note address on 'Make India-America Great Again, Why Trump will be good for the world'.

Kumar said the Kansas attack (in which an Indian techie was killed) in the US was confirmed by the FBI as a racial attack.

"As the confirmation came, Trump was supposed to attend an important meeting. But after the meeting, he did respond to the incident of attack and condemned racial discrimination," he added.

"At our RHC, we daily get 10 calls on an average on racial abuse and most of them are fake," the Indian-American entrepreneur said.

He said when Barack Obama had become the US president for the first time, he too had jumped to a similar conclusion when an African-American was attacked and later, he was criticised for his actions.

On the US administration's take on the H1B visa and its impact on Indian techies travelling to that country, Kumar said Trump was only trying to implement the existing rules and regulations.

"The visa was introduced many years ago for doctors and highly qualified engineers. Over a period of time, there have been some cases of abusing the visa facility.

"It was the Obama administration that had tried to make the H1B visa rules more stringent and not Trump. It was rejected by the Congress and the visa is the same.

"And, there is one Republican senator who has moved a bill to increase the number of H1B visa allocation to Indians. It shows that the new government is pro-India," he said.

On India's cross-border terrorism issue with Pakistan and Trump's stand on it, Kumar said, "President Donald Trump does not tolerate a double face on terrorism. Like he has talked against the ISIS, he has also expressed his objections towards cross-border terrorism."
Theni: Unidentified persons pelted stones at rebel leader and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam's vehicle when he was travelling to Arapadithevanpatti village near Theni on Friday afternoon.

The supporters of Panneerselvam welcomed him at the Sastha temple near Andipatti Kanavai and then they accompanied him to his home town Periyakulam. When his convoy reached Arapadithevanpatti village, a group of persons standing near the roadside, pelted a stone on his vehicle. However, Panneerselvam did not sustain any injury with the stone falling only on the vehicle bumper.

Panneerselvam didn't stop his vehicle. The incident has provoked outrage among his supporters who were waiting 200 metres away from the incident spot to receive him. Panneerselvam pacified them and then left to his house in Periyakulam. A senior police official denied that miscreants pelted a stone at Panneerselvam vehicle.

Hundreds of supporters gathered in various places on the route to his house to welcome him. After taking rest for a few hours in his residence, Panneerselvam left with his followers to his constituency in Bodinayakanur in the evening.

After he reached Bondinayakannur town, Panneerselvam used an open vehicle to wish his supporters gathered in various places in the town. In the morning, OPS along with his wife and sister visited his family deity (Pachiamman temple) and Andal temple at Srivilliputhur in Virudhunagar.
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu speaking to media at Parliament, in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

Mumbai: Maintaining that freedom of speech is not without restrictions, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Friday warned that any attempt aimed at disturbing the country's unity and integrity won't be tolerated.

"Dissent is agreeable but disintegration (of the nation) is not at all agreeable and this government will not allow that," he said at the India Today Conclave here referring to the recent violence at Ramjas College in Delhi.

"Our government is not going to compromise on the unity and integrity of the country," he said, adding anybody who takes the law into his/her hands must be condemned.

The Information and Broadcasting minister said if someone had a difference of opinion, they can do so but without harming the sentiment of others.

"You have to understand the sensitivities in our nation. We have many castes, religions, regional disparities...hundreds of languages and many other complexities. If somebody tries to hurt the sentiment of another section of the society, there will be some reactions as well," he said.

On the rising incidents of violence in university/college campuses, Naidu said out of the 740 universities, students of only six or seven varsities were creating issues.

Mocking the slogans that students of Ramjas College had allegedly chanted during the campus violence last month, (ala Freedom for Kashmir, Freedom for Bastar; Afzal Guru your work is incomplete, we will come and complete your unfinished agenda) Naidu wondered what was left there for the students to complete.

"Afzal Guru wanted to blast our Parliament. Thanks to God and the sacrifices of our soldiers, we were all saved. These people want to see to the remaining agenda of Afzal Guru, but how can anybody accept this?" he asked.

Pointing out that even Article 19 which guarantees freedom of speech and expression, provides for reasonable restrictions, he said everybody should keep this in mind and must exercise restraint while speaking on sensitive issues.

Notably, Ramjas College had turned into a battleground on February 22 after students of the Left-affiliated AISA and ruling BJP-backed ABVP turned violent. Many policemen, journalists as well as students were allegedly roughed up by ABVP students.

The trouble started when the college union invited JNU students Umar Khalid, facing sedition charges, and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar on 'Culture of Protests'. The invite was strongly opposed by the ABVP following which the college authorities withdrew the invite.
Bhopal: Assam cadre IPS officer Sanjukta Parashar, known for crushing Bodo militancy in her earlier assignment as the Sonitpur district superintendent of police (SP) in the North-East state, is now heading the National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigation into the March 7 blast in the Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train that lead to ten people getting injured.

Sanjukta, who took down 16 Bodo militants and arrested over five dozen tribal insurgents in just 15 months while leading the counter-insurgency movement in the Assam district earlier, arrived here on Thursday from Delhi where she is currently posted as the NIA SP, to take over the probe from the Madhya Pradesh Anti-terrorist squad (ATS).

She has already visited Sujalpur where the blast occurred by suspected ISIS terrorists, Mohmmad Danish, Atif Muzzaffar and Syed Mir Hussein who were arrested by MP ATS officials barely four hours after the incident.

All the three accused were remanded to NIAs custody till March 27 by a local court here on Thursday. The 2006 batch IPS officer shot into news when a video showing her taking on the Bodo militants in the Assam jungles went viral a few years ago.

She is said to be a terror for militants in Assam for her ruthlessness and bold counter-insurgency operations in the militancy-infested regions in Assam. She is married to Assam cadre IAS officer P. Gupta and has a son.
These stations are planned at newly-constructed multipurpose barrages at Medigadda, Tammidihatti and Tupakulagudem as part of Kaleshwaram irrigation project. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: The TS government will set up three more hydel power stations to meet future demand in the state. These stations are planned at newly-constructed multipurpose barrages at Medigadda, Tammidihatti and Tupakulagudem as part of Kaleshwaram irrigation project.

Power minister G. Jagadish Reddy told the Legislative Assembly on Saturday that since formation of Telangana state in June 2014, the government has commissioned two hydel power stations.

Lower Jurala hydro electric project of 6x40 MW was commissioned in October 2016 and in Pulichintala hydro electric project, out of the 4x30 MW units, one was commissioned in September 2016. The remaining three units are scheduled to be commissioned in 2017-18 fiscal, Mr Reddy said.

Congress MLA Komatireddy Venkat Reddy asked whether Yadadri power plant project would be scrapped since it was not getting approvals from agencies concerned.

The minister replied that the government will complete Yadadri power plant at any cost though Opposition parties were trying to obstruct it on environmental issues.

There is no question of going back on Yadadri power plant. Opposition parties may succeed in delaying the project by approaching courts and tribunals but you cannot succeed in completely stalling the project. We will overcome all legal and environmental issues soon and commence construction of project, Mr Reddy said.
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Hyderabad: Former minister of human resource development, Shashi Tharoor on Saturday called for major reforms in the education policy which he said will help the country achieve global standards. The country boa-sts of some reputed universities and institutions but a lot needs to be done to improve quality of education, he said.

Mr Tharoor was delivering a talk on educatio-nal policies at an event organised by the National Students Union of India (NSUI) at the Uni-versity of Hyderabad.

The MP said regulatory bodies were only asking educational institutions to comply with set norms instead of focusing on outcomes.

Im sorry to say this but scores of graduates coming out of colleges are not industry-ready, and has been pointed out by many organisations such the CII, FICCI and Assocham. This is why many of software firms are again training freshly-recruited graduates before putting them on projects. Infosys has a campus in Mysore, whi-ch resembles an Amer-ican varsity... wh-ere they teach graduates to get them industry-rea-dy, Mr. Tharoor said.

The minister added that India will be a very young country soon. By 2020, India will have 160 million youth between the ages of 19 and 23. No other country, not even China will have such a large workforce at their disposal, he said.

He added that the need of the hour was providing the right training at the academic age to make the youth readily employable.
Hyderabad: Telangana state Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has written to the Prime Minister asking him to take up the ma-tter of hate crimes against Indians with authorities in the United States.

Mr Rao, in his letter, said there had been an increase in the number of hate crimes in the US. He particularly referred to the murder of techie Kuchibhotla Srinivas in Kansas and said the killing had left families of those working in the US particularly worried.

He added that the India-American community was contributing immen-sely towards the development of both the United States and India. Mr Rao wanted the matter to be brought up discussed at the appropriate level.
TS Transco has estimated that the revenue gap will be around Rs 8,000 crore for 2017-18.

Hyderabad: TS government has foisted the responsibility of hiking the power tariff for 2017-18 on the TS Electricity Regulatory Commission by rejecting the proposals of the Discoms.

The ERC now has to decide whether to burden consumers by hiking power tariff or to throw the Discoms into further debt trap. TSTransco has estimated that the revenue gap will be around Rs 8,000 crore for 2017-18 and had requested the state government to bear the entire amount.

However, the state government allotted Rs 3,583.64 crore as power subsidy in Budget 2017-18, meaning that the revenue gap will be around Rs 4,500 crore.

This will have to be borne by the Southern Power Distribution Company and the Northern Power Distribution Company.

Unless the state government increases power subsidy, the revenue gap of Rd 4,500 crore will have to be borne either by the consumers or DISCOMS or by both. ERC sources said before finalising the tariff proposals, it will again request the TS government to enhance the power subsidy.
Hyderabad: The state government is all set to lease the Outer Ring Road to private players for 30 years. The proposal will be finalised soon, minister K.T. Rama Rao told the Assembly on Saturday. The government will collect a lumpsum amount as lease and allow the private companies to collect user fee from motorists. The government expects to bag over Rs 2,000 crore in a a decade by leasing out the ORR.

At present, the HMDA has been giving contracts to private agencies to collect toll. The contract is valid for a year and is renewed. Currently, the contractors need to pay a certain amount to the government and can retain any earning over that. The contractor does not spend money on operation and maintenance of the ORR, which are paid for by the HMDA.

In the proposed lease, the ORR wil be handed over to private players under the Toll-Operate-Transfer model. Under this, the contractor will pay for the operation and maintenance of ORR. The HMDA gets the lumpsum amount from the private players. This model is seen to reduce the involvement of the HMDA. The money generated from leasing out the ORR would be utilised by the government to fund future projects.
On Saturday morning, the management of Saritha Vidhya Niketan did not allow 19 students to take the SSC exam as they did not pay the pending fee. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: Hayathnagar police registered a case against Saritha Vidya Niketan for not allowing the students with fee dues to appear for SSC exam and locking them up in a room for about an hour. On Saturday morning, the management of Saritha Vidhya Niketan did not allow 19 students to take the SSC exam as they did not pay the pending fee.

Upon information, police rushed to the school and helped the students take the exam. In the evening, one of the parents A Jangareddy lodged a complaint stating that the management had confined the students for one hour. School officials said they would allow the students to write the examination only after the fee dues were cleared, he alleged. Based on the complaint, police registered a case under charges of wrongful confinement and under the Juvenile Justice Act.

Anger after students told to remove burkha for SSC:

Mild tension prevailed at the SVV High School, Saidabad, after the principal asked girl students to remove their burkha to write the SSC exam on Saturday. The girls had taken off the veil for identification while entering the centre, but the principal demanded that they remove the burqa as well. The girls protested, and called their parents when the principal remained firm.

The parents argued with the principal and tension grew when local leaders and police arrived at the spot. The issue was reported to the district education officer. who replied: If a Muslim girl candidate desires to take the examination with her burkha on, she should be permitted to do so. He asked the principal to take the help of women invigilators to check the students at the entrance to establish their identity and detect any forbidden material.
New Delhi: Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) came to the rescue of a class 12 student who was denied admit card by a private school for non-payment of fees.

"The boy's mother approached the commission expressing her helplessness to pay the fees as the family was facing severe financial crunch after her husband had passed away following long-term illness," a DCW official said.

"We had summoned the school officials including the Director and Principal and counselled them that a student's life should not be put at stake for lack of money," the official added.

The school authorities gave us a written assurance that they would immediately provide him the admit card and the school also waived off the boy's pending fees, the DCW official said.
Bengaluru: Mahatma Gandhi was a Jihadi of a non-violent kind. Jihad in Islam means 'struggle with one's own conscience. He was inspired by Islam and imbibed that in his satyagraha, said Gita Dharampal, from the South Asia Institute.

Presenting a paper at The Energy Resources Institute, on Gandhi and Islam, Gita explained his efforts to bring Hindu-Muslim unity. I want this paper to provide answers to present concerns. Right from the cold war, the bombing of Iraq, Afghanistan, oil politics, bombing of twin towers was all part of power politics; and less to do with Islamic radicalism, she said.

Gandhiji had four agendas in mind - Satyagraha, Hindu-Muslim unity, abolishing untouchability and the Swadeshi movement. He supported the Khilafat movement, which pressured the British to let the Ottomon Caliph retain his power.

The Ottomon empire was a Muslim one. Fall of this meant a fall for Islam and Muslims comprise one-fourth of India's population. He joined the Khilafat movement, initiated by Indian Muslims, to bring Hindu-Muslim unity, Gita said.

Many in the audience countered this point. They said it was more of a political strategy to win the masses. She spoke about Gandhi attempting to maintain harmony between the two religions, especially with regard to cow, an animal considered sacred by most Hindus.

"Gandhi tried to allay the Hindu anxiety with cow protection. In Hind Swaraj master plan, he said that he respects the cow as much as man. One can't kill a Muslim to save the cow. A Hindu must urge the Muslim brother to save the cow," she said. However the British disturbed this harmony by painting the Mughal era as 'dark ages'.

Gandhiji's wish to become a Brahmachari, a life of chastity to attain spirituality. He felt this is what he needed to achieve Hindu-Muslim unity, said M.N. Venkatachaliah, former chief justice. Gita said what Gandhi propagated was more of contemporary Islam that became part of his spiritual struggle against violence.
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said government officials working in the state should learn Kannada and officiate in the language.

Following reports about a senior IAS officer directing his subordinates to send him official files written only in English, the chief minister said the officer was "wrong" and action would be taken against him after ascertaining the facts.

"I will look into it, it is wrong...it cannot be done like that," Siddaramaiah told reporters here.

"Each and every officer working in Karnataka should learn Kannada and officiate in Kannada. If this has happened, we will take action," he said in response to a question regarding the officer's conduct.

According to reports, Srivatsa Krishna, Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises, had directed his subordinates to send him official files written only in English and not in Kannada.

State Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister TB Jayachandra too warned of strict action against such officials.

"We will not tolerate any official who is against Kannada and against the interests of Kannadigas," he said.

"I will immediately speak to the President of the Kannada Development Authority and initiate action against him," he added.

The Kannada Development Authority has also sent a show-cause notice to the officer.
Kochi: A day after an Uttar Pradesh native was taken into custody by the Ernakulam police for suspected IS (Islamic State) links, further probe has revealed that his wife had falsely lodged a complaint with the cops about his terror links. The Aluva Police had taken into custody Ahlad aka Imran (25) on the basis of a complaint filed by his wife, Thrikkarippur native, that her husband had been working for the outlawed outfit.

We dispatched a team to Uttar Pradesh and took Ahlad into custody on his arrival at the Musafir Nagar railway station and brought him to Aluva late on Friday. However, we could find no evidence of him being linked to IS despite interrogating him for hours, said K.G. Babu Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Aluva.

Primary probe revealed he had married the woman about eight months ago. The woman had come to Aluva in search of Alhad and found him staying at a lodge here. Soon an argument broke out between the two following which Alhad allegedly beat up the woman. In a fit of rage, she filed a false complaint on his terror links. However, the police lodged an FIR against him under IPC sections 341, 294(B), 506 and 327 for assaulting the woman during an altercation a couple of days ago.
Panaji: Former Goa Congress MLA Vishwajit Rane on Friday said it was time party leader Digvijay Singh retired from politics. Mr Rane had quit the party after it failed to press its claim to form government even after being the biggest party in the Goa Assembly.

The kind of blunder he along with other Congress leaders did, cost the party its government (in Goa) despite having a majority, Mr Rane said.

I dont know whether Digvijay really wanted to form the Congress government in Goa. Looking at his actions, it did not seem like (he did), he said.

Mr Rane had defied the party whip during the crucial floor test in the Goa Assembly jolting the Congress, which came one down from the 17 votes it had against the government, when he absented himself.
New Delhi/Patna: Dubbing the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) decision to make its MP Yogi Adityanath as the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister as the saffron party's 'biggest mistake', Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav on Saturday said the former is 'inept' for the post.

Yadav further said that there is internal conflict going on within the BJP due to which groupism can be seen among the party members.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Naresh Agarwal said that he expects Yogi Adityanath to change his 'fiery brand' image and work towards the betterment of the state.

Agarwal further said that they would act like a proper opposition and observe the government for six months, after which, if needed, they would speak up against the odds, if any.

"If the Central Government tried to bring in an atmosphere of communalism by the medium of Yogi Adityanath, then we might stage protests against it after six months. If they have the intention of polarising votes in order to win the 2019 general elections, then we won't let them succeed in it. It is our determination to not to let the atmosphere of Uttar Pradesh deteriorate," he told ANI.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu said the oath taking ceremony would take place at 2:15 pm on Sunday in Uttar Pradesh in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah.

Putting all speculations to end, the BJP named Yogi Adityanath as the next Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister while Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma has been appointed as the deputy chief ministers of the state.

Adityanath had flown to New Delhi earlier this morning to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Adityanath, a five-time MP from the Gorakhpur constituency, was the youngest member of the 12th Lok Sabha at the age of 26.

Currently, Adityanath serves as the Mahant of Guru Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur, following the death of Mahanth Aavaidyanath on September 12, 2014.

The other contenders in the race were Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya, Union Minister Manoj Sinha, BJP leader Shrikant Sharma and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
The appointment of Keshav Maurya, a member of extremely backward class, was the first significant step in social engineering taken by Mr Shah.

Back-to-back media coverage of just concluded Uttar Pradesh polls quickly degenerated into a farcical urban legend, for every phase saw a new spin being given to what was happening on the ground. One heard that the Jats were upset with the BJP and had voted for other parties in the first phase. After the first three phases, again one heard that the BJP was behind.

After kabristan and shamshan, BJP reportedly turned its campaign around. The battle for UP became battle of Varanasi in the last phase. One now heard that the BJP would emerge as the single largest party. But reports that BJP might lose the majority of Assembly seats in PMs constituency left party cadre furious.

This was proved wrong with majority Hindu votes consolidating behind PM Modi. Although, I must add a caveat here, BJP insiders gave the party anything between 220 and 300, with party president Amit Shah confident of the higher number.

But the big question is where did the Muslim vote go? Muslim vote is approximately 18.6 per cent in UP and in parts of western UP as high as 45 per cent. BJP did not field a single Muslim candidate. The town of Deoband, home to the Dar-ul-Uloom, one of the tallest Islamic seminaries in the world, has a Muslim population of 71 per cent. Yet, BJP candidate Brijesh Singh garnered over 1,02,000 votes with a lead of nearly 30,000 over Bahujan Samaj Partys Majid Ali. Only 25 Muslim candidates won  19 from the SP/Congress alliance and six from BSP  down from 67 the last time and 56 in 2007. In the 143 Muslim seats where the communitys population is 20 per cent and above, BJP won 101 seats. The Muslim vote was divided between the SP/Congress and BSP political formations. Muslim votes got divided between Muslim candidates of SP and the BSP in seats such as Deoband, Chandpur, Moradabad Nagar, Noorpur, and Nakur.

However, Muslim candidates managed to win Meerut, Kairana, Naji-babad, Moradabad Rural, Sambhal, Rampur and Suar-Tanda. Muslim women voted in big numbers for the BJP over its stand on triple talaq.

Years of appeasement and pandering to a minority community seems to have angered the majority Hindus. A section of Muslims felt they are being used as vote bank. The consolidation of the Hindu vote phenomenon has happened thrice now in the last three years.

Muslim candidates won only 25 seats this time round. That Hindu Aandhi swept everything this time cannot be ignored. BJP succeeded in getting votes of Hindu backward castes, Yadavs, Kurmis, Scheduled Castes, probably including Jatavs, and upper castes, which included Thakurs and Brahmins.

The narrative of national media in Delhi that the first phase was a washout for the BJP was proved wrong. Of the 73 seats in western UP, BJP won 66. In the second phase, the BJP was reportedly a distant third. But of the 67 seats, it won 50.

In the third phase of 69 seats, it won 55. Of the 209 seats in the first three phases, BJP won a staggering 171. In the next four phases, it actually did do well compared to the first three winning 154 out of 194. Against the backdrop of UPs complex political scene and reverses BJP suffered in Bihar and Delhi, repeating 2014 Lok Sabha victory in 2017 was not easy.

Mr Shah offered tickets to 28 candidates from backward castes and allied with Apna Dal to woo politically disadvantaged sections. He sought to give the Dalits a strong sense of belonging by giving them important organisational roles.

Elections are episodic and not incremental, but the manner in which Hindu majoritarianism melded together to back the PM and BJP is revelatory. At the same time the manner in which analysts, pundits, psephologists and media got the Hindu mandate wrong is a shame. It is only two of the exit polls which presented the actual picture.
Lucknow: As the countdown for the final decision on the chief ministerial face of Uttar Pradesh is nearing its end, the tussle for the chair of power has escalated to levels of demonstrations in favour of the names of contenders - UP BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and firebrand leader Yogi Adityanath - outside the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Lucknow.

However, just ahead of the meeting, Adityanath emerged as the top contender for the UP CM post.

Earlier, Union Telecom Minister and Ghazipur MP Manoj Sinha was also being considered as the top pick for the coveted post owing to his large experience in the party operations.

However, reports have suggested said that RSS leaders have rejected Sinha's name for the post.

Maurya can be a huge investment too in view of his popularity among the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and the BJP's constant efforts to win over the minority votes, especially the Dalits.

Adityanath's supporters had earlier put up posters and raised slogans demanding him to be the Chief Minister. "The BJP secured so many seats in the state because of Adityanath. We don't oppose anybody who's in the running, but we want Yogi ji to be the Chief Minister," they said.

Adityanath's ascension can simply strengthen the BJP's 'Hindutva' establishment in the state, but may provide enough fodder to the opposition to attack the saffron party on lines of 'divisive politics'.

Meanwhile, the permutations and combinations to zero in on a credible face for the most important post in the politically crucial state are on as BJP president Amit Shah reached Lucknow and met Maurya.

Reports suggest the BJP central leadership is keen on picking the right person for the top post in Uttar Pradesh as it is crucial for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his bid to win a second term at the Centre in 2019.

The BJP is set to hold its legislature meet this evening to elect the new Chief Minister with Shah been empowered to have the final say in the decision.

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu and BJP general secretary Bhupendra Yadav will also be present at the meeting as party's central observers.

The swearing-in ceremony of the new Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister will be held tomorrow in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The BJP marked an astounding victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections by winning 325 seats out of 403, thus dislodging the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) from power.
Union minister of state for health and family welfare and Apna Dal leader Anupriya Patel greets BJPs Yogi Adityanath (C) elected leader of the BJP Legislature Party, K.P. Muriya (L Deputy CM) and Dinesh Sharma (R Deputy CM) in Lucknow on Saturday. (Photo: PTI)

Lucknow: In a surprise move, the BJP on Saturday announced that Gorakhpurs controversial MP Yogi Adityanath would be the next chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. The state will also have two deputy chief ministers  UP BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and Lucknow mayor Dinesh Sharma.

The chief minister-designate and the two deputy chief ministers are, incidentally, not members of the state legislature. Yogi Aditynath and Keshav Maurya are MPs, while Dinesh Sharma is not a member of either Houses of the state legislature.

After his election, Yogi Adityanath along with his senior colleagues from the BJP went to Raj Bhavan to officially stake claim. Governor Ram Naik has invited him to form the government. The chief minister and his Cabinet will be sworn in at a grand ceremony in Lucknow on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah are expected to be present at the swearing-in.

A Thakur and a five-time MP from Gorakhpur, Yogi Adityanaths name was declared by Union minister Venkaiah Naidu, one of the two central observers at the first BJP legislature party meeting held in the newly-constructed chief ministers office known as Lok Bhavan. His name was proposed by Suresh Khanna, an eight-term MLA and was unanimously accepted by the MLAs amidst chants of Jai Shri Ram.

The election of Yogi Adityanath was preceded by high drama. Yogi Adityanath was summoned to Delhi by a chartered flight on Saturday morning. After meeting Mr Shah, he returned to Lucknow along with Mr Maurya on Saturday afternoon. The legislature party meeting was also delayed by over an hour as Mr Naidu held a closed-door meeting with Mr Maurya, party general secretary Bhupendra Yadav, Yogi Adityanath and senior BJP leader Om Mathur at the VVIP guest house.

The presence of Yogi Adityanath at the meeting triggered off speculations since his presence as an MP was unwarranted. The presence of Union minister Anupriya Patel at the meeting was equally surprising.

Thousands of his supporters, who had started coming to Lucknow as soon as Yogi Adityanath left for Delhi, thronged the Lok Bhavan gates chanting, Yogi Yogi.

The supporters became restive as the meeting continued and many of them tried to scale the high iron gates. As soon as news of him being appointed chief minister trickled out, his supporters danced with joy and burst crackers.

His supporters had been demanding that he be named CM even before the results were announced. Posters depicting him as Lord Krishna and Ram has surfaced in the state. The 45-year-old leaders name is believed to have been finalised keeping in mind his immense popularity in eastern UP.

Two deputy Chief Ministers to strike caste balance in UP

Massive preparations have begun for the swearing in ceremony of the new chief minister Yogi Adityanath and his council of ministers. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at 2.15 p. on Sunday and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah will be present.

Talking to reporters, union minister Venkaiah Naidu said that several Chief Ministers of BJP and NDA, including that of Jammu and Kashmirs Mehbooba Mufti were likely to attend the event.

More than one lakh people are expected to gather on Sunday afternoon at Smriti Upvan in Aashiana when the 21st Chief Minister of the most populous state takes oath. Union ministers led by Mr Rajnath Singh and all the 73 BJP MPs from Uttar Pradesh will also attend the swearing-in ceremony.

A special eight feet tall platform has been erected at the Smriti Upvan. The main dais is 52 feet long and 24 feet wide. A parallel dais that is 40 feet long and 20 feet wide has also been set up for the newly elected MLAs. All visitors and party workers will be welcomed with a shower of flower petals and a tilak by the party's city unit. Boxes of laddoos will also be given to the guests.

Over 7,000 security personnel including 18 companies of central forces will be deployed. Seven SPs from adjoining districts and 50 deputy SPs, along with 550 inspectors, will be in charge of security arrangements at the venue. The BJP has the highest stakes for the 2019 general elections and Yogis image as a Hindu hardliner will keep the votes polarised on religious lines.

With two deputy CMs, the BJP has also tried to strike a caste balance in Uttar Pradesh. After its thrust on OBCs during the elections, the BJP leadership has tried to placate the upper castes with a Thakur Chief Minister, a Brahmin and an OBC deputy chief minister.
Hyderabad: Union minister M. Venkaiah Naidu and other BJP leaders on Saturday denied reports that appeared in a section of the media as well as statements from minister K.T. Rama Rao and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan that the Centre has decided to release funds for a loan waiver scheme in Uttar Pradesh.

There is no truth to such reports; the Centre is not going to release any funds to fulfil an election promise made by the state unit of the BJP to waive agriculture loans. Based on the financial situation in the states, local party units come out with such promises and it is for the state to implement them, not the Centre, Mr Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday said in a statement.

Reacting to Tweet by Mr Pawan Kalyan that the Centre funding loan waiver in UP will create a gap between North and South India, the Union minister said such parallels cannot be drawn as the issue has no basis.

BJP MLA G. Kishan Reddy said it is not proper for leaders to rush with statements without verifying facts. The Centre has not said anything like that. Even assuming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did say so, there is nothing wrong. Did anyone object to Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao pumping funds to his Assembly segment Gajwel? Mr Kishan Reddy asked.

TS BJP spokesperson Krishna Saagar Rao in a statement condemned Mr Rama Raos statement which he said was made without verifying facts.

He said that Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh never made any statement that the Centre will bear the UP loan waiver commitment of the BJPs state unit.
Hyderabad: After party leaders had openly expressed their anger against AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh, he is now facing dissent even from Telangana Congress leaders.

A few Telangana Congress leaders are now alleging that Mr Singh had at one stage lobbied for TS TD working presidento become the next PCC chief and lead the party in the 2019 elections.

These leaders allege that Mr Singh had indeed contacted state Congress leaders for their opinion. According to these T-Congress leaders, Mr Singh met Mr Revanth Reddy at a star hotel during one of his visits to the city and reportedly offered him the post of TPCC chief.

Sources said that Mr Revanth Reddy also spoke to TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy after the offer. The sources said that Mr Singhs logic was that in Mr Revanth Reddy, the T-Congress would get a new face on the eve of 2019 elections; a face that is a known critic of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, a powerful orator who is able to counter the TRS moves in the elections.

However, both Mr Revanth Reddy and Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy have denied such reports saying that they were absolutely baseless. Speaking to this newspaper, Mr Revanth Reddy said it was a fact he met Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy recently and they spoke about forming an alliance against the TRS in the next elections.

Why should I join the Congress which has miserably failed as the principal Opposition party? What additional benefit do I get by joining the Congress? he asked.

Mr Revanth Reddy added: It is a fact that I told Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy that it would be better for the Congress to strike an alliance with the TD and Left parties so that to take on TRS in coming elections. Since elections are two years away, whether this alliance will work out or not will depend on future political developments. He also denied any meeting with Mr Singh and the latter offering him the TPCC presidents post.

Meanwhile, anti-Digvijay Singh forces are now busy in condemning him against the backdrop of his reported inaction as party in-charge in Goa. Rajya Sabha Member Palvai Govardhan Reddy has already lodged a complaint against Mr Singh with the AICC, demanding his removal.

According to sources, Mr Govardhan Reddy had been unhappy with Mr Singh for reportedly encouraging Komatireddy Venkata Reddy and his brother Rajagopal Reddy both in Nalgonda and T-Congress affairs against the TPCC chief.

Mr Venkata Reddy had issued highly critical statements in public against Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy, but no action was taken against him, despite senior Congress leaders demanded that Mr Singh do so.

Similarly, senior leader Marri Sasidhar Reddy has started complaining against Mr Singh for his closeness with former City Congress president Danam Nagender.

Neither the TPCC nor the AICC had made any move to fill the City Congress chiefs post vacated by Mr Nagender.

In a related development, TPCC sources said that major changes in the AICC set up are expected by March-end, soon after Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi returns from the USA along with his ailing mother Sonia Gandhi, on March 22.

It is a fact that though a number of attempts, no changes have taken place at the AICC-level after the 2014 general elections debacle.
Quick and somewhat superficial analysis after the Uttar Pradesh election has tended to pronounce the death of regional politics and the arrival of BJP dominance, under the leadership of Narendra Modi. This is being called a throwback to the Congress hegemony of the early 1970s. While there is no doubting Prime Minister Narendra Modis pan-Indian popularity, and his ability to swing votes in even a provincial election, it would be unwise to write off regional impulses. These are still there, but these have changed. It is important to acknowledge their continued existence, as well their contemporary evolution. When regional identities and political parties peaked in the 1990s, they transformed national politics. In an extreme situation, they tended to make even a national election a compendium of state elections. This happened most markedly in 1996 and 2004. Today, we are seeing a reversal of that phenomenon: national politics and a sense of national identity is substantially influencing regional politics.

The demonstration effect of economic and development gains in other states and the relative performance of the Union government; macroeconomic linkages that are uniting hundreds of millions of Indians who previously lived in sequestered and local economies; the advent of communication technologies that are transmitting consumer habits and social traditions, as well as political preferences and pan-Indian hopes, concerns and aspirations  all these are beginning to be felt. That is why even a state election need not be immune to the charisma of a national leader. Nevertheless the voter will now expect delivery  and a realisation of his or her most deeply-felt needs and urges, delivered in a state-specific context. The channel of this delivery will inevitably be a provincial politician and a chief minister. The national leaders credibility can complement the work of a low-key and still emerging chief minister, but cannot substitute for it.

In 2019 in Maharashtra, voters will deliver a verdict on Devendra Fadnavis. Likewise by 2022 in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP would ideally have found a five-year chief minister who has established a presence as a regional strongman and competent administrator. Voters may be tiring of identity and emotive politics for the sake of identity and emotive politics, devoid of content, policy ideas and delivery. Yet, that shunning of older-style regional politics only heightens the national partys  in this case the BJPs  obligation to perform better in government. The voter has to be given enough reason to believe, in five years, that he or she has made the right choice. Otherwise, a regional backlash could result. Mr Modi and Amit Shah, the two senior men in the BJP today, are alive to the need to build regional figures and icons. In states where such politicians are easily available, the party has empowered them. For instance, the campaign for the Karnataka election of early 2018 is being designed by B.S. Yeddyurappa. In Himachal Pradesh, the Virbhadra Singh generation is gradually giving way to the J.P. Nadda generation.

The political capital and electoral appeal of Mr Modi is allowing him, and Mr Shah, to empower new-generation and first-time chief ministers in state after state. Not all the selections will work out, true, but many will. The successful ones will emerge as effective state-level leaders able to hold their own well into the late 2020s. In this careful nurturing and incubation of state leaders of the future, the BJP of 2017 is very different from the Congress of the 1970s  to which it is often but erroneously compared. In that period, Indira Gandhi consciously undermined state leaders and chief ministers, and hacked away at the regional roots of the Congress. Take two examples. The victory of N.T. Rama Rao and his start-up party, the Telugu Desam, in the Andhra Pradesh election of 1983 was a milestone in regional parties. In the previous five years, since the Congress had won the 1978 Assembly election, Indira Gandhi had nominated four different men to serve as chief minister. Not one was allowed to settle down. The longest tenure was that of M. Chenna Reddy, chief minister for two and a half years. The shortest tenure was that of K. Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy  just over three months. In Uttar Pradesh, not one Congress chief minister has managed to complete a full-five year term. The Congress last ran the state in the decade between 1980 and 1989. In this period, it gave UP four different men as chief minister  oscillating between a Thakur candidate and a Brahmin candidate to keep its two pillars happy. One of the four men, N.D. Tiwari, was chief minister on two separate occasions.

As such, when the Congress later accused regional parties of causing instability, the obvious counter-question was: how stable were Congress chief ministers and state governments in the first place? To be fair, the BJPs four-and-a-half year term in Uttar Pradesh (1997-2002) threw up three different chief ministers. Even so, in recent years the partys record in other states  Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, for example  has been better. It has allowed its chief ministers an extended run, and trusted them to learn on the job and improve both governance capability and electoral attractiveness. As such, if the BJP finds itself a chief minister in Uttar Pradesh who is simply allowed to govern the state  and who is not undercut by his national bosses  for a full five years, Narendra Modi would already have achieved something Indira Gandhi never permitted. That would be a telling retort to those who make silly and puerile assessments of how Modi is the new Indira.
The Calcutta High Courts order directing a CBI inquiry into the Narada sting is another blow to the credibility of Mamata Banerjees government in West Bengal. This is the third major controversy to hit the TMC, after the Saradha and Rose Valley scams, involving thousands of crores of rupees people lost to scamsters, and its clear the rulers have a lot to answer for. Its not that politicians havent been hit by probes that seem to have established a nexus between scamsters and ruling party leaders, many of whom were sent to jail or severely indicted. But the probes are still dismissed as political vendetta by Ms Banerjee though they were ordered by the courts.

The ease with which politicians run rings around the system even while being investigated suggests a much deeper malaise. The dismissive way in which Didi treated the involvement of an IPS official in the sting tape as no big issue shows how little leaders care for probity. The government has every right to appeal to the Supreme Court, but here too the strategy of seeking higher judicial intervention is part of a growing national pattern of politicians using dilatory tactics to preserve the status quo. There are glaring examples like that of Lalu Prasad Yadav and Kanimozhi who are still in politics despite being convicted or facing conviction under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
President Pranab Mukherjees address at a conclave in Mumbai on Friday attests to our First Citizens status as an enlightened politician and statesman who has hit the final stretch of the road. Mr Mukherjees tenure ends in July this year. Will there be a second term? Thats in the realm of speculation. After the BJPs sweeping victories in the recent Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh and elsewhere, that will bolster its numbers in the electoral college for the presidency, there may be every likelihood that the saffron party will throw its weight behind someone from the RSS stable for Rashtrapati Bhavan, and not look at a good man. Thats the way of political logic. Unlike some of his predecessors, Mr Mukherjee has the distinction of skillfully guiding the country through governments run by his own former party, the Congress, and the BJP, which is the polar opposite and bitter contestant of the Congress ideology and legacy, at a time when the saffron party has emerged as the dominant pole in Indian politics under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This couldnt have been an easy part to play. What seems to have animated Mr Mukherjees official conduct is his abiding faith in our Constitution, of which he has continually offered proof through his timely articulations when Hindutva brigades appeared to have a free run. Reflecting on his long, distinguished innings at the Mumbai event, the President confessed to being an admirer and emulator of Pandit Nehru, our first Prime Minister, whom he never met, and acknowledged Indira Gandhi, who he regards to be an extraordinary articulator of power among the politicians he has known, was virtually my mentor, although he had no hesitation in making a public criticism of the Emergency and referring to Mrs Gandhis mistakes in the exercise of power.

The Presidents strong Congress antecedents didnt stop him from heaping political and personal praise on two BJP Prime Ministers  Atal Behari Vajpayee and Mr Modi (though the latter has been around just three years and hasnt faced the daunting odds of some of his most distinguished predecessors), showing that he can be even-handed with deftness. Mr Mukherjee also had words of solicitude for Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and P.V. Narsasimha Rao. He offered no comments, however, on Rajiv Gandhi, other than to say that he had worked with the countrys youngest PM only briefly. Politics at the top is a high-stakes game that needs imagination, boldness and nerves of steel. Mr Mukherjee has adroitly displayed all of that, along with a capacity for excavating consensus even from impossible situations.
After a poor show in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand Assembly elections there is talk of structural changes in the grand old party. Communications chief of the Congress Randeep Singh Surjewala speaks to Ashhar Khan on the partys performance and the road ahead for the Congress. Excerpts:

How do you evaluate the performance of the Congress in the Assembly elections?

The Congress has won Punjab with a resounding majority and had emerged as the single largest party in Goa and Manipur. Yes, we lost Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, but please remember that the Congress has been out of power in UP for the past 27 years. While we will introspect to become the voice of the people, it is also a reality check for the Modi-Shah duo. People have proved them wrong in three different corners of India  Northeast, north and south by electing the Congress in Manipur, Punjab and Goa.

What went wrong in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand?

Uttarakhand has been a classical swing state from its inception alternating between the Congress and BJP. Despite good work by Harish Rawat, it appears that breakaway factions of our party damaged our electoral prospects. In UP, the Congress got into an alliance of development with the Samajwadi Party founded upon 10-point agenda of governance. It appears that the din raised by the Prime Minister and the BJP undermined our sincere efforts to traverse beyond the narrow constraints of caste and religion to a new brand of politics. We accept our defeat with humility and will humbly work as watchdogs in UPs interests. We will fight for the waiver of farm loans, creation of jobs and revival of UPs trade and industry.

Will Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi take accountability for the debacle in these two states?

Mr Gandhi took over as the general secretary of the Congress in 2007. Since then, the Congress fought 22 state elections and one parliamentary poll under his leadership. His simple formula has always been to credit Congress workers and regional leaders for all victories and take full responsibility for all losses. This requires grit and determination. Mr Gandhi plans to rebuild the Congress organisationally and win back the support of the sections that we have lost.

Dont you think that the Congress has been wiped out from the Hindi heartland?

In my humble opinion, the spirit of the question is incorrect. The Congress just won 80 out of 117 seats in north India. In 2015, our coalition defeated the BJP in Bihar. The Congress still rules in Himachal Pradesh, and, till recently, was in power in Uttarakhand. Any fair observer will tell you that we have revived greatly in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Please dont attribute ups and downs of politics in a fashion that undermines the role of Congress in the country as a credible voice of people.

Several parties have raised the issue of EVMs, what is your stand on the issue?

We have congratulated the BJP and Narendra Modi for victories in UP and Uttarakhand without raising any reservations. One must not, however, forget that democracy is bigger than each one of us. One essential prerequisite is the faith of everyone  losers or victors  in the fairness of elections. If one person questions the fairness, we must collectively redress such grievance even if it is unfounded.

Please dont forget that till a few years ago, the BJP, including its former president L.K. Advani, had raised doubts on the fairness of EVMs. It is to redress these doubts that the Election Commission is planning to introduce voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) along with EVMs. Instead of acting arrogantly, the government must address doubts raised by Mayawatiji and Akhilesh Yadav. This will only strengthen democracy.

Do you feel that the Congress needs to go in for an overhaul so that it can take on the current political challenges?

Mr Gandhi has himself spoken about undertaking organisational restructuring and introspection.

Many of your leaders, including Mani Shankar Aiyar, Kishore Chandra Deo and Sandeep Dikshit, have said that the responsibility should be apportioned for the defeat. Do you think they are speaking out of turn?

As I said earlier, Mr Gandhi has always credited Congress functionaries for its victories, while accepting responsibility for course correction in times of defeat. This reflects his maturity, determination and humility to accept defeat and introduce changes. Unlike the BJP, the Congress has the inherent strength to listen and absorb different voices. I hope all my colleagues will also introspect regarding their roles and move forward to participate in strengthening the party.

Whats next for the Congress?

The Congress will determinedly fight for Indias core values. We will show the mirror every time Modijis suit boot ki sarkar, tramples upon the rights of farmers or tribals. We will push the government to follow a trajectory of job-oriented growth, and defend the social justice programmes against attempts of dilution. We will always fight for the idea of India that is currently under attack.

After the results of these elections, do you think the Congress has very little chance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections?

Many naysayers had written off the Congress on multiple occasions in the past  1969, 1977, 1989, 1996 and 2000. Even in 2003, many people wrote off the Congress after defeats in the state elections of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, and then we went on to win the Parliament elections in 2004. Rest assured, we will bounce back, for the Congress lives in the heart and soul of India.
The information will be transmitted by the satellite twice a day, which will help Africa towards disaster prevention.

Africa is getting younger scientists  May 2017 will mark the launch of the continents first private satellite into space. What makes it different is that the satellite is designed by school girls within a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program.

CNN reported that 17-year-old Brittany Bull and 16-year-old Sesam Mngqengqiswa will be launching Africas first satellite into space two months from now. The girls are from a high school in Cape Town and they have designed the satellite themselves, which will orbit the earths poles to scan Africas surface. Once in space the satellite will send back information collected about the continents agriculture and food security. The data will be used to predict Africas future problems. "It's a new field for us [in Africa] but I think with it we would be able to make positive changes to our economy," Mngqengqiswa told CNN. Mngqengqiswa comes from a single parent household. Her mother is a domestic worker. By becoming a space engineer or astronaut, the teenager hopes to make her mother proud, report CNN.

The satellite can also track disasters. Africa has a lot of forest fires and floods and the administration cannot get there in time. Apart from this, the satellite can also help the administration decide where to grow more trees and vegetation and monitor remote areas. The information will be transmitted by the satellite twice a day, which will help Africa towards disaster prevention.

As part of the project by South Africas Meta Economic Development Organisation (MEDO), the girls are working with Morehead State University in the US. A total 14 girls are being trained by satellite engineers from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, which bits to encourage more African women into STEM. The satellite is scheduled to launch in May 2017 and will make MEDO the first private company in Africa to build and launch a satellite into orbit.

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After a visit to the iconic Acropolis and tired of an overdose of Athenian chaos, I chose to leave for greener pastures. So, as the clock struck nine in the morning, I boarded a rickety bus at the Kifissos Station in central Athens, Greece. Soon, I would leave the din behind and in about three hours time, I would be in the mountain village of Kalavryta in the south-eastern region called Peloponnese. I picked Kalavryta, which lies on the slopes of Mount Helmos, for two reasons: One, its so remote that even most Greeks themselves have admittedly never visited it. Secondly, it has huge historical significance as the venue of a tragic Nazi era massacre.

CAVE OF THE LAKES

As my journey began, the sight of urban chaos outside my window was soon replaced by refreshing views of the Gulf of Elefsina on the Mediterranean Sea. The packed bus (I was the lone tourist aboard) trudged along the coastline, easing past the Megara Gulf and the Gulf of Corinth, then meandering through pine forests, before negotiating hairpin bends to reach my destination. It was well past noon when I disembarked after a 190 km ride, only to be greeted by a panoramic sight of wonderland  bright green rolling hills, peppered by tiny, red-tiled cottages; a pleasantly chilly breeze ferrying brilliant-white puffs of clouds across the vast skyline; and the faint tinkle of goat-neck bells floating in from a distance.

SCULPTURE AT KAPI HILL

Stay options in Kalavryta include regular hotels and stone chalets (that are in demand during the ski season in winter). I chose to put up at a homely guesthouse perched atop a forested hill. For about a week, the village had become my home  just as its cobblestone alleys; its dirt tracks through pine forests; its tangy local food (especially feta cheese); its mountain railway thats fondly called chhookoo-chhookoo; the nearby Cave of the Lakes (an underground river with 13 tiny lakes and surreal cascade-like rock formations); and the Kapi Hill war memorial site.

DIAKOFTO TOY TRAIN

Kapi Hill, overlooking the village, stood out in jarring contrast to the uplifting setting. The story behind the massacre site goes back to the days of World War II during the height of the Nazi occupation of Greece. On the night of December 13, 1943, in retaliation to the killing of 78 Nazi soldiers by the Greek Resistance Army in Kalavryta, the German forces launched what is quite often referred to as the Holocaust of Greece. The entire male folk of Kalavryta  totalling nearly 700  were rounded up and paraded to the top of Kapi Hill. They were all machine-gunned, with only 13 surviving the onslaught. Today, sombre-looking Kapi Hill is a memorial site. A giant cross, a soft-stone sculpture and graves of the dead stand out as a reminder of that nightmare past.

I needed to cheer up. So the next day, I hopped into the narrow-gauge toy train at the nearby Kalavryta Station. The train took me on a two-hour circuitous ride, covering 44 km right down to the coastal town of Diakofto and all the way back. Stunning scenes of the lofty gorge along Vouraikos River, seven tunnels and innumerable waterfalls marked the trip. My remaining days there were well spent pursuing slow, walking trails around the village and visiting the nearby landmarks of the monasteries at Agia Lavra and Mega Spileo. In the evenings, I would catch up with the villagers at the cobblestone-paved squares or the marketplace and feast on local cuisine (usually souvlaki, the chicken kebabs)  and, of course, plenty of wine.

The writer is a journalist and independent travel photographer based in the Middle East.
It is a good practice to frequently cross-checking your social media security section to make sure there are no backdoors opened.

Last week, there were a host of Twitter accounts that were compromised and Nazi-based swastika symbols were being posted on the accounts. The soft hack was probably in support of Turkeys president ahead of a referendum in April. However, this is a good learning experience for all netizens, especially those who use social media accounts as a medium for a quick signup on various websites.

Well, yes  signing into unknown websites and apps on your smartphone by using social media accounts could cause harm, even compromise your accounts for good. In order to be safe, you should avoid doing so, or at least make sure the service or website, youre giving access to your social accounts, are genuine.

If you have ever logged into any smartphone app or a website service by using your social media accounts from Google, Facebook or Twitter, instead of going through the painstaking procedures of signing up with various details needed, there is a good chance that you must have opened up a small backdoor to your social media platform to a potential hacker. The feature of associating your social accounts for a hassle-free sign-in are usually safe as the social accounts will not allow the hacker or the app/service to change the passwords or access your accounts. However, if you have given access accidentally, or arent sure about the service, its better that you revoke the access before you have issues later.

Though the apps are authorised with a generated token, they never actually give out the real username or password to the website/app/service you are using it for logging in. In the case of the recent hack, it is alleged that an app called Twitter Counter could be at fault for the swastika hack. The app is meant for data analytics on Twitter and the app also requests for permissions to tweet on your behalf. If hackers have managed to compromise this app, there are high chances that he can get into your accounts and cause havoc.

So how do you revoke unwanted access to your social accounts?

If you have already given access to your social accounts, but dont remember how many website you must have done that for, it is fairly simple to get them revoked from a single place  the social media security section itself. Simply head to your social media account and revoke the access to the websites that you may have given permission to earlier.

For Google, simply log in to the URL - https://myaccount.google.com/secureaccount. Once logged in, carry on with the steps on the website.

For Twitter, click on your avatar and select Settings and then Privacy. On the left side panel, you should be able to find Apps, under which you can click on Revoke Access for each app/service/website that you dont want to use ahead.

Lastly, for Facebook you need to click on the question mark icon on the top right, and in the drop down menu, click on Privacy Checkup. Under this menu you should find Apps, where you can finally revoke access.

For other social accounts, you should be able to hunt for the same settings under privacy.

It is important to keep checking this area at least once in two weeks, or a month, to ensure that you are not giving unwanted access to apps that you dont favour. Be safe!

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The indictment of Burgess comes amid a series of suspected hate crime cases targeting Indian-Americans. (Photo: AP)

Washington: An American man has been charged with hate crime for assaulting an Indian-origin man and hurling racial slurs. Jeffrey Allen Burgess, 54, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, has been accused of intentionally harming a man named Ankur Mehta on November 22 because of his "perceived race, colour and national origin".

A federal grand jury yesterday indicted Burgess of a hate crime charge in connection with the alleged assault at a Red Robin restaurant in South Hills Village, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and acting US Attorney Soo C Song for the Western District of Pennsylvania announced the indictment.

At the time of the incident, police said, Burgess was sitting next to Mehta inside the Red Robin restaurant when he began insulting him and then repeatedly elbowed him in the head.

"I don't want you sitting next to me...you people," Burgess was quoted as saying by witnesses in addition to his anti-Muslim racial slurs, according to a criminal complaint filed by Bethel Park police.

Witnesses told police Burgess struck Mehta four or five times and repeatedly abused him, according to the complaint.

Mehta was treated at St Clair Hospital for a laceration to the upper lip and a loose tooth. Mehta is of Indian descent, police said.

In addition to the slurs, Burgess told Mehta "things are different now," police said, which authorities believe was a reference to the election of Donald Trump.

If convicted Burgess faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years of prison, a fine of $250,000 or both.

Burgess also faces state charges of ethnic intimidation, public drunkenness and simple assault stemming from the same incident.

The indictment of Burgess comes amid a series of suspected hate crime cases targeting Indian-Americans.

On February 22, Indian nationals Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani were shot at a bar in Olathe, Kansas, by a man shouting "get out of my country". Kuchibhotla, 32, later died at a hospital.

On March 3, an Indian-origin Sikh was shot and injured in Kent, Washington, by a gunman who reportedly told him to "go back to your own country."
Conservation police search Silver Lake in Highland, Ill., on Thursday, March 16, 2017, after a car with an infant was pulled from the lake earlier in the morning. (Photo: AP)

St Louis, Maryland: A woman found dead in a St Louis-area lake was identified on Saturday as the mother of an infant rescued hours earlier by a paramedic, who performed CPR on the hood of the submerged SUV in which the child was found floating shortly after a fatal fire erupted at their home.

The coroner in nearby Madison County, Illinois, released the information as investigators tried to untangle the events that preceded the death of the woman, 32-year-old Cristy Lynn Campbell.

Six of her children escaped the fire yesterday morning at her house in Glen Carbon, Illinois, but a man in the house was killed. An autopsy will be conducted today to identify the man.

Campbell's ex-husband, 37-year-old Justin Campbell, lived at the home and remains unaccounted for. Court records show they had a volatile relationship, with several reports of domestic violence.

About 15 minutes after the fire was reported, a passing motorist spotted an SUV driving down a hill and into Silver Lake in Highland, Illinois, about 16 miles from the fire scene.

Highland paramedic Todd Zobrist arrived quickly, jumped into the 46-degree water and swam 50 to 75 feet to the SUV, where he found the 3-month-old boy floating inside the car.

Zobrist pulled the baby by the arm to the hood of the SUV, where he began CPR, then swam with the child to shore. The child, initially unresponsive, is expected to recover and could be released today from a Missouri hospital, according to Madison County Sheriff John Lakin.
Rockville, Maryland: Police say two Maryland high school students have been charged with raping a girl in a bathroom during school hours.

Montgomery County Police said Friday that it happened Thursday morning at Rockville High School. Police say the girl was walking in a hallway when she met the teens. Police say 17-year-old Jose Montano asked the girl to walk with them and to have sex, but she refused. Police say he asked her again, then forced her into a boy's bathroom and into a stall, where he and 18-year-old Henry Sanchez raped her.

Police say they've charged Montano and Sanchez with first-degree rape and two counts of first-degree sexual offense. Montano is charged as an adult. Court records do not list attorneys for either. Both are being held without bail.
Security has been boosted, including the installation in 2015 of sharp spikes on top of the black iron fence that circles the 18-acre property.

Washington: A man who scaled the White House fence last week was on the property's grounds for 16 minutes before he was detained, the US Secret Service said in a statement on Friday. Jonathan Tran, 26, faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for entering the grounds without permission.

He hopped a five-foot fence near the US Treasury Department, which is located next to the White House, then climbed an eight-foot vehicle gate and a shorter fence near the southeast corner of the East Wing of the White House grounds before he was caught, the Secret Service said.

"The Secret Service can confirm that at no time did the individual gain entry into the White House," the statement said.

Tran, from Milpitas, California, set off several alarms after jumping the fence but was able to avoid other sensors before he was discovered just steps from the main building, CNN reported on Friday.

The network also reported that Tran was spotted "looming around" Washington's Pennsylvania Avenue, where the White House is located, nearly six hours before his arrest.

The incident prompted Jason Chaffetz, chairman of the House of Representatives oversight committee, to request that Secret Service Acting Director William Callahan provide a briefing on Monday. In a letter to Mr Callahan on Friday, Mr Chaffetz referred to allegations that Tran moved undetected around the grounds "for a considerable amount of time."

"The Committee has longstanding concerns regarding repeated security incidents at USSS-protected facilities," Mr Chaffetz wrote. He noted that a 2015 committee report on the Secret Service found 143 breaches and attempted breaches over a 10-year period.

"The moment somebody jumps over the fence they have to be taken down," Mr Chaffetz later told CNN. "This one scares me probably more than any because of the length of time, the proximity to the president, getting right up close to the White House and going so long without being detected. It makes no sense. I don't know what in the world they're doing but it is a total and complete embarrassment."

President Donald Trump was inside the residence at the time of the security breach late on March 10.

The Secret Service said it was taking additional steps to prevent security lapses.

Tran told federal agents that he was a friend of the president and had an appointment, according to court documents. He was carrying two cans of mace, a US passport, a computer and one of Mr Trump's books, authorities said.

Mr Trump commended the Secret Service for doing a "fantastic job" apprehending Tran.

Tran was released with no bail on Monday and returned to California, where he must submit to GPS monitoring until his next hearing in Washington.

The intrusion was the latest in a series of breaches at the White House in recent years. Security has been boosted, including the installation in 2015 of sharp spikes on top of the black iron fence that circles the 18-acre property.
After living through shortages of water, electricity, medicine and banknotes, Venezuelans are struggling to find one of the most basic foodstuffs of all, unleashing what President Nicolas Maduro has dubbed the Bread War.

Bread has become all but impossible to find at many Venezuelan bakeries, which say Mr Maduros socialist government is not importing enough flour for them to make it. Not so, insists the mustachioed heir to the late Hugo Chavez, who accuses bakeries of hoarding flour to destabilise his government and using it in expensive cakes and pastries rather than cheap, subsidised bread.

Mr Maduro, whose popularity has plummeted amid a crushing three-year recession, has sent inspectors and soldiers into more than 700 bakeries around the capital this week to enforce a rule that 90% of wheat must be destined to loaves rather than more expensive pastries and cakes. They are hiding the bread from the people, the President said, vowing to crack down on greedy bakers. They are going to pay for this, I swear. Those responsible for the Bread War will pay. And dont go around calling it political persecution.

This week the authorities arrested four people in the crackdown and confiscated two bakeries accused of charging more than the official bread price.

Home to the worlds largest oil reserves, Venezuela has skidded to the brink of economic collapse as low crude prices have laid bare its overwhelming dependence on its chief export.
Paris: Far-left French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon is gathering tens of thousands of supporters in Paris at a rally calling for deep reforms in the French constitution.

Melenchon, who wants to shorten France's 35-hour workweek, leave NATO, block free-trade deals and stop using nuclear energy, has pledged to summon a constituent assembly if he wins the election.

The 65-year-old, a former Socialist who served as minister under several French governments, often depicts himself as the candidate of the people. He promises to get rid of what he calls the "presidential monarchy" and give more power to parliament.

Melenchon has so far struggled to make his campaign take off. Opinion polls suggest he has no chance of making it to the second round of France's presidential ballot on May 7.
Tehran: A semi-official news agency in Iran is reporting that the daughter of the late President Akbar Hashemi Rasfanjani has been sentenced to six months in prison for "spreading lies against the judiciary."

The report Saturday by the Fars news agency comes after rumors of a prison sentence handed down against Faezeh Hashemi had been circulating online. It did not elaborate.

Hashemi, who protested with others over Iran's disputed 2009 presidential election, has faced prison time before. She served six months in 2011 on charges of propagandizing against the ruling system. She received a six-month suspended prison sentence in 2014 on charges of slandering top officials.

Iran will hold a presidential election in May. Separately, a moderate lawmaker says 12 people were arrested over their activism on the messaging app Telegram.
Tensions remain as Saudi accuses Iran of fuelling conflicts by supporting armed Shiite movements in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Bahrain.

Tehran: Iranian pilgrims will participate in this years annual hajj, Saudi Arabia said on Friday, despite ruptured ties between the regional rivals.

For the first time in nearly three decades Irans pilgrims -- which would have numbered about 60,000 -- did not attend last years hajj after Riyadh and Tehran failed to agree on security and logistics.

Tensions remain as Saudi Arabia repeatedly accuses Iran of fuelling conflicts by supporting armed Shiite movements in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Bahrain.

But after talks between the two sides, the Iranians will join this years ritual which takes place at the beginning of September.

The ministry of hajj and the Iranian organisation have completed all the necessary measures to ensure Iranian pilgrims perform hajj 1438 according to the procedures followed by all Muslim countries, the official Saudi Press Agency said, referring to this year in the Islamic calendar.

The hajj ministry said that the kingdom, home to Islams holiest sites, welcomes all pilgrims from all the different nationalities and backgrounds.

Iran rejects accusations of regional aggression and says Riyadh must stop its alleged support for Sunni terrorists like the Islamic State jihadist group and Al-Qaeda.

Although the verbal sparring continued, Saudi media reported in December that the Saudi minister in charge of pilgrimages, Mohammed Bentin, had invited Iran to discuss arrangements for this years hajj.

An Iranian delegation visited Saudi Arabia in February for talks with Bentin.

In early March, Iran said there had been progress.

Most of the questions up for discussion have been resolved and a couple of issues are remaining, Irans ISNA news agency quoted Ali Ghazi Askar, the Iranian supreme leaders representative for hajj affairs, as saying.

If those questions are resolved, we hope pilgrims will soon be sent to Saudi Arabia.

A major issue was compensation for the families of hundreds of people killed in a stampede during the 2015 hajj. Iran says 464 of its citizens died in the disaster.

More than 1.8 million faithful took part in last years hajj. The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam and all Muslims who can must perform it at least once in their lives.

Iranian pilgrims have for the past two years not attended the lesser pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina in western Saudi Arabia, known as umrah, which occurs outside hajj.

Tehran suspended its umrah participation over the sexual assault of two Iranian teenage boy pilgrims by Saudi police at Jeddah airport in early 2015.

Ghazi Askar said Iran had raised this issue as well, and if the culprits were punished, the lesser hajj will also be restored.

Despite agreement on the hajj, Riyadh maintains its criticism of Iran, as highlighted in talks on Tuesday between Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump.

The two leaders noted the importance of confronting Irans destabilising regional activities, the White House said.
UN official Rima Khalaf announced her resignation on Friday, saying the secretary general had asked her to withdraw a report in which she accused Israel of being an apartheid state. (Photo: YouTube)

Beirut: UN official Rima Khalaf announced her resignation on Friday, saying the secretary general had asked her to withdraw a report in which she accused Israel of being an apartheid state.

UN chief Antonio Guterres accepted the resignation of Khalaf, a Jordanian national, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York, while denying that the secretary general had acted under US pressure.

Khalaf, under-secretary general and executive secretary at the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), told a news conference: The secretary general asked me yesterday morning to withdraw (the report).

I asked him to rethink his decision, he insisted, so I submitted my resignation from the UN. We expected of course that Israel and its allies would put huge pressure on the secretary general of the UN so that he would disavow the report, and that they would ask him to withdraw it, she added.

Its only normal for the criminal to attack those defending the cause of his victims, but I cannot accept being subjected to such pressures, she told reporters in Beirut, quoting from her resignation letter.

On Wednesday, the United States demanded that Guterres withdraw an ESCWA report entitled Israeli Practices towards the Palestinian People and the Question of Apartheid.

The report concluded that available evidence established beyond a reasonable doubt that Israel is guilty of policies and practices that constitute the crime of apartheid.

Israels UN envoy Danny Danon and Washingtons ambassador to the world body, Nikki Haley, welcomed Khalafs resignation.

Anti-Israel activists do not belong in the UN. It is time to put an end to practice in which UN officials use their position to advance their anti-Israel agenda, Danon said.

Her removal from the UN is long overdue, he added.

Haley in a statement said: When someone issues a false and defamatory report in the name of the UN, it is appropriate that the person resign.

Not about pressure

UN agencies must do a better job of eliminating false and biased work, and I applaud the secretary generals decision to distance his good office from it, she added.

Khalafs analysis showed that Israel is guilty of imposing an apartheid regime on the Palestinian people, which amounts to the commission of a crime against humanity.

Dujarric said the report had been withdrawn from the ESCWA website at the request of Guterres because it was done without consultations with the UN secretariat.

He also denied that the UN chief had accepted Khalafs resignation under pressure.

This is not about pressure. This is about the secretary general having the authority to manage the organisation in a way that is done effectively and that can deliver on its goals, Dujarric said.

The secretary general cannot accept that an under-secretary-general or any other senior UN official who reports to him would authorise the publication under the UN logo without consulting the competent departments and even himself.

Dujarric insisted the reports findings were not the issue.

Its not about content... it is about following process, he said.

The secretary general has been very clear in his advocacy for the rights of the Palestinian people. From the start of his mandate, he has been advocating for a two-state solution and against any unilateral moves that would undermine that goal.

ESCWA, which works to strengthen cooperation and promote development, is based in Beirut and comprised of 18 Arab countries, according to its website, which lists the state of Palestine as a full member.

On Wednesday, Haley said in a statement that the United States is outraged by the report, branding it anti-Israel propaganda.

One of the authors is Richard Falk, a former special UN rapporteur on Palestinian human rights.

Haley in Wednesdays statement described Falk as a man who has repeatedly made biased and deeply offensive comments about Israel and espoused ridiculous conspiracy theories.
Karachi/New Delhi: The two missing Indian clerics of Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah have been "traced and have reached Karachi", Pakistan today conveyed to India.

"Pakistan Foreign Office has confirmed that the two Indian clerics have been traced and reached Karachi," a source said in New Delhi.

The confirmation came after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke to Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, regarding the case. Aziz is in London currently.

The two missing Indian clerics -- Syed Asif Nizami, the head priest (Sajjadanashin) of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah, and and his nephew Nazim Nizami -- reached Karachi this evening.

According to Pakistani media reports, both clerics had been in "interior Sindh where there was no communication network" and that is why they could not tell their relatives about there whereabouts. They will leave for India on March 20.

Earlier in the day, Pakistani sources had said the two clerics were in the custody of Pakistan's intelligence agency over their alleged links with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

They were offloaded from Karachi-bound Shaheen Airlines on March 14 at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, the Pakistani sources said.

"The personnel of an intelligence took both the clerics into custody after getting them offloaded and shifted them to an undisclosed location for investigation," a source had said.

They further said both clerics had been detained for their alleged links with Altaf Hussain's MQM.

80-year-old Asif along with his nephew Nazim had gone to Pakistan on March 8 to see his sister in Karachi. They arrived in Lahore on March 13.

Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria yesterday said Pakistan was "pro-actively pursuing" and have asked all departments concerned to look into the matter.

A senior Pakistani police official said the two clerics were being questioned on their exact whereabouts since March 15 when they went missing.

"The two have shown up today in Nazimabad and have informed the police about their presence in Karachi," SSP police Tariq Jameel said.

Another police official confirmed that the police had studied the CCTV footage at the Karachi airport to confirm if the two clerics came from Lahore or elsewhere.

"They apparently came to Karachi by road," the official said.

IG Police of Sindh A D Khawaja had told reporters yesterday that the clerics had not reached Karachi as they had not reported to the special branch.
Lahore: The two missing Indian clerics of Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah are in custody of Pakistan's intelligence agency over their alleged links with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), official sources said on Saturday.

Syed Asif Nizami and his nephew Nazim Nizami were offloaded from Karachi-bound Shaheen Airlines on March 14 at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, they said.

"The personnel of an intelligence took both the clerics into custody after getting them offloaded and shifted them to an undisclosed location for investigation," the sources said on condition of anonymity.

They further said both clerics have been detained for their alleged link with MQM of Altaf Hussain. "They are being interrogated for their alleged links with Altaf's partymen in Karachi," the sources said, adding they will be freed if nothing is established against them.

The MQM emerged as a largely ethnic party in the 1980s. It has political dominance in the southern Sindh province's urban areas - notably in Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Sukkur where a large number of Urdu-speaking people who fled to Pakistan from India during 1947's partition reside.

80-year-old Asif Nizami is the head priest of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah. He along with his nephew Nazim Ali Nizami had gone to Pakistan on March 8 to see his sister in Karachi. They arrived in Lahore on March 13 and visited shrine of sufi saint Baba Farid Gang in Pakpattan. The two went missing on March 14 from Lahore.

Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria yesterday said Pakistan was "pro-actively pursuing" and have asked all departments concerned to look into the matter.

He had told PTI in Islamabad that, "no clue to the missing Indian priests has been found so far".

India has taken up this matter with Pakistan and ensure the safe recovery of Indian nationals. Official sources in New Delhi said Pakistan has conveyed that it was "seriously pursuing" the case with its law enforcement agencies.

"We have taken up this matter with Government of Pakistan and requested them for an update on both the Indian nationals in Pakistan. Both are missing after they landed in Karachi airport," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had tweeted.

"We have also contacted their host in Karachi who appears to be under pressure not to speak to the Indian High Commission. I am in constant touch with our High Commission. However, there is no official confirmation regarding their whereabouts," she said.

Pakistan has launched a crackdown on the MQM after party leader Hussain made anti-Pakistan comments during speeches at a hunger strike camp in Karachi last year.

Pakistan has charged the self-exiled leader in London with treason for his inflammatory speech that incited party workers to attack media outlets.
Dhaka: The Islamic State Group claimed responsibility Saturday for a suicide bomb attack on a Bangladesh security forces camp, while police in Dhaka shot dead a suspected militant in a separate incident.

The Bangladeshi government has repeatedly denied the presence of IS in the country, blaming attacks on local extremists.

"A caliphate soldier in Bangladesh carried out a martyrdom operation with an explosive belt in a camp for special forces in Dhaka," IS announced in its daily al-Bayan radio bulletin Saturday.

Two policemen were wounded in the apparently botched attack on Friday when a man blew himself up at an elite forces camp near Dhaka's international airport.

The camp attacked was occupied by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), an elite force tasked with combatting militancy.

Asked about IS' claim of responsibility, RAB spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan told AFP: "IS has no presence in Bangladesh at all".

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a major attack on a Dhaka cafe last year in which 22 people, including 18 foreign hostages, were killed.

The Bangladeshi government however has said a new faction of homegrown extremist group Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) was behind that and other attacks.

Critics accuse Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's secular government of using the spate of attacks in the country to demonise her domestic opponents.

On Saturday a man on a motorbike tried to cross a RAB security roadblock in Dhaka carrying a bag with improvised explosive devices.

Bangladesh police shot the suspected militant dead, Khan said.

"As he was carrying explosives we primarily suspect him of being a militant," Khan told AFP, adding further investigation was needed to ascertain his identity.

A bomb disposal unit recovered the biker's bag containing multiple small improvised bombs, which were later defused, Khan said.

Friday's bomb attack was one of the first in recent years against the elite RAB force, which has led a nationwide crackdown on Islamist extremists, arresting scores of suspects.
New Delhi: A man carrying explosives was fired on and killed when he tried to cross a checkpoint run by an elite anti-crime force in Bangladesh's capital on Saturday, officials said.

In a text message to media, the Rapid Action Battalion said the security officers opened fire as the man tried to penetrate the checkpoint with "a motorbike and explosives" in Dhaka's Khilgaon area.

The agency's operational official A.S.M. Sakhawat Hossain told reporters that officers found the explosives in a bag the man was carrying.

The man's identity was not immediately clear.

Hossain said bomb experts were at the scene to examine the explosives.

Mufti Mahmud Khan, a spokesman for the agency, said two officials were injured but it was not clear how.

On Friday, a suspected militant died when he exploded a bomb at the camp where the agency's future headquarters is under construction. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement carried by its Aamaq news agency.

Bangladesh has experienced a surge in militant attacks in recent years, with atheist bloggers, writers and publishers, as well as foreigners and members of minority communities all targeted.

In July, 20 hostages, including 17 foreigners, were killed by a group of five militants in a restaurant in Dhaka. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, but the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina rejected that, saying the men belonged to domestic group Jumatul Mujahedeen Bangladesh.
Another member of the Sikh community, Harmeet Singh, said the origin of Sikhism is in Pakistan as Guru Nanak was born here in Punjab. (Photo: AFP/ Representational)

Islamabad: Outraged over their omission from the census, the Sikh community of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is planning to stage a protest in the federal capital with protests already under way in different districts of the province.

Every religion is mentioned in the census form except Sikhism, which is a religion recognised the world over, but sadly our government has forgotten us in the most important national event that can change the fate of every Pakistani, The Express Tribune quoted K-Ps Pakistan Minorities Alliance president Radesh Singh Tony as saying.

If the government can mention Hinduism, Christianity and other religions, then they could have also added Sikhism but they did not, he questioned.

It is a conspiracy to create a rift between the Sikh community and the government of Pakistan. We will use our right to protest against this act of the government for not giving importance to an important community in the census that can affect our future. We will boycott the census if the government does nothing to safeguard our rights to be counted as equal citizens, he added.

Another member of the Sikh community, Harmeet Singh, said the origin of Sikhism is in Pakistan as Guru Nanak was born here in Punjab.

Sikhs from all over the world visit their sacred places located in this country but not mentioning our religion in the religious column of the census form is unjust with thousands of Sikhs living in Pakistan, he added.

The census exercise is taking place after a delay of nine years, as the last population census was conducted in 1998. The data obtained from the census will be used for distribution of the National Assembly seats and division of financial resources. The population is also the base for distribution of civil service jobs among the provinces.
Asif Nizami and Nazim Nizami, the Sufi clerics who have gone missing. (Photo: File)

Lahore: Pakistan on Saturday conveyed to India that it was "seriously pursuing" with its law enforcement agencies the case of two missing Indian clerics, an issue External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said has been taken up with the Pakistani government.

Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said in Islamabad that, "no clue to the missing Indian priests has been found so far" but Pakistan was "pro-actively pursuing" the case.

In a series of tweets, Swaraj said both Syed Asif Nizami and his nephew Nazim Nizami went missing after they landed at the Karachi airport and Pakistan government has been requested for an update on both the Indian nationals.

"We have taken up this matter with Government of Pakistan and requested them for an update on both the Indian nationals in Pakistan. Both are missing after they landed in Karachi airport," tweeted Swaraj.

80-year-old Syed Asif Nizami is the head priest (Sajjadanashin) of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah. Official sources in New Delhi said Pakistan has conveyed that it was "seriously pursuing" the case with its law enforcement agencies.

"Indian nationals Syed Asif Nizami aged 80 years and his nephew Nazim Ali Nizami had gone to Pakistan on March 8, 2017," Swaraj said.

Zakaria also said, "We have asked all departments concerned to look into the matter", noting that the Foreign Office had received the request of the Indian government to trace the two clerics.

Exchanges between clerics of the Nizamuddin Dargah and the Daata Darbar are part of a regular tradition.
On a tour of Asia, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has broken with years of strategic patience over North Korea, saying that approach had "failed" and that US military action against North Korea was possible if its threats escalated. (Photo: AP)

Beijing: The United States' top diplomat will press a tougher new line on North Korea in talks with a wary China on Saturday, in a tense atmosphere after President Donald Trump accused Beijing of failing to rein in Pyongyang.

On a tour of Asia, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has broken with years of strategic patience over North Korea, saying that approach had "failed" and that US military action against North Korea was possible if its threats escalated.

The sea change in US policy follows two North Korean nuclear tests last year and recent missile launches including a salvo earlier this month that Pyongyang described as practice for an attack on US bases in Japan.

Trump upped the pressure on China to get tough in a Friday Twitter blast accusing Beijing of failing to use its leverage as North Korea's key diplomatic and trade partner to put a leash on Pyongyang.

"North Korea is behaving very badly. They have been 'playing' the United States for years. China has done little to help!" Trump said.

But Beijing is deeply reluctant to get too tough with its volatile neighbour lest it trigger a confrontation or a messy regime collapse on China's front door.

China has hit back at the US, angrily accusing it of fuelling tension by holding military exercises with its ally Seoul and deploying an anti-missile system in South Korea.

Beijing called this month for all sides to take steps to defuse the situation and avoid a "head-on collision", calling for re-started diplomatic efforts to dismantle the North's banned nuclear and missile programmes.

Years of diplomacy, however, have failed to deter Pyongyang, and Washington has rebuffed the Chinese proposal.

'Nothing new'

China's state-run Xinhua news agency said in an editorial on Saturday that "there is nothing new" in the harder stance outlined by Tillerson during meetings with allies in Tokyo and Seoul, saying that approach had "failed" in years past.

It rejected suggestions that Beijing was not doing enough.

"Positive results require effort and good faith from both sides. China has never fallen short of offering its fair share. It's all up to Washington now," it said.

Tillerson, a former Exxon oil executive who until now had adopted a low profile in office, was to meet Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday afternoon. The two were to hold a press conference at 4:00 pm (0800 GMT).

Later, he was to meet China's top foreign-policy official Yang Jiechi.

Plans also are in the works for Tillerson to meet Sunday with President Xi Jinping as Beijing and Washington negotiate a possible first summit with Trump -- a frequent China critic -- next month in the United States.

Beijing shares US concerns over Pyongyang's nuclearisation but appears to prefer the tense status quo over drastic action.

Exploring new measures

But China took one of its toughest steps yet in February, announcing it would halt all imports of North Korean coal, a key source of income for the impoverished state, for the rest of this year, citing UN sanctions over Pyongyang's weapons programmes.

The United Nations has imposed multiple sets of sanctions on the North but China is accused of not fully enforcing them.

China insisted Thursday its latest proposal -- for North Korea to suspend nuclear and missile activities in return for the US and South Korea halting the military exercises -- was the "only feasible plan" available.

Tillerson is yet to detail the harder new US line, but said in South Korea on Friday "we are exploring a new range of diplomatic, security, economic measures".

Under the Obama administration, the US ruled out diplomatic engagement until Pyongyang made a tangible commitment to denuclearisation, hoping that internal stresses in the isolated country would bring change.

North Korea says it needs to be able to defend itself, and conducted its first underground atomic test in 2006 despite global opposition. Four more test blasts followed.

Beijing also is upset over the US deployment of an anti-missile system to South Korea.

Washington and Seoul insist it is purely a defence against a possible North Korean attack.

But Beijing says the system undermines its own security and has reacted angrily, imposing a series of measures seen in South Korea as economic retaliation.
The impressive performance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in four out of five states that went for Assembly elections has somehow obscured the bleak performance of the party in Punjab. Here, the BJP, as a long-standing junior ally of the Akali Dal, contested from 23 constituencies allotted to it under the coalitional arrangement in place since 1997.



The BJP managed to get barely three seats and its vote percentage went down. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections also the BJP state unit had failed to capitalise fully on the Narendra Modi wave that swept the neighbouring states. A debutant Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) managed to win four seats.



What may also be worrying for the Modi-Amit Shah (BJP president)-led party leadership looking for Congress Mukt Bharat is the scale of the Congress victory in the state to which the BJP lacklustre performance contributed a bit. The unprecedented Congress win could not have come at a more opportune time for the beleaguered party facing a string of electoral setbacks.



The importance of Congress Punjab win cannot be undermined merely because of lesser number of parliamentary seats in the state. As a borderland Sikh majority post-conflict state embroiled in inter-state river water/territorial issues, Punjab remains critical to national interest and security. It is equally important politically too.



It is highly unlikely that the partys endemic decline in such a crucial state would escape the attention of the sharp eyes of BJP top brass, especially as their agenda include saffronising the whole of India. The party leadership riding piggyback on the Akalis had been in power for three terms in the last two decades.



However, even while in power, the state BJP leadership had been widely perceived as being unable to deliver on the partys promises to its traditional urban social constituency of trading and business groups in place since the Jan Sangh days.



Worse, feuding state leaders in power were viewed as being hands in glove with the unscrupulous Akali regime led by the Badals (Parkash Singh and his son Sukhbir).



Also, the BJP unit under coalitional compulsion has been forced to underplay its ideological thrust, potentially further alienating its core supporters.



Though defeated this time badly, the Akali Dal has largely been successful to retain its panthic support base as its voting percentage (25.2%) shows.



Conscious of a possible future break-up of this alliance, and given Akali Dals natural desire to emerge as a single majority party in the state, there have been consistent efforts of Akali leadership to expand its support base in urban Punjab, especially since Sukhbir Badals ascendency as the president of the party.



In its efforts, the Akali Dal leadership in the recent elections not only gave tickets to urban Hindu candidates but also adopted an all-inclusive agenda, targeting urban Punjab and the middle classes living there, to the detriment of BJP cause.



Opportunistic alliance

The longevity of Akali Dal-BJP coalition has in fact always remained a puzzle for an outsider, given the diametrically opposed ideologies and political/ cultural agenda of the two parties. So far, the alliance has survived as an opportunistic/ pragmatic one bringing electoral and perceptional gains for the allies.



These two anti-Congress parties complemented each other in terms of their respective social and spatial support bases in the two-community state. Neither the Akali Dal nor the BJP having narrow social support on their own have so far felt confident to take on the Congress.



The Congress has always had decent support base across the urban as well rural Punjab and among both Hindus and Sikhs including the sizeable Dalits having different religious allegiance in the state. On a positive note, alliance in post-conflict Punjab has been helpful in maintaining communal peace and bringing to fore the secular agenda of development and governance after the two decades of insurgency when ethnic issues dominated.



However, there is a question mark about the survival of the Akali-BJP alliance in future. Such a prognosis gets credence from the fact that the BJP has so far always successfully used its tactical alliances with the regional parties like Shiv Sena, BJD, INLD, TMC, AIADMK, JD (S), JD (U) to either mark its electoral presence or expand its support base to emerge as the winning party in its own right before the eventual break-up.



Notably, it is only in Punjab that the party has failed to expand its support base and become a winnable party in its own right.



Rather, it has suffered a decline as the just-concluded elections have shown. Arguably then, the status quo is most likely to change in the coming months. The present electoral debacle may well be the triggering factor.



(The writer is Professor, Department of Political Science, Panjab University, Chandigarh)
UNITED NATIONS, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council Friday adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) , which also urged further efforts to implement the Belt and Road Initiative and other regional development efforts.

The 15-member UN body decided to extend the mandate of the UNAMA for another year, until March 17, 2018. The political mission will focus on providing good offices, working with and supporting the Afghan government, promoting peace and reconciliation, monitoring and promoting human rights and the protection of civilians and promoting good governance.

The council "welcomes and urges further efforts to strengthen the process of regional economic cooperation, including measures to facilitate regional connectivity, trade and transit, including through regional development initiatives such as the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (the Belt and Road) Initiative, and regional development projects ...," said the resolution.

In Resolution 2274 which was adopted in March 2016, the council also called for strengthening the process of regional cooperation, including through regional development initiative such as the Belt and Road.

Proposed in 2013, the initiative has so far gained the support of over 100 countries and international organizations, and more than 40 have signed cooperation agreements with China.


The central observers will most likely inform the MLAs about the BJP top brass' choice which will be subsequently endorsed at the meeting today.



The BJP top brass has taken its time to decide on the UP Chief Minister after results were declared on March 11. The sources said the party is extra cautious as it is returning to power in Uttar Pradesh after a 15-year hiatus. Moreover, in view of Lok Sabha election in 2019, BJP cannot afford to take any wrong decision, said some party insiders when asked about the delay in declaring the CM's name.



After a stupendous win in the Assembly election, the party can ill afford to lower its guard. Uttar Pradesh sends 80 MPs to Lok Sabha and is extremely important in the BJP's scheme of things. Party insiders said the overwhelming mandate has posed a fresh challenge for the BJP to meet sky-high expectations.

Newly-elected BJP MLAs in Uttar Pradesh will be meeting here today to elect the leader of the state legislature party.The meeting will be held at 4 PM at Lok Bhawan, state BJP spokesperson Manish Dixit said.Central observers - Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav -- will remain present at the meeting to elect the chief minister. BJP vice-president Om Mathur, state party chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and other senior party leaders are also likely to attend the meet."The new Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh along with his Cabinet colleagues would take oath on March 19 at 5.00 PM at Kanshiram Smriti Upvan," Governor Ram Naik had said in a statement yesterday.Union Minister Manoj Sinha, Home Minister and former state chief minister Rajnath Singh, Maurya and eight-time MLA from Shahjahanpur Suresh Khanna are being projected as the main contenders for the post by their partymen.All these leaders in their interactions with the media have played down their chances. Sinha was in Varanasi yesterday where he offered prayers at Sankatmochan temple.The BJP is forming government in the politically crucial state after a gap of 15 years. In the recently-concluded Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the party secured 312 seats in a 403-member house, while its allies Apna Dal (Soneylal) and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party got nine and four seats respectively.Samajwadi Party bagged 47 seats, while its ally the Congress stooped to its lowest tally with seven seats. Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party could manage to get only 19 seats in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly.With the BJP leadership often springing a surprise with its choice of state leaders like Manohar Lal Khattar in Haryana, Vijay Rupani in Gujarat and now Trivendra Singh Rawat in Uttarakhand, sources have said that a relatively lesser known leader cannot be ruled out.
Security forces at Paris' Orly airport today shot dead a man who grabbed a weapon from a soldier, as France was on alert just weeks away from presidential elections.



The second largest airport in the French capital was evacuated following the shooting at around 8:30am (0730GMT) and both terminals were closed, airport authorities said.



"A man took a weapon from a soldier then hid in a shop in the airport before being shot dead by security forces," interior ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet told AFP.



He said no one was wounded in the incident. Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux is due to visit the facility, in Paris' southern outskirts.



Brandet said demining operations were underway to determine if the man had explosives on him. He said nearly 3,000 people had been evacuated from the southern terminal alone but those in the other one had been "confined."



Traffic to Orly has been "completely suspended," France's civil aviation authority said.



France is still in a state of emergency after a series of terror attacks, including the November 2015 massacre in Paris and a truck attack in Nice, in July last year. In mid-February, an Egyptian staged a machete attack in Paris's Louvre museum before being shot and wounded.



The latest shooting comes weeks ahead of the first round of France's two-stage presidential election, in which security is one of the main issues on voters' minds.



"We had queued up to check in for the Tel Aviv flight when we heard three or four shots nearby," witness Franck Lecam said.



"We are all outside the airport, about 200 metres from the entrance," the 54-year-old Lecam said.



"There are policemen, emergency workers and soldiers everywhere in all directions. A security official told us that it happened near gates 37-38 where Turkish Airlines flights were scheduled."



The soldier from whom the man took the weapon was a part of Operation Sentinelle, deployed after the January 2015 Paris attacks.



It involves some 7,000 troops of whom roughly half are deployed in the Paris region. They are charged with guarding religious sites which could be targets of terror attacks as well as airports, railway stations and tourist spots.



A notice was posted on the Paris airports authority website urging passengers not to travel to Orly.



Budget airlines easyJet said in a statement that "like all other airlines" it expected interruptions and flight delays, adding that 46 ot its flights were due to fly in and out of the airport on Saturday.



On Thursday, a letter bomb exploded at the Paris offices of the International Monetary Fund, injuring a secretary who suffered burns to her hands and face.



French President Francois Hollande called it an "attack", saying it showed the country was "still targeted".



"All this leads me to justify the state of emergency" that has been in effect since November 2015, Hollande said.


Chief Justice of India J S Khehar today asked legal volunteers to work for the victims of crime this year, saying he wondered what happens to the victims of rape or acid attacks or those who lose their bread earners, while the criminals got access to justice till the very end.



Calling upon legal volunteers to reach out to them to ensure they get the due compensation, he said in India, a convict in a terror crime has all possible access to justice as permissible under the law, even after exhausting all legal remedies upto the Supreme Court.



The Chief Justice was apparently referring to the case of 1993 Mumbai blast lone death row convict Yakub Memon whose petition challenging his capital punishment was rejected during the day on July 29, 2015 by the Supreme Court, but some activist lawyers had moved another plea the same night for re-examination of the verdict as the guilty was to be hanged on the morning of July 30.



The apex court had agreed to the request and accorded urgent hearing and, in a special sitting of a bench heard the plea for more than two hours from 0200 hours on July 30 as well as Memon's counsel at length to reiterate its decision upholding the death sentence.



"Ours is a strange country. The bigger the criminal, the bigger is the outrage. As we have seen before that the convict in a terrorist crime who has failed up to the Supreme Court and also in his review, can get access to justice in a manner that we extend.



"I have wondered over the years, what about the victims. I have wondered over the years what about the families which have lost their bread earner. I have wondered over the years what about that acid attack victim who has been defaced and cannot survive the society. I think about rape victims and their lives and I wonder why we don't reach out to them.



"I wish to make an appeal to you today as a patron of the organisation. Let us reach out to the victims. Make 2017 a year of the victims," Justice Khehar said in his inaugural address of the 15th All India meet of State Legal Service Authorities.



The CJI asked National Legal Service Authority (NALSA), State Legal Services Authority and District Legal Service Authorities to send their para-legal volunteers to every trial court to inform the victims that their right to compensation is not closed.

"Let us send our para-legal volunteers to every trial court to inform the victims. Let us inform every victim about section 357A of CrPC, that he has the right to compensation.



"Let us make them understand that the case is not closed with the acquittal or conviction of the accused. Let us have a heart and reach the victims," he said.



Justice Khehar said section 357A of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) was introduced by Parliament to create a fund at the national level and state level for the victims.



"When the punishment itself contemplates sentence or fine section 357 of CrPC provides that the fine can be passed on to the victim. Even if that is not so, section 357A of CrPC have the fund -- a state fund, which can be extended to the victims," he said while asking NALSA and other state level bodies to observe 2017 as the year of the victims.



Justice Khehar said that apart from victim compensation, the accused in any case, especially a criminal case, should not go unrepresented and as soon as he is arrested, there should be somebody to reach out to help him in his case.



The CJI also said "it's an opportunity that has come our way and we should grab this opportunity and do whatever in the service of our nation and country. Here and now should be our motto".



Justice Khehar urged Minister of State for Law and Justice P P Chaudhary, who appreciated the NALSA theme song 'Ek Muthi Asman' produced by filmmaker Prakash Jha, to telecast short films to create legal awareness on national television. These short films have been made by Prakash Jha for NALSA to create awareness.



The CJI also appreciated the concern shown by Chaudhary over the work done by judicial officers for creating legal awareness like distributing pamphlets, brochures and other materials among people in the slums and other places.



"We appreciate that you are willing to share the responsiblity because the kind of work judicial officers do in spreading legal awareness at grass root level, is some times embarassing," he said, adding that it is this kind of work which can be shared with the executive.



Supreme Court judge, Justice Dipak Misra, who is the executive chairman of NALSA, said legal aid should be provided to the marginalised, poor and needy in an adequate manner by the legal people as they are entitled to it.



He said that on February 11, National Lok Adalat was held in which 6,41,397 cases from various fields were disposed and 11 lakhs people were directly benefitted.



The minister in his address hinted that the Advocates Act may be amended so that at least 10 per cent of the cases of the poor or marginalised sections are taken up by them.



He said in order to reduce pendency of cases, especially in the subordinate judiciary, some of the administrative work done by judicial officers could be delegated to other persons.



Expressing the willingness of his ministry to extend support to the NALSA in spreading legal awareness among masses, Chaudhary advocated the use of information technology to reach out at the grassroot level.


The Amarinder Singh led Congress government in Punjab, in its first cabinet meeting today, has decided to constitute a Special Task Force (STF) to eliminate the drug menace from the state.



As part of the crackdown on the drug menace, a key pre-poll promise of the Congress, the state government is also looking at bringing an ordinance that will pave way for the confiscation of the ill-gotten wealth of drug dealers by the authorities.



"Punjab cabinet decided to set up a Special Task Force (STF) in the Chief Minister's office to prepare and implement a comprehensive programme to eliminate drugs from the state, as promised by the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) in its election manifesto," an official spokesman said here.



The decision was taken in the first meeting of the cabinet which was chaired by chief minister Amarinder Singh and attended by all the nine ministers.



The cabinet also decided to direct the State Home Department submit a proposal, in its next meeting, for the promulgation of an ordinance to bring in force the Confiscation of Drug Dealers Property Act.



The proposed legislation will pave way for the authorities to confiscate the properties and assets of those found guilty of trading or dealing in drugs.



The cabinet decided to take up the elimination of drugs from the state on top priority, said the spokesperson.



It was also decided that the STF would monitor, on a day-to-day basis, the measures taken or to be taken to check the supply and consumption of drugs in the state.



Expressing concern at the widespread use of drugs, especially 'chitta', which had destroyed an entire generation of youth in Punjab, the cabinet decided that a vigorous campaign to educate young people, and to rehabilitate drug users with compassion would be initiated immediately.



It was also decided that anyone who registers at the District De-addiction Centers would be treated with compassion, free of cost, and no case would be registered against such persons.



Instead, the State Police would take stringent action against drug dealers and peddlers to ensure that the drugs were obliterated from the state forthwith, the cabinet decided, according to an official spokesperson.



In its poll manifesto Congress had announced to wipe out drug trade within a month of its assuming office. The party had then said that it would adopt zero tolerance policy for smugglers, peddlers, police officials, politicians, bureaucrats of any rank or who indulge in drugs trafficking.


China and the US today agreed to jointly address the threats posed by North Korea's provocative nuclear and missile programmes as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned that tensions in the region have spiked to "dangerous levels".



"We noted the efforts made in the last 20 years has not succeeded in curbing the threats posed by North Korea's illegal nuclear weapons programmes," Tillerson, who is on his first official visit to China, said after talks with his Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi here.



During his visit to South Korea yesterday, Tillerson had cautioned North Korea that all options are on the table to deal with Pyongyang's provocative actions.



US President Donald Trump had also put out a tweet criticising Beijing's role in dealing with North Korea.



"North Korea is behaving very badly. They have been 'playing' the United States for years. China has done little to help," Trump's tweet said.



Both Tillerson and Wang avoided direct response to Trump's tweet.

"We renewed our determination to work together to convince the North Korean government to choose a better path and different future for its people," Tillerson said.



He said Wang has agreed to work together with the US to see whether "we can bring the government in Pyongyang to a place where they want to make difference and a make course correction and move away from their development of nuclear weapons".



He said the common view is that tensions in the Korean peninsula are very high and things have reached "dangerous levels".



Tillerson affirmed China and the US' commitment to prevent further escalation of tension in the region.



He said issues related to the disputed South China Sea where Trump administration has criticised Beijing's island building were also discussed.



"I discussed the importance of rule-based order with freedom navigation and over flights and made clear that the US will continue to advocate for universal values human rights and religious freedom," he said.
The India educational system is over-regulated and under-governed, former Union Minister of State for Human Resources Shashi Tharoor said here today.



"I believe that our educational system is over-regulated and under-governed. We have too many rules and regulations. We have too much emphasis on controls from the top on uniformity.



"We have an apex institution in the UGC and the Ministry of Human Resources Development, that tell the universities what kind of syllabus they can teach, how many years a course must last, what the size of a classroom should be.. but (they are) least concerned about the learning outcome of the educational experience," said Tharoor.



Tharoor, a Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, was speaking at the University of Hyderabad on 'Educational Policies in today's Era' organised by the National Students Union of India (NSUI).



He, however, said he is not critical about any particular university or the institution and there are several quality institutions which produce quality students. According to him, the lack of employable qualities in the students prompt companies such as Tatas, Wipro and Infosys to establish their own institutions.



Talking about the freedom of speech in educational institutions, he said debating and arguing are also part of the education and the students must learn from extra-curricular activities too.



"Education does not take place only in classrooms. You must learn in the classroom. You must learn in the library. But you must also learn from experience of being a student.



"From attending talks, from going to lectures, from arguing with your fellow students... All this is part of the education. And what is lacking in the present regime is the adequate appreciation of this," he said.



"It does not matter if students shout irresponsible slogans. Or say things you disapprove of. At the same time opposing them and attacking their demonstrations, as we have seen recently in Ramjas College, and arresting them on charges of sedition, as we saw in JNU, actually militates fundamentally against the very spirit of the enquiry that is at the heart of the education," he opined.



Tharoor said the medical education has become the source of scandals and blamed the Medical Council of India (MCI) for not increasing the number of seats to facilitate the education for all deserving students.



"The medical education is a scandal in this country. So many bright and talented students who want to be doctors and want to serve the nation are unable to get into the college due to limited seats available. It is because, unfortunately the MCI and other institutions have suppressed the number of places (seats) available," he opined.



Justifying his term as a Minister of State for HRD in the previous UPA Government, he said he did whatever he could do as a minister. He said the country should have an educational system that allows more and more people the opportunity to learn, ensure that people of all sections embrace the system and are given an opportunity to study and also ensure that the students are equipped with better skills after they come out of educational institutions.
When Swacch Bharat has turned into a concept with the whos who of the society taking to streets to keep the city clean, three Poura-karmikas (civic workers) of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) were honoured on Saturday, in a novel manner.



Civic workers Gulabi, Monappa and Nagesh were weighed along with 60 kg of rice bags each making for the unique Tulabhara, a ritual considered as the preserve of elites in temples involving religious heads. The three were handpicked for the honour, considering their three decades long service in keeping the city spic and span.



The brain behind the novel concept was M G Hegde, a progressive thinker and trustee of Mangalore Institute of Fashion Technology (MIFT) College as part of its annual day celebration. Hegde, in his address, told the gathering that the motive behind the honour is to send a message to the younger generation to continue with such noble deeds to ensure egality in the society.



Vice chancellor of Mangalore University K Byrappa said, It is indeed a matter of pride that the Pourakarmikas are being honoured, when the concept of Swacch Bharat has created a vibration in the country.



Multilingual actor Kasargod Chinna said when the word fashion creates a set ripples in the otherwise conservative society, one should think of fashion for a cause.



Chinna recalled an incident in his native place, when a section of people were divided in their opinion on F TV, a dedicated channel on fashion. When the cableman stopped relaying the channel, there were mixed reactions, he said.



Complimenting Hegde for honouring pourakarmikas, Chinna said one should always think with a difference to come out with different ideas.



The inaugural session was followed by the release of audio CD of Arjun Weds Gee-tha, a Tulu film and a fashion show by the students of the institute.



Chairman of MIFT and former minister B Nagaraj Shetty, former chairman of Karnataka State Minorities Commission Anwar Manippady, Tulu theatre person Vijaykumar Kodiyalbail, Principal Dr Muralidhar, Chandrakala Gowda and others were present on the occasion.

DH News Service
Nearly a week after the suspicious death of the African in Byrathi Cross, which the police claimed to be an accident, African community members came forward to identify the deceased formally on Saturday.



The members gave in writing to the investigating officials that they identified the body of the African to be that of Ifeanyi Madu, a Nigerian national. The deceased Madu was a 35-year-old from Anambra state of Nigeria and stayed in Horamavu Agara. He briefly worked at a restaurant named Nancys Kitchen in Horamavu, the police said.



The police shared information with the Nigerian High Commission which will inform his family. We have to get a no-objection certificate (NOC) from his family through the high commission to proceed with the post-mortem, said a senior police officer.



Earlier, the African community members were not cooperating in the investigation, but they are cooperating now, the officer added. We are still clueless about the person riding the bike with Madu. We are checking the CCTV footage of the accident spot. We are also trying to get information about Madus friend from Horamavu, the officer said.

DH News Service
A sub-inspector attached to the Customs department, Kempegowda International Airport, who is a suspect in a rape case, is still at large.



Hemaraj G, a native of Rajasthan, went absconding after a CISF woman constable lodged a complaint with Bagaluru police accusing him of raping her by promising to marry her.



In the complaint, the victim alleged that Hemaraj took her to his house at Yelahanka New Town and repeatedly raped her. He did not disclose that he was already married and his wife stayed with his parents in Rajasthan.



We have written to the Customs Department requesting them to inform the police about Hemarajs whereabouts. We will arrest him soon, DCP (Northeast) P S Harsha said.

DH News Service
Chinese President Xi Jinping(2nd R) and his wife Peng Liyuan (1st R) pose for a photo with Rwanda President Paul Kagame (2nd L) and his wife in Beijing, capital of China, March 17, 2017. Xi held a welcome ceremony for Kagame's China visit before their talks on Friday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

BEIJING, March 17 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting Rwanda President Paul Kagame on Friday, and the two leaders agreed to upgrade bilateral strategic cooperation.

Xi hailed the growth of bilateral ties over the past 46 years, citing enhanced political trust, trade cooperation and cultural exchanges.

He called on both sides to further deepen trust, boost personnel exchanges, share governance experience and keep close contact in global and regional affairs.

Xi vowed to support Rwanda in building an economic zone, calling for stronger bilateral cooperation in the areas of industrialization, agricultural modernization, capacity, infrastructure building, tourism and security. China will encourage more enterprises to invest in Rwanda's major infrastructure projects.

During his visit to Africa in 2013, Xi proposed developing relations with Africa with sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith and the correct viewpoint of righteousness and benefit.

"The essence of this is to combine China's growth with helping Africa's development, in a bid to realize win-win cooperation and common development," Xi told Kagame.

China is not only a supporter of Africa's sustainable development, but a pioneer leading global cooperation with Africa, said the Chinese president.

"No matter how the international situation changes, China's policy towards Africa remains unchanged, and China will not reduce its efforts to boost win-win cooperation with Africa," Xi said.

China hopes to work closely with African countries to implement the decisions of the summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in South Africa's Johannesburg in 2015, he added.

Kagame, in his turn, said Rwanda cherishes its friendly ties and cooperation with China, and appreciates China's contribution to his country's reconstruction and development.

He welcomed more Chinese investment in Rwanda's agriculture, mining, tourism and infrastructure.

Rwanda appreciates China's friendly policy towards Africa, and spoke highly of China's adherence to equality and mutual respect while developing ties with Africa, Kagame said.

Before their talks, Xi held a welcome ceremony for Kagame's China visit.
Deen Dayal (23), a factory worker from Haryana, died from head injuries as his motorbike crashed into an electricity pole on the Outer Ring Road in Nagarabhavi, west Bengaluru, on March 12. Wearing a low-quality helmet didnt help him.



Ahead of the World Head Injury Awareness Day on March 20, DH takes a look at various aspects of the matter.



The traffic police say many motorcyclists in Bengaluru die every month as they do not use high-quality or full-face helmets. There are many others who do not use helmets at all, especially in outer areas such as ring roads, beyond Electronics City, Sarjapur Road, KR Puram, Peenya, Jalahalli, Byatarayanapura, Kengeri and Kumaraswamy Layout. The traffic police say almost half of the riders and pillion riders do not use helmets as they dont understand the value of safety. They use helmets mainly in the central business district because of the reduced speed of vehicles, police presence and surveillance cameras at traffic junctions.



Cases of riding without helmets are on the rise despite strict enforcement and awareness campaigns undertaken by the traffic police. Using a full-face helmet while riding anywhere in Bengaluru is one of the important steps towards preventing road accident fatalities in a city which has the highest two-wheeler population in the country (46.5 lakh as of January 2017), police say. The total vehicular population in Bengaluru stands at 67.2 lakh.



About 35% of riders and pillion riders are killed in road accidents every year with head injuries accounting for 80% of deaths. A survey conducted by the Bengaluru police showed that wearing helmets could reduce the risk of head injuries by around 69% and deaths by around 42%. About 70% of riders in the city are in the 18-35 age group.



The traffic police blame low fines for the failure of their awareness and enforcement campaigns and favour a steep increase in them. We can fine a rider just Rs 100 for not wearing helmet. A steep fine may instil some discipline, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) R Hithendra said.



As far as car users are concerned, police strongly recommend that those sitting in the front wear seat belts as they are likely to sustain head injuries in case of accidents. Wearing the seat belt can reduce the risk of deaths.



Riders should wear high-quality helmets not because police are manning traffic junctions, but because it is for their own personal safety, Hithendra said.

DH News Service
Three men are accused of murdering their friend to pocket three mobile phones he had stolen from someone else.



Abhishek (22), a construction worker from Kumbalgodu, Madhu Kumar (19) and Manoj (19), both hotel workers from Bidadi, are suspected to have killed their friend Srinivas (18), a labourer from Kadugodi, and stolen three mobile phones worth Rs 52,000 from him.



The suspects were fond of expensive mobile phones. When they learnt that Srinivas had stolen the phones, they decided to double-cross him. They told him they knew a friend who was interested in buying the stolen phones at a reasonable price.



Srinivas fell for the trick. On the night of March 3, the suspects and the victim boarded a train at the Bengaluru City railway station and got down at Kengeri.



They went to a railway bridge located between Hejjala and Kengeri and sat beneath it, smoking ganja. As Srinivas became intoxicated, the suspects pounced on him and bludgeoned him to death. They then stole the phones, dumped his body near the railway track and ran away.



The railway police found some phone numbers on a piece of paper in the pocket of Srinivass shirt. They called the numbers and established his identity. Later, they arrested the three men on the basis of suspicion raised by Srinivass family, police said.

DH News Service
Bigg Boss Kannada runner-up Kirik Keerthi has lodged a complaint against two unidentified men who manhandled him on Friday night over a trivial row. The incident occurred on the Bangalore University campus road near Nagarbhavi around 10.15 pm.



According to the police, Keerthi was driving from Mysuru towards his house in Hebbal and had to pass through the campus road.



Since the road was narrow due to construction work, he had to honk as two men in a vehicle were blocking the road. The men got irked and picked a quarrel with Keerthi.



According to the complaint lodged by Keerthi, the two men smashed his cars windshield and hurled abuses at him. When the actor got out of the car, they manhandled him.



Bystanders recognised the actor and informed the police. The police rushed to the spot and picked up the two men who were drunk. They were taken for a medical examination.



Keerthi lodged a complaint with Jnanabharathi police who registered an FIR and arrested the two men.

DH News Service
A second-level flyover has been proposed to be built above the flyover at Kittur Rani Chennamma Circle (near Deve Gowda petrol pump in Padmanabhanagar, south Bengaluru).



The second flyover will be built from the Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) to Padmanabhanagar and will run above the existing flyover, which Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had inaugurated a month ago.



Thus, there will be a three-layer intersection as part of the signal-free corridor from Nayandahalli junction to Silk Board junction via Jedi Mara junction on Bannerghatta Road.



Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced a total of nine grade separators in the state budget proposals for 2017-18 and allocated Rs 421 crore for them.



He said the projects were required to ensure seamless vehicular movement. While the length of the grade separators has not been decided yet as the detailed project report has not been prepared, each of them could be 1.5 km to 2 km long.



BBMP chief engineer B S Prahallad said the second-level flyover would make travel towards Padmanabhanagar easier.



Traffic jams

The news, however, has surprised people who use the stretch regularly. They faced a lot of hardship when the first flyover was being built. The construction of that flyover began in December 2013 and was to be completed in May 2015. But it was delayed by one-and-a-half years, causing discomfort to commuters who were held up in regular traffic jams. Mahadeva C, a resident of Gowdanapalya, demanded to know why the new grade separator is required.



The existing flyover seems sufficient to address the traffic problem. My worry is how much time will the BBMP take to complete the project. There should be a monitoring agency to ensure the work is completed within the stipulated time, he said.

DH News Service



Location Cost

Old Madras Road and Vatal Nagaraj junction Rs 35 crore

Grade separator to link BMTC/KSRTC bus stand from Fountain Circle Rs 30 crore

Haines Road and St Johns Church Road Rs 35 crore

Second-level flyover at Kittur Rani Chennamma Circle Rs 50 crore

Grade separator at ORR and Kanakapura Road junction Rs 35 crore

Sadashivanagar police station Rs 32 crore

Siddapura junction to be decided

South End Circle to be decided

Near Yelahanka police station to be decided


Cashing in on the burgeoning real estate market in Bengaluru, Stanley Lifestyles, which manufactures high-end, handcrafted sofas and car seats under the brand Stanley, is aiming to reach Rs 500 crore turnover by 2020.



We will close this financial year at Rs 250 crore compared with Rs 220 crore last year, Stanley Lifestyles Founder and Group CEO Sunil Suresh told DH. The furniture industry thrives in the tailwinds of the construction industry. If you look at the Bengaluru market, there are over 150 to 200 projects launched in the past five years with an average ticket size of Rs 1 crore for an apartment. Each house needs high quality furniture, Suresh said.



Recently, the company unveiled Global Living Emporio, the countrys largest international decor mall that houses over 60 top Indian and international brands. On average, we are seeing a growth of 10% year-on-year in home customers. However, when you look at high-end customers, probably the growth is bigger there. People have realised that they need higher quality furniture. There is a lot of travelling happening in the last one decade, people who travel abroad aspire to own international brands irrespective of the cost, Suresh added.



The company embarked its journey in 1996, by making automotive seats (trims) and recieved its first order from General Motors (GM) in 1998. After GM, we started supplying to Ford. Between 1996 and 2000, we were making only automotive seats, Suresh said. As a group, the company has over 600 employees, a 2,50,000 sq feet manufacturing facility in Bommasandra that makes about 70,000 leather car seats and 25,000 sofa seats annually. Currently, the company supplies car seats to Ford, Nissan, Renault and Toyota.



On the importance of last mile connectivity, he said, In India, we follow (19-20) philosophy. We are very careless about the last mile connectivity which is very critical in making high quality products. We put 90% effort in making fabulous product, however, we stumble in last 10%. To overcome this problem, we hire people from Europe to train our employees. In fact, we visit European factories to understand the importance of last mile connectivity, he added. The company has 15 Stanley boutique chain of stores across the country which is headed by Shubha Sunil.
Separatists in Kashmir have termed Islamabads proposal to declare Gilgit-Baltistan as its fifth province unacceptable, saying that any such move would be tantamount to changing the disputed nature of Kashmir.



Any proposal to declare Gilgit-Baltistan as (the) fifth state of Pakistan is unacceptable, separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik said in a joint statement here.



They said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have always regarded and accepted the role of Pakistan as a party to the Kashmir issue. But any step which may hamper the disputed status of Kashmir is unacceptable, the statement said.



Any deviation in Pakistans stance about Kashmir and its geographical entity is improper and will prove detrimental for the Kashmir cause, it read.



The separatist trio said Kashmir, Ladakh, Jammu, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan is a single entity. Unless and until the people of the state are provided an opportunity to decide the future course of the state through a referendum, no division, alteration and changes are acceptable, it said.



The leaders also said that both India and Pakistan have no authority or right to alter the geographical status of the state.
Bengaluru-based real estate developer RMZ has announced a strategic partnership with Hyderabads largest business house, My Home Group, to develop premium commercial office spaces in Hyderabad with an investment of over $1 billion. Spread across 10 million sq ft the office space project will be jointly developed and managed by RMZ and My Home Group.



The first phase of project covering 3.5 million sq ft is already underway at Silicon Valley of Hyderabad with close proximity to HITEC City, the hub of IT-ITeS companies.

This commercial property will be known as The Skyview and is expected to be delivered by December 2018.



Manoj Menda, Corporate Chairman, RMZ said, We are pleased to enhance our portfolio in Hyderabad through this 50:50 joint venture with My Home Group, as this is a strategic business accelerator and demonstrates the fundamentals of our assets. Rameswar Rao, Chairman My Home Group, said, With increased focus on technology adoption and business expansion in Telangana, Hyderabad with its latest tag of The best Indian city to live in opens up greater opportunities in office space development.
The missing clerics of the Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah were traced in Pakistan on Saturday after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke to her counterpart in the neighbouring country, Sartaj Aziz.



Aziz, Foreign Affairs Advisor to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, promised during his phone call with Swaraj that all efforts would be made to trace the clerics who went missing in Pakistan earlier this week while on a tour.



I spoke to Mr Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan PM's Adviser on foreign affairs regarding missing Indian nationals Syed Asif Ali Nizami and Nazim Ali Nizami of Hazrat #Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah, Swaraj posted on Twitter on Saturday. He assured me of all help in tracing the missing clerics, she added in another tweet.



Aziz was in London when Swaraj called him and sought his assistance. Shortly after the call, officials of Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Indian High Commission in that country that the two missing clerics had been traced, sources said.



Swaraj's call to Aziz was the first public contact between the two after they had a brief informal chat on the sidelines of a SAARC meet in Kathmandu in March 2016  just three months after Pakistani terrorists attacked Indian Air Force base at Pathankot in Punjab and derailed the process to restart bilateral engagements.



New Delhi has been urging Islamabad since Thursday to find out Syed Asif Ali Nizami and his nephew Nazim Ali Nizami after both went missing while on a religious tour to Pakistan.The clerics visited Pakistan several times in the past, since Delhis Nizamuddin Dargah has a strong spiritual link with Lahores Data Darbar.

DH News Service
PARIS, March 17 -- Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton visited the French capital on Friday, in a diplomatic move that analysts believe is intended to soften a divorce between Britain and the European Union.

At the request of Britain's Foreign Office, the royal couple flew to Paris, a first stage in a scheduled European tour to prepare Britain's exit form the EU and to bolster bilateral relationships.

"This visit opens a new chapter of this long Franco-British relationship turning towards a promising future," British Ambassador Edward Llewellyn was quoted as saying by local media.

William and Kate will meet French President Francois Hollande "given the historical relations between France and the United Kingdom," the Elysee Palace said.

The royal couple will visit the military museum Les Invalides with senior French politicians, victims of the 2015 terrorist attacks at the Bataclan theatre in Paris as well as the lorry attack in Nice on Bastille Day last year.

The duo will also attend a reception at the British embassy as guests of honor to launch the "Voisins" (Neighbors) project, aimed at celebrating cultural ties linking the two countries.

William and Kate are also planning to attend the Six Nations rugby international between France and Wales at the Stade de France on Saturday.

The two-day visit is Prince William's first official trip to the French capital since the tragic death of his mother Diana, the Princess of Wales, in a car accident at the Pont de l'Alma tunnel two decades ago.
Child sex abuse incidents are overwhelmingly under-reported and official data points to extremely poor law enforcement in such cases, a Parliamentary panel has said.



Only 102 cases of online child abuse were reported in 2015 as against 45 in 2014, according to the latest figures available with the government. The UNICEF, in its report Child Online Protection in India, had expressed concerns over under-reporting and non-availability of data on online abuse of children.



The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has now asked the government to ensure that law enforcement agencies are aware of the challenging aspects of cyber crimes against children.



The panel, headed by former home minister P Chidambaram, is of the view that available data indicates extremely poor law enforcement as it only gives information about reported cases and fails to give a reflection of true prevalence of such crimes.



The committee is anguished to note the severe under-reporting of crimes related to online child sex abuse in India. Firstly, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) does not maintain any separate record of cyber crimes against children.



Secondly, whatever data is collected by NCRB presently, however rudimentary it may be, provides an insight into the state of law enforcement in the country, as it is unbelievable that in most of the states there is no incidence of any online child sex abuse, the panel said.



It also said that NCRB should collate all the instances of online child sex abuse and other cyber crimes against children under a separate category from this year itself so that the

performance of the law enforcement agencies can be analysed.



While acknowledging that stigma and propensity of parents to not involve the police are some of the reasons for under-reporting, it said the process of reporting such crimes needs to be simplified and the identity of the children involved be protected.



It wanted the ministry of home affairs to work towards enhancing capacities of police and cyber forensic agencies. All states should create an online cyber crime reporting platform under the Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children scheme, it said.
For Dinesh Sharma, the affable mayor of Lucknow, it was a slow and steady rise to the post of the deputy chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.



The 53-year-old professor in Lucknow Universitys Commerce department has been a member of the BJP since long, but emerged on the central stage with his appointment as the BJPs national vice president in August 2014 after the partys landslide victory in the parliamentary polls.



It was after he was made in-charge of the party affairs in Gujarat, Sharmas stature in the party grew immensely.He also won over the trust of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah during his stint in their native state, Gujarat.



Party insiders say that ever since a godman presented him a garland with a blessing that red beacon will never leave him, Sharma became the Lucknow mayor for the second term.He was first elected as the mayor of Lucknow in 2008. He contested the re-election in 2012 and defeated his nearest rival, Neeraj Bora of the Congress by over 1.71 lakh votes.



Sharma has the backing of the RSS and it is said that Sangh ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhaya often visited his parental home in the state capital.
The state budget has proposed cloud seeding at a cost of Rs 30 crore, despite failed attempts in the past. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced cloud seeding, in the backdrop of five consecutive droughts. However, senior officials and experts from India Meteorological Department, Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre (KSNDMC), Revenue department and IISc are unanimous that the experiment has not been successful in the past. No experts have been consulted before announcing the plan, said a senior official in the water resources department.



A committee comprising officials from KSNDMC, revenue and water resources departments has been formed for the purpose. The committee has estimated that each attempt will cost the exchequer around Rs 15 lakh and the allocated Rs 30 crore is not sufficient. This includes hiring mobile radars to assess the density of vertical cumulonimbus clouds (rain-bearing clouds) and the wind, besides a helicopter and helipad. The government will also have to hire experts with patented software to study the weather daily for 15 days before finalising the location. The government is also seeking the help of experts from Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune.



The demand for cloud seeding is increasing the world over and the fad is catching up in India too, the official said. According to water resources officials, cloud seeding was done in 2002-03 when S M Krishna was chief minister, but it failed.



When Jagadish Shettar was chief minister, in 2012-13, cloud seeding was again done, but it rained in areas bordering Andhra Pradesh. In 2013, 2015 and 2016, the government thought about it, but did not implement it. In 2014, when it was done in Madikeri, it rained and the farmers were agitated as they suffered severe crop loss. The best time for cloud seeding is May-June (end of pre-monsoon and onset of monsoon), but then, one cannot say whether the rain is because of cloud seeding or natural factors.



The world over, it has been noted that the success rate is between 10% and 15%, said a KSNDMC official. The KSNDMC has suggested that the exercise be done in catchment areas where rainfall is needed to increase water storage. A decision on the location for cloud seeding will be taken after the IMD releases the rainfall forecast on April 15 and in June, it is said.


The KPCC has cancelled a meeting of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his Cabinet colleagues scheduled for Sunday to discuss preparations for the upcoming byelections to Nanjangud and Gundlupet Assembly constituencies.



Sources in the party said Siddaramaiah requested KPCC president G Parameshwara to postpone the meeting as many of his ministers had already fixed their engagements. But the next date of the meeting is yet to be finalised.



The meeting was scheduled to be held at the KPCC office, the sources added. AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Digvijaya Singh had directed the KPCC chief to convene the meeting of the chief minister and his ministers during the budget session of the legislature. It is now speculated in party circles that the high command may remove Singh from the post.



This apart, head of the KPCC legal cell C M Dhananjay on Saturday urged the office of Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka, to take action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making false charges against the Congress government in Karnataka during an election campaign in Uttar Pradesh.




For many, Yogi Adityanaths nomination as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh may have come as a surprise, but for the saffron party insiders it is a well-crafted strategy.



The move, according to sources, is to counter a possible Bihar-like mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) in the state in the next big battle in 2019.



Adityanath, who wields considerable influence on the Hindus, especially in a dozen districts around Gorakhpur through the famous Gorakshnath Peeth, was likely to be the hindutva face of the saffron party in the state in the next Lok Sabha elections.



While Prime Minister Narendra Modi will continue to harp on development, Adityanath will act as a polarising force in the state, said media analyst Bal Govind Verma. The slogans of Jai Sri Ram, that reverberated in the air outside the venue where the BJP legislators elected Adityanath, were reflective of the apprehensions to this effect.



Yogiji ayenge, Ram Mandir banwayenge (Yogiji will come and get Ram Temple constructed), shouted a saffron-clad supporter of Adityanath, who had arrived here from Ayodhya.



Many BJP leaders here said that Adityanath had been chosen keeping in mind a possible alliance in the state between the Congress, Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party to take on the saffron party in 2019.



There is a possibility of a Bihar-like grand alliance in UP... the Opposition has no other way to counter the BJP... we may require a person like Adityanath to take on such an alliance, remarked a state BJP leader here. The leader pointed out that in the just concluded Assembly polls, Adityanath showed his oratory skills and crowd-pulling ability.



Yogi Adityanath addressed election rallies in every corner in the state and drew large crowds, he added.


Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation D V Sadananda Gowda on Saturday described Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi as Bhasmasura (a demon in Hindu mythology).



Rahul Gandhi is like Bhasmasura. Those who go with him will be reduced to ashes. The JD(S) will face the same consequences if the party decides to join hands with the Congress leader in the coming days, he told reporters who sought his reaction to speculation in political circles that like-minded Opposition parties may form a coalition to check the surge of the BJP in the country.



We have seen what happened to the coalition (Congress-SP) in Uttar Pradesh. Those who go with him will face the same consequences, he stated, referring to the debacle of Akhilesh Yadav-led SP in the recently held UP Assembly elections.



He further said a section of the electorate in Nanjangud Assembly constituency was of the view that JD(S) willingly sent Kalale Keshavamurthy to Congress to fight BJPs V Srinivas Prasad in the upcoming byelection. The sinking Congress is desperately trying to hold on to whatever it gets. It appears that JD(S), too, wants it (alliance), he stated.


Springing a surprise, the BJP on Saturday nominated firebrand saffron leader Yogi Adityanath as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. UP BJP president Keshav Prasad Maurya and Lucknow Mayor Dinesh Sharma are the deputy chief ministers.



Adityanath, the mahant (head priest) of the famous Gorakhnath Peeth in Gorakhpur, was unanimously elected leader of the BJP Legislature Party at its meeting here in the presence of Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu and BJP general secretary Bhupendra Yadav, who were sent in as observers.



Adityanath was elected unanimously at the meeting of the legislators, Naidu told reporters. Naidu said no other name was proposed at the meeting.



Adityanath (44), the Lok Sabha MP from Gorakhpur, met Governor Ram Naik and staked claim to form the government. He will be sworn in as the 21st chief minister of the state on Sunday.



The other members of the cabinet would be announced on Sunday, ahead of the swearing-in ceremony.



The drama

Much drama preceded Adityanaths nomination. In the afternoon, his name started making the rounds, replacing that of Union minister Manoj Sinha and others as likely candidates for the top post.



Adityanath rushed to Delhi, where he had a long meeting with BJP president Amit Shah and vice president Om Mathur. Later, Adityanath went to Lucknow with Maurya and Mathur.



Adityanath was closeted with Naidu and Bhupendra for around 30 minutes, after which they participated in the meeting of the legislators.



The suspense over the chief minister continued till the last minute and none of the 325 legislators from the BJP and its allies seemed to have any inkling of the partys choice.



Naidu said after his election as leader of the legislature party, Adityanath urged the party leadership to let two senior colleagues assist him in administration. Naidu said on his request, the party leadership allowed Adityanath to have two deputies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah would be present at the swearing-in ceremony.



The chief ministers of the states ruled by the BJP and its alliance partners have also been invited to attend the oath-taking ceremony, Naidu said.



He said the mandate for the BJP in the UP polls was historic, adding, It is a watershed moment for the BJP. It has proved that the nation wants to move with Modi.



The main agenda of the party in UP would be development and good governance, he said.



Its a mandate against corruption, black money, caste and communal politics... people have supported us cutting across caste lines, Naidu added. We will together ensure the development of UP, and end goonda raj, Adityanath said, addressing the newly elected legislators of the BJP and its alliance partners Apna Dal and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party.



Sources said BJP MLA from Shahjahanpur Sauresh Khanna moved the proposal for electing Adityanath as the leader of the legislature party.



A large number of Adityanath supporters descended on the state capital from Gorakhpur and nearby districts and chanted slogans in his favour outside the venue of the meeting. Even before the polls, his supporters had demanded that he be declared the chief ministerial face of the party. Adityanath was one of the star campaigners of the BJP and addressed close to 100 election meetings in different parts of the state.

DH News Service



Who is Adityanath?

-Firebrand Hindutva advocate, Adityanaths remarks often trigger controversy

-Head priest at Gorakhnath temple; founder of vigilante group Hindu Yuva Vahini

-Won Gorakhpur seat five times; at 26 was youngest member of 12th Lok Sabha

-Had differences with BJP in the past; in 2007 over ticket distribution
Ofo's shared bikes on the streets of Austin, Texas, in the United States, during the 2017 South By Southwest Conferences & Festivals (SXSW), March 2017. [Photo: thepaper.cn]

During the SXSW trade show, which ran from March 13 to 15, ofo reportedly received a lot of interest from potential collaborators among the US exhibitors, users or even governmental agencies. The company plans to adopt localization measures in accordance with regional laws and regulations, as well as the preferences of local users.

A low price of 50 cents for half-hour and the convenience of being able to "pick up and park bikes wherever you want", have given the company the edge on its American competitors, such as BCycle and Spin.

The founder of Mobike, another Chinese bike-sharing leading company, also attended a sharing session at the SXSW Trade Show to introduce the enterprise to overseas audiences.

Unlike ofo's ambitious overseas plan, Mobike is being more cautious, expressing no intention of entering the US market for the time being. As for the bigger picture, the company expects to steadily and gradually operate in Singapore, beginning with a "soft-landing" first, said Mobike founder Hu Weiwei in an interview with The Paper.
Reality, we know, can be a tangled, chaotic mess.

Mary E. Pearsons words carried out over the auditorium at Canyon Crest Academy on Saturday morning, March 11, an ingot of truth carefully molded for the 200 teenagers who hung on her every word.

The New York Times best-selling author  by way of Carlsbad  counseled and consoled the aspiring writers, commiserating with their fears, waxing poetic on the transformative power of storytelling  at one point a unique kind of magic, and later, the only reason mankind has survived  and exhorting them not to fall prey to regret for things not done and never tried. It was an ultimatum of sorts, a gauntlet thrown down at the feet of anyone as obsessed with story as she is.

The truth is always there  simmering, whispering, a story that wont go away, she said. Its a recurring ache within us. Maya Angelou said theres no agony like bearing an untold story within you. She understands that weight, and so do you. Thats why youre here  You see images and you hear voices and you dont need medication for it. A pen or a keyboard is your only cure. You have to answer the call.

Pearsons words opened CCAs sixth iteration of its annual Writers Conference, an all-day confab of accomplished wordsmiths and 200 students who hope to take up their mantle. The two dozen authors on hand  from playwrights to journalists to graphic novelists  dispensed hard-earned wisdom to the eager horde of aspiring writers, insights into the creative process, fine-tuned techniques from their careers spent stringing one word after the next.

Started in 2012 by then-president of CCAs creative writing group Devyn Krevat, the conference has grown stronger each year, maturing into a mutually beneficial day of mentorship. That success is due in large part to continued guidance from Devyns mother Kathy Krevat  herself an accomplished author  as the conference has grown in size (it includes students from a half dozen schools), sponsorship (organizers believe it to be the only free writing conference for high school students in the country), and prestige (this years speakers boasted an all-time high of New York Times best-sellers).

Its making a name for itself, its getting more recognition, said CCA senior Julia Camilleri, taking a moment from tending to the logistics of her final conference. Were being sponsored by a publishing agency this year, which is really cool, and authors are starting to reach out to us ask to speak. Its a really good experience for young authors and its a really inspiring experience. You go home and you are really motivated to start writing, even if you were not much of a writer before.

Saturdays workshops saw authors and students sharing insights and struggles alike. Graphic novelist Jim Pascoe invoked an anecdote from his work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer to illuminate how one well-placed image can convey action that no amount of dialogue could. Matthew Wolf explained how seemingly trivial details were the key to conjuring a world as massive yet believable as the one he created in his Ronin Saga. Sylvia Mendoza helped her participants compose a would-be news article about the conference, tweaking variations in structure and tone to tailor the article for different kinds of audiences. James Matlack Raney teased apart the appeal of great  and not so great  action sequences from The Iliad to Sharknado.

I had nothing like this, Raney, author of the Jim Morgan Books, said after his session, the fifth year hes presented at the conference. I just kind of learned through hard knocks. I wrote things that were really bad and I just had to put them out there and people had to tell me they were bad. So to come to a place where I could have learned some techniques before trying would have been awesome. If youre a kid and youre interested in writing, this is the place for you.

Whatever the genre, the authors hewed close to one abiding theme: writing is the only way to conquer its inevitable obstacles. Then keep writing. And then write some more after that  no matter the frustrations and doubts sure to arise.

Oh let me count the ways that fear creeps into a writers soul, Pearson mused in her keynote address. The blank pages, the endless blank pages. Theyre like something out of a Alfred Hitchcock film square white birds pecking and pecking at you. And then theres the clock: its not ticking, its screaming at you.

Complicit with fear is failure, but she hammered home again and again that failure is indispensable to success, summoning adages from towering figures as diverse as Thomas Edison and Michael Jordan, as Lao Tzu and Jim Carrey . In each instance, she said, failure was more than merely unavoidable, it was utterly necessary.

For Pearson, fear had its root in her own chaotic childhood, both at home and in the world at large. She recalled the duck-and-cover air raid drills, desks shoved together as supposed shelter for the terrified children huddling beneath. She recalled standing for a moment of silence when news broke that John F. Kennedy had been assassinated. She recalled the images in news magazines of people setting themselves on fire in a mysterious place called Vietnam. Family life brought her no respite. Hers was a childhood filled, she said, by relatives seemingly plucked from the Addams family (on her mothers side) and the Beverly Hillbillies (on her fathers).

We had all the dysfunctional, dark drama of reality TV on a regular basis, minus the big bucks, she said. The drama came complete with death, drugs, alcohol, murder, suicide, abuse and always, always the crisis de jour.

It made her more introspective, more attuned to observation and detail, plunging her into ravenous and indiscriminate reading  magazines from Tigerbeat to National Geographic, encyclopedias, novels, romances, science fiction. She loved Pride and Prejudice and Fahrenheit 451, and, of course, helped herself to a healthy heaping of Hemingway. And then came the seminal moment she pulled The Outsiders off a shelf and finally found herself certain of the kind of writer she wanted to be.

It wasnt a classic, it had never been assigned in the classroom, it wasnt even well-known. But its a book that changed my world profoundly, she said. It was a book that was populated by people I recognized  teenagers  and it didnt shy away from the uglier and real side of life.  It sounded like my world, and it was a book written for menot my parents, not my grandparents. I read it multiple times, and I cried every time I read it.

As she headed off to college, she found herself swept up in the power of writing to reveal the truth. And yet, she couldnt muster the courage to reveal her own personal truth. Her working-class parents neither of whom graduated high school  would never understand their youngest child wanting to pursue something so impractical.

I was afraid it would be like saying I wanted to be a ballerina astronaut, she said. It sounded so unrealistic. College was for jobs with pensions and benefits.

The life that eventually took shape was one of a dream deferred: married at 18 to an accountant with no literary inclinations and having settled into a job teaching elementary school, her passion for writing smothered beneath a mass of denial and delay. One decade turned into the next, her fears always outweighing her yearning to write, until a relatives offhand remark one day finally sent her desires into irresistible boil. Her excuses fell away when faced with the prospect of another 20 years of regret.

Real writers write, she said. They dont wait for all the planets to align just perfectly  They snatch the moments they can and they create others. They make it happen, and they dont let fear hold them back. They dont think about writing someday; they do it, now.

She hunkered down for an entire year to compose her first manuscript, only her husband and children knowing what she had taken on. She kept her parents in the dark, still afraid of their reaction. Finally, ebulliently, she put that piece of herself out into the world.

Well, the world didnt love it, she recalled. I cried. I panicked. I was absolutely terrified. What had I done? But the one thing I didnt do was give up, not this time.

Undaunted, she learned to find the value of editors who had strewn notes of encouragement between the lines of their rejection letters. She set to work on the craft of writing, schooling herself on point of view, dialogue, subtext, conflict, foreshadowing. She revised her manuscript and submitted it again. When her book still didnt sell, she embarked on another, honed through invaluable critiques at her very first writers conference. She listened, went home, revisedad nauseam. Five months later, a publisher tendered her first offer.

I remember being numb, hanging up the phone after the call, and then crying and screaming and dancing in circles in the kitchen with my daughters, she said. It was and it will always be one of my sweetest memories.

Pearson went on to a heralded career as one of the nations preeminent youth authors, piling up awards and appearances on best-selling lists. Ten of her novels have now been published, in 20 different languages. The Remnant Chronicles is beloved. The Adoration of Jenna Fox has been optioned for a movie. She recently sold her next two novels on proposal.

Oh, and my parents know Im a writer now, she quipped.

But no matter the successes, she said, failure has and will always loom near on the horizon, a specter under which all writers by necessity struggle.

Each of you has your own journey. It wont be like mine, or the person sitting next to you  You have stories to tell that no one else can  as long as you show up, she said. So now I challenge you: go forth, hone your craft, learn, grow, become a warrior of truth, learn to dig deep. Slay us with your honesty. Be wicked, be ruthless, cut to the core. Make your truths cold and hard and hot and sticky and loud, so they are impossible to ignore or deny, so they will make us breathless, make us weep, make us angry, make us fall onto our knees with gratitude that we are not alone. Whether you are writing a dark drama, a sweeping fantasy, a poem or a knee-slapping comedy, remind us with every word what it means to be human and what we share. The world needs your voice. Your stories matter. I was girl and had a calling. So do you. Im waiting to hear your stories. Be fearless.
By Emily Flitter; Editing by Howard Goller, Bill Trott, and Lisa Shumaker

15 March 2017 NEW YORK (Reuters)  Seventeen congressional Republicans signed a resolution on Wednesday vowing to seek economically viable ways to stave off global warming, challenging the stated views of President Donald Trump, who has called climate change a hoax. Republicans Elise Stefanik of New York, Carlos Curbelo of Florida and Ryan Costello of Pennsylvania introduced the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, pledging to study and address the causes and effects of measured changes to our global and regional climates and seek ways to balance human activities that contribute. Several Republicans who signed the resolution, which is non-binding, represent parts of the country most affected. Curbelo hails from Miami, where streets regularly flood at high tide due to rising sea levels. This issue was regrettably politicized some 20 or so years ago and we are in the process of taking some of the politics out, reducing the noise and focusing on the challenge and on the potential solutions, Curbelo said in a call with journalists on Tuesday. A spokesman for the White House declined to comment. Jay Butera, a congressional liaison for the non-partisan group the Citizens Climate Lobby, called the resolution an important step toward getting both parties focused on finding solutions. [more]
By Zhu Dongyang (Xinhua) 12:14, March 18, 2017

BEIJING, March 18 -- Never before has the China-U.S. relationship been so complicated to comprehend, and too important to fail.

Saturday marks Rex Tillerson's first visit to China as secretary of state. Many speculate that one of the top U.S. diplomat's missions in Beijing over the weekend is to communicate with the Chinese side over a possible meeting between the heads of state of the two countries in the coming weeks.

Prior to Tillerson's visit, recent days have seen a number of positive developments in the China-U.S. relations.

In a telephone conversation last month between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. Counterpart Donald Trump, the two leaders pledged to build a constructive bilateral relationship.

President Trump once wrote on Twitter that Washington need not to be bound by the one China policy. While speaking with Xi, he reversed that stance and reassured his Chinese counterpart that the U.S. government will honor the long-standing principle, something fundamental for the world's most important bilateral ties.

The world's top two economies do have every reason to remain committed to a strong relationship because of their broad range of shared interests, especially in trade and commerce.

The two-way trade of goods last year exceeded 519.6 billion U.S. dollars, according to the Chinese ministry of commerce. That makes China America's largest trading partner, while America China's second largest.

Also, instead of taking away U.S. manufacturing jobs, economic and trade exchanges between the two countries have actually supported more than 2.6 million jobs across a host of U.S. industries from automobile, construction equipment to agriculture.

These facts and statistics are a clear-cut demonstration of the interdependence of the world's top two economies. Any setbacks in bilateral ties would cause immeasurable harm to both sides.

Tillerson's trip also comes at a time when Asia-Pacific and the wider world are facing a trove of thorny issues that require close coordination between the two countries, notably on the situation in the Korean Peninsula.

Before he arrives in Beijing, the U.S. diplomat visited South Korea, where he called for a new approach to deal with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and hinted that military options against Pyongyang are on the table.

However, there is nothing new in this approach. These same tactics were once used by Trump's predecessor George W. Bush, and failed.

In the early years of his presidency, then U.S. President Bush implemented an isolationist and coercive policy against the DPRK's nuclear ambition, yet the DPRK did not back away.

Later, the Bush administration started to engage with the country both bilaterally and multilaterally. In exchange, Pyongyang closed its Yongbyon nuclear facilities in 2007, and returned to the negotiating table.

The approach illustrated that Washington needs to talk to the DPRK, not to terrorize it.

Before Tillerson set out on his Asian tour, the U.S state department said the secretary wanted to pursue "a results-oriented" relationship with China.

Positive results require effort and good faith from both sides. China has never fallen short of offering its fair share. It's all up to Washington now.
Uncensored Beauty And The Beast Performs Strong In China
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Everyone knows Devon is the best place on Earth, but while that may be true - it's not very interesting.

Fortunately there are plenty of interesting facts about Devon that are also true.

In fact, one of the facts even involves Trump. #NotFakeNews. So we have gathered 12 quite interesting facts about Devon, if you don't learn something you didn't already know then we aren't doing our job.

If you have your own facts about Devon you'd like to share, leave them in the comments below. In an age of Fake News, Devon is leading the way in the field of quite interesting truths.

Devon has more road than anywhere else in the country

True fact. You maybe thought it was London, or Birmingham. Nope. Devon County Council is responsible for 8,000 miles of road - the longest network in the country. The county is home to everything from single track rural lanes across Dartmoor and Exmoor to major highways like the A38 and A30 - as well as the M5.

Devon has the slowest roads in the country

Not only do we have more road than anyone else, it also takes you longer to use. A survey by international travel experts Inrix, who provide live traffic information to people like the BBC, this year named Exeter the slowest city in the country during rush-hour. Yes, slower than London. Traffic crawls through the city at just 4.6mph at the busiest times of day. You can walk faster. Businesses in Exeter spend more time stuck in traffic than businesses in London.

Devon has the narrowest street in the world

Parliament Street in Exeter bears a plaque claiming it to be the narrowest street in the world. At its narrowest it is about 0.64 metres (2 ft 1 in) at its widest it is 1.22 metres (4 ft 0 in). It used to be called Small Lane but was renamed Parliament Street to poke fun at the Government for passing the 1832 Reform Bill, funny eh? The German's claim they have the narrowest street in the world - but that's really just a gap between two houses. Parliament Street runs from High Street to Waterbeer Street. In 1836 the residents of Waterbeer Street paid to have the street widened. The council hasn't done that yet. Maybe after the new pool?

Devon invented the Cornish pasty

I know what you're thinking, the clue's in the name. But just like they don't get cream teas right, our Cornish cousins didn't invent the pasty either. The earliest recorded recipe for the pasty was discovered in 2006 and dates back 500 years. Yup, it's in a Devon book. So, you can go to Europe all you like and get them to say Cornish Pasties have to be made in Cornwall. Doesn't make it so. If you like, we can also prove we invented Cornish Piskies, the Cornish language and the writer and director Joe Cornish.

Devon has the country's oldest bakery

It isn't only pasties we've been making forever, we've also been making bread and biscuits since before America was born. How do we know? Jacka Bakery on the Barbican made biscuits that went onto The Mayflower for the sailing of the Pilgrim Fathers. It is the oldest bakery in the country, even older than those sandwiches you get in South West Train buffet cars. Just think, if Jacka hadn't been there all those years ago we might not have the USA today. You're welcome. We also used to have the oldest hotel in the country, the Royal Clarence in Exeter, but that is temporarily burnt to the ground.

Devon has Europe's oldest cinema

Oldest bakery, oldest hotel, oldest cinema. Wow! We're good. Torbay Picture House was opened on 16 March 1914, and is believed to be the oldest surviving purpose-built cinema in Europe. In its early days it featured a 21-piece orchestra, with each member paid a guinea to perform. There are 375 seats: 271 in the stalls, 104 in the circle, plus three private boxes at the back seating an additional eight. A project is currently under way to bring it back into use. We can't say for sure, but the first film shown was probably the original Police Academy.

Devon has the country's only exclamation mark!

OK, so maybe not the only exclamation mark. The Sun also has quite a few in its headlines.But we do have the only place with an exclamation mark in its name - Westward Ho! The village near Bideford was named after the Charles Kingsley novel, meaning it is also the only place named after a work of fiction, until Thundercats Ho! opens near Plymouth in 2019. Back in the 19th century adding punctuation to your town's name was the height of marketing genius. We're off to add an interrobang to Torbay.

Devon was the last place in the country to execute witches

By the late 1600s the rest of the country had given up executing people as witches. But the last English executions for witchcraft happened in Exeter in 1682 and 1685. Temperance Lloyd, Susannah Edwards and Mary Trembles, of Bideford died in 1682 and Alice Molland died in 1685 in Heavitree. They were accused of causing illness and death by the black arts.

Devon invented the Jack Russell

The Jack Russell Terrier was created by the Reverend John Russell - born in Dartmouth, went to school in Plympton, rector of Black Torrington. He bought a dog which had stumpy legs, huge ears and was great at digging around in filth. Called Trump. Seriously. The white and tan dog was excellent at digging out foxes which had gone to ground. But would have made a useless leader of the Free World. This was the origin of the Jack Russell. Not the Muslim Travel Ban.

Devon has the country's only 16-sided house

If you're ever filling in a request list on Zoopla making it clear what your house must have - three bedrooms, parking, nearby school, must be hexadecagonal you won't be in much luck. The only 16-side house in the country is A La Ronde in east Devon. It was built for two spinster cousins, Jane and Mary Parminter, on their return from a grand tour of Europe in the late 18th century The interior decoration includes a feather frieze, gathered from native game birds and chickens, laboriously stuck down with isinglass and a shell-encrusted gallery, said to contain nearly 25,000 shells. Sounds like it was designed by Laurence Llewelyn Bowen after a head injury - but actually worth a visit.

Devon is home to the UK's oldest humans

No, not those people who constantly walk in front of you down the High Street. A fragment of jaw bone was discovered in Kent's Cavern in Torquay in 1927 and carbon-dating followed by studies in 2011 say it could date from 44,200BC and is Homo Sapiens - making it the oldest modern human remains found in North West Europe. Not all scientists agree with the dating, mostly the ones from Cornwall.

Devon is home to the last castle built in England

Not everything in Devon is really, really old. Castle Drogo dates from 1930 - and is the last castle to have been built in England. In 1910 Julius Drewe bought about 450 acres south and west of the village of Drewsteignton and asked Edwin Lutyens to build him a castle. The First World War and the economic downturn caused many delays. Exeter City Council had nothing to do with this one. The castle's defensive characteristics are purely decorative and it had electricity and lifts from the outset, with power being supplied by two turbines on the river below.
A 20-year-old-man dragged into court the day after he was released from prison to admit taking the virginity of a 15-year-old has been banned from talking to schoolgirls for five years.

Orin Harrison admitted sexual activity with a girl under 16 in April 2015. The 20-year-old, of Kings Tamerton Road, appeared in court as soon as he was released from prison for an earlier similar crime. The court heard how although the sex was consensual, the victim asked Harrison to stop, and added there was a "period of time" that elapsed before he did.

The girl has since suffered mentally, which has led to her self-harming, the court heard. Judge Ian Lawrie told the defendant the age of consent to any form of sexual activity is 16 "for a reason".

"This young man and others like him do not appreciate the harm they cause," he said. "When somebody is that young and unacquainted with sex it can have a ripple effect on their own emotional reaction, causing real emotional harm."

Harrison had originally denied rape and was facing trial  but the Crown Prosecution Service accepted his plea to the lesser charge. Last year, he admitted three charges of sexual activity with a child under 16 in 2013 and 2014. He was 17 and she was 13 or 14 at the time.

He was one of three men who had sex with underage girls in a park and woods in the city. Harrison had arranged the meeting, Plymouth Crown Court heard. The latest crime happened in April 2015 - when he was on bail awaiting sentence for the previous offences,

Harrison received a two-year community order under probation supervision with 225 hours unpaid work and a course to tackle sex offending last August. But he was dragged back to Plymouth Crown Court in January this year for failing to co-operate with probation and sent to a young offender institution for four months.

Harrison served half his time and was released on Tuesday, before receiving sentencing for the latest offence. Prosecuting, Mary McCarthy said: "[The victim] was a virgin and clearly on her evidence was asked by Mr Harrison to have sex with him. It says quite clearly she agreed.

"Intercourse then began and she wanted it to stop. By basis of [Harrison's] plea as soon as [he] realised she wanted to stop [he] did, but her account said in her mind there was a period of time from when she wanted it to stop and him not stopping.

"Perhaps that is the danger one takes when one engages in intercourse at that age and immaturity, when they are not ready for intercourse. That is why the law exists. She was in very great distress as a consequence. [...] She had been asked for sexual activity before she was ready."

Defending, Ali Rafati said when in custody, Harrison never expressed "anything other than appreciation" for the "wrong he has done". He added the prospect of another custodial sentence was "very shocking" to him.

"It brought in him a real sense of realisation of where he has been and what the future holds for him if he carries on," he said. Judge Lawrie sentenced Harrison to a 20-month prison sentence suspended for two years, including a 30-day community order which will see him attending a sex offenders group.

He has also been handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years, meaning he cannot communicate with girls under-16 in that time period. Judge Lawrie said he took into account Harrison's early guilty plea before sentencing.

"It is clear to me your recent trip to custody has imparted valuable lessons on you [...] but believe me you have a lot of maturing to do," he said.

"Try talking to females your own age for goodness sake."

Reported by plymouthherald
BEIJING, March 18 -- Following is the full text of the Report on the Work of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), which was delivered by Chairman Zhang Dejiangof the NPC Standing Committee on March 8, 2017 for deliberation at the Fifth Session of the Twelfth National People's Congress and adopted on March 15, 2017:

REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS

Delivered at the Fifth Session of the Twelfth National People's Congress on March 8, 2017

Zhang Dejiang

Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress

Fellow Deputies,

On behalf of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), I will now present to you the report on the work of the Standing Committee for your deliberation.

Major Initiatives of the Past Year

Over the past year, under the firm leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with Comrade Xi Jinpingat its core, the NPC Standing Committee has comprehensively implemented the guidelines from the 18th National Party Congress and those of the third through sixth plenary sessions of the 18th Party Central Committee; followed the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development; and carefully studied and put into practice the principles from General Secretary Xi Jinping's major addresses and his new vision, thinking, and strategies for the governance of China. We have upheld our commitment to integrating leadership by the Party, the position of the people as masters of the country, and law-based governance, and have exercised the functions and powers granted to us by the Constitution and other laws and worked hard in our role as the country's highest organ of state power, focusing closely on the overall plan for balanced economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological progress, on the coordinated advancement of the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy,(1) and on the implementation of the new development philosophy.

Upholding leadership by the Party is the foundation and lifeblood of both the Party and the country and affects the interests and wellbeing of all the people of China. At its Sixth Plenary Session, the 18th Party Central Committee formally affirmed that General Secretary Xi Jinping is at the core of the Central Committee and of the entire Party, reflecting the will of all members of the Party, all members of the armed forces, and all the people of China. We have built a keen awareness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, uphold the leadership core, and keep in alignment; closely followed the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core in terms of thinking, political stand, and action; upheld the centralized, unified leadership of the Central Committee and resolutely safeguarded its authority; and worked to see that the line, principles, and policies of the Party as well as the decisions and plans of the Party Central Committee are carried out in the NPC's work.

Since the Fourth Session of the 12th NPC, the Standing Committee has enacted 8 laws, revised 27 laws, passed 7 decisions or resolutions on legal issues, issued 1 legal interpretation, and resolved to present the draft of 1 law and 3 draft decisions on legal issues to this session of the NPC for deliberation. Our legislative work has continued to be characterized by the great number, importance, and pace of activities, and we have further improved the quality of the NPC's legislative work.

We inspected compliance with 6 laws; heard and deliberated 20 work reports from the State Council, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate; passed 2 resolutions; and conducted 3 special inquiries and 5 research projects. Through these activities, we have achieved continuous progress in the NPC's oversight work, making it more targeted and effective.

We deliberated and approved 8 reports from the NPC's special committees regarding their examination of deputies' proposals, as well as 7 reports from the Credentials Committee pertaining to its review of certain deputies' qualifications. We ratified 3 treaties and agreements concluded between China and foreign countries as well as China's accession to 4 international conventions, and made decisions on or gave approval to the appointment or removal of a number of officials of state bodies. New advances and achievements have been made in every area of the NPC's work.

1. We worked hard to advance legislation in key areas and improve the quality of legislation.

Effective legislation is a prerequisite and foundation for China's law-based governance. Continuing to make legislation our top priority, we focused on major legislative items important to China's reform, development, and stability, gave great attention to the key task of raising the quality of our legislation, and enacted a number of important laws.

1) Major progress was made in developing the system of national security laws.

National security is the foundation of a stable country. Putting into effect the integrative national security concept and giving central consideration to China's conditions and realities, we maintained our political resolve, acted when the time was right for legislation, and worked faster to develop the system of laws related to national security. Following the enactment of the Counter-Espionage Law in 2014 and the National Security Law and the Anti-Terrorism Law in 2015, last year we deliberated and passed the Law on Administration of Activities of Overseas Nongovernmental Organizations in the Mainland of China, the Cybersecurity Law, and the Law on National Defense Transportation, and deliberated the drafts of an intelligence law and a nuclear safety law.

The Law on Administration of Activities of Overseas Nongovernmental Organizations in the Mainland of China brings the administration of activities of overseas NGOs in the mainland of China into line with the rule of law. It will help to protect their legitimate rights and interests and promote exchange and cooperation, while also helping to strengthen China's law-based oversight and regulation and safeguard China's national security and public interests.

The Cybersecurity Law is a fundamental law in the field of cyber security. The law establishes basic regulatory systems for all areas of cyber security that ensure the effective utilization, sound development, law-based regulation, and improved security of cyberspace and establish the right balance between freedom and order, security and development, and national governance and international cooperation.

The Law on National Defense Transportation is the first piece of legislation pertaining to national defense deliberated and adopted by this Standing Committee. The purpose of this law is to facilitate closer military-civilian integration in the field of transportation and improve the capabilities of national defense transportation to serve in times of peace, respond to emergencies, and meet challenges in times of war, thus better serving the country's overall strategy for national security and development.

2) Steady progress was made in developing the General Provisions of Civil Law.

The development of a civil code was an important legislative task proposed at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 18th Party Central Committee, and is a move of enormous importance for fully advancing China's law-based governance and improving the socialist system of laws with Chinese characteristics. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the NPC worked on developing civil law in 1954, 1962, 1979, and 2001, but for a number of reasons efforts in 1954 and 1962 failed to produce real results. The work in 1979 and 2001, through careful consideration, led to the adoption of an incremental approach, whereby individual civil laws were to be formulated first and the civil code was to be developed later when the conditions were right to do so. To meet the needs of promoting reform and opening up and developing the socialist market economy, China formulated the General Principles of Civil Law, and introduced a series of civil laws such as the Inheritance Law, the Adoption Law, the Guarantee Law, the Contract Law, the Property Law, and the Tort Law. Now the conditions are all in place for compiling a civil code. The Standing Committee has decided to adopt a two-step approach to develop the civil code: first, developing the general part of the civil code, or the General Provisions of Civil Law; and second, following the enactment of the General Provisions of Civil Law, compiling the individual books of the civil code, striving to form a complete civil code by 2020.

The General Provisions of Civil Law lays out the basic principles and general rules of civil law, and is the leading part of the civil code. The Standing Committee has worked with a strong sense of responsibility and mission to do its utmost to formulate the General Provisions of Civil Law, carrying out three readings to deliberate the draft legislation, and making three open requests for public comments through the NPC's website (www.npc.gov.cn). After careful deliberation and repeated revisions, we have decided to submit the draft of the General Provisions of Civil Law to this session for deliberation. We believe that with the concerted efforts of all deputies, we will be able to make this a piece of legislation that stands the test of time and meets the expectations of the people, and that is characteristically Chinese, thus laying a solid foundation for the civil code.

Note: (1) This refers to making comprehensive moves to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, deepen reform, advance the law-based governance of China, and strengthen Party self-governance.

3) Legislation concerning cultural, social, environmental, and other issues was strengthened.

Seeing that China's legislative work in the cultural sector was lagging behind, last year we strengthened the system of laws on culture by deliberating and passing two important laws related to this sector. The Law on Guaranteeing Public Cultural Services clarifies the duties and responsibilities of the government in the provision of public cultural services, and establishes basic principles and mechanisms for guaranteeing provision. The Film Industry Promotion Law regulates the scripting, filming, release, and showing of films and provides greater support and security for the film industry. These two laws will play a significant role in safeguarding the people's basic cultural rights and interests, enriching their intellectual and cultural life, and promoting core socialist values.

Traditional Chinese medicine is a national treasure. The Law on Traditional Chinese Medicine passed after deliberation by the Standing Committee clearly stipulates: traditional Chinese medicine is the general designation for the traditional medicine of the Han and of ethnic minorities of China. The state shall work hard to develop traditional Chinese medicine, follow the principle of attaching equal importance to traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, and put in place a regulatory system suitable to the unique features of traditional Chinese medicine, thereby giving full play to its role in China's health care services.

In keeping with the decisions on reform made by the Party Central Committee related to replacing environmental protection fees with a tax and ensuring law-based taxation, we deliberated and passed the Environmental Protection Tax Law. This is the first tax law deliberated and approved by this Standing Committee; it is of great importance in giving full play to the role of taxation in helping to control and reduce emissions and protect and improve ecosystems and the environment.

We also enacted the Asset Appraisal Law and revised laws including the Law on the Promotion of Privately-Run Schools, the Wildlife Protection Law, the Marine Environment Protection Law, the Law on the Red Cross Society, and the Law on Corporate Income Tax.

4) Legislative mechanisms and methods were refined.

First, we published the guidelines on establishing sound systems under which special committees of the NPCand working bodies of the NPC Standing Committee organize the drafting of important laws. Of all the legislative items deliberated by the Standing Committee this past year, the drafting for 10 items was led by relevant special committees of the NPC and working bodies of the Standing Committee.

Second, we improved the mechanisms for soliciting the opinions of deputies on the drafts of laws and invited them to participate in the research, debate, deliberation, and assessment process so as to ensure their comments and suggestions can be effectively heard and adopted. These efforts have enabled deputies to play a bigger role in the NPC's legislative work.

Third, we formulated the Procedures for Collecting and Discussing Legislative Items, making progress in efforts to better standardize and institutionalize legislative work.

Fourth, we improved the system for staying connected with local communities on legislative matters, and on eight occasions organized activities to solicit comments on seven draft laws from the general public and officials at the community level. This ensured that legislative work was carried out in close connection with the people and was better able to reflect public sentiment.

We held a national symposium on local legislation to guide local legislative work, especially the legislative work of cities with subsidiary districts. Of the 273 cities and autonomous prefectures newly granted local legislative powers by the revised Legislation Law, 269 have, with approval from provincial-level people's congresses, already begun to formulate local regulations.

2. We worked in accordance with the law to issue decisions on a number of major issues.

The work of the NPC is an important part of the work of the Party and the country. We have upheld our commitment to the right political direction and to working with the big picture in mind. When faced with major issues and important matters, we demonstrated the courage to take on responsibility and the ability to fulfill duties, ensuring that the Party's propositions are turned into the will of the state through statutory procedures.

1) We promptly and appropriately dealt with problems related to the case of election bribery in Liaoning Province, working resolutely to uphold the authority and sanctity of the system of people's congresses.

The voting bribery case in Liaoning Province was the first major case of its kind to have occurred at the provincial level since the founding of the People's Republic of China. The perpetrators seriously violated Party discipline, state laws, and the requirements of the intra-Party electoral system and the electoral system of the people's congresses. After the deputies to the Liaoning Provincial People's Congress involved in the case had their qualifications revoked in accordance with relevant laws, those who were members of the Standing Committee of the Liaoning Provincial People's Congress were removed from their positions in accordance with the law. The Standing Committee of the Liaoning Provincial People's Congress, having had over half of its members removed, was unable to convene meetings and carry out its duties. In order to promptly and appropriately resolve this unprecedented and exceptional issue, the NPC Standing Committee acted on the basis of the Constitution and relevant legal principles to make creative institutional arrangements. At the provisionally convened 23rd meeting of the NPC Standing Committee on September 13, 2016, we deliberated and approved the report of the Credentials Committee to revoke, in accordance with the law, the qualifications of 45 NPC deputies elected by the Liaoning Provincial People's Congress for bribing voters. At the meeting, we also deliberated and approved a decision stipulating that the 12th Liaoning Provincial People's Congress shall set up a preparatory committee to exercise certain functions and powers on behalf of its Standing Committee and shall take charge of the preparatory work for the convocation of its Seventh Session.

Our handling of the Liaoning case in accordance with the law and Party discipline fully reflects the Party Central Committee's clear stand and strong resolve for advancing China's law-based governance and ensuring strict Party self-governance. No violation of our socialist democracy or rule of law in any form shall be tolerated.

2) We produced the interpretation of Article 104 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in accordance with the law to firmly oppose any attempt at secession of Hong Kong from our country.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an inseparable part of the People's Republic of China. To attempt "Hong Kong independence" is to attempt secession, a serious violation of the "one country, two systems" principle, the Constitution of China, and the Basic Law of Hong Kong. The NPC Standing Committee, exercising power entrusted to it by the Constitution and the Basic Law, produced the interpretation of Article 104 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong. The interpretation clearly establishes that, as stipulated by Article 104, to "swear to uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and swear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China" is not only the exact phrasing that must be included in the oath prescribed by Article 104, but is also a legal requirement and condition for any person standing for election or taking up any position of public office specified in the Article. The interpretation clarifies the legal procedures that must be adhered to when taking the oath of office and the statutory content that must be included in the oath; it makes clear that anyone who violates this stipulation on oath taking is to be legally disqualified from assuming office and that any person who makes an oath insincerely or breaks their oath will be held legally responsible.

This interpretation fully demonstrates the Chinese central leadership's resolve in upholding the "one country, two systems" principle and its firm stand against any attempt at secession of Hong Kong from the Chinese nation; it embodies the firm will of 1.3 billion Chinese people, including those in the Hong Kong region, to safeguard their country's sovereignty, security, and developmental interests.

3) We issued the decision on carrying out trials for reform of the national supervision system to provide a legal guarantee for this major political structural reform.

As a major policy decision made by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinpingat its core to improve the political structure, deepening reform of the national supervision system has a direct bearing on the big picture and is of immense and far-reaching significance for improving Party conduct, upholding integrity, and combating corruption and for modernizing China's governance system and capacity for governance. In order to build up experience before advancing this major reform throughout the country, the Party Central Committee has decided to launch trials in several localities. In line with the principle that "all major reforms must have a legal basis," the Chairperson's Council of the NPCStanding Committee produced a proposal in accordance with the law, which was carefully deliberated by the Standing Committee and resulted in the decision to carry out trials for reforming the national supervision system in Beijing and in Shanxi and Zhejiang provinces. The decision stipulates that supervisory committees shall be established in pilot areas to exercise supervisory functions and powers; that a supervisory committee shall be created by the people's congress at the same level, and be responsible to and overseen by the same-level people's congress and its standing committee as well as the supervisory committee at the next level up; and that supervisory committees shall supervise the exercise of public power by all government employees in their regions in accordance with the law and within the scope of their supervisory authority. It also stipulates that the applicability of certain stipulations in the Law on Administrative Supervision, the Criminal Procedure Law, the Organic Law of the Local People's Congresses and Local People's Governments, and other relevant laws shall be provisionally adjusted or suspended in order to ensure law-based, orderly advancement of the pilot reform.

3. We provided a legal guarantee for relevant reforms.

In working to bring legislation into line with China's reform, we revised and improved laws related to reform in a timely manner, issued decisions on relevant pilot reforms, and heard and deliberated reports on the progress of pilot reforms. We have thus been able to ensure that reform and rule of law complement and reinforce one another.

1) We revised multiple laws using a coordinated approach, in a continued effort to support the reform of the government review and approval system.

For specific articles from different laws that deal with similar issues or the same matter and need to be revised for the sake of a reform, our approach is to issue a decision for revisions to be made across laws by putting forward multiple drafts at the same time. This is an important method we adopt to promote the relevant reform through legislation. Over the past four years, using this approach, we have deliberated and approved 13 such revision decisions, revising 74 laws and decisions on legal issues. In 2016, we deliberated and adopted the decision to revise six laws at the same time, including the Energy Conservation Law and the Law on the Prevention and Control of Occupational Diseases, as well as the decision to revise 12 laws, including the Foreign Trade Law, the Customs Law, and the Coal Industry Law. We thus made consistent changes to their articles pertaining to government review and approval or verification of professional qualifications and related matters.

2) We issued authorization decisions in accordance with the law to provide legal basis for pilot reforms.

We authorized the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate to pilot a system of sentence bargaining in criminal cases in 18 cities including Beijing. Meanwhile, we reviewed our experiences with the pilot project of accelerated procedures for certain criminal cases that we authorized in 2014 to be carried out in these 18 cities, and incorporated this pilot project into the pilot sentence bargaining system to expand, improve, and continue running it under the new pilot system. We heard and deliberated the mid-term report of the Supreme People's Court on the pilot reform of the system of people's assessors, and that of the Supreme People's Procuratorate on the pilot reform for the filing of public interest litigation by procuratorates. We demanded that guidance and oversight be stepped up and a comprehensive evaluation of the results of these pilot reforms be made so as to accumulate experience for revising and improving relevant laws.

In order to ensure law-based advancement of the pilot reforms concerning a salary system for public servants based on both position and rank, incorporation of the maternity insurance into the basic medical insurance scheme, and the system of military officers, we deliberated and passed three separate decisions on making provisional adjustments to the applicability of certain stipulations in relevant laws, so as to guarantee that these pilot reforms are carried on in line with the rule of law.

3) We reviewed our experiences with pilot reforms and enabled the spread of applicable practices to more regions by revising and improving relevant laws.

We have remained committed to advancing reform on the basis of rule of law and strengthening the rule of law through reform. For reform measures that require preliminary trials, we shall authorize the necessary trials in accordance with the law; for reform measures that have proved to be effective in practice and are ready to be applied to other regions, we shall act in a timely manner to review these measures and revise and improve relevant laws accordingly. In 2013 and 2014 we issued two decisions authorizing the State Council to make provisional adjustments to items requiring government review as prescribed by certain laws in the pilot free trade zones in Shanghai, Guangdong, Tianjin, and Fujian. After considering the motion that the State Council had put forward on the basis of its thorough review of experiences gained from the trials, last year we made a coordinated effort to revise the Law on Foreign-Funded Enterprises and three other laws at the same time. We thus elevated the reform measures tested out in pilot free trade zones into provisions of law, and correspondingly terminated the two authorization decisions.

4. We made issues of public concern the focus of our intensified efforts to inspect compliance with laws and oversee work performance.

We earnestly exercised the oversight powers granted to us by the Constitution and other laws. While continuing to pursue a problem-oriented approach, we intensified our oversight work and adopted new oversight methods, thereby increasing its effectiveness.

1) We made strengthening law compliance inspections a top priority.

The vitality and authority of the law lie in its implementation. In taking the strict implementation of laws as a key task in advancing the law-based governance of China, we continued to strengthen and improve inspections of compliance with laws. Over the past four years, we have carried out a total of 20 inspections. In 2016, we inspected compliance with six laws, namely the Food Safety Law, the Law on Workplace Safety, the Road Traffic Safety Law, the Environmental Protection Law, the Water Law, and the Law on Promoting the Application of Scientific and Technological Advances.

Through practice, we have continuously deepened our understanding of the patterns that underpin the work of inspecting compliance with laws, and have developed a procedure for this work, which consists of the following six steps:

First, the subject of the inspection is determined. Inspections will focus on laws related to issues of pressing importance for economic and social development and of common concern among the people.

Second, inspection is well organized. I, as Chairman, and the vice chairpersons of the Standing Committee lead inspection groups in inspecting law compliance in various localities. We make use of both inspections by the Standing Committee and inspections by local people's congresses entrusted by us, so as to expand the coverage of inspection. We emphasize the importance of visiting the community level to see real conditions there, so as to ensure problems are accurately identified.

Third, a comprehensive report detailing inspection results is produced. The report should contain practical and effective suggestions and serve as an important basis on which problems can be addressed and relevant systems improved.

Fourth, thorough deliberation on the inspection report is carried out. Members of the Standing Committee fully express their opinions and pool their knowledge. If necessary, a special inquiry is organized based on the deliberation, with leading officials from the State Council and its relevant departments in attendance to hear comments and answer questions.

Fifth, impetus is provided to the improvement of actual work. We urge the State Council, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate to carefully examine and handle our inspection and deliberation results and adopt effective measures to resolve pronounced problems, with relevant special committees of the NPCexercising follow-up oversight.

Sixth, the State Council, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate are required to report on their rectification work. We then make arrangements for deliberating their reports in view of actual conditions.

These six steps form a complete process for carrying out oversight on the implementation of laws, enabling our oversight work to become more systematic, targeted, and effective.

2) We helped ensure the people's safety in life and work.

We inspected compliance with three laws in the field of public safety and carried out special inquiries on them. We urged governments at all levels to affirm and practice the principle of putting people first and pursuing safe development, and to work hard to guarantee food, transportation, and workplace safety.

Food is the most basic necessity of the people, and safety must be the top priority in food production. Putting into practice General Secretary Xi Jinping's requirements of applying the strictest possible standards, oversight, punishment, and accountability to ensure food safety, we inspected compliance with the Food Safety Law nationwide, covering every step from farm to table. Special attention was given to key areas such as edible agricultural products and infant formula, to places where groups of people eat together such as kindergartens and schools, to weak links in food safety oversight and supervision, and to prominent problems in the regulation of food vendors, small-scale food production sites, and online food ordering. On the basis of the inspection, we put forward responsible suggestions and comments to help ensure that every bite of food is safe. Giving earnest consideration to our comments and suggestions, the State Council developed the National Plan for the 13th Five-Year Plan Period for Food Safety. Local authorities also acted promptly to strengthen their oversight institutions and capability for ensuring food safety, and adopted strong measures to tackle prominent problems in food production and sale. Food and drug supervisory and regulatory authorities investigated and handled 106,000 violations of laws or regulations. Public security agencies uncovered more than 8,300 food safety offences. A total of 18 provincial-level governments introduced new, or revised existing, local statutes and regulations to better regulate food production and processing by small producers and vendors.

When inspecting compliance with the Law on Workplace Safety, inspection groups entered mines, factory workshops, and construction sites, so as to hear firsthand what the people in the field had to say and stress the importance of never sacrificing safety for the sake of development. Based on what we learned from the inspection, we urged relevant authorities to ensure production and operations entities have fulfilled their primary responsibilities, impose in accordance with the law stringent punishments for violations of workplace safety laws or regulations, and intensify focused efforts to tackle problems in key industries and sectors.

When inspecting compliance with the Road Traffic Safety Law, we targeted prominent issues such as trucks being illegally modified or carrying oversized and overweight loads, electric bikes exceeding stipulated standards, and deficiencies in traffic safety facilities on rural roads. Inspection groups acquired an in-depth understanding of the situation through a variety of methods such as unannounced visits and investigations, field surveys, and questionnaires. We required that supervision and oversight over the enforcement of the law be strengthened and serious measures be taken to stop illegal production, sale, and use of vehicles.

During the special inquiries that followed the law compliance inspections, members of the Standing Committee had face-to-face discussions with leading officials of the State Council and its relevant departments to get to the root of the problems and discuss measures for improvement so as to ensure people's safety in life and work.

3) We gave impetus to ecological and environmental conservation and improvements.

In actively responding to the people's earnest expectation for a good environment, in 2014 we comprehensively revised the Environmental Protection Law; in 2016, we inspected compliance with this law and held a special inquiry following the inspection, and for the first time, heard and deliberated the State Council's report on the state of the environment and the fulfillment of environmental protection targets. We required relevant authorities to ensure full enforcement of environmental protection laws and regulations and put great effort into addressing the environmental problems which are of great concern to the people, such as air, water, and soil pollution, so that the people can really feel improvements in the environment. We urged local governments at all levels to make annual reports on the state of the environment and the fulfillment of their environmental protection targets to people's congresses at the same level and their standing committees in accordance with the law, and to willingly accept oversight by people's congresses and the public.

Lush mountains and lucid waters are as valuable as gold and silver. We inspected compliance with the Water Law, carried out research investigations on the implementation of the Law on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution, and heard and deliberated the State Council's report on the establishment and management of nature reserves. We required that the strictest possible management system for water resources be put into action, the protection of water ecosystems and management of water environments be strengthened, sustainable use of water resources be guaranteed, and efforts to protect and restore natural ecosystems be accelerated, so that we can forever keep our mountains green and our waters clear.

4) We helped to ensure steady and sound economic and social development.

We kept firmly in mind the Party Central Committee's major decisions and plans on economic work, as we worked to strengthen oversight of economic work as well as review and oversight of government budgets and final accounts. We heard and deliberated the State Council's reports on the implementation of the plan for national economic and social development, on the management of state-owned assets and reform of their management system, and on scientific and technological innovation in agriculture and forestry. We inspected the implementation of the Law on Promoting the Application of Scientific and Technological Advances. We emphasized that the government should adapt to, approach in the right way, and steer the new normal in economic development; press ahead with supply-side structural reform; ensure substantive progress in cutting overcapacity, reducing excess inventory, deleveraging, lowering costs, and strengthening areas of weakness; put great effort into pursuing innovation-driven development; work quickly to replace old drivers of growth with new ones; effectively guard against and defuse risks; and ensure a good start to the 13th Five-Year Plan.

We heard and deliberated the State Council's reports on the final accounts of the central government, on budget implementation, and on auditing work, and examined and approved the 2015 central government final accounts and the revision of the 2016 central government budget. We heard and deliberated the State Council's reports on the rectification of problems discovered in auditing and on the progress achieved in deepening reform of the system of transfer payments. We required that the proactive fiscal policy be well implemented, reform of fiscal and tax systems and relevant legislative initiatives be accelerated, the compilation and management of budgets and final accounts be put under standard procedures, the effectiveness and transparency of transfer payments be raised, and management of local government debt be strengthened. To see greater participation of deputies and the public in the work of budget review, we formulated the guidelines on establishing a mechanism for soliciting opinions from deputies and people from all sectors of society before government budgets are reviewed.

We also heard and deliberated the State Council's reports on the progress of the reform and development of higher education and on the enforcement of the Law on Entry and Exit Administration. We conducted research on the development and implementation of supporting rules and regulations for the Law on Regional Ethnic Autonomy.

5) We worked hard to promote the spirit of the Constitution.

We comprehensively implemented the system of pledging allegiance to the Constitution. We organized, in accordance with the law, six ceremonies for 25 officials to publicly pledge allegiance to the Constitution when they took office, demonstrating the sanctity and authority of the Constitution. On the occasion of the third National Constitution Day, and the opening of a history exhibition hall for the 1954 Constitution in Hangzhou, General Secretary Xi Jinpinggave important instructions, stressing that raising public awareness of the Constitution is an important task in advancing the law-based governance of China. The General Office of the NPCStanding Committee, together with relevant departments of the central authorities and the Standing Committee of the Zhejiang Provincial People's Congress, organized a National Constitution Day seminar in Hangzhou to spread knowledge of the Constitution and promote its implementation.

We heard and deliberated the State Council's report on the implementation of the resolution on the sixth five-year initiative to popularize knowledge of the law, and adopted a resolution on launching the seventh five-year initiative to raise public awareness of the rule of law. We required that great effort be made to understand and communicate General Secretary Xi Jinping's major expositions on comprehensively advancing the law-based governance of China, give play to the role of the "critical minority" consisting of leading officials in promoting the practice of respecting, studying, abiding by, and applying the law throughout society and particularly among public servants, and affirm the authority of the Constitution and other laws.

Attaching great importance to ensuring judicial impartiality, we heard and deliberated the report of the Supreme People's Court on enhancing judicial openness and the report of the Supreme People's Procuratorate on strengthening oversight of investigative activities. We helped improve judicial credibility through our efforts to promote deepened reform of the judicial system, increase judicial openness, and standardize judicial behavior.

We formulated the procedures for recording and reviewing normative documents to standardize and institutionalize this work. Over the past year, we reviewed every one of the 30-plus administrative regulations and judicial interpretations submitted by the State Council, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate, handling 92 suggestions on the review work from various departments. We conducted oversight to ensure correction of provisions discovered to be inconsistent with the law, so as to safeguard the unity of the country's legal system.

5. We worked to see that deputies to the NPC fully played their principal role.

We regarded giving full play to the role of deputies as an important measure for boosting the vitality of the NPC's work, and have continued to deepen and expand our work related to deputies.

1) We worked to see better communication between the Standing Committee and deputies and between deputies and the people.

We implemented the guidelines for ensuring members of the Chairperson's Council and members of the Standing Committee maintain close contact with NPC deputies. This has helped us to strengthen our ties with deputies. We made it a regular practice for deputies to observe Standing Committee meetings, participate in law compliance inspections, and join the activities of special committees of the NPC and working committees of the Standing Committee. Over the past four years, we saw a cumulative deputy attendance of over 1,270 at Standing Committee meetings in a nonvoting capacity, as well as an attendance of over 1,200 in law compliance inspections and other activities. We urged the State Council, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate to strengthen their contact with deputies. In 2016, the State Council and its relevant departments invited over 1,700 deputy participants in their research activities and discussions, and the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate involved over 600 deputies in their research projects. We issued the guidelines on improving the system by which deputies to people's congresses maintain contact with the people. For this purpose, we advanced the development of venues and online platforms enabling deputies to develop closer ties with the public, and improved the mechanism for relevant government departments to process and give feedback on the proposals and requests of the public passed on to them by deputies.

2) We improved our efficiency in examining deputies' proposals and ensuring handling of their suggestions.

Relevant special committees completed their examination of all 462 proposals referred to them by the Presidium of the Fourth Session of the 12th NPC. Of these, we have adopted 10 legislative items addressed in 32 of the submitted proposals; are deliberating 7 legislative items addressed in 26 of the proposals; and have included 42 legislative items discussed in 123 of the proposals in our annual legislative plan or five-year legislative program. All 8,609 suggestions, criticisms, and comments submitted by deputies have been handled, and 80.6% of the problems raised therein have been resolved or have been scheduled for gradual resolution.

The State Council, the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and relevant government departments attached great significance to the handling of deputies' suggestions, and the General Office of the Standing Committee and relevant special committees of the NPC worked conscientiously to coordinate and oversee this work. The State Council convened multiple executive meetings to hear reports on the handling of deputies' suggestions, and put forth the requirement that relevant departments make the handling of deputies' suggestions a standard and high-priority annual task, strengthen their communication with deputies, promptly respond to deputies' concerns, and accept deputies' oversight so as to ensure sound decision-making. In short, the comments and suggestions of deputies were seriously considered and adopted by relevant government departments as they developed policies and carried out their work.

3) We helped deputies improve their thinking, work style, and capabilities.

We meticulously formulated and carried out study and training plans for deputies, helping them grasp and put into practice the guidelines of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 18th Party Central Committee and improve their thinking and work style. Last year we organized three study sessions and one seminar on special topics, which were attended by more than 1,000 deputies. We also organized research projects and inspection tours for deputies, which yielded a number of fruitful results and helped to move forward work in relevant fields.

6. We gave full expression to the NPC's role in serving China's overall interests through its international exchanges.

We remained committed to the principle of complying with and working for China's overall development interests and diplomatic work. We carried out overall planning for and greatly advanced the NPC's foreign relations work.

We strengthened and improved the mechanism of regular exchanges with foreign parliaments. The NPC has a mechanism for regular exchanges or carries out political dialogue with the parliaments of 20 countries including Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Brazil, and South Africa, as well as with the European Parliament. Last year, we established mechanisms for cooperation with the parliaments of Kenya and Israel.

Delegations headed by members of the Chairperson's Council visited 19 countries including Zambia, France, Finland, and Vietnam, helping maintain the positive momentum of high-level exchanges with these countries. As Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC, I attended the Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), at which I delivered a speech presenting China's stand on promoting peaceful development of the world and greater democracy in international relations. The attendance of the Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee at the IPU Assembly for the first time in history has helped to greatly increase the international influence of the NPC.

We explored new forms of multilateral parliamentary diplomatic activities, working together with the IPU to hold, in China for the first time, a seminar for members of parliaments of Asian and African countries. We stepped up foreign exchanges and cooperation at various other levels, such as those conducted by NPC special committees, bilateral friendship groups, working bodies of the Standing Committee, and local people's congresses. We continued to arrange for the NPC Tibetan Delegation to proactively conduct foreign exchanges. Over the past year, we received 55 parliamentary or other delegations.

Based on the NPC's unique features and strengths, we put great effort into improving its foreign relations work in both scope and depth.

First, we strived to ensure that the consensus achieved between Chinese and foreign leaders is upheld, and worked to consolidate and enhance mutual political trust and foster mutual respect of each other's core interests and major concerns, thus strengthening the political basis for the development of China's relations with these countries.

Second, we worked to promote mutually beneficial practical cooperation with other countries across various fields. We helped increase the complementarity between the development strategies of China and other countries concerned in the Belt and Road Initiative, and urged the parliaments of these countries to provide legal guarantees and favorable policy environments for bilateral pragmatic cooperation and personnel exchange.

Third, in working to serve China's development strategy and the development of its democracy and rule of law, we strengthened international exchanges on the topic of state governance, learned from other countries' legislative experiences, and stepped up our work of explaining China's major legislative items to the outside world.

Fourth, by telling stories of China well and spreading Chinese visions, experience, and approaches, we have been able to see better understanding and wider recognition of China's development path and foreign and domestic policies in the international community.

Fifth, in responding to false statements and inappropriate actions by certain countries regarding the Taiwan question and issues concerning Tibet and the South China Sea, we resolutely safeguarded China's sovereignty, security, and developmental interests by issuing statements, engaging talks, and taking other actions.

Ratifying treaties and agreements concluded with foreign countries is a legally mandated duty of the NPCStanding Committee. The Paris Agreement has been the most important achievement of the multilateral efforts to address climate change in recent years. We deliberated and ratified this agreement, which demonstrates China's willingness to shoulder its responsibilities as a large developing country and enables China to play an even bigger role in multilateral initiatives on climate change.

7. We intensified self-improvement efforts.

We have continuously given top priority to improving our thinking and theoretical competence, held firm to ideals and convictions, stayed confident in the path, theory, system, and culture of Chinese socialism, and strengthened our sense of responsibility and mission. We threw ourselves into the Party-wide drive to help Party members better meet Party standards by studying the Party Constitution, Party regulations, and General Secretary Xi Jinping's policy addresses, and consciously equipped ourselves with the latest achievements in adapting Marxism to Chinese conditions and used them to guide our practice and advance our work.

We successfully organized Standing Committee seminars and strived to improve our capability for better performing our duties in accordance with the law. We strived to meet the requirements related to ensuring strict Party self-governance in every respect; made solid progress in improving Party conduct, promoting integrity, and fighting corruption; strictly implemented the Party Central Committee's eight-point decision on improving Party and government conduct; and continued to improve our work style. We improved the system for reporting attendance of meetings, and worked hard to raise the quality of deliberation. Administrative bodies of the Standing Committee and special committees willingly accepted the special inspection and oversight by the central discipline inspection team and conscientiously worked to rectify problems identified in the inspection, thus improving themselves and their work in all respects.

We strengthened leadership over the work of special committees and stressed the need for them to fulfill their crucial role. Special committees earnestly carried out their legally mandated duties and did a great deal of productive work, such as taking the lead in organizing the drafting of major legislative items, organizing inspections of compliance with laws, and carrying out in-depth research and studies. The Leading Party Members' Group of the Standing Committee set up branch groups in special committees to strengthen their work in relation to Party building. Fellow Deputies,

The Standing Committee's achievements this past year have been made under the sound leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. They are the result of the careful, diligent, and hard work of all NPC deputies, members of the NPC Standing Committee and special committees, and the staff of the administrative bodies of the Standing Committee and special committees; the close coordination and cooperation of the State Council, the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and local people's congresses at all levels and their standing committees; and the full trust and great support of the entire Chinese people. On behalf of the Standing Committee, I would like to express our highest respect for and sincere gratitude to them all.

In reviewing what we achieved over the past year, we are keenly aware that the work of the Standing Committee still has room for improvement. We still need to make legislation more targeted and effective under the new circumstances, where legislation initiatives are growing in number and the pace of and requirements for legislation are increasing. We need to increase the intensity and improve the methods of our oversight work to address the prominent problems of non-compliance with laws, lax law enforcement, and failure to prosecute violations of the law. We need to see better communication between the Standing Committee and deputies and between deputies and the public, and improve the thinking and work style of deputies and members of the Standing Committee. We must take these problems seriously and strive to improve our work in all respects by listening to comments and suggestions from deputies and all sectors of society with an open mind and willingly accepting their oversight.

Major Tasks for This Year

In 2017, the Communist Party of China will convene its 19th National Congress, the most important political event of the year for the Party and the country and an event of far-reaching significance. 2017 is also an important year for the implementation of China's 13th Five-Year Plan and for the country's advancement toward finishing building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. It is therefore extremely important that the NPC accomplishes all of its work for the year well.

The overall requirements for the work of the NPC Standing Committee this year are as follows:

-- Uphold the firm leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core

-- Implement fully the guidelines from the 18th National Party Congress and those of the third through sixth plenary sessions of the 18th Party Central Committee

-- Take as our guide Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development

-- Fully grasp and put into practice the principles from General Secretary Xi Jinping's major addresses and his new vision, thinking, and strategies for the governance of China

-- Remain committed to the underlying principle of making progress while keeping performance stable

-- Safeguard the authority of the Constitution and other laws

-- Strengthen legislation in key areas, with the focus on raising the quality of legislation

-- Deliver proper and effective oversight

-- Support and ensure deputies' law-based performance of their duties

-- Ensure successful accomplishment of all the work of the current NPC and its Standing Committee

-- Greet the convocation of the 19th National Party Congress with great achievements

This year, we will ensure fulfillment of the following tasks.

1. Produce effective legislation to promote development and help ensure good governance

The law is of great value to the governance of a country, and good laws are a prerequisite for good governance. With a view toward putting in place a socialist rule of law system with Chinese characteristics, the 12th NPCand its Standing Committee have conscientiously exercised state legislative powers, enacting, revising, repealing, and interpreting laws as necessary. By grasping and following the principles of legislative work, we have been able to continuously improve it.

In reviewing the experience gained in recent years, we have realized that to do our legislative work well we must adhere to the following principles:

First, uphold the Party's leadership over legislative work. We must work in line with the objectives and tasks set by the Party Central Committee for China's legislative work. The Leading Party Members' Group of the Standing Committee must promptly request instructions from and submit reports to the Party Central Committee on major issues and matters in legislation.

Second, allow legislation to play its guiding and driving role. We must remain committed to coordinating the advancement of both rule of law and reform and to ensuring rule of law and rule of virtue work in concert with one another. We must instill core socialist values into the development of the rule of law, and develop the rule of law to provide a guarantee for the country's reform, development, and stability.

Third, ensure the NPC plays its dominant role in legislative work. We need to improve legislative systems and mechanisms, strengthen organization and coordination in relation to legislative work, and make this work more timely, systematic, targeted, and effective.

Fourth, legislate more effectively and democratically. In line with the idea of putting the people first in legislation and making legislation for them, we must build up broad consensus on legislation and ensure that legislative bodies properly fulfill their important role of voicing, balancing, and adjusting the interests of different sectors of society.

This coming year, we will better adhere to the above mentioned ways of thinking, principles, and methods, given their proven effectiveness in our legislative work. We will strengthen both legislation in key areas and work regarding the enactment, revision, abolition, and interpretation of laws related to reform. We will raise the quality of legislation and ensure that the objectives and tasks set for legislative work are met and accomplished.

First, we will carry out the decision and plan of the Party Central Committee on deepening reform of the national supervision system. This means that we will revise the Law on Administrative Supervision to turn it into a national supervision law, so as to provide a legal guarantee for our efforts to put in place a centralized, unified, authoritative, and highly-efficient national supervision system.

Second, we will improve the legal system with a view toward building new systems for development. After issuing the General Provisions of Civil Law, we will step up our work on compiling the individual books of a civil code. We will strengthen protection of civil law rights and improve our system of laws and regulations concerning equal protection of property rights. To ensure law-based taxation, we will formulate laws on specific taxes, such as a tobacco leaf tax law and a tonnage tax law. To improve the modern market system, we will work on establishing an e-commerce law and revising several laws, including the Anti-Unfair Competition Law, the Law on Promoting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, the Law on Farmers' Specialized Cooperatives, the Securities Law, and the Standardization Law.

Third, we will strengthen the development of laws and regulations concerning social, cultural, ecological, and other issues. We will formulate a community correction law, a basic medical and health care law, and a law on public libraries, so as to improve the social governance system, push forward the building of a Healthy China, and guarantee the people's cultural rights and interests. To promote ecological progress, we will enact a law for the prevention and control of soil pollution and revise the Law on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution. We will formulate a nuclear safety law, an intelligence law, and a law on international judicial assistance in criminal matters, and revise the Surveying and Mapping Law. We will also revise the Organic Law of the People's Courts and the Organic Law of the People's Procuratorates.

Fourth, we will effectively carry out work concerning the authorization of pilot reforms.

2. Deliver proper and effective oversight

Oversight by the NPC and its Standing Committee over the work of the State Council, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and over the enforcement of the Constitution and other laws, is both an inherent requirement and institutional design of the system of people's congresses and a practice that embodies the constitutional principle that all state power belongs to the people. The 12th NPC Standing Committee has effectively exercised the power of oversight granted to it by the Constitution and other laws and has adhered to the basic principle that oversight must be proper and effective. Throughout this process, we have developed a deeper understanding of the designed functions of oversight by people's congresses as well as the principles governing this work.

To exercise proper oversight, it is vital that we consistently uphold leadership by the Party and coordinate our oversight work nationwide. We must exercise oversight in strict accordance with our legally mandated powers and statutory procedures. We must have both the courage and the competence to carry out oversight and properly manage the relationship between oversight and support, so that we can truly help the State Council carry out administration in accordance with the law and help the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate administer justice impartially. This is a way for us to work together with them and help them strengthen and improve their work.

To deliver effective oversight, it is crucial that we keep to a problem-oriented approach and identify the focal points of our oversight work, while keeping in mind the overall work of the Party and the country. We should improve the way we carry out oversight, conducting follow-up oversight to get to the bottom of problems and see real results. This will allow us to work toward resolution of major and difficult issues of common concern to NPC deputies and the general public, and to ensure that the people gain a greater sense of benefit.

This coming year, we will keep in mind and put into practice the new development philosophy and adhere to the vision of people-centered development. We will strengthen oversight over the implementation of laws and over the work of the State Council, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate, so that we can help ensure steady and sound economic development as well as social harmony and stability.

First, we will intensify oversight of the implementation of laws. We will inspect compliance with the Pharmaceutical Administration Law, the Product Quality Law, the Copyright Law, the Law on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution Caused by Solid Wastes, the Seed Law, and the Cybersecurity Law.

Second, we will strengthen oversight of government budgets and final accounts. We will hear and deliberate the State Council's reports on the central government's final accounts for 2016, on auditing work, on budget implementation, and on the rectification of problems discovered in auditing. We will conduct research on topics such as standardizing non-tax revenue management, and explore ways to put in place a system through which the State Council reports to the NPC Standing Committee on the management of state-owned assets. We will press ahead with the integrated online oversight of budgets.

Third, with a focus on the government's comprehensive initiatives to ensure steady growth, advance reform, make structural adjustments, improve living standards, and guard against risks, we will hear and deliberate reports of the State Council on the implementation of the plan for national economic and social development and on the work to advance supply-side structural reform and accelerate transformation and upgrading of manufacturing. We will hear and deliberate reports of the State Council on poverty reduction progress, on allocation and utilization of government funds for education, on drug administration, and on protection of cultural heritage. We will hear and deliberate the State Council's reports on the state of the environment and the fulfillment of environmental protection targets in 2016, and on its work concerning grassland ecological conservation and environmental protection. We will conduct research on the implementation of the Law on the Protection of Minors, on economic and social development in townships where ethnic minorities live, and on protection of the rights and interests of overseas Chinese.

Fourth, with a view to promoting judicial impartiality, we will hear and deliberate reports of the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate on their work to comprehensively deepen judicial reform.

Fifth, we will make consistent efforts to strengthen oversight over enforcement of the Constitution. We will hold events to mark National Constitution Day and organize in accordance with the law swearing-in ceremonies for pledging allegiance to the Constitution. We will accelerate the building of a nationally unified information platform for recording and reviewing normative documents so as to improve our work in this regard.

3. Ensure well-organized elections of deputies to people's congresses

The election of deputies is the foundation of the system of people's congresses and is of great importance for consolidating the Party's position as the governing party, ensuring the position of the people as masters of the country, and strengthening state power. In line with the Party Central Committee's arrangements and requirements concerning the election of new deputies to people's congresses, we will formulate the necessary legal documents and organize the election of deputies to the 13th NPC, acting in accordance with the Constitution and other laws including the Electoral Law for the National People's Congress and Local People's Congresses. We will provide guidance to electoral bodies to help them organize elections well, study the lessons learned from the voting bribery case in Liaoning Province, and, through a combination of strict preventative measures and disciplinary regulations, ensure that the right direction is maintained in elections and the elections are conducted honestly. We will ensure that elections of deputies to the 13th NPC are properly organized in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. Review of deputies' qualifications will be strengthened in accordance with the law. We will see that the national joint conference on the election of new deputies to people's congresses at the county and township levels fully plays its role, and ensure elections at these two levels are well organized.

4. Strengthen and improve the NPC's deputy-related work

During these past four years, the deputies to the 12th NPC, bearing in mind the great trust the people have placed in them, have performed their duties in accordance with the law and participated in the exercise of state power so as to represent the interests and will of the people. Their efforts have laid a solid foundation for the work of the NPC and its Standing Committee, and they have made great contributions to the development of the cause of the Party and the country. To ensure that the people serve as the masters of the country, we will continue to respect the principal position of deputies, consciously accept oversight from deputies and the public, and see to it that people's congresses and their standing committees always represent the people.

This coming year, we will continue to listen to deputies' comments and suggestions using a variety of channels, urge the State Council, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate to strengthen their communication with deputies, and broaden channels through which deputies can learn about state affairs and the government's work. We will invite deputies to observe meetings of the Standing Committee, and arrange for them to participate in the Standing Committee's law compliance inspections and attend relevant meetings and study and training activities of special committees. We will implement the guidelines on improving the system by which deputies to people's congresses keep in contact with the people, so as to ensure deputies better communicate with the people and respond to each and every one of the people's concerns. We will help deputies improve their political stand, thinking, and work style and ensure they are better able to carry out their duties, and we will strengthen oversight of deputies to see that they carry out their duties and functions in accordance with the law.

5. Ensure success in all other aspects of the NPC's work

We will actively carry out foreign relations work.

In accordance with the Party Central Committee's major policies and overall plan for China's diplomatic work, we will consolidate and deepen mechanism-based exchanges with relevant foreign parliaments, especially those of neighboring countries and countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. We will actively take part in multilateral parliamentary diplomatic activities and make use of both top-level exchanges and friendly exchanges at other levels to enhance political trust and pragmatic cooperation with other countries and deepen friendship with other peoples, thus helping create a favorable external environment for China's development.

We will improve the NPC's information and public communication work and theoretical research.

To maintain the initiative in work concerning the public discourse, we will work to understand, explain, and communicate the new theoretical and practical accomplishments that the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinpingat its core has made in upholding and improving the system of people's congresses and in fully advancing the law-based governance of China, and we will demonstrate clearly the achievements and progress China has made in developing socialist democracy and the rule of law. To maintain the right tone in public communication, we will improve the NPC's press release work and enhance its public communication capacity. We will hold events to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

We will continue to promote the development and improvement of the work of local people's congresses.

We will take steps to strengthen the work and development of people's congresses at the county and township levels, organize study sessions for leading members of the standing committees of county-level people's congresses, and offer better guidance on legislative work to local people's congresses.

In accordance with the Party Central Committee's requirement that the system by which people's congresses discuss and decide major issues be improved and that people's governments at all levels report to people's congresses at the same level before publishing major policy decisions, we will make sure that people's congresses properly perform their tasks in discussing and deciding major issues and better carry out their functions as organs of state power.

We will strengthen self-improvement of the Standing Committee in all respects.

We will improve our thinking and theoretical competence; take a clear stand in emphasizing politics; raise our awareness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, uphold the leadership core, and keep in alignment; and safeguard the authority of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and uphold its centralized, unified leadership. We will deepen our understanding of the guiding principles of the Party's strict self-governance so as to ensure better implementation of them, strictly observe political discipline and rules, and create an honest and upright political environment. We will comprehensively improve the administrative bodies of the Standing Committee and special committees. Utilizing the lessons learned from addressing the problems discovered by the central discipline inspection team during its special inspection of these bodies, we will help these bodies better assist and support deputies and ensure their officials are loyal to the Party, honest, and responsible.

Fellow Deputies,

Today, we are closer than ever in history to realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and we have greater confidence in achieving this goal and greater capability to do so than ever before. Rallying even closer around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, let us stay true to the Party's founding mission and continue to move forward as we work with creativity and tap into our potential to uphold, implement, and develop the system of people's congresses, achieve the Two Centenary Goals,(1) and realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

Note(1) This refers to completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects by the time the Communist Party of China celebrates its centenary in 2021 and turning the People's Republic of China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, and harmonious by the time it celebrates its centenary in 2049.
Chinese ecosystem company, LeEco just launched its new Super4 TVs in India, amid rumours of the company exiting the country. LeEco took the market by storm last year, selling products at never-before-seen prices and unparalleled specs. However, it didnt take long for that adrenaline-fueled spree to end when the companys founder announced that it has been bleeding cash. Reports say LeEco had marketing budgets of around Rs. 80 crore per year, in India.

Speaking at the launch, the companys new India COO, Alex Li, explained what LeEcos future in India will look like. To put rumours to rest, LeEco is not exiting India. Sources say it will operate with a small team in the country, having fired 85 per cent of its staff, recently.

Plans for India

Speaking to a group of journalists, Li explained that LeEco is going to pursue a more sustainable business model going forward. India is now an independent region for the company, separate from APAC, and LeEco will continue to launch products in the country. Li said the new SuperTVs will be followed by phones, estimating a Q2 timeline for them. He said the phones that have just passed the R&D phase are being prepped for sales. The same was confirmed by a source from Le Holdings as well.

Li acknowledged the fact that the Chinese market is slowly saturating. Identifying India as a growing market, Li said the company will look at a more sustainable business model. LeEco has earned a Rs. 1400 crore turnover in 2016, said Li.

Ecosystem and the sustainable business model

While Li didnt give out many details about the new business model, he did confirm that the companys ecosystem push will continue, albeit in a new avataar. LeEco calls this an open ecosystem model where instead of focusing on developing its own content, the company will look at more third party tie-ups, and focus on operations only. Upon entry into India last year, LeEco had said it would look at developing original content for the country as well. This is no longer part of its plan.

Accepting that there were challenges in the past, Li said that its tie-up with Eros Now will continue. Eros Now was the primary content provider for LeEcos LeVidi app, was part of its ecosystem subscription and has been down since December, 2016. He said content from Eros Now will be back soon. Li is meeting executives from Eros Now on Monday, to work out the details. He did not provide a timeline on when exactly the services will return.

Further, LeEco has shortlisted over 50 third party content developers, with whom it plans to form partnerships. Li said hes meeting three of these possible partners, in Mumbai tomorrow. He assured consumers that promises made on the ecosystem subscriptions will be delivered to them.

That said, you may not see the LeVidi and LeLive apps on LeEcos phones in future. While Li didnt explicitly say these apps will be removed, as part of the open ecosystem model, LeEco is exploring pre-load options, where apps from its partners will be pre-loaded onto its devices, presumably with subscription services being bundled. Li said the company would explore a revenue sharing type model, where partners can earn directly from subscriptions.

LeMall

LeEcos e-commerce website, LeMall.com is also part of its new open ecosystem initiative. Li said the website is an integral part of its strategy and has its own R&D and other teams. LeEco will focus on boosting revenues from Le Mall this year, by selling more products on it. Li confirmed that while its TVs and phones are sold on it anyway, a wide range of accessories will be added. LeMall will also be a vehicle for service packs and content sales for LeEco this year.

LeMall may also have products from other vendors, although Li said it would majorly be for LeEcos own products, and those from its partners.

Will product prices increase?

Well, possibly. While LeEcos new televisions are competitively priced, on being asked whether the company will continue selling products at below BOM (Bill of Materials) cost, Li refused to comment.

Targets, profitability and more products

Despite a turnover of Rs. 1400 crore, LeEcos business in India is not yet profitable. Li said while it will take time to make profits, 2017 should be all it takes for LeEco to start doing so. Li plans to launch new products every quarter (but noted that final results may differ), and will target mid to premium range buyers.

LeEco aims to gain double-digit market shares in the Smart TVs market in India by the end of FY2017-18. The company says approximately 11.2 million televisions are sold in India every year, one million of which are smart TVs. Li said the TV market in India has a growth rate of 45% year-on-year. He also said LeEcos TVs have been selling at a faster rate than phones, although the company hasnt sold the same number of TVs as phones. Given that its TVs have been selling in India for a shorter time, Li said he expects them to catch up soon.

Sales channels and exclusive stores

Lastly, Li confirmed that there will be no exclusive stores from LeEco in 2017. While the company does want to explore offline channels, Li said it would work with experienced offline retailers only. Plans for its own exclusive retail stores have been put on the backburner right now.

About online channels, Li said LeEco is very open to working with its partners, including Amazon.

What happened to the LeSee electric car?

Nope, not happening in 2017.
India and Russia on Friday signed two long-term support agreements, including one for the Sukhoi Su-30MKI combat aircraft fleet, which is the mainstay of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The agreements signed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and United Aircraft Corporation and United Engine Corporation of Russia also provides for life-cycle support of Russian-origin Mi-17 helicopters and MiG-29K aircraft. The two countries also signed agreements for maintenance and life-cycle support for other Russian-origin platforms such as Naval aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and the Army's T-90 tanks. The pacts, signed on the sidelines of the India-Russia Military Industrial Conference in New Delhi on Friday, provide for an upgraded schedule for delivery of spares from Russia for the Sukhoi jets, local manufacturing of parts and a proposed logistics hub for the fighter jets in Bengaluru by HAL. ''With regard to maintenance and life-cycle support, it is our endeavour that most of the components and spare parts required for maintaining the platforms, which have been procured from Russian companies, are manufactured by Indian companies through technology transfer or through joint ventures with Russian companies, so that the serviceability of the platforms is improved and we do not lose critical time in repairing and maintaining equipment,'' defence minister Arun Jaitley said. He called upon Russian companies to come forward for technology transfer to Indian companies and facilitate manufacturing of components / parts and sub-systems at least for those cases where the requirement is in large numbers and is recurring in nature. The minister was of the opinion that there is tremendous potential for collaboration between Indian and Russian companies for export, so as to become part of the global supply chain. The Su-30MKI was designed and developed by Russia's Irkut Corporation, specifically for India. The licensed production of the aircraft takes place at HAL's facility in Nashik, Maharashtra. ''We must take advantage of this opportunity to finalise some of the agreements or tie-ups for long-term supply agreements and manufacturing of spare parts / components in India. It is a unique opportunity where both Indian and Russian industries are present on a single forum in such a large number,'' said Jaitley. Minister for industry and trade of the Russian Federation, Denis Montoro, who jointly inaugurated the conference, also addressed the gathering. About 150 representatives from Russia, which includes over 100 representatives from its defence industry, are participating in the conference. Major Russian companies include United Aircraft Corporation, United Engine Corporation, RAC MiG, Russian Helicopters and Ural Vagonzavod. From the Indian side over 100 private companies including several SMEs are participating. Organised by the Department of Defence Production in the ministry of defence, the conference assumes significance in the backdrop of the 'Make in India' initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Apart from deliberations on various policy issues, break-out sessions on aerospace, naval systems and land systems are also planned. The conference will provide an opportunity to Indian industry to explore possibilities of manufacturing of parts / components of Russian equipment in India through partnerships with Russian companies.










The Donegal Democrat has been informed of the following deaths:

- Liam Duddy, Carrigans

- Sadie McLaughlin (John Joe), Moville

- Edith Little (nee Porter), Downings

- Garrett (Gary) Brennan, Artane, Dublin / Donegal

- Cathie Cunningham, Carrick

- Michael Doherty, Buncrana/Galway City

- Jamsie O'Connor, Dungloe

Liam Duddy, Lusticle, Carrigans

The death has taken place of Liam Duddy, Lusticle, Carrigans.

Reposing at the residence of his parents, Robbie and Monica, from 6pm this evening, Saturday. Funeral from there at 1.30pm on Monday for 2pm Requiem Mass at St. Baithins Church, St. Johnston, with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu, if desired, to Donegal Hospice and Irish Cancer Society. Family time please from 11pm to 11am and the morning of the funeral.

Sadie McLaughlin (John Joe), St. Finians Park, Moville

The death has taken place of Sadie McLaughlin (John Joe), St. Finians Park, Moville.

Funeral from her home at 10.30am, Monday, March 20th, for 11am Requiem Mass in St. Pius X Church, Moville, followed by burial afterwards in Ballybrack Cemetery.

Edith Little (nee Porter), Downings

The death has taken place at Letterkenny University Hospital of Edith Little (nee Porter), Rosapenna, Downings.

Reposing at her late residence. Funeral from there at 11am on Monday, March 20th, going to Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan, for cremation at 3pm.

Family time from 10pm to 11am. Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, for Bone Marrow for Leukaemia Trust.

Michael Doherty, Buncrana/Galway City

The death has taken place in Letterkenny University Hospital of Michael Doherty, 2 Roundknowe, Buncrana/Galway City.

Reposing at McLaughlins Funeral Home, Buncrana, from 12 noon to 2pm today, Saturday, March 18th. Removal from there on Sunday, going to 72 Inishannagh Park, Newcastle, Galway, to repose overnight. Funeral there at 11.30am on Monday, going to Sacred Heart Church, Galway, for 12 noon Requiem Mass, with interment afterwards in Rahoon Cemetery.

House private after 7.30pm on Sunday and on the morning of the funeral.

Cathie Cunningham, Carrick

The death has taken place in Donegal Hospice of Cathie Cunningham, Glen Road, Carrick.

Her remains will leave Shovlins Funeral Home, Ardara, this evening, Saturday, at 4.30pm to arrive at her late residence in Carrick at 5.30pm.

Funeral Mass at 11am on Monday in St. Columbas Church, Carrick, with burial immediately afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

Family time from 11pm to 10am. Family flowers only please, donations if desired to Donegal Hospice.

Garrett (Gary) Brennan, Artane, Dublin / Donegal

The death has taken place of Garrett (Gary) Brennan, Artane, Dublin/Donegal, peacefully, at St. Francis Hospice, Raheny.

Reposing at Jennings Funeral Home, Oscar Traynor Road, Coolock on Sunday with family in attendance from 2pm to 4pm. Removal on Monday for funeral service at 2pm in Dardistown Crematorium Chapel. A Mass will be held in County Donegal at a later date.

Family flowers only. Donations, if desired to St. Francis Hospice, Raheny.

Jamsie O'Connor, Dungloe and Edinburgh

The death has taken place in Edinburgh of Jamsie O'Connor formerly from Craughyboyle, Dungloe.

Reposing at McGlynns Funeral Home, Dungloe from 12 noon today, Saturday, 18th March, with removal at 2pm to his brother-in-law Leo Bonners residence at Meenbanid.

Removal on Sunday at 9.30am to St. Marys Church, Kincasslagh for Mass at 10am with burial afterwards in Belcruit Cemetery.

* If you wish to have a death notice included, please e-mail: editorial@donegaldemocrat.com and include a contact telephone number for verification.
In a week where Irish eyes were smiling, 19 of the 28 races at the Cheltenham festival were won by by Irish trained horses, the biggest cheer of the week though must go to Jessica Harrington's Sizing John in a thrilling Gold Cup on St Patrick's Day. Read on for all the reaction to the win.

Harrington on cloud nine after Gold cup win

Sizing John gave Jessica Harrington her first victory in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup with her first runner when coming home a clear-cut winner of jumping's blue riband prize.

Given a patient ride by Robbie Power, the seven-year-old completed the English-Irish Gold Cup double in style to dispel any stamina doubts.

Djakadam travelled well for most of the race and looked as though he might end Willie Mullins' hoodoo in the showpiece event, but Sizing John (7-1) pounced to lead between the final two fences.

So often in the shadow of Douvan over two miles, Sizing John kept on strongly up the hill to score by two and three-quarter lengths from the staying-on Minella Rocco (18-1).

Native River (7-2) was a short head away in third and Djakadam - twice the runner-up - was fourth.

Owner Alan Potts said: 'It's unreal, it's my dream and it's come true.

'It's our first runner in the race, the jockey's first ride and Jessie's first runner.'

Harrington said: 'I can't believe it, it was amazing how he jumped and travelled.

'Robert said he wasn't going to go down the inside, but he did.

'It's absolutely fantastic, my first runner in a Gold Cup.

'He was running over two miles, but it was Robert who said he would stay and he did.

'Thanks to everyone at home, it's all down to the team.

'I can't believe it, I've got to get a Classic now (on the Flat)!'

Power, who won the Grand National on the Gordon Elliott-trained Silver Birch in 2007, said: 'Unbelievable, Jessica Harrington is a genius.

'I always said when this horse stepped up in trip he'd win.

'It's 10 years ago I won the National, I'm 35 now and appreciate it a bit more.

'Everyone has done a top-class job, it means more than any winner I've ridden for Jessica.'

Power went on: 'I had a lot of confidence in this horse, ever since the first day I rode him behind Douvan.

'We upped him to two and a half and then up to three - I was fully confident he'd always stay.

'I ended up jumping to the front at the second-last and I didn't want to do that until the last, but I was confident he'd stay up the hill.

'The plan was to be in the middle of the fence and keep out of trouble, but it was crowded on the outside so I took a chance and went down the inner and it worked perfectly. When you're on the best horse you can go anywhere.

'When he won at Thurles he didn't win until stamina kicked in and that convinced me he'd stay. It's thanks to Alan and Ann for letting us up him in trip and we said we'd come here after winning the Irish Gold Cup.'

Cue Card fell at the third-last for the second successive year, while Lizzie Kelly only got as far as the second fence where she and Tea For Two parted company.

Elliott leading trainer at Festival

Champagne Classic gave Gordon Elliott his sixth winner of the Cheltenham Festival when taking the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle under JJ Slevin.

Lizzie Kelly tried to make all on Coo Star Sivola, but the pack closed in two out, with Champagne Classic well positioned.

The 12-1 shot, owned by Gigginstown House Stud, was in the lead at the last and went on to score by two and a quarter lengths from Verni, with Runfordave, a stablemate of the winner, a length and a quarter back in third.

Coo Star Sivola stuck on for fourth.

Winning owner Michael O'Leary said: 'I think that was miraculous as he's probably the worst horse we own, but it will mean more to Gordon as this is a race he's always wanted to win because he's very close to Martin.

'When you buy in numbers there are some duds and he's one of them! The jockey gave him a great ride.

'We should be very grateful and very humble, it's great for Gordon and young JJ Slevin, he's ridden a couple of winners for us.'

Slevin said: 'Michael might not think he's much use, but he's good enough for me.

'I was lucky the ride came up and I put a call in and got it, but then I got offered another ride and Gordon wouldn't let me off him.

'He travelled everywhere, jumped every hurdle and was a winner all the way really.

'Gordon's had an unbelievable week and it's a privilege to ride for him.'

Elliott, who secured the title of top trainer at the Festival for the first time with the win, said: 'It's been an amazing week. To beat Willie, with the strength he has - and he's an amazing trainer - is brilliant.

'It's a credit to the staff and the owners, I'm part of a team so we'll enjoy it.

'Coming over I was hoping for one and we won the first race with Labaik so everything else has been a bonus.

'It's unbelievable, we had three winners Tuesday and had a bit of a drink, too much so we haven't touched a drop since. When we get home next week we'll have a staff party.

'Apple's Jade winning was sweet, Cause Of Causes was special but winning the Martin Pipe race is great.'

Charlie Deutsch was taken to hospital for further checks on an arm injury sustained in a fall from the Nicky Henderson-trained Rather Be.

He missed his intended ride aboard Callipto in the closing Grand Annual and Cheltenham spokeswoman Sophia Dale confirmed Deutsch was seeking further medical treatment.

She said: 'Charlie has gone to Cheltenham General Hospital with an arm injury.'

McCoy honoured with statue at Cheltenham

Sir Anthony McCoy was left 'very honoured and flattered' as a statue was put up in his honour at Cheltenham.

The bronze figure of the retired 20-times champion jockey, which was crafted by Dublin-based sculptor Paul Ferrier, was unveiled in front of racegoers in the Best Mate Plaza before racing on Tuesday.

During his long and successful career McCoy, 42, who is now part of the ITV Racing team, partnered 31 winners at the Festival, which included two victories in the Gold Cup and three Champion Hurdle successes.

His final victory came at his last appearance at the meeting in 2015, when steering the Alan King-trained Uxizandre to glory in the Ryanair Chase.

McCoy said: 'I can only say a huge thank you to Cheltenham. It was 20 years to this week when I won the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup and I had my first ride here in 1994. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have a statue put up in my honour.

'A lot of my friends say the statue has more personality than I have. I'm very honoured. I can say a huge thanks to Paul Ferrier who did this as he has made it just like me.

'I feel very honoured and flattered by it.'

Among those gathered at the unveiling was McCoy's former boss and leading owner JP McManus, who provided him with a number of his big-race Festival victories including Synchronised in 2012 Gold Cup.

He said: 'It's a lovely tribute. I'm very proud of it and delighted he is honoured in this way. It's very special. I can't think of anybody that deserves it more.

'It's unbelievable that Cheltenham have honoured him this way and I feel very proud for him and his family. We miss him, but thankfully he retired on his own terms.

'They (winners) were all special, but I think to win the Gold Cup was very special. I've only won one of them, but it is pride of place in my house.'

McManus made his own history this week when he had his fiftieth Cheltenham winner. Buveur D'Air took the Champion Hurdle in the famous green and gold hoops with stablemate My Tent Or Yours giving the Limerick owner a one-two in the race.
The Fanad community gathered on Friday to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the iconic Fanad Lighthouse.

At 7pm, people standing by the entrance to the lighthouse grounds counted down from 10, as Gaeilge, as the lighthouse was lit, recalling the first time it was lit on March 17th, 1817.

People then moved indoors for a community celebration, with cake, refreshments and music.

The lighthouse, now a discovery point along the Wild Atlantic Way tourism route, is enjoying a revival of interest in recent years.

Last spring, tours of the lighthouse were introduced and accommodation opened in the two original lightkeepers cottages and another lodging that had been used for people who worked for Irish Lights. The tours are offered on weekends this time of year and will be offered on a daily basis from closer to Easter. The accommodation is available year-round.

The lighthouse project has been developed through a partnership involving the Commissioners of Irish Lights; Coiste Forbairt Fhanada, the local Fanad Lighthouse committee; Donegal County Council; and Failte Ireland. EU funding was secured to develop the accommodation as part of the Great Lighthouses of Ireland trail.

In his remarks on Friday evening, John Friel, coiste chairperson, said, This light has been shining for 200 years over the sea and land, and now its shining its light again on new opportunities for Fanad and for the people of Fanad, all due to the team thats working here every day.

John said the project has surpassed all our expectations over the past 11 months. Speaking later he said they thought initially they might get 9,000 or 10,000 people a year.

We doubled that in the first year, he said.

Local councillor, Liam Blaney, said the project, has taken off big time, and long may it continue. Theres a great committee down here and theyre doing very good work.

The lighthouse was also lit up in green last night for St. Patricks Day. Plans for the coming year include a new visitors centre and car park.

See Mondays Donegal Democrat and Donegal Peoples Press for more.
Zita Vaughn changed how Dothan sees and cares for its residents with intellectual disabilities.

Vaughn, 93, died Wednesday. She was one of the prime movers behind establishing Vaughn-Blumberg Services, a local non-profit providing a variety of services for local residents with intellectual disabilities.

Ed Dorsey, director of Vaughn-Blumberg Services, said Vaughn was instrumental in gathering community support for the center, which opened in 1980. Doyle said Vaughn remained active and involved in the center well into the 2000s.

She and a couple of other people got together, saw the need and acted, he said. Through her efforts, we have a center that meets the needs of so many people.

Dorsey said one of the things that made the center unique was its focus on the abilities of the people it serves, rather than their disabilities. The center offers work opportunities for many of the men and women who receive services there.

Her contributions have helped the community see the abilities of the people we serve, he said.

According to the centers website, it serves about 200 adults in Houston County and also provides services to more than 20 children. Services include adult case management, day programs, transportation, food services, supported employment and more.
Baku, Azerbaijan, March 18

Trend:

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to Hungarian President Janos Ader.

I extend my most sincere congratulations to you on your re-election as President of Hungary, said President Aliyev in his letter.

It is my hope that we will continue making joint efforts to ensure dynamic and comprehensive development of the traditionally friendly ties and cooperation and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Hungary, noted the president.

I wish you robust health, happiness, and success in your activities for the prosperity of the friendly people of Hungary, added the Azerbaijani president.
The Nokia brand name is back with vengeance. The company who started the cellular phone craze way back Year 2000 is back with not just one, but three variants of Nokia smartphones after it has resurfaced from its previous years' downfall. The Finnish-based company have their phone ready with various specifications and features that makes it different from the others.

According to Forbes, the Europe's former handset powerhouse is ready for competition with the smartphone giants like Apple and Samsung, alongside with the other devices. Nokia has promised powerful handsets on their come-back appearance during the held Mobile World Congress 2017 last month. However, the Finland's competitive strategy does not come with the killer high-end smartphone technology. Their pragmatic approach is to have a secret weapon to leverage and that is the Nokia feature phone business. The company believed that not all consumers wanted a fancy thousand dollar smartphone, but a hundred dollar value-for-money smartphone that can do the job, with the brand name they can trust, as per reports.

The PC Advisor reported Nokia aims to become one of the main smartphone players in the global market. During the MWC 2017 event, Nokia together with its partner HMD Global officially announced the three new Android phones. The Finnish company are positive that the Nokia users who loved the phone's simplicity and consistency will once again be a fan. With its affordable price tag, it is expected to become a popular choice for smartphone enthusiasts.

Reports made by the NDTV Gadgets conveyed that the latest Nokia smartphones will be officially launched in stores in the 2nd Quarter of 2017. The three variants will be officially launched in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific in Q2 2017. However, during Q1 of 2017, the Nokia 6 device is said to be already available in China. The three variants run with Nougat android processors. The Nokia 3 phone runs with Android 7.0 Nougat, while Nokia 5 runs with Android 7.1.1 Nougat processor. In addition to this, reports said that the Nokia 3 will have a 5-inch, while Nokia 5 will feature 5.2-inch HD, in terms of display. Meanwhile, the Nokia 6 will showcase a 5.5-inch full-HD display
Taiwan Mobile recently launched the 32GB variant of Apple's iPhone 6 last week; the iPhone 6 2017 variant. This new iPhone 6 2017 was released by the carrier in a Gold model. Recent reports have been gathered contradict to early reports, the 32GB iPhone 6 isn't only available for the Asian country. As a matter of fact, the iPhone 2017 will cross Asian borders and will head to Europe in the coming days.

As report claimed by GSM Arena, the special edition 32GB iPhone 6 is now heading to Europe, first stop is the country of Belarus. Although, unlike the Gold model that reached Taiwan Mobile, the 32GB iPhone 6 will have only a Space Gray color that will be available in Belarus. In the country Belarus, the 32GB iPhone 6 will hit iStore in Minsk and will carry a price tag at $520.

As noted by smartphone enthusiast, 32GB iPhone 6 2017 is expected to gather a lot amount of attention due to its very affordable price compared to the current iPhone 6S and the refurbished 16GB iPhone 6 in Belarus. In Belarus, the current iPhone 6S is available at $800 and the refurbished 16GB iPhone 6 is currently wearing a price tag of $630.

Since iPhone 6 was initially released, the variants were only available in 16GB, 64GB, and 128GB versions. There's no exact reason why the 32GB iPhone 6 variant has been released for the market as late as three years after. Apple's iPhone 6 2017 was said to be updated to compete in this year's mobile phone eras; instead of carrying the original iOS 8 operating system unit, iPhone 6 2017 will be featured with the iOS 10 pre-installed.

As noted by Phone Arena, after the 32GB iPhone 6 2017 will hit some countries in Europe, it will be available in United Stated. However, it's hard to tell when especially Apple's 2017 iPhones will hit stores sooner. Apple is now expected to release three new iPhones this year that includes the speculated iPhone 8.
The death occurred peacefully on February 8 last of Mary Kieran in Saint Cecelias Ward, St. Oliver Plunkett Hospital.

Mary lived all of her life in North Louth except for the last ten years when she required full-time residential care. She was born and reared in Ballinamara, Riverstown and moved to Proleek, Ravensdale to reside when she married. She and husband Leo would have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary next August.

Marys life was one dedicated to home and family, having from a young age engaged in domestic service, and never was one for travelling far from her local surroundings, and always stayed within the country.

She was one of a large family of John and Maryann McShane, comprising brothers, John, Tom, Mickey, Jamsie, Gerry, Hugh, Pat and sisters, Roseanne, Brigid, Liley and Lilian. Liley who resides in England is the sole surviving sibling.

Mary attended the old Rathcor National School which had none of the normal modern conveniences, notably running water or electricity.

On leaving school, she helped out in the houses of neighbours and picked potatoes. Her first job was doing housework in Martins pub in the locality, where she also helped out in the bar when it was busy.

She went to work in Dungannon and then moved closer to home to Newry, where she worked in the home of a doctor.

She changed employment with her next job in a convalescing home in Stillorgan in Dublin before taking up a domestic position with the then Louth County Manager, Lionel MacKell in Dundalk.

From there she went to work with the family of Pat OHagan at Ballymascanlon where she remained for 20 years and was treated like one of the family.

She learned new baking skills from Mrs OHagan at which she became very proficient and very versatile. She was noted for her brown bread, and could produce the tastiest buns, apple tarts and dumplings, and was a dab hand at baking Christmas cakes. She would bake a batch of 20 to 30 at a time and her skill was also called upon to bake wedding cakes.

She was always baking and her door was constantly open to friends and neighbours, and she liked to see them for a chat. She also found time to take care of the family animals, with her husband a part-time farmer, and worked at various jobs over the years.

The couple met in the old Forresters hall in Ravensdale in 1962, and married five years later, with the ceremony in Grange Church conducted by Father John McGrane. The couple went to live with Leos parents. Mary was a Cooley woman at heart, and retained her ties with her homeland and followed Cooley Kickhams. But when son Martin became a player with Saint Patricks she turned into a supporter of the club.

She loved watching horse racing on the television and would engage in the odd flutter on big races like the Grand National. She enjoyed bingo, attending sessions in the parish and also at venues in Dundalk.

She also enjoyed playing cards, with 25 and whist her favourite games. Very attached to home, going to visit her daughter in Wexford or meeting up with her in Dublin was as far as she would venture.

She was a devout Catholic, and a lifelong pioneer. She recited daily the Rosary in the morning and her routine then was to read the daily newspaper. She attended weekly Mass on a Saturday evening, and was devoted to Saint Gerard and Saint Martin, attending the annual novenas in the Redemptorist and Friary Churches. She also had a devotion to Saint Brigid, being a regular visitor to the shrine in Faughart.

For the past ten years she was in the tender and dedicated care of the staff in St. Cecelia's Ward, Saint Oliver Plunkett Hospital where she reposed on the Thursday and then at home on the Friday. She was then removed to St. Mary's Church, Ravensdale on the Saturday.

Father Oliver Stanfield celebrated Requiem Mass and gave the eulogy. Burial followed in Calvary cemetery. Mary is sadly missed by husband, Leo, son Martin, daughter, Lynda,Wexford, daughter-in-law, Elaine, son-in-law, Paddy, grandchildren Lisa, Leanne, Eimear, Aisling and Dillon, sister Liley, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends

Mary's Months Mind Mass on Sunday, March 12th, in St. Mary's Church, Ravensdale at 11.30am.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 17

Trend:

Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are partners and the two countries economic systems complement each other, Rashad Mammadov, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan, said in an interview with Trend.

"Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan didnt become rivals despite the fact that they both are oil producing countries and the main source of their income, the main driver of their economies is the development, production, transportation and sale of energy resources and hydrocarbons," the diplomat said.

"Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are not only good neighbors, but also long-term partners. We are opening up new good opportunities for each other," Mammadov said.

He added that today Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan cooperate both in bilateral format and within international organizations.

"We support each others initiatives. An intergovernmental commission for economic issues operates between our countries, and this commission meets annually and reviews all the arising issues," he said.

"Effective work is underway for more fruitful cooperation," the diplomat noted. "We can say for sure that we dont have any unsolvable problems. We easily solve all the issues that arise in the course of cooperation."

Speaking about the economic cooperation between the two countries, the diplomat noted that Kazakhstan is a market for Azerbaijani investors.

"Geographically, we are very close. The Caspian Sea connects us; daily ferry services, daily agricultural trips to Kazakhstan create good logistics both for cargo transportation and visits of tourists and businessmen," said Mammadov.

"Our businessmen are represented in various spheres of the Kazakh economy. First of all, we export to Kazakhstan oil engineering products that are traditionally developed in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is a good market for these products," noted the ambassador. "The western regions of Kazakhstan are unfit for the development of agriculture due to climatic conditions; there is a serious shortage of water, some cities use desalinators, and therefore, these regions are attractive as a market for agricultural products."

Mammadov also noted that an Azerbaijani trade mission is to visit Kazakhstan in April in order to give momentum to economic relations.

A trade mission of more than 20 Azerbaijani companies, which want to export their products to Kazakhstan, will be in Almaty on Apr. 24 and in Astana on Apr. 25.

"This doesnt mean that there are only 20 companies," said the diplomat, adding that among them there are holdings, which include various plants and factories.

"Therefore, we can say that representatives of 80-90 plants will visit Kazakhstan," added Mammadov.

"Our task is to ensure the participation of potential partners from the Kazakh side in these events in order to achieve mutually beneficial cooperation," said the Azerbaijani ambassador.
Details added (first version posted on 10:57)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 18



Trend:

The nationwide festivities on the occasion of Novruz, the Azerbaijani national holiday, took place in Baku on Mar. 18.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, his spouse, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva joined the festivities.

The president and his spouse first arrived at the square in front of the Maiden's Tower in Baku.

Children in national costumes performed dances on the square. Art masters sang songs glorifying the spring and Azerbaijan.

"Bahar giz" (spring girl), one of characters of Novruz, presented the samani (wheat shoots, a symbol of hope for an abundant harvest) to President Ilham Aliyev.

Warriors carrying swords and shields reminiscent of Azerbaijan's ancient history stood on the fortress walls of the Old City and in the square.

Dede Gorgud, another character of Novruz, gave his blessing and wishing the Novruz holiday to bring abundance to the Azerbaijani people.

President Ilham Aliyev lit the Novruz bonfire, and then delivered a speech. Afterwards, the president and his spouse visited the National Seaside Park.

The president and his spouse were met there by the key characters of Novruz - Kosa and Kechal, who congratulated the president and his spouse on the occasion of Novruz holiday.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva watched the festive concert.

As part of the festivities, the president and his spouse got acquainted with the Novruz fair.
By Zak Smith

There are only about 30 vaquita porpoises left in the world. The smallest and most endangered cetacean species on the planet faces extinction in three years if the people with the power to save it dont take immediate action. Instead of shrugging their shoulders and casting blame elsewhere, the Mexican government, Mexican shrimp fisheries and U.S. shrimp importers must be bold or Mexico will lose this national treasure. But theyre not committed to taking the steps necessary to save the vaquita, so we have to motivate them. Boycotting Mexican shrimp is the answer.

The vaquitas steep decline is solely attributable to the use of gillnets in their habitat, a 2,000km area in the northwest corner of the Upper Gulf of Californiaan area roughly equal in size to Orange County, California. Vaquita get tangled and drown in gillnets used to catch shrimp, totoaba and other fish. Between 1990 and 2010, shrimp fisheries use of gillnets drove the population down by more than 70 percent from more than 700 to about 200. After 2010, the use of gillnets in an illegal fishery for a croaker fish called the totoaba (also endangered and also found in the Upper Gulf of California) increased the vaquitas rate of decline as fishermen flooded the area with gillnets to supply Asian demand for totoaba swim bladders.

https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/status/842528428729536512 expand=1]

The response from those with power to force change has fallen flat. The Mexican government promised stronger enforcement of a temporary and incomplete gillnet ban and a ban on fishing in a special vaquita refuge. It hasnt happened; fishermens use of gillnets in the vaquitas habitat continues unabated. Mexican shrimp fisheries point fingers at the illegal totoaba trade, refusing to take responsibility for bringing the vaquita to the cliffs edge and focusing instead on the fishery that is giving the vaquita the final fatal push. And U.S. shrimp importers pledge fealty to sustainability, but continue to profit without demanding the vaquitas recovery.

We have the power to force their attention. We have the power to save the vaquita. Boycott shrimp from Mexico and these actors will respond. They will finally ensure that the vaquitas waters are gillnet free. We all know how this works; you hit people where it hurts, their wallets. Join the campaign and save the vaquita.

Zak Smith is a senior attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

[facebook https://facebook.com/EcoWatch/videos/1465189703493962/




(Photo: Reuters / Jonathan Ernst)Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny gives a gift of an etched bowl filled with traditional shamrocks to U.S. President Barack Obama during a St. Patrick's Day reception at the White House in Washington, March 19, 2013.

Ireland's Roman Catholic leader has urged Irish people and those of Irish descent celebrating St. Patrick's Day wherever they may be to remember the plight of migrants, while U.S. President Donald Trump has been reminded of Patrick's origins.

Archbishop Eamon Martin - St. Patrick's modern-day successor as archbishop of Armagh - used his message for the March 17 feast to recall that St. Patrick was first brought to Ireland as a slave by traffickers, Catholic News Service reports.

"This is so shockingly exemplified by the refugee crisis here in Europe," he said, Catholic News Service reported.

"Prompted by the situation of thousands of displaced people around the world, let us think about Patrick the 'unlearned refugee' (as he once described himself), the slave in exile, Patrick the undocumented migrant," Archbishop Martin said.

In Washington DC on March 16, U.S. President Donald Trump faced deep embarrassment at his own reception to mark St Patrick's Day, as the Irish leader with whom he shared a stage strongly defended immigrants in a passionate speech.

Trump had to watch on as Ireland's Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny delivered an address that asserted immigrants "lived the words of John F Kennedy long before he uttered them," Huffington Post reported.

But Trump's expression became sullen as Kenny delivered his heartfelt speech on showing compassion towards migrants, given the US President's long-standing opposition to immigration.

Kenny said: "It's fitting that we gather here each year to celebrate St Patrick and his legacy. He too was an immigrant.

"And though of course he is the patron saint of Ireland, around the globe he is also a symbol of, indeed the patron of, immigrants.

"Here in America, in your great country, 35 million people claim Irish heritage.

"And the Irish have contributed to the economic, social, political and cultural life of this great country over the last 200 years.

'OPPORTUNITY IN AMERICA'

"We believed in the shelter of America, in the compassion of America, in the opportunity of America.

"We came and we became Americans. We lived the words of John F Kennedy long before he uttered them.

"We asked not what America could do for us, but what we could do for America - and we still do."

St. Patrick is considered to be the patron saint of Ireland, but he was not born there, but probably in neighboring Britain as the son of a Roman-British soldier. He landed in Ireland after he had been captured by pirates and sold into slavery.

Archbishop Martin said that "as Irish people, we cannot think of Patrick without acknowledging the enormous humanitarian and pastoral challenges facing growing numbers of people who find themselves displaced and without status in our world."

He referred to, among others, an estimated 50,000 Irish people living illegally in the United States.

The first documented St. Patrick's Day Celebration in Philadelphia was held in 1771.

Philadelphia's Friendly Sons of St. Patrick was found to honor St. Patrick and to provide relief to Irish immigrants in the city. Irish Americans have celebrated St. Patrick's Day in Philadelphia since their arrival in America.

Archbishop Martin - who is also president of the Irish bishops' conference - pointed out that "many of our compatriots remain undocumented in various countries around the world and, in some cases, feel vulnerable and treated with suspicion."

The archbishop pointed out that, "St. Patrick's experience of isolation and captivity as a teenager transformed and shaped his whole life and his relationship with God. His lonely time as a slave on the hills of Ireland became a transforming experience, where he felt embraced by the fatherly love of God.

"I invite you to pray for refugees and for all displaced families at this time and, wherever you are, to encourage the hospitality and welcome for which we, Irish, are famous the world over," the archbishop said.
(Photo: REUTERS / Carlo Allegri)A sign of support is left at the makeshift memorial at the site where two police officers were shot in the head in the Brooklyn borough of New York, December 22, 2014. NYPD officers, Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos were shot and killed as they sat in a marked squad car in Brooklyn on Saturday afternoon, New York Police Commissioner William Bratton said. The suspect in the shooting then shot and killed himself, Bratton said at a news conference at the Brooklyn hospital where the two officers were taken.

The day after two NY Police Department officers were shot and killed while sitting in their patrol car, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York has sent a message of hope to the people of the biggest city in the United States.

Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos were sitting in their patrol car in a crime-ridden part of Brooklyn on December 20 when the gunman walked up to the car and shot them in the head.

"Never is the hope of the good news of God's promise and fulfillment erased for a believer, and the more it is tested the stronger it gets," said Dolan.

The suspect has been identified by police as 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley, who had made threats on Instagram and had earlier that day shot and wounded his ex-girlfriend at her home, media reports said.

Brinsley was found dead later in the day in a subway station from a self-inflicted gun wound, said New York Police Commissioner William Bratton.

The day after the shooting Cardinal Dolan reflected on the killing in a homily during Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.

He said it be difficult to focus on the good news of the Gospel "as we mourn the brutal and irrational execution of two young, promising and devoted police officers, Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu.

He noted it was difficult as, "we tear-up thinking about their heartbroken families; as we are in solidarity with our police officers who experience a 'death in the family;' as we worry about a city tempted to tension and division."

USA Today reported back on November 11 that the number of felony suspects fatally shot by police last year - 461 - was the most in two decades, according to a report from the FBI.

DEATH OF MICHAEL BROWN

The December 20 killings occurred during nationwide protests over the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner in New York. In both cases, grand juries chose not to charge white police officers involved in the deaths two black men.

In his homily, Cardinal Dolan reflected on the previous day's events.

"'Good news ' might seem distant, difficult, even indiscrete, as we anticipate the joy of Christmas four days away, and feel more like we're near Good Friday," he acknowledged.

The cardinal noted that December 21 marks the darkest day of the year, with the least sunlight of the year, Catholic News Agency reported.

He said early cultures were fearful at seeing this, he remarked, until they saw each year that the sun would return and days would begin getting longer.

In this way, Dolan observed, "fear was replaced with trust, as life and community went on, showing that nature and her God would always guarantee that light would conquer darkness."

In the same way the cardinal said that in the midst of darkness and fear, the Son of God brings light into the world, restoring love and hope in eternal life.

He pointed to Mary's experience of being asked to be the Mother of God, without being given a detailed blueprint.

"Fear; doubt; darkness; confusion; anxiety - all flood Mary's heart, yet she trusts, and she conceives a son who is to be the light of the world!"

Cardinal Dolan said, "I've learned in my six years here that, yes, New York, this huge, throbbing metropolis, can indeed be a place of hurt, darkness, fear, and fracture, that our celebrated grit and in-your-face realism can at times turn brash.

"But I've also learned that New York can also be that 'Little Town of Bethlehem,' from which comes, not darkness, division, and death, but light, unity, and life. That's New York! That's Bethlehem! That's Christmas!"
Baku, Azerbaijan, March 18

Trend:

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev congratulated President of the Republic of Tunisia Beji Caid Essebsi on the occasion of his countrys national holiday.

On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my most sincere congratulations to you and the people of your country on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Tunisia  Independence Day, said President Aliyev in his congratulatory letter.

I am confident that development of friendship and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Tunisia will always serve the best interests of our peoples, noted the president.

On this remarkable day, I wish you robust health, success in your activities, and the brotherly people of Tunisia peace and prosperity, he added.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 18



Trend:



The Azerbaijani flag will fly in Shusha and Khankendi, just as it is flying today in Leletepe and Agdere, said Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev delivering a speech at the nationwide festivities on the occasion of Novruz, the Azerbaijani national holiday.



The president noted that Armenia must draw the right conclusion and must know that Azerbaijan will never accept the occupation of its lands by Armenia.



We will restore our countrys territorial integrity at any cost. For this, of course, we are conducting a successful policy. Every day, every year we are approaching the day when the Azerbaijani flag will fly in Shusha and Khankendi, just as it is flying today in Leletepe and Agdere, said President Aliyev.



The president went on to say that the main issue of foreign policy and Azerbaijan's policy as a whole is the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.



"Unfortunately, there aren't serious movements here. On many occasions, I've spoken about the reasons - Armenia doesn't want peace, it wants to keep the status quo and doesn't want to leave the occupied territories. Because of this, Azerbaijan and the international community, the

mediators, should force it to do so. There is no other way, because right now, Armenia is trying to boycott the negotiations, and is isolating itself. The mediators, the co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group openly state that substantive talks should be resumed. Thus, I think that the sooner Armenia realizes that it cannot hold the occupied territories, the better it will be," the president said.



"We are not going to have this. We are getting stronger, we are strengthening our military and political power, international positions," Ilham Aliyev said.



The president said that Azerbaijani capital is hosting the V Baku Global Forum these days. Over forty current and former heads of states and governments are participating in it.



Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan has already turned into an important country, not only in the region but also in the world.



"This is while Armenia is a country which has lost all hope, it lives in depression, and the reason for that is the criminal regime that has taken over the country through illegal ways. For Armenian people, the biggest threat is the current leadership," the president said.



The president went on to say that Azerbaijan's territorial integrity never was, and never will be the subject of negotiations.



The Nagorno-Karabakh is Azerbaijans native land, said the president adding that we must restore our territorial integrity.



The international law also supports our position. The situation in the region works in our favor. It is clear that economic and military potential is also on our side. The April battles of the last year demonstrated this. Therefore, we must be much stronger, strengthen even

more and we are doing this, noted President Aliyev.



Armenia cant live without external help, he said.



"If before the April battles in their mythological activities they could, to some extent, achieve success, then the April battles inflicted a serious blow on their propaganda and shocked the Armenian society. The consequences of this shock are still felt there, said the president adding that the April battles led to deep military and political crisis in Armenia.



And these were short-term battles. Therefore, they must draw the right conclusions and know that we will never accept this situation. We will restore our territorial integrity at any cost, noted President Aliyev.



The president noted that international relations in recent years show that, unfortunately, international organizations no longer have serious influence.



Big states pursue their own interests and distort the international law as they please, said President Aliyev, adding that in such situation, power is a main factor and we know that.
Details added (first version posted on 14:47)



Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 18



Trend:



The Azerbaijani flag will fly in Shusha and Khankendi, just as it is flying today in Leletepe and Agdere, said Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev delivering a speech at the nationwide festivities on the occasion of Novruz, the Azerbaijani national holiday.



The president noted that Armenia must draw the right conclusion and must know that Azerbaijan will never accept the occupation of its lands by Armenia.



We will restore our countrys territorial integrity at any cost. For this, of course, we are conducting a successful policy. Every day, every year we are approaching the day when the Azerbaijani flag will fly in Shusha and Khankendi, just as it is flying today in Leletepe and Agdere, said President Aliyev.



The president went on to say that the main issue of foreign policy and Azerbaijan's policy as a whole is the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.



"Unfortunately, there aren't serious movements here. On many occasions, I've spoken about the reasons - Armenia doesn't want peace, it wants to keep the status quo and doesn't want to leave the occupied territories. Because of this, Azerbaijan and the international community, the

mediators, should force it to do so. There is no other way, because right now, Armenia is trying to boycott the negotiations, and is isolating itself. The mediators, the co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group openly state that substantive talks should be resumed. Thus, I think that the sooner Armenia realizes that it cannot hold the occupied territories, the better it will be," the president said.



"We are not going to have this. We are getting stronger, we are strengthening our military and political power, international positions," Ilham Aliyev said.



The president said that Azerbaijani capital is hosting the V Baku Global Forum these days. Over forty current and former heads of states and governments are participating in it.



Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan has already turned into an important country, not only in the region but also in the world.



"This is while Armenia is a country which has lost all hope, it lives in depression, and the reason for that is the criminal regime that has taken over the country through illegal ways. For Armenian people, the biggest threat is the current leadership," the president said.



The president went on to say that Azerbaijan's territorial integrity never was, and never will be the subject of negotiations.



The Nagorno-Karabakh is Azerbaijans native land, said the president adding that we must restore our territorial integrity.



The international law also supports our position. The situation in the region works in our favor. It is clear that economic and military potential is also on our side. The April battles of the last year demonstrated this. Therefore, we must be much stronger, strengthen even

more and we are doing this, noted President Aliyev.



Armenia cant live without external help, he said.



"If before the April battles in their mythological activities they could, to some extent, achieve success, then the April battles inflicted a serious blow on their propaganda and shocked the Armenian society. The consequences of this shock are still felt there, said the president adding that the April battles led to deep military and political crisis in Armenia.



And these were short-term battles. Therefore, they must draw the right conclusions and know that we will never accept this situation. We will restore our territorial integrity at any cost, noted President Aliyev.



The president noted that international relations in recent years show that, unfortunately, international organizations no longer have serious influence.



Big states pursue their own interests and distort the international law as they please, said President Aliyev, adding that in such situation, power is a main factor and we know that.
MHK seeks Albert Road site details

The future of the former Albert Road School site will be discussed in this month's sitting of Tynwald.

A planning application to build a multi-purpose development on the Ramsey site was submitted last year, but has undergone a series of amendments after objections were raised to the initial designs.

Ayre and Michael MHK Tim Baker is seeking details about the sale of the site and what development has happened on the land recently.

The proposed plans include building a coffee shop, several town houses and commercial units, but further amendments to the plans were published yesterday.

The land has been used as a car park since the former primary school was demolished in 2011.
Thomas Sadoski and Amanda Seyfried are now officially married. Both of them admitted and revealed the fact that they tied the knot on March 12, 2017. This secret was disclosed on an American Television show on March 16, 2017.

.Thomas Sadoski and Amanda Seyfried got engaged in September 2016, where they confirmed that they were set to wed in less than a year. The 41-year-old American actor who is best known for his role as Matt Short in the TV Series 'Life in Pieces' revealed on Thursday night on 'The Late Late Night Show' when the host James Corden congratulated Sadoski for his engagement. ET mentioned that while answering to the host's greeting, Thomas Sadoski addressed Amanda Seyfried as his wife and then showed his shiny wedding band.

Thomas Sadoski explained stating that they eloped on Sunday and took off into the country with an officiant and just two of them where they had a great day and that perfect thing happened. Reports state that both the couple Thomas Sadoski and Amanda Seyfried themselves wrote their own vows and this beautiful ceremony was only attended by Amanda's beloved dog Finn.

Hollywood Life reported that Thomas Sadoski really appreciates the company of his leading lady as he mentioned that his wife happens to be the person whom he love, admire and respect the most in this world. It is also been reported that Amanda Seyfried is currently pregnant with their first child and Sadoski could not stop gushing about him and his wife becoming first-time parents.

On a radio interview, Sadoski mentioned about his excitement of becoming a father with Amanda as his partner is better than anything in his life. Amanda Seyfried before tying the knot with Thomas Sadoski has already informed us about her wanting to keep her next future wedding in a low-key affair. She stated that she did not want to be the center of attraction and even has no plans to wear the traditional white dress on her wedding day.
Details added (first version posted on 14:32)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 18



Trend:



The Azerbaijani state is built on solid national and spiritual pillars, said Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev delivering a speech at the nationwide festivities on the occasion of Novruz, the Azerbaijani national holiday.



We preserve, perpetuate our culture, art, native language, holidays. The 25-year period of independence demonstrates that only states built on national roots can achieve success, only those states have a future, said President Aliyev. The values of Azerbaijan, our national-spiritual values are above all for us. I am glad that the younger generation is also growing up like that, he noted.



The younger generation gets education in the spirit of patriotism, national spirit, and today every citizen of Azerbaijan, who loves the Motherland, is proud of it, added the president.



The head of the state noted that the achieved success strengthen Azerbaijan, give a reason to look into the future with optimism, and at the same time is assessed on a global scale.



Our internal situation is stable. The Azerbaijani people, the unity between the people and the government is the guarantor of this stability. Our policy is supported by the people and this is the main factor of stability, said President Aliyev adding that everything is perceived in comparison.



The president said that the unpleasant events taking place today in the region and world, bloody clashes, wars, of course, are worrying Azerbaijan.



We dont live in isolation, and if the situation in our region worsens, risks increase, and then, of course, this can have a negative impact on us. Therefore, our main task is to protect our country, our people from the existing and future risks, and we are doing that. Therefore, stability, prosperity, civic unity and solidarity that exist in our country today, of course, are our greatest asset, and we protect it. I want to once again note that it can only be preserved by unity between the people and the authorities, noted President Aliyev.



The head of the state added that security is ensured in Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani people live in safe conditions.



"There are all opportunities for workmanship. Unfortunately, in this period, the situation has worsened both in our region and on the Eurasian continent. We, of course, must further strengthen the security in our country. One can say, there are no internal risks, threats in

Azerbaijan. And we protect ourselves from external risks. We protect ourselves from both physical and possible ideological risks, said the president.



During these 25 years, the Azerbaijani people clearly see that our policy is the most correct one. We are the masters of our destiny. We, ourselves, determine our policy. We can withstand any external influence, and the recent history has demonstrated this. At the same

time, recent history has shown that if we acted in line with desires dictated by external forces, we could face great problems.



I have repeatedly said and want to say again that our independent policy is the source of our pride. This shows that the Azerbaijani people themselves determine their future. At the same time, our independent policy also protects us from existing risks, he added.



Five or six years ago, the situation was completely different in the neighboring regions, noted President Aliyev adding that nobody could imagine that there will be hotbeds of conflicts, wars in these regions, hundreds of thousands of people would perish, and millions of people would become refugees and migrants.



But all this is already a reality. Why did this happen?! Of course, due to external interference. We know this, and I have always expressed my position on all these issues, he said adding that meanwhile, these countries werent ready for independent life.



There was no unity between the people and the government in these countries. There was widespread dissatisfaction in these countries, added the Azerbaijani president. Therefore, there were such unfortunate events. All this is happening before our eyes, and once again demonstrates both to our people and to the whole world that today Azerbaijan really is a country, which is distinguished on a global scale by its policy and has become an example for many countries.
The "Star Wars 9" Director, Colin Trevorrow has revealed that the sequel of "Star Wars 8" will be captured in film. With Trevorrow's statement, the patrons of the hit movie speculated that the 9th installment of "Star Wars" will be filmed in outer space.

According to Hollywood Reporter, it was during the Sundance Film Festival panel when "Star Wars 9" Director Colin Trevorrow has revealed that the "Star Wars 8" sequel will be shot on film. The panel was entitled; "Power of Story: The Art of Film" and Trevorrow is along with Christopher Nolan and Rachel Morrison, and moderated by Alex Ross Perry.

"The only place where I tend to not be able to attach myself entirely to something shot digitally is when it's a period film. There's something in my brain that goes, 'Well, they didn't have video cameras then,'" Trevorrow stated "[Film] tends to remind us of our memories, of our childhoods, the way we used to see films" he further added.

It can also be remembered that the "Star Wars 9" Director shot its previous movie; the "Jurassic World" on film because of his belief that the movie should not look like two computers fighting. Trevorrow further clarified that he could never shoot "Star Wars 9" on anything but because it's a period film wherein it occurred a long time ago.

Meanwhile, the "Star Wars 9" is expected to be captured on film; The Guardian has learned that the franchise producers, Lucasfilm, declined to re-form Princess Leia digitally. Based on a post which was entitled "A Statement Regarding New Rumors," the film franchise's official website has put to rest the speculations that the avid patrons of "Star Wars" will see a CGI Leia in the last movie. The post stated that the producers assured the patrons of the movie that it has no plans of recreating Carrie Fisher's role as Princess or General Leia Organa digitally.

With "Star Wars 9' Director Colin Trevorrow revealed that the movie will be captured in film, many suggest that the "Star Wars 8" sequel might be shot in outer space. Nevertheless, these are just based on assumptions so it is still advised to be taken with a pinch of salt.
It seems that the National Council for Teacher Education has failed to maintain the required standards of teacher education after promoting self-financed teacher-education institutions to meet the demand for and supply of teachers at primary, upper primary and secondary levels. A study conducted in Haryana shows how such institutions are a threat to the entire education system. Haryana has become a hub for getting degrees without attending classes in the privately-managed teacher-education colleges. The study also reviews various issues such as violation of rules and regulations, corruption, non-existing resources, poor teachinglearning process, etc.
The 2017 assembly election in Punjab was unprecedented in many ways. For the first time, there was a third party in the fray, offering voters the possibility of a change in politics and government that was dominated for decades by just two parties. Before this, Punjab voters alternated between the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Congress, giving each a five-year break. The 2007 election, in which SAD won a second term, was an exception. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)s entry was expected to disrupt this revolving door arrangement. Punjabs voters did settle for change, but of the old familiar kind, and rejected the new and edgy uncertainty that has come to be associated with AAP.

The Congress party won with 77 out of 117 seats, just one short of a two-thirds victory. This is the most emphatic victory for any single party in Punjab since SADs victory with 75 seats in 1997. In that election, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 18 seats, while the Congress won just 14. Exactly two decades later, the SAD- BJP combine which ruled the state together over two terms beginning from 2007, won just 18 seats. The BJP itself was reduced to a mere three seats, down from its tally of 12 in 2012 while SAD won 15, compared to its previous tally of 56.

For two years ahead of the election, AAP which decided to take the plunge into state politics on the strength of its impressive win in four Lok Sabha seats in 2014 had kept SAD and the Congress on their toes. Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi chief minister and AAP convenor, drew massive crowds at his meetings. The Magi mela of January 2016 in Muktsar, an arena that political parties have traditionally used to hold rallies, was the point at which AAP began to believe it could win the 2017 election. The response to Kejriwals meeting at the mela was phenomenal. SAD and the Congress were suddenly panic stricken. Both insisted that AAP was no threat but from the the manner in which both attacked the party and its leadership, it was clear that they were running scared. However, the crowds that AAP pulled in at its meetings did not turn into its voters. The party finished a distant second to the Congress, with just 20 seats.

For the Congress, the decisive mandate in Punjab is the only joy in the midst of devastating defeat in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarkhand, and the fragmented vote in Goa and Manipur, in which despite emerging as the largest party, it was beaten to government formation by the BJP.

Not Simply Anti-incumbency

Doubtless, the Congress victory in Punjab rests on the fierce anti-Akali vote. But the decision of the voters to choose Congress over AAP cannot be explained simply as anti-incumbency. This vote could have just as well gone to AAP. That it did not, clearly means that the Congress had something better to offer than AAP did. The voters decided that the party, with a known, familiar chief ministerial face in Amarinder Singh was a better bet than a party that went into the election with ambiguous signalling about who its chief minister would be, at times seeming to suggest that whoever it chose as the chief minister, it would be the party convenor and Delhi Chief Minister who would run the state. In a state built on Sikh identity, AAP failed to project any of its many Sikh candidates in Punjab as a credible state leader. Those in its state unit who claimed they would become the chief minister like Bhagwant Mann for instance, the comedian whose barb-a-minute speeches were crowd pullers during the campaign, did not inspire confidence among voters.

At one level, trying to break away from the need to show a Sikh face was in tune with AAPs attempt to pitch itself above identity politics; at another, it was at odds with AAPs deliberate and studied outreach to panthic voters, who have traditionally voted for the Akalis. At the same time, its overtures to radical Sikhs turned off the moderate Sikh and Hindu voters who live in fear of the return of militancy in the state more than anything else. Indeed, in its assiduous wooing of the Sikh vote, the party forgot that Punjab has a sizeable Hindu population.

Wooing the Panthic Vote

Kejriwal did not unknowingly stay overnight at the house of a former militant during the campaign. It was a ploy designed to consolidate the panthic vote. But it backfired. AAP calculated without a car bomb blast that claimed six lives in Maur, in Bathinda district on 31 January 31 at the end of a Congress campaign rally. It fuelled the very fears that SAD and the Congress had stoked with Kejriwals controversial night halt.

AAP won in the Maur constituency itself, where its candidate was seen as the strongest of the three from the main parties. It dominated that pocket of Bathinda and won two other seats in the district. But the incident, in the closing days of the campaign, gave life to the criticism by the Congress and SAD that AAPs radical friends were all set to stage a comeback. The final nail in the coffin was a statement by the former Punjab Director General of Police, K P S Gill (Indian Express 2 February), that AAP was perhaps unknowingly playing into the hands of extremist Sikhs, and if the party leadership believed it could shake them off after the election, it was mistaken.

Populist Proposals and Loan Waivers

For the Congress, the baggage of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and Operation Bluestar were not the vote-killers that the Akalis and AAP had hoped. Or if these were factors, Amarinder Singh, who resigned from the Congress in the wake of Operation Bluestar, was able to overcome it. The election showed that Punjabs electorate preferred him over AAP, even though he ran an under-achieving, inefficient and corrupt coterie-dominated government between 2002 and 2007. Under the guidance of Prashant Kishor, the election strategist hired by the Congress, Amarinder promised an ambitious scheme of agricultural loan waivers. He also promised one job to every family, and a free smart phone to every youth who registered with the party. These populist schemes competed with loan waivers and other freebies from AAP and SAD, but appear to have resonated better among voters.

Anti-Badal Anger

While anti-incumbency is an easy explanation for SAD-BJPs resounding defeat, this word is too often conveniently used by ruling party honchos not to take responsibility for their defeat at elections. The term does not quite capture the extent of the anger among voters for the Badal dynasty which has presided over SAD since the beginning of the 21st century. The former chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, the patron of SAD, was the face of the party but son Sukhbir, who is the president, is in charge. Over their last two terms in government, the Badal family businesses, which include transport companies, hotels and sundry others, have expanded manifold.

The growth of the transport business came at the cost of the Punjab state bus companies, with those owned by the first family getting preference on profitable routes and times. The government went out of it way to provide an access road to a luxury hotel owned by Sukhbir. He blithely explained away the two hats he wore  as deputy chief minister and owner of many businesses  as no conflict of interest, but as an enabler of corruption-free government: a wealthy businessman would not be tempted to make money from his office was his argument.

SAD was also in complete denial on the issue of the drug problem  both its widespread availability and drug addiction. Sukhbir dismissed it as a defamation campaign against the youth of Punjab, which prevented the government from treating it as a serious health and social crisis. Earlier, stung by the criticism on the drugs issue, the police launched a huge crackdown, arresting addicts and pushing them into overcrowded jails. The naming of Sukhbirs brother-in-law, Bikram Singh Majithia, by the main accused in an open court during a hearing of the Bhola drug racket damaged the party further.

The decline of Punjabs agriculture sector has taken place over the decades as a consequence of the wheat and paddy cycle bequeathed by the Green Revolution, but the SAD-BJP government took no steps to alleviate the conditions for farmers. Agricultural growth itself has been shockingly low in a state that is primarily agrarian. After the low of -3.40 % in 2014-14, advance estimates for 2015-2016 (Economic and Statistical Organisation of Punjab) projected 5.22 per cent agricultural growth. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha in 2016, Minister of State for Agriculturre Mohanbhai Kundaria said that 449 farmers had committed suicide in Punjab in 2015, the second highest after Maharashtra,

Nor has Punjab, with its absence of adequately educated or skilled workforce, been able to attract any big industrial investments, despite the good network of roads in the state and its much vaunted power surplus.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (Assocham) estimated that for the 18.5 lakh people in Punjab in the age group of 18-35 years, the government needs to create 11 lakh jobs in the next five years to maintain the employment level in this group at its present 37.5%. The huge numbers of young voters in this election all want regular government jobs because of the failure to create viable employment opportunities in the private sector, and the skills for such jobs among the youth.

In the end, SAD tried to buy voters with money-draining schemes such as free pilgrimages to cater to every religion and caste, expensive symbolic sops such as building memorials to community heroes, and handouts at sangat darshans, at which the Badal family members would go from village to village meeting people pre-screened by the local Akali workers, and grant money for local demands. The people were not averse to taking what they got but it did not make SAD any the more popular.

Injured by Association

The BJP, junior partner to SAD in the state, was hit by association. The 8 November demonetisation move came at a time when the paddy crop had just been harvested and was being procured, and wheat was being sown. While the move caused much hardship across rural Punjab, the notebandi did not become an issue in the Punjab election, as both the Congress and AAP sensed that even without it the SAD-BJP combine was finished. Sukhbir Badal complained about it in a muted way. A BJP minister asked his constituents with folded hands not to hold him responsible for the decision. He did not win, but if demonetisation played a part in his or the SAD-BJPs defeat, it was one among many factors.

Allegations

AAP, which had alleged during the campaign that there was a nexus between SAD and the Congress, also alleged after the results that SAD and the BJP leaders, sensing defeat, asked their core supporters to vote for the Congress to keep the new party out.

It was also whispered on polling day that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), angry with SAD for the unsolved killing of its deputy head Brigadier R S Gagneja, and equally furious with the BJP for not being assertive with its alliance partner over the attacks on Hindu leaders, asked Hindu/BJP supporters to vote en masse for the Congress. The BJP is said to have done the same realising that there was no chance of winning this election, in order to prevent an AAP victory.

Only a booth to booth analysis of votes can reveal if these allegations are true.

Overall, the Congress vote-share of 38.5% was 1.5 percentage points less than its share in the 2012 elections, but was spread evenly across the three regions. AAP, which with 23.7% votes polled almost nearly as much as its 24% vote share in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, dented the Akali vote more than it affected the Congress vote. The vote share of SAD plummeted from 34.7% in 2012 to 25.2% in this election, just 1.5 percentage points more than AAPs share. The BJPs dropped from 7.2% to 5.4%.

The Punjab results are better understood when seen from the perspective of its three dominant socio-political regions  Malwa, Majha and Doaba. With 69 seats spread over 12 districts from Ropar, Mohali and Patiala in the east to Bathinda in the south to the border districts of Ferozepur and Fazilka, Malwa sends the most number of MLAs to the assembly.

Majha, spread over four districts  Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar and Tarn Taran, is next with 25 seats; Doaba (literally, the land between two rivers, Beas and Sutlej), with four districts  Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, and Kapurthala -- has 23 seats.

Malwa is the least developed of all the regions. Save some districts on the northern and eastern edges of Malwa, such as Ropar, Ludhiana, and Patiala, the rest of the region is overwhelmingly rural. The land holdings in Malwa are tiny compared to those in other parts of Punjab, and the region is not as well connected to the states river systems. The well developed network of canals that criss-cross the northern parts of Punjab do not stretch deep into Malwa.

Conduit to Power

But the road to power in the state definitely goes through this region. All four of AAPs four Lok Sabha seats  Patiala, Sangrur, Fategarh Sahib and Faridkot  were won in the Malwa region. In 2014, the party dominated 31 of the assembly segments in this region. Pinning its hopes on this for the recent assembly election, AAP expected to win at least 40 if not more seats from here. The tremendous public response that it was getting across this poorest of the three Punjab regions gave it and others reason to believe that the partys message of clean, equitable government had struck a deep chord in these districts. Kejriwals several visits to Punjab between 2015 and 2016 were focused on this region.

In the event, it was the Congress that won 40 seats from here. The SAD-BJP alliance won only eight seats in Malwa. AAPs 18 seats out of its total of 20 showed that most of its support was indeed located in Malwa though not enough for it to win the election.

Doaba has over 40% of Punjabs Dalit voters, who are 31.94% of the states population, the highest for any state. The Dalits in the state have never voted en bloc, and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)s share, whose founder Kanshi Ram was born in Ropar, dwindled to a minuscule 1.5% in 2017 from 4.29% in 2012, and 1.9% in the 2014 Lok Sabha election. The BSPs failure over the years is attributed to the absence of the kind of social discrimination that Dalits experience elsewhere, the absence of a strong Brahmin community, and the divisions among the two main Dalit castes  the Valmikis and the Ravidassias. The Dalits in Punjab are also economically better off than their counterparts elsewhere. The community led the immigration wave from Punjab to the West. After initial success in the 1992 election (which was boycotted by SAD), the BSP did more to fragment than consolidate the Dalit vote.

AAP had aimed to occupy the space vacated by the BSP. Among the separate manifestos AAP brought out for different sections of voters such as farmers, youth and women, one was a Dalit manifesto, which promised that there would be a Dalit deputy chief minister if it came to power. But the party did not invest much of its campaign energy outside Malwa, believing perhaps that a wave in its favour in that region would carry it through in the other two. In the event, while nine of its 20 MLAs are Dalit, only two are from Doaba.

The Congress used to count Doaba as a stronghold, but in 2012 was defeated in all but six of the regions 23 seats, with the rest going to SAD. This time the roles were reversed, with SAD winning six.

In Majha, a mix of panthic, rural, urban and border constituencies, the Congress swept up 22 out of the 25 seats, reversing its equation with SAD in the last two assembly elections. SAD was able to retain just two constituencies and the BJP won one. AAP was unable to open its account in this region.

Lessons for AAP

The defeat in Punjab has shattered AAPs national dreams, but it has emerged as the main opposition in the Punjab state assembly. The party has already appointed H S Phoolka, the lawyer activist who has fought hard and long for justice for the vicitms of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, as the leader of the opposition. Disappointed though it must be, AAP is certain to realise the full potential of the opposition benches to remind the Congress of its promises. While it licks its wounds in Punjab and Goa, it will do well to ask if it was a wise idea to send managers from outside to run the party. These managers ensured that the Delhi unit kept the upper hand, and that no local leader worth the name emerged in Punjab. In centralising the leadership in his persona, Kejriwal did not show himself to be too different from the parties and practices he claims to stand against.

One of the ironies of this election is that those, whom the voters were most angry with, that is, the Badal family, have been re-elected in their constituencies. Majithia, who had come to represent everything wrong with the SAD-BJP government in the popular imagination, was one of the two SAD MLAs elected in Majha. Sukhbir was elected in a high decibel contest against AAPs Bhagwant Mann and the Congresss Ravneet Bittu in Jalalabad. His father won in Lambi against Amarinder and Jarnail Singh of AAP.

For the Congress, which is desperately looking for a national revival, Punjab provides the opportunity. For that Amarinder Singh must look beyond the promised populism, for which, in any case, the first challenge would be to find the money. The Badals have left him empty coffers. Amarinder has said this will be his last innings in politics. He has a strong enough mandate and nothing to lose if he decides to strike out for bold policy reforms that will put Punjab back on the right path. But first, he must make a clean break from the coteries that came to define his first government. That is a legacy the Congress badly needs right now.
ESPNcricinfo's wrap of the third day of the Sheffield Shield match between Queensland and Victoria in Brisbane

Victoria 280 (Quiney 57, Finch 52, Neser 4-74) beat Queensland 208 and 61 (Pattinson 5-7) by an innings and 11 runs

Scorecard 280 (Quiney 57, Finch 52, Neser 4-74) beat208 and 61 (Pattinson 5-7) by an innings and 11 runs

File photo - James Pattinson finished with 5 for 7 in the second innings  Getty Images

Victoria will host the Sheffield Shield final in Alice Springs after they skittled Queensland for 61 on the third day at Allan Border Field in Brisbane, securing an innings victory and ending the Bulls' hopes of reaching the decider. James Pattinson scythed through the Queensland line-up to finish with 5 for 7 from six overs, while only two Bulls players reached double figures.

The day began with Victoria on 6 for 201, still trailing Queensland on the first innings by seven runs. However, the Bushrangers added a further 79 for their last four wickets, which gave them a 72-run first-innings advantage. To have any hope of reaching the final, Queensland needed an outright victory, but instead collapsed to the lowest Shield total by any side since South Australia were rolled for 45 in late 2014.

Pattinson struck in the first over by bowling Jimmy Peirson for a duck, and the pain continued for the Bulls, who capitulated to be 7 for 21 in the 11th over, by which time Pattinson had taken all five of his wickets. The captain Chris Hartley, playing his last Shield game after announcing his retirement recently, top scored with 18 and Cameron Gannon managed 13, but that was all the fight that was offered.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Mar. 18

By Demir Azizov  Trend:

Uzbekistans President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will pay a state visit to Kazakhstan on March 22-23 at the invitation of the countrys President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Uzbekistans national news agency (UzA) reported.

The current state and prospects of development of Uzbek-Kazakh relations in political, trade, economic, investment, transport, communication, cultural and humanitarian, and other spheres, as well as topical issues of regional and international agenda will be discussed during Mirziyoyevs meetings and high-level negotiations.

As part of the visit, it is also planned to hold Uzbekistans national industrial exhibition in Astana and a joint business forum with participation of delegations of the two countries businesses.

A package of bilateral documents of interstate, intergovernmental and interdepartmental nature, as well as big commercial contracts, aimed to bring the Uzbek-Kazakh cooperation to a qualitatively new level, are also planned to be signed during the visit.
Nandini Dias, CEO, Lodestar UM India, will be seated as one of the esteemed Jury members at the prestigious Festival of Media Asia Awards (FOMA) 2017 to be held in Singapore on March 22. Rewarding the best in media thinking and communications, The Festival of Media Asia Pacific Awards is the only awards ceremony dedicated to the evolution of media across the APAC region.

Dias, who has been a long-serving Jury member at Emvies, Effies, Media Abby, Cannes Lion, Spikes Asia, Festival of Media, Press Club of India, and several others, said, Judging the Festival of Media Asia Awards and seeing the best in creative and innovative work that is happening in the region and around the world is always inspiring. I am extremely excited and happy to be part of the Jury this year.

Across 25 years of experience, Dias herself won several international awards like the Cannes Lion and Spikes Asia. She is known to have won the maximum number of media awards in India. She has led Lodestar UM to the Media Agency of the Year title several times at the biggest Indian award shows like Media Abby at Goafest and Advertising Clubs Emvies. She has been consistently recognised the Woman Achiever in all the prestigious industry rankings. She was named the CEO of the Year award in the recently concluded Exchange4media MediaAce 2016 awards.

We are in a fast-changing media landscape, where we are all grappling with the challenge of short attention span of the consumer. Therefore, I am looking forward to seeing the work that stood out in the clutter and made the consumer sit up and notice the brand, she further added.

Dias, who is most often referred to the most influential woman in the Indian advertising industry, leads one of the top media agencies in the country. She is also part of the FCB Media board. She has the distinction of having launched over 400 brands in media and has managed media investments for over 175 clients like Samsung, Johnson and Johnson, Tata, Mahindra, Birla, Amul, Coca Cola, and several others. She has set up various skilled practices like Brand Experiences, Content, Celebrity management, etc. Known for her strategic acumen, she has also developed several research-based tools for better media investments.

Read more news about (marketing news, latest marketing news,internet marketing, marketing India, digital marketing India, media marketing India, advertising news)
Are those HSA things even valid in France? (At least as far as being acceptable for the health insurance requirement for most visas.) In any event, if the bank won't allow you to access your account(s) from France, I'd say roll the thing over to some bank that won't impede your access. Though if you're resident in France, you may find you need to make a visit back to the Old Country to set up a new account.



I assume you have contacted them by phone for confirmation of their change of policy. If not, you may want to at least get them to "suggest" some solution to your problem.

Cheers,

Bev
Saluti everyone,

we are about to move to Verona area from Germany with 3 Kids age 12, 14 and 16.

Does anyone have experience with possible schools in Verona for pur Kids ? They are coming from German Gymnasium schools and do not speak Italien yet.

Thank you for and valuable information.
In a bid to better serve students, South San Antonio Independent School District has released a draft of its local innovation plan, which includes adjustments to the academic calendar, teacher certification requirements and attendance rules.

Innovation plans enable traditional public school districts to exempt themselves from certain sections of state law and operate with some of the flexibility afforded to charter schools.

With its plan, South San ISD joins a growing number of districts across Texas that are seeking district of innovation designation, a concept passed by the Texas Legislature in 2015. So far, the Texas Education Agency lists close to 150 districts, including San Antonio ISD, that have adopted innovation plans, a number that has grown more than twofold since January.

A committee of two dozen teachers, administrators and community members drafted the plan, which outlines six innovations that depart from the Texas Education Code. One exemption would allow the district to start the school year a week earlier to more closely reflect college semesters and allow for additional instruction for STAAR and advanced placement exams. Another would circumvent a rule that requires students to attend 90 percent of classes to earn course credit, with the goal of accommodating students who struggle with attendance or learn above grade level.

The district seeks an exemption from the minimum minutes of instruction in order to create an alternative education program that would customize curriculum for overage students and drop-out risks  students who may have difficulty being successful in a traditional school setting due to special circumstances, the plan states.

Another innovation would relax teacher certification requirements for hard-to-fill course areas, such as dual credit, career, language and science and technology. Instead, instructors could obtain one-year local teaching certificates. The final two exemptions would allow the district to disregard the states student-teacher ratio on a case-by-case basis and enroll students in kindergarten who may not meet the age cut-off date.

The plans release comes as the district grapples with the possibility of school consolidation in the face of declining enrollment. District officials have also expressed a desire to innovate in light of concerns about losing students to charter schools opening within district boundaries.

In a news release, Delinda Castro, the districts chief academic officer, welcomed community feedback during a 30-day public comment period. If approved, the plan be implemented in the fall and remain in effect for five years.

The districts plan will be presented to the school board in April.

lcaruba@express-news.net

Twitter: @LaurenCaruba
Police arrested a 23-year-old man Thursday in connection with the death of a woman found with her throat slashed at a Converse apartment complex.

Elvin Armas was booked into the Bexar County Jail on a charge of murder. His bail was set at $150,000.

According to the arrest affidavit, Armas met with the woman, who has yet to be identified, to have sex in exchange for money. The two arranged to meet early Thursday at the Towne East Village Apartments in the 9000 block of West Farm to Market Road 78 via text.

Police say they were informed by a concerned citizen, to whom Armas had confided, that Armas told the woman he didn't have any money only after they had sex.

The woman got mad and pulled out a knife and stabbed him, according to police. Armas then allegedly took the knife from the woman and slashed her throat twice and cut her leg before fleeing the scene.

According to Converse Assistant Chief of Police Rex Rheiner, the woman went to the nearby apartments and began knocking on doors to ask for help, but no one answered.

People are kind of wary about opening their door at 4:30 a.m., Rheiner said.

One of the tenants eventually called police after she thought she heard someone knocking on her door and then found the woman lying outside.

Police followed a trail of blood to the location of the stabbing, where they found the womans belongings, including her cell phone, on which the text messages between her and Armas were discovered.

Police later located Armas at a job site in San Antonio, where he was arrested.

cdowns@mysa.com

Twitter: @calebjdowns
Tehran, Iran, March 18

By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

Iran and Saudi Arabia have at last come to terms over the Hajj pilgrimage and in 2017 Iran will start to send people to Mecca, after a 2-year standstill.

In 2017 Iran will send 85,000 people to the international religious event, to take place in the fall, the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization said in an announcement published on its website March 18.

Two years ago Iran stopped participating in the ritual when around 400 of its nationals were crushed to death in Mecca.

Iran and Saudi Arabia started talks over the issue in late 2016. Saudi Arabia has still refrained from paying the money for those killed in the bitter incident in Mecca.

The hajj ritual has created a lucrative business in Iran. Many travel agencies that organize hajj pilgrimage not only for the annual gathering (called the tamatu hajj) but also for regular pilgrimage throughout the year (called the umra hajj) were left idle in the past two years when the government had boycotted the hajj.
Vince Losada sat on a stool in the gut of an antique bomber and prepared to fly. The four engines of a B-17 Flying Fortress roared and then idled as the WWII bomber prepared to take off from San Marcos en route to San Antonio on Friday.

For the San Antonio veteran, the prospect of another ride in a B-17 brought back memories of an earlier time. Losada, 91, flew in a B-17 during World War II and lost his right arm in a mission over Germany 72 years and two days ago.

The memories are real  just remembering them, Losada said shortly before the plane left the runway. His lips began to quiver as he wiped away sudden tears.

The B-17 bomber, nicknamed Nine-O-Nine, is part of the national Wings of Freedom tour of WWII-vintage aircraft by the Collings Foundation out of Stow, Massachusetts.

The tour, which started Friday, visits Stinson Municipal Airport through Sunday. Along with the B-17, the B-24 Liberator and B-25 Mitchell bombers will be featured, as well as a two-seat variant of the P-51 Mustang fighter.

More Information 'Living History Flight Experiences' The Federal Aviation Administration began allowing "Living History Flight Experiences" in 1996 to help owners offset the high cost of maintaining historic planes, according to a notice of policy statement by the agency. The FAA put a moratorium on new exemptions for Living History flights in 2011. The policy, which was originally set in place to assist foundations with WWII-era aircraft, became stretched due to the availability of former military jets on the private market. The FAA in 2015 determined that the aircraft must have served in the U.S. military but cannot be currently in operation. In addition, the original design of the aircraft must be at least 50 years old. The aircraft must also be considered fragile and in need of preservation. See More Collapse

Around 500 WWII veterans flew on Collings Foundation planes in 2016, according to a company spokesman.

Fellow San Antonio WWII veteran Earl Sampson, 92, sat next to Losada in the radio room in the center of the plane.

Its like I left and everythings still here, Sampson, who flew in a B-17 bomber, said.

Sampson arrived in San Antonio in 1944, where he was assigned to be a navigator in the Army Air Corps, the precursor to the Air Force. In Hondo, he learned how to navigate by the stars. From his post in the nose section of a B-17, hed look for a star, usually Sirius the Dog Star, or Polaris the North Star.

The B-17 Nine-O-Nine is one of only eight in flying condition in the United States, according to the Collings Foundation, and its B-24J Liberator is the last of its type flying in the world.

The non-profit made almost $8 million dollars in 2016, according to Hunter Chaney, a Collings Foundation spokesman. More than 800,000 people paid admission to visit or fly. The foundation spent over $3 million on fuel and maintenance of the antique planes, Chaney said.

Surviving WWII veterans often become emotional as they relive old memories in the planes, flight coordinator Jamie Mitchell said.

For Losada, the anniversary of his combat flight on the B-17 arrived two days before his flight on Friday.

Soon, Losada was above Germany, dropping bombs from a B-17 bomber known as Big Drip Jr.

On March 15, 1945, Losada and his crew flew to bomb a rail yard on the outskirts of Berlin. The sky was nothing but noise. Four propellers sawed through the air. The anti-aircraft guns fired rounds that exploded in the sky around them. The shrapnel from those rounds sounded like a hail storm when they hit his plane, Losada recalled.

An anti-aircraft round burst near the nose of Losadas bomber and a piece of shrapnel severed his right arm.

He recalled spinning around in his bombardiers stool. His crew gave him all the morphine they had. He said he never lost consciousness on the 3-hour flight back to England.

As the bomber rose in the air, Losada watched from his seat in the radio room as passengers walked throughout the plane. Some stuck their head out the top of the aircraft. Their hair billowed in the wind. Losada looked up at the visitors with their head in the sky, and then he looked down. He laughed softly to himself.

jlawrence@express-news.net
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Lynlie Wallace lied.

In an era of alternative facts, are there still political consequences for that?

A recap: Wallace, a candidate for City Council in District 9, told San Antonio Express-News Staff Writer Josh Baugh that her primary residence was a house in the North Side district. (By city law, candidates must have lived in San Antonio for a year and in the district in which theyre running for six months before filing for a place on the municipal ballot.)

Wallace told Baugh that another woman listed as the holder of a San Antonio Water System account on the North Side house was her roommate.

So Baugh went to the gated neighborhood and asked neighbors if theyd ever seen Wallace at the house. They hadnt. Cornered by Baughs shoe-leather reporting, Wallace acknowledged through a campaign consultant that the woman occupying the house was not a roommate but a tenant.

Apparently, Wallace lives in Austin, where she owns a second house and serves as chief of staff for state Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio.

Has Wallaces dishonesty doomed her candidacy?

Lets look to the lodestar: President Donald Trump.

During the presidential campaign, no fewer than 70 percent of Trumps statements checked by PolitiFact were false.

If a lie is something you know is false even as you say it, Trump has clearly told some of those  and his core supporters dont seem to care. (My favorite Trump lie came after his inauguration, when he claimed that the rain stopped immediately when he took the stage and then poured again after he left. A light rain persisted throughout his speech.)

A council candidate saying that she lives in a particular district, when in fact she rents the residence to a tenant and lives in an entirely different city, is also a lie.

Unlike Trump, however, Wallace will likely suffer the political consequences.

Its just really the difference between someone you know and a stranger, said Colin Strother, a local Democratic strategist.

Before the presidential election, Trump had a very powerful brand  that for better or worse, people had some level of faith and confidence in, Strother said. Lynlie Wallace, no one knows who she is. Shes no Donald Trump. There will be consequences for this.

In other words, first impressions matter.

Also, Trump would never admit to lying, which makes him a better liar.

At least get your lie straight and tell the same lie over and over again, Strother said with a chuckle. But to not have your lie straight to begin with and to change lies midstream is probably not the way to go.

Frenemies

Before Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood erupted in anger at defense attorney Joe Gonzales last month, allegedly threatening to destroy and shut down his law practice, the two were friends.

Ive known Joe for a long time, if not all my legal career, LaHood told me. We owned a law office toegther  The day before (the confrontation), were at the urinals talking about family.

Gonzales, who has not returned a call seeking comment, clashed with LaHood over an untimely disclosure in a murder trial. The district attorney waited until after the trial had begun to disclose that another prosecutor who briefly worked on the case had had a sexual encounter with the states star witness.

LaHood has insisted the information was irrelevant to the case, which ended in a mistrial. And he has defended his outburst as a righteous reaction to a threat by Gonzales to expose LaHoods prosecutorial misconduct to the press.

Was I upset and angry that Joe made a threat in bad faith? Of couse, LaHood said. Theres no nice way to fight. Sometimes you have to generate and cultivate anger to defend yourself.

The district attorney added, I think anger gets a raw deal sometimes.  Anger I think in our society is a good thing.
Adriana Lima is representing "mature women" in the fashion industry.

Adriana Lima

The Victoria's Secret model thinks women are ageing in "a more beautiful way" now and at 35-years-old, Adriana hopes she is an inspiration for older women.

She said: "These days, women are ageing [in] such a more beautiful way. I'm here representing mature women with Victoria's Secret, so there is no pressure at all [to look good]. I believe that if I would go back to my younger times doing Victoria's Secret, I feel more beautiful right now."

However, Adriana admits she is a "very private person" but tries to share a little bit of all aspects of her life with her fans.

She added to CNBC's Street Signs: "People are watching you and you become their inspiration. I really just want to put a positive message and try to show the real values, the most important values in life out there ...

"I'm a very private person. But I try to share a little bit of everything, you know especially through social media: little moments with my children, things that I like, books that I read."

Meanwhile, Adriana previously admitted she would love to take part in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show until she is at least 40-years-old.

She said: "My goal is to do the fashion show till I'm 40, at least. Or [as long as] gravity is on my side."

And if the brunette beauty wasn't in the fashion industry, she admits she would have been liked to be a nun.

She said: "The church is in me - I always connect. If you're connected with the divine and always have pure intentions with everything you're doing, you're protected by the angels. I'm very spiritual. I believe in nature, I believe in energy, I believe in spirits."
Tehran, Iran, March 18

By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

Tehran has strongly condemned Israels recent airstrikes in Syria, saying that the raids show Israels interests overlap with those of the terrorists now engaged in war with the Syrian government.

Israeli strikes against targets near the central Syrian city of Palmyra took place at a time when the Syrian army and the anti-terror front have the upper hand against the terrorists, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said, IRNA news agency reported March 18.

The spokesman also called on the United Nations to condemn the aggression and use whatever in its power to prevent future occurrence of such interventionist actions.

Following the airstrikes that were carried out March 17, Russia summoned the Israeli ambassador to Moscow Gary Koren.

The air raids came less than three weeks after the Syrian military, covered by Russian air power, rid Palmyra of terrorist presence.

On March 18, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks had been aimed at targets of the Lebanese movement Hezbollah.

Bibi defiantly stressed that his regime would continue to conduct military attacks against the Lebanese resistance movement in Syria.
Rob Kardashian marked his 30th birthday with a trip to see 'Beauty and the Beast'.

Rob Kardashian

The 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians' star was joined by his family at a private screening of the Disney live-action movie - which stars Emma Watson and Dan Stevens in the titular roles - on Friday (17.03.17) to celebrate the big day.

Kris Jenner hosted the event, hiring out a movie theatre in Westlake Village, California whilst Rob's sisters Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian also attended.

Rob's on/off fiance Blac Chyna was also in attendance, bringing their four-month-old daughter Dream along, but she reportedly left soon after with a nanny. Chyna was seen carrying two huge gold and black balloons in the shape of the numbers '3' and '0' as well as a small birthday cake and a series of presents wrapped in gold paper.

Meanwhile, Kourtney brought her brother a basket full of gifts and a card addressed to 'Bobby'.

Because Rob's birthday fell on St. Patrick's Day, guests were given a series of shamrock-related costumes for people to dress up in.

During the movie, the group dined on popcorn and other movie-related snacks, Us Weekly reports.

It comes after Chyna insisted she is "in it for the long haul" with her on/off fiance Rob.

She said: "I feel like every person who's in a long-term relationship, or who is committed to their person, goes through ups and downs. Everything isn't always going to be peaches and cream. If it is, then it's fake. I'm in it for the long haul, so I feel like my advice [for anyone in a similar situation] is therapy, know each other's family, calling each other's moms.

"I feel like everything isn't going to be perfect, but I know we love each other and we're fighting for each other, and the people we surround ourselves with are rooting for us. It makes everything much easier."
Danny Dyer has held meetings with 'EastEnders' bosses about his comeback storyline.

Danny Dyer

The 39-year-old actor is currently taking a break from playing loveable landlord Mick Carter on the long-running BBC One soap but show bosses are already planning Mick's return.

A source told the Daily Star: "He dropped in to get his new scripts. He hasn't started filming just yet. But he is expected to return imminently.

"Everyone is looking forward to seeing him back in action. He's one of the soap's key stars."

And it was recently revealed that Danny's castmates a "low key shindig" when he returns, to show how important he is to the programme.

An insider said: "They're keen to show everyone is behind him 100 per cent after his tough few months.

"They're planning a round of applause when he steps back behind the bar for filming for the first time.

"The cast know how important Danny is to the show's success and don't want it to be awkward.

"Danny will be welcomed back with open arms."

Danny jetted off for a holiday to South Africa recently after his friends claimed he was exhausted after working non-stop since joining the show in 2013.

An insider said at the time: "Danny knows he has to rest-up and recuperate. He has been ground down by the workload on 'EastEnders' and then partying on top of it.

"This trip is going to do him the world of good. He can remain anonymous there and he can properly rest. He's hoping to come back refreshed and back into work."

His decision to have a temporary rest from filming came five months after he tied the knot with his childhood sweetheart Joanne Mas in a romantic ceremony in Hampshire.

The smitten couple may have only just got hitched officially but they have been together since 1992 and have children Danni, 19, Sunnie, nine and Arty, two, together.
Paul O'Grady reportedly turned down 'The Nightly Show'.

Paul O'Grady

The 61-year-old TV star was asked to present the show for five nights but told ITV bosses he could not take part.

A source told The Sun: "Paul was approached at the end of last year but he wasn't able to do it."

The show, which has a different host every week during its eight-week run - has been hit with low ratings and slammed by critics and viewers.

Meanwhile, Paul will be keeping busy as he was recently announced as new host of 'Blind Date'.

The star will take over the role of matchmaker from his late friend Cilla Black, who fronted the show for 18 years, when the popular dating show returns to screens later this year, following a revamp, on its new home Channel 5.

In an official statement issued by Channel 5, Paul said: "'Blind Date' is an incredibly special family show which brought laughter, tears and joy to TV viewers throughout out the land. I am honoured to present the brand new series and after speaking to Channel 5, I know the series is in safe hands. I can't wait to see if we can find love."

The classic game show was fronted by Cilla for almost two decades from 1985 until 2003 and, although a reboot has been in the pipeline for some time, she tragically passed away in 2015 following a fatal fall at her Spanish home.

Bosses are keen to keep some of the "traditional" elements of the previous run but have decided to give it an updated twist to appeal to a "new generation of viewers".

It's expected to run on Friday nights - rather than its traditional Saturday night slot - and will consist of six to eight episodes per series for the first few installments.

The programme sees three singletons grilled by a member of the opposite sex in order to find the perfect match without being able to see them. The new couple then pick an envelope with their holiday destination - abroad or in the UK - inside and will spend the next week trying to get to know one another.
Indian Couture Experience (ICE) will promote Indian fashion and give 25 Indian designers a chance to present their capsule collections to a new audience comprising shoppers and fashion fraternity in Hong Kong on March 18. The first season of the ICE fashion showcase was recently launched in Delhi and the show will also be held in Melbourne and New York.

Fashion designers Shyamal and Bhumika will make their debut in the Hong Kong market with ICE. They will showcase their runway Spring Summer 2017 collection at the event. Designers Izzumi Mehta's bridal lehengas and capes will also be on sale at the ICE in Hong Kong.

Nikhil Thampi will showcase his fusion wear at the ICE event in New York, while Shivan and Narresh will bring their collection celebrating the spirit of Indian holidays and destination weddings to Melbourne.

Indian Couture Experience (ICE) will promote Indian fashion and give 25 Indian designers a chance to present their capsule collections to a new audience comprising shoppers and fashion fraternity in Hong Kong on March 18. The first season of the ICE fashion showcase was recently launched in Delhi and the show will also be held in Melbourne and New York.#

A variety of things including bridalwear, ready-to-wear designer dresses, accessories and more will be on display at the ICE events. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
HON PM VOREQE BAINIMARAMA AT THE DISBURSEMENT OF MICRO AND SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS TO 2016/2017 RECIPIENTS IN NAVUA





The Honourable Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism, Lands & Mineral Resources;Honourable Ministers;Permanent Secretaries and Senior Government Officials;Distinguished Guests,My Fellow Fijians,Bula Vinaka and a very good morning to you all.I am delighted to be here this morning to distribute these first 2016/2017 micro- and small-business grants to people here in Navua. Todays recipients are among 11,000 successful applicants.My fellow Fijians,One of the most important objectives of the Fijian Government is to see our local enterprises grow and contribute more each day to our nations economy. Statistics show that our MSME sector represents around 10-12% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP).But we believe this estimate of the contribution of the micro and small businesses is understated. This is mainly because micro and small businesses operate in the informal sector, so it can be hard to come up with accurate statistics. Since the beginning of this micro- and small-business grant initiative we have been able to bring 6,622 micro and small businesses into the formal sector.Ladies and Gentleman,The micro and small businesses also develop the community, and they are able to use these micro-grants to establish a new business or expand their existing business. This leads to growth in the community, by creating employment and giving people disposable income to purchase products and services.Just last month, I distributed grants to 769 people in Savusavu and Taveuni. These were the last of the first group of recipients whose grants were held back due to Tropical Cyclone Winston. It was indeed a relief to finally hand those grants out.Since its inception in 2015, the Micro and Small Business Grant Scheme has assisted 6,622 entrepreneurs with grant funding to the tune of $6.3 million. These entrepreneurs have used the grant funding to start up or expand their businesses  and those businesses have ranged from cash cropping and poultry farming to tailoring and hairdressing, just to name a few. In addition, it has created a multiplier effect  meaning that these businesses create jobs because they do business with other individuals and enterprises.So we can safely say that the Micro and Small Business Grant programme has improved the livelihoods  and the lives  of more than 33,000 Fijians.At this juncture, I would like to reiterate that my Government is very keen to continue its support for the development of the MSME sector. Government has already begun its Budget process, and I assure you that we will continue to fund programmes that will benefit our micro and small entrepreneurs.We are also grateful for the generous support given thus far by our development partners and other governments who recognise the importance of nurturing and fostering the growth of our micro and small-scale entrepreneurs.My fellow Fijians,As mentioned earlier, the Fijian Government will continue to ensure that those who require genuine assistance will benefit from this grant scheme.Today marks another milestone as we commence disbursement for new recipients that have applied this year. As I have noted before, we have once again received overwhelming interest, with nearly 19,000 Fijians applying, and nearly 12,000 have been successful.I will be giving out grants to 549 recipients here in Navua, most of whom are from the provinces of Serua and Namosi.After careful and thorough assessment by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism and the Fiji Development Bank, these 549 recipients have proven that they have the ability to make a real difference in their businesses and their communities and positively contribute to the MSME sector, I am confident that these expanded and invigorated businesses will further contribute to improving the standard of living and increasing economic activity here in Navua, and the provinces of Serua and Namosi.As you all know, for this initiative the Government has partnered with the Fiji Development Bank to facilitate the grants and the application process. This helps to build the client base for the FDB, as these businesses will in the future require further financial assistance as they grow, and through this initiative will already have an established relationship with the FDB. It also contributes to FDBs mandate of the development of industries and enterprises, and in particular the economic development of the rural and agricultural sectors of the Fijian economy.To the recipients, you are joining 129 previous successful applicants from your area who have received grants and have successfully established their businesses. We are confident that you will also follow their example and work hard to ensure that your ventures are also successful.My fellow Fijians,To ensure that you are successful in your various business ventures, the Fijian Government  through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism  will continue to provide business-development support services to help you solve problems and sustain your businesses.Further, the National Centre for Small and Micro Enterprises Development will offer mentoring and training in areas of financial management and sound businesses practices.And when you are ready to expand or take on a new business venture, you will find that the Ministry will be there to provide guidance, counselling and support. These, Ladies and Gentlemen, are a few of the many support services that show the Fijian Governments commitment in meeting its objectives of making our local SMEs the engine of Fijis Economic Growth.Ladies and Gentlemen,To share some highlights of this Grant Initiative, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism conducted a post-disbursement monitoring exercise to measure the impact of these grants on the businesses and livelihoods of those that were assisted in 2015 here in Navua and the Serua/Namosi Provinces. It was encouraging to note some positive results after two years:i. Ms. Shobna Devi of Navua Town was assisted with $1,000 to expand her Tailoring Business. Her business has not only increased its orders but also its profit.ii. Mr. Marino Lawa of Wainivaka Village, Namosi was provided $1,000 for his canteen business. His customers are his fellow villagers, and his income has increased by one-third.iii. Ms. Sainimili Narewa of Lepanoni Village, Serua was assisted with $1,000 to expand her business selling frozen food by purchasing a chest freezer and additional stock. The grant assistance has allowed her to expand her customer base by reaching out to the nearby communities, which tripled her profit.iv. Mr. Krishnil Prasad of Vakabalea Road, Navua was provided with $1,000 for his farming business. With the boost of additional farming implements, he now cultivates five acres as compared to the two acres he used to farm. He is currently planting dalo and other root crops and vegetable produce, and has tripled his earnings.Ladies and Gentlemen,The success stories I have just highlighted are meant to encourage you to work smart towards expanding or starting up your own business and also to take the necessary steps to improve your standard of living.As usual, I would like to make mention of some recipients who will be receiving their grants this morning. I would appreciate it if you would rise when I announce your names:i. Ms. Apolonia Nawakarodo of Nakavu Village, Namosi will be given $1,000 for the purchase of crafted items for her handicraft business.ii. Mr. Jitendra Singh of Nakaulevu, Navua will be given $1,000 for the purchase of materials and equipment for his car-wash business.iii. Ms. Finau Mareca of Toguru Settlement, Navua will be given $968.00 for the purchase of clothing stock for her second-hand clothing business.iv. Mr. Elvis Param Siwan of Vuninokonoko Back Road, Navua will be given $998.65 for the purchase of his materials and chicken feed for his poultry business.v. Mr. Malakai Saudromu of Nabukavesi will be given $1,000 for the purchase of stock for his canteen business.vi. Ms. Loata Vakacara of Vunibau Village, Serua will be given $997.00 for the purchase of farming materials for her faming business.My fellow Fijians,The Micro and Small Business Grant Facility is an important undertaking of the Fijian Government because we firmly believe that MSMEs are a catalyst for economic growth and job creation. We plan to continue this initiative and make it bigger and better in the future. The Fijian Government is also exploring ways to provide further support to micro, small and medium enterprises.As such, I urge you all to take ownership of this opportunity and use the grant assistance for its intended purposes. Work hard in your various businesses, and never be satisfied with where you are. Always look to the future, and to growth. My Government believes in you, and thats why we have invested the peoples money in you and placed our trust in you.My fellow Fijians,This is an exciting moment for all grant recipients  and for me, too, in a very personal way. I am proud of you, and I wish you well in your business ventures.Vinaka Vakalevu. Thank You.
Kapil & Ginni

Kapil had shared the picture of Ginni and wrote, "Will not say she is my better half .. she completes me .. love u ginni .. please welcome her .. I love her so much:)"

Kapil's Message For Deepika Padukone

It is known to all that Kapil likes Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone. He further wrote, "@deepikapadukone deepu... now m not gona miss u .. hahahahaha.. love always."

Ginni's Message

Not just this, even Ginni took to social media and shared a series of pictures. She shared Kapil's picture and wrote, "So finnaly Decided Marry with Kapil sharma ~." "Engaged with My Love Kapil sharma."

Who Is Ginni Chatrath?

Apparently, Ginni's real name is Bhavneet Chatrath. She and Kapil performed together on Has Baliye. Both knew each other since college. But, they fell in love while shooting for the show.

More About Ginni

It is also said that Kapil directs Ginni is several drama projects. Currently, she is helping her father in his business.

Kapil & Ginni

Kapil is engaged to Ginni and will be marrying her soon. There are also reports that after getting married to Kapil, she will settle down in Mumbai. She will help Kapil with his production house.

Confusion About Kapil-Ginnis Marriage!

But, there are also reports that Ginni is Kapil's wife in his next movie Firangi . Also, Kapil's sister Pooja Sharma denied the rumours of Kapil's marriage.

Kapils Sister Denies Marriage Rumours

Kapil's sister was quoted by Daily Bhaskar as saying, "I cannot speak on Kapil's marriage, he is the right guy to comment on his wedding. Ofcourse, if he has posted a picture then there might be something to it. But yes, marriage has not happened yet."

She Further Added

"Ginni is a very good girl and is very sanskaari. She has all the qualities what Kapil is looking for in a girl. I am happy for them."
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/17/17 -- North American Nickel Inc. (TSX VENTURE: NAN)(OTCBB: WSCRF)(CUSIP: 65704T 108) (the "Company") announces that it has filed an updated technical report (the "Technical Report") in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") documenting its recent work on the Company's 100% owned Maniitsoq property in southwest Greenland.

The report, titled "Updated Independent Technical Report for the Maniitsoq Nickel-Copper-Cobalt-PGM Project, Greenland" and dated March 17, 2017, was filed on SEDAR under the Company's issuer profile at www.sedar.com, and is also available on the Company's website at www.northamericannickel.com.

Qualified Person

The Report was prepared by Dr. Jean-Francois Ravenelle, PGeo and Dr. Lars Weiershauser, PGeo, of SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc., each of whom is independent of North American Nickel and a "qualified person" (for purposes of NI 43-101).

The information in this release was reviewed and prepared under the direction of Patricia Tirschmann, P. Geo, Vice President of Exploration for the Company, who is a "qualified person" (for purposes of NI 43-101).

The Company is not aware of any legal, political, environmental, or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of the project other than those set out in the Company's most recent annual information form filed on SEDAR under the Company's issuer profile at www.sedar.com. Please see below under the heading "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements" for further details regarding risks facing the Company.

About the Company

The Company is a mineral exploration company with 100% owned properties in Maniitsoq, Greenland and Sudbury, Ontario.

The Maniitsoq property in Greenland is a Camp scale project comprising 2,985 square kilometres covering numerous high-grade nickel-copper sulphide occurrences associated with norite and other mafic-ultramafic intrusions of the Greenland Norite Belt (GNB). The belt is greater than 75 kilometres long and situated along, and near, the southwest coast of Greenland accessible from the existing Seqi deep water port (see the Company's news release dated January 19, 2015) with an all year round shipping season and abundant hydro-electric potential.

The Company's Post Creek/Halcyon property in Sudbury is strategically located adjacent to the past producing Podolsky copper-nickel-platinum group metal deposit of KGHM International Ltd. The property lies along an interpreted extension of the Whistle Offset embayment structure. Such geological structures host major Ni-Cu-PGM deposits and producing mines within the Sudbury Camp.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of the Company. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the risks facing the Company; success of exploration activities; impact of mineralogy, estimation of mineral resources at mineral projects of the Company; the future economics of minerals including nickel and copper; synergies and financial impact facilities; the benefits of the development potential of the properties of the Company and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are 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" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are based on a number of assumptions and 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. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of the Company and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct.

Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward-looking statements include variations in metal grades, changes in market conditions, variations in recovery rates, risks relating to international operations, fluctuating metal prices and currency exchange rates, and other risks of the mining industry, including but not limited to the failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors and others who base themselves on forward-looking statements should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they entail. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this press release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Statements concerning mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if the property is developed.

Statements about the Company's future expectations and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and as that term defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbours created thereby. Since these statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, the Company's actual results may differ materially from the expected results. For further information on the project, please see the Technical Report, which is available on SEDAR under the Company's issuer profile at www.sedar.com, and is also available on the Company's website at www.northamericannickel.com.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors

Estimates of mineralization and other technical information included or referenced in this press release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. The definitions of proven and probable reserves used in NI 43-101 differ from the definitions in SEC Industry Guide 7. Under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, a "final" or "bankable" feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority. As a result, the reserves reported by the Company in accordance with NI 43-101 may not qualify as "reserves" under SEC standards. In addition, the terms "mineral resource", "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and normally are not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. "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 an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian securities laws, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Additionally, disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian securities laws; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measurements. Accordingly, information contained or referenced in this press release containing descriptions of the Company's mineral deposits may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mark Fedikow, President

North American Nickel Inc.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

North American Nickel Inc.

Jaclyn Ruptash

Corporate Communications

604-770-4334 or Toll free: 1-866-816-0118




SAN JOSE, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/17/17 -- Martin A. Kropelnicki, President & Chief Executive Officer of California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) (Cal Water), testified yesterday on behalf of the National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) before the Subcommittee on Environment of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce at its hearing on "Reinvestment and Rehabilitation of Our Nation's Safe Drinking Water Delivery Systems." Kropelnicki currently serves as President of NAWC, which represents private water utilities across the country.

In his testimony, Kropelnicki provided recommendations on tackling the nation's drinking water infrastructure challenges, including holding failing water systems accountable and encouraging them to pursue partnerships or consolidation with able owners or operators; using federal funding for water projects to incentivize water suppliers to implement the Environmental Protection Agency's principles of effective utility management; and providing additional incentives for private utilities to leverage their decades of experience solving complex water challenges and bringing new water infrastructure projects online faster and cheaper, such as providing utilities safe harbor protections when they assume responsibility of turning around failing water systems.

Elaborating on private water utilities' expertise, Kropelnicki explained that NAWC's six largest member companies are investing nearly $2.7 billion annually in maintaining and upgrading their water systems. Cal Water alone is budgeting to invest about $1 billion in its water systems over the next five years. This is significant given that the current total federal appropriation for the State Revolving Fund program is about $2 billion annually, according to Kropelnicki.

"The private water utility sector stands able, ready, and willing to partner with local and state governments, as well as the federal government, to help meet the challenges our nation's water infrastructure will face in the coming years and decades," Kropelnicki said. "Quite simply, private water companies, like Cal Water, have the financial, managerial, and technical expertise to help ensure that all Americans have safe, reliable, and high-quality water utility service."

The full hearing, in which Kropelnicki testified with Rudolph Chow, on behalf of the American Municipal Water Association; Greg DiLoreto, of the American Society of Civil Engineers; John Donahue, on behalf of the American Water Works Association; Randy Ellingboe, on behalf of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators; and Erik Olson, of the Natural Resources Defense Council, can be viewed at http://bit.ly/2mMIArK. Kropelnicki's written testimony to the Subcommittee can be read at http://bit.ly/2nvJUzd.

California Water Service Group is the parent company of California Water Service, Washington Water Service, New Mexico Water Service, Hawaii Water Service, CWS Utility Services, and HWS Utility Services. The subsidiaries provide regulated and non-regulated water service to nearly 2 million people in 100 communities. California Water Service was ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Water Utilities in the West" in 2016 by J.D. Power in its inaugural Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study. The Company's common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CWT." Additional information about the company is available online at www.calwatergroup.com.

Contact:

Yvonne Kingman

(310) 257-1434




Russian specialists have started demining the historic districts and residential neighborhoods of the Syrian city of Palmyra, the International Mine Action Center of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation informs, Sputnik reported.

The demining started after Syrian government forces regained control over the ancient city with the support of Russian aircraft earlier this month.

"In the first five to six hours of work, more than 120 explosive devices were neutralized," the head of the centers de-mining unit deployed in Palmyra said on Saturday.

The de-mining work in Palmyra is expected to be completed within the next one or one and a half months.

The first Russian specialists arrived for mine clearance operations in Palmyra last week.

In May 2015, Daesh, banned in Russia, took hold of Palmyra. In March 2016, the Syrian army managed to liberate the city, however, in December 2016, the extremists captured Palmyra for the second time.
Cobrainer, a Munich, Germany-based data analytics company, raised a seven-digit seed funding round.

Backers included Bayern Kapital, Vogel Ventures, Linden Capital, and business angels Michael Brehm and Andy Goldstein.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations.

Founded in 2013 by CEO Hanns-Bertin Aderhold, Cobrainer applies machine learning and natural language processing to the analysis, management and visualization of expertise. Originating in a research project at TU Munich and continuously expanding its data map, the company has created a platform for tracking, managing and allocating expertise rapidly.

Cobrainer currently has 13 employees.

FinSMEs

18/03/2017
Mumbai: Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his demonetisation move and digital drives at the India Today Conclave on Saturday.

"Thanks to demonetisation, India has taken a big leap forward from a predominantly cash economy to a digitally enabled optimal cash economy. It has brought unproductive money into productive use, Ambani said while addressing the Conclave.

He said that so far, credit in the country had been high value and low volume, available only to a few people. "In the coming years, based on your Aadhaar identity, it will be possible to get a loan on your mobile in just a few minutes," Ambani said.

India underwent a demonetisation drive from 8 November to 30 December of high-valued Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in an attempt to curb the issue of black money.

When asked about Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party's landslide victory in the recent Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, despite the demonetisation drive which had affected the lives of common people, Ambani said, "We are blessed to have a leader who not only understands the countrymen but also understands the world and technology."

"What impressed me the most was when the prime minister visited the US (at the time Barrack Obama was the US president) and at the dinner they only discussed how technology can benefit the poor people and help develop a country," Ambani added.

Disclaimer: Network18, the publisher of Firstpost, is owned by Reliance Industries
After keeping his personal life a mystery and away from the public gaze, comedian Kapil Sharma introduced his girlfriend to his fans and followers on social media.

A photograph posted on his official Facebook page revealed the news. He captioned the image of himself and her in the frame saying: "Meet my wife. I love her more than Deepika."

However, according to a post on his Twitter account the status of the woman gets confusing.

He tweeted: "Will not say she is my better half...She completes me. Love you Ginni. Please welcome her...I love her so much."

Will not say she is my better half .. she completes me .. love u ginni .. please welcome her .. I love her so much:) pic.twitter.com/IqB6VKauM5  KAPIL (@KapilSharmaK9) March 18, 2017

Though, Kapil made it clear that she is not his better half, he wants fans to welcome her as he posted on Twitter that "she completes him".

Sharma told Hindustan Times, "Why dont people believe me? (laughs). Yes, it is true. Ginni and I are in love and she is lovely. We are not engaged yet. I will get married next year. I am very happy.

Later on Saturday evening, news of a fight broke between fellow comedian Sunil Grover and Kapil Sharma, on a flight back from Australia.

Indian Express reports that flight attendants had to stop him from physically assaulting Grover. This news has not been confirmed or denied by either Grover or Sharma.

With inputs from agencies
The recent attack by 40 to 50 unidentified men who tried to vandalise the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati and set it on fire is the second time in many months that the film has faced trouble. The last time the production faced opposition from an irate mob was during the films schedule in Jaipur where members of Karni Sena assaulted Bhansali and his crew over alleged distortion of facts in the film.

It is said that a newspaper interview of Ranveer Singh, who plays the role of Ala-ud-din Khilji in the film, where he said that he and Deepika Padukone, who plays the titular Rani Padmavati, share an intimate scene is what led to the initial protest in Jaipur. The Karni Sena claims that it had gone to warn the filmmakers against presenting wrong facts  Padmini is not revered for being their queen but for choosing death by Jauhar (self-immolation) over any exploitation be it rape or enslavement by invaders, in this case, Khilji. The Karni Senas opposition somewhere stems from Bhansali reportedly showing the very thing that did not happen  a romantic liaison between Khilji and Queen Padmini  by any stretch of the imagination and moreover, supposedly, celebrating it as well.

Things were said to have only gotten out of hand when someone from the films crew fired gunshots to scare Karni Sena. The former Royal family of Jaipur, who own the Jaigarh Fort where the film was being shot, too, stood by the Karni Sena. Irrespective of how things shaped up in Jaipur or inKolhapur where stones, laathis, and even petrol bombs were used to destroy the sets such actions are unacceptable and the miscreants should not be allowed to get away.

Bad luck seems to be a constant companion of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. If no one is protesting against his cinematic interpretation, more on that later, fate and what have you often go against him. There had been accidents on the sets of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, and Black where fires and other freak incidents destroyed standing sets and in one instance, Devdas, two members of the crew died. Bhansali's persona, too, has many fables attached. He is infamous for punishing his assistants; in one instance this writer heard a story where a leading studio almost blacklisted Bhansali as the sound engineer flew off his handle after Bhansali slapped one of his young assistants. The assistants fault - she apparently broke his concentration while he was listening to a mix.

When it comes to Bhansali's vision there has been some opposition or the other in some varying degree or the other. Great art is usually said to be the outcome of great pain or strife but in Bhansali's case, there is a great pain even when the art is lacking. This unique setting has also helped fuelled his aura, which, as luck would have it automatically demands his art to be seen from a similarly singular prism. Whether it is taking a leap of creative faith with fictitious characters such as Chandramukhi and Paro in Sarat Chandra's Devdas by making them prance around to the beats of Dil Dola Re in Devdas or indulging in unrivaled artistic liberty where historical and real characters or situations are altered such as making Kashibai and Mastani dance a la Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai in Bajirao Mastani, Bhansalis cinematic vision is peerless. If with Devdas his artistic expression created his larger than life aura, it is the now this venerated Sanjay Leela Bhansali aura that dictates his artistic expression. So, if this then requires something as big as making Peshwa Bajirao shake like a motorized head in Dushman Chi Vat Lavli or imagining an intimate scene between Ala-ud-din Khilji and Rani Padmini so be it.

Protests against a work of art can range from an open letter to an open threat to attacking it the open. If passion running large makes all things Bollywood larger than life, passion in real life, too, can have the intensity. If on the one hand there is a Bharat Dabholkar like open letter response to Bhansalis damning of reality while portraying Maratha history in Bajirao Mastani that practically reduced the filmmaker to an attention grabber, there is the Karni Sena like response as well. No one in the their right mind can ever condone the physical attack on anyone vandalizing a film set that results in not only monetary loss but also a threat to life but this writer, at the risk of being labeled one of those or extremist depending on how one chooses to address, believes that Bhansali was more than aware of the risk. One again, this in no way justifies the action of the vandals but consider this  certain figures are revered by people and when it concerns history that people are proud of, a filmmaker, for the want of a better expression, cannot get away with anything in the name of creative license. The reported depiction of Ala-ud-din Khilji and Rani Padmini in an intimate scene would no doubt be a grave concern for Rajputana pride and being a matter of faith the opposition is only natural.

Faith cannot be so brittle that a film could threaten it but perhaps there is a deeper point here that is going unnoticed. Following the attack on the Padmavati crew in Jaipur, there is the argument being made that Rani Padmini is a figment of imagination and her existence is a matter of debate among historians. Moreover, Rani Padmini is a character that was first written in an epic poem named Padmavat by the 16th-century Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi. Therefore, it is not sacrilegious on Bhansalis part to then imagine a romantic scene between Khilji and Rani Padmini (even if it supposedly is not there, or a dream sequence or such) and brush away any reality associated with the horrors of Jauhar. In the book Ashes of Immortality: Widow-Burning in India Catherine Weinberger-Thomas suggests the whole Padmavat may be considered an illustration of the idea- quite prevalent in Sufi traditions  that love, suffering and death being inseparable and only be adequately expressed through the language of fire. Weinberger-Thomas also adds that the final scene of Jayasis work where queens Padmavati and Nagmati ascend Ratansens pyre would have had the historical background in the mass immolation (Jauhar) of the Rajput women together with Queen Padmini during Ala-ud-din Khiljis 1303 invasion of Chittorgarh[1].

By the same argument there is equal evidence or lack therefore of Christ but Martin Scorsese, who was raised Roman Catholic, had to incur all kinds of opposition from the Church when it came to his adaptation of The Last Temptation of Christ. The U.S. Catholic Church declared the film morally offensive and the filmmaker even with his celebrated status had to scrounge around for funding. There were similar scenes at the time of the release ofThe Da Vinci Code and in India, the Catholic Secular Forum (CSF) had decided to go on a fast unto death if the then government didnt take action against anti-Christian movies. The general secretary of CSF, Joseph Dias, had added that there was no way of saying what could happen if the movie released considering the tempers that were running quite high.

The Da Vinci Code and in India, the Catholic Secular Forum (CSF) had decided to go on a fast unto death if the then government didnt take action against anti-Christian movies. The general secretary of CSF, Joseph Dias, had added that there was no way of saying what could happen if the movie released considering the tempers that were running quite high.

The manner in which both Sanjay Leela Bhansali and his film have been attacked is deplorable and the perpetrators ought to be brought to book. Strangely Bhansali never lodged a complaint with the police after the Jaipur attack and according to the Superintendent of Police, Kolhapur there is a reluctance to file an official complaint this once as well. It is understandable that Bhansali might not want to fan the matter any further lest it gets uglier. There are other ways to protest against Bhansali or any filmmaker and violence in any form is simply unacceptable. But is it time for both  the protesters as well as the filmmaker  to meet at a middle path? For the protesters it would be better to take legal recourse, oppose the film, and ask for a review, etc. and for the filmmaker to meet with the figureheads and present his side. There is a genuine concern amongst the believers, however irrational they may appear to the other side, that the visionary filmmaker who could make Kashibai and Mastani dance in perfect synchronization wouldnt care two hoots for a queen who led hundreds of women to death over being slaves or worse to a plunderer.
In India, the lack of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law has for long stymied efforts at providing effective and adequate redress to those who have had pernicious disadvantages heaped upon them. The Constitution does have certain provisions prohibiting discrimination and mandating affirmative action, but they apply only to the public sector. Organisations in the private sector, and private individuals and their groups get to have an unbridled reign when it comes to discriminating against the other. Moreover, the Constitution remains silent on the myriad categories because of which people are stereotyped and discriminated against.

Now, MP Shashi Tharoor has sought to remedy this parlous state of affairs by bringing in the Anti-Discrimination and Equality Bill, 2016  a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, which, if enacted into a statute, would go a long way in fostering diversity and pluralism in Indian society.

The Bill significantly broadens the categories of what will be regarded as discrimination and prejudicial treatment under law, and also extends protection to many individuals and groups who were earlier left defenceless.

It also lays down a strong structure and mechanism to provide redress, and of measures which could serve as deterrents.

Broadening the safety net

At present, discriminatory attitudes based on marital status, caste-affiliation, sexual orientation, disability, religion or food preferences do not come within the laws scope. The Constitution and relevant laws do prohibit the practice of untouchability, but do not address situations where a private landlord refuses to let out his house to Dalits, Muslims, homosexuals or non-vegetarians. The law also does not cover situations where discrimination on various grounds is practised in private sector organisations, clubs, societies, NGOs, educational isnstitutions, hospitals, panchayats.

The Bill brings all these entities within its ambit, and also includes service providers, customers and employees in both the organised and unorganised sectors. Thus, a local kirana store owner who refuses to sell goods to a Muslim would also be held guilty of practising discrimination. Ditto for landlords who refuse to let out their premises people from the North East or Kashmir.

Curbing the powers of khaps

The menace posed by khap panchayats and similar entities based on caste and communal lines is notorious. By prohibiting segregation and boycott (economic, cultural and social) of individuals and others  for example, a couple who tied the knot despite hailing from different communities, the Bill seeks to take a key power of the khaps. This is bolstered by the fact that anyone filing false cases (under Section 366 of the Indian Penal Code) of kidnapping a woman for the purpose of marriage would be deemed to have committed the offence of segregation. And public servants such as police and other officials who are complicit in such acts would also be held liable.

Positive duty of practising diversity

No law and anti-discrimination would be really well-rounded if it did not include a duty to practise diversity. In that aspect, the Bill takes a significant step forward by making it mandatory for organisations to carry out anti-discrimination and diversification duties, and progressively realise diversification through providing scholarships, recruitment measures and trainings, and targeted advertisements.

A housing society managing more than 50 residential units, and a private company employing more than 100 people also have to prepare and submit an annual Diversity Index Report to the State Equality Commission.

Remedial measures

In a first of its kind, the Bill provides for compensation to be paid by those indulging in discrimination, segregation or boycott. The amount for damages is twice the monthly salary of an MP, or Rupees 1 lac, whichever is higher. And for aggravated discrimination, exemplary damages can be awarded; the amount would be equal to the annual salary of the President of India, or Rupees 15 lacs, whichever is higher.

Apart from compensation, the Bill also provides for protective orders, which are a type of restraining orders to prevent an individual or organisation from continuing to carry out a discriminatory act or practice. A Judicial Magistrate First Class or a Metropolitan Magistrate can pass such protective orders. Any violation of such an order would be deemed as an offence punishable by imprisonment of one year or fine amounting to the annual salary of the President of India, or both.

At present, the number of instances where one sees the inflection of bigotry of different hues is burgeoning. For that reason alone, Tharoors Bill is timely. One has to see if it finally manages to gather the total number of votes to be finally enacted into a law; but if it doesnt, it would be a collective loss for society and polity.
Chandigarh: Some districts in Haryana, adjoining national capital Delhi, were put on alert on Saturday ahead of the protests planned on 20 March by the Jat community outside Parliament.

Authorities imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Cr. PC on Saturday to check the movement of Jat community protesters towards New Delhi.

The district administration in Jhajjar, Hisar and Rohtak imposed the prohibitory orders on Saturday, a state government official said here.

In Jhajjar district, authorities have restricted the use of Internet and social media platforms.

The Haryana Police and civil authorities have been directed to ensure that Jat protesters are not allowed to move towards Delhi on tractor-trolleys.

Fuel pump owners have been asked not to sell more than 10 litres of diesel to tractor-trolleys till 21 March.

Police and civil officers in the districts held meetings with officers of paramilitary forces ahead of the Jat protest moving to Delhi.

Accusing the BJP government in Haryana of hatching a "conspiracy" to weaken their agitation, the Jat community on Friday said they will continue with their protests across the state and will also lay siege to the national capital on 20 March.

Talks between top Jat leaders and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, which were scheduled to be held in New Delhi on Friday, could not be held.

Jat leaders accused Khattar and his government of going back on assurances made to the Jat community on Thursday and earlier.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar blamed the Jat leaders for backing out of talks and that he was ready to meet any leaders.

Jat leader Yashpal Malik told the media in Rohtak town, 70 km from Delhi, on Friday that the BJP government had hatched a conspiracy to weaken the Jat agitation by misleading the Jats.

He said Khattar left Delhi on Friday for Chandigarh without meeting the Jat leaders.

The meeting had been announced by the seniormost minister in the Haryana government, Ram Bilas Sharma, in Panipat on Thursday.

The Jat agitation, which began on 29 January, completed 49 days on Saturday.

The Jat leaders were earlier in talks with a five-member panel of senior government officers but the talks had remained inconclusive.

The All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) had earlier announced that the community would intensify its agitation by taking their protest to Delhi on 20 March.

The Jat leaders said that they would gherao entry points of Delhi from seven sides and protest at the Parliament complex.

Talks between the state government and the Jat leaders hit a roadblock last month as the Haryana government made it clear that it has no jurisdiction to withdraw cases being investigated by the CBI against some Jat leaders over violence during the agitation last year.

Khattar accused the Jat leaders of changing goalposts.

Their demands include reservation for Jats, jobs to the next of kin of those killed in violence in the Jat agitation last year, compensation to those injured, withdrawal of cases against them and action against the officers, who ordered action against the Jats, among others.

Violence during the agitation last year had left 30 people dead and over 200 injured. Government and private property worth hundreds of crores of rupees was damaged during the violence in February 2016.
The Union Cabinet approved and passed the National Health Policy on 15 March, two years after a draft copy was shared and circulated amongst stakeholders. India had last issued a health policy in 2002. The current policy, that shall be implemented after considerations from the state governments, the public and allied stakeholders, aims to provide healthcare "in an assured manner" to everyone. It also promises to tackle challenges that emerge from sociological, environmental, technological and epidemiological circumstances.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that the policy is "futuristic" and that it places the interests of citizens at its centre. But this 'futuristic' health policy fails to make the right to health a justiciable right  like the Right to Education (RTE) 2005 had done, for compulsory primary education.

The Right to Health is not an explicit right mentioned in the Constitution; however, Article 47 of the Constitution, contained under Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy), mandates that it is the primary duty of the state to ensure the improvement of public health.

However, directive principles are only ideals that the state is expected to reach, and are not justiciable in courts of law. The Supreme Court in Bandhua Mukti Morcha v Union of India (1984) put down types of conditions necessary for the enjoyment of health  it held that the right to "protection of health" was subsumed within the right to live with human dignity, under Article 21 of the Constitution.

In CESC Ltd v Subhash Chandra Bose (1992), the Supreme Court relied on international instruments and inferred that the right to health is a fundamental right, and observed that health is not merely the absence of sickness. In Consumer Education and Research Centre v Union of India (1995), the Supreme Court, for the first time, held that "the right to health is an integral fact of a meaningful right to life", and that the right to health is a fundamental right.

The apex court in Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity and Ors v State of West Bengal (1996) declared that it is the primary duty of a welfare state to ensure that medical facilities are adequate, and failure to fulfil this obligation would violate the fundamental right under Article 21.

The draft National Health Policy, 2015, by the health ministry had proposed that the right to health be made justiciable. The National Health Policy, 2017, drops this intention completely  it removes a rights-based approach altogether, providing an "assurance" and makes health an entitlement.

For a Right to Health legislation, like the RTE, 2005, the procedure would be complex as a constitutional amendment would be mandatory to move health to the concurrent list from the state list  where it is currently listed. The Policy remains silent on this, therefore, making healthcare governance an ambiguous subject. Health continues to remain in the State List, and states will have the power to regulate on the subject, and may or may not subscribe to legislations that the Centre makes and recommends.

The 2017 Policy intends to shift focus from sickness to preventive healthcare. It also aims to increase on gradually increasing public health expenditure to 2.5 percent of the GDP, and promises strengthening of health systems by improving access and quality of healthcare, while reducing costs.

The Policy highlights AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) as effective tools for prevention, and promotes its uses to promote good health. It also aims to reduce morbidity and preventable mortality of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by advocating for pre-screening.

The Policy looks to the empowerment of patients by setting up tribunals and allied mechanisms where patients can seek redressal when there are grievances over treatment. Along with this, the Policy envisions at the provision of assured comprehensive primary healthcare through Health and Wellness Centres.

For combating HIV and AIDS, the Policy seeks to achieve the global target of "90:90:90" by 2020, where 90 percent of all people living with HIV (PLHIV) are aware of their status, 90 percent of those diagnosed receive sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 90 percent of those receiving ART have viral suppression. The draft of 2015 had also suggested a health cess, which has also been dropped.

But the question remains: Why deviate from the draft policy of 2015, where health was identified as a basic human right?

Since the right to health flows from the right to life, making the former a fundamental right would be considered by most as a natural corollary; since denying someone quality healthcare would translate to a violation of the right to life.

Making the right to life a fundamental right would mean that the state would have a positive obligation to provide quality healthcare to its citizens, and failure to do this would result in legal actions against state authorities. One also grapples with the concept of preventive healthcare  a salient feature of the 2017 Policy  without a positive obligation from the state to protect and promote the right to health.

How will a "sick-care" to "wellness" model of healthcare work without the states accountability and engagement to make the ecosystem less hazardous for the well-being of its citizens?
Lahore: The two missing Indian clerics of Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah are in custody of Pakistan's intelligence agency over their alleged links with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), official sources said on Saturday.

Syed Asif Nizami and his nephew Nazim Nizami were offloaded from Karachi-bound Shaheen Airlines on 14 March at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, they said. "The personnel of an intelligence took both the clerics into custody after getting them offloaded and shifted them to an undisclosed location for investigation," the sources told PTI on condition of anonymity. They further said both clerics have been detained for their alleged link with MQM of Altaf Hussain.

"They are being interrogated for their alleged links with Altaf's partymen in Karachi," the sources said, adding they will be freed if nothing is established against them.

The MQM emerged as a largely ethnic party in the 1980s. It has political dominance in the southern Sindh province's urban areas  notably in Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Sukkur where a large number of Urdu-speaking people, who fled to Pakistan from India during 1947 Partition, reside.

Eighty-year-old Asif Nizami is the head priest of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah. He along with his nephew Nazim Ali Nizami had gone to Pakistan on 8 March to see his sister in Karachi. They arrived in Lahore on 13 March and visited shrine of sufi saint Baba Farid Gang in Pakpattan. The two went missing on 14 March from Lahore.

Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria on Friday said Pakistan was "pro-actively pursuing" and have asked all departments concerned to look into the matter. He had told PTI in Islamabad that, "no clue to the missing Indian priests has been found so far".

India has taken up this matter with Pakistan and ensure the safe recovery of Indian nationals. Official sources in New Delhi said Pakistan has conveyed that it was "seriously pursuing" the case with its law enforcement agencies.

"We have taken up this matter with Government of Pakistan and requested them for an update on both the Indian nationals in Pakistan. Both are missing after they landed in Karachi airport," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had tweeted.

"We have also contacted their host in Karachi who appears to be under pressure not to speak to the Indian High Commission. I am in constant touch with our high Commission. However, there is no official confirmation regarding their whereabouts," she said.

We have taken up this matter with Government of Pakistan and requested them for an update on both the Indian nationals in Pakistan./4  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 17, 2017

We have also contacted their host in Karachi who appears to be under pressure not to speak to the Indian High Commission. /3 #Nizamuddin  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 17, 2017

Pakistan has launched a crackdown on the MQM after party leader Hussain made anti-Pakistan comments during speeches at a hunger strike camp in Karachi last year.

Pakistan has charged the self-exiled leader in London with treason for his inflammatory speech that incited party workers to attack media outlets.
Libyan military aircraft crashed on Saturday in the country's northeastern city of Benghazi, Libyan National Army spokesman Ahmed Mismari told Sputnik.

According to the spokesman, the pilot of the MiG-21 fighter jet managed to eject from the plane.

Mismari suggested that the aircraft could be shot down by enemy forces.

The Libyan National Army led by Gen. Khalifa Haftar is currently fighting against terrorist groups in Benghazi. The groups attacked and gained control of Sidr and Ras Lanuf oil fields, pushing out Haftar's forces, earlier in March. On Tuesday, reports emerged that Libyan government troops drove the militants from the area.

Libya has been in a state of turmoil since 2011, when a civil war began in the country and its longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown and killed. In December 2015, Libyas rival governments - the Council of Deputies based in Tobruk and the Tripoli-based General National Congress - agreed to create the Government of National Accord (GNA), to form the Presidency Council and to end the political impasse.
When you enter the room where photographs from the exhibition In the City: A Library are displayed, you will be reminded of the dusty shelves of the rare books section of your college library.

There are pictures of old books, tattered books, books with creased and yellow pages, and books whose pages are torn or chewed off.

Featuring photographs by Chirodeep Chaudhari and supplemented with words written by Jerry Pinto, this exhibition tries to capture the culture of visiting and cherishing public libraries  a culture that they think is rapidly disappearing, as well as the interaction of books and time.

Each of the books on display, whether in physical form or in pictures, has character, as if they have lived lives of their own. There is one section where Chaudhari has placed photographs of books with old-style hand-punched bus tickets placed on their pages. When asked why he decided to combine these two elements, Chaudhari says that the bus tickets were already placed inside the books. The people borrowing these books probably used the bus tickets as book marks. I just opened the books to the page where I found these tickets, he explains.

Chaudhari spent 15 months documenting the books in The Peoples Free Reading Room in Dhobi Talao. In the process of documenting this space, he took some 900-odd photographs. He decided to undertake this project because his close friend and partner in this project Jerry Pinto was granted access to this South Bombay library.

One of the photographs features a copy of Richard III with a dried flower in it. On another wall are pictures of books with handwritten letters in them. On the last page of one book is a letter seeking a passport to go overseas, written by someone who wanted to join the merchant navy. On the same wall are photographs where personal messages scribbled in by readers have been documented. In one of them, a reader strongly recommends homeopathy, and in another, a cheeky reader has left behind a mathematical problem for the next reader to solve. In a third, one reader has written an elaborate critique of the book The 13th Hour, calling it juicy baloney.

There are also pictures of library cards  small sheets of paper filled with details of who has borrowed a particular book, when they borrowed it and when they are expected to return it. You can tell that these cards belonged to books from the same library because of the consistency in the librarians handwriting.

"Books have a certain place in our civilisation," say the words written on a wall meant to explain why Chaudhari and Pinto put together In the City: A Library. Books have always interested me, and so have old illustrations; this is what draws me to books with hand-drawn figures. Books are filled with information, which is why when a book is lost or not read, that bit of human memory is lost. As the number of people who visit libraries increasingly reduces, a kind of amnesia begins to set in, Chaudhari laments.

When asked to compare the library culture in Mumbai today to that when he was young, Chaudhari says that he thinks the patrons of these spaces are different now. He is of the opinion that previously, these spaces attracted readers. For over a year, I noticed that the library mainly attracted only students, and these students werent really reading the books as much as using them to pass their exams, he says.

He adds that never once did any of the people in the library come up to him and ask him why he was documenting old books. I think this is indicative of a lack of curiosity in books, and otherwise too, he says.

Some of the noteworthy pictures from this exhibition are the one of the book about Templars with the letter written by a child to a father about a vacation in it, the one of a stack of old books placed on a round vintage table and the one of a copy of Kim by Rudyard Kipling, flanked by books written in Gujarati.

What makes the last photograph particularly striking is that there is a Nazi symbol on the inside of the cover; an insignia that Chaudhari tells me Rudyard reduced in use after the negative connotation it gained after Hitlers rise to power. He chose to place books written in Gujarati below it and around it because there was a stack of books written in this language lying around.

In the City: A Library is open to viewing till 8 April, 2017 at Project 88, Colaba.
Noor starring Sonakshi Sinha is all set to release on 6 April, 2017. The Bridget Jones-esque film revolves around the adventures of a journalist in Mumbai (even though the book is based in Karachi), and also stars Purab Kohli and comedian Kanan Gill.

Published last year by Random House Saba Imtiaz's Karachi, You're Killing Me! chronicles the life of Ayesha Khan, a twenty something journalist who drinks and smokes, putting her modern attitude in contrast to Karachi's more traditional atmosphere. We talked to the critically acclaimed journalist about Karachi, You're Killing Me!, Bollywood and much, much more. Here are the edited excerpts:

What part was most difficult to write in the book? In your 2014 interview with The Mumbai Litfest, you say it was writing about Ayesha's love interest. Can you tell us more?

Writing is difficult, period. Dont trust anyone who tells you that its easy or that they churn out thousands of words in the time it takes to make a cup of coffee. But writing about Ayeshas relationships was difficult because Id never essayed that kind of emotion before. Im very dispassionate when I write. I have zero emotion and so to be able to write about friendship or love was difficult.

Karachi, Youre Killing Me portrays Karachi in a very strong light. It seems to be one of the lead protagonists rather than just a city in the background; it has its own flaws but still seems to be an amazing city to live in, with its own unique character. Noor is set in Mumbai. Do you think the story will translate well into another city?

I think just the fact that its being adapted shows that there are elements to the book that can translate into another city. At its heart, the book is about a single woman living a complicated life in a cosmopolitan city, and living in any big city comes with its own unique set of problems. Im really looking forward to seeing Noor and how that element of a single girl in a big city comes across. The book isnt a word-for-word adaptation, its a starting cue, and so theres no exact translation or just transplanting a story into another city.

Are you a fan of Bollywood? Any favourite Bollywood films?

I cant recall what I did last week but I can recite large chunks of dialogues from Bollywood films from memory, so I guess the answer is yes. Andaz Apna Apna will always, always be at the top of my list  nothing has ever come close to that film. Other favourites: Masoom, Maachis, Maqbool, and Jab We Met. Im still fairly partial to Dil Hai Ke Maanta Nahin. Of recent films, I really liked Shahid and Queen as well as Kapoor & Sons, which I thought showed familial conflict incredibly well.

Do you think it is hard to be a reporter, and a woman at that in Pakistan or even India, which is steeped with tradition and sexism?

I cant say about India since Ive never worked there. There have been female reporters and editors in Pakistani newsrooms for decades, but theres a lot more visibility of female reporters now because of the plethora of television channels, so I dont think people find it strange to encounter a female reporter, or to be interviewed by a woman. There is a level of hesitance at times, and its hard to get that same level of access that male reporters do  particularly in crime and political beats  or to build the same kind of relationship with contacts.

There are also the rare, occasional advantages to being a female reporter  you get more access to families, its easier to get into places at times. But these advantages are outweighed by how the odds are stacked against women because of their gender.

The problem is inherently in newsrooms, and how journalism has evolved over the last few years. Despite the fact that women have excelled at every beat in journalism in Pakistan, the challenge is when women are only considered capable of reporting on beats that are considered 'safe' or 'easy'  even though nothing is easy (not even fashion, as some people assume)  or when theyre shut out of the boys club in newsrooms, not considered for promotions, are underpaid, and are subject to verbal and sexual harassment and have no recourse because no one will take their complaints seriously. There is a glass ceiling. Dawn  one of the oldest English newspapers in Pakistan  has never had a female editor-in-chief. There are a mere handful  actually probably less than that - women in senior editorial positions at news channels, but no one is running a major TV network. The language and treatment of women in the press are appalling, and thats because of this ingrained culture that doesnt consider womens lives to have any degree of importance, that doesnt treat their problems or concerns or opinions as important, and because women from other socio-economic groups arent considered equals.

These are issues that arent just present in journalism; its difficult to work as a woman in Pakistan, period. Even if youre the most incredible person in your field, there are dozen-odd challenges that are associated with your gender.

There's a constant struggle to portray women as 'nice' on screen. Women have to be perfect, great at cooking, cleaning and have to look good while doing it, that seems to be the general perception. Ayesha is a loveable yet flawed character. Is this a conscious decision?

No. I think the character evolved as I wrote it, and showed she had real issues that stood in contrast to the seemingly perfect women around her.

Your book also talks about how women in Pakistan have to fight to get their way in matters relating to their career and marriage. How hard is it for urban women to get their way?

There are millions of urban women in Pakistan, and I really have no idea how to talk about the urban womans experience in its entirety. A lot of the taboos about careers and marriages and sex are a widely social construct. And yet, work is not a choice for women in the lower socio-economic brackets: its a necessity.

Theres evidence of a shift: There are people who realize women have to work, and that their families cant survive if women dont have jobs, or that there is no value to an education if women dont use their degrees. And then there are women who still have to fight every step of the way to be able to get an education and work.

Again, from what Ive observed, some urban women have more choices when it comes to careers and marriages, and others dont. But what I can tell you from personal experience is that theres a general expectation of urban women  and this isnt just from families, but also from your peers  to get married and have kids etc. I find the latter to be terribly disgusting  like your fellow 20- and 30-somethings judging you for not being married or for your career choices.

Do you think feminism in Pakistan is more of a upper middle class phenomenon?

Theres a stereotype that feminism is an upper middle-class or even a foreign phenomenon: feminism is rooted in our history and our culture.

Theres also an assumption that feminists are upper middle-class by default; no one really delves into their backgrounds to examine who they are and what life experiences theyre informed by. Sure, some women do come from privilege, but a lot of activists dont. The assumption that only privileged women can be feminists is so disconnected from reality. If a woman speaks English, its assumed shes a privileged feminist: how do you know how she learnt English anyway? I cannot tell you how many times Ive had to correct assumptions about my background and life, or how shocked people are when I tell them that I gave my school and intermediate exams under the state-run examination system and yet can speak English. Its sort of assumed that the two cant be compatible.

Women have been on the streets for decades  fighting for every inch of space they could get on public buses and screaming out loud against street harassment and trying to ask for more wages  but these women are from lower-income groups and hence werent visible and didnt have Instagram to document their struggle and so its assumed that the only women who are vocal are privileged. What is more disconcerting is that theres so much talking 'at' women without trying to understand anything about their lives or why they may choose to do x thing or wear y item of clothing.

What about the state of journalism in Pakistan? Your book seems to have very strong views about how the balls rolls and how far it can go.

My book is a piece of fiction. The state of journalism in Pakistan is stuck between a hard place, and an even harder place, and a very crumbly cliff.

Are there any women journalists you look upto?

I dont like journalists specifically because of their gender. I like journalists because of their work. I resent the assumption that as a woman I specifically look up to other women because men are never asked what male journalists they look up to.

I will say this, though: the late Razia Bhatti  the pioneering editor of Pakistans Newsline magazine, which I grew up reading, and her successor Rehana Hakim  cemented in my consciousness that women were fantastic journalists. Ive learnt the most from women: my editor at The Express Tribune newspaper, Mahim Maher, transformed the way I worked and thought about reportage.

Could you tell us more about your second book, No Team of Angels? When will it be out?

No Team of Angels is my much-delayed second book (which I actually started on before Karachi, Youre Killing Me!) Its a non-fiction book of reportage that explores how conflict develops in Karachi, and how x or y reason is often used as a cover. Itll be out as soon as I finish it, which I say every year will be this year.
Is the Congress party crying wolf over the way the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) "managed" to form governments in Goa and Manipur? Are they right to charge BJP with allegations of 'stealing democracy', after winning the states despite trailing in fractured mandates?

The answer to these questions  if one follows a dispassionate analysis  will be 'yes' . In the absence of any established convention or a specific law on the subject, that is, how to form a government in the wake of a "hung" verdict, it would appear that BJP's actions were "legal" albeit "immoral.

The point that Congress and some experts have been trying to make is that in the event of a fractured mandate, that leads to a hung legislature, the governor (or for that matter the President in the case of General Elections) "must" invite the party with the largest number of newly elected legislators to form the government, which, in turn, shall be given some time to prove the majority in the legislature.

Since the Congress had more MLAs than BJP in both Goa and Manipur, it "must" have been called by the concerned governors to form the government. According to Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, who was the partys election in-charge in Goa, state governor Mridula Sinha "broke the Constitution" by inviting the BJP first, despite the Congress getting "the mandate by the public."

However, nowhere in the Indian Constitution, either the president at the Centre or the governor in a state is bound to call the leader of the single largest party to form the government in the case of a hung House. In fact, that is the reason why the Supreme Court dismissed the Congress' plea of restraining the Goa governor from swearing-in Manohar Parrikar as the new chief minister.

It went with the previous judicial pronouncements that strength of a government must be tested in the floor of legislature and accordingly determined the time by which Parrikar must prove his majority in the Assembly. And Parrikar did just that.

And perhaps because of this judicial setback for Congress in Goa, there was no problem for a BJP-government being installed in Manipur  even though the Congress, with 28 MLAs, had seven more than BJPs 21 MLAs.

In fact, the way BJP cobbled up new allies to get legislative majority was so smooth and obvious that unlike in Goa, the partys new chief minister, N Biren Singh, has not been even asked by the governor to prove his majority in the new Assembly. So much so that his predecessor, Congress Okram Ibobi Singh, did not even hesitate before attending his swearing-in ceremony.

The point, thus, is clear, that the Indian Constitution allows the president, or for that matter the governor of state, to use his or her "discretion" to decide whom to invite to become the prime minister or the chief minister in the event of a fractured mandate.

And, in exercising such "discretion", he or she is not bound to invite the leader of the single largest party. What he or she has to consider is whether the chief minister-designate will be able to secure the majority support in the House in a given period of time.

It may also be noted here that emerging as the single largest party does not mean that the party, as Digvijaya will like us to believe, has got the popular mandate. After all, the fact remains that in the recently concluded elections, BJP got 33 percent of votes as against 28 percent of the Congress in Goa. And in Manipur, the Congress got 32 percent of votes whereas the BJPs corresponding figure was 34.6 percent.

The only limitation to the "discretionary power" that has been imposed on a governor by the Supreme Court so far is that he or she will not deny a leader claiming to form a government the chance to do so and seek the subsequent approval from the Assembly and instead recommend the Presidents rule (this does not apply in case of the President as he or she shall have a prime minister all the time to aid and advise). In other words, the discretionary power is to be used towards the formation of a government, not to prevent it if there is a claim.

It may be noted in this context that the Supreme Court had indicted former Bihar governor, Buta Singh, who in February 2005 Assembly elections had denied the claims of NDA leader Nitish Kumar to form a government, when the single largest party of Lalu Yadav (RJD) could not muster, along with the Congress and others, the required 122 mark (in a House of 243).

Singhs plea was that in a fractured House, the NDA, if allowed to form a government, would have resorted to defections and other unethical means; therefore, he recommended for the imposition of Central rule. The Court opined that the governor had acted in 'undue haste' in sending his report to the central government and that "his full motive was to prevent Janata Dal-United from staking claim to form a government after a fractured verdict". It said that the governor was not entitled to anticipate and act on the possible defections as defection-related incidents were under the jurisdiction of the "speaker", not the "governor".

Now the question is how a governor uses his or her "discretion" in inviting someone to take oath as chief minister in a hung House. Undoubtedly, he or she can do things on his or her own. He or she can seek legal advice discreetly. Or, and this is the best course, he or should go by "conventions", which, though not outlined in any document, have developed over time and grown out of practice. In this regard, the most talked about ones are the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission:

- The first preference is to be given to a pre-poll alliance commanding a majority in the House.

- The second preference is to be given to the single largest party without a majority of its own.

- The third preference is to be given to a post-election alliance with all partners joining the government.

- The fourth, and last, preference is to be given to an alliance wherein some may join the government and others' provide 'outside support'.

However, the above recommendations have not been transformed to be conventions as yet. In any case, Sarkaria Commissions recommendations need to be seen in totality, not in isolation. The recommendations were on the reforms in the federal relations as a whole, including the application of Article 356 (imposition of central role) and appointments of the governors. Unfortunately, nothing much has been done to implement these recommendations.

Be that as it may, there are two limitations of conventions on the formations of governments because of hung Houses. One, they are not legally enforceable, evident from a Supreme Court judgment in 1996. In the case of SP Anand vs HD Deve Gowda (1996) 6 SCC 734, the Supreme Court held that the convention that the prime minister should be a member of the Lower House (Lok Sabha) "is not in our constitutional scheme."

Secondly, there has been no uniformity as far as the convention of inviting the single largest party to form the government in a hung House is concerned. Once in Goa, after defecting to the Congress from the BJP, Digamber Kamat was made the chief minister even though the BJP-led Alliance, including the then Speaker and United Goans party, had more numbers of MLAs than the one led by the Congress.

In 2005, even though BJP won 30 out of 81 seats in Jharkhand, the JMM leader Shibu Soren with 17 MLAs was invited to form the government. Similarly, in Jammu and Kashmir in 2002, although the National Conference had 28 MLAs, the post poll alliance of the PDP (with 15 MLAs) and Congress was allowed to form the government under the late PDP leader Mufti Mohammad Syed.

Similarly, the 28-member Aam Aadmi Party, led by Arvind Kejriwal, became the chief minister of Delhi with the Congress support in 2013, even though the BJP had won 32 seats. One can cite many more such instances.

The point, therefore, is that conventions cannot be the sole basis for the government-formation in a hung House as long as these are not applied uniformly under all circumstances. And, as long as their applications are uncertain and debatable, the governors "discretions" have to be respected.
Lucknow: Newly-elected BJP MLAs in Uttar Pradesh will be meeting in Lucknow on Saturday to elect the leader of the state legislature party.

The meeting will be held at 4 pm at Lok Bhawan, state BJP spokesperson Manish Dixit said.

Central observers  Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav  will remain present at the meeting to elect the chief minister.

BJP vice-president Om Mathur, state party chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and other senior party leaders are also likely to attend the meet.

"The new chief minister of Uttar Pradesh along with his Cabinet colleagues would take oath on March 19 at 5.00 pm at Kanshiram Smriti Upvan," Governor Ram Naik had said in a statement on Friday.

Union Minister Manoj Sinha, Home Minister and former state chief minister Rajnath Singh, Maurya and eight-time MLA from Shahjahanpur Suresh Khanna are being projected as the main contenders for the post by their partymen.

All these leaders in their interactions with the media have played down their chances.

Sinha was in Varanasi on Friday where he offered prayers at Sankatmochan temple.

The BJP is forming government in the politically crucial state after a gap of 15 years.

In the recently-concluded Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the party secured 312 seats in a 403-member house, while its allies Apna Dal (Soneylal) and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party got nine and four seats respectively.

Samajwadi Party bagged 47 seats, while its ally the Congress stooped to its lowest tally with seven seats.

Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party could manage to get only 19 seats in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly.

With the BJP leadership often springing a surprise with its choice of state leaders like Manohar Lal Khattar in Haryana, Vijay Rupani in Gujarat and now Trivendra Singh Rawat in Uttarakhand, sources have said that a relatively lesser known leader cannot be ruled out.

The central observers will most likely inform the MLAs about the BJP top brass' choice which will be subsequently endorsed at the meeting on Saturday.

The BJP top brass has taken its time to decide on the UP Chief Minister after results were declared on 11 March.

The sources said the party is extra cautious as it is returning to power in Uttar Pradesh after a 15-year hiatus. Moreover, in view of Lok Sabha election in 2019, BJP cannot afford to take any wrong decision, said some party insiders when asked about the delay in declaring the CM's name.

After a stupendous win in the Assembly election, the party can ill afford to lower its guard. Uttar Pradesh sends 80 MPs to Lok Sabha and is extremely important in the BJP's scheme of things.

Party insiders said the overwhelming mandate has posed a fresh challenge for the BJP to meet sky-high expectations.
A criminal complaint filed against Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, his brother-in-law and a government official in the alleged PWD scam has been transferred to the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), Delhi Police told a city court on Saturday.

Delhi Police's economic offence wing (EOW) submitted a report before Metropolitan Magistrate Abhilash Malhotra, stating that it has enquired into the complaint and has now transferred it to the ACB.

"The complaint has been transferred to the Anti-Corruption Branch... For further necessary action at their end," EOW said in its report.

The court listed the matter for further hearing on the complaint on 23 March.

The court was hearing a complaint filed by founder of Roads Anti-Corruption Organisation (RACO) Rahul Sharma, for direction to police to lodge an FIR against Kejriwal, his brother-in-law Surender Bansal, proprietor of a construction firm, and a public servant for alleged irregularities in the grant of contracts for roads and sewer lines in Delhi.

Advocate Kislay Pandey, who filed the plea on behalf of the complainant, has alleged "deep-rooted corruption" and said the documents showed no material was actually purchased for executing the projects.

Another court had earlier dismissed Bansal's plea to transfer the matter from the court of magistrate Malhotra, saying the application was not maintainable.

The EOW had earlier also filed a status report before the court seeking time to conclude its enquiry into allegations of irregularities in grant of contracts for roads and sewer lines in the city.

The complainant has alleged documents showing purchase of material were "concocted and forged", and a loss of over Rs 10 crore had been caused to the public exchequer.

The plea demanded that the role of the chief minister be investigated as he had allegedly caused substantive gains to Bansal and others by using his influence.

The complainant alleged that Bansal operated through several dummy firms to obtain the government contracts in connivance with several senior PWD officials. These contracts never got executed "whereas shockingly all the payments were cleared under pressure from Kejriwal".
India's most populous, politically and socially most critical Hindi heartland state of India, Uttar Pradesh will now have a serving mahant of Gorakhnath temple, Yogi Adityanath as its chief minister. The BJP leadership's decision has left the nation shocked and several BJP supporters are fumbling for right words, to say the least.

With a saffron robe-clad mahant at the helm in Uttar Pradesh, the fear is the fine line between state and religion, so vital for a secular state, could just be blurred. This also means that BJP's big catch-phrase Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, which it adopted ahead of 2014 parliamentary election and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as rest of his party colleagues would so proudly repeat on all possible forums will be reduced to a cruel joke.

This would inadvertently give a huge opportunity to the rival opposition parties, which were lately down in dumps to regroup against Modi and the BJP. This opens a possibility of revival of yet another round of secular-communal debate, in a much bigger way than the nation had seen so far.

After all, mahant is known for only one thing that he preaches and practices, strident Hindutva. He had so far been operating from Gorakhnath temple, which he presides in Gorakhpur and his only organisational ability, proven so far, was in leading his own Hindu Yuva Vahini. Official website of Hindu Yuva Vahini profoundly claims Adityanath as its chief patron. Under the column of "sadyantra" (conspiracy), it has several write ups Akhand Bharat, Phir Akhand Hoga Bharat, minority appeasement and its consequences, Islam ka safar  jihad se love jihad tak and has videos on atrocities on Hindus, love jihad, conversions by Christian and such other related themes.

It was quite ironic to see that Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, central party observer for BJP legislature party meetings tell the media and to the nation that the mahants nomination as Uttar Pradesh chief minister was to fulfill singular agenda "development, development and development". His words couldnt sound more hollow to a vast mass of people in Uttar Pradesh and way beyond. However, Naidu didnt take any questions.

Adityanaths offensive quotable quotes are not difficult to find and sure to be replayed routinely by BJP opponents, critics, and liberals in time to come. For once they wouldnt be wrong.

By naming him to lead the state for next five years Modi and BJP president Amit Shah have conveyed to the world that their interpretation of a most thumping mandate is completely different from what the common men and women in Uttar Pradesh and outside perceived. Modi-Shah duo and RSS which may have called the shots in Yogi's dream-come-true elevation perhaps interpreted this mandate as a Hindu consolidation verdict in a Hindu versus Muslim electoral battle.

Since the time Modi was chosen as the BJP prime ministerial candidate in July 2013 and the clear majority mandate which he got in May 2014, he had made development as his agenda and called himself as pradhan sewak. Modi's persona surely has a Hindutva tinge but people overwhelmingly voted for development, to see a better tomorrow for ordinary Indian citizens, India and Indian states.

In the last two and half years as prime minister and prior to that as chief minister of Gujarat for 12 years, Modi was seen as a strong decisive development oriented leader. His selection of Adityanath as chief minister of a communally sensitive state has, for once, created doubt in the minds of his supporters that Modi cant always withstand pressure from RSS and Sangh Parivar. Their agenda can weigh over his development agenda, as also the person who could lead that agenda. Till this morning it was believed that Union Communications Minister and an IIT-BHU alumnus Manoj Sinha was his choice number one. But then things changed.

The verdict given by people in Uttar Pradesh March 2017 was no different. Modi has successfully aligned governance at Centre and state under his command to develop the state at a speed that was not seen so far, for job creation, for farmers welfare, for hope and aspiration.

Instead of all that, on Saturday when the whole nation was glued to TV sets, people in Uttar Pradesh got a steep forced dose of rabid Hindutva.

No one is sure if BJP had gone to Uttar Pradesh elections with a slogan Desh me Modi, Pradesh me Yogi (as Mahant Adityanath is called) what the results could have been. It can, however, be said with certain surety that the results would have been different then what came out of EVM machines on 11 March. Last time when Adityanath had shot to fame was in September 2014 when he led the BJP campaign in the assembly by-polls with the controversial "love jihad" as the central talking point. The result BJP could win only three out of 11 seats for which by-elections were held. Interestingly elections in all these constituencies were held because BJP MLAs had become MPs.

The other important aspect is that there are two deputies for Adityanath that too when the mandate is so big for BJP. That could have been done to balance out the caste combination  Adityanath is a Rajput and his two deputies (deputy chief ministers) Keshav Prasad Maurya is from most backward caste and Dinesh Sharma is a Brahmin. Maurya is from Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Sharma too has a strong RSS rooting. Adityanath's mentor and father figure mahant Avaidyanath had a Hindu Mahasabha lineage before he joined the BJP. It was interesting to see that Union Minister Kalraj Mishra (senior most Brahmin leader) was specially invited to the legislature party meeting to "bless" the chief minister designate and his deputies.

It must have been one of the rare occasions when a leader named as chief minister and a deputy chief minister had their supporters protesting at party headquarters and make the party leadership yield to their demands.

Just a day ahead of Holi on 11 March, it was said that Modi-Shah duo had turned the festival of colours into saffron but now it seems they have painted the state saffron.
By Anna Mehler Paperny

| TORONTO

TORONTO Canada's border authorities detained more Mexicans in the first 67 days of 2017 than they did annually in any of the three previous years, according to statistics obtained by Reuters.The spike comes immediately after Canada's federal government lifted its visa requirement for Mexican citizens in December.Many Mexicans looking north have shifted their focus from the United States to Canada as President Donald Trump vows to crack down on America's undocumented immigrants, about half of whom are Mexican. On Friday, Reuters reported, immigration judges were reassigned to 12 U.S. cities to speed up deportation. [L2N1GT1US]

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said it detained 444 Mexican nationals between Jan. 1 and March 8, compared with 410 for all of 2016, 351 for 2015, and 399 for 2014.The CBSA can detain foreign nationals if it is believed they pose a danger to the public, if their identity is unclear or if they are deemed unlikely to appear for removal or for a proceeding.

The number of Mexicans turned back at the airport has risen, too - to 313 in January, more than any January since 2012 and more than the annual totals for 2012, 2013 and 2014.With the visa requirement lifted, all that Mexicans need to come to Canada is an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), obtainable online in a matter of minutes. But they cannot work without a work permit, and the eTA does not guarantee entry.

Canada issued 72,450 travel authorisations to Mexican citizens between Dec. 1, 2016, and March 10, 2017 - a significant increase compared with a similar period when visas were required.Canada's Immigration and Refugee Minister Ahmed Hussen has said his department is monitoring the situation. His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon. (Reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny; Editing by Leslie Adler)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Gabriela Baczynska

| BRUSSELS

BRUSSELS "Europe is our common future," the European Union's 27 leaders plan to declare in Rome next week, in defiance of its worst blowback ever - Brexit. A one-and-a-half page draft, seen by Reuters in advance of the meeting to mark 60 years of the bloc and entitled "The Rome Declaration", is an effort by the 27 to chart a course for their future after Britain leaves in 2019. "We are determined to make the EU stronger and more resilient, through even greater unity and solidarity amongst us. Unity is both a necessity and our free choice," it reads."Taken individually, we would be sidelined by global dynamics. Standing together is our best chance to influence them, and to defend our common interests and values ... Our Union is undivided and indivisible."The draft, dated March 16 and prepared by the chairman of EU leaders' summits Donald Tusk, will be debated among the capitals next week and may yet change before it is finally adopted in Rome next Saturday."In the 10 years to come we want a Union that is safe and secure, prosperous and sustainable, with an enhanced social dimension, and with the will and capacity of playing a key role in the global world," it says.It pledges more security cooperation between EU states and their defence industries, effective management of immigration and tight external borders.

It vows to promote global trade despite the new U.S. President Donald Trump's criticism of international agreements, to develop the bloc's single market and promote jobs and innovation."Europe is our common future," the last sentence of the declaration reads, an exact repeat of the final line of the EU text signed in Berlin in 2007 to mark 50 years of the bloc.MUTLI-SPEED EU

The Tusk draft is very soft on the idea of a multi-speed EU, or allowing willing countries to foster closer ties in areas they can agree on, while leaving reluctant ones behind.

Tusk has warned against such a scenario, but it has been increasingly backed by Germany and the bloc's executive in Brussels. They see it is as the only way for the EU to stave off a wave of euroscepticism, nationalism and populism engulfing the bloc."We will act together whenever possible, at different paces and intensity where necessary ... leaving the door open to those who want to join later," reads the only reference to multi-speed Europe in the text.

Another delicate issue is further enlargement, which is anathema to some member states.Others say the doors must not be shut, as EU entry criteria promote democracy and stability in neighbouring countries."We want a Union which remains open to those European Countries that fully share our values," the text reads.Other tricky areas include the concept of fostering more "social Europe", where the idea is to fight discrimination and ensure equal opportunities in education and jobs. The draft calls for "A social Europe: a Union which promotes economic and social progress as well as cohesion and convergence, taking into account the variety of social models and the key role of social partners..." Eastern states fear their cheap workers may lose out if the wealthier West uses that goal to demand equal treatment for local and migrant labourers in their markets. (Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska; editing by Andrew Roche)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Ayman al-Warfalli

| RAS LANUF, Libya

RAS LANUF, Libya A broken down truck and a tank lie by the side of the road in the sand, and overturned boxes are strewn across the floor of a firefighting station. Otherwise, Libya's coastal Oil Crescent appears much as it did before a string of battles saw the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) lose and retake the major export terminals of Ras Lanuf and Es Sider in the space of 11 days.The fighting with the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB) caused output to dip slightly, and fuelled fears of fresh shutdowns in Libya's most important oil producing region.But workers are gradually returning to the oil facilities which officials say show little sign of damage beyond what was wrought in previous rounds of fighting.Military checkpoints have sprung up again, and shops, mosques and petrol stations have reopened. The LNA says it is once more fully in control.Es Sider and Ras Lanuf are two of Libya's largest terminals. They have a potential combined capacity of some 600,000 barrels per day (bpd), but have been operating at a fraction of normal levels after being repeatedly fought over and blockaded for two years.Reuters reporters saw a heavy military presence at Es Sider, the westernmost of the ports, during a visit on Thursday, just two days after the LNA recaptured it.

"The port has not suffered damage that would hinder exports, just some stealing," said an engineer at Es Sider. "About 30 workers have returned to the port, though we have not started export operations yet."At the Harouge oil storage tank farm in Ras Lanuf, about 30 km (18 miles) east of Es Sider, a group of soldiers with five military vehicles stood guard."There were clashes around the tanks, they didn't last long," said Alaa Gaddafi, an LNA commander stationed there. "Some of them escaped and we found some dead. We got control of the tanks after about 10 minutes. There was no new damage to the tanks, the damage is from before." The LNA and its leader Khalifa Haftar say they are working to rid Libya of Islamist extremism and militia rule. They have gradually extended their control over most parts of eastern Libya.

The BDB is partly made up of fighters who battled the LNA in Benghazi. They draw on support from Haftar's opponents in western Libya, and say they are fighting to prevent a return to authoritarian rule and to allow displaced families to go back to Benghazi.OPEN LAND

The attack on the Oil Crescent by the BDB on March 3 took the LNA by surprise, exposing previous claims to have the area well secured. Its loss of Es Sider and Ras Lanuf, and the BDB's promise to push northeast towards Benghazi, raised the prospect of an escalation in a simmering conflict between loose armed alliances based in the east and west of the country.

It also put at risk a partial revival of Libya's oil production, throwing into doubt a fragile arrangement by which the LNA allowed the National Oil Corporation (NOC) in Tripoli to operate the ports, even whilst allowing revenues to go to a central bank that it opposes. National output more than doubled after the LNA took control of all four of the Oil Crescent's ports last September, allowing the NOC to reopen three of them. During this month's clashes it dropped by about 100,000 bpd.The LNA maintained control of Brega and Zueitina, two ports that lie to northeast of Ras Lanuf, as the BDB advanced. And after massing its forces between Brega and Ras Lanuf, and carrying out daily air strikes against its rivals, it took back both those terminals in a single day."They had no air cover and were in open land, they were on land they did not know, a land which to them was hostile," said Mohamed Manfour, commander of Benghazi's Benina air base, speaking in BregaThe BDB says it will regroup and that its campaign to reach Benghazi will continue.The depth of local support for either side in the Oil Crescent remains unclear. Local backing is often won by offers of financial support and tribal pledges that can quickly shift. Both sides accuse the other of using mercenaries from southern Libya and sub-Saharan states across the border, and of carrying out abuses. (Writing by Aidan Lewis Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Amid renewed tensions across the border in Nepal over the Madhesi issue, the country's home minister Bimalendra Nidhi called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, to brief him on the latest political developments. The ruling coalition's inability to amend certain clauses of the Republican Constitution remains as one of the major concerns.

A short statement released by the ministry of external affairs after said that Modi had assured Nidhi that 'India is committed to strengthening its ties with Nepal and supports the government's efforts for socio-economic development of the neighbouring state.'

The agitating Madhesis had rejected Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's proposal to participate in the local polls on Thursday, launching a fresh round of agitations a day after they withdrew support from his government.

While India is extending its full support to Dahal's government, it has not pushed for the amendments publicly. It is certain that Modi has conveyed India's concern about fulfilling what it sees as legitimate demands of the Indian-origin population living in the Terai region of Nepal.

It seems that India has learnt from its past mistakes as nothing that was spoken behind closed doors was made public. This is in stark contrast former Nepal prime minister KP Oli's tenure, when New Delhi had aggressively championed the Madhesi cause. It is now being much more discreet.

Though Modi, and external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, raised these important issues during their conversation with Nidhi, they are no longer shouting from the roof top. Oli, once a friend of India, had shifted his allegiance to China for support during the Madhesi blockade last year. In that regards, it seems that New Delhi is now more circumspect.

The take away for the Nepalese media from the meeting, however, was different. The message to the people of Nepal was that the Indian leader has assured Kathmandu that there would be a thorough investigation into the alleged death of a Nepalese national by India's Sashastra Seema Bal earlier this month.

Tempers across Nepal had flared at the death of the civilian. The Indian embassy had initially denied that its force was responsible for the death of the young Nepali. However, to douse the anti-India sentiments, which could easily have spread across the valley, and used by the opposition Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist Leninist) and its leader Oli, India had asked for the post-mortem report to aid in investigations. Modi told the visiting home minister that the guilty would be punished. This was played out across Nepal and has hopefully convinced the opposition that India is doing the right thing.

The simmering tension in Nepal is slowly but surely re-surfacing. The United Madhesi Front has withdrawn its support to the government after Dahal was unable to keep his promise to bring in the promised Constitutional amendments. They are demanding that the amendments are done before the local body elections in May.

The withdrawal does not affect Dahal's Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist-Centre), which has the support of the Nepali Congress, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party and other some smaller outfits. What riled the Madhesis was Dahal's refusal to contact them even after they issued an ultimatum. Four Madhesi protesters were killed in police firing a few days ago, leading to growing anger against Kathmandu in the Terai region.

The fact remains that the promised Constitutional amendment, which had helped catapult Dahal to power, with New Delhi's backing, has not happened. Dahal came into office with the promise to the Madhesi parties that their concerns about the new Republican Constitution  announced in September 2015  will be addressed.

A Constitutional amendment has to be passed with a two-third majority, which is not possible because of stiff resistance from several political opponents. The focus of major parties had been on holding local elections rather than on the amending the Constitution. Nepal is to complete the holding of three-tier election by January 2018.

The problem however, is, as one former India ambassador to Kathmandu (who did not wish to be identified), said: "The politicians are too engrossed in their own game of musical chairs to bother about the country. Nepal is in a mess and unless political parties stop jockeying for position and pause to think of the country, nothing will change.''

India wants Dahal to resolve the issue of the Constitutional rights of the Madhesis quickly. The issue has already been dragged on and as the anger and frustration is building up, Nepal could once more be plunged into a cycle of needless violence.

"It has been our consistent view that the political leaders in Nepal, address the Constitutional issues through dialogue and consultations with participation of every section of its society. India will continue to support efforts for peace, progress and stability in Nepal," MEA spokesman Gopal Bagley said, at his weekly briefing on Thursday.

So far, the chances of Nepal's fractious political parties coming together to work out an agreement appear bogged down over each partys position on the amendment. India has been pushing for these very amendments to give the Madhesis  Indian origin settlers in the Terai plains  an opportunity to remain as equal citizens in the new Republic.

One of the reasons that the last government, headed by Oli, was unable to continue was because of its tough stand on the amendments. Oli had blamed India for his troubles. The Madhesi parties had organised a blockade, which led to untold misery in the valley. New Delhi naturally supported the blockade, and Oli as naturally turned to Nepal's other powerful neighbour, China.

The India-China rivalry is now reflected in Nepal. New Delhi does not want China to spread itself out in its fragile eastern border. The fact that China and Nepal are holding military exercises is also making many in India uneasy.

The shadow of China looms large in the neighbourhood and adds to New Delhi's concern. But the cultural, religious and people-to-people contacts between India and Nepal are so much stronger that even if a government tries, it cannot sever those traditional links.
Turkey has been implementing a liberal foreign trade policy in full accordance with rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) as opposed to some reports in the media about Russian goods, according to Ministry of Economy Friday, Anadoly reported.

"As of March 17, there are some inaccurate reports in both domestic and international press about restrictions on import of some Russian goods.

We would like to underline that these reports do not indicate the reality," the ministry said in a statement.

Turkey is a member of the WTO and is conducting its foreign trade operations to increase its share in the global trade under such free-trade agreements and customs union, it said.

"Turkey's foreign trade policy is completely outlined in the range of WTO rules," the ministry added.

Early Friday, some domestic and international reports suggested there would be some restrictions on Russian grain in retaliations for prohibitions on some Turkish exports.

In January 2016, after Turkey downed a Russian fighter jet violating its airspace, Russia banned the imports of Turkish fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, oranges, apples, apricots, cabbage, broccoli, mandarins, pears, peaches, cucumbers, plums, strawberries, onions, cloves, and poultry.

Following reconciliation between the two countries, Russia started to gradually lift the sanctions. But import bans on foods such as tomato and grapes, which have a market potential of $425 million in Russia, remain in force.

Russia recently withdrew the ban of some Turkish agricultural exports such as onion, broccoli and cauliflower.
By Ben Blanchard

| BEIJING

BEIJING China is likely to express its anger at being told to rein in nuclear-armed North Korea when U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrives in Beijing on Saturday, his first visit to the country since taking office last month.Beijing is expected to call on Washington to share responsibility in lessening tensions in the region, while strongly opposing this month's deployment of a sophisticated U.S. missile defence system in South Korea.Tillerson issued the Trump administration's starkest warning yet to North Korea on Friday, saying that a military response would be "on the table" if Pyongyang took action to threaten South Korean and U.S. forces.He was speaking in South Korea, the second leg of an Asia visit that has also taken him to Japan.In Beijing, he may raise the prospect of imposing "secondary sanctions" on Chinese banks and other firms doing business with North Korea in defiance of sanctions, a U.S. official told Reuters in Washington, speaking on condition of anonymity.U.S. President Donald Trump said in a tweet on Friday that North Korea was "behaving very badly" and accused China, Pyongyang's neighbour and only major ally, of doing little to resolve the crisis over the North's weapons programs.Tillerson however is also expected to firm up a trip by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States next month for his first summit with Trump, and could choose to tone down any differences between the world's largest economies, at least for now. A former oil executive with no prior diplomatic experience, Tillerson will meet China's two top diplomats on Saturday and Xi on Sunday.

On Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying reiterated that talks were the best way to resolve the problems of the Korean peninsula."As a close neighbour of the peninsula, China has even more reason than any other country to care about the situation," she told a briefing.North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and a series of missile launches since the beginning of last year.Last week, it launched four more ballistic missiles and is working to develop nuclear-tipped missiles that can reach the United States.

"BLIND WORSHIP"

Washington has been pressing Beijing to do more to stop North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes. China has called for a dual track approach, urging North Korea to suspend its tests and the United States and South Korea to suspend military drills, so both sides can return to talks.Beijing has been irritated by suggestions it has not been doing enough, with the official People's Daily on Friday denouncing what it said was Washington and Seoul's "blind worship" of sanctions and pressure.

"There has been a narrative in the West suggesting that China holds the key to the North Korea nuclear issue. That is a misguided statement," said Wang Dong, associate professor of international studies at China's elite Peking University."The bottom line is that the DPRK is not a puppet regime. We do not control them, and we have strongly opposed North Korea's development of nuclear weapons from the very beginning," he said, referring to the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.The state-run Chinese tabloid the Global Times said on Friday that it was in China's interests to stop North Korea's nuclear ambitions."The North Korean nuclear issue is caused by (the)Washington-Pyongyang confrontation. China has no obligation to shoulder all the responsibilities," it said in an editorial.China has also been infuriated by the deployment of the THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, missile defence system in South Korea, which it says will both harm China's own security and do nothing to ease tensions.China says the system's powerful radar will extend into the country's northeast and potentially track Chinese missile launches, and maybe even intercept them. Russia also opposes THAAD, for the same reasons. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard, Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By David Brunnstrom and Matt Spetalnick

| WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON The Trump administration is crafting a big new arms package for Taiwan that could include advanced rocket systems and anti-ship missiles to defend against China, U.S. officials said, a deal sure to anger Beijing.The package is expected to be significantly larger than one that was shelved at the end of the Obama administration, the officials told Reuters on the eve of a visit to Beijing by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson."The political desire is there to do a substantial sale," one administration official said, adding that internal deliberations had begun on a deal "that's much stronger, much more significant than the one that was not accepted by the Obama people." President Donald Trump's administration is eager to proceed with the sales, but it is expected to take months and possibly into next year for the White House to overcome obstacles, including concern that Beijing's sensitivities over Taiwan could make it harder to secure cooperation on priorities such as reining in North Korea, the official said.Completion of a package also could be held up by the slow pace at which the Trump administration is filling national security jobs, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because initial work toward new arms sales has not been made public.Discussions between Taiwan and the new administration already have begun, according to a person in Taipei familiar with the matter.

The White House declined comment.Details of the administration's approach to Taiwan emerged as Tillerson was due to visit China this weekend, where he will seek more Chinese support on North Korea and firm up a first meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping expected next month. In December, President Barack Obama's administration put the brakes on a Taiwan deal under discussion. That package was worth $1 billion, Washington's Free Beacon newspaper reported this week, citing unnamed officials, who also were quoted as saying the Trump administration was now preparing new sales.Ned Price, a National Security Council spokesman under Obama, said the previous administration put a "relatively modest" arms package for Taiwan on hold, in part to let the new administration make the decision.

The Trump administration source told Reuters that the new deals under consideration would likely top the $1 billion mark.The new administration plans to focus more than the previous one on enhancing Taiwan's "asymmetric" capabilities, possibly with advanced multiple launch rocket systems, anti-ship missiles and other technologies that would enable Taiwan's military to defend against a much larger Chinese force in the event of an attack, the U.S. official said.Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) is the top U.S. manufacturer of multiple launch rocket systems. Other foreign companies involved in the sector include Germanys Diehl and Britains BAE Systems (BAES.L).

A $1.83 billion arms sale to Taiwan that Obama announced in December 2015, to China's dismay, included two Navy frigates in addition to anti-tank missiles and amphibious attack vehicles.The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of one China. But successive administrations have continued providing billions of dollars in arms as part of a congressionally mandated requirement to ensure the island can defend itself.Taiwan has already been a major point of contention between Trump and China, which considers the island a renegade province.As president-elect, Trump broke with protocol and accepted a congratulatory phone call from the Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in December, angering China. He then suggested he might abandon Washington's "one China" policy, which accepts the self-ruled island as part of China. Once in office, Trump reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the decades-old policy.The White House is mindful that tensions could flare again over new arms sales. But some Trump aides insist they are needed to make clear that the United States, Taiwan's sole arms supplier, is committed to upgrading the island's defences. (Additional reporting by J.R. Wu in Taipei and John Walcott in Washington; Editing by John Walcott and Tom Brown)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Washington: President Donald Trump defiantly refused to back down from his explosive claim that Barack Obama wiretapped his phones, and sidestepped any blame for the White House decision to highlight an unverified report that Britain helped carry out the alleged surveillance.

In brushing off the diplomatic row with perhaps America's closest ally, Trump also revived another: The Obama administration's monitoring of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's calls. "At least we have something in common, perhaps," Trump quipped during a joint news conference with Merkel.

Merkel, who was making her first visit to the White House since Trump took office, looked surprised by the president's comment, which he appeared primed to deliver. The Obama administration's spying infuriated Germany at the time and risked damaging the US relationship with one of its most important European partners.

Trump's unproven recent allegations against his predecessor have left him increasingly isolated, with fellow Republican as well as Democratic lawmakers saying they've seen nothing from intelligence agencies to support his claim. But Trump, who rarely admits he's wrong, has been unmoved, leaving his advisers in the untenable position of defending the president without any credible evidence.

On Thursday, spokesman Sean Spicer turned to a Fox News analyst's contention that GCHQ, the British electronic intelligence agency, had helped Obama wiretap Trump. Fox News anchor Shepard Smith said that the network could not independently verify the reports from Andrew Napolitano, a former judge and commentator who has met with Trump.

The GCHQ vigorously denied the charges in a rare public statement, saying the report was "utterly ridiculous and should be ignored."

According to a Western diplomat, Britain's ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch, had told the White House Tuesday that Napolitano's assertions were not true. Still, it was among several news reports Spicer referenced in his briefing Thursday as part of an angry defense of the president's claims.

Darroch and other British officials complained directly to White House officials after the episode, Prime Minister Theresa May's office said it had been assured the White House would not repeat the allegations. Spicer was very apologetic when confronted by Darroch at a White House dinner on Thursday, the Western diplomat said.

But Trump himself offered no public apologies and suggested there was nothing wrong with the White House repeating what it had heard. "All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television," Trump said during yesterday's news conference. "You shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox."
By Jeff Mason and Mark Hosenball

| WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON U.S. President Donald Trump stood by unproven claims on Friday that the Obama administration tapped his phones during the 2016 White House race and shrugged off a dispute with Britain over the notion their spy agency had a hand in it.British Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman earlier in the day dismissed the charge against Britain's GCHQ spy agency as "ridiculous" and said the White House had promised not to repeat it.But at a news conference Trump brushed aside a question about whether it was a mistake to accuse British intelligence of eavesdropping."We said nothing. All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television. I didn't make an opinion on it," Trump said.He was referring to Fox News analyst Andrew Napolitano who on Tuesday accused Britain's Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) intelligence agency of having helped Obama, a Democrat, wiretap Trump, a Republican. White House spokesman Sean Spicer on Thursday quoted Napolitano's comments about GCHQ during a testy briefing with reporters.But speaking at the White House news conference, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, at his side, Trump distanced himself."That was a statement made by a very talented lawyer on Fox, and so you shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox. OK?" Trump said while standing by his initial charge that the previous U.S. administration eavesdropped on him.

"As far as wiretapping, I guess by this past administration, at least we have something in common, perhaps," he said to Merkel. U.S. ties with Germany were frayed by news reports in 2013 citing leaked intelligence documents that Washington had bugged Merkel's mobile phone.NO APOLOGY

A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said British officials had voiced concern to senior Trump aides but the official declined to explicitly apologise for Spicer's citation of the Fox News allegations.

The Republican Trump, president since Jan. 20, tweeted this month that his Democratic predecessor had wiretapped him during the late stages of the 2016 campaign. Trump offered no evidence, and an Obama spokesman has said the claim is "simply false".Leaders of both major parties in Congress have joined a growing chorus disputing it. On Friday, the U.S. Justice Department said it had responded to a request by committees in Congress for documents that could shed light on Trump's claim.A government source, who requested anonymity when discussing sensitive information, said an initial examination indicated it contained no evidence to support Trump's charge.

On the "Fox & Friends" programme, Napolitano, a political commentator and former New Jersey judge, said that rather than ordering U.S. agencies to spy on Trump, Obama had obtained transcripts of Trump's conversations from GCHQ so there were "no American fingerprints" on it.Late on Friday, Fox News anchor Shepard Smith said: "Fox News cannot confirm Judge Napolitano's commentary. Fox News knows of no evidence of any kind that the now president of the United States was surveilled at any time in any way, full stop. Dominic Grieve, chairman of the British Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee, said a U.S. president cannot task the GCHQ to intercept an individual's communications.In a rare public statement, the GCHQ, Britain's equivalent of the U.S. National Security Agency which monitors overseas electronic communications, said the claims should be ignored.Reuters reported earlier this week that an unidentified British security official had denied the allegations about Trump.GCHQ, based in western England, is one of three main British spy agencies alongside the MI6 Secret Intelligence Service and the MI5 Security Service. (Additional reporting by Elizabeth Piper, Michael Holden and Guy Faulconbridge in London; Writing by Howard Goller; Editing by Mary Milliken)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Mica Rosenberg

| NEW YORK

NEW YORK The U.S. government took the legal battle over President Donald Trump's travel ban to a higher court on Friday, saying it would appeal a federal judge's decision that struck down parts of the ban on the day it was set to go into effect.The Department of Justice said in a court filing it would appeal a ruling by U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia.Chuang on Thursday issued an emergency halt to the portion of Trump's March 6 executive order temporarily banning the entry of travellers from six Muslim-majority countries. He left in place the section of the order that barred the entry of refugees to the United States for four months.

Another federal judge in Hawaii struck down both sections of the ban in a broader court ruling that prevented Trump's order from moving forward.The decisions came in response to lawsuits brought by states' attorneys general in Hawaii and refugee resettlement agencies in Maryland who were represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Immigration Law Center. Detractors argue the ban discriminated against Muslims in violation of the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of religious freedom.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said at a press briefing the government would "vigorously defend this executive order" and appeal the "flawed rulings." He said the plan was to appeal at the 4th Circuit first and then seek clarification of Hawaii's ruling before appealing to the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

The 9th Circuit court last month upheld a decision that halted an original, more sweeping travel ban signed by the President on Jan. 27. The new executive order was reissued with the intention of overcoming the legal concerns.Trump has vowed to take the fight all the way to U.S. Supreme Court. (Reporting by Mica Rosenberg; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli and David Gregorio)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
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Among the thousands of professionals who will make the pilgrimage to Basel from all over the planet, some retailers have more clout than others. While they spend most of their time in Hall 1 with the big watch companies, they remain alert to whats happening with the small independent designers and more modest brands whose booths can be found on the upper floors and in the other exhibition areas. Matthew Green represents DFS, a major network of Asian retailers, known for its T Galleria shopping centres, temples of luxury with a high concentration of monobrand boutiques. He says, Baselworld is an extremely important event for our team. We discuss our strategic plans and orders with the executives of the brands we represent, we discover their new releases, and we look at products from other watch and jewellery brands that could potentially interest us. Baselworld is the only event where brands invest so much in their booths, to make sure they reflect their DNA, and to provide the best possible immersion in their universe.

Les Ateliers Baselworld

To cover the trends and the world premieres unveiled at Baselworld, which has become the de facto showcase for the coming years releases, WorldTempus is sending a double-handful of staff and contributors. Like last year, their articles and analyses will be collated in a special Baselworld 2017 section, which is already available. Our editorial team have already begun sharing exclusive information passed on by a number of watchmakers. Every day throughout the fair, WorldTempus will send its subscribers a summary of the latest news from Baselworld (subscribe to the free newsletter by clicking on the link at the bottom of the homepage). By the time the fair opens, WorldTempus and GMT magazine will also have launched a combined app to send daily watch news updates straight to your phone. Perhaps this years strongest trends will come from the upper floor of Hall 1, where the small independents have been brought together for the first time. In previous years they have been based in a marquee by the famous Bar Rouge, but this time theyve been given an upgraded exhibition space in a new area called Les Ateliers. Its hoped that the increased investment will be rewarded by more visitors. Most of the niche brands have chosen to base themselves here, finding strength in numbers. GMT magazines Baselworld issue devotes a special 12-page pullout to these smaller watchmakers. You can read it on opening day at gmtmag.com.

Time Square

As always, there will be a group of die-hards camped out on various floors of the Ramada Hotel. The hard core are to be found in Time Square (after dark, they are also known as the Fantastic Four). On the other side of the Rhine, epicurean feasts will take place each evening in the three restaurants of the Les Trois Rois hotel, which includes the three-starred Cheval Blanc (19 Gault Millau points). Networking will continue at the highest level in the hotels luxurious lounges, and discussions will no doubt overflow into the bar and adjoining terrace, with or without musical accompaniment. Dont miss out: log on to WorldTempus on 22 March.
A man shot dead by French soldiers at Paris Orly airport on Saturday shouted he was there to "die for Allah" and tried to seize a soldier's assault rifle, apparently intending to open fire on passengers, a prosecutor said.

The latest in a series of attacks in France forced the evacuation of France's second-busiest airport and thrust security back to the forefront of France's presidential election campaign.

The attacker, named as Ziyed Ben Belgacem, arrived at Orly airport on Saturday morning, threw down a bag containing a can of petrol and seized hold of a woman air force member who was part of a military patrol at the airport, Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said.

Using the servicewoman as a shield, he put his air pistol to her head and shouted at other soldiers with her: "Put down your guns. Put your hands on your head. I am here to die for Allah. In any case, there will be deaths."

The other soldiers then shot and killed Belgacem.

Molins said the assailant, who tried to grab the woman's Famas assault rifle, seemed bent on carrying out a serious attack.

"Given the violence that is shown in the (CCTV) pictures ... you sense that he was determined to go through with it," Molins told a news conference. "Everything leads one to believe he wanted to seize the Famas so that there were deaths and then to fire at people."

On his body, police found a Koran and 750 euros in cash. At his home, they found several grams of cocaine, a machete and some foreign currency, Molins said.

Prosecutors are investigating a number of terrorism-related offences, including attempted murder.

Belgacem's choice of target and evidence that he had been radicalised justified launching a terrorism investigation, Molins said.

Belgacem's father, brother and a cousin are in police custody, Molins said.

ON THE RADAR

Belgacem, 39, was already on the authorities' radar. They spotted him as a radicalised Muslim when he served a prison term several years ago for drug-trafficking.

Several hours earlier, Belgacem shot and wounded a police officer with his air pistol after a routine traffic stop north of Paris before fleeing, officials said.

After the first incident, Belgacem called his father and brother saying he had done something stupid, the prosecutor said.

Later he entered a bar in Vitry-sur-Seine on the other side of Paris and opened fire with his air gun without hitting anyone. He also stole a car before arriving at the airport.

More than 230 people have died in France in the past two years at the hands of attackers allied to the militant Islamist group Islamic State, whose strongholds in Syria and Iraq are being bombed by an international coalition including France.

These include coordinated bombings and shootings in November 2015 in Paris when 130 people were killed and scores injured.

With the country in the throes of a highly-charged election campaign before a two-round presidential election in April and May, the attacks will fuel the political debate.

Conservative presidential candidate Francois Fillon said in a video message that France was in a "situation of virtual civil war" and there was no justification for lifting a state of emergency in place since the November 2015 attacks, after the justice minister said this week conditions were in place for lifting it.

Far-right-wing candidate Marine Le Pen, running on an anti-immigration, anti-EU ticket, said the death of the Orly airport attacker, who she said was a multiple repeat offender, had averted a "possible massacre".

"Our government is overwhelmed, stunned, paralysed like a rabbit in the headlights," she told an election rally.

One witness, who gave only his first name of Dominique, said he saw a man seize the woman soldier by the arm at the airport and take hold of her weapon.

"We ran off, down the staircase. Afterwards, we heard two shots," he told BFM TV.

Flights from Orly were suspended for several hours after the incident.

Prince William, second-in-line to the British throne, and his wife Kate, who finished a two-day visit to Paris on Saturday stuck to their plans despite the attack.

President Francois Hollande said the case had shown the need for the "Sentinelle" security operation brought in after 2015 attacks. The soldiers involved were patrolling the airport as part of the "Sentinelle" operation.

Last month, Egyptian Abdullah Reda al-Hamahmy, 29, was shot and seriously wounded near the Louvre museum when he launched himself at a group of soldiers, crying out "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest).

(Reporting by Gus Trompiz, Emmanuel Jarry, John Irish, Brian Love, Bate Felix, Simon Carraud; editing by Richard Balmforth and Adrian Croft)
The U.S. Army boasts a motorpool stacked to the rafters with 6,000 M1 Abrams main battle tanks -- more tanks than some countries have soldiers. Yet for some crazy reason, Congress keeps buying more.

Actually, the reason isn't totally crazy. The U.S. only has one factory left that's totally dedicated to the production of main battle tanks -- General Dynamics' (NYSE: GD) factory in Lima, Ohio. Sporadic demand from tank-buyers, however, keeps this factory always on the edge of having to shut down operations -- at which point the U.S. wouldn't be able to build tanks if it suddenly needed to. (A shutdown would also cost jobs in an important Congressional district.)

General Dynamics' M1 Abrams is a pretty super tank already. But can we make it better? Image source: U.S. Marine Corps.

The politics of main battle tanks

Whenever the Lima factory is on the brink of closure, Congress rifles through the Congressional couch cushions and comes up with some loose change to buy a few more tanks, and keep Lima in business for a few more months. For example, in 2015 Congress appropriated $120 million to fund tank production.

But here's the thing: There may be a better way to keep Lima in business -- one that doesn't involve stacking more 72-ton tanks atop the tottering column of surplus M1 Abramses the U.S. already has in inventory.

Simply put, the U.S. could build a new tank -- and it just might.

A new, and better, tank

As reported on military tech website Scout.com earlier this month, the U.S. Army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center, or TARDEC, is currently hard at work designing a new tank to serve in the Army, and hoping to get it ready by 2030. Equipped with "advanced sensors and light-weight composite armor," says Scout, this new tank would be "high-tech," "lightweight," and able to do things the Abrams can't, like "destroy a wider range of targets from farther distances, cross bridges, incinerate drones with lasers and destroy incoming enemy artillery fire." It would also incorporate advanced communications systems permitting it to network with other combatants on the battlefield, and even control its own drone detachments.

Specifics of the new tank design are still being worked out -- for example, will it sport the new lightweight XM360 120mm cannon the Pentagon has been working on, or perhaps a futuristic XM813 rapid-fire 30mm auto-cannon capable of rattling off 200 rounds per minute? This all remains to be seen.

What does seem clear, though, is that if the Army decides to proceed with investment in a new 21st-century super-tank, then this would provide the funds to keep General Dynamics' Lima plant busy building and testing prototypes. Thus, it wouldn't be necessary to continue pouring money into the production of circa-20th-century Abrams tanks that no one seems to want anymore.

And that would be a win-win-win scenario -- for the Army, taxpayers, and General Dynamics.

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Last November, U.S. legacy carrier United Continental (NYSE: UAL) announced that it would cut its capital spending plans for the next few years by deferring 61 orders for Boeing's (NYSE: BA) workhorse 737 jet. This caused some investors to worry about whether Boeing would still be able to ramp up 737 production as planned.

However, Boeing continues to sell current-generation 737s -- confusingly called the 737 Next Generation (or 737 NG) by Boeing -- at a slow but steady pace. Combined with the company's policy of "overselling" its production slots, this means that Boeing's 737 production plans still look safe.

Boeing has an aggressive plan for the 737

With demand for the aging (but highly profitable) Boeing 777 widebody falling off a cliff lately, the Boeing 737 is set to become the company's main cash flow generator in the years ahead. To maximize the 737 program's cash flow and meet customer demand, Boeing plans to aggressively raise output over the next two to three years.

Boeing plans to boost production of the 737 by 36% over the next three years. Image source: Boeing.

Today, Boeing is building 737 jets at a rate of 42 per month. It will boost production to 47 per month this summer, with plans to increase output to 52 per month next year and 57 per month in 2019.

These projected increases are supported by a backlog of roughly 4,400 unfilled 737 orders. That said, most of the remaining orders are for the upcoming 737 MAX variant. Boeing plans to deliver the first MAX airplane next quarter, but it won't fully switch over to 737 MAX production until late 2019 or 2020. Thus, if too many customers want to switch from the 737 NG to the 737 MAX, it will disrupt Boeing's production plan.

United changes its plans

This explains why so many investors were concerned when United Continental converted a slew of orders from the 737 NG to the 737 MAX.

United had ordered 65 737-700s earlier in 2016. However, CEO Oscar Munoz overhauled his management team during the course of the year. The new leadership group decided that the 737-700s weren't really needed.

United executives decided in late 2016 that the airline had ordered too many planes. Image source: United Airlines.

United Airlines ended up keeping the four orders that were scheduled for delivery in 2017, but converting them to the larger 737-800 model. The other 61 737-700s -- which were set to arrive in 2018 and 2019 -- were deferred indefinitely. United hasn't even decided which version of the 737 MAX it will take.

Boeing rebuilds its backlog

Ordinarily, order deferrals aren't very worrisome for popular models like the Boeing 737. Airbus and Boeing both routinely take in more orders than their production capacity allows, anticipating that some customers will want to defer or cancel orders for one reason or another.

That said, as of January, industry analyst Scott Hamilton observed that Boeing had "pretty much used up its over-sales margin" for the 737 following the big United Airlines deferral. This potentially raised the risk that any future deferral requests would force Boeing to alter its production plans.

Yet that line of thinking assumes airlines are done with buying 737 NGs and only want state-of-the-art models like the A320neo and 737 MAX. However, both of those next-gen models have long backlogs. Airlines that need extra planes in 2018 or 2019 may have no choice but to buy an older-technology aircraft like the 737-800. Big "end-of-line" discounts can also spur sales among more price-sensitive airlines.

Indeed, orders for the 737 NG are still flowing in at a steady pace. Year to date, Boeing has sold 22 737 NGs, compared to just 15 737 MAX aircraft. Thus, within a few months, Boeing has replaced more than a third of the deferred United orders in its backlog.

This result is particularly impressive considering that Boeing was still sold out of 737 NG production slots (or close to it) after the United deferral. It suggests that if a few more customers choose to convert 737 NG orders from late 2018 or 2019 to future 737 MAX orders, Boeing would have no trouble lining up replacement buyers.

The 737-800 and other members of the 737 NG family aren't exactly state-of-the-art anymore. Nevertheless, they are proven performers that airlines are still happy to buy -- at least if the price is right.

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When Donald Trump shocked America and won the presidency in November despite polls suggesting the election would narrowly be won by his opponent, the fate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), better known as Obamacare, was all but set in stone.

In some ways Obamacare achieved everything it set out to do. It allowed millions of low-income and sicker individuals who'd previously been shut out of the system to obtain coverage, and it ultimately reduced the uninsured rate from 16% to less than 9%, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Image source: Getty Images.

On the flip side, Obamacare wasn't viewed as a sustainable model by health insurance providers. Insufficient healthy-adult enrollment, coupled with inadequate protections and a lengthy list of regulations, pushed some of the largest insurers in this country to significantly reduce their coverage or bow out altogether.

"Trumpcare" is revealed

With Republicans retaining their majority in both the House and Senate, and Trump in the Oval Office, Barack Obama's hallmark healthcare legislation is on the precipice of being replaced by the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the Republican healthcare proposal that was released nearly two weeks ago.

Though you can read about the GOP's plan in far greater detail, here's a quick summary of its key provisions:

It would repeal the individual and employer mandate associated with the ACA, as well as end all ACA subsidies and penalties associated with purchasing, or not purchasing, health insurance.

The income-based subsidies of the ACA would be replaced with age-based tax credits.

Medicaid expansion would cease by 2020, and Medicaid funds to the states would be doled out on a per capita basis.

Older adults could be charged up to 67% more (5-to-1) in monthly premiums than younger adults, up from the current 3-to-1 ratio under the ACA.

Health saving accounts could see their annual contribution limits nearly double by 2018.

A $100 billion risk pool would be created for the states to help care for higher-risk patients.

Insurers would be allowed to charge a 30% monthly premium to members who didn't have continuous coverage in the previous year.

The AHCA keeps two popular ACA provisions: Children up to age 26 can stay on their parents' health plan, and insurers won't be able to deny coverage to consumers with pre-existing conditions.

Image source: Getty Images.

Not everyone is happy with it

Clearly, this plan has sparked some serious debate. Most notably, there's concern about what might happen to lower-income and older adults under Trumpcare, as the AHCA has been dubbed.

Lower-income folks currently rely on Obamacare to provide an Advance Premium Tax Credit, which lowers their monthly premium payment if they're earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. Some also qualify for cost-sharing reductions (CSRs), which reduce the costs associated with visiting a doctor (i.e., co-pays, coinsurance, and deductibles). CSRs are doled out to people earning between 100% and 250% of the federal poverty level who also bought a silver-tier plan. Under Trumpcare, lower-income individuals and families probably won't receive as much financial assistance, which could impact their ability to buy health insurance.

The same could be said for older Americans, who are probably going to see their share of healthcare costs go way up, at least according to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis. The AHCA allows insurers to charge older adults a monthly premium that's as much as five times higher than the premium younger adults pay, compared to a 3-to-1 maximum ratio under Obamacare. This move is likely an attempt by Republican lawmakers to make Trumpcare more sustainable over the long run.

Yet, in spite of some large groups of people being opposed to Trumpcare, it has a pretty good chance of passing in Congress, albeit with a few changes.

Trumpcare likely passes, but not all provisions are assured to stay

In a perfect world, Congress would get the 60-vote supermajority needed in the Senate to cleanly and neatly repeal Obamacare and pass the AHCA. But Congress is far from perfect.

Image source: Getty Images.

Instead, Republicans are likely going to turn to a process known as reconciliation. Reconciliation allows lawmakers to pass legislation with a simple majority vote, which in the Senate means just 51 votes. Assuming all Republicans voted along party lines (which is far from a guarantee), the bill would get 52 votes and an easy passage. Chances are pretty good that 51 votes can be wrangled up in the Senate to pass the AHCA.

However, this doesn't mean the AHCA will necessarily pass in its current form. Reconciliation bills focus on components of law that directly impact the federal budget. You'll note the emphasis on "directly" in the prior sentence, because there is no black-and-white definition of what directly or indirectly impacts the federal budget. Thus, any provision that opponents of the AHCA believe doesn't directly impact the federal budget and want to challenge will have guidance issued by the Senate parliamentarian.

What issues are at risk of being excluded? For starters, the 67% increase in monthly premiums for older adults could be out. Allowing insurers to charge older adults more puts extra money into the pockets of the insurance companies, not the federal government. Yet, Republicans may argue that since older Americans are the cause of higher healthcare expenses, these increased costs are necessary to ensure the sustainability of Trumpcare for insurers over the long term.

Similarly, the 30% surcharge that insurers can tack onto the premiums of consumers who didn't have health coverage in the previous year heads to the insurance companies, not the federal government. Republicans could have a hard time arguing that this provision should remain in the bill during the reconciliation process. However, just like the ACA needed the Shared Responsibility Payment for those who didn't sign up for health insurance, Republicans believe they need the 30% premium surcharge to encourage younger adults to enroll.

Image source: Getty Images.

Here's where things get tricky

However, as Vox.com recently reported, there is another option.

Typically, reconciliation involves three stages. First, spending targets are set for the upcoming year. Second, legislation is drafted that would allow lawmakers to hit those targets. And finally, the bill winds up on the Senate floor, where opponents challenge whether certain provisions directly impact the federal budget and get a ruling from the Senate parliamentarian.

Generally speaking, the views of the Senate parliamentarian are incredibly hard to predict. Nonetheless, the Senate almost always follow the guidance issued by the Senate parliamentarian. Now, here's where things get tricky. Despite this guidance, the final decision rests with the majority party in the Senate, which is the Republican Party. In other words, even if the Senate parliamentarian suggests a number of provisions don't directly impact the federal budget and should therefore be removed, Republican senators can ignore her advice and keep the AHCA fully intact. Nevertheless, it should be noted that ignoring the parliamentarian's guidance is extremely rare, albeit a handful of Republicans have suggested going this route to get the AHCA passed, if necessary.

This makes the passage of the AHCA seem almost assured, but somewhat messy, at this point.

Expect the debate to continue in the days and weeks to come.

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Even though the merger between U.S. tobacco giant Reynolds American (NYSE: RAI) andBritish American Tobacco (NYSEMKT: BTI)just cleared the antitrust hurdle, shareholders of bothcigarette makers still must approve the deal, and the success or failure of the combination may yet hinge on President Donald Trump's tax plan.

Smoking the competition

Because BAT already owns 42% of Reynolds, there was never much concern about the deal having to get over any antitrust hurdles; the two sides just needed to arrive at a mutually agreeable price, which they did when BAT revised its offer to $59.64 per share, or $49.4 billion. And when the deal is done, British American will vault over Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM) as the world's second-largest tobacco company.

Image source: British American Tobacco.

According to Euromonitor International, China National Tobacco is the global leader with a 44.2% share and production volumes of 2.5 trillion cigarettes annually, three times greater than current No. 2 Philip Morris, which has a 14.6% share. They're followed by British American, which has a 10.7% share of the market, Japan Tobacco, with an 8.9% share, and Imperial Brands at 4.9%.

Next-gen is the future

Determining a value for Reynolds electronic cigarette technology was one area thought to originally be holding up negotiations after a potential offer was first revealed last October. Although Philip Morris and British American have developed similar "heat not burn" platforms that could prove immensely popular in the U.S., Reynolds has more advanced technology that BAT wanted to get ahold of. It was one of the first to introduce a "smokeless" cigarette called Eclipse that proved too far ahead of its time to catch on with the public, just as its follow-up Revo product was.

But the time has finally arrived for cigarettes that heat tobacco to a point where it creates a vapor to deliver tobacco flavor and a potent nicotine hit. Philip Morris is pursuing a "reduced risk" classification for its iQOS device that is marketed under Altria's Marlboro brand as Heat Sticks, which could give it a hefty advantage in the marketplace, and BAT would certainly be keen on being able to match that.

Image source: British American Tobacco.

A taxing decision

But more important to the deal may be President Trump's corporate tax rate plans. On the campaign trail, Trump said he wanted to slash rates from their current 35% level -- some of the highest in the world -- to 15%.Because Reynold's earns most of its $6 billion here in the U.S., the tax cut would be a huge benefit to it, and thus to British American.

However, the House of Representatives has its own tax cut proposal calling for rate cuts to 25% and shifting from a "worldwide" system of taxation to a "territorial" one,with a "border adjustment" thatwould tax imports while exempting exports.

That's important because, on the issue of individual tax rates, Trump campaigned on a pledge of cutting the lowest rate to 10%, but the House again has slightly different plans that consolidate the current six individual income tax brackets into just two of 10% and 25%, while also repealing the hated Alternative Minimum Tax.Trump has reportedly agreed to endorse the House plan, signaling that he may also be willing to go along with the higher corporate tax rates Congress proposes.

A number of pundits thought Reynolds American could have demanded even more of a premium from British American Tobacco than it got because of the potential for the corporate tax cuts,but BAT CEONicandro Durante said the tax plan played no part in how the deal worked out. Rather, he said, "This is the right deal at the right time for both sides of shareholders."

Image source: Getty Images.

It's all talk now

Perhaps, but it's still possible that if the corporate tax rates are cut before the deal is consummated, BAT may have to adjust its purchase price for Reynolds since lower rates would mean it was buying a more profitable company, and Reynolds shareholders might demand more for theircompany As it is, the deal is expected to close in August, and that will put British American Tobacco in a better positionto take on Philip Morris in the increasingly important electronic cigarette market.

It was a deal BAT was almost required to make to gain great access to the U.S. market, and even if it has to pay for the opportunity down the road because of the president's tax plan, it will be a price worth paying.

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The United States remains committed to free trade but wants to re-examine some trade deals and correct their excesses, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday after G20 finance chiefs backtracked on past commitments about trade.

Making only a token reference to trade in their communique, finance ministers and central bank chiefs from the world's top 20 economies broke with a decade-long tradition of endorsing open trade, a clear defeat for host nation Germany, which has fought to maintain the G20's past commitments.

"What was in the past communique is not necessarily relevant from my standpoint," Mnuchin told a news conference in Baden Baden after his first meeting with the finance chiefs of the world's 20 biggest economies.

"I understand what the president's desire is and his policies, and I negotiated them from here. I couldnt be happier with the outcome," Mnuchin said.

In the new U.S. administration's biggest clash yet with the international community, G20 finance chiefs rowed back on a pledge to reject protectionism and maintain an open and inclusive global trade system.

"We believe in free trade, we are in one of the largest markets in the world, we are one of the largest trading partners in the world, trade has been good for us, it has been good for other people," Mnuchin said.

"Having said that, we want to re-examine certain agreements," Mnuchin said, adding that NAFTA would have to be reviewed, some WTO rules needed to be better enforced and older agreements may have to be renegotiated.

Although the government is also reviewing financial regulation, Mnuchin pledged support for the now stalled Basel III accord, a major global attempt to regulate lenders consistently.

"Were hopeful there will be a resolution on the Basel III/IV changes," Mnuchin said. "We need to make sure we bring unity to the international market."

(Reporting by Balazs Koranyi and David Lawder; editing by David Clarke/Ruth Pitchford)
China is likely to express its anger at being told to rein in nuclear-armed North Korea when U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrives in Beijing on Saturday, his first visit to the country since taking office last month.

Beijing is expected to call on Washington to share responsibility in lessening tensions in the region, while strongly opposing this month's deployment of a sophisticated U.S. missile defence system in South Korea.

Tillerson issued the Trump administration's starkest warning yet to North Korea on Friday, saying that a military response would be "on the table" if Pyongyang took action to threaten South Korean and U.S. forces.

He was speaking in South Korea, the second leg of an Asia visit that has also taken him to Japan.

In Beijing, he may raise the prospect of imposing "secondary sanctions" on Chinese banks and other firms doing business with North Korea in defiance of sanctions, a U.S. official told Reuters in Washington, speaking on condition of anonymity.

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a tweet on Friday that North Korea was "behaving very badly" and accused China, Pyongyang's neighbour and only major ally, of doing little to resolve the crisis over the North's weapons programs.

Tillerson however is also expected to firm up a trip by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States next month for his first summit with Trump, and could choose to tone down any differences between the world's largest economies, at least for now.

A former oil executive with no prior diplomatic experience, Tillerson will meet China's two top diplomats on Saturday and Xi on Sunday.

On Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying reiterated that talks were the best way to resolve the problems of the Korean peninsula.

"As a close neighbour of the peninsula, China has even more reason than any other country to care about the situation," she told a briefing.

North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and a series of missile launches since the beginning of last year.

Last week, it launched four more ballistic missiles and is working to develop nuclear-tipped missiles that can reach the United States.

"BLIND WORSHIP"

Washington has been pressing Beijing to do more to stop North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes.

China has called for a dual track approach, urging North Korea to suspend its tests and the United States and South Korea to suspend military drills, so both sides can return to talks.

Beijing has been irritated by suggestions it has not been doing enough, with the official People's Daily on Friday denouncing what it said was Washington and Seoul's "blind worship" of sanctions and pressure.

"There has been a narrative in the West suggesting that China holds the key to the North Korea nuclear issue. That is a misguided statement," said Wang Dong, associate professor of international studies at China's elite Peking University.

"The bottom line is that the DPRK is not a puppet regime. We do not control them, and we have strongly opposed North Korea's development of nuclear weapons from the very beginning," he said, referring to the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The state-run Chinese tabloid the Global Times said on Friday that it was in China's interests to stop North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

"The North Korean nuclear issue is caused by (the)Washington-Pyongyang confrontation. China has no obligation to shoulder all the responsibilities," it said in an editorial.

China has also been infuriated by the deployment of the THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, missile defence system in South Korea, which it says will both harm China's own security and do nothing to ease tensions.

China says the system's powerful radar will extend into the country's northeast and potentially track Chinese missile launches, and maybe even intercept them. Russia also opposes THAAD, for the same reasons.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard, Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and Yu Zhengsheng attend the closing meeting of the Fifth Session of the 12th National People's Congress. (Photo : Getty Images)

The National People's Congress, China's national legislature, concluded its annual session at the Great Hall of the People on Wednesday morning. It was attended by Leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state, NPC deputies and lawmakers.



The closing meeting was attended by 2,838 NPC deputies. Among them, 2,812 voted in favor of the government report; 2,793 voted in favor of the work report of the NPC Standing Committee and 2,606 voted in favor of the work report of both the Supreme People's Procuratorate and Supreme People's Court.



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Lawmakers approved the General Provisions of the Civil Law, which marks the opening chapter of a long-awaited civil code that includes individual books regarding property, tort liability, contracts, marriage, and inheritance.



They also approved the decision on the quota and the methods of electing deputies coming from Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions to the 13th National People's Congress.



Lawmakers also approved the 2017 national economic and social development plan, as well as the 2017 central and local budget documents. The resignation of Xu Xianming, an NPC Standing Committee member, was also approved.



The end of the annual session was attended by China's top leaders, which includes President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, and Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.



Chairman of the Standing Committee Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Yu Zhengsheng, first-ranked secretary of the Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of China Liu Yunshan, Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection Wang Qishan were also present in the closing meeting.



Zhang Dejiang hailed the achievements made under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee in his closing remarks, with Xi Jinping as the core since the 18th CPC National Congress held in 2012. He called to maintain a high degree of consistency and uphold the authority of the CPC Central Committee with its unified centralized leadership.



When it comes to the General Provisions of the Civil Law, Zhang called for stepping up work on the books of the civil code to ensure that it has Chinese characteristics. It should also reflect the will of the people and the spirit of the time when it is enacted in 2020.



Zhan also called on NPC deputies, reminding them to perform their duties effectively, to always bear the people's wishes in mind, and to make new contributions to uphold, implement and develop the people's congress system.


President Donald Trump said Saturday that Germany owes "vast sums of money" to NATO and the U.S. "must be paid more" for providing defense, reiterating his stance that European allies need to meet their end of the bargain if they are to continue benefiting from the military alliance.

Trump's tweet from his Florida resort, where he is spending the weekend, came the day after his first meeting with Germany's leader.

"Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS, I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel," the president wrote. "Nevertheless, Germany owes ... vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!"

Trump and Merkel tried to sidestep their differences in their meeting at the White House on Friday, but it was punctuated by some awkward moments.

During a photo op in the Oval Office, the two did not shake hands before reporters. Later, during a joint news conference, Trump pushed back against the notion in Europe that his "America First" agenda means he's an isolationist, calling such a suggestion "another example of, as you say, fake news." And he referred to the United States as "a very powerful company," before quickly correcting that to "country."

When a German reporter asked Trump if he regrets any of his commentary on Twitter, Trump said, "Very seldom."

The new president reaffirmed the United States' "strong support" for NATO, but reiterated his stance that NATO allies need to "pay their fair share" for the cost of defense. Trump said at the press conference that many countries owe "vast sums of money"  but he declined to identify Germany, at the time, as one of those nations.

Prior to his inauguration, Trump declared NATO "obsolete" but has since modified his stance, telling European leaders the alliance remains of strategic importance. Only the U.S. and four other members currently reach the benchmark of spending 2 percent of GDP on defense. Germany currently spends 1.23 percent of its GDP on defense, but it is being increased.

When the topic moved to trade, Trump said the U.S. would do "fantastically well" in its trade relations with Germany. The president has been deeply critical of foreign trade and national security agreements but suggested he was only trying to revise trade deals to better serve U.S. interests, rather than pull back from the world entirely.

Trump said trade agreements have led to greater trade deficits. The U.S. trade deficit with Germany was $64.9 billion last year, the lowest since 2009, according to the Commerce Department.

Merkel maintained her composure when Trump repeated his contention that former President Barack Obama may have tapped his phones in Trump Tower. He sought to turn the explosive charge into a light joke when asked about concerns raised by the British government that the White House is now citing a debunked claim that U.K. spies snooped on Trump.

"At least we have something in common, perhaps," Trump said casually, referring to 2013 reports that the U.S. was monitoring Merkel's cellphone conversations. As for the most recent report, Trump said he shouldn't be blamed for quoting a Fox News analyst who had accused British intelligence of helping Obama spy on him.

On economic issues, Merkel attempted to project a conciliatory approach. She said the "success of Germans has always been one where the German success is one side of the coin and the other side of the coin has been European unity and European integration. That's something of which I'm deeply convinced."

Those comments appeared aimed at making a case to Trump on the benefits of the European Union. Trump backed Britain's departure from the EU and has expressed skepticism of multilateral trade agreements.

The two leaders tried to express their common bonds but showed minimal rapport in their first encounter, a departure from Merkel's warm relations with Obama during his eight years as president. At the start of the news conference, Merkel sought to break the ice, saying that it was "much better to talk to one another than about one another."

Merkel said delicately that while she represents German interests, Trump "stands up for, as is right, American interests. That is our task respectively." She said they were "trying to address also those areas where we disagree but tried to bring people together."

"We need to be fair with each other," Merkel said, saying both countries were expecting "that something good comes out of it for their own people."

The meetings at the White House included discussions on fighting the Islamic State group, the conflict in Afghanistan and resolving Ukraine's conflict, all matters that require close cooperation between the U.S. and Germany.

The talks aimed to represent a restart of a relationship complicated by Trump's rhetoric on the campaign trail. As a candidate, Trump frequently accused the chancellor of "ruining" Germany for allowing an influx of refugees and other migrants from Syria and accused his campaign rival, Hillary Clinton, of wanting to be "America's Angela Merkel."
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Derek Walcott, a Nobel prize-winning poet known for capturing the essence of his native Caribbean, died Friday on the island of St. Lucia. He was 87.

"Derek Alton Walcott, poet, playwright, and painter died peacefully today, Friday 17th March, 2017, at his home in Cap Estate, Saint Lucia," said a family statement. It said the funeral would be held in St. Lucia and details would be announced shortly.

The prolific and versatile poet received the Nobel Prize in literature in 1992. The academy cited the "great luminosity" of his writings including the 1990 "Omeros," a 64-chapter Caribbean epic that it praised as "majestic."

"In him, West Indian culture has found its great poet," the Swedish academy said in awarding the $1.2 million prize to Walcott.

St. Lucia Prime Minister Allen Chastanet said flags throughout the island would be lowered to half-staff to honor Walcott, one of the most renowned figures to emerge from the small country.

"It is a great loss to Saint Lucia," he said. "It is a great loss to the world."

Walcott, who was of African, Dutch and English ancestry, said his writing reflected the "very rich and complicated experience" of life in the Caribbean. His dazzling, painterly work earned him a reputation as one of the greatest writers of the second half of the 20th century.

With passions ranging from watercolor painting to teaching to theater, Walcott's work was widely praised for its depth and bold use of metaphor, and its mix of sensuousness and technical prowess. He compared his feeling for poetry to a religious avocation.

Calling the poet "the great lyric voice of the Caribbean,"

Soviet exile poet Joseph Brodsky, who won the Nobel literature prize in 1987, once complained that some critics relegated Walcott to regional status because of "an unwillingness ... to admit that the great poet of the English language is a black man."

Jonathan Galassi, president of Farrar, Straus & Giroux who was Walcott's friend and longtime U.S. publisher, praised the poet as "the great lyric voice of the Caribbean."

"He was a brilliant thinker about human predicaments, historical and personal, really the last English language poet with the gift to match what feels like 19th century ambitions," Galassi said.

Walcott himself proudly celebrated his role as a Caribbean writer.

"I am primarily, absolutely a Caribbean writer," he once said during a 1985 interview published in The Paris Review. "The English language is nobody's special property. It is the property of the imagination: it is the property of the language itself. I have never felt inhibited in trying to write as well as the greatest English poets.

"Walcott was born in St. Lucia's capital of Castries on Jan. 23, 1930 to a Methodist schoolteacher mother and a civil servant father, an aspiring artist who died when Walcott and his twin brother, Roderick, were babies. His mother, Alix, instilled the love of language in her children, often reciting Shakespeare and reading aloud other classics.

In his autobiographical essay, "What the Twilight Says," he wrote: "Both the patois of the street and the language of the classroom hid the elation of discovery. If there was nothing, there was everything to be made. With this prodigious ambition one began."

Walcott once described straddling "two worlds" during his childhood in St. Lucia, then a sleepy outpost of the British empire.

"Colonials, we began with this malarial enervation: that nothing could ever be built among these rotting shacks, barefooted backyards and moulting shingles; that being poor, we already had the theater of our lives. In that simple schizophrenic boyhood one could lead two lives: the interior life of poetry, and the outward life of action and dialect," he wrote.

Early on, he struggled with questions of race and his passion for British poetry, describing it as a "wrestling contradiction of being white in mind and black in body, as if the flesh were coal from which the spirit like tormented smoke writhed to escape." But he overcame that inner struggle, writing: "Once we have lost our wish to be white, we develop a longing to become black."

At 14, he published his first work, a 44-line poem called "1944," in a local newspaper. While still in his teens, he self-published a collection of 25 poems. At 20, his play "Henri Christophe" was produced by an arts guild he co-founded.

He left St. Lucia to immerse himself in literature at Jamaica's University College of the West Indies. In the 1950s, he studied in New York and founded a theater in Trinidad's Port-of-Spain.

For much of his life, Walcott, who taught at Boston University for many years, divided his time between the United States and the Caribbean.

Although he was best known for his poetry, Walcott was also a prolific playwright, penning some 40 plays, including "Dream on Monkey Mountain" and "The Last Carnival," and founding theaters such as the Boston Playwrights' Theatre.

British writer Robert Graves said in 1984 that Walcott handled "English with a closer understanding of its inner magic than most  if not any  of his English-born contemporaries.

"Not all his work was met with accolades. He collaborated with American pop star Paul Simon to write "The Capeman" story, which became a Broadway musical in 1997 and quickly became a major flop, closing less than two months into its run and getting panned by critics.

His reputation was weakened by sexual harassment allegations made against him at Harvard and Boston universities in the 1980s and 1990s.

He retired from teaching at Boston University in 2007 and spent more of his time in St. Lucia.
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President Obama and and First Lady Michelle Obama teamed up in a conference on Thursday to address cyberbullying, a growing problem in today's generation of children. Cyberbullying affects half of all American teenagers, according to the National Crime Prevention Council. Additional figures from the Cyberbullying Research Center indicate that it is responsible for suicidal thoughts in 20 percent of middle school-aged children. All it takes is a quick internet search to uncover the names and faces of children who have committed suicide after becoming victims of cyberbullying: Alexis Pilkington, 17, Ryan Halligan, 13, Tyler Clementi, 18 -- and these are only a tiny fraction of the kids who have suffered from online harassment. I know that as parents, it's hard for us to understand this aspect of our kids' lives. We didn't grow up with the internet or cell phones or iPads, and all these other gadgets our kids spend hours on every day. We weren't constantly connected to our social circles through Facebook or Twitter or instant messaging. But our kids are. They're constantly getting feedback from their friends (and those who aren't so friendly) on everything they do. While there's some accountability on Facebook and Twitter, there are also websites like Forumspring allow people to speak to -- and all too often, attack -- each other anonymously. How do you know if your child is being cyberbullied? That can be tough. Cyberbullying happens silently, in places you may not be able to access -- unless your child has given you their passwords to the social networking sites they use. But barring this admittedly unlikely situation, there are other ways to tell. Observe your child. Are they moody and withdrawn, moreso than a typical bout of the teenage blues would explain? Are they constantly monitoring their Facebook or Twitter? It may be that there's something they're specifically monitoring for, such as a cruel or taunting comment. And then there's an even more effective method: Ask them. Yes, kids can be secretive. Yes, they can be moody too. But it's better that they know that somebody's in their corner, willing to take action against the people who are tormenting them. Once you know your child is being cyberbullied there are specific actions you can take. I've outlined a few of them below: 1. Be supportive. Don't be passive. This isn't a case of sticks and stones and telling your child to "get a thicker skin." In cyberbullying, children are especially vulnerable because its following them everywhere -- including places where they should feel safe, like their homes. The attacks can also be even more vicious than everyday schoolyard taunts because people tend to feel less responsible for their actions on the internet. 2. If the attacks escalate, your response should as well. Notify the school. Ask a teacher or counselor to observe if there is a person or group bullying your child in the classroom. These may be the same people who are bullying your child online. 3. Consider counseling. Cyberbullying can have serious consequences. Kids have committed suicide over what people have said to them online. When depression becomes this severe, sometimes the most responsible thing is to admit that you need help. 4. Keep a record. Print out all instances of cyberbullying. There may come a time when the bullying escalates to a point where police intervention is necessary (such as when personal information is posted online, or the bullies are threatening physical harm). These printouts, along with electronic evidence, can be used by police to find the cyberbully offline. If you're uncertain as to whether or not bullying is escalating, remember: it's always better to be safe than sorry. Too many kids have fallen victim to cyberbullying already -- and for some, it cost them their lives. If you suspect your child is being cyberbullied, take action now. For more information, visit http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/.

The post What To Do if Your Child Is A Victim of Cyberbullying appeared first on AskDrManny.
One can argue about whether public officials should be expected to release their tax returns. Frankly, as a former public official at the Federal Election Commission, I believe weve gone way too far in denying officials any semblance of a private life.

I dont care what President Donald Trumps tax returns show, and I dont think they are any of my (or anyone elses) business.

I am interested in the principles and policies that candidates and elected officials stand for, not how much income they earned or taxes they paid.

Others feel differently, of course. But there is no question that the White House is right about what it said in the statement it released after MSNBC and a contributor at the Daily Beast, David Cay Johnston, published Trumps 2005 federal tax return: It is totally illegal to steal and publish tax returns.

Take a look at 26 U.S.C. 7213, which Congress passed to protect the confidentiality of the returns filed by every adult American. Section (a)(1) makes it a felony for any federal employee to disclose tax returns or return information. Violating this provision can land the offending bureaucrat in federal prison for up to five years and he can be fined up to $250,000 under the Alternative Fines Act (18 U.S.C. 3571).

But this law doesnt just apply to government employees. It also applies to private individuals and entities such as Mr. Johnston.

Section (a)(3) makes it unlawful for any person who receives an illegally disclosed tax return or return information from printing or publishing that return or that information. That is also a felony.

Furthermore, section (a)(4) of the law makes it a crime to solicit disclosure of such a return in exchange for any item of material value, an issue that came up recently when columnist Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times sent out a tweet asking IRS employees to send him the presidents tax return.

Just three years ago in 2014, the IRS agreed to pay the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) $50,000 to settle a lawsuit NOM filed after an IRS clerk illegally disclosed its tax return.

The return was given to Matthew Meisel, a former employee of Bain & Company, who turned it over to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). It ended up being posted on the HRC website and published by the Huffington Post.

Neither the HRC nor the Huffington Post were prosecuted for violating the non-publication rule in this federal law. -- Whether that part of the statute could survive First Amendment challenge is open to question, although other parts are not.

American citizens are forced by law to file tax returns and to provide the federal government with highly sensitive, highly confidential financial information.

As Eugene Volokh, one of the leading First Amendment experts in the country, recently pointed out, the government can generally restrict government employees from revealing confidential documents, including tax returns.

The First Amendment doesnt immunize government employees from prosecution for disclosing confidential tax information. Volokh also does not believe that the First Amendment would immunize a reporter or anyone else from the anti-solicitation provision, since under U.S. v. Williams (2008), calls to commit a specific crime are generally not constitutionally protected.

However, under the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in 2001 in Bartnicki v. Vopper, the ban on actual publication is probably not enforceable.

In that case, the Court held that a lawsuit could not be brought under federal and state wiretapping laws against a radio commentator who played a cell phone conversation that had been illegally recorded by a third party.

The key issue was balancing privacy concerns against the interest in publishing matters of public importance. But the Court also noted that the radio host had not participated in the original, illegal interception of the phone call.

It would be up to a court to determine whether the interests of both the government and citizens in maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of tax returns outweighed the publics interest in obtaining financial information on elected officials.

Again, Volokh says this issue is not completely clear. But he doesnt think that such a provision against publication could be enforced against anyone who, as two of the justices said in Bartnicki, had not ordered, counseled, encouraged, or otherwise aided or abetted the interception.

Publishing tax return information under such circumstances is different than if you have participated in what amounts to a conspiracy to obtain the information. Volokh doubts that Bartnicki would provide First Amendment protection for publishing tax return information that was released in response to an unlawful solicitation.

This raises a particularly thorny problem, because without an assurance of confidentiality, our entire tax system and the ability of the IRS to collect the revenue that funds the government would be severely damaged.

As the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals said in 1991 in U.S. v. Richey, the government seeks to restrict disclosure of private tax information to the press  given the compelling governmental interests in maintaining a workable tax system, it is difficult to say that this regulation is unreasonable.

The rule of law is a vital principle that is a fundamental part of who we are as a nation. Part of that principle is the concept that no one is above the law.

All of us  from the lowliest citizen to the president  are entitled to expect that the financial information we are forced to provide to the government will be kept confidential. When that expectation is broken, the government has an obligation, at a minimum, to go after those in government who violated the law.
Rex Tillerson, the U.S. Secretary of State, arrived in Beijing on Saturday for a face-to-face meeting with a China official who last week likened the U.S., South Korea and North Korea to speeding trains ready to hit each other.

Tillerson's visit followed his remarks in South Korea on Friday in which he warned that pre-emptive military action against North Korea might be necessary if the threat from their weapons program reaches a level "that we believe requires action."

China, the North's biggest source of diplomatic support and economic assistance, has yet to respond to his remarks, although Beijing has called repeatedly for steps to reduce tensions.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with whom Tillerson was due to meet on Saturday afternoon, spoke about the tension between the countries. He said, "The question is: Are the two sides really ready for a head-on collision?" Wang told reporters. "Our priority now is to flash the red light and apply the brakes on both trains."

Wang said North Korea could suspend its nuclear and missile activities in exchange for a halt in joint U.S.-South Korea military drills, a proposal swiftly shot down by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, who said Washington has to see "some sort of positive action" from North Korea before it can take leader Kim Jong Un seriously.

Tillerson: Nothing is off the table in dealing with N. Korea

Tillerson's comments in Seoul that "all of the options are on the table," including possible military action, are likely to be deeply disconcerting to Beijing, which fears that a collapse of Kim's regime would send waves of refugees into northeastern China and land South Korean and American forces on its border.

China has agreed reluctantly to U.N. Security Council resolutions sanctioning North Korea, while calling for renewed dialogue under the Beijing-sponsored six-nation format that broke down in 2009.

In a further sign of its frustration with Pyongyang, China last month banned imports of North Korean coal for the rest of the year, potentially depriving Kim's regime of a key source of foreign currency.

Past U.S. administrations have considered military force because of North Korea's development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile to deliver them, but rarely has that option been expressed so explicitly as by Tillerson.

North Korea has accelerated its weapons development, violating multiple Security Council resolutions without being deterred by sanctions. The North conducted two nuclear test explosions and 24 ballistic missile tests last year. Experts say it could have a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the U.S. within a few years.

China has stridently opposed the deployment of a U.S. missile defense system to South Korea, saying its X-band radar can peer deep into China to monitor flights and rocket launches. The U.S. says it's a system focused on North Korea. China sees it as a threat to its own security.

Tillerson's visit to Beijing is the final stop on his three-nation swing through Northeast Asia, which began in Japan. State Department officials have described it as a "listening tour" as the administration seeks a coherent North Korea policy, well-coordinated with its Asian partners.

In Beijing, he is also expected to discuss China's claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, including its building of islands atop coral reefs, complete with airstrips and military installations.

During his confirmation hearings in January, Tillerson compared 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.

While President Donald Trump during his campaign pledged to slap 45 percent tariffs on imports from China and label the country a currency manipulator, there has been little sign of his doing either. His pick for U.S. trade representative, Robert Lighthizer, has said he would use a "multi-faceted approach" to cracking down on Chinese trade abuses.

Tillerson's trip is also expected to highlight the Trump administration's lack of concern with human rights abroad, formerly a key element of U.S. policy toward China and a major irritant for Beijing.

In a departure from past practice, Tillerson skipped the launch of an annual report on human rights last week that cited numerous abuses by China. He has also said the U.S. would not continue participating in the U.N. Human Rights Council unless it undergoes "considerable reform."

The Associated Press contributed to this report
When it comes to President Trumps $1.065 trillion budget, the words will help you understand the numbers.

Lets start two weeks ago when White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney strode into the press briefing room and opined on a budget blueprint.

The term blueprint is important here. Mulvaney declared that he and President Trump were engineering an America First budget that would not be adding to the deficit. He declared that the topline defense number is the largest in history. Mulvaney then indicated that Trump would spend $603 billion on defense programs and $462 billion on non-defense.

That means Congress would cough up a total of $1.065 trillion in discretionary spending. But when it came to mandatory spending, the budget director told reporters, that wont come until May.

Mulvaney argued the prototype wasnt a full-blown budget. His pecuniary jabberwocky doesnt mean much to most Americans. But lets decrypt the code.

Think of a big pie totaling around $4 trillion. The $4 trillion pie represents each dollar the federal government spends on every single program imaginable. This pie is the true federal budget. Trump and Mulvaney still havent cobbled together that package yet.

Then bring out a knife and slice the pie into two sections. One slice comprises about 69 percent of the pie, or a little more than two-thirds. Thats known as mandatory spending.

Mandatory spending isnt mandatory, per se. Its simply money Congress put on auto-pilot long ago. It flows out the door without lawmakers flagging any of it. Mandatory spending covers Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and interest on the debt. Congress could certainly reclaim that huge slice of the pie if lawmakers wanted. But they havent -- yet.

The second piece of the pie is trickier. This is discretionary spending. This is the blueprint Mulvaney released two weeks ago. He amplified it Thursday with more specific spending targets for a variety of agencies and departments.

Take the discretionary spending chunk and convert it into its own, standalone, second pie. Then divide that pie into 12 uneven pieces. Each piece represents one of the 12 appropriations or spending bills which fund the government each year.

A failure to approve any of those bills in Congress and secure the Presidents signature prompts a government shutdown.

The size of last years discretionary spending pie was $1.070 trillion. Defense consumed nearly half of the pie. Other pieces were smaller. The Agriculture appropriations bill came in at $21.8 billon. The Interior appropriations bill clocked in at $32 billion. Legislative branch was $4.4 billion. State/Foreign operations was $37.8 billion.

You get the idea.

The State Department and Environmental Protection Agency took a whack under Trumps blueprint, losing about a third of its funding. On life support is the National Endowment for the Arts and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Mulvaney says cuts will come from 11 of the 12 spending bills to increase the size of the military slice.

Theres an appropriations bill called Military Construction/VA. It funds the Department of Veterans Affairs and last year cost $79.9 billion.

Lawmakers wont trim much there because it looks bad to ding veterans. How about Homeland Security? $41 billion last year. Well, Trump wants more money for the border patrol and customs/immigration officials.

So, to make up the extra $54 billion, he wants to divert to the Pentagon slice of the pie, cuts could come from the remaining nine slices, not 11  excluding Military Construction/VA and Homeland Security.

Therein lies the problem.

The House struggled last year to find enough votes to pass appropriations bills. The reason? Conservatives and members of the Freedom Caucus thought some spending bills cost too much. Moderate and mainstream Republicans argued the bills didnt spend enough.

So the GOP lost votes at the margins. Help from Democrats? Forget it. They didnt like anything they saw. As things now stand in the House, the GOP can only lose 22 votes before the leadership cant pass a bill on its own. How about the Senate? Well, senators need 60 votes to call up appropriations bills and shut off debate. Very hard when Republicans only have 52 yeas in the Senate.

The House GOP brass yanked several appropriations bills off the floor last year. The Financial Services Appropriations bill flat-out failed on a floor vote.

The problem is that Republicans need to fund things besides the military. The size of the non-defense spending bills could be too puny to sustain large reductions.

Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and is what is called a cardinal. That means Simpson is the chairman of one of the appropriations subcommittees: the Energy and Water panel.

Lawmakers refer to colleagues like Simpson as a cardinal because of the divinity or eminence they wield over their section of spending.

I dont think you can pass any of the bills, Simpson said. You cant get there from here.

Growing the Pentagon budget is good politically. But it may not be practicable.

A lot of members have interest in these programs, Simpson continued. Theres a lot more to our government than defense.

Could Trump be picking a fight with Capitol Hill so he has a foil?

Setting up Congress? Hell, every president does that. Its the damn House! Simpson exclaimed.

Is the Senate able to stomach a measure slashing diplomatic funding?

Probably not, predicted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. I think the diplomatic part of the budget is important and a lot cheaper than the results you get on the defense side.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce, a California Republican, fretted: I am very concerned that deep cuts to our diplomacy will hurt efforts to combat terrorism, distribute critical humanitarian aid and promote opportunities for American workers,

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y, predicated Democrats and Republicans alike will run away.

Weve already cut EPA, said Rep. Mark Amodei, a Nevada Republican and a member of the Appropriations Committee. Thats going to be on our mind when it comes to cutting more.

Trumps budget pruned grants for federal housing programs that assist the elderly and poor. That could make it hard for Congress to OK the Transportation, Housing, Urban Development & Related Agencies spending bill, piloted by cardinal and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla.

Pennsylvania GOP Rep. Charlie Dent, the chairman -- or cardinal -- of the Military Construction/VA panel predicted: The budget in this form will make it very difficult to pass many appropriations bills.

All of these cuts are from the smaller pie, with none from entitlement spending like Medicare and Medicaid, far and away the biggest drivers of the debt.

Mulvaney promises a look at that in May.

We targeted programs that sound great but that dont work, said Mulvaney in an interview Thursday with on Fox News Special Report host Bret Baier. These are programs that sound great. Many of them Democrat programs.

Many of them 30 years. Theyve never been reviewed in a long time or when theyre reviewed, theyre just not producing any results.

Some conservatives embraced the spending outline. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, is happy about filleting the State Departments allocation.

They were promoting an LBGT agenda, he said.

We went to African countries, telling them, Yes, we will help you with Boko Haram if you change the law in your country and allow same-sex marriage and pay for abortion. 

GOP Defense hawks like House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rep. Mac Thornberry, Texas, and Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, Arizona, still want more for the Pentagon. Theyd like as much as $640 billion to go toward defense programs.

But Dent noted that regardless of what the president and Mulvaney request, its just that. A request.

The president proposes. The Congress disposes, he said. Congress will write the appropriations bills.

If the House and Senate do it a different way, thats fine, Mulvaney said. We would be happy to negotiate with them.

Heres the secret. Members of Congress -- even Republican members of Congress -- will attempt to craft the 12 appropriations bills in a way that can pass.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-N.J., will design a discretionary spending allotment (the smaller pie) known as a 302(a).

He will then dice the pie into its 12 pieces for each subcommittee. The individual pieces are called 302(b)s. Then subcommittee chairmen like Simpson, Dent and Diaz-Balart hope to write bills in a way they can pass.

The question is whether Trump would sign bulkier bills into law. This could spark a remarkable standoff between the Republican president and members of his own party -- especially if GOP members cant agree on the size of each bill.

The president touts his negotiation skills. Mulvaney says the administration is willing to talk. Theres a lot of speculation on Capitol Hill that these budget outlines are merely opening bids.

Heres the key takeaway: Mulvaneys two budget proposals arent binding. The word budget is a malleable term in the federal spending lexicon.

Congress never adopts the budget a president sends to Capitol Hill. If and when the House and Senate approve a budget (the big pie), that is only a resolution, not a binding law. The president does not sign a budget.

What the president must sign are the 12 annual appropriations bills that comprise the smaller pie. Otherwise, theres a government shutdown.

So these are the words that help explain the numbers. Budgets are wish-lists. Consider that when the president wants to slash art funding, Meals on Wheels or bolster the military. Its just an ambition.

What counts are appropriations and 12 pieces of the smaller pie. Appropriations are real. And well see how much the president is willing to negotiate on those.
An unidentified person was apprehended Saturday jumping a barrier in front of the White House, resulting in a full lockdown of the complex.

The incident occurred at about 12:45 p.m. on the front side of the White House, along Pennsylvania Avenue. The person jumped over a stretch of bike-racks that serves as a barrier between visitors and the White Houses roughly 6-foot, black wrought-iron fence.

Individual jumped bike rack on Pennsylvania Ave, not @WhiteHouse fence. Great response by @SecretService  Sean Spicer (@PressSec) March 18, 2017

President Trump was not inside the White House at the time, having left Friday for his resort home, Mar-a-Lago, in Florida.

The unidentified suspect was apprehended by a uniformed Secret Service officer, and charges are pending, the agency said.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer was inside the complex at the time and commended the Secret Service on its effort.

Last weekend, a man jumped the White House fence when Trump was inside the mansion.

The Secret Service said that incident occurred shortly before midnight Friday.

The suspect allegedly jumped several security fence and was on the property for more than 16 minutes, even hiding at one point behind a column on the White Houses south portico entrance. The incident was not reported until mid-morning Saturday.

The suspect, 26-year-old Jonathan Tran, was also carrying two cans of pepper spray when apprehended, authorities said.

The Secret Service and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform are conducting separate investigations.

Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, is scheduled to meet Monday with acting Secret Service Director William Callahan and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly about White House security issues.

The Secret Service in recent years has gone through a series of embarrassing security lapses including a 2014 incident in which a man jumped the White House fence with a small pocket knife and got inside the front door before being apprehended.
The Justice Department is asking the federal judge in Hawaii who temporarily halted President Trumps new travel ban to limit the scope of his ruling so that the United States can immediately stop taking in refugees worldwide.

Justice Department attorneys argued in a motion Friday that U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson's temporary restraining order was essentially based on the argument that the ban appears to unconstitutionally target Muslims.

So his ruling should be limited to the part of Trumps March 6 executive order that temporarily bans visas to travel from six mostly-Muslim countries into the U.S., not the temporary refugees ban, they say.

The attorneys essentially want Watsons ruling to be in line with a federal judge's ruling in Maryland on Thursday that temporarily halts the travel ban.

U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang cited earlier Trump statements and said the purpose of the new executive order "remains the realization of the long-envisioned Muslim ban." However, he declined to issue an injunction blocking the entire executive order.

Since Watsons federal ruling went further than the Maryland judges, his ruling has the most impact on the president's intended actions. However, the Justice Department also on Friday stated its intention to appeal the Maryland decision to the Fourth Circuit Court.

A formal reply from Hawaii is expected soon.

Trump says the temporary bans are matters of national security.

Trump new travel ban, which does not include Iraq, is an attempt to avoid the legal roadblocks to the executive orders he issued in January that created confusion at U.S. airports and were temporarily halted by a federal judge in Washington state.

A final ruling in that judge's Ninth Circuit Court also is expected soon.

This story is based in part on wire service reports.
President Trump said Saturday that he had a great meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, dismissing as fake news reports about a difficult first visit, while continuing to criticize the country for its limited support of NATO.

Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS, I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Trump said in a two-part tweet. Nevertheless, Germany owes vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!

The Saturday morning tweets have become a familiar part of Trumps media strategy. And with 26.7 million followers, he has found a way to sidestep traditional media to challenge stories that he considers unfair, incorrect of simply fake.

News reports that Trump and Merkel struggled during her White House visit Friday is in part the result of the world leaders not shaking hands before reporters during a photo op in the Oval Office.

And later, during a joint news conference, Trump pushed back against the notion in Europe that his "America First" agenda means he's an isolationist, calling such a suggestion "another example of, as you say, fake news."

Merkel maintained her composure even when Trump repeated his contention that former President Obama may have tapped his phones in Trump Tower. He sought to turn the explosive charge into a light joke when he said to Merkel, At least we have something in common, perhaps," referring to 2013 reports that the U.S. was monitoring Merkel's cellphone conversations.

As a candidate, Trump frequently accused the chancellor of "ruining" Germany for allowing an influx of refugees and other migrants from Syria and accused his campaign rival, Hillary Clinton, of wanting to be "America's Angela Merkel."

Trump also reaffirmed the United States "strong support" for NATO but reiterated his position that NATO allies need to "pay their fair share" for the cost of defense.

Though he said many countries owe "vast sums of money," Trump declined to identify Germany as one of them.

Only the U.S. and four other members currently reach the benchmark of spending 2 percent of GDP on defense. Germany currently spends 1.23 percent of its GDP on defense, but it is being increased.

When the topic moved to trade, Trump said the U.S. would do "fantastically well" in its trade relations with Germany. The president has been deeply critical of foreign trade and national security agreements but suggested he was only trying to revise trade deals to better serve U.S. interests, rather than pull back from the world entirely.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Xi Jinping Gets More Nods from Party, Increased Loyalty from Cadres

President Xi Jinping attends the closing of the NPC. (Photo : Getty Images)

The closure of the National People's Congress required the approval of the Party's annual government report. For the first time in a decade, the dissenting votes were at its lowest.



There were only 14 out of 2,838 Party members who expressed opposition to the annual report and the targets for the coming year. Those who were not in favor this year are fewer from 101 opposing votes during Hu Jintao's term.



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The decrease in the number of votes from the opposition means that Xi is gaining the trust of his comrades. Xi has called for Party unity and loyalty, which he has now achieved.



Jerome Cohen, a professor at the New York University School of Law, said that the Chinese leader has finally gained the trust of his colleagues in government.



He said, "Since Xi Jinping's ascendancy and particularly today, it is clear that the party has brought the legislature to heel."



"The annual voting records provide an unusually clear symbol of what has taken place politically, just as the numbers in environmental smog reports clearly delineate increasing pollution," he added.



The decrease in the dissenting votes manifests that the Communist Party is solidly behind Xi's plans for the country's green revolution, anti-corruption campaign, and the One Belt One Road initiative.



Zhan Zhongle, a Peking University law professor, said that China has made great strides in harnessing its political and legal capabilities.



He said, "The NPC has made progress since 2014 in areas including lawmaking capacity."



The Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation conducted a survey in 2014 that revealed that President Xi Jinping already was favored domestically.



In a scale of 1 to 10, President Xi got an average of 8.7 from respondents, which made him strongly favored by the Chinese people. In comparison, Russian President Vladimir Putin received 8 out of 10.


President Trump's choice to sit on the Supreme Court will get his turn in the political spotlight Monday after laying low for weeks. But what has traditionally been a high-profile confirmation fight is approaching with barely a whimper from the opposition party.

While Democratic leaders have revived their public criticism of Neil Gorsuch in recent days, liberal advocacy groups have all but abandoned efforts to defeat his nomination through public opinion -- with scant paid issue advertising or public rallies.

Many progressives lament Democratic senators have been distracted by other ideological fights.

A group led by NARAL Pro-Choice America recently sent a blistering letter to Senate Democrats slamming lawmakers for not putting up more of a fight against Gorsuch ahead of Monday's confirmation hearing.

"Democrats have failed to demonstrate a strong, unified resistance to this nominee despite the fact that he is an ultra-conservative jurist who will undermine our basic freedoms and threaten the independence of the federal judiciary," said the letter. "We need you to do better."

The justices themselves hope the arrival of Gorsuch will end what court sources say has been a tense 13-month period since Justice Antonin Scalia's sudden passing. The current 4-4 ideological divide has kept the court off its internal workplace rhythms -- operating in something of a judicial vacuum, reluctant to tackle hot-button issues that would lead to precedent-setting impact.

Tough talk

Despite the criticism from some on the left, the Senate minority promises tough questions for the nominee.

"If he shows in his answers that he is out of the mainstream as his opinions indicate he very well may be," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., "I will use every tool available, including the filibuster, to oppose him."

And some progressive groups support the low-key strategy being led by Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.

"I think Senate Democrats are paying attention in the way that the American people want all senators to pay attention which is to have a robust hearing and really ask Judge Gorsuch these really difficult questions," said Elizabeth Wydra, president of the Constitutional Accountability Center. "Whether he will be a truly independent judge, whether he will apply the law fairly to all."

But while left-leaning groups may be less than engaged, conservative legal advocates have put their money behind their message.

A $10 million ad campaign spearheaded by the Judicial Crisis Network has targeted vulnerable Senate Democrats facing re-election in two years.

"Jon Tester is creating gridlock, threatening to obstruct Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch," says one ad, focusing on the Montana senator seeking a third term. "Tell Jon Tester: stop the obstruction and confirm Gorsuch."

Other JCN ads tout Gorsuch's credentials, and friends of the nominee said he is prepared to face the tough questioning of senators.

His conservative supporters also point to bipartisan support among the legal communities in academia and the government.

"There are going to be people who are ideologically opposed to this nomination come hell or high water, and I think ... once [the] American public sees Judge Gorsuch, they realize what a terrific nomination this is," said Thomas Dupree, a former Bush deputy assistant attorney general. "It's been difficult for the opponents of Judge Gorsuch to really stir up resentment and opposition to this nomination precisely because he is so eminently qualified."

Hearings strategy

Party sources say Democratic senators will focus much of their attention on seeking Gorsuch's views on abortion, since he has not ruled directly on the right to the procedure.

"I will not support any candidate who intends to turn back the clock on civil rights, including women's reproductive rights and LGBT equality," said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., who has not said whether she would ultimately vote for Gorsuch.

Other areas of Democratic interest:

Separation of powers, and whether Gorsuch would be an independent voice to strike down excesses in Trump's executive authority, including the president's revised order banning travel for immigrants from certain countries.

Voting rights and campaign finance reform, specifically whether the nominee thinks current unlimited corporate donations to PACs are permissible.

Workers rights, and challenges over pay equity, pension benefits, job discrimination claims, and family and medical leave.

Some progressives have actually urged Democrats not to ask any questions at the hearings, as a dramatic rebuff for Republicans refusing to give former President Barack Obama's high court nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, a hearing or vote.

And they demand a filibuster to prevent Gorsuch from ever getting a floor vote.

Bitter feelings linger. "This is a stolen seat being filled by an illegitimate and extreme nominee," said Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., "and I will do everything in my power to stand up against this assault on the court."
Archeologists studying the existence of king polar bears find information on these bears elusive. There is little information available from the indigenous people in northern Alaska.

But scientists say that they recovered the fourth largest polar bear skull ever recorded after a storm in 2014, the website Western Digs reported. The skull is just over 16 inches long and forms a bit of a cone in the back. It is believed to be 1,300 years old and may offer a glimpse into the past ecosystem in the region.

Archeologists are searching around Walapka, which is just south of Barrow. She said that 4,000 years ago their residents may have lived alongside the mammoth bear.

Dr. Anne Jensen told the website that those living in the area, descendants of the indigenous people, talk about mythological stories of king bears that were 12 feet long. She said the skull belonged to a fully grown bear because all the cranial sutures are fused together.

The front part of the skull, from roughly the eyes forward, is like that of typical polar bears, Jensen told the magazine. The back part of the skull is noticeably longer than other bear skulls to which we were able to compare it.

Polar bears, as we know them today, are generally between 44 to 66.

Jensen said it was possible that this skull belonged to a subspecies. She was asked if there is likely more polar bears this size wandering around in the arctic and she said certainly.
The U.S. campaign against the Islamic State in Syria has evolved in the past couple years from airstrikes and training of local forces to an increasingly complicated mission, which now includes hundreds of American troops on the ground and coordination with a hodgepodge of allies, partners and even rivals engaged in the fight.

Under President Donald Trump, the United States' role is likely to expand further.

While Trump has announced no changes to the U.S. approach, the Pentagon in recent months has incrementally increased its footprint in the northern reaches of the war-ravaged, Middle East country, where it is backing a coalition of Syrian Arab and Kurdish fighters closing in on the Islamic States' self-declared capital at Raqqa.

Trump is reviewing options for accelerating the recapture of Raqqa. These include proposals for more U.S. troops, greater firepower and tweaks in the existing strategy.

Here is a look at how the U.S. mission has evolved, how it stands today and challenges facing the Trump administration it contemplates speeding up the fight.

___

HOW IT BEGAN

Former President Barack Obama ordered the start of a U.S.-led air campaign against IS in Syria in September 2014, weeks after a parallel bombing effort began in neighboring Iraq.

IS militants that year had swept across Syria's border into northern and western Iraq, capturing the city of Mosul and declaring an Islamic caliphate. Its rapid progress created alarm in Washington and around the world about the prospect of Baghdad potentially falling.

Almost 1,000 days later, the Pentagon says it has spent $11.5 billion. That includes money for training and advising local forces.

Obama initially ruled out putting U.S. ground troops in Syria, but sent small numbers of military advisers to Iraq to develop a plan for retraining an Iraqi army that had all but collapsed. Gradually the U.S. role in Iraq widened and deepened. There are now well more than 5,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, largely focused on helping the government recapture Mosul.

Later, Obama authorized an initial contingent of about 200 U.S. special operations troops into Syria. Their task was to recruit and organize local fighters who were opposed to the Syrian government of President Bashar Assad, but willing to prioritize the battle against IS in its strongholds in the country's north. Last December, Obama boosted the U.S. troop total in Syria to as many as 503.

In recent weeks, under Trump, U.S. forces in the country climbed to roughly 1,000.

___

THE CURRENT MISSION

The mission in Syria is being carried out by U.S. special operations troops as well as several hundred conventional forces such as a Marine artillery unit.

The Americans aren't leading the fight against IS but are involved in an increasing number of ways. The Marine artillery is a recent addition, for example, and about two weeks ago a few dozen Army Rangers began acting as a "deterrence and reassurance" force on the outskirts of the city of Manbij. The Rangers are showing the U.S. flag in hopes of dissuading Turkish, Russian, Syrian and U.S.-based opposition forces from fighting each other, deliberately or accidentally.

The air war continues. The U.S. is conducting strikes on IS daily from bases in Jordan, Turkey and elsewhere in the region.

The Marines in Syria arrived from the USS Makin Island and two other ships that moved into the region last November. The ships carry the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit of about 2,400 Marines. They're expected to leave and eventually be replaced by the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit that left Norfolk, Virginia, in early March with the USS Bataan, USS Mesa Verde and USS Carter Hall.

Commanders have raised the prospect of sending additional forces into the region to be ready to assist in accelerating the fight. They could head to either Syria or Iraq.

But decisions have largely stalled. Discussions continue within the Trump administration on possibly ending strict limits on troop numbers set by Obama. The new approach would give commanders more flexibility in determining how many forces they need.

___

THE WAY AHEAD

Military commanders, frustrated by what they considered micromanagement under the previous administration, have argued for greater freedom to make daily decisions on how to fight the enemy. And Trump says the threat must be extinguished quickly.

Still, America is having some success at the moment. U.S.-trained Iraqi forces have pushed IS to the brink of a major loss in Mosul, following the group's defeats in the western Iraqi cities of Ramadi and Fallujah.

But the elimination of IS in Iraq appears far from over, and U.S. commanders may determine they need more troops there.

It's an altogether tougher situation in Syria, where the fight against IS is happening simultaneously with Syria's six-year-old civil war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people.

Turkey, a U.S. NATO ally, is working at cross-purposes with the U.S. in some respects. Turkey's military incursion into northern Syria aims to push IS militants back from the border and prevent Kurdish forces from holding contiguous territory on Turkey's frontier.

Turkey considers the main Syrian Kurdish force, the YPG, as terrorists because of their links to Kurdish insurgents in Turkey. Washington, on the other hand, considers the YPG its most effective partner on the Syrian battlefield.

The Pentagon would like to arm the Syrian Kurds as part of a planned push to recapture Raqqa, but the Turks are adamantly opposed. Efforts to reach some type of compromise have dragged on for months. So far, they've been unsuccessful.

Any significant increase or change in military action in Syria will be tough to advance while questions related to Turkey and the Kurds remain unsettled.
Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents never personally visited a Facebook page allegedly used by Marines to circulate photos of nude and partially clad female service members or accessed a Google drive filled with the images, the head of the investigation said.

Instead NCIS and Marine Corps officials are scraping together cases against hundreds of members of the "Marines United" page who allegedly disseminated or commented on the images by using secondhand evidence -- a trove of some 600 screenshots of the page and drive provided by a source.

In a briefing with reporters at the Pentagon Friday afternoon, NCIS Division Chief Curtis Evans highlighted the challenges of prosecuting internet offenders when evidence can be deleted in an instant and Facebook groups close and re-open faster than officials can identify them.

"In cyberspace, the evidence is there for one minute; the next minute it's gone," Evans said. "This is a 24-7 thing for us."

Evans also clarified numbers that have emerged in recent days and caused some confusion.

In a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller said he had been informed that about 500 individuals accessed a Google Drive full of nude images and identifying information for female troops. That figure was provided to Neller by journalist and Marine veteran Thomas Brennan, who got into the drive before its permissions were revoked and first reported on its contents, Brig. Gen. James Glynn, head of public affairs for Headquarters Marine Corps, told reporters.

Though the site had 30,000 members according to Brennan's report, the investigation is confined by what the screenshots show.

"None of us are on the inside of Marines United," Glynn said. "Thomas Brennan was. What he's provided in terms of support, to where we are able to investigate, we have no choice but to go with the numbers that he provided  this is what we have to work with. We don't have 30,000 to work with."

To date, Evans said, NCIS officials have used the screenshots to identify 725 active-duty Marines, 150 Marine reservists, 15 active-duty Navy personnel, and 310 non-military. While all were members of Marines United, he said, it's not yet clear that all participated in illegal or illicit activity on the site.

"From there, there's a limited amount of criminal intelligence in there that we launched criminal investigations on," he said.

To date, upwards of 20 self-identified victims of the non-consensual photo sharing have come forward to NCIS and the Marine Corps. A dedicated NCIS tipline has gotten hundreds of calls. Evans urged anyone with evidence of the page's activities to come forward and add to what so far appears to be incomplete evidence.

"We're specifically looking for individuals that had explicit photos taken without their consent and posted online," he said.

The investigation, Evans said, has now expanded to other groups and individuals unaffiliated with Marines United based on tips NCIS has received. The agency had also partnered with the Air Force Office of Special Investigation, the Army Criminal Investigative Decision, Coast Guard Investigative Service, and Marine Corps Criminal Investigative Division to go after all individuals in uniform found to have participated in related activity.

While the investigation is focused on nonconsensual photo dissemination, which is prohibited under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and in most states under "revenge porn" laws, Evans said NCIS is turning over evidence of Marines making disparaging and harassing comments about women to the Corps so offenders can be dealt with administratively.

NCIS has made multiple subpoena requests to internet providers for additional information, Evans said.

Meanwhile, the Marine Corps plans to conduct focus groups around the Marine Corps in coming weeks to address cultural issues at the root of the misogynistic internet behavior, Glynn said. The Marine Corps also plans to require every Marine to sign a form verifying that they have read and understand the Corps' new social media policy, which explicitly prohibits cyber-bullying and harassment and spells out legal penalties under the UCMJ.

While this step might not prevent Marines from acting abusively on social media, Glynn said, it will lessen the Marine Corps' burden of evidence to show that a Marine understood the rules if he or she faces disciplinary action.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
A 20-year-old man has been arrested in this week's drug-related slaying of four people at a suburban New Orleans apartment complex.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said Friday afternoon that Armande Stephen Tart of Metairie faces four counts of first-degree murder in Wednesday's deaths.

Three people were shot to death in one apartment in Metairie, and a fourth victim in a nearby apartment was fatally stabbed in the head.

Tart also faces an attempted first-degree murder charge in the shooting and wounding of a fifth victim.

Normand said Tart wanted to steal drugs. He said there were "significant amounts of cocaine" in one apartment. He said those killed, ranging in age from 40 to 61, had previous drug arrests.

Normand said authorities believe Tart acted alone.
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A Michigan man has published his own obituary and scheduled his own memorial service after stopping cancer treatment.

Bob Eleveld, 80, announced this week that he will host a "celebration of life" open house on Saturday in lieu of a funeral. Eleveld also published an obituary on March 12 with the date range "8/3/1936 - Not Yet," the Grand Rapids Press (http://bit.ly/2nh2RrT ) reported.

"Yes this is unconventional, and yes some people think it's a little weird," Eleveld's daughter, Kerry Eleveld, said. But she added that having an end-of-life party fits her father's personality perfectly.

"Long before he had cancer, he would always say, 'Don't throw a funeral for me. Have a party,'" she said. "This feels like the perfect way to honor my father, because it's the way he wants to do it. It seems perfectly fitting."

Bob Eleveld is a Grand Rapids attorney who has also been involved in politics as a local Republican Party chairman, a state representative candidate and a member of the East Grand Rapids City Commission. He began treatment for a rare form of leukemia in May 2015, but has now stopped.

"Hel-'LO'! This is Bob Eleveld," his obituary begins. "As I write this notice, I am still with you, although my doctors have informed me that this status will change in the near future. I have decided, however, to eschew the normal process of others celebrating my life after I die and, instead, would like to celebrate your lives with me."

Kerry Eleveld said her father's celebration plans raise questions about how people deal with death.

"I do think there is a lot more thought now nationally about what end of life means, about how we should approach it and what's meaningful and what isn't," she said. "And if there's a better way of doing this than we've been doing it."

___

Information from: The Grand Rapids Press, http://www.mlive.com/grand-rapids
Authorities say a man has turned himself in to face a firearms charge in the shooting death of a 3-year-old girl in Pittsburgh.

Public safety officials said 40-year-old Paul Parrish surrendered Friday afternoon. He's charged with being a felon illegally in possession of a firearm.

Police say Yasha Ross of Coraopolis was shot March 12 in a home in the Mount Washington neighborhood and later died at Allegheny General Hospital.

The public safety department said the shooting remains under investigation, but it's possible that the child "may have accidentally shot herself."

Police said the gun belonged to an acquaintance of Parrish's. Court documents don't list a defense attorney for Parrish who could respond to the charge, and a listed number for Parrish couldn't be found Saturday.
Two children were accidentally shot outside of a Chuck E. Cheese, Fort Worth police say.

The shooting happened Friday afternoon just before 6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Chuck E. Cheese on Southwest Loop 820.

Police say two 3-year-old boys came out of the Chuck E. Cheese and went to their SUV ahead of their parents. When the boys opened the door, they picked up a .380-caliber pistol that either fell out or was found in the side compartment.

RECORDS: 12-YEAR-OLD, GRANDPA ARGUED DAYS BEFORE MAN KILLED

The child who found the handgun accidentally shot himself in the hand, and the same bullet hit the other child in the back, a police spokesperson said.

Both of the kids were rushed to the hospital. One child had serious but non-life threatening injuries. The other child only had minor injuries.

Police say this is the second day in a row they've dealt with a case involving young children finding a gun and shooting it.

"As we've seen in the last two days, we've had some very fortunate families to have their loved ones around," said Fort Worth Police Sgt. Mark Povero. "It could've been much worse. We could be talking about deceased children."

A separate incident happened Thursday morning at the Chesnut Ridge Apartments where a 5-year old found a gun on a dresser and shot himself in the hand. That child also survived.

Fort Worth Police Crimes Against Children Unit is investigating. Police say the boy who was shot in the back has a long road of recovery ahead of him and is not out of the woods just yet.

Police say it's too early to determine if the parents will face any charges.

Click here for more news from Fox 4.
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Growing up in Washington state, Douglas Chin says he was the stereotypical "smart Chinese kid that got straight As." His parents taught him not to stick out too much and used to say "don't poke the lion."

So when Chin, now the Hawaii attorney general, was deciding on whether to challenge the Trump administration's latest travel ban, he understood those who said that it wasn't the state's fight.

But the Stanford University-educated lawyer stepped into the spotlight, making Hawaii the first state to challenge President Trump's revised travel ban  and convince a federal judge to temporarily block it before it took effect.

His motivation was personal, he said. Chin said he felt as if he was invisible during his time in an overwhelmingly white suburban Seattle high school, and wanted to fight for an invisible minority in Hawaii: Muslims.

"It really hits home with me," he said. "It worries about me about this society and what's happening."

Before his appointment as attorney general, Chin, 50, was Honolulu's managing director (who would serve as acting mayor when the mayor was out of town) and a prosecutor. People who know and worked with him say he is nice, smart and a fast walker.

Some, however, criticized him for challenging the travel ban.

"Let's allow the big states with more resources to fight this issue," Republican state Rep. Gene Ward said in a statement. "My sense is that the people of Hawaii would rather see potholes fixed rather than trying to lead the nation against an executive order."

Those who have worked with Chin say the reason he is fighting the ban is simple: He's kind.

Jean Ireton was a fellow Honolulu prosecutor with Chin, who started out in traffic court. He had "some of the toughest, most god-awful trials that we had there," she said.

Those kinds of cases showed her the worst in humanity, she said, but Chin didn't see them that way: "He's just a kinder person than I am. I don't have as much faith in people as he does."

Ireton and Chin have differing views on the travel ban. "I do have a problem with the amount of vetting they're able to do in those countries," she said. "Doug sees it from a people perspective. He sees it from people who are suffering."

U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson on Wednesday blocked the federal government from enforcing its ban on travel from six mostly Muslim countries and its suspension of the nation's refugee program.

The judge agreed with Hawaii that the travel ban amounts to discrimination based on nationality and religion.

Trump called the ruling an example of "unprecedented judicial overreach" and called his new travel ban a watered-down version of the first one. He said the order was a necessary measure to prevent terrorists from entering the country.

For Chin, the issue of immigration is a personal one. He is named after the Christian missionary doctor who sponsored his Chinese parents' immigration to Washington state, where Chin was born.

His middle name Shih-Ging means "scholarly gentleman, which is weird," Chin said.

"I think that's where you probably can catch a spark of a personal sense of duty about this whole travel ban," he said, describing his parents emigrating in 1957 at a time when U.S. immigration policy still imposed nation-based quotas.

Chin eventually moved to Honolulu in 1989 as part of a job transfer with IBM, and was exposed to Hawaii's diversity. "All of a sudden I wasn't in this place where I felt invisible anymore so that was really empowering," he said.

Chin's career after IBM took him to the University of Hawaii law school and then various stints in the Honolulu prosecutor's office and private practice.

On a bookshelf in Chin's office is a newspaper front page from a murder conviction he won in 2010. A 15-year-old boy who was tried as an adult and convicted of murdering his 51-year-old neighbor is one of Chin's most memorable cases.

Near the shelf are portraits of Chin's children and wife, who is white and from New York. He describes his daughter, 18, and son, 16, as "hapa," a Hawaiian term that locals use for mixed-race people.

Former Honolulu prosecutor and former mayor Peter Carlisle recalled first meeting him at Chin's church while Carlisle was campaigning. Carlisle said he was so impressed with Chin's public speaking, he told him to look him up if he ever needed a job.

Chin attends Oahu Church of Christ, a nondenominational Christian church that meets in rented spaces at the university or an elementary school. At church, Chin arranges music and sings acapella  he has perfect pitch, he notes sheepishly.

He found the time to go to Sunday services the week of the Honolulu hearing. After the hearing, Chin stopped at his office and then to Waikiki where he was hosting a meeting of the Conference of Western Attorneys General because he's the group's chairman.

Chin has also spent a lot of time giving interviews to news organizations nationwide about his lawsuit. Part of the reason he does that is to educate  even those who live in Hawaii.

"It's a no-brainer why we have to object to this. I totally know how there's another segment of the population that to them it just doesn't connect," he said. "What does the Middle East have to do with Hawaii?"

The answer, he said, is Hawaii's some 5,000 Muslims are the invisible minority and Chin knows first-hand what that feels like.

"People in Hawaii don't know how to process a Muslim other than what they see on TV," he said.
A Howard University professor is under investigation after he reportedly held a mock slave auction in class.

Details about the incident first were reported by the Caged Bird, an online magazine that targets readers who are students at historically black colleges and universities.

The professor, who is white, was reportedly teaching a lesson on Frederick Douglass' slave narrative.

MANHATTAN PUBLIC-SCHOOL COMPLEX HAS BEEN WITHOUT HOT WATER FOR NEARLY 3 YEARS

According to the report, the professor singled out one of the two black men in the class. The instructor then apparently discussed how slaves were examined before they were sold.

Caged Bird reported the professor asked the black student to stand up because he looked "healthy" and "like the type of slave buyers would look for." Even more shocking was the student said he was asked to turn around so we can see your buttocks so the class could get a better sense of how much he was worth. That is when he said the class spoke up in disgust and he sat down.

Personally I'm upset because I feel as though you cant really have a mock slave auction at an HBCU, especially a professor of a different race, said student Corey Jefferson. I feel a little bit disrespected by that because I feel like we are past that. That was years before this and now we are at a different age. It doesnt feel right.

HIJAB-WEARING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT BANNED FROM BASKETBALL GAME

It's very disappointing to hear that, especially a professor anywhere [and] here at Howard, said student Grant Edwards. I guess we just got to hope to understand why he would choose to do that and try to move on from there. Kind of to understand how to prevent that and why that would be a necessary thing.

The student involved said he stood up because he did not expect the professor to do or say the things he did. He also said he didn't sit down sooner because I was so shocked.

A Howard University spokesperson says, "The university is aware of the incident and is investigating the matter."

Click here for more news from Fox 4 DC.
Brazil Aims to Attract More Chinese Tourists (Photo : Getty Images)

In a report by trade newspaper Brasilturis, the deputy president of the Brazilian Tourism Institute (Embratur) said that the institute has given support to Brazilian companies participating in tourism fairs in China. Brazil aims to promote the country to Chinese tourists.



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Support was given at the recent Guangzhou International Travel Fair (GITF) 2017, held Feb. 23-25. Key Brazilian tourist destinations were featured in the pavilion sponsored by the Brazil-Guangdong Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Brazilian Consulate in Guangzhou.



Brazil, which promotes ecotourism, is known for its white-sand beaches, waterfalls, and virgin rainforests. The country is also famous for its well-preserved cities such as the Campos do Jordao, Pelourinho, Ouro Preto, Historic Center of Olinda.



Major Brazilian tourist attractions include the Christ the Redeemer statue and cultural infrastructures such as the Teatro Amazonas, Cathedral of Brasilia, and Museu de Arte Contemporanea. Tourists are also fascinated to join the Rio Festival.



Tufi Michreff, deputy president of the Brazilian Tourism Institute, said that China is now one of the world leaders in terms of potential tourists.



Brazil was visited by over 53,000 Chinese tourists in 2015, based on the latest data from the Tourism Yearbook.



Its a significant number, but not as significant as the presence of these visitors in other regions of the world, said Michreff.



The deputy president also emphasized that about 33 percent of all Chinese tourists were attracted by Egypt and Kenya in the previous year. He also mentioned of the 45 percent growth in the number of Chinese tourists visiting India in 2016.



Considering the geographical distance, the Embratur had drawn a joint strategy with South American countries, including Argentina, to let the Chinese tourists take pleasure in visiting the continent, said Michreff.



Brazil hopes that the support it provides to tourism fairs in China will draw Chinese tourists to the country.


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An Indian flight attendant who was injured in the Brussels airport blasts last year said she has recovered 70 percent of her previous fitness level and would like to resume her passion, flying.

Nidhi Chaphekar suffered burns and a broken foot in the explosions. She said she is looking forward to visiting Brussels next week to take part in the anniversary commemoration and meet the doctors and others who helped her.

The March 22 bombing in the Brussels airport and subway killed 31 people and wounded 270.

A photograph of Chaphekar, a flight attendant with India's Jet Airways, became an iconic image of the attacks. It showed the 40-year-old mother of two sitting dazed and bloodied, with her bright yellow uniform ripped.

In an interview in Mumbai on Friday, Chaphekar said the picture gave her family in India hope that she was alive.

"I appeared to be in a state of shock. It was a compelling picture as it depicted everything  shock and trauma," she said.

In the past year, Chaphekar's life has changed.

"From a very independent female, I became dependent on others as I recovered from injuries. I used to run a lot. I can't run now," she said.

"I am 70 percent fine now. A bone has to be put in my injured right foot. Physically, there are challenges," Chaphekar said.

"I have not yet started flying. My dream is to fly back," she said, adding that she would be flying to Brussels on Sunday for a 10-day visit.

Chaphekar said she is writing a book and has been asked to give motivational speeches. She wants to inspire people and tell them that everything is possible in life.

"I used to be a very difficult person, but the love and affection of people after the Brussels experience has changed me," she said.
An Afghan official says a suicide truck bomber has targeted a military checkpoint in eastern Khost province, killing one soldier and wounding 10.

A district governor, Mohammad Akbar Zadran, says the early morning attack on Friday in the district of Sabari started with the truck driver detonating his explosives-laden vehicle in front of the military post.

He says the explosion was so powerful that it damaged nearby houses and a school. After the blast, two Taliban gunmen opened fire at the troops, triggering a shootout that left both militants dead.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a message to the media that the Taliban targeted the military compound in Sabari in the attack.
Residents of cities in Crimea and Russia are gathering to commemorate the third anniversary of Russia's annexation of the Black Sea peninsula from Ukraine.

The annexation was widely denounced by the West, and both the United States and the European Union imposed sanction on Russia in response.

The annexation agreement on March 18, 2014, came two days after a referendum on secession that was hastily called in the wake of massive protests that drove Ukraine's pro-Russia president to flee the country.

In Sevastopol, Crimea's prime port of the base for Russia's Black Sea Fleet, about 3,000 people gathered to mark the anniversary. Other commemoration festivities were held throughout mainland Russia on Saturday, news reports said.
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The Latest on an incident at Orly Airport in Paris where a man was shot to death after seizing a soldier's weapon (all times local):

10:35 a.m.

Passengers at Paris' Orly airport describe gunshots and panic when a man was killed after seizing a weapon from a soldier guarding the site.

A witness identified only as Dominque said on BFM television: "The soldiers took aim at the man, who in turn pointed the gun he had seized at the two soldiers."

Another man says on BFM that there was a group of three soldiers targeted, and they tried to calm the man who seized the weapon. Then the man said he heard two gunshots.

Another witness, identified as Patrick, said he was at the check-in counter when he saw someone come in from outside and the incident began.

A French journalist on a flight that landed from Nice told France-Info radio passengers are being kept on the plane and aren't being allowed to disembark.

___

10:25 a.m.

The Paris airport authority says Orly Airport is being entirely evacuated and all flights redirected after a man was shot dead after seizing a weapon from a soldier guarding the site.

An airport authority official says flights to and from Orly are being redirected to Charles de Gaulle airport.

The official said thousands of people are being evacuated from Orly.

A national police official says operations to check for explosives are underway at Orly after the Saturday incident.

French media reports said the man seized the weapon and tried to flee before being shot.

 Associated Press Writer Angela Charlton

___

9:40 a.m.

French police say a man was shot to death after trying to seize the weapon of a soldier guarding Paris' Orly Airport.

A national police official said the incident occurred Saturday morning at Orly, and the soldier is part of the Sentinel special force installed around France to protect sensitive sites after a string of deadly Islamic extremist attacks.

No information about the slain man or any other injuries was available. The official was not authorized to be publicly named.

Police evacuated part of the airport and warned visitors in a tweet to avoid the airport while the police operation was underway.

The shooting came after a similar incident last month at the Louvre Museum. France remains under a state of emergency
The 39-year-old suspected attacker killed at Paris Orly airport on Saturday after trying to wrestle away a soldiers weapon had already crossed authorities radar for suspected Islamic extremism.

Paris prosecutors said the suspect's house was among scores searched in November 2015 in the immediate aftermath of ISIS-led suicide bomb-and-gun attacks that killed 130 people in Paris. Those searches targeted people with suspected radical leanings.

The alleged attacker said that he was there "to die for Allah" and dropped a bag on the floor containing a can of gasoline, according to prosecutors.

The prosecutor's office said its anti-terrorism division was handling the investigation and had taken the attacker's father and brother into custody for questioning.

A French official connected to the investigation confirmed French media reports identifying the attacker as Ziyed Ben Belgacem.

PARIS IMF LETTER BOMB: POSSIBLE LINK TO FAILED GERMAN BOMB INVESTIGATED

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the attacker assaulted three Air Force soldiers patrolling the airport. He said the soldier who was attacked managed to hold on to her rifle and the two soldiers she was with opened fire to protect her and the public. Soldiers fired eight rounds in all at the attacker.

No one else in the busy terminal was hurt, but thousands of travelers were evacuated and flights were diverted to the city's other airport.

A spokesman for the military force that patrols public sites in France told BFM television the soldier attacked was "shocked" but uninjured after the "very violent aggression" by a man who was quickly shot dead by two of her fellow patrolmen.

French President Francois Hollande ruled out any link between Saturday's attack and the upcoming French presidential election in April and May, noting that France has been battling the threat of extremism for several years.

He said the attack shows that France's policy of having military patrols guarding public sites "is essential," and that the nation "must remain extremely vigilant."

Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux said the man was linked to a carjacking about 90 minutes earlier in a northern Paris suburb.

In that incident, the Paris police office said, a man fired birdshot at officers who stopped him during a traffic stop, wounding one in the face. He then fled and stole a woman's car after threatening her with a weapon. The car was found near Orly.

A police source described the man as a radicalized Muslim but did not identify him by name, according to Reuters.

French national police said that only one man was involved in the airport attack and denied reports of a possible second attacker.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene at the airport.

A witness identified only as Dominque told BFM television: "The soldiers took aim at the man, who in turn pointed the gun he had seized at the two soldiers."

FRANCE HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING: ARMED TEEN ARRESTED, 10 HURT

A French journalist on a flight that landed from Nice told France-Info radio passengers were kept on the plane and weren't allowed to disembark.

A national police official said the soldiers are part of the Sentinel special force installed around France to protect sensitive sites after a string of deadly Islamic extremist attacks.

Police warned visitors to avoid the airport while the police operation was underway. Emergency vehicles surrounded the airport as confused passengers gathered in parking lots, and the elite RAID special police force worked to secure the airport.

An airport authority official said flights to and from Orly were being redirected to Charles de Gaulle airport.

Orly is Paris' second-biggest airport behind Charles de Gaulle, serving domestic and international flights, notably to destinations in Europe and Africa.

The shooting came after a similar incident last month at the Louvre Museum in which an Egyptian man attacked soldiers guarding the site and was shot and wounded.

The incident also comes just days after a letter bomb exploded at the International Monetary Fund offices in Paris. One person was injured.

The attack further rattled France, which remains under a state of emergency after attacks over the past two years that have killed 235 people.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Republic of Congo police say security forces have killed 15 rebel fighters during an operation in the Pool region that has been plagued by violence since last year.

Police on Saturday said the Ninja militia members had been trained in explosives and were preparing to commit a series of attacks along the railway between Pool and the capital, Brazzaville.

Police say they seized weapons and ammunition in Madzia, about 53 kilometers south of Brazzaville.

Ninjas Nsiloulou fighters began launching attacks in April 2016, just weeks after President Denis Sassou N'Guesso's re-election.

An arrest warrant is out for Frederic Bitsangou, a pastor who led the group until it disbanded in 2003. He has been missing since April, but through a spokesman in October called for a political solution to hostilities.
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.
For much of the week, teenager Bailey Doggett sat beside his attorneys in Spotsylvania Circuit Court with a stoic look on his face.

But after a jury cleared him of a manslaughter charge early Friday afternoon, Doggetts emotions came spilling out. Seconds after Judge Joseph Ellis told him he was free to go, he burst into tears and fell into the arms of some of his supporters.

Doggett, 16, was charged in connection with the March 8, 2016, slaying of 37-year-old John Conroy Jr., his mothers live-in boyfriend. Mary Doggett had told Conroy, who shed been in a relationship with since 2007, that she wanted him out of her home and a heated argument erupted.

The argument ended when Bailey Doggett fired five shots, killing Conroy in the home on Towles Mill Road in Partlow. The teen had taken the gun out of his mothers purse just before they entered the home.

During the four-day trial, defense attorneys Mark Gardner and Ghislaine Storr Burks put on evidence portraying Conroy as a man with a bipolar disorder who became angry and abusive when he was not on his medication.

Defense witnesses, including Mary Doggett, said Conroy had not taken his medication at all in the months leading up to the shooting and that his mood swings were becoming increasingly worse.

The defense maintained that Bailey Doggett was justified in shooting Conroy because he was acting in defense of his mother, who said that Conroy had just knocked her to the ground when he was shot.

Prosecutors Colleen Barlow and Crystal Montague-Holland claimed that the Doggetts reported fear of Conroy had been greatly exaggerated. They argued that Bailey Doggett had clearly overreacted and used excessive force that day.

The evidence showed that at least until the day he was killed, Conroy had never physically abused Mary Doggett. Prosecutors also put on numerous witnesses, including Conroys ex-wife, who portrayed Conroy in a positive light.

A key point of contention during the trial was why Bailey Doggett had a the gun. His mother testified that he took it out of her purse just before they got out of the car. She said she initially told him to put it back, then told him to hide it because she feared that Conroy might go for it in anger about getting kicked out of the house.

Prosecutors scoffed at that explanation, pointing out that Conroy had not been violent when he was kicked out of the house before and that there were seven other unlocked guns in the house.

Gardner said the ordeal has been a strain on both families and was a tragedy all the way around. A 15-year-old boy was put in an untenable position and the result was a nightmare for everybody.
King Salman of Saudi Arabia visits China. (Photo : Getty Images)

King Salman of Saudi Arabia visited China recently. The visit had a strategic importance to the king as he discussed issues on security and military.



Dr. Naser Al-Tamimi is a political analyst and commentator on energy politics and Gulf-Asia relations. He believes that sustaining China-Saudi ties is not just about oil trade.



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He wrote a commentary and stated, "Although energy and trade will likely occupy an important place in the talks between the two leaders, the relations between both countries have expanded in various fields, especially in defense and security."



Oil trade is still the ground that lays the foundation for the strong trade between the two countries. China's demand for oil is 11.9 barrels per day in 2016 compared to 2.9 million barrels per day in 1993.



China's import of oil composes 66 percent of the entire country's oil supply and makes Saudi a very important trade partner.



Saudi also holds stakes in Chinese petrochemical companies. The Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) already holds a stake in a polycarbonate complex in Tianjin run by China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec Group).



Saudi Aramco partly owns the Fujian Refining & Petrochemical Company.



China is predicted to hold the majority of the Saudi export market. According to HSBC, Saudi will be largely flooded by Chinese products until 2030.



Al-Tamimi believes that the partnership between China and Saudi will grow even further in military and security as they try to separate from the U.S.



He wrote, "From the Saudi perspective, Beijing could be regarded as a valuable source of political support as Saudi Arabia continues a path of selective economic reforms whilst also seeking to deflect Western pressure in the political arena."



Premier Li Keqiang also sees the trip as a way for Saudi to strengthen ties just as U.S. President Trump slowly exits the Middle East.



"King Salman's Asia trip occurs against the backdrop that US global dominance has shown signs of declining amid America's gradual withdrawal from the Middle East and China has become increasingly active in the region," Li said.


Whoever purchases the house on the final unsold lot in the Hartwood Landing community in Stafford County will help end homelessness for other local families.

Thats because Atlantic Builders and its trade partners will donate the net proceeds from the sale of the home to Loisanns Hope House, which provides shelter to women and children in need in the Fredericksburg area.

Were estimating that well be able to give net proceeds of $200,000 to Loisanns Hope House, said Adam Fried, CEO of Atlantic Builders and vice-chair of Loisanns Hope House board.

Fried, who joined the board last year, said Loisanns Hope House is the largest womens and childrens shelter in the area and one of the oldest.

Our engagement with our clients is longer than it is at other places like Brisben [Center] and Micah [Ecumenical Ministries], which also do a good job, he said.

Loisanns Hope Housewhich is named after Loisann Silver Chacon, a social worker and sister of developer Larry Silverprovides case management, day care, job search assistance and transition to stable housing for local families and can house up to 40 people at one time.

I love their mission and they have a great staff and team, but like all nonprofits, they never have enough money, said Fried.

The organization has ambitions to expand the number of people it helps, Fried said.

Were expecting to double the amount of families we move from last year, Fried said. Were on pace to move 40 families this year. Thats part of the reason we need more funds. We needed a significant fundraiser this year.

So Fried approached developer Alex McCallister of Eastern Virginia Land Co. and Atlantics trade partners, the companies and contractors who build the houses, with the idea of donating proceeds from the final home sale to the organization.

More than half of the money we expect to give will be from the developer, who sold us the lot at a discount, and our trade partners, Fried said.

The home, which is the Griffin model, has four bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms. The total living square footage on three levels is just under 4,000, Atlantic sales manager Chris Burns said.

With our trade partners and suppliers, weve been able to provide a lot of great finishes, like wrought-iron banisters, a gourmet, stainless-steel appliance package and hardwood flooring on the main level, Burns said.

He said the asking price will be $500,000 and the home will be ready in May.

Fried said Atlantic Builders and its partners plan to hold a celebration on May 5 to celebrate everyone involved in building the home.

Lisa Crittenden, executive director of Loisanns Hope House, said the shelter could not accomplish its goals without the support of community members.

The passion and commitment from Atlantic Builders and then all of those trade agencies will impact the lives of many children and families, Crittenden said.
Sarah Jessica Parkerthe actress and fashion icon who defied tradition by wearing a black gown on her wedding day and an elaborate Vera Wang wedding dress to the 74th annual Golden Globes Awardsrecently gave local brides the experience of a lifetime at an event at the SJP Boutique at MGM National Harbor.

It all started when local wedding planner Christina Moore of Bella Giornata Events heard that the star from HBOs television show Sex and the City was planning to visit her store at MGM on March 8 to debut her spring line. Parkers boutique features shoes, handbags and accessories.

On a whim, Moore called the manager and asked about the possibility of arranging a private shopping experience for her bridal clients at the store during Parkers visit. The manager loved the idea, and it didnt take Moore much time to get the ball rolling.

She began calling local vendors and put together a list of brides interested in participating in the event. With the help of nearly a dozen local vendors, Moore created a magical experience for seven brides from the Fredericksburg and Northern Virginia area.

Vendors from the area really came together for this, she said. Each girl just went crazy about the experience.

Bright and early in the morning, a stretch Hummer from Fredericksburg Limo arrived to pick up the brides. Each woman was given roses from Blushing Bloom Florist. They enjoyed sipping on mimosas and nibbling on specialty doughnuts from Sugar Shack and breakfast from Clearwater Catering on the drive up to National Harbor.

When the women arrived, they were whisked past the ever-growing line outside the store and escorted inside for a private shopping experience. One of the brides, Monica Morgan, 33, had already purchased a pair of pumps for her wedding, but ended up splurging on a new pair at the boutique.

The shoes cost $400, and Morgan said they were worth every penny. She described them as the most comfortable high heels she has ever worn.

Besides, when am I going to get another chance to have Sarah Jessica Parker sign my shoes? she said. It was worth the memoryeven if I never wear them again. These feel like air.

Parker was set to arrive by train, which was delayed. The women passed the time by chatting and snacking on cookies from Bijous Sweets. When Parker finally walked into the room, Morgan said she acted more like the girl next door than a celebrity.

She recalled the experience of meeting Parker as incredibly surreal. Morgan was so nervous that she stumbled over her words, but Parker was gracious and friendly. She devoted several minutes of full attention to each bride, took pictures with them and signed their wedding shoes.

She was very personableno celebrity airs, Morgan said. She acted like just an everyday woman.

Another bride, Fanny Lynn Patterson, 50, slipped into her wedding dress, which she purchased from Ava Laurenne Bride in Fredericksburg. Parker helped her pick the perfect pair of blush shoes to match her gown.

Prior to the event, Pattersons knowledge of Parker was very limited. She had never watched an episode of Sex and the City and didnt know that Parker was a fashion icon. But, as soon as she met the celebrity, Patterson was smitten.

She was so sweetyoud think she was my sister and we grew up together, Patterson said. She seemed like such a kind-hearted person, and kept talking about how beautiful I was and asked to help find shoes.

Patterson also loved watching all the local vendors come together for the event. She recently moved from Orange Beach, Ala., and loves the small-town charm of Fredericksburg, as well as its proximity to D.C.

All of these vendors were so excited and had never done an event like this, she said. It was an amazing experience.

Azadeh Rahmani, owner of The Silver Stag-Vintage Revival House in Fredericksburg, attended the event alongside the brides. She brought Parker a gift basket of specialty items that were handcrafted by local artists to give her a taste of Fredericksburg.

The basket included a necklace made from a silver spoon handle etched with Parkers initials and a high heel charm. Rahmani also added a pair of earrings in peacock blueParkers favorite color.

It is amazing to think that Sarah Jessica Parker will be wearing the earrings made by a military wife and local artist from here in Fredericksburg, she said.

Rahmani also gave Parker a yak-wool shawl in peacock blue that was made by women in Nepal. She explained that the women make the shawls, her store sells them and then 100 percent of the proceeds are sent back to the women.

The idea of supporting local business ownersespecially womenis important to Rahmani.

Women supporting womenI am a big advocate of that, she said. That is why I advocate women celebrities who support that kind of thing.

Parker was touched by Rahmanis gift basket. She spent several minutes with Rahmani, asking her about the origins of her name and business, and about Fredericksburg.

Rahmani said Parker is a lot like her on-screen counterpart, Carrie Bradshaw, from Sex and the City. She said meeting celebrities can be disappointing because they dont always meet expectations, but this was not the case with Parker, who was very down-to-earth and humble.

It made me love her even more, Rahmani said. I have been following Sarah Jessica Parker for years and have watched Sex and the City multiple times. I think she is an amazing woman and great business person.

Moore said that once their shopping was complete, the women tried their luck at the casino with custom cards from Twila & Co. They returned to Fredericksburg in the limo, full of laughter and some tears.

Rahmani loved watching so many local vendors come together for the event.

This is what it is all about, she said. Local shops are important to the economy and community.
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China-Chile Free Trade (Photo : Getty Images)

In an interview with the state-run Xinhua News Agency, Juan Esteban Matusalem, President of the Chile-China Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (CHICIT), said that the China-Chile free trade is an exemplary model.



Chile will be hosting a summit where a plan for the future trade relations in the Asia-Pacific region might be made. The world is eyeing on Chinese contributions to the High-Level Dialogue on Integration Initiatives in the Asia-Pacific: Challenges and Opportunities.



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According to the expert, "countries cannot simply remain with their arms crossed, especially if their interests to deepen economic cooperation happen to coincide."



"China, Chile and other countries of the Asia-Pacific region that share this vision must be ready to make all needed efforts to advance in this line," said Matusalem.



The benefits of free trade are apparent in the China-Chile relationship.



"The bilateral free-trade agreement has shown itself to be one of the great achievements between Chile and China. Furthermore, the constant efforts to deepen it reflect the opportunities to deepen business at all levels," the business leader said.



For Matusalem, the "pragmatism" of economic ties between China and Latin America is an implication of strong China-Chile economic cooperation.



China succeeded the European Union in 2014 as Latin America's second largest trading partner, according to the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).



70 percent of the regions export basket to China is concentrated on only five products, Matusalem highlighted.



"Our challenge is to continue diversifying the quality of our exports, but also to move beyond raw materials toward value-added or other manufactured products. An important step for this is cooperation in science and technology, in fields ranging from astronomy to telecommunications," he said.



Matusalem also mentioned the evolution of China-Chile free trade since a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) was implemented.



"Before the bilateral FTA, more than 90 percent of Chilean exports to China consist of copper and its derivatives. Since 2006, it has been overhauled. Currently, sectors such as fruits, wine, processed foods and forestry goods are growing in importance. In 2016, the largest growth was for agriculture, forestry and fishing, which grew 42 percent. Fruit exports grew 52 percent," he said.



The CHICIT president also believes that it is essential for Chile to uphold the image of a country prepared to provide the growing needs of China.



"Professional services are an area where our country can succeed very well, especially given the major transformation of the structure of China's development. Then come the enormous opportunities in the tourism sector," said Matusalem.



The Pacific Alliance has a great interest in building ties with China in various fields. The alliance includes Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.



"China is one of the main trading partners of each Pacific Alliance member," Matusalem added.



He suggested that the alliance should "consolidate a large-scale economic platform, allowing its countries to present a common front to Chinese investors" for the multilateral partnership to develop.



"It will certainly facilitate the creation of global value chains between players in various economic sectors. It is the challenge lying before us," the CHICIT president added.



China-Chile free trade continues to strengthen ties between the two countries, bringing success to both economies.


China's Rice Production (Photo : Getty Images)

Chinas rice production has been greatly affected by high pollutant levels in the surface ozone. The country is the worlds biggest producer of rice and yet, it is one of the most polluted countries.



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Researchers at the UC Davis in China reported that a part of the rice development is highly susceptible to surface ozone pollution.



The current threat in Chinas rice production not only affects the country. It has an impact on the international rice market as it will also likely to affect global food security.



Colin Carter, a professor of agricultural and resource economics at UC Davis, said that "as ozone levels increase in China, this form of pollution threatens to not only decrease the nation's rice production but also affect the broad, global rice market."



The relationship between the ozone and the rice development process must be understood first before officials create laws and regulations to solve the problem of surface ozone pollution, scientists said.



The study led by Carter holds a huge amount of information on how China and the world will not run out of rice. It has been recently published in "Nature's Scientific Reports."



According to scientific reports, China has been competing with India to top the list of most polluted countries in the world.



The impact of surface ozone pollution on the ecosystem is not yet considered rampant by many. However, it slowly manifests itself through other parts of the ecosystem, including Chinas rice production.



The study entitled "Effect of heavy haze and aerosol pollution on rice and wheat productions in China," which was published in Scientific Reports on July 2016, discusses how a different type of pollution affects China's rice production. Xuexi Tie, Ru-Jin Huang, Wenting Dai, Junji Cao, Xin Long, Xiaoli Su, Shuyu Zhao, Qiyuan Wang and Guohui Li conducted the research.



Surface ozone pollution is just one of the pollution problems China faces. The government, at the recent National Peoples Conference, has announced measures to address the countrys environmental problems.



Farmers and consumers alike await the fate of Chinas rice production with the countrys fight against surface ozone pollution.


Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua (Photo : Getty Images)

According to Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua, China will be giving the Philippines a 4 billion grant for the construction of two Philippine bridges and two drug rehabilitation centers. The bridges will be located over the Pasig River while the rehab centers will be built in Mindanao.



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The cost of the bridges is estimated at around 500 million yuan while the drug rehabilitation centers have a budget of 50 million yuan. The said amounts have an equivalent of around P4 billion.



During the 28th Philippines-China Joint Commission on Economic and Trade Cooperation (JCETC), top Chinese and Philippine officials have come to an agreement for the Chinese grant for the two bridges. The JCETC was held more than a week ago.



150 beds will be provided for each of the drug rehabilitation centers to be funded by the grant. The project is to support President Rodrigo Dutertes war on drugs.



At the sidelines of the signing ceremony, Zhao said that the drug rehab centers will cost about 50 million yuan and the Pasig river bridges will involve about 500 million yuan. We hope we can do it as soon as possible.



The ambassador did not give a specific timeline for the projects but according to him, China would like them to be iconic symbols of Chinese and Philippine friendship.



Zhao also mentioned of the arrival of Vice Premier Wang Yang in the Philippines on Thursday. Wang will be the highest Chinese official to visit the Philippines under the Duterte administration.



China and the Philippines have a long-time territorial dispute over the South China Sea. Duterte has been working to mend the soured relationship between the two countries.



With the signing of the 4 billion grant and the construction of two Philippine bridges, Dutertes efforts are starting to pay off.


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Good Samaritan

Regional Medical

Center hires hospitalist

Adrienne Bennett recently joined Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center as a hospitalist specializing in internal medicine.

Bennett comes to Samaritan with more than 25 years of medical and teaching experience, most recently at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital in Yakima, Washington, where she worked as an attending physician. She earned a medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine and completed an internship and residency at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center.

AAAS and OSU

announce 2016 Fellows

Three Oregon State University professors recently were named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

The OSU honorees are Peter Clark, a distinguished professor of geosciences in the College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences; Alan Mix, a professor of geological oceanography in CEOAS; and Michael A. Osborne, a professor of history of science in the College of Liberal Arts. Election as an AAAS Fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers.

Clark and Mix were selected as part of the section geology and geography. Clark was elected for his contributions toward understanding linkages among climate, ice sheets and sea level over the past 100,000 years.

Mix was elected for contributions to the field of paleoceanography and paleoclimatology, particularly for improvement of proxy applications and understanding of the Quaternary period ocean and climate dynamics.

Osborne was selected as part of the history and philosophy of science section. He was elected for contributions to the fields of the histories of science and medicine, with particular attention to the role of French colonialism and natural history.

Corvallis law firm

hires attorney

The Reynolds Law Firm in Corvallis recently hired Andrea Turner.

Turner is an advocate who takes a client-centered approach while practicing family and appellate law. She is a graduate of the University of New Mexico and earned a law degree from Willamette University College of Law in 2014.

During law school, she worked with the Office of Public Defense Services, Appellate Division, on criminal appeals, and later with the Appellate Commissioners Office in the Oregon Court of Appeals. In her spare time, she volunteered with CAUSA, and was a Willamette Law Online staff writer for the United States Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit summary services.

After graduation, she worked as a judicial extern in Marion County Circuit Court. In her solo firm, the Law Office of Andrea Turner, LLC, she practiced impact appellate litigation, nonprofit corporate governance, administrative compliance and criminal defense.
The Corvallis City Council will have its first opportunity to discuss a draft strategic plan for the city at its 4 p.m. Thursday work session at the Madison Avenue Meeting Room, 500 SW Madison Ave.

The plan, which was unveiled but not discussed at a March 9 work session, is designed to replace and augment the previous council system of establishing goals for the two-year election term.

The strategic plan is intended to give everyone  from city councilors to the general public  a well-rounded look at the citys scope of work, both now and into the future, said City Manager Mark Shepard, who suggested the new approach.

Our hope is that it will be a tool that helps tell the citys story in the months and years to come.

The draft plan is organized into six sections that mirror the focus areas of the Imagine Corvallis 2040 vision plan. The six categories are engage and support, steward and sustain, innovate and prosper, learn and thrive, create and celebrate and plan and change.

The full text of the 20-page document can be viewed in the online version of this story.

The document lists goals such as improving the citys bond rating, lowering response times for fire and emergency medical calls, redesigning the city website and increasing the number of city-managed trails.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the plan at a date still to be determined.

In other public meetings:

Saturday

 State Rep. Dan Ryafield, D-Corvallis, has set a community coffee for 9 a.m. at New Morning Bakery, 219 SW Second St. Rayfield hosts such events every third weekend of the month. The next community coffee will be April 22 at Imagine Coffee.

Monday

 The Corvallis City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. at the downtown fire station, 400 NW Harrison Blvd. On the agenda is a $15,000 funding request from da Vinci Days, a discussion of the implications of the citys sanctuary resolution and a 7:30 p.m. public hearing on system development charges (SDCs). The meeting includes a community comments section. Public testimony on SDCs will be taken during the hearing. Residents wishing to offer comments in advance on any subject can do so at www.corvallisoregon.gov/publicinput.

 The Philomath Planning Commission holds a 6 p.m. work session on training at City Hall, 980 Applegate St. At 7 p.m. the commission will hold public hearings on rezoning the 22.84-acre Skirvin Farms property on South 13th Street to low-density residential and a conditional use permit that would allow the Living Faith Community Church on North 10th Street to convert a residence into office and meeting space.

Tuesday

 The Benton County Board of Commissioners holds a work session at 9 a.m. in the county boardrooms, 205 NW Fifth St. The agenda will include initiating a process to amend Chapters 94, 95 and 97 of the Benton County Code.

 The Benton County Board of Commissioners will hold a meeting at noon in the county boardrooms. The agenda includes discussions of funding for the mental health budget and the Oregon Office for Community Dispute Resolution. Following the meeting, the board will reconvene as the governing body for the North Albany County Service District.

 The Adair City Council will have a goal-setting session at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 6030 William R. Carr Ave.

 Ward 3 Corvallis Councilor Hyatt Lytle will hold a ward meeting at 7 p.m. at the Tunison Community Room, 365 SW Tunison Ave. Topping the agenda are the bike path near the First Alternative Co-Op, development in South Corvallis, food carts and homelessness.

 A Philomath committee will begin discussions of a downtown streetscape project at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

Wednesday

 The Watershed Management Advisory Board meets at 5:15 p.m. at the Madison room.

 The Adair Village Planning Commission meets at 6 p.m. at City Hall to review its urban growth boundary and annexation process.

Friday

 The Corvallis City Legislative Committee meets at 10 a.m. at City Hall, 501 SW Madison Ave.

March 25

 Ward 7 Corvallis Councilor Bill Glassmire will be the government comment corner guest from 10 a.m. to noon at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave.
The Oregon State University Board of Trustees postponed a vote on a possible tuition increase Friday after a group of 15 people interrupted the meeting to protest the proposal.

The full board was scheduled to take action Friday after the Finance and Administration Committee made a recommendation Thursday to increase tuition 4 percent for resident undergraduates and 2 percent for nonresident undergraduates.

But that action never came. Instead, the board opted to adjourn after the protesters marched into the center of the Horizon Room at the Memorial Union around 12:25 p.m., locked arms and began chanting demands.

As the demonstrators shouted, board members declared a recess, got up and walked out. OSU President Ed Ray sat and listened for several minutes before also walking out.

The protesters continued to chant for nearly an hour after board members left the room. An Oregon State Police trooper was called in to monitor the situation but no attempt was made to arrest the protesters.

The board reconvened at 1:40 p.m.  nearly an hour and 20 minutes later  with the protesters, still in the center of the room, resuming their chants. Chairwoman Pat Reser offered the demonstrators 15 minutes to comment. The group then chanted, Your listening time is not what we call listening time, at which point Reser declared the meeting adjourned and announced that it would be rescheduled for a later date.

They are not listening, they are leaving, the protesters chanted before marching out themselves and chanting, Shame, shame, shame on you.

Steve Clark, a spokesman for OSU, said the university would announce a new meeting date.

A new meeting date will be set. The matters on the agenda will be considered at that time or at a future date, dependent upon the agenda, Clark said. We understand that students are concerned about tuition. Students have the opportunity, as do other members of the public, to address the board in public comment.

The protesters came into the meeting just after two public comment periods in which more than 20 students and staff members asked the board to listen to their stories and reconsider the tuition increase.

The protesters made several demands and chanted, Weve had enough, we will disrupt before inviting those in attendance to join them.

The demands included reducing the financial burdens on students and lower-level staff, holding board meetings at times when students would be able to attend, making employees earning more than $150,000 a year take a voluntary pay cut, halting pay increases for administrators, altering the appointment process and formation of the board, and supporting underfunded departments.

We are escalating our actions today because business as usual is unacceptable, the group chanted in unison. In past attempts to communicate through official channels, our concerns have repeatedly gone unaddressed and unnoted.

Several students joining the demonstration spoke during the public comment portion of the event as well. Many of the protesters were a part of Allied Students for Another Politics.

Those joining the demonstration included current and former students and professors. Among those joining in were OSU ethnic studies graduate student Alex Riccio, third-year political science and philosophy major Justin Nielsen, third-year political science major Azeem Hussaini, environmental sciences major David DeHart and OSU botany graduate Rolando Beorchia.

Candalynn Johnson, executive director of government relations with the Associated Students of Oregon State University, OSU's student government, said after the meeting that she sympathized with the protesters.

I think a lot of people sympathize with it, Johnson said, adding that the reason the protesters escalated their tactics is "because they have been going to board meetings and they have been testifying. They felt like testimony wouldnt have changed anything.

Johnson said she also understood the board's decision to adjourn.

They obviously couldnt have talked over the students, Johnson said. I hope they see what happened as an act of desperation and feeling silenced.

Joshua Kaufman, speaker of the house for ASOSU, said he was disappointed with the results Friday.

I think (the protesters) have good intentions, but I also think this had been moving in a positive direction and I think our testimony did make a difference, Kaufman said. For them to come in after a group of students just spoke and say they werent listening to students made me wonder where they were when the board listened to students for the last hour.

Kaufman said three years ago he attended tuition meetings that were held over spring break and noted that the board had come a long way since then to accommodate and listen to students. He noted that the finance committee originally considered a tuition hike of around 12 percent and that committee members reduced the recommendation as a result of listening to students.

I think this was moving in the right direction and I think this disruption came at the wrong time, Kaufman said. After all of these progressive steps have happened, to come in (and) disrupt the meeting and make it so they cant vote just seems silly and almost counterproductive to me.

Johnson agreed that the board had become more inclusive, but said the protest highlighted the need for more inclusion.

I do think there have been improvements. But the fact of the matter is that a lot of students dont think its enough, she said. Why isnt the administration sending out emails to students notifying them of these things? Yes, there are improvements. But I dont think its nearly enough. If you want students to not disrupt meetings, you need to educate students about whats happening and include them more.
This log includes incidents in which there might have been a public disturbance or a risk to the public. Information comes from the Corvallis Police Department, the Benton County Sheriffs Office and Oregon State Police. It does not include all calls for service. The status of incidents might change after further investigation. Locations are approximate. People arrested or suspected in crimes are considered innocent until proven otherwise.

Corvallis Police Department

THURSDAY, MARCH 16

DISORDERLY CONDUCT: 1:14 p.m., 425 S.W. Madison Ave. An officer responded to Starbucks for a reported fight in progress. The officer reported that Bruce Van Houte, 54, no address listed, was highly intoxicated and attempted to punch another man, who then placed Van Houte in a headlock until police arrived. Van Houte was arrested, booked into the Benton County Jail on a charge of disorderly conduct.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15

CAT CALL: 4:57 p.m., 1400 block Northwest Division Avenue. A woman reported to police that her friend had been admitted to the hospital and needed someone to take care of her cat. An officer retrieved the cat at the woman's home and transported it to Heartland Humane Society for care until the woman returned from the hospital.
China Poses Threat to US, Ramps Up Missile R&D as PLA Works with Private Tech Firms

Chinese missile technology is quickly developing and poses a threat to the U.S. (Photo : Getty Images)

President Xi Jinping called for the People's Liberation Army to collaborate with the private sector to develop their arsenal and take lessons from science and technology companies.



The president's order was expressed so that the PLA will fast track the application of the latest technologies in the army's missiles and spy techniques.



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Military experts think that China is rapidly closing the gap with the U.S. in terms of military technology.



Anthony Cordesman, a national security expert at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, said, "If you were to look at reports like Chinese military power over time, it's obvious that China is closing the gap more quickly than, for example, we probably would have estimated five or three years ago."



China's military technologies are products of partnership with private technology firms in the production of laser weapons, advanced sensor and stealth aircraft.



American experts believe that China's developing missile technology is more threatening because it means that China is closing in its plans for state-owned cyber industrial espionage.



Richard Fisher, a senior fellow on Asian military affairs at the International Assessment and Strategy Center in Alexandria, Virginia, said that the prioritization of missile development is a sign of an aggressive missile program.



"China's overall effort toward civil-military integration will provide great benefits to China's already very aggressive espionage programs," he said.



The development of China's missiles is done in a fast pace and will eventually change the security landscape of the world.



According to John Chipman, director general of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, "China is developing what could be the world's longest range air-to-air missile."



He added, "Western technological superiority, once taken for granted, is increasingly challenged. We now judge that in some capability areas, particularly in the air domain, China appears to be reaching near-parity with the West."


Gastronomic scene : Do you know these vegan restaurants and cafes in Bonn?

Foto: Cassius Garten  with wooden tables and lots of space. Foto: Horst Muller

Bonn Vegan food is no longer a niche subject. In Bonn there are also more and more restaurants and cafes offering dishes free from animal products. Here is a brief guide.

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1. Cassius Garten

<strong>Cassius Garten</strong> in the Cassius-Bastei directly opposite Bonn central station is the Grande Dame of the meat-free restaurants in Bonn. The restaurant was opened in 1989 by family Luth who offer a variety of premium vegetarian food. Many of the dishes are now also vegan  completely free of any animal products. As well as salads and hot dishes, there are also vegan cakes and ice cream. The restaurant/cafes concept: the diners serve themselves at a large buffet and the price is calculated on the weight of the food. Vegan meals are marked with a green dot and therefore easily recognisable. Cassius Garten also offers a vegan catering service for parties.

Our tip: between 7-8pm the prices of all weighed dishes are reduced. Food can also be taken away.

Opening times: Mon-Sat: 8am  8pm (Cafe) and 11am  8pm (Restaurant), Closed on Sundays and public holidays

Address: Maximilianstr. 28d, 53111 Bonn-Innenstadt

Tel. (0228) 65 24 29

2. Mae's

The vegan cafe and restaurant <strong>Mae's</strong> in the Sudstadt has perfected the beautiful historic atmosphere of the former Bonn coffee roasting house Zuntz with lovely furnishings. You will find not just coffee, tea and hot chocolate specialties, but also homemade cakes and tarts, salads and hot dishes such as burgers, curries, and soups. Every Sunday there is a vegan brunch from 10am  2pm. The team also offers a vegan catering service.

Opening times:Fri: noon  6pm, Sat: noon  8pm, Sun: 10am  6pm

Address: Konigstrae 78, 53115 Bonn-Sudstadt

Tel. (0228) 92 124 124

3. Black Veg

In Adolfstrae by the Bonn Frankenbad, the cafe and bistro <strong>Black</strong><strong>Veg</strong> offers vegan snacks, salads, coffee specialties, smoothies and seasonal dishes as well as homemade cakes.

Our tip: every Friday they have vegan doner kebabs.

Opening times: Weds-Sat 11am  7pm, Sun: 10am  7pm, closed on Mondays & Tuesdays

Address: Adolfstrae 43, 53111 Bonn (at the Frankenbad)

Tel. (0228) 18 03 10 19

4. Kaiserhuttn

If you think that Bavarian and Austrian cuisine is all about meat, you will certainly know better after dining at <strong>Kaiserhuttn</strong> on Wilhelmsplatz nearly the Beethovenhalle. In a rustic wooden chalet style ambience, traditional Semmel bread rolls are served with warm non-meat loaf, as well as Kaiserschmarrn (chopped sweet pancakes with raisins), vegan goulash and sausages with Bavarian style potato salad. Everything is 100% animal free. Kaiserhuttn also offers a catering and delivery service.

Opening times: Mon-Sat: 11am-8pm, closed on Sundays

Address: Wilhelmsplatz 1 a, 53111 Bonn-Innenstadt

Tel. (0228) 93 19 79 84

5. Bi-Bu

The food truck Bi-Bu at the Bonn weekly market supplies vegan food to passers-by, hungry shoppers and people on their lunchbreaks. You can buy vegan currywurst, chips, burgers and soups made mainly from organic ingredients. The vegan food can also be delivered to you by bike with the trucks catering service.

Opening times: Mon-Fri: 11.30am  6pm, Sat: 11.30am  4pm at the weekly market on the market square, next to the historic town hall in Bonn

Tel. 0160 97 92 73 11

6. Cigkoftem

Admittedly, the pavilions by the platforms at Bonn bus station do not look particularly inviting at first sight. But it is definitely worth a a second look, as here you will find a real insiders tip for vegan food: the Turkish snack bar Cigkoftem.

The Turkish-French company has been in business since 1993 and has over 300 branches in 10 different countries. Cig Kofte are actually heavily spiced raw meatballs. But here a vegan version is made using bulgar with tomato puree, garlic, a variety of herbs and spices and pomegranate, and is served as classic "meatless meatballs", either in a wrap or as burgers. At the Bonn Cigkoftem you will only find vegan food, which is not the case in all branches.

Opening times: Mon-Sun:11am  10pm

Address: Am Hauptbahnhof (Bonn central station), ZOB Pavillon

In addition, there are many other restaurants and cafes in Bonn with vegan dishes on their menus.

Foto: Horst Muller Eat like a Bavarian at the vegan restaurant Kaiserhuttn.

Foto: Horst Muller Homemade cakes on offer daily at Black Veg.

Foto: Horst Muller In Mae's Cafe everything is vegan, from burgers to cakes zuruck

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Putzchens Markt : Nostalgic fairground fun

A great family outing: the historic fair to mark the 650 anniversary of the Putzchens Markt runs until 9 April and includes a merry-go-round from 1885.

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19.03.2017 Beuel. Fantastic, sensational, unique was how the first visitors described the historic fair in Putzchen on Friday after they poured into the fairground at 42 Holzarer Weg at precisely 2pm. The Friends of Putzchens Markt worked with the city to organise and set up the nostalgic fair to kick off the celebrations for the 650th anniversary of the Putzchens Markt funfair.

Ten historic funfair rides will awaken childhood memories among older visitors in particular. There is a merry-go-round with horses from 1885, a big wheel (1904), a swingboat (1910), a caterpillar ride (1926), a childrens merry-go-round (1929), a big dipper called Journey into Paradise (1939), a ghost train (1947), a flea circus and Punch and Judy theatre (both from 1948) and a bumper car ride (1950).

At the official opening of the funfair on Friday evening in front of 300 guests, Gunter Dederichs, chairman of the Friends of Putzchens Markt, said: This was and is an ambitious project. The construction of the hall first began in January and by the middle of March the historic fair was opened. He particularly thanked the Beuel fairground man Hubert Markmann and praised the city for issuing all the necessary permits promptly.

Beuels mayor, Guido Deus, attending on behalf of Bonn mayor Ashok Sridharan, who was in Berlin for the farewell to the German President opened the festival saying : The Putzchens Markt is a showpiece and visitor magnet for Beuel and the whole of Bonn.

When asked which he thought was the most unusual item at the historic fair, Markmann replied: All of the rides are rarities, but the horse merry-go-round from the 19th century is rare because it has a steam driven engine. The 81-year-old fairground man Jakob Schleifer will demonstrate the operation of this motor to visitors from time to time during the fair.

The historic fair is open until Sunday 9 April on Fridays from 2-10pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 10pm. Visits for schoolchildren are also available on request during the week. There will also be themed musical evenings on three Fridays. On 24 March the theme is rock and roll, 31 March is a seventies night and on 7 April you can hear German classics.

Visitors to the historic fair pay an entry price to use all the attractions. The price for adults is Euro 15.50. Children under two are free, children under five pay Euro 5.50 and children up to 12 years pay Euro 9.50. More information can be found at www.jahrmarktshalle.de
The worlds most valuable copper deposits, known as porphyry deposits, originate from cooling magma. But how can we predict the size of these deposits? What factors govern the amount of copper present? Researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, have studied over 100,000 combinations to establish the depth and number of years required for magma to produce a given amount of copper. The same scientists have also devised a model that can detect the quantity of copper held in a deposit by means of a simple factor analysis. The research, which is published in the journal Scientific Reports, will make it possible to estimate the potential for mining the metal before beginning any drilling. It is a model that will undoubtedly be of great benefit to mining companies.

Porphyry copper deposits account for 75% of natural copper worldwide. They are formed by magma chambers situated between 10 and 15 km beneath Earths surface. At this depth, the magma heats to around 900C but when it comes into contact with the surrounding rock, it cools and crystallises. The water in the magma can then no longer be in solution: it forms bubbles that escape to the surface, carrying with them a substantial part of the copper originally contained in the magma. At a depth of around 2-3 km, the bubbles cool down in the porosities of the rocks, and precipitate the copper they contain as sulphide, creating deposits that may include from 1 to >200 million tons of copper. This explains why Massimo Chiaradia and Luca Caricchi, researchers in the Earth sciences department in the faculty of science at UNIGE, were so keen to discover what dictates the amount of copper in a deposit and whether it was possible to anticipate its size.

More magma means more copper

The volume of magma determines the amount of copper, but under what conditions does the volume of the initial magma form? Chiaradia explains: We used models that incorporate the depth and timescale at which the magma accumulates, the duration of the build-up that forms the deposit, the water content of the magma and the quantity of copper in the water. We then varied these parameters from a minimum to a maximum based on actual measurements. By modifying the parameters, the scientists obtained 100,000 simulations that they compared with the actual data available to them, which helped define the ideal conditions for the formation of a huge deposit. As Caricchi adds: The optimum conditions for creating a magmatic system that results in the formation of a deposit of 30 to 240 million tons of copper is a depth of over 20 km and a continuous injection time of molten magma of over 2 million years.

In search of the ideal deposit

Magma contains water, copper and various other chemical components, including Strontium (Sr) and Yttrium (Y). We know that when the Sr divided by Y ratio is between 50 and 150 in the magma, there is a high probability of finding copper in the deposit. The researchers at UNIGE integrated this ratio into their new model and merged it with the estimated formation time for deposits. Other minerals are associated with copper in these deposits, which allows scientists to date them thanks to the natural decay of uranium into lead and rhenium into osmium. This enabled the scientists to establish the age, i.e. the birth, but also the length, i.e. the number of years, for forming a copper deposit, which can range from tens of thousands of years to two million years. These two items of data  the Sr / Y ratio and the duration of the formation  meant we could design a table of probabilities for determining the amount of copper in the deposit under analysis, continues Chiaradia. Mining companies will be able to use this model to assess the size of a copper deposit at the initial research stage, before starting any significant drilling work. Our model, says Caricchi, which we have compared to real data, has an excellent match rate, and it can save an enormous amount of time and money during mining explorations.

Reference:

Massimo Chiaradia, Luca Caricchi. Stochastic modelling of deep magmatic controls on porphyry copper deposit endowment. Scientific Reports, 2017; 7: 44523 DOI: 10.1038/srep44523

Note: The above post is reprinted from materials provided by Universite de Geneve.
Wang, who already performed at Carnegie Hall as a chamber musician, earned her masters degree in violin at the prestigious Yale School of Music in 2016. (Photo : JiazhiWangViolin.com)

Wang Jiazhi, a 26-year-old Chinese violinist, is scheduled to perform at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on March 28, according to an article by China Daily.



Performing at Carnegie Hall, which is approximately 25 minutes away from Wangs Manhattan apartment, is a dream come true for the young violinist.



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It will be the first recital I give at the Carnegie Hall, and means so much to me, Wang told China Daily.



When I rehearse at Carnegie Hall, I would picture how I perform onstage and become nervous facing the empty seats. But when I perform in front of audiences, especially a full house, I feel very comfortable and happy.



Just as well, for Wang will perform in front of approximately 300 people on her big night.



Wang, who already performed at Carnegie Hall as a chamber musician, earned her masters degree in violin at the prestigious Yale School of Music in 2016.



For Wang, her recital at Carnegie Hall will be the fruition of all her hard work during her time at Yale, and the capstone of all her education and training in the United States.



The program list not only shows my musical ideas but also reflects who I am, said Wang.



Traditionally, classical music is distant and serious but I hope audiences will feel happy and relaxed after watching my performances, she added.



For her recital, Wang will perform some of her favorite pieces, including Beethovens Violin Sonata No. 3 in E-flat major, Ravels Violin Sonata No. 2, and Tchaikovskys Valse-Scherzo in C major, a piece that led her to win second place in the 2015 Washington International Competition for Strings.



Last but not the least, Wang will also perform Dmitri Shostakovichs Five Pieces in honor of her teacher, Li Weigang, a Chinese-American violinist. Li will perform the piece alongside Wang.


kacylee at 18-03-2017 09:18 AM (5 years ago) (f)



Coming after a diamond fueled decade-long civil war that ended in 2002 in which 50,000 people were killed, a Sierra Leonean Pastor who found what could be said to be one of the worlds largest uncut diamonds, weighing 706 carats, and worth over $50M, has donated the diamond, which could be the 10th largest ever found to the Sierra Leonean Government. The diamond which was found in Sierra Leones eastern Kono region by

Emmanuel Momoh, was handed over to President Ernest Koroma by the Pastor who is also a local chief.

Coming after a diamond fueled decade-long civil war that ended in 2002 in which 50,000 people were killed, a Sierra Leonean Pastor who found what could be said to be one of the worlds largest uncut diamonds, weighing 706 carats, and worth over $50M, has donated the diamond, which could be the 10th largest ever found to the Sierra Leonean Government. The diamond which was found in Sierra Leones eastern Kono region byEmmanuel Momoh, was handed over to President Ernest Koroma by the Pastor who is also a local chief.

The Sierra Leonean Government also disclosed that it will auction the diamond and specially thanked the Pastor for not smuggling it out.



He (Koroma) underscored the importance of selling such a diamond here as it will clearly give the owners what is due them and benefit the country as a whole, the statement said.

Here are more photos after the cut;















The Sierra Leonean Government also disclosed that it will auction the diamond and specially thanked the Pastor for not smuggling it out.He (Koroma) underscored the importance of selling such a diamond here as it will clearly give the owners what is due them and benefit the country as a whole, the statement said.Here are more photos after the cut;

Post Reply I have been reporting for several years now and I am very interested in visual news reportage with strong inclusion of photos and video multimedia. Posted: at 18-03-2017 09:18 AM (5 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Nokia 6 clears durability test; probably one of the solid phones of 2017 Features oi -Abhinaya Prabhu Nokia 6 is one of the solid phones of 2017.

Usually, smartphones aren't durable enough as the feature phones. When it comes to durable phones, Nokia is a legendary brand that is renowned for its indestructible offerings such as Nokia 3310 and 1100.

Though three phones were announced, the Nokia 6 made by HMD Global is the only smartphone from the company that has been released in select markets as yet. This smartphone has been crafted using 6000 series aluminum. The durability of this phone has been tested in the video by popular YouTube Channel JerryRigEverything. The video shows the smartphone subjected to different types of tests and still it is fine.

Nokia to release 'monthly' Android and security updates

The smartphone has survived durability tests such as bend, scratch and burn tests. It has left the reviewer astonished with its sold build. He finally concludes that the Nokia 6 is one of the most sold phones he has ever tested. Before knowing more details, we need to mention that you shouldn't attempt to try any of these tests with your phone.

Nokia 6 is durable enough as the earlier models Nokia 6 is a smartphone with a solid build as mentioned above. The scratch tests 3, 6 and 8 were conducted as shown in the video and it seems to be on par with the other flagship phones. The fingerprint scanner is scratch proof as in a few other handsets such as iPhone 7 and OnePlus 3. The front and rear camera sensors are also scratch resistant. The display works fine after burn test! The Nokia 6 was subjected to the burn test in the video. Its 5.5-inch FHD 1080p IPS display recovered the pixels that turned out black after subjecting a part of the display to flames. Once the heat is removed, the pixels appear back and the display works pretty well. It survives the bend test too Remember the iPhone 6 bendgate test? Well, the Nokia 6 proves to be strong. When it is bent in the video, the phone doesn't bend even to the slightest extent. Nokia 6  the solid phone of 2017 The reviewer concludes the video saying that the Nokia 6 is the most durable and solid phones of this year. Here's the video of the Nokia 6 durability test for you.

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Micromax teases smartphone with dual-lens camera setup; imminent launch possible News oi -Abhinaya Prabhu Micromax's first dual-lens camera phone is launching soon.

Lately, Micromax is hitting the tech headlines as it is prepping to unveil a new smartphone and a 4G enabled feature phone. Earlier, one of the leaks revealed that the company is working on a dual-lens camera phone. Now there is a kind of confirmation regarding the same.

Micromax has started teasing the upcoming smartphone on its Twitter handle with a GIF. The teaser has a caption reading, "Cannot Overlook". In the caption, the letter O in both the words are highlighted in such a way that it tips the dual-lens camera setup. If this is true, the upcoming phone would be the company's first smartphone to arrive with a dual-lens camera setup that is becoming a common feature.

A few days back, Micromax was claimed to be in plans to launch a new series known as Bharat. Under its lineup, the company will unveil budget phones as well as a premium phone. The high-end phone is likely believed to be priced between Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 30,000.

Micromax 4G VoLTE feature phones coming soon

In addition to this, a report from IndiaToday revealed that the Micromax phone will feature a USB Type-C port and not a micro USB port for data transfer and charging. There is support for fast charging in this smartphone. If the existing rumors and speculations are anything to go by, the budget phones to be launched in the Bharat series will have basic specs such as Spreadtrm SoC and could be priced around Rs. 3,500. Besides the basic aspects, these phones will support 4G LTE.

When it comes to the alleged launch date of the dual-lens camera smartphone from Micromax, we believe that it could be unveiled late this month or early next month.

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Snapdragon chips are now platforms, not processors : Qualcomm News oi -Shilpa Snapdragon is re-branded!

Qualcomm says that its Snapdragon processors are not just processors but does lots of other stuff as well. So, the company is introducing a new naming structure that actually represents the work it does.

Regarding this confusion between the terms used to represent processors, the chip producer Qualcomm Technologies says, "For decades, the semiconductor industry has used the term 'processor' to mean the component that powers the most advanced devices. It's a word that Qualcomm Technologies has embraced over the years with our Snapdragon brand, or as we say-our Qualcomm Snapdragon processor."

Qualcomm to develop three new mid range processors; Snapdragon 660, 630 and 635 SoCs

"In truth, Snapdragon is more than a single component, a piece of silicon, or what many would misinterpret as the CPU; it's an anthology of technology, comprising hardware, software, and services that are not fully captured in a word like 'processor'. That is why Qualcomm Technologies is refining our terminology by referring to Snapdragon as a 'platform' instead of a processor".

But the thing to be noted is, only Qualcomm's high-end Snapdragon chips will be called as platforms, while lower-specification chipsets used in very low-end phones such as the Snapdragon 200 series will have the name "Qualcomm Mobile" instead of Snapdragon.

Going ahead, the company says, "The shift isn't seismic, but we believe it is a step in the right direction and that it will help us better demonstrate the overall value of a chip, beyond 'speeds and feeds'.

This renaming might help the company while selling their products to the OEMs who actually buy both the hardware and software from them, but it does not change the features offered alongside Snapdragon chips.

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Sony to unveil a new Android handset soon? News oi -Samden Sherpa Sony is working on another new smartphone for its 2017 lineup.

While 2017 is anticipated to be a great year for smartphone manufacturers, we might see a greater number of smartphones being released this year. Moreover, there has already been numerous launches from different brands in the last two and half months.

And if you recall, one particular and popular brand Sony also revealed four new smartphones in 2017 which are the Xperia XZ Premium, Xperia Xzs, Xperia XA1, and Xperia XA1 Ultra. With already four phones down it looks like the company is not stopping there. According to the reports that we are getting Sony might be gearing up to launch yet another new smartphone.

Sony Xperia XZ Premium with Snapdragon 835 SoC launched at MWC 2017

In fact, according to a recent report from a Russian website, a new Sony Android handset with model number G3312 has just been certified by telecommunications regulators in Russia.

Further, the website states that the new Sony smartphone will not be part of the Xperia X series but most probably will be a smartphone in the L series. The report states that it could be dubbed as Xperia L1.

Considering this, the new Xperia L1 will likely be the successor to the Sony Xperia L which was launched way back in 2013. It has also been said that the Xperia L1 will be a budget smartphone and its production will basically take place at the Sony's plant in Thailand as well as in other enterprises in China.

Sony Xperia XZ Premium named the "Best new smartphone" at MWC 2017

However, details regarding the features or specs of the upcoming Xperia L1 have not yet been disclosed. We should hear about the device more in the coming days and we will keep updated on the same.

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Vivo Y66 with 16MP selfie camera and 3GB RAM launched at Rs. 14,999 News oi -Rohit Vivo Y66 is a mid-range Android smartphone designed to please selfie lovers with a 16MP front camera

Vivo has extended its portfolio of selfie-centered smartphones with the launch of Y66 handset in the Indian market. Priced at Rs. 14,999, the mid-range Android smartphone features a 16MP front camera paired with a LED flashlight to brighten up the selfies in non-ideal light conditions.

Vivo names it 'Moonlight Glow' flash and says that the feature induces a natural glow on the face without straining eyes that lights up the picture irrespective of the lighting conditions.

In addition to a 16MP front camera with Moonlight flash, the smartphone has a 13MP rear camera that is also supported by a LED flashlight.

Vivo Y66 is identical to the previously launched Vivo V5 and comes with a 2.5D curved glass on front to protect its 5.5-inch HD display. The smartphone has a uni-body metal design and is powered by an octa-core 64-bit processor paired with 3GB RAM to support multitasking.

SEE ALSO: Vivo Y25 entry level smartphone launched at Rs. 7,400

There is 32GB internal memory that can be expanded by up to 256GB via microSD card. Vivo Y66 is backed by a 3000mAh battery unit.

Vivo Y66 runs on FunTouch OS 3.0 based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The UI is quite colorful and features a number of software tweaks to enhance the user experience. For instance, the smartphone has 'Smart Screen-Split' that allows users to run two apps simultaneously for smooth multi-tasking.

Besides, the smartphone supports gestures and also come with 'Eye Protection Mode' to protect your eyes from display's bright light during night time. Vivo has also partnered with 'Saavn' music app and the customers who buys the Y66 will get Saavn's premium music service with ad-free, unlimited, high-quality audio downloads for 6 months.

While the handset packs in decent camera sensors, metal design and 3GB of RAM, it is the display and processing power that might fail to please the audience.

Vivo Y66 offers a 5.5-inch screen with 720p resolution display that seems dated when compared to other Chinese handsets such as Honor 6X, Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, Lenovo K6 Power that offers full HD screen at similar and lower price-points. Besides, another low-down is the non-availability of a fingerprint scanner on the handset that is priced at 15k.

We will evaluate the display and other aspects of the handset to give a final verdict.

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Avoid blunders and impress locals by remembering tourist etiquette. (Photo : Getty Images)

First-time travelers might be in for quite a culture shock once they step on Chinese soil. To calm those nerves and become not just any other tourist but a bonafide traveler, Vogue has come up with etiquette rules every visitor should remember.



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Perfectly acceptable behavior



Visitors who have been invited to a Chinese home must remember to take off their shoes before entering the house. Once inside, slip those feet into guest slippers, which are almost always available in Chinese homes.



Looking to make friends with locals? An appropriate greeting will surely impress and do the trick. Saying hi is not enough. Visitors who are meeting somebody in a business setting should stick to the classic hand-shaking and smile combo. Older Chinese people, especially those with rank, must be greeted with a slight bow to show respect.



Chinese people love to give business cards. Tourists should remember to accept it with two hands as a sign of respect. Another bonus is to pretend to read the card before putting it away, but never in the back pocket.



Invited to a dinner? Etiquette must also be observed. Elders are revered in China, and they lead the dinner service. That means theyll get served first, and that everyone should wait until they take their first bite before eating.



In some cultures, slurping the soup is a sign of disrespect and impudence. In China, it has a whole different meaning. Slurping the soup is a sign of appreciation for whoever prepared the dish.



Things to avoid



Visitors can easily steer clear of awkward situations by remembering these tips. For example, white flowers are only used for funerals. Clocks as gifts, especially to elders, is quite disrespectful and implies that the receivers days are numbered. That can lead to quite an embarrassing encounter.



When it comes to meals, here are some important reminders. Splitting the bill is rare in China; the common practice is one foots the bill, usually the eldest or the one who invited to eat out. Tipping is also uncommon in China, but it is acceptable if the service is exceptional, regardless of the setting.


Overall, dont let the bhoot mislead you, nothing bhootiya about this story. Had the makers tried to push the envelope, the idea could have been outstanding for a bhootiya comedy.
UK Calls Trump Wiretap Claims 'Ridiculous'

By Ken Bredemeier, Ken Schwartz March 17, 2017

Britain on Friday called President Donald Trump's claims that a British spy agency was involved in wiretapping Trump Tower "ridiculous" and said it received assurances from the White House that the claims wouldn't be repeated.

A spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May called comments made Thursday by White House spokesman Sean Spicer "utterly ridiculous" and said it would be impossible for Britain to spy on a U.S. citizen due to an agreement signed between the two countries.

"We have made this clear to the administration and have received assurances that these allegations will not be repeated," the spokesman said.

The White House later released a statement that said Britain's Ambassador Kim Darroch and diplomat Sir Mark Lyall expressed their concerns to Sean Spicer and national security adviser Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster. It said the Americans explained that Spicer was "simply pointing to public reports, not endorsing any specific story."

On Thursday, Spicer cited a Fox News report to back up claims that the British spy agency, known as GCHQ, was involved in wiretapping Trump Tower. Fox host Andrew Napolitano claimed that "three intelligence sources have informed Fox News that President Barack Obama went outside the chain of command" to order the surveillance and that GCHQ was involved.

'Nonsense'

A spokesman for the GCHQ denied the claims Thursday, saying: "Recent allegations made by media commentator Judge Andrew Napolitano about GCHQ being asked to conduct 'wiretapping' against the then-president elect are nonsense."

The comments came as Spicer faced off with a roomful of reporters who wanted to know why Trump keeps insisting the wiretapping claims are true, even after top lawmakers on the House and Senate intelligence committees say it never happened.

Spicer accused the journalists of "mischaracterizing" what happened in the Senate committee.

He also accused reporters of "cherry-picking" what they choose to cover, and of ignoring House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes who said it was "very possible" there was surveillance of Trump.

But Nunes said he does not believe Trump's phones were tapped.

Spicer said Trump put the word "wiretap" in quotes in his original Twitter accusation. Spicer said that means there was widespread surveillance if not actual phone taps.

'No evidence'

But the two top senators on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Republican Richard Burr and Democrat Mark Warner, said Thursday: "Based on the information available to us, we see no indications that Trump Tower was the subject of surveillance by any element of the United States government either before or after Election Day 2016."

Their statement followed one from House Speaker Paul Ryan, who also dismissed the president's explosive claim March 4 that Obama ordered the eavesdropping. "We've cleared that up, that we see no evidence of that," Ryan said.

Trump, however, told Fox News late Wednesday that he "very soon" will produce evidence of Obama's actions. Top leaders of the House Intelligence Committee said Wednesday that Trump's allegation is unfounded, but the president said his administration "will be submitting things" to the panel and that he perhaps will be speaking about his claim next week.

"You're going to find some very interesting items coming to the forefront over the next two weeks," Trump said.

Numerous congressional leaders, both opposition Democrats and Republicans, have sharply rebuked Trump's claim that Obama wiretapped Trump Tower, the New York skyscraper where the billionaire real estate mogul ran his campaign, and his home before winning the White House.

Trump made the wiretapping charge against his predecessor two Saturdays ago in a string of Twitter comments. One of them said: "Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my 'wires tapped' in Trump Tower just before the victory."

'Simply false'

Obama dismissed the allegation as "simply false," and Trump since then has not substantiated his claim. Until the Fox interview, Trump dodged reporters' questions about the allegation.

Trump told Fox his Twitter comment "really covers surveillance and many other things. Nobody ever talks about the fact that [the words 'wire tapped'] was in quotes, but that's a very important thing."

On Wednesday, Nunes, who has been supportive of Trump, held a news conference about Trump's wiretapping allegation.

"We don't have any evidence that took place," he said. "I don't think there was a tapping of Trump Tower."

The committee's top Democrat, Congressman Adam Schiff, agreed, saying: "To date, I see no evidence [of Obama having ordered wiretapping], no basis for that whatsoever."

Nunes and Schiff said they are waiting for information from the Department of Justice by next Monday about whether the agency knows of any court-ordered wiretaps of Trump, but said they have learned of no such bugging in their investigation. The congressional probe was requested by the White House after Trump made his wiretapping allegation.

The House Intelligence Committee also is looking at links between Trump campaign aides and Russian officials during the billionaire real estate mogul's long run for the White House, and in the weeks after he won the election.

Nunes said James Comey, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the country's top law enforcement agency, will testify next Monday before the Intelligence Committee about the wiretapping allegation and the agency's investigation of Russian meddling in the election aimed at helping Trump win.

One key U.S. senator, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, said, "I'm going to get to the bottom of this. Congress is going to flex its muscle."

He vowed, if need be, to subpoena the FBI to determine whether any U.S. judge issued a secret wiretapping order that the FBI carried out.

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U.S. Department of Defense

Press Operations

News Transcript

John P. Roth, performing the duties of undersecretary of defense comptroller; Army Lt. Gen. Anthony R. Ierardi, director, force structure, resources and assessment (J8), Joint Staff March 16, 2017

Department of Defense Off-Camera Press Briefing by Comptroller Roth and Gen. Ierardi on the Fiscal Year 2017 Request for Additional Appropriations

STAFF: All right. Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Happy March Madness Day and St. Patrick's Day eve.

We're pleased to have with us today two great budget veterans who are certainly no strangers to this room. Mr. John Roth, performing the duties of the undersecretary of defense comptroller. And Lieutenant General Anthony Ierardi, director, force structure, resources and assessment, Joint Staff. So to reiterate, this brief is on the record with a 30-minute time limit. I always wanted to say that.

So, we'll start off with opening comments and then open the floor to questions after that. Once we get there, if you would -- but I know most of you, but not all of you -- when you're called on and give your name and media affiliation, that'd be great.

So, with that, sir? Mr. Roth, over to you.

COMPTROLLER JOHN P. ROTH: OK. Thank you for the introduction. And thank you all for being here, even though there's the March Madness stuff going on.

Actually, my alma mater was playing here about an hour ago. I don't want to know, I don't want to know. (Laughter.)

So, what we'll attempt to do, the general and myself, is provide you with a summary. I think obviously, I think you all know that the administration released this morning a request for additional appropriation in fiscal year 2017, a request of $33 billion of which $30 billion was for the Department of Defense.

The way that the request breaks out is that $24.9 billion is in the base budget, largely to address readiness concerns. And we'll get to that here in a second.

And $5.1 billion was for the overseas contingency operations budgetary request to reflect some changes in current operations and some forecasted changes in current operations.

Our ask of Congress -- our request to Congress is that they pass a full-year defense appropriations bill and that bill include these additional appropriations. The one thing I really do want to foot-stomp that we are very concerned about here as a department the -- the issue about passing a full-up defense appropriations bill.

For us, we are now in our -- you know, approaching the end of our sixth month under a continuing resolution. This is one of the longest periods that we have ever been under continuing a resolution.

And want contingents to hear some chatter on the Hill about, this doing a full-year continuing resolution, and calling it a day and going home. We would find that extremely harmful to the defense program to have to live under a full year of continuing resolution.

We are essentially kind of muddling along right now in terms of playing a bit of a financial shell game in terms of borrowing resources against later your fourth-quarter and third-quarter kinds of finances in order to keep things going. But that game gets to be increasingly difficult as we go deeper into the fiscal year.

They key problem is there's an enormous mismatch between our operations funds and our procurement funds. We are approximately -- I mean, under our continuing resolution, I think most of you are familiar. You basically operate under a fiscal year 2016 mandate.

And that's not only at the macro level, but that's by appropriation as well. And that's where the mismatch comes.

Because in fiscal year 2017, we had requested a significant increase in operation and maintenance funding. And we have a commensurate slightly smaller request in the procurement.

So, we have that mismatch now where we can't spend a lot of the procurement dollars because of the restriction on new starts and the restrictions on increasing production and the like.

But we have crying needs in terms of training, readiness, maintenance and all and the operation or maintenance account. So, if we have to operate under a full-year continuing resolution, bad things start happening out in the operating world amongst the military departments in terms of our basic train and equip and organize mandate.

And so, come April and May there are training events that'll have to be canceled. There are depot maintenance things that'll have to be canceled. There's ship availabilities that'll have to be deferred to the future and this type of thing.

So, we are very, very concerned about the ongoing continuing resolution that I think many of you are aware, it expires on 28 April. And so, before 28 April, we would want a full appropriation and of course a full appropriation with this additional $30 billion.

So, let me move to the next slide. The next slide just provides you basically the overall philosophy in the overall mandate we had from the leadership here in terms of building this amendment. The focus was again largely on readiness.

There was an executive order early in this administration that mandated a 30-day readiness review. This request for additional appropriations is essentially the response to that executive order for a 30-day readiness review.

And so, the kinds of resources we have tried to focus have been targeted at a various (inaudible) readiness accounts, programs and all. And I'll have a slide here in -- in a second that'll -- that'll walk you through some of the military departments.

And then the $5 billion, as I eluded to, is intended to -- to fund developing a plan to accelerate the campaign to defeat ISIS and other violent extremist organizations.

Much of the money in this -- in this request is kind of what I call blue collar, kind of boring O&M, operation and maintenance kind of money. We're asking for additional equipment maintenance funding, additional facilities maintenance, spare parts, additional training events, peacetime and flying hours, ship operations, munitions, and those kinds of things.

So, these are -- this is the essence of what keeps this department running on a day-to-day basis and keeps us up and allows us to get ready for whatever the next challenge is. We're also using this request for additional resources to cover some, what we call, must-pay bills. And particular, coming out of the Fiscal Year '17 Authorization Act, there were a number of things that we hadn't asked for but they authorized.

And for example, the poster child for that is the additional end strength, the National Defense Authorization Act authorized 36,000 more end strength than what we had originally budgeted so that's a bill to us that we need to cover. The Congress was generous enough to give the military members a 2.1 percent pay raise, and the civilians, a 2.1 percent pay raise.

We had only budgeted 1.6 percent so there's a 200, $300 million bill that goes along with that. They had denied some of the healthcare reforms and there's a couple hundred million dollars of savings that we had anticipated in fiscal year '17 that won't happen now because of those denied reforms. And then there's some things that have popped up during -- as would pop up during a normal fiscal year including storm damage and other bills that absent a request for additional appropriations that we would normally have to reprogram money to cover.

And so the hope is that this request for additional resources will obviate the need to do large reprogramming actions here in the remainder of the year. What happens with reprogramming actions in a typical year is you end up basically robbing and borrowing money from your readiness account in order to pay so many emergent bills and that would be sort of counterproductive to be asking for more money in readiness and then going a month or two later and reprogramming money out of those very same accounts.

So hopefully this request would obviate the need to do that. And we're looking not just at today's readiness but we're looking longer term and midterm and in particular you'll see here a number of items here in terms of procurement of new equipment, aircraft, ground equipment, helicopters and the like that look longer term and filling some of the holes we have in our current inventory here for some of that and end-state equipment.

So a couple of charts, any good comptroller always has to put up a couple of boring charts and graphs in here so the next slide here shows you our standard bar chart and I just draw your attention then to the right side of it and inside the dotted red line, that just shows you the difference and in terms-- I'm going to show you here two or three different looks which you can use as you see fit here in terms of how to characterize these -- this additional request.

And so our request that we had on the Hill for the base budget was -- in fiscal year 2017 was $524 billion. This additional request would bring us up to a level of $549 billion in the base budget. And our request on the hill, our standing request that we have for the overseas contingency operations was $65 billion. This additional request would bring that level up to $70 billion.

So for a total in fiscal year 2017 of $619 billion. I put the '18 graph up there; this request for additional resources that I'm talking to today has nothing to do per se with fiscal year 2018 but obviously the blueprint budget was released this morning as well and I just wanted to show you what the math is as we march from 2017 to 2018. So right now, our top line for fiscal year 2018 would be at -- the base budget would be $574 billion under the blueprint budget.

And the $65 billion you see there on the '18 bar chart is, for the time being, just a placeholder. We haven't completed the FY '18 OCO budget yet, overseas contingency operation budget, so it's likely to be in the neighborhood of $65, $70 billion so that just gives you a quick snapshot of 2018. Next slide please. This is just a line graph and the only message in this graph is that the black line shows you where the defense program was planned for before the Budget and Control Act went into place.

And the red line shows you what the Budget and Control Act would require for -- in terms of the defense program. And our concern and why you've heard so much in the last two or three or four years here in terms of the concerns and complaints from the military commanders about readiness is that gap between the black line and the red line. OK, in terms that we're being asked here to some extent to live at that red line whereas in terms of the things we're being asked to do and the strategy we have was geared toward, more toward the black line.

So you'll see the two arrows there in kind of the middle of the graph that shows you the $25 billion in the base budget that we're being asked for and this request for additional appropriation shows you where that ends up and it also then shows you the $52 billion that's been -- that is alluded to in the blueprint budget for FY '18 and shows you where you end up with that $52 billion.

So the $52 billion in '18 represents the growth from where the current budget and control act for 2018 would leave you absent some legislative action to relieve those gaps. And so the administration when they do the fiscal year 2018 budget will in fact be requesting that the Hill increase the defense cap by that amount of money. The next chart, please. So the pie chart just shows you by -- what we call by title, shows you the kinds of money again, just another picture for you to use as you see fit.

Shows you the -- again, from 524 to the 549. 13 1/2 is in the procurement accounts and I have a slide here in about two or three slides that will show you some of the major end items that we're requesting there. The dark blue sliver there of the pie chart is your O&M account. And the big governor on the O&M account really in terms of what we might have asked for and haven't asked for is by the time we get this money, as you well know, we are almost halfway through this fiscal year.

In about a week or so, we will be exactly halfway through this fiscal year. Our anticipation is by the time we get this money would be April at the earliest, perhaps more likely by the time we get this money it'll be May. And so we took a hard look, the operation and maintenance accounts are one-year accounts and so you have to spend them by 30 September.

And so we work very closely with the military departments to determine what could we actually spend for the remainder of this year. And so when you've heard of differences between what the original unfunded request list had, that they provided to Congress here months ago and what we finally asked for, the major driver in that difference was what could we actually execute for the remainder of this fiscal year?

And at the end of the day, after a fulsome discussion back and forth with the military departments, we reached a consensus that this is the request that made most sense and could actually be executed this year. It didn't look like it was going to happen this year, we then deferred that to next year and it will be part of the FY '18 budget that you'll see here in a month or two.

So that's the magic there in terms of by-title. The next -- we're not going to go through each and every one of those bullets, but it gives you kind of a summary of high points in the readiness story by military departments so let me pause and I'll let the general here walk through and he can tell you a little bit of what the common thread is that's through this.

LT. GEN. ANTHONY R. IERARDI: Yeah, and I won't go through each of these individually and Mr. Roth had referred -- alluded earlier, the -- in the context of the Budget Control Act and the resources that we've been operating under, negotiated top lines, demand for the joint forces remain -- is persistent. And in that respect, the decisions that the services have made and indeed the department has made has always been to ensure that we prioritize investments in current readiness and, where appropriate, advance capability.

This has come at the expense of modernization in the services, by and large, equipping the force on a sustained basis, and indeed, a smaller force that we would contend could be addressed in this -- is addressed in this supplemental to enhance the level of manning and in critical specialties. So having the opportunity now to address some of those, the immediate concerns that the secretary had asked us to address are included in here.

It's additional training. It's additional personnel to fill out units and to address specialty requirements. And it's equipping the force as a result of the deferred modernization that I just referred to.

MR. ROTH: Okay, next slide.

This again just gives you some of the math I had alluded to that part of our request was to cover the bill for the additional end-strength. It's a busy chart with a lot of numbers on it, but this lays out the numbers, where the plus-36,000 in end-strength are, between what we asked for and what was authorized in the National Defense Authorization Act.

So again, this request includes the money to cover that 36,000.

Next slide, please.

This is the procurement program. The previous slide had alluded to about $13.5 billion. These are the major end items. There's a lot of smaller items behind this as well. You'll see there, just to draw your attention, in the middle of the slide there we're requesting 24 F-18s. We're requesting five F-35s for the Army. We're requesting additional A-64 Apaches and UH-60s.

Also strewn in the middle of the graph there you'll see our emphasis on munitions in particular; a great deal of concern about replenishing some inventories in munitions. So you'll see Javelins in there for both the Marine Corps and for the Army. You'll see Patriot. You'll see ammunition. You'll see standard missile and Tomahawks. And on the far right, you'll see we're buying 12 THAAD interceptors as well.

So again, the theme there, these are all again -- now you're looking more mid-term, long-term sort of readiness to get a leg-up on trying to fill some of the holes in the inventory and some of the gaps we have in, for example, tactical air and some ground equipment and this kind of thing.

So that just gives you a menu of some of the things that ultimately add up to the $13.5 billion.

Next slide, please.

So as I mentioned at the onset, $5.1 billion of this request is in the overseas contingency operation budget, and I'll let the general talk to a little bit what informed that request.

GEN. IERARDI: Yes, principal categories here. First, the acceleration of the defeat of ISIS. We considered on the joint staff, worked with the comptroller, to include in this request a funding level that we believe would establish a baseline for subsequent decisions to follow about the strategy.

So decisions by the secretary and, indeed, by the president about the strategy to accelerate the defeat of ISIS have not been finalized, have not been taken.

We wanted to put a prudent number in the request here that allows us to have the baseline in capability such as command and control, logistics, sustainment in the respective regions where it would be appropriate to have a basis from which to adjust. So this is a -- it is a marker of sorts, which we'll adjust from once the decisions are taken about the strategy itself.

The additional resources shown here in Operation Freedom Sentinel in Afghanistan, and Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria, are a result of the emerging and evolving nature of the fight itself. The kinds of requirements here are those which are being experienced by the commands and that we need to respond to above and beyond what we've already requested.

And then finally, the counter-ISIS train and equip fund is an enhancement of that fund to enable the work that we're doing with our partners in Iraq and Syria.

MR. ROTH: So, next chart.

So just to summarize, okay, quickly again, to emphasize, I put it on two different slides because it's really, really important to us, to get out from under this continuing resolution. And that's one of my major messages here, that we really want a full appropriations bill. We want the additional funding, to be sure, but particularly harmful would be to continue beyond 28 April under a continuing resolution would be very problematic for us.

So we do need the full appropriation. We would like it to include the $30 billion so that we can start rebuilding the joint force, and also deal with the new campaign to defeat ISIS. And so we're asking Congress to support -- to provide the funds so we can begin the path.

I need to emphasize this. The readiness issue isn't going to be a one-year thing. This additional $25 billion in the base budget isn't going to solve the readiness problem then we're done, and then we're home free. It's a multi-year effort. We didn't get into this hole in one year. You're not going to get out of the hole in one year.

So, the FY '18 budget will build on these additional resources that we have here, that we are requesting here in FY '17. And ultimately as we look to FY '19 and beyond, as we build that budget later on this calendar year, we will be looking to build on the '17 and '18 pieces as well.

So this is going to take some time to get out of the kinds of holes that we built for ourselves in readiness. But we need to start somewhere and we feel that this request here in F.Y. '17 is a good place to start.

There's a couple more slides here that give you, for those that want it and need it, that give you the break by title and give you a break by military department so you have the facts before you there in terms of how the additional request breaks by those subject areas.

So, going to the last slide. So if you want additional information, okay, we have posted all of this on our website. We have a little bit of a brochure, an overview brochure that we've posted to our website, and some additional details are on there as well for those of you that are interested in that.

So, that's my basic overview and we can go from there.

(CROSSTALK)

STAFF: We've got about 10 or 12 minutes. Please, give us your name and your media affiliation when you're called on.

Phil?

Q: Phil Stewart from Reuters.

So, could you give us a sense, then, what is the total amount of funding that you would have had for FY '17, the counter-ISIL fight? And how does that compare to previous years since the start of the campaign?

MR. ROTH: This fiscal year '17 request is probably the largest request we've had here in terms of the purely counter-ISIS fight. I mean, obviously, as you well know, we've been fighting the counterterrorism fight in both Afghanistan and Iraq here for approximately 15 or 16 years. But in terms of strictly to counter ISIS's fight, this will likely be our largest request.

I think we're -- I'll have to get back to you. I don't have the numbers in '16 and '15 in my head, but we can provide that to you.

(CROSSTALK)

Q: Lara Seligman, Aviation Week, I notice that most of the money is in the base budget, not in OCO, so Congress would have to lift the budget caps for '17.

MR. ROTH: Yes.

Q: What -- can you just describe your level of confidence in getting Congress to actually do that? Or is this more of a starting-off point for -- (inaudible)?

MR. ROTH: I can't speak to that. I mean, this is obviously something the administration will have to work with Congress. Yes, absolutely. I mean, you're spot-on in terms of the technicality. It requires an increase in the defense cap in fiscal year '17.

There's a number of different ways that Congress could do that, okay, but I think ultimately what will happen is the administration will have to work with the congressional leadership on what's the best mechanism -- (inaudible).

Q: What was the reason behind putting it in the base budget instead of OCO? Is the idea to get -- eventually eliminate the OCO fund?

MR. ROTH: No, it's not -- I mean, -- (inaudible) -- people have accused us of a lot of malice and all with the overseas contingency operations budget. The answer is we put the money where it belonged, okay, to be quite honest with you. Okay, the $25 billion is legitimately base budget kinds of things. Again, training, maintenance, and those kinds of things. And the money -- the $5.1 billion is purely in support of the overseas contingency operations.

OK, and so we've tried, at least from the get-go here, we've tried to play that exactly the way it is. So, does it create a legislative challenge? The answer is yes it does. And -- and we're prepared to work with Congress any way we can to kind of help do that.

Q: Tony Bertuca, Inside Defense. Because so much is procurement, it might make some in Congress ask well how much of this money is really an emergency? How much do you really need in '17 from this package? Especially if it could risk something like the year-long CR they can't come to an agreement about how much to give you.

How much do you really need of this supplemental money?

MR. ROTH: Well, again, our argument is -- and I'll have the General perhaps help me flesh this out. Our argument is that each one of those things we're asking for, we think there's some serious short falls. There's some current inventory shortfalls.

For example, just to pick one out -- just to go by the most expensive one in there, the Navy has a serious shortage of tactical aircraft, OK. They are simply -- they're flying the wings off of the airplanes they have today. They don't have enough airplanes available now to meet all their readiness requirements and this type of thing.

So, at some point, you have to make a commitment to buy more. And usually these airplanes won't deliver for two or three years or so.

But, you need budget their money now in order to do so.

In terms of the F-35, I mean we're behind the procurement. We have -- that's one of the areas in trying to live with some of the controls under the Budget and Control Act as it was amended by the Bipartisan Budget Agreement. We have used the F-35 as a bit of a bill payer, reduce some of the annual procurement of the F-35 in order to live within those constraints.

So again, these five aircraft get us back toward more where we would like to be in terms of buying (inaudible) of things.

The Air Force would like to modernize some of their current fourth-generation aircraft. The Army would like to upgrade their -- their Bradleys and their -- and their M-1 tanks.

So, these are all readiness-related kinds of things. And so, we think they wouldn't be on this list if we didn't think they were important.

Most of these things you've seen before in the service unfunded requirement list. They've been talking about these things for two or three years.

So, there's very little here that the service chiefs and the combat and commanders haven't talked to in the past.

GEN. IERARDI: It's just a balance of capabilities that the joint force requires. And so, well, as I pointed out earlier, the deferral of modernization and equipping the force on an annual basis to the levels that we needed to has accrued to such a point we need to get started.

And so, this year and then again in next year, we would look to, as the secretary has described, establish balance in the program, including buying down some of this risk in the equipment, the equipping of the force, and modernization of the force.

Q: Thank you. Sandra Erwin with National Defense. You were very emphatic about CRs and their problem and that that one of the reasons that you have readiness (inaudible).

So, it doesn't look like that's going away. I mean, right now you want appropriations for '17. But now, looking forward to the '18 budget, it's likely they're going to start with a CR.

So, you're gonna continue in this pattern. So, what can you do about that? And how do you start finding programs, even if you were to stay with CR for '18?

MR. ROTH: Yeah, I mean, that's a good question. For some reason, I mean, we're now under the seventh or eighth year in a row that we've been operating in our continuing resolution.

So, clearly your point's well taken. I accept your point.

I mean, we have for better or worse learned how to sort of manage through continuing resolutions as best we can. The way we've done that in the past is they've been relatively short in the past years.

Although we have a long string of years under continuing resolution. Usually they're a matter of weeks rather than months.

And this year is particularly problematic as we're now in the sixth month of a continuing resolution, which I think is about the longest we've been in, in recent memory. So, that's the problem.

The answer is, no, we would like an appropriations (inaudible). We're the eternal optimists here, OK?

I heard a laugh. OK, that's fine. (Laughter.)

OK, but we -- you know, we would like a bill by 1 October. I mean, one of the reasons we'd like to finish up our FY18 budget as best we can by May is to give -- and admittedly, that's later than normal. So, we're already behind the power curve.

But we'd like Congress and fundamentally to get a bill done by 1 October. That's the ultimate solution to your question.

Unfortunately, we have a lot of practice about managing through continuing resolutions. And we can try to make it as transparent to folks as we possibly can.

But with each passing week, that gets harder to do.

Q: Aaron Mehta with Defense News. You mentioned there're a couple of things that you might want to put in here. But because (inaudible), you've got pushed to '18. Can you give us an example of some of those things?

MR. ROTH: Well, mostly O&M, OK, operation and maintenance funding. There was -- the original request had some more money in it.



We looked at it, services went back and looked at it, took a look at what the capacity was in terms of the acquisition system and absorbing it and getting actually something on contract by 30 September.

And, you know, you've got to remember these unfunded requirement lists were generally developed with the thought an annual appropriation in mind. And so, when they were provided to Congress, they're normally provided to Congress along with the rest of the budget.

It's normally within a couple of weeks after we send the full budget to it. The -- the service chiefs are normally asked to provide unfunded lists, you know, particularly to the Armed Services Committee.

And so the thought is normally what the kinds of things that are on lists like that assume that they have 10 to 12 months to execute them.

And so, we looked at it. And when all is said and done, that's why I say we have a basically a consensus from the services when they looked at it again, saying OK, I get it. I think, you know, about for each service, it came down to about $2 billion, $3 billion or so, give or take for the service to say can you actually put this on contract between now and 30 September.

Other than that, we took a look at the procurement list. And if we didn't think it really made an explicit sort of contribution to improving the readiness posture, you know, we -- we either deferred it FY18 to look at maybe that's more long-term modernization rather than readiness and these kinds of things. But for the most part, it was the operation and maintenance.

GEN. IERARDI: And in that account, with respect to training, there's physics involved in, you know, unit plans can be trained -- training plans can be bent to accommodate -- focus on increased war fighting readiness. But it's only a six-month period that we'd be able to execute that. So, that can't be (inaudible).

Q: Given that, we're also talking about massive plus-up in personnel, are you guys at all concerned about kind of the long tail of adding a bunch of people to the military, training, health care, et cetera, and -- and...

(CROSSTALK)

MR. ROTH: The answer is ultimately, we're looking for a commitment, particularly from Congress and from the administration, for a long-term growth in defense spending.

So, '17's the down payment. FY18, the top-line as you saw on, you know, that one bar chart is something above FY17.

So, the trend is good. And so, we would look toward FY19, we haven't even begun the first discussion on FY19 yet with anybody outside the building. So, we would look at a pattern of -- of some sustained growth in order to pay for the force structure kinds of things that we're looking for, certainly.

MR. ROTH: I'd just like to add to that, growth in terms of capacity of the joint force must be accompanied with the resources to ensure that it's trained, equipped, and is ready to (inaudible).

Growth for growth's sake without the accompanying resources to ensure that it can accomplish a mission assigned is not as good as having a rounded set of resources to be able to ensure that it can accomplish the tasks that it's given.

Q: Hi, I'm Paul Shinkman with U.S. News and World Report. Two questions. On Monday, the president released a memo saying that he was calling on all government agencies to identify sources of waste and redundancy. What new things are DOD undertaking to find those? And then separately, what do you say to criticisms that the Department of Defense doesn't have a very good track record of finding places of waste during times of large budget increases?

MR. ROTH: We have had a sustained - the answer is we're aware of that guidance from the president, we plan to look internally as well. Secretary Mattis has come in with what he calls a rebuild and reform agenda in terms of one of the things he'd like to do while secretary of defense. And so he has in fact ideas in his head in terms of looking at the enterprise and looking for areas of reform.

There wasn't enough time, I mean the secretary's only been in place here a little more than a month or so, so this request in FY '17 per se doesn't reflect anything particularly new in that area. But we would expect in FY '18 and certainly in FY '19 that we will look at the enterprise and look for opportunities for whatever deficiencies and those kinds of things that we could implement.

We haven't just begun that. If you recall, Secretary Gates had a fairly fulsome agenda of reforms, Secretary Panetta did as well. So we have, in fact, been down this road. We're not starting from ground zero but any enterprise this large, you know, it bears to look at it again and take a look at in terms of the infrastructure, take a look at the nature of the bureaucracy, the back office costs, all those kinds of things.

Clearly there is probably a lot of opportunities there we will look for. The secretary has mentioned on more than one occasion he plans to go there and he plans to look at it and make sure that we are good stewards of the funding that we do get.

Q: You talked about the 1.6 percent pay increase you proposed and it got bumped up to 2.1. If you don't get all of this 30 billion, is that 2.1 affected, the pay increase? Will that be affected...

MR. ROTH: ...No. That is law so the 2.1 is fact of law and the answer is we'll have to eat it, is the short answer to your question.

Q: The 2 billion that - the supplemental for the expansion of the campaign against ISIS, you said that was basically a placeholder as the administration weighs the different options against ISIS so how was that cost estimate created? What assumptions are underneath it?

GEN. IERARDI: We had a discussion with the combatant command about what might be in the art of the possible and use that and refined that down to the areas that I - that I talked about. The areas in command and control, logistics, sustainment -- fundamental and foundational capabilities that you would envision being a part of a range of strategies, a range of options, from which we could then have resources associated within this request.

What we didn't want to do is to wait until the next cycle to make the request. We thought it'd be important for us to have that request as a part of this package.

Q: Were potential troop increases factored into that 2 billion cost?

GEN. IERARDI: Only to the extent that it is associated with those areas that I talked about. Nothing beyond that and only associated in a reasonable calculation about how many personnel might be associated with those activities.

Q: Marcus Weisgerber, Defense One. This is a little in the weeds but (inaudible) the Air Force needs vehicles? What's that? Is that space vehicles? (Laughter.)

MR. ROTH: No, it's not space vehicles. It's ground vehicles, I would assume. I mean, the Air Force buys trucks and buses and Humvees and things like that.

GEN. IERARDI: You probably would know, I mean the Air Force has a range of missions that goes beyond just...

MR. ROTH: ...Yes.

GEN. IERARDI: And they're important missions and they require ground vehicles in some cases.

Q: Thank you. Nancy Youssef, Buzz Feed News. In the White House web page, when I go to the summary on the budget, they list part of the 1.1 billion in OCO for Guantanamo Bay and my question is, what's the portion of that 1.1 billion that's towards Guantanamo Bay and to what costs? Is part of that rebuilding a new camp seven?

MR. ROTH: No, it's not a rebuilding a new camp seven, there is - first of all, there are some facility requirements at Guantanamo Bay that we have been underfunding here for - as you recall in the previous administration, the premise was we were going to try to close Guantanamo Bay. And so what you see is the request for funding in our request here is a reflection of it doesn't seem like we're going to close it any time soon.

And so there is particularly, I think there's some funding in there to do some quality of life improvements to facilities for some barracks and then look longer term in terms of what it would take to sustain the facility.

Q: And what percentage of that 1.1 billion is allotted to that?

MR. ROTH: I'd have to get back on that. I don't have it at the top of my head.

STAFF: Alright folks, that's all we've got time for. Thank you very much.

(CROSSTALK)

http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/1121661/

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Historic Pacific F-35 Symposium concludes in Hawaii

By Staff Sgt. Kamaile Chan, Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs / Published March 17, 2017

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (AFNS) -- Military senior officers from nations throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region gathered March 14 and 15, 2017, during the first Pacific Air Forces-hosted F-35A/B Lightning II Symposium, to discuss the future of F-35 operations in the Pacific.

"The F-35 is not just a new fighter, it's a fundamentally different capability," said Gen. Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, the PACAF commander, during his opening remarks. "From the technology to the integrated training, it brings an unprecedented combination of lethality, survivability and adaptability, to the fight. The F-35 is the backbone of future joint and combined air operations."

As the Pacific's 5th Generation Center of Excellence, PACAF will shape all aspects of employment and integration for fifth-generation aircraft in the region, enhancing bilateral relations between Pacific allies.

Subject matter experts from Japan, Australia and South Korea as well as the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force participated in open discussions, briefings and expert panels focused on setting the stage for future F-35 operations in the Pacific.

The two-day symposium delivered an occasion for the U.S.'s Pacific allies to fuse with experts with the F-35 Joint Program Office, Lockheed Martin, U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps to learn more about fifth-generation aviation.

Sharing information and lessons learned was the centerpiece to the event. Participating nations formed the baseline of future F-35 operations and engagements through discussion on F-35 bed down, integration, logistics, sustainment and combat operations. O'Shaughnessy noted that the symposium would not be a one-off event, but the first in a reoccurring schedule of forums that bring F-35 stakeholders together.

"We have a rare face-to-face opportunity to dive into an extremely sophisticated jet, as a joint and multinational team, to maximize the interoperability of the most lethal weapons system to grace the skies," O'Shaughnessy added. "The F-35's ability to fuse multi-domain information is a game-changing capability that will give us a tactical advantage. It's because of the F-35's fusing capability that we must enhance the interoperability among all partners and allies who fly it."

The F-35 is a next-generation multi-role fighter that combines advanced stealth with speed, agility and a 360-degree view of the battlespace and will form the backbone of air combat superiority for decades to come. The two-day symposium served as a springboard for F-35's future in the Pacific by strengthening the forces involved, leading to a better, more fully interoperable joint and coalition team.

"Together with our Pacific allies and partners, we're sending a clear message to our neighbors and friends in the region," said Brig. Gen. Craig Wills, the PACAF's strategy, plans and programs director. "We will continue to invest in the combat capability required to assure our ability to defend the security and stability in this region, and to uphold the rules-based international order."

This inaugural Pacific F-35 Symposium featured the largest gathering of fifth-generation warfighters in history. Approximately 91 senior officers and F-35 experts from a variety of organizations participated. Among the organizations represented were U.S. Pacific Command, Air Combat Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, Marine Corps Forces Pacific and the Air Force Integration Office.

"The scale of participation we've seen with the F-35 Symposium accentuates just how important the F-35 is to us and our allies. The Lightning II is a phenomenal fighter and an incredible investment in our warfighting capability and ability to defend freedom," Wills said.

U.S. F-35s have reached initial operational capability with Marines and Airmen both flying operational and combat ready aircraft. In addition to the F-35As with the 34th Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, ten F-35Bs from the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing out of Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Ariz., are deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, with six more scheduled to arrive later this year.

Japan started its pilot training program in late 2016, South Korea is scheduled to receive its first aircraft in 2018 and Australia has been training pilots in two Royal Australian Air Force F-35s in Arizona since late 2014.

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Coalition Strikes Hit ISIS Terrorists in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, March 17, 2017  U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Officials reported details of yesterday's strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

U.S. Central Command continues to work with partner nations to conduct targeted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria as part of the comprehensive strategy to degrade and defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.

Strikes in Syria

In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes consisting of 14 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed four wellheads, two front-end loaders and an oil inlet manifold.

-- Near Raqqa, eight strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, a vehicle, an ISIS-held building and an oil refinement still.

-- Near Palmyra, a strike destroyed a tank.

Also in Syria, U.S. forces conducted a March 16 airstrike on an Al Qaida in Syria meeting location in Idlib, Syria, killing several terrorists, according to a U.S. Central Command news release. Idlib has been a significant safe haven for al-Qaida in recent years. In January, a strike destroyed an al-Qaida terrorist training camp, where more than 100 fighters were being trained in terror tactics.

Strikes in Iraq

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted seven strikes consisting of 37 engagements against ISIS targets, coordinated with and in support of Iraq's government:

-- Near Huwayjah, two strikes engaged an ISIS staging area and destroyed an unmanned aerial vehicle storage facility and a vehicle bomb storage facility.

-- Near Mosul, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed 11 fighting positions, seven vehicles, a recoilless rifle, a heavy machine gun, a rocket-propelled grenade system, an explosives factory, a supply cache and an ISIS-held building; damaged 14 supply routes and a fighting position; and suppressed 13 ISIS mortar teams.

-- Near Tal Afar, a strike destroyed a vehicle bomb facility and an ISIS-held building.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

These strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to destroy ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The destruction of ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria also further limits the group's ability to project terror and conduct external operations throughout the region and the rest of the world, task force officials said.

The list above contains all strikes conducted by fighter, attack, bomber, rotary-wing or remotely piloted aircraft; rocket-propelled artillery; and some ground-based tactical artillery when fired on planned targets, officials noted.

Ground-based artillery fired in counterfire or in fire support to maneuver roles is not classified as a strike, they added. A strike, as defined by the coalition, refers to one or more kinetic engagements that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single or cumulative effect. For example, task force officials explained, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIS vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against a group of ISIS-held buildings and weapon systems in a compound, having the cumulative effect of making that facility harder or impossible to use. Strike assessments are based on initial reports and may be refined, officials said.

The task force does not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target.

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Polish, U.S. tanks lead the way during combined maneuver training

By Sgt. Justin Geiger, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment March 17, 2017

ZAGAN, Poland -- Polish and U.S. armored forces dug into their individual battle positions, using the tree line for concealment and awaiting the operation order, tank crew members mentally prepare for a bilateral training event at Range Joanna in Karliki, Poland, March 15.

Two Polish platoons with the 1st Tank Battalion, 10th Armored Calvary Brigade hosted a combined tank maneuver exercise, integrating a U.S. tank platoon from Dakota Company, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team into the daylong training.

Throughout their nine-month-long deployment, 3rd ABCT will conduct combined training, which provides the opportunity to hone skills and sustain the ability to shoot, move and communicate alongside NATO Allies.

"Building on our tactical techniques sustains combat readiness as a result of having a mutual understanding about maneuver formation procedures," said Staff Sgt. Ian Brown, tank commander in 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd ABCT. "If something actually happened, we would be able to come together and develop a maneuver plan faster."

The day was spent training on maneuver formations and developing combined tactical techniques in preparation for upcoming NATO exercise as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

A Polish platoon leader acknowledged the unique opportunity to train alongside a U.S. tank platoon and the benefit gained from the experience.

"This is the first time that I've participated in this kind of exercise and it's very nice," said Polish 1st Lt. Michal Tyjewski, platoon leader in 1st Tank Battalion, 10th ACB. "The most important benefit is the additional experience that we would not be able to have if the U.S. Army weren't here."

Operation Atlantic Resolve enables NATO Allies to recognize and work through common difficulties to strengthen the bonds between the two nations.

"The most difficult hurdle, in the beginning, was the language barrier," said Tyjewski. "However, all the operation procedures are quite similar so even if the language is a little hard to understand, we can just use our combined procedures to overcome that barrier."

U.S. Army Europe is a leadership laboratory that empowers junior leaders to thrive in a complex operating environment.

Spc. Johnathan Garache, tank crewmen in 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd ABCT was one of the front-line troops conducting the maneuver training with the Polish soldiers.

"It's good to expand your horizon and be more open-minded," Garache said. "It's a learning experience, so when I become a noncommissioned officer I can pass that knowledge down to my Soldiers, teach them how other nations work and incorporate that into what we do."

-----

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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Army demonstrates integration of laser weapon on combat vehicle

By Jason B. Cutshaw, USASMDC/ARSTRAT Public Affairs March 17, 2017

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command team members are laser focused on the future of high energy lasers.

Members of the USASMDC/ARSTRAT Technical Center's Air and Missile Defense Directorate participated in the Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Organization, or JIDO, UAS Hard-Kill Challenge at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, from Feb. 27 to March 3. During the challenge, the Mobile Expeditionary High Energy Laser 2.0, or MEHEL 2.0, demonstrated its counter-unmanned aircraft system, or C-UAS, capability.

"The purpose of the JIDO UAS Hard-Kill Challenge was to assess and look at technology  to do a 'hard-kill' shoot down of Group 1 [unmanned aircraft systems] and inform decision-makers on the current state of technology and how it can deal with single and multiple targets," said Adam Aberle, SMDC High Energy Laser Division technology development and demonstration lead.

MEHEL is a laser testbed on a Stryker-armored fighting vehicle chassis and serves as a platform for research and development. MEHEL 2.0 is an improved version of the original MEHEL with a laser upgraded from 2kW to 5kW and other added C-UAS capabilities.

MEHEL 2.0 also has a number of U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center counter-unmanned aircraft system mobile integrated capability components to increase the robustness of its capabilities.

"SMDC, working with industry, put together a system that worked, and we realized there were some limitations," Aberle said. "Upgrading from 2kW to 5kW, there were some limitations in the system. We learned from the event, and we have plans to correct those deficiencies for future activities."

SMDC's Tech Center is the Army's high energy laser science and technology development lead. The Army recognizes that high energy lasers have the potential to be a low-cost, effective complement to kinetic energy to address rocket, artillery and mortar, or RAM, threats; unmanned aircraft systems and cruise missiles.

During the JIDO challenge, MEHEL engaged small, fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles and quad copters in the first integration of an Army laser weapon onto a combat vehicle.

"Getting everything integrated on the platform, being able to detect the target with the radar and then engage it with the high energy laser was very successful," Aberle said. "We learned the 5kW laser was able to defeat the targets. We were able to verify and show that we could put a radar and a laser on a platform so it could self-cue to targets and that was very successful.

"We look forward to working with industry and continue to mature the technology because we believe this technology is critical to the Army and will be very beneficial once we are able to get the technology mature enough to transition it and field it one day," he added.

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Taiwan's stance on proposed South China Sea code of conduct

ROC Central News Agency

2017/03/17 23:02:56

Taipei, March 17 (CNA) The Republic of China (Taiwan) Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has declared that no code of conduct in the South China Sea will be binding on Taiwan if it is cast out of the negotiations and dialogues aimed at creating a set of rules to avoid conflict among rival claimants in the waters.

The declaration was made Friday in response to what the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose had told CNA, that all member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) adhere to the "one China" policy.

As a result, regarding Taiwan's claims in the South China Sea, the ASEAN sees China as the representative in negotiations concerning the claims, Jose said.

The MOFA said being a country with independent sovereignty, it is beyond doubt that the ROC enjoys the rights stipulated in international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea regarding its claims in the South China Sea.

The ministry reiterated the ROC's stance that disputes in the South China Sea should be resolved through a multilateral dispute-resolution mechanism peacefully under the principles of shelving disputes and pursuing joint development.

On the basis of consultation on an equal footing, "the ROC is willing to promote the peace and stability of the South China area jointly with the countries concerned, and safeguard the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea," the MOFA said.

The Philippines, the ASEAN's rotating chair for this year, plays the leading role in organizing a series of ASEAN meetings in 2017, including those for talks aimed at crafting a framework for a code of conduct in the South China Sea.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has said that under the current international situation, it is difficult for Taiwan to join the negotiations or dialogues.

The department said last month that the ASEAN and China "are working very hard" to beat their self-imposed deadline for the framework to be developed.

(By Scarlett Cai and Elizabeth Hsu)

ENDITEM/cs



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Secretary General thanks Denmark for its strong commitment to NATO

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

16 Mar. 2017 - 17 Mar. 2017

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ended a two day visit to Denmark on Friday (17 March 2017) with talks with Prime Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen. Mr. Stoltenberg thanked the Prime Minister for his country's continued commitment to the Alliance and the two discussed NATO's adaptation to the new security environment. The Secretary General and Prime Minister also discussed fair burden sharing in NATO and preparations for the upcoming meeting of Allied leaders in Brussels this May.

Denmark is actively engaged in NATO missions and operations and it supports efforts to project stability in Iraq, Georgia and Ukraine. Denmark also intends to join a UK-led battlegroup in Estonia next year. Other Allies from Europe and North America are deploying battlegroups to Latvia, Lithuania and Poland to strengthen NATO's deterrence and defence.

During his visit to Copenhagen Mr. Stoltenberg had a private audience with Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II. The Secretary General also had talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Anders Samuelsen, and the Minister of Defence, Mr. Claus Hjort Frederiksen. Mr. Stoltenberg had a meeting with members of the Foreign Policy and Defence Committees.

On the final day of his visit the Secretary General took part in a wreath laying ceremony at the Monument to Denmark's International Effort Since 1948.

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Mesa Verde Visits Haifa, Israel

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170317-02

Release Date: 3/17/2017 9:19:00 AM

By Lt. Krystle Schreick, USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) Public Affairs

HAIFA, Israel (NNS) -- Amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) and embarked Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, arrived in Haifa, Israel, for a scheduled port visit March 16.

During the port visit, Mesa Verde is scheduled to conduct ship tours and engage in community relations projects. The Sailors and Marines aboard Mesa Verde will also have an opportunity to visit local sites and learn about the local culture.

Quote:

"The crew of USS Mesa Verde is thrilled to visit Haifa and Israel, in general. In addition to the opportunities we have to walk this historic land and see sites that most Americans only read about, we also have the opportunity to strengthen the security relationship we have with the people of Israel." - USS Mesa Verde Commanding Officer, Capt. Randy Peck

Quick Facts:

Mesa Verde is designed to transport and land Marines, their equipment and supplies by embarked Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), conventional landing craft or Expeditionary Fighting Vehicles, augmented by helicopters or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

While in theater, more than 4,000 Sailors and Marines of the ARG and MEU will train to share information, experiences, and work together for regional stability.

The Bataan ARG is comprised of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 8, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), Mesa Verde, and amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50). Also embarked on the Bataan ARG are Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, Fleet Surgical Team 6, Tactical Air Control Squadron 21, Assault Craft Unit 4, and Beachmaster Unit 2.

The 24th MEU consists of more than 2,200 Marines, including a Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), and Combat Logistics Battalion 24 and the MEU command element.

Strengthening alliances during port visits demonstrates the shared commitment to promote safety and stability within the region, while seeking opportunities to enhance interoperability with partners such as Israel.

This deployment is part of a regular rotation of forces to support maritime security operations, provide crisis response capability, and increase theater security cooperation and forward naval presence in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

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China's Internet Control (Photo : Getty Images)

China's parliament session this year, which closed on Wednesday, March 8, will be remembered best for imposing a stricter Internet control policy on the country's 720 million Internet users, activists told RFA.



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The accounts of outspoken users of the Chinese popular chat network QQ were shut down in early March and their new accounts were deleted as soon as they were set up, Xu Lin, a writer based in Guangzhou said.



"My QQ has been shut down twice in recent days," Xu said. "The first time, they shut down three QQ accounts of mine at the same time, all of which had been in continuous use."



"I applied for another . . . but that was deleted a couple of days ago after I wrote a song and posted it on [QQ's] Shuoshuo space," Xu added.



The Internet was also locked down during the duration of the National People's Congress annual session in Beijing, from March 5 to 15, some Chinese netizens complained.



"They delete my account. I set up a new account, and so it goes on. Resistance is futile," said one Sina Weibo user.



Several million social media accounts were also reportedly shut down during the NPC session, Pan Lu, a rights activist, told RFA.



"As soon as the parliamentary sessions started, there was a social media crackdown on anything to do with human rights, democracy or constitutional politics," Pan said.



"Large numbers of accounts and groups on QQ and WeChat were shut down, in a mass cleansing of the system through deletion. I heard that several million accounts were closed," Pan added.



In Sichuan, Internet access had been blocked for days, according to Huang Xiaomin, another rights activist.



"Local officials are under huge pressure from Beijing and they really go to town on the controls on the internet," Huang Xiaomin said. "They are very, very nervous, and super-sensitive."



Control on parliamentarians



Some Chinese parliamentarians also complained of the government's tight control on netizens through the use of the system of filters, blocks and human censorship also called as the Great Firewall.



But when Luo Fuhe, vice-chairman of the NPC's advisory body, asked for access to non-political overseas content, the Party's propaganda ministry responded with a directive to media editors.



"All websites, please find and delete reports and posts on Luo Fuhe's 'Proposal to Improve and Increase Speed of Access to Foreign Websites' as soon as possible," the March 4 directive said.



Punished for typo error



In Henan, two senior editors and a journalist at the Puyang Daily News were disciplined after a character was deleted from Premier Li Keqiang's name in the headline.



Yang Dengfeng, the sub-editor was fined 200 yuan ( $29), while his team leader was charged with 1,000 yuan ($145) and was ordered to write a self-criticism.



According to reports, Zhang Guang, the editor in chief, and Meng Jin, the editorial board president, were either suspended or dismissed.



A veteran journalist who refused to be named said that the typo error should be a minor thing, but in the present political climate, the incident was blown out of proportion.



"In today's climate, you'd be lucky not to get bumped off for this sort of thing," the journalist said. "It shows that local officials are . . . being very quick to report things like this to higher levels of government."


USS Carney Begins Third Rotational Patrol in US 6th Fleet

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170317-06

Release Date: 3/17/2017 9:43:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Weston Jones, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

ROTA, Spain (NNS) -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) departed Naval Station Rota, Spain, March 15, to begin the ship's third forward-deployed patrol in support of U.S. commitments to allies and partners in the region.

Carney's forward presence in U.S. 6th Fleet contributes to maintaining regional security and stability.

Quote:

"It's time for our third patrol and we've worked hard preparing for it. Our last patrol was demanding, but rewarding. We're looking forward to working with our allies, contributing to the security in the region, and seeing new places along the way." - Cmdr. Peter Halverson, commanding officer, USS Carney (DDG 64)

Quick Facts:

Carney is the fourth ship to be forward deployed to Rota.

During Carney's second patrol, the ship and crew supported the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group during Operation Odyssey Lightning in the vicinity of Sirte, Libya. Carney also rescued 97 migrants on a small craft in the Mediterranean Sea.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

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USS America Wins Battle 'E'

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170317-08

Release Date: 3/17/2017 10:44:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Benjamin Wooddy, USS America (LHA 6) Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) was selected for her first Battle Effectiveness Award (Battle "E") in the ship's first year of eligibility, March 14.

"I am very proud of the crew," said Capt. Joe Olson, America's commanding officer. "They have worked extremely hard this year and have done it all while completing a vigorous schedule. This award is a testament to the crew's hard work and dedication.

Every year, the Battle 'E' is given to the ships, submarines, and other Navy units which demonstrate a superior standard of performance during a yearlong evaluation cycle which assesses the readiness of the command to carry out the required mission.

For America, receiving the award was a testament of the hard work the crew has put in while preparing for the ship's maiden deployment later this summer.

"From the first RIMPAC to the first [F-35 Lightning II] Joint Strike Fighter testing, America has performed brilliantly," said Olson. "This award is not about the triad, but about the Sailors on the deckplates making it happen. I couldn't be more proud of what they've accomplished."

During the evaluation cycle, America was graded on areas such as ship safety, maritime warfare, engineering and survivability, logistics management, maintenance protocol, and command, control, communications and information warfare.

"It's been inspection after inspection of all our programs, systems, equipment, and personnel," said Lt. Cmdr. Lyle Hoskin, America's Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat and Intelligence (C5I) department head. "Some members of this crew have been here since before it was a ship, and to see how far its come is a reward within itself."

Vice Adm. Thomas Rowden, commander, Naval Surface Forces and commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, expressed his gratitude in a message to all Pacific Fleet recipients of the Battle 'E.'

"Congratulations to all award winners," he wrote. "Your success in meeting mission area excellence standards is noted with pleasure."

America is currently underway in the Pacific Ocean conducting a mid-cycle inspection in preparation for the ship's maiden deployment later this year.

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Boxer Receives Sixth Consecutive Battle 'E'

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170317-16

Release Date: 3/17/2017 1:09:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eric Burgett, USS Boxer (LHD 4) Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Commander, Naval Surface Forces (SURFOR) announced, March 14, amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) is one of 36 surface ships which will receive the Battle Effectiveness Award (Battle "E") for 2016.

This Battle "E" marks the sixth consecutive year and the 12th time Boxer has received the award, which annually recognizes ships and crews which best exemplify the qualities of readiness and capability to perform assigned wartime tasking.

"The Battle 'E' is a rewarding validation of the hard work of nearly 1,200 Sailors over the last 2 years, but you have to remain humble and focused on the task at hand," said Capt. Benjamin J. Allbritton, commanding officer. "A ship is only as good as it's last successful evolution. As an old XO (executive officer) of mine once said, 'Stop admiring your jump shot and get back on defense.' Real professionals keep raising the bar, and the Boxer crew does that every day."

To qualify for Battle "E" consideration, a surface ship must win a minimum of four of the five Command Excellence Awards to include Maritime Warfare (Black "E"), Engineering/Survivability (Red "E"), Command and Control (Green "E"), Logistics Management (Blue "E"), and SURFOR Ship Safety (Yellow "E"). Boxer won all five.

"Boxer has maintained sustained superior performance while both at sea and in port, and it really speaks of the crews' great commitment to the mission and battle readiness," said Cmdr. Eric Cottrell, operations officer. "It also speaks to the steady strain approach taken by the leadership and crew given the many tasks the ship had to perform, including its arduous WESTPAC [western Pacific] deployment last year."

Earning the Battle "E" is not only a unit award, but a source of success Sailors may view as an achievement throughout their time in the Navy. Every Boxer Sailor who was a member of the crew during 2016 is now eligible to wear the Battle "E" ribbon on their uniform. Any Boxer Sailor who already has a Battle "E" award from a previous command can now add an additional "E" device to the ribbon.

"This is an award that you carry with you the rest of your naval career," said Lt. Cmdr. Kurt Astroth, Boxer's navigation officer. "A Battle 'E' is really about the crew, because without a crew a ship is just an empty steel hull. I have had the privilege of serving on other Battle 'E' ships, and when I arrived on Boxer I could tell that this was a Battle 'E'-level ship from the professionalism of its Sailors and the organization of its leaders."

Boxer leadership continues to emphasize the importance of going above and beyond the high standards already set.

"Our expectation is that Boxer continues to be the best LHD on the waterfront," said Cottrell. "The standard has been set and we should not just rest on our laurels, but seek further areas of improvement."

Boxer is currently in its homeport undergoing a phased maintenance availability.



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Iwo Jima Earns Second Consecutive Battle 'E'

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170317-20

Release Date: 3/17/2017 1:30:00 PM

From USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- Amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) was named a recipient of the Battle Effectiveness Award (Battle "E") for the second consecutive year.

The official notification for 2016 came from Commander, Naval Surface Forces, Vice Adm. Thomas Rowden, March 14.

The award is given annually to ships throughout the Navy which sustain a superior performance throughout the year via a consistent exhibition of excellence in wartime capabilities and optimal mission readiness within their respective hull class and region.

"The performance of our crew is the reason Iwo Jima received the Battle 'E' two years in a row," said Capt. James Midkiff, Iwo Jima's commanding officer. "They've excelled in all areas and met each requirement, including maintenance, training evolutions, exercises, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief provided to the people of Haiti. To be chosen as a Battle 'E' recipient is a reflection of all their proficiency, professionalism, and hard work. I am honored to be part of this crew and am so proud of everything they have accomplished."

Iwo Jima earned its third consecutive command awards for excellence in engineering and survivability, along with ship's safety and second consecutive awards for excellence in maritime warfare, logistics management, and command, control, communications and information warfare.

Iwo Jima spent the first half of the year completing a chief of naval operations maintenance availability period. In August 2016, the ship participated in Bold Alligator 2016 in the Norfolk area of operations. Later in the year, Iwo Jima served as the lead ship for Joint Task Force-Matthew, providing support for the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) in their efforts to provide immediate humanitarian and disaster relief assistance in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.

This is Iwo Jima's fifth Battle "E" since her commissioning, June 30, 2001, and the ship may now paint a white hash mark to annotate the Battle "E" achievement for two consecutive years.

Iwo Jima Sailors who were members of the ship's crew during 2016 are now eligible to wear the Battle "E" ribbon on their uniforms, and Sailors who have a previous Battle "E" can now add an additional "E" device to the ribbon.

Iwo Jima is currently in the basic phase of the pre-deployment work-up cycle.

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China to construct permanent station in South China Sea island

Iran Press TV

Fri Mar 17, 2017 2:0PM

China has plans to build a permanent environmental monitoring station on one of its islands in the South China Sea despite an ongoing territorial dispute with the Philippines over the shoal.

Media outlets said on Friday that the move could potentially raise new concerns over Beijing's actions to assert its claims in the strategically crucial waterbody.

"Permanent environmental monitoring stations are being built on six islands and reefs," media quoted the top political official in Sansha island as saying.

Sansha Communist Party Secretary Xiao Jie told local media that preparatory work on the stations was among the government's priorities for 2017, but gave no other details.

The South China Sea is located between China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei and hosts one of the world's busiest waterways and is believed to be rich in mineral and gas.

The neighboring countries have long disputed over ownership of territories in the waterbody.

China's creation of seven man-made islands in the disputed Spratly group, complete with airstrips and military installations, has drawn international criticism.

The United States has been strongly opposed to Beijing's assertion of its claims in the disputed territories. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has compared China's island-building and deployment of military assets to Crimea's rejoining Russia in 2014.

Tillerson is currently on a three-leg tour in northern Asia.

The topic is likely to be high on the agenda when Tillerson reaches Beijing for talks with top officials on Saturday and Sunday.

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Lebanon should integrate Hezbollah militarily: Interior minister

Iran Press TV

Fri Mar 17, 2017 10:14AM

The Lebanese interior minister says Lebanon should integrate the resistance movement of Hezbollah's armed strength in its military strategy.

"The defense strategy should determine how to benefit from Hezbollah's arms, to fend off any [future] Israeli aggression," Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk told the Egyptian satellite channel Capital Broadcast Center on Thursday, according to Lebanese paper The Daily Star.

The military wing of the Hezbollah movement defended Lebanon against Israeli wars in 2000 and 2006, forcing the regime's military into withdrawal.

Machnouk said Hezbollah's military strength had to be discussed in the context of "the tactical planning of Lebanon's defense strategy."

The remarks came only three days after an extremist Israeli minister said Israel had to hit civilian targets in Lebanon in a future war to make life miserable for the Lebanese. Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett said, "Life in Lebanon today is not bad" compared to Syria, adding Tel Aviv had to target civilians in a potential war with the country and send it "back to the Middle Ages."

"Today, Hezbollah is embedded in sovereign Lebanon. It is part of the government and, according to the [Lebanese] president, also part of its security forces," Israeli newspaper Haaretz quoted Bennett as saying.

Last month, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said Hezbollah's military capabilities "do not contradict the state's."

"As long as Israel occupies land and covets the natural resources of Lebanon, and as long as the Lebanese military lacks the power to stand up to Israel, [Hezbollah's] arms are essential," Aoun said then.

Hezbollah has also been fighting to prevent and contain the spillover into Lebanon of a terrorist campaign in neighboring Syria.

Israel has attacked Hezbollah targets in Syrian territory in the past.

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Lithuania Wants NATO Command To Move Closer To Eastern Borders

March 17, 2017

Lithuania's president says NATO should move its command centers closer to the alliance's eastern borders to deter the "growing threat from Russia."

President Dalia Grybauskaite on March 16 said NATO's current location in Western Europe is a relic of the Cold War and that more forces should be redeployed.

"The current NATO command structures and military forces were positioned according to the Cold War logic -- in Europe's west and south," Grybauskaite said after talks with U.S. General Curtis Scaparrotti, NATO's supreme allied commander.

With the "growing threat from Russia, it is necessary to redeploy allied forces to the eastern flank," she said.

She said NATO has been "too slow" to redeploy its command structure from Western Europe.

Scaparrotti told reporters that advanced technologies enable the Western military alliance "to command and control from different locations."

Since World War II, U.S. and NATO forces have been stationed in Western Europe, mainly in Germany, Britain, and Italy.

But NATO is beefing up its presence in Eastern Europe, deploying four multinational battalions to the Baltic states and Poland on a rotational basis in an effort to reassure Eastern members in the face of Russia's military support for separatists in eastern Ukraine and its illegal annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.

Hundreds of NATO troops and heavy equipment have been moved to Lithuania as part of that process.

Based on reporting by AFP and dpa

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/lithuania-nato- russia-eastern-borders/28375091.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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White House Says It Was Not Accusing U.K. Of Spying On Trump

RFE/RL March 17, 2017

The White House said it was not accusing Britain of spying on Donald Trump when his spokesman cited a news item suggesting that British intelligence had conducted surveillance on the then presidential candidate.

A White House statement on March 17 said spokesman Sean Spicer "was simply pointing to public reports, not endorsing any specific story" when he cited a news item saying Britain's GCHQ intelligence agency had spied on Trump when he was a presidential candidate.

Spicer made the comments during a press conference, citing Fox News television analyst Andrew Napolitano, who suggested that GCHQ helped President Barack Obama spy on Trump before the 2016 presidential election to circumvent U.S. laws.

A GCHQ spokesperson said that Napolitano's "allegations about GCHQ being asked to conduct 'wiretapping' against the then president-elect are nonsense. They are utterly ridiculous and should be ignored."

A spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May later said the United States had promised it would not repeat the claim.

Britain's ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch, spoke directly to Spicer, but May's spokesman refused to say whether the U.S. administration had apologized.

The White House's March 17 statement acknowledged that Darroch had expressed concerns directly to Spicer and the U.S. national security adviser, Army Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster.

"Mr. Spicer and General McMaster explained that Mr. Spicer was simply pointing to public reports, not endorsing any specific story," the White House statement said.

James Slack, a spokesman for May, said an intelligence agreement between the United States, Britain, and other allies would prevent such spying.

"The fact is, within the Five Eyes pact, we cannot use each other's capabilities to circumvent our laws," he said. "It's a situation that simply wouldn't arise."

Britain and the United States -- along with Australia, Canada and New Zealand -- are part of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance forged after World War II.

In a Twitter post on March 4, Trump claimed that Obama ordered wiretaps of his New York offices -- an accusation that a spokesman for has Obama flatly denied.

Republican and Democratic leaders of the U.S. Senate intelligence committee said on March 16 that there were "no indications" Trump's offices were wiretapped before or during the campaign.

With reporting by AP, AFP, Reuters, and BBC

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/british-intelligence-denies -claim-wiretapping-trump/28375410.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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Russia Paid Former White House Adviser Flynn $67,000, Documents Show

RFE/RL March 17, 2017

Former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn was paid more than $67,000 by Russian companies before the U.S. presidential election, according to documents released on March 16 by a Democratic congressman.

U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings of Maryland asked President Donald Trump's administration to provide a comprehensive record of Flynn's contacts with foreign governments and interests.

The documents show that Flynn accepted $33,750 from Russian state-backed television channel RT for appearing at a Moscow event in December 2015, a few months before he began formally advising Trump's campaign.

Flynn's financial relationship with RT may violate a constitutional provision against gifts from foreign governments, Cummings said.

He released documents obtained during an inquiry conducted by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in the U.S. House of Representatives into Flynn's activities before Trump appointed him to become national security adviser.

Trump forced Flynn out as national security adviser last month, after it was revealed that the former Army lieutenant general misled Vice President Mike Pence and other White House officials about his conversations in December with the Russian ambassador to the United States.

Flynn's ties to Russia have been scrutinized by the FBI and are part of House and Senate committee investigations into contacts between Trump campaign officials and Russians.

The newly released files show that RT -- designated by the U.S. intelligence community as a propaganda arm for Russia's government -- also paid for luxury hotel stays and other expenses incurred by Flynn and his adult son, Michael Flynn Jr., during the Moscow trip.

Flynn sat next to Russian President Vladimir Putin during the climax of the televised RT gala.

Cummings said Flynn's acceptance of payments from RT violated the emoluments provision of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits retired military officers from accepting gifts from foreign powers.

RT identifies itself as an independent news network, but a report by U.S. intelligence agencies made public in January said RT has long been considered by the U.S. government to be a Russian propaganda arm.

In an addition to the RT payments, Flynn was also paid $11,250 for two speeches in Washington -- one in August for Volga-Dnepr Airlines, a Russian charter cargo airline, and a second in September for Kaspersky Government Security Solutions Inc., a U.S. subsidiary of Kaspersky Lab, a Russia-based cybersecurity firm.

With reporting by AP and AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/russia-paid-former- white-house-adviser-flynn-67000-thousand-dollars- documents-show-rt-putin/28374877.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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Criticism, Concern Over Deep Cuts In U.S. Diplomacy, Foreign Aid

RFE/RL March 17, 2017

U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to slash funding for the U.S. State Department and foreign aid by about one-third has sparked criticism and concern at home and abroad on March 16.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned against "abrupt funding cuts" that could "undermine the impact of longer-term reform efforts" at the world governing institution, where Trump proposed to reduce the U.S. share of funding for peacekeeping operations to 25 percent from 28 percent -- or $7.9 billion -- today.

France's ambassador to the United Nations, Francois Delattre, said that the world more than ever needs "a strong UN and an America that stays committed to world affairs."

"America's retreat and unilateralization or even the perception of it" creates risks and could lead to greater global "instability," he said.

But the U.S. envoy to the UN, Nikki Haley, said "the UN spends more money than it should, and in many ways it places a much larger financial burden on the United States than on other countries."

Besides footing the lion's share of peacekeeping costs, the United States also funds nearly one-quarter of the overall UN budget and UN agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

China and Japan make the next largest contributions to peacekeeping, at 10 percent each, followed by Germany and France at 6 percent each.

Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal said the proposed $10.9 billion cut in funding for the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) -- about 28 percent -- would be "destabilizing and irresponsible."

"Impact would be enormous across domestic and international programs," she wrote on Twitter. "The hardest hit would be the poor in the U.S. and abroad." She added that Congress should "just start from scratch" in writing the foreign aid budget.

The deep foreign and domestic cuts in the president's $3.8 trillion budget plan, which were intended to offset a 10 percent or $54 billion increase in military spending, drew near unanimous opposition from Democrats in Congress -- and opposition from several prominent Republicans.

Two U.S. senators who vied with Trump last year for the Republican presidential nomination came out strongly against the massive shift of funds from diplomacy to defense.

"Foreign aid is not charity," said Senator Marco Rubio, while Senator Lindsey Graham said that "these increases in defense come at the expense of national security."

Protecting national interests requires a comprehensive approach, "including not just military engagement but also the full and responsible use of all diplomatic tools at our disposal," said Republican Representative Hal Rogers, who chairs a a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee that oversees State Department and foreign aid spending.

The Democratic members on the House Foreign Affairs Committee sent a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan to express their concern, saying it's short-sighted to cut diplomacy while beefing up defense.

"Our diplomats settle disputes so that they do not have to be settled with bombs and bullets," they wrote.

"If we slash our investment in diplomacy and development, we are telling our service members -- and the American people -- that we will take our chances down the road, even if that comes at a much higher cost in blood and treasure."

Even some high-ranking former defense officials expressed reservations.

"We learned in both Iraq and Afghanistan that our military needs an effective civilian partner if victories on the battlefields are going to be converted into a sustainable peace," Stephen Hadley, national security adviser to former President George W. Bush, told The New York Times.

"And only a sustainable peace ensures that postconflict states do not return again to becoming safe havens for terrorists."

But Secretary of State Rex Tillerson defended the downsizing of diplomacy, which he would oversee if Congress were to accept all the cuts.

"We are going to construct a way forward that allows us to be much more effective, much more efficient, and be able to do a lot with fewer dollars," he said.

Tillerson criticized his predecessor, John Kerry, for spending too much, "in part driven by the level of conflicts that the U.S. has been engaged in around the world, as well as disaster assistance that's been needed."

"Clearly, the level of spending that the State Department has been undertaking in the past -- and particularly in this past year -- is simply not sustainable," he said.

With reporting by AFP, dpa, and Reuters

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/international -outcry-over-deep-cuts-us-spending- diplomacy-foreign-aid/28374837.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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There are rumblings that The Maze Runner: The Death Cure plot will undergo a bit of change from the original source material. (Photo : YouTube/Maze Runner)

"The Maze Runner: Death Cure" is back in production after the lengthy delay, following Dylan O'Brien's on-set injury. According to reports, the cast is in Cape Town, South Africa to begin filming the third and final installment of "The Maze Runner" franchise.



Actress Kaya Scodelario was spotted visiting tourist spots around Cape Town with her husband Ben Walker. Scodelario captioned one photo, "Safe to say I'm a bit happy to be here.... #deathcure."



Advertisement

According to Channel 24, Dexter Darden also shared photos with the rest of the cast of "The Maze Runner: Death Cure," which includes Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ki Hong Lee, Will Poulter, Dexter Darden and Dylan O'Brien. She noted they have begun filming the "final chapter" of "The Maze Runner."



In March 2016, O'Brien got into an accident while filming a vehicular stunt on the set of "The Maze Runner: Death Cure." O'Brien suffered a "concussion, facial fracture and lacerations." Production for the film immediately halted thereafter to allow O'Brien time to recover fully. Based on recent photos and public appearances, it appears that O'Brien is back in shipshape form.



Director Wes Ball previously revealed that "Death Cure" will be far different from the last two "The Maze Runner" movies. "It's gonna be a different kind of an engine, a different kind of genre almost and a different sort of color palette and terrain," Ball told Collider.



The movie will pick up a year after the events in the "Scorch Trials" and will follow Thomas and his fellow Gladers stop WCKD once and for all. Finding a cure for The Flare disease will also be one of the primary conflicts in "Death Cure."



Although it is expected that Ball might deviate a bit from the original books written by James Dashner, it's likely that the movie will follow through with the heart-wrenching twist in the book. In "Death Cure" one of the prominent Gladers dies after they discover that he is not immune to the Flare.



"The Maze Runner: The Death Cure" release date has been pushed to Jan. 12, 2018.






Coalition Navy Intercepts 3 Houthi Launches, off Middi Seaport, in Yemen

Saudi Press Agency

Friday 1438/6/18 - 2017/03/17

Riyadh, Jumada II 18, 1438, Mar 17, 2017, SPA -- Arab Coalition supporting Yemeni legitimate government has intercepted 3 Houthi launches, off the Midi seaport, in Yemen, on Thursday, the Command of the coalition announced here today, adding that the launches were planning to attack coalition ships, on their daily missions.

The coalition navy destroyed one of them, captured the other, with its full crew, while the third has managed to escape to the high seas.

However, the navy is chasing the third one, while investigation is taking place, with the arrested crew members.

-- SPA

21:26 LOCAL TIME 18:26 GMT

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South Sudan now world's fastest growing refugee crisis - UN refugee agency

17 March 2017  The number of South Sudanese fleeing their homes is "alarming," the United Nations refugee agency today said, announcing that 1.6 million people have either been displaced or fled to neighbouring countries in the past eight months ago.

"A famine produced by the vicious combination of fighting and drought is now driving the world's fastest growing refugee crisis," the spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Babar Baloch, told journalists at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

He added that "the rate of new displacement is alarming, representing an impossible burden on a region that is significantly poorer and which is fast running short of resources to cope."

Refugees from South Sudan are crossing the borders to the neighbouring countries. The majority of them go to Uganda where new arrivals spiked from 2,000 per day to 6,000 per day in February, and currently average more than 2,800 people per day.

"The situation is now critical," said Mr. Baloch, warning that recent rains are making the humanitarian situation more difficult.

The UN agency is reiterating its calls for financial support. Aid for South Sudanese refugees is only eight per cent funded at $781.8 million, and UNHCR's funding appeal for Uganda urgently needs $267 million.

The situation in Uganda is a "first and major test" of the commitments made at the Summit for Refugees and Migrants last September, the spokesperson said.

One of the main achievements of the Summit was to create a refugee response framework that integrates humanitarian and development efforts. This translates into giving refugees land and allowing them to access job markets, for example.

The situation of refugees in Uganda could impact how the UN and humanitarian partners are working to support national authorities in the other neighbouring countries  the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan.

"No neighbouring country is immune," said Mr. Baloch.

'Security situation continues to deteriorate'

Also today, the head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the country (UNMISS), David Shearer, warned that the security situation in the country is worsening, and national authorities are not taking action.

"The situation in South Sudan continues to deteriorate and generate profound human suffering for the population of that country  suffering in which local and ethnic divisions have been exploited for political ends," David Shearer told a meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council on South Sudan.

He added that the recent escalation of fighting in Equatoria considered the food basket of South Sudan  has led to a significant displacement of civilians and disrupted food production for the country.

Intense fighting is also reported in the Upper Nile. Satellite imagery shows much of one town, Wau Shilluk, destroyed and deserted.

The senior UN official reiterated concerns about the humanitarian situation in the country, calling the ongoing crisis "entirely man-made." An estimated 100,000 people are facing starvation and an additional one million are classified as being on the brink of famine.

Mr. Shearer, who is also the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the country, urged access for humanitarian organisations and the UN mission.

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In Europe, UN envoy urges political and financial support for Yemenis

17 March 2017  The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen today called on the international community to do everything in its power to stop the fighting in the country, provide humanitarian aid, and promote a negotiated political settlement to the two-year long conflict.

"The conflict has already killed and maimed tens of thousands and displaced many more. How many more need to lose their life before the parties assume their moral responsibility and commit to a peace process and an end to the fighting," said Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, wrapping up an official four-day visit to Europe.

The tour included meetings with senior political officials in France and Germany, as well as discussions with civil society leaders in Berlin.

In London, the Special Envoy took part in the Quint meeting, which includes representatives of the United Kingdom, as well as Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United States. According to a note to correspondents, the officials discussed potential solutions to the conflict, including the current humanitarian needs.

Almost 80 per cent of households in Yemen are worst off economically than they were before the fighting began, according to UN figures released earlier this week.

New data also shows that an estimated 17 million of the Yemeni people are hungry, an increase of 21 per cent since June 2016.

"It is imperative that the situation in Yemen remains high on everyone's agenda," Mr. Ould Cheikh Ahmed said. "UN humanitarian agencies and their partners have developed plans to assist civilians in need, but the needs far outweigh available resources."

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US Airstrike Rounds Out Brutal Anniversary Week in Syria War

By Jamie Dettmer March 17, 2017

This week marked the sixth anniversary of the Syrian war - and it was an especially brutal seven days, with a mosque allegedly damaged by a U.S. airstrike, a twin suicide bombing in Damascus and claims of phosphorus-bomb attacks by Russian and Syrian warplanes.

The death toll in Thursday's U.S. airstrike on the village of al-Jinah, on the border of the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib, rose overnight to 46, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based monitoring group.

The observatory, which uses a network of sources on the ground in Syria for its reporting, claims a majority of those killed were civilians.

U.S. defense officials say the mosque was not the target of the airstrike but that a meeting of al-Qaida militants nearby was. A number of extremists had been killed in the raid, they say. In a statement, the spokesman for the United States Central Command said the warplanes had hit a nearby building, but missed the mosque, which was full at the time for evening prayer.

"U.S. forces conducted an airstrike on an al-Qaida in Syria meeting location March 16 in Idlib, Syria. We did not target any mosques," said Col. John Thomas. "What we did target was destroyed. There is a mosque within 50 feet of that building that is still standing." He added that claims of civilian deaths would be investigated but that the Pentagon has aerial photography indicating the mosque was still standing.

The volunteer emergency medical service known as the White Helmets says it also documented the attack and that the mosque was hit. The group posted video showing the rescue operation with emergency workers digging people out from rubble. Activists also posted video that purportedly shows the northern part of the mosque damaged.

"Idlib has been a significant safe haven for al-Qaida in recent years," said Thomas.

Local activists argue that the village of al-Jinah, southwest of Atareb in the western countryside of Aleppo, is not held by any al Qaida-linked groups.

Area known for jihadist activity

The area has been the scene of jihadist gatherings in the past. In November 2014, jihadist veterans known collectively as the Khorasan group tried to broker a merger between militant archrivals the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra, the then-official Syrian branch of al-Qaida, and a meeting was held at a farmhouse in nearby Atareb.

And there has been other recent jihadist activity in the area. Last month, militants kidnapped a local mayor in Atareb, prompting street protests against jihadists a few days later by locals.

Even so, Thursday's airstrike has prompted denunciations from local activists, who argue there would be outrage in the U.S. if the airstrike that caused so many civilian deaths had been carried out by Russian warplanes.

The Syrian Observatory described the bombing as "a massacre."

Analysts are critical of the airstrike. "Whether there was a high value target in the area or not, targeting even part of a mosque during prayer time with multiple munitions is just shockingly short-sighted," argues Charles Lister, an analyst at the Middle East Institute and author of the book "The Syrian Jihad."

He added, "Who in their right mind could have thought this was a risk worth taking? Opposition Syrians are seething this morning and at the click of a button, America has gone from being perceived as being cold-hearted about Syrian suffering to being no different to the Assad regime. This really is a deeply dangerous development and couldn't have come at a worse time. Acts like this do nothing more than to justify and empower extremist narratives, which bizarrely, are exactly what we're meant to be combating.

Looser rules of engagement?

There are also concerns by rights groups that bombing so close to a mosque may indicate that the Pentagon has loosened the rules of engagement in Syria. That holds out the prospects of more civilians being killed in future U.S. airstrikes targeting al-Qaida-linked groups and the Islamic State terror group, they warn.

Earlier this week, there were U.S. media reports that the Trump administration is moving ahead with plans to give greater latitude to the military and CIA to target suspected terrorists in air and drone strikes, lowering the bar when it comes to the risks of civilian casualties. The possible change would include also giving the Pentagon and the CIA more autonomy in their targeting by allowing them to proceed without prior presidential authorization in Syria and other countries, according to U.S. officials.

A Pentagon spokesman declined to confirm earlier this week to VOA that a review is underway - or that there have been any changes made already. "As a matter of standing policy, we don't discuss rules of engagement for security reasons," said Maj. Adrian Rankine-Galloway. "Likewise, we don't discuss plans under deliberation that have not been approved," he added.

The airstrike on al-Jinah came a day after more than two dozen people were killed in suicide bombings in the main judicial building and on a restaurant in Syria's capital, Damascus. The blasts follow another double suicide bombing in Damascus last weekend. Syria's state news agency SANA, reported there were also 102 injured in the courthouse attack and 28 wounded at the restaurant.

Al-Qaida's former affiliate, now known as Tahrir al-Sham. claimed responsibility for the attacks. Analysts have warned, though, that as al-Qaida and Islamic State are squeezed in Syria, they will respond with suicide attacks, much as IS has been doing in neighboring Iraq.

Call to speed up negotiations

In response to the Damascus bombings, the U.N.'s Syria envoy, Staffan de Mistura, urged all parties to speed up negotiations to end a war that has left an estimated half-a-million dead. "There is no way that we should be accepting the fact that the sixth anniversary becomes the seventh," he said.

"It's becoming one of the longest and most cruel wars of recent years," he added.

To round out the anniversary week, political activists opposed to the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad accused Russia of dropping white phosphorous or thermite-based munitions against the enemies of the Syrian government. They released video clips showing purportedly white smoke and fierce fires amid explosions in the village of Umm al-Karamil in the southern Aleppo countryside.

Still photographs supplied to London's Independent newspaper appear to show the telltale white streaks of incendiary munitions in the air. Russian officials say Russian warplanes have never used weapons forbidden under international law. A United Nations protocol bans the use of air-dropped incendiary munitions in areas where civilians are known to be located.

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Moscow Tells Kabul Ties With Taliban Only to Promote Afghan Peace

By Ayaz Gul March 17, 2017

Afghanistan's national security adviser met Friday with senior officials in Russia to discuss counterterrorism cooperation and efforts to promote peace as Taliban insurgents staged fresh deadly attacks in Afghanistan.

The high-level talks came amid growing concerns over Russia's contacts and alleged military assistance to the Taliban to enable the group to fight and contain Islamic State influence in Afghanistan. The two militant groups have regularly clashed in areas where Afghan forces have limited control.

Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, however, in talks with national security adviser Haneef Atmar, assured him that Moscow is working only to promote stability in Afghanistan.

"Our recent contacts with the armed opposition [Taliban] are aimed only at encouraging the group to join the Afghan government-led peace process," Atmar's spokesman, Tawab Ghorzang, quoted the Patrushev as telling the Afghan delegation in Friday's meeting.

Moscow as 'important political ally'

Ghorzang said the Afghan government welcomed "the Russian explanation and stance" and reiterated that Moscow is "an important political ally" of Kabul. He added the two sides also shared concerns stemming from a rise in poppy cultivation in Afghanistan and agreed to boost cooperation to curb narcotics production and smuggling.

Russia believes IS militants are trying to establish a foothold in volatile Afghan regions bordering Central Asian states threatening Moscow's national security interests.

But Afghan authorities say national security forces with air support from the United States have killed hundreds of IS operatives and significantly degraded the terrorist threat in the country.

New Taliban attacks

Friday's talks in Moscow came on a day when the Taliban staged fresh attacks in different parts of Afghanistan and security forces carried out new raids against IS militants.

Officials said that a suicide truck bomber attacked an Afghan military base in southeastern Khost province, killing at least one soldier and wounding 13 others. A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the violence, giving a much higher death toll for Afghan forces.

The insurgents staged a similar attack in eastern Nangarhar province, killing one person and wounding several others.

The Taliban also ambushed a government convoy on a main highway linking the northern provinces of Kunduz and Baghlan, and reportedly set fire to tankers transporting fuel for security forces. The attack blocked traffic, stranding scores of vehicles, Afghan authorities reported.

Separately, military authorities in eastern Nangarhar province said that security forces, with U.S. air support, killed at least 40 IS militants in overnight operations in Kot, one of several districts where the terrorist group has its bases.

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New South Sudan Rebel Group Gains Supporters

By John Tanza March 17, 2017

A new rebel group in war-torn South Sudan has gained some high-level supporters, both within the country and the South Sudanese diaspora.

General Faiz Ismail Futur announced this week that he has resigned his post in the main rebel group, the SPLM-IO, to join the National Salvation Front.

Futur, who was the SPLM-IO's commander in the Wester Bahr al Ghazal area, told VOA's South Sudan in Focus program that the rebel soldiers under his command had been ignored by rebel chief Riek Machar since 2015.

"I am practical person; I need to work closely with my army in the front line as I did for the past years," the general said. " ... I am really sorry to find out that there is no institutional plan in IO.'

Leadership crisis

Early last week, another official within Machar's rebel group resigned. VOA obtained the resignation letter of former deputy spokesman Colonel Nyarji Jermlili Roman who worked briefly in Machar's office after the SPLM-IO signed a peace deal with the government in August 2015.

Jermlili cited lack of accountability and tribalism as some of the institutional problems within the SPLM IO. He also accused Machar of failing to supply his forces in Equatoria with arms and necessary logistical support.

The SPLM-IO's director for public relations denied there is any leadership crisis among the rebels. Puok Both Bulang said General Futur was relieved of his duties last September "based on some administrative issues."

Meanwhile, senior members of the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) in the diaspora have defected to the National Salvation Front.

The former chairman of SPLM secretariat in the United States, Ladu Jada Gubek, told VOA in an interview Thursday that he and 10 other executive members of the secretariat have switched to the NSF.

He said he has lost confidence in the ability and the leadership of President Salva Kiir to end the violence in South Sudan.

''The SPLM-led government under General Salva Kiir Mayardit has turned from democracy to dictatorship, from freedom to oppression, from equal treatment and participation to marginalization, from nationalism to tribalism and from peace to war,'' he said.

Jada said the government in Juba has endangered the union of South Sudanese by pitting tribes against each other.

He said the SPLM secretariat in the United States tried to reform the party, but faced resistance from what he called tribal supporters of the status quo.

"And therefore non-Dinka South Sudanese are often treated with second class status and viewed with suspicions and distrust,'' he said.

Jada, who hails from the Equatoria region of South Sudan, said his decision to join the National Salvation Front has no connection to the ethnicity of the NSF's leader, General Thomas Cirillo Swaka, who also hails from Equatoria.

Other reported defectors to the NSF include the army's former director of military justice Brigadier General Henry Oyay Nyago; army commander of logistics support General Kamilo Otwari Alerado Paul; politician Lado Jada Kwajok and six SPLM-IO shadow governors from the Equatoria region.

Mired in war

South Sudan has been mired in war since fighting between pro- and anti-Kiir factions broke out at the end of 2013. The war has killed tens of thousands, displaced more than two million people from their homes and triggered ongoing food shortages in many areas.

Opponents of Kiir accuse him of seizing power and property for his own Dinka tribe at the expense of the many other tribes that make up South Sudan, which became an independent country only six years ago.

Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar signed a peace deal in August 2015, but the agreement has made little progress since fighting in the capital, Juba, last July killed 300 people and forced Machar to flee the country.

The leader of the NSF, General Cirillo, has said Kiir is destroying the East African nation and must be overthrown.

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Trump Hosts Merkel, Renews Call for NATO Members' Payments

By VOA News March 17, 2017

After a White House meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. President Donald Trump said he supported NATO but renewed a call for member nations to increase their financial contributions to support the military alliance.

Trump expressed his "strong support for NATO" but called on fellow members who "owe vast sums money" to "pay their fair share."

His remarks came at a news conference after an Oval Office meeting with Merkel, a key ally he accused of "ruining" Germany by admitting thousands of Syrian refugees.

It was the first in-person meeting between the leaders of the Western world's most influential countries since Trump's election, and one that could help shape the future of the transatlantic alliance.

They were seemingly on a collision course since candidate Trump accused Merkel of "ruining" Germany and other European countries with liberal immigration policies, spoke ill of NATO and hinted at a trade war.

Merkel, for her part, scolded Trump for imposing a travel ban on immigrants from six Muslim-majority countries, and she reminded him that any close U.S.-Germany cooperation must be based on "values of democracy, freedom, respect for the rule of law and human dignity, regardless of origin, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political belief."

Trump said the relationship between the U.S. and Germany was built on "shared values" and the alliance was a "symbol of strength" to the world.

In addition to NATO, several other contentious issues awaited the two leaders. Trump said he appreciated Germany's support in addressing the conflict in Ukraine, where "we seek a peaceful solution."

Trump said the two countries would continue the fight against "radical Islamic terrorism," saying "immigration security is national security."

The two leaders were to have a working lunch at the White House, where the president said "fair and reciprocal" trade policies would be discussed.

As a candidate, Trump suggested he would renounce multilateral deals, such as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) with Europe, which had been championed by Merkel and former U.S. President Barack Obama.

In a hint at a possible compromise, a senior administration official told reporters last week that T-TIP could be considered a one-on-one trade deal, given how the EU structure interconnects European economies.

The leaders were also expected to discuss another controversial issue, Trump's proposed border tax, which is meant to encourage companies to make goods in the United States. Just hours before the Oval Office meeting, Germany's economy minister threatened to sue the U.S. at the World Trade Organization in an attempt to block the tax.

Trump sees the tax as boosting his job-creation agenda. Europeans see it as a challenge to the global trading system at a time when Trump's policies are pushing the United States toward protectionism.

Daniel Hamilton, director of the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, sees the White House meeting as a prelude to future negotiations.

Trump makes his first presidential visit to Europe in May to attend both a NATO summit in Brussels and a Group of Seven summit in Sicily. "That will be the next big step," Hamilton said.

Merkel and Trump were originally scheduled to meet earlier this week, but a snowstorm on the U.S. East Coast prompted the two world leaders to delay the session.

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US Lawmakers Criticize Cuts to Diplomacy, Foreign Aid

By Cindy Saine March 17, 2017

President Donald Trump's budget chief, Mick Mulvaney, told reporters at the White House Thursday that the president is intentionally redefining U.S. foreign policy priorities, changing from a focus on "soft power"  diplomacy, participation in international institutions and cultural exchanges  to a laser focus on "hard power" with a big boost to military spending.

Asked about the impact of cuts to foreign aid to people suffering from famine and conflict around the world, Mulvaney said it should come as a surprise to no one that the president plans to spend more money at home and less money abroad, as he promised during the election campaign. But this fundamental shift in spending priorities has drawn swift criticism from a number of Republican and Democratic members of Congress.

Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

"Even the military doesn't think that would be a good idea. Of course, foreign aid is less than 1 percent of the budget anyway. But even the military will tell you that if we don't have a diplomatic outreach, what's going to happen  that [void] will be filled by the Russians and the Chinese," he told VOA.

Republican Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker of Tennessee said his team remains in close contact with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to discuss how he believes he can accomplish the State Department's work with this budget.

"While the administration proposes a budget, ultimately it is the role of Congress to dispose it and fund government," Corker said. "I believe we can strike an appropriate balance that recognizes the critical role of diplomacy in keeping our military out of harm's way and appropriately advancing our nation's interests while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used in the most efficient and effective manner."

Tillerson: Budget not sustainable

Tillerson was asked about the budget cuts at a news conference in Japan during his trip to Asia.

"The level of spending that the State Department has been undertaking, particularly in the past year, is simply not sustainable," he said. The new secretary of state added that current spending reflects the "level of conflicts that the U.S. has been engaged in around the world as well as disaster assistance." He said in the future, the U.S. will be engaging in fewer conflicts.

Asked about the percentage of cuts to the State Department and foreign aid, Acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters Thursday that overall cuts amount to 31 percent. Asked to explain Tillerson's comments that the U.S. will save money by being in fewer wars, Toner said the U.S. has been at war for 16 years now, and that means a lot of secondary costs.

Long budget process

Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan reminded critics that when a president submits a budget, it is a blueprint, the beginning of a long process in which Congress has a critical role to play. Ryan praised Trump for aiming to reduce wasteful spending.

But even some conservative members of Congress who are known to be staunch advocates for cutting government spending rejected the idea of slashing foreign aid and U.S. diplomatic programs, including Republican Representative Ted Yoho of Florida.

"At a time when American leadership is needed more than ever, we must continue to invest in the International Affairs Budget.  This will allow for necessary reforms in our international aid programs while not sacrificing our international security or economy for splashy headlines that say we are cutting American foreign aid, which will ultimately do nothing to address our current debt crisis, and creating yet another vacuum by the lack of American leadership which will be filled by most likely a foe to our country and our ideals."

Representative Elliot Engel of New York is the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

"Every normal program that we're used to, that we took for granted, is in jeopardy  it's like cutting the calf, cutting the bone, cutting the leg. There's nothing there, and it's just a real shame," he said.

"One of the things President Trump said during the campaign was chiding President Obama he was weak and the United States was weak in international affairs  well how are we going to look now? How are we going to look now with a 30 percent or one-third cut so the United States cannot do the kinds of things it has been going to do," he added.

Democratic Representative Brad Sherman of California said the cuts would hurt some of the president's own priorities, including his calls for "extreme vetting" of any foreigners who want to live in the United States.

Cuts would hurt Trump priorities

"We're told by the president that he's going to have extreme vetting  trying to do extreme vetting with extremely little money is extremely stupid," Sherman said.

Engel added: "The State Department issues over 10 million visitor visas every year. We need people coming here for business, for trade, for tourism, for investment, and they get well over 15 million applications  that's 15 million decisions. If you have one mistake, you could have a terrorist incident. That's the importance we place on those officers that issue visas."

Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware added his voice to the criticism:

"To dramatically increase spending on defense and to significantly cut spending on the diplomats and development professionals who often work hand in glove with our Defense Department in difficult and dangerous parts of the world like Iraq and Afghanistan is unwise," he said. "I think it shows an over-reliance on the military and an under-appreciation of the power and the effectiveness of diplomacy."

Liz Schrayer is president and CEO of the U.S Global Leadership Coalition, a nonprofit group that promotes U.S. diplomacy. She said she was encouraged by the swift public outcry on Capitol Hill.

"So we're seeing a reaction at a bipartisan level from very conservative members of the Congress to very progressive members of Congress that are already reacting in just the few hours that this budget has been out by saying, 'No this is not where we're heading and we're not going to accept it.'"

The White House will provide more budget details in May. Current funding for the U.S. government expires April 28.

Congressional Correspondent Katherine Gypson contributed to this report.

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Russia calls UNSC meeting, warns against Saudi raid on Yemeni city

Iran Press TV

Sat Mar 18, 2017 4:1PM

During a meeting of the UN Security Council convened by Russia, the Kremlin has warned about "grave humanitarian consequences" that would come if Saudi Arabia goes ahead with a plan to attack Yemen's western port city of Hudaydah.

The attendants in the UNSC meeting discussed the grave humanitarian situation in Yemen and efforts toward a peaceful conclusion of the two-year-long war imposed by the Saudi regime on the Yemeni people, Russian Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Vladimir Safronkov told reporters after the closed-door meeting in New York, which had been requested by Moscow on Wednesday.

Russia's state news agency TASS quoted the Russian official as saying the meeting had been held in an attempt "to urge the UN to step up its efforts to establish a real diplomatic process."

Elsewhere in his remarks, Safronkov said all the 15 member states of the council supported a non-military approach to the resolution of the crisis. It is, the Kremlin believes, "necessary to search for a political settlement," Safronkov added.

Hudaydah is currently under the control of Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah fighters, who have been defending the impoverished country against the Saudi aggression since March 2015. The city, Yemen's fourth largest and its biggest port, served as a thoroughfare for the transit of about 70 percent of Yemen's food imports in the pre-war years.

When the Saudi regime started pounding the crisis-hit country, Hudaydah turned into a primary entry point for humanitarian aid and fuel meant for areas inside Yemen, including the capital, Sana'a. If the city falls under the control of Saudi forces and mercenary soldiers, the flow of humanitarian assistance toward those areas would be blocked.

On March 13, Moscow also warned about the critical situation of the port city in providing its people with much-needed humanitarian aid.

The "plans to storm Yemen's biggest port of Hudaydah give rise to serious concerns," said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, adding that the fall of the city would cut Sana'a from "food and humanitarian aid supplies." She also said the humanitarian situation in Yemen was "catastrophic."

On Wednesday, the World Food Programme (WFP) said 60 percent of Yemenis, some 17 million people, faced a "crisis" and were in urgent need of food as a direct result of the Saudi war.

The Saudi campaign has so far killed over 12,000 Yemenis. The aggression was meant to reinstate Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, Yemen's president who has resigned and is a staunch ally of Riyadh. The campaign also sought to undermine Houthis. However, due to resistance from the Yemeni nation, the regime in Riyadh has so far failed to achieve success and suffered considerable human loss in its military.

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Israeli aircraft pound northern Gaza Strip

Iran Press TV

Sat Mar 18, 2017 1:44PM

Israeli military aircraft have launched three airstrikes in the northwestern part of the Gaza Strip as the Tel Aviv regime goes ahead with its acts of aggression against the besieged Palestinian coastal territory, local sources say.

Local sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said an Israeli combat drone had struck a military site in al-Sudaniya district on Saturday afternoon, completely destroying the building, Arabic-language Wafa news agency reported.

An Israeli F-16 fighter jet fired two missiles into the same area shortly afterward. No immediate reports of casualties were available though.

The developments came only a few hours after Israeli battle tanks fired three rounds of shell at a site northwest of Gaza City and another target in Beit Lahia city. No injuries were reported.

Earlier, Israeli media outlets claimed a locally-made rocket had been fired from the Gaza Strip, and landed in an open area in southern Israeli-occupied territories, causing no damage or injuries.

The Israeli military frequently bombs the Gaza Strip, with civilians being the main target of such attacks.

On March 16, Israeli military aircraft targeted areas west of Dayr al-Balah city in the central Gaza Strip, and an empty patch of agricultural land east of Gaza City. No injuries were reported.

Israeli F-16 jets also bombed Shuja'iyya neighborhood in Gaza City, causing power outages across the area.

On March 9, Israeli shells slammed into the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Yunis, al-Qararah town north of Khan Yunis and Dayr al-Balah, but there were no casualties.

At least four people sustained injuries on February 27 after Israeli fighter jets struck the Nahda neighborhood of the border town of Rafah.

The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli siege since June 2007. The blockade has caused a decline in living standards as well as unprecedented unemployment and poverty.

Israel has also launched several wars on the Palestinian sliver, the last of which began in early July 2014. The Israeli military aggression, which ended on August 26, 2014, killed nearly 2,200 Palestinians. Over 11,100 others were also wounded in the war.

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Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi will start a European tour on Monday, with Italy as his first destination, followed by the Vatican and France

Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi will start a European tour on Monday, with Italy as his first destination, followed by the Vatican and France.



In Italy, El-Sisi has a packed schedule, according to presidential spokesman Alaa Youssef.

He will meet Italian President Giorgio Napolitano followed by separate meetings with the President of the Italian Senate, Pietro Grasso, and the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

Accompanying the president are delegations from the ministries of foreign affairs, industry and foreign trade, investment and supply and internal trade.

The meetings will involve discussing ways to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries along with a number of regional and international issues such as countering terrorism and fighting extremist thought.

El-Sisi will also meet with the executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme and the director general of the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) in Italy.

In addition, he will meet with Italian businessmen, in attempts to increase Italian investment in Egypt.

In the Vatican, El-Sisi will meet with Pope Francis, and the Vaticans Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.

The visit comes as an appreciation of the Popes efforts in advocating for humanitarian and developmental causes as well as his efforts to prevent military intervention in Syria, which are mutual goals with Egypt, according to the presidential spokesman.

On Tuesday, El-Sisi will head to France where he will meet with French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday, as well as separate meetings with the French heads of parliament and senate.

El-Sisi will also meet with French investors, businessmen and representatives of French tourism companies to further increase French investment and tourism in Egypt.

El-Sisi was elected president in June, almost a year after the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

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Bangladesh police shoot dead militant armed with explosives

Iran Press TV

Sat Mar 18, 2017 10:28AM

Police in Bangladesh have shot and killed a suspected militant trying to cross a checkpoint in the country's capital, Dhaka.

Bangladesh's elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) said on Saturday that officers opened fire on the attacker as he tried to enter a check-post with "a motorbike and explosives" in Dhaka's southeastern district of Khilgaon.

The unidentified assailant was confirmed dead on the spot.

Two members of the elite force were also injured during the attempted bombing attack and have been admitted to a nearby hospital, according to RAB officials.

The latest development took place just a day after a bomber blew himself up at a military camp near the capital's international airport.

In a separate incident last week, four suspected members of the banned Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) militant group were killed in a police raid on their hideout outside in the country's restive east.

The militants had opened fire at police and hurled grenades before ultimately blowing themselves up to avoid arrest.

Although many of the terror attacks conducted by local extremist groups in Bangladesh in the past year have been claimed by the Daesh and al-Qaeda terrorist groups, the government of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina says local radical outfits, particularly the JMB, have also been responsible.

The militant group is blamed for a series of deadly attacks, including a cafe siege in Dhaka last July, when 22 people, including 18 foreign hostages, were killed.

Since the bloody cafe attack in Dhaka, local security forces have been staging a massive crackdown on radical groups, killing nearly 50 suspected militants, including what they have identified as the founders of a new JMB faction.

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Persian Gulf Arab states, US 'to hold war games in Kuwait'

Iran Press TV

Sat Mar 18, 2017 8:38AM

The member states of the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council ([P]GCC) and the US are set to conduct joint military exercises in Kuwait, Saudi sources say.

The sources told Saudi al-Ekhbariya satellite television channel on Saturday that the 23-day war games, dubbed Hasm al-Uqban 2017, will be launched on March 19.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that Saudi forces had arrived in Kuwait.

The Kuwait Ministry of Defense said that the drills were aimed at boosting the military capabilities of the [P]GCC countries.

The first round of the Hasm al-Uqban maneuvers had been carried out in Bahrain back in 1999, and the upcoming ones in Kuwait will be their 14th round.

Brigadier Mohammed bin Ibrahim al-Rabie, the commanding officer of the Saudi units taking part in the Kuwait drills, claimed that the war games would be among the greatest in the region.

The maneuvers come at a time when the [P]GCC finances have been hit by falling oil prices and the costs of the war on Yemen. The [P]GCC member states  with the exception of Oman  have been cooperating with Saudi Arabia in its deadly military campaign against Yemen since March 2015. The US is also providing huge amounts of arms and military training to the Saudi-led forces.

Last October, the Saudi military held exercises, dubbed [Persian] Gulf Shield One, in the waters of the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Sea of Oman.

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Trump Tells Merkel Of 'Strong' U.S. Support For NATO, But That Allies Must Pay Up

RFE/RL March 18, 2017

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump gave NATO another strong endorsement but told visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel that Germany and other allies must do more to contribute to the alliance's collective defense.

Trump made the comments during a joint March 17 news conference after holding his first meetings with the German leader since he took office in January.

During last year's election campaign, Trump repeatedly criticized NATO allies for not spending enough on their militaries, under their obligations to the alliance. He also cast doubt on whether the United States remained committed to the alliance's central provision -- that an attack on one member would be considered an attack on all.

Those comments rattled U.S. allies, particularly those in Eastern Europe, where the Soviet Union dominated throughout the Cold War.

Since his inauguration, however, Trump has publicly stressed the U.S. commitment to the alliance, while also demanding that members "pay their fair share."

"Many nations owe vast sums of money from past years, and it is very unfair to the United States," Trump said. "These nations must pay what they owe."

Ukraine Crisis

Merkel said that for Germany, "NATO is of prime importance to us." She also raised the issue of Russia, which has stoked anxiety in Europe with its 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and its backing of separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Together with French President Francois Hollande, Merkel brokered the peace agreement known as the Minsk accords, aimed at ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Standing alongside Trump, she said relations with Russia need to be improved but not before the Ukraine crisis is resolved.

"There has to be a safe and secure solution" to the Ukraine conflict, she said.

Trump said a "peaceful solution" is needed to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

He thanked Merkel and Hollande for their work in brokering the 2015 peace deal, though violence between the two sides continues to grind on.

"We ideally seek a peaceful solution" in Ukraine, Trump said.

Trump's policies on immigration and refugees have also worried Germany and other European allies. In an unusual rebuke from a foreign ally, Merkel in January publicly criticized a White House order that restricted immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

The order was later blocked by U.S. courts, and the White House has since modified the directive, though that has also been suspended by two federal judges.

Merkel, who is seeking another term as chancellor in a September national election, has faced enormous pressure in Germany for her relatively open policies on immigration.

Germany, like many European countries, has seen a massive influx of migrants and refugees fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and North Africa, and a growing number of right-wing and xenophobic political parties across the continent have sought to tap into fears over terrorism and crime.

During the news conference, Trump was also asked about his claims that his predecessor, Barack Obama, had ordered wiretaps of Trump's New York offices during the election campaign.

Trump made the claims on Twitter earlier this month, prompting a denial from Obama's spokesman and public refutations by top Republicans and Democrats in Congress.

Asked by a German reporter about the wiretapping claims, Trump stood by his claim, and responded with a joke referencing reports in 2013 that the United States listened in on Merkel's phone calls.

"At least we have something in common, perhaps," Trump said, glancing at Merkel.

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/trump-merkel-white-house/28376198.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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Trump's Daesh Strategy: Just Follow Obama's Plan but 'Try Harder'

Sputnik News

18:16 18.03.2017

US President Donald Trump's plan to defeat Daesh (ISIS/ISIL) looks much like that of Barack Obama, according to officials familiar with the matter. It also seems that Trump is unlikely to deliver on his election promise to consider joining forces with Russia in Syria.

US President Donald Trump's much anticipated plan to defeat Daesh (ISIS/ISIL) resembles nothing so much as his predecessor's strategy, NBC News reported citing two senior officials with knowledge of the matter.

"The current plan to defeat the Islamic State [Daesh] is just like that old saying: Plan B is just, 'Try harder at Plan A'. We have not come up with new ways of approaching this. I would say the president might want to send that report back to his team to take another hard look," retired Admiral James Stavridis told the media outlet.

The media outlet specified that the new plan envisages continued bombing, increasing support and assistance to local forces in Iraq and Syria to seize Daesh's strongholds in Mosul and Raqqa. It also calls for cutting off Daesh's sources of income and stabilizing the areas captured from terrorists.

However, the question on everyone's lips since Trump's inauguration has been whether or not the US President will team up with Russia to defeat Daesh.

Although Trump had repeatedly dropped hints during his election campaign that he would consider joining forces with Moscow in Syria, the information came earlier this week that the US President is not planning to increase cooperation with Russia.

Furthermore, it was also reported that Washington is mulling beefing up the US' military presence on the ground in the region.

Citing US defense officials familiar with the matter, the Washington Post wrote Wednesday that the US military may deploy "up to 1,000 more troops into northern Syria in the coming weeks."

If approved by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and President Trump, the deployment would double the number of US troops on the ground in Syria, the media outlet noted.

According to earlier reports, there are about 500 US Special Ops in Syria as well as 250 Rangers and 200 Marines. In addition, there are more than 5,000 American military personnel including advisers, trainers and attack helicopter crews currently deployed in Iraq.

Politico's defense editor Bryan Bender reported Friday about concerns growing inside the Pentagon that "the United States could end up in another open-ended ground war," if it continues to beef up its presence on the ground in the Middle East.

"The US has quietly sent hundreds of additional troops to Iraq and Syria since Trump took office, and is considering dispatching thousands more to counter ISIS [Daesh], fight militants in Yemen and stem a Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan," Bender wrote, adding that the recent developments clearly contradict Trump's election promise "to steer clear of foreign entanglements."

"Some call this accelerating the campaign; some call it mission creep," a US military officer told the journalist, speaking on conditions of anonymity.

In an interview with the Vzglyad online newspaper, Russian military analyst Alexander Perendzhiev, an associate professor in the Faculty of Political Sciences and Sociology at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, noted that Washington could have significantly increased its chances to defeat Daesh by teaming up with Russia and Damascus.

However, instead of building bridges with Moscow, Mattis turned to his Saudi counterparts.

On Thursday Mattis met with Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman to discuss Middle Eastern security matters.

It has since become clear that Trump will pursue a strategy strikingly similar to that of his predecessor, Perendzhiev said, adding that the US Middle Eastern policy is largely impacted by influential lobbyists not America's national interests.

"The question is not who the President is at the moment, but what the political 'order' is. This order does not come from the president, it comes from elite political groups which are lobbying it and controlling its execution," Perendzhiev noted.

According to the expert, it would be naive to think that America's Syrian policy will change dramatically under Trump.

 Sputnik

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Al Qaeda Operative Convicted of Multiple Terrorism Offenses Targeting Americans Overseas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Operating Under a Deputy of Usama bin Laden, the Defendant Participated in Attacks Against U.S. and Coalition Soldiers in Afghanistan Resulting in the Death of Two American Service Members and Conspired to Attack U.S. Diplomatic Facilities in Nigeria

Today, a jury returned its verdict convicting al Qaeda operative Ibrahim Suleiman Adnan Adam Harun, 46, of multiple terrorism offenses including conspiracy to murder American military personnel in Afghanistan and conspiracy to bomb the U.S. embassy in Nigeria. Harun traveled to Afghanistan in the weeks before Sept. 11, 2001 where he joined al Qaeda, trained at al Qaeda training camps and participated in attacks on U.S. and Coalition troops in Afghanistan in which two American service members were killed and others were seriously wounded in 2003. Harun also received training in explosives from an al Qaeda weapons expert and traveled from Pakistan to Nigeria intending to attack U.S. government facilities there.

The guilty verdict was announced by Acting Assistant Attorney General Mary B. McCord for National Security, Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Rohde for the Eastern District of New York, Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney, Jr. of the FBI's New York Field Office and Commissioner James P. O'Neill of the NYPD.

"Harun is an al Qaeda operative who targeted U.S. personnel and diplomatic facilities across two continents. The evidence presented at trial established that the defendant and other jihadists attacked a U.S. military patrol in Afghanistan, resulting in the death of two American soldiers and the serious injury of others. Today's guilty verdict ensures that the defendant will be held accountable for his acts of terrorism," said Acting Assistant Attorney General McCord. "I want to thank the many agents, analysts, and prosecutors whose hard work and dedication made this result possible."

"As demonstrated by this case, the United States will be tireless in its efforts to hold al-Qaeda members accountable when they target American citizens serving their country abroad. We are firmly committed to bringing such terrorists to justice," said Acting U.S. Attorney Rohde. Ms. Rohde expressed her grateful appreciation to the Department of Defense Army investigators, the Office of Military Commissions, the Italian Ministry of Justice, the Prosecutor's Office in Palermo, Italy, the Italian National Police, Guardia di Finanza and Carabinieri authorities for their support and assistance.

"We hope the verdict today shows the public the FBI New York JTTF and our law enforcement partners are still arresting, charging and trying operatives for al-Qaeda 15 years after 9/11 because we won't give up the obligation to bring terrorists to justice," said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Sweeney. "It should also prove to anyone who wishes to harm our country, we will not stop, and we will never forget."

"Al Qaeda operative Ibrahim Suleiman Adnan Adam Harun pledged allegiance to a known terrorist organization, conspiring to kill coalition soldiers in Afghanistan and even bomb a U.S. embassy in Nigeria," said Commissioner O'Neill. "Today's conviction holds the defendant responsible for the terror he waged overseas. I am thankful to the detectives, agents, and more than 50 partner agencies on the Joint Terrorism Task Force here in Manhattan and to the prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York who continue bring rigorous terrorism cases in federal court."

Harun, also known as "Spin Ghul," "Abu Tamim," "Esbin Gol," "Isbungoul," "Joseph Johnson" and "Mortala Mohamed Adam," was convicted on all five counts presented to the jury, which include conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals; conspiracy to bomb a government facility; conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, al Qaeda; providing and attempting to provide material support to al Qaeda; and use of explosives in connection with terrorist activities.

During the two-week trial, the government established that Harun, purportedly a citizen of Niger, traveled from Saudi Arabia to Afghanistan in late summer of 2001 to join a jihadist group. There, he moved into an al Qaeda guesthouse  a registration center for new al Qaeda recruits  where he was living on Sept. 11, 2001. Immediately after the September 11 terrorist attacks, al Qaeda military leaders sent Harun to training camps in Afghanistan, in anticipation of an American invasion. At these camps, he learned how to use weapons and explosives, met top al Qaeda leaders and received his "kunya" (nom de guerre) "Spin Ghul," meaning the, "White Rose." Harun then traveled to Waziristan in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas region of Pakistan, where he operated under Abdul Hadi al-Iraqi, one of bin Laden's deputies who was al Qaeda's top military commander in Afghanistan at that time.

On April 25, 2003, Harun and fellow al Qaeda jihadists ambushed a U.S. military patrol from Firebase Shkin. Harun fired machinegun rounds and threw grenades at American soldiers while shouting "Allahu Akhbar" or "God is Great." Two U.S. servicemen were killed in the attack, Private First Class Jerod Dennis, 19, of Oklahoma, and Airman First Class Raymond Losano, 24, of Texas. Several other soldiers were seriously wounded. Harun was also wounded but escaped to Pakistan. A pocket-sized Koran recovered at the scene contained Harun's fingerprints and a journal describing the attacks contained Harun's alias.

While recovering from his wounds in Pakistan, Harun met with senior al Qaeda officials  including Abu Faraj al-Libi (Abu Faraj), then al Qaeda's external operations chief  and expressed his desire to engage in acts of terror against U.S. interests outside of Afghanistan, specifically attacks similar to 1998 al Qaeda bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Harun also swore "bayat"  or formal allegiance  to bin Laden through bin Laden's military commander Abdul Hadi.

In summer of 2003, Harun traveled from Pakistan to Nigeria, where he planned to bomb the U.S. Embassy. He recruited accomplices, scouted the Embassy and other potential Western targets, and sent an accomplice to find explosives. He also met with local terrorist leaders to build up al Qaeda's network in West Africa.

In 2004, Harun directed a co-conspirator to travel from Nigeria to deliver information and materials to al Qaeda leaders in Pakistan. After learning that the co-conspirator had been arrested in Pakistan, Harun fled Nigeria. At approximately the same time, the FBI obtained a hard drive containing a letter written from Harun's al Qaeda handler to Harun, providing him with detailed instructions on how to attack Americans in Nigeria. The letter specifically instructed Harun to target Americans  whom he described as "the head of the snake"  at "locations where Americans congregate," such as embassies, hotels and "places where they gather for fun." The al Qaeda handler also instructed Harun to obtain one ton of explosives for the bombing operation in Nigeria.

Harun then traveled to Libya where he planned to surreptitiously enter Europe to carry out terrorist attacks against Western interests. In early 2005, however, he was arrested by Libyan authorities and held in custody until his release in June 2011. Subsequently, Harun was arrested on June 24, 2011 by Italian authorities.

Harun was indicted in the U.S. on Feb. 21, 2012, and the Italian Minister of Justice ordered his extradition on Sept. 14, 2012 to face the charges pending in the Eastern District of New York.

When sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian M. Cogan on June 22, Harun faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. If convicted of any offense, the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The government's case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shreve Ariail, Melody Wells and Matthew J. Jacobs of the Eastern District of New York, and Trial Attorney Joseph N. Kaster of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section.

17-286

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - New York, Eastern

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State Department Terrorist Designations of Ahmad Hasan Yusuf and Alsayed Murtadha Majeed Ramadhan Alawi

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

March 17, 2017

The Department of State has designated Ahmad Hasan Yusuf and Alsayed Murtadha Majeed Ramadhan Alawi as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which imposes sanctions on foreign persons who have committed, or pose a serious risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States. As a consequence of these designations, U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions or dealings with Yusuf or Alawi, and all of Yusuf's and Alawi's property and interests in property subject to United States jurisdiction is frozen.

Today's actions follow a recent increase in militant attacks in Bahrain, where Iran has provided weapons, funding, and training to militants. This marks yet another step in our continued effort to aggressively target Iran's destabilizing and terrorism-related activities in the region. We will continue to stand with Bahrain in addressing these threats, even as we encourage the government to clearly differentiate its response to violent militia groups from its engagement with peaceful political opposition.

Alawi is affiliated with the Bahrain-based al-Ashtar Brigades (AAB). Yusuf is an Iran-based AAB senior member. AAB receives funding and support from the Government of Iran  a state sponsor of terrorism. AAB has claimed responsibility for numerous terrorist attacks  some of which have resulted in casualties  mainly against police and security targets in Bahrain. In March 2014, AAB conducted a bomb attack that killed two local police officers and an officer from the United Arab Emirates. AAB targets the security services of Gulf countries, such as Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Designations of terrorist individuals and groups expose and isolate organizations and individuals, and result in denial of access to the U.S. financial system. Moreover, designations assist and complement law enforcement actions of other U.S. agencies and other governments to counter terrorist groups and individuals.

Identifiers:

Name: Alsayed Murtadha Majeed Ramadhan Alawi

AKA: Murtadha Majeed Ramadan Al Sindi

AKA: Murtadha Majeed Ramadhan al-Sindi

AKA: Mortada Majid Al-Sanadi

DOB: March 27, 1983

POB: Bahrain

Passport: 1986450 (Bahrain)

Name: Ahmad Hasan Yusuf

AKA: Abu-Maryam

AKA: Sajjad Hassan Nasir Al Zubaydi

DOB: March 17, 1986

POB: Sitra, Bahrain

ALT DOB: January 7, 1986

ALT POB: Baghdad, Iraq

Location: Iran

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Man Killed In Paris Airport After Attacking Soldier

RFE/RL March 18, 2017

French security forces have shot dead a man who attempted to seize a gun from a soldier at Paris's Orly airport, authorities say.

Flights were gradually resuming from France's second-busiest airport in the wake of the March 18 incident.

Officials described the suspected attacker as a 39-year-old Frenchman who had been investigated for links to radical Islam.

Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux confirmed he was "known to the police and the intelligence services" and said the man was involved in a shooting hours earlier in the north of Paris.

Police sources were quoted as saying the suspect, identified in the media as Ziyed Ben Belgacem, had a long criminal record including convictions for drugs and armed robbery.

Police searched his house in a northeastern Paris suburb, reports said, adding that his father and brother were being questioned by police.

Early in the morning, the suspect was stopped at a checkpoint in the northern Paris suburb of Garges-les-Gonesse and fired at police with a gun, slightly injuring a police officer.

He then fled in a car that was later found abandoned in Vitry-sur-Seine, south of the capital, and stole another vehicle that was later found at Orly airport.

At around 8:30 a.m., the suspect entered the Orly-Sud terminal, where he tried to seize a weapon from a female soldier on patrol "in an extremely violent attack," an army spokesman said. Two other soldiers opened fire and killed him.

The attack comes ahead of France's presidential elections, which start next month.

The country remains under a state of emergency after a series of terrorist attacks, including the November 2015 massacre in Paris in which 130 people were killed and a truck attack in Nice in July 2016 that left 86 dead.

Meanwhile, security forces have been repeatedly targeted. Last month, a man wielding knives attacked soldiers at Paris's Louvre museum before being shot and wounded by police.

With reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/paris-airport -orly-shooting/28377223.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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Islamic Radical Suspected in Fatal Paris Airport Scuffle

By VOA News March 18, 2017

A man fatally shot at a Paris airport Saturday after attempting to seize a rifle from a patrol soldier, was suspected to have ties to radical Islam, officials said.

The man, identified by the Associated Press as 39-year-old Ziyed Ben Belgacem, wrestled the soldier to the ground and attempted to take her rifle, but two other soldiers on patrol with her opened fire on the man, killing him, according to French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

No one else was injured in the incident, which took place at Paris's Orly Airport at about 8:30 a.m. local time.

The Paris prosecutors' office said the suspect had his home searched in 2015 after the terror attack in Paris that killed 130 people because of his suspected connection to radical Islam.

Police didn't provide a motive for the attack on the Air Force soldiers, but the Paris prosecutors' office said the investigation is being handled by the anti-terror division. The suspect's father and brother were detained by police Saturday, which police said is part of standard procedure.

Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux said Belgacem was "known to the police and intelligence" and he is suspected of shooting a police officer earlier Saturday.

Belgacem allegedly shot the police officer in the face with a shotgun during a routine traffic stop in a northern Paris suburb. He then threatened some people in a bar before stealing a car at gunpoint and driving to the airport. The officer suffered minor head injuries, Le Roux said.

The soldier who was attacked is a member of the Sentinelle Special Forces that now guard airports, religious sites and other popular places in France since the 2015 terror attacks.

Police teams quickly secured the airport and searched for explosives, but found none. Incoming flights were diverted to nearby airports and delays were expected. The Paris airport authority posted a message on its website urging people to avoid Orly airport.

French President Francois Hollande said during a news conference that the Orly attack proved the necessity of the Sentinelle patrol soldiers and that investigators will determine whether the attacker "had a terrorist plot behind him."

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Japan launches new spy satellite amid tensions with North Korea

Iran Press TV

Fri Mar 17, 2017 6:44AM

Japan has launched a new spy satellite into space in an apparent mission to enhance the monitoring of North Korea.

The IGS Radar 5 satellite was launched into orbit on a Japanese H-2A rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan on Friday.

Japan currently has three optical satellites for daytime surveillance and three radar satellites for nighttime monitoring. Two of those are backups.

The new satellite will replace one of the three radar satellites that had been launched in 2011.

The mission of the satellites is officially declared as "information-gathering"  a euphemism for spying  but they are also used to monitor damage in the wake of natural disasters. Japan started putting "information-gathering" satellites into orbit in 2003.

Paving the path to war?

The new launch comes at volatile times in the region. North Korea has attracted much attention with its increased missile and nuclear activities. On March 6, North Korea fired four ballistic missiles, three of which landed into the Sea of Japan, in an area that Tokyo claims as its sovereign territory. Japan reacted with rhetorical anger but took no action.

The United States, meanwhile, has been stirring regional tensions by holding military drills with South Korea and Japan that are meant to be a signal to North Korea.

North Korea interprets the maneuvers as rehearsals for a possible invasion of the country. It has been technically at war with South Korea for decades; a war between the two Koreas in the early 1950s ended in a ceasefire only and not a peace agreement.

Amid the military maneuvers, missile launches, and mutual pledges of strong action, the risks are high for the US, Japan, South Korea, and the North to stumble into war. While the joint drills between the US and South Korea are an annual occurrence, they can be particularly provocative this year.

The US has just begun deploying an advanced missile system in South Korea in a declared mission to counter threats from the North. The installment of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) has angered Pyongyang, as well as its main ally Beijing.

The THAAD is equipped with a powerful detection system known as an X band radar, which experts say would destabilize regional security and upset the region's current military balance.

China has warned that a war is likely and has been repeatedly calling on all parties to try to de-escalate the tensions to avoid conflict.

Just on Thursday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said two decades of US policies had failed to deter North Korea from advancing a military nuclear program, calling for "a new approach." He did not explain.

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Tillerson in Beijing amid rising tensions over N Korea, THAAD

Iran Press TV

Sat Mar 18, 2017 9:50AM

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is visiting China amid new tensions between the two powers over a series of issues, including North Korea and Washington's deployment of the THAAD missile system to South Korea.

The official visit by Tillerson, who arrived in Beijing on Saturday, comes as Beijing is angry at repeated US demands to use its influence on North Korea and prevent its nuclear and missile tests.

Beijing is also at odds with Washington over its deployment of the sophisticated THAAD missile system in South Korea in defiance of China's warnings that such a move would deteriorate the situation on the restive Korean Peninsula. China also views the deployment as a threat to its national security.

Tillerson delivered the Trump administration's harshest warning yet to North Korea on Friday, threatening that a military response would be "on the table" if Pyongyang took action to threaten South Korean and American forces.

Meanwhile, unidentified US officials in Washington, who spoke on condition of anonymity, were cited in a Reuters report as saying that Washington's top diplomat may also raise the prospect of imposing "secondary sanctions" on Chinese banks and other firms doing business with North Korea during his China visit.

In a Friday tweet, US President Donald Trump accused China of doing little to resolve the crisis over the North's weapons programs.

After arrival in Beijing, Tillerson held talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

Speaking to reporters after the talks, the top Chinese diplomat said there had to be a commitment to using diplomatic means to peacefully settle the North Korea issue.

He added that his talks with the US official also focused on Taiwan and bilateral trade besides North Korea, describing the discussions as "candid, pragmatic and productive."

Tillerson, in turn, said Wang had agreed they would work together to try to get North Korea's government to change its current course of pursuing nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

On Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying once again reiterated that talks were the best means to resolve the issues of the Korean Peninsula.

"As a close neighbor of the peninsula, China has even more reason than any other country to care about the situation," she said during her regular press briefing.

During his stay, Tillerson is also expected to confirm a visit to Washington by Chinese President Xi Jinping next month, and may decide to tone down any differences between the world's largest economies for the time being.

While China regards Taiwan as a breakaway province, Trump caused a ruckus when he took a phone call from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen following his election victory, breaking with the diplomatic protocol that stipulated formal ties with Beijing and not Taipei.

He continued to engage in rhetoric that left the impression he might stop recognizing Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan. Although he later backtracked and upheld the so-called 'One China' policy, his behavior is believed to have emboldened the independence bid in Taiwan.

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Salama promised in his campaign to improve the financial situation of journalists and "save the syndicate from crisis."

Members of Egypt's Press Syndicate elected journalist and Al-Ahram newspaper's managing editor Abdel-Mohsen Salama as head of the syndicate, the committee supervising elections announced Friday .

Salama recieved 2457 votes, while his competitor Yehia Kalash, the now-former head of the syndicate, received 1890 votes, among 4523 total correct votes, Ahram Arabic news website reported.

Salama's term, his first, is to last two years. He promised in his campaign to improve the financial situation of journalists and "save the syndicate from crisis."

Salama ran for syndicate head in 2013, but lost to Diaa Rashwan.

Counting continues for the board members, and expected to be declared within the coming hours.

Seven journalists competed for the top post, while around 70 others ran for posts on the syndicates council.

Voting in the press syndicate elections started on Friday at 2:30pm after member attendance reached a 25 percent (2,150 journalists) minimum requirement. The elections had been postponed in early March due to lack of quorum.

On 3 March, only 1,300 journalists attended the assembly to vote, far fewer than the 50 percent attendance required.

The syndicate comprises around 10,000 members with full voting rights.

Given the low turnout on 3 March, the assembly lowered the proportion of members required to attend on Friday to only one quarter.

In late 2016, Kalash and board members Khaled El-Balshy and Gamal Abdel-Rehim were given a two-year suspended prison sentence on charges of harbouring fugitives inside the syndicate's headquarters.

The court's sentence came after two journalists, who were wanted for spreading false news regarding Egypts Red Sea island deal with Saudi Arabia, were arrested in May inside the syndicates Cairo headquarters.

Kalash and the two board members were released on bail of EGP 10,000 each and filed appeals. The court has set 25 March to issue a ruling on their appeals.

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U.S. state secretary says all options on table for Korean Peninsula nuke issue

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 18:05, March 17, 2017

SEOUL, March 17 -- Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Friday that all options are on the table to resolve the Korean Peninsula's nuclear issue.

Tillerson said during a joint press conference with his South Korean counterpart Yun Byung-se in Seoul that all of diplomatic, security and economic measures and all options will be reviewed for the peninsula's denuclearization.

"All options are on the table," said the top U.S. diplomat who arrived here earlier in the day for the second stop of his first East Asian tour since taking office.

He visited Japan on Thursday, meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. He is scheduled to fly to China on Saturday.

Before the press conference, Tillerson toured the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that has divided the two Koreas since the three-year Korean War ended in 1953 with an armistice. He also visited the truce village of Panmunjom inside the DMZ.

Tillerson said a so-called "strategic patience" policy toward the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has ended, referring to the U.S. foreign policy in the past decade under which Washington had refrained from having talks with Pyongyang before its sincere efforts at denuclearization.

The top U.S. diplomat indicated a need for tougher UN Security Council sanctions on the DPRK's nuclear program, but he did not go so far as to say that any immediate military action is required.

Tillerson said the United States is prepared to take a military action if necessary, but he said Washington do not want to cause military conflicts.

He said that if the DPRK conducts any provocative act to threaten South Korea and the U.S. forces stationed here, his country will take action against it.

The United States, he said, would come to the dialogue table for the peninsula's denuclearization only if the DPRK gives up its nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction.

Meanwhile, the South Korean foreign minister said it was urgent to deal with the DPRK's advanced nuclear threats, and that he will discuss countermeasures against the threats with his U.S. counterpart who has said Washington is examining a "new approach" to the peninsula's nuclear issue.

Yun said no change has been made in the joint goal of the two allies to achieve a complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

Pyongyang carried out its fourth and fifth nuclear tests last year, the latest in September, while test-firing ballistic missiles over 20 times in 2016 alone.

The DPRK test-launched four ballistic missiles earlier in the month, after testing a new type of missile the previous month that uses solid fuel and is fired from a mobile launcher, two key features indicating its advanced ballistic missile technology.

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Russia accuses US of adding to tensions on Korean peninsula

Iran Press TV

Fri Mar 17, 2017 3:24PM

Russia has accused the United States of ratcheting up tensions on the Korean peninsula by increasing military activities, calling for the "vicious circle of tensions" to be broken.

"We suggest looking at the situation in a multi-dimensional way in order to break the vicious circle of tensions," the Russian Foreign Ministry's website quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov as saying in an interview with Japan's JiJi Press on Friday.

Morgulov said currently "in response to North Korean nuclear missile 'experiments', the United States and its allies take steps to bolster exercises and other military activity, which in turn pushes Pyongyang to new provocative actions."

The remarks came after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned on Friday that military action against North Korea would be "on the table" if Pyongyang elevated the threat level.

North Korea has been under international pressure and it is the subject of certain UN Security Council resolutions. Pyongyang has been urged to abandon its arms development and nuclear programs. However, North Korea says its programs are meant to protect the country against US hostility.

On March 6, North Korea reportedly launched four ballistic missiles, three of which landed into the Sea of Japan, in an area where Tokyo claims as its sovereign territory. Marine forces from Japan and the United States conducted joint military exercises in the East China Sea following the missile launches.

The Russian diplomat also called for resolving the issues of the Korean peninsula "through peaceful political and diplomatic means."

Morgulov urged the "creation of a reliable peace mechanism that would create reliable security guarantees for all the countries in the region without exception."

He said talks that are due to take place in Tokyo on Saturday "will be a good chance to set out our approach to these questions to our Japanese partners."

The talks precede a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and their Japanese counterparts scheduled to take place in Tokyo on April 15.

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US military action against North Korea 'an option': Tillerson

Iran Press TV

Fri Mar 17, 2017 11:35AM

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has warned that military action against North Korea would be "on the table" if Pyongyang elevated the threat level.

A US policy of strategic patience with North Korea has ended, Tillerson, who is on a multi-nation Asian tour, said in South Korea on Friday.

"Let me be very clear: the policy of strategic patience has ended. We are exploring a new range of security and diplomatic measures. All options are on the table," Tillerson told a news conference in Seoul.

He said any North Korean actions that threatened the South would be met with "an appropriate response."

"If they elevate the threat of their weapons program to a level that we believe requires action, that option is on the table," Tillerson said when asked about military action.

Tillerson will travel to China on Saturday, where he is expected to try to convince Chinese leaders to pressure North Korea to abandon its nuclear program. China is North Korea's main ally.

Tillerson, who had never served in the US's diplomatic corps before becoming the country's top diplomat, visited the Demilitarized Zone earlier on Friday, and looked across the heavily fortified border at armed North Korean guards.

The US military has just begun deploying an advanced missile system in South Korea known as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), raising the ire of North Korea, China, and Russia.

Washington and Seoul claim that the missile system is for defense against North Korea, which has conducted numerous ballistic missile tests in the past, including most recently on March 6.

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Tillerson: US 'Strategic Patience' With North Korea is Over

Sputnik News

11:47 17.03.2017(updated 15:21 17.03.2017)

"All options are on the table," the top US diplomat said concerning Washington's policy toward North Korea.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The United States' strategic patience with North Korea has ended, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on a visit to Seoul on Friday, warning that "all options are on the table" for Washington when dealing with Pyongyang.

"Let me be very clear. The policy of strategic patience has ended. We are exploring a new range of diplomatic, security and economic measures. All options are on the table," Tillerson said at a press conference alongside his South Korean colleague.

"We do not want for things to get to a military conflict, we're quite clear of that in our communications. But obviously if North Korea takes actions that threaten South Korean forces or our own forces, then that will be met with an appropriate response," Tillerson said.

He vowed that the military option is on the table "if they elevate the threat of their weapons program to a level that we believe requires action."

"We hope that that will persuade North Korea to take a different course of action, that is our desire," Tillerson said alongside his South Korean colleague in Seoul.

On March 8, components for the THAAD system began to arrive in South Korea as Seoul wanted the system to be deployed rapidly in response to the threat from North Korea's ballistic missile tests.

 Sputnik

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US 'Not Willing' to Engage in Six-Party Talks on North Korean Nuclear Issue

Sputnik News

05:44 17.03.2017(updated 06:05 17.03.2017)

The United States is not interested in reviving the six-party format talks on the North Korean nuclear program, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said in an interview.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  Speaking in an interview with CNN Haley on Thursday, Haley said the US doesn't want to get back into the six-party talks.

"We're not willing to do that. Been there, done that," she said.

The US ambassador to the UN stressed that Washington is concerned about the North Korean nuclear issue but wants other countries to exert pressure on Pyongyang.

"We need other countries, specifically China and Russia, to step up and show us that they are as concerned with North Korea as we are," Haley said.

On March 6, North Korea launched four ballistic missiles, explaining a day later that the launches were a test of its ability to strike US military facilities located in Japan.

On March 8, components for the THAAD system began to arrive in South Korea as Seoul wanted the system to be deployed rapidly in response to the threat from North Korea's ballistic missile tests.

The UN Security Council has adopted a number of resolutions imposing restrictions on North Korea in order to make Pyongyang halt its nuclear and missile activities.

North Korea declared itself a nuclear power in 2005. The United States, Japan and South Korea, as well as Russia and China, took part in talks with North Korea on the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula between 2003 and 2009, when Pyongyang withdrew from the talks.

 Sputnik

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Tillerson: US Seeks No Conflict With N Korea but Broader Sanctions Possible

Sputnik News

18:50 18.03.2017(updated 18:52 18.03.2017)

Washington does not want a conflict with Pyongyang but does not rule out new sanctions, US State Secretary Rex Tillerson said.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The United States is against a conflict with North Korea, however, it is not ruling out new broader UN sanctions against the country because of its missile and nuclear programs, US State Secretary Rex Tillerson said Saturday.

"The first steps are the UN sanctions. There are broader sanctions that we can consider. I think that there are additional actions that the UN, that we can consider. There are broader participation by other countries in putting pressure on North Korea," Tillerson told the Independent Journal Review news website, answering the question about possible ways to deter North Korea.

Washington does not want a conflict with North Korea, the US state secretary noted, adding that the main aim is to deliver this message to Pyongyang.

"In terms of the urgency right now is to ensure that the regime of Pyongyang has heard the message. That's why we've tried to be very clear and succinct with the message, which is, first, we do not intend to be a threat to you. We do not want to have a conflict with you. We want you to change your direction. And we want others in the region to help us help them [North Korea] make a different decision," Tillerson stressed.

The US state secretary emphasized that the United States would like to see the Korean peninsula without any nuclear weapons, but added it might become necessary to consider Japan becoming a nuclear power if the situation unfolded unfavorably.

"Our objective is a denuclearized Korean peninsula. A denuclearized Korean peninsula negates any thought or need for Japan to have nuclear weapons.  But we cannot predict the future. So we do think it's important that everyone in the region has a clear understanding that circumstances could evolve to the point that for mutual deterrence reasons, we might have to consider that," Tillerson specified.

Tillerson also called on China to work together with the United States toward the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

"Let's denuclearize the peninsula. That has been China's stated policy for more than two decades  is a denuclearized Korean peninsula. They need to help solve this," Tillerson emphasized.

On Saturday, Tillerson arrived in Beijing with an official visit to meet with China's top officials as part of his first trip to East Asia and the Pacific region. The trip is primarily focused on coordinating response to North Korea's nuclear threat.

North Korea declared itself a nuclear power in 2005. The United States, Japan and South Korea, as well as Russia and China, took part in talks with Pyongyang between 2003 and 2009 on denuclearizing the Korean peninsula, but North Korea withdrew from the talks.

Since the beginning of 2016, North Korea carried out a number of missile launches and nuclear tests, with the latest being the launch of four missiles in the direction of the Sea of Japan, conducted on March 6, 2017, leading to escalation of tensions on the peninsula.

On Friday, following the statement of the US ambassador to United Nations that the United States did not want to get back to six-party talks, Tillerson warned that all options were on the table in dealing with Pyongyang, including military intervention.

 Sputnik

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Tillerson: China, US Aim at Making Pyongyang Pursue 'a Different Course'

Sputnik News

15:48 18.03.2017(updated 15:54 18.03.2017)

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US State Secretary Rex Tillerson discussed security challenges in north-eastern Asia and the Asia-Pacific region stressing the need for further mitigation of tensions on Korean peninsula.

BEIJING (Sputnik)  On Saturday, Tillerson arrived in Beijing with an official visit to meet with China's top officials.

"Foreign Minister Wang and I had a very sensitive exchange on North Korea. Foreign Minister Wang affirmed again China's long-standing policy to denuclearize Korean peninsula. We also exchanged views and I think we share a common view in a sense that tensions on the peninsula are quite high right now and that things have reached a rather dangerous level and we have committed ourselves to do everything we can to prevent any type of conflict from breaking out," Tillerson said at a press conference after the meeting.

The US state secretary added that China and the United States would try to call upon North Korea to change its course.

"We will work together to see if we can bring the government in Pyongyang to a place, where they want to make a different course, make a course correction and move away from their development of the nuclear weapons. But it is with the certain sense of urgency that we both feel, because of the current situation that we have on the peninsula, so I appreciated Foreign Minister's Wang sincere expressions of how China sees the situation. We had a very good exchange on that and we will continue to be talking with one another on what we can both do along working with others to bring North Korea to a different place, where we are hopeful we can begin again a dialogue," Tillerson stressed.

North Korea declared itself a nuclear power in 2005. The United States, Japan and South Korea, as well as Russia and China, took part in talks with Pyongyang between 2003 and 2009 on denuclearizing the Korean peninsula, but North Korea withdrew from the talks.

Since the beginning of 2016, North Korea carried out a number of missile launches and nuclear tests, with the latest being the launch of four missiles in the direction of the Sea of Japan, conducted on March 6, 2017, leading to escalation of tensions on the peninsula.

On Friday, following the statement of the US ambassador to United Nations that the United States did not want to get back to six-party talks, Tillerson warned that all options were on the table in dealing with Pyongyang, including military intervention.

 Sputnik

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Tillerson in China: Tensions on Korean Peninsula at 'Rather Dangerous Level'

By VOA News March 18, 2017

The top U.S. diplomat is in China on the third and final leg of his first Asia tour, focusing on North Korea and its controversial nuclear and missile programs.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Saturday after meeting in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, tensions on the Korean Peninsula were at a "rather dangerous level."

"I think we share a common view and a sense that tensions in the peninsula are quite high right now," Tillerson said. He continued: "We will work together to see if we cannot bring the government in Pyongyang to a place where they want to make a different course, make a course correction, and move away from the development of nuclear weapons."

Trade, South China Sea

Tillerson plans to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping Sunday. Beyond North Korea, discussions are likely to focus on trade and South China Sea territorial disputes.

The secretary also spoke about the U.S. and China independent of the North Korea issue, saying the countries had "a very positive relationship built on non-confrontation, no conflict, mutual respect, and always searching for win-win solutions."

Earlier in the week, the secretary called on China to step up its efforts to encourage North Korea to abandon its nuclear program. He also encouraged China to fully implement U.N. sanctions meant to pressure the North Korean government.

Friday in Seoul, Tillerson said the policy of "strategic patience" with North Korea has ended, and that military action against Pyongyang is "an option on the table."

Tillerson said "North Korea must understand the only way to a secure, economically prosperous future" is for it "to abandon its development of nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles and other weapons of mass destruction."

Set of capabilities

In a joint news conference with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, Tillerson said a "comprehensive set of capabilities" is being created to deal with the isolated country.

On the first leg of his tour in Japan, Tillerson said Thursday in Tokyo "it is clear that a different approach is required" after 20 years of failed diplomatic efforts to prevent North Korea from having nuclear weapons.

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India, Russia Sign Agreement on Sukhoi-30MKI Aircraft After-Sales Service

Sputnik News

17:11 17.03.2017(updated 17:15 17.03.2017)

India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) company has signed an agreement with Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and United Engine Corporation (UEC) for the long-term maintenance support for Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft of the Indian Air Force on Friday.

NEW DELHI (Sputnik)  The agreement was signed by UAC President Yuri Slyusar, UEC Director General Alexander Artyukhov and HAL Chairman Suvarna Raju.

The agreement would allow "to increase efficiency of aircraft maintenance support," according to UAC.

"In the framework of cooperation programs with India, one of our priority tasks is to increase the speed and quality of after-sales service, forming a comprehensive system of customer support," UEC head said, adding that the signed deal would contribute to these objectives.

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI super-maneuverable fighter jet is a version of the Su-30MK developed for India by Russia's Sukhoi Aviation Corporation. The Indian Air Force has a fleet of over 230 Russia-designed aircraft built under license by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

Moscow and New Delhi have enjoyed mutually beneficial relations, especially in the field of defense and military cooperation, since the Soviet times. Russian military export to India amounts to more than $4,5 billion annually.

 Sputnik

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Army air force fully prepared

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dezful, Khouzestan Prov., March 18, IRNA -- Deputy Air Force Commander for Coordination Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh said that the air force is fully prepared for any possible confrontation with the enemy's possible attacks.

Nasirzadeh told IRNA on the sidelines of the ceremonies for inauguration of an air show in southwestern Iran.

He said the army air force is fully strong and is ready to repel likely threats.

The exhibition will be open for two weeks.

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The talks between the two presidents are expected to touch on economic, security and humanitarian issues in Palestine as well as possible ways to resume the peace process

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to arrive in Cairo on Sunday upon an invitation by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi for talks ahead of the upcoming Arab League summit in Jordan, state news agency MENA reported.

The talks are expected to touch on economic, security and humanitarian issues in Palestine as well as possible ways to resume the peace process.

Abbass visit is part of ongoing discussions between the two sides on various Arab and international issues.

On Thursday, Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Al-Safadi said their countries are working with the Palestinian Authority to push for the establishing of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

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Daesh under complete siege in western Mosul: Iraqi Defense Ministry

Iran Press TV

Fri Mar 17, 2017 6:54PM

The Daesh Takfiri terrorists are completely under siege by Iraqi forces in the west of Mosul, the terrorists' last stronghold in the Arab country.

Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Rasool said on Friday that the terrorists were surrounded from all sides. The terrorists must either surrender and face a fair trial or wait for death, the Iraqi official said.

The military spokesman said Iraqi forces have successfully targeted the terrorists' positions and headquarters.

He added that Mosul's full liberation is "a matter of time." The official said the forces will expel Daesh from the right side of the area.

Rasool also hailed Mosul's residents for their cooperation in providing information on the positions of Daesh.

He said "more than 90 percent" of those fighting in the ranks of Daesh in Mosul are foreigners.

Iraqi army soldiers and allied fighters launched an offensive to retake Mosul in October 2016. The forces took control of eastern Mosul in January and launched the battle in the west on February 19.

According to Alforat News Agency, Iraqi forces managed to recapture several strategic positions from Daesh in the old city of Mosul on Friday.

Iraq's Federal Police took control of Basha mosque, Adala street and the market of Bab al-Sarai in the old city of Mosul, inflicting heavy losses and casualties on the terrorists.

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Iraqi prime minister calls for reduction of US troops after Daesh defeat

Iran Press TV

Fri Mar 17, 2017 9:51AM

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has called on the US to reduce its military presence in Iraq as Washington has begun a surge of troops in the face of Daesh terrorists facing a final rout in the country.

"As we are crushing Daesh, it is clear that there is a need to reduce the number of our allies who are helping us," Abadi told the Middle East Eye news portal.

He made the remarks ahead of his visit to Washington to meet US President Donald Trump.

"Daesh is about to collapse and is on the verge of defeat. Their family members are fleeing," he said.

Abadi, however, noted that Baghdad wants the US to expand its training of the Iraqi army, federal police and local police.

"We have to strengthen our armed forces and security forces and this will need a lot of help from our allies to give proper training," the Iraqi premier said.

The United States withdrew its forces from Iraq in 2011 but redeployed several thousand as part of a "coalition" which is mainly aiding Iraqi Kurds in their autonomous regions. The US currently has about 5,000 troops in Iraq.

The Iraqi premier's comments came in the face of US plans to boost its military presence both in Iraq and neighboring Syria, where Washington claims it is fighting Daesh.

On Wednesday, the American paper the Army Times said the US is deploying 2,500 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to Kuwait to take part in "anti-Daesh missions" in Iraq and Syria.

Critics have already questioned motives behind the plan, citing Washington's failure to commit troops when Daesh was overrunning Syrian and Iraqi cities one after another.

On Tuesday, Abadi said the military operation aimed at liberating west Mosul from Daesh is "in its last stage."

Iraqi army soldiers and allied fighters launched the offensive to retake Mosul, Daesh's last major city stronghold in the country, last October.

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Japan Conducts First-Ever Emergency Drill Amid North Korean Missile Threat

Sputnik News

22:10 17.03.2017(updated 23:11 17.03.2017)

In anticipation for a missile attack from North Korea, Japan executed its first civilian evacuation drill on Friday, with warnings broadcast over loudspeakers and blaring sirens.

Tokyo makes these preparations in response to four ballistic missiles launched from the North over a week ago, with one landing about 124 miles from the town of Oga near Japan's northwestern coast.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the missile launch "an extremely dangerous action."

About 110 residents played out a scenario where a missile launched from "Nation X" fell into waters near Akita, and focused on quick evacuation and transference of information. City and prefectural governments hosted the exercises.

Using the J-Alert emergency advisory system, local municipalities received information from central government, the same procedure used for natural disasters.

The speakers trumpeted the message, "The missile is seen to have landed within a 20-km (12-mile) boundary west of the Oga peninsulaThe government is currently examining the damage." Residents also received messages on their smartphones and other personal devices.

People living in the rural areas north of Tokyo moved into an evacuation center that supplied protective gear and emergency kits. In another part of town 44 schoolchildren crouched down before moving into a gymnasium as part of the exercise.

Hideo Motokawa, 73, said he was aware of increasing tensions in the region but didn't expect the drill, saying "I've seen missiles flying between foreign countries on television, but I never imagined this would happen to us."

Security supervisor Osamu Saito, who works in Akita prefecture which encompasses Oga, said, "Anything can happen these days, and it's even more true when we cannot anticipate the behavior of our neighboring countries."

Once again defying sanctions from the United Nations Security Council and international calls for denuclearization, Pyongyang continues conducting nuclear tests and is developing nuclear-tipped missiles. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson described this activity as an "ever-escalating threat," during a recent visit to Japan.

On Friday Yoshihide Suga, the Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary, told reporters that the public would benefit from the exercise, making them prepared for an emergency.

Oga resident Emiko Shinzoya, a 73-year-old drill participant said, "It's a scary thingIf it did actually happen, I don't think we can do what we practiced today. We'll just be panicked."

Tokyo has also launched an advanced surveillance satellite to keep an eye on Pyongyang. Suga explained, "The four missiles flew roughly 1,000km in an easterly direction, and if you draw a 1,000km semi-circle from the centre of North Korea, it means western Japan is in range. North Korea's missiles are now a real threat.," according to the Express.

 Sputnik

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Afghans, Others Detained in Pakistan's Security Crackdown

By Ayaz Gul March 17, 2017

Security forces in Pakistan have arrested dozens of suspects, including Afghans as part of an ongoing nationwide crackdown against extremist groups. The raids came as fresh militant attacks killed three security personnel.

Hundreds of suspects have been detained in the military-led crackdown that started when a string of suicide bombings across Pakistan left nearly 130 people, mostly civilians, dead in February.

The outlawed Pakistani Taliban and local affiliates of Islamic State claimed responsibility for the violence.

A military statement Friday said "joint search and intelligence-based operations" in several cities, including the national capital of Islamabad, rounded up 46 suspects, including 11 Afghan nationals, and also seized weapons and ammunition. It did not give further details.

Pakistan still hosts an estimated three million registered and undocumented Afghan refugees.

The latest arrests came on a day when Taliban militants assaulted outposts in the northwestern Khyber tribal district on the Afghan border, killing two paramilitary troops.

The army said the pre-dawn "terrorist" raid was launched from across the Afghan territory and retaliatory fire killed at least six retreating assailants.

Separately, a pair of suicide bombers armed with automatic weapons attacked a training center for the Frontier Constabulary security force, killing an officer and wounding two others.

The commandant of the institution, Liaquat Ali Khan, told reporters the bombers tried to sneak into the facility, which housed more than 70 recruits at the time, to "cause maximum casualties, but the guards quickly responded and neutralized both the assailants." One of them was gunned down in the shootout. The other was killed when his suicide vest was hit and exploded during the gunfire, he added.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, an offshoot of the Pakistani Taliban, took credit for both the attacks.

Pakistan insists the militant group operates out of Afghan border areas and has repeatedly called on Kabul to take action against it.

Islamabad unilaterally closed Afghan border crossings after last month's attacks and authorities said the restriction remains in place, though authorities have hinted at lifting it soon.

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Residents of South Korean Jeju Island Outraged With US Military Base Plans

Sputnik News

18:11 17.03.2017

Residents of the South Korean resort island of Jeju strongly object to the military setting up of a base on it with the possible deployment of the US Navy's newest Zumwalt destroyer "to deter North Korean aggression," a source in the security service of the island told Sputnik Korea.

On March 9, the South Korean Air Force announced that it plans to establish a base at Jeju's second airport site in Seongsan-eup.

The country's Air Force Chief of Staff Jeong Gyeong-du confirmed that the military wants to locate the Southern Region Search and Rescue Air Group at the airport which is due for completion by 2025.

It will comprise four planes, four helicopters and up to 300 Air Force personnel. The base is expected to cover a fifth (1-1.3 square kilometers) of the new airport area and it could be included in the next Mid-Term Defense Plan from 2021.

The Air Force announcement apparently came as an embarrassment for the local government, which had insisted that the airport was solely for commercial use.

Earlier in January, the chief of the US Pacific Command said that the Navy's newest Zumwalt destroyer could be deployed near South Korea "to deter North Korean aggression."

The piece of news was confirmed by the South Korean defense ministry later in February.

"In a meeting with South Korean lawmakers in January in Hawaii, Adm. Harry B. Harris, Jr., commander of the US Pacific Command brought forth the idea of having the country's largest missile destroyer operating near the resort island of Jeju or Jinhae, 410 kilometers south of Seoul," the Ministry of National Defense confirmed in February.

"We haven't received any official offer (from the US military) in regard to the deployment of the Zumwalt. If the US officially makes such a suggestion, we will give it serious consideration," Defense Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun said in a press briefing.

Following the recent announcement of the setup of the air base, South Korean Chief of Staff Jeong said that "the people of Jeju have no need to feel anxious" and emphasized that SAR does not include fighter aircraft.

However according to local media reports, "all Jeju residents were angered by the news."

A source in the security service of the island, who preferred not to disclose his name, told Sputnik Korea that the residents of the island are "closely monitoring the reports on the deployment of the Zumwalt destroyer off the island and the plans to use the airport, which is still under construction, for military use.

Judging by the mood of the islanders, mostly natives of the south-western continental part of South Korea, who previously fought against the militarization of Gangjeong village on the southern coast of Jeju Island, the site of the country's Navy base, they will fiercely protest against the deployment of the US troops and the setup of the military air base, he said.

The residents of the island can potentially convince local political forces, he said.

The expert also said that former president Roh Moo-hyun once promised the islanders that there would be no US military vessels ever deployed at the Gangjeong base. Hence, he said, the trust in the country's government will likely fade after the announcements.

He also noted that judging by the recent impeachment of the country's president, South Korea has grown into a mature democratic society. In case the problem of militarization of the island causes wide public reaction, this society will be able to have an impact on the decision to setup bases on the island.

 Sputnik

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Russia set to launch its most powerful nuclear sub this month

Iran Press TV

Fri Mar 17, 2017 11:22AM

Russia will shortly put afloat a second, nuclear-powered Yasen-class submarine  its strongest  in a northern port, a Russian defense source says.

The new vessel, dubbed Kazan, is a fourth-generation Russian submarine, and "is expected to be rolled out and put afloat on March 30," a Russian defense source told the Moscow-based TASS news agency.

Russian media refer to the country's fourth-generation submarines as the backbone of the Russian Navy's strategic nuclear deterrent.

The nuclear-powered, multi-purpose Yasen-class submarines have been designed by the St. Petersburg Malakhit (Malachite) Marine Engineering Bureau. The first Project 885 submarine cruiser "Severodvinsk" was delivered to the Russian Navy in 2014.

In a separate development, US media reported that a Russian ship was seen sailing just 20 miles south of the US Navy submarine base at King's Bay, Georgia, again.

The Viktor Leonov, an AGI (Auxiliary, General Intelligence) trawler, has a port call scheduled in Jamaica for mid-April, and the assumption among US officials is that it will make one more run up and down the US's East Coast before heading to Jamaica.

The Russian trawler made a similar journey along the East Coast in February, sailing close to a US naval base in Virginia and Naval Submarine Base New London in Connecticut, which the Navy describes as the "Home of the Submarine Force."

The US and Russia have been locked in a dispute over a range of issues, including most primarily the Ukrainian crisis.

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Russian Activists Say Suspicious Military Deaths Often Tied To Extortion Schemes

Yelizaveta Mayetnaya March 17, 2017

At 10 a.m. on February 17, Russian draftee Arkady B. jumped out of a third-story window of his barracks outside Moscow. Doctors say it was a miracle that he survived, with multiple compression fractures, a concussion, and other injuries. They are optimistic that Arkady, who asked not to be identified for this article, will walk again after a few months of rehabilitation.

"They were squeezing money out of me," Arkady told RFE/RL. "They wanted 110,000 rubles ($1,860). Supposedly some things went missing -- a tent, some shoes, some sort of spare parts. They found a naive idiot and pressured me hard."

Arkady's mother, Natasha, told RFE/RL that he had repeatedly reported widespread extortion in his unit to his division psychologist, but no action was taken.

"He called home several times and complained about the extortion," Natasha said. "He called on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of February, saying that if he didn't come up with 110,000 rubles, they would either put him in prison or force him to sign up for a stint as a volunteer soldier. He couldn't take the pressure, so he jumped out a window."

Arkady's story is hardly unique. Although the Russian government does not release statistics on crime in the military, reports of suicides and suspicious deaths in the armed forces are depressingly common. According to government figures, cases of extortion overall more than doubled between 2015 and 2016, and rights activists say cases inside the military are also on the rise.

"Violence and extortion haven't gone anywhere in the military," Sergei Krivenko, head of the Citizen And The Army NGO and a member of Russia's Human Rights Council, said. "But the form of these things has changed. Hazing as a day-to-day form of control by senior soldiers over recruits has been superseded by a system where violence is determined on ethnic grounds or by region of origin. The point of the violence now is not maintaining some sort of discipline but the extraction of money."

Though the Russian Defense Ministry remains silent on such incidents, Citizen And The Army's most recent semiannual report, covering the second half of 2016, provides glimpses into the closed world of the Russian military.

-- On July 28, a soldier died when he fell from a barracks window in the Kaliningrad region. The incident is under investigation. -- On the night of August 4-5, a soldier in the Novosibirsk region was found dead from hanging, a suspected suicide. -- On August 8, the body of an 18-year-old soldier was found in a St. Petersburg cemetery about 10 kilometers away from his unit. The case is under investigation. -- On September 26, a soldier was found hanged near Bryansk. His mother reportedly received an SMS from him four days earlier asking for money. His body was reportedly bruised, with two broken ribs. -- On October 17, the body of a soldier was discovered in Amur Oblast. He had been shot dead and, officially, the incident was ruled a suicide. -- On November 19, a 26-year-old lieutenant was stabbed to death in Volgograd by a soldier over a "conflict about money." -- On December 27, an 18-year-old soldier was found hanged in a shower near Dzherzhinsk. The incident was ruled a suicide, although the body was scratched and bruised.

Activists estimate there are 200 to 300 such suspicious incidents in the Russian military each year.

Many of these cases are connected with extortion, Krivenko said.

"Extortion within military units has been on the rise in recent times," he said. "Many connections between soldiers have literally turned into money relationships: 'If you don't want a particular duty, pay. If you want to make a phone call home, pay.' And it must be understood that these crimes are, as a rule, unreported. Many soldiers are afraid to complain, thinking it will only make things worse. Very often, information about extortion only comes out during the investigation of other crimes."

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the military fell on hard times, with massive reductions and spending cuts, as well as a sharp loss of social prestige. Hazing, or dedovshchina, was rampant, often with fatal results. Under Russian President Vladimir Putin, the military's budget has been sharply increased. The state has prioritized upgrading the military's equipment and the creation of volunteer, contract-based units.

Hazing, in its pure form, has been on the decline, but extortion has become "the norm" in the military, says Veronika Marchenko, an activist with the NGO Mother's Rights.

"The vast majority of these crimes go unreported and taking a case to court is extremely hard," Marchenko said. "The soldiers are afraid to complain, preferring just to pay in the hope that they will then be left to serve out their term in peace. But then their parents get their sons back in a zinc coffin. And when we investigate these cases, either we learn that either the soldier was driven to take his own life or it was a murder that was covered up to look like a suicide. Very often, the root of these tragedies is extortion as draftees are squeezed for money."

In many cases, the ultimate culprits are officers, extorting money from soldiers either for their own benefit or to purchase things for their unit. Aleksandr Gorbachyov, a lawyer with the Committee of Soldiers' Mothers in St. Petersburg, told RFE/RL that officers often use collective discipline among soldiers to pressure recalcitrant recruits.

"The soldiers, as a rule, pay, of course," Gorbachyov said. "There are those who don't pay, but they have problems with their units because resistance is collectively punished -- for instance, by denial of permission to call home or by depriving them of sleep."

On February 6, 19-year-old Ilya Gorbunov died at his military unit outside of Moscow after just three months of service. According to military officials, Gorbunov died from injuries suffered when a tank he was driving rolled off a bridge. The incident aroused suspicion because no other soldiers were reported injured, although the T-80 tank should have a crew of three. In addition, Gorbunov's sister said her brother had no driving license or experience.

Maria Gorbunova told RFE/RL that her brother had contacted her repeatedly in the days before his death asking for money.

"First, he called and asked if we could quickly sell his share in our apartment," she said. "An officer supposedly lost 58,000 rubles and, Ilya said, they were making the four soldierswho were on duty at the time pay the money back. He said he had to give his portion immediately."

Gorbunova said Ilya told her that he was beaten regularly along with another soldier who reportedly suffocated to death in a storage closet in January.

"Another SMS from Ilya was asking for money that he needed to pay for a notebook computer that disappeared from his unit," Gorbunova said. "We immediately sent him 18,500 rubles. But that money didn't save him in the end."

She says a soldier from her brother's unit told her Ilya had been severely beaten by three other soldiers and locked in a tank. When they went to let him out three hours later, he was dead.

"Ilya is the third soldier to die in that unit since the beginning of the year," Gorbunova said.

On March 7, 19-year-old Denis Khamidullin died at his military unit outside Yekaterinburg with only two months left to serve. Officially, his death was ruled a suicide, although the military provided no details.

His family says he regularly asked for money. In November, he sought 5,000 rubles and in February, 2,000 rubles more.

"He spoke to his sister several times in January and February," Khamidullin's mother, Dina Khamidullina told RFE/RL."'I have such problems, if you only knew,' he told her. But she hid that from me."

"We spoke to him for the last time on March 7," she said. "We were cut off, but I didn't bother calling back. I figured I'd talk to him again. But there was no 'again.'"

RFE/RL senior correspondent Robert Coalson and RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service contributed to this report

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/russian-military-suspicious -deaths-extortion-schemes/28375668.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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Russia to Float Out 1st Upgraded Borei-Class Strategic Sub in 2Q17

Sputnik News

09:19 17.03.2017(updated 12:21 17.03.2017)

Russia's Borei II-class Knyaz Vladimir nuclear-powered strategic submarine will be floated out in the second quarter of 2017, the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) said Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Knyaz Vladimir is the first Borei-class vessel being built under the modernized Project 955A program, which envisions a number of improvements including arming the sub with enhanced Bulava-M sea-launched intercontinental ballistic missiles.

"Project 955A Borei-class Knyaz Vladimir nuclear-powered strategic submarine is expected to be floated out in the second quarter of this year. The commissioning will take place on schedule," USC Vice President for Military Shipbuilding Igor Ponomarev told Sputnik.

The Borei-class nuclear-powered subs are to become the mainstay of the naval component of the Russia's strategic nuclear deterrent.

By 2020, the Russian Navy plans to operate a total of eight Borei-class strategic submarines.

Currently there are four Borei-class submarines in the Russian Navy.

 Sputnik

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Masters of the Arctic: Russia to Permanently Station Submarines in Icy North

Sputnik News

18:00 18.03.2017(updated 18:16 18.03.2017)

Russian combat submarines have returned to the Arctic region, where they will increase their presence in the near future, Rear Admiral Viktor Kochemazov, the head of the combat training department of the Russian Navy, told the Russian newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda.

In an interview with the Russian newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda, Rear Admiral Viktor Kochemazov, the head of the combat training department of the Russian Navy, said that the next few years will see Russian battle submarines increasing their presence in the Arctic region.

Developing the Arctic Ocean basin is one of the main tasks set by the Russian Commander-in-Chief, a task that Kochemazov said will be resolved by stationing Russian submarines there on a permanent basis.

"In the future, we plan to further increase our presence in the Arctic region [as] a matter of national state security," Kochemazov pointed out.

This video shows a Russian Akula-class nuclear powered submarine surfacing through the ice in the Arctic Ocean.

Kochemazov noted that after a long pause, the advanced Russian nuclear powered submarines have returned to the Arctic Ocean, including the Borey- and Yasen-class multipurpose ballistic missile submarines.

"Along with the modernization and construction of the new submarines, work is underway to create sophisticated submarine-based weapon systems," Kochemazov said, referring to the Kalibr and Oniks missile systems capable of destroying both sea and ground targets.

He recalled that the Kalibr missile systems were earlier successfully used against the terrorist group Daesh in Syria.

"Additionally, new samples of underwater naval weapons are being developed," he said, adding that new diesel-electric submarines and nuclear powered submarine cruisers have been equipped with torpedoes with improved tactical and technical characteristics since 2016.

"I want to note that the development and testing of new types of weapons is underway; in this vein, we are not lagging behind the NATO countries, and in some respects we even surpass them," Kochemasov said.

Separately, he noted that in order to improve the professional training of submarine crews, competitions are regularly held among Russian Navy units, in what is expected to add significantly to the combat capability of the Russian submarines.

 Sputnik

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Israel Defense Forces Deny Claims of Losing Aircraft Over Syria

Sputnik News

12:13 17.03.2017

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied to Sputnik on Friday claims that one of its aircraft was shot down over Syria.

TEL AVIV (Sputnik)  The Syrian Army command said in a statement it downed one of four Israeli Air Force jets that had violated its airspace and purportedly targeted Syrian units near Palmyra.

"As far as we know, in none of the stages was the safety of the Israeli Air Force planes and Israeli citizens compromised," an IDF spokesperson said when asked for comment.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli military told Sputnik that its combat planes were targeted by missiles after they had attacked targets in Syria. However, the incident allegedly did not result in any damages or casualties on the Israeli side, according to the source.

According to Israeli Channel 10, Israeli planes were targeted by the Syrian government forces using S-200 surface-to-air missile systems, also known as SA-5.

After the statement by the Syrian Army, Israeli military reiterated that that none of its planes had been damaged.

Last month, it was reported that Israeli military aircraft conducted an airstrike on the Syrian government forces stationed in the western countryside of Damascus near the Lebanese border.

In January, Israel bombed a military airport near Damacus. A Syrian official told Sputnik that it was done "to encourage and support terrorists". Damascus vowed repercussions.

In December, Syria allegedly downed an Israeli warplane and an unmanned aerial vehicle over the southwestern province of Quneitra. The IDF denied these claims.

In November, the IDF said a missile believed to be launched from Syria, hit the Israeli-controlled Northern Golan Heights without resulting in any casualties. The IDF responded with retaliatory fire.

The civil war in Syria has been lasting for around six years with government troops fighting against numerous opposition factions and terror organizations such as al-Nusra Front and Daesh, outlawed in Russia.

The nationwide Syrian ceasefire regime was introduced on December 30, 2016. Terrorist organizations are not part of the ceasefire.

 Sputnik

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Egyptian lawyers held on Saturday a nationwide one-day strike from attending session in the countryscriminal courts to protest a jail sentence against eight of their colleagues in the southern governorate of Minya last week, Lawyers Syndicate spokesperson Magdy Abdel-Halim told Ahram Online.

The strike aims to push for an urgent court hearing to release those lawyers in prison, Abdel-Halim said.

The union decided that the nationwide strike would be held for only one day so as not to negatively impact defendants and clients.

However, the strike in Minya  which first started when the lawyers were sentenced  will continue even if the jailed lawyers are released, according to Abdel-Halim.

We are protesting for justice, Abdel-Halim said, adding that we will refer the lawyers, who did not comply with the strike to the syndicates disciplinary committee.

Last week, a Minya Criminal Court sentenced seven lawyers to five years in prison and one lawyer to three years over charges of blocking access to a public facility, preventing a judge from carrying out his duty, as well as insulting the judiciary in a case that dates back to the defendants' protest outside a local court in March 2013.

The 2013 protest came after what the syndicate says was a judges handing down of a harsh sentence to some of the lawyers clients without hearing the defence.

The lawyers were tried and sentenced by the criminal court despite the fact that the judge who filed the initial complaint against them withdrew his motion. Shortly following the sentence, the syndicate decided to boycott court sessions in all of Minya's criminal courts.

On Thursday, the syndicate board, under the chairmanship of Sameh Ashour, decided to organise the nationwide strike on Saturday.

Ashour said that legal procedures are also being taken to appeal the Minya verdict and suspend its implementation.

However, head of the North Giza Criminal Court judge Hossam Dabbous has denied that a strike is being held, saying in press statements on Saturday that lawyers have attended court sessions.

Dabbous said that if lawyers fail to attend court session, the court would appoint other lawyers to take their place in order to preserve the interests of defendants.

However, a number of lawyers from several governorates say that many criminal courts across the country have postponed their sessions due to the strike.

Alexandria lawyer Mohamed Ramadan told Ahram Online that "five sessions in Alexandria criminal courts were postponed today due to the lawyers strike," which he describes as one of the largest of its kind to be held recently.

Prominent lawyer Montaser El-Zayat said that he attended a trial session in Cairo on Saturday but abstained from working as a show of solidarity with the Minya lawyers.

Fayoum lawyer Mahmoud Hassan told Ahram Online that lawyers in the governorate have also largely complied with the strike.

Lawyers were bothered by the Minya verdict, so they did not attend [court sessions], Hassan said, adding that a Lawyers Syndicate employee was present in court to write down the names of any lawyer who would break the strike.

Lawyers face this kind of harshness everyday and everywhere, and are suffering from the judicial system, which is affecting their job, Hassan said.

We went on strike in Fayoum last month for one day after a judge ordered the arrest of a colleague over a regular disagreement.

Ahmed Abdel-Fattah, a lawyer from the delta governorate of Menoufiya, told Ahram Online that lawyers in his governorate have also adhered to the strike over what he described as frequent maltreatment by judges.

Last week, dozens of lawyers staged a three-day strike in Gharbiya governorate in front of the second circuit Mahala Criminal Court in protest over what they described as harsh verdicts against their clients and a lack of opportunity to properly present a defence in court.

A number of lawyers in the coastal city of Matrouh have declared a sit-in inside a court building over what they said was an assault on one of the lawyers by an employee of the public prosecution.

Abdel-Halim said that the nationwide strike sends a strong message that lawyers are united against the harsh verdict given to their Minya colleagues, though he stressed that relations between lawyers and the judiciary is otherwise fine.

Abdel-Gawad Ahmed, a member of the Lawyers Syndicate board and head of the union's freedoms committee, told Ahram Online earlier that the Minya action by the lawyers in 2013 "was not a protest, it was a regular disagreement that should have ended with conciliation; however, the court issued a harsh verdict despite the withdrawal of the complaint."

To be able to do our job in defending our clients, and to defend justice, we have to achieve justice and safety for lawyers," Abdel-Halim said.

The possibility of taking further measures will be discussed according to the developments. When the syndicate board meets on 25 March, we will discuss possibly extending the strike to the civil and misdemeanour courts. We may also abstain from paying court fees, but nothing has been decided yet," Abdel-Halim concluded.

Additional reporting by El-Sayed Gamal El-Din

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China Raising Pressure on Taiwan, Gently

By Ralph Jennings March 17, 2017

China is slowly tightening its grip on self-ruled Taiwan to make it break a nearly year-old political deadlock, but it's avoiding any tough measures that it can't reverse if relations improve, analysts say.

A Chinese official said at an annual parliament session in Beijing this month that the government will revise official language related to its claim to sovereignty over Taiwan, which has been self-ruled for 70 years. It's not clear what statements the revisions would cover.

But experts in Taipei believe neither that change nor any other move is likely to rattle Taiwan before the Communist Party's year-end congress, which could decide changes in the senior Chinese leadership as well new mandates on relations with other governments.

Chance to break deadlock

"(Chinese President) Xi Jinping himself or the party center does not want Taiwan to become a hot potato before the 19th party's congress," said Alexander Huang, strategic studies professor at Tamkang University in Taiwan. "They would not do anything dramatic if there is no specific issue to be dealt with."

Taiwan has indicated it might make an overture to China within the year.

"The second half of the year might be a good chance to break the deadlock in cross-Strait relations," Chiu Chui-cheng, deputy minister with Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, said Thursday without elaborating.

"The Council thinks that a lot of international and regional changes since the start of the year are affecting development of the cross-Strait situation," Chiu said. "To handle international, regional, cross-Strait and domestic uncertainty, the government must stay calm, rational, and control risks and seize opportunities while cautiously promoting cross-Strait policies."

Economic, diplomatic pressure

In the meantime, China could use more economic and diplomatic pressure to push Taiwan toward a resumption of dialogue that stopped after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen took office in May. Tsai's party includes advocates of Taiwan's de jure independence from China to consecrate self-rule. Independence is a red line for Beijing, but surveys indicate most Taiwanese prefer autonomy.

That type of pressure will probably mean more cuts in Taiwan-bound group tourism, which fell 30 percent from May through December. China would also continue to bar Taiwan from United Nations events and from joining sub-agencies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization.

But it could also reverse any of those moves, said Huang Kwei-bo, associate diplomacy professor at National Chengchi University in Taipei.

"To make Taiwan poor, that's one thing, and another is in international space to make it less convenient for Taiwan," he said. "The result I think is that just Beijing wants to remind Taiwan people if cross-Strait relations are not good, this is what you're going to see. Basically whatever mainland China does, they will be able to reverse any of it."

Favors likely

Analysts in Taiwan also expect China will offer favors to Taiwanese investors who back Beijing's views on relations. It will also push for more people-to-people exchanges, especially among youth, Huang Kwei-bo said.

According to convention, delegates at the year-end congress in Beijing would give Xi another five-year term as party chairman, auguring political stability for China as a whole and in turn for its relations with Taiwan.

"As a rule, when authority in Beijing is strong and steady, Beijing's measures toward Taiwan are more flexible," said Lin Chong-pin, a retired strategic studies professor in Taiwan. Measures are "harsh" when authorities are being challenged, he said.

Tsai's government and officials in Beijing have never talked because they cannot agree on how to regard each other  as two parts of China per Beijing's view or against a backdrop that recognizes Taiwan's self-rule. Chinese leaders talked regularly with the eight-year government of Tsai's predecessor, Ma Ying-jeou. Ma's government and China signed more than 20 deals that stimulated trade and investment between the two sides.

China and Taiwan have been separately ruled since the Chinese civil war of the 1940s, when Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist lost to the Communists and re-based in Taipei.

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Merkel Rejects 'Trading Provocations' With Erdogan, Says 'Insults Must Stop'

March 17, 2017

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she does not want to join the escalating war of words with Turkey on March 16 but warned Turkish leaders that "the insults must stop."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sharply criticized as "fascist" and "Nazi" bans on planned rallies by Turkish ministers in Germany and the Netherlands to drum up support for legislation to broaden his powers.

His remarks and recent Turkish threats to cut ties with the European Union, including canceling a landmark refugee deal last year, have provoked strong condemnations in return from European leaders.

Merkel told the Saarbruecker Zeitung newspaper that Erdogan's accusation that she supported Kurdish terrorist groups in Turkey was "absurd," but she's trying to find a way to cool the heated rhetoric.

"I don't intend to participate in this race to trade provocations," she said. "The insults need to stop."

She said that Turkish politicians wanting to make appearances in Germany need to openly disclose who will appear and for what purpose and then follow Germany's laws.

"We're looking at the situation afresh every day and are not giving anyone a carte blanche for the future," she said.

Based on reporting by dpa and Reuters

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/merkel-shuns-trading-provocations -erdogan-insults-must-stop/28374845.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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Turkey Opens Over 2,600 Criminal Cases for Insulting President

Sputnik News

19:29 17.03.2017(updated 19:35 17.03.2017)

A total of 2,673 criminal cases were filed over six months on charges of insulting Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to a report for the Human Rights Joint Platform (IHOP) on Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Of those individuals with cases filed against them, 280 suspects were acquitted, according to the Turkish Minute, citing the report.

According to the report, 3,134 individuals have been put on trial on charges of insulting the president since 1993, of which 1,953 were filed in 2015.

In 2016, a number of lawsuits were filed in Turkey against journalists, artists, students, and, notably, the head of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Kemal Kilicdaroglu and Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtas, on allegations of anti-Erdogan remarks.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Hussein, the European Union and a group of press freedom organizations expressed concerns over Ankara's perceived crackdown on freedom of expression.

Under Turkish law, those found guilty of insulting the president may be fined or imprisoned for up to four years.

 Sputnik

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Turkey Launches Anti-PKK Operation in Country's Eastern Tunceli Province

Sputnik News

21:13 17.03.2017

Ankara started the military operation against the militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the province of Tunceli, according to local media.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Turkish authorities have launched a military operation against the militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in country's eastern province of Tunceli, local media reported Friday.

According to the Hurriyet Daily newspaper, Ankara started the operation to "neutralize," which means to kill, incapacitate or to capture, about 400 PKK militants in the area.

The news outlet added that the authorities also declared over 30 regions of the province "special security regions" for a 15-day period.

PKK is a Kurdish organization created in 1978 to support the self-determination of the ethnic group. Ankara designates the party as a terrorist organization.

 Sputnik

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Turkey Widens War of Words to Include All of EU

By Dorian Jones March 17, 2017

Turkey's president continues to ratchet up tensions with the European Union, as he campaigns ahead of an April referendum to extend his presidential powers. The unprecedented rhetoric is raising concerns as to whether Turkish-EU relations can recover.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, having already accused EU members Germany and the Netherlands of being fascists and Nazis, has extended his war of words to the entire bloc.

Erdogan accused EU countries of persecuting Muslims like Jews were during World War II, and said that the "spirit of fascism" was running wild on the streets of Europe. In the meantime, his foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, warned that Europe will be the site of what he called "holy wars' that will ultimately destroy it.

The comments follow a European Court of Human Rights ruling that businesses could ban their employees from wearing religious symbols including Islamic headscarves in certain circumstances. Political consultant Atilla Yesilada of Global Source Partners says the attacks on Europe are an attempt by Erdogan to consolidate nationalist and religious voters ahead of next month's referendum.

Big test for EU-Turkey relations

Yesilada warns that with opinions polls indicating the referendum is too close to call, EU-Turkish relations are set to face their greatest test.

"It's the most crucial vote in [Erdogan's] political career; if the whole idea is to bolster the vote for the yes camp, they need to invent new tricks to keep this fight going with the EU until mid-April because otherwise it will fade off, these shocks fade off in a week at most. What they will invent to further annoy Europe [with] above and beyond outrageous insults, I really don't know," Yesilada said.

For now, Erdogan's attacks on Europe have only been confined to rhetoric. Despite repeated threats of sanctions against Germany and the Netherlands for banning Turkish ministers from speaking at rallies of ethnic Turks, until now there have only been few diplomatic measures.

Refugee deal at risk

Erdogan warned Thursday, however, that a key refugee deal with Europe could be at risk. Last year's deal, which is marking its first anniversary, helped stem the mass influx of migrants into Europe.

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said 15,000 refugees a month should be sent to Europe as a shock therapy. Analysts suggest Ankara would be reluctant to end the refugee deal, it being key to maintaining relations with the EU, as well as an important leverage. Political columnist Semih Idiz of the Al Monitor website says the refugee deal will probably help prevent a severing of ties but warns relations may have been irreparably damaged.

"It's going to take a lot of hard diplomacy to backtrack and to put things back on track; obviously for Europe, for its own interest, it will maintain things. But a wedge has been driven between the government in Turkey that represents Turkey at the moment and Europe, so it's not going to be easy."

With the outcome of the referendum in the balance - and with it, some claim, even the future of the president himself - observers say Erdogan and his government remain focused just on winning the vote, whatever the cost, which could mean more trouble for Europe-Turkey relations.

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U.K. Troops Arrive In Estonia To Bolster NATO Force

March 17, 2017

The Estonian military says 130 British soldiers are arriving in the country as part of NATO's efforts to bolster its forces near the alliance's eastern border with Russia.

"The battle group led by the United Kingdom is placed here at the request of Estonia and a shared decision of NATO allies in order to strengthen the alliance's defense capabilities," Estonian defense spokesman Simmo Saar said on March 17.

The spokesman said the troops, due to arrive late on March 17, will be based in the northern city of Tapa, to be joined by some 50 French soldiers on March 20.

A total of 800 British troops and 300 French soldiers will be stationed in Tapa by mid-April.

They are expected to take part in the Spring Storm training maneuvers with Estonian forces in May.

NATO is beefing up its presence in Eastern Europe, deploying four multinational battalions to the Baltic states and Poland on a rotational basis in an effort to reassure eastern members in the face of an increasingly aggressive Russia.

NATO troops from the United States, Britain, Canada, and Germany are leading the force.

Separately, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on March 17 said the alliance sees "no imminent danger" of a conventional military assault in the Baltic region.

Stoltenberg added, though, that "we are worried" about Russia's actions and possible intentions, but at the same time "it is important that we do not dramatize the situation."

Based on reporting by AFP, AP, The Times, and The Baltic Times

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/uk-troops-arrive -in-estonia-to-bolster- nato-force/28376167.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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Defence Secretary confirms 30,000 defence jobs in South West

17 March 2017

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon visited the Royal Marines (RM) base at Chivenor today to underline the importance of the South West to the defence of the UK.

During the visit to Devon, Sir Michael revealed figures showing the significant contribution Defence makes to the region, with the Ministry of Defence spending billions of pounds with industry and supporting one in 70 roles or 30,000 local jobs.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:

"Creating an economy that works for everyone means investing and supporting jobs across the UK. Backed by a rising defence budget, we spent more than 4 billion with industry in the South West last year to help keep Britain safe."

"Our commitment to the future of defence in the south west is enduring, a region that is vital to the Royal Navy and for the many serving personnel that live and work there."

"I welcomed the opportunity to review with Peter Heaton-Jones and others how we can work together to ensure that the future use of Chivenor in a decade's time helps create jobs and investment."

While at the base, the Defence Secretary met with personnel from 24 Commando who have recently been engaged in climatic training, including deploying to Belize on exercise and a winter deployment to Norway. He also awarded two Long Service and Good Conduct medals to 3 Commando's Lance Corporal Kenny McBain and Staff Sergeant Daniel Moseley, from the Army's Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in recognition of their hard work and 15 years of exemplary service.

24 Commando Royal Marines will remain in the South West when they relocate from RM Chivenor by 2027 as part of the Better Defence Estate strategy. The MOD is engaging closely with local authorities and other interested parties on the future of the base.

This visit allowed for further discussion with community members to make sure the release of the site will bring the best possible opportunities like jobs, housing and economic benefits to the local area.

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Army's future is secure in Brecon

17 March 2017

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon confirmed that the Army's future is secure in Brecon during a visit to the Welsh town today.

Sir Michael confirmed that the Brecon Infantry Battle School will remain open, providing world-class training to 3,500 infantry soldiers each year who are preparing to become future Army leaders.

During the visit he also announced that the Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh is likely to remain in its current location for at least a decade as the Ministry of Defence discusses a long-term lease for the site.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:

"Brecon has a long Army history. The Infantry Battle School and Sennybridge Training Area will stay and continue to be a vital location for training and exercises for thousands of soldiers every year."

"Today was an opportunity to review our plans for the Barracks and Regimental Museum with Chris Davies and others to ensure that we help attract jobs and investment when we leave the Barracks by 2027"

"With a brigade headquarters and combat units continuing to be based in Wales, Wales' long term future as a key defence location is secure."

The Armed Forces has a strong connection to Wales, and the Defence Secretary also revealed figures showing that Defence spent 870 million with Welsh industry in 2015/16, amounting to around 280 per person and supporting 5,250 jobs. Wales is also home to one of the Army's major UK training areas at Sennybridge, which is used for various exercises throughout the year.

As part of the MOD's Better Defence Estate strategy, Brecon Barracks will be released, opening up a prime town centre site for redevelopment with the potential to bring economic opportunities and job creation to the area. By selling sites such as these, the MOD is investing 4 billion over 10 years to provide accommodation and facilities better suited to our modern Armed Forces and their families.

160 Brigade will continue to be based out of Wales, as well as the RAF's fast jet pilot training school at RAF Valley. Around 2180 regulars are based across the country plus a thousand of MOD civilian staff, demonstrating Defence's continued long-term commitment to Wales.

Sir Michael's announcements came as he met Rangers and Riflemen from 160th Infantry Brigade and presented two members of the Royal Irish Regiment with St Patrick's Day shamrocks.



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Ignoring Scotland mandate for vote would shatter UK: Sturgeon

Iran Press TV

Sat Mar 18, 2017 2:49PM

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warns that a continued refusal by Prime Minister Theresa May to discuss staging a new independence vote would "shatter" the United Kingdom.

The first minister, who is set to address a conference of her Scottish National Party (SNP) later on Saturday, will increase pressure on May to compromise on staging a second independence vote from the UK, according to extracts from her speech.

"To stand in defiance of (Scottish parliamentary authorization) would be for the Prime Minister to shatter beyond repair any notion of the UK as a respectful partnership of equals," she will tell her Scottish National Party conference.

Sturgeon will also be letting it be known that she would be "up for continued discussion" with May regarding the timing of a referendum. She expects to get authorization from the parliament on Wednesday to seek a new vote.

A new vote on independence from the UK, needs to be signed off by London to be legally binding. The premier has so far refused to grant her the powers needed to stage a legally constituted referendum.

Sturgeon on Monday demanded a new referendum by early 2019 at the latest, just before the UK is expected to leave the European Union. May however said "now is not the time" for another referendum, because all energies should be devoted to getting a good Brexit deal for the UK as a whole.

The Scottish parliament is also expected to back Sturgeon's calls for staging a referendum next week. "The will of our parliament must and will prevail," Sturgeon will say.

The first minister who has repeatedly refused to rule out staging an unofficial referendum also told BBC on Friday that she was still keen to "work our way through" disagreements with May.

She argued that they both agreed the referendum should not be held now. Sturgeon insisted on Monday the vote should be held between fall 2018 and spring 2019. Surgeon argued that it was imperative for a vote on Scotland's constitutional future to take place once the Brexit deal being signed in March 2019.

In a referendum held on June 23 in the UK, almost 52 percent of British voters opted to leave the EU. The Scottish people however voted by a margin of 62 percent to 38 percent to remain in the bloc.

This was while in a referendum back in 2014, 55 percent of Scottish people backed staying in the UK. But according to the SNP, the political landscape has dramatically changed since then and that the former vote was based on expectations that the UK would remain in the EU.

The latest annual ScotCen Scottish Social Attitudes survey that was released on Wednesday indicated that at least 46 percent of Scottish voters back breaking away from the UK.

The SNP's deputy leader Angus Robertson said on Friday that there is no doubt that "Scotland will have its referendum and the people of this country will have their choice. They will not be denied their say."

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UK troops arrive in Estonia to counter 'Russian aggression'

Iran Press TV

Sat Mar 18, 2017 9:15AM

The United Kingdom has sent its first group of troops to Estonia as part of a NATO military buildup in Eastern Europe to deter the "Russian aggression."

The 120 soldiers are the first of a total of 800 British troops to be stationed in Estonia for NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence operation, which was launched following Russia's reunification with Crimea.

They landed on Friday at the Amari airbase, 25 miles (40 km) southwest of the capital Tallinn.

British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said this was the biggest UK military deployment in Europe since the end of the Cold War aimed at countering an "increasingly assertive Russia."

Fallon said the troop deployment was necessary "because of the increased Russian aggression that we've seen and the need to reassure our allies on the eastern side of NATO."

"British troops will play a leading role in Estonia and support our US allies in Poland, as part of wider efforts to defend NATO," he said.

Hundreds of British troops and tanks arrive in Estonia on Friday, March 18, 2017. (Photo by Daily Mail)

Around 3,500 US troops arrived in Poland in January, one of the largest deployments of US forces in Europe since the end of the Cold War in 1991, sparking immediate anger from Russia.

The American troops are on a training mission in Poland before moving to other NATO member states in Eastern Europe for additional training exercises.

Russia has already described the positioning of NATO forces near its border as a threat.

The US and its NATO allies have been at odds with Moscow since Ukraine's strategic Black Sea peninsula of Crimea rejoined Russia following a referendum in March 2014.

The troop deployments come as US President Donald Trump expressed Washington's "strong support" for NATO in a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday.

However, Trump repeated his stance that NATO allies need to "pay their fair share" for the cost of military assistance. The new president claimed many countries owe "vast sums of money" but he declined to identify Germany as one of the nations.

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A quartet of international groups said Saturday it supported efforts by Libya's unity government to assert control over Tripoli after days of fighting with rival militias.

The Cairo meeting by representatives of the United Nations, European Union, Arab League and African Union came a day after gunmen opened fire at demonstrators protesting against militias in Libya's capital.

Speaking at a press conference afterwards, Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit said the quartet had followed the "dangerous developments in Tripoli."

"We agreed on supporting the (UN-backed) presidential council in its efforts to exert security control in the capital, including the implementation of the truce agreement," Abul Gheit said.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, UN envoy Martin Kobler and African Union Libya envoy Jakaya Kikwete also attended the meeting.

Friday's protests followed four days of clashes between pro-unity government forces and rival militias.

Kobler said it would not be time to lift an arms embargo on Libya until its armed forces had a clear chain of command.

"If you have an army with a clear chain of command, reporting to the supreme command of the army and the presidency council, they are entitled to exemptions from the weapons embargo," he said.

The fighting in Tripoli lasted four days and subsided only after the GNA signed a ceasefire agreement with militias from Tripoli and third city Misrata, along with local mayors.

The truce announced Thursday has largely held despite brief clashes the same day in the south of the city.

Militias have been key power brokers in a country plagued by violence and lawlessness since the NATO-backed ouster of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

The embattled GNA has secured the support of several armed groups, but dozens of militias continue to operate in Tripoli.

Abul Gheit said the quartet that met in Cairo was "prepared to support and facilitate any mechanism for dialogue between the Libyan parties."

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EU Slams Russia Over Crimea Annexation On Third Anniversary

RFE/RL March 17, 2017

The European Union on March 17 condemned Russia's seizure of Ukraine's Crimea territory, calling Moscow's annexation of the Black Sea peninsula a "direct challenge to international security."

The statement by EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini came one day ahead of the third anniversary of Russia's formal incorporation of Crimea that was dismissed as illegitimate by Ukraine, the United States, and more than 100 countries in the United Nations General Assembly.

"Three years on from the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation, the European Union remains firmly committed to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Mogherini said.

Both the EU and the United States hit Russia with several rounds of sanctions in response to the land grab and Moscow's backing of separatists whose war against government forces has killed at least 9,940 people in eastern Ukraine.

That conflict continues to grind on despite a 2015 peace deal reached in Minsk, Belarus. The Ukrainian military said on March 17 that two of its soldiers were killed and eight others wounded a day earlier in attacks by the separatists in the swathe of eastern Ukraine known as the Donbas.

Separatist leader Igor Plotnitsky vowed on March 17 that a referendum would be staged on the incorporation of separatist-controlled areas into Russia.

Prior to annexing Crimea, Russia staged a referendum on the peninsula following the seizing of key government buildings there by unmarked Russian special forces after former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych fled to Russia amid mass street protests across the country.

Moscow used the poll, rejected by Kyiv and the West as illegal, as justification for taking control of Crimea, claiming it represented the will of the people there.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's drew international condemnation last month by signing a decree ordering Russian authorities to recognize identity documents issued by the separatists who hold parts of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The Kremlin however, is not considering integrating the separatist-controlled areas into Russia, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on March 17.

"We do not see any eventual deliberations as possible in this context," he said.

He accused Ukraine of "deliberately rejecting" the region, criticism that came days after Ukrainian authorities announced the suspension of all cargo traffic with areas held by the separatists.

Addressing the anniversary of the Crimea annexation, Peskov told reporters that Russia hopes that "sooner or later Kyiv will start to treat the will expressed by the several million Crimean residents with respect and will accept the results" of the 2014 referendum staged by Moscow there.

Russia has portrayed its military operation in Crimea following Yanukovych's ouster as necessary to protect ethnic Russians and other residents of the peninsula from oppression by pro-Western officials that eventually took power in Kyiv.

That narrative is rejected by Ukraine and Western governments, which accuse Russian-backed authorities in Crimea of rights abuses against Crimean Tatars and others opposed to Moscow's rule there.

Referring to the annexation, Mogherini said in her March 17 statement that the EU "reiterates that it does not recognize and continues to condemn this violation of international law."

"It remains a direct challenge to international security, with grave implications for the international legal order that protects the unity and sovereignty of all states," she said.

While U.S. President Donald Trump has said he wants to improve ties with Russia and previously indicated he could consider lifting sanctions against Moscow related to Crimea, his young administration has repeatedly denounced Russia's takeover of the peninsula.

State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a March 16 statement that Washington "again condemns the Russian occupation of Crimea and calls for its immediate end."

With reporting by RFE/RL's Brussels correspondent Rikard Jozwiak, RIA-Novosti, TASS, Interfax, and Reuters

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/eu-slams-russia- over-crimea-annexation-on-third- anniversary/28376151.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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Two senior Yemen rebels survived a Saudi-led coalition air raid on their convoy in the southwestern province of Taez Saturday that killed eight of their guards, military and medical sources said.

The attacked targeted a convoy carrying Abdu Al-Jundi, who was appointed as the governor of Taez by the Shia Houthi rebels, and the military commander of the same region, Abu Ali al-Hakem, they said.

The eight guards were killed when two of vehicles in the convoy were hit in the raid near the town of Burj.

Jundi and Hakem were able to escape and seek shelter in a nearby market, a rebel military source said.

A medical worker in Burj said the "charred" bodies of the guards were taken to a local hospital.

Most of Taez province is controlled by Houthi forces, who are besieging forces allied with UN-backed President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi holed up in the provincial capital of the same name.

In the western province of Hodeida, Saudi-led coalition aircraft carried out a series of strikes on a rebel training camp Saturday, leaving "dozens of dead and wounded," a military official said.

The camp, 70 kilometres (45 miles) east of Hodeida city, is home to young recruits enlisted by the Houthis, who two weeks ago forced each district of Hodeida to send 30 young people there for conscription.

The UN says the conflict in Yemen has killed nearly 7,700 people and wounded more than 42,550 since the coalition intervened in March 2015 in support of Hadi.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday he expected parliament to approve restoring capital punishment after next month's referendum in a move that could end Ankara's bid to join the EU.

His remarks came as Ankara was locked in a bitter standoff with Europe after Germany and the Netherlands blocked Turkish ministers from campaigning for a 'yes' vote ahead of the April 16 referendum on expanding Erdogan's powers.

The spat has seen Erdogan unleashing a volley of barbs against Berlin and The Hague, even likening Germany's leaders to Nazis, in remarks which were on Saturday rubbished by Berlin's top diplomat as "ludicrous".

With the bitter standoff showing no sign of ending, his remarks on restoring the death penalty looked set to further strain relations.

Turkey completely abolished the death penalty in 2004 as part of its efforts to join the European Union and the bloc has made clear that any move to restore it would scupper Ankara's already-embattled membership bid.

Erdogan raised the idea of bringing back the death penalty after the failed coup of July 15, suggesting it would bring justice to the families of the victims.

"I believe, God willing, that after the April 16 vote, parliament will do the necessary concerning your demands for capital punishment," Erdogan said at a televised rally in the western city of Canakkale, his words greeted by loud cheers.

To become law, the bill would still need to be signed by the head of state. But Erdogan said he would sign it "without hesitation".

EU officials have repeatedly warned Turkey that restoring capital punishment would spell the end of its decades-long bid to join the bloc.

But Erdogan and his ministers have said they need to respond to popular demand for such a move to deal with the ringleaders of the coup.

The Turkish strongman said he did not care what Europe thought about such a move.

"What Hans and George say is not important for me," he said, using two common European names. "What the people say, what the law says, that's what is important for us," he added.

Erdogan has repeatedly raised the idea that Turkey could restore capital punishment.

But this is the first time he has directly called on parliament to approve it after the referendum on constitutional change.

No judicial executions have taken place since October 25, 1984 when leftwing militant Hidir Aslan was hanged following the 1980 military coup.

After the measure was outlawed, the 1999 death sentence against Kurdish separatist leader Abdullah Ocalan -- and others on death row -- was commuted to life behind bars.

In his latest salvo, Erdogan blasted German Chancellor Angela Merkel for backing a Dutch refusal to let Turkish ministers hold rallies in Rotterdam.

"Shame on you! You are all the same," he said.

"You will not divert this nation from its path. On April 16, my nation will give the West the most beautiful response to its false behaviour, God willing," he added.

Analysts say Erdogan is happy to pick a fight with Europe in a drive for nationalist votes that could prove crucial in determining the outcome of what is expected to be a tight referendum.

He has particularly needled Germany and the Netherlands by saying their behaviour was reminiscent of Nazi Germany.

Denouncing his remarks as "ludicrous", German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel also accused the Turkish leader of openly playing to the gallery ahead of the referendum.

"He needs an enemy for his election campaign: Turkey humiliated and the West arrogant," Gabriel said in an interview with Der Spiegel magazine on Saturday.

And in comments likely to further anger Ankara, Germany's intelligence chief said Berlin was unconvinced by Turkish assertions that US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen was the mastermind behind the July 15 coup.

"Turkey has tried on different levels to convince us of that fact, but they have not succeeded," foreign intelligence service chief Bruno Kahl told Der Spiegel.

In the wake of the putsch, Ankara launched an unprecedented purge of alleged Gulen supporters, with some 43,000 people jailed and awaiting, or on, trial.

Kahl said that the coup was launched by "part of the military" who expected to be hit by a purge.

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SeamlessDocs is now putting up Web analytics dashboards for state and local governments  for free, and with about two minutes of work involved.Thats not an exaggeration. Two minutes is about how long SeamlessDocs CEO Jonathon Ende says it takes to set up the dashboards, which offer real-time data on how many people are using a government Web portal and what parts of the site theyre visiting. The dashboards can be public or private, and include links to download historical data in multiple formats.Its fast because SeamlessDocs is simply streamlining work based on some existing tools. The dashboards run on Google Analytics, which is free and works with most websites , and uses code from the U.S. Digital Service and 18F.That code has been around for two years , and a Los Angeles municipal employee even published a guide walking users through the process of setting up the analytics dashboard in December. Sacramento, Calif., Philadelphia and others have also set up the dashboard. Still, Ende said there arent as many state and local governments using it as there should be.Because basically everybody should be doing it, he said. Our goal is to have hundreds of these, he added.Ende also said that a big part of the reason more governments arent using it is because it requires technical know-how, and perhaps more to the point, more time.They dont have the resources for that," he said, "they have 100 projects.So a couple months ago, SeamlessDocs employees started working on a process to set up the dashboards so that cities didn't need to devote very much time or effort. After working to set up 20 or so, Ende is ready to go wide with the project.Though they arent charging to set up the dashboards, Ende said there are benefits to having the information readily available for SeamlessDocs  and a lot of gov tech companies, for that matter. Part of what SeamlessDocs does is transform PDFs so citizens can fill out government forms online instead of downloading them, printing them out and filling them out by hand. If it can use Google Analytics to find the forms people use the most, the company can work on those forms first.For other companies, or for government employees themselves, the tool can help illustrate what parts of websites people are the most interested in. That can influence website design, for example.One of the fascinating things is seeing that jobs is always one of the top three most visited things on a website, Ende said, adding that he hopes state agencies jump on the trend as the dashboards spread among cities as well. That way, states would be able to compare Web traffic statistics between various agencies.And on top of it all, he said he sees some symbolic value in the dashboards as well.In light of data transparency, I think its important, he said. Why not show  hey, youre a citizen of Newark, did you know 81,000 people visited the Newark website in the last month? I think its a good picture of how many people your government is serving. I think people might forget.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon insisted Saturday that Scotland will have another referendum on seceding from the UK, as she blasted British Prime Minister Theresa May.

At a raucous rally of her leftwing Scottish National Party (SNP), Sturgeon said May's centre-right Conservatives were "terrified" of how Scotland would vote in a second referendum on independence.

Sturgeon said the will of the semi-autonomous Scottish Parliament "must prevail" as she seeks a new referendum before Britain leaves the European Union.

"After the terms of Brexit are clear but while there is still an opportunity to change course, the people of Scotland will have a choice," she told the SNP conference in the oil city of Aberdeen on the northeast coast.

"There will be an independence referendum," she said to huge cheers.

"Scotland should not be dragged out of Europe by a Tory government intent on a disastrous hard Brexit.

"They are now terrified of the verdict of the Scottish people."

Sturgeon caught the British government off-guard on Monday when she demanded a new referendum by early 2019 at the latest, just before the UK is expected to leave the EU.

But May hit back, saying "now is not the time" for another referendum, arguing all energies should be devoted to getting a good Brexit deal for the UK as a whole.

Sturgeon will ask the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday for its approval to ask the British government for the power to call another referendum.

The SNP runs a minority administration in Edinburgh but the leftwing Greens have pledged their support, which would give Sturgeon enough votes for a majority.

"If a new referendum is to happen, it should come about by the will of the people, and not be driven by calculations of party political advantage," the Greens' manifesto says.

"In such a referendum, the Scottish Greens will campaign for independence."

In Scotland's 2014 plebiscite, 55 percent backed staying in the UK. But the SNP says the political landscape has dramatically changed since then, requiring another vote within the next two years.

Sturgeon said if May was concerned about the timing, she was happy to have a discussion on the date -- "within reason".

Delegates greeted her address with standing ovations.

"The people of Scotland have a right to take their future into their own hands," 70-year-old SNP member Tony Martin told AFP.

"We don't want to go down on the Good Ship Brexit," he said.

In last year's referendum on EU membership, 62 percent in Scotland voted for Britain to remain in the bloc, but across the whole kingdom, 52 percent backed Brexit.

In a speech to her Conservative Party on Friday, May accused the SNP of "tunnel vision" and "obsessive nationalism".

"It is now clear that using Brexit as the pretext to engineer a second independence referendum has been the SNP's sole objective," she said.

As the debate heats up, former prime minister Gordon Brown on Saturday waded in with a compromise solution: grant Scotland sweeping new autonomy, such as the power to set sales tax and to sign international treaties.

Control over agriculture, fisheries and environmental regulation -- currently areas under EU control -- would be handed to Scotland as Britain leaves the EU, he said.

The Scot, who is from the main opposition Labour Party, said this was would be "a patriotic Scottish way" to avoid both "die-hard conservatism" and "hardline nationalism".

Scotland's relationship with the EU is at the forefront of the SNP's renewed call for independence, although EU officials have indicated it would have to reapply to join the bloc rather than inherit Britain's membership.

But the SNP is also banking on a growing desire for independence.

According to the latest annual ScotCen Scottish Social Attitudes survey released on Wednesday, 46 percent of Scottish voters now back leaving the UK -- a record high.

"Last time a lot of people voted for the status quo and against the unknown, but this time there is no status quo," said 58-year-old SNP member Paul Wright.
Clean Streets LA Initiative

How CleanStat Works

Loose litter: Scattered items that are typically discarded in a litter bin, including green waste. Bulky items: One or multiple intact solid objects that one LASAN crewmember can easily place inside a refuse collection loading truck. Weeds: Overgrown vegetation protruding onto city property that may obstruct pedestrian travel. Illegal dumping: A pile of debris that requires specialized equipment or additional resources to dispose of that are not regularly covered under the normal LASAN service guidelines.

Visualizing data-driven government through the GeoHub

Los Angeles, Calif.s comprehensive Clean Streets LA (CSLA) initiative is effectively addressing street cleanliness using the power of data and mapping. Through a CSLA initiative called CleanStat, Los Angeles is the first city to map the cleanliness of every one of its blocks. CleanStat data, and an accompanying story map that provides context and explanations, are hosted on the GeoHub , LAs map-based open data portal, meaning the results of the initiative are easily accessible by residents and other departments. Since launching CleanStat almost a year ago, the city has reduced unclean streets by 82% and somewhat clean streets by 84%. During the last quarter of 2016, unclean streets made up only 1% of the total street segments and 87% of the streets were rated clean.The data-driven Clean Streets LA initiative exemplifies the benefits of quantifiable service delivery. Los Angeles Sanitation (LASAN) uses the data to identify abandoned waste hotspots and improve deployment of cleanup crews. It is also exploring ways to predict future deployment through forecasting and predictive analytics.Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti launched the Clean Streets LA (CSLA) Initiative through Executive Directive No. 8 in April of 2015 to replenish the funding stream for city cleanliness services that had been significantly reduced during the recession. Under ED8, the mayor called for a robust partnership between the city, residents, businesses, and community organizations to improve the cleanliness of Los Angeles streets.CSLA is a citywide partnership with the Mayors Office, LASAN, the City Administrative Officer, the Bureau of Street Services, the Information Technology Agency, the Office of Community Beautification, the Los Angeles City Council, the Board of Public Works, the Los Angeles City Attorney, the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, and the Los Angeles Police Department. LASAN is the leading agency responsible for implementing the initiative.A core part of CSLA is CleanStat, a comprehensive block-level cleanliness system which launched a year later in April 2016. To generate this data, LASANs five two-person crews drive over 22,000 miles every quarter to assess the cleanliness of 42,000 blocks in Los Angeles using video and geographic information system (GIS) tools. This process is thorough and time-intensive; crews drive through the countrys largest municipal street network and assign a cleanliness score to each block in the city. Additionally, crews use this opportunity to log service request tickets in the citys 311 system using the mobile app to reduce response time.LASAN uses CleanStat as an operational and reporting tool to improve routing to different areas in the city and ensure effective and equitable service delivery. LASAN holds monthly meetings with operational staff to review successes and challenges in service delivery throughout the city and brainstorm ways to improve in future quarters. In addition to internal reviews, LASAN reports quarterly findings to council districts to help them decide where to allocate new garbage receptacles and where to target beautification efforts. Since launching CSLA, the city has deployed more than 1,500 garbage receptacles across the city, which are all mapped on the GeoHub Mayor Garcetti relies on CleanStat to ensure that the city stays on track to meet its CSLA goal of eliminating dirty streets by 2018. The quarterly data collection to date shows the city is improving street cleanliness and is on track to meet this goal.CleanStat uses GIS technology to understand the city and develop a comprehensive method of looking at trends, explains Los Angeles Chief Data Officer Lilian Coral, who managed the addition of this data to the GeoHub. By quantifying service delivery, the city can better prioritize high foot-traffic areas, act swiftly to drive out pervasive illegal dumping under freeway off-ramps, and make data-driven decisions on where to deploy trash bins in areas with persistent litter.As an essential piece of the built environment, streets have a measurable impact on livability and economic prosperity. Pedestrians are more likely to visit businesses and events on cleaner streets and will likely avoid streets with bulky items and litter scattered across if they have the option. Ensuring cleaner streets is a crucial part of the citys commitment to faster, more data-driven service delivery across neighborhoods.CleanStat crews use Esris ArcGIS Collector app to take geocoded images and determine the cleanliness score for each of the 42,000 street segments.When recording the cleanliness of a street or alley, the assessors assign a score based on four criteria:A street is rated 1 if the street is clean, 2 if it requires some cleaning, and 3 if it requires immediate attention. These scores are color coded on a citywide map of streets and alleys.In order to make this data accessible to residents, Mayor Eric Garcettis Data Team, led by CDO Lilian Coral, translated the open data generated from the Clean Streets LA Initiative into an interactive story map that lives on the GeoHub . The map presents the data to the public in a scrolling format that is easily accessible and interactive, with curated map displays and accompanying explanations.The story map works to use narrative tools to alleviate the data literacy gap that obstructs many residents from engaging with open data. It aims to educate and engage Angelenos by guiding users through the data collection process, the results, and how residents can take action to report issues on their block through MyLA311 The story map, which has over 40,000 views, was recently added to Esris Maps We Love , a collection of high-quality maps recognized by the worlds leading GIS provider, for its simplicity, elegant design, and ability to engage the public. According to Esri, The Clean Streets LA map does more than provide data about litter it helps build healthy relationships between citizens and government in Los Angeles.Los Angeless open data achievements have received other national acclaim  in October 2016, Los Angeles was presented with one of two national inaugural Analytics 50 Awards by Drexel Universitys LeBow College of Business and CIO.com. Los Angeles and Boston were the only two cities to receive the award.The street cleanliness story map is one of a number of visualization tools on LAs GeoHub that highlight the important role open data plays in informing and improving the lives of city residents. The success of this map demonstrates the power of storytelling in data visualization and how story maps can bridge the gap between active data users and nontechnical audiences seeking more information about how their city runs.Clean Streets LA demonstrates Mayor Garcettis commitment to seeking innovative, location-based approaches to prevailing city issues. Tackling street cleaning on a micro-local level using spatial analytics empowers both the city and residents to use data to drive improvements as both parties can measure and track changes in an accessible and visual platform that wouldnt be possible without CleanStat.
Two traditionally lucky numbers are beginning to pay off for the city of Riverside, which recently installed kiosks and Web tools to measure satisfaction with its customer service at 11 city locations and on seven city Web pages.The kiosks and tools, from Finnish company HappyOrNot , which has U.S. offices in Florida, measure customer satisfaction with a simple maxtrix. Four round buttons with smiley-face graphics at each kiosk offer visitors to city locations clear, non-written choices to rate their service.Choices range from bright green and very smiley for a very positive experience to lighter green and not-so smiley for less positive; pinkish-red and no smile for a somewhat negative experience, and bright red with a frown for very negative.Online, the ratings tool pops up in the lower right corner of the citys home page , and even has space for visitors to write a comment.Riverside has been increasingly focused improved customer satisfaction, accountability and transparency since its mayor and city council identified enhanced customer service as the top priority at a strategic planning workshop in 2015. The resulting strategic plan, Riverside 2.0 , mirrors that priority.The city inked a two-year contract with HappyOrNot and is rolling out a citywide performance management program that will begin in July, using the results its kiosks and Web tools generate. The agreement expected to cost $16,787 over two years.Communications Officer Phil Pitchford said transparency and accountability are also of high importance to City Manager John A. Russo, who joined Riverside in May 2015.Lea Deesing, Riversides chief innovation officer, said she first encountered a HappyOrNot kiosk at the airport in Dublin in late 2015 and was impressed by its simplicity and directness.I just saw it as I was going up the escalator and I hit the happy button, said Deesing, who is also executive director of SmartRiverside , a nonprofit whose vision is to establish the city as an innovation center.Its really measuring sentiment, which is a different survey. Were finding that a lot of people are giving us useful feedback and were able to use it. In fact, were able to make changes to the city website and were already doing so, she added.By the end of the summer, Riverside will have 11 active kiosks at various city facilities including City Hall, the Riverside Public Library and two police stations. Online visitors can find the ratings tool at the citys main page, and others for its library, museum, finance/purchasing and parks and recreation divisions.Mayor Rusty Bailey praised the systems simplicity and performance.You have this simple, simple process and feedback mechanism that is definitely going to help the council make better decisions toward improving quality and performance, he said.Its all about data-driven decision here in Riverside. I think thats where were going, Deesing said.Todd Theisen, executive vice president of sales and business development for HappyOrNot Americas Inc., said Riversides deployment of the companys rating system is the widest by any public agency.HappyOrNot is used by 3,000 organizations in 100 countries. Public agencies that use it include U.S. airports and hospitals; the cities of Atlanta; Redding, Calif.; Las Cruces, N.M.; and King County, Wash.Riversides kiosks went live Feb. 22 , following an informational presentation the previous day from staff to the Riverside City Council.So far, 91 percent of the roughly 3,600 responses received have been positive  higher, Deesing pointed out, than the national average of positive responses to HappyOrNot clients, which is only 85 percent. The city library kiosk has been most popular, generating 911 responses.City officials installed the kiosks in areas where they thought city employees would most likely be interacting with the public  but put them closer, for example, to exit doors than, say, line-up areas, to capture the totality of peoples experience.The idea is that if youve gotten a permit and want to get on with the rest of your day, you probably dont want to take a 15-minute survey and we most likely wont get a response, said Phil Pitchford, the citys communications officer. Its something, you can do your business at city hall and push a button and leave.But Deesing also had a kiosk installed in the citys innovation and technology department to rate internal moral.On the way out, it says How was your day? she said. I want to know whether Im remaining competitive with the other IT markets out there. If people arent happy, they can easily get a job elsewhere.HappyOrNot provides clients with proprietary software and tools, while the data thats generated is hosted by Amazon Web Services. Clients get overviews, comparable rankings and listings of trending data on a daily and weekly basis, so theyre able to track responses to interactions that may have happened hours earlier  and adapt more quickly to what they learn.This allows them to pinpoint Hey, at these times or on these days, we have an issue,' Theisen said. The impact of those will jump out at you.In response to comments, Deesing said officials intend to make tools frequently requested by residents easier to find on the city website  which they hope to have partially redesigned during the next few months, also based on comments.Recently, Deesing said, officials learned by reviewing comments left through the system that their utility billing system had had issues overnight. They have since added a monitoring system to alert them to any late-night problems.Its much more up-to-date than your typical comment field that would be buried deep inside your website, she said.Other initiatives currently underway as a result of the Riverside 2.0 strategic plan include customer service training for City Hall employees; making sure popular city processes are available around the clock online; Streamline Riverside, aimed at speeding up turn-around for city permits; and the Community and Economic Development Departments One-Stop Shop, which should be completed in July and centralize heavily utilized services on the third floor at City Hall.Mayor Rusty Bailey said city officials have discussed how best to streamline and improve Riversides governmental processes since he first campaigned for city council a decade ago.Weve all talked about it since 2007 at least from my standpoint and were finally getting it done. And thats a testament to the city management team and the city council being on the same team and prioritizing city service and streamlining city government, Bailey said.
(TNS) -- The canopy of solar panels was erected several months ago along a barren stretch of Fleury Way in Homewood. Then came the bioshelter  a gleaming cabin-sized structure that attracted curious stares from neighbors passing by.Now, power is flowing from the panels to the greenhouse, feeding lights, a ventilation system, and an aquaponics unit that can grow both plants and seafood.The bioshelter is part of an ambitious project to bring cleanly generated energy and locally grown food to Homewood  and to regions around the world  and it is taking off. On Thursday, a few dozen people, including Mayor Bill Peduto and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, stopped by to mark the first step in what could be a self-sustaining electric grid in the neighborhood.We have what is a one-of-a-kind project here, the Rev. John Wallace, a pastor at the Bible Center Church, which owns the plot of land and a row of houses beside the bioshelter, told the crowd gathered under the solar panels.The bioshelter  another term for a solar-powered greenhouse  was first conceived at the University of Pittsburgh as part of the Business of Humanity program, founded in 2011 to bring together the schools of engineering, business and social work to demonstrate a project that is both environmentally conscious and financially sustainable.The fundamental idea is somewhat alien to most business schools, but I think its becoming more acceptable, said John Camillus, a business professor at Pitts Katz Graduate School of Business, who teaches a graduate course on the subject.The basic idea is that businesses can actually enhance their profits by integrating social responsibility into their business models, Mr. Camillus said. This is one way to do that, if we can make this economically self-sustaining.For the business model to work, it has to work globally, Mr. Camillus said.The Homewood bioshelter is a proving ground for technologies being built across the globe in India, where nearly one in four residents live off the electric grid. The government is racing to expand power to nearly 300 million people who live in the dark, often using polluting fuels like kerosene.Mr. Camillus and Bopaya Bidanda, a department chair in the Swanson School of Engineering, traveled to their native India last August to exchange knowledge with researchers and charitable foundations there about the Homewood project.So far, at least two partnerships have emerged from that trip. One agreement, negotiated by Mr. Bidanda, sends a group of students from the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai to expand the solar canopy to power the Bible Center Churchs adjacent property.That would involve wiring the churchs property to create a so-called microgrid, a localized power grid that can be disconnected from the larger, utility-operated grid surrounding it. It would run on direct current  the one-way flow of power produced by solar panels  as opposed to alternating current, on which the U.S. power grid is based. The students could come as soon as May, Mr. Bidanda said.A second agreement, forged by Mr. Camillus, would take lessons learned at the Homewood demonstration to rural Indian villages.Electricity would bring not only a clean source of light and heat to those communities but also the ability to move clean water  providing toilets, sanitation and irrigation systems to improve agriculture.During the August trip, Mr. Camillus visited a site in the village of Tuvar and promised to bring a bank of solar panels. He plans to send Pitt students to India to help oversee that project.Working with a developer called Safe World, Mr. Camillus plans to provide lights, build community toilets and provide 30 to 50 acres of irrigated farmland to grow premium crops that can be shipped to other countries. He expects the developer could reap 9 percent return on investment, and village residents will be employed to oversee the network.While theyre learning about us, were learning about them, Mr. Bidanda said. Its a two-way solution.Rev. Wallace, who also teaches community health and social justice in the University of Pittsburghs School of Social Work, said hes long been concerned about affordable housing.With a $600 utility bill in the winter, he said, the energy burden on low-income households can be significant.If the solar installation were to be scaled up to feed the surrounding houses, it could ease the energy burden on Homewood residents by providing affordable power at a stable rate.It really has been an experiment, and were learning along the way, Rev. Wallace said.The project fits into the citys goal to develop a grid of microgrids, with the city signing a deal in 2015 to develop a plan with researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy. Mr. Peduto said he was inspired to pursue microgrids while attending the first Business of Humanity conference in Prague in 2013.There, he learned more about the inefficiencies of the century-old electric grid, which transports power over long distances from the power plant to the consumer.Youre producing all this energy 100 miles away, and yet only 38 percent of it is ever getting used, Mr. Peduto said.Or we can produce energy right at the site. And have over 98 percent efficiency by using DC power. And thats the way the worlds going to go.This entire site is powered by the Earth and its able to provide food to people in a food desert, Mr. Peduto added. Think about the opportunities that we have.
A HIRING FREEZE? That's what you think will drain the swamp? A "bloated" civilian workforce is not the damn problem. https://t.co/KoI2WEURGp  Hillary Hartley (@hillary) March 1, 2017

After more than three years with former President Barack Obamas disruptive federal startup 18F , Deputy Executive Director Hillary Hartley is set to leave her post nearly a month ahead of her terms expiration.The departure, originally reported by Federal News Radio (FNR) March 13, makes Hartley the third senior official to leave the government innovation lab in recent months. In an email obtained by the FNR, Hartley said that her last day would be April 7.This has been the best job Ive ever had, with the best group of people Ive ever known, Hartley said in the email cited by the news outlet. Four years ago, we had dreams that felt noble, but kind of impossible, and it is only because of you (and our amazing #alumni) that is now a reality.In March 2016 , Hartley toldthat 18F would likely survive the transition to new administration because of the way the organization operates as a business, rather than a typical federal agency.Under Hartleys direction, 18F was able to deploy solutions directly to state and local partners, as well as streamlining some of the federal procurement procedures The technologist also went on to explain in her email to staff that she and her family would be moving to Toronto, where she accepted a leadership role with the Canadian province of Ontario. Before taking a spot as part of 18Fs leadership team, Hartley served as a Presidential Innovation Fellow.While the current administration did not appear to be an overt driver for the change, Hartley has taken to Twitter on a number of occasions to criticize Donald Trumps policies.According to the FNR report, Hartley also acknowledged turnover within the organization and the stress it had caused, but said the leadership was working with the current administration to impress the groups long-term value.
The deputy director of the US National Security Agency has described White House allegations that Britain helped spy on President Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign as "just crazy."

The accusations infuriated British officials, prompting an uncommonly vehement denial from Britain's GCHQ intelligence agency and forcing White House spokesmen to back away from earlier statements.

Trump has nevertheless refused to back down from the unproven claims.

In a BBC interview published Saturday, the NSA's Rick Ledgett said that suggesting British intelligence would take sides in the US political process "belies a complete lack of understanding of how the relationship works between the intel community agencies; it completely ignores the political reality of 'Would the UK government agree to do that?'"

Fox News commentator Andrew Napolitano claimed early in the week that former president Barack Obama had turned to Britain's GCHQ surveillance agency to tap phone lines in Trump Tower while Trump was still living there.

That claim was later repeated by White House spokesman Sean Spicer, and then by Trump himself, who has stood by it even after denials from a series of top US political and law-enforcement officials, as well as the British.

Not mincing his words, Ledgett called the claim "arrant nonsense."

"It would be epically stupid," he added.

On Friday, Fox News said it was unable to confirm the allegations of Napolitano, a regular guest on the network.

Ledgett said the mission of American intelligence is to be apolitical, and to "speak truth" to the nation's leaders.

He is due to retire soon from the NSA, which oversees electronic surveillance of foreign intelligence.

Trump has provided no evidence to support his shocking allegation early this month that Obama was responsible for "tapping my phones" in Trump Tower last fall.

But he said on Wednesday that "I think you're going to find some very interesting items coming to the forefront over the next two weeks."

On Friday, during a joint news conference with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel, he implicitly maintained his allegation.

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Over 2,000 people demonstrated in the Greek capital in support of migrants and refugees on Saturday, calling for an end to the EU's year-old migrant pact with Turkey that cracked down on migrant flows.

"Cancel EU-Turkey deal of shame," read the banner at the head of the procession marching through the streets of Athens toward the European Commission offices, near the Greek parliament building.

The protest, organised by leftist, anti-racist and migrant organisations, was also attended by refugees and migrants, notably from Syria and Afghanistan, many with their children.

On March 18, 2016, Turkey signed a landmark agreement with the European Union, which helped put the brakes on a massive influx of migrants and refugees, especially from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Along with a series of border closures in 2016 in the Balkans and eastern Europe, the deal essentially blocked the Aegean route used by more than a million people from Turkey to Europe in 2015 and 2016.

The pact substantially reduced migrant flows and cut down on the number of migrant drownings in that part of the Mediterranean, but it also stranded thousands of exiles on Greek islands.

Now about 9,000 migrants and refugees are awaiting decisions on asylum claims, which can sometimes take months, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The Greek government puts that number at 14,000, including refugees from Syria.

"Asylum and housing for refugees", "No to deportations", chanted the demonstrators, marching under banners calling for the "Opening of borders".

Turkey's pledge, in exchange for more aid, visa-free travel and the speeding up of Ankara's long-stalled EU accession talks, was also aimed at deterring migrants from making the perilous sea crossing in the first place, knowing they could be sent back.

Some 1,183 migrants were returned to Turkey in the year ending in January, Greek police figures show.

Humanitarian organisations have contested the validity of the accord, saying it infringes on the rights of asylum by presuming Turkey is a safe haven for refugees.

The top Greek administrative court is expected to render a decision in April on a case brought by two Syrians.

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It was 1.30 p.m. when The Mirror team arrived in the quiet farming community last Wednesday to listen to their tales of hustle.

It was almost closing time at the Twifo Praso Methodist Primary School and lines were hurriedly formed on the grassy and dusty school compound in an assembly to end the school day.

Kakra walked out of her Class Six classroom in the company of her teacher, Mr John Wesley Ofosu, who said Kakras performance was very poor because she was not punctual in school.

At a point, Kakra and her elder sister dropped out of school because of financial difficulties, but Kakra returned because a Good Samaritan, a food vendor, had taken her in.

Her sister had not been so lucky.

Mr Ofosu said Kakra had to repeat her class.

In Class Six, there are basic things she should know, but she is struggling with them. The good thing is that shes so determined to learn. With the right tuition and time for her, she can make it. In class, even if others raise their hands, I give her the opportunity to answer questions, so that she can build her confidence, he said.

He said he believed that domestic issues were to blame for Kakras performance.

Kakra agreed. As her mates closed from the afternoon assembly, she pointed to the Twifo Praso D/A A&B Junior High School (JHS) as her sisters school.

Panyin had, however, dropped out at the beginning of the 2016/2017 academic year to be with her mother on a farm at Damang, a few minutes drive from Twifo Praso.

Days of hardship

Wearing a yellow uniform, with blue strips at the waist and neck, Kakra launched into their struggles.

According to her, when their parents split up, the twins were left to struggle and fend for themselves.

She said the situation got so bad that for a whole year when she was in Class Five and her sister in Class Six, they had to share a school uniform.

My school uniform was torn and so we had to share my sisters. Our school ran a shift and so when I went to school in the morning and returned around 12 noon, my sister went in the afternoon.

We washed the uniform in the evening when it was dirty. Because of that, we didnt play much, she said.

Kakra said while she had overcome their parents break up, she wished they were still together.

With the food vendor, Madam Fati, now taking care of her, Kakra said her daily routine was to sweep in the morning before going to school, adding that when she returned from school, she helped to prepare the food to be sold.

By 6 p.m. the food is sent to the roadside and Aunty Fati would insist that I go home and study. I try hard to study until I fall asleep, she said, smiling.

Optimism

Within two hours, Kakra had changed her future aspiration from being a police officer to being a hairdresser.

But she was upbeat about completing school and becoming what she described as a big woman because she admired women who drove their own cars.

I really want to go to school. I love school and I want to complete school. I want to drive my own car too, she added with a smile.

At 16, and with most of her age group in senior high school, Kakra said she would not give up, even though things were tough.

Madam Fati, who sells rice and stew near the Twifo Praso Market, described Kakra as humble, hardworking and very passionate about school.

I cant say much about her sister because she is not very close to me. She came to me on a few occasions but Kakra always came to me when they were living on their own.

It is the reason I went to look for her and insisted she go back to school when the two of them dropped out, she added while busily chopping onions.

A struggling twin

Panyins performance was no different from Kakras when The Mirror went to the Twifo Praso D/A A& B JHS, which is on the same compound as the Twifo Praso Methodist Primary School.

There, the Headmaster, Mr Victor Emeka, confirmed that Panyin had quit school.

Going through the class attendance register for the 2015/2016 academic year, he said out of the 75 schooldays in the first term, Panyin was in class 50 days. In the second term, she was in class 43 days out of 64, and in the third term she was in class for 55 days.

Absenteeism took its toll on Panyins academic performance, which resulted in poor results in her examinations, as she placed beyond the 40th position in almost all the subjects, out of a class of 45 pupils.

Mr Emeka said when Panyin dropped out of school, her father came with her to make a case for her return, and the father gave an assurance that she would return but she never did.

From what we understand, it was because of domestic issues that she didnt return. It is not our business to interfere in that. Our main concern is to help our pupils. We have tried to reach out to the parents but it did not work.

As a headmaster, I believe all our pupils are not on the same level and so the least we can do is give all of them a chance, but it looks like domestic issues are affecting her badly, he explained.

Panyin, who spoke to The Mirror on telephone, cried throughout the interview.

Faced with poor academic performance, a broken home and financial difficulties, she said, she had to stop school because there were times when neither parent could afford to buy her needs, including books and sanitary pads.

I got tired of everything and stopped school, she said while sobbing.

Panyin said she wished her parents could be together, as her mother had taken to drinking because of the separation.

I want to be in school but because of the financial situation at home, I cant. I now help my mother on the farm, she added.

Parental neglect

When contacted, the Twifo Ati-Morkwa District Director of Education, Mr Amos Kwansah Hammond, observed that parental neglect was one of the challenges affecting education in the district.

I try to engage parents at all parent/teacher association meetings to encourage them to support their childrens education. This is because there are some parents who would not buy even pencils for their children because they have heard about free education, he noted.
The mask was among items stolen and illegally smuggled out of the country in 2013

After four years out of Egypt, a stolen and illegally smuggled mummy mask has been returned from France.

Shabaan Abdel Gawad, the general supervisor of the Antiquities Repatriation Sector of the Ministry of Antiquities, told Ahram Online that the mask dates to the New Kingdsom and is carved in wood and depicts human facial features. It was stolen in 2013 along with other artefacts from the Elephantine Antiquities Galleries in Aswan, when it was subject to looting.

The mask was discovered in an auction hall in Paris in December 2016 and Egypt succeeded in recovering it after proving legal possession.

Abdel Gawad continued that the mask was sent to the Egyptian Embassy in Paris and arrived to Cairo two days ago.

He asserted that previously the antiquities ministry was able to recover two items stolen from the Elephantine Galleries and found in Britain and Germany in March 2015.

These objects, Abdel Gawad said, are an ivory statue and a wooden ushabti figurine.

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Members of the Supreme Courts conservative majority are questioning the continued use of affirmative action in higher education. In lengthy arguments Monday, the justices wrestled with persistent, difficult questions of race. The justices heard from six different lawyers in challenges to policies at the University of North Carolina and Harvard. Those policies consider race among many factors in evaluating applications for admission. One conservative justice likened affirmative action to giving some college applicants a head start in a footrace. But a liberal justice said universities are the pipelines to leadership in our society and suggested that without affirmative action minority enrollment will drop.
The number of schoolchildren in Korea has dropped significantly due to the country's low birthrate, according to statistics released Tuesday. The figures, compiled by the Korean Educational Development Institute for the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, show that there are 7.28 million elementary and middle school students in Korea this year, down 210,000 from last year and 2.69 million fewer than in 1980.

There are 3.29 million elementary schoolchildren this year, 170,000 fewer than last year and only 57.4 percent of the number in 1970.

This year, the low birthrate affected even the number of high school students, leading to the first decline since 2005. In contrast, the number of preschoolers, which had been declining since 2007, rose slightly from 537,361 last year to 538,587 this year.

Meanwhile, the number of schoolteachers in Korea grew from 232,643 in 1980 to 452,019 last year and to 455,907 this year. But the average number of children per kindergarten class rose by 0.6 to 21, per elementary class by 1.2 to 26.6, in middle school by 0.6 to 33.8, and in high school by 0.5 to 33.7 from last year.
After a year of turmoil in which the Guilford County Commissioners, the Guilford County Parks and Recreation Department and the volunteer Parks and Recreation Commission were frequently at odds with the public  and sometimes each other  this year is beginning with a flurry of positive activity.

Three open-space preserves will open in April, a new trail is being constructed at the Guilford County Farm and preliminary plans for the Rich Fork Preserve are getting positive reviews.

Last weeks meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was its most substantive in months.

Plans for both trails and farmstead preservation at Rich Fork Preserve are proceeding on parallel tracks.

People on both sides of last years controversy about whether mountain biking should be allowed there are working with Parks and Recreation staff to come up with a plan that provides mountain bikers with recreational opportunities without infringing on the rights of nearby homeowners.

A preliminary trail plan completed by KCI Associates has been flagged on the property, and both groups have walked the proposed routes in recent weeks to provide feedback and suggest improvements, County Property Manager Robert McNiece said.

I think weve made tremendous progress in dealing with some of the concerns that some of the adjoining property owners had and also some of the concerns that the bike folks had, McNiece said.

A primary, multi-use trail will run from the YMCA at the northern end of the preserve to Northwood School on the southern end. This trail will be 6 to 8 feet wide, with a fine gravel surface. A Hedgecock loop trail will encircle the historic farm buildings on the property.

Many of the existing spaghetti trails created by mountain bikers will be closed. The proposed single-track mountain bike trail will consist of an inner and outer loop, featuring elevation changes but no straight downhill runs.

KCI reduced the interaction with the multiple trailheads coming together, so safety is much better under their plan, said John Gladstone, acting supervisor of passive parks and the county farm. And we were able to stay out of the wetlands to lessen the environmental impact. Theyre trying to utilize what is there  what is healthy, what is safe and environmentally friendly. They took out what is not...and added on new trails.

Though concerns remain with line-of-sight from mountain-bike trails to private homes, adjoining property owners who have walked the trails are pleased with the overall plan.

Theyve done a good job laying out the scope of the park, taking into account wishes of bikers, walkers, environmentalists, Herb Goins said at a recent meeting of the Rich Fork Preserve Committee.

Goins lives on Carolyndon Drive, adjacent to an area in the preserve where mountain bikers routinely had trespassed. In my opinion, its a pretty good plan, he said.

The preservation group that had opposed mountain biking in the preserve has focused its attention on saving the propertys historic farmstead, which includes a farmhouse built around 1900. Now formally known as Friends of Rich Fork Preserve/Hedgecock Farm, the group is working with Preservation Greensboro Executive Director Benjamin Briggs and the High Point Preservation Society on a plan to manage the historic properties.

The plan calls for mothballing, or minimal stabilization, of most of the remaining farm buildings, said Marie Poteat, who is a member of both the Friends group and the Parks and Recreation Commission. Pending a final vote, the High Point Preservation Society would join with the Friends to stabilize the buildings, raise money to maintain them and provide liability insurance.

There is no budget for funding, from the countys perspective, to do this sort of preservation or take on these buildings, McNiece said. This group is very passionate about keeping these buildings, and theyre willing to take full responsibility for the buildings, from providing liability insurance to figuring out fundraising.

The farm buildings would remain the property of Guilford County but would be managed by the group in the same way that Forsyth County manages Triad Park and the city of Burlington manages Guilford-Mackintosh Park.

Work on three other open-space preserves is nearing fruition.

Grand openings are scheduled at 9 a.m. April 28 at the Saferight and McCandless Woods preserves near Southern High School, and April 21 at the Company Mill Preserve adjacent to Hagan-Stone Park.

Instead of being cut by machine, which many in the trail community found objectionable, the trails at Company Mill were built by hand. Volunteers from AmeriCorps contributed $39,000 in labor to the Company Mill trails, said Matt Wallace, program manager for passive parks and trails.

The Guilford County Farm is benefiting from help from volunteers with the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST). That group built a 1.5-mile trail that bisects the farm and connects to the MST in Alamance County. The group already has devoted 750 hours to trail-building there, with plans to add a 2.5-mile loop trail by summer.

They have done a really nice job, Wallace said. Its one of the gems at this point.

County Commissioner Alan Branson, who sits on the Parks and Recreation Commission, asked its members to explore other ideas for turning the County Farm into a recreational destination now that it is no longer used as a prison. The land could also accommodate fishing, horseback riding and camping, as well as events such as tractor pulls, Branson said.

The County Farms popular greenhouse operation continues, with a Plant and Honey Sale scheduled for April 1. In addition to honey and flowers, there will be vegetable plants, including squash, cucumbers and tomatoes.

Wallace also is turning the Park Finder search engine on the countys website into a mobile app that lets users search for park destinations based on activities and amenities. The app shows users which ones are closer and links to maps of how to get there.

After a year of frustration and stalled efforts, it is heartening to see the county parks staff, the parks commission and the public working together more effectively, infused with a renewed sense of energy.

Pending the blessing of county commissioners, this could mean a happy ending not only for the Rich Fork Preserve, but for all the parks and preserves in Guilford County.
The comments follow a European Court of Human Rights ruling that businesses could ban their employees from wearing religious symbols including Islamic headscarves in certain circumstances. Political consultant Atilla Yesilada of Global Source Partners says the attacks on Europe are an attempt by Erdogan to consolidate nationalist and religious voters ahead of next month's referendum.

Erdogan accused EU countries of persecuting Muslims like Jews were during World War II, and said that the "spirit of fascism" was running wild on the streets of Europe. In the meantime, his foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, warned that Europe will be the site of what he called "holy wars" that will ultimately destroy it.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, having already accused EU members Germany and the Netherlands of being fascists and Nazis, has extended his war of words to the entire bloc.

Turkey's president continues to ratchet up tensions with the European Union, as he campaigns ahead of an April referendum to extend his presidential powers. The unprecedented rhetoric is raising concerns as to whether Turkish-EU relations can recover.

 Big Test for EU-Turkey Relations

Yesilada warns that with opinions polls indicating the referendum is too close to call, EU-Turkish relations are set to face their greatest test.

"It's the most crucial vote in [Erdogan's] political career; if the whole idea is to bolster the vote for the yes camp, they need to invent new tricks to keep this fight going with the EU until mid-April because otherwise it will fade off, these shocks fade off in a week at most. What they will invent to further annoy Europe [with] above and beyond outrageous insults, I really don't know," Yesilada said.

For now, Erdogan's attacks on Europe have only been confined to rhetoric. Despite repeated threats of sanctions against Germany and the Netherlands for banning Turkish ministers from speaking at rallies of ethnic Turks, until now there have only been few diplomatic measures.

 Refugee Deal at Risk

Erdogan warned Thursday, however, that a key refugee deal with Europe could be at risk. Last year's deal, which is marking its first anniversary, helped stem the mass influx of migrants into Europe.

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said 15,000 refugees a month should be sent to Europe as a shock therapy. Analysts suggest Ankara would be reluctant to end the refugee deal, it being key to maintaining relations with the EU, as well as an important leverage. Political columnist Semih Idiz of the Al Monitor website says the refugee deal will probably help prevent a severing of ties but warns relations may have been irreparably damaged.

"It's going to take a lot of hard diplomacy to backtrack and to put things back on track; obviously for Europe, for its own interest, it will maintain things. But a wedge has been driven between the government in Turkey that represents Turkey at the moment and Europe, so it's not going to be easy."

With the outcome of the referendum in the balance -- and with it, some claim, even the future of the president himself -- observers say Erdogan and his government remain focused just on winning the vote, whatever the cost, which could mean more trouble for Europe-Turkey relations.


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Glenville

The towns Department of Public Works road crews and the towns first responders went into disaster mode over Tuesdays near-blizzard.

Among those on the streets were the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company, which brought the towns Mass Care Support Trailer to a shelter set up at the Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center. The trailer, which is 16.5 feet long, contained cots, blankets and shelter management kits for those who needed to come in out of the storm.

The trailer is under the control of the towns Emergency Management Director Dan Warzoha.

The town also set up emergency shelters at both the civic center and at Eastern Middle School for town employees who worked around the clock to keep town roads clear. When used as a shelter, the two locations can accommodate 225 people; when used as a warming center, it can accommodate 350 people.

Glenville Volunteer Fire Company Chief Mike Hoha said Tuesdays storm overall was uneventful for the fire crew.

According to Greenwich Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Brian Koczak, there were 18 calls for service during the 24-hour period from the onset of the storm.

While most of the incidents we responded to were routine, there were two potentially serious incidents, both carbon monoxide related, Koczak said. In one case, an oil fired furnace malfunctioned and released carbon monoxide into the residence. In the other case, snow covered the exhaust pipe for a heating unit and cause carbon monoxide to back up inside the home. In both cases, a carbon monoxide detector alerted the occupants that there was a problem, which prompted them to call GFD. We were able to identify and address the issue without further incident.

Old Greenwich

Flipping pancakes turned into a flipping success for the Greenwich Lions Club as hundreds turned out on March 11 for the annual Pancake Fry at the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center.

It was our best one in a while, Lions President David Bonney said. We were very happy with the turnout.

The event featured pancakes, sausage, juice, face painting, music, baked goods for sale, door prizes, vision checks for kids and a chance to see the dogs being trained as seeing eye dogs.

The pancake breakfast has been a tradition for the Old Greenwich Lions Club for 57 years, continued as part of the new rechartered Lions Club, a combination of the Greenwich and Old Greenwich clubs.

Bonney said the initial estimates are between 700 and 800 people showed up.

We had kids to grandparents here, Bonney said. It was a great mix. We saw some new faces as well as some people who hadnt been at one of our events in a few years.

Downtown

Greenwich Hospital recently had some special visitors with a special purpose in mind.

Quinn, Colin and Lance Hume donated a portion of the money they have saved in their piggy banks to the hospitals Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) on March 3. It is a family tradition for the kids and one that hits close to home.

Almost 12 years ago in New York, Colin and Lance were born at 25 weeks weighing less than two pounds. An average gestation is 40 weeks. The twin boys spent the first few months of their lives in a NICU and the care the boys and the family got from skilled and compassionate nurses and physicians inspired them to start the tradition, family members said.

The boys have been saving and donating money to a NICU for four years now, adding flowers for nurses and staff. Parents Daryl and Geoff Hulme said they hope the visits will instill in their children the desire to give back to the community.

The boys have a genuine interest in learning about the NICU and what we do here, Jeanne VanSciver, Greenwich Hospitals perinatal senior coordinator, said. It reinforces in all of us why we love what we do every day. They have become part of our NICU family.

Central Greenwich

The Putnam Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution honored the young winners of its essay contest on March 7 at the historic Knapp Tavern Museum at Putnam Cottage.

The topic? Celebrating A Century: Americas National Parks.

Annabel Zhou, a fifth-grader from North Mianus School, and Max Meissner, an eighth-grader at Brunswick School, took home first prize. Second-prize winners were Luci Li, from North Mianus, and Graham Lodge and Max Chaney from Brunswick School. Annabel and Max Meissner will now go to the state level competition.

The DAR has three main missions: promoting patriotism, preservation and education, local DAR member Sarah Coleman, who was in charge of the contest, said. The organization promotes education in many ways  from offering scholarships at the national and state level for college and graduate study to recognizing teachers and students with Good Citizenship awards, to the annual essay contest in American History.

Students were asked to write journal entries as if they were visiting one of the countrys 58 national parks, describe their chosen location and discuss why it was established as a national park. The essay also had to talk about what makes it a national treasure.

The winning essays were picked from 93 entries. Honorable mention honors went to Alessia Chiesara. Helena Ruth Kennedy, Sahar Shahib and Elizabeth Flintoff from International School at Dundee; Bailey Getlik from Greenwich Catholic School, and Andy Aube and Charlie Garland from Brunswick. All the winners got small prizes and the Putnam Hill Chapter made donations to their schools for books in their libraries.

By sponsoring the contest, we hope to encourage teachers to reach out beyond the existing curriculum to engage students in an active way in the study of American history, Coleman said.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
A 'Nokia' branded smartphone has received certification from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States. While the listing doesn't reveal exactly which handset it is, reports say it could well be the Nokia 6.

The assumption is based on the fact that the device the agency has cleared carries a model number of TA-1038, while the Nokia 6 carries a model number of TA-1000 for China. If the phone in question is indeed the Nokia 6, then it would be reasonable to assume that its US launch isn't far off.

Via
What we have on offer is the upcoming Galaxy S8 pair side by side. And if you happen to feel like this is not the first time you are reading this, we can't blame you, since you're not far off. We already got one of these a few days ago, only in a different color.

Now, we have black units, or possible dummy models to check out. But, just so you don't get the impression that "black" is the new things here, we'll just link this other leak from a couple of days ago, or better yet this one.



Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+

OK, now that we have all that covered, here are the two new photos. The difference in size between the 5.8-inch S8 and its 6.2-inch, S8+ sibling becomes instantly apparent. Still, we will remind you that both models do come with an unusual 18.5:9 aspect ratio. So tall, but not necessarily that wide is what Samsung was going for.

As far as other info on the flagship pair goes, there is just a sea of it out there, which you can check out for yourself here. Some other important highlights, beside display sizes, include info on both a Snapdragon 835 and Exynos 8895 variant - likely region-dependent. Memory will probably be another geographical difference, with a 6GB RAM option likely limited to China alone and 4GB for other countries.

Other specs include 12MP Dual Pixel main camera, 8MP front shooter, IP68 certification, an iris scanner and facial recognition, also Samsung Pay NFC and MST support and the company's new Bixby voice assistant.

These are just the basics and there is a lot more to get excited about. The Samsung Unpacked unveiling event is already scheduled for March 29 and after quite a bit of speculation, we can probably anticipate the first units to start shipping on either April 21 or April 28. Prices are expected to start as high as GBP 799.

Source | Via
As part of its Concept for Android program, Sony has started pushing out a new update to participating Xperia X units. The update arrives as build number 38.3.1.A.0.74 and brings along a couple of major changes, including AptX support.

With the update, users will be able to enjoy hi-res Bluetooth sound using the AptX codec. "If you are a fan of hi-res Bluetooth sound but are not fortunate enough to own a pair of awesome Sony headphones with LDAC support, this release might be something for you," the company said in a blog post.

In addition the update (which is currently hitting the experimental track on Xperia X Concept) also includes Android security fixes for the month of March.

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Yesterday Samsung revealed the official release date and price for the Galaxy Tab S3 in the US. Today the Korean company has started taking pre-orders for the device in the UK, through its own online store.

As anticipated based on a premature retailer listing, the new tablet does in fact cost 599. However, Samsung is offering a perk for those who pre-order, one which is sure to sweeten the deal.

If you do decide to take the plunge and put in a pre-order for the Galaxy Tab S3, you will receive the keyboard cover for free. That's a 119 value and it will let you experience the Tab S3 fully. Otherwise, you don't get all the unique selling points, at least according to Samsung's marketing materials.

Pre-orders are expected to ship on March 31. The Galaxy Tab S3 pairs the 'glass sandwich' design that was made popular by Samsung's high-end smartphones starting with the Galaxy S6 with the S Pen seen in the Note line. It has a 9.7-inch 2,048x1,536 Super AMOLED touchscreen, the Snapdragon 820 powering it, and 4GB of RAM. A 6,000 mAh battery keeps things running, and the tablet comes with Android 7.0 Nougat preinstalled.

Source | Via




Haiti - NOTICE : Evacuation of the surrounding areas of the Sylvio Cator Stadium and...





As part of the provisions relating to the preservation of neighboring areas of the Sylvio Cator Stadium and of Faculties of State of Medicine and Law, Ralph Youri Chevry, Mayor of Port-au-Prince, informs the public that as of Friday, March 17, 2017, all occupants under any pretext must release the entire length of the public road from Oswald Durand Street to the Leogane Portal.



Therefore, it will be forbidden: washing vehicles, selling beverages, food, furniture, wheelbarrow traffic and other activities that interfere with everyday life.



To this end, the Municipal Administration, with the support of the National Police of Haiti (PNH), grants a delay of 72 hours, as of Friday, March 17, to comply with these provisions.



The town hall thanks everyone for their understanding and the proper application of this measure.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20122-haiti-environment-mayor-chevry-continues-the-major-cleaning-of-the-capitale.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20028-haiti-technology-inauguration-of-a-solar-power-plant-for-the-champ-de-mars.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20018-haiti-environment-operation-against-wild-display-in-port-au-prince.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19998-haiti-flash-arrests-closures-of-establishments-the-mayor-of-pap-in-action.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-19855-icihaiti-justice-me-danton-leger-supports-the-mayor-of-pap.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19788-haiti-notice-rain-of-prohibitions-on-the-area-of-the-champs-de-mars.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19586-haiti-environment-port-au-prince-declares-war-to-the-rubbish.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping politics...





PM front the deputies

The Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies presents its compliments to the Honorable Members of the 50th Legislature and informes them that the session of ratification of the General Policy Statement of Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant will take place on Monday, 20 March 2017 at 1:00 pm. Therefore it invites them to be present at the Chamber of Deputies for this plenary session Special Download the General Policy of the Prime Minister : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/declaration-de-politique-generale-lafontant.pdf



The former President Martelly assigned to Justice ?

Following the refusal to apologize publicly for the obscenities he had said during the Carnaval National 2017, which took place in the city of Les Cayes, Me Andre Michel said that former President Michel Martelly will receive, on Friday, March 17, a summons to appear before the Criminal Court for assault on good morals...



Words of PM appointed

Friday, Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant said, "I understood the legitimate aspiration of our compatriots to live a better life, to meet their basic needs, to have jobs, to increase their incomes and to live in Peace and Security," adding "We will accelerate Haiti towards an emerging economy, a rule of law, a solidarity and inclusive society with a renovated Public Administration."



Members of the Analysis Commission of documents of PM

The committee responsible for analyzing the documents of Prime Minister Jacques Guy Lafontant and to formulate its recommendations at the level of the Chamber of Deputies is composed of the following deputies: Jean Wilson Hyppolite (Chairman), Sinal Bertrand (Vice-Chairman), Alfredo Antoine Junior (Secretary-Rapporteur), Joseph Benoit Laguerre, Jean Wilner Jean, Louis Romel Beauge, Jean Marcel Lumerant, Freud Maurancy and Julmice Jacques.



Michel Gedeon receives an American delegation

Friday afternoon, returning from a trip to Louisiana and Key West, Michel-Ange Gedeon, the Director General of the Haitian National Police (PNH), received an American delegation led by Kenneth Merten, Assistant Secretary of State, Principal Ad Interim, which was on the island since March 13 https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-20361-haiti-usa-mission-of-kenneth-merten-on-the-island.html



Publication of the ministers named in "Le Moniteur"

On Friday, March 17, 2017, was published in the official newspaper "Le Moniteur" # 42, the order appointing members of the ministerial cabinet. List of Ministers : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20353-haiti-flash-no-quorum-in-the-senate-composition-of-the-ministerial-cabinet.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Published on 2017/03/18

With a confirmed air date of April 7th, Yoo Ah-in's latest drama, "Chicago Typewriter" releases its first teasers, with Go Kyung-pyo and Lim Soo-jung.

Advertisement

With the April 7th air date coming up fast, tvN has continued its usual practice of releasing tantalizing character teasers that have very little to do with the actual show (see teasers for "The King of High School Manners" for a great example). In this case, best-selling author Han Se-joo, played by Yoo Ah-in, ends up with the two things he wants the least: a ghostwriter and a woman.

These teasers tell us almost nothing about the show, aside from the fact that "Chicago Typewriter" will have a great visual style. Regardless, Yoo Ah-in looks like he's enjoying sinking his teeth into the role of Han Se-joo, an author who found fame and fortune early, only to end up with a terrible case of writer's block. Go Kyung-pyo plays Yoo Jin-oh, the aforementioned ghostwriter, who looks almost creepy in his cheerfulness, while Lim Soo-jung will be Jeon Seol, his greatest fan turned into his greatest anti-fan.

I'll admit that this teaser worked on me: I'm curious to see the narrative of these three characters play out. And, I want to know how they're going to fit in the fact that the three of them are reincarnations of writers from the 1930s. The great visual styling of the teaser is just icing on the cake.

"Chicago Typewriter" will air on Fridays and Saturdays on tvN, starting on April 7th.

Love,

Only of Noonas Over Forks
Published on 2017/03/17 | Source

Added episode 1 captures for the Korean drama "Radiant Office" (2017)

Advertisement

Directed by Jeong Ji-in, Park Sang-hoon-III

Written by Jeong Hee-hyeon

Network : MBC

With Go Ah-sung, Ha Seok-jin, Lee Dong-hwi, Kim Dong-wook, Lee Ho-won, Kim Byung-choon,...

16 episodes - Wed, Thu 22:00

Synopsis

An abrasive marketing director and a female temporary contract worker at the same furniture company. She faces repeat rejection in her job search until despair drives her to attempt suicide. At the hospital, she learns she has a terminal condition, but then, finally succeeds in getting hired. With nothing to lose, she tackles her job and her life with a perspective.

Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2017/03/15

More
Imam Ismail Elshikh, a native of Egypt, leads a Muslim Brotherhood-tied mosque in Honolulu.

Plaintiff behind Trump travel ban runs Muslim Brotherhood mosque

by Leo Hohmann, WND, 03/16/2017 (excerpts)

Imam Ismail Elshikh, a native of Egypt, leads a Muslim Brotherhood-tied mosque in Honolulu, Hawaii, and claims he is suffering irreparable harm by President Trumps temporary travel ban.

The irony is hard to miss: Trump has talked about declaring the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization, and now it is a Brotherhood-backed imam who is playing a key role in blocking his executive order on immigration.

Muslim Association of Hawaii mosque in Honolulu

The proof that his mosque is affiliated with the Brotherhood is found in the court records for Honolulu County, which lists the deed holder as the North American Islamic Trust.

John Guandolo, a former FBI counter-terrorism specialist and now private consultant to law enforcement at Understanding the Threat, said all mosques under the Muslim Association of moniker are typically affiliated with the Brotherhood.

But the clincher in this case is that the mosque property is traced to NAIT, confirming it is a Muslim Brotherhood organization, Guandolo told WND in an email.

Screenshot of the parcel ownership record

TMK link: 290080560000

NAIT is one of more than 200 unindicted co-conspirators named in the Holy Land Foundation terrorism-financing trial of 2007-08 in Dallas, Texas. The organization has direct ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, as documented by the FBI in evidence presented at the trial. (See Sec. VII, Page 8 of court document.)

NAIT is a financial subsidiary of the Islamic Society of North America and holds the deed to more than 325 mosques in 42 U.S. states that are controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood, according to Discover the Networks.

Because NAIT controls the purse strings of these many properties, it can exercise ultimate authority over what they teach and what activities they conduct. Specifically, the Trust seeks to ensure that the institutions under its financial influence promote the principles of Sharia law and Wahhabism, according to Discover the Networks.

The Muslim Brotherhood was founded in 1928 in Cairo, Egypt, by Hassan al-Banna. It has been banned by Egypts current regime, as well as in Saudi Arabia, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.

Trumps secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, described the Brotherhood as an agent of radical Islam during his Senate confirmation hearing.

Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton told Breitbart News last month that the U.S. should declare the Brotherhood a terrorist organization.

The fact is, the Brotherhood is a front for terrorism, he said. A number of Arab majority-Muslim countries, like Egypt and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have already designated it as a terrorist organization. Ive had Muslim leaders from the Middle East say to me, Are you people blind to whats going on right in front of you and the role that the Brotherhood performs, really on an international basis?

But instead of banning the Brotherhood, the U.S. is letting a Brotherhood-backed imam dictate U.S. refugee and visa policy, Guandolo said.

read  Entire Article

Related:
A CONCRETE company has set up a charity partnership with the Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

Manor Mix Concrete, which is based at Manor Farm in Peppard, hopes to raise about 5,000 for the charity this year.

It will donate a percentage of the money made from every pound of concrete poured from a mixer marked with the name of the charity, its logo and website address. Jim Hadfield, sales manager for the company, said: The branding will stay on there for the duration of the partnership, which will hopefully be a long time.

We wanted to give something back and it was a good match.

The partnership was the idea of Matt Payne, who owns the business, who wanted to work with a local charity. The air ambulance is based at RAF Benson and covers

Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, averaging three missions a day.

Each flight costs about 2,500 but the charity has to rely on corporate fund-raising and public donations.

Bekki James, corporate fund-raising manager for the charity, said: Matt decided he wanted a charity that fitted with what Manor Mix does. We would not be able to run without the support of businesses like this.

We want to work with businesses because its great for raising awareness in the community and this partnership helps us to do that.

Its important for people to see what the money is going towards.

To make a donation to the charity, visit www.tvairambulance.org.uk
A post office clerk stole nearly 6,000 of social welfare money from customers when they let payments "build up" and she told them they had less than they really did.

Imelda O'Hanlon (36) defrauded 22 people out of their payments over a three-year period, a court heard.

The mother-of-two suffered from anxiety and depression and lost her job as a result of the thefts.

Judge Anthony Halpin gave her a six-month suspended sentence.

O'Hanlon, of Oak Court Grove, Palmerstown, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of stealing cash by deception.

Dublin District Court heard the offences happened at North Strand Post Office on dates between April 2011 and February 2014.

The court heard there was a total of 29 transactions totalling 5,700, and the accused had paid the money back to An Post.

There were 22 victims in the case, and the victim was working as a teller in the branch.

Sign

The court heard the incidents happened when customers had let their social protection payments build up over a number of weeks without collecting them.

When asked how many payments there were, she would tell them they had one less than they had and the customer would sign for them.

O'Hanlon then kept the final payment.

She made a voluntary statement to gardai and had been "very sincere in her apologies", according to her solicitor, Eoin Lysaght.

The statement was made in 2015 and she was not charged until 2016.

She "put her hands up straight away" and had lost her job as a result of her actions.

The defendant had two young children and had been on anti-depressant medication for anxiety and depression since 2007.

O'Hanlon had not been able to get other employment since she lost her job. She realised she should not have done what she did and had made "bad errors".

O'Hanlon had no previous convictions, and Mr Lysaght asked the judge to leave her without a criminal record.

The judge suspended the six-month sentence for three years on the accused entering a 500 peace bond. O'Hanlon cried as her case was finalised.
A young father who fractured another man's skull and cheekbone during an attack over a stolen green bin has been given the benefit of the Probation Act for being in unlawful possession of drugs.

Shane Murphy (25), who is serving a one-year jail sentence for assaulting Aidan Mullen in Kinsealy on July 10, 2011, drove through a checkpoint in north Co Dublin without stopping last May 2.

However, he was subsequently stopped and his car was searched.

Gardai found 20 worth of cannabis on the front passenger seat.

Murphy, of Jugback Close, Swords, pleaded guilty when he appeared before Balbriggan District Court to being in unlawful possession of cannabis herb at Baldwinstown Cross, Garristown. His 25 previous convictions include an assault from February 2015, intoxication and using threatening and abusive behaviour.

He was handed a three-year sentence in February, with the final two years suspended, for assaulting Mr Mullen, causing him harm.

Savage

Mr Mullen (57) was asleep in bed at around 10pm on July 10, 2011, when he was awoken by his wife telling him their bin had been taken by a group of teenagers.

Instinctively, Mr Mullen - who had been previously diag- nosed with a serious heart condition - rushed out of the door of his Kinsealy home to try to recover the bin.

However, instead of being able to get it back, the victim was subjected to a savage assault.

Defence barrister Bernard Stobie said Murphy (25) suffers from ADHD and has abused substances in the past.

He said he has attended a residential treatment programme and is not dependent on drugs at the moment.

He added that the defendant could produce clean urine samples on the next occasion if the court saw fit to adjourn the case.

Mr Stobie said the defendant, who has an eight-month-old child, is applying himself while serving his current sentence by undertaking construction and art classes.

"He has turned a corner and is addressing his problems," said Mr Stobie.

Judge John Lindsay applied the Probation Act for the possession of cannabis offence.
One of Ireland's most feared criminals was jailed this week for his role in a "depraved and barbaric" assault in which a 53-year old man was nailed to a kitchen floor with a nail-gun.

Gerard Mackin (33) and a 52-year-old associate of his were each given three-year jail sentences at the Special Criminal Court for assaulting the man in Co Limerick in September 2015.

Deadly

Before being arrested and remanded in custody on those charges last May, Mackin was a senior member of the so-called New INLA gang.

This mob got involved in the deadly Hutch-Kinahan feud and is suspected of carrying out at least one murder on behalf of the Kinahan cartel last year.

However, Mackin is not a suspect for that shooting.

Before his arrest, Mackin was often spotted in the capital with Ballymun criminals and a north inner city dissident Republican who gardai want to question about the murder of Gareth Hutch last May.

In 2014, Mackin's associates caused a major security alert when gardai received intelligence that they planned to steal a number of garda uniforms from a Co Louth station.

When Mackin was refused bail last year in relation to the offence he was convicted of this week, a senior detective told Limerick District Court that the crime related to an attempt to extort money from the victim, who is a member of the Traveller community.

Det David Bourke said Mackin has formed a group involved in the extortion of money from Travellers and has "filled the void left by the demise of the Dundons under the veil of the IRA or INLA dissident groups".

Underworld

Mackin, who is from west Belfast, has been in a number of serious underworld scrapes since he was cleared of the 2008 murder of Eddie Burns as part of a dissident feud in the North.

Taxi driver Mr Burns (36) was shot dead in west Belfast in March 2007.

Mackin was the first person found guilty in a Dublin court for a murder in Belfast under the Criminal Law Jurisdiction Act of 1976.

However, in 2010 the conviction was quashed by Dublin's Court of Criminal Appeal and a retrial ordered, but it collapsed after three days, which meant Mackin was freed.
Coast Guard, Gardai and members of the community gathered at the Sundial in Blackrock, Co Louth for a candle lit vigil for the crew of Rescue116. Picture Ciara Wilkinson

Search teams believe they have found the fuselage of the downed Rescue 116 Coast Guard helicopter off Blackrock Island.

They have detected a signal from the aircraft's black box in 40 metres of water about 60 metres off Blackrock lighthouse.

Naval Service and salvage experts are "very hopeful" that the bodies of the three missing crewmen will be found in or close to the wreckage.

Deteriorating weather conditions are continuing to delay full sonar scans to pinpoint the exact location of the black box.

Beacon

Derek Geoghegan, of the Irish Coast Guard, said a small weather window of three hours during which it is anticipated conditions will improve has been identified on Monday afternoon.

It was previously hoped that a full scan and subsequent dive could be carried out today and tomorrow.

Surface searches are continuing off the west coast, but they have been scaled down due to bad weather.

Sources said the lighthouse beacon was fully functioning throughout Monday night and Tuesday morning when the helicopter crashed into the sea.

Captain Dara Fitzpatrick (45) was recovered from the water on Tuesday morning but was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

Her funeral takes place this morning in Glencullen, Dublin.

Her three crewmen - Ciaran Smith, Mark Duffy and Paul Ormsby - are still missing.

Rescuers believe they were unable to escape from the helicopter.

The US-built Sikorsky S-92A crashed without any mayday signals being sent or any indication from the flight crew that they were experiencing difficulties.

Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) officials have steadfastly refused to speculate on what might have caused the tragedy.

However, there is nothing to suggest some kind of collision close to Blackrock.

Rescuers are trying to establish why alert devices on board the helicopter were not triggered after the crash.

Debris from the ill-fated aircraft has been found on Blackrock Island and as far south as Achill and Annagh Islands.

All wreckage is being gathered by AAIU officials and will be painstakingly reassembled in a bid to determine what happened to R116.

The Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) vessel Granuaile is expected to play a key role in assisting divers and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) to assess the main area of wreckage on the seabed.

The Irish Lights vessel is specifically designed to assist with the maintenance and inspection of lighthouses and marine buoys in difficult weather conditions.

Blackrock Island lies 12km off Blacksod, Co Mayo, where the search and rescue teams are based.
Election day forecast? Sunny skies and, perhaps, a good turnout

"I hope that means that more people will go out and vote," said Barry Jackson, deputy elections director in Washington County.
HICKORY  President Donald Trumps proposed federal budget, America First: A Budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again, could mean bad news for North Carolina residents living in any of the 29 counties in the Appalachian region.

The proposed budget calls for the elimination of funding for several independent agencies including the Appalachian Regional Commission, a regional economic development agency that represents a partnership of federal, state and local government.

Established by an act of Congress in 1965, ARC is composed of the governors of the 13 Appalachian states and a federal co-chair, who is appointed by the president, according to the ARC website.

One of the five bullet points in Trumps proposed budget states, puts America first by keeping more of Americas hard-earned tax dollars here at home, according to the 2018 budget blueprint. Some of the agencies the president seeks to cut, like the ARC, already keep tax dollars in the country.

The purpose behind cutting some programs, including the ARC, the Chemical Safety Board, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, is to provide a $54 billion increase in defense spending.

In fiscal year 2017, the ARC requested $120 million, and if the ARC budget were to remain the same, the elimination of the program would only account for 0.22 percent of the $54 billion increase in defense spending.

Many other government agencies and departments will also experience cuts. These cuts are sensible and rational. Every agency and department will be driven to achieve greater efficiency and to eliminate wasteful spending in carrying out their honorable service to the American people, according to Trumps budget proposal.

In fiscal year 2017, defense spending equaled $574 billion, according to defense.gov.

Burke, Caldwell, Rutherford and Cleveland counties are included in the ARC region.

The ARC provides social and economic support to the 13-state region encompassing 22 million residents, according to the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

In January, Gov. Roy Cooper recommended eight community and regional projects in Western North Carolina for Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funding. The recommendations totals more than $3 million in ARC funds, according to a press release.

One of Coopers suggested projects for funding approval is for the City of Morganton, totaling $1.37 million to support the construction of an access road to a new commercial development. This project could create 45 jobs and leverage approximately $2.7 million in private investment, according to a press release.

If funding were approved, the commercial development would include a new hotel and a restaurant in Morganton, according to the Morganton News Herald.

Another one of Coopers recommendations for the allocation of ARC funds would grant the Western Piedmont Council of Governments $100,000 to, assist teachers in Alexander, Burke and Caldwell counties develop problem-based learning related to local industries. This program would serve 2,160 students, according to a press release.

Since 2012, the WPCOG has worked on multiple projects with the ARC, Sherry Long said, who is the assistant executive director for WPCOG.

Local governments play a role in ARC grants as they provide funding for the projects as well, she said.

The ARC has contributed to the economic development of the region; we are grateful to the funds that we have received from them, Long said.

The ARC also has provided the WPCOG directly with funding totaling $512,892 since 2012, Long said.

In October 2015, the ARC provided a $300,000 grant to support North Carolinas textile industry in Burke County.

The grant allocated $200,000 to the Manufacturing Solutions Center, a division of Catawba Valley Community College in Burke County; and $100,000 to Industrial Commons and the Carolina Textile District (CTD), a Morganton-based multi-state network of small and medium-sized textile and apparel manufacturers, according to arc.gov.

In September, the ARC granted nearly $1.8 million to North Carolina to strengthen the economy.

Ten cities in the state, including Granite Falls, Hudson, Morganton, Valdese and Rutherford College, received $272,000 from the $1.8 million to expand Wi-Fi services in downtown areas, according to arc.gov.

The next step in the federal budgeting process is for Congress to create its own recommendations and budget plan; fiscal year 2018 begins Oct. 1.
Following the decisive victory of BJP in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections, the where did the Muslim vote go question is dominating the political discourse. There are all sorts of arguments. BJP President Amit Shah says that a voter is a voter, there is nothing like a Hindu voter or Muslim voter. Others say that the BJP negated Muslim votes through smart social engineering and polarization.

Did Muslims in UP vote for the BJP in large numbers? Or did they shun the BJP altogether in favour of others?

The fact is: there is no definite answer. Conjectures and anecdotal explanations set aside, data available in the public domain is inadequate to provide any empirical evidence to understand whether Muslims  constituting around 18% of UPs population  voted for or against the BJP. Here is why.

BJP vote share

The vote share of BJP in the 2017 elections was around 40%, two percentage points less than the 42% vote share it bagged in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. If there were to be a significant increase in vote share from the Muslim community, that would imply an equivalent reduction from another section.

In 2014, one-fifth of Jatavs and one-fourth Yadavs voted for the BJP. There might have been a slight decline among these sections due to the consolidation of Jatavs by BSP and Yadavs by SP, says Rahul Verma, of Lokniti-CSDS and the Department of Political Science at UC Berkeley. But, he adds, the share of non-Yadav OBCs and Non-Jatav Dalits could have possibly increased a bit, due to the campaign strategy adopted by the BJP, but the overall social coalition of 2014 remain largely unchanged.

While it is unclear whether Muslims voted for the BJP in greater than usual numbers, it is equally uncertain whether Muslim support for the BJP decreased. In recent years, some small minority of Muslims have cast their ballots for the BJP, despite the partys reputation for championing Hindu causes. According to a paper published in the Economic and Political Weekly, 7% of the Muslim population voted for the BJP in the 2012 assembly elections and 10% in the Lok Sabha elections of 2014, based on data from Lokniti-CSDS. A similar proportion may have voted for the BJP this time around.

But again, whether that share has increased or not, is not clear, due to limitations of available data.

Limitations of data

Results data from the Election Commission of India (ECI) gives us a broad picture of voting patterns. We know the number of votes received by each candidate, which enables us to calculate interesting metrics like party-wise vote share and margin of victory, among other things.

As of now, data is only available at the constituency level. By looking at the constituency demographicsfor instance, the proportion of the population that is Muslimwe can make inferences about each partys success in courting the Muslim vote. But these are just guesseswe still cannot draw concrete conclusions about the individual or community-level voting behaviour.

Dr AK Verma, director at Centre for the Study of Society and Politics, Kanpur, says that polling booth level data from ECI will help us substantially claim what happened with the Muslim vote. Analysis of booths which have more than 80-90% Muslims will help us gather evidence. If the community is voting for a particular party across various such booths, that can suggest how Muslims voted.

It is here that survey data would be helpful, but, again, such data is not yet available to us.

Post-poll surveys conducted by Lokniti-CSDS have been the primary data source to answer nuanced questions about election outcomes in India. But as of now, we dont have that data for 2017 UP elections. This is because the party-wise vote share in the UP elections, as suggested by Lokniti-CSDS polls, didnt match with actual results and, as a result, cant be used for analysis as it is. The Lokniti-CSDS team has started an internal audit to figure out why their vote estimates were so off the mark. Once the problems are identified, CSDS says, they plan to carry on with their analysis after weighing the dataset with actual vote shares, alongside acknowledging that any estimates based on that data will have errors. However, not doing any analysis in coming months on this dataset is not an option, says CSDS, because then well have very little idea of what happened in 2017.

Can data from the ECI hep?

An analysis of Election Commission data by HT shows that of the 42 Muslim dominated constituencies, 32 were won by the BJP. In 2007, the BJP won just 6 of these 42 seats, and just 7 in the 2012 assembly elections. Plus, the vote share of the BJP in these constituencies stood at 39.2%, just marginally less than the overall vote share. Does this indicate massive voting by Muslims in favor of the BJP?

Whenever there are big majorities, winning parties perform well across all types of constituencies, following the overall trend. The pattern has been observed for reserved constituencies, and shouldnt be very different for Muslim-dominated seats, says Rahul Verma. Like the BJP, BSP bagged the majority of these 42 seats in 2007 when it won the election and so was the case with SP in 2012.

Based on field studies, Dr AK Verma says that Muslims in Fatehpur region were upbeat about voting for BJP due to demonetisation, and there were other regions where Triple Talaq was an important issue for Muslim women which could have translated into some votes for the BJP.

However, massive voting from Muslims in these constituencies is not a definite requirement for the BJPs success. Historical voting pattern in UP tells us that high-tone election campaigns by so-called secular parties for Muslim support can polarise the election along religious lines. Then, two factors can explain the victory.

First, the Muslim vote may have fragmented among various parties and candidates. Second, religious polarisation may have caused a consolidation of the Hindu vote, which helps the BJP gain more votes. The BJPs push in the election campaign to increase its base among the non-Yadav OBC and the non-Jatav Dalit could have possibly triggered the consolidation, leading to victory in these seats.

It is the Hindus who got together and voted en bloc for the BJP in this election, rising above caste and other identities, said an RSS source who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

Do Muslims vote for Muslim candidates?

35 of the 42 Muslim-dominated constituencies had a Muslim candidate fighting from a major party, (either the SP-Congress alliance or the BSP; the BJP did not field any Muslim candidate across UP). Of these 35, 26 were won by BJP and 9 by SP.

The EPW paper cites research of Oliver Heath (University of London) and others which indicates that Muslim voters are likely to vote for Muslim candidates only when they are perceived to have realistic chances of winning.

Muslims dont vote en bloc to defeat the BJP

Contrary to popular perception, Muslims do not vote en bloc and strategically to defeat the BJP in elections, the EPW paper argues, using public opinion and election returns data from Uttar Pradesh. They provide empirical evidence to show that the political and electoral behaviour of Muslims is no different from that of any other major community in the state. For instance, upwardly mobile Muslims have different political preferences than marginalised ones. Though the SP received the maximum vote share across all four categories, the party does better among the upwardly mobile section of Muslims.

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Uttar Pradeshs new chief minister Yogi Adityanath is no stranger to controversy. From love jihad to forced conversions to Shah Rukh Khan, he is known for his provocative statements, mostly directed against the minority community.

HT lists 10 of his most controversial statements:

1. On Hindu rashtra: I will not stop till I turn UP and India into a Hindu rashtra. (At Etah UP in 2005)

2. On (Hindus) exodus: When I look at western UP, I have regretsOn January 19 1990, Hindus had to migrate collectively from Kashmir. A massacre took place. If we have seen a sight similar to this anywhere, it was either in Bengal or western UP. Kairana and Kandhla are examples. (At Sahibabad on January 30, 2017)

3. On minorities: We want you (minorities) not to kill anybody and live peacefully and concentrate on progress...If the other side does not stay in peace, we will teach them how to stay in peace...in the language that they understand. (During a TV programme on August 31, 2014)

4. On Shah Rukh Khan: Shah Rukh Khan should remember that if a huge mass in (the) society boycotts his films, he will also have to wander on streets like a normal Muslim...I think there is no difference between the language of Shah Rukh Khan and (Pakistan terror mastermind) Hafiz Saeed. (On November 4, 2015)

5. On conversions: If one Hindu girl is converted, we will convert 100 Muslims girls...The way Hindu girls are insulted, I dont think a civilised society would accept it...If the government is not doing anything, then the Hindus will have to take matters into their own hands. (In an undated video, reportedly from a speech in Azamgarh)

6. On love jihad: We will not tolerate harassment of Hindus in the state at any cost...If anybody tries to touch Hindus in eastern UP, he will have to face the consequences. (Undated)

7. On secularism: You (non-BJP parties) claim you are secular but the agenda you implement is communal...there are 12 lakh Hindu saints in the country but you talk about giving salaries to imams. Is this secularism? (In parliament on August 13, 2014)

8.On riots : There have been 450 riots in west UP in two-and-a-half years of Samajwadi Party because the population of a particular community is rising manifold. In places where there are 10-20% minority population, stray communal incidents take place. Where there are 20-35% of them, serious communal riots take place and where they are more than 35%, there is no place for non-Muslims. (at a rally in Noida on September 7, 2014)

9. On Mother Teresa: Mother Teresa was part of a conspiracy to evangelise India. Hindus were converted in the name of doing service (at Basti, UP in July, 2016)

10. On Yoga: Lord Shankar was the biggest yogi who started yoga. Mahadev lives in every particle of this country. So those who want to avoid yoga and Lord Shankar can leave Hindustan (at Varanasi, June 9, 2015)

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A number of factors  including a vocal Hindutva agenda and the backing of everybody from RSS and VHP members to Hindu godmen  helped Yogi Adityanath win the Uttar Pradesh crown.

Yogi had been in the reckoning for the chief ministers post ever since the BJP won the state assembly elections by a landslide. However, as days passed, the focus shifted on others like Union home minister Rajnath Singh, minister of state for telecommunications (independent charge) Manoj Sinha, BJP national general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal, and state unit president Keshav Prasad Maurya.

After Trivendra Rawat  a member of the Rajput community  was appointed as the Uttarakhand chief minister, it was believed that a non-Rajput would head the Uttar Pradesh government. As Adityanath is also a Rajput, Sinha and Maurya seemed like frontrunners for the post.

On Friday evening, the BJP leadership dispatched a communique asking its 312 MLAs to attend the legislature party meeting at the Lok Bhawan auditorium. The yogis supporters remained on tenterhooks.

The next morning, however, saw a twist in the tale. BJP national president Amit Shah called Adityanath  who was in Gorakhpur  over the phone, asking him to leave for Delhi immediately.

By the time Adityanath boarded a charted plane bound for the national capital, the rumour mills had already begun running overtime. While many believed he had been called to discuss the appointment of ministers in the state cabinet, not even his most ardent supporters were aware of the events unfolding in Delhi.

That afternoon, there was word that Adityanath had been told to go to Lucknow after his meeting with Shah. Jubilant workers hit the streets, distributing sweets to passersby. Its now clear that Chotey Maharaj (as the yogi is popularly known in Gorakhpur) will be our new chief minister, said Upendra Mishra, a BJP worker.

Adityanath, a five-time MP, had held the fort in Gorakhpur region even when the BJP faced defeats in the 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha elections. There remained no doubts about Adityanaths influence in East Uttar Pradesh when the maximum number of BJP MLAs emerged victorious from Gorakhpur zone in the 2002, 2007 and 2012 polls.

The yogi also won the confidence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by organising massive rallies during campaigns for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as well as the recently concluded assembly polls. His position as head of the Gorakhnath Temple Trust, which has a large following in East Uttar Pradesh as well as Bihar, further strengthened his claim for the top post. Whats more, Chotey Maharajs spartan lifestyle matches that of the Prime Minister, said a senior BJP leader.

Adityanath established himself as a firebrand Hindutva leader after Mahanth Avaidyanath  BJP MP and erstwhile head priest of the Gorakhnath temple  appointed him as his successor. Contentious issues such as the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya, uniform civil code, ban on cow slaughter and the anti-conversion campaign topped his agenda.

Adityanath entered into a dispute with the BJP leadership over ticket distribution in 2002, and threatened to launch a separate outfit. His aide, Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, contested the polls on a Hindu Mahasabha ticket and defeated BJP candidate Shiv Pratap Shukla.

The yogi then launched the Hindu Yuva Vahini, which helped him establish his dominance over the region. He showed his strength by organising the Vishwa Hindu Mahasammelan in Gorakhpur, ensuring the participation of 970 Hindu organisations. The message to the BJP was loud and clear  they could not afford to ignore Adityanath.

While the BJP MP has largely focused on Hindutva, one cannot overlook his contributions to the development cause either. Adityanaths Facebook page highlights the various projects he launched in Gorakhpur  including the restarting of a fertiliser factory and launch of an AIIMS unit. Besides this, his temple runs dozens of educational institutions, hospitals, cow sheds and orphanages.

The yogi also has a substantial following among the Dalit and backward communities. He has repeatedly spoken for the cause of marginalised communities such as the Musahars and Vantongiyas, ensuring their assimilation into mainstream society.

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Kannur VC Dr Gopinath Ravindran was the last to respond to Raj Bhavan shortly before the 5pm deadline.
Yogi Adityanath, BJPs Lok Sabha MP from Gorakhpur, was named Uttar Pradeshs new chief minister on Saturday evening following a meeting of BJPs legislators in Lucknow. The swearing-in ceremony will take place tomorrow, Union minister Venkaiah Naidu announced, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah in attendance. The announcement to name the chief minister of Indias largest state comes exactly a week after the BJP crushed its opponents in a landslide victory.

State party chief Keshav Prasad Maurya, considered a front runner for the post, has been named deputy chief minister along with Dinesh Sharma, the partys national vice-president and Lucknows mayor.

All arrangements have been made for grand swearing-in ceremony on Sunday at a sprawling complex on the outskirts of Lucknow. The event is expected to be attended by a clutch of senior ministers as well as the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir.

Here are the highlights of the day:

9pm: Uttar Pradesh chief minister-elect Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that he would follow Prime Minister Narendra Modis sabka saath, sabka vikas slogan and exuded confidence that the state would march on the path of development.

8.10pm: Yogi Adityanath means development is now subordinated to majoritarianism of shamshan over kabristan. Harbinger to greater polarisation in 2019: Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari on Adityanaths appointment.

7.39pm: Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh congratulates Yogi Adityanath on becoming UPs CM-designate

7.21pm: The UP message is very clear - They want to move with Modi. This is a historic moment, a watershed moment in BJPs history: Venkaiah Naidu says after announcing Adityanath as CM.

7.17pm: Venkaiah Naidu says PM Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah will attend the swearing-in ceremony.

7.15pm: Naidu says swearing-in ceremony will take place tomorrow at 2:15pm.

7.13pm: Union minister Venkaiah Naidu addresses media with Yogi Adityanath at his side.

#WATCH Yogi Adityanath chosen as Uttar Pradesh BJP legislature party leader pic.twitter.com/OPnuON4BTg  ANI (@ANI_news) March 18, 2017

7.01pm: Senior BJP leader and Union minister Kalraj Mishra announces Yogi Adityanath as UPs new chief minister. Official Twitter account of BJPs Uttar Pradesh unit congratulates Adityanath.

6.50pm: PTI alert says Yogi Adityanath to be the next UP CM.

6. 45pm: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan congratulates Yogi Adityanath for being named Uttar Pradeshs CM.

Screenshot of Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhans Twitter account. (Twitter)

6.17pm: ANI clarifies that no official statement has been released yet naming Yogi Adityanath as UP CM.

This is based on sources. This is NOT an official announcement. We at ANI have jumped the gun. https://t.co/UDu86dPY9P  Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) March 18, 2017

6.10pm: Reports say Gorakhpur MP Yogi Adityanath to be CM. Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma to be deputies.

5.43pm: Union minister Venkaiah Naidu arrives, meeting underway in Lucknow.

5.28pm: Om Mathur and Keshav Prasad Maurya arrive for the meeting.

5.21pm: BJP general secretary organisation Sunil Bansal arrives for the MLA meet along with party observer and national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav.

5. 20pm: ANI reports that Yogi Adityanath, Bhupendra Yadav, Om Mathur, KP Maurya and Sunil Bansal held a separate meeting ahead of the BJP MLAs meet.

4.46pm: Yogi Adityanaths name crops up as the front runner in the CM race, reports NDTV. Adityanath arrives in Lucknow.

4.12pm: BJP MLAs arrive for the partys legislature meet in Lucknow.

BJP MLAs arrive for the party's legislature meet in Lucknow pic.twitter.com/a6cXxJu86v  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 18, 2017

3.59pm: Manoj Sinha to leave for Delhi at around 6pm.

3.11pm: Manoj Sinha returns to Banaras, expected to leave for Lucknow.

2.45pm: Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya  for whom Rajasthan governor Kalyan Singh and union minister Uma Bharti are reportedly rooting for as UP chief minister  is likely to be present at the BJP legislature party meeting in Lucknow later in the day.

2.30 pm: A huge crowd has gathered at Barhat where Union minister Manoj Sinha, a frontrunner for Uttar Pradesh chief minister, has been to. The minister is returning to Varanasi.

Supporters of Union minister Manoj Sinha at Barhat . (HT Photo)

1.45 pm: Hundreds of BJP workers have gathered at various towns in Uttar Pradesh in the first formal celebration of a thumping victory in the assembly elections. Its the Modi wave that had got us victory in 2014 and again in 2017. This wave will continue endlessly, said Ashok Singh, a supporter outside BJP office in Lucknow.

12.20 pm: BJP MP Yogi Adityanath called to Delhi to meet Amit Shah. Sources say it is because he strongly objected to the appointment of some MLAs in the state ministry particularly Radha Mohan Das Agarwal. It was to resolve this issue and other matters related to eastern UP that he was called, according to sources.

12:15 pm: BJP supporters have begun gathering outside BJPs state headquarters in Lucknow.

#Lucknow BJP supporters have started gathering outside state BJP office as elected MLA's will elect CM @htTweets pic.twitter.com/UCRMJh5SrJ  Rajeev Mullick (@rmulko) March 18, 2017

11.45 am: Section of media unnecessarily speculating, says front-runner Manoj Sinha. He tells ANI that he is not in the race for the CMs post and that it is the legislature party and the BJPs parliamentary board that decides.

11.40 am: Supporters of Keshav Prasad Maurya and Yogi Adityanath stage demonstrations demanding that the candidates they support be made the states chief minister.

Yogi Adityanath supporters protest in Lucknow. (ANI)

11.10 am: Names in the media are purely speculative, we will be meeting the MLAs today evening and then decide, Union minister Venkaiah Naidu tells ANI. He has reached Lucknow for the partys legislative meeting.

11.00 am: UPs BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya arrives at Amit Shahs residence.

10.00 am: Telecom minister Manoj Sinha, who represents the Ghazipur Lok Sabha seat from eastern Uttar Pradesh, offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple and Sankatmochan Temple in Varanasi on Saturday morning before leaving for his home district.

(With agency inputs)
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Trivendra Singh Rawat, who will take oath on Saturday as the ninth chief minister of Uttarakhand, has said development of the state will be his priority.

Rawat, who has a long RSS background, was elected as the leader of the BJP legislative party on Friday. The 56-year-old, known to be close to BJP chief Amit Shah, emerged as the frontrunner in Uttarakhand from a pool of at least 6 names.

The swearing-in will be in state capital Dehradun on Saturday afternoon in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah.

I have a single point agenda, which is development  I will ensure 100% to offer better services to the people, the chief minister-elect said in an interview with Hindustan Times.

People are struggling for basic amenities even 16 years after Uttarakhand was formed. The condition of schools, public healthcare and roads are pathetic. Besides, there is no employment opportunity.

The BJP swept back to power after 5 years with a landslide majority in Uttarakhand by winning 57 of the hill states 70-member state assembly to wrest power from the Congress, which managed to win only 11.

Rawats immediate task, however, will be to select his council from more than 4 dozen claimants for ministerial berths. Besides him, the Uttarakhand cabinet can have no more than 11 ministers.

All 57 candidates who won the assembly elections belong to the BJP. Ours is a cadre-based party and no decision is taken alone. Distribution of portfolios too will be done with the due consent of the legislators and national party leaders, Rawat said.

The party will have to make its choice between loyalists and Congress turncoats who joined the BJP last year after rebelling against outgoing chief minister Harish Rawat. Among the 10 Congress rebels who contested, eight won. They are reportedly eyeing a big role in the government now.

At least two former Congressmen  Harak Singh Rawat and Subodh Uniyal  could be accommodated in the cabinet, sources said.

Political scions  Vijay Bahugunas son Saurabh and BC Khanduris daughter Ritu  are likely to make it to the coveted list too. Both Bahuguna and Khanduri are former chief ministers.

We have won with a huge mandate and obviously legislators have expectations. But let me assure you, it (cabinet formation) will be a smooth affair, said Ajay Bhatt, the state BJP president.

Rawat, a Thakur, faced stiff competition himself for the chief ministers post from former minister Prakash Pant and former parliamentarian Satpal Maharaj, a Congress leader who joined the BJP ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

But Amit Shahs support to Rawat seems to have tilted the balance, a BJP source said.

Rawat was one of Shahs three deputies in Uttar Pradesh where the BJP swept all but seven seats in the 2014 parliamentary elections. He is also credited with the BJPs win in Jharkhand.

The BJPs organisational man and party in-charge in Jharkhand served as a minister in the hill states BJP government in 2007.

Rawatjis track record as minister was noticed, not only because of his ability to deliver but also for the way he handled the bureaucracy, state BJP spokesperson Virendra Singh Bisht said.
Dinesh Sharma was indoctrinated into Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)s ideology early in his life due to his fathers association with sangh ideologue Deendayal Upadhyaya and former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

He has been appointed as deputy chief minister of UP, along with Keshav Prasad Maurya, on Saturday, a week after the BJP won a landslide victory in the countrys most populous and politically crucial state.

But more than the family connection, his rise in the BJP, an offshoot of the RSS, is largely attributed to his organisational skill.

Vajpayee first spotted his talent and entrusted him with the organisational work of the party. It was the former prime minister who inspired the 53-year-old Lucknow mayor to join politics.

Sharma, a prominent upper-caste face of the party in UP, was also credited by many for the resounding success of BJPs membership drive ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

As the national in-charge of the drive, he then helped the BJP grow into a largest political party in the world with more than 100 million members.

Soon after the BJPs landslide victory in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Sharma was made in-charge of Modis home state, Gujarat. Party insiders say, his deftness in handling organisational matters in Gujrat did not escape the eyes of Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.

He was made BJPs national vice president in 2016.

Sharma, who also multi-tasked as a professor of the Lucknow University, also excelled in academics, with 20 doctoral theses being completed under him.

Born on January 12, 1964, Sharma has been teaching in the universitys commerce department since 1992. He did his PhD from the same university.

Known for his orthodox beliefs, he often blames western culture and influence of Bollywood movies for what he termed degenerating of Indian ethos.

In 2013, soon after the horrific Delhi gang rape, he blamed such degeneration of Indian culture for such incidents.

He is married to former IIM faculty Jayalakshmi.

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Trivendra Singh Rawat, a former RSS pracharak, was sworn in as the chief minister of Uttarakhand after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept back to power a landslide majority.

BJP leaders Dharmendra Pradhan, JP Nadda, Shyam Jaju, Saroj Pandey and observer Narendra Singh Tomar announced Rawat as its legislative party leader on Friday, effectively making him the next chief minister of the state. The 56-year-old is said to be close to BJP chief Amit Shah and was one of the three deputies attached to him in Uttar Pradesh during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

The swearing-in ceremony took place on March 18 at 3 pm at Parade Grounds in Dehradun for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah were present, along with select ministers from the Union government and central office bearers. Party sources told IANS that six ministers were also likely to be sworn in with Rawat.

The BJP won 57 of the hill states 70-member state assembly to wrest power from the Congress, which managed to win only 11 in the assembly elections.

Following are the live updates from the swearing-in ceremony:

Swearing-in ceremony concludes. A total of nine ministers take oath, including seven cabinet ministers and two ministers of state.

3.05 pm: Trivendra Singh Rawat takes oath as chief minister of Uttarakhand at the Parade Grounds in Uttarakhand.

Satpal Maharaj, Prakash Pant, Madan Kaushik, Yashpal Arya, Arvind Arya, Subodh Uniyal, swear in as cabinet ministers.

Of the nine ministers who took oath, five were previously with the Congress party.

2.45 pm: Outgoing CM Harish Rawat also reaches the Parade Ground to attend the swearing-in ceremony. His predecessors Vijay Bahuguna, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank and BC Khanduriji are also present.

2.30 pm: PM Narendra Modi reaches Dehradun airport. He was received by CM-designate Trivendra Singh Rawat and state governor KK Paul. BJP national president Amit Shah, Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Uma Bharti, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, union MoS VK Singh, BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya also reaches to attend the swearing-in ceremony.

The Prime Minister reached Dehradun where he will attend the oath taking ceremony of Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat. pic.twitter.com/rlmIpYMWJJ  PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 18, 2017

1.30 pm: Sources say that a senior party leader Satpal Maharaj was unhappy that he was not considered for the chief ministers post. When reporters met him today, he ducked the question of whether he would like to be a minister.

1.00 pm: According to sources, these MLAs are expected to take oath today as cabinet ministers: Rekha Arya, Dhan Singh Rawat, Satpal Maharaj, Prakash Pant, Harak Singh Rawat, Yashpal Arya, Subodh Uniyal, Bishan Singh Chupal and Arvind Pandey.

12.50 pm: Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, Uttarakhands CM-designate Trivendra Singh Rawat pays tribute at the Saheed Isthal in Dehradun, set up in the memory of those who were killed during separate statehood movement in 1994.

The 56-year-old Rawat, known to be close to BJP chief Amit Shah, emerged as the frontrunner in Uttarakhand from a pool of at least six names. In an interview with HT, he said that he has a single point agenda - development.

People are struggling for basic amenities even after 16 years of the formation of Uttarakhand. The condition of schools, health facilities, roads is pathetic. Besides, there is a lack of employment opportunities, he said. Read the full interview here.

(With inputs from agencies)
Hundreds of BJP workers gathered at various towns in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday in the first formal celebration of a thumping victory in the assembly elections, a day before the partys first chief minister in 14 years is sworn in.

Bike rallies, sweets, colours and trumpets marked the celebrations. Revelries began early in the day at party offices. Vijay Diwas is the celebration of victory that has been attained by the support of workers and the people of the state, said Keshav Prasad Maurya, state BJP chief.

The BJP won 312 seats and its allies Apna Dal 9 seats and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party 4 seats, taking the tally to 325 of the 403 assembly seats.

In Lucknow the party office was crammed with supporters of various leaders since 9 am. One group shouted slogans in support of Yogi Adityanath, the MP from Gorakhpur, another for Union minister Manoj Sinha while a third segment of workers for Maurya. All three are seen to be in the race to be named chief minister.

Sweets and thandai (local cold drink) greeted people in Allahabad while two-wheeler rally marked the occasion on streets of Agra, where celebrations kicked-off from the Mahajan Bhavan in Jaipur House. Since it is celebrations of victory attained by the support of masses we appeal the residents to light up their homes to mark it, said Vijay Shivhare, Agra city BJP unit president.

In Bareilly, the celebrations will start at 5 pm at the party office in Rajendra Nagar and then party workers will take out a small rally in the city travelling different localities. Its a big victory with the support of people and we shall give back to them in shape of development in the state, Santosh Gangwar, party MP from Bareilly and MoS finance said.

Follow LIVE updates | BJP to announce new Uttar Pradesh CM today, Yogi Adityanath, Maurya meet Amit Shah in Delhi

In Allahabad the district has been divided into 105 sectors and celebrations are on in each of them, said Pawan Srivastava media in charge BJP Allahabad city unit. Of the 12 assembly seats here (Allahabad) BJP won eight and one was won by Apna Dal.

Its Modi wave that had got us victory in 2014 and again in 2017. This wave will continue endlessly, said Ashok Singh, a supporter outside BJP office in Lucknow.

(With inputs from K Sandeep Kumar in Allahabad, Chandan Kumar in Bareilly and Hemendra Chaturvedi in Agra)

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Yogi Adityanath, a firebrand BJP leader and a five-time MP from Gorakhpur, was named on Saturday as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, exacly a week after the party took control of the state with a brute majority.

HT traces his life and career as one of the most polarising political figures in India.

The beginning of political innings: It was in the year 1998 when Yogi Adityanath entered the political arena after leaving his ancestral home at Pancher village in Pauri Garhwal where he was born on June 5, 1972. He was born Ajay Mohan Bisht but later changed his name after his indoctrination into the Nath sect.

The year saw former BJP MP Mahant Avidyanath, a key leader of 90s Ram Temple movement, passing his baton to Yogi Adityanath who emerged as a controversial Hindu leader known for hate speeches.

A B.Sc graduate (1993) from Garhwal University in Uttrakhand, Yogi made his Parliament debut after winning the election in 1998 from Gorakhpur. He continued to win the seat for five times with large margins, except in 2004 when the Samajwadi Partys Jamuna Nishad gave him tough fight. He won by just 5,000 votes.

Chief priest of Gorakhnath temple: Adityanath received deeksha (teachings) of the Nath sect at the Gorakhnath temple in February, 1994. As per the sects traditions, his ears were pierced amid rituals associated with the temple. He addressed Mahant Avidyanath, his maternal uncle, as Guruji. Yogi Adityanath took over as chief priest of Gorakhnath temple after Mahant Avidyanath passed away in 2014.

Major controversies/criminal cases: Adityanaths radical pro-Hindutva image came to the fore for the first in February 1999, when he allegedly tried to capture a graveyard land by planting a peepal tree at Panch Rukhiya village in Maharajganj district. A case under several sections was registered against him in the Kotwali police station.

In 2007, just before the assembly elections, Adityanath had to spend 15 days in jail when he was booked for inciting riots in Gorakhpur and adjoining areas which saw the killing of a Muslim youth. Riots broke out after a provocative speech by Adityanath following the killing of a Hindu youth in January. He was booked again by police. He is still facing trial in the two cases.

Strained relations with BJP:In 2007, upset with the BJP for not helping him during a crisis when he was jailed for communal riots, Adityanath fielded candidates from his nationalist outfit, the Hindu Yuva Vahini, against party nominees. The same year, he showed his clout when he fielded and ensured a victory for Radha Mohan Das Aggarwal on a Hindu Mahasabha ticket. Adityanath was ignored by the central leadership as he was not inducted in the Modi ministry despite being a law-maker for five times.

Saints demand Yogi as CM candidate: Even as the BJP constantly ignored growing demands to project Yogi Adityanath as the partys CM candidate, a meeting of saints and seers from Ayodhya and other places, held at the Gorakhnath temple in 2016, pitched Yogi as the CM face and pointed out that decks for construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya could only be cleared when Yogi becomes the chief minister.

Polarising figure in 2017 polls: Adityanath helped BJP reap the benefits of a highly polarised Uttar Pradesh. He had first raked up the issue of alleged discrimination in power supply during Hindu and Muslim festivals and also in allocation of land for kabristan and shamshan, which was later highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He had also made highly controversial comments on issues such as love jihad, cow slaughter and forcible conversion.

Handled rebellion: A faction of Adityanaths HYV revolted when its members were denied tickets by BJP in the just concluded assembly elections. They emerged as big trouble for BJP by announcing to contest election against saffron party candidates in alliance with Shiv Sena. The revolt was immediately crushed by Yogi who sacked rebel leaders. Later, some rebels took back their nominations on his initiative.
The BJPs legislators in Uttar Pradesh will decide on Saturday evening who will become the chief minister of Indias largest state, exactly a week after the saffron party crushed its opponents en-route a landslide victory.

Unless there is a last-minute change in script, the top contenders for the position appear to be Union telecom minister Manoj Sinha, , RSS general secretary (organisation) in Bihar Nagendra Nath Tripathi, BJP legislature party leader Suresh Khanna, a Khatri.

A source said a lobby was also busy pitching for party vice-president and Lucknow mayor Dinesh Sharma who too enjoys the confidence of PM Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. UP party chief Keshav Prasad Maurya who along with party general secretary (organization) Sunil Bansal would also be present at the legislature party meeting is likely to propose the name of the new CM. The new CM would take oath along with his ministers at a lavish function at Lucknows Smriti Upvan grounds on Sunday.

BJP lawmakers would lock their choice in the presence of Union minister Venkaiah Naidu and BJP national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav. The meeting would take place at Lok Kalyan Bhawan, the new chief ministers secretariat building that came up during the tenure of outgoing UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. The Lok Kalyan Bhawan shares its boundary with BJP office in Lucknow and hence celebrations are likely to be spread right from CMs secretariat till the party office.

All arrangements have been made for grand swearing-in ceremony on Sunday at a sprawling complex on the outskirts of Lucknow. The event is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah and a clutch of senior ministers.

Sinha  a two-time parliamentarian who represents the Ghazipur Lok Sabha seat from eastern Uttar Pradesh  offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple and Sankatmochan Temple in Varanasi on Saturday morning before leaving for his home district. An upper-caste Bhumihar leader, Sinha is considered close to Modi and manages the PMs Varanasi parliamentary constituency.

Other contenders for the position include Union home minister Rajnath Singh  who has been CM of the state before  and tourism minister Mahesh Sharma  who is a former MLA from the state and considered close to the RSS.

The BJP won 312 of the states 403 seats in the recently concluded assembly election, winning support from communities such as Dalits and OBCs who have traditionally stayed away from the party, on the back of Modis popularity. The partys victory  the biggest in almost four decades  is is seen as a ringing endorsement of Modis governance and will boost the BJP in the run-up to the general elections.

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To shun British legacy on dress code, MP government will introduce a Bhartiya Paridhan for convocations of universities of the state.

Opposing convocation dress code which comprises a gown and a mortarboard (cap) being used for a long time, MP government has taken a decision to introduce Indian dress code for convocation.

The dress may be a combination of modern and Indian dress, said sources.

Higher education minister Jaibhan Singh Pawaiya had asked vice chancellors in October to introduce Indian dress for the convocation. The minister was also giving the convocations a miss due to the reason.

A committee of vice chancellors was formed to decide the dress code.

The committee head and vice chancellor Sangeet Shukla said, The government wanted to end the British legacy in convocation ceremony. The focus is on Bhartiya Paridhan (Indian traditional dress) which will be suitable for both male and female students.

As the convocation is a prestigious moment for every student so we will introduce a dress which is liked by students. The dress is being designed by fashion designers which will be a combination of modern and traditional Indian dresses. The fabric may be silk. We are also discussing what can be design of the cap, said Shukla.

A section of members of committee has given an option of Kurta, Pyajama with jacket. Barkatullah University vice chancellor MD Tiwari said, We have given an option of Kurta, Pyajama with jacket but the final decision will be taken by the committee.

The different option of dresses will be presented in a meeting of committee of vice chancellors on March 20. We will present different options in front of governor OP Kohli in a meeting of standing committee scheduled to be held on April 17 to finalise a dress code. From the next academic session, the dress code will be introduced, said Ashish Upadhyaya, principal secretary, Higher Education.

The debate over convocation robe started in 2010 when former environment minister Jairam Ramesh shrugged off the robe in a convocation ceremony of IIFM in Bhopal. Ramesh termed it as a barbaric colonial practice.

Later, revenue minister Umashankar Gupta also raised the issue.
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, who met Aamir Khan on the latters birthday (March 14), has said he did not meet the PK actor for work. We dont talk work, we havent spoken work for years. He was in town. He has just been in town, I have been in town and last 2-3 months, he has come home sometimes but nothing, there is nothing work wise that we have discussed, he said.

Recently, the Raees star visited Aamir Khan at his residence on his 52nd birthday and speculations were rife that they might come together in a film.

When asked about what gift he gave to the Dangal star, SRK jokingly said, I just hug everyone, thats all. It was his birthday, so I just wanted to wish him and spend some time with him.

On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan will next be seen in Imtiaz Alis upcoming movie The Ring alongside Anushka Sharma, while Aamir Khan is busy shooting for Vijay Krishna Acharyas Thugs of Hindostan, which also stars megastar Amitabh Bachchan.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
Home Minister Rajnath Singh today made an assurance that farmers income will double by 2022 while terming agriculture as a sunrise sector of the 21st century with ample growth potential.

Allaying fears that prospects of agriculture are bleak, the minister maintained that on the contrary, farmers have a bright future.

Our Prime Minister has already spelt out the vision of doubling farmers income by 2022 and we will convert that vision into reality, Singh said while addressing a summit on agriculture organised by the Haryana government here.

The minister also spoke of the challenges faced by farmers with regard to high input costs and a fair price for their produce.

Dispelling the notion that agriculture has no potential and Indian farmers have no future, Singh said: People like me and many more believe that neither the potential for growth in agriculture has ended nor the future of farmers is bleak.

He corroborated his stand by saying a lot of people around the world have started believing that farming is the only sunrise sector of the country in the 21st century, thanks to the way technology is deployed to increase output.
Trucks are the dumbest things on the Indian roads today, but that would soon be a thing of the past.

Cummins, one of the worlds biggest engine-makers, said the trucks will become smarter from April 1, when Bharat Stage IV (BS IV) emission norms will become mandatory for commercial vehicles across India.

In a conversation with HT on the sidelines of Tata Motors T1 Prima Truck Racing on Saturday, Anant Talaulicar, vice-president of Cummins Inc, and chairman and managing director of Cummins Group India, said, So far in the BS III regime, the engines are mechanical products. But starting April, they will be electronically controlled. Thus, the BS IV engines will be cleaner, more powerful with better fuel economy and easier to service.

Cummins Indias BS IV engines use selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technologies controlled electronically. And just like a smartphone, your engine can actually talk to you. You can have apps on it to control acceleration, fuel economy, and if theres a problem, it says, Hey! Ive got a problem. Please look at this.

So will the BS IV engines be smarter than the truckers?

Not exactly, but definitely smarter than the mechanical engines, the Cummins chief said in jest, I think our truck drivers are very smart. So meeting with their smartness will be a challenge.

BS IV norms are already in place for all passenger vehicles in major cities, but will be mandatory for commercial vehicles across the country from April 1, 2017. The norm brings down emission of nitrogen oxide (NOx) from tailpipes of trucks and buses by 50% and of hazardous particulate matter by 80%.

Anant Talaulicar with his team behind the 1000hp Tata Prima truck at the Tata Motors T1 Prima Truck Racing preview at Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida, on Saturday. (HT Photo / Gulshankumar Wankar)

Three years ago, Cummins India has invested around Rs 800-1,000 crore towards development of BS IV-compliant engines at its 225-acre Phaltan campus near Pune, the company chief said.

For the customer, the vehicles are likely to become around 10% costlier, Talaulicar said.

However, India will adopt the BS VI norms from April 1, 2020. Were skipping the Bharat Stage V. Its a big jump. But since were a global company, we already have this technology in Europe (Euro V) . Our challenge would be localisation and adapting the technology, since the costs will be significantly higher for the Indian market.

Talaulicar said Cummins engineers from the US, UK, China and India are working together for this transition.

Besides the 9-litre, 400hp engines doing the duty in Tata Prima trucks during the T1 racing on Sunday, Cummins India also engineered ISG12  a 12-litre, 1000hp engine for making the most powerful truck in India.

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A 26-year-old woman who got married earlier this month is battling for life after neighbour, a jilted lover, slashed her throat early Saturday morning in Sahibabad township of Ghaziabad.

The woman who was married to a Sonepat resident on March 4 had arrived from that town at her mothers house in Sahibabads Rajiv Colony to celebrate her first Holi after marriage.

She was alone at home when she was attacked after her mother had gone out for some work. Her neighbour, Rajiv Kashyap, barged into the house and inflicted severe injuries on her throat with the weapon.

It is suspected that he slashed her throat with a razor and escaped when she cried for help. In her initial statements to doctors, she told that Kashyap wanted to marry her and acted in retaliation because she married elsewhere. She has not stated whether she was also interested in marriage with him or not. It is not clear whether they were in any relationship or not, said Anup Singh, circle officer (Sahibabad).

The woman lost her father a few years ago. She has a younger brother who is said to be mentally challenged.

She was alone in the house and her mother had gone out to look after the agricultural fields. My sister was boiling milk when Rajiv entered the house finding her alone and slashed her throat. She tried to resist his attempt but he was successful in landing blows. She then cried for help and also ran out of the house. Locals then rushed her to hospital, said Saurabh Kumar, womans cousin.

Rajivs parents went to the police station after being summoned but Rajiv has not showed up so far. We still dont know why he attacked my sister. I rushed to the hospital after I got a call from locals about the incident, he added.

The police said that Rajiv is absconding. His father said that they had cut him off from inheriting the familys property as he indulged in anti-social activities and is considered a local goon. The family has also lodged a police complaint of attempted murder against Rajiv.

We have sent teams to trace the culprit. He will be nabbed soon. The doctors say that the woman has 50% chances of survival as she suffered heavy blood loss, Singh added.

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Has democracy been murdered in Goa and Manipur? Has the first right to try and form a government been stolen from the Congress? Or is the party mistaken about the principles on which a government is formed in a hung assembly?

It was the 1989 Lok Sabha election that produced the first hung Parliament. At the time President R Venkataraman sought to create a government by calling upon leaders of parties according to the size of their Lok Sabha representation. If the leader of the biggest couldnt form one he approached the next and so on.

However, this principle was President Venkataramans concoction. It has little basis in our Constitution and differs with the practice of the House of Commons which, till then, we followed. Indeed, political parties are not even mentioned in the original unamended Constitution.

The correct constitutional position is simple but, because it requires an act of subjective judgement, it can, on occasion, be messy. The person most likely to command a majority in the House is the person who should be called to form a government. When a political party has a majority its leader is presumed to be that person. In such circumstances the choice is simple.

However, when that is not the case and the leader of the second or even third largest party can command a majority he is the person who should be called to form a government. But this could require a subjective act of judgement which may become messy.

Because President Venkataraman did not want to make an assessment of which party had a majority, for fear of getting it wrong, he devised the seemingly objective principle of calling upon them in accordance with their size. But when this practice was followed by President Shankar Dayal Sharma in 1996 it led to the farcical 13-day minority BJP government although any credible assessment of the Lok Sabha would have established the existence of an alignment of parties with a clear majority.

In 2002, 2005 and 2013 governors in Kashmir, Jharkhand and Delhi acted very differently. They bypassed the single largest party to call on an alliance of smaller parties because it constituted a majority. In the process they overturned the Venkataraman principle thus questioning its continuing validity.

Now lets return to Goa and Manipur. In both states the leader of the second-largest party could prove to the governor that he had majority support. Letters to that effect were handed over. This clinched the matter. The Congress, though larger than the BJP, had less support and, therefore, a weaker claim to be given the first opportunity to form a government.

Alas, the BJP hasnt used this logic to justify whats happened. Instead its argued that because both in Goa and Manipur its vote share is greater than Congress more people want a BJP government than a Congress one. Additionally, in Manipur its claimed that because Congress numbers collapsed from 42 to 28 the mandate is for a non-Congress government, an argument that goes against the BJP in Goa.

Unfortunately, this is spurious logic even if prima facie appealing. Its not the percentage of votes but the number of seats that matters. Thats how the system works. The BJPs logic could also support the conclusion that the mandate in 2014, when 70% voted for parties other than the BJP, was for a non-BJP government.

The views expressed are personal

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This year marks the 20th anniversary of Lokniti, one of the most admirable intellectual initiatives in the history of independent India. Headquartered at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies in New Delhi, Lokniti is a network of political scientists, teaching at colleges and universities across the country. It conducts surveys and opinion polls on each assembly and general election in India, which pay careful attention to voter attitudes and voter behaviour, and to cleavages of caste, class, and religion. Journalists across India, and scholars from across the world, rely massively on the vast storehouse of empirical data that Lokniti has assembled on the Indian elections.

Lokniti is remarkable for its depth of scholarship; and for the collegiality of its scholars. Most Indian academic institutions, like most Indian political parties, are dominated by a single charismatic individual. But Lokniti is run neither by an alpha male nor a high command. It is a genuinely decentralised network, which practises democracy within, even while studying democracy without.

In the recent round of assembly elections, the pollsters of Lokniti collected field-level data from different parts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur and Punjab. However, for Lokniti the conduct and result of elections in India is only one element of their mandate. A second, as defined by their charter, is the development of a comparative understanding of democratic polities in different historical and cultural settings.

In the first week of March, when polling was still on in Uttar Pradesh, in distant Bengaluru a group of scholars were discussing a report that Lokniti, working with collaborators in four other countries, had just produced on the State of Democracy in South Asia.

Multi-party democracy based on universal adult franchise was long considered a Western monopoly. However, the data in this new report demonstrates that electoral democracy was now strongly rooted in South Asia. Once, only Sri Lanka and India held regular elections; now, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and even Bhutan have abandoned autocracy or monarchy for democracy.

Reading the report closely, one found that while, in a formal sense, democracy is fairly well established in South Asia, in a substantive sense there are real worries. For one thing, while a decade ago 64% of respondents were happy with democratic functioning, the figure now is closer to 55%. For another, respondents seemed to trust unelected (and unrepresentative) public bodies such as the army and the judiciary more than elected bodies such as Parliament.

Reading this well-researched report on democracy in South Asia, I was struck by how many respondents did not seem to believe that public institutions could function on the basis of impersonal or impartial rules and procedures. 47% of those surveyed across the region believed that bribes were required to access government services. 19% believed that influence or sifarish was crucial. 9% believed that knowing a politician would help them, while 6% thought they needed a middleman instead. A mere 19% of respondents believed that they could access government services without any intervention or influence whatsoever.

Nurturing democracy in the poor, multi-ethnic, multi-religious nations of South Asia was always going to be far harder than in the richer and more homogeneous nations of Western Europe. Among the major challenges the South Asian nations face is overcoming the dangers of linguistic and religious majoritarianism. The record here is decidedly mixed, with this latest Lokniti report demonstrating that minorities across the region continue to feel insecure. At the same time, the study found that, except in Nepal, religious minorities endorsed the idea of democracy more actively than did religious majorities. An earlier Lokniti study had found that, after the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992, Muslims in north India began to vote in larger numbers. Harassed by the police, suspected by many members of the majority community, minorities across South Asia largely trust the impartiality of the ballot box, where each voter is equal regardless of the language she or he speaks or the religion she or he practises.

This latest State of Democracy Report will consolidate Loknitis already high and well deserved scholarly reputation. Yet I was disappointed to see so little attention paid to questions of gender. In all the countries of South Asia, women are discriminated against in multiple ways. They remain under-represented in the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. Working women are often paid less and offered worse service conditions than their male counterparts in identical jobs. When it comes to making personal or professional choices, boys and men are far freer than girls or women. And within the home and the village, as well as in the office and the city, the harassment of women is ubiquitous, and violence against them widespread as well. So far as the treatment of women is concerned, South Asia must surely be one of the most undemocratic parts of the world.

Ramachandra Guhas books include Gandhi Before India

Twitter: @Ram_Guha

The views expressed are personal

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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked students appearing for Board exams to reach their examination centers ahead of the schedule to avoid inconvenience in view of Jat groups threatening to intensify their agitation on Monday.

CBSE said in the advisory, It has come to the notice of the Board through reliable sources that Akhil Bhartiya Jat Aarakshan Samiti has appealed to the members of the Jat Community to gherao the Parliament House and PMs residence in New Delhi on 20th March, 2017 (Monday).

The students and parents are hereby informed and advised to take necessary measures to reach the examination centres well before the scheduled time to avoid any inconvenience in anticipation of the gherao, the advisory said.

The Class XII exams scheduled for March 20 include mathematics, clinical bio-chemistry and microbiology-II, microbiology (MLT). Class X will have painting, Spanish and Russian exam.

Delhi Police has also advised students appearing for board exams to plan their visit to examination center in view of the Jat agitation.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi has postponed its booth level workers meet which was to be held on Sunday at Ramlila Maidan once again, in view of the swearing-in ceremony of the new chief minister of Uttar Pradesh scheduled for the same day in Lucknow.

The convention in Delhi ahead of the civic polls was to be addressed by the party president Amit Shah and Union urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu to motivate party workers for better booth level election management.

The workers meet will now happen on March 25. This is the second time the event has been rescheduled. Earlier, it was planned on March 6 but had to be deferred as Shah, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari, and other party leaders were then busy in campaigning in Uttar Pardesh assembly elections.

Ravinder Gupta, general secretary, Delhi BJP said the meeting at Ramlila Maidan has been postponed as Shah and Naidu would be present in the oath-taking ceremony along with senior party leadership in Lucknow.

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari is going to attend the function too. Now, the meeting be held on March 25. The workers are eagerly waiting to seek guidance from national president Amit Shah therefore we decided to defer the meet for a week, he said.

With the booth workers meeting, the BJP was to formally kick start the campaign for civic polls in the national capital. More than 65,000 party workers, who have been named panchparmeshwar, were invited to participate.

Apart from this, a team of 373 senior workers formed for booth management were also to be present at the convention.

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged that the programme was postponed because BJP councillors and office-bearers are not happy with the decision of the party not allowing them or their family members to the contest municipal elections therefore they are not supporting.

Reports from the ground suggest that non-cooperation by sulking councillors led to the cancellation of Amit Shahs Rally. If true it only accentuates what we have known for months, the present Delhi BJP is in no state to mount a worthy challenge in the MCD polls, said Ashish Talwar, incharge of AAP (Delhi).
Delhi police arrested on Saturday arrested a mobile phone shop owner from Punjab and another from Delhi for allegedly receiving stolen gadgets from snatchers in the capital.

The accused are Satender Pratap Singh, 38, hailing from Chattarpur in south Delhi and Chandan Makkar, 21, native of Sri Muktsar Sahib district in Punjab.

Around 250 stolen mobile phones, 15 mobile phone chargers, 19 laptops, 105 laptop chargers, nine iPads, and 24 mother boards of iPhones were recovered from the two. With their arrest, south Delhi police claimed to have solved 41 cases of robbery, snatching and house thefts.

Ishwar Singh, deputy commissioner of police (south), said that following a sudden spurt in incidents of robbery, snatching and burglary in south Delhi areas, they constituted a team of special staff to neutralise criminals involved.

A team comprising inspector Jeet Singh and sub inspectors Satender Khari and Rajeev Bamal gathered information about the gangs involved in such crimes. The team members verified persons with criminal records to establish their potential involvement with the crimes, the DCP said.

The prisoner maintenance system was utilised effectively. The police scrutinised details of burglars, snatchers and robbers, who were recently released from various jails, and also well known receivers of stolen properties. The efforts paid off when they received information about one Satender Pratap Singh, a receiver of stolen properties.

The team conducted a raid at Satenders home in Chattarpur on March 11 and recovered several stolen gadgets like mobile phones, laptops, iPads and tablets. We arrested him, the DCP said.

During interrogation, Satender disclosed to have received the stolen gadgets from one Deepak alias Ganja, a resident of Kirari in Delhi. He also revealed that Ganja used to receive stolen gadgets from snatchers and burglars, and sold them off to one Anmol alias Kaku and Chandan Makkar, both from Punjab.

Police further raided hideouts of Kaku and Makkar in Punjab. Makkar was arrested from his hometown with more stolen goods on March 15, while Kaku is still at large.

On interrogation, Makkar told police that he had been running a mobile shop in his hometown for the last three years. He used to visit Delhis Gaffar Market to purchase mobile phones and accessories. He He met Satender during one such visit, and was lured by him into buying stolen gadgets to maximise profit. Makkar further roped in Kaku.

All the three of them consulted one Gulshan from Punjabs Bhatinda, who used to change IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) numbers of stolen phones. Changing IMEI numbers made their business easier because once it is changed, the mobile phones became untraceable, said an investigator.

The police are now looking for Kaku, Gulshan and Ganja.
Supreme Court-mandated Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) is planning to use satellite imagery to identify pollution hotspots in and around Delhi before scientists can develop a regional action plan to fight the menace.

This move is part of the comprehensive plan to combat air pollution in the Capital. The plan aims to bring down the annual average of PM2.5 down by 70% to meet the clean air standard. It will address all sources of air pollution but will take more stringent actions against combustion sources like vehicles, industries, power plants and waste burning.

It becomes easier to fight pollution if we can identify its source and location. The idea to take the help of satellite imageries was mooted after it was reported in the media in late 2016 that NASA satellite pictures showed crop fires were raging across western states despite a ban, said an EPCA member.

That satellite imagery could be of immense help in tackling pollution was also pointed out in the draft comprehensive action plan for air pollution, which was recently prepared to meet ambient air quality standards in Delhi and adjacent states.

The official said that the proposal of using satellite imageries was discussed in at least two meetings of the EPCA and it is under consideration.

We can take the help of satellite imagery of either ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) or NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) depending on their availability, he said.

ISRO had earlier said that it was trying to develop a Next Generation Earth Monitoring and Observation and Aerosol Monitoring satellite in collaboration with a United States university.

Farm fires in Punjab and Haryana aggravate the pollution levels in NCR. We would need local action plan supported by regional plans to address more dispersed pollution sources. For this, satellite imagery could be of particular help as they also reveal how pollutants are dispersed across the region by wind, he said.

As part of the proposed actions to combat air pollution, the NCR states are expanding the real time monitoring of air quality. The satellite imagery will complement this real time monitoring as an additional tool.

This is a draft plan and is therefore a work in progress. It has been shared with all stakeholders and there will be a meeting on this at the end of this month. After that, the plan will be submitted to the Supreme Court, a government official said.

This new anti-pollution plan to combat Delhis foul air is based on a 2012 blueprint prepared by the Sheila Dikshit government along with facets of the 42-point action plan of the Union environment ministry and EPCAs own action plan.
The clerics at the Sufi shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya stand out from the crowd of pilgrims, thanks to their spotless white kurta-pajamas and caps. Even so, these traditional caretakers of the 14th century dargah in Delhi rarely raise interest  the attention is instead captured by the qawwals.

But the controversial disappearance of two clerics of the shrine, during their visit to Pakistan, has turned the spotlight on them and their community. Nizamuddins dargah has dozens of such clerics, all of them have Nizami as their last name and live in the neighbourhood of Nizamuddin Basti.

Syed Asif Ali Nizami, 82, and Syed Nazim Ali Nizami, 66, could have been described as the shrines priests, but the term might not be nuanced enough for those well-versed in the theology.

The imam leads prayers in the mosque and may be called a priest but what you call the clerics of Nizamuddins dargah are actually sajjadanashins, successors to the sufis, or khadims, the people who do khidmat (service) in the dargah, says Sadia Dehlvi, the Delhi-based author of Sufism: The Heart of Islam.

One of the primary responsibilities of khadims pertains to the money received from donations. Part of it is spent on the shrines upkeep, and a part is distributed among the khadims. Traditionally, this was the only source of earning for khadims, though now many of them have started to pursue other sources of employment.

Farid Ahmad Nizami is a lawyer, Sadiq Nizami recently opened a tuition centre in Bhogal and Altamash Nizamis wife, Fozia, runs an ethnic wear store in Jangpura.

Indeed, every sufi shrine has its khadims. As per Altamash, the khadims of Nizamuddins dargah comprised four principal families, one of which tapered off due to lack of a male heir. We khadims are also called peerzadas, sons of the peer, he says.

Not all khadims have come down from Nizmaudidns bloodline; some of them are descendants of his disciples.

Giving instances of other Sufi shrines in the subcontinent, Dehlvi says there are no direct descendents of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti left at his shrine in Ajmer, Rajasthan.

Another important shrine, the one of Baba Farid in Pakpattan, Pakistan, continues to have khadims who trace their lineage to the Sufi master, Dehlvi says.

Incidentally, one of the last Sufi shrines that the two clerics visited before their disappearance was of Baba Farid.
American clothing retailer Urban Outfitters is catching flak on the internet after selling an odd choice of clothing. A top that covers, well, nothing.

Urban Outfitters tried to sell a top to women on its website called the Extreme Crop Tank Top Shrug - and it may well be the most bizarre trend weve ever seen. The extreme title is absolutely right because it is a little more than a small piece of cloth with a description that reads, The ultra-sexy way to layer with this teeny cropped tank top by Out From Under. Cropped above chest for the coolest layered look featuring a crop neck and thin shoulder straps.

This bizarre crop top doesnt cover anything. (Urban Outfitters)

Naturally, the internet had thoughts and Urban Outfitters has since removed the top from their site.

The minuscule 13 garment has come under fire by shoppers who joke it looks more like a necklace than a top. @Elliebrickland wrote on Twitter, Crop top???? Urban outfitters this is a necklace babes.

This isnt the first time the company has caught some backlash for its products. Recently, when Urban Outfitters attempted to sell a simulated blood-stained sweatshirt, it that didnt go over well with shoppers.

The brand was forced to apologise for designing a Kent State sweatshirt splattered with fake blood in what appeared to be a reference to the 1970 massacre, where four students were killed and nine severely wounded in a shooting, after the Ohio National Guard opened fire at a protest against US President Nixons Cambodian Campaign.

Heres how Urban Outfitters was trolled online for selling the ridiculous womens top:

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more
After the district court announced the sentence for those convicted in the Maruti Suzuki Manesar plant case on Saturday, five-year-old Parneet Kaurs wait to see her father Sarabjit outside a jail premises just got longer.

Parneets father Sarabjit Singh has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the district court under charges of committing murder in the Maruti Manesar factory violence in 2012.

Parneet was only two months old when the Haryana police arrested her father. Her grandfather, Avtar Singh, who was at the district court with daughter-in-law Harpreet Kaur on Saturday, said he does not know how he would disclose the news of her fathers sentence to Parneet.

Parneet was staying at her uncles house in the city and was not brought to the court.

Sarabjit, an engineer at the Manesar plant for seven years, was a permanent employee, Avtar said.

As per the court judgment, a few members of the workers union had thrashed Awanish Kumar Dev, general manager, human resources, of Maruti Suzuki in 2012. Dev was unable to flee the burning building as his legs and arms were broken and charred to death. Sarabjit was part of the workers union.

In Sarabjits absence, Avtar, a retired postman based in Kurukshetra, and Harpreet, have become the bread earners of the family. Harpreet works at a beauty parlour and Avtar sets aside a portion of his retirement savings and pension for his granddaughters education.

I have enrolled Parneet in a private school and ensured that her upbringing is not compromised. Each year, I take her to meet Sarabjit at Bhondsi jail, hoping that she can form a lasting memory of him, Avtar said.

Sarabjits family has now pinned their hopes on the Punjab and Haryana high court for justice and will challenge the district courts verdict.

The prosecution lawyers were also saying that the verdict has been harsh... I feel the high court will announce a lighter judgment that will allow Sarabjit parole and reunite with the family, Avtar said.

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A police constable was allegedly thrashed and his uniform was torn by an inebriated pub owner in Sector 30, Gurgaon, on Saturday. The incident took place when a team from Sector 40 police station went to Bottles and Barrels bar in Star Mall to get it closed as it was operating beyond the closing hours.

Pubs and bars in the city are to close at 12am and they are allowed to be open till 1am if an additional fee has been paid.

Instead of adhering to the police directive, the bar owner, Rohit, who was drunk, confronted constable Sajjan Singh and attacked him. The constable was allegedly injured in the incident. The accused not only tore the uniform but also punched the policeman and hit him in the abdomen, police said.

Singh was admitted to the civil hospital in Gurgaon.

Anil Yadav, assistant commissioner of police, Sadar, said a case has been registered against Rohit and he was taken in custody after the incident.

Police said the incident took place when a police team on routine patrol was informed that the Bottle and Barrel pub was operating beyond the closing hour. A police official went to the pub around 12:30 am and asked for the licence from the owner but the document was not produced. Later, ASI Mangal Singh was sent to serve a notice but owner Rohit started an argument, and when he was asked to come to the police station, he attacked Sajjan Singh, a police spokesperson said.

Station house officer of Sector 40 police station, Sudhir Kumar, said a case has been registered under Indian Penal Code sections of excise action, threat to life, violence, and obstruction in government work against Rohit, who is from Dwarka in Delhi.

Police said they will continue to take strict against pub and bars, which operate beyond the permitted time.

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A local court in Gurgaon sentenced 13 people to life imprisonment on Saturday in connection with the murder of a Maruti Suzuki manager, who was killed after violence and rioting at Indias largest carmakers plant in Manesar in 2012.

The court of additional district and sessions judge RP Goyal heard arguments from the prosecution and the defence on Friday and reserved the sentencing for Saturday.

Four other accused were given 5-year imprisonment and most of them have already served about 4 years in the jail. Fourteen more accused of rioting would be fined and released.

The accused held guilty for murder and related charges include Ram Mehar, Sandeep Dhillon, Ramvilas, Sarabjit Singh, Pavan Kumar, Sohan Kumar, Pradip Kumar, Ajmer Singh, Jia Lal, Amarjeet Kapoor, Dhanraj Bhambi, Yogesh Kumar and Pradeep Gujjar.

They have been held guilty for under sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 436 (rioting), 427 (destruction of property), and 325 (mischief) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Eighteen others were convicted under various sections for voluntary causing hurt (323), destruction of property (427), rioting (147 IPC) and rioting armed with deadly weapons (148 IPC) and other sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The defence lawyers said they would challenge the sentence in the Punjab and Haryana high court.

Thirty-one workers were convicted and 117 acquitted on March 10. Thirteen accused were held guilty of murder whereas 18 were convicted of rioting and other crimes under various sections of the IPC.

Awanish Kumar Dev, general manager (human resources) of Maruti Suzuki, was burned to death and several executives injured in the violence in the car plant, 20 km from Gurgaon city, allegedly triggered by workers on July 18, 2012.

Violence ensued after a tussle between workers and the management over various demands including registration of a trade union at the Manesar plant.

Police had arrested 148 workers in connection with the murder, whereas 62 others could not be arrested and have been declared proclaimed offenders.

The prosecution had demanded capital punishment for the accused citing it to be a rarest of the rare cases.

The victim Awanish Kumar Dev was beaten brutally and he could not escape from the fire because of the injuries inflicted by the accused, district attorney Lal Singh said.

Defence lawyers Rebecca John and Vrinda Grover asked for the release of 18 accused and opposed death sentence for the 13 murder accused.

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Workers at the Maruti Suzuki plants in Gurgaon and Manesar observed a one-hour strike from 9pm to 10pm to protest against the sentencing of 13 convicted workers to life imprisonment, and five-year prison term to four others.

Workers from different auto companies, and union leaders held a meeting in Gurgaon to discuss the future course of action to get justice for their incarcerated colleagues.

Kuldip Janghu, general secretary, Maruti Suzuki Kamgar Union said the verdict was against the tenets of justice, and was a result of fabricated evidences, which led to the conviction of workers. We observed a one-hour strike and will continue to protest against the injustice meted out to workers, he said.

The six major factories where the strike was observed include Maruti plants at Gurgaon and Manesar, Suzuki Motorcycles, Kherki Daula, Bell Sonica, FMI, and Maruti Suzuki Powertrain, Kherki Daula. Earlier in the day, a large number of trade union leaders attended the court, and after hearing the verdict, expressed their shock.

Ram Kumar, a trade union leader said the government and the company had put immense pressure to secure such a harsh verdict. One person was killed in an accident but an entire army of workers is being held responsible and being punished because they are underprivileged, Kumar said.

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Eight maoists and two policemen were killed in a raging encounter in Chhattisgarhs Dantewada district on Saturday, police said.

Two security personnel were also injured in the gun battle going on in the forest of Barrempara village under Aranpur police station area of the states Maoist-affected Bastar region.

Explosives, one AK-47 and an SLR rifle were recovered from the spot.

Deputy inspector general (DIG) of Dantewada region Sunderraj P said a police team from Aranpur police station came under attack while patrolling the region.

The encounter and combing operation are still on. More recoveries could take place, added the DIG.

The injured security personnel have been identified as Dogendra Paul Patro and Sangram Singh Rana. Doctors attending them said they are out of danger.

Sources said a senior woman Maoist cadre ,Palle, was among those killed in the encounter.

At least nine CRPF personnel were killed when Maoists ambushed a road opening party of the paramilitary force in the states Sukma district last Saturday.
Appointment of Yogi Adityanath as the next Uttar Pradesh chief minister on Saturday evening evoked sharp reactions from opposition parties.

The BJPs arch rival, the Congress, however, was relatively guarded in its reaction on the elevation of Gorakhpur MP to the top post.

Partys chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said it was the prerogative of the ruling party to choose a chief ministerial candidate.

The delay in naming the chief minister and appointment of two deputy chief ministers reflected a bitter power struggle within the BJP, Surjewala added.

Wishing the new government well, he hoped that it will now rise above internal power conflicts and concentrate on fulfilling its poll promises such as waiving of farmers loans, reducing electricity tariff, giving more than 50% MSP (minimum support price) to farmers, creating jobs for youth, reviving industries and undertaking Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas.

Surjewala said the Congress will continue to act as watchdog and play a constructive role in the progress of UP.

Other opposition parties, however, did not mince words to flay the move.

The CPI (M) accused the BJP of systematically playing communal card in Indias biggest state, soon after the BJP named the firebrand MP as its legislature party leader in UP.

The partys politburo member Md. Salim said, Selection of Adityanath is the culmination of Modi-Amit Shah brand of politics in the state where the BJP systematically played communal card.

The Biju Janata Dal, which often supported the BJP in the parliament, too questioned the decision saying Adityanath had no administrative experience to handle the post.

He (Yogi Adityanath) never held any administrative post. This is an opportunity for him to prove his mettle. I hope he lives up to the expectations of all the people in UP, said BJD leader Bhartrahari Mahtab.

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Senior BJP leader Ram Madhav said on Saturday Armed Forces Special Powers Act (Afspa) was not in place in Jammu and Kashmir and some parts of the northeast out of fun, days after J-K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti demanded the withdrawal of the controversial law from some areas.

Ahead of the April bypolls for two Lok Sabha seats in the state, Mufti pitched for the revocation of Afspa, saying she required a window of peace for ensuring good governance to shrink the space occupied by militants during a seminar in New Delhi on Wednesday.

They are there because there is some necessity for such laws. When such necessity ceases by the efforts of the state governments, such laws shall also cease automatically. The state governments, therefore, should create such conditions that these laws should go (away), Madhav, who had re-stitched PDP-BJP alliance after the death of the then chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, told reporters.

He was replying to a question about the rise in terror activities in the state vis-a-vis CMs demand of withdrawing Afspa from some areas of the militancy-hit state. In the wake of a spike in terror activities, security scenario remains a cause of concern for the Indian Armys northern command.

The Centre is not in favour of reviewing the controversial law often blamed for alleged excesses by security forces. Government managers argue that the state police does not have adequate capacity to deal with militancy and that the hands of security forces will be tied if the Afspa is lifted.

The Afspa was one of the contentious issues during the talks between the PDP and the BJP on government formation.

The BJP national general secretary also trashed boycott calls given by separatists for the upcoming bypolls to Anantnag and Srinagar Lok Sabha seats, saying there was nothing new in it.

They have done something before. They do it all the time whenever elections are around the corner. And, we also do the same thing asking the people to come out in large numbers and take part in the elections and vote for the candidates of their choice. Democracy is a celebration and everybody should celebrate it, he said.

We certainly want the people to take part in Anantnag and Srinagar bye-polls in large numbers, he added.

The BJP, the alliance partner in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government in Jammu and Kashmir, has decided to contest the upcoming bypolls independently. The Srinagar constituency will go to polls on April 9 and voting in Anantnag seat will be held on April 12.

The PDP has fielded the CMs brother Tassaduq Mufti in south Kashmirs Anantnag, suggesting all may not be well within the alliance with the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier, he briefed the media about the impending bypolls and elections to 6 seats of the legislative council that are going to fall vacant next month saying he had come to get the feedback from the state unit of the BJP and its alliance partner PDP.

We had detailed deliberations and have suggested PDP and BJP to hold parleys. The final decision is taken by the party high command at the Centre. BJP, too, has some votes (in Kashmir) even if they are less and there are some views of the party on contesting or not contesting the elections, Madhav said.

He hoped that the party high command in Delhi will come out with its decision in a day or two.

On a question about an Indian Muslim cleric and his nephew reportedly missing in Pakistan, he said that the BJP government at the Centre has been utilising all available channels including diplomatic channels to bring them back to their native land.

Once they are back, everything will be known, he said.

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Additional chief metropolitan magistrate S Malarmathy on Friday refused to grant relief to AIADMK deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran in a 20-year-old case registered under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA).

The AIADMK leader, who appeared in front of the additional chief metropolitan magistrate on Friday, was accused in 1996 of violating the FERA for acquiring foreign currency with a value of $1,049,333,13 from non-authorised dealers in foreign exchange.

The Enforcement Directorate had imposed a Rs 28-crore penalty against him.

The Madras high court confirmed the order of the FERA Board in January of this year, overturning a previous ruling by the ACMM court, which had discharged Dinakaran from the case.

Dinakarans counsel, MA Jenasenan, urged the court to adjourn the case stating that his client had already appealed against the high court order in the Supreme Court.

He also noted that as Dinakaran, who was chosen to lead the party by his aunt VK Sasikala hours before she was imprisoned in a Bengaluru jail, will contest the RK Nagar by-election, he may be unable to attend further court hearings.

Noting that no petition had yet been filed on the basis of the appeals, Malarmathy said, I dont watch television. I am not influenced by what is going on there... (I) dont (get) carried away by the faction (divisions in AIADMK), and directed Dinakaran to appear before the court without fail on March 22, the date of the next hearing.

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Moving around for the visually impaired could become a lot easier if an innovative technology developed by Anang Tadar, a class 11 student from Arunchal Pradesh, is mass produced.

The technology, which is based on echo locationsimilar to what bats use for navigationwas adjudged the most innovative at the regional level science festival, which concluded in Guwahati recently.

A child trying Anang Tadars Goggle for Blind (G4B). (HT Photo )

Named Goggle for Blind (G4B), the pair of glasses can be worn by the visually impaired, and using technology similar to parking sensors in cars, they can be alerted about nearby objects, without using a stick.

These days there are so many obstructions both inside the house and outside. The G4B will help blind people move around a lot easier, Tadar told journalists in Itanagar.

The student, who loves making robots and gadgets, told Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Friday that he was motivated to develop the product after he saw a blind girl a few years ago.

According to a release by the Arunachal Pardesh government, impressed with the innovation, UNICEF has asked Tadar to develop few more prototypes. The initial product is a bit bulky, so the aim is to make it lighter.

Tadar had participated in the national level science exhibition earlier this month at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi organised by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF).

The Arunachal Pradesh government has assured all financial support to Tadar so that he can fine tune his innovation to make it easier to handle and is able to produce it on a large scale.

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The following stories are making the headlines today:

1) Racer Ashwin Sundar, wife charred to death after their BMW catches fire in Chennai

Race driver Ashwin Sundar and his wife, Niveditha, were both charred to death on Saturday morning after their BMW crashed and caught fire in Chennai. The incident, which was caught on video and went viral on social media, happened at around 3:30am on Saturday, police told HT. Both Ashwin and his wife, a doctor at a private hospital in Chennai, died on the spot after their car swerved out of control and crashed into a tree, catching fire. Both of them were unable to open the doors and were trapped inside the burning vehicle.

Read the full story here.

2) Who will be Uttar Pradesh chief minister? BJP to announce today

The BJPs legislators in Uttar Pradesh will decide on Saturday evening who will become the chief minister of Indias largest state, exactly a week after the saffron party crushed its opponents en-route a landslide victory. The frontrunners for the post are seen to be state party chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and telecom minister Manoj Sinha, though BJP president Amit Shah is known to spring a surprise with relatively lesser-known candidates. The party has said that the CM contender will be announced by 4pm on Saturday.

Read the full story here.

3) Trivendra Singh Rawat takes over as CM of Uttarakhand

Trivendra Singh Rawat will be sworn-in as the eighth Chief Minister of the hill state today at the Parade Ground at Dehradun in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah and several national and state party leaders.

4) First Cabinet meeting of the Amarinder Singh-led government in Punjab

Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal has said that the government will come out with a white paper on the states finances and alleged that there was systematic loot of resources during the SAD-BJP rule. The Amarinder Singh-led government will take some important decisions in its first cabinet meeting today. For the meeting, the state government has prepared a 150-point agenda pertaining to reforms in governance, economic reforms and eliminating VIP culture among others, Badal said.

5) BJP govt in Gujarat mulls life in jail for cow slaughter, beef transportation

Cow slaughter and transportation of beef in Gujarat may soon attract life imprisonment as the BJP government is preparing to come out with possibly the harshest law in the country to protect cattle. Though a bill to this effect is yet to be tabled in the assembly, the issue has already become the central theme of chief minister Vijay Rupanis public speeches amid speculations that the party will push for an early state election.

Read the full story here.

6)Sentencing in Ajmer dargah blast may be pronounced today

The special NIA court hearing the 2007 Ajmer dargah blast case is likely to pronounce the quantum of sentence to the three convicted today. The court convicted Bhavesh Patel, Devendra Gupta and Sunil Joshi on March 8 while acquitting seven others including Swami Aseemanand. Joshi had died before the trial began. Public prosecutor Ashwini Kumar argued that the court should consider the fact that the bomb blast was premeditated and meticulously executed killing three persons and leaving 15 injured. He demanded maximum punishment to the guilty.

7) Rex Tillerson on his first visit to China as Secretary of State

US Secretary of State concludes his visit to Asia with a two-day trip to China starting on Saturday. He will meet President Xi Jinping on Sunday. Tensions between the two sides have intensified in recent months over Donald Trumps remarks on Taiwan and terms of US-China trade. Recent missile tests by North Korea are expected to figure prominently in discussions.

8) Preet Bharara was probing Trump cabinet member when he was fired: Report

Preet Bharara, the former US attorney for the southern district of New York, was investigating stock market trades by a member of President Donald Trumps cabinet at the time of his firing last week, a news report said. But ProPublica, the news publication that reported the investigation first based on an unidentified source familiar with the office, did not link it to Bhararas firing, which came after he refused to resign as ordered by President Donald Trump.

Read the full story here.

9) High on Uttar Pradesh victory, RSS now eyes West Bengal and Kerala

Riding high on the resounding success of its protege - the BJP - at the recently concluded five state assembly elections, the RSS has begun shaping its offensive against the Left government in Kerala and the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) accuses the TMC and the LDF-led Kerala government of perpetrating violence against Hindus in the states. In the 2016 assembly polls in the two states, the BJP won three seats in West Bengal and one, for the first time ever, in Kerala.

Read the full story here.

39-year-old run over by car after parking row in Delhi

A 39-old-man was killed on Wednesday after he protested against two men parking their car in front of his eating joint, Dragon Chinese Point, in outer Delhis Begumpur. The driver of the killer car has been arrested. Police said the victim, identified as Tarun Gupta, 39, was run over by a Maruti Alto car by the accused after an argument over wrong parking.

Read the full story here.
A team of CBI officers swung into action on Saturday morning, collecting storage devices from bank lockers to examine the Narada footage, a day after the Calcutta high court ordered the premier investigation agency to conduct preliminary probe.

Led by superintendent Nagendra Prasad, a team of eight officers went to the regional office of a bank where the storage devices containing the footage were stored in a locker.

The CBI officers were obviously in a hurry. Acting chief justice Nishita Mhatre wrote in the order, I direct the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry without any delay and in execution thereof, to take custody of the devices and the CFSL reports which are maintained by the Special Committee in a bank locker, within 24 hours.

They also collected the laptop of Naradanews.coms Mathew Samuel and the recording device. The officers are also supposed to speak to Samuel, who conducted the sting operation in Kolkata that allegedly showed some Trinamool Congress leaders accepting bribes.

The order of the two-judge bench of acting chief justice Nishita Mhatre and justice Tapabrata Chakraborty on Friday, gave the CBI three days to examine the footage, documents, devices and all other relevant material and file a report to the court and file an FIR if it is warranted.

It is believed that CBI officers have to look at more than 400 minutes of raw footage which the Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Chandigarh had certified as genuine.

The Narada sting operation has landed chief minister Mamata Banerjee in her biggest trouble so far. The faces who were seen in the video telecast nationwide were those of the prominent and the powerful in the party  Saugata Roy, Suvendu Adhikari, Sultan Ahmed, Aparupa Poddar, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Prasun Banerjee (Lok Sabha MP), Subrata Mukherjee, Firhad (Bobby) Hakim, Madan Mitra (ministers), Iqbal Ahmed (MLA), Sovan Chatterjee (MLA and Kolkata mayor) S M H Mirza (IPS officer who claimed to be taking the money on behalf of party MP Mukul Roy).

The inquiry shall be concluded within 72 hours thereafter. Depending on the result of the inquiry, the CBI shall forthwith register an FIR, in respect of the alleged crimes and proceed to investigate the same, in accordance with law. The CBI must act promptly since persons with doubtful integrity and who commit crimes affecting the society at large, must be brought to book swiftly, justice Mhatre wrote in the order.

In a related development on Saturday, pandemonium broke out at Kolkata Municipal Corporation when mayor Sovan Chatterjee rose to place the civic bodys annual budget. Opposition members insisted that Chatterjee, who is also seen in the Narada sting video, resign immediately.
India needs a movement akin to the freedom movement for its development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday.

Similar to the freedom movement, we need a movement for development, where the collective aspirations propel the countrys growth, Modi said, addressing the India Today Conclave in Mumbai via video link.

We all should get involved in our dream of a new India, whose mantra will be opportunity for all and an India of self-respect.

For several decades, we had embarked in wrong directions with wrong policies, Modi said.

The decisions then were election-driven or based on set notions of the officials, but this has changed now, he said.

His government is not looking (at issues facing the country) with tunnel vision but with total vision, said the Prime Minister.

Referring to India Today Editor-in-Chief Aroon Purie remark describing him as the disruptor-in-chief, the PM said, If there is a disruptor-in-chief, it is not Modi but the people of India who are entitled to this moniker.

The new India is not about upkaar (favour) but about avsar (opportunity). This is about opportunities for all, said Prime Minister Modi.

The people are coming together in the country today to finish bad things within (it). This will strengthen the foundation of the new India, the PM said.

Seeking to allay apprehensions over some policies of his government, Modi said, This is not an ideology to destroy systems. This is about kaya-kalp (transformation).

We have changed the work culture, Modi said adding the emphasis now is on re-engineering the processes to improve efficiency.

We have focused on time-bound implementation and integrated thinking. Our processes are citizen-friendly, he added.

The way in which the GST was achieved is as important as the GST itself. The states have taken ownership of this, he said.

We believe in cooperative federalism. The GST process showed what the deliberative democracy is all about, he said.

The PM said Indias economy is being transformed and the manufacturing sector is getting a boost.

The technology has undergone a drastic transformation in the last 20 years, Modi said adding the aspirations of the youths have to be kept in mind in this era.
Delhi metro announced closure of 34 stations from Sunday night and the Haryana government called out the army as the national capital region braced for fresh agitation by the Jat community seeking reservation in government jobs and educational institutions.

Internet services were also suspended in senstitive districts of Haryana where Jats constitute 26% of the states 2.64-crore population.

The All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti has threatened to gherao Parliament on March 20 and choke Delhi from all sides with tractor-trailers, prompting massive precautionary measures across NCR.

At least 30 people were killed and more than 300 people injured when a similar agitation by the Jats had sparked largescale violence in Haryana in February last year. Property worth crores of rupees was also damaged in arson during the agitation that left the state paralysed for nearly two weeks.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said 22 stations in NCR towns will be closed from 11.30 pm on Sunday and 12 in central Delhi will be closed about two hours earlier.

The restrictions will apply until further orders by Delhi Police, the DMRC said, raising concerns of lakhs of people who will be left without the fastest mode of transport on a working day.

Police said prohibitory orders will be imposed in many parts of Delhi from Sunday evening.

Traffic police also plan to block roads in central and south Delhi and have advised students taking board exams on Monday to make alternate travel plans to exam centres. Class 12 students will write their maths exam on Monday.

In Haryana, the government deployed army across the state on Saturday and took other preventive steps in view of the Jat threat.

Police said unlawful assembly of people has been imposed in many sensitive districts, including Rohtak, Jhajjar, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri and Hisar, where internet services have also been suspended for indefinite period.

Besides seeking quota, the demands of the Jats include release of people jailed during last years agitation, withdrawal of cases slapped during the protest and government jobs for the kin of those killed and injured while taking part in the stir.

The Jats have been sitting on dharna in various parts of Haryana since January 29.

Additional chief secretary (home) Ram Niwas told HT that 124 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed in various districts.

Sonepat deputy commissioner KM Pandurang said four columns of the army reached the district while 21 more columns comprising 100 soldiers each will reach by Sunday.

In Bhiwani, DC Anshaj Singh said 18 army columns have been called, while troops with similar strength have been called in Rohtak as well.

An official spokesman said a limit of 10 litres of fuel had been imposed on refilling tractor-trailers and directions issued to petrol pump owners to record details such as drivers name, registration number of the vehicle and number of people travelling in the vehicle. Restrictions have been imposed on open sale of petrol, diesel and other inflammable materials.

He said a ban has also been imposed on plying of tractor-tarilers carrying food items, cooking equipment and materials and any type of weapon, including lathis and swords, on the state and national highways.

The spokesman said that pitching of tents along state and national highways has been prohibited and owners of dharmshalas, hotels and restaurants directed to maintain record of guests.

We have asked the Haryana roadways to suspend the bus service on Hisar-Panipat, Hisar-Delhi, Hisar-Gurugram and Hisar-Jind routes, said Hisar police chief Rajendra Kumar Meena.
Kerala will soon become the first state in the country to declare Internet access as a human right.

In the state budget presented two weeks ago, the CPI(M)-led government earmarked a special fund aimed at providing Internet connections to 20 lakh families either at subsidised rates or completely free of cost.

The Kerala government feels that nobody in a country rapidly heading towards hassle-free governance and a cashless economy should be at pains to acquire the new-age technology.

High-speed internet connectivity is a basic right in most developed nations. In 2010, Sweden became the first country to make broadband Internet a legal right for every citizen. Canada followed suit last year, ensuring that every resident was entitled to Internet access at a minimum speed of 50 Mbps.

The state, which lays claim to many firsts in human development indices, plans to launch a big campaign on the lines of its ambitious e-literacy programme  Akshaya  to empower those deprived of Internet connectivity.

Akshaya, launched in the early 2000s, catapulted Kerala into becoming Indias most e-literate state by 2016-end.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, finance minister Thomas Issac said a new firm will be floated with the help of the state electricity board to oversee the revolutionary scheme. First we have to ensure that adequate infrastructure is put in place. We will take a Rs 1,000-crore loan from the Kerala Infrastructure Development Fund Board for the purpose. After that, we will speak to telecom providers in this regard, he said.

The state plans to install a new high-speed optical fibre network called K:Fon, which will run parallel to the existing electricity board network. If everything goes well, almost all governmental transactions will be available online by 2018. So, we have to equip all the citizens to meet this standard, Issac said.

The government plans to provide free Internet connections to people from economically backward sections, and at subsidised rates to others. We hope to achieve 100% connectivity in a years time. At least one person of a family will be given access initially, the finance minister claimed.

A tribal settlement in Malappuram was declared as the countrys first digital tribal colony last December. The district administration achieved this by training 100-odd families in carrying out cashless transactions.

What is Right to Internet?

Right to Internet entails that all people must have access to broadband Internet, so they can exercise their right to freedom of opinion and speech. States, therefore, have the responsibility of ensuring that Net access is made available to them. In 2016, the UN said that depriving people of Internet connectivity was a human rights violation running contrary to international law.

At present, Internet connectivity is a human right in Sweden, Costa Rica, Finland, France, Greece, Spain, Estonia and Canada. According to a study conducted by Committee to Protect Journalists, the worst violator of this right is North Korea (where only 4% of the population have Internet access)  followed by Myanmar, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, Syria, China and Pakistan. India ranks at 47.

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The self-regulated legal sector in India is in for a major revamp. The Law Commission, which was tasked by the Supreme Court in July to suggest amendments to the Advocates Act that governs legal practice in India, wants outsiders to rein in indisciplined lawyers.

In its report to the law ministry recommending amendments to the Indian Advocates Act 1961, which will be submitted next week, the panel will suggest forming a disciplinary body that has government nominees and those from outside the Bar Council of India (BCI) that is elected by lawyers, top sources in the commission told HT.

Right now, disciplinary matters are dealt with by the BCI and state bar councils under the law.

The problem is that the BCI is a body elected by lawyers and it is not able to come down strongly on faltering lawyers. Self regulation hasnt worked, an official privy to the exercise added.

According to the BCIs own estimates, as many as 40% advocates practising in Indian courts do not have the requisite professional qualifications. There have been instances of lawyers resorting to strikes or even violence in the past.

The Supreme Courts reference itself came while listening to a case pertaining to contempt of court by a lawyer named Mahipal Singh Rana. There have also been instances of lawyers associations or the bar giving a call for withdrawing from cases.

The BCI had told the commission in a report last week that the council would co-opt senior advocates with 35 years of experience to become a part of the disciplinary committee. Sources said the commission is open to the suggestion but is likely to bring down the experience bar for such lawyers to 25 years.

However, it is likely to cite the model followed by the top doctors association  the Medical Council of India  or the apex body for architects Council of Architecture. The commission feels elected bar representatives are partial to their own.

While referring the matter to the law panel last year, a three-judge bench of the SC had observed: There appears to be an urgent need to review the provisions of the Advocates Act dealing with regulatory mechanism for the legal profession and other incidental issues, in consultation with all concerned.

The panel had sought suggestions and comments from the BCI, state bar councils, associations and other lawyers bodies. The council set up a committee to make suggestions last year and recently wrote to the panel, saying the law should be amended to bar lawyers from striking work.

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Victims of heinous crimes often get a raw deal in Indias criminal justice system, while accused  even in terror cases  get better legal assistance, Chief Justice of India JS Khehar said on Saturday.

Ours is a strange country. The bigger the criminal, the bigger is the outrage. As we have seen before that the convict in a terror crime, who has failed up to the Supreme Court and also in his review, can get access to justice in a manner that we extend, justice Khehar said in an oblique reference to 1993 Bombay blast case convict Yakub Memon.

Memon was granted an early morning hearing by the apex court even after dismissing his review and curative pleas against the original verdict that ordered his hanging.

I have wondered over the years  what about the families, which have lost their bread earners, the acid attack victims who are defaced and cannot survive, the rape victims and their lives. I wonder why we dont reach out to them, he said, appealing to the legal services authority to make 2017 the year of the victims.

He asked the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to send its para-legal volunteers to every trial court to inform victims that their right to compensation is not closed.

Let us make them understand that the case is not closed with the acquittal or conviction of the accused. Let us have a heart and reach the victims, he said.

CJI referred to the criminal procedure code (CrPc) that provides for a creation of fund at the national and state level for the victims under section 357A, which victims are unaware of.

Justice Dipak Misra, the second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, minister of state for law and justice PP Chaudhary and other judicial officers from across the country were present at the function.

The CJI urged the Centre to telecast on national television the short films movie maker Praksh Jha has directed on legal literacy.

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Keshav Prasad Maurya was once a chaiwallah and a newspaper vendor before he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

And much like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also sold tea in his home state Gujarat to support his family, Mauryas rise to the top in the states politics is nothing short of phenomenon.

On Saturday, Maurya, 48, was picked as one of the two deputy chief ministers of the state, a post seen as a reward for his tireless work as the state BJP chief to expand the partys reach. Maurya is credited as much as Modi and party president Amit Shah in scripting the BJP sweep in the recently-held assembly polls.

Maurya and the other deputy CM Dinesh Sharma will assist chief minister Yogi Adityanath in running the state.

Before the 2012 assembly elections, when he won from Sirathu constituency, Maurya was a humble BJP worker who was close to Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) patron late Ashok Singhal.

Born in 1967 at village Kasiya of Sirathu in Kausambhi district, adjoining Allahabad, Maurya went on to study Hindi literature at the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan in Allahabad.

It was during during his initial days at Sirathu and Allahabad, when he supported his family by working as a tea and newspaper vendor.

Mauryas father Shyam Lal ran a tea stall in Sirathu, Kaushambi where Keshav too made and sold tea to customers. After shifting to Allahabad also he sold tea in Alopibagh locality besides also working as a newspaper hawker to make ends meet.

Years later, he became the BJPs convener in the Kashi region, Modis parliamentary constituency.

As RSS member, Maurya also participated in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. During his 12-year association with the VHP and Bajrang Dal, he held various posts such as VHP Pranth Sanghathan Mantri among others.

In the BJP, Maurya served as Kashi Pranth coordinator of the backward class cell and the BJP Kisan Morchas general secretary.

In 2007, Keshav contested the assembly election from Allahabad West seat on BJP ticket but came third behind winner Pooja Pal of BSP and the runner-up Khalid Azim alias Ashraf of SP.

However, Maurya saw a dramatic rise within the BJP after becoming a first-time MLA from Sirathu defeating BSPs Anand Mohan.

Within two years, he took up the challenge to contest the 2014 Lok Sabha polls from Allahabads Phulpur parliamentary constituency which BJP had never won. He emerged victorious, bagging this former seat of the first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru.

He was seen as the only BJP leader, after former UP chief minister and present governor of Rajasthan Kalyan Singh, to enjoy considerable support among the OBCs and Dalits, who were not considered traditional supporters of the party.

In April 2016, Maurya was declared the partys state chief by BJP president Amit Shah.

Maurya today has assets worth crores in his and his wifes name. He owns a petrol pump, a hospital, an agro-trading company and Kamdhenu Logistics. He has assets spread across Allahabad and Kaushambi. He also runs Kamdhenu Charitable Society.
The two missing Indian clerics of Delhis Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah have been traced and have reached Karachi, Pakistan conveyed to India on Saturday.

Pakistan Foreign Office has confirmed that the two Indian clerics have been traced and reached Karachi, a source said in New Delhi.

The confirmation came after external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj spoke to Pakistan Prime Ministers adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz, regarding the case. Aziz is in London currently.

The clerics  82-year-old Asif Ali Nizami, head priest of the dargah, and his 66-year-old nephew Nizal Ali Nizami  were reportedly found in Sindh after disappearing. The two men were on a pilgrimage in Pakistan when their families lost contact with them.

While the details remain unclear, Swaraj made a strong pitch to Aziz for tracing the clerics.

I spoke to Mr. Sartaj Aziz Pakistan PM's Adviser on foreign affairs regarding missing Indian nationals, she posted on Twitter on Saturday evening.

Officials say the clerics were traced soon after this call.

According to Pakistani media reports, both clerics had been in interior Sindh where there was no communication network and that is why they could not tell their relatives about there whereabouts. They will leave for India on March 20.

Earlier reports said the men were feared to have been taken into custody by intelligence agencies or kidnapped by a militant group.

The Nizamis reached Pakistan on March 4 to visit several shrines and relatives. They reportedly visited the dargah of Khwaja Fariduddin Masud Ganjshakar (popularly known as Baba Farid) at Pakpattan, some 160 km from Lahore, on March 13. The next day, they visited the Data Darbar dargah in Lahore.

On Thursday, shortly after posting pictures of their visit to the Datta Darbar, they disappeared from the airport.

The Indian High Commission in Pakistan had taken up the matter at the highest level in the Pakistani government.

(With PTI inputs)

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Posco-India has requested the Odisha government to take back its 2,700 acres of land provided to it near Paradip for setting up a steel project at an investment of Rs 52,000 crore.

The move could be a sign that the South Korean steelmaker, the fourth biggest in the world, is scrapping the proposed 12 million-tonnes-a-year steel plant in the Indian state.

We have received a letter from Posco-India in this regard. The steel major has offered to return the land near Paradip in its possession, state Industries minister Debi Prasad Mishra told PTI.

When asked whether Posco-India offered to return the land on its won, Mishra said: No, the state government had requested the company to pay pending dues of about Rs 82 crore towards forest land diversion, cess and others. While replying to our letter, they (Posco-India) said that the company is not interested to take possession of the acquired land and pay the remaining amount.

Mishra said that the state industries department had acquired 2,700 acres of land for Posco-Indias proposed steel mill. Of the 2,700 acres of land, 1,700 acres were handed over to the company while the remaining land was in the possession of the state government.

In the letter, Posco has cited its failure to start work on the proposed 12-mtpa steel plant project near Paradip to be the reason for the request made to the Odisha government to take back the acquired land, the minister said.

The minister said the matter was placed before Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who had approved a proposal of the industries department to get back the land from Posco-India and retain the land in the Land Bank.
Posters inviting youths to join Islamic State (ISIS) surfaced in Bihars Rohtas district on Saturday, prompting the state police to launch an inquiry to get to the bottom of the matter.

The posters, pasted on electric poles, were first noticed at Sikrauli Bigha village in the states Nauhatta block, some 230 km south-west of Patna. ISIS come to Bihar and please new boys to join (sic), was written in them.

After a while more posters were seen around Nauhatta high school area. It said, ISIS, please come to all Bihar districts.

The Union home ministry has been alerted after the development, the first instance of any pro-ISIS poster surfacing in the state.

Rohtas superintendent of police (SP) Manajit Singh Dhillon has been asked to conduct an inquiry into the matter and identify the persons responsible for putting up the posters.

In the past some footprints of terror modules of Indian Mujahideen (IM) were found in Bihar.

Dhillon told HT they seized three computer generated prints (posters) from the Hindu dominated village of Sikrauli Bigha.

We are looking into it. An FIR for sedition has been registered under Section 124-A of the IPC against unknown persons, the SP added.

Prima facie it appears to be a mischief. But we are not taking the incident lightly. The police are trying to identify the accused, said a senior police official.

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The Jallikattu boys are back  this time as politicians.

And what a better start to this toddler of a political party at just 20 days in age, than to plunge headlong into a battle for the prestigious constituency of RK Nagar that was represented by late chief minister J Jayalalithaa. It has now become a venue for a big fight for Ammas legacy by her family members and followers.

The youth brigade that powered the Marina Jallikattu uprising was convinced that Tamil Nadu was yearning for a change and riddance of the two dominant Dravidian parties that were seeped in corruption and cut off from the people they represent. The seeds of a new political party  where personality politics took a back seat and the party brand was in the forefront  were sown during the January Jallikattu protests at Marina beach.

Students participating in the protest in support of Jallikattu at the Marina beach in Chennai. (HT FIle)

The immense popularity of the strictly apolitical nature of the uprising, peopled largely by the youth and the student community cutting across caste and class barriers gave ideas to some to channelise this energy into a potent political force and thus was born 'En Desam En Urimai Katchi' (My Nation My Right party). It was registered on February 25 and in just 20 days it has began its first electoral contest, taking on the mighty TTV Dinakaran, Sasikalas nephew and AIADMK deputy general secretary, AIADMK presidium chairman E Madhusudanan (since expelled and now with OPS camp), Jayalalithaas niece Deepa Jayakumar and DMK candidate in M Ganesh, a local constituency level leader.

Ebenezer John, a 30-year-old furniture businessman from Chennai, said, We are elated that the RK Nagar voters give us love and support as the Jallikattu boys. Everyone in Tami Nadu had entertained an impression that the boys and girls in Jallikattu movement were doing good. So, when we began holding small meetings in the constituency, we are getting tremendous support. People are fed up of the two big parties. Why, the recent happenings in AIADMK have triggered hatred for the party.

Which is why, we are rank outsiders, still fancy our chances, he told Hindustan Times.

At present, MNMR is selecting a candidate for RK Nagar to take on the biggies. At least 75 people expressed their desire to contest the polls.

But it is not that simple to become the candidate of this party, that is somewhat inspired by the success of an Aam Aadmi Party that was also born out of an apolitical movement. We will be absolutely transparent in everything we do, Ebenezer John said.

For starters, the prospective candidates had to sit for a test and after that only 25 have been shortlisted for an oral inquisition by a board comprising at least 10 members  retired bureaucrats, lawyers, judges, police officials, civic society members, social activists and film stars. There will be 10 questions asked of each candidate and they can get a maximum of 10 marks each for each answer.

This entire selection process will be held out in the open, where voters of the constituency are invited to participate as viewers and can even pose questions. It will be the people who will decide the candidate, he said.

First to be eligible to become a candidate for the MNMR party, one has to be in the age group of 25 to 55 and no one above this age will be eligible to contest on the party ticket for any election. The MNMR has a firm policy of retirement age of 60 for politicians. After they attain the age of 60, the same people can join a board that would mentor the juniors, John said.

Each prospective candidate must sign an undated resignation letter that can be accepted in case he or she violated any of the promises made or is found guilty of corruption or any wrong doing. The prospective candidate also has to give an undertaking that he or she would spend every weekend meeting the voters and solving their problems, said John said. He is among the six state coordinators already in place. Each prospective candidate must get 100 voters in the constituency to endorse his or her application  they must get 100 signed letters from the voters giving a good conduct certificate for a person to be considered for candidacy to stand in elections. The prospective candidates must also submit a police verification certificate saying that they have no criminal cases against them.

Then there will be a thorough background check too.

In our party, there will be Supreme Council that will take final decisions, he said adding below the council will be eight state coordinators and each district will have a coordinator. The Supreme Council will be recast every three years.

Besides, there will be 234 legislative assembly coordinators, whose responsibility is the constituency as far as the party matters are concerned.

We are absolutely against use of money in politics and which is why we have mounted a campaign in RK Nagar and are putting up stickers my vote is not for sale on houses in the colony. People are openly talking that political parties are offering up to Rs 10,000 per vote. But our answer to the voters is that once you take money, you will lose all chances of seeing the candidate again for the next five years and no work will be done. Instead, if you choose us, we will be available 24X7 for you people, John said.

The party is looking for talented and articulate people, but they must fulfil two conditions  they must be honest and committed, said John.

Already the party has created a lot of buzz and the proof is in the number of threat calls the prime movers are getting. I am getting threatening calls and some from even Dubai, John said adding that we are taking this to mean that we are doing something right. Even the local political parties are trying to ascertain from us our real intentions, he said.

After RK Nagar, we will contest the local body polls. It is here that this youth power which will be more in evidence.

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A member of the Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam, a Tamil political group committed to spreading the rationalist ideas of Dravidian ideologue Periyar, was hacked to death in Coimbatore on Thursday night.

The cause is believed to be an anti-religious message he had posted on Facebook, a social networking site.

Police said the victim, 31-year-old H Farook, received a phone call around 11 pm  following which he stepped out of his house. Soon afterwards, four unidentified men attacked him with sharp weapons. They ran away when the mans cries for help attracted the attention of local residents.

Farook was a daily wage labourer at the Ukkadam old market in Coimbatore.

Deputy commissioner of police (Coimbatore) S Saravanan said Farooks anti-religious statements on Facebook and Whatsapp had offended many in the past. That may have been the motive behind the murder, he added.

Later, a man identified as M Ansath surrendered before the magistrates court and confessed to the crime. Police have collected fingerprint samples from the scene, and sent the body for a post-mortem examination.
Three tribals, including a woman, were killed and two others injured in BSF firing in southern Tripura, an official here said.

BSF troopers were on routine patrol when they spotted a large number of locals trying to smuggle cattle to Bangladesh. When asked to stop, the villagers attacked the troopers with sharp weapons and batons. The troopers then resorted to firing and killed three persons, a Border Security Force official told IANS on condition of anonymity.

Two persons injured in the firing at Chittabari village along the India-Bangladesh border were admitted in a government hospital.

However, locals complained to police that two BSF men tried to molest a tribal woman, which was resisted by the villagers before the firing.

The deceased are Man Kumar Tripura, 30, Par Kumar Tripura, 40, and Saralaxmi Tripura, 33. The injured are Jiban Kumar Tripura and Senchandra Tripura.

Senior BSF and police officials along with a large contingent of security forces led by south Tripuras district police chief Tapan Debbarma rushed to the area, 145 km south of Agartala.

Tripura shares an 856-km border with Bangladesh, a portion of which is still unfenced.
At least two blasts were reported on Saturday near the Cantonment railway station in Agra but there were no reports of any major damage or casualty.

Locals said the first blast took place at 5am at the house of Ashok, who works as a plumber, in Rasoolpura area near the Cantonment railway station.

Another blast was reported 45 minutes after the first one from an area where garbage is disposed near platform no 5 of the station, Anwar Usmani, a resident of Rasoolpur Khwas Pura, told Hindustan Times.

Director general of police Mahesh Kumar Mishra said no major damage had been caused but investigation was underway in the wake of recent threats and incidents in Agra. Both the blasts were followed by smoke. A team of forensic experts and a bomb disposal squad have been called to inspect the spot, said Mishra. .

The blasts have come after reports of an attempt to derail the Andaman Express on Friday night.

Agra is already on high alert after a pro-Islamic State media group warned of attacks in India and published a graphic depicting the Taj Mahal as a possible target.

The graphic by the Ahwaal Ummat Media Center was posted on a channel of encrypted communication app Telegram on March 14, according to Site Intelligence Group, which tracks jihadi activity on the web.
The BJP ended a week of suspense on Saturday by naming Gorakhpur MP, Yogi Adityanath, as the chief minister designate for Uttar Pradesh. Adityanaths name evoked sharp reactions from the opposition, but inspired a flurry of memes on Twitter.

Many spotted an uncanny resemblance between the saffron-clad yogi and Hollywoods action star Vin Diesel. From photo combinations of the two to photoshopped images of Adityanaths face on Diesels body, Twitter trolls kept the memes coming.

Yogi Adityanath fought Nizam of Deccan and saved Rajput girl Mastani. But libtard filmmakers would never show this. pic.twitter.com/WhrdsdgsWj  Rofl Gandhi (@RoflGandhi_) January 28, 2017

Congratulations Vin Diesel for being selected as CM of UP. JK #YogiAdityanath pic.twitter.com/Nf6phckAWY  Ravi Shah (@Ravishah10) March 18, 2017

#YogiAdityanath UP CM with Deepika Padukone at oath ceremony pic.twitter.com/XExztpvP0T  Asheesh (Bobby Deol) (@thebobbydeoll) March 18, 2017

Special thanks to Deepika Padukone for supporting #YogiAdityanath in election rallies and thus making him CM. #YOGIFORCM pic.twitter.com/mdtZqgsdBL  Sir Rohit Sharma (@imWrong45) March 18, 2017

#AbkiBaarYogiSarkaar



RT If You Support #Yogi4CM

FAV/Like If You Don't.#YogiAdityanath Yogi Adityanath Jai Shree Ram Vin Diesel pic.twitter.com/6RhqFZPZIr  Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) March 18, 2017

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In Bihar, there is more to towing away a wrongly parked vehicle than merely following rules and procedure, a private agency tasked for the purpose has found.

The Swadesh Parking and Services agency, Anisabad (Patna), engaged to tow away vehicles stationed in no-parking zones of Patna, has claimed it has suffered a Rs 2.72 lakh loss in the past two months as it was dissuaded from realising fine from erring VIP vehicle owners.

This happened on numerous occasions after traffic policemen received calls from persons in positions of authority, asking them to release wrongly parked vehicles without penalising them.

The agency has flagged the issue to Patna divisional commissioner Anand Kishor, who was instrumental in introducing the towing service last August to rid the state capital of traffic snarl-ups, often caused by haphazardly parked vehicles.

Confirming he had received the complaint, Kishor told HT, I have asked the Patna district magistrate and senior superintendent of police (SSP) to look into it because it is essentially a police issue.

SSP, Patna, Manu Maharaaj , said the traffic SP had brought the matter to his knowledge. I told him not to pay heed to any pairvi (request). I will get the matter inquired into and also speak to the agency concerned .

Traffic SP, Patna, Prantosh Kumar Das, has since written to his subordinates, asking them not to release vehicles violating provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, without realising fine. HT has a copy of the letter.

The agency had begun with 18 Jam Busters (tow-away cranes). Having suffered losses, it has now reduced the number of cranes to 11. Our requirement for Patna is at least 20 cranes, besides some big ones to tow away trucks and buses, said Das.

As per the terms of its engagement, the agency gets a towing charge of Rs 650 and Rs 450 for every four-wheeler and two-wheeler, respectively. Add to it the penal provisions under the Motor Vehicles Act, and the collective fine may even go up to over Rs 10,000.

But when policemen get leniency request from VIPs, the agency loses the towing charge, even as it spends money on machine, fuel and manpower.

The other side of the story is that the agency has been facing severe public criticism for allegedly targeting only the lesser mortals while levying fine. It is accused of turning a blind eye to wrongly parked vehicles of VIPs.

No beacon fitted vehicle has ever been towed away though they are often found in no-parking zones. In fact, VIPs are the worst offenders. Jam Busters move unmanned beacon fitted vehicles but only to align their cranes to tow away other private vehicle behind them, said Rajeev Ranjan, a government hospital employee whose vehicle was towed away near Patnas Hartali More last week.
The Parliamentary standing committee on urban development has questioned as why Panchkula has not been included on the list of smart cities despite being an important economic centre with a cosmopolitan character.

The committees 14th report, submitted in Parliament recently, says that cities such as Panchkula, which have a population of more than 5 lakh, have not been included despite being important economic, industrial and employment-generating centres, with true cosmopolitan character and global outlook.

Gurgaon and Delhi, except areas under the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), were other cities about which the Parliamentary standing committee on urban development has raised questions.

Components of the Smart City Mission include city improvement (retrofitting), renewal (redevelopment), extension (green field development) and a pan-city initiative, in which smart solutions are applied covering larger parts of the city, for which, money comes from the concerned ministry of the central government.

STATE GOVTS SELECT CITIES COMPETITIVELY, MINISTRY TELLS PANEL

The ministry of urban development in its deposition before the committee had said when 100 smart cities were selected, the state governments selected their areas competitively for being considered for development under the Smart City Mission.

In stage 1, based on intra-state competition conducted by states and UTs, a list of 98 potential smart cities was announced in 2015, to participate in the Stage 2  city challenge. No proposal was sent for Panchkula in this.

In stage 2, each potential smart city had to prepare a smart city proposal; 97 shortlisted cities submitted their smart city proposals, which were evaluated by a committee involving a panel of experts. Finally, 20 cities were selected for development as smart cities in 2015-16.

MAYOR WELCOMES COMMITTEES MOVE

Panchkula municipal corporation mayor, Upinder Kaur Walia, said, It is good that the Parliamentary standing committee has raised the issue of Panchkula. In 2015, when the proposals were to be sent, we had neither a commissioner nor an executive officer. Superintending engineer was to send the proposal, but it got delayed by a day. This is how we lost the race.

The standing committees report stated, The committee desires the government for considering Gurgaon, Panchkula and other areas of Delhi outside NDMC areas, for inclusion in the list of smart cities; and to provide adequate funds and technical assistance to the state or UT governments for making these cities smart as envisaged under the Smart City Mission, in due course of time.

Panchkula MLA Gian Chand Gupta said, I welcome that the Parliamentary standing committee report raised the issue. And I hope that Panchkula will soon be included in the list of smart cities.

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Gaya: Fed up with atrocities meted out to her by her alcoholic husband, a woman in Bihars Gaya district, 107km from Patna, abandoned him and married another man.

The marriage of Sangeeta, mother of a two-year-old girl, and Ramkeshwar Yadav, a widower, was solemnised in Sherghati sub-divisional court in the district on Friday in the presence of their relatives and many social activists.

Sangeeta, daughter of Deonandan Yadav of Ratanpur village under Sherghati sub-division, said she had spent nearly five years under trauma after her marriage to Sanjay Yadav, son of Chandradev Yadav of Dakhinkhap village.

After my marriage I was shocked to see that almost every member of my in-laws family was addicted to alcohol. Even after the birth of my daughter, there was no change in the behavior of my first husband, who would often turn violent under influence of liquor and inflict injuries on me. When all my efforts to convince him to give up liquor failed and his atrocities increased with every passing day, I left my in-laws house with my daughter almost two years ago and started staying with my parents, she said.

My ordeal did not end here. I had initially thought that my action would bring change in my husband. But he would manage to procure liquor by illegal means even after the imposition of total prohibition in Bihar, reach my parents place and subject me to inhuman behaviour. That forced my parents to look for a new life partner for me, she told the court before signing her new bond of marriage with Ramkeshwar Yadav of Asani village in Guraru police station of Gaya district.

Ramkeshwar Yadav, father of a five-year-old boy, assured the court and parents of his commitment to take good care of Sangeeta and her daughter from her previous marriage.

I am very happy to marry a woman who has raised her voice against liquor, Ramkeshwar later told Sangeetas parents.

Bihar is a dry state since April 5, 2016 when Nitish Kumar-led Grand Alliance government in the state banned manufacture, sale and consumption of alcohol.

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The traffic police will continue its crackdown on school vans and auto-rickshaws in Jaipur for herding students beyond their capacity.

We have instructed traffic police officials in all parts of the city to show zero tolerance towards vehicles overloaded with schoolchildren, deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Haider Ali Zaidi told Hindustan Times on Saturday.

After identifying such vehicles, we will initiate appropriate action against them. We will also notify the RTOs concerned about the drive, Zaidi said.

Children jostling for space in school vans and auto-rickshaws is a common sight these days in the Pink City. The packed vehicles pose threat to the students safety.

According to the transport department data, 76 such vehicles have been hauled up in Jaipur between April 2016 and February this year.

We have taken a number of initiatives to spread awareness against such overloaded vehicles ferrying schoolchildren, said Kalpana Agarwal, Jaipur regional transport officer (RTO). Activities such as road safety weeks are important to make people understand the threat these vehicles pose.

Drivers are warned against overloading at the time of issuing permits to vehicles to transport schoolchildren, officials said.

We have also formed mobile inspection units that make rounds of the city to catch overloading vehicles red-handed, said Agarwal.

Around 600 drivers were imparted training last year by the Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR) and other such institutions.

People were made to understand the importance of safe driving during the Road Safety Week, organised between January 30 and February 6, officials said.
A political hot potato for Mamata Banerjee before the 2016 Assembly elections, the Narada scam returned as a shot in the arm for opposition parties in Bengal on Friday when the Calcutta high court ordered a CBI inquiry into the findings of the sting operation.

Although CPI-M and Left Front allies took out a mammoth procession in the afternoon without wasting time, leaders of several opposition parties felt that the BJP would try to make the most out of the crisis Trinamool Congress was staring at.

Read: Mamata Banerjees 6-year rule riddled with Saradha, Narada, Rose Valley scams

If the chief minister at all feels accountable to the electorate she should arrest all scam-tainted leaders and ministers in her party before the CBI does so. Politically, the BJP will benefit the most from this investigation, said Rahul Sinha, BJP national secretary and former state president.

The chief minister appeared to have anticipated that the BJP would up the ante in view of the election results in five states. While reacting to the court order, she made her first political move.

Over the next few months, chief minister Mamata Banerjee has to battle the opposition parties that are lining up their arsenal to gun for her. (Subhankar Chakraborty)

Our party will move the Supreme Court. The judgement was most unfortunate. How could the state president of a political party predict that the court would order a CBI investigation once the UP elections were over? she asked while addressing the media at the state secretariat.

The judges were asking right from the beginning why a CBI probe should not be ordered. If a judgement is leaked before it is passed, it is unfair, said Banerjee. She was referring to BJP state president Dilip Ghoshs recent remark when he predicted that a CBI probe into the Narada scam was imminent.

This is a grand conspiracy. The footage was also released from the BJP office, she reiterated. State BJP leaders reacted by saying they might file a contempt petition against the chief minister for making such remarks on a high court order.

Read: Election results: Why BJPs sweep in UP could be ominous for Mamata Banerjee

Though Congress was the first party to move court on the Narada scam, Bengal PCC chief and MP, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, somehow seemed convinced that the BJP would now claim its pound of flesh.

Virtually the entire Trinamool leadership may land in jail soon, Chowdhury told HT. He ruled out any possibility of the investigation going slow - as feared by the Left- given the BJPs dependence on Trinamool Congress to save its newly-formed government in Manipur.

The Narada verdict came at a time when the Trinamool chief is at the pinnacle of her popularity following the redistribution of the SIngur land among the farmers and her move to rain in private hospitals. (HT Photo)

The BJP is a master is horse trading. It is Mamata Banerjee who should feel scared. There may come a time when her party leaders will start flocking to the BJP to save their skin, said Chowdhury.

Political observers however pointed out that no matter how hard the state BJP might try to corner Trinamol Congress, the Left and Congress would work out their own strategy to regain lost ground.

Read: Setback for Mamata and Trinamool, HC asks CBI to probe Narada sting operation

CPI(M) state secretary Suryakanta Mishra and Politburo member and MP, Md Salim both alleged that the BJP and Trinamool were allies and hence, the CBI probe meant little. How does one explain why the Parliaments Ethics Committee headed by L K Advani didnt meet even once over the past one year? Since some of the accused are MPs, the matter was referred to the committee long ago, said Salim.

The partnership was evident in Manipur where the BJP formed the government with support of the sole Trinamool MLA. Had the Centre been serious about Naradha, Saradha, Rose Valley and other scams, they would have taken steps long ago, alleged Mishra.

The chief minister is not above suspicion. Why wasnt any action against S M H Mirza, the IPS officer seen accepting money in the Narada tapes? The chief minister has argued that political parties accept donation to contest elections. Question is, do IPS officers accept those donations on behalf of politicians? said Mishra.

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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) continued their search operations at the house in Haji Colony near Kakori, where terror suspect Saifullah Khan was killed in an encounter recently. The sleuths collected several evidences and samples to establish Saifullah and his associates stay in the room.

A team led by two senior officers of NIA  Anil Shukla, IG and Prashant Kumar, DIG searched the entire house on Friday. They were accompanied by Asim Arun, IG, UP ATS and his team. Sources with the NIA said samples of the comb, fallen hair and nails, towel, clothes and other belongings of Saifullah Khan and his associates were collected.

On Day I of the search operation, sleuths had collected a small packet of bullets, samples of blood and gunpowder. They said the search also aimed at establishing the presence of huge cache of arms and ammunitions with Saifullah  the alleged operations head of UP-based self-radicalised ISIS module, who was gunned down in an encounter with UP ATS on March 8.

SAMPLES COLLECTED NIA sources said samples of the comb, fallen hair and nails, towel, clothes and other belongings of Saifullah Khan and his associates were collected. On Day I of the search operation, sleuths had collected a small packet of bullets, samples of blood and gunpowder.

The team also collected belongings of Saifullahs other accomplices, Atif Muzaffar, Meer Hasan, Danish and Gaus Mohammed, who stayed there or used to visit the place frequently. Atif and Hasan were arrested from MP while Danish and Gaus were arrested from Kanpur and Lucknow respectively in the wake of Ujjain-Bhopal train blast in MP on March 7.

So far, eight alleged militants have been arrested from different places.

Saifullah was killed in a 13-hour police operation when he locked himself in a room of the house where he was living for 46 days. Police had claimed that the suspected militants body was found with weapons lying next to him.

Besides, the ATS had claimed to have recovered eight pistols, 630 live cartridges and a huge amount of raw material used in making pressure pipe bombs.

Read more: Three educational institutions in city were on terror radar
Putting a full stop on the dates of the official launch of Lucknow Metro, minister of state for railways Manoj Sinha told a private TV channel in Varanasi on Friday that it would take at least 4 months from the day the RDSO submitted its report to the railway ministry. Sinha also came down heavily on the outgoing Samajwadi Party government for misguiding the people on the date of Metro launch.

The Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) may submit the Lucknow Metro trial report to the railway ministry on Monday, according to Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation sources. The railway ministry will examine the report before forwarding it to commissioner, railway safety and the process may require some more time.

Sinha said that railway officials and others knew well how much time the ministry of railways and commissioner railway safety would take before giving final clearance to the official launch.

The Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (LMRC) obtained speed certificate from RDSO, on February 20, after the latter went through the detailed designed of Lucknow Metro train.

With this speed certificate, train trial was conducted at maximum designed speed of 90 kmph last month.

Lucknow Metro has achieved all the parameters of safety and at the same time its performance was successfully evaluated during this high speed trial.

The Metro has gone through different tests before its actual passengers operations, that too under the watchful eyes of experts from France, Germany and Italy. It has also undergone load tests successfully, with artificial loads equivalent to crush loading of 8 passengers per square metre. Sand bags were used for this test.

According to a highly placed LMRC official, Lucknow Metro has completed all its engineering work, electrification and work on track. Now stations are getting the final touch up. They are expected to be ready before March 25.

However, the rates of tickets have still not been finalised as this requires permission from political bosses. Now with the swearing-in of the new government on March 19, this issue is also expected to be sorted out.

LMRC officials said work on phase II was going ahead as per schedule and digging by tunnel boring machines Gomti and Ganga was on in front of Bapu Bhavan and Mayfair.

Read more: Smart cards to ensure smart travel in Lucknow Metro
Although the cause of two explosions reported near Agra Cantonment railway station on Saturday is yet to be confirmed, both police and railway authorities have prima facie ruled out the terror angle.

Officials attributed the first blast, which occurred at 5 am at a house in Rasoolpura area, to a firecracker. The second one, which took place 45 minutes later at a waste disposal area near platform no. 5 of the station, was reportedly caused due to the bursting of a tractor tyre.

We have collected samples from the blast sites, and they are being examined by forensic experts. However, the tyre of the tractor trolley was found to have a hole. We are verifying the facts, said deputy inspector general of police (Agra range) Mahesh Kumar Mishra.

The first blast occurred at the residence of Ashok Kumar, a plumber, he added.

As of now, we will say that there is no terror angle to the incident, said senior superintendent of police (Agra) Dr Preetinder Singh. We have collected pieces of a damaged asbestos sheet from Kumars house. We will arrive at a conclusion once the samples have been examined.

The public relations office of the north central railway also reiterated that the blast near platform 5 was actually the outcome of a tyre bursting.

Though the incidents initially triggered panic in the city, there was no report of any major damage or casualty. Mishra said the area was also cordoned off to ensure that it remained undisturbed for forensic experts and the bomb disposal squad.

Agra has been on high alert ever since a pro-Islamic State media group warned of attacks in India, and published a graphic depicting the Taj Mahal as a possible target. Security was subsequently beefed up at the monument, with safety drills being undertaken every six hours.

Security exercises were carried out even on Friday, despite the Taj Mahal being closed to visitors.

According to Site Intelligence Group, an agency that tracks jihadi activities on the web, the graphic by the Ahwaal Ummat Media Centre was posted on a channel of encrypted communication app Telegram on March 14.

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Bernadine Mendes, a nurse, returned to Mumbai on a flight from Tel Aviv, Israel last week. Her greatest source of discomfort during the eight-hour trip? A co-passenger who kept up a steady stream of conversation throughout, preventing her from getting a good nights rest. By the end of the journey, Mendes said she seriously considered paying the airline extra to seat her somewhere quieter. She is not alone. As many as 68% of Indian fliers dread being seated next to a passenger who talks too much, said a study released on Thursday. The Flight Etiquette Survey 2017  conducted by Expedia, an online travel company  showed 65% of Indians would not hesitate to pay extra to be seated in a designated quiet section if the aircraft made provisions for one.

Ironically, 61% of the 1,002 Indian adults surveyed said they used flights as an opportunity to meet new people. Krupa Joseph, a freelancer, said she often carries a book on domestic flights as it makes for a great conversation starter.

As many as 60% said they often engaged the stranger seated next to them in conversation, with 57% saying they felt comfortable discussing polarising topics such as religion or politics with a co-passenger. Interestingly, only 33% of respondents said they would frown upon being seated next to a flirtatious passenger. I dont think it is possible to form a lasting connection with someone youve only spoken to for a few hours on a flight, but flirting with a co-passenger is an interesting way to pass the time, said Joseph.

As many as 52% of fliers said rear-seat kicking was the worst violation of airport etiquette that a co-passenger could commit, followed by drinking too many alcoholic beverages before or during the flight (50%), talking loudly or listening to music at deafening volumes (49%), failing to look after crying or misbehaved children (48%) and rushing to disembark ahead of those seated in front of them (43%).

The worst thing a co-passenger could do is be rude to the air-hostesses. I have observed this several times. Being seated next to a crying infant, especially during long flights, comes second because there is nothing one can do in such a situation, except feel sympathetic towards the parents, said Ivan Fernandes, vice president (marketing) at Sajjan India Limited.

However, only 13% of fliers said they would shame the offending passenger on social media. Alerting the flight attendant seemed to be the most popular way of dealing with misbehaving co-passengers, with 69% of respondents saying they would opt for this. Only 30% said they would confront an unruly passenger directly.

Ive encountered fliers whove pushed their co-passengers out of the way in a bid to disembark first. I prefer confronting such people on the spot. Complaining about them on social media later is too little, too late, said Sanjana Sule, a content writer.

Fernandes said he is also irked by fliers who ask him to exchange seats prior to take-off. It is not uncommon for Indians to be unhappy with their allotted seat, with 6% of respondents admitting to faking an illness or injury just to get a better seat.

The survey however, states that 76% of Indians feel that for most part, their fellow passengers are considerate and as many as 59% have offered their seat to a co-passenger in need, said Manmeet Ahluwalia, marketing head, Expedia.

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A year after heavy water leaked from the coolant channel in unit I of the Gujarat-based Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS-1), preliminary investigations have found corrosion spots on the channels outer surface, and through-wall cracks in it.

The inspection team found similar corrosion spots on the outer surface of the channels removed from KAPS-2, after a minor leak last year.

Both KAPS-1 and KAPS-2 will not be operational till the investigation is over. The fuel from the reactor cores of these units has been unloaded so as to replace the coolant channels.

Used in nuclear reactors, heavy water is formed when ordinary hydrogen atoms in water are partly or wholly replaced by the isotope deuterium, also known as heavy hydrogen. Heavy water is the key to a type of reactor in which plutonium can be bred from natural uranium.

An investigation into what caused the corrosion spots pointed to the possible presence of some trace impurity in the carbon dioxide used in the annulus gas system of KAPS coolant channels, read a statement from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). An investigation to determine the trace impurity and causes of the corrosion spots is ongoing.

The countrys nuclear watchdog, AERB, has now asked the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) for a detailed plan to analyse the failure of the KAPS-1 channel.

It also asked it to expedite the completion of investigations to establish the root cause of coolant channel leaks.

Following the leak from the two KAPS units, NPCIL inspected more than 80 coolant channels of indigenous pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) for corrosion spots and other defects.

The inspections did not show corrosion spots or other defects in any station other than KAPS-1&2.

As a precaution, AERB has asked other operating PHWRs to strengthen the quality assurance checks on the carbon dioxide used in the annulus gas system, read a statement released by the AERB.

On March 12, KAPS-1  an indigenous 220 megawatt heavy water reactor located 80km from Surat  underwent an automatic shut down at 9 am after a leak from its coolant system.

Following this, a plant emergency was declared. The regulatory board said the staff had neither been exposed to radiation nor was radioactivity released into the environment.

After the reactors coolant channel was identified as the source of the leak, the AERB had provisionally rated the incident at level 1, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency-International Nuclear and Radiological Event scale, which stands for an anomaly in the plant.

The pressure tubes of the coolant channels in the reactor were replaced in 2011.

Both KAPS units were commissioned in the 1990s, and two more units of 700 megawatts each are under construction.

Read

Corrosion spots found in coolant channels of Kakrapar reactors

Kakrapar nuclear plant unit shut down after reports of leak

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Engineering students looking to bag seats in premier Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) across the country have reason to cheer. With IITs planning to add 550-plus seats across courses and institutes, the total number of seats open for admissions stand at 11,000-plus for the next academic year.

While provisions for most new seats will be made in the newer institutes, IIT-Bombay will also increase its intake in undergraduate and postgraduate courses. We are introducing a new program for undergraduate courses, which will add about 30 seats. Similarly, a few seats will be added to postgraduate courses for the upcoming academic year, said Devang Khakkar, director IIT-B. While the Joint Admission Board (JAB) approved the increase in seats in 2016, most of the older institutes were not open to the idea owing to infrastructural constraints.

Engineering is not just about providing students with a classroom, but also making arrangements for extra laboratories and hostel rooms. Most older IITs are already struggling to make ends meet, said a senior faculty from IIT-Delhi, where the institute plans to introduce new seats via a new designing program, but not for engineering courses next year. There are currently 22 IITs in India, plus the Indian School of Mining in Dhanbad. Four of these  IIT-Goa, IIT-Dharwad, IIT-Jammu and IIT-Bhilai  started admitting students only last year. Khakkar said neither IIT-Goa nor IIT-Dharwad would increase their seats.

We are expanding our student intake capacity for different courses this year, including BTech, MTech and MSc. The net result is that our intake will be 1,250 in the next academic year. We hope to increase this to 1,450 by 2018, said Sudhir Jain, director, IIT-Gandhinagar. He added they aim to focus more on research from this year, especially in postgraduate courses.

However, institutes are unsure if adding seats to newer IITs serves the purpose.

In a first, the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) had decided to conduct six rounds of admissions last year, instead of the two rounds that was the norm till 2015. The move was aimed at ensuring that not a single IIT seat was left vacant. Despite this, 73 of 10,500 seats had gone vacant.

We hope that no seats go vacant this year because students are only vying for seats at older IITs and do not opt for the new ones, said a senior faculty from IIT-B, who requested anonymity.

Read

67 out of 100 top rankers choose IIT Bombay

IIT admissions: 73 seats still vacant after Round 6

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While making allocations for transport infrastructure, the BJP-led Maharashtra government in its budget for 2017-18 has proposed to set up a Maharashtra School of Drama in Goregaons Film City, and upgrade Mumbai Universitys economics department to a full-fledged institution.

State finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar announced the state governments intention to support Mumbai Universitys effort to scale up its economics department into a Mumbai School of Economics and Public Policy as the university celebrates its 160th year of existence.

The economics department of Mumbai University is one of the oldest in Indiaa sum of Rs25 crore will be provided to Mumbai University in the next five years for this educational initiative, Mungantiwar said, while presenting the state budget for 2017-18.

The state government has also proposed examining the feasibility of setting up a Maharashtra School of Drama in Goregaons Film City on the lines of the National School of Drama.

Besides, the state governments plans for Mumbai in its budget for the next fiscal include the extension of Mumbais surveillance camera network to its satellite cities of Kalyan and Dombivli, and installing forensic labs in Thane other than Ratnagiri, Solapur, Dhule and Chandrapur.

To boost Mumbais transport infrastructure, the state government has proposed to set aside Rs710 crore for the underground Colaba-Bandra-Seepz Metro, and elevated Dahisar-DN Nagar and Dahisar East-Andheri East Metro lines for the upcoming fiscal. This outlay is also expected to cater to the Nagpur Metro, the civil work for which is underway, and Pune Metro, which recently got cabinet approval. The three Metro projects in Mumbai will also be allocated funds from the budget of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the nodal agency for the projects.

Besides, finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar also promised to expedite a few other showpiece projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, some of them stalled and delayed for years, though there was no special allocation for these. These were the Sewri-Nahva Sheva Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, the Navi Mumbai International Airport, the Navi Mumbai Metro Project and the proposed coastal freeway from South Mumbai to the western suburbs.

AV Shenoy, city-based transport expert, said, I welcome the state governments move of making substantial allocations to the three major projects already under construction. It is better to focus financial resources on what is already taken up to speed up the implementation rather than simply making new project announcements for a political statement.

Shenoy, however, said the state government should also focus on low-hanging fruits to ease traffic congestion in Mumbai by pumping in funds in the financially-stressed Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport (BEST) undertaking, dedicated bus lanes on highways and road projects.

After transport infrastructure projects, the largest allocation for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region has been for memorials. The state has proposed to spend Rs200 crore on three memorials  the Shivaji memorial in the Arabian Sea, a Dr BR Ambedkar memorial at Dadars India United Mills No. 5 popularly known as Indu Mills, and a memorial for Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray at the mayors Bungalow in Dadar.

Further funds as required as proposed to be made available for this purpose, Mungantiwar said in his budget speech.

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In a move to provide major relief to cancer patients, the state government on Saturday proposed to develop five cancer treatment centres in five regions  Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Marathwada and Vidarbha. It has also proposed to introduce mammography machines and other equipment at 253 government hospitals for early detection of cancer and upgrade the Marathwada Cancer Centre at Aurangabad to a state-level cancer institute. Further, it will spend Rs 559 crore for development of government medical colleges across the state.

These announcements were made by finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar while presenting the state budget for 2017-18.

We have decided to upgrade the Marathwada Cancer Centre to a state-level cancer institute. The government will provide Rs126 crore. The government has also decided to develop good-quality cancer treatment centres in another five regions, Mungantiwar said.

The move assumes significance as most cancer patients in the state come to the Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) situated in Mumbai. The development of cancer centres in different cities will help in reducing the number of admissions there, the experts said.

Dr Sripad Banavali, head of medical and paediatric oncology at Tata Memorial Hospital, welcomed the decision terming it extremely positive. The urban areas have good cancer hospitals and the government had to concentrate on second-tier cities, Dr Banavali said.

He added that most patients from these areas do not come to TMH, when the disease is at an early stage owing to financial and logistical problems. If we catch a curable cancer at an advanced stage, not much can be done. Thats the reason the mortality rates are high, he pointed out.

Mungantiwar also said that the government has decided to introduce mammography machines and other related medical equipment at 253 government hospitals across the state and will provide Rs43 crore for this purpose.

Breast, uterus and oral cancers are the most common form of cancers. Early detection and treatment will lead to improvement in 75% cases and reduce cancer fatalities. Mammography and other such equipment will help for the same, he said.

The state government also wants to upgrade its medical colleges and hospitals attached to them. For this purpose, it has decided to make available Rs559 crore from the budget, Mungantiwar announced.

Dr Deepak Sawant, state health minister, said the Marathwada Cancer Centre will now be having every facility that we need to treat a cancer patient that includes chemotherapy etc. So far, Marathwada does not have any such cancer treatment centre and patients had to come to Mumbai for treatment. With the move, the situation will be changed, Dr Sawant told HT.

(With inputs from Aayushi Pratap)

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Its spotlight infrastructure for the BJP-led state government. Finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar on Saturday announced the state will set up a special body to raise funds for infrastructure projects. He also hiked funds allotted for road development by 61%

Called MahaInfra, the special purpose vehicle will raise funds and finance capital expenditure for key projects, Mungantiwar said while presenting the budget for 2017-18. In the next five years, we see a requirement of Rs1 lakh crore to finance capital expenditure of key infrastructure projects. Given the constraints of raising such huge amounts from the available sources of funds using traditional methods, there is a need to look at alternative ways. The special purpose vehicle will take care of aggregating government land held by various departments and securitising or monetising it to ensure a constant flow of funds to the state. The proposed body will collect land that has not been in use or is not likely to be developed for the next 10 years by the department holding it. This kind of land securitisation will help raise funds through low-cost loans, bonds, and investments with a long-term horizon like national or global pension and insurance funds, he said.

The state is also considering converting Mahainfra into a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), on the lines of Gujarat State Financial Services Ltd. This means all state agencies, such as Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, CIDCO and Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation  all flush with fixed deposits  can keep its funds with Mahainfra.

By setting up an NBFC, we can keep fixed deposits of public companies and corporations with us, to raise resources. We will pay them interests, like any other bank. If they can trust a bank, why not the state? Mungantiwar said. He had told HT the issue was discussed with the CM and he plans to visit Gujarat to understand how a state NBFC works.

After facing flak for the poor roads, particularly in the capital Mumbai, the budget proposes Rs7,000 crore to improve roads. This figure was Rs4,347 crore in 2016-17. The state said to ensure quality of work and better supervision, work will be done only in small packages of 10km. The states target is to complete 10,000km of roads in two years under the newly-adopted hybrid annuity model, yet another way in which the government proposes to preserve its funds. Under the hybrid annuity model, 195 works costing Rs30,000 crore have been proposed. This model lies between a public private partnership contract and an engineering procurement contract, but is designed in such a way that the burden on the government is considerably lower. In this model, the government will put in a maximum of 40% of the funds, while the contractor contributes the rest and will recover its investment over 15-20 years through instalments from the government. For the upcoming fiscal, the state has proposed to allocate Rs3,500 crore for projects under this model. For rural roads, the state has proposed Rs1,630 crore under the Chief Minister Gram Sadak Yojana.

Three railway projects  connecting Ahmednagar-Beed-Parli-Vaijnath, Wardha-Yavatmal-Nanded and Wadsa-Desiganj-Gadchiroli  will be implemented by the state with the railways, and for this, Rs150 crore has been provided. For airports at Shirdi, Solapur, Karad, Amravati and Chandrapur, the budget allocated Rs50 crore in 2017-18.

READ MORE

Maha budget 2017-18: Heres what Mumbai got

Oppn burns Maharashtra budget, Shiv Sena stays calm

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The Maharashtra governments decision not to announce farm loan waivers in the state budget on Saturday, instead wait for the Centre to take a call, had the Opposition parties, who had demanded it, riled up.

Several members tried to disrupt the budget presentation. Opposition legislators even burnt copies of the budget outside the Legislature protest.

But the Shiv Sena, after nine days of aggressively stalling house proceedings in its demand for the waiver, was calm on Saturday when the state revealed its budget for 2017-18.

The partys change in stance comes after CM Devendra Fadnavis met Union finance minister Arun Jaitley along with Sena ministers, and after two state cabinet meetings in which the Sena ministers were assured the government will work out something on farm loans.

As a result, when Opposition legislators were creating ruckus during the budget speech, Sena legislators remained seated.

As Mungantiwar presented the budget in the Assembly, his deputy, minister of state for finance Deepak Kesarkar, who is from the Sena, presented the budget in the Legislative Council.

As part of their protests, the Opposition sang bhajans and used cymbals to disrupt the finance ministers speech.

Sena minister Ramdas Kadam, who holds the environment portfolio in the Fadnavis-led government, said, The chief minister has conveyed he is in favour of making farmers debt-free and helping them become eligible for institutional credit again. He took up the issue with the Union finance minister. The budget speech also says the government is committed to this cause. There is no point in unnecessarily protesting when the state has said it is positive about a farm loan waiver.

Kadam said the entire episode was a victory of the Shiv Sena and its party chief Uddhav Thackeray, as they were the ones who got the government to agree to its demand to help farmers of the state.

Leader of the Opposition, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, called the state governments decision to not announce the loan waiver a betrayal.

The state government has cheated farmers by making a promise for a loan waiver. The citizens were betrayed, cheated, and disappointed by this budget, Patil said.

He also said the budget would take the state backwards.

Read: Maha budget 2017-18: Heres what Mumbai got

Maharashtra budget: You will now have to pay more for liquor

Focus is on making farming sustainable: Maharashtra finance minister

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Dadris new MLA, Tejpal Singh Nagar, is a man who loves to speak. A passion that has stood him well in public life, if his political record is anything to go by.

An active worker of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Nagar joined the saffron brigade in 2012 because of what he claims to be its people friendly policies.

Nagar, 60, believes his former party never paid attention to the plight of the downtrodden, which he says is the reason for the BSPs rout in the 2017 assembly polls. The newly elected MLA is a grassroots worker of the BJP and his hard work to mobilise people during the 2014 parliamentary elections was recognized by the party brass with an MLA ticket from Dadri.

A first-time candidate, Nagar made it to states legislative assembly with a margin of over 80,000 votes.

Nagar entered politics in 1973 when he was chosen general secretary of Mihir Bhoj PG College, Dadri, and held the post for a year. Later in 1974, the college students pushed him to contest elections due to his oratorial skills and he emerged as president of the college students union.

After completing graduation, Nagar joined his father, a farmer and helped the family in farming. However, his penchant for delivering speeches led him back to public life.

Nagar would accompany people of his village Akilpur when they went to get revenue work done in government offices.

In those days, literacy was not good. Few people had the opportunity of having a formal education and I was one of them. My father would push me to help the locals and I would spend my days helping them. In 1991, I became a teacher in a semi government college, but remained in touch with people, Nagar said.

In 1992, Nagar was also chosen as the president of Dadris cooperative association. Subsequently in 1995, Nagar was nominated as a member of the district panchayat committee and held the position till 2005.

Nagar did his masters in Hindi and History from MMH College in Ghaziabad. Prior to his nomination as MLA, Nagar was principal of Shri Sant Vinoba Inter College, Baidpura, Noida.

In the backdrop of his contribution towards education, Nagar was felicitated by the Governor of Uttar Pradesh in 2008. Nagar said he joined the BJP only because the BSP could not do justice with the expectations of the people.

We used to highlight issues with the party but were never given any attention. I did some introspection and joined the BJP in 2012. I worked like a common man and I was recognised for it. I believe the work I did for the 2014 parliamentary elections and the peoples welfare got noticed, Nagar said.

Since his victory, Nagars house is packed with supporters and well-wishers. He has a son, who is a lawyer at the district courts in Surajpur.

He said, I persuaded my son to become a lawyer. Dehati ke liye kanoon ki khabar rakhna zaroori hai. (For a villager, it is necessary to be well versed in law).

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Senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and leader of opposition in the Punjab assembly, advocate HS Phoolka, has said that no MLA or leader of the party will use a beacon on their vehicles, besides claiming only necessary perks.

He said this on Friday after paying a courtesy visit to chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh at latters residence in Chandigarh.

In a statement, Phoolka said he reminded the chief minister of making his ministers going by example in putting an end to VIP culture by shunning red beckon on their official vehicles as promised by the ruling party in its poll manifesto.

Phoolka said people of Punjab were suffering due to the VIP culture, which was at its height during the SAD-BJP regime.

Also Read | AAPosition in Punjab House: A lineman, a taxi driver, and other outsiders

Countdown to curb drugs in 30 days begins

On curbing drugs in Punjab, he said, Captain Amarinder had taken an oath in Bathinda with Gutka Sahib in his hands that drugs will be wiped out of Punjab within four weeks of coming to power. The countdown for the task has begun.

I am sure that the CM will curb drugs by April 16, when the deadline for the promise of sending all drug peddlers behind bars within 30 days after assuming power ends, he said. He said AAP will co-operate with the CM in this task. Everybody in Punjab knows who were behind the drug supplies in Punjab and now Captain should dare to take action against the identified and unidentified drug lords, he said.

The AAP leader also appealed to Amarinder to arrange staff and medicines in the de-addiction centres for rehabilitation of the youths hooked to drugs.

Captain Amarinder said he was happy to receive the leader of the opposition and looked forward to AAPs support in the House to ensure that all important legislations are passed with consensus so that development is carried forward full steam. He expressed the hope that AAP will play the role of a constructive opposition to help the government in the implementation of its progressive agenda for Punjab.
Keeping the swearing-in ceremony a low-key, the new Capt Amarinder Singh-led Congress government had given the message of austerity. But there are many paradoxes.

The manifesto of the party, which will come up for discussion in the first cabinet meeting on Saturday, has promised several sops  from smart phones to jobs.

Also read | Sidhu to continue on Comedy Nights with Kapil Sharma: Mixed reactions emerge

Also read | Will order third-party audit of SAD-BJP regimes spendings, says Punjabs new FM Manpreet Badal

New finance minister Manpreet Badal, who took charge of his office on Thursday, said the states liabilities under the SAD-BJP government had spiralled to Rs 1.75 lakh crore, including Rs 6,200 crore free power to farmers and Rs 31,000 crore outstanding dues of food procurement.

Also read | Punjab govt appoints retired IAS officer Suresh Kumar as chief principal secretary to CM

But the estranged nephew of former CM Parkash Singh Badal, who had revolted against his party and government over subsidies in his first stint as finance minister, said subsidies would continue.

Also read | In office, Punjabs new ministers promise to keep promises

He said the government was committed to ending VIP culture but pegged the expenditure on VIP security, including cops, vehicles and fuel, to Rs 300 crore. His department is likely to give a detailed presentation on the fiscal condition of the state in the meeting. The finance departments agenda in the cabinet would include economic, governance and police reforms, he said. The government will bring a vote on account for three months and the budget will be presented in May.

The main agenda of the cabinet meeting will be the partys poll manifesto, including forming a special task force to eradicate drugs, employment generation and a bringing a white paper on power tariffs. The new excise policy of the state will also come up in the cabinets first meeting on Saturday along with the food procurement policy in view of the upcoming paddy season.

The Amarinder government got down to business on the second day with many ministers taking charge, including Brahm Mohindra, Manpreet, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot and Razia Sultana.

The main agenda of the cabinet meeting will be the partys poll manifesto, including forming a special task force to eradicate drugs, employment generation and setting up a committee to study debt of farmers in Punjab. The new excise policy of the state will also come up in the cabinets first meeting on Saturday along with the food procurement policy in view of the upcoming paddy season.

The Amarinder government got down to business on the second day with many ministers taking charge.

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As they took charge on Friday, Punjabs new ministers outlined their priorities and reiterated their promises made during the campaign.

Irrigation and power minister Rana Gurjit Singh said he would start working towards reforming tariffs besides developing a well-planned strategy on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal to safeguard the rights of the state.

Rana Gurjit took charge of his office after ardas (Sikh prayers) in the presence of advocate general Atul Nanda and several MLAs. He said his top priority would be to meet the promises made by chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh and the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) in its manifesto.

Also read | Sidhu to continue on Comedy Nights with Kapil Sharma: Mixed reactions emerge

Also read | Phoolka calls on Punjab CM Amarinder, says no AAP MLA will use beacon on vehicle

The SAD-BJP government failed to fight a strong legal battle on SYL. I have called Atul Nanda to discuss this issue and frame a well-planned strategy to present Punjabs case during the next hearing of the case in the Supreme Court on March 28, he said.

Also read | No deputy CM: Minister Sidhu says would have served only as MLA if Amarinder asked

Irrigation and power minister Rana Gurjit Singh takes charge at the Punjab secretariat in Chandigarh on Friday. (HT Photo)

On power tariff, he said that a number of industrial units from the state have shifted to others parts of the country during the last 10 years because of mismanaged power tariff policy of the SAD-BJP government. He said that Amarinder and the PPCC have promised in the manifesto to reform tariffs for domestic, industrial and commercial consumers. He said he has called a meeting with the power secretary and the chairman-cummanaging director (CMD) of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PPCL) to discuss the issue.

Also read | Punjab govt appoints retired IAS officer Suresh Kumar as chief principal secretary to CM

Also read | Sarkaria to be chief parliamentary secy with Punjab CM

Local bodies, tourism and cultural affairs minister Navjot Singh Sidhu also assumed office. Interacting with the media, Sidhu said it is now his prime duty to live up to the expectations of the people. Citizen-centric services will be given in transparent manner. Government will not work on vendetta politics; instead, development of the state in all spheres is our goal, he said.

Brahm Mohindra taking a call in his office at the Punjab secretariat in Chandigarh on Friday. (HT Photo)

Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, minister of rural development and panchayats, water supply and sanitation; Razia Sultana minister of state (independent charge), public works,, social security and development of women and children; and Brahm Mohindra, minister of health and family Welfare, medical education and research and parliamentary affairs also took charge on Friday.

Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa with well-wishers at the Punjab secretariat in Chandigarh on Friday. (HT Photo)

Sultana, wife of top cop Mohammad Mustafa, said she would ensure that there was no corruption and nepotism.

Mohindra said his would focus on chalking out the roadmap to keep hospitals adequately staffed. The minister said that he would soon hold talks with the Medical Council of India (MCI) to increase the number of MBBS and MD seats.
North-east India has always been one of the lesser accessible regions of our country. Partly due to geographical barriers that have not completely surrendered to infrastructure. This also acts as an advantage as the region is lesser explored (and exploited) by tourists.

We visited Sikkim during the last week of January, when many warned us that it will be too cold. However, we wanted to see snow, and we werent compromising on that. Despite being well-known for adventure tourism, we asked our tour managers for a family-friendly itinerary since we had seniors too as part of our group.

Our journey started at Mumbai from where we flew to Bagdogra, West Bengal. From there, an SUV was to take us to our hotel in Gangtok, Sikkim. To say that this four-hour drive over the mountains is not comfortable would be putting it lightly. However, the breathtaking natural beauty that we got to witness totally made us forget everything else. On our way, just as we crossed the Teesta IV hydroproject dam site, we could finally see the Teesta river in all its glory. We also spotted the Coronation Bridge, which is apparently one of the few remaining open-spandrel arch bridges in India.

During the road trip from Bagdogra airport to Gangtok one can see the Teesta in all its glory. (Susan Jose)

Tsomgo Lake

The itinerary for our first day just had one item  visiting the Tsomgo or as the locals say, the Changu lake. As its in a restricted area, mandatory clearances were taken in advance. Upon crossing the check-post, we realised that this beauty indeed deserves to be guarded by our armed forces. Its magical to witness the clear blue skies against the backdrop of snow-clad mountains. It also evokes a sense of national pride that this is in our country.

In the vicinity of the Tsomgo lake, there are no restaurants but shacks, which serve piping hot Wai Wai noodles and momos. In the freezing temperatures, these local delicacies taste heavenly. We suggest complementing them with black tea, which helps beat high-altitude and travel sickness.

Near the frozen lake one can also opt for yak rides. While we were concerned about torturing our animal friends, the guides assured us that they had only male yaks here. We leave mummies and babies at home, a yak rider patiently explained, adding that yaks have a capacity of carrying 300 kilos and that we all would be like a bird on its back. Despite making jokes at our expense, they eventually convinced us  albeit for a 10-minute ride. The yaks, we discovered, are the cleanest animals; it is natures benevolence to them. These four-legged furry inhabitants of Indias cleanest state  Sikkim topped a survey by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO)  have naturally odourless everything, from fur to poop.

The Phodong monastery was built in the 18th century. (Rithwik)

Spirituality and ecologism

The second day was reserved for visiting some of the famous monasteries. Buddhist culture thrives in Sikkim and its evident among the peace-loving locals. It was a pleasant surprise to see no one losing their cool at the traffic jams. In fact, it was all about, who is stuck and let me help the poor soul out. Most of the drivers address each other as bhau (brother). We even saw someone lift a boulder from the road so that the drivers after him dont face similar trouble.

The calmness of Buddhism however hasnt come in the way of the architectural splendour of their temples. Here, all the monasteries are colourful and vibrant with intricate detailing adorning the statues and pillars. At a few monasteries, there is a provision to buy souvenirs, with beads being the speciality.

The state thrives in natural beauty and the government has taken several measures to conserve nature. One such place is the Plant Conservatory. It was established in 2015, under Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) assisted Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation & Forest Management project, to create a recreational-cum-conversational area. This place is a must-see for those with a penchant for ecological conservation.

A cable car riding over the town of Gangtok, Sikkim. (Stefan Auth)

Kanchenjunga and ropeways

Further on in our itinerary was the Tashi View Point, from where you apparently get the best view of the Kanchenjunga. Even from afar, a glimpse of the third-highest mountain that stands at an elevation of 28,169ft is spellbinding.

We concluded our sightseeing around sunset by taking a ride in the ropeways. The 1km-long cable car ride is not cosy like some of the other cableways we have in India. Be prepared, it does not have any seats. We got a deja vu of travelling in Mumbai local trains as about fifteen other tourists were crammed into the the last ride of the day, and everyone seemed keen on capturing the sunset with their DSLRs. Nonetheless, we managed a nice spot near the windows and got to see the vista of Sikkim from up above. The stacked buildings standing precariously on the edges gave it a fairytale-like appearance. Despite the crowded cable car, that vision was a pleasant culmination to our stay in Sikkim.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more

The author tweets @iamsusanjose

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Hours after comedian/actor Kapil Sharma set the internet ablaze by introducing his girlfriend Ginni, and then saying that he would marry her within a year, it seems like he isnt done just yet. Reports are doing the rounds online that Sharma physically assaulted fellow comedian, and cast mate of The Kapil Sharma Show, Sunil Grover, on a flight.

The cast of the popular comedy show was returning from Australia after a performance tour when an altercation between Sharma (who is said to have been drunk) and his crew broke out, an Indian Express report says.

The report goes on to say that Grover tried to intervene in the scuffle, but Sharma got physical with him while others looked on. Grover, who stood by Sharma after he cut ties with Colors channel and moved to Sony with his new show, later apologised to the other passengers on his friends behalf.

Actor Akshay Kumar with stand-up comedians Kiku Sharda and Sunil Grover during the promotion of film Jolly LLB 2 on the sets of The Kapil Sharma Show. (IANS)

An eyewitness on the flight told The Quint: Without any provocation, Kapil pounced on Sunil Grover. We saw Kapil loudly abusing Sunil. Sunil kept quiet, probably thinking that Kapil would calm down after the outburst. But Kapil got more aggressive. His loud abuses could be heard right across the flight cabin.He then physically assaulted Sunil. Thats when all hell broke loose. The flight attendants rushed to the spot.They wanted to handcuff Kapil in order to restrain him. To his credit Sunil stood by his unruly colleague and asked the cabin crew to overlook his drunken behaviour.

Hindustan Times could not independently verify these reports

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Controversial reality show Bigg Boss can make or break your image depending upon your stint inside the house. But for actor Monalisa, the show has definitely given boost to her career. She is doing a Bengali film, working in a reality show and also has few TV and film offers lined up. The actor says that after Bigg Boss, her fan base has increased, not just in India but in other countries as well.

The show had a very positive effect on my life and career. I got married on the show post which, Ive been getting offers from film and TV industry, informs Monalisa. The actor is in Kolkata shooting for a song titled Delhi se aayi chori innocent for her Bengali film titled Comrade, being helmed by filmmaker Shankudev.

Being a Bengali, I have always wanted to do Bengali films. But I hardly got any good offers. Shankudev wanted me in this film but he couldnt get in touch with me, as I was inside the Bigg Boss house. So, now I am only doing a song. But he is keen on working with me in his next film, though we are yet to finalise the details, adds the actor.

Meanwhile, Monalisa is excited to participate in the celebrity dance reality show Nach Baliye along with Vikrant Singh Rajput. The couple has already started brushing up its dancing skills and are looking forward to audiences reaction.

Talking about doing more work on television, Monalisa shares that she has been getting good daily soap offers too but she cant take up anything for the next few months because of her prior commitments. About the kind of roles she is interested to explore, the actor says, Id love to do romantic shows. But I wont mind doing negative characters as there are both difficult and interesting to play on-screen.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

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Preet Bharara, the former US attorney for the southern district of New York, was investigating stock market trades by a member of President Donald Trumps cabinet at the time of his firing last week, a news report said.

But ProPublica, the news publication that reported the investigation first based on an unidentified source familiar with the office, did not link it to Bhararas firing, which came after he refused to resign as ordered by President Donald Trump.

Bhararas office, which has jurisdiction over Wall Street and thus the stock market, was investigating Health and Human Services secretary Tom Price, who was attacked, during his confirmation hearing, for trading in stocks of health-related companies as he also worked for or against related legislations, as a Republican member of the House of Representatives from Georgia, ProPublica reported.

Price had insisted his trades were aboard, and was subsequently confirmed by a vote along party lines in the Republican-controlled Senate in February. He is now leading efforts to repeal and replace former president Barack Obamas healthcare law.

Bharara was asked to step down last Friday along with 45 other US attorneys appointed by Obama, as has been the practice for decades. The Indian-born southern district prosecutor refused to quit, and waited to be fired.

He was, the next day, which he announced in a tweet. The Trump administration never assigned a specific reason for Bhararas firing, which came as a surprise after he had been asked by Trump, as president-elect last year, to stay on.

Its not known yet why Trump changed his mind. But he is reported to have called Bharara the day before the mass firing, to give him a heads up, but the prosecutor didnt take the call then, and later told the White House he couldnt speak with the President because of protocols governing such contacts.

The White House, the justice department, the health and human services department and Bhararas erstwhile office had refused to speak to the publication for its report, but have not publicly disputed it for hours after its publication, or commented on it.

Bharara has not talked about his firing or the reasons for it since, but he did tweet about the Moreland Commission that New York governor Andrew Cuomo had appointed to investigate corruption in his government, but hastily disbanded when it seemed getting too close to his office.

By the way, now I know what the Moreland Commission must have felt like, Bharara, who had continued the prosecution, sending several New York state politicians to jail, tweeted the day after he was fired. It was puzzling then, but probably not so any more.
China will begin preparatory work this year for an environmental monitoring station on Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, an official said, as two US senators introduced a bill to impose sanctions on its activities in the disputed waterway.

China seized the strategic shoal, which is also claimed by the Philippines, in 2012 and the United States has warned Beijing against carrying out the same land reclamation work there that it has done in other parts of the South China Sea.

This week, Xiao Jie, the mayor of what Beijing calls Sansha City, an administrative base for disputed South China Sea islands and reefs it controls, said China planned preparatory work this year to build environmental monitoring stations on a number of islands, including Scarborough Shoal.

The monitoring stations, along with docks and other infrastructure, form part of island restoration and erosion prevention efforts planned for 2017, Xiao told the official Hainan Daily.

The report comes ahead of a visit to Beijing at the weekend by US secretary of state Rex Tillerson, where he is expected to reiterate US concern about Chinese island building.

Tillerson has called the activity illegal and last June, then US defence secretary Ash Carter warned that any move by China to reclaim land at Scarborough Shoal would result in actions being taken by the both United States and ... by others in the region which would have the effect of not only increasing tensions, but isolating China.

A spokeswoman for the US state department, Anna Richey-Allen, said it was aware of the Chinese report and reiterated a call on South China Sea claimants to avoid building on disputed features.

The Philippine foreign ministry declined to comment, saying it was trying to verify the reports.

Washington stresses the importance of free navigation in South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion worth of trade passes each year. China claims nearly all of the sea and Washington is concerned its island-building is aimed at denying access to the waters.

This week, US senators Marco Rubio and Ben Cardin introduced the South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act, which would ban visas for Chinese people helping to build South and East China Sea projects.

It would also sanction foreign financial bodies that knowingly conduct or facilitate a significant financial transaction for sanctioned individuals and entities if China steps up activity at Scarborough Shoal, among other actions.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying called the bill extremely grating and said it showed the arrogance and ignorance of the senators.
Donald Trumps done it again. The US President left yet another foreign leader - German Chancellor Angela Merkel - red-faced during her first visit to the White House and sparked a flurry of memes and tweets over his handshake.

Whether its a reflection of his unusually undiplomatic approach to foreign relations, or just his relative inexperience in politics, Trump just cant seem to be able to greet his foreign guests without leaving them baffled, uncomfortable, wrong-footed or in pain.

Here are some that make for either difficult or delightful viewing, depending on your point of view:

SHINZO ABE: THE GRASP THAT WONT LOOSEN

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abes awkward 19-second long handshake with Trump in February, during which Trump patted Abes hand, praised it as strong, and which left Abe seemingly wincing in pain, lit up social media. One commenter called it excruciating while another joked Abe was regretting visiting the White House so close to Valentines Day.

An honor to host Prime Minister @AbeShinzo in the United States. pic.twitter.com/f6TvfZ6sMj  President Trump (@POTUS) February 10, 2017

ANGELA MERKEL: NO HANDSHAKE FOR HER

To deliver painful, unsettling handshakes is one thing - but to refuse to give one at all? German Chancellor Angela Merkel seemed to have been at the receiving end of a snub by Trump on Friday when he seemed to either not hear or ignore her request for a handshake in front of press members at the White House.

Photographers: Can we get a handshake?

Merkel (to Trump): Do you want to have a handshake?

Trump: *no response*

Merkel: *makes awkward face* pic.twitter.com/ehgpCnWPg7  David Mack (@davidmackau) March 17, 2017

But that wasnt the only awkward moment between them. While giving a press conference with Merkel, Trump joked that they both shared the experience of having been allegedly wire-tapped by the Barack Obama administration. The comment seemed to take Merkel by surprise, and she reacted by narrowing her eyes, wincing and then looking at the US president in seeming bafflement - a reaction that did not escape Twitter.

JUSTIN TRUDEAU: TURNING THE TABLES

If theres one thing common about all of Trumps handshakes, its the odd jerk-and-pull movement he deploys to anyone unlucky enough to have to shake hands with him, from his Supreme Court pick Neil Gorsuch to his vice-president, Mike Pence.

This handshake between Trump and Neil Gorsuch is so freaking weird.pic.twitter.com/azkxwWtzsh  Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) February 2, 2017

Observers have expressed amusement at the gesture and many see it as Trumps attempt to try to dominate others. But Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau won praise for the deft way in which he prevented this by bracing himself on Trumps right shoulder, controlling it and making the first move to disengage from the handshake.

Round One goes to Trudeau.

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The Trump administration on Friday appealed a Maryland courts block of its revised travel ban, aiming to reinstate the temporary halt to immigrants and visitor arrivals from six majority Muslim countries.

The Justice Department filed a notice of appeal with the district court in Greenbelt, Maryland, two days after that court and one in Hawaii dealt a new blow to the White Houses travel ban, both ruling that it discriminated against Muslims.

The case now goes to a federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia.

Trump has said a travel ban is needed to preserve US national security and keep out extremists.

His first effort, in January, banned travelers from seven majority-Muslim countries and all refugees but was blocked by a court in Washington state on the grounds that it violated the constitutions prohibition of religious discrimination.

That block was upheld on appeal, and the administration said it would revise the ban to better adhere to the law.

But the new ban has run into the same problems.

It aims to close US borders to nationals of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days, and all refugees for at least 120 days. Iraq was on the original ban but removed in the revision.

The White House said the six countries were targeted because their screening and information capabilities could not meet US security requirements.

While the ban does not mention Muslims, the courts have accepted arguments that Trumps statements while he was running for president last year that he would open his White House term with a ban on Muslim arrivals effectively defined his approach.

Arguing the case in Hawaii, Acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall said of Trumps comments: There is a difference between a president and a candidate.

This order doesnt draw any religious distinction at all, he added.

The American Civil Liberties Union had filed the lawsuit in Maryland on behalf of several refugee assistance groups and was optimistic about its chances in the appeals court.

President Trumps Muslim ban has fared miserably in the courts, and for good reason -- it violates fundamental provisions of our constitution, said Omar Jadwat, director of the ACLUs Immigrants Rights Project.

We look forward to defending this careful and well-reasoned decision in the appeals court.
US President Donald Trump is not safe inside the White House and even the Secret Service would not be able to protect him during a terror attack, a former Secret Service agent who had guarded previous presidents has warned.

Former Secret Service agent Dan Bonginos statement came a week after the arrest of a man who jumped the White House fence and roamed around the higly-secured property for more than 15 minutes.

The intruder set off multiple alarms, alarms that clearly showed someone breached the property, and he was seen by officers who didnt think anything of it. This is a big story, Bongino was quoted as saying by the Fox News.

Bongino once guarded former US presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush.

That just shows the president is not safe there - in the White House. The Secret Service does not have the assets, they dont have personnel on the ground they need to keep him safe, he said and claimed that in case of a terrorist attack the Secret Service would be unable to protect the US President.

The Secret Service cannot even keep one person off the grounds - what will they do if 40 terrorists charge the White House? And believe me the terrorists are already thinking about that, Bongino said.

In a statement, the Secret Service said Jonathan T Tran, 26, of California was detected crossing the White House Fence near the East Executive Avenue and the Treasury Department complex at 11:21 pm and was arrested at 11:38 pm.

Trump was at his residence at the time.

The Obama White House had experienced several major security breach and fence jumping, but this is the first after Trump became a White House resident on January 20.

According to the Secret Service, Tran scaled two other fences, one of them being eight-foot vehicle gate.

In another related development, the Secret Service acknowledged yesterday that a laptop with sensitive information was stolen from its agent in New York.

Republican Congressman Jason Chaffetz, Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, blasted the Secret Service for both the lapse.

Tran may have attempted entry into the building. If true, these allegations raise questions about whether the agencys security protocols are adequate, he alleged in a letter to the Secret Service Director Bill Callahan.

It was complete and utter total failures. The White House is probably the most targeted place on the face of the planet. We spend billions of dollars to secure it, he told the CNN..

This person was there on the ground for 17 minutes, went undetected, was able to get up next to the White House, hide behind a pillar, look through a window, rattle the door handle. Its just beyond comprehension, especially because its not the first time this has happened, he said. PTI LKJ AJR AKJ AJR
First the UK, now Germany. US President Donald Trump has now dragged two foreign allies into his unsubstantiated allegations of being wire-tapped after he tried to make common cause with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel at their joint news conference on Friday.

As far as wiretapping, I guess by this past administration, at least we have something in common, perhaps, Trump said, referring reports that the National Security Agency had tapped Merkel in 2010, during President Barack Obamas first term.

Trump meant it as a joke, of course, but Merkel showed only the slightest response, unwilling perhaps to be drawn into the unseemly controversy caused by the presidents allegation that he has not backed up with evidence yet.

Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS, I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Trump said in a tweet on Saturday morning, pushing back against criticism of his remarks.

Nevertheless, Germany owes, he said in the same tweet leading into the next, vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!

The two leaders did talk about NATO  Trump reaffirmed strong support for it and reiterated every member should pay their fair share, and Merkel spoke said Germany agreed to the need for increasing expenditure  but it was the wiretap that dominated headlines.

Just hours before the news conference, the White House had apologised to the UK for press secretary Sean Spicers allegation that the GCHQ had spied on Trump Tower for Obama, which the British dismissed as ridiculous.

When asked about it at the news conference, Trump, instead of taking the opportunity to roll it back, blamed Fox TV news channel for making that allegation, which Spicer had recycled at his daily briefing from the White House.

Trumps meeting with Merkel was one of the most significant of his young presidency, as the two have seemed to be on opposite ends on many critical issues such as free trade and immigration and the president has been very critical of the chancellor.

The awkwardness showed in their news conference, which in the end made headlines over a made-up issue, with criticism that the president had, as Strobe Talbott, a former deputy secretary of state, wrote in a tweet managed, gratuitously, to sour relations with Germany & UK, two key allies & fellow democracies in a single day.
The Hinduja brothers  Gopichand and Srichand  retained the top spot in the annual compilation of Britains richest Asians with an estimated net worth of 19 billion, with steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal second with 12.6 billion, according to the list revealed on Friday.

The 2017 Asian Rich List, which profiles the top 101 highest earners in the British Asian community, valued the top 10 wealthiest Asians in Britain at an estimated 48.4 billion and sees the Hinduja family increasing their valuation by 2.5 billion, while Mittal has almost doubled his net worth from 6.4 billion in 2016.

The list, which was revealed at the 20th annual Asian Business Awards, is considered a definitive guide to Asian wealth in Britain and a window to the economic achievements of a community.

This years list comprises a combined wealth of almost 70 billion. It features four new entries, including Bhupendra and Ramesh Kansagra of Solai Holdings Limited, who entered at the 17th place on the list with an estimated value of 500 million, the AMG Group, which compiles the list, said in a release.

The list is dominated by business leaders from a range of industries, most notably pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and cash and carry businesses, which when combined make up more than 20% of the list.

Businesses based in and around London make up more than half of the list.

Shailesh Solanki, executive editor of AMG, said: This years list is once again a fascinating commentary on the financial impact British Asians have in the UK and the level of success growth that certain entrepreneurs and business leaders have achieved.

Speaking at the event, London mayor Sadiq Khan said: London is home to one of largest, and most diverse South Asian communities in the world, which contributes a huge amount to our citys success  socially, culturally and economically. Nowhere is that clearer than in the business community.

From retail and pharmacy to tech and innovation, the UKs Asian business leaders are at the forefront of their respective industries. The Asian Business Awards recognises the incredible success of these leaders and I was delighted to join them and the Asian Media and Marketing Group for another fantastic evening.

The Top 20 richest Asians in Britain

1. Gopichand and Srichand Hinduja

2. Lakshmi Mittal

3. Sri Prakash Lohia

4. Simon , Bobby and Robin Arora

4. Anil Agarwal

6. Cyrus and Priya Vandrevala

7. Sir Anwar Pervez

8. Jasminder Singh

9. Manubhai Chandharia and family

10. Rajesh Satiija Ram

10. Zameer Choudrey

12. Ranjit and Baljinder Boparan

13. Harpal Matharu

14. Muhmud Kamani and family

14. Lord Swraj Paul and family

16. Vijay and Bhikhu Patel

17. Amit Patel

17. Mayurbhai Madhvani and family

17. Bhupendra and Ramesh Kansagra

20. Sukhpal Singh Ahluwhalia

20. Kuljinder Singh Bahia

20. Surinder Arora

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Iranian pilgrims will participate in this years annual hajj, Saudi Arabia said on Friday, despite ruptured ties between the regional rivals.

For the first time in nearly three decades Irans pilgrims -- which would have numbered about 60,000 -- did not attend last years hajj after Riyadh and Tehran failed to agree on security and logistics.

Tensions remain as Saudi Arabia repeatedly accuses Iran of fuelling conflicts by supporting armed Shiite movements in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Bahrain.

But after talks between the two sides, the Iranians will join this years ritual which takes place at the beginning of September.

The ministry of hajj and the Iranian organisation have completed all the necessary measures to ensure Iranian pilgrims perform hajj 1438 according to the procedures followed by all Muslim countries, the official Saudi Press Agency said, referring to this year in the Islamic calendar.

The hajj ministry said that the kingdom, home to Islams holiest sites, welcomes all pilgrims from all the different nationalities and backgrounds.

Iran rejects accusations of regional aggression and says Riyadh must stop its alleged support for Sunni terrorists like the Islamic State jihadist group and Al-Qaeda.

Although the verbal sparring continued, Saudi media reported in December that the Saudi minister in charge of pilgrimages, Mohammed Bentin, had invited Iran to discuss arrangements for this years hajj.

An Iranian delegation visited Saudi Arabia in February for talks with Bentin.

In early March, Iran said there had been progress.

Most of the questions up for discussion have been resolved and a couple of issues are remaining, Irans ISNA news agency quoted Ali Ghazi Askar, the Iranian supreme leaders representative for hajj affairs, as saying.

If those questions are resolved, we hope pilgrims will soon be sent to Saudi Arabia.

A major issue was compensation for the families of hundreds of people killed in a stampede during the 2015 hajj. Iran says 464 of its citizens died in the disaster.

More than 1.8 million faithful took part in last years hajj. The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam and all Muslims who can must perform it at least once in their lives.

Iranian pilgrims have for the past two years not attended the lesser pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina in western Saudi Arabia, known as umrah, which occurs outside hajj.

Tehran suspended its umrah participation over the sexual assault of two Iranian teenage boy pilgrims by Saudi police at Jeddah airport in early 2015.

Ghazi Askar said Iran had raised this issue as well, and if the culprits were punished, the lesser hajj will also be restored.

Despite agreement on the hajj, Riyadh maintains its criticism of Iran, as highlighted in talks on Tuesday between Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump.

The two leaders noted the importance of confronting Irans destabilising regional activities, the White House said.
Iraqi forces battling Islamic State in Mosul advanced into the Old City and around the al Nuri mosque on Friday trying to seal off a main road to prevent militants sending in suicide bombers.

Troops are meeting fierce resistance as militants retreat into the Old City, where street fighting is expected in the narrow alleyways and around the mosque where Islamic State declared its caliphate nearly three years ago.

A helicopter fired rockets into the area and heavy gunfire and mortar blasts echoed as troops fought in districts near the Nuri mosque, where Islamic States black jihadist flag hangs from its leaning minaret.

Federal police and rapid response forces completely control the al-Basha mosque, al-Adala street and Bab al-Saray market inside the Old City, a federal police spokesman said. Forces are trying to isolate the Old City area from all sides and then start an offensive from all sides.

Five months into the campaign to liberate Mosul, Islamic States last major stronghold in the country, Iraqi forces backed by U.S.-led coalition air strikes have retaken the eastern half of the city and about half of the west across the Tigris river.

Losing Mosul would be a huge blow to Islamic State. It has served as the groups de facto capital since its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi announced his self-declared caliphate spanning Iraq and Syria from the Nuri Mosque in July 2014.

Troops were trying to besiege the Old City and cut off a street leading out to prevent Islamic State dispatching the armoured suicide car and truck bombs that have been targeting army positions inside the city.

On Wednesday, a suicide bomber in an armoured digger truck penetrated Iraqi forces lines, smashing through vehicles and barricades before detonating a blast that destroyed vehicles including Iraqi U.S.-made Abrahams tanks.

A bulldozer packed with a large amount of explosives managed to reach our troops near the museum using the Old City side roads, we lost an Abrahams tank, three Humvees and four soldiers, a spokesman for the rapid reaction forces said.

Residents have been streaming out of western neighbourhoods recaptured by the government, many hungry and traumatised by living under Islamic States harsh rule. Many say food is running short and security is fragile even in liberated areas.

As many as 600,000 civilians are caught with the militants inside Mosul, which Iraqi forces sealed off from the remaining territory that Islamic State controls in Iraq and Syria. The Iraqi forces include army, special forces, Kurdish peshmerga and Shiite militias.

Around 255,000 people have been displaced from Mosul and surrounding areas since October, including more than 100,000 since the latest military campaign in western Mosul began on Feb. 19, United Nations figures show.

The last week has seen the highest level of displacement yet, with 32,000 displaced between March 12 and 15.
The Islamic State group on Saturday claimed responsibility for suicide bomb attack on a camp for Bangladeshs elite security forces the previous day.

A caliphate soldier in Bangladesh carried out a martyrdom operation with an explosive belt in a camp for special forces in Dhaka, the group announced in its daily al-Bayan radio bulletin.

The groups announcement came hours after a suspected militant was shot dead by security forces when he tried to cross a checkpoint run by Bangladeshs elite Rapid Action Battalion in Dhaka.

On Friday, Home minister Asaduzzaman Khan said a man carrying explosives entered the RAB camp near the Dhaka international airport on Friday morning. The explosives went off after he was challenged by two RAB men, wounding them both but causing no other casualties.

The camp, which hosts a mix of elite police, army and air force personnel, has since been cordoned off.

RAB spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan told reporters the bomb exploded after the man was confronted by RAB men, although it was not clear whether the detonation was deliberate.

The spokesman said the mans identity was not known, but that the attack was similar in style to that of previous ones by Islamist extremists.

The incident followed a series of raids on suspected militant hideouts in Bangladesh, which has suffered a series of Islamist attacks in recent years.
A rocket fired by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip slammed into southern Israel on Saturday, prompting retaliatory Israeli air and tank strikes, sources on both sides said.

The Israeli army said the rocket hit an open area.

No casualties have been reported, it said.

In response, a tank and aircraft targeted two Hamas positions in the northern Gaza Strip.

Palestinian security officials said an Israeli aircraft attacked a military training facility of Gazas Hamas rulers, north of Gaza City and the tank fire targeted a Hamas observation post adjacent to Beit Lahiya in the north of the territory, close to the border with Israel.

They also reported no casualties.

Last month, Israeli warplanes and tanks pounded Gaza in response to a similar rocket launch, hitting Hamas military facilities and wounding four Palestinians, none of them seriously.

Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2008.

Since the last one in 2014, a fragile ceasefire has been observed along the largely closed border.

Missiles and rockets are periodically fired at Israel, generally by hardline Islamist groups opposed to Hamas.

But Israel holds Hamas responsible for all rocket fire from Gaza regardless of who carried it out.
Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank on Friday shot dead a Palestinian teenager during clashes near the city of Hebron, Palestinian officials said.

The army said soldiers opened fire at assailants throwing petrol bombs at Israeli drivers near Arroub refugee camp and that one of them was hit, but a spokeswoman could not confirm he had died.

In response to that immediate threat forces fired toward the suspects and a hit has been identified, she told AFP.

The Palestinian health ministry named the dead youth as Murad Yussef Abu Ghazi, 16, and said he was shot in the chest.

Palestinians cry during then funeral of Basil al-Araj in the West Bank village of Walajeh, near Bethlehem, on March 17. (AP Photo)

Palestinian security officials said Abu Ghazi was shot dead during clashes with soldiers in which another youth was seriously wounded by army fire.

A wave of violence that broke out in October 2015 has killed 256 Palestinians, 40 Israelis, two Americans, one Jordanian, an Eritrean and a Sudanese national, according to an AFP count.

Most of the Palestinians who lost their lives were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks, according to the Israeli authorities.

Others were killed during protests, in clashes or Israeli air raids on the Gaza Strip.

Violence has greatly subsided in recent months, despite sporadic attacks.
Security forces shot dead a man who tried to seize a soldiers gun at Paris Orly airport on Saturday, forcing the evacuation of the busy airport and putting security back in the spotlight in the middle of Frances presidential election campaign.

The man, identified as a 39-year-old radicalised Muslim who was already on the radar of police and intelligence services, had earlier shot and wounded a police officer with an air gun after a routine traffic stop north of Paris, officials said.

With the country in the throes of a highly-charged election campaign after two years of attacks on civilians and public targets by Islamic State militants - several of them in Paris - the anti-terrorism prosecutor opened an investigation.

A police source identified the man only as Zied B. and said he was known to the police for theft and drug offences.

An army spokesman said he was shot dead after a struggle with a female soldier on patrol in the airport terminal after he had earlier shot and wounded a police officer with an air pistol during a police check on the opposite side of Paris.

The mans father and brother were taken into police custody, a judicial source said. BFM TV, without giving a source, said the attacker had texted his father saying: Ive screwed up. Ive shot a policeman.

President Francois Hollande said the case had been turned over to anti-terrorism prosecutors and a number of operations were under way. The incident had shown the need for the Sentinelle security operation brought in after an outbreak of attacks by militants in 2015, he said.

More than 230 people have died in France in the past two years at the hands of attackers allied to the militant Islamist group Islamic State, whose strongholds in Syria and Iraq are being bombed by an international coalition including France.

These include coordinated bombings and shootings in November 2015 in Paris when 130 people were killed and scores injured.

Strengthening Frances security is at the heart of the campaign for presidential elections in April and May, where centrist Emmanuel Macron is predicted to hold off a strong challenge from far-right-winger Marine Le Pen, who advocates tough measures against illegal immigrants and radical Islamists.

AIRPORT STRUGGLE

Saturdays train of events began at Stains, near Le Bourget airport in northern Paris, where the man fled in a car after he shot and wounded a police officer at a road check.

Soon afterwards, he was involved in a carjacking in another Paris suburb Vitry where he threatened customers of a bar, Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux told reporters.

Soon afterward at Orly, he tried to seize a Famas assault rifle from a young woman air force member who was patrolling the airport as part of the armys Sentinelle security operation.

The man and the soldier fell to the ground after an extremely violent attack, an army spokesman said. In the ensuing struggle on the ground, other members of the patrol opened fire, killing him, an army spokesman said.

One witness, who gave only his first name of Dominique, said he saw a man seize the woman soldier by the arm and take hold of her weapon. Her comrades tried to reason with her assailant.

We ran off, down the staircase. Afterwards, we heard two shots, he told BFM TV.

Sentinelle is the governments stepped-up security response to the January 2015 Islamist attack on the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo which killed 12 people. The operation was reinforced after the November 2015 attacks in Paris.

Saturdays attacks would have no impact on a trip to Paris by Prince William, second-in-line to the British throne, and his wife Kate, who are due to end a two-day visit to the French capital on Saturday, a British spokesman said. The British royals earlier on Saturday met some of the survivors of the Paris attacks in a visit to a military hospital.

An international rugby match, France versus Wales, was due to take place in Paris later on Saturday which the British royals were due to attend.

Around 3,000 passengers were evacuated from Orly, Frances second-busiest airport, after the incident as security services sealed off the terminal and swept it for bombs, but no explosives were found. Crowds of passengers waited outside.

Noone else was injured at the airport.

Flights were suspended from both airport terminals and some flights were diverted to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, airport operator ADP said.

But normal flight operations were later said to be resuming, the Paris airports operator said.

Last month, Egyptian Abdullah Reda al-Hamahmy, 29, was shot and seriously wounded when he launched himself at a group of soldiers, crying out Allahu Akbar (God is greatest).
The White House has expressed no regret in citing an uncorroborated news report that alleged a British intelligence agency, on behalf of the then US President Barack Obama, spied on Donald Trump when he was the presidential candidate.

I dont think we regret anything. We literally listed a litany of media reports that are in the public domain, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters soon after a joint news conference of US President Trump and visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

We just reiterated the fact that we were just simply reading media accounts. Thats it, he said in response to a question amidst reports that the White House has apologised to Britain for Spicer making such an allegation of wiretapping against them.

GCHQ, the British Electronic Intelligence Agency, had yesterday said such a report of spying on Trump was utterly ridiculous and should be ignored.
China has urged the US to adopt a cool-headed approach to dealing with tensions in the Korean peninsula and North Koreas increasing belligerence, reports said on Saturday after foreign minister Wang Yi met US secretary of state Rex Tillerson in Beijing.

Tillerson arrived in the city on the last leg of his Asia tour a day after talking about military options against North Korea during his meetings in Seoul, the South Korean capital.

Pyongyang has triggered both tension and anger by conducting two nuclear tests and a series of missile launches since early 2016. Earlier this month, it launched four ballistic missiles and is said to be working on nuclear-tipped missiles that can hit the US.

The US feels that China, North Koreas closest ally and economic benefactor, isnt doing enough to defuse the situation. President Donald Trump had tweeted that North Korea was behaving very badly and China had done little to help.

Tillerson conveyed Washingtons worry over the situation, saying the level of tension was dangerous.

The BBC quoted Wang as saying that the US should be cool-headed about the situation even though it was at a crossroads.

We hope that all parties, including our friends from the United States, could size up the situation in a cool-headed and comprehensive fashion and arrive at a wise decision, Wang said.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Friday talks were the best way to resolve the problems of the Korean peninsula.

As a close neighbour of the peninsula, China has even more reason than any other country to care about the situation, she said at the regular ministry briefing.

China and the US are now in close communication on arranging a meeting between the two presidents and exchanges at other levels, Wang added.

The two top diplomats were likely to have discussed a range of issues, including trade.

The world's top two economies do have every reason to remain committed to a strong relationship because of their broad range of shared interests, especially in trade and commerce, a Xinhua article said.

The two-way trade of goods last year exceeded $519.6 billion, according to the Chinese ministry of commerce. That makes China America's largest trading partner, and America China's second largest. Also, instead of taking away US manufacturing jobs, economic and trade exchanges between the two countries have actually supported more than 2.6 million jobs across a host of US industries from automobile, construction equipment to agriculture, it said.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrived in China on Saturday for what is likely to be a prickly visit, with Beijing angry at being told to rein in nuclear-armed North Korea and Washington repeatedly demanding it do more to control Pyongyang.

China is also expected to voice its strong opposition to this months deployment of a sophisticated US missile defence system in South Korea.

Tillerson issued the Trump administrations starkest warning yet to North Korea on Friday, saying that a military response would be on the table if Pyongyang took action to threaten South Korean and US forces.

He was speaking in South Korea, the second leg of his first visit to Asia since taking office. He was previously in Japan.

In Beijing, he may raise the prospect of imposing secondary sanctions on Chinese banks and other firms doing business with North Korea in defiance of sanctions, a U.S. official told Reuters in Washington, speaking on condition of anonymity.

US President Donald Trump said in a tweet on Friday that North Korea was behaving very badly and accused China, Pyongyangs neighbour and only major ally, of doing little to resolve the crisis over the Norths weapons programmes.

The state-run Chinese tabloid the Global Times said on Saturday that it was in Chinas interests to stop North Koreas nuclear ambitions but to suggest China cut the country off completely was ridiculous as it would be fraught with danger.

Once there is chaos in North Korea, it would first bring disaster to China. Im sorry, but the United States and South Korea dont have the right to demand this of China, it said in an editorial.

By not taking Chinas suggestion that the United States and South Korea should stop military drills in return for North Korea stopping its tests, and then all sides returning to talks, Washington was showing a level of inflexibility that was really disappointing, it added.

The official Xinhua news agency noted Tillersons comments in Seoul that military options against Pyongyang were on the table.

However, there is nothing new in this approach. These same tactics were once used by Trumps predecessor George W Bush, and failed, it said.

Tillerson however is also expected to firm up a trip by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States next month for his first summit with Trump, and could choose to tone down any differences between the worlds largest economies, at least for now.

Xi meeting on Sunday

A former oil executive with no prior diplomatic experience, Tillerson will meet Chinas two top diplomats on Saturday and Xi on Sunday.

On Friday, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying reiterated that talks were the best way to resolve the problems of the Korean peninsula.

As a close neighbour of the peninsula, China has even more reason than any other country to care about the situation, she told a briefing.

North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and a series of missile launches since the beginning of last year.

Last week, it launched four more ballistic missiles and is working to develop nuclear-tipped missiles that can reach the United States.

Washington has been pressing Beijing to do more to stop North Koreas nuclear and missile programmes.

China has called for a dual track approach, urging North Korea to suspend its tests and the United States and South Korea to suspend military drills, so both sides can return to talks.

Beijing has been irritated by suggestions it has not been doing enough, with the official Peoples Daily on Friday denouncing what it said was Washington and Seouls blind worship of sanctions and pressure.

There has been a narrative in the West suggesting that China holds the key to the North Korea nuclear issue. That is a misguided statement, said Wang Dong, associate professor of international studies at Chinas elite Peking University.

The bottom line is that the DPRK is not a puppet regime. We do not control them, and we have strongly opposed North Koreas development of nuclear weapons from the very beginning, he said, referring to the Norths official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

China has also been infuriated by the deployment of the THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, missile defence system in South Korea, which it says will both harm Chinas own security and do nothing to ease tensions.

China says the systems powerful radar will extend into the countrys northeast and potentially track Chinese missile launches, and maybe even intercept them. Russia also opposes THAAD, for the same reasons.

There are other tricky issues too, including the self-ruled island of Taiwan which China claims as its own.

The Trump administration is crafting a big new arms package for Taiwan that could include advanced rocket systems and anti-ship missiles to defend against China, U.S. officials said, a deal sure to anger Beijing.
President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel tried to sidestep their differences in a meeting at the White House on Friday, but their first public appearance was punctuated by some awkward moments.

During a photo op in the Oval Office, the two did not shake hands before reporters. Trump pushed back against the notion in Europe that his America First agenda means hes an isolationist, calling such a suggestion another example of, as you say, fake news. And he referred to the United States as a very powerful company, before quickly correcting that to country.

When a German reporter asked Trump if he regrets any of his commentary on Twitter, Trump said, Very seldom.

Merkel maintained her composure even when Trump repeated his contention that former President Barack Obama may have tapped his phones in Trump Tower. He sought to turn the explosive charge into a light joke when asked about concerns raised by the British government that the White House is now citing a debunked claim that UK spies snooped on Trump.

At least we have something in common, perhaps, Trump said casually, referring to 2013 reports that the US was monitoring Merkels cellphone conversations. As for the most recent report, Trump said he shouldnt be blamed for quoting a Fox News analyst who had accused British intelligence of helping Obama spy on him.

When the subject turned to economic issues, Merkel attempted to project a conciliatory approach. She said the success of Germans has always been one where the German success is one side of the coin and the other side of the coin has been European unity and European integration. Thats something of which Im deeply convinced.

US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel hold a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 17. (AFP Photo)

Those comments appeared aimed at making a case to Trump on the benefits of the European Union. Trump backed Britains departure from the EU and has expressed skepticism of multilateral trade agreements.

The two leaders tried to express their common bonds but showed minimal rapport in their first encounter, a departure from Merkels warm relations with Obama during his eight years as president. At the start of the news conference, Merkel sought to break the ice, saying that it was much better to talk to one another than about one another.

Merkel said delicately that while she represents German interests, Trump stands up for, as is right, American interests. That is our task respectively. She said they were trying to address also those areas where we disagree but tried to bring people together.

We need to be fair with each other, Merkel said, saying both countries were expecting that something good comes out of it for their own people.

The meetings at the White House included discussions on strengthening NATO, fighting the Islamic State group, the conflict in Afghanistan and resolving Ukraines conflict, all matters that require close cooperation between the U.S. and Germany.

The talks, postponed from Tuesday because of a snowstorm, aimed to represent a restart of a relationship complicated by Trumps rhetoric on the campaign trail. As a candidate, Trump frequently accused the chancellor of ruining Germany for allowing an influx of refugees and other migrants from Syria and accused his campaign rival, Hillary Clinton, of wanting to be Americas Angela Merkel.

During the news conference, Trump predicted that a new health care law would be passed by a substantial margin and pretty quickly, expressing optimism for his top legislative priority.

The new president reaffirmed the United States strong support for NATO but reiterated his stance that NATO allies need to pay their fair share for the cost of defense. Trump said many countries owe vast sums of money but he declined to identify Germany as one of the nations.

Prior to his inauguration, Trump declared NATO obsolete but has since modified his stance, telling European leaders the alliance remains of strategic importance. Only the US and four other members currently reach the benchmark of spending 2 percent of GDP on defense. Germany currently spends 1.23%ashinton of its GDP on defense, but it is being increased.

Both leaders pointed to their work on the conflict in Afghanistan and efforts to combat terrorism.

When the topic moved to trade, Trump said the U.S. would do fantastically well in its trade relations with Germany. The president has been deeply critical of foreign trade and national security agreements but suggested he was only trying to revise trade deals to better serve U.S. interests, rather than pull back from the world entirely.

Trump said trade agreements have led to greater trade deficits. The US trade deficit with Germany was $64.9 billion last year, the lowest since 2009, according to the Commerce Department.

The negotiators for Germany have done a far better job than the negotiators for the United States, but hopefully we can even it out. We dont want victory, we want fairness, Trump said.

Merkel emphasized the need for trade deals that fairly benefit both countries. That is the spirit I think in which we ought to be guided in negotiating any agreement between the United States of America and the EU, she said.
President Donald Trump on Friday stood by his unproven claim that his predecessor wiretapped his phones, suggesting he was the victim of the same sort of surveillance the Obama administration was once alleged to have used to monitor German Chancellor Angela Merkels calls.

At least we have something in common, perhaps, Trump said during a joint news conference with Merkel.

Merkel, who was making her first visit to the White House since Trump took office, did not weigh in on the 2013 incident, which angered many in Germany.

Trumps allegations against President Barack Obama have sparked a reactions ranging from bafflement to anger in Washington, with both Democrats and Republican lawmakers saying they have no evidence to support his claim. But the White Houses refusal to back down has created more problems for the new administration.

On Thursday, spokesman Sean Spicer defended the presidents comments by repeating a Fox News analysts report that GCHQ, the British electronic intelligence agency, had helped Obama wiretap Trump. The agency vigorously denied the charge and Britains ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch, complained directly to White House officials.

Trump tried to distance himself from the report Friday.

All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television, Trump said, referring to analyst Andrew Napolitano. You shouldnt be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox.

The British government said the White House has promised it wont repeat the allegation. Spicer, speaking with reporters following Trumps news conference, said: I dont think we regret anything.

According to a Western diplomat, Spicer and Darroch had spoken by telephone on Tuesday, at which time Darroch asserted that there was no basis to the report.

A White House official confirmed that Darroch and the prime ministers national security adviser, Mark Lyall Grant, expressed concerns to both Spicer and Trumps national security adviser, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster. Spicer and McMaster both said that Spicer was simply pointing to public reports and not endorsing any specific story, the official said.

The diplomat and White House official both spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.

A spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May said Friday that the British government made it clear to Spicer that the ridiculous claims should be ignored.

We have a close, special relationship with the White House and that allows us to raise concerns as and when they arise as was true in this case, said May spokesman James Slack. We have made clear to the administration that these claims are ridiculous and that they should be ignored and we have received assurances that these allegations wont be repeated, he told reporters at a regular briefing on Friday.

Trump tweeted earlier this month that Obama was tapping my phones in October and compared the incident to Nixon/Watergate and McCarthyism.

The claim is prompting growing bipartisan agreement that theres no evidence to back up the claim and mounting pressure to retract the statement. The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence weighed in Thursday, finding no indications that Trump Tower was the subject of surveillance.

Republicans in Congress also said Trump should retract his claims. Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa., called the accusation against Britain inexplicable and the accusation against Obama unfounded.

A president only has so much political capital to expend and so much moral authority as well, and so any time your credibility takes a hit, I think in many ways it weakens the officeholder, Dent said.

Slack would not say whether Spicer or any other American officials apologized, noting, we have received assurances that these allegations wont be repeated and this shows the administration doesnt give the allegations any credence.

However, the Western diplomat confirmed that Spicer was very apologetic when confronted by Darroch at a White House dinner on Thursday.

The British intelligence agency, which rarely comments on allegations about intelligence matters, flatly denied the claim, responding with a statement calling the allegations nonsense.

They are utterly ridiculous and should be ignored, read the statement, which was issued on condition that it be attributed to an anonymous spokesperson to protect the identity of agency staff.

Slack pointed out that GCHQ could not have spied on Trump because the U.K. and the U.S. are both members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, and under the Five Eyes pact, we cannot use each others capabilities to circumvent laws.
A UN Security Council resolution has for the first time incorporated Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a multi-billion inter-continental connectivity mission that has a flagship project passing through Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The resolution, which extends an ongoing UN assistance mission to Afghanistan, says international efforts should be strengthened to implement the BRI, President Xi Jinpings legacy project about which he first spoke in 2013.

Beijing claims it has rounded up at least 100 countries in BRIs support, including Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

India is yet to sign up for the initiative. Foreign secretary S Jaishankar spelt it out to the Chinese government in February that India has a sovereignty issue with the BRI because its flagship project, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), passes through PoK. According to diplomats, India endorsing the BRI would mean giving up its claims on PoK.

The UN endorsing the BRI could complicate the situation as far as Indias claims are concerned.

The resolution in question renewed the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan for one year. In it, the 15-nation UN body urged to promote security and stability in Afghanistan and the region to create a community of shared future for mankind.

Also included in the newly adopted council resolution was Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes, official news agency Xinhua reported.

The resolution welcomes and urges further efforts to strengthen the process of regional economic cooperation, including measures to facilitate regional connectivity, trade and transit, including through regional development initiatives such as the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (the Belt and Road) Initiative.

The council resolution urged further international efforts to strengthen regional cooperation and implement the Belt and Road Initiative.

Besides the BRI, the resolution also mentions other projects like regional development projects, such as the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project, the Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project, the Chabahar port project agreed between Afghanistan, India and the Islamic Republic of lran.

China has taken the inclusion of BRI in a UN resolution as a diplomatic victory of sorts.

Liu Jieyi, the Chinese permanent representative to the UN, told reporters here that the Chinese concept was put into a Security Council resolution for the first time on Friday, thus showing the consensus of the international community on embracing the concept, and manifesting huge Chinese contributions to the global governance.

The Chinese envoy said that latest council move is conducive to creating a favourable atmosphere for China to host a Belt and Road forum for international cooperation in Beijing this May in order to brainstorm on interconnected development, Xinhua reported.

Liu also said he hoped that all UN member states will take an active part in the joint efforts to carry out the Chinese initiative and the Chinese concept by implementing the new council resolution. Resolutions adopted by the Security Council are legally binding.
US President Donald Trump has said that he has reached the position where he is now because of Twitter and the social media platform helps him get around the media.

(I) probably wouldnt be here right now, but very seldom. We have a tremendous group of people that listen and I can get around the media when the media doesnt tell the truth, so I like that, Trump told reporters at a joint White House news conference with visiting German chancellor Angela Merkel.

Trump was responding to a question if he ever regretted his tweets.

By the way, my second question, are there from time to time tweets that you regret, a German reporter asked.

Sharing the dais with Merkel, Trump said he and the German leader probably shared something when it came to the previous Obama Administration.

He was responding to a question on wiretapping.

As far as wiretapping, I guess by this past administration, at least we have something in common, perhaps, Trump said.

And just to finish your question, we said nothing. All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television. I didnt make an opinion on it, Trump said.
A baby at the age of six months named Brandon Alex reportedly died after waiting for the emergency hotline to answer for more than 30 minutes due to clogged 'ghost calls' from T-Mobile phones. Since November, T-Mobile customers who have dialed 911 with their phones have been spontaneously making multiple calls, making the system clogged. At one point, 442 calls on put on hold.

City officials confirmed the babysitter used a T-Mobile device to make the call and no other cell phone carriers seemed to be affected by the "ghost calls" issue.

T-Mobile has not responded with any comment so far. T-Mobile CEO John Legere spoke with Dallas City manager T.C. Broadnax on Tuesday and said crews are dedicated to collaborate with the city until the issue was resolved, officials said.

According to CNN, police are now investigating whether this problem is the cause of the death of Brandon Alex on Saturday. His babysitter claimed that she dialed 911 multiple times without getting an answer each time. Interestingly, the 911 operators returned each of the babysitter's calls but could not reach her, city officials said.

"He was only 6 months," the boy's mother, Bridget Alex, told CNN affiliate KTVT. "It wasn't his time." The sitter said that Brandon fell and went unconscious right after, but when she called 911, no one would answer and she was put on hold for more than 30 minutes after three calls.

The boy's mother drove home and ended up driving her son in a rush to the hospital, she said, only managed to get him medical attention an hour after the babysitter's first call to 911. The baby boy was moved to a second Dallas-area hospital, where his death was certified, according to city officials. The boy's cause of death remains unknown and under investigation, the Collin County medical examiner's office said.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Google makes a new announcement and this time it's not in the favor of android tablet users. Google, the search engine tech giant confirms that the there will no Google Assistant for the tablet devices currently available in the tech market. Tablet device enthusiasts are should stick with what is present in the device.

A report from Android Police shows official confirmation from the tech giant that the Android-based tablet devices won't be getting the best digital assistant-Google Assistant. Google response was "The Assistant will be available on Android Marshmallow and Nougat phones with Google Play Services, this does not include tablets."

It is also reported that the Android Police asked Google about the timeline for an official release of Google Assistant to the tablets, but Google refused to comment further.

Google announced the availability of Google Assistant only to the smartphones, Android phones, and Android partner phones running on Android 7.0 Nougat and Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating systems. But, Google did not mention any word in particular to Android-based tablet devices.

The Google Assistant is already available on Pixel, Google Home, Google Allo and Android Wear. Now other smartphones with Android 7.0 Nougat and Android 6.0 Marshmallow already started to get the Google Assistant. The Google Assistant is available in the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom in English and it is also available for German speakers in Germany. Also, the company claims that more languages will be added in coming future.

Google Home

Google Home is a voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant and measures 5.62-inch in height and 3.79-inch around. It is built with two microphones to capture user's voice from almost every direction. The bottom part is equipped with high excursion speaker with 2-inch driver and 2 passive radiators to deliver 360 Omnidirectional audio to the user.

The device supports WiFi 802.11ac standard with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. It is available in carbon, copper, snow, mango, marine, violet and painted steel colors. The Google Home has a price tag of 129USD.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, will tell his counterparts in China that US is ready to increase sanctions against Chinese banks and companies that do business with North Korea. US is tired of Chinese companies helping North Korea in its weapons program. Tillerson will also engage in issues such as trade, Taiwan, the US deployment of a defensive missile system and more.

None of these issues is as dangerous as the situation with North Korea. Pyongyang has accelerated its nuclear program with the aim of reaching US. CNN reports that Bruce Klingner said that China has been part of the problem rather than part of the solution.

Acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner stated that discussions between Rex Tillerson and his Chinese counterpart about North Korea have already been taking place. They are looking at the next steps to put pressure on the regime. Xiao Qian, the Director General of the Asian Affairs department, said the Chinese hoped the US would not move forward with the new penalties.

What does China mean for North Korea?

China represents about 90% of North Korea's economic activity. Chinese companies that do business with the isolated country can operate as front companies that allow North Korea to export weaponry and other items, and import goods. US officials said the administration is considering targeting those Chinese firms with sanctions. In the mid-2000s, the Bank of China challenged the Chinese government and cut off its interaction with North Korea to avoid US sanctions.

The Commerce Department stated that a Chinese tech firm, ZTE, would pay a $1.2 billion fine for violating sanctions by selling equipment to North Korea and Iran. In September, the Obama administration targeted a Chinese company, Dandong Hongxiang Industrial Development Co. Ltd, for ties to North Korea. This was the first time the Obama administration hit a Chinese firm with sanctions for dealing with North Korea and supporting its nuclear program.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
China's Anbang Insurance Group released a short statement Tuesday denying that it has investment to the 41-floor building owned by the family of Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser. "The information about Anbang investment in 666 Fifth Avenue is not correct, there is no investment from Anbang for this deal," a spokesman for Anbang said in Reuters report. The building, aging and is really in need of rehab funds, is located at 666 Fifth Avenue, just few blocks away from Trump Tower.

The first amount of acquisition was first reported to be $400 million but new reports especially following the denial of Anbang carried the figure $2.4 billion, making the aging property the highest valued in the blocks. Bloomberg also reported that the rehab plan for the tower involved luxury apartments at the top, a multifloor retail mall as the base and a hotel at the middle.

Senior adviser Jared Kushner has since distanced from the deal as media reported about his conflict of interest for making the deal between Kushner Cos and Anbang, one of China's biggest insurer. Kushner was first reported to have been extra busy pushing for the first meeting of President Trump and the Chinese President Xi Jinping to be held next month. In a report of The New York Times, White House spokesman Hope Hicks said on Monday that Kushner had sold his interest in the building to "a trust in which neither he, nor his wife, Ivanka Trump, nor their children are beneficiaries at a price based on third-party appraisals." The amount paid to Kushner was not revealed though.

In November, the chairman of Anbang, Wu Xiaohui was reported to have wined and dined with Jared Kushner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel, serving $2,100-a-bottle Chateau Lafite Rothschild. Wu married the granddaughter of Deng Xiaoping, China's paramount leader succeeding Mao Tse-tung. The reported plan of Anbang to acquire the Kushners' building has raised national security concerns especially that Anbang has links with China's top men in power while the Kushners have the same to their great in-law President Trump.

(News 247/YouTube)

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Norway is already a home to the L198rdal Tunnel, the worlds longest road tunnel that was built in1990s. Now, the country is planning to construct the worlds first ship tunnel through Stad Peninsula, bypassing the most dangerous coast area in Norway.

The Stad Ship Tunnel will be 1700-meters long, 49-meters high and 36-meters wide. It will allow about 120 ships to travel under a mountain, avoiding the journey through the Stadhavet Sea that faces a number of storms throughout the year. Reportedly, the notoriously dangerous waters around the peninsula have witnessed the death of 33 seamen since the end of World War II.

Now to avoid more accidents in the sea, the Norwegian government has recently approved NOK 2.7 billion in funds for the Stad Ship Tunnel project. The Stad Ship tunnel will be located near the Norwegian towns of Teigen and Berstad.

According to the officials, the project has been planned to start in 2018 and around 7.5 million tons of sploded rock will be removed from the mountain to accomplish this large-scale project. The construction of the tunnel is estimated to complete in four years. However, the whole project may take around 12 years for completion. This means the ships will be able to pass through the tunnel only after 2029.

Via: BusinessInsider
Howard was born and bred in Leicestershire, in the small village of Burbage just 10 miles from Hilton Leicester. Working in the hospitality industry is homeland for James, as he has been a general manager for the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand for more than 10 years. Most recently, he spent 18 months in the county of Somerset as general manager of Hilton Bath. Prior to Hilton Bath City, Howard worked at Hilton Northampton and Hilton Warwick/Stratford-upon-Avon. Following 10 great years of travelling around the U.K., Howard has truly come home. Making his way to Hilton Leicester with a decade of experience Howard said, I plan to continue to develop key community and business relationships at the hotel using my great knowledge of Leicestershire and all the special attractions in and around the city. One of his main goals is to make the hotel a great place to work by ensuring the team has a great experience and a sense of pride working for Hilton, which in turn will then deliver a great experience for their guests.
Tonight marks one of the most anticipated concerts happening at South By Southwest, no small feat given the amount of competing events happening across Austin, Texas, right now. Courtesy of TIDAL, we have an special stream of the Make Trap Great Again show of you all.

As a refresher, the concert will feature Gucci Mane, Meek Mill, Lil Uzi Vert, Ty Dolla $ign, OT Genasis, PnB Rock, Kyle, Kap G, Cardi B, Loso Loaded, Stix and Don Q. !llmind will be on the ones and twos, and comedy duo ItsTheReal will be entertaining the crowd (and those of us at home) between sets.

Be sure to tune in to the page below before 9:30pm EST so you dont miss a thing. We wouldnt be shocked to see some special guests throughout the night.

SXSWstream
HNHH headed down to Austin, Texas for another year of SXSW chaos. The chaos actually began before we even got there, though if you live on the East Coast, you too probably experienced mother natures wrath to varying extent, depending on your location. Although we expected to have Day 1 at SXSW on Wednesday, alas, it was Thursday by the time we actually made it down.

We wasted no time, exploring the infamous 6th Street, Red River, and beyond. We attempted to keep this short and sweet  knowing me, it wont be  so here we go in bullet form; a full breakdown of our activities yesterday (March 16) in Austin.

Linked up with LA-by-way-of-Houston native Trill Sammy . Dude is permanently stoned judging by our encounter; he explained his Backwoods smoking habits to us, and briefly: it starts with 3 blunts upon waking up (!). He showed us how he rolls his Backwoods, played video games, and ate pizza. What more could you ask for???





. Dude is permanently stoned judging by our encounter; he explained his Backwoods smoking habits to us, and briefly: it starts with 3 blunts upon waking up (!). He showed us how he rolls his Backwoods, played video games, and ate pizza. What more could you ask for??? As always, things got hectic, rescheduled and cancelled from there a drinking game with Divine Council got axed (fear not, well get it done at our NYC office), and a meet-up with G Herbo was rescheduled, so after eating sufficient amounts of Trill Sammys pizza, we split up, half heading to an interview with NYC counterpart A$AP Ferg , and the other half (myself included) headed to the Fader Fort to catch Cardi B s set.





got axed (fear not, well get it done at our NYC office), and a meet-up with was rescheduled, so after eating sufficient amounts of Trill Sammys pizza, we split up, half heading to an interview with NYC counterpart , and the other half (myself included) headed to the Fader Fort to catch s set. More reschedules. Cardi B missed her flight, and missed her set by extension. Nonetheless she had time for an interview with us backstage at The Faders Dream Hotels artist lounge (where you could scoop as many meatless-burgers as your little heart desired, and despite being meatless they were fire emoji). To summarize Cardi B: that girl is lit, humble and hilarious.





missed her flight, and missed her set by extension. Nonetheless she had time for an interview with us backstage at The Faders Dream Hotels artist lounge (where you could scoop as many meatless-burgers as your little heart desired, and despite being meatless they were fire emoji). To summarize Cardi B: that girl is lit, humble and hilarious. At the Fader Fort, despite not getting to see Cardi perform, we did see Kap G run through a series of recent releases, including Fuck La Policia, which paved way for a DJ set from Uncle Jxmmi aka one half of Rae Sremmurd (his brother could also be found lounging backstagemaybe lounging is too casual/lazy of a word to describe Swae Lee , he was more so bouncing off the walls backstage, consuming everyones attention). Jxmmi continuously big upped his SremmLife crew, and had each of them perform on stage with him.





run through a series of recent releases, including Fuck La Policia, which paved way for a DJ set from aka one half of (his brother could also be found lounging backstagemaybe lounging is too casual/lazy of a word to describe , he was more so bouncing off the walls backstage, consuming everyones attention). Jxmmi continuously big upped his SremmLife crew, and had each of them perform on stage with him. UK darling Little Simz hit the stage shortly after, which we managed to catch before dipping.





hit the stage shortly after, which we managed to catch before dipping. Headed out to Emos from Fair Market, which is a bit of a drive compared to the usual DT Austin spaces, for 2 Chainz and Mike WiLL Made Its official SXSW showcase.





and official SXSW showcase. From Emos we made our way back to downtown Austin, where we hit up Mass Appeals impressive showcase, with lines extending as far as the eye could see Lil Wayne was headlining after all.





Once inside a large outdoor area, which technically seems to be behind Stubbs, there were various booths set up, whether it be for drinks or for a pulled pork BBQ sandwich, or else to purchase some good ol merch.





We arrived just in time to A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie s set the New York native brought out New Jerseys own PnB Rock to perform Playa No More, and gave Kodak Black a shout out before proceeding to perform Drowning.





s set the New York native brought out New Jerseys own to perform Playa No More, and gave Kodak Black a shout out before proceeding to perform Drowning. Statik Selektah was on the 1s and 2s in between artists set, ensuring to play a mix of both classic records and the new-new shit.





was on the 1s and 2s in between artists set, ensuring to play a mix of both classic records and the new-new shit. Randomly ran into an inebriated Jazz Cartier , or rather, he ran into me, pulling on my backpack to my dismay before I turned around and recognized a familiar face. He has an ode to Lil Wayne after all, and was excited at the possibility of getting to meet the NOLA legend. I wonder if it happened???





, or rather, he ran into me, pulling on my backpack to my dismay before I turned around and recognized a familiar face. He has an ode to Lil Wayne after all, and was excited at the possibility of getting to meet the NOLA legend. I wonder if it happened??? Denzel Curry was up next, delivering unparalleled energy as he always does for his live shows, making him a stand-out performance of the entire night. After performing staple Knotty Head he jumped into the crowd to do another fan-favorite, ULT.





was up next, delivering unparalleled energy as he always does for his live shows, making him a stand-out performance of the entire night. After performing staple Knotty Head he jumped into the crowd to do another fan-favorite, ULT. Madeintyo brought out his brother and Private Club founder 24Hrs for his set, running through cuts like Mr. Tokyo and I Want, closing his set with his recent Skateboard remix featuring Big Sean.





brought out his brother and Private Club founder for his set, running through cuts like Mr. Tokyo and I Want, closing his set with his recent Skateboard remix featuring Big Sean. Although DJ Mustard was supposed to precede Lil Wayne, he apparently got cut from the line-up, for reasons unbeknownst to us.





was supposed to precede Lil Wayne, he apparently got cut from the line-up, for reasons unbeknownst to us. Lil Wayne : the headliner and also the highlight of the night (those two things dont always equate). Wayne not only satisfied the many fans in attendance by running through a mix of classic records, mixtape favorites, and hit singles, he seemed genuinely happy and gracious to be there, telling the crowd: I aint shit without you.





: the headliner and also the highlight of the night (those two things dont always equate). Wayne not only satisfied the many fans in attendance by running through a mix of classic records, mixtape favorites, and hit singles, he seemed genuinely happy and gracious to be there, telling the crowd: Quick overviews of Weezy Fs setlist for curious minds: John,  A Milli, Hustler Muzik, Ride 4 My N*ggaz, HYFR, The Motto, Pop That, Loyal, No Problem, Im Going In, Lollipop, We Be Steady Mobbin, No Worries.

SXSW Photo Diary Day 1
Two South Texas lawmakers, backed by an environmental group and residents in small-town Texas, are pushing to restore communities' rights to limit where oil and gas companies drill, particularly around schools and day care facilities.

If successful, a pair of bills from the House and the Senate would chip away at House Bill 40, a 2015 law that stripped municipalities of the right to restrict drilling in city limits. That law superseded more than 300 local ordinances that limited or prohibited local oil and gas development, and declared that any regulations that aren't "commercially reasonable" - such as a setback that prevents drilling - cannot be enforced.

The House and Senate bills, proposed by two border town Democrats, Rep. Terry Canales of Edinburg and Sen. Judith Zaffirini of Laredo, are the first legislative attack on HB40.

The House bill would require a 1,500-foot drilling setback from schools and day care centers; the Senate bill would require a local public meeting anytime a permit is submitted to drill within 1,500 feet of a school or day care center.

The Railroad Commission of Texas, which regulates oil and gas, does not enforce setbacks from residential properties, nor does it require public notice when drilling permits are submitted or approved. But it does require that a county clerk, city authority and property owner be notified when a company wants to drill an injection well, which can be used for wastewater from drilling operations deep underground.

"HB40 took away our ability to protect ourselves," said Sharon Wilson, the Gulf region organizer for Earthworks, a national environmental advocacy group that supports the bills. "It left us at the mercy of the Railroad Commission, and at the very least we need to protect schools, where a lot of children gather."

But the oil and gas industry says the bills' premise - that drilling is harmful to health and should be kept away from city populations - has no basis in science, said Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil and Gas Association, an industry advocacy group.

"The Senate bill simply adds bureaucracy without benefits or basis," Staples said. "The House bill is a departure from the regulatory approach in Texas that is working to promote consistency in oil and gas regulation."

Canales and Zaffirini filed the bills in early March. The bills have not yet been assigned to a committee, and passage by the Republican-controlled Legislature appears slim.

Zaffirini said she recognizes her bill faces obstacles but believes it addresses a bipartisan issue of oil and gas safety that could attract support from Republicans.

Two Republicans, Sen. Jane Nelson and Rep. Tan Parker, both of Flower Mound, voted against HB40 two years ago.

Flower Mound passed its first ordinance imposing setbacks on drilling in 2003, and updated the ordinance in 2011 to impose a 1,500-foot drilling setback from schools, churches and hospitals.

In 2015, Flower Mound residents appealed to Parker and Nelson to stop HB40 from superseding their ordinance, but the two Republicans and Democrats were outnumbered in the final vote.

Neither Nelson nor Parker responded to requests for comment.
Retail stores in the soon-to-open Terminal C North at Bush Intercontinental Airport will help business travelers with one of their biggest headaches - keeping track of receipts and filing expense reports.

The nine stores will allow business travelers to buy items remotely using a smartphone app or in-store, then have those items automatically expensed, as long as the shoppers' companies have an account with expense management firm Expensify.

"The worst part about spending company money is the amount of paperwork you have to do afterward," said Ryan Schaffer, director of strategy and marketing at Expensify. "We're eliminating the most annoying part of business travel."

After making a purchase, with a smartphone or in-store, users will see a screen that asks if they want to print or email the receipt or send it to Expensify. Tap "Expensify," and there's no need to create an expense report.

This is available at stores and restaurants operated by airport retailer Pacific Gateway at Bush Intercontinental, San Jose International in California, LaGuardia in New York City and Minneapolis-St. Paul International. Revel Systems created the point-of-sale technology for these stores.

Stores at Terminal C North include Tumi and Swarovski. Restaurants in the terminal won't have the Expensify option because they aren't operated by Pacific Gateway, perhaps limiting the technology's benefit locally.

"For this to be successful, it should really be in all concessionaires in an airport," said Mark Ahasic, associate and senior airport planner with Arup, an independent design, planning and engineering company.

Schaffer said the technology provided by Revel Systems and Expensify should help Pacific Gateway attract retailers that business travelers more frequently use.

"This is just the start," he said. "We expect to roll this technology out to locations that are frequented by business travelers."

Michael Boyd, president of aviation consulting firm Boyd Group International, also expects the technology to catch on. If it works as advertised, he said, business travelers will favor restaurants and stores with such automatic expensing options.

"This is going to be a must-have for airport vendors," he said.

Kimberly Wolf, founder and chief education officer of Houston-based Girlmentum Media, travels frequently to speak at schools and events around the country.

Wolf, who usually collects receipts in a small portfolio, said Expensify could give business executives more time to focus on their companies rather than expenses.

"It just takes out a step, and I actually think that's a brilliant idea," she said. "I would use that all the time."

But she thinks it would be more useful at restaurants.

In addition to the Expensify option, the nine stores at Bush Intercontinental will receive payment technology from Revel Systems that allows travelers to make purchases from their smartphones.

While the plane taxis to the gate, for instance, travelers can open the Pacific Gateway mobile app, which is still being developed, to buy clothing or a new watch. Then they get off the plane and can quickly stop by the store to pick it up before catching their connecting flight.

The point-of-sale systems physically inside the stores will also accept Apple Pay and other types of mobile payment.

Terminal C North will open in phases beginning Monday and could be fully operational in early April, said United Airlines, which built the $277 million, 265,000-square-foot terminal with the Houston Airport System.

Restaurants in the terminal will be overseen by airport hospitality group OTG. A company spokesman said travelers can receive email PDF copies of their receipts that can be uploaded to expense systems like Expensify and Concur, which should be able to read those receipts.

Ahasic said airports are working to make passengers happy because happy travelers are more likely to spend money.

"It's part of a larger trend where you'll see airports trying to make the experience better for passengers," he said.
Miguel Gomez III was a star at Memorial Hermann hospital, a cardiothoracic surgeon who did cutting-edge heart procedures that used precise, tireless robot arms and lowered costs significantly. He served at different times as chairman of both the surgery and cardiovascular departments, becoming a high profile physician whose pioneering work was promoted by Memorial Hermann in seminars, radio shows and speaking engagements.

Until he decided to leave for Houston Methodist Hospital.

Soon, word started leaking that patients appeared more likely to die under Gomez's care. It was a contention based on manipulated data, according to a lawsuit filed in state district court in Harris County, but one that allegedly became part of a "whisper campaign" by Memorial Hermann to smear Gomez's reputation and keep patients from leaving the hospital with the surgeon. "It turns out I was coming between administrators and market share," Gomez said.

Gomez's lawsuit, which went to trial last week, charges Memorial Hermann with defamation and restraint of trade. Memorial Hermann denies the allegations, but the case, nonetheless, opens a rare window on the fierce competition among hospitals and the lengths to which they might go to protect their business.

Independent doctors with admitting privileges are vital to hospitals since they refer patients, and specialists like Gomez, who perform six-figure procedures with high profit margins, are particularly important, health care experts said. As a result, hospitals fight fiercely to hold onto doctors, using tactics that range from providing high quality nursing support to putting specialists such as anesthesiologists under exclusive contract to prevent them working at other facilities.

"Without doctors, what are you going to do?" said Rocky Wilcox, general counsel of the Texas Medical Association in Austin.

Play ball

What makes this case unusual is that it has made it to trial; such suits are typically settled and sealed long before the details of the business disputes between hospitals and doctors become public in court filings. Gomez's suit focuses on peer review, a confidential process conducted by a committee of physicians to weed out bad doctors, but one that legal and health care specialists say is sometimes manipulated to prevent doctors from moving their patients and practices to competitors.

"The whole process is being perverted to allow hospitals to use the peer review process as a cudgel to get doctors in line," said Brent Walker, a Dallas lawyer specializing in health care. "Play ball with us or we'll use the peer review process to hurt you."

The American Medical Association, which represents about 250,000 doctors nationwide, said it knows of several court cases around the country in which hospitals were accused of denying physicians admitting privileges based on economic factors rather than professional competence. In one case in Texas, two doctors alleged they were dropped from a hospital, its health maintenance organization and its managed care network when they invested in a rival facility, said R.J. Mills, an AMA spokesman.

The case settled before it went to trial.

The Texas Hospital Association, which represents more than 85 percent of the hospitals in Texas, did not respond to a request for comment. But in a brief filed with the Texas Supreme Court in connection with the Gomez case, it defended peer review as a fair, thorough process that protects patients from bad doctors and aids hospitals in providing quality care.

Alex Rodriguez Loessin, a Memorial Hermann spokeswoman, also defended the hospital's peer review process, which in Gomez's case, relied on data collected by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. The data was used to improve patient care, not hurt Gomez, she said.

Whispers

Memorial Hermann has long-dominated the market in the Energy Corridor in west Houston, prospering from the well-paid, well-insured oil and gas workers who use the hospital's services. In recent years, however, other providers have muscled in on Memorial Hermann's territory, none more aggressively than Houston Methodist, which in 2010 opened a 193-bed hospital with 15 operating rooms and recruited Gomez.

Gomez, 51, earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and did his residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He obtained privileges at Memorial Hermann in 1998 and became a specialist in "off pump surgery," a procedure that eliminates the need for a heart-lung bypass machine during open heart surgery and leads to quicker recoveries and shorter hospital stays, saving patients $50,000 or more in medical costs.

In 2009, after more than a decade at Memorial Hermann, Gomez said he became concerned about cost-cutting measures, such as reducing the staff of intensive care nurses, which he believed compromised patient care. He began considering moving his practice to another hospital.

About the same time, according to court documents and interviews, Gomez was visited by Memorial Hermann administrators who presented data that allegedly showed Gomez's patients had a higher mortality rate than those of other surgeons. They ordered Gomez to either stop practicing or only operate under the supervision of another surgeon. Gomez, however, examined the data and found irregularities.

The outcome of his regular patients had been combined with "last-hope" emergency patients who faced next to no chance of living without extraordinary measures, according to court documents. He later discovered the statistics also included a deceased patient who wasn't his, according to court papers.

Standard peer review does not lump mortality data together, but instead, examines the underlying facts of each case to determine whether patients got the best care, health care specialists said. A committee of the hospital's surgeons reviewed Gomez's patient records and found no problems or concerns with Gomez's care, according to court records. Gomez thought that was the end of the matter.

In 2010, Gomez gained admitting privileges at Houston Methodist's new hospital in west Houston and began doing procedures there. The flawed mortality data resurfaced. In one instance the data was presented to a room full of colleagues at Memorial Hermann, giving "the appearance that patients were more likely to die in Dr. Gomez's care," according to Gomez's lawsuit. Rumors about high patient death rates spread through the network of family practice and internal medicine doctors on which specialists depend for referrals, and Gomez said, his referrals declined significantly.

Gomez said in the lawsuit that he believes Memorial Hermann encouraged the whispers to prevent his business from getting diverted to Houston Methodist. And it worked, he said. During his hey-day at Memorial Hermann Gomez did at least one surgery a day; today, he does one or two a week. "They destroyed my reputation as a cardiovascular surgeon," Gomez said.

Like a shield

Gomez, feeling his position had become untenable, resigned his privileges at Memorial Hermann in 2012. He also called a long-time friend Michael P. Doyle, a Houston lawyer. The two were classmates at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory - Gomez graduated No. 2 in the class of 1983, Doyle No. 3

Doyle recalled advising his friend that he could bring suit using a 30-year Texas law aimed at preventing anti-competitive behavior by hospitals, but that it would be a very long shot. "But if you're up for it," Doyle told Gomez, "I'm up for it."

To prevent vendettas against doctors, Texas law requires the peer review process to allow doctors access to confidential data if a doctor can show the process was used to quash competition. Gomez filed suit against Memorial Hermann in 2012; Memorial Hermann responded in court documents that Gomez's claims of defamation had no merit and his contention that Memorial Herman had engaged in anti-competitive behavior were unsupported by evidence. The hospital also opposed Gomez's efforts to gain access to confidential documents from the peer review process.

"The hospital is using peer review as a shield," said Gomez.

But Gomez scored a rare series of victories to bring his case to trial. In 2013, a state district court ordered Memorial Hermann to turn over peer review documents, a decision affirmed by the First District Court of Appeals. Memorial Hermann appealed to the state Supreme Court, which also ruled in 2015 that the hospital had to release the bulk of the records, determining that Gomez had sufficient evidence that the hospital was trying to squelch competition.

That included an affidavit from Jo Pollack, a surgeon specializing in breast cancer, who said she faced the hospital's wrath when she didn't send her patients to the Memorial Hermann network for all their medical needs.

In 2009, Pollack said in her affidavit, Memorial Hermann executives told her that she was committing "political suicide" and her practice could be in jeopardy if she did not refer her patients to oncologists and imaging facilities affiliated with Memorial Hermann. Pollack, who described herself as one of the busier surgeons at Memorial Herman, routinely referred patients to oncologists and imaging centers not affiliated with Memorial Herman because she viewed them as superior. In addition, she said, independent imaging centers, which do MRI's and similar diagnostic screenings, typically charge a fraction of what hospitals charge.

"They didn't want anything outsourced," Pollack said in an interview.

After her tense meeting with hospital administrators, Pollack moved to Methodist West in 2010. Referrals from Memorial Hermann doctors shriveled up and Pollack said her income dropped by 50 percent. She said she has yet to rebuild her practice to what it was seven years ago.

Memorial Hermann declined to comment on Pollack's allegations, but noted that Pollack has privileges at the hospital. Pollack described them as "courtesy privileges" which allows her to operate on patients whose insurance coverage dictates Memorial Hermann for services.

Day in court

Gomez's case began its trial last week. Gomez, like the medical community and the public, will have to wait to see what is in the confidential records related to the peer review process. Under the court order, most the documents were placed under a protective seal, available before the trial only to Gomez's lawyer and designated experts who may testify at the trial. They won't become public until they are introduced as evidence during the trial.

Gomez is seeking compensation for lost revenue, damaged reputation and mental anguish. The trial is expected to last three weeks.

Sitting in his office suite recently, Gomez talked about his effort to restore his reputation. He said he gets calls from other doctors who believe hospitals are using peer review to pressure them to keep their business from moving to competitive hospitals, networks and services. Many feel they can't fight, Gomez said, but he figured he had little choice.

"At the time I didn't know of the campaign they were waging against me," said Gomez. "Now I understand the deliberate campaign against me and all the other good doctors who were not following their business plan."
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LEMING - Atascosa County, site of the bloodiest fight in Texas history, is also known for gentle rolling hills and loamy sand, good for growing peanuts and running cattle. Now a company is targeting those thick sand deposits for another purpose: mining it for the oil and gas industry.

Pennsylvania-based Preferred Sands wants to create a mine and plant that could process 300 tons to 400 tons of sand per hour through a Texas company it set up in the fall, Sand Mining of Texas, according to its permit application. The proposal comes as relatively higher oil prices send oil and gas companies back to back to shale fields, where they use sand in hydraulic fracturing operations. The sand, mixed in fracking fluids, props open rock fissures to allow oil and gas to escape.

But the proposed sand mine has set off howls of protest in this rural community south of San Antonio.

"The laws in the state of Texas are not on our side," said Russell Wilson, who lives across from the proposed facility and heads the local opposition group. "They benefit a company in Pennsylvania. It's basically a rubber-stamp permit."

This mine would be just north of the 400-mile-long Eagle Ford Shale field, but the site may have historical significance. Archival records indicate that the remains of 1,300 rebels killed in the Battle of Medina litter the area, although no one has proved the precise location of the battle, fought in 1813 in an early bid for Mexican independence from Spain.

Atascosa County Judge Robert Hurley said elected officials are opposed to the sand mine, Battle of Medina or not.

"I've already told the sand mine people we don't want them," Hurley said.

But under Texas law, it doesn't seem they can do much to stop it. The county, however, won't offer tax breaks to the mine. It is also making it harder for the company to send trucks down the narrow gravel road, too bumpy in some sections to drive faster than about 15 mph. Hurley said he is concerned that people who live near the 300-acre mine property will no longer be able to enjoy their property. Many families have been there for generations.

Preferred Sands also has mines in Nebraska, Arizona and Wisconsin. The company, which declined an interview request, said in a statement that it would follow the guidelines and regulations of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Neighbors say the company has indicated - though they've not been able to get anything in writing - that it would take steps such as line ponds to protect aquifers and use down-lighting to help keep the skies dark in the rural area. The mine site, once a peanut farm, is now a hay field.

Jessica Hardy lives next to the site and grew up in the area.

"To me, I'm collateral damage," she said.
Oil and gas operations are causing earthquakes in Texas. There's really no debate on that point: Scientists, oil executives and regulators agree.

Texas used to get one or two noticeable quakes - magnitude 3.0 and above - each year. Now it's averaging about 12. In 2015, 22 hit the state.

At the same time, oil and gas companies are injecting double the volumes of wastewater into the earth as they did a decade ago. Scientists say the relationship between the two is no coincidence.

But which wastewater wells are causing which quakes? That's a difficult question, made more difficult by the paucity of data on the subject.

There are so few seismometers in Texas, researchers say they sometimes can't pinpoint a quake's epicenter within 100 miles. The problems should be fixed by the state-sponsored TexNet program, which will install 55 earthquake sensors across the state, tripling the number now in place.

But that leaves another problem for scientists: They find it devilishly difficult to get their hands on the specific amount of water injected into waste wells by oil and gas companies.

Always behind

The Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and gas industry, only publishes aggregated wastewater volumes reported by companies paid to dispose of the water. Most of the total - about two-thirds, according to the research firm IHS Markit - is dumped into private wells owned by oil and gas companies that handle their own disposal.

To get the full scope of volumes disposed, data analysts at the University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology have to painstakingly examine every disposal form turned in to the Railroad Commission and compile such figures themselves, or pay firms like IHS for its data.

Moreover, the companies report figures on delayed schedules, so specific data may not be available for at least a year after disposal.

Picture that: An earthquake happens. But scientists can't figure out immediately if there was recent disposal well activity.

"It's very difficult," Michael Young, associate director of the bureau's environmental division, told me."We're always behind."

Broad brush?

Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton wants his agency to work better with the Bureau of Economic Geology. The details matter to Sitton. He says earthquakes and disposal wells may be connected - in a few cases. But he thinks the scientific community is also painting with too broad of a brush.

Sitton does not think, for instance, that the sharp increase in Dallas County quakes is attributable to wastewater wells.

The closest wells to the highest concentration of earthquake epicenters were 9 miles away, he said. Disposal volumes weren't increasing. And the earthquakes didn't happen at the same time as injections.

"The likelihood here is just much, much less," Sitton told me. "Yes, it's possible. But notably less than in other areas."
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Gerardo Morales-Martinez, 52, was on his way to a doctor's appointment early Thursday afternoon when he was pulled over for a broken taillight by a Galveston Police Department officer.

At some time during the traffic stop, the officer decided to charged and arrest Martinez for driving with an invalid license. Now U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have detained Martinez and he's awaiting deportation back to Mexico  despite him having no criminal history, relatives said.

Relatives are fighting his deportation. Martinez's family and his attorney said during a Friday press conference that the arrest was racially motivated.

The Galveston Police Department hasn't commented on the arrest only providing a basic police report.

Under the new memorandums by President Donald Trump's administration, immigration agents are instructed to deport anyone convicted of a criminal offense, including those driving without a license, a growing obstacle for more than half a million immigrants in the region who can't get a license because of their illegal immigration status.

Since the detention and subsequent deportation of Jose Escobar to El Salvador, similar stories are emerging. Escobar, a father of two American children, was deported this month after a routine check in with authorities.

People living in the U.S. illegally and with no criminal records are being detained and deported said Cesar Espinosa, executive director of FIEL Houston.

Since Escobar's deportation, Espinosa said his advocacy group has taken on five additional cases.

"Trump said he would deport criminals, but instead he is ripping families apart and deporting the people that deserve to be here," he said.

Martinez, the family's breadwinner, now leaves behind four daughters and a wife. According to the family, Martinez has lived in the U.S. for more than 25 years.

This story is developing.
A man suspected of staging armed robberies in at least two states has been linked to several cities across the nation, including Houston.

Mario Lambert, 33, is wanted for the November 2016 armed robbery of a cellular phone store in Knoxville, Tenn. He also is accused of using a gun during another holdup on Jan. 12 this year in Kansas, FBI officials said.
On behalf of Mexican immigrants in the U.S., the National Conference of Governors of Mexico will file a human rights complaint Saturday against President Trump's policies.

Graco Ramirez,, the governor of the state of Morelos and president of the group, is traveling to Washington, D.C., to represent the organization before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, part of the Organization of American States.
GLADYS CITY - Troy Gray, director of Lamar University's Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum, took me around "utopia" on a sunny afternoon earlier this week - utopia, that is, in the mind of Pattillo Higgins, one of the most colorful and visionary characters Texas has ever produced.

Higgins was the man who drove people crazy with his fool notion that there was a vast pool of oil beneath a little knob of land rising out of a swampy prairie just south of Beaumont. The skeptics believed he was nothing but an addled dreamer and a bothersome crank - until the morning of Jan. 10, 1901, when Spindletop proved them spectacularly wrong.

Just before the gusher that changed the world, Higgins imagined and then built a city - Gladys City, he called it. Gray, a Michigan native who once worked at another museum devoted to a dark-colored liquid - the Dr Pepper Museum in Waco - oversees a new Gladys City, a town square of 15 re-created frame buildings that represent Higgins' little town as it looked in the early 1900s. It's a fascinating place, but as authentic as the century-old shops and stores are, there's no way a re-creation can capture the craziness that characterized the town in its early years. Had Gray and I been transported Twilight Zone-style to Gladys City circa 1901, we would have been jostled off the board sidewalk and into the muddy, oil-slimed street by noisy crowds of frenzied fortune hunters, prostitutes, oil-field workers, hustling businessmen, high-stakes gamblers, promoters, hucksters, traders and oil-boom brokers. We might have been run down by mules pulling drilling equipment or horses pulling carriages and buckboards, maybe even the Broussard Funeral Home hearse, since killings and industrial accidents were frequent.

'Boom and frenzy'

It was even crazier in nearby Beaumont, a relatively sedate riverside lumber town at the turn of the century, before its population soared from about 10,000 to 50,000 in early 1901. Judith Walker Linsley, Ellen Walker Rienstra and Jo Ann Stiles, authors of "Giant Under the Hill: A History of the Spindletop Oil Discovery," quote a local correspondent who observed that "day by day the fever grew till the city roared like a hive and trains came in crowded with impatient men who leaped off before the station was reached. And behold, Boom and Frenzy ruled the day."

Boom and frenzy would have suited the young "Bud" Higgins. Growing up in pre-Spindletop Beaumont, he acquired a well-deserved reputation as a tough and a bully. He went to school for about four years, caught on with a sawmill at age 17 and began running with a gang of dangerous hooligans.

More Information Visit the museum For information on the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum in Beaumont, call 409-880-1750 or email gladyscityinfo@gmail.com. See More Collapse

One September night in 1881, the gang used slingshots and homemade torpedoes to terrorize an African-American church. When the deputy town marshal, William E. Patterson, showed up, Higgins shot him in the groin with a pistol. As Patterson fell, mortally wounded, he got off a shot and hit Higgins in the left arm between the elbow and wrist. Infection set in, and doctors amputated above the elbow. Folks said later that tough-guy Higgins was a better fighter with just his right fist than most two-fisted brawlers. Shortly before his 18th birthday, a jury found him not guilty of killing the marshal.

Higgins was a bad guy, until something happened to him, something no one who knew him ever expected. He attended a revival conducted by Texas' best-known evangelist, the Rev. William E. Penn, a tall, 250-pound eminence, with "long hair lying on the shoulders of his frock coat and rippling gray beard streaming to his waist." The preacher's magisterial words convicted the 22-year-old hooligan. Higgins walked down the aisle, and, in the words of the "Giant Under the Hill" authors, "slapped his lone right hand into that of the preacher and made his profession of faith in an act that would remain Beaumont's most talkedof topic since the shooting scrape." It was said that his mother passed out when she heard the news.

The search for oil

The new Pattillo Higgins became a real estate investor, a brick manufacturer and a fanatic about oil underneath the formation known as Sour Spring Mound, later to be called Spindletop. He also became a deacon in the First Baptist Church and a Sunday school teacher whose class was composed primarily of adolescent girls. He loved his girls and often took them on picnics and field trips to Sour Spring Mound, where he would shove a hollowed-out bamboo stick into the gas-saturated earth, light the other end and enjoy the squeals of surprise as the blue flame burned. (I know what you're thinking, but there were never any reports of prurience.)

Returning to Beaumont from a visit to the Pennsylvania oil fields in 1892, Higgins found a few believers in his geological theories and was able to form a partnership to find oil and gas beneath the mound. He also set to work planning his city.

It would be a manufacturing utopia, a place where families could lead wholesome Christian lives. Unlike Beaumont, the new city would forbid alcohol and quash every opportunity for sinning. A plat for the meticulously planned new city contained "manufacturing squares" where oil and gas wells, iron smelters, brickyards and other industries would be located. The plat also contained squares for residential areas, schools, churches, parks, a hotel and a town hall. The city would be powered by the oil Higgins would find beneath the mound.

But what to call the new city? Something of a Lone Star Lewis Carroll, Higgins recalled one of his favorite Sunday school students, Gladys Bingham. He asked his partners for permission to name their new company and the town after the dark-haired, dark-eyed young woman.

According to the "Giant Under the Hill" authors, Higgins and his partners visited the Bingham residence the day after Mrs. Bingham had told her daughter that if she didn't behave, the police would come arrest her. When Higgins and company knocked on the door, Gladys thought she was headed to the hoosegow. Relieved to hear the real purpose of their visit, she graciously consented. The partners presented her with a framed certificate for two shares of stock in the Gladys City Oil, Gas, and Manufacturing Company.

Less than a decade later, Gladys City was a roiling, riotous boomtown, no one's idea of utopia. The last abandoned structures were scraped away in the 1950s.

Hollywood interest

My visit to the new Gladys City was prompted by Jan Norris, a longtime Houston political consultant who grew up in the Louisiana oil patch. Arriving here in 1957, he wrote a screen play about Spindletop that never got beyond the page. "It's been in my soul for 60 years," he says.

Now, the garrulous Houstonian has finally attracted Hollywood's attention. Movie producer David Zucker came to Houston last week to discuss the possibilities. Zucker, of course, is best known for his spoofs - "Airplane" and its sequel, "Naked Gun" and sequels, "Kentucky Fried Movie" - but he assures Norris he would play it straight if the movie gets made.

Maybe so, but the Spindletop saga contains more than enough quirky personalities for something Zuckeresque, Higgins among them. At age 45, he married Annie Johns of San Antonio, an 18-year-old orphan he had adopted three years earlier. The couple had two sons and a daughter. They named her Gladys.
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WASHINGTON - An independent watchdog agency investigating a congressional trip to Azerbaijan in 2013 concluded that the nation's state-owned oil company secretly funded the all-expenses paid trip and pricey gifts - including rugs worth as much as $3,500 and a six-piece crystal tea set - given to the 10 lawmakers who participated.

Four Texas representatives were among them, but is unclear exactly what gifts each of them received.

The findings of the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) provide the most detailed account yet of the controversial energy conference in Baku, which has been referred to the Justice Department for review.

The House Ethics Committee cleared all the lawmakers of wrongdoing this summer, concluding that they had been misled about the identity of the true sponsors of a pair of Houston-based non-profits that arranged the travel.

The two non-profits - the Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians and the Assembly of the Friends of Azerbaijan - are both closely associated with Kemal Oksuz, a central figure in the probe who has stayed largely out of sight and refused to talk to OCE investigators.

Oksuz also invoked his Fifth Amendment right in refusing to testify in the House probe.

The more extensive findings of the OCE, which has no enforcement power, were withheld by the House ethics panel in July. That prompted the OCE board to take the unusual step Wednesday of releasing the report on its own.

A spokesman for the House Ethic Committee declined comment on the OCE's move.

The 76-page report by the congressionally-chartered agency found evidence that the Azerbaijan oil company, which provided $750,000 to the Houston non-profits shortly before the trip, was intimately involved in the travel arrangements.

The report also found that all the lawmakers and staffers who attended the energy conference in Baku appear to have received expensive rugs and other high-end gifts that violate House rules and federal law.

One of the Texas lawmakers, Mercedes Democrat Ruben Hinojosa, publicly acknowledged this summer that he had received a large rug and several prayer rugs on the trip. He said he later turned to large rug over to the House Clerk's office, and donated the prayer rugs to charity.

Two others, Houston Democrat Sheila Jackson Lee and Humble Republican Ted Poe, have ignored repeated requests from the Houston Chronicle and others to disclose any gifts they received and detail what they did with them.

Both also declined to cooperate with the OCE probe.

A fourth Texas participant, Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman, has since retired from Congress and was not subject to the OCE and House investigations.

The OCE probe concluded that even though the lawmakers did not know the actual circumstances surrounding the sponsorship of their travel, there is still "substantial reason" to believe the trip was sponsored illegally by the state oil company, known by its initials, SOCAR. The same foreign entity and its associated non-profits are also believed to be behind gifts to lawmakers, including rugs worth as much as $3,500.

House rules prohibit accepting gifts of more than $50 in value, and undisclosed gifts from foreign governments of more than $350 would appear to violate federal law.

Though not all lawmakers received the same gifts, the report found that "all members and congressional staff who attended the convention appear to have been given rugs as gifts."

Moreover, the report concluded: "There is strong evidence to suggest that Members received additional gifts during the Baku Convention. While there may have been variations based on what meetings were attended by a given Member, as well as gender-based distinctions, some Members and congressional staff appear to have received: a six-piece crystal tea set, a silk scarf, a DVD-box set about the President of Azerbaijan, a briefcase, and a paperweight with stationery items."

Because Jackson Lee and Poe did not cooperate in the OCE inquiry, investigators said they were "unable to identify specific information" about gifts involving the two Texas lawmakers. But based on the agency's overall review of the trip, their report indicated there was "ample evidence" that both received gifts in Azerbaijan.

Poe reported his travel expenses at $12,960.60. Jackson Lee reported hers at $11,563. Hinojosa reported $8,805.90 in transportation costs for him and his wife.

In clearing the lawmakers of wrongdoing in July, the Ethics Committee released its own 28-page report saying it could not verify the true source behind the gifts. But it also directed lawmakers to return or dispose of them, even if it was two years after the trip.

In a simmering turf war, the House Ethics Committee also rebuked the OCE for continuing with its independent inquiry while Congress conducted its own investigation.

The OCE, which was created in 2008 to put more teeth into internal House ethics probes, typically investigates complaints against lawmakers and then turns its findings over to the House Ethics Committee, which then follows up on the independent agency's findings. But in the Azerbaijan case, lawmakers requested that the ethics panel begin its own investigation before the OCE had finished its work.

The OCE report turned out to be much more detailed and hard-hitting than the one released by the Ethics Committee.

The decision of the OCE board to release its own independent findings Wednesday followed calls on the Ethics Committee by a coalition of civic groups and academics to release the agency's report. That request was ignored by lawmakers.

The OCE report adds fuel to the congressional controversy that has long swirled around the trip to Azerbaijan, partly because it was cleared by the House Ethics Committee itself. Questions arose about the conference following a Houston Chronicle investigation looking into the connection between the Azerbaijan's state oil company and the two Houston non-profits tied to Oksuz.

While the House Ethics Committee dismissed the case, congressional investigators said they would refer the matter to the Justice Department to determine whether "third parties" involved in arranging the lawmakers' travel engaged in a "criminal conspiracy to lie to Congress."
In Karun Sreerama's eyes, it should be common to find a few leaders of the city's Department of Public Works and Engineering at any of Houston's libraries or community centers on a random weeknight, hearing from a dozen Houston-ians about their struggles with street flooding, potholes or poor water pressure.

The 53-year-old engineer, whom Mayor Sylvester Turner named Friday to head Houston's largest civilian department, said the $2 billion, 4,000-plus-employee organization - for decades viewed as rigid and allergic to feedback - must improve its outreach and develop a "servant" mentality.

That means always notifying residents before a work crew shows up on their street, he said. It means asking businesses affected by a road project whether most of their customers come during the day or at night, and scheduling road closures accordingly.

Sreerama said he plans to meet in short order with all Public Works staff about his vision for the department as part of a broader, communications-driven plan for his first 100 days.

"We can be more inclusive of the people who are actually going to use Public Works' products and treat them as customers, treat them as the people that we work for," Sreerama said. "We can't sit there as engineers and plan things and then give it to them. We need to talk to them, ask them what their ideas are. I'll never start an answer with, 'You don't understand.' We are a service organization."

If confirmed by council, the Hyderabad, India, native would start work April 3, and, as some noted Friday, would become the city's first Asian department director in the process.

'Hands-on' style

Dale Rudick, the retiring director, has been widely credited for improving the department's outreach since he took the helm in 2014, and Turner credited Rudick's diligence as one reason why Sreerama's appointment - a subject of open speculation at City Hall for months - did not come sooner. Still, the mayor said there remains room for improvement.

"If Public Works works, then the city works," Turner said. "We cannot have a department that, when people are coming, we're saying, 'No, no, no.' We need to be helping them and assisting them."

Turner said the key word in the decision to name Sreerama was "experience."

He has 27 years of it as a private engineer - with PSI Engineering and then with his own firm, ESPA Corp., which he sold in 2012. He has worked with local public agencies, and has held leadership posts in engineering trade groups. And he has the academic credentials, including four postgraduate degrees, among them a doctorate in engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla and an MBA from the University of Texas.

"Not just from an intellectual point of view or an academic point of view but the hands-on, the practical experience being out there dealing with the various stakeholders, having a direct involvement with Public Works, with the whole engineering community, being a CEO himself," the mayor said. "The choice was very, very clear."

Chris Canonico, a partner at the Ardurra Group who has known Sreerama for about 15 years, said the relationships he brings from the private sector will be a clear asset to the department.

"It's unique to find someone who's been on the ground in Houston doing public projects for 20 years, who's run their own firm from the business side," he said, noting the relationships such a role requires. "He brings that better than anybody else in that landscape. I wouldn't have partnered with him when he was on the private side as much as I did if he didn't have those skills."

Local engineer Bobby Singh, who has known Sreerama for 17 years, agreed.

"He'll be bringing that Rolodex with him. He won't have to call somebody and introduce himself," Singh said. "He'll have a running start."

New parks chief

Downtown booster Bob Eury, with whom Sreerama has worked as a board member of the Downtown Management District, said Sreerama's intellect is clear in any interaction with him.

"He's a big thinker," he said. "He's somebody who will sort of step beyond the question at hand to think about what the next questions are out in the future, so that has always impressed me."

Also on Friday, Turner named Lisa Johnson, parks program manager in the General Services Department, as interim director of the city's Parks and Recreation Department.

Johnson has worked 31 years as a parks professional, the last 14 of those years guiding parks projects in Houston, from Buffalo Bayou Park to Emancipation Park, Lake Houston Wilderness Park and many local parks.

She will assume her interim role April 30 with the retirement of outgoing director Joe Turner.
AUSTIN - A federal lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to force an up-or-down vote on whether to permanently store highly radioactive waste in Nevada is sparking questions about whether the controversial project could end up in West Texas.

Paxton's lawsuit alleges that the Obama administration ignored a 2012 court-ordered deadline for a final decision by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on licensing a nuclear waste repository under Yucca Mountain, about 90 miles north of Las Vegas. The NRC has said nearly 80,000 metric tons of waste were stored at operating or closed nuclear power plants at the end of 2014.

"The NRC's inaction on licensing Yucca Mountain subjects the public and the environment to potential dangerous risks from radioactive waste," Paxton said in a written statement. "We do not intend to sit quietly anymore."

The lawsuit, filed this week in the federal appeals court in New Orleans, names several defendants including the NRC, the U.S. Department of Energy and former Gov. Rick Perry in his capacity as energy secretary.

Paxton's lawsuit comes as the NRC weighs an application from Dallas-based Waste Control Specialists to temporarily store spent nuclear reactor fuel - which is considered high-level nuclear waste - at its site in Andrews County, along the Texas-New Mexico line. In the world of nuclear waste, "temporary" storage means a 40-year license with renewals potentially stretching to 100 years. A decision is expected in 2019.

Environmentalists are fighting the West Texas proposal because of its proximity to an aquifer underneath parts of eight states, from Texas to South Dakota, and concerns about the safety of transporting the waste around the country in rail cars. The Andrews County site already stores low-level radioactive waste.

Perry's Department of Energy oversees radioactive waste disposal. As governor, Perry ordered a 2014 state report that said Texas is a suitable location for highly radioactive waste from around the country, primarily spent fuel rods now stored at commercial nuclear power plants.

Optics questioned

Paxton's 45-page lawsuit opens with a comment Perry made at his confirmation hearing in January: "My hope of this committee and administration is that we, finally after 35 years of kicking the can for whatever reason, we can start  moving to temporary or permanent siting of this nuclear waste."

The lawsuit states: "Secretary Perry is correct that nuclear waste storage is a priority. This presidential administration has the opportunity to overcome the failures of previous administrations and build a permanent repository for nuclear waste."

U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, a Nevada Democrat who has referred to the Yucca Mountain project as a "boondoggle" because of its cost, which would total billions of dollars, said Paxton's lawsuit may benefit the West Texas radioactive waste site.

"I guess he thinks if it's a 'no' vote on Nevada, they'll have to look more closely at finding a temporary storage site and that would help the Texas facility," Titus said.

Dale Klein, former NRC chairman under former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, said: "The optics are the fact that this was filed by a Texas Attorney General and there is an active application from Texas; it has the appearance of being coupled. Whether it is or not, only Paxton could answer."

The attorney general's office did not grant a request to interview Paxton. Austin Nimocks, associate deputy general, said there's no connection between the lawsuit and Waste Control Specialists' application to store 5,000 metric tons of spent fuel from nuclear reactors nationwide, including those in Texas.

"The primary interest here is getting the nuclear waste that is sitting above ground at our reactor sites in temporary casks finally in permanent casks inside a permanent repository underground," he said.

Chuck McDonald, a spokesman for Waste Control Specialists, said if the NRC decides to scrap the Yucca Mountain project, there are no plans for the West Texas site to compete for the permanent storage of high-level nuclear waste. That would require Congress to amend a 1987 law that named Yucca Mountain as the nation's permanent repository.

"We would never replace Yucca Mountain," McDonald said.

'Sweetheart settlement'

But Tom "Smitty" Smith, director of the Texas office of Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer and environmental group, predicted a "sweetheart settlement" between Paxton and Perry in which Waste Control Specialists' site could wind up as the permanent nuclear waste repository as political pressure in Nevada and the project's cost leads to the demise of Yucca Mountain.

"If Yucca Mountain is never funded and Waste Control Specialists keeps taking all of this waste, people will say, 'Oh well, we've solved that problem.' Once the waste comes out to Andrews County, that's it; Waste Control Specialists is fat and happy," Smith said.

The debate over Yucca Mountain has raged for several years. At the request of then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, Obama withdrew funding for the licensing process, effectively halting the decision whether waste could be safely stored underground in geologic formations.

On Thursday, the Trump administration proposed spending $120 million to restart the licensing process for the Yucca Mountain project, as part of its proposed fiscal year 2018 budget for the Department of Energy. The White House also said it wants a "robust" plan for temporary storage of nuclear waste, which is what Waste Control Specialists is seeking at its West Texas site.

Campaign donations

The Department of Energy did not respond to a request to interview Perry. The federal agency referred questions about Paxton's lawsuit to the U.S. Department of Justice, which did not respond to a request for comment.

The late Harold Simmons, who controlled Waste Control Specialists through its parent company, Valhi Inc., contributed $1.15 million to Perry's gubernatorial campaigns, making him the second-highest individual donor. He trailed only the late Houston homebuilder Bob Perry, who gave $2.8 million, said Andrew Wheat, research director for the liberal-leaning nonprofit group, Texans for Public Justice.

In 2008 and 2009, Perry's appointees on the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approved licenses allowing Waste Control Specialists to take 3,776 canisters of radioactive residues from a Department of Energy contractor that Simmons also owned. A second license enabled Waste Control Specialists to store a variety of state and federal radioactive waste.

Simmons and Waste Control Specialists' political action committee contributed $16,500 to Paxton's campaigns dating to 2004. Of that total, $10,000 flowed from the PAC as Paxton ran for attorney general in 2014, according to records filed with the state Ethics Commission.
The University of Houston spent more than $500,000 on legal fees challenging a crosstown rival law school's new name over the past 10 months in a federal trademark dispute finally resolved through mediation, a university spokesman said Friday.

But the costs may continue to mount as UH faces potential trademark challenges from the Houston Astros and Houston Community College over its attempt to claim the word "Houston" for educational purposes.

UH filed a federal lawsuit against South Texas College of Law after it announced a name change to Houston College of Law. When U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison ruled that UH was likely to succeed with its lawsuit, the 93-year-old private institution settled on a different name, South Texas College of Law Houston, that was acceptable to UH.

The settlement negotiations fell apart over the final details, however, before finally being resolved after two days of mediation.

The dispute drew teams of top-tier lawyers, graduates of both institutions. UH benefited from the donated services of prominent Houston attorney Tony Buzbee, a UH law school alumnus.

Even with the free help, however, UH accumulated $528,193 in legal fees as of Friday, according to Eric D. Bentley, UH associate general counsel.

South Texas officials said most of their legal costs were covered by insurance - though, as a private institution, the school is not required to publicly release the details.

South Texas was hoping to raise its national stature with the new name, but UH contended that prospective law students would be confused by the similarity of the name and color schemes used by the two colleges.

UH has since filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to trademark the use of "Houston" as it refers to educational services. Both the Astros and HCC - which have educational programs of their own - have notified the trademark office that they are considering challenging the application.
A "carbon copy" email sent last week from the Houston Methodist Cancer Center to patients showed the addresses of all recipients, potentially revealing their identities to the public and their association with the treatment facility.

Patients were alerted about the issue by Houston Methodist in a letter dated March 16 and sent out Friday morning, according to Methodist spokeswoman Stefanie Asin.

"On March 9, 2017, one of our employees unintentionally disclosed your email address to 1,416 other patients, and associated it with the Houston Methodist Cancer Center while requesting follow-up information. Instead of protecting your identifying information (for example using the bcc feature to "blind" your e-mail address), as required by our policies, the email addresses of all intended recipients were placed in the "cc" section, making the email addresses visible," the letter said. "Again, the only identifying information disclosed was your email address; no financial information (such as your social security number or your medical record number) or demographic information (such as your home address or date of birth) was included."

Methodist's investigation concluded that an error was made despite "appropriate policies, procedures, safeguards and training" and was discovered the same day. Efforts were made to recall the emails, the hospital said.

"We deeply regret any concerns you might have as a result of exposing your email address and associating it with the Cancer Center. We are sharing this information to be sure you know that we have extensive safeguards in place to protect the privacy and security of our patients' health information and we continually review and update our security safeguards," the letter said. "As a result of this incident, we are exploring the implementation of an additional technical safeguard to prevent this situation from happening again and we have retrained appropriate staff."

According to the letter, questions about the breach can be directed to Fran Feltovich at ffeltovich@houstonmethodist.org or 713.441.4798.
University of Texas System Chancellor William McRaven named a new interim president of MD Anderson Cancer Center on Friday: Dr. Marshall E. Hicks, the center's head of diagnostic imaging, will be elevated to president on Tuesday, replacing Dr. Ron DePinho.

DePinho announced his resignation last week following months of financial losses and clashes with faculty, and will officially step down next week.

"Dr. Hicks is a widely respected leader within the MD Anderson family, with nearly 20 years of service on the faculty," McRaven said a statement announcing the appointment. "When we discussed potential candidates for the interim presidency, Dr. Hicks' name came up time and time again. His colleagues throughout the institution have great trust and confidence in him."

Hicks, in partnership with new Chief Operating Officer Dr. Stephen Hahn, will be tasked with bringing unity and financial order to the world-leading cancer center as UT System leaders launch a nationwide search for DePinho's permanent replacement.

As Hicks' appointment was announced Friday, MD Anderson officials released updated financial figures showing the center took in nearly $20 million more than it spent in February, the second straight month of operating gains after losing $460 million over the previous 16 months. The losses led to the January layoffs of 778 employees, the biggest workforce reduction in the cancer center's history.

In a statement, Hicks said he was honored to serve in the interim role.

"This extraordinary institution holds a special place in the hearts of its patients and their families, our outstanding faculty and trainees, our dedicated staff, the Houston community and people across the world," Hicks said.

Hicks, the author of more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications, specializes in interventional radiology and previously served as president of the Society of Interventional Radiology. He's collaborated in numerous clinical research studies of a range of cancers, including those involving the lungs, liver, colon, head and neck.

Hahn, whose appointment by McRaven to the newly created COO position last month signaled a shakeup at the cancer center, applauded Hicks' selection: "He has a calming and reassuring style that will help us through the leadership transition," Hahn said.

A national search for a permanent president is expected to launch soon and will include the appointment of a search advisory committee, with the goal of recommending a replacement president by the end of 2017, UT System officials said in a statement.

"Given the national prominence of MD Anderson, we expect significant interest in this position from the most renowned cancer experts in the country," said Dr. Raymond Greenberg, UT System executive vice chancellor for health affairs.

Greenberg said the search advisory committee "would look for an established leader with proven skills in managing a large and complex health care organization, ideally with both clinical and research expertise."
WASHINGTON - A White House summit Friday aimed at easing friction between President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel was undermined by the visible lack of warmth between the two leaders and sharp differences on immigration and trade.

Trump used his first meeting with Merkel to affirm his "strong support" for NATO and to declare he is not an "isolationist" on free trade after a campaign in which he questioned U.S. policies on multilateral security and economic alliances in Europe and elsewhere.

But the two remained far apart on immigration in the wake of Trump's efforts to impose a temporary travel ban on refugees and immigrants from several majority-Muslim nations in the Middle East and Northern Africa, a move that contrasts sharply with Merkel's more liberal policies.

For a second time, federal judges in Hawaii and Maryland this week suspended the president's executive order, though his administration has vowed to appeal the rulings.

"Immigration is a privilege, not a right," Trump said at a joint news conference with Merkel, adding, "the safety of our citizens must always come first."

'Something in common'

Merkel's decision to welcome large numbers of Syrian refugees stands in sharp contrast to Trump's insistence that the U.S. refugee program has made the country vulnerable to terrorist infiltration.

Merkel on Friday acknowledged the need to secure borders and work to integrate immigrants into society, but she emphasized that such goals have "to be done while looking at the refugees as well, giving them opportunities to shape their own lives  (and) help countries who right now are not able to do so, sometimes because they have civil war."

Beyond policy, their summit was marked by an Oval Office photo op during which Trump appeared to disregard Merkel's suggestion that they shake hands and he generally avoided making eye contact with her as news photographers captured the scene.

And Trump put the German leader on the spot during their news conference when he made an awkward joke about them having "something in common" over his unfounded allegations that President Barack Obama had ordered U.S. intelligence agencies to wiretap Trump Tower in New York.

He appeared to be referring to reports in 2013 that the Obama administration authorized eavesdropping on Merkel's personal cellphone calls, a point of tension between her and Obama.

Merkel, looking uncomfortable, chose not to respond to Trump's remarks.

"It's always better to talk to one another than about one another," Merkel said through an interpreter during her opening remarks.

Beyond their seemingly divergent worldview, the two leaders could not be more different in terms of personality.

Trump is a brash, outspoken businessman and Merkel a staid and reserved trained scientist.

The summit was being closely watched at home and abroad for signs of how the two leaders would engage each other. As much as Trump has questioned the multilateral alliances of the post-World War II international order and Merkel has defended them, German officials insisted that her visit was aimed at finding common ground.

NATO allegation

Yet unlike Trump's White House summits with several other world leaders - such as prime ministers Shinzo Abe of Japan, Theresa May of Britain and Justin Trudeau of Canada - there were few signs Friday that he and Merkel had built much personal rapport.

Hoping to get reassurances from Trump on trade ties, Merkel arrived in Washington with an entourage that included German business executives to emphasize the economic ties between the nations. Trump has opposed multilateral trade deals, and talks on a major U.S.-European pact called the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, which had been negotiated by the Obama administration, have stalled.

Trump said he is not anti-trade, but wants "fair trade," and he reiterated his past criticism that U.S. policies have harmed American workers.

Despite his endorsement of NATO, Trump reiterated his campaign-trail criticism that member nations are not paying their "fair share" to support the security alliance.

Trump said some countries owe "vast sums" in dues, which is "very unfair to the United States" - an allegation that appeared to be based on an incomplete understanding of how the alliance is funded.

Trump stated that each nation agreed to contribute 2 percent of its gross domestic product to NATO. In fact, the alliance had long ago set a goal that each member would devote at least 2 percent of GDP to defense in their own budgets.

The members contribute their capabilities to NATO, not monetary assessments. Those who haven't reached 2 percent, which is the majority of nations, don't "owe" or have to make up shortfalls of the past.

"These nations must pay what they owe," Trump said.
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AUSTIN  Gov. Greg Abbott, who challenged lawmakers earlier this year to "do it right or don't do it at all" in funding his signature pre-K program, is finding they are choosing the latter.

In revising their budgets, both the Senate and House eliminated proposed funding for Abbott's initiative  the Senate doing so on Wednesday night as it worked to finalize its version of the state's two-year budget.

That prompted an irritated Abbott to make an impromptu face-to-face plea with the Senate's chief budget writer, Jane Nelson, leading to an abrupt shift by her committee the following morning to restore less than half the funding.

The state is currently spending $118 million for the governor's high-quality pre-K program in the 2016-17 school year, an amount that Abbott wants doubled for the two-year budget that starts Sept. 1. After initially including $150 million in the proposed biennial budget, senators cut funding for the program Wednesday night. After the chairwoman's visit from the governor, the committee reversed course and budgeted $65 million for the program, leaving no money for additional forms of pre-K spending.

Several senators confirmed the meeting and said Abbott was incensed that the Senate had cut funding for his pet pre-K program, the state's business-development Enterprise Fund, a university research initiative and the film incentives fund.

In all, senators said they were directed to restore about $190 million in funding for those programs at the urging of Abbott.

While it is not uncommon for governors to visit with lawmakers during a legislative session, those meetings most often take place in the governor's office on the second floor of the Capitol  and not after hours in a lawmaker's office. In addition, the Wednesday-night visit was the talk of the Texas Capitol on Thursday because of its surprise nature  and because Abbott so far in the session has been noted more for his absence on legislative issues than for his involvement.

He has withheld taking sides on several major issues, the most noticeable being the controversial "bathroom bill" that has made national headlines and pitted Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who has tagged the measure a top priority, against House Speaker Joe Straus, who has played down its importance.

Abbott aides have explained his lack of involvement by saying he prefers to let lawmakers work through issues, and that he will decide where he stands after he gets a final version of the bill that he can either veto or sign into law. In a December meeting with reporters, the governor questioned whether existing laws already address any bathroom issues.

While senators on Friday confirmed the restoration of funding to several Abbott initiatives after his meeting with Nelson, Abbott press secretary John Wittman would not discuss details of the meeting.

But he said, "It's incomprehensible that the Senate is jeopardizing the future of Texas students by depriving them of high quality pre-K, instead forcing them into an unaccountable program."

A champion of what he calls "high quality pre-K," Abbott wanted lawmakers to pump $236 million into a grant program he devised in the 2015 legislative session. That year, lawmakers cut funding in half, leaving the program with $118 million for the 2016-17 school year alone.

Abbott's program requires school districts and charter schools to apply for additional pre-K money, which this school year totaled $734 for each of about 190,000 children, or 86 percent of the state's preschoolers.

In return, districts accepting the money agreed to elevate pre-K standards, such as higher teacher qualifications, reporting student progress back to the state, a family engagement plan and other conditions.

Abbott still wants it fully funded, but neither the House nor the Senate is following suit.

The House originally budgeted $118 million for the 2017-18 school year, but later decided to cut funding altogether and move the money to a supplemental fund that would allow the Texas Education Agency to spread the money throughout the state without strings attached.

As for the Senate, Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, said there's an appetite to shift away from a dedicated high-quality pre-K program and instead require all such programs to adhere to high-quality standards.

"I think we're to the point where we can basically go forward with taking the standards from what was the high quality and basically putting that into the entire pre-K system in the state. People should be able to meet those standards, otherwise, why do it?" asked Bettencourt.

Abbott made it clear at his State of the State address in January that lawmakers' approach to pre-K should be, "do it right or don't do it at all."

"I'm just dumbfounded and proud that pre-K has become part of the grand bargain. We have arrived," said Jason Sabo, a longtime education and social issues lobbyist who pointed out that early education had been a touchy subject for years until Abbott made it a priority.

Advocates for the governor's pre-K initiative contend the program is the best way to divvy up money to ensure the funds are spent on high-quality programs, but say the spending is only worth it if the state can spend more money per student.

"After making a commitment to improving pre-K quality during the last legislative sessions, we're concerned that legislators are now turning their backs on that commitment," said Stephanie Rubin, CEO of Texans Care for Children, a proponent for early education. "There is still time for legislators to make changes, although the clock is definitely ticking. Children who need an effective pre-K program to help them start kindergarten on grade level are counting on legislators to get this right."

With the legislative session roughly halfway over, the two chambers and the governor's office appear to have differing priorities on several issues that appear to be generating friction.

In January, Abbott identified four "emergency" issues on which he requested swift legislative action: A ban on sanctuary cities, ethics reform, an overhaul of Child Protective Services programs and Texas' support for a Convention of States to consider revisions to the U.S. Constitution.

By the end of the first 60 days, the Senate had approved all four. The House has only approved the CPS reforms, with the other three now languishing in House committees awaiting major revisions.

Next week, a Senate committee is expected to debate a bill giving public-school students tuition to attend private schools. Last week, senators passed and sent to the House the "bathroom bill" that bans transgender people from using the bathroom that corresponds to their chosen gender.

In the House, the focus appears to be on debating school-finance reform  but not school choice  in a committee next week. Abbott has said he supports school choice, putting him at odds with the House.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/STF

Citing revelations about an all-expenses-paid trip to Azerbaijan by Texas lawmakers and others, a group of congressional watchdog organizations is asking new House Speaker Paul Ryan to suspend privately-financed foreign trips until new rules are put in place.

"Recent embarrassing revelations about trips by Members and staff of the U.S. House of Representatives from both parties highlight the failure of current travel rules to protect the integrity of the House," the groups said in a two-page letter to Ryan. "Until the American public can have confidence that the House rules and practices adequately disclose who is paying for their elected Representatives' foreign travel and protect against special interests gaining inappropriate access to Members and staff through these trips related to Members' official duties, all privately-financed foreign trips should be halted."
If some enterprising astronaut at the Johnson Space Center had one night to teach curious aliens everything they needed to know about Texas culture, she could do worse than bring ET over to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

There's the food - lots of barbecue, Tex-Mex and fried everything. There's the clothes - cowboy boots, belt buckles and 10-gallon hats. There's the diversity - how do you say "howdy" in Vietnamese? And there's the cattlemen striking international business deals.

Hidden far away from the corn dogs and mutton busting, foreign cattle magnates hobnob with Texas breeders in the opulent International Committee Salon on the second floor of the NRG Center, as Houston Chronicle reporter Lydia DePillis wrote this week.

Around 2,600 visitors from 88 countries will travel through that room, the committee estimates, and there's one big, moo-ing purchase on everyone's mind: Brahman cattle. Those cows are big and love the heat, and we grow them strong in Texas. Of course, the cattle didn't start in the Lone Star State. After the Civil War, an Indianola cattleman by the name of Abel "Shanghai" Pierce traveled the world looking for a breed of cattle resistant to the mysterious Texas Fever. Pierce eventually came upon the Brahman and, after his death, the Pierce estate imported the cattle all the way from India, creating the original base stock from which today's herds were grown. Now those cattle are sold all over the planet, from China to Venezuela.

Talk about your international supply chain. Cattle may be raised home on the range, but they're purchased on a global market,. Now the Trump administration's attitudes on trade threaten to make life more difficult for those hardworking Texans.

Mexico is a major export market, and cattle futures don't respond well to the president's threats of a trade war with our neighbor to the south. Ranchers have long sought to sell their wares to Japan, but Trump dashed those dreams by dumping the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Banks have even started to raise conditions for collateral on loans to ranchers, journalism professor Richard Parker wrote in the Dallas Morning News.

Trump may want to buy American, but the big-money purchasers of Texas cattle come from abroad. Travel bans, tariffs and anti-trade rhetoric all work to send the cattle industry on a dizzying carnival ride that should have rodeo fans feeling sick to their stomachs.

The fact of the matter is the Lone Star State makes money by selling to the world. Hurt international trade and hurt Texas.

So if you're trying to teach someone about our state, it is our president in Washington, not some curious alien, who could stand an educational visit to the Houston rodeo. Of course, there's always a standing invitation for the man in the White House, and the corn dogs are on us.
(Thumbs up) Their airline ride back to D.C. canceled because of the East Coast blizzard, two West Texas congressmen - one D, one R - piled into a rented Chevy Impala for a 1,600-mile drive to the Capitol. The whole thing was Tweeted and Facebooked, a modern-day road trip with one truly amazing twist: they actually behaved like adults and had respectful disagreements. In some ways, though, they had to. Democrat Beto O'Rourke of El Paso wants to run for U.S. Senate and needs red-leaning votes to win. Republican Will Hurd of San Antonio is in the state's only swing district and needs to let his constituents know he can play nice. With incumbents having no fear of losing their seats, they generally don't have to play nice. In other words, until we change gerrymandering, any talk about bipartisanship is just spinning wheels.

(Thumbs down) What does gerrymandering get you? Steve Stockman, that's what. The former Friendswood congressman won reelection despite allegations of his campaign staffers working and living in a grimy motorcycle shop and also being one of the inventors of fake news. He actually printed tabloids that smeared primary opponents. This week he was cuffed and taken before a federal magistrate to face felony campaign contribution violations. Stockman has virtually nothing affirmative to show after serving a couple of terms. He did, however, dispose of two very solid public servants, Jack Brooks and Nick Lampson.

(Thumbs up) A Texas House committee heard testimony this week on a bill to decriminalize low-level marijuana possession. So who testified against it? Not a single police chief. No one from a sheriff's association. Nor the probation association, neighborhood groups or mayors of any kind. Even anti-drug people weren't there. Only one person spoke up in opposition: a district attorney from Odessa. As Willie Nelson once said, "Marijuana is an herb and a flower. God put it here  what gives the government the right to say that God is wrong?"

(Thumbs up) As you're recovering from that St. Paddy's Day hangover, here's a bit of Houston news with an Irish twist. A reporter for the Dublin-based The Daily Edge sent an email to all 158-members of the Irish parliament, asking them about their opinion of Beyonce. She got 37 responses, all positive except from one who suggested that Queen Bey should pay more to Sri Lanken seamstresses who manufacture the pop diva's Ivy Park clothing line.

(Thumbs twiddled) The weirdness continues. This headline from the Texas Tribune says it all: "Texas sues feds - including Rick Perry - for failing to license nuclear waste facility."

(Thumbs down) What Perry should have been sued for was his 2011 veto of a bill to ban texting while driving.

(Thumbs up) A similar texting ban passed the Texas House this week. This time, the fourth session legislators have debated a bill, the law would mandate drivers use hands-free devices for cellular communications. This is certainly hard to enforce, and it gives cops another reason to pull you over, but something needs to be done about distracted drivers. They kill on average eight people a day in the U.S.

(Thumbs down) Maybe things do get weirder. Sebastian Gorka is Donald Trump's deputy assistant and counter-terrorism adviser. His family is from Hungary, where, a U.S. newspaper reported, he was a member of a group with Nazi ties. In fact, anyone associated with Vitezi Rend is not supposed to be allowed in the U.S. under immigration law. So when asked about this, Gorka at first refused comment and later denied being involved beyond wearing the group's insignia in honor of his father. What happened to the days when the White House was filled with James Baker, Colin Powell and Condi Rice?

(Thumbs up) And while we're writing about immigrants, a group that President Trump has vilified with regularity, now comes this quintessentially Bayou City story. The James Beard Foundation named two Houston chefs as finalists in its Best Chef Southwest Category, one of the highest awards in chefdom. Hugo Ortega, best known for Hugo's on Westheimer, came to America without documents. Co-winner Jianyun Ye of Mala Sichuan Bistro, had to have the award explained to him because he doesn't speak English. The best way to honor these two maestros is to drop a credit card at one of their restaurants - if you can get a seat.
Each child who walks into my courtroom is unique, but most of them have a lot in common. Many have been scarred by childhood neglect and extreme trauma.

Some of these children come to my court by way of Child Protective Services (CPS) and the foster-care system that state lawmakers and Gov. Greg Abbott vowed to transform during the 2017 legislative session. Some of them come to my court by way of the juvenile-justice system. And, unfortunately, many Texas children first appear in court through a CPS case and then end up back in my courtroom as a juvenile offender.

While many children in the care of CPS stay out of trouble, research shows neglected and abused kids are at a much higher risk of getting arrested as a juvenile.

We have limited data on the CPS-juvenile justice connection in Texas, but data from other jurisdictions suggest that most children in the juvenile justice system were previously involved with their state's child protection system due to allegations of neglect or abuse.

So if state leaders want to provide better support to youth in foster care and other kids who experience neglect and abuse, they must include juvenile justice in their legislative plans.

Fortunately, Texas has started to recognize the overlap. State legislators held a hearing last year to explore the connections between the two systems. The state also funds community services explicitly aimed at preventing both juvenile delinquency and child abuse.

Here in Harris County, we recently launched a data-sharing system to improve coordination of services provided to youth through CPS, juvenile probation and the local mental health authority. Some youth were receiving similar, duplicative evaluations and treatment. That complicated their recovery and wasted taxpayer dollars.

Now, as the Legislature gets to work on the challenges at CPS, there are four key steps it should take to build on this foundation:

1. Develop a uniform, statewide, confidential system for collecting and sharing real-time data regarding youth in the juvenile justice and CPS system. The system should improve coordination, save money and evaluate the results we are getting from these services.

2. Create a streamlined process for sealing juvenile records. Children aging out of foster care face enough challenges without a juvenile record keeping them out of college, a job or an apartment. The pro bono record-sealing initiatives we have worked hard to develop in Harris County through a network of volunteer lawyers have helped hundreds of former probationers get a fresh start, but are not available to most children statewide.

3. Stop automatically sending 17-year-olds to the adult criminal justice system when they get in trouble but reserve the option of certifying them as adults. We should deal with 17-year-olds, including those in foster care, through the juvenile system. The juvenile system is safer for teens, better-equipped to provide educational and rehab services, and prevents them from getting tagged with an adult criminal record. Keeping 17-year-olds out of the adult system will also improve public safety and provide relief to sheriffs working to comply with standards to prevent sexual assault in their jails.

4. Ensure children with significant mental health challenges and other high needs have access to effective services in their own communities. When kids in foster care or the juvenile justice system need this support, we should try to avoid confining them to restrictive, institutional placements.

It's great to see state leaders so focused on improving child protection and supporting kids in foster care. However, the tough work of reform will only be complete if they include these four areas where the CPS and juvenile justice systems overlap.

Judge Schneider has presided in the 315th District Court in Harris County since 2006. He is a member of the Texas Supreme Court's Children's Commission and an officer of the Juvenile Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.
AUSTIN --Attorney General Ken Paxton's office, which attacked a school district for pulling down a religious Christmas decoration last year, took aim at a Dallas-area high school on Friday for operating a prayer room -- for Muslims.

At issue is not Frisco's Liberty High School availing a space for students to pray, the attorney general's office wrote in a letter to the Frisco Independent School District superintendent.

The real issue, according to the letter, is whether students who practice a religion other than Islam are allowed to use it.

"It is a meditation room, prayer room," said Chris Moore, a spokesman for the Frisco ISD. "Anyone can go there. Baptist, Buddhist, Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Islam, Muslim, any of those religions can utilize that room."

School officials said it is a regular classroom that can be used for other activities at certain times during the day.

The Republican attorney general's office sent the letter and a press release about the prayer room Friday, suggesting the school may be violating the First Amendment's protection of religious liberty.

The letter, sent by Deputy Attorney General Andrew Leonie, instructs the superintendent to ensure the prayer room is open to all students. Paxton aides said an inquiry into the prayer room left them with more questions than answers, and that prompted the letter.

Moore said the district is trying to make contact with the attorney general's office to clarify the room is open to all.
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Sen. Don Merediths lawyer used the example of child marriages during a television interview Friday to rationalize his clients sexual relationship with a teenager.

Selwyn Pieters appeared on CTVs Power Play to defend his clients relationship with a minor as a consensual, sexual relationship.

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I mean, in some cultures, people marry at 12. You have very old men marrying people at 12, so I dont buy this thing about power and about protecting and all that sort of stuff, he told host Mercedes Stephenson.

In a follow-up tweet, Pieters clarified his remarks.

I do not condone child marriage, child exploitation, or any other human rights issues against Children. Let us be very very clear on that...  Mr. Toronto Lawyer (@selwynpieters) March 17, 2017

Meredith is facing calls to resign his Senate seat after an inquiry report released last week revealed graphic details of his two-year affair with a young woman he met when she was 16. The two had intercourse after she turned 18, according to the report.

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The report, authored by Senate ethics office Lyse Ricard, concluded Meredith abused his power and office during the duration of his affair with a woman identified only as Ms. M. After interviewing both parties, Ricard found the woman a credible witness, and Meredith not.

Ricard wrote the Toronto senator breached two sections of the upper chambers ethics code  one requiring its members to uphold the highest standards of dignity inherent to the position of a senator.

Details of the affair were revealed in a Toronto Star investigation in 2015.

Merediths lawyer disagreed with the inquirys findings.

His behaviour is completely becoming of a senator, he said. This was not something that was done in public, Pieters said. This was not something where he was doing something in the buses or doing something on the street. It was in the privacy of his room. And her room.

With no evidence, he suggested extortion to be a motivation for why Ms. M came forward to media.

Religion and race

Pieters also appeared on CBCs Power & Politics Friday to speak about the controversy following his client and brought up an excerpt from the Bible  Romans 3:23  to explain why Meredith will not resign from the Senate.

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He must stay in the position because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, he said. Host Rosemary Barton stopped Pieters.

With all due respect, sir. Peoples religions and beliefs have nothing to do with whether Senator Meredith deserves to be paid by Canadian taxpayers in that chamber, she said.

Peoples religions and and beliefs have nothing to do with whether Senator Meredith deserves to be paid by Canadian taxpayers in that chamber.

Pieters then brought up the factor of race and falsely claimed there are senators whove returned to the red chamber after being convicted of crimes.

The calls for Meredith to resign are totally disproportionate to the offence of ethics violations claimed against him, Pieters said.

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Watch the full exchange below:

Sen. Don Meredith's lawyer @selwynpieters on why his client has raised racism as an issue in calls for his resignation #pnpcbc#cdnpolipic.twitter.com/bjAW0oOJkc  Power & Politics (@PnPCBC) March 17, 2017

Absolutely, racism has played a role in this, Meredith said in an interview with The Canadian Press earlier this week. This is nothing new to me. There is always a double standard that exists in this country.

Meredith, a married man with children, is also a Pentecostal pastor. Since the release of the damning ethics report last week, he has remained adamant he will not resign from the Senate.

He has called his actions a moral failing.

Ricards report is currently under the review of the Senates Standing Senate Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest to propose recommendations. That proposal will then be submitted to the Senate to consider remedial punishments including a suspension or expulsion.

Meredith is currently on sick leave. The Senate remains adjourned until March 28.

Also on HuffPost

Trudeau's 7 New Senate Appointments See Gallery
OTTAWA  Canadian labour leader Sid Ryan says he'll announce before the end of the month if he will run for the NDP leadership.

Speaking to The Huffington Post Canada's politics podcast "Follow-Up," the former president of the Ontario Federation of Labour said he's concerned about dividing votes on the left. He wants to see whether one or several of the four candidate so far in the contest  MPs Niki Ashton, Peter Julian, Guy Caron and Charlie Angus  will adopt some of the bolder progressive ideas he's championing.

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UPDATE: On March 27, a day after the NDP debate in Montreal, Sid Ryan told HuffPost he still hasn't made up his mind. His campaign team is still testing the waters and he plans to make a decision by mid-April.

"I'm more interested ... in making certain that the party does move further left than where they have been in the last couple of elections," Ryan said. Federally and provincially, he believes the NDP ran campaigns similar to the Thomas Mulcair platform of 2015 "and it hasn't worked for us and I don't think it's going to in the future.

"I'm interested in a left-of-centre candidate. I'm still going to keep my powder dry and take a look at what materializes over the next couple of weeks to see if they start to flesh out their policies."

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Listen to Sid Ryan in the full "Follow-Up" episode below:

Ryan is being pushed to run by many New Democrats, including the socialist caucus which endorsed a campaign to draft him at its meeting last December.

Barry Weisleder, a spokesman for the NDP Socialist Caucus, told HuffPost that Ryan would be an ideal candidate because "he has the experience, the eloquence and the backbone to run a principled campaign for a working class socialist agenda."

Weisleder said the party is not hearing the type of concrete proposals needed to make a green shift in the energy section and "break Canada from the war machine."

Ryan told HuffPost he wants to see a candidate embrace some of his ideas for:

Free university and debt relief

National pharmacare program for seniors

A social investment bank that invests in green technology and builds 500,000 social housing units

A Middle East policy that is pro-Palestine

An end to the training and advisory missions of the Canadian Armed Forces in Iraq and Eastern Europe, including the Ukraine

A pull-out of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) with a focus instead on peacekeeping missions through the United Nations

Rejection of free-trade deals that affect the delivery of public services and threaten Canada's water supply

Stronger rejection of public-private partnership and privatization of public assets

Adoption of federal minimum wage of $15 an hour

Adoption of the "Leap Manifesto."

"I do believe that we should not be building any more pipelines. I do believe that it is time for union leaders, in particular to basically be honest with their members and tell them that there are certain industries that we are in that will disappear and will disappear faster than we recognize today."

Ryan called for money  "lots of it"  to be set aside to train workers for new green jobs. But more pipelines, he said, would commit the country to a carbon-based economy for the next 30-35 years. "And I think that is the wrong place for the NDP to be in."

Ryan said he would also push for the "democratization" of the party, saying party members have little time at convention to discuss all the policy resolutions that come forward and the motions that get debated are too often ones the party executive has decided are important.

Ex-MP: 'Over my dead body'

Not everyone is embracing Ryan's potential campaign. In response to an email from Ryan's campaign positioning himself for a bid, former MP and law professor Craig Scott wrote on Facebook: "Over my dead body. Sid, you can run to replace your bud Wynne. Leave us be."

Scott told HuffPost he feels Ryan "would be a poor choice as a leader" because of his activism during the 2014 Ontario provincial election and his role in helping elect Kathleen Wynne's provincial Liberals.

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"Sid is the kind of polemical person  sincere as he may be in that role  who will only divide and distract not inspire and unite," Scott wrote in an email.

"If the NDP is to arrive at a bold vision for the future that fights with social-democratic and socialist principles for a transformative future, it won't come from Sid-style tired talking points that are conveyed in a doctrinaire way."

Ryan, who only speaks English, said the membership is crying out for a turn to the left and many New Democrats who abandoned the party over the past few years are telling him they would buy a membership were he to run.

"People believe that we lost the election because [Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau outsmarted us on the left during the election campaign," he noted.

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Moreover, the former union leader said the public is thirsting for a populist on the left. The Liberals know it, he said, pointing out that Finance Minister Bill Morneau has suddenly switched from talking about the "middle class" to talking about the "working class."

"You look at the [Democratic nominee] Bernie Sanders campaign and again by the way, union leaders were on the wrong side of that discussion, they all went ... most of them ... with Hillary Clinton." But Sanders won most of the Rust Belt states based on his opposition to free trade, Ryan said. "That message clearly resonated.

Workers know that their wages are stagnating, that many jobs are precarious and lots of people have to work more than one job to be able to make ends meet, he said. "That is beginning to seep in in a deep deep way in the mindset of the voters...

"The parties that begin to talk about those issues and understand those issues are the ones that are going to win this election. So there is a huge opening on the left... There is a mood out there that is pretty angry."

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Some of the "Draft Sid Ryan" organizers have met with the party, and Ryan met with NDP national director Robert Fox last fall.

He has started taking a few French lessons but isn't fluent enough yet to take part in a French debate. The next one is scheduled for March 26 in Montreal.

"There is no question in my mind that the leader of the party has to be fluently bilingual," Ryan said, acknowledging the NDP has too big a base in Quebec to have a leader who can't speak to them in French.

Ryan plans to make an announcement before the Montreal debate. If he doesn't join the contest, he hopes his supporters can move to another candidate.

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"I like the idea of trying to influence the outcome of the election."

Ontario NDP MPP Jagmeet Singh told HuffPost he is still thinking of joining the federal leadership contest but hasn't given himself a deadline for making a decision.

CBC News reported this week that former veterans ombudsman Pat Stogran is also considering a run.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the date for the Montreal debate.

Also on HuffPost
Inmate's death opens records to earlier use-of-force incident

A cause of death for Kyle Skeen has not been determined, but officials say use of force wasn't involved.




iciHaiti - Politics : 8 illegal Haitians arrested in the Bahamas





After a four-week lull, the Bahamian Immigration Department, resumed its checks, in search of illegal migrants and arrested this week in the Freeport region and Eight Mile Rock, 11 foreign nationals including 8 Haitians (7 men and one woman), 2 Brazilians and one Jamaican woman, said Napthali Cooper, Immigration Spokesperson.



The spokesperson indicated that the 8 Haitian nationals had no legal status in the Bahamas, that they had entered illegally by boat and remained without authorization in the Bahamas.



IH/ iciHaiti


















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President Donald Trump kicked boyband One Direction out of one of his hotels after they refused to meet his grown up daughter, it has been revealed.

Band member Liam Payne let the news slip in a brand new interview with Rollacoaster.

Payne stated that Trump had phoned their room asking if they'd be happy to meet either Ivanka or Tiffany - which daughter remains unclear - and their manager declined after refusing to wake them up.

He said: Trump actually kicked us out of his hotel once. You wouldnt believe it. It was about (meeting) his daughter. He phoned up our manager and we were asleep.

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

Trump then proceeded to throw the entire band out of the hotel, and even refused to let them leave through a secret exit.

Payne continued: He said well, wake them up and I was like no and then he wouldnt let us use the underground garage. Obviously, in New York, we cant really go outside. New York is ruthless for us. So he was like, OK, then I dont want you in my hotel. So we had to leave.

 Donald Trump apparently snubs handshake with Angela Merkel

One Direction are currently on an extended hiatus with each member currently enjoying solo careers; Payne's first record will be released later this year.

Payne's fellow bandmate Niall Horan recently promised fans that the band would 'definitely' reunite one day in the future.
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The US has retained its position as the world's most powerful nation, despite declining respect for its leadership.

That's according to US News and World Report, which has released the latest edition of its annual "Best Countries" study.

The media organisation evaluated 80 countries across a range of criteria, including cultural history, citizenship, and quality of life.

 The World's top 10 wealthiest countries

Another key measure was "power," which determined how economically and politically influential a country was and weighed the strength of its international alliances and military.

More than 21,000 business leaders, informed elites, and general citizens were surveyed with the goal of discovering how nations are perceived on a global scale.

The US was perceived as the most powerful, followed closely by Russia, with the UK coming in fourth. Other countries included Pakistan, Turkey, and Israel.

Scroll down to see the 23 nations seen as most powerful.

23. Qatar  One of several Middle Eastern nations on the list, Qatar is the wealthiest country in the world in terms of gross domestic product per capita thanks to its oil-rich surroundings. Falling oil prices have hit its economy, however, and income slowed in the past year.

Qatari army special forces take part in a military parade (Getty)

22. Spain  "Ascension into the European Union in 1986 was a jump-start to the modernisation of Spain's infrastructure, industry, and economic policy," according to US News.

21. Netherlands  Home to the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court in The Hague, the Netherlands plays an important role on the world stage.

20. Pakistan  Political instability, corruption, and struggles with extremism have hindered Pakistan's standing in the power ranking. In turn, the nation's growth has been stunted as its export-driven economy "falls short in attracting foreign investment," according to US News.

19. Sweden  Despite militaristic roots, Sweden has decided against heavily investing in its armed forces in favour of a commitment to human rights and sustainability. Its approach to the well-being of its citizens has earned it respect on the global stage but could contribute to its lack of power.

View of the city centre and the port of Helsingborg in Sweden (Getty/iStock)

18. Italy  Though Italy faced a tumultuous political year with the shock resignation of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and the rebuilding of its government, the country remains on the list while boasting the third-largest economy in the eurozone.

17. Australia  Though it placed relatively low for its power and global influence, Australia came in fourth in the quality-of-life category.

16. India  The world's largest democracy, India was also home to the world's fastest-growing major economy for most of 2016. But its recent cash crisis has been a blow to its economy, causing the country to lose 11 billionaires and 86% of its circulated cash.

15. Switzerland  The small European nation was named the best place in the world to live. It's the 11th-wealthiest nation in terms of GDP per capita, and it is extremely attractive to businesses thanks to its low corporate tax rates. The United Nations also has one of its main offices in the city of Geneva.

14. Iran  Iran "has long been of interest to global powers because of its strategic location within the Middle East and its abundant supply of oil and other natural resources," according to US News. The nation holds a whopping 9% of the world's oil reserves.

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard special forces participate in military manoeuvers at an undisclosed location near the Gulf. (AFP/Getty Images)

13. Turkey  Turkey is the gateway between the Middle East and the European Union, and the relationship between the two bodies is increasingly important as conflict rages in nearby countries. In September, British Secretary of State Boris Johnson said Britain would support Turkey's long-fought bid to join the EU, but an increasingly tense relationship between Turkey and several EU nations could hinder its progress.

12. Canada  Canada was named the second-best country to live in by US News, but its power didn't quite match, even though it is the US's largest trade partner.

11. South Korea  A contentious relationship with its isolated neighbour in the north means South Korea often receives military and political support from the world's superpowers. It is one of the world's largest reserves of foreign investment and is also the world's sixth-largest exporter.

10. United Arab Emirates  The UAE is one of the world's largest importers of arms and, after Saudi Arabia, has the second-largest defence budget of any of the Arab states.

9. Saudi Arabia  Saudi Arabia's oil reserves have allowed the country to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful nations in the Middle East. The gulf state has long been viewed as a close ally of the US, the UK, and other Western nations.

Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (Charles Platiau/Reuters)

8. Israel  For a country with a population of just over 8 million, Israel has an outsize influence on the world stage. Despite its ongoing Palestinian conflict, the Jewish nation has a strong economy and a high level of education and per capita income for its citizens.

7. Japan  One of the most technologically advanced nations, Japan boasts the world's third-largest economy, having recovered from the 2011 tsunami that shattered its infrastructure and manufacturing.

6. France  With a GDP per capita of $42,384 (34,581), France boasts one of the largest economies in Europe and is one of the world's top exporters of weapons. Its influence extends around the world "through its science, politics, economics and perhaps above all, culture," US News writes.

5. Germany  Often seen as the economic powerhouse of Europe, the continent's most populous nation has seen its role on the world stage become increasingly important since reunification in 1990.

4. United Kingdom  "The United Kingdom is a highly developed nation that exerts considerable international economic, political, scientific and cultural influence," US News writes. While it isn't known how its expected exit from the European Union would affect the country's standing, the nation seems to have so far withstood the shock of the referendum result.

Union flags fly near the Houses of Parliament (Getty)

3. China  The rise of China is quite remarkable. Home to 1.4 billion people, the country already has the world's largest military, and experts predict it will be the world's largest economy by 2050.

2. Russia  Russia capitalised on its natural resources to become one of the world's wealthiest nations. Its military spending as a percentage of its GDP continues to outstrip that of countries within NATO by a considerable distance. It currently spends 5.4% of its annual GDP on defence  the closest a NATO country comes by comparison is the US, which spends 3.3%.

1. United States  Nearly 75% of respondents said they lost "some respect" for US leadership after the 2016 presidential election, but the country is still ranked the most powerful. Its economic, political, cultural, and artistic influence shapes the world, and a mammoth defence budget of about $600 billion (494bn) and its leading economy put it at the top.

US President Donald Trump (AP)

Read more:

 16 psychological tricks to make people like you immediately

 A new study reveals that certain drugs may make us smarter than we thought

 This is the one thing you should never do if you want a free flight upgrade

Read the original article on Business Insider UK.  2016. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter.
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The owner of the London Evening Standard has defended his appointment of former Chancellor George Osborne as the papers editor in the face of criticism from both Labour and Conservative ranks.

Evgeny Lebedev, who has owned the free daily newspaper for eight years, said critics should wait to see a paper before judging, adding that Mr Osborne would provide a more effective opposition to the Government than the current Labour Party.

It comes after critics from both the main parties said the move raised fresh questions over existing parliamentary systems for preventing conflicts of interest, and cast doubt on whether Mr Osborne could continue as an MP for Tatton.

Responding to the criticism on Twitter, Mr Lebedev, who is also proprietor of The Independent, said: Sad old commentariat. Wait and see his paper before judging. Tories saying he will criticise the Government now. Labour say he is a Tory stooge. So, which is it?!

Frankly George Osborne will provide more effective opposition to the Government than the current Labour Party. And will stand up for the interests of London and Londoners.

Fellow former Tory frontbencher Michael Gove, a columnist for The Times, meanwhile wished Mr Osborne well in his new role, adding that he welcomes high-quality recruits to the world of journalism.

Following the announcement that the former Chancellor is to replace outgoing editor Sarah Sands, Labour called for an inquiry with the official watchdog that vets new jobs taken by senior public figures into whether Mr Osborne broke rules for former ministers by failing to clear the appointment.

Recommended Osborne named editor of Evening Standard prompting calls to quit as MP

Shadow minister Andrew Gwynne wrote to John Manzoni, permanent secretary at the Cabinet Office, asking him to investigate whether Mr Osborne  who was sacked by Theresa May in June  had breached the ministerial code of conduct.

In his letter, he said Mr Osborne was required to refer any new job he intended to take within two years of leaving office to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) before accepting it.

Labour MP Clive Lewis meanwhile said he would be writing to Acoba directly about the appointment.

There are really serious questions about conflicts of interest. The rules are clear. Osborne has shown total contempt for those rules, and I am calling for them to be enforced without fear or favour, said the MP.

Mr Osborne is also facing growing pressure to stand down as the MP for Tatton, which is 190 miles from the capital, amid questions from constituents over the time he will be able to dedicate to the job, given his five other paid and unpaid roles.

 george osborne ES

The MP has registered a series of other jobs since leaving the Treasury, including a contract with the investment company Blackrock, which will see him earn 650,000 a year for one days work a week.

After the Evening Standard appointment was announced on Friday, Mr Osborne said in a statement: I am proud to be a Conservative MP, but as editor and leader of a team of dedicated and independent journalists, our only interest will be to give a voice to all Londoners.

Speaking later to journalists in the newsroom he said he had a lot to learn from his staff, adding: I may have run a country but I havent actually run a newspaper and I know theres a lot for me to learn.
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As many as 30,000 people have turned out for the March Against Racism in London in an expression of unity against a rise in racism, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism.

Organisers said the demonstration would also show support for refugee and migrant rights following the Brexit vote and the election of US President Donald Trump.

Amid an atmosphere of defiance and unity, protesters arrived at Portland Place in Central London at midday holding banners with messages including Hands off EU workers, Refugees and migrants welcome here and Stand up to Trump.

It was part of a string of demonstrations taking place across Europe to mark the United Nations International Anti-Racism Day, with cities such as Berlin, Vienna and Athens, as well as UK cities Cardiff and Glasgow, taking part.

Speaking to The Independent Zakariya Cochrane, assistant convener for Stand Up to Racism, which organised the event, said: Its the fourth year that weve held this demonstration now for UN anti-racism day, but we think this year is more important than ever.

Weve had the election of Donald Trump, with his Muslim ban and the wall with Mexico. Weve had the EU referendum, where weve seen the highest increase in reported hate crime in the country, showing that the scapegoating of migrants gave confidence to racists.

Just this week, the ruling of the Government winning the victory over the Lords on EU nationals means that our Government are prepared to use EU nationals as bargaining chips in the Brexit negotiations. There was also the defeat on Dubs.

So this year is really about anti-racists uniting and going on the defensive on all the issues: child refugees, defending migrants and refugees, the divisive policies of Donald Trump and Theresa May."

Recommended Ingrained racism in society is holding back BAME representation

Tottenham MP David Lammy, told the crowds that this week's meeting between former Ukip leader and key Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage and far-right French politician Marie Le Pen was evidence of current ill-feeling towards minorities.

He said: "This week Nigel Farage met Marie Le Pen and we are sending a message that we don't want that kind of fascism and xenophobia across our planet and in our country.

"My parents arrived in this county in the 1950s to signs that said 'no blacks, no Irish, no dogs' and we thought because of so much strife that by the time we got to the 21st century we had turned our backs on racism.

"And then, we get June the 21st. We get a rise in hate crime across the country almost by 50 per cent."

Mr Lammy also criticised a small group of counter-protesters  suspected to be from the English Defence League  who were seen at the march.

He said: We have smashed the EDL. They are no longer of any consequence. But lets not pat ourselves on the back too early, because some of their views have become mainstream.

Newly launched campaign Love Music Hate Racism brought a carnival float to the event, which hosted artists and DJs throughout the day.

The march comes a day after a report by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) found that one in three black and minority ethnic (BAME) Britons have been racially abused since the EU referendum, with protestors concerned that hate crimes could be set to increase again following the triggering of Article 50.

In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Show all 24 1 /24 In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Participants take part in the St Patrick's Day parade on the streets of Dublin PA In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Police officers pretend to arrest a man dressed in a leprechaun outfit as he poses for a photograph along the parade route during the St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin, Ireland Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The service and pilgrimage to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day takes place at Saul Church in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Racegoer during the Cheltenham Festival Reuters In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Coca-Cola London Eye, on London's South Bank is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Prince William, Duke Of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge take a drink of Guinness as they meet with soldiers of the 1st battalion Irish Guards in their canteen following their St Patricks day parade at Cavalry Barracks in London, England Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Coca-Cola London Eye, on London's South Bank is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Intu Trafford Centre in Manchester is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Intu Trafford Centre in Manchester is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Kelpies in Falkirk, Scotland, is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Gateshead Millennium Bridge in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world 4 Times Square, The Bank of America Tower and the Empire State Building have their spires lit green for St. Patrick's day in Manhattan, New York Reuters In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world A spectator shows his Irish pride as he watches the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Bagpipers march up Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York AP In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Revellers march up Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York AP In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The statues of the ducks from the book, 'Make Way For Ducklings,' (R-L) Mrs. Mallard, Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack are decorated for State Patrick's Day in the Boston Public Gardens in Boston, Massachusetts, USA EPA In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Tiernan Irish Dancers put on a show as the Capitol Rotunda is filled with Irish music and a clapping audience during the annual St. Patrick's Day celebration at the State Capitol in Helena, Montana, USA AP In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Colosseum in Rome, illuminated in green for St. Patrick's Day Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The magic fountains of Montjuic have lit up green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, patron saint of the Irish, in Barcelona, Spain EPA In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Burgtheater (Imperial Court Teathre) is illuminated with green lights to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Vienna, Austria Reuters In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Chain Bridge is illuminated in green in honour of St. Patrick's Day in Budapest, Hungary EPA In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Christ the Redeemer statue is illuminated in green in honor of St. Patrick's Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil AP In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Girls perform an Irish dance for customers in the the Mercantile, Australias Longest Running Irish Pub in The Rocks in Sydney on St. Patricks Day Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Participants pose for a photo during celebrations of St. Patrick's Day at a hotel in The Rocks in Sydney, Australia EPA

Making reference to the recent rejection by Dutch voters of a far-right leadership candidate, Claude Moraes MEP said prior to the march: The people of The Netherlands rejected the racism and Islamophobia of Geert Wilders.

I congratulate them and Civil Society for all their work to push back against the far right and keep communities together  but there is still a huge amount of work to go to fight populism and the far right in the EU.
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A group of neo-Nazi extremists will march through Edinburgh next week to mark Global White Pride Day.

The march is planned for the same day as a Sikh religious festival in Edinburgh, which will see hundreds take to the streets in a Nagar Kirtan procession, a traditional display of martial arts, hymns and music.

Unite Against Fascism (UAF) claim the National Front has organised the demonstration, in collaboration with other far-right groups.

The event appears to be organised by the same far-right groups behind a White Pride Day celebration in Swansea, held on the same day in March last year.

The organisers of the 2016 event described it as an opportunity to stand proud of our race and white heritage while pledging that we must secure the existence of our people and the future for white children.

UAF have organised a counter-demonstration to oppose the White Pride March.

A flyer advertises the far-right White Pride march in Edinburgh (Twitter/British Action)

A member of UAF said: Emboldened by Nazi Le Pens polling in France and by the influence of white nationalists in Donald Trumps team these fascists feel confident they can come to the streets of our multicultural city.

"Edinburgh has a fine tradition of stopping racists and Nazis. Should the National Front decide to step foot in Edinburgh, we call upon all anti-racists and anti-fascists to take part in the broadest united mobilisation.

"We wont stand for their racism, their Islamophobia, their scapegoating of migrants and refugees. We will push them back like we did with the SDL, the EDL and the BNP.

The march has been called just days after neo-Nazi propaganda was discovered at several bus stops in nearby Dunfermline.

The material encouraged local people to "reject multiculturalism", while some posters bore the slogan: "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children."

The posters were soon removed and police are investigating.

A statement from Guru Nanak Gurdwara Edinburgh, the organisers of the procession, said: "The Nagar Kirtan will go on a procession of approximately two miles, all within the locality of the Gurdwara. This will take place from 11am-1pm and be approximately three miles away from the city centre, where the 'white pride' demonstration is set to take place around the time we will be finishing. We never planned to go into the city centre, and we do not believe the white pride march was done to coincide with our Nagar Kirtan.

"We have discussed the issue with the council and the police and recognise they will do their best to ensure the Nagar Kirtan is not disturbed in any way. We would also like to express the great relationship the Edinburgh Sikh community has with our locals. We do not fear any trouble and we will be holding this event as it was always intended. We encourage anyone of any background to come along and join us to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first Gurdwara in Edinburgh."

A spokesperson for campaign group Scotland Against Trump said: "We know that the majority of folk in Scotland oppose the extreme racism practised by so-called White Pride marchers and by far-right politicians in the UK government.

"When these gangs promote mass violence against whole groups of people, we believe they have no right to public space and will use our overwhelming numbers of protesters to prevent them from marching."

A council spokeswoman confirmed no permission as yet had been sought for any White Pride march in Edinburgh, but Police Scotland said they were aware of several demonstrations planned for the city centre on March 25.

A spokeswoman told The Edinburgh News: We are working with our partners, including The City of Edinburgh Council, to put in place a proportionate policing operation to facilitate peaceful protest and minimise disruption to the public.
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Thousands of non-EU migrants will have to provide criminal record certificates before they are allowed to work in the UK under new rules.

Overseas nurses and teachers are among those who will be required to hand over the details as part of efforts to strengthen restrictions on foreign offenders seeking to come to Britain.

The changes will affect those applying to take up jobs which involve working with children and vulnerable adults under the Tier 2 visa route for skilled workers from outside Europe.

Most migrants coming to the UK to work are required by their employers to self-declare that they do not have a criminal record.

Now Tier 2 visa applicants looking to work in sectors including health and social care, education and welfare will have to provide an overseas criminal record certificate as part of an entry clearance application.

Failure to provide the relevant documents without an adequate explanation will result in rejection or refusal of a visa application, even when all other criteria are met.

Migrants affected by the new rules will have to provide criminal record checks from any countries they have lived in for more than a year in the past decade.

However, the requirement could be waived in circumstances where it is deemed not reasonably practicable to obtain the certificate, such as if a particular country or authority does not produce the documents.

The Government can automatically refuse entry for applicants with a custodial sentence of four years or more.

Those given shorter jail terms can be barred for up to 10 years from the end of the sentence.

Immigration Minister Robert Goodwill said: Our priority is keeping families, communities and our country safe.

Foreign criminals have absolutely no right to be working with society's most vulnerable.

Immigrants who helped build Britain Show all 7 1 /7 Immigrants who helped build Britain Immigrants who helped build Britain 236517.bin Getty Images Immigrants who helped build Britain 236516.bin Getty Images Immigrants who helped build Britain 236514.bin Getty Images Immigrants who helped build Britain 236519.bin Getty Images Immigrants who helped build Britain 236515.bin Getty Images Immigrants who helped build Britain 236523.bin Getty Images Immigrants who helped build Britain 236518.bin Getty Images

While we already reserve the right to refuse a visa to anyone who is convicted of a criminal offence, the introduction of overseas criminal record checks for those looking to work with children and vulnerable adults add an extra safeguard.

The new requirement, which will take effect next month, was one of a number of changes to immigration rules set out by the Home Office on Thursday.

Another measure will tighten the regime for migrants who remain in the country after their leave to enter or remain has expired.

Currently over-stayers are given a 90-day grace period before a 12-month ban on re-entering the UK kicks in.

Now this grace period is being shortened to 30 days.

Press Association
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Children should be taught in schools how to recognise fake news, a leading international education expert has said.

In a modern digital age, schools need to teach pupils how to think critically and analyse what they read on social media and news sites, according to Andreas Schleicher, the OECD's director of education and skills.

He also suggested that social media creates an echo-chamber in which users only hear from viewpoints similar to their own, and argued that schools have a role to play in making sure that young people have a chance to debate different views and opinions.

Mr Schleicher's comments come ahead of the annual Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai, where he will put forward the OECD's plans to test young people's attitudes to global issues and different cultures, their analytical and critical skills and abilities to interact with others.

These global competencies are becoming increasingly important, he said.

In the past, when you needed information, you went to an encyclopaedia, you looked it up, and you could trust that information to be true, Mr Schleicher said.

He added that today, anyone using social media or even news sites has to be able to assess, evaluate and reflect on the information they are given.

Distinguishing what is true from what is not true is a critical skill today, he said.

 Jeremy Corbyn accuses BBC of reporting fake news

Exposing fake news, even being aware that there is something like fake news, that there is something that is written that is not necessarily true, that you have to question, think critically. That is very important.

This is something that we believe schools can do something about.

Pupils can learn about the world, how to analyse what they see and hear around them and engage in debate in lessons.

Schools can do a lot to equip students with the kind of cognitive ability to access and analyse meaning, culture, practice, things like this, he said.

He added that it is not a matter of schools teaching a new subject, but building these skills into all lessons, from science to history.

Recommended Inventor of World Wide Web calls for crackdown on fake news

Mr Schleicher also suggested that social media can reinforce one single viewpoint.

Social media is designed to create an echo chamber. We are likely to talk with people who are like us. Who think similarly to us.

And that's precisely, almost the antithesis, to global competency.

One example is young people from Europe going to fight for Islamic State, turning the multi-religious, multi-ethnic powerhouses of the Middle East back to a kind of mono-culture, Mr Schleicher said.

That's really I think an outcome of the thinking that there is only one truth and there's only one way to live.

In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Show all 24 1 /24 In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Participants take part in the St Patrick's Day parade on the streets of Dublin PA In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Police officers pretend to arrest a man dressed in a leprechaun outfit as he poses for a photograph along the parade route during the St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin, Ireland Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The service and pilgrimage to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day takes place at Saul Church in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Racegoer during the Cheltenham Festival Reuters In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Coca-Cola London Eye, on London's South Bank is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Prince William, Duke Of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge take a drink of Guinness as they meet with soldiers of the 1st battalion Irish Guards in their canteen following their St Patricks day parade at Cavalry Barracks in London, England Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Coca-Cola London Eye, on London's South Bank is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Intu Trafford Centre in Manchester is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Intu Trafford Centre in Manchester is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Kelpies in Falkirk, Scotland, is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Gateshead Millennium Bridge in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world 4 Times Square, The Bank of America Tower and the Empire State Building have their spires lit green for St. Patrick's day in Manhattan, New York Reuters In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world A spectator shows his Irish pride as he watches the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Bagpipers march up Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York AP In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Revellers march up Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York AP In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The statues of the ducks from the book, 'Make Way For Ducklings,' (R-L) Mrs. Mallard, Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack are decorated for State Patrick's Day in the Boston Public Gardens in Boston, Massachusetts, USA EPA In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Tiernan Irish Dancers put on a show as the Capitol Rotunda is filled with Irish music and a clapping audience during the annual St. Patrick's Day celebration at the State Capitol in Helena, Montana, USA AP In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Colosseum in Rome, illuminated in green for St. Patrick's Day Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The magic fountains of Montjuic have lit up green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, patron saint of the Irish, in Barcelona, Spain EPA In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Burgtheater (Imperial Court Teathre) is illuminated with green lights to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Vienna, Austria Reuters In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Chain Bridge is illuminated in green in honour of St. Patrick's Day in Budapest, Hungary EPA In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Christ the Redeemer statue is illuminated in green in honor of St. Patrick's Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil AP In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Girls perform an Irish dance for customers in the the Mercantile, Australias Longest Running Irish Pub in The Rocks in Sydney on St. Patricks Day Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Participants pose for a photo during celebrations of St. Patrick's Day at a hotel in The Rocks in Sydney, Australia EPA

I think that social media can reinforce that. The algorithms under-pinning them tend to relate people to people who are similar, rather than creating spaces for people to discuss debate and find common ground.

The new computer-based global competencies tests will be taken by 15-year-olds around the world alongside the OECD's current reading, maths and science assessments which are conducted every three years.

The results of these assessments - and the rankings of around 70 countries and economies based on the results - are seen as important by governments worldwide, including the UK.

The tests are due to be taken next year, with the results published in 2019.

Mr Schleicher said: This assessment is about the capacity of young people to see the world through different perspectives, appreciate different ideas, be open to different cultures, which is an increasingly important dimension in a more interconnected world - both economically and socially.
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More than half of British people are unaware of the forgotten war underway in Yemen, despite the Governments support for a military coalition accused of killing thousands of civilians.

A YouGov poll seen exclusively by The Independent showed 49 per cent of people knew of the countrys ongoing civil war, which has killed more than 10,000 people, displaced three million more and left 14 million facing starvation.

The figure was even lower for the 18 to 24 age group, where only 37 per cent were aware of the Yemen conflict as it enters its third year of bloodshed.

 Yemen's prime minister accuses UK of war crimes

More than 2,100 people were given a list of 16 countries and asked to identify any currently involved in an ongoing armed conflict for the research, with 84 per cent naming the Syrian civil war.

The Human Appeal, a Manchester-based charity that commissioned the poll, warned a lack of international awareness was worsening a worsening humanitarian crisis in the Yemen.

The crisis in Yemen has been forgotten about or ignored completely, said CEO Othman Moqbel.

We believe this is because that the conflict has not generated a huge amount of refugees coming to Europe and there is the misperception amongst the public that its only a regional crisis.

To treat what is currently happening in Yemen, and has been happening for two years, as something insignificant is turning a blind eye to the escalating humanitarian emergency.

At least 75 people are estimated to be killed or injured every day in the conflict, which has pushed the country to the brink of famine as 14 million people lack a stable access to food.

The situation in Yemen Show all 14 1 /14 The situation in Yemen The situation in Yemen Houthi supporters trample on a US flag during a gathering mobilizing more fighters into several Yemeni battlefronts, in Sana'a, Yemen EPA The situation in Yemen People carry the coffins of men, who were killed in the recent Saudi-led airstrikes during their funeral, in the Old City of Sanaa, Yemen AP The situation in Yemen Pro-government fighters give food to Yemeni children on the road leading to the southwestern port city of Mokha. Yemeni rebels are putting up fierce resistance in a key Red Sea port city where they are encircled by pro-government force Getty Images The situation in Yemen A Yemeni stands in front of a graffiti protesting US military operations in war-affected Yemen, in Sana'a, Yemen. According to reports, US Special Forces troops allegedly disembarked from US helicopters in the Yemeni town of Yakla and attacked several houses belonging to members of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda, killing three high-ranking Al-Qaeda members and nine civilians, six women and three children. One American serviceman has been killed and three injured in the attack EPA The situation in Yemen US Special Forces troops allegedly disembarked from US helicopters in the Yemeni town of Yakla and attacked several houses belonging to members of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda, killing three high-ranking Al-Qaeda members and nine civilians, six women and three children. One American serviceman has been killed and three injured in the attack EPA The situation in Yemen A Yemeni female fighter supporting the Shiite Huthi rebels, and carrying weapons used for ceremonial purposes, takes part in an anti-Saudi rally in the capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen Yemeni female fighters supporting the Shiite Huthi rebels, and carrying weapons used for ceremonial purposes, take part in an anti-Saudi rally in the capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen A boy shouts slogans next to pro-Houthi fighters, who have been injured during recent fighting, during a rally held to honour those injured or maimed while fighting in Houthi ranks in Sanaa, Yemen Reuters The situation in Yemen Balls of fire and smoke rise from a Houthi-held military camp following alleged Saudi-led airstrikes, in Sana'a, Yemen EPA The situation in Yemen Yemenis search under the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen A Yemeni boy looks on as Yemenis search under the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa Getty The situation in Yemen A Yemeni boy sits amidst the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa AFP/Getty The situation in Yemen Marine One with US President Donald Trump flies with a decoy and support helicopters to Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, for the dignified transfer of Navy Seal Chief Petty Officer William 'Ryan' Owens who was killed in Yemen Getty Images The situation in Yemen US President Donald Trump aboard the Marine One to greet the remains of a US military commando killed during a raid on the al Qaeda militant group in southern Yemen on Sunday, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, US Reuters

Fewer than half of Yemens health facilities are operational as aid agencies struggle to access war-torn regions with lifesaving medicine, and around 1,000 children die every week from preventable diseases like diarrhoea and respiratory infections.

Almost 3,800 civilians have been killed by the conflict, where President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadis government is fighting Houthi rebels and fighters loyal to the former President, President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The conflict started in March 2015 after an opposition offensive drove the government out of the capital Sanaa, sparking an intervention by Saudi Arabia and its allies to support the internationally recognised government.

The UN human rights office said the Saudi-led air campaign, seeing rebel-controlled areas heavily bombarded, was responsible for 60 per cent of civilian deaths  almost 2,300 lives.

British-manufactured weapons, including cluster bombs, have been used in the strikes, despite calls by MPs to suspend sales to Saudi Arabia over war crimes allegations.

Peter Salisbury, a senior research fellow in the Middle East and North Africa programme at Chatham House, said Britain was the principal sponsor of a UN Security Council resolution used by Saudi Arabia to justify its intervention.

The UK is also a huge arms supplier and provides a great deal of logistical support to Saudi forces, he told The Independent.

Arguably the UK has also given political coverage to the Saudis by preventing various resolutions and investigations from happening.

Theresa May meeting King Salman of Saudi Arabia in December at a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Bahrain (Getty)

Mr Salisbury said that while opposing the attempted coup in Yemen, the British Government was quiet about the military overthrowing Egypts elected government in 2013.

The decision was made that Yemen was a bad coup, he added. And that in many ways comes down to where allies sit.

Iran supports Houthi forces in Yemen, with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies supporting the Hadi government.

As battles continue, the Human Appeal is among international charities attempting to provide aid to Yemens impoverished population.

It has provided food parcels to thousands of families, clean drinking water for 37,500 people, blankets, clothing and healthcare projects including supporting the Al Jumhori public hospital.

Hundreds of Somali refugees who originally fled conflict in their home country are among those caught up in the violence in Yemen, with more than 40 massacred by a helicopter gunship as they attempted to flee on a boat on Thursday night.

While the humanitarian situation deteriorates, the conflict has largely reached a stalemate, with rebels controlling much of densely populated western Yemen, the Hadi government in the centre and east and pockets of territory held by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsuala (AQAP), Islamist militias and Isis.

Yemenis inspect damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa (Getty)

But the UN Refugee Agency has warned of intensified hostilities in recent weeks, forcing more than 62,000 people from their homes in western and central Yemen, who are now sleeping in public buildings, tents, on the streets or in ruined buildings.

Calling Yemen a forgotten war, Mr Salisbury said neither a peaceful resolution nor an outright victory for any party was likely in the near future.

The Trump presidency could see US play a more decisive role, he added, although American forces have mainly been targeting AQAP terrorists, including in a botched raid that killed dozens of civilians earlier this year.

Yemen is not an island, it is connected to other countries and the rest of the world and were seeing this massive growth in sectarian violence.

All of these things have long-tern consequences for countries outside of Yemen.

The British Government stresses that although it the Saudi-led intervention to deter aggression by the Houthis and allow for the return of the legitimate Yemeni Government, it is not part of the coalition.

British personnel are not involved in carrying out strikes, directing or conducting operations in Yemen, nor involved in the Saudi targeting decision-making process, a spokesperson for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office told The Independent

Peace talks are the top priority. The UK has played a leading role in diplomatic efforts, including bringing together key international actors to try and find a peaceful solution.

The UK is the fourth largest donor to Yemen, committing 103 million in humanitarian aid last year.
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Almost half of British people do not believe the Government will conclude the process of leaving the European Union by March 2019, according to a new poll for The Independent.

It comes as Theresa May prepares to invoke Article 50, the untested mechanism for a member state leaving the EU, within the next two weeks ahead of her self-imposed deadline at the end of March.

The activation of Article 50 starts the two-year countdown on Britains exit from the EU. For an extension to be granted for the negotiation period  if Downing Street fails to reach an agreement by March 2019  there will need to be a unanimous decision by the 27 other member states.

But according to the poll by ComRes for The Independent, 47 per cent of respondents agreed with the statement: I do not expect Britain to conclude the process of leaving the EU within the two years, as currently planned. Just 32 per cent disagreed while 21 per replied, dont know.

While there is no clear majority, it is clear the British public has little confidence in the ability of the UK negotiators to strike an agreement by March 2019.

Earlier this week Pascal Lamy, director general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) between 2005 and 2013, said a comprehensive free trade deal between the UK and EU could take five to six years to negotiate.

Many of us, including me, believe that there is no way of removing the egg from the omelette in two years, the former EU official said at an event in London hosted by the think-tank Institute for Government.

The poll also reveals that the British public are split over the Brexit process, with roughly equal proportions agreeing that Parliament should be able to veto the Governments Brexit deal.

Just over 40 per cent of respondents disagreed with the statement Parliament should be able to veto the Governments proposed Brexit deal once it has been negotiated while 38 per cent agreed and 21 per cent said dont know.

ComRes interviewed 2,026 GB adults online between the 15 and 17 March 2017. Data were weighted to be representative of all adults. Data were also weighted by past vote recall. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Full tables on the ComRes website.
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Labour will defy the odds and win a general election whenever Theresa May decides it is time to go to the country, Diane Abbott has insisted.

Despite the party languishing in the polls at near historic lows, the Shadow Home Secretary, a longtime ally and close confidant of Jeremy Corbyn, remained defiant, insisting the party is financially prepared to contest a general election. Im not contemplating defeat in 2020, she added.

Her comments came as a poll on Saturday by ComRes showed the party was 17 points behind the Conservatives  the gap widening by two points since last month. Rarely have the Conservatives been less than 10 points ahead of Labour since Ms May entered Downing Street.

But in a wide-ranging interview with The Independent Ms Abbott said: We are prepared for a general election. We are employing more staff we are involved in planning. Now we are putting energy into a general election. Just because you dont hear it thats not to say its not going on. We want to be battle ready.

What Im trying to do, as part of the Shadow Cabinet team, is go around the country and talk to party members, she continued. Partly because Im a member of the Shadow Cabinet and partly because Hackney is a relatively safe seat, I see much of my role as going around the country and enthusing party activists and members.

We are preparing. Actually the party is quite well set, financially, because of the huge expansion of membership. And also when we had the last leadership election people were having to pay 25 to vote  so weve cleared up all our debt and were are in the best financial situation we have been in for some time. Financially, were in a good place."

Asked whether Labour would win a snap election this summer if Ms May wished to call one, she replied: Oh, I think we are planning to be ready for the election whenever it comes. We are not overconfident because you should never be overconfident but we are ready for the election whenever it comes and we believe that the British people depend on us winning.

Pressed again whether the party would emerge victorious, Ms Abbott said: Were going to be ready for the election whenever it comes and I believe we can win yes... I dont want to engage in prophecy Im just saying we are going to be ready for the election whenever it comes and I believe that we can win.

Weve spent the first 12 months of Jeremys leadership going from basically one leadership election to another. We are now in a position where we can actually try and get our message across and thats what we are planning to do between now and the summer.

I believe and Ive said  and I think I said it last year  that we can turn these polls around.

Under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act elections are held every five years, meaning there can be no election before 2020. The legislation can be unpicked with the support of two thirds of MPs. Despite ruling out going to the country before the end of the decade, however, pressure is mounting on the Prime Minister for a snap election to strengthen the partys hand during the negotiations on Britains exit from the EU while also having the numbers to pass domestic policy  such as grammar schools  in the Commons.

In the interview Ms Abbott, the MP for Hackney, also cast aside reports in The Times that Labour had lost 26,000 members since the summer, which was used by senior party figures as evidence that the tide was turning against Mr Corbyns leadership. Its still a huge membership, Ms Abbott said. Thats kind of like churn.

Weve got a membership of over half a million. Weve never had a membership even approaching that in the time Ive been in Parliament, which is 30 years. Youre obviously going to get churn  youre always going to get people that join and dont renew.

Her comments come as the Prime Minister prepares to invoke Article 50, the untested mechanism for a member state leaving the EU, within the next two weeks. For Ms Abbott, this is now the time Labour pulls itself together after the party endured resignations and bitter recriminations over its position on the Governments Brexit bill. I very much hope that the party now comes together, she added. I think its what the party members want whether or not they supported Jeremy for leader, I think thats what the party members are desperate for.

So I hope the party comes together in Parliament and holds this Government to account.

Ms Abbott was accused by her parliamentary colleagues in the Labour party of cowardice  one went as far to call for her resignation live on television  after missing a historic vote in the Commons on the Governments Brexit bill at the second reading last month. Asked about her colleagues reaction, the shadow Home Secretary added: I didnt abstain. I wasnt well, I was allowed to go home. I didnt watch MPs on television so I didnt have a reaction to it.

I think this personal stuff is not what the public is interested in, she said. The fact is the Labour party did vote in the end to trigger Article 50. It was a difficult decision for the party because the party has the top half dozen pro-Remain constituencies and the top half-dozen Leave constituencies. But in the end the end as a leadership team we felt the important thing was to respect the result of the referendum.

Speaking just hours after Philip Hammond was forced into an embarrassing U-turn on National Insurance Contributions (NICs)  a major announcement at his Budget speech just last week  Ms Abbott said it had damaged the Chancellors authority. I think thats one of the fastest U-turns Ive ever seen and you wonder whether Hammond U-turns entirely of his own free will.

Its just extraordinary because the idea that they drew up a Budget and nobody looked at the Tory Party manifesto its just humiliation for Philip Hammond. Its very damaging to him as Chancellor. His unique selling point is that he is a safe pair of hands. In fact hes had to reverse his Budget in less than a week.

The announcement to drop the policy was made just 20 minutes before the weekly session of Prime Ministers Questions  despite a decision being made around 8am the same day. Attention rapidly turned to the leader of the opposition  it was his time to think on his feet but his performance was ridiculed and derided by many.

Ms Abbott rejected this, however. I watched his performance on television  I had engagements in the constituency  and I thought his performance was very sound

The shadow Home Secretary also reflected on her own career in the Commons  in June she will be celebrating her 30th year in Westminster. Will she be around for another 10? Oh, I dont know about that. Ive always taken it, well Ill see what I think at the end of this parliamentary term. Ive always taken it a parliamentary term at a time.

Im certain Ill stand in 2020. But its difficult: theres always the possibility of an election before 2020. Ill definitely stand again but Im not sure Ill be here in 10 years time.

Her highlight, she says, after a short pause, was Labours landslide victory at the general election almost two decades ago. After leaving her count in Hackney North and Stoke Newington, she travelled to the South Bank for the partys celebration. Tony Blair came down and landed on the South Bank in a helicopter and he came to us and said: a new dawn has broken, has it not? It was an incredible moment, Ms Abbott added. I was first elected in 87 and people said we would never be elected again because you went though the SDP era.

Wed been out of power for 18 years.
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Gordon Brown has unveiled a blueprint for post-Brexit Scotland that he hopes will sway voters towards remaining in the UK if and when a second referendum takes place.

In a keynote speech, the man who served for three years as Labour Prime Minister, and whose intervention in the 2014 referendum is credited with influencing the outcome, outlined a third option for Scotland.

It calls for Holyrood to be handed a raft of new powers after Britains exit from the European Union, including the ability to set VAT rates, sign international treaties, and regulate the environment, employment and energy.

He also demanded the repatriation to Scotland of 800m now spent by the European Union and propose the Bank of England becomes the Bank of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to reinforce the fact that pound is for everyone.

Recommended Theresa May blocks second Scottish independence referendum

Mr Brown was speaking in Fife at the Festival of Ideas against the backdrop of a constitutional standoff between Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon over a second independence referendum.

In a surprise announcement on Monday the Scottish First Minister said she would seek a section 30 order in the Scottish Parliament to enable her to demand a referendum on Scotlands future.

But Downing Street rejected the proposal, saying now is not the time for another vote.

In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Show all 24 1 /24 In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Participants take part in the St Patrick's Day parade on the streets of Dublin PA In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Police officers pretend to arrest a man dressed in a leprechaun outfit as he poses for a photograph along the parade route during the St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin, Ireland Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The service and pilgrimage to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day takes place at Saul Church in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Racegoer during the Cheltenham Festival Reuters In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Coca-Cola London Eye, on London's South Bank is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Prince William, Duke Of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge take a drink of Guinness as they meet with soldiers of the 1st battalion Irish Guards in their canteen following their St Patricks day parade at Cavalry Barracks in London, England Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Coca-Cola London Eye, on London's South Bank is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Intu Trafford Centre in Manchester is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Intu Trafford Centre in Manchester is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Kelpies in Falkirk, Scotland, is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Gateshead Millennium Bridge in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day PA wire In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world 4 Times Square, The Bank of America Tower and the Empire State Building have their spires lit green for St. Patrick's day in Manhattan, New York Reuters In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world A spectator shows his Irish pride as he watches the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Bagpipers march up Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York AP In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Revellers march up Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York AP In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The statues of the ducks from the book, 'Make Way For Ducklings,' (R-L) Mrs. Mallard, Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack are decorated for State Patrick's Day in the Boston Public Gardens in Boston, Massachusetts, USA EPA In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Tiernan Irish Dancers put on a show as the Capitol Rotunda is filled with Irish music and a clapping audience during the annual St. Patrick's Day celebration at the State Capitol in Helena, Montana, USA AP In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Colosseum in Rome, illuminated in green for St. Patrick's Day Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The magic fountains of Montjuic have lit up green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, patron saint of the Irish, in Barcelona, Spain EPA In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Burgtheater (Imperial Court Teathre) is illuminated with green lights to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Vienna, Austria Reuters In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world The Chain Bridge is illuminated in green in honour of St. Patrick's Day in Budapest, Hungary EPA In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Christ the Redeemer statue is illuminated in green in honor of St. Patrick's Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil AP In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Girls perform an Irish dance for customers in the the Mercantile, Australias Longest Running Irish Pub in The Rocks in Sydney on St. Patricks Day Getty Images In pictures: St. Patrick's Day around the world Participants pose for a photo during celebrations of St. Patrick's Day at a hotel in The Rocks in Sydney, Australia EPA

It also comes after Clive Lewis, a former member of Labours Shadow Cabinet and close ally of Jeremy Corbyn, told The Independent that in order to save the union the partys two separate wings in England and Scotland should split.

Mr Brown said a new form of federal home rule is needed to unite the country and avoid years of "bitter division".

Mr Brown, an architect of the 2014 "vow" promising Holyrood more powers in the event of a No vote to independence, alsol proposed a range of controls should be passed to the Scottish Parliament after Brexit.

 Theresa May: Now is not the time for Scottish independence referendum

He added: "The third option, a patriotic Scottish way and free from the absolutism of the SNP and the do-nothing-ism of the Tories, is now essential because post-Brexit realities make the status quo redundant and require us to break with the past.

"The status quo has been overtaken by events because unless powers now with the European Union are repatriated from Brussels to the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and the regions, Whitewall will have perpetrated one of the biggest power grabs by further centralising power.

"Tory and nationalist extremism should not rob us of a third option that can give the Scottish people more powers, offer honest answers about how we can pay for our public services and, faced with the post-Brexit threat to our employment and industry, address the urgent issue of how we create new jobs by exporting and trading successfully with Europe and the rest of the world.

"Most of all, a new third option can unify our country and end the bitter and divisive Yes v No conflict that will continue to rip us apart.

 Scottish independence: Nicola Sturgeon announces second referendum plans

"It is time to transcend the bitter division and extremism of an inflexible, die-hard conservatism at war with an intransigent and even more hardline nationalism."

Mr Brown has already pledged to join forces with the Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale to probe an alternative to the constitutional extremes offered by the SNP and the Tories.

"Last month, I was delighted to secure the support of party conference for our vision of a federal UK, Ms Dugdale added.

"Our call for a reformed UK is about meeting the demand for change. One message from the independence and EU referendums was that people wanted more control over their lives. That's why Labour's plan for a People's Constitutional Convention and a federal UK will transform where political and economic power will lie in our country.

 Jeremy Corbyn: Absolutely fine for a vote to go ahead on Scottish independence

"We know that together we are stronger when the nations of our United Kingdom work together rather than split apart. Scottish Labour will vote against a second referendum next week and the Labour Party I lead will never support leaving the UK.
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Immigrants should not to be held to blame for Britain's economic difficulties, Jeremy Corbyn is warning.

In an address to the Runnymede Trust on Saturday, the Labour leader will say it is vitally important to protect Britain's diverse society following the referendum vote to leave the EU.

Speaking in Birmingham, he will say that in volatile times, when people feel insecure in their jobs and about the future of the country, there is a tendency to look for people to blame.

In the wake of the Brexit decision, it is vitally important that we value, celebrate and protect our diverse society, Mr Corbyn will say.

Syrian refugees did not trade in credit default swaps and crash the economy.

East European builders and technicians did not slash funding for children's centres and libraries.

What we need is leadership that does not stoop to preying on those anxieties and blaming people who look differently, talk a different language or dress differently, for the mess that we're in.

Mr Corbyn will accuse the Conservatives of pursuing an agenda favouring the elite at the expense of the majority - particularly those in black and Asian communities.

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

Under my leadership, a Labour government will commit to eliminate racial inequality in our economy and society, he will say.

It's indefensible that in Britain today, if you're black or Asian you are more likely to be living in poverty than if you're white, he will say.

Or that young black men have experienced the worst long-term employment and economic outcomes in generations.

PA
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Possession of all drugs for personal use should be decriminalised in order to tackle overcrowding in British prisons, the Liberal Democrats have urged.

Calling for a radical overhaul of sentencing in the UK, the party calls on the Government to end the custodial punishment of drug users that pose no threat to society.

Under current laws possession of Class A drugs, such as crack cocaine, cocaine, ecstasy and heroin, can result in up to seven years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. The length of the penalty depends on the drug amount an individual has in their possession.

Drugs falling into the Class B category, including cannabis and amphetamines, can result in five years in prison and an unlimited fine. Class C drugs can result in a custodial sentence of up two years.

But the Lib Dems, who have advocated decriminalising drugs in the past, believe removing prison sentences for personal possession will alleviate the strains on the UKs prison system. Citing evidence from the House of Commons library the party claims there are more than 11,000 people imprisoned for drug related offences.

The party also called on Liz Truss, the Justice Secretary, to increase the number of prison officers beyond the 2,500 already promised. It comes as the party holds its spring conference in York, with leader Tim Farron expected to address the party faithful at a speech on Sunday.

In order to stem the growing prison population in Britain at the end of last year, senior cross-party politicians wrote to Ms Truss calling for the number of inmates to be reduced by 40,000  almost a half  to levels seen under Margaret Thatchers premiership.

But the proposal from the Lib Dems comes after the latest figures from the Council of Europe claimed Britain had the largest prison population in Western Europe at 95,248.

Jonathan Marks, the partys justice spokesperson, said the rise in prisoner numbers combined with a fall in the number of prison staff had created unsafe environments where violence is widespread and the use of illegal drugs abounds. Prisoners with mental health issues, he added, slip though the cracks.

Mr Marks continued: The simple fact is we will never turn prisons into places of rehabilitation and reform unless we send far fewer people in jail. The Government has finally admitted that prisons must act as places of education and reform and the proposals in the Prisons and Courts Bill are largely welcome.

But, he added: These reforms to our prisons system are doomed to failure unless this Government address the endemic issue of overcrowding. This requires a radical overhaul of sentencing, include ending the criminalisation of drug users, which sees many people, sent to prison that pose no threat to society.
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NHS nurses from EU countries are quitting their jobs in record numbers, causing critics to warn that Theresa May is making the NHS staffing crisis worse by refusing to guarantee the rights of European citizens.

The figures have prompted calls for a so-called NHS passport to be offered to the 59,000 public sector healthcare workers from the EU, along with demands for the Government to immediately reinstate the nursing bursary scrapped this year.

Almost 2,700 EU nurses handed in their resignation letters in 2016, compared to 1,600 in 2014  a jump of 68 per cent, according to freedom of information requests filed by the Liberal Democrats.

In total, some 6,433 EU nationals quit the NHS in 2016, up from 5,135 in 2014, responses from 80 of the 136 NHS acute trusts showed.

Recommended Workers from outside EU face new criminal record checks by Home Office

Meanwhile, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said there had been a 92 per cent drop in the number of EU citizens working as nurses  from 1,261 nurses in the month after the referendum to just 96 in December. According to the organisation, 24,000 nursing positions in the NHS were unfilled.

The Government has said it would like to offer the three million EU citizens residing in the UK the right to remain, but has refused to assure them of their status, claiming doing so would lose the UK negotiating capital.

Janet Davies, Chief Executive and General Secretary of the RCN, said: The Government risks turning off the supply of qualified nurses from around the world at the very moment the health service is in a staffing crisis like never before.

As she pulls the trigger to begin negotiations, Theresa May must tell EU nurses and other occupations that they are needed and welcome in the NHS. It would not survive without their contribution.

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. 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Sadly, it is no surprise that EU staff are leaving  they have been offered no security or reassurance that they will be able to keep their jobs. Few are able to live with such uncertainty.

The Government has failed to train enough British nurses and cannot afford to lose the international workforce on which the NHS so heavily relies.

Calling for the right to remain to be extended to health service workers immediately, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary Norman Lamb said: These shocking figures show you cant have a hard Brexit and a strong NHS.

It is vital that we reassure NHS staff and social care workers from the EU that they remain welcome and valued in the UK following Brexit.

These people save lives, yet this Conservative government is treating them with careless disregard.

NHS and care services would struggle to cope if significant numbers of doctors, nurses and NHS staff from the EU left.

Theresa May must do the decent thing and ensure the right to remain for all EU citizens, with an immediate guarantee for those working in health and social care.

According to a January report by the Health Service Journal, 96 per cent of acute hospitals were failing to meet their own planned levels for registered nurses.

Between the 2014-15 and 2016-17 period, more than 150 hospitals failed to achieve their planned daytime staffing levels for nurses, while the data suggests gaps in rotas are being plugged with healthcare assistants.

Research published in November found that patients are a fifth more likely to die in hospitals where nurses are replaced with less-qualified staff.

The Department of Health said: While the stock of nurses is broadly stable, some of the changes described are owing to the introduction of more rigorous language testing. The secretary of state has repeatedly said that overseas workers form a crucial part of our NHS and that we value their contribution immensely.
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Scotland is split over whether Theresa May is right to block a second independence referendum while Britain negotiates its exit deal with the European Union, according to a new poll for The Independent.

The survey comes against the backdrop of a constitutional stand-off between the Prime Minister and Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish First Minister, who renewed her assault on Downing Streets intransigence and indifference to Scotland.

Pollster ComRes found that 44 per cent of Scottish respondents agreed with the statement: Theresa May should insist that any second Scottish referendum on independence takes place only once Britain has concluded the process of leaving the EU. But 48 per cent disagreed and 8 per cent said they didnt know.

Respondents in England and Wales supported the Prime Minister  60 per cent said she was right to refuse a second referendum while negotiations with the 27 other EU states are under way; 21 per cent said she was wrong.

Ms Sturgeon insisted she had been forced into calling the referendum by Ms Mays intransigence. She also warned Downing Streets approach and its indifference to Scotland spelt problems for the UK in its imminent negotiations with the EU.

Addressing the party faithful at the SNPs spring conference in Aberdeen, she added: The Prime Ministers attitude should worry all of us hoping that negotiations with Europe will not be a disaster because  and let me put it bluntly  if she shows the same condescension and inflexibility, the same tin ear, to other EU countries as she has to Scotland then the Brexit process will hit the rocks.

While Ms Sturgeon is still yet to secure a vote in the Holyrood Parliament for a Section 30 notification, which is required for a referendum to take place  the First Minister was met with a rapturous applause as she insisted: There will be an independence referendum.

She also welcomed discontented citizens from the England and Wales to move to Scotland.

Scotland isnt full up, she said. If you are as appalled as we are at the path this Westminster Government is taking, come and join us. Come here to live, work, invest or study. Come to Scotland and be part of building a modern, progressive, outward-looking, compassionate country.

Her comments came just hours after Gordon Brown, the former Labour Prime Minister, unveiled a blueprint for post-Brexit Scotland that he hopes will sway voters towards remaining in the UK if a second referendum vote takes place.

In a keynote speech, Mr Brown, whose intervention in the 2014 referendum is credited with influencing the outcome, outlined a third option for Scotland. He called for Holyrood to be handed a raft of powers after Brexit, including the ability to set VAT rates, sign international treaties, and regulate the environment, employment and energy.

He also demanded the repatriation to Scotland of 800m now spent by the EU and proposed the Bank of England becomes the Bank of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to reinforce the fact that the pound is for everyone.

He added: The third option, a patriotic Scottish way and free from the absolutism of the SNP and the do-nothing-ism of the Tories, is now essential because post-Brexit realities make the status quo redundant and require us to break with the past.

The status quo has been overtaken by events because unless powers now with the European Union are repatriated from Brussels to the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and the regions, Whitehall will have perpetrated one of the biggest power grabs by further centralising power.

Responding to Ms Sturgeons surprise announcement last week that she will seek a second vote on Scottish independence, Ms May, however, effectively moved to block it, saying now is not the time for another vote.

She said it was not appropriate because the country was about to go through huge constitutional and political change in terms of Brexit, and that the Scottish people needed a fuller picture before making any decision on independence.

ComRes interviewed 2,026 GB adults, including 185 in Scotland, online between 15 and 17 March 2017. Data were weighted to be representative of all adults. Data were also weighted by past vote recall. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules
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The claim that GCHQ wiretapped Donald Trump during the election campaign is "arrant nonsense", Rick Ledgett, the number two at the US National Security Agency (NSA) has said.

Mr Ledgett said the claim that GCHQ carried out surveillance activity on behalf of Barack Obamas administration showed a complete lack of understanding in how the relationship works.

Mr Ledgett told the BBC security agencies on each side were not allowed from asking partners to carry out acts they were prohibited from doing.

He also said the risks implied for the UK to carry out such activity would be epically stupid and that it would outweigh any benefits.

The allegations prompted a rare and forthright response from GCHQ, which called the allegations utterly ridiculous.

The White House had to assure the UK Government it will not repeat the allegations in a bid to avoid a major diplomatic row after the claims were mentioned again by White House press secretary Sean Spicer.

Downing Street said it had told members of Mr Trumps team that the allegations were ridiculous and should be ignored.

The interview took place at the NSA headquarters in Fort Meade, Maryland.

Mr Ledgett told the BBC these were unusual times and the fact intelligence agencies had been drawn into a political debate was unprecedented.

He added the intelligence community had to be non-politicised to work at its best.

Tensions arose after the US intelligence community claimed that Russia interfered in the presidential election, which included hacking into Democrat candidate Hillary Clintons emails.

But Donald Trump backed Vladimitr Putin, who denied any interference in the election.

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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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. 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Mr Ledgett said the evidence of Russian involvement was "extraordinarily strong" and "irrefutable" and that the NSA had played a key role in establishing the case.

He added it was not for the intelligence community to evaluate the actual impact of the interference on the vote itself.

But upon meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Mr Trump told her at least we have something in common referring again to claims his phone was wiretapped by Mr Obama during last year's presidential campaign and to reports her phone was bugged in 2013, during the Obama administration.

There has been concerns over the possible hacking attempts from Russia in the string of European elections this year, including in the Dutch election, where ballots were hand-counted, but also in the upcoming French and German elections.
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Donald Trump claimed not to be an isolationist during an at-times awkward press conference for Angela Merkels first visit to the US since he took office.

The comment came in response to a German reporters question about Mr Trumps anti-immigration policies and stance on trade agreements during a round of statements and questioning that ranged from NATO to Mr Trumps wiretapping claims.

The leaders, who could not be more different in demeanour, first met with business leaders from the US and Germany to discuss modelling a US vocational training programme on Germanys apprenticeship scheme as an alternative to university education.

The meeting comes a day after Mr Trumps proposed budget cuts to federal student grants, loans, and public education funding.

During her statement Ms Merkel quipped its much better to talk to one another, not talk about one another, referring perhaps to Mr Trumps statements about Ms Merkel last year when he said she blew it ... She ought to be ashamed of herself on her handling of Germanys migrant crisis.

Of the topics discussed, trade was at the forefront. Mr Trump claimed millions of Americans are left behind by unfair trade agreements and said his stance on trade is probably why Im here today [as president].

Negotiators for Germany have done far better than negotiators for the US", Mr Trump said, adding that North American Free Trade Agreement is horrible.

Mr Trump claimed we dont want victory, we want fairness.

He also added that he is a free trader, but also a fair trader. The concept of fair trade is more widely thought of as the movement to give exporters in developing countries better prices for their goods and promote improvement of social and environmental conditions for those exporters.

 Donald Trump apparently snubs handshake with Angela Merkel

Ms Merkel echoed that statement and said she hopes the EU and US can resume the bilateral trade agreement they had, noting that many more people in Germany had opposed to free trade than in the US.

On Nato, a military alliance of several countries, Mr Trump said he was encouraged to see Germany commit to spending two per cent of their GDP to contribute to the organisation.

Many countries owe vast sums and it is unfair to the US, Mr Trump said.

Bastian Hermisson, executive director of Washington DC-based Heinrich-Boell Foundation, which works on the US-German relationship, told The Independent Ms Merkel put Germany on the path to reach two per cent by 2024 in part because it had become more pressing since the US election to do so.

It was not just because of increased pressure from the US, but also because of an increased awareness throughout the EU that they might not be able to rely on US security guarantees in the future anymore, Mr Hermisson said.

He and other experts have told The Independent that the Trump administration seems not to understand, or at least undervalues, the money Germany and the EU are spending on diplomacy, aid, and development efforts around the world in order to reduce conflict.

German chancellor Angela Merkel named most powerful woman in the world by Forbes - again Show all 10 1 /10 German chancellor Angela Merkel named most powerful woman in the world by Forbes - again German chancellor Angela Merkel named most powerful woman in the world by Forbes - again web-forbes-1-getty.jpg Getty Images German chancellor Angela Merkel named most powerful woman in the world by Forbes - again web-forbes-2-getty.jpg Getty Images German chancellor Angela Merkel named most powerful woman in the world by Forbes - again web-forbes-3-getty.jpg Getty Images German chancellor Angela Merkel named most powerful woman in the world by Forbes - again web-forbes-4-getty.jpg Getty Images German chancellor Angela Merkel named most powerful woman in the world by Forbes - again web-forbes-5-getty.jpg Getty Images German chancellor Angela Merkel named most powerful woman in the world by Forbes - again web-forbes-6-getty.jpg Getty Images German chancellor Angela Merkel named most powerful woman in the world by Forbes - again web-forbes-7-getty.jpg Getty Images German chancellor Angela Merkel named most powerful woman in the world by Forbes - again web-forbes-8-getty.jpg Getty Images German chancellor Angela Merkel named most powerful woman in the world by Forbes - again web-forbes-9-getty.jpg Getty Images German chancellor Angela Merkel named most powerful woman in the world by Forbes - again web-forbes-10-getty.jpg Getty Images

Mr Trump emphasised in his comments that the US military was depleted by the Obama administration  something he seeks to fix with a $54bn increase in funding  but it is a very strong country.

Climate change may be an area where the two leaders differ the most.

Mr Trump just announced he proposes to cut $100m across several agencies to climate change programme funding.

Germany, on the other hand, has some of the lowest carbon emissions rates in the EU and has been a champion of supporting renewable energy work around the world.

Under the Obama administration, the US was contributing to multi-national funds set up to help poorer countries adapt their infrastructure to worsening climate change.

Mr Hermisson said he does not foresee a transatlantic compromise on that topic which seems to be an ideological one for the new US administration, and not one based on science.

He noted that Germany and the EU will continue their contributions to the funds.

In the US, it will most likely depend on market forces, where i.e. renewables are competitive, and new coal plants are not, as well as on the continued climate related initiatives of cities and states, Mr Hermisson explained.

The final topic that was discussed was Mr Trumps wild accusations that former President Obama had wiretapped Trump Tower during the 2016 election.

He referenced Ms Merkel also being surveilled during the Obama administration and seemed to confirm he thought he was indeed wiretapped, saying at least we have something in common.

He claimed we said nothing, all we did was quote a very talented legal mind on Fox  you should be talking to Fox.

Former judge Andrew Napolitano said in an interview on the television channel that he believed that GCHQ wiretapped Mr Trump on behalf of the Obama administration.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has apologised to the UK for the accusation, for which there does not appear to be any evidence, but no apology was made by Mr Trump.
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Donald Trumps administration is preparing a deal to sell a big arms package to Taiwan so the island can defend itself in case of an attack from China, US officials have said.

The deal, which is bound to be designed to anger Beijing, could include advanced rocket systems and anti-ship missiles.

This comes as US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrived in China on Saturday for what was anticipated to be a potentially uncomfortable visit.

China has been angered by the Trump administration's repeated calls to rein in nuclear-armed North Korea and exercise more control over its neighbour.

The deal is much bigger than one that was considered by the Obama administration but never went ahead and sources told Reuters it is likely to top the $1bn mark.

British defence and security company BAE Systems is reported to be involved in the deal along with German Diehl, while Lockheed Martin Corp would be the top US manufacturer of multiple launch rocket systems.

"The political desire is there to do a substantial sale," one official from the Trump administration said.

President Trump is alleged to be eager to proceed with the sales but it is expected to take months for the White House to overcome obstacles.

Beijing is sensitive over the question of Taiwans status, especially after Mr Trump threatened to abandon the One China policy, in which the US recognises the self-governing island of Taiwan as part of China.

Earlier this year, Mr Trump sparked fury from China after accepting a phone call from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.

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 arms sale could make it harder for the US to convince China to deal with North Korea as a priority, official sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity because work towards the sale has not yet been made public.

But according to a source in Taiwans capital Taipei, discussion between the two governments have already started.

The White House is reportedly mindful that tensions between the US and China could flare up again but as Taiwans sole arms supplier, it is committed to upgrade the island's defences.

Both BAE Systems and Diehl have been contacted for comment.

The White House declined to comment.
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A man has been charged with cyberstalking after allegedly tweeting a flashing strobe image to a journalist with epilepsy, causing him to have a seizure.

The animated image was sent to Kurt Eichenwald, a Newsweek writer and Vanity Fair contributing editor, with the message: You deserve a seizure for your post.

The post referred to is believed to be one in which he wrote about President Donald Trumps myriad conflicts of interest because of his vast business empire.

The video was one of Pepe the frog, which has been deemed a racist signifier, which Mr Eichenwald said contained some sort of strobe light, with flashing circles and images of Pepe flying toward the screen.

Recommended Pepe the Frog creator launches campaign to free meme from Trump fans

The FBI and police investigated before arresting the suspect John Rayne Rivello, aged 29, in Maryland.

Rivellos Twitter account allegedly contains direct messages about Eichenwald to other users, with statements including, Lets see if he dies, according to an affidavit passed to the court.

Rivellos icloud account contained a screenshot of Mr Eichenwalds Wikipedia page which had been doctored to show a fake obituary with the date of death listed as 16 December 2016  the day after the strobe image was sent.

Mr Eichenwald is now urging people to stop sending the dangerous strobe messages after claiming there have been more than 40 copycat incidents since he went public about the attack on him.

The journalist, who has written about his epilepsy, said on Twitter: More than 40 ppl sent strobes once they found out they could trigger seizures. Stop sending them.

He added that identifying information about every person who sent him strobes after finding out about the assault is currently in the hands of the FBI.

Mr Eichanwald wrote in an article in Newsweek in October than one of Mr Trumps supporters, who used the twitter handle, Mikes deplorable AF had carried out the cyber assault by tweeting the strobe image to him.

It's what's called epileptogenic  something that triggers seizures. Fortunately, since I was standing, I simply dropped my iPad to the ground the second I realized what Mike had done. It landed face down on the bathroom floor," he wrote.

Only around three in every hundred people with epilepsy suffers from the photosensitive kind, according to the charity Epilepsy Action. The condition is more common in females than males and most commonly affects children and young people between the ages of seven and nineteen.

In 2008, trolls posted hundreds of epileptogenic graphics to an online message board run by the Epilepsy Foundation in the US, causing some patients to suffer headaches or seizures.

When Mr Eichanwald decided to take a break from Twitter following the strobe attack, he issued the following warning to potential copycats: Online anonymity does not protect criminals. Thats why subpoenas exist. You are facing a criminal investigation and a lawsuit. So if any of you others think about trying this cute prank, consider the consequences. They will be severe.
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The intruder who got into the White House last week managed to peer through a window and rattle a handle at the South Portico entrance  known as the Presidents back door.

House Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz called the incident "a complete and utter total failure" of the complex, high-tech security system.

The US Secret Service put out a statement confirming the scale of the security breach which happened while Donald Trump was in residence, after an unnamed source leaked information to CNN.

The intruder, named as 26-year-old Californian resident Jonathan T Tran, was in the building for nearly 17 minutes before he was arrested and was seen hanging around outside hours before.

Recommended Six other breaches of White House security

Mr Tran carried a back pack with mace and a letter for the President as he scaled three fences up to eight feet high to gain access.

Despite activating alarms, he was able to give secret service officers the slip at one security point by hiding behind a pillar of the East Wing entrance.

He was reportedly seen in the Pennsylvania Avenue area as early as 6pm, almost six hours before he was arrested.

Mr Chaffetz, who was briefed by Homeland Security, confirmed the intruder managed to "rattle the door handle", but he did not gain entrance and was eventually arrested at 11.38pm last Friday.

He said security staff were left angry and frustrated that they had struggled to locate the man after he set off multiple security sensors.

That's why we spend billions of dollars on personnel and dogs and technologies and fences and undercover people and video surveillance, Mr Chaffetz said.

And yet the person is able to get up close to the White House and spend 17 minutes before he's apprehended. That's unbelievable.

He said his committee learned of additional allegations that weren't in the original affidavit given to the court, including triggered alarms that were ignored and that the suspect may have moved around on the White House grounds undetected for a considerable amount of time.

Mr Chaffetz said the suspect also may have attempted entry into the building.

If true, these allegations raise questions about whether the agency's security protocols are adequate."

The White House has a complex web of security in its different zones, with the system mostly relying on infrared and microwave technology to trigger alarms  but these can be subject to malfunction and false activation.

More than 50 interviews have so far been conducted as part of the ongoing investigation which has included scrutiny of video footage and radio transmissions.

The Secret Service statement said immediate steps had been taken to tighten up security, including additional posts, technology enhancements and response protocols.

The men and women of the Secret Service are extremely disappointed and angry in how the events of March 10 transpired, the statement said.

When approached by a Secret Service officer on the south grounds and asked whether he had a pass authorising him to be in the restricted area, Mr Tran replied, No, I am a friend of the President. I have an appointment, according to a Washington DC police report.

Asked how he got there, he said he jumped the fence.

After the incident, the Secret Service insisted the President was never in danger. Mr Trump said the intruder was a troubled person and praised the service, saying it had done a fantastic job in apprehending the individual.

Mr Tran was charged with entering or remaining in restricted grounds while using or carrying a dangerous weapon, and faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, according to Bill Miller, a spokesman for the US Attorney's office.

No hazardous materials were found in the intruder's backpack and a search of the north and south grounds complex found nothing of concern according to reports.

Standard practice in dealing with White House intruders is for security to hand them over to the local police department, as happened in this case.

This was the first known security incident since Mr Trump took office, although there have been a number of incidents of people gaining access to the White House grounds over the past few years.

In 2014, 42-year-old Omar Gonzales, from Texas, made it through the north portico doors with a three-and-a-half-inch folding knife in his pocket before he was apprehended, according to the Secret Service. The Obama family was not at the White House at the time.

Four sitting presidents have been assassinated, the last being John F Kennedy in 1963, and there have been more than 20 known attempts to kill sitting and former presidents.
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Hillary Clinton said on Friday shes ready to come out of the woods and help Americans find common ground.

Clintons gradual return to the public spotlight following her presidential election loss continued with a St. Patricks Day speech in her late fathers Pennsylvania hometown of Scranton.

Im like a lot of my friends right now, I have a hard time watching the news, Clinton told an Irish womens group.

But she urged a divided country to work together to solve problems, recalling how, as First Lady, she met with female leaders working to bring peace to Northern Ireland.

I do not believe that we can let political divides harden into personal divides. And we cant just ignore, or turn a cold shoulder to someone because they disagree with us politically, she said.

Friday nights speech was one of several she is to deliver in the coming months, including a 26 May commencement address at her alma mater, Wellesley College in Massachusetts. The Democrat is also working on a book of personal essays that will include some reflections on her loss to Donald Trump.

Clinton, who was spotted taking a walk in the woods around her hometown of Chappaqua, New York, two days after losing the election to Donald Trump, quipped she had wanted to stay in the woods, but you can only do so much of that.

She told the Society of Irish Women that itll be up to citizens, not a deeply polarised Washington, to bridge the political divide.

 Hillary Clinton receives standing ovation on attending Broadway show

I am ready to come out of the woods and to help shine a light on what is already happening around kitchen tables, at dinners like this, to help draw strength that will enable everybody to keep going, said Clinton.

Clinton was received warmly in Scranton, where her grandfather worked in a lace mill. Her father left Scranton for Chicago in search of work during the Great Depression, but returned often. Hillary Clinton spent summers at the familys cottage on nearby Lake Winola.

She fondly recalled watching movies stretched across a bedsheet in a neighbours yard, and told of how the cottage had a toilet but no shower or tub.

Don't tell anybody this, but wed go down to the lake, she said.
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Two big Brazilian meatpacking companies bribed inspectors to keep rotten meat on the market, police said as they issued dozens of arrest warrants, while a judge accused the Agriculture Ministry of betraying the country.

Part of the money allegedly paid by meatpackers JBS and BRF was channelled to two major political parties, including that of President Michel Temer, police said after a two-year investigation.

On Saturday Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi said he would meet with ambassadors and representatives of the European meat industry on Monday after investigators said some of the meat was exported there.

Authorities warned the case was a severe blow to the international image of Brazil's agribusiness sector, which officials have been counting on heavily for helping the country recover from its worst recession in decades.

Investigator Mauricio Moscardi Grillo said at a news conference that the two meatpackers used chemicals to improve the appearance and smell of expired meats. He said at least one executive reported that rotten meat was mixed with healthy meat to be sold to consumers.

Cheaper products like water and manioc flour were also blended with meat sold by the two companies, Mr Grillo said, adding that three plants have been shut down.

The arrest warrants were issued on Friday.

The investigator said schoolchildren in the southern state of Parana were fed with dangerous meat. They are getting food made of outdated, rotten and many times cancerous products so the economic interest of this mighty crime gang is obeyed, Mr Grillo said.

Police said the meatpackers had direct influence in the Agriculture Ministry so they could pick the inspectors who would visit their plants. Those inspectors would produce sanitary certificates regardless of the adulteration of the products, police said.

In his decision to authorise arrests, Judge Marcos Josegrei da Silva said the Agriculture Ministry has a staggering involvement in fraud and corruption. The ministry was taken hostage by a group of individuals that repeatedly betrayed their obligation of serving society, Judge Silva wrote.

Mr Grillo said some of the expired meat was exported to Europe. He said four containers of BRF meat contaminated with salmonella were stopped in Italy in 2016, but nothing was done against the company.

JBS and BRF issued separate statements denying any wrongdoing and said they comply with regulations.

The company vehemently repudiates any adoption of practices related to the adulteration of products, JBS said. BRF said it assures the quality and the safety of its products and guarantees that there is no risk for consumers.

JBS is one of the largest meat processers in the world, producing beef, chicken and pork. It has about 150 plants worldwide and it is based in Sao Paulo. BRF was formed by the merger of two of the best known Brazilian meat processers, Sadia and Perdigao, both from Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. They also produce margarine, pizza and other processed foods.

Eumar Novacki, a spokesman for the Agriculture Ministry, said at a news conference the revelations had caused outrage and would affect Brazil's image around the world. He said Mr Maggi had ordered the suspected inspectors to be removed from office.

We will take action to punish those who committed this. It is 33 servants in a group of thousands. It is not a routine problem; it is an isolated issue, Mr Novacki said. Brazilian meat is in 150 countries because it has good quality. Those countries also have their agencies that inspect products.

Mr Novacki said there were very small risks in consuming meat processed by JBS and BRF. It is not the majority of the meat. But there is [a risk], he said. The three or four plants where this happened were shut down today for us to see what happened in each of them.

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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. 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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. 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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

Shares in JBS closed Friday on the Sao Paulo stock exchange down more than 11 percent, while those of BRF fell almost 8 percent.

Mr Grillo said some of the bribes paid to inspectors were channeled to two political parties  Temer's centrist Brazilian Democratic Movement Party and the right-leaning Progressive Party, which is part of the president's governing coalition.

Investigators said federal Justice Minister Osmar Serraglio had been taped in a conversation with one of the leaders of the alleged bribery scheme in his home state of Parana in southern Brazil in which Serraglio calls an investigated inspector big boss.

Brazil's federal police said that was not enough evidence to open an investigation of Judge Serraglio, who oversees the force. In a statement, Judge Serraglio said the police raid was a clear sign that he was not interfering in federal police investigations.

AP
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Prosecutors in Florida have announced they will not be bringing charges against four prison guards who held a black, schizophrenic prison inmate in a hot shower for hours.

The memo, released on Friday by the office of the Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, concluded Darren Rainey had died in part because of undiagnosed heart disease and suffered no scalding injuries.

It ends a nearly five-year probe into the death of the 50-year-old at the Dale Correctional Institution where he was serving a two-year sentence on a cocaine charge.

Rainey was taken to the shower on 23 June 2012 after he had smeared faeces on himself, the walls of his cell and his bedsheets, according to the memo written by Assistant State Attorneys Kathleen Hoague and Johnette Hardiman.

The shower, which was operated from an adjoining room by a corrections officer to prevent inmates from turning it off, was activated but Rainey refused to stand under the water, according to the memo.

Officer Roland Clarke told Rainey he couldn't go back to his cell until he washed off. Finally, Rainey said he would comply and asked for soap, which he was given, the memo says.

After starting to wash, Rainey said, "No, I don't want to do this," and leaned on a wall away from the water, Officer Clarke told investigators.

Officers continued to check on him, and finally after about two hours the decision was made to take Rainey out of the shower, but he was found lying face up in about 3 inches (8 centimetres) of water with no pulse and not breathing.

But the memo rejected claims made by another inmate, Harold Hempstead, that he had heard Rainey yelling and kicking at the shower door, saying "I'm sorry. I won't do it anymore" and "I can't take it no more" and hearing the guards laughing.

Ms Hoague and Ms Hardiman concluded Hempstead was an unreliable witness and cited contradictions with testimonies by other inmates.

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. 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It echoed the findings of Dr Emma Lew, Miami-Dades medical examiner, who said Rainey did not suffer any burns of any kind and there was no evidence of trauma.

She attributed his death to a combination of his schizophrenia, heart disease and confinement in the small shower space.

She said schizophrenic people can have nervous system reactions that trigger a heart attack if they have an underlying condition.

Several witnesses said Rainey's skin appeared to be peeled back or reddish in some spots  one inmate claimed he looked like a "boiled lobster"  but an autopsy found this "slippage" was most likely caused by friction or pressure on his moist and warm skin.

This could have happened during efforts to revive him, such as chest compressions, or when officers carried him out of the shower initially, the memo said.

Recommended Jeff Sessions reverses Obama order to phase out private prisons

But a nurse told the Miami Herald shortly after his death that Raineys body temperature that night was so high it could not be read on a thermometer and a report written the day of the autopsy referred to visible trauma...throughout the decedents body.

Police, who began to examine the case in 2014 after an investigation by the newspaper, interviewed 26 inmates of the mental health ward of the prison, known as the transition care unit (TCU), at the time of Raineys death.

Six of those interviewed said the officers used the showers to punish inmates when they misbehaved by holding them in there and turn the water to scalding and freezing.

Three said they had been subjected to this treatment themselves, six said they had had no problem with the showers and 14 were too ill to say anything credible or refused to talk altogether.

 BBC Panorama uncover 'chaos' in prison system

The lawyer acting for Rainey's family, Milton Grimes, said in a statement that the family is "disappointed and heartbroken" no charges will be brought.

"This is not justice for Darren, for his family, nor for the mentally ill who have been subject to similar abuse and mistreatment," Mr Grimes said.

The prosecutors determined that corrections officers did not commit murder or manslaughter in Rainey's death and that taking him to the shower was appropriate under the circumstances.

"Placing an inmate who has defecated upon himself in a shower to decontaminate himself is not conduct that is criminally reckless," they wrote. "There was no evidence of any intent to harm Rainey."

Additional reporting by AP
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A California man carrying Mace roamed for nearly 17 minutes inside the secured White House perimeter before he was taken into custody on 10 March near the South Portico entrance, the Secret Service acknowledged Friday.

The man did not enter the White House, the agency said, without further explaining the delay in his capture or details about alarms, protocols or responses that may have failed.

President Trump was in the residence at the time of the breach.

Jonathan T. Tran, 26, of Milpitas, California, was detected crossing a five-foot outer fence near East Executive Avenue and the Treasury Department complex at 11:21pm and was arrested at 11:38pm, the agency said.

The incident is believed to be the first intrusion on the White House grounds since Trump took office. Last year, the Secret Service added small spikes  or pencil points  to the top of the six-foot fence that surrounds the White House complex. The agency also announced a plan to raise the height of the fence to 11 feet by 2018.

To approach the mansion, Mr Tran scaled two additional barriers, according to the Secret Service account, an eight-foot vehicle gate, then a three-and-a-half foot fence near the southeast corner of the East Wing.

Court documents filed at the time of his arrest omitted any reference to alarms sounding and gave only an account by the uniformed officer who saw and arrested Tran, up to 200 yards from where he had entered and after he at one point hid behind a pillar.

The agency said it has done more than 50 interviews and reviewed radio transmissions and video footage of the incident. It also said it has taken immediate but unspecified steps to mitigate lapses in security protocols as the investigation continues.

The disclosure on Friday came as the Secret Service confirmed that a laptop computer holding sensitive security information was stolen from one of its agents in New York City, prompting a multiagency investigation to try to retrieve it.

The events renewed scrutiny of the presidential security agency battered and castigated after a 2014 incident in which intruder Omar Gonzalez made his way deep into the executive mansion before being tackled by an off-duty agent in the East Room. The incident and a string of other revelations triggered a management overhaul of the agency.

On Friday, a House Oversight Committee ordered the Secret Service to preserve documents in the 10 March episode and deliver a full briefing on Monday.

I worry this is the worst one yet, Representative Jason Chaffetz said in an interview. The time on the White House grounds really concerns me. With the president in the White House the intruder was evidently able to hide behind a pillar and get to a door undetected. The problem has persisted for years and is totally unacceptable. It scares me.

In a letter sent to Acting U.S. Secret Service Director William J. Callahan before the Secret Service released its new timeline of events, Mr Chaffetz, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, said his panel had received potentially troubling allegations about undisclosed breakdowns.

 Donald Trump apparently snubs handshake with Angela Merkel

Mr Chaffetz directed the agency to preserve and hand over all video of White House grounds from 10pm to 1am that Friday night, all joint operations center activity logs, all documents and communications related to alarms, the incident and the agency response, and all subsequent reviews. The individual may have triggered alarms the USSS ignored, may have moved around on the White House grounds undetected for a considerable amount of time, and may have attempted entry into the building, Mr Chaffetz wrote.

Time is of the essence, Mr Chaffetz wrote. The Committee has long-standing concerns regarding repeated security incidents at USSS protected facilities.

Jonathan Wackrow, a 14-year Secret Service employee who served in former president Barack Obamas detail and now works in the private sector, has called the incident a gut punch to an agency still recovering from the Gonzalez incident.

Mr Tran, who was carrying a backpack and two cans of Mace, was charged with entering or remaining on restricted grounds while carrying a dangerous weapon and faces a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison if convicted. A U.S. magistrate this week released him to his familys home in Northern California on personal recognisance subject to court and electronic monitoring, mental evaluation and treatment if necessary.

New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Show all 27 1 /27 New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Ethnic Yemenis and supporters protest against President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen on February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. At least 1,000 Yemeni-owned bodegas and grocery-stores across the city shut down from noon to 8 p.m. today to protest the order. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Men pray during a protest by ethnic Yemenis and supporters over President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen on February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. At least 1,000 Yemeni-owned bodegas and grocery-stores across the city shut down from noon to 8 p.m. today to protest the order. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Ethnic Yemenis and supporters protest against President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen on February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. At least 1,000 Yemeni-owned bodegas and grocery-stores across the city shut down from noon to 8 p.m. today to protest the order. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Men pray during a protest by ethnic Yemenis and supporters over President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen on February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. At least 1,000 Yemeni-owned bodegas and grocery-stores across the city shut down from noon to 8 p.m. today to protest the order. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People gather for evening prayer at a rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban A Yemeni business owner places a sign on the gate of his store February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the city, Yemeni owned bodega and grocery-stores will shut down from noon to 8 p.m. to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen. It is expected that over 1000 stores will be closed in protest with workers and owners participating in an afternoon rally in Brooklyn. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban A Yemeni business owner places a sign on the gate of his store February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the city, Yemeni owned bodega and grocery-stores will shut down from noon to 8 p.m. to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen. It is expected that over 1000 stores will be closed in protest with workers and owners participating in an afternoon rally in Brooklyn. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 02: Yemeni business owner Musa closes the gate to his store February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the city, Yemeni owned bodega and grocery-stores will shut down from noon to 8 p.m. to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen. It is expected that over 1000 stores will be closed in protest with workers and owners participating in an afternoon rally in Brooklyn. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban A Yemeni business owner closes the gate to his store February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the city, Yemeni owned bodega and grocery-stores will shut down from noon to 8 p.m. to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen. It is expected that over 1000 stores will be closed in protest with workers and owners participating in an afternoon rally in Brooklyn. Spencer Platt/Getty

Mr Tran also had been carrying a book on Trump, a U.S. passport and a laptop containing a letter addressed to the president about Russian hackers, saying Mr Tran had found information of relevance, according to a criminal complaint filed 11 March.

Mr Tran stated he had jumped the fence and added, I am a friend of the president, Secret Service officer Wayne Azevedo wrote in an affidavit.

Trump last weekend praised the Secret Service for doing a fantastic job responding to a troubled person.

In the New York City laptop theft, the Secret Service said that an employee was the victim of a criminal act in which our agency-issued laptop computer was stolen.

The agency tried to dispel concerns about potential security risks, saying their agents laptops contain multiple layers of security including full disk encryption and are not permitted to contain classified information.

The agency did not say what sensitive information might be on the laptop, but one law enforcement official said it contained building and security plans for Trump Tower, home of the president and his family.

The official said the device was stolen from a vehicle in the driveway of the agents home in Brooklyn on Thursday morning. The computer was in a bag that was later recovered, but the laptop was no longer in it, the official said. A personal laptop was also in the bag and taken by the thief, but officials are less concerned about the data on that device, the official said.

Authorities have recovered video of a man walking away.

Carol D. Leonnig contributed to this report.

Copyright: Washington Post
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President Donald Trump has called the United States a "very powerful company".

The slip, quickly corrected to "country", came during a joint press conference with German chancellor Angela Merkel.

Mr Trump was defending his stance on global trade following a question from a German reporter, who suggested his "America first" policy could weaken the European Union.

He said that while he was "a free trader" he also wanted "fair trade". He denied he was an "isolationist".

He continued: "We're a very strong, very strong country. We will soon be at a level that we perhaps have never been before.

"Our military is going to be strengthened, it's been depleted.

"But I'm a trader, I'm a free trader, I'm a trader that wants to see good for everybody worldwide."
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A former CIA officer responsible for previously peddling false allegations played a prime part in the fake claim that Barack Obama secretly asked GCHQ to wiretap Donald Trump, The Independent has learned.

Larry C Johnson, who made bogus charges that Michelle Obama made a racist speech against white people and that former Secretary of State John Kerry had raped women while serving in Vietnam, has emerged as one of the key figures behind what has become an international diplomatic confrontation between the US and UK.

On 6 March, the week after Mr Trump first accused Mr Obama of being responsible for the wiretap, Mr Johnson revealed in an interview with Russian state sponsored network Russia Today that there was a conspiracy between US intelligence and Britains own GHCQ (sic) to derail Donald Trumps election campaign. He said he had repeated this to Andrew Napolitano, a retired judge, who made it a basis for his own accusation against Mr Obama and GCHQ on Fox News earlier this week. The falsehood was then given further exposure by Sean Spicer, Mr Trumps spokesman, at a White House briefing, on Thursday.

The revelation about Mr Johnsons role in the extraordinary affair came as the Trump administration dismissed an account by Theresa Mays official spokesperson that they had apologised and pledged not to repeat the GCHQ claim.

Asked about the issue at a joint press conference with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Mr Trump replied: We said nothing. All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television, I didnt make an opinion on it. You shouldnt be talking to me. You should be talking to Fox.

Mr Spicer denied reports from No 10 that he had apologised. I dont think we regret anything, he stressed. As the President said, I was just reading off media reports.

Rupert Murdochs Fox News, meanwhile, was busy distancing itself from the very talented legal mind Mr Napolitano. Anchor Shepard Smith said Fox News knows of no evidence of any kind that the now President of the United States was surveilled at any time, anyway. Full stop.

Mr Napolitano, who knows Mr Trump and has an apartment at Trump International Hotel & Tower in New York, was said to be lying low today. But Mr Johnson came forward to say that he was one of the sources for the GCHQ story. Mr Johnson maintained that his own knowledge of the matter came from the American intelligence community. It sounds like a Frederick Forsyth novel, he said.

Mr Johnson has been accused of mixing fact with fiction before. In 2008 he claimed on his blog that a tape existed of Michelle Obama railing against whitey at a church. Although he had not seen the tape himself, he said, five other sources had and it was being held by the Republicans to drop at the appropriate time. No such tape was released and no evidence was ever produced to prove its existence. The Obama campaigns Fight the Smears website declared that the allegations were an invention.

In 2013, in another blog post, Mr Johnson falsely accused John Kerry of sexual assault, claiming that he had raped some poor Vietnamese woman in Vietnam. The assertion came from a TV debate in 1971 which had been edited and altered to make Mr Kerry say I personally raped for pleasure. When the manipulation was pointed out by readers of the blog he deleted the article. No apology was ever offered.

Meanwhile Rick Ledgett, the deputy director of NSA, the American counterpart of GCHQ, described the claims about Mr Obama and British intelligence as arrant nonsense. He pointed that the allegation betrayed a complete lack of understanding in how the relationship works between Britain and the US on intelligence.
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American news journalists are praising German reporters for holding Donald Trump's feet to the fire over his unsubstantiated wiretapping claims.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur reporter Kristina Dunz's robust questioning of the President during a joint press conference with Chancellor Angela Merkel led Mr Trump to respond: "Nice, friendly reporter."

Mr Trump has come under increasing pressure over his sensational claim, made on Twitter, that former President Barack Obama had Trump Tower under surveillance around the time of the election last year.

On Thursday the Senate Intelligence Committee said it had "no indications" that was the case.

Ms Dunz asked, according to a translator: "Why are you so scared of diversity in the news, and in the media, that you speak so often of fake news? And that things after all, in the end, cannot be proven, for example, the fact that you have been wiretapped by Mr Obama?"

Mr Trump's answer largely addressed her other question, regarding his global trade policy, however, and he rejected the suggestion he was an "isolationist".

A second reporter asked the President what his response was to GCHQ's rejection of claims made on Fox News, repeated on Thursday by White House press secretary Sean Spicer, that it was behind the alleged wiretap.

Mr Trump said: "We said nothing. All we did was quote a certain, very talented legal mind, who was the one responsible for saying that on television. You shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox."

Senior US journalists queued up to praise their German counterparts.

Clara Jeffery, the editor in chief of Mother Jones, said they were getting "far better reviews than the US press corps", while Philip Ricker, the Washington Post's White House bureau chief, added: "Good for German reporters, asking Trump tough and direct questions on wiretapping."

Jeremy Diamond, CNN's White House reporter, said: "Good on our German colleagues for asking @POTUS about wiretapping claims after 2 reporters Trump called on did not".
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The US Secretary of State has warned of dangerous levels of tension with North Korea during his first visit to Beijing.

Rex Tillerson said the Trump administration and Chinese government were committed to doing everything we can to prevent any type of conflict from breaking out.

We share a common view and a sense that tensions on the peninsula are quite high and that things have reached a rather dangerous level, he added during a press conference with Chinas foreign minister.

There are a number of steps that we can take to see if we cannot bring the government in Pyongyang to a place where they want to make a course correction and move away from their development of nuclear weapons.

 US military action against North Korea 'an option on the table'

His comments came after Donald Trump accused North Korea of behaving very badly in a tweet that also took aim at China, a key ally of Pyongyang and one of the only countries to maintain diplomatic relations with its isolated government.

North Korea is behaving very badly, the President wrote. They have been playing the United States for years. China has done little to help!

Wang Yi, Chinas foreign minister, urged the US to remain cool-headed and defended his governments position, saying all international parties should seek diplomatic solutions while implementing UN sanctions against Kim Jong-uns regime.

We hope that all parties, including our friends from the United States, could size up the situation in a cool-headed and comprehensive fashion and arrive at a wise decision, he added.

Last week, Mr Wang warned that North Korea on one side, and the US and South Korea on the other, were like two accelerating trains heading towards each other, with neither side willing to give way.

He proposed an agreement where North Korea would suspend its weapons development in exchange for a halt in joint US-South Korean military drills, but it was swiftly dismissed by Mr Trumps ambassador to the UN.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) shakes hands with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson after a joint press conference in Beijing, China (Getty) (Getty Images)

Mr Tillerson, who previously criticised China over its expansion in the South China Sea, pushed for closer Chinese-US co-operation in dealing with North Koreas nuclear programme in his first face-to-face talks with senior diplomats in Beijing.

He stressed the need for a results-oriented relationship with China, adding: We renewed our determination to work together to convince North Korea to choose a better path and a different future for its people.

Mr Tillerson later met Yang Jiechi, Xi Jinpings leading foreign policy adviser, and was scheduled to meet the Chinese President on Sunday morning before returning to the US.

Tensions have worsened following a series of ballistic missile tests by North Korea as it attempts to miniaturise a nuclear warhead able to be mounted on an inter-continental missile.

Advances have alarmed South Korea, sparking the deployment of the USs Terminal High Altitude Area Defence System (Thaad).

China and Russia have accused the US of exacerbating tensions with the anti-missile system, which they say goes far beyond the capability needed for defence.

Inside the daily life in North Korea Show all 19 1 /19 Inside the daily life in North Korea Inside the daily life in North Korea People reading a newspaper at the metro station Inside the daily life in North Korea Thoughts of the leaders on the tram. They have about a dozen of these on every tram, all with different thoughts Inside the daily life in North Korea Young people training for a big upcoming festival Inside the daily life in North Korea People at the Pyongyang's annual marathon Inside the daily life in North Korea Many stars on one of the trolleys in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea An intimidating poster in a primary school in North Korea. Inside the daily life in North Korea Solar panels installed on a street lamp. Inside the daily life in North Korea A poster on the window next to one of the venues we visited in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea Kids playing football next to the Arch of Triumph. After a while tourists were allowed to join, so some of us did Inside the daily life in North Korea Class in an educational center in Pyongyang (where people over 17 years old can attend any classes they choose after school, for free) Inside the daily life in North Korea People waving at me during the Pyongyang marathon Inside the daily life in North Korea People having a great time dancing at a public park Inside the daily life in North Korea A metro driver in a metro station in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea Fireworks to mark the birthday of the Eternal President Kim Il Sung on our last night in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea My wonderful tour guide at a public park Inside the daily life in North Korea One of the parks in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea A person rowing some boats for the day at a river in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea The National War Museum Inside the daily life in North Korea Public park in Pyongyang

The Korean Central News Agency, the state media outlet for North Korea, also hit out at military drills and said the manoeuvres only precipitate the US final ruin.

The US would be well advised to bear in mind that the army of the DPRK [Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea] has shifted the mode of its military counteraction to that of pre-emptive strike to cope with the formers moves for a nuclear war, said an article published on Saturday.

Once even a single shell is fired into the inviolable territory, waters and sky where the sovereignty of the DPRK is exercised, its Juche-oriented weapons will reduce the bases of aggression and provocation to such debris that no living thing can be found. This is not hot air.

No mercy will be shown for those who infringe upon the sovereignty and dignity of the DPRK even a bit.

Mr Tillerson travelled to Beijing from South Korea, where he warned on Friday that pre-emptive military action against North Korea might be necessary if the threat from its weapons programme reaches a level that we believe requires action.

As North Koreas most important source of diplomatic support and economic assistance, China has grown increasingly concerned about the possibility of conflict on the Korean peninsula.

Mr Tillersons visit came ahead of a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mr Trump, which is expected to take place later next month.
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US President Donald Trump has said Barack Obamas Affordable Healthcare Act is dead and about ready to implode, as Republican leaders prepare a vote to repeal and replace the legislation.

Republican members are reportedly confident President Donald Trump can help them reach the 216 votes required to back a health care bill led by Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan.

After early scepticism among many Republicans about Mr Ryans bill, it is thought changes to the proposed legislation have helped secure additional support.

Mr Trump said on Friday he is 100 per cent in favour of the replacement health care measure, and described Obamacare as a disaster.

It is dead, he said. It is a dead healthcare plan.

He also claimed that the media had not given enough positive coverage to the proposed replacement.

The press has not been speaking properly about how great this is going to be, he said during a news conference at the White House.

He added: I think really that were going to have something thats going to be much more understood and much more popular than people can even imagine.

Speaking of the rise in support for the bill among politicians, Mr Trump said: I am proud to support the replacement plan released by the House of Representatives and encouraged by members of both parties.

I just want to let the world know I am 100 per cent in favour and these folks  and they are tough and they love their constituents and they love their country  these folks were nos, mostly nos yesterday and now every single one is a yes, the President said.

According to CNN, members of the Republican Study Committee  who had initially been reluctant to lend their support the bill  emerged from a White House meeting convinced by the plan to replace Obamacare.

You're looking at some of the top conservatives in the House. We stand united today to move this forward for the American people, the chairman of the Republican Study Committee Mark Walker, told reporters on Friday morning.

Despite Mr Trumps claims of support for the bill from both parties, the legislation faces considerable Democratic opposition, especially in the Senate, where the Republicans hold a smaller majority.

Democrats say the Republican plan could hurt the elderly, poor and working families while giving tax cuts for the rich. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it a wreck.

Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Show all 11 1 /11 Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Barack Obama's best moments in the White House May 19, 2009 The President was leaving the State Floor after an event and found Sasha in the elevator ready to head upstairs to the private residence. He decided to ride upstairs with her before returning to the Oval Office, Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Oct. 26, 2012 President Barack Obama pretends to be caught in Spider-Man's web as he greets the son of a White House staffer in the Outer Oval Office Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House A National Security staffer, Carlton Philadelphia, brought his family to the Oval Office for a farewell photo with President Obama. Carltons son, Jacob, softly told the President he had just gotten a haircut like President Obama, and asked if he could feel the Presidents head to see if it felt the same as his. Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House March 21, 2010 The President, Vice President and senior staff applaud after watching on television the House vote on H.R. 4872 for health care reform, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Dec. 3, 2009 President Barack Obama fist-bumps custodian Lawrence Lipscomb in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building following the opening session of the White House Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Sept. 22, 2015 "The Obama family and Biden family greet Pope Francis as he arrives in the United States for the first time at Joint Base Andrews," Sept. 22, 2015. Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Feb. 21, 2014 President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden participate in a "Let's Move!" video taping on the Colonnade of the White House, Feb. 21, 2014 Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Feb. 18, 2016 President Barack Obama watches First Lady Michelle Obama dance with 106-Year-Old Virginia McLaurin in the Blue Room of the White House prior to a reception celebrating African American History Month, Feb. 18, 2016 Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Jan. 21, 2013 "The President and First Lady wave to supporters as they ride in the inaugural parade. I had asked the President if I could ride in the presidential limousine and the President joked, 'But Michelle and I were planning to make out," Jan. 21, 2013. Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama share a private moment in a freight elevator at an Inaugural Ball, January 2009 all pics: Pete Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Barack Obama rests his hand on the bible that President Lincoln used for his swear-in, being held by his wife Michelle Obama as he is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America Rex

Mr Trumps anger at how the media has reported on his replacement healthcare plan follows the publication of independent analysis by the US Congressional Budget Office (CBO), similar to Britains Office for Budget Responsibility.

The CBO estimated that 14 million more people would be uninsured next year under the legislation than under the current arrangement  a figure expected to rise to 24 million by 2026.
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Russian buyers have spent nearly $100 million on Donald Trumps luxury property developments, a new investigation has revealed.

The US President has repeatedly insisted that he has no significant business interests in Russia, at a time when his ties to the country are under intense scrutiny.

He told a press conference last month: I own nothing in Russia. I have no loans in Russia. I don't have any deals in Russia.

However, Reuters has found that as many as 63 people with Russian passports or addresses bought $98.4 million-worth of property in seven Trump luxury towers across America.

The real number of Russian investors may be higher, as many of the properties were purchased through limited liability companies, which allow the owner to conceal their identity.

Nearly a third of the 2044 units within the seven Trump residential towers are owned by limited liability companies.

 Ex-MI6 agent behind Trump Russia dossier breaks silence

The buyers include the founder of a St Petersburg investment bank and other politically connected businessmen.

Among the investors was Alexey Ustaev, the founder and president of St. Petersburg-based Viking Bank, one of the first private investment banks established in Russia after the fall of Communism, who bought a $1.2 million apartment in the Trump Palace complex in Florida.

Another, Alexander Yuzvik was a senior executive at Spetstroi, a state-owned construction company.

Yuzvik has been involved in construction projects at the Moscow training academy of the FSB, Russias primary civilian intelligence service and successor of the KGB, as well as the GRU, Russias military intelligence service.

Six of the seven properties were built in collaboration with New York property developers Michael and Gil Dezer.

In an interview, Mr Dezer said the project generated $2 billion in initial sales, from which Trump took a commission for allowing the Dezers to operate the buildings using the Trump brand.

However, Mr Dezer refused to say how large this commission was.

Edgardo Defortuna, a leading Miami developer, estimated Mr Trump is likely to have made between one per cent and four per cent in initial sale commissions, based on rewards from similar projects.

If his estimate is correct, Trump made between $20 million and $80 million on the Florida development.

In light of the revelations, Democrat Senator Adam Schiff said Trump must disclose the full extent of his financial interests.

Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Show all 14 1 /14 Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A lesbian couple kisses in front of mural depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a barbecue bar 'Keule Ruke' on May 19, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Barcroft Media/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A lesbian couple kisses in front of mural depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a barbecue bar 'Keule Ruke' on May 19, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Barcroft Media/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural VILNIUS, LITHUANIA - NOVEMBER 23: A woman walks past a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A woman walks past a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A child walks past a graffiti depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a bar in the old town in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, May 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis) AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural People walk past a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A man photographs a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A young woman walks past a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin with the slogan "make everything great again," in reference to Trump's campaign slogan of "Make America Great Again," on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A morning commuter stops to look at a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Restaurant owner Dominykas Ceckauskas pose next to a mural on the wall of his establishment depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. / AFP / Petras Malukas (Photo credit should read PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP/Getty Images) Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A passerby photographs a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Getty

While the president has denied having invested in Russia, he has said little or nothing about Russian investment in his businesses and properties in the United States or elsewhere.

This should concern all Americans and is yet another reason why his refusal to release his tax returns should be met with considerable scepticism and concern.

Alan Garten, a legal officer at the Trump Organization, said: I can say definitively that this is an overblown story that is media-created. Ive been around this company and know the companys dealings.

The White House has been contacted for comment.
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China is to begin construction work on tiny islands in the South China Sea which are claimed by several other countries in the region.

Beijing seized the strategically important islands on the Scarborough Shoal in 2012.

The US has warned China against carrying out land reclamation work in the area, which it has already carried out in other parts of the region.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration unanimously ruled in favour of the Philippines and said there was no evidence that China had historically exercised exclusive control over the waters or its petroleum reserves.

Despite this Xiao Jie, the mayor of what Beijing calls Sansha City  an administrative base for the disputed South China Sea islands and reef it controls  said China was planning preparatory work this year to build environmental monitoring stations on a number of islands, including in the Scarborough Shoal area.

The monitoring stations, along with docks and other infrastructure, form part of island restoration and erosion prevention efforts planned for 2017, Mr Xiao told the state-owned Hainan Daily.

The move comes as two US senators introduced a bill to impose sanctions on Chinese activities in the region.

Florida Senator and former Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio and Maryland Democrat Senator Ben Cardin introduced the South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act, which would ban visas for Chinese people helping to build South and East China Sea projects.

It would also sanction foreign financial bodies that "knowingly conduct or facilitate a significant financial transaction for sanctioned individuals and entities" if China steps up activity at Scarborough Shoal, among other actions.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying called the bill "extremely grating" and said it showed the "arrogance and ignorance" of the senators.

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 dispute is likely to cause a headache for US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who arrived in Beijing on Saturday.

Mr Tillerson was expected to raise the issue with his Chinese hosts, having previously called the activity illegal.

Last June, the then US Defence Secretary Ash Carter warned China that any move to retake the shoal would "result in actions being taken by the both United States and ... by others in the region which would have the effect of not only increasing tensions, but isolating China".

The US is keen for the passageway to remain free for all ships to travel through as an estimated $5 trillion (4 trillion) in trade passes through every year.

Manila, which previously fought Chinas claims to the shoal vigorously, has wavered in its opposition to Beijing in recent months with President Rodrigo Duterte flip-flopping on the issue.

In October he announced his country, which previously had close ties to US, was now separated from Washington and added that close cooperation with China was the Philippines only hope during a visit to Beijing to meet Xi Jingping.

He said the dispute could take a back seat during the countries economic and trade talks and it was not the time to go to war with China.

But last week, he declaried to a news conference that a separate disputed waterway, the Benham Rise, was Filipino.

He said: You go there and tell them straight that this is ours, but I say it in friendship.

Mr Duterte added that Manila had no choice but to resolve the issue diplomatically as they cannot match the might of China.

Additional reporting by agencies
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Basque separatists ETA will disarm by early April, a French environmental activist with ties to the region's community has promised.

Basque civil society groups will fully defang ETA by April 8, according to Txetx Etcheverry, a prominent figure in the French Basque community who tried to arrange a disarmament in 2016.

The militants announced a permanent cease-fire in 2011, but the governments of Spain and France have so far refused to take part in its disarmament because ETA tied it to the future of its militants, both in and out of jail. The two countries have demanded that ETA lay down its weapons without conditions and disband.

Mr Etcheverry told The Associated Press the new initiative was agreed with the group and will be carried out whether French authorities agree to receive the weapons or not.

If the French government doesn't take responsibility, the Basque civil society will take a step forward. We can't imagine five more years of inaction, Etcheverry said, pledging that ETA will be disarmed by midnight on April 8.

ETA, which in Basque stands for Basque Country and Freedom, was founded in 1959 during the Spanish dictatorship of General Francisco Franco. It has killed 829 people in its nearly four-decade campaign to create a Basque homeland in a region straddling northern Spain and southwest France.

The group was most violent in the 1980s, staging hundreds of shootings of police, politicians and businesspeople.

One year after its last deadly attack, the killing of a French police officer near Paris in March 2010, the ETA announced it was renouncing violence.

In recent years, police operations have weakened the ETA. If the disarmament was completed, would primarily be symbolic, given that the group's reduced arsenal is believed to be obsolete.

ETA has linked its total dissolution to allowing imprisoned members to serve their sentences closer to home in northern Spain, among other demands.

But on Friday, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy rejected any concessions.

ETA has chosen to disarm unilaterally. It should do it and should also disband, Rajoy, who leads Spain's conservative Popular Party, said at a party meeting. The government of Spain will do what it has always done  to apply the law, which is the same for everybody.

Etcheverry, a member of the Basque environmental organization Bizi, was among five Basque activists arrested in December in the southern French town of Louhossoa after police said they had discovered a suspected ETA weapons trove. They were charged with possession of explosives and weapons, released on bail and are awaiting trial.

The activists said the arrests by French and Spanish police targeted peace activists who were managing ETA's disarmament.

Etcheverry said the group would disclose details of the disarmament on Saturday in the southern French town of Biarritz.

He said the group was aiming to unblock other important issues in the Basque peace process, such as the future of imprisoned ETA members and the reconciliation in the Basque society. He didn't mention the ETA disbanding.

Basque regional leader Inigo Urkullu said its government is ready to assist in the disarmament process and asked the governments of Spain and France to work to reach a permanent solution.

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Groups representing ETA victims in Spain urged the government not to make any concessions.

Mari Mar Blanco, who represents the victims' group FTV and whose brother was kidnapped and murdered by ETA in 1997, said the ETA should cooperate with the judicial system in shedding light on the more than 300 unresolved killings.

It's time for the relatives to close their mourning by identifying the assassins of their loved ones, Blanco said.

The economically powerful Basque region, which has a strong cultural identity and its own Basque language, is one of 17 semi-autonomous regions in Spain.
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Francois Hollande is hailing the bravery of security forces, terrorism prosecutors are investigating the suspects motives and French intelligence services are probing how they yet again let an extremist slip through the net.

The cycle following the attempted attack at Paris Orly Airport feels grimly familiar in France, where more than 230 people have been killed in a wave of terrorist atrocities starting in January 2015.

But with a presidential election fast approaching, the political stakes are even higher for Mr Hollandes government as it seeks to bolster support among the French public and stem the rise of the far-right.

Marine Le Pen, the Front Nationals leader, was quick to capitalise on Saturdays events, which saw suspected Islamist Ziyed Ben Belgacem shoot a police officer at a checkpoint before being killed while attempting to seize a soldiers gun at the airport.

 Paris airport evacuated as man shot dead after grabbing soldier's gun

I want the state to take charge of ensuring safety for the French, she told supporters at a campaign rally in Metz.

The French will not be protected by people who refuse to face up to reality.

Ms Le Pen, currently polling in second place for next months presidential election, claimed France was overrun with violence as a result of lax governments.

Her main opponent, the centre-left former economy minister Emmanuel Macron, pledged to restore military service at his own campaign event.

Time will tell whether the latest attack to rock France will sway voters going to the polls in April.

A succession of terrorist atrocities has undermined trust in the current government, which has repeatedly vowed to carry out wide-ranging security reforms after failing to prevent Isis-inspired attacks in Nice, Normandy, Magnanville and elsewhere.

A state of emergency giving security services dramatically increased powers to search, detain and monitor suspects was brought in after Isis militants massacred 130 people in the November 2015 Paris attacks.

The interior minister said Saturdays shooting justified the measures, which have raised human rights concerns at the United Nations, but the incident will be seen as another failure by the French intelligence agencies.

In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting French armed police secure the area at Paris Orly airport on 18 March AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Passengers evacuated from Orly airport's southern terminal after a shooting on 18 March Reuters In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting A woman is kept warm under a rescue blanket as travellers are evacuated from Paris' Orly airport on March 18, 2017 AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Evacuated travellers wait outside Paris Orly airport on 18 March AP In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting French armed police secure the area at Paris Orly airport on 18 March AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting A special forces policeman at Paris Orly airport after an attack on 18 March Reuters In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Travellers are evacuated from Paris' Orly airport on 18 March following the shooting of a man by French security forces. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Police at Paris Orly airport on 18 March following the shooting of a man by French security forces. AFP/Getty In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Passengers evacuated from Paris Orly airport on 18 March AP In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Emergency vehicles arrive Orly airport southern terminal in Paris, France March 18, 2016. Reuters

Belgacem injured only one police officer during his rampage, with a potential massacre at Paris Orly Airport averted by the quick reactions of patrolling air force soldiers who opened fire as he tried to seize an assault rifle from their colleague.

But what ministers hailed as a victory for the security services appeared to come by chance rather than design.

Belgacem, a 39-year-old Frenchman, had a lengthy criminal history of violence, robbery and drug offences but was not on the fiche S list of terror threats, despite being investigated by the DGSI as a potential jihadi after indications of Islamist radicalisation emerged in 2015.

Research has shown that more than half of European Isis fighters have a criminal past, with recruiters deliberately targeting violent criminals and gang members looking for redemption and a licence to kill in the name of jihad.

One of the most prominent examples is the network that carried out both the Paris and Brussels attacks.

Co-ordinator Abdelhamid Abaaoud, bomber Ibrahim Abdeslam and his brother Salah were all involved in crime in the Brussels suburb of Molenbeek, while Paris supermarket gunman Amedy Coulibaly had served time for receiving stolen goods, drug trafficking and robbery.

Like many other Islamists, Belgacem is believed to have been radicalised in prison and was put under surveillance after being freed, although it was unclear when monitoring was stopped.

Passengers wait at Orly airport southern terminal after a shooting incident near Paris, France (Reuters)

Prosecutors said no evidence of extremism was uncovered in a search of his home, which was among scores raided in the immediate aftermath of the Paris attacks.

Belgacems first attack came at 6.50am (5.50am GMT) on Saturday morning, when he was stopped for speeding by a police patrol in the northern Paris suburb of Garges-les-Gonesse.

The national police information office said he was showing officers identification papers when he pulled put a pellet gun and opened fire, hitting one police officer in the face.

I screwed up, I shot the police," read a text sent to relatives according to French broadcaster BFMTV.

They fired back but Belgacem managed to flee in a Renault Clio, which he dumped to hijack a womans Citroen Picasso after making threats in a bar in Vitry.

The stolen vehicle was later found at Paris Orly Airport  but not until Belgacem had been shot dead in the attempted attack.

Mr Hollande said investigators would determine whether he had a terrorist plot behind him and no group has claimed responsibility, with Belgacems motives and target remaining unclear.

Members of French anti-terrorist force RAID at Orly airport, near Paris, France (EPA)

The President also ruled out any link with the upcoming French presidential election in April and May, noting that France has been battling the threat of extremism for several years.

Extreme vigilance is underway because we have been attacked and we know what the consequences can be, Mr Hollande added.

It is precisely my duty to provide the protection I owe to the French people.

Isis has directed its followers to carry out opportunistic attacks on security forces and civilians in Europe, presenting a unique challenge for intelligence services adapting to unpredictable patterns of attack.

The Prime Minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, said the Paris public prosecutors office would determine Belgacems motivations and background.

All measures put in place to deal with violent actions on our soil have been activated, involving all security and rescue forces as well as transport operators, he added, saying security and intelligence chiefs had gathered at the interior ministry to take stock of the situation.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French defence minister, hailed the professionalism and sang froid of the troops that shot Belgacem dead.

They had been patrolling as part of Operation Sentinel, a 7,500-strong force deployed around high profile sites including the Eiffel Tower since the Charlie Hebdo massacre.

But Saturday was the fourth time the missions troops have themselves been attacked while attempting to protect and reassure the French public and tourists.
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A radicalised Muslim known to security services has been shot dead after attempting to steal a soldiers gun at Paris Orly Airport.

The 39-year-old French citizen, identified as Ziyed Ben Belgacem, shot at police officers manning a checkpoint in northern Paris with an air pistol before launching the airport attack, the French interior minister said.

During a visit to the airport, Bruno Le Roux said one officer was shot during the routine check and was undergoing hospital treatment for injuries to his face.

Passengers evacuated from Orly airports southern terminal after the shooting (Reuters)

We can link the [airport attackers] identity with a check carried out at Garges-les-Gonesse by a patrol in Stains this morning, he added.

The individuals identity is known to the police and intelligence services. Belgacem's father and brother, as well as a cousin, have been detained for questioning.

Recommended Paris airport attack exposes more French security failures

According to French broadcaster BFMTV he had sent them a text reading: I screwed up, I shot the police.

A police source described the attacker as a radicalised Muslim known to intelligence services.

Paris prosecutor Francois Molins told a news conference on Saturday evening that at the airport, Belgacem yelled he wanted to die in the name of Allah and said whatever happens, there will be deaths.

Mr Molins said the attacker held an air pistol to a soldiers head and used her as a shield. He apparently wanted to use her weapon to shoot people in the busy airport.

Contrary to earlier reports by French officials, Mr Molins said the attacker did wrench away her powerful military-grade assault rifle.

The soldiers colleagues fired three bursts  eight rounds in all  when they killed him.

Belgacem had a lengthy criminal history of violence, robbery and drug offences but was not on the fiche S list of terror threats, despite being investigated by the DGSI as a potential jihadi after indications of Islamist radicalisation emerged in 2015.

Mr Molins said three people were being held in police custody, and that Belgacems choice of target and evidence that he had been radicalised justified launching a terrorism investigation.

Research has shown that more than half of European Isis fighters have a criminal past, with recruiters deliberately targeting violent criminals and gang members looking for redemption and a licence to kill in the name of jihad.

Like many other Islamists, Belgacem is believed to have been radicalised in prison and was put under surveillance after being freed, although it was unclear when monitoring stopped.

Prosecutors said no evidence of extremism was uncovered in a search of his home, which was among scores raided in the immediate aftermath of the Paris attacks.

In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting French armed police secure the area at Paris Orly airport on 18 March AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Passengers evacuated from Orly airport's southern terminal after a shooting on 18 March Reuters In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting A woman is kept warm under a rescue blanket as travellers are evacuated from Paris' Orly airport on March 18, 2017 AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Evacuated travellers wait outside Paris Orly airport on 18 March AP In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting French armed police secure the area at Paris Orly airport on 18 March AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting A special forces policeman at Paris Orly airport after an attack on 18 March Reuters In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Travellers are evacuated from Paris' Orly airport on 18 March following the shooting of a man by French security forces. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Police at Paris Orly airport on 18 March following the shooting of a man by French security forces. AFP/Getty In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Passengers evacuated from Paris Orly airport on 18 March AP In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Emergency vehicles arrive Orly airport southern terminal in Paris, France March 18, 2016. Reuters

Belgacems first attack came at 6.50am (5.50am GMT) on Saturday morning, when he was stopped for speeding by a police patrol in the northern Paris suburb of Garges-les-Gonesse.

The national police information office said he was showing officers identification papers when he pulled put a pellet gun and opened fire, hitting one police officer in the face.

They fired back but Belgacem managed to flee in a Renault Clio, which he dumped to hijack a womans Citroen Picasso after making threats in a bar in Vitry.

The stolen vehicle was later found at Paris Orly Airport  but not until Belgacem had been shot dead in the attempted attack.

Belgacem attempted to steal a Famas assault rifle from a female soldier on a counter-terror patrol before being killed, Mr Le Roux said.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French defence minister, said the air force member was thrown to the ground during the assault, adding: The two other airmen in the patrol opened fire to protect their comrade and protect nearby members of the public.

They reacted with great professionalism and remarkable composure.

French interior minister Bruno Le Roux and defence minister Jean-Yves le Drian answer questions at Paris Orly Airport (AP)

Francois Hollande, the French President, hailed the courage and efficiency of police confronted with assaults committed by a particularly dangerous individual.

Terrorism prosecutors have opened an investigation into the attack, which comes after a series of Isis-inspired atrocities across France.

No one else was injured in the airport attack at 8.30am local time (7.30am GMT), which triggered a red alert sent locally via the French governments Saip terror warning system.

We were waiting in line to check in for a flight to Tel Aviv when we heard three or four gunshots nearby, 54-year-old Franck Lecam told AFP.

There were police, emergency services, soldiers running in all directions.

Another witness said Belgacem held the soldier by her neck while struggling with his other arm to get hold of her gun.

A photograph showed him lying dead on the floor outside a bakery chain, wearing black trousers and a white shirt.

The airport was evacuated as security operations continued, with France's national police urging people not to cross the security perimeter.

Bomb squads and armed police were sent into the building to sweep for explosives but none were found.

Passengers evacuated from Paris Orly airport on 18 March (AP)

A notice was posted on the Paris airports authority website urging passengers not to travel to Orly, with diversions and delays expected.

Air traffic was suspended at Orly airports south and west terminals as operations continued, but restrictions were lifted on Saturday afternoon.

The attacked soldier was part of Operation Sentinel  a security initiative seeing troops deployed in combat uniforms around high profile sites including the Eiffel Tower since the Charlie Hebdo massacre.

It was the fourth time that troops in the 7,500-strong force have been attacked.

In February, a man wielding a machete attacked four soldiers patrolling at Le Louvre, a year after three petrol members were wounded by a man armed with a knife outside a Jewish community centre in Nice.

In January 2016, a man rammed his car into four soldiers guarding a mosque in the southeastern city of Valence.

France remains on high alert following a string of terror attacks directed and inspired by Isis, which has directed its followers to carry out opportunistic attacks on security forces and civilians in Europe.

A parcel bomb believed to have been sent by Greek anarchists exploded at the International Monetary Funds offices in Paris on Thursday, on the same day a student opened fire at a school in Grasse.

Ministers said the latest attack showed the importance of Frances ongoing state of emergency, which has been extended several times despite human rights concerns raised by the UN.
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Sonia Papiu started her first year of residency as a psychiatrist in the Romanian city of Cluj in January, but she plans to move abroad within the year, seeking better learning opportunities and hospital conditions. She will not be alone. I don't think any of my colleagues are planning to stay, she said. I think I could learn more abroad. You have higher responsibilities as a resident there.

In the Romanian system, doctors go through six years of medical school and then three to five years as a hospital resident, treating patients while working under the supervision of senior staff. Finding a job abroad will be easy. Cluj, one of Romania's largest cities and a university and business hub, hosts several agencies recruiting for western European hospitals.

Recommended Inside the European parliament where chaos has reigned for nine days

Romania has bled out tens of thousands of doctors, nurses, dentists and pharmacists since joining the European Union a decade ago, lured abroad by what the country lacks: significantly higher pay, modern infrastructure and functional healthcare systems. France, Germany and Britain are among the most popular destinations. The consequences are dire. Romania is one of the EU states with the fewest doctors. Nearly a third of hospital positions are vacant and the health ministry estimates one in four Romanians has insufficient access to essential healthcare.

Medical staff leaving Romania at an almost massive pace deepens the problems of the healthcare system, former health minister Vlad Voiculescu has said. Entire hospitals are facing a major personnel deficit and entire towns don't have a family physician. This is despite the fact that Romania is a leading EU state when it comes to the number of medical graduates. But the system  ridden with corruption, inefficiencies and politicised management  has been unable to motivate them to stay. The shortages are even starker in rural areas.

The Romanian healthcare exodus Show all 19 1 /19 The Romanian healthcare exodus The Romanian healthcare exodus A surgical ward is seen in the hospital in Borsa, in the Transylvania region of Romania Reuters The Romanian healthcare exodus Students study at the Medicine and Pharmacy University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania Reuters The Romanian healthcare exodus Sonia Papiu, 25, poses for a photo in her room in Cluj-Napoca, Romania Reuters The Romanian healthcare exodus A doctor and a volunteer medical student who work for SMURD, part of the emergency rescue service, hug before the night shift at their office in Cluj-Napoca, Romania Reuters The Romanian healthcare exodus Medical staff work in the emergency ward (UPU) in Cluj-Napoca, Romania Reuters The Romanian healthcare exodus Women stand in front of the church during the Epiphany Mass, in Bogdan Voda, Romania Reuters The Romanian healthcare exodus Women stand in front of a traditional wooden gate after the Epiphany Mass, in Bogdan Voda, Romania Reuters The Romanian healthcare exodus A monument to doctors who worked in Sacel from 1938 to 2016 is seen next to the village practice, in Maramures county, Romania Reuters The Romanian healthcare exodus A hallway is seen at a medicine student dorms in Cluj-Napoca, in Transylvania region of Romania Reuters The Romanian healthcare exodus A nurse gestures at doctor Andreea Kis's medical practice of in the village of Tureni, Romania Reuters The Romanian healthcare exodus A mother and her daughter are treated in the paediatric ward in the hospital in Borsa, Romania Reuters The Romanian healthcare exodus Medical equipment is seen in the delivery room at the hospital in Borsa, Romania Reuters The Romanian healthcare exodus A mother holds her newborn baby in the hospital in Viseul de Sus in the Transylvania region of Romania Reuters The Romanian healthcare exodus Patients wait to be seen by doctor Gabriela Dromereschi, at her practice in the town of Salistea de Sus in Romania Reuters The Romanian healthcare exodus Doctor Gabriela Dromereschi does an ultrasound on a patient at her practice in Salistea de Sus, Romania Reuters The Romanian healthcare exodus Doctor Andreea Kis, a family doctor, treats a patient at his home in the village of Tureni in Transylvania region, Romania Reuters The Romanian healthcare exodus A mother holds her baby during a home visit from doctor Robert Ganea (not in the picture) in the village of Sacel in Romania Reuters The Romanian healthcare exodus Snow lies on roofs in the village Salistea de Sus, Romania Reuters The Romanian healthcare exodus Doctors who are part of the emergency rescue service bring a patient to the Emergency Unit in Cluj-Napoca, Romania Reuters

Because we have one doctor per section for most specialties, when a doctor goes on holiday we need to close down the section, said Cristian Vlad, the hospital manager in Viseul de Sus, a small town near the Ukrainian border. Mr Vlad said three hospitals in the region shared one anaesthetist until last year, when his hospital brought in another from neighbouring Moldova. I live in hope that our resident doctors will change their mind and stay in smaller hospitals, too, Mr Vlad said. Romania is taking steps to address the issues. Pay has risen significantly, although it still does not measure up to Western standards. The net average monthly wage for the healthcare system stood at 2,609 lei (500) at the end of 2016, nearly double what it was three years ago.

In 2016, the health ministry created a multi-year plan for the medical profession, including a simpler recruitment process, education reform, better promotion opportunities, and subsidies for physicians willing to move to remote villages. The strategy has yet to be approved by the two-month-old cabinet of Social Democrat Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu. Measures to improve healthcare are in place, but the system suffers from inefficiencies, limited accessibility and corruption, the European Commission said last month.

Yet not all doctors shy away from remote areas. From the village of Tureni, Andreea Kis has been serving as a family doctor for five villages for nearly five years. I chose to be a family doctor because this is compatible with family life, said Ms Kis, a mother of two. People in the villages preserve their humanity better.

Reuters
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The first of 800 UK troops have arrived in Estonia as part of a Nato plan to deter Russian aggression in the Baltic.

Some 120 soldiers from the 5th Battalion The Rifles landed at the Amari air base, 25 miles south-west of the capital Tallinn.

They were welcomed by Estonias defence minister Margus Tsahkna on their arrival from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on Friday.

The troops are due to be stationed in the country in one of the biggest deployments to Eastern Europe since the Cold War.

The first group will set up a UK headquarters in the country to prepare for the others arrival next month.

Along with French and Danish forces they will provide a proportionate, defensive, and combat capable force to defend our Nato ally and deter any form of hostile activity against the Alliance, the Ministry of Defence said.

Britain is taking a leading role in the Estonia Battlegroup while other Nato members are deploying forces to Latvia, Lithuania and Poland as part of Natos Enhanced Forward Presence battalion.

Around 300 UK vehicles have also left the UK this week by ferry headed for Estonia, including Challenger 2 tanks, Warrior infantry fighting vehicles, and AS90 self-propelled artillery pieces.

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 deployment comes as Nato grows increasingly concerned about Russian aggression in Eastern Europe.

Since the annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict on the Donbass region of Ukraine many former Iron Curtain states fear encroachment from their former imperial master.

In January, German and Belgian forces arrived in Lithuania near the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad to help it bolster its defences in case of an invasion.

Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed the UK would come to the aid of allies such as Estonia or Lithuania in the event they were invaded by Russia and took the countrys commitment to Nato seriously.

Recommended US Special Forces deployed at Russian border to defend Baltic states

Under the terms of Article 5 of Nato, if one member state is invaded all the other nations are obliged to come to their aid.

There are growing fears about the commitment of Natos largest military power, the US, after Donald Trump suggested he may not come to an allys defence unless they contribute more to the organisations budget.

He later vowed strong support for Nato during his first visit to the headquarters of US Central Command in Florida in February.

Nato guidelines say member states should spend at least 2 per cent of their GDP on defence but only five of the 28 in the alliance  the UK, Greece, Poland, US and Estonia  currently meet the target.

Additional reporting by PA
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Somalia has blamed the Saudi-led coalition for an attack on a boat off Yemens coast that killed at least 42 Somali refugees.

The attack, by a military vessel and a helicopter gunship, was condemned by the Mogadishu Government, which urged the US-led coalition to investigate.

The boat was packed with dozens of refugees  some women and children  and was more than 30 miles of the coast when it came under fire.

The Saudi-led coalition is fighting Iranian-backed Shia rebels in the country amid a bitter civil war.

What happened there was a horrific and terrible problem inflicted on innocent Somali people. The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen is responsible for it, Somalia's foreign minister, Abdisalam Omer, said on state-run radio.

He added that Yemen's government must give an explanation for the attack, which left around 80 people with injuries, and that those responsible must be brought to justice.

Recommended We cannot continue to ignore the situation in Yemen

Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, in a separate statement, called the incident atrocious and appalling".

Yemen's Shia rebels also have blamed the Saudi-led coalition. The alliance did not immediately respond.

The incident draws attention to the dangers of the Gulf of Aden, one part of a busy migration route stretching from the Horn of Africa to the Gulf states through the Yemen war zone.

Laurent De Boeck, the head of the Yemeni office for the International Organisation for Migration, said the agency believes all those on board the boat were registered refugees.

A Yemeni man who survived the attack said the refugees had been trying to reach Sudan, but Somalia's foreign minister said their ultimate destination had been Somalia.

The surviver, Al-Hassan Ghaleb Mohammed, said the boat left from Ras Arra, along the southern coastline in Yemen's Hodeida province, and was near the Bab al-Mandab Strait when the attack occurred.

Mr Mohammed described a scene of panic in which the terrified refugees waved flashlights, apparently to show they were not combatants. He said the helicopter then stopped firing, but only after dozens had been killed.

Video of the aftermath showed dozens of slain migrants, along with others who suffered gunshot wounds, lost limbs, or had broken arms and legs.

The Saudi-led coalition has been heavily bombarding the coast around the port of Hodeida, where it accuses the rebels, known as the Houthis, of smuggling weapons in small boats.

The coalition began striking the rebels and their allies in March 2015, hoping to drive the rebels from the capital, Sanaa, and restore the internationally recognised government. The rebels remain in control of Sanaa and much of northern Yemen, and the conflict, which has killed an estimated 10,000 civilians, is in a stalemate.

Since the beginning of the air campaign, Yemen has been under an air and sea embargo. The coalition is the only party to the conflict with naval and air forces, and rights groups have documented hundreds of air strikes in which civilians have been killed.

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

Despite the fighting, African migrants continue to arrive in the war-torn country, where there is no central authority to prevent them from travelling onward to a better life in neighbouring oil-rich Saudi Arabia.

More than 111,500 migrants landed on Yemen's shores last year, up from around 100,000 the year before, according to the Regional Mixed Migration Secretariat, a grouping of international agencies that monitors migration in the area.

The turmoil has left migrants vulnerable to abuse at the hands of the armed trafficking rings, many of which are believed to be connected to the multiple armed groups involved in the war.

Refugees have fled Somalia over its past quarter-century of chaos, desperate to avoid warlord-led clashes, attacks by homegrown extremist group al-Shabab and deadly drought.

Associated Press contributed to this report
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Almost half a million dead. More than 10.9 million forced to flee their homes, many into the arms of traffickers or graves at the bottom of the Mediterranean.

Cities starved into submission by government sieges, tens of thousands disappeared in regime prisons, and the rampant growth of extremist ideology intent on sucking the little life and joy left out of Syria.

An entire generation of children who dont flinch at explosions or artillery fire in the distance.

Such is the state of the Syrian revolution, six years on since the hopes of the Arab Spring.

No one who took to the streets of Damascus and Aleppo in a Day of Rage on 15 March 2011, demanding the release of 15 Deraa teenagers arrested for daubing walls with anti-government graffiti, could foresee the scale of the war to come.

Your turn, Doctor [Bashar al-Assad], demonstrators chanted, drawing courage from the recent fall of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt and Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in Tunisia.

Arrests and beatings did not deter them. After three days of the exceptionally rare protests against authority, the government had had enough. On March 18, four protesters in Deraa  most reports say they were unarmed  were shot by security forces which opened fire on a crowd.

The killings provided the catalyst for a revolution which has morphed into a conflict unlike any other modern war.

Its full repercussions are still yet to be understood.

On the sixth anniversary of the uprising, Syria now shows dangerous signs of descending into an entrenched state of warfare such as that suffered by Iraq and Afghanistan, subject to the whims of internal warlords and proxy powers.

 Syria conflict: Six years of war in numbers

In diplomatic circles, once-strident calls that Assad must go are no longer very loud.

Despite round after round of failed peace talks, the UN is adamant a diplomatic solution to the crisis must be agreed, even as Russian and Iranian intervention on the battlefield has once again put a military victory within the Assad governments reach.

The fall of Aleppo at the end of the last year and election of US President Donald Trump means that 2017 is a turning point for Syrias opposition.

Most Western players in Syrias war now operate on the understanding that the best outcome rebel fighters can hope for is free elections in which the embattled ruler agrees to step down.

The extent to which the West is willing to continue to provide military support for the rebels is uncertain, particularly with Trump so narrowly focused on defeating Isis, said Tim Eaton, a research fellow with the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House.

Without significantly increased backing, which is not forthcoming, the rebels are in a position where they cant win.

That doesnt mean, though, that they wont continue to fight, and that there arent things to fight for. But six years in, the rebels may be forced to reign in some of their ambitions.

The hopes of the Arab Spring have long since been tempered by a war that has cost almost 500,000 lives (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

Most of those either involved in the original peaceful protest movement or the armed resistance to the Assad regime that The Independent spoke to, whether still in Syria or abroad, were initially hesitant to share their thoughts on the countrys future.

Some said they could not possibly put into words what the revolution means to them now.

I have too much and too little to say, said one Istanbul-based activist, who asked not to be named. I was on the side of freedom in 2011, and I am on the side of freedom now. But how many more will have to die? How do I judge that? Its impossible.

Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Show all 12 1 /12 Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man crosses a street in Aleppo, December 12, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A vendor sits inside an antique shop in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, December 12, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A view shows part of Aleppo's historic citadel, overlooking Aleppo city, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A view shows part of Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Visitors walk inside Aleppo's Umayyad mosque, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk inside the Khan al-Shounah market, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man walks past shops in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk along an alley in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Visitors tour Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A general view shows the Old City of Aleppo as seen from Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk near Aleppo's Bab al-Faraj Clock Tower, Syria October 6, 2010 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man stands inside Aleppo's historic citadel, overlooking Aleppo city, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters

Survivors guilt weighs heavily on most of those who were lucky enough to escape the conflict.

Amer Doko managed to flee Syria for Jordan in 2013 after being released from one of the regimes notorious prisons for dissenters.

Now based in Washington DC with his young family, Amer originally wanted to return to Syria after finishing a Masters degree at Georgetown University in 2014, but his hopes of going home died when he realised the war was still far from being over.

He feels nothing but bitterness, he said, at the role he unwittingly played in Syrias unravelling.

The peaceful uprising was worth it, not the armed rebellion, he said. The militarisation of our revolution led to its self-destruction and the worst humanitarian catastrophe of our time. Nothing is worth that price.

A Syrian boy looks at rebel fighters from the Jaish al-Fatah (or Army of Conquest) brigades, which include other rebel factions, marching in the city of Idlib (Getty)

Others  particularly those still inside Syria  see no alternative to resistance now.

We knew that the road to freedom is not decorated with flowers, said Abdulkafi al-Hamdo, an English teacher turned media activist who lived through the siege of east Aleppo with his wife and baby daughter.

With no electricity to cook and no baby food left in shops, he was often forced to mash up wet rice by torchlight to give her something to eat as war planes rumbled overhead.

Now living in neighbouring rebel-held Idlib, his wife is still afraid to sleep at night for fear of Syrian and Russian government bombing. And yet, if he could have told his younger self of the horrors to come, Abdulkafi says he would still have fought for freedom from the dictator.

If anything, I did not do enough. We should have told the world of our suffering before 2011. We should have fought earlier, he said.

Today I can be proud knowing I did not betray my ideals, or my friends, and all oppressed Syrians. We can only go forward.

In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea Show all 7 1 /7 In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A baby being taken on to MSF's Bourbon Argos ship from a boat carrying 130 migrants and refugees Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A refugee boat carrying 101 people being rescued by MSF's Bourbon Argos Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A refugee boat carrying 101 people being rescued by MSF's Bourbon Argos all images by Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A baby among refugees on a boat carrying 185 people off the coast of Libya Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea Migrants and refugees sleeping after being rescued by MSF's Bourbon Argos ship Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A crew from MSF's Bourbon Argos ship rescuing a boat carrying 130 migrants and refugees off the coast of Libya, at sunrise Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A woman in a stretcher being lifted onto MSF's Bourbon Argos ship from a boat carrying 130 migrants and refugees off the coast of Libya Lizzie Dearden

While Abdulkafis desire for a peaceful future is stronger than ever, there is unlikely to be a clean end to the bloodshed on Syrias multiple front lines.

Increased infighting between rebel groups has only strengthened the Syrian oppositions jihadi elements and the regime is more unlikely than ever to make concessions to such a weakened force.

I just miss the past, said Noura al-Yafi, a Damascene who has worked with refugee women in Beirut since 2013. We all do.

No one will ever achieve what they see as victory now. Whichever side youre on, we have all lost our country forever.
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Financial officials from the world's biggest economies have dropped from a joint statement any mention of financing action on climate change, reportedly following pressure from the US and Saudi Arabia.

Finance ministers from the G20, which comprises more than 80 percent of the global economy, debated the wording of their final joint statement on trade at their summit in the German resort of Baden-Baden.

Their communique showed no mention of a commitment to fund action on climate change, and Reuters reported there had been opposition from the US, Saudi Arabia and other countries to Germany's intention to include it. "Climate change is out for the time being," an official told the agency.

It did, however, say: "We reaffirm our commitment to rationalise and phase out, over the medium term, inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption, recognising the need to support the poor.

"Furthermore, we encourage all G20 countries which have not yet done so, to initiate as soon as feasible a peer review of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption."

The world's top economic powers also failed to agree on a joint position explicitly opposing trade protectionism amid pushback from the US government. Protectionism can include border tariffs and rules that favour a country's businesses over those in another economy.

The communique issued on Saturday was milder than the last one, from 2016.

It said that countries "are working to strengthen the contribution of trade" to their economies. By comparison, last year's meeting called on them to resist "all forms" of protectionism.

Mr Trump has been insistent that the US has previously been treated "unfairly" in its dealings around the world. One of his first executive orders pulled the country out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a planned trade arrangement between 12 countries.

He reaffirmed his position during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday. He denied he was "an isolationist", rather "a free trader, but also a fair trader".

Wolfgang Schaeuble, the finance minister of host country Germany, sought to play down any disagreements. He told reporters after the two-day meeting that the issue was more wording than substance.

"It's not true we are not agreed. It's completely clear we are not for protectionism. But it wasn't clear what one or another meant by that," he said.

Additional reporting by agencies
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The shooting at Orly airport in Paris has triggered travel chaos, with passengers warned: Ongoing special operation by the police at Paris-Orly. Please do not come to the airport.

Orly is the second-busiest airport in France, after Paris Charles-de-Gaulle. It has an extensive network of domestic flights, as well as no-frills European services and a wide range of long-haul leisure routes.

The straightforward part of the operation is keeping departing flights on the ground. A bigger concern is flights heading for the airport, particularly long-range services.

 Man shot after trying to seize weapon at Paris airport

Flightradar24, the tracking website, reported: After an earlier shooting incident at Paris Orly Airport, flights are now diverting to Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Dozen of flights connect the UK with Orly airport, including BA from Heathrow, Transavia from Luton and Edinburgh, Vueling from Luton and Flybe from Southampton.

British Airways cancelled the departure from Heathrow to Orly due at 10.45am, and the inbound flight early this afternoon.

A British Airways spokesperson said: We are doing all we can to assist our customers while the airport authorities at Paris Orly investigate the incident. The safety and security of our customers and colleagues is always our priority.

On a typical day Orly handles around 85,000 passengers. But today was expected to be unusually busy because of a shut-down of the main Paris railway terminus to the south of France. Gare de Lyon is closed all weekend while the signalling system is updated.

In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting French armed police secure the area at Paris Orly airport on 18 March AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Passengers evacuated from Orly airport's southern terminal after a shooting on 18 March Reuters In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting A woman is kept warm under a rescue blanket as travellers are evacuated from Paris' Orly airport on March 18, 2017 AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Evacuated travellers wait outside Paris Orly airport on 18 March AP In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting French armed police secure the area at Paris Orly airport on 18 March AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting A special forces policeman at Paris Orly airport after an attack on 18 March Reuters In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Travellers are evacuated from Paris' Orly airport on 18 March following the shooting of a man by French security forces. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Police at Paris Orly airport on 18 March following the shooting of a man by French security forces. AFP/Getty In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Passengers evacuated from Paris Orly airport on 18 March AP In pictures: Paris Orly airport shooting Emergency vehicles arrive Orly airport southern terminal in Paris, France March 18, 2016. Reuters

An added issue is the France-Wales Rugby match, which has led to extra pressure on the transport system.

The incident occurred four days before the first anniversary of the attack at Brussels airport in which suicide bombers killed 32 people in the check-in area.
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Orly airport, on the south side of Paris, went into lockdown immediately after the incident at about 8.30am local time. Passengers on aircraft that had just arrived were obliged to remain on board while a security sweep took place.

Departing passengers who had checked in luggage but whose flights were were among the hundreds cancelled were obliged to wait around for hours to reclaim their bags.

Intending travellers who had not yet reached the airport were warned: Ongoing special operation by the police at Paris-Orly. Please do not come to the airport.

With no further arrivals permitted at Orly, dozens of flights were diverted to Charles de Gaulle airport  adding pressure to the facilities at Frances busiest airport.

Air France told passengers booked to travel to or from Orly: We recommend you to change your reservation. You can postpone your trip at no extra cost until 28 March 2017. You may also choose to cancel your journey. In this case, you will be entitled to a non-refundable voucher valid 1 year.

To complicate the picture, Air France cabin crew have just begun a three-day strike. The airline aims to operate all its long-haul flights during the dispute, as well as 90 per cent of medium-haul services and 85 per cent of domestic flights. However, even on the flights which are operating, some passengers may be offloaded because of what Air France calls a reduced crew composition.

Flights from Orly resumed shortly before 3pm local time. One of the first departures was British Airways flight 333 to Heathrow. It had been due to leave at 10.30am but finally took off after 3pm. Another pair of BA flights were cancelled altogether.

Orly airport officials said a phone line had been established for a psychological unit  to support passengers close to the terminals; the number, in France, is 0811 000 694.

Even though no passengers or staff were killed in the incident, it will re-ignite the complex debate about security at airports. On 22 March, families of the victims of the 2016 attacks in Brussels will mark the first anniversary of the suicide bombings which killed 32 people  many of them in the check-in area of the citys airport.

In pictures: Orly airport shooting, Paris Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Orly airport shooting, Paris In pictures: Orly airport shooting, Paris Members of French anti-terrorist force RAID at Orly airport, near Paris, France EPA In pictures: Orly airport shooting, Paris A person has been shot by Operation Sentinelle anti-terror patrol soldiers at Orly Airport after trying to snatch a soldier's weapon EPA In pictures: Orly airport shooting, Paris Anti-terrorist police forces take position at Orly airport, near Paris, France EPA In pictures: Orly airport shooting, Paris French Interior Minister Bruno le Roux and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves le Drian, answer reporters at Orly airport, south of Paris AP In pictures: Orly airport shooting, Paris French Red Cross workers stand by as travellers are evacuated from Paris' Orly airport following the shooting of a man by French security forces Getty Images In pictures: Orly airport shooting, Paris French Red Cross workers arrive at Paris' Orly airport following the shooting of a man by French security forces Getty Images In pictures: Orly airport shooting, Paris Passengers being evacuated from Orly airport, near Paris, France EPA In pictures: Orly airport shooting, Paris French Police RAID unit officers secure the grounds at Paris' Orly airport following the shooting of a man by French security forces Getty In pictures: Orly airport shooting, Paris Passengers pass emergency vehicles at Orly airport southern terminal after a shooting incident near Paris, France Reuters In pictures: Orly airport shooting, Paris Passengers wait at Orly airport southern terminal after a shooting incident near Paris, France Reuters

At most airports in Europe and worldwide, the security focus is squarely on preventing weapons and explosives being taken airside" by terrorists with the intention of downing an aircraft. There are no controls about who enters the landside area of departures where check-in is located, or the area for greeting arriving passengers.

The tourist industry in Paris will lament another incident that reinforces the notion that visitors to the city are at risk. Since the attacks of 13 November 2015 in which 130 people died, the capitals hotels, restaurants and attractions have been significantly less busy than normal.

The current Foreign Office advice for France warns: There is a high threat from terrorism.

Due to ongoing threats to France by Islamist terrorist groups, and recent French military intervention against Daesh (formerly referred to as ISIL), the French government has warned the public to be especially vigilant and has reinforced its security measures.
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Diane Abbott, the shadow Home Secretary, says in an interview with The Independent today that Labour is ready for an immediate general election and that she believes the party can win. Her spirit is admirable, but the objective basis of her belief is less evident.

Also today, we report our exclusive ComRes opinion poll which, as it happens, asked people how they would vote if there were a general election tomorrow. Of course, a general election is not going to happen tomorrow. If the Prime Minister were to make a dash for it, in defiance of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, an election campaign would take at least three weeks. But our poll suggests that Ms Abbott is expecting something close to supernatural to happen in those few weeks.

We found that 42 per cent of people intend to vote for the Conservatives, putting them 17 points ahead of Labour on 25 per cent. This is an unusual position for the main opposition party in the middle of a parliament, and not a convincing platform on which leading members of the alternative government can tell Theresa May to bring it on.

Fortunately for Ms Abbott and her ally Jeremy Corbyn, the chances of Ms May going for an early election appear slim. It is hard to see how the Prime Minister would justify changing her mind about an election except by saying that she thinks she could win a large majority, and hence a powerful personal mandate, if she held one now. It would be an unnecessary distraction at the start of the Brexit negotiations.

That does not mean, however, that the rest of us can regard the current state of British politics with equanimity. It is not good for the country and for the health of its democracy that the opposition is so weak. It means we have bad government. If Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, had faced a credible, confident and popular opposition, do we think that he would have thought he could have got away with breaking the manifesto promise not to raise National Insurance contributions in his Budget? We would be better governed if he had corrected his error before making the speech rather than a week later, leaving his Budget in pieces to be put together again at the second attempt in November.

The Brexit talks, which are about to begin, would be more likely to produce a better outcome for the British people  and indeed for the peoples of the rest of the EU  if Ms May and her negotiators were to feel the hot breath on their shoulders of a hungry alternative government with the wind of public opinion in its sails. As it is, the Prime Minister is free to interpret her mandate from the EU referendum more or less as she pleases. When it comes to striking a balance between restricting immigration from the rest of the EU and maintaining free trade with the single market, we know which way she will lean, and there is no countervailing force from a strong opposition to dissuade her.

That is why Ms Abbott should not be allowed to get away with trotting out the platitudes of party loyalty. Her support for Mr Corbyn is admirable but unconvincing. Hardly anyone believes her any more when she suggests that the reason Labour has not done well in the opinion polls is that it spent the first 12 months of Jeremys leadership going from basically one leadership election to another. Mr Corbyns opponents in the party have been subdued for six months now and public opinion is still moving away from Labour.

Everyone can see that Mr Corbyns lack of conventional leadership qualities is part of the problem for the opposition. Ms Abbott knows it, but cannot say it in public. Mr Corbyn himself knows it. He has a choice: to do the right thing for Labour, for our democracy and for the country; or others in the party will do it for him, and probably sooner than he thinks.
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The United Kingdoms economy with its economic imbalances and persistent budget deficits is far from perfect but we Scots would be fools indeed to leave it. The fact is, it operates as a near-perfect common market with a common language, a common currency and free movement of goods and labour.

It also has a federal transfer system that moves funding from the wealthier to the poorer parts and in recent decades Scotland has been a huge beneficiary of such fiscal transfers. The idea, promoted by Nicola Sturgeon, of leaving the UK to preserve access to the European common market is economic suicide and just too silly for words.

Not only is the EU a minor trading partner, its shambolic common market that has no common language, no common currency and only a partial free movement of goods. There is much less free movement of services while its federal transfer system is so riddled with corruption and parochial interest that actuaries refuse to sign off its accounts.

Rev Dr John Cameron

St Andrews

Nicola Sturgeon is outraged. Again. This time it is democratic outrage because the UK government takes the view that a referendum rerun would only be fair if people have a reasonable idea of what they are voting about. The SNP base their case on the deal with the EU proving to be the hardest of hard Brexits. So they have to wait and see if they are right and then it will be clearer whether a second referendum is justified.

Given previous SNP outrage over Brexit campaign misinformation, it is ironic they now seek to hold a vote specifically before people have all the relevant facts.

What is the SNPs main concern, that an eventual deal with the EU proves to be acceptable to most Scots, or that the SNP risks losing an overall majority for independence in the next Holyrood elections?

Keith Howell

West Linton

We should have a referendum on the existence of Holyrood

The only referendum we Scots urgently need is one to have the wasteful nonentity of Holyrood abolished so all in Britain can once more prosper as a united nation where we share the same laws and regulations from one end of the country to the other as we once did. No need for the girning from those that are never happy no matter what you give them. I dream of a Britain at peace with itself  that cannot return until we have one government serving the whole of this little island nation.

Eric Davidson

Banffshire

Gordon Brown should stay out of this independence debate

Just when it was clear that Theresa May was standing up for Scots and standing up to Nicola Sturgeon, up pops Gordon Brown again. As if he didnt do enough damage in the 2014 referendum by making promises that he was in no position to keep. Now he is at it again, proposing federalism. Does he really not know that you cannot appease nationalists? They have their one aim, secession from the UK, and nothing short of that will satisfy them. Federalism would be another salami slice (or even a few slices) towards the nationalists ambition of severing all ties between Scotland and the UK. I am sorry to see that Kezia Dugdale, after her strong performances in the last few days, has fallen in behind Brown.

We are facing an existential contest, between those who are desperate to leave the UK, because they hate it and everything about it (except the fiscal transfer), and those who wish to remain within the UK. That contest should have been settled in 2014, and would have been but for the duplicity of the nationalist leadership. It is saddening that Gordon Brown seems to have learned no lessons from that.

Jill Stephenson

Edinburgh

The EU helps us implement life-saving legislation

Using your phone or tablet just got that bit smarter thanks to new European legislation preventing the use of conflict minerals. Mobile devices have transformed communication but their manufacture involves the use of metals that often come from parts of the world mired in bloody conflicts.

It was European Greens who both initiated and secured this legislation which will oblige firms involved in the extraction and trade of minerals such as tungsten, tantalum, tin and gold to ensure their supply chains are not linked to armed conflicts or human rights abuses in various parts of the world.

The passing of this legislation is a reminder of how important the elected European Parliament is. Originally the European Commission only wanted voluntary codes of conduct but MEPs rejected this. So thanks to the European Parliament, and the work of Green MEPs in particular, we now have binding rules to restrain some of the worlds most powerful companies from breaching human rights in some of the worlds poorest and most unstable countries.

Molly Scott Cato MEP

Brussels

We must remain close to our European neighbours

Our continent is haunted by the spectre of nationalism, with its attendant demons: intolerance prejudice and xenophobia. Future historians will have the leisure to attribute blame for this horror, but while there is still time, surely, we must rouse ourselves to avert the impending calamity. Nationalism is not a universal good, but, at best, the least bad response of the oppressed to their overlords.

Few now would condemn the Irish republicans of the 1920s, or would deny the Jews of the 1940s a homeland. But I believe it is a sign of political maturity not weakness that my sense today of English nationalism is weak. Is it to be a citizen of nowhere to feel more affinity for Schiller and Voltaire than for Oswald Mosley? The post-war European project was an unprecedented and largely successful attempt to create a voluntary union of nations dedicated to the pursuit of peace, sustainable prosperity and justice, without institutional barriers between ethnic groups. Now we have glimpsed the path down which national assertion leads  a breakup of two unions against the wishes of the majority and to the impoverishment of all  it behoves our political leaders to do that which they know in their hearts to be right.

They must negotiate with our neighbours in good faith; reforming the excesses of both unions but not shying away from the necessary and painful task of persuading the people that to share in the greater prosperity, justice and peace of our region necessarily entails sharing just a little of our sovereignty.

William James

Oxford
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With wall-to-wall coverage of Brexit consuming the medias bandwidth, it would be easy to miss the report that most of Yemen is just one step away from famine. Yet entering Yemen on the roll-call of global disasters ignores the fact that famine there is an entirely man-made phenomenon, and one in which the UK, with its internally inconsistent policy, is tragically complicit. Yemen is not starving; it is being starved.

The generosity of the British public in donating 20m to last months Disasters Emergency Committee appeal demonstrates that we are far from immune to appalling stories and images of starvation in the 21st century. With four famines looming and the unconscionable prospect of children dying from starvation in their tens of thousands, we face an image of biblical ferocity that most of us thought lay buried in the last century. Yet we are in an intolerable bind where Britains development and humanitarian organisations try desperately to get aid and medicines, paid for by the British taxpayer, into Yemen while a Saudi-led coalition, of which Britain is a part, is pounding the very port facilities through which British taxpayer-funded support needs to pass.

As Yemeni children stare into the jaws of starvation, we cannot continue with business as usual. Yemen is being slowly starved by our ally, Saudi Arabia. Save the Children recently called out Saudi tactics that directly blocked shipments of medical supplies. Far from working to unblock lifesaving aid pipelines, the Saudi-led coalition is pursuing an assault that is pushing the frontlines of the conflict towards Yemens main port of Hoedeidah. Aid groups and senior UN figures are warning on a daily basis that this could take the entire port out of action, with devastating consequences. In normal times 80 per cent of everything Yemen imports comes through Hoedeidah, and 90 per cent of their food is imported.

The situation in Yemen Show all 14 1 /14 The situation in Yemen The situation in Yemen Houthi supporters trample on a US flag during a gathering mobilizing more fighters into several Yemeni battlefronts, in Sana'a, Yemen EPA The situation in Yemen People carry the coffins of men, who were killed in the recent Saudi-led airstrikes during their funeral, in the Old City of Sanaa, Yemen AP The situation in Yemen Pro-government fighters give food to Yemeni children on the road leading to the southwestern port city of Mokha. Yemeni rebels are putting up fierce resistance in a key Red Sea port city where they are encircled by pro-government force Getty Images The situation in Yemen A Yemeni stands in front of a graffiti protesting US military operations in war-affected Yemen, in Sana'a, Yemen. According to reports, US Special Forces troops allegedly disembarked from US helicopters in the Yemeni town of Yakla and attacked several houses belonging to members of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda, killing three high-ranking Al-Qaeda members and nine civilians, six women and three children. One American serviceman has been killed and three injured in the attack EPA The situation in Yemen US Special Forces troops allegedly disembarked from US helicopters in the Yemeni town of Yakla and attacked several houses belonging to members of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda, killing three high-ranking Al-Qaeda members and nine civilians, six women and three children. One American serviceman has been killed and three injured in the attack EPA The situation in Yemen A Yemeni female fighter supporting the Shiite Huthi rebels, and carrying weapons used for ceremonial purposes, takes part in an anti-Saudi rally in the capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen Yemeni female fighters supporting the Shiite Huthi rebels, and carrying weapons used for ceremonial purposes, take part in an anti-Saudi rally in the capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen A boy shouts slogans next to pro-Houthi fighters, who have been injured during recent fighting, during a rally held to honour those injured or maimed while fighting in Houthi ranks in Sanaa, Yemen Reuters The situation in Yemen Balls of fire and smoke rise from a Houthi-held military camp following alleged Saudi-led airstrikes, in Sana'a, Yemen EPA The situation in Yemen Yemenis search under the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen A Yemeni boy looks on as Yemenis search under the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa Getty The situation in Yemen A Yemeni boy sits amidst the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa AFP/Getty The situation in Yemen Marine One with US President Donald Trump flies with a decoy and support helicopters to Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, for the dignified transfer of Navy Seal Chief Petty Officer William 'Ryan' Owens who was killed in Yemen Getty Images The situation in Yemen US President Donald Trump aboard the Marine One to greet the remains of a US military commando killed during a raid on the al Qaeda militant group in southern Yemen on Sunday, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, US Reuters

The UK is leading an admirable response in providing critical funding to address the crises in Somalia and South Sudan, and we have given 100m in humanitarian aid to Yemen. However, these efforts are undermined by our failure to use our diplomatic muscle to address the root causes of this crisis, and convince our allies to move on from a counter-productive militaristic strategy that is devastating the country. Yet so strong are our deep historic and diplomatic links with this part of the world that even now the Houthi leadership will accept Britains mediation in trying to secure a ceasefire and Yemeni-Saudi talks.

Surely this is an opportunity for Global Britain to put its mouth where its money is.

It cannot conceivably be in our interests, nor those of Saudi Arabia, for Yemen to descend into famine. Brutal collective punishment of the Yemeni population has done little to dent the Houthi rebels supremacy through vast swathes of the country: both sides have shown scant regard for innocent human lives. The longer this conflict continues, the more entrenched both sides become, and the greater the space that is created for radicalisation that will ultimately come back to bite us. The patience of the indigenous Yemeni forces will long outlive the military engagement of the foreign powers now engaged inside their country.

 2.1 million children are facing famine in Yemen

In short: the war isnt working, its compromising our standing in the world and its radicalising our enemies.

This report must act as a wake-up call. Demanding unfettered access to Hoedeida port and the re-opening of commercial airspace could avert even greater catastrophe. Insisting upon adherence to international humanitarian law and efforts to take the political track out of its current deep freeze isnt just the right thing to do morally, its the only way to help our Saudi allies out of a mess which is rapidly becoming a quagmire. It is not too late for the UK to seize the opportunity to be on the right side of history by acting to prevent famine in Yemen.

Andrew Mitchell is the Conservative MP for Sutton Coldfield
The majority of National Hunt horses bred in Ireland come from the small breeder/farmer sector, who usually confine their breeding enterprises to five mares or less, Shane O'Dwyer, the chief executive of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, told the Farming Independent this week.

The general economic situation for the sector has improved over the past few years and the ITBA were now concentrating on improving bloodlines and stabilising the demand and supply curve within the industry.

At the height of the economic boom, the number of horses being bred by stud owners rose here to a level of some 12,500 foals a year, which breeding experts believed was unsustainable.

Today numbers have come back to a more manageable level of 9,000 foals a year.

The ITBA has introduced various incentive schemes aimed at helping the small breeders to maximise their return from the breeding activities including the National Hunt Bonus Scheme for Fillies - racing in a schedule of over 90 races covering bumper, novice hurdles and chases.

Most of the bonuses last year were won by small breeders who sent their horses to trainers rather than through the sales route.

"The aim of the various ITBA schemes is to improve bloodlines breeding standards, avoid overproduction of mediocre animals and generally encourage the small breeders to train and retain their horses," Shane O'Dwyer added.

"Cheltenham this week will be all about the major players, but it has to be said that they do create a beneficial trickle-down economic effect within the sector with their purchases.

"But it has to be emphasised that there are many good small breeders in every county in Ireland who can compete with the big players on the National Hunt scene and people like Paddy Behan prove this point," he added.
Jack Teeling, right, with brother Stephen outside the Teeling Whiskey distillery in Dublin, which was the citys first in more than 125 years

Yesterday's St Patrick's Day is regarded as the start of the tourism season in Ireland. We have many attractions for visitors, but when it comes to showcasing and promoting whiskey as an attraction we're behind the curve, even though it's one of our best known products overseas.

Almost 1.5 million tourists visit Scottish distilleries every year - that's around one fifth of all tourists who visit the country. In Kentucky the bourbon trail has been going for nearly 20 years and forms a key plank of the state's tourism strategy. They've even registered The Bourbon Trail as a trademark.

In the 1800s Irish production accounted for more than 60pc of all global exports of the spirit, but we're only starting to see the potential of whiskey tourism.

Roughly 600,000 people visited distilleries in Ireland last year. At our new Teeling Whiskey distillery in Dublin, which opened 18 months ago, we have welcomed 175,000 visitors so far.

What attracts visitors is authenticity and vibrancy - having distilleries with visitor centres rather than the other way round.

People want to see a working distillery with a real product made for a real market and audience. That allied to our rich heritage is an attractive offering.

Moreover it creates jobs and helps the sector grow its share of a rapidly growing and lucrative market, especially in the US.

Since 2002 sales of premium Irish whiskey in the US have grown seven-fold. Sales of super-premium whiskey have risen a staggering 3456pc. That growth is forecast to continue in the high double digits for the foreseeable future.

The US market is by far the largest for exports. Annually it consumes four million 9-litre cases of Irish whiskey - in Ireland we consume 600,000 cases per year. The growth hasn't just been in the US, there has also been strengthening in large mature markets such as France, Germany and the Nordics as well as a rise in new markets in central and eastern Europe.

According to some forecasts, global exports of Irish whiskey will hit 12million cases by 2020 and double to 24million cases by 2030. Separately over 1bn is expected to be invested in Irish distillery projects.

There's still a lot of potential. Ireland accounts for only around 4pc of whiskey exports globally. Scotland is the dominant force, with Scotch exports worth 5bn annually - a quarter of the UK's total food and drink exports. Still, it's worth saying that Ireland is the fourth-largest exporter of whiskey in the world and second-largest in the EU. It shows that there's a lot to play for. At Teeling Whiskey we have been successfully doing that for years and prospects are positive.

After decades of decline, Irish whiskey has been a star performer in the export market. Perhaps it was the years of underperformance married with the taste profile and history of whiskey that made it the perfect gateway spirit for drinkers.

All of this helps explain why Dublin is experiencing a renaissance in whiskey production. In recent months we've had the re-entry of Diageo into the sector and across the country new distilleries are opening up.

Our distillery in Dublin was the city's first for more than 125 years. We've been part of the Irish success story and are in the process of doubling our workforce in the US due to ongoing demand. Success cannot be taken for granted. We've had global dominance and it slipped away. For many, nothing represented the demise of Irish whiskey better than the last Dublin distillery's stills running cold in 1976.

Creating a tourist industry around distilleries is one way to promote the sector. We welcomed the launch of the whiskey tourism strategy last year, which aims to attract two million visitors a year by 2025.

We are in the middle of a cyclical long term up-trend, but we should learn from the past and ensure we don't become arrogant, thinking that what has gotten us here over the last 20 years will be enough to keep modern consumers interested for the long term.

The stats out of the US show there is a growing interest and need for alternative Irish whiskey offerings to cater for the modern generation of drinkers who are not as brand loyal as previous generations and are constantly seeking new tastes and ways to express themselves.

We need a range of strong independent producers who can complement the larger multinational players who dominate the industry.

Jack Teeling is the founder and MD of Teeling Whiskey
The UK said yesterday that it will question executives from Google over why adverts marketing government services were appearing alongside videos carrying hate speech and extremist content on its YouTube website.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said Google would be attending a meeting at the Cabinet Office later after 'The Times' newspaper reported that public sector adverts were appearing alongside videos carrying homophobic and anti-Semitic messages.

The spokesman said the government had suspended its advertising from YouTube.

"We are waiting for reassurances that they have in place the technical expertise to stop our adverts appearing in the wrong places," he said.

Other organisations, such as retailers Sainsbury's and Argos and the 'Guardian' newspaper, said they had also withdrawn their advertising.

"It is completely unacceptable that Google allows advertising for brands like the 'Guardian' to appear next to extremist and hate filled videos," a spokeswoman for the newspaper said.

"We have stopped all advertising through Google with immediate effect until we receive guarantees that this won't happen in the future."

Google said in a statement that it worked hard to remove ads from appearing on pages or videos with "hate speech, gory or offensive content" and said it had launched a review to give brands more control over where their ads appeared.

"With millions of sites in our network and 400 hours of video uploaded to YouTube every minute, we recognise that we don't always get it right," it said in a statement.

"In a very small percentage of cases, ads appear against content that violates our monetisation policies. We promptly remove the ads in those instances, but we know we can and must do more."

Google added that it believed in the freedom of speech and expression on the internet, even when it did not agree with the views expressed. (Reuters)
Tullow Oil plans to raise 607m by selling shares at a discount, in a deal that will cut the Anglo-Irish oil explorer's debt pile and invest in drilling sites.

The planned rights issue comes just before Tullow Oil's founder, Aidan Heavey, is due to step down as chief executive in April when he'll become chairman of the African-focused exploration group.

The deal caught markets off guard, with shares in London down the most in eight months in early trading yesterday, in the immediate aftermath of the announcement. The issue price for the new shares at 130 pence each is a 45pc discount to the closing price on March 16.

However, the deal has the backing of several major shareholders and the issue is fully underwritten by Barclays Bank and JP Morgan Securities, Tullow said.

Analysts at Bernstein also noted that management are also fully subscribing to the deal.

The additional capital from the rights issue "removes any final questions about our financial strength", chief operating officer Paul McDade, who is also Tullow's ceo-designate, said.

It will leave the company "in a much better position to take advantage of the potential we have and growth opportunities" in Africa and South America.

Low oil prices have forced Tullow to limit investment over the past two years. It has cut the number of employees by almost half.

Tullow has been squeezed as a result of money borrowed on the markets to develop a field off the coast of Ghana and the collapse in the price of crude oil from mid 2014. The Tweneboa-Enyenra-Ntomme, or TEN, project came on stream in August, and Tullow says capital-spending commitments will now drop as cash flow rises.

Nevertheless, concerns about its debt levels have contributed to a 24pc drop in the company's share price this year, before yesterday's announcement. The company has had to repeatedly state it is not a takeover target. But one analyst yesterday said the debt reduction and dilution of the share price could make Tullow an acquisition target.

"If you're a major looking to buy reserves of scale, Tullow's valuation is probably not that far away from what you'd think is reasonable," RBC Capital Markets analyst Al Stanton said.

Shares in the company fell as much as 16pc in London trading yesterday, the biggest drop since July. They were down 37.5 pence to 199.8 pence each by midday.

"Following the sale of its Ugandan assets to Total with limited cash upfront, there was increasing risk of a potential rights issue with the company having limited other levers to pull in order to accelerate the de-leveraging process," Michael Alsford, an analyst at Citigroup, said in a note to clients. The rights issue should be "sufficient" to refinance its debt this year and de-lever in the next two years, he said.

Analysts at Bernstein said the capital raise means Tullow will have resources to grow as the market recovers.

"We interpret this as a company emerging from the down-cycle and ready to get back to growth. Self-help measures since 2014 will reduce costs by $600m and debt would have fallen organically but taken longer. Tullow don't want to wait," the firm said in an investor note.

The rights issue will help Tullow reduce its ratio of net debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortisation and exploration costs to its target of 2.5 times from more than 5-times-costs at the end of last year, Paul McDade said, without giving a timetable.

In January this year Tullow sold a stake in its Ugandan oil rights, the Lake Albert development, to French oil giant Total in a deal valued at $900m. The Total deal only included $100m in upfront cash, with the balance made up of the French group's contribution to future costs.

Tullow said yesterday that China's state oil company Cnooc would exercise its right to acquire half of the 21.6pc holding being sold to Total.

Tullow doesn't plan to sell the rest of its stake in Uganda, and is hoping the project will start contributing cash flow when it comes on stream by 2021, Paul McDade said.

Uganda has an estimated 1.7bn barrels of recoverable oil at fields in the Lake Albert basin. The resources could be developed at a total cost of about $20 a barrel, including capital expenditure on drilling and pipeline construction plus operating costs, Paul McDade said.

On world markets oil prices fell below $50 a barrel this week, after US shale producers ramped up production, despite efforts by OPEC, the organisation of traditional oil-producing nations, to cap supply. (Additional reporting Bloomberg and Reuters)
After a week of ineffable sadness, it fell to our patron saint to lift the capital's spirits on the international day of celebration, if only for a little while.

From lime to emerald and everything in between, there were fifty shades of green as thousands of revellers from around the world lined the streets of the capital for the annual St Patrick's Day Festival parade yesterday.

Whipped by chill winds and dominated by ominous clouds, young and old identifying as Irish arrived early to secure prime position for the 3.2km spectacle starting on Parnell Square.

Amid the ocean of tricolour top hats and oversized sequin bow-ties, it was a wonder there was anything left on the shelves at Carrolls by the time procession kicked off just after midday.

Even the warm-up act - two gardai on Segways - elicited a huge cheer from the excited crowd.

Ever punctual, President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina didn't leave the public waiting, both sporting suitably large clumps of shamrock.

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Their seemingly frugal choice of transport - a 12-year-old Mercedes-Benz S Class - was met by approval from some.

"He's not wasting any money, anyway," quipped one cost-conscious citizen looking on.

America, Peru, France, Germany and the Bahamas were just some of the nations represented at the multicultural spectacle, invariably forced to snake its way around Luas works across the city.

Pristine New York cops, a Liberties dance troupe, a Dracula of indeterminate origin, and many others, banded together to bring this year's theme, 'Ireland You Are', to Technicolor life. Over on social media, a specially commissioned poem of the same name was trending.

Asked by MC Marcus Lamb if he was pleased with the response to the seminal piece, Dublin poet Stephen James Smyth proffered maybe the most Irish answer ever: "Ah, yeah, well - they paid me anyway, so that was the main thing."

A decade after first donning the robes of our patron saint for the world-famous festivities, Dublin actor Johnny Murphy was revelling in his role as the fifth-century Christian icon, flashing the peace sign and posing for anachronistic selfies with saints and sinners alike.

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"I do a very lightweight version, as you can probably tell," joked the 49-year-old, who was spotted by a former director of the festival in a play. "It's definitely the highlight of my year.

"It's like how I imagine it must be like for a band when they go on stage and there's 50,000 people cheering. When you're walking that route and you get that, it's an amazing experience."

Earlier this week, it emerged that the real-life St Patrick may have had a few "hidden realities" of his own.

Historians at University College Cork's Department of Folklore told how the honorary Irishman had a wife named Sheelah, who was "perhaps much bigger than suggested by scant mentions in old newspaper accounts".

More than fifteen centuries on, the saint certainly had no shortage of female cheerleaders in the capital yesterday - quite literally, in the case of Illinois State University's Big Red Marching Band, who jetted over 6,000km to take part in the parade.

As brollies were finally unfurled and hoods deployed, one leotard-wearing baton twirler from Pacific Northwest Intercollegiate Marching Band was putting on a brave face, at least. Other fierce females represented at the family-friendly day out included pirate queen Grace O'Malley, resuscitated by community youth group Brighter Futures, and Celtic Goddess Arianrhod, Goddess of the Silver Wheel.

Leading the charge, though, was Grand Marshal Annalise Murphy with her mum Cathy.

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The Olympic silver medallist only discovered four weeks ago that she would be leading the 2017 event, watched by millions around the globe.

As she prepared to take centre stage almost 20 years after first attending the parade as a child, the Rathfarnham sailor joked that she was looking forward to having a better view this time.

"I must have been around eight or nine and we came in somewhere around the South Circular Road," she recalled. "I just have a memory of how we ended up sitting on some house's fence to get a view of what was happening."

Brass bands marched and stilt-walkers wobbled and scarcely a window or rooftop was unoccupied as O'Connell Street workers who drew the short straw on the bank holiday clamoured to get a better look at the proceedings down below.

A total of seven horses and five dogs from the Garda Dog Unit were also on best behaviour during the highlight of the four-day festival, which continues until tomorrow.

Only a few hundred die-hards remained for a bicycle display aimed at encouraging onlookers to get back in the saddle as the rain began coming down in sheets.

Ultimately, though, it was a Dublin City Council street cleaner called Robbie who earned the biggest applause.

He Hoovered up the encouragement - as well as the rubbish - urging the cheering crowd: "Louder!"
The High Court will be asked on Monday to endorse a European arrest warrant seeking the extradition of Ian Bailey to France to stand trial for the murder of filmmaker Sophie Toscan du Plantier.

An application will be made to Mr Justice Tony Hunt on behalf of the French authorities by lawyers for Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald.

The application is set to be strongly resisted by Mr Bailey, who has always denied any involvement in the murder of the 39-year-old French woman in west Cork in 1996.

French authorities issued the European arrest warrant last July following an eight-year investigation by French magistrate.

They launched a probe under a law allowing for investigations into the deaths of French nationals abroad after a Garda investigation failed to lead to anyone being charged.

Judge Nathalie Turquey, who took over the French investigation from Judge Patrick Gachon last year, delivered an indictment order on July 27 to start a criminal case against Mr Bailey in Paris for voluntary homicide.

It is the second time French authorities have sought to extradite Mr Bailey, a former journalist who reported on Ms Toscan du Plantier's murder.

The Supreme Court rejected a previous attempt in 2012.

The investigation by French authorities has cost in excess of 3m. They are now confident that the majority of 40 Irish witnesses, the bulk of whom were interviewed as part of the original Garda murder probe, will travel to Paris for the planned trial later this year.

Injunction

Mr Bailey's solicitor, Frank Buttimer, confirmed they would seek an immediate injunction if any attempt was made to act on the second arrest warrant.

Mr Bailey said the support of his partner Jules Thomas, friends, neighbours and even complete strangers was what kept him going.

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"Jules and I have received an awful lot of support from complete strangers," he said.

"It is something that is very encouraging, humbling but nice. We both receive many messages from the ordinary people of Ireland including many Mass cards and messages from people saying they are praying for us."

Mr Bailey now plans to publish a book of poetry entitled 'The West Cork Way' in a bid to keep his focus on his life and literary career.

However, the French are determined to press ahead with a Paris murder trial.

All Irish witnesses will have their travel and subsistence expenses in Paris paid for by the French judiciary.

Mr Bailey was last month served with formal notification by the Paris authorities that he has been charged with Ms du Plantier's murder and will face trial in France. He also faces a second charge of allegedly attempting to interfere with a judicial process.

However, under French law, Mr Bailey can be tried in absentia.

He has vehemently protested his innocence in relation to the death of Ms du Plantier on December 23, 1996 at Toormore in Schull, west Cork.

She was found battered to death on a laneway leading to her isolated holiday home.

The mother of one had apparently tried to flee from an intruder at her home just hours before she was due to fly back to France for Christmas.

Mr Bailey was twice arrested by gardai in 1997 and 1998 for questioning in relation to the matter but was released without charge on both occasions.

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Mr Bailey has insisted that sinister attempts were made to "stitch me up" for the crime.

He said being wrongly associated with the awful crime for the past 20 years has been "like a torture".

"The reality is that I am going to live with this for the rest of my life," he said.

"That is whether I am extradited to France and imprisoned or whether I live out my life here in Ireland. I believe that, at this stage, the likelihood is that this (torture) will really only end when I pass. It has been a nightmare."

French prosecutors want the Paris Criminal Court trial to involve as many witnesses as possible from the original investigation into the murder.

The French investigation was launched following pressure from Sophie's family after the Irish authorities said no prosecution was ever likely here.
Maureen Haughey's death, aged 91, ends a link to Irish history which dates back to the foundation of the State.

Mrs Haughey was married to Ireland's most controversial taoiseach, Charles Haughey, for over 50 years. She was the daughter of Sean Lemass, also a former taoiseach, a founder member of Fianna Fail, and a veteran of the 1916 Easter Rising.

She was a very private person for all of her life, dedicating her time to being a home-maker and carer for her husband and four children. But in political circles she was known as a very dedicated defender of her husband, standing by him through all kinds of political and personal adversity.

Her uncle, Noel Lemass, was murdered in controversial circumstances in the aftermath of the Civil War of 1923 in an incident believed to have been caused by Free State agents. Her late brother, Noel Junior, also served as a Fianna Fail TD and was a junior minister prior to his untimely death in 1976.

Unusually for her generation Maureen Lemass, the eldest of Sean Lemass's children, studied for a BComm degree at University College Dublin in the 1940s. Other contemporary students included Garret FitzGerald and his future wife, Joan.

It was here that she met her future husband, Cathal, who would soon become known universally as Charlie. They married when they were each aged 26 and in time they had four children - Conor, Ciaran, Eimear and Sean, who is a very popular TD for Dublin Bay North.

Mr Haughey became a Fianna Fail TD in 1957 and held several ministerial posts. But in 1970 he was the focus of much controversy when he was sacked from government and charged with importing IRA arms.

In a remarkable career turnaround, he was elected Fianna Fail leader and taoiseach in 1979, later serving two more times as taoiseach. But his life was replete with controversy even after his retirement in 1992 when some startling revelations about his finances made him the focus of prolonged tribunals of inquiry.

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In 1999 the Haughey family was rocked by various revelations by 'Sunday Independent' social diarist, Terry Keane, the former wife of a High Court judge. Their relationship had been gossiped about for years previously.

Clearly the revelations caused much hurt and embarrassment in the Haughey family. But the couple remained together and Maureen continued to support an increasingly ailing Mr Haughey with his travails at the various tribunals of inquiry and parallel probes by the tax authorities.

On RTE'S 'Today With Sean O'Rourke' yesterday, the financial adviser, Des Peelo, said Mrs Haughey's support to her husband was vital at this time as he struggled to cope with the various inquiries.

Mr Peelo said he was not privy to many of the facts of the Terry Keane liaison - but he suggested that she had exaggerated many of the details. He said Mrs Haughey was "utterly unassuming" and had "a lovely presence".

"She had no airs and graces and was warm and intelligent. She was a very private individual, entirely without malice," Mr Peelo said, adding that he believed she had a strong influence on her husband, who died in 2006.

Sean Haughey announced his mother's death on Twitter. "So sad to announce that my mother passed away peacefully this morning - a truly remarkable woman. May she rest in peace," he posted.

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The Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin expressed his party's deepest sympathies to the Haughey and Lemass families. "Maureen was a wonderfully warm, dignified and intelligent woman," Mr Martin said.

"She was a tower of strength to her late husband former taoiseach Charles Haughey and loving daughter of former taoiseach Sean Lemass. Throughout her distinguished life she witnessed some of the major turning points in Irish history."

Mr Martin described Mrs Haughey as a "very active woman" with a keen interest in the evolution of Irish society.

"She was a patriot who loved her country and retained a key interest in the development of Irish society. Her life was steeped in the cause of Irish republicanism and her family contributed significantly to its advancement," the Fianna Fail leader said.

The Haughey family had lived at Abbeville, the 18th Century house in Kinsealy, near Malahide, Co Dublin, for almost 40 years. Mr Haughey had acquired Abbeville in 1969, at the age of 44, just after being re-appointed finance minister.

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Mrs Haughey left the mansion in 2008.
The former chief executive of the St Vincent's Healthcare Group in Dublin - who was at the centre of a salary top-ups row in recent years - received a termination payment of 200,000 and 375,000 towards his occupational pension fund, the Irish Independent has learned.

The deal was made by the St Vincent's Healthcare Group with Nicholas Jermyn after his contract as group chief executive was terminated.

Mr Jermyn's group role had involved being chief executive of St Vincent's public hospital, St Vincent's private hospital and St Michael's Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.

The group is owned by the Sisters of Charity, which is among the religious orders that owe funding to the State-run redress scheme for adult survivors of child abuse.

After the publication of the Ryan report in 2009, detailing the level of abuse in religious-run institutions, the Sisters of Charity pledged 5m but at the end of 2015, just 2m of this had been realised, the Comptroller and Auditor General reported.

The group chief executive role ended after it was revealed many highly paid HSE-funded managers were getting financial top-ups to their public salaries in breach of public service pay rules.

The St Vincent's Healthcare Group said the payments to Mr Jermyn, when his contract as group chief executive ended in June 2014, came from its private commercial income and no money received from the HSE to fund its public hospitals was used.

He had resigned from his post of chief executive at St Vincent's public hospital two months earlier. Mr Jermyn was then re-employed by the group the following September and is currently director of strategy.

A spokesman for the group declined to elaborate on the details of Mr Jermyn's occupational pension and how this was linked to his public service pension.

The payments were set out in the group's accounts lodged with the Companies Office, he said.

"St Vincent's Healthcare Group is a separate legal entity concerned with the running of acute hospital services," he said, in response to questions on the order's payments to the redress board.

According to the group, as a result of the termination of Mr Jermyn's contract as group chief executive - none of which related to performance issues -the board agreed compensation with him.

The group originally refused to disclose Mr Jermyn's salary during the revelations about top-ups, but at the end of 2013 it revealed he was on a package of more than 292,000, including a salary of 136,282 from the public sector and 136,951 in a top-up from the private sector. He also had a privately funded car allowance of 19,796.
A shop assistant suffered a suspected fractured skull during an attempted robbery of a newsagents this morning.

Gardai are appealing for information after the terrifying incident at the shop in Glasnevin, Dublin 11.

According to a spokesman two men entered the business at 8.15am and assaulted a male member of staff.

The victim, who is in his 40s, received serious head injuries and was taken by ambulance to Beaumount hospital.

The men fled the scene on Fitzmaurice Road in what is believed to be a white saloon type car heading in the direction of Glasilawn Rd. Nothing was stolen in the incident.

Gardai are appealing for anyone who was in the area between 8am and 8.20am, or has any information, to contact them at the incident room in Finglas on 01-6667500, or the Garda confidential Line 1800-666-111 or any Garda station.

Meanwhile an man in his 30s is fighting for life after an attack on New Street in Longford town yesterday evening at around 8.30pm.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny with seven-month-old Savanah Marie who was at the St Patricks Day parade in New York with her grandfather Mark Cassels. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Enda Kenny must be feeling pretty smug today. After a week of police escorts, executive hotel suites, high-powered meetings and endless selfies with overly enthusiastic Americans, he will be a bit jet-lagged but definitively pleased with himself.

Even the most humble of leaders would struggle not to feel slightly glorious after the week Mr Kenny has had.

The Taoiseach is probably thinking that his party colleagues are mad to be waiting with baited breath for his resignation.

Perhaps that's why he intervened to pull a line from a speech in which he was scheduled to publicly acknowledge he's about to step down and is now openly attempting to shoot the bolted horse.

But America was his swansong.

Deep down, he knows this was a high-point that won't be achieved again.

It was an action-packed week of events that even a blizzard couldn't stop.

Whatever failings the Taoiseach has in domestic politics, he excels when abroad. If voting rights are extended to the diaspora, he might just give Gerry Adams a run for his money to be the President in 2025.

By the time Mr Kenny got to Washington, he had already been the toast of two major cities.

He marched the streets of Philadelphia in the St Patrick's Day parade, no doubt humming some Bruce Springsteen to himself.

And in Boston he was welcomed with open arms by Mayor Marty Walsh.

But his team were still nervous about meeting the new sheriff in the White House, and his army of 'Irish Americans' including alleged white supremacist Steve Bannon, the inventor of alternative facts Kellyanne Conway and motormouth spindoctor Sean Spicer.

Mr Kenny clearly decided the best form of attack on the man who possesses the nuclear codes was to love bomb him.

The Taoiseach gushingly joked with Donald Trump, who he said had "beat them all, no matter what they say" - obviously deciding the Russians did not interfere with last year's election. The president loved it. He reckoned Mr Kenny was "my new friend, a great guy".

And once Mr Trump literally gave Enda the thumbs-up, everybody else fell into line.

Paul Ryan, the Republican Speaker of the House, took it to the next level, thanking him "on behalf of Congress" for his "steadfast leadership".

"When I think about all the work that you did to set up a government. Coming in after the crash. Turning the economy around. The endless demands. The long nights. The backbiting from the backbenches.

"And you made how long in this job? Six years? Bravo. You may have the luck of the Irish," he said to loud applause on Capitol Hill.

Mr Kenny demurely waved his hand to dismiss the bootlicking but he was clearly enjoying it.

Vice President Mike Pence put the Taoiseach into the same sphere as Mr Trump, extolling their "extraordinary leadership".

The grandson of an Irish immigrant, who is now endorsing a travel ban on six predominantly Muslim countries, he credited Mr Kenny when delivering "the prosperity of recent years [that] has been a marvel".

And proving the old concept that people see what they want to see, even the 'failing' 'New York Times' thought Mr Kenny provided a tour de force in Washington.

The newspaper ran a headline stating "Irish Premier Uses St Patrick's Day Ritual to Lecture Trump on Immigration".

It reported that on a calendar of foreign visits that includes the Chinese prime minister and German chancellor, the annual Irish invasion was supposed to be "a delightful distraction".

"Yet on Thursday Mr Trump found himself in a roomful of Kelly green-clad lawmakers in the Capitol for the Friends of Ireland luncheon, being lectured by Enda Kenny, the Irish prime minister, or Taoiseach, about the virtues of America's immigrant legacy and the contributions that immigrants had made to the country."

In America, Kenny is King. Feted and paraded, with the most powerful people in the world as his personal jesters. Angela Merkel couldn't get a handshake in the Oval Office.

That his wife Fionnuala was there for the backslapping only made it better. In his speech, Mr Trump pronounced her name completely wrong but described her as "something pretty special".

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"We're friends too, right?" he asked.

"Absolutely," she shouted across the room full of dignitaries.

At the New York parade yesterday, Mr Kenny summed up his journey through Trumpland as "a very successful trip and I genuinely mean that".

So how strange it will be today then when he wakes up as a lame duck once again.

Back on Irish soil, a large section of voters see the Taoiseach an unloved and often mocked politician. Some within his own party view him that way too.

For most of his week away, Mr Kenny managed to dodge questions on his leadership, but it was always going to be front and centre once he got past Washington.

On a street corner off Central Park, he was bullish when asked by reporters to clarify his intentions.

The Irish Independent put it to him that he must end the speculation because 'Paddy likes to know'.

"May I refer the question to you?" he replied.

"Do you not think it's appropriate that the immediate priority here is to have an Executive functioning in Northern Ireland?

"Do you not think it's appropriate that with all the work put together now we get an agreed negotiating stance for the European Union which is going to affect everybody in our country?"

Much as he might like to believe it, the Taoiseach's problem is not a media hungry for stories, it's a party hungry for blood.

The party is unlikely to accept another 'fake' deadline for him to clarify his intentions.

At the rate things are going, he'll want to be leader when his new best friend Donald Trump comes to visit.

Mr Kenny is due some credit for his performance in America this week and in particular for publicly appealing to Mr Trump to "sort out" immigration rights for the 50,000 undocumented Irish. But the problem with getting too much praise is that you might start to believe it.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has staunchly defended Ireland's membership of the European Union as he described Brexit as a solely "British policy".

Speaking to Bloomberg in New York, Mr Kenny rejected any suggestion that Ireland could follow in the UK's footsteps and quit the EU.

"Brexit is a British policy and was certainly not what we wished for in Ireland," Mr Kenny said.

"It is not a trigger for Ireland to follow suit. Nor is it the beginning of the end of the European Union."

The Fine Gael leader said how the EU deals with Brexit in the coming months would "define the future of Ireland for decades to come".

"We are absolutely determined to minimise any negative economic impact, protect the Northern Ireland peace process, maintain our common travel area with Britain and promote a stronger, more effective European Union in the years ahead," he added.

Mr Kenny said he and British Prime Minister Theresa May are in agreement that there will be no return to direct rule in Northern Ireland.

The Taoiseach also suggested he would refuse to sign off on a Brexit deal that involved a return to a hard border with the North.

"It is a political challenge to deal with it. It will have to happen because I won't sign for anything else," he said.

Mr Kenny drew inspiration from the late John F Kennedy.

The 100th anniversary of the former US president's birth takes place in just over two months' time.

Mr Kenny quoted remarks he made to the Irish Parliament in 1963: "No nation, large or small, can be indifferent to the fate of others, near or far.

"Modern economics, weaponry and communications have made us all realise more than ever that we are one human family and this one planet is our home."
Taoiseach Enda Kenny is trying to stall the Fine Gael leadership race until he can deal with the "immediate priorities" of Northern Ireland and Brexit.

In a performance that will spread fear among backbenchers, the Taoiseach indicated he will not be making a prompt statement on his resignation when he returns from America - and he wants to cling to power for months.

Speaking in New York, Mr Kenny rejected questions on his plans, saying: "I'm not going to answer that for you.

"I'll deal with my own parliamentary party. I spoke to them before I came to New York, I'm telling you now I have a number of immediate priorities on my desk when I arrive back tomorrow morning...and I intend to get started on those."

Sources close to both the leadership frontrunners, Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney, were last night surprised by the statement.

"Good luck to him. That won't wash with the party," said one source.

Several backbench TDs indicated last month that they would be prepared to table a motion of no confidence in Mr Kenny if he does not set a definitive date for stepping down.

It is accepted within party circles that Mr Kenny should attend an EU Council meeting in April to deal with the initial fallout from British Prime Minister Theresa May's triggering of Article 50.

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However, the Taoiseach has now also attached himself to the result of the Northern Ireland elections.

"I have to deal with a number of priorities here. The first priority is to form an Executive in Northern Ireland. We have no devolved authority in Northern Ireland now," Mr Kenny said.

Mr Kenny said it is "fundamentally important in terms of Brexit" that a new government is formed.

Mr Kenny also defended inviting US President Donald Trump to visit Ireland. He said: "It's a normal courtesy in our country that if you receive an invitation from somebody, you return that invitation at another time."

Meanwhile, a group of Irish and US artists and activists last night held a major rally and concert for civil rights in opposition to the invitation.

The 'Irish Stand' initiative in New York was supported by high-profile figures on both sides of the Atlantic including Rosie O'Donnell, Liam Neeson, Hozier and Gabriel Byrne.
Investigators are now examining the theory that the aircraft suffered a sudden and serious mechanical failure which forced an emergency landing (Picture: Irish Coast Guard/PA)

Officials are probing whether the Rescue 116 helicopter tried to make an emergency landing at Black Rock lighthouse before the fatal crash.

It is believed that Captain Dara Fitzpatrick made a desperate attempt to save her helicopter and crew when it encountered "catastrophic" difficulties.

The search continues for the Coast Guard's Sikorsky S92 aircraft and the bodies of three men who have not been found since the helicopter disappeared without warning off Co Mayo early on Tuesday.

Debris has been located on Black Rock, a small island with a lighthouse and helipad 13km west of Blacksod on the Mayo coastline where the helicopter was due to refuel.

Investigators are now examining the theory that the aircraft suffered a sudden and serious mechanical failure which forced an emergency landing.

It comes as officials hope a "three-hour window" between low tides will be sufficient to find the submerged aircraft, amid fierce weather conditions.

They believe they have identified from preliminary sonar scans and beacon triangulation data the main wreckage of the downed Irish Coast Guard helicopter on the seabed.

Naval Service and salvage experts are now "very hopeful" that the bodies of the three missing Rescue 116 crewmen will be found trapped within the wrecked fuselage of the helicopter.

The wreckage lies at a depth of 40 metres, some 60 metres off Black Rock Island and lighthouse.

Wreckage

Sources have said that the beacon of the lighthouse located close to where the helicopter wreckage was found had been functioning throughout Monday night and Tuesday morning.

A source said investigators airlifted onto Black Rock would be meticulous in recording where the debris was located.

The pattern of debris on the ground could determine the direction of impact and provide clues to what went wrong.

"A number of potential scenarios are being investigated," a source said. "One is that the aircraft began to develop catastrophic mechanical difficulty as they were in the area of Black Rock.

"Were they trying to make an emergency landing on Black Rock before a collision?"

There was no mayday or radio call before the tragic accident just before 1am on Tuesday, leading investigators to believe "it all happened extremely quickly".

Rescuers are also mystified as to how alert devices on board the helicopter were not triggered after the crash.

Debris from the helicopter has been found on Black Rock Island and as far south as Achill and Annagh Islands.

All wreckage is being carefully gathered by Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) officials and will be painstakingly re-assembled in a bid to determine what happened to Rescue 116.

Captain Fitzpatrick was recovered from the sea on Tuesday morning but was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

Her funeral takes place in Glencullen this morning.

The highly experienced and ground-breaking pilot, well known to Irish television audiences for her role in a fly-on-the-wall documentary about the Coast Guard, was the mother of a three-year-old son.

Her three crewmen - Ciaran Smith, Mark Duffy and Paul Ormsby - are still missing.

Derek Geoghegan of the Irish Coast Guard said that a small window of three hours had been identified on Monday.
A tour operator is offering a cruise with a difference - exploring the wreck of the Titanic.

Adventurous tourists can dive down and see the wreck of the luxury liner that sank over 100 years ago after setting sail from Cobh.

But punters will have to dig deep as the trip will set them back 86,000 (99,185). Those who do splash out can dive 4km to the Atlantic floor in a submarine.

Starting in May next year, Blue Marble Private will take tourists on the eight-day holiday which starts on the coast of Newfoundland in Canada.

A helicopter or seaplane will take passengers to a support yacht where they will spend two days being taught about the ship's workings by guest explorers, scientists and the expedition crew.

On day three, nine passengers will board the titanium and carbon fibre submersible three at a time.

Under guidance, the tourists will travel down 4km to view the ship's deck and famous staircase on a dive that is said to take five hours.

According to the company there have been less people visit the Titanic's wreck than have been to space or that have climbed Mount Everest.
The Trump administration plans to use Ireland as an increasingly important ally in Europe as Britain prepares to depart the European Union.

And the White House is also intending to reach out to Mr Kenny's successor as Taoiseach.

A senior White House official indicated the warm reception afforded Mr Kenny is a clear sign the Trump administration wants to work more closely with Ireland. "With Brexit, Ireland comes more into play for us in Europe," the source told the Irish Independent.

"There have been 12 state visits since the President took over, and some have been 45 minutes. But he has attended three separate events with Kenny - it's unprecedented that he'd give over a full day like that."

Yesterday, Mr Trump held a far more frosty meeting at the White House with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Separately, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer reiterated the administration's intention to strengthen its ties with Ireland.

Mr Spicer also stressed how the White House "looks forward to meeting with whoever the Irish people choose as his [Mr Kenny's] successor".

But Mr Kenny is now suggesting he will not be dealing with the leadership issue when he returns from America and plans to cling to power for longer.

Meanwhile, Mr Kenny last night suggested he would refuse to sign off on any Brexit deal that involved a return to a hard border with the North.
One lady with a major surprised look on her face last Saturday night was Lisa Duffy from O'Hanlon Park who arrived out to the Dowdallshill Clubrooms thinking she was going to a surprise party, only to find husband Sean, kids Seanin, Emma, Daniel, parents and sister Kevin, Margaret and Jacqueline Conlon from Hughes Park and a huge collection of family and friends were waiting to celebrate her 40th birthday with a major party.

I met up with Lisa who is the Assistant Secretary with Na Piarsaigh and is also involved with the Louth Ladies Under 16s who told me she hadn't a clue it was organised and wanted to thank everyone and also wanted a big shout out to all the gang in New York, too numerous to mention saying 'you all know who you are'!

I then decided to have a look round and first met up with Mary O'Connor from Bay Estate and Orla Callan from Faughart who wanted to wish Lisa a very happy 40th and wanted to say 'come on the hoops'.

Next I met up with John Conlon from Doolargy avenue who wanted a big shout out for him mate Gareth Mulley who couldn't make it to the party.

Not too long later I got talking to two of Lisa's cousins and they were Anthony Taaffe and Bernadette Dermody from O'Hanlon Park who were with their respective better halves Karen and John who wanted to wish Lisa all the best and wanted to thank Gina Dermody for the lift out to the party.

After this I headed over for a word with Martina Dixon from Riverside Drive and Karlene Dullaghan from O'Hanlon Park who told me they were there to party and make it am mad one.

Not too long later I met up with Chelsie Rafferty from The Quay who told me her mum Michelle Rogers is Lisa's bestie. She was sitting with Emma Duffy from O'Hanlon Park who was with boyfriend Ryan Coburn from Kilcurry who were up for making it a great party.

Heading for another table I then got talking to cousins Barry Magill from Knockbridge and David Boland from saltown who were there to make it a massive night with their favourite cousin.

I then headed for a table where I caught up with Owenie, Marie and Deirdre Hanratty from Mountain View who assured me it was going to be an epic night because they were eventually getting to spend their rebate from Irish Water!

They were sitting with the Hollywood family from Newry and they included aunty Teresa, Sean, Tara, Terri-Anne and Sean-Patrick who wanted to wish Lisa all the best on her big night.

Making my way through the crowds I managed a few words with Maria Wykes from O'Hanlon Park and Michelle Doyle from Marian Park who wanted to wish their friend all the best on her birthday celebrations.

Seated close by were Mary Barry and uncle Jim McGuinness from Bay Estate who wanted to wish Lisa a very happy 40th and they'd try their hardest to make the best of the party!

Heading for another table I then met up with Paul Lennon and Alan Joyce both from Castletown Road, Robbie McCabe from Coxes Demesne, Rosemary Reenan and Eamonn Duffy from Seafield Lawns, Seanin Duffy from Oaklawns, Donna Dawe and Stephen Rice both from Ashling Park who were having a totally mad night together.

Not too long later I then got talking to Michelle Roger from Barrack Street who was with Aine Gorham from Brook Street, Lucy Rafferty from Muirhevnamor and Chelsie Rafferty from Barrack Street who were there to party and were certainly going to.

They were sitting with Serena McCabe from Mulholland Avenue and Aileen Lennon from Castletown Road who were in good form and looking forward to an epic night.

Finally, before I departed I caught up with Valerie Lawless from Ladywell Square who was with Michelle Carroll from McSwiney Street who were both in party mode and Valerie wanted a big shout out for all the McCourts and Foleys in Boston!
Dundalk writer Jaki McCarrick (third from left) with the cast of The Belfast Girls which opened in Vancouver last week

Dundalk playwright Jaki McCarrick has travelled to Canada where her play 'The Belfast Girls' is being staged as part of the Vancouver Irish festival CelticFest this week.

At a time when the play's theme of 'fallen women' poignantly resonates with the Tuam mother and baby home scandal, the production by the British Columbian theatre company Penninsula Productions, has received enthusiastic reviews.

'BELFAST GIRLS has just opened in British Columbia to a wonderful reception - there's been great praise for this show,' a delighted Jaki told The Argus.

The production is directed by Wendy Bollard and the opening night of the Canadian premiere was sold out. Afterwards, the cast were treated to a backstage visit by none other than Hollywood actress Julia Stiles, who saw and loved the show.

BELFAST GIRLS opened at the Coast Capital Playhouse in White Rock on March 11 from where it travelled to the Cultch Theatre, Vancouver, where it runs from March 15th to 18th as part of later shows are part of the Vancouver Celtic Festival.

Opening as it did, during International Women's Day and when confirmation of the mass graves of over 700 babies in Tuam and the abuse of the young woman 'Grace' in a foster home dominates the news, the play is a timely reminder that women remain in a vulnerable position in society.

Jaki's play tells the story of women who sought escape from the bleak life in the workhouse during the famine years by availing of an offer to transport 'fallen women' to Australia. It follows the story of 'The Belfast Girls' as they journeyed by sea to what they hoped was a new and better life in Australia.

BELFAST GIRLS was first developed at the National Theatre Studio, London in 2012 and while on the surface it is a feminist 'Irish Famine' story, Jaki also saw it a metaphor for the banking crisis, showing how the state takes advantage of the most vulnerable in society during a time of crisis.

This is the third international production of the play as it was previously staged in Chicago where it was Windy City Times Critics' Pick, although it has yet to be staged in Ireland.

'Wendy Bollard is a wonderful director and she has assembled a cracking cast and production team,' said Jaki.' The all-female cast includes Mariam Barry, Olivia Sara Grace, Tegan Verheul, Paige Gibbs, Amelia Ross.'

Jaki attended the opening night of the Vancouver run and will also be taking part in a Question and Answers event after the show on March 16.

'I know a lot of writers don't attend their shows abroad but I feel differently about this,' she says. 'Firstly, I'm a female playwright and the work of female playwrights is performed abroad much less, especially if it's from a relative newbie like myself or if the work is quite political like Belfast Girls. I want to be of support to the piece and the people pouring their heart and souls into it.'

'Belfast Girls' was listed as one of the top five attractions of Vancouver's CelticFest by the Vancouver Sun.

Having attended the first night, Jaki praised director Wendy Bollard & Peninsula Productions for their 'splendidly slick and thoughtful Belfast Girls. A poetic production full of confident and intelligent choices - and with a magnificent cast, too!'

In addition, a staged reading of BELFAST GIRLS was presented by New York's Pond Theatre Company on March 13th in New York.
Dundalk Indie rockers Third Smoke are set to release their new EP 'Maybe In Time' with a launch gig in the Main Room of top Dublin venue Whelans this Saturday March 18.

They have already released the first single and title track 'Maybe in Time' on Spotify and Itunes last Friday.

Third Smoke are a group of multi-instrumentalists that deliver a performance of raucous gang vocals, sweat and the fluid swapping of instruments throughout. Expect a live show built on controlled mayhem and precise vocal interplay.

On the back of a busy 2015 including supporting Ham Sandwich, Glen Hansard and the Minutes, the summer of 2016 saw Third Smoke return to Longitude and Electric Picnic, whilst also appearing at Sea Sessions, Indiependence, Vantastival and more.

2017 continues in this vein with the launch of their first official EP 'Maybe In Time', mixed and produced by Joseph Edwards and Karl Odlum, who has worked with the likes of Glen Hansard, the Frames, Ham Sandwich.
'Success at last' declared Lolo Robinson, Chairperson of Drogheda Comhaltas, 'Success at last!'

Drogheda was this week named as the host town for Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2018. The event is the world's largest annual celebration of Irish music, language, song and dance. It attracts approx. 400,000 visitors to the host town every year.

The event is organised by Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. It will be hosted in conjunction with a local team in Louth led by Louth County Council and Drogheda Comhaltas.

'It's been a five year long campaign to reach this day' she explained. 'We've been supported since day one by Louth County Council. We couldn't have achieved this success without their unequivocal support. Louth County Council and our team of dedicated volunteers from Drogheda Comhaltas and the wider community have campaigned tirelessly to win every crucial vote. We were hopeful, very hopeful, that the vote would go our way today. But you can't be sure until all votes have been cast and counted.

Chief Executive of Louth County Council Joan Martin was delighted with the announcement. 'This truly is a momentous day for Drogheda and indeed for all of County Louth. Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann is a mammoth week-long event that will showcase all that the region has to offer to a huge audience. The eyes of the world will be on us. Over 32 hours of television is broadcast from the Fleadh. Countless radio shows and print and online journalists will cover the Fleadh, along with a host of travel and tourism writers. This is an amazing opportunity to showcase the beauty and vibrancy of the town and the region.'

Drogheda and its hinterland stand to gain immensely from hosting Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann.

Mayor of Drogheda, Cllr. Oliver Tully continued "It is estimated that hosting Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann is worth nearly 40million to the local economy'
Criticisms were levelled at service providers for the 'terrible condition' of roads after works are carried out, when councillors met for the March Municipal Committee meeting last week.

Cllr. Conor Keelan said he had a number of issues to raise around the 'current state of the road network.'

He said he had been contacted by many local people who raised concerns about road surfaces which were not properly reinstated, and highlighted a stretch of road from McSwiney Street to Oriel Terrace, which was in a 'poor state' since works were carried out. He added that recent broadband installation in local estates had also left many roads surfaces in bad condition.

'I know that Ard Easmuinn has been highlighted, and that the residents association there had a chance to meet with Virgin Media,' said Cllr. Keelan.

'But what happens in estates where there is a less active residents association, or none at all. This will create a whole vacuum, as there will be no one to raise these issues. Residents need more communication from service providers.'

Cllr. Maeve Yore said that in the case of Ard Easmuinn residents didn't have the chance to meet with Virgin before the works started, but only had an opportunity to raise their concerns a few weeks ago. She said the only communication before the works began was a leaflet posted through their letterbox, saying 'it is simply not good enough.'

Cllr. Edel Corrigan said she was disappointed to see that the condition of these roads had not improved since it was raised at the last meeting.

Cllr. Mark Dearey added that he distinctly remembered that during a presentation to the council Irish Water had said they would return 18 weeks after roads were completed to reinstate the surface, asking 'Can we not hold them to that?'

Director of Service, Frank Pentony said that service providers pay a deposit to the local authority, which can only be claimed back when the reinstatement is completed.

Cllr. Maria Doyle asked that the same surface be reinstated as in some areas a different surface was used that mis- matched the rest of the road.

Councillors heard that it is stipulated any reinstatement is 'like for like,' and that a new Clerk of Works has been appointed at the council who will be looking into these issues.
If Louth and Dundalk is left out of a new spatial plan being drafted by the government, it will have disastrous consequences for the future of the area, which is already at the frontier of battling Brexit, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce said this week.

The Chamber's PRO Paddy Malone is urging everyone in this area to make their views felt ahead of the Thursday deadline for submissions after concerns were raised that the National Framework 2040 plan would focus more on the west coast than the east.

Dundalk received 'Gateway' status under the last plan in 2002, ensuring that the IDA and other State agencies prioritised the area. But it is understood the current government thinking is that the 'Gateway' project was unsuccessful and they will turn their attention in future to creating an 'Atlantic Arch', comprising Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway.

There are fears, therefore, that the North East in general, and Louth in particular, could be pushed to the side in favour of the South and West. Mr Malone said: 'There is an implication in these 2040 proposals to reduce the number of centres or gateways and this needs to be carefully considered. We would argue that the criteria for a growth centre must not be solely based on population.

'We believe the government needs to recognise the size and location of the Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry axis and its potential to alleviate Dublin problems'.

He said the Dundalk, Newry and Drogheda offer 'a sustainable growth centre similar in population to Limerick' and pointed to the fact that Louth is, with Dublin, the only county where over 50% of the population lives in urban areas.

In addition, he wants policy makers to recognise the huge and lasting implications of Brexit and to include these in the 2040 plan. He said: 'The city of Newry needs to be included. The MOU offers the administrative tool and the Good Friday Agreement gives the legal and moral authority.

Comments from everyone, not just businesses, are welcome to Dundalk Chamber before Thursday's deadline and can be made by emailing: paddy@malone.ie or calling 042 9336744 so they can be included in their submission.
School students, Dundalk Womens Aid members and supporters at the One Billion Rising Campaign in Market Square

Jenny Muckian and Siobhan Logan at the One Billion Rising Campaign in Market Square

Dundalk Womens Aid members and supporters at the One Billion Rising Campaign in Market Square

Dundalk joined the One Billion Rising campaign to end violence against women with an energetic dance performance at the Market Square for International Women's Day which took place last Wednesday.

Organised by Dundalk Women's Aid, the performance was led by the young dancers from Funky Feet who were joined by students from a number of local schools as well as volunteers from Women's Aid.

Passers-by stopped to watch the choreographed performance to the campaign anthem 'Break The Chain', which was staged in towns and cities throughout the world as part of the global awareness day aimed at stopping the exploitation of women.

'The campaign takes its name from the fact that one in three women will be abused, sexually assaulted or raped during her lifetime,' explained Lisa Marmion of Dundalk Women's Aid.

Catriona Gleeson from the Safe Ireland NGO addressed those gathered at the Square, highlighting the importance for women to feel comfortable and safe in relationships.

It was, she said, particularly important for younger women to feel empowered so that they know what makes for a good relationship and to walk away if they are being abused in any way, emotionally, sexually or physically.

'It was brilliant to see so many people here,' said Lisa. 'There was a great representation from across the local community, and we were delighted to have students from St Vincents, The Marist, Colaiste Ris, and Dundalk Grammar School'.

A number of local councillors including Cllrs Emma Coffey, Mark Deareym Conor Keelan, and Maeve Yore also attended the event.

The Market Square proved the perfect backdrop for the event, as local ICA guilds had installed their Yarn bomb pieces marking International Women's Day the previous evening.
Farmland in Louth showed the biggest increase nationally and is now the most expensive in Ireland, according to The Farmers Journal Price Land Report 2016.

Louth was one of a handful of counties which bucked the trend of declining land prices in 2016. While the average price of paid for land nationally dropped by 1.6 per cent on 2015 prices, land in Louth actually rose by 20 per cent. The average price of 12,463 per acre now makes Louth the most expensive county in the country, ahead of Dublin and Kildare. It is, however, still well below half of the prices reached during the Celtic Tiger, when farmland in Louth averaged at 30,000 an acre.

Farmland sold at prices from 5,000 to 22,000 an acre, depending on the size and quality of the parcel.

The top price of 22,000 an acre went to a residential farm in Kilkerley. Only four farms were sold at auction, including a 17-acre residential farm at Philipstown which changed hands for 340,000 for 20,000 per acre. A residential farm at Drumcah, Knockbridge sold for 245,000 or 13,000 an acre. Seventeen acres of agricultural land near Ravensdale was knocked down at 146,000 or 8,500 an acre, while a 10.3 acre parcel at the Hill of Rath, Drogheda sold for 130,000 or 12,600 an acre.

With a total of 33 farms comprising 1,398 acres, arriving on the market in 2016, supply was well up in Louth, more than trebling on 2015.

Private treaty was the most popular method of selling farms at 73 per cent, while 24 per cent went to public auction and three per cent to tender.

Eight farms went up for auction, with half of these sold under the hammer, with the remainder withdrawn.

A notable factor was the sale of at least four farms comprising 100 acres or more, while the largest farm to go on the market was 256 acres. However, 73 per cent of the farms offered for sale were under 40 acres, with 15 per cent between 40 and 99 acres.
Dundalk woman Niamh Shaw saw her recent 'simulated mission to Mars' propel her to the Silicon Republic's 'Top 25 Irish female engineers.'

The former Dun Lughaidgh student was lauded among the country's leading engineers for her work with Crew 173, who were based in the Utah desert on the world famous simulated Mars mission.

The distinguished Silicon Republic named her among some of the leading figures in the industry in Ireland, saying: 'As an engineer, scientist and performer, Niamh Shaw wants to awaken people to the wonders of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) by merging it with the creative arts,' said the the online tech bible.

Co-founder of STEAMakers, Shaw is core lectures chair of the Space Studies Programme 2017 at the International Space University.'

'Her achievements saw her included in last year's Science 50 list on Siliconrepublic.com, as well as our Women Invent series.

With higher-than-sky-high ambitions, Shaw aims to get to space within the next eight years and was a member of Crew 173, working on a project for the Mars Desert Research Station that involved the successful launch of the Sentinel-2B satellite.'

Speaking to the Argus after her recent return from the Mars mission, Niamh said:

'I was really thrilled to be taking part in this mission. For me personally it is one step closer to achieving my dream of being the first Irish person in space.'

She added 'All of this research which is being done outside of space agencies will help in the efforts that are being made for people to travel to Mars.'
The new district court judge in Louth, Judge John Coughlan, used his first day sitting in Dundalk to announce that he wants to set up a drugs court for the North East.

Judge Coughlan, who takes over from Judge Flann Brennan, also referred two Dundalk defendants to the drugs court which sits at Green Street in Dublin every week.

Green Street is the site of the former Special Criminal Court and the historic location for the trial of Robert Emmett.

The Drug Treatment Court Programme, which was set up as a pilot programme in 2000, is aimed at people with drug addiction problems who come before the district court on minor criminal charges linked to their drug addiction and who plead guilty or have been convicted of the charges.

There is a short assessment phase and those chosen to participate are people who are serious about wanting to tackle their drug habit and undergo treatment. A participant can opt to try to detoxify in the community or in hospital or go drug free, or take methadone maintenance or methadone reduction.

The participant will come to an agreement about their treatment with the team and will attend counselling and group work. As well as the drug treatment, the participant will be required to take part in educational or other programmes within the community to give him/her new skills or improve skills they may already have. Participants must abstain from their main drug of choice upon admission. As they pass through the programme, more testing is carried out for other drugs.

For each participant a Personal Progression Credits Chart is drawn up, where they get on-going feedback as to how they are getting on in the programme. The programme consists of three phases - bronze, silver and gold. Decisions on the participants' success at each phase is made by the judge based on information provided by the team. Depending on individual needs and motivation, the programme can last at least a year but participants must make sufficient progress to ensure that they move through the phases in less than 12 months.

Last year, the court dealt with 160 new referrals - the biggest number since it was founded. In 2014, it had 144 referrals, up from just 25 in 2004. Last year also marked the first time the court accepted cases sent by district court judges outside Dublin.
Students from Kilcoole's Colaiste Chraobh Abhann brought their audiences back to the wild west last week at Mermaid Arts Centre with their production of the classic musical 'Calamity Jane'.

The cast and crew had worked on the show for months and their three-night run was a huge success.

They started with a matinee performance for primary schools in Wednesday, before going on to do their night shows on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Calamity Jane can outrun and outshoot any man in Deadwood. Hard, boastful and desperate to impress, she travels to Chicago on the Deadwood Stage to recruit a star, Adelaide Adams. But things don't go too smoothly for Calamity, as everyone in town favours the new girl and she struggles to keep her jealousy in check. It takes her long standing enemy Wild Bill Hickok to make her see sense, and realise her secret love. The musical includes the numbers 'Secret Love', 'Black Hills Of Dakota, 'Deadwood Stage' and 'Windy City'.
Ghost Recon Wildlands is a vast, open-world shooter that interchangeably delivers either tremendous fun, or repetitive tedium. Suffering from the infamous pitfalls that have plagued Ubisoft games time and again for the past number of years, Wildlands is a game that feels half-baked, oozing unrealised potential while still giving just enough to move copies off the shelves.

You play as a Ghost, part of a squad of four US spec-ops operatives sent to Bolivia to take down the Santa Blanca Cartel, a monstrous drug empire that drew the fearsome gaze of US foreign diplomacy when it bombed an embassy.

Anyone who has played Shadow of Mordor and experienced the incredible boss system will immediately feel at home in the - albeit, harshly dumbed-down version - Cartel system in Wildlands. Your overarching goal is to bring down the kingpin, El Sueno, but to do that you must first take care of the various other heads and underbosses making up the hierarchy of the Cartel.

Destabilise an operation enough and you'll unlock missions to take down the higher ups-first the underboss, and finally the head. The storyline is low hanging fruit of the lowest hanging variety, but once you get over that you might find yourself even enjoying some of the more eccentric and depraved characters that enter the fray.

Overall, the missions and story leave a lot to be desired. Very early on, you will realise that there are very few permutations to the typical Ubisoft objectives. You'll kidnap targets, blow up cocaine stashes, interrogate victims and so on. Thankfully, the combat and weapons are both brilliantly visceral, responsive and the latter are extremely customisable.

Many of the skills have several levels, but the skill tree itself is fairly short. That's not really a drawback, however, as it allows any soldier to be good at just about everything, which is crucial during solo play.

Wildlands is best played online and in co-op mode, which is a real shame for people who like to game alone or who have vastly different schedules to their gamer friends. That being said, this game truly shows its full colours in online modes, where the drop-in-drop-out matchmaking system is absolutely seamless. It really feels like Ubisoft dropped the ball with this one.

While it is fun in patches, the consistency just isn't there to be able to rank it alongside some of the stellar AAA titles released this year so far.
Patricia Wojner and Suzanne Cox from Open Door accept the cheque from John Smith, Mick Lernihan, Tom Conway from the Bray branch of the Garda Siochana Retired Members Association

The Bray branch of the Garda Siochana Retired Members Association recently raised over 300 for the Open Door day care centre.

They held a raffle to raise the funds for the local organisation.

The handed over the cheque to Open Door recently at the Harbour Bar in Bray. The organisation was very grateful for the donation and the efforts made by the association to support Open Door.

The centre was founded in 1984 in Fatima House in Bray with 9 members. Today, Open Door operates from its purpose built centre in the Vevay Road in Bray and it is open five days a week, Monday to Friday.

With three specially adapted buses providing transport to and from the Centre, Open Door provides much needed facilities and activities to its members as well as offering a much needed break for families and carers. The centre caters for adult with varying disabilities as a result of stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease and road accident injuries amongst other conditions.
The grandmother of two of the children who died in a fire in Clondalkin has paid tribute to little Jordan and Holly.

Marion McGinn is the mother of Jamie, who is Holly and Jordans dad, and he is Biddys husband. They were two lovely children, said Marion.

Jamie was hyper at that age, I couldnt believe that this grandson was so good and so quiet! Holly was just a little angel. Jordan was so kind to her, he used to mind her.

It was a cruel thing to happen, she said of the tragedy which took Annmarie OBrien (27), her daughter Hannah-Paris Patel (2), Jordan McGinn (4), and Holly McGinn (3).

Annmarie was expecting a little boy, AJ, in the coming weeks.

Her cousin Biddy McGinn (OBrien) was staying overnight with her children Jordan and Holly when the fire broke out in the early hours of Wednesday, March 8.

An investigation is under way into the cause of the blaze.

Both Annmarie and Biddy were natives of Fassaroe in Bray, later moving to the Shankill area. Biddys mother Bridey took Annmarie in following the death of her mother Mary.

She also took in Andy, Annmaries brother, who sadly died in a fire in a prefabricated building behind Christ Church in Bray seven years ago.

Annmarie and Biddys aunt is related by marriage to the Lynch family, devastated 17 months ago when the Carrickmines fire tragedy claimed the lives of Thomas and Sylvia Connors, their children Jim, Christy and Mary, Willy Lynch and his partner Tara Gilbert, their unborn child, their daughters Jodie and Kelsey, and Jimmy Lynch.

Jim OBrien of the Bray Travellers Community Development Group, and a cousin of Annmarie and Biddy, said that Traveller and settled communities were united, both then and now.

When we talk about solidarity, Ive seen that. I saw it with Carrickmines, I witnessed both communities coming together and showing that respect and now Im seeing it again, said Jim.

He said that in one week they went from the joy of being recognised as an ethnic minority, to facing the horror of tragedy once again.

Many of us didnt make the connection in Bray when the news broke of a tragic fire in Dublin, said Jim.

He blessed himself when he heard a news bulletin about the sad deaths in Clondalkin. It didnt dawn on me. All of a sudden I got a phone call from their auntie about what happened.

He said that in the aftermath of Carrickmines, Annmarie and Biddy never left the Lynch home at Sallys Rest in Bray.

Everyone saw Biddy and Annmarie as sisters, he said. They were that close. Biddy was helping Annmarie to prepare of the exciting arrival of her new baby boy, due next week.

He said that the three children Jordan, Holly and Paris were very close and played together all the time.

These are the memories were not going to see again, said Jim.

Annmarie was absolutely a lovely person, said Jim. She has built up a large number of friendships with young people of her age, ever since she was born and reared around the Fassaroe area.

She got on very well and attended St Kierans training centre. A number of her tutors were there today. She was an absolutely devoted mother, a lovely person and a well-liked person.

Meanwhile, her cousin Biddy is seriously ill in St Jamess Hospital. Biddy would be absolutely the same, said Jim. Everywhere you see Biddy, you see the children.

Ourselves and the Travelling Community are still in complete shock. The family still have a long road to go with Biddy being very, very sick, said Jim.

The people of Clondalkin and Sonas have been second to none, he said. There have been heartfelt messages since it happened, nationwide. The solidarity is real. Travellers are always going to be different, but not completely different than a settled person out there when it comes to grieving. It brings everyone together. The support is real out there from people far and near in the settled community.

This small organisation didnt think we would be going through something like this again so soon after Carrickmines, said Jim, adding that the development group has supports available on standby which may help people affected by this tragedy.
Wicklow TD Pat Casey has paid tribute to his uncle, Bishop Eamon Casey, following his death in the early hours of Monday morning.

The former Bishop of Kerry and Galway passed away at the age of 89 and had been in the care of Carrigoran nursing home in Clare for some time.

'Our family loved Eamon. 'Uncle Eamon', as he was known to us, was as jovial and as caring a man to his family, as he was to the many people he served in his public ministry as a priest and bishop,' said Deputy Casey.

He said that Eamon Casey's heart belonged to the West of Ireland.

'Born in Kerry, raised in Limerick, Uncle Eamon was devoted to his Catholic ministry and to the people of his parishes and subsequently his dioceses. Uncle Eamon worked hard in trying to achieve social justice for many causes close to his Christian belief, such as the plight of Irish emigrants, the courage of the Dunnes workers protest against apartheid South Africa and the people of San Salvador who suffered brutal oppression from their Government,' Deputy Casey said.

Making reference to the controversies in his uncle's life, including his well-publicised relationship with American divorcee Annie Murphy during which he fathered a son, Deputy Casey said that the family is 'acutely aware' of these.

'As a family we are also acutely aware of the controversies in Uncle Eamon's life. He has passed from this life during the Christian season of Lent which considers such themes as sacrifice, atonement and reconciliation,' he said.

'I would like to praise and thank the staff in Carrigoran Nursing Home in Clare that looked after Uncle Eamon during these past years. I also want to acknowledge the people of the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora who will be honouring Uncle Eamonn by participating in his funeral and burial in Galway Cathedral,' he added.
Gordon ONeill, CEO of Goldfish Telecoms Ltd, accepts the County Enterprise Award from Bryan Doyle, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council

Greystones company Goldfish Telecoms Ltd has been announced as the winner of this year's County Enterprise Awards, organised by Local Enterprise Office Wicklow to celebrate Local Enterprise Week.

The cash prize of 2,000 went to Gordon O'Neill, CEO and founder of Goldfish Telecoms, who will represent the County Wicklow at the annual National Enterprise Awards in Dublin this May.

Gordon also received a beautiful trophy, designed and made by Newtownmountkennedy- based ceramic artist, Magda Bethani.

Goldfish Telecoms was founded in tough times, in 2010. Despite that, the company now competes internationally in the challenging telecoms industry. Its eight-person team has managed to secure blue-chip customers, as far afield as East Asia, to whom they supply with 'V.O.I.P.' telephone systems and contact-centre management solutions. All of the company's technology is developed in-house.

Financial investment, and other support, from LEO Wicklow, combined with the drive and tenacity of its founder and team, has seen this business grow in size and value in the past number of years.

Having now reached the final of the National Enterprise Awards in May, Goldfish will be competing against 30 other companies from every local authority area for a share of the 40,000 prize fund across thirteen categories.

'Goldfish Telecoms are very worthy winners of this major enterprise award, in recognition of what they have achieved here in the county,' said Sheelagh Daly, Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Wicklow.

'Because of their drive and determination, the company already employs eight people and plans to break into new markets in the very near future.'

Among the special guests at the ceremony was Bryan Doyle, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, who presented the prize to the winners.

The awards were just one of the highlights of Local Enterprise Week, which started on Monday, March 6.

All over the country, the 31 Local Enterprise Offices have been jointly running over 380 events aimed at start-ups, aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses in their area, to mark the week.
Members have agreed to go to public consultation, to name the Dargle river walk after Stephen and William Mulvey.

Cllr Brendan Thornhill asked for the item to go on the agenda. He was hoping to have it dealt with for 2016 and the 1916 commemorative year.

1916 volunteer Steenie Mulvey not only participated in the rising, but was a local hero. In August 1915 he rescued a girl who fell 30 feet off the bridge into the river. He was also a Bray Emmets star.

Cllr Thornhill told members that Mulvey had joined the Irish Volunteers in 1914 as an active member and took part in the Easter Rising.

His brother William fought in the First World War and contracted trench fever.

Cllr Oliver O'Brien seconded the proposal. He said that Cllr Thornhill gave an excellent presentation. He said that Stephen Mulvey was not just remembered for 1916, but was a rounded person in every area.

Cllr Joe Behan said that Stephen was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for his country and made a huge contribution to the town even after the rising. 'Members of his family still live in this town,' he said. 'The river walk is an excellent addition to the town and it is appropriate to name it in honour of this family.'

'Is it your proposal to name it after both or just Steenie?' asked Cllr Michael O'Connor. 'I propose it on a joint basis, the Mulvey walkway,' said Cllr Thornhill.

'I've no particular objection to naming it after the brother,' said Cllr O'connor. 'In terms of 1916 Steenie Mulvey played a big role in the town. Do we need to put in both names for the sake of balance?'

Cllr Thornhill said that we need to cross party boundaries. 'The past is the past,' he said.

Cllr John Ryan asked what the process would be. District Manager said that while there is no particular process laid out, the public should have their say on it.

Cllr Thornhill wondered what the point is of him proposing on it and the councillors agreeing on it.

'As I remember the 1916 commemorative park was placed in the Peoples Park, at the insistence of Sinn Fein members, in a great hurry and with no public consultation,' said Cllr Steven Matthews. 'I have no difficulty with public consultation, I don't know why you're bringing me into it,' said Cllr Michael O'Connor.

The members agreed to go out to public consultation with the suggestion.
A special meeting of Wicklow County Council was held on Monday to discuss the local authority housing stock and the lack of maintenance to deal with damp and mould issues.

Councillors were at pains to express their admiration for the Council Housing Department and instead criticised the Government for a lack of funding to maintain local authority houses.

Praise was also heaped on Cllr John Snell, Chair of the Housing SPC.

Cllr Nicola Lawless complained that some of Wicklow's housing stock was damp and mould ridden and more Department funding was crucially needed.

She also felt that local authorities should be included as part of the Housing Payment Scheme (HAP), which is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need.

'Minister Simon Coveney announced a repair and leasing scheme worth 32 million but in the same breath says local authorities have enough funding when everyone knows we don't get enough funding,' said Cllr Lawless.

Cllr Michael O'Connor rejected outright the notion that tenants might be responsible for the build up of mould and dampness in their homes.

'We are told the problem lay with tenants and the way they operated within their homes. Mould causes illness among tenants, especially young children. I'm not passing the blame on to anyone but the evidence is out there not to support the connection that it is down to the tenants themselves.'

Senior Engineer, Declan Murnane, explained that only 20 or so houses out of over 4,500 had mould and damp problems.

Director of Services, Joe Lane, said the council had an onus to find a balance between getting new housing schemes going, getting people off the housing list and maintaining the existing housing stock.

Cllr Christopher Fox said many of the councillors complaining about the housing stock in Wicklow had voted against maintaining the Local Property Tax at its base rate, which would have resulted in the council losing out on 2.5 million.

'All councillors here would like the maintenance of our housing stock to be well funded. However, back in September people in this chamber proposed cutting our budget by 2.5 million. Those people are hypocrites in my mind.

'To maintain the base at 100 per cent was a very unpopular decision but it meant more money being available to put into maintaining our housing stock. I hate being lectured by people who talk the talk but don't walk the walk.'

Cllr Shay Cullen was in agreement.

'If we didn't have that 2.5 million we would be in a much more difficult position. It can't be ignored that it was a difficult decision to make but it has provided much needed funding.'

Cllr John Snell outlined recent upgrade works which have taken place, consisting of 600 houses in all - 200 in Arklow, 200 in Bray and 200 in Wicklow.

150,000 in funding provided central heating for over 30 houses.

Deputy John Brady and Deputy Pat Casey also addressed the meeting.

Deputy Casey said a main issue was how the Government calculated the Local Government Fund and he had received confirmation that the process would be reviewed, as well as the methodology of calculation used.
Don Ryan and the Bishop of Cloyne, William Crean deep in discussion during the launch.

The Army Band of 1 Brigade playing a recital from the altar of St Colman's Cathedral following the launch of the Organ Restoration appeal.

Michael Carlin of Cobh Credit Union, his wife Tina, Tony Mc Keown of Cobh and Harbour Chamber and Colm McCoitir of Keen House at the launch of the restoration appeal in the Bishop's Palace.

Deputy county mayor Cllr Anthony Barry, the Bishop of Cloyne, William Crean and Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe at the recital in St Colman's Cathedral

The people of North and Mid Cork and other parts of the Diocese of Cloyne have been urged to lend their support to a 1 million fundraising effort to complete the restoration of a 110 year old pipe organ at St Colman's Cathedral in Cobh as well other refurbishment work at the historic church.

Built by the leading Irish organ builders Telford & Telford of Dublin, the organ was originally installed in St Colman's Cathedral in 1905 where it was located in the west gallery and its importance within the Gothic designed cathedral was quickly apparent.

Adrian Gebruers, Cathedral Carillonneur and Organist at St. Colman's Cathedral, explained that "The pipe organ was aptly described in "The Cork Examiner" newspaper of July 21st of 1905 as "the crowning work in the interior equipment of the sacred edifice."

The St Colman's organ features an Austrian oak case which rises to a height of 45 feet on either side with the openings filled with 77 highly polished and burnished decorative pipes of pure tin while the actual organ pipes - 2,500 of them - are placed behind the case, he explained.

The action of the organ was originally tubular pneumatic, but this was changed to electro pneumatic in the early 1970's. The console has three manuals and a pedal-board and there are 46 speaking stops, as well as combination stops and pistons, he said.

Restoration work began in 2015 when the Padua firm of organ builders, Fratelli Ruffatti, which carried out a similar restoration on the organ at St. Patrick's National Seminary, Maynooth and also built the new organ in St Mel's Cathedral in Longford, began dismantling the Cobh organ.

The organ was later delivered to the Ruffatti factory in Padua in October 2015, inside two 20 foot containers and all parts were carefully examined before restoration work commenced with completion of the restoration scheduled for autumn 2018.

The restoration will be done well in time for centenary celebrations of the Consecration of St. Colman's Cathedral on August 24, 2019 and, once it is completed, the organ will reside, side by side, with the only carillon in Ireland which, with 49 bells, is the largest in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Speaking at the launch of fundraising drive for the restoration of the organ and completion of a refurbishment of St Colman's Mr Gebreurs said: "The restoration of our pipe organ is essential for maintaining the high standards in liturgical music for which the Cathedral has long been renowned."

Bishop of Cloyne, Dr William Crean said that it hoped to raise 1 million for both the restoration of the pipe organ and the completion of other refurbishment work to St Colman's Cathedral as he announced details at the weekend of the special fundraising campaign.

"This is a very important occasion for the Cathedral and our fundraising efforts for the magnificent organ. At the end of this restoration project, St. Colman's Cathedral will have one of the finest organs in Ireland and will continue to serve as a magnificent house of prayer and praise".

The launch was followed by a recital in St Colman's Cathedral by the Army Band of 1 Brigade, Cork, which played a selection of classics and musical favourites.

For further information about the restoration project visit www.facebook.com/cobhpipeorgan.
Grasping the worldwide web are Claire Graham, The Old Mill Stores in Connonagh and Sean O'Sullivan, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office, South Cork

Cork's largest digital seminar gave more than 200 business people from Cork and the surrounding region the opportunity to discover not only how they can start trading online, but how they can identify emerging trends to help grow their share of online business.

It was held on Tuesday in Rochestown Park Hotel, hosted by Cork's Local Enterprise Offices, in partnership with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, the Regional Trading Online Event Since 2014, Local Enterprise Offices in Cork have helped more than 380 Cork businesses to grow their online revenues and presence with support to the tune of almost 750,000, from the Government's Trading Online Voucher Scheme.

In the months to come, these figures are set to increase significantly as more small business owners realise that getting online can be more than just a lifeline - it can be a fast track to growth and prosperity.

Speaking at the event, Claire Graham of The Old Mill Stores which is situated in Connonagh in Leap has built one of Ireland's top lifestyle and interiors shops. Far from letting her rural location be a hindrance, she turned to online trading to boost her business.

Since utilising the Trading Online Voucher Scheme, Claire says her online business improved by 38%.

"Your website is your shopfront to the world, keep it simple and learn from others. Regardless of where in the world your business is, whether you are in Connonagh or Cannes, it is now possible to own and run a successful online business."

As pointed out by the European Commission, Ireland ranks very prominently when it comes to the integration of digital technologies by businesses. The European Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) recently placed Ireland in 8th place across 28 member European states.

The day-long event also focused on topics ranging from developing a powerful marketing strategy, to engaging audiences through social channels and emerging trends, to telling your own unique business story.

Speaking of the event, Denis Naughten, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment said, "Ireland needs more businesses selling their goods and services on the internet."
Proposals have been brought for0ward to the committee stage of the European Parliament by Sinn Fein MEP Liadh Ni Riada calling for the creation of Wifi hubs in towns and villages across Europe.

The Ireland South MEP, who is the lead negotiator in the Wifi4EU project, said the initiative would help bring connectivity and investment to rural areas and will benefit 6,000 to 8,000 communities

"This is an important project and I would urge all communities without this type of infrastructure to keep an eye on this scheme and avail of it when it is rolled out, hopefully early this summer," she said.

"It is a very simple but effective idea. It requires a relatively small investment of some 120m, that, if used wisely, will have huge returns for the communities it benefits."

The MEP said "The basic premise is that we equip as many towns and villages as possible with free wireless internet access, centred around the main centres of public life, in that area, by 2020. "It would be focused on area and parks and squares, libraries, health centres, museums or wherever people happen to congregate in a given area."

"I feel it is important that special consideration is given to rural and peripheral areas, particularly those suffering from a lack of internet access. "Proposals like this are the type that were initially envisaged for the EU. A social partnership of countries working together to improve the lives of everyone from Bucharest to Ballyferriter," Ni Riada said.
For four years now, the Boyneside town of Drogheda has embraced Daffodil Day by turning yellow in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.

Shops, offices, restaurants and pubs show their support for this important charity by decorating their premises with daffodils and yellow accessories - and are happy to pay to do so.

This impressive display is thanks to the Drogheda branch of the Irish Cancer Society, which spearheaded by Lizanne Allen, works tirelessly to make Daffodil Day a success.

Lizanne has been involved with the Irish Cancer Society for over thirty years and now heads the committee of ten women who rope in family, friends, colleagues and neighbours to make sure that Daffodil Day doesn't go unnoticed in Drogheda.

They have certainly succeeded as last year's event helped them raise 102,000 for the Irish Cancer Society and the town's amazing support for Daffodil Day, which has made them the biggest fundraising town in the country, has also featured on Nationwide.

'It takes up about two months of my life for something wonderful,' says Lizanne. 'When I first got involved in the old Conquer Cancer campaign, I had to explain what I was doing. Now everyone knows about Daffodil Day and it's such a great idea, as the daffodil is a symbol of new life and hope. The response we get from the people and businesses in Drogheda is absolutely amazing. It is lovely to see so much yellow around the town, to see so many people supporting the Irish Cancer Society as cancer is a disease which affects so many people in this part of the country.'

For weeks now, Lizanne and her crew of volunteers have been busy making yellow pom poms and other decorations which they supply to shops for a small donation.

'I did window dressing in the past and a friend is a window dresser so we will decorate a lot of shop windows,' she explains. 'We also do floral bouquets which we sell to restaurants and businesses to display for 50.'

Following the initiative of this hard working band of volunteers, many local businesses also make their own contributions to Daffodil Day, donating a per centage of sales etc, to the Irish Cancer Society.

'All the money we raise goes to the Irish Cancer Society for research and night nursing,' says Lizanne. 'A lot of money comes back to this area, as the Society supports the Gary Kelly Centre, the oncology unit at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, and the bowel cancer screening service at the Louth County Council.'

In addition to their trojan efforts for Daffodil Day, the committee are also busy organising their annual fashion show, which takes place on Thursday April 6 in the Westcourt Hotel.

Anyone who would like to help out on Daffodil Day should contact Lizanne at 086 2774271
Duleek is facing a dilemma - use a pot of 320,000 to carry out extensive safety measures and upgrades on the main street, or channel the finances into the initial stages of a bypass for the village.

And some local councillors fear if the money is spent on the improvements, it will drastically lessen the chances of getting a bypass

There is also a belief that the works will crumble over time, due to the volume of traffic passing through Duleek and the funds will be wasted.

The first stage of trying to curtail heavy trucks in the area was addressed last Friday at the monthly meeting of the Laytown/Bettystown district.

The council was asked to produce a report, requested by Cllr Sharon Keogan, on a proposal to introduce a HGV ban in Duleek.

Official Dara McGowan outlined the route that would be taken by vehicles if a ban came in. They would travel along the R152 to Kilmoon Cross, adding 11km on the journey and risking trucks taking a 'rat run' at Boolies Little, which also has a bridge over the Nanny.

It was felt the ban should only come in to play when a bypass was built as a ban would create a lot of problems. The council are keen to see if the improvements on the main street will help the situation.

Traffic tables are being proposed on both sides of the village, along with a one-way system at the green.

For Cllr Paddy Meade, the need for a bypass is paramount. 'My concern is that as bad as things are, if Irish Cement gets the go ahead for an increase in its capacity, it will mean more trucks and things will get a lot worse. Are we going to spend money now that should go to the bypass. This might knock the bypass further down the road', he warned.

Cllr Wayne Harding said that a ban would increase traffic on rat runs but he feels a bypass is down the road anyway.

'The bigger picture is the bypass', Cllr Sharon Tolan argued. She questioned spending money on works that will be destroyed in 10\12 months, but felt measures were needed in Duleek.

'If there is a route for the bypass, shouldn't we go to part 8 planning?', she added.

Cllr Sharon Keogan said that the previous meeting had addressed the bypass for the first time in terms of planning. She said the citizens had to put up with these trucks and she didn't care if a ban would add 11km to the journey. She felt it would cost 3m to 4m to do a bypass and planning levies should pay for it.

Cllr Stephen McKee said he wanted the traffic calmimg measures in Duleek as there was a speeding problem by all vehicles. 'We can't wait 5 or 10 years for a bypass', he added. 'People have been hearing about it for 20 years and old people can't cross the road. We should not have to wait for a child to be knocked down.'

Cllr Tom Kelly said there was no reason why the enhancemrnt of Duleek should be delayed. He said a HGV ban should be discussed with gardai and that any planning application for Cement should state that trucks using it must go by Kilmoon Cross. 'A proper route should be a condition,' he remarked.

Cllr Keogan agreed to defer her motion on the ban, pending documentation that funding has been sought from the TII for a Duleek bypass.
Over the last few years and indeed, up to 2018, the anniversaries of many local men killed in World War 1 will be marked.

Hundreds perished in actions in various parts of the world, but mostly in the trenches of France and Belgium.

Later this year, the area will commemorate the soldier poet, Francis Ledwidge. It will be a special day.

But last Saturday, as a slight drizzle settled in, at the bottom of Mary Street, a simple soldier, who died without fanfare or glory, was recalled in a poignant ceremony.

Patrick Maxwell was a young man from Francis Street who died 100 years ago last week, on the Western Front.

Since a visit to the spot where he died a few years ago, Bridie Maxwell had vowed to mark his anniversary with something special.

The fallen soldier was an uncle of her husband, Paddy, who recalled growing up hearing stories about Patrick, his brother, Thomas, immensely proud of his sibling and often showing off his medals.

'I wanted to do something for Patrick, to remember him after all these years,' Bridie stated.

With Fr Phil Gaffney leading, the service was simple and inspiring, a token gesture to a man long gone, but living on in the memory of those left behind.

Bellewstown Heritage Group, local councillors, Mayor Tully, Cllr Tom Kelly of Laytown/Bettystown Municipal District and members of the ONE all played their part in making the event happen.

To end, Bridie performed one of her poems, written for the occasion and entitled 'On this Great Day'.

'Shattered silence takes this morn,

And tells its story to the Lord,

Slaughter upon the fields of France,

Took battalions of soldiers at one glance.'
Louth County Council chairman Cllr. Paul Bell jetted to the United States on Monday, along with four council officials, for a week-long St Patrick's Day-related programme.

The Drogheda-based Labour councillor will be in New York for the first part of the week, and will also visit Pikeville, Kentucky, which is twinned with Dundalk before returning on Saturday, March 18.

And Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams will be the only Louth TD to go to America this year, with a packed schedule over 36 hours from Wednesday.

In response to a query, the council said: 'The Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr. Paul Bell will be travelling to New York, along with four officials from the council on Monday March 13 and returning on Saturday March 18.

'In the course of the trip there are a number of engagements scheduled involving IDA Ireland, Tourism Ireland and the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland exploring opportunities for inward investment to County Louth. During the trip there will engagement with the Louth diaspora along with a meeting with representatives of the city of Pikeville, Kentucky, which is twinned with Dundalk, to progress a joint action plan. The delegation will also be participating in the St. Patrick's Day parade'.

Mr Adams has been invited to meet the Congressional Friends of Ireland group on Capitol Hill on Thursday morning, the Speakers' lunch at noon and an invite to the White House in the afternoon.

He will also be meeting congressional leaders on the margins of these meetings. After arriving in New York on Wednesday Mr Adams will attend an event organised by Niall O'Dowd and travel to Washington DC that evening. He is expected to be back in Ireland on Friday.

He said: 'I understand that all of this is happening at a time of deep concern in Ireland and globally at the actions of Donald Trump since his election. Sinn Fein has been to the fore in opposing these measures. '

Declan Breathnach TD says he will be attending the parade in Dundalk and hopes to make it to the Ardee one at 3pm. He said: 'It is a day for communities to demonstrate great pride in their achievements and provide a great fun family day for all'.

And Fergus O'Dowd hopes to get along to parades in Dundalk, Ardee and Drogheda with his family.
On Monday, the jury in the trial heard a distressed 999 call from the victim, whose 10-week-old baby girl hadn't been fed for 17 hours.

Jean Marie Nawn could be heard sobbing down the phone as she tried to comfort her crying baby and explain to gardai how the kidnappers had threatened to shoot her and her partner.

Ms Nawn told the jury she was repeatedly threatened at gunpoint during the 15-hour ordeal and said that at one stage she was beaten over the head with a gun. Afterwards the raiders left her tied to a bedpost in an abandoned house with her baby. She told the court she managed to free herself and run up the road to the nearby IBM factory in Swords.

G4S security company worker Gerard Whelan told the court on Monday that he was working at the IBM factory and driving out to lunch around 1pm that day when he noticed a woman standing at the edge of the grounds. He said it was unusual to see anyone there as the area around the factory was mostly rural.

He said he stopped the van and noticed she was holding a baby and had cable ties on her hands. "She was distressed and incoherent," Mr Whelan told the court. "...She kept saying, 'They have Warren, they have Warren'."

Mr Whelan said the woman did not want him to ring 999 but he felt he had to. "She kept saying they were going to kill him if she told anyone. I told her I was sure he would be OK. My company has had previous experience of this activity."

In the 999 conversation played to the jury, Mr Whelan spoke to gardai before putting Ms Nawn on the phone. She wept as gardai told her that her partner was safe and that an ambulance was on the way for her and her daughter. Her baby could be heard crying in the background.
Smiths of Drogheda say a fond farewell and a huge thank you this week to David Corrigan, the After Sales Manager who retires on March 16th.

David joined Smiths on 8th December 1964 and in his 53 years with the company has seen huge changes.

He started working under the late Paul Mohan back in the day as an apprentice mechanic and has worked his way up through the ranks to command his position as After Sales Manager and Workshop Controller.

A popular member of staff, David has embraced all kinds of changes over the years from the days when mechanic's were actually hands on diagnosing and fixing engines to the current level of qualified Technicians who understand the electronics and computer systems that now operate vehicles.

David has a great individual sense of humour, a keen eye for a racing pigeon and a great man for a tip!

Dave Pimlott, After Sales Director Ford Ireland, presented David with an award in recognition of his long service to the Ford brand.
Our Lady's College Greenhills filmmaker Ella Murphy has been shortlisted for the title of Ireland's Young Filmmaker 2017.

The 17-year-old qualified for the national finals in Limerick on March 30th after making it through the hotly contested Leinster regional finals last week in Temple Bar.

The Fresh Film Festival highlights national and international filmmakers spanning the primary and secondary age groups.

Previous films screened at the finals have been selected to be screened in the US, Canada, Korea, Italy, UK, Germany, Croatia, Australia and elsewhere.

The winner will receive the title of Ireland's Young Filmmaker of the Year, along with a cheque for 1,000.

'It was incredible to get out of Leinster and make it to the national final,' Ella stated. 'The competition was very tough and with the rest of Ireland now involved, I'm sure the standard will be even higher.'

Ella's film is part of her celebration of one of the oldest parts of Drogheda, The Dale, and she has billed it 'The Dale Sessions'.

She speaks to young, local people about their view of Drogheda, their music and likes.

Her entry for the national film awards centres on the story of Sonja Belec, a fellow Greenhills student, who moved to Drogheda from Croatia and how she has adjusted to everything - from the local fascination with 'spuds' to a meeting with the head of St Oliver Plunkett!
A postal worker has described how he believed he would never see his partner and baby again during a kidnapping and robbery in County Louth.

Warren Nawn told a jury how he was tied up and beaten before being sent to An Post to collect 600,000 from An Post while his partner, now wife, and baby were held by armed raiders.

During his evidence Mr Nawn said that he believed he would never see his family again when he thought he was about to be stopped by a garda car on the way to pick up the money.

He said the raiders repeatedly threatened to kill his family if anything went wrong and at one point Ms Nawn was threatened with rape.

It is the State's case that Jonathan Gill (35) was one of a group of five who together were involved in holding the family hostage in their own home before moving them to a shed about a 90 minute drive away.

Mr Gill of Malahide Road, Swords, Dublin has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to falsely imprisoning Warren Nawn, Jean Marie Nawn and their baby in Drogheda between August 1 and August 2, 2011.

Mr Nawn told Vincent Heneghan SC, prosecuting, that he was having a relaxing day off and was watching television when he opened his door to a man holding a pizza box and covering his face with a scarf.

The man had a gun and ordered Mr Nawn to the ground before bringing him inside. Another man arrived and they wrapped masking tape around his eyes, hands and mouth and started asking him about his work in An Post.

One raider said, "a mad bastard, madder than me, is coming and he would have no problem raping her," indicating Ms Nawn. He also told Mr Nawn to "remember the baby they found by the river in Mayo."

Another man, who Mr Nawn described as "the bossman" arrived and continued to question him. This man threatened to put a bullet in the back of Mr Nawn's head if he was lying.

Mr Nawn said he was physically lifted up and put in the boot of his own car which was then driven for 90 minutes to a farmyard. He did not know where his family was at this time.

At the farmyard he saw his partner and child and all three were held overnight. The "bossman" gave Mr Nawn detailed instructions on how he should go into work in the morning and wait for a cash van delivery before bringing the money to the LMFM studio carpark.

Mr Nawn told counsel that it was clear that the "bossman" had very detailed knowledge about where he worked but didn't seem to know the names of the streets and bridges in Drogheda.

In the morning the raiders put his work uniform on him and drove him to Drogheda. As Mr Nawn was leaving, Ms Nawn told him to do what they said. He replied that he would do whatever it took to keep them safe.

When he was dropped off, Mr Nawn drove to work while in phone contact with the raiders. He said he was speeding, overtaking traffic and breaking traffic lights and that he became very concerned when he saw a Garda car with its lights on.

He said he thought he would be stopped and would never see his family again. However, he was able to continue to work where he told his manager about the kidnapping, as instructed by the raiders.

He filled two large bags with money and drove towards LMFM. There he was told to drive to a overpass and throw the money over the side. When he did so he was told he had thrown the money at the wrong place and was instructed to retrieve it.

Mr Nawn climbed into some briars to get the cash but was then told to leave it. He was then told to drive to the Boyne Cable Bridge and break up the phone he was given before throwing it in the river.

Having done this, he returned to work where gardai were called. He refused to speak to officers because he was still concerned about his family's safety but began co-operating when it was confirmed they were safe.

Mr Nawn identified the pieces of a phone which had been recovered from the river by gardai as the one he was using. The trial continues before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury and is expected to last four weeks.
The Drogheda City Status Group continues to digest the recently published Boundary Report, but already regard it as removed from the reality of 21st Century Drogheda, and that it actually is a throwback to the 14th century when the river created a divide between two towns.

"The report is in denial that there are 80,000 people already living in the Greater Drogheda Area and the population continues to grow. It is also in denial regarding the Laytown/Bettystown/Mornington agglomeration which is a natural suburb of Drogheda.

'There are 29 Bus Eireann departures from Laytown thro the coastal area to Drogheda on weekdays - one of the many obvious strong links between the town and its natural suburbs on the coast," said Vincent Hoey, Chairman of the Drogheda City Status Group, adding "The Boundary Report proposes two Drogheda's - one for each Local Authority. Two towns rather than one city ! Drogheda will become a city, even "by default." No Boundary Review is going to stop that. What they propose lacks reality, lacks vision - and is a throwback to hundreds of years ago. What they propose will inhibit growth and development ...for both Droghedas !"

The report proposes that the Louth and Meath Local Authorities should work together to manage these two towns. Again, Vincent Hoey comments "What nonsense! Imagine the Irish Rugby team being managed by TWO managers and TWO management teams. The expression that "a camel is a horse designed by committee" comes to mind ..... and in their submission, one of the parties, Louth Co.Council expressed frustration with decisions taken by Meath Co. Council re Drogheda in the past, such as creating Retail Parks in their "sector" which drain business from the town itself."

While considering options in relation to the Boundary Report, the City Status Group is also focussing on what it describes as a more substantial process - Ireland 2040 -the recently launched National Planning Framework which has got underway, seeking ways to disperse economic development away from Dublin. So far, the Government has mentioned Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford as centres which may receive additional economic impetus, but there has been no mention of Drogheda - and no mention of the North East.
Drogheda will be going Fleadh crazy in 2018 after the town - and county - secured the staging of the biggest celebration of Irish music and culture in the world.

The announcement was made at the headquarters of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann on Saturday and it will see over 400,000 people descend on the town from August 12-19th 2018, creating a 40m boost to the local economy.

Drogheda's bid to secure the Fleadh began in 2012 and each year they've gotten closer to the dream - until the ultimate announcement finally arrived.

"It's been a five year long campaign to reach this day. We've been supported since day one by Louth County Council and we couldn't have achieved this success without their unequivocal support. Louth County Council and our team of dedicated volunteers from Drogheda Comhaltas and the wider community have campaigned tirelessly to win every crucial vote. We were hopeful, very hopeful, that the vote would go our way this year,' declared Lolo Robinson, Chairperson of Drogheda Comhaltas.

Chief Executive of Louth County Council Joan Martin is equally delighted with the announcement.

"This truly is a momentous day for Drogheda and indeed for all of County Louth. Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann is a mammoth week-long event that will showcase all that the region has to offer to a huge audience. The eyes of the world will be on us. Over 32 hours of television is broadcast from the Fleadh. Countless radio shows and print and online journalists will cover the Fleadh, along with a host of travel and tourism writers. This is an amazing opportunity to showcase the beauty and vibrancy of the town and the region."

But it won't be just Drogheda that will benefit as East Meath, mid Louth and North Louth will be playing a vital role.

"It is estimated that hosting Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann is worth nearly 40million to the local economy. That's money spent in local shops, cafes, restaurants, transport, pubs and hotels. With over 400,000 visitors, it is also a fabulous way of introducing new people to the region and creating really happy memories. It's true to say that Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann will be the largest marketing opportunity ever for the town,' Mayor Oliver Tully added.

'It was a huge voluntary effort to make this happen in the first place. And the teamwork right across the local community will continue as we move into the planning stage. We are determined to make Fleadh Drogheda the biggest and best Fleadh yet. We are confident that the people of our brilliant town will help this dream come true,' Lolo added.

Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2018 will take place from Sunday 12th August to Sunday 19th August. It will feature workshops for young musicians, competitions, concerts, ceili's and lots of fun on the streets of Drogheda throughout the week. For more information follow FleadhDrogheda on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, visit: www.fleadhdrogheda.com.

Lolo concluded "This will be an amazing experience for this region and our people  there's a role for everyone, be part of our team and join in this fantastic adventure. It's going to be amazing!"
The Drogheda-born Irish ambassador to France, Geraldine Byrne Nason, is to leave Paris to become Ireland's permanent representative to the United Nations in New York.

She will be tasked with trying to secure Ireland a seat on the UN security council in 2020. She will be replacing David Donoghue, who is retiring.

Geraldine became Ambassador to France in August 2014, having moved from her position as Second Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach.

Her elevation to the Taoiseach's office made her the highest ranking female civil servant in the country, and the first to be appointed to a top job on Merrion Street.

She has served at the UN in New York, Vienna, Geneva and Helsinki.

A former student at Our Lady's, Greenhills, she went to St Patrick's College Maynooth, where she graduated with a BA and MA in Literature before joining the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1982. In 2014, Geraldine was elected as a Member of the Royal Irish Academy.
Two Dublin men have been found guilty at the Special Criminal Court of  the "callous, brutal and premeditated murder" of dissident republican Peter Butterly four years ago.

Mr Butterly (35) was shot dead on March 6th, 2013 outside The Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath in what the court described as an "ambush" .

 Four men were originally charged with the shooting. One of the men, David Cullen, subsequently turned State witness, and his murder charge was dropped.

The fourth man, Dean Evans (24) of Grange Park Rise, Raheny, Dublin failed to turn up for the trial, and was not located by gardai.

The non-jury court proceeded with the trial of his two co-accused in Mr Evans' absence.

Edward McGrath (35), of Land Dale Lawns, Springfield, Tallaght and Sharif Kelly (47), of Pinewood Green Road, Balbriggan had both denied the murder. McGrath was also found guilty of firearms offences dating from the same occasion.

It was the second trial of McGrath and Kelly. The first trial collapsed in January 2015 after 55 days.

Delivering judgement, presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt described the murder as "callous, brutal and premeditated," with both men "performing their assigned roles".

During the 31-day trial the court heard evidence that the car used in the shooting, a stolen silver Toyota Corolla, was being watched by members of the National Surveillance Unit.

Gardai observed the Corolla drive past the Huntsman Inn before making a U-turn and returning to the pub, entering the   carpark.

The driver, McGrath, was wearing a black wig. Deans Evans was "crouched" in the back seat, behind McGrath. The window was rolled down. Witnesses then reported hearing gunshots.

One woman, who lived opposite the pub, saw a man holding a small black handgun. A student waiting at a nearby bus-stop saw two people sprinting away from a car. One was chasing the other. The second man raised an arm and shot the first man.

The court was satisfied, Mr Justice Hunt said, that Mr Butterly was "shot in the carpark by means of a gun fired by Dean Evans".

Mr Evans, he added, was driven to and from the scene by McGrath.

"It was an ambush by people who expected Mr Butterly would be present in the carpark," he said, adding that the shooting had required a "considerable degree of forethought".

The court heard firearms residue found on Mr Evan's sweater showed "strong support" for the view that he shot Mr Butterly.

Firearms residue was also found on a jacket taken from McGrath. This suggested that he had been present in the vicinity of the shooting.

Also, DNA matching McGrath's profile was found on a balaclava and black wig seized from the Corolla.

Interviews conducted by gardai with Kelly also formed part of the prosecution's case.
There will be a lecture on Irish author William Trevor in Enniscorthy library this Thursday.

The talk which will be given by Dolores MacKenna will take place at 7pm.

Trevor who is regarded as one of the greatest short story writers of the last century, died last November while MacKenna is seen as one of the foremost experts on him.

Her book, William Trevor - the Writer and his Work - was published in 1999. She is a lecturer, critic and broadcaster and has written on a wide range of Irish writers. William Trevor lived in Enniscorthy as a child.

His father, James William Cox, originally from Roscommon, worked in the bank, and in the 1940s he served as Manager in the Abbey Square branch of the Bank of Ireland. The family lived over the bank as was the custom in those days. This would have been for a short period. Trevor attended the Church of Ireland Tate school in Wexford town formerly the Municipal Buildings, Wygram). William Trevor makes some references to Enniscorthy in Excursions in the Real World.

On Thursday, March 30, at 7pm the award winning author Donal Ryan will give a reading. He is the author of three number one bestselling novels and a short story collection. His debut novel, The Spinning Heart was long listed for the Man Booker Prize in 2013.
Members of the Donabate-based Ceol Draiochta music school have once again shown their talent at the annual concert which culminated in an awards ceremony.

Some 45 students, ranging in age from six to 18, performed their piano and vocal pieces for a captive audience at a recent concert

The beautiful Grand Piano was provided by Adrian Thornton of Thorton Pianos.

The raffle prizes were donated by Ceol Draiochta Music School, Rebecca of Esthetique Skin & Bodycare clinic and by Jessie Diem O'Connell who made two sets of stunning cupcakes and a musical inspired cake which was one of our top prizes!

There were also a beautiful award ceremony at the end of the concert.

Seven High Achievers Awards were given on behalf of the Royal Irish Academy of Music. These 6 students achieved an outstanding 100% in their Music exams last year. This award is only given to roughly 1% of students who partake in the examinations in Ireland.

The students who were awarded were Gavin Duffy, Ella MacLochlainn, Ava Martin, Tiarnan Healy and Peter Oliver who won two High Achiever awards for the past two music grade examinations!

They also had trophies for those students who finished the final coveted 8th grade in both Piano and Musicianship last year - these were Ella O'Rourke, Jennifer O'Donoghue and Clara Golden.

A great big thank you goes to all the students who work so hard and their parents and families who support them! Also to Adrian Thornton, The Waterside Hotel, Jessie Diem O'Connell, Rebecca Doorley, Peter Browne for our fabulous photographs, all our piano teachers Kim Fallen Bailey, Yvonne Gonzalez, Bronagh Moore, Laura Shields and Ellen O'Rourke & of course the stunning presenters, sisters Eden and Farren Milne.

All the students are busy preparing for the summer exam session at the RIAM as well as Junior and Leaving Certificate Practical examinations at present. The very best of luck in their upcoming exams!
Two authors visited Skerries Community College last week as part of its World Book Day celebrations.

Best-selling local author Shane Hegarty, the creator of the popular Darkmouth series, made his annual visit to the school. Shane was born and raised in Skerries, where he now lives with his own family.

And poet Tony Curtis also dropped by during the course of the week where he sang some of his poems to the students.

World Book Day has become firmly established as Ireland's biggest annual event promoting the enjoyment of books and reading. The main aim is to encourage children to explore the pleasure of books and reading by providing them with an opportunity to have a book of their own.
Balbriggan and District Historical Society is preparing for a number of fascinating talks and presentations over the next few weeks and months as a new chairperson takes the helm.

The society has a new chairperson in Anne Collins and a new committee member, Brian Kavanagh but stalwart and former chairperson, Jim Walsh is staying on the committee and all other officers are remaining in their positions.

The next event the society has lined up is a fundraiser in the form of a quiz at the Milestone Inn on March 23 at 8pm and then it is on to a packed schedule of historical talks.

Jim Walsh will be the speaker on Wednesday, March 29 at 8pm at Balbriggan Town Hall when he will provide an insight into the design and construction of Balbriggan's beloved Carnegie Free Library building.

On Wednesday, April 26 at 8pm Brian Arnold will speak at the Town Hall on the subject of 'Thomas Ashe: The Revolutionary Teacher'.

On Wednesday, May 31, Padraig Yeates will speak on the Russian Revolution, Easter 1916 and the history of Irish Labour, also at the Town Hall at 8pm.

In just a couple of weeks time on Wednesday, March 29, the society will participate in a showcase of local historical societies hosted by the council at County Hall.

The event clashes with a society talk but representatives of the group will attend to showcase the work of the society to a wider audience.
The backers of Fingal's only brewery who fearlessly made the decision to establish the business in 2015 are licking their lips in anticipation of taking their place at a national competition/

Hope Beer, which was created by Wim de Jongh, Jeanne Mahony, Des McSwiggan, claimed the Fingal Enterprise Award last week.

The business fended off stiff competition from seven other companies to win the award, which was presented at the Fearless event at the Riasc Centre in Swords last Thursday evening.

As well as the beautiful trophy, there were also presented with a cash prize of 2,500.

It was organised by the Local Enterprise Office as part of Enterprise Week and the host was Today FM's Conall O'Morain.

Hope Beer will now go on to represent Fingal at the annual National Enterprise Awards in the Mansion House in May.

The company will be competing against 30 other companies from every local authority area for a share of the 40,000 prize fund across thirteen categories.

Established in 2015 at its base at Howth Junction, the company brews and distributes its own range of specialist and limited edition beers, with back stories from Fingal and flavours to interest the growing craft beer market.

Brewed at their fully equipped high spec facility into their own bottles and kegs, the products are available through nationwide distributors and retailers, restaurants and bars.

They plan to employ six people by end 2017, at the only brewery in Fingal.

Another winner at the awards ceremony was 'Everest Granola' which was highly commended.

Headed up by Seamus Tighe, Everest provides a gourmet granola cup which is made from ridiculously tasty natural ingredients.

Established n 2014, the founder successfully completed the Food Academy programme. Already supplying a range of retail & food service clients in Ireland, the business will expand into the UK market & further develop the product range in 2017, & employ a team of 7 people.

Speaking at the ceremony, Paul Reid, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council congratulated the local entrepreneurs, saying: 'Hope Beer is a very worthy winner of this major enterprise award, in recognition of what they have achieved here in Fingal in such a short space of time.

'Because of their drive and determination, the company is increasing its workforce to six full time staff and has major plans to grow their business in the very near future.'

Eight local businesses in total were shortlisted this year, each of whom competed in the competition which was presided over by Michael Dawson, CEO and founder of One4All Gift Vouchers, Neal Morrison partner at McInerney Saunders, and Deirdre O'Neill from Enterprise Ireland.

The remaining six were Azure Communications (Dublin11); Kennedy's Convenient Food (The Ward); Skytango (Lusk); Smart Trace Software (Malahide); WeBringg (Castleknock); Extreme.ie (Swords).

The Awards were presented by the Mayor at the end of the 'FEARLESS' event, which was the culmination of a busy Local Enterprise Week in Fingal.
The daa is planning to build a new runway at Dublin Airport

Two separate legal actions are being taken but residents in St Margaret's against the development of a new runway at Dublin Airport.

The St Margaret's Concerned Residents group are seeking an injunction under section 160 of the Planning and Development Act and it is understood the action is centred around local concerns about waste management procedures put in place by the daa for the construction phase of the 320 million North Runway project.

Separately, a list of 22 named residents from St Margaret's which also includes members of the St Margaret's Concerned Residents group, are seeking a judicial review of Fingal County Council's granting a five-year extension to the planning permission for the new runway.

It is understood the residents are challenging the process by which these kind of planning permission time extensions are granted.

Senior Counsel for the residents, John Rogers has told the High Court that he would argue certain statutory provisions were not satisfied in the application for the time-extension.

The residents application for a judical review of that process pre-dates the decision of Fingal County Council to grant a five-year extension to the planning permission, last week.

In that decision the council listed a number of reasons why it judged it was acceptable to extend the planning permission for the runway by five years.

Council planners said the application was made more than a year before the current planning permission runs out and that construction on the project had begun. The council also judged that there were 'commercial and economic' factors outside the control of the daa that meant the project could not be completed within its original 10-year planning permission period.

The local authority also said there had been no significant changes to the project since it was first granted permission and that it was not 'inconsistent with the proper and sustainable development of the area'.

The Fingal Independent contacted Helena Merriman, chairperson of the St Margaret's Concerned Residents to ask why the residents had decided to take these two separate actions in the High Court but Ms Merriman declined to comment on either case, saying the residents' legal team had advised them not to talk to the media while the cases are live before the courts.

She did confirm however, that members of the group, including herself were attached to both actions.

A daa spokesperson also declined to comment on the challenges to the new runway while the cases were before the High Court.

The Fingal Independent understands that both cases will be before the High Court again this Thursday. The judicial review case is being taken against Fingal County Council, the State and the Attorney General while the injunction case is being taken against the daa.

The St Margaret's Concerned Residents Group represent a number of residents living close to the runway.
Gorey Community School will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year, with a year-long programme of celebrations.

In an effort to get as many people as possible involved, the school has set up a past pupils union.

A call has gone out to those former pupils who have passed through the school over the last 25 years, to register with the school.

Visit the school's website www.goreycs.ie and look for the a pop up window which will allow you to register.

There is also a Gorey Community School app which can be easily downloaded to your phone or tablet. By registering, you will be kept up to date with current school news and details of upcoming events which are being held to mark the 25 year anniversary.

Gorey Community School was founded in 1993 when the town's three secondary schools were amalgamated - the Loreto, CBS and VEC. It soon became the largest school in Ireland, and has a proud history of education and achievement.
Fifty proud years of serving the local community were celebrated recently as Carnew Credit Union marked half a century since the organisation held its first AGM.

A gala dinner was held in The Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey, in honour of the milestone.

Present were many of those who have served on various committees over the years including several founding members and former board members and managers.

The first AGM was held on February 7, 1967, in St Aidan's Club, now Carnew Training and Development Centre. Carnew Credit Union has nine members of its Board of Directors, three members on the board oversight committee, five staff, and eight voluntary workers. It has a membership of 3,000 and its assets stand at 15.4 million.

An enjoyable evening was had, and warm tributes were paid to all who helped make Carnew Credit Union what it is today. Thanks were sent to all the members for their continued support.
Sam McCauley Chemists re-qualified as a Best Managed Company for its ninth consecutive year in the Deloitte Best Managed Companies awards for 2017 in Dublin's Convention Centre.

The awards, in association with Barclays Bank Ireland were attended by over 900 people from the Irish business community.

Ahead of the awards, the companies gathered at a management symposium, where they were addressed by, among other speakers, David Carson, Deloitte's lead partner on Brexit.

Acknowledging the concern among Irish businesses about the political and economic uncertainty of a hard Brexit, he spoke about the steps companies can take to best position themselves to survive and grow.

He advised companies to plan now rather than adopt a 'wait and see' approach, and in the absence of full information, to plan for the scenario of most change, in respect of movement of people, restrictions to market access, cost of market access and identifying new market opportunities. He also touched on the attractiveness of Ireland as a location for businesses to grow, with tangible assets like its talented, agile and flexible workforce.

Half of this year's first time winners came from the technology industry, demonstrating Ireland's strength as a producer of exciting and innovative companies with considerable export potential.

There was also a strengthening in the number of winners in the construction and engineering sectors which is to be welcomed. Many of these companies have reported record profits, acquisitions and the creation of new jobs in the last 12 months.
Two Wexford Spar stores have been awarded the annual 'Spar 5 Star Award', one of retail's highest honours, at the Killashee House, Kildare.

Spar retailers from across Ireland attended the awards ceremony hosted by BWG foods - owners and operators of the Spar brand in Ireland.

The two Wexford winners - Byrne's Spar, Bree, and Conway's Spar, Taghmon - excelled in all areas of inspection and displaying exemplary standards across their stores.

'Maintaining the highest standards in customer care and food safety consistently on a daily basis is no easy feat and these retailers work extremely hard in order to achieve this.

'I'm delighted to see two Wexford stores achieve the mark this year and get the recognition they deserve,' said Spar Sales Director Colin Donnelly.

It is a rolling scheme where participants must undergo rigorous year long assessments.

The awards were given to stores that demonstrated outstanding industry excellence following a year of comprehensive inspections, visits from mystery shoppers and audits.
April can't come quick enough for the hardworking and talented team over at the Tralee Musical Society as they hurry to put the finishing touches on their latest full-scale production in Tralee's hallowed venue of Siamsa Tire.

The 'rock opera' as it is is being called is intriguingly entitled 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and is a show that organisers have guaranteed to be a hugely exciting and showstopping event for audiences.

It is just over 15 years since the society last performed the showcase in Siamsa Tire back back in 2002, for which the society managed to scoop five national AIMS awards and so for many of the current and younger members of the society, this award winning haul occurred back when they were only children, so for them, the chance to take part in a showcase that no doubt has become almost legendary will be something that they will no doubt be very excited about.

"It is a really exciting time for Tralee Musical Society at the moment as we are ranked as one of the top two societies in Ireland, and for us to be doing a show of this magnitude, with the plans that our director has in mind, is a great opportunity for us," said Suzan O' Gara talking to The Kerryman on Wednesday afternoon.

"There will be some fantastic firsts for us, including a serious stage setup that hasn't been seen on a Tralee stage before," she continued.

Staging a huge production such as this is by no means an easy feat, usually taking hours and hours of toiling into the late nights be it with rehearsals or stage design and Susan is quick to point out the incredible work done behind the scenes by the lesser known individuals, who without their contribution, none of what they do on stage would be possible.

"We have a very strong team behind every show that will help to bring it all together. From our committee, to ur directors to the set construction to the lighting design to the costume department and to the cast themselves."

"Every element is carefully thought out and there has to be a lot of communication and time and effort poured into each new production. Having just come out of what was a very successful 30th year for us as a society last year, we are really excited about what is to come for us next."

The story of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' traces the last seven days of the life of Christ, as seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Judas fears that the compassionate movement with Jesus at its head has become a personality cult with many of Jesus' statements being taken up and twisted by his followers and he feels that Jesus must be stopped.

With a name as interesting and as eye catching as 'Jesus Christ Superstar', the series of nights in Siamsa Tire, starting on the night of Wednesday, April 26 and running until Saturday, April 29, is bound to attract quite the crowd; so, if you do head down to the showpiece on the night, what can you expect?

"This play is a timeless work of art set against the backdrop of an extraordinary and universally-known series of events, but which are seen, unusually, through the eyes of Judas Iscariot."

"Jesus Christ is not generally the figure that we expect in a rock show, but that's what makes this musical so entertaining; with music by Andrew Llyod Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, this rock opera is going to tell the story of Jesus using modern rock music and contemporary slang. The show is a product of its era, permeated with 1970's rock, gospel, folk and funk themes, modern language and colloquialisms, and high-energy dance numbers, people are going to have a ball!,"

Having just celebrated their hectic 30th anniversary last year, one might have assumed that the society would be content to sit back, relax and take things a little bit easier this year; well it appears that anyone who thought that though, certainly isn't too familiar with how the Tralee Musical Society works.

This is a group that never stops striving to better themselves in every single way that they can and in this years showcase, they are already planning something a little bit special to make it that bit more nostalgic for returning viewers.

"We are in a very interesting place this time around as 15 years on from that famous showing back in 2002, the two lead roles in this years play - Jesus and Mary Magdelene - will in fact be played by the two same people, Jerry and Sharon Lynch, who played them all those years ago, both of whom who were recognised for their acting skills at the time," said Susan.

"We are delighted to have Oliver Hurley at the helm once again and he will be working alongside the extremely talented and humble Aine Murray and Elaine Canning as Musical and Choral directors respectively."

The name of Oliver Hurley is one that really needs no introduction; this award winning director has become so synonomus with the theatre here in Kerry that it is hard to imagine a time when he wasn't involved and as testament to the great man's enduring passion for his craft, he has confessed to feeling quite, quite excited about returning to one of his favourite musicals.

"I am delighted to have another opportunity to direct one of my favourite musicals. For me it's one of Andrew Lloyd Webbers finest compositions. I hope to once again challenge all the creative departments in Tralee Musical Society, from the costumes department to the set construction team," said Oliver, talking to The Kerryman this week.

"For the first time we will be constructing a revolving stage in Siamsa Tire. I am so looking forwards to the challenge in using this as a visual device and hope this will bring a whole new dynamic to the production," he continued.

"We have an extremely talented cast including Jerry Lynch and Sharon Lynch who have performed these same roles in our award winning production in 2002. We are delighted to showcase an extremely talented young man Sean McElligott who who will be playing the role of Judas; there is a very large cast who are at present immersed in the rehearsal process with choral and production rehearsals now in full swing."

"I am looking forward to bringing this emotional production to life on the stage of Siamsa Tire this April. We have a very high reputation to maintain as the top musical society in Ireland, but with this highly committed and talented cast we hope to give the people of Tralee a show they will never forget,"

Tickets for this show, which will take place from Wednesday 26th-Saturday 29th April at 8pm nightly in Siamsa Tire are available to buy from the venue itself and are set to cost 19/17.

Keep an eye on The Kerryman in the coming weeks for a competition giving you a chance to win an exciting family ticket to see the show!
'A shining example of what can be achieved with local support' was the verdict of the Kerry Association of Dublin on awarding the title Laochra Chiarrai to one very deserving community group this year.

Members of Dromid community development group Forbairt na Dromoda were delighted to receive the great accolade - literally translated as 'Heroes of Kerry' - at the recent Oiche Chiarrai at the Ballsbridge Hotel.

They were honoured as one of two of the most positive forces in current Kerry life; the other being the Kerry Hospice Foundation's dynamic chairman Ted Moynihan.

Forbairt na Dromoda was celebrated for its great ongoing work empowering the community in the heart of the stunning Inny Valley.

"Forbairt na Dromoda provides a very wide range of services and due to an enormous amount of voluntary work it has become a shining example of what can be achieved with local support," chairperson of the Kerry Association Leesha Duffy said.

The services it operates is impressive to say the least, encompassing everything from childcare programmes to activities for the elderly, a respite service, language classes as well as the local community hall and hostel, among much, much more. The group said it was delighted with the award.
Plans for a respite centre in Blennerville that would cater for children suffering from rare diseases has been given the go ahead, subject to a number of conditions, by Kerry County Council planners.

Liam's Lodge - the brainchild of the Heffernan family who lost both their children, Saoirse and Liam, to the rare Battens Disease - would bring up to 5,000 patients and families to Blennerville every year to access respite.

One local politician who wrote to the council last week urging them to give the proposal the green light described the submission as one of the most 'significant planning applications submitted to Kerry County Council during the past quarter of a century.'

Liam's Lodge - named in memory of Tony and Mary Heffernan's youngest child who passed away in May, 2014 - will comprise eight three-bedroom residential units, 14 two-bedroom units, a reception area, four therapy rooms, two sensory rooms, five physiotherapy suites, three offices with meeting rooms and much more on a site located near Blennerville National School and the windmill.

Fianna Fail Councillor Michael Cahill wrote to the Council on Thursday, March 2, urging the authority to approve the plan.

"This is without doubt one of the most significant planning applications submitted to Kerry County Council during the past quarter of a century," Cllr Cahill wrote, saying it would be a massive asset for the families of children struggling with serious, rare diseases.

He claimed the centre would create up to 77 full-time and 24 part-time positions, with an initial investment of 10 million during the build and an annual contribution of 3.4million per annum to the local economy.

"In addition, each of the proposed 22 family units will provide 52 weeks of family respite for Ireland's sickest children and their families, bringing over 5,000 people to Blennerville and Kerry to gain services not available anywhere else in Ireland," Cllr Cahill wrote.
Funeral details for controversial bishop Eamonn Casey have been announced.

Bishop Casey died in a nursing home in County Clare on Monday following a long illness.

The Catholic Communications office confirmed that his removal will take place today (Wednesday) at 7pm at the Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and Saint Nicholas, Galway.

Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday March 16 at 2pm at the same cathedral followed by interment in the cathedral crypt.

Mass celebrant will be the Bishop of Clonfert, John Kirby.

The Church's decision to allow Casey be interred in the crypt at Galway Cathedral has prompted some criticism of some senior Catholic clergy who were quick to distance themselves - and the church - from the former Bishop of Kerry and Galway in the wake of the scandal that embroiled him in 1992.

Though he remained a controversial figure until his death, Bishop Casey was an enormously popular figure in his heyday and his funeral service is expected to attract a large crowd.

Bishop Casey, who would have been 90 on April 27, died at the Carrigoran Nursing Home in Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co Clare on Monday afternoon. He had been cared for there since 2011 - five years after he returned to Ireland having spent several years in Ecuador and in the UK and was suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Every avalanche starts with a single stone.

So it was with the Catholic Church in Ireland and Eamonn Casey was that stone.

Though his transgression - fathering a child and covering up the birth - was minor in the context of the many subsequent, horrifying, scandals that have rocked the church, it was no less significant in its impact.

The revelation that Casey - at the time the best known and most popular cleric in Ireland - had a child shook Catholic Ireland to its very core.

Younger readers - brought up in a world where Father Ted is a comedy staple - may find it hard to comprehend the impact the scandal had on Irish society.

While it is only 25 years ago, Ireland in 1992 was a very different place. Divorce wouldn't be legalised for another three years, homosexuality was still a criminal offence and there were still strict restrictions on contraception.

This was all largely due to the omnipresent and overbearing influence of the church who still maintained their centuries old stranglehold over Irish society.

All that changed with the Casey revelations. The hypocrisy of the church was exposed in the full glare of the media and no longer could the clergy force themselves on the people as guardians of all that was right and proper.

For the first time the people and the press began to openly question the church, its inner workings and the policies it espoused that had helped keep Irish society in the dark ages compared to the rest of the western world.

The Casey scandal - which seems utterly inconsequential in the context of clerical child rape and dead babies in slurry pits - transformed how we think about the church in Ireland.

For that, perhaps, we owe Bishop Casey a debt of gratitude. It may not be the legacy he would have desired but it is a legacy that helped change Irish society for the better.
Killorglin Courthouse will hear its last cases at the monthly sitting of the district court on Thursday with no timeline on when, if ever, the building will be used again.

A health and safety review will now be carried out on the historic building and the Courts Service has confirmed that the current Killorglin caseload will transfer to Cahersiveen during the 'temporary closure'.

"This is deemed a temporary closure but one wonders if it is temporary. It depends on the outcome of an appraisal," local solicitor Liam Crowley said on Tuesday.

Built by Lord Ventry for petty sessions in 1894, the court was used for inquests of the drowning victims of the Ballykissane Pier tragedy.

"My grandfather William Crowley was a juror for those inquests and the courthouse in general has a huge significance for the people of Killorglin," Mr Crowley said, adding: "While Cahersiveen is a fine court, Killorglin Courthouse is a service for litigants in Mid Kerry".

"The building has a long-standing tradition on Market Street. It's used once a month and, indeed, more often for special sittings so one hopes that it can be reconstituted."

Meanwhile, one local politician is calling on the Court Service of Ireland to consider moving the courthouse into the civic offices at Library Place in the centre of the mid-Kerry town in a bid to keep a service judged vital for the health of the local economy.

County Councillor Mike Cahill said the Court Service of Ireland had, in fact, approved a plan to build a new courthouse as part of the original Library Place design some years ago, but backed down as it did not have the means to fund it. Councillor Cahill is now calling on Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald to relocate the courthouse to the County Council offices at Library Place in a bid to keep the service in the mid-Kerry town where it plays an important economic role.

"There is no doubt retaining the Court Service in Killorglin where state of the art facilities are already available makes administrative and economic sense and would be in accordance with the Government programme of assisting and supporting sustainable rural development," Cllr Cahill said.

"Taking away and centralising services at the expense of a small town like Killorglin where the local community and employers are working so hard to keep a vibrant community flies in the face of all we are trying to achieve," he added, saying that Killorglin is a perfect location in the centre of the county.
Kerry historians Maurice and Jane O'Keeffe are this week launching both their latest collection of oral history and a new website - at one of Dublin's best-loved old buildings, the RDS.

And a man who was central to the most historic event of modern times in this country was set to perform the honours at 2pm on Wednesday, March 15, at the library in the Royal Dublin Society; none other than former Bertie Ahern adviser and TD, Dr Martin Mansergh.

Maurice and Jane O'Keeffe are the principals of Irish Life and Lore, the organisation they set up in 1990 that is dedicated to collecting the oral history of Ireland in audio, documentation and, latterly, digital systems. To date, they have compiled over 3,000 recordings into oral history collections with the full details available at www.irishlifeandlore.com.

Now, they are launching the Heritage Oral History Collection, a collection of 29 audio recordings compiled in various parts of the country and featuring, to name just a few 'Earl of Meath' Jack Brabazon, West Kerry farmer Seamus Devane and Bertie Ahern.
Police in the UK tracked down the car they believe was involved in an accident that cost Kerry man David Hoare his arm over a week ago.

Mr Hoare, from Tullig, Killorglin, was carrying out repairs to a manhole in the centre of Hemel Hempstead - in the greater London area - when he was struck by a car.

The accident resulted in Mr Hoare falling through the open manhole and sustaining serious injuries which forced medics to amputate his arm.

He was rushed by air ambulance to Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, where he remains in a 'serious but stable' condition this week, according to police.

Hertfordshire Police launched a hit-and-run investigation in the immediate aftermath of the accident, urging the public to help them trace a white 'Kia-type' car sought in connection with the incident.

Herts Constabulary tracked down the vehicle last week after its owner contacted them, a spokesperson for the force informed The Kerryman.

"Officers have traced the white Kia...believed to be involved in a serious collision in Hemel Hempstead on Thursday, March 2. Following the collision, the woman believed to be driving the vehicle at the time made contact with police and is currently assisting officers with their enquiries," a spokesperson said

"The investigation remains on-going. Officers are now re-appealing to potential witnesses who have not already spoken to police to please come forward, as they may have crucial information," they added.
Transport Minister Shane Ross cancelled his planned two day visit to Kerry following the tragic coast guard helicopter crash that has claimed at least one life.

Coast Guard Sikorski helicopter 'Rescue 116' crashed six miles off the coast of Mayo at around 1am on Monday morning as it assisted another Coast Guard rescue helicopter in a medical evacuation rescue operation.

Renowned pilot Captain Dara Fitzpatrick was confirmed killed in the crash. Her body has been recovered but her three colleagues remained missing, feared dead, as The Kerryman went to press on Tuesday evening.

Transport Minister Shane Ross was due to start a two day visit to Kerry on Tuesday but this was cancelled in the wake of the tragedy.

Minister Ross was en route to Kerry when news broke that Captain Fitzgerald had lost her life in the tragic accident.

It is understood that Captain Fitzpatrick was a close friend of Minister Ross' wife - former broadcaster Ruth Buchanan - and the Ross family.

While in Kerry Minister Ross had been due to hold meetings with Vintners' Federation members in Listowel and with representatives of the business community in Tralee.

The meeting with the vintners in Listowel had been arranged by the Healy-Rae family.

He was also to visit his Department's offices in Killarney and to view the Ballvourney to Macroom section of the Kerry Cork road with Fine Gael Kerry TD Brendan Griffin.

It is expected that Minister Ross' Kerry visit will be rescheduled in the near future and it is hoped he will be able to come to the county in April or May.
Sage - Support and Advocacy Service for Older People - are currently recruiting for Support Person volunteers.

An information evening will be held on March 30 at 5.30 p.m. in the Edmund Rice International Heritage Centre Mount Sion, Barrack Street, Waterford.

The role of a Support Person includes raising awareness of Sage and the services provided in local communities, linking people with the services that they need and working one-to-one with someone during a vulnerable time. To find out more contact Helen Fitzgerald on, 086 1302712.
A tragic girl scout who was swept into the sea at Hook Head, then fell 45 feet after reaching the door of a coastguard helicopter during a rescue operation.

An incident report from the Air Accident and Investigation Unit Ireland (AAIU) into the circumstances surrounding the death of Aoife Winterlich (14) has found that the winchman who opted to lift her and a second teen out of the water simultaneously made a 'sound decision'.

Aoife, from Walkinstown in Dublin, was with her scout troop walking along the coast at Hook Head when she was swept into the sea, alongside another boy.

The male teen stayed with her and told investigators that she was unresponsive from shortly after they entered the water. Aoife died in hospital a number of days after the accident, on December 10.

The Irish coastguard centre in Dublin received a call at 2.04 p.m. and were told that a 'number of kids' were in the water and a helicopter from a Waterford base was dispatched. The crew arrived on the scene minutes later, at 2.13 p.m. and a winchman entered the water less than a minute afterwards.

When he reached her, Aoife was pale and unresponsive. The second teen was supporting her, anxiously keeping her head above water, despite the risk to his own safety. He tried to perform CPR on her before the rescue team arrived on scene. Investigators praised the teenager for his exceptional effort and for staying with his scouting pal during the ordeal.

On his arrival, the winchman said Aoife seemed to be drifting under the water and he was concerned, based on previous experience, that the casualties would stop trying to swim on arrival of rescue services.

'The winchman was also concerned that if he winched one casualty to the helicopter, that the other would not be able to remain afloat until he returned,' the report states.

When deciding to winch both to safety at the same time he 'considered that his only option', according to the report.

However, as the winchman and the two youths reached the door of the helicopter and were about to be recovered Aoife slipped through the strop (a type of harness used in rescues of this type) being used to lift her and fell approximately 45ft into the sea. She was in the water for 31 seconds after the second fall.

The winchman immediately returned to the water and successfully transported her to the helicopter. Afterwards the crew spent time looking for a third casualty in the water before the male teen told them there was only the two of them and the helicopter then made its way to hospital. Photographic and video evidence from the scene of the accident were handed over to investigators. Some show the choppy condition of the sea around the time of the accident, others show the incident itself. The footage shows the tragic teen's jacket was pulled over her head and off her during the second fall and was never recovered.

The AAIU noted that due to the high risk nature of rescue operations 'there is always the possibility for a scenario to develop that has not previously been trained for'.

It also highlights that there is no specific guidance on winching an unresponsive casualty from the water and the unit has recommended that guidance be prepared for all search and rescue teams about the risks associated with winching casualties, whether conscious or unconscious, by use of a helicopter rescue strop.

'The Investigation considers that the winchman made a reasonable decision given his perception of the prevailing circumstances, the imminent risk to life and the consequent time pressure that he faced,' the report states.

The report notes evidence from the post-mortem which found no evidence of primary or traumatic brain injury. Evidence was found of a 'period of somatic survival following resuscitation following a near drowning episode'.

At her funeral her brother Martin paid tribute to her, saying: 'Aoife wasn't your average person, she was the 14-year-old we all wanted to be but didn't have the guts.'
Work on laying cables for Virgin Broadband will begin in April, while free wi-fi is on the horizon across the district in public places.

District Manager Sinead Casey said: 'Construction will commence on the core route in town during the first week of April.'

Don Davern of Virgin Media recently told councillors that the company currently has 505,000 customers in Ireland, serving over 10,000 businesses. He said Virgin is expanding into New Ross and hopes to be in situ by the end of September, offering speeds of 360MB.

The company plans to commit to both residential and commercial customers in New Ross town. Mr Davern said that 'where possible we will use existing council underground resources where acceptable and appropriate for all'.

He said that any disruption which would occur would be clearly communicated with people in the area prior to the works commencing, adding that if the plans for New Ross progress he expects that the company will have spent 1.5 million in the town by the end of September 2017. Mr Davern also said that the fibre network is unlimited and can expand to carry whatever traffic necessary. He said Virgin is working with Aurora to carry their fibre optic cables from New Ross to Waterford.

Cllr Martin Murphy asked if the broadband will be extended to rural areas. 'Sure noone cares about us out in the sticks,' said Cllr Larry O'Brien. Cllr Michael Sheehan said he knows an internet company who are willing to provide free wi-fi in public areas in New Ross.

He complimented council staff on worknig on the initiative, adding that the company has provided free wi-fi in Wexford town. Cllr Sheehan said he has asked the company to include local villages in their plans. The announcement came as news to Cathaoirleach Cllr Michael Whelan, who said: 'You have complimented the staff on working on this and they know nothing about it.'

Ms Casey said with Cllr Sheehan's connections through the economic development special policy committee, of which he is chairman, the company has been asked to look at the possibiity of providing free wi-fi in the district. 'They did look at that and they are coming back with a proposal,' Ms Casey said.

Cllr Willie Fitzharris asked if the council will have to pay for this service and was told they will not.

Cllr O'Brien said: 'Virgin Media are putting it in the town. We have another company going to give us free hi-fi,' before being hauled up by Cllr Sheehan who said: 'Hi-fi is from the Seventies!'

'I wouldn't know the term because we don't have it (wi-fi) out the country,' Cllr O'Brien said, before praising Cllr Sheehan for taking the initiaitve.
Wexford County Council is being urged to ban the use of smoky fuels within the next six months.

Cllr Malcolm Byrne, who is putting forward a motion calling for such a ban, said the burning of such fuels had seriously damaging effects on people's health and on the environment.

The councillor also wants the council to express concerns at the delays by Minister Denis Naughten in proceeding with the ban nationally.

Earlier this year, harmful levels of emissions from the burning of smoky coal were detected by monitoring stations in Wexford town, where such coal is already banned, and in New Ross, where it is not, as is the case in Gorey and New Ross.

Particulate matter, a type of pollution caused by domestic burning of smoky coal, penetrates the lungs and sinus, aggravating asthma and other respiratory conditions. There is no safe level of exposure to the pollution caused by smoky coal and with more than 14,268 thousand people in County Wexford suffering from asthma, the Asthma Society of Ireland is calling for an immediate ban on this nasty pollutant. However, smoky coal is cheaper to buy that the smokeless variety, leading to some people living in Wexford town heading out of town to buy the fuel.

One of the major problems is that even in areas where it is banned, there is little if any policing of the measure.
The co-founder of Wexford Food Family has criticised Wexford County Council for failing to provide funding for the food industry which is one of the county's main employers.

Neil Murphy of Wexford Creamery and Glanbia said: 'If we don't get more funding we won't be able to continue as an organisation.'

Mr Murphy said Cork and Tipperary local authorities allocate around 100,000 annually for food related festivals and promotion, while Wexford County Council only allocates 25,000 to Wexford Food Family to run its events.

Wexford County Council CEO Tom Enright said the local authority supports Wexford Food Family and food producers thorughout the county through funding, which is also provided by the local enterprise office.

Every year the Wexford Food Family attract thousands of foodies to Wexford town for the Maritime & Food Festival.

Mr Murphy said this year around 100,000 will visit the town for the biggest ever festival. 'The festival is worth 2.2m to the town but this year's festival will be worth around 5m if we get the numbers.'

He said he was encouraged by the support Tom Banville of the council's Wexford Local Enterprise Office for his help in securing funding for the organisation which has 46 members.

He said Wexford County Council CEO Tom Enright and the council's economic development director Tony Larkin were invited to the Wexford Food Summit held in New Ross on March 1, but neither attended.

'Everyone is talking about jobs and the need to create jobs and to bring multinationals but our core business (in the county) is in agriculture and food.'

Mr Murphy said the annual food festival banquet - which takes over the weekend of Friday, June 30 to Sunday, July 2, on the quay in Wexford during the Maritime & Food Festival, attracts 125 people but he would like to see it expanded to 220 people.

'We can have this festival recognised as a national festival if we get the numbers. We have the Food Family Kitchen which sees 13 local chefs from top class restaurants doing cookery demonstrations over two days. Once again we are doing this on a peanut budget. It's just crazy! We get 15,000 for a three day festival. 1,800 people are employed by our members and that is not counting all of the farmers and the people employed in cafes and hotels and in indirect sales.'

Mr Murphy said he works in a voluntary capacity for Wexford Food Family, while there is a 100 per week budget to cover costs. 'Paula and I have put in around 200,000 in man and woman hours into this since we started it in 2011. We are the only fee based food organisation in the country. It's fine and you can see that it's working, but we get frustrated as the people outside looking in don't understand it and don't get it. We want to create County Wexford as the number one food region in the country. Wexford has so much going for it with the huge influx of tourists every summer. We want to have Wexford on the menu and on the shelves everywhere these tourists go telling the Wexford story.'

He said people who come to a county and purchase a product are 65 per cent more likely to buy it in their local shop when they return home because of the positive associations they will have with it from sampling it while on holiday.

Mr Murphy said with more funding Wexford could become a foodie destination, adding that it has already established a craft beer industry with well regarded brands.

'We published 11,000 copies of our food trail brochure and they were gone within two months. We have had Pettitt's and the Heritage Park and other businesses crying out for them, but we've no money to print any more. Tom Enright has spoken on the radio at length about his plan for the four towns. He has spoken about tourism and IT but he has never mentioned food.'

Mr Enright said: 'The food industry is something we are very supportive of. It's not all about local authority funding this. It has to be the food producers in the county also and it's important to try to get some funding through Enterprise Ireland.'

He said Tom Banville of the council's local enterprise office represented the body at the recent Wexford Food Summit, adding that he is very aware of the potential of the food industry in the county, even if he didn't discuss it on a radio interview.

'I can't comment on everything on the radio. The fishing industry is also very important to Wexford. Food is not only important in terms of the food producers, but also in terms of tourism as it is important for a county to have a vibrant artistan food offering.'

Mr Enright said the council's funds are limited, adding that management have to be careful about how they are spent.

He said the county's food offering was highlighted in a magazine published by Wexford County Council last year, adding 'there are a lot of things we do to support food producers in the county'.
Sitting in her Ballykelly home, Ita Gallagher holds up a bundle of papers and shakes her head in disbelief. The Freedom of Information papers and files catalogue her story, much of which has been redacted using thick strokes of a marker.

The hammered typewriter print leaps from the pages, the truncated sentences hinting at the horror of life in St Aidan's industrial school beside the Good Shepherd Magdalene laundry in the Irishtown. Names of nuns of all rankings preface horrors untold, some redacted from history.

Ita takes her vaper in her other hand and outlines her story.

Ita spent three years at the industrial school from when she was 30 months until she was five-and-a-half.

Her time there, along with the time her three sisters spent there, came as a result of personal tragedy within her family; the illness of her mother who had to be hospitalised with TB shortly after Ita was born in 1953. She was to get no reprieve from the vicissitudes of life at the school in New Ross.

Ita's mother Margaret Lennon was diagnosed with TB and was taken to Brownswood Hospital in Enniscorthy where she would spend the final five years of her life.

This was the mid-1950s and Margaret in 1955, having been told her illness was terminal and under the advice of nuns at the hospital, requested for her four daughters to be cared for at St Aidan's.

At this time there was a perception that girls should only be cared for by women and this was impressed upon Margaret.

'She had been having some tests and six weeks after I was born she was told she had TB. On her death certificate it states that she had it for years. We used to go, my four sisters and two brothers, to visit her but the two youngest weren't allowed to go in so we sat in the car and she would come to the balcony and wave to us and throw down the baskets that she weaved from cigarette packets.'

Some time later a social worker arrived at the family home beside the River Barrow, a house which was shortly afterwards vacated by the family on health grounds.

Her brothers were left in the care of their father and a new era began with the family's disintegration.

'My sisters thought it (going to St Aidan's school) was an adventure. The social worker drove us to the Central Garage in New Ross and bought us an ice cream and then we were taken to St Aidan's.'

From the start her father Richard tried to get the four sisters back but as his wife had made the request he was powerless.

Shaking her head as she reads through the pages, she stops on a page which describes how her father was asked to pay 10 shillings a week to the nuns for caring for his daughters.

'He would send money when he had it but being a casual farm labourer money was not always easy to come by,' Ita says.

Other pages feature written statements to the health board from her sister describing how Ita was beaten for wetting the bed, for not eating all of the food on her plate and of how she suffered from styes in both her eyes which were never treated by a doctor.

Words like depression, long term damage and low self esteem cry out from the pages.

Ita's earliest memories of her time at St Aidan's are of crying.

'I remember crying an awful lot. I was separated from my sisters, kept in the nursery while they were in the dormitory.

'My older sisters got into trouble several times because they tried to protect me. They told me about times in the refectory where we ate, about how I was crying because I was being force fed food in one of the high chairs lined up against the wall.'

Ita and her sisters did have contact with their father, but this was under the watchful gaze of the nuns.

'My father used to come on a Sunday, perhaps once a month, and he was shown into a room with a polished floor and a nun would be there with her arms folded standing over us as my sisters talked so we couldn't tell him anything.

'We were so immaculately turned out when out in public nobody thought there was anything untoward happening in the Good Shepherd Convent as it was known then. When my sisters and the other girls went to the church for the Coprus Christi procession they recalled to avoid eye contact with people on the street as perhaps this would let people know the sadness.'

Despite being so young, Ita vividly remembers the brutality of life at the school.

'What I recall most of the time is being force fed with an old metal spoon. I remember the food we got was horrible and I remember nuns shouting at me and it pouring out of my mouth as they shoved the metal spoon into my mouth. On another occasion I was pulled from my high chair and a nun shook me.'

Three decades later Ita began suffering anxiety attacks.

'My throat would close up. I couldn't eat and lost a few stone. I didn't know why I couldn't eat but then suddenly it came to mind it could possibly have been because of the force feeding.'

Another memory is of the thunder and lightning one night.

'I was amidst the darkness under a glass ceiling. I have a memory of thinking I was going to die. I remember the lightning flashing in on me and the thunder and there was nobody there to reassure me and to care for me.'

From the summer of 1955 to July 1958 Ita and her sisters lived under the watchful gaze of the nuns.

'It was only when we came out for my mother's funeral that my father decided we weren't going back and he took us home in the ass and cart.

'We used to play out in a yard with a big tree in the middle and I remember clearly hearing the noise of the women wailing and machinery going. I never knew this was coming from the Magdalene Laundry situated to the rear of our building. These were women who had lost their babies. You'd hear them and the noise of the machinery going. I presume some of the women were pregnant when they were in there. Does anybody know what happened to their babies?'

To this day Ita cannot understand how nuns could have so little empathy for children in their care.

'I cannot imagine not feeling for someone who had a tough life. I don't normally comment on things but for some reason last night I went on Facebook and talked about my time at St Aidan's.

The Good Shepherd laundry closed its doors 50 years ago. The building was demolished in late 2015. The infamous laundry was established as a refuge for women in 1860 with funding from two lay persons. The premises had long standing connections with the Good Shepherd order originally as an orphanage and later as an industrial school, and later still as a boarding school.

It says her experience at St Aidan's steeled her at a young age to succeed in school and to forge a life for herself. 'Myself and my sisters attended the national school in Ballykelly when we came out of the convent and my experience there was a determination to succeed at whatever cost, doing my homework sitting in the ditch on the way to school as lighting at home was mainly by candlelight.'

The family moved apart over the years after the death of their father in 1963. Her siblings left for foreign shores, one after the other with one sister remaining at home in the homestead.

At the age of 12 Ita was offered a place at a teaching nunnery run by nuns in Youghal and she jumped at the opportunity.

'It cost 3,000 a year to be educated there and I was determined that I was going to do my best to further my education. They were offering it to me for free because of my circumstances. I knew it was my only path to further education and it was with the Sacred Heart nuns.'

Describing her time in Youghal as 'absolutely fantastic', she said: 'I had a great education and learned French, Latin, Alegbra etc, so many subjects I would never have learned had I not got this opportunity.'

Ita stayed at the nunnery for two years.

'I was well fed there and after my second year I was told when I was coming home that I would be made a nun within a year but I never went back.'

Ita moved to England in 1967 and spent her time there working and furthering her education.

She has been back living in Ireland since 1991 and has settled into her local community with ease, remembering the lovely neighbours who had been so kind to her family as children.

The scars of her time at St Aidan's remained, however, and deepened, leading her to become overprotective of her children.

'I became overprotective of my children. I needed them near me all of the time, but they haven't suffered because of it as I was always honest about my past'

Ita has met with some former residents of St Aidan's but somehow couldn't relate to them.

She says this might be because they were older than her when at the school, and because she associated them with putting the babies to bed and being left in distress.

She shudders as she recalls registering her girls at St Mary's Secondary School.

'I approached a nun and told her how much it pained me to be there and she suggested I go to counselling with nuns in New Ross. I went once, but walked out in disgust. I couldn't stand to look at the nun. She was wearing a jumper but all I could see was the nun's habit and how it framed her face.'

To this day Ita, 64, cannot sleep in the dark and needs to have her bedroom door left ajar.

Confronting her demons, Ita attended the redress board around 12 years ago having been encouraged by a local woman she knew who was at St Aidan's who had gone before the redress board.

'The process was almost as bad as being in the home. My sister had gotten a lump sum. She had taken a lot of beatings when she came to my rescue. I remember when I went before the board I insisted my sister be there with me. It was a big long table and it felt very intimidating and cold surrounded by somewhat judgemental people questioning my case, having been assessed previously by a psychiatrist who had said that I was articulate and confident, I certainly didn't feel that way on the day.'

Ita was awarded a nominal sum for her apparent 'suffering', whilst in the care of the nuns under the Redress system.

She has also benefited from Caranua, the State agency set up in recent years up to help people who, as children, experienced abuse in residential institutions.

Looking back at her time at the old school in the Irishtown, Ita says: 'I don't want anybody else to go through what I went through. I honestly believe nuns shouldn't have been looking after us children. We got no medical care, We got no emotional care and we definitely got no affection. Girls were not properly educated, they were used to doing the chores, the polishing of floors on their hands and knees being just one of them.

Ita said many people spent time there but what happened in Tuam has brought it all back to me, along with a recently published staged photo of the Convent girls in their finery with dolls in hand,' she says, breaking down in tears.

Sitting upright in her armchair, Ita says she has faced her demons and is no longer a slave to her past.

'I am proud of myself. I've come full circle. I can smile now and look at what happened objectively. I am one of the lucky one's I guess.'
The work of creating what is now the Ros Tapestry has been ongoing in the South East since 1998, with more than 150 stitchers from all areas of the county and beyond working on 15 giant tapestries.

Marion Coady of The Ros Tapestry said the project is an excellent example of creativity and community spirit on a grand scale which depicts Norman history linking all the sites in Ireland's Ancient East. Ms Coady said: 'The Ros Tapestry is one of the largest series of embroidered tapestries in Europe and each tapestry depicts a different significant event in history. It is a Norman odyssey told in thread.'

The first tapestry was completed in 2002 and to date 14 of the 15 tapestries are complete. The final tapestry, which is called 'Battles in the Kingdom of Ossory', depicts the fierce battle which ensued between the King of Ossory, MacGiolla Padraig and his mortal enemy Dermot MacMurrough. It is presently being stitched in Rothe House in Kilkenny, because as much as possible the tapestries have been stitched as near to where the history happened as possible.

When this tapestry is complete it will join the rest of the original 14 tapestries which are presently on display at 14 the Quay, New Ross.

These tapestries were worked from the paintings of renowned local artist Ann Griffin Bernstoff and have been seen by Michelle Obama. 'Presently on the loom upstairs in our tapestry buildings, our stitchers are working on one of two ovals by the artist Reiltin Murphy from Wexford. These are Threads of Friendship series, and the tapestry COMING HOME, Threads of Friendship between USA and Ireland, with all its poignant connections with the emigrant story of New Ross is being stitched right here on the quay, where the emigrant ships would have left from.'

The second tapestry UNITY, Threads of Friendship between Europe and Ireland is being stitched by the ladies from Wexford in the old County Hall. 'One of the most incredible features of the entire project is the fact that all of the stitchers have given of their time completely voluntarily. They turn up week after week and their attention to detail, care and love of the work can only be likened to the care that one would give to a small child, total and selfless. We must give great credit to them, without whom this great work of art would not exist.'

Ms Coady also paid tribute to another volunteer to the project though this time not a stitcher, but a very worthy contributor in her own art form. Grace Hall from Wexford town is a portrait artist, her practice also includes other genres, such as still life, landscape, events and live performance. 'Grace has voluntarily come to the tapestry building on an ongoing basis over several months and photographed all of the people who have worked on the Ros Tapestry. Grace has provided beautiful 8X10 photographs for the stitchers personally and an invaluable record for the tapestry archives for posterity.' When Grace first arrived to live in Wexford, she visited the Ros Tapestry on several occasion I would like to quote her opinion of the exhibition. She said: 'This body of work is magnificent and deserves to have the title of national treasure. The panels in all their glory of colour and texture rival any similar body of work in all of Europe".'

Hall said her aim for doing this work was to make visible the volunteer artists who participated in the creation of the Ros Tapestries, by means of portrait photography. 'She has created a portrait archive of the volunteers, which will make them visible to future generations as well as, adding to the visitor experience. For Grace the wonderful part of the project has been talking to the people, hearing the wonderful stories of their experiences, and learning about the long-lasting friendships, which were forged during their involvement in the project.'
Councillors were appraised of the new draft county development plan which they will vote on in May.

Deirdre Kearns of Wexford County Council said the local authority now has more powers to play a more influential role in supporting and promoting the economic development of towns like New Ross.

Ms Kearns said: 'We will have to look at it as the villages are failing or at least certain villages are failing, while certain villages within the Dublin influence are continuing to grow.'

Ms Kearns said the action plan for rural development has a significant number of schemes which will be suitable for villages across the district. She said not all towns will develop as strong retail towns. 'Some will have to develop as heritage towns, or as economic, or office hubs. We will have to look at the function of the towns and each town will have to have its own unique vision.'

Cllr Willie Fitzharris said the council needs to address the lack of sewage treatment plants across the county. 'We've a serious problem where we can't develop houses,' Cllr Fitzharris said, before asking if the council has any power to 'push' Irish Water into action. 'This is a crucial issue and it has been brought to the government's attention now as a submission on a national plan on planning, water and sewerage. Without them people will not stay in rural areas.'

Cllr Whelan said: 'There are rural villages that are losing family names; people are moving somewhere else.'

Cllr Michael Sheehan asked if the council has carried out research into economic data for the area.

'The data in the report is already outdated,' he said, adding that it is vital as councillors will be approving areas of the district for zoning of lands upon which houses will be built. Ms Kearns said the local authority is hiring a consultant to prepare a housing strategy.

'It is being outsourced as it is so critical. It will look at market analysis and the social housing issue and at vacant sites and calculate what needs to be done.'
A woman who sought refuge in County Wexford has returned to England with her three-year-old son following a High Court order issued under the Hague Convention on child abduction.

The woman, who cannot be idenified for legal reasons, received the assistance of Ectopia, a Wexford-based group that advises parents under investigation by UK social services on how to 'flee to Ireland'.

Last year the mother agreed to grant custody of the child to her estranged partner while social services investigated a possible non-accidental eye injury suffered by the boy while in her care.

the mother, aged 20, agreed she would have only supervised access while the investigation was undertaken by social services and police, however, she left the UK last September with the boy insisting that the boy's father consented to her taking the child to Ireland.

The father denied this, saying she had told him that the boy's grandfather was dying, so he had given the boy to her for only two hours to visit him. He had no idea she planned to go to Ireland.

The judge Una Ni Raifeartaigh said the conflicts of fact in the case were extremely difficult to resolve. She found issues with the evidence of both parents, who she noted were both 'extremely young'.

The judge noted that the mother was not contactable when in Ireland. She ordered that the child be returned to the UK.

County Wexford-based Brian Rothery, from Ectopia, said the mother and child have complied with the Order and are back in Britain.

'We have two kinds of cases - families fleeing British Social Services (the vast majority) and women fleeing with children from partners who have obtained custody,' Mr Rothery told this newspaper.

'We have great success with the first category but not with the second which come under the Hague Convention which ensures that court decisions regarding custody are not breached by the mother 'abducting' her child by fleeing.

'We don't actively encourage or look for these cases but they come to us because of our successful work with parents fleeing from British Social Services and keeping their children here in Ireland,' he said.

Ectopia is supported by Ian Josephs, a Monaco-based businessman who pays the travel costs of pregnant British women who flee to Ireland or France in order to prevent British social services taking their newborn babies into care.

'The mother fleeing with her children and being pursued by Interpol and the local police under the Hague Convention, with a usually better-off ex determined to pursue her, is the most abandoned of humans and we did a video in Wexford using a local actress last year to illustrate this. We used drama to tell a true story where we cannot name families for legal reasons,' said Mr Rothery.
A new colour brochure is coming out on the tourist attractions of South Sligo.

South Sligo Tourism, a newly formed group, are behind the 24-page booklet in a bid to promote the area better.

"You're inclined to forget South Sligo exists," Councillor Paul Taylor levelled at the Council Executive.

"It will be further highlighted with a book now distributed. We can invite tourists to come and stay in South Sligo. We want to promote it more," he told the meeting.

Council Chief Executive Ciaran Hayes replied that the Executive had not forgotten about the region at all, but was in fact investing 20,000 into it.

"South and West Sligo are not being ignored. We're interested in promoting Sligo and we'll be bringing forward strategies to do that," he said.

South Sligo Tourism is a new body with representatives from the Tubbercurry REDZ committee, Sligo Tourism, Failte Ireland, Tubbercurry Chamber of Commerce, Tubbercurry Tidy Towns, the Coleman Music Centre, Eagles Flying, Tubbercurry Old Fair Day and the Black Pig Festival among others.

Councillor Dara Mulvey supported Cllr Paul Taylor. Both men are members of the group.

"The meetings of South Sligo Tourism are very productive. It's a very worthy cause. We feel we've an awful lot to offer," said Cllr Mulvey. Councillor Joe Queenan said: "It's great to see co-operation between South and West Sligo in tourism."

Director of Services Dorothy Clarke said funding was going to be earmarked for tourism in South Sligo through the REDZ programme and the new brochure.

Sligo County Council has allocated 20,000 to support South Sligo Tourism via online marketing, website development, capacity building, package development and related supports in line with the Tourism Development Plan for South Sligo.
Sligo doctor Dr Conor Kenny is back at the frontline of the refugees crisis in the Mediterranean.

In his latest mission as Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) medic on board the 'Aquarius' rescue ship he is patrolling the search and rescue zone on the refugee route between Libya and Italy.

"It can be quite intense, you literally have to get on with it," he told The Sligo Champion during a much-needed break in Sicily.

He had just finished his first three-week stint of a three month mission with the charity which started on February 16th and has rescued over 900 people from nine wooden and rubber boats.

His team are 36 hours from the port of Catania in Sicily to the Search and Rescue zone where they patrol the waters off the coast of Libya, one of the busiest routes used by refugees since the EU shut down the Eastern Mediterranean land route from Syria.

As the only medic on board, Conor is in the first rib to the boat where he surveys the scene and attempts to identify the number of women and children, those unconscious or sadly dead on board.

"I'm in constant contact with the rest of the medical team which allows us to prepare the necessary medical response to the given situation. We then take the most vulnerable cases on to our life raft and head back to the Aquarius. I then stay on the Aquarius and start medical treatment whilst the rest of the rescue takes place," he said.

While he is supported by a team of one midwife, one paediatric nurse and one anaesthetic nurse, Conor is still the only doctor on board: "It's a serious amount of responsibility, that's not lost on me. But you've got a team behind you who are very experienced in different areas of medicine. It's about maximising your team but you can only do your best. Sometimes no amount of preparation can prepare you for that. It's a big responsibility but I enjoy it," he said.

"I've a lot of experience. You learn from your previous missions on how to be resilient. The stuff that affects you is often not the stuff you thought would," he said.

Most of the people rescued suffer from hypothermia, dehydration and exhaustion, with many severely burned by fuel which becomes corrosive after it mixes with seawater.

Most of the people Conor sees are from sub-Saharan Africa - countries like Eritrea, Ghana and Congo to name but a few - but also increasingly from places like Syria. All those rescued must eat and sleep up on top of the ship's deck, which can cater for 400 people. The resulting mix of cultures create moments of common humanity, says Conor.

"My abiding memory of our last rescue on Friday 3rd March was watching some Nigerian women singing to Bangladeshi men who at the time were babysitting the Syrian children on the boat. There were about 50 children on the deck and some of the Bangladeshi men were entertaining the kids. The Nigerian women just randomly broke out into song and they started singing to the Bangladeshi men who started singing back in their own language. It was incredible, a real fusion of cultures, three continents coming together," he said.

That rescue mission was carried out around 2am in stormy waters when they came across 80 Bangladeshi men in a dingy: "They were absolutely soaking wet, they had been in the water over 24 hours, they hadn't eaten, they were in complete distress. Their dingy was deflating in front of us so there was panic."

When he's not busy pulling casualties from the sea, Conor must 'muck in' with daily chores like any other crew member on board the ship.

"There's no escaping it even if you're the medic on board, I'm scrubbing the toilets and cleaning the deck," he laughed. "But on a more serious note, hygiene is really important so for me the toilets and decks are a big thing," he added.

The best things about working on the rescue boat is "being part of someone's journey" he said.

"Whatever the destination it's a real privilege and the best part of my job. It's can get highly pressured however there is a mild send of elations when you get everyone back to land in one piece.

"Following every rescue you are reminded of people's incredible resilience and the fine line that exists between life and death," he added.

Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an independent international medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid in nearly 70 countries worldwide. MSF provides emergency medical care to people caught up in war, disasters and epidemics. For more see msf.ie
When Grainne Golden went into hospital just over a year ago now, it was to be for just ten days.

Her family did not realise she would not be coming home again. But the Cystic Fibrosis patient deteriorated rapidly and a couple of days before her death, it became clear that the disease she had been battling all her life had taken hold.

In the moments before she died, as her lungs were flooding with Carbon Dioxide, the 21-year-old Cartron woman took off her oxygen apparatus and told her mother Terry to 'keep the campaign for Orkambi going.'

The patients rights advocate was talking about the 'miracle' drug Orkambi which treats the causes of CF rather than just the symptoms and in doing so completely transforms a CF patient's way of life.

"It's as close to a normal life as they are going to get," says Terry. The new drug is seen as a game-changer. A number of Irish patients have taken it for the last three years as part of a clinical trial which has been a resounding success.

Grainne, who was too ill to take part in the clinical trial wanted to see the roll out of Orkambi for CF sufferers across the country despite the high cost of the drug.

"She was a great researcher. She knew the life changing qualities of this drug for people like her and how it could prevent this horrendous illness taking hold, where patients are suffering and choking to death. The fact is she was able to tell us to continue to fight for Orkambi in her dying breath. So how can we as a family dishonour her?" says Terry.

Terry's oldest daughter Aisling (24) is also committed to keeping the pressure on for Orkambi. Just two weeks ago, the articulate young woman gave a presentation to the Dail on the issue.

Terry says: "We are not just campaigning for Grainne but for all of her CF friends, so many have passed away in the last year and many others are very ill in hospital."

Both mother and daughter were part of a group that marched on the Dail at the end of February. This was particularly poignant for the family, a year on from Grainne's passing.

"The passage of time does not make it any easier," says Terry, "We just put one foot in front of the other and get on with it. That is what she would of wanted."

Grainne was ahead of the curve on this issue and as early as three years before she died she started a facebook campaign for Orkambi. But as those in the Cystic Fibrosis community in Ireland know only too well, 'Time was not on her side.'

That is something that Terry finds extremely difficult as she explains: "We attend vigils and protest marches and the thing that strikes you is the number of CF patients out in the cold looking for a life saving drug. Many are in wheelchairs with their oxygen tanks in tow, and have come straight from hospital wards. They are in wheelchairs because they are too ill to stand up. Time is not on their side."

Many CF patients spend the majority of the year in hospital. Grainne would spend up to nine months in hospital. The Ballinode College student received her Leaving Certificate results in hospital. But this would never stop her from having a positive outlook in the face of such cruel adversity.

She was a young girl with a lust for life and as her mother Terry says 'If she wanted to go to something she would use every single ounce of energy that she had to go.'

This determination stood her well in her role as a patient advocate. "She was very feisty and stubborn, very outspoken. She laughed out loud," recalls Terry. "You got it from the hip and if you didn't like it, too bad. She grabbed life by the throat. She was very strong willed and a great advocate for patients rights. She loved the papers and read them daily. If you did not get the Champion every week, she would be asking what was wrong with you. She kept up to date."

And today, in her absence both Terry and Aisling are also resolute in their campaign on her behalf. They have a special word of gratitude for Fianna Fail TD Marc MacSharry who was the first politician to raise the issue of Orkambi in the Seanad in 2015. Since then he has continued to keep the discussion in the Dail chamber.

He has slammed Taoiseach Enda Kenny's government over negotiations between the makers of the life-changing CF drug Orkambi and the HSE's drugs committee.

"It's been more than 5 weeks since Vertex were told that the Drugs Committee had completed its considerations and that the recommendations were being sent to the HSE directorate.

"The Government's handling of this extremely serious issue has been haphazard and chaotic to say the least. The offer from Vertex is reasonable and should be approved without delay.

"I am urging the Taoiseach and the Minister to stop stalling on this important issue. It is time for the Government to wake up to the seriousness of the issue and ensure that this drug is approved without delay".

The Golden family are hopeful that the drug will be introduced and believe that Simon Harris as Health Minister is their best hope for this becoming a reality. Hundreds of Irish people suffer from this genetic illness. Terry says: "It was very hard for Grainne knowing that this life changing drug was out there for her and she had no access to it. When she came out of hospital she lived life to the full. She loved school and was very bright and was studying to be a veterinary nurse. She had so many plans. But people with CF live with so many risks. They can be struck down at any time. They are lucky to reach the age of 30."

Terry is also grateful to her neighbours in Cartron, Gino O'Boyle and Nigel Gallagher. "Our neighbours and friends have gone above and beyond for us during the funeral and after. They have been amazing and not just in Cartron, all over Sligo. We would not have got through this year without the support of the people of Sligo."
Council delegation will enjoy the festivities of the St Patricks week in New York

County Council Chief Executive Ciaran Hayes and Cathaoirleach, Councillor Hubert Keaney will be in New York for the St Patrick's Day festivities.

Cllr Keaney will be in the Big Apple at the invitation of the County Sligo Social and Benevolent Association and says he welcomes the opportunity to strengthen relations with the emigrant community in the city.

He said: "Particularly at this time, these organisations provide an invaluable resource and network for Sligo people living and working in New York, and I look forward to conveying my gratitude to them on behalf of families with loved ones in New York. I believe official visits on St Patrick's week represent an important civic link with their home county."

He will be accompanied by the Chief Executive Ciaran Hayes, who the council say has organised a packed itinerary in advance of the main celebration on St. Patrick's Day.

The Council's Head of Enterprise John Reilly will also travel with the delegation. The itinerary begins with the formal opening of the Ireland West International Trade Centre in Providence, Rhode Island by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny on the March 14th.

"This is an innovative project', said Mr Hayes, "where a number of Local Authorities have come together to provide opportunities for local Irish companies to expand their markets abroad."

According to the Cathaoirleach: "Our efforts will be focused on promoting and marketing Sligo. Sligo has certainly benefited from positive global media coverage in recent years through the successful hosting of a number of showcase events, and it is imperative that we capitalise on this exposure at every opportunity."

While meetings are also arranged with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland, the opportunity is also being taken to establish a relationship with the influential Port Authority of New York and New Jersey where a meeting has been arranged with the Executive Director, Mr. Patrick Foye, whose family hails from South Sligo.

The Cathaoirleach will also attend a working lunch with Connecticut Congressman Jim Himes in the Congressional Buildings in Washington.

In February 2017 the Port Authority adopted its largest ever Capital Plan, providing for the creation of 235,000 jobs and generating $54 billion in overall economic activity.

It has responsibility for the network of Airports including JFK, Le Guardia and Newark, the 3rd largest sea port in the US, tolls on the bridge and tunnel network and PATH rail services.

Mr Hayes explained that in organising the meeting, he was anxious to build relationships between the North West and New York and to position the region to take advantage of Brexit, when Ireland becomes the only English speaking country in the EU.

He also wants to explore opportunities for additional transatlantic routes and is being joined at the meeting by the Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Mr. Peter Hynes and Mr. Joe Gilmore, Managing Director of Ireland West Airport, Knock.
Hopes that Sligo could be the location for a Spanish Armada interpretive centre have moved a step closer following an agreement drawn up between the Irish and Spanish Governments.

Some 26 wrecks sprinkle the Irish Coast line from the Causeway Coast in the North to The Dingle Peninsula with 3 of the most accessible sites off Sligo's Streedagh beach.

A memorandum of understanding has now been drawn up defining areas where mutual collaboration on research, expertise and equipment sharing, preservation and conservation work together with the realisation of the tourism potential for both countries through the mutual Armada Connection.

Deputy Marc MacSharry has been in continuing discussions with Spanish authorities to advance co-operation between both Governments on the Armada heritage of both countries.

He said: "We are working towards the agreement of the memorandum and it is my hope that it can be finalised towards the end of this year or early 2018.

"The opportunities afforded to both countries in tourism, marine archaeology and the mutual ambition to commemorate the great Armada adventure, its stories and the rightful commemoration of all those who lost their lives.

"Ultimately, I would like to see the establishment of a national interpretive centre based in Sligo to celebrate the story of the Armada, display recovered artefacts and act as a tourism driver for Ireland.

"The memorandum of understanding between both countries is an exciting prospect and one which has great potential benefits to both our countries in the celebration, conservation and commemoration of this important event in European History.

"There is no better location than Sligo as a location for a major interpretive centre.

"There are many communities which are enthusiastic promoters of the Armada and its Irish connection but none more so than that of north Sligo through the Grange Armada Development Association.

"They have been the pioneers with regard to Armada work and this has paved the way for mutual cooperation and the ambition of establishing an Armada interpretive centre of international standing.

"We hope to work towards this goal and I have formally asked that King Felipe VI of Spain endorse this with a visit to Sligo in 2018. Cleary, resources will be required but with the signing of the MOU in the months ahead detailed planning can commence to make this dream a reality"

Spanish Ambassador Rodriquez was presented with a locally produced map. Only the 4th produced so far which shows the route taken by the Armada from La Caruna to the battle of Gravelines and then back to Spain via the North Of Scotland.

It also displays the sites of all 26 wrecks. The map was produced by local map maker John 'The Map' Callinan.
Model-actress Emily Ratajkowski attends the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Graydon Carter at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 26, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Top model Emily Ratajkowski jetted to Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day.

The Gone Girl star shared photos of sunny skies and rolling green hills on her Instagram stories, captioned: "Ireland! My second home. Happy St Patrick's."

The model, who is known for her risque outfits, is no stranger to Irish shores as her father John, an artist, is from Bantry, Co Cork, where she spent the day yesterday.

In fact, her full name is Emily O'Hara Ratajkowski.

The 25-year-old visits at least once a year to catch up, and posed for selfies with fans last September in Doheny & Nesbitt's on Baggot Street,after falling in love with the country spending her summers here as a child.

While she's been making headlines around the world for her risque outfits on and off the red carpet, the model chose a somewhat conserved mini dress, coat and wellies for her St Patrick's Day get-up.

When interviewed by the Sunday Independent in 2013, she said: "I absolutely love Ireland. It's one of the most beautiful places on earth and I have strong ties here.

"Both my grandmothers are from Ireland and I have spent every summer in Bantry since my father, who is an artist, had the romantic idea 20 years ago to buy an old farmhouse on the west coast and renovate it.

"I go back any time I get the opportunity and I have many friends who I still hang out with in the local pubs. I have great childhood memories cow-tipping, going off and getting lost in the bog for hours and coming home covered in dirt.

"I love the pubs  the fact that you can find all ages there. It's so easygoing, an old man could be dancing with a young girl having a bit of fun and no one bats an eyelid. It's so relaxed and everyone is so friendly. I'm more of a Smithwick's or Bulmer's girl than a pint of Guinness."

Video of the Day
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge depart from Elysee Palace after meeting French President Francois Hollande during an official two-day visit to Paris on March 17, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge depart from Elysee Palace after meeting French President Francois Hollande during an official two-day visit to Paris on March 17, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine,Duchess of Cambridge attend a reception at the British Embassy during day one of their visit on March 17, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ian Vogler - Pool/Getty Images)

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine,Duchess of Cambridge attend a reception at the British Embassy during day one of their visit on March 17, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ian Vogler - Pool/Getty Images)

Prince William, Duke Of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives for a dinner hosted by Her Majesty's Ambassador to France, Edward Llewellyn, at the British Embassy in Paris, as part of their official visit to the French capital on March 17, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski - Pool/Getty Images)

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends a dinner hosted by Her Majesty's Ambassador to France, Edward Llewellyn, at the British Embassy in Paris, as part of their official visit to the French capital on March 17, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski - Pool / Getty Images)

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke Of Cambridge attend a dinner hosted by Her Majesty's Ambassador to France, Edward Llewellyn, at the British Embassy in Paris, as part of their official visit to the French capital on March 17, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Fanny Trang / British Embassy Paris - Pool / Getty Images)

Kate Middleton had three outfit changes on day one of her visit to Paris. Images: Getty

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's first official visit to Paris has seen the couple dazzle their hosts, with Kate making three outfit changes throughout the day.

During a busy first day in the French capital Kate wore a stunning evening gown to a star-studded dinner on Friday, while the Duke spoke about the enduring bonds between the UK and France.

William's recent "lads only" weekend trip which saw him criticised by the press threatened to overshadow the visit - and at one point a song featured during the Verbier break was unwittingly sung by a choir performing at the dinner.

But the Duke remained relaxed and smiling throughout Friday and did not react when the Pharrell Williams hit Happy was sung.

Expand Close Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke Of Cambridge attend a dinner hosted by Her Majesty's Ambassador to France, Edward Llewellyn, at the British Embassy in Paris, as part of their official visit to the French capital on March 17, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Fanny Trang / British Embassy Paris - Pool / Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke Of Cambridge attend a dinner hosted by Her Majesty's Ambassador to France, Edward Llewellyn, at the British Embassy in Paris, as part of their official visit to the French capital on March 17, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Fanny Trang / British Embassy Paris - Pool / Getty Images)

Speaking during the launch of Les Voisins - a celebration of UK-French links - the second in line to the throne told young French leaders from a range of fields: "Our two nations continually inspire one another to become better: more creative, more prosperous, more innovative.

"This partnership will continue despite Britain's recent decision to leave the European Union. The depth of our friendship and the breadth of our cooperation will not change.''

The two-day visit comes in the month that Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to trigger Article 50, beginning Brexit negotiations.

William and Kate's trip will be seen as a bid to build on the UK's bilateral relationship with France and they have already been dubbed ''Brexit Ambassadors'' by the press.

Expand Close Prince William, Duke Of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives for a dinner hosted by Her Majesty's Ambassador to France, Edward Llewellyn, at the British Embassy in Paris, as part of their official visit to the French capital on March 17, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski - Pool/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Prince William, Duke Of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives for a dinner hosted by Her Majesty's Ambassador to France, Edward Llewellyn, at the British Embassy in Paris, as part of their official visit to the French capital on March 17, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski - Pool/Getty Images)

Kate disappointed fashion watchers by arriving in the French capital in the same Catherine Walker coat she wore earlier on Friday to an Irish Guards event in London celebrating St Patrick's Day.

But for an embassy reception she wore a chic sleeveless black outfit by Alexander McQueen and changed into her third outfit, the glittering Jenny Packham gown, for the dinner at the British ambassador's residence.

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Among the guests were the movie stars Kristin Scott Thomas, Audrey Tautou and Jean Reno.

Later today the royal couple will meet French Second World War veterans at the historic Les Invalides site and a number of victims and members of the emergency services From the Bataclan and Nice attacks.

Expand Close Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine,Duchess of Cambridge attend a reception at the British Embassy during day one of their visit on March 17, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ian Vogler - Pool/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine,Duchess of Cambridge attend a reception at the British Embassy during day one of their visit on March 17, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ian Vogler - Pool/Getty Images)

Before leaving Paris William and Kate will be guests at the Six Nations rugby match between Wales and France at the Stade de France.
People carry the body of a Somali refugee, killed in a helicopter attack while travelling in a vessel off Yemen. Photo: Reuters

More than 40 Somali refugees have been killed in an attack on a boat off the coast of Yemen while attempting to flee the country's brutal civil war. Coastguard authorities in the Houthi rebel stronghold of Hodeida said a helicopter gunship attacked the vessel they were travelling on in the Red Sea.

A Yemeni people smuggler who survived the attack said the boat had set sail overnight, aiming to cross to Sudan. Al-Hassan Ghaleb Mohammed said women and children were among his passengers from the port of Ras Arra, along the southern coastline in Yemen's Hodeida province. He said that their boat had reached around 50km from shore when the helicopter gunship approached and opened fire, sparking panic on board.

Migrants finally managed to hold up torches to show they were civilians, when he said the helicopter stopped firing.

Photos too graphic to publish showed the bodies of women and men in civilian clothes lying on top of one another in the partially destroyed boat, their belongings splattered with blood. Children were believed to be among the dead.

Mohamed al-Alay, a coastguard official, told Reuters the refugees, carrying official UN documents, were attacked by an Apache helicopter near the Bab-el-Mandeb strait. Houthi rebels accused the Saudi-led air coalition of carrying out the attack, following heavy bombardment in the area, where it accuses Shia fighters of smuggling weapons in small boats.

The International Organisation for Migration said at least 42 people had been killed and dozens injured on the boat, which had 140 people on board. ( London Independent)
The White House said the government cant spend money on programmes just because they sound good.

People have been left riled after US President Donald Trump revealed his budget proposals include slashing domestic programmes.

Meals on Wheels, the popular service that provides food to the elderly, would see a sharp funding cut if his plans go ahead.

White House budget director Mick Mulvaney said the government cant spend money on programmes just because they sound good.

The exact size of the cut isnt yet known, but millions of home-bound pensioners across the US receive meals and home visits through the programme.

People have responded to Mulvaneys comments in the best way  by donating.

According to Yahoo News, 50 times the normal amount of donations were pledged to Meals on Wheels after Trumps proposal was submitted to Congress.

Its not just cash being offered  people are also volunteering their time.

Meals on Wheels America spokeswoman Jenny Bertolette said it saw an almost 500% jump in volunteer sign-ups on the AmericaLetsDoLunch website, Yahoo News reported.

Meanwhile, some politicians have vowed to protect the programme, such as Republican Gus Bilirakis of Florida, who said on Friday that hes been a fan of Meals on Wheels forever.

People also took to social media to share heartbreaking reasons why they are against Trumps proposals to make cuts to the service.

In a statement on its website, Meals on Wheels America wrote: While we dont know the exact impact yet, cuts of any kind to these highly successful and leveraged programmes would be a devastating blow to our ability to provide much-needed care for millions of vulnerable seniors in America, which in turn saves billions of dollars in reduced healthcare expenses.

In his statement that accompanied the budget, called America First, Trump said: To keep Americans safe, we have made the tough choices that have been put off for too long.
Except they were probably a whole lot better dressed.

Theres nothing quite like kicking back with a nice pint of Guinness to properly celebrate St Patricks Day.

Just like most of us, thats exactly what the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have done today  however, we bet their celebration had a fair bit more pomp and circumstance than our trip down the pub.

William and Kate were honouring the Irish Guards in London. Prince William attended the parade in his role as colonel of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, an infantry unit who gather on St Patricks Day for the ceremonial celebration.

Led by a regimental band and their mascot Irish wolfhound Domhnall, 450 soldiers marched on Parade Square at the Cavalry Barracks, Hounslow, west London.

Unfortunately, William and Kate couldnt stick around too long to enjoy a few more pints as they have already made their way to Paris to meet President Francois Hollande.

They are the guests of honour at a glittering dinner party in the French capital  definitely not a too shabby a way to spend St Paddys day if you ask us.
The now-suspended police chief in the district of Yongsan has been booked for an investigation, along with the head of the Yongsan Ward office and two others, on charges of profess...
Did that really just happen?

There doesnt seem to be much love lost between Donald Trump and Angela Merkel, particularly considering the US president frequently criticised the German chancellor during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Unfortunately, it doesnt look like the pair have managed to build many bridges, reading between the lines.

Hmm  were no body language experts, but that looks to us very much like Trump just ignored Merkels request for a handshake. Seeing as this was Merkels first visit to the White House under the new regime, the awkwardness of it all is seriously making us cringe.

Perhaps our favourite bit is the look on Merkels face when she realises shes been rinsed by Trump. But hey  well give him the benefit of the doubt, maybe he didnt hear her?

However, dont worry too much, because they managed to get a handshake in following their joint news conference in the East Room.

Phew  nailed it.
The video was released to warn against dangerous driving.

This video looks like it could be out one of the Fast and Furious movies  but no, it actually happened in Somerset.

Police have released helicopter footage of an idiotic driver during a dangerous pursuit which landed him in prison.

Clive Hill, 41, Radstock, Somerset, admitted several driving offences relating to the incident on November 18 last year.

Hill, who was disqualified from driving, failed to stop for officers who spotted him behind the wheel of a blue Ford Mondeo in Backwell, Somerset. Yeah, were pretty sure that wasnt one of the Fast and Furious locations.

During the pursuit, he crashed into three cars while driving at excessive speed and attempting dangerous overtakes on country roads  at one point his car nearly overturns.

Hill was jailed for 14 months and disqualified from driving for three years and six months.

Pc Richard Sage, of Avon and Somerset Police, said: I hope this sends a strong message that dangerous driving will not be tolerated and we will always seek to bring drivers who risk their lives and others to justice.

Kids: definitely dont try this at home.
Police said a man has been shot dead after trying to seize the weapon of a soldier guarding Orly Airport in Paris (AP/Francois Mori)

A suspected Islamic extremist attacked a French soldier at a Paris airport - shouting he wanted to kill and die for Allah - and wrested away her assault rifle, a prosecutor said.

Two colleagues on her patrol at Orly Airport shot and killed the man before he could fire the military-grade weapon in the busy airport terminal at 8.30am.

The attack forced terminals at Paris' second-biggest airport to shut down and evacuate, sent passengers and workers fleeing in panic and trapped hundreds aboard flights that had just landed.

It was the violent climax of a 90-minute spree of criminality across the French capital by the suspect, identified as Ziyed Ben Belgacem.

The attack further rattled France, which remains under a state of emergency after attacks over the past two years that have killed 235 people.

Stopped first by police in suburbs early on Saturday for driving too fast and without lights in a small Renault, the 39-year-old Frenchman opened fire with a revolver loaded with bird shot, injuring an officer in the face, authorities said.

He then fled by car to a bar that he frequented regularly, and where he had already stopped hours earlier, and again opened fire. No one was injured.

Finally, in another car stolen at gunpoint, he parked at Orly. A few minutes later, he hurled himself at three soldiers on patrol in its South Terminal, throwing a bag with a petrol can at the floor and wielding his 9mm revolver, said Paris prosecutor Francois Molins.

"With a pistol in his right hand and a bag over his shoulder, he grabbed (the soldier) with his left arm, made her move backward by three to four meters, positioning her as a shield, and pointed his revolver at her forehead," he said.

According to soldiers, the attacker yelled: "Put down your weapons! Put your hands on your head! I am here to die for Allah. Whatever happens, there will be deaths."

In a struggle, the attacker managed to wrest free the captive soldier's Famas rifle and sling it over his shoulder. Mr Molins said surveillance footage appeared to show that Belgacem was "determined to see the process through to the end".

"Everything suggests that he wanted to take the Famas so there would be deaths and to shoot people," he said.

In between the moments when he ducked behind his hostage, the two other soldiers fired three bursts, eight rounds in all, that killed the attacker, Mr Molins said.

"Her two comrades thought it was necessary - and they were right - to open fire to protect her and especially to protect all the people who were around," said French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

"We'd already registered our bags when we saw a soldier pointing his gun at the attacker who was holding another soldier hostage," said Pascal Menniti.

Authorities said at least 3,000 people were evacuated from the airport. Hundreds of passengers were confined for hours aboard 13 flights that were blocked in landing areas, and 15 others were diverted to Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Despite the transport chaos, French authorities stressed that security planning - reinforced across the country in the wake of repeated attacks - worked well.

The soldier was "psychologically shocked" but unhurt by the "rapid and violent" assault, said Colonel Benoit Brulon, a spokesman for the military force that patrols public sites in France.

The attacker's motives were unknown but the anti-terror section of the Paris prosecutors' office took over the investigation.

His father and brother were detained by police for questioning, standard operating procedure.

Mr Molins said a cousin of Belgacem's also turned himself in, having spent time with the attacker in the bar the previous night.

A search of Belgacem's residence found cocaine and a machete, he said.

The father and brother told police that Belgacem phoned them on Saturday morning, minutes after shooting at the police traffic patrol, to say he had "made a mistake", Mr Molins said.

The prosecutors' office said the attacker had a record of robbery and drug offences.

Mr Molins said he was out on bail, banned from leaving France and obliged to report to police, having been handed preliminary charges for robberies in 2016.

Mr Molins said Belgacem was flagged as having been radicalised during a spell in detention from 2011-2012.

His house was among scores searched in November 2015 in the immediate aftermath of suicide bomb-and-gun attacks that killed 130 people in Paris.

French president Francois Hollande said investigators will determine whether the attacker "had a terrorist plot behind him".

The military patrol at Orly was part of the Sentinelle force installed around France to protect sensitive sites after a string of deadly Islamic extremist attacks. Saturday was at least the fourth time that its soldiers have been targeted since 2015.

Saturday's attack comes after a similar incident last month at the Louvre Museum in Paris in which an Egyptian man attacked soldiers guarding the site. He was shot and wounded and taken into custody.

AP
The couple were killed in an avalanche in Canada

The bodies of two Americans who were caught in an avalanche in Canada have finally been recovered.

The two people from Boston, who police say were a man and a woman - both 32 - were presumed dead after they failed to check out of their hotel on Tuesday in Field, British Columbia.

Their vehicle was found at a trail head on Highway 93 and their tracks were spotted near the avalanche debris in Banff National Park, in Alberta.

Parks Canada v isitor safety specialists hiked up the mountain and saw that the area had been hit by one or more avalanches, but conditions were too dangerous for most of the week to send searchers into the area.

Police did not release the names of the victims, who they believe died last weekend, and have notified their families.

"Snow cover on the vehicle and in the parking lot indicated that the car had been parked there for some time," the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said.

The force said the couple were last seen last Saturday when they had breakfast in Field. On Tuesday, hotel staff called police to file a missing persons report when the couple's room appeared untouched.

"On behalf of the RCMP, I want to offer our sincere condolences to the families and friends of these two people in this difficult time," RCMP Corporal Curtis Peters said.

AP
Angela Merkel and Donald Trump at a joint news conference in the White House (AP)

Donald Trump has said Germany owes vast sums of money to Nato and the US must be paid more for providing defence.

President Trump reiterated his stance that European allies need to meet their end of the bargain to continue benefiting from the military alliance.

Mr Trump tweeted from his Florida resort the day after his first meeting with Germany's leader which produced some awkward moments, such as not shaking hands during a photo opportunity.

"Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS, I had a GREAT meeting with German chancellor Angela Merkel," the president wrote.

"Nevertheless, Germany owes ... vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defence it provides to Germany!"

During a joint news conference, Mr Trump rejected the notion in Europe that his America First agenda means he is an isolationist.

He called such a suggestion "another example of, as you say, fake news," reaffirming the US' "strong support" for Nato, but reiterating his stance that allies need to "pay their fair share" for the cost of defence.

Mr Trump said many countries owe "vast sums of money" but he declined to identify Germany, at the time, as one of those nations.

Prior to his inauguration, Mr Trump declared Nato obsolete but has since modified his stance, telling European leaders the alliance remains of strategic importance.

Only the US and four other members reach the benchmark of spending 2% of GDP on defence. Germany currently spends 1.23% of its GDP on defence but this is being increased.

Mr Trump said the US would do "fantastically well" in its trade relations with Germany.

The president has been deeply critical of foreign trade and national security agreements but suggested he was only trying to revise trade deals to better serve US interests, rather than pull back from the world entirely.

Mr Trump said trade agreements have led to greater trade deficits.

The US trade deficit with Germany was 64.9 billion dollars last year, the lowest since 2009, according to the commerce department.

Mrs Merkel maintained her composure when Mr Trump repeated his contention that former president Barack Obama may have tapped his phones in Trump Tower.

He sought to turn the explosive charge into a light joke when asked about concerns raised by the British Government that the White House is now citing a debunked claim that UK spies snooped on him.

"At least we have something in common, perhaps," said Mr Trump, referring to 2013 reports that the US was monitoring Mrs Merkel's cellphone conversations.

Concerning the most recent report, Mr Trump said he should not be blamed for quoting a Fox News analyst who had accused British intelligence of helping Mr Obama spy on him.

Mrs Merkel attempted conciliation on economic issues.

She said the "success of Germans has always been one where the German success is one side of the coin and the other side of the coin has been European unity and European integration."

Mr Trump backed Britain's departure from the EU and has expressed scepticism of multilateral trade agreements.

The two leaders tried to express their common bonds but showed minimal rapport in their first encounter, a departure from Mrs Merkel's warm relations with Mr Obama during his eight years as president.

Mrs Merkel sought to break the ice, saying that it was "much better to talk to one another than about one another."

She said that while she represents German interests, Mr Trump "stands up for, as is right, American interests. That is our task respectively."

The chancellor said they were "trying to address also those areas where we disagree but tried to bring people together."

"We need to be fair with each other," said Mrs Merkel, saying both countries were expecting "that something good comes out of it for their own people."

The meetings at the White House included discussions on fighting Islamic State, the conflict in Afghanistan and resolving Ukraine's conflict, all matters that require close cooperation between the US and Germany.

The talks aimed to represent a restart of a relationship complicated by Mr Trump's rhetoric on the campaign trail.

As a candidate, Mr Trump frequently accused the chancellor of ruining Germany for allowing an influx of refugees and other migrants from Syria and accused his campaign rival, Hillary Clinton, of wanting to be "America's Angela Merkel."

AP
Military and emergency services outside Orly airport southern terminal after a shooting incident near Paris, France March 18, 2017. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

French police forces secure Orly airport, south of Paris, Saturday, March, 18, 2017. A man was shot to death Saturday after trying to seize the weapon of a soldier guarding Paris' Orly Airport, prompting a partial evacuation of the terminal, police said. Authorities warned visitors to avoid the area while an ongoing police operation was underway. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

An elite police officer patrols at Orly airport, south of Paris, Saturday, March, 18, 2017. A man was shot to death Saturday after trying to seize the weapon of a soldier guarding Paris' Orly Airport, prompting a partial evacuation of the terminal, police said. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)

French soldiers have shot and killed a man who wrestled a colleague to the ground and tried to steal her rifle at Orly Airport in Paris.

The incident forced the busy terminals to close and evacuate. Hundreds of passengers were trapped aboard flights that had just landed.

Expand Close An airport CCTV screen images shows a man on the ground inside Orly Sud terminal following a shooting incident at Orly Airport near Paris, France March 18, 2017. REUTERS/CCTV via Twitter / Facebook

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Whatsapp An airport CCTV screen images shows a man on the ground inside Orly Sud terminal following a shooting incident at Orly Airport near Paris, France March 18, 2017. REUTERS/CCTV via Twitter

The 39-year-old Frenchman killed first fired bird shot at police during an early morning traffic stop before speeding away and heading for the airport south of Paris.

Authorities say he had a long criminal record and was previously flagged for possible radicalism.

In the public area of the airport's South Terminal, the man wrestled the soldier, on foot patrol, and tried to snatch away her rifle, authorities said.

The French defence minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, said the patrol's other two members opened fire. He said the soldier managed to keep hold of her weapon.

Expand Close A traveling woman holds a baby outside the Orly airport, south of Paris, Saturday, March, 18, 2017. A man was shot dead after wrestling a soldier to the ground at Paris' Orly Airport and trying to take her rifle, officials said. No one else in the busy terminal was hurt, but thousands of travelers were evacuated and flights were diverted to the city's other airport. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) / Facebook

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Whatsapp A traveling woman holds a baby outside the Orly airport, south of Paris, Saturday, March, 18, 2017. A man was shot dead after wrestling a soldier to the ground at Paris' Orly Airport and trying to take her rifle, officials said. No one else in the busy terminal was hurt, but thousands of travelers were evacuated and flights were diverted to the city's other airport. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

"Her two comrades thought it was necessary - and they were right - to open fire to protect her and especially to protect all the people who were around," Mr Le Drian said.

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The attack further rattled France, which remains under a state of emergency after attacks over the past two years that have killed 235 people.

Witnesses described panicked bystanders fleeing, flights halting, traffic chaos and planes under lockdown.

French authorities, however, stressed that security planning - reinforced across the country in the wake of repeated attacks - worked well.

The soldier was "psychologically shocked" but unhurt by the "rapid and violent" assault, said Colonel Benoit Brulon, a spokesman for the military force that patrols public sites in France.

"We'd already registered our bags when we saw a soldier pointing his gun at the attacker who was holding another soldier hostage," said Pascal Menniti.

Expand Close Travelers wait outside the Orly airport , south of Paris, Saturday, March, 18, 2017. A man was shot dead after wrestling a soldier to the ground at Paris' Orly Airport and trying to take her rifle, officials said. No one else in the busy terminal was hurt, but thousands of travelers were evacuated and flights were diverted to the city's other airport. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Travelers wait outside the Orly airport , south of Paris, Saturday, March, 18, 2017. A man was shot dead after wrestling a soldier to the ground at Paris' Orly Airport and trying to take her rifle, officials said. No one else in the busy terminal was hurt, but thousands of travelers were evacuated and flights were diverted to the city's other airport. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Authorities said at least 3,000 people were evacuated from the airport.

Hundreds of passengers were also confined for hours aboard 13 flights, and 15 other flights were diverted to Charles de Gaulle, the airport authority said.

An official connected to the investigation confirmed French media reports that identified the attacker as Ziyed Ben Belgacem, born in France in 1978.

After the airport attack, his father and brother were detained by police for questioning.

The anti-terrorism section of the Paris prosecutors' office immediately took over the investigation. It said the attacker had a record of robbery and drug offences.

He did not appear in a French government database of people considered potential threats to national security but prosecutors said he had already crossed authorities' radar for suspected Islamic extremism.

His house was among scores searched in November 2015 in the aftermath of suicide bomb-and-gun attacks that killed 130 people in Paris. Those searches targeted people with suspected radical leanings.

French president Francois Hollande said investigators will determine whether the attacker "had a terrorist plot behind him".

He ruled out any link between the attack and the French presidential election, noting the country has been battling extremist threats for years.

About 90 minutes before the airport attack at 8.30am, the man was stopped by a police patrol in northern Paris because he was driving too fast, police said.

As he was showing his ID papers, the man pulled out a gun and fired bird shot at the three officers, injuring one of them in the face, police said.

Police fired back and the man fled in his car. That traffic stop at 6.50am was at Garges-les-Gonesse, north of Paris near Le Bourget airport.

The man later abandoned that vehicle at Vitry, south of Paris, and stole another at gunpoint, police said. That car was later found at Orly Airport.

A witness identified only as Dominque told BFM Television that the attacker held the soldier by the throat and held her arm and her weapon.

"We saw it was a serious situation, so we escaped," he said. "We went down the stairs and right after we heard two gunshots."

Taxi driver Youssef Mouhajra was at Orly when he heard shots, which he first thought were just a warning.

"We have become accustomed to this kind of warning, and to having the soldiers there," he said.

Then he saw people fleeing the terminal.

"I told (the passengers) let's get out of here," he said. As he drove away, he saw soldiers and police rushing toward the airport.

The military patrol was part of the Sentinelle force installed around France to protect sensitive sites after a string of deadly Islamic extremist attacks.

Saturday was at least the fourth time that Sentinelle soldiers have been targeted since the force was created.

It was set up after the deadly attack in January 2015 on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris and reinforced after the assaults that left 130 people dead in Paris on November 13 2015.

The shooting comes after a similar incident last month at the Louvre Museum in Paris in which an Egyptian man attacked soldiers guarding the site. He was shot and wounded and taken into custody.

It also comes just days before the first anniversary of the March 22 attacks on the Brussels airport and subway that killed 32 people and wounded hundreds of others.
Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on his country's citizens in Europe to step up their rates of procreation and have five children each, saying a booming Turkish population would be the best answer to the EU's "vulgarism, antagonism and injustice".

Nearly a week after a diplomatic row erupted between the Netherlands and Turkey, Mr Erdogan continued what has become a daily ritual of mounting fresh attacks on Europe.

Speaking in the central city of Eskisehir, Turkey's president, who is in the middle of a referendum campaign, urged "his brothers and sisters in Europe" to begin a baby boom. "Have not just three but five children," he told his audience. "The place in which you are living and working is now your homeland and new motherland. Stake a claim to it. Open more businesses, enrol your children in better schools, make your family live in better neighbour-hoods, drive the best cars."

The message was addressed to the 1.4 million Turkish voters who live in Germany, as well as the large Turkish populations in the Netherlands and Britain. ( Daily Telegraph London)

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
The US has made a formal apology to Britain after the White House accused GCHQ of helping Barack Obama spy on Donald Trump.

Sean Spicer, Mr Trump's press secretary, repeated a claim on Thursday evening - initially made by an analyst on Fox News - that GCHQ was used by Mr Obama to spy on Trump Tower in the lead-up to last November's election.

The comments prompted a furious response from GCHQ, which in a break from normal practice issued a public statement: "Recent allegations made by media commentator Judge Andrew Napolitano about GCHQ being asked to conduct 'wiretapping' against the then president-elect are nonsense. They are utterly ridiculous and should be ignored."

Intelligence sources said that both Mr Spicer and General McMaster, the US National Security Adviser, have apologised over the claims. "The apology came direct from them," a source said. General McMaster contacted Mark Lyall Grant, Prime Minister Theresa May's National Security Adviser, to apologise for the comments. Mr Spicer conveyed his apology through Kim Darroch, Britain's US ambassador.

Mr Spicer had earlier repeated claims that Mr Obama used GCHQ to spy on Mr Trump before he became president. "He's able to get it and there's no American fingerprints on it," Mr Spicer said of the intelligence supposedly provided to Mr Obama by Britain.

"Three intelligence sources have informed Fox News that President Obama went outside the chain of command - he didn't use the NSA, he didn't use the CIA, he didn't use the FBI and he didn't use the Department of Justice - he used GCHQ."
New York, Mar 18 (Just Earth News): European Union countries have welcomed more than 14,000 asylum-seekers from Greece and Italy since October 2015, the United Nations migration agency on Friday announced, encouraging EU member states to follow through on their commitments.

Not only does relocation demonstrate cooperation, solidarity and a genuine Union, said Laura Thompson, Deputy Director of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), it has also made a big difference for each of the nearly 14,500 people that have relocated from Greece and Italy to start new lives in other EU member States.

The majority of the beneficiaries are Syrian and Iraqi, at 81 per cent and 14 per cent, respectively.

Germany (3,093), France (2,764) and the Netherlands (1,486) have received the most asylum-seekers to date under the programme.

In addition, Finland and Malta have accepted large numbers of people. About 207 unaccompanied migrant children have been accepted by Finnish authorities, IOM noted.

The programme is being implemented by IOM in close cooperation with Greek and Italian authorities and other agencies, with the continuing support of the European Commission, EU member and associated States, and other partners.

To help people integrate into their new communities, the UN agency holds pre-departure and post-arrival orientation and reception sessions, providing information about individual rights and obligations.

According to its press release, IOM provides additional support and care to unaccompanied migrant children, pregnant women, newborns and migrants with special medical needs, such as escorts during travel and interpreters.

Photo: IOM 2017

Source: www.justearthnews.com
New York, Mar 18 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen on Friday called on the international community to do everything in its power to stop the fighting in the country, provide humanitarian aid, and promote a negotiated political settlement to the two-year long conflict.

The conflict has already killed and maimed tens of thousands and displaced many more. How many more need to lose their life before the parties assume their moral responsibility and commit to a peace process and an end to the fighting, said Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, wrapping up an official four-day visit to Europe.

The tour included meetings with senior political officials in France and Germany, as well as discussions with civil society leaders in Berlin.

In London, the Special Envoy took part in the Quint meeting, which includes representatives of the United Kingdom, as well as Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United States. According to a note to correspondents, the officials discussed potential solutions to the conflict, including the current humanitarian needs.

Almost 80 per cent of households in Yemen are worst off economically than they were before the fighting began, according to UN figures released earlier this week.

New data also shows that an estimated 17 million of the Yemeni people are hungry, an increase of 21 per cent since June 2016.

It is imperative that the situation in Yemen remains high on everyones agenda, Ould Cheikh Ahmed said. UN humanitarian agencies and their partners have developed plans to assist civilians in need, but the needs far outweigh available resources.

Photo: WFP/Ammar Bamatraf

Source: www.justearthnews.com
New York, Mar 18 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Childrenas Fund (UNICEF) warned on Friday that one year after the Balkan border closures and the European Union-Turkey Statement, which were aimed at stopping mass migration flows, refugee and migrant children face greater risks of deportation, detention, exploitation and deprivation.

While there has been a major decrease in the overall numbers of children on the move into Europe since last March, there has been an increase in the threats and distress refugee and migrant children endure, said Afshan Khan UNICEF Regional Director and Special Coordinator for the Refugee and Migrant Crisis in Europe.

UNICEF staff in Greece report deep levels of distress and frustration among children and their families, including one child as young as eight attempting self-harm. Despite recent improvement in living conditions some unaccompanied children in shelters, suffer psychosocial distress, with high levels of anxiety, aggression and violence and demonstrating high risk behaviour such as drugs and prostitution.

War, destruction, the death of loved ones and a dangerous journey exacerbated by poor living conditions in camps around Greece or the lengthy registration and asylum procedures, can trigger post-traumatic stress disorders.

It has become a vicious circle  children flee suffering, and they end up either fleeing again, or facing de facto detention, or just utter neglect, underscored Khan.

In response, UNICEF, in collaboration with the Greek Government and non-governmental organization partner, are prioritizing appropriate care for refugee and migrant children to meet their mental health and psychosocial needs. Imminent transfers back to Greece in line with so-called Dublin regulations, are likely to add even greater strain to the situation facing children and further pressure to existing services.

Instead of stemming the flow, border closures and the EU-Turkey statement, have led to children and families taking matters into their own hands and embarking on even more dangerous and irregular routes with smugglers, as UNICEF and partners warned a year ago.

Even in 2017 nearly 3,000 refugees and migrants  with about a third children  have arrived in Greece despite the full implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement and strict border control. Many continue to slip through borders into Bulgaria, West Balkans and Hungary, said UNICEF.

Children stranded in Greece and West Balkans have already lost nearly three years of education and now face several hurdles like different languages and education systems and yet another year without schooling. UNICEF is supporting the Ministry of Educations strategy to integrate stranded refugee and migrant children in Greek schools. However only 2,500 children out the 15,000 school age children so far that benefit from the national scheme in Greek language.

Despite significant efforts  from government and partners  about half of the 2,100 unaccompanied children are still living in substandard conditions, including nearly 200 unaccompanied children in facilities with limited movement early March (178 in reception and identification centres on the Islands and 16 in protective custody in police cells).

Photo: UNICEF/Shehzad Noorani

Source: www.justearthnews.com
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What do you do when life catches up with you the one time you try to escape its mundane routines? What do you do when you get caught in a terrible moment while your guard is down?

Any talk of travel conjures up images of a sweet escape, never-ending beaches, new experiences... you name it. But how many times do you actively think about things like possibly being held at gunpoint. May be a little but we're quick to dismiss these thoughts either out of a fear of becoming a paranoid freak, or just that you don't want to become the damn squib at your own party.

Like most of us, Sreeram Hariharan, an avid traveller (who has been to 33 countries in five continents so far), wasn't thinking about what could go wrong on a trip he was hoping to make the most of. This, is his account.

Sreeram Hariharan

"After a tiresome, 20-hour flight with multiple stops I reached Rio De Janeiro in Brazil during the wee hours of the night. This was on 16th April 2014. I was too excited by the thought of baking on the pristine beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana for which the city is known.

I found a nice deal at a hostel in a favela (slum area), one that's known for notorious activities.

Sreeram Hariharan

I remember jumping into a taxi at the airport to get to my hostel. Half way through the ride the driver seemed clueless about the location and started asking for directions. A clueless driver in a country you haven't a clue about, on your first ever trip there, isn't exactly the best feeling.

But, wait. I saw a tourist police car and breathed a sigh of relief. With the cops right there what could possibly go wrong? A lot, apparently.

I didn't have a clue about the nightmare that was going to hit me the next moment.

Back in the taxi, we continued asking for directions. Before I could even realise it, the passenger door of the car flung open. I was grabbed by my arms and dragged out of the car to see my worst nightmare come to life. A massive gun was resting on my chest.

My mind blanked.

I was back in the car. It wasn't until the driver started moving again that it began to dawn on me. I was absolutely frozen, and I had lost the power to think.

Turns out, we had been stopped by two uniformed officials who dragged both me and the driver out of the taxi. They thought we were either looking to sell or buy drugs considering we were driving cluelessly in a notorious neighbourhood, at night.

I remember trying to make sense of the situation and enquiring in broken Portuguese just to be told I was suspected of carrying drugs.

Fortunately for me, they let me go when I explained why I was visiting Rio. My documents helped too.

Oh! And they did direct me to the hostel, too."

Copacabana; Image via Top20AmazingPlaces

... what happened next?

"I stayed in Rio for over a week after the incident; I am now in Ecuador making my way to Colombia. I am not frightened because of the incident. Although, it did leave me with lessons that were hard to ignore.

My two cents? Know the directions to the place you intend on staying in; and avoid venturing out at night by yourself until you get that feeling that the place where you are is completely safe. Trust your instincts, do not panic and always smile. Smiling builds confidence and eases the situation no matter how bad it is."

Sreeram Hariharan (Ram) describes himself as an explorer, adventurer and thrill-seeker on his blog. As he puts it in his own words, "Some of my adrenaline rushing adventures include jumping off the highest commercial bungee bridge in South Africa at 216 meters, swinging on the end of the world swing at 2600 meters, in Ecuador." More about him, here.

As told to Tanya Sirohi.

Opening image (L-R): Sreeram Hariharan; REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity (for representational purposes only)
Move over Batman and Superman, new superheroes are now here to take the centre stage. Calling these super heroes new might offend comic nerds, as these characters have been appearing in their comic books since the late '70s. It is us, the people who arent completely acquired by the Marvel and DC world, who get to know of their existence, when a movie or a TV series is made on them.

Here are eight such superheroes who are now the talk of the town as a separate series or a movie is getting their story on the large screens.

1. Iron Fist

cbr

Though Iron Fist made his first appearance in Marvel Premiere #15 (May 1974), the wielder of mysterious forces will now have a series just for him. Danny Rand aka The Iron Fist gets undefeatable power in his fist when he summons and focuses his chi. Finn Jones plays Iron Fist in the new Netflix series The Iron Fist which premiered yesterday. The Iron Fist will also make an appearance in much awaited Marvels Defenders.

2. Luke Cage

netflix

Known for being the first black superhero, Luke Cage, too, has his own series which was premiered in 2016 on Netflix. His superpowers include powers of superhuman strength and unbreakable skin. Cage has been added to the lineup of the new Avengers. Mike Colter plays Luke Cage in the series and in Jessica Jones too.

3. Jessica Jones

cosmopolitan

The mysterious Jessica Jones combats enemies with a force of a bull and keeps an eye on the criminals through her fine investigation skills. Jessica Jones made her debut in comics Alias in 2001, however Netflix decided to make a separate series with Krysten Ritter as the protagonist in 2015.

4. Daredevil

cargo

Matt Murdock is a blind lawyer who takes up complex cases during the day and becomes a crime-fighter at night. The character portrayed by Charlie Cox in Nextflixs Daredevil does great justice to the role more than Ben Affleck who played Daredevil in 2003 feature-length film with the same name. Created by Stan Lee, the character first appeared in comics in 1964. The visually impaired superhero would be also seen in Defenders along with the above mentioned superheroes.

5. Aquaman

popsugar

Comic nerds surely knew about Aquaman, but the noobs were introduced to this superhero when Khal Drogo of Game of Thrones was roped in to be Aquaman in DCs upcoming 2018 film with the same name. The founding member of Justice League of America, Aquaman rules the oceans with his incredible strength and speed.

6. Squirrel Girl

comicbook

As the name suggests, this superheroine is quick as a squirrel and her power comes handy while fighting with thugs and criminals. She made her first appearance in 1992. There are rumours that Anna Kendrick or Alyson Hannigan might be considered to play the role in the upcoming Marvel films.

7. Black Panther

digital spy

Similar to Aquaman, Black Panther too got the internet talking when it was announced that Disney and Marvel would bring Black Panther to the screen in 2018. The black superhero is depicted as the king and protector of Wakanda, a fictional African nation. The film will star Chadwick Boseman as the protagonist as Lupita Nyong'o as Nakia and Michael B. Jordan as Erik Killmonger.

8. She-Hulk

raynfall

The female Hulk is Dr Bruce Banners cousin who once received an emergency blood transfusion from him which resulted into her changing into She-Hulk. Just like her cousin, rage turns her into a green monster. However, she can trigger the transformation at her own will. Actress Aubrey Plaza is keen on taking up the role.
Thirty-nine months after she survived a harrowing attack in an ATM kiosk in the Hyderabad, Jyothi Uday on Friday positively identified her assailant Madhukar Reddy, who was arrested by Andhra Pradesh police last month.

BCCL

It was a moment of closure for Jyothi, when standing inside the admission room at Parapanna Agrahara central prison, she said, "Yes, it's him. I can recognise his face."

BCCL

The identification parade did not last an hour, said a jail official. "Mujeed from Hindupur in AP, to whom Reddy sold the mobile he stole from Jyothi, had also identified him," he added.

BCCL

A senior officer who was at the parade said, "Jyothi, who looked calm when she came in, appeared disturbed when she saw Reddy."

BCCL

Reddy attacked Jyothi on November 19, 2013, in an ATM kiosk near Corporation Circle, when she refused to give him money. After the attack, Reddy pulled down the shutter and fled. She was found in a semi-conscious state after two schoolboys alerted cops.
Daswa Raju, a native of Hyderabad has been visiting the Gandhi Hospital In Hyderabad for some time now.

Raju a painter by profession had suffered an injury last August when he fell from a transformer. He is waiting for a surgery for burn injuries and has been regularly visiting the hospital for follow-up treatment.

BCCL

But these days Raju takes his son's tricycle with him every time he goes to the hospital because he is unable to pay the Rs 100 the ward boys 'charge' everytime he uses the wheelchair.

Raju who lost control of his lower limbs was given a wheelchair but according to his wife Santoshi, "they lost it".

ANI

The hospital authorities allegedly demanded Rs 6,000 for the lost wheelchair and confiscated her mobile phone as security till they paid for it.

"We had paid 100 for five to six times for the wheelchair. But after we lost the wheelchair and couldn't pay for a new one, the authorities asked for Rs 6,000 for the lost wheelchair."

Unable to pay the amount, Raju who was the sole breadwinner of the family and is in no condition to work now takes his son's toy cycle.

ANI

With the help of his wife Santoshi, Raju navigates on the tricycle everytime he is at the hospital.

I was admitted to hospital for five months. I have not received proper treatment. They should give treatment to poor people like me. I go to the hospital on my sons cycle. How can they ask money like this? I cannot afford to give money to them. What to do? Raju said.

After his plight was reported in the media, the Gandhi Hospital and the Telangana government have ordered separate probes into the shocking case of apathy.
The apprehension expressed by External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and the family of the missing clerics of Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah are turning out to be correct. According to reports, the duo has been abducted by Pakistani intelligence agencies.

PTI, quoting official sources in Pakistan, reported that they are in custody of Pakistan's intelligence agencies. They were picked up by intelligence personnel and has been shifted to undisclosed location.

ANI

The reason behind their detention still remains unclear. This comes even as India is putting pressure on Pakistan for information on the to senior clerics.

ANI

Amid concerns for their safety Pakistani columnist Mehr Tarar had on Friday assured EAM Sushma Swaraj that "Pakistanis in general" revered Sufis and the "safe return" of the two missing Nizamuddin clerics is the responsibility of her country.

To which Swaraj replied saying she hoped "Pakistan shares your (Tarar's) feelings".

Tarar tweeted on Friday that she met one of the missing clerics from the Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi last year, and that "Pakistanis, in general, hold all Sufi descendants in high esteem."

I met one of these gentlemen at the Nizamuddin dargah in Delhi last year. Pakistanis in general hold all Sufi descendants in high esteem. https://t.co/GACupEbsDn  Mehr Tarar (@MehrTarar) March 17, 2017

I hope Government of Pakistan shares your feelings and helps in locating them. https://t.co/NK2hVVqzLe  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 17, 2017

Thank you, Ma'am Minister; I'm certain they will be home soon. They are our very respected guests, & their safe return is our responsibility https://t.co/TqJS7n4Tb5  Mehr Tarar (@MehrTarar) March 17, 2017

To Swaraj's reply, Tarar said that as the clerics were guests in Pakistan, "their safe return is our responsibility", and that she is "certain they will be home soon".

The Sufi clerics went to Pakistan on March 8. They reportedly went missing from Lahore airport, from where they were scheduled to fly to Karachi a few days ago.
A 54-year-old American man has been charged with hate crime for assaulting an Indian-origin man and hurling racial slurs, mistaking him for a Muslim.

Youtube Screengrab/Tomo News US

Jeffrey Allen Burgess, from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, has been accused of intentionally harming a man named Ankur Mehta on November 22 because of his "perceived race, colour and national origin".

AFP/representational image

At the time of the incident, police said, Burgess was sitting next to Mehta inside the Red Robin restaurant when he began insulting him and then repeatedly elbowed him in the head.

"I don't want you sitting next to me ... you people," Burgess was quoted as saying by witnesses in addition to his anti-Muslim racial slurs, according to a criminal complaint filed by Bethel Park police.

Witnesses told police Burgess struck Mehta four or five times and called him a "(expletive) Muslim," according to the complaint.

In addition to the slurs, Burgess told Mehta "things are different now," police said, which authorities believe was a reference to the election of Donald Trump.

If convicted Burgess faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years of prison, a fine of $250,000 or both.

The indictment of Burgess comes amid a series of suspected hate crime cases targeting Indian-Americans.

On February 22, Indian nationals Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani were shot at a bar in Olathe, Kansas, by a man shouting "get out of my country". Kuchibhotla, 32, later died at a hospital.
The apprehension expressed by External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and the family of the missing clerics of Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah are turning out to be correct. According to reports, the duo has been abducted by Pakistani intelligence agencies.

PTI, quoting official sources in Pakistan, reported that they are in custody of Pakistan's intelligence agencies. They were picked up by intelligence personnel and has been shifted to undisclosed location. Read more

1. Man Forced To Use Son's Tricycle As He Couldn't Give Rs 100 Bribe To Hospital For A Wheelchair

Daswa Raju, a native of Hyderabad has been visiting the Gandhi Hospital In Hyderabad for some time now.

Raju a painter by profession had suffered an injury last August when he fell from a transformer. He is waiting for a surgery for burn injuries and has been regularly visiting the hospital for follow-up treatment. Read more

A man holding rationalist views was hacked to death by a four-member gang in Tamilnadu's Coimbatore late Thursday night. Police said the victim Farook, was a member of Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam (DVK), and an atheist.

He was also administering a WhatsApp group where he posted rationalistic views on religion. Read more

3. Since Demonetisation, Govt Has Got Over Rs 6,000 Crore As Tax From Unexplained Cash Deposits

Ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced scrapping of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 8, 2016 - and the subsequent window to deposit black money in banks with a fine - unaccounted cash worth Rs. 70,000 crore has come back to the system.

This in turn has translated to around Rs 6,000 crore as tax revenue for the government. Read more

The probe into the role of the so-called Islamic State in train accidents has set investigators on the trail of Satya Sandesh Foundation (SSF), an NGO that claims to be dedicated to Islamic preaching, and an IS recruit Ahsan, possibly the first person born Shia but working for the Sunni group.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing how activists of the Kanpur-based foundation, linked to IS members behind the Bhopal-Ujjain train blast, promptly reached the site of the Kanpur train accident on November 20, 2016. Read more

5. Government Will Soon Roll Out 'High Security' Plastic Notes Of Rs 10 In Five Cities

With longevity and added security in mind the government is all set to introduce plastic currency notes in the country. The government said the RBI has been authorised to conduct field trials of plastic notes of Rs 10 that have a longer lifespan.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal said "it has been decided" to conduct a field trial with plastic banknotes at five locations of the country. Read more
Car thieves are evolving with times, to the dismay of all of us they are becoming hi-tech. Gone are the times when they would use rudimentary scales, hooks, rods, clubs, cutters and pliers to do their job. If security mechanisms in high-end cars are getting smart, the crooks appear to be one step ahead.

zululandobserver/representational image

Police have found several instances of thieves using diagnostic kits to break open the chip-controlled security of cars. The kits are imported from the UK and primarily used by authorised service stations in analysing faults.

In what has been described as "reverse engineering", thieves are using the kit to disable computer-controlled security and ignition systems to make opening and starting a latest car model as easy as a 10-year-old one. The kit costs around Rs 3.5 lakh. It reads the electronic control module of any car and provides the option of bypassing the security key, which is used to protect the ignition and ancillary security systems integrated with the vehicle by the manufacturer.

Within 10 minutes, a parked Audi, Fortuner, Skoda or a similar high-end car, becomes a toy in the hands of the gang. "With increasing automation and availability of microprocessor-controlled security and ignition systems, stealing high-end cars is becoming difficult. Professional car thieves, however, have found a sophisticated solution to all this," said joint commissioner R P Upadhyay.

driving/representational image

Police came to know about this latest technique when they nabbed a notorious car thief and three of his accomplices following a high-voltage chase in south Delhi's Hauz Khas.

On March 16, police received a tip-off that a key member of the gang run by carjacker Manoj Bakkarwala was coming to the Shahpur Jat area with his men. "A special team, led by ACP Rajender Pathania and SHO Sanjay Sharma, laid a trap. Around 3am, a Maruti 800 was seen coming from August Kranti Marg towards Shahpur Jat village. The team flagged down the car," said Ishwar Singh, DCP (south).

The gangsters' route was blocked by a barricading party. But as the raiding party moved in, the suspects tried to flee. Amid this, one of them turned towards the policemen and opened fire. The team, took cover and constable Irshad, who was leading the chase, returned fire using his service weapon.

Herald Sun/representational image

The accused were overpowered while reloading their weapons. Three pistols and a kit were seized from them. During interrogation, police found that the gang had carefully distributed roles among its members. While one of the accused, Ajay, was the techie who procured the kit, Ravinder Singh and Amit were the getaway drivers. Vinod Kumar, an ex-serviceman, had served in Punjab regiment for six years before taking to the life of crime.

Police have taken the accused on remand for further interrogation and are confident of cracking several cases of vehicle thefts in the coming days.
Key Democratic Officials Now Warning Base Not to Expect Evidence of Trump/Russia Collusion

By Glenn Greenwald

March 17, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " The Intercept " - From MSNBC politics shows to town hall meetings across the country, the overarching issue for the Democratic Partys base since Trumps victory has been Russia, often suffocating attention for other issues. This fixation has persisted even though it has no chance to sink the Trump presidency unless it is proven that high levels of the Trump campaign actively colluded with the Kremlin to manipulate the outcome of the U.S. election  a claim for which absolutely no evidence has thus far been presented.

The principal problem for Democrats is that so many media figures and online charlatans are personally benefiting from feeding the base increasingly unhinged, fact-free conspiracies  just as right-wing media polemicists did after both Bill Clinton and Obama were elected  that there are now millions of partisan soldiers absolutely convinced of a Trump/Russia conspiracy for which, at least as of now, there is no evidence. And they are all waiting for the day, which they regard as inevitable and imminent, when this theory will be proven and Trump will be removed.

Key Democratic officials are clearly worried about the expectations that have been purposely stoked and are now trying to tamp them down. Many of them have tried to signal that the beliefs the base has been led to adopt have no basis in reason or evidence.

The latest official to throw cold water on the MSNBC-led circus is President Obamas former acting CIA chief Michael Morell. What makes him particularly notable in this context is that Morell was one of Clintons most vocal CIA surrogates. In August, he not only endorsed Clinton in the pages of the New York Times but also became the first high official to explicitly accuse Trump of disloyalty, claiming, In the intelligence business, we would say that Mr. Putin had recruited Mr. Trump as an unwitting agent of the Russian Federation.

But on Wednesday night, Morell appeared at an intelligence community forum to cast doubt on allegations that members of the Trump campaign colluded with Russia. On the question of the Trump campaign conspiring with the Russians here, there is smoke, but there is no fire at all, he said, adding, Theres no little campfire, theres no little candle, theres no spark. And theres a lot of people looking for it.

Obamas former CIA chief also cast serious doubt on the credibility of the infamous, explosive dossier originally published by BuzzFeed, saying that its author, Christopher Steele, paid intermediaries to talk to the sources for it. The dossier, he said, doesnt take you anywhere, I dont think.

Morells comments echo the categorical remarks by Obamas top national security official, James Clapper, who told Meet the Press last week that during the time he was Obamas DNI, he saw no evidence to support claims of a Trump/Russia conspiracy. We had no evidence of such collusion, Clapper stated unequivocally. Unlike Morell, who left his official CIA position in 2013 but remains very integrated into the intelligence community, Clapper was Obamas DNI until just seven weeks ago, leaving on January 20.

Perhaps most revealing of all are the Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee  charged with investigating these matters  who recently told BuzzFeed how petrified they are of what the Democratic base will do if they do not find evidence of collusion, as they now suspect will likely be the case. Theres a tangible frustration over what one official called wildly inflated expectations surrounding the panels fledgling investigation, BuzzFeeds Ali Watkins wrote.

Moreover, several committee sources grudgingly say, it feels as though the investigation will be seen as a sham if the Senate doesnt find a silver bullet connecting Trump and Russian intelligence operatives. One member told Watkins: I dont think the conclusions are going to meet peoples expectations.

What makes all of this most significant is that officials like Clapper and Morell are trained disinformation agents; Clapper in particular has proven he will lie to advance his interests. Yet even with all the incentive to do so, they are refusing to claim there is evidence of such collusion; in fact, they are expressly urging people to stop thinking it exists. As even the law recognizes, statements that otherwise lack credibility become more believable when they are ones made against interest.

Media figures have similarly begun trying to tamp down expectations. Ben Smith, the editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed, which published the Steele dossier, published an article yesterday warning that the Democratic bases expectation of a smoking gun is so strong that Twitter and cable news are full of the theories of what my colleague Charlie Warzel calls the Blue Detectives  the lefts new version of Glenn Beck, digital blackboards full of lines and arrows. Smith added: It is also a simple fact that while news of Russian actions on Trumps behalf is clear, hard details of coordination between his aides and Putins havent emerged. And Smiths core warning is this:

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Trumps critics last year were horrified at the rise of fake news and the specter of a politics shaped by alternative facts, predominantly on the right. They need to be careful now not to succumb to the same delusional temptations as their political adversaries, and not to sink into a filter bubble which, after all, draws its strength not from conservative or progressive politics but from human nature. And those of us covering the story and the stew of real information, fantasy, and  now  forgery around it need to continue to report and think clearly about what we know and what we dont, and to resist the sugar high that comes with telling people exactly what they want to hear.

For so long, Democrats demonized and smeared anyone trying to inject basic reason, rationality, and skepticism into this Trump/Russia discourse by labeling them all Kremlin agents and Putin lovers. Just this week, the Center for American Progress released a report using the language of treason to announce the existence of a Fifth Column in the U.S. that serves Russia (similar to Andrew Sullivans notorious 2001 decree that anyone opposing the war on terror composed an anti-American Fifth Column), while John McCain listened to Rand Paul express doubts about the wisdom of NATO further expanding to include Montenegro and then promptly announced : Paul is working for Vladimir Putin.

But with serious doubts  and fears  now emerging about what the Democratic base has been led to believe by self-interested carnival barkers and partisan hacks, there is a sudden, concerted effort to rein in the excesses of this story. With so many people now doing this, it will be increasingly difficult to smear them all as traitors and Russian loyalists, but it may be far too little, too late, given the pitched hysteria that has been deliberately cultivated around these issues for months. Many Democrats have reached the classic stage of deranged conspiracists where evidence that disproves the theory is viewed as further proof of its existence, and those pointing to it are instantly deemed suspect.

A formal, credible investigation into all these questions, where the evidence is publicly disclosed, is still urgently needed. Thats true primarily so that conspiracies no longer linger and these questions are resolved by facts rather than agenda-driven anonymous leaks from the CIA and cable news hosts required to feed a partisan mob.

Its certainly possible to envision an indictment of a low-level operative like Carter Page, or the prosecution of someone like Paul Manafort on matters unrelated to hacking, but the silver bullet that Democrats have been led to expect will sink Trump appears further away than ever.
President Trump & Chancellor Angela Merkel Full Press Conference



Video



DONALD TRUMP left Angela Merkel looking awkward AGAIN at their joint press conference in the White House when he insisted immigration should be seen as an honour - and not a "right".



His stance appears to be miles apart from that of the Chancellor, who famously insisted Germany would provide a home for displaced people from war torn Syria.



Ms Merkel appeared visibly uncomfortable with the remark.

Posted March 17, 2017

In awkward exchange, Trump seems to ignore Merkel's handshake request : Video - In an exchange caught on video, photographers gathered around Trump and Merkel in the Oval Office early Friday afternoon and suggested that the two leaders shake hands for the camera.
"War Torn" - U.S. Slaughter In Syria, Somalia And Yemen

By Moon Of Alabama

Another MASSACRE: 31 #Somali refugees killed by Saudi Airstrike near western coast of #Yemen as they were fleeing war torn country. pic.twitter.com/niY66MoXn4  Yemen Post Newspaper (@YemenPostNews) March 17, 2017

March 17, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - When I saw the above tweet this morning I wondered which "war torn" country those Somalis were fleeing from when they were murdered. The tweet doesn't say. Were they fleeing from the "war torn" Somalia? Or were the fleeing from "war torn" Yemen?

It is a sad world when has to ponder such.

It tuned out these people were fleeing from both wars :

Coast guard Mohammad Al Alay told Reuters the refugees, carrying official UNHCR documents, were on their way from Yemen to Sudan when they were attacked by an Apache helicopter near the Bab Al Mandeb strait.

An Apache attack helicopter shot up the refugees' boat. There are Saudi, United Emirates and U.S. Apache helicopters in or around Yemen. It is unknown which of them ordered and which executed the strike. These helicopters, their ammunition and the service for them are a favored U.S. export to belligerent dictatorships like Saudi Arabia .

The UN warns that 5 million people in Yemen are only weeks away from starving . The Saudis, the U.S. and the Emirates block all land routes, air ports and the coast of Yemen and no food supplies come through. This is an ongoing huge war crime and literally a genocide. But "western" media seem totally unimpressed. Few, if any, reports on the war on Yemen get published. Never have they so openly displayed their hypocrisy.

Somalia is falling back into an all-out civil war fueled by the decades old unwillingness of the U.S. to condone an independent local unity government. The Islamic Court Union, a unity government created by the Somalis in 2006, was the last working instance of a real Somali state. It had no Jihadist agenda and held down local warlords. It was destroyed by the Bush administration:

A UN cable from June 2006, containing notes of a meeting with senior State Department and US military officials from the Horn of Africa task force, indicates that the United States was aware of the ICUs diversity, but would not allow it to rule Somalia. The United States, according to the notes, intended to rally with Ethiopia if the Jihadist took over. The cable concluded, Any Ethiopian action in Somalia would have Washingtons blessing. Some within the US intelligence community called for dialogue or reconciliation, but their voices were drowned out by hawks determined to overthrow the ICU.

During the last 10 years an on-and-off war is waged in Somalia with the U.S. military interfering whenever peace seems to gain ground. Currently a new round of war is building up. Weapons are streaming into Somalia from Yemen , where the Houthi plunder them from their Saudi invaders:

Jonah Leff, a weapons tracing expert with conflict Armament Research, said many [Somali] pirates had turned to smuggling. They take boatloads of people [from Somalia] to Yemen and return with weapons, he said.

The wars on Somalia and Yemen are the consequences of unscrupulous and incompetent(?) U.S. foreign policy. (Cutting down the size of the U.S. State Department, as the Trump administration now plans to do, is probably the best thing one can do for world peace.)

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The U.S. military should be cut down too. It is equally unscrupulous and incompetent.

Last night the U.S. military hit a mosque in Al-Jinah in Aleppo governate in Syria. It first claimed that the strike, allegedly targeting a large meeting of al-Qaeda, was in Idleb governate. But it turned out to be miles away west of Aleppo. Locals said a mosque was hit, the roof crashed in and more than 40 people were killed during the regular prayer service. More than 120 were injured. The U.S. military said it did not hit the local mosque but a building on the other side of the small plaza.

The U.S. maps and intelligence were not up-to-date. A new, bigger mosque had been build some years ago opposite of the old mosque. The old mosque was indeed not hit. The new one was destroyed while some 200 people were in attendance. Eight hellfire missiles launched from two Reaper drones were fired at it and a 500lb bomb was then dropped on top to make sure that no one escaped alive. Al-Qaeda fighters were indeed "meeting" at that place - five times a day and together with the locals they have pressed by force to attend the Quran proscribed prayers.

Had the Russian or Syrian army committed the strike the "western" outcry would have been great. For days the media would have provide gruesome photos and stories. The U.S. ambassador at the UN would have spewed fire and brimstone. But this intelligence screw-up happened on the U.S. side. There will now be some mealymouthed explanations and an official military investigation that will find no fault and will have no consequences.

Amid this sorry incident it was amusing to see the propaganda entities the U.S. had created to blame the Syrian government turning against itself. The MI6 operated SOHR was the first to come out with a high death count. The al-Qaeda aligned , U.S./UK financed "White Helmets" rescuers made a quick photo session pretending to dig out the dead. The sectarian al-Qaeda video propagandist Bilal Abdul Kareem, which the New York Times recently portrait in a positive light, provided damning video and accusing comments. The amateur NATO researchers at Bellingcat published what they had gleaned from maps, photos and videos others created.

Each new lie and obfuscation the U.S. Central Command in the Middle East put out throughout the day was immediately debunked by the horde of U.S. financed al-Qaeda propaganda supporters. This blowback from the "information operation" against Syria will likely have consequences for future U.S. operations.

In another operation last night the Israeli air force attacked Syrian forces near Palmyra which were operating against ISIS. The Israeli fighters were chased away when the Syrians fired air defense missiles. This was an Israeli attempt to stretch the "rules of operation" it had negotiated with the Russian military in Syria. The Russians, which control the Syrian air space, had allowed Israel to hit Hizbullah weapon transports on their way to Lebanon. Attacks on any force operating against Jihadis in Syria are taboo. The Russian government summoned the Israeli ambassador. Netanyahoo broke the rules. He will now have to bear the consequences.
A Chibok schoolgirl who escaped from Boko Haram terrorists in Nigeria has called on the international community not to forget those still in captivity.

The pupil, speaking under a pseudonym, told an education conference in Dubai: These girls are human beings, not something that we can forget about.

The abduction of the schoolgirls in north-eastern Nigeria in April 2014 by the Islamist militant group caused a global outcry  and prompted campaigns about girls right to education.

But almost three years later most of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls are still being held by kidnappers.

The two young women said they were determined to stay in education despite Boko Haram

One of the girls who had been seized, using the pseudonym Saa to protect her identity, said the world has to do something to rescue her school friends.

How would you feel if your daughter or wife was missing? Not one day or two, but three years. Its very painful, she told the Global Education and Skills Forum.

Split-second decision

She said that some of the parents of the abducted girls had died and the others were traumatised by their long wait.

Last autumn, 21 of the young women were returned. But Saa told the conference of her disappointment that the majority still remained in captivity.

I remember those girls, but their dreams are now no more, she said, recalling their plans for their careers and future lives.

Saa described the night in April 2014 when Boko Haram militants arrived at her school, burned books and classrooms and forced the pupils into trucks and cars at gunpoint.

Saa and a friend had jumped out the back of the truck as it went into a forest.

The girls had hidden overnight and with the help of a shepherd had made their way back to safety.

I thought I was going to die that night, said Saa.

But she said that if she hadnt taken that split-second decision to jump, she would still have been held in captivity and missing from her family.

Saa spoke alongside another young woman, using the name Rachel, whose father and brothers had been killed by Boko Haram in north-east Nigeria.

Saa and Rachel called for greater efforts to get the Chibok girls back and to make schools safe from attack.

They said that their experiences had made them more determined than ever to make the most of an education that had been denied to the abducted classmates.

BBC
Arising from the recent court judgement on the case filed by Fijabi Holdings and another versus Nigeria Bottling Company and NAFDAC (joined as a nominal party), the Honourable Minister of Health summoned a meeting of the Department of Food and Drug Services, Federal Ministry of Health, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to address the related issues.

The following were the findings:

1. Both Benzoic acid and Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) are ingredients approved by International Food Safety regulators and used in many food and beverage products around the world.

2. Are levels of additives introduced as preservatives within specification?

 Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is the organ established by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) to set internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines relating to foods, food production, and food safety.

 In the case of Benzoic acid, the standard set by Codex was 600mg/kg until recently reviewed to 250mg/kg and adopted in 2016. (CODEX STAN 1921995 revised 2015 and 2016).

 With reference to the Codex standard and other relevant documents, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) as the standard setting body in Nigeria in consultation with technical experts and relevant stakeholders elaborated the standard of benzoic acid in soft drinks to be at 250mg/kg based on the National climatic and storage conditions. This standard has been in existence since 1997 and revised in 2008. (NIS 217:2008)

 The levels of benzoic acid in Fanta (1 batch) and Sprite (2 batches) presented by the claimant in the court are 188.64mg/kg, 201.06mg/kg and 161.5mg/kg respectively.

 These levels are in compliance with both the Codex and Nigeria Industrial Standards.

3. Are Coca-Cola products manufactured in Nigeria safe for consumption?

 Yes, the Coca-Cola products manufactured in Nigeria are safe for consumption in view of the following reasons:

a. Risk assessment was conducted to ascertain maximum limits of food additives acceptable in foods.

b. This takes into consideration the environmental, storage and distribution conditions as well as the shelf life of food products.

c. NAFDAC and SON regularly monitor the manufacturing practices of Food industries and conduct laboratory analysis to ascertain continuous compliance with required national standards.

d. There was a routine inspection conducted at Nigeria Bottling Company by NAFDAC officers in December, 2016 which was satisfactory.

4. Why is there difference between the standard of Fanta and Sprite in Nigeria and the United Kingdom?

 With reference to the Codex standards, each country or region is permitted to adapt a standard/limit based on country specific scientific evidence such as environmental, storage and distribution conditions.

 Benzoic acid as a preservative prevents the growth of microorganisms which thrive more at higher climatic temperatures like in Nigeria.

 Due to the different environmental conditions obtainable in the UK, the standard for benzoic acid was set at a lower limit of 150mg/kg while in Nigeria it was set at 250mg/kg even below that of Codex (as at time of production of that batch; Codex limit was 600mgkg).

 Food products being imported into a country must comply with the relevant standards of the destination country. NAFDAC has processes in place to ensure products imported into the country are evaluated to ascertain compliance with required Nigeria Industrial Standards.

The claimant did not obtain NAFDAC certification before export, otherwise, he would have been advised on the required standard of the destination country .

Advisory

5. In view of the above, we would like to advise all Nigerians to take medicines with potable water. This would help to prevent unexpected drug-food interactions.

6. For the benefit of the health of all Nigerians, all bottling companies are encouraged to insert advisory warnings on all products as necessary.
A lecturer in the Department of Accounting, University of Calabar, Dr. Emmanuel Igbeng, have been assassinated by the entrance to his house in Calabar, Cross River State.

According to eye witness reports,the incident happened at about 8.30pm at Asuquo Abasi Street, off Uwanse Lane in the Calabar-South of the metropolis, has thrown the university community into mourning.

This is coming barely one week after the deceased lecturer was awarded his PhD degree at the 30th convocation ceremony of UNICAL.

An eyewitness, Magdalene Bassey, said the incident happened within split seconds as three gunmen came out from a waiting car while one of them shot the lecturer on his neck at close range.

She said, They did not ask him any question, neither did they steal anything from his car. They just came and shot him in the neck before retreating to their waiting vehicle. They were three in number.

Bassey said that Igbeng and a lady who was in the car with him were rushed to a nearby clinic where the lecturer was confirmed dead, but the lady was still alive.

Public Relations Officer of UNICAL, Mr. Effiong Eyo, described the murder as a shocking development, adding that it was sad losing a lecturer, let alone a young man.

This is a great loss to us as an institution. This man struggled and just last Saturday he got his PhD degree. It is really sad for an institution to lose a man like that, he said.

Meanwhile the kidnappers of a lecturer in the Department of Zoology, University of Calabar, Prof. Edet Ekpenyong, have made N2bn demand as ransom on first contact with the family.

Ekpenyong was kidnapped in the early hours of March 10, 2017 while on his morning routine jogging exercise on campus.

According to a source, the kidnappers did not open contact with the family until after four days after when they demanded for N2bn as ransom.

The source told Southern City News on Friday that further negotiations dropped the ransom to N1bn, N200m and N50m respectively.

At least three persons have been arrested in connection with the kidnap. We are making progress and we hope that the professor will soon regain freedom. They initially demanded N2bn but later dropped it to N1bn. Just on Thursday, a negotiation was reached but in the early hours of Friday, I learnt that the amount has dropped to N50m, he said.

It was learnt that the university security agency is working with the police to ensure the safe release of the abducted don.

According to the State Commissioner,Mr. Hafiz Inuwa, said investigations revealed that the gunmen hanged around the lecturers gate before his return.

He said, I am aware of the killing and the police got there in good time. From the reports we got, the robbers were hanging around and opened fire on him immediately he came. The street, from what we discovered, was a lonely one. We have started investigation into the matter.

On the kidnapped university don, Inuwa simply said, We are making headway.

( Punch Newspaper )
Controversial and self acclaimed Nollywood actor, Uche Maduagwu who engaged himself in a war of words recently with Cool FMs OAP Freeze has now declared his intentions to marry seasoned actress, Genevieve Nnaji.

In his words;  If there is any woman Id love to get married to this year, it will be this legend! She is the most beautiful actress in Nigeria Besides, I love women who are proud of their natural skin and not like some popular actresses I know, who had bleached all the goodness and mercies out of their natural skin, all in the name of fashion, and are now looking like Abakaliki red palm oil. Like seriously, why are some people so ungrateful to God? Years ago, you were dark skinned, but today you are light skinned Who are you people deceiving sef? Nonsense Anyways, thats a story for another day, am not a story teller Lets talk about better people abeg. This priceless jewel of inestimable value is just the best thing that had ever happened to Nollywood, she started from the bottom to the top, dedicated and focused, and now she is Africas most bankable actress, I know some imbeciles will disagree, but my dear the records dont lie, she has no rival when it comes to her creativity in acting, she is a legend. I celebrate you dear. May you bring home an Oscar award next year and put all those who are beefing you unnecessarily to shame! #nollywood
Namibia is to launch a 30-billion-dollar (28-billion-euro) lawsuit against Germany over genocide committed during colonial rule, when tens of thousands of people were killed, according to documents seen by AFP on Friday.

The Namibian government has previously avoided demanding financial compensation, but it changed its stance as two indigenous groups filed a class-action suit in New York against Germany.

Legal documents provided to AFP and The Namibian newspaper show that the government has engaged lawyers in London to pursue a case of violation of human rights and a consequent apology and reparations process.

Over 65,000 people are believed to have been killed when colonial Germany massacred Namibian tribes such as the Herero and Nama between 1904 and 1908.

Namibian Vice President Nickey Iyambo issued a statement on Friday saying it had sent a report to Germany last year on the genocide, an official apology and reparations.

We trust the government of the federal republic of Germany is giving serious attention to the position, Iyambo said, giving no details on the level of reparations sought.

Namibia could approach the International Court of Justice in The Hague to advance its case, the documents show.

While some German officials have acknowledged a genocide occurred, the government has refused to pay reparations, saying aid worth hundreds of millions of dollars over the last 25 years was for the benefit of all Namibians.

Germany seized the territory of modern-day Namibia in the late 19th century under Otto von Bismarck, as part of the so-called Scramble for Africa by European colonisers.

It was called German South West Africa during Germanys 1884-1915 rule, and then passed under South Africa rule for 75 years, finally gaining independence in 1990.

The separate US class-action suit was filed by the Herero and Nama people in New York on Thursday, seeking compensation for incalculable damages.

They are also demanding to be included in negotiations between the two countries.

Tensions boiled over in 1904 when the Herero rose up, followed by the Nama, in an insurrection crushed by German imperial troops.

In the Battle of Waterberg in August 1904, around 80,000 Herero fled including women and children.

German troops went after them across what is now known as the Kalahari Desert. Only 15,000 Herero survived.

The Namibian government case alleges Germany was guilty of slave labour, mass murder, sexual abuse, human trafficking and theft of land.

The two governments have been in talks about a joint declaration on the massacres for two years.

Iyambo said Namibia wanted an amicable closure to this sad history.

(AFP)
One computer instructor, Anukaenyi Bob-Manuel Ogochukwu has been arrested at the Lagos airport, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for importing heroin from Nairobi, Kenya.

Ogochukwu explained that he got involved in drug trafficking because nobody except drug barons offered to help him out of his financial predicament as his sick son is currently on admission in Nairobi on a life threatening ailment.

While under narcotic watch, he excreted 66 wraps of heroin. In his words, I teach in a computer school at Onitsha, Anambra State. This is my very first time of having anything to do with drugs.

I smuggled drugs to save my sick child. The doctor said that my child has a hole in the heart. I met many people for help but nobody was willing to help me except a drug baron.

My son is currently struggling for survival at the hospital in Nairobi. The baron who is from Tanzania promised to pay me $2,000 for my childs medical bill. I am very worried about the condition of my son.

Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, said that no excuse is tenable for crime. No explanation is tenable for committing crime. Drug trafficking is a criminal offence and the suspect will be charged accordingly.

The suspects action only complicated his condition because he is here facing a criminal charge while the responsibility of taking care of his sick son now rest solely on the wife Abdallah stated. Anukaenyi Bob-Manuel Ogochukwu who is married to a Kenyan lady hails from Anambra State.
Nigerians have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to disclose how much he spent abroad for his medical treatment so everybody can see if indeed he truly sticks to his transparency promise to Nigerians at the inception of his administration.

It would be recalled that President Buhari came back to the country on 10th March, 2017 after almost 50 days medical leave abroad.

However, having spent almost a week after his return without disclosing his medical bills abroad, some Human Right experts have cited the Freedom of Information Act as a basis, demanding the President to tell Nigerians how much it cost him to get the treatment he got in London.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP; Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), and the Campaign for Democracy, among others, have mounted pressure on the President to disclose his medical bill in the UK because his administration rode to power on the pedestal of transparency, anti-corruption promise and change.

This is sequel to speculations that Buhari might have allegedly spent between 200 and 250 per hour for medical services in the UK.

However, Executive Director, SERAP, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni has said that Nigerians have the right to know how much tax-payers money their president spent abroad on medical treatment.

Pursuant to the FOI Act, which was signed into law in 2011, every Nigerian has a right to know from any public office holder any information they think they must have. So, the Presidency should provide categorical answer to the question as Buharis medical bill abroad. This is a democracy and in democracy, there can be no opaqueness, everything must be clear and open.

Lending credence to SERAPs stand, Executive Chairman, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Mr. Debo Adeniran said, If the money with which the President treated himself abroad did not come from his purse, then he is under obligation to disclose to Nigerians how much he spent from our money on his health care.

He added that, As the results of the tests he had are out and the treatment has been done, there is no reason why the President should not tell us what was wrong with him and how much was spent on him. I believe that the President will not want to dent his image with this. When his aides said he was hale and hearty, he came back to say that he was indeed very ill. And he has said many things different from what his lieutenants want us to believe.

We want to know how much he has spent except if the money came directly from his pocket. If it was from the purse of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, then he is under obligation to disclose the cost of his treatment to Nigerians.

Also, President, Campaign for Democracy, Bako Usman, said, Whenever you are presiding over a set of people, irrespective of how large or little they are, there is nothing as good as having a very prudent housekeeping. That will add value to your credibility and transparency as regards the leadership role you are playing over such people. With the change mantra, we expect things to be done differently and more transparently. We expect more openness in governance.

So the President should make available the cost of his medical treatment abroad. Someone advocating for a corrupt free society is supposed to be open. This governments Change Begins With Me campaign will be appreciated by the citizens if the President is open and transparent.

It started as a vacation for 10 days and then extended to two weeks, three weeks and eventually to about 50 days. Nigerians have a right to know much the president spent and he should give Nigerians such information and let there be transparency and openness as regards whatever the administration is doing.

In his own comment, Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), said while the President cannot be compelled to disclose the nature of his illness, if public funds are spent (on his health care), Nigerians are entitled to know how much was spent.

He also said that, Nigerians should know how much has been spent on the medical expenses incurred by the President in the United Kingdom since according to him; he has had the best of medical treatment.

Source: Vanguard
Governor of Rivers State,Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has advised the Nigeria Police force to concentrate on their constitutional responsibility of providing security.

The Governor was Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday when he granted audience to Mr Zaki Ahmed, the New Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Governor Wike regretted that the Nigerian Police Force has metamorphosed into a political party.

He said because of political considerations, the Nigerian Police sabotaged the Rivers State Amnesty Programme. The governor said that the politicisation of Police operations in the state has been counterproductive in several respects.

According to the governor, The Police instead of fighting crime has constituted itself into a political party. Everything for the police must be considered from a political viewpoint . Allow politicians to play politics. Simply do security work. A state like Rivers is key to Nigeria.

He said, Our national assets are here and that is why we always support security agencies, he also said that the police have not reciprocated the investments made by his administration in their operations.

He noted that over 150 patrol vans have been handed over to the police since he assumed leadership. He added that funds made available to the Police for communication gadgets in all 23 Local Government Areas and purchase of bullet proof vests, were not used by the force.
Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki o has stated that his government is determined to find the killers of Mr Suleiman Afegbua, the immediate past Chairman of Etsako-East Local Government Area, Edo.

Obaseki gave the assurance during a condolence visit to the family of the deceased at Awuyemi in Okpella, Etsako-East Local Government Area of Edo.

The late Afegbua was killed by gunmen on Thursday along Auchi-Benin road, by Ogbemudia Farm.

We are working very hard; intelligence reports reveal that we are making progress and we are optimistic that very shortly, the killers will be found, he said.

Obaseki described the late Afegbua as a prolific politician and administrator who contributed meaningfully to the development of the community during his tenure as the local government chairman.

I am very shocked and saddened by his death. We thank Almighty Allah for his life.

The late Suleiman was an active prolific politician and administrator; he was a lover of peace.

He was coming to Benin for a peace meeting when this unfortunate incident happened, so my message to the community is that they should continue to uphold peace, if nothing else, for the memory of Suleiman.

As governor of Edo State, I will always appreciate what the young man did to me and for the state, and the role he was playing in this community, and we will make sure that the vacuum created by him will be appropriately filled, he said.

The governor promised to take care of late Suleimans father and foot the bills of the daughters education.

Responding on behalf of the family, Mr Akuri Afegbua thanked the governor for the visit, saying that the family had taken the death of their son as the will of Allah.

He, however, appealed to the governor to ensure that the killers were brought to book to serve as deterrent to others.

( PM News)
A woman named Mrs. Toyin Adeyeye, her two month-old baby, Heritage and her younger brother, Adeniyi Dada, were brutalised by the police in Ado-Ekiti for allegedly refusing to give bribe at a police checkpoint on Friday.

According to eye witness reports, it was learnt that about five policemen descended on them and beat them mercilessly before taking them to New Iyin Police Station where the beating continued.

The incident happened at the checkpoint in front of Ekiti Pavilion, a few metres from the residence of the Commissioner of Police, Abdullah Chafe.

Mrs. Adeyeye returned from the United States of America 10 days earlier where she was delivered of the baby.

The police also impounded the black Kia Picanto car with registration number LAGOS FKJ 221 EE in which they were.

Speaking with reporters on Saturday, the womans husband, Mr. Akanni Adeyeye, decried the alleged brutality meted out to his wife with lacerations on her body and bruises on the face.

Adeyeye who slept in the police station in solidarity with his wife explained that the policemen requested for vehicle particulars and drivers licence of his brother-in-law who drove the car which were still valid.

He said one of the policemen withheld the documents demanding that they be settled, a euphemism for bribe but Mrs. Adeyeye and her brother refused because the vehicles papers were valid.

Adeyeye said,My wife and her brother were returning from the market at about 3.00pm on Friday and on arrival at the checkpoint in front of the Pavilion very close to their station, they asked for all vehicle papers and drivers licence which were produced and they are valid.

After checking all the documents, the policemen were demanding for money to be given as settlement which my wife and her brother refused. My wife drew their attention to the baby that was crying in the car.

Five of them were beating her at the point of arrest and on getting to the station, the beating continued. After thoroughly beating her, they obtained her statement around 10.00pm. There are wounds on the back of my wife and face to show for it.

On getting to the station, they now cooked up a story that my wife slapped one of them and tore his uniform which is a lie. They are telling this lie to justify their action of their cruelty to my wife, my baby and my brother-in-law.

Neither my wife nor her brother slapped any policeman or tore any uniform. The question to be asked is how would somebody who is not armed attack an armed policeman? They are cooking up this falsehood to cover up their brutality.

The chairperson for Ekiti state chapter of Federation of International Women Lawyers, Mrs. Funke Anoma, said investigation had begun.

But reacting, the Commissioner of Police, claimed that Mrs. Adeyeye was detained for allegedly slapping a policeman on duty and tearing his uniform adding that the matter was still under investigation.

Chafe said,Those people slapped my policeman on duty and tore their uniform. Uniform is an authority and what those people did was against the law and it is not good for a civilian to slap a policeman.

It is not good for somebody to prevent a law enforcement officer from carrying out his lawful duty. Somebody wearing the uniform? It is not about his age but the authority he carries. I dont allow my men to do something contrary to the law.

I dont want a woman to be detained with baby or with pregnancy. I dont want an old woman or a minor to be detained. I have taken note of this and we will take the right action on the matter.

( Punch Nigeria )
It was another horrific incident in Ayati in Ukum a Local Government Area of Benue State as a pregnant woman and four others were shot dead by unknown gunmen .The attack also left several persons with serious injuries.

According to reports the gunmen rode on about five motorbikes stormed the village at about 8pm and took positions in different strategic places in the village from where they gunned down their unsuspecting victims.

The eyewitness who happens to be a prominent politician from the area stated that the slain woman was on her way to a funeral when she was hit by stray bullet.

He said, She alongside the other four who were hit by bullets died on the spot before they received medical attention.

Beside the five, several other persons sustained varying degrees of injury from strayed bullets but they were rushed to hospitals in the area for treatment but the remains of the dead have been deposited at the mortuary of the General Hospital in the area.

He also said, I wonder why we should be killing each other when we are yet to overcome the invasion of our communities by Fulani herdsmen.

Our traditional rulers must take decisive action to end these killings, and also fish out the masterminds because they cannot claim not to know them since they come from among us.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent ASP Moses Yamu who confirmed the killings however stated that no arrests had been made while investigation into matter was ongoing.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali has received the backing of Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), said the Senate cant compel Ali to wear his Customs uniform.

Falana, said in an interview that theres , said there is no law stipulating that the Comptroller-General of Customs must wear the Nigerian Custom Services uniform.

He added that, although Ali was the Comptroller-General of Customs, the retired military officer was not a member of the service.

Falana said, With respect to the customs service, its officers are required to wear uniforms. But since the CGC is not a serving customs officer the senate lacks the vires to force him to wear any uniform.

The suit challenging the legal validity of Col. Hameed Alis appointment has been dismissed on the ground that the President has the power to appoint a non-customs officer to head the customs service. Since the court has held that he is not a customs officer, Col. Ali cannot be made to wear any uniform.

I challenge the Senate to refer to any law that supports the wearing of uniform by the head of customs service, who is not a serving customs officer.

Falana added that customs officers are not being made to wear uniforms in other countries including South Africa.

He said, In many countries, including South Africa, customs officers do not wear uniforms.

In Nigeria they wear uniforms because under the defunct military junta security outfit under the defunct military junta security agencies claimed that they were either military or paramilitary forces. It was part of the intimidation of the civilian population.

( Punch Newspaper )
In a room packed with insurance industry professionals, an undeniable air of gratitude hung over those who were doing the giving.

Speaker after speaker came up and talked to the audience at a charity event about how grateful they were to be in the industry, and to be able to give back to the community.

Were fortunate to be in this industry, said Jerry Pickett, CEO of the Liberty Company Insurance Brokers and chair of the Horizon Award Gala.

The annual Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation gala on Thursday drew hundreds from the industry to raise funds and celebrate the spirit of philanthropy.

This years IICF event was held at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles. It featured nonprofit Make-A-Wish, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

It also honored this years Golden Horizon Award winner Mark Wells, editor, CEO and publisher of Wells Media Group Inc., the parent company of Insurance Journal and several other industry publications.

I wanted to say thank you for what youve done. Keep doing it.

Mark Wells, editor, CEO and publisher of Wells Media Group Inc.

Among the many reasons cited for giving him the prestigious award was that Wells has directed his company to donate more than $1.2 million over the past 10 years to insurance-related charities.

Wells closed the ceremony with a brief but heartfelt speech that encapsulated the prevailing attitude of the evening.

The gratitude expressed by Pickett during his opening presentation was for being in an industry thats able and willing to give back. The IICFs Western division this year awarded $424,260 in grants from fundraising efforts in 2016. That marks a record high in grant awards for the Western division, benefiting 44 nonprofits.

Fellow presenter Jon Axel, IICF Western division chair and senior vice president of Hub International Insurance Services Inc., said those funds were raised through events like the IICF Week of Giving in October 2016, which entailed 2,930 volunteers providing 7,089 hours of service.

Axel said the plan throughout the year is to do even more.

This year we plan on hosting events in every hub in our Western division, he said. There are six IICF hubs in California, and chapters in Arizona, Colorado and Washington.

The night included a high-stakes live auction that together with proceeds from the gala helped raise $218,000 to benefit the IICF Community Grants Program, $20,000 of which is earmarked for Make-A-Wish Los Angeles, according to Melissa-Anne Duncan, Western division executive director.

Wish Kid Ambassador Theo Strum and his mother, Heidi Levine, spoke at the event to thank the audience for supporting the charity and to tell their story.

At age 10 Strum was diagnosed with enthesitis related polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. He also has been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and fibromyalgia since his first diagnosis. Now age 15, its a struggle for him to go out and play and do the normal things that kids his age do, he said.

One of the hardest things to see is the look on my familys faces when they know that I am in pain, Strum said.

The 10th graders wish was to go to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea. The charity helped realize that dream in June 2016.

The granted wish turned out to be an inspiration, and, Strum hopes, transformative.

Because of my wish, Ive decided I want to become a Disney animator and an Imagineer, the boy said.

Wells followed the moving scene with a concise and humble acceptance that fit the evenings impromptu theme.

Picketts introduction of the award recipient noted Wells Medias long-term commitment to insurance-related charities, and that the company donates 10 percent of the proceeds from its annual charity issue each year.

This years recipient, Mark Wells, epitomizes the heart of this award, Pickett said.

Wells, who serves on a number of boards, including the board of the National Insurance Industry Council for City of Hope, contributes regularly to the Matthew Wells 88 Memorial Fund at Flintridge Prep, which he established in 2002 to honor his late son.

His role as head of Wells Media has him overseeing the operations of Insurance Journal, Claims Journal, MyNewMarkets, Insurance Journals Academy of Insurance and Carrier Management.

Throughout the day that Wells was notified about the award he tried to digest the news, until hours later he had an epiphany.

That night I was lying in bed  and I realized this isnt about me, its about you, Wells said.

Wells illustrated his point using the aforementioned annual charity issue, which he said gets far too many tales of agency and carrier good deeds to put in one magazine. The issue often spans roughly 40 pages.

We could fill three or four issues with all of your activities, Wells said.

He ended his acceptance with more gratitude.

I wanted to say thank you for what youve done, Wells said. Keep doing it.

Related:

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Hammond said he is listening to the voice of business and is committed to keeping the UK globally competitive and attractive post-Brexit. He said the corporation tax cut to 17% by 2020 sends the clearest possible signal that Britain is open for business, but some high street companies face higher taxes and more employment costs.

Nevertheless, Hammond did give businesses some respite from the administration burden, promising to make the country attractive for research and development (R&D) investment by reducing the administrative burdens around the R&D tax credit regime.

Dominic Stuttaford, head of tax for Europe, Middle East, Asia and Brazil at Norton Rose Fulbright, said the budget was, for businesses, about communicating a message of a steady ship ready to face the voyage ahead. In this spirit there were no star giveaways, but there was some relief for small businesses with measures to reduce business rates, which will be a welcome announcement. Furthermore, the continued focus on a fair tax system turned attention to employment status selection that may impact the gig economy.

However, Michael Wistow, partner in the global tax practice at White & Case described the budget as a missed opportunity for failing to remove the complexity in the tax code for businesses.

Nevertheless, several tax measures affecting businesses were announced by the chancellor, including:

Measures to tackle tax avoidance and evasion through a series of actions;

Cutting the dividend tax-free allowance for shareholders from 5,000 ($6,000) to 2,000 with effect from April 2018 and, thus, decreasing the tax advantage of incorporation;

Delaying the introduction of quarterly reporting under the digital tax system plans by one year for businesses with a turnover below the VAT registration threshold;

Plans to publish a formal discussion paper to boost the North Sea oil and gas sector to address the calls from producers to provide further support for the transfer of late-life asset in a time when tax measures have contributed to less activity;

Announcing the final rates for the planned soft drinks levy as 0.18 and 0.24 per litre for the main and higher bands, respectively. However, the yield predicted from this tax has fallen as producers introduce beverages with a lower sugar content;

Freezing the VED rates for hauliers, and freezing the HGV road user levy for a further year;

Introducing a new minimum excise duty on cigarettes based on a pack price of 7.35; and

Introducing no changes to previously planned upratings of duties on alcohol and tobacco.

No apology for tax collections

The budget focussed less on tax hikes and more on revenue raising measures to fund spending decisions. In light of this, Hammond targeted tax fairness and collecting the taxes that are due from both businesses and individuals.

Since 2010, we have secured 140 billion in additional tax revenue by taking robust action to tackle avoidance, evasion, and non-compliance. These actions have helped the UK achieve one of the lowest tax gaps in the world, but there is more that we can do, Hammond said, announcing plans to take action against businesses converting capital losses into trading losses, tackling abuse of foreign pension schemes, and introducing a UK VAT on roaming telecoms services outside the EU in line with international standard practice.

Hammond also noted the measures entering into force from July that will impose a tough new financial penalty on those who enable a tax avoidance arrangement that is later defeated by the UK tax authority, HMRC. Taken together, the government estimates that these measures will raise 820 million in additional revenues.

Although the changes can be described as an easy win, Rob Marchant, VAT partner at Crowe Clark Whitehill, the changes to the penalty regime that will allow HMRC to continue to reduce the tax gap should be welcomed with cautious optimism because the detail will be important in understanding how far these powers extend.

Dividends allowance slashed

Hammonds theme of tax fairness also stretched to individuals  rich and poor  with changes to the tax-free dividend allowance and hikes in the national insurance contributions (NICs) for the self-employed.

Fairness demands that this discrepancy in treatment is addressed, the chancellor said, pointing out that he believes the 5,000 tax-free dividend allowance has increased the tax advantage of incorporation. It allows each director/shareholder to take 5,000 of dividends out of their company tax free, over and above the personal allowance. It is also an extremely generous tax break for investors with substantial share portfolios, he said.

In an effort to boost revenues and target unfair tax treatment, directors and shareholders will pay more tax on their dividends from April 2018 when the dividend allowance will be reduced from 5,000 to 2,000. About half of the people affected by this measure are directors or shareholders of private companies. The rest are investors in shares with holdings typically worth more than 50,000.

Lynda Finan, legal director in DLA Piper's tax group, said that despite Hammond describing the cut in the dividend allowance as a targeted anti-tax avoidance measure, it is more of a general cost-saving exercise. The change is aimed at addressing the discrepancy and unfairness that exists between employees and individuals who operate through their personal companies, but in fact the reduction of the dividend allowance will apply to all shareholders in any company, she said.

Michael Devereux, director of the Oxford University Centre for Business Taxation and professor at Oxford Said Business School, said that although taxes on dividends do generally remove the tax advantage to incorporation, and more so now, this only happens when profits are distributed. If you keep the profit in the company then you pay only corporation tax, he said. So why was the dividend tax exemption ever introduced? And why not just get rid of it entirely? Maybe that is for next year.

Employees v the self-employed

Hammonds idea of a fair system also means similar treatment between individuals doing similar work for similar wages, benefits, and tax, which is why he announced that the Class 2 national insurance contributions (NICs) of 2.80 per week for self-employed individuals will be abolished from April 2018 and the Class 4 NICs for the self-employed will increase by 1% to 10%, with a further 1% increase in April 2019.

The changes are intended to stop individuals opting to become self-employed only for the purposes of gaining a tax advantage over employees who have  until now  paid a much higher tax contribution on the same income. It is also perhaps the first step in the government's approach to adapting the tax system to address the gig economy.

The recent growth in the number of self-employed individuals has been attributed to a large extent to the tax system as well as to changing employment practices towards the gig economy, said Ann Casey, partner in the tax and incentives group at Taylor Wessing. Self-employed individuals cover a wide range of individuals, for example, partners in professional partnerships, who are not necessarily part of the gig economy. The announcement in the budget of an increase in the rate of NICs paid by self-employed individuals is designed to make the tax system fairer as between the self-employed and the employed. Currently a self-employed individual pays 9% NICs on profits between 8,060 and 43,000, an employee pays 12% on the same level of salary. A self-employed individual will pay 10% from 6 April 2018 and 11% from 6 April 2019.

For most companies, however, these changes do not increase the cost of employment, but for multinationals with a large self-employed workforce, the measure will lead to a significant increase in cost, said Kevin Hindley from Alvarez & Marsals Taxand team.

Kirsti Laird, senior associate at Charles Russell Speechlys said it remains to be seen whether these types of actions will squash the entrepreneurial spirit of the gig economy.

The national insurance increase for the self-employed may be unwelcome news for some, but Norton Rose Fulbrights Stuttaford said it is possible that more change could be afoot with governments ongoing review of the so-called gig economy.

Business rates changes to back British businesses

Separately, to back British businesses that are concerned about the 2017 business rates revaluation, which will see taxes rise for many, Hammond said there is scope to ease the burden.

He announced that businesses losing their small business rate relief will not see their tax bill increase next year by more than 50 a month, and the subsequent increases will be capped at either the transitional relief cap or 50 a month, whichever is higher. Furthermore, pubs will receive a discount on business rates bills in 2017 and local authorities will be provided with a 300 million fund to deliver discretionary relief to those in more hardship.

However, David Jinks, head of consumer research at courier Parcelhero, said the measures are not enough to protect traditional bricks and mortar small companies on Britains high streets against multinationals and companies operating online. The planned changes to business rates threaten many high street retailers with significant rate rises just as they are battling to take on online retailers. The cap of 50 per month for this year for businesses coming out of small business rate relief is welcome; but what happens to those businesses in two years time?, he questioned.

Some city centres are saying their business rates are rising by around 50% while e-tailers such as Amazon may even see their rates fall on out of town distribution centres, he continued. More needs to be done to save the high street and look at the disparity of taxes and rates between online and brick and mortar retailers.

Hammond did note in his budget that the government does need to find a better way of taxing the digital part of the economy.

Overall, as a result of the stable budget, Michelle Quest, head of tax at KPMG in the UK, said that UK businesses will be relieved to have the breathing space to deal with current changes taking effect during this year. She said that Hammond demonstrated that the government was listening to businesses.

The Budget was designed to give the government a fiscal base from which to launch its Brexit negotiations, while minimising dissent at home. The next few months will show whether it has met its objective, said Laurence Field, corporate tax partner at Crowe Clark Whitehill.
China's telecommunication giant Huawei has entered into an agreement with Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) to deepen cooperation on the digital transformation of the education sector. Both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Thursday. Provided to China Daily

China's telecommunication giant Huawei has entered into agreement with the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) to deepen cooperation on the digital transformation of the education sector.

Both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday in the presence of the RSM advisory board and officials of Chinese embassy at the Amsterdam ArenA, a technology partner of Huawei. The MoU will continue until September 2019.

The project, headed by Zhang Ying, associate dean of China Business and Relations at RSM, represents a collaboration between the industry and the education sectors in China and Europe, helping industries, education institutes and research bodies move into the era of digital transformation.

Both parties aim to facilitate knowledge sharing between technology, innovation, business development and education in order to add value to the local social-economic community and academic-practice by means of joint research, China-EU relevant business relationships, and applied projects.

Wonder Wang, CEO of Huawei Technologies Netherlands, said Huawei is committed to investing in Europe, and the MOU is part of the company's mission to aid in talent development across Europe.

"The goal is to achieve local employment to contribute to the European economy and serve European industries for generations to come," said Wang.

Steef van de Velde, dean of RSM, said the objective of the collaboration between RSM and Huawei is to add value to the local social-economic community and academic-practice collaboration.

"We will do this by means of joint research, EU-China economic relationships, applied projects (such as a technology-business program) , as well as for the fourth generation of industrial revolution derived from data technology transformation," said van de Velde.

Van de Velde said for business education institutions like his school, this collaboration is strategically important as it takes three levels of collaboration to explore: on smart education, innovation research and culture exchange.
What Is a Zero-Day Attack?

A zero-day attack (also referred to as Day Zero) is an attack that exploits a potentially serious software security weakness that the vendor or developer may be unaware of. The software developer must rush to resolve the weakness as soon as it is discovered in order to limit the threat to software users. The solution is called a software patch. Zero-day attacks can also be used to attack the internet of things (IoT).

A zero-day attack gets its name from the number of days the software developer has known about the problem.

Key Takeaways A zero-day attack is a software-related attack that exploits a weakness that a vendor or developer was unaware of.

The name comes from the number of days a software developer has known about the problem.

The solution to fixing a zero-day attack is known as a software patch.

Zero-day attacks can be prevented, though not always, through antivirus software and regular system updates.

There are different markets for zero-day attacks that range from legal to illegal. They include the white market, grey market, and dark market.

Understanding a Zero-Day Attack

A zero-day attack can involve malware, adware, spyware, or unauthorized access to user information. Users can protect themselves against zero-day attacks by setting their softwareincluding operating systems, antivirus software, and internet browsersto update automatically and by promptly installing any recommended updates outside of regularly scheduled updates.

That being said, having updated antivirus software will not necessarily protect a user from a zero-day attack, because until the software vulnerability is publicly known, the antivirus software may not have a way to detect it. Host intrusion prevention systems also help to protect against zero-day attacks by preventing and defending against intrusions and protecting data.

Think of a zero-day vulnerability as an unlocked car door that the owner thinks is locked but a thief discovers is unlocked. The thief can get in undetected and steal things from the car owners glove compartment or trunk that may not be noticed until days later when the damage is already done and the thief is long gone.

While zero-day vulnerabilities are known for being exploited by criminal hackers, they can also be exploited by government security agencies who want to use them for surveillance or attacks. In fact, there is so much demand for zero-day vulnerabilities from government security agencies that they help to drive the market for buying and selling information about these vulnerabilities and how to exploit them.

Zero-day exploits may be disclosed publicly, disclosed only to the software vendor, or sold to a third party. If they are sold, they can be sold with or without exclusive rights. The best solution to a security flaw, from the perspective of the software company responsible for it, is for an ethical hacker or white hat to privately disclose the flaw to the company so it can be fixed before criminal hackers discover it. But in some cases, more than one party must address the vulnerability to fully resolve it so a complete private disclosure may be impossible.

Markets for Zero-Day Attacks

In the dark market for zero-day information, criminal hackers exchange details about how to break through vulnerable software to steal valuable information. In the gray market, researchers and companies sell information to militaries, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement. In the white market, companies pay white hat hackers or security researchers to detect and disclose software vulnerabilities to developers so they can fix problems before criminal hackers can find them.

Depending on the buyer, the seller, and the usefulness, zero-day information might be worth a few thousand to several hundred thousand dollars, making it a potentially lucrative market to participate in. Before a transaction can be completed, the seller should provide a proof-of-concept (PoC) to confirm the zero-day exploits existence. For those who want to exchange zero-day information undetected, the Tor network allows for zero-day transactions to be conducted anonymously using Bitcoin.

Zero-day attacks may sometimes be less of a threat than they sound. Governments may have easier ways to spy on their citizens and zero-days may not be the most effective way to exploit businesses or individuals. An attack must be deployed strategically and without the targets knowledge to have maximum effect. Unleashing a zero-day attack on millions of computers at once could reveal the vulnerabilitys existence and get a patch released too quickly for the attackers to accomplish their ultimate goal.

Real World Examples

In April 2017, Microsoft was made aware of a zero-day attack on its Microsoft Word software. The attackers used a malware called Dridex banker trojan to exploit a vulnerable and unpatched version of the software. The trojan allowed the attackers to embed malicious code in Word documents which automatically got triggered when the documents were opened. The attack was discovered by antivirus vendor McAfee which notified Microsoft of its compromised software. Although the zero-day attack was unearthed in April, millions of users had already been targeted since January.

In a more recent example, Google's Chrome web browser has been subject to several attack vectors and exploits. In 2022 alone, Google urged Chrome users to update their browsers on no less than four separate occasions, citing a series of zero-day attacks.

Why Is it Called a Zero-Day Attack? The term "zero-day" (or 0-day) is used for a software exploit or hack referring to the fact that the developer or creator of the at-risk program has only just become aware of it - so they literally have zero days to fix it.

How Are Zero-Day Attacks Fixed? Once a developer learns of a zero-day attack, the exploit is usually quickly identified and fixed via a software patch or upgrade.
Coast Guard, Gardai and members of the local community have held a candle-lit vigil for the crew of Rescue 116 at the Sundial in Blackrock, Co Louth, this evening.

The wife and children of Coast Guard Rescue 116 helicopter crew member Mark Duffy also made a brief appearance at the vigil tonight.

Eight-year-old James, Jesssica (aged 9) and Faith Scanlon (aged 6) at the candle-lit vigil which was held tonight in Blackrock, Co Louth, for the crew of Rescue 116. Pic: Ciara Wilkinson

The families of the three missing Rescue 116 crew remain at Blacksod bay in County Mayo tonight while Captain Dara Fitzpatrick's funeral will take place tomorrow.

Gardai are advising motorists that traffic restrictions will be in place from 10am to 1pm tomorrow in the Glencullen area.

They have said that through traffic from Johnny Foxs pub to the Enniskerry Road at Kilternan will be diverted at Foxs.

Traffic will be prevented from travelling from Foxs to the Enniskerry Road.

Access will be maintained in the opposite direction and local access will also be maintained.

The everyday heroism displayed by the tragic crew of Coast Guard Rescue 116 was remembered today by the Bishop of Limerick at a St Patrick's Day mass for past and present members of the Defence Forces.

It comes as rescue crews searching for the Coast Guard helicopter missing off the Mayo Coast say they have spotted a weather window on Sunday in which they may be able to dive at the suspected crash site.

Air and shoreline searches are continuing today, while the specialist ship - The Granuaile - is being stocked with extra equipment at Galway before heading to Blacksod Bay for Sunday's search.

The funeral of Irish Coast Guard Captain, Dara Fitzpatrick, will take place this weekend.

Dara is currently reposing at the family home until 10pm tonight.

Requiem mass is at St Patrick's Church, Glencullen, at 11am tomorrow, followed by cremation at Mount Jerome, Harolds Cross, in Dublin 6.

The family has requested no flowers, but donations, if desired, can be made to the R.N.L.I., Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue and The Donkey Sanctuary.

Searching continues on the beaches of Belmullet, Co. Mayo, for the missing Coast Guard Helicopter crew. Pic: Keith Heneghan

The crew's "strong sense of giving" was recalled by Bishop Brendan Leahy in his homily at Sarsfields Barracks, Limerick.

The sense of heroism and mission displayed by St Patrick is still very much evident in the acts of Irish Coast Guard pilot Dara Fitzpatrick and many others who sacrifice much, Bishop Leahy stated.

In the now traditional St Patricks Day Mass for members past and present of the Defence Forces and their families in the city, Bishop Leahy said we cannot but think today of someone like Dara Fitzpatrick who dedicated her life to others so fearlessly.

Linking the selfless kindness of St Patrick to that of Ms Fitzpatrick, her colleagues, the defence forces and many others, Bishop Leahy said that the heroic pilot was an inspiring example for all of us.

I was struck by her comments in the Rescue 117 documentary she featured in, which was played back on Wednesdays news on RTE. She said theres no way in the world we would do anything else in life."

"Dara had a strong sense of giving to others. A pilgrim on lifes journey, like all of us, she seemed to be a person who got up each day thinking of helping others."

Captain Dara Fitzpatrick

I even noted over recent days a video on the online Catholic channel iCatholic about the importance of finding the balance with alcohol. She participated in that video to promote responsible use of alcohol," Bishop Leahy said.

"She spoke of how she had far too great a responsibility to her job to ever allow a drink on any night get in the way of work the following day."

"Saving lives was her priority and she lived that out to the end. Certainly, an inspiring example for us all on this St. Patricks Day.

Bishop Leahy said that on the national feast day, it was important to be grateful for the reminder of the Christian story at the heart of our culture: Lets be grateful for all those, like Dara, whose generous spirit reminds us of the measure of love: to love without measure."

Lets acknowledge the sacrificial love witnessed also in the Defence Forces who, at times, spend a long time away from their loved ones, often in war zones in the Middle East and Africa."

Commenting on the humanitarian aid the soldiers provided to people during recent flooding, he added: "Here in Limerick you have been deployed to help with flood relief in the past. You share in that sense of giving and the rest of us are truly grateful."

Searching continues on the beaches of Belmullet, Co. Mayo, for the missing Coast Guard Helicopter crew. Pic: Keith Heneghan

"Perhaps you dont always explicitly think of it but there is always a risk involved in your mission, and that risk has a name. Its called being ready to lay down our lives. Theres a heroism in that."

Surely, St. Patrick would recognise in you and in people like Dara Fitzpatrick the measureless measure of love being lived out so quietly but effectively day by day across this island."

He added: "Yes, its good to celebrate St Patricks Day together here this morning. Remembering the great foundation story of St Patrick and the great continuing stories of modern day heroes brings so much inspiration to us all.
Ireland will not be following the UK out of the European Union, Enda Kenny has insisted.

The Taoiseach also said he was more confident about the EUs future in the wake of the centre ground victory in the Dutch election.

Mr Kenny told an event in New York that the "cornerstone" of much of Irelands social progress in the last generation was due to the EU.

"To continue to succeed as an open economy and welcoming society, we must and we will remain at the very heart of Europe," he said.

In terms of Brexit, he said: "It is not a trigger for Ireland to follow suit and leave the European Union with the United Kingdom - we will not do so."

Asked if he was more confident about the EU after the Dutch result, he said: "I am.

"At the (European Council) meeting in Valletta in Malta, which holds the presidency at the moment, there was a genuinely renewed focus from leaders to say well we better deal with this politically and begin to listen to people and begin to act in the interest of people and not have a situation where either the European Union or the government involved are removed from the people.

"I think there is a mood at the European Council level to focus really to having outcomes to political decisions that will impact on our people."
The captain of a Coast Guard helicopter that crashed into the Atlantic during a rescue mission was a brave hero, an adoring mother and a champion of the underdog, her funeral Mass has heard.

Mother-of-one Dara Fitzpatrick, 45, was among the four crew members of a Sikorsky S92 that disappeared without warning off Mayo on Tuesday.

The coffin is carried in for the funeral of Captain DaraFitzpatrick, who died in the Coast Guard helicopter tragedy off Blacksod, Co Mayo at St Patrick's Church, Glencullen.

Fr Andrew O' Sullivan told a packed St Patrick's Church, Glencullen, in the Dublin mountains, that few funerals were "as profoundly sad and sorrowful" as Ms Fitzpatrick's.

"We could scarcely believe it then, we can scarcely believe it now," he said.

"We have lost a talented young woman, who along with her colleagues lived good and generous lives and did so much in helping others in their time of need."

He added: "How these extraordinary people put their own lives at risk in order to save others - what bravery. And they truly are heroes."

Draped in an Irish tricolour, Ms Fitzpatrick's coffin was carried into the small granite church through a uniformed guard of honour amid hundreds of mourners who spilled out into the wet and windswept churchyard.

Fr O'Sullivan said everyone was praying the "nightmare of waiting may soon be over" for the families of the other crew members - Captain Mark Duffy, Winchman Ciaran Smith and Winch Operator Paul Ormsby - who remain missing.

Ms Fitzpatrick, who "adored" her three-year-old son, was remembered as an adventurer, great horsewoman and hillwalker who was "fierecly loyal" to her family. She had a "goofy" sense of humour, was fun-loving yet quite shy and loved to cook - being renowned for making "a mean chocolate roulade".

She also loved fashion, "most especially her Gucci boots and her Tom Ford perfume".

"She was kind to her core and a champion of the underdog," the parish priest told the service.

"The day Dara formally adopted Fionn was one of the happiest days of her life and that of her family.

"Fionn, now embodies Dara's characteristics of family - he loves to and often instigates the family group hug. Dara adored Fionn."

Uniformed Coast Guard officers, Naval Service and Air Corp staff, RNLI volunteers and other rescue workers from throughout the country travelled to bid their colleague a final farewell.

President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin were among the mourners.

Ms Fitzpatrick's family take consolation that she lived life to the full and packed a lot in, Fr O'Sullivan said.

He added: "When a life is torn away from us, then we see that our friends, people, life, are all that matter."

Captain Dara Fitzpatrick.

Ms Fitzpatrick is survived by son Fionn, parents John and Mary, sisters Niamh, Orla and Emer and brother Johnny.

A major search for her missing colleagues is focusing on a "three-hour window" to find the crashed helicopter amid fierce weather conditions.

Organisers hope a critically timed operation between low tides on Sunday will lead them to the aircraft and the bodies of the three men.

The search has been narrowed to a 100 metre by 80 metre section of the ocean around Blackrock lighthouse, around 13km offshore from Blacksod, where the aircraft was to land to refuel moments before it vanished.

The detection of a black box signal in that area has raised hopes that the bulk of the wreckage can be found along with the three remaining crew members.

The Dublin-based helicopter crew was providing cover for another Coast Guard helicopter involved in an early-morning evacuation of a crewman around 240km off the west coast.

It had flown directly to the scene from the Irish capital, travelled around 16km out to sea, then turned back towards land to refuel.

There was no indication of any danger moments before it vanished, with the crew's final transmission: "Shortly landing at Blacksod."
Update 2.20pm:A man in his 40s has appeared at Dublin District Court charged with murder after the stabbing to death of another man in Artane on Thursday.

Judge Kathryn Hutton remanded the man in custody to appear at Cloverhill Court next Wednesday March 22.
Update 9.50pm: A young boy who suffered a serious head injury after he was hit by a motorcycle has been identified.

The 12-year-old boy's family have also been contacted and the victim is described as being in a stable condition. He has spoken to hospital staff, the Metropolitan Police said.

He is thought to have got off the E3 bus moments before being hit by the motorcyclist on Popes Lane, at the junction with Knight's Avenue, in Ealing, shortly before 12.19pm on Saturday.

Paramedics and police were called to the scene, where he was found with serious head and leg injuries before being taken to a central London hospital for treatment.

The motorcyclist, who was not arrested, stopped at the scene and is assisting detectives, the force added.

Original story: Detectives are urgently trying to identify a young boy who suffered a serious head injury after he was hit by a motorcycle.

Police are appealing for help to identify the boy and locate the parents of the victim, thought to be aged around nine or 10 years old, as he was alone at the time of the crash.

He is thought to have got off the E3 bus moments before being hit by the motorcyclist on Popes Lane, at the junction with Knight's Avenue, in Ealing, shortly before 12.19pm on Saturday.

Paramedics and police were called to the scene, where he was found with serious head and leg injuries before being taken to a central London hospital for treatment.

The boy is described as white, 4ft to 4ft 5ins tall and has dark coloured hair. He was wearing a black parka-style anorak, with a fur-edged hood and red lining.

On the anorak there is a leather disc with a logo and the words 'Get outdoors'. The boy was also wearing beige trousers and black 'tie dye' Nike trainers, with the Nike tick in fluorescent green.

The Metropolitan Police said it was of "paramount" importance that people who recognise the description contact them immediately.

The motorcyclist, who was not arrested, stopped at the scene and is assisting detectives, the force added.
US secretary of state Rex Tillerson has pushed for closer Chinese-US co-operation in dealing with North Korea's nuclear programme, in his first face-to-face talks with senior Chinese diplomats.

Mr Tillerson's visit to Beijing followed his remarks in South Korea on Friday in which he warned that pre-emptive military action against North Korea might be necessary if the threat from its weapons programme reaches a level "that we believe requires action".

China, the North's biggest source of diplomatic support and economic assistance, has not responded directly to his remarks, although Beijing has called repeatedly for all sides to reduce tensions.

Mr Tillerson stressed the need for a "results-oriented" relationship with China after his meeting with foreign minister Wang Yi.

"We renewed our determination to work together to convince North Korea to choose a better path and a different future for its people," Mr Tillerson said.

He said Mr Wang agreed on the need for a "course correction" with Pyongyang. Getting North Korea "to a different place" is a matter to be approached with "a sense of urgency," he added.

Mr Wang restated Beijing's calls for dialogue between the US and North Korea and called Mr Tillerson's visit an important step towards a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump, expected next month.

Mr Tillerson later met Yang Jiechi, Mr Xi's leading foreign policy adviser, and he is scheduled to meet Mr Xi on Sunday morning before returning to the US.

As North Korea's most important source of diplomatic support and economic assistance, China has grown increasingly concerned about the possibility of conflict on the Korean peninsula.

Mr Wang warned last week that North Korea on one side, and the US and South Korea on the other, were like "two accelerating trains" heading towards each other, with neither side willing to give way.

He floated a proposal that North Korea could suspend its nuclear and missile activities in exchange for a halt in joint US-South Korean military drills.

That was swiftly dismissed by the US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, who said Washington has to see "some sort of positive action" from North Korea before it can take leader Kim Jong Un seriously.

- AP
The brands bid to attract millennials with a technology the industry largely snubbed until consumers began turning away from traditional timepieces.

Tag Heuer this week unveiled the new generation of a $1,650 (1,080) smartwatch it makes with partners Google and Intel.

Richemont-owned Montblanc followed with the $890 Summit.

Swatch Group chief executive Nick Hayek announced plans for a Tissot connected watch using a proprietary operating system.

With the flurry of new gadgets, watchmakers are trying to attract millennial shoppers in the middle of the longest downturn on record for the Swiss industry.

Yet sales of smartwatches so far have underwhelmed, even for giant Apple, and the new tech-driven timepieces generally command lower prices than the Swiss industrys traditional output, creating risks for brands that have jumped in.

The smartwatch market hasnt necessarily been as big an engagement as some thought it would be. Swiss watchmakers arent doing this to fend off the Apple Watch, said John Guy, an analyst at MainFirst Bank.

Instead theyre dabbling in smartwatches as a way to lure younger shoppers  who often dont wear any watches, smart or otherwise.

Prices of Montblancs traditional watches run as high as $10,000, more than 10 times the price of its new gadget, while Tag Heuers most expensive models extend to about $15,000.

Its a way to be on top of peoples minds, and hopefully getting people in their stores, said Alessandro Migliorini, an analyst at Mirabaud Securities.

So far, Swiss watch makers have insulated their high-end brands from the trend, seeking to preserve the exclusivity of more traditional timepieces.

The top five brands by sales  Rolex, Omega, Cartier, Patek Philippe and Longines  have stayed out of the smartwatch market entirely.

The latest flurry of releases represents a change of heart for Richemont and Swatch.

Richemont chairman Johann Rupert previously said his brands only planned to make intelligent watchstraps.

Swatch CEO Nick Hayek has said he doesnt expect smartwatches to be a revolution.

Bloomberg
Crude traded in a narrow band this week, with Brent and West Texas Intermediate bouncing in a $2.50 range as investors weighed the impact of the first oil cut from Opec in eight years against rising US shale oil output and high inventories.

However, oil has not been able to reclaim the range that prevailed through most of 2017 before last weeks rout.
New research conducted by family history website, findmypast.ie, has also found that in at least one instance, body ink also runs in McGregor family.

The website constructed a family tree for the MMA champion that stretches back six generations and among that number is the Dubliners paternal great-grandfather, Albert McGregor, born in Dun Laoghaire, then known as Kingstown, to Albert McGregor (Sr) and his wife Mary in 1905.
Michael Frick Murphy tabled a proposal at Cork County Council, requesting that the local authority hand over some of its vacant properties as likely permanent homes for Mens Shed projects.

The Sinn Fein councillor had enthusiastically praised the organisation for its vital work, not only in Co Cork but throughout the country, in helping combat loneliness and improve mental health through the establishment of the Mens Shed concept.

However, he put his foot in it when a female colleague suggested an amendment to his motion so that women could also benefit from the availability of an amenity where people could come together and chat.

Mr Murphy quickly retorted: As regards women coming into Mens Sheds  in my opinion, half the time men are trying to get away from women.

If I have to amend this, we might as well call it Hens Sheds.

Gasps followed from some of his more conservative male colleagues in the council chamber, although a few were also heard to giggle.

Independent councillor June Murphy, once a party colleague of Mr Murphy, was sitting behind him and looked none too pleased, repeatedly noting that she did not appreciate Mr Murphy comments.

Councillor Marcia DAlton had earlier pointed out that womens interests should not be excluded from such a motion.

Theres no lonelier place to be a woman [than] in a modern estate when she doesnt know her neighbours, she said.

We should work on the concept [of improving mental health], but not just for men.

Mens Shed for me  thats fine  but also set aside areas for women.

Councillor Deirdre Forde endorsed Ms DAltons comments.

Councillor Frank OFlynn, however, also pointed out that in his home village of Glanworth, mens and womens groups got together at least once a week within the community.

The local authority must play a role in providing accommodation for such organisations, said councillor Eoghan Jeffers. They help bring people back into the community.

Several other councillors said Mens Shed groups were finding it hard to acquire a permanent home.

In response to the motion and subsequent comments, the councils deputy chief executive Declan Daly said he would be happy to take on approaches from such organisation on a case-by-case basis.

Meanwhile, the Mens Sheds concept, which was launched in 2011, is growing in popularity throughout the country with the support of the charity, Irish Mens Sheds Association.
The Irish Stand event, led by Labour senator Aodhan O Riordain, took place at the Riverside church in New York City, during which celebrities and ordinary citizens hit out at the impending visit of Mr Trump to Ireland, insisting that he and his views are not welcome.

Speaking before the event, Mr O Riordain said Mr Trumps de facto Muslim travel ban is an outrage and the special agency configured to tackle immigrant-related crime is racist.
Speaking after the St Patricks Day parade in New York City, Mr Kenny said the Northern Ireland issue takes precedence over everything else, effectively delaying his departure until at least the summer.

In the aftermath of a tentative coup against Mr Kenny last month, the Taoiseach told the parliamentary party he would address the leadership issue conclusively on his return from his week-long US visit.

However, while the position was widely seen to indicate he would step down later this month or in early April, no definitive timeline was given.

In recent weeks, Mr Kenny has caused concern among Fine Gael dissenters that he will not leave due to his repeated references to the need for stability during the Brexit negotiations next month and last Thursdays meeting with US president Donald Trump.

However, while those close to Mr Kenny have sought to downplay such fears, the Taoiseach poured further fuel on the flames yesterday by saying the Northern Ireland political crisis is now another reason for why he should not step down.

Asked about when he will resign after walking past cheering crowds at the New York City St Patricks Day parade, Mr Kenny said he continues to have a number of priorities that must be resolved.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Taoiseach Enda Kenny march in the St Patricks Day parade on 5th Avenue. Picture: Drew Angerer/Getty

He said the political impasse in the North caused by last months Stormont elections, and the fact Sinn Fein and DUP now have just three weeks to form a government or be forced into another election in May, was a new addition to these priorities, and stoked backbench anger by saying Ireland must provide stable leadership.

What Ive always said is I need to deal with a number of priorities here, the first priority is to put in place an executive in Northern Ireland, said Mr Kenny.

We have no government, no devolved authority, in Northern Ireland now. I hope the parties who are elected will accept the responsibility of putting together a government within the three-week period.

What I did say to my party is that I would deal with this effectively and conclusively on my return, thats my intention. But I think these are priorities that take precedence over everything else.

Asked directly when he is going to deal with it [the leadership question], Mr Kenny said: Im not going to answer that for you. Do you not think its appropriate that the immediate priority is to have an executive functioning in Northern Ireland, do you not think its appropriate that all the work we put together we should have an agreed negotiating stance for the EU thats going to affect everybody in our country?

I intend to follow through on those [priorities] very, very diligently.

A number of Fine Gael backbenchers known to want Mr Kenny to step down as soon as possible last night declined to comment publicly, but said it has already been made clear to the Taoiseach he cannot continue to ignore the leadership issue.

Mr Kennys New York comments came 48 hours after a draft version of his speech to the American- Ireland Fund Gala in Washington DC said this would be his last St Patricks Day as Taoiseach before it was deleted from the script.

Asked about the change to the otherwise untouched 1,500-word speech on Wednesday, Mr Kenny simply said it was removed because it shouldnt have been in there.
Ms Collins resigned from the commission at the start of this month blaming the resistance by some members of the Vatican Curia to the work of the commission.

The lack of co-operation, particularly by the dicastery most involved in dealing with cases of abuse, has been shameful, she had stated.

But, in response, Cardinal Gerhard Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), told Italys Corriere della Sera newspaper that it was time to do away with what he called the cliche that the Vatican bureaucracy was resisting Pope Francis initiatives.

In an open letter to the Cardinal published by the National Catholic Reporter, Ms Collins questioned his claim that he cannot understand the talk of a lack of cooperation between the CDF and the commission.

She said that the CDF initially refused in 2015 to send someone to attend meetings and it was September 2016 before a CDF representative attended Commission working group meetings.

Ms Collins also questioned the cardinals claims there been a permanent contact between the two organisations.

I dont know what form this permanent contact took. All I can say is the members of the commission did not receive any formal reports or see any positive results generated by such contact.

In relation to the Popes decision to create a new tribunal to judge bishops negligent in responding to abuse, she said the cardinal had stated that the conclusion reached was that the tribunal was not necessary, as any negligence could be addressed through the competencies, tools and legal means already in place in the congregation for bishops.

If all necessary means have been in place to address the case of a bishop negligent in respect of protection of children from abuse, why then has no bishop been, officially, transparently sanctioned or removed for this negligence? she asked.

If it is not lack of laws, then is it lack of will? I am sure many survivors, myself included, would be interested, cardinal, in the answer to this question.

She concluding by asking that instead of falling back into the Churchs default position of denial and obfuscation when a criticism like mine is raised, the people of the Church deserve to be given a proper explanation.

We are entitled to transparency, honesty and clarity, she said.

No longer can dysfunction be kept hidden behind institutional closed doors. This only succeeds as long as those who know the truth are willing to remain silent.
It will cost an estimated 20m to create flood defences to protect the town of Midleton, which has suffered from flooding on several occasions in recent years, the most recent occurring early last year.

The first round of public consultation on the flood relief programme for the Owenacurra and Dungourney rivers, which both flow into the town, will be held at the Midleton park Hotel between 3pm and 7pm on Thursday.

Representatives from Cork County Council, who are creating the project on behalf of the OPW, will be present to answer questions, as will representatives from the project consultants ARUP.

County council project manager Colm Brennan said the first round of public consultation will provide people with a view of all options being considered.

The proposals will then be refined to a preferred option which will go back for further public consultation, probably by late summer 2018.

Mr Brennan said finding the proper solution to Midletons flooding problems was complex because of a number of factors.

He said river and tidal flooding had to be taken into account, along with the proliferation of underwater streams which riddled the area.

The wide range of options will include earth embankments, walls, upstream storage of water, flood forecasting systems, the installation of localised pumping stations, flow diversion, and conveyancing improvements, Mr Brennan said.

Council engineers and ARUP held their first steering group meeting on the flood prevention plans on November 30, 2016, several months ahead of schedule.

Mr Brennan said it is hoped to start construction of the flood prevention works in the summer of 2020 and it will take anything between 18 months and two years to complete.

Because of the issues it will be the most complicated flood prevention scheme to date that has been carried out by Cork County Council on behalf of the Office of Public Works, he said.

Midleton was extensively flooded in late November 2015 and early January 2016 as a result of storms sweeping in from the Atlantic.

A study carried out by the OPW found around 240 homes and businesses in the area were at risk of repeated flooding unless action was taken to protect them.

Traditionally, the town has suffered from an insufficient capacity to handle surface water drainage.

It is hoped next weeks event will also gather vital information from the public about their flooding experiences and their thoughts on likely solutions.

Those unable to attend can submit comments to: Midleton Flood Relief Scheme, Arup, 50 Ringsend Road, Dublin, or email midletonfrs@arup.com.
During the Tesco strike, there were allegations that management in some Tesco stores had incorrectly warned staff that they would lose these family income supplements (FIS) entitlements because of their industrial action.

Tesco is Irelands largest private employer with 11,000 workers. It makes an estimated annual profit of 200m to 250m in this country, yet its understood that 10% of its staff receives family income supplement.

Across the country, there were 57,567 people in receipt of FIS at the end of last year. Up to 127,408 children live in homes where the FIS is paid.

These workers are earning less than agreed thresholds of pay while other recipients are only on temporary contracts of up to three months while some are availing of the back to work allowance, job initiative or part-time job incentive.

For instance, a worker with two children who earns less than a total household income of under 612 a week is entitled to FIS. The amount he or she is entitled to is assessed by the department and they are paid 60% of the difference between their family income and the threshold.

Department of Social Protection figures show that families with two children are the most likely to claim this supplement, followed by families of three and four children. There are 13,569 FIS supplements in Dublin, 6,110 in Cork, 2,761 in Galway, 2,463 in Limerick, 1,828 in Waterford and 1,717 in Kerry.

The Department of Social Protection said case officers in each locality will specifically use FIS as an incentive to move unemployed people from the long-term Live Register to employment.

It also has a dedicated team of officials who provide an intensive and tailored service to large employers and work with them in meeting their current needs and future demands and FIS features in this package of supports.

It describes the payment as part of a wide range of employment support services provided by the department.

Former Labour Leader and tanaiste Joan Burton has defended the scheme saying many workers who claim FIS cannot work a full working week due to family obligations. Ms Burton added that FIS is an important incentive for people joining the workplace from unemployment: Many of these workers are coming from unemployment and its better to have some work than no work, all the research nationally and internationally shows.

She also said supermarket chains like Dunnes Stores and Tesco compare favourably with other employers and have strong wage agreements in place.

The strike by Tesco workers was suspended at the end of last month to allow ongoing talks at the Labour Court.
Figures provided by the EU show 2,235 non-Irish nationals applied for asylum here in 2016  down 1,035 cases or 32% on the previous year.

At 473 applicants per million inhabitants, Ireland has one of the smaller ratios of asylum seekers to population  just one fifth of the EU average of 2,360. Overall Ireland took just 0.2% of all asylum seekers in the EU last year. The Republics population accounts for 0.9% of all EU citizens.
The village is poor, even by the standards of rural Kenya. To get there, you follow a power line along a series of unmarked roads.

Eventually, that power line connects to the school at the centre of town, the sole building with electricity. Homesteads fan out into the hilly bramble.

There is just one working water tap, requiring many local women to gather water from a pit in jerrycans.

In October, I visited Kennedy Aswan Abagi, the village chief, at his small red-earth home, decorated with posters celebrating the lives of African heroes, including JaKogelo, or the man from Kogelo, as locals refer to former US president Barack Obama.

Kogelo, where Obamas father was born, is just 32km from the village, which lies close to the banks of Lake Victoria. Abagi told me about the day his towns fate changed.

It happened during the summer, when field officers from a US non-profit called GiveDirectly paid a visit, making an unbelievable promise: They wanted to give everyone money, no strings attached.

I asked, Why this village? Abagi recalled, but he never got a clear answer, or one that made much sense to him.

With little sense of who would get what and how and from whom and why, rumours blossomed. One villager heard that GiveDirectly would kidnap children. Some thought the organisation was aligned with the Illuminati.

But the confusion faded that unseasonably cool morning in October, when a GiveDirectly team returned to explain themselves.

Nearly all of the villages 220 people crowded into a tent, watching nervously as 13 strangers, a few of them white, sat on plastic chairs opposite them.

Lydia Tala, a Kenyan GiveDirectly staff member, got up to address the group in Dholuo.

She spoke at a deliberate pace: These visitors are from GiveDirectly. GiveDirectly is a non-governmental organisation that is not affiliated with any political party. GiveDirectly is based in the US. GiveDirectly works with mobile phones.

Nobody must involve themselves in criminal activity. This went on for nearly two hours.

Finally, Tala passed the microphone to her colleague, Brian Ouma, who laid out the particulars. Every registered person will receive 2,280 shillings  about $22  each and every month. You hear me? The audience burst into wild applause.

Every person we register here will receive the money, I said  2,280 shillings! Every month. This money, you will get for the next 12 years. How many years?

Twelve years! Just like that the whole village was lifted out of extreme poverty. (I have agreed to withhold its name out of concern for the villagers safety.) The non-profit is in the process of registering roughly 40 more villages with a total of 6,000 adult residents, giving those people a guaranteed, 12-year-long, poverty-ending income.

An additional 80 villages, with 11,500 residents all together, will receive a two-year basic income.

With this initiative, GiveDirectly  with an office in New York and funded in no small part by Silicon Valley  is starting the worlds first true test of a universal basic income.

The idea is perhaps most in vogue in chilly, left-leaning places, among them Canada, Finland, and the Netherlands. But many economists think it might have the most promise in places with poorer populations, like India and sub-Saharan Africa.

GiveDirectly wants to show the world that a basic income is a cheap, scalable way to aid the poorest people on the planet.

We have the resources to eliminate extreme poverty this year, Michael Faye, a founder of GiveDirectly, told me.

What happens in this village has the potential to transform foreign-aid institutions, but its effects might also be felt closer to home. A growing crowd, including many of GiveDirectlys backers in Silicon Valley, are looking at this pilot project not just as a means of charity but also as the groundwork for an argument that a universal basic income might be right for you, me and everyone else around the world too.

Silicon Valley has recently become obsessed with basic income for reasons simultaneously generous and self-interested, as a palliative for the societal turbulence its inventions might unleash.

Many technologists believe we are living at the precipice of an artificial-intelligence revolution that could vault humanity into a post-work future.

Our economy could turn into a funhouse-mirror version of itself: Extreme income and wealth inequality, rising poverty, mass unemployment.

A universal basic income has thus far lacked what tech folks might call a proof of concept. There have been a handful of experiments, including ones in Canada, India, and Namibia.

But no experiment has been truly complete, studying what happens when you give a whole community money for an extended period of time.

And so, the tech industry is getting behind GiveDirectly and other organisations testing the idea out. Chris Hughes, a Facebook founder, has started a $10m, two-year initiative to explore the viability of a basic income. (He has also been a major donor to GiveDirectly.)

The research wing of Sam Altmans startup incubator, Y Combinator, is planning to pass out money to 1,000 families in California and another yet-to-be-determined state.

Then there is GiveDirectly itself, which has attracted $24m in donations for its basic-income effort, including money from founders of Facebook, Instagram, and a number of other Silicon Valley companies.

The idea for GiveDirectly came to Faye and Paul Niehaus, who is now a professor of economics at the University of California, San Diego, when they were graduate students at Harvard.

Both were studying development and doing fieldwork overseas, an experience that underlined a lesson in economics 101: Cash was more valuable to its recipients than the in-kind gifts commonly distributed by aid groups, like food or bed nets. If youre hungry, you cannot eat a bed net.

Once youve been there, its hard to imagine doing anything but cash, Faye told me. Its so deeply uncomfortable to ask someone if they want cash or something else. They look at you like its a trick question.

At the time, distributing cash aid in a country with little to no banking infrastructure outside major cities would have required an extraordinary amount of manpower.

But dirt-cheap mobile phones with pay-as-you-go minutes began flooding into sub-Saharan African markets in the 2000s.

In 2007, Vodafone and the British Department for International Development together built a system, called M-Pesa, for Kenyans to transfer actual shillings from mobile phone to mobile phone.

An estimated 96% of Kenyan households use the system today.

Faye and Niehaus  along with their friends Rohit Wanchoo and Jeremy Shapiro, also graduate students  thought about setting up a website to raise cash in the US and send it directly to poor Kenyans. But they never found a non-profit that would distribute that cash abroad. They decided to do it themselves in 2008.

The following year, Faye travelled to Kenyan villages during the summer break, offering cash to whoever seemed poor and would take it. That, surprisingly, worked well enough to give them the confidence to start a threadbare randomised control trial the year they graduated.

It found that the recipients, who received an average of $500, saw excellent outcomes: Their children were 42% less likely to go a whole day without eating. Domestic-violence rates dropped, and mental health improved.

In time, the non-profit attracted the attention of Silicon Valley and its deep-pocketed young philanthropists. In the spring of 2012 Faye went to a friends brunch in Brooklyn and met someone working for Google.org, the tech giants giving arm.

She liked the sound of GiveDirectly and arranged for Faye and Niehaus to give a presentation at Googles headquarters in Mountain View, California. The company ended up contributing $2.4m.

At first, GiveDirectly handed out large lump sums, generally $1,000 spread into three payments over the course of the year. The nonprofits field officers would locate low-income villages in Kenya, then find the poorest families in each village.

The field officers would introduce themselves to the town elders, explain their purpose, and return to provide mobile phones and training to recipient families. Then GiveDirectly would push a button and send the money out.

On a steaming October morning, I went with two GiveDirectly executives, Joanna Macrae and Ian Bassin, to visit one of the villages that had received GiveDirectlys lump-sum payments.

We took off at dawn from Kisumu, an industrial city on the banks of Lake Victoria, and followed a two-lane highway to Bondo, a small trading city.

From there, we turned inland from the lake and drove into a lush agricultural region. The residents of this village had received money in 2013, and it was visibly better off than the basic-income pilot village. Its clearings were filled with mango plantings, its cows sturdy.

Could you imagine sitting in an office in London or New York trying to figure out what this village needs? said Bassin. It would just be impossible.

Perhaps, but delivering money by M-Pesa has some downsides, too. We visited an older woman named Anjelina Akoth Ngalo, her joints swollen with advanced malaria. Sitting in her thatched-roof hut, she told us that she had received only one payment, not the three that she was promised.

She had given her phone to a woman in a nearby village who transferred the money out of it. She was now destitute, living on about $5 a week. (Bassin said that less than 1% of recipients experience theft, crime, or conflict.)

Still, nearly all the recipients described the money as transformative.

Fredrick Omondi Auma had been impoverished, abandoned by his wife and living in a mud hut when GiveDirectly knocked on his door.

He used his money to buy a motorbike to give taxi rides. He also started a small business, selling soap, salt, and paraffin; he bought two cows; and he opened a barbershop in the coastal city Mombasa.

His income had gone from 600 shillings a week to 2,500 shillings  roughly $25, a princely sum for the area. His wife had returned.

I didnt imagine I would be living in an iron-sheet house, he said, referring to his roof.

I didnt imagine Id be wearing nice shoes. I didnt imagine I would have a business, and earnings from it. I didnt imagine I would be a man who owns cattle.

Many popular forms of aid have been shown to work abysmally. Skills training and microfinance, one 2015 World Bank study found, have shown little impact on poverty or stability, especially relative to programme cost.

A vast majority of aid  94%  is non-cash. Donor resistance is one reason for this; it is not easy to persuade US oligarchs and Japanese industrialists to fork over their money to the extremely poor.

Theres the usual worries about welfare dependency, the whole Give a man a fish thing, said Amanda Glassman, a public health and development expert at the Centre for Global Development.

Institutional inertia is another factor. There are a lot of good people working in the system, said Niehaus. And there are a lot of organisations pushing to do cash transfers. But the way they are structured and incentivised from the top down  they arent structured to do it. They have a specific mandate, like health. Cash transfers give choice of what goal to pursue to the recipients.

Moreover, cash might force aid workers and non-governmental organisations to confront the fact that they could be doing better by doing things differently  often by doing less.

Its easy to muster evidence that you should be giving cash instead of fertiliser, said Justin Sandefur of the Centre for Global Development.

The harder argument is: You should shut down your USAID programme, which is bigger than the education budget of Liberia, and give the money to Liberians. Thats the radical critique.

Faye put it more bluntly, if half-jokingly: If cash transfers flourished, the whole aid industry would have to fire itself. There is something to that. One estimate, generated by Laurence Chandy and Brina Seidel of the Brookings Institution, recently calculated that the global poverty gap  meaning how much it would take to get everyone above the poverty line  was just $66bn. That is roughly what Americans spend on lottery tickets every year, and it is about half of what the world spends on foreign aid.

In the pilot project village, the residents had just started to work through how transformative the programme would be. Detractors often say nobody would work in a world with a basic income.

Ultimately, what a universal income would do to workers in the rich world will remain a mystery until someone tries it out.

But here, many villagers were concerned primarily with procuring the sustenance that their penury had denied them. Pamela Aooko Odero ran a household that had been suffering from hunger. She took her money as soon as she got it and went to buy food.

Many more made plans that were entrepreneurial. When he got his money, Erick Odhiambo Madoho walked to the local highway nearest the village and took a matatu, a shared minibus, down to Lake Victoria.

There he found an M-Pesa stand and converted his mobile money into shillings. He used the cash to buy the first of three rounds of fishing line that he would need to hand-knot into nets to catch tilapia in the lake.

When the nets were done, he told me, he would rent a boat and hire a day labourer to work with him. He anticipated that his income, after costs, might reach as much as 2,000 shillings on a good day. I asked him why he hadnt saved money for nets beforehand.

He shrugged, smiled and said, I could not.

Annie Lowrey is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a former economic-policy reporter for The New York Times. She is writing a book about universal basic income for Crown.

Adapted from an article that originally appeared in The New York Times Magazine.
This year, even more iconic sites and monuments were illuminated in green.

Over 15 new sites joined the old favourites among them the One World Trade Centre in New York, The City Hall in London, the fountains on Gran Via in Barcelona, Matsue Castle in Japan, The Diamond Bridge in Korea, even a Rhino Station in Nairobi National Park and most fun of all the famous red carpet in Cannes became the green carpet  what a coup for Tourism Ireland.

An inspired idea that focuses the global attention on the Emerald isle, St Patricks Day was extra special for us this year because my daughter in law Rachel (Allen) was thrilled and honoured to have been chosen as Grand Marshall in St Patricks Day parade in Cork city.

There were flamboyant parades with elaborate floats all over Ireland.

The colourful parade attracted at least 50,000 people onto the streets of Cork.

To top all that lovely, Olympic sailor and silver medallist Annalise Murphy was Grand Marshall of the Dublin St Patricks Day parade in recognition of her achievement at the Rio Olympics.

Annalise, who is doing a 12 week cooking course with us here at the Ballymaloe Cookery School at present, was also deeply honoured to be leading the Dublin St Patricks Day parade that Irish people all over the world love to watch or participate in.

We were all super excited and rummaged through our wardrobes to find every scrap of green to wear on St Patricks Day  I even wore my green glasses; how corny is that but I love the excuse to celebrate and to tell everyone how proud we are to be Irish whether we are at home or abroad.

Sadly up to with a few exceptions theres often more fun and excitement abroad than at home.

So lets celebrate this weekend and also have a few friends around to share one of my favourite meals of all  bacon, cabbage, parsley sauce and a bowl of fluffy champ flecked with scallions with a nice lump of Kerrygold butter melting into the centre.

Follow that with a gorgeous rhubarb pie made from the first few spears of new seasons rhubarb  truly a feast.

Well I gave those recipes in my last St Patricks Day column so this time Im sharing a recipe from the Chapter One cookbook by much loved Cork born chef Ross Lewis.

Traditional Brown Soda Bread

If the buttermilk is low fat rub 12-25g (1/2-1oz) of butter or cream into the dry ingredients first.

Makes 1 loaf

8oz (225g) brown wholemeal flour (preferably stone-ground)

8oz (225g) plain white flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 oz (25 g) butter

1 level teaspoon bread soda (Bicarbonate of Soda/Baking Soda) sieved

14-15fl oz (400-425ml) sour milk or buttermilk

Method

First preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas Mark 6

Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large wide bowl.

Cut the butter into cubes and rub into the flour.

Make a well in the centre and pour all of the sour milk or buttermilk.

Using one hand, stir in a full circle starting in the centre of the bowl working towards the outside of the bowl until all the flour is incorporated.

The dough should be soft but not too wet and sticky.

When it all comes together, a matter of seconds, turn it out onto a well-floured board (use wholemeal flour).

Wash and dry your hands.

Roll around gently with floury hands for a second, just enough to tidy it up.

Flip over and flatten slightly to about 2 inches (5cm) approx.

Sprinkle a little flour onto a baking sheet and place the loaf on top of the flour.

Mark with a deep cross and bake in the preheated oven 45 minutes approximately.

(In some ovens it is necessary to turn the bread upside down on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before the end of baking)

It will sound hollow when tapped.

Cool on a wire rack, wrapped in a clean tea-towel while hot if you prefer a softer crust.

Serve slathered with good Irish butter.

Ross Lewiss Cured Salmon with Burren Smoked Salmon Cream and Lemon Balm Jelly, Horseradish and Wild Watercress, Kilkenny Organic Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil

I created this dish for the official State dinner marking the first visit of the reigning British monarch to the Irish Republic.

It was served to Queen Elizabeth II, President McAleese and other dignitaries in St Patricks Hall, Dublin Castle on May 18th 2011.

This dish articulated the very best of what our rich larder has to offer in May, as well as being a celebration of our historic food culture.

Serves 8

For the cured salmon

1.25 litres water

200 g rock salt

400 g sugar

1 tbsp black peppercorns

10 g star anise

5 whole cloves

4 juniper berries

 tbsp white wine vinegar

1 side fresh organic salmon, skin on and pin bones left in

1 bunch fresh coriander

1 fennel bulb, trimmed and finely sliced

For the watercress puree

500g wild watercress, well picked over

300 ml cream

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

For the wild smoked salmon cream

150 g piece Burren Smokehouse wild smoked salmon

400 g creme fraiche

1 tsp lemon juice

 tsp Tabasco sauce

 tsp smoked paprika

For the lemon jelly balm

200 g celery, sliced

300 g fennel, sliced

10 g root ginger, peeled and finely chopped

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

200 ml white wine

50 ml white wine vinegar

2 litres still mineral water

2 star anise

30 black peppercorns

1 tbsp lemon puree

200 g lemon verbena

200 g lemon balm

8 gold leaf gelatine leaves

For the horseradish cream

200 g Glenilen creme fraiche

1 tbsp creamed horseradish

1 tbsp white wine vinegar

For the pickled radish and onion

200 ml apple balsamic cider vinegar

50 g sugar

2 shallots, finely sliced and separated into 24 small rings

4 radishes, finely sliced, 24 slices in total

To serve

Handful each tiny rosemary flowers and fresh bronze fennel sprigs

50 ml cold pressed organic rapeseed oil, in a squeezy bottle

For the cured salmon

Place all the marinade ingredients in a pan, except for the coriander and fennel and bring to the boil.

Remove from the heat and add the fennel and coriander, then cool.

When the marinade is completely cold, pour over the salmon in a tray deep enough to keep it submerged.

Cure in the fridge for 18 hours, then lift the salmon out of the cure and transfer to a drying rack.

Leave to dry, uncovered, in the fridge for 24 hours.

Next make the watercress puree

Blanch the watercress in a pan of boiling water and refresh in a bowl of iced water.

Squeeze as much water out as possible using kitchen paper, then transfer to a Pacojet container and freeze overnight.

Reduce the cream by half and cool.

When the watercress is frozen, place in a Pacojet and blend 3 times, then transfer to a blender with the reduced cream and blend until smooth.

Add the Worcestershire sauce and season and season with salt and black pepper.

Pass through a chinois and put into a small squeezy bottle, then chill until needed.

Wild smoked salmon cream

Remove the skin from the smoked salmon and trim down the flesh.

Bring the skin, trimmings and half the creme fraiche to the boil in a pan.

Cool and pass through a chinois.

Place the smoked salmon in a Pacojet container with the infused creme fraiche and freeze overnight.

Blend the frozen salmon mix and pass through a tamis then fold in the rest of the creme fraiche.

Add the lemon juice, Tabasco and paprika and season with salt and black pepper. Transfer to a piping bag and chill until needed.

Lemon Balm Jelly

Put all the ingredients in a pan except for the lemon verbena, lemon balm and gelatine.

Cover and simmer gently for 40 minutes.

Pass through a chinois and pour onto the lemon verbena and lemon balm.

Cover and leave to infuse for 2-3 hours, then pass through a double layer of muslin and measure out 1 litre.

Put the gelatine in a bowl of cold water and set aside for 10 minutes.

Heat 200 ml of the lemon balm liquid in a pan until just below boiling and whisk in the softened gelatine.

Combine with the other 800 ml and mix well, then pass through a chinois into a jug.

Pipe 25 ml of the smoked salmon cream into the bottom of each small serving bowl and cover with 100 ml of the lemon balm jelly.

Chill for 3-4 hours to set.

Horseradish Cream

Whisk the creme fraiche with the creamed horseradish, vinegar and a pinch of salt until just before it gets to a stiff peak. Put into a squeezy bottle and chill.

Pickled Radish and Onion

Bring the vinegar, sugar and 2-3 generous pinches of salt to the boil, stirring to dissolve, then remove from the heat and allow to cool.

When cold, pour over the vegetables and leave to marinate for 20-30 minutes.

Serving

Take the skin off the cured salmon and remove the pin bones with tweezers.

Carve into 5x10 cm pieces from the thick end of the fillet and cut into cubes  youll need 24 in total.

Arrange 3 cured salmon cubes on each lemon balm jelly and add 2-3 of the pickled radish slices and 2-3 of the pickled onion rings.

Add 3 dots of the horseradish cream and 3 dots of the watercress puree.

Finish each one with the rosemary flowers, the bronze fennel sprigs and a drizzle of the rapeseed oil.

Taken from Chapter One an Irish Food Story by Ross Lewis

Spring Rhubarb Tart with Crystallised Ginger Cream

The pastry is made by the creaming method so people who are convinced that they suffer from hot hands dont have to worry about rubbing in the butter.

Serves 8-12

Pastry

225g (8oz) butter

40g (1oz) castor sugar

2 eggs, preferably free range

300g (12oz) white flour, preferably unbleached

Filling

900g (2lbs) sliced red rhubarb (about 1cm/ inch thick)

approx. 175  225g (6-8oz) sugar.

egg wash-made with one beaten egg and a dash of milk

castor sugar for sprinkling

To Serve

softly whipped cream with chopped crystallised ginger

or Barbados sugar and softly whipped cream

Equipment

tin, 18cm (7 inches) x 30.5cm (12 inches) x (2.5cm) deep

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4.

First make the pastry. Cream the butter and sugar together by hand or in a food mixer (no need to over cream).

Add the eggs and beat for several minutes. Reduce speed and mix in the flour.

Turn out onto a piece of floured greaseproof paper, flatten into a round wrap and chill. This pastry needs to be chilled for at least 2 hours otherwise it is difficult to handle.

To make the tart

Roll out the pastry 3mm (1/8 inch) thick approx., and use about 2/3 of it to line a suitable tin. Put the prepared rhubarb into the tin and sprinkle with the sugar.

Cover with a lid of pastry, seal edges, decorate with pastry leaves, egg wash and bake in the preheated oven until the rhubarb is tender, approx. 45 minutes to 1 hour.

When cooked cut into squares, sprinkle lightly with castor sugar and serve with crystallised ginger cream or with Barbados sugar and softly whipped cream.

HOT TIPS

Ummera Smoked Irish organic Picanha Beef: Congratulations to Ummera who won a Guild of Food Writers award for his excellent smoked duck.

I love the way the artisans continue to develop new products  Anthony Cresswell whose Ummera smoked salmon and smoked duck we all know and love has recently introduced smoked rump of organic beef.

Its available in 1 kg to 1.5 kg pieces  ready to enjoy. We love it thinly sliced with horseradish cream and little herb salad. www.ummera.com

The Business of Food with Blathnaid Bergin: In this 10 day course you will learn the vital information needed to set up a viable, enjoyable food service business.

The course will include workshops, discussions, case studies, practical sessions and presentations.

Some of the concepts explored include the A-Z of getting started, standards and systems, menu planning and development, food quality, kitchen management, finance and cash management, interior design, equipment, suppliers, front of house operations management, coffee & tea, hidden costs, staff, service skills, plus balancing business and lie.

The course includes all materials and lunch.

See www.cookingisfun.ie for further information.
WELCOME to the forgotten county!

This is how I was often greeted upon arriving at the coastal fishing town of Burtonport on the western Donegal coast before we set off for an offshore island.

Wherever youre coming from in Ireland (in my case, from Munster), it takes a very long time to get to Donegal.

I often amuse myself by calculating that I could have flown across the Atlantic in the same time that it takes me to drive all the way there.

But when a land that is presented as forgotten, unexplored and untouched by mass tourism, it becomes all the more exciting and when the travel gurus at National Geographic Traveller magazine finally got around to going to Donegal, they couldnt help but plonk it right at the top of their Cool List for 2017.

Everywhere needs a leg-up now and again and in Donegals case, it was the combination of it being on the highly-successful Wild Atlantic Way route and the arrival of the insanely successful Star Wars cult last summer.

My friend who took me out to sample offshore life in Donegal is a typical true Donegal man  born in Wales of a father who came from Innishfree Upper.

Not to be confused with the Sligos Lake Isle of Innishfree (that WB Yeats arose and went to), Innishfree Upper is just off Burtonport, measures just one square kilometre and is barely inhabited.

Back in the 1970s and 80s, it was famous as the home of the cult known as The Screamers, who practiced primal screaming as a form of therapy.

After their search for Utopia moved on, Innishfree became essentially uninhabited; its one registered voter making front-page pictorial news at every general election. There was no running water or electricity and it was just about the most perfect place to spend a holiday.

We spent our days gathering seafood from the shore or out in the boat and going for walks on a totally unspoilt piece of paradise where cattle and their calves roamed as if wild, often sitting in groups on the sandy beaches.

Today, through community efforts, the island has electricity and a rudimentary road network. The main pier has also been improved and strengthened, making access that little bit better.

Even though I loved the candlelight and the great excuse not to wash or shave for a week because of the lack of running water, I was delighted to find that the island has lost none of its charm.

A couple of nautical miles to the northwest lies the much larger island of Arranmore.

This is connected to the mainland by a regular ferry service from Burtonport so its a living offshore island, complete with non-NCT-standard cars prowling its quiet roads. Its bursting with traditional music and teeming with nature.

During the summer, its a very lively spot with gangs of Irish college students and tourists who come to sample the freedom of island life.

The Ferryboat Bar/Restaurant and Earlys Bar are where people tend to congregate and there is a 14km marked walk that takes you all around the island, with stunning views from virtually every point.

One of the most interesting sights to look at through a binoculars lens is Inniskeeragh (or as one wag put it, Innish Scary).

This low-lying island is barely above water and during a particularly bad storm some decades ago, it became briefly submerged. All the residents were evacuated, never to return to their homes that now form a collection of ghostly uninhabited silhouettes.

Sliabh Liag (Slieve League) Cliffs.

According to the lady on duty at the Failte Ireland tourist office in Donegal town, there has been a huge increase in the number of visitors to Donegal over the last year, with a notable surge in people from Cork.

The big attraction that most people are looking for, she said, is the Sliabh Liag Cliffs in the south-west of the county. There is some argument about them being the highest sea cliffs in Europe.

Wikipedia confidently states that they are almost three times higher than the Cliffs of Moher but I noticed that all literature was careful to point out that they are amongst the highest in Europe, with the nature of them differing from the sheer drop of the Moher cliffs to the more staggered drop of the Sliabh Liag ones.

In any case, it hardly matters. For anyone who hasnt witnessed these stunning wonders of nature, its high time you got out and travelled to see them. One of the most unique aspects of these cliffs is the unparalleled access that you have to them.

The access road just north of Teelin village takes you right up to the main viewing area. Before you, the cliffs align, resplendent in a mesmeric display of colour from the ancient layers of rock formations, topped with wild greenery and over which various waterfalls appear to delicately dribble from a distance. Its difficult not to simply stare and stare.

To get even more intimate with the cliffs, there is a network of walking routes, the best of which is one mans path that takes you up over the main show along a narrow ridge.

Not for the faint-hearted or to be attempted on a very windy day, this is as dramatic and rewarding a walk as youll get anywhere in the world.

Continuing around the headland, you discover the well-known beach at Silver Strand. Its a truly magnificent wide sandy cove, accessed by a staircase of 176 steps.

Almost next door to it is a very appealing deep cove and pier and along here you can take another walking loop that brings you past the Napoleonic lookout tower that was built by the British to keep an eye out for French expansionists.

For even more stunning vistas, continue the drive through Glencolumbkille and on to Ardara.

This latter town  a Heritage Town  is a real hidden gem that is approached by the eye-popping vista of the road snaking through a glacier valley. We stopped into the irresistibly charming Nancys Bar where my wife availed of their welcoming free-pint policy for anyone named McHugh.

National Geographics Traveller has put Donegal on its Cool List 2017.

Then it was back to base at Harveys Point. Another success story in its own right, this hotel 5km north of Donegal Town has been voted Irelands top hotel no less than five years in a row by readers of travel community website TripAdvisor.

In many ways, it turns a lot of perceived wisdom on its head. Its a large hotel offering a top-class service, yet its a family-owned establishment and that is a strength that comes through every single staff member you encounter.

Furthermore, there isnt a spa or a swimming pool and, even though it enjoys a stunning lakeside location, there arent any watersports facilities.

That might look like a lot of missed opportunity in the eyes of a super-duper American chain of hotels, but to find a place that does welcome, comfort and food so superbly well and without those ancillary distractions is a refreshing find.

So it was without worrying about making use of a pool or a sauna that we could enjoy simply being welcomed, looked after and fed in a uniquely charming and impressive manner.

The hotel grew from a holiday cottage that became famous as a local centre of hospitality and its very possibly the perfect marriage between Swiss-style restoration and warm Irish hospitality.

The forgotten county? Donegal is more like a land of countless unforgettable memories. I cant wait to keep exploring and making more of them.

Staying there:

We stayed at the four-star Harveys Point, Lough Eske, Donegal Town. (Tel 074 972 2208, www.harveyspoint.com . Multi-award-winning, with enormous bedrooms and exemplary standards of service and food.

Must see:

Apart from the Sliabh Liag (also spelled Slieve League) Cliffs, virtually the entire wild coastline all the way up to Malin Head is worth exploring. Inland, the highlights are the Glenveagh National Park and Mount Errigal.
Just look at our lame-duck Taoiseach Enda Kenny, on the eve of his White House meeting this week, walking back his comments about US president Donald Trump being a racist.

Still influenced by our occupation by the British, it is driven by an underlying belief that someone else is picking up the tab.

Irish politics can be so mind-crushingly frustrating and depressing at times, it seems impossible that anything can actually ever improve.

One of the few exceptions to all that, as long as I have been a reporter, is the Dails Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

That body was badly damaged last week by the shameful and disgraceful partisanship of Fine Gael members of the committee, who sought to tear down a damning report into Nama and Finance Minister Michael Noonan from within.

The report, into the sale of Namas Northern Ireland loan book, known as Project Eagle, was highly critical of both Nama and Noonan, which I will discuss later.

For the first time in its 94-year history, the committee divided along party lines over negative findings against Noonan, and forced a vote on the matter. For those people who complain about the wasting of public monies by State departments and agencies, the PAC is required watching.

It is for good reason the most powerful Dail committee, as it oversees Government spending expenditures to ensure they are effective and honest.

It has been the place where some of the worst and most egregious wasting of taxpayers money has been exposed and revealed.

From the Dirt Inquiry in 1991 to the calamity of the Irish Glass Bottle site, from the HSE/Siptu training/junket scandal to scandals in Rehab and the CRC, the PAC has covered it all.

It has also shone a light on areas of public life that had been neglected.

It was the PAC that went a long way to establishing the credibility of Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe and, lets not forget, it was the committee which exposed the Grace foster abuse scandal over the past 18 months or so.

But just why is the committee so important?

By examining the spending or misspending of departments and agencies, the PAC as the spending watchdog has a key role to play in ensuring accountability and transparency in the way Government agencies allocate, spend, and manage their finances and in guaranteeing that the taxpayer receives value for money for every euro spent.

It is known as a Standing Committee and has to be established after each general election.

It has 13 members from all sides of the house, so as to be impartial, and to further assert its independence it is chaired by a member of the opposition, while a member of the government or a minister of state can not be a member of the PAC.

So, just what happened last week to necessitate the Fine Gael members  Alan Farrell, Noel Rock, Josepha Madigan, and Peter Burke  to break ranks and force the vote?

Noel Rock

A draft copy of the PACs final report had made its way into the media last month and it included a finding that Noonans meeting with Cerberus, the ultimate successful bidder for the Project Eagle loans, 24 hours before the process closed, was inappropriate.

The Sunday Business Post, ourselves and the Irish Independent all reported the aspects most critical of Noonan and Nama at the time.

Noonan was furious. He penned a stinker of a letter to PAC chairman Sean Fleming, complaining he had been denied natural justice as the issue of the Cerberus meeting was never put to him.

When the PAC came to finalising the report, an almighty ding-dong kicked off between the Fine Gael members and the others on the committee.

At the chaotic launch of the report, Mr Burke spoke on behalf of his colleagues. He said the reports findings were unfair to Noonan, and the veteran minister had been denied natural justice.

He said Noonan was never afforded the right to respond to the charge made against him in the report.

Burke said that Nama as an entity is separate from politics and ultimately the meeting was immaterial as it was a commercial decision for Nama alone to make. He was denied natural justice, Burke concluded.

Fleming hit back.

He said that when Noonan was in before the committee on October 6 last year, for more than four hours, only he and his officials knew of the Cerberus meeting and they never mentioned it.

Just whom was unfair to whom? Fleming asked.

But at that meeting to sign off on the report, the Fine Gael contingent forced four separate votes on the references to Michael Noonan and his department.

The first vote was forced when Madigan, a lawyer, proposed deleting the reference not procedurally appropriate for Department of Finance Officials and substituting not advisable for Department of Finance Officials. That was voted down by nine votes to four. Then she tried to water down the reference to Noonan himself.

She proposed to delete the reference procedurally appropriate for the Minister and substitute advisable for the Minister.

The vote was taken and went down eight to five, with Labours Alan Kelly siding with the Blueshirts on this one.

A vote was taken to allow the disputed paragraphs to stand as part of the full report. The committee again divided nine to four.

Finally, there was a vote to approve the full report as drafted. Again the Fine Gael team lost the vote nine-four.

It was agreed to include a copy of a letter in the report from the Finance Minister in relation to conclusions pertaining to him and his officials.

But, it has to be asked, if they were willing to go along with a finding which stated the meeting between Noonan and Cerberus was not advisable, why then go to war over the phrase not procedurally appropriate. That in itself was a watered-down version of the finding in the draft report.

Why risk the unique strength of the PAC, its cross-party non-partisan approach, over such a small gap?

It was illogical and stupid.

All it has done is weakened one of the few valuable and strong defenders of the taxpayer, of honesty and transparency, available to the people.

And it is not the first time Fine Gael has tried to play politics with the PAC.

Back in the last term when the then- chairman John McGuinness was the subject of a series of articles about his time as minister which threatened to unseat him, Fine Gael deputies, led by Enda Kenny, sought to take out a political enemy.

Only for people such as Eoghan Murphy and John Deasy, who stood up to Kenny and Phil Hogan, they may have got their way.

The farcical squabbles which engulfed the launch of the report only sought to distract from a very good report into the deficiencies of Nama and the Department of Finance.

All to protect the feelings of Noonan. It was partisanship of the worst kind and the Fine Gael members of PAC should have known better.

There was no need for the stand-off and the entity to come out of this whole affair most damaged is the PAC.

And that is a bloody disgrace.
Delivery time can make or break sales in the automotive industry. People would not want to wait for long to have their car delivered to them. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has decided to do something about it and wants customer experience to be the topmost priority in Tesla Model 3 delivery.

Tesla has become popular in recent years. With its mass production of electric cars, Tesla is leading the way to electric cars becoming the standard. That as well means an increasing number of backlogs for Tesla to work on, as orders keep coming in for its cars.

The backlogs have come to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and he is not happy about it. With the new Model 3 coming out soon, he wants the process of delivering the car to the customers speeded up. This was one of the issues brought up on his recent call with investors, as someone who has attended the meeting has said.

Earlier last month Musk has already said that Tesla will be investing more on delivery to the customers. He wanted delivery to be three or four times more than what is currently being done. However, he said that it doesn't mean that would be an addition to more delivery centers. Instead, it would mean streamlining the process with less paperwork to get the cars out to people.

Along with the streamlining of the process, Musk has said that there would be instructional videos as well that would be made for people who have ordered the car, according to electrek. The instructions would already be in the car itself, as he has said.

Streamlining the process would also mean making it all fast. Musk wants the delivery process cut down from one hour to as little as five minutes, CNet reports. With a faster delivery time, the result should be a better experience for the customer.

What it all comes down to is customer experience, and that is the goal that Musk wants to achieve. Elon Musk wants customer experience to be priority in Tesla Model 3 delivery. The coming Tesla Model Y has also been revealed in concepts recently.
After the recent Geneva Motor Show, Subaru's WRX STI drove up to St. Moritz, home of the oldest bobsled track in the world to create an insane crashy spectacle that resembles an exciting movie car scene. The 113-year-old bobsled track is wide enough for the exceptional STI. However, the ride definitely was far from a smooth one.

Mark Higgins, a stunt driver from the Isle of Man, hopped behind the wheel to test out what a car loaded with spiked tires can do in a bobsled run. For this Swiss Alps job, Prodrive had to modify the record car, using tires that are now banned from WRC. A lot of extra bracing is also necessary since pinballing between thick ice walls was a recipe for one wild ride.

Subaru's WRX STI on a bobsled track is not an easy an thing to drive. Even four-wheeled lap record holder Mark Higgins, with a resume that includes working on two latest Bond movies, Fast & Furious 6 and even on BBC's Sherlock, was not prepared for the 98 foot long bend made of ice. Bobsleds are built to make the turn, but four-doored vehicles are not.

The vehicle keeps slamming between walls of snow, the Road And Track reports. After making a turn that was nearly vertical, it wall-rides on its roof before landing on its tires. The impressive carnage looks like the car came from a demolition derby instead of a bobsled run.

Subaru's WRX STI had to be removed by crane after each attempt since these courses aren't built for cars. According to the CNET, several days after creating the crashy spectacle at St. Moritz, the video is ready for all the world to watch. It certainly will be awesome if this incredible drive inspire the creation of another extreme sport.
The Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro has been hacked or in the words of the hacking community itself, "pwned". The Touch Bar, however, was not the only victim of hackers at the first day of the Pwn2Own 2017 hacking event which was held on March 15. Also falling to ethical hackers were all the major browsers.

Samuel Gro and Niklas Baumstark successfully hacked the 2016 MacBook Pro's Touch Bar to show the phrase "pwned by niklasb & saelo" which owned the duo some style points. According to Tech Radar, the two ethical hackers made use of three logic bugs along with a use-after-free (UAF) and a null pointer deference to exploit Apple's Safari browser and then grab root access on the MacBook Pro which runs on macOS.

The 10th version of the hacking competition is again being held at the CanSecWest security conference located in Vancouver. The contest involves hackers from all over who are asked to make use of their skills to discover any vulnerability on mobile devices as well as software. While this is a scary thought, the hackers abide by the basic rule of hacking only to find exploits to fix. The white hat hackers are also obliged to fully disclose the techniques they used. This particular rule, which was only instated in 2013 after Google backed out of its sponsorship deal the previous year, requires the pwners to divulge everything they used to hack a device or software. This way, the company who owns the product can make the necessary adjustments to prevent them from being compromised by "unethical" hackers.

The winning hackers receive monetary rewards and bragging rights for their efforts. They also get to keep the device they pwned hence "Pwn2Own". The Touch Bar hackers went home with $28,000, nine Master of Pwn points,and the MacBook Pro for their "partial win".

Last month, a hacker who goes by the name Stackoverflowin pwned more than 150,000 printers in a move that the hacker claimed was done in "good fun" and to help prevent further hacking. There are some, however, who claimed that the hacker required compensation in the form of BitCoins to undo the hack.

The Pwn2Own 2017 hacking event also saw major browsers fall to the white hat hackers. Google Chrome was discovered to have two vulnerabilities that resulted in code execution. Mozilla Firefox also experienced code execution due to a couple of out-of-bound read/write bugs. The Internet Explorer had three UAF bugs and a kernel bug and finally, the aforementioned Safari's exploits included a sandbox bypass and a heap overflow aside from the bugs and UAF that resulted to the MacBook Pro's Touch Bar hack.
Last year, Microsoft announced that it would enforce a new support policy for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. Not it looks like the company is going to make good on this launch by enforcing the same. PCs that are powered by the latest Intel, AMD and Qualcomm processors will not receive updates for previously mentioned OS generations.

As noted by Computer World, individuals with the latest AMD and Qualcomm processors are given a notification to let them know that they will no longer receive security updates for Windows 7 and 8.1. "Your PC uses a processor that isn't supported on this version of Windows," it said. "And you won't receive updates."

Another possible notification is a citation of error code 80240037. Either of these will be triggered when an individual tries to obtain updates from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. However, at this point, it looks as if the case is only true for gadgets that run on the seventh generation processors from Intel (Kaby Lake) and AMD (Bristol Ridge) or the next generation Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chip.

The new policy was announced in early 2016, where Microsoft explained why the choice had to be made. Apparently, the Redmond-based company was having difficulty getting Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 to run on the latest processors. As such, the tech giant decided that only Windows 10 would run on the processors that were of the seventh generation and beyond. Likewise, it was also announced that support for 7 and 8.1 would continue to diminish over time. This is understandable particularly because chip companies will continue to churn out newer and more powerful products.

As Ars Technica reported, Skylake was originally supposed to be included in the policy as well. However, Microsoft eventually related and opted for a provision that only security fixes for Skylake systems running on either Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 would be provided. The others will only be compatible with Windows 10.
The Sony Xperia L that was announced back in March 2013 and was later released in May on the same year is getting a successor. Apparently, it will be called the Sony Xperia L1.

About The Sony Xperia L1

According to reports, the Xperia L1 was just recently approved by telecommunication regulators in Russia. The phone itself is listed with the model number G3312 and it is expected to be announced later this year. As for its specs and features, sadly, there's no information about it yet. However, tech news sites are already on the lookout when new relevant info is available.

Though there is not much information yet about the Xperia L1, it doesn't mean that everything about the said smartphone is unknown. Aside from its name and model number, tech enthusiasts and consumers alike who are familiar with Sony phones know that its predecessor, the Xperia L is a mid-range smartphone. Meaning, one could speculate that it won't be as high-end compared to the latest Xperia XZ Premium. Instead, it will be a mid-range phone that could be more powerful than its predecessor.

But of course, one could argue that these "expectations" or "speculations" are mostly based on the fact that the Xperia L was a mid-range smartphone, and Sony might do something unexpected by making the Xperia L1 something even better. As of now, the best option would be to wait until further information about the said device will be revealed.

Specs And Features Of The Sony Xperia L

As with the specs and features of the Xperia L, it has a 4.3-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen with a screen resolution of 480 x 854 pixels and is protected with a scratch-resistant glass. It runs on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean which can be upgraded to Android 4.2.2 and is packed with a Snapdragon 400 chipset.

It features 8 GB (5.8 GB user available) with 1 GB of RAM and has an expandable memory option of up to 32 GB. It has a 8 MP camera with f/2.4 aperture and shoots videos 720@30fps. Lastly, it is powered by a removable 1750 mAh battery.


Isaac Asimov's three laws of robotics might not be enough to protect humanity, according to experts. The popular science fiction writer, also a biochemistry professor at Boston University, used three laws to write about robots. However, there have been significant changes and experts now say today's robots are more varied than what Asimov wrote in his stories.

Three Laws Of Robotics

Asimov devised the three laws of robotics in a 1942 short story called "Runaround." According to the first law, a robot won't allow a human being to harm itself through inaction. At the same time, it will not harm humans either. Another law says that a robot has to obey orders, except when an order conflicts with the first law. According to the third law, a robot has to protect itself until such efforts do not conflict with the other two laws.

Today's experts say Isaac Asimov's servant-like robots need a lot of advanced programming to stop them from hurting their human masters. The technological advancements since 1942 have been significant enough to think about Asimov's rules again. Now, robotics is involved in far more diversified services including military drones and autonomous vacuum cleaners.

Isaac Asimov's laws of robotics are still considered as a standard template for developing robots till date, the Daily Mail Online reports. In 2007, the government of South Korea used Asimov's laws to propose a Robot Ethics Charter. However, artificial intelligence in the 21st century is way more updated than it was when Asimov published his first story. Now, it is far more complicated.

Yahoo News UK noted that the science fiction writer was right about his concern regarding unexpected robot behavior. However, his laws fail to be applicable to modern day robotics. For example, military drones have been designed to either harm or kill humans. This goes entirely against Asimov's laws that prevent robots from hurting humans.
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Earl Crow taught religion and philosophy at High Point University. He has pastored churches and still performs weddings, preaches and offers seminars. He majored in religion at Duke University and attended the Duke Divinity School and has studied at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and received his doctorate from the University of Manchester, England. His column is published Saturdays in the Journal If you have questions about religion or faith, email Earl Crow at ecrow1@triad.rr.com.
Lee Covington, the president and chief executive of Senior Services Inc. of Winston-Salem, was annoyed when he heard Mick Mulvaney, the White House budget director, suggest that Meals on Wheels, a program that Senior Services oversees, was ineffective.

To say Meals on Wheels has no value is really frustrating, Covington said Friday.

President Donald Trump unveiled a budget proposal earlier this week that could mean sharp cuts for Meals on Wheels programs across the country. Its not clear exactly how much of a financial effect the cuts would have.

During a news conference Thursday, Mulvaney was asked about Meals on Wheels. He said the government cant spend money on programs just because they sound good  and great, The Associated Press reported.

Meals on Wheels sounds great. Again, thats a state decision to fund that particular portion, to take federal money and give it to the states, and say , Look, we want to give you money for programs that dont work  I cant defend that anymore, Mulvaney said.

Senior Services began in 1963 and has seven programs to deal with the needs of seniors, including Meals on Wheels. The programs Meals on Wheels is the oldest in the Southeast and likely the third oldest in the country, Covington said.

He said its feeds on average 1,200 people on any given day. The average age of people who are served is roughly 78 or 79, he said. The program has about 1,800 volunteers.

Currently, Meals on Wheels has a pilot program focused on 200 people to measure certain things such as depression, social isolation, the number of falls, hospitalization and the use of medication, Covington said.

He said theres some proof that Meals on Wheels helps reduce seniors needs for medication and decreases hospitalization.

The program also helps reduce seniors the social isolation some seniors might experience, Covington said. Sometimes, for some seniors, a volunteer from Meals on Wheels may be the only person they see in a day.

In other words, Meals on Wheels is more than just about delivering a meal. Volunteers develop relationships with the seniors they deliver meals to and in some cases, they have helped get seniors emergency medical attention, Covington said.

Were meeting that need for relationship that has impact on health, he said.

According to the AP, Meals on Wheels serves nearly a million meals a day nationwide through a network of more than 5,000 local programs. More than 2.4 million older Americans are served each year, including more than 500,000 veterans.

Meals on Wheels gets its federal money through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Community Development Block Grants. Trumps budget proposes elimination the community block grants.

The main federal source of money for Meals on Wheels is through the Older Americans Act, which is overseen by Health and Human Services. Trumps proposed budget would cut that departments budget by 16.2 percent. Theres no budget line item for the Older Americans Act or Meals on Wheels, so its hard to know exactly how Meals on Wheels would be affected.

Covington said the local Meals on Wheels program doesnt get a large amount of money from the federal government. About 30 percent of its budget is a combination of federal and state money. The budget is $1.8 million, he said.

But any cut would have some effect, he said.

Anytime there is any cut in funding, theres an immediate impact, Covington said.

He said the agency might have to reduce services and might have to rely more heavily on the local community and local donors.
Mary Jo Cloninger started with a $500 loan and a few scraps of cloth in the back of a barber shop and spun it into a world-famous destination for fabric and sewing that drew customers to Gastonia from all over the Southeast.

Cloninger, 85, died Thursday at Covenant Village in Gastonia, according to her family.

If there was any woman put on Earth to run a fabric store, it was my mother, says Paula Houser, who says she worked alongside her mother at Mary Jos on Cox Road my whole entire life.

My mother saw her business as a service, as if she was a missionary of fabric. She served people through offering the best fabric at the lowest price she could sell it at.

Cloninger started the store in 1951 when she was 19 and newly married. She had limited education and had never learned to read above a third-grade level. In her 30s, she learned she had dyslexia. But her knowledge of sewing and what customers needed helped her turn the store into an empire, with a mail-order business that filled orders from around the world.

Her son Thomas, who worked with her for years and took over running the store when his mother stepped down at the age of 80, says her philosophy was always to God be the glory and to me, the backaches.

She was never dictated (to) by a balance sheet, he says. She did what she wanted and her thrust was to provide a service.

The business survived the change from a time when some women made all their families clothes to an era when sewing was more of a hobby. The location on Cox Road, right off the busy I-85 corridor between Charlotte and Atlanta, helped draw customers from all over who considered a stop at Mary Jos a part of any trip through Western North Carolina.

In a Charlotte Observer story about the stores 50th anniversary in 2001, she said she never wore anything that she hadnt sewed herself.

Every stitch, she said. Every piece I have is a remnant of something that didnt get used. Im a Capricorn. Capricorns recycle everything but toilet paper.

She also spoke to her peculiar knack for customer service: I can recall what fabric I sold a woman 20 years ago and what it was for, but I cant remember her name. Just like a dentist who looks at your teeth, I know their life stories. And she shared her determination: I never give out... Im very good at what I do. I am a woman of the cloth.

The business was almost destroyed in the early 1980s, when a fire burned the store to the ground. Cloninger could have simply closed it. But she felt an obligation to her employees and customers, Houser says.

Mother received bags and bags and bags of letters, begging her to open back up, and some of the letters even had cash donations to help. After using her own money to pay for the lost inventory, Cloninger went to New York and faced down businessmen who didnt want to give her a loan to reopen.

The fire really gave her recognition, Houser says. My mothers advertising was her faith in the good Lord and the word of mouth of her customers.

The store went on to evolve into a cavernous space, with roll after roll of colorful fabrics, sewing notions, buttons and anything else a crafter could need. Its been featured in Southern Living, and helped to supply costumes for the TV series Dawsons Creek and the Mel Gibson movie The Patriot.

Keeping the business going as peoples lives changed and sewing became a rarer art has meant adapting, Thomas Cloninger says. The store added sewing machine sales, sewing classes and even kids camps.

Were in a whole new generation of customers, he says. Its from that mom who stays home with children to that crafter making quilts.In addition to Thomas Cloninger and Paula Houser, Cloninger is survived by another son, Alan Cloninger, sheriff of Gaston County; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

The family planned a private graveside service. At Mary Jo Cloningers request, the family also plans to hold a celebration of her life on the one-year anniversary of her death: March 16, 2018. Memorials may be made to Holy Communion Lutheran Church, 103 W. Church St., in Dallas.
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I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.

 Douglas Adams, creator of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

Several years ago, Jackie Alexander, the artistic director of the North Carolina Black Repertory Co., wrote a play inspired by his late uncle, Bishop Matthew L. Stephens.

The play, The Right Reverend Dupree in Exile, ended its run at the NCBRC recently as part of a series of performances this season focused on the theme The Comfort of Faith. The play examined how even religious leaders, men looked to by many for guidance in times of crisis, can have their faith tested when confronted by illness.

While the play focused on a man of faith and how his health crisis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrigs disease), challenged his faith, the focus could be on you or me and the daily trials and challenges in front of us. Life changes. The unexpected happens. Doubt sets in. Dealing with the uncertainty of the road ahead can be unsettling.

Alexanders uncle was a lifelong man of faith, who in 2008 was diagnosed with ALS. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord causing a persons muscle to basically waste away, and in his uncles case, also caused dementia.

You would think that a person dealing with a disease like ALS would feel depressed (maybe some are), less hopeful and living in exile, like the minister in the play. He couldnt face his congregation and retreated to a familiar place that challenged his existence and family dynamics.

ALS patients Randy Floyd and Harrison Anderson discussed the challenges of living with the disease during a discussion following a performance of the play. They shared their perspective and insights about their experience and the disease, and responded to questions from the audience and Alexander.

Most people with ALS die from respiratory failure, usually within 3 to 5 years from when the symptoms first appear. However, about 10 percent of people with ALS survive for 10 or more years.

Early symptoms of ALS usually include muscle weakness or stiffness. Gradually all muscles under voluntary control are affected, and individuals lose their strength and the ability to speak, eat, move, and even breathe, according to an ALS fact sheet.

There is no cure for the disease.

I was inspired by what Floyd and Anderson shared about their approach to living with the disease. Floyd has familial or genetic ALS, as multiple members of his family have died from the disease. He knows what is ahead, yet he is helping others and continues to make a difference.

Anderson shared that he is more concerned with how his family is handling it. It may be more difficult for them as they worry about him than his acceptance of the disease.

When asked how he lives with the disease, one without a cure, he didnt hesitate to respond. In a few words, he said he seizes each day.

Seize the day. Make the most of right now. Be present in the moment while you have it is a lesson we all should embrace whether we have a health crisis or not.

Domini Mchau, a sixth-grader at Jefferson Middle School, watched the play while her mother set up her vendor table during the performance. I quizzed (interviewed) her about what she learned from it.

I think the play is very moving because it shows what is going on in the world around us, the 11-year-old told me. You can understand what others are going through that you dont necessary see on the surface.

What else did you learn from the play? I asked.

When you have a problem, you shouldnt run away from it because you can make it better as long as you show you are trying.

Thats great advice from a sixth-grader, along with the approach of Anderson and Floyd.

Whatever you are facing, seize the day, live in the moment, and dont run away from your problems.
03/15/2017





On Sunday, April 2, 2017, the Jacksonville State University A Cappella Choir and the Calhoun County Civic Chorale will join forces to present their spring concert at 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Anniston.

The featured works are Franz Joseph Haydns Missa in Angustiis in D Minor, better known as the Lord Nelson Mass, and Vaughan Williams Serenade to Music.

Austrian composer Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) composed the Missa in Angustiis (Mass in Time of Distress) for the Hungarian Esterhazy family in 1798 during the Napoleonic wars. It has been nicknamed the Lord Nelson Mass due to Haydns admiration of the British Admiral and his victory at Aboukir against Napoleon around the time of the first performance.

British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) wrote Serenade to Music in honor of the Jubilee celebration of conductor, Sir Henry J. Wood. The text is taken from Act V, Scene 1 from William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice.

The choirs are under the direction of Dr. Patricia Corbin, JSU director of choral activities, and will be accompanied by an orchestra of professional and student instrumentalists, as well as the choirs accompanist Dr. LornaLee Curtis. Members of A Cappella Choir and Civic Chorale will also be featured soloists on the program. The A Cappella Choir and the Calhoun County Civic Chorale are two of six choirs sponsored by the David L. Walters Department of Music.



The First United Methodist Church is located at 1400 Noble Street in Anniston. Tickets will be $8.00 for general admission and $5 for students/youth with ID or ages 17 and under. Tickets will be sold in advance in the JSU David L. Walters Department of Music or at the door.

For more information, please contact Dr. Corbin at pcorbin@jsu.edu or 256-782-5544.
[JURIST] The Department of Justice (DOJ) [official website] on Friday filed an amicus curiae brief [text, PDF] urging the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit [official website] to find the for-cause only removal provision of the Dodd Frank Act [PDF] unconstitutional. Stated differently, the brief requests the court to recognize the US presidents executive authority to remove single-head-directors of federal agencies on entirely discretionary reasons. In the underlying case, a New Jersey mortgage company is challenging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus (CFPB) [official website] authority to fine it over $100 million. The DC Circuit already ruled against [JURIST report] the CFPB in October, but vacated that order by granting the CFPB a rehearing. The CFPB is currently headed by Richard Cordray [official profile], a democrat and former Ohio attorney general. Under the for-cause removal provision of Dodd Frank, the president does not have the authority to fire Cordray, a structure which the DOJ asserts violates the separation of power clause [LII backgrounder] of the Constitution.

The US banking industry has come under fire [JURIST op-ed], and greater regulation, since the 2008 economic downturn. As part of greater regulation, the Obama Administration developed the CFPB. The CFPB came under fire during Trumps campaign, which promised less regulation for businesses. In an unsuccessful attempt to defend the bureau in early February, requests to intervene in defense of the CFPB by sixteen states were denied [JURIST report] by the DC Circuit. Due to the bureaus history of strictly enforcing financial regulations, often leading to multi-million dollar fines such as the $727 million fine [JURIST report] levied against Bank of America, US President Donald Trump [official website] had vowed to wholly dismantle the CFPB, although this brief has somewhat scaled back on that position in favor of merely challenging the for-cause removal provision.
A judge for the US District Court for the Northern District of California [official website] on Thursday approved a $27 million settlement [order, PDF] in a class action lawsuit between Lyft Inc. [corporate website] and its drivers. The suit challenged Lyfts characterization of the drivers as independent contractors. Drivers for the company asserted they should be identified as employees, which would entitle them to reimbursement for their driving expenses, such as gas and maintenance. The settlement keeps the drivers classified as independent contractors but provides monetary relief to drivers who logged the most miles and provides them with benefits. Judge Vince Chhabria described the agreement as not perfect, and stated, the status of Lyft drivers under California law remains uncertain going forward. The company says that a survey reports more than 80 percent of their Lyft drivers prefer being labeled as independent contractors because of the flexibility in having that status.

With the rapid growth of companies like Lyft and Uber, ride-sharing services have been among the most controversial business models [JURIST backgrounder] in recent history. In January Uber agreed to pay [JURIST report] a $20 million settlement in regarding to allegations the company engaged in misleading tactics to recruit new drivers. Last April Uber settled a lawsuit [JURIST report] brought by 385,000 drivers in California and Massachusetts regarding their status as independent contractors. In several states, ride-sharing companies have met significant legal opposition, frequently led by competitors such as the taxi industry. Other unresolved questions [JURIST backgrounder] surrounding this new business model continue to prompt debate among lawmakers. Although some cities and states, such as California, have developed new laws [PC360 report] mandating certain insurance for ride-sharing drivers, others have resisted. In June 2015, Attorney General of New York Eric Schneiderman announced a $300,000 settlement [press release] with Lyft after they were charged with violating local regulations in Rochester and Buffalo.
The Russian Ministry of Justice filed a suit in the Russian Supreme Court [official websites] Friday seeking to classify Jehovahs Witnesses as an extremist group [press release]. The suit claims that the religious group is closer to a cult than a legitimate religious group and is a danger to Russian families. The leadership of the Jehovahs Witnesses have decried the claim amid worries of reduced freedom of religion in Russia and have stated that, [e]xtremism is deeply alien to the Bible-based beliefs and morality of Jehovahs Witnesses. Persecution of the faithful for peaceful anti-extremism legislation is built on frank fraud, incompetent individual experts and, as a result, a miscarriage of justice.

Russias human rights and religious freedom record has been the subject of widespread international criticism. Last month the Russian Supreme Court annulled the 2.5 year prison sentence of Ildar Dadin, who was the first person to be convicted under a relatively new anti-protest law [JURIST report]. Earlier in February the European Court of Human Rights ordered Russia to pay more than 63,000 euros for arresting Alexander Navalny multiple times [JURIST report] between March 2012 and February 2014. The court held that Russia repeatedly and unjustifiably violated Navalnys right to freedom of peaceful assembly under the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. In January the US sanctioned [JURIST report] five Russian officials for human rights abuses in association with the death of a lawyer in prison. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced [JURIST report] in November that Russia would leave the International Criminal Court (ICC), expressing disdain over the ICCs investigation into potential human rights abuses by Russian forces in South Ossetia in 2008. In May 2015 Russian President Vladmir Putin signed a law [JURIST report] that allows for foreign undesirable NGOs or firms to be sanctioned and banned from operating in the country, drawing criticism from human rights groups.
[JURIST] South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard [official website] on Friday vetoed a pair of bills that would have loosened the states regulations on concealed carry laws. Calling the current laws adequate, and the new laws unnecessary and complicated [press releases], Daugaard defended his decision on the basis that he is unaware of a single instance in which a person who could lawfully possess a gun was denied a permit to carry a concealed pistol. The two House Bills, 1072 and 1156 [texts, PDFs], would have permitted concealed carry without a permit and concealed carry within the state Capitol, respectively.

Gun control and legislation has been a controversial topic in the US for many years. On Thursday the US House of Representatives [official website] approved a bill [JURIST report] making it easier for certain veterans to obtain firearms. The bill adds a requirement that declaring a veteran mentally defective for purposes of restricting their ability to purchase or own a firearm must be done with an order or finding of a judge, magistrate, or other judicial authority of competent jurisdiction that such person is a danger to himself or herself or others. In February the House of Representatives voted [JURIST report] to repeal a gun regulation that required mental health information to be shared with the national gun background check system. In December Ohio Governor John Kasich signed Senate Bill 199 [JURIST report], making it legal to carry concealed weapons at daycare facilities and onto college campuses. In September the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit restored [JURIST report] gun ownership rights of individuals convicted of minor crimes. In August the New Jersey Second Amendment Society [advocacy website] filed [JURIST report] a lawsuit against the states Attorney General in New Jerseys district court alleging the states stun gun ban is unconstitutional.
The US House of Representatives [official website] approved [materials] a bill [text] on Thursday making it easier for certain veterans to obtain firearms. The bill adds a requirement that declaring a veteran mentally defective for purposes of restricting their ability to purchase or own a firearm must be done with an order or finding of a judge, magistrate, or other judicial authority of competent jurisdiction that such person is a danger to himself or herself or others. 18 USC  922 [text] makes it illegal to sell a firearm to an individual who has been adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to any mental institution, and it is unlawful for the same individual to receive a firearm that was shipped or transported in interstate commerce. Currently, Veterans Affairs can add names of veterans it determines [NPR report] are unfit to own a deadly weapon to the federal background check system, preventing them from obtaining a weapon. The new bill would require that a court hearing is held before Veterans Affairs can add names to the system. Critics of the bill say that this will increase the suicide rate of veterans. Proponents of the bill argue that the bill helps remove the stigma of being labeled mentally ill.

Gun control and legislation has been a controversial topic in the US for many years. In February the House of Representatives voted [JURIST report] to repeal a gun regulation that required mental health information to be shared with the national gun background check system. That bill was signed [Law information] into law on February 28. In December Ohio Governor John Kasich [official website] signed Senate Bill 199 [JURIST report], making it legal to carry concealed weapons at daycare facilities and onto college campuses. In September the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit [official website] restored [JURIST report] gun ownership rights of individuals convicted of minor crimes. Earlier that month the New Jersey Second Amendment Society [official website] filed [JURIST report] a lawsuit against the states Attorney General in New Jerseys district court alleging the states stun gun ban is unconstitutional.
HOLDREGE  If Heather McQuillan and Becky Deavers podcast, Go Forth, affects just one person, the duo said they have accomplished their goal.

The Holdrege women have more than surpassed that mission. Since beginning their Christian podcast in December 2015, they have had more than 33,000 downloads.

Every month our listenership has been bigger than the month before. Last month was our biggest month weve ever had, Deaver said. We are always happy just to reach more, but we are careful not to focus too much on numbers. Numbers are important, but we just want to reach one person even. This is what this one person needs to hear. We try to focus on that.

The idea to begin their podcast started as a joke. Both women are mothers who enjoyed listening to podcasts and sharing with one another about their favorite shows while working out together at the YMCA.

We just talked to each other about the podcasts we were listening to and the ones that we loved and what our favorites were and stuff. There was one podcast we really loved, and every week we would always talk about this podcast. It was a really beautiful podcast, Deaver said.

This podcast resonated with both women, but it wasnt quite in line with the womens Catholic beliefs. McQuillan jokingly suggested they should start a podcast together with more of a Catholic influence.

Neither of us could stop thinking about it, Deaver said.

They took the plunge and spent four months researching, learning the technology and finding the guests for their show. When it came down to naming their podcast, the women had no trouble finding their moniker.

We wanted to inspire people who are living lives of intentional discipleship, and so that scripture quote from Matthew of Go forth and make disciples. We just wanted people to feel equipped to have the tools or the inspiration to live their lives more intentionally whatever that looked like, McQuillan said. Whether thats a huge thing or little, thats kind of where the idea came from.

Each week, the women interview a person with a unique story to share with their listeners.

From the get-go, we knew stories would kind of be our jam  just bringing people stories that we would enjoy hearing and that would inspire our listeners wherever they are, McQuillan said. We were intentional, too, about wanting to interview people who have normal, ordinary lives, but they may be doing extraordinary things, but also to occasionally sprinkle in guests who people would look at and say that they are living a more extraordinary life.

The duo records interviews twice a week in a guest bedroom at Deavers home. In the beginning, they interviewed people they knew, but now many of their listeners give them ideas. Most of their subjects are Nebraskans, but they have interviewed people across the country and even spoke with a guest living in Italy. With more than a year of recording under their belts, they have never had issues finding guests to interview.

Probably 75 percent of them have just been our listeners saying, This person is awesome. They have a great story. You should interview them, Deaver said.

Through social media and word of mouth, Go Forths listenership has steadily grown each month since its inception.

Their most popular episode to date was with the Rev. Mike Schmitz about anxiety and worries with 900 downloads. Another popular episode was with Tiffany Reeves, a mother of five whose fifth baby was diagnosed with a chromosomal disorder.

They did not think they would bring her home from the hospital, and they did, Deaver said.

That story was released three weeks ago, and is the second-most-listened-to podcast, she added.

The episodes that focus on ordinary people seem to be the most popular with their listeners.

I think listeners really love hearing stories of the stay-at-home mom who had their fifth child diagnosed with a chromosomal disorder and how God worked through that, Deaver said. People really like to hear just ordinary peoples stories.

Each episode ends with a go forth tip to inspire people to find joy and love in little ways.

We just want to inspire people to just do whatever God is calling them to do in their lives, Deaver said. God is calling us all to something, even if we think that its small, its super-important and its irreplaceable in the kingdom. Thats kind of what we hope in each of our episodes that people are just inspired to just do something for God whatever it is.

Along with inspiring their readers, Deaver and McQuillan have also been inspired to do more because of their podcast. A recent guest, Shane Kennett, spoke about a friendship she made with an elderly woman who had no family and few friends. After the woman died, Kennett organized an event to take flowers and speak with residents in a nursing facility.

That inspired us to do one around Christmas here. We went to the two nursing homes here in town, McQuillan said.

Many Holdrege nursing facility residents had someone bring them a flower and chat with them, Deaver said. Word of the acts of kindness spread, and Deaver and McQuillan heard reports of other towns having similar events.

So it was just kind of like the little seeds of this one woman who chose to befriend another woman, turned into all these people receiving love, who were maybe lonely or didnt have anyone reaching out to them. The story that she told on that podcast just really had a broad impact to a lot of people that seems like a small way but it really reached a lot, Deaver said.

With McQuillan expecting her third child in June, the women are planning ahead and have no plans of slowing down. They continue to joke about the things they might do in the future.

We dream about a lot of things, but right now it seems like this is where we need to be. The podcast started as a joke. We joke about writing a book. We joke about creating a 365-day devotional. We joke about speaking all over the country. So who knows? Deaver said.
Nebraskas Department of Agriculture officials and Gov. Pete Ricketts deserve commendations for their intelligent and tireless efforts to assist our states crop and livestock producers. The support at home is more important than ever as our nations elected leaders become less familiar with the challenges facing rural America, including the need to develop overseas markets for our nations ag products.

At this weeks Governors Ag Conference in Kearney, several efforts were rolled out to brand Nebraskas high-quality beef and market it more effectively around the globe. Similar efforts also will unfold for pork producers. We like the idea of the marketing efforts seeking to capitalize on Nebraskas reputation for quality beef. Its a reputation thats deserved and our best selling point.

Our states agriculture officials, including Director of Agriculture Greg Ibach of Sumner, the governor and the leaders of many farm organizations and ag-related businesses deserve our thanks for leading and participating in various trade missions to secure new customers overseas. Its encouraging to know our leadership recognizes how important it is to continually develop new markets and nurture relationships with existing customers.

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer exhibited professionalism and courage this week when she ventured into the danger zone during listening sessions Thursday in Kearney and Holdrege. Audience members at both sessions werent shy about challenging Nebraskas senior member of the U.S. Senate, but Fischer respectfully listened, noted points of agreement, and explained how and why her positions differed with the positions of some audience members.

The exchange in Kearney unfolded in a respectful manner, with many viewpoints being expressed. A telling point in the session came when a man stood up and asked, Whats happened to the word compromise in our country? We wont go as far as to say Thursdays session resulted in compromise, but audience members listened to viewpoints on which they agreed and also disagreed, and everyone received a fair hearing.

Democracy isnt supposed to be easy, but it does require some give and take  compromise. If compromise cant happen in Washington, D.C., then it has to start here at home. Hopefully Thursdays event was the beginning of something constructive that will show elected leaders the path to compromise  and progress.
When former Speaker Galen Hadley of Kearney was term-limited out of the Nebraska Unicameral in 2016, he voiced sincere concern about the level of obstruction within the Legislature. He pointed out that the body had 24 cloture votes that year.

The year before the Legislature had 13, in 2014 they had nine, in 2013 they had six, and in both 2012 and 2011 they had three.

We are changing, he said on the floor. Youre going to have to decide whether you want to continue this. He warned that Nebraskas unique Unicameral experiment was looking less like Nebraska and more like Washington, D.C.

This legislative session, a majority of lawmakers voiced legitimate concerns about over-obstruction in our Legislature. Unfortunately, rather than come up with workable solutions, partisans in the majority proposed amendments that endangered the very fabric of what makes our Legislature nonpartisan  such as the floor ballot vote for leadership. As a result, the minority forced the body to debate those proposals, on the taxpayers dime, for an unprecedented two months, claiming the proposals warranted extensive debate.

The debate went nowhere until Friday. Finally, after putting the debate on pause for a month, the rules came up again, and lawmakers settled  for now. As a firm supporter of nonpartisanship, I believe lawmakers should not vote to kill this debate, but continue it by referring the issues to an interim committee for further study.

Nonpartisan compromises exist that respect the rights of all members, while making obstruction more difficult. If lawmakers allow this debate to go unresolved, concerns will only fester and reignite fiercer than before in 2018. The best way forward is a healthy and engaging conversation.

Nebraskans expect our lawmakers to work together, not kill important conversations for political convenience.

Nathan Leach, Kearney
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When Donna Helen Crisp, a 59-year-old nursing professor, entered a North Carolina teaching hospital for a routine hysterectomy in 2007, she expected to come home the next day.

Instead, Crisp spent weeks in a coma and underwent five surgeries to correct a near-fatal cascade of medical errors that left her with permanent injuries. Desperate for an explanation, Crisp, who is also a lawyer, said she repeatedly encountered a white wall of silence: The hospital and her surgeon refused to say little more than things didnt go well. Crisp spent years piecing together what happened. I decided I was going to find out even if it takes the rest of my life, she said.

Jack Gentry said he went into the hospital a patient and came out a victim. In 2013, the retired Baltimore police officer suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury during disk replacement surgery at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital that left him a quadriplegic.

But unlike Crisp, Gentry and his wife, a nurse, were immediately told what had gone wrong by his surgeon, who apologized for the error. The hospital covered Gentrys rehabilitation and other major expenses and paid an undisclosed amount in compensation, all without litigation.

When hospitals mess up, they need to do the right thing, Gentry said. MedStar did.

For patients and their families killed or maimed by medical errors, Crisps experience  in which doctors clam up and hospitals deny wrongdoing and aggressively defend their care  remains standard operating procedure in most institutions.

But spurred by concerns about the deny and defend model  including its cost, lack of transparency and the perpetuation of errors  programs to circumvent litigation by offering prompt disclosure, apology and compensation for mistakes as an alternative to malpractice suits are becoming more popular. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore recently estimated that medical mistakes kill 251,000 Americans annually, which would make them the third-leading cause of death. Traditionally, the only way for patients to find out what went wrong has been to sue.

A blueprint for the approach used in Gentrys case is being promoted by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Called CANDOR, an acronym for Communication and Optimal Resolution, the approach is modeled on a long-standing program pioneered at the University of Michigan. It was tested in 14 hospitals around the country, including MedStars Washington Hospital Center and Georgetown University Hospital.

Although they differ, these programs  which typically feature prompt investigation of errors whose findings are shared with the victims, as well as an apology and compensation for injuries  are operating at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Stanford and eight hospitals and outpatient groups in Massachusetts. Despite fears that the new approach would encourage lawsuits, the opposite has proved true. In Michigan, the number of lawsuits was cut nearly in half, and the hospital system saved about $2 million in litigation costs in the first year after the new model was adopted in 2001.

The whole point of this isnt to drop malpractice costs, its to drive patient safety, said Richard Boothman, the University of Michigan Health Systems executive director of clinical safety and chief risk officer, who launched the program after a career defending doctors and hospitals. We need to hard-wire as quickly as possible the lessons of these cases.

In most hospitals, Boothman said, patient safety experts do not routinely talk to risk managers who handle malpractice claims. As a result, valuable information about preventing errors is lost.

Donna Helen Crisp spent weeks in a coma and underwent five surgeries after a near-fatal cascade of medical errors. (Courtesy of Rebekah Lee Crisp)

In the dark

Most patients never learn they are victims of a medical error. A landmark 1991 Harvard study found that only 2 percent of people harmed by errors file a lawsuit. Those who do face daunting odds: Patients lose 80 percent of malpractice cases. Huge litigation costs, combined with laws that have reduced damage awards in many states, have left many unable to find an attorney because plaintiffs lawyers are paid on contingency. Malpractice cases typically take three or more years to resolve. In the interim, many injured people struggle to pay for care.

Litigation is a tortuous process for patients and health care workers, said Beth Daley Ullem, who spent five years seeking answers about the 2003 death of her newborn son from a Chicago hospital that denied any wrongdoing.

We later learned that this had happened to a family before us and another seven months after, said Daley Ullem, a former McKinsey & Co. consultant whose ruptured uterus went untreated for an hour. She said she received a $4 million settlement before trial, which she offered to give back to the hospital to fund safety improvements. The hospital refused.

Disclosure efforts also face stiff resistance from doctors, insurers and lawyers, including defense attorneys for whom speedier resolution means fewer billable hours.

Despite laws in most states that prevent apologies from being used against doctors in lawsuits, many worry that it will make patients more likely to file suit, said Thomas Gallagher, a University of Washington professor of medicine who has written extensively about disclosure. A recent study found that 77 percent of 300 primary-care doctors would not fully disclose a delayed breast cancer diagnosis to a patient.

Doug Wojcieszak  who founded an Illinois-based disclosure advocacy group called Sorry Works!  said one Iowa doctor told him that if he started apologizing when things went wrong, hed be doing nothing else all day long.

Insurers are also leery, said Brian Atchinson, president of Physician Insurers Association of America, the trade association for liability insurers, which was involved in the development of CANDOR. Some states are more conducive to this than others, he said. But there are those who dont believe the benefits outweigh the risks.

Lawyer Joanne Doroshow, director of the Center for Justice & Democracy at New York Law School, expressed worry that disclosure programs may take advantage of vulnerable patients who are not represented by a lawyer. The hospitals are in control of it, and its still in their interest to try and limit compensation to patients, she said.

Jeffrey Catalano, a Massachusetts plaintiffs lawyer who is president of the state bar and a participant in that states disclosure program, says that patients should be represented early in the process. I think if theres a good attorney present, theres no way a client is going to be shortchanged, he said. Good attorneys know this: Medical malpractice cases are hard to take to trial. If a client can get $1 now rather than risking getting nothing [at trial] for the prospect of $1.50 later, it may be better to take the $1 now.

Doing the right thing

The countrys first disclosure program began 30 years ago with a doctors desire to do the right thing.

Pulmonologist Steve Kraman, newly named as chief of staff for what is now the Lexington Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Kentucky, said he faced a problem in 1987: how to handle the death of a middle-aged woman caused by an undeniable error, a massive overdose of potassium.

If we had said nothing, [the family] never would have known a thing, said Kraman, who was also the hospitals risk manager. We never would have gotten sued. But I just didnt feel that was right. So he suggested to the hospitals lawyer that they come clean to the patients two adult daughters, from whom she was estranged.

I sat down and told them exactly what happened, that we were responsible for it, that they should hire a lawyer and we were going to negotiate a payment, he recalled. Two months later, the family was paid $250,000.

From then on, Kraman said, all cases involving errors were handled similarly. We paid out for things that nobody could have sued for in their wildest dreams, said Kraman, who is now a professor at the University of Kentucky. Some patients declined the cash, he said, because they feared it would ruin their relationship with the doctor. Kraman said he refused to pay a dime in cases where no injury could be proved. That just alienates doctors and nurses who feel like youre throwing them under the bus.

Kraman said he had several advantages: Doctors were employed and insured by the VA system. Payments, which averaged $16,000, were made from the U.S. Treasury, not the hospital coffers. And the program had the support of the hospitals director and lawyer as well as the U.S. attorney for Kentucky.

This has to be done from the top down or it wont work, Kraman said. The message has to be This is how we do business.

When Boothman arrived at the University of Michigan in 2001  after two decades defending doctors, including an orthopedic surgeon who had been sued 21 times  he decided to try a similar approach. That included encouraging staff to report errors and bad outcomes; reports jumped from 2,400 a year to more than 34,000.

You have to normalize honesty, Boothman said, to create a culture of continuous improvement. Applying the lessons gleaned from those errors, he said, has helped make care safer.

Litigating a case for three years and telling everybody, Dont talk about it and dont change anything, is immoral and counterproductive, he added. I dont serve my organization well by defending care we shouldnt be defending.

Today were often at the bedside as soon as things happen, he said. Patients and their families are interviewed as part of the hospitals investigation of the facts, something that does not happen in traditional litigation.

Like Kraman, Boothman said he worries that some hospitals are using disclosure to cherry-pick small or unwinnable cases, not as a standard approach.

A test case

Orthopedic surgeon P. Justin Tortolani remembers with sickening clarity the moment he realized that a device he was installing had gone too far, penetrating Jack Gentrys spine. The 60-year-old retired police officer, who once had hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, was instantly paralyzed from the neck down.

You cant really believe its happening, said Tortolani, Union Memorials director of spine surgery. Summoning his years of training, the surgeon formulated a plan and steeled himself to tell Teresa Gentry what had happened. It was the first of many conversations about the accident that he would have with the family.

We didnt want to go through litigation, we didnt need to go through litigation, said Larry Smith, MedStars vice president for risk management. MedStar uses CANDOR in about a dozen cases with substantial damages annually.

MedStar executives told me what had happened, why it happened, that it was directly or indirectly their fault and that whatever I needed I should ask for, Gentry recalled. MedStar paid for five months of inpatient rehab  Gentrys insurance would have covered only two weeks  modifications to the couples home, a $45,000 wheelchair and a new wheelchair-accessible van. It provided a case manager, a home-care nurse and $15,000 for incidental medical expenses.

Because of the nature of Jacks injury, we would have had to mortgage everything to pay for his care otherwise, Teresa Gentry said.

Early on, Gentry said, his older brother, a Baltimore malpractice lawyer, expressed bafflement at MedStars approach. He said as long as we were getting what we needed, to just go with it, Gentry recalled.

At the end of two years, the case was settled with a confidential payment negotiated by lawyers for the couple, MedStar and the device manufacturer.

I felt like it would take care of Jack for the rest of his life, said Teresa Gentry, adding that the couple had been prepared to file a lawsuit if an agreement could not be reached. Did I get enough to pay for everybodys pain and suffering and trauma? No.

I was very skeptical in the beginning of this whole process, she recalled, but she said she believes it has worked well, as does her husband.

Tortolani said he feels remorse, guilt and sorrow for Jack and his family. This shakes you to your core, he said. MedStar officials have been unbelievably supportive, Tortolani said, and he remains deeply grateful to the Gentrys. My relationship with Jack has never been stronger.

Donna Helen Crisp says she thinks she would have been less traumatized had the North Carolina hospital and her surgeon not stonewalled her. I would have been deeply depressed that I had such a bad experience, but I could have moved on with my life, said Crisp, who has written a book about her experience entitled Anatomy of Medical Errors: the Patient in Room 2. Being denied the truth left her with no way to put it into perspective.

Sandra G. Boodman is a medical reporter. This article originally appeared in Kaiser Health News.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
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The current American climate seems to champion those outside the establishment and eschew the experience of career professionals. Medicine, like politics, has not been immune to the rise of populism. There exists a growing distrust of traditional medical institutions and a movement to concede medical expertise to the public, particularly evidenced by the development of platforms that crowdsource diagnosis. While online medical crowdsourcing is trendy and has received nearly universal praise by the media, physicians have yet to address a critical question: where does crowdsourcing medical advice cross into unlicensed medical practice, exploitation, and ultimately patient harm?

While Googling ones symptoms is not exactly a new concept, a more recent phenomenon is the monetization of crowdsourced medical care, which relies, as with all crowdsourcing, on the hope that sufficient quantity will outweigh questionable quality. In the most common commercial forms, patients with mysterious constellations of symptoms  often elusive to the conventional medical community  can pay to submit their case to a forum of diagnostic enthusiasts and receive a list of potential diagnoses.

Certain platforms restrict evaluation to medical professionals, but others alarmingly employ anyone with good intentions, an admiration for Dr. House, and a Wi-Fi connection (one prominent company even dubs their amateur diagnosticians Medical Detectives, which is misleadingly abbreviated MD). Even when limited to professionals, this group can include retired doctors, medical students, and a range of health care workers from acupuncturists to speech pathologists. One would do well to question whether a retired surgeon, for example, is qualified to speculate on an uncommon skin rash, or whether an audiologist ought to comment on a patients heart palpitations. The trouble is, with little structure or enforcement, patients receive a hodgepodge of advice from numerous potentially inappropriate backgrounds and no guidance to navigate their legitimacy. Patients then pay hundreds to thousands of dollars for access to this murky crowd of medical aficionados (indeed, the same company even urges patients to pay extra to attract the sites top diagnosticians).

As a practicing physician, I fear for patients who pay for online medical crowdsourcing, because it is not benign to receive actionable medical advice from a dubious source. The podcast Reply All reported the story of a patient with an unsettling combination of neurologic symptoms and headache that may have succeeded an incident of neck trauma. As Yale physician and New York Times columnist Dr. Lisa Sanders cautioned, this combination raises alarm for a particularly emergent condition: arterial dissection, or a precarious tear in an artery that supplies blood to the brain. Urgent imaging is required because if missed, devastating strokes can occur. Though such imaging made the patients list of crowdsourced recommendations, it was buried below less critical suggestions. Indeed, the patient pursued the higher ranked suggestion of chiropractic manipulation, which is notoriously known to exacerbate exactly these dissections. The critical lesson: Ruling out dangerous diagnoses supersedes reaching the right answer. This lesson is learned quickly in medical training, but may be overlooked by online strangers who are not liable for patient outcomes and whose tangential incentive is merely to guess a correct diagnosis.

Moreover, crowdsourcing often considers rare and common diagnoses equally, neglecting the stepwise evaluation performed by trained physicians. Typically, physicians first contemplate prevalent diagnoses that are simple to test, sparing patients expensive, invasive, unnecessary procedures. For this, a skillful, in-person physical examination, completely absent from the crowdsourcing model, can be a physicians most invaluable tool. The process is dynamic and continual re-evaluation is key. As symptoms evolve and results return, the probabilities of diagnoses shift. Online crowdsourcing, in contrast, encourages patients to rebuff a deliberate approach, investing them earlier in unlikely diagnoses and propagating a sentiment that their physicians have somehow failed for subsequently reaching rare diagnoses.

Admittedly, physicians are not omniscient or infallible. I recently cared for a hospitalized teen whose brain and lungs were overrun by what seemed to be her hyperactive immune system. Since her illness attacked her brain, her mood and personality  the very core of her being  were affected. Despite innumerable interdisciplinary meetings among experts (targeted crowdsourcing in its own way), a unifying diagnosis remained elusive, and we focused on ameliorating her symptoms while the search continued. Eventually, her family agreed that she would benefit from outpatient care instead of endless hospitalization, but on the day of her discharge, she pleaded with me not to send her home without a definitive diagnosis. Our conversation was heart-rending because, despite her extensive workup, I could not offer the satisfactory answer she desired. I feebly explained that I hoped we would eventually reach a breakthrough, but I dreaded that we discharged her home feeling disillusioned and abandoned by the medical system.

How terrifying it must be to become consumed by an unexplainable illness. How disconcerting to then entrust ones care to the medical establishment, an opaque otherworld of Latin lingo and space-age technology. With a knowledge imbalance that is greater in medicine than almost any other field, how can one even assess ones quality of care? And what comes next when the answer of experts is we have no answer?

Here is where we physicians have inadequately assisted our patients, cultivating distrust in our abilities and contributing to the popularity of unregulated online medicine. Patients who have utilized diagnostic crowdsourcing platforms describe feeling dismissed and ignored by their doctors, especially when the diagnosis of a complex illness became nebulous and challenging. Whether pressure to see high patient volumes leaves little time for authentic empathy, or whether physicians own frustration with enigmatic diseases makes us shirk thoughtful counseling, we cannot be surprised when patients find solace in services that advertise quick answers, certainty, and hope. We have failed to counsel these patients, manage expectations, assure them of our tireless efforts to optimize their care, and encourage them that quality of life remains paramount even when diagnosis is evasive. Instead, we have fueled patients notions that they must advocate for themselves outside the medical mainstream, inadvertently abandoning them to inexpert medical services that exploit their hopes and dollars, fixate them on farfetched diagnoses, divert their resources from comprehensive health care, and risk their safety.

Jeff Russ is a pediatrics-child neurology resident.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
According to President Trump's preliminary budget proposal, the federal housing and urban development budget could lose millions of dollars in funding.

Evangelina Vargas is a disabled elderly women who says thanks to the Laredo Housing Authority, she's had a home for many years.

Vargas is concerned that President Trump is considering slashing the departments budget by up to six million dollars.

Vargas is one of hundreds of people receiving section eight housing in Laredo.

If the budget proposed gets the green light, Vargas' home could be in jeopardy.

Julia Orduna from the Laredo Housing Authority says she has taken a look at the report and says it does not touch the department's rental assistance program which she says is good news.

Orduna says this is not the first time the department has seen cuts to the budget and will move forward to adjust should the proposal pass.

Right now the Laredo Housing Authority has over 900 section eight units at various locations throughout Laredo that help low income families.

According to the report on the Housing Authority of Laredo, just about 500 names are on the list.

Aside from providing housing, the Laredo Housing Authority says it helps around 1400 families with housing choice vouchers in Laredo, Zapata, and Asherton.
An all Kilkenny team got Abbey Community College (Ferrybank) within two minutes of winning their first All-Ireland title in Gaelic games in Freshford today.

Just beyond the 57th minute team captain, Caroline Kennedy, poked home a goal from close range following a superbly struck line ball by Una Kinsella on the right, to put Abbey into the lead for the first time since the opening minute, 3-9 to 2-9.

However, within a minute Borrisokane star, Laura Shinnors, charge through at the other end to score a great goal to force this thrilling All-Ireland colleges junior 'C' camogie final to a replay next Saturday.

That Abbey got themselves into a winning position was due in no small way to superb goalie, Aoife Slattery. She brought off three top class saves during the closing half as she first kept out a close range hand-passed effort from Shinnors, before stopping hot shots from Louise Torpey in the 39th and 43rd minutes.

The action was electrifying from the throw-in. Abbey's top scorer, Afton Grace, opened the scoring with a point after only 30 seconds. After Borrisokane equalised through Shinnors the exchanges were close during the quarter.

Borrisokane hit a purple patch between the 19th and 27th minutes when they shot 2-3 against a single point reply from the opposition to jump 2-7 to 0-4 ahead.

Approaching half-time Abbey pulled back a goal through Emma Hewetson and a point from a free by Afton Grace to to cut the arrears to 1-5 to 2-7 at the rest.

The Kilkenny girls were backed by the wind during the closing half and they ripped into the opposition. They drew level at 2-7 each in the 38th minute after Grace touched the ball into the net from close range after Una Kinsella had the first shot saved.

Borrisokane put together a two point lead again before two frees from Grace levelled it (2-9 each) six minutes from the end. Abbey won the lead through Kennedy's goal, but they couldn't hold about against powerful opponents.

The entire Abbey team was made up by girls from Kilkenny clubs - Slieverue, Kilmacow, Mooncoin and Mullinavat.

SCORERS: Abbey CC - A. Grace (1-8); C. Kennedy (1-1); E. Hewetson (1-0). Borrisokane CC - L. Shinnors (3-5); A. Slattery (0-2); A. O'Meara, L. Ryan (0-1 each).
Cubus, an exhibition of new sculpture by Martina Galvin opened at the Butler Gallery last Saturday.

Martina Galvins work is involved with form and spatial awareness and can incorporate photography, installation, drawing and sculpture. The basic physical and conceptual elements in her work are light and colour , relating its dual physical presence as both strong and delicate at the same time. Her ardent passion for colour originates from her earlier painting background.

Galvin presents evolutions of earlier sculptural works alongside a body of new work developed specifically for the Butler Gallery. This new work explores the use of industrial materials that includes painted steel, wood and acrylic. The installation titled Cubus is a series of repeated geometric forms painted in a range of dynamic colours. These immense squares stand directly on the floor and as a result force the viewer to confront them according to their own, material existence. They invite us to contemplate space.

Through them we return to the purity of this simple revelation, that they, like us, inhabit space, disrupt space, contain space, define space, contextualize space and bring order to space. Despite their simplicity, theyre infinitely complex in their ability to challenge and engage us.The use of linear acrylic rods in many of the other works in the exhibition acts as a conduit to radiate light, line, colour and intricate shadow, all fundamental elements of her work. Galvin is interested in the ethereal, transient and sublime nature of light, its colour, and the many phenomena light creates all around us. The painter Paul Klee is noted for saying drawing is taking a line for a walk. Galvin successfully delivers this objective in a sculptural way using an economy of means that is wonderfully realised in the works that make up this exhibition.Martina Galvin completed a BA in Painting at NCAD and an MA in Fine Art Practice and Theory at Cardiff College Of Art, Wales, funded by a British Council Scholarship. Galvin has been exhibiting since the 1990s. She has travelled widely and been invited to exhibit in numerous large site-specific events in Finland, Australia, Qatar, Israel, Germany, Italy and New York. Galvin has had solo exhibitions at Pallas Projects, Dublin, Wyscodnia Gallery, Lodz, Poland and Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin. She has participated in many group shows nationally and internationally including Pallas Projects, Dublin; Rua Red Gallery, Dublin; Braid Arts Centre, Ballymena; the Glucksman Gallery, Cork; Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin; Sculpture in Kells, Kilkenny; and Fractures, Lines and Light at the Red Stables, Dublin.Galvin has been the recipient of numerous awards and bursaries from the Arts Council, including an individual award for her 5-year photographic project on the interior of Aldborough House. In 2015, Galvin received a significant Visual Arts Bursary Award for the development of her practice. She is included in many significant public and private collections. She is currently working on a commission for the interior of the UCD Sutherland School of Law, funded by McCann FitzGerald. Martina Galvin has a studio at The Independent Studios in Dublin where she lives and works. www.martinagalvin.netMeet the Artist will take place on March 28 at 1pm.The exhibition runs at the Butler Gallery until April 23.

Galvin successfully delivers this objective in a sculptural way using an economy of means that is wonderfully realised in the works that make up this exhibition.Martina Galvin completed a BA in Painting at NCAD and an MA in Fine Art Practice and Theory at Cardiff College Of Art, Wales, funded by a British Council Scholarship. Galvin has been exhibiting since the 1990s. She has travelled widely and been invited to exhibit in numerous large site-specific events in Finland, Australia, Qatar, Israel, Germany, Italy and New York.

Galvin has had solo exhibitions at Pallas Projects, Dublin, Wyscodnia Gallery, Lodz, Poland and Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin. She has participated in many group shows nationally and internationally including Pallas Projects, Dublin; Rua Red Gallery, Dublin; Braid Arts Centre, Ballymena; the Glucksman Gallery, Cork; Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin; Sculpture in Kells, Kilkenny; and Fractures, Lines and Light at the Red Stables, Dublin.Galvin has been the recipient of numerous awards and bursaries from the Arts Council, including an individual award for her 5-year photographic project on the interior of Aldborough House. In 2015, Galvin received a significant Visual Arts Bursary Award for the development of her practice. She is included in many significant public and private collections.

She is currently working on a commission for the interior of the UCD Sutherland School of Law, funded by McCann FitzGerald. Martina Galvin has a studio at The Independent Studios in Dublin where she lives and works. www.martinagalvin.netMeet the Artist will take place on March 28 at 1pm.The exhibition runs at the Butler Gallery until April 23.
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 ...
Eric Crampton proposes a sensible approach to the projected surpluses New Zealand now has ahead of us:

A third of the projected surpluses being devoted to tax cuts (so about $2.8b by 2021). A third of the projected surpluses being devoted to spending increases A third of the projected surpluses being devoted to paying down government debt

He notes:

Government should resist calls to simply increase spending in response to surpluses. The government has been pushing hard, over the past few years, to encourage a greater focus on the value that government delivers for its expenditure as the measure of its success rather than just what it spends. If it identifies areas where spending delivers strong value for money, by all means increase spending in those areas. But that has to come with a commitment to pare back spending in areas where spending doesnt really achieve much. Blunt calls to increase overall expenditure miss that the government still has a lot of work to do in identifying areas where spending should be reduced because it is ineffective.

I agree. Simply increasing spending to match the increased tax take due to fiscal drag is wrong.

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By Ko Dong-hwan

The U.S. will work with China to make North Korea choose a better path, as tensions from the military state's nuclear and missile development have reached a dangerous level, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Saturday.

Tillerson made the remarks during a press conference in Beijing after his talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. It was Tillerson's last leg of three-nation trip to Asia following Japan and South Korea.

Tillerson and Wang shared a view that "tensions on the (Korean) Peninsula are quite high right now," the American top evnoy said, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Tillerson said the situation over North Korea's nuclear and missile threats has reached a "rather dangerous level."
By Ko Dong-hwan





The top U.S. envoy on North Korea was in China Saturday on his weeklong trip to Asia to discuss cooperation in dealing with the military state, a diplomatic source here said.

Joseph Yun began his trip to Beijing and Seoul on Friday and plans to arrive in Seoul on Monday, according to Yonhap News Agency citing the source.

The Washington's special representative for North Korea policy has taken the trip as the U.S. President Donald Trump began to reshape his administration's North Korea policy.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson signaled a tough stance on the North during his ongoing trip to Asia this week.

On Friday in Seoul, he said that America's so-called strategic patience approach to Pyongyang, which was introduced by the former U.S President Barack Obama, has ended.












PRESS RELEASE

GCHQ Protesteth Too MuchBrits Fear Losing Control of U.S.

March 17, 2017 (EIRNS)White House spokesman Sean Spicers press briefing yesterday, in which he quoted judge Andrew Napolitanos assertion that Barack Obama used Britains Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) to spy on President Trump, has provoked a frenzied response, not only from GCHQ itself, but from an array of British media and political figures, and their U.S. hangers-on, desperate to prove that the Special Relationship is still intact and that Trump can be controlled.

In an unusual public statement, a GCHQ spokesman stated that charges against GCHQ

"are utterly ridiculous and should be ignored.... Recent allegations made by media commentator judge Andrew Napolitano about GCHQ being asked to conduct wiretapping against then President-elect are nonsense,"

the spokesman argued. As former U.S. National Security Agency analyst Edward Snowden, among others, has documented, the intelligence agencies of the "Five Eyes" countries (United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand), routinely spy on each other and on other governmentsGermanys Angela Merkel knows that wellso the GCHQs outrage is disingenuous at best.

Todays British and allied U.S. media were beside themselves, denouncing Spicer, fretting about the future of U.S.-U.K. relations. "Its a bad day for trans-Atlantic relations," the BBC intoned, "when Britains largest and best-funded spy agency has to come out and deny a claim made by its closest ally." Normally British intelligence agencies dont make public statements.

"But the allegation made by Mr. Spicer was seen as so potentially damagingas well as being untruethat it was decided to make an exception,"

the BBC defensively reported.

Damaging? Yes. And, despite insistence from British media that the White House had issued "a formal apology"Prime Minister Theresa Mays spokesperson reported that 10 Downing Street received "assurances" this would never happen againthere is no confirmation of such a formal apology. Rather, Mays National Security adviser, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, called his U.S. counterpart, General H.R. McMaster, while British ambassador in Washington Sir Kim Darroch called Sean Spicer, to express their concerns, but according to a White House official quoted by The Telegraph,

"Mr. Spicer and General McMaster both explained that [Spicer] was simply pointing to public reports and not endorsing any specific story."

CNN reported that McMaster assured Sir Lyall Grant that their concerns would be relayed to the White House.

Statements by former British Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind, reflect British hysteria. "Its not just about GCHQ", he told BBC Radio 4s World at One. "The inference is that the British governmenteither directly or indirectlywere involved." Its not good enough, he said, just to promise not to repeat the allegation. "Thats not the same as saying it was rubbish in the first place." Got that right.
PRESS RELEASE

Korean Presidential Frontrunner: Well Review THAAD, and Work with China

March 17, 2017 (EIRNS)The frontrunner in the May 9 Presidential election in South Korea, Moon Jae-in, would likely "do a review of the validity of the decision" regarding deployment of U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missiles, said Choi Jong Kun, a professor at Yongsei University and an adviser to Moon on foreign policy. In an interview with Reuters, Choi said, "While doing it he will consult with the United States, as well as China," Choi said.

"At the end of the day, if the reality unfolds in a way that South Koreas national security and the economy were damaged because of the THAAD, not because of the North Korea issue, then its not really a rational situation, is it?... We had a strategic partnership with Beijing, until this THAAD issue. Our relationship had been pretty okay and pretty good."

Moon, while not declaring firmly for or against THAAD, has insisted that the decision should not have been taken during the political crisis, but should be left to the next government. Reuters reports that Moon has said that he would visit Pyongyang before making a trip to the United States. He believes that there should be efforts to achieve economic reunification before negotiating political and military reunification.

Kim Ki-Jung, another foreign policy adviser to Moon and professor at Yonsei University, told Reuters he had tried to convince U.S. military officials and diplomats in Washington last month that the deployment of the THAAD should be left to the leader who succeeds Park. He said a Moon government would want to keep the alliance with the United States,
PRESS RELEASE

On Trump-Russia Ties, There Is Smoke But No Fire, Says Former Acting CIA Director

March 17, 2017 (EIRNS)In statements reported by NBC News yesterday, former Acting CIA Director Mike Morell said he has seen no evidence that associates of President Trump had colluded with Russia.

Morrel is not a nice guy; he had backed Hillary Clintons candidacy and was expected to be named CIA Director had she been elected. Last August, Morell had accused then-candidate Trump of being an "unwitting agent of the Russian Federation," and maintains today that Russia and President Putin should be punished for their "unprecedented" interference in last Novembers election.

But, for whatever reason, at a March 15 event sponsored by the Cipher Brief intelligence website, Morell was adamant that,

"on the question of the Trump campaign conspiring with the Russians here, there is smoke, but there is no fire, at all. Theres no little campfire, theres no little candle, theres no spark. And theres a lot of people looking for it."

Nor did he have kind words for the dodgy dossier produced

by former MI6 operative Christophere Steele to smear Trump. "Unless you know the sources, and unless you know how a particular source acquired a particular piece of information, you cant judge the information you just cant."

The dossier "doesnt take you anywhere, I dont think," he said.

Answering his own question about Steele talked to these sources, Morell said he had subsequently learned that Steele used intermediaries.

"And then I asked myself, why did these guys provide this information, what was their motivation? And I subsequently learned that he paid them. That the intermediaries paid the sources and the intermediaries got the money from Chris. And that kind of worries me a little bit because if youre paying somebody, particularly former FSB officers, they are going to tell you truth and innuendo and rumor, and theyre going to call you up and say, hey, lets have another meeting, I have more information for you, because they want to get paid some more. I think youve got to take all that into consideration when you consider the dossier."

Another former CIA officer in the room pointed out that the CIA also pays its sources, to which Morell replied that, "but we know who the source us and we know how they got the information."
PRESS RELEASE

Turkey and South Korea Sign Deal for Longest-Ever Suspension Bridge

March 17, 2017 (EIRNS)Turkey and South Korea have signed an agreement to build the nearly 2-kilometer (1.2-mile) Canakkale 1915 Bridge. A groundbreaking ceremony for the bridge between the European and Asian sides of Turkey will take place on March 18.

The bridge is expected to be built within five-and-half years at a cost of $2.80 billion, and will be the world's longest suspension bridge. It will be 32 meters longer than the currently-held record of the Akashi-Kaikyo bridge between Kobe and Awaji Island in Japan, according to Hurriyet Daily News. It will be built about 200 kilometers southwest of Istanbul, between Gallipoli on the European side and Lapseki on the Asian side across the Dardanelles.

The bridge will be built by a consortium including the South Korean companies Daelim and SK E&C, and Turkey's Limak and Yapi Merkezi OGG. The bridge is named after the World War I battle at Gallipoli when the Ottoman Army defeated the British.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Transport, Maritime and Communications Minister Ahmet Arslan said:

"The bridge will make a huge difference towards our community, it will make life easier and stimulate economic growth in the region. It will make travel time shorter by connecting [Turkey] with Europe, and help in exports and imports."

Also, speaking at the signing ceremony, South Korean Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kang Ho-in said his country's companies will complete the project by 2023, when Turkey will celebrate centennial of its founding.

"Korean companies will share their experiences in the economic development of South Korea with Turkey and also help in the transfer of technology,"

Kang said. "We can work together with other countries in the Middle East and Africa."

Pointing to the fact that there will be a technology transfer to Turkey in this project Yoon Tae Seob, senior executive vice president of Daelim Industrial said:

"I believe that after this Canakkale 1915 Bridge [gets] completed, our Turkish partners will be able to build such projects by themselves. We want to collaborate in know-how transfer to support Turkish companies,"

he said.

Yoon urged international investors to evaluate opportunities in Turkey. "We are seeking to get chances to participate in Turkish infrastructure projects like in Izmir and the new channel in Istanbul," he said.
Only six months after U.S. carriers began operating regular commercial flights to Cuba, Frontier Airlines and Silver Airways have become the latest airlines to cut service to the island nation.

The news comes after JetBlue and American Airlines both announced plans in the last two months to reduce their service to Cuba, either by scaling back on the number of flights or flying smaller planes to Cuba.

The cutbacks suggest that the nations airlines may have overestimated the demand for flights to Cuba when U.S.-based airlines scrambled for the slots offered last year by the Obama administration to fly to Havana and other Cuban cities.

Advertisement

Denver-based Frontier Airlines, which flies one daily flight between Miami and Havana, said it will end that service June 4. An airline spokesman said the cost of operating the route was higher than expected and other carriers offered more seats than needed to meet the demand.

Florida-based Silver, which flies 21 round-trip flights a week, primarily to smaller Cuban cities, said it will end Cuba service on April 22. The carrier also cited excess supply offered by other carriers.

It is not in the best interest of Silver and its team members to behave in the same irrational manner as other airlines, Silver spokeswoman Misty Pinson said.

In September, before the restrictions to Cuba were lifted, the average round-trip ticket to Cuba from the United States cost $399, according to the Airlines Reporting Corp., a company that provides ticket settlement services for airlines.

Once regular commercial flights began in November, round-trip tickets to Cuba dropped 14% to an average of $342, according to the Airline Reporting Corp. In February, average ticket price remained about the same, $341.

hugo.martin@latimes.com

To read more about the travel and tourism industries, follow @hugomartin on Twitter.
Karen Campagna was strolling around Laguna Beach a couple of years ago looking to commission a painting for her dining room. Instead, she signed up for an art class. She experimented with watercolors, acrylics, crackle paste and paper collage, but nothing caught her fancy.

Then one day a neighbor who was remodeling tossed out a bunch of broken jewelry and hardware. Using the debris, Campagna constructed her first relief sculpture. Now seven of her assemblages are on display at the Mission Viejo Library through Tuesday.

All of my paintings are fashioned with repurposed items that would otherwise wind up in a dump, Campagna said.

Her first assemblage, A California Pearl, was inspired by Victorian homes in the Bay Area and was created with chopsticks, keys, ballpoint pen springs, sand and costume jewelry. In a fashion-themed scene, an old salad tong transformed into the back of a womans leg and a cupcake liner became a hat.

Faces have been her biggest challenge, with bits of history symbolized in the items she used in construction. Albert Einsteins portrait Moral Conflict includes a German coin, which symbolizes his Nobel Prize . A treble clef and musical notes represent his love of classical music. Einsteins father wanted him to be an engineer, so Campagna added electrical parts.

Karen Campagnas Moral Conflict. (Dennis T. Cragun / Karen Campagna)

Karen Campagnas Dude. (Dennis T. Cragun / Karen Campagna)

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Resembling Jeff Bridges character in The Big Lebowski, Dude is a commentary on the Vietnam War. Campagnas Marine is a once-proud veteran fallen on hard times, represented by beer tabs and bottle openers. Plastic toy soldiers and guns, body parts and binoculars are scattered throughout his face and unruly locks.

Each assemblage takes about 300 to 400 hours to make, Campagna said, using 12 types of glue. Everything is painted white with the exception of a scene of New York at night. Circuit boards sprayed black form a skyline of high-rises. Clouds are made from the stuffing inside of hair doughnuts, and an old rhinestone belt stands in for the West Side Highway.

Karen Campagnas scene of New York at night. (Dennis T. Cragun / Karen Campagna)

Karen Campagnas Fairy Tale Castle. (Dennis T. Cragun / Karen Campagna)

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When she finally secured a publisher for A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine LEngle insisted that the book be published on the childrens list.

Good call. Since its publication in 1963, Wrinkle has been acclaimed as a childrens classic  the first offering in LEngles Time Quintet.

John Glores stage adaptation of the book, now at Sierra Madre Playhouse, ingeniously condenses the intricacies of the plot  a dizzying blend of sci-fi and sentimentality that pitches three resourceful kids against an all-encompassing darkness that threatens to swallow the universe.

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The production serves a dual purpose, as part of the playhouses regular season and as the latest offering in the theaters youth program for local schools. But theres a wrinkle in this Wrinkle. Although director Christian Lebanos staging is undeniably imaginative and beautifully paced, this is a kids show; it may hold more appeal for young audiences than for older theatergoers whose sense of nostalgia has been stoked by director Ava DuVernays Wrinkle film adaptation currently in production.

Game performers, many of whom are double cast, pitch their performances just a tad over-the-top  the right tack for this sometimes hyperbolic parable.

As 5-year-old Charles Wallace, the brainy boy swept into the control of a pernicious alien entity, Ken Ivy almost made me forget that hes a decade-plus too old for the part. But perhaps the demands of the role, and the fact that the show will play during school hours, precluded the casting of an age-appropriate child.

Others in the cast that I saw included Cristina Gerla as spunky Meg, Charles older sister and eventual rescuer, Ben Horwitz as Megs fellow time traveler and love interest, Clayton McInerney as Meg and Charles father, held in thrall on a far-flung planet, and Lena Thomas and Mallory Marie Wedding as two interstellar eccentrics who take on human form to help the children navigate deadly perils.

Sean Paxtons original music captures the pieces various moods, from the ethereal to the dire, and a superb technical team, including costume designer Vicki Conrad, lighting designer Rebecca Hairston, sound designer Christopher Moscatiello, and set and projection designer Matthew G. Hill, contribute appropriately celestial effects that will appeal to all ages.

         

A Wrinkle in Time

Where: Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre

When: 8 p.m. Fridays, 2:30 p.m. Saturdays; ends April 22

Tickets: $30

Information: (626) 355-4318, www.sierramadreplayhouse.org

Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

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As if Shonda Rhimes didnt have enough drama in her life  being the woman whose ShondaLand production companys galaxy of shows has become the backbone of Thursday nights on ABC  shes now about to fund more of it.

On the stage, that is.

Rhimes, the force behind TV hits Greys Anatomy and Scandal, is looking to bolster L.A.s theater community by becoming a patron of the arts for IAMA Theatre Company.

Her objective, she says, is to strengthen L.A.s profile as a theater town  which has long been a matter of debate depending on your point of view in the community.

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I had been missing the world of theater here in L.A., Rhimes said in a telephone interview. Theres a couple of very nice large theaters, but theres not a lot of interesting small theater, like you can find in New York. And I was sort of craving it.

The amount given was not disclosed. But the new endowment, which comes courtesy of the Rhimes Family Foundation, will fund a variety of company efforts, including the Rhimes Unsung Voices Playwriting Commission, whose aim is to help budding playwrights develop new stagings that have a special emphasis on culturally-inclusive storytelling.

I think its hard for any playwright to find opportunities, Rhimes said. If people arent being included, then Im going to find a way to make sure theyre included. Im going to find a way to make sure they have opportunities.

The writer-producer has recently amplified her philanthropic profile. Last year, she established the Rhimes Family Foundation, which gave $10 million to the new Smithsonian African American museum.

Her latest donation comes at a time when government arts funding is being threatened. On Thursday morning, President Trump released his first federal budget proposal that, if passed, would eliminate funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. IAMA has never received funding from the NEA, but the move would undoubtedly impact other cultural resources and programming in Los Angeles.

Now in its 10th year, IAMA has dedicated itself to producing young adult-oriented works that often speak to social problems through the lens of Angelenos.

The Los Angeles-based nonprofit was founded by a core of graduates from New York Universitys Tisch School of the Arts  among them: Katie Lowes, who plays Quinn Perkins on Scandal.

Rhimes was introduced to the companys work after hearing about Scandal cast outings to see IAMA performances.

Id say, Why am I hearing about these things? Invite me! I want to come, Rhimes recalled of playfully confronting Lowes.

The first invitation came last year. Rhimes attended the companys annual spring 23 Hour Play Festival  in which short plays inspired by random topics associated with Los Angeles are written, rehearsed, produced, directed and designed in 23 hours. She has been a frequent audience member since. Last summer, Rhimes approached Lowes about getting more involved.

She asked, What do you need? How do I help this grow? What will make it last? Lowes recalled. Its probably the most game-changing thing thats happened for this company.

Fellow founding member Stefanie Black concurred, adding: Its starting off the next chapter for us and allowing us to turn this small business of friends into a business business.

If people arent being included, then Im going to find a way to make sure theyre included. Im going to find a way to make sure they have opportunities.  Shonda Rhimes

The company mounts about about three main stage shows a year and two side events: the IAMA Holiday Cabaret and the 23 Hour Play Festival. (This years festival takes place Sunday at the Atwater Village Theater.)

This new commission is devoted to the goal of getting voices heard, Black said. There are so many voices out there that arent being shepherded or nurtured. So many people do their dream stuff or their passion projects for free, and thats not sustainable.

Details about how the commission will work are still being finalized, but Lowes said it will start soon. As part of the scouting, the company will reach out to writing programs in schools across the country to find new, underrepresented voices.

Rhimes, who grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, said her motivation to support the company stemmed from the idea of wanting theater to always be available and accessible, the way it was in her childhood.

I went to every play that came around our town, from the time I was little, Rhimes said. My parents felt like theater was a necessary piece of our culture growing up, it was the way of the world. I never questioned it.

She staged plays in her garage as a kid and, later as a teen, volunteered at a youth organization called Aunt Marthas, where she performed plays that were meant to educate teens on the importance of not using drugs or alcohol. While studying at Dartmouth, she was in a theater troupe.

Its always been a part of my life, and its never felt inaccessible, Rhimes said. And if I can help so that its not inaccessible here, great.

Rhimes has already demonstrated her level of involvement with the company. She took part in the workshop of last months Echo-Park-set production, The House That Jake Built, which explored immigration.

But has Rhimes ever considered being a playwright?

I think a lot about writing plays now because its new and its different for me, Rhimes said. Im kind of busy right now, so I dont know that that will be a thing that I actually embark upon. Until then, Im just going to be a lovely patron.

The most-read Entertainment stories this hour 

yvonne.villarreal@latimes.com

Twitter: @villarrealy

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Happiness workshops, spiritual fitness workouts and socially uplifting yoga sessions: Here are several upcoming events that aim to help people live more fulfilled lives:

Celebrity trainer Jill Payne calls her program Spiritual Athlete for a reason: Her workouts are a combination of high-intensity interval training, breath work and what she describes as tools to shift the mind-set. Payne, who lives in Costa Rica, travels around the world leading her workout classes, and is bringing one to a boutique Los Angeles fitness studio March 18. The sessions incorporate acupressure techniques to help expand the diaphragm, said to lead to a more energy-boosting workout.

Info: $40. March 18. 2 to 4 p.m. March 18, Model Fit, 8067 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles. Reserve a spot at modelfit.com

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::

Monday is the United Nations-proclaimed International Day of Happiness, and its being celebrated at the W+ell Beyond Summit: Exploration of the Science of Happiness. Organized by the national nonprofit organization HappyCity, which works to elevate well-being within communities, the all-day event starts with a sunrise meditation, includes lunch on the beach, talks on strategies for happier living, live mantra music and drum circles.

Info: $125 per person, or $180 for two. 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 20, followed by an after-party. Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica. HappyCity.us

::

Want to see what yoga mashed with activism looks like? Head along next Saturday to Tantris, the hip yoga studio in West Hollywood founded by longtime vegan, yogi and music entrepreneur Russell Simmons. The evening yoga class and after-party is organized by Off the Mat Into the World, a nonprofit whose events fund global charities and encourage people to transfer what they practice on the yoga mat  balance, serenity, compassion  into the community. The two-hour meditation and vinyasa yoga class will be led by Off the Mat co-founder Seane Corn, and a post-class reception is catered by plant-based catering and craft services company 5 Carrots.

Info: $150 for yoga and reception. $50 for reception only. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for class, reception from 9 to 10:30 p.m. March 25. Tantris Center for Yoga Science, 9200 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. Tantris.com

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Tour the restored Case Study House No. 10 in Pasadena, the citys only home designed for the landmark residential architecture experiment, as part of the Pasadena Heritage Modern Works Spring Home Tour on March 26.

The three-level home, constructed in 1947 on a sloping corner lot in the San Rafael hills, was designed by father-son architects Kemper Nomland and Kemper Nomland Jr.

It was meant to be an example of a simple, low-cost home for a middle-class family of adults in Southern California:

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In Case Study Houses: The Complete CSH Program 1945-1966, the home is described as a light-filled property that blends indoors and outdoors: Every effort has been made to incorporate the surrounding landscape with the living and dining area.  The generous use of translucent glass answers the demand for a feeling of openness and light without sacrificing any privacy.

Buff & Hensman designed the Arroyo del Rey house in 1979. (Beatrice de Gea/Los Angeles Times)

The self-driven tour will also include the Buff & Hensman-designed Arroyo del Rey house, shown above, located in the shadow of the 134 Freeway and historic Colorado Street Bridge; the Theodore Criley Jr.-designed Frank Thomas House; a second Buff & Hensman home known as the Hamlin House; the Altadena home that architect James DeLong designed for his parents; and the Belle Grove Apartments by Harold Bissner Sr., Harold Bissner Jr. and James Resh.

Guests will drive themselves to each location, where docents will offer tours and discuss the homes architectural features and history.

What: Modern & More Spring Home Tour

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26.

Cost: $40 to $45 in advance, $48 on the day of the tour.

Info: pasadenaheritage.org

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lisa.boone@latimes.com

Twitter: @lisaboone19

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Good morning. Im Paul Thornton, the Los Angeles Times letters editor, and it is Saturday, March 18, 2017. My apologies in advance for being one of the runners at tomorrows Los Angeles Marathon contributing to the traffic chaos (if it helps, heres a list of street closures). Lets take a look back at the week in Opinion.

Healthcare reform is a sickeningly partisan affair. Its being rammed through Congress by the party in power. People will probably die if it gets passed. Costs will explode, including your insurance premiums. Millions will lose their access to affordable healthcare.

All these criticisms apply to the American Health Care Act , the Republican-backed bill to repeal and replace the 2010 Affordable Care Act , and the devastating report by the Congressional Budget Office backs them up. But if these objections sound familiar, its because they were uttered hysterically  and falsely  by the Republicans during the debate over the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Neera Tanden, who worked in the Obama administration to get healthcare reform passed in 2010, recalls the GOPs Obamacare derangement in a Times op-ed article:

The GOP campaigned on high ACA costs, but then created a bill that raises, not decreases, those costs for families. As millions of Trump supporters lose the healthcare coverage they need, wealthy Americans such as Trump can expect a windfall. People making more than $1 million a year would see their taxes cut by $144 billion over the next decade, and wealthy health insurance CEOs would see their incomes skyrocket. Eight years ago, the GOP decried the creation of a partisan Democratic bill. But today, only Republicans support the [GOP] plan. Doctors, nurses, hospitals and most insurers oppose this bill. No Democrats were even consulted on the legislation. Eight years ago, Republicans accused Democrats of ramming through the ACA, even though we spent more than a year holding hundreds of meetings, roundtable discussions and public hearings with experts, lawmakers and stakeholders throughout the healthcare industry. Obama gave a nearly hourlong speech to Congress, laying out his vision and inviting further discussion from both sides of the aisle. Senate Democrats accepted more than 160 Republican amendments to the healthcare bill. And House Democrats held multiple public hearings before and after introducing their legislation in June 2009, allowing relevant committees time to discuss the bill and make amendments long before holding the final House vote four months later. Now House Republicans want to bypass that crucial process in order to rush their bill through in the next week or so  no hearings with experts, no bipartisan summits, no testimony from the Health and Human Services secretary.... As we approach the seventh anniversary of the ACAs passage, the GOPs replacement plan is shaping up to be a policy and political disaster. It breaks Trumps promises to keep everyone covered and to not cut Medicaid; it pits House and Senate Republicans against each other; and it sends premiums up for voters in both parties, especially Trumps supporters. >> Click here to read more

The GOP healthcare plan will worsen the opioid crisis. Reading the Republicans proposed replacement for Obamacare, writes Doyle McManus , you wouldnt know that more than 50,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2015. In parts of the country, the rate of death from opioid drug use is jumping by double digits annually. On the campaign trail, McManus notes, Trump promised to address a crisis that he said Obama ignored, but the House bill goes in the opposite direction; it would cut drug treatment, not expand it. Of all Trumps promises, this might be the cruelest to break. Has he noticed? L.A. Times

Well be hearing a lot from this local member of Congress: Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, tells The Times Patt Morrison in an interview that Congress should empower an independent, 9/11 Commission-style panel to look into Russian meddling in the 2016 campaign. Regarding the unprecedented nature of the Trump administration, Schiff warns: You grow up as I have in the latter part of the 20th century and you believe that everything is quite solid and we have this brilliantly written Constitution. And all of a sudden you realize the Constitution is extraordinarily written, but its not self-executing. And there are certain norms of behavior that have guided us and made that democracy work. Those norms are being thrown out on a daily basis; its really quite fragile. L.A. Times

Schiff has also garnered attentional nationally. The New Yorker profiles the unlikely liberal hero so disturbed by Trumps lack of interest in the Russian cyberattack during the campaign that he transformed from milquetoast moderate into the face of the Democratic resistance. New Yorker

Trumps first budget made a lot of noise in Washington, but it is so out of the mainstream and so cruel even to Republican voters that members of Congress will probably ignore it. The presidents America First blueprint proposes to cut worthwhile programs  ones that help feed the poor, fund medical research and clean up the environment  which, The Times Editorial Board notes, are not raising the tide of red ink, whereas the military would get a generous $54-billion boost. Its a perennial wish list of GOP wants, only less realistic. L.A. Times

Ex-L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca is probably going to federal prison, but that doesnt mean county leaders should put the scandal over jail inmate beatings behind them. On the contrary, county Probation Department employees appeared in court on charges related to the beatings of juvenile inmates the same day Baca was convicted, showing that serious problems remain. L.A. Times

Reach me: paul.thornton@latimes.com
Jonathan LoPresti went to USC as an undergrad in 1974.

And liked it.

So much so that he stayed on for a PhD in physiology, and then stuck with the Trojan family for medical school.

For his residency, take a wild guess.

Yes, USC, and hes still doctoring at L.A. County-USC Medical Center.

LoPresti, whos had M.D. after his name for 36 years, is a true believer in the mission at one of the oldest and largest public hospitals in the nation. Going back to the late 1800s, Southern Californians by the thousands have entered the world there, been cured there and died there. In the lobby is a 1897 photo of a horse-drawn ambulance pulling up to an earlier version of the hospital.

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It exists to serve all the residents of Los Angeles County, irrespective of the ability to pay, including patients who lack access to routine medical care, LoPresti wrote in a tribute he sent to me recently.

But he wrote to express his fear as well as his pride. The Congressional Budget Office estimated 14 million people would lose health insurance next year under the GOP plan to repeal Obamacare, and an additional 10 million would get hit by 2026. As LoPresti watches the scrum play out, he worries about the impact on his hospital and its patients.

Resident physicians listen to Dr. Jonathan LoPresti, center, whos been at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center for 36 years, and resident physician Hugh Gordon, right, as they discuss patient care. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

If you dont have access to regular care, he said, you get sick more often. If you delay doing something about it, you get sicker, and treatment becomes more complicated and expensive. This is Medicine 101.

Its possible, LoPresti said, that an already overwhelmed L.A County system will have far more patients waiting in line as they lose healthcare coverage and are turned away from facilities that pass along indigent patients as quickly as they can. And the county will have less money to take care of them because of anticipated cuts in federal spending on Medicaid.

One of the disadvantages of patients here is that they come in late because they dont have insurance, and so as a result, the tumors are larger here than we see at Keck, LoPresti said, referring to the adjacent, private Keck USC Hospital where he also works. Our tumors are two or three times larger than you see on the private side.

Its too soon to know how the reform battle will play out, said Dr. Mitchell Katz, whos in charge of all of L.A. Countys public hospitals and health services. But it could be grim for Los Angeles, where more than 200,000 people got healthcare under Obamacare, mainly through Medi-Cal.

If the Affordable Care Act were to be repealed, in full we would lose about $900 million, said Katz, one of several California officials exploring a universal healthcare plan in anticipation of a potentially disastrous reform from Congress.

In one of the more galling aspects of the GOP plan, health insurance companies would get a bigger tax break on what they pay to CEOs, whose compensation is staggering. The heads of CIGNA, UnitedHealth Group and Molina Healthcare Inc. bellied up to the trough for $17.3 million, $14.5 million and $10.3 million in 2015.

As the suits get rich at the top of the healthcare food chain, there was trembling last week at L.A. County-USC among patients who fear theyll lose coverage.

Ive just been nervous, hoping it doesnt happen, said Mercedes Greer, 26, a behavioral therapist who was waiting on an MRI to see if she has a torn knee ligament. The hospital arranged temporary Medi-Cal for her, but it expires in a month, and those kinds of plans could end up on the block.

Nearby, a man with a prosthetic leg showed me his scars from a knife attack and said he hopes he doesnt lose the Medi-Cal hes had for 15 years. Another man, Richard Delgado, said he got covered under Obamacare in 2014 and hes hoping he doesnt get booted. And Nidia Manrique, who brought a friend to the hospital for radiation treatment for breast cancer, said she feels lucky.

I have insurance through my employer, but I know a lot of people who are terrified of losing their coverage, she said.

An unknown number of patients in the county system are undocumented, and the county does not turn them away. Dr. LoPresti doesnt usually know who does or doesnt have papers, nor does he give it much thought.

As a physician, it doesnt faze me, he said. I think they need healthcare and I think they should get healthcare. If youre asking me as a taxpayer, I think its driving up the cost for everyone living in Los Angeles.

But not providing healthcare to illegal immigrants has its costs too, he said. The spread of disease is a concern, and the lack of medical coverage leads to expensive acute care treatment, often in emergency rooms.

Resident physicians Michael Kendall, Joseph Pawlowski, Eric Stone and Kavita Renduchintala listen to Dr. Jonathan LoPresti as they discuss patient care. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Friday morning, LoPresti, an endocrinologist, started his day reviewing patient charts with six resident physicians. One patient was admitted for renal failure. A diabetic had just had a leg amputated and is losing his sight. Another patient had a pituitary tumor.

If youre deficient in cortisol, LoPresti told the residents, thats what led to low blood pressure, low sodium, nausea and vomiting. The thyroid hormone wasnt so much at risk at that point, but if I take a patient with low thyroid hormone to surgery, it can lead to cardiovascular collapse.

I was struck by how elegantly Hippocratic and civilized this scene was. At a first-rate teaching hospital, a doctor whos seen everything shared his experience and wisdom with bright young doctors who will return the favor one day to the next generation.

The healthcare conversation has been politically divisive for years, to the point of distraction. But in this consultation room, and on the rounds that followed trough the hospitals wards, politics and policy were as irrelevant as the backgrounds of the patients.

The focus was on helping sick people get well.

Nothing more or less.

In the essay LoPresti sent me, he mentioned the mission statement inscribed on the wall of the hospital building that preceded the current one. Its worth repeating, as the reformers use scalpels to rewrite healthcare policy.

Erected by the citizens of the county of Los Angeles to provide hospital care for the acutely ill and suffering to whom the doctors  give their services without charge in order that no citizen of the county shall be deprived of health or life for lack of such care and service.

To read the article in Spanish, click here

Get more of Steve Lopezs work and follow him on Twitter @LATstevelopez

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Los Angeles City Councilman Gil Cedillo is heading for a May 16 runoff contest against bicycle activist Joe Bray-Ali, according to the latest vote count released Friday.

Six of the seven council members who were up for reelection March 7 won their races outright. But Cedillo, who represents such neighborhoods as Chinatown, Lincoln Heights and Westlake, took 49.4% of the vote in the latest tally  just below the majority needed to avoid a runoff.

Bray-Ali, the second-place candidate, had 38% of the vote. Two other challengers each drew less than 10%, results show.

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Officials with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk plan to tally the remaining 9,000 countywide ballots on Monday, with certification of the results scheduled for the following day.

Bray-Ali, who lives in Lincoln Heights, said he plans to focus during the runoff campaign on his vision for the district, delivering basic services, providing more youth activities and improving communication between City Hall and residents, businesses and nonprofit groups. The district is struggling with increased homelessness, widespread evictions and a growing crime problem, Bray-Ali said.

Try to imagine a 1st Council District where the council member cares about doing the job. Thats going to be the difference, he said. I actually care about the work. The work will actually get done.

Cedillo said the district has its problems but is seeing significant progress with new park facilities, cleanups of alleys and sidewalks, and more community safety initiatives.

Experience is important, he said, at a time when immigration officers are apprehending people who lack citizenship papers near schools and at courthouses.

We have a record of fighting for everybody in the district  rich or poor, young or old, immigrant or not. And were going to continue that, Cedillo said.

The campaign between Cedillo and Bray-Ali has been tense at times. On election night, Cedillo said his lead showed that voters were rejecting his rivals trendy, hippy, hipster proposal and agenda.

On Friday, Cedillo said he regrets making those remarks. I should not have referred to his campaign  as a hipster campaign or candidacy, he said.

Runoff elections are highly unusual for Los Angeles City Council members. Former Councilman Bernard Parks narrowly avoided one in 2011, after an array of labor unions spent big to support his opponent, Forescee Hogan-Rowles.

The last incumbent council member to be ousted was Nick Pacheco, who was defeated by former Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa in 2003. That race was decided without a runoff.

Council District 1 includes all or portions of such neighborhoods as Highland Park, Glassell Park, Cypress Park, Mount Washington, Montecito Heights and Pico-Union. The winner of the contest will serve a 5 -year term starting July 1.

david.zahniser@latimes.com

Twitter: @DavidZahniser

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President Trumps budget would upend Los Angeles attempt to solve its homelessness crisis, cutting into federal rent subsidies that had been expected to cover operating costs for thousands of new housing units, officials said Friday.

Limitations built into the spending plan for the Department of Housing and Urban Development would force the loss of 200,000 vouchers from the federal Section 8 program, 4,000 to 5,000 of them in the city of Los Angeles, officials estimated.

Douglas Guthrie, president and chief executive of the citys housing authority, said the cuts would eliminate all new vouchers and probably rescind some from families already on the Section 8 rolls.

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Congress still has to weigh in on Trumps plan, and budget details remain sketchy. But officials are worried.

It certainly signals intent and where they want to go, said Peter Lynn, executive director of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. We have to take it very seriously.

There are a lot of moving parts, none of them good, Guthrie said.

After decades of struggling to manage homelessness, the city in November persuaded voters to approve $1.2 billion in bonds to build up to 10,000 homeless and low-income housing units, with long-term financial support projected to come from rent vouchers.

L.A. County voters this month approved a quarter-cent sales tax increase to generate $355 million a year for homeless supportive services. The measure narrowly cleared the required two-thirds majority, officials said Friday.

Trump also called for cutting off all community development block grants, which Lynn said the city uses for emergency shelters and short-term rent support for homeless families.

A budget increase is proposed for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which agreed in 2016 to build 1,200 units for homeless veterans at its West Los Angeles campus. The rent vouchers for that project, however, also come from the Department of Housing and Urban Development budget.

A possible preview of what might happen if Trumps budget is adopted came in 2013, when the federal sequestration halted distribution of all rent vouchers in Los Angeles, officials said.

Douglas Rice, senior policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, D.C., said the federal government currently operates under a spending cap that limits funds for poor people.

Trumps budget, Rice said, has received some fair pushback from Republicans and Democrats. But, he added, there is no organized constituency for tenant subsidies.

On the other hand, block grants are popular with mayors, and Republicans have consistently supported voucher renewals in the past, Rice said.

One option not on the table is curtailing the citys homeless housing construction, Guthrie said.

There has been an enormous effort by the city and by the county, backed by the citizens, to comprehensively address the homeless problem here, Guthrie said. We will do our part in making sure that program works.

gholland@latimes.com

Twitter: @geholland

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The grass in the town square was green again, and "Singing in the Rain" was playing at the restored Art Deco theater downtown.

It was maybe a bit warmer than it should have been for March. There were storms expected soon that could bring flooding. And the great California drought might  or might not  really be over.

But there seemed to be a guarded sense of optimism in this Central Valley farm community.

Months ago, when Fox Hanford theater owner Danny Humasom and Zach Rodriguez  the town's most dedicated film buff  chose to show the classic musical, chances were the title would be nothing more than cruel irony. Rain had been scarce for nearly a decade during the worst drought in California's modern history.

"I do remember saying: 'Can you imagine if it rained?'" Rodriguez said. "But it was a wistful thing."

The Hanford Fox Theater marquee advertises Singing in the Rain. (Diana Marcum / Los Angeles Times) (Diana Marcum / Los Angeles Times)

This week, there was blue sky outside the picture windows at Superior Dairy. Six-year-old Marley Oliver sat in front of a bowl of chocolate ice cream piled as big as a coconut before heading to her tap/ballet class at Miss Vicky's. Her mother, Laura Benavides, dipped into a root beer float with a long spoon.

During the worst of the drought, the sky had hung day after day in a lung-choking haze.

"First we were singing in the rain, and now we're singing in sunshine," Benavides said.

At the movie house snack bar, Jackie Barberick and Michelle Reed sold popcorn and soda in exchange for the theater making a donation to their organization, Paws and Claws.

"We raise money for seniors," Barberick said.

"For seniors' dogs," Reed interjected. "It's even funnier when she says: 'We raise money for spaying and neutering for seniors.'

Barberick's boyfriend grows corn for cattle. "We have a lot of dairies around here, and it's been tough," she said of the years-long dry spell.

Reed said everyone in the area had suffered in some way. "We feed the United States. It's our economy," she said. I cant tell you how nice it is to look around and see green.

The snowpack is nearly twice the historic average. After record rainfall, there's more worry about dams failing than another year of sucking the water table dry.

But the Central Valley is still sinking from depleted aquifers. And the adage that people forget a drought as soon as it rains isn't true any longer, at least for the people she knows, said Shaka Sudds, 28.

"We had the deep sense that the drought was going to be here for a while  maybe always. We're shaken. We were reminded that we can't prepare for droughts and floods like these," she said.

"I have a lot of friends that are farmworkers, and when it did finally rain days on end, I'd say: Oh, you couldn't go to work again today. I'm sorry.' I know they need the money. But they would always say: 'No, we're grateful. We need the rain.'"

Jason Jones, 37, said that every time it rains, he goes out in his backyard, dances around and throws a squeaky hamburger toy for his dogs.

He said he suspects he'll do it for many years to come, even if rivers overflow.

"We had a real scare," he said. "It's not that easy to shake off."

During the movie, Rodriguez, Sudds, Jones and their friend Sophia Delgado  a Fresno state student  cheered the on-screen splashing in puddles and sang along with the actors, emphasizing certain lines:

Come on with the rain

Ive a smile on my face ...

After the show, the group mugged under the marquee, with "Singing in the Rain" framed by neon.

Rodriguez threw his arms out, Broadway-style.

"This is how we'll react to rain in Hanford," he said. "For a long time to come."

diana.marcum@latimes.com

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Hillary Clinton says shes ready to come out of the woods and help Americans find common ground.

Clintons gradual return to the public spotlight following her presidential election loss continued with a St. Patricks Day speech in her late fathers Pennsylvania hometown of Scranton.

Im like a lot of my friends right now; I have a hard time watching the news, the Democratic former secretary of State told an Irish American womens group.

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But she urged a divided country to work together to solve problems, recalling how, as first lady, she met with female leaders working to bring peace to Northern Ireland.

I do not believe that we can let political divides harden into personal divides. And we cant just ignore or turn a cold shoulder to someone because they disagree with us politically, she said.

Friday nights speech was one of several Clinton is to deliver in the coming months, including a May 26 commencement address at her alma mater, Wellesley College in Massachusetts. She also is working on a book of personal essays that will include some reflections on her election loss to Donald Trump.

Clinton, who was spotted taking a walk in the woods around her hometown of Chappaqua, N.Y., two days after the election, said she had wanted to stay in the woods, but you can only do so much of that.

She told the Society of Irish Women that itll be up to citizens, not a deeply polarized Washington, to bridge the political divide.

I am ready to come out of the woods and to help shine a light on what is already happening around kitchen tables, at dinners like this, to help draw strength that will enable everybody to keep going, Clinton said.

Clinton was received warmly in Scranton, where her grandfather worked in a lace mill. Her father left Scranton for Chicago in search of work during the Depression, but returned often, and Clinton spent summers at the familys cottage on nearby Lake Winola.

She recalled watching movies projected onto a bedsheet in a neighbors yard, and said the cottage had a toilet but no shower or tub.

Dont tell anybody this, but wed go down to the lake, she said.

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The 16 national wildlife refuges in Alaska span the state from the remote Arctic on the northern edge to the volcanic Aleutian islands southwest of Anchorage. Across the refuges nearly 77 million acres, animal diversity abounds  ice worms and seabirds, black bears and grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou, predators and prey. There is one guiding principle behind the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services management of all the species on these refuges: Conserve the natural diversity of wildlife as it is. In essence, let them be, and let humans enjoy the spectacle of nature on these refuges.

But at these particular enclaves, that also means letting humans hunt  within limits. Its difficult to believe that any wildlife refuge isnt truly a refuge from hunters. Thats the way the national system of refuges started, but over the last quarter century, many have been opened up to regulated hunting.

And herein lies the problem. The state of Alaska shares the responsibility for managing the refuges wildlife, and it has its own goal: Making sure there are plenty of animals to hunt. In an effort to maximize the number of moose, caribou and deer, the state authorized in some areas more efficient but brutal methods to kill the wolves and bears that prey upon those popular hunting targets.

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Concerned that the states predator control campaign could become widespread enough to disrupt the refuges ecosystems, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a rule that bars hunters and trappers in the refuges from killing wolves and their pups in their dens, killing bear cubs or sows with cubs, baiting brown bears, shooting bears from aircraft, or capturing bears with traps and snares. The rule took effect in September.

Alarmingly, Alaskas congressional delegation is pushing hard to get rid of these ecologically sound and humane restrictions, and Republican lawmakers are responding. A joint resolution revoking the rule has passed the House and is expected to come up for a vote in the Senate the week of March 20. It is misguided and should be hunted down and killed.

Lets be clear on a few things. The federal rule prohibits only these gruesome methods of hunting on national wildlife refuges. It does not apply to hunting in state-owned wilderness or to rural Alaskan residents who hunt for subsistence. And its doubtful that killing huge numbers of wolves and bears would automatically drive up the number of moose and caribou. The best available science indicates that widespread elimination of bears, coyotes and wolves will quite unlikely make ungulate herds magically reappear, wrote 31 biologists and other scientists to then-Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell last year when the rule was still being studied.

In other words, the Alaskan government sought to allow types of hunting that probably would not accomplish what it wants to accomplish, but would end up killing brown bears whod been lured with bait, slaughtering helpless cubs and wolf pups, and allowing bears to languish in excruciating pain for unknown hours in steel-jawed traps. This is unconscionable.

And this is not a case of states rights being usurped by the federal government. If anything, the congressional measures would subvert the federal governments decades-long statutory authority over federal lands in Alaska. The national refuges are not Alaskas private game reserve. That wilderness belongs to all of us. The Senate should stop this bill from going any further.

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On Monday, the Senate Judiciary Committee will begin confirmation hearings for Judge Neil Gorsuch, President Trumps nominee for the Supreme Court seat that has been vacant since the death more than a year ago of Justice Antonin Scalia.

The cynical conventional wisdom is that Republicans will lob softballs at the nominee, Democrats will try to portray his decisions on the federal appeals court in Denver as hostile to the little guy and the judge himself will say as little as possible about controversial legal questions.

Wed like to suggest a different approach: Senators should engage the nominee in a serious discussion of his views about the Constitution, the role of precedent and how the court should adapt general principles to changing social and scientific circumstances. And Gorsuch should respond in kind by speaking as frankly as he can, demurring only about specific cases that are likely to come before him.

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We recognize that the hearings inevitably take place in a partisan context. Democrats are justifiably angry that the Republican majority never allowed hearings or a vote on Merrick Garland, President Obamas eminently qualified nominee to replace Scalia. One consequence of that power play is that Democratic senators are under extreme pressure from their liberal base to oppose Gorsuch no matter what. Beyond that, Democrats have legitimate concerns about how his appointment could affect progressive causes, from gay and transgender rights to affirmative action and reproductive rights.

Even if Gorsuch wouldnt upset existing precedents, he could make it harder for the court to adapt to future changes in American society.

Democrats are free to remind their Republican colleagues  and Gorsuch  of the injustice done to Obama and Garland. They also have every right to question the nominee about his rulings on the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and his previous work, such as the role he played as a Justice Department lawyer in defending the George W. Bush administrations policies on interrogating and detaining suspected terrorists.

But the main focus should be how Gorsuch would approach the role of a Supreme Court justice. Gorsuch is only 49; if confirmed, he could sit on the court for decades and outlast several presidents and Congresses. In particular, they should explore how Gorsuch would interpret the Constitution and, to a lesser extent, acts of Congress.

Like Scalia, Gorsuch has been described as an originalist, someone who interprets the Constitution according to the meaning its provisions had at the time they were adopted. In a speech at Case Western Reserve University Law School last year, Gorsuch said judges should strive to apply the law as it is, focusing backward, not forward, and looking to text, structure, and history to decide what a reasonable reader at the time of the events in question would have understood the law to be  not to decide cases based on their own moral convictions or the policy consequences they believe might serve society best.

This formula is much less straightforward than it seems. For one thing, text and history can be at odds because language can have different connotations at different times.

For example, to Americans in the 19th century, the equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the 14th Amendment might seem to protect only racial equality; in the 20th century it seemed obvious to many Americans that it also prohibited some forms of sexual discrimination. Does Gorsuch object to that updated interpretation? Does he believe that a constitutional provision must be viewed through the eyes of the generation in which it was adopted and cant be interpreted to deal with situations its authors never could have imagined, such as cellphone GPS signals being used to track suspects without a warrant? The U.S. Constitution has never been that sort of rigid document.

Scalia, for whom Gorsuch has expressed great admiration, was zealous in defending relatively specific rights mentioned in the Constitution, including freedom of speech and protection from unreasonable searches and seizures  even in circumstances that the Constitutions framers couldnt have anticipated, such as the sale of video games or the use by police of GPS technology. But Scalias version of originalism led to him dissent stridently from rulings recognizing rights, such as abortion or marriage equality for gays and lesbians, that his colleagues rightly read into more general language in the Constitution about liberty and equal protection of the laws.

Those decisions were a natural outgrowth of earlier rulings in which the court secured other rights that the Constitution didnt explicitly guarantee, such as a right to marry someone of another race (or the right to marry at all) or the right to use contraceptives in the privacy of ones bedroom. An America in which those decisions had come out the other way would not be an America in which most of us would want to live.

Senators should ask Gorsuch whether he shares Scalias disdain for the courts decisions on abortion and same-sex marriage and, if so, whether he would nevertheless accord those decisions respect as precedents of the court. This wouldnt be breaking new ground. At his confirmation hearing, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. acknowledged under questioning by the late Sen. Arlen Specter that Roe vs. Wade was settled as a precedent of the court, entitled to respect under principles of stare decisis. That concession didnt mean that Roberts would never vote to overrule Roe, but it made it less likely.

Its entirely possible that Gorsuch would not have joined the decisions legalizing abortion or same-sex marriage but also wouldnt agitate to overturn those rulings if he joined the court. According to the New York Times, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said Gorsuch told her that he didnt believe a long-established precedent should be overruled simply because five current justices think it was wrongly decided. Thats a possibility the committee should look into, but as part of a broader inquiry into Gorsuchs view of the importance of precedent and predictability in the law. (Some precedents, after all, should be overturned  witness Plessy vs. Ferguson, the 1896 ruling that approved segregation in public facilities.)

But even if Gorsuch wouldnt upset existing precedents, he could make it harder for the court to adapt to future changes in American society if he took too constrained an originalist approach going forward. Thats why its important that senators engage him in a dialogue about his view of the courts role that goes beyond hot-button issues such as abortion, guns and gay rights.

Gorsuch is obviously an accomplished jurist. He has been rated well qualified by the American Bar Assn. (as was Garland, who never was permitted to appear before the Judiciary Committee). Unlike some Trump appointees, he is neither a crony nor someone whose professional credentials can be questioned. But the Senate has a right to look beyond a sterling resume to inquire about the philosophy that will help shape the court for decades to come.

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Adam Schiff views documents White House says back Trump surveillance claim By Michael A. Memoli (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) traveled to the White House Friday to view documents President Trump has said partially vindicate his claim that his predecessor ordered surveillance of him during the campaign. In a statement, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee said he was told they were precisely the same materials viewed previously by the committees chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare), which Schiff said should now be shared with the full panel membership. Nothing I could see today warranted a departure from the normal review procedures, Schiff said, adding that he could not discuss the contents of the documents, which remain classified. Nunes was shown the documents last week by White House officials surreptitiously, then announced to reporters the next day that he needed urgently to go to the White House to brief Trump about them. Schiff, in his statement, said that the White House has yet to explain why senior White House staff apparently shared these materials with but one member of either [Intelligence] committee, only for their contents to be briefed back to the White House. Schiff also had a brief but cordial meeting with Trump during his time at the White House, a spokesman said. White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters earlier Friday that other Democrats have been invited to the White House to view the materials, which he said would shed light on their investigation. Both the House and Senate Intelligence Committees are conducting separate reviews of Russian interference into the 2016 election; Trump has asked each panel to also probe his own claim that his predecessor engaged in wire tapping of his phones at Trump Tower during the campaign, an assertion that has been denied by Nunes as well as the heads of the FBI and intelligence agencies. Facebook

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Mnuchin regrets plugging The Lego Batman Movie, pledges to exercise greater caution in the future By Jim Puzzanghera Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Friday told a top government ethics official he should not have publicly plugged The Lego Batman Movie  a film in which he has a financial stake  and promised to exercise greater caution in the future. I take very seriously my ethical responsibilities as a presidential appointee and the head of the Department of the Treasury, Mnuchin wrote to Walter Shaub, director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics. On Monday, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) asked Shaub to determine whether Mnuchin had committed an ethics violation last week when he discussed the movie during an event hosted by the Axios news website that aired on C-SPAN2. Read More Facebook

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Rep. Adam Schiff says its too early to consider an immunity deal for Michael Flynn By Associated Press The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee says its too early to consider an immunity deal for President Trumps former national security advisor. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) says that Michael Flynn even discussing possible immunity in exchange for protection from prosecution is a grave and momentous step because of the seniority of his former position. Schiff says the House Intelligence Committee is interested in hearing Flynns story, but there would have to be coordination with the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Justice Department on the terms. The House and Senate intelligence committees and the FBI are investigating Russias meddling in the 2016 election. The investigation includes scrutiny of Flynns ties with Russia. Read More Facebook

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Trump administration admonishes California chief justice over claim that agents are stalking immigrants By Del Quentin Wilber U.S. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions (Mark Wilson / Getty Images) The Trump administration on Friday fired back at Californias top judge, disputing her characterization this month that federal immigration agents were stalking courthouses to make arrests. In a letter to Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, leaders of Trumps Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security objected to her description of federal agents conduct. As the chief judicial officer of the state of California, your characterization of federal law enforcement is particularly troubling, wrote Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, objecting to Cantil-Sakauyes use of the word stalking. They said agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were using courthouses to arrest immigrants in the U.S. illegally, in part, because California and some of its local jurisdictions prohibit their officials from cooperating with federal agencies in detaining such immigrants under most conditions. Sessions and Kelly told Californias top judge that she should consider taking her concerns to Gov. Jerry Brown and the cities and counties that limit local law enforcements involvement with immigration agents. Cantil-Sakauye, a former prosecutor who rose through the judicial ranks as an appointee of Republican governors, said through a spokesman that she appreciated the Trump administrations admission that they are in state courthouses making federal arrests. Making arrests at courthouses, in my view, undermines public safety because victims and witnesses will fear coming to courthouses to help enforce the law, she said Friday. She expressed disappointment that courthouses, given local and state public safety concerns, were not listed as sensitive areas offlimits to agents. Federal policy lists schools, churches and hospitals as sensitive areas. The letter from the Justice Department officials defended the arrests of immigrants at courthouses. By apprehending suspects after they have passed through security screening at courthouses, federal agents are less likely to encounter anyone who is armed, the letter said. The arrest of individuals by ICE officers and agents is predicated on investigation and targeting of specific persons who have been identified by ICE and other law enforcement agencies as subject to arrest, they wrote. Cantil-Sakauye had asked the Trump administration on March 16 to stop immigration agents from seeking immigrants at the states courthouses. Courthouses should not be used as bait in the necessary enforcement of our countrys immigration laws, she wrote in a letter to Sessions and Kelly. Her letter did not say which courthouses had been the location of such stalking, but judges and lawyers in Southern California have complained of seeing immigration agents posted near courts. She said she feared the practice would erode public trust in the state courts. Sessions and Kelly urged Cantil-Sakauye to speak to Brown and other officials who have enacted policies that occasionally necessitate ICE officers and agents to make arrests at courthouses and other public places. Facebook

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Back in the spotlight, Hillary Clinton takes aim at Trumps budget By Evan Halper Hillary Clinton stepped back into the spotlight this week after laying relatively low since the election, and she had some advice for President Trump: Tear up the White House budget plan. Clinton was at the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security to bestow an award named in her honor to Colombian leaders who helped bring an end to war in that country and elevate the role of women in the peace process. She spoke of the progress the world has made in advancing womens rights since she spoke forcefully on the issue two decades ago when the U.N. gathered world leaders to address it in Beijing. But she warned that progress is threatened by Trump. We are seeing signals of a shift that should alarm us all, Clinton said. This administrations proposed cuts to international health, development and diplomacy would be a blow to women and children and a grave mistake for our country. Clinton then raised the letter signed by 120 former generals and admirals beseeching the Trump administration not to make the cuts. These distinguished men and women who have served in uniform recognize that turning our back on diplomacy wont make our country safer. It will undermine our security and our standing in the world. A lot has changed since Clinton was on the campaign trail, but some things about her style on the stump havent. She pulled out a favorite line from last year as she began to talk about a study that backed up her point about the damage Trumps budget plan could do. Here I go again, Clinton said to whooping and cheering from an audience of mostly female students, talking about research evidence and facts. Facebook

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Seeking a way forward, Trump increasingly finds himself at odds with his own party By Michael A. Memoli (Evan Vucci / Associated Press ) President Trump won his office in spite of the best efforts of some in his party. Now, the tenuous nature of the bonds between Trump and the GOP are increasingly on public display as the president openly feuds with conservatives and White House officials debate whether to reach out to Democrats in order to restart his domestic agenda. The latest and strongest evidence came Thursday as Trump escalated his political battle against the members of the House Freedom Caucus, the conservative lawmakers who helped block the healthcare bill he backed. Early in the morning, he said on Twitter that the caucus would hurt the entire Republican agenda if they dont get on the team. We must fight them, & Dems, in 2018! he added. It was an extraordinary message, suggesting that Trump might try to back challengers in primaries against lawmakers of his own party  something few presidents have tried, none with much success. Read More Facebook

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Tillerson tells NATO allies to pay more, do more to fight terrorism By Catherine Stupp Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday promised NATO allies that the United States will stand by their side but also expected them to spend more on defense and do more to fight terrorism. Tillerson participated in a day of discussions with foreign ministers from the 27 other NATO member nations, his first with the full roster of allies, who were sent scrambling last week to accommodate the top U.S. diplomat after he said he could not attend the meeting originally planned for early April. The United States is committed to ensuring NATO has the capabilities to support our collective defense. We understand that a threat against one of us is a threat against all of us, Tillerson said. But, he added, as President Trump has made clear, it is no longer sustainable for the U.S. to maintain a disproportionate share of NATOs defense expenditures. The United States is amping up pressure on NATO members to increase their defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product, in line with a 2014 agreement among the alliances 28 member countries to meet the target by 2024. Only five NATO countries meet the 2% threshold. The U.S. spends 3.61% of its GDP on defense, more than any other member of the alliance. Tillerson said that if countries have not met the 2% spending goal by the end of the year, they should at least have a concrete plan that clearly articulates how, with annual milestone progress commitments, the pledge will be fulfilled. Pressure to meet that strict deadline is likely to upset some allies. German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel told reporters before Fridays meeting that he thinks it would be completely unrealistic for Germany to bring its military defense spending up to 2% of GDP. I dont know any politician in Germany who thinks that this would be reachable or desirable, Gabriel said. Germany is increasing its military spending this year to $39 billion, or 1.2% of its GDP. Gabriel rejected the Trump administrations focus on military expenditures, arguing that humanitarian aid and Germanys spending to take in refugees should be considered part of the defense budget. Tillerson also called on allies to take a greater role in the fight against terrorism. NATO can and should do more, he said. Fighting terrorism is the top national security priority for the United States, as it should be for all of us. Tillersons earlier announcement that he would skip the meeting struck a nerve among the alliance members, coming at a sensitive time when tensions between the Trump administration and NATO allies have soared. The schedule change caused an awkward protocol shuffle, with a handful of foreign ministers unable to make it to Brussels. What was supposed to be a two-day meeting was compressed into half of a day. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg tried to cast optimism on the last-minute schedule change, calling it a sign of the strong transatlantic unity and flexibility of our alliance that we were able to find a date. The foreign ministers meeting is crucial because it lays the groundwork for a NATO summit with heads of state in May, which will be President Trumps first overseas trip since taking office. Tillersons day of talks at NATO headquarters in Brussels follows visits from Defense Secretary James Mattis and Vice President Mike Pence, who attempted to dispel fears that the Trump administration will seek to loosen ties with the alliance. Trump called NATO obsolete in an interview published days before his inauguration. He later insisted, during German Chancellor Angela Merkels visit to the White House earlier this month, that the U.S. will maintain its strong commitment to the alliance. Tillerson arrived in Brussels on Friday morning after meeting Thursday in Ankara, Turkey, with that countrys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to discuss terrorism and Syria, though the leaders failed to reach an agreement on how to combat Islamic State. Facebook

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Trump weighs in on Michael Flynns request for immunity President Trumps former national security advisor, retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, is seeking immunity from prosecution in return for testifying to the House and Senate intelligence committees, a congressional aide said. The development was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Gen. Flynn certainly had a story to tell, and he very much wants to tell it, should the circumstances permit, his lawyer, Robert Kelner, said in a statement. No reasonable person, who has the benefit of advice from counsel, would submit to questioning in such a highly politicized, witch-hunt environment without assurances from unfair prosecution. On Friday morning, Trump tweeted his support for Flynns request. Flynn was ousted as Trumps national security advisor last month after news reports disclosed that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence about phone conversations with Sergey Kislyak, Russias ambassador to the U.S. The calls were picked up by U.S. surveillance targeting the Russian envoy, and a description of the contents was leaked to the Washington Post after the Justice Department warned the White House that Flynn could be subject to blackmail. Read More Facebook

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Former national security advisor Michael Flynn seeks immunity By David S. Cloud President Trumps former national security advisor, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, has been seeking immunity from prosecution in return for testifying to the House and Senate intelligence committees, a congressional official confirmed Thursday. The negotiations were first reported by the Wall Street Journal. In a statement, Flynns lawyer, Robert Kelner, said Gen. Flynn certainly had a story to tell and he very much wants to tell it, should the circumstances permit. No reasonable person, who has the benefit of advice from counsel, would submit to questioning in such a highly politicized, witch-hunt environment without assurances from unfair prosecution. Trump fired Flynn three weeks into the new administration after news reports disclosed that he had lied to White House colleagues, including Vice President Mike Pence, about his contacts with Sergey Kislyak, Russias ambassador to the U.S. In December, Flynn had telephone conversations with Kislyak in which he discussed sanctions that the Obama administration had recently imposed on Russia to punish Moscow for its interference in the 2016 presidential election. Flynn denied to Pence and other officials that he had discussed the sanctions with Kislyak. So far, the committees, which are investigating Russian interference and whether anyone close to Trump colluded with Moscow, have not taken Flynn up on his offer, the Journal reported. Facebook

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Trump administration appeals Hawaii judges order against travel ban By Jaweed Kaleem The Department of Justice has appealed a Hawaii court order that brought President Trumps travel ban to a national halt. The government has argued that the president was well within his authority to restrict travel from six Muslim-majority countries and put a pause on refugee resettlement. The appeal Thursday to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals came a day after U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson in Honolulu refused to dismiss his temporary block of the travel ban that he issued on March 15. With the appeal, the government is now fighting to reinstate the travel ban in two appeals courts on opposite ends of the country. That increases the likelihood that one of the cases will make it to the U.S. Supreme Court. Earlier this month, the Department of Justice appealed a Maryland district judges order against the travel ban to the U.S. 4th District Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va. Both rulings in Hawaii and Maryland said Trumps executive order discriminated against Muslims. Watson and U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland cited Trumps campaign promises to suspend Muslim travel to the U.S. as proof of his orders anti-Muslim bias. The Hawaii ruling is broader than the Maryland one. It blocks a 90-day pause on travel to the U.S. from nationals of six majority-Muslim countries and a 120-day moratorium on new refugee resettlement. The Maryland ruling only halted the ban on travel into the U.S. by citizens of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The 9th Circuit, which has jurisdiction over nine Western states, is the same court where a panel of three judges denied a government request last month to reverse ruling against the first travel ban by a federal judge in Washington state. Trump, in turn, lambasted the bad court and signed a new executive order on travel on March 6 that was modified in an attempt to survive court challenges. Facebook

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Senate heads for nuclear option if Democrats filibuster Gorsuch nomination By Lisa Mascaro One of the Senates most serious jobs  confirming the presidents choice for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court  has devolved into a game of political chicken. Senators are heading toward an institution-defining showdown next week as Democrats promise to try to block President Trumps nominee, Judge Neil M. Gorsuch, with a filibuster, a rarely seen maneuver for high court appointments. Republicans are threatening to respond by changing long-standing Senate rules to circumvent the 60 votes that would be needed to overcome a filibuster. Instead they would allow confirmation with a simple majority. The outcome has the potential to not only shape the future of the Supreme Court  which has been without a full bench since the sudden death of Justice Antonin Scalia last year  it also could crush one final vestige of bipartisanship in the Senate, altering the upper chamber for years to come. The battle over the Supreme Court seat was always expected to be a partisan affair in todays heated political climate. But the polemics intensified after the Republican majority denied President Obamas nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, a confirmation hearing ahead of last years presidential election. Read More Facebook

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Scalias seat has been vacant longer than any Supreme Court justices in nearly 50 years By Colleen Shalby (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Its been more than 400 days since Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalias death left his seat vacant. With Republicans having blocked a vote on then-President Obamas nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, and with Senate Democrats now making plans to filibuster President Trumps nominee, Judge Neil M. Gorsuch, it could take even longer to replace Scalia. Its not unheard of for a justices seat to remain empty for a considerable amount of time. Pew Research Center did the math and found that the longest gap was 841 days, in the mid-1840s, from the time of Henry Baldwins death to his replacement Robert Griers confirmation. But the last time in recent history that a vacancys duration in this range occurred was after Abe Fortas resigned in 1969. It took 391 days to fill that seat, an interval that ended in 1970 when Harry Blackmun  the justice who authored the courts landmark opinion in Roe vs. Wade  was confirmed. Blackmun was President Nixons third pick to fill that seat. The second-longest vacancy in recent years occurred in 1988. It took 237 days to fill Lewis Powells seat after he retired, with Anthony Kennedy succeeding him. Its been 58 days and counting since Trump nominated Gorsuch. Heres how his waiting time from nomination to confirmation stacks up against the current justices: Elena Kagan: 87 days

Sonia Sotomayor: 66 days

Samuel A. Alito Jr.: 82 days

John G. Roberts Jr.: 23 days

Stephen G. Breyer: 73 days

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: 50 days

Clarence Thomas: 99 days

Anthony M. Kennedy: 65 days If Gorsuch is confirmed soon, he wont start considering cases until the courts new term in October.

And if hes not confirmed? Trump would nominate another successor to Scalia  theres no limit on how many times he can do that. Until Scalias seat is filled, lower courts decisions serve as tie-breakers. Facebook

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Sens. Manchin and Heitkamp become first Democrats to announce support for Gorsuch By David Savage Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota became the first Democrats to say they will vote for Judge Neil Gorsuch and not support the effort to filibuster his confirmation to the Supreme Court. Their announcements came as no surprise. Both are centrists who have to run for reelection next year in states that voted overwhelmingly for Trump. After considering his record, watching his testimony in front of the Judiciary Committee and meeting with him twice, I will vote to confirm him to be the ninth justice on the Supreme Court, Manchin said. I have found him to be an honest and thoughtful man.... I have not found any reasons why this jurist should not be a Supreme Court justice. Heitkamp said she was impressed with Gorsuchs record as a judge. This vote does not diminish how disturbed I am by what the Republicans did to Judge [Merrick] Garland, referring to the GOP-led Senates refusal last year to consider President Obamas choice to fill the seat of the late Justice Antonin Scalia. But I was taught that two wrongs dont make a right, she said. The Republican majority in the Senate needs six more Democrats to join with them if they hope to stop the expected filibuster of President Trumps Supreme Court nominee. It takes 60 votes to end the debate under the Senates current rules. But the 52 Republicans may vote to simply eliminate this requirement if the Democrats stand firm against Gorsuch. On Monday, the Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to approve Gorsuch on a party line vote and send the nomination to the Senate floor. A final vote is expected April 7. Facebook

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White House invites lawmakers to see intelligence material after New York Times report By Noah Bierman The White House has invited House and Senate intelligence committee chairs to review documents that it says were recently discovered by national security staff that could help determine whether information gathered about American citizens was mishandled. White House spokesman Sean Spicer would not say whether these are the same documents that Rep. Devin Nunes, the Tulare Republican who chairs the House intelligence committee, said he reviewed last week. Nunes has refused to identify his sources. Some saw his disclosure as an attempt to give credence to President Trumps widely refuted claim that President Obama had ordered wiretaps on his phone during the campaign. Nunes said the material he reviewed suggested that intelligence agencies had incidentally collected information about Trump or his associates. He has declined to be more specific or share the information with the committee. But the New York Times reported Thursday, citing unnamed sources, that two White House officials helped Nunes get access to the documents. And now the same information may be provided to other members of the Intelligence committee. In a letter to the bipartisan group of intelligence leaders sent Thursday, White House Counsel Donald McGhan said administration lawyers would supervise the review given the sensitivity of the documents to protect the extremely sensitive intelligence sources and methods. The letter calls on the committee to investigate the possibility that classified information was inappropriately gathered and handled and whether civil liberties of American citizens were violated. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, told reporters that he welcomed the chance to review the materials, though he said he would be obligated to share them with the rest of his committee. More troubling to Schiff, he said, was the cloak and dagger stuff and circuitous route that the White House national security staff appears to have used to disseminate the materials in that secret meeting with Nunes. Schiff said White House staff may have been trying to launder information through the committee, rather than simply providing it directly to the president. If that was designed to hide the origin of the materials, that raises profound questions about just what the White House is doing, Schiff said. We need to get to the bottom of whether this was some sort of stratagem by the White House. In a letter to McGhan, Schiff said answering the White Houses questions would require asking intelligence agencies how the information in the documents was gathered. I hope you will confirm to the committee whether these materials are the same as those first shared with Nunes, Schiff wrote. 2:11: This story was updated with staff reporting Facebook

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Trumps team: A network of ties to Russia By Angelica Quintero The FBI is investigating possible coordination between people associated with the Trump campaign and Russian authorities during the 2016 election. The U.S. intelligence community has said it is confident that the Russian government directed hacking operations and intended to interfere with the U.S. election process. Take a look at how some high-profile people have been drawn into the investigation. See the graphic  Facebook

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Former RNC official is first to depart senior West Wing staff By Michael A. Memoli A former top Republican National Committee official and ally of White House chief of staff Reince Priebus will depart her West Wing post in the first significant shake-up of President Trumps senior staff. Politico first reported that Katie Walsh, the deputy White House chief of staff, will leave to take on an advisory position with political groups that were formed to support the presidents agenda from the outside. Walsh had served as chief of staff at the RNC when Priebus was party chair. At the White House, she served in a similar capacity under Priebus, tasked with overseeing the senior staff and the scheduling operation. Though White House officials denied the move was a signal of disharmony within the senior ranks, her departure spoke to issues dogging the new administration  a top-heavy operation in the West Wing and also the inability of the president to sustain the kind of grassroots support for his agenda that proved key to his electoral win. It was abundantly clear we didnt have air cover when it came to the calls coming into lawmakers, and nobody can fix this problem like Katie Walsh, Priebus told reporters later, according to Time. Facebook

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Putin: Read my lips, there was no Russian meddling in U.S. vote By Ann M. Simmons Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto during the International Arctic Forum in Arkhangelsk, Russia, on Thursday. (Sergei Karpukhim / AFP/Getty Images) Calling the accusations lies, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday denied that Moscow meddled in last years U.S. elections. Read my lips, no, Putin said during a panel moderated by CNBC, according to a report on the news agencys website. All those things are fictional, illusory and provocations, lies, the Russian president said. All these are used for domestic American political agendas. The anti-Russian card is played by different political forces inside the United States to trade on that and consolidate their positions inside. Putins comments came as the Senate Intelligence Committee was set to begin a hearing entitled Disinformation: A Primer in Russian Active Measures and Influence Campaigns, which will focus on understanding the method of Russias active disinformation campaign and assess the extent of Moscows interference. FBI Director James Comey confirmed earlier this month that his agency was investigating Russias intrusion into the 2016 poll and whether there was any collusion between Moscow and President Trumps campaign. Read More Facebook

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Trump levels extraordinary threat against GOP conservatives; Ryan says he understands presidents frustration By Noah Bierman House Speaker Paul D. Ryan commiserated with President Trump Thursday after the president launched a Twitter assault on the group of rebellious Republicans known as the Freedom Caucus. I understand the frustration, I share the frustration, Ryan told reporters Thursday, when asked to respond to Trumps threat to campaign against fellow Republicans. Freedom Caucus members, who back limited government and have defined themselves in opposition to the Washington establishment, have been a major headache for GOP leaders. Ever since the Republicans took control of the House in 2010, conservative refusal to back key bills to fund government agencies has forced GOP leaders to negotiate with Democrats for the votes they need. Freedom Caucus members helped lead the charge against former Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio). The caucus was blamed by many Republicans last week for torpedoing the leaderships plan, backed by Trump, to make significant changes to Obamacare. Still, Trumps threat to fight them in the 2018 elections was an extraordinary step. Trump had previously made electoral threats against wayward members of his party, but Thursdays tweet was especially direct, threatening to treat them the same way as Democrats. The Freedom Caucus will hurt the entire Republican agenda if they don't get on the team, & fast. We must fight them, & Dems, in 2018!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 30, 2017 Freedom Caucus members have begun pushing back aggressively. A spokeswoman for the group argued on Twitter that Trump did not have his facts right and that Republican moderates were equally responsible for sinking the healthcare bill. View Twitter post Finding Trump supporters to challenge Republicans in a primary would be hard and could further thrust the GOP into civil war. Trump, despite low poll numbers nationally, remains popular in core Republican districts. Many members of Congress, however, ran ahead of him in their districts in the last election. The president has also suggested he might be open to cutting deals with Democrats, something the White House has discussed but not followed through on. That would also be difficult, given the rancor on the left. Ryan said Thursday that the best path is for Republicans to come together on healthcare and other issues About 90% of our conference is for this bill to repeal and replace Obamcare, and about 10% are not. And thats not enough to pass a bill, he said. What I am encouraging our members to do is to keep talking with each other until we can get the consensus to pass this bill. But its very understandable that the president is frustrated that we havent gotten to where we need to go, because this is something that we all said we would do. Facebook

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Pence casts tie-breaking vote to advance bill that would let states withhold federal funds from Planned Parenthood By Lisa Mascaro Republicans needed Vice President Mike Pence to cast a tie-breaking vote Thursday in the Senate to advance legislation that rolls back rules preventing states from withholding certain federal funds to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers. With opposition from two Republican women, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Republicans did not have enough votes with their slim 52-seat majority to advance the bill. Pence, a longtime opponent of abortion, arrived to cast the vote breaking the 50-50 tie  and will be expected to do so later Thursday on final passage. We just saw a historic moment, said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) It is a sad day for the United States Senate. The measure rolls back a regulation finalized at the end of President Obamas administration that explicitly prevented states from denying federal Title X family planning funds to clinics, like Planned Parenthood, that also provide abortion services. Under longstanding practice, no federal funds can be used for abortions, but federal family planning money can flow to the clinics to provide other healthcare services. Some Republican-led state governments had been moving in recent years to choke off Title X funds from any clinics that offered abortion service. The Obama rule sought to prohibit such practices. The bill Thursday, sponsored by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), has already cleared the House. It is part of a series of bills being passed by Congress under the so-called Congressional Review Act, which allows federal regulations put in place during the final days of the previous administration to be undone by simple majority passage. Passage by the Senate later Thursday would send it to the White House for President Trumps signature. Busy day in D.C., but always happy to make time to meet visitors touring the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/4q6JG8wP0E  Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) March 30, 2017 Facebook

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Senate committee narrowly approves Acostas nomination to be Labor secretary By Jim Puzzanghera (Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP) A Senate committee on Thursday narrowly approved R. Alexander Acosta to be Labor secretary, moving to fill one of President Trumps few remaining vacant Cabinet posts. The nomination of Acosta, a law school dean and former Justice Department official, was approved by a 12-11 vote by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. All of the panels Republicans supported the nomination; all of the Democrats were opposed. If confirmed in a full Senate vote, which is expected soon, Acosta will be the only Latino in Trumps Cabinet. A date for the final vote hasnt been set. Read More Facebook

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Follow the money and the trail of dead Russians, expert urges senators By Del Quentin Wilber (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) The Senate Intelligence Committee hearing Thursday into Russian efforts to influence the November elections has been a long history lesson, tracing Moscows decades-long efforts to use misinformation to undermine democracies. But Clinton Watts, of the Center for Cyber and Homeland Security at George Washington University, provided a roadmap to better understanding the Kremlins efforts. He urged senators and the U.S. government to follow the money to figure out how misinformation websites and social media outlets are being funded. While the Russians conducted their hacking in the Internets shadows, their efforts to influence the election was hardly a secret, he said. You can hack stuff and be covert, but you cant influence and be covert, he said. You have to ultimately show your hand. And thats why we have been able to discover it online. The second way to trace Russian influence was more ominous: Follow the trail of dead Russians, he said. There have been more dead Russians in the past three months that are tied to this investigation, he added. They are dropping dead, even in Western countries. Watts didnt finish the thought but was likely referring to a spate of deaths of high-profile Russians, some of which appeared to be assassinations although others appear to have been from natural causes. With the daytime execution of a Russian politician in Ukraine last week, at least eight Russian politicians, activists, ambassadors and a former intelligence official have died since the U.S. election. Facebook

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Russia has stepped up efforts to influence elections, experts tell Senate panel By David S. Cloud (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) Moscow has stepped up its interference in U.S. and European elections, using social media, hacking and other tools to undermine public confidence and to raise doubts about the U.S as an ally, Russia experts told the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday. The committee was taking testimony from experts in Russian propaganda and intelligence operations as part of its investigation into Moscows meddling in the 2016 election. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the top Democrat on the panel, emphasized that in addition to examining the broad topic of Russian efforts to influence the election, the panel also must seek to answer whether President Trumps campaign had contact with Russian officials last year, noting the the FBI has opened its own probe. I will not prejudge the outcome of our investigation. We are seeking to determine if there is an actual fire, but there is clearly a lot of smoke, Warner said. Dr. Eugene Rumer, Director of the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the panel that Russian President Vladimir Putin probably viewed Moscows meddling in the U.S. election as an unqualified success. Facebook

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Tillerson meets Turkish officials to seek support for battle against Islamic State in Syria By Umar Farooq Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday met for more than two hours with Turkeys president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as they hoped to shore up troubled relations between their nations. Making his first trip to Turkey, Tillerson became the highest-ranking Trump administration official to hold a face-to-face session with Erdogan, an increasingly authoritarian leader who is also a NATO member and key ally in the fight against Islamic State in Syria. The meeting went longer than planned. Turkey and the United States disagree sharply on how to combat Islamic State: Washington supports Kurdish militias that Erdogan regards as an arm of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which Turkey and the U.S. consider a terrorist organization. Trying to fight against Daesh through terrorist organizations such as ... extensions of the PKK, would be like shooting yourself in the foot, Erdogans senior advisor, Ibrahim Kalin, said ahead of Thursdays meeting. Daesh is a pejorative Arabic acronym for Islamic State. Read More Facebook

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Hawaii judge extends national halt on Trumps travel ban By Jaweed Kaleem Donald Trump in San Diego in May. (John Gastaldo / San Diego Union-Tribune)) The Hawaii federal judge who brought President Trumps revised travel ban to a national halt this month extended his order blocking the bans enforcement. The move Wednesday sets the stage for the Justice Department to appeal to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse the ruling. U.S. District Judge Derrick Watsons original order halting the travel ban was issued March 15, a day before the ban was to go into effect, in the form of a temporary restraining order. At a hearing in Honolulu on Wednesday, federal lawyers asked Watson to either dismiss that order or narrow the restrictions to apply to fewer parts of the travel ban. Instead, Watson said he would turn the order into a preliminary injunction, which has the effect of extending his order blocking the travel ban for a longer period. Watson said he would keep intact the restrictions on the travel ban -- a block of its 90-day moratorium on travel to the U.S. from nationals of six majority-Muslim countries and its 120-day pause on new refugee resettlement. If the Justice Department appeals the case, it will be heard in the same court that upheld a national halt to Trumps first travel ban last month after a Seattle federal judge ruled against it. The administration has already appealed to the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals a Maryland judges more limited March 16 ruling that stopped enforcement of the travel orders country-specific ban. Both the Hawaii and Maryland judges found Trumps executive order to discriminate against Muslims. They used the presidents campaign statements promising to suspend Muslim travel to the U.S. as evidence of the orders anti-Muslim bias. Government lawyers have argued that the president is not singling out Muslims but instead acting within his power to restrict immigration and safeguard national security while better vetting procedures are developed to prevent potential terrorists from entering the U.S. Trump has said hell take the case over the travel ban to the U.S. Supreme Court. Facebook

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Ivanka Trump gets formal White House role, with ethics obligations but no pay By Michael A. Memoli (Brendan Smialowski / AFP-Getty Images) Ivanka Trump is taking on a more formal White House role  with a title but not a paycheck  a move intended to quell ethics concerns raised about her status in her fathers administration. In a statement, the White House noted that the presidents elder daughter already had an unprecedented role in the administration different from that of previous presidential children. She now will take the title of special advisor to the president, and therefore assume the same responsibility to abide by ethics standards that other federal employees have, the statement said. The decision demonstrates the administrations commitment to ethics, transparency and compliance, the administration said. Although Ivanka Trump already had a West Wing office  as does her husband, senior advisor Jared Kushner  she now will have increased opportunities to lead initiatives driving real policy benefits for the American public that would not have been available to her previously, a White House spokesman said. The announcement came on a day when President Trump sought to promote his administrations commitment to empowering women. He delivered remarks at an East Room event that included other top women in his Cabinet, including U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Small Business Administration head Linda McMahon. Ivanka Trump held a roundtable with female business owners earlier, Press Secretary Sean Spicer said. Earlier Wednesday, leading Senate Democrats sent a letter to the Office of Government Ethics raising concerns about the increasing, albeit unspecified position Ivanka Trump had held and the potential conflicts of interest that her government position might trigger with her personal businesses, including a retail clothing brand. The letter from Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.) asked the agency whether Trump would be required to divest herself of personal assets or if she could be required to recuse herself from certain functions. Trumps new position was first reported by the New York Times. In a statement to the paper, Trump said she was acting in response to ethics concerns, but noted she already had been voluntarily complying with all ethics rules. Facebook

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Russia inquiry one of the biggest congressional probes in decade, senators say By David Lauter Sens. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), right, and Mark Warner (D-Va.). (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) The Senate Intelligence Committees probe into Russian involvement in the 2016 U.S. presidential election will be one of the biggest investigations in years and has already involved an unprecedented level of cooperation between Congress and U.S. spy agencies, the panels chairman said Wednesday. At a Capitol Hill news conference, the committee chairman, Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina, and its ranking Democrat, Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, emphasized the bipartisan nature of the panels efforts, drawing a determined, though unstated, contrast with the partisan dysfunction of a parallel investigation in the House. The committee will go wherever the intelligence leads us, Burr said. And he pointedly refused to endorse White House statements that investigators inevitably will find that there was no collusion between President Trumps campaign and the Russians. It would be crazy to try to draw any conclusions at this point, Burr said. We know that our challenge is to answer that question to the American people, Burr said, referring to the issue of Trumps involvement. Warner said he had confidence in Richard Burr to run a fair investigation and produce a bipartisan conclusion. Warner said Americans should not lose sight of what the investigation is about: An outside foreign adversary effectively tried to hijack the election and favor one candidate over the other. They didnt do it because it was in the best interest of the American people, he said. "[Russian President] Vladimir Putins goal is a weaker United States. The Russian action should be a concern of all Americans regardless of party affiliation, he added. The committee staff already has reviewed thousands of pages of intelligence documents and has begun scheduling interviews with a list of 20 preliminary witnesses, who will be questioned in private before the panel holds public hearings, Burr said. He strongly implied that one of the potential witnesses is retired Gen. Michael Flynn, who was fired from his post as national security advisor to Trump after the disclosure that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence and others about his contacts with Russias ambassador to the U.S. You would think less of us if the committee had not talked with Flynn, Burr told reporters. The witnesses, including Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law and advisor, will be questioned when the committee is ready, he said. Facebook

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Justice Department watchdog finds DEA cash seizure program may pose risk to civil liberties By Del Quentin Wilber A Ukiah, Calif., police officer works with a dog to search for drugs or cash in a motorists car on May 14, 2014. (Francine Orr/ Los Angeles Times) The way the Drug Enforcement Administration seizes cash and other assets may pose a risk to civil liberties, the Justice Departments internal watchdog reported Wednesday. The Justice Departments inspector general also determined that the agency does not measure or track how its asset seizure activities advance criminal investigations. Over the last decade, more than $28 billion has been seized through the departments asset forfeiture program. The effort and others in states have generated intense controversy in recent years, with critics contending that many seizures are unfair because some who lose their assets are never charged with crimes. Law enforcement officials, however, say that seizing property and cash is a key tool in disrupting criminal organizations and compensating the victims of crimes. Former Atty. Gen. Eric Holder in 2015 limited how state and local authorities can obtain seized funds by working with federal agents. In its report released Wednesday, the inspector general examined 100 cases in which the DEA seized cash. Eighty-five of the cases involved interdiction at transportation hubs, such as airports or parcel centers. Nearly 80 of those seizures resulted from the direct observation of agents or local police. The inspector general and the Justice Department have raised concerns in the past about such stops and searches, in part, due to the potential for racial profiling. Of the 100 cases, the DEA could verify that only 44 advanced ongoing investigations, led to a new investigation, or resulted in an arrest or prosecution, the inspector general found. When seizure and administrative forfeitures do not ultimately advance an investigation or prosecution, law enforcement creates the appearance, and risks the reality, that it is more interested in seizing and forfeiting cash than advancing an investigation or prosecution, the report said. The inspector general also found that the Justice Department does not provide enough training or require state and local officers working on federal task forces to be trained on asset forfeiture policies. The Justice Department responded in a letter to the inspector general that its analysis was flawed and its sample significantly underreported the amount of seized funds that are ultimately returned. In a statement, Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said, Asset forfeiture is a powerful and effective law enforcement tool, allowing the department to compensate victims, deprive criminals of the proceeds of their crimes, remove the tools of crime from criminal organizations, and deter crime. The department believes that the ongoing public debate about asset forfeiture is healthy, she added, but as outlined in our formal response, we strongly disagree with large swaths of this report and its flawed methodology that failed to address the essential role asset forfeiture plays combating some of the most sophisticated criminal actors and organizations, including terrorist financiers, cyber criminals, fraudsters, human traffickers, and drug cartels. 9:23 a.m.: This story was updated with Justice Department comment. Facebook

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Hoax. Con job. Chinese plot. Trump tweets have bashed climate science for years By Michael Finnegan President Trump signs an executive order Tuesday to rescind Obama administration policies on climate change. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) As President Trump moved to halt federal efforts against global warming on Tuesday, he avoided an important phrase: climate change. It was the same story during his campaign for president; Trump rarely mentioned it. When he pledged in May to withdraw the United States from the Paris treaty, a pact among nearly every nation on Earth to reduce the carbon emissions that cause global warming, it was one of the few occasions when Trump broached the topic. Trumps muted approach made political sense. To reject science is to risk alienating millions of moderate voters who support action to stop global warming. But before Trump started running for president, he often bluntly attacked climate science. Some highlights from his Twitter feed: Read More Facebook

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Supreme Court rules in favor of merchants who want to advertise credit card fees By David Savage Supreme Court rules on swipe fees (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)) Merchants may soon have the right to tell customers that they will pay a surcharge if they use a credit card rather than pay with cash. The Supreme Court cast doubt Wednesday on laws in California, New York, Florida and seven other states that make it illegal for sellers to impose a surcharge on credit card sales. In a 8-0 decision, the justices said these laws regulate speech and may be challenged as violations of the 1st Amendment. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said these laws do not prevent merchants from offering a discount for those who pay cash. Rather, they simply forbid disclosing that a posted price includes a surcharge of 2% to 3% for using a credit or debit card. Merchants want to pass the fees along only to their customers who choose to use credit cards, he said. They also want to make clear that they are not the bad guys -- that the credit card companies, not the merchants, are responsible for the higher prices. But the ruling Wednesday was only a partial victory for the five New York businesses, including a hair salon and an ice cream parlor in Brooklyn, that sued to challenge the ban on advertising or disclosing surcharges for using credit cards. The U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York had upheld the law on the grounds it was a price regulation, not a speech restriction. Roberts and the high court disagreed. What the law does is regulate how sellers may communicate their prices, he said. A merchant who wants to charge $10 for cash and $10.30 for credit may not convey that price any way he pleases. He is not free to say '$10, with a 3% credit card surcharge. But the justices did not strike down the state laws, instead sending the case back to the New York court to decide whether this speech regulation could be justified. Sometimes, laws are used to regulate the words of commercial transactions to prevent buyers from being fooled or confused. Until recently, the major credit card companies had imposed contract restrictions that prevented merchants from disclosing surcharges. But those provisions have challenged and knocked down. That in turn led to new legal challenges against the state laws which forbid sellers from disclosing these surcharges. The case decided Wednesday was Expressions Hair Design vs. Schneiderman. Facebook

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Trumps poll numbers are low. But the people who put him in office say its not time to judge him  yet By Noah Bierman Its been five months since the euphoria of a Donald Trump rally at the local arena brought optimism to this former Democratic stronghold. The snow from a long winter has begun melting into the rocky soil, and the digital sign in a torn-up parking lot blinks hopefully: Warm days are coming. President Trump has yet to deliver jobs or the repeal of Obamacare. But here, in an area crucial to his unexpected election victory, many residents are more frustrated with what they see as obstruction and a rush to judgment than they are with Trump. Give him six months to prove himself, said an information technology supervisor. Give him a year, said a service manager. Give him four years, said a retired print shop owner. Give the man a chance, said Crystal Matthews, a 59-year-old hospital employee. Theyre just going to fight him tooth and nail, the whole way. Read More Facebook

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To fight womans defamation claim, Trump cites the Bill Clinton-Paula Jones case  which the president lost By David Savage President Trump is citing Bill Clintons famous sexual harassment battle in his effort to block a California womans lawsuit claiming Trump lied about groping her in the Beverly Hills Hotel in 2007. Problem is, Clinton lost that bid for legal immunity when the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in 1997 that the chief executive is not shielded from responding to a civil suit regarding his private behavior. Read More Facebook

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House sends Trump bill to kill landmark broadband privacy regulations By Jim Puzzanghera Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) sponsored the repeal bill. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images) The House voted Tuesday to kill landmark privacy restrictions for Internet service providers and sent the bill to the White House, which indicated President Trump would sign it and invalidate the rules before they go into effect. The measure, approved largely along party lines, repeals tough new Federal Communications Commission regulations that would require broadband companies to get explicit customer permission before using or sharing most of their personal information. The data include health information, website browsing history, app usage and the geographic information from mobile devices. The rules also tighten data security requirements. Republicans, along with AT&T Inc., Charter Communications Inc., Comcast Corp. and other providers of high-speed Internet service, strongly opposed the rules. They argued that the restrictions are tougher than those for websites and social networks that also collect and use the highly valuable consumer data, which companies use to target advertising. Read More Facebook

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U.S. commander says theres a fair chance that coalition airstrike is responsible for civilian casualties in Mosul By W.J. Hennigan Rescuers are still recovering bodies from a suspected U.S. airstrike in the Iraqi city of Mosul. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) The top U.S. general commanding the fight against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria said that the U.S.-led coalition was probably responsible for a blast that killed more than 200 people. If we did it, and I would say theres at least a fair chance that we did, it was an unintentional accident of war and we will transparently report it to you, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend told reporters Tuesday via teleconference from Baghdad. He made the comments in response to witness reports that an airstrike by the U.S.-led coalition leveled a large apartment block and killed scores of civilians, including women and children, in west Mosuls Jadidah neighborhood on March 17. My initial assessment is that we probably had a role in these casualties, Townsend said. But investigators are still trying to determine whether other factors -- possibly including repeated airstrikes in the neighborhood or an explosive device accidentally or deliberately planted near the building -- could have led to its collapse. The fact that the whole building collapsed contradicts our involvement, Townsend said. The munition that we used should not have collapsed an entire building. So thats one of those things were trying to figure out in the investigative process. Read More Facebook

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Gov. Jerry Brown calls Trump energy plan a colossal mistake that will galvanize climate change activists By Evan Halper Gov. Jerry Brown. (Gregory Bull / Associated Press) California Gov. Jerry Brown warned that President Trump has just made a colossal mistake in gutting the federal governments effort to combat climate change, which will ignite a response Trump is unprepared to handle. It defies science itself, Brown said in a call to The Times shortly after Trump signed an executive order that aims to bring an abrupt halt to the United States leadership on global warming. Erasing climate change may take place in Donald Trumps mind, but nowhere else. Yes, there is going to be a counter-movement, Brown vowed, predicting Trumps actions will mobilize environmentalists in a way President Obama never could. I have met with many heads of state, ambassadors. This is a growing movement. President Trumps outrageous move will galvanize the contrary force. Things have been a bit tepid [in climate activism]. But this conflict, this sharpening of the contradiction, will energize those who believe climate change is an existential threat. Brown and other big-state governors and mayors are moving swiftly to fill the global leadership vacuum Trump created with Tuesdays directive, which stops short of officially pulling the U.S. out of the Paris climate accord of 2015. I see Washington declining in influence, but the momentum being maintained by California and other states aligned with China and those who are willing to do something, said Brown, who will be traveling to China soon for meetings on climate. There is a growing activism on the part of millions of people who will not stand by and let Donald Trump effectively tear up the Paris agreement and destroy Americas climate leadership and jeopardize the health and well being of so many people. In the face of Trumps retreat on climate, Brown said California will step up its own efforts to push others toward clean energy. We are not fully meeting the challenge of climate change yet, he said. We are doubling down on our commitment. We are reaching out to other states in America and throughout the world and other countries . We have plenty of fuel to build this movement. This is real, Brown said of the threat created by climate change. The nations of the world have recognized it in Paris  I will continue doing my best to work with and rouse the world community, whatever the politicians in Washington do or dont do. Facebook

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Trump orders government to dismantle Obamas climate change policies By Evan Halper  President Trump ordered an abrupt halt to Americas crusade against climate change. (March 29, 2017) (Sign up for our free video newsletter here http://bit.ly/2n6VKPR) President Trump on Tuesday ordered the federal government to retreat from the battle against climate change launched by President Obama, issuing a directive aimed at dismantling the core policies that have made the U.S. a global leader in curbing emissions. The plan unveiled by Trump reflects an about-face for the U.S. on energy, and it puts into jeopardy the nations ability to meet the obligations it agreed to under the global warming pact signed in Paris with 194 other nations. It would shelve the landmark Clean Power Plan that mandates electricity companies reduce their emissions. It seeks to dislodge consideration of climate throughout the federal government, where it has been a factor in every relevant decision in recent years. My administration is putting an end to the war on coal, Trump said. I am taking historic steps to lift the restrictions on American energy to reverse government intrusions and to cancel job killing regulations. Under the order, the government will abandon the social cost of carbon that regulators had painstakingly calculated and begun factoring into their decision on permit applications and rulemaking. Restrictions on methane releases at oil and gas drilling facilities would be eased. Agencies will also stop contemplating climate impacts as they launch into new projects, and restrictions on coal leasing and fracking on federal lands will be lifted. The directive, for which progressive states and environmentalists have been preparing for months, is certain to set off years of litigation and conflicts between Washington and state capitols. Some of the most far-reaching policies Trump is seeking to bring to a halt cannot be canceled unilaterally and require lengthy administrative proceedings. But others he can end with the stroke of his pen. Smoke rises from the Colstrip Steam Electric Station, a coal-burning power plant in Colstrip, Mont., on July 1, 2103. (Matt Brown / Associated Press) Facebook

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A trade war is brewing inside the White House between rival camps By Don Lee Soon after President Trump took office, an executive order was quietly drafted to suspend talks with China on an obscure but potentially far-reaching treaty about bilateral investment. After eight years and two dozen rounds of negotiations, the treaty terms were almost in final form. Pulling out after so much time and effort would send a clear message that the Trump administration meant to take a new and tougher approach to China. But the executive order never even got to the presidents desk. It was quietly shelved, according to sources inside and outside the White House, at the behest of former Goldman Sachs President Gary Cohn, now Trumps top economic advisor. Killing the order was a small victory for a White House faction that supports free trade and the global economy. But it was only an opening skirmish in what promises to be a long and bitter struggle over trade policy that so far is being waged behind the scenes in the Trump administration. Read More Facebook

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Supreme Court reverses death sentence for Texas inmate who could not tell time or name the days of the week By David Savage The Supreme Court set aside a death sentence on Tuesday for a Texas inmate who as a 13-year-old could not tell time or name the days of the week, concluding he should not be executed in light of his mental disability. In a 5-3 decision, the justices reversed the Texas state appeals court that had restored a death sentence given to Bobby James Moore, a 57-year old prisoner who shot and killed a store clerk in a botched robbery in 1980. At issue was whether Moore had a mental disability that would make his execution cruel and unusual punishment under the 8th Amendment. The justices banned states from executing prisoners with a mental disability, but they left states some flexibility to set the standards. But three years ago, the justices faulted Florida authorities for relying almost entirely on I.Q. scores. In the Texas case decided Tuesday, the justices said state judges had ignored ample evidence that Moore had severe mental disability as a child. That evidence was not overcome by the fact that he had adapted well in prison, they said. At 13, Moore lacked the basic understanding of the days of the week, the months of the year and the seasons; he could scarcely tell time or comprehend the standards of measure, said Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. After failing every subject in the ninth grade, Moore dropped out of high school. Cast out of his home, he survived on the streets, eating from trash cans, even after two bouts of food poisoning. After fatally shooting the clerk in the 1980 robbery, he was sentenced to death. The Texas courts reexamined his sentence after the high court abolished capital punishment in 2002 for defendants with a mental disability. A state judge listened to experts and set aside Moores death sentence, But the states criminal appeals court disagreed. Its judges said Moore had demonstrated adaptive strength by living on the streets and carrying out a robbery, and therefore did not qualify as having a severe mental impairment. Ginsburg said the state judges had relied on an outdated understanding of mental disability, and her opinion in Moore vs. Texas said the state court must reconsidere its decision. Justices Anthony M. Kennedy, Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan agreed. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. dissented. While he agreed the states authorities may have used outdated standards, Moore had I.Q. scores ranging from 69 to 79 that show he did not have the significantly sub-average intellectual functioning that would exempt him from the death penalty. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito agreed. Facebook

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The Freedom Caucus roars back to relevance to challenge Trumps agenda and strategy By Lisa Mascaro When House Speaker Paul D. Ryan pulled the plug on the GOPs Obamacare overhaul, lawmakers spilled out of the Capitol basement, angry, frustrated and stunned. But Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), leader of the conservative and rebellious House Freedom Caucus that led the fight against the bill, was uncharacteristically quiet, downplaying his political victory and mulling over the next move. After coming together to battle President Obama and becoming a driving force in the Republican Party, this 30-member-plus bloc of deficit hawks and right-flank conservatives had appeared for a while to be pushed aside by the movement that swept President Trump into office. But after helping defeat the GOP healthcare overhaul, the Freedom Caucus has roared back to relevance as a political power in the Trump era. It has reasserted itself as not just a renegade assemblage of mostly back-bench lawmakers, but as a core block of votes that Trump will need to push past the healthcare debacle to tax reform, budget battles and other issues. These guys saved the Republicans, said Adam Brandon, president of FreedomWorks, a group that organized a North Carolina rally on Monday in honor of Meadows. As beaten and battered as they are, weve got a group thats willing to take the hard decisions. If youre going to drain the swamp, these are the guys who are going to do it. Read More Facebook

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White House stopped Yates testimony about Russian meddling in presidential election, lawyer says By Associated Press A lawyer for former Deputy Atty. Gen. Sally Yates said in letters last week that the Trump administration had moved to squelch her testimony in a hearing about Russian meddling in the presidential election. In the letters, attorney David ONeil said he understood the Justice Department was invoking further constraints on testimony she could provide at a House Intelligence Committee hearing that had been scheduled for Tuesday. He said the departments position was that all actions she took as deputy attorney general were client confidences that could not be disclosed without written approval. The Washington Post first reported the letters. A person familiar with the situation confirmed them as authentic to the Associated Press. The White House called the Post story entirely false. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and part of Trumps transition team, last week announced that the committee was canceling the planned public hearing with Yates and two former Obama administration intelligence officials  the former director of national intelligence, James Clapper, and former CIA Director John Brennan. Read More Facebook

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Did Mnuchin cross an ethical line in plugging The Lego Batman Movie? A senator wants to know By Jim Puzzanghera (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) A Democratic senator wants to know if Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin committed an ethics violation when he publicly plugged The Lego Batman Movie, a film in which he has a financial stake. A former Hollywood financier, Mnuchin was asked at the end of a question-and-answer session on Friday hosted by the Axios news website to name a movie people should see. Well, Im not allowed to promote anything that Im involved in. So I just want to have the legal disclosure, youve asked me the question and I am not promoting any product, Mnuchin said at the event, which aired on C-SPAN2. But you should send all your kids to Lego Batman,  he said. The crowd laughed. But Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, wasnt amused. Hes asking the U.S. Office of Government Ethics to look into the comments. Read More Facebook

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Venezuela hits back in showdown with OAS, U.S. over democracy By Tracy Wilkinson The Venezuelan foreign minister had harsh words Monday for the regional organization that is considering sanctioning her country for its failure to hold democratic elections. Delcy Rodriguez, the foreign minister, accused the Organization of American States of wanting not to punish Venezuela but to destroy it. Rodriguez appeared at an OAS panel convened in Washington. D.C., after the United States and 13 other of the hemispheres nations united to demand the leftist Venezuelan government free political prisoners and set a date for long-overdue elections. Failure to do so, the 14 countries warned, could trigger a decision to suspend Venezuela from the 69-year-old regional body. OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro, a former Uruguayan foreign minister, has been especially critical of Venezuelas embattled government. He noted that President Nicolas Maduro canceled both a referendum that could have recalled his government and later regional elections, after the opposition made huge gains in parliamentary voting in 2015. In addition, thousands of people have been arrested for their political beliefs, Almagro said, including opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who has been in jail for three years. But Rodriguez, in a speech to the OAS panel, said Venezuelas revolution continues strong. She accused Almagro of being a stooge of the U.S. government, a lying mercenary who is a traitor to everything a Latin American diplomat should represent. He lacks independence when he voluntarily bows to the wishes of the most powerful nation of this organization -- and becomes its spokesman, Rodriguez said. Although the OAS has often been accused of pro-Washington tendencies, 13 nations in addition to the United States have joined to condemn Venezuela, a significant shift in Latin America away from populist regimes. Other leftist-ruled countries, like Bolivia, have said they will support Venezuela. Rodriguez said the accusations against her government were unilateral, unjustified and biased. She called on the OAS to suspend discussion of Venezuela, but another session was scheduled to proceed on Tuesday -- the same day Maduros Socialist Party is planning big anti-imperialism marches at home. All of the countries most critical of Venezuela, including the United States, say suspension of the oil-rich, Caribbean country from the OAS should be a measure of last resort. Despite its oil wealth, Venezuela is in the throes of an economic and humanitarian disaster, with severe shortages of food and medicine and skyrocketing inflation and homicide rates. Facebook

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Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions criticizes sanctuary cities but offers no new policies By Michael A. Memoli  Decrying the safety risk posed when cities dont cooperate with federal immigration authorities, Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions repeated previous statements that the Trump administration would seek to deny so-called sanctuary cities some federal grant fun Decrying the safety risk posed when cities dont cooperate with federal immigration authorities, Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions repeated previous statements that the Trump administration would seek to deny so-called sanctuary cities some federal grant funds, but offered no new policies. Despite his high-profile appearance at the White House briefing room, Sessions merely reiterated Obama administration policy related to immigration. Justice Department officials said any new measures would be weeks or months in the future. The Obama administration issued instructions last July that required any cities applying for Justice Department grant programs be in compliance with federal law requiring cooperation between local, state and federal agencies with requests from the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Sessions noted that any jurisdiction applying for grants from his department would have to certify that compliance. The Justice Department already has been requiring that, which indicates that police and sheriff departments which currently have Justice Department grants already have been asserting that they are meeting the requirements of federal law. Although many cities have policies that they, or critics, characterize using the label sanctuary, those policies do not necessarily mean they are violating the law. Sessions did say that the Justice Department could in the future institute additional requirements, but announced none. Fundamentally, we intend to use all the lawful authority we have to make sure that our state and local officials, who are so important to law enforcement, are in sync with the federal government, he said. He did offer a warning to jurisdictions considering adopting sanctuary status. The California legislature is considering a proposal to institute the designation statewide; Sessions, though, singled out Maryland for a similar proposal. That would be such a mistake, Sessions said, while noting Marylands Republican governor opposes the change proposed by the heavily-Democratic legislature. Sessions cited a high-profile case in San Francisco where a 32-year-old woman was killed by man who had been previously deported multiple times despite a request by immigration authorities to continue his detention to illustrate the administrations case against such policies. Countless Americans would be alive today and countless loved ones would not be grieving today if these policies of sanctuary cities were ended, Sessions claimed. Facebook

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Devin Nunes plot thickens, as his spokesman concedes he met source for surveillance claim at White House By David S. Cloud The day before the House Intelligence Committee chairman revealed that conversations by Trump transition officials may have been inadvertently picked up by U.S. surveillance, he met with the source of the information at the White House, his spokesman said Monday Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare), went to the White House because there was a facility there for reviewing classified information, said Jack Langer, a spokesman for Nunes, who has refused to divulge the identity of his source. Chairman Nunes met with his source at the White House grounds in order to have proximity to a secure location where he could view the information provided by the source, Langer said. The latest news added another twist to a bizarre series of events last week: On Monday, FBI Director James Comey testified before Nunes committee that his investigators were looking at possible coordination during the presidential campaign between Russian officials and people close to Preisdent Trump. Tuesday night, Nunes went to the White House where someone showed him documents related to U.S. intelligence surveillance, according to his statement. On Wednesday, Nunes announced to reporters that he had seen evidence indicating that people close to Trump had been subjects of surveillance during the transition. He then went to the White House, saying that he needed to brief Trump about the revelations. On Thursday, Nunes apologized to committee members for not having shown the evidence to them before briefing the president. Later that day, his spokesman conceded that Nunes did not know for sure that any Trump aides had actually been subject to surveillance, just that their names had appeared in intelligence reports, which could have resulted from other people talking about them. That sequence of events could buttress Democrats claims that the episode last week was a White House ploy to shift attention away from the FBI investigation. Democrats already have been saying Nunes should be disqualified from heading an inquiry into whether Trumps aides had improper contacts with Russia. Nunes statement left several questions unanswered. One is why he would have had to go to the White House unless his source worked there, because members of Congress have access to a secure facility at the U.S. Capitol. Asked to explain Nunes actions, Langer said in an email, The information comprised executive branch documents that have not been provided to Congress. Because of classification rules, the source could not simply put the documents in a backpack and walk them over to the House Intelligence Committee space.  He added: The White House grounds was the best location to safeguard the proper chain of custody and classification of these documents, so the Chairman could view them in a legal way. Last week, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer had dismissed speculation that the White House had supplied Nunes with the information, saying that the suggestion did not pass the smell test. He added, however, that he did not for sure what Nunes had told Trump or where his information came from. After Nunes apologized to members of his committee Thursday and promised to thoroughly investigate the surveillance, several lawmakers said Nunes had promised to provide them the surveillance information he had received. That has not occurred yet. In his first statement last week, Nunes said he was concerned that some Trump transition officials identities might have been improperly revealed in intelligence reports, despite rules requiring them to be kept confidential in most cases. The Chairman is extremely concerned by the possible improper unmasking of names of U.S. citizens, and he began looking into this issue even before President Trump tweeted his assertion that Trump Tower had been wiretapped, Langer said. Whether any officials names actually were unmasked is unclear. The ranking Democrat on the committee, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) has questioned Nunes assertions about improper unmasking. But Schiff noted that he has not seen the documents Nunes claims to have seen. Schiff had no comment on the news that Nunes had seen the documents at the White House. UPDATES 10:20 a.m.: This article was updated with staff reporting. This article was originally published as an Associated Press report at 9:06 a.m. Facebook

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Venezuela in showdown with OAS, U.S. over political prisoners By Tracy Wilkinson The besieged leftist government of Venezuela is under mounting pressure after the United States and 13 of the hemispheres other leading nations demanded the release of political prisoners and other pro-democracy concessions. The Organization of American States, the regions main collective body, has threatened to suspend Venezuela because of what it called the autocratic repression imposed by President Nicolas Maduro. Maduros foreign minister, Delcy Rodriguez, will appear Monday before an OAS panel in Washington to plead her governments case. This comes after members of the Venezuelan delegation stormed out of OAS meetings last week, according to diplomats. OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro, in a report on Venezuela, noted that Maduro canceled both a referendum that could have recalled his government and later regional elections, after the opposition made huge gains in parliamentary voting in 2015. A Maduro-controlled Supreme Court then stripped the parliament of much of its power. In addition, thousands of people have been arrested for their political beliefs, Almagro said, including opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who has been in jail for three years. The OAS is demanding Venezuela hold elections or risk suspension from the group, a drastic measure. The last time a country was suspended was when the military and right-wing politicians staged a coup against the elected president in Honduras in 2009. Under OAS regulations, a country can be suspended when the democratic order is altered. Venezuela is in the throes of a devastating economic and humanitarian crisis. The oil-rich country has among the highest homicide and inflation rates in the world and suffers from severe shortages of food and medicine. The Maduro government angrily condemned the OAS actions as imperialist interference and vowed to resist. Adan Chavez, brother of the late Hugo Chavez, the socialist strongman who set Venezuela on its revolutionary path, claimed the OAS was plotting a coup against Maduro. Maduro views much of his opposition as right-wing oligarchs who have long repressed the poor. Although the OAS has often been accused of pro-Washington tendencies, it is significant that 13 nations in addition to the United States are united in condemning Venezuela. This marks a shift away from populist regimes in much of Latin America. The Trump administration, which has shown little interest in Latin America beyond Mexico, did issue instructions to diplomats to find ways through the OAS to put pressure on Venezuela, according to people familiar with the matter. Those instructions came despite parallel administration plans to slash funds to the OAS and other multilateral institutions like the United Nations. Trump recently spoke by telephone to the presidents of Chile and Brazil and in both cases discussed Venezuela, the White House said. And he met at the White House with Lilian Tintori, the wife of Lopez, the jailed opposition leader, as she lobbied for her husbands freedom. The Treasury Department earlier this year slapped sanctions on Venezuelas vice president, Tareck El Aissami, alleging he was a major drug trafficker, charges he denied. Were not pushing for Venezuelas expulsion from the OAS at this time, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said late last week. However, we do think the OAS is the appropriate venue to deal with the ongoing situation in Venezuela, he said. Elections are essential to securing accountability, and the Venezuelan people deserve a voice in creating solutions to the myriad economic, political, and social and humanitarian challenges that they face. Facebook

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Trump takes to Twitter to blame GOP hard-liners over healthcare failure By Laura King (Mandel Ngan / AFP-Getty Images) President Trump on Sunday blamed fellow Republicans and two influential conservative advocacy groups for last weeks failure of the GOP healthcare plan. The president had said on Friday that it was the fault of Democrats that House Speaker Paul D. Ryan pulled the measure from consideration rather than putting it forth for a floor showdown that the GOP leadership would have lost. In a Sunday morning tweet, the president appeared to shift culpability to the House Freedom Caucus, a conservative group of GOP lawmakers who were key to depriving Trump and his camp of the votes needed for passage. Democrats are smiling over the bills failure, Trump declared on Twitter. The Freedom Caucus, he said, had saved President Obamas Affordable Care Act with the help of Heritage Action and the Club for Growth, two organizations that had opposed the GOP measure. The chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), declined to engage in any sparring with the White House, instead predicting that a Trump-led Republican effort to overhaul Obamas signature healthcare legislation eventually would move ahead. At the end of the day, the most valuable player will be President Trump, he said on ABCs This Week. Meadows also insisted there had been no conversation about any attempt to force out Ryan, who is being blamed for failing to marshal sufficient support for the measure he had spearheaded. Trump so far has refrained from public criticism of the speaker, but  again on Twitter  he specifically urged followers to watch a Fox News segment on Saturday night, featuring commentator Jeanine Pirro excoriating Ryan and calling for him to be ousted. That gave rise to speculation that Trump would seek to force the speaker to take the fall for the debacle. Read More Facebook

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After the GOP healthcare bill fizzles, Trump blames the Democrats and says he learned a lot about loyalty By Brian Bennett  President Trump addresses the cancellation of a vote Friday on the GOPs plan to overhaul the Affordable Care Act. After failing to land a deal on the healthcare bill, President Trump on Friday blamed Democrats, even though the GOP controls Congress and the White House, and made few overtures across the aisle when pushing the bill. When you get no votes from the other side -- meaning Democrats -- it is really a difficult situation, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office after a revolt by Republican lawmakers forced House leaders to stop a vote in their bid to overhaul the Affordable Care Act. Trump insisted that the current healthcare law, commonly known as Obamacare, will collapse under its own weight, and then Democrats will want to make a deal with the White House. I truly believe the Democrats will come to us, Trump said. In the meantime, Trump is moving his attention to pushing through a tax reform bill, he said. We will probably be going really hard for the big tax cuts and tax reform -- thats next, he said. Trump, who has spent decades negotiating real estate deals and seeing many of them fall through, seemed sanguine discussing the effort he put into getting a healthcare reform bill passed. This was an interesting period of time, Trump said. We learned a lot about loyalty and we learned a lot about the vote-getting process. Trump stopped short of blaming House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) and avoided singling out the group of conservative Republican lawmakers, who dug in their heels in opposition. Lawmakers in the House Freedom Caucus that largely stood against the bill are very good people and friends of mind, he said. I was disappointed because we could have had it, he said. Im a little surprised, he said. When asked by a reporter if he would reach out now to Democrats for ideas on how to get a deal, Trump said, No, I think we need to let Obamacare go its way for a little while. Then well see how things go. Facebook

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Tillerson will meet with NATO counterparts, after all By Tracy Wilkinson Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will meet with NATO allies next week in Brussels, a move that could quell controversy over his earlier decision to skip a long-planned summit of the transatlantic alliance. The State Department said Friday that Tillerson added a stop at NATO headquarters in Brussels to a previously scheduled trip to the Turkish capital of Ankara. Tillerson will be in Ankara on Thursday to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other senior Turkish officials to discuss the fight against Islamic State militants in Syria and to reaffirm Turkeys important role in ensuring regional stability, the State Department said. The next day, he will go to NATO, the State Department said. NATO officials were attempting to put together a session with the other 27 allied nations. Earlier this week, news that Tillerson would miss the NATO ministerial meeting set for April 5-6, roiled the alliance. Administration officials said Tillerson would have to be in Washington to attend President Trumps first face-to-face meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping on April 6-7. At the same time, Tillersons aides announced he would be traveling to Moscow the following week. Criticism was swift from European allies but also from several former American diplomats and key U.S. lawmakers, who said the decision raised questions about the Trump administrations commitment to NATO. During his campaign, Trump called the alliance obsolete, although more recently he has voiced support for it while also demanding members spend more money on defense. In response, Tillersons aides said they were exchanging possible alternative dates with NATO to attempt to arrange a meeting in which all parties could participate. It was not yet clear if next Fridays meeting will take the place of the April 5-6 session, which as of late Friday remained on NATOs formal calendar. Diplomats considered the ministerial meeting as especially important because it will lay the groundwork for a May 25 NATO summit of heads of state and government, which Trump has said he will attend. Facebook

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Charter promises Trump something new ($25-billion investment) and something old (20,000 jobs) By Jim Puzzanghera Charter Communications Chief Executive Thomas Rutledge. (Mandel Ngan / AFP/Getty Images) The chief executive of Charter Communications committed in a meeting with President Trump on Friday to invest $25 billion on broadband infrastructure while joining a trend of business leaders touting previously announced job creation at the White House. In the case of Charter  Southern Californias dominant cable-TV and Internet service provider  Chief Executive Thomas Rutledge said he expected to hire 20,000 new U.S. employees over the next four years. Charter had made the hiring promise in 2015 when it was purchasing Time Warner Cable. The new development was the time period in which it will occur. Nevertheless, Trump indicated the job creation was triggered by his election. Read More Facebook

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Threats made against Hawaii judge who ruled against travel ban By Jaweed Kaleem (George Lee / The Star-Advertiser via AP) The Hawaii federal judge who brought President Trumps revised travel ban to a national halt last week has become the target of threats. U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson has received the threats since his March 15 ruling, according to FBI spokeswoman Michele Ernst. Ernst said the FBI is ready to assist but declined to provide more information. The U.S. Marshals Service also said it would not give details. The U.S. Marshals Service is responsible for the protection of federal judicial officials, including judges and prosecutors, and we take that responsibility very seriously, the agency said in a statement. While we do not discuss our specific security measures, we continuously review the security measures in place for all federal judges and take appropriate steps to provide additional protection when it is warranted. Watson, a judge in the U.S. District Court of Hawaii in Honolulu, issued a scathing 43-page opinion against the travel ban the day before it was to go into effect. He wrote that, despite the bans stated secular purpose, Trumps own words marked the executive order as a fulfillment of the presidents campaign promise to temporarily bar Muslims from coming to the U.S. The illogic of the governments contention is palpable, Watson said. In response, Trump said Watsons ruling was terrible and makes us look weak. Trump has vowed to take the travel ban case to the U.S. Supreme Court. An appeal of a separate Maryland federal judges ruling against the travel ban is currently pending in the U.S. 4th District Court of Appeals. Facebook

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House GOP gives up on healthcare bill as Trump suffers first legislative defeat By Lisa Mascaro Unable to muster enough support from his own party, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan again postponed a vote Friday on the GOPs plan to overhaul the Affordable Care Act. The move came at the request of President Trump, who just Thursday night issued an ultimatum that lawmakers should hold the vote regardless of the outcome. It was the second time House GOP leaders had to delay a final reckon
The first time Ministry guitarist Sinhue Sin Quirin played in public was during an eighth-grade talent show at what was then John Muir Junior High School in Burbank. The Media City native has toured all over the world since then and played at numerous venues, but one site holds a special place in his heart.

On Aug. 10 and 11, 2007, Quirin and Ministry lead vocalist Al Jourgensen had the opportunity to play alongside rock band Cheap Trick at the Hollywood Bowl to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Beatles Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.

To commemorate the special occasion, guitar maker Schecter sent Quirin a one-of-a-kind Corsair guitar with a custom paint job to use for the concerts, during which they performed a cover of the Beatles classic, I Want You (Shes So Heavy).

I only used that guitar for those two sold-out shows, Quirin said.

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Nearly 10 years after those performances, Quirins custom Schecter will be on display at the Hard Rock Cafe in Hollywood. At 5 p.m. Saturday, the restaurant will host an unveiling of Quirins musical memorabilia, which he has not seen in about three years, when Quirin decided to donate the custom guitar to the restaurant. However, instead of being it displayed at the Hollywood location, the guitar was sent to the companys corporate office in Florida.

They were going to put it on display somewhere else, but we fought to try and get it back to my hometown and so its finally here, Quirin said.

Despite having played at venues big and small, Quirin, who still lives in Burbank, said that playing with Cheap Trick at the Hollywood Bowl, which was his first and only time performing at that venue, was the most memorable place he has performed.

Its a big thing for me because I grew up playing the Whiskey [A Go Go], the Troubadour, the Roxy and all that stuff, he said. To play two sold-out nights at the Hollywood Bowl was really big for me  It has a lot of sentimental value to me. You do certain shows that stick with you for the rest of your life and those two Bowl shows will always be ingrained in my brain.

Quirin said that he is fortunate to have performed at his dream venue and to have the guitar he played those nights displayed for all to see.

Today, the Grammy-nominated artist is looking to keep giving back to the community, saying he hopes he gets the opportunity to go back to John Muir Middle School and Burbank High School, his alma mater, to talk with students about how they can achieve their goals and dreams.

As a self-proclaimed band geek, Quirin said he remembers taking all the music classes both schools had to offer and participating in marching band, jazz band and any other musical program the schools provided. He attributes his success to his time at John Muir and Burbank High.

Those schools are always going to mean the world to me because thats where I first started out and set me on my path, he said. Id like to, at some point, go to John Muir or Burbank High and talk to kids about my experiences with them. Ive been clean and sober my entire life  never drank, never smoked, never done any drugs. Im at a point in my life where I want to give back and show kids that theyre able to follow their dreams.

anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com

Twitter: @acocarpio
A group of students and faculty members at UC Irvine is calling on the university to sever its ties with Wells Fargo by removing the bank from the Student Center and replacing it with a credit union available to all students.

The group, called UCI Economic Justice, emailed a letter to UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman this month outlining its demands, saying the university is complicit in the oppression and exploitation of their most vulnerable students and our most vulnerable communities by housing a commercial bank with ties to the Dakota Access Pipeline and private prisons.

The email included a link to an online petition supporting the request that had garnered more than 180 signatures as of Friday.

Forest Agostinelli, a computer-science graduate student and organizer of the group, said Thursday that it had not received a response from Gillman.

UCI spokesman Tom Vasich said Friday that the chancellors office received the email, which was then forwarded to the student affairs office on campus.

But because UCI Economic Justice isnt a registered group at the university and names or phone numbers were not provided in the email, the university didnt know whom to contact, Vasich said.

If they want to have a dialogue, we need names and contact information, Vasich said.

Wells Fargos Orange County-based spokeswoman, Lisa Woolery, said Friday that the company respects peoples opinions but that Wells Fargo will continue to serve students and the University of California system.

There are many students and faculty who depend on our banking services for many things, including to access funds for textbooks, meals or other living expenses, Woolery said. Taking away a banking option would keep students and staff from managing their finances, would force others to drive to a bank and would have no impact on the building of the pipeline.

The Student Center houses a Wells Fargo and a SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, both of which offer walk-in services. SchoolsFirst is available only to employees of an educational institution.

ATMs from Bank of America and Chase Bank are located throughout the campus.

Agostinelli, who drafted the letter in the email, said he believes the UC system needs to make steps to be an ethical institution.

They claim to be all about diversity and education, no matter [a students] background, Agostinelli said. It doesnt make sense that a Wells Fargo bank is allowed by administration on this campus if they want to be consistent with their recent actions.

Agostinelli referred to the UC system divesting $30 million of its holdings in companies that operate private prisons after facing pressure from students in 2015.

The system also decided to discontinue $475 million worth of contracts with credit providers and commercial paper dealers from Wells Fargo after demands made by the Afrikan Black Coalition, a group created in 2003 by black students in the UC system. Some contracts, however, are still maintained with the bank, according to UC spokesman Ricardo Vazquez.

Catherine Liu, a UCI film and media studies professor, said she supported Agostinellis idea for a petition and called the plan clear and concrete.

Its what we can do on this campus to get this really bad player off our campus, said Liu, who primarily uses the SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union. We dont need it in our student services.

For the time being, Agostinelli said, his group will try to raise awareness on campus by handing out fliers and holding an information session open to students.

priscella.vega@latimes.com

Twitter: @VegaPriscella
Newport Beach could honor screen legend and one-time resident John Wayne with a park.

Mayor Kevin Muldoon wants to rename an existing park after Wayne as a companion of sorts for the citys John Wayne Day, which Muldoon spearheaded last year.

The mayor suggests the grassy nook at El Modena Avenue and Cliff Drive, formally known as Ensign View Park after the nearby intermediate school.

Muldoon selected that park because a few months after the actor died in 1979, the city convened a committee to install a sculpture there honoring Wayne, a leading and outstanding citizen of the city of Newport Beach, according to a city resolution at the time. The adjoining Newport Theatre Arts Center has a Wayne display.

The sculpture never came to pass.

Muldoon said he isnt looking to commission one right now, although hed be open to it.

He said he received a warm reaction to John Wayne Day from people who either remember the Duke personally from his years in Newport Beach, or who, like Muldoon, are fans.

Hes probably one of the most iconic actors in the world, Muldoon said of the late star of films such as True Grit and Rio Bravo.

Newport Beach has 67 city-run parks, a few of them named after people. The City Council guideline is to name parks after nearby streets or landmarks, although the council may waive that standard, Muldoon said.

Newport Beach celebrates John Wayne Day on May 26, the actors birthday. Orange County, at the direction of the Board of Supervisors, recognizes the same day. The state, however, decided last year not to recognize the actor because of disparaging comments he made about African Americans in the early 1970s.

Muldoon said he hopes to hold a park ribbon-cutting in time for this springs John Wayne Day, which will mark the 110th anniversary of Waynes birth.

Ethan Wayne, the actors son and chairman of the Newport Beach-based John Wayne Cancer Foundation, said the family would be thrilled to see a park in Waynes name.

We feel its a very gracious gesture on the part of the city, he said.

John Wayne lived in Newport Beach from the 1960s until his death and had visited the city since the 1920s, his son said.

He is buried at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona del Mar, and his yacht, the Wild Goose, is still docked in Newport Harbor. And there is, of course, John Wayne Airport, with a 9-foot-tall bronze statue of the actor in Western costume.

Muldoon plans to discuss the park matter at the March 28 City Council meeting.

Hes just part of our American tradition, he said.

hillary.davis@latimes.com

Twitter: @DailyPilot_HD
Abigail Tremp ditched her sixth-grade class at Mesa View Middle School in Huntington Beach on Friday morning to help her former elementary school host its annual jog-a-thon.

But little did the 12-year-old know that Harbour View Elementary and the Make-A-Wish Foundation had collaborated to surprise her during the event by granting her wish to travel to Washington, D.C., to learn how the nations government works.

Abigail, who was born with a congenital heart defect, has had three open-heart surgeries and additional operations.

Her fascination with government began when she learned that students at her middle school were scheduled to take an educational field trip to the nations capital next school year. She was eager to go with them.

But her excitement waned when she realized she likely would be undergoing surgery again this year and that it would keep her from taking the trip.

Harbour View Elementary students filed onto the blacktop Friday and formed a large U shape facing a towering rainbow-like balloon arch. Students who were in on the surprise hid their handmade posters bearing messages such as You rock, Abigail! and Wish granted!

Abigails mother, Asea, a volunteer photographer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, was eager to see her daughters reaction to the news. Asea Tremp had kept it a secret since December, when she took the idea to the foundation.

After raffle prizes were given to Harbour View students for the jog-a-thon, Huntington Beach Mayor Barbara Delgleize stepped forward with a blue folder in hand.

As we think about our government today and toward the future, it reminded me of a little girl I heard about, Delgleize said. Id like to present [Abigail] with a special certificate for her bravery.

Delgleize handed Abigail the blue envelope. The girls mouth opened in excitement and shock as she read the message out loud: Your wish to go to Washington, D.C., is granted.

Students lifted their handmade signs and cheered.

Its so neat to see the other side of what families experience, Asea said.

Abigails father, Brian, said he was relieved that his daughter now knows about the trip. It was getting hard to keep it a secret, he said.

The family plans to embark on the journey in coming weeks, before her surgery. Abigail said shes most looking forward to visiting the U.S. Mint.

priscella.vega@latimes.com

Twitter: @VegaPriscella
Newport Beach has paid out a little more than $200,000 in attorneys fees in the case of a resident who sued after encountering difficulty getting documents about a city-sponsored nonprofit.

City Attorney Aaron Harps office confirmed Friday that the city resolved the fees last month with Kent Moore, a former Newport Beach Sister City Assn. board member.

The city delivered two checks totaling $202,129.52 in fees and costs.

Moore said he would have liked more, but the city still paid a significant amount.

Its been a long, hard ordeal, and its over, Moore said. At least I can say we won.

The case started in 2014, when Moore requested a range of documents related to the Sister City Assn. for the previous six years.

He was concerned about how children were chaperoned and how the group spent money after the association took a trip to Antibes, France, in 2010.

Moore and his lawyer described the citys response at the time as insufficient. He filed suit in 2015.

In February 2016, Orange County Superior Court Judge Linda S. Marks admonished the city for making it unreasonably difficult for Moore to get the records.

The city has previously said that finding the documents was challenging, given their age, the move to a new City Hall and employee turnover.

Melinda Luthin, Moores attorney, said its disheartening that the lost records meanthe public wont know all the answers.

It was a bittersweet battle, she said.

Harp said that the city always worked in good faith to get Moore the records. The issue was finding them.

Harp said the city has since spent considerable time studying records retention policies and organization, putting the city in a better position to respond to public records requests in the future.

We took it very seriously, he said.

hillary.davis@latimes.com

Twitter: @DailyPilot_HD
Three Orange County students are moving on to the semifinal round of The Music Centers 29th annual Spotlight Program in Los Angeles.

Fourteen finalists selected will win a $5,000 scholarship and a space in the highly regarded programs final performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in May.

Emily Eckert, 15, of Corona del Mar High School will perform Saturday for a spot as a finalist; Eila Neuroth, 18, of Pacific Coast High School in Tustin will audition March 25; and Adrian Villegas, 18, of the Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts will perform his semifinal audition April 9.

They are among thousands of students who applied by submitting video auditions. Only 111 students were selected as semifinalists in ballet, acting, non-classical dance, non-classical voice, classical instrumental and jazz instrumental.

The Spotlight Program is known for jump-starting the careers of notable performers, including Misty Copeland, the first African American ballerina to become a principal dancer for the American Ballet Theatre.

The program also offers students an opportunity to work in master classes with experienced instructors who critique and help improve the artists.

The three O.C. semifinalists raved about the program, saying it has helped them grow as performers.

Eckert, who auditioned in 2016, is making her second attempt to make it past the semifinals. She credits her newly honed ballet skills, which helped improve her expertise in contemporary dance, the category in which she qualified.

Gymnastics and varsity track also paid off.

Its so crazy to think Ive made it this far, Eckert said. I held back last year, but now Ive fully immersed myself in it.

If she were to make it as a finalist, she would save the scholarship money in hopes of one day joining a Los Angeles or San Francisco ballet company, she said.

Neuroth, who qualified in ballet, said the program helped me make connections with my characters and pushed me to be more in touch with my art.

Neuroth, who graduated early from high school, dances for Orange Countys Festival Ballet Theatre.

Villegas, whose performing-arts teacher encouraged him to apply for the program, qualified in non-classical voice. He will perform a song each from Kinky Boots and Violet.

Villegas hasnt been singing as long as many of the semifinalists but said he has gained confidence in his artistic abilities.

Theyve given me so much support, Villegas said. I now think of what and why Im singing. I think about what it means to give an honest performance.

If he were to be a finalist in the competition, Villegas said, he would save the scholarship money toward his goal of attending New York University.

Finalists earn $5,000 each in scholarships. An honorable mention in each category garners $1,000. Semifinalists earn $300 and those who show promise $100.

The grand finale performance will be May 23 at the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.

priscella.vega@latimes.com

Twitter: @VegaPriscella
An Acapulco restaurant in Costa Mesa has closed.

The approximately 8,000-square-foot Mexican restaurant was at 1565 Adams Ave. in the Mesa Verde Center. Its last day of operations was Sunday. It opened in 1983.

Jared Dougherty, senior vice president of marketing with Cypress-based Real Mex Restaurants, which owns Acapulco, El Torito and other chains, said the company was unable to agree on a long-term lease with the landlord.

However, we were able to find positions for all interested employees at our other area restaurants, he wrote in an email.

The Mesa Verde Center, anchored by Vons, is owned by Costa Mesa-based C.J. Segerstrom and Sons, which also owns South Coast Plaza. Justin McCusker, Segerstroms director of community and government relations, said he was unable to comment on the matter Tuesday.

Acapulco has two locations left in Orange County: one in Costa Mesa, on Bristol Street, and one in Stanton.

*

Hoag foundation launches ambitious campaign

The Hoag Hospital Foundation recently announced a campaign to raise $627 million by 2020.

The campaign, Hoag Promise, Our Campaign to Lead, Innovate and Transform, seeks to significantly expand Orange County residents access to quality health care options and underscore Hoags unique role in providing innovative and compassionate healthcare to Orange County residents, according to a news release.

*

New store opens at Crystal Cove center

Atelier 7918, a luxury retail store featuring accessories, jewelry and lifestyle goods, recently opened in Newport Coasts Crystal Cove Shopping Center at 7918 E. Coast Hwy.

*

New lawyer show broadcasts from Costa Mesa

Credit-damage expert Georg Finder recently launched LawyerWarrior Spotlight, an Internet-based talk show on OC Talk Radio, broadcasting from Costa Mesa.

In a news-style environment, guests on the new show must explain with a personal touch what beyond their legal credentials makes them interesting, why they stand out above their peers and why they win their cases, according to a news release.

Those interested in being guests can contact Finder at (714) 441-0900. Programs are available at georgfinder.podbean.com.
The Rossmoyne Homeowners Assn. hosted the latest City Council candidate forum Thursday where eight of the 10 hopefuls once again debated Glendales issues less than a month from the April 4 election.

Many familiar citywide topics led the discussion such as whether the candidates would temporarily halt major development and how each would retain or amend the current interim-ordinance on Accessory Dwelling Units, known as Granny Flats.

Candidates Mike Van Gorder and Onnik Mehrabian were absent. Van Gorder said he was recovering from an illness.

Join the conversation on Facebook >>

In what was roughly a two-hour event, candidates were given 90 seconds to respond to questions, with most directed toward all candidates and some individually addressed.

Asked if they would approve new development on the site of the current Sears building on Central Avenue  which is rumored to be set for demolition in the future  challenger Mike Mohill said he would like to see a regional park replace the structure, while incumbent Ara Najarian said hed like to register the property as a historic site for later adaptive reuse.

Sears officials could not be reached Friday regarding possible closure of the Glendale store, and no word has been announced about its closure by the company.

Rick Dinger said he thinks the Sears building is part of the city and should be saved.

It would be a tragedy to tear that one down, he said.

Regarding pension reform for city employees, all of the candidates conceded not to renege promised benefits for past and current workers. They all said they would instead address the rise of current California Public Employees Retirement System rates through new hires.

Its not right to take a pension away from somebody who has made ... a commitment to service. On the other hand, what you have to look at is with new hires  thats an entirely different ballgame, said challenger Mark MacCarley.

Each candidate answered whether they would consider selling some of the citys major assets, including the former Rockhaven sanitarium site and Glendale Water & Powers Grayson Power Plant. All eight candidates opposed selling either of them, citing current plans to convert Rockhaven into a boutique commercial center and park and the independence provided to the city by owning the power plant.

Reactions to the potential sale of the Glendale Civic Auditorium, however, were mixed, with incumbent Zareh Sinanyan saying it would be ideal to renovate the site, but he added that the city might have trouble finding enough resources.

Civic has been bleeding money for the last probably two decades. Ten years ago, when I was [Parks, Recreation and Community Services] commissioner, we were losing about $400,000 [annually] on the [auditorium], Sinanyan said. We were able to take that down to the bone, and were still [taking a loss] every year.

The next candidate forum will be a meet-and-greet format sponsored by the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Sparr Heights Community Center, 1613 Glencoe Way, Glendale.

--

Jeff Landa, jeff.landa@latimes.com

Twitter: @JeffLanda
While raising funds to enrich and enhance the programs and projects of the Glendale Unified School District and honoring three of the districts distinguished graduates, the Glendale Educational Foundation, recently celebrated with a Denim and Diamonds event at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank.

The diamonds refer both to the honorees and the prize featured in the opportunity drawing, donated again this year by Odette Kahwajian of Orphan Jewel.

Since its revival as an organization in 2005, the foundation has contributed more than $1.3 million to the district in its three areas of focus  health and fitness, science and technology as well as arts  areas parents and the district agree are chronically underfunded in California.

Join the conversation on Facebook >>

The Glendale Educational Foundation initiated the Diamond awards in 2011 to honor some of its most distinguished alumni.

This years awards went to Dr. Patrick McLaughlin Nemechek (Crescenta Valley, 1978) for distinguished achievement in health and fitness; Christine Walters (Glendale High, 1982) for distinguished service; and Ardashes (Ardy) Kassakhian (Glendale High, 1994), for significant achievement early in his career.

Most of the attendees were familiar with the accomplishments of Walters, who will soon complete her second and  by her choice  final term on the Glendale Unified school board, where she has served twice as president.

As she did last year as a presenter at Denim & Diamonds, Walters expressed her appreciation and affection for her teachers, especially her third-grade teacher at R.D. White Elementary, Melinda Lanzafame.

Ill take this opportunity to say that the district will miss Walters skills as a certified public accountant, her matter-of-fact manner and her good humor. Im glad I had the chance to serve alongside her.

Kassakhian is another well-known figure as well as a long-time supporter of the foundation and local schools. Kassakhian is completing his third term as City Clerk and is running unopposed for a fourth.

Audience members accustomed to seeing him in his official capacity, in which he offers thoughtfully chosen invocations at City Council meetings, experienced an unusual opportunity to hear him express his passion for public education.

But it was physician Patrick Nemechek, classmate of CV graduate and last years honoree, Phil Lanzafame, who proved the hidden gem of the evening, coming as more of a surprise to the audience.

According to the information provided in the program, Nemechek, who flew in from Arizona for the occasion, has a national reputation as an HIV health provider and was a founding researcher of the HIV Research Network.

Now practicing medicine in Arizona, Nemechek has also become a recognized pioneer in the reversal of brain inflammation and autonomic symptoms from chronic injury. He is scheduled to appear in a PBS documentary on brain health and will soon be releasing a book co-authored by his wife.

As if that werent enough, toward the end of the evening, as many guests were leaving, Nemechek stepped calmly in to assist with a guests medical emergency until an ambulance arrived.

As I wrote after last years Denim & Diamonds event, teachers matter, and Glendale Educational Foundation, through its honorees, does a good job reminding us of that. But this year, I was especially struck by the mix of honorees, past and present, and by the collection of guests, many of them board members in multiple nonprofit organizations serving our community, all involved in raising funds for community causes.

While I can sometimes feel overwhelmed by the proliferation of gala fundraisers in Glendale, I appreciate the spirit of the Glendale Educational Foundations event as well as its cause. This year, there were cowboy hats and boots aplenty. Next year, at another venue, it will be Disco and Diamonds  and another crowd of civic-minded individuals.

--

JOYLENE WAGNER is a past member of the Glendale Unified school board, from 2005 to 2013, and currently serves on the boards of Glendale Educational Foundation and other nonprofit organizations. Email her at jkate4400@aol.com.
I would like to give a shout out to an employee of Glendale Waste Management. I was struggling this morning to get my heavy green container to the curb. Alex Guerrero was picking up nearby containers when he saw what a difficult time I was having. He drove his truck forward to my curbside, stopped, got down from his cab and proceeded to put my container in position so the truck could handle it.

He noticed my other container waiting in my driveway and wheeled it up, then climbed back in his cab to dump it. He asked if I had the phone number to call for container assistance. I didnt know there was such a service. He wrote the number down for me and said I should call before pickup day and they would provide assistance at pickup time.

Thank you, Alex Guerrero.

Eva Carlile

Glendale

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Mohill support

I am supporting Mike Mohill for Glendale City Council. Over the years I have watched him on TV trying to keep our council members accountable. He has been the voice of the silent majority, and it is time we give him the opportunity to speak for all of us.

Helen Lucas

Glendale

..

Candidate forum

As we head toward our local election, Northwest Glendale Homeowners Assn. will hold a City Council candidates forum on Wednesday, March 22, at 7 p.m. I encourage voters who have not yet made up their minds on who to vote for, or those who have not yet heard the candidates platforms, to attend. This is open to all Glendale residents.

There are three seats available. Two incumbents are seeking reelection, and Laura Friedmans seat is vacant since she is now at the state Assembly.

The forum will be held at New Life Christian Church, 1020 W. Kenneth Road. There is a large parking lot in the rear and plenty of street parking, plus it will still be light, which is all the more reason to attend.

Peter Fuad, president of NWGHA, will moderate, and there will be time to ask questions of the candidates.

And for those of you who have made up your mind, come anyway to hear what might be new and useful information.

Carol Brusha

NWGHA board member

Glendale

..

Removal request

I was recently shopping in downtown L.A. and was amazed to see a city worker removing signs/solicitations, etc., from the sign posts with her putty knife and a spray solution.

A few years ago, Glendale repainted several of the light posts in my neighborhood. Before long, they become littered with yard sale signs, solicitations and lost animal posters. I am not saying these shouldnt be posted, but could they please be removed after a period of time? And not partially removed?

The people who took the time to post these signs should take the time to remove them. They could use clear plastic shrink wrap to display the signs. I see it in the city of Pasadena often. The shrink wrap does not damage the posts.

Patricia Tyson

Glendale

..

Roundup suspect

On March 15, the Los Angeles Times Business section carried an article headlined Roundup loses to state over labeling. A state judge rejected Monsantos attempt to avoid a state law requiring their weedkiller Roundup to carry a warning that it possibly causes cancer. Their attorney told the judge that the warnings would drive some customers away, hurting the company.

Wednesday evening, the local social media website Next Door carried several complaints about Roundup being used in Crescenta Valley and Two Strike parks, both operated by Los Angeles County.

On March 14 the New York Times reported that a federal court had unsealed documents including internal Monsanto emails that revealed an effort by Monsanto to scuttle the Environmental Protection Agencys review of the safety of glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup. The review never took place.

Then early Thursday a Glendale Parks employee gave my husband a flier put out by Washington Friends of Farms & Forests claiming that Roundup is less toxic than several common household products such as vitamins and aspirin. The employee said he was told to hand out the fliers and that Roundup will be used in Glendale city parks.

Just who are the Washington Friends of Farms & Forests? Their website identifies their vice president as James Curry of Monsanto.

Again as reported by the L.A. Times, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends that people avoid entering a field for 12 hours after Roundup has been applied.

I want to know why city and county parks are continuing to use such a dangerous product despite the court ruling, why Glendale is requiring employees to hand out such biased material, and whether the city and county intend to close the parks where Roundup is used for 12 hours after its application.

Mary-Lynne Fisher

La Crescenta
China on Saturday dismissed U.S. efforts to adopt a stronger stance toward North Korea, testing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and the progress he hopes to achieve in Beijing on the final, most precarious leg of his Asia tour.

The day before Tillersons visit, he said all options are on the table with North Korea, reversing the approachof previous administrations and signalling to Beijing that the United States has not ruled out military strikes on Chinas ally. On Saturday in Beijing, Tillerson warned that the threat from North Korea was at a rather dangerous level.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, standing next to Tillerson after their meeting, urged the U.S. to remain cool-headed as it seeks to suppress North Korean nuclear ambitions that have reached a new crossroads.

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No matter what happens, we have to stay committed to diplomatic means as a way to seek a peaceful settlement, Wang said, adding that sanctions are largely an issue between the U.S. and Pyongyang.

Still, Wang emphasized a desire for collaboration, and Tillerson said the U.S. planned to work with China and others to bring North Korea to a different place where we are hopeful we can begin a dialogue.

Tillerson has brought new urgency to dealings over North Korea, whose leader, Kim Jong Un, is seen by Western diplomats as erratic and determined to flex his military muscle.

It was not clear if Tillerson was disappointed by Beijings less than enthusiastic backing. China is North Koreas lone ally and principal trading partner and can exert influence, if it desires to do so.

On the first high-level official visit to China under President Trump, Tillerson had hoped to enlist Chinas help in cracking down on Kim. But it appears that China still has doubts about the policies that will be adopted by an inexperienced U.S. leader, who repeatedly attacked Beijings trade practices during the election campaign.

In contrast to a long line of predecessors, Tillerson refused to allow the traditional contingent of reporters to travel with him, making it more difficult to glean his impressions of the talks.

The Texas oilman also met with a top Chinese foreign policy official, Yang Jiechi, at the lakeside Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in west Beijing and will see President Xi Jinping on Sunday.

These meetings wrap up a six-day Asia tour during which Tillerson sought to reassure allies in Japan and South Korea of the U.S. commitment to the region. His purpose in China is different.

Tillerson will continue to lay the groundwork for a Florida summit between Trump and Xi in early April while navigating Chinese leaders concerns about U.S. policy toward Taiwan, disputes over the South China Sea and a potential trade war. The Chinese government is especially keen to maintain stability before a leadership transition this fall.

Tillerson said he discussed human rights with Wang, a topic the administration has not appeared to prioritize. His decision not to allow reporters on the trip could undermine his credibility with China if he brings up rights such as freedom of the press.

For Tillerson, and the Chinese largely, this trip is an opportunity to sort of measure each other, said Harry Kazianis, director of defense studies at the Center for the National Interest, a Washington think tank founded by former President Richard Nixon. There are so many problems that can occur in this relationship. Its important for Tillerson to get out there and get a lay of the land.

North Koreas nuclear aims feature most prominently in the discussions, particularly after Trump berated China on Friday for failing to rein in its neighbor.

North Korea is behaving very badly, he wrote on Twitter. They have been playing the United States for years. China has done little to help!

The Chinese government has for decades refused to impose sanctions that would cripple its neighbors economy out of fear of a refugee crisis on its border. Leaders also worry about the loss of a buffer between South Korea and its allies.

China took an initial step last month to squeeze North Korea by temporarily suspending coal imports from the country. But further collaboration with the U.S. will be complicated by the recent deployment of an American anti-missile system in South Korea that China sees as a threat to its own security.

Beijing has positioned itself instead as the mediator. It recently proposed a swap: North Korea would freeze its nuclear and missile programs in exchange for a halt of American and South Korean military exercises. The U.S. and South Korea rebuffed the idea.

The U.S. and North Korea are like two accelerating trains coming toward each other, and neither side is willing to give way, Wang, the foreign minister, told reporters last week. The question is: Are both sides really prepared for a head-on collision?

Tillerson, while in Seoul earlier, rejected the idea of negotiations with North Korea. He was expected to warn Chinese officials that the U.S. is willing to bolster military defenses and put pressure on Chinese banks if the country doesnt do more to curb its reclusive neighbors efforts.

Wang said Saturday that China had come up with proposals for all sides to study, but did not elaborate.

For the Chinese, Tillerson is still a bit of a mystery, said Paul Haenle, director of the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center in Beijing and a former China affairs director on the National Security Council during the George W. Bush and Obama administrations. Theyre still trying to figure out who he is, what role hell play on China policy in the White House.

A commentary on Friday from the official Xinhua News Agency warned that President George W. Bush also had threatened to use military options and gotten nowhere. The approach illustrated that Washington needs to talk to [North Korea], not to terrorize it, the analysis said.

Chinese state media largely cast the visit as an opportunity for understanding. But few analysts believe the talks will produce definitive action.

China now has a very difficult diplomatic relationship, said Shi Yinhong, director of the Center for American Studies at Renmin University in Beijing. I dont expect Tillersons visit to make any breakthroughs.

Special correspondent Meyers reported from Beijing and Times staff writer Wilkinson from Washington. Staff writer Jonathan Kaiman contributed from Beijing.

tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com

For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on Twitter

ALSO

North Korea bars Malaysians from leaving the country, and Malaysia strikes back

China cautions U.S. against starting a trade war, casting itself as champion of globalization

South Koreas upcoming presidential election could reshape its relations with North Korea  and the U.S.

UPDATES:

12:25 p.m.: This article was updated with background and context.

This article was originally published at 7:50 a.m.
The capital of the revolution. Thats what opposition supporters called the city of Homs in the early days of the war ravaging Syria.

On Saturday, opposition fighters and their families began leaving the last rebel-held enclave in the city under a Russian-backed deal reached earlier in the week, marking the official end of that moniker.

More than 400 gunmen and about 1,000 family members were evacuated from Waer in green Pullman buses and will be taken to areas still under the rebels sway, according to the Syrian state news agency, SANA.

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The neighborhood has been under government siege since 2013 and was subject to relentless bombardments over the past month, according to rebel activists.

About 10,000 people in all are expected to leave Waer in the coming weeks, Homs Gov. Talal Barazi told SANA.

They are being given the choice of going to rebel-held areas in the northern provinces of Idlib and Aleppo, as well as in rural parts of Homs province.

Those who remain in Waer, state media said, will be required to disarm and accept an amnesty deal that will pave the way for a return of government institutions and security forces to the neighborhood.

The evacuation is being overseen by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, Syrian Interior Security forces and Russian military police, said Barazi.

The pro-government Ikhbariyah TV channel quoted an unidentified Russian officer as saying, Were here to help our friends and restore safe life to this country.

Mohammed Salameh, an opposition activist in Waer reached via a cellphone messaging service, said the departing fighters left with their personal weapons and were headed toward Jarablus, a town on the border with Turkey.

This process will continue for two or three months, once a week, he said.

Salameh described the evacuation, which he plans to join, as a forced displacement.

In two months, this neighborhood will be completely emptied of its inhabitants, he said.

Similar agreements have been forged around the country. In December, rebel fighters accepted safe passage out of their redoubt in the city of Aleppo after an intense government military campaign that saw their ranks collapse after a months-long siege.

Opposition representatives accuse the government of engaging in submit or starve tactics, changing the countrys demographic map by removing the Sunni Muslim-dominated populations that support the opposition from besieged communities and replacing them with loyalists from other sects.

But Barazi rejected such claims, saying he expects that more than 40,000 of Waers residents will remain in the neighborhood, and that many of those now departing will eventually return.

More than 40% of residents have already returned to Homs Old City quarter, Barazi told Ikhbariyah, referring to a former rebel-held pocket that was evacuated in 2014.

Homs was one of the first cities to embrace the 2011 uprisings against Syrian President Bashar Assad. It fell to the opposition after fierce street battles between government soldiers and the then-nascent rebel forces.

But the government soon countered with a heavy bombardment campaign to subdue rebel neighborhoods such as Baba Amr and later the Old City.

The evacuations come as the Syrian crisis enters its seventh year with no clear end to the conflict in sight.

The government has touted such reconciliation agreements as the best path toward stability in the country, even while grudgingly engaging in United Nations-brokered peace talks. But although it has rolled back rebel gains throughout the country, even so-called secure areas remain at risk.

This week, waves of suicide bombers struck parts of the capital, Damascus.

Bulos is a special correspondent.

UPDATES:

2:20 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with staff reporting.

This article was updated at 10:10 a.m.
Angelina Jolie was recently at London School of Economics delivering her first lecture as a visiting professor. "Gia" actress admitted that she is nervous and is feeling butterflies ahead of her address.

According to US Weekly, "By The Sea" actress addressed the students as special envoy of U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and discussed the use of rape and sexual violence as a way of terrorizing during wars. The 41-year-old Hollywood star shared with the students her firsthand experience from visiting these conflict areas. The students took to social media after the lecture and praised her for her impassioned speech.

Angelina Jolie and William Hague, former British foreign secretary, started a campaign back in 2012 called "Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative." They together also formed LSE's Center for Women, Peace and Security in 2015. Based on these initiatives, Jolie and Hague are dedicated to teaching at least once a year and discuss ways to advance women's rights, especially in war torn areas. This unpaid position will begin from Sep. 2017 where Jolie will offer lectures, personal research and conduct awareness workshops.

Meanwhile, Jolie defended U.N. in another powerful speech at the United Nations in Geneva. The actress addressed Sergio Vieira De Mello Foundation on Mar. 15 in Switzerland, criticizing the wave of nationalism. She also spoke against the emergence of policies that are promoting rage and hatred towards one another, USA Today reported.

In her discourse, she addressed herself as a "Proud American," condemning politicians elected based on their dismissal of international agreements and foundations. All this while, the American actress tread carefully, without mentioning President Donald Trump for the fear of cutting funding to UN.

Jolie received high accolades for her speech at Sergio Vieira de Mello Memorial Lecture by the participants. The event is held every year in the honor of Brazilian diplomat who was killed in Iraq bombing in 2003.
Google has made some incredible advancements recently with its Google Assistant. The unique virtual helping hand is Google's newest take to crack down Apple's similar assisting agent: Siri. But several users of Android-based tablets raised their query about Google Assistant's unavailability on their devices. Most of them, having tablets running on Nougat or Marshmallow, the haven't received any update or pop-up in the recent timeline for enabling Google Assistant. The confusion created among them about it has finally been clarified by Google itself.

According to Android Police, Google stated that currently, the company is rolling out Google assistant to Android led smartphones only. The Android-running tablets won't be a part of this lineup. The company authority exclaimed: "The Assistant will be available on Android Marshmallow and Nougat phones with Google Play Services, this does not include tablets." Just after this declaration was officially announced, many analysts and experts came up with their own version of reasons for this sudden take, but the following potential source rightly defined the cause of such decision made by Google.

As per a report by The Verge, Google may be possibly trying to have a slow move with Google Assistant. It should be noted in this context that the company took months to roll out its supreme assisting agent to Android smartphones other than that of Google's very own Pixel range. Similarly, as Android phones are more popular among tech fans than Android tablets. So, may be to focus more on its usability and the level of appreciation among Android handset users, Google is holding back the official roll-out of Google Assistant on other Android led devices.

As far as the specs are concerned, Google Assistant can be considered as a potential replacement to Google Search App. Although, the agent still needs to be upgraded a bit more. There are certain backlogs witnessed with the agent like Google Assitant's inability to recognise songs, reading messages, assign tasks etc. Hopefully, Google would sort these out quickly alongside bringing up some more usefulness of its newest agent.
Ricardo Medina, a former actor of the superhero TV series, "Power Rangers" has pleaded guilty for stabbing his roommate to death. The former Power Rangers actor admitted that he killed his roommate in cold blood with a sword. Medina to face six years in the state prison according to the prosecutor.

On Thursday, the 38-year-old former actor Ricardo Medina pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter his roommate by stabbing him to death with a sword. In the Antelope Valley court, the former "Power Rangers" actor admitted he killed Josh Sutter after they had a dispute back in 2015 in Green Valley home, Fox News has reported.

The statement was according to the district attorney of Los Angeles County office. Prosecutor stated that Ricardo Medina will be facing up to six years of imprisonment in the state prison. Back in 2016, the former actor was charged with first-degree murder, a year after the crime.

According to the investigators, Josh Sutter and Ricardo Medina argued just the way how Medina's girlfriend parked her car. As their argument goes on, Sutter has forced his way into Medina's room. Ricardo grabbed his sword that he kept by his door and stabbed Sutter several times then called 911.

Ricardo Medina in defense claimed that he was just defending himself against Josh Sutter. Everyone is asking why it had to wait for over a year before charging Medina? The Los Angeles County Sherriff's Department didn't offer any explanation about it, The Star as reported.

Because Medina voluntarily admitted that he killed Sutter, prosecutors have reduced the charge to voluntary manslaughter. According to Stanley Friedman, Medina's attorney, he stated that it was an offer from him that was worth it to take than the risk of getting a life sentence.

According to Rachel Kennedy, sister of Josh Sutter stated that she hired Ricardo Medina after opening a business selling rescued dogs. The 36-yearold- Josh Sutter moved in to help her sister in opening the business in 2011.

After hiring Medina, Rachel claimed that he's been acting erratically and they both argued frequently. Rachel was more than relieved after Medina admitted he killed though six years wouldn't be enough.
The mother of a Portlaoise boy who attends the Saplings School has spoken out about the importance of the school for her son and her family.

Eoghan Gibson, aged 10, has attended the school since 2012. A non-verbal child with Autism, his mother Anne-Marie believes the school has made a big difference.

Eoghan learns a variety of lifes skills in Saplings and his mum believes he has made significant progress since he started attending the school.

With the help of the Department of Education Eoghan travels to Graiguecullen every day to school.

Because Eoghan cannot speak, Anne Marie believes she has a duty to speak out on his behalf.

These children don't have a voice to tell people how they are feeling. They are in silence. If they had a voice they would shout to the heavens that there is a fundamental right to have an education, she said.

Ann Marie believes that as parents, herself and her husband Bert, must be the voice for their son in the campaign to relocate Saplings.

He had previously attended the Autism unit in Abbeyleix and while Ann Marie is very grateful to the school, mainstream education did not work.

Apart from the special ABA based task-based education given, the fact that Eoghan can stay in Saplings as he grows older is very reassuruing for the future.

The school's sewerage system is at breaking point and the physical space no longer meets requirements.

School management are looking for a suitable building or site for a new school in the Carlow area but have so far failed.

It is an emotional battle for parents on a daily basis dealing with children with special needs while having to fight for basic human rights in education, said Principal Kerrie Wickham.

While the Department of Education is prepared to fund running costs of the school it has not yet stepped in to help find a new home.

Read more from Ms Wickham here
The green light has been given for one of Kildare's first ever solar farms.

Solas Eireann Development Ltd has been given permission for the installation of 38,600 solar panels on ground mounted frames on 41.7 acres at Confey, Leixlip.

The panels have an export capacity of 10 mega watts of energy.

The plans also include nine substations, security fencing, CCTV, electrical cabling and ducting.

The plans were revised and included a Natura Impact Statement, road safety audit, swept path analysis and revised layout of the facility.

Twenty seven conditions were set out by Kildare County Council and the developer will have to fork out 100,000 in development levies.

Meanwhile, a decision on the future of an Athy solar farm is due on Monday (March 20).

Renewable Energy Systems Ltd., (RES Ltd.) wants to construct temporary (27 year) ground-mounted solar panels on a 29 acre site at Moatstown Development Site, Milltown.

The council had requested the company to supply information on grassland reseeding and maintenance of the site including mowing/grazing.

The Municipal District engineer expressed concerns about the condition of the lane used to access the site. Planners also wanted information on traffic management, the route of electric cables and their connection to the national grid.

On February 21 the company submitted further information, and also set out a strategy for providing additional information at a later date, where it was not currently possible to do so.

It said, if the development was approved, any outstanding issues could be dealt with by way of planning conditions.

RES Ltd also plans to submit a Landscape and Ecology Management Plan as well as a Construction and Traffic Management Plan.

Meanwhile, a third application for an 88 acre solar farm near Johnstownbridge is also being considered by the council.

Further information has been sought by the local authority about groundworks, grid connection route, traffic, site layout and decommisioning.

It also asked it to address concerns raised by Inland Fisheries Ireland in relation to cabling.

Power Capital Renewable Energy Limited wants to build a 25 megawatt farm made up of 86,200 photovoltaic panels on ground mounted frames at Dysart.

The site is 10km from Ballynafagh Lake Special Area of Conservation and the developers believe that because of this distance, the farm would have no impact on that site.
It hasn't gone way, you know. The Naas economy, that is; not the subject of Gerry Adamss speech of twenty years ago now.

Were talking about how sustainable the future of the Naas town centre isas a retail venue. The Naas Lions organised a meeting recently (in Lawlors Hotel) and while it didnt attract anything like the numbers who turned up for a meeting more than a month previously, it hinted at a recovery. It was opened by the Naas Lions president Alice Fennelly and themed: Planning for Town Centre Recovery: A Turning Point.

And some concrete ideas emerged from the meeting about what to do to make make the town centre more attractive. Most of these came from David Fitzsimons of Retail Excellence Ireland, an organisation thats probably best known for hosting a prestigious awards scheme every year. It is made up of retailers the length and breadth of Ireland and their aim is to promote and sustain business by developing standards and skills.

It has a membership of 1,600 embracing just about retail activity including pharmacy, electrical, furniture/flooring, jewellery, food , to name a few.

Mr Fitzsimons has considerable experience in the retail sectors.

He wants a town centre core to be identified as a first step and the businesses in this area to be given a fresh look.

The meeting was told that in Greystones a lot of work has been done to enhance a town that already has many fine features.

A small number of initiatives should be agreed and implemented with local organisations and he says this will increase economic activity by 25% in 18 months.

Firstly people must look after their own business premises with the aim of attracting people to spend money.

Achievable goals should be identified like painting buildings with bright colours, using potted plants, cleaning the paths outside and use clear signs.

There are many cafes and coffee shops in Naas. These should promote slightly cheaper offers like soup and panini of 6.95 or promote cheaper early bird menus to give people the belief they are getting a bargain.

Coffee and tea refills could be had for half price and this, along with a friendly and welcoming staff, will bring customers back.

The Naas streetscape is arguably the prettiest in County Kildare. This could be enhanced further by by working with voluntary groups from Mens Sheds to the Tidy Towns groups to improve shop fronts.

A thorough and comprehensive document by Elaine Willis recounted the experience in Greystones where this was done (and was slow to start). Footfall for business has increased dramatically.

Today, the demand for business premises in Greystones outstrips supply. A lot of private homes have been converted to business premises.

Business owners are being encouraged to apply for grants to part finance the cost of improving their shop fronts, in a scheme which was launched by Kildare County Council.

Naas already has some advantages. It has a racecourse which features flat and national hunt racing which means its open in Winter and Summer. It also has hotels and pubs which could get involved in any initiative to enhance the appearance of the town. It also has hotels, unlike Greystones where the absence of a hotel for decade was seen and unhelpful to the towns progression.

Naas retailers are also being urged to concentrate on a single project at a time. When people see the town improving they will be much more likely to get involved.
A man with a strong Clane link has hit the headlines in the book world.

Andrew Tierney, who went to school at Clongowes Wood College, and is married to a local woman, has just published his first book, The Doctors Wife is Dead.

A true story set in Andrews native Nenagh, County Tipperary, it concerns a mysterious death in 1849, of a woman called Ellen Langley, nee Poe, who is related to him.

The wife of a local doctor in Nenagh, she was buried in a pauper's coffin and her husband was charged with her murder.

Family members had a cache of documents and passed them onto Andrew, who tracked members of the Poe family to Dorset, UK, in his research.

Penguin have published the book, which has the makings of a television drama or film.

Andrew, who studied art history at UCD and a Phd in archaeology, is married to Sarah, daughter of former Clane Community Council chairman, Des Drumm, and Jeannette.

The son of John and Fedelma Tierney, Andrew moved to Tipperary when he was five and attended Clongowes from 1988-94.

He enjoyed his time there and was interested in things mainly on the arty side.

He is working at Trinity in a research project on Victorian Dublin as well as on the Pevsner Architectural Guide to Laois, Offaly and Kildare. I spent a lot of last year going around Kildare, he said.

His researches into the death of his relative, Ellen Poe, has led to a fascinating insight into an inquest and murder trial in Nenagh in the Famin years.
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Continually repairing the Eslin to Mohill water pipeline is a shocking waste of money according to Cllr Seadhna Logan.

He raised the issue at the Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District meeting last Monday when he tabled a motion asking for a full breakdown of the money spent to date repairing all the leaks on the line and all associated costs over the past three years.

Cllr Logan described the pipeline as being a long-running farce and said its replacement has been consistently delayed. He said it was only fair the public was made aware of the total amount spent on repair and maintenance.

In reply to his question, the head of Finance & Water Services reported that there were 32 repairs carried out on the Mohill Eslin Trunk Main over the 3 year period 2014-2016.

The additional cost arising over the period was 52,000 or approximately 1,600 per repair. The relevant section of water main has now been tendered for replacement by Irish Water, who are in the process of appointing a contractor. It is anticipated that work will commence in the coming months, the reply stated.

Cllr Logan described the amount spent as a shocking waste of money and said the pipe should have been replaced. He said he hopes the work on a new pipe does commence on time.

He added that what was spent on repairs was almost one-tenth of the cost of the total replacement of the pipe.

Cllr Logan queried what the cost of such repairs was in the entire county and said Irish Water had serious questions to answer.

Cllr Sean McGowan said the bottom line was a new pipeline was needed.

Cllr Des Guckian said it was regrettable so much money was being spent but if there is a problem with it at the moment then it has to be solved.

Cllr Sinead Guckian said the matter needs to be addressed as soon as possible and she would favour it being replaced rather than repaired.
This article was originally published on March 18, 2017.

Kim Kardashian West, May 16, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar MIKE SEGAR / REUTERS

New York, 2 February, 9:55 AM. A few minutes earlier, Kim Kardashian had entered the offices of the federal prosecutor, accompanied by her two Parisian lawyers, including the well-known criminal lawyer Jean Veil. The American star faced Armelle Briand, the French investigating judge in charge of the inquiry into the attack and robbery of which she was a victim in Paris in the night of 2 to 3 October 2016. That night, she was robbed of almost 9 million dollars worth of jewellery.

The hearing which then began lasted the whole day and Le Monde has been able to see the transcript.

Kim Kardashian did not wish to return to Paris. She began by stating "I have a feeling that it's not the right place for me, I mean Paris. It's not a place for me on the emotional plane".

She is obviously aware of the arrests which took place in the capital on 9 January. "I felt relieved and very proud of the French legal system" she stated. "All the same, it did not give me a feeling of security and this experience made me aware that the world was no longer a safe place."

"They knew about my movements"

After having described in detail the people who were accompanying her during her stay in Paris, the star remembered having a premonition before leaving Los Angeles, where she lives, to attend Fashion Week.

"For two weeks before we left we were already afraid we might be victims of a terrorist attack if we left the country, and not only by going to Paris. When Kourtney (her sister) had a passport problem, I thought to myself that something bad was going to happen. I had this foreboding. I want to tell you this because it was such a strong feeling: every night in Paris I said a prayer of thanks that nothing had happened to us".

She states this because today she is convinced, as she says, that it was a "stitch-up," probably "based on inside information"?

Speaking to the judge, Kim Kardashian stressed that her suspicions concerned Michael and his brother, Gary Madar who were part of the team of drivers who chauffeured her, and her husband, the rapper Kanye West, when they came to Paris and who had done so for at least the past four years.

"A few weeks before our arrival, they sent an SMS text message to my assistant, Stephanie S. offering a free transport service, which they had never done before (...). I found that strange."

Gary Madar was charged on 12 January with complicity in armed robbery as part of an organized gang, complicity in kidnapping and forcibly confining someone, and with criminal association, but unlike the 9 other people accused in this case he was released under court supervision and remains presumed innocent as do all those examined.

Contacted, his lawyer, Maitre Arthur Vercken, did not reply.

"I realized that there was something wrong"

Despite being traumatized by her attack, Kim Kardashian had a very clear memory of events when she then recounted in detail for the French judge.

"At about one thirty in the morning, we came home with Stephanie (her assistant), Kourtney (her sister) and Pascal (her bodyguard). Simone (another assistant) was already there. Stephanie and Kourtney changed clothes to go clubbing. After their departure, at about one fifteen, three friends came to persuade me to go clubbing too. (...) I went upstairs, took off my dress and put on a bathrobe and went into bed to look at television on my lap-top and check my e-mails. I was therefore naked under my bathrobe."

(...)

After her friends had gone clubbing, Kim Kardashian said that she heard people coming up the stairs which led to her room. "They were really making a noise with their feet (...)I thought that my sister and Stephanie had come home drunk and were making a racket. I said 'Hello', I still thought it was them but there was no reply. I understood that there was something wrong (...). Then I saw two guys in police uniform come in with the caretaker. "They were aggressive (...). I thought they were terrorists who had come to kidnap me. Then in a panic she tried to grab one of her telephones but did not succeed. (...) I remember that I had an indescribable feeling, as if my heart would leave my body, I thought that I was going to die."

Very quickly, the two men said "ring, ring" (...) They were referring to the ring estimated to be worth 4 million dollars which Kim Kardashian was wearing in several of the photos which she herself had posted on social networks.

(...)

"He was really excited when he saw my jewellery"

"When the big guy took the ring, he examined it in the light from the window to check that it was the right ring and he said something in French which I didn't understand, but you could see he was pleased" (...).

Then, for a moment, at the top of the stairs, she thought of escaping but was afraid they might shoot. One of the men shouted, "Money, money, money"(...); the other, doubtless exasperated by the screams of their victim, took out some very strong black adhesive tape and some plastic electric cables to tie her wrists together.

(..) "I turned toward the caretaker to ask him if we were going to die and to tell them not to kill us (...). The caretaker told me to 'Shut up', and be quiet. He said he didn't know what was going to happen to us and that he also had children and that I should stop talking (...). One of the two attackers began to put the tape over her mouth and tie her wrists together. I was convinced he was going to rape me."

Later in the hearing she stated that she had not been sexually assaulted.

(...)

"Then he saw my jewel box. (...) He was really excited when he saw my jewellery (...) There were so many things. It was a big box. There were 20 items, everything I owned, 3 watches(...)". Once the booty had been collected, one of the two men carried her into the bathroom. Then they fled by the main entrance.

Downstairs, the two men met three accomplices and left the scene on foot and by bicycle. The police had been alerted and arrived at the hotel in the rue Tronchet (in the 8th arrondissement) which specialises in hosting stars discreetly.

"I remember how frightened I was (...) because they were wearing the same clothes as the others and I wondered whether they were really the police," she stressed.

Her bodyguard has been fired

Her account confirms the information gathered by the anti-organized crime police squad (BRB). Ten people were charged, of whom three recognised the facts including Aomar Ait Khedache, considered to be one of the organizers of the robbery.

However, he stated that no gun had been displayed and even went as far as saying "There was no violence involved."

During her hearing, four months after the events, Kim Kardashian stated that today many things have changed for her."I think that my perception of jewellery now is that I am not as attached to it as I used to be. I don't have the same feeling about it. In fact, I even think that it has become a bit of a burden to have the responsibility of such expensive jewels (...).There is nothing of sentimental value to compare with the act of going home and finding one's children and one's family."

This is an allusion to the numerous photos which she used to post on social networks where it was easy to see that she was wearing very valuable jewellery.

During her hearing, M. Ait Khedache had himself stressed that all the information was on the Internet. There is another change. Her bodyguard, despite the fact that he was not charged, has been fired. "I realized that people might think that I'm an easy target if he was still in my employment,"she said.

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5:30 PM. The hearing ended. The French judge is considering a re-enactment which the American star will be invited to attend. When contacted, her lawyer, Jean Veil, did not reply.

(This article has been translated into english by Kristin Couper)

Le Monde
As the membership drive for the Niwot Community Association kicks into high gear, the town is sporting banners at some town entrances, posters and brochures in Niwot businesses, and Burma Shave-style signs along Niwot Road -- all urging Niwot area residents to join the NCA.

The NCA membership committee also has sent out emails to current members reminding them to renew and soon will mail renewal brochures to current and potential new members. The committee also plans to post a membership reminder on NextDoor, an online social network for neighborhoods. And soon there will be a lighted display board at the Niwot Market highlighting NCA membership information.

In addition to Niwot, the NCA membership area incorporates areas west of Colorado State Highway 119 including Lake Valley and North Rim, along with Gunbarrel Greens and The Homestead subdivisions in Gunbarrel. Those areas were added because they have issues of mutual concern with Niwot and some of the areas have Niwot Elementary as their home elementary school.

Annual NCA dues are $30 per household. Those interested can pick up a brochure in Niwot businesses, restaurants and shops to mail in their dues and membership form. Membership forms also can be printed out from the NCAs website at Niwot.org , where residents also have the option to join the NCA using Paypal. Membership lists are private and for NCA use only.

We strongly encourage people to join because it is a way to foster community in the Niwot area, and also to get our communitys opinions and voice heard by the Boulder County Commissioners, said Johnny Barrett, NCA membership committee chair. This is an organization that also plans events to bring neighbors together and encourage and support the small-town feel we enjoy in Niwot.

That small town feel and the neighbors meeting and helping neighbors is an important quality that the NCA helps foster, Barrett said. The group sponsors an annual Clean Up Day in May, works with Boulder County to coordinate work on area trails and open space, coordinates informational meetings on community issues and candidate forums, and brings issues of community concern forward to Boulder County Commissioners and the county Land Use department.

We solicit feedback from our members and then present that to the county commissioners and land use and any other relevant group, Barrett said. The more members we have and represent, the more clout we have with the county.

The NCA also sponsors small grants for other local groups such as the Niwot Historical Society, the Left Hand Grange #9, Niwot Elementary and Niwot High schools, 4-H, Boy Scout and Girl Scout projects, and the new Childrens Park. In addition, the road crew of NCA-coordinated volunteers set up and remove the required road closed signs for parades in Niwot and handle required county paperwork. The NCA also has funded and helped paint the underpass mural along Dry Creek.

In addition, the NCA sponsors and coordinates the towns annual July 4 parade.

Where else can neighborhood kids bring their bikes downtown, decorate them and then ride them in a July 4 parade? Thats Niwots small town charm and sense of community that the NCA promotes, Barrett said.

The NCA will hold its annual meeting, open to members only, on April 19. A representative from Boulder County Parks and Open Space will be on hand to talk about the timing of proposed improvements to Lefthand Valley Grange Park and trails in the Niwot area.

The popular Clean Up Day will be held May 20 at Niwot High School. The day is a service that the NCA provides to the community. It is free for NCA members; the cost is $40 for non-members.

We always hope to have most of our memberships in by Clean Up Day, but we know that the day helps remind a few people to join, Barrett said.
Another conference, another debate on nuclear weapons. The anti nuclear weapons side has won once, in 1986, so the odds werent good. What would happen today, though, given that it was the first ever vote under OMOV.

Well, the party was clearly bringing out its big hitter so both sides. Conference darling Alistair Carmichael for the party working group position and Conference darling Julian Huppert for the anemdnemnt.

The working group was set up in Bournemouth in 2015 to look at the issues around nuclear weapons and drew up a paper which recommended keeping a nuclear deterrent and working for multilateral disarmament. An amendment recommended getting rid of nuclear weapons and spending the money strengthening our conventional weapons which, its movers argued, were actually what was needed to counter the global threats we face.

After a generally good-natured debate, Conference voted by 244 to 429 to reject the amendment.

Heres a flavour of the debate:

.@JudithJolly proposes motion on nuclear weapons. This is a key moment for the party. We've fudged for year. Time to decide #ldconf pic.twitter.com/3alU28pzrR  Caron Lindsay (@caronmlindsay) March 18, 2017

Huppert: We can't say that nukes are a bad thing then say we are going to keep them. It isn't moral or logical #ldconf  Caron Lindsay (@caronmlindsay) March 18, 2017

@CuriousCabbage speaking passionately in favour of trident and the UK continuing as a global super power. #ldconf pic.twitter.com/fvz8hoeTol  Dan Evans (@Dan_Ev) March 18, 2017

Paul Reynolds telling #ldconf we are closer to nuclear conflagration than at any time since Cuban missile crisis pic.twitter.com/QJbAuxdgsY  Elisabeth Wilson (@elis_wilson) March 18, 2017

Our weekly Observations of an Ex Pat writer Tom Arms wanted the motion to go much further:

.@LookAheadTV speaking against motion and amendment. He says we have a corrupt nationalist expansionist. egomaniac in the Kremlin. #ldconf  Caron Lindsay (@caronmlindsay) March 18, 2017

And when the red light came on, he endeared himself to Conference.

"Please could you draw your remarks to a close"

"Point three"

Cue much laughter #LDconf  Joshua Dixon (@JoshDixonTweets) March 18, 2017

New Federal Policy Committee Member Christine Cheng gave a very thoughtful speech in which she said that now was not the time to leave the nuclear weapons club.

Elisabeth Wilson says there should be more examples of non violent conflict resolution citing collapse of Berlin Wall & S Africa #ldconf  Caron Lindsay (@caronmlindsay) March 18, 2017

.@cajardine talks about being reassured by growing up near Faslane & about impact on Scotland of disarmament #ldconf pic.twitter.com/5Zj7nW7EuX  Caron Lindsay (@caronmlindsay) March 18, 2017

Alistair Carmichaels intervention was significant:

Fair to say @acarmichaelmp has convinced me of the case for backing #trident. What a tense debate though! #ldconf pic.twitter.com/eMUs0qX9WT  Yan Malinowski (@Y_Malinowski) March 18, 2017

And the word of Conference?

David Grace just used the word "persiflage" in an #ldconf speech. No idea what it means, but I like it! #fb  Zoe O'Connell (@zoeimogen) March 18, 2017

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
Here s Norman Lambs speech from this afternoons health debate:

First, we condemn Theresa May for her refusal to guarantee the rights of EU citizens working in our NHS and care services to stay in this country.

We value the vital contribution you make.

We demand that their right is guaranteed.

The Budget completely failed to address the dire financial situation facing the NHS and care.

Whatever your politics, it makes no sense to spend a reducing share of our national income on the NHS as demand rises at 4% every year

Whatever your politics, it makes no sense that in 2018/19 spending per head in real terms will actually fall as pressures grow

Whatever your politics, surely we cant tolerate over a million older people with care needs left unmet.

Yet this is the reality today.

And its not just numbers or statistics  its the impact on people which is so disturbing. There are real consequences for families up and down our country.

This is what the brilliant charity, Young Minds, reports from its Parents Helpline:

The helpline receives calls every day from parents who are desperately trying to get support from Childrens Mental Health Services. We regularly hear from parents who cant even get a referral or who have been waiting months for an initial assessment and whose childrens conditions have got worse during that time. Children who have started to self harm or become suicidal during the wait  or whove dropped out of school, which not only has a big impact on their own education but also means that one of the parents has to give up their job to look after them.

We hear from parents whove separated because of the pressure the wait is putting on the whole family.

This in OUR NHS. Its shameful.

The man in North Norfolk told that the waiting time for the adult ADHD clinic is two years. Whats he supposed to do in the meantime?

People waiting in a state of acute anxiety for a cancer operation which is delayed beyond the standard maximum 62 days from referral to treatment. Across the country, this standard is no longer being met.

Or the missed ambulance response times for patients in life or death situations, the record numbers of delayed discharges  frail older people stuck in hospital becoming more dependent.

A system under impossible pressure.

The awful truth is that failures of care are becoming commonplace  at a time when the Secretary of State claims that he wants the NHS to be the safest health system in the world.

And heres the really insidious trend. More and more people, who have the funds, are opting out, fast-tracking treatment by paying privately. And who can blame them. You do what you can for your family.

But how can we tolerate a situation where those with money can get speedy access to treatment whilst those without are left waiting. This totally undermines the solidarity of which we are all proud, that belief that in this country, you get access to treatment regardless of your ability to pay.

And just look at how we have fallen behind other European countries in how much we spend on healthcare. Germany and France spend more than we do.

Watch how the Tories self-righteously condemn other countries for falling short of the golden 2% share of GDP spent on defence  an international benchmark, yet seem not to care when we fall so badly behind on health spending?

We cant carry on letting people down. We are the sixth largest economy in the world. Surely we are capable of doing better than this?

So the Lib Dems will lead the way, showing how we can give hope to patients and to the remarkable workforce in the NHS and in care services.

I pay tribute to the work carried out by the independent expert panel. I thank them for guiding us. Their interim report is powerful.

An OBR for Health  an independent assessment of the amount of money needed to deliver a modern and effective health and care system  taking it out of the hands of politicians, restoring peoples trust.

And three options for providing sustainable funding.

I have been clear that I am immensely attracted to their third option  a dedicated NHS and Care Tax, shown on your pay packet, fair between generations and progressive.

And until such a tax could be implemented, we have to find a credible way of funding the necessary increased investment.

I want us to consider a penny on income tax to help guarantee that our loved ones get the care they need, in their hour of need. But we must be smart on how that extra money is spent. As our expert panel has proposed, extra investment must be focused on out of hospital care and social care. We must champion PREVENTION of ill health, investing in PUBLIC HEALTH  so stupidly cut by the Tories.

And we must invest more in mental health to end the injustice suffered by those with mental ill health.

So Liberal Democrats will lead the way in coming up with solutions for the big challenges we face.

But there is real urgency about the crisis we face. Thats why I have brought together Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem MPs to call for the Prime Minister to establish an NHS and Care Convention.

It was a great Liberal, William Beveridge, who proposed the NHS.

Now, as we approach its 70th year, the NHS is in desperate need of renewal.

Todays Liberal party  the Liberal Democrats  must meet that challenge. We must lead the way.
Here, in full, is Tim Farrons speech to last nights Conference rally. It went down very well in the hall with several bouts of spontaneous applause.

So, never let it be said that I dont play fair.

My daughter Gracie went on Spanish exchange to Madrid last month to stay with her friend Alba, and her Parents took them to Real Madrids Bernabeu stadium.

This week its our turn to host Alba, and where have we taken her in return?

Thats right, weve brought her here to Liberal Democrat party conference.

Were telling her its Wembley.

We told her the truth really. She is incognito, but she is here tonight

So welcome to the only party in Britain that is unashamed to say that we actually like foreigners.

It is great to be here in York again. A city that exemplifies our liberal values. That the folks of York can  not just once, but two years running now  welcome a party led by a Lancastrian, just shows what a tolerant place this truly is.

And we gather here at the end of a week that will go down in history.

The week that our government won the right to trigger article 50 and throw our country out of the plane without a parachute

The week that Nicola Sturgeon chose to exploit Brexit to seek to divide our country

The week that 3 million EU citizens who have made our country their home were told that they did not count

Let that sink in. This is a time when you need to trust your gut instincts.

If those three events this week make you instinctively angry,

then the time for posting distressed statuses on facebook is over,

the time for crying into your coffee is over,

the time for throwing stuff at the TV is over.

The time has come for you to do something about it

You need to stand with the only party that stands for Britain in Europe;

that stands for Britain together,

that stands for a Britain that honours all who live and work here.

You need to stand with the only party that stands with you,

that stands for you,

that stands with the courage of our convictions that this not the Britain that we know.

This is not the Britain that we love.

Britain is better than this!

Nationalism rules the roost in Whitehall and in Holyrood. Those who demonise the other who put narrow ideology before the interests of the people, are running governments both north and south of the border.

And who opposes them, who officially holds them to account?

The official opposition of nationalists in Scotland is a puppet Tory party backing the hard Brexit chosen by the English Nationalists at Westminster.

And in Westminster those same English Nationalists who have hijacked the Conservative party are officially opposed by the Labour party.

A Labour party seeking to surpass itself. They are no longer content with merely not being fit for government, they are determined to prove they are not fit for opposition either.

The worst opposition leader in British history. The man who makes IDS look like JFK.

There was some controversy when Jeremy Corbyn forgot, on his tax submission, to declare his opposition leaders salary.

But I dont think there was any foul play there. It was an honest mistake. I think he genuinely forgot that he was leader of the opposition. He isnt alone.

Or maybe hes just decided to honestly implement performance related pay.

Or maybe Paul Nuttalls been claiming it instead? Because apparently Paul Nutall is actually the leader of the Labour party? Thats what it says on his website

Well Dr Nuttall might as well be Labour leader now, as Labour go hand in hand with the Conservatives to force through a UKIP hard Brexit.

Labour is not an opposition, Labour is an accomplice.

A year ago, when I stood here on this stage, UKIP was the lone British political party that supported the UK leaving the EU.

Now I stand here as the leader of the only national party who doesnt.

But lets give Paul Nuttall credit. Hes consistent. No one can take that away from him. And you cant take away from him that he was the 4th man to walk on the surface of the Moon. That he invented lino. And played Keyboards in Kajagoogoo.

Even if you dont believe whats on his website, Paul Nuttall is consistent.

He was wrong in June and hes still wrong now!

But Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn, Philip Hammond, Keir Starmer. Wheres your backbone?

Dont buy this guff that they are enacting the will of the people.

They are distorting the will of the people either by design or through utter weakness.

Who says that the will of the people is a hard Brexit, out of the single market, out of the customs union, into the pit of protectionism?

Well we will not roll over, we will not give up.

There are 2 forms of leadership.

One is where you see which way you think the people are going and you run round the front and shout me too! Thats the easy path the others have chosen.

The other is where you boldly pin your colours to the mast and you inspire the people to turn and follow you.

Thats the leadership we have chosen to demonstrate.

And as a result of that leadership our membership is the highest it has been this century, we have overtaken Labour in donations and we continue to make astonishing gains in elections every week.

Because let me tell you this: leadership is a team game and that is why I am proud of every single one of you. You inspire me and you have given our country hope.

Our friend Guy Verhofstadt last week raised the possibility that British people could retain their EU passport if the UK left the EU.

Some people latched on to this as a possible means for us hanging on to the benefits of being a European citizen.

But for me, this wasnt about practicalities, it was about identity.

Identity politics is dangerous, but identity is important, and I am proud of my identity.

I am a northerner, I am English, I am British, I am European, none of these is mutually exclusive, all of these reinforce the others, and I will not have nationalists telling me who I can and cannot be.

Prime Minister you can try to take Britain out of Europe but we will not let you take the Europeans out of Britain.

We are British, we are European  that is who we are and that is how we will stay!

Now the hard Brexit elite dont like that.

Their commitment to democracy and the will of the people means seeking to silence everyone who has the audacity to suggest that their project is bad for Britain.

One of the many things that wasnt on the ballot paper last year  but which apparently we now need to just accept without question  is that if you narrowly lost, you had to just shut up, dump your principles and become an accomplice to the new nationalism.

Now, Jeremy Corbyn and Keir Starmer clearly did get that memo! But Im afraid I didnt!

The emperor is wearing no clothes and I will keep on saying so.

But taking our bold position has had consequences indeed, ladies and gentlemen, as a result, our friends over at Leave.EU very kindly decided to crown me 2016 Remoaner of the Year

Obviously Im speechless, incredibly proud, and I couldnt have done it without you.

And that title is obviously nothing compared to what Im called on twitter. The foul-mouthed creativity is actually quite marvellous  especially when you consider that its mostly from a bunch of blokes sat at home in their pants.

Anyhow, if remoaning means standing up for EU citizens who have made their lives here in the UK.

If remoaning means demanding that the British people have the final say in this process

If remoaning means standing up for a family of nations that has healed the wounds of two world wars and a terrifying cold war

Then I am proud to be your remoaner in chief!

So noI am not an enemy of the people, but I am the enemy of those people who seek to divide our country, to pervert the referendum result for their narrow ideology and trash our values by turning our backs on our neighbours.

And the more they come after us, the louder I will shout.

Despite what this government and their fanatical Brexit supporters in the press would like us all to believe, democracy did not end on the 24th of June.

It might be a political risk for us to speak out against the direction our country is going.

But it is the right thing to do.

Because what Britain does in the next two years will define us for the next one hundred.

So now is not the time to sit down and shut up.

Now is the time to stand up and fight.

There is only one thing worse than being a disappointment to your parents, and that is being a disappointment to your children.

In ten, twenty, thirty years from now, our children and our grandchildren will ask each of us what did we do to stop this senseless lurch into division, hardship and intolerance?

And while others will have to look away in numbing shame, we will look our children in the eye and say we did everything, we did everything.

And Ill tell you what, I am determined that I will be able to look them in the eye and say that we did everything. And that we won.

Because we are not in the business of just saying the right things, going on the right demonstrations, waving the right placards to make us feel better while the country collapses around us.

No, we are in the business of building a movement, so that we can win, so that we can turn our country around.

Winning is not a dirty word. Winning is what you need to do to make a difference and we are here this weekend because we are fed to the back teeth with defeat, we are here in York because Britain needs a progressive party with a vision, with a mission with a determination to win. We are here this weekend because Britain needs the Liberal Democrats.

There will be some who look at the division of our country, the damage to our economy, the dumping of Britains tolerant values.

And they will despair.

This week of all weeks, they will despair.

But we are here because we will have none of that.

This is the place for you if you have had it up to here with despair, if you are defiant, if you are determined that a bleak future of a closed, intolerant divided Britain is not inevitable.

This is the place for you if you believe that there is still a road to a Britain that is open, tolerant and united.

This is the place for you if you have the stomach for the fight of our lives for the country we love for the cause that is right.

Because if you believe that a better Britain is possible then the Liberal Democrats are your only vehicle for getting there, so dont waste another minute, get on board because the future is as yet unwritten. We intend to write it.
The Saturday of Spring Conference is very busy, with a packed training programme and fringe as well as debates in the hall. Dont forget to grab your daily bulletin and make sure that you vote for the emergency motion you want to see debated by lunchtime.

The party will be talking about Brexit but because the situation was so fluid, the motion will only be published when we get to Conference as to do so before could have rendered it out of date.

The most controversial debate of the day will be on nuclear weapons. The policy paper produced by the Working Group recommends maintaining a nuclear deterrent while aiming for a global reduction in nuclear weapons. The arguments in favour of the motion and in favour of having no nuclear deterrent have been set out on this site here by Tim Farron and here by David Grace respectively.

Theres a huge variety of fringe meetings. Some highlights are below.

Here is the full timetable for the day:

09.0009.10: Opening of conference by Baroness Brinton

09.1009.30: Report of Federal Conference Committee

Report of Federal Policy Committee

09.3010.30: Policy Motion: A rational approach to harm reduction (Sex work policy paper)

10.3011.15: Policy Motion: Tackling overcrowding in the prison system

11.1511.35: Speech by Lynne Featherstone

11.3512.40: Emergency motion or topical issue: Britain and the EU

12:40-14:20: Lunchtime fringe

14:20-15:20: Policy Motion: The crisis in health and social care

15:20-16:05: Tim Farron Q & A: Questions (max 25 words) to be submitted to Speakers Table by 12:40 pm today.

16:05-16:25: Speech by Susan Kramer

16:25-17:40: Towards a world free of nuclear weapons

17:40-18:00: Report of the Parliamentary Parties in the Lords, Commons and European Parliament.

18:15 till late Evening Fringe

Fringe highlights  lunchtime

Again, I wouldnt be abusing my position as editor of this site properly if I didnt plug the meeting I am speaking at pretty shamelessly. I do have a good excuse , though, because Im on a panel with Sarah Olney MP and former co-editor of this site Mark Pack. Well be talking about the challenges facing Liberalism this year at the event run by the Radix think tank. This takes place in Meeting Rooms 1 and 2 of the Novotel.

Liberal Democrat Women, in an event using the title Shrill, nasty women as a badge of honour, look at the impact of the openly misogynistic political environment on womens participation in politics. This is the one Id go to if I wasnt speaking at the Radix event and it takes place in Meeting Room 6 of the Novotel.

If you are after food, you might want to head to the Rights, Liberty Justice event on the independence of the judiciary and the attacks on them following the Article 50 Judgement. Daisy Cooper, co-executive director of Hacked Off and Liberal Democrat PPC for St Albans will be speaking there.

Lib Dems for Seekers of Sanctuary are discussing how to best support asylum seekers when they arrive in this country. Shas Sheehan who has done so much to help those in the Calais jungle, will be speaking.

Also at lunchtime, Your Liberal Britain unveils its vision competition winners, ALDC talk about housebuilding and planning, the LGA focus on preventing illness and Green Liberal Democrats have former Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey asking if were clear on nuclear.

Fringe highlights  evening

There are two rounds of fringe meetings in the evening plus the late evening Glee Club.

The one you probably need to turn up early for to make sure you get in is the Social Liberal Forum event with Vince Cable talking about the economy at 18:15. Dont do what Ive done before and assume everything is happening in the Novotel  because this one is happening in the Hilton which is a good 10 minutes walk away if not more.

In the same slot, you have the LGA Lib Dems learning from the Lib Dems in Watford, ALTER on the failings in the housing market, LGBT+ Lib Dems on sex work and diversity and the Lib Dem Education Association has its AGM.

The ugly head of Brexit is reared in various dimensions by Brussels and Europe Lib Dems, Liberal Reform and Rights Liberty Justice.

The Liberal Democrat Christian Forum also has a meeting to discuss faith and politics.

Later on, from 19:45, you might be wondering where youre going to get something to eat. Offering food in this slot are the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust talking about the power of the press. The greatest danger to our national life? they ask. Also feeding people are the Lib Dem engineers and scientists talking about Brexit and science.

I should say that you shouldnt expect a huge amount to eat  maybe just a cup of tea and a biscuit, but it will keep you going.

Green Lib Dems also have food at their AGM, but youll need to be a member. Just as well they have a stall in the exhibition where you can sign up in advance.

The Young Liberals invite you to find out how to get involved in their campaigns and London Region has a very fun-sounding rapid fire policy pitch exercise.

My choice for this session would be the Social Democrat group where Jo Swinson and local Labour MP Rachel Maskell have been invited to talk about how to fight for social justice when money is tight. I am very impressed with their line-up after they presented us with an all male panel in Brighton last September.

You will need 30 to go along to Alistair Carmichaels whisky tasting session. Its worth it just to hear his banter. I went to the event at Scottish conference last week, thinking that if I drank whisky I wouldnt need wine at dinner. It didnt quite work out like that but the whiskies were mostly delicious apart form the one that tasted like a bonfire and the one that smelled like milk. However, the bonfire one was loved by most of the other people on my table.

The evening closes with the utterly bonkers and completely irreverent Glee Club. If you have never been before, you will probably wonder what planet you have found yourself on. It is very tongue in cheek, though, and a great place to laugh at ourselves and everybody else.

You can follow the events of the day on the party websites live blog or via the teams Twitter feed on the sidebar or via the #ldconf tag on Twitter.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
A TEENAGER pleaded guilty in Kilmallock Court to trespassing in a farmers yard.

Shane OKeefe, aged 19, of Green Road, Murroe admitted offence at McGuires, Main Street, Murroe.

Sergeant Michelle Leahy said at 4.30am on May 5, 2016 the defendant entered a farm yard in Murroe village.

He was identified on CCTV cameras. He was on the property for over an hour. He moved tools and other farm machinery that were later found in a ditch, said Sgt Leahy.

She said OKeefe has no previous convictions and co-operated with gardai following his arrest. The court heard that the property was recovered.

OKeefes solicitor, Michael ODonnell said his client had taxen 10 xanax tablets on the night in question and was with a co-accused who is not before the court.

The other gentleman is more experienced. Mr OKeefe has no previous convictions and co-operated fully with gardai. This was his first outing. He pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. He is present in court with his grandfather and girlfriend, said Mr ODonnell, who added that OKeefe has attended a psychology and psychotherapy practice.

Judge Marian OLeary ordered a pre-sanction report from the Probation Services and adjourned sentencing until it is completed.
HOUSING Minister Simon Coveney has indicated the private sector may help finance the Limerick to Cork motorway.

Speaking in the University of Limerick this week, the Cork TD described the proposed M20 link as the biggest road project we need to find a way of financing and building.

He said government is looking at many different ways of getting the project moving as quickly as possible.

It is a project which is going to cost close to 1bn. So we need to look at new ways we can finance it, and get it moving earlier than many people predict, he said.

Asked on these finance methods, Mr Coveney added: You can look at public-private partnerships, for example. One of the challenges we have in Ireland is the fact that although accessing money is not a problem, but being able to spend it in a way which is consistent with the spending rules of the European Union is the big challenge.

You can get over these spending rules by building now and paying later through public-private partnerships or other kinds of finance.

The intervention of the private sector may see tolls introduced to the M20, in a similar fashion to the Limerick Tunnel or parts of the M7.

The Housing Minister said he is regularly in contact with Limericks political community to ensure the road link is made a priority.

If were planning for the future, the idea you wouldnt connect Irelands second and third cities so that combined they can provide a counter-balance to Dublin is a huge missed opportunity, he said.

The government will unveil its capital spending review later this year, and its widely expected the Limerick to Cork motorway will feature heavily.

Mr Coveney was at the university, where he sought the ideas of students of the School of Architecture and Design on the Ireland 2040 national planning framework.

It may be a long distance away. But in order to respond to challenges, we need to plan long term. We need an extra half a million houses, as we expect the population to grow by one million people. The question is: where are people going to live? Are we going to allow the dominance of Dublin to continue, when cities like Limerick dont reach their potential, he asked.

What we have in Ireland is one very dominant city and lots of other cities that have the potential to grow and become regional drivers. Without managing that, its not going to happen by itself, he added.

Asked about the leadership of Fine Gael, Mr Coveney declined to answer, saying: This is not the occasion to be discussing that.

He is expected to go against Leo Varadkar for the leadership of the party.
HUNDREDS of historical documents from Glin Industrial School could be at risk unless the government and the state intervenes to ensure they remain a public record of a grim period in Irish social history, according Fianna Fail TD for Limerick Niall Collins.

And he will be demanding government action on the fate of some 800 documents, placed on loan with the University of Limerick by abuse survivor Tom Wall from Glin in 2015.

This week, Mr Wall revealed that the Christian Brothers who ran the school until it closed are continuing to claim the documents as their own.

And his fear is that unless the state steps in, these documents will effectively be buried out of sight in the Brothers own archive or worse, destroyed.

As things stand, he explained, the documents remain sealed at UL because of the Brothers legal challenge over their ownership.

The Limerick Leader wrote to the European Province of the Congregation of Christian Brothers asking for a comment on the issues raised but at the time of going to press no reply was to hand.

Mr Wall, who was incarcerated in Glin at the age of three and where he was physically and sexually abused, saved the documents from being burned in 1973 when the Christian Brothers were packing up to leave Glin.

I was ordered by the Superior, Br Murray, to burn all the documents that he gave me but was told that I could keep any that I particularly wanted, he said.

As I was looking for my own file I therefore held back some of the documents that I had been told to burn and I put them in the attic of a house in Glin where they remained for the next 40 years.

When the Christian Brothers became aware that these documents had survived the fire of 1973 in which I had been told to burn them and that they were being held in UL, they lodged a claim to the university stating that they belonged to them.

Mr Wall was also warned in 2015 that legal proceedings could follow unless he told UL to return the documents to the Christian Brothers. It was then agreed that the Christian Brothers and/or their representatives could inspect the documents and two visits were arranged, one in 2015 and the second late last year.

After that, Mr Wall was invited to Dublin where he met the superior of the Eastern Province of the Congregation of Christian Brothers, Br Edmund Garvey and another brother.

I said I would like to co-operate in every way. What I would be prepared to do is, I would be prepared to give them copies of the original documents, Mr Wall said.

But instead, Mr Wall recalled, they wanted the originals.

They said they wanted them in their own archives as a tribute to the boys of Glin.

But, he continued, These documents are connected to the children of Limerick that were detained in the Glin Industrial School.

And he described how one of the documents was a letter written to him by an aunt which he never received. Other documents include information on what supplies were bought for the school.

I firmly believe that these documents should be kept in the University of Limerick where they can be preserved and viewed and will be a record for future generations, he said.

This week, Mr Wall said lines had been drawn and there was now no common ground over the issue of the documents. He has now appealed to a wider public and to the government to step in.

It is an insult to me as a survivor, and the many other survivors who were abused by the Christian Brothers, that they can now claim ownership of these documents after a lapse of 40 years solely in order to destroy them, Mr Wall said.

An angry Deputy Collins has thrown his weight behind Mr Walls campaign. Tom Walls actions in seeking to preserve these records for both the former residents and the State is very honourable, was the right thing to do and indeed rightly serves the wider public interest, he said.

It is beyond belief that the Christian Brothers, having previously sought to burn the personal documents of formers residents , would now threaten legal action against the person who rightly sought to protect them and correctly involved the University of Limerick in the matter, he continued.

These records contain State referral documents from the courts and the Departments of Health and Education and also other items like personal letters written by residents to their parents which the Christian Brothers never sent on, Deputy Collins added. To now claim sole ownership of these documents is beyond belief.

These records in my view belong in the first instance to the residents and their representatives and secondly the State. I will personally be raising this matter next week in Dail Eireann where I will be demanding that the Government and the State take an active interest in this matter and secure these records.

The actions of the Christian Brothers in threatening legal action against Tom Wall is nothing short of contemptible. It demonstrates to us again that some religious orders still simply dont get it when dealing with former victims of their abuse, and indeed the wider public.

We have seen recently the experience in Tuam and this must not be allowed to be repeated in Glin.

In correspondence seen by the Limerick Leader, solicitors for UL have made it clear that the university claims no interest in the papers referred to in previous correspondence as the Tom Wall Glin Industrial School Papers.

The university will only release the documents pursuant to an agreement between Mr Wall and the European Province of the Christian Brothers, the letter stated.
A NIGHT spent outside in a sleeping bag on concreted ground has given new insights into homelessness to a group of students at Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher.

It just opened our eyes to what they (the homeless) have to go through every night, said Ava Mullane, one of the group of 19 Transition Year students who undertook the ordeal.

And while they all survived, they agreed that another night outside was not something they would have liked to do.

The sleep-out was conducted on the school grounds, beginning at 8.30pm and running right through to 8am the following morning, when, as Mary Kate Fehin explained, they had to go straight into class.

It was cold, another participant, Ciara OFlynn recalled. We were all huddled together.

But despite being in a group, and with three teachers also nearby, the students felt a great sense of vulnerability, being outside without shelter on a winters night.

Ava, Mary Kate and Ciara, along with Eliza Reidy, Katie Ryan and Edel OFlynn were the group who initiated the sleep out. The six are the founder members of this years school bank, the Bumble Bee Bank and are taking part in the AIB Build a Bank challenge.

We have to have a speciality and we decided ours was to help the community, to give back, Ava explained.

Homelessness is such a topical issue and such a big one, we decided to do something about that.

They made contact with Focus Ireland who gave them all the facts about present-day homelessness and they got whole-hearted backing for the sleep from their TY classmates.

Support too came from local food outlets.

We wanted to raise money for Focus Ireland and each TY student had a sponsorship card. Then we went the following morning with buckets to the school gate and asked students to donate, Mary Kate explained.

We were surprised at their generosity, Ava added. All the students donated.

The total raised has yet to be finalised, said teacher Ciara Broderick who took part in the sleep out.

But for a group of students, home and homelessness have taken on a deeper meaning.
A YOUNG woman who spearheaded the launch of Capital Limerick, an organisation which is focused on promoting and enhancing Limericks profile and reputation, has been named the Limerick Person of the Month.

Armed with a deep desire to actively promote Limerick, Clair Hayes from Meanus organised a tightknit group of Limerick people from diverse backgrounds to come together and form Capital Limerick.

The Limerick professionals based in Dublin immediately set about making connections and working together to promote and advance their native county and city.

There are exceptional people and organisations in Limerick and there are also many Limerick people in Dublin who are leaders in their field. If we unite all of those people and organisations, we can establish a co-ordinated and influential Limerick presence to advocate for Limerick as a viable alternative to Dublin.

The initial group of eight people included Clair along with Barry Duggan, head of communications and press with Fine Gael; former IBEC senior executive, Brian Geoghegan; Stephen OByrnes, PR consultant with MKC Communications; Seamus Hennessy of the STL Group; Niamh OCarroll of OCarroll Consulting; Patricia Ryan, advisor to government minister, and Paul Stapleton, general manager of Electric Ireland.

Clair says, a number of people have since come on board and its great that the group is so diverse.

Each of us used our connections with Limerick people based in Dublin to expand the network and it took off from there. We were overwhelmed by the support from Limerick people who have a strong desire to see Limerick's profile elevated both nationally and internationally

Last November the group hosted the inaugural Capital Limerick lunch at the Marker Hotel for 250 people.

Leading professionals from business, education, sporting, cultural and media circles were in attendance as well as industry leaders and major employers from both Dublin and the Mid-West.

We had a number of excellent speakers and an impressive turnout both from the Limerick community in Dublin and Limerick-based people who travelled to attend.

Minister of State Patrick ODonovan and former Justice Minister Des OMalley both addressed the event and outlined their future hopes for Limerick.

Well-known people in attendance included former TD Liz ODonnell, publican Charlie Chawke, TV3 presenter Vincent Browne, CEO of Shannon Group Matthew Thomas, Margot Slattery of Sodexo, Kieran Harte of Uber, Chris Goodey, CEO of the National Association of General Practitioners and former Tanaiste Mary Harney.

Trish Long, vice president and general manager of Disney, Ireland; former secretary general at the Department of Finance John Moran and Des Fitzgerald, incoming president designate at University of Limerick participated in a panel discussion at the event which saw 5,000 raised for two Limerick based charities - the Redemptorist Christmas Appeal and Saint Vincent de Paul.

Later this month the group will host its second major event which will explore opportunities for financial services firms in the Limerick and Mid-West region.

Taking place at 6.30pm on Wednesday, March 29, at the Westin Hotel on Dublins Westmoreland Street, the event will include a panel discussion featuring Kevin Thompson, CEO of Insurance Ireland, top economics lecturer at the University of Limerick, Dr Stephen Kinsella; Eamonn Fallon, senior vice-president, supporting funds administration services at Northern Trust in Ireland.

The event is being sponsored by Northern Trust, Matheson and the Elder Healthcare Group.

The evening discussion will be moderated by Donal ODonovan, business editor at the Irish Independent.

The group wants to reach out to the many thousands of Limerick people working in Dublin and is calling on those with family and friends in Dublin to help spread the word.

A former student of the FCJ convent in Bruff, Clair studied law in NUIG and trained in Dublin.

She now works as a senior associate solicitor in commercial law firm Matheson and is based in Dublin.

Ive always been a proud Limerick person but in the past, I have felt compelled to defend Limericks image.

Thankfully now the perception of Limerick has started to change and we should take the opportunity to promote Limerick's profile further afield.

The modest Limerick woman paid tribute to all those who have helped her and her Capital Limerick colleagues to get the initiative off the ground.

Im delighted with this award but I am accepting it on behalf of the entire group and the many people throughout Limerick doing great things for the city and county.

They are far more deserving of this award than me, she smiled.

The Limerick Person of the Month award is sponsored by the Limerick Leader, media agency Southern, and the Clayton Hotel.
A TOP international economist has assured Irish business interests the likelihood of a border tax to transform America into a tax haven is very modest.

Addressing a Limerick Chamber briefing event, Carl Tannenbaum, the chief economist for financial services firm Northern Trust, which employs 800 people in Limerick believes the likelihood of a border tax happening is less than a quarter.

Mr Tannenbaum was joined in addressing over 120 business representatives at the Limerick Chamber event in the Limerick Strand Hotel by Dr. Loretta O'Sullivan, group chief economist at Bank of Ireland and Caroline Kelleher, director of policy with Limerick Chamber.

He said the proposed border tax is at its heart a way of promoting export out of the US and disadvantaging import into the US.

It would prospectively turn the US into the biggest tax haven on the face of the earth. And of course in this part of the world, which has made a lot of headway by having corporate friendly policies, this is alarming. The good news is that for Ireland and the UK and perhaps the bad news for the US, the likelihood of this is actually very modest. At first level, it violates world trade rules, he said, adding that the one thing everyone wants to avoid is a trade-war which no one would win.

With regard to Brexit impacts, he said that there will be opportunities for Ireland as businesses looking for locations to deepen their investment will not go to a market that may not be part of the European Union.

I wont speak for anyone in particular but I am certainly aware that a number of the larger companies operating globally here in this part of the world are considering locations and strategies as contingency to make sure that they can continue to serve the common market, he said.

He anticipates article 50 will be invoked sometime before the end of this month and we will then hear a drumbeat of issues that will suggest resolution is impossible but these are opening salvos only and a first step in what is going to be an iterative negotiation that will end up somewhere more reasonable.

Also speaking at the event, Dr OSullivan, who heads up Bank of Irelands economic research unit said that uncertainty around Brexit and the US is weighing on the minds of business and householders. Its early days yet in terms of Brexit. So far the impact from an Irish context has been the weaker pound, which is impacting on some of our exporters, particularly those trading into the UK and also we have seen a little bit of softening in confidence amongst businesses and consumers. We do see it having an impact on the economy and we have revised our growth numbers to reflect that and still see the economy growing around 3% this year and next year.

With Brexit the rhetoric at the moment is around a hard Brexit. Theres a negotiation process to be gone through and what is key is the nature of the trade relationship that comes out of it. But there are also some opportunities, particularly in the FDI space and some potential relocation of activity to Ireland which requires us to be agile and look to exploit, she said.

Ms Kelleher added: It was very interesting to hear the presentations which looked collectively at the impact of Brexit, the US election and, indeed, political uncertainty across Europe with elections taking place. There is some downside risk but we are continuing to grow as an economy and there will be growth. Ultimately we are on an upward trajectory.
May 3, 2021, 3 AM

By Michael Baadke

Mechanical engineer Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel, whose name is permanently connected with the internal combustion engine he developed and refined in 1897, was born March 18, 1858, in Paris, France, the son of Germans from Bavaria. The family moved to London, England, but Rudolf was sent to Bavaria at age 12 to complete his schooling while living with relatives.

He later studied at the Royal Bavarian Polytechnic of Munich, graduating in 1880, and was employed by the famous Krupp firm while working on the problem of a new engine. His technical advances led to patents obtained in 1897 and a successful engine demonstration that same year.

The efficient new engine was quickly put to use powering trains, automobiles, factories, pipelines and more.

Diesel profited from his success, but died under mysterious circumstances in 1913 while traveling on a post office steamer headed from Antwerp to London. He disappeared during the night, and is believed to have drowned. Various clues point to death by suicide, but some theories have suggested foul play brought about Diesels demise.

Diesel has been honored on numerous stamps issued by countries worldwide. Germany honored the inventor on a 10-pfennig stamp issued on the 100th anniversary of his birth: March 18, 1958 (Scott 783). He is also depicted on a German 300pf stamp issued in 1997 to commemorate the centenary of the diesel engine (1977).
Dear Mr. Premack: Can I get your opinion on the legitimacy of getting a will online? My mom needs a standard Will of disbursement equally to the three kids, with one caveat that if any of us contest the Will, that child is omitted from the Will and the total is disbursed to the other kids. Your opinion would be appreciated. - JC

Online Will preparation services like LegalZoom are tempting, but should be avoided unless they are offered directly by an attorney licensed in your state. Avoid any unlicensed online Will preparation services for the following reasons:

First, online Will preparation services use workers who are not licensed to practice law. Instead, they employ software to knock out cookie cutter legal forms. Sometimes they call their forms "attorney prepared" but what they mean is that a lawyer provided the underlying form, not that a lawyer has prepared anything specifically for you. Their Wills are either computer generated or filled-in by a clerical employee. They successfully avoid the unlicensed practice of law with disclaimers like: "You should consult an attorney in your state for serious legal matters. We are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney".

Second, communication with online Will preparation services is not legally privileged or confidential. The service provider may sell your information for marketing or other purposes. For example, one website says it "is not a law firm and is not a substitute for an attorney or law firm. Communications ... are not protected by the attorney-client privilege or work product doctrine".

A different form website "protects" your privacy with this tricky policy: "We may collect and/or track ... information knowingly provided by you through on-line forms... We may also use your personal, demographic and profile data ... for marketing and promotional purposes.... We reserve the right to share, rent, sell, or otherwise disclose data we collect to third parties". Ask yourself, are these services providing you with enticing prices because YOU are their product rather than the document?

By contrast, an attorney must comply with their State's rules of professional conduct. One such rule requires the attorney to maintain strict confidentiality about a client's private information. Communications with a licensed attorney are typically protected by the attorney-client privilege.

Third, online Will preparation services provide a false sense of security. It may appear that they provided good legal documents, but they may be using forms that have never been tested before a court. One form website is registered as a "legal document assistant" in Los Angeles, California but provides preparation of legal documents which they claim to be valid under Texas law. Another company omits legal provisions which are critically important under Texas law.

The form websites often provide cookie-cutter mass produced forms that meet only the bare statutory requirements when the statutory forms themselves often fall short of providing effective legal solutions. You are effectively throwing your money away if you rely on an online Will preparation service.

Paul Premack is a Certified Elder Law Attorney with offices in San Antonio and Seattle, handling Wills and Trusts, Probate, and Business Entity issues. View past legal columns or submit free questions on legal issues via www.TexasEstateandProbate.com or www.Premack.com.
A group of Capital Region residents is asking supermarkets and convenience stores to remove tabloids from next to the checkout counter because they peddle "fake news."

Calling itself Altamont Main Street USA, the group sent the letter March 4, targeting the National Enquirer, the Globe, the National Examiner and other such publications. They were sent to Price Chopper, Hannaford, ShopRite, Cumberland Farms, Rite Aid, CVS, Wal-Mart and Target.

"We'd like those publications to be moved," said Amy Bloch of Albany, a member of the group. "We don't think people should have to see news that is political and that isn't real. We just feel it should be moved to another part of the store. They can sell what they want but people shouldn't have to see them."

Bloch said the letter isn't meant to be partisan, because the tabloids have written negative, false stories about both Republican and Democratic elected officials and candidates.

"People can vote on the left or the right but they shouldn't be misled by news that is demonstrably wrong," she said.

In its letter, the group cites a string of National Enquirer stories. Those include an April 2016 headline claiming Sen. Ted Cruz's father was involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy as well as a series of negative articles claiming Hillary Clinton was about to be caught in a sex scandal, that she only had six months to live, and that she was going to jail.

This week's headlines include the Globe's "Clinton Secret Payoff Files!" and the National Enquirer's "Proof Obama Wiretapped Trump!"

Mona Golub, spokeswoman for Price Chopper and Market 32, said the supermarket appreciates the feedback but it carries thousands of products in its stores.

"The criteria by which any of them are judged, purchased or consumed are at the discretion of our customer," she said.

Castina Charles of Schenectady, lead organizer for the citizen group, was more partisan in her comments than Bloch.

She described the group as an outgrowth from MoveOn.org, people who met through the left-leaning website. She said there were 40 members on the group's email list, 20 of them active.

"Our stated aim is to resist the negative impacts the Trump administration and the Republican Party have had," she said.

She said the first goal all the group's members agreed on was that the supermarket tabloids should be moved because their headlines are usually false.

"We are all shoppers. We all go to Price Chopper. We all go to Hannaford," she said. "This is an action we're taking as a group, trying to address corporate responsibility."

President Donald Trump's relation to Enquirer chief executive David Pecker has been described by multiple news organizations as close, and the president has written articles for the publication. While most politicians are subject to gossip, Trump routinely draws the Enquirer's glowing praise. Last week's headline had a photo of Trump proclaiming "How I'm Cleaning Up Obama's Mess." Even a seemingly scandalous headline promoting "The Secret Psych Evaluation!" of the president concluded: "Natural-born leader Donald Trump is a highly focused, driven and charismatic genius who thinks outside the box  and is almost too smart for his own good!"

James Calvin, president of the New York Association of Convenience Stores, said customers can make their own decisions.

"I'd like to think that consumers are smart enough to determine for themselves what is accurate and truthful reporting and what isn't," he said. "I prefer to leave that to the news consumer to determine."

tobrien@timesunion.com  518-454-5092  @timobrientu
On this date in ...

1917: The hearing into the case of Angelo Latassa, now formally charged with the murder of Frank Fragola, said to be the Watervliet barrel victim, made history in local police court annals as the longest such proceeding. Two days alone were spent on one witness, Rocco Tutino, saloonkeeper Latassa's bottler. The Albany County district attorney promised that upcoming witnesses would testify about the alleged killing, the wagon ride from Albany to Watervliet, the changing of wagons at Jimmy Rose's cafe, the burning of the body in the Watervliet brickyard and the getaway in a waiting automobile.

1967: Shamrocks, leprechauns, shillelaghs and wearing of the green were part of the local celebration to honor St. Patrick's Day as country clubs and church societies announced Irish dinner menus, including Leprechaun soup, corned beef and cabbage and a green dessert, followed by an Irish song fest.

1992: Two houses in Catskill were on the brink of disaster as a widening hole threatened to swallow them. Sonja Workman, who rented a home off Route 23B, also known as Jefferson Heights, said an overnight landslide swallowed up the remaining land between her deck and the huge hole a few yards down a hill. Town officials informed her they expected to condemn the home. Beverly Harmsen, who had lived in the house next door for 22 years, also could lose her home. Harmsen said the landslides began in 1946 and people had been throwing debris into the hole, which recently measured 75 feet deep and 200 to 300 feet wide, to fill it in ever since.

Want to read more about the Capital Region's past? Have any memories or thoughts about how our history relates to today's events? See http://blog.timesunion.com/history.
A woman who delivered 10 bundles of methamphetamine to undercover agents in July 2014 has been sentenced in federal court to serve nine years in prison, according to court records.

On Sept. 28, a grand jury indicted Mayra Alicia Hernandez-Garcia on a charge of possession with intent to distribute approximately 4,859 grams of methamphetamine.

U.S. District Court Judge Diana Saldana sentenced Hernandez-Garcia to serve nine years in prison with five years supervision upon release from prison for the charge.

Hernandez-Garcia entered a guilty plea in January before her case proceeded to trial.

The case began prior to July 2014, when agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration had been engaging in several undercover telephonic conversations with a narcotic source of supply located in Mexico, according to court records.

These conversations were for the purpose of coordinating the receipt and transportation of narcotics from Mexico to a place in central Texas, records filed as part of the plea agreement in Hernandez-Garcias case state.

On July 1, 2014, the narcotics source advised the undercover agent that a lady, later identified as Hernandez-Garcia, was ready to deliver the narcotic-laden vehicle to the agent.

Two agents drove to a parking lot in the 5300 block of San Dario Avenue to meet with Hernandez-Garcia, who delivered a Nissan Sentra bearing Tamaulipas license plates.

Hernandez-Garcia told the undercover agents that she knew where the drugs were, that it would take approximately one hour to extra the narcotics from the after-market compartment, and that it was 10 packages total, records state.

After delivering the vehicle to the Laredo district office, agents and task force officers accessed the hidden compartment and seized the narcotics before returning the Nissan back to Hernandez-Garcia.

Agents determined the substance was cocaine methamphetamine hydrochloride, weighing 4969 grams.
1 Pipeline challenges: A judge has combined lawsuits filed by four Sioux tribes over the Dakota Access pipeline, streamlining the drawn-out legal battle over the $3.8 billion project to move North Dakota oil to a distribution point in Illinois. The neighboring Standing Rock and Cheyenne River tribes teamed up last summer in the main lawsuit against Texas-based pipeline developer Energy Transfer Partners and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the federal agency that granted pipeline permits at more than 200 water crossings, including the Missouri River. The Yankton Sioux also sued last summer, and the Oglala Sioux filed its own lawsuit last month.

2 Power struggle: North Carolina judges issued partial victories Friday to both Republican legislators and new Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper over laws designed to undercut his powers. The judicial panel threw out laws approved two weeks before Cooper took office that limit his authority in carrying out elections and that give civil service job protections to hundreds of former Republican Gov. Pat McCrorys political appointees. But a majority of the three judges also upheld the new law subjecting Coopers Cabinet secretaries to formal confirmation by a majority of the state Senate.
HURON COUNTY  A candidate for the Huron County Planning Commission says that officials who have wind-energy contracts may have a conflict of interest.

But the outgoing head of the commission disagrees.

For a number of years, five of nine Huron County planning commissioners had wind contracts, said Robert McLean, vice chair of the Paris Township Planning Commission. He was a member of the former Huron County Wind Energy Zoning Committee, and is running for a seat on the county planning commission.

The fox was guarding the hen house way back when, McLean told the Tribune recently.

Today, three of the eight sitting planning commissioners have contracts.

Two of those commissioners, Chair Clark Brock and Joel Weber, are retiring at the end of the month.

Brock told the Tribune that in such a small community where public officials do business, a lot of things can be perceived as a conflict of interest.

If every time an issue came up that I was personally involved with, I would have had to excuse myself many times, he said, noting that nothing would have gotten done if no one could vote because of a business dealing.

He added that on many occasions, planners have excused themselves from voting when they have the potential to profit from an issue.

Weber, who has a contract with Huron Wind LLC  a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, abstained from voting when approval of the Huron Wind project came before the planning commission last year.

Brock said he has tried to do whats best for the county during his 29 years on the commission.

I always tried not to have any of my personal feelings affect my decisions, Brock said.

When I was a planning commission member, everything I did was what I felt was in the best interest of the county.

I hope people look at this and understand that just because you may have a contract doesnt auto make you a biased person.

He added that planners who are members of anti-wind groups could be perceived as having a conflict as well.

There are four open seats on the nine-member commission. Interviews to fill the seats take place at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Huron County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Commissioner Bernie Creguer is up for reappointment, and the Huron County Board of Commissioners has not determined whether a board member will replace Commissioner John A. Nugent on the planning commission.

The board will first consider members of the pubic who apply before deciding whether to appoint a board member to the seat.

The following men will interview for the seats: Charles Bumhoffer, Creuger, Bill Goretski, Keith Iseler, Michael Lorencz, McLean, Rich Swartzendruber, Bill Renn, Carl Rader and Ken Walker.

Of those, the following have wind energy contracts, according to the Huron County Register of Deeds Office:

 Iseler: Memo of lease  RES North America

 Rader: Memo of standard utility easement  DTE

 Goretski: Memo of standard utility easement  DTE

See page 6A for a list of county and township officials and whether on not they have wind energy contracts.
ELKTON  The village of Elkton will sell local businessman Terry Heck more than an acre of property west of town pending rezoning, following action at this weeks council meeting.

Heck, of Oliver Township, plans to build a lumberyard on the property, which is located on M-142, said Village Clerk Lonna M. Fisher.
Last week, we solicited readers for photographs showing off the natural beauty of the Lake Tahoe area this winter, and we were flooded with images.

Thank you to all who contributed to the "Lake Tahoe: Winter 2017" gallery above; you've helped to create a celebration of one of the most beautiful corners of our country.
TAMIU and the City of Laredo are set to ink an "historic community engagement accord" on Monday.

According to Texas A&M International University, the memorandum of agreement will enable sweeping student-powered community engagement initiatives.
William and Niki Jackson met just a month into medical school during a party at a Midtown wine bar after the first set of exams. They quickly became "inseparable," Niki said, studying together during grueling months of anatomy, pathology and other topics. Within a year they adopted a tabby cat together, and it wasn't long before they wed.

On Friday, after four years together at the McGovern Medical School in the Texas Medical Center, the Jacksons were poised to learn where they would land for the next four years. The most likely states were New York, Arizona and Texas.

They were among families and friends gathered at medical school ceremonies across the country. It was part of the annual Match Day ritual at which the nation's soon-to-be MDs simultaneously learn where they are to be placed for residency programs, the apprenticeship that follows the four years of medical school.

Around 11 a.m., the Jacksons were among hundreds of relatives assembled on a tree-shaded quad behind the school, which is part of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. School officials brought out the proverbial golden tickets, 220 or so overlapping envelopes arrayed like slices of cheese on a deli platter.

Jan and Craig Smith wondered if the envelopes' contents would send their son, Blaine, across the country or bring him closer to their Dallas home. (He matched to Duke University in North Carolina.)

One couple waited to find out whether their first child, due in September, would be born a Texan as they and their cowboy-hat-wearing relatives hoped. (The father-to-be, Eric Madden, matched to a Houston program.)

Spouses and partners held their breath, wondering if they would have to uproot themselves and build a new life by July, when residency programs begin. Some significant others were uncertain if they would continue a relationship long-distance.

For eight pairs of medical students like the Jacksons, the question was not whether they would wind up together, but where they would be sent together. Sixteen participated in "couples match," which guarantees placement in the same city. The question was, which city?

On Friday, the Jacksons were among the anxious couples. They had made a spreadsheet together as they ranked the dozen or so hospitals where she could train in internal medicine and he in neurology. His parents hoped for Houston, still close to their longtime home in Deer Park.

Bucket of dollars

At the ceremony, class officers called up each student, one by one, to pick up their envelopes. Some half-jokingly held them up to the light as if straining for a sneak peek before the signal.

Following a tradition, each student dropped a dollar bill in a bucket that would go to the last student called, to compensate him or her for the long wait. On Friday, in honor of St. Patrick's Day, the bucket had a rainbow image attached.

The couple married last April in a wedding they scarcely got to help to plan beyond Niki picking out her dress. The ceremony happened just days after they finished a rotation in internal medicine. They were able to take advantage of a rare break the following week for a honeymoon cruise before starting the grueling surgery rotation.

William, 26, nervously fingered his tie as Niki, 25, retrieved her envelope. A few minutes later, William brought back his own envelope with its gold seal, and he showed it off to his sister like a lottery ticket that he knew was a winner. Then he held it close to his stomach, shifting it from hand to hand. He adjusted his tie again.

At last the final student's name was called. Kanwal Matharu hoisted over his head the pot of dollar bills. The class officers grabbed their own envelopes and joined their families. It was time.

A flurry of fingers tore at paper across the quad. William slid his finger across his envelope's top edge; Niki's shaking hands tore open one side. They pulled out the single page in each envelope and showed it to his sister, Hillary, who jumped up and down.

They matched in Arizona, to work at the Mayo Clinic's highly ranked hospital in Scottsdale. Niki's mother, Kimberly Bredshall, said she was "blown away" and ecstatic. Bredshall recently moved to Houston but regardless of her daughter's match had planned to return to Mesa, just minutes from Scottsdale. She was eager to help with any grandchildren that might arrive in the next few years.

Bittersweet morning

William gave a long hug to his mother, Kim. The nurse - who was the first in her family to get an associate's degree - was thrilled for her son, who was the family's first to earn a bachelor's degree. But Arizona seemed awfully far away to her.

William attended Texas A&M after graduating from Deer Park High School, so his family could easily visit. Medical school in Houston was even closer. For his mother, the morning was bittersweet.

"It's like you want to be happy, but a piece of your heart is leaving," she said, letting a few tears slide down her cheeks after her son was out of sight. But at least Arizona is closer than New York.
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In 1944, the National Park Service founded Big Bend National Park, an outdoors-man's paradise hundreds of millions of years in the making, and which is now being threatened by Donald Trump's border wall.

In late February, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security internal report acquired by Reuters found that Big Bend was included in a second phase of construction that would aim to completely seal off the U.S.-Mexico border.

REPORT: Texans on Mexico border receive letters threatening eminent domain for Trump's wall

Like all other national parks, the land is owned and protected by the federal government, something Theodore Roosevelt justified in their creation as, "the value of natural beauty as a National asset, and of the effectiveness of outdoor life and recreation in the production of good citizenship."

But now, as the Austin American-Statesman points out, the federal land only makes it easier to build a 30-foot border wall since the government doesn't have to invoke eminent domain on what it already owns.

BIG FIND: 14-year-old boy discovers nearly 8-carat diamond at state park

In other words, the fact that the government is tasked with protecting Big Bend only makes it easier for the new administration to radically change it.

Todd Beckett, Republican Party chairman for Presidio County, told the Austin American-Statesman:

"There is not going to be a wall in Big Bend. We've got a big, beautiful barrier, bigger than anything even Trump could build... We already have a barrier. God built it."

TEXAS CITY: Work on Trump's wall and you won't work for us

Like the rest of the border, Big Bend's wildlife would also be hurt by the wall.

"You're basically making the Grand Canyon. You're effectively making like an ocean barrier here," University of Texas integrative biology professor Tim Keitt told Chron.com. "Nobody crosses the ocean."

Click through above to see some of the incredible Big Bend views that would be drastically altered by a border wall.
Karen Fiorito is no stranger to taking on big public figures in big public ways.

In 2004, the Santa Monica, Calif.-based artist did a billboard featuring then-President George W. Bush and members of his administration and accused them of lying to the American public.

Now, Fiorito is back, this time taking on President Donald Trump on a billboard in Phoenix, Ariz. And, this one is also drawing lots of attention.

Trump is centered on the billboard with mushroom clouds and dollar signs in the shape of swastikas on either side of him.

WALL WORK: Texas city considers barring contractors from working on wall from city work

A Russian flag lapel pin has also been added to Trump's picture - a reference to Russian hacking in the election and Trump's friendly language toward the long-time adversary of the United States.

On Facebook, the billboard is drawing reaction from fans and foes of Fiorito's.

Danny Sirko posted to Fiorito's Facebook page, but seemed something less than pleased with the art work.

"A slave of Darkness by the spread of RADICAL LEFT-WING LIBERAL PROGRESSIVISM," Sirko wrote.

AIMING HIGH: Mexican congressman scales border wall to make point to Trump

Others, though. were more enamored of the art.

" i love this! but it IS strong in reality..." wrote Rula Kaliroi.

"I felt I needed to make a very strong statement. I am glad you like it!," Fiorito responded.

>>>Scroll through the gallery to see some of the most opinionated, colorful signs in protest of Donald Trump
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This years Race Day, the 15th, is on Wednesday, April 26 - the day of the Coral Punchestown Gold Cup - and Chairperson of the organising committee, Martin Skelly, said he was delighted to welcome Nallys Bros Hyundai, Ballymahon on board as the main sponsors.

The Race Day, which was the brainchild of Seamus Ross, Mr Skelly and John Bannon back in 2003, is the main County Board fundraiser and it has raised 1.5 million over the years.

The Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival is the highlight of the Irish sporting and social calendar.

Wednesday is Coral Punchestown Gold Cup Day and Mr Skelly pointed out that one of the most enjoyable features of Race Day is the fact that so many Longfordians who may be living elsewhere are provided with the opportunity to meet up with each other and catch up.

He added, It is incredible actually how many Longford people support the event, with up on 1,000 supporters gather in the tent in Punchestown each year to support the county.

Race Day provides all of us with an opportunity to give something back to Longford GAA and it is a fantastic day out for everyone to enjoy.

Tickets are priced at 125 per person or table of ten 1,250.

Contact Martin Skelly (086) 8040296, Albert Cooney (086) 8118580, Dublin Administrator Gerry Farrell 086 8309124 or any member of the Longford County Board Management Committee for tickets.

The Longford GAA Race Day will feature a Best Dressed Lady competition, four course meal, race card, celebrity tipster, bookies in pavilion and top class music by The Busy Fingers band.
The leaders of four al Qaeda groups have united under a common banner.

The recent merger of several Mali-based al Qaeda groups is bad news for the already unstable Sahel region. The new al Qaeda entity will fuel an emboldened insurgency in Mali and allow for greater coordination throughout the region.

Earlier this month, Ansar Dine, al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghrebs Sahara branch, Al Murabitoon, and Katibat Macina (also known as the Macina Liberation Front) merged to form Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims).

Iyad Ag Ghaly, a veteran Tuareg jihadist, heads the new entity, which is openly loyal to Ayman al Zawahiri and Abdelmalek Droukdel, the leader of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). [See FDDs Long War Journal report, Analysis: Al Qaeda groups reorganize in West Africa.]

Each of the constituents in the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims has contributed to a growing insurgency emanating from northern Mali, with more than 250 al Qaeda-linked attacks last year alone. The jihadists activity throughout the region in 2016 marked a 150 percent increase over calendar year 2015, when this same consortium of groups was suspected of launching approximately 106 operations.

Ansar Dine claimed over 80 attacks, while AQIM claimed 21. The majority were never claimed, but were attributed to the jihadists. [See FDDs Long War Journal, Al Qaeda linked to more than 250 West African attacks in 2016.]

Most of these operations were located in Malis volatile northern region. However, at least 51 were perpetrated in the southern half of the country. Another 20 occurred in Burkina Faso, Niger and the Ivory Coast.

Therefore, the jihadists had already widened the geographic scope of their operations before the merger. The newly formed Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims is likely to increase this threat even further, as better coordination will potentially make it easier to plan operations against their common enemies.

For instance, after the merger between Al Murabitoon and AQIM in late 2015, the latter was able to tap into Al Murabitoons resources to conduct raids on hotels in Bamako, Mali, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and in Grand Bassam, Ivory Coast.

All of the constituent groups have engaged in guerrilla warfare, utilizing typical insurgent tactics such as ambushes and bombings with improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

But Al Murabitoon is usually the subgroup that is behind the larger, more spectacular assaults. This includes Januarys massive suicide attack on a Malian military base in Gao, which left at least 50 people dead.

Just a week after its launch, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims reportedly orchestrated a mass casualty assault on Malian troops. Ghalys organization has not released a formal statement claiming the raid. But according to the Mauritanian outlet ANI, the jihadists launched the Mar. 5 attack on a Malian army position near Boulkessi in the countrys central Mopti region. At least 13 soldiers were killed and many others wounded.

It is likely that the former Katibat Macina of Ansar Dine was behind the Mar. 5 raid. Katibat Macina (a.k.a. the Macina Liberation Front) is predominately Fulani in ethnicity and is led by Amadou Kouffa, a close ally of Ghaly who fought alongside the jihadists during the takeover of northern Mali in 2012. Kouffa and his men operated as an arm of Ansar Dine prior to the merger. Kouffa appeared in Ghalys video announcement earlier this month.

Katibat Macina and another one of Ansar Dines battalions, Katibat Khalid bin Walid, have been tasked with operations south of the river, which refers to the Niger River. Ansar Dine proper is largely confined to the Kidal region of northern Mali. AQIMs Sahara branch has several battalions fighting in Mali and its most active unit, the Katibat al Furqan, operates in the Timbuktu region. Al Murabitoon is mainly based in the area surrounding Gao, as well as in neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso.

There have been over 50 al Qaeda-linked attacks in Mali and neighboring countries this year already, according to data compiled by FDDs Long War Journal. Most of the operations have been carried out inside Mali, mainly in southern half of the country. However, at least 12 have been perpetrated in Burkina Faso and Niger.

Many of the attacks in Burkina Faso are thought to be the work of Ansaroul Islam, a newly formed jihadist group. Ansaroul Islam is allegedly led by an ally of Kouffa, the leader of Ansar Dines Katibat Macina. While not confirmed, Ansaroul Islam is possibly a Burkinabe branch of Ansar Dine in gestation, according to Menastream. The French publication RFI has alleged that Kouffa radicalized Ansaroul Islams leader, Malam Ibrahim Dicko, in northern Burkina Faso.

In posts made on its Facebook page, Ansaroul Islam confirmed that Dicko has met with Kouffa. Jeune Afrique has reported that Dicko initially tried to link up with jihadist groups in northern Mali in 2013, but was arrested by French forces in Tessalit and then subsequently released in 2015.

Although Ansaroul Islams place in Ghalys joint venture is currently unclear, it is possible, if not likely, that Dicko and his fighters are part of it as well. Indeed, Ansaroul Islam may have been responsible for the aforementioned attack in Boulkessi earlier this month.

Ghalys unified entity poses a major security threat not only inside Mali, but also throughout most of West Africa  well beyond Malis borders.

Caleb Weiss is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa.

Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here.
Culture / Art Republik

Mar 18, 2017 | By AFP Relaxnews

LVMH will tap on the expertise of architect Frank Gehry once again to create a centre for applied arts beside the Louis Vuitton Foundation. The celebrated Canadian-American architect, aged 88, will be tasked with renovating and transforming a disused museum. The site is located a stones throw from the futuristic Foundation Gehry on the western edge of Paris in the Bois de Boulogne.

The new centre, to be called the Maison LVMH  Arts, Talents, Patrimoine (Heritage), will be created at an estimated cost of 158 million euros (US$167 million), of which 50 million to 80 million euros will be employed for asbestos removal. Stated a joint statement on the centre made by the luxury group and the City of Paris on March 8: The new centre will be dedicated to artists, live performances and to the applied arts and French savoir-faire.

The centre will include two halls for concerts, exhibitions and workshops, and a panoramic restaurant on the top floor. The project will be developed in close collaboration with the heirs of Jean Dubuisson, the statement said, noting that Dubuissons grandson Thomas Dubuisson, also an architect, has worked for Gehry at his Los Angeles base.

French President Francois Hollande attended Wednesdays news conference announcing the project, along with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Gehry and LVMH Groups Chief Executive Officer Bernard Arnault. Hidalgo said in the joint statement that the project sends a powerful message to young generations: artisanal craftsmanship offers tremendous potential and opportunities that we encourage them to discover and seize.

The original function of the eight-storey building to be revamped to house the art centre was a museum of folk art and traditions. The structure, designed in the 1970s by architect Jean Dubuisson, has been closed since 2005.
MARTINSVILLE  A judge sentenced a man to more than 100 years of incarceration, with eight years active, in connection with a string of burglaries and larcenies and a police standoff. Authorities are concerned that two custom-made military-grade long guns have not been recovered and could end up in the wrong hands, endangering the public.

On Thursday, Martinsville Circuit Court Judge G. Carter Greer sentenced Jonathan Michael Easter, whose address is listed in online court records as Ridgeway and Martinsville, to a total of 105 years in prison and 12 months in jail on three counts of statutory burglary, six counts of grand larceny, one count of third-offense petit larceny, two counts of possession of a firearm by felon and one count of obstruction of justice.

Of the 105 years and 12 months of incarceration, eight years in prison are active, and 97 years in prison and 12 months in jail are suspended on conditions including 10 years of supervised probation after release from incarceration, good behavior for life, payment of a $500 fine, and payment of a total of $27,701.41 in restitution. Of the $27,701.41 total restitution, Easter and a co-defendant are equally responsible for paying $21,296.41 of that.

The joint hearing Thursday in Martinsville Circuit Court was for Greer to sentence Easter on three charges in Martinsville and 10 charges in Henry County. The city charges were statutory burglary on Dec. 2, 2015; grand larceny on Dec. 3, 2015; and nonviolent felon possess gun on Dec. 3, 2015. The county charges were: five counts of grand larceny (grand larceny of a vehicle on Nov. 14, 2015; one grand larceny on Dec. 1, 2015; and three grand larcenies on Dec. 3, 2015); two counts of statutory burglary (both on Dec. 3, 2015); one count of possession of a firearm b y a convicted felon (on Dec. 3, 2015); one count of third-offense petit larceny (on Nov. 17, 2015); and one count of obstruction of justice (on Dec. 4, 2015).

Easter pleaded guilty to the charges. He testified that he was high on methamphetamine at the time of offenses.

If I was sober, I would have never done it, he said.

According to testimony, some of the victims were people he knew or had done work for, and he committed break-ins and larcenies as a way of getting money to pay for drugs.

Easter said he has tried to make things right since his arrest by helping return or lead authorities to stolen property. His cooperation led authorities to other stolen property as well, not just property he stole.

Easter testified that he told police about a pistol that he threw outside during one of the offenses, because he was afraid children might find it and get shot.

One of the victims whose home was broken into testified that he worries often that an assault rifle and shotgun that were stolen in the break-in have not been recovered and could fall into the wrong hands. The guns were custom built for speed and accuracy, among other things.

Martinsville Commonwealths Attorney Clay Gravely said those two military-grade firearms are now on the streets perhaps in the hands of someone with bad intentions. Gravely said hopefully the guns wont turn up in crimes with dead people all around.

Gravely asked Judge Greer to impose fairly high punishment.

Easters lawyer, Matthew Clark, noted Easters cooperation with authorities, his honesty, and said information Easter provided contributed to the successful prosecution of another person.

Judge Greer called it one of the worst burglary cases this court has seen, apparently prompted by the use of methamphetamine and in which Easter went on a stealing rampage in the city and county, breaking in one home in the city and two in the county. Greer said the rampage ended when Easter barricaded himself in a home in Henry County, and after a standoff with the Henry County SWAT Team, was apprehended.

Among other cases Thursday in Martinsville Circuit Court, Judge Greer sentenced Christopher Orlander Martin of Martinsville, who had been charged with distribute cocaine-third offense but pleaded guilty to distribute cocaine-second offense, to 10 years in prison, with three years active and seven years suspended on conditions including five years of supervised probation, 30 years of good behavior and a $5,000 fine, of which $2,500 was suspended. The incident allegedly happened on Dec. 12, 2015.

James David Brian Green of Martinsville received sentences totaling 24 months in jail on charges of attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer, obstructing justice and resisting arrest, with a total of five months of the sentences active and 19 months suspended on conditions including supervised probation for one year, five years of good behavior and fines totaling $500.

Judge Greer reduced a total of four counts of obtain drugs by fraud in the city of Martinsville and Henry County against Saria Resha Hickman from felony charges to misdemeanor charges. Greer sentenced Hickman  whose address has been listed as Conyers, Georgia, and the Martinsville area  to a total of 120 days in jail, all suspended on conditions including good behavior.

Martinez Deron Johnson of Martinsville, who pleaded guilty to felonious hit and run involving injury, received a sentence of 12 months in jail with 11 months suspended on conditions including one year of supervised probation and five years of good behavior. The incident allegedly happened on May 26, 2016.

Judge Greer found George Andrew Holland of Martinsville guilty of assault and battery of a law enforcement officer (on Jan. 3, 2016) and sentenced him to five years in prison, with six months active and four years and six months suspended on conditions including three years of supervised probation and 10 years of good behavior.
EAST LONGMEADOW -- Connecticut-based tool giant Stanley Black & Decker earlier this month completed its purchase of Newell Brands' tool division, which includes Lenox American Saw and its 500,000-square-foot factory here with 640 employees.

The $1.95 billion acquisition was first announced in October. The deal represents more than $700 million of revenues from brands like Lenox and Irwin hand tools, Stanley Black & Decker said in a news release.

When asked what this means for the East Longmeadow plant, Stanley was positive, but unspecific. Spokesman Tim Perra wrote in an email:

"We are pleased to welcome the East Longmeadow manufacturing facility into our family of nearly 30 U.S. manufacturing facilities. We are excited to have these employees join our team and look forward to supporting their continued growth. Currently we plan to continue operating the plant and producing all of its great products there."

The Newell deal is not the only major acquisition Stanley Black & Decker has completed recently. The company bought the Craftsman brand from Sears for $775 million in a deal announced in January. That deal also closed last week.

In the Stanley Black & Decker annual report, the company said it plans to expand U.S. manufacturing to support growth in Craftsman tool production. Stanley said it has grown U.S. tools manufacturing jobs by 40 percent over the last three years. It plans to expand over the next three years, moving from doing 40 percent of its manufacturing in the U.S. to 50 percent.

Stanley Black & Decker still makes tape measures in New Britain, Connecticut, the same city where the corporate headquarters is, according to the annual report. It already makes many of its DeWalt brand tools in the U.S., using parts sourced around the world.

The company said it is planning to upgrade to "smart factories" with the latest in robotics, manufacturing execution systems, 3-D printing, innovation labs and maker spaces. Stanley Black & Decker doesn't say where those will be.

Danaher Inc. used to manufacture some Craftsman ratchets and wrenches in Springfield before shutting down in 2005.
By MICHAEL J. MORIARTY

President, St. Patrick's Committee of Holyoke

It's the biggest homecoming in Western Massachusetts, and the greatest Saint Patrick's Festival in the United States. March 17, 2017 is on a Friday-a weekend of events that is not to be missed.

Beginning with John F. Kennedy in 1958, we have welcomed 60 accomplished Irish Americans to Holyoke as recipients of our JFK National Award brings. Ann Dowd, award winning actress and a native of Holyoke, joins the roster of amazing people who have marched in Holyoke's Parade. Just as amazing are the hundreds of thousands of families, friends and visitors who come to Holyoke for our celebration of Irish heritage in this historic Gateway City.

On Saturday, March 18, 2017, thousands of runners will take on our fun, challenging 10k course through Holyoke's streets, as they do each year in the Holyoke St Patrick's Road Race. Whether you run or not, Downtown Holyoke is the place to be on race day. Music, fun runs for the kids, lots of food and vendors; it will be a scene you don't want to miss.

On Sunday, March 19, 2017, the 66th Holyoke Saint Patrick's Day Parade follows its 2.9 mile route through Holyoke. This is a massive event, with over 25,000 marchers, 30 musical units, dozens of floats and all of the spectacle and pageantry anyone would expect of one of America's great Parades!

We are televised live, streamed throughout the world, and recognized by the Library of Congress; this is a major event. Access all of our information and the live stream at http://holyokestpatricksparade.com

If you know Holyoke, the Parade has always been part of your life. If you are learning about us now, you really need to add a Saint Patrick's Day Parade visit to Holyoke to your bucket list now!

The most amazing thing about this huge weekend hosted in our small city? A committee of volunteers makes it happen every year. We are an IRS approved 501 (c)(3) non-profit with no paid staff. Remarkably, in our city of 40,000 people, The Saint Patrick's Parade, Road Race and other festival events have an economic impact of over $20,000,000.

I am honored to serve as Parade President in 2017, and very proud to have been a member of this amazing group of volunteers for 29 years. We are working hard to make the 2017 Saint Patrick's Weekend in Holyoke something that you really don't want to miss. Please come to Holyoke and enjoy it with us.
Lollygagger March 2017 Andersonville, GA pkg.jpg

Dedicated in 1901, the Massachusetts monument, top left, honors 767 soldiers from the Bay State who are known to have died at Camp Sumter, Andersonville, Ga. Individual headstones, bottom left, mark the graves of a few of those who enlisted from Western Massachusetts. Anderson Station Confederate Restaurant and Drummer Boy Civil War Museum, top right, is in the Historic Civil War Village across Georgia Route 49 from the national historic site. A photo from 1864, bottom right, shows conditions in which some 45,000 Union prisoners were held at Camp Sumter.

(Photos by Norm Roy and from National Park Service archives)

The dead-line.

In publishing, the word indicates the latest a news item could be printed in the next edition.

At Andersonville, Ga., it meant you'd be dead if you crossed it, or even touched it.

The dead-line marked a no-man's land inside the 16-foot-tall stockade walls at Camp Sumter, one of the largest Confederate prisons of the Civil War. In 14 months, more than 45,000 Union soldiers were held here. Nearly 13,000 died, largely due to starvation, squalid conditions and contaminated water. The camp has been described as "America's Auschwitz" and "the deadliest ground of the Civil War."

Survivor W.P. Derby, who served with the 27th Massachusetts Regiment, detailed his arrival at Andersonville near the end of the war. "Two-by-two," he wrote, new arrivals were "marched into this abode of death." Describing prisoners already there, Derby said, "Their unkempt hair, glaring eyes ... and their tattered, filthy garments rendered them embodiments of despair and horrid specters of suffering and want." Written in 1883, Derby's recollections were published by The Republican last year and in Volume II of "A Not So Civil War" by Wayne E. Phaneuf and Joseph Carvalho III.

Today, Andersonville National Historic Site is a peaceful place that spreads across more than 500 acres of Georgia red clay. Administered by the National Park Service, the historic site incorporates the Confederate prison known as Camp Sumter, Andersonville National Cemetery and the National Prisoner of War Museum, which honors American prisoners of all wars.

Sections of the stockade have been rebuilt to give visitors a sense of the size of Camp Sumter. Rolling meadows belie what went on here in the waning months of the Civil War when the camp was crowded to four times its capacity. Unsanitary living conditions, insufficient rations and contaminated water from Stockade Creek were blamed for a mortality rate of 28 percent. Chief causes of death were scurvy, diarrhea and dysentery.

Conditions at Union prisoner-of-war camps weren't much better. The worst was Camp Rathbun at Elmira, N.Y., where nearly 3,000 rebel soldiers died of disease and cold. Known among its 12,000 inmates as "Hellmira," the camp posted a mortality rate of nearly 25 percent.

In a grassy meadow not far from the Georgia stockade stands the Massachusetts monument honoring Bay State soldiers who perished here. Chiseled from Quincy granite, the monument has three base stones with a polished center surrounded by a stone arch. The front of the keystone bears the inscription "Death Before Dishonor;" the obverse is inscribed "Known Dead 767." The monument was dedicated in December 1901.

Graves of soldiers who died here are now part of Andersonville National Cemetery, a pleasant walk to the west of the Massachusetts monument. Headstones bear the name of the individuals laid to rest here and the state from which they had enlisted.

James Madison Coomes, a 38-year-old hotel keeper from Longmeadow, enlisted at Springfield Sept. 7, 1861. He was mustered into service with the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry and was among 88 of that unit's soldiers taken prisoner at the battle of Aldie, Va., June 17, 1863. Private Coomes was held at Richmond, Va., before his transfer to Andersonville, where he died May 14, 1864. Cause of death was listed as chronic diarrhea.

Native Vermonter Joel M. Lockling came to Massachusetts to work in woolen and cotton mills in Lowell and Holyoke. He married a Springfield girl, Cordelia Ella Chartier, in May 1860. Lockling enlisted as a private with the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry Sept. 17, 1861, and was taken prisoner Nov. 29, 1863, at Parkers Store, Va. He was sent to Belle Isle, a Confederate prison at Richmond, Va., and transferred to Andersonville in the spring of 1864. He died at Andersonville May 16, 1864; cause of death is listed as chronic diarrhea.

A small silver crescent pin Lockling fashioned from a quarter was returned to his widow, Cordelia. The pin was described as "unbelievably beautiful" and was marked with his initials, regiment number and two stars. Cordelia moved to Austin, Minn., to be with her parents; there she was married to Robert J. Cochran, her late husband's lifelong friend and comrade in arms.

Waldo Washington Briggs, a 28 year-old mechanic from Orange, enlisted July 26, 1862. He was mustered into service Aug. 27, 1862, as a private with the 38th Massachusetts Infantry. Where and when he was taken prisoner remains unknown but he died at Andersonville May 10, 1864. Cause of death is listed as typhoid fever.

Daniel Park was a 40-year-old carpenter from Worcester when he enlisted Aug. 4, 1862. He was mustered into service with the 36th Massachusetts Aug. 27 and taken prisoner at Rutledge, Tenn., Dec. 20, 1863. Park died at Andersonville May 13, 1864, due to chronic diarrhea.

Camp Sumter was liberated in May 1865 and the prison burying ground was designated Andersonville National Cemetery, which today averages more than 150 burials annually. It and the prison site became a unit of the National Park System in 1970; the prisoner-of-war museum opened in 1998.

Obelisk in the Historic Civil War Village at Anderson Station, Ga., is a memorial to Confederate Capt. Henry Wirz, right, commandant of the stockade at Camp Sumter during the Civil War. Wirz was the only Confederate officer convicted of war crimes and hanged.

Across Georgia Route 49 stands the quiet and quaint village of Anderson Station. In an effort to promote tourism, residents acted in 1973 to make the hamlet look much as it did during the Civil War. The restored rail station and a few shops line the main street, which leads to a rustic campground. Among businesses is the Drummer Boy Civil War Museum, which shares space with Anderson Station Confederate Restaurant. Menu includes such offerings as "Scatter Shot" and "Southern Slop;" despite designations, both were quite tasty.

A few yards from the restaurant stands a monument to Confederate Capt. Henry Wirz, commandant of the stockade at Camp Sumter. Wirz, the only Confederate officer convicted of war crimes, was hanged.

Norm Roy, a retired copy editor for The Republican, lives and travels in a motorhome. He is eager to hear from readers about their own travel adventures. His e-mail address is: lollygaggeratlarge@gmail.com
NEW BEDFORD David Lima's attorney entered pleas of not guilty to murder and other charges in New Bedford court Friday morning. The

New Bedford Standard Times

reported thatLima is accused of shooting his sister's 20-year-old ex-boyfriend, Jonas Trinidad, Jr., to death when he came to see Lima's sister Wednesday morning at about 11 a.m.

The youth was ordered held without the right to bail in adult court, following his arraignment on charges of murder, possession of an illegal handgun, possession of ammunition without a FID card in addition to the murder charges.

A prosecutor, Robert DiGiantomaso, told the court that Trinidad and his brother drove to the Lima's 146 Matthew St., home to see the girl, but when he got there, Limas prevent him from seeing his sister and ordered him to stay away from the girl. The two fought then Lima ran to get a gun. Trinidad and his brother tried to ran away but investigators said Lima fired twice with a small caliber handgun, hitting Trinidad once in the back and once in the side. He was taken to St. Luke's Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

DiGiantomaso said police have witnesses and a video of the incident.

Lima was ordered held without the right to bail pending an April 14 hearing.
Orly.JPG

Riot police officers patrol inside Orly airport, south of Paris, as flights began to resume, Saturday, March, 18, 2017. French soldiers shot and killed a man who wrestled a colleague to the ground Saturday and tried to steal her rifle at Paris' Orly Airport.

(AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)

PARIS - A man was fatally shot in Paris on Saturday morning after attempting to attack a female soldier who was on patrol at the city's Orly airport, according to the New York Times.

Now officials with the Paris prosecutor's office suspect it may have been an attempted "act of terror."

The man, whose identity has not yet been made public by authorities, is a 39-year-old who had a long history of arrests related to drug offenses and robberies.

Before the incident at the airport took place, the same man allegedly fired a gun loaded with buckshot at a police officer in the Paris suburb of Garges-les-Gonesse. The officer had stopped the suspect for a routine identity check.

After shooting at the officer, the man is said to have stolen a car at a nearby commune and driven it to Orly, where he attempted to attack the female soldier.

During the attempted attack, the man was shot dead by two other soldiers who were also on patrol.

The attack prompted sections of the airport to be evacuated and a security sweep of the facility to search for possible bombs. Flights headed to Orly were also diverted to another nearby airport.

Special operations police--the division that commonly investigate terrorism-- were at the scene of the incident, according to the French Interior Minister.
Haas students

Full-time business professionals interested in continuing their education often face the same worry: Is the loss of income and two years spent out of the workforce worth getting a master of business administration (MBA) degree?

For those unwilling to give up their day jobs, there's a solution: part-time business programs.

These programs are typically three years in length, compared to two-year full-time programs, and allow students to attend classes during nights and weekends.

US News & World Report released its annual ranking of top part-time business programs and the Haas School of Business at the University of California-Berkeley took the No. 1 spot.

The Haas part-time program has an acceptance rate of 47.4% and students have an average GMAT score of 694.

The US News methodology uses five factors  including GMAT scores and number of years of work experience  to rank the programs. There is also a peer assessment score factored into the ranking, as rated by business school deans.

Take a look below to see the top 10 part-time business schools in the nation.

10. University of Texas-Austin (McCombs)

9. Ohio State University (Fisher)

7. Virginia Tech (Pamplin)

7. Temple University (Fox)

6. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (Ross)

5. Northwestern University (Kellogg)

3. University of California-Los Angeles (Anderson)

3. New York University (Stern)

2. University of Chicago (Booth)

1. University of California-Berkeley (Haas)

NOW WATCH: A Navy SEAL explains why you should 'test your will' at least once a year





More From Business Insider


And now theyre going to the Vex IQ World Championship next month in Louisville.

"They were pointing at us and saying that Oh my God, they are champions of the city all because they are Mexican. They are Mexican, and they are ruining our country."

Diocelina Herrera, Indianapolis

"They yelled out rude comments, and I think that they can talk all they want because at the end were still going to Worlds," said team leader Elijah Goodwin, 10. "Its not going to affect us at all. Im not surprised because Im used to this kind of behavior." Elijah Goodwin, 10, Indianapolis

The PantherBots know how to persevere. Just a few months ago, this team knew nothing about robotics.

The low-income school was given a grant to develop a robotics program. Fourth-grade teachers were asked to identify 10 students who had potential and exhibited leadership qualities.

USA Today Network Suzette Hackney, The Indianapolis Star

Full Story: http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/nation-now/2017/03/17/robotics-competition-racism/99301384/
Andy Shirtliff, all around rock star, is representing Montana in the StateScoop Up & Comer Award. Trust me, hes earned this so lets vote (early and often) to help him bring this prestige home.

Click on the link, scroll to his name and vote please.

http://www.StateScoop.com/statescoop50/2017/vote/#state-up-&-comer

Andy is a leader and advocate for Montana. He supports all aspects of Montanas economic vitality and was a pioneer in creating a new business portal, The Business Navigator https://business.mt.gov/navigator , to help all businesses get started and take maximum advantage of the resources and state programs to succeed.

Please vote for Andy as many times as possible http://www.StateScoop.com/statescoop50/2017/vote/#state-up-&-comer

Andy said:

"Honored to represent the State of Montana, along with the State CIO Ron Baldwin in the, "State Up & Comer," category for the 2017 StateScoop awards; however, there are so many more deserving people that should be nominated for ALL of these categories.

To that point Whether at work, in the organizations we belong too, and in those around us; we should strive to develop new leaders everyday, with access, encouragement, and guidance."

"the way to develop the best that is in a person is by Appreciation, and Encouragement."  Charles Schwab

http://www.StateScoop.com/statescoop50/2017/vote/#state-up-&-comer

#StateScoop2017

Voting is online, and as they say, "vote early, and vote often."

http://www.StateScoop.com/statescoop50/2017/vote/#state-up-&-comer
The Montana Business Navigator is here to create an easy-to-use environment where Montanas businesses can find the requirements and tools they need to own and operate a business in Montana.

The Business Navigator contains a wealth of resources and information organized in a step-by-step process so you can plan, start, operate, and expand your business in Montana. Whether your business is just an idea, a startup, or an established business we have gathered the tools to help you succeed.

https://business.mt.gov/navigator
A bill entering the Montana House of Representatives Monday would create a voluntary preschool program for 4-year-olds from lower-income families.

House Bill 563, or the Montana Preschool Grant Program, would give children who qualify access to what Rep. Kathy Kelker, D-Billings http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/65th/leg_info.asp?HouseID=0&SessionID=111&LAWSID=16507 , says is high-quality preschool education.

"This is not babysitting, this is not daycare, this is with a qualified teacher who has a background in early childhood," she said.

By Cole Grant/UM Legislative News Service

Full Story: http://www.missoulacurrent.com/government/2017/03/montana-legislature-preschool/
Sebastian Gorka

Three US senators say they want Sebastian Gorka  a deputy assistant to President Donald Trump  investigated over his immigration status.

Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, and Ben Cardin of Maryland sent a joint letter to the US Justice Department on Friday asking the agency to look into whether Gorka "falsified his naturalization application or otherwise illegally procured his citizenship."

The inquiry comes after an expose earlier this week alleged that Gorka had ties to Nazi-aligned groups.

The story, published by The Forward, alleged that Gorka is a sworn lifetime member of a Hungarian anti-Semitic, far-right group known as Vitezi Rend, which is listed by the US State Department as having been "under the direction of the Nazi Government of Germany" during World War II.

Gorka has denied the allegations.

The senators said in their letter that they are "deeply concerned" by reports Gorka allegedly hid his supposed connections to Vitezi Rend when he applied for US citizenship, citing US code that prohibits such applicants from making false statements during naturalization proceedings.

The senators said in the letter their concerns about Gorka are aggravated by "the White House's own checkered record on religious discrimination."

"For the first time in decades, the White House's statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day failed to mention the Jewish victims, an omission which Dr. Gorka publicly defended," the letter read. "President Trump was slow to condemn the wave of attacks on Jewish community centers and has yet to condemn the surge in anti-Muslim bigotry."

Additionally, the senators' letter linked the Trump administration's moves to temporarily ban travel to the US from six majority Muslim nations as evidence to suggest public policy from the White House is being guided by principles uncharacteristic of American democracy.

Read the senators' full letter below:

Dear Acting Deputy Attorney General Boente and Secretary Kelly: We urge you to immediately investigate whether senior White House counterterrorism advisor Sebastian Gorka falsified his naturalization application or otherwise illegally procured his citizenship. We are deeply concerned by reports that Dr. Gorka concealed the material fact of his membership in the Vitezi Rend, a far-right anti-Semitic Hungarian organization, when he applied for U.S. citizenship. As you know, it is unlawful to make a false statement in naturalization proceedings (18 U.S.C. 1015) and procuring naturalization by concealing a material fact or willful misrepresentation is punishable by denaturalization (8 U.S.C. 1425, 8 U.S.C. 1451). According to the Forward, leaders of the Historical Vitezi Rend have identified Dr. Gorka as a sworn member of the organization who took a lifelong oath of loyalty. The State Department identifies the original Vitezi Rend, as a virulently anti-Semitic organization that operated under the direction of the Nazis during World War II. Dr. Gorka was photographed wearing a Vitezi Rend medal on several occasions, including at a Presidential inaugural ball earlier this year. He has also identified himself as Dr. Sebastian L. v. Gorka in written testimony before Congress. Experts note that the initial v. is used by sworn members of the Vitezi Rend. We note that this Administration purports to have a special interest in ensuring that those with extremist views do not exploit our immigration laws. The Presidents January 27thExecutive Order states, In order to protect Americans, the United States must ensure that those admitted to this country do not bear hostile attitudes toward it and its founding principles.  the United States should not admit those who engage in acts of bigotry or hatred (including  the persecution of those who practice religions different from their own). Membership in an anti-Semitic organization like the Historical Vitezi Rend should raise serious concerns regarding whether an individual holds the sort of hostile attitudes that concern the Administration. Failure to address this case would further confirm the intent of this Administration is to discriminate on the basis of religion, rather than combat extremist views. We are particularly troubled by Dr. Gorkas reported affiliation with an anti-Semitic organization because of the White Houses own checkered record on religious discrimination. For the first time in decades, the White Houses statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day failed to mention the Jewish victims, an omission which Dr. Gorka publicly defended. President Trump was slow to condemn the wave of attacks on Jewish community centers and has yet to condemn the surge in anti-Muslim bigotry. And the President has signed two executive orders, both of which have been blocked by federal courts, barring people from Muslim-majority countries and all refugees from entering the United States. The Presidents orders are a notable departure from our nations bipartisan tradition of welcoming refugees, which was established in the aftermath of our tragic failure to provide safe haven to Jews who were fleeing the Holocaust. Again, we urge you to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding Gorkas naturalization. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, RICHARD J. DURBIN United States Senator RICHARD BLUMENTHAL United States Senator BEN CARDIN United States Senator

Story continues

NOW WATCH: Trump, confronted on wiretapping claims, tells Merkel: 'At least we have something in common, perhaps'





More From Business Insider


VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria's supreme court has ruled against Amazon.com in a decade-old dispute over a national levy on sales of blank data storage products, ordering it to pay the fee aimed at supporting musicians and other artists.

The case arose after copyright collection agency Austro Mechana presented a bill in 2004 to Amazon of nearly 1.9 million euros ($2.1 million) for blank media such as cassette tapes and CDs it sold in Austria.

Following the final ruling by Austria's court, Amazon must report the number and type of media storage devices it sold in Austria from 2002 and subsequently pay the levy.

An Austro Mechana spokesman estimated that Amazon may have to pay a "double digit million euro" amount. The final sum will be determined by the court after Amazon provides its records.

Amazon did not reply to requests for comment.

The e-commerce giant took the case to Austria's supreme court, arguing that the levy violates EU law, which then asked the European Court of Justice to interpret whether this was in fact the case.

The Luxembourg-based court ruled in favour of the private copying levy in 2013, but it also made clear that EU law does not allow the levy to be collected in cases where the intended use is clearly not the making of private copies.

More than twenty European copyright laws include private copying levies, also known as blank media taxes, covering the sales of media devices. They date back to the audio cassette and video tape era, but now cover all manner of digital devices.

In contrast, Britain and the United States offer some forms of "private use exceptions" which allow consumers to make personal copies of digital or analogue music recordings without infringing the creator's copyright.

The artists collection agency distributes half of the levy income to individual artists including musicians, authors and film producers and half of it to Austrian cultural projects.

The spokesman said the agency was prepared to have to wait several more years before they receive payments from Amazon.

Major electronics makers argue that technology changes such as the growth of streaming media and video music services make the Austrian laws tied to storing media on local devices outdated and they long have called for such up-front levies to be eliminated.

(Reporting by Kirsti Knolle; Additional reporting by Eric Auchard; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
Over the last several years, unique hand-carved figures have come in and out of the McDowell Visitors Center, crafted by a former meat cutter from south of Chicago.

Working from his shed, affectionately called Poverty Hill Woodcarvings, Jerry Sicard, now a retired McDowell resident, has been carving and selling wooden figures in and out of the county for close to 40 years.

I never advertise. Its strictly word of mouth at this point, Sicard said. My wife, Kristine, is a volunteer at the Visitors Center and shes been able to help me display my figures for the public. From what I can tell, theyre selling pretty well.

Sicards venture into woodcarving began in south Chicago, where one class eventually started what would become a four-decade passion.

It started out as a hobby, back in 79 or 80, said Sicard. It was the middle of winter, and my best buddy asked me if I wanted to attend a woodcarving class. Since then, its just turned into something bigger.

Born and raised in a small town in Illinois, Sicard moved to McDowell in 1983 after taking round-about trips through Western N.C. whenever he could to experience what he deemed comparatively consistent weather.

I was working as a meat cutter at the time, I did meat for about 57 years all told. There was an Ingles store in Black Mountain that wanted to hire me, so I bought a house in Marion and have stayed here ever since. Youd get these cold fronts in Chicago periodically, whereas compared to here, youd have a few months summer, a few months winter, so weather was a good factor in coming down here.

Here, Sicard would spend his spare time in his shed, carving wooden figures and working on miscellaneous projects.

Id spend maybe 15 hours, sometimes 25 on a project, and I would look forward to doing something for the next day or look forward to finishing it, said Sicard. Theres been a few times where Id have something there, but in process, and my wife would come in around 11 or so at night and say, Do you know what time it is? But I couldnt stop because youve got to see more, and then Id have to go into work the next morning. If youre not an artist, I dont think you can understand that feeling.

Since retiring in 2012, Sicard has had more free time to spend on his figures.

In his workspace, surrounded by model heads, finished products and collectibles from all across the globe, Sicard begins his process with a single block of basswood and works with assortment of gouges and detail knives.

After carving is done, the figure is washed, scrubbed, dried for a day, stained and painted with acrylics, then dipped in boiled linseed oil to give the figure an alluring shine. Sicard describes the process as on-and-off, usually working between projects.

I dont usually do one from start to finish, said Sicard. Ill get going on one and I look down the street and see someone that inspires me, maybe with a cane or a distinct feature, and I see another character. I feel that backing off helps if Im working too fast. A lot of times theyll be two-thirds done, Ill be watching TV at night and just look at it, and you notice something you didnt catch before like one hands longer than the other or somethings missing.

On a few occasions, certain mistakes can be mended into bigger opportunities.

I was carving a character one day and I broke his leg. I wasnt far along and it just snapped off, recalled Sicard. But I took advantage of it and redesigned the character into a pirate with a peg leg. Wood is very forgiving. You make a mistake, sometimes you break a hand, you can drill a hole and make another hand.

Kristine Sicard, Jerrys wife and volunteer at the Visitors Center, describes herself as her husbands best critic.

Im pretty straightforward with him, said Kristine. Ill usually just tell him, That nose is too fat or what about this? I dont know how he can take a wood and make something out of it, but its his therapy.

After years of carving as a hobby, a chance encounter with one of Sicard figures  a small carpenter figurine called Grinlin  started the trend of selling his work.

He wasnt but a small little thing. I made three of him and there was a gentleman in Florida who wanted to buy him. I didnt want to sell him at first, but he named a price and I sold him, said Sicard. Then, I was told that I needed to put my name on it; the guy was apparently collecting them. I went back, signed my name and I thought, Hey, there might be something to this!

Since then, Sicard has been selling and displaying his work at multiple venues throughout western N.C., including the inaugural Mountain Glory Festival in 1983.

In McDowell specifically, theyve been a crucial commodity at the McDowell Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center, which has helped Sicards figures cross county and even state lines.

People coming in through town will see them, buy them or even tell their friends about them, said Sicard, who receives his biggest traffic during Christmastime. I had a lady from Minnesota call around Thanksgiving, she bought a Santa from there and, sight on scene, asked for three more.

In one international instance, Sicard received a letter that one of his Uncle Sam figures was spotted in Tuscany, Italy. He said he was thrilled that my little guy is sitting in a mantle somewhere all the way in Italy.

Prices for figures at the Visitors Center vary, ranging from $60 to $85, and those making personal requests to carve a figure are based around a ballpark price, which Sicard has insisted as a measure to prevent overcharging a customer.

However, on one or two occasions, Sicard has had to turn down offers due to the specific nature of the request.

I cant do something on spec, said Sicard. Im OK with offers as long as they dont ask for specific details like my husband wears glasses, and he has a nose like this. Then it becomes work. If Im working, it starts off as one thing and may come out completely different. I had a woman one time request a figure for Don Quixote. And I tried to get all the features down and I eventually had to say, Im sorry, I cant do this, its just a bit too much. And she was nice about it, she understood.

Nevertheless, sometimes saying goodbye to his figures wasnt always easy for Sicard.

For a while, I had such a hard time selling something because Id get so attached, said Sicard, who has amassed a collection of unsold figures dating as early as 1983. Ive got two or three that are not for sale. Ive seen them start off as scratching on wood and I cant get rid of them. Other than a couple like that, what are you gonna do?

In the end, whether the figures are sold or kept in his shed, its the act of woodcarving itself that Sicard finds the most appealing.

When you get done with it, and hes been in that block of wood, in a tree in the woods, its such a good feeling, said Sicard. Woodcarvings taught me to notice people, notice profiles, notice people. I used to teach a class for retirees up in Banner Elk, and no matter what they made, whether it was as good as the person next to them, it was theirs; it was unique, it was how they saw it and Id be able to pick any of their figures out of a show somewhere. Its your makeup. Its your thoughts, out of the brain and into the wood.

Jerry Sicards woodcarvings are on display at the McDowell Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center. To learn more about Poverty Hill Woodcarvings, contact Sicard at (828) 775-2294 or kjsicard21@gmail.com.
BEIJING, March 18 (Reuters) - The chairman of China's privately-held Anbang Insurance Group said at the China Development Forum on Saturday he is bullish on investing in Europe despite great uncertainty over issues including refugees, economic challenges and rising populism.

Europe has "very cheap assets" and Chinese investors can take advantage of cheap funding to acquire companies with good technology, said Anbang Chairman Wu Xiaohui.

Regarding the chances of a "black swan" event in Europe, "if we combine Europe with China, I believe the chance of a black swan will be very small," Wu told the forum.

A "black swan" event is one that occurs outside of expected patterns or norms of a given situation and that is extremely difficult to predict.

Anbang, established in 2004 as an auto insurer, has emerged as one of China's most aggressive buyers of overseas assets in the past two years, spending more than $30 billion buying luxury hotels, insurers and other property assets.

Based in Beijing, Anbang manages some 1.65 trillion yuan ($240 billion) worth of assets, and has been involved in some high-profile deals, including buying control of Fidea, a Belgium-based insurer, and the Belgian banking operations of Dutch insurer Delta Lloyd.

Wu declined to comment on a potential plan for an initial public offering when asked by Reuters.

(Reporting by Shu Zhang and Matthew Miller; Writing by Elias Glenn; Editing by Tom Hogue)
BEIJING (Reuters) - The chairman of China's privately-held Anbang Insurance Group said at the China Development Forum on Saturday he is bullish on investing in Europe despite great uncertainty over issues including refugees, economic challenges and rising populism.

Europe has "very cheap assets" and Chinese investors can take advantage of cheap funding to acquire companies with good technology, said Anbang Chairman Wu Xiaohui.

Regarding the chances of a "black swan" event in Europe, "if we combine Europe with China, I believe the chance of a black swan will be very small," Wu told the forum.

A "black swan" event is one that occurs outside of expected patterns or norms of a given situation and that is extremely difficult to predict.

Anbang [ANBANG.UL], established in 2004 as an auto insurer, has emerged as one of China's most aggressive buyers of overseas assets in the past two years, spending more than $30 billion (24.19 billion pounds) buying luxury hotels, insurers and other property assets. Based in Beijing, Anbang manages some 1.65 trillion yuan ($240 billion) worth of assets, and has been involved in some high-profile deals, including buying control of Fidea, a Belgium-based insurer, and the Belgian banking operations of Dutch insurer Delta Lloyd.

Wu declined to comment on a potential plan for an initial public offering when asked by Reuters.

(Reporting by Shu Zhang and Matthew Miller; Writing by Elias Glenn; Editing by Tom Hogue)
BEIJING, March 18 (Reuters) - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday he held "candid, pragmatic and productive" talks with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, which included North Korea, Taiwan and bilateral trade.

Tillerson said both sides renewed their determination to convince North Korea, which has a fast-developing nuclear and ballistic missile programme, to choose a better path.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Tom Hogue)
by Jess Nelson , March 17, 2017

Movable Ink launched a suite of data-driven applications this week to help email marketers engage with their loyalty reward members.

The Movable Ink Loyalty Solution is a collection of technology assets that deliver dynamic, data-driven content in real-time to members of a brands loyalty program.

Incentives related to loyalty programs outperform all other promotional emails, according to a recent study by Yes Lifecycle Marketing. Loyalty-related emails generated the highest opens, clicks, and click-to-open rates when compared to five alternative email-based promotions.

The Loyalty Solution includes a suite of Movable Ink applications, including API integration, mobile app deep linking, Web cropping, image personalization, and a creative optimizer to test designs and boost email engagement.

advertisement advertisement

The ESP agnostic solution ingests information from a brands loyalty APIs and other data sources to power personalized communications that include loyalty program updates, such as available points and loyalty-based promotional offers. In addition, Movable Inks Client Experience team provides strategic consulting on best practices and creative development.

Movable Ink claims it can ingest a brands loyalty data in 3-5 business days, so marketers can begin sending dynamic campaigns quickly to loyalty program members.

Some Movable Ink clients, such as Dunkin Donuts, have layered the Loyalty Solution with other data sources, such as weather information and geolocation targeting, to create even more personalized email offers.

Dunkin Donuts leveraged Movable Ink to deliver a year in review email campaign to its DD Perks Loyalty Program members that included personalized data for each subscriber, including their name, stores visited, favorite beverage, and points earned.

The DD Perks Year in Review email campaign provided an opportunity to share customer behavior, and to thank and celebrate our Perks members in a fun and engaging way, states John Schue, associate manager of digital marketing and innovation at Dunkin Brands. Not only did we see strong engagement with our DD Perks members, but the conversation also continued organically on social as a result of the email campaign, and ultimately drove positive discussion around our DD Perks Rewards Program.
In a shocking incident, professional car racer Ashwin Sundar and his wife were charred to death after their BMW crashed into a tree and caught fire in Chennai. Sundar and his wife Nivedhitha, who worked as a doctor, were returning from a friends home in MRC Nagar and were on the Santhome High Road when the crash happened early Saturday morning.

 Twitter

The BMW caught fire after it rammed into a tree and Sundar and Nivedhitha got trapped in the car. By the time passers-by noticed the burning car and informed the police, their boides had already been charred. It took almost half an hour for the fire rescue team to put out the fire, after which the boides were rushed to the nearest hospital. It was only later that the police could identify the bodies, with the vehicle registration number.

Ashwin Sundar has been active in the car racing field for over a decade, and had bagged the Formula 4 national title twice. The car racing community has expressed shock and grief over the loss of a car racing champion.

Very sad to hear this morning that the young Indian National racing champion Ashwin Sundar and his wife were killed in a road accident. #RIP  Karun Chandhok (@karunchandhok) March 18, 2017

Our condolences go out to his family and friends at this difficult time. #AshwinSundar pic.twitter.com/fBSbjS6qDm  Ajith (@ajithFC) March 18, 2017

Motor sports has lost a truly fine driver and an amazing person in #AshwinSundar. May his soul rest in peace. #RIPAshwin  FMSCI (@fmsci) March 18, 2017

Car racing, especially Formula One, has always been a sport laced with risks and the professional car racers have often seen death from up close, escaping on-field crashes by a whiskers breadth. What happened is indeed tragic.
Anthony Levandowski

The first self-driving car prototypes are already navigating the roads in a few cities. But the real action is about to take place in the courtroom.

Google and Uber, the two giants at the forefront of developing the technology, are vying to own the emerging market and to suck up the profits.

The stakes are high and the fight is already getting personal, with Google accusing one of its star engineers of stealing some of its crown jewels.

Last month, Waymo, the self-driving company owned by Google's parent company Alphabet, sued Uber, claiming that one of its employees stole vital technology shortly before starting his own self-driving company (which Uber later acquired).

Autonomous cars have the potential to upend massive industries ranging from transportation to auto manufacturing. For Google and Uber, the opportunity and the threat posed by a world of self-driving vehicles is huge.

Google has been developing self-driving technology for the better part of a decade, and plans to license that technology to other car companies through Waymo. There's also a chance Waymo will eventually develop its own ride-hailing service powered by self-driving cars to compete directly with Uber.

Uber only recently began exploring self-driving technology, but sees it as the next logical step to protect its business. One of the company's biggest expenses comes from giving drivers a share of the revenue generated on each ride. Cutting out the drivers in favor of self-driving cars would be huge for Uber's bottom line. (And, of course, bad for the drivers who rely on Uber to make a living.) If someone else beats Uber to that self-driving future, Uber will be at a major, perhaps fatal, disadvantage.

The trade secrets case is shaping up to be one of the most significant and closely-watched battles in Silicon Valley in years, pitting two of the world's most powerful companies, and former partners, against each other. There's still a long way to go before it's resolved, but here's everything you need to know about what's happened so far.

Story continues

Who's involved?

google waymo

Waymo. Last year, Google's self-driving car project spun out of X, the Alphabet division that dreams up "moonshot" projects like internet balloons and delivery drones. The new company is called Waymo and licenses its technology to other car companies that want to build self-driving cars. Waymo has already partnered with Fiat Chrysler, however it's a technical partnership. Waymo isn't licensing its technology to Fiat Chrysler. Waymo has also said it plans to work with Honda on self-driving cars.

Uber. Uber, the ride-hailing company valued at $69 billion in the private market, is developing self-driving cars, which it believes will one day replace most of its human drivers.

Anthony Levandowski. Levandowski is Uber's self-driving car boss. He was a top executive in Google's self-driving car division and left in 2016 to start Otto, a self-driving truck startup.

Otto. Otto was bought by Uber last year, a bet by Uber on self-driving cars as well as an effort by the company to expand into the logistics business with self-driving cargo trucks.

Waymo's claims

Waymo accuses Uber and Otto of stealing its lidar technology. Lidar is the sensor on self-driving cars that allow them to "see" the world as they drive themselves. It's an essential component for self-driving vehicles.

Waymo's lawsuit says that Levandowski downloaded 9.7 gigabytes of files containing information about the company's self-driving technology to his laptop and then transferred those files to another external storage device. Those files included plans for Waymo's proprietary lidar system, Waymo says.

Levandowski left Google's self-driving division in January of 2016, weeks after downloading the files, Waymo says. He later went on to start Otto, which Uber bought six months later. Levandowski became the head of Uber's self-driving efforts.

Travis Kalanick Anthony Levandowski

Waymo says it was accidentally sent an email from one of Uber/Otto's suppliers for lidar equipment late in 2016. The lidar designs in the email "bore a striking resemblance to Waymos unique lidar design," Waymo says. This caused Waymo to investigate Levandowski's final weeks at Waymo, and the company says it discovered evidence that he downloaded the files to the external device.

In addition to the lawsuit it filed in February, Waymo asked a judge last week to put a ban on Uber's self-driving car projects until the case is resolved.

Uber's defense

Uber hasn't issued a formal, legal response to Waymo's lawsuit yet, though it is expected to in the coming weeks. However, according to a Bloomberg report published Thursday, we have an idea one of Uber's potential defenses.

According to the report, Levandowski told his staff that Uber's lidar technology is "clean" and that he downloaded those files to his computer so that he could work from home.

Uber has only called Waymo's accusations a "baseless attempt to slow down a competitor."

Alphabet's ties to Uber

There's another piece to the puzzle. Alphabet has made significant investments in Uber. In a strange way, Uber's success also financially benefits Alphabet.

In 2013, Google Ventures (now simply called GV), invested $258 million in Uber. That investment, which had Uber valued at $3.5 billion at the time, gave GV about a 7% stake in the company, Kara Swisher reported at the time, writing for AllThingsD. Uber is now valued at approximately $69 billion, according to most estimates.

An Alphabet executive, David Drummond, also used to be on Uber's board, but left in August of 2016 once it became clear the two companies were competing in the same space.

david drummond

What's next?

The next major development will be Uber's legal filing responding to Waymo's lawsuit. The judge in the case has given Uber until April 7 to file, but Uber's lawyer said it's coming within the next two weeks. So far, we don't know much about how Uber will respond, but it seems likely it'll want to use Levandowski's defense that he downloaded the files to his computer so he could work from home.

NOW WATCH: We took a ride in Ubers new self-driving car on the streets of San Francisco  here's what it was like





More From Business Insider


Did the Russians tamper with the U.S. election? Voters want some answers.

Majorities of voters think Congress should investigate if Russia interfered with the election and allegations of coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Thats according to the latest Fox News Poll, taken amidst a new volley of allegations of ties between Trump and Russia, and wiretapping of Trump Tower.

Sixty-six percent want a Congressional investigation into Russias attempts to influence the election, and 63 percent want lawmakers to look into possible connections between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Voters are split 46-49 percent over whether lawmakers should investigate the wiretapping allegation.

In a March 4 tweet, President Trump said former President Obama wiretapped Trump Tower.

The House intelligence committee asked the Justice Department to provide evidence to substantiate the claim by March 13. Monday the Justice Department asked for more time to respond to the request and the committee set the new deadline for March 20.

Views are clear on whether the president should produce evidence of his claim about the wiretaps: 76 percent think he should. That isnt just Democrats, although most agree (88 percent). Republicans (63 percent) and independents (70 percent) also think he should show proof.

About 9 in 10 Democrats want investigations into Russias attempts to influence the election and possible coordination with the Trump campaign, yet a 59 percent majority opposes looking into Trumps claim about Obama wiretapping him.

Its the reverse among Republicans, as roughly 6 in 10 opposes looking into Russian meddling and campaign collusion, yet a 58 percent majority wants Congress to investigate the wiretapping claim.

More independents (60 percent) want investigations into possible connections between Russia and the Trump campaign than want Congress to look into Obama over Trumps wiretapping claim (41 percent).

Of the issues tested, President Trump receives his worst job ratings on his handling of Americas relationship with Russia: 33 percent approve vs. 55 percent disapprove. One in ten has no opinion (12 percent).

Story continues

Republicans (65 percent) are more than 10 times as likely as Democrats (6 percent) to approve of the job Trump is doing on Russia. Even so, 16 percent of Republicans disapprove, and another 18 percent has no opinion.

The presidents overall job approval rating stands at 43 percent, down from 48 percent a month ago. Fifty-one percent of voters disapprove of the job Trump is doing as president.

A record 73 percent of voters have confidence in the CIA, up from 67 percent in December.

In addition, 59 percent are confident U.S. intelligence agencies are acting in a non-partisan manner. More than a third lacks confidence (37 percent).

Voters split over whether intelligence agencies are respecting the privacy of American citizens: 50 percent are confident their privacy is being respected, while 47 percent are not.

Democrats have confidence they arent being spied on (58 percent) and the intel community is non-partisan (70 percent).

Republicans split on both privacy (48 confident vs. 51 not confident) and whether the agencies are being non-partisan (44 confident vs. 48 not confident).

WikiLeaks

The poll also asks voters about the government surveillance programs that were recently made public by WikiLeaks.

Voters are concerned about the WikiLeaks info on both the national and personal level. About three-quarters (74 percent) are worried that U.S. intelligence has been compromised. Almost as many (70 percent) are concerned about the technology WikiLeaks revealed the agencies developed to collect private info. And in an increasingly rare example of agreement, majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and independents express concern about both issues.

Thirty-one percent of voters have a favorable opinion of WikiLeaks, while 46 percent have an unfavorable view. Some are unable to rate the group (11 percent) and 12 percent say theyve never heard of it.

Independents (43 percent favorable) and Republicans (39 percent) are more likely than Democrats (21 percent) to have a favorable view of WikiLeaks.

The Fox News poll is based on landline and cellphone interviews with 1,008 randomly chosen registered voters nationwide and was conducted under the joint direction of Anderson Robbins Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R) from March 12-14, 2017. The poll has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points for all registered voters.

Related Articles
To the editor:

Several weeks ago, Sen. Gary Peters spoke about the inadequacy of Internet access to the rural parts of Michigan. The senator needs to be reminded that internet access is not a federal government issue. If a state wants to provide support for rural Internet access to its citizens, that state should make that decision.
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...
By Balazs Koranyi

BADEN-BADEN, Germany (Reuters) - The world's biggest economies will pledge to jointly fight cyber attacks on the global banking system, one of the biggest coordinated efforts yet to protect lenders since an $81 million heist of the Bangladesh central bank's account last year.

Meeting in the German resort town of Baden-Baden, G20 finance chiefs will agree to fight attacks regardless of their origin and promise cross-border cooperation to maintain financial stability, according to a draft document seen by Reuters.

"We will promote the resilience of financial services and institutions in G20 jurisdictions against malicious use of information and communication technologies, including from countries outside the G20," it said.

However, it dropped an earlier reference for enhanced security requirements for financial services.

Cyber crime became a top priority after an elaborate heist on the Bangladesh central bank's account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York last year, an unprecedented theft that exposed the vulnerabilities of the system.

The agreement, set to be finalised on Saturday, will come just days after the United States charged two intelligence agents from Russia, another G20 member, with masterminding the 2014 theft of 500 million Yahoo accounts.

The indictment was the first time U.S. authorities have criminally charged Russian spies for cyber offences including for computer fraud, economic espionage, theft of trade secrets, and wire fraud.

The charges came amid a swirl of controversies relating to alleged Kremlin-backed hacking of the 2016 U.S. presidential election and possible links between Russian figures and associates of U.S. President Donald Trump.

In the banking world, attacks through the global SWIFT bank transfer system have continued to increase with the network recording a "meaningful" number of attacks with about a fifth of them resulting in stolen funds since the Bangladesh heist, the firm said late last year.

Story continues

In other highly publicized attacks, retailer Tesco Plc's banking arm said 2.5 million pounds ($3 million) had been stolen from 9,000 customers last year while hackers also stole more than 2 billion rubles ($34 million) from correspondent accounts at the Russian central bank and from accounts in commercial banks.

The European Union is considering testing banks' defenses against cyber attacks with concerns growing about the industry's vulnerability to hacking.

(Editing by Julia Glover)
The uncanny valley deepens with

Disney's new "Beauty and the Beast,"

specifically in its depiction of the Beast. Beautiful and visually imaginative as the picture can be in its slick, ultramodern blend of live action and CGI, the Beast is so relentlessly... animated. It's no spoiler to reveal that his character arc spans the broadest range of emotion, from vicious rage to selflessness. But it's difficult to peer into his eyes and see his soul among all the ones and zeroes.

Compare this to the scarred, vicious and wiry white wolves that inhabit the forest outside the Beast's cursed castle. They're hyper-realistic digital concoctions, fully capable of generating fear, the type of one-dimensional quality quite convincingly rendered by computers. They're scary, unburdened by human consciousness. Does the technology exist to ever convincingly make a multifaceted character like the Beast truly feel alive, to generate that intangible spark of self-awareness?

(This reminds me of the time I was among a round table of reporters interviewing Nicolas Cage, and a colleague asked him how he makes a death scene, in which the "light" goes out of his eyes, so convincing. His reply was, "I guess that's between me and God" - the kind of performance method I assume no computer could ever replicate.)

Anyway, this "Beauty and the Beast" is the latest in what I call Disney's overcomplexificationism concept, in which the studio recycles its animated classics, "updating" them to meet the visual and thematic expectations of modern audiences. They're "new." They're "improved." They're the same stories, but with more stuff in them and about them. Once, they were wondrous in their simplicity, animated by hand. Now, they're wondrous in their intricacy, animated by machine. There's artistry in both methods: 2015's smart "Cinderella" reiterated the classic story as a crackling feminist fairy tale, and 2016's "The Jungle Book" is a masterpiece of technique with rich allegories to match. (Now in Disney development: similar aesthetic reiterations of "Mulan," "Dumbo," "Snow White," "The Lion King" and Guy Ritchie's "Aladdin.")

Bill Condon's "Beauty and the Beast" is a less successful endeavor. It bears the burden of following the 1991 film, a gorgeous classical cartoon studded with beloved musical numbers, and one of the few animated best picture Oscar nominees. It's gorgeous, colorful, graceful in its simplicity. The new film is essentially the same story, but with more of everything - more character backstories, more visual detail, more songs, more movement. Of course, more isn't always better. Sometimes, more is much more than enough.

The character stuff functions reasonably well, especially those of us troubled by the 1991 film's depiction of Belle as a slight figment of whimsy. Here, she's played by "Harry Potter" alum Emma Watson as a sufficient young woman, pooh-poohed by regressivist townsfolk for teaching little girls how to read. In light of such contextual detail, when she sings of the provinciality of her French-countryside village, it stings a little more.

Watson effectively blends pragmatism into the character's superficial radiance - she has no problem discarding the excess skirts of her golden gown as she races to her father Maurice's (Kevin Kline) aid. Her work lends depth to interactions with key participants: Warmth towards her melancholy, eccentric father. Disgust towards her arrogant suitor Gaston (Luke Evans). Wonderment for the numerous chattery anthropomorphs populating the Beast's home, played via voiceover and motion capture by a grab-bag of stars - Ewan McGregor as the gregarious candelabra Lumiere, Ian McKellen as the galumphing clock Cogsworth, Emma Thompson as matronly teapot Mrs. Potts, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as the fluttery feather duster Babette. And an ability to see beyond the Beast's (Dan Stevens) hideous exterior to the sensitive, damaged man inside. Watson's work is key to the film's themes, which address forgiveness, personal rehabilitation and the idea that magic exists as long as love is present. If she doesn't sell this stuff, it goes unsold.

Yet there are instances when Watson is all but consumed by the action around her. The musical number "Be Our Guest," a magnificent showstopper sequence in the previous film, here becomes a whirling, churning, overwhelming visual hullabaloo, as if the only way Condon could improve upon the original was by adding more and more until it swallows Watson, who's clearly smiling and nodding blankly at an invisible dervish added in post-production. The environments surrounding her are artificial in spite of their exquisite detail, none more than the wintry bluster outside the castle, which Belle navigates in sleeveless gowns, yet never once seems cold.

This problem also plagues the final sequence, which is very much a loudness, and where the film tosses its charm on the fire of violent spectacle. Our eyes frequently search for a focal point amidst the clutter. The aesthetic functions better during "Gaston," where the bustle - drunkenness implied; this is a family film, after all - surrounding the egocentric antagonist is appropriately rowdy. (The sequence highlights Josh Gad's flamboyant turn as Gaston's lickspittle LeFou, who participates in the film's much-hyped "gay moment." It's not that big of a deal.) Condon tends to err toward the grotesque, his characters and settings often so gilded and foppish, they'd knock Marie Antoinette dead. Even the elegance of Belle and Beast's spotlight dance sequence is an afterthought. And yet, nothing distracts from the troublesome rendering of the Beast, who always appears more manufactured than soulful. It's a hurdle I just couldn't get over.

FILM REVIEW: 'Beauty and the Beast'

2.5 stars (out of 4)

MPAA rating: PG for some action violence, peril and frightening images

Director: Bill Condon

Cast: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Josh Gad

Run time: 129 minutes
ANN ARBOR, MI - U.S. Reps. Tim Walberg and Debbie Dingell, along with other members of Congress, have reintroduced "Jessie's Law," a bipartisan bill named after Ann Arbor resident Jessie Grubb, who died of an opioid overdose.

Jessie's Law would help ensure doctors have access to a consenting patient's prior history of addiction in order to make fully informed care and treatment decisions. Providing that information, the lawmakers argue, would help prevent tragic incidents like what happened to Grubb, a recovering addict who was prescribed a powerful opioid that led to her death last March.

The 30-year-old from West Virginia was here recovering from a seven-year heroin addiction and was said to be clean and getting her life back on track when she underwent hip surgery at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in February 2016.

She previously had been in treatment at Dawn Farm, a local addiction treatment and recovery center. After leaving Dawn Farm, she remained in Ann Arbor, a city she grew to love.

According to the lawmakers sponsoring Jessie's Law, her parents informed hospital personnel she was a recovering addict, but that message never made it to the doctor who discharged her. She left with a prescription for 50 oxycodone pills and fatally overdosed by the next day.

Authorities believe Grubb crushed up the oxycodone pills, mixed them with liquid and injected them into an IV port, causing a fatal overdose.

"In communities across Michigan and the United States, too many of our friends, neighbors and family members are struggling with drug addiction," Walberg, R-Tipton, said in a statement.

"Jessie's story is a heartbreaking example of needlessly losing a loved one to this battle. It is vital for medical professionals to have access to the information that they need about their patient's history so they can provide safe treatment and proper care. This bipartisan bill will make a real difference in fighting back against the deadly opioid epidemic and help save lives in our communities."

Jessie's Law also was reintroduced last week in the U.S. Senate by Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore, two senators from West Virginia, with the help of Jessie's parents from West Virginia, David and Kate Grubb.

The lawmakers from West Virginia, along with Dingell and Walberg, also tried introducing Jessie's Law last April, but it didn't make it out of Congress.

"As one who has witnessed firsthand all spectrums of this issue, I believe this bill is one of the most important steps we can take in developing effective strategies to protect families and save lives," Dingell, D-Dearborn, said in a statement.

Dingell said her father suffered from opioid addiction much of his life and she lost her sister to a drug overdose 12 years ago.

"I know the horrible pain of living with family members with addiction and the constant ache of losing someone you love," she said.

"We have a responsibility to confront this epidemic for families like Jessie's, and it is important that in our discussions to seek solutions, educate and prevent abuse that we ensure we do not stigmatize those with real and legitimate needs."

A member of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Walberg continues to collaborate with stakeholders at the local, state, and federal level to raise awareness and develop best practices to fight heroin and opioid addiction. For more information on those efforts, visit walberg.house.gov/heroin.

After learning of Grubb's passing, Manchin said he promised her father her death would not be in vain. A year after her death, he said, he's reintroducing Jessie's Law to make good on that promise and to do all that he can to prevent parents around the country from experiencing the grief that Grubb's parents feel.

"It's devastating knowing that her death was 100 percent preventable and she should still be with us today," he said in a statement. "We must ensure physicians and other medical professionals have full knowledge of a patient's previous opioid addiction when determining appropriate medical care. We will not give up until Jessie's Law is passed into law so her legacy stands long after us."

About 260 Washtenaw County residents have died from opioid overdoses in the last six years, according to statistics tracked by the county. Preliminary data for 2016 showed 59 overdose deaths last year, the second highest level of the last six years.
UM panel.JPG

(From left to right) Angela Peoples, director of GetEQUAL; Aditi Hardikar, former White House liaison to the LGBT community; Roddy Flynn, executive director of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus; and Don Blanchon, executive director of Whitman-Walker Health; participated in a panel on LGBT rights at the University of Michigan on Friday, March 17, 2017.

(Lauren Slagter | The Ann Arbor News)

ANN ARBOR, MI - The White House's withdrawal of guidelines for schools on accommodating transgender students made waves last month, but LGBT advocates who recently spoke at the University of Michigan expect little impact from the change.

"We take the position - and I think it's the mainstream position - that with or without the guidance, Title IX protects transgender students from discrimination," said Roddy Flynn, executive director of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. "Unfortunately, this will now be a fully in-the-courts battle, at the mercy of judges. We could amend Title IX to specifically include (transgender students), but hopefully we won't have to do that."

Flynn was one of four panelists who addressed more than 30 people gathered at UM Friday, March 17, for a discussion on "Defending and Advancing LGBT Rights in the (President Donald) Trump Era." The event, hosted by the Out in Public student group, was part of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy's LGBT Policy Leadership Institute.

Joining Flynn on the panel was Ypsilanti native Angela Peoples, director of advocacy group GetEQUAL; UM graduate Aditi Hardikar, a former LGBT liaison to the White House; and Don Blanchon, executive director of Whitman-Walker Health.

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced the repeal of the federal guidelines on Feb. 22, saying school policy on allowing transgender students to access facilities like locker rooms and bathrooms is best decided at the local level.

Critics of the move worried it would leave students in some states more vulnerable to discrimination. Ann Arbor Public Schools Jeanice Swift issued a statement on Feb. 24 reiterating the school district's commitment to addressing the challenges facing lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender and queer students and staff.

As Flynn pointed out, the guidelines initially put in place by former President Barack Obama's administration in May 2016 were in effect for a fairly short period of time. The guidance made federal funding contingent on schools recognizing gender identity as part of Title IX's anti-discrimination directives, which sparked lawsuits across the country.

"While this guidance was in effect ... a lot of schools thought about this issue more, and there was a large uptick in schools taking it upon themselves to revise their policies," Flynn said. "Which I think shows that when you talk about something in a national way - whether it has the huge impact - you get people thinking about how they're approaching their students."

The Michigan State Board of Education approved a set of guidelines in September 2016 offering suggestions for schools on creating safe and supportive learning environments for all students, including those who identify as LGBT.

"This is an area for hope. Education is traditionally a local issue, and so you'll see a lot of local communities, local school boards, parents, youth-based groups come out and say 'I don't really care what's going on with this at the judicial level. We're going to do what's right in our community,'" Blanchon said.

Still, Hardikar said she would like to see stronger legal protections for LGBT people added at the federal level.

"I think there are some good things on our side right now, and I don't think we're under threat, but yes, we should absolutely be calling our representatives to pass and actually have a vote on the Equality Act," she said.

The Equality Act would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include gender identity and sexual orientation as a class protected from discrimination in housing, employment, jury selection and other public accommodations. It was introduced in 2015, but never got a hearing in the last Congressional session.

Flynn said efforts are underway to introduce the Equality Act again this session.

"We do want it to have a hearing and be signed," he said. "I can't say I'm thinking that will probably happen this Congress, but we'll push for it."

The panelists also discussed what they see as the biggest challenges and opportunities for LGBT advocates and answered questions from attendees about how to reduce the polarization of the current political climate and how to maintain expectations for the rights of marginalized groups.

"I think the first step is to give the pen for who's writing the expectations to the folks who have been left out of the progress for the last however many years," Peoples said. "If we want to actually imagine what's possible, ask a black trans woman what the policy demands need to be. If we want to ... not be fighting for the breadcrumb to where we actually dilute what we're fighting for, ask the people who have no other choice than to fight for what seems like the impossible."

The panelists all spoke of the importance of intersectionality in advocating for not only LGBT rights, but also the rights of other groups that have been marginalized based on their race or ethnicity, immigration status or socioeconomic status.
BEVERLY HILLS -- A high school student in suburban earned a top award in a national 2D3D art contest.

Rishuv Mehta, a senior at Detroit Country Day School, received the best in category award for Digital Arts in the 2D3D contest, which is sponsored by the Cleveland Institute of Arts.

Mehta illustrated four colorful images of landscapes and scenes to showcase his visual style through a series of various colors and composition, using several different digital software programs.

"We are proud of Rishuv's work as a uniquely creative and skilled artist," said Glen Shilling, DCDS Headmaster.

"This prestigious recognition speaks both to his talent as an individual and to the outstanding faculty and fine arts programs that have provided Rishuv with the support to be successful. We look forward to seeing his skill continue to develop in college and beyond."

Mehta was competing with 1,064 students from more than 420 high schools across the nation. A total of 11 winners were selected in a variety of categories.

Mehta will get a $400 cash prize, $500 worth of art supplies and a $10,000 annual scholarship to attend the Cleveland Institute of Art.
ronan harris

LONDON  Google was summoned to appear in front of the UK's Cabinet Office on Friday after the government discovered its ads  and ads for other taxpayer-funded services such as The Royal Navy and the BBC  were appearing next to extremist videos on YouTube, following an investigation from The Times newspaper.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson told Business Insider that senior executives from Google attended the meeting and apologized to senior civil servants representing the government.

Google also pledged a review of its advertising systems.

The government spokesperson said: "It is totally unacceptable that taxpayer-funded advertising has appeared next to inappropriate internet content  and that message was conveyed very clearly to Google. The Cabinet Office has told Google it expects to see a plan and a timetable for work to improve protection of government adverts to ensure this doesnt happen again. YouTube advertising remains on hold while that work is carried out."

The UK government has asked Google to return to the Cabinet Office next week to discuss the actions it has taken to strengthen its advertising policies.

This week, a growing number of advertisers  including L'Oreal, McDonald's, Audi, Sainsbury's, The Guardian, and Channel 4  suspended their YouTube advertising, calling on Google to provide assurances that their ads won't appear next to inappropriate content on the video site.

On Friday, Havas UK became the first media agency to pull all of its clients' spend from YouTube and Google's display advertising platform, which delivers ads to third-party websites. The advertising company's client list includes O2, EDF, and The Royal Mail. Havas spends 35 million ($43 million) on Google advertising in the UK, The Times reported.

Google responded to the advertiser boycott in a blog post also on Friday, saying "we can do a better job." The company said it would update its ad policies and tools to give brands more control over where their ads appear.

Story continues

When brands pay for online ad campaigns, they usually do not buy each ad placement individually. Instead, they use a method called programmatic that uses automated systems to target large audiences across a swathe of websites or different YouTube videos.

Programmatic advertising is seen as an efficient way to reach specific audiences online, but it can also risk some ads inadvertently appearing next to undesirable content if proper white lists, blacklists, and other safety checks are not put in place by both the ad platform and the ad buyer.

In another development on Friday, Yvette Cooper, the chair of the UK government's home affairs committee, wrote to Google's vice president of communications for EMEA, Peter Barron, accusing the internet giant of "profiting from hatred" by allowing ads to appear next to videos containing hate speech.

"Google is the second richest company on the planet. The lack of effort and social responsibility it is showing towards hate crime on YouTube is extremely troubling. It is inexplicable to us that Google can move very fast to remove material from YouTube when it is found to be copyrighted, but that the same prompt action is not taken when the material involves proscribed organizations and hateful and illegal content," the letter read.

Google, Twitter, and Facebook appeared before the home affairs committee earlier this week to answer questions about their efforts to tackle hate speech and fake news.

NOW WATCH: A body-language expert analyzes Trump's unique handshakes





More From Business Insider


(Corrects first name in 13th paragraph to Jackson from Jack)

* Sturgeon warns of constitutional crisis

* Scottish parliament to authorise Sturgeon to seek new vote

* Brexit exposes faultlines in United Kingdom's structure

By Elisabeth O'Leary

ABERDEEN, Scotland, March 18 (Reuters) - Refusal by Britain's prime minister to discuss an independence referendum would "shatter beyond repair" the United Kingdom's constitutional structure, Nicola Sturgeon told her Scottish National Party on Saturday.

Sturgeon, Scotland's First Minister, pledged to press on with plans to hold a new Scottish referendum as announced earlier this week, deepening a standoff with the UK government.

Party faithful cheered, clapped and leapt to their feet.

Sturgeon expects to get authorisation from the devolved Scottish parliament on Wednesday to seek the terms for a new secession vote, aiming for a date once the terms for Brexit are clear but before Britain leaves the EU.

"To stand in defiance of (Scottish parliamentary authorisation) would be for the prime minister to shatter beyond repair any notion of the UK as a respectful partnership of equals," Sturgeon said.

"Scotland's future will be in Scotland's hands."

Under the UK's constitutional arrangements, Britain's parliament needs to sign off on any legally binding vote in Scotland. Prime Minister Theresa May told Sturgeon this week that "now is not the time" for a new choice on independence as divorce talks between the world's fifth-largest economy and its erstwhile EU partners get under way.

Although May did not deny a vote outright, Scottish nationalists predict her words could build support for secession because she could be seen as telling Scotland what to do.

"(May) has time to think again and I hope she does. If her concern is timing then - within reason - I am happy to have that discussion," Sturgeon said.

Britain is expected to trigger Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty within days and start the complex Brexit procedure.

Story continues

Last June's vote to leave the EU has shaken the ties of the United Kingdom's four nations. England, the most populous, and Wales voted to leave while the Scots and Northern Irish wanted to keep their EU membership.

May's Conservatives, now the second biggest party in Scotland's parliament, called Sturgeon's speech disappointing and negative.

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw accused her of "pursuing her own narrow agenda to the detriment and against the wishes of ordinary Scots".

The Scottish Labour Party said Sturgeon failed to mention poverty once, but mentioned independence 13 times.

In her speech, Sturgeon contrasted an image of an open and progressive Scotland against May's goal of limiting immigration across the UK.

"Scotland isn't full up. If you are as appalled as we are at the path this Westminster government is taking, come and join us," she said.

A ComRes opinion poll for the Sunday Mirror newspaper, published on Saturday but conducted before Sturgeon's speech, showed 59 percent of Britons think May should insist that a Scottish independence referendum should take place only after Britain leaves the EU.

"TIN EAR"

Scottish nationalists say the UK government has all but ignored their proposals for a bespoke deal for Scotland within Brexit.

"If (May) shows the same condescension and inflexibility, the same tin ear, to other EU countries as she has to Scotland then the Brexit process will hit the rocks," Sturgeon said.

She told Scottish television on Friday that she still has "options" if May refuses to acknowledge her mandate to call for a new vote, but declined to say what these were.

There has been talk at the conference of the possibility of a consultative referendum, a poll not authorised by the British parliament.

But "this is a step by step process. If we send an envelope to May and she returns it unopened, then we have the UK government not talking to the Scottish government," said a senior SNP source. "That is a constitutional crisis, or something very close to it."

Scottish voters rejected independence in 2014 by a 10 percentage point margin. But Sturgeon was elected last year on a manifesto which included the possibility of a new independence vote if there were a change in circumstances "such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will."

Speaking separately in Scotland, former British prime minister Gordon Brown - who still has sway with many Scots who want to keep ties to the UK - said Brexit had torn up the status quo and there was a need for new powers for the Scottish parliament.

"The third option, a patriotic Scottish way and free from the absolutism of the SNP and the do-nothing-ism of the (Conservatives) is now essential..." Brown, of the Labour Party, told a Festival Of Ideas in Kirkcaldy.

(Additional reporting by Andy Bruce,; Editing by Stephen Powell and Ruth Pitchford)
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,
Since Im always an early bird at an airport, Im writing this column sitting at Charlotte Douglas Airport getting ready to board a flight to Baltimore to visit my daughter. Its always wonderful to get together with her, but this trip was planned to introduce her to opera.

It was after one Saturday night, after catching a glimpse and then a full program of Il Volo, the new three young tenors that are making history with their fantastic voices, when I saw that their American tour included a stop in Baltimore. Perfect.

Perhaps she would enjoy something that I had missed many years ago that I so much regretted. I had never taken the time to see Luciano Pavarotti, Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo perform at a live concert, but their 1994 concert at the Los Angeles Dodger Stadium, captured on both CD and DVD, were very worn out from my constant use throughout the years.

I fell in love with Pavarotti the moment he opened his mouth to sing on a PBS special and the love has never wavered. I smile every time I watch him give a high five to Domingo or embrace the conductor as he walks out on stage, carrying his famous white handkerchief, and dressed in a tux that doesnt quite fit his girth.

No matter how many times I hear or watch Pavarotti sing Nessun Dorma, I adore how he clasps his hands together before singing as if in prayer for God to bless his performance. He hits every note with perfection and his misty eyes easily translates an unrequited love story sung in Italian.

My Dad taught me to love opera. He had a penchant for Verdi, particularly Rigoletto, but his favorite aria was from Leoncavallos Pagliacci. Most of you would know it if you heard it, perhaps from your cartoon-filled childhood that often featured a cartoon character of a crooning sad clown.

One of the last memories I have with my Dad was when I bought him a copy of the 3 Tenors 1994 DVD and sat and watched it with him and my Mom one afternoon. He was in a lot of pain, suffering from a brain tumor, and fighting a tough battle of survival.

He was quiet as each tenor sang an aria, and I looked for a sign of recognition from the ashen face of a father that had once been so passionate about opera. Then, when Domingo began to sing the aria from Pagliacci, I saw a spark in my Dads eyes that I hadnt seen for months. When the last note was sung, I walked over and hugged him, something I didnt do often enough like I should have.

The first time I saw Il Volo, it was a lot like when I first saw the 3 Tenors. Flipping through channels on a Saturday night because Time Warner Classics only offered a corny aquatic musical and my one movie channel, sans commercials, featured yet another movie about a bunch of zombies stalking a group of wild, half-clothed teenagers, I settled on life-saving PBS and caught a glimpse of three young handsome men walking across the stage, so much like the 3 Tenors back in 1994.

I wondered who these three young scruffs were who actually thought they could sing like the famous tenors and almost flipped the remote back to the zombies until, once again, some 22 years later, I heard the familiar orchestral bars of Nessun Dorma, Pavarottis signature song, and quickly put down the remote.

When Pavarotti performed it in 1994, the entire audience rose to their feet in a standing, bravo, ovation, including George and Barbara Bush, Frank Sinatra, and Gene Kelly. It was truly the highlight of the show.

This is enormous impudence, I thought, for anyone to attempt to sing Pavarottis baby! However, once again, I was wrong when I heard each tenor open his mouth and something wonderful came out of it. And the note that Pavarotti attains and holds at the end of the aria, that I thought could never be duplicated, was being duplicated and sung by a slender young man, probably no more than 100 pounds, in his 20s, with black horn-rimmed glasses, looking nothing like the Pavarotti I had grown to love but sounding like him to the very last note of musical greatness.

The new tenors, Il Volo, received a standing ovation, and rightfully so, and, with it, I was hooked once again, basking in the newest generations gift of splendid musical mastery of an art that should never be forgotten.

For those interested who live in our area, Il Volo will be performing on Monday evening, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. at Symphony Hall in Atlanta. Go see it and let me know how you like it even if you dont like opera. You wont be disappointed.

Peg DeMarco can be reached at pegdemarco@earthlink.net.
Colonial-era train tracks in India will finally undergo a much-needed makeover, and big global players are betting big on the sector.

A landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh last weekend gave Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi the political capital he needs push through several big-ticket reforms to stimulate the economy.

The win in UP is seen as an endorsement of the current regime's efforts to improve government, especially after the fourth-quarter gross domestic figures proved that the controversial "demonetization" did not hurt the economy as much as expected.

The 312 out of 403 seats they collected in the state assembly, as reported by the Election Commision of India, translate into artillery for Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP can now pass even bolder legislation in parliament with a large majority in both upper and lower houses.

Those initiatives include streamlining the national sales tax, improving labor reforms, solving land acquisition issues, and fostering better governance and transparency.

Richard Iley from BNP Paribas wrote in a note that in short-term, BJP's gains "should help ease the passage of the good and services tax (GST) bill through parliament in the current session, ensuring that the landmark reform is introduced by July 1st as widely hoped." He added that "longer-range, a further legislative assault on illegal wealth, changes to restrictive labor and land acquisition laws and further FDI liberalisation are all likely further next steps and reforms that the administration is likely to press on in the next 12-24 months."

Railways poised to benefit

Research firm BMI projected that India's transport infrastructure sector will grow by 6.1 percent in real terms in 2017 and average 5.9 percent annually through 2021, making it the fastest-expanding component of the country's infrastructure sector.

In mid-February, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented his 2017 Union Budget to the Parliament where he outlined his plan for infrastructure and railways.

Story continues

The funds allow state-owned Indian Railways to modernize its infrastructure and service operations, which includes laying 3,500 kilometers of new tracks in the coming year (2017-18) and feeding 7,000 stations with solar power in the medium term. Jaitley also announced a new Metro Rail Act to streamline existing laws, and allow greater private participation in construction and operation.

Several foreign companies have won contracts to improve the state-owned monopoly. These include companies like Alstom (Euronext Paris: ALO-FR), Bombardier (Toronto Stock Exchange: BBD.B-CA) and General Electric (NYSE: GE).

CNBC spoke with French engineering group Alstom's Asia-Pacific vice president, Jean-Francois Beaudoin, to find out what's next for India.

Alstom has been in India since 1990, but Beaudoin says that investments have only massively accelerated in the past few years. Two-thirds of its backlog orders come from India, and the company has multiple plans in the pipeline.

In 2015, Alstom won two rail contracts worth up to $3.98 billion to make and maintain electric locomotives over 17 years.

The company had also signed a contract worth over $215 million, to provide electrification, signaling and telecommunications system for the 343-kilometer-long eastern portion of the Dedicated Freight Corridor.

Both these projects are expected to reduce congestion for passenger service and freight trains. They allow for faster, safer and heavier trains to move across the country.

Beaudoin notes that Jaitley's speech showed that the Indian government is really committed to speeding up the modernization of its infrastructure, which presents opportunities for companies like Alstom.

"Since the new government came to power three years ago, the willingness for transparency, simplification and promotion of foreign investment in India, with the 'Make in India' policy, for instance, has helped a lot for industries like us developing business in India."



Out of its 4,000 employees in Asia-Pacific, Alstom has 2,700 in India, which they say is 10 times what they had five years ago. Eleven percent of the company's 2016 revenue came from Asia-Pacific, with Australia, China, India, Hong Kong and Singapore being the biggest drivers.





The big picture

Several investors have already picked up on this sentiment, going overweight India in the long term.

Christopher Wood, equity strategist from CLSA told CNBC TV-18 in an interview that "in the short term, China's way cheaper than India. There's been a trade going on in China and it can definitely outperform India in the short term. But in the long term, I'm very much structurally overweight India."

Looking ahead to the 2019 elections, Adrian Mowat from JPMorgan predicted that "one would expect measures which are more electorate friendly rather than business friendly to occur."

Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook.





More From CNBC


HICKORY  President Donald Trumps proposed federal budget, America First: A Budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again, could mean bad news for North Carolina residents living in any of the 29 counties in the Appalachian region.

The proposed budget calls for the elimination of funding for several independent agencies including the Appalachian Regional Commission, a regional economic development agency that represents a partnership of federal, state and local government.

Established by an act of Congress in 1965, ARC is composed of the governors of the 13 Appalachian states and a federal co-chair, who is appointed by the president, according to the ARC website.

One of the five bullet points in Trumps proposed budget says it, puts America first by keeping more of Americas hard-earned tax dollars here at home, according to the 2018 budget blueprint. Some of the agencies the president seeks to cut, like the ARC, already keep tax dollars in the country.

The purpose behind cutting some programs, including the ARC, the Chemical Safety Board, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, is to provide a $54 billion increase in defense spending.

In fiscal year 2017, the ARC requested $120 million, and if the ARC budget were to remain the same, the elimination of the program would only account for 0.22 percent of the $54 billion increase in defense spending.

Many other government agencies and departments will also experience cuts. These cuts are sensible and rational. Every agency and department will be driven to achieve greater efficiency and to eliminate wasteful spending in carrying out their honorable service to the American people, according to Trumps budget proposal.

In fiscal year 2017, defense spending totaled $574 billion, according to defense.gov.

Burke, Caldwell, Rutherford and Cleveland counties are included in the ARC region.

The ARC provides social and economic support to the 13-state region encompassing 22 million residents, according to the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

In January, Gov. Roy Cooper recommended eight community and regional projects in Western North Carolina for Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funding. The recommendations total more than $3 million in ARC funds, according to a press release.

One of Coopers suggested projects for funding approval is for the city of Morganton, totaling $1.37 million to support the construction of an access road to a new commercial development. This project could create 45 jobs and leverage approximately $2.7 million in private investment, according to a press release.

If funding were approved, the commercial development would include a new hotel and a restaurant in Morganton, according to the Morganton News Herald.

Another one of Coopers recommendations for the allocation of ARC funds would grant the Western Piedmont Council of Governments $100,000 to, assist teachers in Alexander, Burke and Caldwell counties develop problem-based learning related to local industries. This program would serve 2,160 students, according to a press release.

Since 2012, the WPCOG has worked on multiple projects with the ARC, Sherry Long said, who is the assistant executive director for WPCOG.

Local governments play a role in ARC grants as they provide funding for the projects as well, she said.

The ARC has contributed to the economic development of the region; we are grateful to the funds that we have received from them, Long said.

The ARC also has provided the WPCOG directly with funding totaling $512,892 since 2012, Long said.

In October 2015, the ARC provided a $300,000 grant to support North Carolinas textile industry in Burke County.

The grant allocated $200,000 to the Manufacturing Solutions Center, a division of Catawba Valley Community College in Burke County; and $100,000 to Industrial Commons and the Carolina Textile District, a Morganton-based multi-state network of small and medium-sized textile and apparel manufacturers, according to arc.gov.

In September, the ARC granted nearly $1.8 million to North Carolina to strengthen the economy.

Ten cities in the state, including Granite Falls, Hudson, Morganton, Valdese and Rutherford College received $272,000 from the $1.8 million to expand Wi-Fi services in downtown areas, according to arc.gov.

The next step in the federal budgeting process is for Congress to create its own recommendations and budget plan; fiscal year 2018 begins Oct. 1.
NEBO  Before rain moved into the area Friday evening, the White Creek Fire near the base of Shortoff Mountain grew 500 acres, reaching 575 acres at the last estimate.

The blaze was reported at 4 p.m. Thursday and is burning near Wolf Pit Road at the south end of Linville Gorge on the Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest. The fire, which grew from 35 acres Thursday to 75 acres Friday, was 0 percent contained at the last estimate by the United States Forest Service. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The overnight rain, which doused the area with 0.6 inches of precipitation, was a big help to firefighting efforts, said Lisa Jennings, a public information officer with the USFS.

"(The rain) has been huge," Jennings said. "(Friday), it did grow quite a bit. As of (Friday) night before the rains came in, we were looking at about 575 acres. Some of that growth was because we were doing those burnout operations on the southern end, but it was pretty dry (early) yesterday.

"(Saturday), we've been monitoring the fire, but we haven't been able to get people out on the ground to see exactly what's going on because the roads are so wet getting around it. So, we should have a better idea (of fire activity and management) either later (Saturday) or (Sunday) afternoon. Obviously, the rain helped a whole lot and made the fire activity going way down, but we are still looking at some hot spots. At least from our initial reports, it hasn't fully extinguished the fire."

Thursday night, firefighters worked to reestablish fire lines on the south end of the fire with the goal of protecting private property, according to a release from the forest service. The Linville Gorge has an extensive fire history, allowing firefighters to fall back to existing lines established in the Table Rock (2013), Shortoff (2007) and Brushy Ridge (2000) fires. Friday, firefighters were conducting burn out operations to secure the southern edge of the fire, the release said.

Burke County Fire Marshal Mike Willis said Friday the results of those fires in the area actually will make setting up shop to fight the White Creek Fire a little simpler. Dense, hard vegetation wont stand in the way for firefighters like it did at the Chestnut Knob Fire at South Mountains State Park in November and December.

The last time we had a fire up there was 2013 with the Table Rock Fire, Willis said. A lot of that vegetation is still in the early stages of growing, so we dont have a dense population of hard forest right now. So, the fire lines that were cut during that time are still in fairly good shape.

With the existing fire lines, theyre going to clean them up and help try to hold tight with what they had prior. All thats still new and fresh and its not as hard as going into rough ground and cutting a new fire line. So, they can just work it faster because precautions and the fire lines have already been cut, so what they focused on (Friday) morning, especially on that southern and eastern side, is to try to keep it off private property and use the existing fire lines and just go back and reinforce that.

One hundred firefighters were on scene at the blaze Friday, the USFS said. Jennings said the transition to a Type III management team occurred Saturday morning and had added some personnel to the fire. The USFS is leading fire response efforts, with support from the North Carolina Forest Service, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Burke County Emergency Management and North Carolina Emergency Management, according to a release from the USFS.

(As far as) Burke County resources, were staffing one medical standby crew, Willis said. Were making arrangements to do a night operation with our local fire departments just staffing one brush truck to help monitor. With (the forest services) personnel in the woods, its kind of hard for them at night. So, well try to pull a brush truck in at night like we did at South Mountains just to help maintain lines.

Areas around Lake James and Morganton could experience smoke, especially along N.C. Highway 181 between Oak Hill and Linville Falls, according to information from the USFS. Smoke also was expected impact areas to the north and east, depending on wind shifts. The USFS urged travelers to use caution when driving in smoke by using headlights and increasing following distances.

All USFS lands east of State Road 1238 (Old NC Highway 105/Kistler Memorial Highway), south of Conley Cove Trail (Trail No. 229), south of Table Rock Picnic Area, west of Back Irish Creek Forest Service Road No. 118 (Blue Gravel Road) and Roses Creek Forest Service Road No. 99 and north of NC Highway 126 are closed due to the fire. Shortoff Trail (Trail No. 235), Rock Jock Trail (Trail No. 247), Pinch-In Trail (Trail No. 228), Linville Gorge Trail (Trail No. 231) south of Conley Cove Trail (Trail No. 229), Mountains to Sea Trail (Trail No. 440) from State Road 1238 at Pinnacles to the Table Rock Picnic Area and any social trails existing within the closure area are off-limits as well.

State Road 1238 (Old NC Highway 105/Kistler Memorial Highway) and Roses Creek Forest Service Road No. 99 remain open. Camping is limited to sites on the west side of Old NC Highway 105. Conley Cove Trail (Trail No. 229) and areas in the Linville Gorge Wilderness area north of the closure area remain open. The closure area is subject to change with changing fire conditions.

After an outpouring of community support for the Chestnut Knob Fire late last year, donations are not immediately needed for the White Creek Fire, Willis said. He said crews currently are operating self-sufficiently but if support is needed, information will be released at a later date.

Justin Epley can be reached at jepley@morganton.com or 828-432-8943.
Illicit drug use is an old phenomenon, and Jeff Sessions has an old solution: take off the gloves. "We have too much of a tolerance for drug use," the attorney general complained to an audience of law enforcement officials Wednesday, promising more aggressive policing. "Our nation needs to say clearly once again that using drugs is bad," he declared. "It will destroy your life."

That claim will fall on a lot of deaf ears among the 100 million Americans who have used marijuana  most of whom found it did not destroy their lives and some of whom found it made their lives better.

He is right, though, that tolerance is rampant. A Gallup Poll last year showed that 60 percent of Americans think pot should be legalized for recreational use  as eight states and the District of Columbia have done. Medical marijuana is allowed in 28 states and D.C. But in his prepared remarks, Sessions insisted cannabis is "only slightly less awful" than heroin.

Oh, please. The nation is in the midst of an epidemic of overdose deaths involving heroin and other opioids. In 2015, 32,000 Americans died of such overdoses. Compare that with the number of people who died from ingesting an excess of marijuana: zero.

Pot, in fact, appears to be saving lives. A 2014 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that states allowing medical marijuana had 25 percent fewer deaths from prescription drug overdoses than states forbidding it.

People often use opioids to relieve pain. But "individuals with chronic pain and their medical providers may be opting to treat pain entirely or in part with medical marijuana, in states where this is legal," said Johns Hopkins University professor Colleen Barry, the lead author. Sessions made a point of commenting on this unwelcome scientific data: "Give me a break."

He paid lip service to "treatment and prevention," but don't expect much there. The Affordable Care Act, which the Trump administration and congressional Republicans have vowed to repeal, has been "the largest expansion of drug treatment in U.S. history," according to Stanford University psychiatry professor Keith Humphreys. If they have their way, we can expect the largest contraction of drug treatment in U.S. history.

Promoting treatment goes against the approach long preferred by hard-line politicians. The most effective remedy for opioid addiction is medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, with drugs like methadone and buprenorphine. But if you'd like to stop shooting heroin, you may search in vain for help.

The Drug Policy Alliance reports that "access to MAT is severely limited by extensive federal and state regulations and restrictions. A scant 12 percent of individuals with opioid dependence receive methadone, and only nine percent of substance abuse treatment facilities in the United States offer specialized treatment of opioid dependence with MAT."

Among the people who could most benefit from this sort of treatment are prison inmates. But a DPA survey found no state correctional systems that provide it  even though a report last year from the surgeon general compared it to giving insulin to diabetics. Upon release, opioid-prone offenders are particularly susceptible to dying of an overdose, apparently because addicts' physical tolerance diminishes while they are locked up.

Zealous drug warriors bridle at anything except prohibition and abstinence. Closing down "pill mills," where physicians allegedly overprescribe opioids, is a favorite option. Such lifesaving measures as facilitating access to sterile syringes and naloxone, which is used to reverse overdoses before they kill, are inherently suspect.

The criminalization of opioid use often has fatal consequences, because it leaves addicts to obtain supplies from street dealers rather than pharmacists. The drugs they get may be surreptitiously laced with fentanyl or other synthetic opioids that are cheaper than prescription meds but much more potent  raising the overdose risk.

Crackdowns have other unhealthy side effects. "When the police shut down a local pill mill, they rarely identify the users and help them get treatment, and heroin and fentanyl dealers are quick to move in to exploit the new business opportunity," writes New York University professor Mark A.R. Kleiman in the March/April issue of Foreign Affairs. "In 2014, deaths from overdosing on prescription opioids fell, but deaths from fentanyl overdoses almost doubled."

It's often said that drugs are a crutch for those who can't cope with reality. Give Sessions credit: He needs no artificial substances to disregard truth.

Steve Chapman blogs at www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman. Follow him on Twitter @SteveChapman13 or at www.facebook.com/stevechapman13. To find out more about Chapman, visit www.creators.com.
JCPenney

JCPenney has released a list of 138 stores it will close in the next couple of months because of slowing traffic and sales.

The stores represent about 14% of the company's locations, but account for just 5% of its sales.

About 5,000 employees will lose their jobs as a result of the closures.

JCPenney said it would offer impacted employees "separation benefits," including assistance getting other jobs.

We believe closing stores will... allow us to adjust our business to effectively compete against the growing threat of online retailers," JCPenney CEO Marvin Ellison said in a statement.

Most of the stores will begin liquidation sales April 17 and shut down by June.

Here's the full list of stores closing.

Auburn Mall, Auburn AL

Tannehill Promenade, Bessemer, AL

Gadsden Mall, Gadsden, AL

Jasper Mall, Jasper, AL

Military Plaza, Benton, AR

Chickasaw Plaza, Blytheville, AR

Riverview Mall, Bullhead City, AZ

Downtown Bishop, Bishop, CA

Sunwest Plaza, Lodi, CA

The Village at Orange, Orange, CA

Hilltop Mall, Richmond, CA

Fort Morgan Main St., Fort Morgan, CO

Glenwood Springs Mall, Glenwood Springs, CO

St. Vrain Centre, Longmont, CO

Broadway Plaza, Sterling, CO

Connecticut Post Mall, Milford, CT

Jacksonville Regional Shopping Center, Jacksonville, FL

Palatka Mall, Palatka, FL

Dublin Mall, Dublin, GA

Macon Mall, Macon, GA

Milledgeville Mall, Milledgeville, GA

Gateway Plaza, Thomasville, GA

Tifton Mall, Tifton, GA

Downtown Decorah, Decorah, IA

Crossroads Mall, Fort Dodge, IA

Penn Central Mall, Oskaloosa, IA

Quincy Place, Ottumwa, IA

Snake River Plaza, Burley, ID

Eastland Mall, Bloomington, IL

Fulton Square Canton, IL

Village Square Mall, Effingham, IL

Freestanding, Macomb, IL

Peru Mall, Peru, IL

Northland Mall, Sterling, IL

Centerpointe of Woodridge, Woodridge, IL

FairOaks Mall, Columbus, IN

Connersville Plaza, Connersville, IN

Huntington Plaza, Huntington, IN

Jasper Manor Center, Jasper, IN

Logansport Mall, Logansport, IN

Chanute Square, Chanute, KS

Downtown Great Bend, Great Bend, KS

Hutchinson Mall, Hutchinson, KS

Freestanding, Lawrence, KS

Winfield Plaza, Winfield, KS

Cortana Mall, Baton Rouge, LA

Park Terrace, DeRidder, LA

North Shore Square, Slidell, LA

Berkshire Mall, Lanesborough, MA

Easton Marketplace, Easton, MD

Rockland Plaza, Rockland, ME

Lakeview Square Mall, Battle Creek, MI

Delta Plaza, Escanaba, MI

Westshore Mall, Holland, MI

Copper Country Mall, Houghton, MI

Birchwood Mall, Kingsford, MI

Midland Mall, Midland, MI

Cascade Crossings, Sault Ste. Marie, MI

Central Lakes Crossing, Baxter, MN

Five Lakes Centre, Fairmont, MN

Faribo West Mall, Faribault, MN

Irongate Plaza, Hibbing, MN

Hutchinson Mall, Hutchinson, MN

Red Wing Mall, Red Wing, MN

Downtown Thief River Falls, Thief River Falls, MN

Freestanding, Winona, MN

Maryville Center, Maryville, MO

Leigh Mall, Columbus, MS

Southgate Plaza, Corinth, MS

Greenville Mall, Greenville, MS

Bonita Lakes Mall, Meridian, MS

Oxford Mall, Oxford, MS

Capital Hill Mall, Helena, MT

Sidney Main Street, Sidney, MT

Albemarle Crossing, Albemarle, NC

Boone Mall, Boone, NC

Eastridge Mall, Gastonia, NC

Blue Ridge Mall, Hendersonville, NC

Monroe Crossing, Monroe, NC

Becker Village Mall, Roanoke Rapids, NC

Prairie Hills Mall, Dickinson, ND

Buffalo Mall, Jamestown, ND

Downtown Wahpeton, Wahpeton, ND

Fremont Mall, Fremont, NE

Downtown McCook, McCook, NE

Platte River Mall, North Platte, NE

Rio Grande Plaza, Rio Grande, NJ

The Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV

Dunkirk-Fredonia Plaza, Dunkirk, NY

Westfield Sunrise, Massapequa, NY

Palisades Center, West Nyack, NY

Findlay Village Mall, Findlay, OH

New Towne Mall, New Philadelphia, OH

Richmond Town Square, Richmond Heights, OH

St. Mary's Square, St. Marys, OH

Altus Plaza, Altus, OK

Ne-Mar Shopping Center, Claremore, OK

Ponca Plaza, Ponca City, OK

Pioneer Square Shopping Center, Stillwater, OK

Astoria Downtown, Astoria, OR

Grants Pass Shopping Center, Grants Pass, OR

La Grande Downtown, La Grande, OR

Downtown Pendleton, Pendleton, OR

The Dalles Main Street, The Dalles, OR

Columbia Mall, Bloomsburg, PA

Clearfield Mall, Clearfield, PA

King of Prussia Mall, King of Prussia, PA

Philadelphia Mills, Philadelphia, PA

Bradford Towne Centre, Towanda, PA

Lycoming Mall, Pennsdale, PA

Willow Grove Park, Willow Grove, PA

Citadel Mall, Charleston, SC

Town 'N Country, Easley, SC

Palace Mall, Mitchell, SD

Northridge Plaza, Pierre, SD

Watertown Mall, Watertown, SD

Yankton Mall, Yankton, SD

Greeneville Commons, Greeneville, TN

Knoxville Center, Knoxville, TN

County Market Place, Union City, TN

Athens Village Shopping Center, Athens, TX

Borger Shopping Plaza, Borger, TX

Heartland Mall, Early, TX

El Paso Downtown, El Paso, TX

Marshall Mall, Marshall, TX

McAllen Downtown, McAllen, TX

University Mall, Nacogdoches, TX

King Plaza Shopping Center, Seguin, TX

Bosque River Center, Stephenville, TX

New River Valley Mall, Christiansburg, VA

Tanglewood Mall, Roanoke, VA

Pilchuck Landing, Snohomish, WA

Pine Tree Mall, Marinette, WI

Marshfield Mall, Marshfield, WI

Richland Square Shopping Center, Richland Center, WI

Rapids Mall, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Foxcroft Towne Center, Martinsburg, WV

Downtown Sheridan, Sheridan, WY

Story continues

NOW WATCH: A top New York City chef shows how to make the perfect burger





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To U.S. Rep. Michael Conaway, the proposed American Health Care Act has one major theme that separates it from the in-place Affordable Care Act: choice.

The congressman from Midland made this clear Friday during a conference call with media in his district ahead of next weeks House vote on the AHCA. Under current law, people are required to buy health insurance or pay a penalty to the government. This would change under the new law.

As a result of the mandate going away, people have a free-will choice of how they conduct their business, Conaway said.

When addressing the Congressional Budget Offices recent estimate that 14 million people would lose their health insurance coverage under AHCA, he said, First off, its a CBO guess, and theyre not good at guessing these numbers. Their current guess for the exchanges was there would be 18 million on them  there are 11 million.

According to Conaway, of the 14 million projected to lose insurance:

 6 million are Medicaid-qualified recipients who choose not take part.

A darn-near free program they say they dont want to get in, he said.

 5 million are in the individual market and would qualify for tax funds but choose not to.

 3 million can participate in employer-funded health insurance but choose not to.

Conaway said he looks forward to seeing how the marketplace reacts to the lifting of restrictions, particularly for younger, healthier people whose contributions are critical to keeping costs down.

At the core is to revitalize the individual market. I think insurers out there will be able to create products that are attractive to folks making under a certain amount of money, he said.

The congressman said he doesnt think the 30 percent surcharge paid to insurance companies for lapsing in health coverage will stay in the bill because its too hard to differentiate between those who can afford insurance but game the system by only buying insurance when theyre sick and those who cant afford insurance full-time because of other life circumstances.

The AHCA will factor age and income in determining health subsidies, Conaway said. There is a two-step process. One, as we age, our health insurance costs typically would go up in terms of paying into the pool because we start having maladies that are more expensive to fix. There is a graduation of the individual refundable credit across the age span. And theres a cap on how much you can make and still get it.

Individuals making up $75,000 per year and families earning up to $150,000 per year can qualify for the credit; the credit phases out above these marks.

The new system does have hurdles. One is the need to get 51 Senate votes on the first piece and 60 senate votes on subsequent parts. With only 52 Republicans in the Senate, Conaway said its up to President Donald Trump to sway eight lawmakers.

Another hurdle is whether AHCA will indeed be better.

One of the risks we had with the repeal-and-replace issue is people would think we had a total salvation and fix every single person out there, Conaway said. Were working to fix as many as we can, but folks who, under the new system, choose not to participate, thats their choice.

Like Trevor on Facebook and follow him on Twitter at @HowdyHawes.






Apple will continue to expand its presence in China.

The tech giant on Friday announced plans to open new research-and-development centers in Shanghai and Suzhou, China. The news comes several months after announced that it will also open research-and-development centers in Beijing and Shenzhen and will invest more than 3.5 billion yuan ($507.1 million) on research and development work in China. All four centers will open later this year, the company said.

China has proven to be a concerning problem for Apple and its investors. The market is one of the most lucrative in the world, and its growing consumer base is critical to Apples business. However, Apples China sales have fallen in recent quarters, prompting some investors to wonder whether the company is losing the huge market.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune's technology newsletter

During Apples first fiscal quarter, which ended Dec. 31, Apples Greater China unit generated $16.2 billion in revenue, a 12% decline compared to the same period in 2015. The company has experienced similar declines in previous quarters.

In an earnings call with investors last year, Apple CEO Tim Cook tried to allay fears that Apple is losing the Chinese market by saying that the revenue declines were due in part to currency fluctuations.

But Apples biggest problem in China, he said, is its own success.

The largest [problem] in our view is that when you look at what happened in 2015 in China, we had a surge of upgraders that came into the market for the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, and the upgrade rate increased relatively more in Greater China than elsewhere around the world, Cook said, according to Seeking Alphas earnings call transcript. And so when that upgrade rate in fiscal year 2016 returned to a more normal upgrade rate, which would be akin to what we saw with the iPhone 5S as a point, it had further to fall.

Cook added that hes very bullish on China over the long term.

Story continues

Apples R&D investments in China are the result of that expectation of growth. In a statement in October when the company announced its Beijing and Shenzhen centers, Apple said that the facilities should allow its engineers to work even more closely and collaboratively with its manufacturers.

Apple added at that time that the centers will also deepen its relationship with local universities and their students. The company echoed that sentiment in its statement on Friday and said its connection to universities will help its Chinese business flourish.

See original article on Fortune.com

More from Fortune.com
LONDON (Reuters) - Eleven non-OPEC oil producers that joined a global deal to reduce output to boost prices delivered 64 percent of promised cuts in February, an industry source said on Friday, still lagging the higher levels of OPEC itself.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Russia and other producers agreed to cut production by 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) from Jan. 1 to boost prices and reduce a supply glut.

Compliance numbers were reviewed at a meeting in Vienna on Friday comprised of officials from countries monitoring adherence to agreed output levels -- OPEC members Kuwait, Venezuela, Algeria plus non-OPEC Russia and Oman.

Russia plans to step up its adherence, saying on Friday that it will cut output by the full amount it had pledged -- 300,000 bpd -- by the end of April and will maintain that level until the deal expires at the end of June.

The meeting also discussed OPEC's own compliance, which it put at 106 percent, in line with figures published in OPEC's latest monthly report on Tuesday. [OPEC/M]

The panel, which met at OPEC's headquarters in Vienna, is the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) established in January as part of efforts to monitor adherence to supply cuts.

Top OPEC producer Saudi Arabia is also a member of the JTC in its capacity as 2017 OPEC president.

(Reporting by OPEC team; Editing by David Goodman)
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The Plainview/Hale County Crime Stoppers Committee will pay a reward of up to $350 to anyone with information that will lead to the arrest and indictment of the person or persons responsible for the following crimes:

--On Feb. 13, someone took a toolbox containing several tools, Craftsman air compressor, several hard leathers, and other miscellaneous tools, from 3301 Quincy.
The music for Friday nights San Antonio Symphony classical series concert may have all been composed in the 20th century, but the beautiful, fierce melodies and the rich orchestrations all screamed 1800s Romanticism.

The best example was Igor Stravinskys Suite from The Firebird in its 1945 version that is longer than two earlier arrangements.

Music Director Sebastian Lang-Lessing led a razor-sharp, electrifying performance as he guided the orchestra through tricky rhythms, mood swings and quick-switching tempo changes and a keen eye for details.

It all set up the searing, heart-bursting finale that sounded terrific in the excellent acoustics in the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.

The evenings concerto was the Bela Bartok Violin Concerto No. 1, the first time ever performed in San Antonio. Bartok wrote the piece in 1907-08 for a violinist he was obsessed with, but Stefi Geyer spurned Bartok. The concerto was not performed for 50 years, after the composer and Geyer had both died.

Symphony Concertmaster Eric Gratz was the soloist, his recently acquired 2014 Bronek Cison violin sounding fuller and stronger than his previous one used for last seasons Samuel Barber Violin Concerto.

Gratz convinced the 1,000 or so audience members of the Bartok concertos value as the piece expressed the composers idealizations of two sides of Geyers personality, introspective in the first movement, turning cheerful and witty in the second. Gratz executed the full range of his impressive talent throughout with clean, gleaming tones.

Gratz flashy encore was Nicolo Paganinis 24 Caprices for Violin, Op. 1, No. 21.

The concert opened with Aram Khachaturians Suite from Masquerade, a five-section work drawn from incidental music for a play telling a grim story of death after a false accusation of infidelity.

But Khachaturians suite focuses mostly on happy waltzes that seems drawn from the Johann Strauss tradition.

Associate Concertmaster Bonnie Terry stood and poetically played the melancholy violin solo, full of emotional longing, in the nocturne section that provided a sharp contrast to the dance sections. A frenzied gallop concluded the suite.

The program repeats at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Tobin Center downtown.
More Information

If you go

To get there: From Fredericksburg's Main Street, go north on Llano Street (or Highway 16) just over 13 miles. Turn right on Ranch Road 1323, and go almost three miles to Willow City. Turn left onto Willow City Loop, which goes for about 13 miles before reconnecting with Highway 16.

Tips:

Don't walk on or drive on the bluebonnets. If you need to pull over to take a photo or let another vehicle around you, try to find a spot before or after the blooms. And watch for rattlesnakes.

Anyone who has made the drive during peak wildflower season on a weekend will tell you: don't. Thedrive on the narrow road can be bumper-to-bumper on weekends (ruining your photos and opportunity to enjoy the drive). Make the trip on a weekday.

You'll see wildlife trails through the bluebonnets and cows roaming freely through the private property that lines the road, as well as a lot of cattle guards. You may have to dodge some cow patties to get that closeup bluebonnet shot.

Getting there might be half the fun. The drive north of San Antonio on Highway 281 has lots of good fields of bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes, too. Spotted Friday: Two couples stopped on the west side of Highway 281 south of Blanco in nice fields next to places to pull off the road. And one couple stopped near the turnoff on Highway 16 onto the scenic loop had plopped three teenage boys into an ample field for a photo. The same kind of family photo opps were spotted along New Braunfels' Loop 337 on the south side of town last week, with plenty of bluebonnet fields but not a lot of great stopping spots next to them.
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MAUREEN SCHULZ HOFFMAN

Background: Born and raised in Averill Park. She married Bill Hoffman and they bought a house in the Alps, a hamlet in her hometown, where they raised their sons, Bill and Jeremiah. She's a graduate of Maria College and a registered nurse. Her late husband, who worked for the state Division of Criminal Justice Services, died in 2012. She has taken an active role in the newly formed West Rensselaer County Lutheran Parish.

You were a parishioner at Trinity Lutheran Church in West Sand Lake until last month when it closed.

My parents, my grandparents and great-grandparents were members. I grew up there. I remember as a kid putting on plays for Christmas with the Sunday school.

The congregation was established in 1776 by German Americans. It merged with Zion Lutheran and Second Lutheran churches and became Trinity Lutheran in 1928. One of our members, whose father and grandfather were members, remembers in 1948 when lightning struck the steeple and our church burned down.

Were you always active in the congregation?

I left for a while after our kids were confirmed. I went back to school. When I met Bill I was working at Samaritan Hospital in Troy. I did home care for a few years and worked at what's now the Hudson Park nursing home.

I was a full-time mom, and when our younger son was 5 I became a substitute nurse at Averill Park School. I've been at St. Peter's Hospital since 1990. It's a great place to work. I was an oncology nurse for 10 years and moved to the maternity unit. I technically retired in 2013 after my radiation was completed and now work on a per diem basis rather than full time.

What brought you back?

My father became ill and died Feb. 20, 2012. Bill died a week later of cancer. A year after that, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My mother died the next year. I realized my faith in God and all the people in that church sustained me. They loved me and gave me the support I needed at a tough time in my life.

Eastertime is difficult for me. That's when my mother and I went shopping for material to make our Easter dresses in downtown Albany where she worked as an accountant for New York state. We would buy matching shoes and hats and gloves. Mom even made her own coat.

There was a time when Trinity had many members.

Oh my goodness, yes. Services were well attended. One Easter Sunday, my little one was in the nursery. He wanted me, but he couldn't find me because there were so many people.

It was a lovely place. That's where our faith was, where we learned of Jesus Christ and where we went for fellowship. On family nights, we brought plates to share. For Christmas we set up the tree.

And membership dwindled.

I saw it coming. When you have only eight or nine people at a service, you can't continue. It's sad. It's emotional, like being torn apart. We couldn't afford to maintain it. I realized it was not the building that supported our faith but Jesus Christ.

We had a Guiding Team, three members from each church, until the final vote, on Jan. 29. On Feb. 26, Bishop Macholz led our Service of Holy Closing. People who hadn't been in awhile came to say goodbye. Pastors from previous years were there as were deacons who have been caring for us and Pastor Norma Malfatti, the director of Evangelical Missions. They have been absolutely fabulous.

Now you're a new congregation.

We are the West Central Rensselaer County Lutheran Parish. Our first combined service was Ash Wednesday. The following Sunday was bittersweet.

It was a three-year process, not something we jumped into and said this is what we are going to do. I was on a committee with members from all eight Rensselaer County Lutheran churches deciding on our futures. The pastor for Trinity and our sister, Gilead, in Brunswick retired December 2013.

We were given a Mission in Transition Team. When the county meetings started in May 2014, there were two full-time pastors. The rest were retired pastors and deacons. St. Timothy's pastor retired in 2014. The pastor for Faith Lutheran and Evangelical Lutheran died.

Two southern Rensselaer County congregations are looking at joining with those in Columbia and Greene in the Tri-County Parish with pastors going to a different church each week.That left Gilead, Trinity Lutheran in West Sand Lake, and St. Timothy's in North Greenbush. Last September we voted to form our parish. Gilead opted out.

In January, we voted to close two churches and form one new congregation. St. Tim's building would become the home of the new parish. I spent many days and nights crying at the loss of our building. But I remembered that Jesus Christ guides us, when we allow. He will never let us down. And it's not the building who sustains us.

As joining churches we are trying to incorporate meaningful items from each church. Last week we placed the cross and tapestry from Trinity at the new parish.

Bob Crowley and I, as presidents of the closed churches councils, continue to be busy with the paperwork required by law to complete the closures and begin a new congregation. The interim council is now at the reins.

What are your hopes for the future?

We are looking for a pastor who will be our mission developer and help us do what is needed in the community. I want us to become stronger to help people, whatever their faith, whatever color, race or gender, new Americans, whoever comes into our country. We are open to all. We want to teach about Jesus Christ and his love for all.

After a year or so of all of us working together, we will form a committee, and the people of the congregation will be asked to come up with a name.

 Rob Brill
Dutch Muslims are breathing sighs of relief after the worse-than-expected performance of anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders in this week's election.

"We have trust in the future" of this traditionally welcoming country, said Rasit Bal of the Muslims-Government Contact Organization, an advocacy group, which feared a victory by Wilders' PVV party would strengthen the anti-immigrant sentiment in the Netherlands.

Catholic Bishop Gerard de Korte of Den Bosch said the outcome  with Prime Minister Mark Rutter re-elected to a second term  shows that Dutch voters rejected Wilders' extreme rhetoric that included calls to close mosques and ban the Quran and seal off the border to Muslim immigrants.

Still, the PVV, which stands in Dutch for the Party for Freedom, increased its share of the vote to become the second-largest party in Parliament. The mainstream parties have vowed to exclude Wilders from any ruling coalition, but the PVV could become the key opposition force.

De Korte said the other parties must take the voters' questions, "but give better answers, more in line with Christian social teaching."

Binyomin Jacobs, president of the Rabbinical Council for the Netherlands and a representative for the country's small Jewish population, said parts of Wilders' main message were echoed in more moderate terms by the main parties, who took a harder line than usual on integration and immigration. So he says he wonders: "What direction will the large majority go?"

Muslims make up 6 percent of the Dutch population of 17 million. Bal's organization, which runs government-mandated Islamic education classes for Muslim children in public schools, encourages debate and discussion of cultural integration, especially among the offspring of immigrants.

"Their future is here," he said. "The main challenge is how to connect this new generation to Dutch culture."

But the challenge will also be to keep them tethered to their faith. Berksun Cicek is of Turkish descent but no longer practices the Muslim faith. She is involved in an organization for LGBT Muslims and was surprised by the PVV's strong showing in her hometown, Rotterdam, a working-class port city with many immigrants and a Muslim mayor.

"The patience is decreasing on both sides" of the political spectrum, she said. "I hope for the best."
Albany

New York's courts are, for the most part, open.

But when the court is on trial, the proceedings aren't.

The state's judicial disciplinary panel is again asking lawmakers this year to open up their proceedings once formal charges have been filed against a judge. It's a change that the state Commission on Judicial Conduct has been advocating for since 1978  when the commission was created.

Commission Administrator Robert Tembeckjian analogizes the commission's work to a criminal case: A district attorney's investigation and grand jury proceedings are confidential, as is the commission's investigation into a judge's alleged misconduct.

But that's where the procedural similarities end.

Where a formal indictment, pre-trial filings and trial would be public, the commission's formal complaint, the judge's response, legal briefs and the like all remain sealed during the duration of the commission's proceedings. Those proceedings  in which commission attorneys make prosecutorial arguments, a judge offers a defense, and an outside referee (a prominent attorney or retired judge) presides  are conducted behind closed doors.

Judges can waive their right to confidentiality, but instances of that happening are rare. Only 12 have waived confidentiality since the commission was created in 1978, according to its annual report released earlier this month. It has conducted more than 800 formal disciplinary over that time period.

The commission  which is able to recommend that a judge be publicly admonished, censured and even removed from the bench  does make its findings public when a disciplinary process ends (either 30 days after its recommendation is leveled or the state Court of Appeals rules on a judge's appeal of the final determination).

But Tembeckjian contends that though the commission's ultimate disciplinary decision in a case is fresh upon release, trial transcripts and other documents are stale.

"Whether you come to watch the hearing or not is up to you," he said in pleading his case for opening the commission's proceedings. "Whether you care to access the formal documents in evidence, the accusatory instrument, the transcripts of the proceeding, that's up to you. But it would be available to the public as they are in 35 other states."

"The philosophy of it (is) that the presumption in law is that court proceedings are public," he added. "With the commission, it's the opposite."

The reason the commission operates the way it does is because that's how the state Legislature set it up. Though the voters approved the creation of a permanent commission by voting in favor of a constitutional amendment on the ballot in 1977, lawmakers were tasked with ironing out its inner machinations.

Legislative documents contained in the State Archives provide no insight as to why lawmakers made the commission's proceedings secret at the time they occur, and there is only one mention of that provision among various memoranda in support of and opposition to the legislation (which dealt with three constitutional amendments relating to the judiciary in one bill).

"Although public hearings will be barred by the proposed measure, the public's 'need to know' will be accommodated by a provision for commission reports which is much improved over earlier drafts, although not ideal," Citizens Union's then-Executive Director Gary Sperling wrote to members of the Assembly and Senate.

Some news reports from the time detail contentious debate between Assembly Democrats and Senate Republicans over the legislation, though the reports and legislative documents indicate the divide was mostly over provisions related to the Commission on Judicial Nomination, which considers candidates for the Court of Appeals and recommends them to the governor.

In modern day Albany, there seems to be little appetite for reform. Former Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson was the last to carry legislation that would have opened the hearing process, unless the person who lodged the initial complaint against a judge requested that it be closed.

That 2011 bill died without being passed through the committee process.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman John Bonacic, R-Orange County, said in a statement that he is "inclined to protect the reputation of a judge during a commission proceeding" and would not be supportive of the change proposed by the commission.

Assembly Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Helene Weinstein, D-Brooklyn, did not respond to a request for comment.

mhamilton@timesunion.com  518-454-5449  @matt_hamilton10
The first rigorous test of an expensive new drug that radically lowers cholesterol levels found that it significantly reduced the chance that a high-risk patient would have a heart attack or stroke. These were men and women who had exhausted all other options.

The results of the study, which cost about $1 billion and was paid for by Amgen, maker of the drug, were published Friday in The New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology.

The drug, Repatha, is called a PCSK9 inhibitor and can make cholesterol tumble to levels almost never seen naturally in adults, or even in people taking cholesterol-lowering statins. The Amgen drug and a similar one, sold by Sanofi and Regeneron, were approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2015 with the hope  and expectation  that they would lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and not just reduce levels of LDL cholesterol, the dangerous kind.

That hope has now been realized for the Amgen drug.

"This is like the era of the statins coming in," said Dr. Eugene Braunwald, a cardiologist at Harvard Medical School who is chairman of the research group that conducted the study, but was not an investigator on it. Like statins, which were introduced in the 1980s, the new class of drugs has the potential to improve the health and longevity of millions of Americans with heart disease, the nation's leading killer, accounting for 1 in 4 deaths.

"It's a new ballgame," he said.

But cost will be an issue. Statins are available as cheap generics. The new drugs have a list price of $14,523 a year. "The next big challenge is financial: how to pay for it," said Dr. David Maron, director of preventive cardiology at Stanford, who also was not involved in the study.

Insurance companies have been reluctant to pay for the drug without evidence it protected high-risk patients from heart attacks and strokes. Kristine Grow, a spokeswoman for the insurers' organization America's Health Insurance Plans, said insurers would consider the new data.

Investors greeted the trial results with initial disappointment Friday and appeared to assume that insurers would continue to restrict access to the drug, in part because it did not show a benefit in overall death rates from cardiovascular causes. Amgen's stock was down more than 6 percent Friday morning, as was the stock of Regeneron, which sells a competing drug, Praluent.

Ronny Gal, an analyst for Bernstein, estimated that insurers would have to pay nearly $1 million to prevent one event in a patient and said in a note to investors that while use of the drug would expand, it would do so gradually. "The tension between patient benefit and the very high price charged for it will remain, in our view, the dominant issue," he wrote.

Amgen estimates that about 11 million Americans are eligible to take the drug. They include people like those in the study and people who have a genetic condition, familial hypercholesterolemia, that results in intractably high LDL levels and a grave risk of a heart attack.

Amgen maintains that its drug is worth the price and that by preventing heart attacks and strokes, it will also prevent the costs associated with treating patients with worsening conditions. But the drug would need to be taken for life, and the bill for its widespread use could potentially be huge.

For cardiologists, the study was a crucial test of a long-held hypothesis: the lower the level of cholesterol in the blood, the better.

The results support that hypothesis. There seemed to be no floor to the benefits of cholesterol lowering, at least down to the stunningly low levels achieved in the study. The lower the LDL, the lower the risk, with no leveling off of the linear relationship.

Maron said the results were "incredibly important," adding, "The future looks brighter for patients with established coronary disease."

But Dr. Rita Redberg, a cardiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, tempered her enthusiasm, saying she would like to see what happens to the death rates over a longer period of time.

Redberg also worried about the potential for bias because Amgen paid for the study, helped design it, collected the data and helped write the paper. The data analysis was done independently by a team of academic researchers, led by Dr. Marc S. Sabatine, chairman of a cardiovascular research group called TIMI at Brigham and Women's Hospital, a teaching hospital for Harvard Medical School.

Participants in the study who used Amgen's drug for 2.2 years were 20 percent less likely to die from heart disease, have a heart attack or have a stroke (816 patients taking evolocumab had one of those outcomes, compared with 1,013 taking the placebo).

There was a 15 percent reduction in the combined risk of having a heart attack or stroke or dying from cardiovascular disease, being hospitalized for worsening chest pain, or having a stent inserted to open a blocked artery (1,344 evolocumab patients versus 1,563 placebo patients).

The absolute reduction in the risk of a heart attack or stroke was 1.3 percent at two years, Amgen said, and 2 percent at three years.

That means that 74 high-risk patients would have to be treated for two years to prevent one heart attack or stroke or death from heart disease and that at three years 50 would have to be treated. Extrapolating, the authors predicted that after five years, just 17 high-risk patients would have to be treated.

(STORY CAN END HERE. OPTIONAL MATERIAL FOLLOWS.)

"Reducing the risk of a heart attack or stroke by 20 percent is a pretty big reduction," Sabatine said. He and others predicted that the risk would be reduced further as time went on, as it does in patients taking statins. He noted that that effect was already emerging, with a 25 percent reduction in the second year.

The only side effect seen during the study was a small incidence of redness or itching at the injection site, with 2.1 percent of those taking the Amgen drug reporting such effects, compared with 1.6 percent of those taking the placebo injections. But patients in general did not stop using the drug for that reason.

There had been concerns that the drug might increase the risk of diabetes, or affect thinking and memory, but those effects were not seen.

Many high-risk patients did not wait for the results and were already taking the Amgen drug outside the trial, betting it would help.

Robert Johnson, 51, of Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, had a father who died of a heart attack at age 42. He has familial hypercholesterolemia, and his LDL in 2011 was 377. He's taking the Amgen drug and a statin. Now his LDL is about 80.

"I feel much safer, much better," he said. "I always felt there was a ticking time bomb in my heart."

Kim Chaples, 55, of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, had an LDL of 200 even though she was taking maximum doses of a statin.

"I was scared," she said.

Two years ago, her LDL soared to 450 for no apparent reason.

Dr. Daniel Soffer of the University of Pennsylvania changed her statin prescription to the maximum dose of the most powerful one, and then said, "There's a drug out there I want you to try."

She began taking evolocumab along with the statin. Two months later, her LDL was 50.

When she saw the lab report, she assumed there had been a mix-up. "I thought, 'This cannot be mine,'" she said.

Hearing the results of the new study, she said, "makes me feel very good."
Why is Secretary of State Rex Tillerson making saber rattling comments about how military action would be "on the table" if North Korea further provokes the U.S.?

Do he and President Donald Trump really want war with North Korea?

No. What they really want is to convince the rest of the world that we will consider some kind of military response. And they want the world to fear that possibility so much that they'll accept another kind of response instead. And of course that other response is tighter and more universally observed economic sanctions. In other words: If you really don't want war, then support some tougher penalties against Pyongyang.

There are two reasons why even strict sanctions on rogue nations don't lead to major policy changes or topple regimes. First, the dictators themselves like North Korea's Kim Jong Un and his inner circle do not personally suffer as whatever dwindling resources and luxuries the country can still obtain are hoarded by them.

Second, there are always some major countries that end up cheating the sanctions regime openly or clandestinely and thus give the sanctioned regime a lifeline. That's where that aforementioned "support" really comes in as the U.S. will need other nations to not only vote for new sanctions, but agree not to cheat the system too.

Sadly, the "carrot and stick" approach doesn't work on both ends when it comes to rogue regimes like North Korea. The relaxation of sanctions against North Korea pushed by President Bill Clinton in the mid-1990s led to that nation getting billions of dollars in aid in return for halting its nuclear weapons program. But North Korea and the regime of Kim Jong Il cheated, and they went ahead with their nuclear project anyway.

Tillerson's threats of war are likely a calculated stab at getting more countries, especially Russia and the European Union nations, to get tougher for real. But one country is clearly the primary focus for Tillerson and the Trump administration: China.

Story continues

It's China that will surely stand in the way of more sanctions and it's China that's going to have to ask itself just how far it's willing to go to keep protecting its communist neighbor and ally.

To be blunt, China uses North Korea like a thug nation to do some of its dirtier jobs and act as a buffer against nations it sees as potentially hostile like South Korea and Japan.

It also wants North Korea's regime to remain in place to avoid a massive refugee influx over its own borders. Maintaining that regime to serve those two goals is the reason China always opposes the toughest sanctions on Pyongyang and remains North Korea's only meaningful trading partner.

And therein lies the second major goal of Tillerson's tougher talk. The Trump team can't possibly hope that China will support new sanctions. But if Beijing becomes more worried about military action on its own border or has to manage even more of North Korea's economic needs after tougher sanctions are imposed, then China is that much less able to promote more adventurism of its own in the South China Sea and elsewhere.

China's continued demand for more military and economic respect is undermined almost daily by Kim Jong Un's missile tests and provocative statements and the White House wants to make Beijing pay the price fully.

If there was any doubt that this was the point of Tillerson's message, President Trump removed it Friday morning with the following tweet:

So make no mistake about Tillerson's comments. They are publicly directed at North Korea, but the primary target audience is China and the secondary audience is any other country that may want to stand in the way of sanctions. The U.S. is just as reluctant as always to actually fire a shot. The only question now is: Are any of the nations that Tillerson is targeting with his rhetoric willing to call that bluff?

Commentary by Jake Novak, CNBC.com senior columnist. Follow him on Twitter @jakejakeny.



For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter.





More From CNBC


A 59-year-old Orange County woman was killed on Friday in an airboat accident near Port Neches' Riverfront Park, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.

The accident happened just before 6:30 p.m.
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One day after Sandra Bruner and her boyfriend died in a fire, her irate brother said the owner of the unregulated rooming house where they had lived should have taken steps to ensure their safety.

"This here could've been prevented," said Jerry Bates, criticizing the building's owner, Moses Briscoe. "This man, he needs to be charged for this. Because he knew these lives were in jeopardy."

TRAGIC: 2 dead, 1 injured in fire at unregulated Houston rooming house

Briscoe has not responded to requests from the Chronicle about safety issues.

Records show the city received a complaint about the facility nearly two years ago but took no action to correct the apparent safety violations at Briscoe's Place, a 20-room boarding house that rented out bedrooms to more than a dozen residents.

Because the facility did not provide services to mentally ill, disabled or elderly residents, it did not fall under state regulation as a boarding home and did not have to register with the city.

The building did not meet some city building and fire safety codes, since it lacked an occupancy permit as a multi-family residence and some bedrooms inside did not have windows, city officials said.

TRAP: Elderly couple set house on fire to lure police into ambush

Officials vowed a systematic review.

"I don't know that we are able to offer specifics at this time of what could or should be done to prevent this from happening again," said Janice Evans, spokeswoman for Mayor Sylvester Turner. "However, this situation does point out deficiencies in our system that require correction. There will be a full review of everything."

Fire broke out at late Wednesday or early Thursday at Briscoe's Place in the 4500 block of Griggs Road near Cullen in south Houston. Bruner and her boyfriend, who has not yet been identified, were found dead just inside the locked front door. Another person was injured, suffering burns over about 20 percent of his body.

Bates said the fire burned his sister beyond recognition as she was trying to escape. Her boyfriend appeared to have been protecting her from the fire.

"We can't even have a burial," the grieving brother said.

Briscoe said Thursday that he operated the home to provide a place to live for people who might otherwise stay on the street. One resident said he paid about $500 a month; others said they used their Social Security or disability payments to cover the rent.

RUINED: Fire destroys north Houston home

As the Houston Fire Department continued investigating the cause of the blaze, new details emerged Friday showing a slew of unheeded warnings and missed opportunities.

Briscoe received a certificate of occupancy to run the building on Griggs Road as a banquet hall in 2007, and in 2014, he paid the fire department to inspect the building so he could receive a permit as a boarding house, documents show. A certificate of occupancy posted to the door of the structure shows the word "banquet" had been blacked out.

However, the building had never received a certificate of occupancy to operate as a boarding house, and firefighters did not grant the permit, said Alanna Reed, spokeswoman for Houston Public Works and Engineering.

"Nothing was submitted," Reed said. "He didn't have the proper licenses, approvals, certificates of occupancy, or anything to operate as a boarding house - or as a congregate living facility."

Firefighters said the maze-like interior complicated the residents' attempts to flee the blaze. Some made their way out the back door, where they had to kick down a gate to get out.

The city received a complaint about unsafe conditions at the rooming house to the 311 system in April 2015, said Lara Cottingham, deputy assistant director of the city's Administration & Regulatory Affairs Department.

Department of Neighborhood inspectors who visited the building found that it was not overcrowded and closed the case on May 13, 2015, she said.

Residents complain frequently about unsafe boarding houses, the 311 data show. In 2015, the most recent data that was immediatley available, the city received complaints about 114 unsafe boarding houses.

In addition, police had visited Briscoe's Place 18 times since the beginning of the year, according to department call data.

"The location in question at Griggs is not a regulated facility," said Jodi Silva, a spokeswoman for the Houston Police Department. "So our officers wouldn't necessarily be aware of any fire safety or other issues involving permits. HPD officers do a good number of enforcement activities; however, being an occupational safety inspector is not one of their responsibilities."

Bates, meanwhile, is only just beginning to sort out his sister's death.

"I know this is not the way she wanted to go out," he said. "Not like this here suffering."

Note: This story was updated to correct the name of the victim, Sandra Bruner.
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Earlier this month, Gerardo Martinez-Morales, a 52-year-old printer and father of four, was driving to a doctor's appointment in Galveston when he was pulled over by an island police officer because of a broken tail light. He handed the officer the only driver's license he had - one that had expired and which he couldn't renew because he was in the country illegally.

That was enough to get Martinez-Morales arrested and eventually taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents, where he now awaits deportation to Mexico.

Martinez-Morales is one of at least six similar cases that have come to the attention of a local immigrant rights advocacy organization since President Donald Trump ordered stepped-up enforcement of immigration laws aimed at deporting people in the country illegally.

At a news conference Friday with members of Martinez-Morales' family, Cesar Espinosa, executive director of FIEL Houston, said people living in the U.S. illegally and with no criminal records are increasingly being detained and deported.

"This has set the community on edge," Espinosa said.

Martinez-Morales' case follows the high-profile detention late last month and subsequent deportation of Jose Escobar, a 31-year-old father of two American children with an American wife, to El Salvador, a country he hadn't seen since coming to the United States as a teenager 16 years ago.

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Escobar, who had a previous deportation order against him but who had been granted temporary permission to live and work in the U.S., was detained during a required routine status check-in with immigration officials.

ICE records show that Martinez-Morales was previously removed from the United States in March 2004. It's unclear when he returned. He was arrested in Galveston on March 9.

On Friday, Martinez-Morales' attorney, Raed Gonzalez, said officers were motivated to arrest his client after he unintentionally revealed he was here illegally.

"The moral of the story behind this - you don't have to disclose or talk about your legal status," he said. "They really didn't have an excuse to detain this person or to have called ICE. It's of growing concern that people know their rights."

Slim chances

Martinez-Morales' family and his attorney said that he had no criminal record.

The Galveston Police Department hasn't commented on the arrest beyond providing a basic police report about the traffic stop.

"The chances of getting him to stay are slim," Gonzalez said. "We're hoping that they at least contact us so that we can negotiate in the case."

Under the new policies being enforced by the Trump administration, immigration agents are required to deport anyone convicted of a criminal offense, including those driving without a license, a growing obstacle for more than half a million immigrants in the region who can't get a license because of their illegal immigration status.

"Trump said he would deport criminals, but instead he is ripping families apart and deporting the people that deserve to be here," Espinosa said.

Espinosa said his organization has taken on four cases similar to Escobar's, where people were detained when routinely checking in with ICE. He said the clients in those cases were detained after performing their annual routine check-ins with immigration, he said.

"They were trying to follow the rules and they were detained," he said. "The number of people seeking our help is growing."

Trying to stay afloat

Martinez-Morales' family said he has lived in the U.S. for more than 25 years.

His daughter, Emma, 12, tried holding back tears as she spoke about her father.

The fallout of losing a family member to deportation has added another layer of uncertainty to the family's ability to stay afloat financially.

Her mother, Monica, is a housekeeper and doesn't make enough to support the family alone. Meanwhile, the family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with immediate expenses.

"He was always there for me and would do anything to make me happy," said Emma Martinez. "I would like for him to be here, and without him I don't know how we'll be able to progress."
A drive-by shooting followed an early-morning family dispute on the East Side on Saturday, San Antonio police said.

The shooting, which took place just after 4:14 a.m. in the 3400 block of Kildare Avenue, occurred after a family argument spilled out from a driveway into the street, according to SAPD.
A man thrown to his death after he was allegedly struck by a suspected drunken driver was identified Friday.

Karlton M. Walker, 50, was walking on the sidewalk at about 9:40 p.m. Tuesday in the 9600 block of San Pedro as James Arthur Kearns approached in his Ford Expedition, according to a San Antonio Police Department report.
Army veteran Jack Ray Bowden, who fought in North Africa and the European Theater during World War II and returned home to start his own business, died March 11 at 98.

Raised in McKinney and the Temple-Belton area, Bowden joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, a program that provided work for young single men during the Depression, in his early 20s.

Bowden was working in Colorado when he was drafted in September of 1941, just a few months before the U.S. entered World War II.

Although encouraged to join the Army Air Corps  hed obtained his pilots license after a friend had introduced him to flying  Bowden preferred to fight on the ground.

A part of a field artillery unit in the Western Task Force that fought under George S. Patton during Operation Torch in 1942, Bowden was also in the invasion forces that landed in Salerno, Italy, in 1943.

Salerno was  every bit as rough as D-Day, his wife Martha Bowden said. But he survived, that was the main thing.

Bowden didnt quite make it out of the service without flying, though.

Toward the end of the war they lost all their pilots that were going out in light aircraft to see where the Germans were shooting from, his stepson Barry Bowden said. A colonel came up to him and said, Jack, it says on this sheet that you are a pilot.

More Information Jack Ray Bowden Born: July 29, 1918, McKinney Died: March 11, 2017, San Antonio Preceded by: Wife Goldie Bowden; son Jackie Lee Bowden; parents Jodi Jackson and Willie Lee Stapp Bowden; a sister. Survived by: Wife Martha Renno Bowden; daughter Lori Younce; stepson Barry Bowden; four grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren. Services: Memorial was Thursday. See More Collapse

Admitting that he knew how to fly, Bowden was told, You will be flying tomorrow.

Hit by shrapnel while in the air, Bowden was later offered a Purple Heart, which he refused, pointing out that there were many more seriously injured servicemen who deserved the recognition.

That was the kind of person he was, Martha Bowden said.

Returning to Texas after being discharged, Bowden began selling farm equipment, a profession for which he was well-suited.

Starting Mohawk Equipment Co. with a friend in Temple, Bowden also owned a restaurant and gas station.

Moving to San Antonio in 1971, Bowden remarried after his wife died in the mid-1990s.

A lifelong ballroom dancer, Bowden and his second wife belonged to several dance clubs, entertained frequently and traveled regularly.

Jack was a devoted husband, Martha Bowden said. We spent a lot of  lovely time together.

mheidbrink@express-news.net
Redistricting brings out the worst in politicians.

When elected officials draw new political districts, the process is the ultimate form of winning ugly. State senators frequently find a way to draw a congressional district for themselves, and at a minimum, legislators have a stake in defending their turf and helping partisan pals.

The result is packed districts maximizing the majority partys chances.

This months federal court ruling declaring three Texas congressional districts to be illegitimate highlights an unsavory truth.

Two members of a three-judge panel found that Texas lawmakers intentionally diluted minority voting clout when drawing congressional lines in 2011.

U.S. District Judges Orlando Garcia, appointed by President Bill Clinton, and Xavier Rodriguez, appointed by President George W. Bush, wrote the majority opinion. U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Jerry Smith, who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan, dissented, saying the case was rendered moot by an earlier court ruling.

Texas congressional Districts 23, 27 and 35 were declared invalid. Republican Reps. Will Hurd of San Antonio and Blake Farenthold of Corpus Christi and Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin represent the districts, respectively.

Hurd and Doggett represent parts of San Antonio.

While only three districts were ruled invalid and the gerrymandering specifics cited are convincing, the statewide view illustrates the problem.

White non-Hispanics, who are 45 percent of the total population, hold clear majorities in 70 percent of districts and have opportunities to win 70 percent of the seats while African- Americans and Hispanics, who are 48 percent of the states population, are pluralities or majorities in just 30 percent of the districts, Garcia and Rodriguez wrote.

The judges added that compared to Anglo voters, three times as many Hispanics are stranded in districts in which they are the minority.

Doggetts district was packed with Hispanic voters not to comply with the VRA (Voting Rights Act) but to minimize the number of Democrat districts in the plan overall, the judges found.

Lawyers for the Republican legislative majority argued that GOP lawmakers gerrymandered on a partisan basis  which is offensive but allowed under the law  rather than using racial considerations.

But Texas politics  along with the rest of the nation  has become so racially polarized that the argument doesnt hold water. And Texas has a clear and well-documented history of diluting minority voting strength whenever possible.

Focused on preserving GOP power, the Republican majority has no qualms about creating roadblocks for Hispanic voters. The March 10 ruling is the latest development in a long-running series of legal battles over the 2011 redistricting plans, and it probably wont be the last. By the time the wrangling is completed, lawmakers could be working on the next decades redistricting plans.

Meanwhile, Texas Hispanics are being denied a fair voice in the voting booth as each congressional election passes.

And packed districts deny voters in most districts the opportunity for a vigorous debate on issues and ideas, leaving the big decisions to partisan primary battles.

The dynamic accentuates the extremes in each party, silencing the voices of independents and moderates.

The best solution would be a redistricting commission that takes the job out of the hands of lawmakers. Partisanship would linger in the background, but it would no longer play the dominant role under such a plan.

A proposed constitutional amendment to create such a commission is pending once again in the Legislature.

Former state Sen. Jeff Wentworth, a San Antonio Republican, started pushing for a redistricting commission in 1993 when Democrats were doing the redistricting dirty work.

In those days, the Democrats opposed the idea. With the GOP holding the legislative majority, most Republicans are against a redistricting commission.

Partisan interests are always fully considered, but average voters who want only good government are left twisting in the wind.

bwdavidson75@gmail.com
Britains vote to leave the European Union  Brexit  and the election of President Donald Trump have sent shock waves through the democracies of Western Europe and emboldened far-right parties in Germany, France, the Netherlands and possibly Italy, where elections will be held in the next few months.

The worrying similarities between both campaigns are a chilling reminder of how old ideas are being repackaged for modern times.

History tells us about nationalism, despite being dressed up as economics; authoritarianism; nativism; racism; xenophobia; religious intolerance, especially toward Islam; and the consequences for countries and continents. This is the new populism.

Brexit proponents talk about putting Britain first, making Britain great again and taking our country back. The undefined attraction of greatness was the unspoken mantra of the campaign. A combination of the fanatical and the delusional remains trapped in Britains glory days of colonies and empire, in which the sun never sets and the British ran the world, as the United States seeks to do today.

The EU is the most successful institution in the post-World War II period. But in Britain, extreme Conservatives  from the more promising days of Winston Churchill through the troubled times of Margaret Thatcher to the present day  have always been ambivalent about the EU. As poor team players, they could never adjust to what the other 27 countries felt was progress to peace, stability, security and prosperity.

Against this backdrop, the Brexiteers played the immigration card. Migrants, asylum seekers and foreigners became the target around which a them and us debate could be manufactured. They presented the EU as the source of all the problems in what is now a disunited United Kingdom.

This will all be very familiar to voters in the U.S.

The similarities dont end there. Both Trump voters and Brexit voters had similar socioeconomic and educational characteristics and, more important, the same grievances. Many people felt left behind; betrayed by globalization, automation and technology; and suspicious of elites and experts. In the rust belt areas of both countries, declining wages and labor markets took their toll.

So the same language, the same focus on the enemy within created from the enemy without, the votes of angry working people and their sense of hopelessness, and the political leaders who offered old populism and the failed policies of yesterday as the antidote to failure  the combination of all these things  hit a nerve with millions of voters.

In the U.S., those demons took shape as fake news and bitter social, economic, religious and racial divisions.

For Trump, this was enough to win. But is it enough to govern?

The levels of political dysfunction growing in both countries diminish the prospects for a stable Europe, disrupt trade and foreign relations, and send mixed messages to Vladimir Putins Russia that are, at best, dangerous.

There is no disguising the fact that Europe lies astride some of the most volatile regions of the world. The satellites of the former Soviet Union, Russia, the Middle East, North and sub-Saharan Africa, and the countries of Central Asia need consistent and coherent policies from the U.S. and Britain. It may be in the early days, but Brexit and the U.S. elections have created fear, mistrust and anger among European allies, NATO and the EU.

Brexit is a massive exercise in self-harm and is in danger of moving from a crisis to a catastrophe with all the characteristics of circling a black hole.

It should be more accurately described as England voting to leave the EU. Scotland, Northern Ireland and London voted to remain. Britain is hopelessly divided, and the governments handling of events is causing further anger and division. It is ignoring pleas of members of the Westminster Parliament for a decisive vote on Brexit after the negotiations are completed and ignoring requests from Scotland and Northern Ireland for their views to be taken seriously. The U.K. is four nations, but only the voice of England is heard at Westminster, drowning out the voices of the other nations.

Brexit may yet be the spark that once again ignites the flames of unrest and leads more Scots to think that Britain  under British Prime Minister Theresa Mays government and out of the EU  is a poor deal. Faced with this potentially uncompromising reality, Scotland could vote to leave the U.K. after a membership lasting 310 years.

Mays recent trip to the U.S. to meet Trump only served to underline the dangers ahead. This visit was premature and unsettling in both the policy content and the intent of the two newcomers to office. The reason behind the visit was one of desperation by May. Seeing a potentially empty trading landscape of bilateral negotiations, the loss of EU single market and customs union membership, and the rise of Regrexit (regretting exiting the EU), May, in a panic, sought to reset an old friendship with an enduring trans-Atlantic partner.

There seemed to be an awkward synergy between two people who believe in authoritarianism, economic nationalism and advocacy of the bilateral nation-to-nation form of trade, which is now spectacularly outdated. May had no choice on the matter. For Trump, this is the strategy of White House guru Steve Bannon, who described the EU as a flawed institution.

But Trumps new world of bilateral trade deals will not see a renewed Anglosphere of equal partners, only a desperate May struggling for some crumbs at the White House table to create the impression that her brave new Britain, outside the EU, is in the making.

Setting aside the wider implications of this approach, there could be real and immediate practical dangers. A hurried trade deal with the U.S. could destroy Britains farming industry, open up the British National Health Service to the predatory behavior and market excesses of the U.S. pharmaceutical giants, and, at least for the time being, leave Britain at the mercy of an erratic and unpredictable Trump.

In Britain, there has been an explosion of anger that May invited the new president to visit Britain. The queen will be embarrassed. The speaker of the House of Commons is unwilling to see the president address both Houses of Parliament, and more than 1 million people have signed a petition urging the president to stay away. After divorcing the EU, Britain should be careful about its next partner.

In November 1962, U.S. Secretary of State Dean Acheson said, Great Britain has lost an Empire and has not yet found a role. He added, Britains attempt to play a separate power role  that is, a role apart from Europe, a role based on a special relationship with the United States, a role based on being head of a Commonwealth which has no political structure or unity or strength  this role is about played out.

Acheson was right both then and now.

Other prime ministers have persuaded themselves that there was some mystical bond between the two countries, failing to see that, in Achesons words, The U.S., like all great powers, would in the end follow  without necessarily much regard for others  what is perceived from time to time to be its own interests.

Britain has an identity crisis and is still looking for a role. A sense of the scale of challenges facing the world reinforces the added value the EU brings to Britain. Britains future lies in the EU.

The so-called special relationship with U.S., Atlanticism, explains much of the current world view in the U.K., which inevitably spills over into treating continental Europe as lesser players in this Anglo-Saxon hegemony. For the populists and the right in British politics, this is superficially cast as a struggle to protect national interests and the absolute sovereignty of the Westminster Parliament. But this is very far from the truth.

Britains complex and uncertain view of the EU has significant antecedents, which have shaped both Britains enduring ambivalence toward EU achievements and that sense of historical purpose the EU has successfully served for nearly 60 years.

On foreign policy, May seems to have learned very little from postwar adventures when she said that Brexit Britain and Trumps America can lead the world. The British prime minister should have more pressing priorities.

Why should Britain want to lead the world? Britain is a middling country in the world order of international affairs. Despite this, British governments keep looking for a role, but Brexit isnt going to help them find one.

At a time of growing international tensions and economic challenges, the EU is a safe, secure, supportive and prosperous place for Britain. Europe and the EU are Britains future. Most people in Britain would not welcome the idea of the Americanization of society, creating some artificial and imbalanced Atlantic partnership or becoming de facto the 51st state.

In both countries, nationalism is taking a grip. Populism is its electoral ally. Fake news, attacks on the media and authoritarianism are the methods. Truth and freedom are the victims. Isnt it time for Britain and the U.S., and politicians on both sides of the Atlantic, to make people great again and to put peoples interests first?

Henry McLeish, former first minister of Scotland, is visiting professor of European studies at the St. Marys University School of Law.
I have read with interest the letters concerning Medicare. I suggest that many readers miss an important principle. Individuals and businesses should not be allowed to profit from illness. Illness is not a choice.

Therefore, all insurers should be eliminated from the health care business. We need a single-payer system like Medicare for everyone. The single payer should be the U.S. government, and health coverage should be funded by tax revenue. Copays should be based on income, and the government should be allowed to negotiate prices for drugs.

Screams by seniors to keep Medicare benefits will be discounted or ignored because of uncontained costs and cost increases. Restructuring the health care system is what is required.

Robert Mays

ACA full of flaws

Re: Crucial facts missing in ACA repeal, Editorial, March 8:

In its lead editorial, the Express News Editorial Board scolded the Republican Congress for its current health care legislation efforts.

Did the board feel the same way when Rep. Nancy Pelosi said the Democrats had to pass the 900-page Affordable Care Act so they could see what was in it? In the editorial, the ACA  or Obamacare was held up as the standard for judging health care legislation.

In the Business section of the same paper, the latest of many articles documenting the many problems with the ACA painted a very different picture (What if theres not any affordable insurance to buy?).

Is the board really suggesting to its readers that Obamacare is not without serious problems? You cant blame the Republicans for that fact.

Maurice Bronstad

No-planning plan

Republicans have been complaining about the Affordable Care Act since the day it was passed. They had seven years to fine-tune a better alternative. So where is it?

Apparently, they wasted the seven years and had to run around like headless chickens trying to come up with a plan. Do they really expect us to believe this slap-dash proposal they cobbled together will be an improvement? They cant even convince fellow Republicans.

It is painfully obvious the Party of No is wholly unprepared to implement an agenda of its own.

Ken Phelps

The real disaster

For seven years, many in the GOP have called Obamacare a disaster. I always wondered what they meant. The economy has grown, unemployment is way down, the stock market is way up  so what was the disaster?

Since millions of people will lose their insurance under Trumpcare, was the disaster that too many people had insurance? That a program to improve the quality of life for Americans was enacted by Democrats? Perhaps.

But now I understand what they really meant: Obamacare taxed the wealthy to reduce the costs for those less well-off, and that is a disaster that the GOP is guaranteed to fix.

John Fehlauer

Mexico an ally?

The U.S. has been fighting the evil forces of the Taliban, al-Qaida and ISIS in the Middle East for 15 years. Fortunately, we have been assisted by our allies, which includes Britain, Canada and several armies from the NATO alliance, in this struggle of good vs. evil.

How many soldiers from Mexico have served in this struggle? How many have been killed in action?

Bill McCalister

His governing? Sad

Twitter seems an appropriate venue for a mind like Donald Trumps  small, shallow, abrupt, reactive.

A person who reads widely and deeply, who considers thoughtfully, deliberately, reflectively, who reasons from facts and evidence often requires words of more than one syllable to state a position. But a person whose world consists of me, my and mine requires no extensive vocabulary.

Such a person is vulnerable to the influence of others as long as they praise him, cheer him and adore him, whether the praise comes from a smart autocrat like Vladimir Putin, a radical zealot like Stephen Miller or a clever kingmaker like Steve Bannon. Breitbart News is Trumps source of information? God help us.

Also, Trumps pugilistic style of dominating and destroying, as if governing were a zero-sum game, is inappropriate in a democratic republic requiring good leadership, deliberative discussion and cooperation for the common good. Governing should not be a cockfight.

This nation is not an autocracy, but I suppose Trump never took a course on political theory, studied a book on the topic, or even read the Constitution. Perhaps it is time he did  or perhaps he needs a therapist.

Theresa S. Doyle

A Lynch-like talk?

Re: Sessions wont join any Russian probes, front page, March 3:

Why, oh, why didnt Attorney General Jeff Sessions explain that he and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak had a conversation about their grandchildren, as Bill Clinton claimed about his talk with Attorney General Loretta Lynch?

Roger Spencer, Fredericksburg

Wake up, America

The U.S. Constitution states freedom of the press shall not be infringed upon. Donald Trump has disrespected the press through his many lying rants and rages, in most cases without any basis or facts. I dont know if he is sick mentally, but he is showing such signs.

Trump hates the press because they expose bad behavior or policies, which he is promoting and doesnt like anyone challenging. So, like most authoritarians, he tries to label the press the enemy of the people, to weaken or control the press so he can do what he wants without exposure or restraint.

We, the people of America, Republicans or Democrats, will be the losers if we let Trump or any other politician who believes like him continue trying to weaken the press and run government in secrecy.

Americans, wake up and smell the coffee before its too late.

David Kellum
By Tom Hals

March 18 (Reuters) - Oilfield services firm Ezra Holdings Ltd of Singapore filed for U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Saturday, blaming a prolonged slump in the energy industry.

The company had been trying to restructure and said in February it faced a "going concern issue" if it did achieve a favorable outcome.

Ezra is one of several Singapore offshore and marine services firms that have been hit by a downturn in oil prices since in 2014.

The company's stock lost a fifth of its value in early March after it disclosed it had provided guarantees on nearly $900 million in liabilities and loans of Emas Chiyoda Subsea Ltd, an affiliate the also filed for U.S. bankruptcy.

"Oversupply of offshore supply vessels along with the influx of newly built vessels resulting in low competitive charter rates compounded the financial difficulties of Ezras business divisions," said Robin Chiu, the company's chief restructuring officer, in a court filing.

The company said it had unsecured loans of $272 million, owed to DBS Bank Ltd, $184 million owed to Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd and $108 million to a Singapore affiliate of HSBC Plc.

The company said in a court filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York that it had up to $1 billion in assets and up to $500 million in liabilities.

(Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; Editing by Dan Grebler)
It is St. Patrick's Day in 2017. While many of us will be out celebrating at some point on Friday, St. Patrick's Day actually makes for a significant economic contribution. And in 2017, the holiday came on Friday for extra revelry fun that might carry over for some places through the entire weekend. Some cities already had their St. Patrick's Day parades the prior weekend, but 2017 is set to be a record breaking year for St. Patty's spending.

24/7 Wall St. has decided to look at the economic impact that will be felt from St. Patrick's Day this year. Several sources have been used for the data, and each has been named if applicable. It turns out that the influx of beer buying, binge drinking, designated drives via cabs (plus Uber, Lyft and limos) and the spending on green comes with a rather large economic footprint. We have taken a view of the demographic and economic contributions of the Irish in America, what amount will be spent on beer and other items, how the Irish investment funds have done, what people are spending money on, and even which parades will be the largest.

ALSO READ: States With the Best (and Worst) Schools

First and foremost, it's important to understand that St. Patrick's Day is bigger in America than it is in Ireland or anywhere else in the world. After all, the Irish-American population is exponentially larger than the population of Ireland. The Census stats show that the worlds first St. Patricks Day parade was actually in New York City, back in 1762. The parade became an annual event back in 1948. There are 32.7 million people in America who claim Irish ancestry. That's about 10.2% of the population, and seven times the size of the Ireland.

Census data also shows that Irish-Americans are more educated than the average person in America. There are 36.2% of those claiming Irish ancestry aged 25 or older with a bachelor's degree and 94.1% have at least a high school diploma, versus 30.6% and 87.1% on average, respectively.

Story continues

And to prove income rises with education: the Census shows that the median income for households headed by an Irish-American is $64,322 versus the nation's median household income of $55,775 (2015 data). Also, only 6.5% of family households headed by a householder of Irish ancestry were in poverty versus an average rate of 10.6% for all Americans.

ALSO READ: The Best (and Worst) States for Business

The Irish-American ancestry seems to breed home ownership too. There were 68.4% of householders of Irish ancestry who owned their home versus an average rate of 63.0% for all of America, according to the Census.

According to Wallethub, there will be $5.3 billion spent on St. Patrick's Day in 2017. Their take is that 56.1% of Americans will celebrate St. Patrick's Day and that the average St. Patty's partier will drop about $38, as this is the fourth largest drinking day in America.

The National Retail Federation shows that the $5.3 billion expected to be spent on St. Patrick's Day in America will be the largest ever spent. Thanks, Friday! Their view of the average spend will be $37.92, versus $35.37 in 2016 and the prior record of $36.52 in 2015. Here is more detail from the National Retail Federation's St. Patrick's Day survey:

83% of celebrants will wear green to show their Irish pride.

31% plan to make a special dinner.

27% will head to a party at a bar or restaurant.

23% will decorate their homes or offices in an Irish theme.

15% will attend a private party.

15% plan to attend a St. Patricks Day parade (21% in the Northeast).

52% of celebrants will purchase food.

41% will purchase beverages.

28% will purchase apparel or accessories.

22% will purchase decorations.

And 14% will purchase candy.

Investing in Ireland has been rewarding in 2017 as well. The Dow was up 5.8% so far in 2017 coming into St. Patrick's Day, and here is how the data looks for the Irish ETF and closed-end fund:

ALSO READ: The Best and Worst Run States in America: A Survey of All 50

The New Ireland Fund Inc. (IRL) was at $12.88 coming into St. Patrick's Day in 2017, up some 7.66% from the $11.97 close at the end of 2016. It has $75.7 million in assets.

The iShares MSCI Ireland Capped ETF (EIRL) was at $40.44 coming into St. Patrick's Day. That's a gain of 7.8% from the closing price of $37.53 at the end of 2016. This fund counts $64.6 million in assets.

For 2017, the Boston parade suffered due to residual ice and snow from the week's snowstorm. The Boston Parade Committee and the City of Boston decided to shorten the parade route this year for public safety reasons. Fodor's lists the largest St. Patrick's Day parades, with selective data below:

New York City is the countrys largest and the world's largest St. Patricks Day parade  more than 2 million people.

Dublin, Ireland's festival runs from March 16 to March 19, and that parade attracts about 500,000.

Chicago's parade gets some 400,000 who gather along the river to see the Chicago River turn green (from just 45 pounds of dye).

Savannah, Georgia, draws more than 300,000 people each year for its parade.

As we have pondered before, it would be interesting to know if St. Patrick himself might approve or disapprove of the modern St. Patrick's Day. The day honors Bishop Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century and used the shamrock to illustrate divinity.

ALSO READ: America's Best States to Live In

Enjoy the holiday and, as always, be responsible.

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General Petr Pavel met with the Spanish Defence Minister, Mrs. Maria Dolores de Cospedal, the Chief of Defence, Admiral Fernando Garcia Sanchez and other high level military officials during his visit to Madrid, Spain on 15-16 March 2017. The Chairman thanked them for Spains continued and active commitment to NATO. The Chairman stressed how much NATO valued Spains presence in NATO Operations, Missions and Activities and appreciated the professionalism and expertise of its soldiers.

Discussions with Mrs. Maria Dolores de Cospeda centered on NATOs adaptation, current and future security challenges, defence spending and capabilities. We face threats from many directions, and we do not have the luxury to choose among them. As the Alliance adapts, I am grateful for Spains continued support and strong commitment. Spain is a valuable Ally, said the Chairman.

Taking a moment to pay his respects to those soldiers who have paid the ultimate price for peace and security, General Pavel, accompanied by Admiral Fernando Garcia Sanchez, laid a wreath at the Monument to the Fallen of Spain.

While in Spain, General Pavel visited NATOs Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) located in Torrejon. The Chairman was greeted by the Command and staff, shown the Operations room and briefed by Maj Gen Ruben Carlos Garcia Servert, the CAOC Commander on the CAOCs mission and activities.

The Chairmans meeting with Admiral Fernando Garcia Sanchez focused on Spains active involvement in NATOs Operations, Missions and Activities. Spain makes significant contributions to our shared security. Wherever NATO is present, Spain is right there. On the land, on the sea and in the air said General Pavel.

Speaking to students at the Centro Superior de Estudios de la Defensa Nacional (CESEDEN), Spains National Defence Academy, General Pavel emphasised the need for cooperation and a holistic approach to current and future challenges. The Chairman stated Our strength comes not from our military might. Our strength comes from our network of allies, partners, and like-minded friends.
sweden flag

Sweden is no stranger to topping global rankings, whether it's for excellence in raising kids, environmental friendliness, or doing good for others.

The latest: Sweden was recently named the best country in the world for women by BAV Consulting and UPenn's Wharton School of Business.

If you ask Asa Regner, Sweden's minister for gender equality, she'll say the country didn't achieve such a feat by accident. It took decades of advocating on behalf of women's rights and putting systems in place in the federal government to support women in the workplace and in life.

Regner, the minister since 2014, says a few big factors have contributed to the ongoing success.

Individual taxation

If there's a hallmark of the Nordic model of governance, it's income tax. The rates are very high. But Regner says Sweden's success with empowering women may come largely down to how people are taxed.

"A very dry and technical thing is the individual-based taxation," she tells Business Insider. Married couples in Sweden don't file joint tax returns; since 1971, they've filed separately. Regardless of whether you're single or married, individual people receive social security benefits based on their needs, she says, not their family's collective needs.

"We target individuals regardless of gender to take up paid work," Regner says. "And I think that that kind of thinking, and that we did all of that in the seventies and are still very conscious of that, creates a positive cycle that gets politicians to do things."

sweden children

Parental leave

Sweden has the most generous parental leave policy in the world. Parents get 480 days to share  paid out at 80% of their salaries  which they can use until the child turns 8. In addition, fathers get 90 of those days reserved just for them.

The policy has enabled Swedes to cultivate a work-life balance like few other countries can. Families can divide their time between the office and their home with ease, and new mothers in particular enjoy having ample time with their newborns.

Story continues

A great deal of research says this kind of setup is ideal for bringing women into the workforce.

Often, moms pay a penalty for working. They're either hired less because employers think they'll leave to have kids, or they have trouble keeping their old wages once they come back from maternity leave.

Sweden eliminates those pressures  for both parents, Regner says. Lately, one of her biggest missions has been to increase how much paternity leave dads take. In 2014, they took just 25% of the 480 days, while moms took 75%.

Regner's goal is to get the ratio closer to 50-50.

Company audits

Regner's ongoing quest is to ensure companies stick to Swedish law that mandates equal pay for equal work.

In 2008, the country signed the Swedish Discrimination Act, which requires companies of 25 or more employees to issues surveys every year analyzing pay differences between men and women. Companies with big differences between genders who don't take steps to close the gap risk paying fines.

sweden flag

This has helped to a large extent, Regner says. What's trickier is changing how work often performed by women  nursing, elderly care  is valued in society. That's the big attitudinal difference she'd like to resolve.

So far, it's involved funneling government funds to those industries where women's work is undervalued relative to men. Over time, she'd like vital areas of work to get more recognition from business leaders who pay people's salaries.

Regner also says immigration has become a new challenge. In 2015, an influx of Syrian and Afghani migrants entered the country, many of whom grew up learning different values about gender roles. Education  about women's rights, violence prevention, and the country's expectations of its citizens  all have helped so far, Regner says. But there is still a ways to go.

But while Regner and her peers debate how to level the playing field even further, many other countries are still struggling to offer basic services, such as mandatory parental leave and equal pay.

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(Natural News) There is no denying that the face of our world is changing, and at a rate that most people have trouble keeping up with. For those of us raised to believe that men are men and women are women, successfully navigating our way through society has become an overwhelmingly bewildering experience. So many subjects have the potential to be politically incorrect landmines, that even making conversation has become a difficult endeavor. Gone are the days when a successful dinner party simply meant that nobody raised the subjects of politics or religion.

And one is now just as likely to have a pretty boy covered in makeup staring back at you from the cover of a glossy magazine as it once would have been normal to have a heavily made up woman doing the same thing. The phenomenon of boys wearing makeup and teaching others how to do so has slowly and quietly been gaining steam on social media, and the fashion world has taken note. Late last year, the cosmetics giant CoverGirl chose a male as the face of its brand for the first time in the companys 60-year history. While some in the LGBT community would see James Charles, CoverGirls new cover boy, as a hero and symbol of progress, there are many, particularly parents, who are gravely concerned about the effects of a 17-year-old boy being held up as a model of normalcy to impressionable young men.

CoverGirl is by no means alone in embracing this new trend. Cosmetics powerhouse Maybelline, has adopted its own new male face of the brand in the form of Manny Mua, a young man who has proudly shared his transition from straight-laced Mormon boy to makeup wearing fashionista on social media and YouTube.

While this would once have been viewed as a disturbing trend, causing widespread controversy, particularly among conservatives, it is being accepted as the new normal. People magazine even included Mua in its annual Ones to Watch list.

Of course, these young men will be watched, by millions of young men and women across the country, and it will inevitably shape their view of the world. While some would argue that these young men should be left to enjoy using cosmetics if it pleases them, does that mean they should be paraded as examples to be looked up to, in ways that have a powerful effect on impressionable young minds?

Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, describes transgenderism and biological subjectivism as a politically correct demand that everyone agree to participate in the mental distortions of a few individuals who suffer from a psychological disconnect from their biological realities. Such ideologies stand in complete contradiction to the known science on biology and physical reality, and sadly, this mental distortion is now being thrust onto children as part of a sick, demented political agenda to appease the most lunatic fringe elements of the political spectrum.

Schools, which are entrusted with the job of molding young minds, are jumping on the bandwagon too, adding to the confusion rather than helping children to understand their biologically assigned roles. In the U.K., a state school was started in the city of Manchester just for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students. And most Americans are familiar with the gender-neutral bathroom debacle, which caused outrage across the country.

Though it may seem like progress and open-mindedness to some parents to allow their children to be indoctrinated with this thinking, the truth is that even the American College of Pediatricians has stated clearly that human sexuality is an objective biological binary trait [not a choice], and urged educators and legislators to reject all policies that condition children to accept as normal a life of chemical and surgical impersonation of the opposite sex. Facts  not ideology  determine reality.

That really is it in a nutshell: Biologically speaking, we are what we are; thats just fact. Presenting gender as a choice that has to be made by every young person is not enlightening; its just confusing.

(Photo credit: AllNewsPipeline.com)

Sources for this article include:

AllNewsPipeline.com

NYTimes.com

NaturalNews.com

TheGuardian.com

Chalcedon.edu

NYTimes.com

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What used to be a typical stream of clean water is now the talk of the town after a river in New Zealand was awarded a legal entity giving it similar rights like that of a living human being. The Whanganui River is the first river to become a 'person' in terms of rights in the whole world.

However, the latest ruling should not cause a confusion as the new legal entity basically allows the river to be represented in court. The Whanganui River now possesses its own rights, just like humans do. The decision was made after the Maori tribe lobbied for more than 160 years to give the river its rights to be represented in court.

"The reason we have taken this approach is because we consider the river an ancestor and always have," Gerrard Albert, the lead negotiator for the Whanganui tribe said in a statement.

Well, it basically means that the Whanganui River can be represented in court. It also has rights and values like we do. The tribes' people call the river Te Awa Tupua and it is known as one of the longest rivers in New Zealand.

The bill awarding rights to the river passed its third reading last Wednesday, March 15, 2017, and is called "Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Bill', according to a report.

It may sound absurd to some, but the Maori people consider the river a living entity long before it has been awarded its own rights. To them, there's a sacred spiritual connection between the tribe and the river.

"The river as a whole is absolutely important to the people who are from the river and live on the river," Adrian Rurawhe, a representative of the Maori people said in an interview with BBC. "From a Whanganui viewpoint the wellbeing of the river is directly linked to the wellbeing of the people and so it is really important that's recognized as its own identity."

A court case involving the Whanganui River has already earned money to keep the river healthy. This, in turn, is also expected to help the Maori people enjoy a more comfortable way of life.
China is planning to build a sprawling national park 60 percent bigger than Yellowstone National Park, meant to be a much-needed sanctuary to highly-endangered cats Siberian tiger and Amur leopard.

According to a report from Xinhua News, the park will stretch 14,600 square kilometers in the northeastern provinces of Jilin and Heilongjiang, bordering Primorsky in Russia.

Wildlife in this region have suffered following excessive logging back in the 1950s. In particular, the population of Siberian tigers plummeted to near extinction with a field survey finding only 6 to 9 individual tigers left in the area in 1998. Efforts to save the species helped nurse the population back with the current population now reaching about 27 Siberian tigers in Jilin.

Meanwhile, Amur leopards in the wild dwindled to as low as 30 individual creatures left in the wild in 2007. Due to conservation efforts, the number more than doubled by 2015, according to a report from World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Lack of space remain one of the problems holding back the growth of the numbers of tigers and leopards, so the national park is important to help keep the endangered cats thriving.

WWF Beijing Species Program Director Fan Zhiyong explained that the project will not only link the different wildlife protection areas in the region, but it will also pave the way for more comprehensive China-Russia cooperation in wildlife protection.

Aside from helping the endangered tigers and leopards grow in number, Fan added that the park will be also be significant in protecting the biodiversity in the northern temperate zone. Along with a monitoring and rescue center, there will be scientific and research facilities within the park as well.

Preliminary work is expected to begin by the end of 2017, while a comprehensive plan and pilot for the national park will be implemented by 2020.
Who would have thought that little spiders could be ravenous?

A new study has revealed that spiders eat 400 to 800 million tons of prey every year. That is double the total weight of meat that humans consume each year and exceeds the appetite of larger mammals like whales.

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that humans on Earth consume about 400 million tonnes of meat and fish each year, New Scientist notes.



According to the study published in the journal The Science of Nature, the total amount of food was calculated by calculating the total number of spiders in the world, in terms of biomass and then multiplying it to a spiders' food requirements per unit of body weight. They also took note of the prey census data from previous field studies in their calculations.



As noted by Science Alert, there are about 25 million tonnes of spiders on Earth right now; some of which gather around forests, croplands and grasslands. But the majority, about 95 percent of the annual spider prey kill, live in grasslands.



Spiders primarily feed on insects. According to the researchers, most of the spiders considered in the study prey on insects and springtails (Collembola), while in some cases they feed on frogs, lizards, snakes, fish, birds, bats and plants.

The researchers highlighted while the global population of 25 million tonnes of spiders certainly appears big, spiders are integral part of the ecosystem.

"Our calculations let us quantify for the first time on a global scale that spiders are major natural enemies of insects. In concert with other insectivorous animals such as ants and birds, they help to reduce the population densities of insects significantly," Martin Nyffeler from the University of Basel, lead author of the study said in a press release obtained by Phys.org. "Spiders thus make an essential contribution to maintaining the ecological balance of nature," he added.
Here's another warning for people who cannot keep their headphones off their ears during flights.

Early this week, a woman suffered from burns on her face and neck after her headphones exploded midflight, from Beijing to Melbourne.

Photos of the woman, whose identity was not revealed, circulated online. The photos showed her injuries, including blisters and burn marks, prompting safety warning for passengers using battery-powered devices in aircrafts.

Unimpressed by the Xport Safety Bureau not releasing name of headset & battery that exploded on a China-Aus flight https://t.co/lVsOuJ0PHd pic.twitter.com/29RLKaQB18  Chris Griffith (@chris_griffith) March 15, 2017

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau released a statement about the incident, including accounts from the woman.

"I continued to feel burning so I grabbed them off and threw them on the floor. They were sparking and had small amounts of fire," said the woman who was woken up by the loud explosion of her headphones, two hours after the airplane's departure.

"As I went to stamp my foot on them the flight attendants were already there with a bucket of water to pour on them. They put them into the bucket at the rear of the plane," she added.

The Independent cited that the passengers had to endure smell of melted plastic and burnt hair for remainder of the flight.

The Australian reached out to the transport agency to inquire whether it is the fault of the brand of the headphones. However, the agency said it is likely that the batteries inside the headphones had caught fire, rather than the headphones themselves. No further investigations will be carried out, rather the episode should be served as a reminder of the hazards of batteries in an aircraft.

CNN meanwhile reported that a day before the incident happened, an Airbus A320 that took off from China had an emergency landing in Nagoya, Japan, after a portable power pack allegedly started a fire inside an overhead locker.

For the safety of everyone, batteries should be kept in an approved stowage, unless in use while other batteries must be in your carry-on baggage and not in the check-in baggage.
From being a highly regarded top executive of South Korea, former President Park Geun-Hye is now being ridiculed. Not only due to the allegations that led to her ouster, but also because she reportedly abandoned her dogs after the impeachment.

Park used to care for nine dogs at her presidential residence. However, she allegedly left her canine fleet after her impeachment. An animal rights group formally filed a complaint against Park Geun-Hye, citing a grave violation of the Animal Protection Law of South Korea.

"Leaving behind nine Jindo dogs, a human returned home alone," People's Party Chairman Park Jie-won, said in a statement. "Some people cannot hold a candle to dogs in regards to fidelity."

Reports of Park Guen-Hye's abandonment of her dogs surfaced when one Cheong Wa Dae official revealed that the former leader did not take all her dogs with her when she left. Meanwhile, volunteers are now in custody of the dogs providing for their needs until all of the nine dogs found their forever homes.

Another animal rights group Care said it is willing to look after the dogs until they find new families. "If her pets are sent to animal shelters, this will cause another problem," the group said in a release.

They dogs, known as Jindo dog family were once regarded as the "First Dogs". The former president was affectionate to the dogs including Hope and Saerom Jindo dogs were given to her last 2013, according to a report. The dogs then had litters, which Park named Peace, Unification, Geumgang, Halla and Baekdu.

Jindo dog is an indigenous hunting dog breed from Korea. Unlike their owner, this type of dogs is known for their "unmatched loyalty". For the nine abandoned dogs, they are now up for adoption to find another loving home.

The former president also pronounced herself as an animal lover, something animal rights activists in South Korea highly doubt today.
The Mexican government has signed an agreement with a private organization to provide thousands of jobs for repatriated citizens as the United States moves to boost deportations of immigrants in that country illegally.

Interior Secretary Miguel Angel Osorio Chong says 22 associations that make up the organization known as ASUME will work to offer as many as 50,000 jobs. The initiative aims to take advantage of the skills and knowledge of deportees.

Osorio Chong says he rejects U.S. policies targeting Mexican migrants, but his country is prepared to receive those who return.

He said Thursday that 2.5 million Mexicans have been deported back home in the last eight years, during the administration of then-U.S. President Barack Obama. President Donald Trump has promised to implement even more aggressive migration-enforcement policies.
The developer behind several Del Dios-area homes recently evacuated due to the earth beneath them sinking, told NBC 7 on Friday that an investigation into the matter is underway.

Rancho Cielo Estates (RCE) does not have any comment to provide at this time, said Peter Fagrell, president of Rancho Cielo Estates, Ltd., in an email statement. We are aware of the situation, and investigations are presently underway to determine the extent of the problem and the source of the issue. Until such investigations are completed, RCE does not have a statement or position on this matter.

NBC 7's Elena Gomez is outside of the Cielo neighborhood in Rancho Santa Fe with more.

Recently, three homes in the upscale Cielo development near Rancho Santa Fe were evacuated after the earth beneath them began to move. The homes, built by Taylor Morrison, stand on steep hills high above Lake Hodges and  as the developments Spanish-influenced name suggests  offer magnificent views of the skies.

In the 18000 block of Avenida Apice, residents were evacuated from their homes due to cracked sidewalks and pavement near their properties. Many said the cracks showed up in the past two weeks. The properties  built just 18 months ago  are worth millions of dollars.

San Diego geologist Dr. Pat Abbott said the shifting of the earth beneath the homes may be due to an arcuate failure or pull away service where this mass of earth is being pulled by gravity down slope.

Abbott said that although these kinds of slides are slow-moving, they can still be dangerous and, ultimately, destroy homes.

"If it cracks a natural gas line, you can asphyxiate, Abbott said.

Rancho Santa Fe fire inspectors examined the damage to the three homes in the Cielo development and homeowners were told to move out.

Abbott said the hills on which the homes stand are, in his words, equilibrium situations.

Gravity is trying to pull them down all the time; that equilibrium can be upset by that development of just by heavy rains like we've had, he explained.

While Rancho Cielo Estates, Ltd., said an investigation has been launched, the cause of the sinking has not yet been identified.

Earlier this week, San Diego County Works Department spokesman Mike Workman said county crews would be inspecting the properties for damage.

On Tuesday, county inspectors posted "Restricted Use" notices on three homes in the development.

As NBC 7s Dave Summers reports, the development named Cielo for its magnificant views includes million-dollar mansions built on steep hilltops.

Residents were allowed to enter and exit the homes, but are not allowed to live there until the "Restricted Use" is lifted. In order for this to happen, Workman said the county requires permits and inspections for remediation improvements conducted by the builder.

The builder, Taylor Morrison, told NBC 7 the problem with the homes is not a builder issue, but rather an issue stemming from the master plan designed by Rancho Cielo Estates.

Taylor Morrison released this statement:

"Taylor Morrison recently discovered soils movement on three specific homesites located on Avenida Apice in our Estancia at Cielo community. The Taylor Morrison homesites in Estancia at Cielo were purchased from Rancho Cielo Estates, the masterplan developer, and form part of a larger masterplan community, Cielo Rancho Santa Fe. As soon as we determined that the soils movement at the homesites could pose a safety issue, we took steps to provide the affected homeowners with relocation assistance and we notified the local Homeowners Association. Together with our outside experts, we are continuing to actively investigate the causes and scope of the issue and currently believe that the condition of the affected homes is not related to any element of their construction."

Taylor Morrison said its company bought finished homesites directly from Rancho Cielo Estates. As the masterplan developer, Taylor Morrison said Rancho Cielo Estates is "responsible for designing, preparing and finishing the sites for ultimate construction. This includes the masterplan developer, Rancho Cielo Estates, obtaining county approval for the site prior to sale, upon which ultimate purchasers, such as Taylor Morrison, would have relied."
A calf from a critically endangered species of porpoise was found dead in the waters off Baja California, according to Sea Shepherd, the organization known for battling illegal fishing and poaching in the oceans.

The body of the vaquita, believed to be a newborn, was found floating in the Gulf of California just south of San Felipe on Sunday, March 12.

Locals gave the crews of the Sea Shepherd vessels photos of a second, adult vaquita they said was found nearby. The adult vaquita was not located.

The calf's body was turned over to Mexican authorities to determine a cause of death, the organization said.

More than half of the population has been lost in the last three years, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

Now, with only 30 vaquita porpoises left in the world, Rep. Todd Gloria (D-78th District) has introduced a bill in California to help save the rare sea mammal from extinction. The bill would make it illegal to possess or sell fish products caught in the northern Gulf of California with a gillnet.

More often than not vaquitas get entangled in nets meant for a fish known as the totoaba, which inhabits the same territory. The vaquitas are unable to surface to breathe and drown as a result.

The gillnets have led to a 90 percent decline in the vaquitas' numbers over the last five years, according a study by an international committee of experts.

In 2016, 31 illegal fishing nets for the totoaba were pulled from the Gulf of California.

Mexico has temporarily banned the use of gillnets for fishing of shrimp and other sea creatures in an effort to protect the vaquita.

However, there is a loophole that allows for the use of gillnets for fishing of Gulf corvina, a practice used to capture the totoaba fish.

Considered "aquatic cocaine," the fishing for totoaba is highly lucrative. Sea Shepherd estimates the fish is worth $20,000 per kilo.

On Tuesday, March 14, the crews of Sea Shepherd vessels discovered a net with 66 dead totoaba. Operation Milagro campaign leader Capt. Oona Layolle said the crew has never seen that many dead totoaba in one net.
While speaking at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill on Thursday, State Senate Pro Tem Kevin de Leon conceded that his Sanctuary State bill wouldnt provide the absolute protections many immigrant advocates want  but he said its a crucial step in taking a stand against the Trump administration.

I think the term sanctuary city is a bit of a misnomer, because I dont think it really exists, de Leon, D-Los Angeles, said to a crowd of about 60 people. When you say sanctuary city or sanctuary state it gives you the impression that theres an invisible force shield, that if you get underneath the invisible force shield, somehow, someway, youll be protected. But the reality is this: If youre undocumented, (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents can take you and pick you up.

Instead, he said, SB 54 would prevent California tax dollars from being used as a cog in the Trump deportation machine by restricting local and state agencies from cooperating with ICE, with a few exceptions for task forces.

For deportations to succeed, you need to commandeer the local law enforcement agencies, de Leon told listeners, when asked about the bills effectiveness.

The state's Democratic leaders have been pushing for legislation to protect immigrants since the 2016 election, during which President Donald Trump rode a wave of anti-immigrant rhetoric to victory. Since January, Trump's flurry of executive orders  from threatening to cut federal funding for sanctuary cities to his twice-blocked travel ban  created the need for "urgency bill," de Leon said.

Officially titled the California Values Act, the polarizing piece of legislation passed its first major hurdle on a party-line vote last Monday and is now headed to the full Senate for approval. It is arguably the states strongest rebuke of the Trump administration thus far.

Predictably, it has not been well-received among the state's conservatives and law enforcement agencies.

"If SB 54 passes, it will allow dangerous, violent career criminals to slip through the cracks and be released back into our communities," Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones told reporters last week.

Detractors also argued that it would bar county sheriffs from leasing jail space to federal immigration officials, a controversial yet lucrative contract in Contra Costa County that helps the sheriffs department rake in about $3 million annually.

de Leons visit comes nearly two months after the Contra Costa Community College Board passed its version of a sanctuary campus policy, while a spate of sanctuary resolutions are popping up on city council agendas each week.

The day before de Leons appearance, Martinez passed a resolution of its own. Next week, grassroots advocates are set to attend the Pleasant Hill City Council meeting to urge the council there to do the same. But efforts havent been universally successful: After a contentious council meeting, Dublin leaders made it clear that no similar resolution would pass under their purview.

When asked if passing largely symbolic resolutions is worth the effort, de Leon told a listener that it was.

Here in California, we celebrate diversity, de Leon said. We dont deport it, we dont ban it, and we dont wall it off...were all in this together.
It sounds like an idea that would warm a conservative Republican's heart: Kill funding of a regional environmental cleanup that has lasted seven years and cost the federal government more than $2 billion, with no end in sight. If states want to keep the program going, let them pick up the tab.

That is what President Donald Trump's 2018 budget plan proposes for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, an ambitious push to fix problems that have long bedeviled the world's largest surface freshwater system  from invasive species to algal blooms and toxic sludge fouling tributary rivers.

During the Obama administration, the program generally got about $300 million a year. Trump's offer is zero. His spending plan released Thursday says it "returns the responsibility for funding local environmental efforts and programs to state and local entities, allowing EPA to focus on its highest national priorities."

The response from Republicans in Great Lakes states: No, thanks.

"I think it makes sense for us to continue to make prudent investments in protecting and improving the Great Lakes," Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker told The Associated Press, adding that he would lobby the Trump administration and congressional leaders to put the money back.

Gov. Rick Snyder of Michigan considers Great Lakes funding "very important to Michiganders, therefore we know there is strong support among Michigan's congressional delegation and we will work with them to preserve the funding," spokeswoman Anna Heaton said.

GOP lawmakers from the region also rushed out statements defending the program. It "helps protect both our environment and our economy," U.S. Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio said.

The reaction illustrates a political fact of life: Whether you consider something in the budget valuable or wasteful can depend a lot on where you're from.

And it underscores the resistance Trump may encounter to some spending cuts he is proposing for the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Interior and other agencies that draw frequent attacks from congressional Republicans yet fund projects and services with support back home.

The president's spending blueprint also targets a Chesapeake Bay cleanup begun in 1983 that received $73 million last year, plus other "geographic programs." It doesn't identify them, but a proposal by the Office of Management and Budget this month called for cutting all or most funding for San Francisco Bay, Puget Sound and the Gulf of Mexico.

Asked for more details, EPA released a statement saying the plan "reflects the president's priorities" and that Administrator Scott Pruitt "is committed to leading the EPA in a more effective, more focused, less costly way as we partner with states to fulfill the agency's core mission."

The Great Lakes region includes swing states crucial to Trump's election  Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin. There's also New York, Minnesota and Illinois. And Indiana, whose former governor, Mike Pence, is now Trump's vice president.

Coincidentally, the budget plan was released as about 100 Great Lakes advocates paid a yearly visit to Washington, D.C., in support of the restoration initiative. They flocked to the offices of home-state lawmakers, reminding them that Congress voted only last year to extend the program another five years.

"We are going to turn once again to our bipartisan congressional champions," said Todd Ambs, director of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.

While Democratic lawmakers excoriated Trump's proposal  "incredibly short-sighted and reckless," said Rep. Dan Kildee of Michigan  Republicans noted that former President Barack Obama at times recommended more modest reductions to the initiative, which Congress rejected.

Some also pointed out that former President George W. Bush signed initial legislation authorizing a wide-ranging Great Lakes cleanup, although he sought little money for it.

The initiative has funded nearly 3,000 projects across the eight states. Among them: efforts to prevent Asian carp from invading the lakes, prevent nutrient runoff that feeds harmful algal blooms, rebuild wetlands where fish spawn and remove sediments laced with PCBs and other toxins.

Nearly all the federal grants require cost-share payments from a state, local or tribal agency, or perhaps a nonprofit organization. But Ambs said they can't afford to shoulder the burden alone.

Without federal support, "all of this restoration work would come to a halt," he said.
Connecticut State Police seized hundreds of bags of heroin and arrested two men while responding to an accident on Route 9 in Chester early Saturday morning.

Police said around 5:30 a.m. they responded to a crash on Route 9 south near exit 6 but when officers arrived, no one was inside the vehicle.

A short time later two men identified as the occupants of the car were found on Route 148 in Chester. Neither reported an injuries. Hector Burgos, 24, of Hartford, who had been a passenger in the car, was found with 240 bags of heroin and $645 in cash on him.

Burgos was arrested and charged with illegal possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, interfering with an officer and second-degree threatening. He was held on a $75,000 bond and is expected to appear in court on Monday.

The driver of the car, identified as Eddie Crespo, 26, of West Hartford, was also arrested and charged with evading responsibility, interfering with an officer, operating a motor vehicle under suspension, failure to carry minimum insurance requirements, improper use of marker and failure to maintain proper lane. He was held on a $50,000 bond and is expected to appear in court on Monday.
For Alyson Cunningham of West Hartford, a residency assignment isnt the only match shell leave with from the Frank H. Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University.

We met in class, we were good friends, Cunningham said. We were studying together and we just became a big part of each others lives.

Cunningham met her fiance Venkat Subramanyam during their second semester at Quinnipiac and Friday morning they were hoping to be placed in the same city as part of the National Resident Matching Program.

In the application process you indicate youre matching with another significant other, Subramanyam said. So we were fortunate to have interviews at a lot of the same places.

As the nearly 60 medical students from the inaugural class at the Netter School of Medicine learned where theyre going, Cunningham and Subramanyam opened each others envelopes.

Just relief and excitement all mixed together, Cunningham said.

Its all kind of a blur now, Subramanyam said.

Both found out they are staying in state for their residencies at the University of Connecticut. Shes in the general surgery program and hes in emergency medicine.

Looking forward to being able to serve Connecticut and the greater Hartford community, Subramanyam said.

The couple was joined by both their families on this special day.

I have no words to express my happiness, its the best day a parent can ask for, they worked hard for it, said Venkats mom Anu Subramanyam.

The celebration continues with their engagement party on Satudray, where they can look forward to the next chapter of their lives and reflect on the one coming to a close.

I think just having a partner that you find to be able to go through school with and the rest of your life with really made it a lot easier on both of us, Subramanyam said. So were really fortunate.
Officials from eight coastal communities in Connecticut are being urged to quickly complete work on Superstorm Sandy-related infrastructure upgrades because further delay could result in a loss of federal funding for the projects.

In a letter sent Thursday, state Housing Commissioner Evonne M. Klein said 12 municipalities received money under the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program.

Eight are considered "behind schedule," facing looming 2017 and 2018 deadlines.

Klein said six of those communities have not yet begun using some of their grants, which are supposed to pay for repairs to infrastructure damaged by the 2013 storm and planning for future storms.

The list includes Fairfield, Milford, New Haven, New London, Stonington and West Haven.

Following are the projects:

Fairfield projects are worth a combined $374,500

Pine Creek Dike Expansion: $300,000. Expiration deadline: March 17, 2018

W.P.C.F. Outfall Pipe: $74,500. Expiration deadline: Sept. 6, 2018

Milford: Projects are worth a combined $3,053,980

Gulf Beach Breakwater Reconstruction: $503,500. Expiration deadline: Jan. 29, 2018

Morningside Revetment Reconstruction: $1,180,480. Expiration deadline: Jan. 29, 2018

Essential Generators: $195,000. Expiration deadline: Feb. 18, 2018

Crescent Beach Study: $225,000, Expiration deadline: Feb. 24, 2018

Gulf Street and Welch's Point Road Study: $275,000. Expiration deadline: Feb. 24, 2018

Walnut and Wildemere Beach Study: $525,000. Expiration deadline: March 1, 2018

Pelham Street Planning and Design: $150,000, Expiration deadline: March 8, 2018

New Haven: Projects are worth a combined $5.9 million.

East Shore Erosion Control: $1.9 million. Expiration deadline: Sept. 30, 2017

Union Avenue Mitigation and Resiliency: $4 million. Expiration deadline: Sept. 30, 2017

New London: Projects are worth a combined $1,600,875

Shaw's Cove Pump Station: $120,000. Expiration deadline: March 30, 2018

Drainage Improvements: $1,480,875. Expiration deadline: Oct. 27. 30, 2018

Stonington

Town of Stonington Coastal Resilience Plan: $150,000. Expiration deadline: March 1, 2018

West Haven: Projects are worth a combined $3,653,000.

Resiliency Plan and Wastewater Treatment Facility Outfall $278,000. Expiration deadline: Aug. 25, 2018

Beach Street and 1st Avenue Reconstruction: $1.2 million. Expiration deadline: Sept. 30, 2017

Old Field Creek Dredging: $525,000. Expiration deadline: Sept. 30, 2017

Beach Street and First Avenue Reconstruction: $1,650,000. Expiration deadline: Sept. 30, 2017

Connecticut received $159 million to help homeowners and municipalities with repairs.

Several communities have only spent a portion of the awarded funding.
The road to recovery will be a long and difficult one for the communities in the Texas panhandle affected by devastating wildfires, which have killed multiple people and scorched more than a half million acres.

But out of the ashes, the kindness of strangers shines through.

"It's Texas, it's what we do," said Mike Tidwell, who lives in Azle. "We see people that are hurting and in need, so we do what we can to help them out. And they're hurting bad."

Tidwell fell in love with farming from an early age, so when he saw the images and video of the panhandle covered in flames and smoke, he felt compelled to do something.

He found a Facebook group where truck owners from across the state are able to connect and plan trips up to the panhandle, so they can deliver much needed supplies like cattle feed and fencing.

Many of the drivers have used vacation days to make runs. Others, like Tidwell, volunteer their time during the weekends.

"It's kind of turned into a pretty neat thing," said Tidwell. "There's a lot of guys like me that have trucks, trailers. It just seems wrong to sit at home, see it unfold, and not do something about it."

Tidwell hopes others will want to lend a helping hand.

Both the Texas Farm Bureau and the Texas Department of Agriculture have created relief funds where anyone can make donations online.

MORE: Texas Farm Bureau | Texas Department of Agriculture
Dallas officials believe progress has been made in a 911 crisis that is tied to two deaths in the past two weeks, but the test of improvements comes Saturday night.

The city still blames T-Mobile equipment for swamping Dallas 911 with calls that force people facing emergencies to wait on hold. Compared to the usual 2,800 calls between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. on busy days, 4,802 calls from all providers were received on March 6, and 5,352 calls received on March 11.

But the call spike began in September.

"What I'm upset about is, between T-Mobile and city management, we didn't move fast enough to get to the heart of it," said Mayor Mike Rawlings. "Whether it was the pitcher who was pitching too fast or the catcher couldn't catch the ball, still the ball was dropped, and we've got to move on and make sure it doesn't get dropped."

T-Mobile experts arrived in Dallas Wednesday, and they have been working with city officials around the clock to identify problems and possible solutions.

Since then, the mayor said improvements have been made in T-Mobile technology to reduce excess calls, in city capability to receive incoming calls and in the number of call takers on duty to answer calls.

"We can never let it be understaffed at 911, and I think over the years we have been," Rawlings said.

The recurring problem of too few 911 call takers was a factor again in this situation, according Rawlings.

"I believe it was," he said. "I looked at it in 2012 closely and asked for us to staff this up."

On July 4, 2012, a home burned to the ground around the corner from a Dallas Fire-Rescue station as many neighbors said they tried to call 911 to report it. Officials said 44 calls were placed on hold in that incident.

In another incident, Deanna Cook was killed by her husband Aug. 17, 2012, as she called 911 for help. The first officer to reach the scene arrived 50 minutes after the initial call. The operator who took that call was fired for failing to send help quickly. That operator complained about stress and a short staff of call takers.

Roxanna Mayo was left paralyzed from the chest down after a shooting by her boyfriend in January 2015. The woman said she or her family members made five unsuccessful calls to 911 for help before the shooting.

The May 2016 dog mauling death of U.S. Army veteran Antoinette Brown came after repeated calls to the city of Dallas from neighbors about stray dogs in the neighborhood near Fair Park. Due to a lack of communication with police it was several days after the attack before Dallas Animal Services officers seized the dogs.

"This is the same issue we had with dogs. To be a smart city, we've got to invest in technology," Rawlings said.

Officials said Friday significant 911 technology investments are being considered. But in a conference call Friday afternoon, officials said the city's current 911 equipment is not outdated.

The test of the new improvements in equipment and staffing will come with peak call volume Saturday.

And long term, Rawlings said he expects new City Manager T.C. Broadnax, who started in his new role on Feb. 1, to fix the 911 situation for good.

"We have a new sheriff in town," Rawlings said. "I think the culture of City Hall is going to change. I think there's going to be a greater sense of urgency, a greater deal of accountability, to be able to deal with these issues."

Last Saturday, six-month-old Brandon Alex died after his babysitter who had no car tried to reach 911 for nearly an hour. She gave the child CPR during that time and the boy's mother, Bridget Alex, rushed him to the hospital as soon as she returned arrived from attending a family funeral.

On March 6, 52-year-old Brian Cross died after his husband waited 20 minutes on hold with 911. The call dropped out and he called back again.

The city has not accepted blame for the deaths but has offered sympathy. Rawlings said fixing the situation is the city' number-one priority.
A bill introduced in the Texas House could require schools to teach students positive character traits like honesty, kindness and school pride.

House Bill 729 was introduced by Republican Rep. Dwayne Bohac of Houston. Bohac said half of Texas' school districts already have some sort of character program.

The Texas Education Agency and Legislative Budget Board told the Austin American-Statesman the price tag for school districts and public charter schools statewide would be an estimated $25 million for the next school year and $4 million the following year. The money would go to training teachers and implementing the program.

Bohac believes teaching positive character traits will help attendance and academic achievement go up, while bringing down disciplinary and behavioral problems.

"The science of why children succeed tells us that it's parent engagement and character skills that matter the most, Bohac told the Statesman.

Bohac believe parents have the most important role in character development, but schools must be involved too.

Teaching positive character traits is already required by the Texas Education Code, but Bohac's bill would integrate it into the state curriculum. School districts would then have to report the program's impact on student absences, academics and disciplinary problems to the TEA each year.

More: Austin Statesman
(Recasts, adds quotes, details)

By Yeganeh Torbati and Ben Blanchard

BEIJING, March 18 (Reuters) - The United States and China will work together to get nuclear-armed North Korea take "a different course", U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Saturday, softening previous criticism of Beijing after talks with his Chinese counterpart.

China has been irritated at being repeatedly told by Washington to rein in North Korea's surging nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, one of a series of hurdles in ties between the world's two largest economies.

But Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described the talks with Tillerson as "candid, pragmatic and productive". The two sides appeared to have made some progress or put aside differences on difficult issues, at least in advance of a planned summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump.

On Friday, Tillerson issued the Trump administration's starkest warning yet to North Korea, saying in Seoul that a military response would be "on the table" if Pyongyang took action to threaten South Korean and U.S. forces.

Tillerson took a softer line after the meeting with Wang. He told reporters both China and the United States noted efforts over the last two decades had not succeeded in curbing the threat posed by North Korea's weapons programmes.

"We share a common view and a sense that tensions on the peninsula are quite high right now and that things have reached a rather dangerous level, and we've committed ourselves to doing everything we can to prevent any type of conflict from breaking out," Tillerson said.

He said Wang and he agreed to work together to persuade North Korea "make a course correction and move away from the development of their nuclear weapons."

Wang said U.N. resolutions on North Korea both mapped out sanctions and called for efforts to resume efforts for a negotiated settlement.

"No matter what happens, we have to stay committed to diplomatic means as a way to seek peaceful settlement," he said.

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Wang said he and Tillerson "both hope to find ways to restart the talks".

"Neither of us are ready to give up the hope for peace," he said.

Tillerson had said on Friday that any talks on North Korea could only take place after it began the process of unwinding its weapons programmes.

A U.S. official had told Reuters in Washington earlier this week that Tillerson may raise the prospect of imposing "secondary sanctions" on Chinese banks and other firms doing business with North Korea in defiance of U.N. sanctions.

Trump said in a tweet on Friday that North Korea was "behaving very badly" and accused China, Pyongyang's neighbour and only major ally, of doing little to resolve the crisis.

XI-TRUMP SUMMIT

However, the two sides appear to have toned down differences as they work on finalising a trip by Xi to the United States, possibly next month, for his first summit with Trump.

Wang said the two countries were in "close communication" on arranging the meeting, but gave no details.

The state-run Chinese tabloid the Global Times said on Saturday that it was in China's interests to stop North Korea's nuclear ambitions but to suggest China cut the country off completely was ridiculous as it would be fraught with danger.

"Once there is chaos in North Korea, it would first bring disaster to China. I'm sorry, but the United States and South Korea don't have the right to demand this of China," it said in an editorial.

A former oil executive with no prior diplomatic experience, Tillerson will meet Xi on Sunday.

North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and a series of missile launches since the beginning of last year.

Last week, it launched four more ballistic missiles and is working to develop nuclear-tipped missiles that can reach the United States.

Washington has been pressing Beijing to do more to stop North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes.

China has called for a dual track approach, urging North Korea to suspend its tests and the United States and South Korea to suspend military drills, so both sides can return to talks.

China has also been infuriated by the deployment of the THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, missile defence system in South Korea, which it says will both harm China's own security and do nothing to ease tensions.

China says the system's powerful radar will extend into the country's northeast and potentially track Chinese missile launches, and maybe even intercept them. Russia also opposes THAAD, for the same reasons.

There are other tricky issues too, including the self-ruled island of Taiwan which China claims as its own.

The Trump administration is crafting a big new arms package for Taiwan that could include advanced rocket systems and anti-ship missiles to defend against China, U.S. officials said, a deal sure to anger Beijing.

Wang said Saturday's talks included discussions on THAAD and Taiwan but did not give details.

(Additional reporting by Elias Glenn; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
In just two years on the job, an Orange County deputy has found permanent homes for dozens of the homeless, even reuniting some with their families.



His official title is homeless liaison. But Deputy Chet Parker has proved to be so much more, doing whatever he can to help people living on the streets of Lake Forest.



Whether it's a bed to sleep on or a trip to the doctor's office, Parker is always on the beat.



When Parker was first assigned to work with the homeless, he didn't think it was the job for him. He was wrong.



"Helping these guys is an obsession," he said.



In just two years as homeless liaison, he has been able to get 49 people off the streets of Lake Forest.



He does the job to help people like Ernie Sio, who was homeless for six months, but now has a job doing construction.



"He's not just a sheriff with a badge, he's a good man," he said.



Even as he's patrolling the streets, checking on his people, he's working the phone, trying to find a bed for someone just coming out of detox or helping a homeless Vietnam War veteran who is living out of his car.



"He came knocking on my window," said Luis. "I thought, 'Oh man, the cops are here!'"



Parker has been a guardian angel, helping him claim disability benefits.



"They deserve every single penny they get and I'll go to the ends of the Earth for them," he said. "He'll say what do you need and he'll go into his book."



The book is filled with gift cards for food and companies that offer free services for a local laundromat and a hair salon that gives free cuts.



"When I hear back from someone I've helped get of the street," he said. "It's a good feeling."
A San Bernardino man accused of shooting an Army veteran who had just returned home from Afghanistan was found not guilty of attempted murder.

The 2011 shooting took place at a party celebrating Army Specialist Christopher Sullivan's return from Afghanistan.

Family members say he was attempting to break up an argument between his younger siblings and Ruben Ray Jurado, 25, when he was shot.

At the time, Sullivan was still recovering from injuries sustained in a roadside bomb attack in Afghanistan.

"He served our country. He carries a purple heart and he doesn't deserve what happened to him," said his mother Suzanne Sullivan.

The shooting left Sullivan a quadriplegic. His family said he lives in constant pain and can't take care of himself.

Family members said Sullivan is despondent over the verdict and told them Friday that he wants to stop treatment.
Ranika Hall traveled to South Florida from her Missouri home to have a popular cosmetic surgery procedure.

She told her family she wanted to get what's known as the Brazilian Butt Lift because she wasn't happy with what her recent pregnancy did to her body.

She left her 1-year old daughter in the care of her mother, Nicole Hall.

"I tried to talk her out of it. I really did," Hall said. "Her sisters and her brothers tried to talk her out of it."

Ranika Hall, 25, scheduled her procedure at Hialeah's Eres Plastic Surgery.

Thursday just before 9 p.m., paramedics were called to the center at 1738 W. 49th St. in Hialeah for a female patient who had lost consciousness and was not breathing, according to Hialeah Police.

Ranika Hall was taken to the hospital where she was declared dead an hour later.

"Unbelievable like it's not true," Hall said about her daughter's death. "It's hard for me to grasp a hold of it."

The family says they can't afford to come to town and are arranging to bring her body home from there. Hall also wants to know why her daughter died.

"I know it's supposed to be a common procedure," Hall said. "I'm looking for answers."

Eres Plastic Surgery says it's investigating the death.

The center's attorney released a statement that reads, "Dr. Daniel Calva and Eres Plastic Surgery express their deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of our patient who had recently undergone a cosmetic procedure at our center on Thursday evening. Dr. Daniel Calva and Eres Plastic Surgery are deeply saddened by what has occurred and offter their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Dr. Calva is a highly skilled and caring surgeon that is dedicated to providing the highest level of care to his patients."

The Hialeah surgery center is the same location where Heather Meadows, 29, died in May 2016. Meadows also had the Brazilian Butt Lift procedure.

When Meadows died, the facility was known as Encore Plastic Surgery and had a different owner. The location has been a plastic surgery center for at least a decade but has changed names three times and owners multiple times in those 10 years.

The NBC 6 Investigators have uncovered the deaths of 11 women after plastic surgery since 2010. Most of those deaths involved Brazilian Butt Lifts. Centers are required to report the deaths to the state, but there is no easy way for the public to find out if a death has happened at a facility.

The NBC 6 Investigations sparked a worldwide study into the procedure. Doctors with the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation formed a task force and did a voluntary survey of doctors around the world. The survey found that a patient is 20 times more likely to die of a Brazilian Butt Lift than any other cosmetic surgery procedure.

In what's commonly known as a BBL, fat is taken from a person's stomach or back and injected into their backside to make it more plump and full.

When there is a death it's caused by what's known as a fat embolism where fat enters the blood stream and is sent to the lungs and a patient can stop breathing.

Hialeah Police, state health officials and the plastic surgery center all report they are investigating the death.
Prosecutors in Florida have found no evidence of a crime in the death of a prison inmate left for nearly two hours in a hot shower, concluding that he died accidentally in part because of undiagnosed heart disease and suffered no burn injuries.

The memo released Friday by the office of Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle ends a lengthy criminal probe into the 2012 death of 50-year-old Darren Rainey, a mentally troubled man serving a two-year sentence on a cocaine charge.

An attorney for Rainey's family, Milton Grimes of Los Angeles, said in a statement that the family is ``disappointed and heartbroken'' no charges will be brought.

``This is not justice for Darren, for his family, nor for the mentally ill who have been subject to similar abuse and mistreatment,'' Grimes said.

The investigation found no evidence that officers at the Dade Correctional Institution regularly used the hot shower to punish or torture inmates, as some of them claimed after Rainey's death. Assistant State Attorneys Kathleen Hoague and Johnette Hardiman said in the 72-page memo that one inmate's assertions that Rainey was screaming for help and had been scalded to death were unfounded.

``The evidence fails to show that any correctional officer acted in reckless disregard of Rainey's life,'' they wrote.

Rainey was taken to the shower on June 23, 2012, after he had smeared feces on himself, the walls of his cell and his bedsheets. The shower, which was operated from an adjoining room by a corrections officer to prevent inmates from turning it off, was activated but Rainey refused to stand under the water, according to the memo.

Officer Roland Clarke told Rainey he couldn't go back to his cell until he washed off. Finally, Rainey said he would comply and asked for soap, which he was given, the memo says.

After starting to wash, Rainey said, ``No, I don't want to do this,'' and leaned on a wall away from the water, Clarke told investigators. Officers continued to check on him, and finally after about two hours the decision was made to take Rainey out of the shower, but he was found lying face up in about 3 inches (8 centimeters) of water with no pulse and not breathing.

One inmate, Harold Hempstead, said he heard Rainey yelling and kicking at the shower door, saying, ``I'm sorry. I won't do it any more'' and ``I can't take it no more.'' The prosecutors found Hempstead's claims, which he repeated to several news outlets, were not supported by other evidence, including video footage from inside the prison.

``Hempstead's testimony is inherently unreliable and therefore not credible,'' Hoague and Hardiman wrote.

Several witnesses said Rainey's skin appeared to be peeled back or reddish in some spots one inmate claimed he looked like a ``boiled lobster'' but an autopsy found this ``slippage'' was most likely caused by friction or pressure on his moist and warm skin. This could have happened during efforts to revive him, such as chest compressions, or when officers carried him out of the shower initially, the memo said.

The medical examiner, Emma Lew, attributed Rainey's death to a combination of his schizophrenia, heart disease and confinement in the small shower space. She said schizophrenic people can have nervous system reactions that trigger a heart attack if they have an underlying condition.

``It is not substantiated that the temperatures inside the shower room were excessively high,'' Lew wrote.

The prosecutors determined that corrections officers did not commit murder or manslaughter in Rainey's death and that taking him to the shower was appropriate under the circumstances.

``Placing an inmate who has defecated upon himself in a shower to decontaminate himself is not conduct that is criminally reckless,'' they wrote. ``There was no evidence of any intent to harm Rainey.''

Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Julie Jones released the following statement regarding the incident:

For nearly five years, the FDC has worked with the Miami-Dade Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Federal Bureau of Investigation to examine the facts and bring closure to the death investigation of Darren Rainey. Every inmate deserves a comprehensive review and investigation and we thank our law enforcement partners and the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office for their hard work throughout this process. FDC remains laser-focused on implementing reforms that enhance treatment for inmates with mental illness and ensure proper care for all in our custody and we will continue to integrate services which ensure these inmates successfully re-enter society and lead crime-free lives upon release.
A judge has rejected an immunity claim by a former Haitian coup leader and recent senator-elect who is charged in a U.S. drug case.

The Miami federal judge ruled Friday that Guy Philippe cannot use his Nov. 20 election to the Haitian Senate to avoid prosecution in the U.S. Philippe was arrested four days before he was to officially take office on Jan. 9.

The judge also rejected Philippe's attempt to get the charges dismissed for several reasons, including claims that he was essentially kidnapped and illegally brought to the U.S.

Philippe has pleaded not guilty to drug smuggling and money laundering conspiracy charges that carry a maximum life prison sentence. The trial is set for April 3.

Philippe led a 2004 uprising that ousted then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
Derek Walcott, a Nobel-prize winning poet known for capturing the essence of his native Caribbean, has died on the island of St. Lucia. He was 87.

Walcott's death in the eastern Caribbean nation was first confirmed early Friday by his son, Peter.

"Derek Alton Walcott, poet, playwright, and painter died peacefully today, Friday 17th March, 2017, at his home in Cap Estate, Saint Lucia," read a family statement released later in the morning. It said the funeral would be held in St. Lucia and details would be announced shortly.

The prolific and versatile poet received the Nobel Prize in literature in 1992 after being shortlisted for the honor for many years. In selecting Walcott, the academy cited the great luminosity" of his writings including the 1990 "Omeros," a 64-chapter Caribbean epic it praised as "majestic."

"In him, West Indian culture has found its great poet," said the Swedish academy in awarding the $1.2 million prize to Walcott.

Walcott, who was of African, Dutch and English ancestry, said his writing reflected the "very rich and complicated experience" of life in the Caribbean. His dazzling, painterly work earned him a reputation as one of the greatest writers of the second half of the 20th century.

With passions ranging from watercolor painting to teaching to theater, Walcott's work was widely praised for its depth and bold use of metaphor, and its mix of sensuousness and technical prowess. He compared his feeling for poetry to a religious avocation.

Soviet exile poet Joseph Brodsky, who won the Nobel literature prize in 1987, once complained that some critics relegated Walcott to regional status because of "an unwillingness ... to admit that the great poet of the English language is a black man."

Walcott himself proudly celebrated his role as a Caribbean writer.

"I am primarily, absolutely a Caribbean writer," he once said during a 1985 interview published in The Paris Review. "The English language is nobody's special property. It is the property of the imagination: it is the property of the language itself. I have never felt inhibited in trying to write as well as the greatest English poets."

Walcott was born in St. Lucia's capital of Castries on Jan. 23, 1930 to a Methodist schoolteacher mother and a civil servant father, an aspiring artist who died when Walcott and his twin brother, Roderick, were babies. His mother, Alix, instilled the love of language in her children, often reciting Shakespeare and reading aloud other classics of English literature.

In his autobiographical essay, "What the Twilight Says," he wrote: "Both the patois of the street and the language of the classroom hid the elation of discovery. If there was nothing, there was everything to be made. With this prodigious ambition one began."

Walcott once described straddling "two worlds" during his childhood in St. Lucia, then a sleepy outpost of the British empire.

"Colonials, we began with this malarial enervation: that nothing could ever be built among these rotting shacks, barefooted backyards and moulting shingles; that being poor, we already had the theater of our lives. In that simple schizophrenic boyhood one could lead two lives: the interior life of poetry, and the outward life of action and dialect," he wrote.

Early on, he struggled with questions of race and his passion for British poetry, describing it as a "wrestling contradiction of being white in mind and black in body, as if the flesh were coal from which the spirit like tormented smoke writhed to escape." But he overcame that inner struggle, writing: "Once we have lost our wish to be white, we develop a longing to become black."

At the age of 14, he published his first work, a 44-line poem called "1944," in a local newspaper. About four years later, while still in his teens, he self-published a collection of 25 poems. At 20, his play "Henri Christophe" was produced by an arts guild he co-founded.

He left St. Lucia to immerse himself in literature at Jamaica's University College of the West Indies. In the 1950s, he studied in New York and founded a theater in Trinidad's Port-of-Spain, a Caribbean capital he mentioned with great warmth during his Nobel lecture in 1992.

Walcott's treatment of the Caribbean was always passionate but unsentimental. In his 1979 work about Jamaica, "The Star-Apple Kingdom," he wrote of the "groom, the cattleboy, the housemaid ... the good Negroes down in the village, their mouths in the locked jaw of a silent scream."

For much of his life, Walcott, who taught at Boston University for many years, divided his time between the United States and the Caribbean, and the exile of millions of Caribbean citizens who have left the region in search of a better life is another frequent theme in his works.

Although he was best known for his poetry, Walcott was also a prolific playwright, penning some 40 plays, including "Dream on Monkey Mountain" and "The Last Carnival," and founding theaters such as the Boston Playwrights' Theatre.

British writer Robert Graves said in 1984 that Walcott handled "English with a closer understanding of its inner magic than most  if not any  of his English-born contemporaries."

Not all his work was met with accolades. He collaborated with American pop star Paul Simon to write "The Capeman" story, which became a Broadway musical in 1997 and quickly became a major flop, closing less than two months into its run and getting panned by critics.

His reputation was weakened by sexual harassment allegations made against him at Harvard and Boston universities in the 1980s and 1990s.

He retired from teaching at Boston University in 2007 and spent more of his time in St. Lucia.
The King of Prussia Mall's JCPenney is shuttering this summer as part of the department store's nationwide downsizing, according to a company announcement Friday.

The closures of 138 JCPenneys will likely occur in June, the company said, with the "liquidation process" beginning in mid-April.

Retail observers say the shrinking footprints of traditional department stores like JCPenney and Macy's, which dominated American shopping for decades, is a sign of the growing dominance of online consumer trends becoming the dominant market force.

The release of specific locations Friday comes weeks after the company first announced that more than 100 of its stores would close. At the time, according to CNBC, CEO Marvin Ellison described the downsizing as an effort to make the company stronger "against the growing threat of online retailers."

In addition to the King of Prussia Mall location, six others in Pennsylvania are also closing.

They are:

Columbia Mall, Bloomsburg

Clearfield Mall, Clearfield

Philadelphia Mills, Philadelphia

Bradford Towne Centre, Towanda

Lycoming Mall, Pennsdale

Willow Grove Park, Willow Grove

"As part of a continuing effort to advance sustainable growth and long-term profitability, J. C. Penney Company, Inc. will be closing 138 stores, one supply chain facility in Lakeland, Fla., and relocating one supply chain facility in Buena Park, Calif., to align the Companys physical store footprint and omnichannel network," the company said in a statement. "Approximately 5,000 positions nationwide will be impacted by the store closures, most of which will occur in June. JCPenney is in the process of identifying relocation opportunities within the Company for esteemed leaders."
Rex Tillerson

Rex Tillerson, President Trump's secretary of state, addressed the media firestorm around his decision to deny access to a traveling press pool during his recent trip to China.

In an interview with the Independent Review Journal, Tillerson said the denial sprung from a need to save money, as well as his own personal preference, rather than a conscious decision to withhold information from the press and American public.

"What Im told is that theres this long tradition that the Secretary spends time on the plane with the press. I dont know that Ill do a lot of that. Im just not  thats not the way I tend to work," Tillerson said.

He added: "I spend my time working on this airplane. The entire time were in the air, Im working. Because there is a lot of work to do in the early stages. Maybe things will change and evolve in the future."

Only one reporter, from the right-leaning Independent Review Journal, directly accompanied Tillerson on his Asia trip.

Tillerson also defended his actions by saying that many media outlets already have a substantial presence in the nations he plans to vist.

"They have bureau offices. They have people there. So its not like they cant cover whats happening there. The only thing thats missing is the chance to talk more in the air," he said. The press pool often takes time to speak to government officials one-on-one when in the air about issues they may otherwise not have the opportunity to address.

Tillerson said that whether or not he would take a traveling press pool with him would be "trip dependent."

"It doesnt mean we wont, but were gonna look at every trip in terms of what my needs are," he said.

Though critics have said that being accessible to the press encourages more accountability and transparency from government officials, Tillerson feels differently. "Im not a big media press access person. I personally dont need it. I understand its important to get the message of what were doing out, but I also think theres only a purpose in getting the message out when theres something to be done."

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He added that he feels his relationship with the press is that it is an important tool to help him communicate with the American public, but that if he's in the middle of a decision-making process, he will not communicate extensively with the media.

"We can be very frank, open, and honest with one another and then well go out and well have something to share about that, but the truth of the matter is, all of the tactics and all of the things were going to do you will know them after theyve happened," he said.

NOW WATCH: Trump appears to ignore requests for a handshake with Angela Merkel during their first meeting





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One of Philadelphias most prominent Latin American events, El Carnaval de Puebla, has been canceled this year because of what one organizer called the severe conditions affecting the immigrant community.

The annual parade through South Philadelphia has taken place in late April or early May for the last decade and is the citys largest Cinco de Mayo celebration. Organizer Edgar Ramirez said as many as 15,000 gather from as far as New England and Chicago.

The decision to cancel El Carnaval, Ramirez said in an interview Friday, was sad but responsible in light of the immigration crackdown by federal authorities.

He said the entire Mexican-American community, both those here legally and those undocumented, are disheartened by reports of large-scale arrests and detainments by officers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

This week, ICE announced that 248 people in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia are now in federal custody awaiting deportation after a two-week sweep.

The group of six organizers decided to cancel unanimously, Ramirez said. Everyone is offended by the actions of ICE. They did not feel comfortable holding the event.

The fear of federal immigration officers targeting the well-known celebration would have cast a dark cloud over what is among the most colorful and joyful on Philadelphias Latin American calendar, he said. Carnaval celebrates the May 5, 1862, Battle of Puebla, at which Mexican forces defeated French invaders.

Some 450 carnavaleros, or marchers, take part in the parade. Some of the carnavaleros made history on New Years Day 2016 when they marched in the citys well-known Mummers Parade. Carnaval itself has often taken place on Ninth Street between Wolf Street and Washington Avenue, though it spills onto many of the side streets.

We have people who travel all the way from Chicago, Connecticut and New York. We dont want anything to happen to them, he said.

ICE Officer Khaalid Walls of the agency's Philadelphia office said in an email that "ICEs enforcement actions are targeted and lead driven. ICE does not conduct sweeps or raids that target aliens indiscriminately."

A spokesman with the Mexican Consulate in Philadelphia said they are aware of Carnavals cancellation and that consular officials are not surprised about the current demeanor of citizens and undocumented immigrants alike.

I would understand why people are scared or worried, Carlos Torres, a consular spokesman said. But our message is that we are with them. People should try to continue to live their lives as regular as possible, but in a well-informed matter.

Torres said the consulate has established a Center for Legal Defense that anyone can use for immigration advice. The center also holds seminars throughout the year.

As for a return of Carnaval, organizers will decide sometime in the future if the parade once again dances its way through the heavily Latino Pennsport neighborhood, Ramirez said.

Let's see how things are next year," he said.

NBC10.com's Roy Aguilar contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump defiantly refused to back down Friday from his explosive claim that Barack Obama wiretapped his phones, and sidestepped any blame for the White House decision to highlight an unverified report that Britain helped carry out the alleged surveillance.

In brushing off the diplomatic row with perhaps America's closest ally, Trump also revived another: the Obama administration's monitoring of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's calls.

"At least we have something in common, perhaps," Trump said during a joint news conference with Merkel.

Merkel, who was making her first visit to the White House since Trump took office, looked surprised by the president's comment, which he appeared primed to deliver. The Obama administration's spying infuriated Germany at the time and risked damaging the U.S. relationship with one of its most important European partners.

Trump's unproven recent allegations against his predecessor have left him increasingly isolated, with fellow Republican as well as Democratic lawmakers saying they've seen nothing from intelligence agencies to support his claim. But Trump, who rarely admits he's wrong, has been unmoved, leaving his advisers in the untenable position of defending the president without any credible evidence.

On Thursday, spokesman Sean Spicer turned to a Fox News analyst's contention that GCHQ, the British electronic intelligence agency, had helped Obama wiretap Trump. The president reiterated Friday that Andrew Napolitano was the source of his information that Obama wiretapped him.

That was a statement made by a very talented lawyer on Fox. And so you shouldnt be talking to me. You should be talking to Fox, Trump said.

Fox News anchor Shepard Smith said Friday that the network didn't have any evidence that Trump was wiretapped and could not independently verify the reports from Andrew Napolitano, a former judge and commentator who has met with the president.

Smith also asked why Trump relied on Napolitanos commentary, rather than information from U.S. intelligence agencies.

Of course, the president could learn first-hand whether the building in which he lives was wiretapped, Smith said. All hed have to do is ask the intelligence services; they work for him.

The GCHQ vigorously denied the charges in a rare public statement, saying the report was "utterly ridiculous and should be ignored."

According to a Western diplomat, Britain's ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch, had told the White House Tuesday that Napolitano's assertions were not true. Still, it was among several news reports Spicer referenced in his briefing Thursday as part of an angry defense of the president's claims.

Darroch and other British officials complained directly to White House officials after the episode, Prime Minister Theresa May's office said it had been assured the White House would not repeat the allegations. Spicer was very apologetic when confronted by Darroch at a White House dinner on Thursday, the Western diplomat said.

But Trump himself offered no public apologies and suggested there was nothing wrong with the White House repeating what it had heard.

"All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television," Trump said during Friday's news conference. "You shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox."

Spicer was also defiant Friday, telling reporters: "I don't think we regret anything."

A White House official confirmed that Darroch and the British prime minister's national security adviser, Mark Lyall Grant, expressed concerns to both Spicer and Trump's national security adviser, H.R. McMaster. Spicer and McMaster said that the press secretary was simply pointing to public reports and not endorsing any specific story, the official said.

The U.S. and United Kingdom are members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, which prohibits members from spying on each other. Australia, Canada and New Zealand are the other members.

The diplomat and White House official both spoke only on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.

The president is a voracious consumer of news and frequently repeats information he reads or hears on television, often without verifying it first. It was a story in Breitbart  the far-right website once run by his senior adviser Steve Bannon  that appeared to spark Trump's March 4 tweets accusing Obama of wiretapping the New York skyscraper where he lived and ran his presidential campaign.

The White House has asked the House and Senate intelligence committees to investigate the matter as part of their inquiries into Russia's hacking of the presidential election and possible contacts between Trump associates and Russian officials. But the top lawmakers on both committees have said they have seen no indications that Trump Tower was wiretapped.

The Justice Department said Friday that it had complied with congressional requests for information related to any surveillance during the 2016 election. The department would not comment further on what information, if any, was provided.

Republicans in Congress also said Trump should retract his claims. Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa., called the accusation against Britain "inexplicable" and the Trump's accusation against Obama unfounded.

"A president only has so much political capital to expend and so much moral authority as well, and so any time your credibility takes a hit, I think in many ways it weakens the officeholder," Dent said.

FBI Director James Comey is sure to be asked about the wiretapping allegations when he testifies on Capitol Hill Monday. The public hearing is the first of several that the intelligence committees are expected to hold on Russia's interference in the election.
In an unanimous vote, the Berkeley City Council passed a resolution this week to divest from any company involved with President Donald Trumps border wall.

Berkeley, home of the Free Speech Movement, where a protest against right- wing provocateur and former Brietbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos recently turned violent, became the first city in the country to pass such a law, the East Bay Express reported.

Berkeley is also a sanctuary city.

"Our city is one that is known for breaking down walls, not building them," Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin said, according to the Express. "We will continue in that tradition regardless of what happens at the federal level.

The city will divest not just from contractors who work on the construction of the wall, but also anyone who designs, finances or involves itself with the project in any way.

The Express published names of the companies which have expressed interest in building Trumps border wall, as published on the federal website FedBizOpps.gov.

One of the companies on the list include Shimmick Construction company, which has existing contracts with the Bay Area Rapid Transit System, whose directors last month introduced a "sanctuary in transit" policy to protect its riders. In response to the president's budget proposal released Thursday, BART tweeted the proposal, as it stands right now, would eliminate 32 perent of funding for the agency's extension to San Jose.

"The presidents change in policy would drastically shift funding downstream, and likely hit local users the hardest," BART tweeted.

The Berkeley City Councils agenda item includes the following statement regarding the divestment:

The City of Berkeley recognizes the harm and stigma such action causes Latino people in California and throughout the nation, We recognize that immigration has been a part of our countrys history since its founding and do not believe in demonizing people of Mexican and Latin American descent. Furthermore, the construction of a border wall would waste an enormous amount of taxpayer money, hurt the environment, contribute to climate change, divide ancestral native lands, disrupt tribal communities, increase international tensions, and reinforce failed Cold War policies of isolationism and exclusion.

The City of Oakland is also working on approving similar legislation.
President Donald Trumps 2018 budget plan for the Department of Education goes in the wrong direction and would hurt disadvantaged children, according to a statement from the California State Board of Education.

Now, the state's Superintendent of Public Instruction is vowing to take the fight to the nation's capitol.

The president's 2018 budget proposal aims to eliminate or reduce over 20 categorical programs that do not address national needs, duplicate other programs, or are better served by State, local or private funds.

One of the programs the proposed budget would eliminate is the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program, which provides before and after-school programs.

Tom Torlakson said funding cuts to after school programs, teacher training, and other programs would ultimately hurt disadvantaged students.

For California, it would mean up to $132 million in cuts to after-school programs that provide academic support, fitness and nutrition, among others, for students.

These devastating cuts shortchange our schools. By failing to invest in our students, we fail our society, our economy, and our nation, Torlakson said.

He said that programs like the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program help prepare California students for competitive jobs. It provides places to help students, particularly those who attend high-poverty or low-performing schools, meet academic standards in core subjects.

It also offers literacy and other educational services, as well as enrichment activities, according to the U.S. Department of Education program website.

Eliminating the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program would result in a savings of $1.2 billion, according to the White House budget statement. The White House justified the budget cut by citing a lack of evidence in improving student achievement.

According to the California Department of Education (CDE), there are more than 4,500 before and after school programs that serve approximately 825,000 students in California--the largest in the nation.

This proposal takes us backward, jeopardizing Californias progress in improving our schools and preparing students for college and the 21st century economy, Torlakson said.

CDE said Trump's proposal would set aside $250 million for a school voucher program--which would give public money to private schools.

The White House education budget statement said it will focus on giving parents more mobility to choose what schools their children attend by investing $1.4 billion in school choice programs.

Voucher programs take taxpayer dollars away from public schools, starving them of the resources they need to provide a first-class education to students who remain in public schools, Torlakson said. Californians have said loudly and clearly that they do not want vouchers.

According to the CDE, the budget proposal also reduces assistance to low-income college students, for instance with the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG), which would be eliminated.

However, the White House said the FSEOG is a less effective version of the Pell Grant, and will save $732 million.

The Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants program would be another one to be thrown out. It provides funds for educator evaluation systems, allows feedback and support to teachers and school leaders as well as help retain the best teachers and leaders in high-need schools.

According to the White House, the program is poorly targeted and spread too thin across thousands of districts to show enough evidence of impact. Eliminating it would save $2.4 billion in federal funds.

Torlakson said he plans to press Congress to reject Trump's education proposals when he visits Washington, D.C. next week.
A U.S. Navy amphibious dock ship that returned to San Diego last year will open for public visits Saturday.

USS John P. Murtha is docked at B Street Pier on North Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego.

Public tours are available on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday and Monday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visitors will be allowed on board on a first-come, first-served basis and anyone over the age of 18 will need to show a valid government issued identification card.

Anyone underage will need to be accompanied with an adult.

The ship is also not handicap accessible.

USS John P. Murtha completed its maiden voyage and returned to Naval Base San Diego on Nov. 18, 2016.

The ship was built in Mississippi in the Gulf of Mexico. After four years of construction and sea trials, it had set sail in Aug. 2016 for its new homeport in San Diego.

For more information about the ship, click here.

The ship was named in honor of Congressman John P. Murtha, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 20 years and represented the state of Pennsylvania from 1974 until his death in 2010.
More than 300,000 federal employees in non-defense agencies live in D.C., Maryland and Virginia, and on Thursday many of those workers were anxious about their futures.

President Donald Trump released his first proposed budget on Thursday, seeking dramatic cuts to domestic programs and the size of the federal workforce in order to finance a significant increase in the military.

Trump's plan would cut 3,200 jobs at the Environmental Protection Agency alone.

Outside EPA headquarters on Thursday, employees said they were worried.

"I think everyone's just kind of in shock that this is reality right now," Caitlin Lea said.

Employee Albert Monroe spoke about the harm the cuts would do to the agency's mission.

"It would be absolutely devastating for the environment, devastating for the government and devastating for the entire world," he said.

Trump's proposed budget, titled "America First: A Budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again," emphasizes national security and public safety.

"The core of my first Budget Blueprint is the rebuilding of our Nations military without adding to our Federal deficit. There is a $54 billion increase in defense spending in 2018 that is offset by targeted reductions elsewhere," the document says.

Cape Coral Police Department

The cuts would have significant effects in the D.C. area, where the federal government is the largest employer.

At the EPA, thousands of employees are now in limbo, said Diane Lynne, the president of National Treasury Employees Union Chapter 280, which represents many of the workers. Employees don't know which jobs or programs could be cut, and the hiring freeze Trump instituted eliminates the possibility they could move to jobs at other federal agencies.

"People are very worried," she said. "A few people have said they're thinking about leaving. Many others can't leave. It's very nerve-wracking."

Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen spoke on Thursday about recognizing federal workers' contributions.

"We rely on a good federal workforce to provide services to the American people, whether it's getting your Social Security check, whether it's folks making sure that polluters don't get away with dirtying our air and contaminating our water, and yet this budget cuts all those important investments," he said.

NTEU president Tony Reardon called for respect toward federal workers.

"They are committed to doing good work for this county, and to be treated like swamp creatures or nameless, faceless bureaucrats is really unfortunate," he said.

Trump's proposal already is facing strong resistance from members of Congress, who eventually will pass a revised budget.
Two students raped another student in a bathroom stall at a Maryland high school Thursday, Montgomery County Police said.

Henry E. Sanchez, 18, and Jose O. Montano, 17, approached a 14-year-old girl in a hallway at Rockville High School during school hours and asked her to walk with them, police said.

Montano asked her for sex, and after she refused, he and Sanchez forced her into a boy's bathroom where they both raped her and sodomized her, police said.

The victim reported the rape to school staff, which contacted police.

Sanchez admitted to having sex with the victim, according to court documents.

Investigators arrested Montano and Sanchez on school property. They are charged with first-degree rape and two counts of first-degree sexual assault. Montano is charged as an adult.

"These are very serious allegations carrying a life sentence, Montgomery County States Attorneys Office spokesman Ramon Korionoff said. "The potential of life in prison would be available as we prosecute these individuals."

Both suspects were ordered held without bond.

A court-appointed attorney wants Montano moved to a juvenile facility. He is due in court March 31.

Sanchez will be back in court April 14.

The principal of Rockville High School sent a letter to parents informing them of the arrests.
There are major delays on northbound Interstate 95 during the Friday evening rush after a SUV crashed into a tractor trailer marked "U.S. Mail."

The crash happened close to Route 216 in Howard County, Maryland. All lanes except the far left lane are now getting by on I-95 North after the crash.

Video from Chopper4 showed traffic was backed up for miles.

All northbound lanes were shut down for a time as emergency workers extricated the driver of the SUV from the vehicle and airlifted the driver to a local hospital.

There were no other injuries, police said.

Stay withe News4 and NBCWashington.com for updates to this developing story.
What to Know The remains of an adult and a pet have been discovered in the rubble of a house destroyed by an explosion in Rockville, Maryland.

A man who lived at the home is still unaccounted for and officials could not confirm that the remains belong to him.

The cause of the explosion is still unknown.

Investigators have found the remains of an adult and a dog after an explosion completely leveled a house in a suburb of Washington, D.C. early Friday morning.

One man who was the owner of the house was unaccounted for after the thunderous explosion in the 11000 block of Ashley Drive in Rockville, Maryland. The house was in foreclosure and was set to be auctioned off later in the day.

Fire crews have found human remains inside the the debris of a house explosion in Rockville, Maryland. News4s Darcy Spencer reports.

In a news conference held Saturday afternoon, Montgomery County Fire Chief Scott Goldstein said officials could not confirm if the body pulled from the basement of the home belonged to the man. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore will do an autopsy to identify the victim and the manner and cause of death, Goldstein said.

A dog's remains were also found near the body.

NOTICE: MCFRS Fire Chief Scott Goldstein & partner agencies will provide additional info News Briefing @ 430p Ashley Dr & Grayling La pic.twitter.com/OO4kYBVxJw  Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 18, 2017

Goldstein said it is still too early to know whether the explosion was intentional or accidental. The fire department is working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to determine the cause of the explosion.

Teams of fire and explosive investigators were at the house Saturday sifting through the piles of rubble. Debris sprayed across nearby homes and the explosion could be felt from 4 miles away.

Fire investigators found empty boxes of ammunition at the site of a house explosion in Rockville on Saturday. Dogs that can detect explosives, accelerants and human remains alerted at the scene of the explosion, officials said. News4s Derrick Ward reports.

Video shot from Chopper4 late Friday morning showed a heap of broken bricks and debris hardly distinguishable as having been a house. Cadaver-sniffing dogs worked through the rubble.

News4's Meagan Fitzgerald talked to neighbors after the blast that could be felt for miles. The fire chief said in an update Friday afternoon that the house had an illegal gas hookup.

The damage is "catastrophic," Montgomery County fire department spokesman Pete Piringer said Friday.

"It's just a pile of debris. it's just a pile of bricks. There's not anything left," he said.

Goldstein said in an update Friday afternoon that Washington Gas shut off natural gas service to the house in June 2015. Investigators discovered on Friday, after the explosion that there had been "unauthorized gas use" inside the structure since December 2016.

A powerful explosion demolished a home in Rockville, Maryland, early Friday, leaving a pile of debris barely distinguishable as having been a house. News4s Megan McGrath and Justin Finch have live team coverage from the scene.

But the fire chief said the cause of the blast and fire were still unknown.

"It's too early in the investigation to identify if there is something that contributed that was gas-related," he said.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are assisting in the probe.

The occupant of a Maryland home is missing after it was leveled by an explosion early Friday. The fire chief said investigators are working to determine the case, but said there was "no concern about a gas involvement in this explosion."

Neighbors said they felt two ground-shaking booms about 12:40 a.m. People from as far away as Bethesda felt the blasts and called 911. On Ashley Drive, neighbors went outside and saw a huge fire. They ran toward the blaze to help.

"The people was running. I didn't understand what was happening," neighbor Angel Condorimay said.

Neighbors screamed into the fire, hoping to hear someone. But they heard nothing back, Condorimay said.

Update - 11422 Ashley Dr, Randolph Hills, numerous 911 calls recd, FFs arrived encountered widespread 'blast' debris field & rubble fire pic.twitter.com/A20mb401lU  Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 17, 2017

Firefighters were called to the scene just before 1 a.m. It took 75 firefighters about 20 minutes to control the blaze.

One house nearby was damaged so badly that Montgomery County declared it uninhabitable. Nine additional houses were damaged, as well as nine cars.

An explosion at a Rockville home early Friday was so powerful that authorities received calls from miles away. Neighbors said the blast shook their homes and blew out their windows.

The powerful jolt shook many neighbors from their sleep, including Luzia Ricci.

"I could feel it underground,'' she said of the explosion in the neighborhood of modest, mostly one-story single family homes. "I was wondering, 'Are we having an earthquake?' But it was so short."

She went outside to see what was going on and could see the flames from her backyard. She started to go closer with her daughter, but then she heard another pop and backed away.

Authorities are still working to locate and speak with the man's family members. Neighbors said the resident lived alone in the brick house for decades.

His house, listed as his primary residence, was scheduled to be auctioned at 1:30 p.m. Friday, according to RealtyTrac, the company that would have auctioned it. Montgomery County court records show the foreclosure case was closed.

Debris from the Rockville house explosion can be seen caught in the branches of tall trees nearby. The resident is still unaccounted for. pic.twitter.com/Oq97AfK9xP  Megan McGrath (@MeganMcGrath4) March 17, 2017

The debris field early Friday was so vast that a car across the street was covered in pieces of insulation, and pieces of debris hung in trees.

Neighboring homes were damaged, but no neighbors were reported injured. Crews boarded up windows blown out by the blast.

"...[W]e got calls down in Bethesda, people feeling the explosion itself," Goldstein said. Residents of Kensington also reported feeling the rumble.

The damage displaced several residents.

Neighboring homes were damaged after a Rockville home exploded early Friday. One man said his home shook and windows rattled, calling the incident startling.

Gas Line Leak Likely Not a Cause of the Blast, Fire Chief Says

The cause of the explosion is under investigation. Both Pepco and Washington Gas cut service. Piringer said there were no reports of any gas leaks before the blast, and Goldstein said he did not believe authorized use of utilities was to blame.

The fire chief said there was no evidence that the explosion was set intentionally.

"There is no information we have that identifies an intentional act, [or a] malicious or suspicious circumstance to have contributed to this," Goldstein said.

In 2011, another home exploded on the same street, less than half a mile away. In that case, investigators attributed the blast to a gas leak when residents attempted to convert a clothes dryer from gas to electric. A man and a woman were blown from the home and suffered severe burns.

Washington Gas executive Douglas Staebler sought to assure neighbors that their natural gas service was safe to use.

"Their houses are safe. Their gas service is safe," he said.

Editor's Note: A photo briefly published with this story was uploaded erroneously.

Huge Explosion Levels House in Rockville, Maryland
A Maryland man was arrested on a cyberstalking charge after sending a strobe image to a person whom he knew suffered from epilepsy, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

John Rayne Rivello, 29, of Salisbury was arrested Friday in Maryland after sending a message via Twitter to Dallas reporter Kurt Eichenwald on Dec. 15, 2016, officials said. The tweet contained an animated strobe image embedded with the statement, You deserve a seizure for your post.

Upon viewing the flashing strobe image, Eichenwald immediately suffered a seizure, according to a criminal complaint.

According to the affidavit, evidence showed Rivellos Twitter account contained direct messages from Rivellos account to other Twitter users concerning the victim. Among those direct messages included statements by Rivello, including I hope this sends him into a seizure, Spammed this at [victim] lets see if he dies and I know he has epilepsy.

Authorities said Rivellos iCloud account contained a screenshot of a Wikipedia page for the victim, which had been altered to show a fake obituary with the date of death listed as Dec. 16, 2016.

The account also contained screen shots from epilepsy.com with a list of commonly reported epilepsy seizure triggers and from dallasobserver.com discussing the victims report to the Dallas Police Department and his attempt to identify the Twitter user.

The image was apparently sent in response to Eichenwalds outspoken criticism of then-President-elect Donald Trump. Eichenwald thanked federal and Dallas law enforcement for the break in the case.

Attorney information for Rivello was not immediately available.
Donald Trump Angela Merkel

During Friday's press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Donald Trump repeated the big idea about trade that has been floating around his White House lately.

Trump told Merkel and the press that Germany had gotten the better end of the stick in trade deals with the US in the past and that he was looking to rectify that situation.

"The negotiators for Germany have done a far better job than the negotiators for the United States," he said. "But hopefully we can even it out."

We know what "even it out" means, and it is an absurd notion. It means negotiating a bilateral trade deal with Germany and somehow ignoring the rest of the rest of the European Union.

Of course, that can't happen. The US has to negotiate with the EU as a whole.

Merkel made sure to remind Trump of that fact  literally saying, "The European Union is negotiating those agreements for all of the member states"  after having told reporters she was "deeply convinced" that the EU is integral to the success of Germany's economy.

"The success of Germany ... has always been one in where the German success is one side of the coin, and the other side of the coin is European unity," she said.

Of course, what Merkel says about it doesn't matter in a White House that is gripped by the delusion that Germany can just tell the EU to take a hike  at least, it will be gripped by this for as long as that policy is directed by Trump's trade head, Peter Navarro.

Navarro, in a much-derided speech this month, said Germany "uses the argument" of being in the eurozone to avoid trade deals with the US, and that because of this Germany would be "one of the most difficult trade deficits we're going to have to deal with."

Navarro has gone as far as to accuse Germany of being a currency manipulator for using the euro. He thinks that because countries with weaker economies than Germany's are factored into the euro's value, Germany can sell its manufactured goods more cheaply than it could if it had its own currency.

Story continues

Obviously, that's not currency manipulation. That's just the reality of the euro's makeup.

But it means Merkel faces a scenario in which the president of the United States and his top trade adviser think one of their closest and most important allies is lying to them about its need to respect the EU. Trump and Navarro think this is a choice Germany is making about the US, not an obligation that is part of the fabric of its political and economic systems.

To be fair  and this is where we see fragmenting in the White House  some members of Trump's economic team, like Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, have said they understand Germany isn't a currency manipulator.

But that isn't enough. The last thing we need is a White House that is irrationally angry at Germany, an important ally, because it's pushing for a trade deal that cannot realistically happen.

It's bad enough when presidents unnecessarily anger the US's enemies. We don't need one who unnecessarily aggravates its friends, too.

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Federal law gives the president broad authority over immigration. Jimmy Carter used it to deny some Iranians entry to the U.S. during the hostage crisis, Ronald Reagan to bar Cubans who didn't already have relatives here and President Barack Obama to keep out North Korean officials.

So why does President Donald Trump keep running into legal trouble with his efforts to freeze immigration by refugees and citizens of some predominantly Muslim nations?

When federal courts in Hawaii and Maryland blocked Trump's revised travel ban from taking effect, the judges spelled out their major concern: the unusual record of statements by the president and his advisers suggesting the executive order's real purpose was to discriminate against Muslims, in violation of the Constitution's ban on officially favoring or disfavoring any religion.

As the legal fight moves into the appeals courts, two key issues will be the extent of the president's broad immigration powers  and whether Trump's own record stymies his plans.

___

THE RULINGS

Neither U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland nor Judge Derrick Watson bought the administration's reasoning that the travel ban is about national security.

"The history of public statements continues to provide a convincing case that the purpose of the second executive order remains the realization of the long-envisioned Muslim ban," Chuang wrote.

Watson criticized what he called the "illogic" of the government's arguments and cited "significant and unrebutted evidence of religious animus" behind the travel ban. He also noted that while courts should not examine the "veiled psyche" and "secret motives" of government decision-makers, "the remarkable facts at issue here require no such impermissible inquiry."

"For instance, there is nothing 'veiled' about this press release: 'Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States,'" he wrote, referring to a statement Trump issued as a candidate.

But the scope of the rulings differed. In a challenge brought by Hawaii, Watson blocked the federal government from enforcing its ban on travel from six mostly Muslim countries and its suspension of the nation's refugee program. Chuang only blocked the six-nation travel ban, saying it wasn't clear that the suspension of the refugee program was similarly motivated by religious bias.

On Friday a federal judge in Seattle said he wouldn't rule on requests from the state of Washington and an immigrant rights group to halt Trump's revised travel ban because the two other judges have already halted it.

Judge James Robart said the parties could ask him to reconsider should circumstances change. Last month, Robart granted a request by Washington to halt the initial travel ban ordered by Trump.

___

APPEALS COMING

Speaking Wednesday evening at a rally in Nashville, Tennessee, Trump called the ruling in Hawaii an example of "unprecedented judicial overreach" and said his administration would appeal it to the U.S. Supreme Court. He also called his new travel ban a watered-down version of the first one, which he said he wished he could implement.

"We're going to win. We're going to keep our citizens safe," the president said. "The danger is clear. The law is clear. The need for my executive order is clear."

The Justice Department filed a brief notice Friday saying that it would appeal the Maryland ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. A day earlier, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the government planned to seek clarification of the Hawaii order before appealing to the 9th Circuit. That circuit is where a three-judge panel unanimously declined to reinstate Trump's original travel ban when it was put on hold by a Seattle Judge last month.

Despite the legal victories for critics of the ban, it's far from clear that they will continue to win. A different panel of judges in the 9th Circuit will probably hear the appeal of Hawaii's case. And on Wednesday, five judges signed a dissent criticizing the court's decision not to reconsider and throw out the panel's ruling on the original travel ban.

"Whatever we, as individuals, may feel about the president or the executive order, the president's decision was well within the powers of the presidency," Judge Jay Bybee wrote for the five.

___

THE PRESIDENT'S AUTHORITY

In 1952, with the nation fearful of communist infiltration, Congress gave the president the authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to take action:

"Whenever the president finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may ... suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate," the law says.

That power has been invoked dozens of times. But legal experts say those examples were more limited than what Trump has sought.

Citing a report that reviewed White House administrations going back to Reagan, Chuang noted in his ruling that no president has issued a ban on the entry "of all citizens from more than one country at the same time, much less six nations all at once."

Chuang found that the travel ban likely violated another aspect of federal immigration law, barring discrimination on the basis of nationality in the issuance of immigrant visas. That law was passed in 1965 as part of an effort to end longstanding immigration quotas that had been criticized as racist.

Ultimately, the cases will come down to the ways in which that law and the Constitution constrain the president's authority.

"That's the tug of war that is going to play out and, I suspect, go before the Supreme Court," said Ted Ruthizer, a former president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. "I think it will be a very seminal decision as to what are the limitations on the executive's powers."
A flamingo was beaten to death and another seriously injured by three young boys who snuck into the pink-feathered birds' enclosure at a Czech zoo, according to a statement from the Jihlava Zoo.

The trio of boys, ages 5, 6 and 8, kicked and pelted the flamingos with stones before escaping when employees at the zoo, located 80 miles outside of Prague, noticed them and called the police, according to local media reports.

"Fortunately, one of them had a distinct yellow sweatshirt,resident zoologist Jan Vasak told the Prague Morning, according to the Washington Post. We immediately phoned police officers and so two of the villains we managed to catch far from the park. The third escaped.

The attack left a 16-year-old male flamingo who had fathered eight chicks dead, according to a statement from Jihlava Zoo spokesman Martin Malac. It is currently mating season for the flamingos and the attack has left the flock traumatized, Malac said.

Malac said police were investigating the incident and it is a possibility that the parents would have to pay for the damage caused. The flamingo was valued an estimated 50,000 crowns (USD $2,000).

The incident is the latest in a string of fatal attacks on zoo animals.

Just last week, poachers broke into a French zoo and killed a white rhino for its keratinous horn, known for uses in traditional Asian medicine, NBC News reported. And earlier this month, a group of visitors at a Tunisian zoo stoned a crocodile until it died from internal bleeding, according to local reports.

According to Born Free USA, an animal advocacy group that tracks zoo incidents across the country, there have been at least 33 deaths at zoos in the U.S. since 1990: 15 at zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and 18 at unaccredited zoos. But, the group notes, the numbers are based on media stories, so it's possible that the number is actually higher because of unreported incidents.

We have seen tragedy after tragedy where accidental contact between humans and zoo animals end in fatalities," Born USA spokeswoman Kate Dylewsky said. "The only fool-proof way to keep people safe from wild animals and prevent wild animals from being slaughtered after close contact with people is to stop putting them in close contact in the first place."

"Gorillas belong in Uganda, lions belong in Kenya, tigers belong in India, and polar bears belong in the Artic. None of them belong behind bars mere feet from noisy crowds. Keep wildlife in the wild and not in American urban jungles and there is a much better chance of people and animals alike remaining safe, Dylewsky added.
Two teenagers are in custody after shots were fired behind a bank in Quincy, Massachusetts on Friday afternoon.

Quincy police said they received a call around 1:51 p.m. for a report of shots fired behind the Santander Bank at 1150 Hancock St. Police said the incident didn't appear to involve the bank, but one of the shots pierced the bank's window.

A witness provided a description of two individuals who fled the scene on foot, and they were located a short time later in a nearby parking garage

Students and staff at Quincy High School were ordered to shelter in place as the search continued.

Police arrested one suspect, 18-year-old Cory Kisakye of Randolph, immediately and located a firearm. The second suspect, a juvenile, fled in a black Mercury and was arrested a short time later.

No injuries were reported.
A man rear-ended a taxi Saturday morning, killing a 39-year-old man from Warwick, Rhode Island, according to Massachusetts State Police.

The accident occurred around 1 a.m. on Route 95 in Attleboro when a speeding 2014 Kia Cadenza slammed the Toyota Camry taxi before Exit 2.

The man, identified as Kailash Bolar, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The taxi driver, a 50-year-old Brockton man, was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with minor injuries.

The driver of the speeding car has been identified as 41-year-old Michael Spinale from Roslindale. Spinale faces multiple charges including Motor Vehicle Homicide and OUI Liquor and Negligent Operation. He was held at Foxboro Barracks pending $10,000 bail. Spinale will be arraigned Monday in Attleboro District Court.

The name of the cab company has not been released.

A GoFundMe account has been set up for Bolar.
Firefighters in Watertown, Massachusetts are showing their respect and paying tribute to Joseph Toscano, the firefighter who died battling a 2-alarm blaze on Friday.

A procession was held on Saturday in Toscanos honor. The firefighters who fought alongside him saluted his body as he left Mount Auburn Hospital and departed toward the medical examiners office in Boston. From Boston the procession continued as Toscano made his final trip home to Randolph. Firefighters showed their support by getting out of their trucks and walking the final stretch to the Cartwright Funeral Home where Toscanos family was waiting.

"It's a sad day for everybody," said Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn on Friday after learning of Toscanos death. "This is a loss. A day like this is just not a good day here in Watertown."

Toscano was a beloved member of the community. Neighbors say they were devastated to learn the news of his death and will miss his always present smile.

We know everybody in town and when you get news like something like that happened, especially someone with family, it hits home because its all familiar faces, said Steven Eskici.

The fire was first reported around 10:16 a.m. on Merrifield Avenue. Police were the first on scene and were able to get two people and several pets out of the home safely. Fire officials said that heavy flames were showing when they arrived at the scene.

According to Watertown Deputy Fire Chief Bob Quinn, Toscano was working inside the fire area when he collapsed. He was brought outside by his fellow firefighters and transported to Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, where he was later pronounced dead. Officials said it appears Toscano might have suffered a heart attack. The 54-year old was a 21 year veteran of the Watertown Fire Department. He leaves behind a wife and five children.

"He left this morning to go to work like he did every day," Quinn said. "We all know the dangers. We never expect this day to happen, but it happened, unfortunately."

Massachusetts Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey said the fire started on the second floor and was contained to one room. The cause remains under investigation.

Ostroskey called Toscanos death a tremendous blow to the Watertown Fire Department. "It's a very close group of people, a very tight-knit city, he said. This is a terrible, terrible loss."

"Everybody's devastated," added firefighters union president Rob Mannix. "Keep him in your prayers - Joe Toscano, father first, a great fireman. He's going to be missed."

A fund has been set up to benefit Toscanos family.

Donations may be sent to the following address:

Watertown Firefighters Relief Association

Toscano Fund

99 Main St.

Watertown, MA 02472
The loud, one-of-a-kind St. Patrick's Day celebration rolling through Vermont's Chittenden County was hard to miss.

Friday was the 30th annual St. Patrick's Day mixer parade from S.D. Ireland.

Because the construction contractor has Ireland in its name, the company puts shamrocks on its big concrete mixers, making them a colorful way to celebrate March 17.

More than 20 of those vehicles drove through Chittenden County Friday afternoon, including up the famous Church Street Marketplace in Burlington.

The spectacle always draws cheers and waves from spectators, and the company uses the event to raise money for a good cause.

Corporate sponsorships for the trucks, which tend to stay on the mixers for several months, raise money to support the work of breast cancer researchers at the University of Vermont medical center.

"If people like myself and other people that fundraise are passionate about it, they're 10 times as passionate about what they do," Kim Ireland of the S.D. Ireland Cancer Research Fund said in reference to the UVM researchers. "So I really am confident that ultimately there will be a cure, and along the way, much better treatments."

Ireland said this years mixer parade brought in $125,000 for research, bringing the total the foundation has raised to more than $4.2-million.
A teenager arrested in connection with a deadly shooting in New Bedford, Massachusetts, is being held without bail.

David Lima, 16, was arrested in Fall River Thursday, the Bristol district attorney's office announced. He was arraigned in court Friday morning, according to affiliate WJAR.

Lima has been charged with murdering 20-year-old Jonas Trinidad Jr. He was also charged with carrying an illegal firearm and carrying a loaded illegal firearm.

Police say Trinidad was found shot late Wednesday morning near the intersection of Matthew and Bank streets. He was taken to St. Luke's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police told The Standard-Times that they raided the suspect's home Wednesday afternoon, but he was not there.

Investigators recovered a gun at the residence but it was not immediately clear if it was the gun used in the shooting.

No possible motive has been disclosed for the city's second homicide of the year.

Lima is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on April 14.
Mothers will be taking art supplies to children in Dunkirk

A GROUP of West Berkshire mothers will be travelling to France next month to help children whose lives have been disrupted by war.

Gail Davis, Laura Kelleher-Byrne and Ellen Clinch will be heading to Dunkirk with bags full of art supplies for child refugees at the Dunkirk Childrens Centre.

Mrs Davis, who runs Gail Davis  The Art Studio, and her son Jack Arthur, aged six, from Chieveley Primary School, came up with an idea to help the refugees.

Mrs Davis said: We kept seeing and hearing how the children are suffering and I dont need to tell you the story. Weve all seen the news and know the torment of war and how the children have to live in the refugee camps with so very little.

We felt so helpless, so we hatched a plan.

The Dunkirk Childrens Centre provides play-based learning and a place for children to express their creativity.

The mothers have been filling schoolbags with colouring pads, pens, crayons, chalk, toys and pairs of warm socks to make up for the lack of childhood materials.

Unable to cover the cost themselves, the mothers took to social media, which produced an astounding response, including six volunteers, who have been busy collecting the schoolbags.

Local schools and businesses have also chipped in, taking the contributions to almost 100 school bags, smashing the mothers original target.

We have enough already to get to Dunkirk from Newbury in a hired transit with the 100 filled school bags, a huge chalk board and chalks that is very much needed for the childrens centre, but wed like to keep adding to the pot so we can give The Dunkirk Childrens Centre a big, fat cheque to help with the running of the very valuable classroom, Mrs Davis said.

Children from the following schools have contributed to the project; Chieveley Primary; Chieveley Pre-school; Falkland Primary; Speenhamland; Lady Birds Pre-school; John Rankin; St Josephs Catholic Primary School; St John the Evangelist Infant and Nursery School; Theale; St Bartholomews; Brockhurst and Marlston House; Saint Nicolas; St Gabriels; Thorngrove; Woolton Hill; Hungerford Primary; St Marys Infants, Marlbrough.

Local businesses including Parachute Studios and Netex UK have also helped out, along with friends and family.

Mrs Davis, Mrs Kelleher-Byrne from ACE Dance Studios and Mrs Clinch from YO!ga will be leaving for Dunkirk on April 3 with the supplies.

We are really looking forward to meeting the children and providing some fun-filled art, dance and yoga classes for them, said Mrs Davis.

To contribute visit http://www.gofundme.com/3abht94
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Even as StayZilla founder and CEO Yogendra Vasupal remains in custody, after being arrested for allegedly defrauding an advertising firm of up to Rs 1.72 crore, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has termed the developments disturbing.

Chairman of the industry bodys Startup Council, Kris Gopalakrishnan, said, The legal developments around Yogendra Vasupal, founder of Stayzilla is disturbing. The nature of the accusation invoked against Stayzilla  non-payment of dues, essentially falls in the domain of civil disputes and not under criminal charges, unless it is done with an intent of cheating.

Gopalakrishnan pointed out that start-ups are prone to all kind of financial vulnerabilities/stress like any other business, and such examples of criminal proceedings against them creates fear in the minds of aspiring entrepreneurs.

Start-ups which fail should ideally be treated by a separate exit/bankruptcy law or civil laws, and not criminal laws, which is also in line with the goal of Start-up India. CII being a strong proponent of the Start-up movement in the county, condemns any such move which wrongfully strives to undermine the start-up spirit in the country and creates fear in the minds of budding entrepreneurs, he concluded.

CHENNAI: Even as StayZilla founder and CEO Yogendra Vasupal remains in custody, after being arrested for allegedly defrauding an advertising firm of up to Rs 1.72 crore, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has termed the developments disturbing. Chairman of the industry bodys Startup Council, Kris Gopalakrishnan, said, The legal developments around Yogendra Vasupal, founder of Stayzilla is disturbing. The nature of the accusation invoked against Stayzilla  non-payment of dues, essentially falls in the domain of civil disputes and not under criminal charges, unless it is done with an intent of cheating. Gopalakrishnan pointed out that start-ups are prone to all kind of financial vulnerabilities/stress like any other business, and such examples of criminal proceedings against them creates fear in the minds of aspiring entrepreneurs. Start-ups which fail should ideally be treated by a separate exit/bankruptcy law or civil laws, and not criminal laws, which is also in line with the goal of Start-up India. CII being a strong proponent of the Start-up movement in the county, condemns any such move which wrongfully strives to undermine the start-up spirit in the country and creates fear in the minds of budding entrepreneurs, he concluded.
By PTI

HOUSTON: An Indian-American CEO of a Chicago- based property firm has been ranked fourth on a list of top 25 overpaid CEOs in the US, according to a new report. Sandeep Matharani, CEO of General Growth Properties, has been listed fourth on the list of top 25 overpaid CEOs in America, according to the report from the nonprofit 'As You Sow'.

The non-profit organisation promotes environmental and social corporate responsibility and takes a close look at CEO pay. Matharani, with a total compensation of USD 39.2 million in 2016, is overpaid by USD 26 million, according to the report. Using a regression analysis that ties CEO pay to performance and other indicators such as the portion of pay that is offered in options and returns on corporate capital, 'As You Sow' has determined which CEOs are paid above and beyond their performance.

So the gap between CEO's performance to his pay is the criteria for the rankings. The report cites Leslie Moonves, CEO of CBS, as the most overpaid chief executive in the country. Moonves earned compensation worth USD 56.7 million in 2016. Marc Benioff of Salesforce ranks second on the list with a total compensation of USD 33.4 million. Discovery Communication's David Zaslav comes in third with a compensation of USD 32.4 million.

Not only are many of the CEOs on the list overpaid, but the report argues that their companies underperformed on the S&P 500 last year, so they may also be a drag on shareholder returns. Among the top 25 overpaid CEOs on the list, 15 were appearing on it for a second time, and 10 of them have been on the list three times. Mathrani joined General Growth Properties as the company was emerging from bankruptcy in 2010 and refocused the mall owner to high-end shopping centres. His name has been mentioned several times as a potential candidate for a position in the Trump administration. The company operates approximately 126 retail properties in 40 states. Headquartered in Chicago, General Growth Properties Inc has 1,800 employees.

HOUSTON: An Indian-American CEO of a Chicago- based property firm has been ranked fourth on a list of top 25 overpaid CEOs in the US, according to a new report. Sandeep Matharani, CEO of General Growth Properties, has been listed fourth on the list of top 25 overpaid CEOs in America, according to the report from the nonprofit 'As You Sow'. The non-profit organisation promotes environmental and social corporate responsibility and takes a close look at CEO pay. Matharani, with a total compensation of USD 39.2 million in 2016, is overpaid by USD 26 million, according to the report. Using a regression analysis that ties CEO pay to performance and other indicators such as the portion of pay that is offered in options and returns on corporate capital, 'As You Sow' has determined which CEOs are paid above and beyond their performance. So the gap between CEO's performance to his pay is the criteria for the rankings. The report cites Leslie Moonves, CEO of CBS, as the most overpaid chief executive in the country. Moonves earned compensation worth USD 56.7 million in 2016. Marc Benioff of Salesforce ranks second on the list with a total compensation of USD 33.4 million. Discovery Communication's David Zaslav comes in third with a compensation of USD 32.4 million. Not only are many of the CEOs on the list overpaid, but the report argues that their companies underperformed on the S&P 500 last year, so they may also be a drag on shareholder returns. Among the top 25 overpaid CEOs on the list, 15 were appearing on it for a second time, and 10 of them have been on the list three times. Mathrani joined General Growth Properties as the company was emerging from bankruptcy in 2010 and refocused the mall owner to high-end shopping centres. His name has been mentioned several times as a potential candidate for a position in the Trump administration. The company operates approximately 126 retail properties in 40 states. Headquartered in Chicago, General Growth Properties Inc has 1,800 employees.
By PTI

AGARTALA: The Karnataka Anti-Terror Squad and Tripura Police today arrested a suspect in the 2005 terror attack at Indian Institute of Science (IISC) in Bengaluru from Jogendranagar area near here.

"Acting on a tip-off, Karnataka ATS and Tripura Police, in a joint operation, arrested Habib Mia (37) from Jogendranagar," Superintendent of Police Abhijit Saptarshi said.

"Mia will be produced before a local court tomorrow to avail transit remand to take him to Karnataka," the officer said.

The institute was attacked on December 28, 2005. A retired mathematics professor was killed and four others were injured in the attack.

AGARTALA: The Karnataka Anti-Terror Squad and Tripura Police today arrested a suspect in the 2005 terror attack at Indian Institute of Science (IISC) in Bengaluru from Jogendranagar area near here. "Acting on a tip-off, Karnataka ATS and Tripura Police, in a joint operation, arrested Habib Mia (37) from Jogendranagar," Superintendent of Police Abhijit Saptarshi said. "Mia will be produced before a local court tomorrow to avail transit remand to take him to Karnataka," the officer said. The institute was attacked on December 28, 2005. A retired mathematics professor was killed and four others were injured in the attack.
FILE PHOTO - A trader points up at a display on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange August 20, 2012. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo (Reuters)

By Nate Raymond

(Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department has disclosed an investigation into four health insurers after a lawsuit accused them of defrauding Medicare by claiming patients were treated for conditions they did not have or received no treatment for.

The probe of Health Net Inc <MAHN.PK>, Aetna Inc <AET.N>, Cigna Corp's <CI.N> Bravo Health Inc and Humana Inc <HUM.N> was revealed in papers filed on Tuesday in federal court in Los Angeles, in a lawsuit the government recently joined against UnitedHealth Group Inc <UNH.N>.

The department last month partially intervened in the U.S. False Claims Act lawsuit brought by a former UnitedHealth executive, Benjamin Poehling, whose whistleblower case against the company and other insurers was filed under seal in 2011.

Under the False Claims Act, whistleblowers can sue companies on the government's behalf to recover taxpayer money paid out based on fraudulent claims.

If successful, whistleblowers receive a percentage of the recovery. A government decision to intervene is typically a major boost to such cases.

When it initially intervened in the case in February, the Justice Department said it was declining to pursue claims against other insurers named in the lawsuit besides UnitedHealth.

But on Tuesday, the Justice Department filed a "corrected notice" of intervention, saying that, due to ongoing investigations of Health Net, Aetna, Bravo and Humana, it could not make a decision as to whether to proceed against them.

Humana spokesman Tom Noland said in an email the company had previously disclosed the investigation in filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Humana has said it would cooperate with authorities.

UnitedHealth has said it rejects the allegations. A spokesman had no immediate comment on Friday.

Aetna and Health Net declined to comment. Representatives for Cigna did not respond to a request for comment on Friday, nor did the Justice Department. A lawyer for Poehling had no immediate comment.

Story continues

Poehling's lawsuit accused UnitedHealth, Health Net, Aetna, Bravo Health, Humana and other insurers of defrauding the United States of hundreds of millions - and likely billions - of dollars through claims for payments from the Medicare healthcare program for the elderly.

The lawsuit centered on "risk adjustment" payments that Medicare makes to managed-care plans to offset the increased costs associated with treating patients with multiple or serious health conditions.

The lawsuit claimed that, in seeking those payments, the insurers falsely claimed that patients were treated for diagnoses they did not have or were not treated for.

The case is U.S. ex rel. Benjamin Poehling v. UnitedHealth Group Inc et al, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, No. 16-cv-08697.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Richard Chang)
CHENNAI: A day after the attack on a Government doctor led to a massive protest at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, the health department promised greater security in hospitals. The decision was taken after hours of meetings between the health departments principal secretary Dr J Radhakrishnan and the hospital officials. We have agreed to fulfill their reasonable demands, Radhakrishnan said after a closed-door meeting at the Deans office in the hospital on Friday.

Immediately 25 additional policemen will be stationed permanently within the hospital premises, he said and added that a Security Audit Committee would be formed to look into issues of security in all the Government medical institutions. This committee would comprise the head of the institutions, government doctors, PG medical students and the State legal counsel.

The health secretary announced that he would review cases across the State under the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Personnel and Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss of People) Act, 2008 from time to time. He added that steps would be taken to make the provisions of the Act more stringent.

CCTV cameras too will be set up in the entire hospital, he said. Entry points, casualty, trauma wards, emergency wards, ICU and other wards identified by the Security Committee will have surveillance cameras within 15 days.

Radhakrishnan said only two attendants for each patient (one person at a time) would be allowed into the hospital; visitors passes and patient attendant passes would be streamlined to include the specification of blocks and timings. In larger hospitals, like the GH, colour coding of passes with the official stamp could be introduced within the next fortnight.

New guidelines for the media too were announced. A communication cell is expected to be formed where all coverage will have to get prior permission from the Dean or Head of the Institution.

Earlier on Friday, medical students continued their protest for the fifth consecutive day, but it was business as usual for doctors at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.

Though hospital services were briefly affected on Thursday because of the protest, it did not spill over on Friday. Doctors, nurses, patients and staff confirmed that things were back to normal in the hospital.

We have been here for the last six days and we never once felt the doctors absence because of the protest, said an IT company employee whose mother was admitted in the ICU ward. We have no complaints. The doctors were there any time we needed them. They shifted my mother to the ICU at the right time.

CHENNAI: A day after the attack on a Government doctor led to a massive protest at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, the health department promised greater security in hospitals. The decision was taken after hours of meetings between the health departments principal secretary Dr J Radhakrishnan and the hospital officials. We have agreed to fulfill their reasonable demands, Radhakrishnan said after a closed-door meeting at the Deans office in the hospital on Friday. Immediately 25 additional policemen will be stationed permanently within the hospital premises, he said and added that a Security Audit Committee would be formed to look into issues of security in all the Government medical institutions. This committee would comprise the head of the institutions, government doctors, PG medical students and the State legal counsel. The health secretary announced that he would review cases across the State under the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Personnel and Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss of People) Act, 2008 from time to time. He added that steps would be taken to make the provisions of the Act more stringent. CCTV cameras too will be set up in the entire hospital, he said. Entry points, casualty, trauma wards, emergency wards, ICU and other wards identified by the Security Committee will have surveillance cameras within 15 days. Radhakrishnan said only two attendants for each patient (one person at a time) would be allowed into the hospital; visitors passes and patient attendant passes would be streamlined to include the specification of blocks and timings. In larger hospitals, like the GH, colour coding of passes with the official stamp could be introduced within the next fortnight. New guidelines for the media too were announced. A communication cell is expected to be formed where all coverage will have to get prior permission from the Dean or Head of the Institution. Earlier on Friday, medical students continued their protest for the fifth consecutive day, but it was business as usual for doctors at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. Though hospital services were briefly affected on Thursday because of the protest, it did not spill over on Friday. Doctors, nurses, patients and staff confirmed that things were back to normal in the hospital. We have been here for the last six days and we never once felt the doctors absence because of the protest, said an IT company employee whose mother was admitted in the ICU ward. We have no complaints. The doctors were there any time we needed them. They shifted my mother to the ICU at the right time.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: A serving 46-year-old Lieutenant Colonel found dead at the stairs leading to his house on Friday morning. According to the police, Lt Col has been identified as Jagdish Prakash, found hanging from the grill near the common stairs. Delhi Police has sent his body for the postmortem. According to the police, no suicide note has been found.

We have not found any suicide note but it appears to be a case of suicide. His body was found in Salaria Apartment around 7 am, DCP(Southwest) Surender Kumar said.

His family members told police that he was stressed that he might be court-martialed soon. "A PCR call was received around from the Salaria Apartments in sector 20 on Friday around 7 AM. We were informed that Lt Col Jagdish Prakash was found hanging from the grill near the stairs leading to his house," said a senior police officer.

Prakash had been living with his wife and two children in this sector since the last seven years. His wife told police that he had been depressed for the past few weeks because of some issue. She told the police that he was having a disturbed sleep pattern and would step out of the house at 3 AM and then returned.

On Friday, he stepped out at the same time but didn't come back. When she woke up, she tried to reach him on his mobile phone but he had left it at home. After she searched for him everywhere, she stepped out and saw her husband hanging outside the house. She raised an alarm and her neighbours informed police. Prakash was rushed to a hospital where he was declared brought dead. He was serving in Corps of Engineers and was posted at Kashmir House at Rajaji Marg and belonged to Kerala.

NEW DELHI: A serving 46-year-old Lieutenant Colonel found dead at the stairs leading to his house on Friday morning. According to the police, Lt Col has been identified as Jagdish Prakash, found hanging from the grill near the common stairs. Delhi Police has sent his body for the postmortem. According to the police, no suicide note has been found. We have not found any suicide note but it appears to be a case of suicide. His body was found in Salaria Apartment around 7 am, DCP(Southwest) Surender Kumar said. His family members told police that he was stressed that he might be court-martialed soon. "A PCR call was received around from the Salaria Apartments in sector 20 on Friday around 7 AM. We were informed that Lt Col Jagdish Prakash was found hanging from the grill near the stairs leading to his house," said a senior police officer. Prakash had been living with his wife and two children in this sector since the last seven years. His wife told police that he had been depressed for the past few weeks because of some issue. She told the police that he was having a disturbed sleep pattern and would step out of the house at 3 AM and then returned. On Friday, he stepped out at the same time but didn't come back. When she woke up, she tried to reach him on his mobile phone but he had left it at home. After she searched for him everywhere, she stepped out and saw her husband hanging outside the house. She raised an alarm and her neighbours informed police. Prakash was rushed to a hospital where he was declared brought dead. He was serving in Corps of Engineers and was posted at Kashmir House at Rajaji Marg and belonged to Kerala.
By IANS

MUMBAI: Actress Anushka Sharma on Friday said that through most of her early years in the industry, she felt hyper-anxious because the boundaries and expectations from her were pre-decided.



Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2017 here, Anushka shared snippets from her childhood and how her values have shaped her as a person.



Talking about empowerment, she said it means "independence" to her.



"It's my ability to think, decide and take on life on my own. It also includes the ability to question and re-examine all that is supposed to be right or the established way of doing something. Most of what we do in our lives, with our lives, all that is shaped by the values we receive," she said in her speech.



"As kids, our minds are so impressionable, we soak up everything we see and hear around us, that shapes our personalities," she added.



The "NH 10" actor said her father always told her to do the right thing, however difficult it is, and that's the secret to living happily.



"Success in life is never guaranteed, leading a righteous life will at least be peaceful and you will never regret. Stand up for what's right, no matter what. If you feel strongly from within that you're being treated unfairly, don't accept it," said Anushka.



Talking about the experience of entering Bollywood, she said: "I became increasingly aware of my gender and that the boundaries and the expectations of me were pre-decided, this didn't make any sense to me. Most of my early years in the industry, I felt hyper-anxious," she said.



She also revealed that her decision to turn producer was welcomed with shock in the industry.



"I questioned all established norms. I wanted to be a producer, which was treated with shock often. Common perception in the industry is that only those female actors become producers who are to wrap up their careers in a short while."



Anushka was briefly joined on stage by actor Suraj Sharma, who stars in her forthcoming production "Phillauri".



MUMBAI: Actress Anushka Sharma on Friday said that through most of her early years in the industry, she felt hyper-anxious because the boundaries and expectations from her were pre-decided. Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2017 here, Anushka shared snippets from her childhood and how her values have shaped her as a person. Talking about empowerment, she said it means "independence" to her. "It's my ability to think, decide and take on life on my own. It also includes the ability to question and re-examine all that is supposed to be right or the established way of doing something. Most of what we do in our lives, with our lives, all that is shaped by the values we receive," she said in her speech. "As kids, our minds are so impressionable, we soak up everything we see and hear around us, that shapes our personalities," she added. The "NH 10" actor said her father always told her to do the right thing, however difficult it is, and that's the secret to living happily. "Success in life is never guaranteed, leading a righteous life will at least be peaceful and you will never regret. Stand up for what's right, no matter what. If you feel strongly from within that you're being treated unfairly, don't accept it," said Anushka. Talking about the experience of entering Bollywood, she said: "I became increasingly aware of my gender and that the boundaries and the expectations of me were pre-decided, this didn't make any sense to me. Most of my early years in the industry, I felt hyper-anxious," she said. She also revealed that her decision to turn producer was welcomed with shock in the industry. "I questioned all established norms. I wanted to be a producer, which was treated with shock often. Common perception in the industry is that only those female actors become producers who are to wrap up their careers in a short while." Anushka was briefly joined on stage by actor Suraj Sharma, who stars in her forthcoming production "Phillauri".
By IANS

KOLKATA: Acclaimed filmmaker Aparna Sen says it is shameful that "Lipstick Under My Burkha" is not getting a certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in India.



Aparna's actress-daughter Konkona Sensharma stars in "Lipstick Under My Burkha", which is directed by Alankrita Shrivastava.



"It's shameful. I hope the tribunal (Film Certification Appellate Tribunal) has enough sense to say 'yes we will give it a certificate'. It is a breach of our democratic right to our freedom of expression," Aparna told IANS on the sidelines of the trailer launch of her next directorial venture "Sonata".



Revolving around four women -- a burqa-clad college girl, a young beautician, a mother of three and a 55-year-old widow who rediscovers her sexuality -- "Lipstick Under My Burkha" also features actors like Ratna Pathak Shah and Aahana Kumra.



"Lipstick Under My Burkha" has been deemed too "lady oriented" in content and according to the censor board, it is laced with sexual scenes and abusive words.



The film won a gender equality award at the Mumbai film fest last year, and recently won the Audience Award at the Glasgow Film Festival.

KOLKATA: Acclaimed filmmaker Aparna Sen says it is shameful that "Lipstick Under My Burkha" is not getting a certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in India. Aparna's actress-daughter Konkona Sensharma stars in "Lipstick Under My Burkha", which is directed by Alankrita Shrivastava. "It's shameful. I hope the tribunal (Film Certification Appellate Tribunal) has enough sense to say 'yes we will give it a certificate'. It is a breach of our democratic right to our freedom of expression," Aparna told IANS on the sidelines of the trailer launch of her next directorial venture "Sonata". Revolving around four women -- a burqa-clad college girl, a young beautician, a mother of three and a 55-year-old widow who rediscovers her sexuality -- "Lipstick Under My Burkha" also features actors like Ratna Pathak Shah and Aahana Kumra. "Lipstick Under My Burkha" has been deemed too "lady oriented" in content and according to the censor board, it is laced with sexual scenes and abusive words. The film won a gender equality award at the Mumbai film fest last year, and recently won the Audience Award at the Glasgow Film Festival.
Pramod Thomas By

Express News Service

Midhun Manuel Thomass first film Aadu (2015) told the story of goat and a few local thugs while his next Annmariya Kalippilannu (2016), was a revenge story, albeit a kids. Alamara is Midhuns new flick in the third consecutive year. This time he leans on an Alamara (Almirah) to tell a funny tale.

The movie opens with the scene of an alamara, left to ruin under a coconut tree. It starts to narrate its story (voice over by Salim Kumar).

Film: Alamara

Genre: Comedy

Director: Midhun Manuel Thomas

Cast: Sunny Wayne, Manikandan

Achari, Aditi Ravi

Arun (Sunny Wayne), a young banker is employed in Bangalore meets Swathi (Aditi Ravi), when she gets transfered to the same city. They soon tie the knot.

After their marriage, an Alamara is gifted to them by the brides family and the rest of the film deals with funny incidents around it.

The film is an attempt to portray human relations with the huge Alamara as a symbol of ego. The 2-hours-10 minutes is sprinkled with situational jokes.

Seema G Nair (as Aruns mother) and Manju Satheesh (as Swatis mother) do their bit in a decent way to establish how silly things can snowball into huge issues in a family.

Manikandan Achari (as Aruns uncle) is a treat to watch. Though he was mainly given action sequences, his comic timings are charming too. Especially when he asks for beef fry though being a right wing activist and when he mocks deomenetisation.



The story by Mahesh Gopal is simple and John Manthrickal, who did the screenplay, gave the overall plot a right treatment. Sequences which involves Aju Varghese, Saiju Kurup and Sudhi Koppa gets monotonous at times. The real estate issue with a local gangster do not add any significance to the story, though elicits laughter.

As the makers gave more thrust to comedy sequences, the movie lacks an emotional back-up. Sunny Wayne exhibits a decent performance. So do debutante Aditi Ravi and Ranji Panicker (as Aruns father).

However, it is Midhun Manuel Thomas who is emerging as a matured film maker with his each movies.

Keeping aside the sequences which involves drinking and scenes in the house which are often cliched, the film is wrapped well in comedy. Hence this comedy drama is a sure one-time watch.

Midhun Manuel Thomass first film Aadu (2015) told the story of goat and a few local thugs while his next Annmariya Kalippilannu (2016), was a revenge story, albeit a kids. Alamara is Midhuns new flick in the third consecutive year. This time he leans on an Alamara (Almirah) to tell a funny tale. The movie opens with the scene of an alamara, left to ruin under a coconut tree. It starts to narrate its story (voice over by Salim Kumar). Film: Alamara Genre: Comedy Director: Midhun Manuel Thomas Cast: Sunny Wayne, Manikandan Achari, Aditi RaviArun (Sunny Wayne), a young banker is employed in Bangalore meets Swathi (Aditi Ravi), when she gets transfered to the same city. They soon tie the knot. After their marriage, an Alamara is gifted to them by the brides family and the rest of the film deals with funny incidents around it. The film is an attempt to portray human relations with the huge Alamara as a symbol of ego. The 2-hours-10 minutes is sprinkled with situational jokes. Seema G Nair (as Aruns mother) and Manju Satheesh (as Swatis mother) do their bit in a decent way to establish how silly things can snowball into huge issues in a family. Manikandan Achari (as Aruns uncle) is a treat to watch. Though he was mainly given action sequences, his comic timings are charming too. Especially when he asks for beef fry though being a right wing activist and when he mocks deomenetisation. The story by Mahesh Gopal is simple and John Manthrickal, who did the screenplay, gave the overall plot a right treatment. Sequences which involves Aju Varghese, Saiju Kurup and Sudhi Koppa gets monotonous at times. The real estate issue with a local gangster do not add any significance to the story, though elicits laughter. As the makers gave more thrust to comedy sequences, the movie lacks an emotional back-up. Sunny Wayne exhibits a decent performance. So do debutante Aditi Ravi and Ranji Panicker (as Aruns father). However, it is Midhun Manuel Thomas who is emerging as a matured film maker with his each movies. Keeping aside the sequences which involves drinking and scenes in the house which are often cliched, the film is wrapped well in comedy. Hence this comedy drama is a sure one-time watch.
By IANS

NEW DELHI: Marking the occasion of World Sleep Day 2017, Philips Healthcare India on Friday announced plans to extend sleep camps and launch a Centre of Excellence for training doctors on diagnosing sleep disorders in major cities in the country.



The Centre of Excellence will provide certified training to doctors on diagnosis and treatment of sleep associated disorders.



The sleep camps will raise awareness on sleep disorders and the necessity of visiting sleep labs and seeking medical attention for healthy and sound sleep.



"Awareness on sleep disorders is rising -- people are increasingly looking at lack of sleep as a potential health issue. But a lot needs to be done, especially in tier-II cities," said Harish R, Head of Sleep and Respiratory Care at Philips, India.



"Sleep disorders and their relation with potentially life-threatening conditions like diabetes, hypertension and cardiac arrests cannot be ignored," he added.



Symptoms of sleep apnea include unwarranted daytime sleepiness and trouble in concentrating which can have a serious impact on health and increase cardiac conditions, strokes, neurological disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and irregular heartbeats.



NEW DELHI: Marking the occasion of World Sleep Day 2017, Philips Healthcare India on Friday announced plans to extend sleep camps and launch a Centre of Excellence for training doctors on diagnosing sleep disorders in major cities in the country. The Centre of Excellence will provide certified training to doctors on diagnosis and treatment of sleep associated disorders. The sleep camps will raise awareness on sleep disorders and the necessity of visiting sleep labs and seeking medical attention for healthy and sound sleep. "Awareness on sleep disorders is rising -- people are increasingly looking at lack of sleep as a potential health issue. But a lot needs to be done, especially in tier-II cities," said Harish R, Head of Sleep and Respiratory Care at Philips, India. "Sleep disorders and their relation with potentially life-threatening conditions like diabetes, hypertension and cardiac arrests cannot be ignored," he added. Symptoms of sleep apnea include unwarranted daytime sleepiness and trouble in concentrating which can have a serious impact on health and increase cardiac conditions, strokes, neurological disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and irregular heartbeats.
Mohan Das Menon By

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yis statement in Beijing on March 8 this year on the sidelines of a National Peoples Congress session that the current forum for exchanges between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa should be converted to BRICS Plus needs to be reviewed early and decisively by Delhi. Despite existing political relationships within BRICS, including between India and China, BRICS has shown a certain degree of resilience, establishing a modus vivendi of sorts in addressing relevant issues, as per a seemingly focused agenda. Wang has called upon BRICS to explore modalities to hold outreach dialogues with other major developing countries.

It appears quite likely that Beijing, which is expected to host the next meeting of BRICS summit in September this year, has projected a major reform plank in its structure only after considerable due diligence.

That too, most likely on the basis of an internal efficacy audit by the Chinese security and intelligence services, known to play a mentoring role of dynamic determination in shaping Chinese foreign policy. It was President Xi Jinping who had earlier drawn the five fingers analogy to describe BRICS as a unified fist when the five come together. Back-tracking from the essence of ones own description seems both incredulous and, perhaps, a bit manipulative.

It is now clear that Beijing is seeking to redraw the lines of BRICS before its next annual meeting. Evidently, both within the Chinese military and in the ruling party higher echelons, a logical line of thought seems to have erupted to the effect that the extant BRICS agenda of action is no longer co-terminus with Chinese policy goals of the future.

The Chinese leadership is now having second thoughts about the innate strength and relevance of the five-country body. China is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and on the question of reform of this body the Chinese stratagem is one of stoic opposition, reflective more of adherence to right wing conservatism than to any leftist prospects of a dramatic departure from the existential norms. Beijing has been disinclined to even discuss any issues related to reforms in the United Nations and its Security Council that are aggressively pushed by some members of BRICS, particularly India and Brazil.

Reverting to BRICS, Beijing once again seems back-pedaling as a frontispiece for its globally most favoured and the chosen strategic ally, Pakistans cause for future membership as

constituent of BRICS Plus.

The same cushioning role to protect Islamabad had also

been performed in proceedings of the Goa Summit of 2016 wherein China issued a significant immunity card to Pakistan to ensure that it was not identified as an agent of trans border terror. Besides Pakistan, names of Sri Lanka and Mexico also figure in the Chinese plan of intent for an outreach towards more inclusiveness. If BRICS outreach is the sole, honest goal that China wants addressed, it is inexplicable why it wants to keep out Japan, South Korea and Canada from the reckoning within the BRICS Plus ambit.

Prior to contemplating any expansion of BRICS contours, there are some vital issues that arise. Will it be prudent for Beijing and Delhi and other capitals of BRICS members to explore possibilities of creating more internal real energy through greater economic synergy? According to a United Nations University study by Wim Naude and others, published in 2015, the foremost need for BRICS is to drive the structural economic transformation of lagging economies through innovation, taking into consideration their stages of development based on experiences and structural reform credentials of Russia, India, China, Brazil and South Africa. Secondly, whether there is any coherence of views within BRICS at all for any such incremental intakes of national entities proposed singularly by China. Under these grounds, should not the other four fingers come out with their alternate postulations on BRICS? There are thus many issues on the table.

In the meantime, Americans today in their utter frankness are asking themselves, where does the deep state end and the constitutional republic begin? In a similar vein, China, a very important country in the world, should be asking of itself, where do whimsical strategies evaporate and mature strategy and policy lines merging in

consonance with the world at large, truly begin? Chinas diplomatic, strategic, tactical and economic proximity with Pakistan is truly acknowledged by the world at large. But those linkages should ideally be confined to a bilateral scope of things, rather than be thrust on to the BRICS format.

Mohan Das Menon

Former additional secretary, Cabinet Secretariat

mdmenonconsulting@gmail.com

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yis statement in Beijing on March 8 this year on the sidelines of a National Peoples Congress session that the current forum for exchanges between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa should be converted to BRICS Plus needs to be reviewed early and decisively by Delhi. Despite existing political relationships within BRICS, including between India and China, BRICS has shown a certain degree of resilience, establishing a modus vivendi of sorts in addressing relevant issues, as per a seemingly focused agenda. Wang has called upon BRICS to explore modalities to hold outreach dialogues with other major developing countries. It appears quite likely that Beijing, which is expected to host the next meeting of BRICS summit in September this year, has projected a major reform plank in its structure only after considerable due diligence. That too, most likely on the basis of an internal efficacy audit by the Chinese security and intelligence services, known to play a mentoring role of dynamic determination in shaping Chinese foreign policy. It was President Xi Jinping who had earlier drawn the five fingers analogy to describe BRICS as a unified fist when the five come together. Back-tracking from the essence of ones own description seems both incredulous and, perhaps, a bit manipulative. It is now clear that Beijing is seeking to redraw the lines of BRICS before its next annual meeting. Evidently, both within the Chinese military and in the ruling party higher echelons, a logical line of thought seems to have erupted to the effect that the extant BRICS agenda of action is no longer co-terminus with Chinese policy goals of the future. The Chinese leadership is now having second thoughts about the innate strength and relevance of the five-country body. China is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and on the question of reform of this body the Chinese stratagem is one of stoic opposition, reflective more of adherence to right wing conservatism than to any leftist prospects of a dramatic departure from the existential norms. Beijing has been disinclined to even discuss any issues related to reforms in the United Nations and its Security Council that are aggressively pushed by some members of BRICS, particularly India and Brazil. Reverting to BRICS, Beijing once again seems back-pedaling as a frontispiece for its globally most favoured and the chosen strategic ally, Pakistans cause for future membership as constituent of BRICS Plus. The same cushioning role to protect Islamabad had also been performed in proceedings of the Goa Summit of 2016 wherein China issued a significant immunity card to Pakistan to ensure that it was not identified as an agent of trans border terror. Besides Pakistan, names of Sri Lanka and Mexico also figure in the Chinese plan of intent for an outreach towards more inclusiveness. If BRICS outreach is the sole, honest goal that China wants addressed, it is inexplicable why it wants to keep out Japan, South Korea and Canada from the reckoning within the BRICS Plus ambit. Prior to contemplating any expansion of BRICS contours, there are some vital issues that arise. Will it be prudent for Beijing and Delhi and other capitals of BRICS members to explore possibilities of creating more internal real energy through greater economic synergy? According to a United Nations University study by Wim Naude and others, published in 2015, the foremost need for BRICS is to drive the structural economic transformation of lagging economies through innovation, taking into consideration their stages of development based on experiences and structural reform credentials of Russia, India, China, Brazil and South Africa. Secondly, whether there is any coherence of views within BRICS at all for any such incremental intakes of national entities proposed singularly by China. Under these grounds, should not the other four fingers come out with their alternate postulations on BRICS? There are thus many issues on the table. In the meantime, Americans today in their utter frankness are asking themselves, where does the deep state end and the constitutional republic begin? In a similar vein, China, a very important country in the world, should be asking of itself, where do whimsical strategies evaporate and mature strategy and policy lines merging in consonance with the world at large, truly begin? Chinas diplomatic, strategic, tactical and economic proximity with Pakistan is truly acknowledged by the world at large. But those linkages should ideally be confined to a bilateral scope of things, rather than be thrust on to the BRICS format. Mohan Das Menon Former additional secretary, Cabinet Secretariat mdmenonconsulting@gmail.com
By IANS

KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court division bench division bench that ordered a CBI preliminary inquiry into the Narada sting footage case, termed the role played by the state police in the matter as "puppets on a string".



"The state police, unfortunately, puppets on a string, the end of which is with the respondents. Therefore it is of utmost importance that the preliminary inquiry should be conducted by a neutral and independent investigative agency," acting Chief Justice Nishita Mhatre, who penned the main order, observed during Friday's hearing.



"There is no other investigating agency besides the CBI which is independent and therefore I direct the CBi to conduct a preliminary inquiry without any delay," she said.



The acting Chief Justice also slammed the Mamata Banerjee government, accusing it of not acting independently during the investigation.



"It surprises me that the state in this case, rather than acting independently has supported the respondents with all the vehemence at its command," she said.



Mhatre added that though the respondents in the case, all holding high public offices, maintained that they haven't committed any cognizable offence of money laundering and questioned the authenticity of the video footage. the forensic test a two different laboratories show video footage is genuine.



"The contention of the respondents has all along been that they have not committed any cognizable offence under the prevention of money laundering or prevention of corruption act or under any provisions of the IPC. Considering the CFSL (Central Forensic Science Laboratory) reports from Hydrabad as well as Chandigarh, it is apparent that the video footage is not tampered and is genuine," she said.

KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court division bench division bench that ordered a CBI preliminary inquiry into the Narada sting footage case, termed the role played by the state police in the matter as "puppets on a string". "The state police, unfortunately, puppets on a string, the end of which is with the respondents. Therefore it is of utmost importance that the preliminary inquiry should be conducted by a neutral and independent investigative agency," acting Chief Justice Nishita Mhatre, who penned the main order, observed during Friday's hearing. "There is no other investigating agency besides the CBI which is independent and therefore I direct the CBi to conduct a preliminary inquiry without any delay," she said. The acting Chief Justice also slammed the Mamata Banerjee government, accusing it of not acting independently during the investigation. "It surprises me that the state in this case, rather than acting independently has supported the respondents with all the vehemence at its command," she said. Mhatre added that though the respondents in the case, all holding high public offices, maintained that they haven't committed any cognizable offence of money laundering and questioned the authenticity of the video footage. the forensic test a two different laboratories show video footage is genuine. "The contention of the respondents has all along been that they have not committed any cognizable offence under the prevention of money laundering or prevention of corruption act or under any provisions of the IPC. Considering the CFSL (Central Forensic Science Laboratory) reports from Hydrabad as well as Chandigarh, it is apparent that the video footage is not tampered and is genuine," she said.
Ejaz Kaiser By

Express News Service

RAIPUR: Six Maoists, including two women commanders, and two jawans were killed in a fierce gunfight near the forested terrain of Bargum at Aranpur in strife-torn Dantewada district south Chhattisgarh on Saturday. Three security personnel sustained injuries and were airlifted to Raipur for immediate medical attention.

According to the Dantewada superintendent of police Kamal Lochan Kashyap, a joint team comprising central reserve police force (CRPF), special task force (STF) and district reserve guards (DRG) acted on a tip-off and launched a search operation on Saturday morning.

We got the inputs on Saturday morning from our informers about the presence of some 50 rebels near the Barren forested hills and immediately the operation was planned and executed. The ultras were taken aback and opened fire on the forces. The attack was swiftly retaliated. In the gun-battle six Naxalites were killed and their bodies in uniform were recovered from the encounter site. We also lost two jawans. Naxals had set-up their camp in interior area, Kashyap told the New Indian Express.

Two constables killed in the rebel attack are Nirmal Netam and Sukram Gawde. The encounter continued for over an hour, the police said. The woman Maoist commanders were identified as Palo (Malangir Area Committee secretary) and Vijje (Malangir Area Committee member). One injured rebel was apprehended from the spot.

The police also recovered one AK-47 assault rifle, a self-loading rifle (SLR), explosives and some items of daily use from the spot.

The cordon and search operations have been launched in the area with the additional forces having been deployed, the SP said.

This is the third major encounter this month in the restive Bastar zone. On Thursday two members of outlawed CPI (Maoist) were killed in Narayanpur and on March 11 the armed rebels ambushed a road opening party (ROP) killing twelve CRPF jawans in Sukma.

The left-wing extremism have presence in at least 16 of the 27 districts of the state but are most active in south Chhattisgarhs Bastar region.

RAIPUR: Six Maoists, including two women commanders, and two jawans were killed in a fierce gunfight near the forested terrain of Bargum at Aranpur in strife-torn Dantewada district south Chhattisgarh on Saturday. Three security personnel sustained injuries and were airlifted to Raipur for immediate medical attention. According to the Dantewada superintendent of police Kamal Lochan Kashyap, a joint team comprising central reserve police force (CRPF), special task force (STF) and district reserve guards (DRG) acted on a tip-off and launched a search operation on Saturday morning. We got the inputs on Saturday morning from our informers about the presence of some 50 rebels near the Barren forested hills and immediately the operation was planned and executed. The ultras were taken aback and opened fire on the forces. The attack was swiftly retaliated. In the gun-battle six Naxalites were killed and their bodies in uniform were recovered from the encounter site. We also lost two jawans. Naxals had set-up their camp in interior area, Kashyap told the New Indian Express. Two constables killed in the rebel attack are Nirmal Netam and Sukram Gawde. The encounter continued for over an hour, the police said. The woman Maoist commanders were identified as Palo (Malangir Area Committee secretary) and Vijje (Malangir Area Committee member). One injured rebel was apprehended from the spot. The police also recovered one AK-47 assault rifle, a self-loading rifle (SLR), explosives and some items of daily use from the spot. The cordon and search operations have been launched in the area with the additional forces having been deployed, the SP said. This is the third major encounter this month in the restive Bastar zone. On Thursday two members of outlawed CPI (Maoist) were killed in Narayanpur and on March 11 the armed rebels ambushed a road opening party (ROP) killing twelve CRPF jawans in Sukma. The left-wing extremism have presence in at least 16 of the 27 districts of the state but are most active in south Chhattisgarhs Bastar region.
Namita bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: The countdown for closure of mechanised slaughterhouses has begun in Uttar Pradesh. The swearing-in of the new chief minister of the state in Lucknow on Sunday will pave way for promulgation of an ordinance in this regard. It is likely to come into effect by midnight Sunday.



The ban on mechanised slaughterhouses was one of the main points of the BJPs manifesto in the recent elections. The manifesto promised promulgation of an ordinance by midnight on the very day a saffron regime takes over the reins of the state. The partys president Amit Shah raised this issue consistently and vociferously in his election rallies across the state, especially in western UP where many mechanised abattoirs are located.



Uttar Pradesh is one of the top buffalo meat-producing states in the country. According to the states Animal Husbandry Department, UP produced 7,515.14 lakh kg of buffalo meat in 2014-15. In fact, the country exported 13,14,158.05 tons of buffalo meat products worth Rs 2,6681.56 crore in 2015-16.

There are about 130 legal slaughterhouses in the state employing over two lakh people. However, there are scores of illegal abattoirs in areas such as Bijnor, Amroha and Chandpur in western UP. The net worth of the entire beef industry in UP is approximately Rs 17,000 crore.



Though the BJP manifesto talks about illegal mechanised slaughterhouses, those involved in the legal meat industry are also restless about the forthcoming ordinance. They fear being targeted on the basis of mere suspicion.



To begin with, the new ordinance is likely to make provision for the closure of illegal mechanised abattoirs and slaughter houses from Sunday midnight. The rest running legally will continue for now. But once the licences of the mechanised abattoirs expire, there will be no further renewal, say the sources.



As a major chunk of the Qureishis, a Muslim subcommunity, are associated with the business of slaughterhouses, they fear they would be under the scanner of the BJP regime about to take over in UP. There have been a number of cases in the past where truckloads of buffalo meat were stopped and their driver were harassed by cow vigilante groups and cow slaughter were lodged against them.



The case of Dadri is still fresh in the memory of the Muslim community in UP in which a man named Mohammad Akhlaq was lynched in 2015 by a mob incited by to rumours that he and his family stored beef in their refrigerator.



LUCKNOW: The countdown for closure of mechanised slaughterhouses has begun in Uttar Pradesh. The swearing-in of the new chief minister of the state in Lucknow on Sunday will pave way for promulgation of an ordinance in this regard. It is likely to come into effect by midnight Sunday. The ban on mechanised slaughterhouses was one of the main points of the BJPs manifesto in the recent elections. The manifesto promised promulgation of an ordinance by midnight on the very day a saffron regime takes over the reins of the state. The partys president Amit Shah raised this issue consistently and vociferously in his election rallies across the state, especially in western UP where many mechanised abattoirs are located. Uttar Pradesh is one of the top buffalo meat-producing states in the country. According to the states Animal Husbandry Department, UP produced 7,515.14 lakh kg of buffalo meat in 2014-15. In fact, the country exported 13,14,158.05 tons of buffalo meat products worth Rs 2,6681.56 crore in 2015-16. There are about 130 legal slaughterhouses in the state employing over two lakh people. However, there are scores of illegal abattoirs in areas such as Bijnor, Amroha and Chandpur in western UP. The net worth of the entire beef industry in UP is approximately Rs 17,000 crore. Though the BJP manifesto talks about illegal mechanised slaughterhouses, those involved in the legal meat industry are also restless about the forthcoming ordinance. They fear being targeted on the basis of mere suspicion. To begin with, the new ordinance is likely to make provision for the closure of illegal mechanised abattoirs and slaughter houses from Sunday midnight. The rest running legally will continue for now. But once the licences of the mechanised abattoirs expire, there will be no further renewal, say the sources. As a major chunk of the Qureishis, a Muslim subcommunity, are associated with the business of slaughterhouses, they fear they would be under the scanner of the BJP regime about to take over in UP. There have been a number of cases in the past where truckloads of buffalo meat were stopped and their driver were harassed by cow vigilante groups and cow slaughter were lodged against them. The case of Dadri is still fresh in the memory of the Muslim community in UP in which a man named Mohammad Akhlaq was lynched in 2015 by a mob incited by to rumours that he and his family stored beef in their refrigerator.
Is the US About to Turn Up the Heat on North Korea?

Americas pivot to Asia under the Obama administration has developed sharper elbows under Trump.

This trip ostensibly is a diplomatic sweep of key countries to discuss many issues, including trade. But everyone has been provoked by an unstable North Korean dictator who appears to want to do more than test his growing supply of illicit nuclear weapons  he wants to use them. His threats are changing how other countries in the region are responding to the North Korean menace.

The United States has sent naval vessels to the South China Sea and deployed its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD) to South Korea. That is irritating China, which has been building up its presence in the area. Japan has fortified its naval capability, presumably with anti-missile capability on board its new ships.

But Kim Jong-un, North Koreas erratic president, has his own agenda and doesnt seem to care that China doesnt appreciate one of its satellite countries going rogue on nukes.

How should Tillerson handle a bad actor like Kim Jong-un? China, Japan and South Korea want to negotiate a deal. But Tillerson said Friday, The policy of strategic patience has ended. Were exploring a new range of diplomatic, security and economic measures. He warned that the administration could take pre-emptive action if they elevate the threat of their weapons program [to an unacceptable level]. All options are on the table.

How did this happen? How did we get here?

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
Abhijit Mulye By

Express News Service

MUMBAI: Beating Shiv Senas bravado and the deadlock strategy of the Opposition Congress-NCP combine, BJP government in Maharashtra presented its third budget on Saturday amidst pandemonium in both the Houses of legislature. Contrary to expectations there was no announcement of loan waiver, but there were several pro-farmer provisions. Shiv Sena supported the government on the Budget despite its call for loan waiver, while Opposition leaders burnt copies of budget outside the Assembly after it was presented in the House.

Finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar did not make any big-ticket announcements as he presented the Budget for the year 2017-18. He also did not announce any new taxes, except an increase in taxes on liquor and lottery.

Describing it as the agriculture centric budget, Mungantiwar announced several provisions for the agriculture sector. Provisions of 8233 crore for irrigation projects, Rs 979 crore to compensate backlog of agriculture pumps and implementation of agriculture infrastructure projects, Rs 400 crore for the world bank assisted project of weather resilient agriculture and Rs 200 crore for pilot project on group farming to improve agricultural production were some of the provisions that he mentioned.

In a bid to push industries across the state, the government has proposed to set aside Rs 1,000 crore as incentives in terms of electricity rates, at Marathwada and Vidarbha. With an aim to promote cashless transactions, the state government has also brought down to zero, from the earlier 13%, the tax on card swiping machines to zero.

The state has allocated a sizable chunk for various infrastructure projects, including the development of airports and construction of metro corridors. Mungantiwar allocated Rs 7,000 crore to the public works department for better roads across state. The government also allocated Rs 700 crore for the construction of Metro lines in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur. In a bid to develop infrastructure in the state, the finance minister announced setting up of a special purpose vehicle to raise Rs 1 lakh crore.

Out of every Rs 100 earned as revenue, Rs 78.3 comes from taxes on income and expenditure, property and capital transactions, commodities and services. Rs 8.3 comes from non-tax revenue such as interest receipts, dividends and profits, and the remaining Rs 13.43 comes from grants-in-aid and contributions as part of state and central plan schemes, and non-plan grants.

On the expenditure side, a lions share goes to social services with the government intending to spend Rs 46 out of every Rs 100 on it. Keeping up with its welfare measures, the next big chunk, of Rs 33 is spent on general services, while another Rs 17.44 is earmarked towards economic services of which around Rs 12.5 is the interest component. Some loose change of Rs 3.43 out of every Rs 100 is also chucked at Grants-in-aid and other schemes.

Despite demands from the Shiv Sena and the Opposition, Mungantiwar did not make any announcement on the loan waiver for farmers. However, the Shiv Sena members, who kept the government on its toes till noon, sat quietly through the presentation of the budget and listened to it quietly. Members of the Congress and the NCP however, chanted slogans, thumped desks, waved banners and even tried to block live telecast of budget speech in their bid to disrupt the budget presentation.

Earlier in the day Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made a statement in both the houses in an attempt to pacify the members who had been demanding loan waiver. While conveying the information on his meeting with union finance minister and agriculture minister at Delhi yesterday, he assured the members that the government would make substantial provisions to widen the institutional agriculture loan net in the state.

Out of 1.31 crore account holders in the state, only 31 lakh are defaulters, who face exclusion from the institutional credit net. The government shall devise a scheme to help those, while not making injustice to those 1 crore who have been paying loans, he said, after which Shiv Sena was toned down.

If the Opposition were truly concerned with the plight of farmers, they would have listened to the Budget. But, they were utterly non serious while the budget was being presented, which was shameful, he said while interacting with media after the budget.

MUMBAI: Beating Shiv Senas bravado and the deadlock strategy of the Opposition Congress-NCP combine, BJP government in Maharashtra presented its third budget on Saturday amidst pandemonium in both the Houses of legislature. Contrary to expectations there was no announcement of loan waiver, but there were several pro-farmer provisions. Shiv Sena supported the government on the Budget despite its call for loan waiver, while Opposition leaders burnt copies of budget outside the Assembly after it was presented in the House. Finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar did not make any big-ticket announcements as he presented the Budget for the year 2017-18. He also did not announce any new taxes, except an increase in taxes on liquor and lottery. Describing it as the agriculture centric budget, Mungantiwar announced several provisions for the agriculture sector. Provisions of 8233 crore for irrigation projects, Rs 979 crore to compensate backlog of agriculture pumps and implementation of agriculture infrastructure projects, Rs 400 crore for the world bank assisted project of weather resilient agriculture and Rs 200 crore for pilot project on group farming to improve agricultural production were some of the provisions that he mentioned. In a bid to push industries across the state, the government has proposed to set aside Rs 1,000 crore as incentives in terms of electricity rates, at Marathwada and Vidarbha. With an aim to promote cashless transactions, the state government has also brought down to zero, from the earlier 13%, the tax on card swiping machines to zero. The state has allocated a sizable chunk for various infrastructure projects, including the development of airports and construction of metro corridors. Mungantiwar allocated Rs 7,000 crore to the public works department for better roads across state. The government also allocated Rs 700 crore for the construction of Metro lines in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur. In a bid to develop infrastructure in the state, the finance minister announced setting up of a special purpose vehicle to raise Rs 1 lakh crore. Out of every Rs 100 earned as revenue, Rs 78.3 comes from taxes on income and expenditure, property and capital transactions, commodities and services. Rs 8.3 comes from non-tax revenue such as interest receipts, dividends and profits, and the remaining Rs 13.43 comes from grants-in-aid and contributions as part of state and central plan schemes, and non-plan grants. On the expenditure side, a lions share goes to social services with the government intending to spend Rs 46 out of every Rs 100 on it. Keeping up with its welfare measures, the next big chunk, of Rs 33 is spent on general services, while another Rs 17.44 is earmarked towards economic services of which around Rs 12.5 is the interest component. Some loose change of Rs 3.43 out of every Rs 100 is also chucked at Grants-in-aid and other schemes. Despite demands from the Shiv Sena and the Opposition, Mungantiwar did not make any announcement on the loan waiver for farmers. However, the Shiv Sena members, who kept the government on its toes till noon, sat quietly through the presentation of the budget and listened to it quietly. Members of the Congress and the NCP however, chanted slogans, thumped desks, waved banners and even tried to block live telecast of budget speech in their bid to disrupt the budget presentation. Earlier in the day Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made a statement in both the houses in an attempt to pacify the members who had been demanding loan waiver. While conveying the information on his meeting with union finance minister and agriculture minister at Delhi yesterday, he assured the members that the government would make substantial provisions to widen the institutional agriculture loan net in the state. Out of 1.31 crore account holders in the state, only 31 lakh are defaulters, who face exclusion from the institutional credit net. The government shall devise a scheme to help those, while not making injustice to those 1 crore who have been paying loans, he said, after which Shiv Sena was toned down. If the Opposition were truly concerned with the plight of farmers, they would have listened to the Budget. But, they were utterly non serious while the budget was being presented, which was shameful, he said while interacting with media after the budget.
By ANI

NEW DELHI: Expressing despair over the disappearance of two Indian Sufi clerics in Karachi, the Congress on Saturday called the incident as tragic and alarming for the nation.

I think it is very tragic and alarming. Right now, we can only pray for our two Sufi pilgrims who are important for our country and as a symbol of peacemakers for the world. We can just pray that they return home safely without any loss coming to them in any way, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid told ANI.

He added that nothing can be done about what is happening in a neighbouring country, except put pressure, seek information and give reminders.

We all know what situation in Pakistan is, its a very difficult situation. There are repeated incidents of kidnapping, violence, operations of different forms of terrorism and so on, Khurshid said.

It has emerged that Pakistan intelligence agencies are behind the disappearance of two Indian Sufi clerics missing since Thursday, reports suggest.



Two clerics, Asif Nizami and Nazim Nizami, had gone to Karachi to meet their relatives after which they headed to Lahore to visit the shrines of Sufi saints.



Syed Asif Ali Nizami is the head priest of New Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that she has taken up the matter with Islamabad.



Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria also acknowledged that an Indian request seeking assistance for the recovery of two clerics had been received.

NEW DELHI: Expressing despair over the disappearance of two Indian Sufi clerics in Karachi, the Congress on Saturday called the incident as tragic and alarming for the nation. I think it is very tragic and alarming. Right now, we can only pray for our two Sufi pilgrims who are important for our country and as a symbol of peacemakers for the world. We can just pray that they return home safely without any loss coming to them in any way, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid told ANI. He added that nothing can be done about what is happening in a neighbouring country, except put pressure, seek information and give reminders. We all know what situation in Pakistan is, its a very difficult situation. There are repeated incidents of kidnapping, violence, operations of different forms of terrorism and so on, Khurshid said. It has emerged that Pakistan intelligence agencies are behind the disappearance of two Indian Sufi clerics missing since Thursday, reports suggest. Two clerics, Asif Nizami and Nazim Nizami, had gone to Karachi to meet their relatives after which they headed to Lahore to visit the shrines of Sufi saints. Syed Asif Ali Nizami is the head priest of New Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that she has taken up the matter with Islamabad. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria also acknowledged that an Indian request seeking assistance for the recovery of two clerics had been received.
Rakesh K Singh By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: After a gap of three decades, Doberman Pinschers are back policing the Sino-Indian border along with Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel. The paramilitary force has reintroduced the German breed into its K-9 squad with a view to increasing the variety of dogs under its command.

The accent on variety is meant as insurance against outbreak of disease amongst the canines. The Union Home Ministry recently greenlighted a proposal for limited breeding of Dobermans in order to manage the genetic variety of its canine troops.

The Doberman breed was replaced in the ITBP K-9 unit in 1991 owing to degradation in quality due to inbreeding by private breeders.

But the force is now welcoming the breed back. ITBP deputy inspector-general (veterinary) Sudhakar Natarajan said, The Doberman is excellent for roles like attack, patrol, explosive detection and tracking and can acclimatise well for deployment in high altitude as well as hot and humid conditions.

ITBP veterinarians have identified three pairs of pure-bred Dobermans and bred 15 pups. They have been trained for six months at the National Training Centre for Dogs at Panchkula in Haryana and deployed in different locations. Some of the ITBP canines that kept order during the recent Manipur elections were from this batch of pups.

Natarajan said that from hereon the vigour of the breed will be maintained through proper in-house breeding.

The ITBP has a K-9 unit of 300 dogs including German Shepherds, Malinois and Labradors. The K-9 squad is deployed for securing installations during visits by foreign dignitaries and during national festivals like Republic Day.

The ITBP also trains the canines of the Special Protection Group (SPG) which provides security to Prime Ministers and their immediate family members. Additionally, ITBP canines are deployed in high-altitude locations along the China border and in naxalite-affected areas.

NEW DELHI: After a gap of three decades, Doberman Pinschers are back policing the Sino-Indian border along with Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel. The paramilitary force has reintroduced the German breed into its K-9 squad with a view to increasing the variety of dogs under its command. The accent on variety is meant as insurance against outbreak of disease amongst the canines. The Union Home Ministry recently greenlighted a proposal for limited breeding of Dobermans in order to manage the genetic variety of its canine troops. The Doberman breed was replaced in the ITBP K-9 unit in 1991 owing to degradation in quality due to inbreeding by private breeders. But the force is now welcoming the breed back. ITBP deputy inspector-general (veterinary) Sudhakar Natarajan said, The Doberman is excellent for roles like attack, patrol, explosive detection and tracking and can acclimatise well for deployment in high altitude as well as hot and humid conditions. ITBP veterinarians have identified three pairs of pure-bred Dobermans and bred 15 pups. They have been trained for six months at the National Training Centre for Dogs at Panchkula in Haryana and deployed in different locations. Some of the ITBP canines that kept order during the recent Manipur elections were from this batch of pups. Natarajan said that from hereon the vigour of the breed will be maintained through proper in-house breeding. The ITBP has a K-9 unit of 300 dogs including German Shepherds, Malinois and Labradors. The K-9 squad is deployed for securing installations during visits by foreign dignitaries and during national festivals like Republic Day. The ITBP also trains the canines of the Special Protection Group (SPG) which provides security to Prime Ministers and their immediate family members. Additionally, ITBP canines are deployed in high-altitude locations along the China border and in naxalite-affected areas.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Fourteen dead bodies of people belonging to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are lying in Saudi Arabia, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has told the Parliament, debunking the claims that hundreds of bodies of Indians were piling up in Saudi Arabian mortuaries.

Minister of State for External Affairs Gen VK Singh has told this to Rajya Sabha in a written response.

There are only two dead bodies registered from Andhra Pradesh and five from Telangana with the Embassy of India at Riyadh for which No Objection Certificates (NOCs) have already been issued, Singh said. He added that four dead bodies belonging to people from Andhra Pradesh and three from Telangana are awaiting formal documents before the Embassy to issue the NOCs.

A bunch of documents need to be submitted to the Indian Embassy before the body can be flown to India. This includes medical and police reports, a letter from the family and a declaration from the Saudi government or the employer in case blood money or compensation is being demanded.

According to statistics, nearly ten lakh people from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are employed in Saudi Arabia. The families of the victims have many a times alleged non-cooperation from the Indian Embassy in the country.

. The Indian Mission/Consulate in Saudi Arabia provide assistance on a proactive basis from informing the next of kin to facilitating the disposal of mortal remains either by local burial or transportation to India, in coordination with the sponsors. Death documents are attested and other assistance provided even beyond office hours and on holidays, Singh said while adding that the issues pertaining to death cases are taken up during the bilateral consular meetings from time to time.

NEW DELHI: Fourteen dead bodies of people belonging to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are lying in Saudi Arabia, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has told the Parliament, debunking the claims that hundreds of bodies of Indians were piling up in Saudi Arabian mortuaries. Minister of State for External Affairs Gen VK Singh has told this to Rajya Sabha in a written response. There are only two dead bodies registered from Andhra Pradesh and five from Telangana with the Embassy of India at Riyadh for which No Objection Certificates (NOCs) have already been issued, Singh said. He added that four dead bodies belonging to people from Andhra Pradesh and three from Telangana are awaiting formal documents before the Embassy to issue the NOCs. A bunch of documents need to be submitted to the Indian Embassy before the body can be flown to India. This includes medical and police reports, a letter from the family and a declaration from the Saudi government or the employer in case blood money or compensation is being demanded. According to statistics, nearly ten lakh people from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are employed in Saudi Arabia. The families of the victims have many a times alleged non-cooperation from the Indian Embassy in the country. . The Indian Mission/Consulate in Saudi Arabia provide assistance on a proactive basis from informing the next of kin to facilitating the disposal of mortal remains either by local burial or transportation to India, in coordination with the sponsors. Death documents are attested and other assistance provided even beyond office hours and on holidays, Singh said while adding that the issues pertaining to death cases are taken up during the bilateral consular meetings from time to time.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The two missing Indian clerics of Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah have been "traced and have reached Karachi", Pakistan today conveyed to India.

"Pakistan Foreign Office has confirmed that the two Indian clerics have been traced and reached Karachi," a source said in New Delhi. The confirmation came after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke to Pakistan Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, regarding the case. Aziz is in London currently.

The two missing Indian clerics -- Syed Asif Nizami, the head priest (Sajjadanashin) of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah, and and his nephew Nazim Nizami -- reached Karachi this evening.

According to Pakistani media reports, both clerics had been in "interior Sindh where there was no communication network" and that is why they could not tell their relatives about their whereabouts. They will leave for India on March 20.

Earlier in the day, Pakistani sources had said the two clerics were in the custody of Pakistan's intelligence agency over their alleged links with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). They were offloaded from Karachi-bound Shaheen Airlines on March 14 at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, the Pakistani sources said. "The personnel of an intelligence took both the clerics into custody after getting them offloaded and shifted them to an undisclosed location for investigation," a source had said. They further said both clerics had been detained for their alleged links with Altaf Hussain's MQM.

NEW DELHI: The two missing Indian clerics of Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah have been "traced and have reached Karachi", Pakistan today conveyed to India. "Pakistan Foreign Office has confirmed that the two Indian clerics have been traced and reached Karachi," a source said in New Delhi. The confirmation came after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke to Pakistan Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, regarding the case. Aziz is in London currently. The two missing Indian clerics -- Syed Asif Nizami, the head priest (Sajjadanashin) of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah, and and his nephew Nazim Nizami -- reached Karachi this evening. According to Pakistani media reports, both clerics had been in "interior Sindh where there was no communication network" and that is why they could not tell their relatives about their whereabouts. They will leave for India on March 20. Earlier in the day, Pakistani sources had said the two clerics were in the custody of Pakistan's intelligence agency over their alleged links with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). They were offloaded from Karachi-bound Shaheen Airlines on March 14 at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, the Pakistani sources said. "The personnel of an intelligence took both the clerics into custody after getting them offloaded and shifted them to an undisclosed location for investigation," a source had said. They further said both clerics had been detained for their alleged links with Altaf Hussain's MQM.
By ANI

NEW DELHI: Sajid Ali, the son of missing cleric Asif Ali Nizami, on Saturday requested the agencies in Pakistan to free his father, adding the former is innocent and not involved in any unwanted activities.



I would like to request the agencies in Pakistan to free both of them. They are not involved in any unwanted activities, Ali told media.



He further said his father had all documents and visa that is required to prove him innocent.



Two Indian Sufi clerics Asif Nizami and Nazim Nizami, who were on a pilgrimage to Pakistan, have gone missing prompting India to take up the matter with Islamabad.



The clerics had gone to Karachi to meet their relatives after which they headed to Lahore to visit the shrines of Sufi saints.

Syed Asif Ali Nizami is the head priest of New Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah.



Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that she has taken up the matter with Islamabad.

NEW DELHI: Sajid Ali, the son of missing cleric Asif Ali Nizami, on Saturday requested the agencies in Pakistan to free his father, adding the former is innocent and not involved in any unwanted activities. I would like to request the agencies in Pakistan to free both of them. They are not involved in any unwanted activities, Ali told media. He further said his father had all documents and visa that is required to prove him innocent. Two Indian Sufi clerics Asif Nizami and Nazim Nizami, who were on a pilgrimage to Pakistan, have gone missing prompting India to take up the matter with Islamabad. The clerics had gone to Karachi to meet their relatives after which they headed to Lahore to visit the shrines of Sufi saints. Syed Asif Ali Nizami is the head priest of New Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah. Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that she has taken up the matter with Islamabad.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The mystery surrounding two Indian Sufi clerics, who went missing in Pakistan, deepened further Friday with Pakistans foreign ministry saying the interior ministry was probing the matter, but had not made any headway so far.

Amidst reports that the duo had been detained by Pakistani Intelligence agencies, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj used Twitter to announce that she had taken up the matter with the Pakistan government.

The Indian high commissioner in Islamabad had lodged a strong complaint with the foreign ministry in Islamabad on Thursday evening.

Indian nationals Syed Asif Ali Nizami aged 80 years and his nephew Nazim Ali Nizami had gone to Pakistan on 8 March 2017, she tweeted early on Friday.

Syed Asif Ali Nizami is Head Priest (Sajjadanashin) of Hazrat Nizammuddin Aulia dargah. Both are missing after they landed at Karachi airport.We have taken up this matter with government of Pakistan and requested them for an update on both the Indian nationals in Pakistan.

The duo had entered Pakistan via Karachi on March 8. The trip was part of a traditional two-way exchange of clerics between the two countries as the Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi is associated with Gharib Nawaz, who is venerated in Data Darbar Lahore.

According to one report, while the head priest was allowed to go to Karachi to visit relatives, his nephew Nazim was stopped at the Lahore airport on grounds of incomplete travel papers.

Indian official sources suspect foul play in the whole episode. Why would someone check visa for a domestic flight, days after they entered Pakistan through Karachi? asked an official, pointing to Pakistan media reports that the two have been picked up by intelligence agencies on account of their suspicious movements.

Asif Nizamis son had appealed to the government expressing his concern over the peculiar disappearance of his father and cousin in Pakistan.

We appeal to the Indian government to get to know about the whereabouts of both. They had gone on a pilgrimage and now there is no information about them, he said in Delhi.

NEW DELHI: The mystery surrounding two Indian Sufi clerics, who went missing in Pakistan, deepened further Friday with Pakistans foreign ministry saying the interior ministry was probing the matter, but had not made any headway so far. Amidst reports that the duo had been detained by Pakistani Intelligence agencies, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj used Twitter to announce that she had taken up the matter with the Pakistan government. The Indian high commissioner in Islamabad had lodged a strong complaint with the foreign ministry in Islamabad on Thursday evening. Indian nationals Syed Asif Ali Nizami aged 80 years and his nephew Nazim Ali Nizami had gone to Pakistan on 8 March 2017, she tweeted early on Friday. Syed Asif Ali Nizami is Head Priest (Sajjadanashin) of Hazrat Nizammuddin Aulia dargah. Both are missing after they landed at Karachi airport.We have taken up this matter with government of Pakistan and requested them for an update on both the Indian nationals in Pakistan. The duo had entered Pakistan via Karachi on March 8. The trip was part of a traditional two-way exchange of clerics between the two countries as the Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi is associated with Gharib Nawaz, who is venerated in Data Darbar Lahore. According to one report, while the head priest was allowed to go to Karachi to visit relatives, his nephew Nazim was stopped at the Lahore airport on grounds of incomplete travel papers. Indian official sources suspect foul play in the whole episode. Why would someone check visa for a domestic flight, days after they entered Pakistan through Karachi? asked an official, pointing to Pakistan media reports that the two have been picked up by intelligence agencies on account of their suspicious movements. Asif Nizamis son had appealed to the government expressing his concern over the peculiar disappearance of his father and cousin in Pakistan. We appeal to the Indian government to get to know about the whereabouts of both. They had gone on a pilgrimage and now there is no information about them, he said in Delhi.
Anand ST Das By

Express News Service

PATNA: A number of printed posters asking youths of Bihar to join dreaded international terrorist outfit Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has been found in the states southern Rohtas district, prompting police to issue a security alert and conduct a probe.

At least three posters written in English and carrying the picture of a face-covered bearded cleric were found attached to electric poles in the Maoist-affected Nauhatta area. The posters had the name of ISIS and its flag, said Manavjit Singh Dhillon, the superintendent of police (SP) of Rohtas, on Saturday.

Police were informed about the emergence of the posters by local villagers. A team of the district police visited the site - a remote village called Sikraulibigha - and collected the posters, said officials.

Sikraulibigha is a remote village inhabited by mostly Hindus. There are only about ten Muslim families. We are conducting a probe to ascertain how these posters emerged in that remote village, said Dhillon. The posters were computer printouts and were written in bad English, he added.

Sources said police suspect the phenomenon being the handiwork of the Maoists, who have long been active in the area but lately have been cornered due to intense police patrolling.

The posters do not bear anyones name. We suspect this could be foul play by some local anti-socials or maybe the Maoists seeking to create fear in minds of the people, but we are probing all angles, said Mohammad Anwar Javed Ansari, the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) of Dehri, who is in charge of the investigation of this matter.

Rohtas is one of the districts in Bihar affected by Maoism. A huge quantity of explosives suspected to have been stored for Maoist activities was seized from a godown at Basa in the district last month.The explosives included three bags of ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate, gelatin rods and as many as 6,000 detonators.

Meanwhile, two suspected ISIS "agents" have been apprehended by Assam Rifles (AR) personnel from the India-Myanmar border area in Manipur. According to security forces, the duo was nabbed on March 14 after specific intelligence about their movement at a border check post at Khudengthabi, while travelling to Moreh.

PATNA: A number of printed posters asking youths of Bihar to join dreaded international terrorist outfit Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has been found in the states southern Rohtas district, prompting police to issue a security alert and conduct a probe. At least three posters written in English and carrying the picture of a face-covered bearded cleric were found attached to electric poles in the Maoist-affected Nauhatta area. The posters had the name of ISIS and its flag, said Manavjit Singh Dhillon, the superintendent of police (SP) of Rohtas, on Saturday. Police were informed about the emergence of the posters by local villagers. A team of the district police visited the site - a remote village called Sikraulibigha - and collected the posters, said officials. Sikraulibigha is a remote village inhabited by mostly Hindus. There are only about ten Muslim families. We are conducting a probe to ascertain how these posters emerged in that remote village, said Dhillon. The posters were computer printouts and were written in bad English, he added. Sources said police suspect the phenomenon being the handiwork of the Maoists, who have long been active in the area but lately have been cornered due to intense police patrolling. The posters do not bear anyones name. We suspect this could be foul play by some local anti-socials or maybe the Maoists seeking to create fear in minds of the people, but we are probing all angles, said Mohammad Anwar Javed Ansari, the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) of Dehri, who is in charge of the investigation of this matter. Rohtas is one of the districts in Bihar affected by Maoism. A huge quantity of explosives suspected to have been stored for Maoist activities was seized from a godown at Basa in the district last month.The explosives included three bags of ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate, gelatin rods and as many as 6,000 detonators. Meanwhile, two suspected ISIS "agents" have been apprehended by Assam Rifles (AR) personnel from the India-Myanmar border area in Manipur. According to security forces, the duo was nabbed on March 14 after specific intelligence about their movement at a border check post at Khudengthabi, while travelling to Moreh.
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: The signs of changing times have already started coming to the fore in state capital Lucknow. Getting into an active mode, chief secretary Rahul Bhatangar has started sending the signals of tone and tenor of the new dispensation set to assume charge on Sunday.

Keeping well in mind that the new BJP government will hit the ground running, Bhatnagar, while on one hand, has issued an office circular for bureaucrats directing them to make themselves present in time from Monday, March 20, the day new CM will take over the reins of the state, on the other, he has also got a list of those nearly 70 chairmen, advisors and vice-chairmen prepared who have been enjoying the status of a minister of state. He intends to present that list to the new chief minister in his first interaction with him in order to seek directives to decide their fate.

With new CM set to take over on Sunday afternoon, the bureaucracy is already on its toes. The chief secretary, through a brief and terse office circular, has asked all the departmental heads to direct their subordinated staff to be present for work in time on March 20, in order to implement and execute welfare schemes and policies of the new government on priority in a time-bound manner.

Chief Secretarys order serves to fill up the hiatus after the outgoing SP government headed by CM Akhilesh Yadav faced drubbing in the seven-phased Assembly elections in the state concluded last week.

Bhatnagar did not forget to drop in a word of caution for the officers against flouting circular. It says that those who would fail to report even after the office orders may draw adverse entries and other punitive actions.

Making indications of zero-tolerance against non-deliverance and laxity in performance of duties clear to the bureaucrats before the new CM takes over, the CS office circular prepared the babus to reorient themselves to fall in line with the new governments ways of functioning and get acquainted with the new work style in advance.

Earlier, in the beginning of the week, the chief secretary had convened a meeting of all departmental heads suggesting that they get copies of the BJP manifesto for 2017 UP polls to familiarise themselves with their department specific policies mentioned in the manifesto. They were asked to come out with a presentation over plan of action for implementation of the schemes in advance.

Meanwhile, according to sources, all those who have been sitting pretty with lal batti (red beacon) are likely to be stripped off their jobs if they don't resign on their own. A similar action may follow soon on the officers availing repeated extensions despite their retirement.

The CS is believed to have got a list of such political nominees in various departments and the PSUs compiled. Some of them have already resigned, but a majority of them are still continuing.

A similar list of about 50 retired officers, who are still sticking to their chairs through extensions, has also been prepared. However, some of the retired names like Alok Ranjan and NC Bajpai, have already put in their papers and also the advisor to the home department. But a large number of retired officers are still holding their offices.

LUCKNOW: The signs of changing times have already started coming to the fore in state capital Lucknow. Getting into an active mode, chief secretary Rahul Bhatangar has started sending the signals of tone and tenor of the new dispensation set to assume charge on Sunday. Keeping well in mind that the new BJP government will hit the ground running, Bhatnagar, while on one hand, has issued an office circular for bureaucrats directing them to make themselves present in time from Monday, March 20, the day new CM will take over the reins of the state, on the other, he has also got a list of those nearly 70 chairmen, advisors and vice-chairmen prepared who have been enjoying the status of a minister of state. He intends to present that list to the new chief minister in his first interaction with him in order to seek directives to decide their fate. With new CM set to take over on Sunday afternoon, the bureaucracy is already on its toes. The chief secretary, through a brief and terse office circular, has asked all the departmental heads to direct their subordinated staff to be present for work in time on March 20, in order to implement and execute welfare schemes and policies of the new government on priority in a time-bound manner. Chief Secretarys order serves to fill up the hiatus after the outgoing SP government headed by CM Akhilesh Yadav faced drubbing in the seven-phased Assembly elections in the state concluded last week. Bhatnagar did not forget to drop in a word of caution for the officers against flouting circular. It says that those who would fail to report even after the office orders may draw adverse entries and other punitive actions. Making indications of zero-tolerance against non-deliverance and laxity in performance of duties clear to the bureaucrats before the new CM takes over, the CS office circular prepared the babus to reorient themselves to fall in line with the new governments ways of functioning and get acquainted with the new work style in advance. Earlier, in the beginning of the week, the chief secretary had convened a meeting of all departmental heads suggesting that they get copies of the BJP manifesto for 2017 UP polls to familiarise themselves with their department specific policies mentioned in the manifesto. They were asked to come out with a presentation over plan of action for implementation of the schemes in advance. Meanwhile, according to sources, all those who have been sitting pretty with lal batti (red beacon) are likely to be stripped off their jobs if they don't resign on their own. A similar action may follow soon on the officers availing repeated extensions despite their retirement. The CS is believed to have got a list of such political nominees in various departments and the PSUs compiled. Some of them have already resigned, but a majority of them are still continuing. A similar list of about 50 retired officers, who are still sticking to their chairs through extensions, has also been prepared. However, some of the retired names like Alok Ranjan and NC Bajpai, have already put in their papers and also the advisor to the home department. But a large number of retired officers are still holding their offices.
DailyFX.com -

Financial markets are likely to remain fixated on US monetary policy as a lull in top-tier data puts the spotlight on a busy Fed-speak calendar in the week ahead.

US Dollar Forecast: US Dollar May Recover as Fed Speeches Reiterate Rate Hike Intent

The US Dollar may recover after suffering its largest weekly loss in nearly five months as Fed officials reiterate their intention to continue raising rates this year.

Euro Forecast: Political Risk for Euro-Zone Dissipating, Boosting EUR/USD Prospects

Between the Dutch elections and a Federal Reserve that refused to endorse a faster pace of policy tightening, EUR/USD had both major events break in its favor this past week. Going forward, markets will give more and more weight to the French elections, which are looking like less and less of a risk for the Euro.

British Pound Forecast: CPI the Focal Point as a Shift Begins to Emerge Within the BoE

The Bank of England hosted an interesting rate decision this week. No changes were made, and no rates were changed; but what was different was a dissenting vote within the BoE.

Japanese Yen Forecast: USD/JPY Eyes 2017-Low as FOMC Tames Interest Rate Expectations

The Federal Open Market Committees (FOMC) March rate-hike failed to prop up the USD/JPY exchange rate, and the pair appears to be working its way back towards the 2017-low (111.59) as the central bank tames interest-rate expectations.

Australian Dollar Forecast: Australian Dollar Looks Short of Clear Direction

A week of relatively scanty economic data on both sides of the Pacific could leave AUD/USD sitting on its gains, but short of reasons to build on them.

Canadian Dollar Forecast: Holding Up Well as Oil Price Drops

The past fortnight could have been a terrible one for the Canadian Dollar, with the price of benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude dropping from above $53 per barrel on March 7 to below $49 now.

New Zealand Dollar Forecast: Kiwi Gains After Dovish Fed, But Shift in Stance from RBNZ Doubtful

Story continues

The Reserve Bank of New Zealands decision in February sent the New Zealand Dollar on a four week decline across the board. Its highly unlikely that RBNZ Governor Graeme Wheeler will alter his recently dovish tone, especially after Q416 GDP data came in at a slower pace than anticipated.

Chinese Yuan Forecast: Yuan at a Crossroads, Risk Trends Next?

The USD/CNH failed to hold a sustainable break below 6.8560 (December low), nor to climb above 6.9088 (61.8% retracement of the January drop). Looking forward, the economic calendar is light.

Gold Forecast: Gold Prices Shine as USD Drops- Post FOMC Rally Eyes Initial Resistance

Gold prices are higher this week with the precious metal up more than 2% to trade at 1229 ahead of the New York close on Friday.

Oil Forecast: Positioning Shift And Sentiment May Pressure Oil As Supply Swells

The Oil market appears to be wholly focused right now on whether or not the OPEC accord to reduce supply so that price stockpiles come in line with the 5-year average will be extended past June.

Equities Forecast: Watch the DAX, It Could Be on the Verge of a Big Move

Last week was a busy one, with the FOMC, BoJ, and BoE all holding monetary policy meetings, however; looking ahead to next week we are left searching for any major catalysts for stocks on the economic calendar. On that note, markets are likely to be technically-driven.

Weekly Trading Forecast: All Eyes Remain on the Federal Reserve

See what live coverage is scheduled to cover key event risk for the FX and capital markets on the DailyFX Webinar Calendar.

See how retail traders are positioning in the majors using the DailyFX SSI readings on the sentiment page.



original source

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Learn forex trading with a free practice account and trading charts from IG.
Aishik Chanda By

Express News Service

KOLKATA: With the new BJP government in Uttar Pradesh mooting closure of abattoirs in the state, questions have been raised over the future of the Bangladeshi cuisine which is heavily dependent on illegally smuggled and legally exported beef from India.

While the most sought-after big-sized cows and buffaloes are brought in from states such as Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat, the transport route to Bangladesh via West Bengal passes through Uttar Pradesh. With cow vigilantes expected to be emboldened after ascendance of BJP in the state, the routes of delivery through UP may become unsafe for the smugglers, thus also sending beef prices up the roof in the neighbouring Muslim-majority nation.

According to some estimates, illegal smuggling dwarfs legal export by as much as 90%. Home minister Rajnath Singh had claimed in 2015 that the BJPs policies against cow slaughter had resulted in massive price rise of beef in Bangladesh. He had claimed that only 2.5 lakh cows were smuggled in 2015 whereas 22-25 lakh were being smuggled during the previous UPA-II government.

While his claims cant be verified in the illegal industry that is of gigantic proportions, it is a fact that Bangladeshs heavy dependence on Indian cows for meat also means it is likely to be affected by policies taken in India to protect the bovine that is considered holy by Hindus. Indian cows are prized possessions in Bangladesh and special haats (weekly markets) are held with fresh consignments of Indian cows, which cost substantially more than the local breeds, a source revealed.

The cow smuggling network to the neighbouring country is multi-leveled and complex with agents present in every region through which the cows are delivered from the source to the destination. While big sized cows from the northern states are marked differently and cost significantly, the smaller ones from states such as Bihar, West Bengal and Assam have separate markings and get treated as the leftovers.

While smugglers give a run to the Border Security Force in preventing cow smuggling by devising newer techniques, the job entails risk of being shot dead if trying to flee while caught red-handed. Recent video released in the social media also showed the inhumane technique cow smugglers devised to give a slip to the BSF.

The video claimed to be shot at the Indo-Bangla international border in Coochbehar district of West Bengal shows a big-sized cow probably from one of the northern states being tied by the neck and sent over the barbed wire with the help of a pulley while people on the other side of the border receiving their delivery.

The multi-million rupees business also involves the nexus between the security forces and the smugglers with allegations being raised often that the smugglers have to pay a hefty bribe to BSF to let them pass cow convoys through the border. Fingers have been pointed at BSF numerous times for excesses on common people in name of plugging cow-smuggling.

KOLKATA: With the new BJP government in Uttar Pradesh mooting closure of abattoirs in the state, questions have been raised over the future of the Bangladeshi cuisine which is heavily dependent on illegally smuggled and legally exported beef from India. While the most sought-after big-sized cows and buffaloes are brought in from states such as Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat, the transport route to Bangladesh via West Bengal passes through Uttar Pradesh. With cow vigilantes expected to be emboldened after ascendance of BJP in the state, the routes of delivery through UP may become unsafe for the smugglers, thus also sending beef prices up the roof in the neighbouring Muslim-majority nation. According to some estimates, illegal smuggling dwarfs legal export by as much as 90%. Home minister Rajnath Singh had claimed in 2015 that the BJPs policies against cow slaughter had resulted in massive price rise of beef in Bangladesh. He had claimed that only 2.5 lakh cows were smuggled in 2015 whereas 22-25 lakh were being smuggled during the previous UPA-II government. While his claims cant be verified in the illegal industry that is of gigantic proportions, it is a fact that Bangladeshs heavy dependence on Indian cows for meat also means it is likely to be affected by policies taken in India to protect the bovine that is considered holy by Hindus. Indian cows are prized possessions in Bangladesh and special haats (weekly markets) are held with fresh consignments of Indian cows, which cost substantially more than the local breeds, a source revealed. The cow smuggling network to the neighbouring country is multi-leveled and complex with agents present in every region through which the cows are delivered from the source to the destination. While big sized cows from the northern states are marked differently and cost significantly, the smaller ones from states such as Bihar, West Bengal and Assam have separate markings and get treated as the leftovers. While smugglers give a run to the Border Security Force in preventing cow smuggling by devising newer techniques, the job entails risk of being shot dead if trying to flee while caught red-handed. Recent video released in the social media also showed the inhumane technique cow smugglers devised to give a slip to the BSF. The video claimed to be shot at the Indo-Bangla international border in Coochbehar district of West Bengal shows a big-sized cow probably from one of the northern states being tied by the neck and sent over the barbed wire with the help of a pulley while people on the other side of the border receiving their delivery. The multi-million rupees business also involves the nexus between the security forces and the smugglers with allegations being raised often that the smugglers have to pay a hefty bribe to BSF to let them pass cow convoys through the border. Fingers have been pointed at BSF numerous times for excesses on common people in name of plugging cow-smuggling.
By PTI

LUCKNOW: Newly-elected BJP MLAs in Uttar Pradesh will be meeting here today to elect the leader of the state legislature party. The meeting will be held at 4 PM at Lok Bhawan, state BJP spokesperson Manish Dixit said.

Central observers - Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav -- will remain present at the meeting to elect the chief minister.

BJP vice-president Om Mathur, state party chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and other senior party leaders are also likely to attend the meet.

"The new Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh along with his Cabinet colleagues would take oath on March 19 at 5.00 PM at Kanshiram Smriti Upvan," Governor Ram Naik had said in a statement yesterday.

Union Minister Manoj Sinha, Home Minister and former state chief minister Rajnath Singh, Maurya and eight-time MLA from Shahjahanpur Suresh Khanna are being projected as the main contenders for the post by their partymen.

All these leaders in their interactions with the media have played down their chances.

Also read: On merit, Modi set to opt for Manoj Sinha as Uttar Pradesh CM

Sinha was in Varanasi yesterday where he offered prayers at Sankatmochan temple.

The BJP is forming government in the politically crucial state after a gap of 15 years.

In the recently-concluded Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the party secured 312 seats in a 403-member house, while its allies Apna Dal (Soneylal) and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party got nine and four seats respectively.

Samajwadi Party bagged 47 seats, while its ally the Congress stooped to its lowest tally with seven seats.

Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party could manage to get only 19 seats in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly.

With the BJP leadership often springing a surprise with its choice of state leaders like Manohar Lal Khattar in Haryana, Vijay Rupani in Gujarat and now Trivendra Singh Rawat in Uttarakhand, sources have said that a relatively lesser known leader cannot be ruled out.

The central observers will most likely inform the MLAs about the BJP top brass' choice which will be subsequently endorsed at the meeting today.

The BJP top brass has taken its time to decide on the UP Chief Minister after results were declared on March 11.

The sources said the party is extra cautious as it is returning to power in Uttar Pradesh after a 15-year hiatus.

Moreover, in view of Lok Sabha election in 2019, BJP cannot afford to take any wrong decision, said some party insiders when asked about the delay in declaring the CM's name.

After a stupendous win in the Assembly election, the party can ill afford to lower its guard. Uttar Pradesh sends 80 MPs to Lok Sabha and is extremely important in the BJP's scheme of things.

Party insiders said the overwhelming mandate has posed a fresh challenge for the BJP to meet sky-high expectations.

Meanwhile, Naidu said the new chief minister of the state will be elected by the legislators in a meeting later in the day and all reports in this regard are mere media speculation.

He was speaking to newspersons on his arrival at Lucknow airport this morning.

"The news reports about CM contenders and probables is media speculation. The final decision would be taken in the meeting," he said.

Meanwhile, party leaders said that invitation for Sunday's swearing-in ceremony has been sent to all the CMs of BJP-ruled states.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah will also attend the ceremony.

According to the Raj Bhavan, the timing of swearing-in ceremony has been advanced, and it is now likely to be held at 2.15 PM tomorrow.

LUCKNOW: Newly-elected BJP MLAs in Uttar Pradesh will be meeting here today to elect the leader of the state legislature party. The meeting will be held at 4 PM at Lok Bhawan, state BJP spokesperson Manish Dixit said. Central observers - Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav -- will remain present at the meeting to elect the chief minister. BJP vice-president Om Mathur, state party chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and other senior party leaders are also likely to attend the meet. "The new Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh along with his Cabinet colleagues would take oath on March 19 at 5.00 PM at Kanshiram Smriti Upvan," Governor Ram Naik had said in a statement yesterday. Union Minister Manoj Sinha, Home Minister and former state chief minister Rajnath Singh, Maurya and eight-time MLA from Shahjahanpur Suresh Khanna are being projected as the main contenders for the post by their partymen. All these leaders in their interactions with the media have played down their chances. Also read: On merit, Modi set to opt for Manoj Sinha as Uttar Pradesh CM Sinha was in Varanasi yesterday where he offered prayers at Sankatmochan temple. The BJP is forming government in the politically crucial state after a gap of 15 years. In the recently-concluded Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the party secured 312 seats in a 403-member house, while its allies Apna Dal (Soneylal) and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party got nine and four seats respectively. Samajwadi Party bagged 47 seats, while its ally the Congress stooped to its lowest tally with seven seats. Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party could manage to get only 19 seats in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. With the BJP leadership often springing a surprise with its choice of state leaders like Manohar Lal Khattar in Haryana, Vijay Rupani in Gujarat and now Trivendra Singh Rawat in Uttarakhand, sources have said that a relatively lesser known leader cannot be ruled out. The central observers will most likely inform the MLAs about the BJP top brass' choice which will be subsequently endorsed at the meeting today. The BJP top brass has taken its time to decide on the UP Chief Minister after results were declared on March 11. The sources said the party is extra cautious as it is returning to power in Uttar Pradesh after a 15-year hiatus. Moreover, in view of Lok Sabha election in 2019, BJP cannot afford to take any wrong decision, said some party insiders when asked about the delay in declaring the CM's name. After a stupendous win in the Assembly election, the party can ill afford to lower its guard. Uttar Pradesh sends 80 MPs to Lok Sabha and is extremely important in the BJP's scheme of things. Party insiders said the overwhelming mandate has posed a fresh challenge for the BJP to meet sky-high expectations. Meanwhile, Naidu said the new chief minister of the state will be elected by the legislators in a meeting later in the day and all reports in this regard are mere media speculation. He was speaking to newspersons on his arrival at Lucknow airport this morning. "The news reports about CM contenders and probables is media speculation. The final decision would be taken in the meeting," he said. Meanwhile, party leaders said that invitation for Sunday's swearing-in ceremony has been sent to all the CMs of BJP-ruled states. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah will also attend the ceremony. According to the Raj Bhavan, the timing of swearing-in ceremony has been advanced, and it is now likely to be held at 2.15 PM tomorrow.
Aishik Chanda By

Express News Service

KOLKATA: Three tribals, including a woman, were killed in firing by BSF jawans in South Tripura. The BSF said the killings were part of an operation to bust cattle smuggling on the borders. However, the tribals contend that the killings resulted after a woman was molested allegedly by a BSF jawan.

Villagers at the remote hamlet of Chitabari had on Friday clashed with the BSF alleging that three of its personnel had tried to molest a tribal woman. Three persons, including the woman, were killed and two others were injured.

BSF dismissed the molestation allegation and said its personnel had opened fire on cattle smugglers who tried to attack them.

The incident showcases the illegal cattle trade to Bangladesh across the Tripura border to supply the meat industry in the neighbouring country. Illegal smuggling dwarfs legal export by as much as 90%.

Home minister Rajnath Singh had claimed in 2015 that the BJPs policies against cow slaughter had resulted in massive price rise of beef in Bangladesh. He had claimed that only 2.5 lakh cows were smuggled in 2015 whereas 22-25 lakh were being smuggled during the previous UPA-II government.

Bangladeshi cuisine is heavily dependent on illegally smuggled and legally exported beef from India. While the most sought-after big-sized cows and buffaloes are brought in from states such as Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat, the transport route to Bangladesh via West Bengal passes through Uttar Pradesh.

With the new BJP government in Uttar Pradesh mooting closure of abattoirs in the state, questions have been raised over the future of the Bangladeshi food industry.

Indian cows are prized possessions in Bangladesh and special haats (weekly markets) are held with fresh consignments of Indian cows.

KOLKATA: Three tribals, including a woman, were killed in firing by BSF jawans in South Tripura. The BSF said the killings were part of an operation to bust cattle smuggling on the borders. However, the tribals contend that the killings resulted after a woman was molested allegedly by a BSF jawan. Villagers at the remote hamlet of Chitabari had on Friday clashed with the BSF alleging that three of its personnel had tried to molest a tribal woman. Three persons, including the woman, were killed and two others were injured. BSF dismissed the molestation allegation and said its personnel had opened fire on cattle smugglers who tried to attack them. The incident showcases the illegal cattle trade to Bangladesh across the Tripura border to supply the meat industry in the neighbouring country. Illegal smuggling dwarfs legal export by as much as 90%. Home minister Rajnath Singh had claimed in 2015 that the BJPs policies against cow slaughter had resulted in massive price rise of beef in Bangladesh. He had claimed that only 2.5 lakh cows were smuggled in 2015 whereas 22-25 lakh were being smuggled during the previous UPA-II government. Bangladeshi cuisine is heavily dependent on illegally smuggled and legally exported beef from India. While the most sought-after big-sized cows and buffaloes are brought in from states such as Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat, the transport route to Bangladesh via West Bengal passes through Uttar Pradesh. With the new BJP government in Uttar Pradesh mooting closure of abattoirs in the state, questions have been raised over the future of the Bangladeshi food industry. Indian cows are prized possessions in Bangladesh and special haats (weekly markets) are held with fresh consignments of Indian cows.
Balbir Punj By

The fact that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured an unprecedented victory in the elections to five state Assemblies is just one part of the story. The picture is, however, complete only after taking into account what the electorate did to Irom Sharmila in Manipur and to the Left in Uttar Pradesh.

Between the BJPs smashing victory and the decimation of Sharmila and the Left, hangs a tale, a milestone in the chequered saga of Indias decline and her continuing struggle to reinvent and resurrect herself. Irom Sharmila, was on a fast for 16 years protesting against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Manipur. The 44-year-old contested elections in Manipurs Thoubal constituency and secured just 90 votes. The Left front, consisting of six parties, had contested 140 seats out of 403 in UP. After independence, the Left was a force to reckon with in the state. But in the recently concluded elections, they secured merely 0.2 per cent votes.

Pictures of Sharmila with feeding tubes were showcased by the Left-liberal cabal the world over to sell a narrative that Manipur was occupied by an expansionist and authoritarian India, a la Kashmir. Now the disconnect between the anti-India narrative and the local sentiment stands exposed.

Then, how does the anti-India tirade get a disproportionate currency to its traction in the society? How do the likes of Rohith Vemula, Kanhaiya, Sharmila and Burhan Wani assume a larger than life image and come to dominate the domestic and global discourse?

To solve this riddle, one has to go back in history. India, accounted for 33 per cent of global GDP till the 12th century. Doubting Thomases can refer to the path-breaking works of Angus Maddison and Paul Bairoch, two internationally acclaimed economists.

With Bakhtiyar Khilji sacking Nalanda and other reputed Universities in 1193, the structured system of education in India came to an end. Repeated Islamic invasions played havoc with the cultural life of the country, destroyed bulk of the existing knowledge, ended organised pursuit of scholarship and put a stop to any further research in philosophy, science and technology.

After Aurangzebs demise in 1707, Muslim power started disintegrating. By the time Lord Clive won the battle of Plassey in 1757, Indias share in global GDP dropped to about 25 per cent. Busy fighting successive battles for their sheer survival, Hindus, the flag bearers of the original culture of this ancient land, were left with only memories of history and heritage.

The 1857 uprising motivated the British to cobble together an intellectual paradigm that established them as a superior race, divide their subjects into mutually hostile groups on the basis of caste, religion, race and regions, to help them perpetuate their empire. The anglicised Indians (with few exceptions) assumed the identity and a past which the British had crafted for them. While the imported Communist movement, swallowed the British version of India, a host of leaders, including Veer Savarkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Tilak, RSS founder Dr K B Hedgewar and a bulk of the masses did not fall in the imperialist trap.

Echoing the British view, Communists held India was not a nation, rather a conglomerate of several nations. No wonder that communists actively conspired with the departing British and Muslim League for the creation of a theocratic Pakistan. They still continue to pursue their divisive agenda, seek to divide Hindus in the name of caste and unite the Muslims on the basis of their shared faith, Islam.

Gandhiji, saw through the British policy of divide and rule, opposed fraudulent conversion of Hindus to other faiths, worked for integration of Dalits with the rest of Hindu society and rejected the concept of class war. He did not see different castes among Hindus as conflicting identities either. Following his tragic assassination in 1948, Congress dropped Gandhian ethos and leaned towards the Left.

When the Congress split in 1969, Indira Gandhi needed Communist support in the Parliament. As a part of the deal, Nurul Hasan, a card holder, became the education minister in her Cabinet and is largely responsible for what JNU has become today. Congress, since then, has outsourced its intellectual paradigm to the

Left. Four unrelated developments, did not allow the script on predictable lines . After Mao Tse Tungs demise in 1976, China gradually turned into a capitalist economy under a Communist dictatorship. In 1991, Soviet Union, yet another role model for bulk of the Indian Left, too disintegrated. Taking cue from the global collapse of Communism, India opted for economic reforms leading to the emergence of news channels. The Lefts stranglehold on views and news started loosening. And now, social media has made public discourse even more inclusive.

Congress today is a family enterprise, a covert operation to convert cash into political power and vice versa, without any ideological baggage. The likes of irrepressible Digvijaya Singh only parrot Leftist cliches in search of elusive Muslim votes when they extend support to people resorting to Islamic terror, or to Maoist violence. Congress has turned poverty into an enterprise, and homes of the poor, tourist destinations. Modi doesnt have to play this charade

to pretend to know poverty. He was born into poverty. His pro-poor schemes have naturally more credibility with the target groups.

The divisive template built by the Left and aped by Congress is cracking. Hopefully, election results will no longer be hostage to caste and religious divide. National security, pride, coupled with inclusive development are the new pass words to power.

Author is former Rajya Sabha member and Delhi-based commentator on social and

economic issues

Email: punjbalbir@gmail.com

The fact that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured an unprecedented victory in the elections to five state Assemblies is just one part of the story. The picture is, however, complete only after taking into account what the electorate did to Irom Sharmila in Manipur and to the Left in Uttar Pradesh. Between the BJPs smashing victory and the decimation of Sharmila and the Left, hangs a tale, a milestone in the chequered saga of Indias decline and her continuing struggle to reinvent and resurrect herself. Irom Sharmila, was on a fast for 16 years protesting against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Manipur. The 44-year-old contested elections in Manipurs Thoubal constituency and secured just 90 votes. The Left front, consisting of six parties, had contested 140 seats out of 403 in UP. After independence, the Left was a force to reckon with in the state. But in the recently concluded elections, they secured merely 0.2 per cent votes. Pictures of Sharmila with feeding tubes were showcased by the Left-liberal cabal the world over to sell a narrative that Manipur was occupied by an expansionist and authoritarian India, a la Kashmir. Now the disconnect between the anti-India narrative and the local sentiment stands exposed. Then, how does the anti-India tirade get a disproportionate currency to its traction in the society? How do the likes of Rohith Vemula, Kanhaiya, Sharmila and Burhan Wani assume a larger than life image and come to dominate the domestic and global discourse? To solve this riddle, one has to go back in history. India, accounted for 33 per cent of global GDP till the 12th century. Doubting Thomases can refer to the path-breaking works of Angus Maddison and Paul Bairoch, two internationally acclaimed economists. With Bakhtiyar Khilji sacking Nalanda and other reputed Universities in 1193, the structured system of education in India came to an end. Repeated Islamic invasions played havoc with the cultural life of the country, destroyed bulk of the existing knowledge, ended organised pursuit of scholarship and put a stop to any further research in philosophy, science and technology. After Aurangzebs demise in 1707, Muslim power started disintegrating. By the time Lord Clive won the battle of Plassey in 1757, Indias share in global GDP dropped to about 25 per cent. Busy fighting successive battles for their sheer survival, Hindus, the flag bearers of the original culture of this ancient land, were left with only memories of history and heritage. The 1857 uprising motivated the British to cobble together an intellectual paradigm that established them as a superior race, divide their subjects into mutually hostile groups on the basis of caste, religion, race and regions, to help them perpetuate their empire. The anglicised Indians (with few exceptions) assumed the identity and a past which the British had crafted for them. While the imported Communist movement, swallowed the British version of India, a host of leaders, including Veer Savarkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Tilak, RSS founder Dr K B Hedgewar and a bulk of the masses did not fall in the imperialist trap. Echoing the British view, Communists held India was not a nation, rather a conglomerate of several nations. No wonder that communists actively conspired with the departing British and Muslim League for the creation of a theocratic Pakistan. They still continue to pursue their divisive agenda, seek to divide Hindus in the name of caste and unite the Muslims on the basis of their shared faith, Islam. Gandhiji, saw through the British policy of divide and rule, opposed fraudulent conversion of Hindus to other faiths, worked for integration of Dalits with the rest of Hindu society and rejected the concept of class war. He did not see different castes among Hindus as conflicting identities either. Following his tragic assassination in 1948, Congress dropped Gandhian ethos and leaned towards the Left. When the Congress split in 1969, Indira Gandhi needed Communist support in the Parliament. As a part of the deal, Nurul Hasan, a card holder, became the education minister in her Cabinet and is largely responsible for what JNU has become today. Congress, since then, has outsourced its intellectual paradigm to the Left. Four unrelated developments, did not allow the script on predictable lines . After Mao Tse Tungs demise in 1976, China gradually turned into a capitalist economy under a Communist dictatorship. In 1991, Soviet Union, yet another role model for bulk of the Indian Left, too disintegrated. Taking cue from the global collapse of Communism, India opted for economic reforms leading to the emergence of news channels. The Lefts stranglehold on views and news started loosening. And now, social media has made public discourse even more inclusive. Congress today is a family enterprise, a covert operation to convert cash into political power and vice versa, without any ideological baggage. The likes of irrepressible Digvijaya Singh only parrot Leftist cliches in search of elusive Muslim votes when they extend support to people resorting to Islamic terror, or to Maoist violence. Congress has turned poverty into an enterprise, and homes of the poor, tourist destinations. Modi doesnt have to play this charade to pretend to know poverty. He was born into poverty. His pro-poor schemes have naturally more credibility with the target groups. The divisive template built by the Left and aped by Congress is cracking. Hopefully, election results will no longer be hostage to caste and religious divide. National security, pride, coupled with inclusive development are the new pass words to power. Author is former Rajya Sabha member and Delhi-based commentator on social and economic issues Email: punjbalbir@gmail.com
By Express News Service

ANANTAPUR: Festivities during the Rathotsavam of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at Kadiri in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh on Saturday morning were marred by a minor stampede that injured at least three people including a constable-on-duty.

However, the situation was brought under control within minutes by the authorities. The injured were shifted to the government hospital where they were provided primary medications.

Every year, the Rathotsavam is conducted during the Narasimha Swamy Brahmotsavam at Kadiri and the chariot--known as 'Teru' locally--is tugged out by scores of devotees along the narrow streets of Kadiri town.

Reportedly, the mishap was caused by an estimated 4 lakh devotees flooding the streets of Kadiri, to take part in the Rathosatvam.

The Kadiri Narasimha Swamy Brahmotsavam, which started on March 7 with Ankurarpanam' was followed by the celestial wedding of the deity on March 8. Brahmotsavam is scheduled to conclude on March 21.

ANANTAPUR: Festivities during the Rathotsavam of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at Kadiri in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh on Saturday morning were marred by a minor stampede that injured at least three people including a constable-on-duty. However, the situation was brought under control within minutes by the authorities. The injured were shifted to the government hospital where they were provided primary medications. Every year, the Rathotsavam is conducted during the Narasimha Swamy Brahmotsavam at Kadiri and the chariot--known as 'Teru' locally--is tugged out by scores of devotees along the narrow streets of Kadiri town. Reportedly, the mishap was caused by an estimated 4 lakh devotees flooding the streets of Kadiri, to take part in the Rathosatvam. The Kadiri Narasimha Swamy Brahmotsavam, which started on March 7 with Ankurarpanam' was followed by the celestial wedding of the deity on March 8. Brahmotsavam is scheduled to conclude on March 21.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: The state government is planning to bring pre-schools, montessoris, play homes and day care centres under the ambit of the Karnataka Education Act by bringing in an amendment in the ongoing legislature session.

Speaking to reporters here on Friday, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Tanveer Sait said currently, compulsory education for children aged between six and sixteen years comes under his department. We are now planning to bring play homes, pre nursery, nursery and day care centres under our control. The move was prompted by a number of cases involving pre-schools in the state, he said.

Further, Sait said there was no provision in the law to register these institutes by individuals, but can be registered as a trust or society. This will help us monitor them more effectively, he said.

Sait said the Education Act will be amended to include protection of child rights. Once the Act is amended, the governments permission is a must to start pre-schools and fee fixation, he said.

He added that pre-schools and day care centres come under the Education Department in many of cities including Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai.

The minster added that the government had withdrawn a cisrcular issued in 2006, which had made registration of play homes, nurseries and day care centres optional.

After the recent sexual harassment of a three-year-old child at a play home in Bellandur, we have withdrawn the 2006 circular and issued a fresh one making it mandatory for all such centres to register with the department. We have given three months time to these centres, failing which, they will be declared as unauthorised centres,he said.

BENGALURU: The state government is planning to bring pre-schools, montessoris, play homes and day care centres under the ambit of the Karnataka Education Act by bringing in an amendment in the ongoing legislature session. Speaking to reporters here on Friday, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Tanveer Sait said currently, compulsory education for children aged between six and sixteen years comes under his department. We are now planning to bring play homes, pre nursery, nursery and day care centres under our control. The move was prompted by a number of cases involving pre-schools in the state, he said. Further, Sait said there was no provision in the law to register these institutes by individuals, but can be registered as a trust or society. This will help us monitor them more effectively, he said. Sait said the Education Act will be amended to include protection of child rights. Once the Act is amended, the governments permission is a must to start pre-schools and fee fixation, he said. He added that pre-schools and day care centres come under the Education Department in many of cities including Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai. The minster added that the government had withdrawn a cisrcular issued in 2006, which had made registration of play homes, nurseries and day care centres optional. After the recent sexual harassment of a three-year-old child at a play home in Bellandur, we have withdrawn the 2006 circular and issued a fresh one making it mandatory for all such centres to register with the department. We have given three months time to these centres, failing which, they will be declared as unauthorised centres,he said.
By Express News Service

HUBBALLI: Leader of the Opposition in Legislative Assembly Jagdish Shettar has charged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is dividing the society by giving special allowances to a particular community. He said the BJP would oppose the governments appeasement of a particular community.

Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, Shettar criticised the governments announcement in the state budget about providing monthly allowance to youths of minority communities who return from Saudi Arabia unemployed. This is a clear case of discrimination and dividing the state on religious basis for garnering votes, he added.

Shettar also charged that the state government is not allowing opposition parties to raise issues in the legislature session. They (ruling party legislators) are exerting undue pressure on the speaker to prevent the opposition leaders from making their points, he said.

The former chief minister said the state government was not interested in discussing any of the issues in the House.

HUBBALLI: Leader of the Opposition in Legislative Assembly Jagdish Shettar has charged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is dividing the society by giving special allowances to a particular community. He said the BJP would oppose the governments appeasement of a particular community. Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, Shettar criticised the governments announcement in the state budget about providing monthly allowance to youths of minority communities who return from Saudi Arabia unemployed. This is a clear case of discrimination and dividing the state on religious basis for garnering votes, he added. Shettar also charged that the state government is not allowing opposition parties to raise issues in the legislature session. They (ruling party legislators) are exerting undue pressure on the speaker to prevent the opposition leaders from making their points, he said. The former chief minister said the state government was not interested in discussing any of the issues in the House.
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a bid to nab the student activists who allegedly created a ruckus which led to a clash at Kerala Law Academy Law College (KLALC), the police conducted search operations at college hostels in the city on Saturday.

The Peroorkada police have registered a case in connection with the incident and two students--Syed Mohammed, 24, of Malappuram and Mohammed Aslam, 20, ofKottayam were arrested. They were remanded on Saturday.

Peroorkada circle inspector S S Suresh Babu said that a manhunt has been launched for the remaining accused. Efforts are on to trace the rest. We searched some of thehostels to find out whether any political party is sheltering them. We will arrest them soon. Charges against them are non-bailable", he told the New Indian Express.

The students have been booked under Sections 143, 147, 148, 149, 188 and 308 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to various offences including, unlawful assembly, rioting, and attempt to culpable homicide.

On Friday, several students of KLALC were injured in violent clashes between the Students federation of India SFI and the Students Islamic Organisation (SIO).

Reportedly, the clash broke when Shafna Rahim--a student--was allegedly warned by an SIO member for not wearing a 'Thattam' (headscarf). SFI students launched a campaign against the alleged communal gesture made by the member of SIO.

When the campaign was on, an SFI student was allegedly attacked by a Muslim Students Federation activist and this led to a clash between SFI and other student organisations including KSU, ABVP and MSF, on Friday.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a bid to nab the student activists who allegedly created a ruckus which led to a clash at Kerala Law Academy Law College (KLALC), the police conducted search operations at college hostels in the city on Saturday. The Peroorkada police have registered a case in connection with the incident and two students--Syed Mohammed, 24, of Malappuram and Mohammed Aslam, 20, ofKottayam were arrested. They were remanded on Saturday. Peroorkada circle inspector S S Suresh Babu said that a manhunt has been launched for the remaining accused. Efforts are on to trace the rest. We searched some of thehostels to find out whether any political party is sheltering them. We will arrest them soon. Charges against them are non-bailable", he told the New Indian Express. The students have been booked under Sections 143, 147, 148, 149, 188 and 308 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to various offences including, unlawful assembly, rioting, and attempt to culpable homicide. On Friday, several students of KLALC were injured in violent clashes between the Students federation of India SFI and the Students Islamic Organisation (SIO). Reportedly, the clash broke when Shafna Rahim--a student--was allegedly warned by an SIO member for not wearing a 'Thattam' (headscarf). SFI students launched a campaign against the alleged communal gesture made by the member of SIO. When the campaign was on, an SFI student was allegedly attacked by a Muslim Students Federation activist and this led to a clash between SFI and other student organisations including KSU, ABVP and MSF, on Friday.
SV Krishna Chaitanya By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: It has been seven months since an illegal road was laid over the eco-sensitive Muttukadu backwaters falling in Tiruporur taluk in Kancheepuram district apparently to provide direct access to posh bungalows that are constructed violating Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules.

Though, the district administration has acknowledged the illegality, no action has been initiated to evict the encroachment.

The lagoon on East Coast Road (ECR), 30 km from Chennai, connects Muttukadu sea mouth and plays a vital role in draining flood waters into sea when monsoon is at its peak. The 12 feet wide and 100 metre long illegal road is virtually acting as an impediment to free flow of water.

Following an Express report, Kancheepuram district administration had written to the office of Joint Commissioner of Police (Law & Order), South, seeking police protection to remove the illegal road. Besides, the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) and Tiruporur taluk tahsildar, who visited the spot, also had written letters for police protection. However, no further action had been initiated.

Scientists of Central Institute of Brackishwater Acquaculture (CIBA), who run an experimental station at Muttukadu and the custodian of the water body, have been running from pillar to post with memorandums and waiting for police help.

We have met all the authorities concerned, from Fisheries Secretary to the jurisdictional Kanathur police station inspector. Former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaas death, Jallikattu protest and cyclone Vardah had delayed the eviction process. Now, we want to meet Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Fisheries Secretary, again  an official said.

Meanwhile, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) here, which took up the issue as well as illegal construction of luxury bungalows, had ordered the State government to probe the alleged coastal zone violations and submit a report on February 21. The tribunal asked the authorities to remove the illegal road, but the State machinery had not complied.

The Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust, which was asked to submit a report, had not filed it yet.

CHENNAI: It has been seven months since an illegal road was laid over the eco-sensitive Muttukadu backwaters falling in Tiruporur taluk in Kancheepuram district apparently to provide direct access to posh bungalows that are constructed violating Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules. Though, the district administration has acknowledged the illegality, no action has been initiated to evict the encroachment. The lagoon on East Coast Road (ECR), 30 km from Chennai, connects Muttukadu sea mouth and plays a vital role in draining flood waters into sea when monsoon is at its peak. The 12 feet wide and 100 metre long illegal road is virtually acting as an impediment to free flow of water. Following an Express report, Kancheepuram district administration had written to the office of Joint Commissioner of Police (Law & Order), South, seeking police protection to remove the illegal road. Besides, the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) and Tiruporur taluk tahsildar, who visited the spot, also had written letters for police protection. However, no further action had been initiated. Scientists of Central Institute of Brackishwater Acquaculture (CIBA), who run an experimental station at Muttukadu and the custodian of the water body, have been running from pillar to post with memorandums and waiting for police help. We have met all the authorities concerned, from Fisheries Secretary to the jurisdictional Kanathur police station inspector. Former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaas death, Jallikattu protest and cyclone Vardah had delayed the eviction process. Now, we want to meet Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Fisheries Secretary, again  an official said. Meanwhile, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) here, which took up the issue as well as illegal construction of luxury bungalows, had ordered the State government to probe the alleged coastal zone violations and submit a report on February 21. The tribunal asked the authorities to remove the illegal road, but the State machinery had not complied. The Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust, which was asked to submit a report, had not filed it yet.
V V Balakrishna By

Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who has the gift of the gab, fell back on the Chinese model of development to counter Oppositions attack on State governments act of obtaining huge loans.

Reacting sharply to Oppositions criticism on the ever increasing debt burden on state, the CM on Friday mentioned the Chinese model to defend the states huge borrowings.

Replying to the general discussion on the budget in State Legislative Assembly, Rao said those who had no knowledge about development are opposing states borrowings.

Communist China too thought that Communist ideology is useless and dumped the same. Now, the Chinese economy is worth 11 lakh trillion dollars, Rao said.

Shifting his criticism towards the Left Parties, KCR said that though Communist theories are good, Left Parties have failed to implement them in real life.

The reason for the sorry state of affairs of the Left parties is that they are unable to modify themselves in accordance with the changing times, he said.

However, CPMs lone member in the Assembly, Sunnam Rajaiah disputed with KCRs claim. Communist ideology is scientific, Rajaiah said.

Rao, in his reply, said, There is no better ideology in the world than Communism. No political party presented better political ideology than the Communist ideology.

While Mao and Lenin wanted the ideology to be dynamic, the Communists forgot the same and remained static. Thats the reason for the present status of Communism in the country, Rao said sarcastically.

The Chief Minister also cautioned the Opposition leaders that people would not believe in their bad propaganda.

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who has the gift of the gab, fell back on the Chinese model of development to counter Oppositions attack on State governments act of obtaining huge loans. Reacting sharply to Oppositions criticism on the ever increasing debt burden on state, the CM on Friday mentioned the Chinese model to defend the states huge borrowings. Replying to the general discussion on the budget in State Legislative Assembly, Rao said those who had no knowledge about development are opposing states borrowings. Communist China too thought that Communist ideology is useless and dumped the same. Now, the Chinese economy is worth 11 lakh trillion dollars, Rao said. Shifting his criticism towards the Left Parties, KCR said that though Communist theories are good, Left Parties have failed to implement them in real life. The reason for the sorry state of affairs of the Left parties is that they are unable to modify themselves in accordance with the changing times, he said. However, CPMs lone member in the Assembly, Sunnam Rajaiah disputed with KCRs claim. Communist ideology is scientific, Rajaiah said. Rao, in his reply, said, There is no better ideology in the world than Communism. No political party presented better political ideology than the Communist ideology. While Mao and Lenin wanted the ideology to be dynamic, the Communists forgot the same and remained static. Thats the reason for the present status of Communism in the country, Rao said sarcastically. The Chief Minister also cautioned the Opposition leaders that people would not believe in their bad propaganda.
Wikileaks release of Vault 7 documents detailing CIA cyberhacking operations raised a question in the minds of many: where are Wikileaks editor-in-chief Julian Assange and NSA leaker Edward Snowden, and what does the future hold for them?

Australian-born Assange, 35  who came into the public eye in 2010 when he leaked sensitive military and diplomatic documents provided to him by U.S. Army soldier Chelsea Manning  lives in the Ecuadorian embassy in London after the South American country granted him asylum in 2012.

Related link: Here's All Of Wikileaks' Bombshells Since It Was Founded 10 Years Ago

Grounded At The Ecuadorian Embassy

Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison in 2013 on numerous convictions tied to the leaks. Her sentence was commuted by former President Barack Obama in January. Assange had pledged to offer himself for extradition if Manning was granted clemency, but said in a recent interview with the Australian current affairs program The Project that his extradition to the U.S. would hinge on the U.S. Department of Justice dropping its espionage investigation against him. Even as Assange has remained in the embassy, Wikileaks published leaked emails from the Democratic National Committee and John Podesta, the former chairman of Hillary Clintons campaign, during the 2016 U.S. presidential race.

President Donald Trump referenced Assange in a Jan. 4 tweet:

Julian Assange said "a 14 year old could have hacked Podesta" - why was DNC so careless? Also said Russians did not give him the info!

The recent visit of U.K. politician Nigel Farage, a Trump ally, to the embassy where Snowden resides set tongues wagging that Farage might have gone there to talk with the Wikileaks founder.

Assange faces a possible eviction from the embassy depending on the results of an April 2 runoff election in Ecuador. Candidate Guillermo Lasso has said that if he wins the countrys election, Assange would be given a months notice to leave the embassy, according to The Guardian He initially entered the embassy after facing extradition to Sweden for questioning in a sexual assault investigation.

Story continues

Snowden remains in Russia after NSA leak

Snowden  the former NSA contractor who leaked information about government surveillance programs  has stayed in Russia since 2013, and the country extended his asylum in January, according to The New York Times.

Russia may be prepared to offer Snowden as a "gift" to Trump, who has called Snowden a "traitor," according to a February NBC report that cited an unnamed senior U.S. official.

A February NBC report citing a senior U.S. official suggested Russia may be prepared to offer Snowden as a gift to Trump, who has called Snowden a traitor.

Federal prosecutors filed criminal espionage and theft of government property charges against Snowden in 2013, according to The Washington Post.

Snowden was denied entry into Cuba due to pressure from the U.S., according to USA Today. Four countries  Ecuador, Nicaragua, Bolivia and Venezuela  offered asylum to Snowden, but he decided against leaving Russia, as he claimed there was no safe route to these countries without landing in the U.S.s net. Snowden has sought asylum in 21 countries, with most of them refusing to accommodate him, bowing to pressure from the U.S.

Related link: Every Company Exposed To The CiA Cyberhacking Scandal, So Far

Image Credit: Edward Snowden [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

See more from Benzinga

 2017 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
By Associated Press

ISLAMABAD: Ahmad Waqas Goraya couldn't see anything through the black hood, but he could hear the screams.

A Pakistani blogger with a penchant for criticizing Pakistan's powerful military and taking the government to task, Goraya was kidnapped in January along with four other bloggers.

"I could hear the screams of torture," he said, struggling for words as the memories flooded back. "I don't even want to think about what they did."

But that wasn't the worst of it, he said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. More terrifying was the accusation of blasphemy __ punishable by death in Pakistan __ hurled at him and his fellow bloggers. They were held in what Goraya called a "black site" on the edge of Lahore that some say is run by Pakistan's powerful intelligence agency.

Analysts and social media monitors say the blasphemy law is a powerful tool to silence critics. Some say it is being used by extremists to silence moderates at a time when Pakistanis are increasingly speaking out against violence and extremism, and voicing support for a government crackdown on Islamic militants.

In Pakistan, even the suggestion of blasphemy can be tantamount to a death sentence. It has incited extremists to take the law into their own hands and kill alleged perpetrators, often forcing people to flee the country, as Goraya and the other bloggers have.

Pakistan's government heightened concerns earlier this week when it said it had asked Facebook and Twitter to ferret out Pakistanis posting religiously offensive material, promising to seek their extradition if they are out of the country and prosecute them on blasphemy charges if they are in Pakistan.

In one high-profile case six years ago, Punjab Gov. Salman Taseer was gunned down by one of his guards, who accused him of blasphemy because he criticized the law and defended a Christian woman sentenced to death for allegedly insulting Islam's Prophet Muhammad.

"Right now they have made sure I cannot come back to Pakistan by introducing blasphemy charges," Goraya said.

The lawyer who is arguing the case against the bloggers, Tariq Asad, has openly called for their deaths, while praising outlawed Sunni militant groups who want the country's minority Shiites declared non-Muslims.

"They should have been killed," Asad told the AP in an interview this week. "If I had the opportunity I would have killed them."

Asad smiled at the suggestion that invoking the blasphemy law subdues the media and frightens social media activists.

"They should be scared," he said.

The blasphemy charges against the bloggers being heard in Islamabad's High Court were filed by Salman Shahid, who has ties to Pakistan's Red Mosque, a hotbed of Islamic militancy where hundreds were killed in 2007 after security forces ended a months-long standoff with militants holed up inside. Asad is Shahid's lawyer.

Zahid Hussain, a defense analyst and author of several books on militancy in the region, said invoking the blasphemy law is a form of "pushback" against the proliferation of news outlets and social media that amplify moderate voices.

Extremists "are trying to reassert themselves with this ideological battle and the easiest thing for them to use is the blasphemy law," he said.

Hamid Mir, a popular Pakistani news anchor, says both media owners and journalists operate under a cloud of fear. Threats come from a variety of quarters in Pakistan, including the powerful spy agencies, but the most frightening are from those who would use the blasphemy law, he said.

Mir was shot six times in a drive-by shooting in Karachi three years ago. The culprits were later said to have been killed, but Mir pointedly accused Pakistan's intelligence agency at the time.

"I am not afraid of bullets or bombs," he said in an interview this week in his office in Islamabad. Even with three of the six bullets still in his body, he has refused to leave Pakistan.

But now he is having second thoughts. Last year, he was charged with blasphemy after writing a column condemning those who would kill in the name of honor following the burning death of a young girl.

"It broke me," he said. "Here I had done nothing wrong and for four months I faced this blasphemy charge. Then I thought I should leave my country."

Asad, the attorney prosecuting the bloggers, also argued the case against Mir.

A group of senior lawyers in Pakistan told Mir there was only one lawyer who could defend him, Rizwan Abbasi, who was defending the seven militants accused in the deadly 2008 multi-pronged assault in Mumbai, India, which killed 127 people. Abbasi had also defended Hafiz Saeed, the founder of the outlawed Lashkar-e-Taiba group and one of India's most wanted men.

"I thought if the judge saw him by my side he would think 'if he is with him then I won't get into trouble if I free him,'" said Mir, explaining that judges and lawyers fear retaliation from militants if they exonerate someone of blasphemy.

But even Abbasi needed help. He had Mir send his column to five of the country's top clerics to ask if it contained anything blasphemous. They all rejected the charge and it was dropped, but Mir says his approach to journalism has changed.

"I don't talk about human rights any more. . . You become selective in your criticism," he said.

The Committee to Protect Journalists and Amnesty International have spoken out against the abduction of the bloggers and expressed concerns about growing fears within Pakistan's journalist community brought about by the use of the blasphemy law.

"It's not the elected government that is putting pressure on the media, but journalists express fear of offending religious and militant groups, and the military and intelligence organizations," said Steven Butler, the CPJ's Asia program director. "The latest fear is of being labeled as 'blasphemer' and that this could lead to attacks."

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did nothing to allay fears earlier this week when he demanded a review of social media to seek out offensive content, and when his interior minister said the government had reached out to Facebook and Twitter.

Facebook said it reviews all government requests carefully, "with the goal of protecting the privacy and rights of our users." Twitter declined to comment.

In the past, Pakistan has banned YouTube after the circulation of videos deemed offensive to Islam.

"Our argument has never been about the law, but what is most dangerous is how it is used in Pakistan," to stifle critics and muffle moderate voices, said Haroon Baloch with the Islamabad-based internet advocacy group Bytesforall. He said radical religious groups use social media to attack moderate views, but there have been no restrictions imposed on them.

In an open letter to Pakistan's interior minister, Amnesty International earlier this month asked that the government "protect journalists, bloggers, civil society and other human rights activists who are facing constant harassment, intimidation, threats and violent attacks in the country."

Goraya, the blogger, is still haunted by his three weeks of captivity at the black site, where he said several cells were overcrowded with men both young and old, many of them in chains. One of his eardrums is damaged and he no longer has feeling in one hand.

"I was tortured beyond limits, beatings, different equipment used, psychological torture," he said.

ISLAMABAD: Ahmad Waqas Goraya couldn't see anything through the black hood, but he could hear the screams. A Pakistani blogger with a penchant for criticizing Pakistan's powerful military and taking the government to task, Goraya was kidnapped in January along with four other bloggers. "I could hear the screams of torture," he said, struggling for words as the memories flooded back. "I don't even want to think about what they did." But that wasn't the worst of it, he said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. More terrifying was the accusation of blasphemy __ punishable by death in Pakistan __ hurled at him and his fellow bloggers. They were held in what Goraya called a "black site" on the edge of Lahore that some say is run by Pakistan's powerful intelligence agency. Analysts and social media monitors say the blasphemy law is a powerful tool to silence critics. Some say it is being used by extremists to silence moderates at a time when Pakistanis are increasingly speaking out against violence and extremism, and voicing support for a government crackdown on Islamic militants. In Pakistan, even the suggestion of blasphemy can be tantamount to a death sentence. It has incited extremists to take the law into their own hands and kill alleged perpetrators, often forcing people to flee the country, as Goraya and the other bloggers have. Pakistan's government heightened concerns earlier this week when it said it had asked Facebook and Twitter to ferret out Pakistanis posting religiously offensive material, promising to seek their extradition if they are out of the country and prosecute them on blasphemy charges if they are in Pakistan. In one high-profile case six years ago, Punjab Gov. Salman Taseer was gunned down by one of his guards, who accused him of blasphemy because he criticized the law and defended a Christian woman sentenced to death for allegedly insulting Islam's Prophet Muhammad. "Right now they have made sure I cannot come back to Pakistan by introducing blasphemy charges," Goraya said. The lawyer who is arguing the case against the bloggers, Tariq Asad, has openly called for their deaths, while praising outlawed Sunni militant groups who want the country's minority Shiites declared non-Muslims. "They should have been killed," Asad told the AP in an interview this week. "If I had the opportunity I would have killed them." Asad smiled at the suggestion that invoking the blasphemy law subdues the media and frightens social media activists. "They should be scared," he said. The blasphemy charges against the bloggers being heard in Islamabad's High Court were filed by Salman Shahid, who has ties to Pakistan's Red Mosque, a hotbed of Islamic militancy where hundreds were killed in 2007 after security forces ended a months-long standoff with militants holed up inside. Asad is Shahid's lawyer. Zahid Hussain, a defense analyst and author of several books on militancy in the region, said invoking the blasphemy law is a form of "pushback" against the proliferation of news outlets and social media that amplify moderate voices. Extremists "are trying to reassert themselves with this ideological battle and the easiest thing for them to use is the blasphemy law," he said. Hamid Mir, a popular Pakistani news anchor, says both media owners and journalists operate under a cloud of fear. Threats come from a variety of quarters in Pakistan, including the powerful spy agencies, but the most frightening are from those who would use the blasphemy law, he said. Mir was shot six times in a drive-by shooting in Karachi three years ago. The culprits were later said to have been killed, but Mir pointedly accused Pakistan's intelligence agency at the time. "I am not afraid of bullets or bombs," he said in an interview this week in his office in Islamabad. Even with three of the six bullets still in his body, he has refused to leave Pakistan. But now he is having second thoughts. Last year, he was charged with blasphemy after writing a column condemning those who would kill in the name of honor following the burning death of a young girl. "It broke me," he said. "Here I had done nothing wrong and for four months I faced this blasphemy charge. Then I thought I should leave my country." Asad, the attorney prosecuting the bloggers, also argued the case against Mir. A group of senior lawyers in Pakistan told Mir there was only one lawyer who could defend him, Rizwan Abbasi, who was defending the seven militants accused in the deadly 2008 multi-pronged assault in Mumbai, India, which killed 127 people. Abbasi had also defended Hafiz Saeed, the founder of the outlawed Lashkar-e-Taiba group and one of India's most wanted men. "I thought if the judge saw him by my side he would think 'if he is with him then I won't get into trouble if I free him,'" said Mir, explaining that judges and lawyers fear retaliation from militants if they exonerate someone of blasphemy. But even Abbasi needed help. He had Mir send his column to five of the country's top clerics to ask if it contained anything blasphemous. They all rejected the charge and it was dropped, but Mir says his approach to journalism has changed. "I don't talk about human rights any more. . . You become selective in your criticism," he said. The Committee to Protect Journalists and Amnesty International have spoken out against the abduction of the bloggers and expressed concerns about growing fears within Pakistan's journalist community brought about by the use of the blasphemy law. "It's not the elected government that is putting pressure on the media, but journalists express fear of offending religious and militant groups, and the military and intelligence organizations," said Steven Butler, the CPJ's Asia program director. "The latest fear is of being labeled as 'blasphemer' and that this could lead to attacks." Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did nothing to allay fears earlier this week when he demanded a review of social media to seek out offensive content, and when his interior minister said the government had reached out to Facebook and Twitter. Facebook said it reviews all government requests carefully, "with the goal of protecting the privacy and rights of our users." Twitter declined to comment. In the past, Pakistan has banned YouTube after the circulation of videos deemed offensive to Islam. "Our argument has never been about the law, but what is most dangerous is how it is used in Pakistan," to stifle critics and muffle moderate voices, said Haroon Baloch with the Islamabad-based internet advocacy group Bytesforall. He said radical religious groups use social media to attack moderate views, but there have been no restrictions imposed on them. In an open letter to Pakistan's interior minister, Amnesty International earlier this month asked that the government "protect journalists, bloggers, civil society and other human rights activists who are facing constant harassment, intimidation, threats and violent attacks in the country." Goraya, the blogger, is still haunted by his three weeks of captivity at the black site, where he said several cells were overcrowded with men both young and old, many of them in chains. One of his eardrums is damaged and he no longer has feeling in one hand. "I was tortured beyond limits, beatings, different equipment used, psychological torture," he said.
By Associated Press

OTTAWA: The Canadian government has apologised to three Canadians who were tortured in Syria and said it had paid them compensation to settle lawsuits. It provided no details on the settlements reached with Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad El Maati and Muayyed Nureddin.

An inquiry in 2008 led by former Supreme Court justice Frank Iacobucci found that Canadian officials contributed to the torture of the three men by sharing information with foreign agencies. Iacobucci concluded the men were brutalised while in Syrian custody and, in the case of El Maati, in Egypt as well. He cited the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Foreign Affairs Ministry for mistakes.

All three men have denied any involvement in terrorism and none has ever been charged. "Our clients are gratified to have received an apology from the highest level of the Canadian government," said Phil Tunley, lawyer for El Maati and Nureddin.

"They and their families are pleased that their long legal ordeal is over." Tunley declined to elaborate on the settlement. Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland apologised to the men "for any role Canadian officials may have played in relation to their detention and mistreatment abroad and any resulting harm."

"We hope that the steps taken today will support them and their families in their efforts to begin a new and hopeful chapter in their lives," the officials said yesterday. Legal actions filed by the three men had been stuck in the courts for years.

They sought compensation for experiences that they said shattered their reputations and left them physically and psychologically wounded. In statements filed years ago in the cases, the government had said that if mistreatment did occur, the responsibility rested with Syrian and Egyptian authorities.

Almalki, an Ottawa electronics engineer, was detained in Syria in 2002 and held for 22 months. El Maati, a former truck driver, was arrested in November 2001 upon flying to Syria to celebrate his wedding nuptials that did not take place.

Nureddin, a Toronto geologist, was detained by Syrian officials in December 2003 as he crossed the border from Iraq, where he was visiting family. He was held for 34 days in Syria in late 2003 and early 2004.

OTTAWA: The Canadian government has apologised to three Canadians who were tortured in Syria and said it had paid them compensation to settle lawsuits. It provided no details on the settlements reached with Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad El Maati and Muayyed Nureddin. An inquiry in 2008 led by former Supreme Court justice Frank Iacobucci found that Canadian officials contributed to the torture of the three men by sharing information with foreign agencies. Iacobucci concluded the men were brutalised while in Syrian custody and, in the case of El Maati, in Egypt as well. He cited the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Foreign Affairs Ministry for mistakes. All three men have denied any involvement in terrorism and none has ever been charged. "Our clients are gratified to have received an apology from the highest level of the Canadian government," said Phil Tunley, lawyer for El Maati and Nureddin. "They and their families are pleased that their long legal ordeal is over." Tunley declined to elaborate on the settlement. Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland apologised to the men "for any role Canadian officials may have played in relation to their detention and mistreatment abroad and any resulting harm." "We hope that the steps taken today will support them and their families in their efforts to begin a new and hopeful chapter in their lives," the officials said yesterday. Legal actions filed by the three men had been stuck in the courts for years. They sought compensation for experiences that they said shattered their reputations and left them physically and psychologically wounded. In statements filed years ago in the cases, the government had said that if mistreatment did occur, the responsibility rested with Syrian and Egyptian authorities. Almalki, an Ottawa electronics engineer, was detained in Syria in 2002 and held for 22 months. El Maati, a former truck driver, was arrested in November 2001 upon flying to Syria to celebrate his wedding nuptials that did not take place. Nureddin, a Toronto geologist, was detained by Syrian officials in December 2003 as he crossed the border from Iraq, where he was visiting family. He was held for 34 days in Syria in late 2003 and early 2004.
By PTI

LIMA: The number of people killed in Peru following intense rains and mudslides wreaking havoc around the Andean nation climbed to 67 today, with thousands more displaced from destroyed homes and others waiting on rooftops for rescue.

Across the country overflowing rivers caused by El Nino rains damaged 115,000 homes, collapsed 117 bridges and paralyzed countless roadways. "We are confronting a serious climatic problem," President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski said in a statement broadcast live today. "There hasn't been an incident of this strength along the coast of Peru since 1998." The highly unusual rains follow a series of storms that have struck especially hard along Peru's northern coast, with voracious waters inundating hospitals and cemeteries, and leaving some small villages entirely isolated.

Yesterday, the National Police rescued eight people who had been trapped for three days in Cachipampa and removed the body of an 88-year-old man killed in the floods. In the highlands along the department of La Libertad, dramatic video showed crashing water inundating several buses and trucks, killing at least five people.

Rescuers were searching today for survivors. Even Peru's capital city of Lima, where a desert climate seldom leads to rain, police had to help hundreds of residents in an outskirt neighborhood cross a flooded road by sending them one-by-one along a rope fashioned into a zip-line. The muddy water channeled down the street after a major river overflowed.

Some residents left their homes with just a single plastic bag carrying their belongings. In total, more than 65,000 people in nearby Huachipa were unable to either go to work or return to their properties. "There's no way to cross," said Henry Obando, who was rescued after leaving the factory where he works and making his way toward a rooftop where officers created a zip-line to cross. "Many people are trying to get to their homes." The storms are being caused by a warms of the surface waters in the Pacific Ocean and are expected to continue for another two weeks. Kuczynski declared Peru's Central Highway in a state of emergency today and announced he would be boosting funds for reconstruction. He said he was optimistic the country was in a strong position to make a swift recovery but urged resident to use caution. "This hasn't ended," he warned. "And it will continue for some time more." In 1998, another El Nino event brought heavy rainfall to the nation's coast, causing landslides, ripping apart homes and leaving hundreds dead.

LIMA: The number of people killed in Peru following intense rains and mudslides wreaking havoc around the Andean nation climbed to 67 today, with thousands more displaced from destroyed homes and others waiting on rooftops for rescue. Across the country overflowing rivers caused by El Nino rains damaged 115,000 homes, collapsed 117 bridges and paralyzed countless roadways. "We are confronting a serious climatic problem," President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski said in a statement broadcast live today. "There hasn't been an incident of this strength along the coast of Peru since 1998." The highly unusual rains follow a series of storms that have struck especially hard along Peru's northern coast, with voracious waters inundating hospitals and cemeteries, and leaving some small villages entirely isolated. Yesterday, the National Police rescued eight people who had been trapped for three days in Cachipampa and removed the body of an 88-year-old man killed in the floods. In the highlands along the department of La Libertad, dramatic video showed crashing water inundating several buses and trucks, killing at least five people. Rescuers were searching today for survivors. Even Peru's capital city of Lima, where a desert climate seldom leads to rain, police had to help hundreds of residents in an outskirt neighborhood cross a flooded road by sending them one-by-one along a rope fashioned into a zip-line. The muddy water channeled down the street after a major river overflowed. Some residents left their homes with just a single plastic bag carrying their belongings. In total, more than 65,000 people in nearby Huachipa were unable to either go to work or return to their properties. "There's no way to cross," said Henry Obando, who was rescued after leaving the factory where he works and making his way toward a rooftop where officers created a zip-line to cross. "Many people are trying to get to their homes." The storms are being caused by a warms of the surface waters in the Pacific Ocean and are expected to continue for another two weeks. Kuczynski declared Peru's Central Highway in a state of emergency today and announced he would be boosting funds for reconstruction. He said he was optimistic the country was in a strong position to make a swift recovery but urged resident to use caution. "This hasn't ended," he warned. "And it will continue for some time more." In 1998, another El Nino event brought heavy rainfall to the nation's coast, causing landslides, ripping apart homes and leaving hundreds dead.
By AFP

SEOUL: Protesters marched through the streets of Seoul today demanding the repeal of ex-President Park Geun-Hye's impeachment. Prosecutors have ordered the ousted president to appear before them on Tuesday next week for questioning over the corruption scandal that triggered her dramatic downfall.

A criminal suspect in the scandal, Park had repeatedly refused to make herself available for questioning by the prosecutors before the country's highest court confirmed a parliamentary impeachment motion against her.

The protest against the impeachment saw 2,000 of her supporters walking slowly, waving banners and national flags, including a huge one carried by some 100 people. They followed a black funeral limousine decorated with national flags.

Yesterday's final ruling stripped her of power and executive privileges, including protection from criminal indictment, and she left the presidential palace at the weekend.

The corruption and influence-peddling scandal is centred on Park's close confidante Choi Soon-Sil, who is on trial for abuse of power and coercion. Choi is accused of using her presidential ties to force local firms including Samsung to "donate" nearly USD 70 million to non-profit foundations she allegedly used for personal gain. Park -- the 65-year-old daughter of the late former strongman Park Chung-Hee -- has been named as Choi's accomplice who helped her extract money from the firms.

The scandal that rocked the nation has also seen the heir to electronics giant Samsung, Lee Jae-Yong, arrested and charged with bribery for offering millions of dollars to Choi in return for policy favours from Park. Park has voiced defiance over the court ruling, saying "the truth will eventually be revealed".

SEOUL: Protesters marched through the streets of Seoul today demanding the repeal of ex-President Park Geun-Hye's impeachment. Prosecutors have ordered the ousted president to appear before them on Tuesday next week for questioning over the corruption scandal that triggered her dramatic downfall. A criminal suspect in the scandal, Park had repeatedly refused to make herself available for questioning by the prosecutors before the country's highest court confirmed a parliamentary impeachment motion against her. The protest against the impeachment saw 2,000 of her supporters walking slowly, waving banners and national flags, including a huge one carried by some 100 people. They followed a black funeral limousine decorated with national flags. Yesterday's final ruling stripped her of power and executive privileges, including protection from criminal indictment, and she left the presidential palace at the weekend. The corruption and influence-peddling scandal is centred on Park's close confidante Choi Soon-Sil, who is on trial for abuse of power and coercion. Choi is accused of using her presidential ties to force local firms including Samsung to "donate" nearly USD 70 million to non-profit foundations she allegedly used for personal gain. Park -- the 65-year-old daughter of the late former strongman Park Chung-Hee -- has been named as Choi's accomplice who helped her extract money from the firms. The scandal that rocked the nation has also seen the heir to electronics giant Samsung, Lee Jae-Yong, arrested and charged with bribery for offering millions of dollars to Choi in return for policy favours from Park. Park has voiced defiance over the court ruling, saying "the truth will eventually be revealed".
By AFP

GERMANY: Finance ministers from the world's biggest economies on Saturday failed to get the US to renew an anti-protectionist pledge and a vow to fight climate change, in the face of Donald Trump's 'America First' push.

After a two-day meeting, ministers from G20 developed and emerging nations said they were "working to strengthen the contribution of trade to our economies" but failed to spell out a pledge to reject protectionism in a closing statement.

An entire section on action against climate change was dropped from the final document, sparking dismay among America's partners as well as environmental activists.

"I regret that our discussions today were unable to reach a satisfying conclusion on two absolutely essential priorities that our world and which France would have liked to see the G20 continue to take firm and concerted action on," said French Finance Minister Michel Sapin.

Host German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble however struck a conciliatory tone, noting that in the US the matters of finance and trade were divided in two portfolios.

"Trade questions are not the responsibility of the finance minister... that's why it was a bit complicated, that's true," he said, as the American delegation was led by US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

The conspicuous omissions come as Trump champions a 'Buy American' strategy that includes threats to penalise companies that manufacture abroad by heavily taxing their products.

Carried to power on the back of a political storm over deindustrialisation in vast areas of the US, Trump vowed in his inauguration speech to "follow two simple rules: buy American and hire American."

Since taking office, he has withdrawn the US from a trans-Pacific free trade pact and attacked export giants China and Germany over their massive trade surplus.

His stance has been condemned by Washington's trading partners, and led Beijing to issue a stern warning against sparking a trade war.

Trump himself insisted at a tense Washington press conference Friday, following his first meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, that "I'm a free trader but also a fair trader".

He also rejected a description of his policies as "isolationist."

- 'Can't happen again' -

References to action against climate change under the Paris Accord were absent from the G20 statement, unlike at a China-led summit last year.

Delegates said the US team was unable to commit as they had not been given instructions from Washington to do so at the meeting in the western German spa town of Baden-Baden.

The exclusion of climate marked a new setback for environmental action, activists say, after Trump proposed to take the axe to environmental financing.

Under his first national budget proposal, he suggested cutting financial resources for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by a third, as well as eliminating contributions linked to UN climate change programmes.

On the campaign trail, Trump had threatened to pull the US out of the Paris Accord on combating climate change.

"The lack of attention to climate in the G20 finance statement is no doubt due to the Trump administration's irresponsible and isolated approach to climate change," said Li Shuo, senior climate policy advisor at Greenpeace East Asia.

"Other countries should not allow this to happen again," added Li.

But Schaeuble sounded a more optimistic tone, saying that "I'm not pessimistic, but rather I think the process works and we have made progress on a series of important questions."

GERMANY: Finance ministers from the world's biggest economies on Saturday failed to get the US to renew an anti-protectionist pledge and a vow to fight climate change, in the face of Donald Trump's 'America First' push. After a two-day meeting, ministers from G20 developed and emerging nations said they were "working to strengthen the contribution of trade to our economies" but failed to spell out a pledge to reject protectionism in a closing statement. An entire section on action against climate change was dropped from the final document, sparking dismay among America's partners as well as environmental activists. "I regret that our discussions today were unable to reach a satisfying conclusion on two absolutely essential priorities that our world and which France would have liked to see the G20 continue to take firm and concerted action on," said French Finance Minister Michel Sapin. Host German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble however struck a conciliatory tone, noting that in the US the matters of finance and trade were divided in two portfolios. "Trade questions are not the responsibility of the finance minister... that's why it was a bit complicated, that's true," he said, as the American delegation was led by US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. The conspicuous omissions come as Trump champions a 'Buy American' strategy that includes threats to penalise companies that manufacture abroad by heavily taxing their products. Carried to power on the back of a political storm over deindustrialisation in vast areas of the US, Trump vowed in his inauguration speech to "follow two simple rules: buy American and hire American." Since taking office, he has withdrawn the US from a trans-Pacific free trade pact and attacked export giants China and Germany over their massive trade surplus. His stance has been condemned by Washington's trading partners, and led Beijing to issue a stern warning against sparking a trade war. Trump himself insisted at a tense Washington press conference Friday, following his first meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, that "I'm a free trader but also a fair trader". He also rejected a description of his policies as "isolationist." - 'Can't happen again' - References to action against climate change under the Paris Accord were absent from the G20 statement, unlike at a China-led summit last year. Delegates said the US team was unable to commit as they had not been given instructions from Washington to do so at the meeting in the western German spa town of Baden-Baden. The exclusion of climate marked a new setback for environmental action, activists say, after Trump proposed to take the axe to environmental financing. Under his first national budget proposal, he suggested cutting financial resources for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by a third, as well as eliminating contributions linked to UN climate change programmes. On the campaign trail, Trump had threatened to pull the US out of the Paris Accord on combating climate change. "The lack of attention to climate in the G20 finance statement is no doubt due to the Trump administration's irresponsible and isolated approach to climate change," said Li Shuo, senior climate policy advisor at Greenpeace East Asia. "Other countries should not allow this to happen again," added Li. But Schaeuble sounded a more optimistic tone, saying that "I'm not pessimistic, but rather I think the process works and we have made progress on a series of important questions."
By PTI

JOHANNESBURG: Ahmed Kathrada, an 87-year-old Indian-origin anti-apartheid activist in South Africa, remains critical after undergoing a surgery, his foundation said, describing as "fake news" the reports that he passed away.



Kathrada underwent surgery a fortnight ago for blood clots in his brain.

"We condemn these rumours and request the public to refrain from reposting or spreading fake news or any updates that cannot be verified," said Nishan Balton, the Director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, who earlier this week confirmed that there had been complications following the surgery which had slowed down Kathrada's recovery process.

Kathrada, who frequently refers to Mandela as his 'elder brother' is one of only three surviving political prisoners who were sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island together with him after the infamous Rivonia Trial of 1964. The others are Andrew Mlangeni and Denis Goldberg.

All of them played major roles after their release and Mandela's election as the first democratic President of South Africa in 1994.

"We reiterate our commitment to providing regular and accurate updates about Kathrada's condition both to the media and the public," Balton added as he thanked people who have for the past week held mass vigils and prayers across the country.

Balton encouraged people to follow the Foundation's social media accounts, where updates to Kathrada's condition will be regularly posted.

Honoured with doctorates from universities all over the globe, Kathrada also received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, India's highest honour for foreign nationals of Indian origin, in 2005 from the President of India.

In December last year, Balton announced that a donation to the Foundation of two million rand from the Indian government would kick start a campaign to raise 90 million rand before Kathrada's 90th birthday to establish an endowment fund to support anti-racism struggles globally into the next generation

JOHANNESBURG: Ahmed Kathrada, an 87-year-old Indian-origin anti-apartheid activist in South Africa, remains critical after undergoing a surgery, his foundation said, describing as "fake news" the reports that he passed away. Kathrada underwent surgery a fortnight ago for blood clots in his brain. "We condemn these rumours and request the public to refrain from reposting or spreading fake news or any updates that cannot be verified," said Nishan Balton, the Director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, who earlier this week confirmed that there had been complications following the surgery which had slowed down Kathrada's recovery process. Kathrada, who frequently refers to Mandela as his 'elder brother' is one of only three surviving political prisoners who were sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island together with him after the infamous Rivonia Trial of 1964. The others are Andrew Mlangeni and Denis Goldberg. All of them played major roles after their release and Mandela's election as the first democratic President of South Africa in 1994. "We reiterate our commitment to providing regular and accurate updates about Kathrada's condition both to the media and the public," Balton added as he thanked people who have for the past week held mass vigils and prayers across the country. Balton encouraged people to follow the Foundation's social media accounts, where updates to Kathrada's condition will be regularly posted. Honoured with doctorates from universities all over the globe, Kathrada also received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, India's highest honour for foreign nationals of Indian origin, in 2005 from the President of India. In December last year, Balton announced that a donation to the Foundation of two million rand from the Indian government would kick start a campaign to raise 90 million rand before Kathrada's 90th birthday to establish an endowment fund to support anti-racism struggles globally into the next generation
By PTI

MOSUL: Iraqi forces said today they had seized ground inside Mosul's Old City, a district expected to see some of the fiercest clashes in the battle for the jihadist stronghold. An operation began on February 19 to retake Mosul's west, the last major Islamic State group urban bastion in the country, which includes the Old City.

Iraqi forces have since retaken several neighbourhoods despite bad weather that has hampered air support. In the ancient central district, hundreds of thousands of civilians are believed to be trapped under IS rule in a warren of densely populated, narrow streets which restrict the use of large armoured vehicles. Federal police commander Lieutenant General Raed Shakir Jawdat said today that Iraqi forces backed by artillery and drones had advanced in the district.

"Federal police and Rapid Response units imposed their complete control over the Al-Basha Mosque... and the Bab al-Saray market in the Old City," he said. The two sites lie on the edge of the district in the heart of Mosul, next to the Tigris river that slices the city in two.

Further west, forces from the elite Counter-Terrorism Service have pushed into the Al-Rissala and Nablus quarters, senior commander Staff Lieutenant General Abdulghani al-Assadi said. "The situation is good," he said. The fall of Mosul, Iraq's second city, would be a major setback for IS following months of losses in Iraq and neighbouring Syria.

But its loss would not mean the end of IS in Iraq, according to Emily Anagnostos of the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War. "The US and coalition will need to ensure their continued presence in Iraq after Mosul's recapture, which could occur within a month, in order to clear remaining ISIS-held areas and ensure stability in recaptured areas," she said in an online report, using another name for IS.

MOSUL: Iraqi forces said today they had seized ground inside Mosul's Old City, a district expected to see some of the fiercest clashes in the battle for the jihadist stronghold. An operation began on February 19 to retake Mosul's west, the last major Islamic State group urban bastion in the country, which includes the Old City. Iraqi forces have since retaken several neighbourhoods despite bad weather that has hampered air support. In the ancient central district, hundreds of thousands of civilians are believed to be trapped under IS rule in a warren of densely populated, narrow streets which restrict the use of large armoured vehicles. Federal police commander Lieutenant General Raed Shakir Jawdat said today that Iraqi forces backed by artillery and drones had advanced in the district. "Federal police and Rapid Response units imposed their complete control over the Al-Basha Mosque... and the Bab al-Saray market in the Old City," he said. The two sites lie on the edge of the district in the heart of Mosul, next to the Tigris river that slices the city in two. Further west, forces from the elite Counter-Terrorism Service have pushed into the Al-Rissala and Nablus quarters, senior commander Staff Lieutenant General Abdulghani al-Assadi said. "The situation is good," he said. The fall of Mosul, Iraq's second city, would be a major setback for IS following months of losses in Iraq and neighbouring Syria. But its loss would not mean the end of IS in Iraq, according to Emily Anagnostos of the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War. "The US and coalition will need to ensure their continued presence in Iraq after Mosul's recapture, which could occur within a month, in order to clear remaining ISIS-held areas and ensure stability in recaptured areas," she said in an online report, using another name for IS.
By Associated Press

NAIROBI: Kenya's president has ordered the military to deploy to the volatile areas of Baringo and Laikipia in the Rift Valley to calm deadly violence fuelled by a drought that affects roughly half the country. President Uhuru Kenyatta announced he has authorised the immediate deployment of the Kenya Defense Forces to support police operations there.

"The deployment will further assist in disarmament and surrender of illegally held arms," Kenyatta said. At least 21 people have died in fighting between herders the Illchamus Pokot and Tugen in Baringo county since early February.

Thirteen people were killed this week. And in Laikipia county, a British farmer was killed this month by herders invading ranches in search of pasture and water. The military has been accused of human rights abuses, including torture and executions, in a number of domestic security operations. However, the police force has suffered the deadliest attacks in its history at the hands of the pastoralists.

At least 42 police officers were killed in November 2012 attempting to pursue herders who had stolen cattle from a rival community. In November 2014, 21 police officers were killed pursuing the Pokot herders in Kapedo at the border of Turkana and Baringo counties.

Livestock-keeping nomadic tribes in Kenya's north routinely engage in traditional cattle raids, which experts say have become more deadly because the tribes have switched from using spears and arrows to guns.

Britain's foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, welcomed the decision to deploy troops to Laikipia, which has other British farmers affected by the land invasions. Johnson was in Kenya as part of a regional visit that also stopped in Uganda, Ethiopia and Somalia.

Kenya has declared a national disaster because of the drought that affects about half of the counties in this East African nation. Johnson said Britain will give Kenya 4 million pounds (USD 4.9 million) to mitigate the effects of the drought.

NAIROBI: Kenya's president has ordered the military to deploy to the volatile areas of Baringo and Laikipia in the Rift Valley to calm deadly violence fuelled by a drought that affects roughly half the country. President Uhuru Kenyatta announced he has authorised the immediate deployment of the Kenya Defense Forces to support police operations there. "The deployment will further assist in disarmament and surrender of illegally held arms," Kenyatta said. At least 21 people have died in fighting between herders the Illchamus Pokot and Tugen in Baringo county since early February. Thirteen people were killed this week. And in Laikipia county, a British farmer was killed this month by herders invading ranches in search of pasture and water. The military has been accused of human rights abuses, including torture and executions, in a number of domestic security operations. However, the police force has suffered the deadliest attacks in its history at the hands of the pastoralists. At least 42 police officers were killed in November 2012 attempting to pursue herders who had stolen cattle from a rival community. In November 2014, 21 police officers were killed pursuing the Pokot herders in Kapedo at the border of Turkana and Baringo counties. Livestock-keeping nomadic tribes in Kenya's north routinely engage in traditional cattle raids, which experts say have become more deadly because the tribes have switched from using spears and arrows to guns. Britain's foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, welcomed the decision to deploy troops to Laikipia, which has other British farmers affected by the land invasions. Johnson was in Kenya as part of a regional visit that also stopped in Uganda, Ethiopia and Somalia. Kenya has declared a national disaster because of the drought that affects about half of the counties in this East African nation. Johnson said Britain will give Kenya 4 million pounds (USD 4.9 million) to mitigate the effects of the drought.
By IANS

WASHINTON: Fired US Attorney Preet Bharara was investigating a key member of President Donald Trumps cabinet, a new report has revealed.



Bharara was looking into allegations that Tom Price, the Health and Human Services Secretary and the administration's point man on efforts to repeal and replace ObamaCare, improperly traded healthcare stocks while he was a member of the House of Representatives, New York Post reported on Friday.



Price maintained that he broke no laws when he traded healthcare stocks even as he was involved in legislation relevant to the healthcare sector.



He traded over $300,000 worth of shares of relevant companies during a four-year period in the House, the report said.



The issue played a significant role in Price's confirmation process, and he was asked about it numerous times during his Senate hearing.



The revelation that Bharara was investigating Price comes as many were surprised the US attorney from the Southern District of New York was not retained by the Trump administration.



The then-President-elect had met with Bharara after the election and during the transition period, Trump had reportedly asked him to stay on during his administration.



But last week, Attorney General Jeff Sessions notified all leftover federal prosecutors appointed by President Barack Obama would be let go.



Bharara, however, refused to go and was fired by the Trump administration, the Post said.

WASHINTON: Fired US Attorney Preet Bharara was investigating a key member of President Donald Trumps cabinet, a new report has revealed. Bharara was looking into allegations that Tom Price, the Health and Human Services Secretary and the administration's point man on efforts to repeal and replace ObamaCare, improperly traded healthcare stocks while he was a member of the House of Representatives, New York Post reported on Friday. Price maintained that he broke no laws when he traded healthcare stocks even as he was involved in legislation relevant to the healthcare sector. He traded over $300,000 worth of shares of relevant companies during a four-year period in the House, the report said. The issue played a significant role in Price's confirmation process, and he was asked about it numerous times during his Senate hearing. The revelation that Bharara was investigating Price comes as many were surprised the US attorney from the Southern District of New York was not retained by the Trump administration. The then-President-elect had met with Bharara after the election and during the transition period, Trump had reportedly asked him to stay on during his administration. But last week, Attorney General Jeff Sessions notified all leftover federal prosecutors appointed by President Barack Obama would be let go. Bharara, however, refused to go and was fired by the Trump administration, the Post said.
By IANS

PARIS: Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton visited the French capital, in a diplomatic move that analysts believe is intended to soften a divorce between Britain and the EU.



At the request of Britain's Foreign Office, the royal couple flew to Paris on Friday, a first stage in a scheduled European Union tour to prepare Britain's exit form the EU and to bolster bilateral relationships, Xinhua news agency reported.



"This visit opens a new chapter of this long Franco-British relationship turning towards a promising future," British Ambassador Edward Llewellyn was quoted as saying by local media.



William and Kate will meet French President Francois Hollande "given the historical relations between France and the United Kingdom", the Elysee Palace said.



The royal couple will visit the military museum Les Invalides with senior French politicians, victims of the 2015 terrorist attacks at the Bataclan theatre in Paris as well as the lorry attack in Nice on Bastille Day last year.



The duo will also attend a reception at the British embassy as guests of honour to launch the "Voisins" (Neighbours) project, aimed at celebrating cultural ties linking the two countries.



William and Kate are also planning to attend the Six Nations rugby international between France and Wales at the Stade de France on Saturday.



The two-day visit is Prince William's first official trip to the French capital since the tragic death of his mother Diana, the Princess of Wales, in a car accident at the Pont de l'Alma tunnel two decades ago.

PARIS: Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton visited the French capital, in a diplomatic move that analysts believe is intended to soften a divorce between Britain and the EU. At the request of Britain's Foreign Office, the royal couple flew to Paris on Friday, a first stage in a scheduled European Union tour to prepare Britain's exit form the EU and to bolster bilateral relationships, Xinhua news agency reported. "This visit opens a new chapter of this long Franco-British relationship turning towards a promising future," British Ambassador Edward Llewellyn was quoted as saying by local media. William and Kate will meet French President Francois Hollande "given the historical relations between France and the United Kingdom", the Elysee Palace said. The royal couple will visit the military museum Les Invalides with senior French politicians, victims of the 2015 terrorist attacks at the Bataclan theatre in Paris as well as the lorry attack in Nice on Bastille Day last year. The duo will also attend a reception at the British embassy as guests of honour to launch the "Voisins" (Neighbours) project, aimed at celebrating cultural ties linking the two countries. William and Kate are also planning to attend the Six Nations rugby international between France and Wales at the Stade de France on Saturday. The two-day visit is Prince William's first official trip to the French capital since the tragic death of his mother Diana, the Princess of Wales, in a car accident at the Pont de l'Alma tunnel two decades ago.
By ANI

PESHAWAR: Outraged over their omission from the census, the Sikh community of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is planning to stage a protest in the federal capital with protests already under way in different districts of the province.

Every religion is mentioned in the census form except Sikhism, which is a religion recognised the world over, but sadly our government has forgotten us in the most important national event that can change the fate of every Pakistani, The Express Tribune quoted K-Ps Pakistan Minorities Alliance president Radesh Singh Tony as saying.

If the government can mention Hinduism, Christianity and other religions, then they could have also added Sikhism but they did not, he questioned.

It is a conspiracy to create a rift between the Sikh community and the government of Pakistan. We will use our right to protest against this act of the government for not giving importance to an important community in the census that can affect our future. We will boycott the census if the government does nothing to safeguard our rights to be counted as equal citizens, he added.

Another member of the Sikh community, Harmeet Singh, said the origin of Sikhism is in Pakistan as Guru Nanak was born here in Punjab.

Sikhs from all over the world visit their sacred places located in this country but not mentioning our religion in the religious column of the census form is unjust with thousands of Sikhs living in Pakistan, he added.

The census exercise is taking place after a delay of nine years, as the last population census was conducted in 1998. The data obtained from the census will be used for distribution of the National Assembly seats and division of financial resources. The population is also the base for distribution of civil service jobs among the provinces.

PESHAWAR: Outraged over their omission from the census, the Sikh community of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is planning to stage a protest in the federal capital with protests already under way in different districts of the province. Every religion is mentioned in the census form except Sikhism, which is a religion recognised the world over, but sadly our government has forgotten us in the most important national event that can change the fate of every Pakistani, The Express Tribune quoted K-Ps Pakistan Minorities Alliance president Radesh Singh Tony as saying. If the government can mention Hinduism, Christianity and other religions, then they could have also added Sikhism but they did not, he questioned. It is a conspiracy to create a rift between the Sikh community and the government of Pakistan. We will use our right to protest against this act of the government for not giving importance to an important community in the census that can affect our future. We will boycott the census if the government does nothing to safeguard our rights to be counted as equal citizens, he added. Another member of the Sikh community, Harmeet Singh, said the origin of Sikhism is in Pakistan as Guru Nanak was born here in Punjab. Sikhs from all over the world visit their sacred places located in this country but not mentioning our religion in the religious column of the census form is unjust with thousands of Sikhs living in Pakistan, he added. The census exercise is taking place after a delay of nine years, as the last population census was conducted in 1998. The data obtained from the census will be used for distribution of the National Assembly seats and division of financial resources. The population is also the base for distribution of civil service jobs among the provinces.
By Associated Press

NEW YORK: The Empire State Building's owner says it's all-clear at the famous skyscraper after a small electrical fire on a below-ground floor. No injuries were reported in yesterday's fire. Other floors and the tourist-attracting Observatory remained open.

Firetrucks lined streets around the tower after the Fire Department of New York was summoned around 2:30 pm, while the city's St Patrick's Day Parade was underway nearby. Allan Drury, a spokesman for utility Con Edison, says there was a problem with an electrical service line to the building. Firefighters say the situation was under control within about two hours.

The building's owner, the Empire State Realty Trust, says the fire was in a contained area on the underground Concourse level. It includes the management office and a fitness centre.

NEW YORK: The Empire State Building's owner says it's all-clear at the famous skyscraper after a small electrical fire on a below-ground floor. No injuries were reported in yesterday's fire. Other floors and the tourist-attracting Observatory remained open. Firetrucks lined streets around the tower after the Fire Department of New York was summoned around 2:30 pm, while the city's St Patrick's Day Parade was underway nearby. Allan Drury, a spokesman for utility Con Edison, says there was a problem with an electrical service line to the building. Firefighters say the situation was under control within about two hours. The building's owner, the Empire State Realty Trust, says the fire was in a contained area on the underground Concourse level. It includes the management office and a fitness centre.
Express News Service

COLOMBO: The Sri Lankan government proposes to cut Chinas stake in the Hambantota port from 80 per cent to 60 per cent, the Daily Mirror reported on Saturday.

Well placed sources told this correspondent that the watering down has been made upon the insistence of the Ports Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, who has been campaigning against the Framework Agreement which gives the China Merchants Holding Company, 80 percent stake and a 99 year lease for an investment of US$ 1.1 billion. Ranatunga has also been campaigning for a fuller control over the security of the port.

A cabinet paper on the revised draft agreement is expected to be presented next Tuesday for discussion and approval, the sources said.

Like the Joint Opposition (JO) led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Minister Ranatunga believes that the countrys strategic assets must remain in the hands of the Sri Lankan government. But unlike the JO, he does not insist on majority shareholding. He feels that cash strapped Sri Lankan needs foreign investment urgently.

One of the leaders of the JO, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, told this correspondent that even 60-40 will not be acceptable to him.The country should have a majority stake to acquire proprietorship over a critical national asset ,he said.

Nanayakkara and economist Dr.Lalithasiri Gunaruwan had filed cases in the Supreme Court challenging the way the government had allegedly bartered away Sri Lankas rights without following due processes. The two cases are to come for hearing on April 7.

Nanayakkara is also opposed to the stipulation in the Framework Agreement that 15,000 acres of land will be given to the Chinese-run port for the development of a Chinese-administered Economic Zone. The question of who would have control over the security of the port was also decided in favor of the Chinese.

But there was all round opposition to all of these. President Maithripala Sirisena took steps to influence any further negotiations in this matter.

Many Sri Lankans, including the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs, said that the US$ 1.1 billion that the Sri Lankan government would get as Chinese investment in the form of an 80 per cent shareholding in the port could be easily generated locally by marshalling resources and cutting down on inessential and extravagant government spending.

But the Chinese were not ready to accept a dilution of their stake. It is not clear if the current proposal to cut their share to 60 per cent has been made with their prior approval.

Some Sri Lankans think that China will give in because it urgently needs to make Hambantota port a part of its One Belt One Road (OBOR) global project. The port is also the best in the South Asia with a depth of 17 meters, and China needs a deep water port in this part of the Indian Ocean. But others think that they will resist because Sri Lanka is indebted to China to the tune of US$ 8 billion.

Chinese Defense Minister Coming

It is in this context that the visit of the Chinese Defense Minister, Gen.Chang Wanquan, to Sri Lanka from March19 to 21, is significant.

His 20-member delegation, which includes the Secretary General of the State Council, will discuss with Sri Lankan leaders, both defense and economic matters. Hambantota port will certainly be high on its agenda.

COLOMBO: The Sri Lankan government proposes to cut Chinas stake in the Hambantota port from 80 per cent to 60 per cent, the Daily Mirror reported on Saturday. Well placed sources told this correspondent that the watering down has been made upon the insistence of the Ports Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, who has been campaigning against the Framework Agreement which gives the China Merchants Holding Company, 80 percent stake and a 99 year lease for an investment of US$ 1.1 billion. Ranatunga has also been campaigning for a fuller control over the security of the port. A cabinet paper on the revised draft agreement is expected to be presented next Tuesday for discussion and approval, the sources said. Like the Joint Opposition (JO) led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Minister Ranatunga believes that the countrys strategic assets must remain in the hands of the Sri Lankan government. But unlike the JO, he does not insist on majority shareholding. He feels that cash strapped Sri Lankan needs foreign investment urgently. One of the leaders of the JO, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, told this correspondent that even 60-40 will not be acceptable to him.The country should have a majority stake to acquire proprietorship over a critical national asset ,he said. Nanayakkara and economist Dr.Lalithasiri Gunaruwan had filed cases in the Supreme Court challenging the way the government had allegedly bartered away Sri Lankas rights without following due processes. The two cases are to come for hearing on April 7. Nanayakkara is also opposed to the stipulation in the Framework Agreement that 15,000 acres of land will be given to the Chinese-run port for the development of a Chinese-administered Economic Zone. The question of who would have control over the security of the port was also decided in favor of the Chinese. But there was all round opposition to all of these. President Maithripala Sirisena took steps to influence any further negotiations in this matter. Many Sri Lankans, including the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs, said that the US$ 1.1 billion that the Sri Lankan government would get as Chinese investment in the form of an 80 per cent shareholding in the port could be easily generated locally by marshalling resources and cutting down on inessential and extravagant government spending. But the Chinese were not ready to accept a dilution of their stake. It is not clear if the current proposal to cut their share to 60 per cent has been made with their prior approval. Some Sri Lankans think that China will give in because it urgently needs to make Hambantota port a part of its One Belt One Road (OBOR) global project. The port is also the best in the South Asia with a depth of 17 meters, and China needs a deep water port in this part of the Indian Ocean. But others think that they will resist because Sri Lanka is indebted to China to the tune of US$ 8 billion. Chinese Defense Minister Coming It is in this context that the visit of the Chinese Defense Minister, Gen.Chang Wanquan, to Sri Lanka from March19 to 21, is significant. His 20-member delegation, which includes the Secretary General of the State Council, will discuss with Sri Lankan leaders, both defense and economic matters. Hambantota port will certainly be high on its agenda.
By AFP

SYRIA: Nearly 1,500 people, mostly civilians, left the last opposition-held district of Homs on Saturday under a controversial Russian-supervised deal to bring Syria's third city under full government control.

The evacuation of Waer, a northwestern district of the city that has been under siege by the army for years, is the latest in a series of "reconciliation" deals struck by the government that the rebels say amount to starving them out.

It comes ahead of a new round of UN-brokered talks that open in Geneva on Thursday in an attempt to end the conflict that has killed more than 320000 people and driven millions from their homes.

Thousands are expected to leave Waer in the coming weeks in the final phase of the evacuation agreement, which had stalled in recent months.

An AFP correspondent saw a first wave of three green buses carrying civilians including children as well as dozens of fighters, their rifles slung over their shoulders.

Throughout the day, women and children munching on pieces of bread lined up to load their luggage onto the buses, while men appeared to go through extra screening in separate lines.

Stern-looking Russian forces looked on, wearing green fatigues with black bulletproof vests emblazoned with the word "Police" on the front.

"Syrian police, Russian military police and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent will protect the convoys and accompany them from Homs onto Aleppo province," Homs governor Talal Barazi told AFP.

Barazi said evacuations were over for Saturday and that a total of 1,479 people -- including 423 rebels -- had left.

"Not a single weapon or fighter will be left in Waer," he said, adding that about 40,000 residents were expected to stay in the district.

- 12,000 expected to leave -

Three waves of rebels and their families had already left Waer under an agreement first reached in December 2015, but subsequent evacuations stalled.

In a new deal reached last week, government and rebel representatives agreed that up to 100 Russian troops would deploy inside Waer to oversee the final phase of evacuations.

"Russia is a guarantor of the Waer agreement's implementation and will monitor its execution," said the Russian colonel overseeing the operation.

"Russian forces came to Syria for this -- to help their friends and allow people to live safely in this country again."

Moscow is a decades-old ally of the Damascus regime, and in September 2015 launched an air campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad's forces.

That backing has helped government forces recapture swathes of territory, including the whole of second city Aleppo as well as the famed desert city of Palmyra.

Under the agreement, evacuees will be bussed to opposition-held parts of Homs province, the rebel-held town of Jarabulus on the Syrian-Turkish border or the northwestern province of Idlib.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates that a total of 12,000 people, 2,500 of them rebels, will leave under the deal.

Over the past month, government forces have stepped up their bombardment of the district, killing dozens of people, the Britain-based monitoring group said.

No aid has reached Waer in at least four months. A UN convoy tried to gain access to the district in February but it was seized by gunmen who diverted the assistance to a government-held area.

The government has agreed "reconciliation" deals for several rebel-held areas, and touts such agreements that grant safe passage to surrendering fighters as key to ending six years of war.

But rebels say they are forced into such deals by siege and bombardment, and the UN has sharply criticised them.

The most notorious of the agreements was the December evacuation of the rebel-held east Aleppo after months of government siege.

The UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria earlier this month said the deal "amounts to the war crime of forced displacement of the civilian population" because it had left civilians with "no option to remain".

SYRIA: Nearly 1,500 people, mostly civilians, left the last opposition-held district of Homs on Saturday under a controversial Russian-supervised deal to bring Syria's third city under full government control. The evacuation of Waer, a northwestern district of the city that has been under siege by the army for years, is the latest in a series of "reconciliation" deals struck by the government that the rebels say amount to starving them out. It comes ahead of a new round of UN-brokered talks that open in Geneva on Thursday in an attempt to end the conflict that has killed more than 320000 people and driven millions from their homes. Thousands are expected to leave Waer in the coming weeks in the final phase of the evacuation agreement, which had stalled in recent months. An AFP correspondent saw a first wave of three green buses carrying civilians including children as well as dozens of fighters, their rifles slung over their shoulders. Throughout the day, women and children munching on pieces of bread lined up to load their luggage onto the buses, while men appeared to go through extra screening in separate lines. Stern-looking Russian forces looked on, wearing green fatigues with black bulletproof vests emblazoned with the word "Police" on the front. "Syrian police, Russian military police and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent will protect the convoys and accompany them from Homs onto Aleppo province," Homs governor Talal Barazi told AFP. Barazi said evacuations were over for Saturday and that a total of 1,479 people -- including 423 rebels -- had left. "Not a single weapon or fighter will be left in Waer," he said, adding that about 40,000 residents were expected to stay in the district. - 12,000 expected to leave - Three waves of rebels and their families had already left Waer under an agreement first reached in December 2015, but subsequent evacuations stalled. In a new deal reached last week, government and rebel representatives agreed that up to 100 Russian troops would deploy inside Waer to oversee the final phase of evacuations. "Russia is a guarantor of the Waer agreement's implementation and will monitor its execution," said the Russian colonel overseeing the operation. "Russian forces came to Syria for this -- to help their friends and allow people to live safely in this country again." Moscow is a decades-old ally of the Damascus regime, and in September 2015 launched an air campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad's forces. That backing has helped government forces recapture swathes of territory, including the whole of second city Aleppo as well as the famed desert city of Palmyra. Under the agreement, evacuees will be bussed to opposition-held parts of Homs province, the rebel-held town of Jarabulus on the Syrian-Turkish border or the northwestern province of Idlib. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates that a total of 12,000 people, 2,500 of them rebels, will leave under the deal. Over the past month, government forces have stepped up their bombardment of the district, killing dozens of people, the Britain-based monitoring group said. No aid has reached Waer in at least four months. A UN convoy tried to gain access to the district in February but it was seized by gunmen who diverted the assistance to a government-held area. The government has agreed "reconciliation" deals for several rebel-held areas, and touts such agreements that grant safe passage to surrendering fighters as key to ending six years of war. But rebels say they are forced into such deals by siege and bombardment, and the UN has sharply criticised them. The most notorious of the agreements was the December evacuation of the rebel-held east Aleppo after months of government siege. The UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria earlier this month said the deal "amounts to the war crime of forced displacement of the civilian population" because it had left civilians with "no option to remain".
By Associated Press

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump defiantly refused to back down from his explosive claim that Barack Obama wiretapped his phones, and sidestepped any blame for the White House decision to highlight an unverified report that Britain helped carry out the alleged surveillance.

In brushing off the diplomatic row with perhaps America's closest ally, Trump also revived another: the Obama administration's monitoring of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's calls.

"At least we have something in common, perhaps," Trump quipped Friday during a joint news conference with Merkel.

Merkel, who was making her first visit to the White House since Trump took office, looked surprised by the president's comment, which he appeared primed to deliver. The Obama administration's spying infuriated Germany at the time and risked damaging the U.S. relationship with one of its most important European partners.

Trump's unproven recent allegations against his predecessor have left him increasingly isolated, with fellow Republican, as well as Democratic lawmakers, saying they've seen nothing from intelligence agencies to support his claim. But Trump, who rarely admits he's wrong, has been unmoved, leaving his advisers in the untenable position of defending the president without any credible evidence.

On Thursday, spokesman Sean Spicer turned to a Fox News analyst's contention that GCHQ, the British electronic intelligence agency, had helped Obama wiretap Trump. Fox News anchor Shepard Smith said Friday that the network could not independently verify the reports from Andrew Napolitano, a former judge and commentator who has met with Trump.

The GCHQ vigorously denied the charges in a rare public statement, saying the report was "utterly ridiculous and should be ignored."

According to a Western diplomat, Britain's ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch, had told the White House Tuesday that Napolitano's assertions were not true. Still, it was among several news reports Spicer referenced in his briefing Thursday as part of an angry defense of the president's claims.

Darroch and other British officials complained directly to White House officials after the episode, Prime Minister Theresa May's office said it had been assured the White House would not repeat the allegations. Spicer was very apologetic when confronted by Darroch at a White House dinner on Thursday, the Western diplomat said.

But Trump himself offered no public apologies and suggested there was nothing wrong with the White House repeating what it had heard.

"All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television," Trump said during Friday's news conference. "You shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox."

Spicer was also defiant Friday, telling reporters, "I don't think we regret anything."

A White House official confirmed that Darroch and the British prime minister's national security adviser, Mark Lyall Grant, expressed concerns to both Spicer and Trump's national security adviser, H.R. McMaster. Spicer and McMaster said that the press secretary was simply pointing to public reports and not endorsing any specific story, the official said.

The U.S. and United Kingdom are members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, which prohibits members from spying on each other. Australia, Canada and New Zealand are the other members.

The diplomat and White House official both spoke only on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.

The president is a voracious consumer of news and frequently repeats information he reads or hears on television, often without verifying it first. It was a story in Breitbart  the far-right website once run by his senior adviser Steve Bannon  that appeared to spark Trump's March 4 tweets accusing Obama of wiretapping the New York skyscraper where he lived and ran his presidential campaign.

The White House has asked the House and Senate intelligence committees to investigate the matter as part of their inquiries into Russia's hacking of the presidential election and possible contacts between Trump associates and Russian officials. But the top lawmakers on both committees have said they have seen no indications that Trump Tower was wiretapped.

The Justice Department said Friday that it had complied with congressional requests for information related to any surveillance during the 2016 election. The department would not comment further on what information, if any, was provided.

The chairman of the House intelligence committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., confirmed Friday that the Justice Department had "fully complied" with the committee's request. He, too, declined to provide details.

Republicans in Congress also said Trump should retract his claims. Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa., called the accusation against Britain "inexplicable" and the Trump's accusation against Obama unfounded.

"A president only has so much political capital to expend and so much moral authority as well, and so any time your credibility takes a hit, I think in many ways it weakens the officeholder," Dent said.

FBI Director James Comey is sure to be asked about the wiretapping allegations when he testifies on Capitol Hill Monday. The public hearing is the first of several that the intelligence committees are expected to hold on Russia's interference in the election.

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump defiantly refused to back down from his explosive claim that Barack Obama wiretapped his phones, and sidestepped any blame for the White House decision to highlight an unverified report that Britain helped carry out the alleged surveillance. In brushing off the diplomatic row with perhaps America's closest ally, Trump also revived another: the Obama administration's monitoring of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's calls. "At least we have something in common, perhaps," Trump quipped Friday during a joint news conference with Merkel. Merkel, who was making her first visit to the White House since Trump took office, looked surprised by the president's comment, which he appeared primed to deliver. The Obama administration's spying infuriated Germany at the time and risked damaging the U.S. relationship with one of its most important European partners. Trump's unproven recent allegations against his predecessor have left him increasingly isolated, with fellow Republican, as well as Democratic lawmakers, saying they've seen nothing from intelligence agencies to support his claim. But Trump, who rarely admits he's wrong, has been unmoved, leaving his advisers in the untenable position of defending the president without any credible evidence. On Thursday, spokesman Sean Spicer turned to a Fox News analyst's contention that GCHQ, the British electronic intelligence agency, had helped Obama wiretap Trump. Fox News anchor Shepard Smith said Friday that the network could not independently verify the reports from Andrew Napolitano, a former judge and commentator who has met with Trump. The GCHQ vigorously denied the charges in a rare public statement, saying the report was "utterly ridiculous and should be ignored." According to a Western diplomat, Britain's ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch, had told the White House Tuesday that Napolitano's assertions were not true. Still, it was among several news reports Spicer referenced in his briefing Thursday as part of an angry defense of the president's claims. Darroch and other British officials complained directly to White House officials after the episode, Prime Minister Theresa May's office said it had been assured the White House would not repeat the allegations. Spicer was very apologetic when confronted by Darroch at a White House dinner on Thursday, the Western diplomat said. But Trump himself offered no public apologies and suggested there was nothing wrong with the White House repeating what it had heard. "All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television," Trump said during Friday's news conference. "You shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox." Spicer was also defiant Friday, telling reporters, "I don't think we regret anything." A White House official confirmed that Darroch and the British prime minister's national security adviser, Mark Lyall Grant, expressed concerns to both Spicer and Trump's national security adviser, H.R. McMaster. Spicer and McMaster said that the press secretary was simply pointing to public reports and not endorsing any specific story, the official said. The U.S. and United Kingdom are members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, which prohibits members from spying on each other. Australia, Canada and New Zealand are the other members. The diplomat and White House official both spoke only on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. The president is a voracious consumer of news and frequently repeats information he reads or hears on television, often without verifying it first. It was a story in Breitbart  the far-right website once run by his senior adviser Steve Bannon  that appeared to spark Trump's March 4 tweets accusing Obama of wiretapping the New York skyscraper where he lived and ran his presidential campaign. The White House has asked the House and Senate intelligence committees to investigate the matter as part of their inquiries into Russia's hacking of the presidential election and possible contacts between Trump associates and Russian officials. But the top lawmakers on both committees have said they have seen no indications that Trump Tower was wiretapped. The Justice Department said Friday that it had complied with congressional requests for information related to any surveillance during the 2016 election. The department would not comment further on what information, if any, was provided. The chairman of the House intelligence committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., confirmed Friday that the Justice Department had "fully complied" with the committee's request. He, too, declined to provide details. Republicans in Congress also said Trump should retract his claims. Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa., called the accusation against Britain "inexplicable" and the Trump's accusation against Obama unfounded. "A president only has so much political capital to expend and so much moral authority as well, and so any time your credibility takes a hit, I think in many ways it weakens the officeholder," Dent said. FBI Director James Comey is sure to be asked about the wiretapping allegations when he testifies on Capitol Hill Monday. The public hearing is the first of several that the intelligence committees are expected to hold on Russia's interference in the election.
By PTI

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump defiantly refused to back down from his explosive claim that Barack Obama wiretapped his phones, and sidestepped any blame for the White House decision to highlight an unverified report that Britain helped carry out the alleged surveillance.

In brushing off the diplomatic row with perhaps America's closest ally, Trump also revived another: the Obama administration's monitoring of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's calls. "At least we have something in common, perhaps," Trump quipped during a joint news conference with Merkel. Merkel, who was making her first visit to the White House since Trump took office, looked surprised by the president's comment, which he appeared primed to deliver.

The Obama administration's spying infuriated Germany at the time and risked damaging the US relationship with one of its most important European partners. Trump's unproven recent allegations against his predecessor have left him increasingly isolated, with fellow Republican as well as Democratic lawmakers saying they've seen nothing from intelligence agencies to support his claim. But Trump, who rarely admits he's wrong, has been unmoved, leaving his advisers in the untenable position of defending the president without any credible evidence.

On Thursday, spokesman Sean Spicer turned to a Fox News analyst's contention that GCHQ, the British electronic intelligence agency, had helped Obama wiretap Trump. Fox News anchor Shepard Smith said yesterday that the network could not independently verify the reports from Andrew Napolitano, a former judge and commentator who has met with Trump. The GCHQ vigorously denied the charges in a rare public statement, saying the report was "utterly ridiculous and should be ignored." According to a Western diplomat, Britain's ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch, had told the White House Tuesday that Napolitano's assertions were not true.

Still, it was among several news reports Spicer referenced in his briefing Thursday as part of an angry defense of the president's claims. Darroch and other British officials complained directly to White House officials after the episode, Prime Minister Theresa May's office said it had been assured the White House would not repeat the allegations. Spicer was very apologetic when confronted by Darroch at a White House dinner on Thursday, the Western diplomat said. But Trump himself offered no public apologies and suggested there was nothing wrong with the White House repeating what it had heard. "All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television," Trump said during yesterday's news conference. "You shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox."

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump defiantly refused to back down from his explosive claim that Barack Obama wiretapped his phones, and sidestepped any blame for the White House decision to highlight an unverified report that Britain helped carry out the alleged surveillance. In brushing off the diplomatic row with perhaps America's closest ally, Trump also revived another: the Obama administration's monitoring of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's calls. "At least we have something in common, perhaps," Trump quipped during a joint news conference with Merkel. Merkel, who was making her first visit to the White House since Trump took office, looked surprised by the president's comment, which he appeared primed to deliver. The Obama administration's spying infuriated Germany at the time and risked damaging the US relationship with one of its most important European partners. Trump's unproven recent allegations against his predecessor have left him increasingly isolated, with fellow Republican as well as Democratic lawmakers saying they've seen nothing from intelligence agencies to support his claim. But Trump, who rarely admits he's wrong, has been unmoved, leaving his advisers in the untenable position of defending the president without any credible evidence. On Thursday, spokesman Sean Spicer turned to a Fox News analyst's contention that GCHQ, the British electronic intelligence agency, had helped Obama wiretap Trump. Fox News anchor Shepard Smith said yesterday that the network could not independently verify the reports from Andrew Napolitano, a former judge and commentator who has met with Trump. The GCHQ vigorously denied the charges in a rare public statement, saying the report was "utterly ridiculous and should be ignored." According to a Western diplomat, Britain's ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch, had told the White House Tuesday that Napolitano's assertions were not true. Still, it was among several news reports Spicer referenced in his briefing Thursday as part of an angry defense of the president's claims. Darroch and other British officials complained directly to White House officials after the episode, Prime Minister Theresa May's office said it had been assured the White House would not repeat the allegations. Spicer was very apologetic when confronted by Darroch at a White House dinner on Thursday, the Western diplomat said. But Trump himself offered no public apologies and suggested there was nothing wrong with the White House repeating what it had heard. "All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television," Trump said during yesterday's news conference. "You shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox."
By ANI

NEW YORK: Its a well known fact that Donald Trump has never shied away from a handshake when it comes to greeting international leaders, and the death-grip memes galore are proof to that, however, German Chancellor Angela Merkel had a sticky moment with the U.S. President as besides not shaking her hand, he barely even made eye contact with her during the customary photo-op.

In a photo op after their Oval Office meeting, the two leaders sat next to each other in separate chairs. Merkel could be seen leaning towards Trump, who sat with his hands firmly locked between his knees, a very 'un-Trump' like gesture.

Merkel then appeared to ask the President if he wanted to shake hands, which is customary in photo ops, but Trump simply did not respond. He barely even looked at his German counterpart while quickly answering a few questions from the press.

Photographers: Can we get a handshake?

Merkel (to Trump): Do you want to have a handshake?

Trump: *no response*

Merkel: *makes awkward face* pic.twitter.com/ehgpCnWPg7

 David Mack (@davidmackau) March 17, 2017

Journalist with a zoom camera has released actual footage of the handshake between US President Donald Trump and Japan's PM Shinzo Abe. pic.twitter.com/JOxTdYVNvo  Jose Covaco (@HoeZaay) February 15, 2017

By contrast, the President did shake hands with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when they recently visited him in the Oval Office, which incidentally did provide great fodder to memesters.

Trudeau inner dialogue: "Jesus Christ, he even spray tans the inside of his palms." pic.twitter.com/rsr2NfyYL4

 Aaron Vallely (@Vallmeister) February 14, 2017

"You can actually pinpoint the second when her heart rips in half" pic.twitter.com/daQF1xBsgL  David Mack (@davidmackau) March 17, 2017



Trumps tensed up body-language during the photo-op and his refusal to shake hands with Merkel has not gone down well across the globe, as he was chastised for the incidents and many branded his behaviors as rude and un-President like.

"Trump sits there like an offended child and refuses the handshake with Merkel. The pictures speak volumes!" https://t.co/Qpvd1LUoeY  Robert Loerzel (@robertloerzel) March 17, 2017

Trump was worried a strong German woman like Angela Merkel might crush his tiny hands. #handshake  Alt Fed Employee (@Alt_FedEmployee) March 17, 2017

Like he just lost a little league game and is refusing to shake hands with the other team. https://t.co/5UGC3P0Vfz  Luke O'Neil (@lukeoneil47) March 17, 2017

"Send a good picture back to Germany, make sure," Trump jokingly told photographers, adding that his meeting with the Chancellor was "very good" and said the pair talked about "many things."

However, when asked to shake hands by reporters and photographers, Trump and Merkel remained stationary. It wasn't clear if the two heard the request, and the two had shaken hands when Merkel arrived at the White House and they shook hands again after a White House news conference, reports CNN.

The German Chancellor is trying to forge a relationship with Trump despite suspicion over his political views, as she congratulated the President after his election win, amid concern in Germany that his stances on issues like immigration run counter to the principles sustaining the Western alliance.

Trump had earlier bashed Merkel during his campaign trail, and had also insulted her in his past public comments, criticizing her decision to allow hundreds of thousands of refugees to enter Germany.

NEW YORK: Its a well known fact that Donald Trump has never shied away from a handshake when it comes to greeting international leaders, and the death-grip memes galore are proof to that, however, German Chancellor Angela Merkel had a sticky moment with the U.S. President as besides not shaking her hand, he barely even made eye contact with her during the customary photo-op. In a photo op after their Oval Office meeting, the two leaders sat next to each other in separate chairs. Merkel could be seen leaning towards Trump, who sat with his hands firmly locked between his knees, a very 'un-Trump' like gesture. Merkel then appeared to ask the President if he wanted to shake hands, which is customary in photo ops, but Trump simply did not respond. He barely even looked at his German counterpart while quickly answering a few questions from the press. Photographers: Can we get a handshake? Merkel (to Trump): Do you want to have a handshake? Trump: *no response* Merkel: *makes awkward face* pic.twitter.com/ehgpCnWPg7  David Mack (@davidmackau) March 17, 2017 Journalist with a zoom camera has released actual footage of the handshake between US President Donald Trump and Japan's PM Shinzo Abe. pic.twitter.com/JOxTdYVNvo  Jose Covaco (@HoeZaay) February 15, 2017 By contrast, the President did shake hands with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when they recently visited him in the Oval Office, which incidentally did provide great fodder to memesters. Trudeau inner dialogue: "Jesus Christ, he even spray tans the inside of his palms." pic.twitter.com/rsr2NfyYL4  Aaron Vallely (@Vallmeister) February 14, 2017 "You can actually pinpoint the second when her heart rips in half" pic.twitter.com/daQF1xBsgL  David Mack (@davidmackau) March 17, 2017 Trumps tensed up body-language during the photo-op and his refusal to shake hands with Merkel has not gone down well across the globe, as he was chastised for the incidents and many branded his behaviors as rude and un-President like. "Trump sits there like an offended child and refuses the handshake with Merkel. The pictures speak volumes!" https://t.co/Qpvd1LUoeY  Robert Loerzel (@robertloerzel) March 17, 2017 Trump was worried a strong German woman like Angela Merkel might crush his tiny hands. #handshake  Alt Fed Employee (@Alt_FedEmployee) March 17, 2017 Like he just lost a little league game and is refusing to shake hands with the other team. https://t.co/5UGC3P0Vfz  Luke O'Neil (@lukeoneil47) March 17, 2017 "Send a good picture back to Germany, make sure," Trump jokingly told photographers, adding that his meeting with the Chancellor was "very good" and said the pair talked about "many things." However, when asked to shake hands by reporters and photographers, Trump and Merkel remained stationary. It wasn't clear if the two heard the request, and the two had shaken hands when Merkel arrived at the White House and they shook hands again after a White House news conference, reports CNN. The German Chancellor is trying to forge a relationship with Trump despite suspicion over his political views, as she congratulated the President after his election win, amid concern in Germany that his stances on issues like immigration run counter to the principles sustaining the Western alliance. Trump had earlier bashed Merkel during his campaign trail, and had also insulted her in his past public comments, criticizing her decision to allow hundreds of thousands of refugees to enter Germany.
By Associated Press

BOGOTA: Colombia's largest rebel group has handed over 140 weapons to United Nations observers as part of a historic peace agreement. Under the accord, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia agreed to turn over 30 percent of its arsenal by March 1.

But delays in setting up the 26 rural camps where nearly 7,000 rebels are now gathered meant not all the containers designed to hold the weapons were ready. Instead, rebels began registering their individual arms while authorities prepared an inventory of the arsenal.

The UN peacekeeping mission in Colombia announced Friday the first individual arms had officially been surrendered. Army Gen. Javier Florez said the current FARC arms inventory accounts for 14,000 weapons, including 11,000 rifles. President Juan Manuel Santos says the weapons handoff will "assure a stable peace."

BOGOTA: Colombia's largest rebel group has handed over 140 weapons to United Nations observers as part of a historic peace agreement. Under the accord, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia agreed to turn over 30 percent of its arsenal by March 1. But delays in setting up the 26 rural camps where nearly 7,000 rebels are now gathered meant not all the containers designed to hold the weapons were ready. Instead, rebels began registering their individual arms while authorities prepared an inventory of the arsenal. The UN peacekeeping mission in Colombia announced Friday the first individual arms had officially been surrendered. Army Gen. Javier Florez said the current FARC arms inventory accounts for 14,000 weapons, including 11,000 rifles. President Juan Manuel Santos says the weapons handoff will "assure a stable peace."
By IANS

GENEVA: The UN Children's Fund (Unicef) urged Turkey on Friday not to use children, refugees and undocumented migrants as bargaining chips in its latest dispute with the EU, after Ankara threatened again to break the migration agreement.



Unicef humanitarian affairs adviser Lucio Melandri, told a news conference that children should never be used as bargaining chips, and refugees and migrants should not be manipulated for political reasons, Efe news reported.



Melandri said he was aware of the situation in Turkey, which is home to 3 million Syrian refugees, adding that Unicef does not take a political stance, but asks all parties to consider the protection of children.



Turkey repeatedly threatened the EU to suspend the agreement, closed in March 2016, by which it agreed to receive refugees arriving in Greece from their country, in exchange for economic aid and visa exemptions for its citizens.



The threats have risen sharply since Germany and Holland vetoed the campaign rallies of Turkish ministers in their territories, to support the constitutional reform that would hand over all executive power in Turkey to the president.

GENEVA: The UN Children's Fund (Unicef) urged Turkey on Friday not to use children, refugees and undocumented migrants as bargaining chips in its latest dispute with the EU, after Ankara threatened again to break the migration agreement. Unicef humanitarian affairs adviser Lucio Melandri, told a news conference that children should never be used as bargaining chips, and refugees and migrants should not be manipulated for political reasons, Efe news reported. Melandri said he was aware of the situation in Turkey, which is home to 3 million Syrian refugees, adding that Unicef does not take a political stance, but asks all parties to consider the protection of children. Turkey repeatedly threatened the EU to suspend the agreement, closed in March 2016, by which it agreed to receive refugees arriving in Greece from their country, in exchange for economic aid and visa exemptions for its citizens. The threats have risen sharply since Germany and Holland vetoed the campaign rallies of Turkish ministers in their territories, to support the constitutional reform that would hand over all executive power in Turkey to the president.
P K Balachandran By

Express News Service

COLOMBO: Concerned about Sri Lankas lurch towards the US and the West, China is sending its Defence Minister Gen.Chang Wanquan to Colombo for a there-day trip beginning on Sunday.

The hurriedly planned visit will be part of a tour of some countries in the region (not in the Indian subcontinent). Gen.Chang Wanquan will meet all the top government leaders and also interact with the officers of the Defense Staff College.

While the precise purpose of the visit to Sri Lanka is not public yet, the speculation is that Beijing may want to stem Sri Lankas Westward lurch by re-establishing military ties with Colombo - a gap yet to be

filled by the West.

China can use its long history of strong ties with Sri Lanka, established during the war against the Tamil Tigers, when the West and India had refused to provide military assistance on human rights issues while China and its ally, Pakistan, obliged. China is reported to have supplied US $1 billion worth of weapons and military equipment during the war years. In fact, the thirty year-war against the Tamil separatists could not have been won without the arms and ammunition generously supplied by China and Pakistan.

Since last year, Sri Lanka has been wanting to buy new fighter-bombers to replace its ageing fleet and had gone quite far in trying to get 12 JF-17s made in Pakistan in collaboration with China. But India

intervened to stem the deal and offered the India-made Tejas as an alternative. Tejas was however, still in the trial stage at that time. Gen.Chang could now make an attractive offer to fill the void.

Sri Lanka has expressed an interest in buying transport aircraft from China. During a visit to China, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that Chinese transport aircraft are good.

Having realized the importance of the navy during the 2006-2009 Eelam War IV, when it had to tackle the sea-faring terrorist group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Sri Lanka has been wanting to develop its naval arm. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has publicly said that he wants Sri Lanka to have a Blue Water navy and take on international responsibilities in far flung areas to ensure

international maritime security.

Having had rich experience of successfully meeting the challenges posed by the intrepid Sea Wing of the Tamil Tigers, Sri Lanka has a lot to share with other countries which are facing sea borne terrorists now.

The previous government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa had assisted a private firm to float a company to participate in anti-piracy operations in the Western Indian Ocean. The company had a

ship and Sea Marshals for hire. Last year, China announced that it is giving Yuan 120 million (US$ 17 million) to enable Sri Lanka to buy an Offshore Petrol Vessel. However it is learnt that negotiations on this have not been concluded. During the Defence Ministers visit, China could also offer other arms to Sri Lanka to keep its forces up to date.

Row Over Hambantota

While wanting to keep Sri Lanka within its fold is the larger objective, Beijings immediate concern is not to lose control over the deep water port at Hambantota, which China wants to be a part of its ambitious One Road One Belt (OBOR) project of global dimensions.

One of the main aims of the OBOR is ensuring international maritime security as per Chinas requirements. Beijing is therefore keen on acquiring a stake in the deep water port in Hambantota, and giving Colombo the wherewithal in terms of naval and air power to play a supportive role in policing the Indian Ocean.

But the Wickremesinghe governments bid to give the state-owned Chinese company, China Merchant Holding Company, 80% stake for 99 years in the joint venture company to be formed to run the port, has run into a political storm in Sri Lanka and set off alarm bells in the capitals of the West and New Delhi too.

Two Sri Lankan public men have filed cases against the Framework Agreement giving 80 % stake to the Chinese. The Supreme Court has posted the cases for hearing on April 7.

The government is now trying to bring down the Chinese stake to 60%, but it is not clear if the Chinese will agree to it.

The other issue is the Sri Lankan governments express intention to keep to itself the right to decide what kind of military activity to be allowed to take place in the port. The West and India want Colombo

to have full control over the port, especially the security aspect of it.

It is said that the Hambantota issue will be high on the agenda of Gen.Chang Wanquan when he talks to the Sri Lankan leaders.

COLOMBO: Concerned about Sri Lankas lurch towards the US and the West, China is sending its Defence Minister Gen.Chang Wanquan to Colombo for a there-day trip beginning on Sunday. The hurriedly planned visit will be part of a tour of some countries in the region (not in the Indian subcontinent). Gen.Chang Wanquan will meet all the top government leaders and also interact with the officers of the Defense Staff College. While the precise purpose of the visit to Sri Lanka is not public yet, the speculation is that Beijing may want to stem Sri Lankas Westward lurch by re-establishing military ties with Colombo - a gap yet to be filled by the West. China can use its long history of strong ties with Sri Lanka, established during the war against the Tamil Tigers, when the West and India had refused to provide military assistance on human rights issues while China and its ally, Pakistan, obliged. China is reported to have supplied US $1 billion worth of weapons and military equipment during the war years. In fact, the thirty year-war against the Tamil separatists could not have been won without the arms and ammunition generously supplied by China and Pakistan. Since last year, Sri Lanka has been wanting to buy new fighter-bombers to replace its ageing fleet and had gone quite far in trying to get 12 JF-17s made in Pakistan in collaboration with China. But India intervened to stem the deal and offered the India-made Tejas as an alternative. Tejas was however, still in the trial stage at that time. Gen.Chang could now make an attractive offer to fill the void. Sri Lanka has expressed an interest in buying transport aircraft from China. During a visit to China, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that Chinese transport aircraft are good. Having realized the importance of the navy during the 2006-2009 Eelam War IV, when it had to tackle the sea-faring terrorist group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Sri Lanka has been wanting to develop its naval arm. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has publicly said that he wants Sri Lanka to have a Blue Water navy and take on international responsibilities in far flung areas to ensure international maritime security. Having had rich experience of successfully meeting the challenges posed by the intrepid Sea Wing of the Tamil Tigers, Sri Lanka has a lot to share with other countries which are facing sea borne terrorists now. The previous government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa had assisted a private firm to float a company to participate in anti-piracy operations in the Western Indian Ocean. The company had a ship and Sea Marshals for hire. Last year, China announced that it is giving Yuan 120 million (US$ 17 million) to enable Sri Lanka to buy an Offshore Petrol Vessel. However it is learnt that negotiations on this have not been concluded. During the Defence Ministers visit, China could also offer other arms to Sri Lanka to keep its forces up to date. Row Over Hambantota While wanting to keep Sri Lanka within its fold is the larger objective, Beijings immediate concern is not to lose control over the deep water port at Hambantota, which China wants to be a part of its ambitious One Road One Belt (OBOR) project of global dimensions. One of the main aims of the OBOR is ensuring international maritime security as per Chinas requirements. Beijing is therefore keen on acquiring a stake in the deep water port in Hambantota, and giving Colombo the wherewithal in terms of naval and air power to play a supportive role in policing the Indian Ocean. But the Wickremesinghe governments bid to give the state-owned Chinese company, China Merchant Holding Company, 80% stake for 99 years in the joint venture company to be formed to run the port, has run into a political storm in Sri Lanka and set off alarm bells in the capitals of the West and New Delhi too. Two Sri Lankan public men have filed cases against the Framework Agreement giving 80 % stake to the Chinese. The Supreme Court has posted the cases for hearing on April 7. The government is now trying to bring down the Chinese stake to 60%, but it is not clear if the Chinese will agree to it. The other issue is the Sri Lankan governments express intention to keep to itself the right to decide what kind of military activity to be allowed to take place in the port. The West and India want Colombo to have full control over the port, especially the security aspect of it. It is said that the Hambantota issue will be high on the agenda of Gen.Chang Wanquan when he talks to the Sri Lankan leaders.
By PTI

MUMBAI: Eman Ahmed, the Egyptian national who is believed to be the world's heaviest woman, has lost over 140 kg since her arrival in India for weight reduction treatment, doctors said today.

She is being treated by a team led by Dr Mufazzal Lakdawala at Saifee Hospital here where she underwent a weight loss surgery earlier this month.

"Eman's current weight is 358 kg," the hospital said in a statement today. When she arrived in Mumbai on February 11 by a specially modified aircraft, she weighed 500 kg.

She is currently on "two hourly liquid feeding regime" where she is given low-sodium protein powder mixed with soy milk. Daily, she receives about 1,800 calories, the statement said.

"Her levels of uric acid remain a challenge," it added.

Eman still receives her feed through a tube because of the difficulty in swallowing fluids due to a stroke she had suffered earlier, doctors said.



MUMBAI: Eman Ahmed, the Egyptian national who is believed to be the world's heaviest woman, has lost over 140 kg since her arrival in India for weight reduction treatment, doctors said today. She is being treated by a team led by Dr Mufazzal Lakdawala at Saifee Hospital here where she underwent a weight loss surgery earlier this month. "Eman's current weight is 358 kg," the hospital said in a statement today. When she arrived in Mumbai on February 11 by a specially modified aircraft, she weighed 500 kg. She is currently on "two hourly liquid feeding regime" where she is given low-sodium protein powder mixed with soy milk. Daily, she receives about 1,800 calories, the statement said. "Her levels of uric acid remain a challenge," it added. Eman still receives her feed through a tube because of the difficulty in swallowing fluids due to a stroke she had suffered earlier, doctors said.
Guterres grateful for US support as largest UN contributor; will work with Member States on reform

New York, Mar 17 : Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is committed to reforming the United Nations and stands ready to discuss with the United States and any other Member State how best to create a more cost-effective Organization that can tackle the enormous challenges facing the international community, his spokesman said on Thursday.





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A statement from Spokesman Stphane Dujarric said the UN has seen the blueprint of the 2018 budget released by the White House and notes that the budgetary process in the US is complex and lengthy and it needs to be completed.Media reports suggest that the proposed budget would seek major cuts in US diplomacy and foreign aid, among other areas.The Secretary-General is grateful for the support the United States has given to the United Nations over the years as the Organizations largest financial contributor, said that statement.The statement goes on to say that the Guterres is totally committed to reforming the United Nations and ensuring that it is fit for purpose and delivers results in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.However, abrupt funding cuts can force the adoption of ad hoc measures that will undermine the impact of longer-term reform efforts, it adds.The Secretary-General stands ready to discuss with the United States and any other Member State how best we can create a more cost-effective Organization to pursue our shared goals and values, underscored the statement.It goes on to note that the UN chief fully subscribes to the necessity to effectively combat terrorism, but believes that it requires more than military spending.There is also a need to address the underlying drivers of terrorism through continuing investments in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, countering violent extremism, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, sustainable and inclusive development, the enhancement and respect of human rights, and timely responses to humanitarian crises, it states.The international community is facing enormous global challenges that can only be addressed by a strong and effective multilateral system, of which the United Nations remains the fundamental pillar, the statement concludes.UN Photo/John IsaacSource: www.justearthnews.com
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'Modi Magic' lock seen at doors of defeated SP candidate in Lucknow

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) , March 17 : The poll season in India never seize to amaze as in an incident, a lock outside a Samajwadi Party candidate had 'Modi Magic' in-scripted on it, thus in a way describing the former's situation in Uttar Pradesh after Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP swept the state in the recently held assembly elections.





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The lock was found hanging outside the door of Samajwadi party candidate Ravidas Mehrotra, who was vacating the residence allotted to him by the government after the party faced defeat in the recent assembly polls.Mehrotra contested the elections from the Lucknow Central constituency, the seat he had won in 2012. However, this time he was defeated by Brijesh Pathak of the BJP.Several party leaders vacated there house allotted by the government and are shifting to their native place."The party has been defeated and now we don't have any right to stay in this house. I have even submitted my resignation. I have not received any notice to vacate the house but still it's my liability to vacate this house and I have done that. Now, I am going back to my home town," said another Samajwadi Party leader Sripati Sinha.The swearing-in ceremony of the new Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister will be held at Lucknow's Smriti Upwan on March 19.Prime Minister Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah will attend the ceremony.The party insiders said the next Chief Minister's name will be announced on Saturday after the Legislative Party meeting in Lucknow.The BJP-plus, which won 325 seats in the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly, will meet at 5 pm on Saturday to pick the next Chief Minister.
Sensitivities of J and K need to be recognized, respected: Mehbooba

Srinagar, Mar 17 : Appealing people of the country for much more handholding in resolving the issues confronting Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has said the sensitivities of the State need to be recognized and appreciated which she said are different from any other State in the country.





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Addressing the India Today Conclave here on Friday, the Chief Minister stressed upon the need for reaching out to people of the State, particularly youth, in addressing the issues and finding an amicable way ahead.She said issues like revocation of AFSPA and dialogue with all stakeholders in the State should be taken in their perspective to enhance the trust and confidence of the people of the State.Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, Devinder Fadnavis and Shivraj Singh Chouhan also attended the session.Mehbooba Mufti said Article 370 of the Indian Constitution is not a mere constitutional provision but it guarantees the people of the State an emotional position within the constitutional framework of the country.Article 370 is the basis of partnership of people of Jammu Kashmir with their counterparts in rest of the country and the Agenda of Alliance between PDP and BJP has duly recognized that historic reality, she told the gathering.During her intervention, the Chief Minister touched upon host of issues like specific needs of the States, federalism and its nature and the need for preserving regional aspirations of people.Mehbooba Mufti is on a two day visit to Mumbai where she held a series of meetings with captains of Indian industry.
Assam governor seeks British envoy's help in getting back Vrindavani Vastra

Guwahati, Mar 17 : Assam Governor Banwarilal Purohit made a request to British Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata, Bruce Bucknell to do the needful for returning the Vrindavani Vastra, the 16th century treasure of the State to Assam.





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The British envoy who is on a tour to Assam, on Friday morning called on the Governor at Raj Bhavan in Guwahati as the duo spoke on a wide spectrum of issues of mutual interests.Purohit drew the attention of Bucknell that once Assams treasure Vrindavani Vastra, a drape woven by Assamese weavers during the 16th century under the guidance of the Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardev are with the possession of Victoria and Albert Museum London, and he sought his help in the getting the drape back to Assam.Drawing the attention of the Britsh envoy, Purohit said that the State is rich in Eri and Muga silk, handloom and bamboo craft among others as he said that both Assam and Britain can work on these sectors for their further promotion so that both the geographical entities can reap rich dividends from these sectors.Purohit also said that Assam is rich in bamboo and cane craft as he requested Britains help to organize an exhibition of Assams handicrafts in Britain for the mutual benefit of both Assam and Britain.The British Deputy High Commissioner also hailed Assams prolific and pristine tourism and said that the States tourism can be extensively used to facilitate people to people contact between India and Britain.Purohit also acknowledged the British envoys gesture of visiting Assam as he said that both the geographical entities will keep working to strengthen bilateral relations.(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Canada Goose goes on sale in Toronto and New York

Toronto, Mar 17 : The Toronto-based company Canada Goose, popular for its winter jackets and for its USD 900 parkas with fur-lined hoods, has gone public in stock markets in Toronto and New York under the symbol GOOS, media reports said.





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Canada Goose presented with an initial public offering of 20 million shares priced at $17 per share under the symbol GOOS, Canadian Press News reports said.Shortly after markets opened, Canada Goose shares opened at $23.86 on the Toronto Stock Exchange, later sliding to $22.19 as of Mar 16, 11 a.m. ET.In New York, shares opened at US$18 about 90 minutes after the opening bell and were trading at US$16.75The outerwear manufacturer said that 12.85 million shares out of the 20 million subordinate voting shares offered, will come from existing shareholders.The existing shareholders will hold 79 to 81 percent of the company after the sale, depending on if an over-allotment privilege is used by underwriters.Canada Gooses warm coats had been popular in Antarctica and fashion industry by trekkers and Its parkas, which retail for up to $1,500, had been worn by celebritiesAccording to securities filings, the company said, it had a revenue of $290.8 million and net income of $26.5 million in fiscal 2016The company operated two retail stores in Toronto and New York and its products can be found in 36 countries worldwide. 70 percent of Canada Goose is owned by Investment firm Bain Capital, which it acquired in December 2013.Canada Goose had faced controversy with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) for its use of coyote fur in its jackets.PETA bought $4,000 worth of Canada Goose shares -- minimum amount required to contribute to shareholders meetings -- PETA spokesperson Ben Williamson told Global News today.This would allow PETA to go to Canada Gooses annual meetings to submit shareholder resolutions compelling Canada Goose to stop sourcing animal products.PETA said that it will keep companys shares until it had seen that enough progress had been made, said Williamson.When asked, what PETA planned to do with this investment, it said that all the proceeds from the profit would be used for PETAs non-profit endeavours.(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
After Anil Kapoor, Rhea Kapoor's boyfriend Karan Boolani directs Arjun Kapoor

Mumbai, Mar 17 : Actor Arjun Kapoor has just signed up with a new brand and it's his cousin Rhea Kapoor's boyfriend with director Karan Boolani at the helm.





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Its an ad for a shoe brand that Arjun shot for, before leaving for his Mubarakan schedule in London.Photographer Rohan Shreshtha has shot the pictures. The boys shot the ad in a warehouse in Andheri as they wanted a rustic, macho earthy feel for the ad.A source charts the ads progress, They all had fun shooting together. Arjun is very fond of Karan and the two have often partied together. This is not the first time Karan has done an ad. He has done loads of them. Also, he had to be very clear about what he wanted from the actor, as the latter was short on time. Currently, the ad is being edited.He has assisted on Rheas movie Aisha and Karan Johars film Wake Up Sid.He directed a short film The Audition, apart from a number of ads.Karan is also said to be making his feature directorial debut with Anil and Rheas home production, a teen comedy about urban youth who meet as strangers during their freshman year at an American university, but leave as friends for life.
EU-UN cash transfer plan for education aims to reach 230,000 refugee children in Turkey

New York, Mar 18 : The European Union and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have launched a large-scale cash transfer project to increase the number of refugee children attending school in Turkey.





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Education in emergency situations is a top EU priority. Our moral duty is to save this generation of refugee children and invest in their future, said EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides, in a joint press release on EUs largest-ever humanitarian contribution, valued at 34 million euro, to the Conditional Cash Transfer for Education (CCTE) project.Thanks to the EUs generosity and Turkeys leadership, UNICEF and our partners are already helping thousands of children to go to school and learn. The CCTE will help us reach 230,000 children a major step in preventing a lost generation, said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake.Turkey is currently host to more than three million refugees, almost half of whom are children. Of them, half a million are already enrolled in school. However, an estimated over 370,000 remain out of school.By May 2018, bimonthly cash-transfers will be made to vulnerable refugee families whose children attend school regularly. The project also includes a strategic child protection component in order to ensure the continued school enrolment and attendance of the most vulnerable refugee children as well as their referral to complementary child protection services as required.The CCTE project will be implemented jointly by the Government of Turkey, UNICEF and the Turkish Red Crescent.Photo: UNICEF/Can Remzi ErgenSource: www.justearthnews.com
More than 14,000 asylum-seekers relocated from Greece and Italy, says UN migration agency

New York, Mar 18 : European Union countries have welcomed more than 14,000 asylum-seekers from Greece and Italy since October 2015, the United Nations migration agency on Friday announced, encouraging EU member states to follow through on their commitments.





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Not only does relocation demonstrate cooperation, solidarity and a genuine Union, said Laura Thompson, Deputy Director of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), it has also made a big difference for each of the nearly 14,500 people that have relocated from Greece and Italy to start new lives in other EU member States.The majority of the beneficiaries are Syrian and Iraqi, at 81 per cent and 14 per cent, respectively.Germany (3,093), France (2,764) and the Netherlands (1,486) have received the most asylum-seekers to date under the programme.In addition, Finland and Malta have accepted large numbers of people. About 207 unaccompanied migrant children have been accepted by Finnish authorities, IOM noted.The programme is being implemented by IOM in close cooperation with Greek and Italian authorities and other agencies, with the continuing support of the European Commission, EU member and associated States, and other partners.To help people integrate into their new communities, the UN agency holds pre-departure and post-arrival orientation and reception sessions, providing information about individual rights and obligations.According to its press release, IOM provides additional support and care to unaccompanied migrant children, pregnant women, newborns and migrants with special medical needs, such as escorts during travel and interpreters.Photo: IOM 2017Source: www.justearthnews.com
White House denies apologising to British government over spying claims

New York [U.S.], Mar. 18 : The White House has flatly denied all reports suggesting that the United States tendered an apology to the British government over a report alleging that a UK intelligence agency spied on President Donald Trump, at the behest of his predecessor Barack Obama.





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Earlier in the day, however, a senior administration official told CNN that White House press secretary Sean Spicer and national security adviser H.R. McMaster offered what amounted to an apology to the British government for Spicer's comments on Thursday, when he cited a report stating that the said British intelligence helped wiretap Trump Tower during the 2016 campaign.When asked if there was an apology by the administration to the British government over the matter, Spicer replied, "No, we were just passing on news reports."Earlier, a spokesman for UK Prime Minister Theresa May said senior UK officials had protested to the Trump administration after the claims were repeated by Spicer."We've made clear to the US administration that these claims are ridiculous and should be ignored. We've received assurances that these allegations won't be repeated," May's spokesman said.Spicer had read out allegations that the UK intelligence agency GCHQ had spied on Trump."Judge Andrew Napolitano made the following statement, quote, 'Three intelligence sources have informed Fox News that President Obama went outside the chain of command (to spy on Trump). He didn't use the NSA, he didn't use the CIA ... he used GCHQ,'" Spicer told journalists.However, GCHQ said the claim was "nonsense" and should be ignored.
PM Modi gracing Rawat's swearing-in will please Uttarakhand: BJP

Dehradun (Uttarakhand), Mar.18 : Hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah's decision to participate in Trivendra Singh Rawat's swearing in ceremony as Uttarakhand Chief Minister, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said their presence was important to please the people of the state, who had placed their trust in their leadership.





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Speaking to ANI here, BJP leader Rahul Sinha said, "The BJP's thumping victory in the Uttarakhand Assembly elections attributed to the good governance and confidence the electorate reposed in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah."Sinha further said in order to make Uttarakhand people happy, it was important for the two leaders to attend swearing-in ceremony today.The BJP in Uttarakhand on Friday elected Trivendra Singh Rawat as its legislative party leader.Rawat defeated Congress' Hira Singh Bisht in the Doiwala constituency with a margin of over 24,000 votes.The 56-year-old BJP leader, who holds a masters degree in journalism, is currently in-charge of the party's Jharkhand unit.He was elected to the assembly for the third time and was state agriculture minister in 2007-2012.Rawat, who is considered to be close to BJP chief Amit Shah, was given responsibility of regional election in-charge during 2014 Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP emerged victorious.The BJP won with a clear majority in the state with 57 seats in the 70-member Uttarakhand Assembly, thereby ousting the Congress that managed to win just 11 seats this time.
Trivendra Rawat has potential to fulfill Centre's dream for U'Khand: BJP

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) , Mar. 18 : The Bharatiya Janata Party has asserted that Trivendra Singh Rawat, who is set to be sworn in as the new Uttarakhand Chief Minister, has the potential to fulfill the dreams that the party saw for the state.





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Speaking to ANI here, BJP spokesman Anil Baluni said, "Rawat is a visionary leader, he knows the state very well and also the problems in Uttarakhand. I have full faith that he will fulfill Atal Behari Vajpayee's dream and bring about all round development of the state."Baluni also thanked the people of Uttarakhand, BJP's MLA and the party itself for showing their trust in Rawat and choosing him as state Chief Minister.The BJP on Friday elected Trivendra Rawat as its legislative party leader.Rawat will take oath of office and secrecy by Governor Krishna Kant Paul at the Raj Bhavan in Dehradun on March 18.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah will attend the swearing-in ceremony.
Sufi clerics missing: India putting steady pressure on Pakistan, assures BJP

New Delhi Mar. 18 : Branding the disappearance of two Indian Sufi clerics in Karachi as a worrisome issue, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday assured that the Government of India is putting pressures on Pakistan regarding the issue.





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"This is a worrisome issue. Our government is putting pressure on Pakistan. People from both the countries are travelling back and forth every time and such an incident is not acceptable," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told ANI.He added that the Foreign Affairs Ministry is in continuous contact with Pakistan and investigation is underway.Two Indian Sufi clerics, who were on a pilgrimage to Pakistan, have gone missing, prompting India to take up the matter with the Pakistani government.Two clerics, Asif Nizami and Nazim Nizami, had gone to Karachi to meet their relatives after which they headed to Lahore to visit the shrines of Sufi saints.Syed Asif Ali Nizami is the head priest of New Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah.Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that she has taken up the matter with Islamabad.Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria also acknowledged that an Indian request seeking assistance for the recovery of two clerics had been received.
Indian clerics missing in Pakistan is tragic, alarming for nation: Salman Khurshid

New Delhi Mar. 18 : Expressing despair over the disappearance of two Indian Sufi clerics in Karachi, the Congress on Saturday called the incident as tragic and alarming for the nation.





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"I think it is very tragic and alarming. Right now, we can only pray for our two Sufi pilgrims who are important for our country and as a symbol of peacemakers for the world. We can just pray that they return home safely without any loss coming to them in any way," senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid told ANI.He added that nothing can be done about what is happening in a neighbouring country, except put pressure, seek information and give reminders."We all know what situation in Pakistan is, it's a very difficult situation. There are repeated incidents of kidnapping, violence, operations of different forms of terrorism and so on," Khurshid said.It has emerged that Pakistan intelligence agencies are behind the disappearance of two Indian Sufi clerics missing since Thursday, reports suggest.Two clerics, Asif Nizami and Nazim Nizami, had gone to Karachi to meet their relatives after which they headed to Lahore to visit the shrines of Sufi saints.Syed Asif Ali Nizami is the head priest of New Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah.External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that she has taken up the matter with Islamabad.Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria also acknowledged that an Indian request seeking assistance for the recovery of two clerics had been received.
Trivendra Singh Rawat to be sworn in as U'khand CM

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) , Mar. 18 : Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Trivendra Singh Rawat will take oath as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand today.





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Rawat, who will be administered oath of office and secrecy by Governor Krishna Kant Paul at the Parade Ground at 3 p.m. here, will succeed Congress leader Harish Rawat to become the eighth Chief Minister of the hill state.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah are among the several dignitaries who will attend the swearing-in ceremony.Rawat was unanimously elected the leader of BJP legislative party yesterday.The former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh(RSS) Pracharak assured that he would provide a corruption-free government to Uttarakhand and would work for the upliftment of the poor.A BJP loyalist, Rawat guided the saffron party to electoral victory in Jharkhand assembly elections in 2014.In the recently-concluded assembly polls, the BJP won with a clear majority with 57 seats in the 70-member Uttarakhand Assembly, thereby ousting the Congress that managed to win just 11 seats this time.
US proposal to reintroduce B.C. grizzlies in North Cascade area gets huge response

Toronto, Mar 18 : The United States recently identified The Wells Gray area of central B.C.-- which had 317 grizzlies in 2012-- along with a larger area in northwest Montana, as possible sources of bear population to be tapped for reintroducing these to The North Cascade area, media reports said.





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The North Cascade which once had thousands of grizzly bears now had fewer than 10 and since 1996 bears had not been spotted on the U.S. side of the border.But the North Cascade area has a large remote wilderness habitat and could can accommodate about 200 grizzlies according to the U.S. federal assessment.Grizzly bears are a wilderness icon. They have enormous benefits for ecosystems and theyre essentially a missing piece here, Joe Scott of Conservation Northwest, a Washington-based environmental group thats been working on the issue for decades, was quoted as saying by CBCNews.The U.S. federal had proposed to capture B.C. grizzly bears using baited traps, transport and deposit these by helicopter to their final remote destinations to Washington State.This proposal was met with very favourably due to an online campaign by cartoonist, The Oatmeal.More than 1000,000 people favoured the U.S. proposal of reintroduction of grizzly bears to the North Cascades ecosystem in Washington State, said the National Parks Service(NPS).After the agencies received several requests for an extension to the comment period from members of the public and local elected officials, the NPS and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (U.S. FWS) decided to extend the public comment period through April 28, 2017.Because its happening in a national park and because grizzly bears are something that people are passionate about [on both sides] ... its not surprising that we have a large number of comments, Denise Schultz of the North Cascades NPS was quoted as saying by CBCNews.Conservation Northwest, the National Wildlife Federation, and The Oatmeal had been supporting the proposal to move 25 bears over the next five to 10 years, then monitor those bears to see their behaviour and adaptability.They also decided that the grizzly bears come from a source group that eats the same kinds of food as the landlocked North Cascades, and are stable and survivable after the young bears had been removed from the breeding population.Scott was confident that B.C. people could afford to supply a couple of bears over several years and also hoped that Canadians who lived around Wells Gray would be happy to help the U.S. with that effort.The B.C. Ministry of Environment refused to discuss the grizzly plan with CBC News till the U.S. government had decided what it planned to do.Schultz of the NPS confirmed, there was no agreement at that time to move B.C. bears and added that much more negotiation and discussions need to be done before any commitment can be made or any decision taken.(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
PM Modi to address India Today Conclave today

New Delhi, Mar 18 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing the India Today Conclave on Saturday, via video conferencing.





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Will speak at the India Today Conclave 2017 at 7:40 PM via video conferencing. Looking forward to the programme. #Conclave17 @IndiaToday, The PMs tweet read.The India Today Conclave, organised by the India Today Group, is an Indian annual global thought exchange programme.
China, Saudi Arabia ink 14 cooperation deals including nuclear energy

Beijing [China], Mar. 18 : China and Saudi Arabia inked 14 cooperation deals in capacity and investment, nuclear energy, trade, finance, spaceflight, education, human resources and other fields while reaffirming their commitment to strengthening practical cooperation.





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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a press conference here yesterday that the deals were inked in the presence of Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz al-Saud, who is currently in Beijing, and President Xi Jinping.King Salman, who is presently in Beijing on a four-day state visit beginning March 15, held talks with the Chinese head yesterday. He also held separate in-depth discussions with Premier Li Keqiang and Chairman Zhang Dejiang on bilateral relations and other issues of common concern, said Chunying."The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening practical cooperation in various fields under the Belt and Road framework, and aligning the Belt and Road initiative with Saudi's Vision 2030. The two sides also signed an MoU which covers 35 major projects for capacity and investment cooperation with a total volume of USD 65 billion," she added.
My father is not involved in any unwanted activities, says missing cleric Asif Ali's son

New Delhi , Mar. 18 : Sajid Ali, the son of missing cleric Asif Ali Nizami, on Saturday requested the agencies in Pakistan to free his father, adding the former is innocent and not involved in any unwanted activities.





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"I would like to request the agencies in Pakistan to free both of them. They are not involved in any unwanted activities," Ali told media.He further said his father had all documents and visa that is required to prove him innocent.Two Indian Sufi clerics Asif Nizami and Nazim Nizami, who were on a pilgrimage to Pakistan, have gone missing prompting India to take up the matter with Islamabad.The clerics had gone to Karachi to meet their relatives after which they headed to Lahore to visit the shrines of Sufi saints.Syed Asif Ali Nizami is the head priest of New Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah.Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that she has taken up the matter with Islamabad.
Bharat Maa Shaheed Samman Trust felicitates freedom fighters

New Delhi , Mar. 18: Bharat Maa Shaheed Samman Trust had yesterday organized Bharat Maa Gaurav Sandhya a musical program of patriotic songs, to felicitate families of freedom fighters, in the remembrance of their supreme sacrifice.





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Sanjay Dalmia, Chairman, Dalmia Group of Companies honoured the families of the freedom fighters, who were invited from various parts of India.Bharat Maa Shaheed Samman Trust has been organizing "Bharat Maa Gaurav Sandhya" a musical program of patriotic songs in various parts of India as an accolade to the memory of freedom fighters and to instil a sense of pride and gratification among the young of the society.Commenting on the event Dalmia said, "As a responsible citizen of India, it is our duty to give back to the nation in whatever small tokens we can. It is my endeavour to lead the conversation on highlighting the supreme sacrifices which fueled our freedom struggle and Bharat Maa Gaurav Sandhya is a vital cog in this movement."He further said there is a dire need in today's fast paced society/culture to engage with the youth and encourage them to be proud of the rich history of our great nation."This felicitation event is a small step by the Dalmia Group to instill patriotism and pride in each and every Indian citizen," he added.Speaking on the same, Amit Azaad said, "We encourage such events where freedom fighters of the country are remembered and recognized. For our nation to emerge as a superpower we need to revive the spirit of patriotism in the country. Passion for the betterment of the country should be in the heart of each and every individual."Sanjay Dalmia is a noted Industrialist and former Member of Parliament, known for his philanthropic activities.He co-founded the Bharat Maa Shaheed Samman Trust with the sole focus of expressing gratitude and applauding the freedom fighters who came together to brawl against the colonial powers and win freedom for India at the cost of surrendering their very lives.The trust also extends financial support to the dependents of the bravehearts for education and livelihood.
Making 'Ayogya' Yogi UP CM is BJP's biggest mistake: Tejaswi Yadav

New Delhi/Patna (Bihar) , Mar. 18 : Dubbing the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) decision to make its MP Yogi Adityanath as the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister as the saffron party's 'biggest mistake', Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav on Saturday said the former is 'inept' for the post.





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Yadav further said that there is internal conflict going on within the BJP due to which groupism can be seen among the party members.Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Naresh Agarwal said that he expects Yogi Adityanath to change his 'fiery brand' image and work towards the betterment of the state.Agarwal further said that they would act like a proper opposition and observe the government for six months, after which, if needed, they would speak up against the odds, if any."If the Central Government tried to bring in an atmosphere of communalism by the medium of Yogi Adityanath, then we might stage protests against it after six months. If they have the intention of polarising votes in order to win the 2019 general elections, then we won't let them succeed in it. It is our determination to not to let the atmosphere of Uttar Pradesh deteriorate," he told ANI.Meanwhile, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu said the oath taking ceremony would take place at 2:15 pm tomorrow in Uttar Pradesh in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah.Putting all speculations to end, the BJP named Yogi Adityanath as the next Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister while Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma has been appointed as the deputy chief ministers of the state.Adityanath had flown to New Delhi earlier this morning to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Adityanath, a five-time MP from the Gorakhpur constituency, was the youngest member of the 12th Lok Sabha at the age of 26.Currently, Adityanath serves as the Mahant of Guru Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur, following the death of Mahanth Aavaidyanath on September 12, 2014.The other contenders in the race were Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya, Union Minister Manoj Sinha, BJP leader Shrikant Sharma and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Big challenge before Adityanath to fulfil commitments made by central leadership: Congress

New Delhi, Mar.18 : Hours after Yogi Adityanath was named as the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, the Congress Party said it would be a challenge for the former to fulfil the commitments which were made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the elections campaigning.





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"I just want to say that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership had assured the people of the state and the country as well that they will give most efficient administration to Uttar Pradesh, they will bring development to the state and there will be no discrimination against the people. These three things BJP leadership will have to fulfil and there is clear doubt on this. The challenge before Yogi Adityanath is to remove this suspicion of the people and to fulfil the commitments which the central leadership has done," Congress leader Rajeev Shukla told ANI.Echoing same views, another Congress leader Meem Afzal cornered the saffron party over its development agenda."Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pitched for development agenda during the elections rally but if we look into the track record of Yogi Adityanath then it can be clearly predicted that BJP would work for its political agenda rather than development," Afzal told ANI.Putting an end to all speculations, the BJP named Yogi Adityanath as the next Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister while Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma has been appointed as the deputy chief ministers of the state.Meanwhile Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu said the oath taking ceremony would take place at 2:15 p.m. tomorrow in Uttar Pradesh in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BHP president Amit Shah.Adityanath had flown to New Delhi earlier this morning to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Adityanath, a five-time MP from the Gorakhpur constituency, was the youngest member of the 12th Lok Sabha at the age of 26.Currently, Adityanath serves as the Mahant of Guru Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur, following the death of Mahanth Aavaidyanath on September 12, 2014.The other contenders in the race were Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya, Union Minister Manoj Sinha, BJP leader Shrikant Sharma and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Begum Jaan trailer crosses 20 million views

Mumbai, Mar 18 : Begum Jaan starring the effervescent Vidya Balan is all set to hit theatres on April 14. The recently released trailer has been deeply appreciated by the audience and critics alike. It crossed 20 million views on all social media platforms.





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The world of Indian cinema has undergone a sea change in the coming years. Audiences pine for content driven impactful films albeit with a realistic touch. Begum Jaan thrives to be one such film giving you not only the best of content but a powerhouse talent in the form of Vidya Balan and strong impactful dialogues that leave a lasting impression much after watching the trailer.Boasting of a stellar ensemble cast from the likes of Vidya Balan, Gauahar Khan, Pallavi Sharda, Chunky Pandey and Naseeruddin Shah amongst others, Begum Jaan is truly the film to watch out for in 2017.Vidya has absolutely stolen the show in her whistleblowing performance of the bold yet badass Begum Jaan. Seen hurling expletives, holding guns or smoking sheesha, the dauntless Vidya Balan is ready to give you the fight of your life accompanied by her gang of women including Gauahar Khan and Pallavi Sharda amongst others.Begum Jaan is one of the first few movies to highlight a topic like the menstrual cycle which is considered an absolute taboo in India. Vidya mouths the dialogue with such ferocity leaving you with goosebumps.The surprise package is Chunky Pandey whose bald look imbues freshness giving us a break from his usual comedy escapades. Showcasing great content, strong dialogue delivery and of course the supremely talented Vidya Balan, Begum Jaan has given us one of the most impressive trailers of 2017.Celebrities and industry stalwarts all seem to be completely smitten with the trailer.
Missing cleric's son thanks Indian Govt. for their efforts

New Delhi , Mar. 18 : Expressing happiness over the news of return of the two Indian Sufi clerics of Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah who went missing in Pakistan, Amir Nizami, son of one of the clerics thanked the Indian Government and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for their efforts in tracing the two.





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"We got to know the news circulating in Pakistan media. We also got a call from the Indian government. We would like to thank the Indian government and Sushma Swaraj for their efforts. We would also thank Pakistan media," Nizami told ANI.Nizami also informed that the phone of the clerics was now ringing, adding that they would be able to talk to them very soon.The two clerics are set to return to India on March 20, according to Pakistan media reports.According to Pakistan media reports, two Indian clerics surfaced in Karachi and told that they had gone to meet their devotees in interior Sindh, where there was no phone connectivity.The clerics identified as Asif Nizami and his friend Nazim Nizami, belong to Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah.The duo had travelled to Pakistan to visit their relatives in Karachi and then embarked on a pilgrimage to Lahore.One of them went missing in Karachi and the other in Lahore, reports claimed.The Indian authorities had raised the issue with the Pakistan Foreign Ministry seeking its help in tracing their missing citizens.Syed Asif Ali Nizami is the head priest of New Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah.Meanwhile, a Dargah Committee meeting is underway in Delhi's Nizamuddin regarding the disappearances.Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that she has taken up the matter to Islamabad officials.Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria also acknowledged that an Indian request seeking assistance for the recovery of two clerics had been received.
Azam Khan refrains from commenting on UP CM announcement

New Delhi , Mar. 18 : Soon after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yogi Adityanath was announced as the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan showed disinterest in the matter and said that he is no one to comment on either the former or the saffron party.





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"People should respect the democracy of the state; whichever party wins it is their decision to decide who should further rule as Chief Minister. We are no one to comment on it," Azam Khan told ANI.Resonating similar views, the Congress leader Randeep Surjewala congratulated Yogi Adityanath, saying that he hopes the government would concentrate more on fulfilling promises."Wishing the new government well, I hope it will now rise above rival claims for share of power and concentrate upon fulfilling promises. Also prerogative to choose Chief Minister has always been of ruling party, delay reflects bitter conflict to share spoils of power despite majority," Surjewala told ANI.Earlier in the day, the BJP named Yogi Adityanath as the next Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister while Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma have been appointed as the deputy chief ministers of the state.Meanwhile Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu said the oath taking ceremony would take place at 2:15 p.m. tomorrow in Uttar Pradesh in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.Adityanath had flown to New Delhi earlier this morning to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Adityanath, a five-time MP from the Gorakhpur constituency, was the youngest member of the 12th Lok Sabha at the age of 26.Currently, Adityanath serves as the Mahant of Guru Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur, following the death of Mahanth Aavaidyanath on September 12, 2014.The other contenders in the race were Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya, Union Minister Manoj Sinha, BJP leader Shrikant Sharma and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
A recent study demonstrated that increased palliative care consultations for patients with advanced cancers is associated with substantial impact on 30-day readmission, administration of chemotherapy following discharge, hospice referral, and use of support services following discharge. The study was published on March 17 in the American Society of Clinical Oncology's (ASCO) Journal of Oncology Practice by lead author Dr. Kerin Adelson, Assistant Professor of Medical Oncology at Yale Cancer Center and Chief Quality Officer and Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Smilow Cancer Hospital, and colleagues from Mount Sinai Health System.

This is the first study of its kind to demonstrate these significant results, and it is expected that expansion of this model to other hospitals and health systems should improve the value of cancer care. "Patients with advanced cancer admitted to an acute care hospital often have short life expectancies and high morbidity," said Dr. Adelson. "For these patients, the integration of palliative care has improved symptom burden, reduced patient and caregiver distress, increased referral to hospice, and improved outcomes."

Integration of palliative care improves symptom control and decreases unwanted healthcare utilization, yet many patients are never offered these services. In this study, standardized criteria, or 'triggers' were developed for patients on the inpatient solid tumor service. Patients who met the criteria received an automatic palliative care consultation. The rates of consultation increased from 39% to 80% and the rate of 30-day readmission dropped from 35% to 18%.

In 2016 ASCO called for incorporation of palliative care into oncologic care for all patients with metastatic cancer. This study emphasizes the importance of this charge, and reiterates that patients with advanced cancer should receive dedicated palliative care services, early in their diagnosis, along with their treatment plan.
Nearly 50 percent of recently-deployed Soldiers who sustained a mild traumatic brain injury reported post-concussive symptoms - like headaches, sleep disturbance, and forgetfulness - three months after returning from deployment, according to a study published March 17 in Neurology by researchers at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), and the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center.

A mild traumatic brain injury, also referred to as mTBI or concussion, is the most prevalent form of brain injury among service members returning from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. To better understand the prevalence and prognosis of symptoms associated with this common deployment-related injury, the team of researchers reviewed data from about 1,500 Soldiers who had been non-medically evacuated from Afghanistan and Iraq to two military bases between 2009 and 2014 - all of whom were screened for mTBI. Of those who were found to have sustained mTBI, about half (47%) reported at least one severe or very severe post-concussive symptom three months post-deployment. The most commonly reported symptoms were sleep problems, forgetfulness, irritability, headaches, and trouble concentrating.

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The large, longitudinal study, "Epidemiology and Prognosis of mTBI in Returning Soldiers: A Cohort Study," found that these Soldiers were nearly twice as likely as soldiers without a recent mTBI to report one or more post-concussive symptom, at their three-month follow up. They were also nearly twice as likely as other soldiers to report receiving rehabilitative services. Most soldiers in the study also reported having experienced one or more TBI before their most recent deployment - either before joining the military or during an earlier deployment, according to the researchers.

Consistent with prior research, this study also found many of these soldiers with mTBI reported concurrent health issues, such as post-traumatic stress and bodily pain in locations other than the head or neck, and these factors were also related to the later likelihood of reporting post-concussive symptoms.

"We hope that by better defining the prevalence and prognosis of the broad array of symptoms associated with deployment-related mTBI, we can understand the extent of these problems and whether they persist or improve over time, not to mention the opportunity to offer our service members a better understanding of this injury," according to study author Dr. Ann Scher, a professor in USU's Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics Department.

Dr. Karen Schwab, first author and researcher with the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center and USU affiliated faculty member, added, "These findings can also lead to more focused medical follow-up after concussion, and to further research on the outcomes of military concussion."
Analysis of the largest American cancer database indicates that racial disparities persist in the treatment and outcomes of patients diagnosed with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite increased availability of potentially curative treatments for early stage NSCLC, African Americans and American Indians were less likely to receive these treatments and more likely to die from the disease. The study will be presented tomorrow at the 2017 Multidisciplinary Thoracic Cancers Symposium.

Although NSCLC is the most fatal cancer in men and women combined, experts estimate that a quarter of NSCLC patients are diagnosed at an early and potentially curable stage. Over the past two decades, definitive treatment options for early-stage NSCLC, which include surgery and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), have become more widely available and contributed to higher survival rates. Many studies have shown, however, that these advances have not benefited all patients equally.

"Racial disparities in the management of stage I NSCLC, such as less frequent rates of curative treatment with African Americans, have contributed to disproportionately lower survival rates for specific minority groups," said Andrew M. Farach, MD, senior author of the study and a radiation oncologist at Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston. "Our study is the first to confirm that, even with widespread growth in the availability and adoption of advanced therapies, disparities in treatment and survival persist for early-stage NSCLC. These findings bring attention to the importance of the medical system actively addressing racial disparities on pace with advancements in medical science."

Researchers examined records from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database for patients age 60 and older diagnosed with biopsy-proven stage I NSCLC between 2004 and 2012, the most recent data available. Patients without definitive records for local therapy were excluded from analyses.

The 62,312 eligible patients were grouped by race/national origin into one of five cohorts: Caucasians (86.6%, 53,872 patients), African Americans (8.0%, 4,947 patients), Asian/Pacific Islanders (5.0%, 3,101 patients), American Indians (0.3%, 198 patients) and patients with unknown racial classification (0.02%, 95 patients). Treatment and survival outcomes were compared using chi-squared tests, the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox multivariate analysis.

Patients received one of four types of primary treatment for stage I NSCLC, including surgery only (67%), radiation only (19%), both surgery and radiation (3%) or no treatment/observation only (12%). The type of treatment patients received varied by race; while 67 percent of Caucasian patients and 72 percent of Asian/Pacific Islander patients underwent surgery, these rates were 56 percent and 58 percent for African-American and American Indian patients, respectively (p < 0.05).

Treatment type directly influenced the likelihood of surviving early-stage lung cancer. On multivariate analysis, patients who received definitive treatment for stage I NSCLC, whether surgery or SBRT, had improved survival rates, regardless of race, age or gender (compared with observation, surgery Hazard Ratio (HR) = 0.44, radiation HR = 0.70, surgery and radiation HR = 0.48, p < 0.05).

Overall survival (OS) and lung cancer-specific survival (CSS) also varied among the racial groups. At a median follow-up of 23 months after treatment, OS rates were highest for Asian/Pacific Islander patients (76%) and Caucasians (70%) and lowest for African Americans (65%) and American Indians (60%) (p < 0.05). Similarly, CSS was highest for Asians/Pacific Islanders (84%), followed by Caucasians (79%), African Americans (76%) and American Indians (73%) (p < 0.05). The median CSS for African Americans and American Indians was 80 months and 49 months, respectively, compared to an overall population median of 107 months (p < 0.05).

Even after accounting for differences in age, T stage, gender and treatment type, race influenced CSS. On multivariate analysis, CSS rates were lowest for American Indians (compared with Caucasians, HR = 1.35, p < 0.05) and highest for Asian/Pacific Islanders (HR = 0.77, p < 0.05). Although the median CSS for African-American patients was more than two years shorter than the population median, the difference was no longer statistically significant after controlling for patient, disease and treatment factors.

Several patient and disease characteristics, in addition to race, also independently influenced CSS. Outcomes were worse for male patients (compared with females, HR = 1.17, p < 0.05), older patients (unit Risk Ratio (RR) = 1.01, p < 0.05) and patients with stage T2 tumors (compared with T1, HR = 1.25, p < 0.05).

"Unfortunately, our findings are not particularly surprising. Multiple studies have documented racial disparities in the management and outcome of different cancers. As physicians, it becomes our responsibility to understand and address these inequalities," said Dr. Farach. "Most importantly, we must improve access to care and get patients to treatment. Other steps include investigating the biology of lung cancer in understudied groups andat the individual leveltaking more time to educate and build trust with our underserved patient populations."
The recent trend for "cleaner," more natural, unprocessed foods for improved health and well-being has also led to a shift towards household and beauty products that are also more natural and without preservatives, and possibly for good reason.



According to recent research, consumers' extra attention to what they are putting on their bodies and in their homes could be beneficial for health, with a new study finding that one in three Australians report health problems related to fragranced products.



Professor Anne Steinemann from the University of Melbourne School of Engineering led a survey of a random sample of 1098 people taken from a large, web-based panel held by Survey Sampling International (SSI).



She found that when exposed to fragranced products, 33 percent of Australians suffer a variety of adverse health effects, including breathing difficulties, headaches, dizziness, rashes, congestion, seizures, nausea, and a range of other physical problems.



In addition, the results also showed that 7.7 percent of Australians have lost workdays or a job in the past year due to illnesses caused by exposure to fragranced products in their workplace, and 16.7 percent want to leave a shop or business as quickly as possible if they smell air fresheners or other fragranced products.



"This is an epidemic," said Professor Steinemann commenting on the findings, "Fragranced products are creating health problems across Australia. The effects can be immediate, severe and potentially disabling. But they can also be subtle, and people may not realize they're being affected."



Professor Steinemann's previous research in the US found similar results, revealing that 34.7 percent of people experience health problems when exposed to fragranced products.



Fragranced products -- which can include air fresheners, cleaning products, laundry supplies, and personal care products -- give off a range of chemicals including hazardous air pollutants, with Professor Steinemann adding that, "All types of fragranced products tested -- even those with claims of 'green,' 'organic,' and 'all-natural'-emitted hazardous air pollutants."



According to Greenbiz, half of all consumer products contain fragrance, and more than 3,000 chemicals can add fragrance to consumer goods worldwide.



Although what product information is required to be disclosed to consumers varies in each country, fragrance ingredients are exempt from full disclosure in any product, not only in the US but also internationally. Often, labeling is vague, with many ingredients just coming under the umbrella of fragrance.



Professor Steinemann's research will now continue to investigate why fragrance chemicals are causing health problems, and what their effect may be in indoor environments.
Kolkata: West Bengal's opposition parties on Saturday protested on the streets and also inside the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) demanding resignation of the ministers, MPs and lawmakers of Trinamool Congress whose names figure in the Narada sting footage.



A day after the Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI probe into the Narada sting operation case, slogan-shouting Congress and Left Front councillors demanded the resignation of Mayor Sovan Chatterjee and tried to prevent him from presenting the civic body's annual budget.



As the opposition councillors tried to move towards the Mayor, the Trinamool councillors stopped them, leading to a scuffle between the two groups.



"The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has been disgraced. A person whose name figures in an allegation of bribery which is being probed by the CBI is not fit to place the budget of such an august organisation. But when we tried to prevent him (the Mayor) from placing the budget, we were physically assaulted.



"So, all opposition councillors boycotted his budget speech. We want that all those who are involved should be punished," said Congress Councillor Prakash Upadhyay.



Chatterjee later said the opposition's behaviour reflected their culture.



"They could not stop us from presenting the budget. We read the entire budget. They should have listened to it. We are here because we have the mandate of the people," he said.



Led by its state General Secretary Om Prakash Mishra, the Congress took out a rally from Hazra crossing to Shakespeare Sarani, demanding the resignation all ministers seen taking money in the video footage.



Youth Congress activists staged a demonstration outside the gate of the Raj Bhavan.



"Remove all ministers tainted by the Narada scam," said posters and festoons carried by the Youth Congress workers.



The CPI-M took out rallies in several localities of the city and districts on the issue.



The Calcutta High Court on Friday ordered a CBI preliminary inquiry into the Narada footage case, and asked the CBI to take possession of all devices used for the sting operation in 24 hours. It also directed the central agency to finish the preliminary inquiry within 72 hours and thereafter register an FIR depending on the inquiry findings.



Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has described the order as "unfortunate" and said it would be challenged in the Supreme Court.



The controversy erupted in March last year when Narada News portal uploaded a series of video footage, purportedly showing a number of high-profile Trinamool leaders, including former and present ministers, MPs and state lawmakers, receiving money in exchange of favours to a fictitious company.



The Narada News footage became a big issue during the 2016 West Bengal assembly polls, but the Trinamool Congress managed to retain power despite a vigorous anti-corruption campaign by the Opposition.



Soon after, in June, Banerjee ordered a probe headed by the city Police Commissioner to find out the "conspiracy" angle to the sting.



Police booked Narada News CEO Mathew Samuel, who had conducted the sting, on several charges and issued him summons for personal appearance.



However, in August, the Calcutta High Court ordered an interim stay on the police probe.
New Delhi: The order imposed on South Delhi restaurants to open their restrooms to the general public has not gone down well with the owners, who welcome the move only with a few qualifications.



The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) on Wednesday passed an order which directed all the restaurants (with restroom facilities) in its jurisdiction to be opened to the general public at a maximum charge of Rs 5.



The order came following deliberations between corporation and Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal, where both decided to go ahead with the move, prominently to cater to women who generally find it difficult to relieve themselves when in need, owing to the crunch of public toilets.



Overall, restaurants have welcomed the move but insisted on their freedom to refuse service when they liked.



"We do not have any issue with the move. Even the shopkeepers come here and use our washrooms. But we have to maintain a brand image and we cannot allow everyone inside indiscriminately," Ravi, manager of a Costa Coffee outlet in Green Park market, told IANS.



"And that five rupees charge is a joke. We are not here for five rupees," he added.



Similar sentiments were echoed by other personnel in charge of the upkeep of their entities, who insisted on reserving the right to admission and a responsibility to maintain their brand image.



"We usually allow all alike, customer or no customer. But I believe the decision is a 'wrong number' in that the majority of the population which they (SDMC) want us to cater to, belong to higher end of society, who we allow anyway. But what about such people in not-so-posh areas- like Najafgarh, where they are very unlikely to find either the public washroom or restaurants," Labh Singh, Manager, Dunkin Donuts, told IANS.



"This is a complete misfire. The authorities are asking us to do their job, which is to make more public washrooms, which they should be doing," he added.



A manager recounted an incident as a way to forebode, what may lie in future of the business if the move is implemented forcefully.



"Once we allowed a 'beggar' woman to use our washroom, who created a complete mess inside and outside the lavatory. She was using the hose to wash her legs and in doing that she let the water flood entire floor... if such things happen then we may have to use our discretion," a stall manager at coffee joint in Hauz Khas said.



Two others in-charge of restaurants in the same locality -- one of the posher ones -- said that they need to assess the 'profile' of the customers using their restrooms and said that they would not want to cause their customers any unease who in their turn may object to outsiders.



Another concern voiced by the restaurateurs uniformly was one of hygiene.



"This is not a public toilet. How can the authorities ask us to follow this rule! Not everyone has the same hygiene standards, we cannot throw open the doors of our toilets, which we so fondly maintain, for all alike," a supervisor at a resto-bar named Maquina told IANS.



The order -- going to be implemented from April 1 -- has thus drawn congruent responses from the outlets who insisted on maintaining, contradictorily, their right to admission with a refrain that they will not have an issue with the order if only a certain kind come to use their washrooms.



The question to ponder then is - to whose benefit has the order been issued?
Chandigarh: Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC were imposed and internet services suspended in many 'sensitive' districts of Haryana on Saturday in the wake of the Jat body's plan to ghearo the Parliament on March 20.



The section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), prohibiting unlawful assembly, has been imposed in many sensitive districts, including Rohtak, Jhajjar, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri and Hisar, where internet services have also been suspended for indefinite period, official sources told PTI.



Restrictions have been imposed on the movement of tractor-trolleys from one district to another, they said, adding that the Army has been called in to manage the situation.



Meanwhile, All-India Jat Aarkashan Sangarsh Samiti (AIJASS), the body spearheading the agitation for reservation, remained firm on laying a siege to the national capital from March 20 as they alleged that their demands had not been met.



AIJASS president Yashpal Malik said the Centre should intervene to resolve the issue.



"From February last year, we have held talks on six occasions with the Haryana government. But our demands have still not been met," he said.



He also alleged that the Manohar Lal-led state government was "confused and not showing sincerity in resolving the issue".



Reacting on Khattar's statement that the Jat body was "frequently shifting the goal posts and that Malik had made unilateral announcements in Panipat that they (Jats) were to have a meeting with the CM in Delhi yesterday", the AIJASS president said, "Attempts are being made to weaken our agitation. This government looks utterly confused. Their statements are only complicating the situation."



"We wanted the Chief Minister to take a final call on our demands. It was decided that he will meet us in Delhi and discuss all issues with us. But the CM skipped the meeting despite being in Delhi," he claimed.



"Therefore, we have decided to continue with our agitation and we will now move to Delhi on March 20," he said.



On the imposition of prohibitory orders in the state, Malik said, "We have the right to protest. We have been doing so for the last so many days in a peaceful manner. The law of the land does not prevent us from going to Delhi to raise our point in a democratic manner."



Besides seeking quota, the demands of the Jats include release of those jailed during last year's agitation, withdrawal of cases slapped during the protest and government jobs for the kin of those killed and injured while taking part in the stir.



The Jats have been sitting on dharna in various parts of Haryana since January 29.

(Reopens DEL 25)



The Haryana Chief Minister had yesterday reiterated the commitment of the state government to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.



"I am always prepared to negotiate with an open mind to resolve the issue and the Jat leaders can hold dialogue with me at any place," he had said.



Khattar had maintained that the government had already given the benefit of reservation to Jats and others, which is pending in the court.



"The advocate was appointed with the consent of Jat leaders to plead the case in the court. The compensation to the victims has already been given. The offer of job was also made by the government and compensation to the injured is being delivered.



"The cases which are pending in the court are not under the purview of the state government. The state can only ask the court to re-examine some cases," he said.
Srinagar: Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Mohammad Yasin Malik was on Saturday detained from his office here.



This comes a day after separatists asked voters to desist from participating in the bypolls to Srinagar and Anantnag parliamentary constituencies. Malik was participating in the boycott.



"A posse of policemen raided Abi Guzar office of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) in the heart of Srinagar and arrested Malik to desist him from spearheading the poll boycott campaign," a JKLF spokesman said.



Activists of JKLF and a constituent of hardline Hurriyat Conference headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani had on Friday started a joint election boycott campaign by holding a protest rally here. They also visited various areas in Ganderbal and Budgam districts and distributed pamphlets, urging people to remain vigilant and boycott the upcoming elections.



The bypolls to Srinagar and Anantnag parliamentary constituencies are slated for April 9 and April 12, respectively.



"Casting or boycotting vote is a democratic right of every human being but when election process is facilitated and pro-boycott people are terrorised, raided, arrested and put in jails, this process is reduced to a military operation," Malik had said in a statement released on Friday.



Terming the participation in election process and voting as "disrespecting the sacrifices", the JKLF chief said the elections for assemblies and Parliament have been used to "hoodwink international opinion" on Kashmir.



(with PTI inputs)
Yogi Adityanath is a surprising choice for the BJP for Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.Adityanath is no stranger to controversy. In fact, for a good chunk of his political career, he has stayed in the front pages for his controversial remarks.There have been 450 riots cases in West UP in two-and-a-half years of Samajwadi Party rule because the population of a particular community is rising manifold. Why are there no riots in Eastern UP? You can easily understand. In places where there are 10-20% minority population, stray communal incidents take place. Where there are 20-35% of them, serious communal riots take place and where they are more than 35%, there is no place for non-Muslims.Yogi is not talking about today, Yogi is talking about future. Exodus is a very big issue for usBJP will not let western Uttar Pradesh turn into another Kashmir.Mother Teresa was part of the conspiracy to Christianize India. Hindus were converted in the name of doing service and then convertedLord Shankar was the biggest Yogi who started Yoga. Mahadev lives in every particle of this country. So those who want to avoid Yoga and Lord Shankar can leave Hindustan.Shah Rukh Khan should remember that if people would boycott his films, he would also have to wander in the streets like a normal Muslim These people are speaking in the language of terrorists. I think there is no difference between the language of Shah Rukh Khan and Hafiz Saeed.
Panaji: In an industry where star children are lined up for their grand launch into filmdom, actress Kriti Sanon admits her ride in Bollywood would have been easier if she was from a film background, but she is "proud" that she doesn't have a "godfather".



Delhi girl Kriti, daughter of a chartered accountant and an associate professor, spoke to IANS about her journey on the sidelines of the fourth edition of India Beach Fashion Week 2017 here.



Talking about how having some backing helps, she said: "People would have known me much faster... To register a new face, especially when that face doesn't come from a film background and you don't know the surname, it takes a little while for the audience to connect with you."



"I am quite proud of it, of where I've come. I never thought of becoming an actor to where I am right now . I don't have any particular godfather, who is always there and helping me out. But at the same time, I am making my own mistakes and learning through them," she said.



Also, the 26-year-old actress feels "rawness helps as an actor".



"It's good sometimes to not know too much," Kriti said.



Asked if she wants to stick to the romantic genre, Kriti said: "I am a romantic at heart. I love 'love stories', and that is something that should never go out of fashion. The four films I have done are very different from one another."



She says "Raabta" is a romantic drama. And one cannot actually put "Bareilly Ki Barfi" in one genre because it has got a little bit of romance, comedy, drama and slice of life feel to it.



"Yes, there is a little bit of romantic angle in them, but I don't choose scripts on the basis of, 'Oh, it should be like this'. I go with an open mind when I go for narrations and if I like a script, I just go with it," said Kriti, who walked the ramp for Sukriti & Aakriti at the India Beach Fashion Week 2017 here earlier this month.



Kriti said she is more of an "instinctive person" and if an action film comes her way and she likes the content, she would go with it.



In just three years, Kriti has managed to have a strong fan base. The actress has 979K followers on Twitter and 6 million followers on Instagram.



Does that make her feel like she's arrived?



"Not yet. Very honestly speaking, because I think sometimes I do feel that people forget that I am just two films old. My first film was more or less figuring myself out... When you don't come from a Bollywood background, you don't know anything about the film world. So, you are basically learning, and you are learning throughout," she said.



"Dilwale" was more of an experience for Kriti with names like Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Varun Dhawan.



"It was an ensemble project. So of course, the amount you have as an actor to perform is not so much. I have not yet, in these two films, got a platform where I could explore more as an actor," she said, adding that "Raabta" and "Bareilly Ki Barfi" are more performance-oriented.




Jammu: The BJP on Friday said its high command will take the final decision on fielding candidates for the bypolls to Srinagar and Anantnag Lok Sabha seats scheduled for April 9 and 12 respectively.



"The final decision on the matter shall be taken by the party high command at Delhi," BJP National Vice-President and J&K In-charge, Avinash Rai Khanna said here.



Khanna, who was chairing a meeting of party leaders here, said during his visit to Srinagar, the feedback of the workers for party's participation in the forthcoming Parliament elections in two constituencies in Valley was sought.



"The feedbacks will be discussed in core group and election committee," he said.



Khanna, who concluded the two-day long visit to Kashmir, said had told media persons in Srinagar on Thursday that BJP will decide on fielding candidates for the bypolls to Srinagar and Anantnag Lok Sabha seats keeping in mind its aim to bolster the NDA government at the Centre.



"We took the view of the party workers on the bypolls and we will discuss that within our team here. We will then convey to the central leadership on whether the Jammu and Kashmir unit wants to contest the polls or not. Whatever the central leadership decides, we will implement that decision," Khanna had told reporters.



Significantly, the PDP which is BJP's alliance partner in Jammu and Kashmir, has already fielded Mufti Tassaduq Hussain, brother of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti from Anantnag Lok Sabha seat while Nazir Ahmad Khan is its candidate from Srinagar Lok Sabha seat.



Opposition NC and Congress have entered into a seat sharing agreement for the bypolls. NC has fielded its president Farooq Abdullah from Srinagar while state Congress chief G A Mir will contest from the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat.


So impressed was Home Minister Rajnath Singh with his unflinching devotion that while asking people to vote for Rawat, he had said, "Trivendra Singh Rawat ne kabhi apni nishtha nahin badli (he never switched his loyalty)."

His organisational skills were put to test in Jharkhand where he came out with flying colours, guiding the BJP to a resounding electoral victory in the assembly polls in 2014 as party in-charge.

Former RSS pracharak and senior BJP leader Trivendra Singh Rawat was sworn-in as Uttarakhand Chief Minister in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah and other senior leaders on Saturday.Rawat was sworn in as the hill states ninth chief minister by Governor KK Paul at Parade Grounds here. Apart from Modi and Shah, Union ministers Rajnath Singh, JP Nadda and Uma Bharti attended the ceremony. Former chief minister Harish Rawat was also present.Nine ministers, including former Congress minister Harak Singh Rawat, were also sworn in.Satpal Maharaj, Harak Singh Rawat, Madan Kaushik, Arvind Pandey, Subodh Uniyal, Yashpal Arya and Prakash Pant have been made Cabinet ministers. Rekha Arya and Dhan Singh Rawat took oath as ministers of state.An RSS veteran, since 1979, Trivendra did his post-graduation in journalism. He was appointed as an Uttarakhand organisational secretary for five years in 1970. Rawat also served as state cabinet minister in 2007 under BC Khanduri.Coupled with his administrative and organisational skills and experience, his loyalty to the party and RSS ideology seemed to have won the day for him.The ringing endorsement by the fellow Thakur leader from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh seems to have worked for Rawat, 56, who wrested the Doiwala seat from Congress with an impressive margin of 24,869 votes to win it for the third time.Born in December 1960 into a family where serving in the armed forces was a tradition, with his father Pratap Singh Rawat in Garhwal Rifles, he studied in a school built of mud and thatch in his native village of Khairasain in Pauri Garhwal district.Though average in studies, Rawat evinced keen interest in socio-cultural work at an early age, a fact which explains his joining the RSS aged 19 years.Six years later, he was appointed RSS pracharak for Dehradun city.Considered a man rooted in rural traditions, Rawat loves hill delicacies and keeps visiting his village from time to time to relish those, especially during winter when he loves to eat millet (Manduwa) rotis, his elder brother Veerendra says.(With agency inputs)
Trivendra Singh Rawat on Saturday took oath as the 9th chief minister of Uttarakhand with Prime Minister Narendra and senior BJP leaders attending the ceremony.



Rawat took oath at the parade ground in Dehradun. The BJP scored a massive victory in Uttarakhand winning 56 of the 70 seats in the state to storm to power, reducing Congress to a minuscule minority in the state Assembly with 11 seats.



Heres what you need to know about the new Uttarakhand CM:



1) He was born in December 1960 into a family where serving in the armed forces was a tradition, with his father Pratap Singh Rawat in Garhwal Rifles



2) Trivendra studied in a school built of mud and thatch in his native village of Khairasain in Pauri Garhwal district



3) An RSS veteran since 1979, Trivendra Rawat did his post-graduation in journalism. He was appointed as an Uttarakhand organisational secretary for five years in 1970



4) Rawat also served as state cabinet minister in 2007 under BC Khanduri government



5) Rawat, 56, wrested the Doiwala seat from Congress with a margin of 24,869 votes to win it for the third time. Considered a man rooted in rural traditions, Rawat loves hill delicacies and keeps visiting his village from time to time, especially during winter when he loves to eat millet (Manduwa) rotis, his elder brother Veerendra says



6) Rawat evinced keen interest in socio-cultural work at an early age and became a member of RSS at the age of 19
The BJP had secured a huge majority in the state and they seem to have based their decision, of appointing its Chief Minister, on the fact that the biggest threat to the government was from inside the party rather than outside it.

The BJP high command seems to have realised that a strong Hindutva emotion will be the only glue to keep the party cadre together for the next five years, and help it in 2019.

Adityanath's authority, which stems from taking a strident anti-minority position, also will give him a leverage over anyone else talking about the plight of Hindus or raking up Ram Mandir issue.

"Most of the people thought him to be a brash, outspoken Hindu leader who gave little attention to his own political career, but that was not the case. Over the past couple of years he curbed his natural instinct and established a very close rapport with Amit Shah."

The other thing that worked in his favour was that by while Adityanath was carrying out Sangh's agenda, he had almost decimated RSS and Sangh's influence from Gorakhpur, by establishing his own parallel army - the Hindu Yuva Vahini.

But Modi and Shah may have taken a huge gamble with Adityanath as well. Their chief worry now, having set a platform for UP, will be how to contain him.

By anointing Yogi Adityanath as the next Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have achieved four goals simultaneously  quelling internal dissent, preparing ground for 2019 Lok Sabha polls, keeping the RSS in check and buying time for the Ram Mandir issue.Continuing with their habit of defying predictions, Modi-Shah seem to spring another surprise by opting for the least risky alternative.The BJP's entirely Hindu legislature was made with support from a cross section of communities  Thakurs, Brahmins, Binds, Kurmis, Khushwahas, Shakyas, Nishads, Pasis etc.The party high command knew that having brought together such a diverse social group in Uttar Pradesh, sustaining it for five years was going to the biggest challenge. Internal dissent was bound to set in as soon as the Chief Minister and his cabinet were sworn in.And the last thing that the party would want is to be fire-fighting Uttar Pradesh which is crucial for 2019 Lok Sabha polls.By appointing Yogi Adityanath, a Thakur, the BJP seemed to have prevented this possibility. Adityanath was undoubtedly the most popular BJP leader in the state. He held most of the rallies in the state and, apart from Prime Minister, drew the biggest crowds in his poll speeches.Among all the candidates whose names were being discussed as probables for the UP CM's role, Adityanath is the most popular party leader, not just among the party supporters but among the cadre as well.The other front-runners like Manoj Sinha have had limited exposure with the Sangh and almost no popularity outside their native district of Ghazipur.On the other hand, a five-time MP from Gorakhpur, he was the only BJP leader to have maintained a sustained BJP presence East of Varanasi.Even when the BSP and the SP swept Uttar Pradesh in 2007 and 2012 polls, Adityanath did not let Gorakhpur and adjoining areas slip out of BJP's clutches.A source close to Adityanath says that the fiery Hindutva leader made several calculated decisions, which many would not have expected of him, in the run-up to the UP polls.The BJP party president would even campaign for him in Gorakhpur recently.Unlike the previous Mahants of Gorakhnath Math, who were contended with being MPs from Gorakhpur, Adityanath has allowed no doubt about the fact that he'd set his eyes far and wide.From the Mayor to MLAs to the bureaucrats, everyone in and around Gorakhpur is known to have been handpicked by Adityanath.The source added, "BJP minus Adityanath is nothing in Poorvanchal and the party understands it."Even when his cadre staged a revolt against him, as they do before every election, Adityanath maintained his cool and stayed with the BJP. "The masses were watching the manner in which BJP was treating Adityanath and the feeling that he was being slighted, was setting in.""Just like Modi in Gujarat, Adityanath changed the equations with the RSS and the rest of the Sangh. It was not him but them who had to curry favour with him. With his thousands of volunteers from Vahini, and unbridled support from followers at Gorakhnath Math."Being made the Chief Minister Adityanath will only grow from here. Just like in Gorakhpuur, Adityanath has maintained his own personality and influence, distinct from BJP, in Poorvanchal, which has only grown over time.Whether the two political pundits will reign in the 44-year-old firebrand leader over the next five years will be interesting to watch.
So what lies ahead for UPs freshly-minted chief minister? Uday Rana looks at the strengths and weaknesses of Yogi Adityanath, and the opportunities and threats that await him.At 44, he is the youngest UP CM after Akhilesh Yadav who ascended to the high chair in Lucknow at 38 in 2012. Yogi enjoys massive support among the BJP cadre across caste and class. His original area of activity was limited to Poorvanchal, but of late he has taken up the Hindutuva causes in Western UP with equal force, even equating Kairana to Kashmir. His image as a Hindutva icon will make the RSS support him, although he was not exactly a Sangh favourite until now. In a state where maintenance of law and order was a major voting issue, his tough-on-crime image could be an advantage. And of course, he has no major charges of corruption against him.His image as a rabble rouser. In 2005, he led a purification drive to re-convert Christians to Hinduism. In 2007, he staged a non-violent dharna during a Moharram procession in Gorakhpur. In the past, videos have surfaced of Adityanath making speeches that are inflammatory in nature. He has three criminal cases against him, including charges of rioting and attempt to murder. Now the question is will Yogi be able to recast himself in the mould of a chief minister who is acceptable to Hindus and non-Hindus alike? Also, he has no track record of governance and will have to prove himself on that front.With 325 MLAs under his belt, he can redefine UP politics the way he wants. After three decades of caste-combination based governance that has made many sections cry foul, Yogi  who has never played his Thakur card  has his moment now to deliver on the PMs vision of sabka saath, sabka vikaas. His bastion Poorvanchal has been one of the most underdeveloped areas of UP, and Yogi can set that right. On a personal front, if he plays his Hindutva cards smartly by managing the Amit Shah-Narendra Modi duo and RSS, Yogi can come into his own as the strongman of UP.For two decades he has cultivated a constituency, and those might expect him to deliver on all that polarising statements. And then there is the promise of Ram Temple in Ayodhya that Yogi has aggressively supported. In the run-up to UP polls, he had said this much: "The hurdles on the path of construction of a grand Ram temple will be gradually removed and its construction will soon start in Ayodhya. He may have to deliver on that front although the matter is subjudice. Most importantly, he may have to keep a check on the fringe who might find new strength in his elevation.
Pink flamingos in the Atacama salt flats. (Photo courtesy: AFP Relaxnews/ Grafissimo / Istock.com)

Hiking to Villarrica volcano. (Photo courtesy: AFP Relaxnews/ Grafissimo / Istock.com)

Sample Chilean wine in Colchagua Valley. (Photo courtesy: AFP Relaxnews/ Grafissimo / Istock.com)

Visit the El Tatio geyser field at dawn. (Photo courtesy: AFP Relaxnews/ Grafissimo / Istock.com)

Visitors to Chile were up 26% in 2016 to 5.64 million. European travellers, in particular -- with Italians leading the way (+24%) -- are boosting tourism to the country. From the various volcanoes scattered across this South American country -- which stretches more than 2,600 miles (4,000km) from north to south -- to the arid Atacama desert and its salty scenery, Chile promises stunning natural scenery and unforgettable travel experiences.More than 2,000 miles (3,000km) off the Chilean coast, one of the world's most remote inhabited islands intrigues travellers with its mysterious stone statues. Whether arriving on Easter Island by plane from Santiago or by boat, visitors are curious to find out how these monumental statues, known as "moai," ended up on this isolated island. With a total area of just 63.2 sq mi (163 sq km) the island can be easily explored by scooter, for example. It has a selection of hotels, most of which require a comfortable budget, but lower-cost campsites are also available.Starting from San Pedro de Atacama, adventurers can enjoy a day filled with amazing sights as they head off to discover one of Chile's most iconic natural attractions. This salt flat, which is one of the world's largest sources of lithium, is at its most stunning at sunset. The landscape seems unreal and otherworldly, with salty deposits that look almost like snow. Pink flamingoes are the star attraction, often seen strolling around the lagoon.Look out for organized hiking and trekking trips to the summit of one of Chile's most active volcanoes, rising to an altitude of 2,847 meters (9,341 ft). Accompanied by a professional guide, travellers can get an up-close look at the volcanic crater. The summit is reached by ski lift or on cross-country skis. In winter, it's possible to descend by snowboard or sledge. Once at the summit, visitors are rewarded with incredible views, looking out over the region's lakes and volcanoes.The Colchagua Valley is a great place to combine wine tasting with a scenic excursion. Chilean wine is recognized for its quality all around the world, and the Colchagua Valley -- a two-hour drive from the capital, Santiago -- is a perfect place to sample the county's delights. Day trips take visitors around the region's cellars, sampling its renowned cabernet sauvignon.San Pedro de Atacama, which shares its name with the famous Chilean desert, is also the starting point for excursions to another of Chile's sensational natural sights: its geysers. In general, tourists arrive before sunrise to admire the columns of steam rising from the geysers in the cool morning air. The steam plumes then disappear as the air warms up. Visitors can even take a dip in a thermal pool of hot geyser water.
Photographers: Can we get a handshake?

Merkel (to Trump): Do you want to have a handshake?

Trump: *no response*

Merkel: *makes awkward face* pic.twitter.com/ehgpCnWPg7  David Mack (@davidmackau) March 17, 2017

Trump and Merkel shook hands when she arrived at the White House but did not do so in the Oval Office where she frequently leaned towards him while he stared straight ahead, sitting with his legs apart and hands together.

She began her remarks at the news conference by saying it was better to speak to each other than about each other.

Who knew tweeting a pic of Trudeau refusing to shake Trump's hand could get haters so TRIGGERED.



Accordingly, I've changed my cover photo. pic.twitter.com/qx6YPqm4AZ  Aaron Vallely (@Vallmeister) March 16, 2017

Irish Taoiseach @EndaKennyTD invited Donald Trump to visit Ireland. There will be riots in the streets, Trump isn't welcome here.  pic.twitter.com/PjCsx6Xi2S  Aaron Vallely (@Vallmeister) March 17, 2017

Journalist with a zoom camera has released actual footage of the handshake between US President Donald Trump and Japan's PM Shinzo Abe. pic.twitter.com/JOxTdYVNvo  Jose Covaco (@HoeZaay) February 15, 2017

Aside from business and foreign policy goals, relationship building was an important if less overt agenda item.

The first face-to-face meeting between US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel started awkwardly on Friday and ended even more oddly, with a quip by Trump about wiretapping that left the German leader visibly bewildered.The two leaders share different views on trade, Russia and immigration, leading to some uncomfortable moments at a joint news conference on Friday in which they took pains to downplay differences that were hard to mask.Friday's meeting was the first between the new US president and the long-serving stateswoman, who leads Europe's largest economy. It was seen as one that could help determine the future of the transatlantic alliance and shape their working relationship.Though Merkel appeared relaxed, the body language between them was not especially warm.In the Oval Office, both leaders described their meeting in brief remarks to reporters as having been very good."We held a conversation where we were trying to address also those areas where we disagree, but we tried to bring people together ... (and) tried to find a compromise that is good for both sides," Merkel said.They shook hands again at the end of the press conference and then exited the East Room together.Near the start of the news conference, Trump pressed Merkel for Germany to meet NATO 's military spending target, and Merkel reiterated her country's commitment to the 2 percent military spending goal."I reiterated to Chancellor Merkel my strong support for NATO as well as the need for our NATO allies to pay their fair share for the cost of defence. Many nations owe vast sums of money from past years, and it is very unfair to the United States. These nations must pay what they owe."Trump also stood by unproven claims that the Obama administration tapped his phones, and expressed solidarity with a surprised Merkel, whose government charged Washington in 2013 may have been spying on her.As far as wiretapping, I guess, by this past administration, at least we have something in common perhaps, Trump said to Merkel, who looked bewildered as she stared back at him from her podium.In 2013 the German government said it had information that the United States may have monitored Merkel's mobile phone, prompting her to call Obama to demand immediate clarification.The Republican and Democratic leaders of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee issued a statement on Thursday rejecting Trump's assertion that the Obama administration conducted surveillance on him.Trump, who as a presidential candidate had criticised Merkel for allowing hundreds of thousands of refugees into Germany, said immigration was a privilege, not a right.Merkel hinted at differences, saying: "This is obviously something we had an exchange of views about."The new US president has sought through executive orders to ban people from six Muslim-majority countries temporarily from entering the United States, causing an uproar domestically and internationally among critics.Merkel had close relations with Trump's Democratic and Republican predecessors, Obama and George W. Bush, and she is likely to seek a strong working relationship with Trump despite major policy differences and wariness in Germany about the former New York businessman."Those who know the chancellor know that she has a knack for winning over people in personal discussions. I am sure that Donald Trump will not be immune," said Juergen Hardt, a conservative lawmaker who helps coordinate transatlantic relations for the German government.The two also discussed Ukraine and Afghanistan.Trump said he expected the United States to do "fantastically well" in trade with Germany, while Merkel said she hoped the United States and the European Union could resume discussions on a trade agreement. Trump said he did not believe in isolationism but that trade policy should be fairer.Before the news conference, Trump and Merkel held a meeting with business leaders from the United States and Germany at the White House.
Geneva: The UN Children's Fund (Unicef) urged Turkey on Friday not to use children, refugees and undocumented migrants as bargaining chips in its latest dispute with the EU, after Ankara threatened again to break the migration agreement.



Unicef humanitarian affairs adviser Lucio Melandri, told a news conference that children should never be used as bargaining chips, and refugees and migrants should not be manipulated for political reasons, Efe news reported.



Melandri said he was aware of the situation in Turkey, which is home to 3 million Syrian refugees, adding that Unicef does not take a political stance, but asks all parties to consider the protection of children.



Turkey repeatedly threatened the EU to suspend the agreement, closed in March 2016, by which it agreed to receive refugees arriving in Greece from their country, in exchange for economic aid and visa exemptions for its citizens.



The threats have risen sharply since Germany and Holland vetoed the campaign rallies of Turkish ministers in their territories, to support the constitutional reform that would hand over all executive power in Turkey to the president.


Washington: The Trump administration on Friday appealed a Maryland court's block of its revised travel ban, aiming to reinstate the temporary halt to immigrants and visitor arrivals from six majority-Muslim countries.



The Justice Department filed a notice of appeal with the district court in Greenbelt, Maryland, two days after that court and one in Hawaii dealt a new blow to the White House's travel ban, both ruling that it discriminated against Muslims.



The case now goes to a federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia.





Trump has said a travel ban is needed to preserve US national security and keep out extremists.



His first effort, in January, banned travellers from seven majority-Muslim countries and all refugees but was blocked by a court in Washington state on the grounds that it violated the constitution's prohibition of religious discrimination.



That block was upheld on appeal, and the administration said it would revise the ban to better adhere to the law.



But the new ban has run into the same problems.



It aims to close US borders to nationals of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days, and all refugees for at least 120 days. Iraq was on the original ban but removed in the revision.



The White House said the six countries were targeted because their screening and information capabilities could not meet US security requirements.



While the ban does not mention Muslims, the courts have accepted arguments that Trump's statements while he was running for president last year -- that he would open his White House term with a ban on Muslim arrivals -- effectively defined his approach.



Arguing the case in Hawaii, Acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall said of Trump's comments: "There is a difference between a president and a candidate."



"This order doesn't draw any religious distinction at all," he added.



White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Thursday the Trump administration would "vigorously defend" its travel ban, and would seek "clarification" before appealing the Hawaii court decision in the near future.



The American Civil Liberties Union had filed the lawsuit in Maryland on behalf of several refugee assistance groups and was optimistic about its chances in the appeals court.



"President Trump's Muslim ban has fared miserably in the courts, and for good reason -- it violates fundamental provisions of our constitution," said Omar Jadwat, director of the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project.



"We look forward to defending this careful and well-reasoned decision in the appeals court."
Washington: President Donald Trump said Saturday that Germany owes "vast sums of money" to NATO and the U.S. "must be paid more" for providing defense, reiterating his stance that European allies need to meet their end of the bargain if they are to continue benefiting from the military alliance.



Trump's tweet from his Florida resort, where he is spending the weekend, came the day after his first meeting with Germany's leader.



"Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS, I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel," the president wrote. "Nevertheless, Germany owes ... vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!"



Trump and Merkel tried to sidestep their differences in their meeting at the White House on Friday, but it was punctuated by some awkward moments.



During a photo op in the Oval Office, the two did not shake hands before reporters. Later, during a joint news conference, Trump pushed back against the notion in Europe that his "America First" agenda means he's an isolationist, calling such a suggestion "another example of, as you say, fake news." And he referred to the United States as "a very powerful company," before quickly correcting that to "country."



When a German reporter asked Trump if he regrets any of his commentary on Twitter, Trump said, "Very seldom."



The new president reaffirmed the United States' "strong support" for NATO, but reiterated his stance that NATO allies need to "pay their fair share" for the cost of defense. Trump said at the press conference that many countries owe "vast sums of money"  but he declined to identify Germany, at the time, as one of those nations.



Prior to his inauguration, Trump declared NATO "obsolete" but has since modified his stance, telling European leaders the alliance remains of strategic importance. Only the U.S. and four other members currently reach the benchmark of spending 2 percent of GDP on defense. Germany currently spends 1.23 percent of its GDP on defense, but it is being increased.



When the topic moved to trade, Trump said the U.S. would do "fantastically well" in its trade relations with Germany. The president has been deeply critical of foreign trade and national security agreements but suggested he was only trying to revise trade deals to better serve U.S. interests, rather than pull back from the world entirely.



Trump said trade agreements have led to greater trade deficits. The U.S. trade deficit with Germany was $64.9 billion last year, the lowest since 2009, according to the Commerce Department.



Merkel maintained her composure when Trump repeated his contention that former President Barack Obama may have tapped his phones in Trump Tower. He sought to turn the explosive charge into a light joke when asked about concerns raised by the British government that the White House is now citing a debunked claim that U.K. spies snooped on Trump.



"At least we have something in common, perhaps," Trump said casually, referring to 2013 reports that the U.S. was monitoring Merkel's cellphone conversations. As for the most recent report, Trump said he shouldn't be blamed for quoting a Fox News analyst who had accused British intelligence of helping Obama spy on him.



On economic issues, Merkel attempted to project a conciliatory approach. She said the "success of Germans has always been one where the German success is one side of the coin and the other side of the coin has been European unity and European integration. That's something of which I'm deeply convinced."



Those comments appeared aimed at making a case to Trump on the benefits of the European Union. Trump backed Britain's departure from the EU and has expressed skepticism of multilateral trade agreements.



The two leaders tried to express their common bonds but showed minimal rapport in their first encounter, a departure from Merkel's warm relations with Obama during his eight years as president. At the start of the news conference, Merkel sought to break the ice, saying that it was "much better to talk to one another than about one another."



Merkel said delicately that while she represents German interests, Trump "stands up for, as is right, American interests. That is our task respectively." She said they were "trying to address also those areas where we disagree but tried to bring people together."



"We need to be fair with each other," Merkel said, saying both countries were expecting "that something good comes out of it for their own people."



The meetings at the White House included discussions on fighting the Islamic State group, the conflict in Afghanistan and resolving Ukraine's conflict, all matters that require close cooperation between the U.S. and Germany.



The talks aimed to represent a restart of a relationship complicated by Trump's rhetoric on the campaign trail. As a candidate, Trump frequently accused the chancellor of "ruining" Germany for allowing an influx of refugees and other migrants from Syria and accused his campaign rival, Hillary Clinton, of wanting to be "America's Angela Merkel."
Revisit the founding of the JSA and foreshadow its future in The New Golden Age #1 preview

And see what lies ahead in the future of the DC Universe
US musician to perform for Down Syndrome Day

Under the title: Enabling people with Down Syndrome to speak up, be heard, and influence Government policy and action to be fully included in the community, the first conference takes place in Tobago at the Magdalena Grand on Monday from 9 am and on Tuesday at the Hyatt Regency in Port-of-Spain.

Feature speaker at both events is 35-yearold Sujeet Desai who is an accomplished musician born with Down Syndrome who plays seven instruments.

He will also perform at a free concert at Fiesta Plaza, MovieTowne, Port-of-Spain tomorrow at 4.30 pm. Also performing at the concert are Invaders Youth Orchestra featuring Kelly Simmons and Danielle Gulston, the Alternative Quartet, the 2 Cents Movement and the Holistic School Orchestra.

Desai, an honours graduate from the Berkshire Hills Music Academy in Massachusetts, travels worldwide to do inspirational solo music performances and self-advocacy workshops.

His mission is to send a message across the world that given opportunities for their abilities individuals with disabilities can make it happen. The Down Syndrome Family Network is partnering with the US Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago to make Desais visit possible. The embassy has been instrumental in supporting the networks work of in capacity building and advocacy efforts.

Other guest speakers are Carol Janine, second vice president, National Down Syndrome; Therese Kay Holt from Indiana, Jeanmarie Hill from Texas and Dr Prithiziraj Bahadursingh of the University of the West Indies.

The Hyatt conference starts at 9 am and is free to those with Down Syndrome others pay $300 which include coffee breaks, lunch and conference materials.

An after party will be sponsored by the Hyatt Regency.

Registration can be done online through dsfamilynetwork.

org. For more info: 767-1017 in Tobago and 746-1618 in Trinidad.
It May Not Be the Time

You Think It Is
American Girl, known for producing historically accurate dolls for kids, is now looking for a research historian, a gig "you spent your entire childhood training for," per Jezebel. So if you've got a bachelor's degree or higher in history or a related field, a few years of experience doing professional research, and a penchant for historical or nonfiction writing, go ahead and check out the official American Girl job details. The researcher's primary job will be to "ensure accuracy and authenticity of American Girl characters," which encompasses a lot: books, toys, movies, games, and more, down to customer service. The position is far from a first for the company, as, oddly enough, a Wall Street Journal article on a Wells Fargo hire makes clear.

The bank's Abbot Downing division hired historian Mark Speltz from the Mattel-owned American Girl brand last week, and this opening may well be connected to the vacancy he leaves behind. Speltz joined American Girl in 2000 as a research historian, and has for the last 7 years been its senior historian. He recently helped develop the story for Melody Ellison, the doll introduced last year and modeled after an African-American girl who grew up in 1960s Detroit. "Patience" might be a good qualification for potential applicants to have: In a 2016 interview with the UWM Report, Speltz explained it can take as long as three years to move a doll from concept to completion. As for Speltz's new gig, Abbot Downing works with "ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families," and he'll be beefing up its family history team. (Read about this first for American Girl.)
Stumble onto a random revenge-porn site, and you'll likely be confronted with various avatars of trolls who hide behind screen names and aliases. But that wasn't the case with the "Marines United" private Facebook group that retired service member John Albert found himself invited to in September 2016. Instead, as Jared Keller explains in this disturbing piece at Task & Purpose, Albert saw actual guys he'd served with, going by their real names and posting what Albert calls "creepshots," graphic images of female Marines put up without permission, as well as videos, rape threats against "wooks" (servicewomen), pornographic acts, and links to off-site files of the same. And the rabbit hole Albert had fallen into only scratched the surface of similar online forums that administrators and defenders call important support systems for veterans, but detractors label "bastions of cruelty and abuse."

Albert couldn't confront the men he knew directly in the Marines United group"I love these guys; I went to war with them"so he simply reported the group to Facebook for posting nudity. A week later, the group was gone, but another by the same name popped up a week later, illustrating the difficulty in scrubbing the internet of these sites (Keller describes some of their members as "die-hard  devotees"). Just as important as the horrific individual anecdotes, however, is the fact that this specific scandal within the Marinesthe military branch with the tiniest proportion of women, yet the largest rate of sexual assaultsis indicative of a larger problem: blatant sexism within the ranks, going all the way up to the top. Dive into the backstory of Marines United and other forums like it here. (More on the recent Marines nude-photo commotion.)
A robber in Virginia ruined his own getawayfirst by breaking his leg in a jump off a balcony, and then by calling the authorities to help him. Police say 21-year-old Leoul Yosef will be charged with burglary for robbing an Alexandria apartment on Wednesday and then jumping off the second-story balcony after the owner returned home, the AP reports. Fairfax County Police Officer Don Gatthardt says Yosef left tracks in the snow when he jumped. Officers say they were following the snow trail when they received a 911 call from a man in the vicinity saying he'd broken his leg. Responding officers matched the identity of the caller to the burglary suspect. (These burglars were arrested after they failed to pay for their taxi.)
Loan guarantee agencies are once again free to charge huge fees to Americans who've defaulted on their federal student loans after the Trump administration revoked Obama-era guidelines this week, the Washington Post reports. Agencies had been charging fees of up to 16% of principal and accrued interest when people defaulted on their student loans. According to Time, an Obama administration memo in July 2015 forbid them from charging those fees as long as the borrower entered into the government's loan rehabilitation program within 60 days of defaulting and started paying again.

On Thursday, the Trump administration repealed the Obama guidelines and instructed loan guarantee agencies to once again go after defaulters. A report released this week found a double-digit increase in defaults, and the Trump administration says it was concerned about a lack of public input on the Obama guidelines. The change will not affect Americans who took out student loans after 2010. Sen. Elizabeth Warren had asked Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to keep the Obama guidelines in place, the Atlantic reports. It's unclear if the Trump administration will eventually ask for public input on the guidelines. (Read more student loans stories.)
The Wall Street Journal is out with a fascinating story about one of the most famous murder cases in US history. The newspaper has discovered that Richard Hickock, one of two killers hanged for the In Cold Blood murders chronicled by Truman Capote, wrote his own never-published manuscript about the 1959 slayings of the Clutter family in Kansas. That alone is a surprise given that even Capote scholars never knew of it (though Capote himself did). But the real twist is that Hickock claims in the manuscript that he and accomplice Perry Smith were paid $5,000 as hit men by someone named Roberts. That would significantly change the narrative of the murders if true, but the Journal story makes a convincing case that Hickock, considered a pathological liar, made it up after their convictions.

I dont believe for a minute that they got paid to do it," says a Columbia University expert on the killers who was allowed to review the manuscript. The accepted theory has long been that the pair went to the house because of a prison rumor that it held a safe full of money. In his manuscript, Hickock describes the shootings of parents Herb and Bonnie and teenagers Nancy and Kenyon in chilling detail. "I would of liked to see the embalmer fill that hole," he wrote of Kenyon. He authored the manuscript with the help of journalist Mack Nations, and it seems that law-enforcement authorities in Kansas (who were portrayed favorably in Capote's book) worked to keep it from seeing the light of day. It ended up in the hands of a lawyer in the Kansas attorney general's office, who passed it on to his son, and that's the person who allowed the Journal review it. Read the full story. (Read more In Cold Blood stories.)
Democratic lawmakers in California say they want to reduce the stigma surrounding HIV by changing the law. Under a bill championed by state Sen. Scott Weiner, it would no longer be a felony for a person with HIV to have unprotected sex without disclosing their status, the Los Angeles Times reports. "HIV-related stigma is one of our main obstacles to reducing and ultimately eliminating infections," Wiener said. When you criminalize HIV or stigmatize people who have HIV it encourages people not to get tested, to stay in the shadows, not to be open about their status, not to seek treatment." The bill would make not disclosing HIV status, which currently carries a penalty up to seven years in prison, a misdemeanour

Some 357 people were convicted of the crime in California between 1988 and 2014, almost all in cases involving prostitution, according to a study cited by the Times.Knowingly transmitting other diseases, including herpes and hepatitis, is a misdemeanour under California law. The bill's supporters say modern drugs mean HIV and AIDS are no longer a death sentence, or even easily transmissible through sex if someone is on the right medication. Republican state lawmakers oppose the change. "If I infect someone with a disease from which theyll never recover, and I do it purposefully, should I not be punished to the fullest extent of the law? I believe you should be," state Sen. Joel Anderson tells the Sacramento Bee. (Read more HIV stories.)
There's a new religion popping up around American universities, and if it takes root "our experiment in self-government is over," Andrew Sullivan writes for New York. The name of the "latest academic craze" is intersectionality. Sullivan describes it as the idea that social oppression isn't just against a race or sexual orientation or gender but against all of them at once in an "interlocking system of hierarchy and power." But, he argues, as put into practice by protesters at universities around the country, intersectionality is more like a fundamentalist religion. There's original sinbelonging to a group that has powerand a way to atone for that sinrecognizing that privilege and working to counteract it.

But also like fundamentalist religions, specifically old-time Puritanism, intersectionality "controls language," "enforces manners," and is "obsessed with upholding" its idea of virtue, Sullivan writes. Intersectionality has no use for debating facts with people who have differing viewpointsmainly that ideas can exist outside of the notion of white supremacybecause those people are seen as "immoral" heretics who must be banished. In fact, intersectionality has no use for facts, in general, when they don't uphold its ideology. Sullivan argues that this is why protesters shouting down campus speakers they don't agree with seem to be performing a ritualistic exorcism. He concludes that this raising of ideology above facts is dangerous to democracy no matter your politics. Read the full piece here. (Read more Andrew Sullivan stories.)
We now have an idea of what President Trump's "big, beautiful wall" is going to look like after US Customs and Border Protection released two requests for prototypes Friday night, ABC News reports. According to NPR, Customs and Border Protection is asking contractors to mock-up one of two types of walls: a solid concrete wall or a wall with a "see-through component." The government wants the wall be "physically imposing in height," ideally 30-feet tall (thought it would settle for 18). It must be impossible to climb without a ladder or tunnel underneath up to 6 feet below ground. It also must stand up to attacks from sledgehammers, pick axes, torches, and other tools for at least 30 minutes (though four hours would be better), according to CNN. The requests for prototypes also stipulate the wall must be "aesthetically pleasing," at least on the side that faces the US.

More than 400 companies have expressed interest in building Trump's wall. They're being asked to build 30-foot-long prototypes in San Diego for Customs and Border Protection to analyze. The deadline for proposals is March 29. While Trump has put the cost of the wall at $12 billion, a recent MIT study says it'll be closer to $38 billion. Trump's proposed budget includes $3.1 billion in funding for the wall. Regardless of the final cost, the wall is on track to be one of the biggest construction projects ever undertaken by the US government. (Read more border wall stories.)
A Pastor in Sierra Leone recently discovered the biggest uncut diamond. He turned over the diamond to the government of West Africa hoping that the diamond will help in the country's development.

According to a report, a 706 carat uncut diamond was found in Yakadu Village by Pastor Emmanuel Momoh. The diamond that has been discovered was presented to President Ernest Bai Koroma. The gem has been found in Sierra Leone's diamond-rich east.

It is indicated that the diamond that has been discovered is the second largest found in Sierra Leone. It can be recalled that a 968.9 carat diamond was found in Sierra Leone in 1972. It was sold for the amount of $2.5 million that time.

Pastor Momoh turned over the diamond to the government because he hopes for a development in their place. He shared that the government can do more with the gem especially in these times of economic development.

A report indicated that the government plans to auction the diamond and will get the four percent of the price. There is no specific amount on how much the gem will cost but it is believed to be tens of millions of dollars.

The gem is currently placed in a vault at the Freetown's central bank. The president also thanked the local chief who handed the diamond to the government on behalf of Momoh. The gem that has been kept in a vault will undergo an official valuation under the Kimberly Process.

Meanwhile, the diamond will have a transparent auction for the people to know and be aware of the cost. This is the 13th largest diamond ever found in the world. The price for the said diamond is hard to estimate as of the moment since it has been known that the price would depend on the quality and not the size of the gem.
The first fluorescent frog has recently been discovered by scientists in South America. The researchers at the Bernardino Rivadavia Natural Sciences of Buenos Aires discovered the frog accidentally.

According to a report, the researchers were trying to study a polka dot frog. They believed that the frogs they studied would give out a red glow because of the dots that are pigments of the skin. However, when a UVA flashlight was shone on these polka dot tree frogs, they saw that the frogs radiated a green or blue glow.

The discovery of the fluorescent frogs had been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The scientists indicated that there could be more of these fluorescent frogs that can be found.

A report indicated that the discovery of the fluorescent frog is a step forward in understanding amphibians. These fluorescent animals absorb light and will re-emit the light at a longer wavelength. It is indicated that this phenomenon has been discovered in other species but not with amphibians. This may be the first one that has been discovered.

As the researchers further studied the fluorescent frog, they discovered three molecules. These molecules are hyloin-L1, hyloin-L2, and hyloin-G2. These three molecules found in the frog are the components responsible for the glow.

Meanwhile, the scientists added that the molecules that have been found in the fluorescent frog contain a ring structure. It also has hydrocarbons that are known to be rare in known fluorescent molecules in animals.

It is indicated that these frogs may use the glow for communication. It may be used by frogs to attract a male. This could also be used by a male frog to communicate to other frogs about his location. This is specifically made for frog eyes.

There have to be more studies done for the fluorescent frog. However, as of this time, the researchers indicated that the glow is pleasing enough to the frog's eyes.
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New Delhi:

Entry of people to Lutyens' Delhi will be restricted from Sunday as Delhi Police has decided to impose prohibitory orders to prevent Jat community members from going ahead with their march to Parliament on Monday.



The Delhi Police has decided to impose prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 across the national capital and put a strict vigil in Lutyens' Delhi on Monday to prevent protesters.



The All India Jat Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti (AIJASS), which is spearheading the agitation demanding reservations in education and government jobs, has given a call for a march to the national capital to gherao Parliament and to hold dharnas on the Delhi border blocking all highways to press for its demands.



The Delhi Police advised students and those appearing in various entrance examinations to start before time so that they do not get stuck owing to heavy checking and blockades.

Read | Delhi braces for Jat agitation: Internet in Haryana shut down, NCR borders on lock down, Metro movement to be restricted



"Under no circumstances, any kind of dharna, violent protest will be allowed in Delhi. We have put adequate security and safety measures in place and tractor-trolleys will not be allowed to enter Delhi from border areas," said Dependra Pathak, chief spokesperson of Delhi Police and special commissioner of police (operations).



A three-tier security cover will be in place with 110 companies of external force assisting Delhi Police in maintaining vigil.



"All the checkings will be in place and there might be inconvenience for children and entrance exam aspirants. It is advised that those who are appearing for CBSE exams or for other entrance exams should keep a track of time," he said.



From 11pm on Sunday, entry to Lutyens' Delhi will be restricted and persons fulfilling certain criterion will only be allowed entry after proper verification and checking.

Read | Jat agitation: Metro stations outside Delhi to remain close from Sunday night, police issue advisory



Bona-fide residents, employees working in offices situated in Lutyens' Delhi, emergency vehicles, entrance exam candidates, ambulance, hearse van, fire brigade, school buses and those who have come to the area for some work will only be allowed entry after furnishing proof, said another officer.



"New Delhi will not be used as transit point for people going from north to south Delhi or vice-versa. Commuters wishing to travel from south Delhi to central Delhi are advised to use Ring Road," said Delhi Traffic Police in an advisory.



Roads like Kamal Ataturk Marg, Safdarjung Road, Kautilya Marg, Kautilaya T Point Near Bihar Bhawan, route from Teen Murti to Gole Methi roundabout and Zakir Hussain Road for the commuters coming from Nizamuddin to India Gate will be closed from 8pm onwards.



Other routes between Ring Road and San Martin Marg, Amrita Shergill from Lodhi Road, Max Mueller Mag from Lodhi Road, Arch Bishop Macarious from Lodhi Road and all lanes leading to Panchkuia road except Mandir Marg, RK Ashram Marg and Hospital Road will be closed from 11pm onwards.
New Delhi:

Sanjay Dutt's biopic, which stars Ranbir Kapoor in the lead, is hitting the headlines once again for another addition to its cast.

According to the media reports, the makers of Dutt's biopic has roped in Television actress Karishma Tanna to play a pivotal role in the movie.

The diva, who is known for her stint on popular comedy show 'Bigg Boss 8', will reportedly be seen romancing Ranbir Kapoor in Dutt's biopic.

The media reports suggest that Rajkumar Hirani has roped in Karishma to play one of the lead roles.

Also Read: Here's why Aamir Khan refused to do Sanjay Dutt's biopic

While the makers are yet to reveal the details of Tanna's role in Sanjay Dutt's biopic, speculations are rife that she will be essaying the role of Madhuri Dixit.

Reportedly, the ex-Bigg Boss contestant has even shot her three-day schedule in Mumbai.

Well, if these media reports turned out to be true, it will be a great opportunity for the actress, who was last seen in Life OK's 'Nagarjuna  Ek Yodhha'.

Talking about Sanjay Dutt's biopic, the makers have almost zeroed in the entire cast.

While Ranbir will essay the role of the Khalnayak actor, Paresh Rawal will be seen portraying veteran actor Sunil Dutt. Besides, the movie will also cast Dia Mirza as Manayata Dutt, Manisha Koirala as Nargis along with Sonam Kapoor and Anushka Sharma.

The team has shot the first schedule in Bhopal and is expected to release in December this year.

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Self-proclaimed nun Sofia Hayat, who recently surprised everyone with her hush-hush engagement, is now all set to tie the knot with her fiance in April.



The diva is marrying Romanian interior designer Vlad Stan next month and their wedding will be a combination of various cultures.

"We are getting married on the April 24 this year. Our ceremony is the blessing of all as one, Hindu, Muslim, Gnostic, Christian, Buddhist and Tibetan. The all, true divinity by an ancient Egyptian High Priestess who served me when I was Goddess Isis. We have already had our Islamic wedding," Sofia told a leading daily.

It's been just a couple of days when Hayat announced her engagement with an Instagram post, by posting picture of herself flaunting her engagement ring.

Also Read: Gaia Mother Sofia Hayat gets 'happily ENGAGED', gets candid about her fiance! (see pics)

While everyone has been wondering about who the man in her life is, Gaia Mother Sofia was quoted as saying, He is an Interior Designer from Romania. He is extremely creative and so talented. He has worked on palaces for His Majesty King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, HRH Queen Silvia of Sweden, HRH Prince William Duke of Cambridge, HRH The Sultan of Brunei, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Nasser bin Jassim Al Thani of Qatar etc.

In fact, she also introduced her fiance to her fans on Instagram in the most sensuous way possible, wherein she shared a hot picture of herself with Vlad.

Sofia captioned the image as "I love my beautiful fiance. Always and forever..infinitely across all dimensions. I surrender to you. You are my heart. You are perfect..you are love..you are me..we eat the same..think the same and love unconditionally...".

The soon-to-be bride also shared several romantic picture with her man where she also confessed her love for him.

You make me so happy! I cannot wait to be your wife. We will marry with the ALL. All religions all Gods..in one..we are the all..we are the 1. A post shared by Sofia Hayat. (Gaia Mother) (@sofiahayat) on Mar 16, 2017 at 1:49pm PDT

My beautiful baby face..I look at you with such love. I adore you x A post shared by Sofia Hayat. (Gaia Mother) (@sofiahayat) on Mar 16, 2017 at 3:07pm PDT

Interestingly, it has been a just a year when Sofia Hayat had announced about her decision to become a nun and denounce the glamorous world.

In fact, she even reportedly stated that she won't get married and will not have children.

Looks like Sofia Hayat has changed her mind all over again.

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Gurugram:

A Gurugram court on Saturday awarded life sentence to 13 former employees of Maruti-Suzuki India Limited, who it had found guilty of murder, in connection with the violence at the automobile giants Manesar plant in 2012 in which a senior company officer had died.

Additional district and session judge RP Goyal granted life sentence to the 13 men, who had been convicted for murder by it earlier.

Of the 18 other ex-workers, who had been convicted of various other offences like violence, rioting and attempt to murder, four have been given a sentence of 5 years.

Fourteen other convicts would be released after paying a fixed amount of Rs 2,500 as fine.

The court termed these 14 as undergone accused as they had already served a jail term of four and half years, which it felt was enough punishment.

The 13 persons who have been sentenced to life term are identified as Ram Mehar, who was the union president, Sandeep Dhillon, Ram Bilas, Sarabjeet Singh, Pawan Kumar, Sohan Kumar, Pradeep Kumar, Ajmer Singh, Jiya Lal, Amarjeet, Dhanraj Bhambi, Yogesh Kumar and Pradeep Gujjar.

During the proceedings today, the prosecution counsel Anurag Hooda sought death penalty for all the 13 murder convicted employees. Sessions judge R P Goyal, after taking into consideration all aspects, awarded life sentence to each of them.

Defense counsel, Rebbecca John however said she would approach the High Court against the decision.

Earlier, 31 workers had been convicted and 117 were acquitted by the court on March 10. Thirteen of the accused were held guilty of murder while the remaining 18 were convicted of violence, rioting and other offences.

Violence had erupted at the facility in August 2012 over disciplinary action against an employee during which agitated workers went on rampage, torching a part of the factory, setting senior human resource manager Awanish Kumar Dev on fire, and beating up and bludgeoning with rods 100 others.

Those wounded included some foreigners and policemen. The police had arrested 148 workers in connection with the murder.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Mumbai:

BJP chief Amit Shah on Friday said he will never accept the job of advising the Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi.

I will never accept this job, Shah said, when asked what would he do if he were asked to advise Rahul Gandhi after the Congress poor show in the recent elections.

Shah was speaking at an interactive session at the India Today Conclave in Mumbai on Friday night via video link.

Asked if he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had no reason to worry as long as the Congress was led by Rahul Gandhi, Shah said, We dont depend on our rivals weakness.

Also read: Amit Shah justifies BJPs move to form governments in Goa and Manipur, says we had maximum MLAs

To a question about his earlier stint as a stock broker, Shah said, I earned enough money then. (Paisa toh maine theek thak kamaya tha).

On his relationship with Modi, Shah said, My relationship with him is the same as it should be between a PM and (ruling) party president.

On the BJP and its bickering ally Shiv Sena contesting the recent civic polls separately, Shah said, It was a friendly match. It has ended. Our alliance has been there for a long time and will continue.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Imphal:

Two suspected ISIS agents have been nabbed by the Assam Rifles jawans from Imphal-Moreh highway near the Indo-Myanmar border in Tengnoupal district, the police said on Saturday.

The Assam Rifles troops apprehended the duo from the Khudengtabi post on March 14 while they were on their way to Moreh town and seized four mobile phones, besides 14 SIM cards including some international ones and some foreign currency from them, they said.

The duo, identified as Naina Mohammed, 56 and I Abubacker, 46, were handed over to the Moreh police by the Assam Rifles.

The investigation revealed the arrested duo came from Chennai by train and reached the border town of Moreh on March 11. They had visited Moreh in January too.

Mobile phones seized from their possession also revealed that they have contacts in UAE, Sri Lanka and Qatar.

The two suspected ISIS agents were produced before a court which has remanded them in police custody till March 22.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Jammu:

The BJP said that its high command will take the final decision on fielding candidates for the by polls to Srinagar and Anantnag Lok Sabha seats scheduled for April 9 and 12 respectively.

The final decision on the matter shall be taken by the party high command at Delhi, BJP National Vice-President and J&K In-charge, Avinash Rai Khanna said here.

Khanna, who was chairing a meeting of party leaders here, said during his visit to Srinagar, the feedback of the workers for partys participation in the forthcoming Parliament elections in two constituencies in Valley was sought.

The feedbacks will be discussed in core group and election committee, he said.

ALSO READ | Amit Shah justifies BJPs move to form governments in Goa and Manipur, says we had maximum MLAs

Khanna, who concluded the two-day long visit to Kashmir, said had told media persons in Srinagar yesterday that BJP will decide on fielding candidates for the bypolls to Srinagar and Anantnag Lok Sabha seats keeping in mind its aim to bolster the NDA government at the Centre.

We took the view of the party workers on the bypolls and we will discuss that within our team here. We will then convey to the central leadership on whether the Jammu and Kashmir unit wants to contest the polls or not. Whatever the central leadership decides, we will implement that decision, Khanna had told reporters.

Significantly, the PDP which is BJPs alliance partner in Jammu and Kashmir, has already fielded Mufti Tassaduq Hussain, brother of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti from Anantnag Lok Sabha seat while Nazir Ahmad Khan is its candidate from Srinagar Lok Sabha seat.

ALSO READ | BJP likely to announce UP CM candidate after partys legislature meeting today

Opposition NC and Congress have entered into a seat sharing agreement for the bypolls. NC has fielded its president Farooq Abdullah from Srinagar while state Congress chief G A Mir will contest from the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

After a week-long suspense, Bharatiya Janta Party has finally decided on its chief minister in political hotbed Uttar Pradesh According to sources, Gorakhpur MP Yogi Adityanath will be the next CM of the state and will take oath at 2:15 PM on Sunday.

Official confirmation was still awaited.

The suspense over the new chief minister of Uttar Pradesh ended at the BJP legislature party (BJPLP) meeting to be held in Lucknow on Saturday.

The declaration of a new leader, in the presence of Union minister Venkaiah Naidu and party general secretary Bhupendra Yadav, coincided with the partys victory day celebration on that day.

As it Happened:

#7:40 PM: Congratulate Yogi Adityanath, hope under him Uttar Pradesh will reach new heights of development: Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh

Supporters in Gorakhpur rejoice and burst crackers as the five time MP from Gorakhpur Yogi Adityanath becomes Uttar Pradesh CM designate pic.twitter.com/uE1dxJ0JRO  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 18, 2017

Andhra,Nagaland aurJ&K ke CMs se baat ki. BJP,NDA ke CMs ke kal aane ki sambhawna hai: V Naidu on oath taking ceremony of Yogi Adityanath pic.twitter.com/oPa1V2n5bz  ANI (@ANI_news) March 18, 2017

#7:30 PM: UP CM Designate Yogi Adityanath and the deputy CMs will address media tomorrow: Venkaiah Naidu,Union Minister

#7:25 PM: Apart from PM Modi and Amit Shah, CMs from other BJP-ruled states invited for oath taking ceremony

#7:20 PM: Oath taking will take place at 2:15 pm tomorrow in UP, PM Modi and Amit Shah to also remain present: Venkaiah Naidu,Union Minister

#7:10 PM: BJP's press conference in Lucknow, Yogi Adityanath to take oath as UP CM tomorrow, Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma deputy CMs

#7:10 PM: BJP Legislative Party press conference begins; It's official Yogi Adityanath to be next UP CM

#WATCH Yogi Adityanath chosen as Uttar Pradesh BJP legislature party leader pic.twitter.com/OPnuON4BTg  ANI (@ANI_news) March 18, 2017

Yogi Adityanath chosen as legislature party leader pic.twitter.com/qy3F7XNQdc  ANI (@ANI_news) March 18, 2017

#6:50PM : It's confirmed; BJP state president KP Maurya and Lucknow Mayor Dinesh Sharma to be deputy CMs

#6:45 PM: Suresh Khanna proposed the name of Yogi Adityanath on behalf of PM Modi , say sources

#6:45PM: Inside visuals confirm Yogi Adityanath chosen as next CM of Uttar Pradesh; two leaders likley appointed as deputy CMs as well; media address epxected in a few minutes

Read | How Yogi Adityanath became a mascot of BJP's Hindutva campaign in Uttar Pradesh

#6:10 PM: Yogi Adityanath will swear-in as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister at 2:15 PM on Sunday, March 19

#6:05 PM: BJP Legislative party names Yogi Adityanath as CM designate

Supporters of Yogi Adityanath shout 'Yogi,Yogi' outside Lok Bhawan (Lucknow) where BJP MLAs meeting is underway pic.twitter.com/cFlE3CQcAq  ANI (@ANI_news) March 18, 2017

Watch | BJP chooses Yogi Adityanath as next UP CM:





#6:00 PM: Slogans in favour of Yogi Adityanath being raised in MLA meet, his name for CM & Dinesh Sharma's name for Deputy CM being discussed: Sources (ANI)

#FLASH: BJP MLAs meeting starts in Lucknow (earlier visuals of MLAs arriving) pic.twitter.com/VCYGD5QlP1  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 18, 2017

#5:47 PM: Anupriya Patel also reaches BJP Legislative party meet

#5:45 PM: Venkiah Naidu and Lucknow Mayor Dinesh Sharma reach Lok Bhawan ahead of crucial meeting to decide new CM

#5:42 PM: UP Incharge Om Thakur also reach Lok Bhawan

#5:40 PM: Meanwhile Akhilesh Yadav reaches Lok Bhawan to welcome next state CM and hand over his official vehicle to him

#5:30 PM: Senior BJP leader including CM front runner Yogi Adityanath reach UP Lok Bhawan for BJP legislative party meet

#5:20PM: BJP Leaders Yogi Adityanath, Bhupendra Yadav, Om Mathur, KP Maurya & Sunil Bansal held a separate meeting, ahead of BJP MLAs meet

Read | BJP Govt's first order to UP officials: Come to office on Monday or face strict action

#5:10 PM: Anupriya Patel and Keshav Prasad Maurya meet Venkiah Naidu

#5:00 PM: Rumours strengthen for Yogi Adityanath as sources reveal Gorakhpur leader recently met Venkaih Naidu

#4:35 PM: D-Day for UP CM Post: Yogi Adityanath current front-runner; KP Maurya and Dinesh Sharma may become deputy CM

#4:20 PM: BJP Legislative party meet to begin in Lucknow shortly; Yogi Adityanath current front-runner; Manoj Sinha leaves for Delhi

#4.18pm

BJP MLAs arrive for the party's legislature meet in Lucknow- ANI

BJP MLAs arrive for the party's legislature meet in Lucknow pic.twitter.com/a6cXxJu86v  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 18, 2017

#12:58 PM

Na hi mera koi daava tha aur na hi main kisi race mein hoon: Manoj Sinha,Union Minister on next UP CM pic.twitter.com/nSeY85uE5s  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 18, 2017

#11:50 AM

Lucknow: Yogi Adityanath's supporters demonstrate demanding that Adityanath be made Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh pic.twitter.com/kDmVWpGfiT  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 18, 2017

Not in race for CM post.Legislature party and Parliamentary board decides.Section of media unnecessarily speculating:Manoj Sinha (file pic) pic.twitter.com/ftU0gtsmKV  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 18, 2017

#11:40 AM

Lucknow: UP BJP Chief Keshav Prasa Maurya's supporters stage demonstration demanding that Maurya be made the CM of UP pic.twitter.com/qwAR0WsJTl  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 18, 2017

#11:30 AM

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu arrives in Lucknow; will hold meeting with BJP MLAs later today

"The new Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh along with his Cabinet colleagues would take oath on March 19 at 5.00 PM at Kanshiram Smriti Upvan," Governor Ram Naik said in a statement in Lucknow.

Manoj Sinha, Rajnath Singh, Yogi Adityanath and Smriti Irani are among the probable candidates for BJPs Chief Ministerial position.

Also read: Who will be Uttar Pradesh's next chief minister? Suspense may end today; BJP changes swearing-in schedule

Manoj Sinha is an MP from Ghazipur and currently serving in the Modi government as Union telecom minister.

The last BJP chief minister that Uttar Pradesh had in 2002, Rajnath Singh may turn out to be a natural choice for CM's post.

Yogi Adityanath who is a firebrand leader with Hindutva leanings is also being touted as the chief ministerial candidate.

Smriti Irani took on Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha elections 2014. Despite she lost the election to Congress vice-president, but emerged as strong face within party.

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Raipur:

At least five naxals were killed while two armed personnel have been injured in an encounter with security forces in the worst Maoist violence-hit Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh on Saturday.



Officials said the encounter took place in the Burgam village of the said district when a joint squad of CRPF and District Reserve Group (DRG) of state police was out for operations.



"The encounter is still on. Five Maoists has been killed and their bodies are with the forces. An AK series assault rifle has also been recovered," a senior officer said.



Two DRG men have been injured and have now been evacuated, he added. The officer said the exact details of the operation will take time to emerge as the encounter spot is deep inside jungle area and cellular phone and wireless connectivity is extremely poor.



Reinforcement teams have been rushed in, the officer said. The 111 battalion of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is leading the operation, they said.

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Chandigarh:

Two days after taking over the reins of power in Punjab, the new Congress government under chief minister Amarinder Singh started work on the state's development agenda at its first cabinet meeting on Saturday, taking several key decisions.



The first cabinet meet of the new government adopted the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee manifesto as its work programme for the next five years, and took more than 100 important decisions aimed at fulfilling one-third of the electoral promises in the first phase, an official spokesperson said.



To meet some of the expenses involved in taking the work programme forward, the cabinet decided to recall the unutilised funds, amounting to thousands of crores of rupees, which had been granted by the previous SAD-BJP regime to various government departments in the run-up to the polls, he said.



The key decisions taken by the cabinet, attended by all the nine ministers of the newly-constituted government, include a major crackdown on the drug mafia and corruption, abolition of Inspector Raj and VIP culture, time-bound waiver of farm loans, constitution of various high-level committees to bring agriculture and industry on track, reforms in education and health, extension of various benefits to Dalits and other backwards and employment generation.

To ensure rule of law and speedy justice, a series of new legislations, as proposed in the manifesto, will be enacted at the earliest. This includes the vital Confiscation of Drug Dealers' Property Act. The concerned departments would prepare the necessary legislation for immediate enactment through an ordinance.

Thanking the people of Punjab for their emphatic mandate to the Congress in the recent assembly polls, the cabinet resolved that the administrative secretaries would be entrusted with the task of time-bound implementation of every single commitment in the manifesto relating to their respective departments.

It was also resolved that the government would pursue all legal and administrative measures on the SYL canal issue to protect the state's water.

During the meeting, which lasted over three hours, Amarinder directed his ministerial colleagues and the various departments of the government to get down to the task of implementing the manifesto promises in all earnestness, taking all necessary measures to ensure that there is no delay in taking the reforms and development process to the people.

Abolition of District Transport Officers (DTOs), as well as elimination of the "controversial halqa in-charge system" of the previous Akali government, are among other important decisions taken by the cabinet as part of the anti-corruption agenda of the government. "Immediate steps will be taken to abolish the VIP culture in the state in line with the promises made by the Congress in its manifesto," he said.

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New Delhi:

India and Mauritius on Saturday held talks on expanding bilateral defence and security cooperation to effectively deal with the threat of terrorism.



Ways to explore defence ties figured during talks between Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and his Mauritian counterpart Anerood Jugnauth.Ties between India and Mauritius are on an upswing in a range of areas including trade, defence and security.



India has close defence relations with Mauritius, particularly in the area of maritime security.



The Indian Navy has been closely engaged with the National Coast Guard of Mauritius to protect common interests in the Indian Ocean region.

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New Delhi:

National Capital is preparing to stop jat agitation before its Delhi borders, The Home Ministry has given orders to Delhi and its neighbouring states to stop the agitators before they reach the borders of the capital.



In an advisory, the Union Home Ministry told Delhi Police and governments of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to invoke CrPC 144 to stop Jat protesters, who threatened to stage protests in Delhi demanding reservations in jobs and education, from reaching the national capital, official sources said.



Arrest or detain the protesters much before they enter Delhi, disallow movement of buses carrying the protesters on highways and ban tractor trolley movement, the advisory said.



Akhil Bhartiya Jat Arakashan Sangharsh Samiti has threatened to gherao Parliament beginning March 20, to press for their demands.

Read | Jat stir: Central govt reviews security of Delhi, neighboring states



Top Home Ministry officials also reviewed the security situation in the national capital and neighbouring states in the wake of threat by the Jats.



Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi took stock of the law and order situation in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on Wednesday with senior police officials of the four states.



He instructed the officials to ensure peace and prevent attempts to disrupt normal life during the protests.

Read | Quota agitation: Jats from northern states threaten to block highways leading to Delhi on March 20



Samiti president Yashpal Malik had said the Jats riding their tractors and small vehicles, and carrying at least 10-day rations will march towards Delhi on the highways from the neighbouring states.Jats are demanding reservations in government jobs and educational institutions, besides withdrawing of criminal cases registered against several youths of the community, release of those lodged in jail, and compensation and government jobs to the next of kin of those killed in last years agitation.



Internet shut down in Haryana: (Read full stop here)

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC were imposed and internet services suspended in many sensitive districts of Haryana on Saturday in the wake of the Jat bodys plan to ghearo the Parliament on March 20.



The section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), prohibiting unlawful assembly, has been imposed in many sensitive districts, including Rohtak, Jhajjar, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri and Hisar, where internet services have also been suspended for indefinite period, official sources told PTI.



Restrictions have been imposed on the movement of tractor-trolleys from one district to another, they said, adding that the Army has been called in to manage the situation.



Metro services restriction to be in place from Sunday night (Read full story here)

Delhi Police has directed the DMRC authorities to shut all Metro stations outside Delhi from Sunday night till further orders.



The extraordinary measures, that are likely to throw life out of gear in the national capital, will be enforced in view of Jat groups threatening to intensify their agitation from Monday demanding quota in education and employment.



As directed by Delhi Police, services will not be available at Yellow line stations at Gurgaon, Blue Line stations at Noida and Violet Line stations at Faridabad.



According to an advisory issued by the Delhi Police, Metro services will remain shut on stations on Line-2 (Guru Dronacharya to Huda City Centre), Line-3 and 4 (Kaushambi to Vaishali and Noida Sector-15 to Noida City Center) and on Line-6 (Sarai to Escotrs Mujeswar) from 11.30pm on Sunday.

Read | Jat agitation: CBSE issues advisory for students ahead of Parliament gherao



The services at all these Metro stations will be resumed only after getting clearance from the Delhi Police a metro official said.



The advisory further says that some Metro stations in the central Delhi region will also remain closed from 8pm onwards.



Services at Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan, Lok Kalyan Marg, Janpath, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, RK Ashram Marg, Pragati Maidan, Khan Market, Shivaji Stadium will remain closed from 8pm onwards till further orders.

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Panaji:

Mounting attack on AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh, who is under fire for the blunder which blew the Congress chances to form government in Goa, former party legislator Vishwajit Rane on Friday said its time the veteran politician called it quits.

Digvijaya should now take retirement from politics. The kind of blunder he along with other Congress leaders did, cost the party its government (in Goa) despite having a majority, Rane told PTI, a day after he quit the party.

I dont know whether Digvijaya really wanted to form the Congress government in Goa. Looking at his actions, it did not seem like (he did), he said.

The 45-year-old Rane had defied the party whip during the crucial floor test in the Goa Assembly yesterday, jolting the Congress, which came one down from the 17 votes it had against the government, when he absented himself.

Rane, son of former Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane, alleged that the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting which was held in the party office after winning 17 seats in the Goa assembly polls was a mere joke.

The meetings continued for long and nothing was being decided. Entire day, media was outside the hotel and meetings continued. On the other hand, BJP held a video-conferencing with their leaders in Delhi and within no time, they cobbled up an alliance, he said.

When BJP and alliance partners gave the letter of support to Governor Mridula Sinha, the Congress woke up from its slumber and got into action, Rane added.

According to Rane, the Goa Forward Party had showed their intention to forge an alliance with Congress and form the government, if Digambar Kamat was elected as the CLP leader.

But the party took time to discuss on the proposal of GFP and lost out on the opportunity to form the government, he claimed.

The three-time MLA also said he would be re-contesting from Valpoi constituency and reiterated that he was open to all options and even fighting on a BJP ticket.

Once I am elected, I will tender my support to the Manohar Parrikar-led government. We cant sit in Opposition and let the constituency suffer. People have high expectations during the next five years, he said.

Rane also rubbished the rumours that his father would be quitting the Congress.

My father is not going anywhere. He is a loyal Congressman and he will be with them, he stressed.

The Manohar Parrikar government yesterday proved its majority on the floor of Goa Assembly by winning the trust vote with the support of 22 legislators in the 40-member House.

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New Delhi:

For its development, India needs a movement akin to the freedom movement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday.



"Similar to the freedom movement, we need a movement for development, where the collective aspirations propel the country's growth," Modi said, addressing a media conclave in Delhi via video link.



"We all should get involved in our dream of a new India, whose mantra will be 'opportunity for all' and an India of self-respect. "For several decades, we had embarked in wrong directions with wrong policies," Modi said.



"The decisions then were 'election-driven' or based on set notions of the officials, but this has changed now," he said. His government is not looking (at issues facing the country) with "tunnel vision" but with "total vision," said the Prime Minister.



Referring to India Today Editor-in-Chief Aroon Purie remark describing him as the "disruptor-in-chief," the PM said, "If there is a disruptor-in-chief, it is not Modi but the people of India who are entitled to this moniker."



On merits of the democracy, the Prime Minister said, "Bigger than the strength of the government is the people's power."



Dwelling on 'the fast pace of development work' after his government came to power, Modi said, "Our government made efforts to provide electricity to 12,000 villages which were without power for so many years even after the Independence." Work on village electrification is in progress in a transparent manner, Modi said.



"We brought changes to ensure that shopkeepers can keep shops open longer and this gives better economic opportunities to them," he said.



Modi also spoke of "the increased pace of work" in the railways and road sectors. "Next generation infrastructure is our focus area. We have deployed significant resources for railway and road sectors.



"By merging railway budget with the general budget we have ensured faster growth of not only the railways but the overall transport sector," he said. A roadmap has been prepared to make health-care accessible to everyone in the country, the PM said.



India is now among the top economies in the world, he said, citing India's ranking in the World Economic Forum. "Make in India' is our biggest initiative. India is today the world's sixth largest manufacturer," the Prime Minister said.



Speaking about his government's measures to do away with redundant laws and practices, Modi said, "Earlier the Union budget used to be presented at 5pm. This was because during the British rule it would be morning in London, the time when their Parliament began. But in Atal-ji's (Atal Bihari Vajpayee's) tenure this practise was changed.

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New Delhi:

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Saturday and congratulated him on the BJP's success in the recent assembly elections.



Sarkozy also congratulated the Prime Minister for the success of demonetisation exercise, the PMO said in a statement.



Modi congratulated Sarkozy on the publication and success of his latest book, 'Tout pour la France'. The two leaders discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest, the statement added.

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Shimla:

Bharat Stage-IV emission norms has been made mandatory by the Himachal government and only BS-IV compliant four-wheelers would be allowed registration in the state from April 1 onwards, a minister said on Friday.

The Mass Emission Standard for Bharat Stage-IV has been made mandatory in Himachal and only those new four wheelers which are compliant with the BS-IV standards, will beregistered and allowed to ply on roads in Himachal from April1, 2017, Transport Minister G S Bali said.

Bali said that this will prove as a milestone in checking the pollution and further reduce carbon emissions which were much less in BS IV fuel compared to BS-III fuel.

As of now, sufficient stock of BS-IV compliant petroleum fuel was available in the State. Bali said that after the amendment of Rule 115 of Centre Motor Vehicle Rules 1989, Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had issued a notification on August 19, 2015 making Mass Emission Standard Bharat Stage IV as mandatory in most of the states including Himachal Pradesh and districts of some states.

As per this notification, the four wheeled vehicles manufactured on or after the October 1, 2015 shall comply with BS-IV emission norms but this shall not be applicable to four-wheeled transport vehicle plying on interstate permit or national permit or all India tourist permit.

Bali said people should purchase only BS-IV vehicles, ashenceforth only such vehicles will be registered in the state. Any influence of the dealers/manufactured four wheeled vehicles, who insists to purchase BS-III vehicles, should be strictly avoided.

He said it is a major step towards making the statepollution free as envisaged by the National Green Tribunal through its various judgments. Bali also announced release of Rs 19.26 crore for paymentof pension to 4922 retired HRTC employees for the months of December 2016 and January 2017 and said that pension for remaining months would also be released soon.

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New Delhi:

An Indian delegation will on Sunday leave for Pakistan to take part in the meeting of Permanent Indus Commission (PIC), beginning March 20 in Islamabad.



The 10-member delegation, which will take part in the two-day meeting, comprises Indias Indus Water Commissioner PK Saxena, MEA officials and technical experts.



Government sources said India is open to discuss concerns Pakistan has over its projects under Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) bilaterally.



They, however, reaffirmed that there will be no compromise on India exploiting its due rights under the 57-year-old pact.

Read | Pakistan wants peaceful resolution of all issues with India: Foreign Office





The treaty mandates that the meeting be held at least once in a fiscal. Accordingly, the parleys will be held, a senior official said.The meeting will take place nearly six months after India decided to suspend talks on the pact in the wake of the Uri terror attack by Pakistan-based outfits.India has already downplayed its participation in the meeting, saying it does not amount to resumption of government-level India-Pakistan talks.Declaring that blood and water cannot flow together, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had held a meeting in September to review the treaty in the backdrop of the terror strikes, including the Uri attack.After the meeting, officials had announced the governments decision to suspend further talks and increase the utilisation of rivers flowing through Jammu and Kashmir to fully exercise Indias rights under the pact.The PIC had last met in May 2015 in New Delhi.

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New Delhi:

A mass casual leave by around 5,000 nurses at AIIMS on Friday had a crippling effect on services offered to the patients as the emergency unit remained shut, while nearly 90 surgeries were postponed.

Several patients were forced to visit other hospitals in wake of the nurses strike, even as the AIIMS authorities likened the protest to blackmailing and arm-twisting of administration at the cost of poor patients.

The nurses union at the premier hospital have been demanding higher pay than that recommended by the 7th Central Pay Commission.

They have also threatened to go on an indefinite strike from March 27 if their demands for revision of pay scales and a hike in allowances are not met, even as AIIMS officials said they have forwarded their demands to the Health Ministry.

Also read: After backlash AIIMS closes its counter exclusively set for treatment of VIPs

Majority of the patients approaching the AIIMS and trauma centre for emergency treatment on Friday were forced to go to the nearby Safdarjung hospital and others hospitals.

The security guards deployed at the entrance of AIIMS turned away patients from the emergency department, which treats around 2,000 patients daily.

Those patients and their kin who managed to get inside during the early hours of the day had to spend hours waiting for doctors to see them.

A 70-year-old Raani Bai, who suffers from kidney disease and had come all the way from Patna to be treated at AIIMS, said she had to wait for almost three hours before being forced to go to Safdarjung.

We waited thinking the services would resume but then we were forced to go take our mother to Safdarjung as her condition was worsening, said Bais son.

Several other patients who came from across the country were at the receiving end as they were unaware of the strike call.

AIIMS administration said they have forwarded the demands of the nurses to the Health Ministry and requested it to convene a meeting with the Ministry of Finance to resolve the matter.

Also read: JNU scholar's death | Muthukrishnan died due to hanging, no injury marks on body: AIIMS doctors

The AIIMS administration has already revised the pay scales for all its employees including the nurses as per the recommendations of the 7th CPC.

The administration has also agreed to the other demands of the Nurses Union including the change of nomenclature from staff nurse to nursing officer as well as their demands for study leave.

The demands for other allowances at the autonomous institutions like AIIMS is already under consideration of an empowered committee of the central government which is yet to give its recommendations, AIIMS acting Director Dr Balram Airan said.

Airan further said the current agitation by the nurses was completely unjustified.

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Lahore:

Pakistan on Saturday conveyed to India that it was seriously pursuing with its law enforcement agencies the case of two missing Indian clerics, an issue External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said has been taken up with the Pakistani government.

Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told PTI in Islamabad that, no clue to the missing Indian priests has been found so far but Pakistan was pro-actively pursuing the case.

In a series of tweets, Swaraj said both Syed Asif Nizami and his nephew Nazim Nizami went missing after they landed at the Karachi airport and Pakistan government has been requested for an update on both the Indian nationals.

We have taken up this matter with Government of Pakistan and requested them for an update on both the Indian nationals in Pakistan. Both are missing after they landed in Karachi airport, tweeted Swaraj.

ALSO READ | Pakistan clueless about two missing Indian clerics, MEA expresses concern

80-year-old Syed Asif Nizami is the head priest (Sajjadanashin) of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah. Official sources in New Delhi said Pakistan has conveyed that it was seriously pursuing the case with its law enforcement agencies.

Indian nationals Syed Asif Nizami aged 80 years and his nephew Nazim Ali Nizami had gone to Pakistan on March 8, 2017, Swaraj said.

Zakaria also said, We have asked all departments concerned to look into the matter, noting that the Foreign Office had received the request of the Indian government to trace the two clerics.

Exchanges between clerics of the Nizamuddin Dargah and the Daata Darbar are part of a regular tradition.

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New Delhi:

In all certainties, Yogi Adityanath, a five-time MP, can't be termed as an overnight sensation in Uttar Pradesh politics. The fiery Hindutva mascot has been in active politics since 1998 and enjoys an unprecedented following not only in Gorakhpur, but across the state.

Clad in his trademark saffron-coloured robe, Aditayanth has been seeking greater power and is expected to give a push to BJP's Hindutva-wrapped agenda of development with the emergence of a separate powerbase for the party in eastern UP.

Initially, Adityanath was not being considered as the front-runner in the race for chief minister's post. But his political supporters and religious followers were praying day and night for his elevation as UP CM soon after the BJP stormed to power with a thumping mandate.

Read | How Uttar Pradesh CM-designate Yogi Adityanath became mascot of BJP's Hindutva campaign

The staunch followers of the priest-turned-politician prayed for the divine intervention for his success.

They organised havans, offered special prayers that he be made state chief minister even when he himself never showed his eagerness to hold the coveted post.

They also held a protest demonstration to press for their demand that the Yogi should be made the CM candidate in the assembly elections.



His supporters believe that Adityanath, who is a strong votary of construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, drove BJP's Hindutva campaign single-handedly in eastern UP.

Adityanath has rebelled against his party on several occasions, but because of the sway he holds over the 'Hindu' voters, the BJP apparently could not ignore his 'leadership qualities.'

(With inputs from PTI)

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Mumbai:

Days after terming the protectionist bent of the Donald Trump regime as a blessing in disguise, Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani on Saturday said its high time we promoted reverse brain-drain or brain gain wherein our brightest talent come back and serve the homeland.



Its high time that our brightest and the best work for the benefit of India and Indians, Ambani said. When asked whether he sees a reverse brain-drain, he quipped without doubt.



By whatever fate they are brought back to this country, they can help improve the lives of 1.3 billion citizens and put together a new developmental model...there cannot be a better blessing in disguise than that, Ambani told the India Today conclave in Mumbai.



He said of late RIL is getting many Indians who have held leadership roles in other countries in the past. RIL is getting at least two-three such talent every month, he said.



We have more talent knocking at our doors because at the end of the day, har ek ka dil hain Hindustani. People want to do things for India, he said.



Addressing the annual Nasscom summit here last month, Ambani had said the Trump administrations protectionist policies like limiting the number of H1B visas, could prove to be a blessing in disguise for the country.



Trump can actually be a blessing in disguise. Our IT industry can focus on solving the problems right here, which is a huge market, he had said in a stance which was seen as contrary to the prevailing atmosphere of paranoia and fear about the future.



Ambani on Saturday said we are fortunate to be an open market with a leader who understands technology. He recalled how Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent an entire dinner meeting with the last American president Barack Obama discussing how technology could resolve many of the problems the world is seeped in.



The recent note-ban exercise will lead to greater proliferation of digitalisation and take the country from a cash-based economy to a cash optimal one, he said.



He also said we should aim to be the largest economy when we celebrate the first century of our Independence in 2047, with a GDP of over USD 40 trillion from the current USD 2 trillion plus.



Ambani said execution is the key challenge and added that technology will help us overcome the bureaucratic obstacles.

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Dehradun:

Appointing Trivendra Singh Rawat as the new Uttarakhand Chief Minister after his election as the BJPs Legislature Party leader, Governor K K Paul extended an invitation to him to form the new government.

Under powers vested in the Governor under Article 164 (1) of the Constitution, the Governor appointed the just elected Leader of BJP Legislature Party Trivendra Singh Rawat as the Chief Minister and invited him to form the new government, a Raj Bhawan release here said.

ALSO READ | Uttarakhand CM-designate Trivendra Singh Rawat: An RSS 'pracharak' who struck it rich in politics

Trivendra Singh Rawat will be sworn-in tomorrow by the Governor as the new chief minister along with his council of ministers at the Parade Ground here in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, besides a host of national and state party leaders.

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New Delhi:

The two missing clerics of Delhis Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, including the 80-year-old head priest Syed Asif Nizami, are said to be found in Pakistan.

Missing Indian clerics are presently in custody of Pakistans intelligence agencies, say sources.

Earlier on Friday, Pakistan said that it has no clue so far about the two missing Indian clerics.

"No clue to the missing Indian priests has been found so far. However, we are pro-actively pursuing this case," foreign office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told PTI. "We have asked all departments concerned to look into the matter," he said, adding the foreign office had on Thursday received the request of the Indian government to trace the two missing clerics.

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said on Friday the Indian government has taken up the matter with Pakistan.

"We have taken up this matter with government of Pakistan and requested them for an update on both the Indian nationals in Pakistan. Both are missing after they landed in Karachi airport," Swaraj tweeted.

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New Delhi:

Firebrand BJP leader and seer Yogi Adityanath received a huge reward on Saturday for his hard work done during the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections after the BJP anointed him as the legislative party leader.

The five-time MP with Hindutva leanings was already being touted as a front-runner for the coveted CM post of the politically-prized state.

BJP's emphatic victory too suggested that the party may go with the popular sentiments and Yogi's name emerged as the crowd favourite during the legislative party meeting.

And it is fair to say that the Lok Sabha member from Gorakhpur has gradually become the mascot of the party's Hindutva-wrapped agenda of development.

Read | Yogi Adityanath meets UP Guv to stake claim at UP Govt; to be sworn in as CM at 2:15 PM on Sunday

When the BJP won 71 of the UP's 80 Lok Sabha seats, Adityanath emerged as its star campaigner.

Soon, Adityanath became the main campaigners against "Love Jihad" - a term given by rightwing outfits to describe what they believe was an Islamist strategy to seduce and convert Hindu women. Adityanath is also accused of delivering incendiary speeches in Uttar Pradesh.

Read | Suspense over: Yogi Adityanath to be next UP CM, KP Maurya and Dinesh Sharma confirmed as deputy CMs

Political career

Adityanath began his political career from UP's Purvanchal region in 1998. The seer, whose real name is Ajay Bisht, hails from Uttarakhand's Yamkeshwar town in Pauri Garhwal district. Yogi had completed BSc from the Garhwal University and soon after the graduation, he received 'diksha' from the head priest of Gorakhnath temple Mahant Avaidyanath.

Avaidyanath announced his retirement from active politics in 1998 and proposed Adityanath's name as his heir. In the same year, he became the youngest member to be elected to the 12th Lok Sabha at 26 years' age.

Read | The cult of Yogi Adityanath: When supporters sought divine intervention for seer's success



To assert his Hindutva leanings in the state politics, Adityanath also formed Hindu Yuva Vahini in 2002. The group has a strong presence in the eastern UP.

The priest-turned-politician is known for his provocative speeches and mass following across the state and never shies away from making controversial remarks, be it about Islam or Pakistan.

Clad in his trademark saffron-coloured robe, Aditayanth has been seeking greater power and is expected to give a push to BJP's Hindutva-wrapped agenda of development with the emergence of a separate powerbase for the party in eastern UP.

The diminutive shaven headed politician is known for his powerful oratory, though most of his speeches hinge on divisive lines and has been in the forefront in keeping the communal politics alive in the country.



Adityanath, who is a strong votary of construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, has rebelled against his party on several occasions, but because of the sway he holds over the 'Hindu' voters, the BJP apparently could not ignore his 'leadership qualities.'

Controversies

Right from comparing Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan to Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed during the intolerance debate in 2015 to asking people to leave India if they don't practice Surya Namaskar in 2015, the Yogi has been at the centre of several controversies.



Playing the religious card during the pre-poll campaign, the firebrand leader had said that controversial issues like 'love jihad' and 'Kairana Hindu' exodus have always been on his party's agenda. He had also said that the hurdles on the path of construction of a grand Ram temple will be gradually removed and its construction will soon start in Ayodhya.

Read | Keshav Prasad Maurya: The deputy CM rewarded for BJP win in UP

In 2005, Adityanath also allegedly led a purification drive which involved the conversion of Christians to Hinduism. In one such instance, 1,800 Christians were reportedly converted to Hinduism in the town of Etah in UP.

Important positions held by Yogi Adityanath

1998: Youngest member to be elected to the 12th Lok Sabha at 26 years' age

1998-99: Member of Committee on Food, Civil Supplies, Public Distribution and its Sub-Committee-B on Department of Sugar and Edible Oils; Member of Consultative Committee, Ministry of Home Affairs

1999: Re-elected to 13th Lok Sabha (2nd term) 1999-2000: Member, Committee on Food, Civil Supplies and Public Distribution; Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Home Affairs

2004: Re-elected to 14th Lok Sabha (3rd term) Member, Committee on Government Assurances; Member, Committee on External Affairs; Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Home Affairs

2009: Re-elected to 15th Lok Sabha (4th term); Member, Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture

2014: Re-elected to the 16th Lok Sabha (5th term) from Gorakhpur constituency (*Source- elections.in)

(With inputs from PTI)

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Washington:

US President Donald Trump on Saturday welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the White House for talks expected to focus on their differences over NATO, Russia, global trade and a host of other issues.

The two leaders shook hands and smiled for the cameras before entering the West Wing. Although after the meeting concluded, Merkel asked Trump for a handshake to which Trump remained mum and denied it with his silence.

The Oval Office meeting had been scheduled for Tuesday before a major snowstorm in the eastern United States forced a postponement.

During the meeting, President Trump dismissed the notion that he was an isolationist in his policies, as he asserted that Germany and the US must work together towards fair and reciprocal trade policies.

My administration is in the process of rebuilding the American industrial base. A stronger America is in the interest, believe me, of the world as a whole, Trump told reporters at a joint news conference with the visiting German Chancellor Merkel.

Also read: Trump proposes USD 1.1 trillion budget, massive increase in defence spending, cut in foreign aid

Germany and the United States, he said, must work together towards fair and reciprocal trade policies that benefit people of both the countries.

Millions of hard-working US citizens have been left behind by international commerce, and together, we can shape a future where all of our citizens have a path to financial security. The United States will respect historic institutions and we will also recognise the right of free people to manage their own destiny, Trump said.

On immigration, another issue dividing Merkel and the new US president, Trump said immigration was a privilege and not a right.

Responding to a question, Trump refuted the impression that he is an isolationist.

I dont believe in an isolationist policy. But I also believe a policy of trade should be a fair policy. The United States has been treated very, very unfairly by many countries over the years. Thats going to stop. But Im not an isolationist, he said.

Im a free trader, but Im also a fair trader. Our free trade has led to a lot of bad things happening. You look at the deficits that we have, and you look at all of the accumulation of debt. Were a very powerful country. Were a very strong country, said the US President.

The two leaders addressed a joint press conference after their meeting at the Oval Officethe first between them.

Trump agreed to attend the G-20 Summit in Germany later this year, Merkel said. The two leaders were to discuss the economic issues over lunch after the briefing.

Were going to talk at some length over lunch about the issues. We say trade has to be rendered fairer. There has to be a win-win situation. We can talk about the details of that, Merkel said.

Also read: Angela Merkel condemns immigration ban imposed by Trump

Weve already seen today when we had an exchange with our CEOs and also with our apprentices what sort of potential we can tap, what sort of potential our two economies have, Merkel said.

Its very moving to see, particularly meeting with these young people, what sort of work towards the future is being done by our companies there, she said, adding that the two countries would continue their cooperation on a number of issues.

Merkel said she had a very good first exchange of views with Trump and was looking forward to the talks over lunch.

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Lahore:

An Ethiopian Airlines plane on Saturday made an emergency landing in Lahore when a Chinese man attacked his co-passengers on board and injured them.

Upon landing at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, the crew called in officials from the Chinese Consulate and handed over the passenger.

The crew described the passenger to be mentally deranged.

The Boeing 777 carrying more than 300 passengers was heading to Beijing from Addis Ababa when a Chinese passenger had a brawl with more than five passengers. He and a couple of other passengers also suffered minor injuries, an official of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) told PTI.

He said the Chinese passenger got out of control after he had an argument with a passenger sitting next to him.

He got violent and started punching the fellow passenger. Those tried to intervene he also lashed them, he said.

The official said as the crew failed to handle the mentally deranged Chinese passenger, the pilot contacted the CAA authorities and requested for emergency landing.

Upon emergency landing at Lahore, the Airport Security Force officials took unruly passenger into custody. A couple of passengers with minor injury were also provided with medical aid at the airport, he said.

The official further said the Chinese Consulate officials were called in and the Chinese passenger was handed over to them for further investigation.

The plane left for its destination after a four-hour halt.

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Washington:

US President Donald Trump on Friday dismissed the notion that he was an isolationist in his policies, asserting that he believes in free but fair trade and a stronger America was in the interest of the world.

My administration is in the process of rebuilding the American industrial base. A stronger America is in the interest, believe me, of the world as a whole, Trump told reporters at a joint news conference with the visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Germany and the United States, he said, must work together towards fair and reciprocal trade policies that benefit people of both the countries.

Millions of hard-working US citizens have been left behind by international commerce, and together, we can shape a future where all of our citizens have a path to financial security. The United States will respect historic institutions and we will also recognize the right of free people to manage their own destiny, Trump said.

He rejected a description of his policies as isolationist.

Im a free trader but also a fair trader, he said.

On immigration, another issue dividing Merkel and the new US president, Trump said immigration was a privilege and not a right.

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WASHINGTON  Serving low-income patients in Fairfield County has always been a juggling act for area hospitals, but administrators say the GOP replacement for Obamacare now working its way through the House would cost them millions that theyd have little chance of recovering.

Insolvency is not an option, Bill Jennings, CEO of Bridgeport Hospital, said last week. Were going to just have to figure this out.

Right off the bat, Bridgeports major safety-net hospital could lose $19 million annually starting in 2020 just from the Republicans rewrite of the Medicaid formula, Jennings said.

And if predictions of up to 15 million losing insurance under Trumpcare prove to be accurate, the number of patients in need of free care could be staggering. With 20,000 inpatients and 93,000 emergency room visits annually, the hospital already provides $19 million in charity care and chases $37 million in bad debts  all on annual revenues in the $500 million range.

Jennings said Obamacare reduced Bridgeport Hospitals free-care bill from $22 million in 2014 to $17 million in 2015 before that total ticked back up to $19 million in 2016.

Opposition on both sides

With a major push from President Donald Trump, Republicans on Capitol Hill are characterizing their American Can Health Care Act as the antidote to the imploding Affordable Care Act, Presidents Obamas signature 2010 health care law that came to be known as Obamacare.

On Friday, the president said the House bill would cut taxes, end the Obamacare mandate that forces Americans to buy government-approved plans, and give states flexibility over how Medicaid dollars are spent.

The plan has met strong resistance on Capitol Hill not only from Democrats and moderate Republicans, but from conservatives who call it Obamacare Lite.

National organizations representing hospitals, doctors and nurses have condemned the Republican bill for the potential harm it would cause to vulnerable patient populations, as the American Medical Association put it in a letter to Congress.

As a state that embraced Obamacare and was one of 31 to expand Medicaid, Connecticut may end up facing a relatively greater financial burden than those that didnt.

Under Obamacare, Medicaid was expanded to cover those just over the poverty line, and tax credits were aimed at the next income strata up. But because insurance companies faced a surge of sicker-than-expected new policyholders, they withdrew from markets or raised premiums and deductibles, making plans unaffordable for individuals and families with income too high to warrant any subsidy at all.

Potential ER flood

The Republican plan attempts to remedy that by basing tax credits on age, not income  on the theory that people need more health care as they grow older. But the new matrix appears to help people further up the income scale at the expense of those lower down.

According to an interactive comparison put online by the non-partisan Kaiser Family Foundation, a 60-year-old earning $75,000 annually gets nothing from Obamacare, but receives a $4,000 credit under the Republican plan. A 60-year-old earning $30,000 gets a $12,440 credit from Obamacare, but would only get $4,000 in 2020 under the GOP plan  a 68-percent drop.

These are factors that keep Steven Rosenberg, CFO for the Western CT Health Network, up at night.

I think a lot of people who gained insurance are going to end up losing it, and thats the tragedy of the whole thing, said Rosenberg, whose network runs the hospitals in Danbury, Norwalk and New Milford.

Whether its 10 million or 20 million who lose insurance, its going to be a big number, he said. For our hospitals, what it means is a lot more free care. And when people show up at the ER (because they lacked insurance and didnt get preventive care), the health of the population will suffer.

With a patient load of 193,000, Rosenberg said the systems free care amounts to $20 million  a significant chunk out of its revenues of $1.2 billion.

For the hospital execs, however, its not just about their bottom lines.

What were talking about here is the most vulnerable people in some of the most vulnerable communities, said Jennings of Bridgeport Hospital, which is part of Yale New Haven Health. I dont want the problems of health care in America to be corrected on their backs.

dan@hearstdc.com
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RIDGEFIELD  The device has been used for stem cell research, building airplanes and even in zero-gravity by NASA astronauts. But these days, all residents need to do to use a 3-D printer is go to their local library.

In Ridgefield, library cardholders can reserve free time with the 3-D printer after completing a 90-minute orientation. Several residents joined Dorothy Pawlowski, head of adult services, on Saturday morning for the latest orientation. Orientations are offered once or twice a month.

The addition of 3-D printers to libraries across Connecticut is part of the growing makerspace trend, in which public libraries set aside part of the building for a collaborative workspace for art, technology or community service projects.

Pawlowski said the printer is just one way libraries are trying to stay relevant.

Libraries are always trying to make themselves relevant and meet their communitys needs, she said. Especially for children. This printer is the kind of technology they will be using later in life.

The Ridgefield library does not have a designated makerspace, but uses various areas of the library for makerspace programs. Pawlowski said a summer 3-D printing class is just one of many the library offers as part of its STEAM program (Science, Technology, Enginering, Arts and Design and Mathematics). For adults, she also has run classes in felting, sewing, CAD programming and adult coloring.

The programs have expanded since the library moved to its new location in 2014, Pawlowski said. In the spring of that year, the library director used community outreach to begin developing maker activities that would fit the needs of residents and purchased the 3-D printer.

Dawn LaValle, director of the division of library development for the state library, said the size and type of makerspaces vary across the state depending on the librarys size, funding and capacity for programs. In all forms, though, the main idea is to bring the community together, she said.

The idea of a makerspace is almost like community collaboration at the highest level, LaValle said. They help bring people together for cross-generational learning, whether that be for economic development, community service or something else.

Some of the largest makerspaces in the state are in Wallingford and Westports libraries, she said. Newtowns Cyrenius H. Booth Library Central Library, she said, is a good example of using makerspaces for service opportunities.

The Newtown Library, which has two 3-D printers, is planning a maker program next month that will use 3-D printing to develop prosthetic limbs to donate to charities in the United States and overseas. Andy Forfyth, the head of the library reference department, said the library staff hopes the program will be the first of many that reimagine the makerspace.

We were inspired to take another look at the makerspace and think of a way to use it that would bring meaning, she said. This project will be a pilot for using a makerspace for projects that do something social, but the production would be something that would have use for someone else.

In Danbury, the library is working toward creating a makerspace. Right now, the library uses the 3-D printer at the Danbury Hackerspace and occasionally creates pop-up makerspaces in the library for specific projects.

Technology Program Coordinator Aurelio Muraca said the hope is to get funding in the next few years to create a dedicated makerspace. He said it could be used to boost the librarys existing summer job program that allows high school students to get paid while working on STEAM makerspace projects.

In Ridgefield Saturday, Pawlowski showed attendees how the printer had been used to make a human heart model for a teacher, a model house for an architect, figurines for kids and even the earrings she wore at the orientation. Residents left discussing ideas for using the printer to fix items in their homes or help their children make school project dioramas.

Kate Sheehan, head of technology services at the Newtown Library, said this all-age applicability is her favorite part of the library makerspaces.

Its just an amazing process to watch, she said. Kids and adults can learn together and just make things. Watching people use their creativity to make things and express themselves is really lovely.

aquinn@newstimes.com; @QuinnNewsTimes
2016-3-4-ss-StPatsParade_54.JPG

A cup is filled with beer on March 12, 2016, during the annual Syracuse St. Patrick's Day Parade on South Salina Street in Syracuse. The New York State Police are cracking down on impaired driving on St. Patrick's Day 2017.

Are you planning to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a few pints of beer?

The New York State Police have a warning: If you plan on drinking and driving, we will be waiting for you.

Keeping with tradition, troopers will team up with police across the state to crack down this week on impaired driving, Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office announced in a news release. Due to the high number of drunken drivers who get behind the wheel, St. Patrick's Day is historically one of the deadliest holidays, officials said.

Sobriety checkpoints and DWI patrols will be organized across the state through the end of the week, officials said. Investigators will also work to curb underage drinking and alcohol sales to minors.

During the 2016 edition of the annual St. Patrick's Day crackdown, troopers charged 257 people with DWI, officials said.
X-energy yesterday announced the start of work on the conceptual design of its Xe-100 high temperature gas-cooled pebble bed modular reactor, following a review of the companys readiness by an external panel of industry experts.

Maryland-based Xenergys has a panel of industry experts from Southern Nuclear, Burns and McDonnell and Technology Insights. The conceptual design readiness review validated the baseline design parameters, preparatory documentation, analysis tools, scope of the proposed conceptual design phase (including all planned deliverables), management processes and overall team readiness to proceed to the next phase of reactor development.

X-energy plans to deploy the Xe-100 within 10 years, and CEO Kam Ghaffarian said moving the reactor into conceptual design put the company well on the way towards its goal. A successful conceptual design phase requires thorough planning, a mature technical baseline, and a workforce committed to creating a safe, deployable design. I and our external review panel confirmed our readiness on March 8, he said.

US research into high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) began in the 1940s at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and X-energys reactor design builds on earlier Department of Energy (DOE) studies. Demonstration HTGR plants of various designs have operated in Germany, the UK and the USA, and two are currently operable  Japans HTTR, and Chinas Chinas HTR-10.

The Xe-100 is a 200 MWt (75 MWe) reactor, which X-energy envisages being built as a standard four-pack plant generating about 300 MWe. The plant will use pebbles of fuel containing Triso (tristructural-isotropic) fuel particles. Each Triso particle has a kernel of uranium oxycarbide (uranium dioxide) enriched to 10% uranium-235, encased in carbon and ceramic layers. About 25,000 Triso particles, each about 0.4 millimetres in diameter, are embedded in graphite to produce spherical fuel pebbles. About 17,000 pebbles will be used in each reactor.

Triso fuels carbon and ceramic layers prevent the release of radioactivity, providing each particle with its own independent containment system, while the graphite surrounding the particles moderates the nuclear reaction. Such fuel cannot melt down and X-energy describes the reactor as walk-away safe in the event of a loss of coolant.

All of the plants components will be road-transportable, streamlining construction by enabling the plant to be installed, rather than constructed, at the project site.

In January, X-energy was awarded cost-shared funding of $53 million over five years from the DOE to support the development of the Xe-100, working in partnership with BWX Technology, Oregon State University, Teledyne-Brown Engineering, SGL Group, Idaho National Laboratory and ORNL. At the same time, the DOE selected Southern Company Services, a subsidiary of Southern Company, to receive similar funding to develop its Molten Chloride Fast Reactor in partnership with TerraPower, Electric Power Research Institute, Vanderbilt University, and ORNL. In August last year, X-energy and Southern Nuclear Operating Company signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on development and commercialisation of their respective advanced reactor designs.
Chelsea's march towards the Premier League title continued as they extended their lead to 13 points thanks to Gary Cahill's 87th-minute winner at Stoke.They had a tough assignment in the Potteries, made all the more difficult due to Eden Hazard's absence through injury, but Cahill, who had earlier given away a penalty, smashed in late on in a 2-1 victory at a venue where a November loss last season had seen the Blues slip to 16th.Willian had given them the lead here with a free-kick only for the Potters to draw level through Jonathan Walters' penalty in a fiery contest that featured Diego Costa as its chief antagonist, though it was Phil Bardsley who saw red in stoppage time.Costa had looked to be in one of those moods from the start as he clashed with Ryan Shawcross, Geoff Cameron and Bruno Martins Indi and got short shrift from referee Anthony Taylor each time.The man in the middle was rightly interested when Marcos Alonso was bundled over by Marko Arnautovic around five yards from the right-hand side of the box.It looked like the perfect opportunity to deliver a cross, but Willian had other ideas and whipped his free-kick around the two-man wall and past Lee Grant, who should have done better than to just help the shot on its way in.Not even that could improve Costa's demeanour, though. He threw himself to the ground once more and popped up to rant at Taylor when he did not get a free-kick, earning a caution for dissent in the process.Already Antonio Conte seemed sufficiently concerned about his striker's mental state as he sent Michy Batshuayi out to warm up.Grant prevented it from becoming 2-0 by parrying Alonso's effort and Stoke thought they had levelled in the 34th minute when Joe Allen's corner was headed on by Cameron and then into the net by Martins Indi.However, the assistant's flag went up - possibly for offside against Saido Berahino, who could also have been punished for a push on Pedro. Whatever the reason, the goal did not stand.And Stoke benefited from a contentious call three minutes later having been given a penalty as Walters went to ground having been nudged there by Cahill.The decision could have been construed as soft but the spot-kick certainly was not as Walters lashed in the leveller.Pedro blazed over a good chance to restore the visitors' lead before Bardsley clattered into Costa to be booked in the final stages of a tempestuous half.A 15-minute cooling off period eased the simmering tension and Chelsea started the second half brighter with Alonso only stopped by a terrific Bardsley challenge and David Luiz's 40-yard free-kick almost catching Grant out.The Potters keeper looked uncomfortable at set-piece situations, although there was little he could do but be thankful Alonso's 25-yard effort struck the crossbar.Grant was up to the task when called on next as he made a brilliant one-handed stop at the near post to deny Pedro once he had been slipped in by Willian.It was far from relentless from the leaders but when the opportunity to win it fell to Cahill, the Blues skipper snatched it.Erik Pieters conceded a needless corner with a poor back-pass to Grant and the Dutchman's clearance from Luiz's header came to Cahill to fire home.Costa struck a post after that yet he was a footnote in this contest, even when the red card came out, with Bardsley the recipient for a second cautionable offence as he fouled Cesc Fabregas.The Chelsea celebrations at full-time suggested they appreciated the magnitude of a victory which inched them ever closer to a seemingly inevitable title triumph.Credit: ESPN
US President Donald Trump greeted German leader, Angela Merkel with handshake upon her arrival at the White House but refused to do so dur...

US President Donald Trump greeted German leader, Angela Merkel with handshake upon her arrival at the White House but refused to do so during a photo op.In footage of the photo op, as photographers call for the two to shake hands, Ms Merkel can be heard saying: "They want to have a handshake?". Trump briefly turns towards her, but continues sitting with his legs apart and hands together.See video:
Embattled acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu has responded to a query served to him by Attorney...

Embattled acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu has responded to a query served to him by Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on the orders of President Muhammadu Buhari.See his response below as obtained by PREMIUM TIMES:THE HONOURABLE ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION& MINISTER OF JUSTICEFederal Ministry of Justice,Shehu Shagari Way,Abuja.RE: REQUEST FOR COMMENTSRE: REPORT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE SERVICESI most respectfully refer to your letter referenced HAGF/EFCC/2016/Vol.1/23 dated 19th December, 2016, asking me to respond within 48 hours to the allegations contained in a report written by the Department of State Service, DSS, and which provided the basis for the non-consideration of my confirmation on December 15, 2016, by the Senate.2. Having carefully considered all the issues, I hereby present a point-by-point response as follows:i. Missing EFCC FilesIt is true that my residence was searched on the orders of Mrs. Farida Waziri, shortly after she succeeded Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as Chairman of the EFCC and some documents relating to cases under investigation were found in my house. At the time of the raid, I was yet to formally hand over to my successor, Umar Sanda, as head of the Economic Governance Unit.My schedule at the time warranted that I work round the clock and it was impossible to conclude all assignments without working at home. The documents found in my house were actually found in my office bag where I kept documents relating to investigations. I was in the process of handing over and it would be wrong to suggest that I willfully kept the Commissions files at home.Nevertheless, the incident was thoroughly investigated by the police as I was placed on suspension without pay for 20 months. But in the end, I was reprimanded, recalled and promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Police.It is important sir, to draw your attention to the fact that some of us that worked closely with Ribadu were victimized after his exit. And my ordeal was orchestrated as punishment for being the chief investigative officer for most of the high profile cases involving politically exposed persons some of whom became very influential in government at the time.ii. Return to EFCC under LamordeI was Assistant Commissioner of Police in Charge of Operations at the Anambra State Police Command when I was recalled to the EFCC in 2012. I did not lobby to return to the EFCC. It is preposterous for anyone to suggest that I was recalled to do a hatchet job for Lamorde as alleged in the DSS Report. My job schedule as Deputy Director, Department of Internal Affairs, under Lamorde, was simply handling issues of professional responsibility in the Commission. I had no inputs in core operations duties of the Commission.iii. Tenancy of My Official ResidenceI live in the official residence of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This accommodation, contrary to the report of the DSS is not my private home, neither was it rented and furnished for me by Commodore Umar Mohammed (rtd). It was rented and furnished by the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory through the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, under the safe house scheme.It is also false that the house was rented for N20million per annum and furnished for N43million. The entire cost for both two-year rent and the furnishing of the house is N39.628million.Details of the transaction are contained in the contract award letter and payment schedule which are attached to this letter.iv. Expensive Air TravelsHonourable Minister, the claim that I have a penchant for expensive air travels in a private jet belonging to Commodore Mohammed is baseless The two times I can recall travelling in Commodore Umars aircraft, were on a trip from Kano to Abuja, and Abuja to Maiduguri. In the first instance, I had gone to Kano on an official assignment with two of my directors, and Mohammed who was on his way back to Abuja offered us a ride in his jet. The second occasion was when I was going to see my sick mother in Maiduguri. These, for me, were harmless gesture as we were both members of the presidential investigative committee on arms procurement. At the time I had no knowledge that he was under investigation for any alleged crimes.Claims that I flew in Mohammeds jet to Maiduguri in company of the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Nnamdi Okonkwo is false. I have never flown in a private aircraft with any managing director of any bank let alone one that was under investigation by my agency. I have no personal relationship whatsoever with him.v. High Profile/Dual LifestyleThe allegation that I live a flamboyant lifestyle is also surprising to me. While it is true that I did travel first class on Emirates Airline to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, this action to the best of my knowledge, did not contravene the directive of Mr. President on First Class travels as suggested by the DSS Report.My trip to Saudi Arabia was a private journey to perform my religious obligation and it was not financed with public funds. More importantly, my decision to fly first class was not borne out of quest for luxury but compelled by necessity. The trip was made during the last ten days of the Ramadan and other classes of ticket were not availbale.I had no other choiceThat I flew first class in one instance is not enough evidence to suggest an extravagant lifestyle as alleged by the DSS Report. It is also not enough to suggest a dual personality. Any one that has associated closely with me will attest to the fact that I am not known for ostentatious living. And my new office as acting chairman of the EFCC has not changed this.vi. Mutually Beneficial Relationship with Commodore Mohammed Umar (rtd)Sir, it is important to situate my relationship with Commodore Mohammed Umar (rtd), in proper perspective. Our paths crossed when we became members of the Presidential Committee on the investigation on arms procurement. He was instrumental in getting some of the information that helped the committee to make significant breakthrough in its assignment.Beyond that, the relationship between Umar and myself is one of professional acquaintance, devoid of issues of conflict of interest. So, it comes to me with shock, the imputation by the DSS that we have a mutually beneficial relationship. This appears suggestive that Mohammed and I were involved in activities that could be said to be untoward. I certainly have no knowledge of such activities.The claim that EFCC documents, including EFCC letters addressed to the Vice President and being investigation reports on the activities of Emmanuel Kachikwu and his brother Demebi Kachikwu, were found in his home during a search by the DSS came to me as a surprise. If that is correct, he should be made to disclose how he came by such documents. I never discussed my official duties with him let alone give him documents pertaining to investigations being conducted by the Commission.Interestingly, Mohammed was detained for several months by the DSS. In all those months, did he claim that I mandated him to commit any crime or that I was an accomplice to any crime? If there is any such claim, I will wholeheartedly like to be confronted with the allegation.It is interesting to note that when Mohammed was eventually charged to court, the charges against him were money laundering and illegal possession of firearms, and nothing related to my purported shady relationship with him.vii. Perceived Reluctance to Arraign Vice Marshall Adesola AmosunThe DSS Report that the reason EFCC delayed the arraignment of a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Adesola Amosun, was because Mohammed never wanted Amosun to be prosecuted is astonishing. Anyone familiar with the EFCC under my watch knows that I perform my duties with the highest sense of responsibility. The reason Amosun was not arraigned when the likes of Alex Badeh and Umar were arraigned was because he cooperated with the Commission in terms of assisting the process of recovering the proceeds of crime.Indeed, among the suspects arrested over the arms procurement scandal, he was most cooperative. The Commission recovered N2.835billion cash from him, aside from property worth One Billion Five Hundred and Eighty One Million Naira (N1,581, 000, 000), Two Million One Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars ($2,150, 000) and One Million Pounds Sterling (1, 000, 000).Since a key focus of the investigation was to recover as much proceeds of crime as possible, the Commission took its time to ensure it had recovered what was possible before arraigning the suspect in court. This had nothing to do with the wish of any individual. Moreover, the suspect has since been arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.viii. Alleged Vendetta Against Stanley LawsonThe suggestion by the DSS Report that Stanley Lawson, a former Group Executive Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was placed on a watch list, to settle scores with him is strange. It may interest you to know that I do not know Stanley Lawson personally and could not be settling personal scores by framing somebody that I do not know.Lawsons encounter with the EFCC is in relation to the investigation into the mismanagement of $118million public funds for electioneering campaign involving former petroleum resources minister, Diezani Alison Madueke. It was discovered that he made payment of $25million into Fidelity Bank and also facilitated the purchase of Ogeyi Place Le Meridien Hotel in Port Harcourt for Mrs. Alison Madueke, for which he collected Ninety Four Million Five Hundred and Sixteen Thousand Naira (N94, 516,000) as commission. Lawson was arrested and he made a refund of the N94.5million traced to him. He was never placed on any watch list.ix. Work through Police Cronies in EFCCI do not understand what the report meant by working with cronies. If what was implied is that I have preferred officers that I work with and who go about their work in unethical manner, my response is that nothing of such exists in the EFCC. Officers who work with me know that the easiest way to lose your job is to be found to be involved in unethical or corrupt activities. Indeed, when I assumed office as acting chairman, my first action was to return police officers with integrity issues back to the Nigeria Police Force. If the DSS finds that there are police officers in the EFCC who are working closely with me and have properties that their incomes cannot support, the Service is at liberty to expose them.3. ConclusionHonourable Minister, Sir, I invite you to take notice of the fact that the DSS authored two separate vetting reports on me, one referenced SV.114/3 addressed to the Clerk of the National Assembly and the other referenced SV.114/3 addressed to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate). Both letters were dated 3rd October, 2016, and signed by the same Officer, Folashade Bello, on behalf of the Director General. While one of the reports advised the senate against my confirmation, the other asked it to favourably consider my confirmation. The two reports emanating from the same agency raises questions of sincerity and motive.You will want to find out why they came up with two conflicting reports on the same subject on the same day.It is important to note that in all this, I was not given the opportunity of fair hearing.Above all sir, I am persuaded by my conviction in my innocence that in all the issues supposedly raised against me, no one has accused me of receiving gratification to act against my conscience or the interest of the country.I have attached to this letter all supporting documents and materials that would enable you arrive at fair position on all the issues raised.4. Be assured of my usual respect and highest consideration.IBRAHIM MAGUAg. EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN




Just after his boss, Rick Ross, dissed his ex-girlfriend, Nicki Minaj in his new song Apple of My Eyes, Meek Mill has promised to expose Nicki who he accused of paying bloggers to write damaging stories about him.Meek Mill called out his ex, after a popular blog 'Baller Alert' shared a photo of Meek Mill at a show attended by only 2,300 people. The rapper who got offended with the caption, alleged it was aimed at discrediting his image.The Philly rapper also denied he wasn't performing, alleging that where he was pictured wasn't a concert, but a club. Meek Mill accused the blog platform of knocking off reports of Nicki Minaj's brother's court case of allegedly molesting an underage girl, to come soil his image.
Chukwuma Soludo, ex-governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has likened Anambra governor Willie Obiano to a general who must not be rep...

Chukwuma Soludo, ex-governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has likened Anambra governor Willie Obiano to a general who must not be replaced during wartime.Soludo rated the state as the fourth largest economy in Nigeria while commending Obianos prudent and expertise management.He said that only Lagos, Abuja and Rivers states were ahead of Anambra in terms of economic prosperity.Soludo gave the assessment on Friday while speaking at a lecture to mark the third anniversary of Governor Willie Obianos administration.He said the private sector must be encouraged to drive the economy, and praised the governor for attracting a sizeable number of investors to the state.The former CBN boss, who contested for the All Progressives Grand Alliance ticket with Obiano in 2013, said he will not contest the November 18 gubernatorial election.There is no need for change at the moment. Anambra is the fourth largest economy in Nigeria behind Lagos, Abuja and Rivers. The private sector must play a role to shore up the countrys earnings, he said.We are in a crisis moment and you dont change a general in the middle of the war; in Anambra, Obiano is a general.He said that many people were calling on him to contest, but said: If Anambra is not broken, why mend it?Soludo said Obiano should plead with the federal government to execute the second Niger Bridge and federal highways projects in the state.He also urged the governor to hasten work on the Anambra cargo airport so as to fast-track the states move to assuming an international status.
43-year-old Anukaenyi Bob-Manuel Ogochukwu, who was travelling in from Nairobi, Kenya has been arrested at the Lagos airport.

43-year-old Anukaenyi Bob-Manuel Ogochukwu, who was travelling in from Nairobi, Kenya has been arrested at the Lagos airport.He was reported to have excreted 66 wraps of heroin.He said he got involved in drug trafficking because nobody except drug barons were ready to give him financial support for his sick son on admission in Nairobi over a life threatening ailment.Ogochukwu said, I teach in a computer school at Onitsha, Anambra State. This is my very first time of having anything to do with drugs.I smuggled drugs to save my sick child. The doctor said that my child has a hole in the heart. I met many people for help but nobody was willing to help me except a drug baron.My son is currently struggling for survival at the hospital in Nairobi. The baron who is from Tanzania promised to pay me $2,000 for my childs medical bill. I am very worried about the condition of my son.However, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, dismissed that notion, adding that no excuse is tenable for crime.No explanation is tenable for committing crime. Drug trafficking is a criminal offence and the suspect will be charged accordingly.The suspects action only complicated his condition because he is here facing a criminal charge while the responsibility of taking care of his sick son now rest solely on the wife Abdallah stated.Anukaenyi Bob-Manuel Ogochukwu who is married to a Kenyan lady hails from Anambra State.
Security forces at Paris Orly airport on Saturday shot dead a man who grabbed a weapon from a soldier, as France was on alert just weeks ...

Security forces at Paris Orly airport on Saturday shot dead a man who grabbed a weapon from a soldier, as France was on alert just weeks away from presidential elections.The second largest airport in the French capital was evacuated following the shooting at around 8:30am (0730GMT) and both terminals were closed, airport authorities said.A man took a weapon from a soldier then hid in a shop in the airport before being shot dead by security forces, interior ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet told AFP.He said no one was wounded in the incident. Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux is due to visit the facility, in Paris southern outskirts.Brandet said demining operations were underway to determine if the man had explosives on him. He said nearly 3,000 people had been evacuated from the southern terminal alone but those in the other one had been confined.Traffic to Orly has been completely suspended, Frances civil aviation authority said.France is still in a state of emergency after a series of terror attacks, including the November 2015 massacre in Paris and a truck attack in Nice, in July last year. In mid-February, an Egyptian staged a machete attack in Pariss Louvre museum before being shot and wounded.The latest shooting comes weeks ahead of the first round of Frances two-stage presidential election, in which security is one of the main issues on voters minds.We had queued up to check in for the Tel Aviv flight when we heard three or four shots nearby, witness Franck Lecam said.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has advised the Police to concentrate on their constitutional responsibility of providing securi...

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has advised the Police to concentrate on their constitutional responsibility of providing security.Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday when he granted audience to Mr Zaki Ahmed, the New Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Governor Wike regretted that the Nigerian Police Force has metamorphosed into a political party.He said because of political considerations, the Nigerian Police sabotaged the Rivers State Amnesty Programme. The governor said that the politicisation of Police operations in the state has been counterproductive in several respects.He said: The Police instead of fighting crime has constituted itself into a political party. Everything for the police must be considered from a political viewpoint .Allow politicians to play politics. Simply do security work. A state like Rivers is key to Nigeria. Our national assets are here and that is why we always support security agencies , he said.The governor said that the police have not reciprocated the investments made by his administration in their operations.He noted that over 150 patrol vans have been handed over to the police since he assumed leadership. He added that funds made available to the Police for communication gadgets in all 23 Local Government Areas and purchase of bullet proof vests, were not used by the force.He called on the police to be professional in the discharge of their duties, assuring that he will continue to support them.Earlier, the new Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed appealed to the Governor to support the police with logistics. He assured the governor that he will discharge his duties professionally.
According to Professor Itse Sagay, Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Governor Ayodele Fayose has implica...

According to Professor Itse Sagay, Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Governor Ayodele Fayose has implicated himself when he recently announced that ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo coerced him and other PDP governors to donate some amount of money to his private library.Speaking in an interview published by The Sun, Prof Sagay said: "I believe it. There was a lot of complaints at that time that Chief Obasanjo was twisting the arms of those governors and other public officials to donate to the library."As someone said in a write up recently that you are not even supposed to donate public money to a private library. What Fayose and the governors did was improper, and it sounds very ill in the mouth of Fayose to raise this issue now. Why did he do it in the first place? It sounds very ill in his mouth that he committed an illegality and when you fell out with the man in whose favour you committed it you now come out and begin to cry foul."He should be the first person to be punished because he put his hands into state funds and donated it to a private person. In fact, he has convicted himself already of stealing N10 million from his own government. That is disturbing."In law, both the receiver and the giver are guilty. There is no question about that. So, Fayose, as well as the other governors, the givers and Obasanjo the receiver are guilty and should be prosecuted.
Mr Huseini Abdul, the Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Railway Workers, Northern District has appealed to the Federal Government to t...

Mr Huseini Abdul, the Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Railway Workers, Northern District has appealed to the Federal Government to take necessary measures to pay-off railway workers before the planned concession.He told the News Agency of Nigeria in Zaria, Kaduna State on Saturday that the workers were not against the planned concession of the railway.Abdul said, Workers are not against the planned concession, we are in support of the move because we want progress.But our major bone of contention here is the workers stand, our welfare must be considered by taking all necessary measures towards paying us off before concession.The agitation of our leaders at the headquarters is before the concession, let government pay us off, so that they can recall anybody they are interested in to work with, he pleaded.He said that the workers main concern was their fate during and after the concession this is paramount to the union.Are we still going to be carried along or we will be retrenched.Actually, we have been hearing from President Muhammadu Buhari through the Minister of Transport, Chief Rotimi Amaechi saying that no worker will lose his job.However, we have seen what happened in the cases of NEPA and NITEL, where workers were assured that nobody would be affected, but eventually something went wrong, he said.The chairman also appealed to government to allow railways staff to own the houses they were occupying.We are still insisting that government should allow us to own our quarters because of monetisation as directed by an industrial court in Lagos which stated that the quarters be monetised to the staff.This has been bordering us a lot because you find out that in other organisations, both in the federal and state levels, their houses were given to their workers, why not in the railway.We have been paying the rent every month and every year. This privilege was given by President Obasanjos administration, and we feel it is high time we also benefit from it, he appealed.Abdul said that Obasanjos administration affirmed that any staff that stayed in government quarters at that period should be given the privilege to own it, but why should we be denied our own rights?He called on the Federal Government to monetise the quarters before the concession would take effect.This is because we are still within the system and we deserve to be treated as such and to be given such privilege of owning our houses, he said.
President Muhammadu Buhari is under Pressure to disclose the amount of money spent on his medical treatment in London, the United Kingdom.

President Muhammadu Buhari is under Pressure to disclose the amount of money spent on his medical treatment in London, the United Kingdom.Though many Nigerians showed gratitude to God for the Presidents safe return to the country on Friday, March 10, 2017, after spending 49 days on medical vacation, they said it was still important for the citizens to know the cost of the Presidents medical treatment abroad.The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), and the Campaign for Democracy, among others, said it had become imperative to release the Presidents medical bill in the UK because his administration rode to power on the pedestal of transparency, anti-corruption promise and change and therefore could not afford to hide such information from the public.Buhari had written the Senate that he would embark on medical vacation for 10 days, between January 23 and February 6, 2017 and that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo would act on his behalf.However, a second letter written to the Senate on February 5 informed the lawmakers of the Presidents wish to extend his leave indefinitely. The letter had stated that the extension was to enable him to complete and receive the results of a series of medical tests.On his return, while addressing top government officials at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Buhari confirmed that he had been very ill, saying, I couldnt recall being so sick since I was a young man, including in the military with its up and down.Although the President said he felt better, he gave an indication that he would need to do further follow-ups on his health in few weeks time.I am feeling much better now; there may, however, be need to have further follow-ups within some weeks, he said.In June 2016, the President had embarked on his second vacation during which he saw an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist for a persistent ear infection.The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, had said Buhari spent less than 50,000 (N20.5m) on the treatment of an ear infection in the UK, but didnt state the exact cost.He said, The disclosure on Prof. Farooq Kperogis wall that President Muhammadu Buharis ear treatment in the United Kingdom cost a whopping 6m must have shocked many of the respected scholars followers.Im prepared to share documents with Farooq, one of the brightest ever produced from the Bayero University, Kano, that the whole treatment, including a follow-up visit by a specialist to Nigeria didnt cost 50,000.For the records, the administration advanced a higher sum, but the Presidents doctor returned the balance to the treasury.There are speculations that Buhari might have spent between 200 and 250 per hour for medical services in the UK.Having failed to release his medical bill to the public one week after he returned to Nigeria, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project said Nigerians have the right to know how much of their money was spent on the Presidents treatment abroad as guaranteed by the Freedom of Information Act.Executive Director, SERAP, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, said, Pursuant to the FOI Act, which was signed into law in 2011, every Nigerian has a right to know from any public office holder any information they think they must have. So, the Presidency should provide categorical answer to the question as Buharis medical bill abroad. This is a democracy and in democracy, there can be no opaqueness, everything must be clear and open.President, Campaign for Democracy, Bako Usman, said the President as the face of the All Progressives Congress-led government should be transparent with the use of public funds, especially as the party had attained power on the basis of its promise to bring positive change to the country.Usman said, Whenever you are presiding over a set of people, irrespective of how large or little they are, there is nothing as good as having a very prudent housekeeping. That will add value to your credibility and transparency as regards the leadership role you are playing over such people. With the change mantra, we expect things to be done differently and more transparently. We expect more openness in governance.So the President should make available the cost of his medical treatment abroad. Someone advocating for a corrupt free society is supposed to be open. This governments Change Begins With Me campaign will be appreciated by the citizens if the President is open and transparent.It started as a vacation for 10 days and then extended to two weeks, three weeks and eventually to about 50 days. Nigerians have a right to know much the president spent and he should give Nigerians such information and let there be transparency and openness as regards whatever the administration is doing.Also, the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership noted that the President was under obligation to disclose the expenses incurred on his medical vacation if the money did not come from his purse.The organisations Executive Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran, said, If the money with which the President treated himself abroad did not come from his purse, then he is under obligation to disclose to Nigerians how much he spent from our money on his health care.As the results of the tests he had are out and the treatment has been done, there is no reason why the President should not tell us what was wrong with him and how much was spent on him. I believe that the President will not want to dent his image with this. When his aides said he was hale and hearty, he came back to say that he was indeed very ill. And he has said many things different from what his lieutenants want us to believe.We want to know how much he has spent except if the money came directly from his pocket. If it was from the purse of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, then he is under obligation to disclose the cost of his treatment to Nigerians.Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), said while the President cannot be compelled to disclose the nature of his illness, if public funds are spent (on his health care), Nigerians are entitled to know how much was spent. Nigerians should know how much has been spent on the medical expenses incurred by the President in the United Kingdom since according to him; he has had the best of medical treatment.Without being innocuous, Saturday PUNCH had in line with the FOI Act sent a letter to the Presidency requesting it to provide for public consumption Buharis medical bills incurred in the UK.When contacted, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, preached patience while promising to get the cost for Saturday PUNCH. That had yet to be done as of the time of filing this report.Efforts made to get the information from the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also failed.The minister did not respond to calls made to his mobile line and also refused to reply text messages sent to him on the issue.Despite the huge budgetary allocation to the State House Medical Centre, most past and present leaders have favoured medical facilities in London, the United Kingdom; Germany, Saudi Arabia, United States and Spain, among others over their Nigerian counterparts.They often dont make the cost of such medical treatments abroad available to the public.This has been described as an embarrassing trend and many Nigerians are criticising President Buhari for joining the bandwagon. Wondering why the President would prefer to be treated abroad, online commentators accused the President of doing the opposite of what he promised to fight once elected into office.An online reader who was simply identified as HRM1, said, All I see here is hypocrisy from the leaders. There is one rule for the rich and mighty and another for the poor. Foreign travel for health care was banned by the government but officials still run to the UK at the slightest headache. It will take a miracle of truly gargantuan proportions for Nigeria to become a great nation.Another online reader named Don-Teddy, said, What murderous politicians and leaders we have in our country. Indians are over 1.2 billion in population, what could be our leaders excuse for not attending to our health sector if not share wickedness.The most annoying part is our role during elections, we the masses are very gullible and can easily forget the excruciating pains and suffering we had to go through under their leadership just because of some peanuts. May God deliver us all.Omo Naija, UK, another reader, said, Hypocrisy is when Buhari bans medical tourism and he himself is guilty of the same offence. He needs to be sanctioned by the poor masses he deceived.A public health physician and radio host, Dr. Laz Ude Eze, wrote an open letter to the President on February 17 decrying the rotten state of Nigerias health system and questioned Buharis recent trip to the UK for medical vacation.Figures obtained from the Budget Office of the Federation revealed that a total budgetary allocation of N7.49bn was given to the State House Medical Centre in nine years covering 2009 and 2017, despite being shunned by past and present leaders of the country.An analysis of the allocation to the medical centre of the state house showed that the highest amount allocated to the facility during the period came in 2016, when the sum of N2.83bn was budgeted to the hospital.A breakdown of the N2.83bn allocated in 2016 showed that the sum of N2.8bn was captured for capital expenditure items while the balance of N22.5m was meant for recurrent expenditure.Further analysis of the N2.8bn provided for capital expenditure revealed that the purchase of health/medical equipment was expected to gulp a total sum of N1.59bn in 2016.In the same vein, the sum of N180.6m was budgeted for the rehabilitation/repairs of hospital and health centres while N107.26m was earmarked for construction of emergency/accidental building.Similarly, the Federal Government also made a budgetary allocation of N180.5m for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies for the state house in the 2016 fiscal period.In the 2017 fiscal period, the budgetary allocation for the medical centre was put at N331.7m made up entirely of recurrent expenditure with no allocation for capital projects.However, while a block sum was allocated to the state house medical centre in 2016 and 2017, no such block allocation was made for the centre prior to the 2016 fiscal periods.For instance, analysis of the budget document between 2009 and 2015 showed that some provisions were made under the budgetary allocation of the state house to equip the medical centre.Items budgeted for in 2015 included the purchase of cardiac monitors at a cost of N48.41m, laboratory equipment at N10.25m, surgical instruments at N36m, and the upgrade of physiotherapy equipment at the cost of N10.39m.The President going abroad for medical treatments is completely unnecessary after spending so much on the Aso Villa clinic, a former Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association, Akwa Ibom Chapter, Dr. John Udoabang, said.The issue of Presidents not using the State House Medical Centre facility was raised with the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Special Duties, Nasir Daura, when he led members of his committee to inspect facilities at the centre recently.He said although it was slow, the nation would get there.Daura said, We are working towards that. I think 2016 when this same question was raised, it is as a result of the Presidents desire to be treated or those that run the government to be treated and catered for within Nigeria by our own professionals using equipment of worlds standard.This is why this place was created and the idea is to try to get to attain that standard that we so desire. We are coming along. For me, it is a bit slow but we are getting there eventually.
The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN on Friday said it will not investigate allegations of adultery against Apostle Johnson Suleiman,...

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN on Friday said it will not investigate allegations of adultery against Apostle Johnson Suleiman, founder of Omega Fire Ministries.A top official of CAN who spoke to newsmen anonymously said CAN provides an umbrella for Christian denominations and it is a bridge between the church and the nation, not between individuals. This issue has to do with individuals, ethics and morals. So it is the denomination that Suleman directly subscribes to that should look into it and not CAN.The CAN cannot be involved. What is happening is not an official issue. It is a personal issue. The man has denied the allegations made by the lady, but she insists and we are told that their lawyers and the appropriate authorities are already involved. If it was a matter that had to do with the church now, we would have waded into it. You will be aware that when the man was being harassed because of what he preached and said, CAN stepped in. We declared our position on that but this other matter is a little bit complex.If CAN comes out to say the man is being persecuted because he is a Christian, people might say that we are defending what is not defendable, and that the matter is immoral. Also, we dont have an investigative department that deals with that in CAN. But if he is with the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, then the body can investigate the matter. CAN is an umbrella body for denominational blocs and not for individual Christians per se.
Africas richest businessman, Aliko Dangote has pledged to invest 217 billion Naira on sugar processing in Nasarawa State.

Africas richest businessman, Aliko Dangote has pledged to invest 217 billion Naira on sugar processing in Nasarawa State.He made the pledge when he visited the governor in Lafia, to discuss the outlook of the investment.According to Dangote, the sugar processing plant which is to be cited in Tunga village of Awe Local Government Area of the state will occupy 60,000 hectares of land and will take off in less than 30 months.He explained to the Governor that the plant will be the largest in the world and will produce 480,000 tonnes of sugar, which is 27 percent of Nigerias total consumption.He said the project is targeted at employing over 40,000 people which includes 10,000 out growers who will be given inputs and all necessary equipment.He also said he is hopeful that the investment will improve lots of host community as primary and secondary schools will be built, those existing will be refurbished, welfare of the teachers will be taken care of, provision of water, electricity and an equipped hospital among other benefits.He further expressed optimism that the investment will improve the Internally Generated Revenue of the state asides other benefits.Once you have light, people will be able to generate their livelihood and they wont mind paying their taxes if they are making moneySo the revenue of the government will increase and their will be quite a lot of activities, the employment will be over 30,000.This project will cost about 700 million Dollars, this is going to be the largest sugar plantation in West Africa, he said.The state is also to benefit from 50 megawatts of power which will be generated from the bagasse of the husks of sugar canes which will in-turn woo other investors.Responding, the governor expressed happiness with the development which he said will turn around the fortunes of the state.He then assured him of his safety and necessary support.We assure you of absolute and total cooperation in carrying the activities. Nasarawa state is going to ensure full fledged security networks that will give your workers the opportunity to work without any hindrances, any fear or any tribulationsI want to assure you that we will do anything we can to ensure that this seed of wealth that you have planting in Nasarawa state will germinate and expand the scope of our prosperity, wealth and well being,the governor said.
President Donald Trump sparked web derision for himself on Thursday as he tried to impress visiting Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny to the...

Always remember to forget the friends that proved untrue. But never forget to remember those who have stuck by you,

Always remember to forget,

The friends that proved untrue,

But never forget to remember,

Those that have stuck to you.

President Donald Trump sparked web derision for himself on Thursday as he tried to impress visiting Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny to the White House, with an Irish proverb. But what he quoted was neither Irish nor even a proverb.As we stand together with our Irish friends, Im reminded of that proverb  And this is a good one. This is one I like, Ive heard it for many many years, and I love it, Trump said.he quoted the proverb.According to a report by Ventures Africa, Google checks later revealed that President Trumps favourite proverb is part of a poem.It came from a poem written by a Nigerian budding poet, Albashir Adam Alhassan.Here is the poem by Alhassan:Always remember to forget,The things that make you sad,But never forget to remember,The things that make you glad.Always remember to forget,The trouble that passed away,But never forget to remember,The blessings that come each day.Always remember to do your duty,And some kindness day by day,But never forget to live a useful and happy life,That is the only way.Albashir Adam AlhassanAlbashir Alhassan, whose parents are from Niger state was born in Kano state 3 March in the mid 80s.He was educated at Warure special primary school, Kano {1989-1995}, Aminu Kano Commercial College, Kano {1995-2001} and Bayero University Kano {2001-2006}.He works in a Nigerian bank, possibly First Bank.He has written other poems such as Why do we die and Season of loneliness.Further research showed that if Trump had not read Alhassans poem, it was possible he got from another writer, Victor Borge.
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.
PC party should disqualify candidate in default, ex-riding president saysTHE CANADIAN PRESSFirst posted: Thursday, March 16, 2017 04:07 PM EDT | Updated: Thursday, March 16, 2017 04:19 PM EDTA defeated municipal candidate sanctioned for her failure to file campaign expenses should have been disqualified from running for the Progressive Conservatives in the next Ontario election, a former president of her riding association says.Instead, Stephen Searle is accusing party brass of playing favourites by giving their blessing to Cozette Giannini to seek the nomination in the east-end Toronto riding.It looks bad when you dont put in your financial statements from a campaign because what are you hiding, was it $15,000 or $20,000 and where did the money go? Searle said. Its also fodder for the opposition.Giannini was unsuccessful in her bid to become a Toronto councillor in the 2014 municipal election. When she failed to file her campaign expenses as legally required, the city declared her a candidate in default, which bars her from running for local government office in the next municipal election.While she said she had no intention of running municipally, she nevertheless attempted to have courts set aside the decision, saying she wanted to avoid disqualification by the Tory nominating committee as a potential candidate for Scarborough-Agincourt in next years provincial election.Among other things, Giannini claimed to have been unaware of the requirement for filing an audited financial report, said she had previously been unable to afford a lawyer to ask the courts for a time extension, and had gone through a difficult separation.However, in a stinging rebuke earlier this month, Superior Court Justice Sean Dunphy declined to grant what he called the extraordinary remedy she wanted.Rights seldom come without corresponding obligations, Dunphy wrote. The right to present oneself to the people as a candidate for election carries with it the responsibility to make fair and timely disclosure of financial returns in the manner prescribed.Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown, who has previously said candidates who might embarrass the partys brand werent wanted, did not respond to requests for comment.Its not the first time Brown has come under fire over candidate selections. Some rejected candidates and longtime party members have complained about interference in the nomination process from party headquarters.Members in the riding are concerned as she worked very closely with the leader as an outreach employee and it appears that there is special treatment, Searle said. The riding has lost excellent members, especially ethnic members, and the problem Brown has is (that) his own party is in turmoil.Despite the ban on running municipally, there is no legal impediment to someone like Giannini running provincially, a spokeswoman for Elections Ontario said.However, Searle said the party had previously blocked another potential candidate, Mohammad Latif, from running in a Mississauga riding because he, too, was a candidate in default. Latif refused to discuss his situation.Doug Ford, brother of the late Toronto mayor, has been campaigning with Giannini, who will go up against a retired citizenship court judge, Aris Babikian, at a nomination meeting on April 1.It is up to the PC party executive to deem who is qualified to run as a nominee, Babikian said Thursday.Neither Giannini nor the partys head office responded to requests for comment.12:02ET 16-03-17Cozette Giannini (FACEBOOK)
Brooke Coppock is clinical educator in the emergency department at CHI Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs. Shes been at Mercy for the past 15 years.

This year, I used Mercy Heritage scholarship money to attend the Magnet Conference in Orlando. It was canceled after we arrived due to a hurricane. We had to evacuate Florida and drove over 24 hours straight to get back home, she said. I was so grateful to even get the opportunity to attend such an event even with the exciting ending. As a nurse you have to resilient and be able to change what you are doing at a moments notice, so having to evacuate from Florida was just another challenge that we overcame.

Brooke originally started in the emergency department as a unit secretary, then went back to nursing school after witnessing the amazing nurses at Mercy.

The most rewarding thing about working in healthcare is giving back to people, she said. We can leave a mark on a persons life by what we do. What an honor and a gift that is.

Asked for a favorite quote about nursing, she turned to Maya Angelou: They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

Brooke was raised in Omaha, graduated from Millard West High School and went to nursing school Iowa Western Community College. She moved to Council Bluffs when she met her husband, Todd, who is originally from here. They have been married for seven years and have two children: Logan, 6, and Gabby, 4.
The ground was covered with the enemys dead ... dead men and horses piled up ... presenting a horrid scene of the cruelties of war.

The Iowa State Register recounted the painful memories many of the soldiers from the Hornets Nest Brigade of the Civil War carried with them 25 years after the war. Men from all over Iowa had formed the 2nd, 7th, 8th, 12th and 14th Iowa Infantry units and fought with the Union in the war from 1861-65. They became known as the Hornets Nest Brigade.

Some of them attended the first reunion of the group in October in Des Moines.

Organizers of the reunion wanted to give the old vets the opportunity to come together and talk about their wartime experiences. And they wanted to compile information about the history of the brigade and its role in the Battle of Shiloh, including the numbers of men killed, wounded and captured by the enemy.

Weeks of planning went into the event. Boarding houses around the city were contacted to prepare for the arrival of hundreds of vets and their families. They were encouraged to keep their rates at no more than $1 per day for the two-day event. The railroads were asked to offer a discount to attendees. Residents and business owners along the parade route were asked to decorate their homes and stores with bunting and flags to welcome the men.

On Oct. 12 and 13, more than 400 veterans had gathered in the capital city. The Des Moines Register reported that many events were planned for the celebration of the men who had saved the day at Shiloh. Though in 1861 these same men were young and had never loaded a musket before in their lives, in 1887 they were elderly men with gray heads and white locks. And at the reunion the daring and heroic experiences of these men were recounted.

The Iowa State Register reported on the event where speakers described the valor shown by the Iowa boys at the Battle of Shiloh, the most remarkable battle of the war.

They came so close we heard their voices, one brave veteran recalled his encounter with the Confederate soldiers on the battlefield. We saw their men falling under the terrific fire.

Officers spoke of the sacrifices the Iowa boys made.

The blood of Iowas brave and fearless boys flowed the ground in crimson, one speaker said as he described his memories of the battlefield.

Though many Iowans fell at Shiloh, one speaker claimed the images of the dead only fired the hearts of the surviving soldiers to continued valor. They fought desperately and won imperishable renown for the men and commanders of the Hornets Nest Brigade.

The speeches touched on important topics of the day: The Hope of the Nation in Peace  The Militia Should Be Well Drilled and the Children Thoroughly Educated and They Gave Their Strength to the Government When It Was Weak  The Government Should Now Provide for All Disabled Soldiers.

And the speaker of Mothers, Wives, and Daughters  The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is the Hand That Rules the World reminded the audience that the soldiers had received their inspiration, virtues, patriotism, and their love for country from their mothers.

No brave man ever had a cowardly mother, the speaker proclaimed.

Old Ike, a 33-year-old horse who had served along the soldiers in the war and resided in Des Moines, led the parade. He had served in military service, including at Shiloh where he did a good loyal horses duty in defense of his country, according to the Des Moines Register. Like the vets, he showed a few marks of age with his gray hairs. But, like the old soldiers, he still held his head proudly as in 61 and 63.

The 1887 reunion of Iowas Hornets Nest Brigade reminded Iowans of the brigades heroic sacrifices during the battle at Shiloh and of its fight for eternal right against a monstrous wrong as the Iowa State Register described it.
OMAHA  Southwest Iowa gearheads brought a lot more than just classic cars to the World of Wheels show at the CenturyLink Center on Friday.

Hundreds of motorcycles, trucks, hot rods and mechanical monstrosities that defy easy classification were part of the show, including several residents from Council Bluffs, Carter Lake, Harlan and Emerson.

It was hard to miss Larry Coopers massive, eight-door green pick-up truck sitting on top of 48-inch wheels. Cooper, who is the owner of Larrys Welding, Truck & Trailer Sales in Emerson, has been welding nearly his whole life.

A fan of the television show Diesel Brothers, he was struck with inspiration to build the truck  an almost Frankensteins Monster in truck form, as its three pick-up trucks welded together.

I wanted to build an eight-door one, because on the show they only build six-door trucks, Cooper said with a laugh.

It was once a Ford F-250. Now its something else entirely. People pull off the road to watch him drive by, he said.

I took a wedding party from Viking Lake to Red Oak, he said. I think more people took pictures of the truck than the married couple.

It was Coopers first show piece for a convention, he added.

Go big or go home, right? he said.

Across the auditorium filled to the brim with chrome lines, whitewall tires and opalescent paintjobs, rows of motorcycles stood for public inspection.

Tyler Griffen, owner of Road Rage Bikeworks in Avoca, will celebrate one year in business this April with his motorcycle shop. By day, Griffen is a car technician in Harlan. But motorcycles are his passion, he said.

I never get tired of working on these, Griffen said, jutting his thumb at an array of Harley-Davidsons with custom paintjobs and all the fixings. It comes easily for me.

Road Rage carries their own parts and gear. As a small, independently owned business, Griffen said they specialize in optimizing performance.

We do Dyno Tuning, which really helps getting the most out of the engine, he said. If youre going to do something, do it right, right?

Just across from him, Scott Petersen, owner of Creative Concepts in Harlan, stood by some of the motorcycles he had a hand in building and painting.

An automotive painter for 25 years, Petersen took the plunge in starting his own business 11 years ago. He said its been a great ride since, especially when showing off his work in front of convention goers.

Motorcycles, he said, are all about enjoying the journey rather than the destination.

We get to Sturgis and Im like, I still want to keep riding, he said. You get on a motorcycle and just ride, dont want to stop.

Next to him, a pair of motorcycles he was selling gleamed in the convention light from every angle.

Its all about the looks, after all, he said.

The World of Wheels continues both today and Sunday. For more information, go online to autorama.com.
A Council Bluffs man was arrested March 7 on a warrant stemming from an incident in which authorities reportedly found controlled substances within a safe in his storage unit in 2015.

Joshua Pira, 34, is charged with several counts of possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of prescription drugs, among other charges.

On April 2, 2015, Iowa Department of Corrections High Risk Unit and other agents from the Fourth Judicial Districts High Risk Unit and Council Bluffs Police executed a search warrant on Piras storage unit at Affordable family Storage, 1851 Madison Ave.

Investigators obtained the warrant after finding receipts from the storage unit at his home the previous day, they said.

Inside the storage unit, law enforcement found a bag that smelled of marijuana, despite a dryer sheet attempting to cover up the scent, they said. Inside the bag, they found a safe.

Within the safe, they found drugs, according to the police report.

Law enforcement recovered marijuana, marijuana seeds, 29 different types of prescription drugs, 13 guns  three of which were stolen, large amounts of ammunition, drug paraphernalia, Social Security cards, birth certificates, health cards, personal information of several people and other stolen items, according to the report.

Police identified the prescription drugs as muscle relaxants, anti-psychotics, anti-anxiety, painkillers, sedatives, bipolar medication and anti-depressants.

According to the police report, Pira has a history of controlled substance possession, with a 2012 felony conviction of possession of meth with intent to deliver.

Pira is being held on $15,000 bond after his preliminary hearing Friday. His next court date has not been set.
ELKHORN  Sen. Ben Sasse stepped into a buzz saw of opposition to the House Republican health care reform plan Friday along with sharp criticism of President Donald Trump's budget proposals during a contentious town hall meeting with more than 700 constituents.

Sasse was confronted by hostile questions and often interrupted by shouting or occasional boos as he stood alone on the Elkhorn South High School auditorium stage responding to questions during a noisy 90-minute session.

A vast majority of the participants who attended the early morning event at the western edge of Omaha raised their hands when Sasse at one point asked how many people would prefer a system of socialized medicine.

"This is not representative of the Nebraska view," the Republican freshman senator said.

Earlier, when questions from the audience were critical of efforts by Trump and Congress to ease or erase a swath of environmental and financial regulations, Sasse suggested critics are "broadly out of step with 8 or 9 out of 10 Nebraskans."

Despite the sharp clash of political views in the room, Sasse patiently and politely worked his way through questions for almost 90 minutes, extending the time that had been allotted for the town hall by almost a half-hour.

"The House bill is not a sufficient answer" to the nation's health care policy challenges, Sasse said. "The House bill is not going to be passed in its current form."

"The American health care system is terribly broken," the senator said.

"I am completely open to a diversity of solutions," he said.

As for government regulation, Sasse said it should be centered at the local and state level, not in Washington.

Sasse agreed with a questioner who said "we need to see the president's taxes" and suggested that "things that are said today, even from the Oval Office, are not always fact-based."

One questioner broke down in tears while criticizing health care and budget proposals that would "throw sick old people out on their own," remove needy people from Medicaid coverage and wipe out meals-on-wheels assistance for elderly people who often live alone.

Sasse said policymakers need to center more on in-home care so parents and grandparents can remain in their homes.

At one point, Sasse said he believes the investigation of Russian cyber intrusion in the United States "should be moving much faster."

"I want to understand all that Russia was trying to do in 2016," he said.

Sasse mounted the stage shortly after 8 a.m. dressed in khakis and shirtsleeves, with the cuffs rolled up. He carried a bottle of water and answered questions delivered by a long line of participants who took their turns at a microphone.

About 30 people still were standing in two lines when the 90-minute session ended.

One questioner wore a large sign that proclaimed: "America is great because of women, people of color, LGBT people, immigrants, people of diverse religions."

Most of the participants carried cards that allowed them to signal agreement or disagreement with an answer by holding them aloft. A few dozen chose to yell.

"Sir," Sasse said to one man in a red sweatshirt, "you keep shouting, but shouting doesn't help."

Sasse said he does not believe the United States spends too much on national defense and he believes the country "needs better vetting systems" to protect itself from would-be terrorists.

"The United States is not at war with Islam," he said, "but with people who would kill in the name of religion."

Sasse said entitlement reform should protect benefits for people who are retired or within 10 years of what had been considered to be the retirement age of 65 or so when the programs were instituted.

"He hears us, but I'm not sure he listens to us," Ania Szary-Berkowitz of Lincoln said following the event.

"For him to say, this is not what Nebraskans want" is concerning, she said. "We are Nebraskans."

Szary-Berkowitz praised Sasse for being respectful in giving people a microphone so everyone could hear and be heard, but she said, "I'm worried he see things in black and white (and) it seems he is not willing to change much."

Following the event, Sasse said: "It's democracy and it's important to hear from Nebraskans."

Sasse emphasized that "I have not taken any final position on the (House Republican health care) bill" and he is certain that the proposal championed by House Speaker Paul Ryan will evolve.















Keith County District Court held a hearing for a man accused of causing a crash that killed six people.

Tony Weekly was not at his hearing, but his attorney, Gary Krajewski, requested a continuance and told the court he wants to take discovery.

Keith County Attorney Randy Fair objected, saying he hopes to settle the matter as soon as possible. Judge Richard Birch granted the motion, saying such matters take time.

Weekly was a truck driver July 31, accused of distracted driving at high speeds near Big Springs. His semitrailer truck collided with a van carrying a Minnesota family of five. The married couple and their three young children, as well as another motorist in the ensuing five-car pile-up, all died.
Eels forward Tepai Moeroa is facing a week on the sidelines after he was cited by the NRL Match review committee for a shoulder charge.

The Grade 1 charge for his challenge on Titans half Ash Taylor during the Eels loss to the Gold Coast attracts 200 points, but he could avoid a two-game suspension with an early guilty plea.
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Iranian authorities handed over 200 Afghan prisoners at the main border crossing in Islam Qala in western Afghanistan. Afghan authorities said those transferred on March 15 had been sentenced to death or long-term imprisonment for their involvement in drug smuggling in Iran. (RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan).
BADEN-BADEN, Germany  Governments need to do more to create growth that benefits everyone, and the U.S. should spend more on roads, highways, bridges and airports, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said Friday.

The body, which includes the world's better-off countries, said in a report that governments should focus on providing better access to high-quality education and supporting employment for women through measures like affordable child care. It also highlighted the need for more spending on infrastructure.

OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria called for an "upskilling of the workforce" to address worker anxiety about the future of their jobs amid technological change: "more focus on the type of education and the type of skills that you need that are being demanded by the productive sector, not merely more diplomas."

Gurria told The Associated Press that the after effects of the global financial crisis and recession were still being felt, even as unemployment has fallen, and that growth remains substandard.

"Are the benefits of this recovery being shared equally? The answer is no," Gurria said. "There is discontent, and frustration, with modernization, with trade, with digital, with investment regimes... And basically, you have to address it because this fragmentation on the economic side, on the social side, is moving on to the political side."

The result was electoral backlash and, especially in European parliamentary democracies, fragile coalitions that had trouble mustering support for decisive action.

"You still have the legacy of the crisis very much alive in terms of low growth, high unemployment, growing inequalities, and then a very large impact in the destruction of trust," he said.

The organization said U.S. spending on infrastructure "is not keeping pace with the needs of the evolving economy and is contributing to congestion, urban sprawl and environmental degradation." That echoes President Donald Trump's calls during his campaign for more infrastructure spending, though Trump place his emphasized on private investment alongside government as a source of funds. The OECD also said that the U.S.'s corporate tax rates are too high and should be reduced and simplified.

The Paris-based OECD produces extensive information and analysis on member countries' economies with an aim to improving growth. Its 35 members include many of the most advanced economies as well as and several developing ones.
The Northwest Indiana agency that has distributed home heating aid to more than 10,000 low income households this winter is decrying President Donald Trump's proposal to cut off all funding for the program.

"If cuts have to happen, we understand," said Northwest Indiana Community Action CEO Gary Olund. "But not if it's on the backs of folks who can least afford for that to happen."

The president's proposed budget released last week proposed eliminating the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, which distributes more than $3 billion per year to help people with heating bills. In addition, Trump proposed eliminating Department of Energy funding for a popular weatherization program.

The LIHEAP assistance is available to households making up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level, which is adjusted according to household size. It is currently set at $36,450 for a family of four in Indiana. The assistance basically comes in the form of a voucher that goes directly to the utility or other home energy provider.

Because of the income limits, it helps mainly the elderly, disabled and the poor. Northwest Indiana Community Action administers the program in Lake, Porter, Newton and Jasper counties. Three years ago, the program was critical in aiding rural households that saw their propane bills skyrocket because of a shortage in the fuel.

"It allows folks to not have to make choices between medicine, heat and food," Olund said.

The Trump administration says its budget proposal puts security and safety first, with the U.S. military in for a $54 billion increase in spending. The budget is ultimately set by the the U.S. Congress, but the president's proposed budget signals the administration's priorities and kicks off a long negotiating process that will take place throughout the summer and into the fall.

In addition to LIHEAP and the weatherization program, many other federal programs would be eliminated under Trump's proposed budget. In addition, many agencies would see deep cuts in their budgets.

This winter, Northwest Indiana Community Action distributed home heat aid to more than 10,000 households, according to agency figures. People can still ask for LIHEAP assistance, so that number will probably grow. The program also has been used at times to aid people with cooling costs in the summer.

The agency also runs a weatherization program in Lake County, which is funded both by the Energy Department program slated for elimination and LIHEAP. That program has assisted 58 households since April.

Work done can be extensive, including a new furnace if needed. The average household participating in the program in Northwest Indiana had $7,000 in weatherization work done this past year, according to Community Action.

The weatherization program was established by an act of Congress in 1976 and signed into law by President Gerald Ford. As of last year, weatherization work had been completed on more than 7.4 million homes throughout the nation.
INDIANAPOLIS  House Democrats are asking Indiana's congressional delegation not to rush passing the Republican plan to repeal and replace portions of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

In a letter sent to Indiana's two U.S. senators and nine U.S. representatives, the Democratic state lawmakers warn against continuing to fast-track a GOP proposal they say endangers the lives of some 400,000 Hoosiers who rely on Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0 for their Medicaid health coverage.

"We have met few Hoosiers who want to lose their health care coverage, see Medicare slashed, endure health care job losses or see family members suffer needlessly," the House Democrats write.

"This is why significant groups representing physicians, hospitals and seniors  including the AARP  are vociferously asking you to slow down and go no further until you fully understand a new round of wholesale health care changes."

The American Health Care Act, proposed by U.S. House Republicans and Republican President Donald Trump, would end the ACA's enhanced federal funding for individuals who became eligible for Medicaid under the 2010 law, including most HIP members.

As a result, Indiana would have to pay 33 percent of their health care costs, instead of 10 percent, which the Democrats claim will blow a multibillion-dollar hole in the state budget, or else force Indiana to dramatically reduce HIP eligibility, leaving thousands of low-income Hoosiers uninsured.

"The people of Indiana may soon come to learn that HIP 2.0 is the Affordable Care Act. It has a different name, it has a different branding, but that is its underpinning," said House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City.

Holcomb fears state HIP plan in jeopardy

Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb is concerned enough about what Congress might do to HIP that he recently published an opinion column in a Washington, D.C., newspaper asking that Indiana be allowed the freedom to both continue and grow its Medicaid expansion alternative.

"Our Healthy Indiana Plan is now the go-to model of consumer-driven healthcare for states in the Midwest and beyond," Holcomb said in "The Hill."

However, Holcomb has admitted that it will not be possible to maintain HIP 2.0 as-is unless federal funding continues at the 90 percent rate, in part because state law requires the program terminate if funding drops below that level.

Ironically, that law was signed in 2015 by then-Gov. Mike Pence, now the Republican vice president of the United States, who counts the creation of HIP 2.0 as one of his chief accomplishments as governor, and yet is a leading advocate for the Republican plan that could gut it.

Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, said he's also staying in touch with the state's federal delegation as they debate what changes to make to the nation's health laws.

"Depending on the path that Congress takes with the American Health Care Act, it could impact our funding mechanisms here and perhaps eligibility for the program," Bosma said. "We just don't know enough yet to react."

Hoosier lawmakers likely would have at least a few years to possibly adjust state spending to maintain HIP enrollment should the Republican health care proposal become law.

As currently written, the Medicaid expansion changes that reduce HIP funding would not take effect until 2020.
EAST CHICAGO  Gov. Eric Holcomb on Friday said his office has begun work on a number of high priorities  such as providing water filters to homeowners  in efforts to address lead contamination in sections of the city.

In a letter to East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland, Holcomb said Indiana Department of Environmental Management is exploring funding sources that may be available to provide and install water filters for households in zones 2 and 3 of the 322-acre USS Lead Superfund site.

It was first reported in December the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found lead levels exceeding its standard for drinking water in a batch of homes in the Superfund site due to inadequate corrosion control chemicals. In months prior, IDEM had been working with the city to adjust its chemical levels to reduce lead leaching from pipes into the water.

The EPA in December recommended all water customers citywide use filters, noting the results from the agency's pilot study should be considered a representative sample.

A resident-led Community Advisory Group on Tuesday sent a letter to Holcombs office, arguing, in part, the need for water filters is immediate for those living in the Superfund site.

"Im happy to hear they are looking for funding, but Im not happy that were not jumping on the immediate need. Movement is good, but knowing the water is contaminated, I want filters now," said Maritza Lopez, a resident in Zone 3 who said Friday she was speaking on behalf of herself, not for the CAG.

While Lopez said she is appreciative of the states help, she said nonprofits, environmental law firms, advocacy groups and other organizations have been working diligently for months with families in the Superfund site to find funding sources for water filters and bottled water.

Its bothersome that right now, everything is being done by residents. Were taking the lead but we were the last to know, she said.

Last month, residents began a grassroots effort to distribute bottled water to families. Many of the donations have been pouring in from Blue Valpo in Porter County. More recently, Project Neighbors began accepting donations for water filters to East Chicago residents.

In early March, several community groups petitioned the EPA to immediately act to protect residents from lead in their drinking water. According to the petition, the East Chicago Water Department and Indiana Department of Environmental Management have failed to adequately address the problem in the short-term, so the Environmental Protection Agency should use its emergency powers.

The immediate public health threat to the entire city because of lead in drinking water is not being adequately addressed, the petition said.

Holcomb also stated Friday IDEM is also identifying possible private sector or nonprofit partners willing to assist with additional filter cartridges as a way to ease residents financial burden.

In Holcombs letter, he said the Indiana Finance Authority has committed to making available a below-market interest loan to the city through the states Revolving Loan Fund for lead line replacement. The IFA will also pay for pipe replacement at homes in zones 2 and 3 where soil removal is planned this year and where the EPA pilot sampling showed elevated lead levels.

The IFA, city and EPA will coordinate lead line replacement with soil excavation, the letter stated.

Among the top priorities, Holcomb said IDEM also will conduct water sampling at private homes throughout the city. Compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule is not determined through sequential sampling, but samples must be taken at individual taps, IDEM said.

The CAG in a letter to Holcomb argued sequential testing is the "best way to determine whether lead in the service lines is entering the water."

The CAG said members believe the city's request for $5 million for water infrastructure replacement in public buildings, including City Hall, and $2.7 million for legal fees amid lawsuits against the city, is inappropriate. That money, the group said, would be more appropriate for residents' most urgent needs.

"If the State has the ability to dedicate (funding) as requested for those purposes, it should instead use those funds to improve outcomes for residents who have suffered serious health consequences and loss in property value due to no fault of their own," the CAG said.
PORTER  Kim Price stood before hundreds of women at the Spa Banquet Center in Porter on Friday night, tears in her eyes as she revealed that just five years earlier she, as a homeless and single mother, was unable to afford many of the items that lined the nearby tables.

Every woman has a need for these things, but it is hard to afford them when youre homeless, she said.

Price was keynote speaker at Mardi Bra, an annual event that asks guests to donate brand new bras and feminine hygiene products for women in need.

The items will be donated to Housing Opportunities, an agency providing services for the Porter County homeless population where Price was once a client, but now is an employee.

Mardi Bra was founded and organized by Dr. Nicky Ali Jackson. Friday nights event was emceed by Janet Davies, Emmy Award-winning broadcaster for ABC 7 News.

Ive always found it important to be involved in causes that help women and children, but this one was highly unusual and creative, Davies said, noting that she enjoyed shopping for bras to donate.

Jackson thanked the crowd for their generosity and encouraged the women to continue their acts of kindness with the community and one another.

We can build strong womanhood. We are that powerful. The strongest women praise and help each other, said Jackson, who said she was inspired to create the event after reading a magazine article about homeless women in need of these items.

Alma Read, of Des Plaines, attended the event with her sister-in-law Olga Solis, of Chesterton, and said that her participation was personal.

When I was a young, single mom, I needed help and there were people there to help me out. I said that if I was ever in a position to help others, I would, Read said.

Students from Purdue University Northwests (PNW) Criminal Justice Club volunteered for the event, stacking donated items on collection tables.

This is a really great event for women because these products are so expensive and homeless women cant afford these necessities, said Corie OConnor, a junior sociology major at PNW and member of the Criminal Justice Club.

For Katelyn Merritt, of Chesterton, attending the event to help an important cause was important to supporting the community.

When it comes to undergarments and feminine hygiene products, its not talked about. Its a taboo subject. Ive seen through volunteering at organizations that there is a need for these products, and this cause gives them their dignity, Merritt said.

Merritts mother, Kim Merritt, along with Amy Redman and Alicia Charlson, served as committee members of the event and the special event assistant was Lori Tarnowski. Jackson thanked them all for their hard work.

Their dedication to the community is truly amazing. The key to making our nation better is with love, and women supporting women  Get it? Supporting women? she said as the crowd laughed.
CHESTERTON  For eight years, Tina Sanders dedicated herself to making sure our fallen soldiers came home to their families.

A 2000 Chesterton High School graduate, Sanders, 35, joined the U.S. Army after graduation. After job shadowing at a local funeral home during high school, she was assigned to the mortuary affairs office.

During a tour in Iraq, Sanders was part of the team that made sure soldiers who died in country were returned home.

"I wanted to take care of them best that we can, making sure they got home with all the dignity they deserved," she said.

After her tour in Iraq, she and the team traveled from Laos to Vietnam, New Guinea and Thailand, acting on tips, trying to find the remains of soldiers lost in combat, primarily during the Vietnam War.

Then she came home following eight years of active duty. She'd spend another three years with the Army National Guard.

"I worked a couple of different jobs, but I couldn't find anything that was as satisfying as I did in the Army," she said, adding she most recently tended bar at the Chesterton VFW and just recently got a cafeteria job at Valparaiso University.

Also a single mom, she depended on family for support.

At the encouragement of a friend, Sanders applied to Porter County Habitat for Humanity.

"I didn't think I stood a chance, but I applied," she said, adding she didn't quite understand the program and didn't think she would qualify.

Then on Feb. 14, she got the word from executive director Brian Johnson that she'd been chosen for this year's build, which will not only be the group's first veteran's build, but will also be a woman's build.

"I was very excited. We had a little party at the VFW," said Sanders.

"It's amazing. I've never had my own home. There is so much emotion. My daughter is ecstatic. She's always bounced around from home to home," she said.

Sanders will work for her new home, Johnson said. She, like other Habitat recipients, is expected to provide 350 hours of sweat equity in work on her home's construction as well as others. While she will receive a zero percent mortgage, Sanders will pay about $500 per month for the new three-bedroom home. She will also have to attend 40 hours of homeownership and financial classes.

"We've been looking for a veteran for a couple of years," said Johnson, adding the veteran's build is a way for the community to give thanks to someone who has served their country.

Being a woman's building, the group is pulling women from the community to get involved in the construction. Sanders' home will be constructed in the Black Hawk Beach area of Valparaiso. The traditional wall raising is scheduled for May 6.

Johnson said they are looking for volunteers to help in construction. Potential volunteers can contact Kelly Longhi at 219-531-0359. They are also looking for sponsorships to meet a match of a $25,000 grant for the build. Anyone interested in helping sponsor the build can contact Johnson at the same number or by email at brian@portercountyhabitat.org.
Eight-year-old Andrew "Bobo" Speakman has plenty to "Yahoo!" about these days.

He spends a good deal of his time running around his new Ohio home, literally shouting "Yahoo!" in the embrace of a warm family affection he's never before known.

Piggyback rides on the back of a new dad, cuddles from three new younger sisters, and a mother whose love crossed an ocean to claim her son, have replaced the Chinese orphanage where he was born.

In a most significant way, Northwest Indiana is responsible for all the "Yahooing."

Regular Times readers will remember columns I wrote about Andrew  who most will remember by his nickname, Bobo  after he journeyed to Northwest Indiana during the 2015 holiday season.

At that time, Bobo was being sponsored for a U.S. visit by Wheatfield mom Jill Terborg.

Terborg adopted both of her daughters, Ella, now 10, and Lexie, now 8, from Chinese orphanages.

Lexie left behind a best friend, Bobo, in 2012, when she journeyed to Northwest Indiana for a new life with a loving mother. Though she adored her family, she frequently would cry herself to sleep thinking about Bobo during her first few months in the Region.

Terborg never forgot about Bobo, and the family hosted him for several weeks in late 2015 through a program aimed at helping match Chinese orphans with forever families.

For those thirsting for a happy ending, here it is.

Melissa and Ric Speakman, of Ohio, became aware of Bobo's story through social media and Melissa's mother, who lives in Wheatfield and is a friend of Terborg's family.

Melissa Speakman said it didn't take her family long to realize they wanted Bobo  an inquisitive little boy who loves any toy with assembly required  to be a part of their fold.

Though Bobo flew back to China in early 2016 amid tearful goodbyes from the Terborg family, gears already were in motion for a more permanent return trip to the United States.

Melissa, who home-schools her three young daughters, and Ric, now an Air Force lieutenant colonel, initiated proceedings to adopt Bobo shortly after he returned to his Chinese orphanage.

Meanwhile, some concerned Times readers, including one particularly generous and anonymous one, began putting money into a special account to help offset costs of adopting Bobo.

It all culminated in Melissa and Ric journeying to China in February to finalize Bobo's adoption.

Melissa admits the first meeting with their new son was awkward. They had never met Bobo, whose American name is Andrew, in person before.

Part of the adoption process required the Speakmans to spend two weeks in China with Andrew, finalizing paperwork and visiting sites of Chinese culture. It didn't take long for the little boy, whose "sweet voice" now reverberates throughout the Speakmans' home, to bond with his new parents, Melissa said.

Social media posts captured the two magical weeks after Andrew met his mother and father. Trips to the Great Wall, which Andrew had never visited, piggyback rides on Ric's back and huge grins as Andrew and Ric chucked food to monkeys at Guangzhou's Safari Park abound on the Speakmans' Facebook feed.

Their social media page also shows a tender photo of Melissa hugging a sleeping, seatbelt-strapped Andrew, and another of the boy smiling from a Chinese hotel window in his mother's embrace.

Andrew has been home with his new family for a scant few weeks, and there have been challenges.

The little boy can become agitated at night before bed, as if he's fearful of something, Melissa said. A language barrier will no doubt persist for some time.

But the happiness and excitement of a whole new world  for both Andrew and his family  outweigh those challenges, Melissa said.

Andrew frequently becomes jubilant during family activities  planting seeds in the backyard, bowling or playing with his sisters, twins Katie and Emily, 8, and Hannah, 6. The euphoria often releases itself in a loud "Yahoo!"

Andrew also greets Melissa and Ric with outstretched arms, calling for Mommy and Daddy.

They're two familial words most of us take for granted, and Andrew has never before known their true meaning  in English or Chinese.

Having lived his entire life in an orphanage, one must wonder if it's all set in yet. Are the fearful bedtime episodes a concern that he'll wake up, and this new, loving family will be gone with the sunrise?

Fortunately for Andrew, his experiences are real and here to stay, and Northwest Indiana played a role in making it so.

It seems a lifetime for Andrew has been packed into his experiences of the last year: journeying to Northwest Indiana after never before leaving China, returning to his Chinese orphanage and then coming back to our country a year later with his forever family.

In reality, Andrew's story is only beginning. Thanks to some huge hearts, the next chapters will contain narratives of family love and support  a language no longer foreign to a little boy named Andrew, who we once knew as Bobo.
AT&T Indiana has signed on as a sponsor of World Civility Day on April 13 and will sponsor the cyberbullying presentation by Cathie Bledsoe of the Indiana State Police.

Bledsoe, a youth educator for the State Police Internet Crime against Children Task Force (ICAC), has been a presenter on Internet safety and cyberbullying for over a decade.

The Indiana State Police provide age-appropriate cyber safety presentations to schools, churches and youth organizations. These presentations focus on accurate and timely information relevant to youth from age 8 to 18.

World Civility Day will include civility-themed workshops at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond and an evening awards dinner at Avalon Manor in Merrillville.

Community Civility Counts, which started as a partnership of the Gary Chamber of Commerce and The Times Media Co. in 2015, is hosting the activities of World Civility Day for a second year.

As a proud sponsor of World Civility Day since its inception, were excited to see that the chamber and The Times are expanding its impact by offering informative workshops, said AT&T Indiana President Bill Soards.

Thanks to our Digital You initiative, which is aimed at increasing digital literacy and promoting online safety, were able to join with the Indiana State Police this year in offering guidance on how to watch for signs of cyberbullying, and keep our kids safe when theyre surfing the web.

Here is the full workshop schedule for the Indiana Welcome Center on April 13:

 Kickoff at 8:30 a.m.

 World Civility Day Ambassadorship, 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. Presented by Dr. Clyde Rivers, World Peace ambassador, special representative from Interfaith Peace-Building Initiative to the United Nations, and Ambassador at Large from Burundi, Africa;

 Stop the Bleed, 9:50 to 10:20 a.m. Presented by Methodist Hospitals;

 Civility in the Community, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Presented by the National Civility Center;

 Civility books and publishing, 11:20 to 11:40 a.m. Presented by Propriety Publishing of Canada;

 One Approach to providing Ethics Training to Public Employees," 11:40 to noon. Presented by Cal Bellamy of Shared Ethics Commission;

 Box lunch available

 Where do we go from here  chaos or community? 12:15 to 1 p.m. Presented by Urban League of Northwest Indiana;

 The Business Case for Civility at Work, 1;15 to 2:15 p.m. Presented by Lew Bayer of Civility Experts of Canada;

 "Stand Up, Speak up, Stop Bullying," 2 to 2:45 pm. Presented by Edgewater Systems;

 Civility in the Classroom, 2:30 to 3:20 p.m. Presented by Summer Moore of Community Civility Counts and teachers involved in the program in two Gary charter schools;

 Cyber Bullying in Schools, 3:30 to 4 p.m. Presented by Cathie Bledsoe of the Indiana State Police.

In addition to the Gary Chamber of Commerce and The Times Media Co., World Civility Day sponsors include Methodist Hospitals, AT&T Indiana, National Civility Center, Civility Experts, Propriety Publishing, Legacy Foundation, Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce, Greater Northwest Indiana Association of Realtors, Shared Ethics Advisory Commission, and Lake Area United Way.

Tickets can be ordered through the Gary Chamber of Commerce. Call (219) 885-7407. Tickets are $25 for the day sessions and lunch and $60 for the celebration and awards dinner. Tables of 10 for the dinner can be reserved for $550.
ORLY, France  Soldiers at Paris' busy Orly Aiport shot and killed a man who wrestled one of their colleagues to the ground and tried to steal her rifle Saturday, officials said.

Thousands of travelers were evacuated and at least 15 flights were diverted to the city's other airport, Charles de Gaulle. No one else was hurt.

A French official connected to the investigation confirms media reports identifying the attacker as Ziyed Ben Belgacem, a 39-year-old born in France.

The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to publicly discuss the suspected attacker's identity.

France Info radio, on its website, identified him as Ziyed Ben Belgacem, which the official confirmed to the AP. Le Parisien newspaper named him only as Ziyed B. and said he was born in Paris.

Earlier Saturday, he fired birdshot at officers during a traffic stop in a Paris suburb, wounding one in the face. Then, Paris police said, he stole a woman's car at gunpoint. It was found near Orly.

The prosecutor's office said its anti-terrorism division was handling the investigation and had taken the attacker's father and brother into custody for questioning.

The incident further rattled France, which remains under a state of emergency after attacks over the past two years that have killed 235 people.

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the attacker, whom he did not identify, assaulted three Air Force soldiers who were patrolling the airport. He said the soldier who was attacked managed to hold on to her rifle and the two soldiers she was with opened fire to protect her and the public. A spokesman for the force later said she was shocked but not hurt.

It happened around 8:30 a.m. Paris time (0730 GMT) in a public area of the airport's South Terminal, before passengers must show tickets or go through security.

Officials said about 3,000 people were evacuated from Orly, where passengers told of gunshots and panic. Traffic was jammed near the airport and people wheeled suitcases down the road.

People on 13 flights that landed around the time the drama was unfolding had to stay on planes for several hours. Augustin de Romanet, president of the ADP airport authority, said they were allowed off around noon, once a search of the airport was complete.

A witness identified only as Dominque told BFM Television that the attacker held the soldier by the throat and held her arm and her weapon.

"We saw it was a serious situation so we escaped," he said. "We went down the stairs and right after we heard two gunshots."

Taxi driver Youssef Mouhajra was picking up passengers at Orly when he heard shots, which he first thought were just a warning.

"We have become accustomed to this kind of warning and to having the soldiers there," he said.

Then he said he saw people rushing out of the terminal.

"I told (the passengers) let's get out of here," he said. As he drove away, he saw soldiers and police rushing toward the airport.

The soldier who was attacked is part of the Sentinelle special force installed around France to protect sensitive sites after a string of deadly Islamic extremist attacks. The force includes 7,500 soldiers, half deployed in the Paris region and half in the provinces.

Saturday was at least the fourth time that Sentinelle soldiers have been targeted since the force was created. It was set up after the attack January 2015 attack on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and reinforced after the assaults that left 130 people dead in Paris in November of that year.

Orly is Paris' second-biggest airport, behind Charles de Gaulle. It has both domestic and international flights, notably to destinations in Europe and Africa.

The shooting comes after a similar incident last month at the Louvre Museum in which an Egyptian man attacked soldiers guarding the site and was shot and wounded. It also comes just days before the first anniversary of attacks on the Brussels airport and subway that killed 32 people and wounded hundreds of others.

___

Leicester reported from Paris. Associated Press Writers Angela Charlton in Paris and Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen contributed.
Health savings accounts are poised for a major expansion by Republicans in Washington, D.C., and that could mean millions more customers  and fees  flowing to a handful of companies.

Investors are betting on it, bidding up shares of HSA provider HealthEquity by about 35 percent since the November election. Its one of the best performing stocks on Wall Street since Donald Trump won the White House.

Another big beneficiary might be Optum Bank, the industry leader, with more than 3 million of these accounts and about $7 billion in assets it manages for consumers. Its owned by the nations largest health insurer, UnitedHealth Group.

For years, these companies and others have been lobbying lawmakers for changes that could become reality with a Republican-controlled Congress and Trump administration.

The GOP health law replacement plan introduced Monday in the House reflects the partys broad consensus for giving more Americans access to HSAs, which allow people to put aside money tax-free for medical expenses.

There is an excitement in the business now, Dr. Steve Neeleman, founder of Utah-based HealthEquity and a former trauma surgeon. There are definitely things Washington can do to make HSAs more enticing to a broader market.

Health saving accounts were introduced in 2003 in legislation championed by President George W. Bush. Enrollment has grown steadily to nearly 21 million accounts with $41 billion in assets, according to the Devenir Group, a research and consulting firm that tracks the industry.

Still, that number is a small fraction of the 178 million people who have health insurance through their jobs or purchase it on their own.

Industry officials are eager to reach new markets, including baby boomers in Medicare and enrollees in the militarys Tricare system, for whom  under current law  HSAs are off-limits. They also want to manage larger accounts that generate more revenue. Republican proposals in Congress could help accomplish both.

Proponents say consumers with HSAs may be more judicious in using services and seeking lower prices because their own money is at stake. Backers also like the tax breaks: Theres no tax on the funds investment gains or on withdrawals if spent on medical care. But critics note this treatment favors the wealthy as those with lower incomes often struggle to afford health care and have little to set aside in savings accounts.

A 2015 study found that high-income households were considerably more likely than low-income to contribute to HSAs. The highest-income tax filers were also substantially more likely to fund their accounts fully.

Under current law, HSA accounts must be paired with a high-deductible health plan. Individuals can contribute as much as $3,400 annually, or $6,750 for families. Unused balances roll over to the following year, and consumers can take the account with them when they leave an employer, much like a 401(k) retirement account. Some employers contribute to HSAs on behalf of their employees.

Its already a lucrative business. In a February investor presentation, HealthEquity touted a gross profit margin of 57 percent on its 2.7 million health savings accounts. And the company said the accounts become more profitable over time, reaching a 72 percent profit margin six years in as costs decrease and balances grow.

The House Republican plan proposes to nearly double the HSA contribution limits to $6,550 for individuals and $13,100 for families beginning in 2018. Meanwhile, in the Senate, other proposals  including one by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and another advanced by Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine)  lay out slightly different yet favorable treatment of HSAs.

The over-65 market in Medicare is a prime target for expansion.

That is a great population that has the potential to save and really take more control over their health care, said Eric Remjeske, president of the Devenir Group, the research and consulting firm.

Neeleman agreed and said its wrong to shut out thousands of baby boomers who are retiring every day. Its just not fair, he said. Backers note that, even though Medicare is not a high-deductible health plan, there is cost sharing in Medicare, which leads many in Congress to think the prohibition should be abandoned.

The companies overseeing these accounts rake in money from a variety of fees, much like banks do.

Often consumers pay service fees that range from $2 to $5 per month for each account. The companies also earn interest on the customers money they manage in whats known as custodial revenue. And HSA administrators collect fees from merchants when consumers use company-issued debit cards to pay for medical expenses out of their accounts.

At HealthEquity, the second-largest HSA provider, about half of its revenue comes from service fees and the rest derives from custodial revenue or debit fees, according to its annual report. Companies can also earn fees from mutual funds offered to customers as investment options. In the workplace, some employers cover some or all of the fees for workers.

Neeleman said that HealthEquity and other firms provide an important service and that theyre upfront about the fees they collect.

In addition to well-heeled retirees on Medicare, companies running these accounts also see opportunity among lower-income households.

Several states have experimented with adding savings accounts in Medicaid, the state-federal insurance program for the poor. Vice President Mike Pence embraced this idea while he was governor of Indiana. Medicaid members in Indiana can get additional benefits such as vision and dental coverage if they make small monthly contributions to accounts similar to HSAs. However, debate continues as to how effective the approach will be for this population.

Industry officials doubt they will get everything on their wish list from Congress. For instance, unlimited contributions to tax-free accounts could cost the federal government too much in revenue and invite more criticism that HSAs are a tax shelter for the rich.

Kevin Robertson, a senior vice president and director of sales for HSA Bank, the industrys third-largest company, said some proposals are more likely wishful thinking but the overall direction is unmistakable as the GOP pushes a market-driven approach to health care.

The political and economic winds are favorable and most definitely pushing HSAs, he said.

This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation.
ORLY, France  Yelling that he wanted to kill and die for Allah, a suspected Islamic extremist attacked a French soldier Saturday morning at Paris Orly Airport and wrested away her assault rifle, a French prosecutor said. Two colleagues on her patrol shot and killed the man before he could fire the military-grade weapon in the busy airport terminal.

The attack forced the airports terminals to shut down and evacuate, sent passengers and workers fleeing in panic and trapped hundreds of others aboard flights that had just landed. It was the violent climax of what authorities described as a 90-minute spree of destructive criminality across the French capital by the suspect, identified as Ziyed Ben Belgacem.

The attack further rattled France, which remains under a state of emergency after attacks over the past two years that have killed 235 people.

Orly, Paris second-biggest airport behind Charles de Gaulle, has both domestic and international flights and the 8:30 a.m. assault brought its operations to a screeching halt.

Stopped first by police in Paris northern suburbs early Saturday morning for driving too fast and without lights in a small Renault, the 39-year-old Frenchman opened fire with a revolver loaded with bird shot, injuring an officer in the face, authorities said.

He then fled by car to a bar that he frequented regularly and where he had already stopped a few hours earlier and again opened fire. No one was injured.

Finally, in another car stolen at gunpoint, he parked at Orly. A few minutes later, he hurled himself at three soldiers on patrol in its South Terminal, throwing a bag with a gas can at the floor and wielding his 9 mm revolver, said Paris prosecutor Francois Molins.

With a pistol in his right hand and a bag over his shoulder, he grabbed (the soldier) with his left arm, made her move backward by three to four meters (yards), positioning her as a shield, and pointed his revolver at her forehead, Molins said.

According to soldiers, the attacker yelled: Put down your weapons! Put your hands on your head! I am here to die for Allah. Whatever happens, there will be deaths, Molins said.

In a struggle, the attacker managed to wrest free the captive soldiers Famas assault rifle and sling it over his shoulder. Molins said video surveillance footage appeared to show that Belgacem was determined to see the process through to the end.

Everything suggests that he wanted to take the Famas so there would be deaths and to shoot people, he said.

In between the moments when he ducked behind his hostage, the two other soldiers fired three bursts, eight rounds in all, that killed the attacker, Molins said.

Her two comrades thought it was necessary  and they were right  to open fire to protect her and especially to protect all the people who were around, said French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Le Drian had said the soldier kept hold of her weapon. Molins said while she did wrestle it back from Belgacem at one point, he managed to snatch it off her in the end.

Witnesses described panicked bystanders fleeing, flights halting, traffic chaos and planes under lockdowns. Traffic was jammed near the airport and people wheeled suitcases down the road.

Wed already registered our bags when we saw a soldier pointing his gun at the attacker who was holding another soldier hostage, said Pascal Menniti, who was flying to the Dominican Republic.

Authorities said at least 3,000 people were evacuated from the airport. Hundreds of passengers also were confined for several hours aboard 13 flights that were blocked in landing areas, and 15 other flights were diverted to Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Passengers were allowed off their blocked planes around noon, once a search of the airport was complete, but the airports South Terminal did not reopen until late afternoon, authorities said.

Despite the transportation chaos, French authorities stressed that security planning  reinforced across the country in the wake of repeated attacks  worked well.

The soldier was psychologically shocked but unhurt by the rapid and violent assault, said Col. Benoit Brulon, a spokesman for the military force that patrols public sites in France.

The attackers motives were unknown but the anti-terror section of the Paris prosecutors office immediately took over the investigation.

His father and brother were detained by police for questioning later Saturday, which is standard operating procedure. Molins said a cousin of Belgacems also turned himself in for questioning, having spent time with the attacker in the bar the previous night.

A search of Belgacems residence found cocaine and a machete, Molins said. The father and brother told police that Belgacem phoned them Saturday morning, minutes after shooting at the police traffic patrol, to say that hed made a mistake, Molins said.

The prosecutors office said the attacker had a record of robbery and drug offenses. Molins said he was out on bail, banned from leaving France and obliged to report regularly to police, having been handed preliminary charges for robberies in 2016.

Molins said Belgacem was flagged as having been radicalized during a spell in detention from 2011-2012. His house was among scores searched in November 2015 in the immediate aftermath of suicide bomb-and-gun attacks that killed 130 people in Paris.

French President Francois Hollande said investigators will determine whether the attacker had a terrorist plot behind him. But he ruled out any link between the attack and the two-round French presidential election in April and May, noting that France has been battling extremist threats for years.

At a Saturday evening news conference, Molins gave reporters a timeline for Belgacems last hours.

He said about 90 minutes before the airport attack, Belgacem was stopped by a police traffic patrol at Garges-les-Gonesse in northern Paris. As he showed his ID papers, he pulled out a gun and fired bird shot, injuring an officer in the face.

Police fired back. He fled in his car.

He then drove to the bar in Vitry, south of Paris, and opened fire. He abandoned his Renault and stole another car at gunpoint. That car was later found at Orly Airport, and Molins said video surveillance showed Belgacem was alone when he parked it.

The military patrol at Orly was part of the Sentinelle force installed around France to protect sensitive sites after a string of deadly Islamic extremist attacks. Saturday was at least the fourth time that Sentinelle soldiers have been targeted since the force, which includes 7,500 soldiers, was created in 2015.

Saturdays attack comes after a similar incident last month at the Louvre Museum in Paris in which an Egyptian man attacked soldiers guarding the site. He was shot and wounded and taken into custody.
Van Morrison must be feeling fine with his muse these days. His latest and 36th studio album, Keep Me Singing, arrived last fall, featured all originals but one, and cracked the Top 10 on the Billboard 200. And after a few years where he didnt come around Southern California much anymore he arrived Friday for the first of three nights at the Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles just a little over a year from a pair of sold-out shows at the Shrine Auditorium just down the road.

Of course you have to speculate as to how Vans feeling because hes never been much of one to tell you, preferring to let the music do the talking, but well stick with our hunch that all is good in Morrison Land because the show on Friday was a joyful display of Morrison at his best.

He walked on stage at 8 p.m. sharp as is his custom, dressed as always these days in a fedora, dark sunglasses and a sharp dark suit, kicking off the night with Too Late, the one song hed play on Friday from the new record. Have I Told You Lately followed, and as he sang whats certainly one of his greatest love songs one or two fans in the crowd shouted out, We love you, Van!

The night that followed stayed on that track: warm and loving songs for the most part, the audience wrapped up in the moment, Morrison delivering a career-spanning set that as hes inclined to do didnt repeat much of what hed played in concert here a year earlier, maybe six or seven songs repeated in the 19 that he scattered over the hour and 40 minutes on stage.

Why repeat yourself, though, when theres so many wonderful songs in your catalog, even if the biggest radio hits  numbers such as Wild Night and Moondance, both of which had many in the crowd up and dancing  are knocked off early in the set so that other numbers get their chance to shine as the night rolls on?

Those two songs were a blast to hear and sing along to, but the emotionally moving stuff unfolds at a slower but equally rewarding burn. One of Morrisons great talents is the ability to take his time inside a song, feeling the heart of its lyrics and conveying that as he lets each word fly, his phrasing always strong even as it might change from night to night.

Hes fond of mashing up a handful of songs into a medley and on Friday as he seamlessly slipped through tunes such as In The Afternoon into Ancient Highway and then Raincheck and then a bit of Big Joe Turner. Its an awesome thing to see and hear him feel his way through those changes.

Friday, of course, was St. Patricks Day, and though many in the crowd were wearing their green, and the bartenders were certainly pouring more Jamesons Irish whiskey than usual, Morrisons sole nod to the day was a rollicking performance of Star of the County Down, a traditional Irish song he recorded with the Chieftains. The crowds reaction was so big to that one, though, that Morrison seemed more energized than at any other time in the show, singing and gesturing with abandon as the song raced to a close.

Hes 71 years old now, and in addition to playing saxophone, harmonica and guitar at times, his voice remains his strongest instrument. And whether it was the venue or the mixing, it was much, much clearer in the mix than at the Shrine a year ago, every word distinct whether he and his tight band were playing at high volume as on a medley of bluesy numbers that included Baby Please Dont Go and Parchman Farm, or on a softer tune such as Whenever God Shines His Light.

The night ended with a pairing that perfectly illustrated Morrisons ability to go from an ethereal moment of divine ecstasy to the earthy longing of man within a few scattered breaths.

Ballerina, the one track he played off his iconic Astral Weeks album, found him rocking back on his heels, holding onto the microphone and stand with both hands, as the spirit carried him and his voice to improvised heights, and made for the most moving moment of my night.

Gloria followed to wrap the show and its raw passion hit a different part of your soul with no less power, Morrison growling out the lyrics, finally singing himself off stage as the band roared on for nearly 10 minutes more, a coda for the powerful job the boss had delivered.

Morrison returns to the Ace Hotel on Saturday, which is sold-out, and Sunday, for which some tickets remain.
BEIRUT  The United States struck an al-Qaida gathering in northern Syria, killing dozens of militants, U.S. officials said Friday. They said they found no basis for reports that civilians were killed.

Syrian opposition activists said around 40 people, mostly civilians, were killed in a mosque in the area, accusing the U.S.-led coalition of carrying out the airstrike Thursday evening.

Friday prayers were cancelled across rebel-held parts of northern Syria after the airstrike that opposition activists and paramedics said struck the crowded Omar Ibn al-Khattab Mosque in the Jeeneh district in Aleppo province, killing and wounding dozens of people, some of whom were left trapped under the rubble.

U.S. Army Maj. Josh Jacques, a U.S. Central Command spokesman, said the U.S. did not target or strike a mosque.

We targeted an al-Qaeda gathering across the street from a mosque. The mosque does not appear to be damaged following the strike, he said.

Later, a Pentagon spokesman, Eric Pahon, said U.S. surveillance of the target area indicated evening prayers already had concluded before the attack. He said the building that was struck was a partially constructed community meeting hall that al-Qaida leaders used to gather and as a place to educate and indoctrinate al-Qaida fighters.

Initial assessments based upon post-strike analysis do not indicate civilian casualties, Pahon said. He said the Pentagon would investigate any credible allegations it received.

Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, another Pentagon spokesman, said officials werent aware of any such credible assessment. He showed reporters a U.S. military photo of the strike and said that dozens of al-Qaida militants who were meeting in the building were targeted and killed. The photo, which the military said was taken less than five minutes after the strike, showed extensive damage to the building. Debris also was scattered toward the mosque, but there was little visible damage to the mosque or two cars parked next to it.

Davis said the U.S. was aware the mosque was next door and deliberately did not strike it. He said that some video he has seen showed damage to the building on the other side of the al-Qaida base.

Davis said the U.S. believes there were some high ranking individuals there, but he did not identify them, and said the U.S. is still assessing the results of the strike. He said al-Qaida had been using the building as a meeting place, but he said he did not know if the building had at some point been associated with the mosque next door.

He said that manned and unmanned aircraft launched airstrikes at the building, which would include Hellfire missiles and bombs.

A powerful Syrian opposition group and other opposition activists blamed the U.S.-led coalition for the airstrike. The coalition has been targeting the Islamic State group and al-Qaidas affiliate in northern Syria for more than two years, but it was not clear how the opposition group knew who carried out the strike. Russian and Syrian aircraft are known also to operate in the opposition-held region.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said fragments of ammunition with Latin markings were found in the debris at the scene, which made it possible to conclude that Hellfire missiles were being used.

The US military has officially confirmed that it was they who struck the area. The goal was a building located across the street from the mosque, which was used to hold meetings by al-Qaida terrorists, she said.

Bahaa al-Halaby, an Aleppo-based opposition activist based, said the Thursday night airstrike hit as about 250 people had gathered at the mosque for prayers or to attend a religious lesson. Mosques are usually crowded on Thursday night ahead of Friday, the day of communal prayers in the Muslim weekend.

This was one of the worst massacres committed in the area, al-Halaby said.

An Islamic networking group as Advocacy and Intimation is known to be active at the mosque where religious lessons are offered to the local population, according to al-Halaby and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which also described the attack as a massacre.

Jihadi and militant websites said the group, which aims to encourage people to adhere to Islam by peaceful means, was holding a weekly meeting with about 250 people in attendance. The group has branches in other countries.

Footage from the scene showed volunteers putting out fires and pulling victims from the rubble.

The Observatory and al-Halaby said Friday prayers were cancelled in rebel-held parts of Aleppo and Idlib provinces, adding that such decisions are not uncommon where mosques have been targeted in the past.

The Observatory said the airstrike on the mosque in Jeeneh killed 46 while the Local Coordination Committees, another monitoring group, said 40 were killed. Such discrepancies are not uncommon in the immediate aftermath of attacks in Syria.

The powerful ultraconservative Ahrar al-Sham group also said the airstrike was carried out by the U.S.-led coalition, adding that the targeting mosques and places of worship is a war crime.
After 50-plus years, Pirates of the Caribbean remains one of Disneylands most popular attractions.

When it opened, Ron Hanford was there.

It lived up to everything, he recalled, now 71 and living in Rancho Cucamonga.

I cant believe its been 50 years, said his wife, Linda. Its fun every single time. It doesnt get old.

To create the attraction was a long, 10-year journey.

Graphic: Inside the legendary ride 50 years later

It was the last attraction overseen by Walt Disney, opening three months after his death. What is now a 15-minute journey in a boat that bobs past fireflies, pirates firing off cannons, drinking pirates and those trying to escape a jail cell  with that catchy tune as a backdrop much of the way  was originally going to be a walk-through wax museum.

Just two years after Disneyland opened in 1955, Sam McKim, one of Disneys early imagineers, completed concept paintings and sketches for New Orleans Square, said Tom Morris, a Disney imagineer from 1979 until last year. Those plans included restaurants, shops and a small wax museum about pirates.

In 1959, the Matterhorn, Monorail and Submarine Voyage opened in Tomorrowland, boosting attendance.

Walt Disney knew he needed more on the parks west side. So the vision for New Orleans Square expanded, more than doubling in size. In early 1961, construction started, with the walk-through wax exhibit the centerpiece.

Later that year a memo, which Morris would unearth, changed Pirates of the Caribbeans course. In it, Dick Nunis, a key operations manager at the park, told Admiral Joe Fowler, who built the park, that guest surveys showed that walk-thru attractions have a low appeal.

Nunis pushed for changing the Pirates of the Caribbean Wax Museum into a ride.

Construction continued along on New Orleans Squares basic structural steel. A year after that memo, Disney chimed in that he agreed  Pirates should be a ride.

Arrow Development, which designed and built many ride vehicles for Disneyland, was working at the time on the canal boats for Its a Small World and coming up with the design for boats that could get pulled upward and race downward.

The Pirates building was expanded to handle the boats turning radius. Sets started being designed for 120-plus audio-animatronic figures.

Because her mom worked at Disneys WED Enterprises in Glendale, Kim Irvine, now Disneylands art director, was able to view models and full-size mockups of Pirates built to gain Walt Disneys approval.

To see it completely put together with the lighting and the soundtrack and all of it at once is absolutely overwhelming, Irvine said about the completed project. The cinematic details; all the elements there pull it together in such a strong, storytelling masterpiece.

The pirates would sing.

Marty Sklar, the eventual head of Walt Disney Imagineering, wrote up the first version of the songs lyrics.

I guess Walt liked X (Xavier) Atencios approach better than mine, because thats what was chosen, Sklar recalled.

Atencio, now 97, who had worked on Fantasia and other animated film projects at Disney Studios, not only wrote all of the dialog for Pirates of the Caribbean, he wrote the lyrics for the song that would hold together the entire attraction.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me.

Atencios daughter, Tori McCullough, who would become an imagineer herself, remembers riding Pirates and hearing her dads voice, the original voice of the skull just above the first waterfall drop.

I would go with all my friends in grade school and we all thought that was cool, she recalled. Everyone would say, Thanks, Mr. Atencio, before the drop.

A young Tom Morris, who would grow up and become a longtime Disney imagineer and dig up documents on Pirates of the Caribbeans history, was smitten: For an 8-year-old, it was a magical thing that grown men and women had put this thing together, and I always wanted to know more about how it came together and was built.

Before Disney died, in December 1966, he approved all of the final set and character designs. When Pirates first opened, many thought the flames in the ransacked town were real.

There is no real fire in the attraction, said Jerry Meirowsky, a retired machinist who helped maintain the ride. It is done with cellophane, Mylar, lights and little fan blowers.

From the 1967 opening until 1997, little changed on Pirates of the Caribbean. Then Disney imagineers made changes to the scene where pirates chased women. Now, the buccaneers chase women holding food and rum.

Nearly a decade later, in concert with the still-thriving film franchise starring Johnny Depp based on the ride, his character, Capt. Jack Sparrow, and others were added to the ride.

These days, there are Pirates of the Caribbean attractions at Walt Disney Worlds Magic Kingdom in Florida, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland, with that version using newfangled technology that creates the illusion of guests thinking they are going underwater.

Still, Disneylands remains vibrant.

This week, to celebrate Pirates 50th birthday, buddies Jason Diffendal of Philadelphia and Tom Corless of Orlando showed up in Anaheim to hop aboard.

Its Walts last attraction, the last one he personally supervised, said Diffendal, 42. Thats a big deal.

Said Corless, 28, Its the best theme park ride of all time.

Staff writer Brian Whitehead contributed to this report.

Contact the writer: meades@scng.com or follow on twitter @markaeades
DHAKA, Bangladesh  Islamic State claimed credit Friday for a botched suicide attack outside the future headquarters of the Rapid Action Battalion, Bangladeshs elite police force, bringing an apparent end to an extended lull in militant activities.

The Islamic States news agency took credit for the attack in an Arabic message distributed via Telegram, a messaging service. Shortly afterward, the same statement went out on the agencys Bengali-language service.

On Thursday, police made a bloody raid on a hideout in Chittagong that they said was used by militants affiliated with a branch of Jamaat-ul-Mujahedeen. The branch is widely understood to be affiliated with Islamic State.

Four people, including one woman and a 6-month-old, were killed in the raid, said Noor E Alam Mina, the superintendent of police for Chittagong district.

Officials said that security had been increased at international and domestic airports and that prisons in the country had been placed on alert.

An assailant carrying a bomb entered the battalions compound, where a few troops were staying and some construction was going on, said Cmdr. Mufti Mahmud Khan, a spokesman for the unit.

Two officials confronted the assailant and the bomb exploded, wounding both officials and killing the assailant, Khan said. The police suspect that the assailant was a member of a militant organization but are not certain which one, he said.

A bomb squad arrived to collect evidence, but the body of the assailant had been scattered over a large area, according to The Daily Star, an English-language daily newspaper.

After an attack on a restaurant last year, Bangladeshs elite police forces conducted waves of arrests and killings of suspected militants, and there was an end to the small-scale attacks that had become commonplace in recent years.

But reports of attacks on members of religious minority groups have resumed in recent weeks, among them the killings of a Sufi spiritual leader and his daughter and a Bangladeshi Christian. Neither crime has been officially linked to extremists.
SANTA ANA  A man was killed Friday, March 17, when his motorcycle collided with a van in a hit-and-run crash, police said.

The collision happened around 5:15 p.m. in the 200 block of South Standard Avenue, said Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.

A motorcyclist driving a 2006 Yamaha was traveling south on South Standard Avenue and collided with a white utility van that made a left turn on East Walnut Avenue, Bertagna said.

The driver of the van drove off after the collision, he added.

The motorcyclist, Eduardo Estrada Luevano, 36, of Santa Ana, was taken by ambulance to Orange County Global Medical Center where he died, according to the coroners office.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Santa Ana police at Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIPOCCS

Contact the writer: 714-796-7767 sschwebke@scng.com Twitter: @thechalkoutline
SANTA ANA  Oxford Preparatory Academy announced Friday, March 17, it has filed a lawsuit against its founder Sue Roche alleging she diverted funds from the school to benefit herself.

The complaint filed in Orange County Superior Court also names Edlighten Learning Solutions, where Roche served as executive director and president, as a defendant.

In November, the Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team, a collective that helps California school districts with financial and management advice and assistance, released an audit detailing problems at Oxford Prep allegedly involving Roche.

The audit noted the schools founder created a complex structure of charter management corporations that exercised significant influence over transactions and contracts . and secured considerable financial benefit.

Founded by former Chino Valley Unified Principal Roche, Oxford Preparatory has been operating a K-8 school in Chino since 2010 and later expanded to Orange County, with campuses in Mission Viejo and Lake Forest.

The schools broke off relationships with Roche and Edlighten last year.

Since then Oxford Prep has elected a new board of directors, replaced its entire executive leadership and has instituted policies targeting anti-nepotism, increased oversight, and internal financial controls.

Every day in our classrooms, our students, staff, and school community demonstrate high standards of integrity, work ethic, and academic achievement, said Andrew Crowe, interim managing director of Oxford Prep, in a statement We are committed to pursuing all avenues to right this wrong, keep our school open, and continue serving kids.

Efforts to contact Roche were unsuccessful Friday night.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7767 sschwebke@scng.com Twitter: @thechalkoutline
LOS ANGELES (AP)  A man suspected of shooting a sheriffs deputy after beating and robbing a gas station clerk is also believed to have killed a man he followed off a Southern California freeway and shot two other motorists he randomly targeted, authorities said Friday.

Kenneth Scott Welch, 37, of Redlands, was arrested Thursday on an attempted murder charge after shooting a San Bernardino County sheriffs deputy earlier that morning, about an hour after beating and robbing a gas station clerk, San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon said.

Authorities believe Welch is responsible for the slaying of 48-year-old Mario Figueroa, who was shot to death after driving a relative to work Wednesday morning in Highland. Investigators also suspect Welch shot two other motorists Tuesday evening along Interstate 210 in nearby Rialto, the citys police chief, Randy De Anda, said.

Theres nothing thats telling at this point as to why he went after these victims, McMahon said at a news conference Friday morning. It appears at this point to just be random.

Investigators say Welch spotted Figueroa driving along Californias Interstate 210 and, without provocation, began following him as Figueroa exited the freeway. Welch followed Figueroa down several streets until he parked his car and as Figueroa exited the vehicle, Welch shot him once in the head, killing him instantly, authorities said.

The suspect coldheartedly left him there to die and fled the scene, San Bernardino sheriffs Sgt. Robert Warrick said.

Fighting back tears, Figueroas niece, Julie Borquez, told reporters Friday that her uncle was simply helping a family member when he was gunned down.

He only wanted to do more with his life for his loved ones and himself, she said

Detectives suspect Welch is also responsible for shooting two other drivers along the same freeway the night before. As he was driving along the interstate, Welch put a gun out the window and shot a 23-year-old man who was driving home and minding his own business, De Anda said. About 15 minutes later, Welch, then driving the opposite direction on the same freeway, fired multiple shots at another car, striking the vehicle, he said.

Welch was arrested on suspicion of shooting a San Bernardino sheriffs deputy early Thursday morning after the deputy confronted him outside of a Chevron station in Hesperia, where the clerk had reported being beaten and robbed.

After Welch refused to show his hand, Deputy Patrick Higgins pepper-sprayed him and Welch opened fire, sheriffs officials said. One bullet hit the deputy in the chest but it was stopped by his body armor. He managed to return to his patrol SUV and fire back, authorities said.

Welch was arrested Thursday afternoon at his home in Redlands, where sheriffs deputies found him with a 9mm handgun and an AR-15 rifle in the backseat of his car, McMahon said. It was not immediately clear Friday if he had an attorney who could comment on the allegations.



Follow Michael Balsamo on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MikeBalsamo1 .
A Superior Court judge wants to dig deeper into allegations of misconduct by two former county prosecutors in a murder case against a construction worker charged in the traffic death of an off-duty sheriffs deputy.

The attorney for Cole Wilkins, arrested after a stove he stole fell from his truck and contributed to the 2006 death of the off-duty Los Angeles County Sheriffs deputy, wants the case dismissed because of misconduct by prosecutors.

Though Judge Thomas Goethals on Friday said dismissal was unlikely, he did set a hearing date of April 24 to look further into what he described as serious misconduct by two prosecutors who are now superior court judges, Michael Murray and Larry Yellin.

The district attorneys office, in a legal brief, has said sanctions are unwarranted for the alleged misconduct because Wilkins has already been granted a new trial.

Wilkins attorney, Assistant Public Defender Sara Ross, says Murray and Yellin both knew of two California Highway Patrol reports on the 2006 accident, one that said the deputy was at fault because of the way he was driving and another that indicated the accident was caused by the stove.

But in Wilkins first trial, prosecutors used only the report that helped their case, and didnt tell Wilkins defense lawyer that any other report had been written and destroyed.

In 2008, Wilkins was convicted of felony murder and sentenced to 25 years to life for his role in the death of Los Angeles County Deputy David Piquette. That conviction later was overturned because the jury wasnt properly informed.

Murray and Yellin worked for the Orange County District Attorneys office until earlier this year, after being elected as judges in Orange County Superior Court.

Goethals indicated Friday that he would impose some type of sanction against prosecutors in Wilkins new trial, though its unlikely hell dismiss the case.

At the time of the accident, Wilkins was driving a truck carrying kitchen appliances he stole from a construction site in Menifee. It was around 6 a.m. when he reached on a stretch of the 91 freeway in Anaheim. Wilkins was unaware the $1,500, boxed stove had fallen from the back of the truck. Several cars were able to maneuver around the stove, but Piquette fatally swerved his unmarked Crown Victoria into a cement truck.

As Southern California mourned the popular deputy, the decision was made to charge Wilkins with murder, under the theory that he was fleeing the scene of a felony. But defense attorneys argue that Wilkins was 60 miles away from the crime scene and was no longer fleeing.

While Wilkins attorney, Ross, is seeking the case be dropped, there are other sanctions Goethals can give. He can reduce the charges; he can bar certain evidence; he can tell the jury about the misconduct.

Goethals already has banned Murray and Yellin from the case, a largely symbolic move given their role as judges.

Goethals is the same judge who booted the district attorneys office from the penalty trial of Scott Dekraai, who pleaded guilty to killing eight people at a Seal Beach salon in 2011. Goethals declared the office couldnt guarantee Dekraai a fair trial.

Contact the writer: tsaavedra@scng.com
A parolee was sentenced to 233 years in prison for kidnapping, raping and pimping a women while he was wearing a GPS monitoring device, authorities said Friday.

Beau James Dearborne, 38, was found guilty last year. Authorities said he has previous convictions for rape of an unconscious person in 2010 in Orange County, and prior prison convictions in 2003 and 2006 in Clark County, Nevada.

On July 4, 2015, Dearborne befriended a woman who was homeless and persuaded her to watch Fourth of July fireworks, prosecutors said.

When the show was over, Dearborne refused to let the woman leave and sexually assaulter her, prosecutors said. He then took her to an area of Santa Ana known for prostitution and forced her to commit sex acts for money that he kept for himself, prosecutors said.

The woman escaped and called 911 after Dearborne fell asleep.

In a statement, District Attorney Tony Rackauckas commended the women for risking her life to escape and bravely testifying.

This face of evil should never be able to breathe fresh air outside of prison, Rackauckas said.

In a statement read in court, the victim said: I fought you the best way that I could. I thank God every day for giving me the strength that night.

Im sure Ill never get answers and Im sure Ill never find complete closure. But thats OK. Knowing you will be locked up for a long time is quite enough for me.

Contact the writer: kpuente@ocregister.com
SANTA ANA  Homicides in Santa Ana nearly doubled last year as a rash of gang-fueled shootings pushed the number of killings in Orange Countys second-largest city to its highest point in six years.

There were 23 homicides in the city last year, up from 11 in 2015, according to crime data obtained by the Register. The increase reversed a five-year trend in which the citys homicides dropped to the lowest number in more than two decades.

The spike is notable because last year homicides in the remainder of the county dropped by 24 percent, the Register found. That dip was largely due to 61 percent decline in homicides in Anaheim, reaching its lowest level in the past decade.

Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna blamed the violence in his city on warring gang factions.

We continue to target specific gang neighborhoods where we see an increase in crime with enforcement actions to curb that, Bertagna said. But what causes the violence? Nobody knows. Something happens in their (gang) world that causes a rash of shootings. You dont know what it is until you start investigating.

We continue to do all the same things that weve always done, he added. Looking for hot spots in crime data that identify gang problems, partnering with the District Attorney (anti-gang unit), working with community and faith-based groups and attending meetings to learn whats going on in the neighborhood.

Shootings in Santa Ana reached a five-year high in January 2016, averaging one per day and prompting a flurry media coverage and City Hall hand wringing. In response, the police department bolstered its street presence, increasing gang member arrests, probation compliance checks and officer overtime pay to intensify enforcement in two areas under gang injunctions, Townsend Street and Santa Anita.

Police Chief Carlos Rojas said in December the department did not track shooting stats in a way that would allow them to be provided to the media. On Saturday, he updated his statement saying they could be provided upon request.

Councilman Jose Solorio said the department is trying to hire more officers and wants to speed up recruitment efforts.

Mayor Miguel Pulido said homicide numbers overall are down substantially since the 1990s when they peaked at nearly 80. But he said he is working with other city officials to boost resources for the police department.

Even at 23 (homicides), were way down, but I want to bring it down further, Pulido said. Weve had years in the 9s, 10s, 11s, single digits and I think thats where we can go.

Pulido said he wants to to strengthen the gang detail unit and the strike force.

Santa Anas violent spike heavily influenced City Hall politics last year.

The surge of shootings in early 2016 became a focal point of the City Council election in November. Three of the four candidates backed by the Santa Ana Police Officers Association, including Solorio and Pulido, won and an incumbent council member was unseated for the first time in decades.

Members of the former council majority accused candidates endorsed by the police union  which spent nearly $300,000 on the campaign  of being beholden to the special interests of the officers group.

Solorio dismissed those assertions. He and Bertagna blamed the homicide spike partially on changes in state sentencing laws that they say left more gang members on the street. Researchers have cautioned against inferring such causation, noting that no academic studies have made that connection.

A spate of violence has continued this year. Four people had been shot and killed in the city as of Friday and most of those are suspected of being gang-related. Anaheim, which is larger than Santa Ana, has had five homicides this year.

Homicides statewide jumped 8 percent in the first half of last year, according to FBI statistics.

Serious violent and property crime dropped 3 percent in Santa Ana last year, according to the full-year data obtained by the Register, driven mostly by a decrease in theft. However, aggravated assaults, burglaries and car thefts in the city were all at or near decade-long highs.

Editors Note: This story has been updated to reflect Police Chief Rojas story on whether crime stats are tracked and available to reporters.

Contact the writer: jgraham@scng.com or 714-796-7960


Revenue's Relevance in the Public Relations Plan Tue., Jul. 6, 2021 The communications industry is often so caught up in the role of measurement that it loses sight of arguably the most important component in the measurement mixthe clients bottom line.
Tech Week: During the week of March 6-10, students at Papillion La Vista High School and Papillion La Vista South celebrated Teen Tech Week with activities, puzzles and challenges. Libraries showcased digital resources and services that are available to help teens succeed in school and prepare for 21st century careers.

Theater visit: Throughout March, first-grade students in the Papillion La Vista Community Schools are receiving a visit from Omahas Rose Theater for a production of Little Red Hen. Throughout the presentation, students rehearse and take on the roles.

Band concert: U.S. Air Force Heartland of America Band performed for students at Benson High School March 9. The goodwill outreach was intended to instill patriotism and build partnerships.

Student art: Central High School is holding an art exhibition in the Joslyn Art Museums community gallery through Sunday. Artists whose works are featured include Maddie Bandura, Aaron Burbach, Sophie Donahue, Olivia Larson, Audrey Rickerl, Mohamed Said, Sarah Skolaski and Lauren Weide.

Pep rally: Skinner Elementary School will hold a pep rally for its students Monday to motivate them to do well on their NeSA tests. Prior to the event, students in third, fourth and fifth grade were given a practice test to take home, complete and then return to the school. They were awarded ticket(s) to submit for a drawing based on the following criteria: complete the test (one ticket), earn 80 percent or greater (one ticket) and for showing their work (one ticket). The drawing will take place during the rally.

Garage sale: The Gomez Heritage School community service group will hold a garage sale Friday from 4:30 to 8 p.m. to raise funds to support community projects. Some other projects the group has held include Socktober, in which members collected socks to be donated to area shelters; a cookie walk; and a first responders lunch honoring Omaha police and firefighters.

Spring musical: Roncalli Catholic High Schools production of the musical All Shook Up runs from Thursday through March 26. The curtain will rise at 7 p.m. Thursday through March 25 and at 4 p.m. on March 26. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students.
A Columbus woman was killed early Saturday in a one-vehicle rollover on U.S. Highway 30 near Richland.

A Colfax County Sheriff's deputy on routine patrol noticed a 2003 Chevy Tahoe with its headlights on stopped on the north side of Highway 30, just west of County Road 4, according to the Colfax County Attorney's Office.

The deputy first found a man lying in the grassy median and then a woman on the north side of the highway near the vehicle. Both were taken to Columbus Hospital, where the woman was pronounced dead. The man, who was conscious when the deputy found him, was flown by helicopter to a Lincoln Hospital with injuries that are not life threatening, according to the attorney's office.

The names of the man and woman have not been released. Neither were wearing seat belts, the attorney's office said. The accident is still under investigation. Alcohol is believed to have been a factor.
CENTRAL CITY, Neb.  Its been a long time coming, but the new Merrick County Youth and Agriculture Education Center in Central City is open for business.

A ribbon cutting was held Thursday night for the $2.2 million facility on the Merrick County Fairgrounds.

The old agriculture building at the fairgrounds was fading, and it was obvious a new facility was needed, said Tammy Stuhr, 4-H Extension educator and unit leader for Merrick County.

The current building just needed too many repairs, and it wasnt worth the money to fix, she said. The board told me to come up with my dream facility, and here it is three years later.

When the Merrick Foundation was asked for a $650,000 grant, Stuhr said, They told us they would give us $325,000 over 10 years, and we had to match it. We jumped on that offer.

All but $72,000 has been matched. Most has come from local donors, and some of the matching funds came through grants.

In addition to the Merrick Foundation, a $25,000 grant from the Union Pacific Foundation was used for the kitchen, and a $2,000 grant from the Soybean Board went toward a mural that will be hung on the south side of the arena. The mural was painted by a local artist using soybean-based paint.

The general contractor and many subcontractors tossed in $100,000 for things such as tiled floors.

The building has an education center room that can accommodate 350 to 500 people and a classroom/conference room that can accommodate 40. It will also house the Merrick County Extension office with four to five employees.

A kitchen designed for teaching youth essential life skills and adults healthy living and food safety will be in the education wing.

The agriculture wing will be able to host farm technology days, equine and livestock shows, and ag and commercial exhibits.
3/1336

Virat Kohli single-handedly powered India to an epic four-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan with a magnificent 53-ball 82 not out in their big-ticket T20 World Cup game on Sunday.

Virat Kohli single-handedly powered India to an epic four-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan with a magnificent 53-ball 82 not out in their big-ticket T20 World Cup game on Sunday.
13 former Maruti workers awarded life imprisonment

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

Gurugram, March 18: A Haryana court on Saturday awarded life imprisonment to 13 former workers of Maruti Suzuki India Limited in connection with the 2012 Maruti factory violence and rioting case.

The court also sentenced four other accused to five-year imprisonment and said that the sentence already served by the remaining 14 accused was sufficient.

On March 10, Additional District and Sessions Judge R P Goel held 31 former workers guilty of murder and attempt to murder, among other offences, at MSIL's Manesar plant on July 18, 2012 evening.

[Also read: 2012 Maruti factory violence case: 31 convicted, 117 acquitted]

Maruti Suzuki Human Resource Department general manager Ashwin Kumar Dev was burnt alive and over 50 persons were injured in the violence. Several policemen had also received injuries.

Earlier in the day, Section 144 was imposed banning the assembly of five or more persons in the suburb of the national capital before the court could award the punishment to the convicts in the case.

The decision to impose Section 144 of the Code for Criminal Procedure in Gurugram district with immediate effect and till May 14 also comes in the wake of plans of Jat protesters from Haryana to take their stir to Delhi on March 20. The district administration is prepared to meet all eventualities, an official said on Saturday.
Action against hate crime in US: Jury charges American for assaulting Indian-origin man

International

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Washington, March 18: In recent times, we have been witnessed several hate crimes being committed against Indian-origin people in the US. The most gruesome was the killing of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, a native of Hyderabad, who died in a shooting incident in Kansas recently.

At a time when the Donald Trump administration has come under the scanner for 'instigating' hate crimes against migrants and being lenient towards the 'accused', a federal jury in the US has charged an American man for committing hate crime against an Indian-origin man. The incident took place in November last year, but the court indicted the man only recently. The news will come as some relief for the people of Indian-origin in the nation.

According to reports, Jeffrey Allen Burgess (54) of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, has been accused of intentionally harming a man named Ankur Mehta on November 22 because of his 'perceived race, colour and national origin'.

A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted Burgess of a hate crime charge in connection with the alleged assault at a Red Robin restaurant in South Hills Village, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.

Acting assistant attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and acting US attorney Soo C Song for the Western District of Pennsylvania announced the indictment.

At the time of the incident, police said, Burgess was sitting next to Mehta inside the Red Robin restaurant when he began insulting him and then repeatedly elbowed him in the head.

"I don't want you sitting next to me...you people," Burgess was quoted as saying by witnesses in addition to his anti-Muslim racial slurs, according to a criminal complaint filed by Bethel Park police.

Witnesses told police Burgess struck Mehta four or five times and called him a "(expletive) Muslim," according to the complaint.

Mehta was treated at St. Clair Hospital for a laceration to the upper lip and a loose tooth. Mehta is of Indian descent, police said.

In addition to the slurs, Burgess told Mehta "things are different now," police said, which authorities believe was a reference to the election of Trump.

If convicted Burgess faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years of prison, a fine of $250,000 or both.

Burgess also faces state charges of ethnic intimidation, public drunkenness and simple assault stemming from the same incident.

The indictment of Burgess comes amid a series of suspected hate crime cases targeting Indian-Americans.

On February 22, Indian nationals Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani were shot at a bar in Olathe, Kansas, by a man shouting "get out of my country". Kuchibhotla, 32, later died at a hospital.

On March 3, a Sikh American was shot and injured in Kent, Washington, by a gunman who reportedly told him to "go back to your own country."

OneIndia News
Naqvi says 'One Election' is need of hour

Adityanath will take everyone along and work for 'inclusive growth' : Naqvi

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, Mar 18: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, the lone Muslim minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, on Saturday defended the BJP's choice of controversial leader Yogi Adityanath as the next UP chief minister, saying he will work for the party's 'inclusive growth' agenda.

Minister of State for Minority Affairs Naqvi said that Adityanath will prove his critics wrong by his developmental work and will emerge as the best chief minister.

"I congratulate him. He has been in public life for a long time. He will realise the Prime Minister's commitment of inclusive growth in Uttar Pradesh. Definitely he will prove best chief minister of the state," Naqvi told PTI.

Rejecting apprehensions of Adityanath being a hardline Hindutva leader, Naqvi said he was a 'hardline leader of inclusive development'. Naqvi said Adityanath will prove all political pundits and analysts who have concerns regarding him 'wrong'.

"I know him personally for last 20 years. He takes everyone along. He will definitely prove all wrong," the minister said.

Adityanath, a Parliamentarian from Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur constituency, was elected as leader of BJP's legislature unit at a meeting held in Lucknow. The saffron party has picked its national vice president Dinesh Sharma and state unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya as Deputy Chief Ministers. The BJP scored an emphatic victory in the UP polls by winning 312 seats in the 403-member assembly.

PTI
Ajay Singh to Yogi Adityanath, meet UP's new chief minister

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Mahanth Yogi Adityanath has been appointed as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Born Ajay Singh on June 5 1972, Adityanath is a five-time member of Parliament from the Gorakhpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh. Adityanath is the mahant or head priest of the Gorakhnath Mutt.

He hails from a Rajput family and was the youngest member of the 12th Lok Sabha at the age of 26. He has always been in the news and in 2005, made headlines when he led a purification drive which involved the conversion of Christians to Hinduism.

He has always been in the news for his controversial remarks. In 2015, he declared that those who oppose Surya Namaskar should leave India. My request to those who communalism even in the Sun God would be to drown themselves in the sea or live in a dark room for the rest of their lives, he had said.

He also compared actor Sharukh Khan to Lashkar-e-Tayiba boss, Hafiz Saeed. He said that Khan should remember that the majority population made him a star. If they boycott his films, he would wander on the streets. It is unfortunate that he is speaking the language of Hafiz Saeed he had said.

[Yogi Adityanath compares Shah Rukh Khan to terrorist Hafiz Saeed]

Adityanath's relationship with the BJP has been a strained one. In 2006, he organised a Virat Hindu Mahasammelan at Gorakhpur, during the same period when the BJP was holding its National Executive meet in Lucknow. In 2007 the conflict furthered when Adityanath had demanded more than 100 seats in the eastern UP region to go to his candidates.

However, the BJP and Adityanath compromised with the RSS intervening. Finally, eight of his candidates were selected. In 2010, there was tension between him and the party once again. He was one of the several BJP MPs who defied the party's whip on the Women's Reservation Bill.

OneIndia News
Man arrested for forcing minor daughter for abortion after raping her

Police use force as 100 gather at Dargah in Rajasthan

Ajmer man calls for beheading of Nupur Sharma, promises his house and property

Ajmer blast case: Quantum of punishment likely on March 22

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

Jaipur, March 18: A local court, which earlier convicted three persons in the 2007 Ajmer Dargah blast case, on Saturday deferred the sentencing and will now announce the quantum of punishment on March 22.

This is third time the court has deferred its ruling in the nine-year-old case in which three persons were killed and at least 15 others injured when a bomb exploded on October 11 evening, inside the shrine of Sufi saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti.

Earlier, the special National Investigation Agency court was supposed to deliver the sentence on March 16 but had deferred it to Saturday. Now the sentencing will be on Wednesday.

On March 8, the court had convicted Bhavesh Patel, Devendra Gupta and Sunil Joshi (now dead); and acquitted Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Swami Aseemanand and six others in the case.

"Arguments were completed on Saturday," Lokesh Sharma, advocate of Bhavesh Patel told IANS.

The court had found the three guilty under several sections of the Indian Penal Code including for criminal conspiracy, deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of others, and various sections of Explosive Substances Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention)Act.

Three of the total 13 accused are still missing and on the run.

IANS
All eyes on Lucknow: Who will be the next CM of Uttar Pradesh

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

All eyes would be on Lucknow where the Bharatiya Janata Party will appoint its candidate to lead Uttar Pradesh. After a mammoth victory, the party is looking for a person who will lead the all-important state of Uttar Pradesh. The name of Manoj Sinha, a minister in the Union government has been doing the rounds, and BJP sources say that many are favouring him for the post.

The BJP is however known to spring surprises. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah, the party has always chosen a candidate who was never viewed as a favourite. Take the case of both Manohar Lal Khattar and Vijay Rupani, the chief ministers of Haryana and Gujarat.

The UP BJP MLAs will meet at Lucknow at 5 pm on Saturday where a final decision on the leader would be made. There are only a few within the party who are aware of who would lead the UP government. Most of the MLAs have not been informed about the next CM. They would get to know at the meeting and the choice of the candidate chosen by the top brass will be elected unanimously on Saturday.

While Sinha's name has been doing the rounds, others such as Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh unit BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya too are said to be in the race. While Rajnath was a strong contender to the post, it appears as though Modi is not ready to lose him at the Centre for now. Maurya, on the other hand, was given the responsibility of choosing the UP CM and a few days ago he told reporters that he could not select himself. This only added to the suspense.

[UP CM: How Amit Shah added to the suspense]

The swearing in ceremony will be held on Sunday. It is expected to be a grand affair. The Kanshiram Smriti Upvan in Lucknow has been decked up for the event. The event is likely to be attended by both Modi and Shah.

The BJP's top brass had a lot of factors to consider before it could choose a candidate to lead UP. The party is returning to power in the state after 15 years. It wants to retain its position in the next elections too. Moreover for the BJP, UP is crucial for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The party along with its allies got a mammoth 325 out of 403 seats in the assembly elections. It has expectations to live up to, and hence, choosing the right candidate becomes very crucial.

OneIndia News
Bihar paper leak case: NDA demands sacking of ministers

India

pti-PTI

Patna, Mar 18: Opposition NDA in both Houses of Bihar Legislature on Saturday demanded resignation of two state ministers in the wake of their names appearing in the police probe into the Bihar State Staff Selection Commission paper leak incident.

According to media reports, the Special Investigation Team has submitted a report to the Special Vigilance court in which names of two ministers -- Krishnandan Prasad Varma and Alok Mehta -- have appeared among others on the basis of call details of arrested Secretary of Bihar State Staff Selection Commission, Parmeshwar Ram.

While Varma is from JD(U) and is the Law and Public Health Engineering Department minister in the Nitish Kumar Cabinet, Alok Mehta of RJD is the Cooperative Minister. Besides them, names of former MP and RJD leader Raghubansh Prasad Singh, JD(U) MLA Ram Balak Singh and BJP MLA Suresh Kumar Sharma have appeared in the scam, the reports said.

Legislators of BJP and its NDA partners trooped into the well in the state Assembly as well the Legislative Council demanding resignation of the two ministers. BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi told reporters that the ministers concerned should be removed immediately. He further alleged that OSD of Health minister Tej Pratap Yadav had given three to four instructions over the phone to the Commission officials in the recruitment of ANM conducted by BSSC earlier.

"If a minister telephones any official or sends recommendation it is taken as order of the government," he charged.

His party colleague and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, Prem Kumar said, "The Chief Minister had ignored the opposition protest in the BSSC paper leak matter earlier, asking them to reveal names of ministers in the scam ... now the names are out. Why is he not sacking the two ministers?".

In the eye of storm, the state Law minister told reporters, "It is the routine work for MLAs or MPs to fulfill expectations of voters of their constituency. There is no evidence of exchange of money in 2-3 recommendations sent by my staff to BSSC Secretary...I did not ask him to leak the question paper or get a non-meritorious candidate clear the exam."

"If you examine closely, all MLAs or MPs of a party send words to officials in favour of some needy people of their constituency," Varma said in his defence.

On the NDA's demand for a CBI probe into the matter, the Bihar minister said the opposition was doing it for political gains. Mehta also made similar pleas, saying it was normal for a public representative to help few needy people of their constituency.

PTI
Bodo militant slayer Sanjukta Parashar to lead train blast probe

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Sanjukta Parashar took down 16 Bodo militants during her assignment in Sonitpur, Assam. This gutsy Assam cadre Indian Police Service officer is today heading the probe into the March 7 Bhopal-Ujjain train blast which agencies suspect was the handiwork of a fringe Islamic State group.

Considered to be a terror for the terrorists, she will head the National Investigation Agency team which has been handed over the train blast probe. Sanjukta has visited the blast site in Shujalpur in Madhya Pradesh. Nine people were injured in the blast. She will question the three persons who were arrested in connection with this case, following which, the probe will proceed further.

Sanjukta is a well-known personality in the country. She is a gutsy officer who took on the Bodo militancy when she was the superintendent of police in Assam. Known for crushing Bodo militancy, her video of taking down 16 militants had gone viral a few years ago.

Sanjukta arrived in Madhya Pradesh from Delhi after the NIA was handed over the probe. The NIA has several angles to probe. One of the key angles would be to find out if the blast was really the handiwork of the Islamic State or was it a fringe element that subscribed to the Indian Mujahideen view.

Following the train blast in March, a major encounter had taken in Thakurganj near Lucknow in which an operative, Saifullah was shot dead. It was said that it was he who was one of the key players in the train blast. The NIA's probe would also focus on the 11-hour long encounter that took place immediately after the blast.

Sanjukta a 2006 batch IPS officer had become the talk of the town after a video of her taking on Bodo militants had gone viral. She had drilled fear into the minds of the militants in Assam. A bold and no-nonsense officer, Parashar was lauded for the manner in which she handled counter-insurgency operations in the terror-hit regions of Assam.

OneIndia News
Breach of privilege notice against SBI chief Arundhati Bhattacharya

India

oi-PTI

Mumbai, Mar 17 (PTI) The Congress on Friday submitted a breach of privilege notice against State Bank of India chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya for 'insulting farmers and the House' through her remarks on loan waiver.

Leader of opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said he has submitted the notice to Speaker Haribhau Bagde as 'Bhattacharya did not apologise for her remarks despite the Congress demand'.

The senior Congress leader said he has described Bhattacharyas comments as 'insulting to farmers, elected representatives and the House' in the notice. The Opposition Congress and NCP have been demanding a complete loan waiver for farmers by raising the issue in the legislature.

The SBI chief had recently said that farm loan waivers upset credit discipline.

"We feel that in case of a (farm) loan waiver, there is always a fall in credit discipline because the people who get the waiver have expectations of future waivers as well. Such future loans often remain unpaid," Bhattacharya had said on sidelines of an event in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Vikhe Patil said, "Bhattacharya is not a policy-maker and she cannot take a decision regarding loan waivers to farmers. She had no right to make such comments."

He alleged that the SBI chiefs remarks were "violation of the rights of the legislature which make laws."

Meanwhile, the notice by the Congress did not come up in the House due to repeated disruptions over the demand for the loan waiver.

The state Assembly witnessed four adjournments amid uproar, before it was adjourned for the day.

PTI
Nitish Kumar

Nitish Kumar has already indicated that any grand alliance must be led by his party, the JD-U. This would effectively mean that he is a front-runner for the post of prime minister. He had successfully managed to keep the BJP away in Bihar after he forged the grand alliance with the RJD.

Rahul Gandhi

He has no feather up his cap except the fact that he leads the oldest party in the country, the Congress. The Congress would insist that he leads the coalition, but it is unlikely that the rest would agree, considering his poor track record in winning elections.

Arvind Kejriwal

The most unlikely candidate to lead the coalition. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been trying to emerge as a national leader, but has failed to keep up the Delhi tempo in both Goa and Punjab. He shares a good relationship with most leaders such as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Nitish Kumar and the leaders in the Left.

Mamata Banerjee

The chief minister of West Bengal. She has strong mass support and is a firebrand leader not afraid to speak her mind. She has experience at the Centre and is capable of winning big in West Bengal even in 2019. She could be one of the front-runners to lead the coalition. However, her appeal is restricted to West Bengal alone and this could be a dampener for her.

Naveen Patnaik

The three-time chief minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik is non-controversial and acceptable to the coalition. He would have to, however, consolidate his position after recent set-backs in the local elections for him to stake a claim to be the man who can stop Modi.

Mayawati

A strong contender to the post, but the drubbing in the recent Uttar Pradesh assembly elections 2017 has weakened her position. However, with a vote share of 22 per cent in the UP polls, she could still make a pitch to lead the coalition.

Mulayam Singh Yadav

When all fail, Mulayam comes into the picture. He could be a consensus candidate. The going has not been exactly good for him -- on the election and family front. However he has a record of bouncing back.
Primary schools in Delhi to reopen from Nov 9; Ban on construction work lifted

Instant karma! Woman falls while trying to kick bike rider, video goes viral

Delhi: AAP seeks action against Manoj Tiwari for insuting teacher

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, March 18: The Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday sought action against Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari after a video of him insulting a woman teacher at a public function emerged on the social media.

AAP's Delhi convener Dilip Pandey called Tiwari's behaviour 'shameful and unfortunate', and urged the Delhi Commission for Women to take 'strict action' against the Bharatiya Janata Party leader.

"In the video which appears three-four days old, Tiwari is seen humiliating a lady teacher for inviting him respectfully on the stage and requesting him to sing a few lines," Pandey told reporters.

"Before becoming a Member of Parliament, Tiwariji was a renowned artist and had been frequently exhibiting his talent on public forum whenever he addresses people," Pandey added.

"But then insulting her, humiliating her and seeking action against her in such a manner for a genuine request is shameful and unfortunate."

Pandey urged the Delhi Commission for Women to take strict action against the BJP MP 'so that an elected representative never again insults women from a public forum'.

Slamming Tiwari for later claiming he did nothing wrong, Pandey said: "It would have been better if he had apologised instead of justifying his behaviour."

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also took to Twitter over the matter and asked why the teachers' associations were silent on the issue.

Why are BJP-affiliated teachers' associations, teachers' council and those talking about patriotism silent on a teacher's insult by their leader, Sisodia asked.

IANS
Delhi BJP convention postponed to March 25

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, Mar 18: The Delhi BJP's mega convention for booth-level workers will now be held on March 25 as the party's local unit chief Manoj Tiwari will be in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday for the swearing-in of the BJP government. Addressing a press conference, Tiwari apologised for the postponement. It was to be held at the Ramlila Maidan on Sunday.

"We did not know that the incoming ministry at Uttar Pradesh will take oath tomorrow. But since we will be away we had to postpone it. It will now be held on March 25," Tiwari said. On Friday, he had announced the program, which aims to micro-manage BJP's municipal election campaign, with much fanfare.

[Also read: No sitting BJP councillor to get ticket, says Manoj Tiwari]

BJP president Amit Shah and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu are slated to address the convention which is likely to be attended by over 65,000 BJP booth in-charges, five from each of the 13,372 polling stations in the national capital.

The party has dubbed the group of five booth in-charges as 'Panch Parmeshwar' with Tiwari, saying these "workers will work like '' towards getting administrative justice for people".

PTI
Why the NIA needs to take up the Gorakhnath Temple attack case

Frogs married off in UP to please rain God, end drought like situation

Firebrand Yogi and his controversial remarks

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

Firebrand BJP leader from Gorakhpur, Yogi Adityanath, was named as the Chief Minister designate for Uttar Pradesh on Friday.

Adityanath is a controversial and communal figure in UP, but he has a strong following in eastern UP. He has time and again made statements aimed at polarising the state. His remarks have made headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Let's take a look at some of the controversial remarks by Adityanath:

Love Jihad:

Speaking on the love jihad issue, Yogi had said that if they (Muslims) convert one Hindu girl then we (Hindus) will convert a 100 Muslim girls.

Hindu gods in Mosques:

In 2015, Adityanath had said that if given a chance he would place a statues of Gauri and Ganesh in all the Mosques across the country.

No entry to non-Hindus:

Adityanath had said, "If non-Muslims are not allowed in Mecca and non-Christians are prohibited in the Vatican, then how can everyone come here."

On Yoga and Suryanamaskar:

He had said that those opposing Yoga should leave the country. He said those unwilling to do Suryanamaskar should drown themselves in sea.

On Shahrukh Khan:

He had compared Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan with dreaded terrorist Hafiz Saeed. He said that Khan should remember that the majority population made him a star. If they boycott his films, he would wander on the streets. It is unfortunate that he is speaking the language of Hafiz Saeed, he had said.

Muslims and population:

He said high population growth among Muslims will cause imbalance in the society.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, March 18, 2017, 23:01 [IST]
For Gangai Amaran, the R K Nagar by-poll is a personal mission

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Gangai Amaran, the younger brother of music maestro Ilayaraja is the Bharatiya Janata Party's R K Nagar candidate. The high-profile constituency which was held by Jayalalithaa fell vacant, following her death. All eyes are on the elections to be held next month and there are many contenders including Jayalalithaa's niece, Deepa.

Amaran says he is ready for the challenge. "There is a personal element to this election. I will fight this election on behalf of all those people who have been fooled by them," Amaran said without referring to the Sasikala family. "A lot of people have suffered under these people," he added.

For the BJP, Amaran is a good bet. At first, it was expected that the BJP's state president Tamilisai Soundararajan would contest the R K Nagar seat. She, however withdrew after senior leaders of the party advised her. The BJP would hope to ride high on Amaran's popularity. He is a Dalit and the constituency has a large number of Dalit voters.

OneIndia News
Free power in Telangana will go soon says K Chandrasekara Rao

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Telangana Chief Minister Kalvakuntla Chandrasekara Rao has ruled out early elections in the state. The statement was made after the Congress said that the elections in Telangana are likely to be advanced. It will take place as per schedule, Rao also said.

He made these comments during the debate on the annual budget. Rao also made a host of announcements in his budget. He said that there would be no need for free power to the agriculture sector in the state once the irrigation projects are completed.

Until now, free power is being provided since Telangana is drought-prone. "Once we complete the irrigation projects, the drought problem will be resolved and there would not be any need for free power," he also said.

The issue of free power is a major one in Telangana. It was Y S Rajasekara Reddy who overthrew the TDP government in the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh after he announced free power for up to seven hours a day. He had also promised to increase it to nine.

OneIndia News
Front-runner to UP CM's post Manoj Sinha offers prayers

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The front-runner to the post of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Manoj Sinha offered prayers at a temple in Varanasi, early Saturday morning. He was seen offering prayers at the Kaal Bhairav Mandir at Varanasi. He will head to Lucknow later during the day.

#WATCH Union Minister Manoj Sinha prays at Varanasi's Kaal Bhairav Mandir pic.twitter.com/ZMcwoQlwdg  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 18, 2017

[All eyes on Lucknow: Who will be the next CM of Uttar Pradesh]

The BJP's legislature meeting is slated to be held in Lucknow at 5 pm on Saturday. Sinha who is a Union minister is tipped to be the next CM of UP. His name has been doing the rounds for the past couple of days. Sinha, however told reporters in Delhi on Friday that he is not a front-runner.

But BJP sources say that Sinha is most likely to be handed over the mantle. He was picked up both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh who was also considered for the post was kept in the loop about the decision made by Modi and Shah in consultation with the RSS.

OneIndia News
Goyal rules out privatisation of Air India

India

pti-PTI

Mumbai, Mar 18: Union power minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday said the government will aggressively pursue strategic sale in loss-making units and has put Hindustan Photo Films on the block, but ruled out privatising bleeding Air India. He said every major country needs a national carrier.

"We have decided on strategic disinvestment of several loss-making companies," the minister told the India Today Conclave in the national capital on Saturday, adding that the struggling Hindustan Photo Films is among the first PSUs to be divested.

Without naming Hindustan Antibiotics, Goyal said a Pune-based pharma company is also under the hammer. He said the government is talking to employee unions and other stakeholders for an 'amicable settlement' and there will be some progress on this front soon.

The government has set an ambitious Rs 72,500 crore fund mop-up from the divestment process next financial year. The strong political mandate the BJP got in the recent state polls is expected to give a further impetus to reform measures. To a question whether there is any plan to privatise the loss-making national carrier Air India, which is surviving on government assistance, he replied in the negative, saying 'every major nation has a national carrier'.

But Goyal conceded that the Air India needs to improve its operational efficiency. Acknowledging that AI reported operational profits last year, he said now the focus should be on financial re-engineering and effective deployment of routes. He challenged private carriers to undertake missions like ferrying pilgrims to Mecca for the Haj as the national carrier does.

On the power sector, the minister said the UDAY scheme has helped Tamil Nadu discoms cut losses by 60 per cent in a single year, which are likely to post profit next year. He identified Uttar Pradesh as the next state for initiating power reforms.

PTI
IS posters urging recruitments come up in Bihar

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Posters have come up in Bihar urging the youth to join the Islamic State. The message written in completely wrong English urges the youth to join the IS. It further says that the IS has come to Bihar.

The poster says that it needs new recruits to set up operations in Bihar. The posters were found stuck to an electric pole in the Nauhatta police station limits in Bihar. The police is currently probing to find out who is behind this.

"We are also not ruling out the possibility of mischief," police officials said.

Bihar has been home to the Indian Mujahideen. There have been several instances in the past to show that terror modules have operated in this state. Yasin Bhatkal of the IM had camped in Bihar for several months and launched attacks in different parts of the country.

OneIndia News
Deadlock between protesting Jats and Haryana govt continues

India

pti-PTI

Chandigarh, Mar 17: The stalemate between Haryana government and protesting Jats continued with All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti on Saturday accusing the Haryana government of 'misleading and cheating' them. While Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said he did not know why protesting Jats 'stepped back' from making an announcement of calling off the ongoing agitation, which entered its 48th day on Saturday.

Haryana Minister Ram Bilas Sharma who held talks with agitating leaders of the Jat community had on Friday claimed that both sides had reached an agreement and indicated that the deadlock may end.

"The Haryana government has cheated and misled us. We were supposed to meet Haryana CM in Delhi as was decided on Friday to take final call on our demands and how the state government will fulfill and implement them," AIJASS President Yashpal Malik said today. "On Friday evening, it was decided that CM will meet us in Delhi and discuss all issues with us. But he skipped the meeting with us despite being in Delhi," Malik claimed.

"Therefore, we decided to continue with our agitation and we will now move to Delhi on March 20 to lay siege in support of our demands," said Malik, adding that there was no scope for talks with the government before March 20. Malik claimed that the government was yet to resolve their issues. "No agreement has been reached yet with the government. The government has lied that an agreement has been arrived at," he said, adding that only discussion on the demands took place on Friday.

However, Khattar reiterated the commitment of the state government to maintain a peaceful atmosphere. The chief minister said that he was always prepared to negotiate with an open mind to resolve the issue and the Jat leaders should hold dialogue with him at any place. He said that he is scheduled to go to Chandigarh, Sonepat and Delhi on Sunday, and the agitating Jat leaders could see him at any of these places. The chief minister said that the Committee headed by senior most Cabinet Minister Ram Bilas Sharma had a talk with the Jat leaders in a cordial manner and a 'consensus' was reached, but he was not aware what went wrong with Jat leaders.

When asked if there was involvement of any political person in their backing out, Khattar said that he was not sure. He said that a Committee of officers under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary was constituted. This committee had held two meetings with the Jat leader Yashpal Malik and others. Apart from this, dialogue was continued at personal level to end the agitation.

On the demand of the Jat leaders, the government again constituted a committee headed by senior most Cabinet Minister Ram Bilas Sharma and Minister of State for Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes Krishan Kumar Bedi and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Kamal Gupta are its members. The first meeting was held yesterday at Panipat which ended on a positive note.

PTI
Man Gets 25 Years in Ferguson cop Shooting

International

pti-PTI

St Louis, Mar 17: A man convicted of shooting two police officers during a 2015 protest in the fallout over the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Saturday. Jeffrey Williams, 22, was found guilty in December of first-degree assault and other crimes for the shooting on March 12, 2015.

Jerryl Christmas, Williams' attorney, said an appeal is likely. Brown, who was 18, black and unarmed, was fatally shot on August 9, 2014, during a street confrontation with white Ferguson officer Darren Wilson. Some residents living near the shooting said Brown was trying to surrender, but a St.

Louis County grand jury and the US department of justice both cleared Wilson of wrongdoing. He resigned in November 2014. In March 2015, the Justice Department issued a scathing report about racial bias and profiling in Ferguson law enforcement, prompting renewed protests. Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson resigned soon after the report came out.

Protesters near police headquarters were celebrating Jackson's resignation when shots rang out from a passing car. St Louis County officer Scott Brown was struck in the shoulder. Webster Groves, Missouri, officer Cameron McKay was hit in the cheek. Both survived, but McKay never returned to duty and left the Webster Grove department. Williams has said that another man in the car fired the shots.

But the police said Williams confessed, and a pistol found at his home matched shell casings at the shooting scene. In a recording of jail phone calls obtained in April 2015 by The Associated Press, Williams said he was shooting at someone else, not the officers. "Nobody aiming at no police," he says in the audio.

"I ran up the hill and he (an unidentified person) shot at the car. ... I shot back." Later in the conversation Williams said he knew he was likely headed to prison but guessed low on the length of his sentence. "Even though I was in the wrong, though, I should have just went the other way," he said. "Oh man, now I'm looking at 10 years."

PTI
Next UP CM? Wait till 4 pm says Naidu

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

"All that you are reading in the media about the next Uttar Pradesh chief minister is just speculation. Wait till 4 pm and you will get to know who the next chief minister of UP is," Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu told media persons at a press conference.

He said that there is a lot of speculation in the media. It is wrong he also added while saying that the name will be out at 4 pm.

The BJP's legislature party is scheduled to meet at 4 pm in Lucknow on Saturday. The leader of the party will be announced at that meet. There are several front runners to the post of UP CM. The name of Manoj Sinha has been doing the rounds and several sources that it is almost certain that it would be him.

Sinha too gave enough indications since Saturday morning by visitng two temples in Varanasi. However, Sinha said that the talk of him being a front-runner to the post is not true.

OneIndia News
Why Punjab farmers burn stubble at this scale when others do not

In the killing of those protecting Hindus in Punjab, a massive ISI plot revealed

Punjab: No red beacon for ministers, officials

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

Chandigarh, March 18: The Punjab cabinet, in its first meeting on Saturday, decided that the Chief Minister, legislators and top officials will not use a red beacon on their official vehicles.

Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal told the media after the meeting that the Chief Minister, ministers and legislators will also not lay foundation stones and won't do inaugurations.

"Even for big projects of Rs 100 crore or Rs 200 crore, the names of the Chief Minister and ministers will not be displayed on the foundation or inauguration stones. It will carry only one line saying that the project has been executed with the money of the taxpayers," Badal said.

The Amarinder Singh-led Congress government assumed charge in Punjab on March 16 after the party swept the state assembly polls on March 11, winning 77 out of 117 assembly seats.

IANS
Racer Ashwin Sundar, his wife charred to death in car accident

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

In a tragic incident, professional car racer Ashwin Sundar and his wife Nivedhitha were charred to death after their BMW car rammed a roadside tree in Chennai. The incident took place on the Santhome High Road in Chennai in the early hours of Saturday.

The police said that the couple were unable to open the door as the car was stuck in between the tree and a wall. They were trapped inside the car and it caught fire, the police also said.

Passersby who witnessed the accident immediately informed the police control room about the incident. The fire and rescue service personnel were pressed into service immediately, but it was too late.

OneIndia News
Rebellion in BJP: All is not well with the saffron party in UP?

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Lucknow, March 18: It seems all is not well with the Bharatiya Janata Party in Uttar Pradesh. A mini-rebellion is brewing within the party over the post of chief minister. The supporters of controversial politician Yogi Adityanath and president of BJP in UP, Keshav Prasad Maurya, protested and shouted slogans demanding the CM's berth for their leaders in Lucknow on Saturday.

"Yogi Adityanath's supporters demonstrate in Lucknow demanding that Adityanath be made the chief minister of UP," reported ANI.

Lucknow: Yogi Adityanath's supporters demonstrate demanding that Adityanath be made Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh pic.twitter.com/kDmVWpGfiT  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 18, 2017

"UP BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya's supporters stage demonstration demanding that Maurya be made the CM of UP," reported ANI.

Lucknow: UP BJP Chief Keshav Prasa Maurya's supporters stage demonstration demanding that Maurya be made the CM of UP pic.twitter.com/qwAR0WsJTl  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 18, 2017

The BJP has won the UP assembly polls with a huge mandate. In the house of 403-member UP Assembly, the BJP got 325 seats in alliance with two smaller parties in the polls. However, the saffron party is yet to declare its CM's face.

The BJP has said that the party will declare its CM's name by Saturday evening. The swearing-in ceremony of the new CM and his cabinet is scheduled on Sunday. Till now, there is no clarity as who will be the next CM of UP. Probably, the BJP's top leadership took a wrong decision by delaying the announcement of naming the next CM.

OneIndia News
Tension in BJP: RSS to finalise UP CMs name?

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Lucknow, March 18: On Saturday, the Bharatiya Janata Party's office in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, witnessed hectic lobbying and discussions to arrive at a consensus on the name of the next chief minister of the state. Initially, it was indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah would decide on the name of the BJP's CM candidate. Later, Shah said UP BJP president Keshav Prasad Maurya would finalise the CM's name. However, till late afternoon on Saturday, the BJP failed to declare its CM's name in UP.

Now, reports say the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh would play a crucial role in deciding the name of the UP CM. Several members of the RSS had talks with the BJP leaders such as Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday, said media reports.

Since the time the results of the UP assembly elections were announced last week, names of several politicians including home minister Rajnath Singh and Union minister Manoj Sinha as probable CM faces are doing the rounds.

The supporters of controversial politician Yogi Adityanath and Maurya protested and shouted slogans demanding the CM's berth for their leaders in Lucknow on Saturday. "Yogi Adityanath's supporters demonstrate in Lucknow demanding that Adityanath be made the chief minister of UP," reported ANI. "UP BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya's supporters stage demonstration demanding that Maurya be made the CM of UP," reported ANI.

The BJP has won the UP assembly polls with a huge mandate. In the house of 403-member UP Assembly, the BJP got 325 seats in alliance with two smaller parties in the polls. However, the saffron party is yet to declare its CM's face. The BJP has said that the party will declare its CM's name by Saturday evening. The swearing-in ceremony of the new CM and his cabinet is scheduled on Sunday. Till now, there is no clarity as who would be the next CM of UP. Maybe, the RSS would finally reveal the 'mystery' by announcing the name of the UP CM.

OneIndia News
Blast triggered at ATM, but these thieves fail to steal cash

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Mumbai: Three arrested in 1.5 crore ATM cash van loot

India

pti-PTI

Mumbai, Mar 18: Three persons have been arrested from Satara district in western Maharashtra in connection with the Rs 1.5 crore ATM cash van loot in Dharavi in Mumbai, the police said on Saturday.

The trio--Sureshkumar Pandurangam, Arumugam Subramanyam Sherve and Kamala Nagraj Devendra-- who were trying to flee, was nabbed from a private travels bus last night after Dharavi police, on a tip-off, intensified searches near Aanewadi Toll Plaza under Bhuinj Police Station jurisdiction in Satara with the help of local crime branch.

Also, Rs 15.42 lakh cash was recovered from their baggage, the police said.

Subsequent interrogation of the trio over the source of cash revealed their involvement in the Dharavi loot. The accused have also given the names of nine other accomplices who were involved in the crime, a police official said.

While arrested accused Pandurangam and Sherve hail from Tiruchirapalli in Tamilnadu, Devendra is a resident of Antop Hill in Mumbai, the official said adding that further investigation in the case to trace the remaining culprits as well as the looted money is underway.

On March 16, a group of unidentified men had looted Rs 1.5 crore from an ATM cash-van of State Bank of India.

The incident had occurred near the ONGC building on Sion-Bandra Link Road when the van had stopped in front of an ATM for refilling cash.

The robbers had then decamped with the amount in the cash box.

PTI
From Pracharak to CM: A look at Trivendra Rawat's journey

Tirath Singh Rawat sworn in as new CM of Uttarakhand

Rs 198.64 crore given to sugar mills to make payment to farmers: Uttarakhand government

Coronavirus a living organism which has a right to live, says Trivendra Singh Rawat

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Trivendra Singh Rawat takes oath as Uttarakhand CM

India

oi-Shubir

By Shubir Rishi

Trivendra Singh Rawat was sworn in as Uttarakhand chief minister in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah on Saturday in Dehradun. After the ceremony, Modi tweeted, " Congratulations to Trivendra Singh Rawat and the entire team sworn in today. Am sure they will hard and fulfill the aspiration of the people. The new Uttarakhand government will return the tremendous affection shown by the people of the state with record development."

The entire list of ministers is yet to be decided. Rawat will hold a meeting with other party leaders and decide on the portfolio of ministers.

Trivendra, an MLA from Doiwala, has a strong RSS background and long experience in ministerial positions.

Satpal Maharaj, Prakash Pant, Harak Singh Rawat, Madan Kaushik also took oath as cabinet ministers.

[For Trivendra Rawat's family, serving in the Indian Army is a tradition]

Former minister and Pithoragarh MLA Prakash Pant's name was also considered for the top post, but the BJP's parliamentary board chose Rawat in the end.

Rawat has also severed as the BJP Jharkhand chief and BJP Uttarakhand chief in the past. The BJP won a landslide victory in Uttarakhand. It bagged 56 out of the 70 seats and dislodged Harish Rawat of the Congress.

OneIndia News
Two low intensity blasts near Agra Cantt railway station

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

Lucknow, March 18: Two low-intensity blasts were felt in Taj city Agra on Saturday. The area has been cordoned off and senior officers have rushed to the site, police said.

No one has been injured in the blasts. Forensic teams and dog squads have also reached the spot.

Both the explosions took place near the busy Agra Cantt Railway Station. While the first blast took place in a garbage dump when the Municipal Corporation staffers were clearing it as a part of their daily routine, the other blast took place in a house.

The driver of a tractor trolley deployed to clear the garbage told the police that there was a loud explosion near the tyres and white smoke billowed from the blast when he was moving ahead. The police is questioning him to get more details.

The police has also sealed the house behind the railway station where the second blast took place.

The explosions come close on the heels of a threat by Islamic State that it will attack the Taj Mahal, after which security was beefed up at the historical monument on Friday.

IANS
UP CM: Mauyra, Adityanath supporters stage demonstration

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Supporters of Keshav Prasad Maurya, the chief of the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit are staging a demonstration demanding that he be made the chief minister. The supporters of Yogi Adityanath, senior BJP leader are also staging a demonstration that he be made the CM.

There is hectic activity both in New Delhi and Lucknow. With crowds swelling senior BJP leaders are trying to pacify the leaders who are aspirants to the post. Yogi Adityanath was in New Delhi holding discussions with Amit Shah. During the meeting Adityanath objected to the appointment of some MLAs in the state ministry. He said that he was upset that Radha Mohan Das was being appointed as a minister in the UP government.

The BJP's legislature meet is scheduled to be held at 4 pm on Saturday. Crowds have started to gather outside the BJP's headquarters in Lucknow demanding that their leaders be made the next CM of UP.

Senior leaders from Delhi including Venkaiah Naidu are in Varanasi and holding meetings. Meanwhile union Manoj Sinha has once again reiterated that he is not in the race for the post of UP CM.

He said that it is mere speculation that is being made in sections of the media. Sinha who visited two temples in the morning reiterated that he is not a contender to the post.

The BJP will officially announce the name of the CM candidate after the 4 pm meeting. In the past few days several names have been doing the rounds. However the BJP has kept the name of the UP CM a top guarded secret.

OneIndia News
When President Pranab Mukherjee profusely praised PM Modi

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Mumbai, March 18: After winning the hearts of the voters, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has managed to garner praises from President Pranab Mukherjee. It is not often that we see the President 'openly' praising politicians as his post demands neutrality, however, on Friday, it was a different sight. At a conclave hosted by India Today in Mumbai on Friday, the President said PM Modi is a quick learner and does things in own style.

"Present Prime Minister Narendra Modi has his own ways of doing things. We must give credit to him. He is a quick learner. He has picked up quickly from being the head of a federal state to lead the nation by mastering over foreign relations, external economy and internal factors," President Mukherjee said.

During his address, attended by who's who from various fields, the President also revealed that he was going to retire from active politics as his tenure is coming to an end in a few months from now. He added that after retirement he would go back to his native place in West Bengal and lead Durga Puja at his home as long as he can. Thus we can say that the President is not looking for a second-term.

According to the President, the five most influential PM during his long political career are Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh and Modi. In his address, the outgoing president lamented the 'decaying proceedings in Parliament'.

Mukherjee said, "In the first Lok Sabha (1952-57), there were 677 sittings and 319 bills were passed, whereas in the 15th Lok Sabha, only 357 sittings took place and 181 bills were passed. This happened due to disruptions, which is unacceptable to me. The first budget was of Rs 397 crore, whereas the size of the latest budget is Rs 17 lakh crore. Make a comparison of the time spent on discussions on expenditures! Nobody has the moral authority to disrupt or stall the proceedings of the House at the cost of taxpayers' money."

OneIndia News
Yogi is UP CM, Maurya, Sharma his deputies

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

Amid hectic parlays and meetings, firebrand BJP leader from Gorakhpur, Yogi Adityanath , was named as the chief minister designate for Uttar Pradesh. Adityanath would take oath as the chief minister on Sunday evening in Lucknow. State BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and leader Dinesh Sharma have been appointed as deputy chief ministers.

His swearing in would be held at 2.15 pm on Sunday.

Several names propped up as possible Uttar Pradesh CMs since BJP's thumping win in the state last week. Initially, the speculation was that Rajnath Singh might be moved from the Union Cabinet to become UP CM. There were rumours of Keshav Prasad Maurya being considered for the post.

On Friday, MoS Railways Manoj Sinha was said to be the front runner, and on Saturday noon Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma's name was being discussed by the scribes and political experts.

The meeting of UP MLAs to freeze on UP CM was held in Lucknow on Saturday in which over a 100 MLAs took part. Adityanath's supporters, who had gathered outside BJP office in Lucknow, raised slogans of 'Yogi, Yogi'. There were reports that Keshav Prasad Maurya's supporters had also carried out a march supporting their leader.

There were also reports that senior BJP leader and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu held a meeting with Aditynath, Maurya and Anupriya Patel at a VVIP guest house. Later, Adityanath, Bupendra Yadav, Om Mathur, Keshav Maurya and Sunil Bhansal held a separate meeting.

It needs to noted that Adityanath is a controversial and communal figure in UP, but he has a strong following in eastern UP. The elevation of Adityanath to the top post may have serious implications on 2019 Lok Sabha polls. BJP had in 2014 won 73 Lok Sabha seats from UP.

Adityanath's relationship with the BJP has been a strained one. In 2006 he organised a Virat Hindu Mahasammelan at Gorakhpur, during the same period when the BJP was holding its National Executive meet in Lucknow. In 2007 the conflict furthered when Adityanath had demanded more than 100 seats in the Eastern UP region to go to his candidates. However, the BJP and Adityanath compromised with the RSS intervening.

OneIndia News
At 19 billion pounds, Hindujas wealthiest Asians in UK in 2017

International

pti-PTI

From H S Rao London, Mar 18: NRI businessmen Hindujas have retained their position as the richest Asians in the UK in 2017 with an estimated wealth of 19 billion pounds, an increase of 2.5 billion pounds over last year, according to an annual ranking of the richest Asians in Britain. Steel tycoon Lakshmi N Mittals secured the second place with a fortune of 12.6 billion pounds -- up from 6.4 billion pounds last year -- in the Eastern Eye Asian Rich List, Britain's 101 Wealthiest Asians 2017, released on Friday night.

According to the list, the Hinduja brothers - Srichand and Gopi in London, Prakash in Geneva and Ashok in Mumbai -- have seen sharp increases in profitability in Ashok Leyland, InduSind bank, Gulf Oil, energy and real estate. This has justified the family's long adopted policy of pursing the path of diversity, the list said.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who was the chief guest at the 20th Annual Asian Business Awards organised by the Asian Media & Marketing Group, presented the first copy of the Rich List to G P Hinduja, Co-Chairman of the Hinduja Group. Britain's 101 wealthiest Asians are collectively worth 69.9 billion pounds, up from 55.4 billion pounds last year - a rise of 25 per cent. According to the list, the recovery in the European steel market has enabled the Mittal family to double its net worth during the year.

Prakash Lohia, Chairman of the Indorama Corporation (Petrochemicals) is the 3rd richest in the list with a fortune worth 4 billion pounds - up 1 billion pounds over last year. Anil Agarwal, executive chairman of Vedanta Resources, one of the fastest growing mining and metals group in the world, is fourth in the list along with Arora brothers - Simon, Bobby and Robin who own a chain of retail stores. Leading NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul is 14th in the list with an estimated wealth of 800 million pounds as against 300 million pounds last year.

At the awards ceremony, Surinder Arora, founder and Chairman of the Arora Group, collected the prestigious Asian Business of the Year Award. The Arora Group is one of the UK's largest private owner operator of hotels. Other winners included Young Entrepreneur of the year Aly Esmail, CEO of SME Group, Entrepreneur of the year Subodh Agrawal, Chairman of Euromax Capital and the Business Personality Award winner Prakash Lohia, Founder and Chairman of Indorama Group.

"London is home to one of the largest, and most diverse South-Asian communities in the world, which contributes a huge amount to the city's success - socially, culturally and economically," Khan said in his keynote speech.

PTI
Indian Sufi priests not in custody of jihadi groups confirms IB

International

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

India has once again sought a response from Pakistan on the two Sufi priests who went missing on March 15. Indian Intelligence agencies say that it is confirmed that the two priests have not been abducted by jihadi groups. They are in the custody of the Inter-Services Intelligence, official sources informed.

Officials, however, say that there is still no clarity on why the two priests were picked up by the intelligence agencies in Pakistan. They were supposed to release some information, but have not done so far. "There is no communication from their end as of now," the source said.

The two priests -- Asif Nizami and Nazim Nizami have been missing since Wednesday. Sources say that they were detained by Pakistan's intelligence agency when they landed in the country to meet their relatives.

The duo was last spotted at the Data Darbar Sufi shrine in Lahore and has been missing since Wednesday evening. Pakistan had claimed that that Asif was allowed to go to Karachi, but Nazim was stopped at the airport itself.

However Indian agencies have learnt that the duo was picked up and detained by the agencies in Pakistan."We are expecting a communication from them shortly on the issue," Indian agencies had said.

OneIndia News
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Pakistan: Two missing Indian clerics traced, set to return on Monday

International

pti-PTI

Karachi/New Delhi, Mar 18: The two missing Indian clerics of Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah have been 'traced and have reached Karachi', Pakistan on Friday conveyed to India.

"Pakistan Foreign Office has confirmed that the two Indian clerics have been traced and reached Karachi," a source said in New Delhi.

The confirmation came after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke to Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, regarding the case. Aziz is in London currently.

The two missing Indian clerics -- Syed Asif Nizami, the head priest (Sajjadanashin) of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah, and and his nephew Nazim Nizami -- reached Karachi this evening.

According to Pakistani media reports, both clerics had been in 'interior Sindh where there was no communication network' and that is why they could not tell their relatives about there whereabouts. They will leave for India on March 20.

Earlier in the day, Pakistani sources had said the two clerics were in the custody of Pakistan's intelligence agency over their alleged links with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. They were offloaded from Karachi-bound Shaheen Airlines on March 14 at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, the Pakistani sources said.

"The personnel of an intelligence took both the clerics into custody after getting them offloaded and shifted them to an undisclosed location for investigation," a source had said.

They further said both clerics had been detained for their alleged links with Altaf Hussain's MQM.

PTI
US group to hold 'Make in India' conference in Houston

International

pti-PTI

Houston, Mar 18: An American business group will organise a conference in Huston to discuss the latest developments and best practices of doing business in India. The two-day Houston India conference will begin from March 24.

The theme of the Conference is 'Make in India, The Inside Story'. The conference is designed to bring various constituencies that have an interest in India together and discuss with them the latest developments and the best practices of doing business in India, the organisers said.

'Make in India' is a major initiative of India, designed to foster innovation, enhance skills development, protect intellectual property, build best in class manufacturing infrastructure, facilitate investment and collaboration, they said.

India is one of the major business partners for companies in Texas. There is a large Indian presence in the educational, medical and research institutes that Houston is renowned for, they said.

The GDP of Texas at $1.7 trillion would make it the 10th largest economy in the world if it were an independent nation. Texas is home to 54 (or 11 per cent) of Fortune 500 companies, the organisers said.

"The focus of the conference is to share today's India story with the audience in Texas who are interested in investing in India, by the people who are playing an important role in shaping up the modern India," said Jagdip Ahluwalia, founding secretary of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce and its Executive Director.

[Also read: Dharmendra Pradhan: Make in India and Make in America complementary]

"This conference will not only bring together individuals and organisations in Texas or India that have an interest in investing or doing business with each other but will also catalyse the emergence of a major network in Texas interested in doing business in India," he added.

The conference has a series of panel discussions on the state of the Indian economy and politics, and to explore India's growing soft power on the global stage. The panellists are some of the most respected voices, including foreign policy experts, business pioneers, and thought leaders sharing their insights on the unique Indian way of thinking.

"We have speakers who have expanded brands in India, journalists, foreign policy experts, and movers and shakers who are writing a story of today's India. This event presents a chance to learn lessons from them on what it takes to do business in India and with India," said Indian Consul General Anupam Ray.

"We expect to have a large and interested audience by combining the networks of the organisations engaged in the conference, mostly top businessmen; active investors and money managers; a collection of business school and public policy school deans; and local government officials", said Jiten Agarwal, Chair of the Houston India Conference. Prominent speakers include India's Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal, Foreign Policy Expert Dhruva Jaishankar.

PTI
What do Donald Trump and Angela Merkel have in common?

International

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Donald Trump and Angela Merkel have something in common. It was an awkward moment on live television when US President Donald Trump quipped that he and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel had something in common. He was referring to the tapping of her phone by the National Security Agency.

Trump's comments come after he had claimed on Twitter that he was wiretapped by his predecessor Barrack Obama, a charge that has been denied senior members of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees.

It was a tense press conference. Trump seemed irritated by a question from a German reporter who quoted a Fox News story about the wiretapping allegations made by him. "As far as wiretapping, I guess by this past administration, at least we have something in common," Trump said while turning to Merkel. The German chancellor was however not amused and did not appear to be smiling at the joke.

Overall it was a tense press conference with Merkel taking time to process what had just happened. The US media reported that following the Trump remark, she frowned and started shuffling her papers on the podium that was set up for the joint press conference.

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Dr. Nazir Kayali settled into his chair, deep in thought.

His hand stroked his chin and a smile grew into a laugh as he considered his circuitous path to the Quad-Cities.

The Syrian-born pediatrician's first trip outside his native country was to Ohio in 1990, where his cousins were practicing medicine.

Wishing to follow in his cousins' paths, Kayali asked what he might expect from America.

They halfheartedly told him a joke that went along with the generalization that Americans are egotistical and care only about money.

"A stranger comes to America and finds a booth that says 'Two questions for $100,'" Kayali began, barely able to get the words past his own laughter. "He asks a woman, 'Is that a lot of money for two questions?' She replies 'Yes. What's your second question?'"

But the international medical graduate found the opposite to be true in middle America. Here, he said, he found warmth, compassion and acceptance.

Dr. Nazir Kayali has his plate dished up by daughter, Sarah, 17, as they sit down for dinner at their home in Bettendorf. Having lived in Des Moines for his residency and in the Quad-Cities previously, Kayali, a Syrian-born pediatrician, has called Bettendorf home for the past five years.

Having lived in Bettendorf for the past five years, Kayali boasts that the Quad-Cities is his third stint in Iowa, having secured his H-1B visa to complete his residency from 1993-1996 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Out of all the hospitals in the nation, his first choice was in Iowa's capital city.

He then came to the Quad-Cities from 1999 to 2007, returning to Syria so his children could get to know their family in Aleppo.

But his Iowa memories and experiences stayed with Kayali.

When war made Syria too dangerous, the pediatrician with a soft spot for Iowa was relieved to learn of an opportunity in the safe place he had come to know more than 6,200 miles away. And it called his family back.

"I've had a very positive experience," Kayali said. "The acceptance and the people, from residents, staff, colleagues and patients; it was all so incredible."

The sentiment is the same for many of the international medical graduates who have immersed themselves in the community, including Dr. Sarojini Ratnakar, who joked that she took the easy path to practicing medicine in the United States.

The Indian-born and -trained hospitalist for Genesis Health System did not have to jump over the same hurdles that other international medical graduates did. Her husband already had a visa, so she was able to come as a spouse.

Dr. Sarojini Ratnakar talks with patient Marcia Johnson of Bettendorf in her room at Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme Street, Davenport.

Ratnakar's story, however, is similar in that she, too, came to the U.S. to make a better life and has settled into the void created by the country's physician shortage.

In America's heartland, where the shortage is more pronounced, the challenge isn't so much in finding qualified doctors. The real test is in convincing them to stay.

Iowa ranked seventh in medical students per 100,000 population, but the state has one of the lowest physician-to-population ratios in the country. In other words, medical students are graduating in Iowa; they just aren't practicing here.

Even more alarming is Iowa's consistently low ranking in retaining physicians who earned their medical degrees in-state.

Since 2006, the retention percentage for in-state graduates has fluctuated between 34 percent and 36 percent for physicians, according to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges, or AAMC.

Hospitalist Dr. Sarojini Ratnakar, who was born in India, reads a chart before going to the patient's room at Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme Street, Davenport.

Ratnakar said she struggled when she first came to practice in Iowa in 2004.

"I moved from Atlanta, because my family was here, but at the beginning, I really wanted to go back," she said.

As she immersed herself in the Quad-Cities, however, something changed.

"It's the people here," she said. "I wanted to go back, but now I won't leave, because this place is just fantastic. I would not trade it for anything."

Just like Ratnakar, other international medical graduates are starting to form attachments and a sense of place and are not necessarily waiting for a door to open elsewhere.

Community Health Care CEO Tom Bowman has become familiar with the doctor shortage in his 10 years at the Davenport clinic.

Bowman said Community Health Care, or CHC, tries to fill the gaps in medical treatment in the community and, in order to do so, relies heavily on sponsorship of international medical graduates through J-1 or H-1B visas.

Foreign graduates accounted for more than 50 percent of CHC recruits in the past decade, and they haven't always been keen on staying in the area.

"Some of it, even though we're not as rural as some parts of country, is that they tend to gravitate to more diverse and urban areas," Bowman said. "But we're getting better on that front."

In the past 15 years, Community Health Care has sponsored and employed 33 international medical graduates, but only 17 have remained here. However, when narrowing the focus to the past decade the percentage of doctors sticking around increases from 50 percent to about 65 percent.

Hospitalist Dr. Sarojini Ratnakar looks over the patient board for the night at Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme Street, Davenport.

The same can be said of the percentage of active physicians who are international medical graduates, practicing in Iowa. As of 2014, their numbers increased from 17 percent to 18.6 percent, making foreign doctors second only to Iowa-educated doctors in the recruitment pool.

From 2006-14, foreign doctors accounted for almost one-third of physician growth in Iowa, according to data from AAMC. In fact, foreign graduates have become such a mainstay in American medical care, they now account for about 1 in 4 physicians.

"Foreign graduates are very hard workers, so they really don't mind going to any place," Ratnakar said.

The sprawling city of Kingwood, West Virginia, county seat of Preston County, was home to just more than 3,000 people when Kayali practiced there after his three-year residency in Des Moines.

"(It's) a small town in the mountains where no one else would go," the Bettendorf pediatrician said.

Except for his family's social life, Kayali said, the little town produced a positive experience. But it also was the place in which he first experienced the struggles that strike a community that is medically under-served. Some of the most basic conditions were worsened, he said, by the lack of physicians in the area.

"I would see really sick kids, and I wouldn't imagine seeing such cases in the United States," Kayali said.

For rural areas in the U.S. like Kingwood, it's difficult to attract physicians, which is why foreign physicians have become such a vital resource.

A study commissioned by AAMC found that the U.S. will have a shortage of 61,700 to 94,700 physicians by 2025, and rural areas can expect to suffer the most. Those regions of the country typically lack the amenities, diversity and financial incentives available in urban areas, making them less desirable to many incoming physicians.

As an incentive, foreign graduates can prolong their stay in the U.S. by serving in medically under-served areas with modest populations where other health providers are scarce.

With J-1 visas, states can sponsor physicians through the Conrad 30 waiver, which allows 30 international medical graduates to stay in the country as long as they practice their medical specialty in shortage areas for a minimum of three years.

J-1 visas typically require participants to return to their home country for two years to apply the knowledge and training they acquired in the U.S.

Over the past 10 years, more than 10,000 physicians in the U.S. stayed and served in shortage areas under Conrad 30, according to AAMC President Darrell Kirch. In the same decade, the Iowa Department of Public Health sponsored 292 foreign doctors out of the potential maximum of 300, meaning Iowa used 97 percent of its allotment of Conrad 30 doctors. In comparison, the national average is 59 percent.

From 2007 to this year, Scott County ranked eighth in the number of Conrad 30 waivers granted in the state with 18.

But the number of state-sponsored waivers has decreased since 2012, when the Department of Health and Human Services took over applications for Federally Qualified Health Centers such as CHC.

While Scott County did not receive a single Conrad 30 waiver out of the 30 recommended by the state this year, it does not mean the need isn't there.
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A stick PC is a single board computer resembling a stick cased in a small casing much like a USB flash drive. Stick PC or PC on a stick can be plugged directly into an HDMI compatible monitor or TV to provide complete experience of a personal computer. It is mainly designed for programs which are light along with social networking, media streaming, web browsing, and video chatting. Also called compute sticks, stick PC devices can be paired with Bluetooth wireless mouse and keyboard for user inputs.However, we can also use USB port on stick PC as an input for USB wired mouse and keyboard. Powered by Atom system on a chip by Intel or ARM, the PC on a stick device use either Windows 10 or Windows 8.1 or Linux distribution, especially Ubuntu as the operating system for the device. Stick PC was introduced first in 2003. One of the disadvantages of PC on a stick is lack of the full power and functionality of laptop, PC, and traditional desktop.Obtain Report Details @The market can be segmented based on the geography which are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. Asia Pacific is projected a high growth in the global market during the forecast period. Major contributors to the increase in market demand for stick PC are the developing countries such as India and China. These countries are still adopting digital infrastructure in the K-12 segment which is likely to be driving the demand to provide instructors and students some digital learning facilities using these necessary devices.This factor is expected to further augment the market for PC on a stick in these countries. Also, large number of foreign universities are providing online courses in these countries which is likely to further lead the growth of the market. The market can also be segmented based on end-user such as household and commercial.Make an Enquiry @The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Browse market research blog:
Process Analyzers Market - Major Players Operating In This Market Includes Abb Ltd., Agc Instruments, Ametek Process Instruments, Aneolia And More

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Global Process Analyzers Market: SynopsisProcess analyzers are analytical or engineering precision equipment that are used for monitoring parameters such as liquid and gas content during the manufacturing process. These analyzers are extensively used for the identification of chemical, physical, molecular and elemental properties of a sample. The process analyzers were firstly introduced into the market in 1930s when the non-dispersive infrared analyzers for the process gas streams was invented by Dr. Karl Luft. These analyzers provide real time data on chemical composition of the gas or liquid streams. Process analyzers use range of parameters for the delivery of precise, accurate and continuous measurement. Hence, owing to the precision and accuracy offered by the equipment these devices are used in industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, chemical, petrochemical, oil and gas.Global Process Analyzers Market: Key SegmentsThe market for process analyzers can be segmented on the basis of types of analyzers, application and services. The types of analyzers segment can be further categorized into liquid analyzer and gas analyzer. Liquid analyzer market is sub segmented into chlorine analyzers, dissolved oxygen analyzers, colorimetric analyzers, conductivity analyzers, titro analyzers, near infrared analyzers, Miss analyzers, total organic carbon (TOC) & chemical oxygen demand (COD) analyzers and Ph/Orp analyzers. Gas analyzers can also be segmented as oxygen analyzers, carbon dioxide analyzers, moisture analyzers, hydrogen sulphide analyzers, flame ionization detection and toxic gas detection using photo ionization (Pid). The process analyzers market can also segmented on the basis of services that include equipment maintenance services, new installations, startup & commissioning, repair and replacement of parts and training services. Furthermore, the report on process analyzers can be segmented on the basis of applications such as food & beverage, mining, pulp & paper, power/utility, pharmaceuticals, cement & glass, chemical/petrochemical and water & waste treatment. Geographically the market for process analyzers would estimate the market size for North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World.Enter your information below to receive a sample copy of this report @Global Process Analyzers Market: Trends and OpportunitiesGrowing demand from waste and water treatment industries, technological advancements and increasing number of petrochemical, gas and oil industries are the major factors that are expected to drive the growth of process analyzers market. Furthermore, continuous demand by the end users for regular support, maintenance and replacement services to ensure the effective performance of the equipment are the other reasons that are likely to trigger the growth of process analyzers market. Similarly, increasing demand in developing nations for process analyzers is also anticipated to push the market growth to a higher end. Thus, witnessing the immense potential in developing nations most of the major players operating in this space have started to expand their business in the Asian region beyond mature markets such as the U.S., Europe and Japan.Global Process Analyzers Market: Companies Mentioned in the ReportThe market for process analyzers is highly fragmented hence intense competitive rivalry is seen among the players operating in this market segment. The major players operating in this market includes Abb Ltd., Agc Instruments, Ametek Process Instruments, Aneolia, Analytik Jena Ag, Biotector Analytical Systems Ltd., Endress+Hauser Ag, Emerson Process Management, Hach Company, Falcon Analytical, Honeywell International Inc., Metrohm Ag, Invensys Plc., Omega Engineering Inc., Mettler-Toledo International, Inc., Siemens Ag, Perkinelmer, Inc., Omega Engineering Inc., Swan Analytische Instrumente Ag, Xylem Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Teledyne Analytical Instruments, Yokogawa Electric Corporation and others. These players dominate the market due to innovative and highly effective products.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Transparency Market Research90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Rotary Angle Sensors Market - Important players in the Rotary angle sensors market includes Honeywell International Inc., AMS AG, Renishaw Plc.

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Rotary angle sensors change physical phenomenon into a quantity measurable by data acquisition system, hence it is an key part of any measurement and automation application. The rotation that is to be measured is connected to the motion of a slider that causes changes in the resistance that the sensor circuit converts in output voltage. Moreover, the rotary angle sensors are much more durable since they have high rotational life characteristics. The market for rotary angle sensors is expected to contribute the highest growth rate during the period of forecast. These sensors measure the rotational or angular movement of an object. Rotary angle sensors measure the rotational or angular movement of an object. Rotary angle sensors is expected to lead the global position sensors market with the fuelling factors such as expanded use of position sensors in a vehicle, increasing trend of industrial automation and many more.Browse Market Research Report @The rotary angle sensors are primarily driven by the increasing industrial automation. The industrial automation is implemented in different industries like automotive, aerospace, electronics, healthcare and packaging which are fuelling the demand of rotary angle sensors market. Increasing use of rotary angle sensors in automobiles sectors is also fuelling the demand of rotary angle sensors market globally. The sensor is used in providing electrical outputs relative to shaft rotation so as to measure the angles precisely. In automotive industries these sensor are used in gear position, steering wheel position, throttle position and pedal position. Another major driver of this market is the adoption of rotary angle sensor in aerospace industries. In aerospace industries these sensors are used for automation in the aerospace industries.One of the restraining factors in the rotary angle sensors market is the lack of product differentiation. As a number of key players offer similar technological products, there are numerous options for the buyers to buy from. Thus creating pricing pressure that helps to compete with large manufacturers for high volume of these products.Industrial robotic applications are expected to be one of the major opportunities in the rotary angle sensors market. Automations in different sector will create demand for robotics which in terms will create demand for rotary angle sensors. Moreover, electronics sector is also one of the important sectors where opportunities are expected during the forecast period.On the basis of type the rotary angle sensors is bifurcated into rotary encoder, rotary potentiometer, rotary variable differential transformer, and resolver. Further the rotary encoder is bifurcated into optical rotary encoder, magnetic rotary encoder, mechanical rotary encoder and capacitive rotary encoder. Moreover, the market is bifurcated on the basis of application into test equipment, motion systems, material handling, machine tools and robotics among others. The development in these applications is attributing to the high growth rate of the rotary angle sensor market. Based on geography, the market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America. Europe accounted for the largest size of the European rotary angle sensor market, in terms of revenue, comparing to other regions. This is due to the fast adoption of rotary in different applications like material handling, robotics, machine tools, and others in major countries of this Europe. Another important factor driving the European market is due to the presence of numerous automotive companies like BMW Group (Germany), Volkswagen AG (Germany) and Daimler AG (Germany).Enter your information below to receive a sample copy of this report @Some of the important players in the Rotary angle sensors market includes Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.), AMS AG (Germany), Renishaw Plc. (U.K.), MTS System Corporation (U.S.), Balluff GmbH (Germany), Keyence Corporation (Japan), Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH (Germany), TE Connectivity Ltd. (Switzerland), Novotechnik U.S. Inc. (Germany), Allegro MicroSystems, LLC (U.S.), Hans Turck GmbH CO and. KG (Germany), among others.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Transparency Market Research90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
OSAGE | Mark Gast has been a barber for 38 years. He owns the Southside Barbershop in St. Ansgar and opened a second location in downtown Osage on Friday, March 17.

I was in Osage for 19 years and now St. Ansgar for 19 years, Gast said.

Gast began in Osage nearly 20 years ago and saw an opportunity to come back.

The goal is to keep up two locations, the older one in St. Ansgar and the new location in Osage, for the next 19 years, he said.

I really appreciate the good business I have in St. Ansgar and I dont want to have that change, Gast said.

The St. Ansgar location will be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday while the Osage location will be open Fridays and Saturdays.

Gast made a career change over 38 years ago and found that he liked being a barber because of the customers.

I had never cut anybodys hair before, Gast said, talking about his time before barber school. I enjoyed it, visiting people. Theres a lot of nice people in this county.

Styles have changed a great deal since he started.

Back in the 70s I did a lot of perms, the afro look, Gast said. A little while after that mullets.

Now many younger boys want trendy styles, short on the sides and longer on the top.

Not quite a high and tight, Gast said. You just have to do a little bit of everything.

He saw an opportunity to expand his business to both cities this year. He rented space at the Stricker Plumbing & Heating Co. building and began renovations in March.

I really appreciate John Stricker letting me rent that space, Gast said.

The barbershop has several antique industrial appliances foe decor including two big buzz saws from the saw mills.

The expansion will add an additional day to his work week. He stopped working Saturdays several years ago when his children were young so he could take the time to go camping and other activities.

Theyre grown up now, Gast said. I have four daughters, two are barbers.

Gast said he has received positive feedback from customers on coming back to Osage.

A lot of them are happy that Im coming back, Gast said.

One of those customers was Merrill Johnson of Meroa.

Johnson was one of Gast's first customers 38 years ago and was Gast's first customer last Friday.

Johnson became Gast's customer when Johnson was a pall bearer in a funeral and needed a hair cut, but no one was open.

The two being neighbors in Meroa, Johnson gave Gast a call, asking if he could get a quick hair cut.

Gast had a barber's chair in his home, so, Johnson became a customer.

The two have continued their friendship over the years, just as Gast has continued with his many customers over the years.
Personal Cooling Devices Market - Honeywell International, Havells India Ltd. Evapolar Ltd Are Among The Key Operating Players

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Personal cooling devices are useful for dealing with heat stress, headaches, and heat related irritability among others. Hot weather can prove to be tiresome and due to this families resort to the purchase of expensive and high tonnage air conditioners. Families falling in the low to middle income group resort to the purchase of coolers which are far less effective as compared to air conditioners, but are capable of maintaining a cool temperature. However, with the rising cost of electricity, families find it difficult in maintaining such expensive air conditioners and they are looking for alternative ways to keep themselves cool during summer without having to spend a fortune on electricity to run air conditioners. Due to this factor, consumers are showing increased preference towards personal cooling devices to tackle the heat during summer.Obtain Report Details @Personal cooling devices offer a broad range of cost-effective products that are easy to operate. Energy efficiency of these products is one of the major factors fuelling the demand for personal cooling devices across the globe. Such products runs mainly on batteries and in some cases, they run on solar energy as well. Adoption of such products would reduce the usage of air conditioners and electrically operated coolers significantly, thus reducing power consumption. High affordability of such products due to their low price is another major factor fuelling the demand for such devices across the globe, especially in regions where the temperature is relatively high during summer. Further, individual comfort offering, mobility and user friendly nature of such products are other key factors pushing the demand for personal cooling devices globally.However, low market penetration for such products is a major factor barring the growth of the market at present. Majority of the consumers are unaware about the availability of such products, which has shown a negative impact on the growth of the market. Use of HVAC systems as a replacement for personal cooling devices is another major factor restraining the growth of the market. HVAC systems are more adaptable compared to personal cooling devices, thus being a primary preference among the consumers at present.However, expansion of distribution channel and increased market penetration for such products would pose to be a suitable opportunity for the growth of the market in the future.The global personal cooling devices market has been segmented on the basis of product types into personal air conditioners and handheld cooling devices. However, on the basis of technology, the market has been segmented into ambient cooling technology.Further, the market has been segmented on the basis region into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America. Asia Pacific has significant opportunity for the growth of the personal cooling device market with China, Japan and India being the major contributors to the growth of this market. China is the major producer and supplier of personal cooling devices and the market for the same is witnessing a significant growth in China. This is due to the low cost of production for such products coupled with a variety of features. Further, many countries in Asia Pacific have a hot climate for most of months in a year. Further, increase in global warming is also fuelling the rise in the temperature in this region. Hot temperature coupled with the rising cost of electricity has led the consumers to resort to the purchase of personal cooling devices.The global personal cooling devices market is marked by some intense competition from the major players operating in this market. Frequent mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and partnerships, product innovation through extensive R&D activities are some of the major strategies adopted by these leading players to operate and sustain in this market. Honeywell International, Havells India Ltd. Evapolar Ltd, Ambient Therapautics, Genexus LLC and Lakeland Ltd. are some of the key players operating in the field of personal cooling devices at present.Enter your information below to receive a sample copy of this report @The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Transparency Market Research90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Thepackersmovers.com is Emerging as an Excellent Solution for Search of Best Packers and Movers!

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Thepackersmovers.com is one of the renowned and reliable online directories of India which provides the list of best Packers and Movers in Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Jaipur and other places of India. People can find service providers for varied relocation services.New Delhi, India :- People settled in urban areas find Packers and Movers an excellent way out to ease their relocation process. Another reason for people to hire Packers and Movers service provider is the busy and hectic lifestyle. So because of time crunch and low energy, people tend to hire relocation service providers that assist in entire relocation activity. However, getting settled with reliable Packers and Movers service provider is a matter of utmost priority. A reliable and professional movers and packers assure relocation of valuable belongings of home or office safely and securely.Thepackersmovers.com is one such online platform for the people of India where one can find list of dependable Packers and Movers in India within a matter of few clicks. This online directory aims to meet the need of reliable relocation service providers of the people of India with offered lists.Over a discussion about the list of Best Packers and Movers in Delhi (), the official representative of the directory stated, To find a reliable Packer and Mover in the capital is a very challenging task. There are thousands of Packers and Movers based in Delhi from which figuring out the reliable one is tough task. Therefore, at Thepackersmovers.com we have enlisted reliable names for packers and Movers based in Delhi. So within a matter of few clicks, one can get quote from feasible movers and packers and settle down with the best suitable option without any worries.People who are planning for relocation in Delhi from another state or city or are relocating the place of residence or work, the directory has to offer the names for renowned shifting partners. To meet distinctive relocation needs of the people in Delhi, there are different relocation service providers offering services for Corporate Relocation, Pets Relocation, Home Relocation Service, Packaging Services, Unpacking Services, Transport Services, Office Relocation Service, Loading Unloading Services, International Relocation, Warehousing Services, Door-to-Door Relocation Services, Household Shifting Services, Insurance Coverage, Trade Show and Event Organization, Custom Clearance and many other.While further discussion, the official representative of the online directory added, Relocation is the process of skills, patience, hard work and more. One cannot assure the safety of goods if valuables are not packed, loaded, unloaded and unpacked safely. This is the reason that one tends to fall in the need of Packers and Movers. So, on the online directory we meet very different and specific needs of relocation and offer the best solution with list of reliable Packers and Movers.Apart from wide ranges of Relocation services and service provider lists, the online directory also educates people with useful and helpful Packing and relocation tips. On the website there is ample number of informative pages like Packing Tips (), Self Moving Tips, Plant Moving Tips, Car Moving Tips, Budget Moving Plan, Relocation Tips, Pets Moving Tips, Office Relocation Tips, Pre-moving Tips, Moving Day Countdown, Tips on Moving with Kids, Unloading Tips, Choosing a Mover, Moving Checklist, Moving Guide and more.Contact-Thepackersmovers.com is one of the renowned online gifting websites of India that caters the people of the country with list for reputed and reckoned Movers and Packers. People can search for the list of Packers and Movers in Delhi, Chennai, Udaipur, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and places across India. For further details, visit the website of the directory.Media Contact :-The Packers MoversMayur Vihar Phase 1, Pandav NagarPostal Code :- 110091City - DelhiCountry - India
college students

Liberal arts students often feel overwhelmed by all the career directions they can taake, experts say. So before you graduate, hone in on what excites you by volunteering, working part time, joining extracurricular clubs and taking on internships.

(Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Q: "I'm a liberal arts major, and it feels like there's no clear line of work for me to pursue. How can I use my degree to get a job when I graduate?"

A: The older I get, the more fiercely I defend unduly maligned liberal arts majors. I'm the proud recipient of an English degree. Some people thought that studying literature was an endearing quirk, not a career path, but it led me to a fulfilling career in journalism.

Now that I'm out in the real world, I've seen how desperate companies are for good writers, communicators and researchers. According to a National Association of Colleges and Employers spring 2016 survey, employers rated critical thinking, professionalism and teamwork as the most important career-readiness traits of college graduates -- all achievable through liberal arts studies.

It's true that PayScale's list of bachelor degrees with high income potential is dominated by science and engineering. But a humanities background can give you the foundation to solve problems, lead and collaborate with others, which can help you rise through the ranks in any industry. You never know where your liberal arts background may take you. Late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien majored in history and literature. Howard Schultz, chairman and chief executive of Starbucks, majored in communications.

Follow these steps to gain confidence in your formidable knowledge, relay it to employers and land a job you love.

Test your interests

Liberal arts students often feel overwhelmed by all the career directions they can go, says Karyn McCoy, assistant vice president of DePaul University's Career Center in Chicago. If you're a political science major, for instance, you could pursue law, journalism, business, international relations, academia -- the list goes on.

Before you graduate, hone in on what excites you by volunteering, working part time, joining extracurricular clubs and taking on internships. You'll build additional skills that can make you more marketable with employers. My experiences as an intern at nonprofit legal organizations helped me get my first job as a paralegal.

"In many cases in job interviews, it's those other applied experiences that students have had that help them stand out," says Paul Timmins, director of career services for the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Use tools such as the O*NET Interest Profiler, sponsored by the Department of Labor, to explore potential occupations based on the types of tasks and job-related activities that most interest you. You also can ask your college's alumni relations director to put you in touch with alumni with your degree. Set up a phone call or brief coffee meeting to discuss how they translated their liberal arts background into a successful career.

Own your skills

It takes practice to assess exactly how your major has prepared you for the workplace.

"Students don't necessarily know how to identify the skills that they're gaining or to talk about them in a way that sells them to an employer," McCoy says.

Brainstorm with your college's career services department, a trusted professor or an internship supervisor about the transferable skills you can bring to the workplace. McCoy also recommends scrutinizing a few job descriptions that interest you, then writing down an experience showing how you meet each qualification.

If the employer wants someone who can take initiative, for instance, you'd share in a cover letter or during an interview your experience at forming an anthropology study group. It would be even better if you could report a measurable positive result, such as a classwide increase in test scores. Is the company looking for a strong collaborator? Your work on a team that curated the new on-campus museum exhibit would be relevant.

Remember, too, that your first job is a single rung on your career ladder, McCoy says. You can prepare incessantly and still find you'd rather work in a different company or industry that better fits your passions or lifestyle.

"Each step is going to give you something, whether it's a specific skill or an insight that says, 'OK, this definitely isn't it.'"



Brianna McGurran is a staff writer at NerdWallet. Email: bmcgurran@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @briannamcscribe.
Richard Cordray

Richard Cordray, director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, addresses the Financial Literacy and Education Commission last summer in Washington, D.C. Several lawmakers have called for Donald Trump to fire Cordray, a Democrat and former Ohio attorney general who was appointed during the Obama administration.

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WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department told a federal court on Friday that President Donald Trump should be able to fire the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, arguing the structure of the controversial independent watchdog is unconstitutional.

The brief, filed in a case in which a New Jersey mortgage company is challenging the bureau's authority, is a reversal of the position taken by the Obama administration. It had strongly backed the agency, which was created by the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform law and was one of Obama's signature accomplishments.

Conservatives have argued the bureau gives too much power to its director, who serves a five-year term and could be removed only "for cause," such as neglect of duty.

Several lawmakers have called for Trump to fire CFPB Director Richard Cordray, a Democrat and former Ohio attorney general who was appointed by Obama.

Cordray, whose term doesn't expire until July 2018, has been aggressive about enacting tough new rules and obtaining billions of dollars in refunds for consumers. The bureau was a key player in the $185 million settlement Wells Fargo & Co. agreed to pay last year for the creation of as many as 2 million accounts without customer authorization.

In a 33-page filing Friday, the Justice Department told the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia that "there is a greater risk that an 'independent' agency headed by a single person will engage in extreme departures from the president's executive policy."

Because of that, the court should uphold a 2-1 ruling by a three-judge panel in October that found that structure violated the Constitution's separation of powers because it limited the president's authority.

The court said the solution was to strike down the law's "for cause" provision, meaning the president could remove the consumer bureau director for any reason, as with other executive branch appointees.

The CFPB appealed the ruling to the full court. The case was brought by PHH Corp., a New Jersey mortgage services company.

Cordray has said he would not step down, and some legal scholars have said the ongoing case could present problems for Trump if he tried to remove Cordray. A bureau spokesman declined to comment on the Justice filing.

Trump vowed during the campaign to dismantle Dodd-Frank and has ordered Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to review the law. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said last month that the bureau was "an unaccountable and unconstitutional new agency that does not adequately protect consumers."

Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and a longtime critic of the bureau, said Friday that it was "arguably the most powerful and least accountable bureaucracy in American history."

"I applaud the Department of Justice for recognizing this unconstitutional CFPB must not stand and must not continue to harm the very consumers it is supposed to protect," he said.

Hensarling and other critics have complained the bureau's rules on mortgages, credit cards and other financial products restrict consumer's access to credit. He has called for replacing the single director with a five-member bipartisan commission.

But Democrats and consumer advocates said a commission would make the bureau less effective. They've praised its work while noting that, under Dodd-Frank, the bureau's regulations can be overturned by a majority of a panel of financial regulators.

"We're not surprised the Justice Department has taken the position that powerful Wall Street interests wanted it to take," said Ed Mierzwinski, consumer program director at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. "But we will continue the defend the CFPB and believe that its structure is totally constitutional."

The bureau does important work that would be jeopardized if Cordray were removed, Mierzwinski said.

Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., and 37 other members of the Congressional Black Caucus wrote to Trump in January saying they "would strongly oppose" any attempt to remove Cordray and "would view such an action as an illegitimate abuse of power."

"Director Cordray has done nothing to give the necessary cause for his removal from office," the lawmakers wrote. "Communities of color and, indeed, all consumers in America will benefit from having director Cordray remain in his position and continue to independently implement the mandates imposed upon him by Congress as the director of the CFPB."

--Los Angeles Times
IRS

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights summarizes taxpayer rights scattered throughout the tax code, making it easier to understand what the IRS can and can't do.

(Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images)

Most people know that breaking tax rules, even accidentally, can bring serious consequences like an audit. It may seem like a one-way street, but the IRS has to follow rules, too. Here's what three tax attorneys say you should know.

There is a Taxpayer Bill of Rights

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights, which the IRS adopted in 2014, summarizes taxpayer rights scattered throughout the tax code, making it easier to understand what the IRS can and can't do.

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights groups taxpayer rights into 10 basic tenets. Under them, taxpayers have the right to:

Be informed

Receive quality service

Pay no more than the correct amount of tax

Challenge the IRS' position and be heard

Appeal an IRS decision in an independent forum

Finality

Privacy

Confidentiality

Retain representation

A fair and just tax system.

It's often helpful to refer to these rights when talking with the IRS, says Glen Frost, a tax attorney in Columbia, Maryland. When talking with the IRS, Frost says he often points out that it's the taxpayer's right to be heard, for example.



You can push back

IRS disputes can be intimidating. Frost says he's seen even certified public accountants become submissive around IRS agents. But the Taxpayer Bill of Rights provides the grounds to challenge the agency's position.

"The first principle here is, these aren't rights that are granted by the IRS, but they're simply recognized by the IRS, and they all come down from the law that's either made by Congress or made by the courts," says Fred Daily, a tax attorney in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Taxpayers have the right to retain representation. Taxpayers also have the right to talk to an IRS supervisor -- a move that might save hours of time and frustration, Frost adds.

There are limits

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights may help you navigate disputes, but it's not necessarily a tool for things like resolving problems with a specific employee, for example, says Alvin Brown, a tax attorney in New York City.

"The [Taxpayer] Bill of Rights is incomplete, and it needs some more backbone. It needs more structure, more specificity," Brown says.

Other options for taxpayers include filing a complaint with the Treasury inspector general for tax administration, an IRS watchdog, or turning to the courts, he says.

--NerdWallet
Oregon Lottery's $1 million St. Patrick's Day Raffle

Richard Leber, a Vietnam War veteran from Clackamas, won the Oregon Lottery's $1 million St. Patrick's Day Raffle prize.

(Oregon Lottery)

Richard Leber said he was shaking by the end of an especially cautious drive to Salem on Friday.

The Vietnam War veteran from Clackamas learned earlier in the day he'd scored a lottery ticket worth more than $600. But he had no way of knowing his ticket was the $1 million winner -- quite a St. Patrick's Day surprise.

He picked up his wife, traveled to an Oregon Lottery payment center in Wilsonville and found out he was the winner of the St. Patrick's Day Raffle's top prize.

But because the Wilsonville center doesn't cash prizes worth that much, a trip to the state's capital was in order. Leber's total takeaway: about $670,000 after taxes.

That's according to the Oregon Lottery, which recounted Leber's story in a news release Friday evening. The agency said he bought his winning $10 ticket Jan. 25 from a Plaid Pantry convenience store on Oregon 212 in Clackamas.

It was one of five he bought at different vendors, according to the lottery. He said he's bought Oregon Lottery raffle tickets since the agency began offering them.

Leber told the lottery he plans to use the money to turn his annual trip to California's Riverside National Cemetery, where three of his friends killed in Vietnam are buried, into a vacation.

"I joined the Marines with one of them," he said. "So I go and visit them each year and make the trip. We are brothers."

He's planning to visit his brother, who lives in Arizona, and ride in the famed Laughlin River Run motorcycle rally, according to the lottery. He'll pick up a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle and pay off debt, too.

The lottery said its St. Patrick's Day Raffle also includes 300 prizes of $500 apiece and 1,500 of prizes totaling $100 apiece.

-- Jim Ryan

jryan@oregonian.com

503-221-8005; @Jimryan015
M-44 device

A federal M-44 cyanide device exploded Thursday, March 16, 2017, killing a dog in Pocatello Idaho.

(Bannock County Sheriff's Office)

A three-year-old Labrador retriever died and a 14-year boy was knocked to the ground when local law enforcement officials say a cyanide device deployed by the federal government exploded in Pocatello, Idaho.

The Idaho State Journal reported the boy, who had been on a walk with his dog Thursday on a ridge near their home, watched his dog die. According to the Bannock County Sheriff's Office, the boy was also "covered in an unknown substance" when the device known as an M-44 detonated. He was evaluated at a hospital and released.

"That little boy is lucky," Sheriff Lorin Nielsen told the Pocatello newspaper. "His guardian angel was protecting him."

The Idaho incident comes a few weeks after a gray wolf was accidentally killed by an M-44 on private land in Oregon's Wallowa County. The controversial type of trap is used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services crews around the country primarily to kill coyotes and other predators. The device is spring-loaded and activated by an animal's tug. It shoots a lethal amount of cyanide into the animal's mouth.

U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., introduced legislation as recently as 2012 to ban the trap.

DeFazio has said he would reintroduce a similar bill in Congress.

The wolf death was the first documented "incidental take" of its kind in Oregon involving the protected animal and the M-44, fish and wildlife officials said.

Federal Wildlife Services officials said there were 96 M-44 devices dispersed across Oregon as of last week and the agency was looking to remove devices that were near known wolf habitat. Oregon fish and wildlife officials have said the devices were not allowed in areas of known wolf activity.

Oregon has long paid Wildlife Services to kill invasive species and specific predators. But Gov. Kate Brown's' recommended budget doesn't include $460,000 typically set aside to pay the federal agency to kill animals in Oregon.

Bannock County officials described the device as "extremely dangerous to animals and humans."

The department circulated photos of the trap. "If a device such as this is ever located please do not touch or go near the device and contact your local law enforcement agency," officials said.

Government officials have said the number of deaths of domestic animals and non-target animals each year is low, and officials say they are conducting an "internal review" of the wolf death.

Wildlife Services killed 121 coyotes in Oregon in 2016 with M-44 devices, along with three red foxes, according to the government's figures. No gray wolf was killed in the U.S. last year with the cyanide capsules, according to the government.

A Eugene nonprofit says the government isn't being truthful about the number of pets and non-target animals - such as wolves - killed each year.

"Yesterday's Idaho poisoning of a dog and the near poisoning of a child is yet another example of what we've been saying for decades: M-44s are really nothing more than land mines waiting to go off, no matter if it's a child, a dog, or a wolf," Brooks Fahy, executive director of Predator Defense, said in a statement.

"It's time to ban these notoriously dangerous devices on all lands across the United States."

-- Andrew Theen

atheen@oregonian.com

503-294-4026

@andrewtheen
A Happy Valley couple must repay nearly $47,000 that they illegally obtained in benefits and donations for a charity they created to honor their military veteran son who committed suicide.

Michael Brennan, 53, was sentenced Friday to two months in jail for soliciting and accepting cash donations and work on his family's Happy Valley home on behalf of Saving America's Heroes in 2013 and 2014.

Brennan and his wife, 48-year-old Maria Brennan, also were sentenced to two years of probation for illegally accepting food stamps, cash assistance meant for low-income families and Medicaid benefits from 2009 to 2014.

The parents of seven didn't report over the years that they had more than $200,000 in their bank accounts, a $500,000 home, an $81,000 motorhome and $250,000 in a safe at home, said Jeremy Morrow, a Clackamas County deputy district attorney.

They both pleaded guilty in December to first-degree theft by deception and unlawfully obtaining public assistance. Michael Brennan also pleaded guilty to unlawfully using supplemental nutritional assistance and Maria Brennan pleaded guilty to unsworn falsification.

Michael Brennan will be eligible for electronic home detention after 10 days in jail. Maria Brennan wasn't sentenced to any jail time.

Nearly $31,000 in restitution was due Friday -- to the Oregon Department of Human Services for illegal benefits they collected for the charity and to four other organizations for donations of money and labor. About $16,000 in funds seized from The Brennans by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office will also be added to the restitution.

Samuel Kauffman, Michael Brennan's lawyer, told Judge Katherine Weber that the couple would be able to make the payment.

Morrow said one of the main reasons that prosecutors made the plea deal was that the couple agreed to repay the majority of what they took.

"They've agreed to make all the victims whole," Morrow said. "The victims in this case are all happy with the case to be over with."

The couple created the nonprofit Saving America's Heroes, also known as the Matthew M. Brennan Foundation, in 2012 on behalf of their 22-year-old son, Morrow said.

Matthew Brennan was an Oregon Army National Guard veteran who committed suicide in 2011 after returning from a deployment in Iraq and struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The organization, which the couple said was created to spread awareness of PTSD in veterans, was incorporated and registered with the state but never received tax-exempt status.

The Brennans, however, advertised it as a tax-exempt charity on Facebook, on business cards, in emails and by word of mouth, Morrow said.

The husband did "90 to 95 percent" of the solicitation, the Morrow said, so the prosecution dropped fraud charges against his wife.

Almost as soon as donated money went into the charity's bank account, it would be withdrawn, Morrow said. Some of the money was traced to the couple's personal bank accounts, he said.

The Brennans held two fundraisers at a Chipotle in Happy Valley and accepted at least $3,000 from a Tualatin-based plumbers and steamfitters union, Morrow said. They also accepted free labor, including plumbing and electrical work, from the union and other groups to build a basement apartment at their home.

The couple claimed the foundation was creating the living space for a disabled veteran, but never disclosed that it was for Maria Brennan's father, a disabled Navy veteran, and mother, Morrow said.

The father, 67-year-old James Wilkerson, lived at an Oregon Veterans' Home in The Dalles. His wife, Esther Wilkerson, killed him at the facility in October 2015. Court records show the wife stabbed her husband of 38 years while they were alone in his room on their wedding anniversary.

Esther Wilkerson, 72, was sentenced in August 2016 to 10 years in prison for first-degree manslaughter.

In the charity case, a Clackamas County detective and an Oregon Department of Justice investigator confronted the Brennans about the fraud. They initially said they never claimed tax-exempt status, but later admitted that "it didn't look good" when shown all the different ways the foundation advertised itself as tax-exempt, Morrow said.

Kaufmann acknowledged confusion over the tax-exempt status, but said Saving America's Heroes was a real organization created to help suffering veterans.

Michael Brennan knows he wasn't clear in fully explaining where all the donated money and labor was going, the defense attorney said.

"They feel very strongly about the work they've done on behalf of their late son," Kauffmann said. "And it was a legit charity."

Michael Brennan is a disabled military veteran himself and has several psychological and physical issues, Kauffman said

The Brennans didn't comment during the proceedings. Maria Brennan declined comment afterward through her attorney.

At the end of the hearing, a deputy handcuffed her husband and helped him to the jury box before he was taken to the county jail.

She looked at him and whispered, "You'll be OK. You're going to be OK."

He nodded his head, his shackled hands resting on top of his cane, as he sat.

Maria Brennan hugged a friend who accompanied her to court, buried her head in his chest and cried.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey
The Arizona Wildcats overcame a first half deficit and held off the Saint Mary's Gaels to win their second-round NCAA Tournament game.

Recap our live updates, photos and more in the comments section below as Arizona battles Saint Mary's in this second round NCAA Tournament matchup.

SECOND HALF

The Arizona Wildcats came out hot to start the second half, took the lead away from Saint Mary's and never gave it up as they held on for a 69-60 victory.

Lauri Markkanen led Arizona with 16 points while Allonzo Trier exploded for 14 points, all in the second half, to help the Wildcats pull away from Saint Mary's. For the Gaels, Jock Landale led the way with 19 points while Portland native Calvin Hermanson finished with 14 points for the Gaels.

FIRST HALF

Things could not gotten off to a worse start for the No. 2 seed Arizona Wildcats who had been trailing Saint Mary's nearly the entire first half as the Gaels built a quick lead and kept the Wildcats at bay with solid defense. However, Arizona made a hard charge as time wound down in the first half, cutting the lead to single digits in the final two minutes of the frame.

At halftime, Saint Mary's holds a slim lead, 30-29, over Arizona.

In that first half, Jock Landale had 12 points and seven rebounds to lead Saint Mary's while Tanner Krebs added nine points. For Arizona, Lauri Markkanen led the way with 9 points while his teammate Dusan Ristic chipped in with eight points.

PREGAME

The No. 2 seed Wildcats eclipsed the 100-point plateau for just the third time in their NCAA Tournament Division I history on Thursday. Over the course of 40 minutes in a 100-82 win over 15th-seeded North Dakota, Arizona amassed 54 points in the paint, shot 58.1 percent from the field and had five players score in double figures.

Arizona will aim to duplicate that success Saturday when it faces the No. 7 seed Saint Mary's Gaels in a West Region second-round game in Salt Lake City, Utah. Saint Mary's ranks in the top five nationally in both rebounding margin and scoring defense.

What: No. 2 Arizona (31-4) vs. No. 7 Saint Mary's (29-4)

When: 4:45 p.m. PT Saturday, March 18

Where: Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah

TV: CBS

Live stream: CBS All Access / CBS Mobile

Radio in Portland: KXTG (750, 102.9), KUFO (970)

Line: Arizona by 5

Preview: Arizona vs. Saint Mary's
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Kelan Martin scored 19 points, and Butler limited Middle Tennessee's athletic scorers with smothering defense in a 74-65 victory Saturday night to advance to the NCAA Tournament regional semifinals.

The Bulldogs (25-8) are going to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2011, when they wrapped up back-to-back appearances in the national title game.

Andrew Chrabascz added 15 points for fourth-seeded Butler, including a 3 with 3:25 left that snapped a 7-0 run for Middle Tennessee to get the lead back to 62-56.

The senior forward played an even more important role in leading a sterling defensive effort for the Bulldogs.

Conference USA player of the year JaCorey Williams finished with 20 points, but had to work hard for nearly every bucket for No. 12 seed Middle Tennessee (31-5).

Giddy Potts, who averaged nearly 16 points a game this year, was held scoreless, going 0 of 8 from the field.

Two turnovers in the final 43 seconds ended a frustrating night for Middle Tennessee. Senior Reggie Upshaw, playing his final college game, paused briefly before heading down the tunnel, appearing to wipe tears from his face.

Antwain Johnson had a career-high 19 points off the bench for the Blue Raiders.

But the team failed to advance to the Sweet 16 for a second straight year after beating a Big Ten team each season. A win over Butler would have elevated their reputation as a rising mid-major school, similar to how the Bulldogs emerged to prominence earlier this decade with two trips to the national title game.

Instead, Butler gets another shot to get back to the Final Four.

Another strong effort from the 3-point line lifted Butler on the offensive end, with Martin going 3 of 6 from behind the arc. Butler finished 8 of 15 (53 percent) from 3-point range after shooting 8 of 19 (42 percent) in the first round against Winthrop.

BIG PICTURE

Middle Tennessee: Coach Kermit Davis team will lose seniors Williams and Upshaw, 6-foot-8 versatile forwards who play key roles in the team's 1-3-1 pressure defense. But the Blue Raiders have established themselves as a dangerous mid-major team after beating Michigan State and Minnesota in the first round in back-to-back years in the tournament.

Butler: The 6-7 Chrabascz and 6-8 Tyler Wideman, the starting forwards, each sat for much of the latter part of the first half with foul trouble. They were on the bench when Middle Tennessee cut a 13-point lead with 4:28 to get to 36-31 at halftime, a spurt highlighted by six straight points by the athletic Williams during the run.

UP NEXT

Butler advanced to the South Regional semifinal on March 24 in Memphis against either North Carolina or Arkansas.
CEDAR RAPIDS  Despite people shouting you lie, waving signs telling her to not castrate health care and accusing her of declaring war on average Americans, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst welcomed input from a highly partisan, overflow crowd Friday at a town-hall meeting.

If nothing else, the Iowa Republican said, the gathering demonstrated that Iowans understand how politics works and how to engage elected officials.

For me, its actually a little bit gratifying to hear what they are thinking, she said after an hourlong session with more than 1,000 people at Coe Colleges Sinclair Auditorium. Its important that they do that.

And the crowd let her know that it doesnt think much of the proposed replacement to the Affordable Care Act, the presidents skinny budget or much of anything they see coming out of the Trump administration and Congress.

Many questioned the House Republican health care plan, which Mary Vermillion of Iowa City said would redistribute wealth upward.

Ernst said she has questions, too, but said that the act  popularly known as Obamacare  is not sustainable and must be replaced.

Later, asked about the opposition to the House GOP health care plan, Ernst said its a personal, emotional issue because of all the topics we deal with, it impacts us probably the most.

She promised a cautious, deliberate approach to making the so-called American Health Care Act better if it comes to the Senate.

I cant say today whether I support it or dont support it, Ernst said.

Before she can decide, Ernst has to know how it would affect Iowans, she said, especially working Iowans who cant afford Obamacare premiums.

She related a story of a single mother who chose to go without health insurance in order to have money to send her sons to college, and another about a woman paying $400 a month for a policy with a $9,000 deductible.

In all likelihood, shell never meet that deductible, so shes paying everything out of pocket, Ernst said.

Ernst said she also has questions about tax credits in the GOP plan. She said she wants to ensure working families can find affordable coverage.

Its really important to me (because) in Iowa we have a lot of folks who fall into that category  they would like to have the coverage but they just cant afford it, Ernst told reporters.

What we have to do is make sure that we can offer the broadest plans that people can pick and choose from, that would be competitive, that works for their families, she said. We dont have that option now.

In a report Monday, the Congressional Budget Office predicted that 24 million fewer people would have coverage a decade from now than if Obamacare remained intact, nearly doubling the share of Americans who are uninsured from 10 to 19 percent. But the GOP legislation would lower the deficit by $337 billion during that time.

The report predicted premiums would be 15 to 20 percent higher in the first year compared with those under Obamacare, but 10 percent lower on average after 2026. Older Americans would pay substantially more and younger Americans less.

Ernst responded to several other issues, including President Donald Trumps assertions that then-President Barack Obama wiretapped him, and Trumps refusal to release his tax returns.

If the White House is going to push out an accusation like that, they need to back it up, Ernst said of the wiretap claim. Weve seen no evidence presented. Lesson learned, they need to back it up.

She encouraged Trump to follow the example of recent presidents and make his tax returns available.

It promotes transparency, she said, but rejected the idea that candidates be prohibited from running for the presidency until they release their returns.

What was lacking from the town hall, however, was a commitment to go back to Washington and put pressure on Republican colleagues to urge Trump to release his returns, according to Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Derek Eadon.

The meeting showed that Ernst has clearly turned her back on Iowans and fell into line with the Washington political machine, he said.

Ernst spent most of her time at todays town hall evading questions and delivering Republican talking points. Words are not enough and Iowans deserve action from Sen. Ernst, he said.

Ernst said the hostility of her audience wont deter her from continuing her third 99-county tour of Iowa in as many years. The change in administration seems to be driving people out to her events, she said.

I believe in elected officials being accessible, she said. That included accepting an invitation to hold a town hall in Iowa City.

Accessibility to her Cedar Rapids town hall was limited by space. The fire marshal requested the doors be closed at noon  when the meeting started  because Sinclair Auditorium, which seats 1,027, was filled beyond capacity, according to Rod Pritchard, secretary of the college.

It was the first time in his 14 years there that people have been turned away from an event at Sinclair.

About 40 people who were turned away were given chairs so they could sit outside and watch a live stream of the town hall on their mobile devices.
1americorps.JPG

In this Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, photo, Julia Frothingham, left, volunteer from Corvallis High School, and Daniel Comer, an AmeriCorps volunteer, work together to tie bags filled with cannellini beans inside the Linn Benton Food Share Warehouse in Tangent, Ore. The bags of beans are distributed to food banks.

(Anibal Ortiz/The Corvallis Gazette-Times via AP)

The White House's fiscal year 2018 budget proposal eliminates the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) in an attempt to reduce federal spending. Eliminating CNCS, and its core programs including AmeriCorps and Senior Corps, would have a crippling impact on our community.

National service programs not only provide vital services to local residents here in Oregon (and the rest of the country). These programs also provide a pathway to employment for young Americans, including military veterans like myself. Through their service, AmeriCorps members gain skills and experience, develop professional networks, and earn an education award that can reduce the cost of college.

I was enrolled in an AmeriCorps program in 2015 through the Mt. Adams Institute. I spent almost an entire year as a VetsWork intern with the Gifford Pinchot National Forest helping getting youth outside, coordinating volunteers, educating classrooms of students and developing outreach materials. This provided me invaluable practical experience that inevitably assisted me in becoming a full-time employee with the agency.

When I left active duty, I almost immediately discovered Mt. Adams Institute's VetsWork AmeriCorps program. I didn't know what to expect but, honestly, it's one of the best things I've ever done. The program changed my life trajectory and I'm incredibly grateful for such a program to exist.

AmeriCorps and Senior Corps have a history of bipartisan support. I am counting on our members of Congress to continue that legacy of support for this cost-effective, results-driven resource for our community.

Zachary Teel, Sandy
1budget.JPG

(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

By Alexandra Petri

Some people are complaining that the budget proffered by the Trump administration, despite its wonderful macho-sounding name, is too vague and makes all sorts of cuts to needed programs in favor of increasing military spending by leaps and bounds. These people are wimps. Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney has called it a "hard power budget" which is, I think, the name of an exercise program where you eat only what you can catch, pump up your guns and then punch the impoverished in the face. This, conveniently, is also what the budget does.

This budget will make America a lean, mean fighting machine with bulging, rippling muscles and not an ounce of fat. America has been weak and soft for too long. BUT HOW WILL I SURVIVE ON THIS BUDGET? you may be wondering. I AM A HUMAN CHILD, NOT A COSTLY FIGHTER JET. You may not survive, but that is because you are SOFT and WEAK, something this budget is designed to eliminate.

What are we cutting?

The State Department, by 29 percent: Right now, all the State Department's many qualified employees do is sit around being sad that they are never consulted about anything. This is, frankly, depressing, and it is best to put them out of their misery. Besides, they are only trained in Soft Diplomacy, like a woman would do, and NOBODY wants that. Only HARD POWER now that we have a man in charge who thought the name Rex Tillerson was not manly enough and rechristened himself Wayne Tracker. With the money we will save on these sad public servants, we will be able to buy lots of GUNS and F-35s and other cool things that go BOOM and POW and PEW PEW PEW.

Environmental Protection Agency: We absolutely do not need this. Clean rivers and breathable air are making us SOFT and letting the Chinese and the Russians get the jump on us. We must go back to the America that was great, when the air was full of coal and danger and the way you could tell if the air was breathable was by carrying a canary around with you at all times, perched on your leathery, coal-dust-covered finger. Furthermore, we will cut funding to Superfund cleanup in the EPA because the only thing manlier than clean water is DIRTY water.

Agriculture Department: NO MORE OF THIS NAMBY-PAMBY "GATHERING" NONSENSE. We will be HUNTERS again. This is also why we are cutting the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children: Let them FIGHT for their meat or have NONE.

Commerce Department: This will lose its funding to prepare people for coastal disasters, because in the future we will all be so strong that we can stare down the sea and make it recede by flexing our bulging muscles.

Labor Department: There will be no LABOR in the future. Labor is what women do, I think. All fetuses will burst out of wombs brandishing an Uzi on each arm. (Also, we will cut the funding to the people who would have explained that this is not how birth or labor works.)

We are decreasing funding to the National Institutes of Health because in the future we will cure disease by punching it, or, if that fails, sending drones after it. Also, we will buy more planes and guns to shoot airborne viruses out of the sky.

Affordable housing is a luxury and we are going to get rid of it. Donald Trump does not live in affordable housing and neither should you.

We don't need to fund historic sites. Those parks have sassed the administration enough and they must get what is coming to them.

A few other things we are cutting:

Chemical Safety Board: Give us CHEMICAL DANGER, which sounds way more metal.

Corporation for Public Broadcasting: Instead, anyone who turns on the radio will be able to hear audio footage of a Trump son shooting a rare land mammal.

National Endowment for the Arts: The NEA will be destroyed and replaced with an armored helicopter with a shark painted on it.

National Endowment for the Humanities: The NEH will be replaced with half a fighter jet and a bunch of drones. This is the only art America needs.

U.S. Institute of Peace: Wimpy.

U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness: We will all live outdoors in the new Hard Power America and we will pump steel together and shout "GRRR" and there will be no mental illness because it is only in your mind.

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars: This is counterintuitive given Wilson's track record of racism, which is no longer the handicap that it once was, but you must remember that he also tried to start the League of Nations, which was like the United Nations but more so.

There is a $2.6 billion line in the budget to pay for the wall until Mexico pays for the wall. I think? Sounds right. The education budget is also cut so I can't tell if this logic makes sense.

All schoolchildren will be taught by an F-35 wearing a Make America Great Again hat. They will also have new school choice options including the choice not to afford any school at all, because at school you are taught things like grammar and pronouns and spelling and history, and these are all potentially inimical to the future we are trying to build. We will also be cutting Meals on Wheels, as well as after-school programs to feed children, because they are not improving performance as we would like. Feed children just to feed them? What are we, SOFT? No. No we are not.

AMERICA WILL BE STRONGER THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN! Anyone who survives will be a gun covered in the fur of a rare mammal, capable of fighting disease with a single muscular flex. RAW POWER! HARD RAW POWER GRRRRRR HISSS POW!

It will be great.

(c) 2017, The Washington Post
MASON CITY | A San Diego developer says he will keep his word to build a hotel in downtown Mason City, with or without being part of the River City Renaissance project.

As we have always said, we are going to build the Courtyard Hotel, Philip Chodur said via email to the Globe Gazette late Friday afternoon. We cannot put our financing at risk while the city plays more political games.

Chodur, who operates G8 Development, initially proposed a Hilton in 2013, then a Marriott in 2014 to be built adjacent to City Hall.

In 2015, Chodur's hotel became a linchpin as the city sought $36.2 million in Iowa Reinvestment Act funding for its River City Renaissance project, which includes an ice arena/multipurpose center and music pavilion. As a contingency, Mason City is required to secure $10 million in private investment, which a hotel would satisfy.

On Friday, Chodur said he will build the Courtyard by Marriott at an alternative, 1 1/2-acre site -- the South Federal Avenue loop along Willow Creek.

"This site is about 200 feet directly south of Gatehouse's proposed project," Chodur said. Gatehouse Capital has pitched building its hotel in a portion of the Southbridge Mall parking lot.

Chodur has purchased the site on contract from Beck Higley LLC, according to paperwork filed with the county recorders office Jan. 31.

Socrates Pappajohn is listed as the registered agent for Beck Higley, according to filings with the Iowa Secretary of States Office. Jay Beck is listed as the LLCs manager.

Chodur says he will build at the alternative site to protect his investment in his hotel project, which he estimated was close to $600,000 in November 2016.

We have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on this project, he said. We have not asked for a penny from the city.

In Gatehouses proposal, the city would be required to pay $3 million to $3.5 million in gap financing, or the difference between bank financing and owner equity. It would also put about $4 million toward remodeling The Music Man Square and connecting it to the hotel via skywalk.

The $3 million to $3.5 million in gap financing would be refunded to the city after 20 years, Gatehouse officials have said.

The total city investment of about $7.5 million (prior to the reimbursement) matches what the city investment would be in a parking ramp that is part of the proposal from G8 development, who would own the ramp after 20 years.

Chodur says his most recently proposed hotel, which would border South Federal Avenue, Fifth St. S.E. and South Delaware Avenue, is not in Mason Citys reinvestment district, disqualifying it from state funding the city seeks for the River City Renaissance.

We will oppose annexation, Chodur said.

Additionally, Chodur claims he holds exclusive rights to developing a Marriott franchise in Mason City. Gatehouse has also proposed to build a Courtyard by Marriott hotel.

As for The Music Man Square, which Gatehouse has proposed to remodel into a conference center, Chodur says there should be a fundraiser or public subsidy to benefit the nonprofit, rather than millions spent on a misguided venture with little or no public benefit.
MASON CITY | Mayor Eric Bookmeyer said Friday afternoon he supports moving forward with Gatehouse Capital's proposal to build a hotel and connect it with The Music Man Square via skywalk.

His announcement comes a day after he said he would ask the City Council to authorize bond issues on the Gatehouse proposal.

Those bonds would have been on the same ballot as an Aug. 1 referendum on a bond issue for the proposed ice arena.

"Over the last 24 hours, a consensus has formed that was not present yesterday," the mayor said in a press release.

"I value that consensus. It is healthy and allows us to have a firm direction. I will support moving forward Gatehouse's bold proposal and look forward to negotiating a development agreement that works for both parties. There is no question it will positively change the landscape of Mason City for the future," he said.

"Council is open to using urban renewal provisions to finance the project which are not subject to a public referendum. But the public will retain the ability to submit a reverse referendum," he said.

Earlier this year, the city sought proposals from developers interested in building a downtown hotel. Two proposals were received  from Gatehouse, to build a hotel in a portion of the Southbridge Mall parking lot and from G8 Development, to build a hotel in the parking lot west of City Hall.

G8, owned by Philip Chodur, proposed essentially the same plan last year but had to back out when he could not secure financing. His proposal this year contained confirmation of financing from a North Carolina bank.

Earlier this month, Bookmeyer called a special meeting of the council to consider and possibly act on the proposals.

Council members said they had just received the information packets on both proposals the day before, so they put off taking any action until the March 21 council meeting.

The city is required to secure $10 million in private investment  which either hotel proposal fulfills  to receive state funding for the River City Renaissance project.

Mason City has been pre-approved for funding for the project, which includes a music pavilion, parking ramp, mixed-use building and ice arena/multipurpose center.

Bookmeyer said the council will be asked Tuesday night to authorize the start of negotiations for a development agreement with Gatehouse, the first step in the process.

Gatehouse official David Rachie said via phone Friday there has been a flurry of questions and answers between the company and Bookmeyer, the council and other city officials the past few days.

This council and the mayor have put a lot of time into understanding what our proposal was over the last three to four days, he said.

Were very excited about this project, Rachie continued. We look forward to working with them if they do pick us.

Rachie said Gatehouse continues to welcome questions from Mason City residents, as it did during a forum Tuesday at The Music Man Square.

That kind of openness from Gatehouse to the community will always be there, he said.

Rachie can be reached at drachie@gatehousenorth.com.
BELMOND | St. Olaf Lutheran Church will be hosting its annual Kumla supper and bake sale from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The menu for the supper is kumla, ham, beans, bars and a beverage.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children age 12 and younger. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.

Carry-out meals will be available.

The church is located at the junction of County Roads R-38 and C-20 in rural Belmond.
March is National Awareness Month for at least 14 different conditions or causes. One of those causes or conditions is developmental disability. In my entire 30-plus year career, March was the month when The Arc and others engaged in some kind of public awareness campaign related to promoting inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in community life.

A few years ago in the month of March, our lieutenant governor signed into law the abolition of the R word from all descriptions of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For many years people with intellectual disabilities and their allies had led a campaign to end the use of the R word. The abolition of the word in legislation and within the department of community health was a victory.

At that time I wrote these words, If you think about it, the term mental retardation never really adequately described the condition that it was used to describe. Think flame retardant material. That material stops fire from growing. The purpose is to slow down or stop growth. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities dont stop growing intellectually. They dont even necessarily grow slower than people without disabilities. They grow in different ways. Yes, they may not learn some things as fast or even at all. However, that is true to some extent for all humans. There is no argument that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities may need extra assistance or adaptations or even equipment to assist them to fully participate in the community and make their contribution to this world. There is no question, however, that everyone has something to contribute and can lead a full life. Dreams, desires, goals should never be stopped or slowed down.

Worse than the fact that the R word never really adequately described the condition; that word has become a word that people use to describe something that they think is dumb, ugly, annoying, wrong or different in some negative way. It is definitely time to end the word for once and for all.

At that time, I suggested that there were other R words besides retarded that could be used in relation to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The words that I suggested included respect, relationships, responsibility. These words all suggest that we value all people including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Lately, I have been thinking about the fact that words are very powerful, but action must be connected to our words. What actions do we take to show respect for the gifts that every person offers? What actions do we take to engage people who are different from us in meaningful relationships? What actions do we take to demonstrate that we take responsibility for the quality of life in our community and for the welfare of everyone in our community?

Yes, lets stop using words that are hurtful to describe people. Lets also take a second look at our neighbors with and without disabilities and enjoy the gifts that they offer.

Jan Lampman is executive director of The Arc of Midland.
BRITT  North Iowa residents discussed mental health care, womens rights, gun rights and more at legislative forum in Britt Friday.

More than 15 people gathered to listen to and air concerns with Rep. Terry Baxter and Sen. Dennis Guth.

Heidi Hansen, director of Duncan Heights Inc., voiced her concerns with funding after moving nearly 40 residents from the old facility into the community.

Housing is a problem, Hansen said.

The non-profit organization focuses on individuals with mental and physical disabilities. Duncan Heights closed the residential care center in Duncan last year.

The organization is trying to find more housing to place individuals and trying find more staff for those who need longer term care.

Theres a certain percentage of your clients that should have stayed residential, Guth said.

Much of the funding goes to staffing and helping those former residents.

Ive had to cash in CDs for payroll, Hansen said.

Hansen said MCOs are not supporting their efforts and have decreased funding.

This is one of those things that came down from the federal government and the state has to figure out how to do it, Guth said.

The homes residents were moved out and placed in housing in surrounding communities to comply with a 1999 Supreme Court ruling that people with disabilities have a right to live out in the community, not be relegated to institutions.

Hancock County Sheriff Scott Dodd said that its a real issue through the county and for his department.

We have the same people shes working with in our jails, Dodd said. Its bad. We have to get them better.

Many with mental illness end up at the jail and cannot be transported because there are not enough beds in care facilities.

Theres a gap because before we could help avoid getting them put in jail, Hansen said.

Baxter said the decision to close care facilities came about too quickly.

Our entire health care system and mental health care system is a disaster, Baxter said. Prisons are filling up with people with mental illness.

Carol Rork of Britt wanted to discuss womens rights regarding birth control and abortion, sharing stories of women in the past who have suffered and died in childbirth.

Women will die once again because of mens rules, Rork said.

Guth said that womens rights are important to him and he has no issue with birth control as long as it does not cause abortions. He firmly believes that life begins at conception.

Is it okay for a woman to kill a child? Guth asked. Its still an innocent child.

Baxter emphasized the importance of a growing population and said that abortion hinders that.

Weve got to start having babies again, Baxter said. In Iowa, we abort one kindergarten class per week.

Baxter said he would like to see that kindergarten class in some school districts in his region.

Lissa Halloway expressed concern with a new gun bill that includes the stand your ground policy.

Our law enforcement is trained in diffusing situations, the general public is not, Halloway said. Sounds disastrous for me.

Baxter said that he agrees with the policy.

Were talking about law abiding citizens without felonies, Baxter said. Criminals look for soft targets.

He said the creating gun free zones and unarmed populations create soft targets for criminals and can lead to mass shootings.
Its the morning after St. Patricks Day, the day when everyone wanted to be Irish.

Maybe the green clothes you wore yesterday are lying on the floor next to the bed. Or maybe the green beer you sampled is having an impact on your noggin. Or maybe youre smiling because the luck of the Irish brought you fun and fortune.

Who knows; maybe you even kissed the Blarney Stone. I did once.

Fifteen years ago, my parents and I enjoyed a lovely tour of the Emerald Isle and its wild, windy and beautiful terrain.

One of the main tourist stops is Blarney Castle. Legend has it if you kiss the famous Blarney Stone, youll be granted the gift of gab and never be lost for words again. But it requires some effort.

The stone is lodged in the parapet at the top of the castle, requiring you to climb lots of stairs. Once you reach the top, you must lie on your back on the limestone while holding on to two metal rails (recently installed.) Then, to make contact with the stone, you lean backward  dont forget to pucker.

The origin of the stone has many versions, but heres a favorite story: Cormac MacCarthy, the builder of the 600-year-old castle, was involved in a legal skirmish. He appealed to the Celtic goddess Cliodhna, who instructed him to kiss the first stone he came upon as he headed to court. He followed her instructions and, as legend has it, spoke so eloquently at the hearing, he won the case. He brought the stone back to the castle and incorporated it into the parapet. Since then millions of tourists, including my little trio from Pontiac, have kissed the stone to gain the talent for flattering and persuasive speech.

(As an update: Im still awaiting this gift of eloquence to be bestowed upon me.)

At the castle in 2002, manning the post next to the stone was an elderly gentleman. It was his job to hang on to the kissing tourists as they stretched over the side of the tall castle. I was dubious of the gentlemans ability to catch a traditionally built farm girl from Illinois should I accidentally roll off the side of the castle

There is a slight gap between the ledge and the stone, and its a long drop down. According to early accounts, before the days of modern safety rules, would-be kissers were grasped by their ankles and dangled in order to touch the stone.

Dont worry, said my mother. This man is a trained expert. When was the last time you heard of someone falling off the Blarney Castle?

Oddly enough, there is an old Sherlock Holmes radio drama, "The Adventure of the Blarney Stone," where a man attempting to kiss the Blarney Stone falls to his death. Holmes rules it a murder after discovering the man's boots had been greased. But other than that, I was not aware of any fatalities. And if I should fall and survive, I said, it would make a great column.

The gentleman held my waist (a very firm grip, I should note) as I stretched backward to place my lips where approximately a million other people had left their germs that day. As my mouth pressed against the cold surface, I was nagged by the missed opportunity to wipe the stone with a sanitizer wipe.

The Irishman said, Now you are blessed with the gift of gab!

She didnt need it, Mom told him. She talks constantly.

But Irish politician John O'Connor Power defined blarney as more than just talking.

Blarney is flattery sweetened by humor and flavored by wit, he said. Those who mix with Irish folk have many examples of it in their everyday experience."

What a charming thought. Even on this day, the morning after St. Patricks Day.
BLOOMINGTON  The owners of Eastland Mall on Friday said the upcoming closure of J.C. Penney is an opportunity to reuse that retail space and the space being vacated later this month by Macy's.

J.C. Penney announced Friday the locations of 138 stores it will close, including its longtime Eastland store, that will lead to loss of 5,000 jobs nationwide.

The company said most of the closures will occur in June with liquidation beginning in April.

City of Bloomington staff members are actively partnering with CBL & Associates Properties Inc., the company that owns and manages Eastland, to assist with the redevelopment of the J.C. Penney space, said Austin Grammer, the city's economic development coordinator.

"Obviously, big box stores are having trouble throughout the country, but this does underscore the need for us to work with Eastland Mall to help them reinvent themselves," added Mayor Tari Renner.

The closure announcement is the second for a major Eastland retailer in recent months.

Earlier this year, Macy's announced it was closing on March 31. CBL is purchasing that property for $2 million, according to property transfer records.

"While it is unfortunate when a department store closes, we view it as an opportunity to recapture underperforming space and deliver a fresh new mix that drives increased traffic and sales to the entire property," CBL spokesman Stacey Keating said in an email on Friday.

"In anticipation of these closures at Eastland, we have engaged in discussions with tenants for both locations. However, it is too early to announce concrete plans or potential tenants."

The 71,000-square-foot J.C. Penney opened in November 1966 at what was then called Eastland Shopping Center.

The closure of the 154,000-square-foot Macy's store, open since 2006, will affect 55 employees. It is unknown how many employees the local J.C. Penney store has.

Grammer said he is optimistic that CBL will be successful in redeveloping the J.C. Penney and Macy's spaces in light of the recent investments nearby in the Empire Street/Veterans Parkway corridor by a number of national retailers, including Dicks Sporting Goods, PetSmart, HomeGoods, Fresh Thyme, Five Below, Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW), OshKosh BGosh and others yet to come.

Several of the new stores opened in the former 88,000-square-foot Kmart store that the developer subdivided to create multiple spaces for retailers.

We've seen in the age of people shopping online that the small specialty stores do better than the big box stores. I believe the figure is that there has not been an enclosed mall that has been built in the United States in the last decade, said Renner.

Renner noted the conversion of Normal's College Hills Mall, which opened in 1980 as an enclosed shopping center and later was largely demolished and rebuilt in 2005 as the Shoppes at College Hills, an outdoor center that retained the original mall's anchor stores as standalone buildings.

That's what I mean by helping (Eastland Mall) reinvent themselves, said Renner.

But Gordman's in the Shoppes at College Hills is among other recent retail stores in trouble, with the parent company filing bankruptcy last week and the company announcing liquidation of its 160-plus stores.

Other recent store closings in the Twin Cities include MC Sports, The Limited, Radio Shack and two Gap stores, all at Eastland Mall.

Renner said Bloomington and Normal raising their sales tax in 2015 one percentage point to 8.75 percent is not related to the store closings.

If that were the case, Macy's would have closed its store in Champaign that has a higher local sales tax "rather the one in Bloomington, said Renner. That's not what national chain stores are looking at. They need raw sales.

Renner added: Even with the one penny increase, we have the lowest sales tax of any of the metropolitan areas in Central Illinois. We're lower than Decatur, Champaign, Urbana, Peoria and Springfield. Those are at least 9 percent except us.

Other J.C. Penney stores in Illinois on the closure list include ones in Canton, Effingham, Macomb, Peru, Sterling and Woodridge.

In addition to the store closings, J.C. Penney also will close a supply facility in Florida and relocate a supply facility in California. The company said it will provide outplacement support services for those eligible associates who will be leaving the company.

"The national retail landscape is constantly changing and retailers must adapt and evolve to meet the demands of the consumer," said Grammer.
BLOOMINGTON  A Bloomington man was sentenced to 6 years in prison Friday for sexually assaulting a minor girl during a 2014 party in Normal.

In a statement to Judge Scott Drazewski, Gary Arvik, 22, expressed remorse for sexually assaulting the victim who had passed out after consuming alcohol.

"I was wrong. I made a terrible mistake," Arvik told the judge.

Arvik said his time in jail and the upcoming prison term "has and will continue to be very beneficial. I finally made the decision to change."

The judge recognized Arvik's extensive work to better himself during the 408 days he served in jail while the case was pending. Arvik is unlikely to repeat his offense, said the judge.

But the judge separated Arvik's post-traumatic stress disorder from the sexual assault.

"The choice was yours. No one was forcing you to rape this victim," said Drazewski, speaking directly to the defendant.

The judge pointed out that Arvik had the benefit of loving parents who adopted him when he was 8 years old and had lived in a succession of foster homes in Chicago.

Terisa Arvik testified that her adoptive son was a happy, loving and cooperative child until he was about 16 when he began to use marijuana and "sneaking out to be with friends who really weren't friends."

Through counseling, the Arviks learned that their son had been physically and sexually abused as a young child.

"He's trying to function. He tries to be a good person.  I feel he's worthy of having sympathy and compassion," said Arvik's mother.

Assistant State's Attorney Layne Roberts asked for a seven-year sentence, noting that Arvik implicated a second man in the rape and did not confess until confronted with DNA test results in February 2016.

Charges were dismissed by the state against Reno Grady after the DNA results were analyzed. State's Attorney Jason Chambers said in February that "the state was not comfortable proceeding against Reno Grady and dismissed charges after reviewing the DNA results."

The emotional scars Arvik acquired during an abusive childhood "are now upon the victim going forward," said Roberts.

The sexual assault by Arvik occurred in the basement of a home after the defendant saw the victim molested by another person, said the prosecutor. The first assailant, a minor, was adjudicated in juvenile court for his role in the incident.

Arvik was being sentenced for his third felony. He was previously convicted of aggravated battery and delivery of a controlled substance.

Defense lawyer Harold Jennings sought the minimum sentence of four years for Arvik.

"A great portion of his conduct  has to do with a classic case of post-traumatic stress disorder," said Jennings, adding that Arvik was twice placed on suicide watch at the jail because of mental health issues.

Arvik voluntarily wrote a letter of apology to the victim, said Jennings.

Jennings said Arvik's mistakes are in stark contrast to the hopes and aspirations his family have for him. Raising an arm toward Terisa and Darrell Arvik in the courtroom, Jennings said, "if there was a Congressional Medal of Honor for adoptive parents, they'd qualify."
NORMAL  Stacey Shrewsbury recently took her love of flight and exploration to new heights  43,000 feet, to be exact.

Shrewsbury, lead flight director at the Challenger Learning Center at Heartland Community College, flew aboard the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy last week as part of a program to give educators a first-hand opportunity to see scientific researchers at work.

During the two flights she made while in California, in discussions on the ground and a course she took as part of the project, Shrewsbury learned a lot about infrared astronomy and the electromagnetic spectrum.

She also learned about teamwork.

Individual teams need to come together for the mission to be a success. That's what we do here, said Shrewsbury, with her feet back on the ground on the Heartland campus.

The flying observatory  called SOFIA  carried a Field Imaging Far-Infrared Line Spectrometer on Shrewsbury's two flights. The equipment included a telescope with a 100-inch-diameter mirror pointed out the open door of the modified 747SP aircraft. The plane is based at the Armstrong Flight Research Center in Palmdale, Calif.

During missions at the Challenger Learning Center, participants are assigned to teams and told each team is important and if one team fails, the mission fails, explained Shrewsbury.

I saw that with SOFIA time and time again, she said.

The flight crew, telescope operators, scientists, technicians, mechanics and others on the ground and in the air all worked together, engaging in problem-solving and team building on the fly, said Shrewsbury.

What I really appreciated and took away from this is the passion that each individual carried with him or her through the mission and the SOFIA program, she said.

The project is a partnership between NASA and the German Aerospace Center. The primary focus of the scientists on Shrewsbury's flights was mapping the M51 galaxy, also known as the Whirlpool Galaxy that is about 30 million light-years away.

Adjusting to the time change and different sleeping schedules was a challenge. The flights took place at night. The second one lasted from 8:30 p.m. until 6:30 a.m.

A pilot herself  although of much smaller planes  Shrewsbury followed their flights on her own tablet and was on the flight deck for the takeoff of the first flight and landings of both flights.

A typical 747SP can seat about 230 passengers. But Shrewsbury said their SOFIA flights, equipped with various science stations and equipment, had 23 people on board.

Shrewsbury was partnered with Jennifer Hubbell-Thomas, a science teacher at Williamsville (Ill.) Junior High School. They worked together as earth ambassadors, providing educational programs, before being selected to fly aboard SOFIA as airborne astronomy ambassadors.

The purpose of the program is to more effectively engage learners of all ages on NASA science education programs and activities, according to the SETI Institute, which manages the ambassador program.

Shrewsbury will talk about her experiences at various events, including the Parent-Child Astronomy Exploration program April 1 at the Challenger center.

One of the mission directors told Shrewsbury that his interest in astronomy was triggered by a junior high school teacher who brought an inflatable planetarium to the classroom.

Her hope is that students participating in missions at the Challenger center will find a similar spark that inspires them.

What I want people to walk away with is to find that interest, find that passion and ride that passion, she said. Use it to push you forward and propel you to the next thing.
BLOOMINGTON  The McLean County Health Department is accepting proposals from agencies seeking funding for behavioral health programs.

The agency has about $1.2 million available for calendar year 2018 to cover behavioral health services in McLean County. The money is generated through a county tax levy.

A meeting will be held at 9 a.m. March 20 at the health department, room 324, for those organizations interested in applying for funding. Funding requirements and the online process for submitting proposals will be reviewed with potential applicants.

Under health department guidelines, funding is limited to behavioral health services, including mental health and substance use disorders, that enhance the overall health and wellness of the target population. Only evidence-informed programming will be funded.

For more information on the meeting, contact Laura Beavers at 309-888-5226 or laura.beavers@mcleancountyil.gov.
In a new analytical report published by Kantar this week, I noted that Apple's iOS experienced growth across most major regions except for China where iOS dropped by a whopping 8.4% over the last three months alone as local smartphone brands are gaining momentum over Apple. As CEO, Tim Cook knows he has to reverse this trend in China and so in a speech delivered in China overnight, he sucked up to the Chinese as best he could so as to not lose favor with their government. The Wall Street Journal preferred to frame Cook's actions in a more politically correct fashion by characterizing it as a "Charm Offensive." Before delivering his speech, Cook came bearing gifts by announcing two new Research facilities aimed for China.

If a trade war was ever to break out between the U.S. and China, Apple would be one of the first companies China would punish  even with nice and shiny new R&D centers. While many top U.S. businesses have asked the Trump administration to be tougher with China on trade, Cook decided to side with China and bang the drum for globalization.

Cook noted during his hour long session at the government-sponsored China Development Forum that he thought it important for China to continue to open itself and widen the door because globalization "in general is great for the world."

China last year passed a controversial cybersecurity law that requires companies to provide technical assistance to authorities in investigations. While Apple was at the forefront fighting U.S. agencies on privacy, Cook and other U.S. executives generally shy away from criticizing Chinese policies publicly, as it rarely results in policy change and often draws blowback, according to the WSJ report. Some would characterize that as hypocrisy 101.

Specifically the Wall Street Journal pointed out that "Mr. Cook also said data privacy was one of the company's values, although he stopped short Saturday of criticizing decryption demands from governments as Apple has previously in the U.S."

As far as globalization being "great for the world"  well, Cook should have said that it was really great for Apple. In a report earlier this week, the Nikkei Asian Review spoke with Apple iPhone supplier Pegatron. Pegatron's CEO S.J. Liao made commentary that happened to support the position that we've taken that Apple loves slave-like labor and why iPhones won't be made in the U.S.

In a stunning revelation, Pegatron was complaining that wages have sky rocketed from US$191 a month to US$256 prompting them to bring more automation on board in their factories.

So of course "globalization is great" if you can get labor at that price or even lower in India. So while this is great for shareholders, it's not good for the U.S. worker any way you look at it.

Of course in context, it's not an "Apple" thing to want to make outrageous profit margins on the backs of foreign slave-like labor, it's a business philosophy in general. But Free-Traders and Globalists are not the friend of putting people to work in the U.S., period, and Cook has made it crystal clear what side of the ledger he's on.

Apple only has one thing going for it at present: high priced iPhones. If that ever weakened, their glory days are over.

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.
Memo to Tech and Social Media Companies: Allow Iranians Access to Online Tools

03/18/17

Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran

Major technology and social media companies should stop barring Iranians from buying or accessing personal communications tools and services that are not banned by any sanctions, and make immediately available to Iranians the full range of permissible items, the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) and ASL19 said in a joint statement on March 15.

Firms such as Apple, Twitter, Google, GoDaddy, Facebook, AMD, Norton, Comodo, Oracle and Adobe are denying Iranians the right to purchase or download tools and services that are legal, available to the rest of the world, and essential for allowing Iranians full and safe access to the global internet.

"Iranians not only face internet censorship and hacking from their government, but also the denial of the right to purchase and use perfectly legal software and services by private tech firms" said Hadi Ghaemi, executive director of CHRI."

"These items are not under any sanctions and it is unfair and discriminatory to deny Iranian youth tools that are available to the rest of the world," continued Ghaemi. "Tech firms are being complicit in denying the right to internet access in Iran."

These restrictions have impeded Iranians' access to information, directly endangered the security of journalists, activists and students in the country who face covert state monitoring and hacking, and impeded the growth and expansion of a new generation of Iranian developers and startups.

At least 35 companies offering high tech communications and software development tools have blocked their products (at least 61 items) from domestic use in Iran, according to research carried out by CHRI and ASL 19.

"Barring Iranian users from these tools and services that companies make available to everyone else around the world is not sanctions compliance; it's voluntary and arbitrary behavior that is discriminatory," said Ali Bangi, the Co-Director of ASL19.

"We have reminded tech companies again and again that their over-compliance with sanctions not only goes beyond the scope of the law, but also violates fundamental human rights and freedom of speech," Bangi, added.

This access has been denied even though the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) explicitly exempted personal communications tools and services from sanctions against Iran, allowing Iranians to purchase software, mobile applications, cell phone hardware, personal computers, and others services under General License D-1 in February 2013.

Undermining Online Security

These restrictions harm the public in several areas, perhaps the most critical being security. Internet use is not only extremely restricted in Iran, the state covertly monitors and hacks accounts as well. Internet service providers are also forced to comply with "security" laws that expose their customers' information and activities.

Online security is imperative because Iranians are vulnerable to prosecution and imprisonment for any online content disapproved of by the authorities. Yet software companies specializing in user security, including antivirus software producer Norton, have blocked Iranians from purchasing their products. These products are not only authorized under General License D-1 (Annex Item 6), but several companies, including Avast, have been able to make their services available in Iran without further problems.

The ability of Iranians to safely host content abroad is also critical, because any content hosted in Iran is vulnerable to state intrusion. Yet some of the largest internet companies, including GoDaddy and Google AppEngine, have banned users in Iranians from purchasing its web hosting services. As a result, Iranians have no choice but to turn to domestic hosting companies that expose them to hacking and cyber attacks by security agencies.

The most basic way to protect online activity and communication is by enabling encrypted web traffic on websites. Yet companies that sell the certificates required to support encryption, including Comodo and GoDaddy, do not offer this security resource to Iranian web administrators or for .IR domains, thereby exposing users in Iran to surveillance by security agencies. Other services such as Let's Encrypt allow Iranians to use their services.

Iranians also need to access and update basic software. Yet several developers of common internet plugins and desktop software restrict access to update features and block downloads for users in Iran.

For example, access to Oracle's Java and Adobe's Flash is blocked, even though these items are commonly shipped with systems or required for certain applications. As a result, Iranians are unable to retrieve security fixes, enabling malicious actors to compromise their computers for surveillance or fraud. Such restrictions by Oracle and Adobe ignore the D-1 authorizations as well as an Interpretative Guidance statement by OFAC in which the office specifically named their products.

Handicapping Start-up Companies and Job Creation

The internet has provided space for a young generation of entrepreneurs to create their own communications platforms and participate in the global economy, and Iranian startups have attracted international attention for their creativity and the inclusiveness of the community. Yet developers are often denied access to common development software, operating systems, databases, open source projects, application markets and other platforms.

For example, Google's Android development products are restricted, despite the platform's popularity in the country, as is Oracle's database software. Many of the items fall within General License D-1, and for products not covered by D-1, companies can apply for specific licenses to make them available.

Hampering Civil Society and Human Rights

Social network giants such as Facebook, Twitter and Google Ads will also not allow anyone to place advertisements in Iran- even though placing ads in specific geographies is routine. Yet blocking the ability to reach the Iranian public undermines civil society. For example, human rights groups cannot share and advertise posts on these networks to inform Iranians about rights abuses, and groups promoting free speech are prevented from sharing educational information on security and privacy techniques, because Iran is not offered as an option for targeted broadcasts.

The internet continues to be one of the primary means by which Iranians can express themselves and communicate free from state control and repression. CHRI and ASL19 urge tech companies to stop aiding the Iranian government in its efforts to restrict Iranians' access to the global internet and monitor their online activities.

Restrictions that go beyond sanctions compliance have no reasonable justification. For any personal communication tools and services not already permitted under by the D-1 General Export License, the U.S. Department of Treasury has long offered companies authorization processes to provide such items-and has in fact clearly communicated that protecting access to information is a priority for the US Government.

"If companies have compliance concerns, they should seek clarity with OFAC, rather than throw up their hands and abandon their users," said Ghaemi, adding that, "By doing so, these firms will uphold the letter of the law and the universal right to information access and privacy."
CLEAR LAKE | A Clear Lake woman reported missing on Friday has been found dead.

Janet Dorenkamp, 62, was found about 10 a.m. Saturday morning in her vehicle in the 200 block of Seventh Avenue North.

Investigators say the vehicle, a Toyota Rav 4, had been parked.

Clear Lake Police Chief Pete Roth says investigators found no signs of foul play.

"Residents of the area should not be concerned for their safety regarding this incident," Roth said in a statement.

Dorenkamp was last seen leaving her home on Clear Lake's South Shore at 6 a.m. Monday. She was officially reported missing Friday, but sheriff's deputies were notified Tuesday that Dorenkamp hadn't been seen lately and they should be on the lookout for her.

An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the cause of Dorenkamp's death.

The Cerro Gordo County sheriff's deputies and Clear Lake police are handling the investigation.

The initial report that Dorenkamp was missing was taken by the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office, which provides law-enforcement for the South Shore neighborhood.

She and her car were found Saturday in the city of Clear Lake.
Faezeh Hashemi, Former Iranian Leader's Daughter, Jailed For 'Spreading Propaganda'

03/18/17

Source: RFE/RL

Iran's hard-line judiciary has sentenced the daughter of late Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani to jail for "spreading propaganda against the regime," Iranian news media reported on March 17.



Faezeh Hashemi, daughter of former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani





It was the latest move against pro-reform opposition in the Islamic republic ahead of a presidential election on May 19, when hard-line rivals of pragmatist President Hassan Rohani hope to regain control of executive power.



"Again, Faezeh Hashemi has been sentenced to six months' jail because of her critical remarks about the judiciary and the guards," the opposition website Kalemeh said, saying she was accused of "antistate propaganda, spreading lies against the judiciary and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps."



Hashemi, 55, has directed her strongest criticism against the head of the judiciary authority, Ayatullah Sadiq Amli Larajani, who reformist lawmakers accuse of corruption and benefiting from bails paid to the courts.



Hashemi, a women's rights activist and former member of parliament, has 21 days to appeal the sentence. She was also jailed for six months in 2012 for "spreading antistate propaganda."



In 2009, Hashemi was detained briefly after street protests against the reelection of then-President Mahmud Ahmadinejad. Protesters said the election was rigged in favor of the hard-line president.



Hashemi's father was one of the founding figures of the Islamic republic and a close aide to the late revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. He died in January.



Allies of Rohani have criticized a crackdown on social media and the arrest of at least 15 moderate activists and journalists ahead of the election, in which Rohani is expected to run for a second term.



The deputy head of Iran's parliament, Ali Motahari, has called on the judiciary and the Intelligence Ministry to shed light on the arrests, condemning them as "election engineering," Kalemeh reported.



With reporting by Reuters and Al Arabiya.net
Saudi Arabia Says Iranians To Take Part In Hajj This Year

03/18/17

Source: RFE/RL

Saudi Arabia says Iranian pilgrims will take part in this year's annual hajj pilgrimage, after they did not attend last year amid tensions between the countries. The Saudi Ministry of Pilgrimage said the sides had finalized arrangements for Iranians' participation in the pilgrimage scheduled for September.



Pilgrims at Kaaba (House of God) in Mecca

(phot by Mehdi Gasemi - see more photos)



The ministry said in a March 17 statement that "all pilgrims from all the different nationalities and backgrounds."



Iranian pilgrims did not attend the hajj last year for the first time in 30 years after the governments of mostly Sunni Saudi Arabia and mostly Shi-ite Iran failed to agree on security and logistics.



The dispute followed the death of nearly 1,000 pilgrims during a stampede during the 2015 hajj. Iran said 464 of its citizens died and blamed the disaster on Riyadh.





Ties worsened further between the two regional rivals when Saudi Arabia executed a Shi'ite cleric in January 2016, prompting angry Iranian protesters to storm the Saudi embassy in Tehran.



Riyadh responded by severing diplomatic relations with Iran.



Based on reporting by AFP and dpa
White House Appeals Court Decision Blocking Trump Travel Order

03/18/17

Source: RFE/RL

The U.S. government on March 17 announced it is appealing a court decision blocking President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration from taking effect. The Justice Department said in a court filing it would appeal a ruling by a U.S. District Court in the state of Maryland that halted the part of Trump's March 6 order temporarily banning the entry of travelers from six predominantly Muslim countries.

Here's our response to Trump administration appeal of #MuslimBan2 ruling https://t.co/VVjGDZfaYB  ACLU National (@ACLU) March 17, 2017

The Maryland court decision this week left standing a part of the Trump order that barred the entry of refugees to the United States for four months. But a U.S. District Court in Hawaii struck down both sections of the order in a broader ruling that prevented the order from moving forward as scheduled on March 16.



Trump's order also is being challenged in a U.S. District Court In Washington state, but that court said it wouldn't immediately move on the case to "conserve resources" and avoid duplicative rulings, since the other courts already have issued decisions.



The Washington court blocked an earlier version of the Trump travel order issued in January. The order currently being challenged, like the original one, bars visitors from Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen. But it does not target Iraq, which was covered by the original order, and also does not apply to legal U.S. residents from the targeted countries who hold "green cards."



The judges in Maryland and Hawaii who blocked the order this week were highly critical of what they saw as illegal racial and religious motivations behind it.



"There is nothing 'veiled' about this press release: 'Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States'," said the judge in Hawaii, Derrick Watson, citing in his decision a press release distributed during Trump's campaign for the White House last year.



Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland said "the history of public statements [by Trump] continues to provide a convincing case that the purpose of the second executive order remains the realization of the long-envisioned Muslim ban."



Chuang also questioned whether the Trump order wasn't illegally targeting people based on their nationality, noting that no previous president has sought to ban all the citizens from one country, much less six countries.



Critics of the order say it discriminates against Muslims in violation of the U.S. Constitution's religious protection clause. They include state attorneys general, organizations representing refugees, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the National Immigration Law Center.



Trump says the measure is needed to protect the country from terrorist attacks. Trump has accused the judges that blocked his order of "unprecedented judicial overreach" and vowed to appeal the cases all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.



"We're going to win. We're going to keep our citizens safe," the president told supporters at a rally on March 16. "The danger is clear. The law is clear. The need for my executive order is clear."



White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said on March 17 that the government would appeal all "flawed rulings" that blocked the order, but it is not immediately appealing the Hawaii court decision.



Legal analysts said the administration may have chosen to appeal the Maryland court ruling first because the U.S. Appeals Court in Richmond, Virginia, has more conservative justices than appeals courts on the U.S. west coast, making that court more sympathetic to the administration's arguments.



With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters



Related News:

On March 14th, four prominent Iranian-American organizations renewed their challenge to the Trump Administration's illegal and unconstitutional policies, filing papers to take on the President's revised "Travel Ban" Executive Order. The organizations, joined by over 20 individual plaintiffs, have updated their existing lawsuit against the January 27th Travel Ban Executive Order, Pars Equality, et al v. Trump, to take on the March 6th version. ( read more
While people fishing at Riversides Fairmount Park should still avoid catfish, three other kinds of fish from Lake Evans are safe to eat.

A state advisory issued in October warned anglers to avoid catfish from Fairmount Park because of high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, which can cause cancer.

But tests showed people may safely eat several servings a week of black bass, carp and sunfish species caught at Fairmount Park, the state Environmental Protection Agency said this week.

The parks three lakes  Lake Evans is the largest  are manmade and fed by two nearby wells. The catfish are the only variety that was recently stocked, and officials believe they may have been contaminated before they got to the lake.

All fish samples were tested for mercury and PCBs, but the channel catfish were the only variety with high PCB levels. Once the city learned of the concern, signs warning people not to eat them were posted around the lakes, Riverside parks Director Adolfo Cruz said.

While officials dont know for sure, they think the privately-farmed catfish may have brought the PCBs in with them, said Terri Reeder, the California Regional Water Quality Control Boards chief of basin planning for coastal waters.

In 2008, Lake Evans was dredged and the sediment showed low PCB levels, she said. Its also possible the catfish are eating something in the lake that other fish arent, said Sam Delson, spokesman for the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, a division of the state EPA.

Because of concerns about mercury, which is the reason most fish advisories are issued, state officials suggest eating no more than four servings a week of bluegill and largemouth bass from Fairmount Park, and up to seven servings a week of carp.

State officials hope to conduct new tests on the parks fish this year, if they can find funding, Reeder and Delson said.

The catfish advisory came from fish samples collected in June 2014 that were flash-frozen, then lab-tested five months later. The results were completed in early 2015, but it took months to verify them, along with reams of data from other bodies of water around the state, Reeder said.

The state program for collecting and testing fish is underfunded and involves coordination of several agencies, she said.

Officials are very aware of this problem with the lag time between when fish are sampled and when the public is notified of a concern, and they are making efforts to try and shorten that process, Reeder said.
Wildomars general plan, the citys guide to growth and land-use, is legit.

That was the conclusion of a state appellate panel in a tentative decision issued this week.

The ruling of the Fourth Appellate District, Division Two, supported a Riverside Superior Court judges dismissal of the case brought against the city by residents Martha Bridges and John Burkett.

The (opinion) affirms the trial courts judgment, which was in favor of the city, said attorney Amy Holt, who represented the city in the case. The Court of Appeals opinion affirms the city has a valid general plan.

Since the ruling is tentative, the plaintiffs can request an oral argument before the Division Two justices. Otherwise, the decision is final.

Bridges, the lead plaintiff, and her attorney could not be reached for comment. Both plaintiffs have brought several lawsuits against the city over the years, usually based on allegations of state environmental law violations.

Every California city is required to have a general plan and approvals of any land-use decision, including building projects, must be based on the plan.

Bridges and Burkett contended in their lawsuit, filed in 2013, that the Wildomar City Council never legally adopted a general plan following its incorporation on July 1, 2008. They also maintained the document the city uses as its general plan is invalid.

A decision in favor of the plaintiffs would then call into a question all of the land-use actions approved by the City Council or Planning Commission since incorporation.

A superior court judge tossed the suit for being filed nearly five years past the statute of limitations. The judge also concluded the City Council had legally established a general plan on Wildomars first day as a city.

On that day, the council passed a resolution accepting Riverside Countys general plan as its own. In the ensuing years, the council amended the document to customize it to the citys needs.

In supporting the trial courts interpretations, the appellate justice opinion states the undisputed facts establish that the City adopted a general plan on July 1, 2008, which it has relied upon ever since.

Mayor Tim Walker said he was pleased, but not surprised by the appellate ruling.

(The plaintiffs) waited way too long, and we knew we were going to win this, he said. We still have to pay for our lawyers. It still hurts the city.
A stream of Inland educators and school board members have landed in hot water over recent social media posts  which some found offensive or inappropriate  that led to disciplinary action, calls for their resignations and an unsuccessful re-election bid.

Education leaders and experts warn theres no such thing as private when it comes to online messages.

Any skilled 14-year-old can get into your Twitter or Facebook account, said Bill Hedrick, a Riverside Community College District trustee. For them, its a game. For the employee, it could very well mean their career.

Hedrick benefited from the social media outcry that erupted when former district board member Nathan Miller sent tweets in August about presidential candidate Hillary Clinton featuring a noose-holding hangman. Though Miller later apologized, the tweets, made on the Riverside County Republican Partys official Twitter account, prompted Miller to quit his job on the state Board of Equalization.

Miller lost his re-election bid to Hedrick three months later.

As social media becomes more widespread, examples of improper behavior seem to happen almost daily, said Watt Lesley Black Jr., an associate professor of education law and policy at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

In February, parents, teachers and community members called on Alvord school board member Joseph Barragan to resign, saying he posted racist messages that insulted undocumented immigrants, blacks and Muslims. Barragan, 21, said he wouldnt step down, denied writing the Facebook posts and said his account was hacked.

Alvord serves the western Riverside area and part of Corona.

Also last month, Moreno Valley school board member Evan Morgan, 33, faced criticism and calls to resign because of past social media posts that some say are sexually inappropriate and racially insensitive. The postings, many made on Facebook in 2011 and 2012, include references to masturbation. Others use slurs about women and derogatory terms for the disabled.

Morgan apologized for the statements, which he said were made when he was in his early 20s and he was using social media to test material for stand-up comedy.

Five teachers and one counselor at Rubidoux High School in Jurupa Valley are on paid leave because of Facebook posts last month that many said mocked students who skipped school for the national A Day Without Immigrants boycott. The messages sparked a student walkout the following day and calls for the educators to be fired at a packed school board meeting less than a week later.

FREE SPEECH LIMITS

Courts have ruled that teachers can speak or write on social media as citizens on matters of public concern. However, public employers can fire and discipline them for disrupting school business, said Black, the SMU professor.

A 1968 case, Pickering v. Board of Education of Township High School District, allows public agencies to punish employees for speech that interrupts office routines, distracts workers, damages workplace relationships or shows disloyalty or incompetence.

Employers have won 11 of 14 appeals court decisions dealing with public employees and electronic speech, Black said.

The odds are tilted against these teachers in making a free speech argument, Black said of the Rubidoux High educators. If you as a teacher are directing invective speech at the very students youre supposed to be serving, it could inhibit your ability to be effective in your role.

School board members in California can learn email and social media etiquette as part of a 35-hour Masters in Governance course.

The class, offered across the state several times a year by the California School Boards Association, covers the roles and responsibilities of board members in community relations.

The association also hosts an annual conference that addresses the legal issues surrounding social media.

Trustees also can get additional digital media training as part of classes on the Ralph M. Brown Act, the states open meeting law.

CAREFUL AND CONSERVATIVE

The basic point is when you are speaking to someone, there are many contextual clues they can use to assess your meaning, besides the actual words, said Troy Flint, the associations spokesman.

When youre communicating over social media, you are deprived of those clues. You have to be careful and conservative in your phrasing to avoid misinterpretation that could backfire, he said.

Riverside Unified School District trustee Angelov Farooq, 32, is aware of the pitfalls of social media. Farooq said he uses Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to inform the public about school programs and community events.

I want to focus on shared values and unity, Farooq said. I have to be mindful of the position Im in. Im on a nonpartisan board focusing on kids education.

LASTING CONSEQUENCES

Amanda Sandoval, a history teacher at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Eastvale, uses social media extensively in her classroom. Her students live tweeted during last years presidential debates. They also blogged and tweeted the candidates about news articles they read.

She said she is careful not to retweet or like posts that are conspiracy theories or cant be proven as factual.

I have students across the political spectrum, said Sandoval, a 2016 Riverside County Teacher of the Year. I dont want to ostracize one group or another.

What happened to the Rubidoux educators served as a cautionary tale for her colleagues, who talked about the situation at two staff meetings.

Sandoval, 32, tells her students to think 30 seconds before posting.

To put out something negative in a rash moment, you live with those repercussions, she said.

Karen North, a social media expert at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, said she gives tips to her students and others so they dont get in trouble online.

People on social media generally create content while alone or with a few like-minded friends. In doing so, they arent privy to the social cues such as tone, gestures, facial expressions and body language that would signal disapproval of an inappropriate message to a larger group, North said.

People are living in echo chambers, North said. If your echo chamber is out of step with part of your audience, thats when people say things that might be inflammatory.

When it comes to digital communication, nothing can be taken back. And theres no statute of limitations on bad online behavior, she said.

Anything you think is temporary is permanent and anything you think is private can be public, North said.

RELATED

Alvord school trustee asked to resign over alleged racist Facebook posts

Nathan Miller apologizes for Ready for Hillary hangman tweets

Moreno Valley school trustee criticized for social media posts

Teachers from Jurupa Valleys Rubidoux High on leave for Day Without Immigrants social media posts
Californias power-grid operators are dealing with a glut of daytime electricity produced by household, government, business and industrial solar installations.

This forces the electricity prices on states real-time marketplace to plummet, leading some power-plant operators to shut down until demand catches up with supply later in the day.

And increasing amounts of wind and solar energy are being wasted or curtailed, as they call it, because no one can use it, according to data obtained from the California Independent System Operator ( Cal ISO).

Last year 305,241 megawatt hours of solar and wind electricity were curtailed  a loss of enough carbon-free electricity that could have powered about 45,000 California homes for a year. This was almost double the amount of clean power that was lost through curtailment in 2015.

This energy loss coincided with a 28 percent yearly increase in electricity produced from large-scale solar plants on the states control grid, according to the data. The grid system, which excludes Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Imperial Valley area utilities, last year got 11.9 percent of its electricity from solar plants, up from 9 percent in 2015 and 6.3 percent in 2014.

The waste could increase unless changes are made. State power officials are pushing to get 50 percent of power from renewable sources by 2030 as required by state law.

Cal ISO officials say the proportion of lost renewable energy is relatively small now.

But they also describe the situation as unsustainable as more big solar plants and rooftop systems come online and create a surge of power late mornings and early afternoons.

The problem is at its worst in springs months, when the sun shines longer reach day, but fewer people are running their air conditioners, the state data shows.

We need to start finding ways to offset curtailment as we add more renewable sources, or we will be wasting renewable energy, said Phil Pettingill, Director of State Regulatory Affairs at Cal ISO.

Officials are weighing several ways to harness the midday glut.

One strategy calls for California to buy and sell more power from neighboring states to the east. This would spread out the midday solar surge because the sun rises as much as two hours earlier in Arizona and Nevada, Pettingill said.

Since 2014, limited trade between Cal ISO and utilities in neighboring state have been allowed, but only on an hourly basis.

Not only does expanding the market provide more flexibility to prevent to waste of solar energy, it also allows gives utilities more opportunities to acquire electricity when prices are low, said David Wright, general manager of Los Angeles utility during a lecture last week at U.C. Riverside.

Meanwhile, utilities are moving toward time-of-use pricing for home electricity costumers.

This would encourage Californians to set timers on pool pumps, washing machines, dishwashers and other appliances to take advantage of cheaper electricity in the middle of the day while discouraging power consumption in the evening when electricity is more expensive and in greatest demand.

Southern California Edison, for example, already offers time-of-use pricing for the those who sign up for it, said Edison spokesman Robert Laffoon-Villegas. Under rules imposed by the California Public Utilities Commission, Edison will begin next year to phase in time-of-use pricing for all costumers.

Riversides publicly owned utility also plans time-of-use prices, and proposals are expected to go before the citys utility board and council before the end of this year, said Martin Ochotorena, the utilitys manager of contracts, projects, and settlements.

Another strategy is for solar and renewable sources to be located near urban areas where most electricity is consumed. One example is Riversides Tequesquite Solar Project built on the citys former 125-acre landfill. It features enough solar panels to power 2,250 houses.

Situated within the well-populated Inland Southern California, no electricity from this plant has ever been curtailed since it started up in 2015, Ochotorena said.

Battery storage

Another strategy is battery storage, so solar energy can be saved for evening peak demand time.

In January, Edison officials showed off a 1.5-acre, battery-storage facility in Ontario that features 400 modular powerpack battery units made by Tesla that can power 15,000 homes for four hours.

Yet the use of this technology on the power grid is still in its infancy and questions linger about the cost and practicality.

Wright, the general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the nations largest municipal utility, said in his lecture at UCR that battery-storage systems are too expensive, run out of electricity too fast, and take up too much space.

To illustrate his point, he showed a slide to the audience with a map showing how replacing one natural gas power plant with a battery- storage system would consume more than 200 acres, which would be extremely costly in places like Los Angeles.

Ironically, Wright was speaking in a College of Engineering building at UC Riverside that is powered by a combination of solar panels and a trailer loaded with batteries that keep the lights on and buildings cool after the sun sets.

Sadrul Ula, a UCR engineering professor, said these solar panels and batteries power three buildings at the universitys Center for Environmental Research & Technology, which is working to improve battery-storage technology.

As he showed off rows of yellow batteries in a trailer, he described them as the solution to harnessing peak solar production, storing it for evening and nighttime use.

We charge these batteries when we have surplus solar, so we dont waste it, said Ula, managing director of UCRs Winston Chung Global Energy Center.

Ula expects batteries to become more cost-effective as more solar comes online and more surplus electricity is available to charge them. Batteries can be stored in big rig truck trailers, so they can be dispatched where needed to ease bottlenecks in the grid. That can reduce land costs, he said.

Electric vehicles

Wright and Ula both see the rise of electric vehicles as a boon for solar energy because cars can be charged when most people are at work and the panels are producing electricity at the peak levels.

Wright said the problem now is a lack of charging stations. He said tax credits and other subsidies are needed, as well as land-use regulations that would require charging stations at new apartment buildings and other locations.

Ula added that technology is being developed that could allow batteries in electric cars and trucks to also store electricity for the grid. This would require smart charging stations that would allow electricity to go in two directions.

Ula envisions a time when car owners could get a cellphone messages asking them if it would be OK to pull power from their car batteries in the evening in exchange for credits to recharge the vehicle during the day when solar energy is plentiful. With millions of cars and trucks in California, such a technology could store to a lot of megawatt hours.

But lets not forget natural gas power plants, the main workhorses of our power grid that will be with us decades to come, said Sean Gallagher, vice president of state affairs for the Solar Energy Industries Association.

Modernizing fossil fuel plants would allow them to work in better harmony with solar production by allowing them to start up and shut down more quickly, he said.
On Friday, March 10, Lloyd Charton and Trevor Anthes were in the best of spirits, snowcamping on the summit of Mt. Baldy.

But tragedy struck the two mountaineers the next day. Charton, the 69-year-old founder of Lux Adventures in Dana Point, died after reportedly falling off a shelf of overhanging snow known as a cornice on the mountains notorious Devils Backbone Trail.

Bishop photographer Trevor Anthes, a mountain guide with Sierra Mountaineering International, was rescued by a San Bernardino County Sheriffs helicopter after suffering serious head injuries trying to help his fallen partner.

RELATED: Man who died in fall from Devils Backbone Trail atop Mount Baldy identified

Charton was the second person to die this winter in separate mountaineering accidents on the knife-edged ridgeline leading to and from the 10,064-foot summit of Mount Baldy, aka Mount San Antonio.

After this years deaths and at least three on Mt. Baldy last winter, some now wonder if the Devils Backbone Trail and other upper-elevation routes should be closed by Angeles National Forest officials, at least temporarily.

There hasnt been talk of a closure this winter, on the sheriffs end or from the forest officials, said Sgt. James Mahan with the sheriffs emergency operations division.

The dangers are very well known, he said.

The trail was closed for five days last year after three people died on Mt. Baldy or nearby Icehouse Saddle and crews rescued 9 others in one day.

This year, Mt. Baldy has been hit with rapidly changing winter mountain conditions including deep snow, avalanche danger, treacherous ice, snow-covered trails, and cornices or overhanging snow off the Devils Backbone. The nine-mile trail to the summit is currently all snow and ice above the San Antonio Ski Hut.

That makes this a dangerous time to be up there, said San Bernardino County firefighter/paramedic Eric Sherwin, who takes part in rescues on Mt. Baldy.

RELATED: Avalanche danger lurks in Inland mountains, experts say

Were dealing with an environment where mistakes can have fatal consequences, Sherwin said.

Safely navigating those conditions requires experience and equipment, such as crampons and ice axes.

Yet Charton and Anthes were experienced. Charton, an attorney, had climbed 20,310-foot Denali and 22,838-foot Mt. Aconcagua. Anthes, 42, had just climbed Vinson Massif in Antarctica. He was airlifted to Loma Linda University Medical Center but has since been released from the hospital.

The word on the mountain last Saturday was that Charton fell from a cornice, said Further Your Adventure mountain guide/So Cal Snow Avalanche Center Director Allen Giernet, who was on Mt. Baldy that day.

Torrance resident Yucheng Jia, 26, is believed to have died falling from a cornice Feb. 4. Jias body was found 1,000 feet below the Devils Backbone and recovered Feb. 9 by San Bernardino County Sheriffs Deputy Rich Farrow, two West Valley Search and Rescue team members and a sheriffs helicopter crew.

Angeles National Forest spokesman Jamahl Butler said no forest officials were available to comment Friday.

Searches usually happen because people dont have navigation tools and skills and dont realize theyre off-trail until its too late, said Farrow, who coordinates the West Valley Search and Rescue Team.

Mt. Baldy is popular with many unequipped, inexperienced hikers and even endurance runners in shorts, T-shirts and running shoes because they can take two ski resort lifts up and hike a short way to the Devils Backbone, then ride lifts back down, Giernet said.

Sun, rain and melting snow have left the top layer of Mt. Baldys snowpack heavy and unstable. Wind has blown snow into cornices on the Devils Backbone, which in some areas is 12 to 24 inches wide with drops up to 1,500 feet on one side and up to 1,800 feet on the other side.

The snow makes the trail look 12 to 15 feet wide. People are hesitant to stay to one side of the trail because theyre scared thats weak snow, Farrow said.

But thats where the trail actually is, he said.

The estimated average cost for a search and rescue is less than $10,000. San Bernardino County residents needing assistance arent charged. Other counties are charged if their residents must be rescued, said Sheriffs Department spokeswoman Jodi Miller.

Sherwin noted that the risks involved draw many to explore the mountains. But he urged people to get mountaineering training and experience handling changing conditions.

The trail you hiked yesterday is not the trail youll see today. Nor is it the trail youll see tomorrow, he said.
Two Metrolink trains were delayed about 30 minutes Friday evening in Riverside after an unresponsive person was found near the tracks.

Between 6:10 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. BNSF shut down the railroad tracks between the downtown Riverside and La Sierra Metrolink stations so emergency personnel could respond, said Metrolink spokesperson Sherita Coffelt.

One delayed train was on the Inland Empire/Orange County line and the other the Riverside line, she said.

Riverside police Lt. Brian Dailey said police were called to assist Riverside firefighters with a person found near Madison Street. Dailey didnt know the persons condition but said the person was taken to Riverside County Hospital for treatment.

The tracks were reported reopened by 6:30 p.m., Coffelt said.
HAMPTON | Frances Eleanor (Mallory) Wullbrandt, 95, died March 16, 2017, at Franklin General Hospital in Hampton, Iowa.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2017, at the Hampton United Methodist Church. Family will greet friends from noon until service time Monday at the Hampton United Methodist Church.

Burial will take place at the Hampton Cemetery. Pastor David Wagner will be officiating.

Fran was born June 17, 1921, the daughter of DeWitt and Flossie Mallory. She was born at home on the family farm.

Fran attended country school and graduated from Hampton High School. She then earned a B.S. degree at Iowa State University in 1943. She worked briefly as a draftsman for General Motors in Dayton, Ohio, and then as an interior designer at Younkers department store in Des Moines. During World War II, Fran joined the American Red Cross and was director at Club San Francisco, a tent city club in France. After the war, she returned to Younkers and then was home furnishings editor for Successful Farming magazine at Meredith Publishing.

Fran met her husband, Fritz, on a blind date. Before the date, Fran drove her then-boyfriends car from the farm into Hampton to get a look at Fritz, one of the owners of the new B&W grocery store. Fritz and Fran (Francis and Frances) were married Sept. 12, 1948.

Fran was an artist and imparted her love of art and creativity to her four children. In addition to raising children, Fran was very active in her community. She was one of the founders of the Franklin County Historical Society and the Arts Council, served as a state officer of American Association of University Women (AAUW) and was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.), the Franklin General Hospital Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, As You Like It and T.T.T.

Fritz and Fran were extraordinary ballroom dancers who enjoyed dancing at the Surf in Clear Lake and on cruises. They traveled extensively. They picnicked and partied with friends and family and supported Iowa State University. Fran started playing bridge at age 60 and enjoyed playing (and playing well!) until the very end of her life.

Fran took great pride in being descendant of Leander Reeve, who was one of the first settlers of Franklin County and built the Old Stone House. Her family farm was always central to her life.

Fran is survived by her children Wendy, Paul, Jane (Charles) Center and Mary Beth (Steve) Vogts, and her grandchildren Lia and Alex Wullbrandt. She was preceded in death by her husband Fritz (Francis), daughter-in-law Judy, parents and sister Maxine Meyer.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Franklin General Hospital Foundation, Hospice of North Iowa, or the Franklin County Historical Society.

Sietsema Vogel Funeral Homes, Hampton, www.sietsemavogelfuneralhomes.com.
Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) in review of the budget statement and economic policy of the government of Ghana for the 2017 financial year has described it as building a house with a weak or non-existing foundation.



According to the Executive Director of IFS, Professor Newman Kusi, the economic policies of Nana Addos government are good but they are another thing implementing those policies in order to achieve the intended purposes.



What we are saying here is that all the policy initiatives; nobody can question anything about them. The Free SHS, One Dam One Village in the northern can actually increase agriculture and production; Dams are very essential. One District One Factory can solve unemployment and help to grow the economy but what we are saying here is that you cant stand up and say you are going to build a factory in Nkawkaw; simple economic principle tells you that there are certain basic things that must be in place for the factory to be located in a particular area, he emphasized.



The question we are raising is that these pre-conditions that should attract the establishment of the policies, are they in existence? he quizzed.



He further stressed that the government cannot grow the economy on a sustainable basis if the macroeconomic fundamentals are not in place; thus the country is battling to achieve fiscal consolidation because aside the wages and salaries and interest cost, the government doesnt have any money.



All the revenues collected are bound and debts are increasing . . . what we are saying here is that when you want to build a house, you need to lay the foundation and it has to be strong so that when you put up the super structure in an enrolled form, it will not collapse, he added.



You can put up a house, factories and construct dams but if the foundation is weak it will not enable us to achieve the objective for which they were established on a sustainable basis. So what will happen is that in future, they are going to create more problems for ourselves, he stressed.



In the IFS review of the 2017 budget, it made mention of the fact that the budget has been prepared at a time the economy of Ghana is undergoing a great deal of fiscal and macroeconomic difficulties.



The fiscal deficit which declined to 6.3 percent of GDP in 2015 from 10.2 percent in 2014, increased to 8.7 percent in 2016 despite the Extended Credit Facility-support program Ghana is implementing under the auspices of the IMF; making the total debt to GDP ratio, which had been targeted to decrease, further increased to 73 percent by the end of 2016.



IFS again revealed that in 2016, government borrowed an amount of Ghc 18.82 billion, domestically and internationally; thus, the fiscal consolidation process which seemed to be on course on 2015 following the adoption of the IMF program has derailed.



Giving credit the 2017 budget, IFS stated that, the government has recognized the excessive degree of fiscal rigidity as a major cause of the countrys fiscal difficulties and has thus proposed measures to address it after taking inspiration from IFSs recommendation at its pre-budget forum by cupping earmarked transfers at 25 percent of tax revenue.



IFSs View on the Governments policy choices:



IFS believe that there should be different sequencing of policies, though the institute agrees that accelerated growth of the economy is critically needed, it cannot be achieved in adverse fiscal and macroeconomic environments.



It added that more conducive fiscal and macroeconomic environment should be sought in 2017 before the government rolls out the ambitious growth policies in later years; reiterating that macroeconomic stability largely depends on fiscal outcomes in Ghana, stronger fiscal consolidation strategy should be pursue in 2017.



Thus, while the projected fiscal deficit of 6.5 percent of GDP for 2017 represents 2.2 percentage points reduction over the 2016 outturn, we believe that the government could have targeted lower deficit ratio to minimize borrowing, which has been budgeted to amount to Ghc16.75 billion in 2017 (Ghc12.09 billion in domestic borrowing and Ghc4.66 billion in international borrowing).



Lower fiscal deficit (stronger fiscal consolidation) could be targeted by directing the earmarked funds above the proposed cup to fund some of the existing or traditional expenditure items, instead of directing them to fund new expenditure items brought on board by the new initiatives.



Again, substantially reducing the fiscal deficit in 2017 would significantly reduce the rate of borrowing and thus the rate of debt build-ups and help stabilize the economy to create the enabling environment for ambitious growth policies to succeed later.

Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com









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A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) communication team, Alhaji Haruna Halidu has called on President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo and his government to use their economic skills to stabilize the cedi as it is making life uneasy.



Where is the Vice President, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, who claims to know much about the economy than we did when we were in government? This is the time for him to act since the baton has been handed over to him as he yearned for some months ago. Unless he wants to tell us those comments he made were political talks to bring his party into party, he said.



Touching on comments made by the Minister of Information, Mustapha Hamid to justify the 110 ministerial appointees made by the President to serve in his government on UTVs Adekye Nsroma, Alhaji Halidu lamented, I know Mustapha Hamid down within his heart will feel bad on some issues he would have to address in the public domain as the Information Minister. Yet instead of him to stand tall to speak the truth, he decides to defend his party.



According to him, President Akufo-Addo has set a record as far as the history of this country is concerned after appointing 110 ministers since independence.



His political opponent on the programme, the first Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party [NPP] in the Central Region, Mr. Joe Donkor said that he [President Akufo-Addo] has not only set record on the number of Ministers of states elected in his government, but will also set a lot more of records in the developmental and infrastructural progress of this nation in all sectors.

Source: Elizabeth Semiheva Bedi/Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said he is determined to create prosperity and higher income for Ghanaians by building a viable private sector in the Ghanaian economy.



According to him, ensuring a buoyant private sector in Ghana has been the principle of his government, hence the necessary measures including the removal of some taxes have been taken.



Speaking in an interview with GTV, Mr Akufo-Addo said: Most of the funding is coming from the consolidated fund and the consolidated fund is going to grow, it will not shrink because of the measures with the taxes, the measures that we have taken to remove what is now known in political lexicon as nuisance taxes.



What you have to get your mind around is that we are staking the fortunes of our government on a simple principle that if we can provide the stimulus that will allow the private sector to grow, that is the way we can create prosperity and create jobs and create higher and higher income levels.



It is recalled that during the reading of the maiden budget statement of this government in Parliament by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, he announced among other things, the scrapping of excise duty on petroleum products. The government also intends to reduce the special petroleum tax rate on petrol from 17.5% to 15%.



Other taxes that will be completely abolished include the following:



1. The 1% special import levy

2. The 17.5% VAT on financial services

3. The 17.5% VAT on selected imported medicines not produced locally

4. The 17.5% VAT on domestic airline tickets

5. The 5% VAT on real estate sales

6. Duty on importation of spare parts



Also, the 17.5% VAT imposed on traders has been replaced with a 3% flat rate, while businesses that employ young graduates from tertiary institutions will get tax credits and other incentives. Furthermore, there will be tax incentives for young entrepreneurs while the Corporate Income Tax will be progressively reduced from 25% to 20% in 2018.



Additionally, Mr Ofori-Atta said the Akufo-Addo government would initiate steps to remove import duties on raw materials and machinery for production.



Parliament has since approved the budget.







Source: classfmonline.com









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Ghanas wish to have a new Parliamentary Chamber to accommodate more people could soon materialise, following the decision of the Indian government to extend its assistance in that regard.



The 400-seater capacity new chamber will replace the present 275-seater capacity chamber which was configured in 2013 to accommodate more Members of Parliament (MPs).



The Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Aaron Ocquaye, told the Daily Graphic in an interview in India on the sidelines of the just-ended 12th Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Exim Bank Conclave on India-Africa Partnership in India that an Indian construction firm, Shapoorji Pallonji, which built the Flagstaff House from 2006 to 2008, had already put a team of architects on site for feasibility studies.



The studies, he said, would allow the company to present a proposal and drawings of the new facility to the leadership of Parliament to be studied for a possible approval.



The team, Prof. Ocquaye said, had already submitted a preliminary report to Parliament for study, while work on the full proposal and drawing were being worked on.



The facility, to be constructed at a cost of $200 million and situated behind the Speakers block, will also have a 400-seater capacity public gallery, a side wings to accommodate other visitors, underground car parks, offices, cafeteria for MPs and a museum of Parliament.



Ghanas development



India has been supporting Ghanas development by providing assistance in setting up projects through the provision of lines of credit and grants.



The Indian government has over the years supported the building of the India-Ghana Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence for ICT, the Flag Staff House and the Komenda Sugar Factory.



Old chamber



The old chamber has had its structural integrity questioned in recent times in the wake of a rainstorm in February this year which ripped off parts of the roofing, causing rainwater to leak into the chamber.



The situation which interrupted work flow saw the Vice-President, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, announcing that the government would consider the possibility of building a new chamber for Parliament.



The new facility, Prof. Ocquaye suggested, would make way for the old chamber to be converted into a museum or archive to hold everything that has got to do with Ghanas history and a parliamentary library which could serve academic institutions and people wishing to go into politics.



The museum, he added, would contain speeches of various Presidents who had ruled Ghana since independence, the books they used, among other relics.



India today is poised towards helping with Ghanas railway redevelopment which will accelerate our economic transformation, the Speaker suggested.



It is in this spirit of co-operation that we decided to solicit their assistance in the rebuilding of the Parliamentary Chamber which is monumental and will forever stand in appreciation of the good relationship between the two countries, and we have no doubt Ghana will forever be indebted to India if the project comes to fruition, he stressed.



He encouraged Ghanaian businesses to endeavour to enter into joint ventures with Indian companies for the benefit of the two countries.



The exchange of business delegations between the two countries in recent years has led to an increase in investments by Indian companies in Ghana in the area of construction, manufacturing, trading, services and tourism and in areas such as steel, cement, plastics, pharmaceuticals; and these, Prof. Oquaye maintained, would go a long way to solidify co-operations between Ghana and India.

Source: Daily Graphic









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 Ghana National Association of Small- Scale Miners (GNASSM) has stated that its members are not engaged in illegal mining (galamsey) and can, therefore, not be blamed for the destruction caused to natural resources, including land and water bodies.



According to the over 700-member association, even though their businesses were legally registered and were operating within the mining laws of the country, sections of the public had tagged them as galamsey operators.



At a media interaction in Accra last Tuesday, the General Secretary of GNASSM, Mr Godwin Armah, said there was a clear distinction between legal small-scale miners and galamsey operators, and that it was unfair to lump the two together.



The demonisation is becoming too much, he said and challenged those who associated them with galamsey to come out with evidence.



Regrettably, he said, anytime security agencies or task forces of the state descended on illegal mining operators, some of their members were targeted, leading to destruction of their equipment.



We dont want to believe that there are some forces behind all these negative attacks on our members, Mr Armah said.



The general secretary said the leadership of the association was willing to arrange a tour to their operational sites to ascertain the situation.



Issues



The environmental impact of galamsey has been a major topical issue in the country, especially as water bodies, forest resources and farms are destroyed.



Under the mining regulations, mining could only take place at least 150 metres away from rivers but the galamsey operators go to the extent of dredging the rivers.



Mr Armah said their members had nothing to do with the dredging of rivers. That has been the work of illegal miners, he explained.



He also indicated that their members did not engage foreigners in their operations because the laws of the land frown on that.



The general secretary, however, said: In every business, there are negatives but how you manage them is what is important. It is also fair to balance the negatives with the positives.



He stated that their members placed emphasis on reclamation of mined lands.



Even big mining companies do illegal things, for instance, cyanide spillage, Mr Armah claimed.



We are doing a lot to reduce the use of mercury in our operations, he stated.



Mr Armah pledged the readiness of the GNASSM to collaborate with the government to fight illegal mining activities.



Contribution



According to him, the association has made positive contributions to the countrys socio-economic development.



We pay our taxes to the government, we currently offer direct employment to over one million people and we honour our corporate social responsibilities, he said.



Mr Armah said between 2014 and 2016, the contribution of the small-scale sector to mineral production was about 34 per cent of total national production, which translates to billions of dollars in terms of forex.



He added that currently no big company mined diamond in Ghana. 100 per cent of the mining of diamond is done by the small-scale sector.

Source: Daily Graphic









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Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr has likened some aspects of the maiden budget of the Nana-Addo administration to a Kweku Ananse story.



Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta presented the 2017 budget in parliament on Thursday. Contents of the budgets were welcomed with ecstasy for those it favoured and scepticism among the minority.



Speaking to the budget during a panel discussion on Radio Golds Alhaji and Alhaji, Kwesi Pratt suggested that the Finance Minister was as smart as Kweku Ananse.



The minister is very cleverhe is so clever and smart. There is this ananse story; Kweku Ananse was sharing two fingers of banana with his two sons; he called the first son and says the banana is only two and the three of us have to share it so you take one and give me half. And he calls the second son and says this is the situation so you too take one and give me half; in reality hes taking one and giving his two sons one to go and share. There is an aspect in this budget which is simply put a Kweku Ananse story and it is very similar to Kweku Ananse sharing two fingers of banana with his two sons".



Explaining which part is similar to the Kweku Ananse story, he said "one village one dam, one constituency one million, one district one factory; all of that goes to districts. Now we have announced a budget which says that the district assembly common fund is going to be slashed; cut. The district assembly common fund goes to the villages for their development so we are going to cut it; so after we have cut what normally should have gone to the districts, villages and towns, then we make one million dollars available to the same districts; so it is not necessarily an increase in the quantum of resources going to the districts; in any case when these promises were made, the assumption was that every year, one million dollars will go to every one of the 275 constituencies for development projects. This budget tells us that no, no, no, dont rush, dont jump to conclusions. What we are actually going to do is to create three development authorities; one development authority for the northern sector, a second development authority for the middle belt and a third development authority for the coastal areas and that these resources will go to the development authorities to finance projects in the constituenciesI guess this is why some of the minority MPs were shouting matrikiwo budgetso on the surface, the NPP has fulfilled its promises but in reality not much has changed."



However, he added that it is not in the interest of any Ghanaian irrespective of the political party for the new patriotic party to fail; it cannot be in our interest. If the NPP is to fail, public confidence in our kind of politics will collapse completelyand the NPP itself must make every effort not to fail. If the NPP is able to revamp the national economy to embark on projects which will close the gap between the rich and the poor, it will affect every Ghanaianso the NPP must make progressthey must show signs that they are ready to listen and that they are ready to take constructive criticisms.

Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has expressed worry over the increasing spate of illegal mining activities across the country.



According to him, the recent water crisis in the country is as a result of galamsey.



Speaking at an event on the theme: Efficient Utilisation of Natural Resources for Sustainable Socio Economic Growth in the Country, in Accra on Friday 17 March, he said government would soon announce measures to deal with the scourge of galamsey.



He described as disturbing the problems caused by the activities of galamsey and noted that government had the political will to deal with it.



The scourge of galamsey is something that we are all witnesses to. Its very disturbing. If you go across the country and look at what is happening to our water bodies they are essentially red in colour Water treatment plants have been shut down in a few places because of the pollutants in the water and the impact of galamsey. This is not something that as a country we should take lightly, he stated.



The water shortages that we are seeing across this country are very much linked to environmental degradation and the scourge of galamsey and illegal small-scale mining in the vicinity of many water bodies in this country. Weve been in office for about two months now and the president has requested that we come up with a policy paper. Some experts are currently working on this, specifically on galamsey. It will have to take a lot of political will to deal with it, but it has to be dealt with because the damage is going to be irreparable if we leave it as it is.



Dr Bawumia disclosed that in a few weeks government would announce some major policies on dealing with the menace that galamsey activities are posing in this country.

Source: classfmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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At the pace, President Akufo-Addo is going with his administration, he might set record for the wrong reasons, the National Organizer of the opposition NDC, Kofi Adams has said.



Adams feels several decisions taken by the President could be politically costly, especially his elephant government that has come under serious criticisms for the past few days.



At least the immediate past President distinguished himself with infrastructure development, in the areas of education, health, Aviation, and the massive Circle Interchange project which has made him popular. I believe that this current President also wants to set a record, but for the wrong reasons, either through plagiarism or record appointment of Ministers. That is what the President wants to set his record and this is not good for our economy. It is bad, unacceptable and must be stopped.



President Akufo-Addo on Wednesday nominated 50 deputies and 4 others to serve as Ministers of State at the presidency and ministries.



This brings his total number of ministers to 110, the highest in Ghanas Fourth Republic.



In a reaction to the criticisms of his elephant size government President Akufo-Addo said, the unprecedented problems confronting Ghana demand a large government to face them.



I dont believe that my government in the Fourth Republic has big numbers in view of the swollen challenges, President Akufo-Addo said in an interview with the Daily Graphic.



These are the background and the circumstances that were facing my government and the people of Ghana, hence they need a new paradigm shift to solve the problems.



We have a problem and what is the best way? It is better to have men and women capable of serving the nations interests and to work to grow the economyIf I succeed, you will soon find out the brouhaha is nothing compared to the success.



Speaking on Asempa FMs Ekosii Sen programme, the National Organizer of the largest opposition NDC said the so called bold initiatives of the President, with which he based his large Ministerial appointments on must not be left to plunder the public purse, insisting that the political appointments are added cost to the tax payer.



The first bold initiative I was expecting from him[Akufo-Addo], was to see him reduce drastically the size of his government. The justification for his action has been that if I succeed, you will soon find out the brouhaha is nothing compared to the success what if you fail? Adams questioned.

Source: kasapa









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 New Patriotic Party (NPP) governments policy of creating an enabling environment to encourage investors to set up a factory in every district of the country  one district, one factory  has received a major boost from the Government of the Republic of China.



This became glaring when the Director of Finance and Administration of the ruling party, Dr. Charles Dwamena popularly known as Dr China, interacted with Wang Zhe, Director of the Bureau of Economic and Information Technology of Zhaoqing City in the Guangdong Province of China.



Wang Zhe applauded the Ghana Government for creating a friendly business environment for the private sector to flourish.



Not too long ago, he indicated that China is no different from what Ghana is today and that a similar policy was implemented by the then government of the Republic of China and the results are what China is today.



Promise



We will champion and support the Ghana Government to implement the policy successfully, he assured.



He thus indicated, We are committed to setting up an organization to assist the Ghana Government and Chinese private investors with operational and technical advice and expertise, a strategy to mobilize investors and create educational and investment platform to boost the two countries economies.



Wang said these on Monday during an interaction with representatives who honoured the Zhaoqing Municipal Government invitation.



Speaking to the Ghanaian representatives in an investment conference organized by ACIG and Zhaoqing Entrepreneur Management Association, the Managing Director of Zhaoqing Television Station, He Jing Ming, described the Ghana Governments policy as a transformational plan to change the face of Africa into an industrialized economy.



He indicated that the media have a role to play to see to the realization of this policy.



Ming disclosed that a lot had been said about African countries to the West and the East and no one could tell the African story better than Africans, saying, Its time for African leaders to go out there boldly and tell the world about the good things on the continent.



Faith



For him, The one district, one factory policy of the government is one of the best plans on the African soil to help private investors flourish, no matter which country they come from, he concluded.



On his part, Dr. Dwamena, who is also the past Chairman of China branch of the ruling NPP, indicated that the vision of President Akufo-Addos government is to see Ghana being in a position to add value to its many natural resources and by so doing, create employment and wealth for the thousands of Ghanaians who are either unemployed or underemployed.



Dr Dwamena and his team, comprising Nana Kyei Baffour, NPP China Organizer and Daniel Dwamena, a US-based Financial Analyst, were taken round to see some companies that expressed interest in helping to make the governments policy a reality.

Source: Daily Guide









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One of the things that has held Mason City back in recent years is that we don't seem to ever be "for" anything.

We're always against. Sometimes as a community we've been against something for good reason. That's always a matter of opinion.

But let's ask ourselves: When was the last time we were actually "for" something?

Being against is a contagious disease in a community, and don't think it isn't noticed by others.

Have you ever been around people who are always negative? One of two things usually happens. Either you find yourself drifting into that same attitude or you are uncomfortable being around that person. In both situations, nothing productive occurs.

The most recent example of being against something was the defeat of the capital improvements tax levy. Mason City voters actually turned down an opportunity to save money over a period of years simply by adjusting how we pay for things.

I explained to an acquaintance of mine how the tax would work and asked him why he was against it. He said, "Because (Mason City Mayor Eric) Bookmeyer is for it."

There is no question that many in the public don't trust the government. It has reached the point where if Bookmeyer, Travis Hickey, Brett Schoneman or whoever was in favor of the sun rising tomorrow, some in Mason City would automatically be against it. And there you go  "against it."

The Mason City and Clear Lake chambers of commerce along with the North Iowa Corridor EDC, working with consultants, are surveying North Iowans as a prelude to putting together a master comprehensive plan.

More than 600 North Iowans have taken part in the survey so far, and one of the common themes is the public wants to be more unified as a community.

Government has a responsibility to help make that happen, but so do you and I.

Sooner or later we have to ask ourselves as a community, "What are we for?"

In recent discussions about developing a hotel downtown, council members, assessing the two plans that were submitted, said the key was to determine which one will work.

Bill Schickel said the one that will work is the one that the public supports.

After a lot of shuffling during the past two weeks, the council will be asked Tuesday to begin discussions with Gatehouse Capital to build a hotel, connect it by skywalk to The Music Man Square and put a ballroom, conference center and new museum inside.

Bookmeyer said he is making that recommendation because he believes there is consensus for it and hopes the community will support it.

Council members need to know your opinion before they vote. Contact them, and when you do, tell them what you are for, not against.
More details have emerged during a court hearing regarding the horrifying rape that allegedly took place in Melbourne on Thursday, when a woman was attacked after her fellow tram passengers ignored her pleas for help.

Its alleged that the woman, a 22-year-old tourist from interstate, was raped repeatedly outside St Vincents Hospital after being followed off the tram.

Her alleged attacker, 49-year-old Jamie Macarthur, had been released on bail less than 24 hours prior to the attack, after being arrested for missing a court date. He was also stopped by police earlier that same night for being drunk and aggressive, but was released on that occasion as well.

The court heard Macarthur struck up a conversation with the young woman at a tram stop in the Melbourne CBD early on Thursday morning.

Allegedly Macarthur asked the woman to go home with him, put his arm around her, and walked with her around the CBD, which she went along with for fear of upsetting him.

When they got on the tram, he began to kiss her against her will. Detective Senior Constable John Robertson told the court that although the woman mouthed Help me to a male passenger sitting opposite, he did not respond.

Macarthur allegedly followed the woman off the tram at St Vincents Hospital, saying Youre not leaving me; when she tried to enter the hospital, ringing the doorbell next to the locked doors, he allegedly became angry and said, Were going to f tonight.

He then allegedly dragged her around the corner of the building where he put her in a headlock, choked her, ripped her underwear, and repeatedly digitally raped her.

Police told the court that Macarthur had insisted to them that he was driven by his sexual desires.

In the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday, Macarthur told the court that he was not a violent person by nature, saying:

I dont know why she didnt leave, I guess I misread the signals.

Hes been charged with five counts of sexual penetration without consent, two counts of intentionally touching the woman in a sexual manner without consent, seven counts of assault and one count of unlawful imprisonment.

He has not been granted bail.

Police are still appealing for any witnesses to come forward, as they believe a number of people witnessed the incidents on the tram that morning.

Source: The Age.

Image: Wikipedia.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 to speak to a counsellor.
Warren Wright, whose daughter Warriena fell to her death from Gable Tostees Gold Coast balcony in 2014, has spoken to the media for the first time since the incident, branding Tostee an arrogant son-of-a-bitch.

Wright, described as a semi-retired electrician, spoke to Fairfax journalist Melissa Fyfe, who visited his home in the New Zealand town of Levin, north of Wellington.

I never trust a human being. I taught both my daughters that. And then Warriena went and trusted him, he said of Tostee, who was found not guilty of murder following a two-week trial last October.

Wright says that he was puzzled at the media attention his daughters death received. You look at something like Aleppo and 60 families are being killed there every day. Why is this up there? he said.

He also believes that Tostee was charged with the wrong offences, saying:

Please, charge him with the right thing  false imprisonment resulting in death. I dont know what the charge is in Australia, but that is what he is guilty of. That and being an arrogant son-of-a-bitch, but I guess theres no crime against that.



That said, the Wright family are currently interested in moving on with their lives, and Warren has rebuffed lawyers who approached him offering to review the case. The bottom line is nothing brings her back, he said.

A number of Wrights friends also spoke to Fairfax for the piece, with one describing her as a keen gamer and Final Fantasy fan, a lover of photography and road trips. The anonymous friend said:

She was all about dignity, equality, fairness, whats right  She had this motherly, want-to-help-you thing. Even if she didnt know someone very well. And she looked after her sister and her mum so much.

Tostee himself is living on the Gold Coast following his acquittal, and is an avid social media user under the name Eric Thomas.

Source: Fairfax.

Photo: Supplied.
Donald Trump and Angela Merkel took their first official meeting at the White House overnight, and in a telling moment, the US president ignored the German chancellors request for a handshake in the Oval Office.

While Trump did shake Merkels hand on other occasions, including on her arrival, he left her hanging in front of reporters, responding to her question do you want a handshake? with dead silence and a slightly awkward look.

The US president has pressed the flesh numerous other world leaders, including Justin Trudeau and Shinzo Abe, in the same spot, and the internet has already commenced meming the shit out of the awkward moment.

merkel your enthusiasm pic.twitter.com/4JU5uXqbtQ  Seinfeld Current Day (@Seinfeld2000) March 17, 2017

Below, the two can be seen in a slightly more cordial exchange earlier in the day:

While on the campaign trail last year, Trump was highly critical of Merkel for allowing an influx of refugees into Germany, telling a rally in Virginia: I always thought of as a very good leader until she did this.

During the pairs joint press conference overnight, he tried to break the ice with a joke about wiretapping, referring to 2014 allegations that the US was monitoring Merkels cellphone, and telling her at least we have something in common, perhaps.

She wasnt really buying it:

I cant breathe ???????? Merkel represents Germany like a boss pic.twitter.com/123RFLNH9Z  Sandra (@CassandraDCC) March 17, 2017

That said, Merkel tried to play nice throughout much of the meeting, noting that it was better to talk to one another than about one another, and the two discussed issues like the European Union and NATO.

Trump has previously expressed scepticism about multilateral trade agreements, and supported last years Brexit deision, so Merkel took the opportunity to try and sell him on the benefits of the EU, saying:

 the success of Germans has always been one where the German success is one side of the coin and the other side of the coin has been European unity and European integration. Thats something of which Im deeply convinced.

On the subject of US trade with Germany, Trump said: The negotiators for Germany have done a far better job than the negotiators for the United States, but hopefully we can even it out. We dont want victory, we want fairness.

The US president has previously been critical of NATO, calling it obsolete, but has since softened his stance, telling European leaders that strategic defence alliances remain important.

In his meeting with Merkel, trump said that the US is still in strong support of NATO, but added that its allies need to pay their fair share for the cost of defence, noting that some owe vast sums of money.

Source: Independent / ABC News.

Photo: Barcroft Media / Getty.
A frightened Kendall Jenner has reportedly put her LA home on the market, fearing for her safety there after a recent incident in which she was robbed of more than $AU 263,000 worth of jewellery.

In the early hours of Thursday morning this week, the 21-year-old entered the bedroom of her Hollywood Hills home to find items missing, the phoned police upon hearing noises, fearing an intruder may have been present.

The police did not find anyone on the premises, but Jenner was sufficiently spooked after this and an incident in which an alleged stalker broke into the property last August that she has contacted her realtor to sell the house.

Since the robbery, multiple sources have come forward to claim that the robbery was an inside job, and that the Victorias Secret angel believes that the culprit was a friend, or somebody familiar with the house.

She does not think that this was a random burglar, said one. She thinks that it has to be one of her friends, or someone that she has had over recently. Security footage of the house shows that there was no forced entry.

This is just too much for her to handle, said another source, adding:

Kendalls family never wanted her to get this house in the first place because it is literally walking distance from all of the bars and clubs on the Sunset Strip. After the first incident with the stalker, she was weary about living there, but now she feels she has to go.

Source: Radar Online.

Photo: Marc Piasecki / Getty.
Penn State Harrisburg held its fourth annual Holi Festival celebration. The event took place at the Harrisburg campus' Capital Union Building on March 12.

Holi is a Hindu festival that commemorates the beginning of the spring season. It marks the triumph of good over evil when Prahlad, son of demon king Hiranyakashyap, was saved from certain death because of this faith in Lord Naarayana. The celebration is also known as the Festival of Colors, a title derived from a segment where participants douse each other in colored powders that symbolize purity, vitality, serenity or piousness. At Penn State Harrisburg's Holi Festival celebration, students and staff were given the opportunity to learn more about the festival and its culture through music, dance and food.

The Holi Festival is one of many events hosted by Penn State Harrisburg's Office of International Student Support Services and their Global Ambassador Program. The ambassador program allows Penn State Harrisburg's international students to "plan and implement international students programs" as well as "build relations with students, faculty and community leaders," according to the program's website.

In attendance for Penn State Harrisburg Holi Festival was Deep Gupta, a member of Asian Indian Americans of Central Pennsylvania. The AIACPA is a non-profit organization that aims to foster a community and promote visibility for Asian Americans living in Pennsylvania.

At the festival, Gupta stressed the importance of celebrating cultural holidays, such as Holi, even while abroad. Being able to celebrate these events "makes a big difference" in the lives of Penn State's international students, he said.
Retired Gen. David Petraeus appeared in Carlisle Saturday afternoon for a discussion at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center to talk about his role in leading the surge in Iraq and the U.S. military's role in battling insurgency operations.

Gen. Petraeus's appearance was part of the center's Perspectives in Military History lecture series, which occur monthly at the center.

He was introduced by Conrad Crane, the chief of the center's historic services division, and who was a chief architect of the military's counterinsurgency doctrine, which Petraeus implemented during his time in Iraq as part of the successful military surge during that war.

"The surge that mattered was not the surge of forces," Petraeus said. "The surge that mattered was really all the other stuff ... it was the surge of ideas and the change in strategy."

The ideas that Petraeus implemented in Iraq -- and that were developed by Crane and his team in 2006 -- were, Petraeus said, 180 degrees from previous strategies employed in that war.

Among the chief tenants of those ideas was that the conflict revolved not necessarily around battlefields, but around the people of Iraq.

Gen. David Petraeus speaks, as Dr. Conrad Crane listens, during a roundtable discussion at the Army War College on Saturday afternoon.

"We had to secure the people, or nothing else was achievable," he said. That meant living with the Iraq people, by establishing more forward bases and de-consolidating military bases, contrary to the practices of the previous leadership of the war. The practice of pulling U.S. troops out of geographic areas and allowing the Iraqi army to provide security was, at the time an error, Petraeus said, becuase the Iraqi Army alone could not sustain the early successes of the war.

By being among the Iraqi people, the military could also build bonds amongst the general populace, reducing the number of insurgents being created and removing resources for them to take advantage of.

Petraeus also said his leadership team realized that the best way to move forward was to clear and hold geographic areas, in order to allow for community building to occur.

Petraeus said the leadership also had to realize it could not "capture or kill" its way out of the quagmire of Iraq -- that military operations alone would not bring success, and that the process of reconciliation, in which formerly hostile or militarized groups were brought into the Iraqi fold, had to occur.

That was not, he said, "a novel idea, but [it was] not one we had pursued in a huge, aggressive manner." Indeed, Petraeus said all of the ideas that led the strategic thinking behind the surge were not novel -- they had all been applied in Iraq before to some degree or the other, but his command, using Crane's doctrine, applied them as an over arching strategy.

The challenge, he said, was balancing not only offense and defensive operations in the field, but also including "stability operations" as part of a triad approach.

"The challenge for the Army today is; 'we have to be able to do it all,'" he said. "You have to be able to do it all at any given time."

Petraeus led U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and was once thought to be a potential candidate for president. In 2012, he resigned from the CIA and later received probation and fines for sharing classified information with his biographer, with whom he'd had an affair.

Prior to Petraeus's remarks, Crane discussed the development and key components of the counter insurgency strategy that proved successful during the surge in Iraq.

Crane said the development of the doctrine or strategy was itself somewhat unique -- in, among other things, that it involved a large, diverse group of contributors both from within the without the military structure.

The intent of the strategy's developers was to create a framework for counter insurgency operations that could be applied anywhere, not just in the nation's ongoing conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan, although it was heavily influenced by experience gained in Iraq.

What made the new doctrine different was it was focused not just on the military aspects of a campaign, but also the people aspects. "It's very much a political struggle as well as a military struggle," Crane said, who used the term "mosaic war" to describe counter-insurgency operations.

Among the doctrine's key components is the careful managing of information and its focus on clearing, holding territory to allow for building as opposed to a simpler domination approach.

"While we'd love to see warfare go back to tank-on-tank or soldier-on-soldier combat ... I don't see warfare ever being that simple again," Crane said.

Anther key idea, Crane said was the recognition that lasting success following a military intervention requires a long-term military presence.

"If you're going to consolidate your gains after armed conflict, you're going to be there a long time," he said, pointing to Korea, Germany and Japan as examples where a longterm military presence has fostered success.

That in turn leads to one of the many challenges, or dilemmas of counter insurgency operations -- namely that they are long, and costly affairs.

The full talk, including a panel discussion and a question-and-answer session with the audience, will be made available on the center's youtube channel in the near future.
Lancaster County Coroner Stephen Diamantoni has identified two victims who died in a house fire in Denver Wednesday night, according to a lancasteronline report.

The victims were Lorraine Crouse, 77, and Geoffrey Atwell, 74, both of whom died of smoke inhalation and thermal injuries, Diamantoni said Friday morning. Atwell died at the scene. Crouse died at Ephrata Wellspan Community Hospital.

Their deaths have been ruled accidental.

The victims were discovered in a second-floor bedroom among "extreme hoarding conditions," which hampered the efforts of firefighters to battle the blaze in the 100 block of South Fourth Street, a fire official told Lancasteronline.

The cause of the fire, which caused about $35,000 of damage, is under investigation.
Forty-one municipal law enforcement agencies from throughout south-central Pennsylvania will join the Pennsylvania State Police to conduct the second targeted aggressive driving enforcement wave from March 20 to April 30.

It will cover specifically the following eight counties: Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York.

Throughout the state, over 206 municipal agencies and Pennsylvania State Police will be participating in the wave, according to a press release sent out Friday.

As part of the Aggressive Driving Enforcement and Education Project, the second wave will aim to reduce the number of aggressive driving-related crashes, injuries and deaths on roadways throughout the state. Any aggressive driver stopped by police will receive a ticket.

The enforcement wave will focus on speeding, work zones safety violations and keeping right-passing left. Motorists exhibiting other unsafe behaviors such as driving too fast for conditions, following too closely or other aggressive actions will also be cited, the release said.

Municipal police agencies that participated in last year's campaign wrote 43,154 aggressive-driving related citations, including 28,235 for speeding. Failing to stop for red lights and stop signs was the second most-common offense, resulting in 2,807 citations. Additionally, the enforcement accounted for 37 felony arrests, 61 fugitives apprehended, 132 impaired driving arrests and 1,655 occupant protection citations.

Locally, during a similar campaign last year, municipal police agencies in the eight-county region of south central Pennsylvania issued 7,511 aggressive-driving related citations. Included in that total were 5,295 for speeding, 189 for occupant protection, and 28 impaired driving-related.

The aggressive driving enforcement is a part of the Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement and Education Project and is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
A man who is charged with killing his pregnant wife with a sword in York County in late January told investigators he had to destroy her to save the world, according to a York Dispatch report.

John D. Ziegler III's statements to police were revealed in testimony taken during his preliminary hearing Friday morning, the report said.

John Ziegler III

Ziegler, 31, told police that 25-year-old Diana Ziegler was the "queen bee" of a race of hybrid humans that was taking over the world, which is why he killed her at their Jackson Township home on Jan. 27, according to the report. He told police he thought he did the right thing by killing her, Northern York County Regional Police Detective Mark Baker testified.

John Ziegler called 911 just after 4 p.m. to announce that he had killed Diana, who was six months pregnant with the couple's second child, a daughter they had planned to name Charlotte.

Ziegler told a 911 dispatcher that he was waiting with his 2-year-old son for police to arrive to the scene in the 100 block of Ledge Drive. The child was not injured during the incident and released into the custody of York County Children, Youth and Families, according to police. Zeigler surrendered without incident to the first officer to arrive at the scene, police said.

Responding officers found Diana dead on the back deck of the couple's home in the 100 block of Ledge Drive, police said. She had suffered multiple blows to the head and neck from a scimitar-style sword, according to police. Investigators said they found blood and skull fragments on the deck.

District Judge Thomas Reilly ruled Ziegler will stand trial. His formal arraignment is set for April 21.

Ziegler is charged with homicide and homicide of an unborn child. He remains in York County Prison without bail.

A senior deputy prosecutor said a decision on whether the county would seek the death penalty would be made by Ziegler's arraignment.

Baker said during Friday's hearing that he interviewed John Ziegler for about an hour. He described the suspect as anxious and upset, the report said.

"He said multiple times that Diana didn't deserve it," Baker said.

He also said he had felt "off" for several months, Baker added.

Ziegler also said he believed he could change the weather by changing his emotions, Baker testified.

"His interview with me was really all over the place," Baker said, adding that Ziegler remembered what he had done and answered his questions coherently.

"He thought it was a big conspiracy," Baker testified. "He said he thought everything would change with the election of Donald Trump."
U.S. Rep. Scott Perry on Saturday negotiated an angry crowd at a town hall meeting in the heart of his district.

The Dillsburg Republican, who held the town hall in a combination cafeteria/auditorium at Red Lion Junior High School, answered pre-submitted questions on a slew of topics, including health care reform, climate change, immigration executive orders and the president's budget.

At every turn, Perry faced angry reaction from a crowd of a few hundred constituents, some of whom shouted accusations to his answers, at times drowning him out with shouts of "fix it," "tax the rich," and "no wall."

At times, those in attendance rose to their feet, holding up paper placards that either read "Disagree" on one side or "Agree" on the other.

His supporters shouted out: "Let him speak."

At either sides of the room, officers from York Area Regional Police Department stood at guard.

Perry's town hall is just the latest of Republican constituency gatherings that have taken lawmakers to task on a host of issues regarding Trump administration policies and proposals.

More than once, Perry snapped sharply: "If you let me answer the question, I will answer the question." The shouts from the crowd just got louder.

Perry attempted to defuse the acrimony on the litany of topics, and particularly regarding the cuts to coverage that would be made under the proposed Republican health care bill and President Trump's proposed federal budget.

Perry minced no words expressing where he stood on the GOP health bill, at one point saying emphatically that his position was a "No."

"I'm not happy with this bill," Perry said. "I've expressed that to my leadership."

He said he is opposed to any government control of health care, and said the main issue with the proposed bill is that it does not drive down health care costs.

"This bill does nothing for that," he said.

Although tickets for the town hall were snapped up within three hours earlier this week, plenty of seats were available at the back of the room, a fact Perry acknowledged, noting that 500 seats had been wait-listed.

"I guess some people chose not to show up," said Perry, prompting a few members of the audience to protest the fact that identification and proof of residency had to be submitted in order to secure admission tickets.

A large portion of the audience was comprised of members from several progressive activist groups, including Indivisible Action PA 4th, Gettysburg Rising, Indivisible York, Perrywatch, Rise Up York and Rising Fourth. The groups gathered before the town hall at another site to review the questions they planned to pose to the congressman. The membership of the group represent a range of political outlooks, including Libertarians and Green Party.

Right from the start, as Perry opened the town hall with a summary of the national debt and health care, the crowd broke out in shouts of disapproval, their short and clipped affirmations addressing broad-range concerns. They chanted "Single payer, single payer," and "fix it."

At one point, the crowd rose to its feet in protest as Perry dove into answering a question on investigation into possibly ties between Trump and Russia.

Perry stood firm more than once to that particular line of questioning, saying he would not convict anyone without evidence.

Addressing the discord among his constituents, Perry said he would do his "part and be civil."

"I'm not going to agree with everything but I 'll be respectful to you," he said.

The crowd also rose to its feet when Perry was posed a question on the proposed funding cut to Planned Parenthood, a provision in Trump's proposed federal budget.

Dressed in khakis and a blue button-down shirt, Perry seemed unfazed by the contentious tenor coming from his constituents, remaining calm on the stage as he mostly urged constituents not to jump to conclusions on issues and to study the issues carefully.

"Nobody is talking about taking away Medicaid," he said to charges that the GOP proposed bill would adversely affect those who rely on its benefits.

"There seems to be a lot of misinformation," Perry said.

On whether Trump should be forced to release his tax returns, Perry said: "It's the president's prerogative. I didn't care about the last president's tax form..." He urged the crowd to examine Trump's financial disclosure.

Challenged on his support of a recent GOP-backed measure that allows people with mental disabilities to buy guns, Perry said he was not in favor of having bureaucracies strip anyone's rights away.

Someone in the audience shouted: "I'd like to see you vote across party lines more often."

Perry responded: "I vote across party lines on a daily basis."

Deana Weaver, a member of Dillsburg Area Free Thinkers, who sat in the second row, shouted: "Oh baloney, you are owned by your party."

Afterwards, Weaver praised Perry for holding the event.

"He was very brave to come out and face people who disagree with him," she said. "He heard us but I'm not hopeful that any of our concerns are truly going to be addressed the way we would like to see them when he gets back to Washington, D.C."

Alissa Packer, a spokesperson for Indivisible PA 4, said she had had concerns that the town hall would be restrictive and that Perry would avoid questions from his constituents. She said she was pleased with his willingness to face all the questions head on.

Packer, though, said she was disappointed with some of his answers to questions.

"We were also disappointed by his lack of familiarity with a number of bills and numbers that were discuss but we appreciate the civil nature of the conversation and that he was respectful, although certainly the anger and frustration in the crowd was palpable."

For Anna Corbin, whose two children rely on Medicaid benefits enhanced by the Affordable Care Act, said she remained concerned that the GOP health bill would put at risk the elderly, the poor and people with disabilities.

Corbin said her family was drowning in medical debt before the so-called Obamacare provisions on Medicaid became law. She fears the new bill will strip those benefits.

"The new plan wants to block grant Medicaid to the states," she said. "If Medicaid is block granted, they are going to have to start cutting people off, so my children are at risk of losing their benefits."

Perry said he was pleased with the "passion" and interaction displayed at the event.

"This is representative government," he said. "This is what it's all about. Quite honestly this is standard fare as it should be."
Sometimes it seems like our lawmakers have more tricks up their sleeves than Houdini.

After the Legislature and Gov. Daugaard made Initiated Measure 22 disappear in front of our very eyes in the first days of the 2017 session, they pulled Senate Bill 176 out of their hats on Feb. 15  12 days after the deadline for new legislation to be filed.

The bill gives the governor broad powers to declare "public safety zones" with penalties that could land protesters  in this case those opposed to the Keystone XL Pipeline  in prison for as long as two years. It is headed for almost certain approval by the Legislature.

The bill's route to the Senate floor, however, is more controversial than the bill itself. SB 176 is one of 16 "vehicle bills" introduced in the 2017 session. The bills are essentially empty vessels when introduced with just the faintest hint of what is yet to come.

Ryan Maher, the Senate assistant majority leader, said vehicle bills "make the process work as smooth as possible." Opponents, like Sens. Stace Nelson and Lance Russell, call it a shortcut that creates a safety zone of sorts for lawmakers who can use them to limit discussion on controversial bills, which is certainly the case with SB 176.

When first introduced by the Senate State Committee on Feb. 3  the last day that bills could be introduced  it was a mere 32 words that referenced "the protection of the safety of the citizens of South Dakota." It was approved on a 9-0 vote by the same committee.

By Feb. 15, SB 176 had morphed into a 1,500-word bill with seven sections, giving the governor the authority to declare public safety zones and making it a felony for anyone who trespasses in these zones more than twice in two years. The bill also limits to 20 the number of people who can gather near these zones in certain circumstances. It was approved by the same committee on a 6-3 vote. The Senate passed the bill the next day, 21-14.

The bill was born out of the governor's desire to prevent what occurred in North Dakota when thousands of protesters sought to stop the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline project, a spectacle that attracted national attention and cost that state more than $30 million in law enforcement and cleanup costs. It is prudent for Daugaard to be looking ahead and doing what he can to avert a similar event.

But using the back door to introduce the bill in the second half of a 36-day legislative session has raised the ire of even Republican lawmakers. In fact, a dozen of them  including Sen. Phil Jensen and Reps. Blaine Campbell, Julie Frye-Mueller and Tim Goodwin of Rapid City  sent a letter to Attorney General Marty Jackley complaining that after vehicle bills "are passed out of either chamber they are filled with intended content, effectively bypassing the public committee process on the intended content, which deprives the public of their right to an open government provided for in our S.D. Constitution."

Jackley, a candidate for governor in 2018, replied by ruling that vehicle bills are constitutional but the Legislature has the authority to eliminate them.

At the same time SB 176 was taking its subterranean route to the Senate floor, SB 130  which addresses vendor fees for businesses that sell hunting and fishing licenses  took a more traditional path. After it was amended three times in committee hearings, a compromise was reached that, according to Rep. Larry Rhoden, was "a good demonstration of good process."

It's difficult to understand why a vehicle bill was used for a measure that likely would have passed anyway. Maybe the governor's office wanted to limit the amount of time SB 176 would be subjected to public and legislative scrutiny, which, if true, casts a shadow over the entire process.

No matter how well-intended legislation is the use of vehicle bills undermines their ultimate purpose and shakes our confidence in the legislative process. It is time for the Legislature to make them vanish.

This editorial appeared in the March 5 edition of the Rapid City (South Dakota) Journal, another Lee Enterprises publication.
Law enforcement work beside Silver Lake near an SUV that was found in the water with a baby inside in Highland, Ill., on Thursday, March 16, 2017. The infant is being treated at a St. Louis hospital after the car the child was in rolled into the lake. (Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
If you love picking through old junk in search of new treasures, you'll find some of the country's best antique malls and shops within an hour's drive from Philadelphia.

The city's Mid-Century Furniture Warehouse (1701 N. Second St., 267-934-4218, www.midcenturyfurniturewarehouse.com) and seasonal, traveling markets  like the Franklin Flea, Clover Market, and the Philly Flea  are excellent places to score amazing old and repurposed furniture, clothes, housewares, art, tools, collectibles, toys, records, ephemera, and random oddities you never knew you always wanted.

But the prices  especially for the increasingly popular mid-century-modern (MCM) pieces everyone is going gaga for these days  are often significantly friendlier when you hop in the car and escape the city. Plus, road trips are the best.

You can spend days picking dusty gems in nearby places like Adamstown and New Hope (and Lamberville, its New Jersey neighbor across the Delaware River). With so many options, it's hard to know where to start. So here are a few antique malls a short hike outside of Philly that you should check out.

First, a warning: You may want to rent a van because there's nothing more humiliating than lugging that perfect Lane coffee table out to the parking lot and discovering it doesn't fit in your compact car.

About 30 miles past West Philly, you'll hit the Pennsbury-Chadds Ford Antique Mall (640 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, 610-388-1620, pcfantiquemall.com), a huge two-floor compound that has been around since 1975 and contains more than 100 vendors. A strong selection of Oriental rugs, vintage signs, MCM furniture, and original art you won't see on anyone else's walls.

The last two times I visited the Quaker Antique Mall (70 Tollgate Rd., Quakertown, 215-538-9445, quakertownantiques.com), there were free cookies and snacks on the counter. More important, there are tons of peculiar toys, fascinating kitchenware, and some reasonably priced furniture hiding out in the huge backroom.

Antiques abound in Lancaster County, and the Cackleberry Farm Antique Mall (3371 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise, 717-442-8805, cackleberryfarmantiquemall.com) is the place to be. With more than 120 dealers (plus a general store and a small dining area), look out for primitives, pottery, signage, trains, strange tools, bizarre art, beautiful small furniture pieces, and a million more mysteries.

With more than 150 vendors, be prepared to spend a couple of hours at the sprawling Weil Antique Center (2200 31st St., Allentown, 610-791-7910, weilantiquecenter.com). There are a ton of clocks and affordable MCM lamps and rare kitchenware. On a recent trip, I bought an $8 brass lamp that only needed some Brasso and a new shade to pop, and an immaculate slab of reclaimed wood for $5 that can be easily flipped into a table.

There are plenty of traditional antique stores in New Hope, and the Creeper Gallery (7 W. Bridge St., New Hope, thecreepergallery.com) is not one of them. If you scare easily, stay far, far away. This small shop specializes in gothic art and haunting antiques  macabre taxidermy, life-size witches, dolls with vampire rabbit heads, and other spooky items you might see on an episode of American Horror Story.

Hop the river from New Hope to Lambertville, and hit the People's Store Antiques Center (28 N. Union St., Lambertville, 609-397-9808, peoplesstore.net). Back in 1838, it was a home-goods store, and for the last 60 years, it has been a shared antiques destination and artist studio space. Four floors are packed with curious finds, including original art and unique primitive, repurposed, and industrial pieces. (Back in Pa., the same folks run the New Hope Antiques Center.)

You can easily spend a week cruising the main drag of Adamstown, one of the country's most cherished antiquing towns. Among the countless shops is the 15,000-square-foot Mad Hatter Antique Mall (61 Willow St., Adamstown, madhatterantiquemall.com), containing an awesome collection of odd scientifica, vintage clothes, Pyrex pieces, branding signs, and '70s sci-fi furniture and lighting that'll make you feel like you're in an especially psychedelic episode of The Jetsons.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, over the eight months I spent in 2016 opposing you for Iowas available U.S. Senate seat, the refrain I heard most from your detractors, as well as supporters, was He should do his job as Senate Judicial Committee chairman and vet Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland. More than any other issue, your tow-the-party-line intransigence enraged Iowans of all political stripes.

Now, were back: Hawkeye State voters are, again, livid about your complacency in the face of the fascism now taking over the U.S. government by Trumpian forces. Attorney General Jeff Sessions claimed he had no contacts with the Russians after you swore him into confirmation hearings and you implicitly sanctioned his statements made under oath.

Now that its clear that he lied, why arent you holding him accountable? Why arent you calling to investigate not only his, but the Trump White Houses increasingly documented ties to Vladimir Putin? Where are you? Sessions has pretended to recuse himself regarding President Donald Trumps Russian ties, but its not enough. Why arent you demanding that he resign, having proven himself dishonest and untrustworthy?

Early in your 40-plus years on Capitol Hill, you made history exposing government waste. Now, not only Iowans, but all Americans desperately need you to honor your own oath as a member of Congress to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. For this, you must find the courage to do what you abhor, to depart from the GOPs present selective blindness and its unwillingness to call out officials on treasonous behavior.

Come on, senator. Break ranks with your party. If you don't, it will forever brand you as having colluded with Americas fascist takeover.

Michael Luick-Thrams, Mason City
Donald Trump has been president almost two months and nothing has happened except unnecessary and disruptive executive orders, total confusion, countless lies, and no legislation other than a regressive, oppressive and disgusting health care bill. It increases the number of Americans uninsured, the costs are much more than ACA for the next 10 years, and thank goodness it doesn't stand a chance of passing.

Trump has no idea what is in it and Republicans don't even like it. Is this what the GOP promised for seven years? The only benefactors are the 2 percent richest Americans who will save up to $165,000 in taxes. All we had to do was work together to improve ACA. But no, it's all about politics to Repubs. Stop screwing around. The new bill is Paul Ryan's baby, and it is illegitimate. His sucking up to Trump after he denounced him during the campaign. Ryan is a little beady-eyed sleazy weasel.

Then there is the Russian connection. It is known fact that Russia hacked into our election process. It is fact that Trump campaign staff met with Russian officials and lied about it. Trump has never said a thing negative about President Putin. There can be only one reason. He has never released his tax returns. There can be only one reason and it is NOT because of audits. That is not true.

Russia became a democracy after the drunken Boris Yeltsin resigned and Putin was eventually elected President. There were no billionaires in Russia, now there are 111 and Putin is the richest, estimated at around $200 billion. How does that happen in a country that has severe economic problems and practically no middle class? We may be looking at how right now in America. Thanks, Trump Chumps for allowing the fox and his family and friends in the chicken house!

Steven Epperly, Mason City
Wayne State University Police Officer Colin Rose was shot Nov. 22 and died a day later. (Photo: Wayne State University PD)

Detroit Police confirmed Friday that DNA evidence ties a suspect in the shooting of two Detroit police officers earlier this week to the death of Wayne State police officer Collin Rose.

Raymond Durham, 60, has been charged in connection with the shooting of the two male officers Wednesday. Police and prosecutors say that at about 8:30 p.m., the officers stopped to do a pedestrian investigation of Durham on Ash Street near Tillman. While he was detained, police say Durham fought the officers and pulled a gun from his front waistband, firing at the officers and leading to a shootout.

One of the officers, a 20-year veteran, suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while the other, a 4-year officer, was shot in the leg, police say.

Police found Durham a little more than two hours later at Vinewood and Michigan Avenue with multiple gunshot wounds. He was hospitalized and remains under treatment in police custody, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy's office told the Detroit Free Press, adding that he'd be remanded to jail once he's released from the hospital.

Raymon Durham is charged with shooting two Detroit officers earlier this week. Police says DNA links him to Officer Colin Rose, who was killed in November. (Photo: Detroit PD)



Wayne State officer Rose was killed on Nov. 22 just west of the university. He was shot in the head about 6:35 p.m. after stopping a man on a bike. Police said Rose had called for backup just before he was shot by a man who fled on foot. The 29-year-old officer died a day later.
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Youre be forgiven if this makes you as dizzy as a Tilt-A-Whirl: First Fox News spews, then its retweeted by the Oval Office, which is reported on by Fox, subsequently cited by Emperor Trump in interviews with Fox, before being debunked by one Foxite, validated by another, ending with the station proffering a brand new conspiracy, leading to red faces, retractions, and apologies all around. As our own Jason Easley writes this morning:

White House Apologizes To UK For

Using Fake Fox News Report That

They Helped Obama Spy On Trump

Napolitano said, Three intelligence sources have informed Fox News that President Obama went outside the chain of command. He didnt use the NSA, he didnt use the CIA, he didnt use the FBI and he didnt use the Department of Justice. He used GCHQ. What is that? Its the initials for the British intelligence-finding agency. So, simply by having two people saying to them president needs transcripts of conversations involving candidate Trumps conversations, involving president-elect Trump, hes able to get it and theres no American fingerprints on this. Putting the published accounts and common-sense together, this leads to a lot.



The British government had already debunked this claim, but Sean Spicer still trusted Fox News over the government of an ally.

More circular impressions:

White House Press Flack Sean Spicer quotes both Sean Hannity, who believes NBC is involved in corporate jihad against The Orange One and Tucker Carlson, who likewise believes NBC has it in for Agent Orange, rather than examining their own bias. But mostly Fox News has been pushing the idea that The Deep State is out to destroy the current administration.

As if it needed help. Its falling apart on its own.

STOP THE PRESSES: What I really want to talk about is That Time Sean Hannity Reportedly Pulled A Gun On Juan Williams It seems that Witnesses Just Revealed Hannity Pulled A Gun On Juan Williams On FOX News Set, but Sean Hannity denies pointing gun at Juan Williams on Fox News set.

Yet, a gun was pulled. No one denies that.

TUCK & ROLL: In another desperate attempt to distract, Foxs Tucker Carlson Asks: Who Tried Harder to Swing the Election, Russia  or NBC?

Left out of that equation is the Fox News Channel, which did far more than WikiLeaks. FFF reports, you decide.

This week Tucker Carlson Tonight became the 4th show to be granted an audience with Emperor Trump (following Hannity, OReilly, and those 3 Foxy Friends who tag-teamed him). Carlson was as slavishly sycophantic as youve come to expect, with nary a follow-up question despite that Trump Was Just Asked What He Reads and Pulled a Sarah Palin, or that Trump leaked classified CIA intel to Tucker Carlson on live TV: ranking House intel member, or you can even Watch Trump Seemingly Admit That He Knows His Health Care Bill Screws His Voters. Some people say The President Looked Like a Third-Grader: CNN Political Director Hammers Trumps Tucker Interview. Meanwhile, Ill just leave this here:

Tucker Carlson Defends Rep. Steve Kings

Racist Tweet: Everything You Said I

Think Is Defensible And Probably Right

HAIR FORCE ONE: Who will be next to interview the Twitter-Liar-in-Chief?

Foxs Jesse Watters to interview Trump on Air Force One

Oh, I sure hope he does that stupid, Im Watters and this is my world thing while hes being thrown out of the airplane at altitude.

A RISING TIDE: In Fox & Friends gets Trump ratings bump: Fox News Channel show has best month ever in February we learn:

The designation as the presidents favorite cable news program is not a badge of honor in journalism circles. As a freewheeling talk show for the conservative Fox News audience, Fox & Friends has long been maligned by liberal media watchdogs and lampooned on Saturday Night Live.



But supporters of Trumps brand of populism are making Fox & Friends their morning destination. The show had its best month ever in February, averaging 1.7 million viewers, according to Nielsen, a 46 percent gain over the same month a year ago.



The program is riding a trend in which viewers are moving toward political talk in the morning as the frenetic activity of the Trump administration dominates the national conversation.



MSNBCs Morning Joe was up 34 percent in February compared with a year earlier, averaging 847,000 viewers. CNNs New Day was also up 46 percent to 639,000 viewers. Both programs have a heavy Washington focus, but a far more skeptical view of Trump.

The amusing article Attempting to watch as much Fox & Friends as the president is made funnier because no one could be bothered to find a pic of the Foxy Friends that was not more than a year old.

Fifteen hours into this experiment, we realize that the trouble with what does it feel like to watch eleventy billion hours of Fox & Friends  is that is [sic] presumes we all feel the same things, or start from the same place, or have much common ground at all.



If you are already a connoisseur of the show, then bingeing it will feel both reassuring and entirely unremarkable: a place where Trump is finally getting a fair shake, and people are finally able to call the mainstream media out on their piles of B.S. by saying things that need to be said. If youre not, it will feel like a parallel universe where up is down, and down is backward, and two plus two equals purple.



[] If, on the other hand, you are trying to watch Fox & Friends merely as an anthropological exercise, then what youll think of it is that they are masters of tone and delivery. The show is an object lesson on how you can say the darnedest things, so long as you do them in a sunny-side-up way.

Its almost as if I had written that, cept I watch 15 hours of F&F, 5 hours of Fox & Friends First, and 8 hours of Fox & Friends Weekend per week. Im sure that explains why I swear so much.

NEWS YOU CAN USE: Three weeks ago this reporter err reported that Fox News was under investigation because:

Its being alleged that secret payments were made to keep other sexual harassment complaints hush-hush. If so, shareholders may have also been hoodwinked.

What Fox viewers are not being told:

Fox News Reporting On Fired US Attorney

Ignores His Investigation Of Fox News

What else is Fox not reporting?

Report: Breitbart Editor-Turned-Trump

Official Is A Sworn Member

Of Nazi-Allied Hungarian Group

Sebastian Gorka is a former-Fox commentator.

MORE GUN VIOLENCE AT FOX:

Fox Host Says Snoop Dogg And Bow

Wow Should Be Killed By Secret Service

CREDIT WHERE CREDITS DUE:

Foxs Rosen to Pence: Shouldnt Trump Have

a Firmer Basis for His Wiretapping Claims?

Fox News analyst rips Trump over 

Twilight Zone belief in wiretap conspiracy

WISHIN & A-HOPIN: It must be wish fulfillment on viewers part, but Snopes had to debunk the fake news that Shepard Smith was kicked to the curb because of headlines like:

Fox News Anchor Shepard Smith Has

Simply Had It With Kellyanne Conway

Thats Wrong: Shep Smith Says

National Weather Service Lied

to Us Over Blizzard Prediction

PASSAGES: In a new attempt to normalize Trumps version of populism:

Former David Cameron top adviser

Steve Hilton to host Fox News show

Since leaving Camerons team in 2012, Hilton backed Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton for the US presidency, writing for Fox in November: You dont have to agree with everything Donald Trump says or does to conclude that he would make the most positive, practical difference in the real lives of real people. He backed Brexit but has since criticised the government for dark policies that pull up the drawbridge to the rest of the world.

FORMER FOXERS:

Megyn Kellys Messy Exit From Fox News

Monica Crowley Lost White

House Job, Now Shes Got

One With Pro-Russian Oligarch

Im sure thats just a coincidence.

FOX BYTES: A Trump-Russia FOX News Poll Just BACKFIRED Hilariously  The Fives Eric Bolling: You Could Use Mexicans To Build The Wall  Watch The TV Ad John Oliver Ran On Fox & Friends Today Re #Trumpcare  These People in Black Robes Are Tyrants: Michelle Malkin Rails Against Federal Judges  Fox News Host On Trumps Budget Gutting Public Broadcasting: More Killing, Less Kermit  Foxs Geraldo Reacts to Comparisons Between Al Capone Vault Bust, Maddow Tax Report

Headly Westerfield is Head Writer at the Not Now Silly Newsroom and the genial host of Fox Follies and Fallacies.
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It is unclear to many Americans how deeply devoted and indebted to Russia the current occupant of the White House is, but there is definitely a potential conflagration based on the amount of smoke surrounding the Ruskie-Trump partnership.

What is crystal clear to Arizona Senator John McCain is that he is finished showing any tolerance for Republicans intent on doing the bidding of Russian president Vladimir Putin and he unleashed a serious charge against libertarian Kentucky Senator, Ayn Rand Paul on the floor of the U.S. Senate and stated emphatically that he is now working for Vladimir Putin.

Of course Mr. McCain didnt unleash a completely valid accusation without good reason, and it isnt because the Vietnam war veteran, combat pilot, and prisoner of war did battle with Russian MIGs during the horrible conflict alleged to stop the spread of communism. What earned Senator McCains outrage was the Kentucky libertarian Rand Pauls objection, without any rationale whatsoever, to the tiny nation of Montenegros ascension into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); a goal it has sought for ten years. What seemed to infuriate Senator McCain even more was after saying I object, Rand Paul turned and walked out.

Montenegro is facing a very real Russian threat of dismemberment by the Kremlin and that apparently is acceptable to Rand Paul. It is also acceptable to the corrupt fascist sitting in the White House and there is no telling how long Mr. McCain struggled to maintain his silence. McCain was working with two Democrats and introduced a bill allowing the beleaguered Balkan nation entrance into NATO, specifically to protect it from exactly what Putin accomplished in America. In a statement from McCains spokeswoman:

Senator McCain believes that the person who benefits the most from Congresss failure to ratify Montenegros ascension to NATO is Vladimir Putin, whose government has sought to destroy the NATO alliance, erode confidence in Americas commitments to its allies, overthrow the duly-elected government of Montenegro, and undermine democratic institutions throughout Europe. Senator McCain, and certainly the people of Montenegro, would appreciate an explanation from Senator Paul as to why he sought to prevent this small, brave country from joining in the defense of the free world.

Mr. McCains belief is not unfounded. Quite the contrary it is likely spot on. At least based on Trumps statements throughout the presidential campaign about America not supporting its NATO allies under his administration. No small number of pundits assessed Trumps campaign comments as a nod to the his hero Vladimir Putin that if he won the White House, he would have no qualms allowing the Kremlin to undermine democracies throughout Europe exactly like he did in America. McCain said of Rand Paul:

You are achieving the objectives of Vladimir Putintrying to dismember this small country which has already been the subject an attempted coup. If they object, they are now carrying out the desires and ambitions of Vladimir Putin and I do not say that lightly.

Shortly thereafter, Senator Paul strolled up to the microphone and said, I object, turned on his heels, and marched out. Clearly stunned, and visibly enraged, Senator McCain had no reservations expressing his valid indignation towards Paul. He said:

That is really remarkable. That a senator blocking a treaty that is supported by the overwhelming number, perhaps 98 at least, of his colleagues, would come to the floor and object and walk away. And walk away. The only conclusion you can draw when he walks away is he has no argument to be made. He has no justification for his objection to having a small nation be part of NATO that is under assault from the Russians. So I repeat again: The senator from Kentucky is now working for Vladimir Putin.

Apparently, some observers thought McCain had violated a ridiculous rule, Senate Rule 19. It is a rule open to interpretation and one Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell used to silence Senator Elizabeth Warren for attempting to read a letter from the Reverend Martin Luther Kings widow regarding the dirty lying racist and religious extremist now serving as attorney general. The rule states:

No senator in debate shall, directly or indirectly, by any form of words impute to another Senator or to other Senators any conduct or motive unworthy or unbecoming a Senator.

Although it isnt entirely clear if Rand Paul is actually working for Vladimir Putin, it is obvious that his objecting to Montenegros entrance into NATO is, in fact, working to further Putins goal of dismembering not only Montenegros democracy, but the NATO alliance as well. It is possible that in Republican circles, stating the obvious about another senator is unworthy and unbecoming a senator. Truth may be a violation of Senate rules, but when five cabinet-level nominees commit perjury under oath in the Senate, is an honorable achievement according to Republicans.

Regardless of what anyone thinks about John McCain, he is intricately aware of the Russian Putins goal in breaking NATO and undermining NATO member nations democracies. It is what he accomplished in the United States and although there is nothing John McCains political party is going to do about it, the Arizona Senator is intent on helping other democracies avoid falling victim, like America, to Trumps love and financial interest Vladimir Putin.
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Donald Trump took to Twitter Saturday morning to respond to fact-filled articles about his embarrassing meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel by deriding them as fake news.

In response to those tweets, California Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff nailed Trump for treating NATO like a protection racket:

Glad you think it was great, @POTUS. Would have been greater if you didn't treat NATO like protection racket, or allies like deadbeats. pic.twitter.com/Bbn5buiR0G  Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) March 18, 2017

Trumps tweets were a reiteration of his position as stated Friday during Merkels visit when he complained that many nations owe vast sums of money from past years and it is very unfair to the United States.

Germany is supposed to spend 2 percent of its GDP on its own defense and is currently spending 1.2 percent, down from 2.5 percent before the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Obviously, the United States, with the highest level of defense spending in the world, spends much more than that, 4.5 percent in 2015 and estimated to be about 3.8 percent in 2020.

The World Bank shows the worlds average to be about 2.3 percent.

Germanys foreign minister has said that 2 percent is unrealistic, and cited worries by its European neighbors of his countrys militaristic past.

This would be a defense supremacy, a military supremacy in Europe. I think our neighbors wouldnt like to see this in 10 to 15 years.

Then there is the fact that Vladimir Putin, who is a bully like Trump, wont challenge a strong, unified NATO, an alliance Trump seems willing to pull apart because thats what his mentor Vladimir Putin wants.

Last night, Schiff pointed out that Trump has very little in common with Angela Merkel, who has courage to confront Russia & champion human rights, something Trump has failed to do, being too busy complimenting Vladimir Putin on his strength as a leader.

Of course, Trump thinks human rights abuses make the man, as he has shown with multiple attempts at a Muslim ban and a promise to bring back torture, not to mention killing civilians in a pointless raid and bombing a Mosque or two.

Trump has demonstrated precisely how not to be a world leader; in fact, he has shown that he is not a world leader through his childish behavior, first accusing Britain of spying on him and then refusing to shake Angela Merkels hand.

Adam Schiff was right to stomp on Trumps deadbeat German obsession. After all, if anyone has no right to complain about people not paying their bills, its our own deadbeat president, Donald Trump.
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It is typical of a Republican who never served in the military, and in fact sought myriad ways to avoid serving, to lust to send other Americans into harms way; even when there is no threat to America. Trump is that kind of Republican, and it should have been apparent to anyone with a pulse that when he said about two weeks ago that he wanted America to start winning wars, he intended to start conflicts; no matter how many Muslim civilians he has to kill to achieve his goals.

Less than a week ago the New York Times reported that Trump was working to loosen counterterrorism rules by abolishing President Obamas restrictions specifically meant to avoid civilian casualties. It looks as if the shackles have come off according to multiple reports from multiple credible sources that an American air attack struck a Syrian Mosque during evening prayers. The American air strike was part of Trumps new approach to counterterrorism with little to no rules.

It is worth remembering that Trump promised during the presidential campaign that he would take out the families of suspected terrorists; innocent families mind you, of suspected terrorists. A more accurate, and honest, pledge would have been that he would take out innocent civilians because they are Muslims, and that he will take them out while they are practicing their Muslim religion in their Muslim houses of worship in their Muslim countries. On Friday he followed through and directed the air force to bomb a building in a tiny village across a small street from a Mosque in Syria to kill terrorists during the evening prayers. At least 56 and possibly as many as 70 innocent civilian worshippers perished as they prayed because they are Muslims.

A reporter for Al Jazeera, Natasha Ghoneim, said Centcom admitted it carried out an air strike in Idlib, but that the precise location of the attack was still in question, so the mosque couldnt possibly have been hit. But Centcom also said the target was just across the street in the tiny village and about 50 feet from the mosque. And since witnesses reported seven missile strikes, it is hard to understand how the military can claim the mosque wasnt hit. Maybe it wasnt really deliberately targeted, but that is something no-one will ever know. However, Trump did promise to take out suspected terrorists families so it is not out of the realm of possibility that with him in the White House, little care was taken during the targeting.

The United States Central Command released a typically vague statement about their intent to investigate allegations of civilian casualties. As one observer noted, no matter the American militarys denials that the Mosque wasnt deliberately targeted, the proof that Mosque was hit is undeniable and rescue workers pulling bodies and body parts out of the rubble tell a contrary story to the mosque wasnt hit.

This is at least the second Trump administration attack that has claimed innocent civilians and although bombs are prone to collateral damage, there seems to be very little attempt to spare innocent civilians because they are Muslims. The Trumps effort to loosen counterterrorism rules put in place by President Obama appear to have met with success.

If Muslims needed any more reason to hate America, Trump just gave them yet another one and it is by design. Remember, the one thing Trump and his puppet master Steve Bannon want more than anything on Earth is a terror attack on Americans to launch wars against Muslims. Remember too, that there is a good reason Trump promised that when he is in the White House America will start winning wars again. Coupled with his proposal to slash funding for diplomacy, and attacks that kill innocent Muslim civilians, Trump is intent on creating reasons to start wars.
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When Donald Trump met Angela Merkel at the White House, there was an awkward exchange noted by everyone, and that was Trumps refusal to shake the German chancellors hand, a snub for all the world to see:

Photographers: Can we get a handshake?

Merkel (to Trump): Do you want to have a handshake?

Trump: *no response*

Merkel: *makes awkward face* pic.twitter.com/ehgpCnWPg7  David Mack (@davidmackau) March 17, 2017

The exchange, according to BuzzFeeds David Mack, went like this:

Photographers: Can we get a handshake?

Merkel (to Trump): Do you want to have a handshake?

Trump: *no response*

Merkel: *makes awkward face*

The Guardian interpreted Trumps expression, as a half-smile, half-grimace. Anyone who does not see the petulant child either has no children or no experience of them.

Salons Amanda Marcotte observed,

Standing near Merkel must be Clinton-level uncomfortable for Trump. All that time around a smart, capable woman, when he has neither virtue.

After all, as former Jimmy Kimmel writer Rick Rosner quipped, Angela Merkel has a PhD in quantum chemistry. Donald Trump misspelled tap.'

For her part, Merkel was likely amused. Shes dealt with would-be tough guys all her political life and Trump is no tough guy. He just plays one in the reality show called The Trump Administration.

Author and world-class Trump critic J.K. Rowling led the charge, tweeting,

'Mommy was mean to me and I don't wanna hold her hand no more.' pic.twitter.com/UksDzt0MOX  J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) March 18, 2017

More critically, Merkel has stood up to his buddy, the guy who helped make him president, Vladimir Putin.

George Takei identified a trend in Trumps behavior: Yesterday Sean Spicer accused UK of spying on Trump. Today Trump refused to shake Angela Merkels hand. This is how they treat our friends.

And that is certainly a worrisome trend. Evan McMullin pointed to an important consideration, something Trump might actually want to think about if he ever bothers thinking:

Not a good look when the president won't shake the hand of the leader of a critical defense ally and our largest European trading partner. https://t.co/PBwl821OxY  Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) March 17, 2017

Pointing to an analysis of a body language expert, Joy Reid laid down the final verdict on this historic meeting, one I suspect future historians will affirm:

"There is no question who the leader of the free world is there, and it's not Donald Trump." https://t.co/Ws7DHtG6rZ  Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) March 18, 2017

Yes, our president is a petulant child. Never forget  you can be sure Trump hasnt  that Angela Merkel publicly repudiated Donald Trumps executive order, saying,

The necessary and decisive fight against terrorism does not justify a general suspicion against people of a certain belief.

Trumps EOs are exactly that, directed, as every judge who has ruled against it has noted, directed at the Muslim community.

Oliver Willis gives us a look at happier times, at what Germany and Americas relationship is supposed to be:

BREAKING: Exclusive look at Angela Merkel's mind while Trump was being a jackass pic.twitter.com/2v1E2mqOfu  Oliver Willis (@owillis) March 17, 2017

Trumps refusal to shake Merkels hand was a snub, a message to her about who he thinks is in charge (its not him) and to his followers (who like him hate strong women) and to Vladimir Putin, showing the Russian strongman where his true loyalties lay.

Donald Trump, still at 0 days without being a national embarrassment.
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A massive protest is being planned against Donald Trump as at least 340,000 will walk off the job and strike around the country on May 1.

Buzzfeed News reported, Almost 350,000 service workers plan to strike on May 1, a traditional day for labor activism across the world, in the most direct attempt yet by organized labor to capture the energy from a resurgent wave of activism across the country since the election of Donald Trump.

300,000 fast food workers and 40,000 unionized service workers plan to strike. The workers correctly believe that they are in the crosshairs of the Trump administration. The Trump immigration actions, healthcare bill, and budget would all hurt workers who are often classified as the working people. These are the people who work 2 or 3 low wage service industry jobs and struggle to keep food on the table, rent paid, and the lights on.

The Trump administration represents the biggest threat to workers since the presidency of Ronald Reagan. Trump has a stated goal of busting unions and lowering wages. The President is fond of promising good jobs for people, but he never defines what he considers to be a good job. There is a very good reason why Trump never talks about wages and pay.

Trump intends to take away labor law protections from workers and reduce wages.

As a candidate, Trump argued that wages must be kept low, Whether its taxes or wages, if theyre too high were not going to be able to compete with other countries.

Trump wants only two classes to exist in America, the rich, and everyone else.

Workers need to take to the streets often to fight back against this administration. 340,000 is a good start, but millions more will need to join the fight to stop Trump.
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Donald Trump was schooled by a former NATO ambassador after he humiliated himself by showing that he doesnt know how NATO works.

Trump tweeted:

Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS, I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Nevertheless, Germany owes..  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2017

vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2017

Former NATO Ambassador Ivo Daalder took to Twitter to explain to Trump how NATO works:

1/ Sorry, Mr. President, thats not how NATO works. The US decides for itself how much it contributes to defending NATO. pic.twitter.com/8svkzRBEQb  Ivo Daalder (@IvoHDaalder) March 18, 2017

2/ This is not a financial transaction, where NATO countries pay the US to defend them. It is part of our treaty commitment.  Ivo Daalder (@IvoHDaalder) March 18, 2017

3/ All NATO countries, including Germany, have committed to spend 2% of GDP on defense by 2024. So far 5 of 28 NATO countries do.  Ivo Daalder (@IvoHDaalder) March 18, 2017

4/ Those who currently dont spend 2% of their GDP on defense are now increasing their defense budgets. Thats a good thing.  Ivo Daalder (@IvoHDaalder) March 18, 2017

5/ But no funds will be paid to the US. They are meant to increase NATOs overall defense capabilities, given the growing Russian threat.  Ivo Daalder (@IvoHDaalder) March 18, 2017

6/ Europe must spend more on defense, but not as favor (or payment) to the US. But because their security requires it.  Ivo Daalder (@IvoHDaalder) March 18, 2017

Daalder was the US Ambassador to NATO from 2009-2013, so he knows what he is talking about.

No wonder the meeting with Angela Merkel was such an awkward disaster. Trump is making demands for something that he knows nothing about. The President appears to be under the delusion that the US runs NATO, that NATO is sort of US Mar-a-Lago, and it is up to Trump to collect the dues for this private club.

The fact that Trump is trying to weaken NATO only strengthens the suspicions that he is Putins stooge. The US government is being led by a man who knows nothing about how government works. Every single moment that Donald Trump steps onto the world stage is more humiliation for the United States of America.

Trumps ignorance is an embarrassment because when the President Of United States humiliates himself, he also humiliates the entire country.
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On MSNBCs AM Joy, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) explained why Republicans are going to have no choice but to impeach President Trump after evidence of his presidential campaigns collusion with Russia surfaces.

Video:

Rep. Waters told Joy Reid, I think its all there, and I think we should dig deeper. Yes, I think that my constituents and others should care about this, but is what I think is so important. I dont think that when the truth comes out that even the right-wing conservatives who are defending Trump at this point are going to be able to stand with him. They claim to be patriots, and they claim that theyre more patriotic than a lot of other people. Were going to see who the real patriots are when we unveil this collusion that I believe is there, and I think in the final analysis they are going to have to move away from him, and we will see that he will be in a position where he will meet the standards for high crimes and misdemeanors, and I maintain thats where impeachment comes in.

Waters also expressed more confidence in the Senate Intelligence Committee than the House Intelligence Committee to conduct a credible investigation.

The problem for Trump and the Republicans is that the Russia scandal doesnt ever go away. No matter how Republicans and the White House try to change the subject, all roads lead back to Russia and what happened during the 2016 presidential election.

Ironically, due to Citizens United, Republicans have little incentive to stick by this president. In their view, Trumps only purpose is to sign passed legislation. If he becomes a political liability that will cost them their own seats, there should be no doubt in anyones mind that Republicans would throw Trump overboard to save their party. Republican members of Congress are their own fundraising machines. They dont need Trump, Pence, or the Republican Party.

If Trump is impeached, Pence wont be far behind. The Russia scandal has reached into this entire administration. If Trump goes down, Pence has no political future. He will be keeping the seat warm for the 2020 Democratic nominee.

Rep. Waters is saying many in Congress on both sides of the aisle believe. Donald Trumps Russia problem will bring down his administration. The only question is, how long will he be able to hang on?
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The New York Times has done everyone a favor and demonstrated that when Judge Andrew Napolitano said on Fox News that Britain had spied on Donald Trump at the behest of President Barack Obama, he got his information from the Russians.

The go-between was what Media Matters for America calls a discredited former CIA analyst:

This analyst, Larry C. Johnson, floated the conspiracy theory on the Russian state-sponsored news network RT on March 6, the week after Trumps original accusation that Obama was responsible for an illegal wiretap.

As we all saw, this is what happened next:

On March 13, Napolitano told hosts of Fox News Fox & Friends that Obama circumvented the American intelligence community to ask the British spying agency for transcripts of conversations involving candidate Trump without American fingerprints. Napolitanos claims were cited by White House press secretary Sean Spicer while defending Trumps baseless claims that Obama wiretapped Trump Tower during the 2016 presidential election.

Media Matters goes on to explain that On March 14, Media Matters uncovered the link between Napolitanos claims and an interview Johnson gave to RT and this report was confirmed by The New York Times on Friday, March 17.

Spicer ended up apologizing to Britain for his false accusation, all based on information the Russians wanted Fox News to have, knowing it would go straight to the Oval Office and come out of Sean Spicers mouth.

The whole fiasco could have been avoided if the Trump administration did not use Fox News rather than U.S. intelligence agencies as its sole source of intelligence.

According to Trump at a joint press conference Friday with Angela Merkel,

And just to finish your question, we said nothing. All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television. I didnt make an opinion on it. That was a statement made by a very talented lawyer on Fox. So you shouldnt be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox.

Now, along with the usual blame-shifting (Fox said it, not me!) there is plenty of egg-on-face to go around, as CNNs Brian Stelter and CNBCs John Harwood demonstrate:

1st Napolitano said his sources "believe" Brits spied on Trump for Obama. The next day, he said his sources said it DID happen  no hedging https://t.co/BygitNx9WF  Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) March 18, 2017

Obviously, not a very talented legal mind at all, but a very useful tool for Vladimir Putin and Russia.

Donald Trump not only heard what he wanted to hear, but what Vladimir Putin wanted him to hear, with predictable, and embarrassing results, not only for the White House but for the United States of America.
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
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
NEW YORK, March 17, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Caterpillar, Inc. (Caterpillar or the Company) (NYSE:CAT) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, and docketed under 17-cv-01713, is on behalf of a class consisting of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Caterpillar securities, seeking to recover compensable damages caused by defendants violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.



If you are a shareholder who purchased Caterpillar securities between February 19, 2013 and March 1, 2017, both dates inclusive, you have until May 2, 2017 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll free, ext. 9980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and number of shares purchased.

[Click here to join this class action]

Caterpillar designs, manufactures, and markets construction, mining, and forestry machinery. The Company also manufactures engines and other related parts for its equipment, and offers financing and insurance. Caterpillar distributes its products through a worldwide organization of dealers.

The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Companys business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Caterpillar unlawfully used foreign subsidiaries to avoid paying billions of dollars in U.S. taxes; (ii) discovery of the foregoing conduct would subject the Company to heightened regulatory scrutiny and potential criminal sanctions; and (iii) as a result of the foregoing, Caterpillars public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On March 2, 2017, law enforcement officials executing search warrants raided the Companys facilities in Peoria, Illinois. Later that day, the Company issued a statement discussing the federal law enforcement raids to its facilities, stating: We believe the execution of this search warrant is regarding, among other things, export filings that relate to the CSARL matter, referring to its Swiss subsidiary Caterpillar SARL. Bloomberg News subsequently reported that the warrants sought evidence related to potential crimes, including failure to file or submitting false electronic export information and false and misleading financial reports and statements.

On this news, Caterpillars share price fell $4.22, or 4.28%, to close at $94.36 per share on March 2, 2017.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Florida, and Los Angeles, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com
As phone conversations go, it probably wasn't the most auspicious opening line.

When Methal Majorowicz answered the phone in her Rochester home late one evening, the voice on the other end was one she hadn't heard in decades.

In fact, the last time Majorowicz had spoken with Orn Hier, the man on the phone, was 63 years ago. She had been a 20ish country school teacher in McLaughlin, S.D., and he had been a young soldier about to be sent off to war. During a brief intersection of their lives, they had dated.

Now, decades later, on the phone, Majorowicz paused momentarily  perhaps a second too long for Hier's comfort, because Hier then blurted out, "Don't hang up!"

That night, for the next couple of hours, the couple reminisced about family and friends and their past lives. After that, talking on the phone became a regular feature of their lives. Soon, Heir, then living in an assisted living facility in Bismarck, N.D., was making the 500-mile trek to visit Majorowicz at her Rochester home. It would be the first of 23 such trips, to be precise.

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The courtship was on. They began to date. Orn was 86 at the time and Methal was 85.

'Orn who'

Valentine's Day passed by a month ago, but some stories never go out of season. Although Majorowicz will tell you she wasn't looking, it's clear the phone call had a catalytic effect. Because soon Majorowicz's own adult children were learning and talking about this "Orn who," who wanted to come and visit their mom.

"He was good guy," Majorowicz says about her memories of Orn. "Then we just kind of kept writing and talking and then he came (to Rochester) and we just dated for a while."

The first time Methal Majorowicz met Orn Hier was on a blind double date in 1944 in McLaughlin, 63 years before Orn's late-night call.

It was a Sunday. Hier was on furlough before he was to be sent overseas. A buddy of his swung by to pick him up. He also came with a plan. "Orn, you want to go on a blind date?"

Orn was introduced to his date, but it was the other woman, Methal, who Orn couldn't keep his eyes off of. And Majorowicz eyed him back. Orn wrote her a note asking her for a date. But his friend stuck so close to Methal that she never answered.

As they were saying good night to their dates, Orn, realizing that his opportunity was slipping away, blurted out: "Methal, how about a date tomorrow night?"

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Drawn apart

So the two dated every night after that  until world events interceded and Hier's 15-day furlough ended. World War II was raging across continents. Hier at the time was stationed in Fort Benning, Ga., a member of the 10th Armored Division. When his furlough ended, he was sent overseas to fight in Europe.

For a time, they continued to correspond. But then one day, just before Hier was sent home, he got letter from Majorowicz. She was engaged to be married. The day he returned home to McLaughlin was the day of Majorowicz's nuptials.

"I kind of expected that," Hier said. "She was a pretty popular girl in her time, so I figured I'm going to lose out anyway."

Life took them on their separate paths. Both went on to have happy marriages and to raise families. Hier was a farmer and had three children with his wife, Irene, in McLaughlin. Majorowicz moved to Rochester with her husband, Max, and raised five children.

'How do I find her?'

What got Orn thinking about Methal decades later? Orn, now a widower and living on his own, had been attending a funeral in Spearfish, S.D. At a gathering of friends and family after the ceremony, he heard someone mention Methal's name and the fact that her husband had passed away. As he made the six-hour trip from Spearfish, SD back to his Bismarck, ND, home, he got to thinking about her more and more.

"I'd really like to talk to her, but how do I find her and where is she," Orn said.

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When Orn got home, he scanned the Timber Lake, S.D., phone directory for any listing with the last name "Long." That was Methal's maiden name, and Timber Lake was the last place he recalled her living. Two calls later, Orn was in possession of Methal's married name and the fact that she was now living in Rochester. It was late at night when Orn called her.

"I thought I might as well finish it out, so I called Methal. And I said, 'Methal, this is Orn Hier. You remember me?'"

Chaperoned date

As the couple began to correspond and visit, word spread among Methal's children, two of whom live in Rochester, about this old friend returned to Methal's orbit.

Before he left for Rochester for his meeting with Methal, Orn sent a picture of himself so Methal would recognize him when he arrived. One daughter, Cheryl Cutshall, was on hand for that first meeting to serve as a kind of chaperone.

"Everyone was just fine with it," said Sandra Dailey, Methal's daughter. "I had talked to him on the phone several times even before I met him. He's a very gentle man. The true epitome of the word 'gentleman.'"

Orn courted Methal for several years. Although Orn tried to persuade her to "come my way" and live with him in Bismarck, he recognized that Methal was anchored by family and friends in Rochester. Three years ago, he moved in with Methal.

"In my day, they called it shacking up. Now we call it cohabitation," Orn said. "We're cohabiting."

Patience and kindness

The couple live in Rochester but stay with Methal's daughter, Sandra Dailey, in Mesquite, Nev., during the winter. On any given day, they are playing cards, going out and visiting places, taking afternoon naps, watching their favorite soap operas or simply living like husband and wife. "They hold hands every night, all night long," Dailey said.

"I feel fortunate, because we have so many things in common and we can give each other a bad time," Methal said.

One reason Methal and Orn's relationship works so well, Dailey says, is that both were in happy marriages prior to their being reunited with each other. They understand the give-and-take of companionship and its benefits.

"They learned through their other spouses the (importance) of patience and kindness, and I think that's the secret," Daily said.

Orn says he knows for a certainty that being with Methal has added years to his life. A self-described people person, Orn says he always had somebody around him dating back to his Army days. But after his wife died, there was a loneliness to life.

"I had put myself in independent living, a nice place in Bismarck, and I got acquainted and joined a lot of activities," Orn said. "But still, when you're in a place like that, when you close the door at night, you're still alone. And that's what bothered me, the loneliness."

Both 94, Orn and Methal draw strength from their companionship.

"I probably wouldn't be here right now," Orn said. "I think this has added length to both of our lives, because we can enjoy ourselves. We can get out and get around, and it kind of keeps you healthy."
As the sun streamed through the leaded windows of the Mayo Foundation House, 44 medical school graduates nervously waited Friday to find out where they will spend the next three to five years of their lives.

Through the old tradition of Match Day and under the gaze of a huge portrait of the Mayo brothers, the Mayo Medical School graduates opened envelopes and discovered where they would go for the final stage of their education -- their residency.

Following the climactic envelop opening ceremony, Breann Kluck, of Rochester, was "shaking with excitement." In the crowded, formal dining room, she was holding a piece of paper stating she's going to Cincinnati Children's Hospital for pediatrics residency.

Johnny Butts, her grinning husband, watched proudly as his wife hugged friends and family.

"We have friends in Cincinnati. It'll be an easy transition," said Butts, a Walgreens pharmacist in Rochester. "Now I know where I need to start looking for a job."

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Prior to the luncheon, Kluck said she had targeted Midwest pediatric medical centers as her top choices.

"While going through my rotation here, I found I was most energized by pediatric patients, even at the end of a long day," she said.

Kluck also told reporters she looked forward to the "relief" of finally finding out where she would be "matched."

Match Day is a longtime medical school process designed to best fit students with hospitals and programs. Toward the end of their education, students travel around and interview at various medical centers. The students then rank their top choices. The hospitals, in turn, rank their favorite students.

Both sets of choices then are fed into the National Resident Matching Program's computers and then crunched by an algorithm created by American mathematicians Lloyd Shapley and David Gale. The system then decided which of the more than 42,000 U.S. medical students would be placed in 30,000 postgraduate positions, plus where they will be placed.

By tradition, all of the medical graduates open their envelopes across the country at the exact same moment.

"Eight years of education comes down to one day," said Mitch Obey, of Chatfield. "There's nothing else like it in other professions."

Dr. Alexandra Wolanskyj, senior dean of student affairs for Mayo Clinic's School of Medicine, proudly told the crowd that all of the Mayo Clinic graduates were matched.

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She broke down the results of this year's match.

 24 percent of the graduates were matched with Mayo Clinic.

 44 percent were matched within the central U.S.

 29 percent were matched with facilities in the west.

 27 percent were matched with facilities in the east.

 15 percent were matched with hospitals in the south.
If you happen to see a hulking black van tooling around with vanity plates that read either "GR8FUL" or "THANK YOU," know the plates represent the heartfelt sentiments of its driver.

"We feel like we have been liberated," Stewartville mom, Barbara Fischer, said about the van and its impact on her children.

This week, Fischer and her two adopted children, AJ and Arianna, began to experience a restored sense of freedom after taking possession of their handicapped-accessible van. The purchase was made possible through an outpouring of donations through youcaring.com that raised $36,000.

Both AJ, 9, and Arianna, 10, are children with terminal illnesses. When the family's van died in December, the lack of wheels meant the children essentially were housebound. Her son, Andrew, launched the fundraising effort late last year when the old van was on its last legs.

Last December, the Post Bulletin ran a story about Fischer's children and her commitment to unwanted, medically challenged children. In addition to AJ and Arianna, Fischer and her family raised 10 adopted children with disabilities.

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The story was carried by newspapers and television stations from Minnesota to Florida and Washington to Pennsylvania. The Huffington Post and Parents Magazine also did stories on the Stewartville family.

Fischer said 206 people from all over the country donated to the site, ranging from $5 to $5,000. While several were large donations, the bulk came in smaller to medium gifts from hundreds of people.

The van was bought from Summit Auto & Cycle in Zumbrota, whose managers scoured the country to find a vehicle that met the exact specifications her children needed.

"We are so overwhelmed with gratitude to the people who have given  or done anything to help and share the fundraising," Fischer said.

The donated money made the purchase possible. The state of Minnesota chipped in an extra $18,000 to outfit the van with wheelchair lifts and chair locks.

A van largely was her kids' lifeline to the outside world, making possible vacation and camping trips. Without it, even going to church had to be suspended, given her children's unique medical needs.

"It was hard on all of us. We had been missing out," Fischer said. "Poor Arianna, she thought that maybe church had been canceled for a while, and that's why we hadn't gone."

Before being adopted by Fischer three years ago, Arianna had spent the past five years of her life in a San Diego hospital ward, insulated from most childhood experiences. Arianna was born with a neuromuscular disease similar to childhood Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease. Her birth mom had given her up. And no family had wanted to adopt Arianna until Fischer came along.

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AJ suffers from Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa, a disease that prevents his skin from properly anchoring to is body. AJ has to be wrapped in gauze almost mummy-like to prevent his skin from sloughing off from accidents and contact with others.

Fischer said the family went to church for the first time in a long time on Wednesday and has plans to go to the circus in the Twin Cities in the near future. She said the van's only drawback is that is it makes a raucous, garbage-truck beeping noise when she's backing out of the driveway.

"It's louder than anything that you heard," Fischer said. "We're going to fix that."

She said she plans to affix vanity plates to the van to let the world know the the deep sense of gratitude she feels for people who donated and made the purchase possible. She also wants it to be an invitation for "people to come and say 'hi' to us," she said.

Fischer said her family is still in a state of euphoria from its new-found sense of freedom.

"I'm thrilled just to have one and getting used to it right now. It's so fast, and it's easy. The kids are excited and happy about it."
The Rochester City Council will revisit discussion of its ordinance governing liquor store sales during its 7 p.m. meeting Monday in council chambers of the city-county Government Center, 151 4th St. SE.

The conversation was spurred by state legislation that will allow liquor sales on Sunday starting in July. The measure was signed by Gov. Mark Dayton on March 7.

Under the revised state law, liquor stores will be allowed to open between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sundays, unless city ordinances state otherwise.

Rochester's ordinance mirrors the state ban that's been the subject of legislative debate in recent years.

The day before Dayton signed the new state law, the city council directed City Attorney Terry Adkins to prepare a change to city ordinances that would repeal liquor-store restrictions. If the city's restrictions are repealed, liquor stores would be subject to state law.

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Adkins noted the change means the city council would not need to consider ordinance changes each time the Minnesota Legislature makes changes to state law.

With the proposed ordinance change in hand, the council will have several options Monday. It can approve or deny the change, or it can postpone a decision. If postponed, the council could schedule a public hearing, which council member Ed Hruska asked for during the previous discussion.

Other council members voiced support from gathering public input as well, noting there is time to take action later.

"I don't necessarily sense the urgency," Council President Randy Staver said, noting Sunday liquor sales throughout the state won't start until summer. "It's not that I'm for or against it."
BYRON  An ice cream social at 6 p.m. Thursday at city hall will launch this years Good Neighbor Days celebration in Byron.

Members of the Byron City Council will serve the ice cream, and at 6:30 p.m. the winner of the 2011 Byron Good Neighbor will be announced.

From 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., a teen dance will be held at the fire hall on Frontage Road.

At 7 p.m. Friday, the Kiddies Parade leads off from the Catholic Church on Fourth Street Northwest east two blocks to First Security Bank on Byron Avenue.

The Grand Parade starts at 7 p.m. at the middle school and follows Fourth Street to the elementary school. At dusk, fireworks will be set off, with good viewing from the elementary school neighborhood.

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Saturday activities include the annual walk/run, car show and 3-on-3 basketball, kickball and beanbag tournaments at different locations.

Vendors, including a farmers market, will be headquartered at the fire hall on Frontage Road, along with Fun Alley inflatables and carnival, a firefighters water fight, bingo, a kids pedal pull and a tractor pull.

Festivities will end with the annual Fire Relief Dance at the fire hall from 8 p.m. to 1 p.m., with music by Side FX.

For a complete schedule, locations and times, check the Byron website at www.byronmn.com.
ST. PAUL  Gov. Mark Dayton celebrated the progress of his marquee environmental initiative Thursday and said he won't bow to legislative pressure to postpone its November deadline.

Dayton and legislators passed a law in 2015 requiring buffer areas between cropland and waterways. Dayton and state officials said Thursday that nearly 75 percent of Minnesota counties are well on their way to meeting those requirements.

"This is about protecting the water of Minnesota for ourselves, our neighbors down the stream and future generations," Dayton said. "This is our state. This is our water. It is our responsibility."

Department of Agriculture Commissioners Dave Fredrickson said he believes the state will meet a Nov. 1 deadline. The state has worked with over 350 different farms to address hundreds of practices to improve environment protections.

But some lawmakers are pushing to postpone that deadline or change the scope of the initiative with a number of bills. Dayton said he won't sign that legislation, after having already loosened buffer requirements for private ditches last year.

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There are 12 counties close to 100 percent compliance in the state and commissioners pointed to more than 2,800 changes to which areas require buffers a sign of the state's willingness to work with Minnesotans concerned about the issue.

The buffers are 50-foot wide spaces between crops and water that are covered in tall native grasses. The roots and dirt filter out pollutants and help prevent the water banks from eroding.
The Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court begins on Monday. Last week Steve Hayward predicted that some idiot would take up the mantle of Slow Joe Biden. Instead of holding up Richard Epsteins book Takings, Steve wrote, as Joe Biden did with Clarence Thomas in an effort to make Thomas repudiate his philosophy, I wouldnt be surprised if the banned book this time will be Philip Hamburgers Is Administrative Law Unlawful?

As usual, Steve is on to something. University of Chicago Law School Kirkland and Ellis Distinguished Service Professor Eric Posner would like to know: Is Gorsuch a Hamburgerian? Posner has even conducted a second or two of computer-assisted legal research to support the question: Judge Gorsuch has approvingly cited Philip Hamburgers book, Is Administrative Law Unlawful?, in three opinions. (Three Tenth Circuit opinions are cited in the footnote I have omitted from that sentence.)

What is a Hamburgerian? To get the flavor of Posners post, the question should be formulated in the Are you now or have you ever been? style popularized by Joe McCarthy back in the fifties. In confirmation hearings during the Bush administration, the hot question was whether the nominee was then or had ever been a member of the Federalist Society because the Democrats seek to define mainstream legal thought in a manner that excludes conservatives by defintion and because they are demagogues trying to please none too bright followers.

The University of Chicago Law School must be one of the most intellectually demanding in the country, and Posner holds down an endowed chair at the school. Posners post, however, partakes of the crude stupidity implicit in the Are you now or have you ever been jibe. By Posners lights, Hamburger and his book are thematically anti-elite, anti-foreigner and anti-executive. Posner asserts that these themes are all strikingly resonant and rhetorically powerfulespecially in the wake of the Obama era, when all these themes came together in the darkest recesses of the reactionary imagination.

Professor Hamburger himself responds to Posner at the Library of Law & Liberty site in Posner and Gorsuch. Hamburger writes: The version of my scholarship Posner presents to the world is almost unrecognizable

I think thats fair, but one could turn Posners argument around. If Posner is concerned about anti-foreign attitudes, one wonders why he supports administrative power, which (as Hamburger points out) was designed already at the outset to keep much lawmaking out of the hands of our diverse or foreign populace? in Wilsons words, out of the hands of Irishmen, of Germans, of Negroes? And if Posner cares about our social diversity, why does he support a type of power that (as Hamburger notes) dilutes representative government and equal voting rights?

If youve read Hamburgers book, you will credit Hamburger on this point: My scholarship is not anti-executive, but anti-administrative. For a prominent law school professor, Eric Posner is a slippery customer.

Perhaps more to the point, Hamburgers book is pro-United States Constitution and pro-limited government. He challenges the regime of administrative law in the spirit of Publius in the Federalist Papers. Publius famously proclaimed a political truth of the highest intrinsic value in Federalist 47 (by James Madison): The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny. Is this now beyond the bounds?
For many years following the Kennedy assassination, it was an article of faith that the Secret Service provided unparalleled security for U.S. presidents. That perception might have changed if President Reagan had bled to death after he was shot by John Hinckley. Then, too, a left-wing nut got a shot off at President Ford (or nearly did) but was stopped by a bystander in the crowd. So maybe we have all been more complacent than we should have been.

President Trump is almost certainly in more danger of assassination than any other president of modern times, so presidential security is again a concern. And recent events do not instill confidence.

First there was the guy who jumped over the White House fence and wandered around the grounds for 17 minutes before finally being apprehended. It has now been disclosed that the intruder came close to entering the White House while President Trump was there:

The chairman of the House Oversight Committee says an intruder on the White House grounds was able to look through a White House window and rattle the door handle before being apprehended last week. Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz tells CNN he was told by the Homeland Security Secretary that the person went undetected on the grounds for 17 minutes while President Donald Trump was inside. Chaffetz calls the incident a complete and utter total failure.

***

The agency stressed the intruder never made it inside White House.

Good Lord, I should hope not!

Then there is the case of the stolen Secret Service laptop.

Authorities are frantically searching for a Secret Service-issued laptop  containing floor plans for Trump Tower, information about the Hillary Clinton email investigation and other national security information  that was stolen from an agents car in Brooklyn, police sources told the Daily News Friday. The computer was lifted Thursday morning and officials are trying to determine if Agent Marie Argentieri was targeted or if the robbery was random.

Why would a Secret Service laptop have information on the Hillary Clinton email scandal?

Secret Service-issued laptops contain multiple layers of security, including full disk encryption and are not permitted to contain classified information, Holtzclaw said.

Thats reassuringI guessbut the robbery sounds like a professional job.

The Secret Service has been beset with scandals in recent years involving prostitutes and the like, but I have always assumed that the agencys core mission has not been compromised. That assumption now seems unwarranted. Politico adds this:

[A law enforcement] official said the theft of the laptop feeds the perception that that theres a culture of complacency among the agents as to the gravitas of the mission.

Given the climate of hate that the Democratic Party and its allies have generated against President Trump, a culture of complacency could prove deadly.
NEW YORK, March 17, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against DaVita Inc. (DaVita or the Company) (NYSE:DVA) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court, District of Colorado, is on behalf of a class consisting of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired DaVita securities, seeking to recover compensable damages caused by defendants violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.



If you are a shareholder who purchased DaVita securities between August 5, 2015 and October 21, 2016, both dates inclusive, you have until April 3, 2017 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll free, ext. 9980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and number of shares purchased.

[Click here to join this class action]

DaVita provides kidney dialysis services for patients suffering from chronic kidney failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Companys business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the Company and its senior executives purposefully steered patients into unnecessary insurance plans in order to maximize profits; (2) the Company was using AKF as a vehicle to facilitate these improper practices; (3) as a result, DaVitas revenues and profits were illegally obtained; (4) in turn, DaVita lacked effective internal controls over financial reporting; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, DaVitas business, operations, and prospects were false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

On August 18, 2016, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a public request for information regarding alleged steering of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries into other plans in order to earn higher reimbursement rates. As part of this request, CMS sent letters to all Medicare-enrolled dialysis centers (including DaVita) informing them of its announcement.

In reaction to the disclosure about the CMS inquiry into the industry and the potential rule changes, DaVitas stock price dropped $3.17 per share, or 4.69%, on unusually heavy trading volume from $67.65 per share on August 18, 2016 to $64.48 per share on August 19, 2016.

On Sunday, October 23, 2016, the St. Louis Post published an article entitled DaVita encouraged some low-income patients to enroll in commercial plans that accused DaVita directly of steering clients to private insurers and utilizing its own money to pay for health insurance premiums through the AKF.

In reaction to the disclosures in the St. Louis Post article, DaVitas stock price dropped $2.86 per share, or another 4.69%, from $60.96 per share on Friday, October 21, 2016 to $58.10 per share on Monday, October 24, 2016.

On October 31, 2016, DaVita issued a press release announcing that it was suspending support for applications to the AKF for charitable premium assistance by patients enrolled in minimum essential Medicaid coverage effective immediately.

Then, on January 6, 2017, The Wall Street Journal reported that investigators from the U.S. Department of Justice are probing a controversial arrangement under which kidney-care companies support charitable efforts to help patients pay health-insurance premiums, according to disclosures from major dialysis providers. As part of the investigation, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Massachusetts had subpoenaed DaVita and the AKF seeking information relating to its charitable premium assistance.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Florida, and Los Angeles, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com
THE LEPERS TALE

Mustapha Abdullahi, a resident of Egabi in Kaduna State, has been battling leprosy for over eight years.

The 42-year-old, down with hives on his skin and severe deformity on both limbs, is a patient at the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Centre (NTBLC), Saye, in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The centre is the major facility for the treatment of leprosy in Nigeria, a disease that still afflicts thousands across the country. In 2015 alone, 2,892 persons were diagnosed with the disease in the country, according to the non-profit, Netherlands Leprosy Relief (NLR).

I first noticed a lump on my right foot toe in 2009 but I approached it with laxity. As the lump enlarged, I applied herbal supplements on it, Mr. Abdullahi told PREMIUM TIMES during our reporters visit to the facility where he is receiving treatment.

He was able to manage the symptom with herbal medicine for a year; but when the disease progressed relentlessly, he abandoned his job as an Islamic teacher when he became an outcast in the community.

I could not face the stigma and I lost everything  I lost my job and my wife and friends abandoned me. The only support I had was from my family who continued to take care of me.

When I could no longer endure the plague of sores on my skin and without understanding the cause, I went to 44 Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna. After examining me, they gave me a drug which name I dont even know.

The drug did not work. The sores continued to spread across his body. It seemed the hospital had no idea what ails him.

I was then referred to Jan Kwanu, now Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Mr. Abdullahi said. But my condition was beyond their competence to treat so I was given a quick referral to the Leprosy Centre, Saye, where I was diagnosed with leprosy.

It was at the centre that the Islamic scholar finally found reprieve.

He told PREMIUM TIMES how the drugs the facility gave him for free contained the spread of blisters on his skin. But the delay in seeking help from the centre had allowed irredeemable damage to his nervous system and the thin tissue lining his nose.

Mr. Abdullahi is nevertheless grateful that his condition stabilised.

But his benefactor  the leprosy centre  is now faced with serious challenge of its own. The major source of its funding was severed when the Netherlands Leprosy Relief (NLR), the main donor for leprosy treatment in Nigeria, announced it was pulling out of the country.

NLR is a Dutch NGO, which does not receive any funds from the Dutch Government, but relies mainly on donations from Dutch individuals (and lately complemented by donor funds).

The organisation has operated in Nigeria since 1974 and has funded NTBLC since 1992.

WHY WE PULLED OUT

The Country Director of NLR, Lex Merlijn, told PREMIUM TIMES his organisation had to stop funding the centre after suffering severe loss of income.

Mr. Merlijn said NLR Nigeria spent 5billion on leprosy control activities in Nigeria.

The amount spent so far has been dazzling because it comes from private donors in The Netherlands who want to do good for their fellow humans, the official said.

The income from Dutch individuals has gone down severely, that is why NLR has decided to continue only in five countries and cease operations in Nigeria and Vietnam.

NLR Nigeria has encouraged the Nigerian government to take ownership of the leprosy programme by providing a so-called Innovation Fund for nine states in the North Central/North East.

The state controlled programmes are encouraged to develop tailor-made pilot projects which address early case detection. This is a bottom-up approach in which the State TB (Tuberculosis) and Leprosy control programme has the initiative and develops her own strategy for early case detection, Mr. Merlijn said.

CARE CHALLENGES

Though the facility in Zaria is government-owned, most of its equipment and other materials were donated by local and international partners and donors.

Figures from the budget office of the federation show that the federal government budgeted N454 million and N491 Million to the centre in 2015 and 2016 respectively. The proposed budget for 2017 is, however, N517 million.

Officials at the centre said the funds earmarked for the centre each year are usually far short of what is required to run such facility. So the centre had always relied substantially on donations and grants to survive.

The government only pays salaries and overhead allocation for day to day running of the centre, an official said, asking not to be named because he had no permission to discuss the matter with journalists.

The situation here is as bad as any other health care centre in the country. We have been surviving through international donors who provide the drugs, care giving material for patients, and even sponsor training programmes for staff and community health workers.

The NGO (NLR) has been supporting in terms of capacity development, patient care, logistics (drugs, vehicles and computers) and provision of equipment and maintenance and also provides technical support to training activities.

The government needs to get more involved in the care of its citizens. It is one thing to establish the centre, it is another to make sure that everything needed for the smooth running of the centre and patients treatment is available.

It is as bad as having casual staff because of shortage of manpower. The government should employ more hands because the work load is too high. Capacity development of staff has been low and we have been excessively depending on international partners in sponsoring candidates for training.

Now that they (the NLR) are pulling out, we dont know what the situation will be.

The NLR, in collaboration with the centre, has worked in nine states in the north-central and north-east geopolitical zones to train persons affected by leprosy.

Traditional healers and traditional birth attendants were also trained on how to detect leprosy and where to refer patients to.

Mr. Merlijn, the country director, said the training teams worked in areas where leprosy is often detected, where children are diagnosed and persons already have visible deformities (grade 2 disabilities, G2D).

Abdullahi Dalhatu, a medical officer at the centre, said the organisation was now in a dilemma regarding how to find money for treatment of patients since the major funding partners had pulled out.

People come here from all over, not just from the North, Mr. Dalhatu said. We have referrals from all over the country, they come from as far as Lagos, Benin among other places.

Treatment is meant to be free, the donor pays for the MDT (multi-drug therapy) drugs. It does not pay for other materials for treatment and drugs to treat complications such as ulcer and of ailment generated as a result of the disease. We have to get these material and needed drugs so we are not delayed in the treatment we want to give.

He said with the cash crunch facing the facility, it had now resorted to asking patients to collect funds from their relations and staff to contribute for their treatment, especially when in urgent cases.

Funding is the major issue facing the facility, the institution does not have money to take care of the cases diagnosed, he said.

Clement Adesigbin, another medical doctor at the centre, said it had been difficult getting most of the patients to purchase drugs for their treatments because most of them are very poor.

In fact, leprosy and poverty are conjoin twins; that is why some people call it the disease of the poor, he said.

A PLEA FOR HELP

Officials and social workers at the leprosy centre are calling on the Nigerian government and members of the public to come to the aid of the patients.

Mr. Dalhatu said there was an urgent need for government, and philanthropists to assist in the treatment and re-integration of the patients back into the society.

Most of the patients are poor and cannot fend for themselves, he said. Most dont want to leave the centre because of the free care and treatment they receive. It is even worse when they are deformed, they get stigmatised by society that does not want anything to do with them.

They often come back with cases of severe ulcers which most times require medical attention.

Mr. Dalhatu urged the government to take ownership of treatment, training and re-integration of the patients into society.

There should be a community-based care where they will be incorporated into the community. Philanthropists and well-meaning Nigerians, especially legislators from constituencies with high prevalence of leprosy, should make rehabilitation of the treated patients a priority in their constituency projects.

The stigmatisation needs to be stopped. The government needs to create awareness on the disease and make people know that they can be accepted into society, he said.

A matron at the centre, Hajara Liman, said stigmatisation remained a huge problem most patients face even after treatment.

Most people dont want to have anything to do with them believing they are not yet cured and might get infected if they have close contact with them, Ms. Liman said.

This has made most of them refuse leaving the centre after treatment, and some return after finding it hard outside because of discrimination and stigmatisation in spite of their skills. They always come back because they know they will always get acceptance and free food here.

Though we encourage them to learn some survival skills like fish farming and poultry keeping here at the centre, they need financial and technical support to live within the community, she said.

If these are done, Ms. Liman said, inmates like Mr. Abdullahi would be able to return to his old job as an Islamic teacher, and live freely in Egabi, where he grew and built a family.

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The Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, will on Monday officially launch Nigerias new Immigration Regulations, 2017 to ensure better security and Immigration in the country.

Sunday James, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.

He said the Immigration Regulations, 2017 is a vital document that seeks to operationalise the Immigration Act, 2015.



The honourable Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, (retired) will officially present the Immigration Regulations 2017 to the public on Monday, March, 20, 2017.

The Immigration Regulations 2017 is a vital document that operationalises the Immigration Act 2015 and provides the legal framework for the effective implementation of the Act, he said.

He further said the new immigration regulation is a product of robust discourse that involved legal and migratory experts, including serving and retired immigration officers.

Mr. James expressed optimism that the document, if properly implemented, would go a long way in transforming the operations of NIS in line with international best practices.



NAN reports that the Immigration Act, 2015 contains updated structure and functions of NIS in relation to immigration, passports, deportation, visas, resident permits and general immigration offences.

The Act also gives effect in the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the provisions of the protocol against the smuggling of migrants by land, sea, air which supplements the UN Convention Against Transitional Organised Crime.



The Act was enacted by the National Assembly in May, 2015 to the Immigration Act, 2004. (NAN)

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Kaduna senator, Shehu Sani, has urged the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to punish Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State for allegedly leaking to reporters a memo he wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr. Sani, who is the Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, called for punitive measures in a statement he released in Abuja on Saturday.

In the September 2016 memo published this week, Mr. El-Rufai told President Buhari that he was losing the vision and the momentum with which APC started the change campaign.

The governor told the president how bad the nation was faring under his watch, and how the presidents policies, actions and in-actions have contributed to the nations woes, and what could be done to steer Nigeria back to greatness.

In the 30-page memo, first published by Sahara Reporters on Thursday, to Mr. Buhari touched several areas, ranging from the ailing economy, to the dynamics of the nations politics, lack of coercion within the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the poor relationship between the president and the national leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu, and other party leaders, including the APC governors.

Mr. Sani said it was ironic that while Gov. El-Rufai could not stand constructive criticism, he had the audacity to criticise the president.

The governor always recommends that our party should punish me for criticising him, the lawmaker said.

Now that he has fired a cruise missile at the President through a deliberately leaked memo, he should also be treated the same way.

He accused me of being disloyal and disrespectful to the President and the party for speaking my mind.

Now he has done his own cunningly by criticising the President and the party, disguised it as a memo and leaked it out to the press.

If our able party chair would give me five strokes of the cane for speaking out, the governor (El Rufai) should be given thrice that for leaking out.

Its often said that look at the message and not the messenger, but there are times when you can only decipher the message by looking at the messenger, he said.

According to Mr. Sani, while Gov. El-Rufai is entitled to his opinion and perception, the contradiction and irony is that he carried out an action he always stood against when criticised.

He described the governor as disloyal and disrespectful, saying: the difference is that while mine is blunt, his is dubious.

Secondly, for all the issues he raised against the President, his own is worst in his space of governance both in the existence of cabal or politics of exclusion, incompetence or public perception.

The difference is that the President is tolerant of criticisms and alternative views.

He said the leakage of the memo to journalists was an evidence that logically he is leaking memo to rouse popular sympathy and create the image of a competent alternative to Baba.

Mr. Sani advised President Buhari to be cautious, saying: he who keeps a scorpion in his pocket must always watch his groin and he who inherits a cobra should know that its not a pet. (NAN)

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A 39-year-old petty trader, Yemisi Akinwunmi, on Friday pleaded with an Agege Customary Court in Lagos to end her 20-year-old loveless marriage to free herself from daily corporal punishment meted out to her by her husband.

My husband constantly beats me and whenever he wants to do so, he tells me to kneel down and stretch my hands like a pupil before caning me.

He often threatened to kill me, she told the court.

Testifying before Phillips Williams, the courts president, she said there was no love lost between them again.

Mrs. Akinwunmi described her husband of 20 years as an irresponsible man, who has refused to take proper care of her and the children.

She said she had been solely responsible for the feeding and upkeep of the children since her husband lost his job.

I made effort to secure a loan for my husband from a cooperative bank to start a small business with a promise by him to pay back in installments.

But after a few months, he refused to pay and attempt to get him to refund the money was unsuccessful.

My husband started threatening to kill me and dispose of my corpse without anybody knowing.

I am fed up with the marriage; there is no love between us again. I can no longer bear the pains and humiliations, she said.

She, therefore, urged the court to dissolve the marriage and to compel the respondent to be responsible for the welfare and education of the children.

The respondent, Wasiu, 49, however, denied the allegations and pleaded with the court not to dissolve the marriage.

According to him, his wife started misbehaving and became promiscuous the moment he lost his job.

Wasiu, who claimed to have caught her in the act of adultery, said: My wife later told me that she was fed up with the union and she moved out of the house with the children sometime in 2015.

However, after much pleading, she returned home later in 2016 only to start engaging in adultery; I have caught her on several occasions.

My wife stopped cooking for me since July 2016 and finally moved out of the house.

The respondent said he made efforts and begged his wife to return, especially for the sake of the children, but she remained adamant.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president of the court invited the estranged couple to his chambers for a possible resolution of the crisis.

He adjourned the case to April 11 for further hearing.

(NAN)

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A woman, Toyin Adeleye, who returned from the United States of America about a week ago had a feel of the brutality of the Nigerian police on Friday in Ado-Ekiti State after she reportedly refused to give bribe to police at a check point in the city.

The woman was manhandled along with her two-month-old baby, Heritage, and her younger brother, Adeniyi Dada, by five officers before they were detained at a police station.

The incident occurred at the checkpoint in front of the Ekiti Pavilion and a few metres from the official residence of the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, Abdullahi Chafe.

Apart from detaining their victims, the policemen also impounded the black Kia Picanto car with registration number LAGOS FKJ 221 EE which she drove while returning from the market.

The injured woman was seen breastfeeding her baby when journalists visited the police station on Saturday.

The womans husband, Akanni Adeyeye, while speaking to journalists, lamented the inhuman treatment meted out to his wife, pointed out that she had bruises on her face and lacerations on her body.

Mr. Adeyeye, who slept in the police station to keep his wife company, said the policemen had requested the vehicle papers and the drivers license of his brother-in-law, who was driving the car.

He said one of the policemen withheld car documents given to them, demanding that they be settled,. He said the demand was rebuffed since the papers were valid.

My wife and her brother were returning from the market at about 3.00 p.m. on Friday and on arrival at the checkpoint in front of the Pavilion very close to their station, they asked for all vehicle papers and drivers licence which were produced and they are valid, he explained.

After checking all the documents, the policemen were demanding for money to be given as settlement which my wife and her brother refused. My wife drew their attention to the baby that was crying in the car.

Five of them were beating her at the point of arrest and on getting to the station, the beating continued. After thoroughly beating her, they obtained her statement around 10.00 p.m. There are wounds on the back of my wife and face to show for it.

On getting to the station, they now cooked up a story that my wife slapped one of them and tore his uniform which is a lie. They are telling this lie to justify their action of their cruelty to my wife, my baby and my brother-in-law.

Neither my wife nor her brother slapped any policeman or tore any uniform. The question to be asked is how would somebody who is not armed attack an armed policeman? They cooked up this falsehood to cover up their brutality, he said.

The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chafe, claimed Mrs. Adeyeye was detained for attacking a policeman on duty.

He said the woman tore the uniform of the policeman, adding that the matter would be further investigated.

Those people slapped my policeman on duty and tore their uniform, he said.

Uniform is an authority and what those people did was against the law and it is not good for a civilian to slap a policeman.

It is not good for somebody to prevent a law enforcement officer from carrying out his lawful duty.

It is not about his age but the authority he carries. I dont allow my men to do something contrary to the law.

I dont want a woman to be detained with baby or with pregnancy. I dont want an old woman or a minor to be detained. I have taken note of this and we will take the right action on the matter.

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Nigerias Interior Minister, Abdulrahman Dambazau, on Friday said 400 Nigerians were saving jail terms for various offences in South Africa.

Mr. Dambazau made the disclosure at joint news conference in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the visit of Nigerian delegation to South Africa.

Mr. Dambazau and his Foreign Affairs counterpart, Geoffrey Onyeama, had on Monday led a delegation to South Africa over the incessant xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in that country.

He said he had a meeting with his counterpart, the Home Affairs Minister in South Africa and discussed general issues particularly on migration.

The minister said they also discussed Nigerians involved in some criminal activities.

These are in the minority because equally we have Nigerian professionals who are contributing positively to development of the economy of South Africa.

However, that is not to say that they should fold their arms and not to do something about somebody involved in criminality.

But in doing that, we emphasised that due processes of the law should be taken in terms of the assumption of innocence, being proven guilty and in terms of fair hearing.

I understand that there are about 400 Nigerians who are in their prison for various offences, he said.

The minister said their offences included prostitution and drug, among others.

He said the offenders would finish their jail terms in South Africa because there was no prisoner exchange arrangement between Nigeria and South Africa as it were with some other countries.

He, however, said that efforts would be made to ensure that such arrangement was put in place in due course.

Dambazau said he also emphasised that due process of the law should be taken in dealing with suspected criminals.

When we met with the Nigerian community, we also emphasised that those who are involved in criminal behaviour should not be allowed to spoil the good names of themselves and Nigeria.

So they have that moral responsibility to report where necessary, he said.

The minister said that the issue of passport challenge was also tabled at the meeting with the Nigerian community with a promise that it would be resolved.

There were complaints that the passport machines were old and from our record we understand that they were supplied in 2007.

I then promised them that arrangement must be made to ensure that all passport machines are changed to modern ones.

We are going to streamline the issuance of passport, he said.

(NAN)

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Six persons were killed in a car accident on Katsina-Kano road on Saturday, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said.

The Sector Commander of FRSC in the state, Abdu Bagadawa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Katsina that the accident occurred at Morawa village in Batagarawa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

He said the incident involved a bus with registration number BDG 730 XT, with 19 passengers on board and a motorcycle with registration number MTZ 143 QA.

According to Mr. Bagadawa, the accident was caused by the motorcyclist who rode on a wrong lane.

He said the bus crushed the motorcyclist to death and skidded off the road, killing five occupants on the spot.

He said the corpses had been deposited at Katsina General Hospital, where 15 persons injured in the incident were rushed to for medical attention. (NAN)

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Police will charge Moses Auta, a teacher in Government Junior Secondary School, Kachia, Kaduna State, for seriously injuring a student while whipping her.

The right eye of Ralia Suleiman, a JSS3 student and the deputy head girl of the school, was struck and damaged when Mr. Auta allegedly used a horsewhip that had iron pellets to beat her.

The State Commissioner of Education, Andrew Nok, said a four-member committee had been set up by his ministry to investigate the incident.

The committee, made up of the permanent secretary, the director of schools and two other director, is to submit its report by next week.

Our priority now is to also find a way to treat the student. I have spoken with my colleague, the Commissioner of Health to assist us and arrange for the student to be treated at Kaduna State Teaching Hospital, Kaduna (former Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital), he assured.

A spokesperson for Kaduna State police command, Aliyu Usman, told PREMIUM TIMES on Friday that charges would be brought against the teacher at the Magistrate court, Kachia, on Monday.

Kabiru Mohammed, a lawyer for the victims family, said the girls father, Suleiman Kachia, had assigned him to be in court on behalf of the family.

But teachers of the school and a senior official of the education ministry said the incident was an accident.

They said the whip hit the girls eyes as she stood behind the teacher, who was flogging another student after whipping Ralia.

They said the teacher was immediately queried by the schools principal.

From our meeting on Thursday, we discovered that the teacher was queried by the principal when the incident happened, the ministry official, who asked not to be named because he was not authorized to speak, said.

We also gathered that the horsewhip accidentally hit her as she stood behind the teacher while whipping another student, the source said.

But, Mr. Mohammed, the victims family lawyer, said even at that, the teacher cannot be exonerated since it was his action that led to the injury.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the teacher assembled all the prefects and whipped them for refusing to carry out his assignment against latecomers.

But Sani Abubakar, the victims uncle, said the claims were not true.

They were just trying to water down the unfortunate incident. Ralia actually lost her eyes when she was being whipped by the teacher, he insisted.

Huwaila Sulaiman, Ralias mother, said her husband could not speak with our reporter because he was down with hypertension because of the incident.

Teachers who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES said Mr. Auta was well-mannered, and insisted the incident was an accident.

It is natural for students to complain against teachers who discipline them, one teacher said.

Ahmad Bello, the school librarian, described Mr. Auta as humble, respected and highly disciplined teacher.

That is why he was even made the discipline master in addition to his teaching work, he said.

In fact his mother sold the family land and raised N300, 000, while Ralias uncle also raised N100, 000 for her treatment at Eye Center, Mr. Bello said of efforts to treat the girl.

Shuaibu Goma, a storekeeper of the school, backed that claim.

He takes his job very serious and has a lot of concern for his students lessons and discipline devoid of any ethnic or religious sentiment.

What happened to Ralia is just an accident. He is not a drunk and he does not smoke. In fact he sold his phone and his shop to add to the money raised for Ralias treatment, Mr. Goma added.

With about 3, 000 students, the Government Junior Secondary School, Kachia, has just 18 teachers.

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A former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Chukwuma Soludo, has commended Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra over his achievements in the area of economy within three years in office.

Delivering a lecture to mark the third year anniversary of Mr. Obianos administration, Mr. Soludo rated the states economy as the fourth biggest in the country.

The event held in Awka on Friday.

He said the economy of Anambra, which is not an oil producing state, had been well managed under Mr. Obiano, making it one of the most buoyant states after Lagos, Abuja and Rivers.

Mr. Soludo, who said the private sector must be encouraged to drive the economy, commended the governor for attracting a sizeable number of investors to the state.

The former CBN boss, who contested for the All Progressives Grand Alliance ticket with Mr. Obiano in 2013, said he would not contest the November 18 gubernatorial election.

There is no need for change at the moment, he said.

Anambra is the fourth largest economy in Nigeria behind Lagos, Abuja and Rivers.

The private sector must play a role to shore up the countrys earnings.

We are in a crisis moment and you dont change a general in the middle of the war; in Anambra, Obiano is a general.

Many people are calling on me to come and contest, but the point is: if Anambra is not broken, why mend it?

There will only be vacancy in Anambra Government House in the next four years, he said.

He urged Mr. Obiano to plead with the Federal Government to execute the second Niger Bridge and federal highways projects in the state.

Mr. Soludo also urged the governor to hasten work on the Anambra cargo airport to fast-track the states move to assuming an international status. (NAN)

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New post-hoc analysis of PARADIGM-HF data demonstrates Entresto lowered levels of HbA1c (a measure of glycemic control) by 0.26% vs. 0.16% for ACE-inhibitor enalapril in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients who also had diabetes



New use of insulin was also reduced by 29% among patients taking Entresto compared to enalapril-treated patients[1]



Up to 40% of HFrEF patients have diabetes, which is associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes[2]



New analysis presented today at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Annual Scientific Session and published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology

Basel, March 18, 2017 - Novartis announced today results of a new post-hoc analysis in a subgroup of patients with reduced ejection fraction heart failure (HFrEF) and diabetes suggesting that Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan) tablets improved glycemic control, as assessed by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing, compared to ACE-inhibitor enalapril[1]. HFrEF is also known as systolic heart failure (HF)[3]. Entresto is indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular (CV) death and hospitalization for HF in patients with chronic HF (NYHA Class II-IV) and reduced ejection fraction[4]. It is not indicated to treat diabetes.

Entresto lowered HbA1c levels - a measure of average blood glucose levels for the past two to three months - after one year of treatment for HF, and this effect was sustained over three years of study follow-up[1]. In the analysis, new use of insulin therapy or oral diabetes agents was also reduced in the Entresto group[1]. The findings are based on data from PARADIGM-HF, the largest clinical trial ever conducted in HF[5], and are simultaneously being presented today at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 66th Annual Scientific Session & Expo in Washington, D.C. and published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

"Diabetes is a major risk factor in heart failure and is strongly linked to progression of the disease, putting heart failure patients at increased risk of hospitalization and death," said Scott Solomon, MD, Director of Noninvasive Cardiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and senior author of the publication. "This analysis suggests that, in addition to the proven heart failure benefits demonstrated in PARADIGM-HF, Entresto may also help tighten glycemic control among heart failure patients with diabetes."

An analysis was conducted of 3,778 HFrEF patients in the PARADIGM-HF trial who were diagnosed with diabetes or had a baseline HbA1c >=6.5% without a reported diagnosis at screening (98% of patients assessed had type 2 diabetes). The investigators compared the effects of Entresto vs. enalapril on glycemic control by measuring patients' HbA1c levels at screening and at one-, two-, and three-year follow-up visits, and by evaluating patients' initiation of oral antihyperglycemic or insulin therapy during the study.

This post-hoc analysis found that Entresto decreased HbA1c levels by 0.26% during the first year of follow-up, compared to a 0.16% reduction with enalapril (p=0.0023)[1]. Over three years, HbA1c levels remained persistently lower in patients treated with Entresto compared to enalapril, with an overall reduction of 0.14% (95% CI [0.06, 0.23]; p=0.0055)[1]. In addition, 29% fewer Entresto-treated patients initiated insulin therapy to achieve glycemic control (114 (7%) vs. 153 (10%) patients, HR 0.71, 95% CI, 0.56-0.90; p=0.0052)[1]. Entresto was shown to reduce the risk of CV death or HF hospitalization compared with enalapril among patients with or without diabetes at baseline[1],[6],[7].

"These results show that in addition to its compelling cardiovascular efficacy, Entresto may have important metabolic benefits for HFrEF patients with diabetes," said Vasant Narasimhan, Global Head, Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer, Novartis. "We are excited about these results and committed to improving our understanding of the benefits of Entresto in different heart failure patient populations."

About Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a debilitating and life-threatening condition, which impacts more than 60 million people worldwide[8]. It is the leading cause of hospitalization in people over the age of 65[9],[10]. About half of people with HF have heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)[11]. Reduced ejection fraction means the heart does not contract with enough force, so less blood is pumped out[12]. HF presents a major and growing health-economic burden that currently costs the world economy $108 billion every year, which accounts for both direct and indirect costs[9],[13].

Novartis has established the largest global clinical program in the HF disease area across the pharma industry to date, FortiHFy, comprising more than 40 active or planned clinical studies designed to generate an array of additional data on symptom reduction, efficacy, quality of life benefits and real world evidence with Entresto, as well as to extend understanding of heart failure.

About Entresto

Entresto is a twice-a-day medicine that reduces the strain on the failing heart. It does this by enhancing the protective neurohormonal systems (natriuretic peptide system) while simultaneously inhibiting the harmful effects of the overactive renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)[4],[14]. Other HF medicines only block the harmful effects of the overactive RAAS[3]. Entresto contains the neprilysin inhibitor sacubitril and the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) valsartan[4].

In Europe, Entresto is indicated in adult patients for the treatment of symptomatic chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). In the United States, Entresto is indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular (CV) death and hospitalization for HF in patients with chronic HF (NYHA class II-IV) and reduced ejection fraction[14]. Entresto is usually administered in conjunction with other HF therapies, in place of an ACE inhibitor or other angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). Approved indications may vary depending upon the individual country.

About PARADIGM-HF

PARADIGM-HF was a randomized, double-blind, Phase III study evaluating the efficacy and safety profile of Entresto versus enalapril (a widely studied ACE inhibitor) in 8,442 patients with HFrEF[15],[16]. The baseline characteristics showed the patients enrolled were typical HFrEF patients with NYHA Class II-IV heart failure. PARADIGM-HF was specifically designed to see if Entresto could decrease CV mortality by at least 15% vs. enalapril. Patients received Entresto or enalapril in addition to current best treatment regimen[15]. The primary endpoint was a composite of time to first occurrence of either CV death or HF hospitalization, and is the largest HF study ever done[15].



Disclaimer

The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by words such as "suggests," "may," "suggesting," "excited," "committed," "growing," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential new indications or labeling for Entresto, or regarding potential future revenues from Entresto. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that Entresto will be submitted or approved for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that Entresto will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, management's expectations regarding Entresto could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; the company's ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; general economic and industry conditions; global trends toward health care cost containment, including ongoing pricing pressures; safety, quality or manufacturing issues, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



About Novartis

Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas. In 2016, the Group achieved net sales of USD 48.5 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 118,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis

For Novartis multimedia content, please visit www.novartis.com/news/media-library

For questions about the site or required registration, please contact media.relations@novartis.com

References

[1] Seferovic J, Claggett B, Seidelmann S, et al. Influence of Sacubitril/Valsartan on Glycemic Control in Patients with Heart Failure and Diabetes Mellitus: The PARADIGM-HF Trial. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

[2] Mentz RJ, Kelly JP, von Lueder TG, et al. Noncardiac comorbidities in heart failure with reduced versus preserved ejection fraction. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014; 64(21):2281-2293.

[3] Yancy CW, Jessup M, Bozkurt B, et al. 2013 ACCF/AHA guideline for the management of heart failure: A report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association task force on practice guidelines. Circulation. 2013;128:e240-e327.

[4] Entresto Prescribing Information.

[5] McMurray JJV, Packer M, Desai AS, et al. Baseline characteristics and treatment of patients in prospective comparison of ARNI with ACEI to determine impact on global mortality and morbidity in heart failure trial (PARADIGM-HF). Eur J Heart Fail. 2014; 16(7):817-25.

[6] McMurray JJV, Packer M, Desai AS, et al. Angiotensin-neprilysin inhibition versus enalapril in heart failure. N Engl J Med. 2014; 371:993-1004.

[7] Kristensen SL, Preiss D, Jhund PS, et al. PARADIGM-HF Investigators and Committees. Risk Related to Pre-Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Mellitus in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: Insights From Prospective Comparison of ARNI With ACEI to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure Trial. Circ Heart Fail. 2016; 9(1).

[8] Global Burden of Disease Study 2013 Collaborators. Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 301 acute and chronic diseases and injuries in 188 countries, 1990-2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. Lancet. 2015; 386(9995):743-800.

[9] Mozaffarian D, Benjamin EJ, Go AS, et al. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2016 Update: A report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2015; 133:e38-e360.

[10] Weir LM, Pfuntner A, Maeda J, et al. HCUP facts and figures: statistics on hospital-based care in the United States, 2009. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2011.

[11] Owan TE, Hodge DO, Herges RM, et al. Trends in prevalence and outcome of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. N Engl J Med. 2006; 355:251-259.

[12] Ejection Fraction Heart Failure Measurement. American Heart Association Website. Available at: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartFailure/SymptomsDiagnosisofHeartFailure/Ejection-Fraction-Heart-Failure-

Measurement_UCM_306339_Article.jsp. Published March 24, 2015. Last accessed March 2017.

[13] Heidenreich PA, Albert NM, Allen LA, et al. Forecasting the impact of heart failure in the United States: a policy statement from the American Heart Association. Circ Heart Fail. 2013; 6:606-619.

[14] Langenickel T, Dole W. Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibition with LCZ696: a novel approach for the treatment of heart failure. Drug Discovery Today. 2012; 4:131-139.

[15] McMurray JJ, Packer M, Desai AS, et al. Dual angiotensin receptor and neprilysin inhibition as an alternative to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition in patients with chronic systolic heart failure: rationale for and design of the Prospective comparison of ARNI with ACEI to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and morbidity in Heart Failure trial (PARADIGM-HF). Eur J Heart Fail 2013; 15:1062-1073.

[16] Clincaltrials.gov, NCT01035255. Link is external. Last accessed online March 2017.

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The president of 1004 Estate Residents Association, Lagos, Tayo Soetan, and three others charged with felony offences have been remanded in prison on the orders of an Igbosere Magistrate Court, pending when they are able to perfect the bail conditions admitted to them.

Mr. Soetan, alongside Bosun Sosanya, 47, and a 41 year-old lawyer, Adebayo Ademiluyi, Friday Alika, 48, and Abubakar Audu, 28, were arraigned before the court on offences bordering on felony, conspiracy, unlawful invasion and conduct likely to breach public peace.

The offences, according to the prosecutor, Paul Ogwuba, a Superintendent of Police, are contrary to sections 411, 52, and 166(d) (b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.

They had all pleaded not guilty to all the offences.

All five defendants and others at large were also alleged to have an intent to cause a breakdown of law and order and conduct themselves in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace, by forcibly entering the office of Managing Director of 1004 Estate, Samuel Ukpong.

The police, in a charge marked G/13/2017, filed before the court on Tuesday, alleged that all the five defendants had sometimes on December 5, 2015, conspired among themselves to commit a felony by forcibly entering the office Managing Director of 1004 Estate Limited, Mr. Ukpong, and taking over the management of the Estate from him, and disrupting the smooth administration of the estate.

The five defendants and others at large were also alleged with an intent to cause a breakdown of law and order and conduct themselves in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace, by forcibly entered the office of Managing Director of 1004 Estate, Mr. Ukpong.

Upon their not guilty plea, the lawyer, to the first defendant, Kingsley Ajogun, urged the court to admit their clients bail on self-recognisance.

He said: the first defendant was invited by the police for interview before he was brought to court for arraignment. He is a Deputy Managing Director of Halogen Security.

I urged the court to admit him bail on self-recognisance.

In the same vein, lawyer to the second, third, fourth and fifth defendants, Promise Asipo, urged the court to grant all his clients bail on the same self-recognisance.

Mr. Asipo told the court that the second defendant a Managing Director of Cashlink Limited Company, who has been honouring Police invitations. While he said the third defendant is a legal practitioner, whose law firm name bear Adebayo Admiluyi and Co., and have his office at 200, Igbosere road.

He said the fourth and fifth defendants is an Operation Manager, and a security operative with a security outfit names Tom Salem Integrated Services Limited, situated at 1004 Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said if his client are granted bail on self-recognisance, they will not jump bail.

In response, the prosecutor, Mr. Ogwuba, who was from the Office of Inspector-General of Police (IGP), urged the court to take judicial notice that the matter was a contentious one. And that if the defendants are to be admitted to bail, it should be with the conditions that will ensure their attendance in court.

However, the presiding Chief magistrate, W. B. Balogun, said he would not grant the third defendant, Adebayo Ademiluyi, bail on self-recognisance because he cannot easily be apprehended if he jumps bail.

The court ordered the lawyer to write a letter and attach a copy of his Bar certificate, complimentary card and passport photograph.

The other defendants were admitted to bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in the like sum.

Mr. Balogun ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Prisons custody pending when they fulfil the bail conditions. While the adjourned till April 20, for trial.

It was gathered that that the residents of 1004 Estate, under the aegis of Home Owners and Residents Association (HOMA) recently sacked a maintenance committee led by Mr. Soetan.

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The lingering leadership crisis at the Ondo State House of Assembly reached a new height on Friday as the state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, recognised a factional leader of the house, Malachi Coker, as the Speaker of the house.

The governor, while observing protocols at the swearing-in of the Secretary to the State Government and the Chief of Staff to the State Governor, recognised Mr. Coker as the Speaker of the house.

Mr. Coker was elected speaker by 12 members of the house of the 26 members in the wake of a controversial impeachment of Jumoke Akindele and her deputy, Fatai Olotu.

Both factions had claimed authenticity during several meetings held with Governor Akeredolu, who had portrayed himself as neutral in the controversy.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Mr. Coker, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was invited to the ceremony as speaker of the house despite the unresolved issues.

He arrived the Cocoa Hall of the Governors office, and took his seat on the high table almost an hour before the kick-off of the event.

As the governor stood up to make his remarks, and after recognising the deputy governor, mentioned Mr. Speaker, creating an air of uneasiness at the hall with some people arguing in hush tones.

Expectedly, the opposing faction, led by Ms. Akindele, promptly reacted to the development, describing it an error and a plot to subvert the leadership of the house.

A statement by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Siji Akindiose, said the news of the erroneous recognition of Mr. Coker was received with shock and disappointment.

According to him, the recognition was ill-advised and an endorsement of illegality.

The House of Assembly, under the law, remains under the leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Jumoke Akindele and other principal officers of the House, Mr. Akindiose said.

The purported tactical recognition of Hon. Malachi Coker as Speaker by the protocol of the government is a setback for the ongoing reconciliation efforts of stakeholders in which Mr. Governor is a mediator.

In line with our resolve to bring to an end the crisis in the Assembly, we have participated actively in the reconciliation process which led to the withdrawal of the case in court in deference to the intervention of the Governor.

The intervention of the governor had also led to the stoppage of the plot by some members to hold an illegal sitting in the House last Tuesday.

It is therefore strange to us to see that the protocol of the government would recognise a wrong person as Speaker of the House while reconciliation is ongoing.

Mr. Akindiose also noted that his group viewed it as a suspicious plan to take advantage of the withdrawal of the court case, averring that they were in disagreement with a plot to subvert the constituted authority of an arm of the government.

The constitution states that only two-third majority can change the leadership of the House of Assembly and that has not been followed by those who claim to have changed the leadership of the House, he said.

We therefore state unequivocally that Rt. Hon. Jumoke Akindele remains the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly. The leadership of the Assembly remains intact.

However, we remain committed to the reconciliation process that will lead to the reopening of the Assembly chambers for lawmakers to carry out their constitutional duties, he said.

The police in the state have prevented any of the faction from gaining access to the chambers of the assembly.

Police Spokesman, Femi Joseph, said the police were only interested in the resolution of the crisis.

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In December, I had an urge to visit Europe  I wanted gorgeous architecture, a rich cafe culture, fabulous wine and cheese, wide avenues to stroll and narrow cobblestone streets to bike.

Instead of flying across the Atlantic though, I flew over the equator, to Buenos Aires, the Paris of Latin America where, it was explained to me when I was there in 2012, the residents are Italians who think theyre French and speak Spanish.

Yes, Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a longer flight from my home in Wyoming than the Paris of France. But, between December and April, Buenos Aires is 90 degrees and sunny; Europe means rain or snow and darkness. It was about 15 degrees below zero when I boarded my plane at Jackson Hole Airport in Wyoming, so I was willing to trade Europe for a warm, sunny European-ish city in South America.

My travel partner is one of my best friends from high school. Our last international trip together was to the real Paris.

In planning our Buenos Aires trip, I looked at the Alvear Palace, a graciously Old World, Belle Epoque hotel in the Recoleta neighborhood. Servers at its LOrangerie breakfast buffet wear white gloves. Placards on each floor remind guests of the dress code: In public areas, attire should be formal or smart casual; shorts, Bermudas or sleeveless T-shirts are not allowed. If you jog you may leave and enter the hotel in your running apparel. Bathrooms are marble with brass fixtures. The doormen wear tuxes and top hats. We will be European aristocracy, at least for several days. There is a personal butler.

Conveniently, one of the restaurants I wanted to eat at, La Bourgogne, is in Alvear Palaces basement.

Two blocks from Alvear Palace is Palacio Duhau, designed as a family home in the early 1930s by French architect Leon Dourge in the style of the Chateau des Marais, a neoclassical palace outside of Paris. In 2006, after extensive restoration work and the addition of a 17-story modern tower, it opened as a Park Hyatt.

While Recoleta might be one of Buenos Aires most European-feeling neighborhoods, we wanted to explore the city. Our first activity would be a seven-hour, guided bike tour.

To immediately get us into a Euro state of mind, I insisted Kevin and I walk from Alvear Palace to Biking Buenos Aires storefront in the San Telmo neighborhood, one of the citys oldest.

We were late because I couldnt stop taking pictures of the architecture. (Also because I misjudged the distance we would have to walk.) At one intersection of two cobblestone streets, buildings ranged from Edwardian to Brutalist, Beaux-Arts and Art Deco. Maybe planning an architecture tour was in order.

In our first hour with bike guide Pepe Rivas, we pedaled down narrow, one-way stone streets and along designated bike lanes at the edges of wide, leafy avenues. We rode through Lezama Park, which with its sculptures and large esplanade and couples making out felt decidedly European.

This made sense when Rivas told us that, at the turn of the 20th century, it was a French-Argentine landscape architect who remodeled the parks original design.

Lezamas jacaranda and rosewood trees pulled me back to South America, as did a massive monument honoring Spanish conquistador Pedro de Mendoza, who founded Buenos Aires in 1536.

I watched groups of men pass around cups of mate, a caffeine-rich tea made from ground leaves of the yerba mate tree and designated by the Argentine Senate as the countrys national infusion.

In Caminito, an area of La Boca settled mainly by immigrants from Genoa in the early 1900s and today popular with tourists because of its abundance of Italian restaurants and the colorful facades of its wood houses, the air smells like southern Italy  anchovies and olive oil. Here in a small park kitty-corner from women dressed in tango outfits who pose for photos and demand several pesos, we took a break for a mate lesson. To understand Argentina, you must understand mate, Rivas said, and then he made a gourd-full for us.

To Kevin and me, its taste was as bitter as Rivas preparation of it was precise. Rivas assured us it wouldnt take long for us to acquire a taste for it.

Since we did so poorly with the national infusion, Kevin and I doubled down on the Senate-decreed national drink: Argentine wine. We were committed, even though our first opportunity to drink wine was at the Frenchest of Buenos Aires French restaurants.

Before I could worry whether it was acceptable to order non-French wine at La Bourgogne, I worried whether our clothes made the cut for the restaurants dress code. Male diners were supposed to wear sport coats. Not being a banker or a diplomat, Kevin didnt pack one. The only reason I was appropriately dressed was our personal butler arranged for my wrinkled clothes to be pressed. Kevins button-down shirt turned out to be just fine.

Once seated, it was quickly apparent it was OK to order non-French wine. The red leather-backed wine menu included bottles from around the world, even Israel. It might have been just the French formality of the atmosphere  waiters in tuxes, the tables small crystal vase with three pink roses or the hushed tones of our fellow diners  but I swore the glass I started with, a sparkling wine from Mendoza called Cavas Rosell Boher Cuvee Millesime, had notes of brioche.

I didnt know it at the time, but La Bourgognes black pepper beef tenderloin flambeed tableside with cognac was the best beef Id have all week.

The dinner was the best meal of the week until my last day, when lunch was tea on the Park Hyatts patio and dinner was a tasting/pairing of four cheeses and four wines at the hotels Vinoteca. (Not as uninspired and unadventurous as banana-Nutella crepes, but probably about as healthy.)

The tea experience was even better than I had imagined during the planning stages. The tea blend had hints of lavender, vanilla and rose. A raspberry macaron was nearly the diameter of a doughnut. I was sitting on the actual patio of an actual Louis XVI-style palace. And I was grateful for the shade of giant rubber trees because it was December, and the sun was out and warm.
Getting a drink at a good bar is one of lifes great pleasures.

But there are right and wrong ways to go about it. Jim Meehan, co-founder of PDT (Please Dont Tell), the Manhattan hideaway that crystalized the modern speakeasy trend and won Worlds Best Bar in the process, has strong feelings about how to behave when youre getting a cocktail  at least at those places that dont specialize in body shots or florescent drinks.

Following are Meehans rules on being a bar pro.

1. Asking the bartender whats good.

Did you come to the bar to have a shot of Fernet and a can of High Life? Well then, asking bartenders what they like to drink does not help. At any reputable bar their job is to fix a drink based on your preference, not theirs. Most will answer by asking a variation of the question: What do you like to drink? This is your chance to give them something to work with: I like tequila, or Something tropical. If there are spirits or cocktails you dont like, tell them upfront  just dont make it a five-minute debate.

2. Adhering to your no-added-sugar diet.

Heres the way it works when a professional mixes a drink: Any cocktail that includes citrus or some kind of acidic ingredient needs a sweetener for balance. Its what every bartender strives for, a balance among strong, sweet, and sour, and to completely cut out one of the pillars will create something you will not want to drink. Trust me. In the event that you are especially sensitive to sweetness or dont want any sugar in your cocktail, say, I take my drinks very dry or order a highball, such as whisky soda or a gin rickey. Or a shot.

3. Substituting your favorite spirit.

If you prefer a Beefeater Martini or a Wild Turkey Manhattan, youre more than welcome to request one  and I recommend it in a classic cocktail. But house cocktails created by the bar staff are a different matter. That bartender specifically chose the gin, rum, mezcal, etc., for their creation. Asking the bartender to substitute your favorite bottle is the equivalent of a hasty move in a game of Jenga: It has the potential to topple the stack and ruin the drink. The one exception: If your last name is Beam or Daniels.

4. Sending back half-empty drinks.

You have every right to enjoy your $15 (and maybe $15+) cocktail. If its flawed in a way that will diminish your experience, you should ask for a replacement. Any good bar will respect your choice.

But theres a right time and way to do this  as soon as youve tasted the drink and by making eye contact with your server or bartender when theyre in your vicinity. Its never fun to have a drink you mixed sent back, so be nice when you ask for something else, and dont yell across any distance to get someones attention. If you take this route, order something you know you like, so theres no repeat performance. No one wants to hear you didnt like your cocktail twice in a row, or after youve finished half of it, which is the universal sign that it was satisfactory.

5. Dissing the server.

Nothing is more demeaning to people who take pride in their work than assuming they dont know the product theyre working with. If you have a technical question about a spirit, cocktail, or anything related, first ask the person whos taking care of you. Many top cocktail bars, including mine, rotate their bar staff on and off the floor. If youre at PDT, chances are youre being served by a bartender. Remember the hashtag #respect.

6. Tipping $1 per drink.

Tipping is personal, so Im not going to tell you how much  or even if  you should tip. But I will say that the amount of elbow grease that goes into the juices, syrups, infusions and preparation of your $15 Gin Gin Mule is significantly more than the bottle of Stella someone opened at your local bar. Most guests tip 20 percent for fancy cocktails. You dont have to, but you should know whats standard.

7. Guilt-ordering a cocktail.

I stock four delicious craft beers and three local wines at PDT, and I take pride in making nonalcoholic cocktails. I even stock a German nonalcoholic beer that Ill happily drink. More and more cocktail bars are upping their wine and beer games; if they arent, feel free to hold it against them. If you do want to drink booze but dont see anything to your liking on the cocktail menu, dont feel bad about requesting a classic thats not on the menu, such as a Negroni or an Old-Fashioned, Daiquiri, or Manahttan. The bartender is there to give you what you want. Just remember Rule No. 1.

8. OVERSTAYING YOUR WELCOME. Especially in high-rent cities such as New York and London, your seat at a popular bar or restaurant is a commodity with high overhead costs. Operators will be grateful if you treat it that way, which is best demonstrated by eating and drinking (i.e. spending money) while youre occupying it and vacating within 20 minutes of finishing your drinks. If youd like more time, you can always ask. Keep track: Three drinks per person, 30 minutes apart, is a good rule of thumb for a good night out.

9. Being that guy.

If youre wondering whether youve had too much to drink, you probably have. Many states hold bars and bartenders legally responsible for the safety of their guests after they leave the bar. If you sense youre about to be cut off, avoid a fight youre not going to win.
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They had to have seen the blood.

Bridgette Rooks began a frantic search in her Atlantic City neighborhood. Her 34-year-old son, Garry Williams, wasnt responding to her texts.

She found police on a street corner. They didnt see the blood, but Rooks did, she said.

Then she saw her son dead in a nearby alley.

On Feb. 22, 2016, Rooks joined the growing pool of South Jersey mothers who have lost children to gun violence.

Parents of A.C. violent crime victims meet to grieve and organize ATLANTIC CITY  When it comes to carrying on after the violent death of a loved one, it take

Atlantic County had 21 homicides in 2015. There were 20 last year. There have been six so far this year, five of them in Atlantic City.

Kellie Cors-Atherly knows the feeling well.

Her 13-year-old son, Todd Mitchell, was shot and killed in Pleasantville in 2012.

In January 2016, Cors-Atherly came up with the idea to start a group that would provide an outlet for the grieving families of South Jersey, and Peace Amongst Youth Inc., her nonprofit, was born.

According to Rooks, a group made specifically to help families affected by shootings was needed.

We were told there was a waiting list for counseling, Rooks said. Ive called. They dont even return your calls.

So Cors-Atherly, Rooks and other mothers are looking for a way to break the cycle of violence in South Jersey. With other children to care for, many of them teenagers or younger, falling into despair because of the murder of one of their children wasnt an option.

Cors-Atherly wanted not only to help curb the violence but help the remaining siblings, cousins and friends of the victim.

In her experiences with her children, she said area school counselors generally are not qualified to handle the trauma of grief following gun violence. Families may live in fear of retaliation, relocate, put up security cameras or move their remaining children into new schools.

I went to The Alcove, I went to counseling, but I felt like I was the only one in the room. To speak out and say, Im the mother of a 13-year-old that was murdered, its kind of hard.

The Alcove, a grief counseling center in Northfield, has been working to help children and families manage grief since 2001. Executive Director Mindy Shemtov said Alcove counselors have partnered with 22 schools since school counselors often are not as versed in grief counseling following a shooting.

To be living with trauma untreated often leads to depression, anxiety and substance abuse, Shemtov said.

Authorities see link between Hamilton Township killings, expressway shootout Investigators are looking into a connection between two recent fatal shootings in Hamilton T

Cors-Atherly created Peace Amongst Youth to take on the aftermath of shootings specifically. She wants to teach communities about laws and programs to protect witnesses, and that in some cases, families who have lost loved ones to these crimes can be compensated.

Many families may never see an arrest in the killing of their relative. Brothers, sisters and cousins may be afraid assailants will return. They grieve and await justice at the same time. Investigations into the killings of Rooks son are continuing.

Abubaka Brown, 19, of Atlantic City, was charged with Mitchells murder in 2015.

Jamilah Muhammad is another relative of a victim who was shot to death, whom Cors-Atherly has taken under her wing. She was 11 the night she heard the gunshots in Atlantic City that killed her 25-year-old cousin.

Prosecutor identifies Egg Harbor City man killed in Hamilton The Atlantic County Prosecutors Office confirmed Friday that the man killed Wednesday night

I didnt know what was going on, and then I heard, It was your cousin, Muhammad said. I didnt know what to do. I was still young. Id never been in a situation like this.

The now 17-year-old said she was too young to know how to distract herself.

He was the only boy I was close to, Muhammad said.

Pleasantville Police Capt. Matt Hartman said law enforcement understands the fear surrounding the shooting of a loved one and that it is a real concern. He said families and witnesses can work with the Atlantic County Prosecutors Victim and Witness Advocacy programs to be protected.

Unwillingness due to a no-snitching mentality is especially frustrating for investigators, Hartman said. We want to bring the perpetrators to justice and bring closure to these families.

Prosecutor's Office identifies victim in Woodlands shooting The man shot and killed at the Woodlands Condominium Complex in Hamilton Township was identi

The more help families can immediately give to the police, the higher the chance of an arrest.

But in the face of tragedy, that can be a struggle.

When the cops found out it was my cousin, so many of them came to me, Muhammad said. They were asking for his moms number, cousins numbers.  I was not thinking about giving out numbers. I just saw him lying on the ground and didnt know what to do.

The flurry of grief is still fresh in Danielle Fletchers mind.

These past five months have been hell for me, Fletcher said.

Her 17-year-old son, Kvaun Wyatt, was shot and killed Oct. 30 in Atlantic City.

She spoke of Wyatt on a recent Wednesday, sporting a T-shirt featuring a photo of his young face looking off into the distance. Two of her younger sons, Kyrell, 12, and Kory, 7, also wear sweatshirts featuring their brother.

Fletcher remembers bringing Wyatt home from the hospital on her birthday. He died on his brother Kyrells birthday.

Kyrell was 11, and for the rest of his life, on that day, hell remember he lost his older brother, Fletcher said.

'Turf war' feared in 2nd fatal Mays Landing shooting HAMILTON TOWNSHIP  A shooting Wednesday night claimed the life of an Atlantic County man at

Fletcher said for her, the smallest of things will remind her she lost her teen. Her shopping cart looks less full with one less child to feed. She now bypasses Wyatts favorite foods.

But her main concern is for her older son, who looked for counseling following the shooting but is now incarcerated, and her young boys who have lost interest in school. Kyrells high grades of As have dropped to Cs, and he recently received his first F.

Im dealing with his feelings and his emotions, but hes bottling up everything. Were going to family counseling, but it only goes so far, Fletcher said. He said, Mom, theres a blur in school. He doesnt want to go anymore. Hes lost interest.

Investigation into Hamilton Mall shooting enters fifth day The investigation into the shooting death of Atlantic City resident Demond Cottman entered i

Most mothers say the counseling groups that do exist in Atlantic and Cape May counties largely arent of help to their families because of the restrictions stacked against them. Any sort of unrelated charges, pending or convicted, can impede families from getting help, they said. They fear the cycle could continue.

By the time they are 18, they feel like they dont have a chance, Cors-Atherly said. Theyre going to find the next weed, the next pill, the next syrup. Theres nothing out here for these babies.

So Cors-Atherly is working toward opening a counseling center in Atlantic County without charge restrictions.

They have to be able to let it out, she said. Grief and depression are silent killers.
LOS ANGELES, March 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lundin Law PC, a shareholder rights firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit against The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD or the Company) (NYSE:TD). Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired TD shares between December 3, 2015 and March 9, 2017, inclusive (the Class Period), are encouraged to contact the firm in advance of the May 11, 2017 lead plaintiff deadline.



To participate in this class action lawsuit, click here. You can also call Brian Lundin, Esquire, of Lundin Law PC, at 888-713-1033, or e-mail him at brian@lundinlawpc.com.

No class has been certified in the above action. Until a class is certified, you are not considered represented by an attorney. You may also choose to do nothing and be an absent class member.

CBC News published an article detailing the pressures placed on TD Bank branch employees to sell customers unneeded products. The report states current and former TD Bank employees described a working environment with zero focus on ethics.

When this news was released to the public, the value of TD stock dropped, causing investors harm.

Lundin Law PC was founded by Brian Lundin, a securities litigator based in Los Angeles dedicated to upholding shareholders rights.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
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.




AMSTERDAM and WASHINGTON, March 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) today announced that the results from two large clinical trials comparing patient outcomes using instant wave-free ratio (iFR) and fractional flow reserve (FFR) in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. First released in 2013, iFR is an innovative pressure-derived index unique to Philips, a global leader in image-guided therapy solutions, allowing hyperemia-free physiological assessment of coronary blockages.

Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/479899/Royal_Philips_DEFINE_FLAIR_and_iFR_Swedeheart.jpg

Findings from the DEFINE FLAIR and iFR Swedeheart trials, which studied 4,529 patients as part of the largest randomized coronary physiology outcome studies to date, were presented at the 2017 American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session & Expo (ACC.17) in Washington, D.C., March 1719, 2017. Investigators Dr. Justin Davies of Imperial College London in the United Kingdom, and Dr. Matthias Gotberg of Lund University in Sweden, presented one-year outcome data showing that, compared to an FFR-guided strategy, an iFR-guided strategy offers a more cost-effective and faster diagnostic solution with reduced patient discomfort, while delivering consistent patient outcomes.

"Findings from these two major clinical outcome studies have the potential to significantly improve the use of coronary physiological assessment," said Dr. Manesh Patel, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Chief of the Division of Cardiology and Co-Director of the Duke Heart Center at Duke University School of Medicine. "One of the barriers to iFR adoption has been the lack of outcome data, however now we have evidence that an iFR-guided treatment strategy is as reliable as an FFR-guided strategy with regard to future cardiovascular events. Additionally, I believe iFR will reduce patient discomfort. Together the results of these studies demonstrate large simple trials in clinical practice can be done, and should remove any barriers to the use of coronary physiology in interventional procedures."

In image-guided therapies of coronary artery disease, clinicians have been using FFR in addition to angiographic images to assess the physiology of a suspected blockage in coronary arteries to decide, guide, treat and confirm the appropriate therapy. iFR is the next generation physiologic measurement that uses the same pressure guide wires and equipment as FFR, but avoids the administration of hyperemic agents to the patient that is required with FFR.

The DEFINE FLAIR and iFR Swedeheart trials demonstrate that, compared to FFR, iFR offers reduced procedure time, cost and complexity without degradation of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). The primary endpoint of DEFINE FLAIR and iFR Swedeheart was MACE rate at one year in iFR and FFR groups. DEFINE FLAIR shows MACE rates of 6.8 percent in the iFR-guided arm versus 7.0 percent in the FFR-guided arm, p=0.003 for non-inferiority. The iFR Swedeheart outcome data showed MACE rates of 6.7 percent in the iFR-guided arm versus 6.1 percent in the FFR-guided arm, p=0.007 for non-inferiority.

The two trials further established that iFR offers a faster procedure while almost completely eliminating severe patient symptoms as compared to FFR. The DEFINE FLAIR study found that due to eliminating the need for a hyperemic drug, iFR-guided treatments lead to a 10 percent reduction in procedural time versus FFR-guided treatment (p=0.001), while reducing patient discomfort by 90 percent (p<0.01). Side effects of hyperemic drugs can include increased heart rate, pounding of the heart, flushing, elevated temperature and feelings of impending doom, which simulate physical and emotional distress.

"The clinical validation of our innovations is a critical element of our strategy in image-guided therapy," said Christopher Barys, Business Leader at Philips Volcano. "The outcomes of these clinical studies underpin the value of iFR and its benefits for patient safety and effective diagnoses. It is our hope that the results advance the adoption of iFR to help physicians improve patient care. This is one of the largest coronary physiologic datasets ever collected and truly demonstrates the value of iFR in the physiological assessment of coronary artery disease in patients."

DEFINE FLAIR was a randomized, blind comparison of clinical outcomes and cost efficiencies of iFR and FFR interventions of 2,492 patients in 49 centers across Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa. iFR Swedeheart was a randomized trial of 2,037 patients in 15 centers in Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland assessing outcomes of iFR versus FFR guided intervention. Both studies conducted their comparisons of iFR versus FFR using pressure guide wires and equipment from Philips. Since the introduction of the hyperemia-free iFR modality in 2013, iFR has been studied in nearly 15,000 patients and is used in more than 4,100 catheterization labs across the world.

For more information on Philips and the iFR data, please visit http://www.philips.com/iFR and follow the #ACC2017 conversation with @PhilipsLiveFrom throughout the event.

For further information, please contact:

Alicia Cafardi

Philips Group Press Office

Tel: +1 412-523-9616

Email: Alicia.Cafardi@philips.com

Kathleen Lozen

Philips Volcano

Tel: +1 617-529-2958

Email: Kathleen.Lozen@philips.com

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips' health technology portfolio generated 2016 sales of EUR 17.4 billion and employs approximately 71,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/460897/philips_new_logo_061215logo.jpg

SOURCE Royal Philips
LOS ANGELES, March 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lundin Law PC, a shareholder rights firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit against Banc of California, Inc. (Banc of California or the Company) (NYSE:BANC) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws between August 7, 2015 and January 23, 2017 inclusive (the Class Period). Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired shares during the Class Period should contact the firm prior to the March 24, 2017 lead plaintiff motion deadline.



To participate in this class action lawsuit, click here. You can also call Brian Lundin, Esquire, of Lundin Law PC, at 888-713-1033, or e-mail him at brian@lundinlawpc.com.

No class has been certified in the above action. Until a class is certified, you are not considered represented by an attorney. You may also choose to do nothing and be an absent class member.

Seeking Alpha released an article claiming that Banc of California had concealed several connections between it and Jason Galanis, who has been convicted of criminal securities fraud. Specifically, the Complaint maintains that: Banc of California CEO Jason Sugarman was the founder, CEO, and indirect owner of a company controlled by Galanis; and that separately, Galanis controlled Banc of Californias founding shareholder. The Complaint further claims that Banc of California was using an off-balance sheet entity to render loans to insiders.

Then, on November 10, 2016, Banc of California revealed it would be stalling the filing of its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2016 so that its Special Committee could complete a review into the aforementioned improper relationships and related party transactions. On January 23, 2017, Banc of California stated that the Securities and Exchange Commission is pursuing a formal order of investigation directed at these same issues.

When this news was released to the public, the value of Banc dropped, causing investors harm.

Lundin Law PC was founded by Brian Lundin, a securities litigator based in Los Angeles dedicated to upholding shareholders rights.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Intelliber Technologies INC; based out of San Francisco and Jamshedpur, India today announced the launch of Socialyk - World 1st human centric SaaS based networking.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/479900/Landing_Page_Socialyk.jpg

"Socialyk is the world's 1st Human Centric, SaaS based, Fully Functional, end-to-end, demand and supply side networking platform." Socialyk is also the fastest growing platform in SaaS domain. Socialyk's weekly growth rates have never been less than 900% after they launched it on 20th January 2017. More than 25000 users have already signed up on Socialyk after its launch at the end of January. Mr. Jyoti Ranjan; Founder & CEO at Intelliber Technologies says that on Socialyk, its more about bringing opportunities in front of its users and helping them save a lot of time and money. "Socialyk is a platform where users gather to identify insights, market intelligence, hire talented candidates, build their subscriber base, get customers, post classifieds, check reviews, claim offers, bid on projects, market as per audience and consumer type, sell through real-time leads, access analytical data not available in the public domain and apply to jobs," says Jyoti Ranjan  CEO & Founder of Intelliber Technologies. Socialyk is web only as of now and they plan to launch an android and iOS app in the 1st week of June, 2017. Jyoti Ranjan goes on to add that users, content and actions go together on demand by a vetted net of thousands of individuals who are entrepreneurs, recruiters, travelers, bloggers, event organizers, project owners, marketers etc. on Socialyk.

Create your account

On Socialyk, individuals can just post their needs across relevant categories and let its human centric approach based engine automatically match them with the right users. Whatever, whenever, wherever they need it.

"Your human needs could be a travel agent in Hawaii, an adventure trip to Mount Everest, search for a travel partner, business needs of a company in Silicon Valley, a buyer in your location, a recruiter hiring for your skill sets, a marketer running offers for your kind of audience or a scuba diver in Bangkok. Incredible users across global locations are now at your fingertips via Socialyk."

Everyone on Socialyk has a detailed profile with samples of their work. You can see their interests, skill sets, preferences and the full range of their expertise. Reviews help you choose the right company for your next job. On Socialyk, you can add your existing team; let people know about your services and products or build an entire team through our job post feature from the ground up. "Socialyk's human focused approach brings information and opportunities for your needs right in front of you. Socialyk also handles the marketing research, business intelligence and surveys for companies and individuals and helps you with informed decision making through real-time business data."

"So whether you are a recruiter, job seeker, freelancer, company owner, brand or a media conglomerate; Socialyk helps you focus on doing what you love most; doing amazing things. Availing opportunities brought to you by Socialyk; real-time, every time."

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL3GSQdSeaw

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/479512/Socialyk_Logo.jpg

Related Links

http://www.intelliber.com



SOURCE Intelliber Technologies Inc.
AURORA, Ontario, March 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Magna International Inc. (TSX: MG; NYSE: MGA) today announced that the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") has accepted Magna's amended Notice of Intention to Make a Normal Course Issuer Bid (the "Notice"). The Notice has been amended to permit the purchase by Magna of its Common Shares pursuant to issuer bid exemption orders issued by securities regulatory authorities in connection with specific share repurchase programs.

Magna also announced that it intends to purchase for cancellation up to 1,500,000 Common Shares under a specific share repurchase program (the "Program"). The Program forms part of the company's current normal course issuer bid for up to 38,000,000 Common Shares (the "NCIB") and all purchases will be made in accordance with the TSX rules applicable to the NCIB, subject to limited exceptions as provided in an issuer bid exemption order issued by the Ontario Securities Commission (the "Order").

In connection with the Program, Magna has entered into an agreement (the "Agreement") with a third party to purchase Magna Common Shares through transactions that may take place on any trading day between March 22, 2017 and March 31, 2017 (the "Program Term"). Under the Program:

an aggregate maximum of 1,500,000 Common Shares can be purchased;

purchases on any one day must not exceed the daily limit under Magna's NCIB;

the price paid by Magna in any transaction will be at a discount to the volume weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on the Canadian markets on that date;

Magna cannot purchase any other Common Shares under the NCIB during the Program Term;

no purchases will be made during any trading blackout imposed by Magna;

all Common Shares purchased by Magna will be cancelled; and

following completion of the Program, Magna will disclose on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at http://www.sedar.com information regarding the number of Common Shares purchased and the aggregate price paid.

In accordance with the terms of the Agreement and the Order, on any date that Magna purchases Common Shares from the third party or its agents, the third party or its agents must purchase the same number of Common Shares on Canadian markets.

OUR BUSINESS [1]

We are a leading global automotive supplier with 317 manufacturing operations and 102 product development, engineering and sales centres in 29 countries. We have over 155,000 employees focused on delivering superior value to our customers through innovative products and processes, and world class manufacturing. We have complete vehicle engineering and contract manufacturing expertise, as well as product capabilities which include body, chassis, exterior, seating, powertrain, active driver assistance, vision, closure and roof systems and have electronic and software capabilities across many of these areas. Our common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MG) and the New York Stock Exchange (MGA). For further information about Magna, visit our website at http://www.magna.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain statements that, to the extent that they are not recitations of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including, but not limited to, future purchases of our Common Shares under the Normal Course Issuer Bid or pursuant to private agreements or share repurchase programs under an issuer bid exemption order issued by the Ontario Securities Commission. Forward-looking statements may include financial and other projections, as well as statements regarding our future plans, objectives or economic performance, or the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. We use words such as "may", "would", "could", "should" "will", "likely", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "plan", "forecast", "outlook", "project", "estimate" and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events to identify forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us, and are based on assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks, assumptions and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and the effects of which can be difficult to predict. These risks, assumptions and uncertainties include, without limitation, the impact of: the potential for a deterioration of economic conditions or an extended period of economic uncertainty; a decline in consumer confidence which would typically result in lower production volume; planning risk created by rapidly changing economic or political conditions; fluctuations in relative currency values; legal claims and/or regulatory actions against us; liquidity risks; the unpredictability of, and fluctuation in, the trading price of our Common Shares; changes in laws and governmental regulations; and other factors set out in our Annual Information Form filed with securities commissions in Canada and our annual report on Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and subsequent filings. In evaluating forward-looking statements, we caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements and readers should specifically consider the various factors which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we do not intend, nor do we undertake any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent information, events, results or circumstances or otherwise.

[1] Manufacturing operations, product development, engineering and sales centres and employee figures include certain equity-accounted operations.

INVESTOR CONTACT: Louis Tonelli, Vice-President, Investor Relations, louis.tonelli@magna.com  +1-905.726.7035; MEDIA CONTACT: Tracy Fuerst, Director of Corporate Communications & PR, tracy.fuerst@magna.com  +1-248.631.5396

SOURCE Magna International Inc.
TORONTO, March 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- California Innovations' flagship brand, Arctic Zonethe market leader in soft-sided insulated productsunveils the first ever self-inflating lunch bag. The unique TITAN DEEP FREEZE High Performance Lunch Pack inflates in seconds with the twist of an air valve.

The self-inflating lunch pack includes 2 freezable soft hydration bottles that can be filled and frozen to use as ice packs and unfrozen to drink from. After use, the lunch pack conveniently deflates for carrying and can be stored rolled or flat.

Rick Stephens, Vice President of Design at California Innovations, calls the "Self-Inflating Lunch Pack, without a doubt, the most innovative meal carrier solution ever created. It is high performing yet incredibly mobile".

"The system was designed with self-inflating technology that yields a very lightweight bag and an extremely small collapsed footprint, making storage and transport simple." Stephens explained.

California Innovations will be located in booth S3878 in the South building at the 2017 International Home & Housewares Show. Along with the Self-Inflating Lunch Pack, they also will display their other lines, including "Freezables", "Zipperless", "Fashion", "Food Pro", "Portion Control" and "Interlockers".

About California Innovations

California Innovations began in 1986 and acquired Arctic Zone in 2004. As the market leader in soft sided, insulated products, we have been responsible for expanding the category in new directions. We attribute our success to a passion for design, ingenuity and innovation and our decades of experience that has allowed us to develop a wealth of knowledge and expertise in materials and construction. We know our products from the inside out and are uncompromising in the quality that we demand of every product that has our name on it. For additional information, please visit www.arcticzone.com

For further information, please visit the California Innovations booth (S3878).

For our full press kit please visit: http://housewares_show.vporoom.com/CaliforniaInnovations

SOURCE California Innovations
SAN DIEGO, March 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Shareholder Rights Law Firm Johnson & Weaver, LLP today announced that it is investigating the Catalyst Hedged Futures Strategy Fund.

Class A: (NASDAQ: HFXAX)

Class C: (NASDAQ: HFXCX)

Class I: (NASDAQ: HFXIX)

Catalyst recently lost $600 million in value or 15% in one week. The Catalyst Fund invests in long and short call and put options on Standard & Poors' 500 Index futures contracts. The fund is marketed as a capital preservation strategy, touted to prospective investors as a low-risk fund which seeks capital appreciation and capital preservation in all market conditions.

If you are a Catalyst fund investor, purchasing the fund as a low-risk investment, and are interested in learning more about the investigation or your legal rights and remedies, please contact Jim Baker ([email protected]) by email or phone at 619-814-4471. If emailing, please include a phone number.

About Johnson & Weaver, LLP:

Johnson & Weaver, LLP is a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm with offices in California, New York and Georgia. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in shareholder derivative and securities class action lawsuits. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit http://www.johnsonandweaver.com. Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Contact:

Johnson & Weaver, LLP

Jim Baker, 619-814-4471

[email protected]

SOURCE Johnson & Weaver, LLP

Related Links

http://johnsonandweaver.com


WASHINGTON, March 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- To coincide with the presentation of the Primary Results of DEFINE-FLAIR at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2017 Scientific Sessions, Simple Education is pleased to announce the publication of a special roundtable discussion that put these ground breaking results into wider context.

Round Table Discussion on the Primary Results of DEFINE-FLAIR at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2017 Scientific Sessions

DEFINE-FLAIR is a multi-centre, prospective, international, randomized, blinded comparison of clinical outcomes and cost efficiencies of iFR (Instantaneous Wave-Free Ratio) and FFR (Fractional Flow Reserve) decision-making for physiological guided coronary revascularization).

The event 'Moving from Physiology Justified PCI, To Physiology Guided PCI - Are the DEFINE-FLAIR results a catalyst for a paradigm shift in the use and adoption of coronary physiology in the modern cath lab?' features a panel of true experts in coronary physiology: Dr Manesh Patel (Durham, US), Prof Takashi Akasaka (Wakayama, Japan), Prof Carlo Di Mario (Florence, Italy), Dr Allen Jeremias (New York, US) and DEFINE-FLAIR principal investigator, Dr Justin Davies (London, UK).

The panel members assess the impact of DEFINE-FLAIR and the importance of the trial results to the use of coronary physiology in the catheter laboratory. They will discuss how these trial results may influence the use and adoption of physiological assessment and debate whether current guidelines are adequate in light of these results. Finally, the experts discuss the future of coronary physiology including upcoming trials, emerging technologies and indications, and predict the future role of physiological assessment in the catheter laboratory.

This fascinating session can be viewed for FREE at:

www.simpleeducation.co/moments/686

To learn more about coronary physiology, including FFR (Fractional Flow Reserve), iFR (Instantaneous Wave-Free Ratio) and CT-FFR (Computed Tomography -Fractional Flow Reserve) Simple Education has a comprehensive digital library of educational resources for healthcare professionals.

Examples can be viewed here:

www.simpleeducation.co/moments/187

www.simpleeducation.co/moments/269

About Simple Education

Simple Education is an online e-learning medical education platform that enables healthcare professionals from across the globe to engage with world class medical education, delivered by leading names in the cardiology world.

Simple Education enables users to purchase individual course or conference moments. This means HCPs can access world class content in their own time, at their office / home and engage with precisely the content they are interested in.

The unique Simple Education algorithm learns and adapts to user behavior, which means that based on the content a HCP has already engaged with other relevant content will be suggested.

About DEFINE-FLAIR

DEFINE-FLAIR was a randomized, blind comparison of clinical outcomes and cost efficiencies of iFR and FFR interventions of 2,492 patients in 49 centers across Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa. iFR Swedeheart was a randomized trial of 2,037 patients in 15 centers in Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland assessing outcomes of iFR versus FFR guided intervention.

Related Files

DEFINE-FLAIR - Press Release.4.pdf

Related Images

image1.png

image2.png

image3.png

Related Links

To learn more about coronary physiology, including FFR (Fractional Flow Reserve), iFR (Instantaneous Wave-Free Ratio) and CT-FFR

To learn more about coronary physiology, including FFR (Fractional Flow Reserve), iFR (Instantaneous Wave-Free Ratio) and CT-FFR

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE Simple Education

Related Links

http://www.simpleeducation.co


CHICAGO, March 17, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Loyola University Chicago announces the appointment of Steve A. N. Goldstein, MD, PhD, as dean of the Stritch School of Medicine following an extensive national search. Goldstein, who officially joins the University on May 1, has nearly 30 years of experience in health sciences research, medical education, and higher education administration.

He currently serves as university professor of biochemistry at Brandeis University. From 2011-2014, Dr. Goldstein was also provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. While at The University of Chicago from 2004-2011, he was a professor in many areas including pediatrics, cancer center, computational neuroscience, molecular medicine, neurobiology, and pharmacology and pharmacogenomics. Dr. Goldstein was also director of the Pediatrician-Scientist Training Program, chair of the Department of Pediatrics, founding director of the Institute of Molecular Pediatric Science, founding co-principal investigator and advisor of the Clinical and Translational Science Award-Institute for Translational Medicine, and founding physician-in-chief of the Comer Children's Hospital. From 1993-2004, Dr. Goldstein was on the faculty at Yale University where he rose to full professor and founded the Section of Developmental Biology and Biophysics.

"Throughout the interview process, we noted that Dr. Goldstein clearly shares our educational mission of preparing compassionate doctors," said Health Sciences Division Provost Margaret Faut Callahan, CRNA, PhD, FNAP, FAAN. "He also displayed a commitment to advancing our scholarship initiatives and high-impact translational research. Dr. Goldstein's proven leadership and collaborative skills will be of critical importance within Loyola, with our clinical partner Loyola University Health System and across Chicago's robust health care community and beyond."

At Brandeis University, Goldstein reorganized operations to improve services and decrease costs and implemented transparent, mission-based budgeting, which allowed academics to become a priority. This reorganization created the first balanced budget in a decade, along with new academic programs, faculty hires, and facilities. Goldstein also led the development of the Brandeis strategic plan, spearheaded diversity initiatives, directed major philanthropic initiatives, and introduced policies that resulted in the largest applicant pools and highest academic profiles in school history.

"It is a great honor to be joining the Stritch School of Medicine this spring," said Goldstein. "I am looking forward to working with the exceptional faculty, staff, and students and embarking on new endeavors in research and education that will advance Loyola's Jesuit, Catholic mission globally and in the local communities we serve."

Goldstein received a Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy in Immunology from Harvard University. He holds a Master of Arts in Biochemistry from Brandeis University. His research interests involve ion channels and how they function in disease and health. This research has identified genetic and mechanistic bases for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in African Americans, inherited and drug-induced cardiac arrhythmias, skeletal muscle disorders, and ischemic stroke. Goldstein's work has advanced methods in interventional cardiology and created diagnostic tests. He has also helped develop new techniques for translational investigations including real-time, single molecule spectroscopy and the creation of de novo neuropeptides based on natural products that target orphan receptions to treat disease.

Goldstein is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. In 2001, he received the prestigious E. Mead Johnson Award from the Society of Pediatrics for his research contributions. He previously served as a scientific advisor to the National Institutes of Health for Nanomedicine and is currently vice chair of the National Science Foundation Advisory Committee for Biological Sciences.



Contact:

Megan Troppito

Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division

708-216-5972

[email protected]

This news release was issued on behalf of Newswise(TM). For more information, visit http://www.newswise.com.

SOURCE Loyola University Chicago
EAST HANOVER, N.J., March 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Novartis announced today results of a new post-hoc analysis in a subgroup of patients with reduced ejection fraction heart failure (HFrEF) and diabetes suggesting that Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan) tablets improved glycemic control, as assessed by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing, compared to ACE-inhibitor enalapril1. HFrEF is also known as systolic heart failure (HF)3. Entresto is indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular (CV) death and hospitalization for HF in patients with chronic HF (NYHA Class II-IV) and reduced ejection fraction4. It is not indicated to treat diabetes.

Entresto lowered HbA1c levels  a measure of average blood glucose levels for the past two to three months  after one year of treatment for HF, and this effect was sustained over three years of study follow-up1. In the analysis, new use of insulin therapy or oral diabetes agents was also reduced in the Entresto group1. The findings are based on data from PARADIGM-HF, the largest clinical trial ever conducted in HF5, and are simultaneously being presented today at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 66th Annual Scientific Session & Expo in Washington, D.C. and published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

"Diabetes is a major risk factor in heart failure and is strongly linked to progression of the disease, putting heart failure patients at increased risk of hospitalization and death," said Scott Solomon, MD, Director of Noninvasive Cardiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and senior author of the publication. "This analysis suggests that, in addition to the proven heart failure benefits demonstrated in PARADIGM-HF, Entresto may also help tighten glycemic control among heart failure patients with diabetes."

An analysis was conducted of 3,778 HFrEF patients in the PARADIGM-HF trial who were diagnosed with diabetes or had a baseline HbA1c  6.5% without a reported diagnosis at screening (98% of patients assessed had type 2 diabetes). The investigators compared the effects of Entresto vs. enalapril on glycemic control by measuring patients' HbA1c levels at screening and at one-, two-, and three-year follow-up visits, and by evaluating patients' initiation of oral antihyperglycemic or insulin therapy during the study.

This post-hoc analysis found that Entresto decreased HbA1c levels by 0.26% during the first year of follow-up, compared to a 0.16% reduction with enalapril (p=0.0023)1. Over three years, HbA1c levels remained persistently lower in patients treated with Entresto compared to enalapril, with an overall reduction of 0.14% (95% CI [0.06, 0.23]; p=0.0055)1. In addition, 29% fewer Entresto-treated patients initiated insulin therapy to achieve glycemic control (114 (7%) vs. 153 (10%) patients, HR 0.71, 95% CI, 0.56-0.90; p=0.0052)1. Entresto was shown to reduce the risk of CV death or HF hospitalization compared with enalapril among patients with or without diabetes at baseline1,6,7.

"On top of the already well-demonstrated clinical benefits of Entresto, a reduction in HbA1c levels in these type 2 diabetes patients is of great interest and shows us that further research is needed to better understand this metabolic effect of the drug," said Fabrice Chouraqui, President of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. "Novartis is committed to exploring the full potential of this important medication to maximize its value for heart failure patients managing their chronic condition."

About Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a debilitating and life-threatening condition, which impacts 6.5 million Americans and is the leading cause of hospitalization among Americans over the age of 658,9. About half of people with HF have heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), also known as systolic HF3,10. Reduced ejection fraction means the heart does not contract with enough force, so less blood is pumped out11. HF presents a major and growing health-economic burden that currently exceeds $30 billion in the United States, which accounts for both direct and indirect costs12.

Novartis has established the largest global clinical program in the HF disease area across the pharma industry to date. FortiHFy, comprising more than 40 active or planned clinical studies designed to generate an array of additional data on symptom reduction, efficacy, quality of life benefits and real world evidence with Entresto, as well as to extend understanding of heart failure.

About Entresto

Entresto is a twice-a-day medicine that reduces the strain on the failing heart. It does this by enhancing the protective neurohormonal systems (natriuretic peptide system) while simultaneously inhibiting the harmful effects of the overactive renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)4,13. Other heart failure medicines only block the harmful effects of the overactive RAAS3. Entresto contains the neprilysin inhibitor sacubitril and the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) valsartan4.

Entresto is indicated in the US to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in patients with chronic heart failure (NYHA Class II-IV) and reduced ejection fraction4. Entresto is usually administered in conjunction with other heart failure therapies, in place of an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)4. Entresto film-coated tablets are available in three dosage strengths: 24/26 mg, 49/51 mg, and 97/103 mg (sacubitril/valsartan)4. These doses are referred to as 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg in the clinical trial literature including the New England Journal of Medicine publication of the results of PARADIGM-HF. The target maintenance dose of Entresto is 97/103 mg twice daily4.

Novartis is committed to providing patients with affordable access and resources through Entresto Central. For more information, please call 1-888-ENTRESTO or visit www.entresto.com.

Please visit http://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/product/pi/pdf/entresto.pdf for Entresto full Prescribing Information.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Entresto can harm or cause death to an unborn baby. Patients should talk to their doctor about other ways to treat heart failure if they plan to become pregnant. If a patient gets pregnant while taking Entresto, she should tell her doctor right away.

Patients are not to take Entresto if they are allergic to sacubitril or valsartan or any of the ingredients in Entresto; have had an allergic reaction including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or trouble breathing while taking a type of medicine called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB); or take an ACE inhibitor medicine. Patients are not to take Entresto for at least 36 hours before or after they take an ACE inhibitor medicine. Patients should talk with their doctor or pharmacist before taking Entresto if they are not sure if they take an ACE inhibitor medicine. Patients are not to take Entresto if they have diabetes and take a medicine that contains aliskiren.

Before they take Entresto, patients should tell their doctor about all of their medical conditions, including if they have kidney or liver problems; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant; are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Patients should either take Entresto or breastfeed. They should not do both.

Patients should tell their doctor about all the medicines they take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. They should especially tell their doctor if they take potassium supplements or a salt substitute; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); lithium; or other medicines for high blood pressure or heart problems such as an ACE inhibitor, ARB, or aliskiren.

Entresto may cause serious side effects including serious allergic reactions causing swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat (angioedema) that may cause trouble breathing and death. Patients are to get emergency medical help right away if they have symptoms of angioedema or trouble breathing. Patients are not to take Entresto again if they have had angioedema while taking Entresto. People who are black or who have had angioedema may have a higher risk of having angioedema if they take Entresto. Entresto may cause low blood pressure (hypotension). Patients are to call their doctor if they become dizzy or lightheaded, or they develop extreme fatigue. Entresto may cause kidney problems or an increased amount of potassium in the blood.

The most common side effects were low blood pressure, high potassium, cough, dizziness, and kidney problems.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING available at http://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/product/pi/pdf/entresto.pdf.

Patients are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Disclaimer

The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by words such as "suggests," "may," "suggesting," "committed," "growing," "of great interest," "potential," "planned," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential new indications or labeling for Entresto, or regarding potential future revenues from Entresto. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that Entresto will be submitted or approved for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that Entresto will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, management's expectations regarding Entresto could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; the company's ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; general economic and industry conditions; global trends toward health care cost containment, including ongoing pricing pressures; safety, quality or manufacturing issues, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis

Located in East Hanover, NJ Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is an affiliate of Novartis which provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas. In 2016, the Group achieved net sales of USD 48.5 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 118,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis

For Novartis multimedia content, please visit www.novartis.com/news/media-library

For questions about the site or required registration, please contact [email protected]

References

Seferovic, J, Claggett, B, Seidelmann, S, et al. Effect of sacubitril/valsartan versus enalapril on glycaemic control in patients with heart failure and diabetes: a post-hoc analysis from the PARADIGM-HF trial. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology; 2017 March 18; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(17)30087-6. Mentz RJ, Kelly JP, von Lueder TG, et al. Noncardiac comorbidities in heart failure with reduced versus preserved ejection fraction. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014 December 2 ; 64(21): 2281-2293. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2014.08.036. Yancy CW, Jessup M, Bozkurt B, et al. 2013 ACCF/AHA guideline for the management of heart failure: A report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association task force on practice guidelines. Circulation. 2013;128:e240-e327. ENTRESTO [prescribing information]. East Hanover, NJ : Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; August 2015 . McMurray JJV, Packer M, Desai AS, et al. Baseline characteristics and treatment of patients in prospective comparison of ARNI with ACEI to determine impact on global mortality and morbidity in heart failure trial (PARADIGM-HF). Eur J Heart Fail. 2014;16(7):817-825. McMurray JJV, Packer M, Desai AS, et al. Angiotensin-neprilysin inhibition versus enalapril in heart failure. N Engl J Med. 2014;371:993-1004. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1409077. Kristensen SL, Preiss D, Jhund PS, et al; PARADIGM-HF Investigators and Committees. Risk Related to Pre-Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Mellitus in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: Insights From Prospective Comparison of ARNI With ACEI to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure Trial. Circ Heart Fail. 2016; 9(1). pii: e002560. Benjamin EJ, Blaha MJ, Chiuve SE, et al. e. Heart disease and stroke statistics2017 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2017;135:00-00. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000485. Weir LM, Pfuntner A, Maeda J, et al. HCUP facts and figures: statistics on hospital-based care in the United States , 2009. Rockville, MD : Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2011. Owan TE, Hodge DO, Herges RM, et al. Trends in prevalence and outcome of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. N Engl J Med. 2006;355:251-259. Ejection Fraction Heart Failure Measurement. American Heart Association Website. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartFailure/SymptomsDiagnosisofHeartFailure/Ejection-Fraction-Heart-Failure-Measurement_UCM_306339_Article.jsp (link is external). Published March 24, 2015 . Accessed February 2, 2017 . Heidenreich PA, Albert NM, Allen LA , et al. Forecasting the impact of heart failure in the United States : a policy statement from the American Heart Association. Circ Heart Fail. 2013;6:606-619. Langenickel T, Dole W. Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibition with LCZ696: a novel approach for the treatment of heart failure. Drug Discov Today. 2012:4: e131-139.

SOURCE Novartis

Related Links

https://www.novartis.com


REDWOOD CITY, Calif., March 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, Jerome Jarre along with Ben Stiller, Juanpa Zurita, and Casey Neistat launched a GoFundMe to fill a Turkish Airlines flight to Somalia with food. In just one day, they have already raised over $1 million to help those affected by the famine.

"In less than 24 hours, 'Love Army For Somalia' has been shared tens of thousands of times and has quickly become a powerful movement around the world. Donors from 125 countries have united to help those in need in Somalia, so far raising over $1 million. GoFundMe has donated $50,000 to show our full support of this important effort. We are grateful be a part of the #LoveArmyForSomalia," said Rob Solomon, CEO and Chairman of GoFundMe.

To view the campaign, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/LOVEARMYFORSOMALIA

The first flight to Somalia is planned for March 27, and later flights will continue to send supplies. The campaign organizers are teaming up with the American Refugee Committee's team on the ground to distribute the goods, which will include rice, vegetable cooking oil, nutritional biscuits, flour, sugar, and porridge. The funds raised will also be used to deliver water trucks.

To date, Love Army For Somalia has raised over $1 million from over 39,000 donors in 125 countries around the world. We encourage the GoFundMe community to continue to support this important cause.

About GoFundMe

Launched in 2010, GoFundMe is the world's largest social fundraising platform, with over $3 billion raised so far. With a community of more than 25 million donors, GoFundMe is changing the way the world gives. Find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

SOURCE GoFundMe

Related Links

http://www.gofundme.com


SAN FRANCISCO, March 17, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Analysis of the largest American cancer database indicates that racial disparities persist in the treatment and outcomes of patients diagnosed with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite increased availability of potentially curative treatments for early stage NSCLC, African Americans and American Indians were less likely to receive these treatments and more likely to die from the disease. The study will be presented tomorrow at the 2017 Multidisciplinary Thoracic Cancers Symposium.

Although NSCLC is the most fatal cancer in men and women combined, experts estimate that a quarter of NSCLC patients are diagnosed at an early and potentially curable stage. Over the past two decades, definitive treatment options for early-stage NSCLC, which include surgery and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), have become more widely available and contributed to higher survival rates. Many studies have shown, however, that these advances have not benefited all patients equally.

"Racial disparities in the management of stage I NSCLC, such as less frequent rates of curative treatment with African Americans, have contributed to disproportionately lower survival rates for specific minority groups," said Andrew M. Farach, MD, senior author of the study and a radiation oncologist at Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston. "Our study is the first to confirm that, even with widespread growth in the availability and adoption of advanced therapies, disparities in treatment and survival persist for early-stage NSCLC. These findings bring attention to the importance of the medical system actively addressing racial disparities on pace with advancements in medical science."

Researchers examined records from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database for patients age 60 and older diagnosed with biopsy-proven stage I NSCLC between 2004 and 2012, the most recent data available. Patients without definitive records for local therapy were excluded from analyses.

The 62,312 eligible patients were grouped by race/national origin into one of five cohorts: Caucasians (86.6%, 53,872 patients), African Americans (8.0%, 4,947 patients), Asian/Pacific Islanders (5.0%, 3,101 patients), American Indians (0.3%, 198 patients) and patients with unknown racial classification (0.02%, 95 patients). Treatment and survival outcomes were compared using chi-squared tests, the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox multivariate analysis.

Patients received one of four types of primary treatment for stage I NSCLC, including surgery only (67%), radiation only (19%), both surgery and radiation (3%) or no treatment/observation only (12%). The type of treatment patients received varied by race; while 67 percent of Caucasian patients and 72 percent of Asian/Pacific Islander patients underwent surgery, these rates were 56 percent and 58 percent for African-American and American Indian patients, respectively (p < 0.05).

Treatment type directly influenced the likelihood of surviving early-stage lung cancer. On multivariate analysis, patients who received definitive treatment for stage I NSCLC, whether surgery or SBRT, had improved survival rates, regardless of race, age or gender (compared with observation, surgery Hazard Ratio (HR) = 0.44, radiation HR = 0.70, surgery and radiation HR = 0.48, p < 0.05).

Overall survival (OS) and lung cancer-specific survival (CSS) also varied among the racial groups. At a median follow-up of 23 months after treatment, OS rates were highest for Asian/Pacific Islander patients (76%) and Caucasians (70%) and lowest for African Americans (65%) and American Indians (60%) (p < 0.05). Similarly, CSS was highest for Asians/Pacific Islanders (84%), followed by Caucasians (79%), African Americans (76%) and American Indians (73%) (p < 0.05). The median CSS for African Americans and American Indians was 80 months and 49 months, respectively, compared to an overall population median of 107 months (p < 0.05).

Even after accounting for differences in age, T stage, gender and treatment type, race influenced CSS. On multivariate analysis, CSS rates were lowest for American Indians (compared with Caucasians, HR = 1.35, p < 0.05) and highest for Asian/Pacific Islanders (HR = 0.77, p < 0.05). Although the median CSS for African-American patients was more than two years shorter than the population median, the difference was no longer statistically significant after controlling for patient, disease and treatment factors.

Several patient and disease characteristics, in addition to race, also independently influenced CSS. Outcomes were worse for male patients (compared with females, HR = 1.17, p < 0.05), older patients (unit Risk Ratio (RR) = 1.01, p < 0.05) and patients with stage T2 tumors (compared with T1, HR = 1.25, p < 0.05).

"Unfortunately, our findings are not particularly surprising. Multiple studies have documented racial disparities in the management and outcome of different cancers. As physicians, it becomes our responsibility to understand and address these inequalities," said Dr. Farach. "Most importantly, we must improve access to care and get patients to treatment. Other steps include investigating the biology of lung cancer in understudied groups andat the individual leveltaking more time to educate and build trust with our underserved patient populations."

The abstract, "Racial disparities in the treatment & outcome of stage I non-small cell lung cancer," will be presented in detail during the oral abstract session at the 2017 Multidisciplinary Thoracic Cancers Symposium in San Francisco (full details below). To schedule an interview with Dr. Farach or an outside expert, contact the ASTRO media relations team at [email protected] or 703-286-1600.

ATTRIBUTION TO THE 2017 MULTIDISCIPLINARY THORACIC CANCERS SYMPOSIUM REQUESTED IN ALL NEWS COVERAGE.

Abstract and Presentation Details

Racial Disparities in the Treatment & Outcome of Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

News Briefing: Friday, March 17 , 1:00  1:45 p.m. Pacific time , Foothill F, Briefing slides and audio

, 1:00  , Foothill F, Briefing slides and audio Oral Abstract Session, Friday, March 17 , 11:00 a.m.  12:30 p.m. Pacific time , Yerba Buena Salon 9

,  , Yerba Buena Salon 9 This news release contains additional and/or updated information from the study author(s). Full original abstract and author disclosures available from [email protected] or thoracicsymposium.org.

Resources on Lung Cancer and Radiation Therapy

ABOUT THE SYMPOSIUM

The 2017 Multidisciplinary Thoracic Cancers Symposium, co-sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), features the latest advances in surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and novel molecular biologic therapies for thoracic malignancies such as lung cancer. The symposium will be held March 16-18, 2017, at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis. For more information about the symposium, visit www.thoracicsymposium.org. For press registration and news briefing information, visit www.astro.org/thoracicpress.

ABOUT ASTRO

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is the premier radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 10,000 members who are physicians, nurses, biologists, physicists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists and other health care professionals who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As the leading organization in radiation oncology, the Society is dedicated to improving patient care through professional education and training, support for clinical practice and health policy standards, advancement of science and research, and advocacy. ASTRO publishes three medical journals, International Journal of Radiation Oncology  Biology  Physics (www.redjournal.org), Practical Radiation Oncology (www.practicalradonc.org) and Advances in Radiation Oncology (www.advancesradonc.org); developed and maintains an extensive patient website, RT Answers (www.rtanswers.org); and created the Radiation Oncology Institute (www.roinstitute.org), a nonprofit foundation to support research and education efforts around the world that enhance and confirm the critical role of radiation therapy in improving cancer treatment. To learn more about ASTRO, visit www.astro.org.

ABOUT ASCO

Founded in 1964, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is committed to making a world of difference in cancer care. As the world's leading organization of its kind, ASCO represents more than 40,000 oncology professionals who care for people living with cancer. Through research, education, and promotion of the highest-quality patient care, ASCO works to conquer cancer and create a world where cancer is prevented or cured, and every survivor is healthy. ASCO is supported by its affiliate organization, the Conquer Cancer Foundation. Learn more at www.ASCO.org, explore patient education resources at www.Cancer.Net, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

ABOUT STS

Founded in 1964, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is a not-for-profit organization representing approximately 7,200 cardiothoracic surgeons, researchers, and allied health care professionals worldwide who are dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for surgeries of the heart, lung, and esophagus, as well as other surgical procedures within the chest. The Society's mission is to enhance the ability of cardiothoracic surgeons to provide the highest quality patient care through education, research, and advocacy.

Contact: Liz Gardner

703-286-1600

[email protected]



Leah Kerkman Fogarty

703-839-7336

[email protected]

SOURCE American Society for Radiation Oncology

Related Links

http://www.astro.org


SAN FRANCISCO, March 17, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Patients in their 80s and 90s who have early stage lung cancer but cannot undergo an operation can be treated safely and effectively with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), according to research presented today at the 2017 Multidisciplinary Thoracic Cancers Symposium. The advanced form of radiation therapy (RT) was well tolerated among this relatively understudied elderly population, indicating that SBRT is a viable option for patients who may otherwise be offered no curative treatment.

While the primary treatment for early stage lung cancer is surgical removal of the tumor, some patients may not be able to tolerate surgery due to health status, advanced age or other factors. For these patients, the best curative option is SBRT, a specialized type of external beam RT that uses advanced imaging techniques to deliver extremely targeted radiation to a tumor. This high degree of precision makes SBRT particularly effective at sparing surrounding healthy tissue, which is important for tumor sites near essential organs, such as the heart and lungs. Patients complete SBRT treatment in three to five days, compared with several weeks for conventional RT.

"While multiple studies and trials have established the effectiveness of SBRT for inoperable early-stage lung cancer, one of the common reasons for not giving radiation in older patients is concern about tolerating the treatment and potential side effects," said Richard J. Cassidy III, MD, lead author of the study and a resident in radiation oncology at Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta. "The low rates of side effects from SBRT for this elderly population in our study indicate that these concerns should not prevent physicians from considering definitive treatment for their inoperable octogenarian and nonagenarian patients with early stage lung cancer."

Findings are based on a retrospective analysis of 58 consecutive patients who received definitive lung SBRT across four academic sites within Emory between 2010 and 2015. All patients were age 80 or older at the time of their diagnosis, with a median age of 84.9 years. Forty percent of the tumors were adenocarcinomas, while 29 percent were squamous cell carcinomas and 31 percent did not have a biopsy. Fifty percent of patients who did not have a biopsy had a previous history of lung cancer. Researchers used logistic regression and proportional hazard testing to determine the association of patient, tumor and treatment characteristics to compare rates of survival, recurrence and progression and assess the influence of patient and disease characteristics. Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was conducted to determine which patients were most likely to benefit from therapy.

At two years following definitive SBRT for lung cancer among elderly patients, survival rates were 73 percent for cancer specific survival (CSS) and 57 percent for overall survival (OS). CSS rates were higher for patients who were not active smokers but lower for patients who were older or had a previous lung cancer diagnosis (smoking Hazard Ratio (HR) = 0.14, p = 0.03; age HR = 1.19, p = 0.04; cancer HR = 7.75, p = 0.01). OS rates were higher for patients with higher Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), which measures a patient's functional ability to perform ordinary tasks, such as work and self-care (HR = 0.91; p < 0.01). Researchers determined that this metric should be considered when offering SBRT in this elderly population, with certain performance status criterion (i.e., KPS  75) associated with significantly improved outcomes.

Two-year estimates of local control and regional control were 84.5 percent and 71.7 percent, respectively. Local failure was more common among patients with adenocarcinomas (HR = 6.36, p = 0.01) and less common for patients with T1 tumors (HR = 0.20, p < 0.01). Higher KPS scores were associated with lower rates of both local failure (HR = 0.92, p < 0.01) and regional failure (HR = 0.94, p < 0.01). In terms of toxicity, just over one-third of patients (34.5%) experienced radiation pneumonitis of any grade, with only two patients experiencing grade 3+ pneumonitis. Pneumonitis was more frequent among patients who were not actively using ace-inhibitors (Odds Ratio (OR) = 3.49, p = 0.02) and less frequent in smaller tumors (OR = 0.03, p < 0.01).

"Our study, along with other studies, helps to show that SBRT can effectively and safely add years to the lives of elderly patients who have early stage lung cancer but cannot undergo an operation for it," said Dr. Cassidy. "Elderly patients, who are otherwise doing well, should not have treatment withheld based solely on concerns about side effects and age."

The abstract, "Stereotactic body radiotherapy for early stage non-small cell lung cancer in patients 80 years and older: A multi-center analysis," will be presented in detail during the poster session at the 2017 Multidisciplinary Thoracic Cancers Symposium in San Francisco (full details below). To schedule an interview with Dr. Cassidy or an outside expert, contact the ASTRO media relations team at [email protected] or 703-286-1600.

ATTRIBUTION TO THE 2017 MULTIDISCIPLINARY THORACIC CANCERS SYMPOSIUM REQUESTED IN ALL NEWS COVERAGE.

Abstract and Presentation Details

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Early Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Patients 80 Years and Older: A Multi-Center Analysis

News Briefing: Friday, March 17 , 1:00  1:45 p.m. Pacific time , Foothill F, Briefing slides and audio

, 1:00  , Foothill F, Briefing slides and audio Poster Session, Thursday, March 16 , and Friday, March 17 , Yerba Buena Salons 7 and 8

, and , Yerba Buena Salons 7 and 8 This news release contains additional and/or updated information from the study author(s). Full original abstract and author disclosures available from [email protected] or thoracicsymposium.org.

Resources on Lung Cancer and Radiation Therapy

ABOUT THE SYMPOSIUM

The 2017 Multidisciplinary Thoracic Cancers Symposium, co-sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), features the latest advances in surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and novel molecular biologic therapies for thoracic malignancies such as lung cancer. The symposium will be held March 16-18, 2017, at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis. For more information about the symposium, visit www.thoracicsymposium.org. For press registration and news briefing information, visit www.astro.org/thoracicpress.

ABOUT ASTRO

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is the premier radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 10,000 members who are physicians, nurses, biologists, physicists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists and other health care professionals who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As the leading organization in radiation oncology, the Society is dedicated to improving patient care through professional education and training, support for clinical practice and health policy standards, advancement of science and research, and advocacy. ASTRO publishes three medical journals, International Journal of Radiation Oncology  Biology  Physics (www.redjournal.org), Practical Radiation Oncology (www.practicalradonc.org) and Advances in Radiation Oncology (www.advancesradonc.org); developed and maintains an extensive patient website, RT Answers (www.rtanswers.org); and created the Radiation Oncology Institute (www.roinstitute.org), a nonprofit foundation to support research and education efforts around the world that enhance and confirm the critical role of radiation therapy in improving cancer treatment. To learn more about ASTRO, visit www.astro.org.

ABOUT ASCO

Founded in 1964, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is committed to making a world of difference in cancer care. As the world's leading organization of its kind, ASCO represents more than 40,000 oncology professionals who care for people living with cancer. Through research, education, and promotion of the highest-quality patient care, ASCO works to conquer cancer and create a world where cancer is prevented or cured, and every survivor is healthy. ASCO is supported by its affiliate organization, the Conquer Cancer Foundation. Learn more at www.ASCO.org, explore patient education resources at www.Cancer.Net, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

ABOUT STS

Founded in 1964, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is a not-for-profit organization representing approximately 7,200 cardiothoracic surgeons, researchers, and allied health care professionals worldwide who are dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for surgeries of the heart, lung, and esophagus, as well as other surgical procedures within the chest. The Society's mission is to enhance the ability of cardiothoracic surgeons to provide the highest quality patient care through education, research, and advocacy.

Contact: Liz Gardner

703-286-1600

[email protected]

Leah Kerkman Fogarty

703-839-7336

[email protected]

SOURCE American Society for Radiation Oncology

Related Links

http://www.astro.org


LOS ANGELES, March 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lundin Law PC, a shareholder rights firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit against OneMain Holdings, Inc. (OneMain or the Company) (NYSE:OMF). Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired OneMain shares between March 3, 2015, and November 7, 2016, inclusive (the Class Period), are encouraged to contact the firm in advance of the March 20, 2017 lead plaintiff deadline.



To participate in this class action lawsuit, click here. You can also call Brian Lundin, Esquire, of Lundin Law PC, at 888-713-1033, or e-mail him at brian@lundinlawpc.com.

No class has been certified in the above action. Until a class is certified, you are not considered represented by an attorney. You may also choose to do nothing and be an absent class member.

OneMain develops, markets and sells financial products through its subsidiaries. On November 7, 2016, OneMain announced unsatisfactory third quarter financial results. When this information was revealed to the investing public, the value of OneMain stock fell nearly 40%, causing investors harm.

Lundin Law PC was founded by Brian Lundin, a securities litigator based in Los Angeles dedicated to upholding shareholders rights.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
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
Beijing, March 14 : China has expressed hope that India and Pakistan will overcome their differences through a renewed dialogue process that stalled last year following unrest in Jammu and Kashmir and the Uri terror attack.

"Both India and Pakistan are China's important neighbours and important countries in South Asia. China hopes that India and Pakistan can enhance mutual trust and improve relations through more dialogues," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said during a press briefing on Monday in Beijing.

"This is conducive to not only the two countries themselves but also to regional prosperity and development," Chunying added.

The spokesperson added that China also looks forward to the early accession of Pakistan and India to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as full members so they could work with other members for the security, stability, development and prosperity of the region.

"The memorandum on the obligations for India and Pakistan to obtain membership in the SCO was signed at the SCO Tashkent Summit in 2016. Currently, all sides are going through relevant legal procedures in accordance with the memorandum," the spokesperson said while responding to a question.

Relations between Pakistan and India worsened in September 2016 when militants attacked an army base in Uri town of Jammu and Kashmir, killing 19 soldiers. India has blamed the attack on Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohamed terror group. The Indian Army on September 29 carried out surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line of Control, which added to the tensions.
New Delhi, March 16 : With the Goods and Service Tax (GST) Council on Thursday approving the remaining two draft bills -- UTGST (Union Territory GST) and SGST (state GST), all the five enabling draft bills stand approved to enable a likely rollout of the new indirect tax regime by July 1.

"The 12th Council meeting approved UTGST and SGST today. Officers had already done the groundwork, The drafts were already circulated. In the past meetings, the Council has already approved CGST (Central GST), IGST (Integrated GST) and Compensation drafts," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who chairs the Council, told reporters here.

With the final approvals, the legislative exercise stands complete and July 1 is the tentative date of GST's implementation, Jaitley said.

The draft bills now need to be approved by the Cabinet and tabled in Parliament's ongoing budget session.

Meanwhile, the sGST draft law will have to be approved by the legislative assemblies of Delhi and Puducherry.

The UTGST draft law is for the union territories like Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, which do not have legislative assemblies.

The new indirect tax regime also has nine set of rules and regulations, out of which the Council has already approved five -- registration, payment, refunds, invoices and returns.

"Four other rules - composition, valuation, input tax credit transitions - require a formal approval of the Council," Jaitley said adding the next meeting will be held on March 31.

After March 31, the Council will take up the exercise of fitment of various commodities in the GST tax slabs - 5 per cent, 12 per cent, 15 per cent and 28 per cent, he added.

The officials have already started the fitment process, which will be put up for discussion and approval before the Council.

Jaitley also said that the cess on sin (tobacco products) and luxury goods has been capped at 15 per cent by the Council.

"Capping of cess has been done. These are not actual, but, ceiling is kept higher to give a marginal headspace," he said.
New Delhi, March 17 : President Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate on Saturday a three-day international conference on "Universities of the Future: Knowledge, Innovation and Responsibility" in Haryana.

The President's office on Friday said the conference -- at the O.P Jindal Glbal University in Sonipat -- will examine the future of Indian universities in the 21st century and will have sessions on 13 themes.
New Delhi, March 17 : Actress Richa Chadha will dazzle the ramp as a showstopper for designer Rohit Kamra at the Amazon India Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2017 (AIFW A/W 2017).

After shooting for the film "Fukrey Returns" here, Richa will be walking the ramp for Kamra on Saturday. The theme of the show will be black and white.

Kamra mostly designs for men, but this time, the designer is customising his style for Richa, keeping in mind the "Masaan" actress' "Fukrey Returns" character of a boss lady.

"I am really excited to walk for Rohit as the theme is something I am really looking forward to which is that of power dressing. It would be an interesting look for me which Rohit is specially custom making for me to wear on the runway. Looking forward to be at the Amazon India Fashion Week," Richa said in a statement.

The fashion extravaganza saw Vaani Kapoor taking the ramp for designer Rina Dhaka, while actress Alia Bhatt will catwalk for Namrata Joshipura on Friday.

AIFW A/W 2017 is being held at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium. Designers like Tarun Tahiliani, Amit Aggarwal, Ashima Leena, Anju Modi, Malini Ramani and Wendell Rodricks are yet to showcase their creations at the gala.
Manila, March 18 : Since the Philippines resumed its war against drugs 10 days ago with a promise of less aggression, 28 alleged drug addicts and drug traffickers have been killed in clashes with the police, media reports said.

The victims were shot dead by officers after they allegedly resisted arrest in 979 police operations across the country since the beginning of the new phase of the campaign, Efe news cited a police report released on Friday.

In the last 10 days the police have visited 55,087 homes and arrested 1,577 suspects, according to official data.

According to the report, 4,448 drug addicts and 231 drug traffickers surrendered to the authorities since the beginning of the second phase of the campaign on March 6.

Duterte had temporarily suspended the war on drugs toward the end of January to weed out police corruption, after the first phase of the campaign left 7,000 dead in seven months, including more than 2,500, who were killed by the police.

The war on drugs have been harshly criticized by other countries and international organizations for human rights violations.

Meanwhile, the Philippines asked the EU and the UN not to interfere in its internal affairs, such as its war on drugs, the arrest of a senator critical of the government and the attempt to reinstate the death penalty.

"We remind everyone, including international bodies, to allow us to deal with our domestic challenges without unwarranted foreign interference," said the Presidential Office at Manila in a statement addressed to the EU.
Seoul, March 18 : The investigation into an influence-peddling scandal involving former South Korean President Park Geun-hye will likely take a new turn as prosecutors plan to question her next week, top officials announced on Saturday.

Prosecutors sent a summons to Park earlier this week to appear for an interrogation on Tuesday, after the Constitutional Court removed her from office on March 10, Yonhap News Agency reported.

"We are creating a questionnaire," a senior prosecutor said on Friday, adding it is yet unclear how long it will take to complete the inquiry.

Ahead of the rare interrogation, prosecutors intensified their probe, summoning a number of company executives and government officials embroiled in the scandal.

Three former and incumbent executives of SK Group were questioned on Thursday over bribery allegations in connection with Park's close friend Choi Soon-sil.

The nation's third-largest conglomerate is suspected of donating 11.1 billion won ($9 million) to two dubious foundations, allegedly controlled by Choi, in return for business favours.

Choi, at the centre of the scandal, is standing trial over multiple corruption charges, including extorting money from local conglomerates in collaboration with the former President.

On Monday, prosecutors questioned two employees in charge of duty-free shops at the Korea Customs Service (KCS) over suspicions that local conglomerates, such as SK and Lotte, made huge contributions to the foundations in return for favours in winning licenses to run the lucrative shops here.

Lotte was selected by the KCS to operate the shop, along with five other conglomerates, in December. SK was not included in the list.
New Delhi : Narendra Modi's emergence as the most dominant politician in today's India, as the Congress's P. Chidambaram has said, means that he is now the master of all he surveys.

Since his victory in 2019 is virtually assured, he is currently in a position to take steps to usher in the "achhe din" or good days which he promised in 2014 but hasn't quite been able to deliver.

Now he can do so since the setbacks of the last two years are well and truly behind him. The winners of those days are no longer capable of offering any challenge. The Aam Admi Party's Arvind Kejriwal, for instance, has lost much of his sheen as the failure of his party to make much of an impact in the Punjab and Goa elections showed.

Similarly, Mamata Banerjee can no longer hope to cobble together a national alternative to Modi as she wanted to do while demanding a roll back of the demonetisation drive. The UP results have proved that the prime minister's audacious gamble has succeeded.

In Bihar, Nitish Kumar is at present more busy fending off challenges from his former enemy-cum-present friend, Laloo Yadav, to play a larger role outside the state as was once envisaged.

But even as Modi's adversaries lick their wounds, his own lone-ranger status has been reinforced. As the shifting back and forth of Manohar Parrikar between Delhi and Goa, and the reports about Rajnath Singh being asked to move to Lucknow show, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cupboard is not overflowing with talent.

As Modi will have to carry his party virtually on his shoulders to 2019 and beyond, his policy formulations will have to be undertaken with greater care. Although he has largely been able to push considerations of caste and religion into the background with his developmental rhetoric, the BJP has not been above resorting to wily tactics to undercut the support bases of the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party. It succeeded in doing so by wooing the non-Yadav backward castes and the non-Jatav Dalits in UP.

Besides, the BJP has for long appropriated the mantle of nationalism with no signs of the squeamishness about the issue shown by other parties, which fear that they will be accused of undermining the multicultural tenets or wearing patriotism on their sleeves.

However, there is a message for the BJP from its failures in Punjab, Goa and Manipur which has not been negated by its wizardry in "stealing" the last two states from the Congress's grasp.

The message from the north, the west and the northeast -- virtually from across the country -- is that nationalism does not always yield electoral dividends.

What does is the promise of economic growth, which is believed to be the main reason for the BJP's success in UP and Uttarakhand rather than the caste or nationalism factors.

As someone now in total control of the BJP as a presidential figure, it is up to Modi to be far more proactive on the developmental front.

But his endeavours cannot succeed if the government continues to be buffeted by the signs of intolerance displayed by the fundamentalist elements in the saffron brotherhood. Although Modi has succeeded in curbing some of them, such as the "ghar wapsi" and love jehad campaigners, there are still others who can embarrass the party and the government.

Among them is the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Kranti Sena which have been engaged in battling the "anti-nationals" of the Jawaharlal Nehru University and vandalising the sets of the "Padmavati" film.

It will take considerable courage to act against them since outfits such as these are almost integral parts of the Parivar and articulate its ideological views. But if anyone can do so, it is Modi, and especially at present when he is reliving his phenomenal success of the last general election and providing hopes of ensuring the BJP's rule at the centre at least till 2024.

It is also no secret that large sections of the electorate back Modi, even if they do not have much love lost for the BJP, because they believe that he is capable of taking the country out of what former Reserve Bank governor Raghuram Rajan called "crony socialism" and bring the 21st century in real terms to India.

Arguably, Modi and a few around him are aware of these expectations, but have been unwilling to move forward with greater speed because of the electoral reverses of the last two years.

Uttar Pradesh? has removed much of those misgivings about the correctness of the path, notwithstanding the caveats entered by the outcomes in Goa and Manipur. For this reason, the people of India's most populous state deserve a vote of thanks.

While Uttar Pradesh? expects the restoration of law and order, the rest of the country will hope that the Modi government's focus will be solely on development to the exclusion of the customary obsessions like cultural nationalism and anti-westernisation.

(Amulya Ganguli is a political analyst. The views expressed are personal. He can be reached at amulyaganguli@gmail.com)
Agartala, March 18 : Tripura's ruling CPI-M has called a 12-hour shut-down in Sabroom sub-division on Saturday and held demonstrations across the state to protest the killing of three tribals in BSF firing on Friday.

An official statement of the Border Security Force (BSF) said its troopers, during patrolling, spotted a large number of locals trying to smuggle cattle to Bangladesh. When asked to stop, the villagers attacked the troopers with sharp weapons and batons. The troopers then fired, killing three persons.

"BSF jawans (sic) also seized ten cattle. An inquiry has been ordered by BSF to probe the incident," Deputy Inspector General Hardeep Singh said in the statement.

Two persons who were injured in the firing at Chittabari village along the India-Bangladesh border were admitted in a government hospital.

However, locals complained to police that three BSF men tried to molest a young tribal woman, which was resisted by the villagers before the firing.

The state police said that in view of the CPI-M (Communist Party of India-Marxist) sponsored 12-hours strike the government, semi-government as well as private offices, educational institutions, banks, shops and business establishments were closed in the entire bordering Sabroom sub-division in southern Tripura.

According to the police, heavy tension has been prevailing in the tribal dominated areas, 145-km south of Agartala.

Director General of Tripura Police K. Nagaraj told IANS that the police led by Inspector General of Police (law and order) K.V. Sreejesh are now camping at the area to investigate the incident.

"Whoever the guilty in the incident would not be spared," the police chief said.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who also holds the home portfolio, asked the Chief Secretary Sanjeev Ranjan and state police chief to collect actual facts of the incident.

A high level official team led by Tourism Minister Ratan Bhowmik and Rural Development and Forest Minister Naresh Jamatia have visited the trouble-torn areas and talked to the villagers.

Senior BSF and police officials along with a large contingent of security forces led by south Tripura's district police chief Tapan Debbarma are camping in the area.

Tripura shares an 856-km border with Bangladesh, a portion of which is still unfenced.
Tokyo, March 18 : A laboratory at a university in Japan will restart its research nuclear reactor, the first ever in the country, in April after meeting safety standards. the media reported on Saturday.

It will be the first research reactor in Japan to go back online under stringent regulations introduced by the government in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident that was triggered after the massive earthquake and tsunami, public broadcaster NHK reported.

Kindai University in Higashi-Osaka said on Friday that the reactor has passed a series of checks by Japan's nuclear regulator.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority gave in-principle approval for the restart of the reactor in May last year.

The university subsequently made further adjustments to protect against fire, tornados and other risks.

The small reactor has a maximum output of just 1 watt, and is used exclusively for academic purposes.
Washington, March 18 : A US man has been indicted on a hate crime charge for assaulting an Indian-origin man and hurling racial slurs, mistaking him for a Muslim.

Jeffrey Allen Burgess, 54, was accused of intentionally harming a man, Ankur Mehta, on November 22 because of his "perceived race, colour and national origin", said a report in PennLive news website on Friday.

A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted Burgess on a hate crime charge in connection with the alleged assault at Red Robin restaurant in Pittsburgh's South Hills Village.

According to WTAE-TV, at the time of the incident, Burgess was seated next to Mehta at the restaurant's bar. Mehta was working on his tablet with his earbuds on and failed to notice Burgess taunting him and using racial and ethnic epithets.

Burgess then launched an unprovoked attack on the victim as he was seated at the bar, striking Mehta in the face with his elbow and fist multiple times, said the police.

"I don't want you sitting next to me ... you people," Burgess was heard saying, in addition to anti-Muslim racial slurs, according to a criminal complaint filed by Bethel Park police.

Witnesses said Burgess struck Mehta four or five times and called him a "(expletive) Muslim," according to the complaint.

KDKA-TV reported that Burgess had mistakenly believed that Mehta was a Muslim of Middle-Eastern descent.

In addition to the slurs, Burgess told Mehta "things are different now", the police said, which authorities believe was a reference to the election of Donald Trump.

Officials said Mehta was taken to a local hospital with a loose tooth and a cut to his upper lip, while Burgess was arrested on suspicion of ethnic intimidation, simple assault, harassment and public drunkenness by local authorities.

If convicted, Burgess faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Before a recent court appearance on the local charges, Burgess blamed alcohol for his actions, adding, "I'm not that kind of person ... It happened and I'm remorseful about it."
Patna, March 18 : Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to launch a "Gandhi Smriti Yatra" from Champaran next month to mark the 100th year of Mahatma Gandhi's first major Satyagraha against British rule in the district.

The Yatra will be followed by series of programmes, officials said on Saturday.

Kumar will launch the Yatra from Champaran on April 15 to mark the day Mahatma Gandhi had arrived in Motihari (now district headquarters of Champaran) from Muzaffarpur by train in 1917.

Official functions on a large scale, marking the centenary of Satyagraha year, will start five days ahead of the proposed Yatra.

The year-long celebrations would commence with an international seminar on the life of Mahatma Gandhi in the newly-built International Convention Centre in Patna.

Mahatma Gandhi launched his Satyagraha -- nonviolent agitation -- against the forced cultivation of indigo by British rulers in Champaran district on April 10, 1917.

The state education department along with tourism, art, culture and youth affairs departments have been roped in to ensure smooth arrangements for the centenary celebrations.

Officials said a series of lectures will be organised on the Champaran Satyagraha in which experts and well-known faces from around the world would take part.
Dakhla (Morocco), March 18 : This quiet town, situated at the tip of a narrow peninsula abutting the Atlantic Ocean and part of the Western Sahara, is buzzing with sudden activity with over 1,000 delegates from across the world descending on it for a forum to deliberate on development in Africa and South-South cooperation.

With the blue expanse of the Atlantic as a perfect backdrop, Dakhla, known as a destination for kitsurfing and windsurfing, is witnessing a gathering of ministers and senior government officials from several African countries and from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), besides delegates from Asian and other regions for the five-day Crans Montana Forum (CMF).

The March 16-21 event is being held for the third time in a row in Dakhla, which has a population of just over 100,000 spread out on the flat expanse of the Western Sahara in the Maghreb region of northern Africa.

Hosted by Moroccan King Mohammed VI, the theme of the event is "Towards a New Africa for the 21st Century - Stability, Cohesion and Solidarity for a Sustainable Development".

With Morocco joining the African Union in January this year and the kingdom eager to play a leadership role in the continent, the forum has the underlying theme of "The Structuring Role of Morocco in Africa".

The formal inauguration on Friday of the event, held in a large convention hall, saw a message by the King read out by the President of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, Ynja Khattat.

Referring to his country's return to the African Union, more than three decades after it quit over the issue of Western Sahara, whose separatist movement was once supported by many African countries, including Algeria, the King said Morocco will be at the forefront of contributing to serving Africa's interests and "consolidating its peoples' unity and cohesion".

But, he added: "Morocco will not, however, give up defending its lofty interests, particularly its national unity and territorial integrity."

He said "The Moroccan Sahara region, and Dakhla in particular", play a special role and "as a historic platform connecting Morocco to Africa" and of his country's push to turn it into a hub to promote communication with other African states.

US civil rights activist Jesse Jackson, addressing the inauguration, was critical of the "tendency towards isolationism" in the world and referred to the BRICS -- Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa -- forum as an example of cooperation between countries.

The Forum, over the next few days, will discuss food security and sustainable agriculture, public health, renewable energies, migration to Europe, and women's participation in the economic and political spheres.

The Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region is one of the 12 regions of Morocco and Dakhla is considered by Morocco to be the "pearl" of the southern provinces.

With Morocco's re-admission, the African Union now comprises all 55 countries of the continent.

Morocco has launched a number of infrastructure projects in the Western Sahara -- whose sovereignty is disputed by neighbour Algeria which supports the region's independence or autonomy -- part of an $8 billion development plan designed to "make the Moroccan Sahara a hub for communication and exchange with sub-Saharan African countries". The projects include new ports, fish markets, desalinisation and fertiliser plants, and road infrastructure improvements.

(Ranjana Narayan is in Dakhla on the invitation of the Crans Montana Forum on Africa and South-South Cooperation. She can be reached at ranjana.n@ians.in)
Beijing, March 18 : US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrived here on Saturday and is set to discuss a new strategy to deal with North Korea with top Chinese officials.

Tillerson, the first member of US President Donald Trump's cabinet to visit the Asian giant, arrived in Beijing following a visit to South Korea and Japan, where he emphasised the need to change Washington's approach to Pyongyang and asserted that "all options are on the table", Efe news reported The US Secretary of State, upon his arrival, met his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

"We attach great importance to your visit," Xinhua news agency quoted Wang as saying.

Tillerson is slated to meet State Councillor Yang Jiechi at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse for foreign leaders in Beijing later in the day.

Tillerson will conclude his visit on Sunday with a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In both South Korea and Japan, Tillerson advocated a new plan to counter the military developments of the North Korean regime following its latest weapons tests but did not offer further details.

He also stressed he will seek to involve China, North Korea's only ally, in this new plan and ask the Asian country to step up pressure on Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear program.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday that China is open to talks on the new plan provided it leads to a reduction in tension on the Korean peninsula and its denuclearisation.

Tillerson is also expected to finalise, in his meetings with the Chinese leaders, plans for an upcoming meeting between Xi and and Trump.
Dehradun, March 18 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday promised that the BJP government in Uttarakhand led by Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat will return the public affection with a record development in the state.

"Congratulations to Trivendra Singh Rawat and the entire team sworn in today (Saturday). Am sure they will work hard and fulfil people's aspirations," Modi said on Twitter after Rawat was sworn in by Governor Krishna Kant Paul in the state capital.

"The new Uttarakhand government will return the tremendous affection shown by the state's people with record development," Modi added.

Modi along with Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah attended Rawat's oath-taking ceremony.

The BJP decimated the Congress in the assembly elections, winning 57 of the 70 assembly seats.
New Delhi, March 18 : Designers Didier Lecoanet and Hemant Sagar, who established couture house Lecoanet Hemant in the eighties, celebrated their 38-year-old fashion journey with an exhibition titled "Paris, New Delhi: From Haute Couture to the Technologies of Elegance".

The exhibition aimed to spread awareness about the need to invest in research and design that can be instrumental in placing India on the map of global fashion.

"There is a sense of fashion nostalgia. A celebration of artisanal excellence, an ode to our labour of love that we hope to evoke. We see a promise of a pragmatic future that beholds Indian fashion," the designers jointly said.

The designer label initially worked from Paris with a flagship store. They were also members of the Parisian Haute Couture Syndicate from 1984-2000 and have created 33 collections with the aim of transitioning from artisanal to semi industrial.

In 2000, they moved their business from couture to ready-to-wear and also from Paris to New Delhi. This journey of the brand was the theme of the exhibition.

The exhibition is taking place at Bikaner house here, starting from Sunday till March 22. One will be able to see some of the finest pieces designed by the designer label.

The exhibition was inaugurated in the capital by French Ambassador Alexandre Ziegler.
Chandigarh, March 18 : Some districts in Haryana, adjoining national capital Delhi, were put on alert on Saturday ahead of the protests planned on March 20 by the Jat community outside parliament.

Authorities imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Cr. PC on Saturday to check the movement of Jat community protesters towards New Delhi.

The district administration in Jhajjar, Hisar and Rohtak imposed the prohibitory orders on Saturday, a state government official said here.

In Jhajjar district, authorities have restricted the use of Internet and social media platforms.

The Haryana Police and civil authorities have been directed to ensure that Jat protesters are not allowed to move towards Delhi on tractor-trolleys.

Fuel pump owners have been asked not to sell more than 10 litres of diesel to tractor-trolleys till March 21.

Police and civil officers in the districts held meetings with officers of para-military forces ahead of the Jat protest moving to Delhi.

Accusing the BJP government in Haryana of hatching a "conspiracy" to weaken their agitation, the Jat community on Friday said they will continue with their protests across the state and will also lay siege to the national capital on March 20.

Talks between top Jat leaders and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, which were scheduled to be held in New Delhi on Friday, could not be held.

Jat leaders accused Khattar and his government of going back on assurances made to the Jat community on Thursday and earlier.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar blamed the Jat leaders for backing out of talks and that he was ready to meet any leaders.

Jat leader Yashpal Malik told the media in Rohtak town, 70 km from Delhi, on Friday that the BJP government had hatched a conspiracy to weaken the Jat agitation by misleading the Jats.

He said Khattar left Delhi on Friday for Chandigarh without meeting the Jat leaders.

The meeting had been announced by the seniormost minister in the Haryana government, Ram Bilas Sharma, in Panipat on Thursday.

The Jat agitation, which began on January 29, completed 49 days on Saturday.

The Jat leaders were earlier in talks with a five-member panel of senior government officers but the talks had remained inconclusive.

The All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) had earlier announced that the community would intensify its agitation by taking their protest to Delhi on March 20.

The Jat leaders said that they would gherao entry points of Delhi from seven sides and protest at the Parliament complex.

Talks between the state government and the Jat leaders hit a roadblock last month as the Haryana government made it clear that it has no jurisdiction to withdraw cases being investigated by the CBI against some Jat leaders over violence during the agitation last year.

Khattar accused the Jat leaders of changing goalposts.

Their demands include reservation for Jats, jobs to the next of kin of those killed in violence in the Jat agitation last year, compensation to those injured, withdrawal of cases against them and action against the officers, who ordered action against the Jats, among others.

Violence during the agitation last year had left 30 people dead and over 200 injured. Government and private property worth hundreds of crores of rupees was damaged during the violence in February 2016.
Agartala, March 18 : The Karnataka Anti Terror Squad (ATS) on Saturday took on four-day transit remand a suspected terrorist connected to the 2005 terror attack at Bengaluru's Indian Institute of Science (IIS), police said.

The transit remand of suspect Habib Mia, 37, was given by West Tripura District Magistrate and Collector Milind Ramteke late afternoon, before the ATS took him to Bengaluru in the evening.

A Tripura police official said the ATS earlier produced the suspect before a civil judge here but was again presented before Ramteke to fulfil some legal formalities.

A large numbers of Mia's relatives and family members along with some local Muslim leaders gathered on the court premises when Agartala Civil Judge Chhandita Debnath was hearing the transit remand plea.

"Two Assistant Commissioner-rank officials of the Karnataka ATS, with Tripura Police help, arrested Mia from Jogendranagar late Friday evening," a senior police official told IANS on condition of anonymity.

Mia is a resident of Jogendranagar on the city outskirts.

He said: "He is one of the seven persons wanted and charge-sheeted in connection with the attack on IIS at Bengaluru in 2005. He will be presented in a Bengaluru court for police custody for further questioning."

The IIS attack on the evening of December 28, 2005, occured as the 38th annual convention of Operational Research Society of India was underway. Eyewitness accounts said it was carried out by a lone gunman in fatigues, who used an AK-47 rifle and hand grenades.

A retired Mathematics Professor Munish Chandra Puri was killed and four others, including a woman, were seriously injured in the IIS attack.
Chandigarh, March 18 : The first meeting of the state Cabinet here on Saturday decided to hold the first session of the newly-elected 15th Punjab Vidhan Sabha (assembly) from March 24.

The newly elected MLAs will be administered the oath on March 24 and 27, a state government spokesman said here. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker will be elected on March 27.

Punjab Governor V.P. Singh Badnore will address the assembly on March 28, followed by a debate on the Governor's address and motion of thanks.

The presentation of Supplementary Grants for fiscal 2016-17 and Vote on Account for 2017-18 will be taken up on March 29.

In another decision, the Cabinet okayed the terms and conditions for the appointment of retired Indian Administrative Service officer Suresh Kumar as Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister in the rank of government of India's Cabinet Secretary.

The Amarinder Singh-led Congress government assumed charge in Punjab on March 16 after the Congress swept the assembly polls, winning 77 of the 117 assembly seats.
Mumbai, March 18 : Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar presented a farmer-friendly Rs 4,511 crore deficit budget for the year 2017-2018, sparing the masses of any major fresh tax levies, here on Saturday.

In 2017-2018, the revenue receipts are estimated at Rs 243,737 crore against a revenue expenditure of Rs 248,248 crore, showing a deficit of Rs 4,511 crore.

However, Mungantiwar assured the government would attempt to bring down the deficit by reducing avoidable expenditure and effective revenues recoveries.

Last year, in the budget 2016-2017, revenue income was estimated at Rs 220,810 crore, but he said it is likely to touch Rs 220,011 crore, leaving a deficit of Rs 799 crore.

Contrary to expectations by the opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party, as well as ruling ally Shiv Sena, there was no mention of a waiver of farm loans, though many schemes for farmers and agriculture sector have been announced.

The budget was tabled on Saturday amidst noisy scenes by the opposition parties which vociferously raised the demand for a complete farm loan waiver package by the Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena government.

Terming the budget as "directionless, which would push the state into a financial crisis," the opposition made a bonfire of budget copies outside the legislature.

Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil (Congress) led the opposition charge by terming the budget as "a fraud on the farmers with mere carrots on the issue of farm loans waiver, which has shattered the dreams of the land tillers in the state."

"2016-2017 was declared as the Year of Farmer's Dignity, but in 2016 more than 3,000 farmers ended their lives in the state and in 2017 over 400 lives have been lost. The government failed to fulfil it own commitment of a farm loan waiver," Vikhe Patil said in a sharp critique of this year's budget.

He said the people must know why Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not meet a delegation led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to discuss the issue of farm loans waiver.

On the other hand, Uttar Pradesh has assured of writing off all farm debts even without asking, but Maharashtra farmers have been let down again, he said.

While preparing the state for the GST rollout from July 1, Mungantiwar has largely exempted the 12 crore people of Maharashtra from additional tax burdens, barring minor hikes in VAT on all types of liquor and lottery tickets.

He announced a VAT of 25.93 per cent against the existing 23.08 per cent of MRP on imported, Indian made foreign liquor and country liquor and hiking the tax on the weekly online and lottery tickets on basis of draw from Rs 70,000 to Rs 100,000.

With a view to encouraging regional connectivity through 10 small airports in Amravati, Gondia, Nashik, Jalgaon, Shirdi, Nanded, Solapur, Kolhapur and Sindhudurg, the VAT on aviation fuel for aircraft operating here has been slashed from five per cent to one per cent for a period of ten years, he said.

These and other measures would generate an additional revenue of Rs 396 crore, Mungantiwar informed.
Lucknow, March 18 : The BJP on Saturday elected Gorakhpur Lok Sabha MP Yogi Adityanath, a firebrand Hindutva leader, as the new Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister in a meeting of the newly-elected 312 party legislators here, party state unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya said.

Maurya said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Legislature Party meeting also decided to have two deputy Chief Ministers -- Maurya himself and Lucknow Mayor Dinesh Sharma.

"Yogi Adityanath is the Chief Minister," Maurya told reporters, after the meeting in Lucknow.

"I am thankful for the decision. Dinesh Sharma and I are the deputy chief ministers," the BJP leader said, adding people's "welfare is the priority" for the new government in Uttar Pradesh.

Adityanath's name was proposed by BJP leader Suresh Khanna and supported by Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu.

"It was a consensus decision," said Union Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha, who was also in the race for the post.

Known for his firebrand Hindutva image, the 44-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader comes from the Rajput community and is the head of the Gorakhnath Mutt in Gorakhpur, which has millions of followers from eastern UP and neighbouring Nepal.

He has been elected as the Lok Sabha MP from Gorakhpur uninterrupted from 1998.

A science graduate, Adityanath is popular for his fiery speeches among his supporters but has antagonised minorities by his statements like "Love Jihad", "Ghar Wapasi".

This is for the first time that the state will have two deputy chief ministers.

BJP sources told IANS that this has been done to balance caste aspirations since now there is a Rajput as chief minister and an MBC and a Brahmin face as deputy CMs.
Mumbai, March 18 : Simran Kaur - the voice behind Nobita Noby from cartoon series "Doraemon" - will be making her television debut with the show "Agnifera".

"Agnifera" is a story of two brides and one groom entangled in a marital quandary.

Essaying one of the brides named Srishti, her character is of a smart and intelligent middle class girl who is in the final year of studying law.

Simran has been researching on the body language of lawyers through online videos and reading up their connotations.

"When I was told that I have to play a lawyer's role it really excited me and hence to understand everything about the profession I thought it would be only fair to read up on the subject," Simran said in a statement.

She added: "It has been just two weeks since I have started my homework and I am hoping to learn as much as I can."

The show will go on air on &TV from Monday.

-*- When Sameer Arora was rushed to hospital Actor Sameer Arora, who plays the lead protagonist Kabir in the show "Bin Kuch Kahe", was rushed to a hospital on account of low blood pressure (BP). He says health comes first and one must tend to it.

The incident happened when the actor returned to Jaipur, where the show is being shot, after a visit to his hometown Nainital.

"I was down with high fever and almost fainted when a crew member from the production house fed me some sugar, chocolate syrup, and lime juice. Finally, I gained some energy and finished my close up shots. But later, again, I felt dizzy and was admitted to hospital where doctor decided to put me on a glucose drip," Sameer said in a statement.

He added: "Within a short while, I felt better and decided not to wait as long as the doctor had prescribed and reached the sets to continue shooting. I finished all my scenes for the day because I know what a unit goes through when actors go missing. Health comes first and I did tend to it, but I was not about to let my show suffer either."

The show is aired on Zee TV.
Lucknow, March 18 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister-designate Yogi Adityanath will be sworn in on Sunday afternoon, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said here on Saturday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah are expected to attend the oath taking ceremony here, Naidu told reporters.

BJP state chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and Lucknow Mayor Dinesh Sharma will be sworn in as deputy Chief Ministers.
Beijing, March 18 : The Chinese Foreign Ministry has said that the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will not affect Beijing's stance on the Kashmir issue.

Answering a question regarding India's objection to Pakistan's plan to declare Gilgit-Baltistan, the region north of the Line of Control in the Pakistan-administered Kashmir, its fifth province, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua ChunAying said China's position on the Kashmir issue was "consistent" and "clear-cut".

"As a leftover issue from history between India and Pakistan, it needs to be properly settled through dialogue and consultation between the two sides. The development of the CPEC does not affect China's position on the Kashmir issue," she said at a press briefing on Friday.

The CPEC passes through the region and it is strategically crucial for India as it connects China, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia.

Asked whether Pakistan and China discussed cooperation on the production of ballistic missiles, Hua said that Pakistan and China "maintain normal defence exchanges and cooperation in military industry and trade", the Chinese Foreign Ministry reported on its website.

"On the visit of Pakistani Chief of Army Staff to China, relevant readouts have already been released about his meetings with Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, Vice Chairman Fan Changlong of the Central Military Commission and Chief of the Joint Staff Department Fang Fenghui."

"I do not have any specific information regarding the question you raised. But I can tell you that China and Pakistan maintain normal defence exchanges and cooperation in military industry and trade," she said.
Beijing, March 18 : Apple Inc.s Chief Executive Tim Cook defended globalisation in a rare public speech in China, as his company faces political pressure in the US to bring back factories.

Cook also said data privacy was one of the company's values, although he stopped short on Saturday of criticising decryption demands from governments as Apple has previously in the US, reported the Wall Street Journal.

It was his first time speaking at the China Development Forum, an annual conference sponsored by the Chinese government.

During his speech, Cook said globalisation "in general is great for the world," but noted socio-economic gains may not be evenly distributed within or between countries. Despite globalisation's shortcomings, countries should not shy away from such development, he said.

"I think the worst thing would be to, because it didn't help everyone, is to say it's bad and do less of that," Cook said. "I think the reality is you can see that countries in the world...that isolate themselves, it's not good for their people."

The subject is a contentious one for Apple, a US company that farms out a bulk of its manufacturing operations to China.

President Donald Trump recently called for Apple to bring iPhone production to America, a move that would stimulate the domestic economy. Trump has asked the same of many US multinationals in attempts to repatriate overseas jobs, said the report.

Cook also touched on cybersecurity and user privacy, both highly sensitive subjects in China.

Parroting past statements on the matter, Cook said Apple employs end-to-end encryption to protect its customers from nefarious actors.

He fell short of taking a stand against Chinese cybersecurity policy that requires companies to furnish authorities with technical assistance in investigations and data gathering operations, reported the Journal.

Cook tiptoed around the subject of data privacy, saying, "We think that an individual should own their data and should be able to control their data."

He is in China to bolster relations with the country's central government. Apple's top executive is slated to speak with Xu Lin, director of the Cyberspace Administration of China, in a private meeting on Monday.

Cook also said that Apple Inc will be setting up two more research and development (R&D) centres in Shanghai and Suzhou, following Beijing and Shenzhen.
Beijing, March 18 : The US and China agreed on Saturday that tension on the Korean peninsula has reached dangerous levels and pledged to do everything possible to prevent a conflict in the region.

"We also exchanged views and I think we share a common view in the sense that tensions in the peninsula are quite high right now, and that things have reached a rather dangerous level," US Secretary Rex Tillerson said at a press conference after meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.

"We have committed ourselves to do everything we can to prevent any type of conflict from breaking out," he added.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called the meeting with Tillerson very "productive" and insisted that the conflict on the Korean peninsula must be resolved through dialogue.

"We attach great importance to your visit," Wang told Tillerson during the meeting.

According to Wang, both leaders discussed some of the biggest differences between the two countries, including Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan, the disputes in the South China Sea and the installation of the US-built Thaad anti-missile system on South Korean territory, which China opposes strongly, Efe news reported.

The US also urged China to pursue fair trade relationships that would benefit both sides after the US President repeatedly criticised China's trade surplus.

Tillerson stressed that the US and China are the two largest economies in the world and should promote stability and growth.

"Our two countries should have a positive trade relationship that is fair and pays dividends both ways," Tillerson said.

The visit to China by Rex Tillerson, the first member of US President Donald Trump's cabinet to do so, is the last leg of his Asian tour, his first overseas trip since becoming the chief US diplomat.

The US Secretary of State also visited Japan and South Korea, where he warned that the policy of strategic patience followed by former US President Barack Obama towards North Korea's nuclear programme was over and asserted that "all options are on the table," including military action.
New Delhi, March 18 : Opposition parties on Saturday criticised the BJP after it announced Yogi Adityanath's name as the new Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, saying it was pursuing the "politics of Hindutva".

Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha said the decision sent out an "unambiguous" message that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is pursuing the policy of polarisation.

"There is a categorical, unambiguous message being sent by Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi. With the choice of a very communal, Hindutva champion like Yogi Adityanath, the BJP is going to pursue a policy of clear polarisation, which will effectively mean the consolidation of a hardline Hindutva ideology not just in Uttar Pradesh but in the country," Jha told IANS.

"This needs to be read in the context of the fact that the BJP did not give even a single ticket to Muslim candidates in the whole of Uttar Pradesh," he said.

About the statements by BJP leaders that development will be the party's main agenda in the state, Jha said: "Development is only a facade to actually pursue the Hindutva agenda in India."

"At the end of the day, this is a party that is driven by orders they receive from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh headquarters in Nagpur... we all know about the very inflammatory language used by Yogi Adityanath over the last several years," he said.

Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy said: "The BJP is in majority and it is their prerogative as to whom they name as the Chief Minister. But it is evident that the BJP wants to pursue a strong Hindutva line in Uttar Pradesh."

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Brinda Karat said the RSS wanted to make Uttar Pradesh the centre of its Hindutva project.

"The choice is clear RSS agenda because they want to develop Uttar Pradesh as the centre of their Hindutva project," Karat told IANS.

"All the tall talk of development has gone out of the window; they have chosen a man who made his political career through hate speeches and communal violence. A man who has several criminal cases against him. Such a man is going to be the Chief Minister -- it is a sad day for Uttar Pradesh and a sadder day for India," Karat said.

The name of Gorakhpur Lok Sabha MP Yogi Adityanath, a firebrand Hindutva leader, was announced as the new Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister in a meeting of the newly-elected 312 BJP legislators on Saturday.
Faridabad, March 18 : Haryana Agriculture Minister Om Prakash Dhankhar on Saturday urged people to have 'ghee' and milk of desi cows to look slim and fit as Bollywood stars.

Dhankhar, addressing a two-day second Agri Leadership Summit being organised at Surajkund here, said the milk of 'Rathi' breed of cows was being used by Bollywood stars on a large-scale.

Dhankhar urged the farmers from Haryana to adopt modern and more cash-oriented methods and adopt cash crop farming.

He urged the farmers in Haryana to target the milk and ghee market in Delhi and the national capital region (NCR).

He also said people of Haryana should keep one more buffalo in their house to increase the state's milk production.

He said Haryana currently has 21 lakh buffaloes which should be doubled so that Haryana could lead the country in milk production.

There would be 18 seminars during the two-day summit in which experts from various fields will share their views and experiences.

The Haryana government launched pasteurised milk of desi cows in July last year through the Haryana Dairy Development Cooperative Federation Ltd which markets its products under the "Vita" brand.
Yavatmal (Maharashtra), March 18 : Marking the 31st anniversary of the first recorded farmer's suicide on March 19, 1986, lakhs of farmers in Maharashtra will observe a one-day 'fast' on Sunday, an activist said here on Saturday.

"It was exactly 31 years ago that a farmer, Sahebrao Karpe and his entire family comprising wife and four minor children, ended their lives owing to unpaid farm debts. It is the first recorded farmland suicide in the state which took place in Cheelgavhan village in Yavatmal," Kisanputra Andolan leader Amar Habib told IANS.

At that time, renowned farmers leader and Shetkari Sanghatana founder, late Sharad Joshi had visited the village and warned that unless the government acted urgently, farmland suicides would become a norm in the state and country.

"Since the death of Karpe and his family, farmland suicides have not stopped with an average of nine debt-hit farmers ending their lives daily. In 31 years, Maharashtra has recorded over 67,000 farmers' suicides, including women and youth," Habib said.

Sunday's spontaneous statewide agitation would serve to highlight the plight of the farming community in the state and other parts of the country besides sensitising the government on the need to take urgent measures to ease their sufferings, he said.

Habib would lead the agitation in Yavatmal, while several thousands of farmers in Vidarbha, Northern Maharashtra, Western Maharashtra and Marathwada will join the day-long 'fast' in their villages, talukas and district headquarters.

Farmers, who have migrated to Mumbai in search of (non-farming) jobs and other major cities like Pune and Nagpur shall also join Sunday's agitation which has secured support from all the major political and non-political organisations, NGOs, grassroots activists and individuals across the state, he added.

However, the farmers of the coastal Konkan belt districts of Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg will not participate since they are not solely dependent on farming for their survival, but engage in tourism, fishing, or employment in Mumbai or Thane.
Kohima, March 18 : The Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) has joined hands with India's National Stock Exchange (NSE) Academy to impart financial literacy to Class IX students across the state, an official said on Saturday.

NSE Academy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE).

The NBSE has made the academy's financial literacy course compulsory for the students of Class IX in all higher secondary schools under the board for academic year 2017.

"The Board has taken the decision to make financial literacy compulsory for Class IX in all higher secondary schools as it felt that financial empowerment at a young age is very important if they are to improve the quality of life," NBSE Chairperson Asano Sekhose said.

She said the objective of the course is to help the students acquire necessary life skills and prepare them to learn about the basics of financial management and discipline.

The financial literacy course called Concepts of Financial Literacy has been designed by NSE Academy and will help in familiarising students about the basics of finance and financial Planning.

As part of the initiative, the academy trains the teachers who then teach the students.

"For the 2017 academic session, teachers from 167 schools registered with the board have been trained at the board's office in Kohima by NSE Academy faculty Arindam Bakshi," Sekhose said.

More than 15,000 students are expected to enrol for this course in 2017, the NBSE Chairperson said.

"NSE Academy is committed to increasing financial literacy among secondary school students across the country. The board has played a very positive role by making the financial literacy course compulsory for students of Class IX," Ravi Varanasi, Chief Business Development NSE and CEO, NSE Academy, said.

Exuding confidence that the course will sensitise students about money management and financial planning, to build a sound financial future, Varanasi said students can also pursue career options in the financial sector after studying the courses run by the academy.

He said the curriculum comprises of 25 periods of 45 minutes each wherein students would be taught financial planning, setting of financial goals, concepts of savings and investments, banking transactions and making a family budget.

The textbook for the course will be available at the board's office. NSE Academy will conduct an offline examination at the end of the academic year.

Varanasi said the NSE Academy and the NBSE will issue joint certificates to students and teachers under various categories.

The academy also runs a successful financial literacy course in partnership with the State Boards of Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Goa.

The Nagaland Board had introduced the financial literacy course in selected schools in the three districts of Kohima, Mokokchung and Dimapur in 2016.

During the pilot project around 5,150 students had enrolled for the course in Class IX, across 60 schools.
Mumbai, March 18 : Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday said the Centre's plan on strategic disinvestment in loss-making public sector units will not apply to national carrier Air India.

Supporting "no disinvestment" of Air India, he said: "Every major country runs a national carrier. The Swiss government revived their national carrier. What we need to do is to improve efficiency of Air India. Last year, it has made operating profit."

"Going forward, we are looking at financial engineering and effective deployment of Air India routes," Goyal said at the India Today Conclave here.

He named Hindustan Photo Films and a Pune-based pharmaceutical company and many others which would be put through disinvestment.

Goyal said the government has talked to employee unions and other stakeholders for an "amicable settlement".

Speaking on the success of Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) meant for reforms in power distribution companies in the country, he said Tamil Nadu got the benefit of the scheme after one year of joining and its distribution company was able to reduce losses by 60 per cent.

Goyal said people of India supported demonetisation because they understood the objective.

"The original objective of demonetisation has been achieved. We did not have a linear objective; rather, we have a holistic plan."
Ankara, March 19 : A total of 740 Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) suspects were detained in last three days' 36 simultaneous operations, Turkey's Interior Ministry said on Saturday.

The ministry said in a written statement that the operations aimed at PKK's restructuring efforts ahead of summer, Xinhua reported.

During the operation, an AK-47 automatic rifle, four guns, 14 rifles and ammunition were seized, as well as numerous documents and supplies.

In previous operations against the PKK in February, 259 suspects were detained, and 39 were remanded in custody.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the EU, resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015.
Three products that can transform operations for sign, graphics and visual communications companies have been named top winners of the ISA Sign Expo 2017 Innovation Awards. The products were selected in three categories by a panel of industry experts. All will be available on the ISA Sign Expo tradeshow floor April 20-22.

The first-place winners:



Business Solutions/Software: ONYX 12.1 from Onyx Graphics produces benchmark RIP and data transfer speeds, increasing productivity and profits. Users can avoid wasted sheet media with an intuitive user interface and visual nesting previews. An integrated G7 process improves gray color for output consistency across devices and applications.

Electronic and Traditional Signage: Component Signage, Inc.s Inciseon product line transforms neon with a lower voltage/more energy efficient product. Inciseon Skeletonized is made using common materials, but has extreme durability. Inciseon Integral embeds illumination directly into the substrate.

Print: 3M Print Wrap Film IJ180mC-120, a printable metallic wrap film, gives vehicles a high-tech, attention-grabbing finish.

One of the highlights of ISA International Sign Expo each year is the ability to touch, feel and buy the latest product innovations, said Lori Anderson, ISA president and CEO. The winners showcase some truly brilliant ideas that provide new opportunities to expand business or to solve challenges. But all of the nominees offer something special.

The winners were selected from numerous new and innovative products that will be introduced to the sign, graphics and visual communications industry during ISA International Sign Expo 2017. The event takes place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Attendees can see the full list of Innovation Awards nominees at http://www.signexpo.org/innovations. Learn more about ISA International Sign Expo 2017 at http://www.signexpo.org.

About ISA

International Sign Association (ISA) represents manufacturers, suppliers, and users of on-premise signs and sign products. ISA and its Affiliated Associations work to support, promote, and improve the worldwide sign and visual communications industry, which employs more than 200,000 American workers and has an economic impact of $37.5 billion.
Since 2001, Quick Weight Loss Centers has been helping people in South Florida lose weight quickly and safely, and is now excited to bring their innovative weight loss program to the Tampa Bay area.

Quick Weight Loss Centers is pleased to announce its expansion to Floridas West Coast. By mid-2017, Quick Weight Loss Centers will be opening three new locations in the Tampa Bay area, in Brandon, Carrollwood and Clearwater, Florida. Grand opening dates and promotions for each location will be announced soon.

Since 2001, Quick Weight Loss Centers has been helping people in South Florida lose weight quickly and safely, and is now excited to bring their innovative weight loss program to the Tampa Bay area. Quick Weight Loss Centers' programs are individually supervised for the safest results and nutritionally designed to develop proper eating habits for long term success.

Quick Weight Loss Centers' unique weight loss program is doctor recommended. A free consultation is offered to determine individual needs and an individualized program is created. Clients can lose up to 3 pounds or more per week eating regular foods. Quick Weight Loss results are guaranteed in writing. To get started today, interested residents can call 1-877-977-THIN to speak with a representative.

The Carrollwood Quick Weight Loss Centers location will be located in the Bay Lake Center on the East side of North Dale Mabry Highway, across from Newsome Eye Clinic, between Fletcher and Bearss Avenues. It will be conveniently located to serve Carrollwood, Northdale, Lake Magdalene, Lutz, Citrus Park and surrounding areas.

The Brandon Quick Weight Loss Centers location will be in the Country Village Square Shopping Center on the South Side of West Brandon Blvd, at the corner of W. Brandon Blvd & Kings Ave. It is in the same shopping plaza as the famous Moreno Bakery and the Wing House. It will be conveniently located to serve the following areas: Brandon, Bloomingdale, Valrico, Lithia, Pinecrest, Fish Hawk, Mango, Riverview, Plant City and surrounding areas.

The Clearwater Quick Weight Loss Centers location will be located in the Village at Countryside, on the west side of US Hwy 19N, next to Suncoast Credit Union and Macys Furniture Gallery. This location will be conveniently located to serve Clearwater, Countryside, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Dunedin, Oldsmar, East Lake, Largo and surrounding areas.

About Quick Weight Loss Centers

The Quick Weight Loss program originated in 1988 and has been in South Florida since 2001. With 17 Quick Weight Loss Centers in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and the Treasure Coast, the Quick Weight Loss program has helped thousands of people in South Florida achieve their weight loss goals. The personalized nutritional, quick weight loss programs provide up to 1,800 calories a day and ensure that members are satisfied while achieving optimum results. Quick Weight Loss Centers' results can range from 10 pounds to 100 pounds with no amount of weight too small or too large. Visit http://www.quickweightloss.net for a free consultation. Or call their toll-free number at 1-877-977-THIN to reach the office nearest you.
"From our family to yours, we're thrilled to offer Chicago area residents a way to enjoy Buona at home," says second-generation owner Joe Buonavolanto.

Chicagoans can now prepare some Chicago's original street food in their home kitchens. With the introduction of pre-cooked 100% natural Buona Beef in tubs at select Illinois, Northwest Indiana and Southeast Wisconsin retailers including Target, Jewel, Mariano's and Aldi stores, consumers can enjoy this iconic sandwich at home - bypassing the 8-plus hours of roasting time!

Each retail container of Buona beef includes fully cooked seasoned beef and gravy. The company is also offering its popular meatballs in classic marinara sauce and both items are available in the frozen foods section of the retail stores. For those looking to go all-out with Chicago's famous Italian-beef-and-sausage combo, Buona is now selling its original recipe sausage at the meats department of local Jewel stores. Consumers can choose from mild and hot varieties. The company is also planning on making the family's take on giardiniera, a pickled vegetable relish, available at select retailers.

Buona, a family owned restaurant group with 19 locations, is the official Italian beef and Italian Sausage of the Chicago Cubs, the official Italian beef of the Chicago White Sox, and both classics are served alone or in combination at Wrigley and Guaranteed Rate fields.

"From our family to yours, we're thrilled to offer Chicago area residents a way to enjoy Buona at home," says second-generation owner Joe Buonavolanto. "After much research and development, we're bringing our original family recipes to grocery store shelves. We're confident that the flavor holds up to the restaurant experience."

The family was able to maintain its rigorous standards for product excellence by utilizing the state-of-the art equipment and processes that have been perfected in the company's USDA production facility, which has the capacity to produce several million pounds on an annual basis.

Joe Buonavolanto, Sr. opened the first Buona restaurant in in Berwyn, IL, bringing Italian beef to the suburbs. Mr. Buonavolanto was among a group of Italian immigrants who made the now-famous sandwich a staple of Chicago's culinary scene. Depression-era stockyard workers who were looking for ways to make food go farther introduced Italian beef to the city. The sandwich, which typically uses lean and tougher cuts of meat that has been cooked for several hours, was often served at weddings and banquets. The meat was sliced thinly and served on bread with gravy to ensure that every guest was well fed.

For more information, visit http://www.buona.com/at-your-grocer/.

About Buona

The first Buona restaurant began serving Chicago's original Italian beef in Berwyn, Ill. in 1981. Founded by patriarch Joe Buonavolanto, Sr., the family-owned chain has expanded to nineteen locations while furthering a legacy that is equal parts family values, innovation and adaptation. The family is defining the next-generation beef stand as a place that is the perfect blend of old-school indulgence in Chicago classics and next generation menu choices - made with a focus on fresh, scratch-made food with a variety of innovated healthy options. While the menu has expanded, the original beef recipe has not been compromised - for the three generations of Buonavolantos who are active in the company, comprise and quality are never uttered in the same breath. Buona products are now sold at Target, Jewel, Mariano's and Aldi.

Buona is the Official Beef and Italian Sausage of the Chicago Cubs and is proudly served at both Wrigley and Guaranteed Rate fields. The restaurant's Italian beef sandwich has won several awards and accolades since its inception, including USA TODAY's 10Best, The Chicago Tribune's Best Italian Beef in Chicago, Steve Dolinsky's Essential Italian Beef Joints in Chicago(land), Berwyn's Best, West Suburban Living's Best of the West, The Daily Herald's Reader's Choice Award, For more information, visit Buona online at http://www.buona.com, like them on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter.
Were going Green this St. Patricks Day. We understand how hot it can get in the summer in South Florida and we want to help all Florida residents keep their homes cool while saving energy in the process.

All Year Cooling, a local South Florida air conditioner installation and repair company is having a St. Patricks Day Sale. With all AC installations through March 20, 2017, All Year Cooling will include, and professionally install a Nest Thermostat and UV light. With summer quickly approaching, the family owned company is helping South Florida customers stay cool in style.

The Nest Thermostat is able to learn what temperature users like and will build a schedule around daily activities. Using the thermostats sensors and using the phone location, Nest can automatically adjust itself to an Eco temperature to save energy when customers are not home.

The Nest Thermostat allows customers to see how much energy they use and the energy saving benefits provided by Nest sets it apart from other thermostats.

The Nest Thermostat provides additional benefits to the home besides keeping customers cool. By linking the Nest Thermostat with Nest Protect, Nest will automatically turn off the unit if it detects smoke or carbon monoxide. To learn more about the Free Nest thermostat and installation, visit the All Year Cooling Coupons website.

All Year Cooling President, Tommy Smith is quoted as saying, Were going Green this St. Patricks Day. We understand how hot it can get in the summer in South Florida and we want to help all Florida residents keep their homes cool while saving energy in the process. All Year Cooling knows what it takes to keep South Florida cool and out of the heat.

Established in 1973, All Year Cooling has completed over 150,000 air conditioner installations in South Florida. Their goal is to provide the consumer with the best overall value and service on new air conditioner installations, maintenance, and repairs. As a family-owned business, Tommy Smith along with his team makes it their mission to provide quality service and remain a trusted part of the South Florida community for their HVAC needs.
COMP students in Pomona celebrate Match Day March 17, 2017, revealing locations where they were accepted for residency. (Jeff Malet, WesternU)

Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific students celebrated a milestone in their careers  learning where they were accepted for post-graduate residencies.

COMP held Match Day celebrations on its Pomona, California and Lebanon, Oregon campuses March 17, 2017. When the clock struck 9 a.m., students in COMPs Class of 2017 opened envelopes containing their residency locations, and the lecture hall rang out with shouts of joy as they hugged family members and classmates.

Of the 209 students who matched in Pomona as of March 17, 129 placed in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) residency programs, 71 placed in American Osteopathic Association residency programs, and nine placed in military residency programs.

Fourth-year COMP student Claudia Hammis celebration was among the most exuberant and heartfelt. She matched into an anesthesiology residency at UC Irvine Medical Center, one of the first DOs to do so.

I feel like I am doing it for all of us, not just for myself, Hammi said. I feel like some more doors can open at other places and in other specialties as well.

Match Day is the proudest moment in being a faculty member at WesternU, said Lisa Warren, DO 01, Director of COMPs Office of Career and Professional Development and Clinical Chair of the Department of Pediatrics.

When students first come on campus, I am always impressed with all the accomplishments that they come in with. As we see them professionally mature in the classroom and onto clinical rotations, they continue to have that spirit and motivation to do great things in their careers, she said. In my position, I am blessed to work with such talented individuals. It is an amazing experience to have the luxury to spend the time to get to know each of them intimately and learn about who they are and what they have accomplished over four years. I am so proud to call them my future colleagues.

COMP is once again producing a large number of primary care physicians: 136 of 209 COMP students matched into primary care, or 65 percent.

COMP student Kristine Nicole Jugo will enter a family medicine residency at UC San Francisco  Fresno. She completed a clinical rotation there and found everyone to be supportive and friendly.

I always saw myself practicing full-scope medicine. I wanted to see from kids to adults, with a little bit of OB and a lot of outpatient, Jugo said. I feel like I fit in with the people there the best. Theyre very friendly, huggy type of people.

She was also attracted to Fresno because its a large institution that serves a large migrant population.

One of my primary focuses is underserved medicine, she said. I grew up in an immigrant family. My parents didnt have much coming here. But I also feel like those are the people who need it the most, the underserved who cant get to see doctors or dont have insurance and so those are the people I feel I want to see.

A total of 96 COMP-Northwest students participated in the Match, and nearly two-thirds (62) landed programs in primary care, which includes internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, and OB-GYN.

Ginger Cupit, DO Class of 2017 class representative, was one of 32 COMP-Northwest students who matched into a family medicine residency program.

I feel immensely overwhelmed and grateful, she said. Cupit will join the Family Medicine Residency Program at Georgetown Universitys Providence Hospital in Washington D.C. I am so thankful for the incredible opportunities COMP-Northwest and Lebanon has blessed me with these past four years. I can truly say Im leaving here a better person and am more prepared to take on the next chapter of my education.

After the students opened their envelopes, they were invited to the front of the lecture hall to announce their name, specialty residency program and location. Their information was pinned to an electronic map displayed on the lecture hall screens.

Medical residency programs can range from three to seven years, depending on the specialty. For example, family practice is three years, while neurosurgery is seven years. Following residency, the physician is then able to set up practice in the community of their choice.

COMP Dean Paula Crone, DO 92, told the Class of 2017 that completing four years of medical school was just a warm-up act.

Youre starting on a journey that you will carry with you and use every day of the rest of your life as you go out and take care of your patients, she said. You have learned so much over the last four years. Carry with you resiliency, tenacity, courage and purpose. Embrace where you are going and know wherever you go they so need you there and you are going to make an impact and change the world where youre at.

Im so proud of each and every one of you, Crone added. Lets raise our glasses and toast to this Class of 2017 and all of the wonderful things that they are going to be doing in their future.
The National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) We invite everyone to take a look, make Board Certification part of your professional development plan and apply now at NCDD Board Certification.

Recently, another DUI Defense organization has advertised a "Board Certification" exam in the area of DUI Defense to be held in April. While NCDD Board Certification is often imitated, it is never duplicated.

The National College for DUI Defense is the original, the one and only DUI Defense organization to offer Board Certification that meets American Bar Association standards for accreditation.

The American Bar Association has accredited the National College for DUI Defense, Inc. to confer Board Certification on those who meet the requirements and pass the examination. The NCDD DUI Board Certification is the first and only group to win accreditation by the ABA in the DUI Defense areaand that did not come easy. The DUI Board Certification application, vetting, and testing process is often more rigorous than many state bar specializations. See:Sources of Certification

Accreditation matters.

It matters to other attorneys.

It matters to the public.

And it should matter to you.

But, as attorneys you know not to blindly accept a statement such as accreditation matters without a reasoned argument. Here it is:

Accreditation matters because a shrinking minority of states neither offer their own certifications, nor offer to recognize outside certifications. Other states only recognize their own certifications and no others. However, many states allow a mix of both state-sponsored and outside certifications, and the national trend is to recognize more outside certifications. See: Find a Certification Program

Recognition by the ABA is a driving force behind such recognition. The ABA is working hard to have as many states as possible recognize their accreditation in specialty areas. It makes sense for state bar associations to accept ABA-accredited specialty programs as it lifts the financial and administrative burden off of the state bar and places it on individual organizations. ABA accreditation is a way for the state bars to have peace-of-mind that the Board Certification is not just another pay-for-play scheme. If you are in a state that does not recognize outside certifications, when NCDD Board Certification is finally recognized, you can be sure that the ABAs accreditation played a part in it.

The NCDD is in a small and elite group of organizations that offer ABA-accredited certification. Consider this: The ABA was founded on August 21, 1878 and has nearly 400,000 members which include law students, defense attorneys, prosecutors, all forms of civil lawyers, judges and supreme court justices. Currently, the ABA accredits only seven Private Board Certification Programs:

1. American Board of Certification

2. American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys

3. National Association of Counsel for Children

4. National Association of Estate Planners & Councils Estate Law Specialist Board, Inc.

5. National Board of Trial Advocacy

6. National College for DUI Defense, Inc.

7. National Elder Law Foundation

Not only are we the originals, but there is also no requirement to join the NCDD. While we would love for you to join the ranks of our 2,300-member-strong college, Board Certification does not require membership in the National College for DUI Defense. Be wary of organizations that offer an opportunity to apply for Board Certification only if you join their group and pay their dues. As part of the ABA Accreditation, Board Certification is not limited to any one group. Board Certification is not built upon a pay-for-play standard. It is a real testament to your knowledge, skill and experience, and not a testament to the depth of your pockets.

The process is a demanding test of your mental abilities, and frankly, not everyone measures up. The task is daunting and it is meant to be that way. Thats what sets the National College for DUI Defense Board Certification apart from other organizations. And becoming Board Certified will set you apart from other attorneys.

If you are interested in applying, there are instructions, guidelines for studying, applications and a timeline for the processing of all documents. We invite everyone to take a look, make Board Certification part of your professional development plan and apply now at NCDD Board Certification
Private label Pooki's Mahi Kona coffee pods for your next event. Online retailers do not protect Pookis Mahi brand or products from unapproved resellers. It costs an average of $25,000 to provide support to customer who bought defective products from unapproved resellers. Past News Releases RSS Pookis Mahi Introducing Custom...

Pookis Mahi Introducing...

Silicon Valley Pookis Mahi...

Silicon Valley startup Pookis Mahi announced today it authorized approved resellers pods, private label tea pods] to run aggressive pricing on the Amazon marketplace platform to prevent sales of Pookis Mahi prized 100% Kona coffee pods.

Companies must apply directly at Pookis Mahi to resell Hawaiian 100% Kona coffee pods, private label teas and black or white truffle salts. The Silicon Valley startup approved less than 1% of applicants to resell Pookis Mahi private label products. All orders have an order number and are tracked in various Pookis Mahi systems. Pookis Mahi will not provide customer support from unapproved reseller orders.

Pookis Mahis growth is attributed to an increase in 100% Kona coffee subscriptions, orders from the private label products platform and the companys drive to consistently deliver high customer value. Pookis Mahi manufacturers luxury 100% Kona coffee pods, private label tea in sustainable pods and white truffle salts. Unapproved resellers tarnishes Pookis Mahi luxury brand. Online retailers on Amazons marketplace are interested in quick revenue profits; marketplaces do not protect manufacturers brand. It costs Pookis Mahi an average of $25,000 to ship a replacement product, provide customer support to a customer who bought the defective product and to file and follow up on several different policy violation cases. Pookis Mahi has a bounty program for unapproved resellers. Pookis Mahi rewards customers who document and report unapproved resellers to Pookis Mahi Customer Success Center, explains Pookis Mahi Founder/CEO Les Magsalay-Zeller.

Pookis Mahi received an influx of complaints from customers who purchased 100% Kona coffee pods from unauthorized resellers. Unauthorized resellers shipped defective product, a different product or filed refund requests. It costs the Silicon Valley startup at minimum of $25000 to service, correct product listings and ensure the customer is not served defective product. Affiliate marketers and bloggers from Amazons affiliate marketing platform are not approved resellers. Pookis Mahi sent notices to the Amazon marketplace to take down listings form unapproved resellers. Pookis Mahi provides support to customers who purchased from a Pookis Mahi listing regardless of the marketplace.

Unapproved resellers undercuts Pookis Mahi brand, Kona coffee pods and run aggressive negative product review campaigns on marketplaces like Amazon. Pookis Mahis repeat customers and brand advocates complained about the poor customer experience.

Pookis Mahi executives completes lengthy due diligence on all businesses looking to resell Pookis Mahi Hawaiian 100% Kona coffee pods. Less than 1% are approved. 99% of the applicants are missing the Tax ID, Resellers Permit and the Business Insurance.

What Pookis Mahi customers of 100% Kona coffee pods, custom tea bundles should expect:

1. Prices will change dramatically to combat cyber bullies, unauthorized resellers and online resellers who facilitate unauthorized resellers.

2. Buy directly from Pookis Mahi; Kona coffee pods are 2.0 and 1.0 single serve coffee makers compatible.

3. Buy from a Sold by Pookis Mahi listing on online retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Jet, etc.

4. Pookis Mahi has not approved resellers on Walmart, Jet, etc.

5. Pookis Mahi owns merchandising on online retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Overstock, Jet, etc.

6. All orders have an order number and are tracked in various Pookis Mahi systems.

7. Pookis Mahi will not provide customer support from unapproved reseller orders.

8. Pookis Mahi assigned unique UPC and SKU for all bundles.

9. Pookis Mahi Bundle of Hawaiian Islands teas are sold under UPC #812283020763; protected by Pookis Mahi trademark.

The Silicon Valley startup requires business to apply to resell Pookis Mahis prized 100% Kona coffee pods. Interested resellers must submit a Tax ID, business resellers permit and business insurance at the time of the application.

Pookis Mahi prefers fewer high quality resellers that understand digital marketing and have an existing customer base. Pookis Mahi is not interested in onboarding resellers that do not follow Pookis Mahi reseller policies.

For use in 1.0 and 2.0 single serve coffee makers. Pooki's Mahi, The PMO Practice and Matcha Matcha Man are trademarks of Pookis Mahi.

The Academy Awards is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Gift Suites where Pookis Mahis products are show cased are not authorized by and is not associated with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, The Academy Awards, or any of its official partners or vendors.

About Pookis Mahi:

Pookis Mahi is a Silicon Valley-based private label coffee pods and custom promotional products manufacturer offering Hawaiian 100% Kona coffee and award-winning private label teas in sustainable single serves pods. Private label brands partner with Pookis Mahi for the efficient supply chain, go to market plaunch and new product introduction experise. Since its online launch in 2013, Pookis Mahi products have been a favorite of customers, charities, celebrities and athletes and have been featured at red carpet events including Celebrity Gift Suites and athletes and seen on several television shows. Pookis Mahis mission is to revolutionize the supply chain ecosystem to make it efficient by using technology in bringing the highest quality Kona coffees into the market in a sustainable, compostable cup. Hawaiian coffees are harvested/roasted in Hawaii with final manufacturing inspections in US before distributing to several fulfillment centers in the US.

For more information on Pookis Mahi custom private label coffee, pods pricing, single serve tea visit http://www.custom.pookismahi.com. Follow Pookis Mahi on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter to keep up with news insights to launching private label products. Pookis Mahi has a zero tolerance stop cyber-bullying policy.

Contact Information

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###
Price Rubin artist Alex Slobodyanik, a revered piano virtuoso, is scheduled to perform on Monday, March 20, at 7 p.m. in Arcata, CA, at Humboldt State Universitys Van Duzer Theatre, 1 Harpst Street. Slobodyanik, who walked away from the music world to pursue filmmaking, will be performing Prokofievs Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26, conducted by fellow Price Rubin artist Theodore Kuchar, the most recorded conductor of his generation.

This is a rare opportunity to see these artists work together, said Jack Price, founder of Price Rubin & Partners and concert pianist formerly known as Dickran Atamian. This also marks Alexs long-awaited return to the stage in a major U.S. venue.

Slobodyanik and Kuchar will also be on stage on Wednesday, March 22, at 8 p.m. at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA, and Sunday, March 26, at 3 p.m. at the University of California Berkeleys Zellerbach Hall, corner of Bancroft Way and Telegraph Avenue. They will be performing the same Prokofiev concerto at both venues. All three engagements are part of the U.S. tour (managed by CAMI) of Grammy-nominated Price Rubin artists the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine.

Alex, also known as Sacha Slobodyanik, has been featured in numerous films and shows. Most recently, he joined the cast of Emmy-nominated The Americans, a show about two Soviet intelligence agents posing as a married couple to spy on the American government, starring Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys. His directorial debut is a documentary feature called Buratino-15, due out this spring.

Alex has appeared at New Yorks Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center, Barbican and Royal Festival Halls in London, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, UNESCO Hall in Paris, the Great Hall in Moscow, Suntory Hall in Tokyo and a host of other major venues throughout the United States and Europe. Orchestra appearances included the Chicago Symphony, National Symphony, The Philharmonia Orchestra, and The Kirov orchestra under Valeri Gergiev.

About Jack Price, Price Rubin & Partners Artist Management

Jack Price helps artists develop their individual market branding and career milestones. The Price Rubin & Partners staff makes thousands of calls every month to decision-makers who are in charge of talent acquisition for concerts, corporate events and fundraisers. They offer real-time reporting where artists can see their campaign (which is personally supervised by Jack) unfolding second by second. Price Rubin stands for transparency and accountability in artist management today. For more information, please call (310) 254-7149, (PRI) CER-UBIN or visit http://www.pricerubin.info.

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.
CCA Residential Reintegration Facility Built Using Floorless Permanent Modular Construction

Ramtech Building Systems of Mansfield, Texas has announced that two of the company's modular construction projects and a marketing video have been entered into the 2017 Modular Building Institute's Awards of Distinction program at the annual MBI World of Modular convention and trade show being held at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa March 17-20 in Tucson, Arizona. Ramtech has entered the Dallas Transitional Center residential reintegration facility built for Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) into the Permanent Institutional or Assembly category. This 31,752 square foot project located in the southern part of Dallas County provides space for 296 residents in eight dorms and includes a full commercial kitchen, two activity rooms, and administrative office space. In addition to the construction entry, Ramtech has also entered a time-lapse video of the project which demonstrates the company's Floorless Permanent Modular Construction process in the Marketing Multimedia category. In the Relocatable Education section, Ramtech has entered the recently completed modular school campus the company built for the Deweyville Independent School District to replace the school district's elementary school that was destroyed during the flooding in the area during March of 2016. The relocatable modular project included eight standard portable classroom buildings, an 8,064 square foot eight classroom building, a 6,272 square foot multipurpose facility, and a 5,120 square foot cafeteria with a full-service commercial kitchen capable of accommodating 150 students.

This year's World of Modular conference will be held for the first time in Tucson and promises to be largest conference in the modular building industry's 31 year history. Capping off the convention every year is the annual awards reception and banquet. The highlight of the event is the MBIs Awards of Distinction competition for building excellence, covering several market categories for both relocatable and permanent modular building applications as well as a marketing and promotions section. The awards are judged by an independent panel of building design and construction experts on architectural excellence, technical innovation & sustainability, cost effectiveness, and energy efficiency.

About Ramtech and Floorless Permanent Modular Construction

Since 1982 Ramtech Building Systems has been providing innovative relocatable and permanent modular buildings for educational institutions, government agencies, healthcare providers, and Fortune 500 companies throughout the Southern United States. As a design-build construction company, Ramtech offers full in-house design, a manufacturer direct product, and complete site construction services all within a single-source solution. Ramtech's Floorless Permanent Modular Construction process combines the best of off-site prefabrication and on-site construction techniques in order to produce a building faster and with less cost but identical in the look, functionality and life expectancy of a completely site-built structure. Ramtech accomplishes this by setting factory assembled modular sections complete with attached ceilings and walls - but no floors - directly onto a conventional concrete slab foundation. This allows the concrete slab to become the floor of the structure just like a site-built building. For more information, visit the company's website at RamtechModular.com.
Ivan Vladislavic, one of South Africas most innovative writers, is talking with me about the recipe for afritude sauce, an imaginary condiment featured prominently in The Exploded View, his new novel, out this March from Archipelago Books. It would definitely have peanuts in it, he says. The essential ingredients are peanuts and chili and coriander. In the book, the sauce, the flavor of the new South Africa, an exhilarating blend of earthy goodness and spicy sophistication, is shared by a group of menone white and four blackover a dinner that reveals the lingering racial, linguistic, and cultural divisions of the postapartheid era.

Vladislavic tells me that the novel, which was published in South Africa in 2004, reflects the period in which it was writtenthe years following the end of apartheid: Aspects of culture that had been kept separate as people were kept separate were now occupying the same place. You were hearing languages you werent hearing before. You were hearing music you hadnt heard before on national networks. There was a sense of flux and a sense of possibility. Reflecting on that initial optimism, the 60-year-old Vladislavic strikes a wistful note: Now were living in a much more disenchanted period. I think divisions in society have hardened again.

I am speaking to Vladislavic in his Johannesburg apartment via Skype from the U.S., where I am seven hours behind. This seems fitting, given the lag time between the U.S. and South African publications of his works. Its great to have books brought back to life again, says Vladislavic, whose imposing persona is belied by a soft-spoken amiability.But getting oneself back into that imaginative head space you were in when you wrote the book can be quite tricky.

All the trickier in Vladislavics case, given the stylistic range of his works. His first novel, The Folly, about an imperious eccentric who survey[s] and subdue[s] a vacant plot of land on which he constructs an invisible mansion, has an allegorical quality. The Restless Supermarket, by contrast, is an inventive social satire. Its prim, language-loving, and slightly delusional protagonist is a retired proofreader rattled by the changes ushered in by the postapartheid era. The nonfiction Portrait with Keys documents Johannesburgs neighborhoods with lively inquisitiveness; Double Negative, spanning the apartheid and postapartheid eras, is a ruminative bildungsroman about a photographer; and 101 Detectives is a collection of short, occasionally absurdist stories that, taken together, present a baffling case for the reader-sleuth.

I used to think all my books were different, Vladislavic says, but going back to early work helps me to trace particular threads of continuity. One obvious thread is Johannesburg, the city in which he has lived for the past 40 years. Discussing the citys evolution over that period, Vladislavic tells me that the big change happened around the time of South Africas transition to democracy, when the apartheid urban planning and social control structures broke down. He adds, Black people were able to move freely for the first time, and there was a huge shift in where people lived.

Vladislavic has long been interested in the organization of urban space as both a writer and a social sciences editor. Before joining Wits Universitys creative writing department in 2015, he spent years editing projects in the urban development field. It taught me quite a lot about areas I had never had access to, like sanitation, he says. Vladislavic also worked as a freelance book editor on several ambitious projects, including the exhibition catalogue for Blank: Architecture, Apartheid and After. The project was a great conjunction of my editing work and my own interest that drew in so many writers and theorists and architects, all thinking through how South African spaces worked and how they would change and look in the future.

Vladislavic has watched Johannesburg shift from a European-style city to a more suburban, Americanesque city. The Exploded View, he says, explores the new Johannesburg, much more spread out, suburban, and a much more defended, privatized, and dispersed space than the old city.

The novel takes place on the sprawling metropoliss periphery, where, Vladislavic says, the extremes of society are rubbing up against each other, often violently. The Exploded View is a car-guided tour of Johannesburgs gated communities, far-flung construction sites, periurban eateries, ring roads. Its vignettes touch on infrastructure and urban planning, on blueprints and their flawed executions. I suppose its a reflection on living in a society that has the unusual possibility of starting over, reconstructing on a new basis after decades of apartheid and centuries of colonial rule, Vladislavic says. Its a reflection of the gap between those ideals and reality.

In the book, this gap is most clearly visible in the disastrous construction of a subsidized housing development: half of the residents turn off the plumbing after receiving their water bills, there are already cracks in the structures, and a contractor has set one toilet comically high up on a cement plinth. The novels title captures the precarious balance between order and chaos inherent in building, or rebuilding, a society. An exploded view, Vladislavic explains, shows an object broken up into its component parts. Its an image of suspension in which things can either fit together perfectly or fly apart. Anyone whos tried to assemble furniture knows the feeling.

Vladislavic was inspired to write The Exploded View by certain images, though not any found in an Ikea instructional booklet. He shows me a book on Joachim Schonfeldt, a conceptual artist who, he says, works on a very abstract level but is also deeply connected to the material culture of Johannesburg and South Africa. Vladislavic notes, This is probably more mystifying than illuminating. Watching him page through pictures of three-headed lions, peacocks, and cows, followed by a yellow minibus taxi, I fear he might be right. But clarity emerges when he turns to an exploded view of the Castle of Good Hope, the first colonial structure built in South Africa after the Dutch arrived, and points to the key imagefour disembodied faces in half-profilethat gave him the notion of writing a book about four men. The images are quite stark, so stark and so schematic that I couldnt really draw out the atmosphere or detail of a literary work from them, he says. Instead, I used repetitive patterns to structure the novel.

None of the four male charactersa statistician, a sanitation engineer, a conceptual artist, and a billboard constructorcome into direct contact with one another, which leaves the reader responsible for making thematic connections among their stories. Its a model of how the book works: a set of components that are either going to fit together if you construct them for yourself or might just fall apart if youre the kind of reader who doesnt want to do that, Vladislavic says.

The Exploded View opens with a story about a kind of model reader, a pattern-seeking man whose hobbies include observing highway traffic: Entire lifestyles, dissolved in the flow like some troubling additive, like statistical fluoride, became perceptible to his trained eye. He is charged with redrafting the questionnaire for the impending postapartheid census, the first nonracial head count in the countrys history.

Vladislavic calls this 1996 census a watershed moment where the new government tried to understand whos really where. Previously, the government counted by race in order to carry out apartheid planning. Black people were rightly suspicious of such government actionsa suspicion that remained after apartheid ended, Vladislavic says. For a black South African, he wryly notes, when government people came around to count you, it was not a good thing. He adds, There were lots of myths circulating about what the function of the census would be, turning what should have been completely ordinary into a charged event.

Vladislavic depicts the charge in these ordinary events often in his novels, of which The Exploded View is one of the more enigmatic and muted. I bring up a statement made by the novels brash artist: Excess is always interesting.... The world was so loud, and no one took seriously a thing that didnt attract attention to itself. There was no room for subtlety. What, I wonder, did that credo portend for Vladislavics own work, widely praised but less widely read? We live in a period of declamatory culture, he says. Things that are quiet are either ignored or really treasured by people who value that. This book reflects that sensibility.

Matt Seidel is a staff writer at the Millions.
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Tor Goes Deep with Wexler

In a three-book North American rights deal, Tor Teens Ali Fisher bought Django Wexlers YA debut, a trilogy called Deepwalker. The publisher said the series, which Seth Fishman at the Gernert Company sold, is an epic fantasy about a teenage girl trained in the art of combat magic who is blackmailed into stealing a legendary ghost ship. The first book in the series, which is currently untitled, is slated for winter 2019.

B&N Discover Winner Sells Sophomore Novel

Abby Geni, who won the 2016 Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers award for her debut novel The Lightkeepers, sold her second novel to Dan Smetanka at Counterpoint Press. Smetanka bought North American rights to Zoomania from Laura Langlie, who has an eponymous shingle. Describing Zoomania, Langlie said its both a literary page-turner and an examination of the shifting relationship between human beings and the natural world. The Lightkeepers, also published by Counterpoint, won a number of other literary awards and has been optioned by Legendary TV (Dexter).

Educational Media Brand Teams with Rodale Kids

Rhea Lyons at Rodale Books struck a world rights deal with the media and education group Story Pirates for two books, the first of which is called The Story Pirates Present: Stuck in the Stone Age. Rodale said that the books, which will be written by bestselling middle grade author Geoff Rodkey (The Tapper Twins), will be sci-fi thrillers designed to help readers learn how to create their own stories. Founded in 2004, Story Pirates is a group that aims to celebrate the stories young people create and share; in addition to performing in schools, the group produces a podcast and a SiriusXM radio show called Story Pirates Radio. Stuck in the Stone Age is based on an idea from a sixth grader in TennesseeStory Pirates solicited plot ideas from kidswho, Rodale elaborated, imagined a pair of modern-day scientists who are transported back to prehistoric times, where they have to use their wits to face down a myriad of B.C.-era hazards. The book will be released by the Rodale Kids imprint. In the deal, Story Pirates was represented by Stephen Barbara at InkWell Management, while Rodkey was represented by Josh Getzler at Hannigan Salky Getzler.

Grammy-Winning Childrens Musician Sells First Picture Book

For her eponymous imprint at Penguin Young Readers Group, Nancy Paulsen took world rights to Senorita Mariposa by childrens musician Ben Gundersheimer. Under his recording name, Mister G, Gundersheimer has released a number of albums for children in Spanish and English; in 2015 he won a Latin Grammy for his album Los Animales. Senorita Mariposa, which Zoe Sandler at ICM Partners sold, is Gundersheimers debut picture book; Sandler said the title will celebrate butterfly migration as witnessed by American and Mexican children. The book is slated for 2018 and will be illustrated by Mexican artist Marcos Almada Rivero.

Mejia Brings Latest to Emily Bestler

Mindy Mejia (The Dragon Keeper) sold a currently untitled thriller to Emily Bestler, for her eponymous imprint at Simon & Schuster. The new book, which is set in Duluth, Minn., and the Boundary Waters (a wilderness area that stretches from northern Minnesota into Canada), is slated for summer 2018. This novel follows Mejias latest psychological thriller, Everything You Want Me to Be, which Bestler released under her imprint in January. Everything, the publisher said, has garnered strong media attention; among other things, it was named a best new mystery by the Wall Street Journal and one of 2017s best fiction cooks by Bustle. Stephanie Cabot at the Gernert Company represented Mejia, selling U.S., Canadian, and open market rights to the book.

Briefs

Da Capo Presss Robert Pigeon took world rights to Brian Murphys 13 Adrift, about the lone survivor of a ship hit by an iceberg in 1853. Murphy (81 Days Below Zero) details how Thomas Nye, on a trip from Liverpool to Boston, managed to stay alive in a lifeboat for 10 days. (The title is derived from the fact that Nyes lifeboat initially carried 13 people, including himself.) Da Capo said the book, which Russell Galen at Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary sold, tells a story of survival and morality set in the era of Irish immigration; its scheduled for fall 2018.
Located in Beijings central business district, the two-story Juvenile & Children Reading Experience Wonderland is a full-fledged subsidiary of China Childrens Press & Publication Group (for more on CCPPG, see p. 16). Right from the outset, Wonderland has embarked on a divergent path by focusing on experiential reading services instead of just selling books.

During PWs recent visit to the store, nearly 100 students from a rural primary school in Beijings Fangshan district were on the premises. One group congregated in the theater area discussing the skits they were about to perform with their teacher and a Wonderland guide, while another group, on low communal tables in another corner, were experimenting with their science activity kits. Another group of younger students enjoyed their boxed lunches amid boisterous conversations and laughter.

Throughout its 5,000-sq.-m. space, Wonderland is designed with children in mind, utilizing bright color schemes and kid-friendly fittings and fixtures. A comfortable and safe space is conducive to reading and learning, and that is what we aim for, explains Li Xueqian, president of CCPPG, adding that the whole construction took three years.

The idea behind the development of Wonderland, conceived in 2007, is to make reading fun by supplementing it with activities and games, and then to go deeper to understand the reading and learning needs of schoolchildren and their schools, Li says. But we have to figure out the business model and the practicalities: how to make moneyand if we even can make moneyand where to go from there.

The answer to the first part of his question is becoming evident: in the second half of 2015, more than 30,000 primary schoolers from 130 schools visited the store. Last year, just between March and June, 15,000 students visited the store. The fee for these visits, charged depending on the program selected, is CNY 80100 ($11.60$14.50) per student. We broke even last year with services rendered to just 43 schools from two districts, Daxing and Fangshan, Li says. This year, more have already committed to the Wonderland programs. He points out that 60% of the stores income is derived from these fees, the rest from book salesfrom titles coming from various publishers, not just CCPPG.

Li and his team have also developed special kits for use at Wonderland. The Drama in Education kit, for instance, gives schoolchildren tools to express themselves and be creative and imaginative. Each set is designed for 45 students and is priced at CNY 30,000 ($4,366). More than 150 sets were sold last year.

The second question about Wonderlands futurewhere to go from herewill require more time to answer. A deep-rooted traditional-publishing mindset revolving around book sales and new titles is the biggest barrier, Li says. Wonderland is essentially a reading-service platform for children, the antithesis of a bookstore. In addition to onsite reading programs and activities, our services include collaborations with schools to build the appropriate reading environment. Since reading classes are new in many schools, the majority of the teachers are not sure how to implement them effectively, or how to improve a students reading ability or interest. Or even how to build the schools reading resources. That is where our school reading services come into play.

Through these services, Wonderland advises schools to stock their libraries with at least 2,000 titles, of which 200 should form the core reading list. We build reading programs based on these core titles, train teachers, provide appropriate teaching and learning kits, track the progress, conduct annual evaluation, and make the necessary tweaks, adds Li, who firmly believes that the future of the publishing industry is going to be driven by such services. Hence, he wants Wonderlandand therefore CCPPGto have the first-mover advantage.
Established in 1952, Juvenile & Childrens Publishing House was Chinas first professional childrens publisher and is part of the much larger Shanghai Century Publishing. It is also Chinas most active publisher in rights selling, starting with the 1979 sale of picture book Precious Boat to Japan. Since then, more than 1,500 titles have been exported to countries including France, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam. JCPH publishes 800 titles per year, along with eight journals and two weekly newspapers.

Creating long-running bestsellers is a JCPH tradition, and 100,000 Whys is one outstanding example. Launched in 1961, the current 18-volume 100,000 Whys boasts contributions from 110 academicians and 700 scientists. The full-color sixth edition has received accolades from schools, teachers, parents, and the government for developing scientific thinking and reasoning in the young. Around 2.5 million sets of the latest edition have been sold, and it is now available in six languages, including Kazakh, Uyghur, and Vietnamese.

Many of our bestsellers were published in the 1950s and 1960s by old publishing houses, which were acquired by our parent company, explains Zhou Qing, president and editor-in-chief of JCPH. Given the shifts in demographics and market preferences, we are now working on ensuring that these old publications meet current market demands and will continue to thrive for generations to come.

For Zhou, successful branding is critical in extending the product line, which will add considerably to the companys sales and market influence: Take our Juvenile Science magazine as an example. I rebranded it 100,000 Whys three years ago to capitalize on the success of the book series and to realign our editorial efforts. It resulted in our collaboration with National Geographic in 2015, and today we have three different editionsfocusing on learning, exploration, and discoveryto further promote science education.

The rebranding effort also includes a 100,000 Whys Museum in Shanghais Baoshan District and a winter science camp in Xishuangbanna (along the Myanmar/Laos border with China) in the past year. This brand now covers not just books and magazines, but also online communities and science curriculum recommendation and assessments, adds Zhou, who is working on a science literacy evaluation system modeled upon the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences Project 2061.

JCPH is also active in organizing events aimed at brand promotion and awareness. The companys magazine The Kingdom of Story has sponsored a nationwide storytelling competition for the past 18 years. The success of the 365 Bedtime Stories picture book series led to the launch of a spin-off series, Little Frog Stories. We set up a Little Frog storytelling game on our WeChat account, and 90,000 participated overnight, Zhou says. This platform has become our direct-to-market communications channel for more reading activities as well as promotional services for that brand.

But it is not just about originals at JCPH. We have introduced beloved characters such as Eloise, Garfield, and Peter Pan, and bestsellers including David McKees Elmer, Akiko Hayashis Baby series, Sam McBratney and Anita Jerams Guess How Much I Love You, and Richard Pecks A Long Way from Chicago, Zhou says, adding that the companys first translated work, Disneys Mickeys Wonderful World, was released in 1993.

Picture books are one of JCPHs big segments; the publisher recently launched the Crocodiles Fall in Love with Giraffes boxed set containing three titles from Daniela Kulot. The market is paying a lot of attention to the zero-to-six age group due to the spotlight on preschool education and early childhood reading, says Zhou, whose original picture book series The Adventures of Sanmaofeaturing a protagonist who has only three hairs on his headhas sold more than 10 million sets since 1959 and is now available in French.

Zhou attributes the companys success (sales doubled between 2010 and 2015) to meticulous content development. Our contributors and editorial team took three years to produce the new edition of 100,000 Whys, she notes. But many content creators today are not as patient or meticulous as authors of old. Research is often insufficiently done, resulting in subpar quality. And that worries me, since we are determined to create long-running products that can be branded, expanded, and promoted extensively. Zhou adds that JCPH is looking for new content promoting scientific thinking and unique picture books.
This year marked the 60th anniversary of Xinjiang Juvenile Publishing House, which is located in Xinjiang, a province that makes up one-sixth of Chinas total land area and borders eight countries, including Afghanistan, India, Kazakhstan, and Russia. Its location in the vast nations interior and the presence there of 47 ethnic groups have influenced XJPHs unique publishing program.

Afanti, a Uighur protagonist who is never far from his donkey or a witty remark, is XJPHs most famous brand. His stories are inspired by the folklore corpus of Nasreddin, who lived nearly 750 years ago and whose stories are celebrated by various cultures and countries along the ancient Silk Road. More than 30 Afanti titlescovering picture books, comics, and fiction for children ages 312have been created by XJPH since 2005, with over one million copies sold.

Delving into Xinjiang folktales, history, culture, and literature to produce outstanding titles is what we do best, says Xu Jiang, president of XJPH, which is the only multilingual childrens press in China, with publications in Chinese, Kazakh, and Uighur. At the same time, mostly due to our remote location, we are able to give fresh perspectives on, say, Beijing culture and its tourist attractions. Bao Dongnis When I Was in My Childhood series, for instance, is about snacks, hutongs, and life in old Beijing seen through the eyes of children. Another series, Mings Adventure, revolves around a young boys travelsvisiting the terra-cotta army, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall, for instanceand his encounters with famous figures of Chinese history. Mings stories strike a chord not just with children from China but also with children from overseasresulting in sales of the series rights to Brazil, Portugal, and the U.S.

Another of XJPHs series, the seven-volume Quintessence of Chinese Opera, makes classic Chinese opera stories accessible and enjoyable to children. Launched during the 2014 Shanghai Childrens Book Fair, this groundbreaking series has been reprinted five times for a total of 150,000 copies. Four more titles will soon be added to this series while five more are in development, adds Xu, whose company has also published a 14-volume series on the Mongolian epic Jangar, illustrated to highlight the nomadic culture, warring tribes, and rugged landscape of Mongolia.

But Xu is just as keen to bring in the best books from overseas. Among the companys biggest ever imports is Berenstain Bears. After it bought rights to the series in 2003, XJPH published 30 Berenstain titles in three years and trademarked the name BeiBei Xiong (literally, BeiBei Bears) in China. It took XJPH five long years to promote the series, which came into the market at a time when little attention was paid to picture books. Ten years later, sales for the series (totaling 147 titles) exceeded 18 million copies. Unfortunately, the rights deal was not renewed after 2014.

It was a huge disappointment and a big lesson, Xu says. We did not communicate enough on the progress made and on the effectiveness of the trademark and events in turning the series into a bestselling brand. We learned the need for directand more effectivecommunication with our overseas partners. Xus team is applying those lessons to promote and brand another big series, Marc Browns Arthur. We bought 50 titles in 2011, and the total sales have already exceeded one million copies.

Increased dealings with overseas partners prompted Xu to establish an office in Cologne, Germany, in July 2016, to forge closer collaborations with and gain better understanding of the global book market. To date, Xu and his team have bought rights from over 20 countries, including Finland, Sweden, the U.K., and the U.S. Among XJPHs most recent acquisitions are Chris Monroes Monkey with a Tool Belt and the Maniac Muffins and Isabelle Simlers Cette nuit-la au musee (That night at the museum).

Im interested in having current bestsellers such as the Magic School Bus series translated into minority languages, Xu says, pointing out the need to make proven and quality content available in Kazakh and Uighur in the province. However, since sales will only be a fraction of the simplified-Chinese edition, publishers do need to consider accepting a lower rights fee for these minority-language editions and to think of it as a philanthropic gesture to help support the reading needs of minority children.

For Xu, Xinjiangs name, which literally means new frontiers, perfectly encapsulates his mission of leveraging Xinjiangs cultural diversity, openness, and talents to rise to new market challenges and opportunities, domestically and internationally.
BETTENDORF  Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois and Schnucks are teaming up to bring a sweet treat to military service members.

"Schnucks continues to be very supportive of Girl Scouting and our mission of building future leaders," said Diane Nelson CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. "This promotion allows the community to support Girl Scouts and potentially offers more members of our community the opportunity to provide a favorite national treat to our brave military service personnel."

For every $4 donation a Schnucks customer makes to Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois through a Scan & Give campaign at checkout, a box of Girl Scout Cookies will be gifted to the USO of Missouri. The three-week promotion ends April 2.

"As a company, we are dedicated to exploring new and different ways to partner with community groups," said Joanie Taylor, Schnucks director of community relations. "This Scan & Give with the Girls Scouts and the USO is an excellent example of this commitment."

Girl Scout councils of Central Illinois, Eastern Missouri, Missouri Heartland, Southern Illinois, Southwest Indiana, Northern Illinois and Wisconsin Badgerland also are participating in the promotion. To make a donation at the checkout, customers select a slip from the register tear pad and give it to the cashier to scan. The donation amount will be added to the customer's bill. Store patrons have the option to donate in three different amounts up to $20.

"We are thrilled to be the beneficiary of this great partnership between Girl Scouts and Schnucks," said Christine Trotter, USO of Missouri Director of Development. "Our military truly appreciate these sweet treats and know that Girl Scouts are always thinking about them."
Dyon Armongelo Thomas, 18, is charged in Scott County District Court with controlled substance violation, a Class D felony, and distributing drug near a school, a Class B felony, according to court records.

At 11:30 p.m. March 4, Mr. Thomas allegedly sold marijuana to a 14-year-old male in a 4th Street parking lot across the street from Monroe Elementary School, court documents state. On Friday afternoon, Mr. Thomas was being held in Scott County Jail on a $50,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Monday.
ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL -- U.S. Army Sustainment Command mentors on March 2 discussed expanding the ASC Mentoring Program online and exchanged mentoring techniques in a meeting on Rock Island Arsenal.

The program allows new employees and interns to work with a mentor in creating developmental goals.

Mentors  typically senior leaders  provide guidance and tools to assist their mentees.

ASC recently launched a web-based interface for long-distance mentoring, utilizing SharePoint, an application for document management and storage. The ASC workforce and interns are dispersed across the globe at the Headquarters, Army Field Support Brigades and Logistics Readiness Centers.

Christina Arduser, program manager, G3 (Operations), said that the SharePoint site will enhance mentor and mentee relations by incorporating more open communication, online resources, and a wider range of pairing opportunities.

This is the first year the [AFSBs] are required to be in the mentoring program, Ms. Arduser said. We wanted to create a tracking tool to make it as easy as possible for them to get through this process, especially since some of them are overseas and have other priorities.

The SharePoint site includes journals, discussion boards, testimonials, program evaluations and resources, such as career trackers and a library book list.

Mentors also discussed mentoring techniques, their current mentee relationships and suggestions for improving the program. Highlights included resume building, Individual Development Plans and soft-skills training.

Michael Hutchison, deputy to the commander, ASC, emphasized mentors should discuss the organizational development process with mentees. He said mentees should understand that career decisions should be based on what is best for the organization and the warfighter.

When a person talks about taking a formal leader position, it cannot be about you, said Mr. Hutchison. It has to be about the organization.

He also said diversity, such as experience and age, has value when pairing a mentor with a mentee.

If youre a mentor, it could be helpful to find somebody that doesnt look like you or have the same experience you have, Mr. Hutchison said. Likewise if you are a mentee.

Mr. Hutchison said senior leaders in the organization have an obligation to give back to new employees.
The amount of money President Donald Trump wants for U.S. defense next year would fund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities  combined  for 770 years.

The budget he released Thursday, however would eliminate all $745 million in federal funding for the three groups.

The arts are central to our Quad-City quality of life, our ability to attract a workforce and to educate our students," Quad City Arts CEO Carmen Darland said Thursday.

Arts and culture have a local economic impact of $71 million annually, Ms. Darland said. An NEA Art Works grant allowed her agency's Visiting Artist series to offer lectures and demonstrations by eight artists to more than 33,000 students in 2015-16.

Patricia Harrison, President/CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, said the proposed cut of $445 million in federal funds would "initially devastate and ultimately destroy public medias role in early childhood education, public safety, connecting citizens to our history and promoting civil discussions.

The organization provides nearly half of the $1.4 million annual budget for WQPT, the Quad-Cities PBS station, according to general manager Mary Pruess.

"Small stations like WQPT are especially vulnerable to this," she said. "This is a public/private partnership; for every dollar allocated for public media, we raise more than six, from the public.

"Having this money in public broadcasting protects the public interest in what we do."

WVIK, the Quad-Cities NPR station, usually gets about $130,000 in federal funding a year toward its $1.2-million budget, station CEO Jay Pearce said.

"It's really too early to tell how this will all play out," he said of the budget plan. "I feel pretty confident our community would help us raise that money. But keep in mind, WQPT will also be asking many of the same people to help offset its loss.

"Any cuts to other arts and social service agencies would only lengthen the line at a philanthropist's door," he said. "And the amount of money available is not unlimited."

He noted WVIK already has lost $60,000 in state funding.

The Figge Art Museum receives an annual grant from the Iowa Arts Council, which gets 40 percent of its funding from the NEA, said the musuem's executive director Tim Schiffer.

"So we will probably see an immediate cut in funding," he said.

Mr. Schiffer also said the NEA has provided the Figge with grants to support exhibitions, buy artwork, and obtain insurance indemnities.

"Finally, many NEA grants act as a catalyst for supporting grants and contributions from private foundations and individuals," he said. "The loss of this support from the top, even though it is not a huge number in relation to overall museum funding, will be a significant event."

While the Q-C Symphony doesn't directly get NEA funds, it benefits through NEA grants to Iowa and Illinois, executive director Ben Loeb said.

"But importantly, NEA is a critical organization in creating the culture of arts support that permeates our society," he said Friday by email. "By defunding the NEA, this administration is sending a strong signal that the arts are not worth funding and that arts should be abolished. That will certainly lead to a general devaluation of the arts in our country."

Ms. Preuss noted "there's a lot of activity yet" before Congress takes a final vote on any budget. She also said an online protest petition can be found at protectmypublicmedia.org.

"Ultimately, it will be up to Congress to decide the matter," Mr. Pearce said. "So I hope people will let their representatives know how what they think about it."
SEATTLE (AP)  Federal law gives the president broad authority over immigration. Jimmy Carter used it to deny some Iranians entry to the U.S. during the hostage crisis, Ronald Reagan to bar Cubans who didn't already have relatives here and President Barack Obama to keep out North Korean officials.

So why does President Donald Trump keep running into legal trouble with his efforts to freeze immigration by refugees and citizens of some predominantly Muslim nations?

When federal courts in Hawaii and Maryland blocked Trump's revised travel ban from taking effect, the judges spelled out their major concern: the unusual record of statements by the president and his advisers suggesting the executive order's real purpose was to discriminate against Muslims, in violation of the Constitution's ban on officially favoring or disfavoring any religion.

As the legal fight moves into the appeals courts, two key issues will be the extent of the president's broad immigration powers  and whether Trump's own record stymies his plans.

___

THE RULINGS

Neither U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland nor Judge Derrick Watson bought the administration's reasoning that the travel ban is about national security.

"The history of public statements continues to provide a convincing case that the purpose of the second executive order remains the realization of the long-envisioned Muslim ban," Chuang wrote.

Watson criticized what he called the "illogic" of the government's arguments and cited "significant and unrebutted evidence of religious animus" behind the travel ban. He also noted that while courts should not examine the "veiled psyche" and "secret motives" of government decision-makers, "the remarkable facts at issue here require no such impermissible inquiry."

"For instance, there is nothing 'veiled' about this press release: 'Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States,'" he wrote, referring to a statement Trump issued as a candidate.

But the scope of the rulings differed. In a challenge brought by Hawaii, Watson blocked the federal government from enforcing its ban on travel from six mostly Muslim countries and its suspension of the nation's refugee program. Chuang only blocked the six-nation travel ban, saying it wasn't clear that the suspension of the refugee program was similarly motivated by religious bias.

A federal judge in Seattle on Thursday ruled that his order blocking Trump's original travel ban does not apply to the revised executive order because there are enough differences between the two.

Judge James Robart noted that Washington and several other states have also asked him to block the revised ban. He said he would rule on that request at a later date.

___

APPEALS COMING

Speaking Wednesday evening at a rally in Nashville, Tennessee, Trump called the ruling in Hawaii an example of "unprecedented judicial overreach" and said his administration would appeal it to the U.S. Supreme Court. He also called his new travel ban a watered-down version of the first one, which he said he wished he could implement.

"We're going to win. We're going to keep our citizens safe," the president said. "The danger is clear. The law is clear. The need for my executive order is clear."

The Justice Department filed a brief notice Friday saying that it would appeal the Maryland ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. A day earlier, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the government planned to seek clarification of the Hawaii order before appealing to the 9th Circuit. That circuit is where a three-judge panel unanimously declined to reinstate Trump's original travel ban when it was put on hold by a Seattle Judge last month.

Despite the legal victories for critics of the ban, it's far from clear that they will continue to win. A different panel of judges in the 9th Circuit will probably hear the appeal of Hawaii's case. And on Wednesday, five judges signed a dissent criticizing the court's decision not to reconsider and throw out the panel's ruling on the original travel ban.

"Whatever we, as individuals, may feel about the president or the executive order, the president's decision was well within the powers of the presidency," Judge Jay Bybee wrote for the five.

___

THE PRESIDENT'S AUTHORITY

In 1952, with the nation fearful of communist infiltration, Congress gave the president the authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to take action:

"Whenever the president finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may ... suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate," the law says.

That power has been invoked dozens of times. But legal experts say those examples were more limited than what Trump has sought.

Citing a report that reviewed White House administrations going back to Reagan, Chuang noted in his ruling that no president has issued a ban on the entry "of all citizens from more than one country at the same time, much less six nations all at once."

Chuang found that the travel ban likely violated another aspect of federal immigration law, barring discrimination on the basis of nationality in the issuance of immigrant visas. That law was passed in 1965 as part of an effort to end longstanding immigration quotas that had been criticized as racist.

Ultimately, the cases will come down to the ways in which that law and the Constitution constrain the president's authority.

"That's the tug of war that is going to play out and, I suspect, go before the Supreme Court," said Ted Ruthizer, a former president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. "I think it will be a very seminal decision as to what are the limitations on the executive's powers."
Triple M Melbournes breakfast newsreader Seb Costello is going out on a high note, winning a coveted Quill Award at last nights Melbourne Press Club dinner.

Costello picked up a Quill in the Radio News category for his coverage of Usain Bolts gold medal winning performance in the 100ms at the Rio Olympics.

He leaves for London next month to become the Nine networks European correspondent, following in the footsteps of Tom Steinfort and Peter Stefanovic.

Seb was also a finalist in the Current Affairs category for his coverage of the Muhammad Ali funeral. This Quill was won by Richard Barker and Michael Bachelard from theage.com.au for Phoebes Fall.

This podcast series documented the short life and brutal death of Melbourne woman Phoebe Handsjuk and prompted a review of the Victorian Coroners Act.

These two awards were among 27 Quills handed out at last nights function at Crown Palladium with the Quills recognising excellence in journalism across print, broadcasting and digital media.

The Melbourne Press Club Awards are open to members and non-members, whose work is published, aired or broadcast in Victoria.
President Vladimir Putin is Russia's charmer-in-chief. He lured former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder into becoming friends. With President Donald Trump in power and Russia-friendly gains possible in some upcoming European elections, Putin may be eyeing new targets. How might he try to win them over? Psychological research offers insights.

An intelligence professional and experienced political leader, Putin knows how to spot, assess and manipulate potential prey. Studies show that individuals in power are more likely to engage in disinhibited actions and focus on personal gratification. Intelligence officers can exploit these weaknesses. Russians rely on so-called kompromat for blackmail, and against quarry of higher stature, they use money, favors and flattery.

The Kremlin may think it is on a roll in helping to radicalize Western politics. Last June in the United Kingdom, the Kremlin aided the successful leave campaign by unleashing a troll army to spout fake news. Last fall, the Kremlin sought to undermine public faith in the U.S. democratic process and denigrate former secretary of state and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, the U.S. intelligence community said. In December, as Moscow backed the populist Five Star Movement, Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi lost a constitutional referendum and left office.

The Kremlin may assess these developments, and friendly policies of Hungary's Viktor Orban, as reason to continue influence operations. In France, the Kremlin arranged financing for the far-right National Front party, whose leader, Marine Le Pen, may be one of two winners in the first round of presidential voting in April. Last month, Frauke Petry, the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, met in Moscow with Kremlin officials. After September elections, the party may become the third-largest in the Bundestag. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned that Russian cyberattacks and disinformation could play a role  in her re-election bid this fall.

As part of Russia's influence operations, Putin may continue seeking to entice or suborn Western leaders. What do his ties with Berlusconi and Schroeder show about how he may proceed?

Once targets are won over, Putin will stick by them. In 2012, even after Berlusconi and Schroeder had left office, Putin invited them as special guests to his third presidential inauguration.

Research suggests that by retaining ties with well-known counterparts, individuals can garner attention and appear influential. By maintaining close ties with out-of-power leaders, Putin may cause others to respect him as someone who keeps commitments and is trustworthy.

Putin may look for weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Demanding work and social pressures, common for world leaders, can reduce willpower. Research shows this can promote self-interested and unethical behavior. The U.S. ambassador to Italy said sources in Berlusconi's party claimed he was profiting personally and handsomely from energy deals with Russia. After Schroeder left office, Putin made him a 250,000 per year chair of Gazprom's Nord Stream company, which operates a pipeline under the Baltic Sea.

Putin will try to turn targets into friends. Repeated personal contact, especially among those of similar status who may share and pursue common goals, can nurture friendships. Putin has vacationed with Berlusconi in Sardinia, Siberia and Crimea. In 2004, Putin was the only foreign guest at Schroeder's 60th birthday party.

The March 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq allowed Putin to highlight U.S. missteps and thus helped him bond with counterparts. Two months earlier, he and Schroeder warned America against going to war. At a joint summit in April also with French President Jacques Chirac, the three urged that the United Nations take the post-war lead.

Putin's ties with European chums have paid other dividends. In the early to mid-2000s, Schroeder urged the West to tone down criticism of Putin's war in Chechnya. Just before leaving office in 2005 to join Nord Stream, Schroeder awarded it a one billion euro loan guarantee. In 2014, Berlusconi called Russia's rigged Crimea vote democratic  and Western sanctions irresponsible. Schroeder cautioned the West not to isolate Putin.

Putin may be dismayed at the storm of congressional protest over Russia's interference in last November's U.S. election; rarely has intrusion in European politics caused such blowback. Yet Putin probably still sees benefit in cultivating leaders. They may help him, for example, to undermine Western support for Ukraine-related financial and energy sanctions, which have impaired Russia's economy.

How can Western leaders steel themselves against Putin's enticements? Research suggests that when top leaders share responsibility with others on their leadership teams, the risks of counterproductive and unethical actions decline. Thus, top Western leaders can limit personal contact with Putin and empower foreign ministers to conduct day-to-day relations with Russia. Western leaders can build confidence by reinforcing publicly their support for NATO and its rotation of more forces on the alliance's eastern flank.

In his dealings with Western leaders, Putin has the advantage of skill and years of experience in high-level diplomacy. Western leaders can compensate by championing policies and actions that enjoy consensus in the West and advance its interests and values.

William Courtney is an adjunct senior fellow at the nonpartisan, nonprofit RAND Corporation. He was U.S. ambassador to Kazakhstan, Georgia and the U.S.-Soviet commission that implemented the Threshold Test Ban Treaty. Miriam Matthews is a behavioral and social scientist at RAND and faculty member of the Pardee RAND Graduate School.

This commentary originally appeared on U.S. News & World Report on March 14, 2017. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
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Women, equality and suffrage are common words associated with March. For 31 days, it is time to celebrate the achievements and sacrifices made
On March 14, U.S. News and World Report has released its ranking of the 2018 Best Graduate Schools across six disciplines, and the University 
'The coronation of Yogi Adityanath as the surprise chief minister should set at rest all speculation over the nature of the UP mandate,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

It's taken the Bharatiya Janata Party one full week to decide on who will lead its government in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, a state it knew all along that it will win despite the naysayers' dire predictions.

In this time it had no difficulty in finding suitable names in states where it ended up as runner-up, but where it managed to squeak into office.

In this time, too, there had immense debate and discussion about the nature of the mandate from India's largest state which, after a significant hiatus has regained its position as the polestar of political fortunes.

Was it a case of Hindu consolidation?

Or was it a mandate for vikas/development?

As always, there were compelling arguments for both sides, but Saturday's coronation of Yogi Adityanath as the surprise chief minister by the BJP legislature party should set at rest all speculation over the nature of the mandate.

Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told the media that the yogi, the young, saffron-clad head of the Gorakhnath mutt, had asked that he be given two deputies to cope with the challenging task, and hence, after discussions with party chief Amit Shah, it was decided that UP will have two deputy chief ministers in Keshav Prasad Maurya, the MP from Phulpur, and Dinesh Sharma, Lucknow's mayor.

One need to look no further than this triumvirate that will take oath on Sunday afternoon to know the real state of the electoral mandate that favoured the BJP.

Maurya, a Khushwaha, is the OBC face of the party that saw a surge of non-Yadavs thronging to the party in the recent elections, pushing it to an unassailable position.

And Sharma, a Brahmin, reflects the party's traditional voter-base.

There, you have it. The forward castes and the OBCs, helmed by a saffron-clad politician.

Can there be a more in-your-face acknowledgement of how the UP mandate came about than this trio?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah have, since their chemistry led to the BJP's historic mandate of 2014, have been known to pull rabbits out of chief ministerial hats in the state elections the party has won in the last three years.

Be it installing a Brahmin, Devendra Fadnavis, in Maharashtra, a Maratha-dominated state; or the unexpected ML Khattar in Haryana, the choice they made were not along predictable lines.

This, and the week-long deliberation over who to appoint as CM in UP where one would have thought the decision would have been made weeks ago, were clear indications that the choice in Lucknow will be equally, if not more, surprising.

But the purpose behind Modi-Shah's decision is not to spring a surprise on the nation or to troll the media.

The duo's single-point agenda is to win elections, retain the mandate for their ideology, and to expand their organisation's footprint.

Every decision they make, rightly or wrongly, is solely motivated by this consideration.

Which is where other parties are found lacking. While most of them have a narrow focus, usually on the ruling family/dynasty that controls their levers of power, both Modi and Shah have no family to push to the forefront or maintain their hegemony.

For them it is not about family, but their Parivar.

See it through the prism of Sangh Parivar politics, and the out-of-the-box decision in Lucknow makes sense.

The message from UP, never mind the spin Naidu put on it, is about Hindu consolidation.

In his Saturday evening address to the media, Naidu was right about one aspect, however. It was when he called it a 'watershed moment in the BJP's history.'

He was absolutely bang on.

For the first time ever, the BJP will assume office in Lucknow as the undisputed leader in the entire state, its government helmed by a man who has never hidden his brand of politics, and who can be expected to continue doing the same while in office.

On Sunday he will be administered the oath of office by the state governor, Ram Naik, a veteran leader from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Parivar.

The prime minister himself wears similar stripes, as does the BJP president.

And it doesn't take a clairvoyant to see that the BJP's nominee for President in July will wear the same colours.

Thus, when the BJP heads into the assembly election in Gujarat, a state where its electoral chances seemed bleak just a few months ago, the wheel will have come full circle.

It was from here that the BJP embarked on its experiment of mixing muscular Hindutva with development which, in just 12 years, helped its chief exponent catapult from a regional leader to a national one.

The heady cocktail has failed to give the party an electoral high only once in the last three years, in Bihar, but by the time the next round of elections come about in the state you can be sure Modi and Shah will have worked out a solution to that as well.

The BJP's dominance of India, its tools of power, is near absolute.

The executive is under its control; Parliament is almost so, it is only a question of time before the Upper House comes under it.

And the media, at least the parts of it that considers itself 'independent', have been rendered ineffective and toothless thanks to the adroit use of social media.

Can anything be more 'watershed than this moment, then?

IMAGE: BJP President Amit Shah greets PM Modi at the victory rally, March 12, 2017. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Photo
Like Modi, Keshav Prasad Maurya worked at tea stalls.

Dinesh Sharma, on the other hand, is a professor at Lucknow university.

Keshav Prasad Maurya, named as one of Uttar Pradesh's two deputy chief ministers on Saturday, was rewarded for working tirelessly to galvanise support for the Bharatiya Janata Party on the ground, becoming the OBC face of the party in the state.

Representing Phulpur in the Lok Sabha, Maurya, 47, has seen his career graph rise steadily in the party.

He was said to be one of the top contenders for the chief ministership after the BJP's landslide victory in UP.

Associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad from an early age, Maurya's life bears an uncanny similarity to that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both, as young men from poor families, helped their fathers sell tea.

After becoming the first time MLA in UP assembly in 2012, he was made UP BJP chief in 2016 and had a role in the BJP securing three-fourth majority.

Born in a farmer's home in Kaushambi district, Maurya spent his childhood in poverty.

Like Modi, Maurya also worked at tea stalls and sold newspapers to support his family and continue education.

Maurya, too, takes pride in his childhood compulsion of serving tea to customers.

He considers it as a common thread that binds him with the prime minister.

As a minor, Maurya joined the RSS' Baal Swayam Sevak. Later, he was associated with the VHP and Bajrang Dal.

During his 12-year association with the VHP the Bajrang Dal, Maurya was considered close to VHP patron Ashok Singhal.

Known for his fiery speeches, he went to jail during the Ayodhya and Gau Raksha (Save Cow) movements.

Maurya was elected to the UP assembly in 2012 from the Sirathu seat in Allahabad. In 2014, he contested from Phulpur, once Jawaharlal Nehru's constituency.

The BJP won considerable support from non-Yadav OBCs and non-Jatav Dalits in UP during the Lok Sabha elections.

The voting pattern prompted the BJP to replace Lakshmikant Vajpayee, the architect of the UP miracle for the BJP, with Maurya, who belongs to an OBC sub-caste.

Maurya went about consolidating the support base among non-Yadav OBC caste categories. He appointed BJP leaders belonging to the Kushwaha, Koeri, Kurmi, Shakya, Patel and other OBCs as district unit chiefs across Uttar Pradesh.

Maurya is the only BJP leader after former UP chief minister and present Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh who wields considerable support among OBCs and Dalits.

****

Dinesh Sharma: A slow and steady rise

For Dinesh Sharma, Lucknow's affable mayor, it was a slow and steady rise.

The 53-year-old professor at Lucknow university's commerce department emerged on the centre stage of BJP politics with his appointment as its national vice-president in August 2014 after the party's landslide victory in the parliamentary polls.

It was after he was appointed in charge of party affairs in Gujarat that his stature in the BJP grew immensely.

He won Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah's trust during his stint in their native state.

Party insiders say ever since a godman presented him a garland with a blessing that the 'red beacon' will never leave him, he became Lucknow mayor for a second term.

He was first elected as mayor in 2008. He stood for re-election in 2012 and defeated Neeraj Bora of the Congress by 171,000 votes.

Sharma has the backing of the RSS. Deen Dayal Upadhaya, the late Sangh ideologue, often visited his parental home in Lucknow.

Religious by nature, Sharma's ascent to the deputy CM's post is considered a move that could prove beneficial for the party in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

It was at his invitation that the prime minister attended the Lucknow Ramlila in October 2016.

He also played a key role in the organisation during its membership drive when 100 million new members were roped into the party.

IMAGE: Yogi Adityanath, centre, flanked by Keshav Prasad Maurya, left, and Dinesh Sharma in Lucknow, March 18, 2017. Photograph: Nand Kumar/PTI Photo
A classified report delivered by the United States Justice Department to House and Senate investigators does not confirm President Donald Trumps allegations that the former president Barack Obama wiretapped him during last year's presidential campaign, CNN reported citing sources with knowledge of the classified reports contents.

The Justice Department declined to comment on the contents of the report, but, earlier in the day, a spokeswoman confirmed it had delivered the document.

"The Department of Justice has complied with the request from leaders of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees and Judiciary Committees seeking information related to surveillance during the 2016 election," Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said on Friday.

The House Committee is set to hold a hearing on Monday with National Security Agency director Mike Rogers and Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey.

The Senate Intelligence Committee announced on Friday it would hold a hearing on Russia's meddling with the US election on March 30.

Trump has stood by his claim, repeating the allegation again on Friday while standing next to German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"At least we have something in common, perhaps," Trump said on Friday, motioning to Merkel, a reference to how the US National Security Agency had tapped the German Chancellors phone in the past.

Meanwhile, The White House has flatly denied all reports suggesting that the US tendered an apology to the British government over a report alleging that a United Kingdom intelligence agency spied on President Trump, at the behest of his predecessor Barack Obama.

Earlier in the day, however, a senior administration official told CNN that White House press secretary Sean Spicer and national security adviser H R McMaster offered what amounted to an apology to the British government for Spicer's comments on Thursday, when he cited a report stating that the said British intelligence helped wiretap Trump Tower during the 2016 campaign.

When asked if there was an apology by the administration to the British government over the matter, Spicer replied, "No, we were just passing on news reports."

Earlier, in a series of tweets, Trump accused Obama of wiretapping his phones without providing any evidence.

Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my 'wires tapped' in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism! Trump tweeted on March 4.
Indian-American attorney Preet Bharara, who was recently fired by the Trump administration, was investigating into allegations of trading of health-related stocks of Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price, an investigative news media outlet has claimed.

New York-based independent and non-profit ProPublica, which is known for its investigative reporting mostly on health-related issues, in its latest report claimed that at the time of being fired, Bharara was overseeing an investigation into health-related stock trades made by Price.

The story is based on sources and the White House has not commented on the allegations.

Bharara was fired this month after he refused to resign as being asked by the Department of Justice along with 45 other US attorney, all of whom were appointed by the previous Obama Administration.

ProPublica, however, in its investigative report has not concluded that Bharara was fired because of this investigation against Price.

Allegations against Price trading in health-related stocks first came in during his confirmation hearing for the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services.

"The investigation of Price's trades by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, which hasnt been previously disclosed, was underway at the time of Bhararas dismissal, said the person," ProPublica said, quoting unnamed sources.
A look back on all of our reporting of the Delphi murders since 2017
U.S. President Donald Trump told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that he has "strong support" for NATO, but that allies "must pay what they owe." Trump, speaking during Merkel's first visit to Washington during his presidency, told a joint news conference on March 17 that the situation was "very unfair to the United States." Merkel welcomed Trump's support of NATO, and the peace process in Ukraine, and added that "Germany needs to increase its expenditure" on defense. (AP/REUTERS)
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.
Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti says he is in constant contact with international security authorities to ensure stability in Kosovo as more ethnic Serb police officers in the north of country resigned.



Kurti said on November 6 after a rally by ethnic Serbs in the streets of North Mitrovica that the security situation in Kosovo was threatened by various criminalized individuals and groups, but said that during his time in office, we have made great progress in the fight against crime and corruption."



He added that the rule of law goes hand in hand with peace and security and cannot be threatened, adding that authorities do not distinguish criminals on the basis of ethnicity, but only on the basis of their criminal acts."



When asked about the decision on November 5 by the Serbian List party to leave Kosovo's institutions, Kurti repeated his call that Kosovo Serbs refrain from doing so.



"I once again I invite all Serb citizens of our country to not abandon institutions, not to resign, not to leave their jobs, because there would be less service for the people," he said.



Kurti has blamed Belgrade for seeking to destabilize Kosovo by supporting the ethnic Serbs in their boycott of state institutions.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement on November 5 that the withdrawal of Kosovo Serbs from the country's institutions "is not a solution to the current disputes" and it has the potential to further escalate tensions.



A statement from the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo released to RFE/RL's Balkan Service late on November 6 said the United States agreed with the European Union that the recent developments around relations between Kosovo and Serbia "are of great concern and put important progress achieved in the EU-facilitated Dialogue at risk."



"The Kosovan Serbs' withdrawal from Kosovan institutions is not a solution to the current disputes and has the potential to further escalate the tensions on the ground," the statement added. "All involved must take steps to reduce tensions and ensure peace and stability on the ground."



The Serb officers who resigned on November 6 submitted written resignations to the police station in North Mitrovica. One of the policemen told RFE/RL that the officers only submitted their resignations in writing but had not yet turned in their uniforms and weapons. However, he said this will follow in the coming days.



Numerous media outlets reported that the police officers took off their uniforms as part of the wider Serb movement to withdraw from institutions in Kosovo touched off by a move to implement a mandate on the conversion of vehicle license plates.



A statement from the Kosovar police force said it was aware that Serb police officers had abandoned their posts and that some have handed over police equipment.



The rally by ethnic Serbs in North Mitrovica on November 6 came a day after 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."



The license-plate measure took effect on November 1, and Kosovo authorities said enforcement would be gradual.

The U.S. Embassy statement reiterated Washington's position that the Kosovar authorities should extend the process of converting vehicle license plates and suspend any punitive actions until the license plates issue can be resolved through dialogue.

Many ethnic Serbs in Kosovo refuse to recognize the countrys independence from Serbia, which it declared in 2008.



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.

With reporting by dpa, AP, and AFP
Thousands of Iraqis were fleeing west Mosul during lulls in heavy fighting as government troops closed in on the Old City and a strategic mosque in their campaign to drive Islamic State (IS) militants out of Iraq's second-largest city.

Officials on March 18 said Iraqi forces were facing strong resistance as they attempted to retake the crowded, narrow streets of west Mosul in a drive launched with U.S. air support on February 19.

Government troops captured the eastern half of the militants so-called capital in Iraq in January after 100 days of fighting.

Iraqi troops are focused on encircling the Old City and the important Al-Nuri Mosque in west Mosul, Lieutenant General Raed Chaker of the Federal Police said.

Another Federal Police official on March 18 said troops had recaptured two heavily populated neighborhoods, Al-Kur and Al-Tawafa, in the Old City.

Food and water remained scarce and security was precarious in newly liberated areas. Many residents were seen fleeing to safer areas during lulls in fighting.

"We have been trapped for 25 days. No water, no food, everyone will die, and they will have to pull us from the rubble," a resident of Bab Jdid district told Reuters.

"It is terrible. Islamic State has destroyed us. There is no food, no bread. There is absolutely nothing," another resident said.

U.S. officials estimated as many as 750,000 civilians may have been in west Mosul at the start of the offensive, along with some 2,000 IS fighters.

Elements of the Federal Police and Rapid Response forces are leading the campaign around the Old City and the mosque.

Rain and heavy clouds were hanging over the area, limiting air cover.

"The weather is cloudy and rainy, but our forces are advancing toward their targets," Federal Police Major General Haider Dhirgham said.



IS militants were fighting back with sniper fire, mortars, and armored suicide car bombs, officials said.

Mosul and the Al-Nuri Mosque are of major symbolic importance to IS because it was where leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared his so-called caliphate in 2014.

ISs stronghold in Syria, Raqqa, is also under pressure from U.S.-backed forces.

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.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters
Macedonia's opposition party officially requested a session of parliament to secure its majority status and called on the conservative government to allow a peaceful transfer of power.

Though opposition leader Zoran Zaev of the Social Democrats (SDSM) has won the backing of a parliamentary majority, Macedonia's president has refused to grant him a mandate to form a new government.

The impasse has left the country unable to exit from a long-running political crisis.

SDSM and its partners in a coalition with ethnic Albanian parties on March 17 provided the government with signatures from 67 legislators, demonstrating their claim to the majority, and said they intend to elect a new parliamentary speaker.

The government "should immediately stop manipulating people into protesting, stop provoking...violence, and enable a peaceful transfer of power," they coalition said.

But President Gjorge Ivanov earlier this month rejected their request to form a government, saying the concession won by Albanian parties to make Albanian Macedonia's second language would "undermine Macedonia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence."

Instead, the ruling conservative party, VMRO, for three weeks has staged regular street demonstrations against the second language platform.

The European Union and United States both have backed the opposition's attempts to form a government.

Based on reporting by RFE/RL Balkan Service, AFP, and Macedonian Information Agency


Several hundred people gathered for the third day in Armenia's capital, Yerevan, to demand a full investigation into the recent death of activist Artur Sarkisian.



Sarkisian, 49, passed away on March 16 just days after being released from prison following a 25-day hunger strike.



One of the doctors who treated the activist said he died of heart failure after being moved to a hospital for emergency surgery.



Investigators said they have opened a criminal case into his death.



The autopsy was planned for March 18, but it was reportedly postponed at the request of Sarkisians family.



Sarkisian was in prison on charges of aiding opposition gunmen last summer.



He had been accused of delivering food to armed members of a radical opposition group during their two-week standoff with security forces.
In a previous article, I confessed to regularly reading the comics in the Independent Record and occasionally finding great life lessons there. Well, it happened again; this time it was in a recent Peanuts strip.

In the first frame, Peppermint Patty says to Roy, I learned something in school today. She continues in the second frame, telling Roy, I signed up for folk guitar, computer programming, stained glass art, shoemaking and a natural foods workshop.

Without waiting for the inevitable question, Patty announces in the third frame, I got spelling, history, arithmetic and two study periods. In the fourth and final frame Roy asks, So what did you learn? Patty responds, I learned that what you sign up for and what you get are two different things.

What we sign up for in life  what we expect, hope for, or feel were entitled to  is, as Peppermint Patty observed, frequently not the same as what we get. Thats a hard lesson to learn and many (myself included) struggle with it.

A number of years ago, I heard how a good friend had learned this difficult lesson. We had gotten to know one another in our early 20s when we were serving as missionaries in the Philippines. In my view and his, Dave had only a bright future ahead. He was smart, ambitious, and personable. He had good access to higher education, clear career goals, and great family support to help him reach his potential.

After returning from the Philippines, we had no contact for 15+ years until a chance meeting in Daves hometown. It took me a moment to recognize him; he didnt look defeated, but he did look weathered. We shared what had occurred in our lives in the intervening years and my heart ached as Dave told his story: a marriage that didnt work, employment struggles, education and a career trajectory that didnt match his or anyone elses expectations, etc. Without me asking the obvious question, Dave observed, Some things dont work out the way you expected they would. Or as Peppermint Patty would say, What you sign up for and what you get are two different things.

Sometimes things go horribly wrong, as they did for Christie. In such circumstances, our faith in a loving, just God may receive its most severe test. We learn about Christie in an essay by Gerald N. Lund found in the book The Redeemer: Reflections on the Life and Teachings of Jesus the Christ.

Lund came to know Christie when he served as bishop of her LDS congregation. Christie was born with cystic fibrosis. Throughout her short life, Lund tells us, Christie suffered considerable pain. She endured years of therapy and medical treatment and spent countless days in the hospital.

Christie, Lund continues, missed the fun of courting and dating, which other young men and women of her age enjoyed.  She was denied the privilege in this life of being a mother, something she longed to be. In those years of pain and debilitation, she was denied many of the opportunities that the rest of us take for granted. Christie clearly didnt get what she signed up for. Through no fault of her own, she missed experiences the rest of us expect as givens.

After years of suffering, Christie died. As Lund considered her life and prepared to conduct her funeral, he wondered, Who makes it right for Christie? In the eternities, if there truly is justice, wont something be done to recompense her for all she endured?

As he wrestled with this question, Lund eventually came to understand that in his atoning sacrifice, Christ endured not only the pain born of our sins but also the pains, grief, and sicknesses through which we pass. Therein was the answer.

Lund concludes his story of Christies life with this statement: I do not know how it will be brought about, but it is my deep and abiding faith that at some future point in the eternities  Christie will step forward and bow before the Savior and say to him, You have rewarded me well. I am satisfied that there is perfect justice. I was deprived of nothing by my cystic fibrosis, but I have been amply rewarded for everything I lost.

So why is there so often such a disconnect between what (we think) we signed up for and what we get? C. S. Lewis explained it like this:

Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of -- throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.
WASHINGTON -- One of the two Russian FSB agents indicted by U.S. officials this week worked as an undercover officer at Renaissance Capital, a Moscow investment bank owned by billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov.



The officer, identified in the Justice Department indictment as Igor Sushchin, was fired from the bank on March 16, the day after U.S. officials announced the charges related to the massive 2014 hack of Yahoo.



Sushchins firing, first reported by the Russian newspaper Kommersant, was confirmed to RFE/RL by an executive familiar with the matter but who was not authorized to speak publicly about internal company decisions.

Sushchin, who worked for a division of the bank called Renaissance Broker, was believed to still be in Moscow, though his whereabouts were not immediately clear, and there has been no public comment from him.



U.S. officials have formally requested his extradition and that of two other Russians named in the indictment: Aleksei Belan, who was indicted in the United States four years ago on hacking charges, and Dmitry Dokuchayev, an officer, like Sushchin, at the FSB, or Federal Security Service, Russias lead security and intelligence agency.

Another man, Karim Baratov, was arrested in Canada this week and held pending a U.S. extradition request.



The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on March 18.



Responding to the U.S. announcement, a Kremlin spokesman denied that the government had ever been involved in any cyberattacks and referred further questions to the FSB.

The U.S. indictment paints a picture of the FSB officers overseeing or being directly involved in computer hacking, including stolen e-mail accounts, and other secret programs designed to manipulate a users account.



Yahoo said the 2014 breach affected 500 million user accounts.



The indictment identified Sushchin as the head of information security at the Russian financial firm, where he monitored the communications of Russian financial firm employees."

Renaissance Capital is a major Moscow investment bank owned by Onexim group, a holding company that manages the assets of Prokhorov. A billionaire who made his wealth investing in Russias nickel industry, Prokhorov challenged Vladimir Putin for the presidency in 2011 running as a liberal, pro-business opposition candidate.



He earned just 8 percent of the vote, however, and many political observers concluded that the Kremlin allowed him to run as a safe liberal option for voters disenchanted with the government. Prokhorov has disputed that.

Prokhorov has also drawn official scrutiny for his ownership of his media group RBK, which published articles investigating the assets of Putins son-in-law. Onexim's offices were raided by FSB officials in April 2016. Later, a number of journalists either resigned or were fired, including the media groups editor in chief.



The U.S. charges appear to be unconnected to alleged Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee and the FBIs ongoing investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.



But the charges do add to the mystery surrounding the arrest in December of two FSB officers who worked in the agencys Center for Information Security. One of those arrested was Dokuchayev, and he and his supervisor, Sergei Mikhailov, have been charged with high treason, reportedly for leaking classified information to U.S. intelligence.



Mikhailov does not appear in the newly announced U.S. indictments, though there is mention of another supervisor, called "FSB Officer 3."



The news that two FSB officers were arrested and charged with treason sent ripples through intelligence watchers and experts on cybersecurity.



The growing number of arrests, and a steady stream of leaks in Russian media over the past several weeks, offered potential glimpses into Russia's formidable security apparatus and its ties to shadowy underground hacking networks.



Belan, the hacker, had been indicted in 2012 and 2013, named a top wanted criminal by the FBI, and an arrest warrant was issued by Interpol in 2013. He was arrested in an unnamed European country but then escaped to Russia.



Belans name appeared again in December when then-U.S. President Barack Obama announced the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats and new sanctions against nine top officials and entities associated with the FSB and with Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU.

Belan was one of two hackers also sanctioned in the order.
The U.S. government on March 17 announced it is appealing a court decision blocking President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration from taking effect.

The Justice Department said in a court filing it would appeal a ruling by a U.S. District Court in the state of Maryland that halted the part of Trump's March 6 order temporarily banning the entry of travelers from six predominantly Muslim countries.

The Maryland court decision this week left standing a part of the Trump order that barred the entry of refugees to the United States for four months. But a U.S. District Court in Hawaii struck down both sections of the order in a broader ruling that prevented the order from moving forward as scheduled on March 16.

Trump's order also is being challenged in a U.S. District Court In Washington state, but that court said it wouldn't immediately move on the case to "conserve resources" and avoid duplicative rulings, since the other courts already have issued decisions.

The Washington court blocked an earlier version of the Trump travel order issued in January. The order currently being challenged, like the original one, bars visitors from Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen. But it does not target Iraq, which was covered by the original order, and also does not apply to legal U.S. residents from the targeted countries who hold "green cards."

The judges in Maryland and Hawaii who blocked the order this week were highly critical of what they saw as illegal racial and religious motivations behind it.

"There is nothing 'veiled' about this press release: 'Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States'," said the judge in Hawaii, Derrick Watson, citing in his decision a press release distributed during Trump's campaign for the White House last year.

Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland said "the history of public statements [by Trump] continues to provide a convincing case that the purpose of the second executive order remains the realization of the long-envisioned Muslim ban."

Chuang also questioned whether the Trump order wasn't illegally targeting people based on their nationality, noting that no previous president has sought to ban all the citizens from one country, much less six countries.

Critics of the order say it discriminates against Muslims in violation of the U.S. Constitution's religious protection clause. They include state attorneys general, organizations representing refugees, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the National Immigration Law Center.

Trump says the measure is needed to protect the country from terrorist attacks. Trump has accused the judges that blocked his order of "unprecedented judicial overreach" and vowed to appeal the cases all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.

"We're going to win. We're going to keep our citizens safe," the president told supporters at a rally on March 16. "The danger is clear. The law is clear. The need for my executive order is clear."

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said on March 17 that the government would appeal all "flawed rulings" that blocked the order, but it is not immediately appealing the Hawaii court decision.

Legal analysts said the administration may have chosen to appeal the Maryland court ruling first because the U.S. Appeals Court in Richmond, Virginia, has more conservative justices than appeals courts on the U.S. west coast, making that court more sympathetic to the administration's arguments.

With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters


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Chesterfield Countys top political leader questioned approaches toward the countys most vulnerable communities this week, remarks that drew criticism from scholars, advocates and other officials.

Dorothy Jaeckle, chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors, represents the countys Bermuda District, where some of the countys most impoverished and diverse residents live.

I understand the impacts of (English-language learners) because my district of course has a lot. And I think thats another thing that needs to be raised to a state level, Jaeckle said.

This is where we are. This is what is creating the division. Its not that people dont like immigrants. But its when people send their children to school, and they find themselves in a classroom where nobody speaks English, they say, Well, Im not going. You talk about what attracts people to Chesterfield schools. Its not that theyre prejudiced against them, but they want their child to be in a classroom thats more English-speaking.

The comment came during a daylong budget work session Wednesday, when Jaeckle urged school leaders not to direct funding for class-size reduction toward growing classes of English-language learners. She said she wanted the money to go toward regular classroom sizes and that additional teachers in English-language learner classes was outside of that.

That day when the immigrants held their children home, teachers said it was so nice to have a whole class that understood English, Jaeckle added, referencing the recent nationwide A Day Without Immigrants where immigrant families stayed home to highlight contributions of immigrants to U.S. business and culture.

It is impacting our schools. I understand the increased ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), but I also think we were looking just to reduce the regular class. So I dont know, its a challenge.

School Board Chairman Javaid Siddiqi, whose father immigrated from Pakistan, then responded.

The number of ESOL students has grown dramatically, Siddiqi said, adding that there are some schools with ratios of 2 ESOL teaching positions to more than 200 students. The reality is that we are going to have to put additional funding in ESOL.

There are a lot of families who are struggling about whether we are doing our part. And these are not just ESOL families that have come to us, Siddiqi said. A lot of folks see the need for us to provide additional services.

Besides Siddiqi, no one else directly responded to those comments from Jaeckle on Wednesday.

We truly appropriated that money to reduce PTR (pupil-teacher ratios). If you go spending it in other areas, I think thats a bad road to go down, Supervisor Steve Elswick told school leaders Wednesday. He didnt respond to a request for comment Friday specifically regarding Jaeckles comments.

In a Friday phone interview on the comments, Supervisor Chris Winslow said, We have a duty to educate all of the children in Chesterfield. That includes our immigrant populations, as well as our non-immigrant populations.

He said he didnt have a problem with the school system directing funds to reduce class sizes for ESOL classes. But he said he thought the school system should specifically say thats where the funds are going for transparency.

New Virginia Majority on Friday rebuked Jaeckles remarks. The advocacy group is geared toward organizing communities of color, women, working people, the LGBT community, youth and progressives.

These comments rationalize an us-versus-them mentality that discriminates against families and children who are immigrants or English-language learners, Gustavo Angeles, an organizer with New Virginia Majority, wrote in an email. Rather than scapegoating some, our public schools and elected officials must invest resources in  and do whatever is necessary for  all students to be prepared to succeed.

Tom Shields, a University of Richmond associate professor who studies equity within the regions schools, said Chesterfields ESOL population has different needs and praised Chesterfields school staff for recognizing that.

You have to approach it in a very different way and not just say, one size fits all. (The ESOL population is) struggling with language barriers and now with the threat of deportation.  Letting that population know that we are here to support them is what should be happening, and not just saying, Well, they need to conform with what everyone else is doing. Thats the wrong answer, Shields said.

After hearing that a reporter was asking for other officials reactions to her Wednesday comments, Jaeckle sent an email Friday:

I mentioned the Immigration Day because we are always looking for ways to reduce the burdens on teachers. I dont know if you have ever been to a budget hearing to hear many of the teachers describing how overwhelmed they are in the classroom. I had several teachers mention that evening that they were shocked at what a difference it made in their classroom having students fully understand the language. My point in this is we have worked on reducing class size but maybe the size is not the issue, she wrote.

School Board member John Erbach, who represents the Dale district which also has higher numbers of English-language learners, responded to Jaeckle's comments Friday:

"All of our students benefit from a culture of inclusion that respects and supports students of all nationalities and backgrounds. Chesterfield County Public Schools celebrate the diversity of our community and will continue to do so."

***

On Wednesday, Jaeckle also offered comments on the countys homeless student population and growing social services caseload.

Its just one of my pet peeves, she said during a discussion of the small increases in the homeless student population. If a child is homeless, if you cant provide a home, then maybe you need to think about your children needing to be in temporary foster care while you try to find a home.

After Chesterfield Department of Social Services Director Kiva Rogers described to supervisors the countys growing caseload, Jaeckle criticized the Richmond-Times Dispatch for a recent article detailing how suburban poverty growth is outpacing that of the city.

The projected caseload, when you see thats increasing, similar to you know, you always see in the newspaper, poverty increasing and they throw out all these colored maps, this and that. But nobody actually tries to drill down on the why, which always drives me crazy, Jaeckle said.

We just have to take more of a proactive role. And just assuming that (the caseload is) going to increase, and just keep trying to spend more money and subsidizing people, we really need to work on setting them on a path to freedom.

The Times-Dispatchs article was based on fresh Census Bureau data culled together by John Moeser, a University of Richmond senior fellow who has studied the regions poverty trends for years, as well as Taylor Holden with the Spatial Analysis Lab and University of Richmond students Evelyn Jung and Jacob Salamy.

Jaeckle initially responded to the figures last week by calling them not useful enough. Henrico County has been using Moesers data.

I think that the valuable work that John has been doing is trying to bring light to what has been going on in the county for some years, said Shields, the UR professor. Its amazing to me that some people dont want to realize that.

He added that a more interesting response from Jaeckle on Wednesday would have been how she plans to use the data from the article.

Supervisor Leslie Haley said Wednesday that some of the social services caseload is evidence of society in general, citing the opioid epidemic that put families in the system who might not necessarily be in the system.

Supervisor Winslow said he is excited for an upcoming county report that will offer recommendations to tackle poverty, one he worked on while serving on a committee for more than a year.

Carrie Coyner, Jaeckles counterpart on the School Board who is typically vocal about such issues, declined to comment Friday and said she wanted to listen to the work sessions audio.
Police in Chesterfield County say they have located a man whose disappearance they have been investigating as an abduction.

Police initially said the victim, Luis Conde-Saavedra, was last seen at about 10 p.m. Friday and the circumstances of his disappearance were suspicious.

Police say Conde-Saavedra was located Saturday morning suffering from non-life-threatening injuries.

They say they are still looking for his vehicle, a teal 2011 Nissan Altima with Virginia license plate VTR-2060.

Police did not release any other details about the circumstances of Conde-Saavedras abduction.
UPDATE: Abby Catherine Gallini was located safe this morning and has been reunited with her family, Hanover County Sheriff's Office said Saturday.

___

The Hanover County Sheriffs Office is seeking the publics help in finding a missing 15-year-old girl.

Abby Catherine Gallini was last seen at her home in Mechanicsville on Wednesday evening. She was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black leggings.

Police described Gallini as a white female with brown hair and blue eyes who is approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs about 130 pounds. She is known to frequent King William County.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Gallini is asked to contact the Hanover County Sheriffs Office at (804) 365-6140 or the Metro Richmond Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.
The Helena school bus driver who was temporarily suspended for leaving two young children at an unfamiliar school without an adult was directed to do so by the school district's transportation company, officials said.

The driver acted on the direction of First Student, Helena Public Schools Superintendent Jack Copps said Friday, adding that several school district officials listened to an audio recording that confirms the radio conversation between the bus driver and a dispatcher with the company.

The school district has a contract with First Student to provide its transportation services.

In a written complaint to Helena Public Schools, Layla Davies said her 6-year-old child and three of his siblings were on a bus that left from Central-Linc School Wednesday when he vomited on himself. The four students were supposed to transfer to another bus at Jefferson School, she wrote, but the driver would not let her 6-year-old and 8-year-old get on the second bus.

Davies later found the two young students walking down Broadway Street, her complaint said. Both of them were scared and her youngest was covered in vomit, she wrote.

The bus driver was temporarily removed from service pending retraining, said First Student spokesperson Jen Biddinger, who is based in Cincinnati.

Our driver did not follow proper protocol, she said, adding that the students should have been handed off to an adult.

However, the president of the union that represents bus drivers in Helena said the driver is not the one to blame.

The driver contacted First Student Office via the radio to ask for guidance on what they should do with the sick student, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 831 President Charles Woodgerd, who said he overheard the radio conversation while driving another Helena school bus, wrote in an email to the Independent Record.

First Student asked the driver if there was an older student that could walk the sick student into Jefferson, Woodgerd wrote. The older sibling of the sick student was taken off the transfer bus. Both students were released from the buses at First Students recommendation to go into Jefferson School.

Woodgerd said the bus drivers are required to treat all instructions that come over the radio as if they came from a supervisor, and he believes others at First Student need to take responsibility for the decision to release the students in an unfamiliar place without an adult to help them.

The driver is responsible for the students on the bus. They cannot leave the bus with students onboard, he said. Drivers rely heavily on First Student office staff to coordinate with the parents and schools to make sure the students are safe and taken care of after they exit the bus at home, school, or transfer locations.

Bus drivers might come to distrust the instructions they are receiving from First Student as a result of the way this was handled, Woodgerd said.

We are going to talk to the (school bus driver) and make sure that the employee is compensated for any lost wages over the issue and see what the employee wants to do, he added.

Biddinger would not say whether First Student's bus drivers are required to follow the direction they receive over the radio. She said she is not aware of what was said during the radio conversation, and that she could not disclose the details of an internal review.
Republican Del. Jimmie Massie announced Saturday that he will not seek re-election to the Virginia General Assembly this year, creating an opening in the suburban western Henrico County district he has represented for nearly a decade.

Massie, a businessman who has represented the 72nd House of Delegates district since 2008, announced the decision Saturday afternoon on Facebook, calling his time in the House of Delegates the greatest honor of my professional life.

After a tremendous amount of prayer, numerous consultations and deep thought, I have decided not to seek re-election this year, Massie wrote. This was a very tough decision!

Massie has been mentioned as a possible GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate in the 2018 matchup with Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., but his statement gave no indication of any future political plans.

In a brief phone interview Saturday night, Massie said he had spent the first two quarters of his life taking care of his family and the third in public service.

I really dont know what the fourth quarter will hold, Massie said. I do not have any specific plans at this time. Im going to take some time off and keep my options open and evaluate all my options.

Massies district was one of 17 Republican-held districts that produced more votes for Democrat Hillary Clinton than Republican Donald Trump in last years presidential race. Clinton received 19,077 in-person votes in the district compared to 17,530 for Trump, according to data compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project.

Democrat Schuyler VanValkenburg, a 34-year-old government teacher at Glen Allen High School, is running for the 72nd District seat.

Henrico County Republican Committee chairman Eddie Whitlock, an attorney, said on Facebook that he will seek the GOP nomination in the district. He said he learned of Massies decision Saturday with great surprise.

Massie called Clintons win in his district an abnormality and said it was a not a factor in his decision not to run again. A great conservative like Whitlock, he said, will be able to hold that seat.

House Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford, commended Massie in a statement shortly after the announcement, calling Massie a leader in improving Virginias education system and someone who understood the need for fiscal responsibility as a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

I wish Jimmie and his family the very best as they begin a new chapter, Howell said.

The 72nd District runs from west of the University of Richmond to parts of Innsbrook, Glen Allen and Lakeside. The unusually shaped district is being challenged in an anti-gerrymandering lawsuit brought by redistricting reform group OneVirginia2021, a case that could force the district lines to be redrawn. The civil suit was heard last week in Richmond Circuit Court and a judge is expected to issue an initial ruling soon.

Massie is the second Richmond-area Republican who has chosen to bow out of the House.

Del. Peter F. Farrell, a Henrico Republican whose 56th District extends to Louisa, Goochland and Spotsylvania counties, announced on March 10 that he will not run for re-election.
On Wednesday, Donald Trump laid a wreath at the gravesite of President Andrew Jackson, who was born 250 years ago, on March 15, 1767. Supporters have compared Trumps rise to that of Jackson, a similarly divisive and controversial president who championed a populism embraced by non-elite white men. A portrait of Jackson now hangs in the Oval Office and on the night of Trumps 2016 victory, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani told NBC news that Trump is the greatest victory for the people of America since Andrew Jackson.

As some media outlets have pointed out, the comparison isnt quite apt. Unlike Trump, Jackson held public office three times before he first ran for the presidency in 1824. Before that, he was known as a national war hero for his defeat of the British in the 1815 Battle of New Orleans.

But there are important similarities. In addition to his populist rhetoric, Jackson is known for his 1830 Indian Removal Act, which violated Native American sovereignty by opening tribal lands to white ownership and development. Now, reports are suggesting that by privatizing oil-rich tribal lands, Trump is threatening to do the same.

In 1828, Jackson was elected president with the promise of removing eastern Native American nations to reservations west of the Mississippi River. Although most Americans supported the move, Jackson faced stiff resistance from many Native Americans and some white allies.

After passage of the 1830 Indian Removal Act, Jackson led treaty negotiations to remove  usually forcibly  an estimated 70,000 Native Americans. The journey west was deadly. Somewhere between 4,000 to 8,000 Cherokee died on the notorious Trail of Tears to Oklahoma Territory. This was around 20 to 25 percent of all eastern Cherokee, while the deportation of the Muscogee (Creek) resulted in the deaths of 50 percent of their population.

As Cherokee chief John Ross and others noted, the Indian Removal Act ignored federal treaties that guaranteed Native American sovereignty. After banishing Native Americans from the eastern United States, Jackson led the privatization and speculation of some 140 million acres of their ancestral homelands.

Now, Reuters is reporting that Trump is considering privatizing tribal lands. Theres significant incentive for Trump, a pipeline-friendly president, to do so. Although tribal lands make up only 2 percent of American land, they hold one-fifth of the countrys oil and gas reserves. Privatization would have major implications for not just Native American sovereignty, but also energy development and environmental protection.

The move is being promoted by a small group of advisers to Trump on Native American issues. They see it as a way to free 56 million acres of tribal lands from federal protections that restrict development. Tribes can drill on this land but only under regulations that many consider more confining than those governing private lands.

Markwayne Mullin, a U.S. representative from Oklahoma and a member of the Cherokee nation, promotes privatization. We should take tribal land away from public treatment, Mullin told Reuters, As long as we can do it without unintended consequences, I think we will have broad support around Indian country. He hopes that the proposal might result in legislation by 2018.

Other advisers, like Ross Swimmer, suggest that land ownership be restricted to Native American buyers to keep the land and profits in the hands of tribal members. For tribes suffering from chronic underfunding and unemployment, the idea of opening up energy reserves, which are estimated to be worth $1.5 trillion, is tempting.

Many others maintain that privatization is simply another attempt to undermine Native American sovereignty. Tom Goldtooth, a member of the Navajo and Dakota nations, stresses, privatization has been the goal since colonization  to strip Native nations of their sovereignty. Critics point to Trumps support of the controversial Dakota Access pipeline, opposed by the Standing Rock Sioux, as evidence that the president might not be interested in protecting Native American sovereignty.

Andrew Jacksons Indian Removal stands out among several key federal policies, including the 1887 Dawes Act and the 1953 Termination Policy, that made Native American land available for private ownership and development. It remains to be seen how Trumps policies toward tribal lands and natural resources plays out. But if reports of privatization prove true, comparisons between Trump and Jackson will only increase.
At the Roanoke Valley Governors School for Science and Technology, students are charged each year with carrying out a science fair project. This year, RVGS/Salem High School senior Alex Anama elected to work in the Biomedical and Behavior Sciences field on a project titled, The Effect of Vitamin D Milk as a Natural Mouth Rinse on S. epidermidis.

As part of the Governors Schools Mentorship elective, Alex spent time this summer at Anama Family Dentistry shadowing his dad, Dr. Steven N. Anama. One day at the office, Alex noticed a correlation between patients with poor gum health and the lack of regular use of mouth rinse.

According to the ADA, therapeutic mouthwashes can help prevent or reduce gingivitis, plaque, tooth decay, cavities, and bad breath. Alex was surprised that more patients werent using them. He decided to find out why. Their responses surprised him even more.

As I listened to my dad talking with his patients, said Alex, I heard some of them say they were concerned about the high alcohol content in mouth rinses. I developed a simple research survey that addressed the alcohol issue, and I started using it with my dads patients. I then decided to include friends, neighbors, and others in the community to poll the broadest group that I could, and of the 75 people who completed the survey, 14.8% of them were concerned about the alcohol content of commercial mouth rinses."

I wondered if whole milk, which contains both vitamin D and calcium, could work as a natural alternative to Listerine, and I hypothesized that it would present at least some, and maybe even an equivalent amount, of Listerines antibacterial properties," he added.

To test his hypothesis, Alex soaked blank discs in distilled water (the control group), original Listerine, which has an alcohol content of 26.9%, and vitamin D milk, which has an alcohol content of 0%. He then applied the discs to lawns of Staphylococcus epidermidis, a bacteria known to cause periodontal disease that he had left growing on nutrient agar plates. He incubated the plates for 24 hours at 98.6 degrees (normal oral temperature), and then took pictures of each plate and uploaded their yielded zones of inhibition to the computer program ImageJ for analysis.

I found that in the control group, bacteria grew over the plates. In the milk group, bacterial growth was inhibited, but the Listerine group showed significantly more inhibition. Vitamin D milk cant match Listerine as an effective antibacterial mouth rinse, but for people concerned about alcohol increasing their risk for oral cancer, its better than nothing!

Since Alexs results supported his hypothesis, better than nothing also means success.

Alex Anama is just one of the 264 gifted and talented young scientists who attend Roanoke Valley Governors School for Science and Technology. To learn more about the Governors School, a half-day regional public STEM school for motivated students in grades nine through twelve, please visit the schools website at http://www.rvgs.k12.va.us or contact the schools director, Mark Levy, or the schools guidance counselor, Kathy Sebolt, at 540.853.2116.

Submitted by Regina Carson
Four women were honored at the annual Salute to Women awards on Thursday for their public service and personal achievements.

The American Business Womens Association Big Sky chapter and the Soroptimist International of Helena hosted the luncheon with proceeds going to YWCA of Helena.

Anna Kazmierowski, president and CEO and A2Z Staffing Solutions, was recognized as YWCA Woman of the Year. The award is given to a woman who embodies YWCAs mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, freedom, justice and dignity for all.

Kazmierowski works to create opportunities for women in the workplace and promotes businesses owned by women. She immigrated from Poland in 1993. She became a minority owner of A2Z Personnel in 2008 and purchased the business in 2016.

Kimmy Skiftun, executive director of the Treacy Foundation, received the Woman of Achievement award for her community involvement and work to improve the lives of women. Shes been executive director since 2010 and has since provided grants and scholarships to local organizations such as Florence Crittenton, Intermountain and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Jessica Erlerher was awarded a $3,500 scholarship to help her finish her massage therapist program while also providing primary financial support to her family. Erlerher left an abusive marriage, which left her with bad credit and debt. It was difficult to apply for student loans, but Erlerher plans to graduate in November as a licensed massage therapist.

Jaylin Kennedy received a $2,000 American Business Womens Association Stephen Bufton Memorial Scholarship. While studying accounting, finance and psychology at Carroll College, Kennedy has maintained a 4.0 GPA. She was also an NFCA All American Scholar Athlete in 2015.
MISSOULA  President Donald Trump's budget blueprint, which proposes zeroing out all funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, must have felt like a 1990s flashback to former U.S Rep. Pat Williams.

The Democrat, who served as Montana's sole House representative from 1979 to 1997, led efforts to fight NEA budget cuts twice during his tenure.

He's confident the agencies will prevail.

"I have often said, and I still believe it even in the face of Trump, the national endowments are bulletproof," he said Friday.

Once such defunding effort in 1990 was fueled by controversy over Andres Serrano's "Piss Christ," a photograph of a crucifix in a jar of urine, and over nude photo portraits by Robert Mapplethorpe, who oddly enough didn't directly receive NEA funds.

Williams, the chairman of the subcommittee that oversaw the agencies, made an unlikely advocate. The Butte native and cousin of Evel Knievel admittedly doesn't care for ballet or opera. His support for the NEA led him to be branded as "Porno Pat" by his opponents, and sign-carrying protesters greeted him at airports in both Washington, D.C., and Montana.

As in those past debates, Williams doesn't believe the current Congress will accept the cuts because there are too many members from rural states like Montana.

Major cities like New York and Los Angeles "do not need the NEA in order to have great art." Rural areas do, he said, citing how the funds help maintain community symphonies, theater troupes, art museums and more. Those constituents eventually made their support known.

"Frankly, it took artists and Americans a couple of attacks on the NEA before they rose to defend it," he said. "Once they did, the Congress was flooded with hundreds of thousands -- literally hundreds of thousands -- of phone calls and letters defending the agencies."

There are key differences to the current cuts. In prior attempts, members of Congress made proposals during the appropriation process. They weren't suggested by the president, who generally supported the agencies during Williams' time.

Nor does Trump's budget blueprint make arguments about specific artworks. The NEA, NEH and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which combined account for 0.07 percent of the federal budget, are listed among 19 total agencies to be cut. The proposal says Trump's budget "eliminates and reduces hundreds of programs and focuses funding to redefine the proper role of the Federal Government."

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, offered an emailed statement about the need to curtail federal spending.

In a time when spending is out of control, we need to ensure every dollar is accounted for and is focused on delivering results for Montanans. The Presidents budget refocuses on the safety and security of the American people. We need to make sure the federal government is more efficient and effective," he wrote.

Daines did not respond to a specific question about the arts funding.

The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, has argued against public funding for the arts. In a 2016 report, it wrote, "private contributions to the arts and humanities vastly exceed the amount provided by the NEA. Taxpayers should not be forced to pay for plays, paintings, pageants, and scholarly journals, regardless of the works attraction or merit. Additionally, government funding politicizes art." Its comments on the NEH follow suit.

Williams noted that the funding has been "enormously helpful at leveraging private money to the arts."

According to the Los Angeles Times, "(t)he NEA's network of matching investors means that every dollar of direct federal funding leverages up to $9 in private and alternate public funds. The organization raised $500 million in matching support in 2016."

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, didn't respond to a request for comment by deadline.

Montana doesn't currently have a U.S. House representative since Ryan Zinke was appointed as secretary of the Interior Department. A special election will be held May 25 to select his replacement.

Williams said he's fine with the argument that the government shouldn't fund art.

"That argument's OK. The argument about freedom of expression is not OK," he said.

Williams didn't set out to be an advocate for artists' freedom of expression when the NEA cuts became a national issue.

He "inherited jurisdiction" over the NEA when he was named chair of the subcommittee on select education. With time, he grew so fond of the cause that he took the agencies with him when he moved chairmanships "like Linus with his blanket," he said.

One of the "great thrills I had in the Congress was the opportunity to defend the freedom of expression in a meaningful way," he said.

On a more philosophical level, Williams argues that "art can flourish without politics. The reverse is not true. Art reflects the diversity and pluralism of our society, which is free. And freedom is our bulwark against tyranny."

Politics and art are more often opponents than allies, he said, but they should always remain friends.
Ariel Heminger and Jake Bova, former and current graduate students in the Virginia Tech Department of Entomology, recently won the 2017 Alwood Extension Award. This award, begun in 2014, recognizes entomology graduate students who dedicate themselves to Cooperative Extension and outreach service. The award comes with a $500 scholarship, a plaque and a commemorative print. It honors the legacy of William Bradford Alwood, Virginia Techs first entomologist and a world-renowned scientist.

Dick Alwood presented the Alwood Extension Awards on March 7 at the Hokie BugFest celebration, awards and planning retreat, held at Frank Theatres CineBowl & Grille in Blacksburg. Alwood is the only living grandson of William Bradford Alwood.

Heminger, who completed her master of science in January 2017, studied the establishment and impact of a beneficial predator, Laricobius nigrinus, on the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive pest that has wreaked havoc on hemlocks and other trees throughout the eastern United States. She is currently an Interfaces of Global Change fellow, where she is pursuing interdisciplinary solutions to complex problems. As a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Science, Heminger is exploring the relationships between plants, insects and microbes.

Originally from Minnesota, Heminger received her bachelor of science from the University of Delaware in 2014. As an undergraduate, she worked for USDAs Agricultural Research Service in Newark, Delaware, on biological control of the brown marmorated stink bug. Since childhood, Heminger has been intrigued by the interaction between insects and plants. As a college student, she chose entomology because there is still much that is unknown about insects. They are incredibly important creatures that many people forget about until they are in their house or on their plants, Heminger explained. It wasnt until I started learning about insects that I realized how important they are [not only] to human society but also the world.

Heminger has been active in the W.B. Alwood Society, serving as graduate student representative and participating in school outreach tours. For the past three years, she has played a major role at the Hokie BugFest, an annual festival that celebrates entomology. She was also an instructor at the Hokie BugCamp, a summer program that introduces children to entomology. In 2014, Heminger was a student mentor at the University of Delawares English Language Institute, where she helped a non-native English speaker successfully master material for a crop science class. By reaching out to the public as scientists, we can help individuals realize the importance of entomology and help children and adults realize how science plays a role in their life, Heminger observed.

Bova, a Ph.D. candidate, is studying how La Crosse virus mosquito vectors overwinter in Southwest Virginia. The La Crosse virus, transmitted by woodland mosquitoes, can cause fever, headache, fatigue and other symptoms. Severe cases may lead to encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain.

A native of Roanoke, Bova received his bachelor of science and his master of science from Virginia Tech in 2009 and 2014, respectively. He won a graduate student teaching award in 2016 and was a Linnaean Games Competition winner at the Eastern Branch meeting of the Entomological Society of America in 2014 and 2015. Bova is an outstanding teaching assistant who inspires his students and is a mentor to other TAs. He chose entomology because insects are incredibly fascinating and immeasurably important to our environment, and they help people like me maintain our sense of wonder and connectivity to our natural world.

Bova was president of the Alwood Society in 2015-2016 and has been active in community outreach, such as elementary schools and Scout groups. An enthusiastic participant in the Hokie BugFest, he has presented posters discussing ticks and mosquitoes in Virginia. He is the creator and administrator of the Facebook page Relax. Im an Entomologist, dedicated to sharing arthropod-related news and questions. This page, begun in 2012, has 64,000 members (likes) and a weekly reach of 100,000 to 500,000 people. We live in a world where facts do not necessarily win an argument, Bova remarked. Outreach to help increase scientific literacy requires direct interaction from scientists with the public at all levels.

Bova also serves in the U.S. Army Reserve as an army entomologist (first lieutenant).

In the words of his Ph.D. advisor, Dr. Sally Paulson, Communicating information in the sciences, especially in a way thats fun and entertaining, is both a honed skill and a natural talent and Jake is a rare talent.

Both Heminger and Bova are outstanding examples of the best Virginia Tech students and of the meaning of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). They easily fit the criteria of the Alwood Extension Award, which includes selfless dedication, patience, leadership, integrity, honesty, a positive attitude and scholarship.
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....
Democracy in the United States is being tested right now, Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester said during a town hall in Helena Friday, as he encouraged constituents to contact elected officials on issues of importance including public lands, health care and the federal budget.

Tester took questions for more than an hour at a town hall geared toward public land issues but including topics from the U.S. Supreme Court to the upcoming special election for Montanas lone U.S. House seat. In what was a majority pro-Tester crowd, including multiple compliments and thanks for his in-person appearance, the civil tenor of the discussion was a far cry from some of the heated GOP town halls held across the country in recent weeks.

Tester opened the town hall at Helena Middle School touting public lands as an economic driver and major reason many choose to call Montana home. He explained his recent introduction of a bill to permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which offers grant programs for recreation and conservation, as a contrast to a proposed budget released by President Donald Trump on Thursday. The Presidents budget cuts funding for LWCF in half.

That budget is going to do some things to the Land and Water Conservation Fund that Im certainly not going to like and I have a notion many folks in this room arent going to like, he said.

The first questioner asked Tester about former Montana Congressman and current Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, a Republican who campaigned on his support for public lands and said he supports LWCF and full funding for Interior, but offered support for a 12 percent agency cut under the Trump budget.

Congressman Zinke was confirmed a couple of weeks ago so Im not going to put it all on him yet, Tester said.

Tester said he believes the Interior budget was driven by higher ups in the administration, and based on conversations with Zinke, he believes the secretary will and should push for needed funding.

If (Zinke) comes back with a different point of view, I can tell you I will be very disappointed, Tester said.

Funding dovetailed into another question about the continued slashing of the Forest Service budget and additional proposed cuts. The questioner asked whether the Forest Service is being made dysfunctional to give fodder to those who would like to see federal lands transferred to states or sold.

Tester agreed, and added one solution that has gained bipartisan support but has yet to pass Congress, which would essentially fund wildfires as natural disasters and free up funding for land management.

Youre exactly right. If you deplete these agencies enough  then pretty soon folks are saying the federal government isnt doing their job so lets get rid of them. We cant let that happen, he said.

Tester echoed concerns about the Forest Service budget to questions about motorized access. The senator said he would work with motorized advocates where he could, but funding for trail maintenance is a major obstacle.

On the subject of the Endangered Species Act, Tester said he will advocate for the law if it is based on science and management is allowed.

Tester has had a somewhat tenuous relationship with hardline conservation groups, as he has criticized certain environmental lawsuits and pushed collaborative-based management policies those groups largely oppose.

It is critically important and there has been some great advances with different species moving forward, and it has really put some pressure on local and private entities to really step up to the plate and find a solution, Tester said of the ESA.

When asked about his controversial support of repealing a ban on lead ammunition for federal wildlife refuges, Tester said he thought the ban would keep people from recreating outdoors.

The current political climate, concerns about the proposed budget and health care brought frank responses from Tester.

Democracy gets tested on occasion, and the countrys been around for a while, and Im going to tell you its being tested right now, he said. Checks and balances are being tested. The budgetary process is being tested. The amount of money flowing into campaigns around this country, people are starting to get an awareness of what the hell that really means. I will tell you there are many nights that I go to bed that I dont sleep too well.

What Tester says has put him somewhat at ease is that issues have not gone away and people continue to be outspoken.

Thats the key to how a democracy needs to work, people need to be involved, he said.

At several points during the town hall, Tester encouraged contacting elected officials including himself and making concerns or support known.

When asked about the May 25 U.S. House special election between Republican Greg Gianforte and Democrat Rob Quist, Tester predicted that Quist will be substantially outspent in the race.

The bottom line is if Rob Quist is your person, get 10 people to go out and vote that didnt vote last time, Tester said.

Tester indicated he was not necessarily opposed to an increase in Defense spending as the Trump budget proposes, but disagreed with cutting popular programs to fund it.

Taking Meals on Wheels away from people to pay for military, thats a problem, he said.

Tester was more measured in responding to a question about Trump's Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. While he criticized the refusal of Republicans to engage with Obama nominee Merrick Garland, Tester says he has not made up his mind on Gorsuch and will wait until after confirmation hearings to do so.

The actions surrounding Garland show the need for campaign finance reform, he said.

Washington, D.C. is a long way from a serious discussion on single payer health care, he said to one question, and he blasted the proposed GOP replacement for the Affordable Care Act, saying it would have disastrous consequences for rural health programs.
BILLINGS  Montana voters will pick a new U.S. House representative in May, with little idea of who has been spending money in the special election.

The states election to replace Republican Ryan Zinke in Congress ends May 25, just 71 days from now. Federal campaign spending laws require candidates to file only a few spending reports during that time. Third-party groups will report once.

That means there will be few details about a race that in two weeks has attracted more than $800,000.

This is the nature of special elections when you have a short time frame, said Jeremy Johnson, Carroll College political science professor. You will eventually find out about whats being spent after the election is over.

The election officially started March 1, when Zinke resigned his House seat to lead the Department of Interior. Gov. Steve Bullock then set the election deadline for the Thursday before Memorial Day. The states Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians then selected candidates last week.

Campaigns will pull back the curtain on their fundraising April 25 when the Federal Election Commission requires quarterly reports for all political activity, including special elections. Then 15 days before the election, campaign committees will have to disclose spending and donations related to the special election. Afterward, large donations must be reported by candidates every 48 hours.

Thats not much reporting before a special election, of which there are five in the House and one in the Senate to replace lawmakers appointed to President Donald Trumps Cabinet, or to high-level positions in federal government.

This is not altogether uncommon in special elections in general and regardless of the level, its the case that things happen fairly fast, said Pete Quist, of FollowTheMoney.org, a Helena-based organization that tracks campaign spending nationwide. It is difficult to identify the money coming into these races.

Pete Quist is no relation to Rob Quist, the Democratic candidate for U.S. House.

Voters can get a peek at the money stream by looking at Federal Communications Commission data for television and radio advertising. The money is reported by station. Already, the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super political action committee associated with House Republicans, has pledged to spend $700,000 in Montanas special election. CLF began running ads against Democrat Rob Quist on March 6, the day after the Montana Democratic Party selected Quist at a nominating convention.

Republican candidate Greg Gianfortes campaign has spent more than $100,000 on its first ad buy according to FEC data, including $61,000 in the Billings market.

There are no TV ad records yet for the Quist campaign, or third-party groups supporting the Democrat. But TV and radio arent the only markets for political advertising. Campaign mailings and internet ads, like the solicitation for Quist that appears at the top of Google searches for the candidate, dont have to be reported. Theyre also much cheaper than television.

Libertarian candidate Mark Wicks, like Rob Quist, has yet to make a TV ad buy.
The European Parliament approved last Thursday a EU draft law, which provides for mandatory due diligence evaluation of companies trading in certain minerals imported from conflict zones or high risk areas.

Starting from January 1, 2021, the new rules will require all EU-based companies, with the exception of the smallest importers, to evaluate the compliance of their suppliers delivering such products, as tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold, which, in particular, are used to manufacture computers, mobile phones and jewelry. The evaluation will be mandatory for importers from "the conflict zones and high risk areas".

According to the statement released by the European Commission, the rules will cover up to 95% of imports as of 1 January 2021. In the meantime, the Commission and Member States will work to make sure that the necessary structures are in place to ensure EU-wide implementation.

Together with the new rules, the EU will be putting in place accompanying measures to support small and medium-sized importers, and development aid to ensure the Regulation is effective and has a positive impact on the ground, the EC statement said. The EU has also been reaching out to governments in Africa, Asia and beyond to encourage them to source responsibly and eliminate alternative markets for conflict minerals.

"I'm very glad we now have an ambitious, workable solution to eliminate conflict minerals from supply chains," said Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom after the vote. "Trade needs to take account of our values and the Parliament's decision today is a great example of how this can be achieved. The new rules will ensure that minerals used by European industries are sourced responsibly, in a way that does not harm populations in mining regions and does not fuel war. The new Regulation will reduce the hardship and human rights abuses that have for too long accompanied this trade. Transparent and responsible supply chains mean revenues will not go into the hands of rebel groups, but to investment in schools and hospitals, supporting a well-governed state underpinned by the rule of law. It means improving people's lives, from conflict and terror to opportunity and hope. It means encouraging the economic growth that helps the poorest regions grow sustainably."

The new regulation is yet to be approved by the EU Council. It will come into force after publication in the EU Official journal.

Alex Shishlo, Editor of the Rough&Polished European Bureau in Brussels


BUTTE -- Police answered 135 calls for service and made 27 arrests from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning, calling the usually raucous St. Patricks Day celebration in Uptown Butte uneventful.

There was a large crowd, but it was very manageable, Capt. Mark St. Pierre said Saturday. Honestly, it was a very peaceful. I was very pleased.

Imbibers ramped up as the night progressed, but St. Pierre credited the free shuttle bus and Party Palace courtesy van for transporting partiers to their motels as police began shutting down the bars at 1 a.m. in time for the required 2 a.m. closings.

Every time that bus pulled up to Park and Main, everybody went running for that, said St. Pierre, who has worked at least 20 St. Patricks Days in his 26 years on the force. Plus the taxis helped.

Police and highway patrol troopers working in teams also walked through the crowds throughout the celebration.

Sheriff Ed Lester reported Saturday afternoon that while reports are still being completed, the break-down in arrests, which occurred from noon Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday, follows:

 7 DUIs

 1 aggravated assault

 3 aggravated burglary

 11 disorderly conduct

 3 warrants

 1 misdemeanor sexual assault

 1 parole or probation violation

"We had a few folks who made poor choices toward the end of the night and ended up getting arrested, Sheriff Ed Lester added. But, I thought it was a fun crowd at the parade and throughout the day. Ninety-nine percent of the people were having a great time and doing it the right way."

While most of the arrests were misdemeanors, once incident resulted in two felonies.

Police arrested two on felony aggravated burglary charges. Kristen Faye Ouldhouse, 21, and Kara Richelle Black, 26, both of Butte, were involved in a private residence break-in at 625 W. Park St. They are accused of entering and assaulting an unnamed male, said St. Pierre.

It appears to be over a relationship between one of the parties, said St. Pierre. It was complete chaos.

Also arrested at the incident was Tyler Ryan Maloney, 23, of Butte, on aggravated DUI, a misdemeanor.

All remained in jail according to Saturday morning's jail roster.

The incident is still under investigation, said St. Pierre. It didnt occur because of St. Patricks Day, he added.

Revelers and parade-watchers were out in full force, most likely because St. Patricks Day fell on a Friday and the weather was unseasonably warm and sunny, said officers.

On Saturday, St. Pierre said 11 officers were scheduled to work the graveyard shift, plus another six were set to patrol the Uptown area on foot.
BILLINGS -- The words typed across the simulated yellow pad are decidedly provocative: Were gonna have to kill Him.

Water marks ring the left corner of the page, and a web address KillHim.tv sits toward the bottom. In truth, the single sheet is a promotional piece Harvest Church created for its series of sermons leading up to Easter.

The Heights church, which also has satellites in Lockwood, Plentywood and Butte and Cody, Wyoming, planned to send out 38,000 mailers to the cities it serves. It hoped to draw people to the website for a preview, and to church for the full sermons.

But the United States Postal Service refused to mail the piece. According to the church, local postal officials cited 9.5.5. of the federal agencys mailability standards.

That section, titled Matter Inciting Violence, reads: Any matter of a character tending to incite arson, murder, assassination, treason, insurrection or forcible resistance to any law of the United States, or containing any threat to take the life of, or to inflict harm upon, the President of the United States is nonmailable.

An emailed statement released Friday afternoon by the Ernie Swanson of the USPS Corporate Communications Office in Seattle, gave a different answer.

He wrote: When presented for mailing, this item did not meet mailing standards for a variety of reasons, including mail thickness, absence of a return address, mailing address, no postage indicia and no name of the nonprofit. The mail piece was properly rejected based on those concerns.

Leann Bennett, communications director for the church, disputes that was the reason. After multiple conversations with local USPS officials, ascertaining the requirements for the mailer, Bennett was told Thursday that the mailer would not be accepted.

They came back and said it was not mailable, Bennett said Friday. They said were not willing to put our name on this.

'Why they got so mad'

The sermon series deals with four incidents in the Gospels that spurred religious leaders to seek the death of Jesus, said the Rev. Vern Streeter, lead pastor at Harvest.

These are four pivotal events that caused God-fearing men to decide the solution was murder, Streeter said. What I want to do in the series is get some perspective on why they got so mad.

Streeter cant resist sharing some of what hell be preaching from the pulpit. Jesus death didnt result from a riot gone bad, he said, but was a long, brooding plot that began a year before Jesus death.

The religious leaders wanted to hold onto their institutional, political, financial and religious power, Streeter said. Hence the plot  and hence the sentence in the mailer.

That sentence summarizes these clandestine, illegal back-office meetings the religious elite had, Streeter said. Where they looked each other in the eye and concluded weve got to kill him, its the only way to solve our problem. 

Drawing interest

Streeter admits the marketing piece is edgy. Its not the first time the Heights church has gone that route to draw interest.

One previous sermon series was titled One Hell of a Day, focusing on the day of Jesus crucifixion and what a hellish experience it was for him, Streeter said.

Another time, Heights billboards proclaimed that Harvest Church is Full of Hypocrites, making the ads appear critical of the church.

But we were admitting that we all have hypocrisy in our lives and others do, too, Streeter said. And we welcomed them to join us.

In the case of this mailer, the church hoped to send out the pieces as single unfolded sheets, where each person gets that startling headline, he said.

But that idea was shot down, Bennett said. Normally for these types of mailers, Harvest works with Mailing Technical Services in Billings. MTS handles large mailings and the permits they require, she said.

Bennett sat down with MTS to explore the best way to send the mailer. When MTS approached the USPS with the idea of a flat postcard-like mailer akin to a political flyer, the USPS contacted Harvest and left a voice mail saying the mailer wouldnt work because it went against the violence section, she said.

Mailing standards

In a conversation with a USPS employee, Bennett discussed different options, including folding and stapling the mailer with the message inside or placing it inside an envelope. Thinking the problem was solved, the mailers were printed and Bennett took them to MTS Wednesday.

When they went to go process them on Thursday, MTS contacted me and said were not allowed to process this, the post office is putting a hold on it, she said. Theyre saying they never gave approval.

So Bennett called the post office to find out what needed to happen next. Did the mailer need to be stuffed in an envelope? Did the postage amount need to change? Could they mail it first class, which is far more expensive than the nonprofit rate?

The final answer Bennett got was the USPS would not mail it. After the USPS released its statement Friday afternoon, Swanson was asked in an email if the content of the mailer had anything to do with the decision.

I believe the decision was based on not meeting mailing standards, he wrote back.

Whatever the reason, the result is disappointing, Streeter said, because the church paid $2,000 to print them. Instead, Harvest will find other ways to get the word out, including relying heavily on social media.

The church, which is holding its Easter service this year at the Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark, is hoping the series will draw people who might not otherwise attend church on Easter.

Without these mailers, we lost a major strategy of getting the word out, he said.
By SA Commercial Prop News

Jozini Mall, the new 18,220sqm community shopping centre in North-Eastern KwaZulu-Natal, is now fully let and will open on Thursday, 24th October 2013.



Jozini Mall, the new 18,220sqm community shopping centre in North-Eastern KwaZulu-Natal, is now fully let and will open on Thursday, 24th October 2013.

Jozini Mall is on the main road to the Jozini CBD, in one of the most densely populated residential areas of the region and near the town centre. This excellent position and visibility heighten its attraction to both shops and shoppers.

It is also ideally positioned to benefit from Jozinis unique location. Synonymous with Lake Jozini, formerly Pongolapoort Dam, it is on the main route to Mozambique and provides a gateway into Maputaland.

National tenants who have committed exceed 85% of the area.

Anchor tenant Shoprite will lead the 50 shop retail mix in a 3,124sqm store.

Gavin Tagg of Retail Network Services reports that strong retailer demand has resulted in all trading opportunities in the centre swiftly being snatched up.

From everyday groceries and convenient services to fashion, furniture and fast food, Jozini Malls retail selection is being custom-designed to meet the needs of local shoppers.



When it comes to household goods, the substantial Shoprite is complemented by a large Roots Butchery and a Liquor City.



Bringing the everyday convenience to Jozini Mall, banking facilities will be provided by African Bank, Capitec, Nedbank and Standard Bank. FNB and ABSA banks will be represented by on site ATMs. It will also feature a Post Office, Cellkom Plus, Pep Cell, a pharmacy and Optical Inc Optometrist as well as medical facilities.



Jozini Mall brings to town nearly 20 top fashion retailers including Fashion World, Mr Price, Mr Matata, Fashion People, Ackermans, Truworths, Identity, Jet, Edgars Active, Pep, Power Fashion Factory, Shoe Zone, Rage, John Craig, Ideals and Express Stores. Adding to its appeal for the well groomed is hair care from Top Classic Salon and Just On Cosmetics.



The drawcard of six top national furniture retailers - Joshua Doore, Bears, Ellerines, OK Furniture, Lewis, Barnetts and Electric Express  will be complemented by Als Hardware.



Adding to frequent shopper appeal, Jozini Mall also features a tempting line-up of fast food. Different tastes will be satisfied from Chesanyama, The Fish and Chips Company and a Steers Debonairs combination store.



Jozini Malls market includes over 42,000 households in its primary and secondary catchment area. Nearly 106,000 people live in the primary catchment area and around 135,000 people stay in the secondary market zone.



The Mall is also easy to visit with 36 taxi bays, eight bus bays and over 400 parking bays, says Tagg.



The R140 million Jozini Mall is owned and developed by Greater Atlantic Properties (Pty) Ltd.
By SA Commercial Prop News

Pepi Silinga, Coega Development Corporation CEO



The Coega industrial development zone (IDZ) had a "project pipeline" of R8bn which had the potential to create 7000 operational and construction jobs if they came to fruition, officials said yesterday.

Coega, situated in the Eastern Cape, is an industrial development complex, adjacent to deep water port Ngqura.

The investment pipeline covers a wide range of sectors including metals (R7bn), chemicals, automotive and logistics.

A number of "transformational" projects which would push Coega onto a higher growth path had also been identified, Parliaments two trade and industry committees heard during a discussion on the performance of industrial development zones and their readiness to implement the governments new special economic zones policy.

Coega Development Corporation CEO Pepi Silinga said these key projects included PetroSAs Project Mthombo oil refinery, a ship repair yard, a transshipment hub, a gas power station and manganese smelters.

Coega has already conducted international roadshows about a possible gas power station, which Mr Silinga said had elicited interest from operators in the Middle East and Russias Gazprom as well as from some South African companies. He estimated the investment required to be anything "north of R90bn".

Mozambiques gas fields could provide the gas for the proposed power station, which would provide energy to the IDZ itself.

Coega has 21 operating investors which have invested R1,24bn in the metals, agroprocessing, manufacturing, renewable energy and services sectors and created 3208 operational direct jobs and over 40000 construction jobs.

The East London industrial zone has attracted R3,7bn in investments by 30 investors.

Among the constraints to better performance identified in the Coega submission were the need for consistent multiyear funding to provide certainty, the need for policy alignment and for more competitive incentives, and the ability to raise its own funds.

Tumelo Chipfupa, the Department of Trade and Industrys deputy director-general of The Enterprise Organisation, said the IDZ programme could have achieved more and the special economic zone policy was intended to address its failings.

The department and the Treasury were discussing possible incentive schemes. The allocation of funds through the medium-term expenditure framework "has proved inflexible and unresponsive to the rapid response by IDZ operators to investor needs", he said. There was no mechanism to cover the cost of new projects.

Mr Chipfupa said that between 2002-03 and 2011-12 the government had spent R7,6bn on the three functioning industrial development zones, Coega, East London and Richards Bay. The department had provided R5,4bn and provincial governments R2,1bn.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer flatly denied that the White House apologized to the British government over allegations that a British intelligence agency spied on President Donald Trump, media reports said.

On Thursday, when he cited a Fox News report that said British intelligence helped wiretap Trump Tower during the 2016 campaign at the behest of former President Barack Obama.



"I don't think we regret anything," media quoted Spicer as saying on Friday afternoon.



Asked if there was an apology by the administration to the British government over the matter, Spicer replied, "No, we were just passing on news reports."



When the issue was raised during Trump's joint conference with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the President said: "We said nothing. All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television. I didn't make an opinion on it."



"You shouldn't be talking to me. You should be talking to Fox," the New York Times quoted him as saying.



A spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain said on Friday that the White House had backed off the allegation. "We've made clear to the administration that these claims are ridiculous and should be ignored," the spokesman said, on the condition of anonymity.
Beijing will expand funding to reduce air pollution in 2017, including phasing out thousands of automobiles and replacing coal furnaces in hundreds of villages, media report said on Saturday.

So far in March, more than 10 days of clear, blue skies have been recorded. There were 198 such days last year and 186 in 2015, according to the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau.



In addition, the number of days with severe air pollution mainly due to a high concentration of PM2.5-particulate matter of 2.5 microns deemed dangerous to human health-fell to 39 last year, down from 46 in 2015, 47 in 2014 and 58 in 2013, media reported.



PM2.5 is used as a major index to record the concentration of the six major airborne pollutants.



"Beijing saw its average PM2.5 level lowered to 73 micrograms per cubic meter in 2016, a year-on-year decrease of 9.9 per cent," said the Chinese capital's mayor, Cai Qi, giving credit to existing measures such as reducing coal consumption and the number of vehicles.



The municipal government plans to spend up to 18.2 billion yuan ($2.6 billion) this year on stronger pollution-control measures, the Beijing Finance Bureau said.

In 2014, the special allocation for air pollution was 12.9 billion yuan.



"We will crack down on air pollution with an iron fist ... to meet the public expectation of blue skies," media quoted.



Among those measures are subsidising drivers, as about 300,000 old vehicles with excessive exhaust will be banned from the roads; and helping 700 villages replace coal-fired boilers with clean energy such as electricity and gas, which would eliminate coal consumption in the downtown districts and southern regions.



"In 2017, Beijing will lower its coal consumption (including for industrial production and heating) by 30 per cent, with the total amount falling to less than 7 million metric tons," Cai added.


Addressing national opioid crisis is happening in Salina

Salina organizations are joining the effort to fight and educate people on the crisis that nation is facing with opioid addiction.
With stacks of mannequins, a few sweaters, pants, shirts and swim suits left, San Diegos first post-war national department store is preparing to close Sunday night.

Store closing -- fixtures for sale, said a sign hanging on the east side of the building off Camino de la Reina and Camino del Este, just north of Interstate 8.

Westfield Mission Valleys Macys apparel store, which opened as a May Company in 1961, attracted a few shoppers Friday looking for 75 percent-off bargains.

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Dee Storrs, 64, of Scripps Ranch said she spent about $60 on a purse, several pairs of pants and a T-shirt.

The stores closing is sad, she said. I think its a good quality store and Id like it to stay, of course. If it doesnt, lets do some boutiques for women.

Westfield spokeswoman Katy Dickey said no announcements are planned at this time for any new use.

We continue to evaluate a range of new opportunities for the building with the aim of introducing new elements, energy and choices for our customers, she said.

The malls other Macys store specializes in home furnishings and it will remain open. Shoppers were strolling through that store on Friday as well, looking at dishes, mattresses and kitchen appliances.

The full-service Macys at nearby Fashion Valley also remains open.

The 383,000-square-foot store that is closing heralded a new day in San Diego shopping history, since it marked the beginning of an exodus of stores from downtown to regional shopping centers all over the county.

Its design by William Lewis Jr. also introduced modern design in retail architecture but with a certain decorative flare  precast concrete hexagonal panels. The citys Historic Resources Board marked it as Historic Site No. 1203 last year.

Originally called Mission Valley Center, the mall was developed by the May Company after the City Council voted to rezone the property in 1958 for commercial use. Downtown merchants warned that the decision would irrevocably hurt the central business district, and over the next few years most major retailers relocated to the suburbs. They only returned downtown when Horton Plaza shopping center, now also owned by Westfield, opened in 1985.

Macys, which had taken over the May chain, sold the building to Westfield for $16.5 million in March 2016 and then included it among 65 stores planned for closure nationally this year as changes in shopping habits have wreaked havoc on big-box retailers. About 140 employees at the San Diego store were affected, with some offered jobs at other stores and the rest laid off.

After several weeks of clearance sales, most of the store was empty. The cosmetics and jewelry counters had been picked clean. Countless clothing racks were littered with empty boxes and racks stood in rows waiting possible sale. Fixtures will continue to be available for sale until March 26, a sign said.

Items ranged from 25-cent gift wrapping bows to a $14,000, five-by-seven-foot Persian carpet, down from the ticket price of $56,000. A Macys carpet salesman said one woman bought three high-priced carpets in recent days to furnish some rental homes. Two boxes of miscellaneous greeting cards were going for 50 cents each, and half off that if customers bought more than $20 worth.

One corner of the second floor was filled with dozens undressed mannequins that were going for $75, plus a bin of $15 unattached arms. A salesman said there had been about 400 mannequins on sale. There was nothing for sale on the third floor and escalator access was cut off.

Business

roger.showley@sduniontribune.com; (619) 293-1286; Twitter: @rogershowley
The more than year-long wait for the expansion of South Parks Buona Forchetta to Liberty Station is over.

The family-style Italian eatery opened this week, marking what is expected to be many more collaborations of Buona Forchetta founder Matteo Cattaneo and Mario Cassineri, co-owner of downtowns upscale Bice restaurant.

Construction of what is being called Officine Buona Forchetta started in late 2015, but concept changes and strict architectural standards for Liberty Stations historic naval barracks buildings delayed the restaurants opening for months.

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We would start with one idea and it was a work in progress and then we would get new ideas, lets change this or that, said Cattaneo, whose always packed South Park venue was recently touted in a New York Times travel piece as serving up the citys best pizza.

The citys insistence on changes to address historic issues also was a big part of us going slowly, he added.

The 200-seat, 2,600-square-foot restaurant, which includes patios in the front and rear and a grassy play area for kids, was designed to inspire an Italian-style garage, complete with a restored vintage red Fiat that doubles as a table for two.

Two gold-tiled pizza ovens, familiar to South Park diners, sit behind the pizza bar with its bright red swivel counter seats, where the restaurant will churn out its chewy Neapolitan pizzas, including gluten-free pies.

Cassineri, whose Bice dining room is well regarded for house-made pastas and diverse cheese offerings, will bring the same to the Liberty Station location, he said.

The goal of the Italian-born duo, Cassineri said, is to make diners feel as though theyre in Italy breaking bread with the family.

The $600,000 endeavor will not be the last joint venture for the two of them. They are planning another restaurant in Encinitas, expected to open in the fall, and are scouting downtown for yet another. Plus, theyre hoping to also transform the Buona Forchetta concept into a fast casual brand.

They do not have a name and would not reveal any more specifics about their plans.

Right now all the developers are saying, we want you there, we want you there, Cattaneo said. We think this is the direction we want to go in.

But its important you dont lose the feeling you have when you go into Buona Forchetta in South Park, Cassineri quickly chimed in.

They deliberately did not include Bice in the new restaurant concepts name because they did not want to give people the mistaken impression that there was any hint of a fine dining menu or ambience, Cattaneo said.

We want to build this like its our family, to give the feeling of going to a friends house, which is why we are keeping Bice out of the name, he explained. What I love about Buona Forchetta is its for everybody. I see the guy who comes in a Ferrari and the guy who comes in his pajama pants.

So far, the business has been self-funded, Cattaneo said.

We put a lot on the line, but it is me and him, it is us, he stressed. The day Im going to have investors is the day Im going to sell. Believe me, I have a lot of email asking do you want to sell, but this is my baby.

Business

lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-2251

Twitter: @loriweisberg
San Diegos planning department is proposing a range of options for regulating short-term vacation rentals, ranging from largely permissive to very restrictive.

In a report released Friday afternoon, the department acknowledged the divisiveness of the issue, both on the City Council and in the communities. With little consensus to date on how to regulate the mushrooming volume of vacation rentals, the department recommended three approaches but left it to the elected leaders to cobble together the one they like best.

A hearing before the councils Smart Growth and Land Use Committee has been scheduled for Friday morning at the Jacobs Center.

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The most lenient of the three options governing the short-term rental of entire homes would allow them to operate in residential zones but would require ministerial permits, as would all the options.

The strictest proposes a minimum stay of 21 days, an option favored in the past by City Councilwoman Lorie Zapf, who represents the beach communities where residents have protested the loudest over vacation rentals.

A third proposal strikes a middle ground, allowing vacation rentals but requiring a special permit for larger homes that have six or more bedrooms or accommodate more than 10 guests. The neighborhood use permit that is being proposed requires a hearing and notification of surrounding neighbors.

We considered all the testimony, public input, letters raised during the process and tried to come up with three options that reflected the desires of both the council and the community, said San Diego Planning Director Jeff Murphy.

Because the council has largely supported the concept of home sharing where homeowners rent out a spare bedroom, the department is recommending that they be allowed, but suggests more restrictions in cases where there are more rooms and larger numbers of guests.

For more than two years, elected leaders have struggled, without success, to agree on regulations that would satisfy home-sharing hosts while placating homeowners who have complained that their neighborhoods have been overrun by what they call mini hotels.

Last November the council rejected what would have been an outright ban on short-term rentals in most single-family neighborhoods.

Earlier this week, San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott, in a victory for critics of vacation rentals, issued a memo declaring that such rentals are not allowed under the citys municipal code.

Thanks to the soaring popularity of home-sharing sites like Airbnb and VRBO, short-term rentals large and small have proliferated in San Diego and other popular destinations.

Airbnb did not take a position Friday on the proposed regulations but offered the following statement:

Our community of 5,000 hosts across San Diego have engaged with lawmakers for the past two years with the goal of developing smart, thoughtful short-term rental regulations, and this is an important step forward. While we are still reviewing the details of these proposals, we remain committed to working with the mayor and council to enact comprehensive regulations that protect neighborhoods and ensure middle-class San Diegans can rent their homes to make ends meet.

Councilwoman Barbara Bry, who has pushed for stronger regulation of short-term rentals, said Friday she was still reviewing the recommendations and was not prepared yet to weigh in on them.

As difficult a time as the council has had in reaching any consensus on the issue, the planning department proposals should help bring about some resolution, said Councilman Cate.

He has routinely argued for permitting vacation rentals citywide but putting in place stricter enforcement and a series of escalating fines for hosts who violate noise and nuisance regulations. He said he favors the departments more permissive option.

What I appreciate about it is that it embraces short-term rentals and the sharing economy and that it doesnt move us in the direction of where we would be banning the use, he said. One thing we need to flush out more is the enforcement piece because no matter what option is chosen there needs to be 24/7 enforcement to ensure the rules are followed.

The planning department noted that in framing its recommendations it had to take into consideration concerns raised in a December letter from the California Coastal Commission cautioning that it does not support blanket vacation rental bans.

The commission letter, however, did acknowledge the need for reasonable and balanced regulations.

Murphy said it is unknown whether the commission would regard a 21-day minimum stay for rentals as a de facto ban.

As for stepping up enforcement when it comes to problem rentals, Murphy said the council needs to settle on regulations before it can tally up costs.

One new thing were introducing is that well require a ministerial permit, he said, and whats key about that is for people who violate rules related to noise or trash we can revoke that permit. We lack that today.

RELATED

Business

lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-2251

Twitter: @loriweisberg
Lancet Study:

These findings firmly counter those of a Cochrane review of direct-acting antiviral treatment trials that could neither confirm nor reject if direct-acting antivirals had an effect on long-term HCV-related morbidity and mortality. They also provide the best evidence to date to support guidance documents that recommend direct-acting antiviral treatment for all patients with chronic HCV infection.





Latest Update Feb 12, 2019A systematic review published by the Cochrane Collaboration suggested achieving SVR (cure) for patients using hepatitis C direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) doesn't correlate with any long term benefits. View each rebuttal and all ongoing media coverage.
The case of a Tijuana teenager who died screaming and going into convulsions after sipping liquid methamphetamine while in federal custody at the San Ysidro Port of Entry has been settled with a $1 million payment to his family members.

The agreement in San Diego federal court came more than three years after Cruz Marcelino Velazquez Acevedo, 16, was referred for secondary inspection after crossing into the United States through the pedestrian lanes on the evening of Nov. 18, 2013.

He died more than two hours later, just before 9 p.m., in the emergency room at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, after taking as many as four sips of the amber liquid that he carried in two juice bottles inside his knapsack. Claiming initially that it was apple juice that he had purchased in Mexico, Velazquez drank the liquid in the presence of two U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, according to documents filed in federal court.

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The lawsuit alleged that the two agents told a young man to drink the liquid to prove to them that it was fruit juice and not a drug, said Eugene Iredale, attorney for the teenagers family. He did that, and as a result, he died.

Attorneys for the two officers named in the complaint did not respond to queries about the lawsuit, which alleged wrongful death, assault and battery, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The settlement was reached in January.

Valerie Baird and Adrian Parellon, the officers named in the complaint, continue to be employed by CBP in San Diego, the agency said Friday in a statement.

Although, we are not able to speak about this specific case, training and the evaluation of CBP policies and procedures are consistently reviewed as needed, the statement said.

Both Iredale and the Mexican Consulate in San Diego confirmed the monetary payment. Family members of the late teenager were reluctant to come forward and unavailable for comment, Iredale said.

Its never enough when you lose a human life, said Marcela Celorio, the Mexican Consul General in San Diego, who called it a high visibility case for the Mexican government.

The family lost their son, and the father was very committed to finding justice, Celorio said. Whats important is that the family is at peace  with the agreement that was reached.

At the time of his death, Velazquez was a high school student in Tijuana who did not have a previous criminal record. Iredale said that we believe he was paid some small amount of money, the going rate is $100 or $200, that they gave the kids to cross the border with drugs.

Evidence in the case included sworn statements as well as CBP video footage that showed the teen communicating through hand signs with the two CBP officers in the secondary inspection area.

I dont think they deliberately set out to kill the boy, Iredale said. But they did, in telling him to drink it in order to prove to themselves  or have him prove to them  that it was in fact what he said it was as opposed to a drug, which is what they suspected.

Iredale cited testimony from another CBP officer alleging that Baird had told her: Oh my God, I told him to drink it, I asked him what it was, he said it was juice, I said, Well then prove it.

The incident began on a Monday night, at about 6:40 p.m., when the teenager reached the front of the San Ysidro pedestrian line. Velazquez told an officer in the primary inspection booth that he was crossing to visit an uncle in San Ysidro. The officer said he noticed the bottles filled with liquid, but the primary reason I referred Velazquez to secondary is because of his rapid speech and due to the fact that he was shaking so uncontrollably.

It was in the secondary area that Velazquez drank the liquid. Iredale said that it was only after the teenager had taken sips that one of the officers, Baird, opted to test the liquid by putting drops on a screwdriver to see if they would crystallize  a test that is not sanctioned by CBP.

They have many test kits  they are readily available at the port, Iredale said, but those were not used.

It was minutes later that Baird noticed that the teenager began to sweat and appear nervous, according to a court document. She called for a canine officer and dog, which alerted to drugs on the teens body. He was taken to a security office, where he admitted that there were chemicals inside the bottles, the document said.

As his condition rapidly deteriorated, he was taken by ambulance to Sharp Chula Vista Hospital, where he died.

The Medical Examiners Office report stated that Velazquez died of acute methamphetamine intoxication, and ruled the death an accident.

Attorneys for both Baird and Parellon argued that they are shielded by qualified immunity, which means reasonable officers shouldnt be held liable unless their actions were obviously incompetent or that they knowingly violated the law.

Although it is obvious in hindsight that Cruz acted recklessly in drinking from the bottle and that may have been attributable to his age and poor judgment, that fact does not alter the analysis.  There must also be coercive or deceptive tactics employed by officers to exploit a suspects vulnerabilities. No such tactics were used in this case, Perallons attorney, Barton Hegeler, wrote in a motion for summary judgment.

Each officer denied allegations of forcing or egging on Velazquez to drink from the bottle, saying the other had prodded the teenager to do so, according to court documents.

In one document, Baird stated that Perallon allegedly spoke to (Velazquez) in Spanish, asking him to drink from one of the bottles, to prove that it was juice.

But Perallon gave a different account, according to a statement. Perallon said he had been translating for Baird, and told her that the teen said he was willing to drink from the bottle. Perallon said Baird then responded, if thats what you want to do.

When Velazquez made what appeared to be hand signals seeking approval to drink  Baird responded with a similar gesture signaling its okay, according to Parellons statement.

Staff writer Kristina Davis contributed to this story.

sandra.dibble@sduniontribune.com

@sandradibble

UPDATES:

5:30 p.m.: This story was updated with additional details.
Its been almost four years since three San Diego lawyers marched more than 700 miles north to Sacramento to bring attention to a group of prison inmates they dubbed The California 12.

In April 2013, Justin Brooks, director of the California Innocence Project, and staff attorneys Alissa Bjerkhoel and Michael Semanchik made the trek to the Governors Office to hand deliver clemency petitions for a dozen prison inmates.

So far, none of those petitions has been granted, but the attorneys have kept up their work on those cases, contending in each that there was strong evidence of innocence.

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Since Brooks and the others took that long walk, three men and one woman have been exonerated and released from prisons around California.

Another man, Guy Miles, may be released soon. In January, an appeals court ruled Orange County prosecutors used improper tactics to secure a conviction in Miles robbery case. The court found that new evidence suggests Miles may be innocent of robbing a Fullerton financial business in 1998.

Prosecutors could still decide to retry Miles. But if they dont, Miles, now 51, could walk free within a couple of weeks, bumping the California 12 down to seven.

Thats pretty gratifying for Brooks, who heads the Innocence Project at San Diegos California Western School of Law. Since its founding in 1999, the organization has won the release of more than two dozen prison inmates, a few of whom might show up in San Diego for the Innocence Network Conference on Friday and Saturday.

The network is made up of 68 organizations in the United States and around the world that provide pro bono legal and investigative services to people who have been wrongfully convicted.

For two days, attorneys, exonerees and the people who support them will participate in workshops and discussion sessions on topics ranging from post-conviction DNA testing to public advocacy in high-profile cases to welcoming home the newly exonerated.

When these guys get out, its incredible the challenges they face, Brooks said.

This is the speech he gives to each person he walks out of prison. First, he reminds them that when they were behind bars, it probably seemed like nobody cared about them. Then for roughly 24 hours, around the time they get out of prison, seemingly everyone cares about them  particularly the news media.

Then its all going to go away, Brooks said he warns them. And youre going to have to face the rest of your life.

Like parolees, those exonerated have to deal with resetting their lives and addressing the emotional consequences of having been locked away for years. But the state doesnt offer them as many resources as parolees get when they leave prison, including a couple hundred dollars in gate money upon release, access to a halfway house and help in applying for a drivers license.

Our people get none of that, Brooks said. The system doesnt know what to do with them anymore. Weve taken them out of the system.

And although California law allows for wrongfully convicted people to be compensated by the state  $100 per day spent in prison with an annual maximum of $36,500  Brooks said he and other lawyers have battled the Attorney Generals Office for years to get the state to pay up.

He said it took 10 years of litigation for one of his clients  a man who spent more than 12 years in prison for a rape he did not commit  to come close to seeing some compensation.

At the conventions opening ceremony, exonerees who attend are usually invited onstage to be recognized by the crowd. Last year, there were more than 150 and about as many are expected to show up this year, according to the Innocence Networks website.

Its possible that in the not-so-distant future even more may be able to grace the stage now that California law has changed, making it easier for those claiming to have been wrongfully convicted to bring new evidence claims to court.

Those who file the claims must prove that if the new evidence had been available at trial, they likely would not have been convicted. The old law required them to undermine every element of the prosecutions case using evidence that points to innocence.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed the bill in September and it took effect on Jan. 1.

And although theres no word yet on whether Brown will grant clemency to the other members of what was the California 12, Brooks said hell keep pressuring the governor  without walking another 712 miles.

I still tweet him every morning, Brooks said.

dana.littlefield@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @danalittlefield
Even as officials say affordable housing is a top priority, San Diego County shed more subsidized rental housing over the past two decades than all but two other California counties.

Thats according to a report released last week by the California Housing Partnership Corporation, which found the county lost 3,588 federal- and state-subsidized housing units between 1995 and 2016  an average of more than three affordable rentals per week. That left 32,807 affordable housing units countywide, according to the San Francisco-based housing nonprofit.

Only Los Angeles and Sacramento counties lost more low-income homes, according to the group, created by the California Legislature in 1988.

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Then theres the units that could disappear in the future, as a wave of government-aided housing agreements expire, tempting property owners to opt out of low-income housing and wade into Californias lucrative, unsubsidized rental market.

Report authors identified nearly 2,400 San Diego County rentals likely to experience a market-rate conversion by 2022, a 15 percent increase since last years survey. They said only Los Angeles and Orange counties stand to lose more low-income dwellings over that stretch.

Last year, the phenomenon of conversion became a reality for Marie Nito, one of around 200 low-income renters whose home could be demolished to make way for Pacific Village  a 564-unit high-end development proposed to replace the once-subsidized Penasquitos Village, where the 54-year-old laboratory worker and his family have lived since 2011.

The villages owners opted out of a longstanding federal rental assistance agreement, clearing the path for Lennar Homes as-yet unapproved re-imagining of the property.

If the plan goes through, Nito said he doesnt know where hell go.

Well stay until the last day, Nito said. We dont have a choice. We cant afford to buy a house.

Its not fair.  Weve lived here six years already. We love this place. Its quiet.

The tally of homes like Nitos, combined with the number of subsidized units that could lose affordability protections over the next five years, amounts to more than half the 10,000 dwellings the city-backed San Diego Housing Commission has opened since its inception in 1979.

Last weeks survey considered a home at risk if it operates under soon-to-expire affordability protections attached to government rental and home loan subsidies, or if it is a non-subsidized property that often provides affordable housing that might otherwise be unaffordable. Federal regulators define a home as affordable if its within reach for those making less than 80 percent of San Diegos area median household income of $68,000.

Statewide, the report shows California lost 28,152 affordable homes, more than half of which stopped taking federal Section 8 housing vouchers after the property owner decided to opt out of a rental assistance contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

It found another 31,988 dwellings likely to experience a similar conversion over the next five years, including at least 5,200 properties that do not receive direct rental assistance but often provide housing to low-income households.

San Diego County made up a disproportionate share of those naturally affordable homes threatened by market rate conversion. It also made up an outsized percentage of low-income units already removed from the Californias housing stock, accounting for roughly 12 percent, while making up only about 8 percent of the states population.

Planners say the city of San Diego  which accounted for the bulk of subsidized units already lost around the county, and most of those expected to become unaffordable in the future  needs some 64,000 more low-income housing units before 2020.

Januarys State of the City address saw San Diego Mayor Faulconer promise a passel of new affordability-friendly development incentives  including fast-tracked low-income housing approvals, an expanded density bonus program and additional community plan updates  meant to make housing affordable for the middle class.

Spokeswoman Katie Keach wrote in a statement on Wednesday that Faulconers office is currently working on a comprehensive housing initiative to increase housing affordability in the city.

Keach said that proposal is expected to be released in the coming weeks. She did not elaborate on what measures, if any, have already been adopted to prevent the loss of San Diegos affordable housing units.

San Diegos ongoing evaporation of affordable units is driven, at least in part, by ever-rising rents, which offer landlords plenty of reason to convert apartments to market rate units.

Borre Winckel, president and CEO of the San Diego County Building Industry Association, said he couldnt be judgmental about a property owners decision to opt out of an affordability contract  especially given rules he says are choking off the supply of much-needed new homes.

I dont think the problem is what happens 30 or 50 years from now, but whats happening in Sacramento today, Winckel said, referring to the often decades-long affordability covenants usually attached to federal housing subsidies. We have too few units being built for lease or sale. As long as Sacramento keeps regulating these (building) costs upward, its a problem thats going to persist.

Murtaza Baxamusa, director of planning and development for the San Diego Building & Construction Trades Councils Family Housing Corp., said cities and counties may be able to talk property owners back into an affordable housing agreement, but not often without help from the state or the feds.

Absent redevelopment, cities have a very limited role, since these conversions are a function of the underlying financing and regulatory requirements, he wrote in an email on Tuesday. Nonetheless, local revenue sources can be used to proactively acquire stock with expiring covenants, or used as a gap financing mechanism that can extend the life of the covenant.

San Diegos redevelopment agency, like 400 others around the state, shut down in February 2012, at the end of a months-long legal fight over agency-killing legislation signed in 2011 by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Stephen Russell, executive director of the nonprofit San Diego Housing Federation, said Assembly Bill 1521, legislation co-sponsored by the state housing partnership, could bring relief by adding teeth to existing statutes requiring property owners to notify tenants and local governments before pulling affordable housing off the market.

The bill, introduced last month by Assemblyman Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica, and David Chiu, D-San Francisco, would keep the notification requirement and add a provision that gives qualified preservation purchasers the first shot at buying properties, with an eye toward keeping them affordable.

Its a change Russell and the federations board  made up of developers, lenders, architects and others involved in the housing trade  say is sorely needed.

Theres a huge profit incentive for (property owners) to go out into the open market, he said. There has to be an incentive to bring affordable housing developers in.

I think the (bill) is there to make sure theyre offered the first right of refusal. I think thats going to be key.

The Union-Tribune last month reported a similar law  meant to force cities and counties to tell other local agencies and interested housing developers when it plans to sell a property  has not resulted in a single for-profit developer being notified about a sale of land by San Diego city officials.

That did not sit well with affordable housing advocates who say the city, long plagued by housing affordability woes, needs to do more to encourage low-income development.

Many of the same critics in January joined City Council members to slam the city over $68.6 million that would previously have been reserved for improving blighted city blocks, but has instead been made available for police, pensions, potholes and other general city purposes.

In November, critics also spoke out about 10,000 affordable units the city OKd to be demolished, converted or otherwise removed from the housing stock since 2010, despite ordinances that generally require those units to be replaced.

Matt Schwartz, the state housing partnerships president, sounded confident legislation backed by his group can avoid similar pitfalls.

One thing I can tell you is that a qualified preservation purchaser will have to agree either to extend existing rent and income protections for a minimum of 30 years or to place a new regulatory agreement with those same protections, Schwartz wrote in an email Tuesday. Additionally, I would predict that (the California Department of Housing and Community Development) will require that (purchasers) have a minimum number of similar affordable rental properties under ownership and management with satisfactory ratings from any federal and/or state and/or local agencies inspecting the physical and financial condition of their properties.

Spokeswoman Keach said San Diego hasnt taken a position on AB 1521 or any other housing affordability bill introduced this year in Sacramento, though she said the city does plan to take an active role in evaluating such legislation.

Two high-profile measures hope to outbuild ongoing losses in affordable inventory. The first, also introduced by Chiu, would raise revenue for new construction efforts by abolishing state income tax deductions for vacation homes.

The second, carried by Sen. Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, would tack a filing fee on property transfers, excluding home sales. If passed, proponents say the pair could generate up to $500 million annually. Thats enough to replace a quarter of the homes at risk of falling out of reach for low-income Californians, given the states current average $332,000 cost to build an affordable unit.
Pubic hair is becoming a thing of the past, according to new research on female grooming habits, as more women are opting for a bare nether region.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Dermatology, surveyed more than 3,300 American females, ages 18 to 65, about the subject.

Results show that nearly 85 percent had done some kind of pubic hair modification in their lifetime. Within that group, 62 percent had shaved entirely, at least once.

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The study, conducted in January 2013, confirms a trend that gynecologists and other physicians have been privy to for years. But it also spurs a discussion about the external pressures on womens self-image and the effect this has on a younger generation.

Theres a lot of pressure to look a certain way, said Dr. Tami Rowen, an obstetrician-gynecologist and lead author of the study. On TV, in magazines, women are shown in exposed clothing more now than they ever were before.

Women ages 18 to 34 do the most such grooming, results show, and theyre more likely to be white and have some college education. White women in particular, are more likely to groom than women in any other racial and ethnic group. No association was found between grooming and income, relationship status or geographic location.

The survey also revealed that women were basing their shaving decisions on a common myth about pubic hair and cleanliness. Nearly 60 percent said they groom because its more hygienic or cleaner, when in reality, its not.

Theres no medical basis for that, Rowen said. Grooming does not make you cleaner.

In fact, going au naturel may have more pros than cons. Among other things, pubic hair acts as a form of protection, trapping dirt and debris, Rowen said. Shaving the protective layer may make the area more susceptible to bacterial contamination.

Some researchers speculate that micro-abrasions and tiny cuts from shaving may facilitate the spread of sexually transmitted infections, but no large studies have definitively made that connection.

Rowen, whos an assistant professor at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, said there is some evidence that removing pubic hair reduces the chance of lice transmission but thats about the only proven health advantage.

The study found that 21 percent of women said their partners preference was motivation to groom, and only about half listed sex as a reason. This, in particular, surprised researchers.

They werent doing it for sex, Rowen said. That was definitely one of the biggest surprises.

That finding differs from previous research, which found most grooming to be sexually motivated. The prior study also found that it was more common than not for women to have at least some pubic hair as well, with total removal typically associated with a younger age group.

The grooming habit hasnt always been this popular. According to a 2009 study, the trend most likely erupted from an increased prevalence of pornography depicting bare genitalia, along with popular magazines and television promoting the complete pubic hair removal trend.

Doctors are now seeing the result of this in young women, Rowen said, who are most likely to be influenced by the mainstream media and chatter among peers, especially talk from the opposite sex.

Its something thats been developing over the last 20 or 30 years but now were seeing a majority of women, young girls especially, removing all of their hair, Rowen said. And theyre doing it with permanent methods, such as laser hair removal.

Grooming also comes with the risk of injury. A 2012 study found that 3 percent of emergency room visits for genital and urinary organ injuries were the result of grooming gone wrong.

According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, a database of hospital emergency records, more than 230 people sought medical attention from 2014 to the end of last year for injuries in the pubic region caused by shaving or grooming products.

The data, which is managed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, show that more than 75 percent of patients were women, ages seven to 72, and nine required hospitalization.

The 7-year-old girl was taken to the emergency room in April 2015 and diagnosed with dermatitis, a skin irritation that usually involves an itchy rash on swollen, reddened skin, which may blister, ooze, develop a crust or flake off.

Mom reports child has developed pubic hair so mother shaved her vagina with a razor, records said.

Similar skin irritation was the most common female diagnosis. Nearly 30 of the 176 women suffered some type of contusion, abrasion or laceration of the pubic region.

Its not just the risk of injury, Rowen said. Its how we view our bodies and the external pressures that cause us to do things to our bodies that are potentially painful or dangerous.

Rowen said she hopes the study will increase awareness about grooming safety and encourage further discussion about self image.

I think its touched a nerve among women in terms of how we view our bodies and the external pressures that cause us to feel ashamed or unattractive, she said. I hope we can use this to take a look back and maybe re-evaluate how we view womens anatomy.
Many wiped away tears when 7-year-old Jannah Kato shared her wish.

If Mr. President Trump comes to my house, I would tell him, I want one wish from you. I just want my dad here, the first-grader at James Dukes Elementary School said.

James Dukes Principal Joy Harris, Ed.D., introduced Ramona Unified School Districts Inspirational Student of the Month to trustees at their board meeting on March 9.

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Jannah came to the United States with her mother and two brothers from Iraq, where she had witnessed explosions in the sky, police officers that they dont trust, and lots of other bad things, said Harris. They recently received asylum, but Jannahs father remains in Iraq, awaiting his.

When Jannah came to James Dukes as a kindergartner a year and a half ago, she did not speak English and was afraid, said Harris.

She lived her nightmare every night with nightmares while she slept, and she came to school fearful of everyone, said Harris. She screamed and cried throughout the day, every day for about a month.

It took awhile, but Jannah grew accustomed to the school and learned to trust Harris, her teacher, her classmates, and others at James Dukes  one by one  and they became her second family, noted Harris.

Because no one at the school spoke Arabic, it was difficult to communicate with Jannah. They used an iPad to translate so we could have just basic conversation with her, said Harris.

We wondered how she could possibly catch up to her peers, continued Harris.

Jannah not only caught up, but she became one of the schools top performers, said Harris, commenting that Jannah may be small, but she is mighty.

Not only after a couple of months was she able to stay in school with no tears, but she became a superstar, said Harris. Jannah has become fluent in English, totally fluent in English ... She is a dependable friend, she is a leader, and she is everything that we want each and every student at James Dukes to be.

Accompanying Jannah to the meeting with Harris and her first-grade teacher, Kaylene Weber, were her mother Sameerah, brother Yousif, 6, aunt Ghada Kato, cousin Marlene Razouki, and holding her sleeping 1-year-old brother Matthew, her uncle, Steve Hermiz, general manager of Country Wine & Spirits.

On behalf of the district, school board president Rodger Dohm presented Jannah with a plaque that read: Jannah Kato is representative of all that is great at James Dukes. Jannah came to James Dukes as a newcomer English Language learner and quickly became one of our top academic performers.
Philanthropist Conrad Prebys on Wednesday announced that hes giving $20 million to San Diego State University to create endowed scholarships that will support about 150 students annually. The gift is the largest single donation ever received by the school.

In recognition of the contribution, the university named its newly opened student center the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union.

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A restored World War II airplane did a surprise flyover for Prebys during a morning ceremony on campus before a red curtain draped over an entryway to the building was lifted, showing his name etched into the archway.

Prebys said giving money to help students attend college made him joyful and euphoric.

It is wonderful when you know youve done something right. You feel good about it, he said.

University President Elliot Hirshman said the historic donation would affect thousands of Aztecs in the future, providing them life-changing opportunities.

Hirshman added: Hes a man of extraordinary vision, integrity and generosity. As one of San Diegos most distinguished community leaders, he has literally and figuratively built San Diego from the group up through his real estate development and support of our cultural, artistic and medical institutions.

Prebys money will provide scholarships to help former foster youths, student veterans, those pursuing biomedical research and engineering, students studying creative and performing arts, student entrepreneurs and leaders, and those in the SDSU Honors program. University officials said scholarships would be offered to its first beneficiaries in the fall.

Hirshman said he was pleased the scholarships would benefit many types of students on campus. He also said the university is focused on providing more scholarships because students are finding it difficult to pay tuition and fees that have escalated in recent years.

Prebys has numerous ties to the university, including hiring alumni and owning apartment buildings near campus that rented to students, Hirshman said. The gift came together after a series of meetings and discussions between Prebys and university officials.

We have had discussions for about two and a half years about what might happen, and toward the end of December we started getting closer, Hirshman said.

University spokesman Greg Block said the idea to put Prebys name on the student center came from university officials, who wanted to make sure they recognized the generous contribution in a public way.

With a gift this significant, we didnt want it to be forgotten, Block said. If it was just endowing scholarships and there was no recognition of it anywhere, people wouldnt know.

Before Prebys gift, the largest single donation made to San Diego State was made by the Lamden Family Trust, which gave $9.4 million in 2008. The universitys School of Accountancy is named after Lamden, who served as the College of Business Administrations first dean.

Prebys said he was interested in funding scholarships because he knows how difficult it is for students to afford to attend college now and that is can be especially difficult for students who have to work while going through school.

When I was offered this opportunity, gosh I jumped. It was so right, Prebys said. It doesnt happen to me that often  where you know everything is right, after the fact. It is going to hap students who might otherwise not be able to make it to school... The future of this country is education. Lets face it, It is s going to take more education right now, with all the technological advances being made, you better have an education.

Associated Students President Josh Morse, who presented Prebys with a large ceremonial key to the student union building, said the scholarships would help not only students but their families by making college a reality. Morse said he was particularly happy to see that Prebys generosity would help former foster youths through a supportive program called Guardian Scholars.

As a proud guardian scholar myself, I know first hand how important it is to know that someone believe in you. Your gift tells all SDSU students that you believe in us, he said.

Prebys, who was born and grew up in Indiana, moved to San Diego in 1965 and worked in real estate development, building homes, apartment buildings and storage facilities in the county. He has supported many local organizations with major gifts over the years, including the arts, the San Diego Zoo, medical research and Scripps Health.

University officials said Prebys gift brings The Campaign for SDSU, the schools first comprehensive fundraising effort, past the $465 million mark toward its $500 million goal.

Private philanthropy is going to be a critical part of the support of universities in California moving forward, Hirshman said.

 Local philanthropist donates 20 million dollars to SDSU.

HISTORY OF DONATIONS

Conrad Prebys financial gifts to San Diego institutions include:

Wednesday: $20 million to San Diego State University.

2013: $1.5 million to San Diego Museum of Art.

2011: $45 million to Scripps Health.

2011: $15 million to the San Diego Zoo.

2011: $2 million to Salk Institute.

2009: $10 million to Sanford-Burnham Institute for Medical Research.

2009: $1.5 to San Diego Hospice and Institute for Palliative Medicine.

2008: $3 million for Conrad Prebys Music Endowment in support of UC San Diegos music department.

2007: $6 million to UC San Diego.

2007: $10 million to San Diego Zoo.

2006: $10 million to Scripps Mercy Hospital in Hillcrest.

2005: $10.4 million to The Old Globe.
March 26 is the 20th anniversary of a grisly discovery in Rancho Santa Fe: the corpses of 39 members of a religious group called Heavens Gate. They committed suicide believing their souls would travel on a UFO to new bodies in a better world.

In todays Back Story, staff writer John Wilkens discusses how two decades of academic study and debate are reshaping our understanding of the group.

Q; How big of a deal was Heavens Gate?

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A: Before the bodies were discovered, not big at all. The group had drawn some media attention in its early days, but then went underground and was known mostly by cult watchers. That was a source of frustration to them, and may have contributed to their final exit. The name itself, Heavens Gate, was a fairly recent development.

Q: What kind of splash did the suicides make?

A: Huge. It was front-page news in probably every major newspaper in the world. There were specials on network television. A Time magazine cover with a close-up photo of wild-eyed group leader Marshall Applewhite is one of the signature images of the 1990s.

Q: How was the group perceived back then?

A: They were widely mocked and ridiculed. Every late-night comic made jokes. David Letterman did one of his Top Ten lists. Jay Leno pointed to the previous years Republican National Convention in San Diego and quipped, It was the biggest suicide in San Diego since the Republicans nominated Bob Dole. On this relatively new thing called the internet, people spoofed the groups website.

Q: What do scholars make of the group?

A: Opinions vary, as they often do in academia. Ben Zeller, a Chicago-area professor who specializes in an emerging sub-field called New Religious Movements, cautions against dismissing Heavens Gate as a nutty aberration. He sees it as something that reflected and responded to various forces in American life that remain in play today. His 2014 book, the most recent written about the group, makes this point:

We need to take seriously the religious beliefs, practices, worldviews, and life choices of adherents of alternative, belittled, and discredited religious movements. It is far too easy to dismiss the members of Heavens Gate as either insane or victimized, and in both cases we fall into the same sort of trap of demonization that colors the dehumanizing political discourse of the 21st century.

Q: Does that mean that scholars like him believe the souls of the Heavens Gate folks actually caught a spaceship riding behind the Hale-Bopp comet?

A: Not at all. They take a neutral position, arguing that the groups claims  like those of all religious groups  are beyond any kind of empirical assessment. To them, whats important is the way history and culture shape a groups origins, teachings and activities. That Heavens Gate promised heavenly salvation isnt interesting because other religions do that. But exiting Earth on a flying saucer? What was it about America that made them believe that was possible?

john.wilkens@sduniontribune.com
KPBS hopes to gain support from viewers and listeners like you  and that includes you, members of San Diegos congressional delegation.

We have been working with our members of Congress, said Tom Karlo, general manager of San Diegos public broadcasting TV and radio station.

We are a critical part of our community here in San Diego, and any cut in federal funding would damage that.

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Karlo was responding to President Trumps proposed $1.1 trillion federal budget, which increases defense spending $54 billion while cutting funds to many domestic programs.

Among the programs targeted for zero federal funding: the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the agency that supports public radio and TV stations across the country.

In fiscal year 2016, KPBS reported $33 million in operating expenses, and $3.2 million in funds from CPB grants.

Losing that money would not destroy the station, Karlo said, but would require a reconsideration of its programming and overall mission.

I think we could survive and still be broadcasting something, he said. I dont know if the robust national programming provided by NPR could be sustained.

Like all public broadcasters, KPBS pays for the programs it airs from National Public Radio, the BBC and other services.

The system as a whole, large and small stations, act in concert, said Deanna Mackey, president and executive director of the Public Television Major Market Group, a consortium of the nations largest 40 stations. There really isnt any substitute for what the federal money provides, as far as seed money for stations large and small.

Many public broadcasters provide services beyond on-air programming. KPBS, for instance, offers online curricula for teachers and homeschoolers through PBS LearningMedia, and shepherds the annual One Book, One San Diego program.

Cutting federal funds to public broadcasting is very short-sighted, really, said Irwin Jacobs, the co-founder of Qualcomm and a prominent local supporter of KPBS and NPR. A dumb thing to do.

NPR and its member stations provide critical news coverage, Jacobs added.

Still, in this era of streaming media, ever-expanding cable TV offerings and the internet, some question why federal tax revenues prop up these TV and radio stations.

The idea that we have to have this to have an informed public is beyond ludicrous, said Richard Rider, chairman of the San Diego Tax Fighters.

North Parks Dawn Wildman, policy director for the Coalition for Policy Reform, a tea party-inspired statewide group, watches the occasional documentary on KPBS.

But frankly its not like anything I cant watch on Netflix and Amazon, Wildman said. Thats a better model for those who want to be truly discerning about what they watch  you are not trapped by the alphabet networks any more.

Karlo counters that cable stations like The Learning Channel and Bravo were founded to provide PBS-like coverage of the arts and culture.

Take a look at the programming they provide now  now, its Desperate Housewives, My Big Fat Fabulous Life. The Learning Channel, their biggest thing was Honey Boo Boo.

Last month, Karlo traveled to Washington, D.C., to join colleagues from other PBS stations in lobbying members of Congress. He met with the countys three Democratic representatives  Susan Davis, Scott Peters and Juan Vargas  plus Republican Darrell Issa.

Those appointments had been scheduled in advance. Attempts to do so with Duncan Hunter, the Republican who represents East County, had failed.

Nonetheless, Karlo dropped by Hunters Capitol Hill office. This effort also failed.

It was 1:30 in the afternoon on a Wednesday, Karlo said, and the door was locked.

While defunding PBS has been proposed by past Republican administrations, it does not have unanimous support across the party. In February, a national survey asked 1,001 registered voters if they backed cutting PBS federal subsidy.

Overall, 73 percent said no.

Among Democrats, no was the response of 83 percent. Among independents, 82 percent. Among Republicans, 62 percent.

Even among Trump voters, 65 percent did not favor this cut.

Public broadcasting has a big audience. In San Diego County, 1.1 million to 1.2 million people every week tune into KPBS radio or TV programs, podcasts or social media accounts.

Support comes from contributions by about 55,000 families, annually bringing in $8 million to $9 million, and corporate donors who supply about another $5 million a year.

Much of this money is reaped from seasonal pledge drives, which are believed to be unpopular with viewers and listeners. KPBS-FMs most recent drive, held in January, set a goal of $210,000.

We ended up at $395,000, Karlo said.

If at the end of the lengthy budget process Washington declines to spend a dime on public broadcasting, will KPBS add even more pledge drives?

Karlo hopes not. People come to us, he said, for quality programming.

Staff writer Bradley Fikes contributed to this story.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP)  A federal wildlife agency studying the Steller sea lion decline in Alaska's Aleutian Islands is looking for help from citizen scientists. Volunteers don't need raincoats or rubber boots to pitch in, just eyeballs and a computer screen.

Fisheries researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration want them to sort through 500,000 images captured by 20 cameras at six remote sites. The job is simple: Flag photos that show sea lions.

NOAA Fisheries biologist Katie Sweeney is specifically looking for 256 Steller sea lions captured starting in 2011 that were permanently marked by branding, allowing them to track movement patterns. The image sorting tells researchers which photos are most important to review.

"If we see these animals over time, we can estimate their survival," Sweeney said from her office at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center in Seattle.

Steller sea lions are the largest members of the eared seal family. An average adult male grows to nearly 11 feet and more than 1,200 pounds. Adult females average almost nine feet long and weigh about 580 pounds, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

They are found in the North Pacific from Japan and Russia to Alaska and as far south as the Channel Islands off the coast of Southern California.

The western population, from Prince William Sound to the Aleutians, was listed as endangered in 1997. They fell to their lowest numbers in 2003 and the population since then has increased just 2.7 percent annually. Sea lions in the far western Aleutians were especially hard hit, declining by 94 percent over the last 30 years.

No one knows why. Tracking marked sea lions has indicated they are not simply moving east to other parts of Alaska or west to Russia. Contaminants and poor nutrition are among the possibilities, but answers don't come easy because of the expense and time needed to reach the remote locations where they live. NOAA in 2012 turned to remote cameras to gather more information.

The 20 cameras work year-round, snapping a digital photograph every 10 to 30 minutes during daylight.

"We get on a research vessel and we are out 1,200 miles in the Aleutian Islands," Sweeney said. "We go to each site and have to pull out the SD cards and download them."

A handful of people who volunteered to check the images could not keep up with the volume.

Computer analysis was not an option because creating an automated process would have been expensive and time consuming, Sweeney said.

"We kind of need the human eye for it," she said.

Researchers turned to crowdsourcing. Working with the Zooniverse platform, about 2,200 volunteers starting Wednesday took a short tutorial on how to help sort the first 30,000 images.

Sweeney hoped volunteers would finish that first batch by June, when she leaves for the Aleutians to count sea lions and brand more of them. Instead, the citizen scientists surprised her and zipped through the first batch in a day and a half. Researchers have uploaded more images.

When the backlog is reduced, they will start a second project: Asking volunteers to look at the photos with sea lions to see if any of the animals are carrying the permanent marks that reveal where the sea lions were born, their age and their gender.

The sorting will help researchers focus on the most important images.

"Of these 10,000 images, these 100 are the good ones you want to look at," Sweeney said.
The budget blueprint that President Trump revealed proposes the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts. This is the third time in my professional theater career that the agency is imperiled. I raised my voice in its defense in the late-1980s and mid-1990s, and I am proud to do so again.

My colleagues in the nonprofit arts nationwide are also speaking out. Many of their excellent points bear repeating: that last years NEA budget of $149.8 million was 0.004 percent of the overall federal budget. That NEA funding reaches every single congressional district. That NEA grants require matching funds that generate two to three times their impact upon recipient organizations. That the prestige conferred by an NEA grant makes funding from other sources flow more readily. That the NEA is an important funder of state arts councils, many of which would themselves fold along with the agency.

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To these Ill add: That over a third of NEA grants support work with underserved populations such as veterans, Americans with disabilities and Americans in institutional settings. That nearly half of NEA-supported programs serve low-income or high-poverty communities. And most important of all, that NEA funds provide access to the arts in areas where precious little such access exists.

The NEA is about enfranchisement. Above all else, its central belief is that the arts matter, and its impact is greatest in places where the arts are scarce.

The abolition of the NEA would not greatly damage The Old Globe, a thriving theatre in a city rich with arts infrastructure. Our 2017 funding from the agency totals $64,700, a sum that is but a fraction of our $24.1 million projected total earned and contributed income this year. But without the NEA, some of our most impactful work would shrink.

Our 2017 NEA funds will help support two Globe programs: free matinee performances for students in Title I schools and a community-based program that brings Globe teaching artists to underserved neighborhoods to conduct workshops in playwriting that help citizen-artists develop plays on local themes. These initiatives focus entirely on enfranchising lower-income San Diegans by providing them access to Globe programming that, absent this public support, they would not otherwise enjoy.

Indeed, going back to the late 1990s, nearly every single NEA dollar the Globe received went to opportunities for lower-income San Diegans to engage with our work. Even grants that were not targeted to this group ended up serving them: in 1998 a $31,500 NEA grant helped develop Dr. Seusss How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Tens of thousands of Title I students  not to mention countless San Diegans of every stripe  cherish our annual holiday-season tradition.

Abolishing the NEA is a lose-lose proposition. It wont save the country much money, and the people who will feel the harsh sting of the agencys demise will be the very ones who need it most. Lower-income Americans, Americans in cities whose resources are few compared to San Diegos, rural Americans, these are the beneficiaries the NEA enfranchises by including them in artistic endeavors.

Art is a public good. The arts matter, and the NEA helps them matter to more people. All the things that art can do  encourage expression, develop emotional intelligence, foster empathy and understanding, make experiences of joy and beauty  are necessary to all of us, but they are indispensable to our fellow citizens whose life circumstances can be most positively impacted, even transformed, by story and song, poetry and painting.

The arts are always an easy target. Throughout my career, Ive found that an erroneous view of the arts as a redoubt of the so-called coastal elites persists despite overwhelming evidence that American arts participation is hugely broad-based. Public arts funding is a bogeyman, a battlefield for skirmishes in the culture wars. After all, if fiscal prudence is the goal, then cutting the tiny NEA wont get the bean counters very far. Something else is at play.

If politics is the driving force behind the presidents budget, then we should recall one of the NEAs most popular slogans. It offers us a rallying cry for every American who values the contributions that art makes to a vibrant and egalitarian society, for every San Diegan who believes that a miniscule government appropriation is worth investing in the grand notion that art should be for all, and particularly for the most disadvantaged among us.

That slogan?

A great nation deserves great art.
Lightly edited comments from our online coverage.

Regarding County bans new marijuana operations, phases out others (March 15): The County Supervisors are the real dopes here. Those dopes voted to prohibit a California citizen-approved initiative, only to protect their own East County constituents increasing opioid and alcohol addictions? San Diego voters, quit electing Republicans like Darrell Issa and that Duncan Hunter and you might actually prosper and not have to live with the constant fear-mongering brought to you by the likes of our supervisors.

More Healthcare Less Wars

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Joined April 21, 2016

Regarding City attorney says short term rentals not allowed in San Diego (March 16): Home sharing is not the issue here. Full-time short-term rentals are. Sixty-seven percent of STVRs in San Diego are not shared/hosted. Although we are miles from the beach, my neighbor has turned the house across the street from me into a STVR. The owner of the STVR has turned his property into a commodity and by extension our neighborhood has been turned into a commodity against our will, against the CC&Rs for our neighborhood and against city zoning laws. Repeated complaints to the owners, the police and the city has had no result. Sadly some of my long-term neighbors cant take it anymore so they are selling their house. Since it is next door to the STVR I suspect the only people who will want it will be investors wanting to run another hotel on our quiet street. Does the city have to be one giant tourist attraction? Are tourists the only people who matter?

shopkins

Joined August 18, 2016

The law is too vague. It was probably written before the internet was around outside of the military. Take the time, craft common sense regulation and then do what youve got to do. Anything up to that point is going to get litigated to death at a cost of millions of dollars to the taxpayer for negligible or less results. Just do it right then go guns blazing if thats what has to be done.

dresari1

Joined June 8, 2016

Letters and commentary policy

The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. You can email letters@sduniontribune.com or leave a comment below.

Regarding Housing crisis: Homelessness is not an issue of affordability (March 14): Homelessness is not a problem that will ever be solved in San Diego. The simple fact is that housing is too expensive here for even a middle class family let alone someone living on the street. If you want to drive down the costs of housing than you need to build more housing. But then you have other issues to worry about like water and traffic. Maybe its time we start encouraging people to move to places like Texas and Arizona.

Lasertop

Joined April 20, 2016

Regarding (San Diego researchers condemn Trumps proposed $5.8B NIH funding cut March 16): Of course they are unhappy. Their ox has been gored. Research grants, especially to universities, have large percentages siphoned off to pay overhead, including the big salaries of administrators who contribute nothing to the research to the research. There is plenty of fat to be cut without lessening the research itself.

BlancaP

Joined Jan. 31, 2017

Regarding Meals on Wheels would lose how much in Trumps skinny budget? (March 16): Its time for the federal government to get back to its basic responsibilities, such things as national defense, resolution of interstate issues, dealing with foreign countries, etc. Since we are already so far in, lets add Social Security. But most of the other hundreds of programs should be cut or eliminated. This country is involved in so many things that the average person has no idea just how many. But as an auditor, I saw the scope of the governments activities translated to hundreds of budget line items, things the federal government should not be involved in.

federal_license

Joined April 29, 2017

Want to see more letters that appear only online? Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook.
Having seen an increase in code violations complaints, the County of San Diego has expanded its code compliance staff and says a new full-time officer has been assigned to the Ramona area.

That was welcome news to Ramona Design Review Board members, who for months have complained about a lack of response from the county regarding code violations.

The county said it is expanding its staff to better serve our customers throughout the unincorporated area.

According to the county, code compliance officers from other areas have been helping to cover Ramona since the previously assigned officer left the job.

Most of the design boards complaints have been about sign violations such as temporary business banners and feather flags that remain up year-round. Other violations regard lighting that does not meet the Dark Sky regulations.

Design review is asking the county to handle at least one code violation a month. Once contacted, violators face increasing fines if they do not correct the issue.

Three design review members  chair Rob Lewallen, Jim Cooper, and Scott Ensign  met with the heads of county Code Compliance on Feb. 3. According to Ensigns report at the boards Feb. 23 meeting, Code Compliance plans to create a partnership between its staff and the design review board, starting with targeting enforcement.

Ensign suggested inviting the new code compliance officer to the boards March 30 meeting.

It would be really good to get this ball rolling, said Lewallen.

In some cases, new business owners have said they were not aware they had to follow certain sign requirements and seek approval from the board. County staff suggested educating the Ramona Chamber of Commerce about speaking to new and existing businesses regarding design review meetings, according to the report.

Lewallen has been involved in updating the Ramona Village Center Form-Based Code. For feather flags and temporary banners, he has said they are proposing to permit a business such signage 45 days twice a year for special occasions such as grand openings and holiday sales.

The county has also created an app that allows people to contact Code Compliance with complaints and questions about such issues as waste, graffiti, illegal grading and construction and inoperable vehicles. The Tell Us Now! app also allows the public to contact county Department of Public Works about problems on county-maintained roads such as potholes, drainage, signs and traffic issues.

Among other issues that can be reported to county departments on the Tell Us Now! app are complaints about smoke, smells, illegal burns and non-permitted operations. The app is available in the app stores for iPhone and Android smartphones.
Reservations for the March 27 Intermountain Republican Women Federated meeting are due by March 22.

The luncheon meeting in San Vicente Resort, 24157 San Vicente Road, will feature John Cox, 61, who was born and raised in the south side of Chicago and developed a successful career as an attorney and CPA. Recommended check-in and social time is 10:30 a.m. The meeting will start at 11. Cost is $16.

Coxs mother was an educator, and his stepfather was a lifelong postal worker. From these modest beginnings, he founded an investment advisory firm, a real estate management company, and a venture capital firm. These firms manage and own assets in excess of $200 million.

In the 1990s, Cox led an investment group that purchased Jays Foods, a major regional food manufacturer, saving more than 600 local jobs. He recruited and led a team of managers who turned a $17 million loss into a $3 million profit in less than a year.

Active in charitable work, Cox founded an affiliate of Rebuilding Together and serves on the board of USO (United Service Organizations) San Diego. He is the author of Politics Inc., which urges changing U.S. politics by encouraging the election of statesmen rather than career politicians. Toward that end, he has founded an organization to educate the voters of California about the need to reduce the size of Assembly and State Senate districts and remove the influence of money from campaigns.

Cox lives in Rancho Santa Fe with his wife, Sarah. They have four daughters.

Intermountain Republican Women Federated welcomes members, spouses, and guests from Ramona, Julian, Santa Ysabel and surrounding areas.

For reservations, Ramona residents with last names beginning with A through L may call Pam Sturgeon at 760-703-9963: Ramona residents, M through Z, call Millie Klein, 760-788-5801; and Julian/Santa Ysabel residents, call Mary Lou Jones, 760-765-1725.

For more information, contact Sandy Hurlburt 760-789-0220 or sandylandrid@hughes.net.
A class action lawsuit against the Ramona Municipal Water District that was ruled in the districts favor in November 2015 is making its way through the appeals court.

The suit, filed in 2014 on behalf of commercial property owner Eugene Plantier, claimed that RMWDs method of charging sewer fees based on a parcels assigned equivalent dwelling units (EDU) bears no rational relationship to a parcels actual wastewater use and violates Proposition 218.

Also listed as plaintiffs and appellants are Premium Development and Progressive Properties Incorporated. Both list Ramona businessman Orrin Day as an agent.

The appeal was filed Jan. 27 in the 4th Appellate District Court, and on March 1 an application was granted for the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association to file a brief on behalf of the appellants.

On behalf of the water district a brief was filed March 1 by an attorney representing California Association of Sanitation Agencies, California State Association of Counties, and League of California Cities.

The suit stems from April 2012 when the water district told Plantier he would have to pay approximately $33,000 to bring his building at 109 10th St., which he leases to Marisco Mar De Cortez restaurant, into compliance for sewer EDUs.

Judge Timothy Taylor ruled in the districts favor when deciding whether the plaintiffs had exhausted their administrative remedies before filing the suit and whether they had standing in court. Attorneys representing the district said the plaintiffs did not attend the Prop. 218 public hearings held each year for water and wastewater rate increases before adoption of the fiscal year budget.

An attorney for the plaintiffs said those public hearings were about rate increases, not about the method of charging the fees  the focus of the suit.
Lila Hohrmann is so dedicated to her volunteerism at Sharp Rees-Stealy Rancho Bernardo Medical Center that even recent lung cancer treatments did not keep her away from her welcome desk duties.

She has reportedly not missed a single volunteer shift in her 25 years on the job. Hohrmann  a San Marcos resident who will turn 95 on Sunday  currently volunteers six or more hours per day, five days a week in Rancho Bernardo.

I like being with people and knowing (Im) helping, doing some good for the people, she said, adding, Its my medicine. When Im at home I have pains and aches and have my mind on that.

Hohrmann said, Its a very enjoyable place. Everybody is so ... kind. I look forward to Monday mornings, coming to work.

She started a quarter century ago at Sharps first Rancho Bernardo clinic after retiring in order to care for her husband, Hans.

My husband was very ill, I was taking care of him and wanted to do something, Hohrmann said. Before Sharp she volunteered in the soup kitchen at Interfaith Community Services, serving breakfast to the homeless for 2 1/2 years. When Hans died they had been married for 48 years.

She grew up on a farm in North Dakota and the couple moved to California in 1943 because her husband wanted to join the military. However, Hans was color blind, so he was not accepted, she said. Not wanting to go back to North Dakota, they decided to stay in San Diego.

Hohrmann said she did not go to high school back home because my parents said I did not need an education. While living in San Diego she graduated from Hoover High School and attended a year of college before entering the workforce. For many years she was a bookkeeper and later a payroll supervisor for 26 years.

With that career background, volunteering for clerical tasks at Sharp was a natural fit. She started by filing X-rays in the radiology department at Sharps first Rancho Bernardo clinic  the new one that opened last month is its third RB location  then switched to the mail room. Now she works at the welcome desk, printing labels for patients medical forms and answering questions.

Shes so dedicated to being here, helping the staff, said patient liaison Gwen Norman, who has worked with Hohrmann for 20 years. She is the best greeter and makes (patients) feel very welcome when they come through the doors. ... Shes a sweetheart.

Norman added, The nurses so appreciate her doing tasks (that would) take their time away from patient duties. We appreciate everything she does.

Hohrmann said she has been a cancer survivor since age 23. Last July she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She started six weeks of radiation in November and by December her cancer was in remission.

I never missed a days work here, she said, describing how she went straight from treatments to her volunteer shift. Her main goal was to see Sharp Rees-Stealys new Rancho Bernardo facility, which opened on Feb. 21.

My biggest thrill was coming into the new building, she said. When the doctor told me I had lung cancer I did not think I could come here.

As for her assessment, I love it, Hohrmann said. I think its great, wonderful. It feels like a hotel, not a clinic.

Email: rbnews@pomeradonews.com
Last June, I had the privilege of participating in a quick two-day lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., with Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe and a few others hoping to obtain grants for the Eastern Beltway and Brush College overpass projects.

The schedule was incredibly tight with meetings with the U.S. DOT, congressmen and U.S. senators, to name a few, but even with such a hectic schedule, I was greatly impressed with Julie's focus and determination. Julie was prepared, sincere and excited while making the case for our community.

I believe Julie takes this approach with everything she does, and I also believe that Julie is about inclusiveness. While I know it's a mayor's job to "champion" for the community, I've seen firsthand how seriously Julie takes this responsibility and how committed she is to the future of Decatur and that is why she has my support.

Joe Riley, Decatur
My last post described how I traveled from San Pedro to Placencia, Belize. 100 miles as the crow flies but by bus and boat  the budget route  it can be an all day affair.

Placencia, like San Pedro, is a beach town that started as a very small fishing village. But Placencia Village is growing more slowly than Ambergris Caye and maintains that small village feel. At the tip of the peninsula, prices are a bit cheaper, rents and land values  though do not read CHEAP! Placencia is probably the second most expensive town in the country.

I wouldnt live anywhere else but Ambergris Caye but manI would love to have a vacation home in Placencia. If only just to eat

welland to stroll the famous sidewalk.

Mangoes are coming!

Here is a bit of my last 4 night trip to my favorite village and a few of the things I ate there.

Tutti Frutti

This gelato shop on the street in Placencia is everyones favorite  if you have been to the village, you are hooked. SO DELICIOUS. And they do lots of classic gelato flavors and then delicious local fruit flavors.

Once you have a double scoop for only $5bzd, youll find yourself needing dessert after every single meal. And maybe an afternoon snack.

Not a great picture but you see what Im saying.

Next to Tutti Frutti is a new pizza spot with a serious set up and pizza by the slice. Its on my list for next time.

Wendys Creole

I love Wendys for the wide front porch, the friendly service and one of the best desserts Ive EVER eaten  the coconut flan.

Unfortunately, I wasnt able to squeeze it in after a breakfast FEAST on a plate  the stuffed fry jack. Stuffed with egg, beans and bacon

Good grief this thing is delicious. But it might have you craving a nap rather than a swim in the ocean.

Ricks Cafe

Located on the sidewalk, I heard great things about Ricks pizza and salad but I tried neither. I went instead for a wrapand the Caesar Salad Chicken Wrap was big, fresh and delicious. A salad next time

The view from the porch is lovely. Perfect lunch spot.

Brewed Awakenings

There are two pretty great coffee shops in Placencia  Above Grounds and this super cute, friendly spot, Brewed Awakenings.

All they need is a Thanks A Latte or an Espresso Yourself. (Sadly I did not think of those myself)

Great coffee and all sorts of fun flavors of a southern Belize classic. The seaweed shake.

Sounds odd but MAN is it delicious. They have also made some crazy cute tables and chairs out of pallets. Art.

Maya Beach Bistro

If you dont eat here on a trip to Southern Belize, you are nuts. It is my favorite restaurant in the country  and Im not alone.

I circled round to some favorites on this visit  you can see in the post list below that Ive been many times  and went with brunch (Duck Hash with sweet potato, apple and spicy duck sausage with egg and their delicious homemade baguette toast) and PEANUT BRITTLE ICE CREAM PIE.

The bottom is like a thick peanut butter cookieshomemade buttery buttery oh so buttery peanut brittleSO OVER-THE-TOP GOOD.

This is my only second favorite dessert at the bistro. (1st is the Banana Coconut Cream Pie.)

They have lovely rooms also and a gorgeous beach (here is the restaurant view)  staying for a night or five just to eat makes TOTAL sense to me.

Now next door to one of the classic eateries on the peninsula, De Tatch

is a brand BRAND new boutique hotel where I sadly spent just one night.

A spot that wasnt officially open until TODAY. The Ellysian. The website JUST went up.

Come on in.

The owner decided that she was hosting so many friends over in their wooden beach house  and was enjoying it so much  that it made perfect sense to build a hotel.

Clean, modern and GORGEOUS sheets, pillows and bed  in charming Placencia village. After my afternoon exploring, man it felt great to enjoy this huge shower, sparkling white bathroom and cool, crispy bed.

Theres also a beautiful pool.

And this is just the beginning of my very long weekend in Placencia. Next I was off to another fantastic new spot. One that I have SOOO many pictures ofI need to figure out how to fit them in one post.

Please let me know where you love to stay and eat in Placencia  I want to see and taste it all. Trip planning already in action.
LOS ANGELES  John Lithgow suggests there is a similarity between his portrayal of Winston Churchill in The Crown and his role as a poetry professor with a passion for roller skating accused of murdering his wife in the new NBC comedy Trial & Error.

Take a moment to ponder that.

Hes not suggesting Churchill roller skated through the London streets or killed his wife. And, of course, a professor facing murder charges never led a country through a world war.

They are both beautifully written parts, Lithgow says.

He adds, One of the things that I like about having played these two characters and having them on the air virtually at the same time is they couldnt possibly be more different, one from the other.

The Crown is a Netflix drama that looks at the early days of Queen Elizabeth while Trial & Error is a spoof of true-crime documentaries. Novice New York lawyer Josh Segal (Nicholas DAgosto) goes to a tiny Southern town for his first big case. Its not the typical court case as the lawyer works out of a makeshift office behind a taxidermy shop.

His team is even stranger. The cast also includes Jayma Mays, Sherri Shepherd, Steven Boyer and Krysta Rodriguez.

Lithgow says he was attracted to the quirkiness of the story but he also liked the idea of working with an ensemble cast. His greatest television success came on 3rd Rock from the Sun, where he was part of an ensemble cast.

Its a fantastic ensemble and we became a group almost instantly and a very loving group, Lithgow says. Everybody has their own particular version of the Trial & Error sense of humor. We just make each other laugh like crazy all the time.

My favorite work has been in great ensembles, and this goes with theater and television and even film where half the time you never even meet the people you are acting with  . One thing I absolutely love about acting is the community spirit of it.

That ensemble is built around Lithgow. The Trial & Error producers wanted an actor who can do both comedy and serious drama. That fits a Lithgow resume that includes playing a killer in Dexter.

That Trial & Error takes comedy jabs at prime-time crime documentaries was the last piece of the show puzzle for Lithgow.

Nobody has done this yet, and it was brilliantly written. And my character, I loved the challenge of playing a part who, at any given moment, could plausibly have committed or not committed this crime, Lithgow says. This seemed to me a wonderful kind of magic trick to pull off, and I love challenges like that. They created a character for which this trick can work.

Lithgow says viewers will see what hes talking about from the first moment of the series, when he makes the 911 call. The professor is just as concerned about not missing the cable guy as reporting his wife is dead.

Hes completely driven by his id, Lithgow says of his character. Its completely unedited. He has no sense of priority or proportion.
Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/17/2017 -- A new report titled "Tobacco Company Market - SNTA" has been published on the online repository of Market Research Hub (MRH). This report provides an in-depth analysis of a tobacco company SNTA. It also provides an all-encompassing and highly detailed information about the current and future market trends in the cigarette market. It covers the market size and structure as well as the per capita and overall consumption. Moreover, it emphases on retail pricing, brand value, prospects, and forecasts for sales and consumption.



Request for Sample Report: http://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1009085



Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the company including introduction, key company facts, corporate structure, ownership, organization, financial highlights and cigarette business review. Brief introduction of development plans, current status, future prospects, trends of industry are also precisely discussed. SNTA stands for Socit Nationale des Tabacs et Allumettes and was established in 1963, when the tobacco industry was nationalized. After which SNTA became the sole manufacturer of tobacco products in Algeria. Apart from its cigarette manufacturing activities, SNTA manufactures snuff, chewing, cut tobacco and other tobacco products. Rym is the most popular brand of cigarettes produced by SNTA.



Secondly, cigarettes companies require a detailed understanding of cigarettes consumption in order to bring into line their sales and marketing efforts with the latest trends in the market. This report provides information in detail, where the growth opportunities are in cigarettes market for companies to form an effective marketing plan. As the demand for products by consumers evolve, understanding the instable market dynamics is very important for ensuring maximum sales in the future. The report covers the overall Algerian and international tobacco market for SNTA. The company dominates the Algerian market, although the sales reduced by 38% in 2015. International market is very limited and volume of exports was reduced to none in 2014 from minimal quantities in earlier years. The company sold 10.3 billion cigarette pieces in 2015, which is equivalent to 0.210% of the global market.



Browse Full Report with TOC: http://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/tobacco-company-profile-snta-report.html



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After what happened in 2011 to the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, the Japanese government is still faced with numerous energy power problems. They are also faced with the number of people displaced in their homes.

Even after six years, the Japanese people are still not sure if they can trust their government with their nuclear power plant. The Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster on March 11, 2011, has really left a big impact on Japan. It has affected more than 100,000 people and their homes. The government has shelled out about 22 trillion yen, or about US$188 billion, Scientific American stated. It was even more than what they first estimated, which is about twice as low.

Currently, the government is trying to develop a plan where the citizens will pay for about 20 percent of the costs. They will get it through higher electricity cost or higher taxes. In 2012, the then-Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has announced that they will close all Fukishima nuclear power plant in 2040. However, that did not happen and will not happen sooner because the current Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, has said that the nuclear power plants are very important. Under him, three began working again but one was shut down after some complaints from citizens' groups.

Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority that was passed in 2012 has allowed another 21 to restart their applications. They are still under review because they need to pass the regulation of nuclear safety. Meanwhile, the Japanese government is asking the affected people to move back to their homes in the affected area, Mirror reported. Fukushima nuclear power plant is still dangerous to those who will return.

"The relatively high radiation values, both inside and outside houses, show an unacceptable radiation risk for citizens if they were to return to Iitate," energy campaigner Ai Kashiwagi said. The citizens who will return will be like having a chest x-ray once a week, that's how much radiation is still in the place, he added. "This is not normal or acceptable," he finished. On the other hand, in 2015, Japan has already released a long-term plan that will suffice energy of about 20 to 22 percent of Japan up until 2030. If that is going to be followed through, no need to make new Fukushima nuclear power plant.
Hawaii is known as one of the most diverse in terms of flora and fauna, but scientists stressed that its vast array of endemic species has been in decline for several million years. All of eight main Hawaiian Islands are susceptible to decline, apart from Big Island. Scientists used a cutting-edge biodiversity analysis method and found traces of 14 different groups of birds, spiders, insects and plants currently being threatened with extinction.

A University of California, Berkeley research published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, explained that much of the blame rests on Hawaii's shrinking size. The islands are continually being eroded into the ocean and species are competing against each other in their reduced environment. Older islands like Kauai, Oahu and others who were previously part of bigger ecosystem called Maui Nui are struggling to accommodate the overcrowded flora and fauna.

There are hypotheses that Hawaii's flora and fauna have declined since millions of years ago. As an aftermath, the species are gradually impacted over the course of time. Berkeley's affirmation backed this previous hypothesis, according to integrative biology professor Charles Marshall. He suggests that the environment itself is contracting to a point where animals and plants have nowhere to go. The study simply created an explanation behind these diversity dynamics, UPI Science said.

Hawaii is isolated from the southwest United States by at least 2,000 miles. Thanks to volcanic activities that spawned the islands, its unique topography housed some of the most fantastic arrays of flora and fauna. However, Hawaii is also known to possess the highest number of endangered species among all American states.

Marshall said that his findings aim to quantify the carrying capacity of Hawaii in housing its flora and fauna. If possible, mitigating efforts could be made to save its declining species. While shrinking land mass is a part of natural geological evolution, experts agree that humans have already developed the technology and innovation to positively react to its adverse effects.
JERUSALEM  A prominent Polish historian presented evidence Wednesday about Polish villagers' widespread killing of Jews fleeing Nazis during World War II, touching a raw nerve in a country still grappling with its role during the Holocaust.

The research is likely to irk the nationalist Polish government, which has taken aim at those seeking to undermine its official stance that Poles were only heroes in the war, not collaborators who committed heinous crimes.

In launching the English-language version of her 2011 book, "Such a Beautiful Sunny Day," Barbara Engelking details dozens of cases of everyday Poles raping Jewish women and bludgeoning Jews to death with axes, shovels and rocks. The book, which came out in Polish under the previous government, takes its title from the last words of a Jew pleading with peasants to spare his life before he was beaten and shot to death. It offers a searing indictment of Polish complicity that will now reach a far wider audience.

"The responsibility for the extermination of Jews in Europe is borne by Nazi Germany," she writes. "Polish peasants were volunteers in the sphere of murdering Jews."

For decades, Polish society avoided discussing such killings or denied that Polish anti-Semitism motivated them, blaming all atrocities on the Germans. A turning point was the publication of a book, "Neighbors," in 2000 by Polish-American sociologist Jan Tomasz Gross, which explored the murder of Jedwabne's Jews by their Polish neighbors and resulted in widespread soul-searching and official state apologies.

But since the conservative and nationalistic Law and Justice party consolidated power in 2015, it has sought to stamp out discussion and research on the topic. It has demonized Gross and investigated him on whether he had slandered the country by asserting that Poles killed more Jews than Germans during the war  a crime punishable by up to three years in prison.

Despite the current climate, Engelking said she had no fear of recriminations and proudly took on the government's historical revisionism.

"People think I should be afraid, but I am not. I have a sense now of inner freedom and they cannot harm me in any way," she said during a break at a symposium recognizing the launch of her book at Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. "Let them try ... you cannot obey this idea because this is really not true. I am obliged to tell the truth, that is all."

Engelking, the founder and director of the Polish Center of Holocaust Research in Warsaw, said her decade-long research relied on diaries, documents and court files that gave voice not only to survivors but also victims. The government has long pointed to Poland having the largest number of citizens honored by Yad Vashem for saving Jews as evidence of their heroism. Engelking, however, said there were far less who aided Jews than those who betrayed them and that climate made the actions of the few all the more noble.

"There was severe punishment from Germans for helping Jews. They (the saviors) acted not only against German law, but against their neighbors, against the atmosphere, against the common sense of anti-Semitism," she said.

Mateusz Szpytma, a historian with Poland's state-run National Remembrance Institute, said he found the book to be written in a "prosecutor's style" and often relied on a single source.

"The attention is almost solely focused on negative events that took place but were not the only ones," he said. "Almost every element that is unfavorable to Poles is taken as true. Positive things are pushed to the margin."

The noted Israeli Holocaust historian Yehuda Bauer said the significance of Engelking's findings was the enormity of the cruelty toward Jews that she details. "It is something that we assumed but she proves," he said.

He said there were parallels to the way Jews were treated by the local population in other European countries like Lithuania, Bulgaria and Greece. But the sheer scope of the genocide in Poland  half of the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust were Polish  made Engelking's findings most pertinent.

Havi Dreifuss, a Tel Aviv University scholar and director of Yad Vashem's center for research on the Holocaust in Poland, said Engelking's research has shed new light on the last phase of the Holocaust, after Jews were packed into ghettos and sent to extermination camps, and how even those who had managed to survive that still faced the wrath of their compatriots.

She said estimates range between 160,000-250,000 Jews who escaped and sought help from fellow Poles. She said only about 10-20 percent of those survived, with the rest rejected, informed upon or killed by the rural Poles themselves.

"This research reveals not only the Jewish immense efforts to escape, as well as the Jewish despair and helplessness. It also exposes the terrible reality in which those Jews found themselves: a reality where very few acts of kindness were lost among the countless acts of cruelty, abuse and meanness," she said.

Poles have been raised on wartime stories of Polish suffering and heroism and many react viscerally when confronted with the growing body of scholarship about Polish involvement in the killing of Jews.

A recent poll showed an overwhelming majority of Poles believe their ancestors helped save Jews and rarely turned them over.

Engelking said that was unlikely to change as long as this "propaganda" continued and the "truth about our behavior during the war" was not allowed to be shared widely in schools and with the public.

"I hope that after this counter revolution that we are experiencing now, next time we will have another counter revolution," she said.
Tasmanian Preservation Bay in Australia is partly enveloped by a glowing blue light on its waters and looks very enchanting and beautiful. On the other hand, this signifies danger as this blue glow emanates from bioluminescent algae that could threaten the marine food webs.

The blue light is discharged by Noctiluca scintillans, which is a microscopic plankton, also referred to as sea sparkle. It gives off light when it is disturbed. Sea sparkles may trigger skin irritation in swimmers. They could also be damaging to the ecosystem, according to CBS News.

In the previous study in 2014, the researchers stated that the N. scintillans blooms could upset the diatom-sustained food chain to the disadvantage of regional fisheries and also the well-being of the ecosystem that sustains a coastal population of almost 120 million people. This study was printed in the journal Nature.

Meanwhile, Gustaaf Hallegraeff, a professor of aquatic botany at the University of Tasmania, believes that the flashing mechanism of the algae is to intimidate the predators. He added that N. scintillans eats other species. In case there are many of them, they could be just like a vacuum cleaner that consumes all the other plankton. He cited an example that on the east coast of Tasmania, the shellfish farmers were complaining that following this bloom of alga, the shellfish were hungry because they had nothing to eat, as noted by ABC.

Sea sparkles emit not the only blue but sometimes green or red as well. Currently, the researchers are watching over these. Meanwhile, some people have visited the bay and have taken photos of the blue light shimmering on the waters of the bay.
The most unfortunate event that leads to the destruction of several rare and endemic coral reefs near the Indonesian Raja Ampat islands has left environmentalists and locals in despair. The incident happened when the "Caledonian Sky" cruise ship steered into the coral reef in the Dampir Strait, during a bird watching trip.

The ship is owned by Noble Caledonia, a British company. It weighs 4,200 tons and was carrying 102 passengers when the incident happened.

Researchers from the Conservation International Indonesia (CII), Papua State University as well as the Regional Technical Implementing Unit (UPTD) made an early assessment of the damage caused. Ricardo Tapilatu, who led the research team, informed that several endemic coral reefs including "Genus Porites, Acropora, Poicilopora, Tubastrea, Montipora, Stylopora, Favia and Pavites" were acutely damaged. It was estimated that complete restoration of the natural marine biodiversity in the region would take around 100 years, Metro reported.

Apart from the damage to the natural ecosystem, the incident is likely to have adverse impacts on the socio-economic framework of the people residing in the nearby islands. Raja Ampat islands have long been the center for nickel mining. Once the mining resources ran out, the Indonesian government collaborated with the Conservation International, an American environmental organization, and started working on preserving the natural bounty of the region and using it to develop tourism.

According to The Jakarta Post, the region was shortly proposed as a United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) world heritage site and was known far and wide as a haven for divers. The livelihood of the people living on these islands is largely dependent on the revenue generated from the tourists and divers who come to drink in the scenic beauty over and under the sea.

Since coral reefs were the main attraction for the divers, the damage to these reefs is surely going to deter the number of tourists. Hence, it will deteriorate the living standards of people nearby.

Ruben Sauyai, Head of Raja Ampat Professional Divers organization, said "The area is a popular diving spot for tourists because it has lots of beautiful coral. Now, I am afraid we cannot take tourists here because nothing is left due to the incident."

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry staff members are busy calculating the overall damage caused by the incident so that an official suit for compensation can be filed. The Noble Caledonia company officials have acknowledged the incident as "unfortunate" and said that "the company is firmly committed to the protection of the environment and as such deeply regrets any damaged caused to the reef."
With strings of losses in statewide contests over the last few years, youd think South Carolina Democrats would be down and out. But with President Donald Trump irritating people left and right, theres a growing enthusiasm that maybe Democrats can take advantage of new cards being dealt them.

To do so, theyre going to have to be disciplined, raise money, create a more appealing message and target sympathetic voters. And, as one longtime insider notes, theyll have to have some pretty good luck. But the conditions in reliably red South Carolina are bubbling for Democrats at the state level to have a little more success.

A major key is for state Democrats to become the party of women, including doing what other states are doing -- engaging college-educated women and getting them to turn out on election day.

If white women in the South start voting more like they do elsewhere, we can win some elections, one key party insider said. That means a relentless focus on recruiting female candidates and taking advantage of the opportunities Trump has opened up with white, college-educated women.

Brady Quirk-Garvan, chairman of the Charleston County Democratic Party, agreed. His county has shifted bluer in recent elections.

White women with a college degree or above and those earning under $50,000 a year are two groups where Democrats perform well but could -- and should -- perform better, he said. With both of these target demographics, Democrats need to be honest about where we stand and we will continue to pick up voters. Reducing student loans, creating jobs, protecting women's rights and fighting for equal pay are four issues that would resonate with both groups and are core to Democrats anywhere in the country.

Quirk-Garvan touched on a second major component that state Democrats need to integrate into campaigns to win: Theyve got to stop thinking theyre the smartest people in the room. Instead, they must start appealing emotionally, not just logically, to voters.

Another party member added that the states Democratic message didnt need to be a Republican-lite message.

The message needs to be values-based -- South Carolina values. Not Democratic values, just South Carolina values with a vision for a future. We need pro-growth candidates, who love America and can compete one community at a time.

This sentiment was echoed by the insider, who noted, The Democratic Party needs to become less the party of Washington and Columbia and more the party of strong, empowered local government. We are doing well in local government elections, and its the most functional part of government in the U.S. today.

Why not focus on devolving more state power to communities, where we hold an advantage?

Historian Jack Bass of Charleston gave an example of how to craft a better appeal to voters during a discussion this week. Instead of rallying on an amorphous cry to improve public education, Democrats would do better, he said, to be specific with policy calls that tap emotion. For example, Democrats could campaign to change state lottery rules so seven to 10 top seniors in every high school would get a four-year lottery-funded college scholarship.

When you improve public education, youre improving the economy, he noted.

Veteran Democrats also encouraged the party to start recruiting diverse candidates for every legislative district in the state.

I know it sounds like ageism, but the reality of looking at election data will show you that old candidates rarely win, one former state official said. No one likes voting for their grandparent. The candidate needs to have school-aged children [or] at most, college students. The sweet spot is candidates aged 40 to 55.

Now is the time for South Carolina Democrats to try new things, because the old ways arent working. The challenge, as always, is to have more appealing candidates, have the money to do the work to craft the message and spread it around, and build enthusiasm to un-rust a machine thats weary from losing.

If Democrats can start winning in the state, well all be better off. Well have broader policy discussions and more vigorous debates, both of which will improve the democracy in more ways than you can count.
While attending a S.C. Arts Alliance Board meeting last week in Florence, our members were treated to a delightful reception at the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Fred Carter. This world-renowned facility is stunning in every respect from construction to performances and outreach programs. The next day our meeting was held in the Florence County Museum and again we were in awe of the beautiful facility, the exhibits and community programs.

Your efforts have created facilities that offer something for every citizen to enjoy by embracing economic growth, the humanities and historical preservation.

Local and state leaders, dedicated staff, as well as numerous local businesses and community volunteers, are to be commended for their outstanding efforts in setting an example for all communities on what can be accomplished when private and public partnerships work together.

A special thank-you to all for making our visit to your city so enjoyable and inspiring.

VIDA MILLER

Pawleys Island
Constellation will seek extensions for its operating license for the Clinton Power Station until 2047 and two reactors at the Dresden Generating Station in Morris until 2049 and 2051.
With President Trumps revised travel ban once again on judicial hold, its fate in higher courts  including the Supreme Court  most likely turns on one question: Must judges accept the presidents word that his motive was to protect the nation from terrorism and not to exclude Muslims?

Motives can make all the difference in the law. If youre challenging your dismissal at work, you might try to prove it was because youre black, or female, or gay and not because you couldnt do the job. If the city council grabs your microphone during a hearing and you claim a free speech violation, you need to show it was because of your message and not the four-letter words you were using. And every prosecutor knows its easier to convict someone of a crime if a motive can be shown.

But when it comes to the governments decisions on immigration  and, in particular, which groups of would-be immigrants to keep out of the country  the law gives presidents great leeway and presumes their motives were legitimate.

The Supreme Court set the ground rules in 1972 with a decision upholding the governments denial of a visa to a Marxist writer who had been invited to an academic conference. If the governments individual exclusion order states a facially legitimate and bona fide reason, the courts will neither look behind the exercise of that discretion nor test it against the rights of others, like U.S. residents who wanted to communicate with the writer, the court said.

When it comes to religious motives, however, the high court may be willing to take a more probing look at the evidence. In a 5-4 ruling in 2005, cited by opponents of Trumps executive orders on travel, the Supreme Court found that officials in two Kentucky counties had acted for impermissible religious purposes by posting the Ten Commandments in their courthouses.

So far, most of the courts that have ruled on Trumps travel restrictions have been willing to look behind his insistence that the nations whose residents he barred from entering the U.S. were chosen because they were potential sources of terrorist attacks and not because their populations are mostly Muslim.

Any reasonable, objective observer would conclude ... that the stated secular purpose of the executive order is, at the very least, secondary to a religious objective of temporarily suspending the entry of Muslims, U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson of Hawaii said Wednesday in a ruling that blocked Trumps second attempt at a travel ban, less than six hours before it was to take effect.

In his ruling, Watson noted the nations targeted by the order, Trumps broadsides against Islam during his presidential campaign  including his promise to halt all immigration by Muslims  and a Jan. 28 statement by Trump adviser Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York, that the president had asked him to find a legal way to draft a Muslim ban.

U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang of Maryland cited the same evidence in an injunction against the six-nation ban early Thursday. On Friday, Trumps administration began the appellate process by filing a notice of appeal of Chuangs order with the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va. The administration plans to challenge Watsons ruling in the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, which last month upheld another judges ruling blocking the first travel ban.

From there, in all likelihood, the issue will end up with the nations high court, which by then may have a ninth justice, Trump nominee Neil Gorsuch, now a federal appeals court judge in Denver. Legal analysts say the outcome is hard to predict.

I think courts are going to be reluctant to pierce behind the veil (of the presidents order) too much. Its a dangerous game to play, said Vikram Amar, a constitutional law professor and law school dean at the University of Illinois.

Thats true in most cases, but maybe not in this one, said UCLA law Professor Adam Winkler.

While courts normally assume the president is acting in good faith, repeated statements by the Trump administration make it hard to assume they have a bona fide reason, Winkler said. The evidence is on the table, in tweets, in a press statement. ... Trump is making it hard for courts to be deferential.

The revised executive order Trump issued March 6  more than a month after courts had blocked his first order  would impose a 90-day ban on the entry of anyone from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen, dropping Iraq from the nations in the earlier order. Unlike that order, the revised version would not apply the ban to legal U.S. residents and visa-holders who want to enter the country.

It would also place a 120-day freeze on all admission of refugees, those who have fled violence or persecution in their homeland and have been approved for admission by U.S. officials. And it would limit overall U.S. refugee admissions to 50,000 for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, down from the 110,000 limit approved by former President Barack Obama. Both those provisions were in the original order.

Initially, the administration argued that courts simply had no authority to review a presidents decisions on immigration and national security. The Ninth Circuit emphatically rejected that position in its Feb. 9 ruling, observing that within our system, it is the role of the judiciary to interpret the law.

Justice Department lawyers have moderated their stance somewhat in defense of the revised order, arguing in court filings against probing the executives judgments on foreign affairs and national security and, in particular, against considering informal statements by the president or his surrogates or any comments he made as a political candidate.

They drew some support Wednesday from five of the Ninth Circuits 25 full-time judges, in a dissenting opinion that said the court should have reconsidered and upheld Trumps earlier, broader executive order.

Even if we have questions about the basis for the presidents ultimate findings  whether it was a Muslim ban or something else  we do not get to peek behind the curtain, Judge Jay Bybee wrote for the dissenters. So long as there is one facially legitimate and bona fide reason for the presidents actions, he said, quoting the 1972 Supreme Court ruling, our inquiry is at an end.

The Supreme Court has been short-handed and ideologically split since the death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia in February 2016. Gorsuch, his potential successor and a potential swing vote in the case, is an admirer of Scalia and shares his view that the Constitution must be interpreted according to a justices view of its original meaning, regardless of later developments.

Gorsuch isnt known to have ruled on any comparable cases in more than a decade as an appeals court judge. But he was a strong advocate of religious freedom in a case that endorsed the right of corporations and their owners to deny contraceptive coverage to female employees on religious grounds, a ruling later upheld by the Supreme Court.

On the other hand, Gorsuch shares Scalias advocacy of textualism, interpreting laws solely according to their written text and disregarding lawmakers statements of their intentions. That doctrine, if applied to this case, would appear to support the governments view that Trumps orders should stand on their own.

Even so, said David Levine, a law professor at UC Hastings in San Francisco, the high court is unlikely to go along with Trump. He said the president had hurt his own case on Wednesday by describing his revised order as watered-down, undercutting the governments position that it had been refined to meet court objections.

I doubt thered be five votes (on the nine-member court) for the position that (Trumps rationale) is completely unreviewable, Levine said. A reasonable, objective observer would have to know the motivation, which was to have a ban on Muslims.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
If they want to cut back on David Drees broccoli, its not going to happen without a fight.

I need this, said Drees, gazing as fondly as a man can gaze at a plastic tray of vegetables. I dont know what I would do without it.

Drees, 70, was sitting on the bed of his small Tenderloin hotel room at Mason and Eddy streets on Friday when the Meals on Wheels deliveryman came by with the weekends haul.

Drees is the former manager at the old Enricos nightclub in North Beach, but that was a few decades ago and fortunes change. His funds ran low and then he came down with a neurological disorder that obliges him to use a walker. He moved into the Ambassador Hotel  a bare bones, single room occupancy establishment. Meals on Wheels, he said, is his lifeline.

He was watching TV on Thursday when White House budget director Mick Mulvaney explained in Washington, D.C., that Meals on Wheels was one of the programs targeted to lose funding in President Trumps proposed budget. The program, Mulvaney said, is not showing any results and the government cant spend money on programs just because they sound good.

Drees said he felt his jaw drop. The results from Meals on Wheels, he said, were right there in his lap. Take a look, he said. Salmon, tandoori chicken, carrot salad, spinach and the St. Patricks Day special of corned beef. It will see him through the weekend. Hell eat everything, even the carrot salad, though he doesnt particularly like it and never has.

Meals on Wheels is under fire, he said, and everyone has to do his part.

Trump is hitting me where I live, Drees said. Hes hitting me in my broccoli. What kind of results does he want me to show? Im here. Is my survival that averse to them?

In a worst-case scenario, the San Francisco program could lose up to $3 million of its $14 million annual funding through federal cuts, Meals on Wheels spokesman Karl Robillard said. While such cuts would not doom the program, he said it would alter it.

Its going to get really ugly  well have to play a game of Survivor and start kicking people off the island, Robillard said.

Michael Macor/The Chronicle

Meanwhile, a few doors down the hall from Drees at the Ambassador, John Behenna, 66, got his weekend meal delivery, too.

Without this, Id have to go to St. Anthonys Dining Room and I cant really do that, he said, referring to a soup kitchen on Golden Gate Avenue. Im blind and I have diabetes. This program is not a waste. Without it, a lot of people would die and I could be one of them. Dont these people understand?

Drees and Behenna are two of the 3,600 clients served by Meals on Wheels in San Francisco, which last year delivered 1.7 million meals to seniors and others who cannot cook or otherwise feed themselves. The San Francisco organization is one of about 5,000 Meals on Wheels programs nationwide that could be hurt by a proposed 18 percent cut in the Health and Human Services budget and the proposed elimination of federal block grants.

Drees broccoli and the rest of his delivered meal had been prepared at the main Meals on Wheels kitchen in the citys Bayview district, where workers were stunned by the news coming out of Washington.

Everybodys going to need us some day, said Joyce Vaughn, who was loading apples, bread and cheese into lunch bags. Even budget directors. Hes a senior himself, she said of Mulveney.

Kitchen worker Armando Preciado said Mulveneys words were a stupid thing to say and that it reflects the complete ignorance of the new president.

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.

This is a program that actually works, he said.

A dozen workers were slicing and dicing, and loading the days meals into plastic trays on a conveyor belt. The trays, sealed in plastic wrap, looked like what airline passengers used to get before airlines decided that meals were expendable, too.

Of all the programs to single out, said food service director Andy Braun, shaking his head. Thats Trump for you.

The national Meals on Wheels program is a nonprofit organization that began in 1976, although several local branches started earlier. Its mission is to improve the health and quality of life so that no one is left hungry or isolated. Nationwide it serves 2.4 million clients.

The support for our program has been coming out of the woodwork since Thursday, said Dave Linnell, program officer for the San Francisco Meals on Wheels. People realize how important we are.

About half of the annual $14 million budget in San Francisco comes from private donations, including from clients, and half from government grants. The program spends 82 percent of that amount to pay for food and delivery. The rest pays for fundraising and for management salaries.

Any short-term savings could be insignificant compared to the long-term cost of letting people in need go hungry. Preparing and delivering the meals cost about $12 per person per day, according to Robillard. The cost of a days care in a nursing home  where many clients might otherwise end up  is about 25 times as much.

Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com
Sonoma County Sheriff's Office

A Windsor woman had her car sent spinning off the road and into a ditch when struck by her ex-boyfriends car on a Healdsburg-area road early Friday, officials said.

The 20-year-old woman and her 19-year-old boyfriend were driving from Santa Rosa when they noticed they were being followed by 22-year-old Daniel Galvez of Windsor, according to the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office.
Ladies and gentlemen, let us drink to history. Let us toast San Francisco as a drinking town, and let us celebrate the life and times of one of the citys oldest saloons.

That would be the Elixir, an establishment at 16th and Guerrero streets in the heart of the Mission, the oldest neighborhood in San Francisco. The Elixir first opened its doors  under another name  in 1858, which makes it the second-oldest bar in San Francisco, after the Old Ship on Pacific Avenue, which dates to 1851.

The Elixir got a taste of recognition this weekend, when the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, the drinking mans historical society, dedicated a bronze plaque noting its history and its role as a centerpiece of the neighborhood.

San Francisco was only two years removed from its vigilante days when Francis Daneal opened a barroom at what was the end of Mission Plank Road. The countryside around the crumbling Spanish-era Mission Dolores, just up the street, was mostly pasture.

Nothing is surer in San Francisco than change, and the Elixir has changed with the city. Its been a Wild West bar, an Irish working-mans place, a sailor bar, a shot-and-a-beer joint, a gay Latino hangout, a dingy dive, a beer bar with 63 brews on tap, and now its a cocktail saloon, light and airy inside with dark walls polished to a Victorian-era shine.

The specialty of the house is elaborate cocktails, and there are 23 complicated concoctions on the drink menu. They range from a Friar Serra Flip (genever, sherry, Cointreau, bitters, a whole egg, cinnamon with an orange flip) to the classics such as Singapore Sling, New York Sour and Pisco Punch.

In fact, H. Joseph Ehrmann, the 11th and current proprietor of the Elixir, was at the vanguard of the liquid revolution of a couple of years ago that transformed your uncles old neighborhood bar into a haven for the young and hip.

Ehrmann  everybody calls him H  believes the young like a touch of the old classics, and has the awards to prove it. The Elixir has been listed among the best bars in America by Esquire magazine and the 25 best cocktail bars in America by GQ magazine. GQ picked the Elixirs bloody as one of the 20 best cocktails in America, and in 2010 H himself was voted bartender of the year by Nightclub and Bar magazine.

I knew it wasnt because I was the best bartender in America, he once wrote, but I was quite possibly the best marketed bartender in America.

Thats H for you. He has a bachelors degree in English and an MBA. He worked in Silicon Valley, but on the side as a bartender and a cook. He knows the business. Hes drawn to it. He likes the people-oriented aspect of running a neighborhood establishment and the fun of the job.

I knew nothing better, he wrote once, and I enjoy nothing more.

But because were toasting history, you get a history lesson. After its humble beginnings and as the neighborhood changed, the bar changed with it. It was owned by a centurys worth of Irishmen, most notably Patrick McGinnis, Esq., who was a barkeep and a lawyer. At one point it sported a bootblack stand and a cigar counter.

It all went up in smoke in the fire that followed the 1906 earthquake. McGinnis rebuilt the bar on the ground floor of a three-story apartment building. During Prohibition, the place stayed open as a soft drink parlor. It began selling drinks legally again in 1933.

The establishment had various names. It was the Hunt-In Club from 1945 to 1965. By the 1980s, it was Swedes, where one saloon history noted the layers of cigarette smoke have colored the front window to the point where it is no longer transparent.

It was a-shot-and-a-beer place when I was drinking there. An old mans bar, said Jim Jarvis, who has been working on a book about San Francisco bars for more than 20 years.

Ehrmann saw it some years later when it was called Jacks Elixir, specializing in microbrews. It was a bit rundown, but it had a handsome old-fashioned back bar and a lot of potential. For H it was love at first sight. They didnt know what they had, he said. I knew it had a past.

Ehrmann saw a future, too, and made an offer. He cleaned it up and opened the place as the Elixir on Nov. 21, 2003.

But all San Francisco history is personal. H met his future wife, Angie, at the Elixir in 2005. So the Elixir comes with both history and a love story. Cant beat that.

Carl Nolte is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. His column appears every Sunday. Email: cnolte@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @carlnoltesf
James Patterson earned $95 million from his books last year.

Other authors made slightly less than that.

And so many reacted strongly to President Trumps proposal this week to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities  two endowments that have long supported writers and artists of all stripes, as well as cultural organizations.

Since 1967, the NEA has awarded individual grants, totaling $45 million, to more than 3,400 writers. Among the novels that have seen the light of day thanks to NEA grants are Jeffrey Eugenides Middlesex, Alice Walkers The Color Purple and William Kennedys Ironweed.

For perspective: the NEAs budget last year was $148 million  roughly .003 per cent of the federal budget.

Each literature fellowship is worth $25,000. That might not be much to someone like Patterson  who has donated millions of dollars to independent bookstores and literacy programs  but the money can change a writers life. Any number of authors who have received NEA grants will tell you as much. Six of them, all Bay Area writers, below share their thoughts on the news.

The National Endowment for the Arts provides essential services, not only to artists, but to the millions of people in this nation who are nourished daily by the artistic production the NEA makes possible. Just as the new Republican health care plan threatens the physical health of this nation, the proposal to eliminate the NEA exposes this administrations utter disregard for the nations cultural health and vitality, and is, quite simply, a disaster.

 Carolina De Robertis, author of the novels The Gods of Tango, Perla and The Invisible Mountain

One postage stamp of funding per person per year: a multiplying sustenance for jazz players and painters; playwrights and actors; novelists and translators; filmmakers and dance troupes; performance poets and page poets; scholars of the blues, of trains, of words scratched into the walls of Angel Island; cultural programs and centers in every state and of every kind. Art is not a luxury, and it is not dispensable. It is the oxygen of the mind, spirit, and heart, the work table on which new thought and feeling are hammered into being. The NEAs grants are often small, but they are seed beds of the possible, creating the kinds of futures that can only open when the not yet envisioned, not yet made, not yet discovered are invited in.

 Jane Hirshfield, author of eight poetry collections, including, most recently, The Beauty

My 2016 NEA fellowship was a godsend: it helped me finish a novel Id been working on for almost nine years, and provided a jolt of confidence I sorely needed. The NEA is a lifeline for artists and arts organizations. Are we really going to cut an institution that does so much for the arts, and for less than the cost of a single F-35 warplane?

 R.O. Kwon, author of the forthcoming novel Heroics

I still remember where I was when I heard that I had gotten an NEA fellowship (in the parking lot of a supermarket outside Palo Alto), and I still remember how I felt, that warm sense of relief and validation and permission to write. I dont know if I would have been able to finish my first book if it wasnt for the NEA. And it breaks my heart to think of all the novels and stories and poems that might not be written if our tiny arts agency is sacrificed to make way for a twenty-foot stretch of a useless and hateful wall.

 Michael David Lukas, author of the novel The Oracle of Stamboul

My NEA grant came at a time when I had published one book, was raising two small children, and wondered if I would ever write again. The grant not only allowed me to take time away from work to write that next book, but gave me encouragement that there were readers out there who wanted to hear what I would say. In addition to the way that the grant so generously bolsters individual writers, Ive been grateful to the NEA for as long as I can remember for allowing my favorite small publishers, theater companies and galleries to produce the work that has inspired and changed me as a writer and human.

 Rachel Richardson, author of the poetry collections Hundred-Year Wave and Copperhead

When I got the call about my NEA grant, I was sitting in the office of the homeless-youth organization where I worked. I was passionate about the organization, but I had a hard time surviving (let alone writing) in that situation, and had to juggle three other freelance jobs to pay rent. The NEA grant enabled me to leave my full-time job for a year, and just write. A week after leaving my job, I took a six-week residency at an arts colony. The first story I wrote there was about homelessness. It netted me $1,000, which I immediately donated to the organization where I used to work. The NEA made that gesture possible, too. Basically, this gift enabled me to stop writing nonprofit grants  which many qualified people can do well  and start writing about poverty in a way thats unique to what Ive witnessed, and that will hopefully change some hearts and minds.

 Suzanne Rivecca, author of the story collection Death Is Not an Option

John McMurtrie is The San Francisco Chronicles book editor. Email: jmcmurtrie@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @McMurtrieSF
Researchers and university leaders in the Bay Area, one of the nations premier hubs of scientific and medical research, are reeling in the wake of President Trumps proposal to cut federal funding to the governments primary agency for medical research by nearly a fifth.

Trumps preliminary budget, released Thursday, would cut federal funding to the National Institutes of Health by 18 percent, which would bring NIH funding levels to the lowest theyve been in 15 years. Currently, hundreds of millions of dollars of NIH grants go to Bay Area research universities to help fund studies on cancer, epilepsy and other diseases.

In fiscal year 2016, NIHs budget was $32.3 billion. The majority of that  $26.2 billion  goes to universities, medical schools and research institutions around the country in the form of grants and contracts. California universities and institutions received $3.7 billion in NIH funding last year, roughly 14 percent of the agencys grant and contract dollars.

UCSF was the nations second-highest recipient, behind Johns Hopkins University. UCSF received $578 million in NIH grants, which made up about 10 percent of the universitys budget.

Other top Bay Area recipients include Stanford, which received $427 million, and UC Berkeley, which received $126 million.

Trumps budget blueprint included this statement regarding the NIH cuts: The budget includes a major reorganization of NIHs institutes and centers to help focus resources on the highest priority research and training activities.  The budget also reduces administrative costs and re-balances federal contributions to research funding.

Cuts of the magnitude that Trump is proposing would reduce NIH-funded research at UC Berkeley by up to $25 million, a university spokesman said. That could curtail the ability of researchers like Iris Mauss, an associate professor of psychology at UC Berkeley, to continue or expand projects that are heavily backed by NIH funding.

A $250,000 NIH grant allowed Mauss and her colleagues to recruit 160 women from around the Bay Area to participate in a year-long study on how the body and mind respond to stressful situations and why some people regulate their emotional response to stress better than others. The ultimate aim of the study is to hone in on that ability and apply it to the larger population to reduce instances of depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, cardiovascular disease and other disorders that are linked to stress.

Funding cuts would have a dramatic negative effect on our ability to do this type of research, Mauss said.

At UCSF, more than 1,200 NIH grants help support hundreds of research projects, including a recent study on the genetic predictors of prostate cancer and the development of a potential treatment for a rare form of childhood epilepsy.

Officials at NIH, which is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., declined to comment on the presidents proposed cuts. Trumps preliminary budget contained few specifics about which NIH programs might be reduced, with the exception of proposing the elimination of the Fogarty International Center, the NIH center that has researched global health problems including HIV/AIDS, Ebola and polio.

A spokesperson for the Office of Management and Budget did not respond to a request for comment.

The proposed budget is expected to face opposition from members of both parties in Congress, which ultimately decides how federal funds are spent.

Still, for many in the scientific community, it sent a disturbing message that the White House is not committed to the advancement of scientific research. Throughout the course of his presidential campaign, Trump questioned the validity of climate change science and the safety of vaccines. Since taking office in January, he has taken steps to dramatically scale back the size of the Environmental Protection Agency and eliminate or reduce many climate-change programs.

Anything approaching a cut like that, there couldnt be a worse time for that, said Keith Yamamoto, vice chancellor for science policy and strategy at UCSF. The opportunities for moving forward and connecting research with real application that changes the health and well-being of citizens ... Congress has recognized that with the passage of (the 21st Century Cures Act).

Both houses want to increase the NIH budget. The disconnect in the presidents budget from those recognized opportunities is staggering.

The 21st Century Cures Act was one of the few pieces of legislation passed by Congress last year that received bipartisan support. It increased NIH funding by $4.8 billion over the next 10 years, though that money must be appropriated by Congress each year.

Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: Cat__Ho

Top California recipients of

NIH grants, 2016

UCSF $578 million

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

Stanford $427 million

UC San Diego $401 million

UCLA $381 million

Scripps Res. Inst. $214 million

USC $212 million

UC Davis $200 million

UC Berkeley $126 million

UC Irvine $112 million

Caltech $63 million
The robo-advice wars heated up again last week, as T. Rowe Price began marketing its first digital-investment offering, and Charles Schwab released Intelligent Advisory, a human-assisted version of its original robo service called Intelligent Portfolios.

Robo advice is evolving rapidly, but the basic product is a low-cost, semi-customized portfolio meant for mass affluent investors with $100,000 to $1 million in assets. Clients typically go online, answer a handful of questions about their age, assets, income and risk tolerance and get a highly diversified portfolio of regular or exchange-traded mutual funds.

Thanks to technology, this self-driving portfolio is automatically rebalanced to maintain the clients desired mix of stocks, bonds and other asset classes. Some robos offer automatic tax-loss harvesting for taxable accounts, which involves selling losing positions to generate losses that can be used against taxable gains.

Tech-oriented startups such as Redwood Citys Wealthfront and New Yorks Betterment pioneered the concept. Soon after, large mutual fund companies crashed the party. Some critics say they are using robo advice as a loss leader to distribute their own funds, which are used predominantly, sometimes exclusively, in the portfolios.

Schwab started Intelligent Portfolios two years ago. By the end of last year, it had $12.3 billion in assets, ranking second to Vanguards human-robo hybrid called Personal Advisor Services, which had $52 billion in assets. Vanguards service, and Personal Capital, based in San Carlos, offered access to a live adviser from the start. Betterment added a human option in late January; now Schwab is following suit.

Schwab Intelligent Advisory has 30 certified financial planners in Phoenix, Denver and Indianapolis who meet clients by phone or video chat. Each is a salaried employee with 11 years of experience, on average. All use the same planning software, to drive consistency in advice, said Tobin McDaniel, president of Schwab Wealth Investment Advisory.

Clients can talk to a planner once a year, or a little more often if needs arise. If someone wanted to talk monthly, we would probably say this is not the right product for them, McDaniel said.

Clients start by filling out an online questionnaire, but it is more detailed than a typical robo Q&A. It gathers information on current assets and delves into questions about retirement, college funding needs and even major purchases, such as a car.

This generates a plan and a portfolio the client can review with a human adviser. Clients can access their digital plan at any time to make adjustments and see how they are progressing toward their financial goals, McDaniel said.

Schwab planners can answer questions such as when to take Social Security or whether to open a regular or Roth IRA. Questions about estate plans and whether to rent or buy a home they can talk about at the highest level, McDaniel said. Specific questions about employee stock options would probably be referred to a Schwab equity compensation expert.

Clients can add assets they hold outside the robo account to their digital dashboard, and advisers will consider them as part of the overall plan, but we wouldnt give advice on the outside accounts, McDaniel said.

Schwabs original robo, Intelligent Portfolios, requires a minimum investment of $5,000 ($50,000 for tax-loss harvesting). There is no fee other than the expense of the underlying funds.

Intelligent Advisory requires a $25,000 minimum and has an annual advisory fee of 0.28 percent of assets, with a quarterly maximum of $900. On a $100,000 portfolio, thats $280 per year, plus underlying fund expenses.

Traditional investment advisers typically charge their smallest clients an annual fee of around 1 percent of assets under management.

Both Schwab services assemble portfolios from the same group of 53 exchange traded funds. About 60 percent of assets are in Schwab funds, on which Schwab earns the underlying fund fee. The annual fee on all 53 funds ranges from 0.03 to 0.65 percent of assets, but the average, weighted by total assets, is 0.16 percent, Schwab says.

Each client portfolio holds 6 to 29 percent of assets in cash; the average is around 10 percent. Schwab can also earn money on this cash because its held in Schwab Bank. Many robo competitors have little or no cash in their client portfolios.

In a paper, Schwab defends cash, saying it provides stability, downside protection and diversification.

Vanguard holds no cash in its Personal Advisor Service portfolios, unless the client insists. We dont consider cash to be a strategic allocation, Vanguard spokeswoman Emily Farrell said.

Vanguards service requires a minimum of $50,000 and charges 0.3 percent in annual fees, plus fund expenses. The service has 450 advisers, all Vanguard employees. Most are certified financial planners or working toward that designation.

Vanguard will factor outside accounts into the plan and develop an asset allocation around them. Any cash brought into the account is invested in Vanguard index funds, with a weighted average expense ratio of 0.1 percent, Farrell said. There is no limit on how often a client can consult an adviser, she added.

Michael Kitces, an independent investment adviser in Columbia, Md., said that what Vanguard and now Schwab are doing is not new and should not be labeled robo.

Having (certified financial planners) that implement standardized model portfolios for clients using technology to automate the process isnt unique or a robo phenomenon, he said in email. Independent advisers have been doing this for more than 10 years.

What made the (original) robos unique was the lack of an advisor altogether, Kitces said. Except now one robo after another is realizing that doesnt work very well, and thus theyre adding humans.

T. Rowe Prices new offering, Active Plus Portfolios, is more of a pure robo. The minimum investment is $50,000 and there is no fee other than underlying fund fees. Portfolios will have up to 14 actively managed T. Rowe Price funds with annual expenses ranging from 0.61 to 0.82 percent.

It is available only for individual retirement accounts, although we have plans to launch a taxable version, said Tom Kazmierczak, the firms head of advisory services. Clients can talk to customer service agents, but there are no financial planners available.

Kitces says independent advisers are underestimating the competitive threat posed by Vanguard, Schwab and other giant companies. In his blog, Nerds Eye View, he says they can compete aggressively on price and utilize their massive marketing budgets and already-nationally-recognized brands to rapidly scale their marketing and drive growth even faster.

Schwab, which has a large business providing services to independent advisers, has not heard a lot from them on the new product, McDaniel said. Its not their market.

But its not really clear who the market will be. Two or three years ago, everyone thought only Millennials would want robo advice, McDaniel said. But Intelligent Portfolios clients are split about evenly among Millennials, GenXers and Baby Boomers. Half are over 50, he said.
DECATUR  President Donald Trumps proposed budget is raising alarms among community officials charged with neighborhood revitalization and housing for low-income residents.

The proposed $1.15 trillion budget, released this week, would slash funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development by 13 percent. That includes the elimination of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, a $3 billion effort that funds local improvement initiatives.

The proposed budget says the block grant program "is not well-targeted to the poorest populations and has not demonstrated results."

For Decatur, the CDBG and related HOME Investment Partnership funds totaled more than $1.5 million this year, distributed by the city of Decatur toward programs aimed at strengthening neighborhoods.

Its upsetting, said Sue Lawson, president of the Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations. I cant believe Trump is trying to nix all that.

Obviously he doesnt know the good in some of these areas.

The money pays for a variety of programs to help low- to moderate-income residents, including emergency repairs for those who, for instance, lacked a furnace in the winter, said Richelle Irons, director of neighborhood services for the city of Decatur.

We dont want to see people heating their homes in the winter with gas stoves and running power cords from other peoples houses to heat because thats a dangerous situation, she said.

The city has also used the money to offer a residential rehabilitation program for needs such as a new roof or energy efficiency upgrades. A lottery system determines who receives the help, with more than 400 people applying last year for funding that could cover about 10 to 15 homes.

In the past, the city has used the block grant money to demolish houses that were deemed unsafe and provide education and workforce training to help residents get jobs. This year, plans include assistance for first-time home buyers and replacement of dilapidated sidewalks.

In addition, the money pays for the salaries of half of the citys four code enforcement officers, Irons said.

Lawson, who works closely with residents across the city who are active in their neighborhoods, said the federally funded programs have helped keep up homes that might otherwise deteriorate beyond saving.

Its going to be more (houses) that could end up on the demolition list, lets put it that way, because of people who are barely making it to stay in the house to begin with, she said.

Jim Alpi, executive director of the Decatur Housing Authority, said its unclear exactly how the cuts will shake out for the local agency, which provides public housing and also offers assistance to roughly 1,100 families through Section 8 vouchers.

He wasnt optimistic, saying staffing has already been cut to the bone because of other cuts in recent years.

Its pretty clear that the trend is going to be draconian cuts here, and it just depends on how they spread them out. Its certainly going to hurt Decatur, Alpi said. The people that will be impacted are the elderly, the disabled and children.

The possibility of limited federal money comes at a time when the city had recently reorganized staff, uniting neighborhood services and building and planning in one department.

Irons said the move would allow for a strengthened focus on economic development and neighborhood revitalization.

We know now that were going to have to really be creative in how we utilize that funding, she said.
Antioch police shot a man after he drove into their patrol car while attempting to flee the scene of gunfire, officials said as they investigated the latest in a rash of officer-involved shootings in the Bay Area in the past week  including three that were fatal.

Officers in Antioch responded to reports of gunfire about 11:15 p.m. Thursday in the 2000 block of Mokelumne Drive, a residential neighborhood.

Upon arrival, officers tracked down a vehicle suspected of being involved in the shooting, in which no one was reported injured. The driver of the car immediately fled when police attempted to stop him.

Officers chased the driver to Wawona Court, a cul-de-sac almost half a mile away from the shooting. The driver was cornered in the cul-de-sac and attempted to escape by ramming into the police vehicle, prompting the officers to shoot him, police said.

The man, who was not immediately identified, was taken to a nearby hospital and was listed in stable condition, officials said.

A firearm was found in the mans car, police said.

No officers were injured.

It was the fourth officer-involved shooting in the Bay Area over the past seven days.

Police in Napa shot and killed a knife-wielding man Monday in the parking lot of a busy shopping center. Witnesses said the man was lunging at cars before two officers arrived and opened fire, officials said.

Both officers, who were not immediately identified, fired multiple times. Following standard protocol for investigations of officer-involved shootings, they were placed on administrative leave.

A 16-year-old girl, who was in her first trimester of pregnancy, was fatally shot by Fremont detectives in Hayward on Tuesday when they opened fire on a stolen car she was riding in that officials said rammed the officers vehicle. The driver, who had fled the scene, was taken into custody in San Francisco on Wednesday night on an outstanding warrant for multiple robbery charges, police said.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Police officials have not yet released the names of the detectives involved in the shooting.

On March 10, police killed a man in Santa Clara after his parents called 911 to report that he was acting erratically. Police confronted the man, who reportedly had a weapon, at an overpass near his familys home.

Officer Colin Stewart, a 13-year veteran law enforcement officer, shot him in fear of his safety when the man refused to show his hands and started to advance toward Stewart, police officials said. Police did not find a weapon on him, but a bloody knife was found on the trail on which he was running, officials said.

Anyone with information on the Antioch shooting can contact the Police Department at (925) 779-6988.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
A 17-year-old boy was shot on a South Bay highway Thursday night, the latest in an increasingly troubling series of similar incidents that authorities are having a tough time solving.

A teenager was wounded in San Jose on Highway 101 near Story Road just before 7 p.m. in a shooting that, like many of the others, was suspected to be targeted and gang-related, according to the California Highway Patrol. The victim was taken to the hospital.

No arrests were made in the case, and CHP officials were seeking two suspects.

At a news conference Friday, authorities outlined what theyre doing about the spate of shootings  which have been steadily on the rise since at least November 2015.

There have been 19 shootings on highways across the Bay Area in 2017 alone, a number on pace to exceed the 55 recorded throughout 2016, said Chief Paul Fontana of the CHPs Golden Gate division.

The level of violence on our freeways and highways is unacceptable, Fontana said. People need to feel safe.

In Contra Costa County, where the bulk of the shootings occur, District Attorney Mark Peterson said seven of the 19 Bay Area freeway shootings this year have happened there, leaving three wounded and two dead.

There have been some signs of progress. On Friday morning, a suspect from a May 2016 shooting on Interstate 580 in Richmond was arrested, Fontana said.

Since November 2015, 17 suspects have been arrested in Bay Area freeway shootings, Fontana said. In Contra Costa County, there were 36 shootings over the same period, injuring 21 and killing eight, Peterson said.

Officials hope that cameras installed along highway, either with license-plate reading technology or without, will help them make arrests. But in Pittsburg, which posted cameras along Highway 4, police have not notched any arrests because of them, said Officer John Fransen, a spokesman for the CHPs Golden Gate Division.

Still, officials would like to look into installing more cameras on highways, Peterson said, but dont have the money. Installing additional cameras along Highway 4 would cost $800,000, he said, adding that funding from his office and other local agencies came up hundreds of thousands of dollars short.

Peterson also said prosecutors were looking into charging as adults two juveniles arrested in the fatal March 9 shooting on Interstate 80 of 24-year-old Pinole resident Demarcus Doss. A third adult suspect was also arrested and charged in the crime.

Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: michael_bodley
San Franciscos top legal officials joined the chief justice of the California Supreme Court in calling for federal immigration agents to refrain from stalking courthouses and arresting people who are in the country illegally.

City Attorney Dennis Herrera, District Attorney George Gascon and Public Defender Jeff Adachi released a statement Friday saying such arrests could jeopardize public safety. They were responding to reports of arrests at courthouses in Southern California, Oregon, Arizona and Texas, among other places.

The work of our courts is critical to ensuring public safety and the efficient administration of justice, the statement said. Enforcement policies that drive victims away from the courthouses  whether they be victims of crime or unfair labor practices  undermine the administration of justice.

Officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement defended the arrests, saying they are undertaken only after investigating officers have exhausted other options.

The agency noted that many people apprehended at courthouses have criminal records and are increasingly not being turned over for deportation by local authorities. In San Francisco, sanctuary city laws prevent such cooperation.

On Thursday, Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye wrote to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly and said that she was concerned about reports from the states trial courts that federal agents appeared to be stalking unauthorized immigrants to make arrests.

Courthouses should not be used as bait in the necessary enforcement of our countrys immigration laws, Cantil-Sakauye wrote. I respectfully request that you refrain from this sort of enforcement in California's courthouses.

The pointed statements come as President Trump has called for more extensive immigration enforcement  and as nearly everyone who is undocumented has become a priority for deportation under new policies.

James Schwab, a spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, noted that it was safer for agents to make arrests inside courthouses because visitors are searched for weapons when they enter. He said decisions on arrests are made on a case-by-case basis, with agents taking into account factors that include a targets criminal history and whether agents have solid leads on the persons whereabouts.

Now that many law enforcement agencies no longer honor (immigration) detainers, these individuals, who often have significant criminal histories, are released onto the street, presenting a potential public safety threat, he said.

In the Bay Area, officials at the Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, San Francisco and Alameda County superior courts said they were unaware of any such arrests being made recently in their courthouses.

Court officials were supportive of Cantil-Sakauyes letter.

The court shares the chief justices concerns and commend her for taking a strong stand on behalf of all Californians who rely on access to justice in our state courthouses, said Ann Donlan, a spokeswoman for San Francisco Superior Court. The S.F. bench will discuss potential (immigration) enforcement in San Francisco courthouses to determine what policy, if any, to adopt in response to the issue.

Hamed Aleaziz is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: haleaziz@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @haleaziz
It felt like I spent as much time in the car as I did at the table this week.

It took three hours to get to the Restaurant at Meadowood on Tuesday. I also went to Single Thread in Healdsburg, but it wasn't nearly as difficult to get there on the weekend, although that hasn't always been the case.
Thirty years ago, AIDS was a national nightmare  a plague killing thousands every year, sparking panic and paranoia.

It was in that climate that California enacted criminal laws to target people with HIV who were believed to be putting others at risk of infection. That those laws exist today is testament to how deeply embedded the public stigma of HIV and AIDS remains, even as the tide of the epidemic has shifted dramatically, say public health experts and patient advocates.

The laws, they say, are unnecessary as well as dehumanizing for the tens of thousands of people with HIV, many of whom are able to manage their disease now and pose virtually no risk to others.

The world has changed for someone living with HIV since these laws were enacted, said Dr. Edward Machtinger, director of the Womens HIV Program at UCSF. Now these laws just institutionalize misinformation and discrimination. Its the very embodiment of stigma, codified into law.

Last month, state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, and Assemblyman Todd Gloria, D-San Diego, introduced a bill that would revise or do away with laws that focus on people with HIV. The legislation has not yet drawn any formal opposition, Wiener said, and law enforcement agencies have not weighed in.

The bill takes aim at three California laws directed at people with HIV. The legislation would not change a fourth law that adds a three-year sentencing enhancement in cases of sexual assault where the perpetrator is HIV-positive.

The three are felonies punishable by imprisonment of 16 months to eight years: engaging in prostitution while HIV-positive, having consensual sex with the intent to transmit HIV, and donating blood, tissue, semen, breast milk or organs when knowingly HIV-positive.

Nationwide, similar laws exist in 33 states, though in some of those states theyre even tougher. In 11 states, biting, spitting or throwing bodily fluids when HIV-positive is a crime, even though its considered impossible to infect someone with those actions.

Over the past five years, advocates have intensified efforts to peel back these laws, and theyve been successful so far in Colorado and Iowa. In 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice recommended that states eliminate HIV-specific criminal codes with two possible exceptions: in sexual assaults and in cases where the suspect is actively trying to infect others.

While the California laws were tailored to prevent harm, patient rights advocates say the landscape has changed. The rules were drawn up at a time when HIV was almost always deadly, so potentially putting someone else at risk was seen as akin to attempted murder.

But HIV isnt a death sentence anymore, and researchers have learned it isnt nearly as transmissible as once believed. For example, engaging in the riskiest behavior  receiving anal sex without using a condom or any prevention drugs  will lead to infection about 1 percent of the time.

Moreover, people who are on antiretroviral drugs, and for whom HIV is undetectable in their blood, have close to a zero chance of passing on the virus.

These laws were passed at the height of the AIDS epidemic, when there was enormous fear and misinformation, Wiener said. But its time to take a science-based approach to HIV, not a fear-based approach. Theres no reason why HIV should be treated differently than other infectious diseases.

HIV-specific laws took hold across the United States in the late 1980s and through the 1990s. In California, the first proposals  like Proposition 64  were far more extreme than what ended up on the books.

Promoted by a group that called itself Panic, for Prevent AIDS Now Initiative Committee, Prop. 64 would have made people with HIV or AIDS ineligible for jobs in schools or kitchens. A prominent supporter, political extremist Lyndon LaRouche, compared anyone with AIDS to a person with a machine gun running around.

California voters soundly defeated the bill in 1986, but fear of AIDS remained widespread. Stories of men with HIV having sex in a bid to infect others were sensationalized in the media, despite being rare. One infamous example  that of the so-called Patient Zero , who was believed to have kicked off the American epidemic by purposely infecting others  was debunked just last year .

These laws are based upon an incredibly inflated mythology: that there is a large number of people who are intentionally transmitting HIV to others. Its just not true, Machtinger said.

Machtinger, who has spoken out on radio shows against the laws, said hes heard concerns that revising or revoking them will allow people who purposely infect others to go unpunished. Those people, he said, can be prosecuted for other crimes that punish people for purposely transmitting other infectious diseases such as syphilis.

Another driver of the movement against the laws is the assertion that theyve consistently and unfairly targeted vulnerable and disenfranchised people, in particular sex workers. Data compiled by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law show that of roughly 1,200 HIV-related criminal cases recorded from 1988 to 2014 in California, more than 93 percent fell under the prostitution law.

Only 33 cases involved exposure with the intent to transmit HIV, while an additional 35 targeted people with HIV who commit sexual assault. Not a single person was arrested for donating blood or other human cell or tissue products.

That means, advocates say, that the laws are chiefly used to turn prostitution charges, which are misdemeanors, into felonies  leading to harsher sentences and potential long-term consequences like problems finding jobs and getting access to services.

In one 2012 California case, a man who was picked up for prostitution ended up facing deportation because he was HIV-positive and therefore charged with a felony, said Scott Schoettes, the HIV project director for Lambda Legal, a national LGBT organization.

What made the case striking, Schoettes said, was that the man never engaged in sex. He was arrested for soliciting an undercover police officer, and the only act they discussed was oral sex, which is extremely unlikely to result in HIV transmission.

He spent 16 months in jail because of this felony conviction, Schoettes said. Eventually, he said, the immigration court halted his deportation. We made it clear to the court just how very low the risk was from oral sex. It didnt make sense to classify this as a serious crime.

The laws are especially insidious, opponents say, because they promote misinformation and reinforce stigma around HIV and AIDS. People who have the disease say the laws are degrading and stoke their own fears of disclosure  that if they tell someone they have HIV, that information can be used against them.

Naina Khanna, executive director of Oaklands Positive Womens Network, a national advocacy group for women with HIV, said shes heard of women in abusive relationships whose partners threatened to go to police and claim that theyd lied about being HIV-positive. Shes talked to women who were afraid of losing their children, jobs, housing or other services if their status was revealed.

The threat alone, Khanna said, caused significant anxiety and prevented many women from seeking support.

According to some public health experts, this is a critical danger of the laws: They may keep people from seeking out treatment or from being tested for HIV at all. Treatment can not only save their lives but prevent them from passing the virus to others.

A San Francisco woman who worked as a prostitute in the Tenderloin in the 1980s said the laws had made her reluctant to disclose her HIV status, even to friends and family, and to seek health care.

The laws were demoralizing, making her feel isolated and unworthy of compassion, said Wanda, who asked that her last name not be used because some members of her family dont know about her past.

You felt like a leper, like you cant be in society, she said. It was like you were no longer human.

Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday
Priscilla Chan was just a few years into marriage when she and her husband decided it was time to fulfill a promise theyd made together, quietly, long ago  to build a multibillion-dollar philanthropy serving children and families.

Chan was newly pregnant and not long out of her pediatric residency at San Francisco General Hospital. Her husband, Mark Zuckerberg, was busy running Facebook.

It was like, Mark, its not good timing to launch something, with a newborn, Chan said with a laugh.

But they were young and eager, and the prospect of starting a family was propelling them with new urgency.

So, a year and a half ago, they founded the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a philanthropy focused on science and education that they will fund with 99 percent of their Facebook shares over their lifetimes.

The initiatives first major goal, to which the couple has committed $3 billion over 10 years, is a grand one: to cure, treat or prevent all human diseases within their daughters lifetime.

Chan is also chief executive officer of a separate project called the Primary School, an experiment in bringing together health care and education under one roof.

And she remains a practicing pediatrician at San Francisco General  in a building that now officially bears her name, due to a $75 million donation: the Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.

For her philanthropic work, Chan was nominated for a 2017 Visionary of the Year award, sponsored by The Chronicle and the School of Economics and Business Administration at St. Marys College.

Chan, 32, admits she is probably naive to be setting out on this kind of work. But its going to take decades  a lifetime, even  and a lot of failures mingled with successes to make the world a better place for their daughter and her generation.

Baby Max is 15 months old now, and Chan and Zuckerberg have another daughter due this fall. Becoming a mother has only intensified her drive, Chan said.

It feels very urgent and personal, not only because of my daughter, but because of how universal that must feel. After Max, I feel so deeply for all these families and children, Chan said, tearing up  later, chuckling, she admitted shes a crier  Its very raw for me.

Sitting in a nondescript conference room at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiatives Palo Alto headquarters, Chan doesnt come across as Silicon Valley royalty. Shes dressed casually, in slacks and a comfortable sweater, her hair pulled into a ponytail.

And though shes had five years to adjust to the kind of offbeat celebrity that comes from being married to Zuckerberg, shes a private person by nature. Shes uninterested in the spotlight, even as she accepts that it could help draw attention to her work.

After graduating from Harvard, where she met Zuckerberg while they were undergraduates, Chan briefly was a science teacher before shifting to medicine in 2008. Recently shes had to scale way back on her pediatric work to focus on the initiative and The Primary School.

As a teacher and a doctor, Chan found herself running into one barrier after another that prevented her from fully serving her students and patients. Health problems kept kids from doing well in her classroom, but later, as a doctor, Chan could do only so much to help them outside her exam room.

Now, by virtue of her wealth and experience, she believes she can put major resources behind programs that could overcome some of those barriers.

To call the Chan Zuckerberg Initiatives goal to cure all diseases ambitious would be an understatement, and when the couple announced their plan in September, they were met with both awe and mild mockery  surely they were overreaching, some said.

But Chan stands by the goal. The initiative alone wont cure all diseases, she notes. The idea is more about creating a mind-set  about lifting all boats, she said.

The way I understand it, this is a challenge for all of us as humans, said Brian Pinkerton, chief technology officer with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Bringing a huge amount of resources personally to the project, thats just step one. Step two: How do you inspire the world to solve these problems with them?

One of the first major grantees of the initiative is the Biohub, an independent research center based in San Franciscos Mission Bay neighborhood that connects scientists from Stanford, UCSF and UC Berkeley who are working on high-risk, high-reward research. The Biohub has provided grants to 47 scientists so far.

The Biohub also has its own research projects, including one focused on global infectious disease control and another called the Cell Atlas, which involves mapping all the cells in the human body.

The pressing problems are incredibly clear to Priscilla, who has been knee-deep in it, said Joseph DeRisi, a UCSF biochemist who, along with Stanford bioengineer Stephen Quake, runs the Biohub. That gives her a unique perspective, and it provides the kind of juice, the electricity, the energy to do something about it.

The bulk of Chans week is spent at the initiatives offices, where she has overseen everything from hiring to quarterly planning and budgeting. She also helped design the layout of the work space and assigned desks. Probably not the best use of my time, she said with a smile, but it was important to me, and someone had to do it.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

A day or two are also spent at The Primary School, in East Palo Alto, where the first three kindergarten classes started last fall. The school has a partnership with a community health clinic, and teachers and doctors are in regular communication about students needs.

The Primary School is clearly Chans pet project. She enjoys getting to nerd out and learn from the scientists involved with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Chan said. But her personal experiences  as a doctor and teacher, and as a student  make the school dear to her, she said.

Chan grew up outside Boston, the eldest of three daughters of Chinese refugees who fled Vietnam. Her parents encouraged her to do well in school, and it was understood shed go to college. But she was the first in her family to go, and she relied on teachers and other mentors to help her succeed where her parents could not.

It was only after she got to Harvard that she realized her family had been poor, and that shed lacked many of the opportunities afforded her more privileged peers. When she signed up to volunteer to tutor kids in poorer neighborhoods near the university, she saw that shed been one of those kids.

Im here because I got lucky, Chan said. She doesnt want the next generation of children  Max and her sister, and the kids they grow up with  to need luck.

Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday

Visionary of the Year award

This is one of six profiles of nominees for The Chronicles third annual Visionary of the Year award, which is presented in collaboration with St. Marys Colleges School of Economics and Business Administration and City National Bank. The honor salutes leaders who strive to make the world a better place and drive social and economic change by employing new, innovative business models and practices. The six finalists were nominated by a distinguished committee that included Chase Adam, co-founder of the nonprofit Watsi and winner of the 2016 award; Greg Becker, president and CEO of Silicon Valley Bank; Emmett Carson, founding CEO of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation; Ron Conway, angel investor and philanthropist; Zhan Li, dean of the School of Economics and Business Administration at St. Mary's College; Libby Schaaf, mayor of Oakland; Jennifer Siebel Newsom, a documentary filmmaker; and Michael Walker, executive vice president and regional executive of City National Bank.

Chronicle Publisher Jeff Johnson, Editor in Chief Audrey Cooper and Editorial Page Editor John Diaz will select the winner, which will be announced during a March 30 event.

To read more, go to www.sfchronicle.com/visionsf
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Official online White House newsletter, 1600 Daily, accidentally spread some of its own fake news Friday.

Friday's briefing detailed President Trump's Friends of Ireland brunch, his meeting with the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, and other odds and ends, but notably included a couple links to political news reports about the administration's recent actions  or so the briefing author thought.

One, from Politico, was about remarks made at President Trump's St. Patrick's Day reception with the Irish prime minister on Thursday.

However, the other, which bore the title, "Trump's budget makes perfect sense and will fix America, and I will tell you why," was not actually an op-ed in favor of the president's new budget plan as the headline suggests, but rather, a satirical piece by Washington Post columnist Alexandra Petri for her ComPost column.

Although Petri's article does include factual information about which government-funded programs Trump's budget plan would cut, it also offers satirical humorous commentary that ostensibly aims to suggest that some of these programs should maybe not be on the chopping block.

More for you Trump offers no apology for claim on British spying

For example, Petri lists the National Endowment of the Arts as one of the programs being cut. The money that formerly funded the program, she explains, would now go towards "an armored helicopter with a shark painted on it."

In fact, Petri's article, by her own description is "composed almost entirely of onomatopoeic noises (PEW PEW! GRRRRRRRR!) typed out in all caps"  certainly not something to be taken at face value.

Nevertheless, that's exactly what happened when the author of the 1600 Daily tacked on the link to Petri's post to Friday's public briefing.

"I honestly thought that, no matter the headline, there was no way that anyone could think this piece was anything other than me yelling at the budget for a number of paragraphs  the last words were 'RAW POWER! HARD RAW POWER GRRRRRR HISSS POW!' she explains in the follow-up article for the Post. "This is 2017 in a nutshell: You start with what you think is obviously a joke, and then a few days later it is being sent out from the White House."

The article link has since been removed from Friday's 1600 Daily briefing.
A man jumped over a bicycle rack in front of the White House on Saturday, briefly putting the complex into an escalated security posture, two law enforcement officials told CNN.

The man, who never made it to the White House fence, was carrying a document he wanted to deliver to the White House and did not have a weapon, a law enforcement source said.

He was arrested within two minutes after making it over the bike rack, a law enforcement source said. The man is being questioned, and the vehicle authorities believe he was driving is being searched, law enforcement sources said.

The man jumped over the bike rack on Pennsylvania Avenue at a little before 1 p.m. "in an apparent attempt to get to the White House fence" and was arrested by Secret Service officers, the agency said in a statement. Criminal charges are pending, it said.

President Donald Trump was not at the residence, having traveled to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, for the weekend.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer praised the Secret Service Saturday for their handling of the situation.

"Individual jumped bike rack on Pennsylvania Ave, not @WhiteHouse fence. Great response by @SecretService," he tweeted.

The arrest Saturday comes on the heels of an incident March 11 in which an intruder carrying a backpack with mace and a letter for the President jumped the White House fence and was able to stay on the grounds for more than 15 minutes. Trump was inside the residence at the time.

The 26-year-old California man, who a family member said is mentally ill, jumped multiple fences at the complex and set off several alarms before he was discovered just steps from a main door to the mansion.

House Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Friday that the intruder even managed to rattle a door handle at the South Portico entrance, although he did not make it inside.

"That's why we spend billions of dollars on personnel and dogs and technologies and fences and undercover people and video surveillance," the Utah Republican said. "And yet the person is able to get up close to the White House and spend 17 minutes before he's apprehended. That's unbelievable."

Chaffetz has notified the Secret Service that his committee is investigating the March 11 incident.

A law enforcement source said the security process on Saturday worked the way it was supposed to, with the man who jumped the bike rack being apprehended quickly.

The security posture at the White House has returned to normal, the sources said.
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In his February address to a joint session of Congress, President Trump suggested the U.S. change its immigration policy from one based on family reunification to one based on merit, similar to the points system used in Canada and Australia.

Here are four views on how the U.S. immigration system works now and what a transition to merit might mean for our nation.

Rebecca Blackwell/Associated Press

It is about America First  making America white again

By Leti Volpp

In his call for the U.S. to change its policy of immigrant admission to a merit-based system, President Trump alleged that the current system of lower-skilled immigration costs Americas taxpayers many billions of dollars a year  an allegation that has been refuted. But what else lurks behind the call to shift away from our system prioritizing family reunification?

Racial demographics. Evidence for this is borne out both in statistics and in the statements of Trumps advisers.

Our system of admission of lawful permanent residents was created in 1965, when Congress ended the nakedly racist era of national origins quotas. The 1924 Johnson-Reed Act had limited how many immigrants were admitted and restricted which ones could enter, in order to replicate the founding stock of the early American nation. The 1965 Immigration Act enacted a system of formally equal per-country quotas, while simultaneously establishing how many visas could be granted on the basis of family reunification or occupational skills.

Typically, the United States admits about 1 million people per year as lawful permanent residents. allocating 64 percent of visas for family reunification and 14 percent for job-based preferences. Remaining visas are allocated to refugees, and other programs.

A merit-based system, which selects immigrants solely according to their human capital, would reduce visas allocated because of family ties, or human need. It would also dramatically alter the national origins of who is admitted to the U.S.

A look at the 2015 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics is illuminating. Of Mexicans who obtained lawful permanent resident status that year, 6,523 were admitted for employment preferences; 139,090 were admitted for family reunification. Of Canadians, 9,655 were admitted for employment preferences; 9,103 were admitted for family reunification.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, in a 2015 interview, praised the 1924 Johnson-Reed Act on this basis: It slowed down immigration significantly, we then assimilated through the 1965 and created really the solid middle class of America, with assimilated immigrants, and it was good for America. Republican Sens. Tom Cotton and David Perdue have introduced the RAISE Act, which would halve the number of lawful permanent residents admitted, through restricting family reunification. They report that Trump likes their plan. The push for a merit-based system cannot be understood as merely an economic question, decoupled from the administrations other attacks on immigrants. It is about America First  a nativist project of making America white again.

 Leti Volpp is a professor at UC Berkeley School of Law.

Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Culinary innovations come from the creative minds of immigrants

By Caleb Zigas

We are what we eat. In America, we are spaghetti and meatballs, carne asada tacos, ramen, and corn bread and collard greens. The culinary innovations sweeping our nation  from food trucks to pop-up restaurants to new delivery services  often come from the creative minds (and kitchens) of immigrants. Immigrants create pathways to success through opportunities they make for themselves. I see the results every day in our food.

As Congress and the president push to close our borders and continue to deport millions, we must think about not just the politics but also the benefits of diversity. To stifle immigration is to stifle innovation.

Immigration quiz Take our quiz: Test your knowledge of U.S. immigration policy. 1. What is the difference between someone seeking asylum and a refugee? 2. What is the most common way to immigrate to the U.S.? 3. Can having a baby on American soil give a parent residential status? 4. What percentage of people pass the green card test? 5. How many people living in this country are unauthorized immigrants? 6. How does one become a citizen? 7. Do people know why they are denied citizenship? 8. Are H-1B visa holders considered immigrants? - By Spencer Whitney, assistant editorial page editor See More Collapse

Yes, our immigration system is faulty and stagnant, operating on outdated laws. Immigrants face significant barriers to entry in the American marketplace, but an immigration system that falsely assigns merit as a basis of entry is one designed to fail immigrants and America as well.

Weve built our American identity around a core value that considers all those who would leave home, flee or aspire would see this land as their land, too. And so they bring their recipes, their hopes and their businesses here.

Given that opportunity, they contribute far above the average. Immigrants are 28 percent more likely to become entrepreneurs than those of us who were born here, according to New American Economy, a bipartisan nonprofit organization focused on immigration reform.

Among the 34 businesses weve helped to incubate is Alicias Tamales Los Mayas. Alicia Villanueva moved to the Bay Area when Mexicos drug wars intensified in 2009. She would clean houses during the day, watch her kids in the afternoon, and spend evenings walking door to door in Berkeley selling tamales. Now her family business employs 16 full-time workers at her 6,000-square-foot factory in Hayward.

Nite Yun, who was born in a refugee camp, now cooks Cambodian street food at her Emeryville market stall. Fernay McPherson went from serving her moms mac and cheese in her Fillmore district apartment to running a Zagat-rated food trailer, Minnie Bells Soul Movement.

Immigrants pay nearly $17 billion in annual taxes and boast $40 billion in spending power. None of this is possible without the free movement of people and an economy that encourages our new arrivals to invest and innovate locally. If we shut this down, we become less diverse and less uniquely American.

 Caleb Zigas is the executive director of La Cocina, a nonprofit that works with low-income and immigrant women to start food businesses in the Bay Area.

Charles Reed / U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 2017

We do need reform so that immigration is less of a fiscal burden

By Jessica M. Vaughan

President Trump has launched an overdue discussion of the need to update our legal immigration system, in addition to addressing the problem of illegal immigration. The president pointed out the benefits of a merit-based system, saying it would reduce government spending, raise wages and help families move into the middle class. Hes right; we do need to reform our admissions criteria so that immigration is less of a fiscal burden and more of an economic benefit to the country.

Each year, the U.S. gives out about 1 million new green cards, the photo identification that shows the holder is a permanent legal resident. Two-thirds of these people are admitted through chain migration categories, that is, the new immigrants are sponsored by family members who were prior immigrants. We also have a green-card lottery, admitting 50,000 winners with few requirements. Only 15 percent of immigrants were sponsored by an employer, and that number includes the employees family as well. Immigrants admitted in the family-based category are asked to show that they will have a job and a sponsor to support them when they arrive, but these rules are not enforced.

The outcome of our family-oriented system is that we admit many immigrants who lack the education and skills to be self-sufficient. The employment rates of immigrants are similar to native Americans, but a significantly larger share of immigrants have low educational levels and thus they end up in jobs paying less, and are more reliant on welfare. Our research shows more than 40 percent of immigrant-headed households are using at least one welfare program (compared with 27 percent of native-born households). The National Academy of Sciences found that, while our system benefits immigrants and their employers, it also creates a net fiscal deficit of hundreds of billions of dollars a year and depresses the wages of workers competing for the same jobs as new immigrants.

If Congress were to limit the number of relatives that immigrants can sponsor and prune the pointless visa lottery, as proposed in the RAISE Act bill from Sens. Tom Cotton and David Perdue, and also scale back the number of refugees, asylees, and special category admissions, then that would create space  even within smaller overall caps on immigration  for more green cards to go to particularly talented people who are not tied to an employer, but who meet the merit-based criteria we set. We admit fewer than 10,000 independent merit-based applicants a year. Quadrupling that to 40,000 per year, with the other changes, would realign our system according to Trumps vision, and without entirely abandoning family-based green cards.

 Jessica M. Vaughan is the director of policy studies for the Center for Immigration Studies.

DAVID MCNEW/AFP/Getty Images

Such a policy does not necessarily reflect the needs of the economy

By Alvaro Vargas Llosa

President Trump said he might pursue an immigration policy that skews permits toward high-skilled workers according to language proficiency, educational and professional background, and age. He is not the first U.S. president to espouse this idea.

President John F. Kennedy pushed for something similar, but under President Lyndon Johnson the view that family reunification should play a larger role led to the 1965 watershed law partly responsible for the shift in immigrant origins from Europe and Canada to Latin American and Asia.

High-skilled immigration is more palatable, politically speaking, than low-skilled foreign workers. But such a policy does not necessarily reflect the needs of the economy. It sets politically acceptable quotas and then picks the immigrants to fulfill them. Because low-skilled immigration is indispensable, it causes supply and demand for low-skilled workers to interact outside of the law.

With a need for less-educated immigrants, Australia has seen a big influx of low-skilled workers using other types of visas, such as (ironically) international student or working holiday visas. In Canada, where provincial governments play a significant role in immigration, federal restrictions on low-skilled visas have had unintended consequences. Among them, a constant tension between the provinces that need low-skilled workers and the federal government, which has had to raise caps and accept less-skilled workers through various visa arrangements.

An economy needs highly trained workers but also people willing to perform other activities. Just as internal migration adjusts the asymmetries between states, international migration adjusts differences between countries. Foreign workers lift the economy at all levels. Economist Benjamin Powell has estimated the net benefit of immigration to the economy to amount to more than $36 billion.

The job market has an ability to adjust itself that no government has. Between 2007 and 2009, undocumented entries were less than two-thirds of those between 2000 and 2005 because of the recession. In recent years, net immigration from Mexico has been negative.

Is it realistic to expect a points-based merit system to keep away all the low-skilled immigrants needed in the U.S.? Only a super-efficient police state could accomplish such a task  at a terrible cost to the country.

Ultimately, the less the disconnect between the law and reality, the fewer undocumented immigrants there will be.

 Alvaro Vargas Llosa, a senior fellow at the Independent Institute, is the author of Global Crossings: Immigration, Civilization and America.
Em Watson

Complaints that dance performances are getting a bit too long are common, so lets salute a production that leaves you hungry  make that, ravenous  for more. That would be the local premiere of Dorrance Dances The Blues Project, which flew into Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater on Thursday, March 16, a co-production of the center and San Francisco Performances. Youll go years before you see tap dancing of this intensity. What an hour.

Unfortunately, artistic director Michelle Dorrance was ill and canceled her appearance; she is expected to return for the remainder of the run. But her absence, while regrettable, was not fatal. Dorrances cover Elizabeth Burke did just fine in the ensembles. But collaboration is what The Blues Project is all about. Toshi Reagon is the earthiest of vocalists; her four-member band BIGLovely sets an irresistible rhythmic carpet. In the ensembles, you stop wondering who inspired whom and just yield to it all.
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The abortion pill would be on hand at virtually every public college in California under legislation introduced Friday in the state Senate.

The bills inception comes amid renewed attempts to slash funding for Planned Parenthood, which would no longer receive Medicaid reimbursements under the Republican-backed American Health Care Act.

If the health care plan were passed in its current form, $174 million would be slashed from the budget of Californias Planned Parenthood clinics. Although Planned Parenthood is the largest single provider of abortions in the country, it does not use federal money to provide the procedure.

If those cuts are made, then I do believe this bill takes on a heightened sense of urgency, state Sen. Connie Leyva, D-Chino (San Bernardino County), who put forth the bill, told The Chronicle. Women in 2017 shouldnt be fighting for access to their bodies.

Leyvas legislation  which doesnt cover surgical abortions  would make the pregnancy-terminating pills available at all University of California, California State University and California Community College campuses that have a student health center that gets funding from the state.

The medication, two pills ingested orally, can be taken only within 10 weeks of a womans last period.

Kathy Kneer, president of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, said the medication is safe and effective. Since the Food and Drug Administration approved the pill 16 years ago, 3 million women have taken the abortion pill, she said. Of those, 19 died from complications related to the medication  a mortality rate lower than that of giving birth.

Theres no reason why it shouldnt be readily available in student health centers, Kneer said. Theres no medical justification.

The availability of the abortion service on campuses would be the first in the nation. Last year, the elected student leaders of UC Berkeley lobbied the administration to provide the abortion pill at the campus health center, but their demands never came to fruition. UC Berkeley spokespeople said they werent available to discuss the matter.

Because our health center includes a pretty comprehensive amount of sexual and reproductive services, not providing abortions reinforces the idea that abortion is not a part of womens health, when it absolutely is, said Adiba Khan, 20, a student who pushed for the service to be offered on campus. For undergrads and graduate students, abortion is part of their life. Its normal and should be available as easily and cheaply as possible.

Khan said friends of hers who took the abortion pills were initially met with financial and academic roadblocks. Those who got their health insurance through the campus first had to meet with a counselor before they could be referred to an outside provider  a potential obstacle for the time-sensitive medication  and often missed class or work to travel to an abortion provider off campus, she said.

Marandah Field-Elliot, a student senator who helped organize the campaign to get the abortion service on campus, said an added bonus if the bill passes the state Legislature would be that UC Berkeley wouldnt be the sole object of antiabortion activists. Already this year, UC Berkeleys progressivism put the campus in the crosshairs of President Trumps tweets when violent protests forced an event featuring controversial speaker Milo Yiannopoulos to be canceled.

This bill would be so amazing, because it would spread the impacts rather than putting a target right on Berkeley, Field-Elliot said.

Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov
With its dark woodwork, plush leather booths and handsome custom bars, the new lounge at the Barbary Coast Dispensary could be a high-end watering hole from any of San Franciscos golden eras. If it wasnt for the Michiko Thompson-designed cannabis leaves shining green in the stained glass over the counters and the ultra-modern VapeXhale vaporizers on the tabletops, you might not guess that this lounge is meant for inhaling rather than imbibing.

We really wanted to commit to the look, says Barbary Coast Dispensary executive director Jesse Henry. We wanted it to be classic, like the Barbary Coast era, but to also feel timeless.

The Barbary Coast Dispensary, which opened in 2013, has been working on its lounge expansion for the past year. The new hash bar and combustibles (smoking) lounge opened March 6 and joins a handful of other dispensary lounges where patients can legally toke up in public in San Francisco. The overall ethos of the design (done in-house, with construction by builder Rich Huckstepp) is in keeping with the Barbary Coast brand, which is named for the old San Francisco red-light district and trail where almost any vice could be indulged.

Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle

For Barbary Coast general manager Nate Haas, it was important that the space also feel connected to the city and neighborhood around it.

Being San Francisco natives with generations of family history here, it didnt seem like it would fit to put an Apple Store on the Barbary Coast, jokes Haas about bucking the stark, minimalist designs of other dispensaries and lounges. At some places, you dont have any sense of San Francisco when you walk in the doors; you could be anywhere. It doesnt mesh.

We wanted this to be a space that brings people back (to) an era when they did go all out with their design concepts, Henry says.

The space is divided into two rooms connected to the existing dispensary on Mission Street next to the Old Mint. First, you enter a glass-walled dab bar area where patients can vape cannabis concentrates (hash) under the care of budtenders. The next space is the larger room where combustibles (smoked cannabis) are allowed, with a full ventilation system to keep fresh air flowing. Both rooms are unified by stained glass chandeliers and distinctive red-flocked velvet wallpaper that brings to mind references as varied as haute Victoriana, 1920s speakeasy chic and Old West saloon kitsch.

Everyone loves the wallpaper; its gotten the most compliments of anything from patients, hands down, Haas says. Peoples reactions when they come into the room so far have been wow.

The feature that gets the second-most comments is one of Haas and Henrys sentimental favorites: The deep leather maroon booths, re-created to mimic another San Francisco institution.

They were designed after the booths in Alfreds Steakhouse, Haas says. The original one over the Broadway tunnel way back in the day.

Its like the old Original Joes, or the old Brunos on Mission, Henry adds. We wanted to have something that brought back good San Francisco memories.

But the Barbary Coast lounge isnt just about affectionate looks into the past. Both the dab bar and the tabletops feature the latest in cannabis technology.

Our dab bar is the first-ever full quartz dab bar in San Francisco, concentrate specialist and lounge manager Kitt Hall says of the bars water-filled hash pipes, called dab rigs.

Quartz glass is the industry standard for dabbing, Hall says. The old standard was titanium, which takes longer to heat up and it doesnt have a great taste. Quartz glass is all natural, it takes less time to heat up, and also it preserves those terpenes, those amazing flavors of cannabis concentrate that you can enjoy at a temperature with an e-nail.

Conveniently, theres no open flame needed for heating up the dab rig; the rig stays a consistent temperature so patients can use it as they please.

The tables in the combustibles lounge feature the VapeXhale EVO, a unit that can vaporize flowers and concentrates.

These are amazing units, Hall says. You basically rent a box, leave your ID and get a vaporizing flower bucket or an e-nail to vaporize concentrates. Theyre very easy to use; on the side it has all the instructions posted right there. We had them on the floor of the dispensary for a month before we opened the lounge so people could get used to them.

But first-time users, fear not: Were always happy to assist people in their dabs. We make frequent rounds in the lounge. VapeXhale units are also available for purchase in the dispensary.

As much as the design takes center stage in the new lounge, it was important to the Barbary team that they keep to their mission of providing a safe, comfortable place for patients to medicate. Theres no entrance fee to the lounge or monthly membership, but you do have to buy $40 of product to gain access.

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.

Its a safety issue for patients to have a clean, comfortable space to medicate off the street, Henry says.

And as Haas points out, Federal housing doesnt allow you to imbibe marijuana. A lot of the new housing in San Francisco, youre also not allowed to smoke cannabis. That certainly is a reason to have a lounge where you can medicate without breaking your lease rules or HUD.

So far, the staff reports that the lounge clientele has been as diverse as the patients.

Its nice to have a place with a tech guy in one of the booths then across the way is an older lady reading a book, Haas says. You get the counterculture of the 60s meeting the hipster culture of today. I could see people taking power dab meetings here. Its very San Francisco.

Tony Bravo is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tbravo@sfchronicle.com

Barbary Coast Dispensary, 952 Mission St., San Francisco

Lounge open every day from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

www.barbarycoastsf.org
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This story originally appeared on Hoodline.

BART police are cracking down on drug use inside Civic Center station.

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, police conducted a three-day sting inside the station, using plainclothes officers and surveillance cameras. Once suspects were identified by the plainclothes officers, BARTs Critical Asset Protection team moved in to make the arrests.

In all, 27 people were arrested for narcotics use. BART police said they are working with the San Francisco District Attorneys office to build cases against the more than two dozen suspects.

Open drug use, particularly of intravenous drugs, has become a common sight inside Civic Center station, especially in the outer hallways and stairwells.

A Twitter search for "needle Civic Center" surfaces numerous reports of used needles inside the station, and the surrounding area at UN Plaza is aknown as a needle hotspot.

BART says this week's crackdown is the second such sweep to occur in recent months. They intend to use lessons learned during these two efforts to inform similar operations in collaboration with the SFPD going forward, including in other BART stations.

We want to send a clear message that drug use at our stations will not be tolerated, acting BART police chief Jeff Jennings said in a press release.

The targeted efforts in the Civic Center Station come under a month after an anti-drug joint law enforcement effort in the nearby Tenderloin came to a close, after evidence of racial bias emerged. BART police were not involved in that operation, which focused on street-level drug dealers.
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.

Sunday

Forum: A Jewish Community Forum to discuss the political climate and how it affects the Bay Area Jewish community, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Jewish Community High School of the Bay, 1835 Ellis St., San Francisco. Tickets available: http://bit.ly/2mSh7qK.

Author series: A conversation with Aya de Leon, a local poet, author and performance artist; and Kate Raphael, author and producer of the KPFA-FM radio show Womens Magazine; on how to organize against President Trump. The talk will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Eric Quezada Center for Culture and Politics, 518 Valencia St., San Francisco.

Community conversation: Sierra Club San Francisco chapter leader Arthur Feinstein leads a discussion on local and statewide environmental issues, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Northern Police Station Community Room, 1125 Fillmore St., San Francisco. RSVP: www.sierraclub.org/san-francisco-bay/activities.

Monday

Political discussion: Panel talk on how to be involved at the local, state and federal level, hosted by the United Democratic Club. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 6 union building, 55 Fillmore St., San Francisco.

Climate change discussion: Occupy Sonoma County asks, Is Global Climate Disruption Happening to Us or For Us? The event is free and will focus on how humans impact climate change. It is from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Peace and Justice Center, 467 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa.

Tuesday

Protest: The Bay Area Resistance is calling for a boycott of banks to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline and other projects it opposes. A rally will be held at 5 p.m. outside the First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. The rally is followed by a march to Wells Fargo, Chase, Bank of America and U.S. Bank in Oakland.

Thursday

Panel on women: Hosted by the California History Society, a panel on the roles women played in resistance and social protest movements in the Bay Area during the 1960s and 1970s. The event is free for members, $10 for nonmembers. It is at 6 p.m. at the California Historical Society, 678 Mission St., San Francisco.

March 25

Summit: The California Clean Money Campaign is hosting a summit on how to get dark money out of politics. The event is from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 505 East Charleston Rd., Palo Alto. Register: www.yesfairelections.org.

Danville town hall: Hosted by Mayor Renee Morgan with Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord), state Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, Assemblywoman Catharine Baker, R-San Ramon, and Contra Costa County Supervisor Candace Andersen. The event is from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, 400 Hartz Ave. Contact Nat Rojanasathira, assistant to the town manager, at (925) 314-3328 or nrojanasathira@danville.ca.gov for more information.

March 29

Political discussion: Panel talk on sanctuary cities, as well as stories of immigration challenges. The event featuring immigration attorneys and former members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors begins at 6:30 p.m. at 3271 18th St. in San Francisco.
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San Francisco real estate executive and arts patron Charlot Malin died Monday after a sudden illness. She was 48.

Mrs. Malin, who cut a fashionable figure on gala nights, was no mere society swan. She was chief operating officer and director of design for Troon Pacific Inc., an international development company that she ran with her husband, Gregory Malin, the chief executive officer. The firm focused on sustainable design in residential and commercial properties, master-planned communities, tech campuses and historic preservation.

Mrs. Malin, an interior designer, was Troons director of design. Her projects included homes and wineries in Napa and Sonoma, George Lucas Skywalker Ranch Sound Studios, and Robert Redfords Sundance Resort in Utah, among others.

She was also a supporter of the arts. Since 1994, she was active with the San Francisco Opera and held leadership positions at the organization including Opera Ball co-chair and Opera Guild president from 2014 to 2016. According to the San Francisco Operas website, Mrs. Malin attended her first opera in Oslo at age 7, where her fathers aunt and cousin sang in Aida.

She was an incredible champion of our Guild Education programs, striving to bring opera to the youth of today  which is, of course, the future for tomorrow, Jane Mudge, current Guild chairwoman, said in a statement.

Mrs. Malin was also active at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art  as chairwoman of the Curators Circle, as an ex-officio trustee from 2012 to 2015, and in tapping her European connections to assist in a show of works by famed Norwegian expressionist Edvard Munch. The show, a collaboration between SFMOMA, the Munch Museum in Oslo and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, is scheduled to open in June.

Her dedication to SFMOMA was passionate and impactful, Neal Benezra, director of SFMOMA, said in a statement. In addition to sharing her expertise and leadership, her relationships with cultural organizations in her homeland of Norway helped to support our upcoming exhibition on Edvard Munch.

Mrs. Malin studied interior architecture in Arizona, France and San Francisco, where she met her future husband in 1992, but kept ties to her native country by holding board positions on the Norwegian-American Cultural Foundation and the Norway House Foundation. She also promoted the work of one of her favorite Norwegian fashion designers, Keyna Aranguren, by wearing her gowns to black-tie events.

In addition to architecture and the arts, she was active in womens causes and led the West Coast effort of the Voss Foundation, which works to provide freshwater and sanitation across sub-Saharan Africa.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Malin is survived by her twin sons, Benjamin and Sebastian; parents, Turid and Tore Diskerud of Arizona; and brother, Paal Diskerud of Norway.

A private memorial service is pending. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Charlot D. Malin San Francisco Opera Guild Education Fund, 301 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102, or at www.sfopera.com/charlotmalinfund, or the Charlot D. Malin Commemorative Fund at www.vossfoundation.org/charlot-d-malin-commemorative-fund .

Carolyne Zinko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: czinko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @CarolyneZinko
BLOOMINGTON  A Bloomington man was sentenced to 6 years in prison Friday for sexually assaulting a minor girl during a 2014 party in Normal.

In a statement to Judge Scott Drazewski, Gary Arvik, 22, expressed remorse for sexually assaulting the victim who had passed out after consuming alcohol.

"I was wrong. I made a terrible mistake," Arvik told the judge.

Arvik said his time in jail and the upcoming prison term "has and will continue to be very beneficial. I finally made the decision to change."

The judge recognized Arvik's extensive work to better himself during the 408 days he served in jail while the case was pending. Arvik is unlikely to repeat his offense, said the judge.

But the judge separated Arvik's post-traumatic stress disorder from the sexual assault.

"The choice was yours. No one was forcing you to rape this victim," said Drazewski, speaking directly to the defendant.

The judge pointed out that Arvik had the benefit of loving parents who adopted him when he was 8 years old and had lived in a succession of foster homes in Chicago.

Terisa Arvik testified that her adoptive son was a happy, loving and cooperative child until he was about 16 when he began to use marijuana and "sneaking out to be with friends who really weren't friends."

Through counseling, the Arviks learned that their son had been physically and sexually abused as a young child.

"He's trying to function. He tries to be a good person.  I feel he's worthy of having sympathy and compassion," said Arvik's mother.

Assistant State's Attorney Layne Roberts asked for a seven-year sentence, noting that Arvik implicated a second man in the rape and did not confess until confronted with DNA test results in February 2016.

Charges were dismissed by the state against Reno Grady after the DNA results were analyzed. State's Attorney Jason Chambers said in February that "the state was not comfortable proceeding against Reno Grady and dismissed charged after reviewing the DNA results."

The emotional scars Arvik acquired during an abusive childhood "are now upon the victim going forward," said Roberts.

The sexual assault by Arvik occurred in the basement of a home after the defendant saw the victim molested by another person, said the prosecutor. The first assailant, a minor, was adjudicated in juvenile court for his role in the incident.

Arvik was being sentenced for his third felony. He was previously convicted of aggravated battery and delivery of a controlled substance.

Defense lawyer Harold Jennings sought the minimum sentence of four years for Arvik.

"A great portion of his conduct  has to do with a classic case of post-traumatic stress disorder," said Jennings, adding that Arvik was twice placed on suicide watch at the jail because of mental health issues.

Arvik voluntarily wrote a letter of apology to the victim, said Jennings.

Jennings said Arvik's mistakes are in stark contrast to the hopes and aspirations his family have for him. Raising an arm toward Terisa and Darrell Arvik in the courtroom, Jennings said, "if there was a Congressional Medal of Honor for adoptive parents, they'd qualify."
Water once again began cascading from the heights of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir down through Mountain Tunnel and to faucets across the Bay Area last week.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is now delivering 80 million gallons daily from the Harry Tracy and Sunol Valley water treatment plants after a 60-day hiatus. The shutdown was part of an inspection of the 19-mile Mountain Tunnel, which snakes through Tuolumne County just outside of Yosemite National Park.

After two months offline, residents beloved Hetch Hetchy tap water is back. The PUC had planned to restore its service March 7, but after a swell in water levels at local reservoirs because of winter storms, the date was pushed back. In the meantime, the PUC drained down local reservoirs, including Calaveras, San Antonio, Crystal Springs, San Andreas and Pilarcitos.

We have so much water locally in our reservoirs that we wanted to drain them down, PUC spokesman Charles Sheehan said. We didnt start as early as we wanted to but for good reason.

The tunnel was red-flagged 25 years ago for major repairs, and PUC reports later tagged it as at catastrophic risk of collapse. But inspection crews found the waterway in better shape than expected, potentially freeing the PUC from having to build a new tunnel. Crews made patch repairs during the inspection, smoothing sections of the tunnel where concrete had crumbled or collapsed.

A tunnel collapse could take 270 days and cost more than $100 million to repair. A new tunnel could cost $620 million, which the commission hopes wont be necessary.

The pipeline normally closes for maintenance for 30 days each year, and the last time it closed for double that time was in 1980, also for a thorough inspection. Mountain Tunnel is not expected to go offline again this year, though routine shutdowns could happen over the next decade to make patch repairs.

Even though our system was built to stand the test of time, we still need to upgrade and maintain all of our facilities to ensure we can continue to deliver water 24 hours a day, seven days a week, said PUC General Manager Harlan Kelly. The successful inspection and repair of Mountain Tunnel furthers that goal and will help us continue to deliver some of our nations highest quality water for the next 100 years.

But some parts of the city will soon get San Francisco groundwater mixed with that pure mountain water as the agency begins adding it to the Yosemite stock. Officials say it will hardly change the taste of the water. The blend will start at just 3 percent of the underground cache and work its way up to 15 percent over the next four years. The concoction  unrelated to the Mountain Tunnel shutdown  will go to 60 percent of the city, predominantly on the west side but also Pacific Heights, Nob Hill, Glen Park and Bernal Heights.

When youre pouring a glass of water from a faucet or drinking fountain, youre not going to notice a difference, Jeff Gilman, a hydrogeologist who is spearheading the groundwater program for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, said in February.

The more than 650 cubic feet of water now rushing through Mountain Tunnel every second has also restored power generation at Moccasin Powerhouse and Kirkwood Powerhouse, which was taken offline during the repair for unrelated maintenance.

The PUC is currently generating 5,400 megawatt hours per day, and the agency expects to surpass its average annual generation of 1.6 billion kilowatt hours because of above-average snowpack, Sheehan said. Record levels of water are rushing through the powerhouses, generating more electricity for Bay Area residents.

We typically dont generate as much in the November, December and January time frame, he said. We probably would have generated more earlier this year because of the amount of precipitation, but we werent able to. Its unique that two of them were down.

Lizzie Johnson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ljohnson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LizzieJohnsonnn
A jury ruled Friday that San Francisco must award a former deputy city attorney more than $2 million in damages in a lawsuit that said she was fired for exposing a long-running illegal payment scheme between municipal officials and plumbing companies.

A unanimous jury decision in San Francisco Superior Court found the city violated statutes under both the California Whistleblower Protection Act and False Claims Act in the firing of Joanne Hoeper.

I am just so grateful, Hoeper said Friday afternoon. The 12 jurors looked at the same thing I saw back in 2012, and they were alarmed at what was going on in the city attorneys office. Im grateful, and Im humbled.

Hoeper, tipped off to possible irregularities with the citys sewer payment programs, began an investigation in 2011 into fraud among sewer repair claims by private property owners that were approved by city attorney staffers Michael Haase and Matthew Rothschild.

She said she suspected the staffers received kickbacks in exchange for directing about $10 million in public funds toward needless sewer repair payments.

Upon presenting the findings to City Attorney Dennis Herrera in 2012, Hoeper was transferred to the district attorneys office before being fired in 2014.

The city had argued in a filing made to the Division of Labor Standards and Enforcement that Hoepers performance had been a problem for years and that the city had actively sought to hire her replacement from 2010. After a lengthy interview process, a candidate was selected in June 2012, the document states.

We are surprised and disappointed with the jurys verdict. We take our responsibilities to our clients and to the public seriously, John Cote, a spokesman for the city attorneys office, said in a statement. We are sorry the jury did not recognize that the City Attorney had independent reasons for terminating Ms. Hoeper in 2014. We are grateful that the jury did not award her the $6 million she was seeking. Nevertheless, we are exploring all of our options.

Herrera ordered a halt to the sewer payment program after Hoepers report, finding some plumbing companies had taken advantage of a city policy to pay property owners and their plumbing companies to repair the damage to sewer lines caused by the roots of city-owned trees.

Hoeper had discovered that tree roots cant penetrate some unbroken sewer lines and determined that the city should not provide funds to fix private sewers.

But city officials said there was no evidence of kickbacks, citing a report Hoeper had made herself in July 2012.

An excerpt of her report read, The preliminary work we have done so far has not revealed the sort of obvious patterns that could be expected if there was a scheme to steer public funds to particular plumbing contractors in return for kickbacks or other benefits.

Hoepers attorneys had argued her report was preliminary, and officials stopped her before she was able to complete the investigation.

Although the jury determined Hoepers report was a factor in her firing, the verdict does not prove wrongdoing by city officials. Hoeper said she hoped that would be challenged.

I pursued this for all these years because I love the city, she said. My fervent wish is that either the mayor or the Board of Supervisors or somebody call for a comprehensive investigation to get to the bottom of whats going on. I hope that happens.

Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno
Philip P. Choy, a retired architect who was the dean of Asian American historians, died at his San Francisco home Thursday at age 90.

Mr. Choy, who also was a teacher, an author and an advocate for civil rights, had been diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. He was a self-taught historian who became an expert on the Chinese American experience.

He believed the contributions of Chinese Americans to the development of the nation had been ignored in standard American history books.

He said that we had been denied the right to tell our story, said Connie Young Yu, an old friend and a historian in her own right. It is an American story.

Mr. Choy devoted much of his life to explaining the history of his people in the United States. He taught and lectured in schools and colleges, and wrote or co-wrote four books on Chinese American life. Mr. Choy and Him Mark Lai, another historian, taught the first ethnic studies course in Asian American history at San Francisco State University in 1969. Until then, it had never been taught in the U.S., but the course has since become a model for similar college programs.

We have lost a giant, said Sue Lee, executive director of the Chinese Historical Society of America.

He is irreplaceable, said Anthea Hartig, executive director of the California Historical Society.

Mr. Choy was a third-generation San Franciscan, born in the city on Dec. 17, 1926. He attended local schools and was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, and went through basic training in Mississippi. Though he had experienced prejudice against Asians in California, the treatment of black people in the South opened his eyes.

Blacks were required to sit in the back of the bus, and public facilities were segregated. Because he was Chinese, he was not affected, But it bothered him a lot, said his son, Randall.

After his military service, Mr. Choy went to UC Berkeley on the GI Bill and majored in architecture. He worked for an architectural firm for a while but was told he would not get a senior position because of his race and quit to set up his own practice, which he ran until he retired in 2000.

In the meantime, he became interested in history and was elected president of the Chinese Historical Society of America.

He had been invited to the centennial of the transcontinental railroad in 1969 but was incensed by the lack of recognition to the Chinese role in the project.

The western half of the railroad  the Central Pacific  was built by Chinese labor, including difficult construction in the Sierra Nevada. But when the secretary of transportation delivered the keynote address, he said, Who but Americans could have built this railroad?

My father was furious, Randall Choy said, and he made his views very well known. He gave an interview to The Chronicle that ran on Page One and attracted wide attention.

Mr. Choy became the face of Chinese American history and received many honors, including a presidents medal from San Francisco State in 2005 and the Oscar Lewis Award for history from the Book Club of California in 2011. Mr. Choys first book, co-written by Him Mark Lai and published in 1971, was titled Outlines: The History of Chinese in America. He followed that in 2007 with Canton Footprints: Sacramentos Chinese Legacy and The Architecture of San Francisco Chinatown in 2009.

He also had a major role in the restoration of the Angel Island Immigration Center and taught and lectured widely. His last book, San Franciscos Chinatown, was published in 2012.

Mr. Choy was a courtly man, unfailingly polite, and loved to tell the story of the Chinese in this country. He was quietly powerful, the California Historical Societys Hartig said.

Mr. Choys wife, Sarah, died in 2015. He is survived by a daughter, Stephanie Choy of San Francisco; sons, Randall Choy of San Francisco and Brian Choy of Oakland; and six grandchildren.

Plans for a memorial service are pending.

Carl Nolte is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cnolte@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @carlnoltesf
Getting the boot

The latest version of Monopoly will add several new tokens: a Tyrannosaurus rex, a penguin and a rubber ducky, the board games maker, Hasbro, announced Friday. They will take the place of the boot, the wheelbarrow and the thimble, which have all been ousted. The changes come after Hasbro conducted a contest in which more than 4.3 million voters in 146 countries weighed in with their preferences.

Department of closure

J.C. Penney will close its store in the Hilltop Mall in Richmond. Its one of 138 store closures around the country announced Friday by the struggling retailer. Stores in Bishop (Inyo County), Lodi (San Joaquin County) and Orange are also on the list. Nationwide, about 5,000 jobs will be affected. Most of the stores will close in June.

A ways to go

Last week, 43 Uber cars went 20,354 miles in autonomous mode, according to documents obtained by the tech news website Recode. But over approximately the same time period, human drivers who serve as backup took control of the cars every 0.8 miles; general reasons would include hard-to-understand lane markings or bad weather. The somewhat better news: Ubers self-driving fleet last week averaged about 200 miles between human interventions that, had the intervention not happened, could have resulted in costly damage (over about $5,000) or hitting someone.

Daily Briefing is compiled from San Francisco Chronicle staff and news services. See more items and links at www.sfgate.com. Twitter: @techchronicle
Google has announced changes to its advertising policies after major brands pulled ads from its services because they appeared alongside offensive content, such as videos promoting terrorism or anti-Semitism.

The Mountain View company said in a blog post Friday that it would give clients more control over where their ads appear on both YouTube, the video-sharing service it owns, and the Google Display Network, which posts advertising to third-party websites and on search results.

The announcement came after the British government and the Guardian newspaper pulled ads from the video site, stepping up pressure on YouTube to police content.

French advertising and marketing company Havas pulled all its British clients ads from Google and YouTube on Friday after failing to get assurances from Google that the ads wouldnt appear next to offensive material. Those clients include wireless carrier O2, Royal Mail, British Broadcasting Corp., Dominos Pizza and Hyundai Kia, Havas said.

We have a duty of care to our clients ... to position their brands in the right context where we can be assured that that environment is safe, regulated to the degree necessary and additive to their brands objectives, said Paul Framphon, CEO and country manager for Havas in Britain. Our position will remain until we are confident in the YouTube platform and Google Display Networks ability to deliver the standards we and our clients expect.

The decision to pull ads from Google followed a Times of London investigation that revealed ads from many large companies and the British government appeared alongside content from the likes of white nationalist David Duke and pastor Steven Anderson, who praised the killing of 49 people in a gay nightclub.

Google made $7.8 billion in advertising revenue in the United Kingdom in 2016, accounting for 8.6 percent of the companys total sales.

The boycott signals a growing backlash against programs that automate the buying and selling of advertising online, and social media providers that are seen to not be doing enough to tackle hate disseminated on their platforms.

Media-buying firms are also increasingly resentful of the power wielded by Google and Facebook, claiming the two companies operate a global duopoly over online advertising. The controversy about ads appearing in inappropriate contexts may give these media buyers leverage in negotiations with the companies.

Martin Sorrell, founder and CEO of WPP, the global advertising firm, said in a statement that Google and Facebook have the same responsibilities as any media company and could not masquerade as mere technology platforms.

He said WPPs GroupM, a major ad buyer, was talking to Google at the highest levels to encourage them to find answers to these brand safety issues.

Ronan Harris, Googles managing director in Britain, said in the blog post that Google removed nearly 2 billion offensive ads last year and blacklisted 100,000 publishers from the companys Ad Sense program. Despite this, Harris wrote, We dont always get it right.

Harris said Google had heard from our advertisers loud and clear that we can provide simpler, more robust ways to stop their ads from showing against controversial content.

The company will now review its policies and said it would be making changes in the coming weeks to help customers stop their ads from appearing on objectionable websites or with offensive videos, Harris said.

Ads appeared next to extremist and hate-filled videos, prompting Guardian News & Media to stop all advertising through YouTube and its parent company Google, the British publisher said in an email Friday. The government said it suspended advertising on YouTube until the site can ensure the ads are not placed next to content it doesnt approve of.

Google is responsible for ensuring the high standards applied to government advertising are adhered to and that adverts do not appear alongside inappropriate content, the government said in an email. We have placed a temporary restriction on our YouTube advertising pending reassurances from Google that government messages can be delivered in a safe and appropriate way.

Joe Mayes and Jeremy Kahn are Bloomberg writers. Email: jmayes9@bloomberg.net, jkahn21@bloomberg.net
BADEN-BADEN, Germany  Top finance officials including new Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are debating what stance to take on free trade at a meeting that will help set the tone for the global economy.

The gathering of finance ministers and central bank heads from the Group of 20 countries has focused on shifting attitudes toward trade, particularly after President Trump vowed to impose border taxes and rewrite free trade deals.

Attention has centered on a joint statement that is being prepared for Saturday. Early drafts have dropped a prior ban on protectionism, but there was no agreement on what to replace it with, or exactly how to put their position into words, said officials who briefed reporters Friday on condition of anonymity because the talks were continuing.

Deputies assigned to work out the details ahead of time had to leave the matter for the ministers, who held the first of their sessions late Friday afternoon German time at the two-day meeting in the spa town of Baden-Baden in southern Germany.

The meetings host, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, told reporters that no one has mentioned protectionism and that the statement was rather about the right formulation regarding the openness of the world economy.

Angel Gurria, secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, downplayed differences over the exact language.

He said in an interview that it is important to create a comfort zone where leaders could have their first discussions with the new administration, to make them feel that this is a place where we can talk, we can ventilate the areas where we have common ground and the areas where we may have differences. The group is one of several international organizations invited to participate in the meeting.

The last such gathering, in July 2016 in Chengdu, China, issued a strong statement in favor of free trade, saying we will resist all forms of protectionism. That ringing statement was absent in early drafts put together in recent weeks ahead of this meeting; possible replacements include support for fairness and inclusiveness.

European countries and others that depend on exports, such as China, were said to be pushing for a stronger statement in favor of trade with fewer tariffs and other barriers in a rule-based system.

The gathering will help set the tone for international commerce and finance and will give Mnuchin a chance to clarify what the U.S. position is.

The G-20 is an informal forum on economic cooperation made up of 19 countries with more than 80 percent of the world economy, plus the European Union. The finance ministers meeting will pave the way for a summit of national leaders in Hamburg, Germany, on July 7-8.

Trump has repeatedly emphasized that the U.S. needs a tougher approach to trade that would put American workers and companies first. He has already pulled the U.S. out of the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement with Japan and other Pacific Rim countries, and he has started the process to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada, both of whom are G-20 members.

In a visit to Berlin ahead of the G-20 meeting, Mnuchin said the U.S. is interested in trade that is not only free, but also fair.

Our objective is getting more balanced trade agreements, he said, confirming that having border taxes is an option. He said, without providing specifics, that some U.S. trade agreements need to be re-examined, while adding that, It is not our desire to get into trade wars.

Mnuchin is scheduled to meet one-on-one with Chinas Finance Minister Xiao Jie and central bank governor Zhou Xiaochuan.

The G-20 meeting is taking place with the global economy in relatively good shape: The International Monetary Fund predicts growth of 3.4 percent this year and 3.6 percent next year, compared with 3.1 percent last year.

Yet the British vote last year to leave the European Union and its free trade zone, and Trumps victory on an America First platform have underlined discontent with trade and globalization and a sense among many that the benefits of a globalized economy  that is, with fewer barriers to trade and business  do not reach enough people.

Advocates for free trade such as the IMF say that trade restrictions will only hurt growth and wont benefit ordinary people, while urging measures to spread the benefits of trade more widely. That could include job training and education, since the IMF says trade and globalization have benefited higher-skilled workers.

David McHugh is an Associated Press writer.
Target is counting on Victoria Beckham to spice up sales.

The pop-star-turned-designer and Target teased looks Wednesday from a limited-time collaboration that go on sale next month, highlighting hot-pink pantsuits and whimsical black-and-white dresses. The 200 items priced from $6 to $70 also include tops, trousers and rompers for women, as well as some matching childrens items. Its the first foray into childrens wear for Beckham, the former Spice Girl who started her namesake fashion brand in 2008.

I wanted to offer a collection of clothes to women who either couldnt afford designer prices or didnt want to pay designer prices, Beckham said in an interview. Target is about being inclusive, and that is something that is very important to me as a brand as well.

Target announced the collaboration in October, and the items will be available April 9.

Beckham, noting that the collection also includes products like coloring books, says the inspiration was the things she and her daughter, Harper, do together.

Target pioneered these designer partnerships in the 1990s but has seen the formula copied since then by competitors such as H&M and Gap. These limited-time collaborations can ignite interest in a brand, but come with risks as well. Demand for the 2011 collection with Italian designer Missoni drew frenzied crowds and overwhelmed the Target website, angering shoppers. Or the collections might not be a huge hit with shoppers, as was the case with the Marimekko Collection last year.

The latest release comes as the chain is trying to rev up sales and traffic after its reinvention lost momentum. Target has been sprucing up its fashions and its home furnishings, but its battling stiffer competition and an increasing shift to shopping online.

Anne DInnocenzio is an Associated Press writer.
Walmart has bought trendy San Francisco clothing seller ModCloth, part of a big push to pick up smaller online brands as it tries to make headway against Amazon.

The company declined to specify the price on the deal that closed Friday, saying only that it was in the same range as its previous two purchases of online businesses. Those were $51 million and $70 million.
Wells Fargo and its leaders have expressed much contrition about the banks misdeeds, which included setting up as many as 2 million bank accounts without customers consent. Top executives have surrendered more than $90 million in compensation, fired employees at all levels and vowed to clean house.

But the top executives  particularly the current chief executive officer and his predecessor, who retired under pressure in October  still took home lavish sums last year, according to a regulatory filing last week.

The San Francisco companys former CEO, John Stumpf, realized pretax earnings of more than $83 million by exercising vested stock options, amassed during his 34 years at the bank, and receiving payouts on certain stock awards. That is more than double the $41 million in unvested stock awards that Stumpf forfeited because of the banks sales scandal.

In a quirk of timing that might raise some questions, one month before regulators announced penalties against Wells Fargo over its long-running fake accounts scheme, Stumpf exercised 1.5 million options, a significant chunk of his vested holdings.

He took his winning tickets to the window while the window was still open, said Brian Foley, an executive compensation consultant who analyzed Stumpfs transactions. He forfeited a significant sum, but ... what he walked away with was even more significant.

Stumpf did not sell any of his shares. After surrendering a large chunk to cover taxes and the cost of converting his options, he retained those that remained. Directly and through trusts, he now owns 2.5 million Wells Fargo shares, an estimated 800,000 shares more than he held a year ago. His stake is valued at $147 million. Wells Fargos rules limit how many shares its executive officers can sell, but the restrictions on Stumpf will expire a year after his retirement.

A Wells Fargo spokesman declined to comment on Stumpfs stock transactions.

The banks new leader, Tim Sloan, also received a pay bump last year despite giving up his cash bonus and some stock awards. Sloan collected compensation of around $13 million, up from the $11 million he took home a year earlier.

The details of Wells Fargos executive compensation are infuriating to some shareholder activists, who have been calling for major reforms. At next months annual shareholders meeting, the banks top executives will confront disgruntled investors, including an order of nuns who say they are embarrassed to call Wells Fargo their bank, and Gerald Armstrong, who has held the banks stock for nearly 50 years and thinks the lap dogs on the banks board need to be replaced by a growling Doberman.

The nuns, members of Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, want to see Wells Fargo commit to real, systemic change in culture, ethics, values and financial sustainability, said Sister Nora Nash, the orders director of corporate social responsibility.

At next months meeting, to be held in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., shareholders will vote on a proposal from the sisters asking the bank for a full accounting on the root causes of its fraudulent activity, and the steps being taken to prevent future misdeeds.

Wells Fargos board opposes the proposal, which Nash called a disappointment. We believe that we will get a strong yes vote from shareholders, she said.

The AFL-CIO supports the resolution.

We think this issue is so material to investors that its deserving of a hearing at the shareholder meeting, said Brandon Rees, deputy director of the AFL-CIOs investment office.

Wells Fargo said it is preparing to disclose more information about its misdeeds. Next month, the banks board plans to release the results of its internal investigation into the wrongdoing, which prompted the firing of about 5,300 rank-and-file workers over the past few years.

While the investigators findings have not yet been made public, Wells Fargo has begun to act on them. Four senior executives  including the former chief risk officer of the banks retail banking division and two regional presidents  were ousted last month after being accused of wrongdoing. The company released no details on their actions.

We are taking decisive steps, said Mark Folk, a Wells Fargo spokesman. We are focused on making things right for our customers, fixing the problems and building a better Wells Fargo.

Wells Fargo has been in turmoil since its admission in September that during the course of several years, employees trying to meet aggressive sales quotas had opened as many 2 million fraudulent accounts. The company paid $185 million to settle cases brought by two federal regulators and the Los Angeles city attorney and refunded $3.2 million to customers who were charged fees on unauthorized accounts.

But several other investigations are continuing, including criminal inquiries by the Justice Department and several state attorneys general.

The scandal has reverberated throughout the banking industry. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada said this week that it would review banks practices in light of reports that employees at TD Bank, under pressure to meet sales targets, had opened accounts without customers consent.

Some activists see the Wells Fargo scandal as a fresh sign, in the aftermath of the financial crisis, that the largest banks have grown too big to manage. A proposal submitted by Bartlett Naylor, financial policy advocate at Public Citizen, asks Wells Fargos stockholders to consider breaking up the bank.

The companys sales scandal, he said, illustrates that senior officials either directed the fraud or were incapable of preventing it.

Naylor, a longtime critic of large banks, does not expect his proposal to draw much support. A similar proposal he initiated at JPMorgan Chase last year did worse than the opponent in a North Korean election, he acknowledged. (Fewer than 3 percent of JPMorgans shareholders voted for it.)

And Republicans in Washington are clamoring for less stringent oversight and fewer regulatory restraints on big banks, not more, and moving to reverse the Obama administrations wave of stronger regulations.

Subtler moves could also work in Wells Fargos favor: The Labor Department, which began an investigation last year into the banks treatment of its employees, has stopped publicizing its enforcement actions and fines.

Warren Buffett, the billionaire investor who is the banks largest shareholder, believes the crisis will fade, with little lasting damage.

I dont think, in terms of the earning power of the company in five years from now, its material, he said in a recent interview with CNBC.

Buffett is not the only investor feeling bullish. Wells Fargos shares closed at a record high of $59.73 this month.

Stacy Cowley is a New York Times writer.
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low 66F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
San Jose police officers shot a naked man after he allegedly chased people and later led police on a 4-mile-long pursuit through the city during which he was in multiple crashes, authorities said.

The man, who was not identified, was listed in critical condition at a hospital.

The incident began at around 1:30 p.m. Friday when authorities received a call about a naked man acting erratically chasing an adult and child, according a statement released by Sgt. Enrique Garcia, a spokesman for the San Jose Police Department.

When police arrived, the man got into a truck, backed out and struck both a parked car and a police vehicle before leading officers on a chase for around 4 miles, during which he was in multiple car crashes, he said.

Later, the truck went into the driveway of a shopping center.

The suspect vehicle came to a stop, and multiple officers gave the suspect commands in an attempt to take him into custody, he said. The suspect did not comply with commands and aimed what appeared to be a weapon at the officers.

The man revved the engine and appeared to attempt to move the truck, he added. Three officers fired and hit the man at least once.

More for you Update: Naked Man Who Led Police Chase In Critical Condition...

The Santa Clara County district attorneys office and the San Jose Police Department are investigating. The officers were wearing body cameras, he said, and the footage will be used for the investigation.

All three officers will be placed on routine paid administrative leave.

Hamed Aleaziz is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: haleaziz@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @haleaziz
CARROLL, Iowa  Outside his rural congressional district stretching over 39 Iowa counties, conservative Rep. Steve Kings stream of inflammatory comments generate outrage and condemnation, but back home they rate little more than a shrug.

Thats just Steve being Steve, was how Tom Reiter put it, looking into a mirror while getting his hair cut Thursday in Carroll. He doesnt pull any punches.

Its been that way since King, a former construction company owner and state legislator, was elected to Congress in 2002. Its still true, days after King tweeted his support for a far-right Dutch politician who opposes immigration and added, We cant restore our civilization with somebody elses babies. Later in a radio interview, King responded to a question about changing demographics that could mean whites will no longer make up a U.S. majority by predicting, Hispanics and the blacks will be fighting each other before that happens.

Kings comments prompted House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to call for Republican leaders to condemn what she called vile racism, and House Speaker Paul Ryan told Fox News he disagreed with King about somebody elses babies. The White House also distanced itself from Kings comments.

In the Fourth Congressional District, dotted with small towns and some of the worlds most valuable farmland, King remains popular, typically winning 60 percent or more of the vote with reliable support even from those who feel uneasy about some of his statements. The comments have included opposition to placing an image of black antislavery activist Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill, comments about immigrant children having calves the size of cantaloupes because of carrying marijuana across the border and support for fortifying a border wall by placing an electric wire on top.

Although the Latino population is growing in cities such as Storm Lake with large meat processing plants, the district remains overwhelmingly white and deeply conservative, with about 70,000 more Republicans than Democrats. It backed Trump in the 2016 election by nearly 2 to 1, with some counties giving the Republican six times more votes than Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Many voters credit King for a willingness to speak his mind despite criticism.

Hes honestly saying what he believes, said Pat Luther, a retired teacher who joined her husband for coffee and a frosted doughnut Thursday at Bunkers Dunkers Bakery in Jefferson.

Scott McFetridge is an Associated Press writer.
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MINNEAPOLIS  The son of a 98-year-old Minnesota man sought by Polish authorities in connection with a Nazi massacre reiterated Saturday that his father is innocent and asked that evidence against him be released.

A court in Poland issued an arrest warrant for Michael Karkoc last week, opening the way for Poland to seek his extradition from the United States on war crimes charges. The Associated Press had previously identified Karkoc as an ex-commander in an SS-led unit that burned Polish villages and killed civilians in World War II.

Karkocs son, Andriy Karkoc, called on Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken to intervene in his fathers case on legal and humanitarian grounds and to investigate the source of the evidence against him, which Andriy Karkoc says was fabricated by Russian intelligence.

The Associated Press and the KGB may provide something they say is proof, he said. But what they cannot provide is something that is true. My father was, is, and remains an innocent man.

Associated Press spokeswoman Lauren Easton said the AP stands by its stories, calling them well documented and thoroughly reported.

A spokesman for Klobuchar said the senator believes the matter should be addressed in the criminal justice system, not the Senate. Franken was traveling from northern Minnesota to Washington on Saturday and was unavailable for comment.

Earlier last week, prosecutors from the Institute of National Remembrance in Poland said evidence shows that American citizen Michael K. was a commander of a unit in the SS-led Ukrainian Self Defense Legion that raided eastern Polands village of Chlaniow in July 1944, killing 44 people, including women and children.

Judge Dariusz Abramowicz said the regional court in Lublin issued an arrest warrant based on 13 volumes of evidence, including documents from the U.S., Germany and Ukraine and from Polands archives. He said that the evidence was strong enough to seek arrest.

Andriy Karkoc said his father served honorably with the Ukrainian Self Defense Legion, and the actions of other people in the unit might be at issue, but his father cant be judged guilty by association.

A prosecutor in Lublin, Jacek Nowakowski, said on Polish TVP 3 station last week that signatures from Nazi times and an application for a U.S. visa are among various pieces of evidence that helped identify the man.

Polands decision to issue an arrest warrant comes four years after the Associated published a story establishing that Michael Karkoc commanded the unit, based on wartime documents, testimony from other members of the unit and Karkocs own Ukrainian-language memoir. The Associated Press also established Karkoc lied to American immigration officials to get into the United States a few years after the war.

A second report uncovered evidence that Karkoc himself ordered his men in 1944 to attack a Polish village in which dozens of civilians were killed, contradicting statements from his family that he was never at the scene.

Amy Forliti is an Associated Press writer.
Justice for Armenia, a non-partisan independent forum, delivered a letter to the Armenian Embassy in London today expressing our anger about the unfair handing of Artur Sargsyan's case, which resulted in a loss of his life, demanding fair and transparent investigation of the events.

Counsellor Tigran Galstyan met our representative Garo Berberian at the Embassy and promised to pass on the letter to Ambassador Sarkissian.

Read the full text of the letter below:

Dear Mr Ambassador, Mr Sarkissian

We are writing to you as members of the Justice for Armenia group in the UK, as we are extremely concerned about the cases of human rights violations in Armenia, and now with the terrible news of the death of Artur Sargsyan, the situation of rights and justice in Armenia is critical.

Artur was arrested for only taking food to the Sasna Dzrer. He had no connection with Sasna Dzrer and was driven solely by his conscience with the humanitarian act of taking food, from one human being to other human beings.

Artur was released and then rearrested on the 10th of February 2017 for allegedly not showing up at a court hearing, after being re-arrested he went on hunger strike, objecting to the illegal and illegitimate interventions in his arrest and prosecution.

Artur was suffering from disabilities, and as a result of the hunger strike his health deteriorated rapidly. He was only released on bail to a hospital because of pressure from opposition, civic and rights groups and thus did not die a free man.

We have witnessed how the judges and the officials, including the Minister of Justice let Artur suffer while his health condition was ignored whilst being held in custody.

This situation is a shameful and tragic page for Armenias jurisdiction. A young, bright, caring man has died because Armenia is descending into an authoritarian state.

The Rule of Law is equal application of the law: fair and just application of the law to all its citizens. The law applies to everyone, the government is not above it: the government and all state officials are bound by the Law.

We demand that all those that are implicated in Arturs inhumane treatment whilst in captivity are removed from their posts until a full independent investigation takes place.

We demand that an independent autopsy is carried out without any political interference.

JFA

Citizens of Armenia and UK Armenian Citizens
BEIJING - China urged the United States to remain "coolheaded" over North Korea and not to turn its back on dialogue, as visiting Secretary of State Rex Tillerson expressed a "sense of urgency" to curb dangerous levels of tension on the Korean Peninsula.

On his first trip to Asia this week, Tillerson had earlier declared that diplomacy has failed to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear program, and that a new approach was needed. On Friday in Seoul, he warned ominously that all options were on the table to counter the threat from Pyongyang.

President Donald Trump weighed in Friday by goading China over Twitter for not doing enough to help prevent its ally from "behaving very badly."

But in a joint news conference Saturday with his Chinese counterpart, Tillerson struck a more diplomatic note, choosing to play down differences with Beijing and stress that both countries share the goal of a denuclearized Korean Peninsula.

"We share a common view and a sense that tensions on the peninsula are quite high right now and that things have reached a rather dangerous level, and we've committed ourselves to doing everything we can to prevent any type of conflict from breaking out," Tillerson said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed, but also had some advice for his American counterpart.

"No matter what happens, we have to stay committed to diplomatic means as a way to seek peaceful settlement," he said. "We hope all parties, including our friends from the United States, could size up the situation in a coolheaded and comprehensive fashion, and arrive at a wise decision," he said.

In February, China suspended coal imports from North Korea for the rest of the year, a move that cuts off the regime's major financial lifeline. Wang pledged to maintain U.N. sanctions on North Korea but said Security Council resolutions had also included "clear provisions for efforts to resume talks to de-escalate the tension and to safeguard stability on the peninsula."

North Korea has amassed a sizable nuclear stockpile and appears at the brink of being able to strike the U.S. mainland and American allies in Asia. The situation has emerged as a major, early foreign-policy test for the new Trump administration.

Tillerson said both China and the United States felt "a certain sense of urgency" in trying to persuade Pyongyang to "make a course correction" and abandon its nuclear weapons program.

In Seoul on Friday, Tillerson said the administration was exploring an array of diplomatic, economic and security measures to put more pressure on North Korea, including tighter sanctions, and that while a military response was possible if the threat from Pyongyang's missile program grew, "we have many, many steps we can take before we get to that point."

Previous efforts to offer carrot-and-stick diplomacy to North Korea have failed, beginning with a 1994 deal under which Pyongyang would have received aid and two proliferation-resistant nuclear power plants in return for freezing and eventually dismantling its nuclear weapons program.

That deal collapsed in 2002, and North Korea achieved its first atomic test in 2006. The George W. Bush administration's efforts at a new deal collapsed, and Pyongyang has managed to build up its stockpile of nuclear material as well as refine its missiles despite what on paper look like crushing international sanctions.

But despite the failure of previous talks, and North Korea's chronic inability to keep previous promises, China insists that dialogue remains the only option.

It has proposed a deal whereby the United States suspends its annual military exercises with South Korea in return for North Korea suspending its nuclear program, but Washington has already rejected the idea, saying it first needs to see "positive action" from Pyongyang.

Wang said tensions had risen precisely because talks had broken down, and he urged all sides to get back to the negotiating table.

Overall, though, Tillerson and Wang tried to strike a positive tone, repeating the reassuring mantra that U.S.-China relations were founded on the principles of avoiding conflict and confrontation, and promoting mutual respect and "win-win cooperation." That's a far cry from the sort of language Trump employed on the campaign trail.

Wang called their talks "candid, pragmatic and productive," while Tillerson talked about a "constructive and results-oriented relationship."

The secretary of state also talked of a trading relationship that is "fair and pays dividends both ways," made a glancing reference to their maritime disputes and said his country would continue to "advocate for universal human rights and religious freedom."

But the two men also said they were working toward a face-to-face meeting between Trump and President Xi Jinping, to build on a cordial telephone conversation between the pair in February.

"We do look forward to this future opportunity for the two leaders to meet," Tillerson said at the beginning of a meeting with State Councilor Yang Jiechi, who outranks Wang as China's top diplomat.

"The better they know one another the stronger will be our bilateral relations as well, because they can provide direction and guidance to both of our governments on how we can work more closely together to strengthen this very important relationship not just for our two countries but for many countries in the region and around the world," Tillerson said.
Armen Amiryan, Armenias Minister of Culture since September 2016, is a man of above-average means according to his February 1, 2016  February 1, 2017 financial disclosure statement.

For the above period, Amiryan, who is also running in Armenias April 2 parliamentary election of the Republican Party of Armenia ticket, declared 27.6 million AMD (US$57,000) and $108,000 in revenue. He declared 10 million AMD and $44,000 in cash holdings.

22 million AMD was in the form of dividends from his 34% share in Ar Radio Mijmayrtsamakayin Ltd., founded in 1999. Before being appointed culture minister, Amiryan served on the board of Armenian Public TV and Radio.

Amiryan owns fourteen properties  five private homes, seven parcels of land, and two buildings.

Two of the homes are located in Glendale, the United States.

One of the buildings, at 145 S. Verdugo Rd., Glendale, houses a bakery called Torik, selling various breads and lahmajun.
Lithuanian authorities raided Thursday the homes of two high-ranking officials as part of an international corruption investigation involving French energy company Alstom, OCCRP partner 15min.lt said.

The Lithuanian Special Investigation Service is probing tenders won by Alstom between 2004 and 2009, it said.

Authorities raided the home of Rymantas Juozaitis who was the head of the state-owned energy company Lietuvos Energija when in 2005 it signed a  42,7 million contract with Alstom for the reconstruction of the Kaunas hydroelectric power plant.

Four other participants of the bid, including Siemens, were either kicked out of the competition or withdrew their offers, suspiciously leaving Alstom as the sole bidder.

The home of Pranas Noreika, former CEO of Lietuvos Elektrine, a subsidiary of LietuvosEnergija, was raided because of the companys suspicious  208 million contract with Alstromfor installing desulfurization facilities in the power plant at Elektrenai.

Contacted by 15min.lt, Rymantas Juozaitis confirmed that he is now officially a suspect in an international corruption case.

"I think so," he said. "But I repeat: these accusations were sent to the wrong address," he said.

He said that STTs raid at his household was "a mistake," and that he had nothing to do with Lietuvos Elektrine.

Juozaitis claimed the probe was being orchestrated by his adversaries.

Lithuania is the newest addition to the list of countries where Alstom is being probed for corruption.

The company was previously fined US$ 772,290,000 by the US Justice Department in November 2015 for "a widespread corruption scheme involving at least US$ 75 million in secret bribes paid to government officials in countries around the world, including Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the Bahamas and Taiwan."

The UK also launched an official investigation into Alstoms dealings in Hungary in 2015.

Rymantas Juozaitis (Photo: Irmantas Gelunas, 15min.lt)

occrp.org
Tigran Yegoryan, attorney for the family of Artur Sargsyan (the bringer of bread) says he has asked that the autopsy of Sargsyan, who died in a Yerevan hospital on March 16, be delayed a few days so that independent outside specialists can take part.

Yegoryan told Hetq that hes presented a list of specialists to Armenias Investigative Committee (IC), requesting that at least two be present at the autopsy.

The IC has agreed to the participation of outside specialists as requested by Sargsyans family.

The IC, in a statement released yesterday, says its checking the credentials of the specialists.
NATE PESCE/NYT

The Trump administrations bellicose budget plays to the nations divisions, but it also inadvertently underscores its connectedness. Like other states, California relies on federal funding and programs, and while the budget the White House released this week claims to put America First, it would do nothing of the kind in a state thats home to nearly 1 in 8 Americans.

Trumps plan would devastate Californias finances and disrupt communities and lives across the state. And it would do so only to augment the nations already expansive military and security spending, failing to narrow the federal deficit while creating new shortfalls in California and across the country.
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Urban tree huggers rejoice. This concrete jungle is home to nearly 125,000 trees and a staggering 628 species and cultivars. San Francisco's tree population is even more diverse than its citizenry.

Following a yearlong citywide tree inventory, officials with the SF Urban Forest Map painstakingly recorded every street tree in San Francisco. Trees in public parks and on private property were excluded from the count. Gina Simi, communications manager at the SF Planning Department, noted that "efforts are currently in place to secure additional funding" for future inventories of trees at schools and in the city's open spaces.

The map was last updated in 2010, using data primarily from the Department of Public Works.

Combining data from the Friends of the Urban Forest, the City of San Francisco, businesses, and citizen scientists, this year's update reported 20,000 more trees than the previous iteration.

A typical city hosts 80-100 different tree species, according to a statement on the Urban Forest Map's website. San Francisco's diversity of species aids the plants in warding off pests and diseases, and the data helps forest managers plan future tree plantings.

The trees, says the aforementioned statement, also "represent the origins of San Francisco's residents," many of whom carried with them seeds from their homelands.

London plane trees proved to be the most abundant species by far, with over 8,000 covering the city. The planes surround Civic Center Plaza, while the famed English sycamores act as a natural red carpet ushering visitors to San Francisco City Hall.

Beyond their decorative purposes, serving to break up the deluge of grey concrete buildings and foggy skies, the trees serve an essential municipal purpose. The Urban Forest Map estimates that the city saves $240,296 annually from the abundance of trees, as they filter stormwater and carbon dioxide, improve air quality, and conserve energy.

Following the passage of Proposition E on the November ballot, the city  not private property owners  will be responsible for the maintenance of street trees.

View the interactive Urban Forest Map or report a tree here.

Read Michelle Robertsons latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com.
BEIJING  China urged the United States to remain coolheaded over North Korea and not to turn its back on dialogue, as visiting Secretary of State Rex Tillerson expressed a sense of urgency to curb dangerous levels of tension on the Korean Peninsula.

On his first trip to Asia this week, Tillerson had earlier declared that diplomacy has failed to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear program, and that a new approach was needed. On Friday in Seoul, he warned ominously that all options were on the table to counter the threat from Pyongyang.

President Trump weighed in Friday by goading China over Twitter for not doing enough to help prevent its ally from behaving very badly.

But in a joint news conference Saturday with his Chinese counterpart, Tillerson struck a more diplomatic note, choosing to play down differences with Beijing and stress that both countries share the goal of a denuclearized Korean Peninsula.

We share a common view and a sense that tensions on the peninsula are quite high right now and that things have reached a rather dangerous level, and weve committed ourselves to doing everything we can to prevent any type of conflict from breaking out, Tillerson said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed, but also had some advice for his American counterpart.

No matter what happens, we have to stay committed to diplomatic means as a way to seek peaceful settlement, he said. We hope all parties, including our friends from the United States, could size up the situation in a coolheaded and comprehensive fashion, and arrive at a wise decision, he said.

In February, China suspended coal imports from North Korea for the rest of the year, a move that cuts off the governments major financial lifeline. Wang pledged to maintain U.N. sanctions on North Korea but said Security Council resolutions had also included clear provisions for efforts to resume talks to deescalate the tension and to safeguard stability on the peninsula.

North Korea has amassed a sizable nuclear stockpile and appears at the brink of being able to strike the U.S. mainland and American allies in Asia.

Simon Denyer is a Washington Post writer.
1 Syria strike: The United States struck an al Qaeda gathering in northern Syria killing several terrorists, and is investigating the number of civilians killed, a U.S. official said Friday amid reports that some 40 people, mostly civilians, were killed in a mosque in the area. Friday prayers were canceled across rebel-held parts of northern Syria after an air strike that opposition activists and paramedics said struck the crowded Omar Ibn al-Khattab Mosque in the Jeeneh district in Aleppo province, killing and wounding dozens of people, some of whom were left trapped under the rubble. Bahaa al-Halaby, an Aleppo-based opposition activist, said the Thursday night air strike hit as about 250 people had gathered at the mosque for prayers or to attend a religious lesson.

2 Drought violence: Kenyas President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday ordered the military to deploy to the volatile counties of Baringo and Laikipia in the Rift Valley to calm deadly violence fueled by drought that affects roughly half the country. At least 21 people have died in fighting between herders in Baringo county since early February. Thirteen people were killed this week. And in Laikipia county, a British farmer was killed this month by herders invading ranches in search of pasture and water.
A man in his early 20's robbed a Southwest Side gas station after a man with a similar description attempted and failed to rob a gas station on the North Side, police said.

At around 8 p.m. Friday, a man wearing a mask and sunglasses demanded money from the clerk of the BP at 3510 Packers Avenue, Sgt. Eugene Woehrle. He said the man fell backward and fled after the clerk tried to close the counter window.

In the same incident report, Woehrle said a man "described very similarly to the Packers Avenue robbery" robbed the PDQ at 3153 Maple Grove Drive around midnight. Woehrle said the man reached over the counter and took money from the register.

Woehrle said no weapons were involved in either robbery and no one was injured.

In both robberies, Woehrle said the man was a white man with a skinny build wearing a Wisconsin Badgers knit cap, a gray hoodie and dark pants.
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BURLINGTON  The City of Burlington is at its state-imposed liquor license quota, and its getting creative to allow new businesses in need of licenses to continue to locate in the city.

If we start attracting restaurants, which the community wants to have more variety of, they will not come here without a spirits license, Burlington Mayor Jeannie Hefty said.

Hefty has been spearheading an effort to buy up unused liquor licenses from communities that border Burlington, since the city is at its 21-license capacity. Thus far, Spring Prairie in Walworth County has preliminarily agreed to sell one, while the Racine County Village of Rochester heard a presentation from Hefty at a recent village meeting.

Hefty said she has also reached out to and has had preliminary discussions with the citys other two neighbors, Lyons in Walworth County and the Town of Burlington in Racine County.

Debbie Collins, Spring Prairies clerk-treasurer, said the town has agreed to sell a license to Burlington for $12,500, above the minimum allowed sale price of $10,000. The license is one of Spring Prairies reserve licenses, which business owners have to pay municipalities $10,000 to use and only come into play when municipalities are at quota.

The Town of Spring Prairie does not have a business district so to speak, Collins said. We dont have any bars. I can count on one hand how many official businesses we have.

Collins said the money will be put toward the cost of a roadside mower the town purchased recently.

The board looked at it and said theres really no reason not to do this, she said.

The situation in Rochester is more tentative. Hefty spoke to the Village Board on Monday, and the board discussed her request but didnt take any action, according to Rochester Clerk-Treasurer Betty Novy.

They have to think about it because obviously once you transfer it, its gone, Novy said. Now youve reduced your quantity of available licenses.

Novy said the next time the village will consider the issue will be at its April 10 Finance Committee meeting, where she anticipates committee members will take action one way or another.

Theres no immediate need for licenses in the village, but theres no way to know if its something youll regret down the line, Novy said.

Hefty added that Burlington is a few dozen residents from qualifying for an additional license, which it could get if its population increases when the 2016 Census results come out in the fall.
Australia biggest banks are taking up to six months to notify the corporate watchdog when they find misbehaving advisers and frequently fail to properly check the background of the financial planners they employ.

An Australian Securities and Investments Commission review released on Friday looked at how Australia's biggest financial institutions  Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank, Westpac Banking Corp and AMP  dealt with dishonest and incompetent financial advisers over a 5-year period ending in June 2015.

The five firms represent almost 9000 financial advisers or 40 per cent of all financial advisers in Australia.

ASIC discovered as part of its review that nearly half of advisers the banks knew to be dishonest, incompetent or fraudulent had not previously been disclosed to the watchdog.
Small is beautiful for an increasing number of coffee purveyors converting unloved city spaces into thriving hole-in-the-wall cafes.

High city rents and low vacancy rates are forcing retailers and landlords to be creative about using previously undervalued spaces.

Workshop Brothers, a Queen Street cafe run by Joe La and brothers Brian and Nolan Taing, is the latest operator to spy unloved real estate and convert a tiny 18 square-metre space in Bank Place into a coffee shop.

Mr La and the Taing brothers will extend their Workshop Brothers franchise after signing a seven-year lease for space opposite the Mitre Tavern at the rear of the China Construction Bank branch at 410 Collins Street.
One of the country's biggest superannuation funds, Australian Super, is poised to intervene in the Australian property market, with more than $100 million allocated to fund individual projects.

The retreat of the big four banks from financing commercial property projects is set to be filled by a raft of new sources including superannuation and privately backed funds and Asian and US institutional capital.

Developer Tim Gurner says it is important to maintain a relationship with the banks. Credit:Vince Caligiuri

Last week's warning from the banking watchdog, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, on the major banks' commercial property exposure has added to the pressure.

Wingate director Mark Harrison said: "We are talking to private funds in Australia and Asia. There's going to be more capital in Australia and the development sector in the next 12 months because there's a gap to fill."
The ACT government's decision to backflip yet again on a bushfire prone block of land in Chapman is of concern.

It was only last year that the Land Development Agency, under chief executive David Dawes, removed the land from the indicative release program because of the fire danger rating.

While it had been planned for redevelopment as an aged care site, the ACT government's own Strategic Bushfire Management Plan would not permit the proposal.

The land in question had been designated as an ember zone within a bushfire prone area.
It's not easy growing up in the centre of the city. Traffic congestion, constant noise, the glare of streetlights and cramped living quarters can make for a hard life  especially if you're a tree. Lucky are those planted in pocket parks and playgrounds, where there is room for roots to wriggle wide and limbs to stretch skywards unhindered. But those in the road verge and median strip are in for a rough ride, where dallying with underground pipes, overhead powerlines or blocking important views is disciplined through amputation  or worse.

This is a story our toughened river peppermint gums (Eucalyptus elata) know all too well, the third-generation planting of Northbourne Avenue's median strip.

Canberra's urban forest has more than 750,000 trees, including more than 300,000 street trees. Credit:Lannon Harley

Once numbering more than 800, these quickly disappearing street kids of Canberra's urban forest should be saluted for their service. Their leaves have acted as huge filters, catching particles like soot, pollen and dust. The trunks, branches and root systems have been a giant green vacuum, sucking up and storing carbon dioxide. The broad crowns have provided a green respite for the overtired eyes of computer-bound office workers; relief during hot days through shady lunchtime walks, as well as habitat for birdlife and other fauna. This green corridor has formed an important part of Canberra's broader urban forest  the "engine room" of our urban ecosystems  vital to the health and well-being of our communities.

At just a touch over 30 years old, these river peppermints would be hitting their stride in their native woodland habitat. However, life on the street is hard and ages anyone prematurely, tree or person alike. Unlike tree counterparts in Haig Park  where privileged Monterey pines and Roman cypresses have grown for twice as long in 19 unblemished hectares  these street kids were raised in a world hemmed with physical constraints and heaped with high expectations of performance.
The tension between development and environmental preservation is a contest of the fast and the slow. As Peter Hannam reports today, Port Douglas, the once thriving Queensland tourist mecca, is facing a slow decline as the Great Barrier Reef, formerly its big attraction, quietly dies beneath the waters to its east and north. Waters warmed by climate change are bleaching the corals of the reef more often. Last year sea surface temperatures on the Great Barrier Reef broke records from February to April, and the hotter water killed off coral to the greatest extent on record.

It has taken a long time for things to get this bad. Reefs can recover with time, but only if events such as this are rare. As sea temperatures are now regularly breaking heat records, it is clear time has almost run out. According to Dr Andrew King of Melbourne University, without rapid action to limit global warming by 2050 bleaching events like 2016 will be occurring every other year, on average.

Sun Herald Editorial dinkus. Credit:Fairfax

Tourism operators do their best to draw a veil of silence over this blight. But denial will become increasingly difficult. North of Port Douglas, along the coast to Papua New Guinea, about two-thirds of all coral died last year. In the central zone, south to Mackay, only 6 per cent died; this year death there appears more widespread.

That is the slow side of the contest. On the other side, things are speeding up. Inland from the reef, plans are proceeding apace for a vast new coal mine. The federal government is being asked for $1.25 billion in taxpayers' money to subsidise a railway line to the coast so the coal can be loaded onto ships. A new port must be dredged at Abbott Point, and spoil from the dredging dumped near the reef. Voters have been told that the coal will bring power to remote communities in India, which now languish in poverty, cold and darkness  even though that country is planning not centralised, coal-burning power for such communities, but smaller micro-networks using renewable energy.
A year ago, Tourism Tropical North Queensland issued a call for members to "bombard social media with the tsunami of joy" to counter global news headlines suggesting the Great Barrier Reef was in trouble from coral bleaching.

A tsunami of a different sort will likely be needed this year as the bleaching has not only returned but is now hitting the key tourist zone from Port Douglas to Cairns and south to Townsville and beyond.

Heat stress on corals continues to mount with sea temperatures still abnormally high. There's also no cyclone or large tropical low on the forecast horizon to stir in cooler waters and provide cloud cover.

"Bleaching is a real bitch from a marketing perspective," said Col McKenzie, executive director of another industry group, the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators. "I expect [numbers] will be hit."
The arts community has rejoiced at the Turnbull government's decision to axe a George Brandis initiative for "excellence in the arts" and return the money to the Australia Council.

The Brandis-era outfit, now known as Catalyst and dubbed a "slush fund" by arts observers, allowed the minister and his department to hand-pick projects for government funding.

Lesson learnt: Arts Minister Mitch Fifield has taken the axe to George Brandis' arts funding vehicle Catalyst. Credit:Andrew Meares

Australia Council chief executive Tony Grybowski declared himself "delighted" at the policy reversal, which followed almost two years of pressure from arts groups and high-profile artists.

The decision was a "positive indication of the minister's confidence in the Australia Council and our programs and activities", Mr Grybowski said.
A 92-year-old war veteran and great-grandfather who has lived in Australia for 10 years is facing deportation back to Britain after being denied a visa and told he would be a financial burden on the health system.

James Bradley, who served with the British Royal Navy in World War II, has now made a last-ditch plea to Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to intervene and allow him to remain in Australia.

"Considering my background, I think I've been treated shabbily," he said. "I've waited in a queue for permanent residency for 10 years, only to be rejected. I'd like to be able to spend whatever time I've got left here in Australia with my family."

Mr Bradley and his 91-year-old wife Peggie are among 80,000 people waiting for a permanent parent visa  a limbo that can last as long as 30 years, in a system that migration experts say is broken.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has delivered a blunt and public warning to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull not to waver on same-sex marriage, insisting the government "won't be bullied" and telling the country's business leaders to "stick to their knitting".

Meanwhile, Liberal MPs who wanted to bring same-sex marriage to a head in the next fortnight of Parliament say their plans have hit a wall, and now concede movement on the issue is unlikely in this half of the year.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton warned the Turnbull government was "not going to be bullied" by chief executives "or anyone else". Credit:Andrew Meares

The letter from 20 of the country's chief executives calling on the Turnbull government to legislate for same-sex marriage appears to have backfired, with moderate Liberal MPs labelling it "unhelpful".

In the third successive day of his crusade, Mr Dutton lashed out at social media activists who were "blackmailing" companies by threatening boycotts, and warned the government would not abandon its policy of holding a plebiscite.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton says the Turnbull government "won't be bullied" by chief executives who have campaigned in favour of same-sex marriage, lashing the country's business leaders for a third day in a row.

Mr Dutton also ramped up his response to the social media campaign against Coopers brewery, claiming some companies were being "extorted" and "blackmailed" into backing marriage equality.

In his most aggressive statements on the issue yet, he said chief executives such as Alan Joyce at Qantas should "stick to their knitting" rather than using the company's brand to advocate for political causes.

"It is unacceptable that people would use companies and shareholders money of publicly listed companies to throw their weight around," Mr Dutton said on Saturday.
SJANA EARP Yogi, digital influencer, 22 1.2 million Instagram followers @sjanaelise The glamorous life of Sjana Earp as seen by her Instagram followers. Credit:Instagram/ Sjanaelise "When I was in year 10, I went through a rough patch with depression and had a few stays in psychiatric wards. I dropped out of school at the end of that year. I did a Certificate III in fitness training and studied photojournalism, but stopped my studies because I started to earn an income through Instagram.

I used Instagram for self-expression and as a creative outlet, then I was asked to photograph an event in Perth. That job led to me being invited to Bali as an influencer for a yoga retreat. If someone sees your content and they like it, they'll invite you somewhere else. It was never my intention to achieve a certain number of followers. I remember reaching 10,000 and I couldn't believe it. I think my following comes down to timing, luck and passion. I can't remember the first time I posted about my mental health issues. I started by saying little bits about how I was having a rough time. Instagram has provided me with an outlet  there's nothing worse than bottling up your emotions  and my followers accepted me being open about my feelings. INSTAGRAM HAS PROVIDED ME WITH AN OUTLET  THERES NOTHING WORSE THAN BOTTLING UP YOUR EMOTIONS. Three years ago I was approached by an agency who wanted to manage me. My reaction was, 'What? Really? I could get paid for doing this?'

I don't do sponsored posts if I don't use the brand or product myself, and I limit myself a lot more than many other influencers because it works better for my personal brand. It's good to come forward and acknowledge when you have been sponsored. I have a contract with yoga wear brand Alo Yoga. I became an ambassador for them because it's my favourite yoga brand anyway. As your following grows, opportunities grow and so does the price tag associated with posts. It's a very spontaneous life. I don't know what's next but I do know how lucky I am to do what I do." I have a contract with yoga wear brand Alo Yoga Credit:Instagram/ Sjanaelise CHLOE MORELLO

Beauty blogger, 26 853,000 Instagram followers @chloemorello Chloe Morello has a huge following on Instagram and Youtube. Credit:Instagram/ Chloemorello "I was only 16 or 17 when I found make-up tutorials on YouTube, but I became obsessed. Mum used to yell at me for using all the dial up [internet]! I learnt so much from social media and YouTube. I was 20 when I decided to do my own online tutorials. My following grew quickly but I didn't plan for it to become my full time job.

I use Instagram to post about makeup, but also my personal life, travel, relationships and fashion. Instagram is great because people can find you easily and it's a way of sharing my knowledge. I've been uploading make-up tutorials for Muslim women for about four years. It started when a Muslim friend asked me to do a tutorial to coincide with Eid al-Fitr [a celebration to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan]. The tutorial had more than double the usual number the comments of other videos I'd done, and all were positive, so I kept it up. I've received thousands and thousands of requests from Muslim women [for] those videos, but last year I got some negative comments. The majority of criticism came from non-Muslim women. When someone enquires about working with me on Instagram, my manager gives me the details and I decide whether I am interested. Usually I am not, because I am very picky. A sponsorship is not worth it if all it does is annoy your followers.

If it's a make-up brand I already use and love, then the decision is super easy. I've worked with brands like Bobbi Brown, Smashbox, Dior, Benefit, Sephora, Givenchy and Coca-Cola. It's surreal because they're brands I have used and loved for years. Often a sponsored opportunity is not booked as a sole Instagram post but as part of a broader campaign, so the fee I am paid includes a YouTube video. YouTube videos pay at least four times more than an Instagram post. Each post is definitely worth the money, but I only do one or two sponsored posts a month. It is not enough to live off, but combined with YouTube I'm making much more money than I ever dreamed of: a strong six-figure income.

It is hard to keep up with posting to Instagram and to create quality pictures. Finding someone to take the photos of me is the hardest thing. I'm engaged but it is a long-distance relationship, so usually all I have is the length of my arm to take pictures. There's only so many selfies I can manage to take." Chloe Morello. Credit:Instagram/Chloemorello LAUREN BATH Travel photographer, 36 461,000 Instagram followers @laurenepbath

Lauren Bath Travel photographer. Credit:Lauren Bath "When I was 26 I came back from my first overseas trip and decided I wanted a new direction in life. I left my partner of 10 years and moved back to my hometown on the Gold Coast. I had been a head chef but I took a casual cheffing job so I had more time to pursue a new hobby, and that hobby became Instagram. I downloaded it purely by chance and had no idea Instagram was about photography. In 2011 I went to Zimbabwe on holiday and started taking snaps, which I uploaded to Instagram. That was during a huge period of growth on Instagram. People were finding me through the Popular Page [now called Explore]. It was purely algorithmic: if you had a high number of likes per minute for 15 to 20 minutes after you posted, then you would go to the Popular Page. My content was different to the pictures that were popular at that time  nail polish, cats and Justin Bieber  and my following grew by about 1000 each day.

There was a time when some Instagrammers didn't want anyone else to do well and reported my pictures to be "inappropriate", which meant my images were automatically taken off the Popular Page. I didn't grow a single follower for at least a month and I got really upset, but I knew it was so ridiculous because it's just an app on my phone. I was crying but at the same time I remember thinking, 'I feel like Instagram is leading somewhere for me.' On New Year's Eve in 2012, I was washing dishes in the restaurant and I thought, 'This isn't what I want out of my life'. So I made a pact to quit my job and see if there was any potential to make money from Instagram. I was not aware of anyone in the world making money from Instagram. But the universe had plans for me: I told my boss I was quitting and two hours later there were three opportunities in my inbox. All were paid and all were photography- and travel-based.
Justin Bieber certainly had a funny way of showing his fans how much he "loved" them (his words) last week.

Having wrapped up the Sydney leg of his world tour, Bieber left an impression after being quoted snarling at fans. One poor sod who dared ask for a photo with him was told: "You guys suck." He grizzled at one girl in Melbourne, an adoring Bieber believer, who was reportedly told by her idol "you make me sick" when she tried to grab a selfie with him.

Then there was the flipping of birds to the media who found him ensconced on the luxury Makepeace Island in Queensland, co-owned by billionaire Richard Branson. While there appeared to be plenty of trees and glamorous villas he could have stayed around to avoid being photographed, the privacy craving pop star opted to stand in clear view at the water's edge to give the cameras what they so desired.
Grahame Lonnie was nervous about calling his doctor to ask for a discount.

In the past his orthopedic surgeon had given him her mobile number in case of a health emergency and now he was using it to call her about money.

Mr Lonnie asked his surgeon for a discount.

The call went to voicemail, so the pensioner chickened out and hung up.

But then the surgeon rang him back. Mr Lonnie, 70, says he quickly explained that he couldn't afford to pay for another hip replacement - the sixth one in his life stemming from a traumatic car accident in his youth.
Richland Center Mayor Paul Corcoran didnt see it coming.

The J.C. Penney store in his community is one of four in Wisconsin, and 138 nationwide, slated for closing, the apparel, accessories and home furnishings retailer announced Friday.

Penneys never contacted the city to see if we could do something to help them to see if they would stay, Mayor Paul Corcoran said. Its disappointing that they didnt try to make it work here.

The Penneys store is in Richland Square, a shopping center on the east side of the city of just over 5,000 people, about 60 miles northwest of Madison.

Penneys  one of the biggest stores in Richland Center  is always busy, Corcoran said, and is a major anchor of the shopping center, whose other businesses include a grocery store, sporting goods store and mens clothing store.

Theres going to be a lot of people without work, the mayor said. He estimated the store employs about 50 people.

A store manager, reached by phone Friday, declined to comment about the news.

Corcoran said J.C. Penney has had a store in Richland Center for decades; it was downtown before moving out to the shopping center about 25 years ago, he said.

Weve been pretty fortunate to have them here for as long as they have been here. They were well established, Corcoran added.

The other J.C. Penney stores in Wisconsin due to be shuttered are at Marshfield Mall, Marshfield; Rapids Mall, Wisconsin Rapids; and Pine Tree Mall, Marinette.

J.C. Penney stores at the East Towne and West Towne malls in Madison are not affected by the closings.

Like other department stores, J.C. Penney Co. is hurting as more people shop online instead of heading to the mall. The closures are part of the companys plans, announced in February, to focus on its best-performing stores. About 5,000 jobs will be cut due to the closures, J.C. Penney said. The company had about 105,000 full-time and part-time employees last year.

Nine stores will close in Texas, eight will close in Minnesota and seven in Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Liquidation sales at the 138 stores will start next month, and most will be shut by mid-June, the company said. The closings will leave J.C. Penney with about 900 stores.

J.C. Penney, based in Plano, Texas, was founded in 1902 by James Cash Penney in Kemmerer, Wyoming.

The company had sales of $12.5 billion in the 2016 fiscal year, down from $12.6 billion the year before.

J.C. Penney stock, publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol JCP, closed Friday at $5.99, down 17 cents a share, or 2.76 percent. The stock has ranged from $5.87 to $11.85 a share over the past year. J.C. Penney stock sold for as much as $85 a share in February 2007.

 The Associated Press contributed to this report.
It's a record, but not one to be proud of: one in four prisoners in NSW jails are Indigenous, a statistic that has risen by 35 per cent since the Coalition government came to power in 2011.

The Minister for Corrections David Elliott conceded "it is a tragedy". Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders represented 24 per cent of the prison population in October 2016, up from 22 per cent in March 2011.

That means the NSW justice system is imprisoning Indigenous people at 11.3 times the rate of non-Indigenous people.

Legal advocates say a mix of tougher bail laws, racial prejudice, better detection methods and under investment in diversionary programs is contributing to the problem, while the Greens blame the major parties' "law and order auctions" as politicians compete to look tough on crime.
Police officers rush to seize Captain Francis de Groot. The State Library of NSW is celebrating 85 years of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with the release of an oral history collection of interviews made in 1982 with about 70 surviving men and a woman who had built the bridge. Here is public works photographer William Brindle's memory of the bridge's famous chief engineer John Bradfield: "He was a very demanding fellow. He knew what he wanted and he wanted everything yesterday." A worker on the bridge in 1932. Credit:Staff The National Film and Sound Archive released an online exhibition featuring archival footage over the eight-year construction and controversial opening on March 19, 1932.

Highlights of the exhibition and collection include: Major Francis de Groot's slashing the ribbon with his sword, before the official opening by premier Jack Lang; a recording of the Queen Mother deeming the bridge "one of the wonders of our time";

a 1984 tourism promotion starring former bridge rigger Paul Hogan;

the first BridgeClimb in 1998;

songs about the bridge in the 1930s;

and behind-the-scenes photos of the post-apocalyptic bridge from Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdrome. The State Library also has a bridge anniversary display that features an engraved cigarette case presented to de Groot after he was detained at a reception house for the insane following his ribbon-cutting exploit, and subsequent conviction for offensive behaviour two days later. He was fined 5 with 4 costs. The engraving reads: "He is not insane. 21st March 1932."

HOW THE EVENT WAS COVERED AT THE TIME First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on March 21, 1932 The Sydney Harbour bridge was officially opened by the Premier (Mr. Lang) on Saturday in the presence of a vast concourse and amid scenes of pageantry without parallel in Sydney's history. On the land and on the water, in brilliant sunshine and amid the splendour of the illuminations at night, Sydney added another chapter to its history in a great blaze of colourful scenes of swiftly-changing brilliance.

Cheers swept the crowded scene at the southern approach to the bridge when the Governor (Sir Philip Game) read the King's message; when, later, his Excellency unveiled a tablet and named the structure Sydney Harbour Bridge; when the Premier declared the bridge opened; and when, amid a reverberating Royal salute of 21 guns and the joyous siren note of the watercraft, the Premier severed the blue ribbon across the southern approach; a majestic air force dipped in salute, palatial liners moved in stately procession under the bridge, and the pageant itself, with its floral and other floats, was displayed in all its magnificence. Proceedings took a sensational turn when, during the speech by the Minister for Works (Mr. Davidson), a comparatively young man on horseback, wearing the uniform of a military officer, his breast aglow with decorations, approached the ribbon on the southern highway, and cut it with his sword, declaring the bridge open. He was arrested. This incident is described in another column. Political colouring was given to the scene when boo-hooing among a section followed the car occupied by the Prime Minister (Mr. Lyons), following the official party's return to the dais after the formal entry into the northern suburbs. Ribbon cut Mr Lang cut the ribbon with a pair of jewelled scissors. It was a simple ceremony, fraught with significance because, in opening the highway across the harbour, it represented the culmination of years of planning, and years of work.

The ribbon stretched across the bridge near the toll offices on the southern side. Mr Lang was accompanied to this last frail barrier by the official party, including the Governor (Sir Phillip Game) and the Prime Minister (Mr Lyons).They halted at the ribbon, and an army of photographers poised their cameras on the other side. Mr Roland D Kitson representing Dorman, Long and Company, handed the golden scissors to the Premier; there was a little pause while the voices of the radio announcers could be heard telling millions of people what was about to happen. Then the shining blades closed on the ribbon, the halves fluttered to the ground - and the bridge was open. Immediately wireless signals were sent to the aeroplanes hovering above, and almost as one they swooped in salute over the arch. More signals went to the harbour craft below, and in a second, almost, the air was filled with the din of sirens and the roar of speed boats. Everyone knew that the great moment was over, but the prime movers in the little drama, the Premier and those with him, had to be patient while the photographers had their way with them. Presently they got into their motor cars and were driven across the bridge, while the aeroplanes chased each other in breathless arcs through the sky. The scissors Mr Lang used were made of Australian gold, and were mounted with six flame-coloured opals. Flannel flowers, waratahs and gum leaves were hand-wrought on the handles, and in the midst of all this craftmanship was the Harbour Bridge. The blades were engraved with the following inscription: Presented to the Hon. J.T. Lang, M.L.A., Premier and Treasurer of New South Wales, by Dorman, Long, and Co, contractors, opening of Sydney Harbour Bridge, March 19, 1932. The pageant through the cheering city Nature contributed magnificently to the splendour of the pageantry that heralded the opening of the bridge. The sparkling sunshine of a glorious day lent the final gracious touch that spelt absolute success for such an occasion.

In glittering legend and symbolism: in beautiful living figures, and in all the flowers of Flora's domain, the gigantic tableau told the story of a State that is the cradle of Australian development, from the far-off days of the first settlement at Sydney Cove. Foremost in the great scene was a little army of the State's sturdy childhood and youth, aglow with the joyful spirit of the hour - a wonderfully impressive picture of a young democracy's goodly and proud heritage. From every window, every balcony, every other vantage point, there came bursts of echoing and re-echoing cheers, as the youngsters marched past, and there came into view, amid the crash of triumphal music, bridge workers, who were accorded a magnificent ovation, aborigines, and then, in a riot of colour, the historical, rural, floral, and other parts of the pageant. Vast human tide A vast, moving, colourful spectacle, symbolical of the life of the State in all its phases, the pageant Itself was splendidly conceived and faultlessly carried out. Looking forward to this break in the gloom of depression as a hopeful augury of a future of brightening promise, the people, happily excited and stimulated by the carnival spirit, gave themselves over to the glamour of the day. Trams, ferries, motor cars - and even buses - brought them teeming into the city from all points of the compass. And then came the ebb. The return of the sightseers to their homes, tired, jostled, but satisfied with all they had seen, and heard, was one of the great spectacles of the historic day. The temper of the home-going crowds was splendid.
Three men have been arrested after police smashed an alleged syndicate selling ice and cannabis across south-west Sydney.

The Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad led a raid on three homes in Oyster Bay, Greenacre and Parramatta before dawn on Friday.

Three men were arrested in raids across Sydney targeting a south-west Sydney drug syndicate. Credit:NSW Police

Ayman Tamer, 21, from Oyster Bay and Somphop Khetkan, 31, of Parramatta were arrested, alongside a third man who is yet to appear before court.

During the searches, police seized guns, products to manufacture ammunition, ice, cannabis, drug paraphernalia, cash, mobile phones, fraudulent ID documents, electronics and a vehicle suspected to be the proceeds of crime.
Three people have been charged after a man was tied up, beaten with a spanner and had glue rubbed on his eyes during a vicious home invasion.

The robbery happened at Kallangur, north of Brisbane, on Wednesday and detectives were continuing to search for a second woman involved in the attack.

Investigations were continuing into a Kallangur home invasion, as detectives continued to search for another woman believed to have been involved.

It will be alleged a 64-year-old man answered the door of his Duffield Road home about 10.20am to two women.

Police said while the victim was chatting to the women, two men broke in through the rear of the house, before taping the man to a chair and rubbing glue in his eyes.
Stephen Asling (right) in 2004. Credit:Paul Harris The targets were no cleanskins. The driver, Stephen John Asling, then 32, had previous convictions for assault and dishonesty offences. Stephen Michael Barci, then 35, had convictions for armed robbery, selling drugs, assault, aggravated burglary, and intentionally causing serious injury. An aerial shot of the Ansett terminal at Melbourne Airport. Asling and Barci were close mates. So close that in 1990 Barci was charged with using Asling's passport. The charge was later withdrawn.

Police believed the two formed the core of one of Victoria's more proficient armed robbery teams. Special Operations Group members confront Stephen Asling, who was trying to escape at speeds of up to 80km/h in a 1992 heist. The two planned and executed the armed robbery of a Brambles armoured van in Port Melbourne in May 1990 in which, according to police, a shot was fired. They also robbed a Greensborough McDonald's store of some $3000 in 1992. In the Port Melbourne job, Asling and Barci hijacked the van and its crew and drove to an abandoned factory in nearby Swallow Road.

The two-man crew were tied up and the bandits escaped with the guards' revolvers and the payroll of $426,169.81. One of the abducted guards was David Lapworth, who later admitted to being the inside man for the robbery team. After the arrest of Lapworth in April 1992, the armed robbery squad went after Asling and Barci. They obtained warrants to bug four telephones as part of the operation. The third member of the armed robbery team was enlisted later. He was a small businessmen with a minor criminal history, Norman Leung Lee. He was the only man charged over the infamous Great Bookie Robbery, but charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence.

Police became convinced the likely target was the Ansett freight terminal at Melbourne Airport. What police did not know was that the bandits knew an Armaguard security officer. The guard, Dean Rook, had known Stephen Asling for more than 10 years. They had run into each other at the Golden Fleece hotel in South Melbourne weeks earlier. Mr Rook mentioned the type of work he did and what was carried in his Armaguard van. "I had a couple of beers in me and I was mouthing off," Mr Rook later told police. It was enough for Asling. Four times in three weeks, the robbers were seen at the airport. Normie Lee used to walk around in a suit and carry a clipboard, secretly observing the movements of the armoured van at Ansett's freight depot.

July 28 was chosen for the robbery. The plan was for the three bandits to arrive armed with three pistols and two long-barrelled rifles. The bandits had a .38 revolver, a .357 magnum, a .380 pistol, a .223 self-loading rifle with 26 cartridges, and a .308 rifle. They also had three rubber masks, two Michael Jacksons and a Madonna for disguises. Barci and Lee also carried spare ammunition in their pockets. The SOG arrest team had brought along a small arsenal, including a 12-gauge pump-action Remington shotgun with pistol grip, semi-automatic pistols, knives and gas masks. On the day of the robbery the bandits drove their stolen van to a parking spot about 80 metres from the Ansett depot. The SOG arrest van was parked about 100 metres away in Depot Drive. On July 28 the three bandits arrived about 1.16pm and parked near the Ansett depot. The armoured van was late, arriving about 1.45pm.

Asling reversed the stolen van within 30 metres of the Armaguard vehicle. Barci and Lee jumped out of the back of the van and ran into the office. They grabbed three large bags containing $1,020,000. The five-man SOG arrest team was parked in a disguised police van at least 100 metres from the Ansett depot. Police had no chance of stopping the job: the bandits had committed the robbery and were back at the van by the time police arrived. The pair had thrown the money into the van and were inside when Asling saw the police. He tried to outrun them but the acceleration threw his two associates out of the back of the van. Suddenly it was every man for himself.

Barci and Lee chased the van as the SOG arrest team jumped from their vehicle. According to police, Lee, armed with a .357 magnum, lowered his gun and appeared to be about to give up. He then raised the gun. "His actions left me no choice but to fire my weapon to protect myself," one SOG member said later. Two SOG police fired, hitting him in the back of the head and to the left side of the chest and left wrist. He was dead by the time he hit the ground. Another SOG member fired five shots at Barci, hitting him at least three times twice across the back and once in the left shoulder. He was left permanently disabled. It was later found that Barci's gun had fired one shot, probably discharging when he fell to the ground.

Asling sped off, reaching a speed of up to 80km/h when he was rammed by an SOG four-wheel drive. Barci later pleaded guilty to three counts of armed robbery and was sentenced to 15 years in jail, with a minimum of 10. Asling was also sentenced to a minimum of 10 years for the three armed robberies. One of the main concerns arising from Operation Thorn is why police, armed with the element of surprise and outnumbering their quarry 17 to one, chose to allow the armed robbery to be carried out before moving to arrest the criminals. Eighty Ansett and airport staff were left dangerously exposed during the shootout. Police argue that they needed to catch the offenders in the act if they were to have an airtight criminal case.

But some say Operation Thorn was fatally flawed because it involved an almost inevitable armed confrontation in a crowded area. Barci made it clear to the coroner what he thought of the operation. "I believe that the police knew about this robbery well before these events and it could be said that in allowing the robbery to actually take place they participated in a situation that was not only dangerous to the public but which was also a well-planned execution." Ansett staff were disappointed with police handling of the robbery but one placed the blame squarely on the bandits. "They were the ones who put the lives of innocent people in jeopardy. It's a shame they (the police) didn't shoot them all." Senior police ordered a review of the SOG.
A brawl that erupted outside a Yarraville hotel on Saturday morning escalated when a young man involved in the scuffle was mown down by a car.

Footage obtained by Channel 9 shows the moment when the victim, a 22-year-old from Williamstown, appears to be run over.

Police have arrested two men after an alleged assault and collision in Yarraville this morning. Credit:Channel 9

The grainy closed circuit footage shows a group of men congregating in a car park.

A car can then be seen speeding out of the car park, leaving behind it a cloud of exhaust.
Building sites managed by Cape have been left without asbestos removalists for three weeks after the workers went on strike following a take-it-or-leave-it pay-cut deal by the company.

For the last three weeks, the workers, who are supported by the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, have toured the region's Alcoa sites protesting about the pay cuts.

Cape workers are on strike after the company offered them a 25 per cent pay cut to negotiate a new agreement with contractor Alcoa. Credit:Marta Pascual Juanola.

According to the protesters' spokesperson, Cape's agreement with Alcoa expired recently, forcing Cape to negotiate a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) with the Australian aluminium company.

Cape, he said, had then offered the workers a 25 per cent pay cut as a condition for them to tender for a new contract with Alcoa.
Travellers hug outside Orly airport after one of its two terminals was evacuated on Saturday. Credit:AP He said the conscription would involve about 600,000 young men and women each year and occur for a one-month period between the ages of 18 to 21. The army and gendarmerie (police service) would oversee the service. The Orly airport incident is being treated as a possible act of terrorism, according to the Paris prosecutor's office. French police at Orly airport, south of Paris, after the attack on Saturday. France has been under a state of emergency since a terrorist attack in Paris in late 2015. Credit:AP The Paris prosecutor, Francois Molins, said the motives of the assailant - identified as 39-year-old Ziyed Ben Belgacem - were unknown. But the prosecutor added that Belgacem had a lengthy police record, including arrests for robbery and drug-related offences, and had served time in prison.

The shooting prompted a partial evacuation of the airport, the diversion of all flights and a security sweep to determine whether the assailant had left any explosives at the airport's two terminals, officials said. 'I want every young French citizen to experience  even if only for short time  military life,' presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron said. Credit:AP Belgacem was stopped by police at 6.55am in the Paris suburb of Garges-les-Gonesse, after he was spotted driving at a high speed with his headlights off, Molins said at a news conference on Saturday evening. After he pulled over, Belgacem fired a pistol loaded with birdshot and fled. One police officer was slightly injured. Polls suggest Emmanuel Macron and the far-right's Marine Le Pen will make it through to the second round of voting. Credit:Bloomberg

Belgacem then drove to a bar in Vitry-sur-Seine, where he fired his gun again but did not injure anyone. When he exited the bar, he left his mobile phone there. He fled in his car, but abandoned it a few kilometres away. He then carjacked another vehicle and drove about 13 kilometres to the airport. There he spotted a three-soldier unit patrolling the airport, Molins said. At 8.22am Belgacem, carrying his pistol, tossed a container of gasoline on the floor. He grabbed one of the soldiers and held his gun to her head. Molins said the soldiers reported that he yelled: "I'm here to die in the name of Allah. Whatever happens, people are going to die." As Belgacem grappled with the soldier, he wrested her rifle from her. At that instant, the two other soldiers fired three bursts from their weapons, killing him.

Belgacem was carrying cigarettes, 750 ($1045) in cash, a lighter and a Koran at the time of the attack, Molins said. While in prison during 2011 and 2012, Belgacem was identified by intelligence officials as someone who had become radicalised. After his release, he remained on authorities' radar, and his house was searched in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris in November 2015, Molins said, although no action was taken against him. While both right-wing candidates Marine Le Pen and Francois Fillon posted Twitter messages about Saturday's attack, they used the episode primarily as an opportunity to praise French soldiers and, in Le Pen's case, to underscore some of her campaign themes. She said in her post: "Violence has overwhelmed France, a consequence of the laxity of successive governments. But there is the courage of our soldiers." Fillon limited his Twitter message to praise for the "women and men" of what is known as Operation Sentinel, the soldiers who "work for our security and have once again proved their courage and efficiency". The unit attacked at the airport was part of Operation Sentinel, whose 7000 soldiers patrol public areas, including airports, tourist attractions and train stations.

The west terminal at Orly reopened by 1pm, the Paris airport authority said. Flights gradually resumed at the south terminal, where the attack took place. French elections entering home stretch Eleven candidates will contest the first round of voting on April 23, with the top two candidates progressing to a May 7 head-to-head runoff. The election is being closely followed outside France as another test of popular discontent with traditional parties and institutions like the European Union. The campaign has been highly unpredictable, dominated by a fraud investigation into conservative Francois Fillon, which has cost him his place as election front-runner.

In addition to leading candidates Macron, Fillon and Le Pen, the list includes three candidates who passed the threshold of 500 elected officials just in time: Jacques Cheminade and Philippe Poutou both of small far-left parties, and centrist lawmaker Jean Lasalle. The expiry of the deadline for registration puts paid to any further attempts by members of the conservative Republicans party to seek an alternative candidate to Fillon, who is being investigated on suspicion of misusing public funds to pay his wife and children, and over a gift of expensive suits. The latest poll released on Saturday showed Macron was best placed to win. He was second in first-round voting intentions, a point behind Le Pen who had 26 per cent, but would win a run-off against his far-right opponent 62-38. Loading The left's divisions have favoured the emergence of Macron.
In a series of Tweets on Saturday morning Washington time, Mr Trump said it was time for Germany to pay up.

Washington: President Donald Trump, less than 24 hours after a first meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel that highlighted their divides on policy and personality, said Germany must pay the US more for providing defence.

There was no immediate response to Mr Trump's comments from German officials.

Mr Trump's messages came less than a day after Dr Merkel, at their joint White House press conference, baited Mr Trump about his criticisms of her and others on social media.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel listens as President Donald Trump speaks during their joint news conference. Credit:AP

"In the period leading up to this visit, I've always said it's much, much better to talk to one another and not about one another, and I think our conversation proved this," the German leader said through a translator.

Mr Trump on Friday said he had "reiterated to Chancellor Merkel my strong support for NATO, as well as the need for our NATO allies to pay their fair share for the cost of defence".
London: The killer, a former body builder, stalked his frail victims at nature reserves, in one case clambering over a locked gate armed with a net, before he chased them down, trapped them and carried them away, dead or alive.

In what prosecutors are calling Britain's first conviction of its kind, Phillip Cullen, 57, was found guilty this week of capturing, killing and possessing specimens of the Large Blue butterfly, the country's rarest butterfly, admired for its beauty and expressionist blue wings. Cullen, who had denied the charges, could face a maximum of six months in prison when he is sentenced next month.

Guilty of capturing and killing UK's rarest butterfly, Phillip Cullen committed six offences relating to Large Blue butterflies. Credit:BBC News 24

"It is an offence to capture, kill or possess that butterfly because it is a protected species in the UK. It is a unique case," prosecutor Kevin Withey told a magistrates court in Bristol, in southwest England. "There has never been a prosecution in terms of capturing and killing."

The Large Blue (Maculinea arion), first documented in Britain in the 1790s, was declared extinct here in 1979, but can now be found in 33 sites in southwest England thanks to David Simcox, an ecologist who drove his van to Sweden in 1983, collected some eggs and reintroduced them into southwest England.
A federal judge should reject a challenge to President Donald Trumps travel ban by a Syrian family trying to relocate to Wisconsin, U.S. Justice Department attorneys argue in a new court filing.

The case revolves around a Syrian Muslim who fled the war-torn country in 2014 and settled in Dane County. Hes been working since last year to win asylum for his wife and 3-year-old daughter, who remain in Aleppo. They were trying to obtain visas when Trump issued his first travel ban in January.

The administration isnt seeking to block the mans family from coming but argues the lawsuit is moot since the travel ban has been blocked by two federal judges and the order already includes waivers for family members of refugees.

The man filed a federal lawsuit in Madison asking a judge to block the ban from applying to his family so they could continue the visa process. U.S. District Judge William Conley declared that request moot last month after a federal judge in Washington blocked the ban. The family is now slated to travel to the U.S. embassy in Jordan next month for visa interviews.

Trump has since issued another ban, however, temporarily prohibiting travelers from six predominantly Muslim countries, including Syria, from entering the United States. The new order prompted the man to renew his request last week.

He argued the new ban is anti-Muslim and violates his rights to freedom of religion and due process. Conley issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting immigration officials from enforcing the ban against the mans wife and daughter, saying theyre in danger daily. Now the man wants Conley to issue an injunction, which would further cement the courts protection.

Conley has set a hearing on the injunction request for Tuesday. The Justice Department filed a brief late Thursday night arguing against an injunction.

Agency attorneys wrote the mans request is unnecessary since federal courts in Hawaii and Maryland completely blocked the ban this week. The order also includes waiver provisions for people who seek to reside with a family member admitted to the United States legally and the man cant show hes been harmed, they wrote.

The attorneys went on to say the ban is a valid exercise of the presidents authority to temporarily suspend certain classes of aliens from entering the country and the ban draws distinctions based on the risk of terrorism, not religion.

More fundamentally, Plaintiff misses the point: the Orders objective is to prevent future terrorist attacks before they occur, the governments brief said.

According to the Syrian mans lawsuit, he fled his country to avoid near-certain death at the hands of two military factions, one fighting against President Bashar al-Assads regime and another that supports it. Both sides thought he was working for the other; each faction tortured him and threatened to kill him. He didnt identify himself in the lawsuit to protect his family.
Beijing: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has appeared with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to say the two countries share the view that tensions on the Korean Peninsula have reached "a rather dangerous level".

Speaking to the media after a meeting in Beijing on Saturday, Mr Tillerson said the US and China would work together to bring North Korea to "make a course correction and move away from the development of nuclear weapons".

"We share a common view and a sense that tensions on the peninsula are quite high right now and that things have reached a rather dangerous level, and we've committed ourselves to doing everything we can to prevent any type of conflict from breaking out," Mr Tillerson said.

Mr Wang agreed, but also had some advice for his American counterpart.
PHILIPSBURG:--- HBN Law has been ranked as one of the best law firms in the Dutch Caribbean by Chambers & Partners in Chambers Global 2017, while two of the firms attorneys, Eric R. de Vries and Chris de Bres have been ranked among the best attorneys in the Dutch Caribbean.

Chambers & Partners is an international organization which, for the last 17 years, identifies and ranks the most outstanding law firms and lawyers in over 180 jurisdictions throughout the world.

Chambers & Partners described HBN Law as: one of the largest and best-established firms in the Dutch Caribbean, and is greatly valued by clients for its depth of experience. It is particularly well regarded for dispute resolution, having handled several large, cross-border arbitrations as well as high-profile litigation cases. The firm is also active in transactional matters and its other areas of strength include real estate and telecoms work.

The organization also had the following to add about the firms two top-ranked attorneys:

Litigation heavyweight Eric R. de Vries enjoys a sterling reputation amongst sources. His creativity and flexibility are especially valued, with one client describing him as a very outside- the-box thinker; he comes up with straightforward solutions to problems that initially seem quite complex. He is also active on financing and M&A matters and is praised by fellow lawyers for his business-minded approach.

Bonaire-based Chris de Bres is recommended for his litigation practice, with clients including several international banks, as well as companies from the energy and telecoms sectors. Sources praise his detail-oriented approach. One client said: He was able to give good insights into the technicalities of our case. Hes a very smart guy and was very well prepared for our hearing.

This is the 7th consecutive year Eric R. de Vries has been ranked as one of the best attorneys in the Dutch Caribbean by Chambers & Partners, and the 2nd consecutive year for Chris de Bres.

Founded in 1938, HBN Law has been the Dutch Caribbeans leading law firm for nearly 80 years.

With 35 attorneys spread over its five offices in Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Sint Maarten and Amsterdam, HBN Law serves all of the Dutch Kingdom, including Saba and Sint Eustatius from its offices in Sint Maarten. HBN Law furthermore serves Surinam from its Curacao office. For more information on the firm and its attorneys, visit www.hbnlaw.com.

HBN LAW PRESS RELEASE
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Election Committee of the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce met to discuss the upcoming Chamber by-election.

The Electorate

Voters for Small Businesses are those entitled to vote, whose names appear in the Commercial Register as involved in an established company with less than one hundred thousand guilders capital investment.

We hereby wish to inform you that in accordance with Federal Ordinance of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry (P.B. 1944 No.202) one position on the Board representing Small Business has become vacant due to a resignation.

Consequently, the Election Committee will sit and subsequently inform you of the by-election date.

Entitled to vote: Eligible voters are persons who meet all of the following requirements:

 Residents (those registered with the Registry Office for 2 years);

 of Dutch citizenship/nationality;

 25 years or older as of August 15, 2016;

 Involved in an established company;

 No incompatibilities (more persons in the same business);

 Not excluded from eligibility (see entitled to vote).

 Who for one year, immediately preceding the making up of the Register of Voters, appear in the Commercial Register of the Chamber as:

Owner, partner, manager, deputy manager, managing director, supervisory director, general attorney or proxy holders (with no limitations).

Excluded From Voting Are:

 Prisoners, persons put in a ward because of insanity, persons adjudged bankrupt, etc.

Duration of Membership

A term of office lasts three years. Each year, one third of the membership steps down by rotation. Temporary vacancies: also stepping down by rotation.

 Voluntary resignation.

 Dismissal by law.

We want to advise all businesses who want to take part in the by-election to first settle their outstanding bills at The Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

The President.
South Reward - The paving of Mildrum road, also known as the Weymouth Hill road has begun, which entails leveling of the surface, shaping out the road, and pouring. According to the set schedule, 95 meters of the Mildrum road will be paved with fiber  reinforced concrete. The whole project is expected to be completed within the coming 5 weeks.

The Honorable Minister of VROMI, Christophe Emmanuel is enthusiastic about the completion of this project. He is grateful to have been able to finalize the public / private agreement in order to better the infrastructure for the residents in the area of Weymouth Hill with a newly paved Mildrum road.

Assigned contractor for the works is Clean Sint Maarten NV. The costs of construction are shared by Valley Estate, Prima Vista Estate and Sint Maarten Government
Deep spending cuts in President Donald Trumps budget proposal could threaten the federal funding UW-Madison researchers rely on to investigate Alzheimers disease, asthma and other ailments, and slash support for programs that help low-income students afford college, according to scientists and campus officials.

The Trump administration says its budget, which increases military and homeland security spending while cutting domestic programs, shifts money from ineffective or poorly targeted programs to bigger priorities.

But at UW-Madison, a research institution that receives 30 percent of its annual funding from the federal government, officials are raising alarms, warning the reduced spending could affect hundreds of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars worth of research.

The budget outline the White House released Thursday in many cases did not include details of how large spending cuts would be or how agencies would implement them. Some Congressional Republicans are already balking at the budget, which would cut several broadly popular programs, so its unclear how much of Trumps initial proposal will pass.

Of concern to scientists, though, is the budgets plan to reduce federal support for research, including a cut of nearly $6 billion from the National Institutes of Health, which awarded $285 million for research at UW-Madison last fiscal year.

Proposed cuts to the U.S. Department of Education would affect the university as well by reducing or eliminating outright grant and work-study programs that thousands of UW-Madison students receive, financial aid director Derek Kindle said.

It would result in less accessibility for our students and students across the country, Kindle said of the budget.

Pace of discovery could slow

Trumps budget proposal calls for a cut of 18 percent from the National Institutes of Health, and reorganizes its institutes and centers to help focus resources on the highest priority research and training activities, according to the budget outline.

The administration is also looking to reduce funding for the Department of Energys Office of Science by $900 million and make cuts to climate research in the Environmental Protection Agency.

About $890 million of UW-Madisons $3 billion annual budget came from the federal government this fiscal year, making it by far the universitys largest source of revenue. About three-quarters of those federal dollars are grants, while the rest is financial aid.

Officials estimate the cuts in Trumps budget could cost UW-Madison 850 jobs and reduce funding by $350 million over the life of current federal grants, many of which are funded over multiple years, said Natasha Kassulke, a spokeswoman for the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education.

Research efforts at UW-Madison that rely on NIH funding include the UW Initiative to End Alzheimers, which examines the disease and develops therapies and care plans to treat it, said Rick Moss, senior associate dean for basic research, biotechnology and graduate studies in the School of Medicine and Public Health. The UW Carbone Cancer Center and a study of high asthma rates in urban areas are also funded through the NIH, Moss said.

Professor Samuel Poore, a researcher whose study of advanced prosthetics is funded by the Department of Defense, called the NIH the crown jewel of medical research in the world, and said the proposed cuts would be absolutely devastating to the greater scientific community.

Current NIH awards at UW-Madison total $723 million. Depending on how the agency manages the funding cut, it might reduce those grants when they are renewed annually, Moss said, which could lead labs to lay off employees and, more broadly, curtail important research.

It would diminish their activities tremendously, Moss said of UW-Madison researchers. (If) you reduce that activity, you reduce the pace of discovery, you reduce the pace of innovation.

Grants, work-study reduced

Trumps budget reduces funding for the Department of Education by 13 percent. Cuts in higher education include:

Eliminating the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant program, which provided $2.6 million to fund 2,183 grants for low-income students at UW-Madison in the 2015-16 school year.

Significantly reducing the federal work-study program, which subsidizes part-time jobs as a form of financial aid, providing $2.3 million for 2,078 UW-Madison students last year.

Taking $3.9 billion from the reserves of the Pell Grant program, another award for low-income students, which lawmakers and advocates had hoped to use so students could apply the grants to summer classes. The Pell Grants federal funding would remain the same.

UW-Madison sophomore Rebecca Thiry said she relies on her part-time job, funded through the work-study program, to pay for food and living expenses during the school year after money from her other financial aid awards runs out. With one sibling in college and another starting soon, Thiry said her parents cant afford to support her financially through school.

Anything I need during the semester comes from my work-study earnings, said Thiry, who makes about $10 per hour answering phones and staffing the financial aid offices front desk.

The Trump administration says work-study and other programs identified in the budget are not targeted well enough to serve the students who need them, or have not been shown to be effective. But Kindle, the UW-Madison financial aid director, said he has not seen evidence that programs facing cuts in Trumps budget are ineffective.

Administration officials also say reducing the number of grant programs will simplify a complex federal aid system. Kindle again disagreed.
Our View: Your vote, whatever it is, is a vote for democracy

Today's Debate
An incumbent and two challengers are facing off for two open seats on the Wisconsin Heights School Board. The terms are for three years. (I) indicates incumbent.

James Kartman (I)

Age: 40

Address: 322 Wall St., Mazomanie

Job: Dane County deputy sheriff and contract deputy for the village of Black Earth

Political experience: School board member for the past three years. I have held the position of treasurer for the past two years. I am the chairman of the Finance Committee. I have also served on the Employee Relations, Building and Grounds, Transportation, Public Relations and Insurance committees.

Other public service: Member of the Wisconsin Heights Optimist Club, Grand Knight for Council 7811 Knights of Columbus Mazomanie/Black Earth

Education: Bachelors degree in education from University of Dubuque; four years of military training with the U.S. Army; graduate of the NCOA, Noncommissioned Officers Academy; graduate of the Correctional Academy in Oshkosh for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections; graduate of the Police Academy at Madison Area Technical College

Email or website: jameskartman@gmail.com

Beverly Rousch

Age: 34

Address: 10706 Howard Trail, Mazomanie

Job: Caregiver

Political experience: None

Other public service: Volunteer in many local organizations

Email or website: bevrousch@msn.com

Mary Beth Schall

Age: 64

Address: 5919 S. Mathewson Road, Mazomanie

Family: Husband, Doug; children, Nick, Peter, Zoe; two grandchildren

Job: Retired Navy (rank commander); retired school nurse; owner/operator of Base Camp Cafe in Mazomanie

Political experience: None

Other public service: McFarland Public Safety Committee; Mazomanie 2020 Committee

Education: Masters degree in curriculum and instruction; masters degree in nursing; principal certification

Email or website: basecampmazomanie@gmail.com

Q&A What is the main challenge facing the district and how would you address it?

Kartman: Lack of state funding is the biggest budget issue facing our district. We are advocating with our representatives and being as fiscally responsible as possible. We also collaborated with local leaders and set up an endowment fund for mini grants and financial resources for teachers. The endowment hopes to raise $50,000, which will then be matched by an outside entity.

Rousch: We are currently in the hiring process for a new superintendent. Making sure that our new superintendent knows the community and our needs is a way that I hope I can help.

Schall: Decreased enrollment and limited school funding led to a mixed bag of issues, from underutilized buildings, limited course offerings, difficulty hiring specialized staff, and constantly tapping taxpayers for more. Close partnerships need to be in place with the communities to market our unique school district and develop a supportive infrastructure that would support new growth.

In what ways can the district improve, and how would you do that?

Kartman: Every school is struggling with communication. State funding and student needs continue to change. We are improving our website and updating our social media to try to keep up. I will continue to advocate for the board and school district. I have created a platform for exchanging information through community organizations I am a member of.

Rousch: I think our schools are wonderful. My hope is to be on the board and serve some time on it helping to make decisions for the districts betterment.

Schall: Wisconsin Heights needs to retain the teachers we have taken from novice to highly functional professionals. Students are consistently recognized while the teachers are not. The professional climate can work to celebrate excellence and offer tangible rewards to further expand classroom effectiveness and motivation, such as attendance at workshops and peer recognition.

On April 4, the Wisconsin Heights School District will ask voters for an additional $4.1 million to maintain current educational programming. Do you support the referendum?

Kartman: I support the referendum based on the fact we have no other viable alternative. Our referendum is tied to the state aid we are predicting on getting. The numbers are the numbers. If the state formula changes and we dont need as much money as asked for, I support not taking as much during the second year of the referendum.

Rousch: I absolutely support the referendum. There is a gap in what we have and what we need so that we can educate our children. These children are our communitys future, and the very small amount each household would give to bridge that gap would be an investment in a better future for the Wisconsin Heights area.
WASHINGTON  OneWeb Satellites, the joint venture between rising satellite operator OneWeb and manufacturing giant Airbus, broke ground March 16 on a dedicated factory that will build thousands of OneWeb satellites instead of the hundreds originally envisioned.

OneWeb Satellites Chief Executive Brian Holz said the $85 million Exploration Park, Florida, facility  which is scheduled to open a year from now  will go above and beyond the initial 900-satellite contract OneWeb placed in January last year.

"We'll produce over 2,000 satellites largely to be flown in LEO, low-Earth orbit, to be a key kingpin in that architecture," Holz said during the ceremony. "That's going to allow us the foundation, with new automation techniques, to lower the cost of satellite delivery, and also shorten the schedules for our customer and create value that is not in the industry today."

OneWeb Founder Greg Wyler tipped his hand regarding OneWeb's bigger constellation plan in February, telling an audience in London and later affirming to SpaceNews that the company was actively weighing about 2,000 satellites on top of the initially announced 648. Since then, OneWeb has described its initial "gen-1" constellation as 882 satellites, and filed with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission for permission to serve the U.S. market with 2,000 more satellites split between LEO and medium-Earth orbit.

OneWeb Satellites claims the Florida factory will be able to produce up to three satellites per day. In a March 16 interview with SpaceNews, Mike Cosentino, president of Airbus Defense and Space Inc., expressed confidence that the joint venture will be able to meet this production rate.

"Once we have the manufacturing processes down, once we have the suppliers lined up and the schedule validated, then we will operate in the same fashion as any high-assembly product does. It hasn't happened with a satellite, but there is no reason we can't do it with a satellite if you do it with airplanes and automobiles," he said.

Digital rendering of OneWeb Satellites' Florida manufacturing plant. (Image credit: OneWeb Satellites)

The first 10 satellites for the overall constellation are planned for construction at an Airbus facility in Toulouse, France. Cosentino said reaching the three-a-day production rate is just as much about the design of the satellites as it is the factory. OneWeb Satellites will validate the production methods in Toulouse and replicate the process in Florida. Each spacecraft will be about the size of a washing machine, he said.

OneWeb Satellites' Florida factory, like Blue Origin's launcher factory, is being built just outside the gates of NASA's Kennedy Space Center. In a March 16 statement, Wyler said the facility will enable OneWeb "to continuously iterate on the design of our satellites, launch new satellites within hours of completion and create significant opportunity in the U.S."

Most of OneWeb's spacecraft are contracted to launch on Arianespace-provided Europeanized Soyuz rockets, but some will launch on two rockets still in development: Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne air-launch system and Blue Origin's reusable New Glenn rocket.

OneWeb Satellites' main customer is OneWeb, but the company is not exclusively bound to build satellites for OneWeb alone. The company said it could be ready to build satellites for commercial and government customers in 2018. OneWeb's first-generation constellation is expected to start launches that year.

Not including subcontractors, OneWeb Satellites anticipates the Florida factory will create around 250 new jobs, bringing employment opportunities to a region still feeling the effects of the 2011 shutdown of NASA space shuttle program. The company expects to create thousands of more jobs  though not all in Florida  through its supplier base. Many of those suppliers are likely to set up locations of their own in Florida to keep pace with OneWeb Satellites' demand. Holz said component manufacturer Ruag Space, based in Switzerland, is bringing about 50 jobs to Florida related to OneWeb.

Holz said OneWeb Satellites will provide connectivity to a school in Brevard County, Florida, linking the academic institution with another school in Toulouse as a recognition of the company's vision of connecting 2 million schools around the world. Once OneWeb's own satellites are in orbit, he said the connection would switch to using that system.

OneWeb has the goal of bridging the digital divide by 2025, and has affirmed that goal has not changed with its pending merger with global geostationary satellite operator Intelsat.

This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry.
The ninth satellite to join the Wideband Global SATCOM network (WGS-9) is shown here, encapsulated inside a 5-meter (16 feet) payload fairing. The satellite is scheduled be launched into space atop a Delta IV booster from Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 37 on March 18, 2017.

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket is scheduled to send a military communications satellite into orbit tonight (March 18). ULA will provide a live stream of the launch, and you can watch it right here on Space.com.

The rocket will blast off from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Liftoff is scheduled for 7:44 p.m. EDT (2344 GMT). The launch window closes at 8:59 p.m. EDT (0059 GMT on March 19). The webcast will begin at 7:24 p.m. EDT (2324 GMT).

The rocket will carry a $442 million Boeing-built satellite that will join the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) network. These satellites provide a worldwide communications network for the U.S. military and its allies. The cost to build the satellite was covered by Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and New Zealand, in exchange for access to the entire network, according to Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, commander of the 45th Space Wing. [The Most Dangerous Space Weapons Concepts]

This will be the ninth satellite (WGS-9) to join the network. The WGS-8 satellite was launched in December 2016, and the tenth and final member of the WGS network is scheduled to launch in late 2018.

The mission also will be the 35th launch of the Delta IV since its inaugural launch in 2002, according to a statement from ULA.

The Wideband Global SATCOM 9 communications satellite for the U.S. military is encapsulated in the payload fairing of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket ahead of planned March 18, 2017 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. (Image credit: United Launch Alliance)

Follow Calla Cofield @callacofield. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) will release SpaceX's robotic Dragon cargo spacecraft early tomorrow (March 19), sending it back to Earth carrying more than 5,400 lbs. (2450 kilograms) of experiments and equipment.

You can watch Dragon's departure here on Space.com, courtesy of NASA TV; coverage begins at 4:45 a.m. EDT (0845 GMT). Flight controllers will remotely direct the station's robotic arm, Canadarm2, to detach the spacecraft, and French astronaut Thomas Pesquet and American astronaut Shane Kimbrough will send the command to release the craft at 5:11 a.m. EDT (0911 GMT).

The spacecraft launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center's historic Pad 39A on Feb. 19, and berthed with the station on Feb. 23 after a 24-hour delay. Dragon's journey home will be much shorter, however; it's slated to splash down in the Pacific Ocean at 10:54 a.m. EDT (1454 GMT) tomorrow, if everything goes according to plan. The craft's deorbit burn and splashdown will not be broadcast.

SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft arrived at the International Space Station on Feb. 23 and is set to leave early Sunday (March 19). (Image credit: NASA)

Within 48 hours of splashdown, representatives from NASA and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, which manages research on the ISS, will have the time-sensitive research samples from the craft in hand for analysis, NASA officials said in a statement. In addition to completed experiments, the spacecraft will carry equipment that's no longer in use, officials said during a post-launch briefing. That equipment will travel in Dragon's depressurized trunk and will be disposed of, the officials said.

According to NASA's space station blog, most of the spacecraft cargo was packed away by March 15, and this was mostly done during astronauts' off-duty or extra time during the workday. The hatch is scheduled to be closed for good today (March 18). The space station crew will bid a fond farewell to the craft, which brought science gear for more than 250 experiments, crucial supplies and station equipment  as well as Pesquet's old saxophone.

Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
London, 18 March 2017 (SPS) - The freedom of expression in Western Sahara is muzzled by Morocco which attacks journalists and human rights activists, denounced the British organization for human rights defence in Western Sahara, Adala UK.

The NOG wrote on its website this week that the Moroccan regime persecutes and imprisons journalists because of their political opinions, the same false charges for which human rights defenders are accused.

Journalists in Western Sahara are particularly victims of human rights violations and often suffer from arbitrary detention and torture, according to the organization.

It underlines that the reports it receives show an alarming increase in restrictions on the freedom of expression exerted by Morocco and its human rights violations in the occupied territories of Western Sahara.

Adala UK cited the example of journalist of the Sahrawi city of Smara, Salah Labsir, who is still in prison, after being accused, wrongly, of premeditated violence against police and the destruction of public goods in 2013. (SPS)

062/090/700




If Mitt Romney can get a second audition for secretary of state and a dinner invitation from Donald Trump  whom he once referred to as a fraud and a phony  there may still be hope for John Shaban.

The former GOP state representative from Redding, who gave up a safe seat in the Legislature last year to run unsuccessfully for Congress, is angling to fill the highly sought-after post of U.S. attorney for Connecticut.

This is one closing argument that could be untenable for Shaban, who distanced himself from Trump during last years campaign and referred to his partys standard-bearer on multiple occasions as a jerk.

Shaban, who practices commercial law in Greenwich, said he does not think thats a disqualifier.

I actually give his team credit for saying, Were all on one team now. Lets build out the administration,  Shaban said. Whatever comments are made or not made, whatever the spin was put on them, who knows. It is what is. If there was an opportunity to serve, that would be clearly one I would be interested in.

The competition for the top Justice Department job in the state, which Obama appointee Deirdre Daly is expected to leave later this year, is ratcheting up within the Republican ranks.

If history is any indicator, those familiar with the process say, it could take Trumps administration and the DOJ months before nominating Dalys successor. George W. Bush and Barack Obama took a year to make their picks. Obama had the benefit of having two Democrats as sitting U.S. senators to consult him. Trump has no such guidance, with no Republicans holding statewide or federal office from Connecticut.

What theyre going to do now, its unclear, said Stanley Twardy, who held the same post from 1985 to 1991. Might he reach out to Linda McMahon, who knows Connecticut, obviously?

McMahon, the former CEO of Stamford-based WWE, was confirmed by the Senate last month to lead the Small Business Administration.

Among the names Trump could choose from are Ben Proto, the Stratford lawyer who was Trumps state campaign director; John Pavia, of Easton, a former New York City assistant district attorney who was a lead lawyer on Bushs Florida recount team in 2000; Susan Hatfield, a state prosecutor from Pomfret; Ross Garber, onetime chief counsel to former governors M. Jodi Rell and John G. Rowland; and Martha Dean, a former candidate for state attorney general.

But those said to be interested in the job tried to avoid giving off the appearance they were campaigning for it.

When the president asks you to serve your country, you say, yes,  Proto said.

Daly is somewhat of an anomaly.

Despite submitting her resignation to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who called for 46 holdover U.S. attorneys from Obamas presidency to step down, Daly is being allowed to stay on until she reaches her 20 years of service with the Justice Department in October.

The first woman U.S. attorney in the state, Daly presides over a staff of 64 assistant U.S. attorneys assigned to offices in Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford. All of them are career employees of the Justice Department. Daly worked for the Justice Department in the 1980s and 90s, and then worked in private practice. She was confirmed as Connecticut U.S. attorney by the Senate in 2014.

Her tenure has been marked by the creation of a public corruption task force in 2015 and the successful prosecution of Rowland for violations of campaign finance reporting laws.

Under Daly and her predecessor, David Fein, the U.S. attorneys office has taken the lead on Project Longevity, a program aimed at reducing gang violence in Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford.

State GOP Chairman J.R. Romano said Trumps family could play a role in the choosing Dalys successor because of its ties to Connecticut. Trump once owned a home in Greenwich.

Im sure theyll take a vested interest in the direction of that office, Romano said.

nvigdor@hearstmediact.com; 203-625-4436; twitter.com/gettinviggy
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WASHINGTON  While Sikorsky and other Connecticuts defense-related industries are set for a soft landing in the presidents 2018 budget unveiled Thursday, Long Island Sound cleanup and small cities like Bethel and Derby might not be so fortunate.

At a price tag of $1.5 trillion, the Trump administrations first spending plan puts a major down payment on the U.S.-Mexico border wall (that Mexico was supposed to pay for), and boosts military spending.

But it slashes most non-national-security spending by amounts unseen in decades, targeting Donald Trumps campaign demons like the Environmental Protection Administration, Education Department, and Health & Human Services for cuts between 14 and 31 percent.

How this translates into dollars for Connecticut is not yet clear. But as a blue state that has embraced the concept of government spending as an engine of economic progress and social improvement, Connecticut may well end up losing more than it gains.

vanishing cleanup money

The offices of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Democratic members of Congress scrambled through the day Thursday to pinpoint the hits. One that seemed clear is the $2 million in funding for monitoring and cleaning up the Long Island Sound, which is a part of the EPAs geographical programs that the Trump budget zeroes out.

Another zero is the so-called TIGER grants competitive program, which has benefited several Connecticut transportation projects, including the Barnum Station in East Bridgeport. The so-far-uncompleted station got a $10 million TIGER grant in 2015.

Connecticuts Small Cities Program, which helps low- and moderate-income people in places like Seymour, Ansonia, Bethel and Derby, is under the gun as part of cuts to the HUD Community Block Grant Development program.

Also axed is $23.5 million for Connecticuts CDBG entitlement communities, which include Norwalk, Danbury, Bridgeport, Milford and Stamford.

The governments energy-assistance program for low-income individuals and families  $8.1 million in Connecticut  is also proposed for elimination.

The state also receives about $532 million for education via the Department of Education, which is slated for a 14 percent cut  although, in line with Trumps priorities, funding for charter schools and school choice will rise.

The budget earmarks food and nutrition programs in the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Education as duplicative. Mandatory programs like Food Stamps appear to be safe, but the effect on other such benefits that serve primarily low-income families is uncertain.

Appeal to common values

Presidential budgets traditionally are aspirational  a starting point for Congress to slice and dice. Trumps budget director, Mick Mulvaney, admitted as much, telling reporters, This is not a take-it-or-leave-it budget.

Still, Malloy and the states Democratic lawmakers expressed outrage at Trumps cuts.

If President Trump truly wanted to put America first, he would start by putting our people and our common values first in his budget, Malloy said. Instead, the administration gets it terribly wrong in this proposal.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said, President Trump continues to work for millionaires and billionaires, not everyday Americans, and his cuts for programs that serve Americas middle and working class are an assault to our values.

Sikorsky, with 8,000 or so employees in Connecticut, is unlikely to see any of its contracts reduced, with the presidents budget promising to strengthen the U.S. Army by rebuilding readiness, reversing end-strength reductions, and preparing for future challenges.

This is the beginning of a multi-stage budget process, and its too early to speculate on potential impacts on individual programs or locations, said Sikorsky spokesman Paul Jackson.

Trump and administration officials insisted the budget is fulfillment of campaign promises to drain the swamp and reduce the size of government.

It puts America first (and) must make the safety of our people its number one priority  because without safety, there can be no prosperity, Trump said.

dan@hearstdc.com
WASHINGTON -- A prudent president, facing multiple battles on legislative and other priorities that are crucial to his first-year success, would find ways to avoid needless controversy. Not President Donald Trump. He's doing exactly the opposite, and the credibility gap continues to grow.

The House Republican leadership's proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, which Trump has embraced, faces serious opposition within the party. The president's newly proposed budget, which would slash domestic discretionary spending, the State Department and the Environmental Protection Agency, has been met with stiff resistance, even among some Republicans. The administration's second attempt to impose a travel ban is on hold, once again caught up in the courts.

Meanwhile, Trump will not let go of his claim that former president Barack Obama tapped his phones at Trump Tower during the election, despite no supporting evidence. The president has been offered numerous exit ramps to put this self-created controversy behind him. Instead, he remains stubbornly defiant, perpetuating rather than closing a damaging chapter in his presidency that in the past few days became an international embarrassment.

The latest illustration of the president's incapacity to admit error came Friday at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He was asked by German reporter Ansgar Graw of Die Welt about the angry denial by British officials that Britain, at the behest of the Obama administration, had spied on Trump during the presidential campaign.

AP

"Do you think it was a mistake to blame British intelligence for this?" the president was asked. White House press secretary Sean Spicer had pointed to an unverified report about British intelligence a day earlier. Trump began his answer with what he hoped would be a lighthearted comment, but one nonetheless that suggested he didn't believe the British.

Gesturing toward Merkel, he said, "As far as wiretapping, I guess, by this past administration, at least we have something in common, perhaps." The president was referring to reports that the National Security Agency had listened in on the German chancellery during Obama's presidency.

Despite laughter in the East Room, Merkel appeared to find no humor in Trump's response, offering a look that charitably could be called one of puzzlement that the leader of the world's most powerful country would try to drag her into his controversy.

Trump might have stopped there, but he plunged ahead. "And just to finish your question," he told the German reporter, "we said nothing. All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television. I didn't make an opinion on it. That was a statement made by a very talented lawyer on Fox. And so you shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox, okay?"

With that response, Trump was following a playbook that has become standard for his White House, which is to duck, deflect and in all other ways do everything but acknowledge that there is no credible evidence for Trump's original claim, tweeted out two weeks ago. Having made the allegation, the president has asked others to prove it. When the evidence points in the opposite direction, the White House prefers to look for questionable ways to support what Trump claimed.

That was the case with Trump's words Friday. The "talented lawyer" to whom the president was referring was Andrew Napolitano, a former New Jersey Superior Court judge now working as a Fox News commentator. Napolitano was the originator of the assertion about the British role in the surveillance of Trump, basing what he said on three intelligence sources.

Spicer had cited Napolitano as he tried to defend his boss during an aggressively combative exchange with reporters Thursday. This is the same White House that has previously attacked accurate news stories that included the use of unnamed sources as fake news.

Spicer's comments drew a swift and rare public rebuke from British intelligence, which called the claim "utterly ridiculous." The dust up clearly strained tensions between the White House and America's closest ally. Meanwhile, Fox News declined to stand behind Napolitano's claims, noting Friday that its news team has found no evidence to support what the judge had said. That's one more case in which the White House has gone looking for a lifeline without success.

Day by day, the White House defense of Trump has been weakened, as one after another official has walked away from the president's tweets about Obama. The four leaders of the House and Senate intelligence committees have said they have seen no such evidence. FBI Director James B. Comey let it be known almost instantly two weeks ago that there was nothing to the claim.

Other elected officials, including Republicans, have demanded that the administration provide evidence. One Republican, Rep. Tom Cole, Okla., said Friday that the president should apologize to Obama.

In the face of this, Trump had nothing to say until pressed twice by German reporters, to their credit, at Friday's session with Merkel. Spicer has been thrust into the role of leading the defense at the risk of his credibility. He has sought to redefine the English language by suggesting Trump's words did not mean what the words meant, hoping to take some of the sting out of the implication in Trump's tweets that Obama had broken the law by ordering surveillance on Trump.

This chapter could come to an end next week. Comey is scheduled to testify Monday in an open session before the House Intelligence Committee about Russian hacking in the election and related matters. He will certainly be asked directly about Trump's allegation against Obama.

The Russia investigation on Capitol Hill remains open and vitally important. That the Russians meddled in the election is not disputed, given the weight of the intelligence community's findings. But much more needs to be known, and at this point, that responsibility falls to Congress.

One key aspect of that investigation is whether the Trump campaign or its close allies were in collusion with the Russians. That there were contacts between Trump officials and Russians also is not in dispute. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has acknowledged that he met with the Russian ambassador last fall, for example.

What is in dispute is whether those contacts were ordinary and legitimate, as the Sessions meeting was, or whether there were contacts between various Trump advisers and Russians that amounted to participation in a scheme to harm Hillary Clinton's campaign and thereby help Trump.

James R. Clapper Jr., the former director of national intelligence, said earlier this month on NBC's "Meet the Press," that, at the time he left office in January, he had seen no evidence of collusion between the Trump team and the Russians. Spicer was particularly irritated Thursday that this fact has gotten far less attention than Trump's tweets about Obama as he repeatedly chided reporters during the briefing.

If Comey shoots down Trump's allegation about Obama illegally ordering surveillance on Trump Tower, how will Trump respond? In other words, what kind of proof, evidence or testimony would satisfy him that what he said took place did not take place?

Based on his performance Friday, he's not prepared to accept the word of those who should know. If he's doubling down in the face of outright denial from the British intelligence community about a claim he saw on Fox News, whose testimony here would satisfy him? And what will his defenders say then? This week should provide the answer to that, at least.
Weeks after the citys insurer agreed to pay a record $3.35 million to settle a lawsuit brought by the family of a teen killed by a Madison police officer, a City Council member is proposing that the council and mayor decide whether to settle future lawsuits against the city or its employees.

The proposal is generating interest but may not find support over concern the city could lose its insurer.

The family of Tony Robinson filed a federal civil rights lawsuit after the 19-year-old was killed by Officer Matt Kenny in 2015. The settlement, announced last month, is the largest in state history for a police shooting, surpassing the previous record of $2.3 million the city agreed to pay the family of Paul Heenan in 2015 to settle a civil rights lawsuit against the city and former police officer Stephen Heimsness, who fatally shot Heenan.

The settlement between the Robinson family and the citys insurer was made over Kennys strong objections. The city  which had been dismissed as a defendant in the case  was not involved in the settlement and had no ability to influence the court or the parties in approving it, Mayor Paul Soglin has said.

Ald. Paul Skidmore, 9th District, has introduced a resolution that would give the mayor and council a role in deciding whether lawsuits should be settled. The proposal will be considered by city committees and decided by the council at a later date.

Its my desire to not have this happen again, Skidmore said of the lawsuit settlement process. This is not political. This is bad public policy.

Soglin said hed like to have the ability to review all settlements but is withholding an endorsement of the proposal until he speaks with City Attorney Michael May about whether the resolution would jeopardize the citys ability to get insurance.

Council President Mike Verveer said he has had informal conversations with the city attorneys office and risk manager and was told the resolution is problematic.

In concept, it sounds good, he said. But we could end up having to be self-insured.

May could not be reached for comment Friday.

Kenny shot the unarmed Robinson after the teen, who had taken hallucinogenic mushrooms, punched Kenny in the head and knocked him into a wall during an altercation in the narrow stairway of a Williamson Street apartment home on the night of March 6, 2015, authorities said. Police had been called to the area after reports that Robinson had been running in traffic and battering people.

In May of that year, Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne determined the shooting was a lawful use of deadly force and declined to bring criminal charges. A state review and an internal investigation also found Kenny acted appropriately.

The lawsuit, brought by the family against the city in August 2015, was due to go to trial on Feb. 27. The city was removed as a defendant by U.S. District Judge James Peterson after he found no evidence to suggest that city practices or procedures led to Robinsons death. The citys insurance company remained involved, however, because Kenny, who was also named in the lawsuit, is insured under the citys policy with Wisconsin Municipal Mutual Insurance Co., May has said.

The insurance company has the authority to make settlements under its policy with the city, May has said, adding that the city does not need to approve any settlements and cannot tell WMMIC not to settle. The city pays a retention fee, similar to a deductible, of $350,000 a year, which was used up long ago in this case, he has said.

The settlement leaves the plaintiffs free to disparage the city of Madison and its employee without recourse to sworn testimony, cross examination, or the independent judgment of a disinterested judge, Skidmores resolution says.

Decisions involving lawsuits brought by or against the city are properly the responsibility of its elected officials, not agents of an insurance company, and removing elected officials from decisions in such matters frustrates the accountability citizens expect from them, it says.

If there is a compelling reason to go to court, we will, Skidmore said.

Meanwhile, Soglin and Skidmore will introduce a resolution to the council Tuesday to reimburse Police Chief Mike Koval for close to $22,000 in legal fees from a misconduct complaint.

The Madison Police and Fire Commission dismissed the complaint without disciplining Koval, though it found that Koval had engaged in misconduct when he called Robinsons grandmother, Sharon Irwin, a raging lunatic after a combative City Council meeting.

Koval publicly apologized for the remark.

Last year, the City Council passed a resolution allowing police and fire chiefs to have their legal expenses reimbursed if they prevail in complaints filed against them.
D -Day veteran Lord Bramall is set to receive up to 100,000 in compensation from Met Police over its handling of an investigation into historical child sex abuse allegations.

The former head of the British Army, 93, was falsely accused of being a paedophile after Scotland Yard swooped on his home in connection with the controversial Operation Midland child sex abuse probe.

He was questioned in April 2015 before being told in January last year that he faced no further action as part of the Mets bungled probe into a supposed VIP paedophile ring.

Lord Bramall, who was never arrested, had always categorically denied the allegations.

Departing Met Police chief Bernard Hogan-Howe visited him at his home to apologise to him in October last year.

The Daily Mail reported that Met Police has negotiated hard over compensation and that it would have to come out of its policing budget.

A former senior detective told the newspaper: But a former senior detective said last night: This is a ludicrous argument, given how much money was wasted on Operation Midland in the first place. If the Met cared so much about budgets, why did it drag out the inquiry for so long?

Sources are said to have told the Daily Mail that the force is very keen to settle legal action threatened by Lord Bramall and that a six-figure pay out of up to 100,000 was close to being agreed.

A Met Police spokesman said: The Metropolitan Police Service is keen to resolve this matter as quickly and fairly as possible, balancing the fact any settlement will be made from public funds.
A huge fire broke out on a busy high street in east London, causing a number of buildings to be evacuated.

Emergency services rushed to the blaze in Plaistow at about 6pm on Saturday, as dramatic pictures posted on social media showed plumes of smoke billowing from the area.

A car workshop was completely alight as firefighters worked to remove a number of gas cylinders, a spokeswoman for the London Fire Brigade said.

Six fire engines were sent to the scene, she added, and a large police cordon was put in place.

A large police cordon has been put in place / @Jediwilt/Twitter

Newham councillor Seyi Akiwowo was driving nearby when the fire broke out.

She told the Standard: "I was on my way to a wedding and suddenly I heard all these sirens, police cars, fire engines and ambulances sped past me.

"A police car stopped in front of me and told people not to go any further.

"There were lots of people around, locals and West Ham fans who were just leaving the game. I immidiately thought this is serious."

She added on Twitter: "Fire in Plaistow! Was caught in between several police cars and ambulance vehicles. Be safe!!"

Sebastian Cadena, 18, said: "I was in an Uber and was going through Plaistow and saw around 20 ambulances and fire trucks with so many roads closed off, all of the locals where outside.

"It took around 20 mins just to get through Plaistow.

"When I went past it had settled down a little but there was still smoke and some ash in the surrounding area."

A Met Police spokesman said: "We were called just before 6pm to reports of a fire at Shaftesbury Point, just off the High Street.

"Officers and the London Fire Brigade are at the scene and a number of buildings have been evacuated.

"Road closures have been put in place."

He added that no one is thought to have been injured in the fire.
T he UKs first black bookshop is appealing for help to secure its premises and save decades of black British history in London.

New Beacon Books in Finsbury Park is fighting to fundraise repairs to its roof and build a website as it competes with digital books and major outlets to save a huge amount of black history.

The bookshop on Stroud Green Road hopes to crowdfund 10,000 after it has become very difficult to sustain and fears it will not be able to pass on its heritage to young black people.

It is also appealing for physical help for painting and people to help produce a website to allow them to sell books online.

The bookshop was founded in 1966 by Trinidanian John La Rose and his partner Sarah White and soon became a hub for activism, education about black history and its very own independent publishing house.

The bookshop in Finsbury Park was founded over 50 years ago / New Beacon Books

New Beacon Books now faces threats to closure as it must secure funding to carry out plumbing and roof repairs, as well as a new shop front and interior refurbishment to create space for talks and book signings.

If the bookshop were to close, a huge amount of history would be lost, Vanessa La Rose, wife of the grandson of bookshop owner John, told the Standard.

Under threat: New Beacon Books / Paul McKenzie

The bookshop's presence was a catalyst for many group formations, like the Caribbean Artist Movement and Black Parents Movement back then. We were instrumental in protesting about the New Cross Fire in 1981 which generated support of over 20,000 people protesting peacefully.

Our existence is more than purely that of a bookshop. We were a community hub. Its a space for people to come and speak unapologetically.

A hub for activism: New Beacon Books store / Paul McKenzie

For this to survive, we need to your help. We need physical help for painting, we need people to help us produce a website so books can be sold online, were looking to have meetings with people about books we perhaps dont know about.

Bookshop director Janice Durham, seen in the video above, added: Lets make black books beautiful again. We have to pass down our heritage.

New Beacon Books is crowdfunding to save the store / Paul McKenzie

New Beacon Books is open Wednesdays to Saturdays 1.30pm-6pm at 76 Stroud Green Rd, N4 3EN.
D onald Trump has fuelled a diplomatic row by repeating wiretapping claims during an awkward press conference with Angela Merkel.

Mr Trump tried to sidestep any blame for the White House decision to highlight an unverified report that Britain helped carry out the alleged surveillance.

In brushing off the diplomatic row with Britain, Mr Trump also revived another - the Obama administration's monitoring of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's calls.

"At least we have something in common, perhaps," Mr Trump quipped during an uncomfortable joint news conference.

Mrs Merkel, who was making her first visit to the White House since Mr Trump took office, looked flummoxed by the president's comment.

Angela Merkel: The German Chancellor appeared puzzled by the President's comments / AP

During an earlier, awkward photocall with Ms Merkel, the President appeared to refuse the offer of a handshake.

The Obama administration's spying infuriated Germany at the time and risked damaging the US relationship with one of its most important European partners.

Mr Trump's unproven recent allegations against his predecessor have left him increasingly isolated, with fellow Republican as well as Democratic politicians saying they have seen nothing from intelligence agencies to support his claim.

Uncomfortable: The two leaders at a joint press conference / AP

But Mr Trump, who rarely admits he is wrong, has been unmoved, leaving his advisers in the untenable position of defending the president without any credible evidence.

On Thursday, spokesman Sean Spicer turned to a Fox News analyst's contention that GCHQ, the British electronic intelligence agency, had helped Mr Obama wiretap Mr Trump.

Fox News anchor Shepard Smith said on Friday that the network could not independently verify the reports from Andrew Napolitano, a former judge and commentator who has met Mr Trump.

Donald Trump apparently snubs handshake with Angela Merkel

The GCHQ vigorously denied the charges in a rare public statement, saying the report was "utterly ridiculous and should be ignored".

According to a Western diplomat, Britain's ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch, had told the White House on Tuesday that Mr Napolitano's assertions were not true.

Still, it was among several news reports Mr Spicer referenced in his briefing on Thursday as part of an angry defence of the president's claims.

Mr Darroch and other British officials complained directly to White House officials after the episode, and Prime Minister Theresa May's office said it had been assured the White House would not repeat the allegations.

Mr Spicer was very apologetic when confronted by Mr Darroch at a White House dinner on Thursday, the Western diplomat said.

But Mr Trump himself offered no public apologies and suggested there was nothing wrong with the White House repeating what it had heard.

"All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television," Mr Trump said during Friday's news conference.

"You shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox."

Mr Spicer was also defiant on Friday, telling reporters: "I don't think we regret anything."

A White House official confirmed that Mr Darroch and Mrs May's national security adviser, Mark Lyall Grant, expressed concerns to both Mr Spicer and Mr Trump's national security adviser, HR McMaster.

The US and UK are members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, which prohibits members from spying on each other. Australia, Canada and New Zealand are the other members.

Some Republicans in Congress said Mr Trump should retract his claims, with Charlie Dent calling the accusation against Britain "inexplicable" and Mr Trump's accusation against Mr Obama unfounded.

He said: "A president only has so much political capital to expend and so much moral authority as well, and so any time your credibility takes a hit, I think in many ways it weakens the officeholder."
A man has been accused of sending a flashing image on social media to a journalist in order to trigger an epileptic seizure after he was critical of Donald Trump.

American John Rayne Rivello, of Salisbury was arrested in Maryland on Friday after a criminal complaint was filed in Dallas.

The 29-year-old was detained on a federal cyberstalking charge of sending a Dallas-based magazine reporter an image on Twitter intended to trigger an epileptic seizure.

It featured an animated image with a flashing light and a message saying: "You deserve a seizure for your posts."

The complaint was filed in December by Kurt Eichenwald, a Newsweek reporter who received the tweet on December 15.

The image was apparently sent in response to Mr Eichenwald's outspoken criticism of Donald Trump before the Republican's election win.

Mr Eichenwald claimed the tweet had sparked a number of copycat incidents.

He tweeted: "More than 40 ppl sent strobes once they found out they could trigger seizures.

"Stop sending them.
A terror probe has been launched after a "radicalised Muslim" was shot dead at a Paris airport when he grabbed a soldiers gun.

The man is believed to have shot at police officers during a road check in northern Paris on Saturday morning before heading to the airport.

One officer was hit in the face during the roadstop. The man then fled, threatening a motorist with a weapon to steal her car.

Police say that car was later found close to the Orly Airport.

Evacuation: Travellers wait outside the airport / AP

Once at the airport, the same man is believed to have tried to snatch a weapon from a solider.

He took refuge in a shop before being shot by security.

A police source told Reuters: A police road check took place in Stains (northern Paris) this morning at 7am.

It turned bad and the individual shot at the officers before fleeing.

Lockdown: Armed police at the airport / EPA

"This same man - a radicalised Muslim known to intelligence services and the justice system - then took a Famas (assault weapon) from a soldier at Orly's southern terminal ... before being shot dead by a soldier."

The French defense minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, said the man assaulted a patrol of three soldiers, all from the air force, including a woman.

Emergency: The man was shot after taking refuge in a shop / AFP/Getty Images

He claimed the attacker wrestled the woman to the floor and tried to take her weapon, but she managed to keep hold of it.

The minister says the two other patrolmen opened fire "to protect her" and the public in the airport.

French national police say that only one man was involved in an attack on soldiers at Paris' Orly airport and reports of a possible second attacker are false.

A national police official said that about 3,000 people were evacuated from Orly after the attack.

Passengers at the airport described gunshots and panic when a man was killed after seizing a weapon from a soldier guarding the site.

A witness identified only as Dominque said on BFM television: "The soldiers took aim at the man, who in turn pointed the gun he had seized at the two soldiers."

Another man said three soldiers were targeted, and they tried to calm the man who seized the weapon. Then the man said he heard two gunshots.
A "radicalised Muslim" who was shot dead at a Paris airport sent a chilling text message to his family minutes after blasting a police officer in the face.

The man, named by local media as Ziyed B, texted his family saying "I shot the police", BFM TV reported.

Soldiers at Paris's Orly Aiport shot dead the man dead after he wrestled one of their colleagues to the ground and tried to steal her rifle, officials said. Police have now launched a terror probe.

Thousands of travellers were evacuated and at least 15 flights were diverted to the city's other airport, Charles de Gaulle. No-one else was hurt in the incident.

Terror probe: Soldiers at the airport / AP

Police did not immediately provide a motive or identify the attacker, but the Paris prosecutor's office said he was 39 and had a record of robbery and drug offences.

Earlier, a police source described him as a "radicalised Muslim" who was on a security watchlist.

However, the prosecutor's office said he did not appear in a French government database of people considered potential threats to national security.

Earlier on Saturday, he had fired at officers during a traffic stop in a Paris suburb, wounding one in the face, then stole a woman's car at gunpoint. It was found later near Orly.

Shot: The man lies on the terminal floor / AP

The prosecutor's office said its anti-terrorism division is handling the investigation and has taken the attacker's father and brother into custody for questioning.

The incident further rattled France, which remains under a state of emergency after attacks over the past two years that have killed 235 people.

Saturdays shooting came as Duke and Duchess of Cambridge continued their tour of the French capital and met survivors of the Isis terror attack at the Bataclan.

Defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the attacker assaulted three soldiers patrolling the airport. He said the soldier who was attacked managed to hold on to her rifle and the two others she was with opened fire to protect her and the public.

Lockdown: Armed police at the airport / EPA

A spokesman for the force later said that she was shocked but not hurt.

It happened in a public area of the airport's South Terminal, before passengers show tickets or go through security.

Officials said about 3,000 people were evacuated from Orly, where passengers told of gunshots and panic.

People on 13 flights that landed around the time the drama was unfolding had to stay on planes for several hours. Augustin de Romanet, president of the ADP airport authority, said they were allowed off around noon, once a search of the airport was complete.

A witness identified only as Dominque told BFM Television that the attacker held the soldier by the throat and held her arm and her weapon.

"We saw it was a serious situation so we escaped," he said. "We went down the stairs and right after we heard two gunshots."

Taxi driver Youssef Mouhajra was picking up passengers at Orly when he heard shots, which he first thought were just a warning.

"We have become accustomed to this kind of warning and to having the soldiers there," he said.

Then he said he saw people rushing out of the terminal.

"I told (the passengers) 'let's get out of here'," he said. As he drove away, he saw soldiers and police rushing towards the airport.

The soldier who was attacked is part of the Sentinelle special force deployed around France to protect sensitive sites after a string of deadly Islamic extremist attacks. The force has 7,500 soldiers, half deployed in the Paris region and half in the provinces.
O ver 25 years since the animated film dazzled audiences across the world, Beauty and the Beast is back in cinemas in live-action form.

With Emma Watson taking on the role of Belle and Dan Stevens donning a CGI disguise as the titular beast, the tale as old as time is back with a fresh look and carefully-tweaked gender politics.

Director Bill Condon spoke to the Evening Standard about feminism, replicating the animated visuals, and why audiences still love musicals.

Evening Standard: Why is Belle a good role model for young women, and young men?

Bill Condon: She was an important one in 1991. She was more interested in books than boys, shes strong, she doesnt wait for other people to help her out of her predicament. Shes the one who does it.

Here, I think Emma and I tried to make sure that this was a 21st century heroine and role model. Not only does she like to read books, she wants to help other little girls learn how to read. She becomes an activist, not only concerned about herself but concerned about the community. I think thats a crucial difference.

What did Emma Watson, as an outspoken feminist and campaigner for gender equality, bring to her take on Belle?

Just who she is. Sometimes when you look at the filmography of movie stars, its almost like an autobiography. I do think here its the incredible strength she has. I cant tell you how much it makes a difference in this movie because people have to believe that this woman falls in love with this big hairy monster.

I think because Emma has such strength and also such clarity and intelligence, shes able to take you on that journey in the way that somebody who would be maybe sweeter in a way, more simple, I think maybe you wouldnt quite believe it as much.

Beauty And The Beast Clip - Belle

The Beast is physically a beast, and he locks Belle up at the start of the film its a difficult balancing act for a romantic story. Why was it important for you to give Belle agency?

She is face to face with this formidable, physical monster who also in our version is intellectually advanced. Hes not the illiterate Beast of the animated film. It was so important to show that through knowledge and through personal kindness and courage, that shes able to figure out the right solution, the right way out of this predicament.

What did it mean for you to try and pay tribute to the animated film?

This is a movie that means so much to people. Its not from a different generation really, because its never gone away since it appeared in 1991. Its a new medium and youre brining new things to it, and youre putting your own mark on it, but it was important not to reinvent the wheel either  to actually just tell more of it, more about these characters, to enhance the story and to reveal more. But its important that you not betray what it is that people love about it.

Beauty And The Beast Clip - Gaston

The characters looked spot-on, especially Luke Evans as Gaston. How did you feel when you first saw him in costume?

It was so thrilling, the first day. Luke in that incredible wig, that red costume, it just did feel  I have to say, he is kind of the closest to the animated figure coming to life. But again doing it in his own individual way. I dont think theres a line that he has  or maybe there are a couple  that are identical to the animated film.

He really made this new version of Gaston come to life, this 21st century, slightly shell-shocked narcissist. My god, hes so funny, he just exudes this kind of simple joy in celebrating himself.

Beauty and the Beast launch 1 /17 Beauty and the Beast launch Dave Benett Dave Benett Dan Stevens, left and Emma Watson arrive for the Beauty And The Beast launch in London AP Dave Benett Isabel Infantes/PA Dave Benett PA Dave Benett Dave Benett Matt Crossick/PA Matt Crossick/PA Matt Crossick/PA

It feels like musicals are flying high at the moment with the success of La La Land. Does it feel like a good time to bring out an unashamed, all-singing all-dancing musical?

My god, how lucky we got that La La Land appeared. I do think its been this gradual kind of movement in the audience through certain movies, television, and music videos too. You look at Beyonces brilliant movie Lemonade, this genre is taking on so many different forms.

I do think that this very old-school break-out-into-song traditional musical is something that people understand again and really want.

Beauty and the Beast is out now in UK cinemas.

Find behind the scenes exclusives and more for Beauty and the Beast on the DisneyLife app
Alex Henwood walks through Riverside Discovery Center (RDC) with Big Red, the zoos resident Red-Tailed Boa Constrictor. Visitors young and old come up to pet the snake and to talk to RDCs new education curator.

Henwood is the new RDC Education Curator. Her first official day on the job was March 13.

To say Henwood is excited about her new job would be an understatement. Shes animated with huge smiles when she talks about all the opportunities for children and their families at RDC. As a newcomer to the community, shes focused on building relationships and getting to know everything western Nebraska has to offer.

Henwood has a strong educational background and was recently the a zookeeper and education curator at the Lubee Bat Conservancy. In her spare time, Henwood would create programs for youth. She had a program for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts that she would like to bring to the area. Henwood achieved the Girl Scout Gold Award, which represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida. She wants to help other Scouts achieve their badges while learning about RDC and conservation.

I want to create a curriculum here for scouts with all the badges we can do, she said.

Henwood first heard about a position as zookeeper at RDC after Anthony Mason became zoo curator at RDC. He told his friends at Lubee about how he wanted to change the zoo and make it a top destination in town.

When a keeper position opened up, he said, You should apply, she said.

During her interview with the board, Henwood discussed her background in education and Board President Martin Mickey thought her experience would be a great fit.

He wanted me as a keeper to fill that void between keepers and education so theres lots of communication going on, she said.

In the mean time, Education Curator Jen Mitchell put in her notice and Henwood was offered the position. Having worked as a zookeeper provides an advantage for Henwood as the education curator.

It helps being a zookeeper first because you know which animals you can and cant use, she said.

Henwood, who is originally from Tampa, received an associates in science degree from the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, the only Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited teaching zoo in the United States. She received her bachelors degree from the University of West Florida in zoo science with a minor in business management.

She is already preparing for the next Lil Explorers class, which begins March 28, RDCs Party for the Planet on Earth Day, April 22, a science fair on April 28 and 29. Henwood is hitting the ground running as one of her goals for the year is to have RDC celebrate a record-breaking summer.

One of her long-term goals is for the zoo to bring in new education animals. In particular, she would like a binturong, also known as a bearcat. They are about as big as a medium-sized dog.

They are easy to train, she said. And they smell like popcorn.

If you visit RDC on a Saturday, there is a good chance you will see Henwood walking around with an education animal for visitors to learn about. Its a way to meet new people in the community, talk to visitors and another way to learn about the animals in RDCs care.

As she sifts through paperwork in her new office, her eyes grow wide whenever she comes across another program and its accompanying materials. Many are programs Henwood would have wanted at other zoos she worked for, but were too expensive. And RDC already has them.

This zoo has the best education material I have seen in the past three zoos Ive worked for, she said. There are some I saw at conferences but they were $700 and they (RDC) have them.

Her thoughts trail off onto all the ideas she has and what she can do with the material to teach everyone in the valley.

There is huge potential for this facility and Im going to bring it out, she said.

For more information about the programs at RDC, call 308-630-6236 or visit RDCs frequently-updated Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/riversidediscoverycenter/.
A project to build a downtown plaza just west of 10th Street and to upgrade building facades on downtown Gering businesses is expected to get underway this spring.

The plaza, located between O and N Streets, will connect to 10th Street with the existing walkway between Western States Bank and Plummer Insurance. The location will still allow for delivery access along O and N Streets for Main Street Appliances and the Union Bar.

The plaza will include some sort of water feature, a concert stage for live performances, benches, awnings for farmers markets and landscaping.

The first phase will start this spring and continue through summer, said Gering City Engineer Paul Snarr. Well be redoing the curbs and gutters, installing parking lots and putting down grass in the park area.

Underground utilities and footings for the market awnings will be installed during the upcoming 2017 construction season. Plus, the city will paint additional markings on designated crosswalks to help slow down traffic through the downtown area.

Once we get phase one construction complete, we can actually schedule some events in the plaza, said Karla Niedan-Streeks, executive director of the Gering Convention and Visitors Bureau, The finesse parts will be done during 2018, like the stage area, installing awnings for the farmers market, opening gathering areas, the water feature and even fire pits on the corners of the plaza.

The redevelopment group is also considering a kiosk in the plaza to promote whats going on in Gering.

The downtown plaza is part of a $350,000 Community Development Block Grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, which also includes funding for refurbishing building exteriors. Because state funds cant be used for landscaping, local service groups like Rotary and Next Young Professionals have stepped up to help with those costs.

Downtown Revitalization Committee members have already been working with downtown businesses on designs for building fronts.

Niedan-Streeks said the redevelopment group is encouraging interested downtown business people to submit grant applications to help with facade improvements.

A few applications have been turned in, but havent been reviewed by the committee for possible funding.

Any business along the 10th Street corridor or a block east or west can apply for up to $10,000 per address in matching funds for facade improvements, Niedan-Streeks said. That could include improvements such as lighting, signage and awnings.

She reminded business owners that to receive the entire $10,000 grant, they must match it with their own funds.

Applications are available at the visitors bureau office in the Gering Civic Center or at Twin Cities Development in downtown Scottsbluff.
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.
YAMAZAKI, Japan  A dim storage room surrounded by bamboo groves and pastoral hills is filled wall-to-wall with 3,000 wooden barrels. Here sleeps, for years, sometimes decades, prized Japanese whisky.

The Suntory distillery in Yamazaki, near the ancient capital of Kyoto, is where the first drop of made-in-Japan malt whisky was distilled in 1924.

These days, Japanese whisky is winning accolades from around the world, often beating the products from Scotland its makers set out to emulate.

In 2003, the Yamazaki 12 Years single malt whisky became the first Japanese whisky to win the gold medal at the International Spirits Challenge, the most authoritative liquor competition in the world. Last year, Hibiki, another Suntory label, won the Worlds Best Blended Whisky prize at the World Whiskies Awards, for the fourth time. A bottle of Yamazaki Sherry Cask, aged 25 years, fetches thousands of dollars.

Japan Inc. abounds with stories of manufacturers like automaker Toyota Motor Corp. and musical instrument manufacturer Yamaha Corp. that at first imitated Western pioneers in their industries but ended up matching if not outdoing them.

Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii was determined to introduce Scotch to Japan. Overcoming early failures, he eventually adapted his methods to distill a whisky palatable to Japanese.

Experts believe that aside from Japans clean and tasty groundwater, its four distinct seasons help to deepen whisky flavors during years of aging.

Scotlands many distilleries make blending whisky flavors easy. Suntory had to develop its own array of flavors using various temperatures and combinations of yeasts for fermentation, as well as more complex methods of distilling whisky.

After fermentation, the beige liquid gets heated and distilled in pot stills, huge metallic containers of varying shapes that can quicken or delay the distilling process, yielding nuances of flavors.

The result is a colorless liquid that smells almost like antiseptic that is stored in barrels, or casks, in a cavernous warehouse designed for aging whiskies. No nails are used in the casks, whose strips of old wood are bound by tightened metal rings. Aging gives whisky its color and personality  what whisky lovers say distinguishes it from wine or beer.

The casks, used over and over again, include old wine and bourbon barrels. Some are from Europe and the U.S. and others are made of Japanese oak. Suntorys three distilleries in Japan house a million casks.

Its a mystery exactly how whisky ages, says Shinji Fukuyo, Suntorys chief blender.

Flavors of each cask are mixed  just right, like a jigsaw puzzle, he says  to create, and recreate, various kinds of whisky and develop new ones.

Whats important for whisky is that its deliciousness must deepen with aging, sitting in the casks for a long time, said Fukuyo, 55

.

Its a clean and beautiful taste. Its hard to explain in words, he said of Japanese whisky.

Japanese whisky aged in a white oak cask has a hint of citrus or green apple. One aged in a sherry cask is fragrant, rich and sweet, evocative of dried fruit. Whisky aged in Japanese oak and smoky whisky have pungent, herbal flavors.

The growing popularity of Japans cuisine has helped win a following for its whisky, which was designed to be consumed with food, experts say.

Nikka Whisky, a unit of Asahi Breweries, froze its overseas expansion in 2014, finding it impossible to keep up with demand, says Emiko Kaji, who manages Nikkas international business.

Nikka Whisky From the Barrel, packaged in a sleek bottle, is doing especially well in Europe, she says.

Sukhinder Singh, owner of London-based retailer The Whisky Exchange, says he has had to ration his supplies of Japanese whisky to hotels and restaurants. He never seems to have enough.

At first, Japanese victories in blindfold whisky contests baffled connoisseurs. By now the Japanese blends have won over even the skeptics, he said.

When whisky expert Jim Murray voted the Yamazaki Sherry Cask the Best Whisky in the World for his 2015 Whisky Bible, its price shot up overnight. Prices of other Japanese whiskies have also been rising.

Everyone went: We want to buy Japanese, Singh said in a phone interview. The problem we have at the moment is not selling it. Its getting it.

We can sell every bottle we can get, he said.

Zoetrope, a tiny bar in a dingy Tokyo backstreet building, is famed among lovers of Japanese whisky.

Japanese whisky has an unpredictability that makes it fun, and the highly skillful Japanese blenders have created a subtle taste with an impeccable balance, said Atsushi Horigami, Zoetropes owner and bartender.

Thousands of miles away at Festa, a bar in San Francisco, banker Crystal Roseberry was trying Suntorys Yamazaki 12, at $40 a drink, for the first time.

Soft, silky, not jarring, elegant, friendly. And it still has a structure of a good whisky, which I think is very important, she said in an interview over an online call. This whisky is intriguing.
The only thing on Robert Coles mind was saving his friend. A Medic Aidman in the Army, he was part of a search and destroy mission of a suspected Viet Cong village in the Ben Iuc District of Vietnam.

On Nov. 20, 1967, Coles company was moving through a rice paddy when an entrenched and concealed Viet Cong force attacked with heavy automatic and semi-automatic gun fire. Cole saw two members of his company go down, including his friend. Without hesitation he ran towards the two, exposing himself to the enemy fire, 40 meters through knee-deep water.

It happened so fast, Cole said. When youre involved in the moment of it, youre mind just goes blank. You dont think about fear or anything like that until after its over with. Im not a big hero guy, but I did what I had to do and those were my friends out there Those guys were trained as infantry men. They did their job and I had to do my job.

Cole reached the first wounded soldier, patched him up and got him on the medic chopper. He then got to his friend. While he was raising him out of the water, Cole was shot. The bullet entered through his collarbone and exited out his back.

According to doctors it was an in and out shot, Cole said. I had a bullet-proof vest on, but it was open at the top. I think that when the bullet hit the back of the vest, it lodged between my back and the vest and thats what kept me from bleeding out. The heat from the bullet kind of sealed on my back.

Coles friend, who he was attending to when he got hit, held his head out of the water until help arrived. I know they put me on a medic vac and the guy, he was the machine gunner, and the whole time the chopper was moving we were flying over the jungle and I was glancing out and I kept trying to stay awake and the machine gunner kept shaking me saying, stay awake man, stay awake, dont close your eyes. I kept seeing the jungle below me and the whole time I thought I would see a rocket come up for us, but it didnt.

The bullet left Cole with a collapsed lung that would leave him partially disabled for the rest of his life. The recovery was slow and painful and he had to relearn to use his left arm, but it was made easier when a nurse showed him that his friend had made it and was just a few beds over. Cole said knowing his friend made it helped pull him through.

Then one night, Cole and the other injured soldiers received a special visitor. As I was laying there I looked up and saw this big red face and it was John Wayne, Cole said. He said, Hello friend, Im John Wayne. And I couldnt say nothing, because of the medication I was on, but thats an experience Ill never forget.

Cole had a couple other close calls in Vietnam. One was a bout with malaria and the other came when he narrowly missed stepping on a bamboo spike that would have taken off his foot. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his bravery in that rice paddy and the Purple Heart for the wounds he suffered.

Cole almost didnt make it to Vietnam when the boat that was transporting him got caught in a violent storm on the open sea. I did something I shouldnt have done and instead of staying secure area where they told us to stay, I went up to the upper deck and peaked out the window and what I saw Ill never forget, Cole said. Ive never seen waves that big. By the grace of God we survived that storm.

Cole remembers a chilly reception when he came home.

He arrived at Lambert in full uniform, but no one said a word to him. We were treated really bad, the Vietnam soldiers, so I had a hard time adjusting to that, Cole said. There were a lot of good guys that lost their lives over there. They didnt get to come home and do what I did.

But he does remember the heros welcome his mom gave him when he got home. I didnt know my mother was that strong, Cole said. She nearly cracked my ribs she hugged me so hard.

Cole worked for Boeing for most of his adult life. The 72-year-old still works at KLX, which supplies parts to Boeing. He has been married to his wife, Yvonne, for 40 years and they have two boys  one a doctor and the other a lab technician at Monsanto. I got a lot of counseling, Cole said. I went down to the V.A. and that helped out a lot. I was able to adjust real fast. The lifestyle I lived, I wasnt like a lot of guys; I wasnt roaming up and down streets.

Cole has spent the last 15 years working with the St. Peters, Missouri, chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, working to assist his fellow vets with support and educational programs.

He thinks about Vietnam every day. When he does, one thing sticks out. In Vietnam there was no racism, Cole said. We looked after each other, black, white, Hispanic. I remember when I got hit, our sergeant said, I need two guys to put Cole on that chopper. And you should have seen all those guys coming forward, white, black, they all wanted to help me. And when they put me on the chopper he said, Cole youre going home now. You dont have to worry about this anymore.
NORTH ST. LOUIS COUNTY  A woman who was an assistant manager at a North County apartment complex faces a federal mail fraud charge in connection with an alleged scheme to steal some tenants' rent payments.

The defendant, Jasmine Outlaw, was accused in a federal grand jury indictment March 8 in connection with incidents at the 600-unit Lucas Hunt Village Apartments. The complex is at 5303 Lucas and Hunt Road, just northwest of Interstate 70 in an unincorporated area.

According to the indictment, Outlaw around December 2014 began asking tenants to submit all rent payments to her and to make all money orders payable to her.

In some instances, the indictment alleges, she wrote her own name on the payee line of the money orders if the tenant left the line blank.

Outlaw then deposited such money orders into her personal bank account for her personal use, the indictment says.

The indictment also says the scheme resulted in some tenants appearing to be in arrears on their rent and that Outlaw mailed eviction notices to "and proceeded to evict" them.

The indictment doesn't specify the number of tenants affected or the amount of money involved. The charge specifically relates to a Nov. 2015 mailing of a "past due rent" notice to one tenant.

According to the indictment, Outlaw during the period cited was the primary employee responsible for collecting rent and mailing statements and notices. She was an assistant property manager, the indictment says.

To conceal the scheme from other employees, the indictment alleges, Outlaw logged into the complex's accounting system and applied receipts from old accounts to current tenant accounts to reflect a positive cash flow.

Robert Patrick of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
Kansas City and other U.S. cities have launched successful bus rapid transit lines that provide more regular point-to-point service at a fraction of the cost of light-rail or commuter trains.
Minister for Commerce Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan on Friday said that Pakistans export to Central Asian Countries has been increased during last three years from US $ 19.546 to $ 39.9 million.

Speaking in the Upper House during question hour session, he said Pakistan was not importing Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF) sheets from Sri Lanka at a higher price.

He said in fact, these were at a lower price as Pakistan is applying Zero duty under the Pakistan  Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (PSFTA).

He said Pakistans Most Favoured Nations (MFN) tariff for the MDF sheets was 16% while MDF sheets were being imported at reduced rates from Sri Lanka only because of the concessions given under the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (PSFTA).

Under the 1st Phase of Pak-China FTA (2007-2012), the tariff lines falling under the Medium- Density Fiberboard (MDF) have not been given preferential treatment, he added.

Furthermore, he said, even in the negotiations on the 2nd Phase of CPFTA which started in 2011, no commitment so far has been made with regard to the grant of preferential treatment to the import of products falling under the description MDF.

The minister said that the main reason for not granting concessions to countries like China and Malaysia was to protect the local industry.

Dastgir said that in order to enhance Pakistans trade with the Central Asian States, the Ministry of Commerce and TDAP has taken many step.

Ministry of Commerce, he said through Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) organized a Central Asia Trade Caravan / Road Shows in Kazakhstan, Kyrgvzstan, and Tajikistan in May 2016.

The series of events were aimed at encouraging Pakistani businessmen and trade bodies to establish contacts with their counterparts and to create awareness in the Central Asian markets about Pakistani products, he added.

Efforts are also being made to enter into an FTA with Eurasian Economic Union of which Kazakhstan is the only Central Asian member country, he added.

Trade bodies representing the private sectors were encouraged by Ministry of Commerce and TDAP to increase interactions with the business community through exchange of delegations and participation in trade fairs, the minister remarked.
Pakistani High Commissioner in India Abdul Basit has once again asked India to bring perpetrators of the Samjhauta Express blast to justice.

He was speaking at India Today Conclave 2017 organised in New Delhi.

To a question regarding probe into Mumbai attacks case, Abdul Basit said: It is a very complex case. The crime was committed in India whereas the trial is taking place in Pakistan and these trials do take time.

I would not like to offend anyone here but how much time it has taken for India to try those perpetrators of the Samjhauta Express blast.

Our suggestion, our submission to our Indian friends is that please do not jump the gun. The trial is underway which would require cooperation by the two governments and I hope as I said earlier the two governments are in touch with each other with a view to expediting the trial, he added.

Basit insisted that bilateral cooperation is a must in order to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Earlier on Friday, a Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in India summoned 13 Pakistani witnesses in the 2007 Samjhauta Express bomb blast case to appear in court from July 4 to 7.

The blasts had occurred near Dewana railway station in Panipat district of Haryana, killing 68 people, mostly from Pakistan, and injuring 12 on the intervening night of February 18 and 19, 2007.

The train was on its way to Lahore from Delhi.

Two of the main accused in the Samjhauta train blast case, Swami Aseemanand and Lokesh Sharma, have been recently acquitted by the Jaipur NIA court in the Ajmer Dargah blast case.
An Anti-terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday declared at least 12 Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leaders proclaimed offenders in a case pertaining to the 'hateful' Aug 22 speech delivered by MQM supremo Altaf Hussain.

The special public prosecutor assigned to the case said after the hearing that all MQM leaders involved in the case had been declared proclaimed offenders and that perpetual arrest warrants had been issued against them.

However, court officials later clarified that the judge had left MQM-P leaders Farooq Sattar and Amir Khan out of the proclamation due to discrepancies in their documentation, but would go ahead and declare them proclaimed offenders when the error was rectified.

Police had submitted a report on Saturday requesting the court to take action under Sections 87 (proclamation for persons absconding) and 88 (attachment of property of person absconding) of the Criminal Procedure Code after they were unable to execute the warrants issued against Sattar, Altaf Hussain, Amir Khan and 30 others.

Sattar had been taken into police custody on Friday night, and senior police officials had confirmed his 'arrest' in connection with cases pertaining to the incendiary Aug 22 speech of MQM founder Altaf Hussain, which triggered a violent protest, arson attacks and ransacking of media houses.

However, he was 'freed' in less than two hours  reportedly on the intervention of a top provincial authority.

Later, a spokesman for the Sindh chief minister said Sattar had escaped when a police team went to arrest him.

The investigating officer, Inspector Hameed Khan, had told the ATC on Saturday that he was "unaware" of the Friday night 'arrest' of Sattar and his subsequent release.

Sattar, too, had taken an ambiguous position on the episode when he addressed a press conference in the early hours of Saturday at his PIB Colony residence. He had said he did not know whether the incident could be called an 'arrest' or not.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on the same day said police had communicated to Sattar that he should obtain bail to avoid arrest.

He said the police had not arrested him yet as he was the leader of a major political party, but added that police would have no option but to arrest him if he would not obtain bail.

Farooq Sattar, Altaf Hussain, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Amir Liaquat Hussain and other party leaders have been deemed absconders in two cases lodged at the Artillery Maidan Police Station pertaining to Altaf Hussain's Aug 22 speech outside the Karachi Press Club.
Russia has summoned the Israeli ambassador to Moscow for clarification after Israeli warplanes violated the Syrian airspace and conducted a number of airstrikes on the Arab countrys territory.

Israeli media said Gary Koren was summoned by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday, a day after the Israeli envoy presented his credentials to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Earlier on Friday, the Syrian army announced in a statement that Israeli fighter jets penetrated Syrian airspace via Lebanese territory and hit a military target on the way to Palmyra overnight. The statement added that the army's air defense shot down one of the aircraft and hit another.

Israel has carried out air raids against Syrian-based targets on many occasions, but it rarely acknowledges the attacks. On Friday, however, the Israeli military acknowledged that its jets bombed several targets in Syria.

In a statement to justify the provocative operation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the Israeli military had targeted a convoy of the Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, in Syria.

When we identify attempts to transfer advanced weapons to Hezbollah  when we have the intel and the operational capability  we act to prevent it. Thats how weve acted and how we will continue to act and everyone needs to take this into account, Netanyahu said on Friday.

The resistance movement, whose fighters have fended off several Daesh attacks inside Lebanon, accuses Israel of supporting Takfiri terrorists operating in the Middle East. Hezbollah has also been providing assistance to Syrian army forces in their fight against Daesh and other foreign-backed terrorist groups in Syria.

The Syrian army added in the statement that Israels aerial assaults were in fact aimed at Syrian army positions to weaken Damascus against the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in the region.

The Israeli raids were a desperate attempt to raise their (Daesh terrorists') deteriorating morale and divert attention from the victories which the Syrian Arab Army is making in the face of the terrorist organizations, it said.

Security boosted in Golan Heights

Following the Israeli airstrikes, Damascus reportedly boosted its security presence in the southwestern Quneitra province, which includes parts of the Golan Heights region.

Tel Aviv and Damascus are technically at war due to Israel's continued occupation of Syria's Golan Heights since 1967. The Israeli regime has also been supporting the militants fighting against the Syrian government.

Moscow launched its campaign against Daesh and other terror outfits in Syria in September 2015 at the Damascus governments request. Russia's airstrikes have helped the Syrian forces advance against foreign-backed militants operating in the Arab country since 2011.
The US Justice Department has filed an appeal notice against a ruling by a Maryland federal judge that partially blocked President Donald Trumps new travel ban.

The Justice Department filed a notice of appeal with the district court in Greenbelt, Maryland, on Friday, two days after that court and one in Hawaii ruled that Trumps travel ban discriminates against Muslims.

The department has not published any details about the notice, which is the step before a formal appeal lawsuit.

District judges in Hawaii and Maryland issued separate orders this week, freezing Trump's efforts to close US borders to nationals of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

Although the ban was already restrained nationwide by District Judge Derrick Watson of Hawaii on Wednesday evening, the Maryland decision early on Thursday was another blow to Trump's executive order.

Watson concluded in his ruling that the revised ban is similar to the original one and constitutes religious discrimination.

District Judge Theodore D. Chuang of Maryland said Trump's revised travel order was still meant to discriminate against Muslims.

The history of public statements continues to provide a convincing case that the purpose of the Second Executive Order remains the realization of the long-envisioned Muslim ban, he wrote.

The Maryland judge said the ban will cause irreparable harm if it goes into effect.

It was another setback for President Trump, who saw his first attempt halted by the federal courts last month.

Trumps new order maintained a 90-day ban on travel to the US by citizens of Iran, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia and Sudan, but excluded Iraq and applied the restriction only to new visa applicants. It also removed an indefinite ban on Syrian refugees.

Trump on Wednesday called the revised order a watered-down version of the first one.

The order he blocked was a watered-down version of the first order that was also blocked by another judge and should have never been blocked to start with, he said.

It should have never been blocked to start with. This new order was tailored to the dictates to the 9th Circuits, in my opinion, flawed ruling, he said.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has asked the UN regional commission that represents most Arab countries to remove from its website a report accusing Israel of practising an "apartheid regime" against Palestinians, a UN official said on Friday.

The report for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), which comprises 18 Arab states, concluded that "Israel has established an apartheid regime that dominates the Palestinian people as a whole".

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York that the report was published without any prior consultation with the UN secretariat.

"The report as it stands does not reflect the views of the secretary-general (Antonio Guterres)," said Dujarric, adding that the report itself notes that it reflects the views of the authors.

The accusation - often directed against Israel by its critics - has never before been made by a United Nations body.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Wednesday the report was published without prior consultation with the UN secretariat.

Israel's foreign ministry spokesman likened the report to a Nazi propaganda publication that was strongly anti-Semitic and described it as "despicable and a blatant lie".

UN Under-Secretary General and ESCWA Executive Secretary Rima Khalaf had remarked that the report was the "first of its type" from a UN body that "clearly and frankly concludes that Israel is a racist state that has established an apartheid system that persecutes the Palestinian people".

The report was prepared at the request of member states, she had said.

The report was still visible on ESCWA's website on Friday.

UN official quitting over 'Israel apartheid' report

Jordanian UN official Rima Khalaf announced her resignation Friday, saying the secretary general had asked her to withdraw a report in which she accused Israel of being an apartheid state.

The secretary general asked me yesterday morning to withdraw (the report). I asked him to rethink his decision, he insisted, so I submitted my resignation from the UN," said Khalaf.

We expected of course that Israel and its allies would put huge pressure on the secretary general of the UN so that he would disavow the report, and that they would ask him to withdraw it, she added.

Israel's UN envoy Danny Danon welcomed Khalaf's resignation.

Anti-Israel activists do not belong in the UN. It is time to put an end to practice in which UN officials use their position to advance their anti-Israel agenda, Danon said.

Over the years Khalaf has worked to harm Israel and advocate for the BDS movement. Her removal from the UN is long overdue, he added.

BDS - Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions - is a Palestinian-led movement that lobbies for the boycott of Israel over its occupation of Palestinian land.

It says on its website that BDS was inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement.

The United States is outraged by the report, Washington's UN Ambassador Nikki Haley said in a statement on Wednesday.

That such anti-Israel propaganda would come from a body whose membership nearly universally does not recognise Israel is unsurprising, she said.

One of the authors is Richard Falk, a former special UN rapporteur on Palestinian human rights.

Haley in Wednesday's statement described Falk as a man who has repeatedly made biased and deeply offensive comments about Israel and espoused ridiculous conspiracy theories.
The United Nations has unanimously adopted a Pakistan Sponsored resolution calling for curbing drug trafficking and related crimes.

The resolution, co-sponsored by several countries, was adopted on the occasion of sixtieth anniversary session of UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs.

It was based on the theme of Strengthening international cooperation to assist the states most affected by the illicit transit of drugs, especially developing countries, based on the principle of common and shared responsibility.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has warned that military action against North Korea would be "on the table" if Pyongyang elevated the threat level.

A US policy of strategic patience with North Korea has ended, Tillerson, who is on a multi-nation tour in Asia, said in South Korea on Friday.

"Let me be very clear: The policy of strategic patience has ended. We are exploring a new range of security and diplomatic measures. All options are on the table," Tillerson told a news conference in Seoul.

He said any North Korean actions that threatened the South would be met with "an appropriate response."

"If they elevate the threat of their weapons program to a level that we believe requires action, that option is on the table," Tillerson said when asked about military action.

Tillerson will travel to China on Saturday, where he is expected to try to convince Chinese leaders to pressure North Korea to abandon its nuclear program. China is North Koreas main ally.

Tillerson, who had never served in the USs diplomatic corps before becoming the countrys top diplomat, visited the Demilitarized Zone earlier on Friday, and looked across the heavily fortified border at armed North Korean guards.

The US military has just begun deploying an advanced missile system in South Korea known as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), raising the ire of North Korea, China, and Russia.

Washington and Seoul claim that the missile system is for defense against North Korea, which has conducted numerous ballistic missile tests in the past, including most recently on March 6.
The Chinese foreign ministry has called for the settlement of the Kashmir issue through dialogue between Pakistan and India.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said this while addressing a regular press conference in Beijing on Friday.

Answering a question regarding Indias objection to Pakistans plan to declare Gilgit-Baltistan, part of Kashmir, its fifth province and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor going through these areas, Ms Hua said Chinas position on the Kashmir issue was consistent and clear-cut.

As a leftover issue from history between India and Pakistan, it needs to be properly settled through dialogue and consultation between the two sides, she said, adding that development of CPEC did not affect Chinas position on the Kashmir issue.
Germany may file a suit against the United States at the World Trade Organization over President Donald Trump's proposed border tax, the German economy minister said on Friday ahead of a meeting between Chancellor Angela Merkel and Trump later in the day.

Trump has warned that the United States will impose a border tax of 35 percent on cars that German carmaker BMW plans to build at a new plant in Mexico and export to the US market.

Asked how Germany would react to the proposed tax, Economy Minister Brigitte Zypries told Deutschlandfunk radio it was very difficult because of the complexities of such a tax system.

"The other option is that we file a suit against him at the WTO - there are procedures laid out there because in the WTO agreements it is clearly laid out that you're not allowed to take more than 2.5 percent taxes on imports of cars," Zypries said.

Later on Friday, Trump and Merkel are due to hold their first meeting since the new US President took office in January.

Merkel is likely to press Trump for assurances of support for a strong European Union and a commitment to fight climate change while he is expected to seek her support for his demand that NATO nations pay more for their defense needs.

Germany's 50-billion-euro trade surplus with the United States has been a source of tension between Washington and Berlin.

"The Americans need our machines and our plants ... and the other point is that we only have an export surplus in the machines and plants sector; in the service sector it's the other way round," due to big Internet companies in the United States, Zypries said.

Carl Martin Welcker, the president of Germany's VDMA engineering industry association, warned in an interview with newspaper Tagesspiegel about the "poison of protectionist measures".

He said any such measures would hit Germany's engineering sector hard at a time when there is widespread concern, following Britain's decision to leave the European Union and calls from French far-right candidate Marine Le Pen for a referendum on France's EU membership.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday he held candid, pragmatic and productive talks with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, which included North Korea, Taiwan and bilateral trade. Tillerson said tensions with the North were at a dangerous level and that the U.S. would work with China on the issue.

He said both sides renewed their determination to convince North Korea, which has a fast-developing nuclear and ballistic missile program, to choose a better path.

Wang also told Tillerson that China and the United States are in close communication on arranging a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump. The remarks were reported by Chinas official Xinhua news agency on Saturday.

Tillersons visit followed his remarks in South Korea on Friday in which he warned that pre-emptive military action against North Korea might be necessary if the threat from their weapons program reaches a level that we believe requires action.

China, the Norths biggest source of diplomatic support and economic assistance, has yet to directly respond to his remarks, although Beijing has called repeatedly for steps to reduce tensions.

Wang warned last week that the North and Washington and Seoul were like two accelerating trains headed at each other, with neither side willing to give way.

The question is: Are the two sides really ready for a head-on collision? Wang told reporters. Our priority now is to flash the red light and apply the brakes on both trains.

Wang said North Korea could suspend its nuclear and missile activities in exchange for a halt in joint U.S.-South Korea military drills, a proposal swiftly shot down by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, who said Washington has to see some sort of positive action from North Korea before it can take leader Kim Jong Un seriously.

Tillersons comments in Seoul that all of the options are on the table, including possible military action, are likely to be deeply disconcerting to Beijing, which fears that a collapse of Kims regime would send waves of refugees into northeastern China and land South Korean and American forces on its border.

China has agreed reluctantly to U.N. Security Council resolutions sanctioning North Korea, while calling for renewed dialogue under the Beijing-sponsored six-nation format that broke down in 2009.

In a further sign of its frustration with Pyongyang, China last month banned imports of North Korean coal for the rest of the year, potentially depriving Kims regime of a key source of foreign currency.

Past U.S. administrations have considered military force because of North Koreas development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles to deliver them, but rarely has that option been expressed so explicitly as by Tillerson.

North Korea has accelerated its weapons development, violating multiple Security Council resolutions without being deterred by sanctions. The North conducted two nuclear test explosions and 24 ballistic missile tests last year. Experts say it could have a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the U.S. within a few years.

China has stridently opposed the deployment of a U.S. missile defense system to South Korea, saying its X-band radar can peer deep into China to monitor flights and rocket launches. The U.S. says its a system focused on North Korea. China sees it as a threat to its own security.

Tillersons visit to Beijing is the final stop on his three-nation swing through Northeast Asia, which began in Japan. State Department officials have described it as a listening tour as the administration seeks a coherent North Korea policy, well-coordinated with its Asian partners.

Tillerson said Saturday that the U.S. wanted positive ties based on nonconfrontation, no conflict and mutual respect.

He is expected to discuss with China its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, including its building of islands atop coral reefs, complete with airstrips and military installations.

During his confirmation hearings in January, Tillerson compared Chinas island-building and deployment of military assets to Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea, and suggested Chinas access to the islands should not be allowed.
100 MW Korean solar power project hangs in balance By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):

Emphasising the need of adopting proper tender procedure,Sri Lankas Power and Energy Ministry appears to be delaying or dropping a Korean Companys offer to set up a 100 MW Solar Power Plant, to be done on a Turnkey Basis and handed over to the government which comes with project funding, Korean investors of the project claimed.

If commissioned, it will be one of the largest in South Asia Solar Power Plant; these investors said adding that the projects of this magnitude could be approved by the Cabinet with the consent of the Committee on Economic Management (CCEM).

When contacted, Secretary to the Ministry Dr. B.M.S Batagoda said the the government has taken a policy decision to call tenders for all solar power projects and no unsolicited bids will be entertained.

Normal procedure should be followed even if the project brings many benefits for the country, he said adding that the company will have to wait for another four months to apply for the tender for 100 MW solar power projects. The MOA Technology Company Ltd of Korea which has made the proposal jointly with world renowned Hyundai will be investing US$ 250 million including the financial cost of project for the solar power project on Turnkey basis (designed, supplied, built, installed fully complete and ready to operate).

The term Turnkey implies that the end user just has to turn a key and start generating power. The Korean companys offer comes with no capital outlay for the government till such time the plant is operational and generating income, MOA Technology Company official revealed. On commissioning the plant, the government can entrust operations to a nominated agency such as the CEB or the Renewable Energy Authority. The power generated is to be contributed to the main grid at rates to be determined by the government, he said.

The proposal to government provides for a payback period of 15 years from date of commissioning plant and generating income. It was emphasized that the income generated is sufficient to payback cost of plant, meet operational cost and to have a surplus, he claimed

Apart from providing the land and main grid connection, there was no other contribution to be made by the government, MOA Technology company official told Business Times .

As outlined in their proposal, it is noted that the government will make a profit of over US$200 million over 25 years after meeting project and operational costs without any investment other than providing the required land..

The funding for the project had been lined up by the Korean Company after their initial visits about 6 months ago. However if project does not get underway before end March 2017, the funding will have to be re-negotiated by the Company and the commencement of the project could be further delayed, company official said.

The Company which has made the proposal has done similar projects in countries other than South Korea. If Sri Lanka fails to commence negotiations towards finalisation of project promptly, MOA Technologies will have to rearrange project funding. With no assurances if rearranging of funds will be a possibility, the Solar Power project hangs in balance, he claimed.

Since August 2016 the Korean experts have visited Sri Lanka a few times to carry out required studies etc. The proposal has been made to the government.

The Korean Company did indicate that they have the blessings of their government and it is been considered as a follow up step to the pilot project done by the Koreans in Hambantota of which the cost had been borne by the Korean government.
Blue Mountain Group to reforest 125 acres at Wilpattu By Quintus Perera View(s): View(s):

The city of Colombo which is fast becoming a concrete jungle is to be greened after clearing a few constraints.

A media briefing was held in Colombo this week to announce the efforts made by Blue Mountain Group (BMG) in collaboration with the Forest Department to reforest a 125-acre land in Wilpattu in the Puttalam district. This is a part of their campaign of Greening Sri Lanka.

Dr. Hiran Hettiarachchi, Group Chairman, BMG said as a matter of principle, they undertook to preserve nature, pointed out that countries like, Singapore, the US and China are turning out to be concrete jungles and the environment of those countries are polluted, also pointing out that most parts of China are covered with a layer of fumes leading to such respiratory disorders, like coughing.

He said that Sri Lanka is a developed country in the sense where the people are happy that they can breathe fresh air, freely and to preserve that condition BMG is contributing its share to the Greening Sri Lanka initiative.

Dr. Hettiarachchi told the Business Times that while it is necessary to green the city of Colombo there are a few constraints that are yet difficult to penetrate.

He said that in Colombo land prices are soaring to the extent where the going price of an acre of land in Colombo is around Rs. 1 billion and they are finding difficult to convince some members of the Government to apportion some land to preserve nature. He was pointed out that the lush greenery that was there in Colombo in the past has now diminished.

At the briefing, he said that reforesting of this 125 acres is only the beginning of their reforestation efforts and in all their land development projects they separate 10 perches for the nature, for the iguanas, wild hares and other animals as a place to live as they are thrown out of their habitat due to development.

He said that they have been undertaking this type of nature preserving projects without publicity, indicating however that BMG thought of holding a media briefing so that other large scale corporates could take their example and follow suit.
HNB eyes SME, micro finance firms in overseas By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera HNB Grameen to go public View(s): View(s):

Hatton National Banks (HNB) micro finance arm, HNB Grameen, is to list its shares in the Colombo Stock Exchange(CSE) shortly, Jonathan Alles, Managing Director / CEO HNB told the Business Times on the sidelines of the HNB Investor Forum recently.

We aim to list HNB Grameen in less than a year, he said. The DWM

Funds has bought 7.93 per cent of HNB Grameen Finance recently.

Mr.Alles said that they are also open for acquisitions in SME, micro finance sectors overseas. In 2015 HNB went to Cambodia and supported a firm involved in the micro finance sector with a US$ 50 million investment. Mr. Alles added that they are interested in acquiring finance companies locally, when the right opportunity comes.

He added that HNB has partnered with selected property builders in the mid income range where an apartment, targeting the middle income sector, is priced at between Rs. 20 million to Rs. 40 million and will fund them and this will continue in the future.

While noting that repayment in this price sector will be good, he added that theres scope for lower end apartments as well. I am sure that there is even a bigger opportunity in the lower segment where a unit can be priced around Rs. 20 million. If an investor cuts costs and come out with a project of this nature it would be really profitable.

HNBs housing portfolio grew by 15 per cent last year and the target for this year is 20 per cent, Mr. Alles said. The lending portfolio would be around 15 per cent to 18 per cent and it was 20 per cent a few years ago. HNB minimised loan losses with stronger collections with two large recoveries that added to 50 per cent in their loan collections  a loan to a Maldives hotel group (which was bought by an Asian hotel chain) and a local plantation. Mr. Alles said that the bank is very careful when it comes to lending owing to the very weak regulations and the legal system in place for recovery and it takes a long period of time for recoveries.

Due to this, the banks are careful when it comes to strong lending. We also have a very strong recovery branch. The deposit growth of 18.3 per cent during the year outperformed the 16.5 per cent growth in the industry to achieve Rs 623.5 billion, he showed in his presentation adding that HNB emerged as the most profitable private sector banking group achieving Rs 22.5 billion in group profit before tax and posted the best financial results in its history.

In a bid to ward off threats from telecommunication companies in the future, HNBs new role inside the bank, the Chief Digital Officer has been a plus, he said noting that HNB seeing the rising challenges from the telecommunication companies infiltrating into the space traditionally dominated by banks decided to create this. Our digital drive towards becoming the most future ready bank also contributed immensely towards this great success, he said. HNB groups assets surpassed Rs. 900 billion while group PAT was at Rs. 15.67 billion, the Chief Operating Officer Dilshan Rodrigo said.

The HNB which called an EGM on March 27 to appoint Dinesh Weerakkody as a director said in an announcement to the CSE on Thursday that it wont go ahead with this meeting as the three shareholders  Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC, Stassens Export Limited and Milford Export (Private) Limited which requisitioned this appointment of Mr. Weerakkody withdrew it in writing to HNB on Wednesday.
Ranatunga wants to run ECT, Hambantota ports By Sunimalee Dias Govt-SLPA at loggerheads, JCT sinks View(s): View(s):

T0he government and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) have differed opinions on how to run the ports to achieve profitability, not only pertaining to the Hambantota port deal with the Chinese firm but also with the new East Container Terminal (ECT) issue.

The ECT is urgently required to overcome a drop in volumes from the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) as it is expected to assist in beefing up the profits at the SLPA.

We are going to have a drop in volumes in JCT until we take over ECT and run it, SLPA Chairman Dhammika Ranatunga, brother of Ports Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, said in an interview with the Business Times on Monday.

He noted that in view of the lesser draft available at the South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) and JCT they could only service feeder vessels whereas the ultra large vessels (ULVs) would go to the Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT).

In this respect, he pointed out that the ECT, in which there is still no agreement on whether to invite a private operator or for the SLPA to run it, should be operational immediately as it was planned to have the equipment ready at the terminal and commence work by March this year.

But industry analysts blame inefficiency, under performance and a lack of marketing that could ideally boost the JCT volumes and turnover.

JCT although unable to attract the ULVs like the CICT, is similar to the John Keells Holdings-run SAGT which has shown growth and profitability. Moreover, the state run terminal capacity is 50 per cent more than the private operator.

However, the SLPA has run into problems with the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM), about a month back, having proposed to introduce conditions to suit a single port operator which the relevant authorities said would be out of line if pursued.

In this regard, the CCEM has sought the advice of the Attorney General (AG) after the conclusion of the EOI of the ECT.

Mr. Ranatunga explained that they had submitted two cabinet papers on ECT and believed there was a different thinking by the government on how the ECT should be operated.

He noted that SLPA officials had consultations with the AGs department and the staff had stated their position on the issue.

Five companies were shortlisted and the SLPA had proposed the purchase of 12 RTGs and three gantry cranes at a cost of US$65 million but there had been no response so far.

The government believes that unless the terminal is privatised this cannot be operated efficiently; in fact some in the industry also note that though the SLPA in the past had proved they were capable of beating the private sector given the right management, nepotism would not be the right way to do it. Port unions have been vociferous against the Ranatunga brothers alleging corruption and mismanagement which has been strenuously denied by the brothers. In fact Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe too had to intervene at one stage when workers were denied their New Year bonuses for 2015.

Business plan

SLPA Chairman Ranatunga noted that they had a business plan worked out for the JCT by ensuring that increased numbers of feeder vessels would call at the terminal.

Referring to the JCT, he explained, Its not losing business. Its a temporary change in pattern. If a deep draft terminal attracts feeder vessels thats due to availability  but our model is to allow big vessels to those two and feeders to the JCT and SAGT.

JCT earnings in 2016 were at Rs.12, 797 million, he said. But the terminal is currently losing volumes with a drop of 21 per cent in TEUs or containers handled at the state run terminal for the month of February compared to the same period last year. January was also down by 21 per cent compared to the previous year.

Container handling in January at SAGT increased by 29 per cent in January this year compared to last year and CICT increased by 23 per cent. February also showed an increase by 20 per cent of container vessels handled at the SAGT and CICT increased by 24 per cent for the same month.

The JCT is planned to upgrade and replace its existing old equipment and develop the terminal, Mr. Ranatunga said.

As part of the budget review the SLPA is planning to also obtain an extension of the berth at the JCT and replace cranes.

China deal

Mr. Ranatunga said that the SLPA had raised about 30 concerns on matters like the valuation method on the Rs.2500 per perch proposed as opposed to the current figure of $50,000 per hectare.

The plan by the SLPA for the Hambantota port was different he said adding that there were two RFPs floated under the previous government and after Minister Arjuna Ranatunga took office, the latter being for an industrial zone and bunkering.

Mr. Ranatunga noted that the concessionary agreement or the terms of handing over the port to the Chinese company were changed four times.

He also explained that some of the concerns that they had were relating to the port security as it was SLPA security that was manning the port and not the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN). The latter is called in only at certain instances to engage in operations along with the SLPA security.

Moreover, he noted that as part of the commercial aspect of the land a minimum of 1000 hectares of land is being allocated on lease for $55 million per year.

We asked for a 35 year lease and the terminal operation on a 65 year period, he said, adding that the agreement does not entail a non performance policy.

He pointed out that they wanted to operate the port without handing over the port to a third party.

Asked whether the SLPA would operate as a regulator, he pointed out that these are vague words, adding that he does not know about such a policy.

The SLPA can work the Hambantota port and the ECT, Mr. Ranatunga said adding that Im confident because I have done business around the world.

Another Chinese company was said to have come about a year ago to carry out a feasibility study, sent by the government, on building a dockyard at the Hambantota port, the Chairman said.

They were present for a period of about three months and were here following an RFP was floated for the industrial zone.

East port and South Marina

The Trincomalee port development is being worked out with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Mr. Ranatunga said adding that this report would be released by mid April.

Possibilities are being floated for a lose cargo and an industrial zone with certain areas allocated for leisure, he explained. He also said that the refineries and an LNG could operate over there.

The rail link from the port would be used to transport goods out of the port to the areas like an investment zone which is part of the master plan worked out for the East coast.

Meanwhile, the Galle Marina is being proposed for development at a cost of $40 million which has been submitted to Cabinet. The CCEM had proposed to follow a new method in awarding the contract by adopting the Swiss Challenge process, Mr. Ranatunga said.

(According to Wikipedia, a Swiss challenge is a form of public procurement in some jurisdictions which requires a public authority  usually an agency of government  which has received an unsolicited bid for a public project or services to be provided to government, to publish the bid and invite third parties).

He pointed out that the investor is expected to submit the proposal next week and in one months time the other interested parties could bid for it. Operations on the marina are being scheduled within the next two months, the Chairman said.

Worker motivation

Mr. Ranatunga explained that they had reduced idle time by 40 per cent at the port and increased the turnaround time for offloading containers from vessels from 23 movements per hour to 28 movements per hour.

Currently the management at the SLPA is said to be developing a new human resources plan to improve efficiency and bring in innovation to the system.

Mr. Ranatunga said that they needed to restructure the recruitment procedures and by mid this year the completed HR master plan would take effect.

He explained that workers were aware of the value of the ECT terminal noting that employees are concerned because we wont get as much revenue as we would like to.

Workers have been constantly carrying out protests against the sale of the ECT and other issues pertaining to management decisions.
SEC releases Capital Market Strategy 2020 By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera View(s): View(s):

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) has released its Capital Market Strategy 2020, a comprehensive transformative plan for Sri Lankas capital market, which has been sanctioned by the Cabinet, SEC officials said.

They said that this was done with the intention of providing strategic clarity to market participants and the general public. This plan has components in strengthening regulatory and governance environment, creating an enabling environment for capital formation, increasing accountability and market oversight, deepening liquidity and broad-basing market participation, raising the standards and competencies of capital market participants, developing infrastructure and enabling new products, managing and mitigating systemic risk and building domestic capabilities.

The developmental objectives focus on the several constraints characterising our market, its small size and scarcity of liquidity, limited diversification in product offering from an investors perspective, and in listing platforms from an issuers. Additionally, we consider the efficiency and commercial orientation of market institutions, market infrastructure and technology gaps, and community capacity building extending to both the institution and industry, an official told the Business Times.

The amendment of the SEC Act is among the key initiatives geared towards strengthening the domestic regulatory and governance environment. This Acts enhancement of the regulatory framework includes the strengthening of the governance standards of the SEC, providing for the establishment of a clearing house acting as a central counterparty (CCP), regulating demutualised exchanges, recognising new categories of market intermediaries, introducing a wide range of enforcement tools to deal with market misconduct, enhancing the accountability of all capital market participants, and encouraging early reporting to the SEC on possible market malpractice through provisions for whistleblower protection.

Rules applicable to all regulatees of the SEC are currently undergoing review and revision with a view to creating a more robust regulatory environment for all and instilling greater discipline market-wide, the SEC said in a statement.

Deepening liquidity

The SEC seeks to actively engage provident funds and pension funds in diversifying their portfolios and increasing asset allocation to capital market investments, it has said noting that increased participation by such long-term institutional investors can improve market stability and sustainability, as a result of their holding power and ability to act in a counter-cyclical manner.

At present, with the broad-basing of market participation in mind, minimum public holding thresholds apply to listed companies upon initial listing, and enforced thereafter on a continuous basis, the official said noting that SEC would drive requisite policy formulation for the introduction of short-selling, securities borrowing and lending, and other new products in order to deepen liquidity.

To increase portfolio choice of investors, the SEC is developing a sequencing framework for the introduction of new products ranging from Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) to Financial Derivatives. The SEC would enable the introduction of a multi-asset offering for investors by spearheading policy formulation in order to facilitate related rule making by the CSE, the statement added.

Over the medium to long term, far-reaching reforms proposed as part of the Capital Market Strategy 2020 would support the proposition to Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) to reclassify Sri Lanka as an emerging market, providing for broader visibility as an attractive portfolio investment destination, it further said.
Shangri-La Colombo apartments practise no cash investment policy By Raj Moorthy View(s): View(s):

Those who aspire to own condominiums at One Gale Face, the mixed development project of Shangri-La Colombo will need to fool proof their investments.

Shangri-La Colombo and Hambantota Resort and Spa Deputy General Manager, Rajeev Garg told the Business Times on the sidelines of the soft launch of their show luxury apartment, that some 50 per cent of the apartments were sold while stressing that no cash will be accepted when one purchases a condo. He implied that they will not encourage any money laundering or an illegal activity of any sort.

Sri Lankans can invest in our apartments through a bank (either a bank loan or a cheque payment) but strictly no cash payment, he said. Foreigners (even Sri Lankans living abroad) can open a Securities Investment Account (SIA) if they have an income in US dollars and buy apartments, he stressed.

Mr. Garg explained the reason that foreign investors should have a SIA is to vouch for the money through a legitimate channel. It is (SIA) very legitimate and allows the investor to bring the US dollars into the country for investment. The investor should show the source of income. Later if they want to sell the apartment, they have to go through the same SIA to repatriate the money. Mr. Garg added that this way it helps the Central Bank to track how the money came into the country and how it will be repatriated. There is no grey area in this system, he added.

We dont accept any other currency apart from US dollars because the apartments, mall and hotel rates are in US dollars.

Mr. Garg added that foreigners who dont earn in US dollars will need to convert them to US dollars, open a SIA and make the payment.

He said the 50 per cent of the residential apartments that have been bought are by a mixed group of professionals, businessmen, diaspora, local wealthy investors and foreign investors. He said that the first phase of the property which is the hotel will be opened before the end of this year, during the third quarter.

Mr. Garg also mentioned that Shangri-La came into Sri Lanka the following year after the civil war ended in 2010. We were the first foreign hotel chain to come into Sri Lanka and showed the path for other hotel chains to walk in. The confidence on the country for developers and investors of Shangri-La was very high at that time. The real estate market has tremendously grown.Shangri-La is renowned for its world class hospitality and Im sure what we bring here and what other hotel chains would bring will suit the needs of the travellers and businessmen.

Shangri-La Colombo is the very first international mixed development property which has all four components for a working person  live in the residency, work in the office tower, play in the mall and stay in the hotel. This binds the community who wants to live here, open a shop, lease out an office space, etc, elaborated Mr. Garg.

The starting price of aresidential apartment is US$ 800,000 and goes up to about US$ 2 million, noted Mr. Garg. According to the media release the new show suite is a four bedroom unit of 2,765 square feet comprising a living area, dining, dry and wet pantry, bedrooms, three bathrooms, a maids room and a yard. The residencies at One Galle Face will feature 390 apartments consisting of two, three and four bedroom units. Additionally it will contain 16 penthouses offering eight duplex and eight simplex units.
SriLankan A330 aircraft deal boomeranged on PIA CEO By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):

The A330 aircraft deal, between Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and SriLankan Airlines hailed by the CEO of the national carrier as very successful, has boomeranged against his PIA counterpart now faced with allegations of corruption relating to the deal.

On Thursday, the Pakistan government barred the CEO of PIA, Bernd Hildenbrand, a German national, from leaving the country due to an ongoing probe into theA330 aircraft wet lease from SriLankan Airlines in August last year, an official monitoring the deal told the Business Times.

Pakistan media reports also confirmed the latest situation stating that the PIA CEOs name has put in the Exit Control List (ECL) by the Deputy Director Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Admin Lahore, Khawaja Hammadur Rehman on Wednesday.

The Federal Investigation Agency of Pakistan (FIA) is probing PIAs leasing of an A-330 aircraft at an exorbitant rate from SriLankan Airlines. Leasing the aircraft and starting of a premier service to European destinations is said to be basically Mr. Hildenbrand idea, reports said. The lease of the A-330 aircraft from SriLankan Airline has caused huge losses to the PIA. Only in first three months of the premier service, the airline suffered a massive loss, according to information provided by PIA management to National Assembly standing committee on aviation. SriLankan Airlines has yet to collect around US$2 million plus interest from PIA for the arrears of the lease installments and the payment for extra flying hours of the aircraft, a local official said.

The payment of dues will be further delayed owing to the ongoing investigations, he added.

But SriLankan Airlines CEO Capt. Suren Ratwatte recently claimed that the leasing of one of its aircraft to PIA has been the most profitable commercial agreement undertaken by the airline in the recent past. Be that as it may, now that the aircraft from PIA is back.the national carriers aircraft rotation must be so much easier as it has excess aircraft on ground since the European routes were suspended, the official added. Explaining the aircraft utilisation, Mr.Ratwatte told Business Times currently we are flying all our aircraft and once received A330 will be added.

SriLankan has charged PIA a rate of US$ 8100 per hour under the lease agreement which is a hefty amount, a Pakistani official said adding that it will have to come down drastically as the normal rate is about $6000 per hour.

Meanwhile the PIA board of Directors has decided to abrogate the latest Turkish Airline A-330 aircraft deal pending the FIA investigations.
Transition at Dhammikas Rocell smooth By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera View(s): View(s):

The transition at Dhammika Perera-controlled Royal Ceramics PLC (Rocell) was smooth last week as the relationship between the main shareholder and its former Managing Director Nimal Perera had been more or less been strained almost two years ago, sources close to both parties said.

On the back of stepping down from Chairman / Non Executive Director at Dhammika Perera led firms  Horana Plantations, Vallibel One and his resignation as a director of other Perera controlled firms such as Hayleys PLC, Nimal was replaced at Rocell by Aravinda Perera, a director at Hayleys and formerly CEO at Sampath Bank in which the senior businessman has 15 per cent.

Lauded as the largest earning employee in a firm in the country, Nimal Perera acquired the controlling interest of Tangalle Bay Hotel under his company  N Capital a few years ago and some in his camp say that he may get into hotels. He told the Business Times that he may get into politics. Nimal, according to those in his clique, was responsible for bringing Vallibel One to be one of the largest conglomerates in Sri Lanka.

But he was rewarded handsomely for his efforts, the senior businessmans camp insists.

The Perera split was in the making, as far back as two years when Dhammika Perera did his large acquisitions such as Amaya Beach, and the stake in Nawaloka and his hotel foray into Maldives without his right hands assistanc., His faction insists that he wont get anyone else close to Nimal in the future as this was a lesson. He will not get anyone else to execute his acquisitions in the future, a source close to him, added.
Yet another imaginative proposal to privilege the police View(s):

The tortuous dance of some in Government to ensure that a suspect in police custody is not allowed legal counsel at the earliest opportunity is indeed painful to observe. The latest amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure Act suggested by the Ministry of Justice reflects this reluctance exceedingly well. Now, instead of the earlier harebrained proposal that the access to legal counsel can be given to a suspect only after police interrogations are concluded, we have another equally imaginative proposal.

Better to retain the status quo

This amendment issued earlier this month in the form of a Bill, states in one of its sub-clausesthat an attorney-at-law shall, if he so, requests, be allowed to have access to the person in custody, unless such access is prejudicial to the investigation being conducted. I can only marvel at the sheer disingenuousness of this proposal. Even in the context of reforms of laws pertaining to civil liberties traditionally being reduced to a game to give rights with one hand and take away with the other, this particular clause is manifestly beyond the pale.

For the question that arises is immediate and glaring. Who determines the fact of legal counsel being prejudicial to the investigation being conducted in order to decide whether to afford this basic right or not? The simple answer to that would be, the police itself, of course. So what flows from the right to counsel being subject to such a preposterous condition?

Effectively the suspect would be in no better condition that if he or she did not have that right available under the law.Indeed, if there is any serious possibility of this passing through the House, it is far better not to have this amendment at all and to retain the status quo as it is.

Discarding of that judicious balancing of interests

This is quite as bad as that other wonderful idea urged by a former police spokesman taking great pride in his badge of honour as an attorney-at-law who suggested blandly in a recent television interview that if legal counsel is afforded to suspects at the point of arrest, then confessions made by suspects to police officers must also be admissible.

The fact that the entire weight of Sri Lankas criminal procedure jurisprudence since independence had stood stoutly against the very notion, in general circumstances, of confessions being admissible not only to police officers but also to any person standing in a position of authority was airily relegated to the background. It was of no consequence that these principles had been developed by judges of stern mettle who judiciously balanced the interests of law enforcement with civil liberties and made sure that neither suffered in the result.

But waving these aside with a quick brush of the hand, our garrulous representative of the police force could only proclaim pompously that well, they want counsel and if so, we should have our confessions since lawyers are representing them. These are the absurd depths of discussions on national television with the news anchors gaping foolishly.

Entrenched in the same State power mindset

In fact, the displacing of liberty protections in the ordinary law by anti-terrorism statutes institutionalising the use of torture is unquestionably the greatest tragedy to visit Sri Lankas legal system. From a difficult weighing of the scales even in the face of civil conflict soon after independence, we toppled down the authoritarian precipice.

State officers were given free rein to do whatever they wished with terrified suspects for whom the legal presumption of innocence until proven guilty meant nothing in effect.That mindset has been reinforced by certain prosecutors who, despite whatever government in power, firmly believe in the ideology of State power and State ability to brutalise human beings and not be accountable.

This is in line with the cynical thinking that the greater good is served even if innocents are killed by the State. And this is precisely why, despite the ending of active conflict and a new Government coming into power, we remain firmly entrenched in that same old mindset.

The soft soap of the amendment Bill

Other sub-clauses of the March Criminal Procedure Amendment Bill state that lawyers shallbe entitled to have access to the police station in which the suspect is being held to meet the officer incharge (OIC). Problematically here also the right is stipulated as not allowed to affect theinvestigations that may be conducted.

The Amendment Bill also replicates practices already in place on intervention by the Supreme Court. Thus, a lawyer is to be permitted entry into the police station, to be treated cordially and courteously(is there a difference pray, between the two?) and be given a fair and patient hearing by police officers. Further, such lawyer may ascertain from the officer in charge, relevant details regarding the offence in issue and ancillary information, provided that this does not adversely affectthe conduct of further investigationsand the interests of justice.

But that is all soft soap as that pithy idiom puts it. If that clause of this Criminal Procedure Code amendment giving authority to the OIC of the police stations to decide if legal counsel should be allowed or not is retained, the rest of the amendment will be reduced to mere rhetoric. For that regression will veritably eat away at everything else.

A relentless rolling back of civil liberties

And the point is that we are not talking of rights in the abstract here. Let us be quite clear on that. Sri Lanka has an endemic problem of torture, used as the commonest law enforcement method of interrogation. Those practices are inflicted on hapless victims from the North to the South at the very earliest point of arrest as countless studies have shown.

This has been heightened by the lack of effective magisterial intervention, the inadequacy of proper medical examinations and the collusion of prisons officials who, in the traditional meaning of the term, was supposed to ensure that fiscal custody would provide a safe haven for suspects. Longer arrest periods have changed all that. Relentlessly, all our normal civil liberties protections have been rolled back.

That is the core problem which has to be tackled, not through trainings for police officers (again, more of the soft soap) but through firm legal safeguards that exist as a matter of right in every developed jurisdiction.

It is quite a simple issue really.
Elizabeth Moir sets Rumors in motion By Joshua Surendraraj A farcical play written by Neil Simon is the latest production to be presented by the school View(s): View(s):

The Elizabeth Moir School, is setting the stage for their latest production, Rumors, a farcical play written by Neil Simon, which will be showcased at the Lionel Wendt on March 29 (Wednesday).

The play is presented in two acts. The scene opens up with a dinner party and builds-up into a series of rumours, with the exit and entrances of the ten characters. The production promises comedy, farce and mystery, all of which will keep its audience hooked.

We spoke to Anushka Senanayake, the production director, earlier during the week. Anushka is still afresh after directing her previous production, Next to normal. This will be her first time working with the Elizabeth Moir School, she tells us.

Anushka explains she loves working with scripts that are fresh, this was why Rumors was chosen. The scene is set in New York, and she had worked it, to give it a modern flavour. Thats whats different about it. Aside from that, I think weve been good at honouring what the playwright wants, she says.

Its been a while since Anushka has directed a younger Sri Lankan cast, she tells us. Her last production with students in the country was with Ladies College, seven years ago. So its been a long while. She however adds that its been exciting to work with the cast of Elizabeth Moir, and the level they have achieved thus far is commendable.

The play is quite a mature one from a performance stand point. In a sense it involves a lot of plot twists and confusion at times. It also requires a lot of skill from the actors. Anushka tells us that the cast, however had immediately adapted to the roles.

Ive worked closely with the actors to bring out the humour and devise the movement, she says. She adds, they have steered away from making it too slapstick. Aside from this theyve also tried to make the play accessible to the younger audiences, whilst still giving the production, its own style.

They feel that the production would relate more to kids interested in murder and mystery, because the play itself revolves around it. Furthermore, according to Anushka, aside from its humour, Rumors also comes packed with a message for its audience. Through the characters, it explores the consequences of spreading false rumours, building its focus on how seemingly innocent or trivial rumours can snowball into becoming a web of blatant lies and how this can damage another individual in their personal and professional life.

The audience can also expect to witness a lot of different things happening at the same time. They can also expect to be taken by surprise through a lot of unexpected twists.

Its one of those feel good plays, there are moral messages in there but its not kind of overly stated, I think its a lot of fun, Anushka explains.

Tickets for Rumors are priced at Rs.2000, Rs.1500, Rs.1000 and Rs.600. They are currently available at the Elizabeth Moir School, Colombo.
German cinema expert to train budding filmmaker View(s):

Pitch & Trailer Workshop by award winning filmmaker Till Passow

For the first time in Sri Lanka, award winning German filmmaker and trainer Till Passow, will conduct a workshop for young Sri Lankan filmmakers on making trailers for film production pitching.

This workshop will be useful for young Sri Lankan filmmakers with a film project in hand, looking for international film production funding.

During the workshop young filmmakers will be trained to pitch at international film festivals and forums. All filmmakers will be trained to make a trailer of the proposed production for pitching as well. All aspects of pitching will be covered during the 11 day training to be held at Goethe institute, Colombo.

Eighteen young filmmakers with new film projects will be selected to participate. At the end of the workshop filmmakers will be invited to present their trailers and practise in a practice-pitching session.

The 11 day work shop will be from April 28 to May 8 at Goethe Institut, Colombo 7 and interested young filmmaker with a feature or a documentary film project in hand can send their CVs with synopsis of the film (750- 1000 words) and directors intent (500-750 words) to intern1@colombo.goethe.org

Goethe Institut is the main partner of Agenda 14 Short Film Festival in Sri Lanka.

Agenda 14 held the first ever pitching session in Sri Lanka in collaboration with Goethe Institut three years ago for short filmmakers in Sri Lanka and produced 8 short films on Reimagining Development with Centre for Poverty Analysis. There after they produced 42 short films after several training and pitching sessions across the country.

Its time to support the young filmmakers to realise their dreams infull length feature and documentary filmmaking and this is the first step. Pitch& Trailer workshop was initiated at Berlinale 2016. Dr. Petra Raymond, Director of Goethe Institute introduced me to Till Passow and we developed the workshop plan in Berlin last year. We spent the last 12 months developing a workshop programme suitable for Sri Lanka, Anomaa Rajakaruna, Festival Director of Agenda 14 Short Film Festival said speaking about the festival.

Till has worked in Asia before and worked on similar progarmmes in the region. I hope this workshop will open doors for some young Sri Lankan filmmakers. We have many stories to tell and the world is interested in hearing them and be part of it. But we dont have the knowhow. We need a proper training in presenting our work to interested film producers and funders out side. This workshop will be a first of its kind to bridge gaps she added.

Further information could be obtained by contacting Anomaa Rajakaruna, Coordinator of the Programme on anomaa.rajakaruna@gmail.com
Here, pink is for saving lives View(s):

A dedicated team of doctors and nurses are carrying out ground-breaking work at the state-of-the-art Bone Marrow Transplant Unit of the Nawaloka Hospital, that marks three years. Kumudini Hettiarachchi reports

A posy of pink, yellow, orange and red flowers is gently offered to us by nurses clad in pink, as we bid goodbye.all made by deft little fingers, while awaiting life-saving procedures.

Earlier, we walk around the state-of-the-art Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Unit of the Nawaloka Hospital in Colombo 2, having donned caps, masks and gowns once again in pink.

It is then that a peek across a dividing glass into two sterile rooms gives us a glimpse of two boys, seated cross-legged on their beds with their mothers close by, busily crafting flowers and other handicrafts. This isolation in a sterile environment sans germs such as bacteria, viruses, funguses et al is a necessity because they have undergone heavy doses of chemotherapy.

The chemotherapy is to kill off their diseased bone marrow before healthy bone marrow from a donor is infused into them, to extricate them from the vice-like grip of diseases such as thalassaemia and leukaemia.

We have already met K.M. Shenon Praminda Kumara from Kumbukgahamulla in Kuliyapitiya who has successfully undergone an allogeneic haploidentical peripheral stem cell transplant for high risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia aggravated by a genetic abnormality. This transplant performed for the first time in Sri Lanka is reported to be unavailable even in many South Asian countries.

Shown around the first-floor purpose-built BMT Unit with its sophisticated equipment by Nawaloka Hospitals Director-General Prof. Lal Chandrasena and Consultant Oncologist Dr. Wasantha Rathnayake, we are privy to the strict protocols being practised within it.

The major successes of the BMT Unit are attributed to the multidisciplinary medical and well-trained nursing teams which work in tandem.

The medical team comprises Consultant Oncologist Dr. Rathnayake; Consultant Haematologists Dr. Senani Williams & Dr. Sasikala Suresh; Consultant Physician Dr. K.D. Duminda (Coordinator of the Programme); Consultant Transfusion Physician Dr. Lakmali Morawaka; Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera; Consultant Microbiologist Dr. Samanmali Gunasekera; and BMT Units Coordinator Dr. Ganeshanathen Kethiswaran and Medical Officer-in-Charge Dr. Pradeep Fernandopulle.

The seven-member nursing staff is led by committed and passionate Senior Staff Nurse Yashodara Rajahetti.

The BMT Unit opened on April 7, 2014, is making preparations to celebrate its third anniversary. It comprises three large, well-equipped isolation rooms with attached bathrooms for patients; two huge refrigerators keeping all that is stored within them at

minus 40C and minus 80C respectively; an apheresis machine for the harvesting of cells and a laboratory in which the cell processing is performed.

On the doors leading to the BMT Unit, the instructions are crystal clear  Authorized persons only. No visitors. Do not enter with cough, fever, sore throat or any signs of infection. No flowers.

All precautions are taken along with bio-safety measures in the best interests of the patients, MediScene learns, for with medications to fight their own immunity and high doses of chemotherapy to kill off their diseased bone marrow before they face the transplant, any slight infection could be fatal.

With HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) typing a vital part of the donor-recipient match, Dr. Williams details how buccal (inside of the mouth) swabs are taken. Swabs need to be taken carefully and labelled meticulously and shipped to a laboratory in the United States of America for testing.

The bone marrow transplants had begun in earnest after the teams had undergone extensive training in India earlier, through collaborations with the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Research Institute and with the internationally recognized expert on thalassaemia, Dr. Lawrence Faulkner of Italy.

Those who have passed through the unit and gone back to their homes across the country, in places such as Matara, Anuradhapura, Kurunegala, Welimada and Maharagama, include four who had been suffering from leukaemia between the ages of four and 15 years and 16 from thalassaemia, the youngest being just 1 years old and the oldest 14 years.

With so much dependent on the right match, the BMT Unit also has access to two international donor registries  DKMS, the German Registry and Dathri, the Indian Registry  in case there is a need to find non-related donors for their patients.

Its patients, meanwhile, are also able to claim some part of the cost of the transplants from the Presidents Fund.MediScene learns that once pre-assessment of the patient has been carried out by Dr. Rathnayake and Dr. Williams, a full-body health check is performed by Dr. Fernandopulle.

Thereafter, both the patient and his/her guardian, in most cases it is the mother, are given a sterile bath and furnished with caps, masks and gowns which have been sterilized. As the patient awaits a transplant, Dr. Fernandopulle explains that there is a conditioning period.

A two-port central venous line or Hickman line is fixed to the chest of the patient for easy administration of chemotherapy, drawing of blood and finally infusion of the stem cells harvested from the donor.

Ms. Rajahetti points out that there is only a positive pressure, ensured by hepa-filtres, in the rooms where the patients are kept, with outside air replete with germs not being allowed in so that they are not exposed to infection. The staff also follows a strict protocol to maintain sterility.

While the patients are awaiting the transplant, the nurses teach them handicrafts to while away the time and the beautifully crafted items including a stunning swan are displayed in the BMT Unit.

Ms. Rajahetti recalls with fondness all those who have passed through the unit, the names flowing forth without effort.. Hirusha, the very first who was treated for Thalassaemia Major, ahinsaka but well-disciplined Himakara and Kasun, the list goes on.

And they come back regularly, from their remote village-homes bearing tiny gifts of appreciation, though not expected, the most poignant of which being some boilt bada-iringu picked from their fields, for the team which has given them hope of a new life.

All about stem cells

Before MediScene gets an introduction to the different types of bone-marrow transplants, Consultant Haematologist Dr. Senani Williams explains the three sources from which stem cells can be obtained and how it is done.The sources of stem cells (basic or primitive cells with the potential to develop into many different cell types), MediScene learns, are peripheral blood, bone marrow and cord blood.Peripheral blood is blood comprising red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leucocytes) and platelets circulating throughout the body.Bone marrow, meanwhile, is a soft fatty substance in the cavities of bones, in which blood cells are produced, while cord blood is blood from the human umbilical cord.Referring to how peripheral stem cells are harvested from the donor, Dr. Williams says that growth-factor stimulants are injected to stimulate the bone marrow to produce more stem cells. These cells, after a particular period of time spill over into the peripheral blood and can be collected by a special machine called an apheresis machine.In the case of bone marrow, stimulants are injected, after which the bone marrow is drawn out, she says.

The final source being umbilical cord blood, stem cells are removed from a newborns umbilical cord soon after birth, frozen and stored until needed for a transplant. As umbilical cord blood cells are very immature, there is less of a need for perfect matching. However, due to the smaller number of stem cells collected thus, the recipients blood counts take much longer to recover.The types of bone marrow transplants performed at the BMT Unit, according to Dr. Williams are:

Autologous bone marrow transplant: With auto meaning self, stem cells are removed from the patient and stored in sophisticated freezers before he/she receives high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation. Thereafter, in this rescue transplant, the patients own stems cells are put back into his/her body to make normal blood cells. (MediScene learns that some centres do not freeze the stem cells but re-infuse/introduce them within 24-36 hours after collection, soon after a high dose of chemotherapy) Allogeneic bone marrow transplant: With allo meaning other, stem cells are removed from another person (donor) whose genes must at least partly/closely match the genes of the patient. Special tests using buccal (inside of the mouth) swabs are carried out to determine whether the donor matches the patient. Usually, a brother or a sister is most likely to be a good match, while sometimes parents, children and other relatives are also good matches. Donors who are not related to the patient, yet still match, may be found through national bone marrow registries. If a 100% match is found through a registry, it is a matched unrelated transplant. Haploidentical bone marrow transplant: These are transplants where only 50% of the genes of the donor match with those of the recipient. As each parent contributes 50% of the genes to his/her child, the parents would hence be eligible to be a haploidentical donor, as in the case of Shenon and his father. Bone marrow transplants answer to many diseasesNawaloka Hospitals BMT Unit is currently offering bone marrow transplants for: Haemoglobinopathy  Beta Thalassaemia Major

Leukaemia  Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) & Acute Myeloblastic Leukaemia (AML)Multiple Myeloma

There is a range of other diseases too for which bone marrow transplants are the answer:

Haematological diseases such as haemoglobinopathies including Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).

Leukaemias and lymphomas such as Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML); Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukaemia; Hodgkin Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL).Bone marrow diseases and other diseases when bone marrow fails such as Severe Aplastic Anemia; Fanconi Anemia; Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH); Pure Red Cell Aplasia; and Amegakaryocytosis/congenital thrombocytopenia.

Inherited metabolic disorders such as Hurler Syndrome (MPS-IH); Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD); Krabbe Disease (GLD); Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD); and Gaucher Disease.Inherited immune system disorders such as Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID, all types) Syndrome and Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS).Multiple myeloma and other plasma cell disorders; Myelodysplastic syndromes & myeloproliferative disorders; Familial erythrophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis & other histiocytic disorders; and certain other malignancies or cancers.
Aloysius may get big tax concession for Kalkudah distillery View(s):

Under a budget proposal effective this year, Arjun Aloysius liquor manufacturing firm W M Mendis and Co. is likely to receive a 100 percent capital allowance for locating its proposed four billion-rupee alcohol distillery at Kalkudah in the Batticaloa district.

The 2017 budget grants a 100 percent capital allowance on fixed investment of not less than US$ 3 million in fixed assets in the Uva and Eastern Provinces. The venture must also create at least 250 jobs. In its simplest form, a capital allowance is defined as the practice of allowing a certain amount of money spent by a company on fixed assets to be taken off the profits of the company before tax is imposed.

Approval to set up a grain-based extra neutral alcohol (ENA) distillery was granted to W M Mendis well before the 2017 budget proposals were announced. The paper trail shows that authoridation was given just 18 weeks after a presidential election that was won, among other things, on a premise of eradicating drugs and alcohol.

The Fiscal Policy Department wrote to the Excise Department on May 13, 2015, saying the ENA distillery was approved as a pilot. The latter gave the requisite clearance a record two days later. Both departments were  and still are  under the purview of Ravi Karunanayakes Finance Ministry which also contributes heavily towards budget-making.

But W M Mendis started implementing the project only in 2016. Central Environmental Authority (CEA) approval came in August that year, with a large number of conditions attached to the setting up of the plant. Construction was soon started on a 19-acre land that the company bought for Rs 10.7 million. Work is now temporarily halted on an order of the Koralaipattu Pradeshiya Sabha (PS). Local and provincial officials are opposed to the project.

In papers submitted to the Excise Department, copies of which were obtained by the Sunday Times, W M Mendis claims the plant will cost an astronomical Rs 4.5 billion to set up. This includes a payment of US$ 12,250,000 (aboutRs 1.85 billion) to an Indian distillery supplier for equipment and machinery.

The company has also placed an estimate of US$ 15,430,000 (more than Rs. 2.3 billion) for expenditures related to the project including water, electricity, land and road development, yard lighting, freight and insurance and civil works.

Despite earlier plans, W M Mendis is yet to be listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange. Its Chief Executive Officer is Suneth Abeykoon while the other directors are Haresh de Soysa, Ranjan Hulugalle and Sanjeewa Fernando.
BIA on alert for H1N1 patients from Maldives View(s):

The Bandaranaike International Airports quarantine division has stepped up surveillance for passengers with H1N1 influenza amid reports of a major increase in the number of people affected by the disease in the Maldives. Quarantine Director Dr. Palitha Karunapema said that during the week, upto 300 incoming passengers were referred to the health desk, and about 105 showed symptoms of H1N1 influenza.

He said certain regulations were followed during high-risk situations. If an ailing passenger was coming in, it would be registered in the system. Another way was ailing passengers general declaration in which details of their health status were filled and submitted, he said.

Dr. Karunapema said the Civil Aviation Department sought advice from the World Health Organisation and the International Civil Aviation Organisation during such situations. The director said an increase in Maldivian passenger arrivals was likely after that country reported an outbreak of influenza and some respiratory ailments.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Airlines announced it had activated, on its flights operating in and out of Male, communicable disease procedures in accordance with the travel advisory of the Maldivian Health Protection Agency (HPA). SriLankan said its crew would be wearing face masks and would provide a face mask to any passenger who wish to wear one.

The Health Ministrys Consultant Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Ginige told Sunday Times that the H1N1 influenza had been tested as the prevalent influenza in the South East Asian region. He said Sri Lankans needed to seek medical advice if there were symptoms of this influenza.

The consultant said that although there had been an increase in the number of patients in areas such as Kandy, Kilinochchi, other parts of the Northern Province, and Bibile, the situation was now better. H1N1 symptoms start three to five days after a person has been exposed to the virus and last about eight days. Symptoms may include fever, sore throat, cough, muscle aches, headache, chills, fatigue, runny or stuffy nose, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Dengue expert and team bring hope amidst the doom and gloom By Kumudini Hettiarachchi View(s): View(s):

Sri Lanka is fighting a losing battle with dengue as intermittent rains are sending the number of men, women and children affected by this mosquito-borne disease soaring.

Into 2 months of the year, the number of dengue cases is reported to be 21,000, the highest ever the country has experienced for similar periods in other years, while the death toll is also rising steadily, more than what has been seen in the last three years.

Amidst the doom and gloom of the dengue situation, there has been a silver lining to the dark clouds, with a gesture of support from a coastal town on the west to a coastal town on the east.

It began with a visit by the President of the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians (SLCP), Dr. Lak Kumar Fernando, from his base in Gampaha and honorary work in Negombo to both Trincomalee and Kinniya this week, along with the National Coordinator for Dengue, Dr Hasitha Tissera.

Hearing about a major humanitarian crisis caused by the dengue epidemic in both these eastern coastal towns, they paid a visit to this beleaguered area on Sunday and Monday.

By that time, more than 12 people had succumbed to dengue in Kinniya alone and patients were more inclined to rush to Trincomalee, but very fast that hospital too was filling up, with deaths there as well.

What Dr. Fernando saw left him in shock, and this was a dengue expert who had seen numerous patients and also been instrumental in setting up the state-of-the-art Centre for Clinical Management of Dengue and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever for both adults and children at the Negombo General Hospital in June 2013.

A major epidemic of dengue is sweeping across Trincomalee and Kinniya and the two hospitals are flooded with patients requiring meticulous monitoring, says Dr. Fernando, adding that he found that the staff was stretched beyond their very limits and battling against heavy odds.

Painting a grim picture not only with regard to the dengue situation in these two areas but also commending the Herculean effort of the hospital, he says that with the dengue epidemic raging for two to three weeks, he found that medical, nursing and other staff members had been working long and weary hours leading to physical and mental exhaustion. The number of junior doctors was by no means adequate to handle the influx of patients.

Seeing their urgent need, Dr. Fernando simply could not come back to Gampaha and Negombo and go about his work unmoved. It was then that he decided that he would request all those dedicated staff members who had made the Negombo Dengue Unit what it is today to go out there and help their brother and sister medics of the east to face the caseloads they were burdened with.

It was then that quick thinking and an urgency to help took root  with Kinniya Hospitals gynaecological ward being turned into a Dengue High Dependency Unit to monitor severely-ill dengue patients, as the medical wards were full up.

What I had in mind was the model I have in Negombo, the Centre for Clinical Management of Dengue & Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever, where patients of all ages are treated by a common team of doctors and nurses using the same treatment principles, says Dr. Fernando commending Kinniya Hospitals Medical Superintendent and a politician of the area for their prompt action.

This little space was converted to the unit and on Friday morning, a team from the SLCP who had rushed from Colombo had established it on the model of the Negombo unit.

Just for a week, sending doctors with dengue expertise on a rotation system was what Dr. Fernando visualized and sent out an urgent appeal with a very positive response not only from senior doctors who parted with some of their junior staff but also junior medics to help colleagues in need. The team was formed from doctors drawn from the Negombo, Ragama, Gampaha, Peradeniya and Ratnapura Hospitals.

The Health Ministry response too was equally prompt with a portable scanner, multi-monitors and infusion pumps, centrifuge and beds and cots being sent immediately.

By Friday afternoon, the first patient was admitted to this unit which comprises seven beds and three cots to enable both adult and paediatric treatment of patients being set in motion along with the untiring efforts of Kinniyas Physician Dr. Sriram and the Paediatrics Senior Registrar Dr. Sivashakthi.

As a microcosm of the successful Negombo dengue unit  the first treatment facility in the world that cares for both children and adults affected by dengue by a common team of nurses and doctors  is duplicated in Kinniya, Dr. Fernando hopes that it could be sustained at least till the dengue epidemic ends.

We want to help Trincomalee too but as we could find only six people to go to the east, this was all that was possible, he adds, comforted by the fact that no more patients are being transferred from Kinniya to Trincomalee.
Foreign Ministry recognises Puntland View(s):

In the rescue operation of the Sri Lankan crew on board an oil tanker hijacked by Somali pirates this week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs now evidently recognises self-declared autonomous States.

In a media statement on Friday, the ministry said it was pleased to announce that the vessel Aris 13 hijacked by pirates was released with its eight Sri Lankan crew unharmed and without ransom payment and expressed deep appreciation on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka to the President of Puntland, the semi-autonomous region of Somalia, and his Chief of Staff Abdinasir Sofe who cooperated and collaborated in this regard.

This task, the statement said, would not have been made possible without their unstinted and active effort. Deputy Foreign Minister Harsha de Silva also thanked the President of Puntland and his Chief of Staff. One of the demands of the pirates was recognition by the Government.

The problem is that Puntland is widely recognised as a self-declared autonomous State of 2.4 million people. Puntland declared itself autonomous in 1998, in the aftermath of the Somali civil war. It is known to have little international relations apart from development-based associations with countries such as Britain and Djibouti.
Hambantota port deal: Two major clauses to appease critics View(s):

By Namini Wijedasa

The draft Hambantota Port privatisation agreement  which is to go before Cabinet on Tuesday  includes a new clause making it compulsory for China Merchant Port Holdings Company (CMPort) to divest a quarter of its 80 percent shareholding to a Sri Lankan entity within ten years of taking over the facility.

The provision was inserted into the final working draft of the agreement around ten days ago to appease critics who felt the Chinese companys share in the joint company that will run Hambantota Port was too large. The original understanding was for CMPort to control 80 percent while the Sri Lanka Ports Authority would have 20 percent.

Also added is a clause that obliges the Chinese to return the port and land to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) at the end of its 99-year lease. There will be no extension, said an authoritative official source, privy to the negotiations. One of the new clauses now ties the Chinese party to giving up 20 percent of its shares within ten years to a Sri Lankan entity, the source said. The Chinese have no problem with that. Their ambassador has publicly said they only want the majority shareholding, even it if were just 51 percent.

But this provision does not oblige CMPort to sell its 20 percent to the SLPA. It only provides that whatever party it divests the chunk to must be Sri Lankan and that the port must be fully operational  with equipment and all necessary facilities  at the time it gives up that slice.

To bring the port to operational level, CMPort will have to spend at least US$ 700-800 million more, the source said. It has to invest in equipment and various other facilities. Once that is done and the port is running, the company can give up the 20 percent. If the SLPA can afford to take that share, it can do so. If not, another Sri Lankan party can avail itself of the opportunity.

The parties expect to sign the agreement at the end of the month, he added. Among other important provisions are an express prohibition of military activity in the area and the envisaged creation of an oversight committee to take care of national security.
Increase paddy purchases as harvesting begins: Farmers to Govt. View(s):

Paddy farmers called upon the Government to increase paddy purchases with the harvest season coming into effect.

The call came with the Cabinet decision to purchase only 79,500 metric tonnes of paddy for the Maha season, with Nadu being bought at Rs 38 per kg and Samba varieties at Rs 41 per kg.

All Island Farmers Federation Secretary T.B Sarath said the Government is slow in buying paddy from the farmers due to harvesting in most areas not taking place at different times, due to the adverse weather conditions.

He explained that, currently, harvesting is on at Vavuniya and Ampara, therefore the large scale millers are buying paddy through brokers, paying farmers Rs 34, while the Government has quoted Rs 38-40.

United Rice Millers Association (URMA) President Mudith Perera said that, even wet paddy is bought by large scale millers at cheaper rates.

He said the Government also slacks at purchasing paddy as they are unable to buy huge amounts. The large millers exploit the situation and buy as much paddy as they can gather, and sell rice at higher prices.

However, Minister Ajith P. Perera said at the Cabinet Press briefing this week, that the Government only has sufficient space to store 5.5 metric tonnes of paddy from 17 Districts, adding that, Government cannot use taxpayers money only to buy paddy.

He explained they are buying paddy only as a measure to control market prices.

The solution for this paddy issue doesnt lie with the Government buying paddy. The Government should take action against millers who are stockpiling paddy, he said
Mahinda Sam refutes Geethas allegation of dual citizenship View(s):

Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe yesterday strongly refuted Galle District Parliamentarain Geetha Kumarasinghes claim that he too held Swiss dual citizenship.

Addressing a media conference at his Ministry, Minister Samarasinghe insisted that throughout his life, he had only held Sri Lankan citizenship and accused Ms Kumarasinghe who is facing a court verdict on her eligibility to remain as an MP, of lying to the media.

As per the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, a person holding dual nationality is ineligible to be an MP.

As someone who has been engaged in politics for 30 years, I have been committed to my motherland. I have the necessary qualifications and skills to obtain the citizenship of another nation, had I wanted to, but the thought never occurred to me because I am engaged in principled politics, the minister told journalists.

He pointed out that, for eight years, since the end of the war, he had led the Sri Lankan delegations to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva to defend the country. If I was a Swiss citizen, I would not have been able to effectively respond to their questions.

He said he had no personal animosity towards Ms. Kumarasinghe but since he had an obligation towards the people he represented, he had to respond to baseless allegations.

At a time when she is the accused in a court case over dual nationality, it is wrong of her to level such allegations. She could easily have verified it from me, Mr Samarasinghe said.

He warned that, if Ms Kumarasinghe repeated the claim, he would be forced to take legal action against her.
Walking into a tuneful house A well-known retiree has turned his home in Kiula into a mini music studio where local children are welcome to hone their talents. Kumudini Hettiarachchi reports View(s): View(s):

Soft footfalls as twos and threes walk in, some still in school uniform, and signal the start of classes. Then begin the sound of notes emanating from varied musical instruments, as tuning is performed by the children themselves.

Between the 217th and 218th kilometre-post and Hungama and Nonagama in the deep-south, off the Tangalle-Hambantota Road, is a walauwwe-like house, now the home of a well-known retiree.

Every single week day, in the afternoons, and Saturdays and Sundays, practically the whole day, the dining table is pushed back, huge mats are spread on the floor and the home becomes a class where the impoverished children of the villages surrounding this retirees home are nurtured in music, English, general knowledge and computer.

The latest addition is rookada (puppetry), with the retiree himself driving down to Ambalangoda and purchasing three puppets and also paying for a small stage to be constructed in the rear verandah overlooking a still pond with water lilies.

Welcome to the Kiula Kiyawana Gunaya Free Classical & Folk Music Class which we see in action on the lazy and overcast Wednesday afternoon of March 1, with showers of rain on and off.

The beginnings were back in 2002, when the retiree and one of his daughters who lives in America were travelling in the south and saw this house with all its old world charm, in a somewhat dilapidated condition, fell in love with it and bought it. With his busy work life which entailed much travel abroad, he was only able to renovate the house in 2006, with the intention of launching a small tourism project through which he was bent on helping the village. Maintenance of this house in Kiula for such a project, however, was too costly and after retirement he decided to make it his home.

Yes, he tells us, reading our minds, the village takes its name from the fact that the water in the area is kiul (hard) as it gets mixed with an underground seashell bed and salt water.

I left Colombo for good. Stopped earning and began living off my savings, while my two daughters decided to help this special project we started in Kiula, he says, explaining that the biggest problem for the people, especially the women in the area, was jobs. They had to go in search of work at garment factories, while the men were labourers in fishing or agriculture or in the sippi (sea-shell) industry, where they crushed it and added it to make chicken feed.

He mulled over the plight of these village children and picked on the idea of expanding their knowledge and also their dreams and launched a mobile library. Not only did he buy second-hand books but he also begged of his friends to donate whatever books they could, getting a fairly good collection.

His golaya, Nalaka, would then hire a trishaw and with songs indicating its arrival, the mobile library would do its rounds in the villages which have about 300 families. There followed essay and reading competitions with famous figures gracing these occasions of the Kiula Kiyawana Gunaya. The children who were part of the mobile library would also hold an annual concert and entertain the people at a Blind Elders Home close-by during almsgivings.

Gradually, seeing their musical talents, the retiree launched workshops with the support of two music teachers on Sunday mornings, after the children had mandatorily been to dhamma lessons at the Buddhist temple.

The rest is history and it is their musical journey that we witness on that Wednesday  tabla, sitar and violin players, flautists and even a guitar, notes both musical and vocal rising to a crescendo as the afternoon progresses  swara, raga, the theme song of the Titanic along with a solo voice taking the high notes, the haunting strains of Pandit Amaradevas Sasala Vasana Thuru, Chinna China Asaia in Tamil and even the Indian national anthem.

Forty children now walk into this house, to learn different skills on different days. Mondays are set apart for flute; Tuesdays for vocals; Wednesdays for tabla and sitar; Thursdays for tabla for another age-group and computer for the others; Fridays for tabla, violin and computer; Saturday being mixed with knowledge not being imparted in school being disseminated along with important events of that week; and Sunday for vocal and instrumental group-work for the whole lot.

It is like a regular school, but everything is free, with a small snack thrown in daily, sometimes a vadai and a yoghurt or a piece of cake and a Milo for each child.

And it is not just for fun that they sing and learn to play an instrument, they have been slowly and surely securing certificates (mostly 1st Divisions) at examinations conducted by visiting professors of the Bhathkanda Sangeeth Vidyapeet of Lucknow, India, going by a hired bus to Badulla to face those and also making it an enjoyable outing.

I discourage prasanga (shows), says the retiree, adding that music should be learnt not to show off but to acquire a good skill. However, once a year, the parents are invited to view the achievements of their children.

The childrens horizons have widened, opening out vast vistas of possibility, as Malki Lakshani tells us without reticence that she is hoping to become an engineer, Saddami Samudi a whiz-kid with guitar, sitar and vocals, that she wants to go to the moon after becoming an astronomer and Madhava that he has set his sights on becoming a doctor of forensics.

As the evening shadows lengthen over Kiula, there is reluctance not only on the part of the children but also the two teachers, Gayani and Jayanthi, to call it a day.

For, they have just ventured into another art  rookada (puppetry) for which the south is famous. They show off their talents, even though it is the first day they are trying out their hands with a puppet king, a queen and a joker to lilting recorded music.

The finale is several children themselves mimicking the puppetry moves and dancing along with the rookada being manipulated by others, while they and the audience go into fits of laughter.

You can do your bit by heading for Country Roads tonight You could contribute to the efforts of the Kiula Kiyawana Gunaya and Free Classical & Folk Music Class by buying a ticket for Country Roads, the 29th anniversary childrens charity concert organized by the Country Music Foundation (CMF) today at Mount Lavinia Hotel at 6.30 p.m. All funds raised from the concert will support many efforts to uplift the plight of children across the country  Kiula Kiyawana Gunaya and Free Classical & Folk Music Class to buy more musical instruments and also provide a few educational scholarships to children there; donation of a few computers to Horizon Lanka Foundation in Maha Willachchiya; and several more childrens organizations in Batticaloa, Hatton and also Jaffna.
High Commissioner Dauris: 2018 UK summit will make View(s):

British High Commissioner James Dauris addreessing the gathering at the Commonwealth Day reception.

He is also seen in a conversation with Speaker Karu Jayasuriya

The United Kingdom has a longstanding and firm commitment to the Commonwealth and to the values it upholds, of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. On March 14, British High Commissioner James Dauris hosted a reception in celebration of Commonwealth Day (March 13). The event brought together senior representatives of the Sri Lankan government and of the diplomatic missions of Commonwealth member states in Sri Lanka. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association of Sri Lanka, attended the reception.

Speaking to the guests, High Commissioner Dauris commented:

We are here because the Commonwealth matters to all of us, and because we all want it to continue to matter in the future. It is a remarkable association of states that brings together a group of almost 2.4 billion people in fifty two countries across six continents. Its strength lies in the combination of its members diversity; their shared inheritance in language, culture, history and tradition; their shared respect for the rule of law; and their common values and principles. Importantly, almost half of all these people are under the age of 25 the Commonwealth needs to matter to them in years to come.

Its principles and values have helped its members prosper. Trade between Commonwealth countries is projected to be worth US$1 trillion by 2020. Trade ministers meeting in London last week, including Minister Malik Samarawickrama, reaffirmed their commitment to a transparent, free and fair multilateral trading system and agreed to define a Commonwealth led Agenda for Growth to promote trade, investment and job creation amongst member countries.

The core values of human rights and good governance, and respect for rule of law and democratic principles, shine through in the communiques agreed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held here in Colombo in 2013, and at the meeting held in held in Malta in 2015.

At the Colombo meeting it was agreed that eradicating poverty and climate change are major challenges for all countries. Core Commonwealth values, including democracy, the rule of law, human rights, freedom of expression and religion, womens rights, the fight against corruption, and the need for transparency in government were also covered.

The 2015 Malta summit gave special attention to climate change and global sustainability in order to build support around these issues prior to the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP21, that was held in Paris late that year. Many members of the Commonwealth are small island nations and this is an issue that is especially relevant to some of them.

We are delighted that in April 2018 the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be held in London. The UKs ambition is to see the meeting used by the 52 state members of the Commonwealth to agree on a strategy for the future of the organisation, a strategy that will energise this important international grouping, ensure its continuing relevance in tomorrows world, and contribute to our own and others shared prosperity and security. Cwealth more vibrant
Lankas UN mission hosts panel talks on gender empowerment View(s):

UNITED NATIONS The Sri Lanka Mission to the UN hosted two panel discussions last week to coincide with the 61st annual session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) focusing on the themes: Empowering Womens Economic Leadership and Women in Post-Conflict Reconciliation.

In her opening address, Minister for Women & Child Affairs Chandrani Bandara Jayasingha said Sri Lanka continues to make progress in achieving gender equality, in conformity with the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

We are doing so, by empowering women in the social, economic and political fields through progressive law reform; by formulating gender responsive policies and action plans; and by addressing the needs of the communities.

She said the Government is presently drafting a new Constitution through an inclusive process. Accordingly, the inclusion of womens rights in the Fundamental Rights Chapter is also under serious consideration. During the past two years, she pointed out, the Government has focused on developing and obtaining policies and Action Plans. These include addressing such issues as violence against women, female headed households, womens entrepreneurship development, and institutionalizing gender mainstreaming. I am happy to report that Cabinet approval has been obtained for all these policies and action plans.

The minister said eradicating rural poverty is a major concern of the government, and 2017 has been declared as the year of poverty alleviation. In addition to the regular credit schemes of the government and the banks, the government has introduced several credit schemes to obtain easy credit for entrepreneur development. A recent initiative by her Ministry is a policy directive issued by the Treasury for allocating a minimum of 25% of the annual investment for economic development of rural women.

One of the key priority concerns for her Ministry is eliminating violence against women. A new referral system with a multi-sectoral approach was introduced for redressing women victims of violence. Capacity development of the Police and the Judiciary is being conducted in order to create gender sensitivity in addressing gender base violence. We have set up six shelters in several locations in the country for the protection of victims of violence, which are managed in collaboration with the NGO sector. A digital data base system has been developed for the collection of GBV data which is a long felt need in the country, she added.

Addressing the meeting, Sri Lankas Permanent Representative Ambassador Rohan Perera said Sri Lankas 30-year conflict may be confined to the history books but we have many challenges ahead, as we seek to heal the wounds of the past.

As Sri Lanka embarks on a transformative process of economic recovery, we recognize that the conflict has had a disproportionate impact on womens physical and economic security. The post-conflict environment places a heavy financial care and burden on women. We are aware that the conflict has resulted in a large number of victims  orphans, war widows, single mothers and women headed households. Female-headed households now count for 25 percent of all households in Sri Lanka and challenges to women are compounded by socio cultural stigma attached to widowhood, Dr. Perera declared.

Historically, he pointed out, Sri Lanka has made strides in the area of womens empowerment. Universal Adult Franchise was introduced in Sri Lanka in 1931, free education for both boys and girls and free health care were introduced very early after Independence in 1948. Sri Lanka adopted a Womens Charter two years before the Beijing Platform for Action, and there is a National Plan of Action on Women. Sri Lankas commitment to maternal and child health goes back more than a century. Sri Lanka has a maternal and child health record that is the envy of South Asia. Nowhere is this better reflected than in the maternal mortality ratio which is very low, he added.

Ambassador Perera said the Government, as part of its reconciliation process, established the Office of National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) to lead, facilitate and support national unity and reconciliation in Sri Lanka and it has helped in drafting national policy on reconciliation, including development plans for conflict affected areas, launching inter-faith programs, arts and culture programs, promoting education reforms to include peace, education and national unity components, among many other measures.

The Provincial Minister in charge of Womens Affairs Ariyawathy Galappaththy, described as the first woman provinical minister in Sri Lanka, said women now constitute 52.5 percent of the countrys population. They need to be specially empowered in order to harness their strength and move forward. This strength and empowerment comes through building their economic identity. However, in order to do so there must be responsible leadership, she noted.

A second panel discussion focused on the theme: Women Peace and Security and the role of Women in Post-Conflict Reconciliation. Both discussions were moderated by Minister Counsellor Sonali Samarasinghe.
A new initiative aiming to get more young people interested in agricultural careers from an early age is set to receive $146,000 in funding.

Youth Minister Nikki Kaye says this funding will allow 500 young people across the country to participate in TeenAg, an agriculture sector youth programme run by New Zealand Young Farmers.

The $146K investment is being made under the Partnership Fund, with the Government contributing $50K towards the programme, alongside $96K cash and in-kind support from partners including Red Meat Profit Partnership, DairyNZ, Lincoln University and Southfuels & Northfuels.

TeenAg aims to promote a positive picture of agriculture and raise awareness of agricultural careers from an early age, says Nikki.

This is about supporting more young people to develop skills such as leadership and learn about potential career opportunities in the primary sector, which is such a vital part of our economy.

The programmer consists of two core elements  TeenAg Clubs and TeenAg Competitions.

The clubs are designed to provide a context to learn about agriculture and develop leadership and broader life skills.

While the competitions will extend and challenge competitors outside of their comfort zones in order to build character and leadership skills.

Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller has welcomed this weeks announcement, saying the fnding will support TeenAg to extend its reach into urban centres like Tauranga and Papamoa.

The Bay of Plentys economy has traditionally been built on the strength of our primary industries and although we have since developed other highly successful industries such as tourism and retail, agriculture and horticulture still remain valued and important components in our regions success.

Todds seen first-hand where a career in the primary industries can take people, having held senior roles with both Zespri and Fonterra before entering Parliament.

If a young person in the Bay picks up a career in this field they can expect to contribute to New Zealands productive economy, meet some real salt-of-the-earth kiwis, and have a lot of fun along the way.

Im proud to be a part of a National government that is backing our young people, backing our rural communities, and backing our primary industries to succeed.

To learn more about NZ Young Farmers TeenAg programme visit: www.teenag.co.nz
Buildings across the city will be brought to life with giant artworks created by six of the worlds best street artists especially for the inaugural Paradox: Tauranga Street Art Festival.

Artists Askew One, Fintan Magee, Lucy McLauchlan, Sofles, Charles and Janine Williams, and Jacob Yikes will each create a unique mural at six different locations from March 23-31.

Art lovers and the curious alike are also invited to participate throughout the work-in-progress phase, and watch the artists painting the different walls located in the city centre.

The first to take to the walls will be British-born artist Lucy McLauchlan wholl transform the wall at Brooklyn Bar & Grill into one of her monochromatic pieces of street art, says a Tauranga City Council spokesperson.

Her large-scale paintings are at home within galleries and museums just as they are covering multi-story building across Europe, gigantic billboards in China, huts of The Gambia, Italian water towers, a Norwegian lighthouse, car parks of Detroit, to the depths of abandoned subway tunnels in New York.

And now Tauranga is next. This is the first time, Lucy will be working in New Zealand and Tauranga is proud to be the first city in the country to display her work inside the Tauranga Art Gallery and outside on a city wall.

While the remaining artists will be creating murals at the following locations:

Charles & Janine Williams  24 Dive Crescent

Lucy McLauchlan  Brooklyn Bar & Grill, The Strand

Askew One  Masonic Park at the back of the Tauranga Art Gallery

Yikes  Spring Street parking building

Fintan Magee  Grey Street service lane

Sofles  Rear of building at 176 Cameron Road (view from Durham Street)

A walk around all six locations takes about 30 to 45 minutes allowing some time for photo stops. Please be careful when viewing the work in progress from the road.

The remaining artists will start their works in the week of March 23 and be finished by March 31, weather depending.

Paradox: Tauranga Street Art Festival is being developed by Tauranga City Council in partnership with Oi YOU! and Tauranga Art Gallery and will run from March 28 through to June 15.

For more information visit www.taurangastreetartfestival.nz

PARADOX MURAL LOCATIONS  BEFORE:

Dive Crescent

Brooklyn Bar & Grill

Masonic Park

Spring Street parking building

Grey Street service lane

Cameron Road




Police are reaching out to the public to help them locate a man suspected in a number of rural burglaries in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato.

Manu Cashmore, 42, has warrants for his arrest for breaching his court release conditions.

Cashmore has contacts in Edgecumbe, Kawerau and Hamilton.

Senior Sergeant Yvonne Parker says he is also a suspect in a number of rural burglaries in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato.

"Police are urging anyone who may know of his whereabouts to call their nearest Police station.

"He should not be approached."

He is described as being of medium build and has a tattoo of a bulldog head on his right shoulder and a skull on his left forearm.

"Police also wish to remind people to report suspicious activity around their rural properties as soon as possible and, if they can safely, record any vehicle registrations or descriptions of persons or vehicles to their nearest Police station or in an emergency dial 111."

Anonymous information about Cashmore can also be provided to Crimestoppers on 0800555111.
I see myself as quite an anarchic presence. Were five minutes into a twenty minute interview, and Stephen Poliakoff is eloquently holding forth on what he sees as his position in the British arts scene. Looking at his work and reception, Im inclined to agree with him. In a forty-five year career which has included theatre, film, and television, Poliakoff has carved out a reputation as one of Britains most capable dramatists and directors, and it is a testament to the work of the Watersprite team that they have managed to secure his services as their keynote speaker.

But as he talks, that keynote lies in the future. TCS spoke to him in a small meeting room at Catzs McGrath Centre, with the buzz of a drinks reception burbling up from the floor below, and the hubbub of a festival about to open permeating the building. We kick off by talking about the role of diversity in Mr. Poliakoffs work  his two most recent projects, Dancing on the Edge and Closer to the Enemy, have both dealt with minority groups in the nineteen-thirties and forties, and he has been a great champion of diversity in the television community. Does he see his work as having a political role?

I think diversity is very important I dont think there should be quotas  I dont think art works like that  but there are many many stories beginning to be told recently. To illustrate these stories, he mentions Dancing On The Edge, that had a basis in historical truth. These black musicians taken up by the Aristocracy and royalty, and those very royals  Edward VIII, for example  who invited these musicians into their homes would have been the puppet king of the Nazis.

He also argues for the importance of improving the gender balance in drama: Im a great believer in writing large roles for women. I think its very important that we somehow break the cycle when women get to their thirties, there are no great parts for them.

From diversity, we move on to the respective merits of Television and theatre. Poliakoff is a great advocate for the democratic nature of television, arguing that while I really love the theatre, I found it quite frustrating that youre playing to quite a small crowd. Youve got a new play on at the National, and you can see the same audience going round and round! There are about 30,000 people who go to new plays in London you have a History Boys type success. It obviously winds out, but youve basically got the same dedicated new plays audience. He contrasts this with television, arguing that theres something wonderfully democratic about television  a wider audience  and people outside London seeing your work, and whats changed in my lifetime is the life that television has, due to streaming, DVD, etcetera.

Poliakoff illustrates this effect by mentioning two rather memorable incidents: a Morris dancer who came up to me  in the middle of his set  and said are you Stephen Poliakoff?, and an armed police officer at Windsor Castle who, meeting him for a research meeting, confronted him with the words, Whats this about Tim Spall? Why do you keep casting him?

Thats the greatest thing to me- youre in the middle of the most establishment place on earth, and the armed police are watching your work! To Poliakoff, television democratises society, bringing great stories to the masses as well as the thirty-thousand.

In his keynote for Watersprite, Poliakoff has one final piece of advice: Writers need to be fresh. Publishers do not want copies or imitations, they want a fresh voice. As a result, his advice is simply this: follow your own star.

Stars (of stage, screen, and metaphor), culture-vulture police, and Edward VIII. Poliakoff touched on a wide variety of topics in his interview, and kicked Watersprite off in fine fashion. His keynote speech was excellent, and marked the start of a fascinating festival which has continued to go from strength to strength since its establishment. There are many stories that are still to be told. In his work and speech, Mr. Poliakoff demonstrates that he is one of the people to tell them.
Yesterday ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair came to Cambridge to open a new lab in Cambridge Science Park.

The new clinical lab will mean that Owlstone Medical can expand and share their unique technology used to detect diseases in breath. This medical breathalyzer could save up to 100,000 lives and 1.5 billion in healthcare costs. The breathalyzer could be used for early detection of both lung and colorectal cancer.

Upon visiting and finding out more about the work of Owlstone Medical, Tony Blair said: I congratulate Owlstone Medical on the opening of its new clinical lab. It was a pleasure to meet the dedicated staff of this successful, dynamic company, united in their clear vision to save lives. The breath biopsy technology has huge potential to lead to great improvements in healthcare, and I wish the team every success in developing a company that will become a leader in next generation diagnostics.

Owlstone Medical is a company whose labs are situated in Cambridge Science Park, which was founded in 1970 by Trinity College. It is the oldest science park in the United Kingdom and has strong links with the University of Cambridge. Situated just 3km from Cambridge city centre the park is linked with academics, clinicians and drug companies.

Source: Cambridge News








Motorola kept its promise and is still one of the fastest when it comes to updating its devices! Now

the company has started rolling out the Android 7.0 Nougat (Soak test) for the Moto X Style.





The Soak test

weighs in at around 1.3GB and adds many new features including New Moto Actions (One-handed mode) and Android Nougat goodies to the Moto X Style.









Screenshots:









Soak tests are beta tests for device firmware, usually sent to few dedicated members of Motorola's support forum.

Public over-the-air updates usually start a few weeks (sometimes months) later. Moto Germany is expected to release the Official OTA for the Moto X family in May, 2017.

Via: Androidpit (Brazil)
Google on Thursday announced Guetzli, a new contribution to its evolving set of tools for the open source community. Guetzli is an encoder that allows JPEG files to be compressed as much as 35 percent, resulting in much faster Web page loading.

Guetzli, which means cookie in Swiss German, allows users to create smaller JPEG images while maintaining compatibility with existing Web browsers, image processing applications and the existing JPEG standard, noted Robert Obryk and Jyrki Alakuijala, software engineers at Google Research Europe, in an online post.

It produces a result similar to that of Googles Zopfli algorithm, which produces smaller PNG and gzip files without the requirement of a new file format, they explained. The technique is different from RNN-based image compression, RAISR and WebP, all of which need ecosystem and client changes for compression at Internet scale.

Google first introduced the Zopfi compression algorithm in 2013 and two years later unveiled Brotli, which offered faster page loads and up to 26 percent higher compression ratios than Zopfi.

Microsoft late last year announced support for Brotli in Edge, which would make it broadly interoperable across major browsers, as the latest versions of Chrome and Firefox already supported Brotli.

Quality and Compression

JPEG resolution quality is directly correlated to its multi-stage compression process, Obryk and Alakuijala explained.

Guetzli specifically targets the quantization stage in which the more visual quality loss is introduced, the smaller resulting file, they wrote. Guetzli strikes a balance between minimal loss and file size by employing a search algorithm that tries to overcome the difference between psychovisual modeling of JPEGs format and Guetzlis psychovisual model.

The model approximates color perception and visual masking in a more detailed way than what can be achieved through simpler color transforms and discrete cosine transforms, according to the engineers.

1616 pixel synthetic example of a phone line hanging against a blue sky  traditionally a case where JPEG compression algorithms suffer from artifacts. Uncompressed original is on the left. Guetzli (on the right) shows less ringing artefacts than libjpeg (middle) and has a smaller file size.

During experiments with human raters, Obryk and Alakuijala continued, images produced by Guetzli were preferred over images from libjpeg files, even when the latter files were the same size or slightly larger, making the slower compression a worthy tradeoff.

2024 pixel zoomed areas from a picture of a cats eye. Uncompressed original on the left. Guetzli (on the right) shows less ringing artefacts than libjpeg (middle) without requiring a larger file size.

The hope is that the format webmasters and graphic designers will embrace the format for running image-heavy websites, and that mobile users will see reduced load times and bandwidth costs, the engineers said.

Deep Learning

Google likely has developed the deep learning expertise and compute resources to tackle such a feat from a new vantage point, suggested Paul Teich, principal analyst at Tirias Research.

Image storage is a top priority for consumer cloud services, retail, advertising and other industries, he noted.

My educated guess is that Google made Guetzli public because Google doesnt control most of the endpoints that capture the images that Google then stores for image searches, Teich told LinuxInsider. It makes Googles business run a little better if everyone uses Guetzli as their native JPEG format  and the same is true for other cloud services that handle images at scale, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

There likely will be a version of Guetzli for motion video compression as well.

RAISR, which Google introduced in November, uses machine learning to turn low-resolution images into high-quality photos. WebP images are 26 percent smaller than PNGs and up to 34 percent smaller than JPEG images

Making the Guetzli technology available as an open source tool will help speed adoption and return significant benefits for Google, said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group.

Google makes money off ads, he told LinuxInsider. Slow load times lower ad views, so by speeding up the Web, theyll make a ton more money.

Dropbox engineers were excited to find that Guetzli interoperates with Lepton, the streaming image compression format Dropbox released to the open source community last summer.

In preliminary testing, we are seeing real advantages in combining Guetzli with Lepton, as long as you apply Guetzli first, said Daniel Reiter Horn, staff software engineer at Dropbox.

For example, one test we tried resulted in ~24 percent savings from Guetzli and an additional ~22 percent compression from Lepton, with default settings, he told LinuxInsider.

The result was a total savings of ~41 percent over the default file, Horn said. The math makes sense, because Lepton gives 22 percent savings on the Guetzli file thats 75 percent of the original size so the savings is 24 percent + (22 percent * 76 percent) = ~41 percent.

Googles own team had little to say about the release beyond the revelations in Obryk and Alakuijalas post, company rep Jason Freidenfelds told LinuxInsider.

However, it did release a statement suggesting that it was, shall we say, compressing its wild enthusiasm: Grt to hv all ths intrst  wr vry exctd fr ths brkthrgh!
SnapRoute, a developer of open source networking software, on Tuesday announced that it has raised US$25 million in Series A financing from an investor group led by Norwest Venture Partners with new support from AT&T and Microsoft Ventures.

SnapRoute, which was founded by CEO Jason Forrester and other former engineers from Apple, plans to use the funding to speed up the development of open source networking software for Fortune 500 firms. The company uses its software on commodity white-box switches and routers to create more streamlined and scalable data centers.

Lightspeed Venture Partners is the lead seed investor. Norwest Partner Rama Sekhar will join the SnapRoute board of directors, which already includes Lightspeed Partner John Vrionis, Joe Sexton, the former president of AppDynamics, who joined the board in November, and SnapRoute CEO Forrester.

SnapRoute has managed to challenge legacy players that previously dominated the market, Forrester said, adding that SnapRoutes software is more agile, flexible and affordable.

Scale Breakthrough

SnapRoute is disrupting the multibillion dollar networking market by fundamentally changing how networks are built and scaled today, said Rama Sekhar, partner at Norwest Venture Partners.

By disaggregating software from hardware, SnapRoute is offering flexibility that has historically eluded the networking industry, he told LinuxInsider.

The investment is Microsofts first in the networking software business, company rep Jay Peters told LinuxInsider.

SnapRoute is filling a gap in how network engineers work by providing an open networking stack that is highly scalable, said Nagraj Kashyap, corporate vice president at Microsoft Ventures, which allows companies to lower costs and engineers to work more efficiently.

AT&T and Microsoft have major investments in data centers, and SnapRoutes software offers the flexibility to use equipment for different vendors while supporting an open architecture, Tirias Resarch Principal Analyst Jim McGregor told LinuxInsider.

The investment comes about three months after SnapRoute and Dell EMC announced plans to deepen their commitment to the Linux Foundations OpenSwitch project. The Linux-based OS had been led by Hewlett Packard Enterprises, however that firm later decided to scale back its leadership position on the open source project, which was designed to take on market incumbents like Cisco.

The OpenSwitch Effort

HPE originally launched the OpenSwitch community in October 2015, with a series of partners including Broadcom, VMware, Accton, Intel and Arista.

The real value in making the source visible is when dealing with testers or partners there can be a more collaborative partnership, Peter Christy, a research director at 451 Research, told LinuxInsider.

Dell EMC contributed its Dell EMC OS10 Open Edition to the OpenSwitch community. Facebook in October announced that its Wedge 100 network switch specification had been accepted into the Open Compute Project, which was designed to develop open data centers in which the hardware and software were separated.

The company last fall announced its Voyager transponder platform, which uses Open Packet DWDM, to create an open approach for switching, routing and transport.

The platform, which works with SnapRoute on the software architecture and Celestica on the supply chain, is designed to offer a more scalable and cost-effective infrastructure for enterprise level bandwidth, especially for networks that must meed video and virtual reality needs.

Microsoft Ventures last month invested in Illusive Networks, which provides advance deception cybersecurity technology. The company late last year announced an investment in Dynamic Signal, a communications platform that allows companies to interact with employees across multiple type of devices and channels.
With Mobile World Congress behind us, we're starting to get into phone season. Companies like LG, Huawei, Samsung, HTC and Motorola are all set to release new phones in the coming weeks and months, some of which may tempt you into forking over some hard-earned cash for a new device.

Despite this, many people will stick with their existing hardware because, simply put, it still works and it's still good enough. With that in mind, we want to know: what phone are you currently using? And are you planning on upgrading it to something new this year? Let us know in the comments below.
Even as criticism is mounting on slashing climate funding and allocations on science programs, the budget plan of President Trump would be generous with the energy department.

This will be to manage the nuclear stockpile and revive the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste storage facility.

In the new allocations, the National Nuclear Security Administration budget would get a rise of 11.3 percent while axing many of the programs run by Energy Department with an estimated cut of almost 18 percent.

More Funds For Nuclear Waste Management

In the budget for Energy Department, nearly half the money goes into maintaining the nuclear stockpile and cleaning the waste left by programs of nuclear weapons research and production. In the budget, the president would provide $6.5 billion for thie program.

The Obama administration had dropped the Yucca Mountain storage facility meant to hold commercial nuclear waste in the underground for 1 million years.

The revival of Yucca project is supported by the Nuclear Energy Institute but is strongly opposed by ex-Senators like Harry M. Reid.

While the energy budget spending would be pruned 5.6 percent from the current levels to $28 billion, with redistribution of funds based on priority.

The slashed budget will have Office of Science losing $900 million from its average corpus of $5 billion from which research is supported by more than 300 universities and most of the national labs.

Popular Energy Programs Facing Axe

Among the programs that may be dumped will include Energy Star labels and Weatherization Assistance. The latter doles out funding to states and low-income families of ancient tribes for improving energy efficiency.

Also to be scrapped are the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy that spends $300 million on basic research.

Other notables to be scrapped are Title 17 loan guarantees that assist energy projects with a low-carbon orientation and Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program. The latter had supported companies like Tesla in the electric cars development and for launching combustion engines made of light materials as in the case of Ford.

"The private sector is better positioned to finance disruptive energy research and development and to commercialize innovative technologies," the Office of Management and Budget said.

Paris Deal And Energy Companies

Meanwhile, Trump's administration has sought the views of U.S. energy companies on the U.N. global climate accord, according to sources.

The move is being interpreted as a sign that Trump is planning to retreat from his 2016 campaign stand of backing out of the Paris Climate deal.

Many of the companies replied that they want the United States to remain in the deal and offered support for U.S. commitments.

The accord has the backing of nearly 200 countries to limit global warming by slashing carbon dioxide and other emissions from fossil fuels. The United States will be required to reduce emissions between 26 and 28 percent to come down to below 2005 levels by 2025.

The companies contacted were "publicly traded fossil fuel companies," and it was known that the White House wanted their inputs before taking a decision on the Paris accord.

The sources said the White House has been leading the discussions with the companies, not the State Department. However, a White House official declined to comment.

Calling climate change a hoax, Trump had said if he wins, the White House will "cancel the Paris Climate Agreement" within 100 days, as the deal is too costly for the U.S. economy.

After assuming office, Trump has been mostly quiet on the issue and said in an interview that he would keep an open mind on the Paris deal. He also met with climate change advocate and former Vice President Al Gore in December.

Among the energy companies, Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips have expressed support for the pact. The World Coal Association which has Peabody and other miners, also said it backs the deal.

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After keeping a slow pace when compared with its rivals, Intel is finally back on track with the launch of its first-ever bug bounty program.

The company is offering a reward of up to $30,000 to researchers for exposing hardware vulnerabilities.

On March 15, Intel introduced the bug bounty program at the CanSecWest security conference, which targets the company's products.

The company would like to inspire investigators to recognize faults and inform it directly, which will aid Intel in taking prompt action. The program will also help Intel in assessing and rectifying the vulnerabilities immediately. The program will be operated via HackerOne, which appoints white hats from across the world to identify security vulnerabilities in different hardware, software and firmware.

Intel wants to acknowledge investigators for their effort in identifying the vulnerability and has thus proposed a reward.

"By partnering constructively with the security research community, we believe we will be better able to protect our customers," noted the announcement from the company.

More Tricky, More Money

According to the bug bounty program specifications, the more difficult a vulnerability will be to identify, the more money a white hat will get from Intel. The company considers several components while judging the threat of a vulnerability.

Firstly, it works with the CVSS 3.0 calculator to estimate a basic score. After that, the score gets modified on the basis of security purposes, as well as threat model for the particular product. The payment from Intel to the bounty hunter will be based on these parameters.

To illustrate, a crucial vulnerability found in the Intel software will be equal to $7,500, whereas one spotted in the firmware will entitle a hunter to $10,000. The highest amount of money will go to the one who will identify the vulnerabilities in Intel hardware.

There are a few products which are not allowed in the bug bounty program and are detailed below.

Intel Security programs  which are known as McAfee  are not eligible for the bug bounty program. Third-party products or open source are not in the list of eligible products for the program either.

The Web Infrastructure of Intel is also not suitable for the bug bounty program. Any recent additions are not allowed in the program for a minimum period of first six months, after the procurement is complete.

If a large number of tech companies take the same initiative as Intel, the bug bounty program will be great news for the community. Why? As it will prove that the companies are concerned about security. A few companies such as Google already have their personal program, but most of the companies work in tandem with HackerOne to conduct a bug bounty program.

Photo: Takuya Oikawa | Flickr

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The days of fake news sites may soon be over, if Google can have its way.

Google is deploying an army of "quality raters" to help the search company flag potentially false sites  or fake news  and those that contain "upsetting and offensive" search results. This effort coincides with the tech industry's efforts to combat fake news site, such as Facebook's "Disputed" tag. Interestingly, Google itself was involved in a confusion when its Google Home spread fake news recently.

Using data mined and tested by human quality raters, Google hopes to design its algorithm that will soon automatically flag offensive and factually incorrect news sites.

Google Goes On An Offensive Against Offensive Sites

According to one exclusive report, Google is using 10,000 human quality raters to flag what they deem as "Upsetting-Offensive." By Google's standards, this flag should be used only on:

 Content that promotes hate or violence against a group of people based on criteria including (but not limited to) race or ethnicity, religion, gender, nationality or citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, or veteran status

 Content with racial slurs or extremely offensive terminology.

 Graphic violence, including animal cruelty or child abuse.

 Explicit how to information about harmful activities (e.g., how tos on human trafficking or violent assault).

 Other types of content which users in your locale would find extremely upsetting or offensive.

Google wanted to winnow upsetting and offensive search results from "factually accurate source of historical information." Google used the search query "holocaust history" as an example to demonstrate the two kinds of search results.

One is from a white supremacist site that quality raters can flag as offensive and upsetting as it is clearly anti-Semitic and racist. Thus, the search result deserves to be flagged.

The other search result shows a History Channel information about the Holocaust during World War II. While the subject matter of Holocaust itself is upsetting and offensive (i.e. factual crimes against the Jews), the site contains factually accurate information that the person searching for it might find useful.

So what happens to search results flagged as Upsetting-Offensive? Nothing, according to Google. It is not a demotion nor will it affect Google's actual search engine. However, the learnings can be used by Google to write better algorithms for its system.

Thus, the flags can help Google in the future how to automatically identify upsetting or offensive content. If this happens, flagged offensive content will less likely appear on search results of people actually looking for facts. However, the flagged content will still appear in search results of those actively seeking for such results (e.g. white supremacist site).

Flagging Fake News

Google's efforts come in light of the hot-button issue of "fake news," with no less than U.S. President Trump mouthing the word all the time whenever he clashes with the media. But what is fake news?

More often than not, fake news sites are those created to deliberately spread disinformation, hoaxes, propaganda, conspiracy theories, and "alternative facts," all of which are written in news form. While some are clearly written for humorous intentions, some fake news sites are notoriously offensive and meant to push a propaganda. They get propagated via the widespread of social media like Facebook, which itself has launched a war against fake news sites.

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Marvel has a great lineup of films for fans of its comic book heroes in 2017 with the upcoming release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and Thor: Ragnarok, all adding to the current Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Sony has also been eyeing the possibility of expanding the MCU further by producing villain-centric films, and Spider-Man's symbiote adversary, Venom, happens to be one of the characters it wants to feature.

Despite enthusiasm for the Venom-centric film however, it has been a rollercoaster for the planned film focused on the alien symbiote since it was first rumored in 2015  with directors, producers, and writers coming and going  but Sony finally ended the speculations when it announced on March 16 that the Venom film will arrive in cinemas on Oct. 5, 2018.

Venom Film In The MCU

According to reports, the planned Venom film is not related to the upcoming Spider-Man film starring Tom Holland, but there has been no synopsis released or other clues to give fans an idea of which version of Venom we will be seeing in cinemas.

Venom vs Spider-Man

For those unfamiliar with the Spider-Man universe, Venom is the alien symbiote that bonds with its host and gives them incredible powers while they are bonded. The symbiote hitched a ride in a space shuttle returning to Earth and first bonded with Spider-Man, causing the web-slinger's costume to turn black.

Black Spider-Man and Venom first appeared in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 3 starring Tobey Maguire as the web-slinger and Topher Grace as Eddie Brock and Venom. Watch the video below as a reminder.

However, the Raimi production was not as well received as hoped so the Spider-Man costume was handed over to Andrew Garfield.

Unfortunately, again, The Amazing Spider-Man trilogy was also not as amazing as the studio hoped it would be, thus starting the cycle of uncertainty for Venom.

Venom Without Spider-Man

Marvel released a comic book series centered on the symbiote in 2011 but, unlike the villain we've come to associate the alien as, the comic book series binds him to Flash Thompson and allows it to be known as a hero, saving America from threats as a covert agent.

Then Marvel released a newer Venom series where it is bound to Lee Price and is back to being a villain despite its desire to be a hero.

Perhaps Sony would go in either direction, but until more information is released, only Scott Rosenberg and Jeff Pinkner know for sure since they wrote the script.

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Europe is home to many volcanoes that cause devastating results, which is why scientists are always on alert when one shows any unusual activity. Among the active volcanoes making headlines recently is Mount Etna in Sicily.

Mount Etna, one of the world's most active volcanoes, has been showing various signs of activity since 2011, from ash cloud eruptions to actual lava flows. Its most recent activity, on March 16, was caught up close and on camera by a BBC film crew that was on site to report about advancements in volcano monitoring technology.

The Shocking Surprise

BBC Science correspondent Rebecca Morelle, along with camerawoman Rachel Price and other film crew members, was excited when they arrived in Sicily and found out that Mt. Etna has been showing signs of activity. They all went up the summit on March 15 to begin the segment but the presence of clouds forced the team to cut the filming short.

#Mount Etna.Yesterday's attempt of filming at the summit was cut short due to cloud. 2nd attempt today with new volcanic activity. #exciting pic.twitter.com/l2QtMRfOw6  Rachel Price (@NewsCamerawoman) March 16, 2017

The crew went up the volcano again on March 16, along with some tourists, to continue filming their segment since there was new volcanic activity on that day. However, as they hiked up Mt. Etna, they were surprised when the volcano turned violent with a sudden eruption and began pelting lava rocks at them. "The conditions were perfect - blue skies and barely any wind [...] We had come to see a lava flow that had appeared overnight [...] 20 minutes after arriving, a burst of white steam emerged from the lava [...] Then, moments later, there was an explosion [...] boiling rocks and boulders were flung up high into the air. They started to rain down in every direction. Everyone started to run, pelted with the deadly, hot debris. But it was impossible to see - steam from the explosion had caused a whiteout," Morelle recounts.

What Really Happened

According to the scientists from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology Morelle's team was with, the sudden eruption happened when the lava that was slowly flowing down the slope made contact with the snow and ice, causing a huge explosion.

Caught up in incident at Mount Etna - bbc crew & tourists caught up in huge explosion - caused injuries and evacuation from scene. (1)  Rebecca Morelle (@BBCMorelle) March 16, 2017

Many injured - some head injuries, burns, cuts and bruises. Volcanologist said most dangerous incident experience in his 30 year career (3)  Rebecca Morelle (@BBCMorelle) March 16, 2017

Bbc team all ok - some cuts/ bruises and burns. Very shaken though - it was extremely scary. (5)  Rebecca Morelle (@BBCMorelle) March 16, 2017

An estimated 8 injuries logged by medical team here. An amazing 78 year old lady was very close - but safely got away (10)  Rebecca Morelle (@BBCMorelle) March 16, 2017

Price kept the camera rolling even as they hurried down the volcano and despite getting hit on the back with a lump of heated rock. Here's a photo of Price and her coat that Morelle shared on Twitter.

Back at hotel now after Etna explosion. Here's @NewsCamerawoman with the massive hole a lump of rock burnt through her coat. pic.twitter.com/GVSyj3Sa9A  Rebecca Morelle (@BBCMorelle) March 16, 2017

The Massive Eruption

Mt. Etna's eruption was definitely unexpected and extremely dangerous. The European Space Agency's Copernicus Sentinel-2A satellite was able to capture the incident from space. Take a look at the photo below.

As for Morelle, she says she definitely doesn't want a repeat of their harrowing experience on Mt. Etna and the sudden eruption is a reminder of how unpredictable forces of nature could be.

Reminder of how dangerous & unpredictable volcanoes can be - everyone had a very lucky escape. (7)  Rebecca Morelle (@BBCMorelle) March 16, 2017

Running down a mountain pelted by rocks, dodging burning boulders and boiling steam - not an experience I ever ever want to repeat (8)  Rebecca Morelle (@BBCMorelle) March 16, 2017

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Android Nougat is one of the most sought-after updates and even as Samsung rolls it out to newer handsets, it seems that the company has not forgotten its older-gen smartphones.

Samsung is now reportedly pushing out the Android 7.0 Nougat update for the Galaxy Note 5, the predeccessor of the defunct Galaxy Note 7.

Earlier in February, it was reported that Samsung Turkey had published a timeline for the release of the Android 7.0 Nougat update briefly. This listing detailed the arrival date for the update as March 6 for the Galaxy Note 5.

While Samsung may have been off by over a week, it has stuck to its promise and is now rolling out the Android 7.0 Nougat update for the Galaxy Note 5 in Turkey.

The Update

According to a SamMobile report, the highly anticipated Android 7.0 Nougat update has been released for the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 in Turkey. The update is an over-the-air (OTA) download and apparently weighs a little less than 1.3 GB. Its firmware version for the update is N920CXXU3CQC7.

The Android Nougat update will allow one to use two apps at the same time on the screen, courtesy of the multi-window mode. It will also add an enhanced user interface, battery saving capabilities and additional emojis.

According to Samsung's timeline, the update was supposed to land a few days ago but was delayed. It is possible that this slight delay was due to the same quality review, which had led to the Android Nougat update postponement for the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 edge handsets as well.

Nonetheless, the Turkey rollout indicates that Samsung will soon release the update to other parts of the world. Owners of the handset in the United States will be eager for the update to hit their devices soon.

Android Nougat U.S. Rollout

The first of Samsung's smartphones to receive the Android 7.0 update were its flagship devices of 2016, the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 edge. The update rolled out to both these handsets in January.

Next, the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 edge were slated to receive the support for the latest version of Android. However, this process went through some delays and finally the update was released worldwide in early March.

Earlier in November 2016, it was reported that the Android 7.0 Nougat update was in the works for the Galaxy Note 5. The handset even surfaced on a benchmarking site with the latest Google OS on board in December 2016. However, the smartphone continues to languish on Android Marshmallow.

This is set to change soon as the Android 7.0 Nougat update looks set to hit the Galaxy Note 5. Although an exact date is not available which would confirm when the Android Nougat will be available for Galaxy Note 5 in the United States, it seems probable that it will be sooner rather than later.

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Apple and Samsung are constantly trying to outpace each other by adding novel features in their next-gen smartphones.

Samsung is reportedly looking to up the ante by including not only a fingerprint sensor and iris scanner in its Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ but also a facial recognition technology. The triad of security features is expected to give the Samsung smartphone an edge over the iPhone 8, even though analysts are of the belief that the latter will rule the roost.

The latest buzz, however, suggests that Apple may have a few tricks up its sleeve as well. The company has filed for a patent which seeks to unlock an iPhone via facial recognition.

Apple has all but confirmed that it is eyeing the prospect of enabling alternate forms of biometric security for its new iPhone. However, whether this feature will make it to the iPhone 8 is not clear.

News of the iPhone 8 housing facial recognition tech is not new, as it was reported in February that the device may come with a 3D laser scanner for recognizing faces. It is also believed that this feature would replace the existing fingerprint scanner.

What Is The Patent All About?

The patent application published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is called "Locking and unlocking a mobile device using facial recognition." It is noteworthy, that this patent is a continuation of one from Apple which goes by the same name and was granted to the company in 2016.

The patent was initially filed on Sept. 26, 2016, and the application lists Lihua Zhao and Richard Tsai as the inventors of the technology.

This is further related to another patent of the same name, which was applied for by Apple in 2015. The initial application for a patent for the technology was done back in 2012.

The latest version of the patent is a sleeker, updated one of the original application, along with some minor changes.

What Does The Patent Reveal?

The essence of the patent is that the iPhone will use the secondary, front-facing camera to recognize and detect a user's face. The device would only be unlocked if the face is authorized and is that of the user. If the phone is not used for a long time, then the camera will not be able to detect the user and the device will lock itself automatically.

Part 32 of the patent states that when the phone is locked, a part of the screen may have access to camera feed. The user can place their face within these limits to unlock the phone.

The reverse would also hold true, as the device may be unlocked by the phone moving physically. The camera would detect the authorized face and will unlock the phone. A PIN code or a fingerprint ID would not be necessary for such a scenario.

Although the newly-filed patent is an upgrade of the previous versions, it is interesting to see that the application lists the term "infrared sensor" in the "Claims" section of the patent. This has come up for the first time in the patent.

In the patent, the term "infrared sensor" could denote a motion sensing system, clubbed together with a tilt sensor. It is speculated, that this sensor would be able to detect changes in infrared light and, therefore, indicate motion when the iPhone is moved.

The use of the infrared sensor, however, is a departure from previous assertions which pointed to a laser scanner.

Interestingly, Apple is not the only company keen on incorporating facial recognition in its phones. As reported earlier, Samsung is looking to integrate this technology in its upcoming Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+.

It will be interesting to see if Apple also offers facial recognition in tandem with fingerprint and iris scanning technology like its rival. Whether Apple will be able to give the Samsung technology for facial recognition a run for its money remains to be seen.

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No threat is too big or too small when it comes to national security.

Amazon Drone vs. Patriot Missile

A close U.S. ally did not hesitate to fire at a tiny low-cost quadcopter drone using the Patriot, which is a 700-pound, 16.4-foot-long, high-powered missile.

"We have a very close ally of ours that was dealing with an adversary using small quadcopter drone. They shot it down with a Patriot missile," U.S. General David Perkins, commander of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, shared at an army symposium held last March 13 in Huntsville, Alabama.

"The Patriot won," Gen. Perkins added, humoring his audience. He refused to give further details about the incident.

What You Need To Know About Patriot Missiles

The Patriot is arguably one of the most expensive  costing a whopping $3 million  cutting edge, and powerful surface-to-air missile defense system of today.

Developed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, Patriot missiles are especially designed to defeat tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft worldwide. It has been a staple in the military arsenals of thirteen of the most prominent nations worldwide  including the United States, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Israel  since it hit the market in the 1980s.

The quadcopter drone in question, however, can be bought on Amazon.com at $200 apiece.

Expensive Overkill?

Justin Bronk, a researcher from the Royal United Services Institute, considers the incident an enormous overkill.

"It certainly exposes in very stark terms the challenge which militaries face in attempting to deal with the adaptation of cheap and readily available civilian technology with extremely expensive, high-end hardware designed for state-on-state warfare," Bronk stated.

Technology For Terrorism: Islamic State Uses Armed Drone In Northern Iraq

Despite the absurdity of the story, the use of highly weaponized drones to spread terrorism is actually happening today.

Islamic State fighters have done this in recent months, attacking deployed security forces in war-stricken Iraq. As a matter of fact, the feared terrorist group has officially announced earlier this year its latest "Unmanned Aircraft of the Mujahideen" unit, which is an armada of customized drones fitted with explosives, adding that its drones have already killed or hurt a total of 39 Iraqi soldiers in a span of one week.

Iraqis call the IS drones "tieyara," which is an Arabic term for UAV, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

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This week may not have been one of the best in the tech perspective, but we come across some great reports showing up that some cool stuffs were happening in the consumer tech industry.

We came across a couple of reports suggesting Xiaomi Redmi 4 smartphones launch in India on Monday, while a couple of rumours were seen popping on the internet giving suggestions about LeEcos upcoming smartphone sporting a dual curved touchscreen, and Xiaomi Redmi Pro 2s dual rear camera module.

This week, we also came across a Reddit user who claimed that his Google Search app now have a cleaner layout, thus prompting towards a possible release of its new version with a new interface. We also witnessed a new smart case that adds an additional display screen to iPhones, while it supports Android-type features including SD Card and Dual-SIM card on iPhones.

We even reviewed Evidson Audiowear Z4 earphones that comes in for a price tag of Rs 1,799, while we also listed down the top 10 gadgets that would actually dominate the tech markets this year. While a top 10 listicle would definitely not be enough to sum up this week, here's our try as we put in 10 best stories we have covered this week in consumer technology.

Google Search App Surfaced Online With Cleaner Layout

If you are an Android smartphone user, here is some good stuff for you. A recent report claims that Google is now testing a new interface for its Google search app on your Android smartphone. The new app comes with a clean layout, while recent searches have been separated into different categories like All, Images, Maps, In-Apps, etc. And, in the Images section, you can see that Google is showing up Popular Searches.

Read Full Story Here

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Smartphone May Be Launched On Monday In India

Chinese smartphone company Xiaomi has finally confirmed that it would be launching a Redmi smartphone at an event held on Monday, which will be sold exclusively on Amazon. The company has also started sending out media invites for the same event, and now both Amazon and Xiaomi have confirmed the launch via a tweet using the hashtag #TimeToGetSmarter.

Read Full Story Here

Moto G5 Plus Launched In India In Two Variants

Lenovo has finally launched its much awaited smartphone, the Moto G5 Plus in India, which is said to be available exclusively on Flipkart, starting from today. The smartphone will be available for purchase in two different color options: Lunar Grey and Fine Gold, while a couple of launch offers are said to be included as well.

Read Full Story Here

This Smart Case Brings SD Card And Dual SIM Card Support To iPhones

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"We are in an irreversible stage of the climate change damage, which has been caused by the capitalist, destructive, and highly polluting model," the Bolivarian leader stressed. | Read More
Im creating an imaginary a scene, so bear with me a little bit. Im basing it on the Walker Police Department sergeant who recently brought a noose to work. I dont know if I can be that funny, though.

The police say the genius was suspended for three days without pay. The staff must have yukked it up for a while because no one told the chief. I wonder if Walker has a snitches get stitches agreement among its officers.

The noose made me think of 1976, when a co-worker at the old State-Times newspaper in Baton Rouge would bring a racist paper to the office that had some real knee-slappers in it. I was the only African-American reporter at the time.

On one occasion he reared back in his chair and opened the paper so I could see the big headline spread across the top of the page: the TV series 'Roots' best watched from the end to the beginning. What a rib-tickler that was.

Interestingly enough, he and I became sort of friends after he got the idea that some of his stuff was foolish.

But I digress. Imagine the guy at home the morning he decided to bring the noose to work:

Intent under investigation after Walker Police sergeant hung noose, with cookie, in station Whether a Walker police sergeant who recently hung a twine noose in the booking area of the 

"So Margie," (not her real name, I hope), "how was your night? It looked like you slept well. Oh, me? I kept tossing and turning. I had a rough time.

"Dont worry about fixing breakfast this morning. I got up early and made me some eggs, bacon and toast. Ill be out of here in a few minutes, so Ill check on the kids and get them out on time.

"And, by the way, Ill be taking a noose to work today. Yeah, a noose. I will get the biggest laugh with this thing.

"Look, I know it might offend some people, but who cares? Folks need to be able to take a joke sometimes. It bothers me so much that I have to be so politically correct all of the time. You know what they can do with the political correctness. This is America, and I got my free speech.

"Well, yes, I am really going to hang it up where I hope people can see it. I want to see the looks on their faces. That look is going to be priceless, especially for some of them.

"What? What is that youre asking? Have I ever burned an American flag or a Rebel flag before? Well, hell no. I will beat somebodys butt if I saw them doing it. I still believe this is America, love it or leave it. That Rebel flag is my heritage. Its my history.

"Besides something like that would offend so many people like me, that one of those flag-burners would be risking his life.

"What? Huh? Would I place a swastika in a room full of Jews? Whats a swastika? Oh, that funny sign that the Nazis used. Naw, that has never crossed my mind. However, I might. Besides, I dont think we have any Jews at the job.

Walker Police sergeant suspended for noose found in station, under investigation A Walker Police Department sergeant hung a noose in the station's squad room several weeks a

"Look, this noose is going to be great. Its not a race thing. Its just poking fun.

"What, you think some black folk may not like it? Man, Im tired of them. They just wont let go of this slavery thing and all that other stuff. Those days are so long ago. They need to just get over it.

"What do you think of me using my cellphone to record the faces of the folk who look at the noose? I kinda wonder what old Marcus will do. I cant wait to record his expression. It ought to be a doozy. I think this is my best idea, ever."

Note to this guy and his ilk: Black folk and many others dont like the idea of nooses, especially since around 4,000 black men, women and children were hanged in the Deep South between 1877 and 1950. And, a lot more after that. The Alabama-based Equal Justice Initiative also cited Louisiana as being very active in the hanging business, with an estimated 540 noose jobs of its own during those earlier years.

By the way, I hope the guy who brought the noose does not have Italian heritage. Back in the day, Louisiana noosed up a few Italians, too.

So its never a good thing to bring a noose, anywhere or anytime. Its not funny.

Email Ed Pratt, a south Louisiana freelance writer, at epratt1972@yahoo.com.
Hello, my name is Aidan Johnson. I go to Westdale Heights Academic Magnet in Baton Rouge, LA. I have a brother who goes to McKinley Middle, a 
Lauren Lambert-Tompkins, right, with Downtown Development District and Marlon White, left, with Downtown Business District, serve slices of birthday cake during a celebration of the City of Baton Rouges 200th anniversary of its incorporation on January 17, 1817. Bicentennial celebrations continued downtown on Tuesday with a press conference and a concert/party with cake. Many of the participants wore red to honor Baton Rouge's Red Stick heritage.
It was a tough gig - but someone had to do it! The Canberra Times and National Portrait Gallery judging panel spent the past week scrolling though hundreds of paw-some entries in the 'Me and my Pet' photo competition. Now, we're delighted to announce we have a winner! Say hello to the winning entry in our 'Me and my Pet' photo competition. Credit:Ross Walker From turtles and lizards to stick insects and literally hundreds of dogs (so cute!), this image of Aranda resident Katherine Griffiths and her Bengal kitten Calliope completely won our judges over. Canberra Times head photographer Karleen Minney said the panel agreed the image's lighting, composition and tones, along with gorgeous kitten Calliope staring down the lens, gave it the edge over other photo entries.

The man behind the photo, Ross Walker, said he was "delighted but in no way expecting it!" when we called to let him know he'd taken out first place in the competition. But Ross said the win was marred by a touch of sadness - Calliope died last month after struggling with a congenital heart condition she'd had since birth. "It [the photo] was like her last huzzah to the world," Ross said. An actor by day, Ross said the image was captured in the kitchen of the family home on his Samsung Galaxy and just happened to be taken at "the right time, in the right place, with the right lighting". The picture will be framed and placed on display as a tribute to Calliope. As part of their prize, Ross and Katherine will share a night at Canberra Crowne Plaza and a meow-vellous merchandise pack from the recent Popular Pet Show exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. If you're keen to see the full gallery of pet entries, and have your own say on a competition prize, jump onto the Canberra Times Facebook page where you'll find the 'Me and My Pet - People's Choice Award' photo album.
A ward of the Canberra Hospital was evacuated on Saturday after staff detected a smell of gas.

Firefighters attended the scene, however nothing abnormal was detected.

The acute ward at the Canberra Hospital was evacuated on Saturday. Credit:Contributed

A spokeswoman for the Emergency Services Agency said firefighters determined the smell was coming from the exhaust of a generator.

About 30 patients were moved from the acute ward to the ward next door, but were able to return to their ward by about 12.45pm.
A 39-year-old Vietnamese national charged with growing 375 cannabis plants would have been deported had he not been remanded in custody, a court has heard.

Bui Cuoi Nguyen appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Saturday charged with two counts of growing a trafficable quantity of cannabis, one count of growing a commercial quantity of cannabis and three counts of using a false NSW driver's licence for his own gain.

The man was charged with two counts of growing a trafficable quantity of cannabis. Credit:Rohan Thomson

The most significant charge, cultivating commercial quantities, carries a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment.

The charges relate to 2015, when it is alleged the man grew the crops for the purpose of sale as part of a drug syndicate.
The first time Harriet Farkash went over her $89-a-month phone bill she kicked herself, but assumed it was merely "a busy month" and moved on.

Then it happened again, and again, and again.

By the end of last year the freelance writer had paid an extra $1000 in excess mobile data charges."I wasn't sure what was causing it, before I realised the main culprit was probably [messaging app] WhatsApp," Ms Farkash, 31, said.

"I'm in a few group chats with friends. I worked out that one thread would have around 3000 messages a month ... so it was really chewing into my data."
Much has been written in the wake of the UK and US voter backlashes about the growing electoral power of One Nation and the other parties of protest dotting the margins. Less recognised is the behavioural impact of Trumpist anti-establishment populism on mainstream politics including declining civility, endemic inconsistency, and rising indignance. This can be felt across the board - starting on the right and leaching across to the left margins also. A speech by Greens leader Richard Di Natale to the National Press Club last Wednesday, was notable for its harsh tone towards the media - a favoured target of the right - and for its unguarded assault on mainstream neo-liberalism. Di Natale had been expected to draw his party towards the centre-ground, to make it more a party of compromises and outcomes, than of principled positions loudly stated.

But his speech instead conveyed a kind of mirror-image populism, only this time from the left, appealing mainly to those who are already on board. Answers to the central problems of the contemporary political economy were scarce. A 6-hour day or a 4-day working week would certainly be popular, but what about the costs? On this, the Greens leader balked. Nowhere was it explained how this radical change would work, how people could meet their mortgage and rental bills, when faced with a 20 per cent pay cut. He just wanted to start a conversation, he protested. Clearly any discussion of cutting work hours cannot be expected to progress without some specifics. A threshold question is how to secure the dramatic productivity increase needed to fund it. Asked if his root-and-branch rethink of work would contemplate weekend penalty rates, there was more obfuscation. Again, this is a pretty basic question albeit one that risks votes. Accentuating the positive while eliminating the negative is classic populism.

But it is also what delineates the putative parties of government from the pretenders. Pauline Hanson's antithetically named One Nation party (which pointedly seeks to divide voters rather than unite them) is a serial exponent of this political con, this convenient lie. Indeed, its leader goes further, telling different audiences what they want to hear and thus sparing supporters the bad news about what they must give up. Before the Western Australian state election she appeared on Perth's 6PR radio and was asked "Will you, Senator Hanson, help us in Western Australia in this fight, and would you be willing to see the GST share of your home state Queensland reduced so that WA can get a better deal?" "Of course I will, no problem," she responded cheerily and without hesitation.

Later, she flatly denied making any such statement. In the US, this truth deficit is itself the subject of a new kind of insider-outsider relativism. As one commentator noted of Trump's wilful Twitter fictions such as the patently false claim that Obama had tapped his phones: "The press takes him literally, but not seriously; his supporters take him seriously, but not literally". Pithy but hardly reassuring. Besides, where does this leave us? Parties like Hanson's will collapse under these contradictions before long. Trump's administration may last the term or it may not, but his credibility is already irretrievable. The less obvious but potentially more damaging effect of the new populism is to be felt in the mainstream parties. As their bases crumble, the temptation is to chase the strays.
We called them the "minus children", wards of the state treated with an "apathy which seemed almost wilful". In 1973, The Age began a campaign to expose the scandal at Kew Cottages, a home for the intellectually disabled that had been founded a century before. "Not long enough ago it was a hideous zoo of hosings and cagings," wrote our reporters at the time. "There are some bathrooms which would not even rate as car washes, made of concrete and corrugated iron and coldness."

It wasn't just children; people spent adult lives in what was the last of the big state institutions. The campaign by The Age sparked widespread outrage and won eventual support for improvement to amenities. Kew Cottages stumbled on, yet by the late 1990s, independent reports continued to paint a damning picture of residents "living in an overcrowded, warehoused and institutional environment" with little chance to join the wider community.

A resident at Kew Cottages in 1975.

When the Bracks government announced the closure of Kew Cottages in May 2000, it came with a promise for the 480 residents to be relocated into more appropriate housing. There was excitement for simple pleasures; the comfort of a private room, for example, rather than shared dormitories.

For taxpayers, the $100 million cost for relocating residents would be offset by the sale and development of the 27 hectares of prime real estate in a distinguished area of Melbourne's inner east. The project would effectively be a joint venture with a private partner, the government boasting it would share in the profits and pour the extra money into wider disability services.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has a fundamental disagreement with Sally McManus on the legitimacy of the ACTU's right to take industrial action. He cannot possibly go to an election with McManus controlling his party. Shorten should tell the unions affiliated with the ALP, that it's time they took their influence and their money and left the ALP to return to the ACTU's core business, fighting for better wages and conditions for their members. Brian Sanaghan, West Preston Time to take up the fight Sally McManus should be applauded. The act of withdrawing labour is by definition subversive, to be used in the event of mutual intransigence and in defence of workers' rights. It is also inalienable, notwithstanding the plethora of contrived constraints that have crept into law through successive corporate-besotted governments. John Laurie, Newport

In the footsteps of Pankhurst The suffragettes broke the law in the "votes for women" campaign. Ask your wife and daughters Mr Pyne how they feel when they vote. Myra Fisher, Brighton East THE FORUM Give and take

The good news in Minister Richard Wynne's new Plan Melbourne Refresh is that Melbourne's green wedges are safe, behind the locked-down urban growth boundary, although we still need the government to tighten controls on inappropriate developments allowed in the last government's deregulated green wedge zones. Interesting that the minister chose for his launch Mentone, where there is almost no neighbourhood residential zone, and where the height limit in the prevailing general residential zone will now rise from nine to 11metres. And where he made our mandatory four-storeys discretionary in the shopping centre, which is resulting in a five-storey development opposite the heritage-listed Kilbreda tower. Rosemary West, co-ordinator, Green Wedges Coalition, Edithvale Vision not so splendid Yet another new blueprint for metropolitan planning shows a lack of leadership ('Squeezing more into the green belt', 12/3). It highlights the Victorian economy over-reliance on planning and construction. Each state government overhauls the state's planning policy to accommodate increasingly larger populations. Where is the funding plan for the full range of infrastructure needed to service unprecedented levels of population growth. Liz Burton, Camberwell

Look beyond the city Melbourne's population is set to expand to 8million by 2050 so the Planning Minister Richard Wynne declares the leafy middle suburbs will be "forced" to take on more development. Can't he see these suburbs are already choked with massive apartment developments and excessive traffic? I suggest he take a "taxpayer funded trip" to some Victorian country towns to investigate housing development and talk to communities who will welcome new families to breathe life into their towns. Pauline Serafini, Ivanhoe East Stranger than fiction

The Sunday Age editorial ('The devil in the data', 4/3) about the attacks on press freedom and individual privacy makes for disturbing reading. When a Government chooses to use tactics akin to those in George Orwell's 1984 we as a community really should be very concerned about the government's direction. As an aged pensioner, does writing this criticism of the federal government's actions mean I should now live in fear that they will seek to punish me for my views. The "age of fear" where, if you dare to challenge authority you will be punished, is here. So much for government of the people, by the people, for the people. Ray Marsh, Primrose Sands, Tas Double standard I am still reeling from the Sunday Life journalist asking paralympian Madison de Rozario what she doesn't like about her body. Wouldn't it be great if any woman in any field could be interviewed in 2017 without being questioned about her appearance or how she feels about her body? Male subjects are exempt from this line of questioning.

Please give us articles about amazing women doing amazing things without telling us about their make-up or whether they "looks good for her age". Sarah Gully, Bentleigh East Tax-funded excess A recent advertisement appeared in The Age calling for a a property manager for one of our "elite" private schools. The applicant needed "outstanding organisational and interpersonal skills", "strong customer focus", "leadership skills and project management skills" and "a team-oriented and innovative approach to their work". Meanwhile three of the public schools in this area, share one property manager, part time. Is extensive recreation and landscaped space, really necessary in obtaining an inspiring education? Should taxpayer money be used to provide such embellishments? Allow equal educational opportunities for all. Dee Morice, Croydon South

Tracking emissions The Victorian government decision to lower rail tracks into trenches as well as various rail stations, along the Frankston rail line is at odds with the government's greenhouse gas reduction goal. Every time a 150 tonne train departs a subterranean station, energy is required to elevate that train back to normal track level. Roughly speaking, this equates annually to 175 tonnes of additional brown coal to be burnt in the Latrobe Valley for each station. Elevated sky rail stations, on the other hand, actually reduce CO2 emissions since they employ momentum to elevate the train to the raised station level, which, in turn, creates stored energy ready to propel the train upon departure. Steven Timm, Keysborough Driven to distraction Bruce Gibbens (Letters, 12/3) asks why high street businesses are subsidised by parking on public roads. Let's go further: why are vehicle manufacturers and trucking companies subsidised by the alienation of public land for roads, freeways, and car parks? More efficient and less expensive, environmentally damaging, and space consuming transport options are available: trains, trams, bikes, walking. Systemically, all of these are faster than cars, too. But, brainwashed by 100 years of motoring propaganda, we believe driving and car ownership to be not just necessities but rights, important means of self-expression even. We believe huge trucks can barrel through our cities without risk or damage. We believe we need more roads to allow these activities. We should limit not just parking but the numbers and types of cars and trucks AND impose proper restrictions on power, speed, noise, fuel efficiency and size.

Mark Minchinton, Footscray West All for political gain Opposition leader Matthew Guy claims that Labor MPs who do not live in their electorates are "putting politics before people" ('Push for MPs to live in own seat', 12/3). However, it seems it is Mr Guy who is seeking political advantage from the situation. While it could be argued that an MP does not have to live in their electorate to represent its interests effectively, the symbolism is crucial. Other than the personal preference and convenience of the MPs involved, it is hard to see why they would take that risk.

Rod Wise, Glen Iris Leading the way An excellent article ('Inside story of the ABC's unlikely star, 12/3) by Michael Lallo on The Insiders, a great example of the ABC's balanced coverage of politics. Margaret Ludowyk, Brunswick From the inside

Richard Campbell (Letters, 12/3) wrongly claims Australia came through the GFC because of China. I was involved with the strategy that ended the disastrous policies that caused the 1991 banking collapses in Australia and the almost collapse of our economy, and sent us on a record 26 years of growth. I was also involved with avoiding the 2008 GFC. It had little to do with China, but almost entirely due to a few astute federal Labor Party politicians able to take good outside advice. Terry Reynolds, Hampton A bit rich Anyone who has visited Cambodia in recent years, can not escape being struck by the catastrophic destruction wrought by the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1977. Now we read (World, 12/3) that America intends chasing down the war debt the State Department believes should be repaid by Cambodia. It was the blanket bombing of much of eastern Kampuchea from 1970 by the then President Nixon, ostensibly to defoliate the jungle harbouring the sneaky Vietcong, which drove the unsuspecting people into the arms of the Khmer Rouge in the first place.

Now America has the temerity to demand these poor people pay for it. Nick Toovey, Beaumaris All for show So Labor spent $60,000 in an effort to improve the image of the Shortens. Can't people just be themselves? When interviewed, Shorten and most other modern politicians seem like B-grade actors, trying to remember their lines. Where is the spontaneity? Where is the aim of genuinely trying to create a better world? Paul Mahony, Black Rock

Not quite on the money So they spent $60,000 getting Bill a makeover. Maybe it would have been a better idea to get him a caravan then he can claim a living away from home allowance. David Potter, Surrey Hills Makeover madness All the Labor party's huffing and puffing in their faux attack on award pay rates is much ado about very little. In fact, it is nothing compared to the $60,000 "Shorten back and sides" for their leader. What Mr Shorten has yet to figure out is: it is not the window dressing on the outside, it is the vacuum inside that people can see.
Getting the etiquette and ethics of tipping right can be tricky, especially outside your home country. "Australians don't really know how to tip because we're not a tipping culture," says Tamerlaine Beasley, managing director of cultural consultancy Beasley Intercultural. "One example I'd give is that in the US I had no idea you'd tip a hairdresser or anyone giving personal services. It's pretty common knowledge that you'd tip a taxi driver or a waitress but most Australians wouldn't know the boundaries of where you do and don't tip." In the US and Canada, it's customary to tip 15-20 per cent on top of the bill. In Europe it's similar to Australia  an optional thank you for good service. In Asia it depends. Apparently, tipping is normal in Thailand but frowned upon in Japan and China. That's despite the fact that in east Asia it's much more common to give cash as a gift for birthdays, weddings and even to bereaved relatives at funerals.

With tipping culture varying so wildly, Beasley says you need to research beforehand. "The best thing you can do is ask a local, and hotel concierges can be an incredibly good source of advice," she says. "The other thing to bear in mind is that locals will often go 'Oh it doesn't really matter, it's up to you' whereas it usually does matter and it's very rarely up to you. There usually is a rule so you need to be rigorous in your questions." From the point of view of self-interest, the main reason to tip properly is to make sure you get good service next time. But if you tip too generously then you might set up an expectation that will cause problems for yourself and other people in the future. Beasley says when you travel, your behaviour also reflects on your country more than you might expect. "It's amazing how much when you travel in the region [Asia] people from different nationalities have reputations," she says.

But what about from the point of view of doing the right thing? Dr Matthew Beard, an ethicist with The Ethics Centre, says in countries such as Australia there is no moral obligation to tip. If staff are paid a living wage, then customers can consider it a genuinely optional gratuity for good service. It's a more difficult ethical dilemma if tipping is supplementing a very low wage, such as in North America and many developing countries. In this case the decision not to tip is essentially docking their pay. But by participating in the tipping, are you somehow complicit in the low-wage system? "I'd suggest that if you don't want to be part of a system where there's no minimum wage or the minimum wage is below the living wage, don't go to restaurants," Dr Beard says.

"If you don't tip, the consequences are going to be felt by the victim, you're protesting on behalf of these people but you're also hurting them." He adds it's possible to tip too well from an ethical perspective if you can't afford it but feel obliged, or if you're tipping out of fear. Tim Harcourt, author of The Airport Economist, adds that you might tip different amounts to different people depending on what you know about their circumstances. His wife is from the US. "My wife used to be a waitress and she used to say that the men who work behind bar get paid more than the women who are waitresses so you shouldn't tip them as much," Harcourt says. Dr Beard says tipping is not just about the economic transaction.
After years of speculation, jostling, at some points infighting, and a two-month application process that culminated with interviews on Friday, an announcement on who will replace Andrew Scipione as NSW Police Commissioner is due within the fortnight.

Mr Scipione's long-serving deputy commissioner, Catherine Burn, is the most senior serving officer to be interviewed for the role but her involvement in a long-running bugging scandal may have cruelled her chances.

Outgoing NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione. Credit:Janie Barrett

Ms Burn has rejected adverse findings made against her by the Ombudsman over the scandal.

Former deputy commissioner Nick Kaldas may be the most highly credentialled applicant to ever apply to be NSW commissioner but again, the Ombudsman's bugging report, and the fact he has left the force on medical grounds may work against him.
Jim Coghlan, the policeman best known for catching Tony Mokbel. Credit:Simon Schluter In 1987, he bought a Boronia pizza parlour, the first of more than 20 apparently legitimate businesses he used to wash drug money. He was able to grow at the time because police dismissed him as a lightweight, even writing in his criminal file that he "lacked financial acumen". Yet his wealth quickly exploded. In 1995 he had known assets of $128,000  six years later he was worth $15 million. Tony Mokbel arrives at the Melbourne Supreme Court for sentencing in July 2012. Credit:Jason South A later psychological report found he was "semi-literate with a very limited degree of formal education". The truth is he was ambitious, imaginative, a quick learner and amoral. For him, it was just about supply and demand and he saw the demand for drugs was massive.

In 1997, a Mokbel drug lab worth a then record $78 million exploded in a Brunswick house. It was only a minor setback and within three years he had learnt to spread the risk. The Edwena was used in the escape of Tony Mokbel from Australia to Greece in November 2006. Credit:Victoria Police He had cocaine arriving in Australia on November 10, 2000, a shipment of chemist-grade ephedrine from Serbia landing days later, as well as 350,000 ecstasy tablets coming in the following month. The figures are staggering: the Serbian container of 550 kilograms of ephedrine had a wholesale value of $20 million and could be used to produce 40 million pills with a street value of $2 billion. Jim Coghlan reflects on a job well done. Credit:Simon Schluter

Although he was charged over the Serbian job, he finally jumped bail in 2006 during his trial on an unrelated cocaine importation. The reason? He had been leaked statements that implicated him in two underworld murders. And while he was prepared to do a few years over the cocaine charges, he wasn't prepared to risk a life sentence for murder. Wigged out: John Silvester assumes Tony Mokebl's disguise. Credit:Fairfax Designers His subsequent movements have been well recorded. For nearly a year, he hid at a mate's place at Bonnie Doon before buying the 17.4-metre yacht Edwena, importing a Greek sailing crew, and relocating to Athens where he continued to run his Australian drug syndicate. In the beginning, Purana didn't even bother to look for Mokbel, for the investigators had a more ambitious plan than just to drag Tony back to face existing charges.

Edwena, used by Tony Mokbel to escape to Greece in November 2006. Credit:Victoria Police Media They wanted to destroy his empire piece by piece using the mantra "Investigate, Identify and Dismantle". It was only in April 2007 that Purana began to seriously look for Mokbel in an operation code-named Magnum. The taskforce's breakthrough came when they persuaded a trusted insider to turn. The informer, officially known as 3030, came to Purana through a curious route. He was a professional musician who once played in a band with a serving policeman. He reached out to the cop  who brought him in. Mokbel's clean phone was identified and tapped, along with those of his deputies. One of their drug cooks was persuaded to work for Purana, allowing detectives to set up a perfect sting operation.

Eventually, Tony was tracked to the Athens suburb of Glyfada and arrested at the Delfinia Cafe on June 5 wearing a bad wig and a carrying a doctored Australian passport in the name Stephen Papas. Nine years ago today (March 18), following an 11-month extradition battle, the Greek Supreme Court ordered his return to Australia. Captured Victorian fugitive Tony Mokbel in his wig. Photo: AAP Credit:AAP Image/Simon Mossman He was acquitted of one murder charge and the second was withdrawn but, due to the overwhelming evidence gathered by Purana's Magnum, he was forced to plead guilty to multiple drug charges and in 2012 was sentenced to 30 years with a minimum of 22. Purana investigator Detective Sergeant Jim Coghlan seems to have spent half a career investigating Mokbel and he was there when his man was arrested in Greece. Coghlan wanted more than just getting the pinch and, along with other experts, spent years finding $54 million of The Company's hidden assets.

As a result, authorities seized 54 residential properties, two farms, 30 cars, Edwena the yacht, a Caulfield horse stable, country hotel, Brunswick market, Sydney Road car park, Boronia pizza parlour, four jet skis, 75 per cent of the racehorse Pillar of Hercules, cash, jewellery and three million Linc Energy shares, which the crooks bought at 20 cents and the government sold at $2. Purana destroyed a massive drug syndicate and provided a template on modern investigation, which relies on a multi-agency co-operation, turning insiders and identifying tainted assets. The arrest and conviction of Mokbel's team proves good policing works. It also proves that as far dealing with our drug issue, it is the equivalent of trying to bring down a charging bull elephant with a pea shooter. Since Mokbel was jailed, the flow of drugs has only grown. He brought them in by containers; now syndicates have their own ships. He was a smart local entrepeneur; now Australia is targeted by international cartels, well aware we pay the highest prices in the world. The truth is we are worse off now than when Mokbel was grabbed 10 years ago. And yet we continue to provide police with extra resources to slow supply while doing little to deal with demand. For every extra dollar we spend on drug law enforcement, we should spend the same on rehabilitation and education. The fact we don't have an effective anti-drug advertising campaign is a disgrace.

Mokbel's arrest ended Victoria's eight-year Underbelly War but the void was immediately filled by the next generation. Only the names change. Naked City's Wickedpedia: Where are the main Underbelly players now? Edwena: The 17.4-metre ketch Mokbel bought for $323,000 to sail from Fremantle to Greece. Renamed St George, it was finally sold for around $30,000. Carl Williams: An unemployed supermarket shelf-stacker who was making $100,000 a month manufacturing drugs until he went to war with the Moran clan. Ten years ago last month, he was sentenced to a minimum of 35 years for three murders. Eventually agreed to become a prosecution witness hoping to make a deal. Bashed to death in prison in 2010 almost certainly on the orders of his former pal Rocco Arico.
We've probably all seen them, the roadside crosses on country roads that stand as a memorial to the lost.

Some of them are on the edge of high speed country highways, some stand among long grass on quiet rural roads, while others are attached to huge trees on bends by the roadside.

A roadside memorial. Credit:Ken Irwin

Many of them carry a name and the dates of a life begun, and then lost far too soon.

Last year more than half of the lives lost on Victorian roads, 151, were lost in rural locations, compared to 140 in Melbourne.
Vincent Schiraldi inherited a mess when he took over the juvenile corrections department in Washington several years ago.

Inmates had been regularly beaten or sexually abused by staff. Young people were often placed in solitary confinement for so long they'd end up defecating in their cells. And drugs were so easy to get that kids who walked into the system clean would likely test positive within a matter of weeks.

US youth justice expert Vincent Schiraldi is in Melbourne this week.

It's little wonder Mr Schiraldi now holds the firm view that most juvenile jails ought to be shut down. And as for the more punitive approach the Andrews government has adopted when it comes to youth crime?

"We went down this path as a nation in the US and we've still got a long way to go to dig ourselves out of it," said Mr Schiraldi, who has been watching Victoria's progress with interest and is currently in Melbourne this week for a youth justice symposium organised by the Jesuit Social Services.
Dilapidated heritage buildings amongst modern homes at the Kew Cottages redevelopment. Credit:Joe Armao "The Kew project was supposed to be the revitalisation of disability services," said Max Jackson, a disability sector expert and former chief executive of the Kew Cottages complex. "Standing on the periphery of the redevelopment it appears that transparency has been the loser, and Walker the big winner." Illustration: Matt Golding

When former premier Steve Bracks first announced the redevelopment of the old Kew "asylum" in 2001, he envisaged an outright $100 million* land sale and a "flagship" housing project. It was to be a model of de-institutionalisation, with most of the former residents rehoused in the wider community but about 100 to remain on site in new group homes. Soon the plan would change and, rather than a straight sale, a private partner would be sought for a development joint venture. Walker was chosen in mid-2005. Then community services minister Sherryl Garbutt painted a picture of returns enough for "high-quality housing and support services for [Kew] residents and other people with a disability in the community". At the scheduled end of the Walker contract in late 2016, Mr Walker's development company had made total revenue from house sales of $520 million, but the state had received just $54 million, way short of what Steve Bracks and his ministers had imagined. This is a little more than the agreed base land price for the 27-hectare site in 2006, a surprisingly low amount ($30.9 million in 2006 dollars). The government agreed to take less up front in return for a 50 per cent share in any profit made by Walker Corp after the company had taken out 18 per cent return on its costs. To date, the profit share has delivered zero to the state. The Age has established that the government expects not a cent from it, even when the contract ends. (It has been extended to April 2018 at the request of the developer who is seeking new approvals for a small apartment complex.)

A leaked 2013 summary of the project based on Walker's financial models, may help explain the failure of the profit-share deal. It points to a big blow-out in the costs claimed by Walker. The summary shows that, by 2013, the original estimated cost to develop each dwelling of $657,000 had doubled to almost $1.4 million. This allowed Mr Walker's Kew Development Corporation to report only small profits  not enough to reach the 18 per cent hurdle for the profit share. Notably, the leaked assessment reveals that costs per dwelling claimed by Walker included an average of almost $600,000 per dwelling for "other" non-construction costs. That is, almost half the developer's costs appear to be for civil works, architects, heritage, consultants and other expenses not directly related to the building of homes. Neither the government nor Mr Walker will explain the dramatic hike in costs and whether, for instance, they may include elaborate expenses, such as the cost of Lang Walker doing business via private jet.

The government's development agency, Major Projects Victoria, will only confirm that Walker's stated profits have been less than the government's $54 million return to date. Other than that, it says its partner's finances are confidential. It is a curious response given that Walker Corp itself, through its special purpose Kew Development Corporation subsidiary, has reported Kew project costs and profits to the corporate regulator, ASIC, for the years 2012-2015. The reports reveal sales revenue totalling almost $296.4 million but costs of $250.9 million, or 85 per cent over the four-year period. Property experts and other sources familiar with the project query the costs claimed. They believe Mr Walker, renowned for his business savvy, his political clout, and Sunday morning coffees with former NSW MP Eddie Obeid, may in reality have made windfall profits from the scheme.

Peter Hay is a senior land valuer with 30 years' experience working in the property industry and for government. He knows the Kew development well and has done valuations for clients buying into the new neighbourhood. On behalf of The Sunday Age he calculated the costs and potential profits based on his own research and publicly available information. Hay estimates that the all-up cost of developing and building at Kew would be an absolute maximum of $260 to $300 million, a figure that includes a commercial land price and standard builder profits. His assessment leaves up to $260 million unaccounted for given the $520 million in total sales. "This is not a good result for taxpayers," says Hay. "Where's all the money gone?" Hay says the state should have got double the land value to begin with, and a substantial profit share. "It seems the developer got the land cheap and then inflated their costs."

Another expert, with intimate knowledge of the Kew project, insists the total project costs could be no more than $337 million, leaving the possibility of a windfall of $180 million. Lack of clarity about costs, profits and government returns highlights the poor public accounting for the scheme by both Major Projects Victoria and the client department, Human Services, a problem noted by in the past by both the state Ombudsman Victoria and the Auditor-General. The failure to clearly, publicly report detail of the Kew project seems at odds with the spirit of "open-book" accounting  where the government has access to its private partner's books  and which is meant to apply in the case of the Kew project. In response to questions, a Major Projects spokesman said the agency were afforded "full transparency" on Walker's costs and profits and was satisfied with them. "MPV takes independent quantity surveying and other advice to verify KDC's project expenditure." Major Projects refused to release such detail.

Walker Corporation did not answer detailed questions, but issued a short, unattributed statement noting the company's pride in its "sensitive relocation of the 100 severely handicapped Victorian residents who now live in beautiful parkside homes". The Andrews government has also refused to open the books. Major Projects minister Jacinta Allan did not answer a list of written questions. Instead, she issued a brief statement in which she stressed that the government would "use the experience of the Kew Cottages development to improve the delivery of future projects". From the outset the government's partnership with Walker, who was announced as preferred bidder in mid-2005, was controversial. More than a year after the announcement, negotiations with Major Projects bogged down and with a state election looming, Walker tipped $100,000 into ALP coffers, the company's first gift to Victorian Labor since 2000. A contract was signed on the last day before the caretaker period ahead of the state election that year. In 2007, The Age also revealed intervention in the Kew scheme by NSW Labor-right heavy-turned lobbyist and Walker associate, Graham "Richo" Richardson.

Through the Bracks years the Coalition opposition declared the Kew deal was dodgy, vowed to scrap it and, later, to make Kew the first investigation by its promised anti-corruption commission, IBAC. But after winning power in 2010 the Liberals went quiet, the silence coinciding with big Walker donations to the Liberal party. The Baillieu government abandoned the idea of the IBAC probe and, in 2014, struck a deal with Mr Walker to scrap plans for facilities for residents with disabilities in three remaining heritage buildings, including a hydrotherapy pool, in return for a cash payment from Walker. The then Liberal government, without protest from Labor, claimed the facilities were "potentially unviable", saying they duplicated existing services elsewhere in Kew. The three remaining heritage buildings at Kew are now fenced-off ruins for sale on the open market. Max Jackson has had a longstanding interest in the Kew site, including through a 17-year stint as chief executive of the Kew Cottages complex which the Kennett government closed to new admissions in the late 1990s.
Three Australians detained in Ecuador on suspicion of smuggling up to 10 kilograms of cocaine could face more than a decade in jail.

The trio, two men and a woman from Melbourne, were arrested on January 29 in the port city of Guayaquil, south-west of capital city Quito.

Prisoners in a jail in Guayaquil: Ecuadorian prisons are notorious for their squalid conditions. Credit:Insight Crime

All three are believed to have spent the past seven weeks in custody in Guayaquil.

They insist the drugs were planted in their bags when they checked in at an airport.
Police have released an image of a man wanted for questioning over a string of petrol drive-offs in Melbourne's inner west.

Images show the man filling-up a silver Holden Commodore sedan at a service station on Melbourne Road in Spotswood about 3.10am on Thursday, March 2.

Police are investigating following a petrol drive-off in Spotswood earlier this month. Credit:Victoria Police

Police say the car was displaying false registration plates TOL559 and the man drove off without making any attempt to pay.

Hobson's Bay crime investigation unit detectives believe the man may be behind a slew of similar petrol thefts in the area.
The truck driver whose "erratic" driving led to a horror five-car collision and the death of a man was on a suicide mission and under the influence of the drug "ice", the Melbourne Magistrates Court was told on Saturday night.

Detective Sergeant Andrew Lawrence said a blood sample taken after the Thursday morning collision on the Calder Freeway revealed the driver, Michael Templeton, tested positive for methamphetamine.

He told the Melbourne Magistrates Court that Templeton, 30, and of no fixed address, was attempting suicide by swerving his freight tip truck erratically between lanes on the in-bound section of the freeway, near Kings Road in Taylors Lakes.

"He left an insufficient gap between the car in front, a white Toyota utility, that was driving in slow-moving traffic," he said.
A Supreme Court jury has found Stephen Asling guilty of murdering underworld figure Graham "The Munster" Kinniburgh, who was shot dead in an ambush outside his Kew home in 2003.

It can now be revealed that Asling could soon face a new charge of murder, for the alleged killing of his partner in the Kinniburgh slaying, Terrence Blewitt.

In a December court appearance, one of Asling's defence team said police would likely charge Asling with murdering Terrence Blewitt, who was accused of firing the fatal shots that killed Kinninburgh.



Blewitt was last seen in April 2004 in Melton. His remains were discovered in Thomastown last year.

The Kinniburgh verdict marks the conclusion of one of the last cases of the notorious underworld war.
A Perth chiropractor who carried on a longstanding sexual relationship with a patient, and admitted sexual misconduct towards several more, has been banned from practice.

The State Administrative Tribunal of WA disqualified John Horner from applying for registration with the Chiropractic Board of Australia for three years.

A statement released by the Board said Dr Horner admitted his 12-year relationship with a patient from 2000 to 2012, which involved sex in his consulting rooms in Canning Vale as well as at the patient's home, constituted professional misconduct.

He also admitted to sexual misconduct during a consultation with another female patient, when he touched her breast for his own gratification.
if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi...
Monday 05 September, 2016 Reliable information reaching Biafra writers desk has it that the life of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indi...
"Joy and pleasure are as real as pain and sorrow and one must learn what they have to teach. . . ." -- Sean Russell, from Gatherer of Clouds"If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right." -- Helyn D. Goldenberg"I love you and I'm not afraid." -- Evanescence, "My Last Breath"If I hear not allowed much oftener, said Sam, Im going to get angry. -- J.R.R. Tolkien, from Lord of the Rings
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Most of the grand tiaras worn by members of the British royal family have long, carefully-documented histories. But then some, like this delicate diamond and aquamarine tiara, are a bit more enigmatic.

With this mysterious sparkler, weve got at least some background to go on. The tiara was worn by Queen Elizabeth II on a visit to Canada in 1970. Many royal jewel experts thought that it had been one of the pieces broken up and used to form the queens larger Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara.

Grand-Ducal Court of Luxembourg via Getty Images

In 2012, though, the Countess of Wessex unexpectedly appeared in the tiara at a dinner held the night before the wedding of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg. She wore it again at the wedding of Princess Madeleine of Sweden in 2013 (pictured below).

Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

So the Brazilian Aquamarine theory appears to be false, because the Canadian tiara does not appear to have been altered from its 1970 form. Even the tiaras frame appears to be identical. Is it a totally independent piece and not a part of the series of aquamarines the queen received from Brazil during the 1960s? Or were other stones used to flesh out the Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara, leaving this one in its original state? The plot thickens
For any indy filmmaker, getting an award at Sundance is a pinnacle of achievement. But getting two is almost impossible. But that is exactly what happened to my friend Rokhsareh, an Iranian filmmaker.

In 2013, Rokhsareh met a teenage refugee in Tehran, one of millions of displaced Afghans in Irans capital city. Sonita was a rapper, using Dari with a Herati accent (basically Farsi) to rap against the crushing patriarchy in her native Afghanistan. Sonitas apparent destiny, it seemed, was to be sold as a bride to the highest Afghan bidder.

Rokhsareh was not sure she wanted to tell Sonitas story when they first met. Sonita was around 17 or so (in post Taliban Afghanistan, birth records are hard to find) and she idolized Rihanna and had a notebook where she would take images of enormous pop concerts and crudely glue pictures of her own face atop the face of the pop-star. If there is any truth to the idea behind the 2006 international self-help best-seller The Secretvisualizing the life you want, in order to make it manifestthis would be classified as Sonitas vision book.

With little support, Rokhsarehhesitantly at firststarted filming Sonitas life. Sonitas resolve had given Rokhsareh determination.

Every film is a journey with an uncertain end. Iran should know; the country has one of the worlds finest cinemas. At the time, what had started as a story about a special kind of subject, changed into a journey of intrigue and escape for Sonita. But Rokhsareh soon found she needed to help support Sonita financially. She needed to stop her familys forced eviction from the room they called home. It would not be the first time she crossed the line between filmmaker and friend.

During filming, Sonita and Rokhsareh risked their lives to travel to the Afghan city of Herat, bordering Iranthis is where Sonitas family wanted to sell her into marriage. Furthermore, they needed to go to Kabul so that Sonita could have documents to prove she existed. Sonita needed an Afghan passport. Her filmic future was about to change. And indeed, so was her life.

At one point in the film, we see Rokhsareh and Sonita literally trapped in a fortress of a hotel in Kabul guarded by men with guns. A claustrophobic sequence unfolds in her hotel room with its large windows, where filmmaker and subject wait for that Afghan passport that will prove Sonita is counted as a human. Rokhsareh is heard in the background, requesting the U.S. embassy for another date for their visa interview, since the passport has been delayed. Sonita watches the news anxiously. Rokhsareh asks her whats on her mind. I am looking at Afghanistan. At the city. I am thinking how 11 years ago I emigrated to Iran and now I am back. Nothing has changed. The war is still on. Its even worse. I didnt think I would still have to hear gunshots at night. Terrible. I cant say how bad it is, says Sonita.

She turns back to the television where the news station is showing shocking video of a suicide bombing that has just unfolded at the French Cultural Center. She points out of the window. Look, she says, nothing but planes in the sky. Behind the camera, Rokhsareh assures her. Dont worry, she says, as soon as we get your papers we will leave. And pretty soon a triumphant Sonita emerges from a dank, makeshift office, and she breaks into tears. She shows her passport to the camera, urging, Look!

Soon, a U.S. foundation agrees to sponsor Sonita, providing her with a path away from an awful destiny. Rokhsareh found the foundation through her effort and research. She also created a rap video for Sonita that she posts on YouTube, in the hope it will go viral and get noticed. In that video, Sonita uses strong language to rap about the future her family wanted for her. I wish you would review the Quran, she spits, wearing a bridal gown. I wish you knew it doesnt say women are for sale.

On the first plane journey of her life, also filmed as Sonita looks out the window, a dream told in Sonitas voice plays in the background, Last night I dreamt that you and I, we are crossing a river and we are barefoot. The water is so clear we can see our feet and the rocks at the bottom of the riverbed. We cross the river together and we arrive at a place where with dirty walls. They look like deserted ruins. There is a certain darkness to this monologue. Especially because the next sequence in the film takes us to a place of snow-covered, endless plains, with an exuberant Sonita in a car. Rokhsareh has long since crossed the line from being a mere observer behind the camera to an active participant. This has not been an easy journey. Earlier, Sonitas family in Herat demands $ 2000 so she can buy more time before her eventual marriage. Rokhsareh pays it.

Sonitas absolution lies in Utah at something called the Wasatch Academy, a private college-prep high school. Sonita wins a full scholarship here at a time when America was still filled with the promise of Barack Obamas dream. And so Rokhsarehs film ends on this hopeful note.

Cynics may argue that in Sonita, we have a woman from a different culture being painted as a victim and saved by the supposedly benevolent West. In the film though, as with all good cinema heroines, Sonitas long journey allows us to see her story in a different light.

After filming Sonitas story, Rokhsareh left Tehran the spring of 2015 with most of her worldly possessionsand most importantly, Sonitas filmed life that now existed as terabytes of data on hard drives. Documentaries are really created on editing tables and thats what Rokhsareh did over the next several months in Germany. The resulting film went on to win Best Documentary and the Audience Award at Sundance in January 2016.

Those wins propelled Rokhsareh into a worldwide tour of film festivals celebrating her work. At one point during those travels Rokh, left one of her two suitcases at my place. It contained awards too heavy to lug to 26 countries. Plus, both she and I are superstitious. It might mean that she would need to return to America and make it her home, as she wanted to, at the time.

For the past two years, Rokhsareh has lived out of suitcases like that, traveling across continents with one of the most suspicious passport in the world and rude, undeserved interrogations at airports, including American airports. For me, she is a fighter and a wanderer. Its been two years of hotels and B&Bs. Last year she was in the U.S. four times and at film festivals ranging from Costa Rica to refugee camps in Algeria to New Zealand.

Rokhsareh has a very large heart and a self-deprecating wit. These days, we often exchange post-Trump jokes about the first banned and then unbanned Iranian passport on whatsapp. She continues to believe she is an outsider artist. But she has hardly found the absolution of her heroine.

Sonita will probably get a green-card one day. But for Rokhsareh this country has offered no happy ending. For those of us who felt the sky fall on our heads on November 3nd, denial is no longer a possibility. Like me in 2004, on the eve of Trumps election, Rokhsareh was deep in the process of acquiring an Alien with Extraordinary Abilities visa and eventual green-card. This is the process that brought me (uneasily) to a U.S. citizenship just about two years ago. Rokh had all the credentials for this sought after and hilariously named visa category, which John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Sting and a host of celebrities also obtained.

After Trumps election, Rokh decided to cancel her immigration process, writing to me via email, it seems like wasting money. They will not give me a green card and if they do, why should I live with so many haters around me? Now I should think about a new home, maybe in Canada. Don't throw my suitcase out. I will come and "grab" it one day.

Now, with the administrations travel ban, the worst has come to pass.

It is important to note, I whatsapped her shortly after the travel ban was put in place, that radical Islamic terrorism is manufactured in countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Afghanistan. She, like most sane people agreed. She reminded me that Iran has never engineered a terror attack on U.S. soil. And yet now, if Trumps ban gets reinstated, this award-winning filmmaker may be banned from traveling back here all because of her passport.

This is so ironic that Sonita is a movie about how America became a home to an Afghan Muslim girl and now I am banned from visiting US, she told me in her email in November. See you one day, I hope ;-)

I am holding on to that smiley face. Rokhsarehs packed suitcase waits. The fact that its owner is from a country non grata sends the message, loud and clear: This is no longer the America that looks beyond where you're from to focus on who you are and what you can accomplish. The America that welcomed me in 2000 and Rokhsareh more recently is being dismantled fast behind walls of tweets. And now, if your fate was to be born in a demonized nation like Iran, that misfortune trumps any other value you have.
President Trumps apparent campaign to offend and alienate every one of Americas allies continued unabated this week with the erratic billionaire accusing the British government of wiretapping him, based on no evidence other than the imagination of a former TV judge turned Fox News contributor, and a truly bizarre meeting with Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel.

During their surreal joint press conference, Trump was asked about his baseless allegations of wiretapping against former President Obama. He first danced around the answer, before directing any further questions on the matter toward a very talented lawyer on Foxyou know, the aforementioned syndicated TV judge Andrew Napolitano, whose imaginary friend told him that Obama had British intelligence monitor Trump.

Hours after our last show a couple of weeks ago, President Crazypants started tweeting about how Obama tapped his phone at Trump Towerbased on nothing. Thats the great thing about having tiny hands: Its easier to pull stuff right out of your ass, joked Bill Maher.

The political satirist kicked off his Real Time program Friday night with a sharp monologue attacking Trumps wiretapping shenanigansa political ruse that has wasted tons of legislative resources, monopolized the airwaves, and been deemed unfounded by politicians and intelligence experts on both sides of the political divide.

Even though Obama himself has said this is bullshitthe wiretapping, and our former National Intelligence Director said that, the FBI director said that, the speaker of the House said that, the chairman of the House Senate Intelligence Committee, and the Senate from both sides of the aisle said this, Trump addressed all these doubters today, explained Maher. He said, Well, I saw someone say it on Fox News. Really? Thats it? I saw someone say it on Fox News? What has to happen, Republican patriots, before you act? Does the president have to get naked, roll around on the White House lawn, start eating the grass and going vroom vroom, Im a lawnmower!

Maher then addressed Trumps offhand remark to Merkel where, after being asked about his Obama wiretapping claim, he turned to her and said, At least we have that in common. Trump was referencing Edward Snowdens reveal that the NSA under Obama may have been eavesdropping on Merkels mobile phone. Of course, its particularly crass for Trump to make light of wiretapping to Merkel, given how she grew up in East Germany during the Cold War.

And Trump said this today in front of Angela Merkel. Did you see that? She had a look on her face like, How I long for the days when I got creepy shoulder rubs from George W. Bush, joked Maher.

If the lame jokes and obfuscations werent enough, Trump also blew off Merkels request for a handshake. Yes, in front of a gaggle of photographers shouting handshake in the White House, Merkel is clearly heard asking Trump, Do you want to have a handshake? After all, Trump shook Japanese PM Shinzo Abes hand forever during their summit. But no, Trump, who appeared to register the ask by Merkel, then seemingly pretended to not hear her. Given Trumps history of misogyny, the childish behavior wasnt all that surprising.

Oh, that was a great meeting with Angela Merkel, said Maher. He obviously hates her, and of course hes so great at hiding this stuff. They were sitting there, and the people are shouting, Dont you want to shake hands? like every president has ever done in every photo [op]. No, no, fuck her, Im not going to shake it. And then after the meeting, he tweeted, Lousy meeting with German Chancellor Barney Rubble. Low energy, unattractive, didnt even want to make me pop a Tic Tac.
Lets call them Homo muskus. Theyre the new species of human-machine hybrids that Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, says scientists will need to invent if we want to stay as smart as our gizmos, and the rapidly expanding digital brain.

Over time I think we will probably see a closer merger of biological intelligence and digital intelligence, Musk said on stage last month at the World Government Summit in Dubai. This cant come too soon, he adds. Given the quick transformation that he believes we will experience, it would mean zipping from an age of driverless cars to what he calls an artificial general intelligence that is smarter than the smartest human on earth.

Musk says this will provoke a dangerous situation for mere humans, in part because he believes automation will push unemployment as high as 12 to 15 percent over the next 20 years.

The remedy, he suggests, is twofold. First, Musk advocates paying out a basic universal income to the rising tide of unemployablesa condition, he adds, that doesnt have to be all that bad. People will have time to do more interesting things, he told CNBC. There will be more leisure time.

Musks second tonic for massively disruptive automation is to re-engineer our brains and bodies. We have to figure out how to integrate in the future with advanced AI, he said. Some high-bandwidth interface to the brain that helps achieve a symbiosis between human and machine intelligence and maybe solves the control problem and the usefulness problem.

Musk, of course, is on the leading edge of driver-replacement tech with Tesla, which is already semi-automatic, and is morphing into being driverless in just a few years. Which makes his talk about the downsides of job-killing robots baffling to his many admirersand a bit of a curmudgeon in Silicon Valley on the subject of job losses from AI and automation.

Most of his fellow visionaries making super-smart thingamajigs insist that automation will not massively displace people. They point out this fear has been voiced since the Industrial Revolution, a period in which the opposite has happened. The age of machines has created rafts of new jobs while vastly increasing productivity, although no one knows if this will hold going forward.

As Musk points out, the driverless cars hes working to build will throw millions of drivers out of work. Millions more may lose out from AI in health care and other fields.

But lets for a moment assume that Musk is right: that millions more people will be jobless in 2037. How realistic is what he is proposing as a solution?

Ill let economists opine on a universal basic income, which I assume would come from all of the money being made by robots. Yet its unclear to me who would be buying whatever theyre making if more of Earths humans arent working.

Ill also defer to a future column the observation that the lucky humans with the best jobsthose newly minted Homo muskus might have little or no interest in their stupider and slower sapien s cousins.

So lets focus on whether the idea of a hybrid bionic species is possible with current or near-term technologies. How closeor farare we from being able to bioengineer people to have, say, an IQ-equivalent of 300? Or bio-hybrids that can at least keep up with the processing speed, and the access to data and searches, that computers right now do much better than pre-enhanced humans?

Also, what would Homo muskus look like? Are we talking Borgs bristling with hardware, and infused with nanoprobes; a plug mounted in the back of their heads that would allow them to download data like Johnny Mnemonic; or something more benign?

To find out, I asked three experts deep into efforts to augment the human brain. All three, its important to point out, are working to boost people with damaged, diseased, or aging brains or bodies, not to turn healthy people into super-enhanced cyborgs.

Brown University neuroscientist John Donoghue has developed a neural translation system called BrainGate that uses electrodes surgically implanted into the motor cortex of a paralyzed patients brain, allowing them to operate prosthetic arms using just their thoughts. The imbedded sensors read the electric signals from neurons firing when the patient thinks move arm to the left. The highly experimental BrainGate has only been tried on a few people, including a woman paralyzed for 13 years who used the technology to pick up a coffee mug with an artificial arm and to sip some joe by using thought.

The bandwidth and reliability of brain interfaces is still quite a bit lower than what nature gave ushands, voice, and ears, said Donoghue. The technology needed to get full information for high-bandwidth brain-machine communication is either beyond technology or beyond current understanding of how the brain works.

Neurosurgeon-turned-venture capitalist Andrew Firlik is more enthusiastic about the possibilities. Yes! We agree with Elon, he said, we being his firm, Jazz Venture Partners, based in San Francisco.

Not only is what Elon saying possible, its inevitable and is happening right now, said Firlik, whose fund supports brain-boosting and neural-gaming technologies using external electrodes, virtual reality, and other devices and techniques.

As technology is becoming more omnipresent and immersive, it is actively shaping our brains and unlocking our full potential, he added. A new wave of experiential technology is using the natural pathways into the braineyes, ears, touch our full sensoriumto close the loop between computer systems and the human brain.

The more sophisticated AI becomes, the more we will be able to harness experiential technologies to maximize the biologic capabilities of our brains. While some may think of this as hard to contemplate or scary, it is really no different from how we have historically used advances in information technology in society up until now to cure diseases, enhance communication, or create new modalities of transportation or commerce.

UCSF neurologist Adam Gazzaley, who also serves as chief scientist for Jazz, is somewhere in between. I believe that he [Musk] is pushing for invasive brain-computer interfaces, he said. I agree that we need to use tech to enhance cognitive function, but my bias is that few people will be willing (or should) have neurosurgery to accomplish this. We can accomplish much more in this domain with noninvasive approaches (such as Virtual Reality, videogame training, and brain stimulation), and with the potential for positively impacting way more people.

We seem to be at a fulcrum where parts of this cyborg future may one day actually occur, and parts of that are already here in a nascent state. Yet we dont know exactly where or when a leap into Homo muskus might happen. Clearly, if Musk is right about jobs in a few decades, we might want to consider the possibility of evolving alongside our machines. Or maybe about some of us going to Mars, another project of Musks, although its not clear if the machines will be any less smart or pervasive on the Red Planet.

Still, as John Donoghue said, you never know when a genius will show up and radically change everything. He also believes that its helpful to see visionaries like Musk draw a line in the sand to challenge the science and engineering community to deliver on a really hard task.

Id also like to see Musk fund this, he added.
ISIS is getting better at making armored vehicles, if one tricked-out Jeep Cherokee is any indication. And that could mean a tougher fight for U.S.-led coalition forces as they evict the so-called Islamic State from Iraq and then begin their long-awaited advance on the militant groups self-declared capital in Ar Raqqa, Syria.

Coalition forces recently captured the heavily-modified, 2015-model Jeep in Mosul, where the coalition is inching closer to finally defeating ISIS forces in Iraq after six months of bloody fighting.

The truck is remarkable for its "professional-grade," add-on armor, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Steve Townsend, commander of the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, told The Daily Beast.

The engineering of the truck shows both the level of skill ISIS has been able to attract since it seized large swaths of territory in Iraq and Syriaand the level of skill ISIS may be able to export back to parts of the Mideast, Africa, and the West.

Lacking its own sophisticated weapons factories and cut off from the international market, ISIS has borrowed a practice that U.S. troops employed in 2003, fusing scrap metal onto their un-armored vehicles to guard against the then-new phenomenon of roadside bombs.

The captured ISIS Jeep takes that concept much further. It boasts neatly-welded metal plates, an opening at the top for a machine-gunner and firing ports along the sides for the occupants' rifles. Those features are what "differentiates it from the usual junk seen driving around Iraq," Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans, independent military experts who edit the Oryx blog, told The Daily Beast.

Its a practice that dates back to World War II, and possibly earlier. In 1940, the British military was short on purpose-built armored vehicles and feared a German invasion, so the Brits slapped sheets of steel armor on civilian trucks and deployed them to protect vital airfields. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Chadian forces found themselves outgunned by the better-funded Libyan army in a drawn-out border war. Short of cash, the Chadians added heavy machine guns and missile launchers to 400 civilian pickup trucks. These technicals, as theyre now known, outmaneuvered the Libyans tanks and armored personnel carriers.

In Syria and Iraq, ISIS has elevated the technical to an art form, and the armored Jeep is but one example of that deadly art. ISIS has produced many hundreds of armored vehicles, often filling them with explosives and deploying them as suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, or "VBIED" in U.S. military parlance.

In the narrow streets of Mosul, VBIEDs have seen huge successes against the Iraqi army, in some examples even driving out of garages in streets that were already thought to have been secured, Mitzer and Oliemans explained.

As ISIS fighters find themselves increasingly boxed in by Iraqi forces in the citys close quarters, they are adapting by piling a bunch of vehicles on either side of the road to channel Iraqi forces through a single, narrow pathone thats either lined with improvised explosive devices, if the cars themselves arent packed with explosives. Or a sniper might lie in wait, sights trained on that narrow entry point.

Mad Max-style trucks can also function as attack vehicles and transports for foot soldiers. The armored Jeep was probably meant to be a personnel carrier, as indicated by its top turret and firing ports, Mitzer and Oliemans said.

Its not uncommon for ISISs technicals to fight in conjunction with suicide vehicles. The suicide driver will speed toward coalition lines and blow himself up, blasting a hole in coalition defenses for the technicals to rush through. The heavier armor on the trucks fronts is largely impervious to small arms fire, posing a significant problem for the defenders, according to Mitzer and Oliemans.

To destroy the ever-improving technicals and VBIEDs, the coalition has sent in teams armed with Russian made rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and U.S.- and European-made anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs)and also launched drones and manned warplanes to hunt the vehicles from the air.

"The proliferation of RPGs and ATGMs in both Syria and Iraq means that most fronts have enough means to counter VBIEDs, on paper," Mitzer and Oliemans commented.

One of those [rockets] would have no trouble at all destroying the vehicle pictured, Eliot Higgins, an independent and keen observer of ISISs weaponry who runs the Bellingcat blog, told The Daily Beast. Capt. Delicia Battle, a coalition spokeswoman, said U.S. and allied forces have destroyed 189 car bombs of multiple types since the start of the Mosul campaign last October. But ISIS is in no danger of running out of technicals and VBIEDs. The militant group maintains vehicle workshops across Iraq and Syria that can transform practically any truckand even tractors and construction vehiclesinto weapons of war.

ISIS's main technical-factory, known simply as "The Workshop," is situated in Ar Raqqa. The Ar Raqqa facility "has produced a wide variety of professional designs that could even be said to be on par with upgrades conducted by professional arms industries throughout the world," Mitzer and Oliemans said.

As the fighting winds down in Mosul, coalition forces are turning their attention to Ar Raqqa, pummeling the city with air raids. Coalition artillery is moving within bombardment range.

The Workshop has survived all of these attacks, so far, according to Mitzer and Oliemans. The facility and could continue to churn out improvised fighting vehicles like the tricked-out Jeep, adding heft and striking power to ISIS forces they prepare to defend their self-declared capital.
Months after Nicki Minaj decided to go no man for the new year, details are still surfacing about the disputed queen of hip-hops two-year-long relationship with rapper Meek Mill. Back before the breakup, Nicki fans assumed that Meek spent his free timewhile Nicki was off making hits and touring the world, that iswandering around the mansion and maxing out his girlfriends Seamless account. Unfortunately, it appears that Meek was actually pretty busy gossiping about Nicki whenever he wandered out of her earshot.

Our first piece of evidence came courtesy of Remy Mas ShETHER, a diss track so down and dirty that even Minajs bitter ex Safaree Samuels called it the most disrespectful record Ive ever heard in my life. Between ruminations on Minajs rhyme-writing abilities and a litany of supposed ex-lovers, Remy Ma sneaks in this little anecdote: I saw Meek at All-Star; he told me your ass drop / He couldnt fuck you for three months because your ass dropped / Now I dont think you understand how bad her ass got / The implants that you had put in her ass popped. Imagine youre one of the most successful female artists of all time and your boyfriend cant even get through a sporting event without informing your competition about an ass injection gone wrong. Seriously, Meek, Nicki was already paying the bills and letting you stand next to her in Instagramsthe least you could do is keep your mouth shut.

The world will probably never know if Nicki got some genuinely rotten plastic surgery, or just came up with a really creative way not to sleep with Meek Mill. What we do know is that that wasnt the only personal conversation Meek had while he was still dating Minaj. According to Rick Rosss new album Rather You Than Me, Meek Mill was getting relationship advice left and right.

On Apple of My Eye, the albums intro track, Ross explains, I told Meek I wouldnt trust Nicki, instead of beefing with your dog you just give him some distance. Imma let you finish, Rick Ross, but I didnt see you at Meek Mills side back when Drake was giving him a very public pummeling. Now that Nickis moved on, Meek is finally ready to stand up to herhe Instagrammed a picture to promote his label bosss new album, captioned, Rozay been told me dont trust you. Pretty bold statement from a guy who allegedly cheated on his girlfriend with a Philadelphia boutique owner.

While Nicki isnt Rosss only targetthe insults he launches at Birdman on the new album have already caused a major stirhis warning not to trust the female rapper hits a nerve. After all, this isnt the first time that Nicki has been attacked by one of Meeks bros.

In 2016, rapper Beanie Sigel accused Nicki of being behind Meek Mill and Drakes infamous beef, theorizing, In my point of view? You was laying in the bed one night, you rolled over and you looked at her and you asked her, You fuck that nigga? And she aint answer you in the way you wanted to. In citing exactly zero sources, Sigel came across as little more than a Nicki Minaj-Meek Mill fan fiction writer. Of course, as a fellow Philadelphia rapper, his working hypothesis quickly went viral.

Putting aside the fact that Meek and Beanie have their own complicated Philly frenemy thing going on, Sigels statement says a whole lot about how an overtly sexual woman is perceived in the hip-hop community. While Nicki Minaj has gotten a good deal of praise for exerting her sexual autonomyand has certainly praised herself for itshes also become a go-to target for body-shaming and slut-shaming. Making fun of Minajs body and mocking her promiscuity were the main two components of ShETHERwell, that and a whole lot of threats to do bodily harm to Barbie. Calling out these insults and accusations as misogynistic is a no-brainer. After all, no male rapper would be accused of sleeping with every single sexy lady he danced with in a music videoand if he did sleep with them, he wouldnt be shamed for it.

Drake and Nicki had worked together long before Meek Mill was in the picture. So while Meek may have felt threatened by the long hours Nicki was putting in with her Canadian collaborator, he has no one to blame but himself for the Twitter tantrum that subsequently turned into a beef bloodbath. Meek might have embarrassed himself when he went after Drake (edit: he definitely embarrassed himself), but letting his ex be labeled as an untrustworthy, slutty catalyst is an equally bad look.

Accusations of dishonesty are particularly rich coming from Rick Ross, too. When hes not badmouthing his boys ex, Ross has repeatedly been called out for lying in his rhymes. To hear other rappers tell it, Ross isnt as hard as he presents himself.

In 2011, Ice-T insisted that, Rick Ross stole a niggas name, referring to the drug kingpin Freeway Ricky Ross, adding, He thinks hes [Freeway] Rick Ross, he thinks hes Larry Hoover, he thinks hes Big Meech, he thinks hes MC Hammer, he thinks hes Tupac. Like, who the fuck are you really, dude? In 2015, 50 Cent picked up where Ice-T left off, Instagramming a photo of Rosss past life before he made it big, captioned, A correctional officer who raps like a drug dealer till he believes it. Party rockers LMFAO also reportedly called Rick Ross a fake thug, but we dont really need to talk about that. Nicki Minaj may be guilty of trusting the wrong plastic surgeon, but she doesnt seem half as untrustworthy as the rapper who allegedly stole a criminals name for street cred.
About a year ago, in a remote valley in Mexicos Michoacan state, I met with the elusive cartel capo Nicolas El Gordo Sierra. During our parley I made the gringo mistake of naming then-candidate Donald Trump. Instead of the planned Q and A, now it was my turn to get grilled.

What does Trump have against Mexico? El Gordo (The Fat One) growled at me in Spanish. Will he really build this wall?

We were sitting in a grove of mesquite and thorn trees, at the hidden base camp of the cartel called Los Viagrasthe name means just what youd thinkin the overcooked lowland of Tierra Caliente. Surrounded by Viagras with AK47s, who had already stripped me of cellphone and camera, a diplomatic comeback seemed best.

Mr. Trump didnt really hate Mexicans, I tried to assure Gordo and his inner circle of cartel warriors, or sicarios, as we sat around their campfire in the woods. It was just posturing, I said: tough talk meant to please his base and intimidate everyone else.

But Gordo Sierra wasnt so sure. He knew a little about tough talk himself, he said. Trump might be a titere, or puppet, of his party; but that didnt mean he wasnt dangerous. And Trumps speeches didnt sound like bluster. More like he meant just what he said.

What if he were here right now? I asked. What would you say to Mr. Trump?

Gordo thought about this for a long time, his men leaning in around us for the answer.

I would tell him, he said at last, to be careful about pissing us off. Gordo laughed at his own joke, and the sicarios all chuckled on cue. But it turns out the Viagras, like the rest of Mexicos cartels, might not have much to fear from Senor Trump.

In fact, instead of bringing down the bad hombres south of the border, the presidents approach seems, unfortunately, to be playing right into their hands.

Balls to the Wall

Gordo was right about one thing: Trump has certainly promised a bare knuckle approach to dealing with the cartels. But will construction of the infamous wall, or even deploying U.S. troops onto Mexican soil, as hes already threatened, really do anything to stop the Niagara of narcotics pouring across the southern border? Or weaken El Narcos death grip on both U.S. addicts and the Mexican state?

Lets start with the wall.

From the Ming Dynasty to Hadrian, from East Berlin to modern Israel, history tells us that great walls dont work, or that they have consequences that arent those desired. As the poet Robert Frost put it:

Before I build a wall Id ask to knowWhat I was walling in or walling out,And to whom I was like to give offense.Something there is that doesnt love a wall,That wants it down.

A third of our border with Mexico already is protected by walls and fencing. And that hasnt turned out so well, either.

Clever contrabandistas can lob baled narcotics over even the highest of barriers, using that ancient wall-thwarter, the catapult. Or they can go under by digging tunnels, for which they are famous. Cleverly disguised trap cars, with false fuel tanks or floorboards, make mass detection at legal checkpoints a pipe dream.

But those are the hard ways. Lazier smugglers often just bribe their way across the frontier, paying off U.S. border guards and Homeland Security officials as they go.

So, if its construction isnt grounded in logic, or the real world of law enforcement, why do Trumpheads love the wall? For the same reason their cheerless leader does: It sounds good in speeches, and makes a handy symbol.

And that mindset is par for the Drug War course, which has never really been about battling Americas addictions, or curbing the abuse of narcotics at the source. Just as Prohibition did nothing to stopand perhaps even helped glamorizethe speakeasy fiestas of the Roaring 20s, so the post-Nixon era has seen illegal drug use explode in the U.S.

Now, as in Gatsbys day, the favored strategy is to go after the suppliers. And primarily for ideological reasons, instead of rational ones. Religious fanaticism by way of the Temperance movement gave us Prohibition, just as racism and xenophobia lurk behind Trumps attack on immigrants, as well as the overall war on drugs in its current form.

With all the focus on supply, the demand side of the equation gets far less press from the Trump White Houseperhaps because it makes for less glorious speechifying. Even when top officials have directly called for a focus on reduction in U.S. demand for drugs, via treatment and rehab programs, theyve been largely ignored.

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly recently addressed Congress on this very topic, calling the supply-side-only emphasis embarrassing. Kelly also urged the House to get into the business of drug-demand reduction because thats whats killing our folks.

Lesson learned? Apparently not, as the new GOP health care bill actually eliminates coverage for addiction treatment.

Mr. Trump claims to be a great businessman. Yet he seems unable to understand the simple logic of supply and demand behind this issue. As long as there are vast profits to be made from U.S. consumers, someone in Mexico will find a way to get drugs to them. And no wall, no matter how high or beautiful, is going to keep them out.

Criminal Insurgencies

When a syphilis-ridden Al Capone was finally arrested in the spring of 1929, the government could crow that Americas Most Wanted had at last been caught. At the same time, the impact on Capones Chicago Outfitand the rivers of liquor they distributed throughout the nationturned out to be exactly zilch. They went merrily on their rum-running way, while Scarface Al rotted behind bars.

Which brings us to El Chapo. Like Capone, Joaquin Shorty Guzman was also Americas most-wanted man. And now that Chapo has been caught and extradited to the U.S.absolutely nada has changed in relation to the flow of illicit substances into the States.

Meanwhile, in Mexico, infighting between Chapos heirs abhorrent is turning the state of Sinaloa into a war zone.

And its not just Sinaloa. The vaunted Kingpin strategy, so beloved by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Mexican officials, has proven itself to be a disastrous failure across Mexico.

Following in the footsteps of guerrilla insurgencies across the globe, the cartels have responded to this behead the hydra approach by adopting new, horizontal command structures, much like al Qaeda. Theyve also decentralized, scattering factions into rural regions, far from large urban centers where they can be tracked easily.

The result is that whole swaths of the country, such as the Viagras-controlled stretch of Tierra Caliente, are now run by gangster warlords like Gordo. These bandit chieftains carve out their fiefdoms, which they call plazas, and defend them without mercy against rivals, law enforcement, and even independently organized militias that seek to test their power.

The cartels have also stepped up their paramilitary terror tactics, including attacks on military convoys, shooting down helicopter gunships, and proliferating ISIS-style decapitation videos to demoralize opponents.

The growing power of these criminal insurgentsand their internecine struggles for dominancehave caused Mexicos Drug War death toll to spike by a third so far in 2017, with some 2,000 cartel-related murders in January alone. Statistics also show a 22 percent jump in drug-fueled homicides from last year, and more than 30 percent from two years ago, indicating this is not a passing trend.

Most Americans hear little of the open cartel warfare that goes on in places like Michoacan, Guerrero, or Veracruz. This counternarrativethat U.S. policies are contributing directly to the breakdown of law and order in our neighbor to the southis not one you can expect to hear from the White House anytime soon.

Ideology vs. Rationality

Instead of seeking new strategies or tactics for dealing with Americas drug problem, Trump seems poised to ramp up the same old hardline policies. And targeting the figureheads atop the cartels is just part of the overall cognitive dissonance.

For example, the Trump administration promises a crackdown on opioidsby which it apparently means heroin users. But in truth the biggest purveyor of opioids in the U.S. isnt cartels from down south. That dubious distinction actually goes to the pharmaceutical industry here at home.

New high-powered pain killers have cornered the market on opioid addiction, and their chronic users now outnumber old-fashioned smack junkies by a three to one margin, according to the American Society for Addiction Medicine (PDF). For many caught in the cycle of opioid abuse, heroin is a back-up option when they cant get painkiller prescriptions filled.

Which isnt to say we dont have a growing cartel crisis in our own backyard. Using advanced new procedures for implanting human drug mules, Mexican mafiosi have now penetrated into places like Indiana, Minnesota, and North Carolina.

These underground networks can then funnel their vampire profits right back down south, making for a self-perpetuating farm to arm industry.

According to insiders, law enforcement alone is not enough to make these pervasive, deeply rooted criminal cells go away. As the attorney general of Ohio lately observed, We cant arrest our way out of the problem.

Thats partly because the plaza business model is no longer unique to Mexico. When authorities do manage to bust a cartel network in the States, theres always another group waiting to take over the regional market.

Even worse, POTUS and his cabinet are set to roll back some of the limited but important gains weve made in undermining cartel power.

One of our few Drug War victories has come in the form of curbing the syndicates cannabis profits, as the U.S. Border Patrol reports seizures of illegal marijuana are down to their lowest level in a decadefalling by at least 39 percent over the last five years.

Homegrown ganja, in other wordsnow legal for recreational purposes in eight U.S. states and D.C.can make a sharp dent in cartel income.

But the new administration wants to change all that. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is hinting strongly that a crackdown is coming against legalized weed, despite the estimated $1.3 billion earned in taxable revenues.

Ideology trumps reason once again.

Solution Evolution?

Given that the Mexican army is openly seeking an exit strategy from its fight against the cartels, and with two thirds of Americans also ready to call the Drug War quits, you might think the Trumpites would be hunting new solutions to this very old problem. But youd be wrong.

Alternatives like decriminalization, cutting opioid prescriptions, and affordable treatment programs in the U.S.or anti-poverty initiatives in Mexico, so as to give young people an alternative to the narco lifestylejust dont seem to be on the table. At least not yet.

And all of that suits next generation warlords like El Gordo Sierra right down to the sun-scorched ground.

Maybe Trump is not so bad after all, the cartel commander told me after a lengthy debate about El Donaldos ironfisted agenda.

Truth is, said Gordo, he sounds just like one of us.
On Tuesday, Feb. 26, 1935, Virginia Woolf wrote in her diary that after a very fine skyblue day, she was plagued by the sudden wish to write an Anti fascist Pamphlet. She talked it over with her husband Leonard, who was extremely reasonable & adorable, & told me I should have to take into account of the economic question.

The topic had been on Woolfs mind for some timeat least four years. In 1931, she first envisioned the book as a sequel of sorts to her essay A Room of Ones Own. Initially the title had been Professions for Women, a sort of feminist communist manifesto. At one point, she even planned it to be the nonfiction section of her novel The Years. But after traveling through Italy and Germany as the political climate in Europe began to grow more and more menacing, Woolf realized the pressing matter was one of fascism, and she was determined to answer the question how are we to prevent war? in a society where war seemed inevitable.

For Woolf, the origins of fascism are inextricably tied to the patriarchy. A quotation she read in the newspaper from a man who claimed that women who work emasculate men by relieving them of their duty as provider seemed to crystallize the issue for her. There we have in embryo the creature, Dictator as we call him when he is Italian or German, who believes he has the right, whether given by God, Nature, sex or race is immaterial, to dictate to other human beings how they shall live; what they shall do.

The pamphlet would eventually become Three Guineas. Published in June 1938, the book is organized around three institutions: educational, professional, and anti-war, each asking for support in the form of a guinea, a then-obsolete monetary denomination used mostly for checks, for a doctors fee, luxury goods, or a hefty donation.

Firstly, Woolf argues, she is unprepared to answer the question how are we to prevent war, since she, like other daughters of educated men, is uneducated. Higher forms of education, like the noble courts and quadrangles of Oxford and Cambridge, were closed to women. Education makes a difference, Woolf writes. Some knowledge of politics, of international relations, of economics, is obviously necessary in order to understand the causes which lead to war.

Secondly, how are women to form their own opinions about warabout any topic, for that matterif they are not independent members of society? In Woolfs time, women went from being under the influence of their fathers to their husbands. Without an independent income, a womans ability to exert any influence on politics, even the politics of her own household was nil. If he is in favor of force, she too will be in favor of force.

And even if women do enter the workforce, they are paid half, or less than half, of their husbands income. Unbelievably, in 2017, women are still paid less for the same work. The man is paid more than the woman for that very reasonbecause he has a wife to support, Woolf acknowledges. The bachelor then is paid at the same rate as the unmarried woman? It appears not.

Because of their role as outsidersoutside the educational system and the workforcewomen have little to no agency when it comes to effecting change. If men in your profession were to unite in any demand and were to say: If it is not granted we will stop work, the laws of England would cease to be administered. If the women in your profession said the same thing it would make no difference to the laws of England whatever.

The subjugation of women, whether its through the pay-gap, lack of education, or an assault on reproductive rights, is essential for the success of fascism. If women were liberated, as outsiders their desires and needs in a society would not and could not toe the party line. The Nazis knew this. As Marie-Louise Gattens writes in Women Writers and Fascism: Reconstructing History, the National Socialists introduced schools in Germany segregated by gender where the quality of education for the female students was purposefully inferior. They also created a quota in the university system that capped female admission off at 10 percent.

The importance of a college education cannot be understated for Woolf. Nor should it be lost on us today as we scramble to make sense of the current state of affairs. Shortly after the Womans March, this photograph went viral. According to exit polls, 53 percent of white women voted for Trump. Its a sobering statistic for Hillary Clinton supporters. But of those 53 percent of white women who voted for Trump, the majority of them, almost 2 to 1, do not hold a college degree.

The sheer horror of this statistic is only made worse by its lack of detail. Who are these women? Have they, as perhaps Woolf would suggest, been victimized by systematic internalized misogyny? Or, even more grim, are they motivated by racismare they fascists themselves? The reflex toward sweeping generalizations is enticing. What we do know is what differentiates them from other white women is their level of education.

And it should not be overlooked that the ideology of this administration coincided with the defeat of the candidate who would have been the first female president of the United Statesan accomplishment that would have heralded a true milestone in gender equality in this country. Acknowledgment of this fact seems to confirm Woolfs inextricable link between misogyny and fascism. As its now apparent, the plethora of accusations lobbed against Hillary Clinton during the course of the campaign turned out to be falseas news comes in every day that the opposing side is guilty of the very crimes they had accused her of. In the end, the campaign against Clinton was founded in nothing more than full-fledged sexism.

But now we come to the most important aspectwhat are we to do? How are we to prevent fascism, and, by proxy, war? Heres what Woolf suggests. And according to her standards, the resistance is already underway.

In the third section of Three Guineas Woolf refuses to sign an anti-fascist petition because if we sign this form which implies a promise to become active members of your society, it would seem that we lose that difference and therefore sacrifice that help. Instead, Woolf suggests a Society of Outsiders, bound together by their status as outsiders, e.g., not white men, but united in their aim to end the threat of fascism.

She proposes, among other things, that mothers be paid a wage for mothering, that the outsiders refuse to take office or honor from any society, which, while professing to respect liberty, restricts it, like the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and that outsiders will dispense with pageantry, like the decoration of bishops and soldiers.

And lest we doubt Woolfs positioning herself as an outsider, its worth remembering that the threat of fascism was for her, a threat on her life itself. Hitlers so-called Black Book contained the names of English writers, philosophers, politicians, and others he intended on murdering as soon as he had invaded the country. Both Virginia and her Jewish husband Leonard Woolf were on this list. The couple had a suicide pact in place in the event that German troops ever made it on to English soil. Their home in London was destroyed during the Blitz, and the frequent buzzing of SS bombers near their country house no doubt contributed to Woolfs already precarious state of mind in the months before her suicide in 1941.

At the end of Three Guineas, Woolf cites the Mayoress of Woolwich, who reportedly said, I myself would not even do as much to darn a sock to help in a war. One hundred years ago, when women made up very little of the work force, as Woolf has already acknowledged, their abstaining from work would have had very little political influence. But, she writes, should other mayoresses in other towns and countries... follow suit... Therefore it is worth watching very carefully to see what effect the experiment of absenting oneself has hadif any.

Today, Woolf would undoubtedly support protest efforts of any stripe. Over five million people participated in the Womens March worldwide, with one million in Washington, D.C. alone. And there are its offshoots, like the generalized strike, A Day Without a Woman, on March 8, which encouraged women to absent themselves by taking the day off both paid and unpaid labor. Yemeni-owned and operated bodegas in New York City shuttered their doors to protest the immigration ban in February, with overwhelming support from their communities. Airports were swamped with crowds protesting Trumps first immigration ban. And if there were any doubts about the protests efficacy, ACLU lawyers claimed that the deafening public outcry was directly related to getting the ban struck down in the courts.

The Womens March (and its offshoots) is the realization of Woolfs Society of Outsiders. The sooner white women realize that they too are outsidersthe sooner the outsiders can become not just a fight for feminism, but an unstoppable, all-inclusive resistance against fascism.
Hyderabad: Congress Deputy Floor Leader Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy on Thursday slammed the government for failing to utilise the Central funds in full. He demanded that the government establish monitoring mechanism to ensure that the Central government funds are utilised in full.

Initiating debate on budget in Legislative Council, Sudhakar Reddy pointed out that ever since TRS government came to power, it boasted of huge budgets. He alleged that there was diversion of funds earmarked in the budget. He advised the government to set up State Finance Commission, as suggested by the Centre for Good Governance, to ensure that funds are utilised properly.

He blamed the government for making announcement that Telangana was the revenue surplus State. He told the government that the neighbouring AP State was lobbying the Centre for more funds, while the Telangana State government claimed revenue surplus despite fiscal deficit during 2015-16. He said that the total government debt had climbed up to Rs 1.4 lakh.
Prince William headed to Paris on Friday for two days of official engagements with his wife Kate Middleton, just days after undertaking a series of unofficial engagements that went rather wrong just down the road in Verbier, Switzerland.

William was roundly criticized after it emerged that he had skipped an important church service marking Commonwealth Day on Mondaythe Commonwealth is the loose association of former British Empire nations of which, one day, William will putatively be the headin favor of a trip to one of the worlds most expensive ski destinations.

Then came an embarrassing video of him dancingbadlyin an apres-ski nightclub leaked online.

The dad dancing video has been a topic of wide discussion on talk radio and news channels across the UK for the past few days. The tone has notably not been terribly affectionate.

Williams decision to go on a ski trip with his old party pals Guy Pelly and Tom Van Straubenzee instead of attending a symbolically important church service would, at any time, be unwise.

But to do so just days after the UK parliament formally ratified the Prime Ministers power to trigger article 50, the notice that it intends to quit the EU, after which it is hoped that trade with Commonwealth countries such as India will help balance the British books, was a colossal miscalculation.

Images of the future British king making an over-privileged clown of himself will not have hurt the Scottish first ministers opportunistic call for a fresh referendum on independence either. Among Scottish nationalists, Not My Queen is a popular rallying cry.

Unfortunately, Prince William is unlikely to see it that way.

If previous form following monsterings he has received from the press are any guide, William will, instead of accepting any blame himself, simply gnash his teeth and bemoan the horrid media, the evil internet and the outrageous invasion of his privacy that is someone shooting footage of him on their cameraphone dancing appallingly in a nightclub.

He won't listen to advice and hires people too scared to give it, says one source, who adds that William tends to see himself as the victim when these privacy rows blow up.

William, Kate and Harry have this delusional ideaencouraged by their press teamthat they can be both private and public people depending what they are up to, so people have 'no right' to see what he is doing, the source tells the Daily Beast, Of course this is nonsense, but he won't accept it. The irony is, it just makes them even more miserable because they will never be private citizens.

The Queen has never labored under any such delusions. Whenever a choice has had to be made, she has subjugated her personal desires (and comfort) to the interests of the Crown.

The Queen knows there is only one place she can let her hair down behind closed doors. And thats what her country retreats, Sandringham and Balmoral, are for.

However, the Queen is not entirely blameless in the PR mess that Williams public/private life has become. She calls the shots, and the miscalculation may be as much hers as Williams.

As the royal historian and author Majesty, Robert Lacey said, that it is very clear that Williams current low-tempo public life is licensed by his grandmother.

It is clear that she has wanted to spare him the truncated family life that she suffered due to the early death of her father. People talk about the Queen not being maternalCharles is on the record as suggesting it--but I remember interviewing Lord Mountbatten in those years and him telling me that the Queens favorite night of the week was Thursday because, that was Mabels night off.

Mabel was the governess. And on Thursday nights, it was the Queen who bathed the children, read the bedtime story and put them to bed.

She wants that for William, and she has very much enabled this arrangement of a family home and base on the Sandringham Estate to facilitate his work with the air ambulance."

No-one is arguing that William cant have a bit of fun dancing like an idiotlike the rest of us doif he wants to. No-ones telling him he cant get drunk.

But it is, surely, reasonable enough to suggest that he cant do so in public if he is to represent the country effectively. The royal family may not be members of the Foreign Office, but they are Britains most important diplomats and standard bearers; much has been said lately of the key role William and Kate in particular will play in charming the world beyond their borders post-Brexit.

London has recruited the royal family in its diplomatic offensive to negotiate the best possible exit from the E.U., Le Point headlined a recent story, The British government certainly has the habit of using the Windsors assistance when the United Kingdom has problems to oil bilateral relations with other countries, it argued.

Penny Junor, the biographer who has written biographies of every senior living royal, including William, told the Daily Beast: The images coming out of Verbier are, of course, an outrageous invasion of his privacy, hes right, but he is living in a world where every individual with a mobile phone can invade his privacy, and will. Its very unfair but its a fact of life and he needs to accept that he cant be in control of everything.

She adds: I think William can be quite difficult, and like his father, I dont think he likes people who gainsay him, therefore will be quite tricky to advise.

Put simply, William needs to be more careful what he does in public or semi-public spaces. Of course, people have been telling him this ever since his wife was photographedfrom a public roadsunbathing topless.

Hes lucky this time that the footage and photos showed nothing more incriminating than a rich young man doing some dodgy dad dancing.

But the default position of simply blaming the press wont get William far. As Lacey says, To imagine that the press or just about anyone with a smart phone will not take photos of him if hes with a glamorous blonde is downright naive.
The Eiffel Tower. The Empire State Building. The Burj Khalifa. Throughout history, humans have built memorials to their dominance over the natural world, over gravity, over each other. These buildings stand tall, inspiring awe in their design and proclaiming the mastery and superiority of the nations culture and values.

And thats exactly what architect Vladimir Tatlin wanted to achieve for Russia in 1920.

In 1917, the Russian Revolution came to an end with the ousting of the Romanovs and the ascendency of Vladimir Lenin and his band of Bolsheviks.

It was a grand, violent achievement, and one that Lenin wanted to be celebrated far and wide. In short, he needed to get everyone on board with his rule and his socialist agenda; he needed some good propaganda.

The Romanovs had ruled over the country for three centuries. During that time, they had constructed plenty of monuments to their monarchy. Now it was Lenins turn to erect his own messaging on a grand scale. Enter his Monumental Propaganda program.

According to the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, as cited by The New York Times, the purpose of these new monuments was to provide a propaganda vehicle in the fight for victory of a new system, for enlightenment and education of the popular masses.

He put Tatlin in charge of this initiative. Tatlin was born in 1885 in Moscow and trained as a painter, but he quickly grew out of painting icons and other static pieces. He developed an interest in using art for a greater purpose, adding architect to his resume and exploring his interest in how to use materials to marry form and function into something that was both abstract and practical. Over the course of his career, Tatlins work would play an important part in the Russian avant-garde movement.

Up to Tatlins appointment, the Bolsheviks had taken a more traditional approach to state-sponsored sculpture, commemorating the leaders of their movement in stone. But Tatlin had a grander vision than heroes on horseback. He thought a new type of memorial should be created altogether, one that would truly represent the changes that Lenin and socialism were bringing to the country.

The piece de resistance of his vision was his Monument to the Third International, or what is commonly referred to as Tatlins Tower. Envision a giant spiral staircase combined with the Leaning Tower of Pisa and youll have an idea on the exterior of his building. Clocking in at a proposed 1,300 feet, the tower would dwarf the Eiffel Tower by a third of the latters height.

It would be made of local materialsiron and glassin something of an open structure that contained four glass spaces stacked atop each other in the inner columna large cube on the bottom followed by a pyramid, a cylinder, and capped with a half sphere.

This giant structure was not just a memorial to the new regime; Tatlin intended it to serve a double purpose as the headquarters of the Comintern, the international governing body for Communism. Three of the four inner glass spaces were to hold a different branch of the governing body, with the half-sphere at the top serving as the buildings radio tower.

Before you envision the grandeur of working in such an impressive space, Tatlin had one more twistquite literally. Each of the four glass structures was to revolve, all at different speeds.

While the radio tower was poised to win the pace awarded, intended to rotate once per day, the press corps was also destined to have a wild ride, with their cylindrical offices revolving once per day. (Dont get any ideas, President Trump!)

In 1920, Tatlin debuted a wood-frame model of his proposed structure, one that, if built, would have earned Russia the Worlds Tallest Building award. A few more models followed throughout the next decade, but the project never went beyond that. Tatlins idea was ambitiousit was a new form of abstract modernism and a building the likes of which had never been seen beforeand because of these qualities, it was also destined for failure.

The Gallery of Lost Art, a project of the Tates, suggests that Tatlin knew his tower was unlikely to be realized and that he didnt even create detailed plans for it. In the aftermath of the revolution, materials were hard to come by, not to mention the skills needed to pull off such a vast and unusual piece of architecture. Plus, while the building had many supporters, there were also some who were not so keen on the design, including Leon Trotsky who allegedly thought it was impractical and romantic.

But that didnt mean it didnt leave its mark. In his ambition, Tatlins Tower was a guide for what could be achieved in the burgeoning form of modern architecture, both in form and in materials. And it has continued to inspire homages to this day.

In 1968, the first reproduction built after Tatlins death went on display in Stockholm. It made the rounds of other major museums, including the Centre Pompidou, which decided to build their own model after hosting the original in 1979. In 2011, the Royal Academy in London constructed a model of the tower in the museums courtyard as part of an exhibition on Soviet art and architecture.

Then, of course, there is the group that has proposed constructing Tatlins creation to scale, but with different elements of the tower being built in different countries all over the world.

While some of these projects are as ambitious as the original, Tatlins Tower remains where it was left when its creator died in 1953: consigned to the might-have-beens of history.
NB Gin gets green-light for new distillery

NB Distillery has received the go-ahead to build a new distillery in East Lothian.

The North-Berwick based distillery had its plans approved by East Lothian Council on March 7. The move will allow the craft distiller to expand its gin and vodka production to a 24-hour operation, in the wake of overwhelming demand from the UK and global markets.

NB Distillery also plans to offer tours of the distillery, which will include canapes served by North Berwick chef, JP MacLachlan.

MacLachlan, who has worked with Gordon Ramsay and Raymond Blanc, will also collaborate with the distillery and offer private dining options in the future. Visitors will also get their own slippers to wear during their time at the attraction.

CEO and co-founder of NB Gin, Viv Muir, says: We have an overwhelming demand for our product worldwide which is necessitating major expansion. With that has come a demand for distillery tours.

As with everything we do at NB, we wanted to do something more than just the stock standard tour. When visitors come to the new distillery, we want it to feel like youre coming for a drink and food at our home.

That means youll be handed an NB as soon as you arrive, youll be invited to take off your shoes, be given your own slippers and our chef will be on hand to treat you with delicious canapes. It is an experience and feeling of coming home, not a tour.

We also plan to take advantage of East Lothians incredible produce to really compliment the luxury feel to the distillery.

Miur says construction on the new distillery at Halfland Barns, to the south east of North Berwick, is due to begin shortly and she believes its a crucial next step in NB Gins growth since it was launched just four years ago.

NB hopes to have the distillery open by Autumn 2017.

The distillery will be energy neutral and will feature solar panels, lighting and heating. Additionally, the building will capture rain water, store it and allow it to be reused for the condensing process of stilling.

Muir says: Since we launched NB just a few years ago, its been an incredible journey and weve enjoyed fantastic growth, especially over the last 12 months, with NB being enjoyed all around the world.

Were so proud that we can continue our global growth from our hometown and, at the same time, offer an original tourist draw that will benefit the local area.

Were hugely excited about the new distillery and its another milestone for us and the company.

NB Gin was launched in 2014 by husband and wife Viv and Steve Muir, both lawyers from North Berwick, Scotland.

NB Gin was voted the worlds best London Dry gin by the World Drinks Awards in 2015.

The company still only produces its gin in small batches of 100 litres. It also offers Navy Strength gin, vodka and has plans for other new products this year.

NB has been part of several high-profile events including being served to stars at the BRIT Awards, being included as part of the Queens official 90th birthday commemoration book and being selected by Rolls-Royce as one of the worlds most revered brands. It works closely with the Royal and global party planner, Johnny Roxburgh.

The new distillery will be a steel portal frame building with a partial mezzanine floor, concrete access hard-standing and four car parking spaces. The front wall will be finished in horizontal lapped natural larch cladding. It is 18m x 13m.

18 March 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor
How a $1.1M grant could help put Burlington on the conservation map

Here's a look at the $3.1 million plan to showcase the sites and experiences that gave rise to the founding father of conservation.
TRUMBULL  Police have charged a Uber driver with larceny after he allegedly held onto to a passengers debit card and later used it to make purchases.

Antwon McCray, 33, convinced the woman that hed returned her debit card after she used it to pay for her transportation, Lt. Keith Golding said.
AURORA  In what was at times a contentious town hall meeting, Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb, addressed constituents questions on health care, the federal budget, TransCanada oil pipeline, defense spending, Russian involvement in the last election and other concerns.

The meeting was held at the Aurora Co-op headquarters in Aurora. There were about 100 people there, many of whom were boisterous in response to Sasses answers. The Aurora meeting was one of a number of town halls Sasse conducted Friday.

After a short statement, Sasse went directly to constituent questions, which he answered for more than one hour before having to leave for another gathering in Grand Island.

Early in the question and answer session, Sasse was asked whether he supports investigating the alleged involvement of Russia in the presidential election.

Im all for a non-partisan investigation, Sasse said. Im for a Congressional investigation.

It is the Constitutional responsibility of Congress to oversee to the executive branch of the federal government. Sasse said the Senate Intelligence Committee is made up of a lot of patriotic Americans, both Republican and Democrat, and they are involved in an investigation.

When asked about allegations made by President Trump that former President Obama eavesdropped on Trump during his campaign, Sasse said that no Republican or Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is looking into those allegations, have said there is substantiated evidence.

I think we need a robust investigation, Sasse said. I have been public from day one on what Russia has been trying to do in America is nefarious. I am for a faster, bigger, broader and widely scoped investigation. Im not for buying that there is a panacea that if we just appointed independent people that would restore public trust. What we need for the restoration of public trust is for Congress to do its job in a robust way.

Sasse fielded several questions about health care as people were concerned about the repercussions if the American Care Act is repealed, and whether the Republican alternative is an adequate replacement. Many shared their personal stories with Sasse about themselves or family members who have costly medical problems and their worries about losing their insurance coverage or the affordability of replacement coverage.

Sasse responded to one health care question saying, I believe we have a widely shared social commitment to a broad social safety net.

By that, he said, society has a responsibility to help the poorest and sickest among us.

Sasse also said he doesnt want to see a health care system that instantly tosses people off without insurance without having an understanding that a future system is going to work.

We dont get higher-quality, lower-cost health care over time in American health care as happens in almost every other sector of the American economy, he said.

Sasse said there are hardly any sectors of the American economy that work as poorly as American health care.

He said health care is the largest sector of our economy.

Sasse said one of the big fundamental problems in American health care is that we dont have a lot of insurance.

We have some insurance and a lot of collectivized pre-payments of all the rest of our health care system, he said. We dont try to do that in any other part of our economy.

When someone in the audience said to Sasse that we want affordable health care coverage, he responded saying, We all want affordable health coverage and we want a policy that can go with us across jobs and geographic change.

Sasse said the No. 1 driver of being uninsured is not social-economic status but that people recently change jobs. That is when you have the car accident or develop the pre-existing condition and you cant get insured again, he said. People want an insurance policy that covers the things they want and need  that to go with them across jobs and geographic change  but right now we still try to do one-size-fits-all everything.

Sasse told the audience that there is some possibility that the plan coming out of the House, which many of you are skeptical about, that it might work.

While his comment was met with loud disagreement from some members of the audience, Sasse said, Right now, Obamacare is not doing the things it said it would do.

While some of the audience members continued to express their disagreement, he said, Fundamentally, we need to repeal Obamacare, and we need to replace Obamacare.

A number of questions were posed to Sasse about Trumps proposed federal budget and cuts to popular programs, such as National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Americorp and medical research, while at the same time increasing the countrys defense budget.

Sasse said the countrys military budget is at the lowest percentage of not only the federal budget, at 14 percent, but also Gross Domestic Product, at under 4 percent.

He said the reason there are debates going on about federal discretionary spending is that five mandatory federal programs, Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, Social Security and interest on the federal debt, are 71 percent of all federal spending over the next decade.

The simple fact is that the reason federal spending is out of control is not because of the NEA or the defense department; it is because of entitlements that we dont tell the truth about, he said. That is the conversation that we have to have.

Sasse said that Trumps budget is a proposal and that you should overvalue a presidents budget proposal very much, as it doesnt have much bearing on what ultimately happens. What usually happens is auto-pilot from last year. That is not good news for our fiscal health, but it means that it is useful to remember that under Article One of the Constitution, Congress has the purse strings, but unfortunately Congress is asleep at the switch.

One of the concerns Sasse has that he shared with the audience about the lack of accountability Congress has about two of its mandatory programs, Social Security and Medicare. Americans are living longer than when Social Security and Medicare was enacted in the 1930s and the 1960s, respectively, though the age people become eligible for those programs remains in the mid-60s. He said the shared life expectancy now of men and women is 81 years of age.

That should be really good news unless you live in a world that is void of political leadership, and that is where we live right now, Sasse said.

Giving the example of his five-year-old son, Sasse said that he, statistically, has a 50/50 chance of living to be 100 years old.

That is great but he is not going to retire at 65 and live on public expenditure for 35 years, he said. There is no math by which that works. So, we should tell the truth that our social welfare programs for senior citizens are going to need to account for life expectancy.

According to Sasse, people currently under the Medicare program are receiving three times what they contributed. He said he would like to see a long-term solution to the governments mandatory social welfare programs.

It is not for people who are currently retired, he said. We should have an honest conversation that we are going to go bankrupt under this plan and that for people under 55, we should be reforming these systems.
Dear Annie: Im a 41-year-old man who is in desperate need of a kidney transplant. Both of my kidneys are failing. Ive been on dialysis for 13 years, three days a week for four hours each time. I have tried to work, but my illness has prevented me from holding down steady employment. The transplant team hasnt been able to find a match, as I have type A blood and very high antibodies (which is a result of the many transfusions Ive had in order to stay alive). I received a transplant in January 2007, but it had to be removed almost immediately because it was found to have cancer.

My only hope is to have a transplant. I have joined the fundraising website GoFundMe to raise money to go to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. My goal is to raise $250,000, which is the cost of the procedure. If your readers would like to help, they can donate. My future is in the hands of people willing to help. Im hoping you will print this letter and it will reach someone who might be able to help. I think of the Talmud: Whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world.

 Ian Enkin

Dear Ian: March is National Kidney Month, and in addition to visiting your donation page, Id like to encourage all my readers to visit https://www.kidney.org for more information about kidney disease and a schedule of KEEP Healthy events, where they can be screened for kidney disease free of charge.

Dear Annie: Several times, I have seen you advise someone, Talk to your physician. Their physicians may be no better qualified to address the issue than the average semi-educated individual. Physicians are largely trained to prescribe drugs and have minimal training in nutrition, psychology and other fields outside their specialty.

My physician  whom I thought was good when I started going to him 40 years ago, when he was just starting  has repeatedly demonstrated an absence of medical familiarity outside his internist specialty, with perhaps the most blatant examples being when I had a melanoma the size of a half dollar on my arm, which he had covered with the blood pressure cuff each time I saw him, and a never-healing sore on my forehead, which he repeatedly dismissed as being a blemish.

My girlfriend ultimately persuaded me to see a dermatologist about the melanoma. The dermatologist confirmed that it was, in fact, a melanoma, and seeing as I was there, I asked him about the spot on my forehead, which he confirmed to be a basal cell skin cancer. He removed a hamburger-sized slab out of my arm (I watched as he exposed the bone!) and a smaller piece from my forehead and neatly sewed the gaps back together.

That is just one example, but Ive known of instances when the longtime family physician diagnosed an illness as being a chest cold, only to have the patient, at the insistence of a spouse or offspring, go to a different doctor and be diagnosed as having advanced lung cancer. The delay in receiving a correct diagnosis in such cases means they soon became terminal, but we all die, and no one is perfect.

 MM

Dear MM: Though I stand by my recommendations  talking to your physician is a good first step  your letter underscores how infinitely important second (and even third) opinions are. Additionally, please dont settle for any health care provider who shrugs off your concerns.

Annie Lane, a graduate of New York Law School and New York University, writes this column for Creators Syndicate. Email questions to dearannie@creators.com.
LINCOLN (AP)  A report by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln shows a 10 percent drop in the states average farmland value over the past year.

The survey appeared in the Wednesday edition of Cornhusker Economics. It revealed slower bids and land sales, resulting in the value drop.

Agricultural economist Jim Jansen said Nebraska appraisers, farm managers and agricultural finance professionals replied to the survey saying low commodity prices and high property tax concerns are putting pressure on land values.

The drop marks the third consecutive year the states average farmland price has declined. As of Feb. 1, the average was a little over $2,800 per acre, 15 percent lower than 2014s more than $3,315 per acre.

The steepest decline of dryland without irrigation potential was in heavy winter wheat-producing areas such as central, southwest and southern Nebraska. Those areas saw about a 15 percent drop.

Auctioneer Travis Augustin said every piece of land is different, and that prices depend on region, land use, productivity and irrigation.

Good irrigated farm ground, good soils and good water is still in high demand, he said. There are still a lot of buyers out there looking for farmland, and still a lot of people in a strong financial position able to buy it.

Waldo Realty co-owner Pat Chohon said most of the active land buyers are neighbors looking to expand their farms, although there are still investors lingering around the market.

I think the general consensus is everyone realizes things do cycle and theyre just patiently waiting, Chohon said.
Over the last 20 years, Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska has provided services and employment for thousands of people diagnosed with development disabilities.

This month, Goodwill Industries is helping to support Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. This years theme, Life Side by Side, highlights people learning, working and living side by side, supported through Goodwills programs and services, said Kim Buschkoetter, vice president for compliance and mission marketing.

Kathy Duval, who serves on the Goodwill Foundation Board, knows firsthand the impact Goodwill has in the community. Her daughter, Laura, receives services through Goodwill and understands how they support people every day.

Ive seen her learn, grow and blossom with the help of Goodwills compassionate and dedicated staff. Its changed her life; her story continues to beautifully unfold with the help of Goodwill services, Duval said.

Buschkoetter said services provided help people living with an intellectual or developmental disability use their strengths and talents to accomplish their goals, achieve greater independence, learn to make choices and participate in and contribute to their community. Services are provided in Grand Island, Hastings and Kearney Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the evenings and on the weekends.

In 2016, on average, 100 people received services daily.

She said Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraskas mission is to help people with disabilities or barriers achieve their goals and improve their quality of life.

The organization fulfills this mission every day by supporting people to find jobs that match their talents and gifts, teaching skills leading to increased independence, helping people through the process of recovery and empowering people to focus on their strengths and abilities rather than a diagnosis or disability, Buschkoetter said.

Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska Inc. serves 55 counties in Central and Western Nebraska.

Buschkoetter said developmental disabilities can be both a physical or mental impairment that occurs before a person is 22 years of age and is expected to continue throughout a persons life, impacting a variety of their daily activities of living.

She said if an individual with a development disability is interested in employment, they are referred to the Goodwill Industrys Employment and Career Services Department.

But developmental disability services are really designed to help people live as independently as they can in their communities, Buschkoetter said. We have day services  services to provide training to people to access their community and to get involved in the community and to be part of the community.

She said developmental disabilities services, might mean a lot of daily living skills and activities of daily living, a lot of wellness activities and a lot of community involvement activities. It is a structured environment for folks so they can come in and have that safe, welcoming, structured environment,

While the public knows Goodwill Industries as a good place to purchase repurposed goods and items, the money raised through those sales help to pay for those services Goodwill Industries provides.

When we talk about Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska, we serve many different disabilities populations, Buschkoetter said. Depending on what the persons disability is, they may qualify and be a part of our behavioral health services or developmental disabilities services or our employment and career services.

She said by celebrating Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, We just wanted people to know that in our communities, in our neighborhoods, and in our work environments and our churches or wherever people are, we are living side-by-side with people living with developmental disabilities. We would like to get that awareness out there but we provide a host of other services, as well.

Buschkoetter said when people donate or shop at Goodwill, All of that is a part for us to continue providing services and sometimes start new services or grow our existing services.

To learn more about Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska, visit its website at www.goodwillne.org.
Edwardsville High School had 27 students compete in the 39th Annual Illinois HOSA (Future Health Care Professionals) competition March 1 through 3 in Decatur.

Twenty-four of the students placed in the top 10 for the state event and five students placed in the top three qualifying them for the international competition this summer.

HOSA is an organization for future health care professionals who are middle school to college age students.

The organization has its annual state conference where students can participate in skill-based and team and leadership-based events around medical occupations themes. Students who place in the top three at state can compete at the international level in the summer.

This year there was record-breaking attendance with 1,356 attendees registered for the conference, EHS HOSA Sponsor Jennifer Weller explained.

EHS students placing at the state competition included Megan Daugherty in fourth place for Human Growth and Development and Amber Sommer in third place for Medical Reading in the category of Knowledge Test.

Sommer also placed sixth in Health Professions Events - Home Health Aide.

In Emergency Preparedness Events  Public Health, the team of Austin Dobler, Ryan Marstellar, Logan McKenney and Sam Bledsoe placed sixth while Paige Way also placed sixth in Leadership Events  Health Career Photography.

Morgan Ash placed third and Julia Paul placed tenth in Leadership Events  Healthy Lifestyle.

In the category Team Events, EHS had several teams place at state. In Forensic Medicine, the team of Morgan Ash and Amber Schwertman placed fourth. In Health Career Display, the team of Gayathri Kondepathi and Natalie Loveridge placed first, the team of Maggie Bailey and Luniva Singh placed fourth, the team of Katrina Springman and Caitlyn Thompson placed sixth, and the team of Payton Roberts and Paige Way placed seventh.

In Health Education, the team of Sam Bledsoe and Logan McKenney placed seventh.

The HOSA Bowl team of Halee Baker, Chloe Turner, Abu Khan, and Amber Sommer placed fourth while the team of Austin Dobler, Ryan Marstellar, Wyatt Hennig placed fifth.

The Public Service Announcement team of Syeda Hira Naqvi, Maddie McDaniel and Emily Dickerson placed seventh.

In addition, Syeda Hira Naqvi received the Barbara James Service Award. To qualify for the award Naqvi had to have over 100 community service hours.

The EHS HOSA Club organizes fundraising events like the recent Princess Tea Party to raise funds which they either donate to medical-related charities or HOSA students can use their volunteer time at these events to earn a portion of the funds to use for expenses to participate in the state or international competitions.

The Health Occupations Club will be hosting a one-mile fun glow run on March 18 to bring awareness to mental illness and available resources. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) and also support HOSA students to pay for attending the International competition.

Check-In for the Shine the light on Mental Illinois, a one mile fun glow run, begins at 6:30 p.m. on March 18 at the EHS Wrestling Center parking lot. Cost is $10 per person. Registration and additional information is available online at https://runsignup.com/ShinetheLight.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville hosted a launch event for Madison Historical: The Online Encyclopedia and Digital Archive for Madison County, Ill. on Tuesday, March 14. The innovative digital repository features the rich history of Madison County and invites the public to be content producers.

The last recorded history ended in 1912, and that is a long period of time during which so much has happened in this county and the region that could quickly be forgotten, said Madison County Regional Superintendent of Schools Robert Daiber, EdD, who originated the idea. This is going to be a phenomenal product and ready reference for the next generation seeking to learn about what happened during the 20th century in Madison County.

Madison Historical is being developed and managed by SIUE College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Department of Historical Studies associate professors Jeffrey Manuel, PhD, and Jason Stacy, PhD, Stephen Hansen, PhD, faculty emeritus and former interim chancellor, along with undergraduate and graduate students, and an alumnus.

During the event, SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook emphasized his support of the project, which aligns directly with the Universitys commitment to high impact community engagement practices (HICEPs).

What an amazing period of time this was, both for our county and the country as a whole, Pembrook said. HICEPs allow us to take students who are developing knowledge in a certain area, combine them with faculty who have expertise in a particular subject matter, and further complimenting the collaboration by including individuals from the community who have an excitement or passion for a topic, in this case Madison County history.

CAS Dean Greg Budzban, PhD, led the event that offered an introduction to the innovative project and an opportunity to interact with the digital materials. Budzban emphasized that Madison Historical places SIUE at the national forefront with the potential to serve as a template for communities around the country.

This project aims to preserve the critical local history of the people, places and events that created the very fabric of our lives, said Buzban. Madison Historical embodies a new type of scholarship, the digital humanities, which is a welding of technology and the traditional humanities, in a way that is extremely exciting.

The richness of the structure of the archival materials and the ability to interact with them in fundamental ways completely changes our relationship with the information and the history itself.

The Madison Historical team offered attendees a visual tour and lesson on the sites functions, emphasizing its interactive and complimentary nature with partner historical institutions throughout the county.

Madison Countys fascinating history is deeply representative of a lot of the major changes that have occurred in Illinois and nationwide in the 20th century, Manuel said.

We hope to provide a flexible structure where users can move in and out of an article or an archive, follow their own inclinations via informational tags, and ultimately, find themselves going to the historical institutions in Madison County to see the items themselves, Stacy added. In that regard, we hope to function as a visible hub and provide an articulation between online and brick and mortar historical institutions throughout the county.

Madison Historical features themes of government, industry, education, law and culture, with accessible and authoritative content in such forms as:

Encyclopedia articles on significant people, places and events in the county

Oral history interviews, including audio recordings and complete transcripts, with a wide range of people who have lived in Madison County and played a role in shaping its history

Historical items such as photographs, letters or documents that can be scanned and uploaded to the digital archive

Madison Historical also strives to become an effective educational tool for K-12 teachers that provides opportunities for students to get involved and excited about research.

This summer, the Department of Historical Studies is offering an online version of its public history course where we will train area teachers to research and write encyclopedia articles, conduct oral histories, and collect digital images of historical artifacts, Stacy explained. We hope they will use these skills not only to contribute to Madison Historical, but also to encourage their students to contribute to the site by training them in the skills of digital archiving, research and historical writing.

The project brings together members of our community, students and scholars in a collaboration to collect, preserve and write our own history, added Hansen. It makes history accessible for everyone, and because it will inform us about ourselves, who we were and who we are, it is a history of Everyman, the people of Madison County.

For more information on how to contribute ideas or materials, or become a content producer, email the team at madisonhistorical1812@gmail.com.

For a complete list of partner institutions and the network of sponsors who have supported Madison Historical, including the Madison County Regional Office of Education, Madison County Government, Phillips 66 and attorney John Simmons, visit Madison-Historical.siue.edu/.

Central to SIUEs exceptional and comprehensive education, the College of Arts and Sciences has 19 departments and 85 areas of study. More than 300 full-time faculty/instructors deliver classes to more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Faculty help students explore diverse ideas and experiences, while learning to think and live as fulfilled, productive members of the global community. Study abroad, service-learning, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities better prepare SIUE students not only to succeed in our region's workplaces, but also to become valuable leaders who make important contributions to our communities.
Lewis and Clark Community College History Professor Kelly Obernuefemann loves history, and she especially enjoys sharing stories from the past.

The best part of my job is when students show enthusiasm discussing historic events after I tell them a story from history, said Obernuefemann, of Troy, Illinois. I honestly feel that my greatest strength is my story-telling ability, which helps students understand what people went through decades, or even centuries, ago. I welcome discussion in the classroom, and I am proudest when I hear my students debating historical concepts and events.

In honor of Womens History Month, Obernuefemann recently facilitated a Diversity Council event entitled The Past, Present and Future of Family Leave Policies in the United States, which featured author Megan Scholar, who explored the challenges faced by working women across the country.

A champion of womens rights and causes, Obernuefemann encourages students and community members to celebrate the varied accomplishments of women all year long.

Not just in March, but every month, we can acknowledge the contributions of women, she said. We can honor all women by thanking those who have made a difference in our lives and sharing their accomplishments with others  including on social media.

Obernuefemann believes there are many lessons to be learned from womens history, which is full of stories of courage and sacrifice.

Quite simply, women can and have accomplished anything that men have, she said. Women have been part of every historic event. Powerful warrior queens have existed since biblical times. Women have served on the front lines, have led armies, have written great speeches, and have influenced world events.

There are several historical female heroes she admires, including Empress Matilda of the Holy Roman Empire, who was also an English princess. Matilda fought a war, leading troops so that her son Henry would rule England.

In American history, Dolley Madison is one of my favorites, Obernuefemann said. She is known for saving American documents from invading British troops, but she did it all calmly and while under the threat of attack. She created the image of the First Lady, and both she and Abigail Adams were critical in their support of their husbands as politicians and founding fathers of this country. The men could not have done it without them.

Since 2004, Obernuefemann has shared her love of history with L&C students. She is a Diversity Council member and teaches courses about American history, Western civilization and the American Civil War.

"Our history is so important to us, she said. It explains and informs who we are today. It is amazing how many times in the past weeks I have been explaining a historic event or political movement that mirrors current events.

Professor Obernuefemann appreciates the supportive environment at L&C and enjoys the comradery she shares with fellow faculty members.

What I have loved from the beginning is that we have many faculty members in my age group that have really formed a community, she said. I have made great friends at Lewis and Clark. We share similar interests so that we are able to great synergy across many of our classes in liberal arts. For example, I discuss some of the same readings featured in our womens literature course.

To learn more about diversity at L&C, visit www.lc.edu/diversity.
The Committee to Save District 7 Schools, a group of citizens volunteering to support Proposition E, will be hosting several public information sessions the next two weeks.

During various events at a variety of locations in Edwardsville and Glen Carbon, interested voters will have the opportunity to meet with Save District 7 Schools committee members to ask questions and discuss the ECUSD7 education tax referendum (Proposition E) that is on the April 4 ballot.

The tax increase centers around District 7's continuing annual budget deficits and the state's decrease in state funding. The state of Illinois has reduced funding for the district by $7 million annually since 2008, a news release from The Committee to Save District 7 Schools stressed. The district has taken multiple steps since then to accommodate the loss, which now totals over $54 million.

Proposition E will support District 7s education fund by raising the tax rate 55 cents per $100 of assessed valuation  an increase to the education fund for the first time since 1977.

In preparation for the possibility that Proposition E fails, the Edwardsville District 7 School Board has approved a referendum list of cuts, one of three projected, that will need to be made to begin to address the $6.7 million anticipated budget deficit at the end of this school year.

The referendum list includes elimination of the Writing Center at EHS, after-school tutoring, EHS summer school, the Challenge Program, Early Bird and activity buses, fourth and fifth grade band and orchestra, all middle school sports, and ninth grade sports. Additionally, reductions will be made to all extracurricular clubs and activities by 50 percent and drama club performances reduced to one per year.

As with any possible tax increase, Prop E has generated many questions from community members. Through a series of informational sessions offered at various locations in the community, The Committee to Save District 7 Schools hopes to meet with those who have questions and provide them with answers.

Informational sessions will be at the following locations and times:

 March 16  League of Women Voters Candidate Forum, Main Street Community Center, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

 March 18  The Winter Market, basement of Newsong Fellowship, 8 a.m. to noon

 March 19  222 Artisan Bakery, Coffee Chat from 8 a.m. to 11a.m.

 March 24  Recess Brewing, Happy Hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

 March 25  City Park, Get Out the Vote Rally, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

 March 31  Recess Brewing, Happy Hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

 April 1 - 222 Artisan Bakery, Coffee Chat from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

 April 2 - 222 Artisan Bakery, Coffee Chat from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The first 50 visitors to the information sessions at Recess Brewing can take $1 off their purchase if they present their early voting sticker or a dated early voting selfie.

Chantal Chandler, The Committee to Save District 7 Schools Communications Co-Chair, explained that committee members from The Committee to Save District 7 Schools and potentially District 7 school board members would be on hand at the events to answer questions. We will be sipping coffee and ready to answer questions or have a discussion with anyone who wants to come and chat, Chandler said. They are just informational meetings more than they are presentations. It's just a chance for folks to sit down and engage with one another and talk about Prop E and why we need it. It's very informal.

Chandler noted that one of the common questions the committee clarifies about the district and its finances includes questions regarding the Jon Davis Wrestling Center and the Chuck E. Fruit Aquatic Center. Those were gifts to the district. They weren't paid for out of district funds, Chandler stressed.

She explained that questions like these and others can be found on the www.savedistrict7schools.com website.

I think people who are newer to the community were surprised that there was a need and wondered what had been happening in the past in order to deal with the shortfall from the state so we have a timeline on the website of all the cuts since 2008, Chandler added. So people can see a snapshot of a year or two at a time as to what measures the district has taken to try to reduce their budget to accommodate the continuing loss in state aid.

Chandler also encouraged people to visit the district's website at www.ecusd7.org to review the Proposition E Facts as well as watch the Focus on Finance short videos that further explain District 7 finances and its financial history.

In addition, any group interested in having someone from The Committee to Save District 7 Schools speak to their group or organization is encouraged to contact Chandler or her communications committee co-chair Sarah Sturycz via email at info@savedistrict7schools.com.
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Linkedin EDITORIAL (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, March 18, 2017

Hatred has been escalating recently, triggered by conflicting political views in relation to Jakartas gubernatorial election. Provocative banners expressing religion and ethnicity sentiments have been placed in several public places, residential areas and even in front of places of worship.

The latest outrage was triggered by banners in front of a number of mosques in South Jakarta, which said the mosques would not perform funeral prayers for deceased fellow Muslims who were found to have supported or voted for blasphemers or an infidel  a clear reference to incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, who is on trial for insulting the Quran. The banners have taken their toll, even on the citys dead. The grieving families of the late Hindun binti Raisan, 77, a resident of Setiabudi, and of the late Siti Rohbaniah, 74, of Pondok Pinang, both in South Jakarta, said they had faced bullying from neighbors and religious leaders.

Funeral prayers for Hindun were performed at her own home as no one was willing to do so at the nearby mosque. The cleric said it was because of impending rain, while the family suspected the reason was because Hindun had voted for Ahok, as witnessed by people assisting the bedridden woman on voting day.

Meanwhile, prayers for Siti Rohbaniah were held at the mosque only after a family member signed a document indicating his support for Ahoks rival, Anies Baswedan, as instructed by the local neighborhood unit chief.

Anies campaign team and supporters have said they had nothing to do with such dirty tactics.

What happened to the families is intolerable. Every citizen should enjoy the right and freedom to have their own political standpoint. The government must ensure every citizen is protected and not discriminated against or even intimidated for having different political views, ahead of the runoff on April 19.

As the banners have violated the electoral law and a public order bylaw, the police, Elections Supervisory Committee and public order officers must enforce the law and take steps against the offenders. They should also hunt down the brains and culprits behind the banner distribution.

Noted ulema such as Syafii Maarif of Muhammadiyah and Said Aqil Siradj of Nahdlatul Ulama have said such provocative banners are against the teachings of Islam.

Instead of expressing free speech, the spread of provocative messages on banners and also on social media are tantamount to acts of terror as they directly attack the sense of security of community members. Such acts of hate speech should be responded to firmly and swiftly, as such spiteful campaigns severely undermine Indonesias pluralism and the foundation of democratic society.

A failure to act immediately and firmly against such acts could encourage the continuous whipping up of sectarian sentiment even after the election ends.

Authorities must find novel approaches, including by collaborating with Indonesian denizens, to better step up the fight against provocateurs of hate speech on all fronts.

Only then will Jakarta be able to significantly drown out such expressions of spite that are alien to the capital  which must remain home to people of all backgrounds.
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Linkedin Ni Nyoman Wira (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, March 18, 2017 08:08 2060 a291276806121264c0bd211cde548871 1 Lifestyle living-italian-design,italian-design-day,italian-cultural-center,exhibition Free

The Living Italian Design exhibition, the highlight of the first Italian Design Day, is the result of a collaboration between the Italian Embassy, the Italian Trade Agency, the Italian Cultural Institute (ICI) and home decoration and furniture store LAFLO.

Held at LAFLO, South Jakarta, until March 23, the open-to-the-public exhibition displays various Italian products and designs that people often encounter without being aware of the process and stories behind them.

Upon entering the venue, visitors are welcomed by a white Ferrari and a miniature Colosseum. The exhibition itself consists of different rooms decorated in colors such as red, green and blue, representing the vibrant streets of Italy. The rooms are also seen as representations of Italian piazzas with different themes.

A Vespa 946 Emporio Armani is exhibited at Living Italian Design held at LAFLO, South Jakarta.(JP/Ni Nyoman Wira)

On the first floor, visitors can find various Italian brands and products, from motorcycles to furniture. In terms of motorcycles, visitors can marvel at the Vespa 946 Emporio Armani, Moto Guzzi V7 II Racer, Piaggio Medley ABS and Aprilia RSV4 RR Race Pack. There are also different types of tires from Pirelli. Across the room, there is a section for washbasins from Antoniolupi and fragrances from Acqua di Parma.

The second floor features furniture and leather goods, such as a Bolero table as well as the Montera collection by designer Roberto Lazzeroni, Saint Germain chandeliers by designer Giorgia Brusemini, Babylon chandeliers with a lampshade by Barovier&Toso, a retro-design refrigerator by Modena, leather bags from Il Bisonte and dinnerware designed by CTRLZAK Studio.

Read also: A celebration of Italy's loyalty to design and culture

A piece of dinnerware designed by CTRLZAK Studio is exhibited during Living Italian Design at LAFLO on March 16.(JP/Ni Nyoman Wira)

Indonesia has been related to Italy for a very long time, but sometimes we just dont realize that we use the Italian products in our daily life, such as foods, shoes, clothes, the curator of the exhibition, Indonesian architect Cosmas Gozali, told The Jakarta Post, adding that Italian products had actually become well-accepted in Indonesia.

He explained that he aimed to show the essence of the products to visitors. There are also stories of the production process and the reasons behind the design for people to read, he said.

Therefore, the purpose isnt just displaying the products, but also for people to gain deeper understanding. Every design has its own process, so I brought it [the explanation of the process] here for the audiences to appreciate it."

Visitors can marvel at a Bolero round dining table by designer Roberto Lazzeroni at the Italian-themed exhibition in South Jakarta.(JP/Ni Nyoman Wira)

Meanwhile, ICI director Michela Linda Magri hoped the exhibition would be able to support Indonesian architects to understand more about Italy, and also revealed plans to make Italian Design Day an annual event.

Starting from March 2, Italian Design Day aimed to promote the phrase made in Italy and the excellence of Italian products around the world. Celebrations are running in 100 cities worldwide. In Indonesia, the series of events kicked off with a seminar featuring Indonesian architect Cosmas Gozali and Italian architect Raffaella Mangiarotti. Aside from the seminar, the committee also launched the My Italian Design photo competition and exhibition. (asw)
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Linkedin Stefani Ribka (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, March 18, 2017 07:47 2060 a291276806121264c0bd211cde546b2f 1 Business Kadin,VocationalEducation,Germany,curriculum Free

The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) is funding a training program based on a German curriculum to educate 80 master trainers this year and help advance worker quality in industrial areas.

Kadin employment training deputy Miftahudin did not mention the cost of the program, but said Kadin had collected the required funds from member fees.

The 80 participants from various firms in Karawang and Bekasi, West Java, will be trained by German businesspeoples group IHK Trier and tested by another German business group, EKONID, to ensure independent scoring.

The master trainers are expected to educate 1,000 trainers and 5,720 workers this year at 287 firms in five sectors  manufacturing, maritime, retail, tourism and banking  as a pilot project for the recently launched National Internship Program.

Kadin is in talks with the government about who will be in charge of funding and taking the program to other cities. It aims to see 2,640 firms nationwide involved in the program.

Were discussing with Bappenas [the National Development Planning Board] about which cities are next and who will train them, Miftahudin said after inaugurating the first batch of trainers with their German counterparts on Friday.

(Read also: New fishing rules threaten livelihood of nearly 1 million people: Kadin)

IHK Trier program coordinator Andreas Gosche explained that internship programs were common in Germany and there were 500,000 master trainers, more than the 12,000 school teachers in the country. That has led to a youth unemployment rate of only 6 percent in Germany, compared to Indonesias roughly 30 percent. (bbn)

Topics : Kadin VocationalEducation Germany curriculum
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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, March 18, 2017 17:25 2060 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5520c2 1 Business astra,#Astra Free

Motorcycle market leader Astra Honda Motor aims to sell 400 units of big bikes this year.

Marketing director Thomas Wijaya said the manufacturer would reach its target by aggressively launching a new model in the 500-cc class. Currently out of nine big bike models, five are in the 500-cc class.

"The 500-cc class contributed 50 percent of our big bike sales last year, for Indonesians, the size is the most suitable even for daily usage," he said during the launch of the CMX500 Rebel in Jakarta on Friday.

The company will also open a new big bike dealership in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, in April. Currently, there are nine Honda big bike dealerships; two of them based in Jakarta, and the others in Medan, North Sumatra; Bandung, West Java; Semarang, Central Java; Yogyakarta; Denpasar, Bali; and Makassar, South Sulawesi.

"As of March, we already sold 30 units of the big bikes, the number is small, but we believe the market will increase," he added.

Currently, most of the big bikes are imported from Thailand and Thomas did not specifically mention when the big bikes could be manufactured in Indonesia. (dan)
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Linkedin Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Semarang, Central Java  Sat, March 18, 2017 13:21 2060 a291276806121264c0bd211cde54e172 1 National cement,cement-factory,semen-indonesia,Semen-Rembang,Kendeng-farmers,#Kendeng Free

Joko Prianto, an activist from the Network of Mount Kendeng Care Society, said the continued construction of a cement factory owned by state cement maker Semen Indonesia in Rembang, Central Java, was a form of injustice.

This is a country with the supremacy of law. So, to whom does the law belong? We will continue to reject the factory. We will never stop. We are still in Jakarta [to rally]. There has been injustice in Kendeng. Justice has been violated in Central Java, Joko said on Friday.

He was referring to the Supreme Courts decision to rule in favour of the Kendeng farmers in October, ordering Semen Indonesia to halt the factory construction process.

In a visit to the factory compound on Friday, State Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno said President Joko Jokowi Widodo would inaugurate the factory in April.

(Read also: Kendeng farmers refuse to halt protests against cement factory)

Meanwhile, Semen Rembang factory project head Heru Indra said the cement factory was ready to start producing at its full capacity. Equipment testing is being continuously conducted. In April, the factory will be fully operational, he said.

Heru said materials used in the trial of the factorys production process were all bought from traditional miners and that mining would begin only after it officially starts operating.

The Rembang cement factory is designed to produce 3 million tons of cement per year. The most productive factory owned by Semen Indonesia comprises four lines, which can produce 2,400 bags of cement per line per hour.

In 2017, it is expected that the factory can produce 1.9 million tons of cement, or around 60 percent of its target of 3 million tons. (ebf)

All ready: State Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno (center) takes a picture with village heads during her visit to the Rembang cement factory on March 17. (JP/Suherdjoko)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, March 18, 2017 10:20 2060 a291276806121264c0bd211cde54bb23 1 National gafatar,Gafatar-movement,religious-sect,guilty-verdicts,#Gafatar,#GafatarMovement,LBH Free

Three leaders of the outlawed Gafatar religious sect will appeal their recent guilty verdicts that saw them sentenced to prison terms of between three and five years for blasphemy.

We are ready to fight again, Asfinawati, one of Gafatar lawyers from the Legal Aid Institute (LBH), told The Jakarta Post in Jakarta on Friday. She said she was aware prosecutors would also appeal.

On March 7, judges at the East Jakarta District Court sentenced Gafatar chief Mahful Muis Tumanurung and spiritual leader Ahmad Musadeq to five years in prison, while spokesperson Andry Cahya was sentenced to three years for blaspheming Islam.

The lawyers have dismissed the verdicts as outrageous and as contravening the principles of democracy in the country, where the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to practice their religious beliefs.

Prosecutors and the Attorney Generals Office and could not be reached for comment. (hol)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, March 18 2017

Twenty-five passengers were injured in an elevator crash at Blok M Square shopping mall in South Jakarta on Friday afternoon.

All the victims were taken to the Central Pertamina Hospital [RSPP, in South Jakarta] and are receiving treatment, said Agus Waluyo, an officer with the Melawai subdistrict of the Jakarta Public Order Agency (Satpol PP).

The victims suffered a range of injuries but no fatalities were reported.

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Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan and Moses Ompusunggu (The Jakarta Post) Medan  Sat, March 18 2017

In her fight against the construction of a reservoir on her native land in Ulu Pulu village, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), 51-year-old Siti Aisyah said she was familiar with oppression at the hands of police officers and the notorious Public Order Agency (Satpol PP).

After a clash broke out between residents and security personnel in late 2016, I was interrogated for eight hours, longer than anybody else from my party, she told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Siti said she had become more determined to spearhead the fight against the reservoir, which she claimed was being built on customary land. Until now the government has yet to explain clearly the total area of our land procured for the construction.

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Linkedin Dandy Koswaraputra (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, March 18, 2017 10:43 2060 a291276806121264c0bd211cde54c0cc 1 National suicidal,#suicide Free

An Indonesian man broadcast his suicide on Facebook, which shocked netizens before the government called for the social media platform to take down the content.

After receiving reports from the public, we strongly urged Facebook to take down the content immediately, Samuel Abrijani Pangerapan, the director general of information application at the Communications and Information Ministry, told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

The suicide was broadcast live on Facebook at 9 a.m. on Friday, as the 35-year-old man started a live-stream where he fashioned a noose out of a scarf and hung himself.

Facebook took down the live broadcast of the man committing suicide at 8.30 p.m. on the same day after it had been aired on the social media.

On his Facebook account, he wrote, I bloody love her, but she left my children and me behind. I dont know where she has gone. Its hard to say what has happened. I dont know what to do. I am in a really terrible situation.

The one-hour-45-minute video had gone viral and was easily accessed by netizens. The content was clicked on over 100,000 times after twelve hours on social media.

Samuel said that the government reminded netizens that they could be charged under the Electronic Information and Transactions Law for disseminating such material.

We should be more attentive about spreading such violent material, Samuel asserted.

The Facebook logo. The social media's ability to monitor content on its platform is being called into question. (AP/Matt Rourke, File)

According to Samuel, the ministry had called the US-based social media platform in Jakarta to take down the video in the afternoon, but the content remained online until later that night.

We put a priority on monitoring social media in society because the impact on people is quite significant, he said.

Facebook stated that the social media platform immediately removed unethical material and reported it to relevant law enforcement agencies when it was detected.

"We have zero tolerance for violent content, Facebook said in a statement. (dan)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, March 18, 2017 20:19 2060 a291276806121264c0bd211cde55d5e8 1 National interfaith,interfaith-harmony,religious-tolerance,#interfaith,US,Europe,moderate-Islam,ModerateIslam Free

Indonesian interfaith leaders are set to visit several countries across Europe and the United States to introduce values of tolerance among Islamic religious followers in the country.

As a country of multi-ethnic groups and religions, Indonesia has long been considered a good example for other countries in building harmony among religious followers.

The delegates will speak about the religious concord in Indonesia, how moderate Islam plays a crucial role in the country and how Indonesian nationalism can have tolerant and inclusive religious followers as its pillars, said Leimena Institute founder, Jacob Tobing, said as quoted by kompas.com after he met with Vice President Jusuf Kalla at the Vice Presidential Office in Jakarta on Friday.

Interfaith leaders who will join the tour include the presidential envoy to the Middle East and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Alwi Shihab, and noted Islamic scholars Azyumardi Azra, Amin Abdullah and Syafii Maarif.

France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the US are among countries they will visit from March 28 to May 11.

Amin said the harmonious life among religious followers in Indonesia was no longer only at the level of dialogue and theory, but it was fully practiced as well. It has been shown in Indonesias history that respect for diversity has been built well.

The Vice President also asserted that holidays of all [nationally recognized] religions are celebrated in Indonesia. There is no other country that has so many religious holidays, said Amin.

All this time, he further said, the Middle East has always been a reference for Western countries in examining Islam. In fact, Indonesia could become a much better example in realizing the harmony among religious followers. (mrc/ebf)
The recent decision made by President Joko Jokowi Widodo to kill the controversial tobacco bill and support public health has garnered compliments from the public and anti tobacco activists. However, his decision to send ministers to inform the House is feared to open gates that could overturn his decision.

Jokowi had decided not to issue a presidential letter to show his standpoint on rejecting the bill to the House of Representatives before the March 19 deadline. In order to convey his decision, he assigned Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita and State Secretary Pratikno to meet the lawmakers over the bill.

The reason why he ordered a Trade minister to got to the House remains unclear. Enggar is a veteran property businessman and a politician from NasDem, a party which is among those that initiated the bill.

It was an unusual move for the government to send representatives to the House after making a decision instead of prior to it for discussion purposes, National Commission on Tobacco Control (Komnas PT) member Widyastuti Soerojo said on Friday.

The State Secretary Office should simply send a letter to inform the House about the governments rejection without sending ministers as messengers. The presence of ministers in delivering the message could be used by lawmakers to lobby for bill deliberations, she said on the rampant illicit practices and lobbies often exercised in bill deliberations.

Why wouldnt [the President] issue a letter after making a decision, the government still sends ministers to the House? This will open channels for lobbying that could change the governments standpoint, Widyastuti said.

She urged the government not to change its mind for the sake of protecting the people from the danger of tobacco.

Widyastuti added that Jokowis decision supported the nine priorities in his Nawacita agenda, which aims at improving the quality of human resources and improving productivity.

Similarly, Tulus Abadi, from the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI), said that President Jokowi has made the right decision by not approving the deliberation of the bill as it complied with demands from the public.

Jokowi must firmly announce that the deliberation will not take place as long as he is in office, he said.

The bill, which seeks to triple cigarette production to 524 billion by 2020, infringes on the governments 2015-2019 medium term development plan (RPJMN) to cut the countrys smoking prevalence for smokers under 18 from 7.2 in 2013 to 5.3 in 2019.

Learning of the rejection, the House Legislation Body (Baleg) deputy speaker Firman Subagyo of Golkar rebuked the government and threatened to refuse bills initiated by the government in the future.

The 2017 National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) includes 51 bills initiated by the government of the total 182 bills to be discussed by 2020.

The list includes some bills that are currently being discussed by the House, such as a bill on counterterrorism, which aims to comprehensively improve Law No. 15/2003 on the prevention of terrorism, a bill on tax amnesty and an amendment bill to the Criminal Code (KUHP).

While the government spends more money on tobacco related illnesses every year, the tobacco industry players in Indonesia get richer by pocketing trillions from the tobacco industry.

The Health Ministry has long campaigned for tighter tobacco control, which is crucial to saving about 200,000 Indonesians who die every year due to tobacco-related illnesses and to save Rp 378 trillion (US$28 billion) in economic losses caused by smoking.
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Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, March 18, 2017 11:57 2060 a291276806121264c0bd211cde54d067 1 National Mount-Kendeng,Kendeng-farmers,semen-indonesia,Jokowi,jokowidodo,cement,cement-factory,#Kendeng Free

Despite the governments plan to begin operations at state cement maker Semen Indonesias factory in Rembang, Central Java, in April, farmers from the Mount Kendeng area have refused to end their Jakarta rallies against the plant until President Joko Jokowi Widodo shuts it down.

Joko Priyanto, an activist with the Mount Kendeng Community Network (JMPPK), said the farmers would continue to sit in front of the State Palace with their feet buried inside concrete blocks every day to demand justice. This was especially so because last October, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of farmers and ordered Semen Indonesia to cease its operation.

Whatever the [governments] plan is, we will continue to oppose the cement factory in Rembang. The environmental damage is too high, when in fact the karst ecosystem in the area should be protected, Joko told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

During her visit to the factory complex on Friday, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno claimed the majority of villagers supported the construction of the cement factory, citing economic reasons. She also claimed only 5 percent of locals opposed the construction, adding that the government would seek solutions.

The minister should understand that this case is not about a majority against a minority, this is about how the government complies with the law, Joko said.

Fridays rally marked the fifth day of a protests launched by Kendeng farmers in front of the palace. Fifty farmers from Rembang, Pati, Blora and Grobogan, have buried their feet in concrete blocks. (ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, March 18, 2017 12:25 2060 a291276806121264c0bd211cde54d1f9 1 National Komnas,Komnas-HAM,1965-mass-killing,#KomnasHAM,reconciliation,ReconciliationMeeting,#1965Tragedy Free

National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) commissioners visited the Association of Army Retirees (PPAD) office on Friday to ask for the opinions of the associations members on the best solutions for reconciliation with 1965 tragedy victims.

Komnas HAM commissioner, Nur Kholis, said the meeting, which was initiated by the commission, was conducted as part of efforts to solve past abuses. He said the PPAD was chosen as a dialogue partner because many of its members had witnessed the 1965 tragedy.

"Our discussion was focused on how to solve gross human rights violations, especially the 1965 tragedy, Nur Kholis said. He added that Komnas HAM would also ask for opinions on the same issue from several other organizations, including the Veterans Association (Pepabri).

The commissioner said the PPAD had suggested that reconciliation be reached through a non-judicial process.

It can be achieved through a non-judicial process but it will take a long time. To make that happen, there should be a national consensus agreed on by both 1965 victims and the Indonesian Military, he said.

PPAD spokesperson, retired Army general Kiki Syahnakri, said the best solution for the reconciliation was through natural reconciliation process. He pointed to the removal of ex political detainee marks on identity cards (KTP) as an example of what he called natural reconciliation.

[...] If we take a judicial approach in handling the case, it will open up an old wound that could lead to bloodshed, he said. (rdi/ebf)
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Linkedin Christopher Bodeen (Associated Press) Beijing  Sat, March 18, 2017

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrived in Beijing on Saturday for his first face-to-face talks with Chinese leaders expected to focus on North Korea's nuclear program, trade and South China Sea territorial disputes.

Tillerson's visit followed his remarks in South Korea on Friday in which he warned that pre-emptive military action against North Korea might be necessary if the threat from their weapons program reaches a level "that we believe requires action."

China, the North's biggest source of diplomatic support and economic assistance, has yet to respond to his remarks, although Beijing has called repeatedly for steps to reduce tensions.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with whom Tillerson was due to meet on Saturday afternoon, warned last week that the North and Washington and Seoul were like "two accelerating trains" headed at each other, with neither side willing to give way.

"The question is: Are the two sides really ready for a head-on collision?" Wang told reporters. "Our priority now is to flash the red light and apply the brakes on both trains."

Wang said North Korea could suspend its nuclear and missile activities in exchange for a halt in joint US-South Korea military drills, a proposal swiftly shot down by US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, who said Washington has to see "some sort of positive action" from North Korea before it can take leader Kim Jong Un seriously.

Tillerson's comments in Seoul that "all of the options are on the table," including possible military action, are likely to be deeply disconcerting to Beijing, which fears that a collapse of Kim's regime would send waves of refugees into northeastern China and land South Korean and American forces on its border.

China has agreed reluctantly to UN Security Council resolutions sanctioning North Korea, while calling for renewed dialogue under the Beijing-sponsored six-nation format that broke down in 2009.

In a further sign of its frustration with Pyongyang, China last month banned imports of North Korean coal for the rest of the year, potentially depriving Kim's regime of a key source of foreign currency.

Past US administrations have considered military force because of North Korea's development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile to deliver them, but rarely has that option been expressed so explicitly as by Tillerson.

North Korea has accelerated its weapons development, violating multiple Security Council resolutions without being deterred by sanctions. The North conducted two nuclear test explosions and 24 ballistic missile tests last year. Experts say it could have a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the US within a few years.

China has stridently opposed the deployment of a US missile defense system to South Korea, saying its X-band radar can peer deep into China to monitor flights and rocket launches. The US says it's a system focused on North Korea. China sees it as a threat to its own security.

Tillerson's visit to Beijing is the final stop on his three-nation swing through Northeast Asia, which began in Japan. State Department officials have described it as a "listening tour" as the administration seeks a coherent North Korea policy, well-coordinated with its Asian partners.

In Beijing, he is also expected to discuss China's claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, including its building of islands atop coral reefs, complete with airstrips and military installations.

During his confirmation hearings in January, Tillerson compared 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.

While President Donald Trump during his campaign pledged to slap 45 percent tariffs on imports from China and label the country a currency manipulator, there has been little sign of his doing either. His pick for US trade representative, Robert Lighthizer, has said he would use a "multi-faceted approach" to cracking down on Chinese trade abuses.

Tillerson's trip is also expected to highlight the Trump administration's lack of concern with human rights abroad, formerly a key element of US policy toward China and a major irritant for Beijing.

In a departure from past practice, Tillerson skipped the launch of an annual report on human rights last week that cited numerous abuses by China. He has also said the US would not continue participating in the UN Human Rights Council unless it undergoes "considerable reform." (**)
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Linkedin Ganug Nugroho Adi (The Jakarta Post) Surakarta, Central Java  Sat, March 18, 2017 08:00 2060 a291276806121264c0bd211cde547e0b 1 National police,surakarta,vigilante-group Free

Surakarta Police on Friday arrested 13 suspects believed to be behind the destruction of a cafe in Surakarta, Central Java. Six of the suspects are underage boys.

The attack took place on Sunday evening, when dozens of young men were riding in a convoy of motorcycles, Surakarta Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Ribut Hari Wibowo said Friday.

As they were traveling along Jl. Urip Sumoharjo, a person near karaoke venue Nuansa reportedly threw stones at them. The group then turned around and headed for the venue to find the culprit.

After a fruitless search, they attacked the venue itself by throwing stones at it, Ribut said.

The group also reportedly damaged scores of parked motorcycles and injured two passersby.

At the time of the incident, two people were riding by on a motorcycle. The group stopped them immediately and attacked them until they lost unconsciousness. We have arrested 13 alleged perpetrators, he said on Friday.

Meanwhile, Surakarta Police crime unit head Comr. Agus Puryadi said police were still hunting other perpetrators.

Police seized several pieces of potential evidence in the case, such as shards of glass, rocks, three motorcycles and jackets featuring a gang name. (rin)
President Joko Jokowi Widodo knows he has set himself a herculean task with his agrarian reform.

However, on Friday, his administration took a major step forward when the National Police in cooperation with the Agrarian and Spatial Planning Ministry pledged to take stern action against rampant so-called land mafia practices in the country.

The two institutions signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to pave the way for police to crack down on such practices and resolve land conflicts, which in the past have seen the involvement of private and state actors, including the police themselves.

We want to eradicate the land mafia [...] they have been toying with law enforcement, National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said after the MoU signing. The general also acknowledged that police personnel had colluded with the land mafia. [When it comes to] dealing with our ranks, [the mafia] knows the tricks, Tito said.

He also admitted the land mafia used bribery as a shortcut to get land disputes settled.

Tito said the police and the ministry would form a special team within a month to forge ways to tackle problems surrounding issues such as the overlapping of authority among agencies, a messy land ownership database, poor access to land certification and illegal levies, among other issues.

The MoU also covers an agreement to speed up the certification of land plots owned by the National Police.

There is a total of 83 million square meters of land owned by the police that do not have certificates, Tito said.

Jokowi has promoted his agrarian reform plan as a key to reducing poverty as well as narrowing the equality gap.

The reform agenda includes the granting of 21.7 million hectares of idle land to customary peoples and poor farmers to improve their welfare and reduce economic disparity.

But land problems, which could seriously hamper the reform plan, have been a major problem for many years, with disputes involving big companies, especially farming and mining firms, often resulting in social conflict, as a result of the involvement of police and military personnel.

Observers have also noted other common land mafia practices in the country, including falsification of land-ownership certificates involving collusion between corporations and officials from different government institutions.

Agrarian and Spatial Planning Minister Sofyan Djalil said his ministry had allocated Rp 2 trillion (US$150 million) from the state budget this year to issue 5 million land certificates. The target will be increased to 7 million certificates next year and 9 million the year after.

Only 44 percent of the total land assets in Indonesia have been certified. Theres a long way to go, he said.

Separately, Office of the Presidential Staff (KSP) chief Teten Masduki acknowledged it would be an arduous road toward achieving the desired result.

Its certainly ambitious, Teten told reporters on the sidelines of the fifth Congress of Indigenous People of the Archipelago in Tanjung Gusta in North Sumatra.

KSP data show that, of the total target of 4.5 million hectares of land to be distributed to farmers, only around 63,900 ha and 123,280 ha were processed in 2015 and in the first eight months of 2016, respectively. Of the targeted 4.5 million hectares of land to be legalized by 2019, only 424,573 ha had been completed as of 2016.

Teten, however, insisted that the land-redistribution plan would take the side of small-scale farmers, and not companies, especially those running palm oil plantations  a longstanding driver of deforestation and forest fires.

The agrarian reform plan will not pave way for the opening of new oil palm plantations. The government wants companies to concentrate on developing their downstream industry, Teten said.

Chairman of the National Council of Agrarian Reform Consortium (KPA) Iwan Nurdin said he was not very impressed by the agreement. Those two institutions are the ones with the most officials who tend to abuse their authority in helping the land mafia, he said. (dis)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, March 18, 2017 19:02 2060 a291276806121264c0bd211cde55cf78 1 National raja-ampat,#RajaAmpat,coral-reefs,Caledonian-Sky,West-Papua,tourism,cruise-ship,cruise Free

Indigenous communities from Yembuba village in Raja Ampat regency, West Papua, were saddened by the damage to the coral reefs after British cruise vessel MV Caledonian Sky ran aground in shallow waters in the area last week.

For decades, we have been preserving the coral reefs, which were even protected by our ancestors. But within hours, a cruise ship destroyed the 1.3-hectare area, Yembuba village head Habel Sawiyai said as quoted by Antara in Sorong, on Friday.

He further said waters in Yembuba village were protected by a customary law local people called sasi. Sasi, which had been passed down generations, prohibited people from catching fish illegally and destroying coral reefs in the area.

(Read also: Caledonian Skys captain made similar mistake in Medan: Minister)

The customary law also supported local administrations to conserve sea ecosystems for the development of tourism in Raja Ampat, he explained.

Frankly, we, as traditional communities, feel sad to see damage to the coral reefs. Moreover, we have not been included by the government in the process to claim compensation for the damage, said Habel.

Meanwhile, Raja Ampat Customary Council head Kristian Thebu said separately that the council fully entrusted the governmental process to claim compensation for the damaged coral reefs.

However, it would be ideal if the government could involve the residents of Yembuba village, who had lived in the area for generations watching over the conserved coral reefs that were destroyed by the cruise ship.

Local people must be involved in the settlement of tourism problems in Raja Ampat, said Kristian. (mrc/ebf)
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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, March 18 2017

Indonesia Eximbank has allocated a larger trade-financing facility for state-owned enterprises (SOEs), to Rp 2 trillion (US$149.89 million) this year, more than five times last years allocation of Rp 372.51 billion.

The state-owned lender will provide the facility for six strategic SOEs namely PT Industri Kereta Api (INKA), PT Len Industri, PT Pal Indonesia, PT Pindad, PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) and PT Barata. Amid sluggish economic growth in developed countries, Indonesia is eyeing inroads into alternative markets such as Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

As we will finance more SOEs in 2017, we are increasing the allocation to Rp 2 trillion this year, Indonesia Eximbank president director Susiwijono Moegiarso said during a press conference in Jakarta recently.

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Linkedin Endy M. Bayuni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, March 18 2017

When he came to Indonesia last week, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was not just another head of government passing through on an Asian tour. At least not judging by the way Indonesia greeted him.

He received as close to a royal welcome as it is possible for a republic to provide. Perhaps deservedly so. King Salman is special because he is the custodian of the two Islamic holy cities, Mecca and Medina, while Indonesia is the country with the largest Muslim population in the world.

The king is the first Saudi monarch to visit Indonesia in 47 years, and local media celebrated the significance of the visit.

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Linkedin Matthew Pennington (Associated Press) Seoul, South Korea  Sat, March 18, 2017

The United States signaled a tougher strategy toward North Korea on Friday that leaves open the possibility of pre-emptive military action and rejects talks with the communist nation until it gives up its weapons of mass destruction.

"Let me be very clear: the policy of strategic patience has ended," said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. "We are exploring a new range of diplomatic, security and economic measures. All options are on the table."

Tillerson was speaking after visiting the heavily militarized border between the rival Koreas. His comments are likely to displease Beijing, where he travels this weekend. China has been advocating diplomacy to avoid a conflict on the divided peninsula.

Also Friday, President Donald Trump tweeted: "North Korea is behaving very badly. They have been 'playing' the United States for years. China has done little to help!"

Past US administrations have considered military options against North Korea and have publicly said that an attack on the US or its allies would prompt a devastating response.

Tillerson's comments were unusual, however, as he appeared to be implying, in public, that the US would consider military force as a way of preventing an attack by Pyongyang, and not just as a means of retaliation. It also comes amid a greater sense of urgency about the threat because of North Korea's rapid progress toward developing the means to strike the US with a nuclear-tipped missile. Risks of military action are high as North Korea could unleash a massive artillery barrage on Seoul in retaliation.

The Trump administration says it is conducting a review of North Korea policy. At a news conference in Seoul, alongside his South Korean counterpart Yun Byung-se, Tillerson said US was exploring the new range of diplomatic, security and economic measures and emphasized that Obama administration's policy of "strategic patience" that saw tightening of sanctions to try and get North Korea back to negotiations aimed at denuclearization  had ended.

Asked about the possibility of using military force against North Korea, he said, "all of the options are on the table."

Tillerson said the US does not want a military conflict, "but obviously if North Korea takes actions that threaten South Korean forces or our own forces that would be met with (an) appropriate response. If they elevate the threat of their weapons program to a level that we believe requires action that option is on the table."

Former members of the Clinton administration have said that the US considered a strike on a North Korean nuclear facility in 1994 when it appeared on the brink of producing weapons-grade fissile material and refused UN inspections. A diplomatic deal was struck to avert conflict.

Since then, North Korea has violated multiple UN Security Council resolutions and has been undeterred by tough international sanctions. The North conducted two nuclear test explosions and 24 ballistic missile tests last year. Last week, after the US and South Korea began annual military drills that the North views as rehearsal for invasion, it test-fired four missiles into seas off Japan.

Central to the US review is China and its role in any bid to persuade Pyongyang to change course. China remains North Korea's most powerful ally and dominant trading partner. China recently announced it was suspending coal imports that are an important source of revenue for North Korea for the rest of the year in adherence with UN sanctions.

Tillerson urged China and other countries to fully implement the sanctions. He criticized China's opposition to a US missile defense system being deployed in South Korea and accused it of waging "inappropriate and troubling" economic retaliation against the South. China sees the system as a threat to its own security although the US says it is only targeted against North Korea. Tillerson said China should focus on the North Korean threat that makes the deployment necessary.

Tillerson also rejected Beijing's proposal of halting the US-South Korean military drills in exchange for a nuclear freeze by North Korea. He said the allies had no intention to stand down the exercises that are defensive in nature and conducted transparently, unlike North Korean missile launches. He further sounded skeptical about the idea of negotiating a freeze that would leave the North with "significant capabilities" that could threaten the region and US forces.

The US retains nearly 30,000 troops in South Korea, and nearly 50,000 in neighboring Japan.

More broadly, Tillerson poured cold water on the idea of resuming negotiations with Pyongyang, saying, "20 years of talks with North Korea have brought us to where we are today."

"It's important that the leadership of North Korea realize that their current pathway of nuclear weapons and escalating threats will not lead to their objective of security and economic development. That pathway can only be achieved by denuclearizing, giving up their weapons of mass destruction, and only then will we be prepared to engage with them in talks," he said.

Six-nation aid-for-disarmament talks with North Korea, which were hosted by China, have in fact been stalled since 2009. The Obama administration refused to resume them unless the North re-committed to the goal of denuclearization, something it has shown little interest in doing.

Earlier Friday, Tillerson touched down by helicopter at Camp Bonifas, US-led UN base about 400 meters (438 yards) from the Demilitarized Zone, a Cold War vestige created after the Korean War ended in 1953. He then moved to the truce village of Panmunjom inside the DMZ, a cluster of blue huts where the Korean War armistice was signed. He is flying this week without the usual contingent of journalists who normally cover the secretary of state.

Tillerson is the latest in a parade of senior US officials to have their photos taken at the border. But it was the first trip by the new Trump administration's senior diplomat.

The DMZ, which is both a tourist trap and a potential flashpoint, is guarded on both sides with land mines, razor wire fence, tank traps and hundreds of thousands of combat-ready troops. More than a million mines are believed to be buried inside the DMZ. The Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty, which means the Korean Peninsula remains in a technical state of war.

____

Associated Press photographer Lee Jin-man at Camp Bonifas, South Korea, contributed to this report. (**)
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Linkedin Julie Pace and Vivian Salama (Associated Press) Washington  Sat, March 18, 2017

President Donald Trump defiantly refused to back down from his explosive claim that Barack Obama wiretapped his phones, and sidestepped any blame for the White House decision to highlight an unverified report that Britain helped carry out the alleged surveillance.

In brushing off the diplomatic row with perhaps America's closest ally, Trump also revived another: the Obama administration's monitoring of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's calls.

"At least we have something in common, perhaps," Trump quipped Friday during a joint news conference with Merkel.

Merkel, who was making her first visit to the White House since Trump took office, looked surprised by the president's comment, which he appeared primed to deliver. The Obama administration's spying infuriated Germany at the time and risked damaging the US relationship with one of its most important European partners.

Trump's unproven recent allegations against his predecessor have left him increasingly isolated, with fellow Republican as well as Democratic lawmakers saying they've seen nothing from intelligence agencies to support his claim. But Trump, who rarely admits he's wrong, has been unmoved, leaving his advisers in the untenable position of defending the president without any credible evidence.

On Thursday, spokesman Sean Spicer turned to a Fox News analyst's contention that GCHQ, the British electronic intelligence agency, had helped Obama wiretap Trump. Fox News anchor Shepard Smith said Friday that the network could not independently verify the reports from Andrew Napolitano, a former judge and commentator who has met with Trump.

The GCHQ vigorously denied the charges in a rare public statement, saying the report was "utterly ridiculous and should be ignored."

According to a Western diplomat, Britain's ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch, had told the White House Tuesday that Napolitano's assertions were not true. Still, it was among several news reports Spicer referenced in his briefing Thursday as part of an angry defense of the president's claims.

Darroch and other British officials complained directly to White House officials after the episode, Prime Minister Theresa May's office said it had been assured the White House would not repeat the allegations. Spicer was very apologetic when confronted by Darroch at a White House dinner on Thursday, the Western diplomat said.

But Trump himself offered no public apologies and suggested there was nothing wrong with the White House repeating what it had heard.

"All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television," Trump said during Friday's news conference. "You shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox."

Spicer was also defiant Friday, telling reporters, "I don't think we regret anything."

A White House official confirmed that Darroch and the British prime minister's national security adviser, Mark Lyall Grant, expressed concerns to both Spicer and Trump's national security adviser, H.R. McMaster. Spicer and McMaster said that the press secretary was simply pointing to public reports and not endorsing any specific story, the official said.

The US and United Kingdom are members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, which prohibits members from spying on each other. Australia, Canada and New Zealand are the other members.

The diplomat and White House official both spoke only on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.

The president is a voracious consumer of news and frequently repeats information he reads or hears on television, often without verifying it first. It was a story in Breitbart  the far-right website once run by his senior adviser Steve Bannon  that appeared to spark Trump's March 4 tweets accusing Obama of wiretapping the New York skyscraper where he lived and ran his presidential campaign.

The White House has asked the House and Senate intelligence committees to investigate the matter as part of their inquiries into Russia's hacking of the presidential election and possible contacts between Trump associates and Russian officials. But the top lawmakers on both committees have said they have seen no indications that Trump Tower was wiretapped.

The Justice Department said Friday that it had complied with congressional requests for information related to any surveillance during the 2016 election. The department would not comment further on what information, if any, was provided.

The chairman of the House intelligence committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., confirmed Friday that the Justice Department had "fully complied" with the committee's request. He, too, declined to provide details.

Republicans in Congress also said Trump should retract his claims. Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa., called the accusation against Britain "inexplicable" and the Trump's accusation against Obama unfounded.

"A president only has so much political capital to expend and so much moral authority as well, and so any time your credibility takes a hit, I think in many ways it weakens the officeholder," Dent said.

FBI Director James Comey is sure to be asked about the wiretapping allegations when he testifies on Capitol Hill Monday. The public hearing is the first of several that the intelligence committees are expected to hold on Russia's interference in the election.

___

AP writers Jill Lawless in London and Jill Colvin and Erica Werner in Washington contributed to this report.

___

Follow Julie Pace at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC and Vivian Salama at htp://twitter.com/vmsalama (**)
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Linkedin Alan Fram and Erica Werner (Associated Press) Washington  Sat, March 18, 2017

President Donald Trump agreed to add fresh Medicaid curbs to the House Republican health care bill Friday, bolstering the measure with support from some conservative lawmakers but leaving its prospects wobbly. House leaders discussed other amendments calibrated to round up votes and scheduled a showdown vote Thursday.

"I just want to let the world know I am 100 percent in favor" of the measure, Trump said at the White House after meeting around a dozen House lawmakers and shaking hands on revisions. "We're going to have a health care plan that's going to be second to none."

While the rapid-fire events seemed to build momentum for the pivotal GOP legislation, its fate remained clouded. One leading House conservative said the alterations were insufficient and claimed enough allies to sink the measure, and support among moderates remained uncertain.

"My whip count indicates that there are 40 no's," enough to defeat the bill, said Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., who leads the hard-line House Freedom Caucus. He said the change "doesn't move the ball more than a couple yards on a very long playing field."

Across the Capitol, Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., facing re-election next year, became the fourth Republican senator to announce his opposition. That left Senate GOP leaders at least two votes shy of what they'd need to prevail.

Congressional Democrats remain solidly opposed to the GOP effort.

Thursday will mark the seventh anniversary of when Obama signed his health overhaul into law, one of his milestone domestic achievements enacted over unanimous GOP opposition. Beyond that symbolism, Republican leaders hope to allow time for Congress to complete the measure before an early April recess exposes lawmakers to two weeks of lobbying and town hall pressure tactics by activists, doctors, hospitals and other opponents.

The Republican bill would kill much of former President Barack Obama's health care law, including tax penalties for people who don't buy insurance and its expansion of Medicaid, the federal-state health program for the poor. It would create new tax credits that would be less generous than current federal subsidies for many consumers, and repeal levies on the wealthy and medical firms that helped finance Obama's expansion of coverage to 20 million Americans.

Trump's deal with lawmakers would let states impose work requirements on some of Medicaid's roughly 60 million recipients. The condition would apply to healthy people with no dependents, a White House official said.

The agreement would let states accept lump-sum federal payments for Medicaid, instead of an amount that would grow with the number of beneficiaries. The program currently costs the federal government around $370 billion annually and covers costs no matter the amounts.

Also, any additional states that expand Medicaid would not receive the additional federal money Obama's law provided them for doing so. Thirty-one states have enlarged their Medicaid rolls under the law.

"These changes definitely strengthen our numbers," said the House GOP's top vote counter, Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, among Trump's guests Friday. "But they also show that President Trump is all-in now" to help win converts.

Those accepting the agreement included Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., leader of the Republican Study Committee, a large group of House conservatives.

It seemed clear that GOP leaders remained short of the 216 votes they'll need, and additional changes were in the works.

Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., said he'd been assured by House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., that the bill's tax credit would be adjusted to focus more benefits on lower-income people. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., among those who met with Trump, said the president "told his people" to work on changes making the measure more generous for lower-earning and older Americans.

"Everything has to be a change that would increase the vote count," Scalise said.

Conservatives seemed unlikely to achieve their demands that the GOP bill's phase-out of Obama's Medicaid expansion  now 2020  be accelerated to next year and that the credit be denied people with little or no tax liability. Centrists remained wary of yanking constituents from coverage. Many represent states where voters have gained Medicaid and other insurance under the 2010 statute.

"We'll see what changes they're going to make," said Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa.

In a report this week that prompted many GOP lawmakers to emerge as opponents, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the legislation would leave 24 million people uninsured in a decade, including 14 million next year, and boost out-of-pocket costs for many.

Heller joined three fellow GOP senators in opposing the bill: Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Mike Lee of Utah. Republican Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Ted Cruz of Texas have voiced strong objections, and Senate moderates don't want to boot constituents off coverage.

Republicans have a 52-48 Senate majority.

Nevada has expanded Medicaid and GOP Gov. Brian Sandoval has expressed opposition to the Republican legislation.

___

AP reporters Erica Werner, Kevin Freking, Matthew Daly, Jill Colvin and Kenneth Thomas contributed to this report. (**)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post)  Sat, March 18 2017

The productivity of lecturers and students of higher education in Indonesia has been a serious concern in recent years.

According to the Research and Technology and Higher Education Ministry, 9,457 papers were published in various Scopus-indexed journals in 2016. Although this number exceeded the target, it was below our neighbors Malaysia (with 24,168), Singapore (with 18,125) and Thailand (12,611) and far from its potential of 27,000.

The directorate of higher education and the directorate of Islamic higher education have frequently conducted workshops on writing papers, to catch up to the number of publications from neighboring countries.

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(front page)

Socialist Workers Party: Defend right to abortion

SWP in Seattle takes campaign to workers doorsteps

Above, Seattle Clinic Defense, inset, Militant/Edwin Fruit Mary Martin, Socialist Workers Party candidate for mayor of Seattle, joined defense of Planned Parenthood Clinic March 11 in Everett, Washington, above. Inset, Martin visited Jewish Synagogue in Seattle to offer solidarity after outside wall was defaced with anti-Jewish graffiti.

SEATTLE  Mary Martin, Socialist Workers Party candidate for mayor here, joined 70 people on a picket line defending Planned Parenthood in Everett, March 11. Sponsored by the Seattle Clinic Defense, the protesters rallied in the face of a cold, steady rain and a handful of opponents of womens rights.

Deborah, a school counselor, told Martin at the action, that women need to be able to decide for themselves whether or when to have children. She is one of a group of local supporters of abortion rights who come to Planned Parenthood every Saturday to defend it.

These protests are an important part of defending womens rights, Martin said. We need to mount a systematic fight state-by-state against the restrictions that states are imposing on our right to abortion, including waiting periods, parental consent, mandatory sonograms and so forth.

The Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion, creates problems for women because it makes our rights dependent on medical developments and doctors, not our basic rights as human beings, Martin said. We need to fight for our right to abortion to be based on the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which says we deserve equal protection under the law, the same as men.

After the picket, Martin joined another campaign supporter to knock on workers doors in Seattles Central District. They met Alec McGinnis, a laid off information technology worker, who said he recently went to Oaxaca and Chiapas in Mexico to learn about the struggles of indigenous people there. Hows the campaign going? he asked Martin.

We find people want to talk about what is happening to the working class today and what we can do about it. People like you, she said. I dont think of myself as an activist, he said, but I want to learn about the social struggles that are taking place.

He picked up a subscription to the Militant and a copy of The Clintons Anti-Working-Class Record: Why Washington Fears Working People, a book by SWP National Secretary Jack Barnes. He said he was interested in that one because he didnt agree with people he knew who say everything coming down on workers is because of Donald Trump and the Republicans.

There are three parties and two classes in this country, Martin said. The capitalist families have their Democrats and Republicans and the Socialist Workers Party is the workers party.

Martin and other party members joined a street corner picket in the Columbia City neighborhood of Seattle near the SWP headquarters the next day. It was sponsored by people in the area to show their opposition to racism and anti-immigrant prejudice. Signs included Everyone is welcome here and Jews Against Islamophobia. Participants included Jews, Muslims from Somalia and Gambia, and African-Americans. Martin carried a sign calling for Amnesty for All Immigrants Living in the U.S. A group of Somali women took several copies of SWP campaign literature to give to friends.

On March 11, Martin took a message of solidarity to the Temple De Hirsch Sinai synagogue in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle after anti-Semitic graffiti was found on the wall saying, HOLOCAU$T I$ FAKE HI$TORY.

Over the last couple weeks, Martin has joined actions opposing a bomb threat against the Stroum Jewish Community Center in Mercer Island, vandalism against a Muslim mosque in Redmond and against attacks on South Asians in Bellevue and Kent.

Martin and other party members have met a number of workers interested in learning more about the SWP and joining in political activity.

Martin is taking part in a class with Pat Scott, a Walmart worker, on the Pathfinder book Its the Poor Who Face the Savagery of the US Justice System, where revolutionaries known as the Cuban Five describe their experiences locked up well over a decade in U.S. prisons for actions they took to defend the Cuban Revolution.

Scott kicked off this weeks class, saying, I can sum this up  under capitalism there is no justice for working people.





Related articles:

Communist League protests attacks on Muslims







Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home




(lead article)

Debate rages over attack on political rights

at Middlebury

MIDDLEBURY, Vt.  Discussion and debate was still raging on the Middlebury College campus and among working people when members of the Socialist Workers Party visited the area March 9-10 after conservative author Charles Murray was shouted down by a large group of students, professors and middle class radicals during a public talk the week before.

The break-up of the March 2 meeting and the physical attack by a small group of thugs on Murray and professor Allison Stanger afterwards gained national and international attention. Stanger, who had moderated the meeting and challenged Murrays views, which she strongly disagreed with, had to go to the hospital for treatment.

We came armed with the March 20 issue of the Militant, which has an editorial explaining how the shut them down strategy promoted by many liberal and leftist students and faculty is a deadly threat to the working class.

The pages of the Middlebury Campus weekly paper were full of articles debating the attack on Murray, who works for the American Enterprise Institute and is co-author of The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life.

Murray was invited to speak by the Middlebury College American Enterprise Institute Club. Student organizations  including College Democrats, Resistance and Wonderbread: White Students for Racial Justice  labeled Murray a white supremacist and demanded the event be canceled.

Hundreds of alumni signed a letter printed before Murray arrived, marked by the hysteria about the Donald Trump administration and the anti-working-class view that racism and opposition to womens rights are on the rise among working people. It said The Bell Curve presents the same thinking that motivates eugenics and the genocidal white supremacist ideologies which are enjoying a popular resurgence under the new presidential administration.

When the college administration declined to cancel the meeting, some students and faculty organized to stop it.

Students shouted, Your message is hatred; we cannot tolerate it! Another chant was, Racist, sexist, anti-gay, Charles Murray, go away, which ignored the libertarians well-known support for legalization of abortion and same-sex marriage.

In The Bell Curve Murray posits that the rich are rich, and deserve to be, because of their high intelligence, in contrast with low-paid, low-IQ workers. Whats at issue in The Bell Curve is an attempt to defend the wealth and class privilege of a so-called meritocratic social layer  the cognitive elite is the euphemism chosen by the authors, Socialist Workers Party National Secretary Jack Barnes writes in Are They Rich Because Theyre Smart? Class, Privilege, and Learning Under Capitalism. Its even more about social class than race.

College officials moved Murray to a studio to broadcast a live-streamed video of the discussion between him and moderator Stanger. Protesters tried to break this up too. Some wearing facemasks held a banner that read, Choke on your silver spoon, you f---king Nazi. These were some of those who attacked Murray and Stanger as they left the building.

We talked with students outside the student union and were invited to come inside and continue the discussion over lunch. Our table attracted a number of students with a variety of views. One was wearing a homemade button saying, Free expression. He said a number of his friends had asked him to make copies for them.

I oppose Murrays politics, Alyson Kennedy, who ran as the Socialist Workers Party candidate for president in 2016, told Andrew Hennings, showing him the book by Barnes. This is not an abstract discussion of rights, Kennedy said. Its a life-and-death question for the working class and its allies, who need the political space to discuss and debate how to build a revolutionary movement capable of taking political power. Shouting down speakers we disagree with, not to mention physically attacking them, closes that space down.

We lose the opportunity to confront and debate reactionary ideas that are a danger to working people, she said. And it introduces censorship over politics that can lead to attacks among us by those who say someone elses ideas are wrong.

Working people whose doors we knocked on in town were alarmed by the attack on the meeting. One woman, a group home attendant, said she felt strongly that different opinions should be heard out and debated.

It was horrible what those students did, two cashiers at the college bookstore told us. Most students we met said they opposed the physical attack, but many argued that the actions were understandable, saying Murrays ideas are dangerous and must be suppressed.

Ive heard, everyone has a right to their freedom of speech, wrote Juan Andrade-Vera in the Campus. With that, I disagree. Allowing everyone to speak freely, especially on matters of race, creates that power imbalance my peers agreed existed, thus, not providing marginalized groups equal paths to success.

An op-ed signed by several dozen students studying abroad backed breaking up Murrays meeting, and charged that criticisms have de-legitimized this expression of student will, clinging to flimsy free speech arguments. They demanded the administration recognize attacks on POC humanity and demonstrate a tangible commitment to this colleges marginalized communities. POC stands for people of color.

Others we talked to disagreed. Some students say speakers like him should be shut down, Nathalia Gonzalez, 21, a psychology student who grew up in the working-class Pilsen area of Chicago, said. Others say that attending his talk or protesting it just gives him legitimacy. I think different points of view should be heard.

I am not convinced by arguments for shutting down this event, wrote political science professor Erik Bleich in the Campus. It is all the less persuasive amid assertions that students were just exercising their free speech rights of simultaneous dialogue when they impeded Murray from delivering his lecture. This is a fundamental and troubling misconception of free speech.





Related articles:

Suppression of rights inevitably targets the working class







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Washington escalates Syria war, looks to attack Raqqa

Washington has sent 400 troops from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit to northern Syria to set up an artillery base as part of preparations for a planned military offensive to capture the city of Raqqa from the Islamic State.

At the same time, the Pentagon says theyre sending 2,500 ground combat paratroopers to Kuwait from the 82nd Airborne Combat Team, Army Times reported March 9. They will be postured there to do all things Mosul, Raqqa, all in between, Army Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson told a U.S. House hearing.

These U.S. boots on the ground are in addition to the estimated 500 special forces that have been operating in the region for some time, training and advising the Syrian Democratic Forces, comprised of 30,000 Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) members and Arab fighters in preparation for the fight to take Raqqa.

A separate unit of elite U.S. Army Rangers traveling in heavily armored Stryker vehicles and Humvees flying large U.S. flags was deployed near the town of Manjib  an area that has become an unstable flashpoint for the competing military forces of Ankara, Damascus, Moscow, local forces who oppose the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad, and their allied YPG.

The U.S. rulers are seeking to more effectively defend their economic and political interests in the Middle East, as are all the competing forces there. Washington says the deployment of the Rangers unit to Manjib is to prevent any clashes between these competing and often hostile forces.

The U.S. military command in Syria reported that Russian jets mistakenly bombed Syrian Arab fighters they were training March 1. The operation pointed to the risk of unintended clashes among the myriad forces operating on a fluid battlefield in Syria, the New York Times said.

In 2011 mass protests broke out across Syria demanding political rights and the overthrow of the dictatorial Assad regime. The government responded with harsh brutality, killing and imprisoning tens of thousands. A civil war ensued, which has led to a social catastrophe for working people  with more than 400,000 killed and over half the population driven from their homes.

Washington wants to assemble the forces to lay siege to Raqqa as fast as possible, before any competitor can do so. Besides the growing number of U.S. troops, the main fighting force has been the Syrian Democratic Forces, the bulk of whom, and virtually the entire command leadership, are composed of Kurds from the YPG. At the same time, Syrian government troops, backed by Moscows bombers and Tehran-backed militia forces, are less than 40 miles away.

But Washingtons plans could be delayed because of differences within the Donald Trump administration over how to proceed while limiting any breach with the Turkish government, a key NATO ally that opposes any participation by the Kurds.

YPG forces control 20,000 square miles of Syrian territory on the Syrian-Turkish border. The capitalist rulers in Ankara fear their advances will inspire the substantial Kurdish population in Turkey to fight for autonomy.

Washington, no ally of the decadeslong struggle of the over 30 million stateless Kurds for a homeland in a geographical area that spans the borders of Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Iran, considers the Kurdish YPG the most effective fighting force against Islamic State and therefore necessary for the fight to take Raqqa.

Last August YPG fighters expelled IS from Manjib. Ankara then sent its military forces into Syria under the flag of Free Syrian Army, aiming to force the YPG east of the Euphrates River and prevent them from linking up with the Kurdish population in northwestern Syria.

Ankara has threatened to attack Manbij if the YPG doesnt pull out. With the approval of Washington, Moscow brokered an agreement for the YPG and the Manbij Military Council that has been running the town to hand over some nearby towns to the Assad regime.

At the end of 2016, Moscow, Ankara, Tehran, Assad and rebel representatives agreed to a cease-fire followed by failed peace talks sponsored by the United Nations that ended March 3.

But for Syrias toilers there is little cease-fire.

In the last week of February, 282 civilians were killed, including 54 children, as a result of intensified airstrikes and shelling by the regime and Russian warplanes. And on March 9 the BBC reported U.S.-led coalition airstrikes killed 20 men, women and children near Raqqa.





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US-led war games in SKorea exacerbate tensions in Asia

US troops out of Middle East, Asia!







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US-led war games in SKorea exacerbate tensions in Asia

In a move that increased tensions over the Korean Peninsula, Washington rejected a March 8 proposal by the Chinese government that the U.S. and South Korean governments suspend their joint military maneuvers in the region in exchange for an end to North Koreas missile and nuclear weapons program  a proposal previously put forward by Pyongyang.

There are currently 3,600 U.S. troops and 300,000 South Korean soldiers taking part in the annual Foal Eagle maneuvers, which include practicing the decapitation of North Koreas leaders.

The two sides are like two accelerating trains coming towards each other with neither side willing to give way, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the media. The question is, are the two sides really ready for a head-on collision? Given the situation, our priority now is to flash the red light and apply brakes on both trains.

Nikki Haley, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, responded that talks with Pyongyang were out of the question because North Korean President Kim Jong Un is not a rational person. Were not ruling anything out, she said, threatening North Korea, and were considering every option thats on the table.

Seoul and Tokyo, following Washingtons lead, also dismissed Beijings proposal. The Japanese government is on a drive to upgrade the fighting capacity of its military, raising its military budget in 2017 for the fifth year in a row. The $44 billion expenditure, the highest since World War II, is justified as tensions increase with China over disputed islands in the East China Sea and North Koreas missile tests get ever closer to the island nations coasts, reported UPI.

Underneath the spreading tensions in the Far East is competition between the expanding economic reach of Beijing and the declining power of Washington, which still remains the dominant imperialist power worldwide.

Particularly sharp is rivalry over trade lanes in the South China Sea  routes that carry $5 trillion in sea-borne trade each year. All of the capitalist regimes in the region  from Japan to Vietnam and the Philippines  are vying for a place at the table.

In response to the U.S.-South Korea maneuvers, Pyongyang on March 6 launched four missiles that they claimed had the capacity to hit seven U.S. military bases in Japan where 54,000 soldiers are stationed. The missiles landed 200 miles off the Japanese coast.

The same day Washington began installing a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, anti-ballistic missile system at a U.S. Army base 45 miles south of Seoul. Beijing demanded the installation be halted, saying its range endangered the sovereignty of China.

In retaliation, Beijing, Seouls main trading partner, shut down a chain of South Korean-owned stores and threatened further steps.

The instability in the region was deepened when South Koreas Constitutional Court unanimously upheld the legislatures impeachment of President Park Geun-hye in a corruption scandal and removed her from office.

Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans had protested week after week for her ouster. A top official of Samsung, the countrys largest corporate empire, has been indicted in the scandal.

Moon Jae-in, a leader of the opposition Democratic Party, leads in polls on who will be elected president. He opposes the deployment of the THAAD system, saying it has dragged the country into the dangerous and growing rivalry between Washington and Beijing, according to the New York Times March 9.





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Washington escalates Syria war, looks to attack Raqqa

US troops out of Middle East, Asia!







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Two-party system of capitalist rule in US racked with growing instability

During his election campaign and in his first speech to Congress, President Donald Trump promised a $1 trillion public works program to repair deteriorating infrastructure and create jobs. His repeated insistence on the reality of the carnage the capitalist economic crisis has meant for working people  in the face of claims by Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton that the economy was in swell shape  was a key reason many workers voted for him. But two months into his administration, little has been done.

Instead, Trump has issued a flurry of executive orders, including many that foster dangerous divisions among working people. They include a moratorium on visas for residents of six mostly Muslim nations, threats to step up the pace of deportations, and instructions to government agencies to reduce red-tape and environmental regulations. He has pledged billions to the Pentagon for new weaponry and to press more workers into the military. And hes moving to bury Obamacare  no great shakes for working people  but hasnt offered anything to replace it.

For all of his demagogy and all the anti-Trump hysteria from liberals and the middle-class left, much of what his administration has been doing is an extension of what previous administrations set in motion. The anti-working-class deportations are following patterns set by the Barack Obama administration. U.S. wars continue in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.

The slow-burning capitalist economic depression grinding down on working people has had political reflection in an unprecedented blow to the stability of the capitalist two-party system in the U.S.

Politicians from the crisis-ridden Democratic Party, including Bernie Sanders, have no alternate program. Instead, they concentrate on obstructing Trump. They headline charges that his administration is in cahoots with Moscow. When pressed for evidence, many point to the FBI, as if that was where workers should look for the truth!

A headline in the New York Times captured the spirit, calling the Democrats The New Party of No. Theyre in shambles, and the partys left wing is determined to take over.

In an interview with the London Guardian printed March 10, Sanders outlined his plans to salvage the Democratic Party by seizing control and refurbishing its image as a pro-worker party.

Sanders complains that Trump is trying to undermine American democracy in the sense of making wild attacks against the media, that virtually everything that the mainstream media says is a lie. He says that, unlike normal Republicans like George W. Bush, Trump operates outside of mainstream American political values and is a pathological liar.

The liberal elite that has had control of the Democratic Party  Sanders names the Clintons and Barack Obama as examples  paved the way for Trump, he said, because they moved very far away from the needs of the middle class and working families of this country.

My job, Sanders said, is to get more and more people to run for office, to participate.

This defense of American democracy, the mainstream media and the intelligence community is revealing. The bourgeois media is a key part of obscuring that what exists in the United States is the dictatorship of capital. No matter who is president, no matter which of the two capitalist parties holds a majority in Congress, the decisions they make serve the interests of the propertied rulers.

Millions were unhappy that their choice was Trump or Clinton. Those who chose Trump saw a lesser evil who recognized the disaster theyre living in and seemed to offer a way out. More and more workers are beginning to see that neither party defends their interests.

The two party system will never defend the interests of the workers, said Osborne Hart, Socialist Workers Party candidate for mayor of New York, who is in Canada extending solidarity to steelworkers on strike at the CEZ refinery in Salaberry de Valleyfield, Quebec. They are both parties of the capitalist class.

Join May Day protests

The Socialist Workers Party is opposed to the ban on refugees and visitors from the six majority-Muslim nations. Government requirements for political or religious tests for people to come to the U.S. are an attack on the rights of all workers, Hart said. We call on workers and our unions to join the upcoming nationwide protests being called for May Day and to demand amnesty for the 11 million undocumented workers living in the U.S. today.

The only way we can unite the working class is by opposing the attempts by the bosses to divide us with their deportations, immigration sweeps and efforts to pit workers with jobs against those who cant get one, he said.

Trump claimed credit when the Labor Department announced official unemployment had dropped to 4.7 percent in February. Not a bad way to start day 50 of the administration, Trumps press secretary Sean Spicer said.

During the election campaign Trump won interest from working people when he said the official unemployment rate was phony because the government manipulates the figures. When asked why the latest figures can be trusted, Spicer said the president told him to say, They may have been phony in the past, but its very real now.

That will be a hard sell to working people no matter who they voted for. They are living the reality  miners who have seen jobs dry up in Kentucky and West Virginia, the almost one in five workers who are stuck on part-time because they cant get full-time jobs, the more than 1.7 million workers who wanted to work but have given up looking and are not included in official unemployment figures, and more.





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Is the economic carnage working people face now the new normal?







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Communist League protests attacks on Muslims

MONTREAL  On March 1 a group calling itself the Council of Conservative Citizens of Canada or C4 sent a bomb threat targeting Muslims at Concordia University to local media outlets. The threat to set off daily bombs from March 1- 3 came as the Muslim Students Association was holding Islam Awareness Week on the campus. The university administration evacuated three buildings at the schools downtown campus.

A similar note was sent to nearby McGill Universitys radio station CKUT, threatening future actions against Muslims there.

These threats come after the murder of six Muslims on Jan. 29 at the Islamic Cultural Centre in Quebec City and vandalism against two mosques in Montreal  the Khadijah Centre and the Mosque Tawuba  in February.

Philippe Tessier, Communist League candidate for mayor of Montreal, sent a message to the Muslim Students Association condemning the bomb threat and demanding that its perpetrators be arrested, prosecuted, and jailed. He called on all working people and our unions to speak out against scapegoating and victimizations of Muslims and Jews.

On Feb. 27, a bomb threat had forced the closure of the Calgary Jewish Community Centre.

The next day MSA members welcomed people to their Awareness Week information tables set up in a busy campus pavilion. They offered samosas, donuts, and cotton candy to those who came to discuss with them.

We planned this event to continue through today, and, with the support of the university, we decided we would not be intimidated. Thats why were here today, despite the threats, Rim Hamila, an MSA vice president, told the Militant.

We wanted to show we have nothing to hide, said Ibrahim, another MSA member. Many students and professors have come by to tell us they are happy we are holding this event.

Tessier came to express his solidarity and join the discussion.

I think everyone has a right to their religious beliefs; we are all human beings, Ahmed Joma told Tessier. I think the majority oppose these attacks perpetrated by sick individuals.

I think the problem is deeper, Tessier said. The bosses and their government seek to divide working people and turn us against each other. Thats why the mobilizations taking place today in the United States against the deportation of immigrants are so important.
The heroic story of a teenage refugee who fled Syria and went on to compete at the Rio Olympics is being turned into a film.

Yusra Mardini and her sister Sara were forced to swim for hours alongside their overloaded boat in order to arrive in Greece after fleeing from Damascus as civil war broke out in 2015.

Yusra, now 19, saved the lives of other Syrian migrants by pushing the boat for three and a half hours when it ran into difficulty in the Aegean Sea.

Yusra Mardini (Martin Meissner/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

From Greece, Yusra and her sister travelled through Europe and eventually reached Berlin, Germany, where they stayed.

After gaining international attention for her heroic efforts, Yusra  who had started training at a swimming club upon her arrival in Berlin  was chosen by the International Olympic Committee for its first ever Refugee Olympic Team at the Summer Games in Rio.

Yusra won her qualifying heat of the 100 metres butterfly at the sporting event last summer, and her triumph was considered one of the highlights of the Olympics.

British film production company Working Title Films has agreed to buy the rights to the story, with Billy Elliot and The Reader director Stephen Daldry tipped to helm the project.
The civil war in Syria

March 15, 2011 is widely regarded at the beginning of the unrest, when anti-government activists began their uprising.

And in the years that have followed, as the protests developed into a bloody war, at least 7.6 million Syrians have been forced to leave their homes and flee to another country, while 4.8 million are in need of help in hard-to-reach or besieged locations, according to the UN.

There are certain countries that frequently make headlines for their contributions to the crisis  think the overachievers like Canada and Germany, and those who take criticism such as the UK and the US. But there are many other countries helping out with the crisis which dont get as much attention.

Here, we look at how these countries have actually responded to the humanitarian crisis.

Neighbouring and nearby countries

4.8 million Syrians More thanhave registered with the UN in Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon.

With its long accessible land border and relative safety, a common question thats been asked by the public, particularly in Europe, is: Why dont Syrians just stay in Turkey?

2.9 million Syrian The reality is, most of them do  there are overrefugees in Turkey, making it the largest host to people from Syria. But Turkey also acts as a gateway to Europe so some do decide to carry on, for various reasons, and make the treacherous journey overseas.

Turkey has reinforced its border with Syria by building a wall (Lefteris Pitarakis/AP)

around one in five There are also more than 1 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon  a huge amount when you consider the whole country is not much bigger than Wales. That amounts topeople living in the country being Syrian.

since 2013 Lebanons president Michel Aoun But there have been border closures on and offand at the start of 2017,expressed an interest in sending Syrian refugees back to Syria by setting up safe zones in the country  an idea also backed by US president Donald Trump.

refugee haven Jordan has built up a name for itself in its short history as something of aafter welcoming forced-out migrants from Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq. There are currently 656,000 registered refugees from Syria in Jordan, making up around 10% of the population. However, the border between the two countries has been closed since 2016, leaving tens of thousands stuck in limbo.

response plan In the nationsfor the next few years, King Abdullah II of Jordan was quoted as saying the Syrian crisis has set back the strides of our economy and has created tremendous problems in our development, job growth and debt reduction. But Queen Rania of Jordan has also said: Together we must do more and must do more with less.

Gulf states

The government of the UAE claims it has given residency permits to 100,000 people from Syria (Yui Mok/PA)

There is a lot of confusion when it comes to what the wealthy Arab nations of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have done for Syrians in their time of need.

offering zero resettlement places convention on refugees The countries have been on the receiving end much criticism, from charities, NGOs and the public, forto Syrians. None of the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has signed the UNs, either, which defines their status as refugees and the duties of governments.

press release But Saudi Arabia issued astating theyve actually received around 2.5 million Syrians since the beginning of the conflict.

Arab brothers and sisters in distress. Part of the confusion seems to lie with the fact the country does not refer to them as refugees, but insteadThe statement explains that in order to ensure their dignity and safety, Syrians are not placed in camps but are allowed to move around the country and, should they wish to stay, will be given residency, access to medical care and education.

As well as this, the kingdom states it has supported Syrians in Jordan, Lebanon and other countries, and provided a total of around $700 million in humanitarian aid.

Saudi Arabia says it helps refugees in places like Jordan (Tom White/PA)

the Guardian An unnamed official reportedly toldthat the country didnt want to show off or brag in the media about its response, however, it sees the importance of clarifying these efforts in response to false and misleading media reports about the kingdom.

UAE Government worlds biggest humanitarian donor Similarly, thecame out to announce it had extended residency permits to more than 100,000 people from Syria to enter the country, and that more than 242,000 now live there. Money-wise, the UAE stated it has provided over $530 million in aid, pledged a further $100 million, and funded a refugee camp in Jordan homing 4,000 Syrian refugees  all of which contributed to it becoming thein 2013.

However, financial generosity aside, there remains the issue that there is no real evidence that Syrians have in fact been welcomed into the country and the actual practicality of them gaining a visa is unknown.

euronews Counting the number of Syrians that have entered and exited Saudi Arabia does not amount to taking in refugees from Syria, the Emergency Director at Human Rights Watch Peter Bouckaert told

Europe

Sweden refuses to be ashamed of having helped 143,000 Syrian refugees, while others did not. Take the hint, @realDonaldTrump.@rulajebreal pic.twitter.com/PzmDVerVhi  Trita Parsi (@tparsi) February 24, 2017

Over on our side of the world, theres the strong sense that Europe and the EU should be doing more.

One highflyer has shown a high level of responsibility and support for those in need, and no, it isnt just Germany: its Sweden.

51,000 of them Similarly to Jordan, Sweden has earned the reputation of being Europes most welcoming country over the years by accepting immigrants from many European nations as well as further afield. Numbers reached a record high in 2015 when 163,000 immigrants applied for asylum, withbeing Syrian. Swedens Justice and Migration Minister Morgan Johansson said his country has given protection to 143,000 Syrians since the civil war began.

any other developed nation As a result the country has earned the title of taking in more refugees per capita than

But also, as a less fortunate result, it appears that may have been one of its biggest downfalls.

withdrawing their applications journalist recently sent to crime-ridden suburbs There have been issues with unexpectedly long processing waits and restrictive rules for reuniting families  four and a half thousand asylum seekers ended upin 2016. There were also issues with providing actual shelter  many refugees are homeless; and, most disruptively, there are integration problems; you may remember theto report on what life is like there for the locals now.

Any journalist claiming Sweden is safe; I will pay for travel costs & accommodation for you to stay in crime ridden migrant suburbs of Malmo  Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) February 20, 2017

at a press conference Swedens deputy PM Asa Romson was visibly upset when she announcedin 2015 that its open door policy would be coming to an end, stating: We simply cannot do any more.

But despite all this, Sweden has maintained its pride in what it has done and its confidence that it will manage.
Some 9,000 Londoners will needlessly lose their lives in 2017.

A killer is on the loose. Weaving its way through the darkened streets of Central London. Anyone is a target.

Youd be forgiven for mistaking this as an opening line of a Sherlock Holmes investigation. Or a history book into the life of Londons most infamous murderer, Jack the Ripper. The culprit is in fact among us, day by day, an omnipresent force that is everywhere but cannot be seen.

Londons air pollution crisis is to blame, now at its worst level since the 1952 toxic fog disaster, and the lives and health of citizens across the capital are now at risk.

In an age of advancements with eco-friendly cars and machines, a Central London congestion charge, and a relatively efficient public transport system. It seems crazy to suggest that air quality is worse for Londoners now than it arguably ever has been.

With Particulate Matter (PM) at double the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines and air pollution exceeding that of smog-infested Beijing on 23rd January of this year, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan must act now to prevent serious harm or death to the civilians, workers and children inhabiting his city.

On average 9,000 lives are lost per year in the capital as a result of poor air quality, with 8.3% of deaths in Kensington and Chelsea attributable to the quality of air in the surrounding area.

Figures like this are comparable to lives lost in the whole of the Ukraine Conflict and the 2015 Nepal earthquake. It is a figure that would equate to six Titanic sinkings, and is three times the figure of the lives lost in the worst terrorist attack on US soil on September 11th 2001. Two historic events which led to a dramatic change in perceptions and safety measures.

The 1956 Clean Air Act, introduced by Parliament after the 1952 smog crisis, led to the development of smoke control areas where only smokeless fuels could be burned. The act also pushed to relocate power stations away from cities and for chimney heights to be increased to push the smog away from Central London.

So why is the government and the Mayor of London doing so little to help Londoners with the modern-day crisis?

Khan has committed an extra 875 million to improving air quality over the next five years. He has also promised the introduction of a T-Charge from 23rd October from this year, a new scheme which will see vehicles that do not comply with safety measures receiving a fee on top of the current congestion charge, putting the price of driving on the capitals roads at 21.50 per day.

The promise of a new Ultra Low Emission Zone in 2019 might seem like a nice touch Mr Khan, but with a small catchment area, what gains are really going to be felt? With pollution levels not set to drop below legal levels until 2025, Khan must look at the long-term legacy of his actions rather than ticking short-term inefficient boxes to fulfil his duty as Mayor. Yes, it is vital to introduce short-term measures to prevent the European Court slapping the nation with a 300 million fine, but the bigger picture also needs to be considered.

With the capital breaching EU commission rules, what is the fate of the nation post-Brexit? With no-one to hold the government to account in dealing with the air pollution crisis, things could spiral out of control and above the already dangerous state in which it currently sits. Khan must therefore put his efforts into securing the safety of Londoners beyond the awaited trigger of Article 50 and Theresa Mays Brexit negotiations.

Instead, Khan has started weakly with minimal and inefficient gains. His refusal to ban diesel vehicles from the streets at the expense of an increased charge means that only inner city boroughs, around 300,000 people in total, will reap some sort of benefit from the new T-Charge; not the three million Londoners that will still be living in polluted and dangerous areas.

Furthermore, researchers at Kings College London found evidence to suggest that the introduction of Ken Livingstones Low Emission Zone in 2008 has had little to no effect on overall pollution levels, so surely Khans new schemes are not going to be tackling the problem head on either.

With 1,000 schools situated just 150 metres or less from busy, highly polluted main roads, as well as 438 schools directly located in areas which exceed legal pollution levels, the safety of the citys children is now at risk. A dangerous prospect when considering that increased nitrogen levels do increase the risk of heart and lung diseases later in life.

But should we as a city really care about air quality? The answer is yes. Experts may argue that the air is safe; the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) argue that between 1970 and 2015 there was a long-term decrease in UK emissions of all air pollutants. But this isnt the point.

London is a thriving city, arguably the worlds capital and one which welcomes visitors from across the United Kingdom, Europe and the world on a daily basis. Although, it will be interesting to see how long that status can be retained if air quality cannot be kept to safer levels. People are being put off the citys culture, charm and wonder because they no longer feel safe.

The tragic tale of how one student suffering from asthma had to give up on studying for her PHD in London illustrates how bad things have become. The quality of air in the capital is damaging peoples lives and must be stopped, and fast.

Image Credit - David Merrigan, Flickr Creative Commons
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JW Marriott Phuket scoops TCEB MICE Venue Standard Award

PHUKET: JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa has won the prestigious Thailand MICE Venue Standard Award bestowed by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) for its Mai Khao Salon C meeting venue.



By The Phuket News

Saturday 18 March 2017, 10:33AM

JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa General Manager Oriol Montal (right) received the award from Deputy Prime Minister Gen Thanasak Patimaprakorn at the Thailand MICE Venue Standard Award Ceremony in Bangkok.

JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa General Manager Oriol Montal (right) received the award from Deputy Prime Minister Gen Thanasak Patimaprakorn at the Thailand MICE Venue Standard Award Ceremony in Bangkok.

General Manager Oriol Montal received the award from Deputy Prime Minister Gen Thanasak Patimaprakorn during an award ceremony at the MICE Standard Day 2017 event held at the Plaza Athenee Bangkok on March 13.

The award recognises that the hotels meeting facilities are exemplary of the TCEB criterias among 101 MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions) venues across the country.

The standardisation of a wide range of venues under the Thailand MICE Venue Standard program is among the key initiatives the TCEB has undertaken over the past four years. The campaign was created to help MICE venues in Thailand meet internationally recognised standards, as this is one of the key factors for organisers when choosing Thailand as their destination for MICE events.

The TCEB is at the forefront of the MICE industry in Asean, and are rolling out the program nationwide, with a focus on three target groups including convention/exhibition centres, hotels and resorts, and public/private organisations.

It is an honour to receive the Thailand MICE Venue Standard Award this year. To be certified by the government leading edge agency, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), this will lift our reputation in meetings and events business segment as well as to benchmark with Asean MICE Venue Standard (AMVS).

We are very excited to hear about the TCEB strategic roadmap throughout the development courses and programs announced at the event. In 2017, its the year of MICE business, we definitely focus and work closely with the TCEB organisation to develop our products and services and ensure that our venues and facilities are met with meetings and events enquiries, Mr Oriol said.

The JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, which provides 10 meeting rooms and boasts a 636-square-metre Mai Khao Ballroom that can accommodate up to 450 guests. The venue features state-of-the-art latest audio visual system with natural daylight and flexible to breakout rooms. The beachfront tropical setting can seat up to 600 and gives clients a choice of indoor and outdoor venues for MICE and Phuket weddings.
Myanmar's 'smiling' Irrawaddy dolphins on brink of extinction

Tears fill Maung Lay's eyes as he describes losing the dolphin he knew since his childhood, the latest casualty of a battle against pollution and electro-fishing that may see the species disappear in Myanmar.



By AFP

Saturday 18 March 2017, 10:00AM

An Irrawaddy river dolphin is seen jumping in the water near Mandalay, Myanmar. Photo: AFP

In Laos, the Irrawaddy dolphin was declared 'functionally extinct' by the World Wildlife Fund in October 2016. Photo: AFP/Wildlife Conservation Fund

By Caroline Henshaw

Loved for generations for corralling the catch into fishermen's nets, the smiling Irrawaddy dolphins are being killed in record numbers by rogue gangs who use car batteries to stun aquatic life.

The illegal technique now threatens to wipe out the dolphins and the tourist bonanza they promise.

Maung Lay's dolphin, known as Thar Gyi Ma, was found washed up on the banks of the river in November. When locals cut her body open, they found she was pregnant.

She is irreplaceable because she's like my own parents. I'm heartbroken, the 55-year-old said inside his bamboo hut, in a small village a few hours by boat from Mandalay.

I laid wreaths and flowers for her by the river.

Irrawaddy dolphins can be found in rivers, lakes and seas across southern Asia, from the northwest Bay of Bengal, in India, to the south of Indonesia.

On this stretch of river in Myanmar the animals have developed a deep bond with local fishermen, who they work with in a generations-old partnership that has become the stuff of local folklore.

With careful choreography, locals call the animals using a throaty purr, splashing their oars and tapping on the side of the boat.

The dolphins signal they are ready to begin with a flick of a fin, before driving the fish towards the fishermen's boats where they are scooped up by waiting nets.

Maung Lay said he had spent more than 30 years fishing with one group of seven dolphins, led by Thar Gyi Ma.

I'm sorry for the great loss because she's the leader of her group, he said sorrowfully.

The others are not skilled like her.

In neighbouring Laos, the Irrawaddy dolphin was declared functionally extinct by the World Wildlife Fund in October 2016 after just three individuals were counted during their latest survey.

There is now little hope for a reversal of the situation, the WWF said.

In Myanmar, officials say there only 62 Irrawaddy dolphins thought to be left, after a record three were killed last year.

We lost the highest number of dolphins (in 2016), said Jaw Kar, the deputy head of Mandalay's fishery department.

He blamed pollution from mining upriver in Kachin state, where chemical-heavy gold prospecting has boomed since the former military government stepped down in 2011.

Run-off from agricultural fertilizers is also thought to be poisoning the water.

But fishermen say the greatest danger comes from rogue gangs who are wiping out river life in their quest for easy money.

Initially these electro-fisherman used small batteries attached to wire wound around bamboo poles to shock fish within a close radius, a cheap and effective way to bolster their catch.

Now locals say they have moved on to using car batteries, high-voltage transformers and trawling nets.

Even a big buffalo couldn't stand such an electric shock, said fisherman Thein San Min, 26, who lives in another village on the river's edge.

Electro-fishing around Mandalay is punishable by up to three years in jail and a fine of 200,000 kyat ($150)  a small fortune for local villagers.

But conservationists say there is little they can do to stop the fishing gangs, who attack anyone daring to venture into their territory.

Villagers refused to take us to where the electro-fishermen live citing safety concerns.

For Irrawaddy locals, losing the dolphins is not just about destroying traditions from their past  it threatens their future.

With fish stocks plummeting there are hopes eco-tourism will prove a lifeline to bolster meagre incomes.

Visitor numbers have soared in the five years since the end of military rule and authorities are hoping to lure as many as 7.5 million people a year to Myanmar by 2019.

Wildlife Conservation Society ecotourism manager Thant Zin has set up a dolphin-watching program to attract tourists, which he believes will provide an incentive for locals to protect the animals and their habitat.

He is training villagers from a string of Irrawaddy villages in cooking, hospitality and environmentally responsible guiding.

This is a very important business for the community, he said.

But some fishermen fear the electro-fishing gangs may already have destroyed the special bond that existed between man and beast.

Dolphins in the Irrawaddy river used to appear wherever we called them, Thein San Min said.

We worry because they won't come close to us, although we coax them. It seems now we will have to watch them from far away.
Phuket wildlife experts fear for future of slow loris as development bites

PHUKET: A slow loris found wandering into a residents house in central Phuket last night has been handed over to wildlife officials for care and protection.

animalsnatural-resourcesenvironmentlandpropertytourism

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Saturday 18 March 2017, 04:00PM

Free again, the slow loris climbs a tree to return to the wild. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The slow loris shows a little more enthusiasm about returning to the wild. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The slow loris is at first apprehensive about returning to the wild. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The slow loris safely recovered in Phuket last night was handed over to wildlife officials earlier today (Mar 18). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The resident called Kusoldharm rescue workers after finding the slow loris in his house in Moo 1 Baan Lipon, in Srisoonthorn, yesterday evening.

Rescue workers soon arrived to collect the protected animal, and today (Mar 18) handed over the wide-eyed mammal to wildlife officials from the Khao Phra Thaew Non-Hunting Area conservation centre in Thalang, where it was released back into the forest.

Pongchart Chouehorm, Director of the Khao Phra Thaew Non-Hunting Area Office, told The Phuket News that concern was growing over the welfare of slow lorises in the ever-diminishing wilds of Phuket.

We are very worried for the slow loris in Phuket because the forest that is its natural habitat is being cut down to make way for more and more buildings, Mr Pongchart said.

We are finding more and more slow lorises that are lost and entering residents homes and buildings. The lucky ones are returned to their native habitat, but some are taken and kept in cages as pets, and others are taken and used by people to charge tourists to have their photos taken with them.

Other slow lorises are killed by electricity cables or hit by vehicles, he added.

Mr Pongchart called on anyone who finds a slow loris in an unnatural area to call the Kusoldharm Foundation at 076-246216 or 076-211706.

People who find a slow loris should not approach them, and certainly not harm them. They must inform officials so the slow loris can be returned to its habitat.

The slow loris is a protected animal. People caught in possession of a slow loris will face legal action, he warned.

Any persons who see a slow loris being kept as a pet or used by touts are urged to inform the Khao Phra Thaew Non-Hunting Area at 076-311998.
Police arrest suspect in mass eat and run case

SPAIN: Spanish police have arrested a Romanian man suspected of being the ringleader of a large group of people who ate thousands of euros worth of food at two restaurants before fleeing without paying the bill.

crimeimmigration

By AFP

Saturday 18 March 2017, 03:00PM

The restaurant at the Hotel Carmen, Bembibre. Photo: hotelelcarmenbembibre.es

The 48-year-old was detained in the northwestern city of Ponferrada in the province of Leon, and police are looking for a second Romanian suspect, the interior ministry said.

Police launched their investigation after a group of over 100 people, purporting to celebrate a baptism, enjoyed a 2,000-euro (B75,241) banquet on February 27 at the Hotel Carmen restaurant in Bembibre, northern Spain, before promptly doing a runner.

They were dancing, then suddenly they had disappeared. In one minute, a hundred people had left, restaurant boss Antonio Rodriguez told Cadena Ser radio.

They didnt leave in little groups  no, they went all at once.

It later emerged that another restaurant about 10 kilometres away in Ponferrada was also the scene of a similar heist in mid-February  that time by a group of around 200 people.

They were allegedly celebrating a wedding, when they also fled without paying a bill of some 10,000-12,000 euros.

In both crimes, the modus operandi was the same, the interior ministry statement said.

The arrested man posed as the godfather of the baptised child and the father of the groom when he made the bookings, local newspaper Diario de Leon reported.
USD women's basketball to show what new group can do following Sweet 16

USD
An American business group will organise a conference here to discuss the latest developments and best practices of doing business in India.

The two-day Houston India conference will begin from March 24. The theme of the Conference is 'Make in India The Inside Story'.

The conference is designed to bring various constituencies that have an interest in India together and discuss with them the latest developments and the best practices of doing business in India, the organisers said.

'Make in India' is a major initiative of India, designed to foster innovation, enhance skills development, protect intellectual property, build best in class manufacturing infrastructure, facilitate investment and collaboration, they said.

India is one of the major business partners for companies in Texas. There is a large Indian presence in the educational, medical and research institutes that Houston is renowned for, they said.

The GDP of Texas at $1.7 trillion would make it the 10th largest economy in the world, if it were an independent nation. Texas is home to 54 (or 11 per cent) of Fortune 500 companies, the organisers said.

"The focus of the conference is to share today's India story with the audience in Texas who are interested in investing in India, by the people who are playing an important role in shaping up the modern India," said Jagdip Ahluwalia, founding Secretary of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce and its Executive Director.

"This conference will not only bring together individuals and organisations in Texas or India that have an interest in investing or doing business with each other but will also catalyse the emergence of a major network in Texas interested in doing business in India," he added.

The conference has a series of panel discussions on the state of the Indian economy and politics, and to explore India's growing soft power on the global stage.

The panelists are some of the most respected voices, including foreign policy experts, business pioneers, and thought leaders sharing their insights on the unique Indian way of thinking.

"We have speakers who have expanded brands in India, journalists, foreign policy experts, and movers and shakers who are writing story of today's India. This event presents a chance to learn lessons from them on what it takes to do business in India and with India," said Indian Consul General Anupam Ray.

"We expect to have a large and interested audience by combining the networks of the organisations engaged in the conference, mostly top businessmen; active investors and money managers; a collection of business school and public policy school deans; and local government officials", said Jiten Agarwal, Chair of the Houston India Conference.

Prominent speakers include, India's Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal, Foreign Policy Expert Dhruva Jaishankar.
Finance ministers from the world's biggest economies were battling on Saturday to halt a bid by US President Donald Trump's administration to roll back hard-fought pledges on trade and climate.

Representatives from G20 nations have gathered in the picturesque western German spa town of Baden Baden since on Friday for a meeting clouded by concerns over Trump's "America First" policy and scepticism towards climate change.

Trump, whose tough protectionist talk helped win him the presidency, has withdrawn the US from a trans-Pacific free trade pact and attacked export giants China and Germany.

On Thursday, he also revealed a budget plan that would make good on a campaign pledge to drastically scale back environment-related funding.

That stance has grated Washington's partners, who are trying to persuade US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to renew a long-standing G20 anti-protectionism commitment and uphold an international deal on climate won only after years of painful negotiations.

But talks have so far failed to produce a breakthrough for consensus, and the clock is ticking down to the close of the two-day session when a final statement is due to be published.

A source close to the negotiations said that "there will be nothing on climate in the communique  a sign of the discord".

"The US says that on this issue, the position hasn't been clearly defined in Washington and they need time," added the source.

On trade, Washington is calling into question the current international trade regulation system under the World Trade Organisation  a move which the source said is "unacceptable".

French Finance Minister Michel Sapin said leaders would be asked to step in when they meet in Hamburg if no agreement can be found.

"Our heads of states are meeting in a few weeks. On subjects that are so important, it's not up to the finance ministers to block or to walk back on the issue, there will not be any backsliding on such fundamental issues," he said.

Carried to power on the back of a political storm over deindustrialisation in vast areas of the US, Trump vowed in his inauguration speech to "follow two simple rules: buy American and hire American."

Trump himself insisted at a tense Washington press conference Friday following his first meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel that "I'm a free trader but also a fair trader".

He also rejected a description of his policies as "isolationist."

But the differences between the two were laid bare as Merkel took the opportunity to push back against Trump's calls for individual trade deals with European countries, suggesting instead that the White House "come back to the table and talk" about a stalled US-European Union pact.
Days after they became VVIPs, newly appointed Punjab ministers including the chief minister (CM) Capt Amarinder

Singh on Saturday decided against using the biggest symbol of being a VIP  the red beacon light.

In the very first meeting chaired by Captain Amarinder, the council of ministers decided against use of red beacon lights by the CM, ministers, MLAs and government officials.

Red beacon light will only be allowed for ambulances, fire brigade vehicles and the vehicles chief justice and judges of Punjab and Haryana High Court.

"Use of red beacon has become illegal in Punjab," finance minister, Manpreet Singh Badal, told reporters while informally briefing about the decisions taken during the over-three hour meeting held two days after the Congress took over Punjabs reins.

In all, 118 items were discussed during the meeting and more than 100 decisions were taken to fulfilling the electoral promises.

A formal notification to this effect will be issued after a new policy on use of such beacon lights on vehicles is formulated, an official spokesman said.

The council of ministers also decided to ban foreign travel of all ministers, MLAs and officials on government expense for two years, except where it is so mandated or provided under and bilateral agreement or arrangement.

In another decision, the council of ministers decided that the CM, minister or legislators will lay the foundation stone of any project or inaugurate the same. "To the most, if a project is of over Rs.100 crore, only a stone will be placed there saying "this project was completed with the money collected from the taxes paid by the people," Badal said.

He said it has also been decided that all legislators and ministers will make public their property every month. "A anti-graft Lok Bill more stringent than the one brought by social activist Anna Hazare will be brought and everyone including the CM will be covered under its purview," the minister said.

He said 33 per cent reservation will now be given to women in all government jobs including contractual. "Thirty-five per cent reservation will be given to women in local body elections," Badal said.

For loan-waiver, a decision was taken to set up a group of experts to assess and analyse the quantum of the agriculture debt of farmers in the state, and propose ways and means to waive the debt in a time-bound manner.

The Amarinder Singh government also decided to exempt media persons from payment of toll tax on the state highways.
Commuters are in for a tough week ahead as the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Saturday announced that it would shut all stations in NCR region from 11.30 pm Sunday, in view of likely escalation of the Jat agitation in Haryana.

The Metro stations will be closed till further orders, sources said.

Jat protesters are set to intensify their agitation on Monday, demanding government jobs and education. In view of it, the DMRC has been asked by the Delhi Police to halt all trains on all lines in Delhi on Sunday night.

Also, exit at 12 stations in central Delhi will be closed from 8 pm Sunday onwards. Police chiefs of Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Faridabad have been informed by DMRC in a letter written to them.

"All entry gates of all Metro stations outside Delhi shall remain closed from 11.30 pm on March 19 till closure of arrangements by Delhi Police," the DMRC wrote.

To prevent any untoward incident, the DMRC has requested Delhi Police necessary arrangements to be made for maintenance of law and order at these stations.
Prohibitory orders banning the assembly of five or more persons have been in this suburb of the national capital in view of a court likely to pronounce sentence on those convicted for the violence at a Maruti Suzuki plant in Manesar that left a senior officer dead and several others injured.

The decision to impose Section 144 of the Code for Criminal Procedure in Gurugram district with immediate effect and till May 14 also comes in the wake of plans of Jat protesters from Haryana to take their stir to Delhi on March 20.

The district administration is prepared to meet all eventualities, an official said on Saturday.

The violence on July 18, 2012, on Maruti Suzuki India's Manesar plant near here had left the company's Human Resource Department General Manager Ashwin Kumar Dev dead and over 50 persons injured. Several policemen were also injured in the fracas.

As per orders issued by District Magistrate Hardeep Singh, all unlawful activities, blocking of roads, passages, railway tracks, water channels, power houses etc. by agitators have been banned.

Carrying of firearms, batons and sharp-edged weapons of offence that are likely to cause obstruction in maintenance of peace and tranquility has also been prohibited.

Any person contravening the order is liable for punishment under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.

The orders will not apply to police force and other public servants on duty for maintenance of law and order.

A senior district official said that during February 2016 agitation by the Jats, Gurugram district remained peaceful even as violence was reported from other districts.

At that time, the borders of Gurgaon district along Jhajjar district and Kapashera area in Delhi were sealed.
A day after security was beefed up in Taj Mahal after a reported threat from ISIS, two low-intensity blasts were reported in the tourist hub of Agra in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday morning.

As per reports, one explosion took place in the Agra Cantonment Railway Station area and the second explosion took place at a house close to the railway station.

The local police is reported to be probing the matter and no injuries have been reported so far.

The blasts come just a day after a pro-ISIS media group had published a graphic depicting Taj Mahal as its next possible target.
Akshay Kumar is busy shooting for his upcoming projects currently. But nothing, not even his busy schedule can pulled him away from spending time with team Baby.

The actor is flying to Delhi to meet the cast and crew of Baby, who are on a promotional spree of its prequel  Naam Shabana. And, it is for the first time in Bollywood that a prequel to a movie is made. Baby was made in 2015.

The whole cast and crew of the movie Baby are seen in the trailer. They will be flying from different locations.

Thee team is set to showcase few unanticipated looks from the movie. The spin-off will see new characters which are played by Manoj Bajpayee and Prithviraj Sukumaran who join the Baby team for this outing.
As women saftey becomes a matter of serious concern to the society following the increasing number of crime against women across the country, Taapsee Pannu wants to spread awareness among girls and women of the biggest weapon to safeguard themselves.

The actress feels that "the biggest weapon every female has for her safety is herself", and is keen on teaching kudo to wowmen, sources close to her said.

Taapsee, who is playing a role of an undercover agent in her new release Naam Shabana, wants to highlight the importance of self-defence for women.

The actress is keen on teaching kudo to women, and is looking forward to teach the basics of the martial art kudo, which is an offical Japanese cultural Budo sport. The sport consists of kicks, punches and submission techniques on the ground.

Ive learned the basics of kudo and mixed martial arts (MMA), which will help me in my self-defence," Taapsee said.

The actress stressed the importance of self defense in view of the rising violence against women.

"In view of the rising violence against women, it is important for every woman to know the basics of self defense, and I would like to take a step to teach them, the actress said.

Taapsee stars in 'Naam Shabana,' India's first spin-off, based on her character in Neeraj Pandey's Baby. She essays the role of an undercover agent in the film.

To perform the stunts herself, Taapse has undergone intense training sessions in Mixed Martial Arts.

Baby's prequel Naam Shabana directed by Shivam Nair is all set to release on March 31, 2017.
I wish to go home. But who will trace my roots and who will take me there? Its enough that they take care of me, said Ram Singh, 47, a Nepalese, who is bedridden for ten years at an old age home in Shimla.

Ram Singh is from Gunam in Rolpa district in Nepal and had come to Himachal Pradesh in search of employment while he was a minor. He injured his spine, when he worked as daily wagers in forests under a private contractor with the State Forest Development Corporation to lift the logs of woods.

I was admitted to Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) hospital in Shimla with serious injuries by the contractor, who never returned after leaving me there. I was hospitalised for long and was then shifted to this Home, Ram Singh told The Statesman.

I dont even remember my home in Nepal as I left it in childhood for work, said another inmate from Nepal, Sonam Bahadur, 43.

Sonams legs were amputated some years ago after he met with an accident in the forest. He has, however, learnt to brave the odds of disability as he moves around on inexpensive indigenous seat, which he manually operates.

Like Ram Singh, Sonam too was abandoned in the hospital by the contractor he worked with and his treatment expenses were also reportedly borne by Red Cross Society and the authorities at IGMC, then.

These are not the isolated cases of poor Nepalese housed in this Old Age Home, Basantpur in Shimla district, run by the Social Welfare Board.

There are eight such inmates here, who belong to Nepal and had left their native place long back in search of livelihood, for poverty back home. Among others, these include a deaf and dumb widow, Ganga Devi rescued from Rohru (Shimla) with her husband (who died later) and elderly Bal Bahadur, who earlier lived in a self-created cave like structure in abject poverty a rock near Shimla.

In all, there are 38 inmates from different parts of India in the Home.

With no official requirement of documents in hand, the Nepalese inmates have no clue about their roots. By the time they grew up here, they lost touch with their family members in Nepal. There is no mechanism in the state, as well, to find out their background in routine, for lack of link ups, resources, time and above all, priority.

Where to go? Its our compulsion to live in captivity. God has at least given us shelter and food, said Sonam.

He points to the lock at the gate of Home that bars all inmates (even the normal ones) from moving out for a puff of fresh air. This conveyed his untold pain even more.
Following media reports that the two missing Indian clerics are believed to be in the custody of Pakistan Intelligence Agency, Sajid Ali, son of one of the missing clerics Syed Asif li Nizami urged the Pakistan agencies to free both the missing clerics.

"Would like to request Pakistan agencies to free both of them and they were not involved in any unwanted activities," Sajid Ali, son of one of the missing clerics Syed Asif li Nizami said.

"Came to know through media about the ISI link. Both had complete documents, visa and everything required," he added.

Two missing Indian clerics of Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah are in custody of Pakistan's intelligence agencies, an unnamed official was quoted as saying by a news agency.

Expressing deep concern over the case, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday had said that she has spoken to the Pakistani authorities about the matter.

The Pakistan Foreign Office had on Friday also said that they have taken the matter of tracing the two Indian Sufi clerics who went missing in Pakistan since Wednesday.

Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria had confirmed the request which had been received and forwarded to the Interior Ministry, who are pursuing the matter.

The two Indian nationals identified as Syed Asif li Nizami and his nephew Nazim Ali Nizami, who went to Pakistan on March 17, were reported missing after they landed at Karachi airport.

Syed Asif Ali Nizami is the head priest (Sajjadanashin) of Hazrat Nizammuddin Aulia dargah. The two priests had gone to Pakistan as part of exchanges between Hazrat Nizamuddin dargah in India and Data Darbar in Lahore.
The UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and India will jointly conduct a course here to strengthen senior leadership capacity on effective planning and conducting of integrated UN peace support operations.

The Senior Mission Leaders Course (SMLC) will be held at the Centre for UN Peacekeeping from 20-31 March, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

A total of 25 participants from 18 countries will attend the course along with 21 UN officials, senior mentors, facilitators and presenters.

The annual course is conducted with the objective of strengthening the senior leadership's capacity through training on effective planning and conducting of integrated UN peace support operations.

It provides a forum for the participants to interact on diverse issues related to peace and security; and challenges faced by them in UN missions. Participants in this course are high ranking military, police and civilian officials and who are expected to assume senior leadership positions in future UN Peace operations.

India continues its strong commitment to UN Peacekeeping both through enhanced contributions and peacekeeping capacity building efforts in recent times.

More than 2,00,000 Indian troops, military observers and civilian police officers have participated in 48 out of the 69 UN Peacekeeping Operations and Observer Missions established since 1948.

The keynote address at the inaugural session at the Manekshaw Centre will be delivered by Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs Preeti Saran, and attended by Deputy Chief of Army Staff (IS&T) Gen J S Cheema and Jack Christofides, Director, Department of Policy, Evaluation & Training (DPET), United Nations.
The two missing Indian clerics are believed to be in the custody of Pakistan Intelligence Agency (PIA), according to official sources on Saturday.

"Two missing Indian clerics of Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah are in custody of Pakistan's intelligence agencies," an official was quoted as saying by a news agency.

Expressing deep concern over the case, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday had said that she has spoken to the Pakistani authorities about the matter.

The Pakistan Foreign Office had on Friday also said that they have taken the matter of tracing the two Indian Sufi clerics who went missing in Pakistan since Wednesday.

Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria had confirmed the request which had been received and forwarded to the Interior Ministry, who are pursuing the matter.

The two Indian nationals identified as Syed Asif li Nizami and his nephew Nazim Ali Nizami, who went to Pakistan on March 17, were reported missing after they landed at Karachi airport.

Syed Asif Ali Nizami is the head priest (Sajjadanashin) of Hazrat Nizammuddin Aulia dargah. The two priests had gone to Pakistan as part of exchanges between Hazrat Nizamuddin dargah in India and Data Darbar in Lahore.
As mystery continues over the name of the new Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, the newly-elected members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are scheduled to meet on Saturday in Lucknow at 4 pm to elect the successor to the Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav.

The top contenders to lead the post are Union Minister Manoj Sinha, Union Finance Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP's UP unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and BJP MP Yogi Adityanath.

With just hours away to elect the new leader to head Indias largest state, Keshav Maurya met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah.

Adityanath also reached Lucknow while Sinha reached Babatpur airport to leave for Lucknow.

In another major development, Manoj Sinha is almost certain to be the new CM although Maurya was still in the race.

"It is almost decided. The announcement is likely to be made after the (newly-elected) BJP MLAs meet in Lucknow," said an informed source to a news agency.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu, who arrived in Lucknow to hold meeting with the BJP MLAs, has dismissed all the media reports and said the names are solely based on speculation.

"Names in the media reports are pure speculative, on Saturday evening we will be meeting the MLAs and then we will decide," Naidu said.

Earlier on Saturday, Sinha offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath and the Kaal Bhairav temples in Varanasi.

Sinha on Friday denied any reports for his name being dragged in the race for the coveted post.

"Neither I am in the race for UP CM nor do I know of any such race," Sinha said.

The BJP made a comeback to power in the state after 15 years, securing 312 seats out of 403 in the recent Assembly elections,
ON March 11, a rare event took place in Beijing. The seven members of the Politburos Standing Committee ~ Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli ~ dined together. According to Xinhua, they attended a gathering on the sidelines of the annual sessions of the NPC and the CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People. The Seven Big Bosses met with the deputies of the ethnic minorities elected to the National Peoples Congress (NPC) and the Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Is this an indication that something is boiling in the Tibetan, Uyghur and other areas in China that are dominated by minorities? Xinhua reported that Xi Jinping and his colleagues arrived at the banquet hall of the Great Hall of the People at 7:45 p.m. to the enthusiastic applause from the lawmakers and political advisors in ethnic costumes. Kalsang, a Tibetan sitting next to the President, would have said: Good evening, General Secretary.

Xi was pleased to learn about improved life in his village, where big changes in education, medical services, elderly care and housing have taken place, according to the news agency. He told a deputy from Xinjiang that they need to make solid efforts for ethnic unity and lead people in pursuing a well-off life.

It looks as if ethnic unity is absent in todays China. While a Tibetan senior Communist official, Jampa Phuntsok, presided over the dinner, the other leaders had cordial conversations with the lawmakers and advisors, encouraging them to contribute to the Chinese nations rejuvenation, commented Xinhua.

Sun Chunlan, director of the United Front Work Department and member of the Politburo, stated that the Party attaches great importance to ethnic work and has made a set of decisions and arrangements to support ethnic regions. Xinhua noted that everyone was happy: Attendees of the gathering also enjoyed performances showcasing Chinas ethnic arts.

Tibetans and Uyghurs might be happy, but this unusual gathering raises serious questions. Why should Chinas seven supreme leaders need to dine together with the representatives of Chinas minorities, if there were no disturbing issues to be discussed?

It is a fact that the Middle Kingdoms periphery is today terribly unstable and Beijing does not know how to handle the situation (except by increasing the repression and offering a few economic carrots). And more repression automatically brings more resentment; a vicious circle!

A day before the dinner, the Chinese media reported that President Xi Jinping had urged the security forces to erect a Great Wall of Steel around Xinjiang, after a recent spike of attacks, blamed by the authorities on Islamic extremists. Xi was speaking to PLAs officers; he requested the Armed Forces to bring lasting peace and stability to Xinjiang: Maintaining stability in Xinjiang is a political responsibility, Xi said.

During the same NPC meeting, some senior officials from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region remarked that the region has maintained a high-pressure crackdown to ensure stability and safety, as destabilizing factors remain.

Shohrat Zakir, chairman of the regional government, stated that Xinjiang had been resolutely and forcefully fighting terrorism to maintain stability in the past year. People across Xinjiang have recently joined public gatherings to show resolve in fighting terrorism.

Sharhat Ahan, deputy secretary of the regions Commission for Political and Legal Affairs, pleaded for a popular mobilization to join the peoples war against terrorism and he threatened: Terrorists should be warned not to hit the rock with eggs or they would face serious consequences.

And this is the country which does not want to list Masood Azhar as a terrorist.

A couple of articles in The South China Morning Post confirm that all is not rosy on Chinas Muslim front. In the first piece, the journalist reported about a small ethnic Hui town in the south-western border province of Yunnan ~ While the Chinese government has cracked down on religious activities among the Muslim Uygur community in Xinjiang, ethnic Hui Muslims more closely integrated with Han Chinese society have been able to enjoy much greater religious freedom. However, growing Islamophobia in China has seen both groups targeted by online attacks at a time when anti-Muslim rhetoric is on the rise across the world.

The Islamophobia is partly due to the severe repression in Xinjiang and the Partys constant propaganda about Muslim terrorists. The traditionally well-integrated Hui community is becoming nervous: With the countrys top leaders repeatedly warning of the dangers of radical Islam, increasing levels of online hate speech are fuelling concerns that the heavy controls in Xinjiang could be extended to the Hui community in Yunnan, remarked the article.

Another article in the same Hong Kong newspaper noted: The growing popularity of anti-Islamic rhetoric, which is seldom challenged by state media or subject to the censorship for which Chinas internet is famous, has sparked concerns that, left unaddressed, these tensions will spill over into real world conflict.

The issue has become so serious that the entire Politburos Standing Committee had to invite the deputies of Tibet, Xinjiang or Ningxia to reassure them. Whether this work on the ground is another issue.

In January, the Chinese media reported that eight people were killed in a violent attack in Pishan county of Hotan Prefecture in Southern Xinjiang. According to the local Government, three knife-wielding men attacked and stabbed several people. Subsequently, the police shot dead the three attackers and ten others were injured. The Chinese media asserted: Order has been restored and an investigation is ongoing. The identity of the attackers was not disclosed, but they were obviously Uyghurs.

A few days earlier, Radio Free Asia (RFA) had reported that Uyghurs had been called to several meetings to confess their crimes. According to RFA, this was part of a campaign called Revealing Errors; the meetings were held in Aksu Prefecture to uncover behaviour considered politically destabilizing. The same source added: Residents are called to a podium one by one to confess these errors after they have listed them on a 39-question form. They are also told they will face legal consequences if they attempt to cover up their own or anyone elses anti-state activities.

Does it not sound like the return of the Cultural Revolution?

The writer is an expert on China-Tibet relations and author of Fate of Tibet.
THE outcome of the Dutch parliamentary elections comes at a critical juncture for Europe, amidst the increasingly distressing tendency to blend populism with nationalism. One can almost hear a collective sigh of relief across the Continent after the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Ruttes triumph against the challenge of the anti-Islam, anti-EU, populist Geert Wilders. There is little doubt that the high turnout has yielded a decidedly pro-European result, signifying what the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has called a good day for democracy, verily a victory for Europes libertarian values. The defeat of the far Right is no less a victory against furious extremism that has roiled the Continent and different parts of the world in recent years. The result can be contextualised with nationalist trends across the Atlantic since last November. Mr Rutte has emitted a signal to the likes of Donald Trump that the Netherlands bears witness to a vote for free and tolerant societies. The Dutch voter has betrayed a remarkable degree of responsibility and maturity in a crucial moment for Europe as a whole. Small wonder that the parliamentary result in a relatively small country has been greeted with overwhelming applause as a robust expression of serious politics, responsible leadership, and a stout rejection of populism. The election will be documented for its pragmatism, and not for playing to a reckless gallery. The result conveys a signal too to France where the Right is straining every nerve for the electoral stakes this summer.

Beyond borders, the implications of the election are profound. Which alone explains why an influential swathe of the world was riveted to the vote. After Britains referendum to leave the EU ~ now fairly confirmed by both the Lords and the Commons ~ and President Trumps intensely nationalist agenda, a victory for Geert Wilders, who had pledged to de-Islamicise the Netherlands and take the country out of the EU if he won, would have sent shockwaves across Europe in a potentially critical year. The French far-right leader, Marine Le Pen, who has pledged a referendum on EU membership if she is the next resident of Elysee Palace, is expected to make the runoff round in the presidential elections. Germanys Eurosceptic Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) is said to be on course to win its first federal parliament seats later in the year. It is early days to speculate on a possible psephological swing across the Continent; but it shall be a great day in the contemporary history of Europe if this weeks Dutch vote can tilt the pattern generally. There may be hope yet for democracy, tolerance, religious denominations, and nationalities within one country. The world must keep its fingers crossed. Let Europe show the way to America.
There appears to be some truth in the assertion that the Bodo tangle continues even after their political and economic aspirations have been met. Since 2005 the Bodos have been enjoying autonomy under the Sixth Schedule, which is exclusively for hill tribes but was amended to accommodate the Bodos, who are a plains tribe. The person who clinched this is Hagrama Mohilary, who commanded the militant group, Bodo Liberation Tigers. The then BJP Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani persuaded him to lay down arms (apparently to shore up the partys image in the region as a peace-maker) and join the mainstream. At the time of taking over the leadership of the autonomous council, Mohilary made it clear that his main objective was to secure a separate state. Little wonder, because finance for development of autonomous councils is routed through Dispur.

Reports speak of 2,000 Bodos in Kokrajhar observing a hunger strike to demand a separate state. They have also threatened to blockade vital rail and road links that pass through their area and which serve the regions hill states. The separate state demand, however, is not new. The now-defunct Plains Tribal Council first espoused the cause of a separate state of Udaychal in the 1960s for plains tribes.

Later the All Bodo Students Union assumed leadership. In 2003, it signed an accord with then chief minister of Assam, Hiteswar Saikia, but it floundered within a few years over the issue of demarcation of borders. The trouble with the Bodos is that there are too many organisations and they are yet to realise that unless they sink their differences and make common cause, they cannot go ahead with any peace process.
More than 30 terrorists and nine security personnel have been killed in Pakistan since the army launched a major operation last month, the military said on Friday.

The military announced on February 22 the start of the countrywide operation codenamed "Radd-ul-Fasaad", ("Reject Discord"), after a series of terrorist attacks that killed over 100 people in the country.

According to the army's Inter-Service Public Relations, the security forces also foiled a number of terror attacks during the operation, which still continues across the country.

Nine security personnel have lost their lives in the operation.

In one of the major raids, five terrorist were killed on March 7 when they were planning to attack a judicial complex in Swabi, a district in northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

The intelligence-based operation targeted sleeping cells of the militants who were using their hideouts to facilitate the bombers for terror attacks.

Army spokesman Major Gen. Asif Ghafoor said in a statement earlier that the operation was aimed at "indiscriminately eliminating residual and latent threat of terrorism, consolidating gains of operations made thus far and further ensuring security of the borders."
Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski has announced a budgetary increase of up to $764 million for rebuilding the country after floods this week left 62 people dead, 170 injured, 11 missing and around 72,000 displaced in several regions.

Kuczynski, along with Finance Minister Alfredo Thorne, on Friday announced emergency decrees, which allow for budget increases for the reconstruction of infrastructure, and declared the Central Highway, which has constantly being affected by an overflowing Rimac river and landslides, in a state of emergency, Efe news reported.

The President said the government is in a better financial condition than 20 years ago to bear the cost of rebuilding and that even if the costs were to go up, there were funds to cover them.

"The government will have 2.5 billion soles ($764 million) available from Saturday, for reconstruction in all the affected districts," he said.

He added that 1.5 billion soles have been added to the budget to meet the emergency declared due to the natural disaster, adding to the existing amount of one billion soles.

The flood-response spending will come in addition to the $1.68 billion nationwide infrastructure plan he announced last week as an economic stimulus measure, the president said.

The Central Highway, the only paved road connecting Lima to central Peru, was operational on Friday, thereby preventing a shortage of necessities in the capital, but the force of the river carried away a stretch of the railway line running parallel to the highway.

The rising Rimac river also flooded several parts of San Juan de Lurigancho, the most populated district of Lima with 1.8 million inhabitants, while the Chillon river knocked down a bridge running through the capital, leading to a deployment of 8,000 police officers for rescue operations.

The worst affected is the North Pan-American Highway, that connects Lima with Ecuador, and along which three bridges have been destroyed, preventing aid from reaching the northern regions of Tumbes, Piura and Lambayeque, the worst affected by the disaster, by land.

The first batch of aid to these areas arrived via airlifts launched by the Peruvian Air Force with military aircrafts to carry aid and transport victims between Lima and the northern cities of Piura, Chiclayo and Trujillo.

One of the provinces with the most damage is Huarmey, in the Ancash region, about 280 km north of Lima, where some places are under half a meter of water and the hospital is flooded almost to the ceiling, according to Health Minister Patricia Garcia, who inspected the area.

In the south, the collapse of a dam holding 1.3 million cubic metres of water devastated the crops of at least 3,000 families.


Syria fired missiles at Israeli warplanes on a mission to destroy a weapons convoy destined for the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah prompting it to deploy its missile defence system, Israeli officials said, in a rare military exchange between the two hostile neighbours.

The Israeli military said its aircraft struck several targets in Syria and were back in Israeli-controlled airspace when several anti-aircraft missiles were launched from Syria toward the Israeli jets.

Israeli aerial defence systems intercepted one of the missiles, the army said, without elaborating. It would not say whether any other missiles struck Israeli-held territory, but said the safety of Israeli civilians and Israeli aircraft was

"not compromised."

Israel is widely believed to have carried out several air strikes in recent years on advanced weapons systems in Syria including Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles and Iranian-made missiles as well as Hezbollah positions. It rarely comments on such operations and the military statement detailing the raid and comments confirming the operation by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were highly unusual.

"Our policy is very consistent. When we identify attempts to transfer advanced weapons to the Hezbollah, and we have the intelligence and the operational capability, we act to prevent that. That is what was and that is what will be," Netanyahu said.

Hezbollah is fighting alongside President Bashar Assad in the brutal Syrian civil war. The Iran-backed group is sworn to

Israel's destruction and fought a month-long war with the Jewish state in 2006.

The firing of missiles from Syria toward Israeli aircraft is rare, though Israeli military officials reported a shoulder-fired missile attack a few months ago.

Israeli Channel 10 TV reported that Israel deployed its Arrow defence system for the first time against a real threat and hit an incoming missile, intercepting it before it exploded in Israel.

However, Arrow is designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles high in the stratosphere, so it remained unclear why the system would have been used in this particular incident.

The Israeli military would not comment on the type of system used.

Israel's powerful transportation and intelligence minister Yisrael Katz told the station "our message is clear, we will not be complacent with a Syrian policy that arms Hezbollah."

Katz said "the fact that the incident developed into a situation where Israel claimed responsibility and the Syrians responded is significant."

A Syrian military statement said four Israeli warplanes violated Syrian airspace flying into Syria through Lebanese territory and targeted a military position in central Syria.


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Patnaik's close aides say that to understand him, one has to understand his empathy

By Pratul Sharma/Photos Sanjay Ahlawat
Comedian and actor Kapil Sharma made a big announcement on Twitter on Saturday, when he posted a picture of the person who "completes" him. Posting adorable photographs of his girlfriend, Ginni, the 35-year-old actor wrote: "Will not say she is my better half . She completes me. love u ginni . please welcome her .I love her so much:)." Minutes before he uploaded the photo, Sharma teased his fans with a tweet that said: "Hi..want to share something very beautiful thing with u guys. wait for 30 mins." In another tweet, he posted a picture of Ginni, with a tweet directed at actor Deepika Padukone, humorously saying that now he wouldn't miss her.

Hi..want to share something very beautiful thing with u guys ...wait for 30 mins ..  KAPIL (@KapilSharmaK9) March 18, 2017 Will not say she is my better half .. she completes me .. love u ginni .. please welcome her .. I love her so much:) pic.twitter.com/IqB6VKauM5  KAPIL (@KapilSharmaK9) March 18, 2017 @deepikapadukone deepu... now m not gona miss u .. hahahahaha.. love always pic.twitter.com/9cjQKiiEvj  KAPIL (@KapilSharmaK9) March 18, 2017

In an episode of popular talk show, Koffee with Karan, aired earlier this month, Kapil looked guarded about his personal life. When the host Karan Johar asked about his relationship status, the popular comedian evaded the question, saying that he had many girlfriends, meaning many friends who are girls. Elaborating on his marriage plans, Kapil said that he has received many proposals, but is 'double-minded and confused' about it. He jokingly added: "Meri maa ka bas chale toh kal hi kara de (If I leave it on my mother, she would get me married tomorrow)."

Kapil became a popular name in Indian television after he won The Great Indian Laughter Challenge season 3, in 2007. In 2013, the Amritsar-born comedian launched his own show Comedy Nights With Kapil, under his banner K9 Productions. The show went on to become one of the highest-rated scripted shows in the history of Indian television. In 2016, after discontinuing Comedy Nights with Kapil, he started a new show, The Kapil Sharma Show. Kapil made his Bollywood debut with Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon, directed by Abbas Mustan, in 2015.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan participated separately in the concluding ceremony of a special yajna organised by certain RSS supported outfits in Ujjain. The 18-days mahashakti yajna was conducted by Mahashakti Yaag Trust, a Hyderabad-based organisation to realise their dream of an Akhand Bharat and make India compatible to their ideology.

Chouhan and his wife attending 'yajna'

While Mahajan came to Ujjain from Delhi on Saturday after completing the Lok Sabha proceedings, Chouhan, along with his wife Sadhna Singh, reached the venue on Friday night.

Ujjain is the mythological seat of Lord Shiva. The trust has planned to hold similar yajnas at 12 mythological seats of Lord Shiva and 52 mythological shaktipeeths of Goddess Durga.

Chouhan reached the Jhalariya Mutt Campus on the banks of the Kshipra river around 10 pm and left the place by midnight. The local administration was in a tizzy due to the unexpected visit of the chief minister.

The yajna campus was being managed by RSS cadres and a veil of secrecy was kept around the whole religious affair. The media are strictly kept out of the whole ceremony. RSS activist Vibhash Upadhaya is managing the affairs of the yajna, according to unconfirmed reports in the local media. Senior RSS leader Bhaiyaaji Joshi has been camping in Ujjian for the ritual.

Sumitra Mahajan at the yajna site

The yajna is being conducted under the supervision of Veda scholar and priest G.J. Sharma. BJP leader and Sampark Pramukh (Relations Chief) Anil Saumitra said, RSS is not directly involved in such religious activities. Many of its activists and certain subsidiary organisations do such things on their own.

The yajna has been performed by over 15 priests in two sessions everyday since March 1. Portraits of Lord Hanuman along with Dr Hedgewar and Guru Golkwarthe first and second chief of RSShave been placed at the venue.

A source close to a prominent RSS activist confirmed that the yajna was the third in the series to be conducted till 2025 when RSS will complete 100 years of its inception. Previously it was conducted at Shri Shailam Jyotirlinga in Andhra Pradesh and Somnath in Gujarat.
The two missing clerics of Delhis Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah have been traced in Sindh district of Pakistan, according to reports late on Saturday. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan had intimated the Indian High Commission that the clerics had been found and were on their way to relatives in Karachi.

However, what was the reason of their mysterious disappearance and in what circumstances they were found are not yet clear.

According to sources, the clerics82-year-old Asif Ali Nizami, head priest of the dargah, and his 66-year-old nephew Nizal Ali Nizamiare expected to fly back to New Delhi on Monday, after which a clearer picture may emerge.

The news of their appearance began to trickle in even as External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted that she had contacted Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan prime minister's adviser on foreign affairs for help in tracing the clerics

They had gone to Pakistan to meet their relatives and visit the shrine of Gharib Nawaz in Lahore.

Their disappearance led to much speculation and Swaraj herself indicated they might have been picked up by the ISI. Later reports suggested they were being questioned for alleged links with MQM.

Did the media pressure force the captors to release the namazis? Or was it simply that the duo were in a place with poor mobile connectivity? The mystery continues.
The new Congress government in Punjab, at its first cabinet meeting on Saturday, took up issues pertaining to agriculture, industry, drugs and excise policy.

It decided to continue with the free power given to farms in the state, and set up a Group of Experts to assess and analyse the quantum of agricultural debt and propose ways and means to implement the waiver in a time bound manner. The GoE will submit its report within 60 days.

A cabinet sub committee headed by the chief minister will consider and finalise the waiver.

Agri-debt waiver was the major manifesto promise that drew voters to rally behind Capt Amarinder Singh, who chaired the cabinet meeting and focussed primarily on promises made and their early fulfillment. The cabinet also decided to bring in a new legislation to prohibit the sale and take over of farmers' lands by lending agencies

In order to revive industry, the cabinet has decided to notify a new industrial policy within 90 days. It decided to waive the condition of procuring Change of Land Use (CLU) for notified Industrial Zones. Also, a 'no objection certificate' of CLU will be required for new power connection or additional load.

People in Punjab may love their pegPatiala or chota, but the first decision to be taken by the first cabinet meeting was to do away with liquor vends within 500 metres of national and state highways.

This is in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court, as well as a fulfillment of one of the pre-poll promises made by Captian.

The government has also reduced the quota of liquor that may be sold in the state as well as the number of vends, in the new excise policy for 2017-18.

A Special Task Force would be set up in the chief minister's office to go into the drugs menace, and submit by March 24 a comprehensive road map to eliminate it. The government intends passing an ordinance to confiscate drug dealers' property, pending an act to this effect.

But it dealt with a soft touch with the drug addicts, offering free treatment, compassion and no police cases against the addicts.

On the contentious SYL issue, the government referred to the party manifesto which underlined the use of Punjab's water for Punjab only, as there was no surplus water. The cabinet decided to take up the matter in the courts and at the administrative level on a priority basis.

It was decided that the irrigation department would formulate a proposal to canalise major riversRavi, Beas and Sutlejfor construction of high speed economic corridors. Apart from providing livelihood for a large number of farmers, this would also provide jobs for farmers along the route.
BJP MP Yogi Adityanath at Parliament House in New Delhi | PTI

Yogi Adityanath, a five-time Lok Sabha MP and a saffron-clad BJP leader, will be the new chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. The swearing in ceremony will take place on Sunday.

The decision came after hectic parleys of BJP MLAs in Lucknow on Saturday. By naming Yogi, known for his strong Hindutva image, as the new CM, the BJP has given a signal that the massive mandate of the party in the recent assembly elections was a vote in favour of Hindutva issues. The BJP had not given ticket to any Muslim candidate as the community was seen to be polarised against it.

Yogi, whose real name is Ajay Singh, was born on June 5, 1972 in Uttarakahnd. He has been a BJP MP from Gorakhpur since 1998.

Basically a Rajput, 44-year-old Yogi is known for his strong views on issues related in Hindutva. Political experts feel that he has been rewarded for his hard work in the assembly polls and for successfully polarising votes. He has been vocal in raising issues like love jihad and slaughter houses. He has been a strong votary of building Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Yogi is also the founder of the Hindu Yuva Vahini, a body dedicated to Hindu causes. He became the head of Gorakhnath mutt following the death of his guru Mahant Avaidyanath in 2014.

Among many promises made by the BJP was to shut down machine slaughterhouses to save cows and even set up "anti-romeo" squads to stop eve teasing.

Though he enjoys a good rapport with the BJP high command and the RSS, it will be a major challenge for Yogi to play down his hard-line image and govern the state by taking all castes and communities along with him.

The decision to choose Yogi as CM came at a time when other names like party leader Manoj Sinha, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and state BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya were doing the rounds. Yogi and Maurya's supporters held protests demanding CM post for their respective leaders.

A science graduate from the Hemvati Nanadan Bahuguna at University of Gharwal, Yogi has attracted many controversies during his political career. His name has been associated with the mass conversion of over 1,000 christians to Hinduism in 2005 in Etah. He has been jailed for breaking curfew orders and disturbing peace in the area in 2007 in Gorakhpur. He has hit headlines a number of times for his alleged hate speech.

The BJP, along with its two allies, has won 325 out of the 403 seats, decimating the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance, and Mayawati's BSP.
Just days after Budweiser, one of America's leading beer brands, announced its grand ambition to brew and serve beer on Mars, Trinamool Congress MP and former Union minister Sisir Kumar Adhikari asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi about India's plans to brew beer on the moon. In a question directed at Modi in Lok Sabha during question hour, on Wednesday, Adhikari asked, Will the Prime Minister be pleased to state: (a) whether an Indian spacecraft is planning to brew beer on the moon; (b) if so, the details of research plan and viability of yeast test therefore; and (c) the universal rules on moon lander therein?

While many of us may have hoped the answer to be a yes, Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the Prime Ministers Office burst the bubble and said that there was no such plan by the government. In his answer, he reportedly said, No Madam. There is no plan to brew beer on the moon by any spacecraft to be made by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

But the question also threw light on the attempts of an Indian startup, TeamIndus, to achieve what no other country has achieved yetbrew beer in space. TeamIndus is run by Bengaluru-based aerospace startup, Axiom Research Labs.

Singh clarified that TeamIndus has proposed an experiment to brew beer on the moon using yeast, in a privately-funded moon mission. TeamIndus is the only Indian team competing for the Google Lunar XPRIZE, which includes a chance to go to the moon and bag a $20 million grand prize. The global competition focuses on challenging and inspiring engineers and entrepreneurs to develop low-cost methods of robotic space exploration. To win the competition, a privately-funded team must successfully place a spacecraft on the moon's surface, which should travel at least 500 metres and transmit high-definition video and images back to earth. "The (TeamIndus) spacecraft is proposed to be launched onboard ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) under a commercial launch agreement," Singh added, in his answer to Adhikari. The spacecraft is planned for launch in December 2017.

While, TeamIndus focuses on the Google Lunar XPRIZE, the beer brewing experiment is the brainchild of a team of engineering students from the University of California San Diego (UCSD). They are the finalists in the TeamIndus' Lab2Moon competition. The team, that goes by the name Team Original Gravity, is developing the experiment to test the viability of yeast on the moon to brew beer in space.

In a media release published in January 2017, the team elaborated their plan and said that to accomplish the task, it will not brew the unfermented beer on the moon. Instead, all the preparatory work needed before adding yeast would be done in a experimentation vessel on earth. The team will also combine the fermentation" and "carbonation" phases to eliminate the need of releasing accumulated carbon dioxide gas, which could result in sanitation and safety issues. This way, the team also hopes to prevent the possibility of over-pressurisation, in case the system fails, making it easier to design. The team also revealed that the testing of fermentation and yeast viability will be done via pressure, and not using using density measurements, which use gravity, as done on earth.

TeamIndus launched the Lab2Moon competition to encourage youngsters under the age of 25 to design and build an experiment that could help in building sustainable life on the moon. Team Original Gravity is believed to be one of the strong contenders to win the competition and be that one team whose experiment would join TeamIndus spacecraft to the moon.

In the media statement, TeamIndus mentor to Team Original Gravity Siddhesh Naik said, The yeast study is among the coolest experiments to be performed on the lunar surface, and I am sure they are one of the top contenders to win the Lab2Moon competition. Original Gravity is one of the most hardworking teams and very dedicated to their project.

If UC San Diegos Team Original Gravity is selected, not only will they be the first to brew beer on the moon, the students believe theyll be the first to brew beer in a fermentation vessel the size of a soda can, the team said, in the statement.
It is a well known fact that US President Donald Trump has never shied away from a handshake when it comes to greeting international leaders, and the death-grip memes galore are proof to that. However, German Chancellor Angela Merkel had a sticky moment with the president as besides not shaking her hand, he barely even made eye contact with her during the customary photo-op.

In a photo-op after their Oval Office meeting, the two leaders sat next to each other in separate chairs. Merkel could be seen leaning towards Trump, who sat with his hands firmly locked between his knees, a very 'un-Trump' like gesture.

Merkel then appeared to ask the President if he wanted to shake hands, which is customary in photo ops, but Trump simply did not respond. He barely even looked at his German counterpart while quickly answering a few questions from the press.
Oh we aint got a barrel of money,

Maybe were ragged and funny,

But well travel along

Singin a song

Side by side. (Side by Side, 1927)

In the hustle and bustle of Kochi, it is easy to miss Sree Balaji Coffee House, a nondescript wayside tea shop in Gandhi Nagar. But, K.R. Vijayan, the owner, is arguably Indias second most famous tea-seller, behind Narendra Modi!

Vijayan, 65, and his wife, Mohana, 64, have, over the years, staked everything to fulfil their dream of travelling the world. The couple, whose sole income is from the tea shop, have visited 17 countries so far.

To fund their travels, Vijayan mortgages his shop and takes a bank loan. After returning, the couple toils for the next two to three years to repay the loan and then sets out for the next destination.

Some people say I am crazy, says Vijayan, Maybe I am. But, we live only once and I believe that our entire life is a journey and the experiences that we accumulate are our only earnings from life.

He has many such experiences to recollect. But, he says that the experience that first comes to mind from his many trips is the time he boarded a Eurostar train from London to Paris in 2010. The speed was dizzying. We covered about 750km in 1 hour and 45 minutes. Even at that speed the train was moving smoothly and I was forced to think of the way trains in India move, says Vijayan.

His wife had not gone out of Ernakulam district before her marriage. Initially I was really nervous, she says. Going abroad was like going into the unknown. Our first trip abroad was to Egypt, and it was the first foreign trip for him also. But he told me, dont be scared, I am with you.

She recollects their trip to the Empire State Building last year as a unique experience. We went up 84 storeys and the wind at the top was so strong that I felt we were going to be blown away by it. Of all the places they visited, she liked Switzerland and Paris the best.

Their daughters, both married, appreciate their parents passion for travel. Usha V. Prabhu, the younger one, works at a medical shop near his tea stall. She says she is proud to have such adventurers for parents. They are working hard, even at this age. And going to all these places makes them happy, so we are also happy, says Usha. Her elder sister, Sasikala V. Prabhu, is a primary school teacher at Mattancherry, 10km away.

Vijayan says that he wants to see the entire world. That is my dream. And I have done my best to make it a reality. What God has given me in life is far more than I could have imagined, he says.

His latest bank loan is almost repaid now and the representatives from the bank have started to visit, inquiring about the next loan requirement. And Vijayan has also locked onto his next destination. I want to go for the Argentina-Brazil-Chile trip. The ABC trip as it is known. Argentinas southern tip is the worlds southern end. There is only the ocean beyond that.

He says that he has not, so far, been able to find tour operators who organised tours to that part of the world and he is looking for fellow travellers. If anybody is interested to join me on that journey, they are welcome to contact me.

An interesting proposition, coming from a man who has truly seen the world.
China plans to build the first permanent structure on a South China Sea shoal at the heart of a territorial dispute with the Philippines, in a move likely to renew concerns over Beijings robust assertions of its claims in the strategically crucial waterbody.

The top official in Sansha City that has administered Chinas island claims since 2012 was quoted by the official Hainan Daily newspaper as saying that preparations were underway to build an environmental monitoring station on Scarborough Shoal off the northwestern Philippines.

The preparatory work on the stations and others on five other islands in the strategically vital waterway was among the governments top priorities for 2017, Sansha Communist Party Secretary Xiao Jie was quoted as saying in an interview published in the papers Monday edition seen online Friday in Beijing. No other details were.

Beijing seized tiny, uninhabited Scarborough in 2012 after a tense standoff with Philippine vessels. Taiwan also includes the island within its South China Sea claims that largely overlap with those of China.

The other stations mentioned by Xiao would be situated on features in the Paracel island group that China has controlled since seizing parts of it away from Vietnam in 1974.

Chinas construction and land reclamation work in the South China Sea have drawn strong criticism from the U.S. and others, who accuse Beijing of further militarizing the region and altering geography to bolster its claims. China says the seven man-made islands in the disputed Spratly group, which it has equipped with airstrips and military installations, are mainly for civilian purposes and to boost safety for fishing and maritime trade.

Prior to the announcement, South China Sea tensions had eased somewhat since Beijing erupted in fury last year after a Hague-based arbitration tribunal ruled on a case filed by the Philippines. The verdict invalidated Chinas sweeping territorial claims and determining that China violated the rights of Filipinos to fish at Scarborough Shoal.

China has since allowed Filipino fishermen to return to the shoal following Philippine President Rodrigo Dutertes calls for closer ties between the countries, but it does not recognize the tribunals ruling as valid and insists it has historical claims to almost the entire South China Sea, through which an estimated $5 trillion in global trade passes each year.

Scarborough has no proper land mass and any structure on it would likely have to be built on stilts. The shoal forms a triangle-shaped lagoon of rocks and reefs running for 46 kilometers, with its highest point just 1.8 meters (about 6 feet) above water at high tide. Known in Chinese as Huangyan Island, it lies about 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of the main Philippine island of Luzon, and about 600 kilometers (370 miles) southeast of China.

U.S. diplomats have said privately that reclamation work on the shoal would be seen as crossing a red line because of its proximity to the main Philippine islands and the threat it could pose to U.S. and Filipino military assets.

During his Senate confirmation hearing for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson compared Chinas island-building and military deployments to Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea, and suggested Chinas access to the islands should not be allowed. The U.S. says China has reclaimed more than 1,295 hectares (3,200 acres) of land in the area.

The topic is likely to be high on the agenda when Tillerson visits Beijing for talks with top officials on Saturday and Sunday.

Meanwhile, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang was visiting the Philippines, just days after Duterte said Monday that he had told the military to assert Philippine ownership of a large ocean region off the countrys northeastern coast where Chinese survey ships were spotted last year, in a discovery that alarmed Philippine defense officials.

China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei have long contested ownership of the South China Sea, which straddles one of the worlds busiest sea lanes and is believed to sit atop vast deposits of oil and gas.

Also this week, the commander in chief of Chinas navy, Vice Adm. Shen Jinlong, noted improving relations in a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart, Rear Adm. Pham Hoai Nam, in Beijing.

China and Vietnam have had long-running territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Tensions spiked in 2014 after China parked an oil rig near Vietnams central coast, sparking mass protests in Vietnam.

The two navies and their countries should together play a positive role in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, Shen was quoted as saying by Chinas defense ministry.

(AP)
Years before Russian intelligence agencies stood accused of interfering in the U.S. presidential election and of orchestrating a massive Yahoo data breach, there was lingerie model Anna Chapman and her band of Illegals  Russian spies who assumed false identities and lived as deep-cover agents in middle-class America.

The busting-up of that spy ring, along with the arrest two years ago of a Russian spy who posed as a Manhattan banker and this weeks announcement of an indictment of Russian agents in the Yahoo email hack, underscore long-running efforts by the American authorities to closely monitor and occasionally interrupt the Kremlins intelligence-gathering operations.

Though allegations of meddling in the political process represent a stunning new flare-up in relations between the two countries, U.S. intelligence agencies for years have been concerned by Russian efforts to infiltrate American society and government.

What we have seen as far as the arrests is really only scratching the surface of the real Russian activity here, said Scott Stewart, vice president of tactical analysis at the Texas-based Stratfor intelligence firm.

Many counterintelligence investigations can last for years without resulting in criminal charges, preventing the public from having a complete grasp of evidence collected or tactics that are used.

But a few sensational Justice Department prosecutions in the last decade have brought to light Russian efforts to recruit university students, gather information on the stock market and on sanctions, sway public opinion and cultivate well-placed contacts. And recent hacking allegations make clear that old-fashioned spying techniques have now been augmented by cyber expertise that can in some cases accomplish similar goals.

They want to understand how the White House is going to work, and how Washington will respond to what Russians are doing in Europe and the Middle East, said Steven Pifer, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a former foreign service officer focused on Russia.

Its not surprising that once the public understands the capabilities and motives of Russian intelligence that theres a great deal of concern about their ability to gather intelligence and use it to influence real-world events, said Adam Fee, who helped handle the 2015 prosecution of Evgeny Buryakov, who posed as a banker in New York while spying on the U.S. for the Russian Federation.

Its interesting to see an area you worked on splash in the forefront of the national consciousness, Fee said.

Public interest in counterintelligence operations spiked with the U.S. assessment in January that Russian intelligence agencies were responsible for the hacking of Democratic email accounts and for sharing that information with WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy website, with the goal of aiding the Trump campaign.

That interference remains under federal investigation, but some experts see parallels between those cyberattacks and prior Russian espionage efforts.

Alarmingly to American authorities, Russian hackers engaged in more conventional crimes, such as stealing credit and debit card account information, have in some cases piggybacked off Russian intelligence services. The Justice Department this week announced charges against two Russian intelligence agents and two hired hackers. The four were accused in a 2014 breach of at least 500 million Yahoo user accounts.

I view cyber as merely being a new tool of espionage to pursue the same goals of espionage  whether thats recruiting, stealing information, its basically the same things theyve always done, Stewart said. Its just a new tool to accomplish those tasks.

Probably the most notable prosecution is the 2010 case of The Illegals  a ring of Russian sleeper spies who burrowed into workaday America instead of more customary positions inside Russian embassies and military missions.

Tasked with developing contacts with government policymakers, the Russians took civilian positions in cities throughout the country and in some cases lived as husband and wife.

A long-running FBI investigation called Operation Ghost Stories revealed how the secret agents relied on specially coded radio transmissions, invisible ink and furtive cash drops as they patiently worked to develop sources and send information back to Russia.

Once captured, 10 spies charged with acting as foreign agents were swapped for four Russians whod been imprisoned for spying for the West. An 11th suspect accused of delivering money and equipment to the secret agents was freed by a court in Cyprus and later vanished.

Chapman herself became a model and corporate spokeswoman upon her return to Russia, the saga said to have been an inspiration for the hit FX show The Americans.

The motive was different than last years election hack, said Glen Kopp, a prosecutor in the case.

Whats similar, he added, is the obsession with seeing the world as us versus them.

More recently, Buryakov was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for his spying efforts, which in addition to working to gain information about the New York Stock Exchange, also included an attempt to shape political opinion.

He admitted to working to sway union opinion about a Canadian companys planned deal to build aircraft in Russia  efforts known among experts as active measures. That political engagement in some ways resembles what U.S. officials say was a Russian effort to use an email hack to politically harm Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

What I see in the cyberattacks last year, its a modernized version of those active measures, Pifer said.

Counterintelligence concerns faded in the post-Cold War era as the Soviet Union splintered and as counterterrorism fears from the Middle East rose to the forefront. But more recent events have brought renewed focus on Russia, Pifer said.

The cyber realm, he said, creates possibilities for the Russians to do things that they couldnt do before.

(AP)
President Donald Trump and some House conservatives agreed Friday to make changes in the troubled Republican health care bill in hopes of easing deep party divisions over the overhaul plan. But other conservatives expressed continued opposition and it remained uncertain that party leaders had won enough support to push the high-profile measure through the House next week.

After a White House meeting between President Donald Trump and around a dozen House Republicans and late night telephone talks, a leader of one group of House conservatives said he and others were now backing the legislation. The bill would kill much of former President Barack Obamas 2010 health care law and create new tax credits and curbs on Medicaid, the federal-state health care program for lower-income people.

I want everyone to know Im 100 percent behind this, Trump said at the White House.

Lawmakers said the two sides agreed to additional restrictions on Medicaid that states would be allowed to choose. They said states could impose work requirements on some recipients and decide to accept a lump-sum federal payment for Medicaid, instead of an amount that would grow with the number of beneficiaries.

Were a yes. Were excited to be there, said Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., leader of the Republican Study Committee, a large group of conservatives.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said votes on the legislation were planned for next Thursday.

The House GOPs vote counter, Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, also attended the meeting and said the changes give Republicans the best chance to get the legislation to the Senate. GOP divisions also threaten the legislation in that chamber.

Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., head of another, harder-line group of conservative House lawmakers, said earlier that the changes being discussed were not enough to win his support. Meadows did not attend the White House meeting.

They wont have the votes unless they change it further, said Meadows, who leads the House Freedom Caucus. He said that an optional work requirement for Medicaid doesnt move the ball more than a couple yards on a very long playing field.

Earlier, health secretary Tom Price told reporters at the Capitol that he wants lawmakers to get together and collaborate and come forward with a work product that will respond to the needs of the American people.

The House bill would create new, leaner tax credits for health insurance, cap federal spending on Medicaid for low-income people and reverse tax increases on wealthy Americans used to finance Obamas statute.

One House GOP leader, Washington Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, said leaders were on track to bring the legislation to the House Rules Committee early next week. That panels meeting  usually a prelude to bringing legislation to the House floor  is expected to produce amendments aimed at securing votes.

Hoping to secure support, Trump was meeting with a group of House conservatives at the Oval Office.

Although the House bill has cleared three committees, some lawmakers can visualize scenarios where things come apart. Rep. Bill Flores, R-Texas, said its important to get the legislation passed before Congress leaves for a two-week spring recess next month.

Thats never healthy to let something sit out there too long because pretty soon you have a carcass left, he said.

Critics say it would make health insurance more expensive for individuals, especially older adults and those with modest incomes. An analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found 24 million people would lose their health insurance over a decade though the bill would also reduce the deficit.

In the Senate, Susan Collins, R-Maine, told the Portland Press Herald, This is not a bill I could support in its current form. She joins Kentuckys Rand Paul and Utahs Mike Lee in opposing the legislation, while other Republicans, including Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Ted Cruz of Texas, have expressed deep misgivings. Collins opposition leaves the bill short of the support it needs in the Senate unless it changes, since GOP leaders can only lose two votes.

In another warning signal, four GOP governors wrote congressional leaders Thursday saying the bills approach to Medicaid would not work for states. Medicaid covers more than 70 million people, and its future is expected to be a central issue in the Senate.

It provides almost no new flexibility for states, does not ensure the resources necessary to make sure no one is left out, and shifts significant new costs to states, wrote Govs. John Kasich of Ohio, Rick Snyder of Michigan, Brian Sandoval of Nevada, and Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas.

Failing to pass a bill while his party controls both the House and Senate would be a devastating blow to his party and the premise of his presidency  that he was a dealmaker the country needed.

(AP)
The White House has promised that it wont repeat its claim that U.K. spies snooped on President Donald Trump, the British government said Friday.

The agreement comes after White House press secretary Sean Spicer pointed to the debunked claim publicly in a bid to defend Trumps earlier suggestion that former President Barack Obama wiretapped Trump Tower. Trump has not provided any evidence to support that claim, and several lawmakers say there isnt any.

Downing St. said that Britains ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch, spoke to White House press secretary Sean Spicer directly, and that the prime ministers national security adviser, Mark Lyall Grant, also spoke to people in the Trump administration to put the claim to rest.

Spicer asserted Thursday that Trumps Twitter accusations that President Barack Obama wiretapped his phones in October were a broad reference to surveillance, not to wiretapping specifically.

In an attempt to bolster his case, Spicer spent nearly 10 minutes reading from news reports which he said pointed to possible evidence of surveillance. Among the items he quoted from was a transcript of a recent appearance by Fox News analyst Andrew Napolitano on the network, in which Napolitano suggested GCHQ, the British electronic intelligence agency, had helped with the alleged tapping. Obama, he claimed, went outside the chain of command so there were no American fingerprints on this.

According to a Western diplomat, Spicer had been made aware two days prior to Thursdays White House press briefing that the Napolitano report was untrue. Spicer and Darroch had spoken by telephone on Tuesday the diplomat said, during which time Darroch asserted that there was no basis to the report.

A White House official confirmed that Darroch and Lyall expressed their concerns to both Sean Spicer and Trumps national security adviser, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster. Spicer and McMaster both said that Spicer was simply pointing to public reports and not endorsing any specific story, the official said.

The diplomat and White House official both spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.

A spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May said Friday that the British government made it clear to Spicer that the ridiculous claims should be ignored.

We have a close, special relationship with the White House and that allows us to raise concerns as and when they arise as was true in this case, said May spokesman James Slack. We have made clear to the administration that these claims are ridiculous and that they should be ignored and we have received assurances that these allegations wont be repeated, he told reporters at a regular briefing on Friday.

Trump tweeted earlier this month that Obama was tapping my phones in October and compared the incident to Nixon/Watergate and McCarthyism.

The claim is prompting growing bipartisan agreement that theres no evidence to back up the claim and mounting pressure to retract the statement. The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence weighed in Thursday, finding no indications that Trump Tower was the subject of surveillance.

Republicans in Congress also said Trump should retract his claims. Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa., called the accusation against Britain inexplicable and the accusation against Obama unfounded.

A president only has so much political capital to expend and so much moral authority as well, and so any time your credibility takes a hit, I think in many ways it weakens the officeholder, Dent said.

Slack would not say whether Spicer or any other American officials apologized, noting, we have received assurances that these allegations wont be repeated and this shows the administration doesnt give the allegations any credence.

However, the Western diplomat confirmed that Spicer was very apologetic when confronted by Darroch at a White House dinner on Thursday.

The British intelligence agency, which rarely comments on allegations about intelligence matters, flatly denied the claim, responding with a statement calling the allegations nonsense.

They are utterly ridiculous and should be ignored, read the statement, which was issued on condition that it be attributed to an anonymous spokesperson to protect the identity of agency staff.

Slack pointed out that GCHQ could not have spied on Trump because the U.K. and the U.S. are both members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, and under the Five Eyes pact, we cannot use each others capabilities to circumvent laws.

(AP)
It is usually said that in Swaziland any and everyone can be a model. It is unclear what the criteria it takes to be regarded as a model is in this country.



The media is part to blame because every person who claims this profession is willy-nilly called as such.

Two beautiful girls who fit this category beyond measure in Swaziland have managed to do same in neighbouring South Africa where the competition is tough and not just anyone has the luxury to call themselves by this title.

Coming from a country where basically any willing person can be cast as a model, Swazilands reigning ramp queen Coralee Kitty Vilakati was taken aback that her less than problematic height in Swaziland was not even close to the minimum requirement in South Africa where she sought to expand her modelling passions.



At times its not about how qualified you are for the job but how hungry you are. Her eagerness won her the opportunity to do what she loves in a place where one rarely would be afforded the chance if they do not fit the standard.

Together with her friend Nolwazi Snowie Simelane they have hoisted the national flag high, modelling everywhere from Mpumalanga to Kwa-Zulu Natal and Gauteng.



Glamour



On a bright Tuesday afternoon, Gcwala met up with the two beautiful women at Happy Valley Resort Hotel in Ezulwini for a photoshoot and interview. The venue is ideal as it is supposed to compliment the glamour that is associated with the modelling profession.

With news of a heat wave the following day, it came as no surprise that we could already feel its terror lurking upon us, it was scotching hot. The models are running slightly late so we help ourselves to some cooling beverages and man arent their cocktails refreshing!



Upon arrival the ladies are stunning as usual, apologetic for the delay and in that spit we get right into business. As we are taking pictures its hard not to take note of how people are in awe of the ladies. As if they were blind to it, they carry on like nobody is watching and our guess is this is due to the fact that being ramp queens, they are used to having all eyes on them.



Competing against trained and experienced models, the two Swazi women are always seeking ways in which they can perk up their talent so that they have much to offer, just like their trained South African counterparts. Snowies tells us of how she has utilised the services of an online mentor from the United Kingdom, who keeps her knowledgeable on new trends of the industry.

Local fashion shows sadly have a reputation for exploiting models by using their services with no form of remuneration. This is what the passionate models cited to have been the reason that pushed them to scout for opportunities outside of local borders.



As I sat down and thought my career through one day, I made the decision that I deserved better than doing shows were you get nothing in terms of pay but popularity in terms of recognition from the media, Coralee says.

Reiterating her model buddys statement Snowie acknowledges that the local modelling industry does not pay and in cases where model are remunerated, they are extremely underpaid.

She adds how even though she has had opportunities to model outside of Swaziland, she would not say she is at the point where she can self-sustain, hence her family still supports her while she makes her own efforts to earn extra cash through her fashion retail business.



An interesting fact about the two young models is both of them are parents to toddlers.



Passion



They juggle pursuing their passion with the every day stresses of raising a child, but from outward appearances, they manage both these roles quite well.

Snowie, in particular, is of the view that time is the most valuable asset and for this reason should be used wisely.

There are misconceptions about model behaviour which have become generic stereotypes. The models shared some of these with Gcwala.



The most common fallacy is models abuse drugs. I dont think this is true. My guess is that people do not understand our line of work because it is believed that the risque clothing we wear on the ramp still have to strut confidently, no normal person would have courage to do so unless they have confidence boosters. Personally it comes naturally and some people are shocked that I do not even drink alcohol, Coralee reveals.



Snowie shares that a common mistaken belief is that female models are selling their bodies. Modelling is about selling designs or a product. This misreading gives modelling a rather bad image, she continues.

A lot of models are of the impression that in order to get recognised they have to be signed under agencies, and although this is true to an extent, Coralee is the exception that has managed to independently get her name out there. She quickly adds that now she does want to sign under a South African agency in order to branch out into commercial modelling as so far her experience is in fashion and ramp modelling.



The beauties have dreams and goal they would love to achieve, some are academic goals. Snowie in five years would liked to have acquired her Masters Degree in Food Science, Nutrition and Technology and also branched out into commercial modelling.

Coralees eyes are solely set on becoming the hottest ramp commodity to have come out of a landlocked country where no one would have imagined a supermodel would be born.
SIKHUPHE  The click of the camera is all you could hear at King Mswati III International Airport when Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe descended on the attached staircase of his plane.



Mugabe is attending the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Extra-Ordinary Meeting. The 93-year-old clung to the side rail of the staircase while alighting from the plane.

He was the last president to arrive at about 5pm yesterday and welcomed by the Minister of Education and Training, Phineas Magagula.



Mugabe, unlike the other heads of State who had preceded his arrival and walked over 100 metres to their motorcades, was driven to the VVIP runway by his convoy.

The Statesman left at about 5:20pm after being entertained by pupils from Elangeni High School with a traditional dance, sibhaca. As if knowing that some of the pupils were eager to see him, he took his time watching them dance.

With each traditional group giving their best including Lutsango, the Zimbabwean president would stand for over three minutes in amusement and appreciation of the traditional dances.



Leading to Mugabes arrival, Elangeni High School pupil Muzi Msibi had anticipated seeing him. He said a number of memes in social media attributed to Mugabe made him laugh.

Meanwhile, another favourite head of state that was popular among the masses was the Republic of South Africas President Jacob Zuma. Zuma arrived just before Mugabe at 4:45pm.

He was officially welcomed to the country by Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Jabulile Mashwama.



She walked side by side with the president on the red carpet as she showed him through to the VVIP exit entrance where his motorcade awaited him.

Leading to his exit, Zuma, just like Mugabe, had been mesmerised by the local traditional dance moves displayed by the dance groups.



Also arriving yesterday afternoon was Zambian President Edgar Lungu. He arrived at 4:15pm and was received by the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Senator Winnie Magagula.



He had been preceded by Madagascar President Hery Rajaonarimamoianina who was welcomed to the country by the Minister of Health, Sibongile Simelane.

He arrived at about 3pm just after South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa arrived at 2:25pm and was received by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Phiwayinkhosi Mabuza.
PIGGS PEAK  Ever wondered what fuels the influx of sex workers in Piggs Peak?  dagga trade.



Dagga dealers literally flash cash, far more than full-time employees who have to wait for the end of the month for their salaries.

There are hundreds of sex workers in the small town though only among 50 to 100 are willing to openly market themselves.



Although it is not possible to easily identify them walking around town in very revealing attire, they have come up with ways of selling themselves so that they are not easily detected by the police.

Due to the high demand for sex workers, throngs of them are said to be benefitting. Their ages range from mid-teens to about 40 years of age.

This publication interviewed some of the sex workers scattered across the town.



Their major hideouts are known but will not be revealed to protect their identities and as per their request.

The latest influx of the sex workers has left local authorities such as the police as well as the town council puzzled as to what is driving the illicit trade.

According to a self confessed sex worker, *Roxie, there is a lot of money floating around Piggs Peak mainly due to the dagga trade.



Smuggling



This is so especially this time of the year when dagga is being harvested in readiness for smuggling to neighbouring South Africa (SA) where it is given the same status as precious gold by dealers.

*Roxie said dagga dealers are often referred to as the farmers and they are never shy to flash their money.

Under normal circumstances, ordinary sex clients pay as much as E100 for a brief session but dagga dealers pay far more than this.

They will give you as much as E1 000, said *Roxie.



She said this is one of the main reasons Piggs Peak is loved in comparison to some of the areas such as Matsapha or Mbabane where sex workers also pry the bars.

*Roxie said dagga farmers spend several months in the bush tending to their dagga.



After spending several months in the bush, they are hungry for sex, *Roxie responded with a giggle.

She said during this time of the year, even sex workers from other parts of town travel to Piggs Peak to cash in on the booming business.

*Not her real name
MBABANE  Businessman Walter Bennett has stated the reviewing of politicians salaries by way of government circulars is not only wrong but illegal, in particular when it comes to exempting some from taxation.



Bennett said this was unlawful in the sense that the only person who could call for tax exemption was the minister of Finance.

He said even then, the finance minister has to compile a report for Parliament, especially the House of Assembly, because that has a cost effect on government coffers.



The outspoken businessman said that was why a Member of Parliament could not just move a motion calling for a cut in taxes as that was territory reserved only for the minister of Finance.

He made the statements in a press conference yesterday where he cited a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) who had been engaged by the Ministry of Finance to assist with the review and update of some aspects of terms and conditions of service of the political cadre of government.



According to the PwC report, to determine the prime ministers salary, there needs to be a consistent and defensive manner on which to base salaries.

The notion of linking the parliamentarians pay to senior civil servants poses a risk in terms of linking the pay to a single specific reference point.



The report was issued in 2013 wherein it was also recommended that the prime ministers salary be benchmarked against other similar sized (by GDP) countries in Africa.

However, the benchmark rate of pay for Swaziland will be discounted to take into account affordability of the government and economic conditions of the country, reads part of the recommendations carried in the report.

In determining the pay for the rest of the parliamentarians, a sliding scale ratio was to be applied.



Bennett described the issue of politicians remuneration as a sensitive one and that if it were a properly functioning procedure, all these controversial monies should be returned.

We have talked about this many times such that at some point we differed with the present prime minister on how does one justify giving the PM and DPM what they call a capital allowance when they are riding executive cars at the expense of the taxpayer. He claimed that the PMs response was that they do not get a car allowance, but a capital allowance, to which he countered to say the question was whatever government wanted to call it, it still remained an allowance. How do you get that when you are riding a state car? Eventually, in the case of a prime minister, you are entitled to buy it, also at the expense of the taxpayer, Bennett said.
SICELWINI  When a person gets married, you imagine that he pictures a happily ever after but this was not the case for a security guard who after 10 days into his marriage, committed suicide.



He is said to have ended his life after discovering that the woman he recently married and was looking to spend the rest of his wife with, was allegedly having an affair with another man, suspected to be his uncle.

Mbeketeli Ndwandwe (27) of Tikhuba, who was employed by one of the security companies in Manzini, hung himself from the roof of his rented one-room stick and mud flat at Sicelweni, Ka-Khoza on Wednesday.



Ndwandwes body was found dangling by his landlord Simon Mavimbela, who called his neighbours and the police. He left a suicide note where he jotted the allegations of his wife having a relationship with his uncle.

According to those close to the incident and got to read the suicide note, the deceased also wrote his wifes mobile phone numbers and directed that they should ask her about his decision to end his life.

The insider revealed that he further wrote; Sala kahle, chubeka namalume. (Goodbye, continue with my uncle).



A neighbour shared that two days before he killed himself (Monday), Ndwandwe came to ask if his wife had called her. The neighbour answered to the negative and asked why his wife would call her.

She said the deceased told her that they had a quarrel but could not narrate the bone of contention since it was a long story. She offered him her mobile phone to call his wife but instead he sent her a please call me, which she replied by sending a call back.



Ndwandwe loaded airtime on his neighbours phone and asked her to call his wife again and further gave her instructions on what to say.

According to the neighbour, he said she should tell his wife that they just rescued him after they found him trying to commit suicide by hanging himself from the roof of his room and that she should come immediately.

However, the wife said she could not come immediately because shes looking after their five-year-old daughter. She said she could manage to come after her grandmother had returned home.



The neighbour further revealed that she then sent her phone numbers of her husbands relatives and asked her to notify them. However, Ndwandwe asked her not to call his relatives because he did not want them to know about the matter. He told her that he wanted to sort it with her without involving their families.

The concerned neighbour later asked Ndwandwe to switch on his mobile phone because it was off and immediately after doing so, he was buzzed by a private number and received a call from his wife.
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.
Albany

Albany High School Principal Dale Getto has agreed to postpone her retirement for a year to allow the school district time to find a replacement, the district announced Friday.

Getto has worked in the district for 30 years, and is currently serving in her second year as principal of the high school. Other roles included terms as school improvement manager and principal of Albany High's Abrookin Career and Technical Center.

She had planned to retire at the end of the current school year, officials said, but agreed to postpone her retirement for a year to allow the district to conduct a thorough search for the next principal and "ensure a smooth leadership transition."

Albany High is currently in its second year of receivership, a designation from the state that requires it to show meaningful improvement of academic outcomes or risk an outsider taking over.

Starting this fall, Getto will also assume leadership of the district's alternative education programs, which are getting an overhaul and moving from 50 North Lark St. to 395 Elk St.

"Our work at Albany High School is so important and so rewarding, I am honored to have this opportunity to lead our exceptional team of educators and staff for another year," Getto said. "We are looking forward to continuing to build on the gains we have made in recent years."

bbump@timesunion.com  518-454-5387  @bethanybump
Albany

The statewide District Attorneys Association will not join Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove in his court challenge of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive order that gave the state attorney general the authority to intervene in cases involving fatal encounters between police and unarmed civilians.

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe on Friday said the association voted against filing a court brief in support of the petition that Abelove's attorney said will be filed in the coming days.

"There were not enough votes cast by our membership in favor of this requested action," said Zugibe, the association's president.

Abelove's proposed challenge of the governor's July 2015 order comes as Abelove is the target of a criminal investigation by the office of Attorney General Eric Schneiderman into his handling of a fatal police shooting in Troy last April.

The attorney general's probe is focusing on whether Abelove obstructed the state agency when he rushed the case before a grand jury that cleared the officer of wrongdoing five days after he shot a DWI suspect. The police sergeant who fired the fatal shots testified in front of the grand jury that cleared him even though he testified with immunity from prosecution. The panel's review of the case took place after Schneiderman's office said it notified Abelove of its intention to review the case, and it accused Abelove of doing an "end run" around Cuomo's order.

District Attorneys Association of the State of New York has raised questions about Cuomo's authority to supersede their authority to handle the cases. Some district attorneys have stepped aside and allowed Schneiderman's office to intervene in the deadly-force cases, but Abelove has made public statements questioning the constitutionality of the order.

Privately, several district attorneys said, their statewide association has grappled with assisting Abelove or using the incident last April as the test case to challenge Cuomo and Schneiderman. In addition, Abelove did not inform the association of his decision to rush the case before a grand jury five days after the fatal shooting and while the investigation was ongoing. Finally, they said, the Times Union's disclosure last year that Abelove did not seek an immunity waiver from Sgt. Randy French, who killed the DWI suspect, provided additional reason for pause.

The members of the association filed their votes Friday after Abelove took steps to contact fellow prosecutors seeking their support.

John W. Bailey, Abelove's attorney, said there were many district attorneys who supported Abelove and voted to file a brief backing his court challenge.

"Numerous DA's across the state reached out to him and indicated their support for his position and their willingness to participate in the amicus brief," Bailey said. "We're moving ahead."

It would be the first legal challenge of the order Cuomo signed two years ago in the wake several controversial and fatal encounters between police and unarmed civilians in New York and across the nation. The order gave Schneiderman the power to conduct independent investigations in fatal police encounters when, "in his opinion, there is a significant question as to whether the civilian was armed and dangerous at the time of his death."

A copy of Abelove's proposed court petition was distributed to district attorneys around the state last week.

"These orders from the governor  especially that which targets me personally  cannot go unanswered," Abelove wrote in an email to the district attorneys association. "It is my belief that these orders are not lawful, and must be challenged in court."

In the Troy case, Schneiderman obtained a court order last year that gave him access to Abelove's files on the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Edson Thevenin. Schneiderman's investigation has included enlisting forensic experts to analyze the angle of the shots fired and using that information to determine if the incident unfolded as police officials described  with the officer firing eight shots through the windshield of Thevenin's sedan after the car allegedly pinned the officer's legs against his police cruiser.

The shooting took place about 3:15 a.m. April 17, 2015, on Hoosick Street near the Collar City Bridge after a car driven by Thevenin was boxed in by two police cruisers following a brief chase that police said began when he fled a traffic stop. The draft petition prepared by Abelove said Thevenin ran away as he was being given a field sobriety test by French, who pepper sprayed Thevenin and ran after him.

"Sgt. French attempted to pull Thevenin's keys from his ignition and was dragged a short distance along the side of Thevenin's car," the petition states.

Abelove said two police cruisers chased Thevenin and boxed in his vehicle. French's legs were allegedly pinned between his cruiser and Thevenin's car. The officer opened fire at that point, Abelove said. Police officials said they considered Thevenin armed because he was using his vehicle as a weapon.

blyons@timesunion.com  518-454-5547  @brendan_lyonstu
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NEW YORK  New York City was awash in green and Irish pride Friday as throngs from both sides of the pond celebrated at the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

The marchers came from all walks of life  military members, teachers and students, police and firefighters, politicians, plumbers and steamfitters.

"On a cold day, it warms your heart," Richard Grogan, a marcher from Dublin and a member of Ireland's national police service, said of the cheering crowd. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity."

John Brauer, a spectator from Rye, New York, got on a 5 a.m. train  both to get a good spot and because he was excited. "I don't sleep when I know it's St. Patrick's Day," he said.

Heavily armed officers kept a no-nonsense eye on security around the parade route as a pipe band played "God Bless America."

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny marched with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He paused to greet Cardinal Timothy Dolan outside St. Patrick's Cathedral, which was adorned with the American and Irish flags; a special Mass was held there before the parade stepped off.

"Proud Irishman, proud Englishwoman," said Tracy Gilmartin of Northampton, England, who was there with her husband, Joe. "Our kids have paid for us to come here today for their dad to be able to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in New York. He's always wanted to do it."

The couple, who decorated a police barricade with an Irish banner, said their plane was full of travelers bound for the New York parade.

The parade route also passed Trump Tower, the home of President Donald Trump and his family.

The city's first St. Patrick's Day parade was on March 17, 1762. That was about 14 years before the signing of America's Declaration of Independence, organizers note, and it was comprised of "a band of homesick, Irish ex-patriots and Irish military members serving with the British Army stationed in the colonies in New York."
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Albany

A 5-year-old craft distillery is launching a $1 million expansion into downtown Albany near its distillery at Quackenbush Square.

Albany Distilling Co. announced Friday it will renovate a former warehouse at 75 Livingston Ave., into a new bar, tasting room and storage facility expected to open this summer. The company makes whiskey, rum, and vodka.

"We're excited to expand further into Albany, especially right in the Warehouse District. Albany Distilling prides itself on promoting 'drink local' and through this significant expansion of our operations in the Capital City, we will be able to continue to sell and promote Albany-made spirits to the rest of the world," said John Curtin, co-founder and co-owner of Albany Distilling with Rick Sicari.

Originally a residence built in the 1840s, and later used as a warehouse for Nabisco, the 6,000-square-foot space will include a bar, a second-floor open-air deck of 3,000 square feet, and barrel storage. The tasting room will have a full bar featuring New York-made spirits, cider, wine, and beer.

Expansion also means more hiring, with the company expected to grow from four employees to between eight and 10, Curtin added. The company is getting a $30,000 grant from Capitalize Albany, the city's nonprofit development wing, through its Downtown Albany Retail Grant Program. The company also will receive $60,000 from Empire State Development's capital grant program.

"This investment and expansion is not only a milestone for Albany's best distillery, but it's a major step forward for the Capital City's oldest neighborhood," said Albany Mayor Kathy M. Sheehan.

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The project has been supported by Ares Commercial Real Estate (ACRE) for the acquisition and project architects ME Design Studio of Troy.

"The growth and success of Albany Distilling demonstrates that entrepreneurs and small business owners do have a local impact," said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy.

bnearing@timesunion.com  518-454-5094  @Bnearing10
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It's a hard heart that doesn't flutter at the sight of the Van Dam hotel's illuminated white porch and imposing columns. Even in gnarly winter weather. Even without the summery billowing fabric hiding construction next door. But the Robert Palmer greeter girls are gone and, like guests at other tables, we made cushions of our puffy winter coats before anyone suggested the coat check. Later, asking if doors could be closed or the heat turned up, we were offered our coats back, as though dining in goose down was an acceptable solution.

Most will remember the fanfare when Salt & Char opened in Saratoga Springs last July. Eater and The New York Times marveled at the involvement of famed chef Gray Kunz in an upstate steakhouse. Kunz, for his part, unpacked innovative visions of steakhouse classics, a menu powered by upstate farms and long-range plans to raise livestock for the restaurant's four on-site butchers to break down. My glowing four-star review extolled the details: the sleek redesign and fragile gaufrette petals on a carpaccio-tartare plate.

It was the apex of farm-to-table with the body of a Porsche and the heart of a Prius. But by autumn Kunz was out, of both the restaurant and its parent, the Adelphi Hospitality investment group that is renovating the boutique hotel next door. Staff churned over and scandal erupted over leaked photos of non-prime beef and Mexican tomatoes in the cooler. Perhaps the aspirations had been too good to be true.

Six months on, the menu is stripped of farm credentials, steaks have been downsized in weight and price, and Kunz's global flavors have retreated to the safety of the standard American steakhouse: French onion soup, iceberg wedge or kale, and pastas for anyone craving a $24 spaghetti Bolognese. In truth, it's fair enough, with simple economics echoing the question on everyone's lips last summer: How would a restaurant that could cost $400 for two survive the off-season?

More Information Salt & Char 353 Broadway Saratoga Springs Phone: 450-7500 Web: www.saltandchar.com Reservations: Recommended for dinner, suggested for weekend brunch. Credit cards: All major. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. (brunch) to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. (brunch) to 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Bar menu, open to close Wednesday through Sunday. Parking: On street. A few handicapped parking spaces in shared rear lot. Disabled access: Yes: Elevator from rear entrance. Attire: Casual, business casual Prices: Appetizers, $12 to $20; steaks, $29 to $125; entrees, $17 to $38; sides $12; sauces, $5 to $28; desserts, $9 to $13. Food: (***) Steakhouse menu with organic, sustainably raised quality meats and a seasonal focus on locally sourced produce. Beverage: (***1/2) Cocktails have mostly returned to steakhouse classics (Vesper, Negroni, Stinger, espresso martini). Local, regional and European beers available, about $6 to $12. Diverse list of around 200 mostly organic, small producer Californian and French wines. Coravin system allows a wider selection by the glass, $8 to $58 in 3- and 5-ounce pours; by the bottle, $45 to $1,000. Online wine club with 10 percent discounts. Service: (***) Knowledgeable and friendly, slow at times and lacking team accuracy Ambiance: (**1/2) Quiet and chilly in the bistro dining room; families and out-of-town guests with businessmen occupying all the seats in the bar. Summer will revive the flagging vibe. Personality: (***) The stylish bistro-butcher concept retains its corporate, upscale appeal, but menu and service changes lend a more casual steakhouse feel. Overall Rating: *** (out of four) See More Collapse

It turns out the accessible bar menu and a new midweek three-course dinner special for two  remarkably priced at $100 with a bottle of house wine thrown in  are efforts to fight its reputation as special-occasion dining. Salt & Char hasn't gone full Groupon, but General Manager Alexander Miller acknowledges strategies to reach the home market, and when the Adelphi Hotel opens this summer, its eatery, Blue Hen will be "our finer dining restaurant," Miller says. The Salt & Char wine list is still clamped inside thick cowhide, but a new Coravin cork tapping system allows more wines by the glass. In the post-Kunz era, you don't have to leave your wallet at the door.

Perhaps in summer, when Salt & Char regains its full complement of staff, they'll iron out wrinkles that have crept in. Servers who assist the leather-aproned table captains will find a way to match each dish to the person who ordered it, depleted water glasses will be refilled, and aching lulls between courses will lessen, so a four-course dinner won't take four hours.

But that's no crushing indictment. You can hope to have our oenophile server, whose pairing recommendation of a gorgeous 2014 Crozes Hermitage with a powerful honey nose made up for the lack of a full-time sommelier. The somm at the opening, Daniel Combs, is now wine director of the whole Adelphi Hospitality Group, and his floor appearances, we were told, are limited to weekends. By phone, Miller assures me a certified substitute, himself or manager Courtney Hill, is always available. Perhaps just not the night we asked.

Flickers of last summer are in a delicate gold and puce beet salad with smoked ricotta, marmalade and licorice cameos from hidden fennel, and the bar's Lillet-laced Vesper (with its James Bond credentials) feels at home when brought to our table from the man-filled bar.

Pared down, the kitchen crew has played musical chairs: Former sous chef Nicholas Karoly is chef de cuisine, and Braden Reardon has stepped up to the overarching role of AHG executive chef. Pastry chef Michelle Hunter's artistic talents link back to Kunz's upscale vision with delightful after-dinner mignardises (mini-madeleine, cardamom shortbread, sugared raspberry jelly and rose-tinted meringue) and a soft, warm chocolate cake ($12). The latter oozes lava into espresso cream and twice-frozen milk, the perfect unsweetened foil that brings to mind slushy pints brought inside on chilly mornings.

Ideally, the kitchen will run a tighter ship so a hulking double pork chop ($38) is not dominated by sweet brandied prunes and bacon puree; an arugula salad special with fierce pickled red onion ($11) will not be wetly overdressed. And let's hope they go back to presenting the salt-crusted baked potato ($12) in its cracked salt shell. Without that visual, it's just a pricey spud.

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I can't say enough good things about an impeccably rare, tender Black Angus fillet mignon ($36) spackled with aromatic rosemary-sage butter. For $5 more, I swab it in bone marrow Bordelaise, letting pearly marrow melt on the tongue. When sides finally arrive, roasted mushrooms are buttery beauties; Brussels lack charm. And while the premixed steak tartare ($17) has lost any exoticism save a tiny quail egg yolk, and a $19 tuna tartare is cubed like poke, both are fresh, familiar in format and (presumably) faster to plate.

There are glimpses of what was before. Beneath the bill, a card still outlines the commitment to organic, sustainable farms. Likely spurred by Blue Hen's opening, Little Field Farm in Washington County will grow produce from seeds selected by Reardon in Italy, and partner farms will raise whole hogs, lamb, rabbits and chickens for the menu. Miller runs through progress: construction on the commissary kitchen starts this month, and the farm partnership program is "five times stronger." It reflects last year's ambitions, though I'm cautious: Other than arugula from Obercreek Farm, current produce is through a purveyor.

Though some of the artistry and excitement left with Kunz, you can still expect a pleasant meal, good wine and leather-pinnied table captains trailing servers in their wake. And, without trying, our bill ran $100 less than last summer.

Dinner for two  including appetizers, salads, entrees, dessert, one cocktail and two glasses of wine  came to $319.51 with tax and 20 percent tip.

Susie Davidson Powell is a freelance writer from East Greenbush. Follow her on Twitter, @SusieDP. To comment on this review, visit the Table Hopping blog, blog.timesunion.com/tablehopping.
[March 17, 2017] Stuart Lynn Awarded the 2017 CENIC Founders Award

Stuart Lynn, who led the creation of the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC)-now among the world's most heavily used research and education networks-has been selected by CENIC as a recipient of the 2017 Founders Award. "Since its founding, in collaboration with technology leaders from the CENIC community, the CalREN network has continuously evolved in order to provide the innovators among our members at vital public-serving institutions with a network environment that is commensurate with their ambitions in research, education, and health care," said CENIC President & CEO Louis Fox. "This is largely due to Stuart Lynn's vision of what CENIC could become and his passion to see this vision executed. His distinguished career in computing and information technology spans four decades and is extraordinary." CENIC was formed by the University of California, the California Institute of Technology, the California State University, Stanford University, and the University of Southern California. In 1998, CENIC designed and deployed the California Research and Education Network (CalREN), a stable, high-performance broadband network to meet unprecedented demands for increased network capacity, reliability, and capability as students and faculty turned to the network as a basic tool for education and research. In addition to being the catalyst for the formation of CENIC, Stuart served as Principal Investigator for a multimillion dollar grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to provide start-up funding. "Stuart recognized that higher education institutions in California needed a place to work on new technologies and to advance technology in the future," said David Wasley, then with the University of California, Berkeley. "With his characteristic diplomacy, Stuart met with the CIOs of Caltech, Stanford, USC, and all the UC campuses. Out of those meetings came the important decision that we should submit a proposal for one of the NSF's high-speed networking matching grants, using the grant to help build a California network. This grant became the catalyst for the remarkable collaboration CENIC represents." Stuart's colleagues attribute much of his success to his quietly persuasive personality as wel as his far-reaching vision for the potential of an organization like CENIC. Speaking of the months leading up to the founding of CENIC, Stuart notes, "We knew we didn't want California to be an island. We wanted to be part of something that was happening worldwide, and we knew that wasn't going to happen with the commodity Internet. The commodity Internet has to satisfy many individual interests, so it averages out. We didn't want to be average. We wanted to be excellent. We wanted to be ahead of the curve. If you had told me in 1996 that what we were starting would become what I see today, I would have said, 'well, that's a little far-fetched.' But it was always our goal to break down the barriers of distance and time to facilitate really effective research and educational collaboration across the state of California, with the rest of the nation, and around the world, too, by building the right kind of linkages into national and international networks. We always had that goal in mind."



The CENIC community is only one of the many beneficiaries of Stuart's talent and vision. He served as the CIO for the University of California's Office of the President, as well as President and Chairman of the Board of CENIC until his retirement in 1999. Emerging from retirement in 2001, he took on the role of President and CEO of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), where he initiated a "programme of reform" of that somewhat-dysfunctional organization known primarily for "endless policy debates and lack of responsiveness," and culminating a distinguished career in computing and information technology spanning more than four decades. In addition to ICANN and UCOP, he has held positions at Cornell University, UC Berkeley, Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine, IBM, and Chevron (News - Alert). Over the course of his career, he has been active in several professional organizations including the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the American Federation of Information Processing Societies. In 1994, he was elected a Fellow of the ACM. He has also served on numerous boards of directors and advisory committees and as a consultant to academia, government, and industry.

Stuart Lynn holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of California at Los Angeles and a B.A. and M.A. in Mathematics from Oxford University. A British citizen by birth, Stuart is now a citizen of the United States and resides in Palm Springs, California, with his family. Innovations in Networking Awards are presented each year by CENIC to highlight the exemplary innovations that leverage ultra-high bandwidth networking, particularly where those innovations have the potential to transform the ways in which instruction and research are conducted or where they further the deployment of broadband in underserved areas. About CENIC  www.cenic.org CENIC connects California to the world-advancing education and research statewide by providing the world-class network essential for innovation, collaboration and economic growth. The nonprofit organization operates the California Research and Education Network (CalREN), a high-capacity network designed to meet the unique requirements of over 20 million users, including the vast majority of K-20 students together with educators, researchers and others at vital public-serving institutions. CENIC's Charter Associates are part of the world's largest education system; they include the California K-12 system, California Community Colleges, the California State University system, California's Public Libraries, the University of California system, Stanford, Caltech, the Naval Postgraduate School, and USC. CENIC also provides connectivity to leading-edge institutions and industry research organizations around the world, serving the public as a catalyst for a vibrant California. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170317005727/en/

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[March 18, 2017] New, Smart Air Purifier by Philips Gives Families the Power to Improve Indoor Air Quality

STAMFORD, Conn., March 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is entering a new category in North America and expanding its portfolio of home appliances with the launch of a range of smart, innovative air purifiers and humidifiers. These new products give families the power to manage the most important part of the home  the air they breathe. Philips will debut the new appliances at the 2017 International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago, IL on March 18-21. "With the development of new products, we are continually looking for ways to make an impact on the quality of life for people by bringing meaningful innovations to homes around the world," said Eline de Graaf, Marketing Director for Philips New Categories. "Knowing that your air at home can have two to five times more allergens and pollutants than outdoor air, we came out with the Philips Air Purifiers and Humidifiers to encourage a better home environment with cleaner air." Philips Air Purifiers and Humidifier

Improving the quality of air indoors Philips offers peace of mind by making your air quality visible. The Philips Air Purifiers' unique numerical index, corresponding color ring, and connected app, make it easy to track and control air quality in the home  alerting in real-time to even the slightest change in indoor air conditions. The numerical display from 1-12 is an index of the indoor air quality, where 1 is good and 12 is polluted air. The color ring provides an additional visual cue, ranging from blue (good allergen & particle level) to red (bad allergen & particle level). Through the connected app, users can also see both indoor and outdoor air quality, track trends over time, receive allergen management advice and control the purifier, anytime or anywhere. With professional grade AeraSense technology, the Philips Air Purifiers automatically monitor, react, and purify indoor air, capturing 99.97% of particles1. They remove the most common allergens, including pollen, pet dander, dust mites, mold spores, as well as gases and odors. The purifiers also have an extra-sensitive allergen mode that boosts the fan speed even when it detects small increases of allergens in the air. Its multi-stage active filtration system consists of 3 different filters: a pre-filter for large particles, an active carbon filter for odors and gases (VOCs)2, and a True HEPA filter that captures particles as small as 0.3 microns1. The Philips Air Purifiers are available for a range of room sizes and are AHAM and Energy Star Certified. Rounding out the portfolio of innovative air treatment appliances is the Philips Humidifier, which prevents the spreading of bacteria. Laboratory testing confirms that NanoCloud technology spreads 99% less bacteria than leading ultrasonic humidifiers3 while also preventing wet spots and white dust4. The product also offers a smart humidity sensor that enables you to precisely manage the humidity level of the room and that shuts off automatically to prevent over-humidification. Additional new Philips household appliance also featured at the booth:



Philips TurboStar Airfryer

Air is the new oil, and now you can use that air to fry in a healthier way with less fat! As the leader in Airfrying, Philips has brought this innovation from great to greatest. With the new Philips TurboStar Airfryer, your favorite fried foods are guilt-free thanks to the appliance needing little to no oil for crispy results, offering the peace of mind that family meals will not only be delicious but healthier, too.

Using proprietary TurboStar technology, hot air swirls continuously through the whole cooking chamber, resulting faster and even heat distribution throughout the entire basket. Since all the food is exposed to this constant, circulating heat, it is cooked through simultaneously while draining excess fat. Thoughtfully designed to take up less space on a kitchen countertop but hold the same amount of food within the basket as past models. The Philips TurboStar Airfryer also features a universal EasyClick handle for quick changing between cooking accessories and easy storage as well as a quick clean removable mesh bottom. Philips MultiChopper

Now you can chop like a chef  quick and precise Recognizing how unpleasant and time-consuming chopping can be, Philips developed the new Philips MultiChopper to make it hassle-free. Using propriety ChopDrop technology, the Philips MultiChopper offers a uniquely designed chamber that houses sharp blades that can cut through vegetables, dried fruit, cheeses, nuts and more. The MultiChopper is equipped with two functions: a slower speed to ensure coarse chopping and a high speed blade to achieve finely chopped food. Simply press down on the top of the MultiChopper as it detects the desired function and adjusts the speed automatically  no extra buttons, settings or switches are necessary. Once the pieces reach an optimal size, they are dropped in a bowl underneath  dry and uniform every time. Philips ProMix Hand Blender

All your favorite recipes at the touch of a button With the new Philips ProMix Hand Blender, you can blend, whisk, mash, chop and more with the touch of a button. Ergonomically designed for easy handling, the Philips ProMix Hand Blender allows for seamless one-handed speed control  perfect for consistently smooth soups, sauces, smoothies and baby food. The ProMix technology along with titanium coated blades ensure a smooth end result without having to manually stir and mix, making for the quickest meal prep ever. Designed with Turbo boost, the harder you press, the higher the speed of the Hand Blender. Philips Compact Pasta Maker

Fresh and flavorful homemade pasta in minutes Now with a smaller footprint for a kitchen countertop or cabinet, the new Philips Compact Pasta Maker allows you and your family to enjoy 2-3 servings of fresh, homemade pasta in just 18 minutes. The Philips Compact Pasta Maker mixes, kneads and extrudes automatically thanks to a uniquely designed stirring bar and knead tube for consistently smooth pasta and noodles every time. You can even personalize pasta by adding your family's favorite herbs or ingredients such as spinach, carrots or beets. The Compact Pasta Maker also comes with a recipe booklet, which includes 10 delicious recipes and more than 15 types of dough options, making homemade pasta a breeze. Visit the Philips Booth at IHHS to Experience the New Home Innovations

To experience first-hand the newest Philips household items, visit Philips at the International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago, IL on March 18-21 at booth #L11336 (wired+well). For more information about Philips Air and Kitchen Appliances, please visit http://www.usa.philips.com/. Pricing & Retail Availability: Philips Air Purifier Series 2000i : $399 . Available at Amazon and Philips.com.

: . Available at Amazon and Philips.com. Philips Air Purifier Series 1000i : $299 . Available at Amazon and Philips.com.

: . Available at Amazon and Philips.com. Philips Humidifier Series 2000 : $169 . Available at Amazon and Philips.com.

: . Available at Amazon and Philips.com. Philips TurboStar Airfryer : $199  $249 . Analog model available at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Philips.com and Best Buy; coming soon to Kohl's and Amazon. Digital model available at Williams-Sonoma and Philips.com.

:  . Analog model available at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Philips.com and Best Buy; coming soon to Kohl's and Amazon. Digital model available at Williams-Sonoma and Philips.com. Philips MultiChopper : $69.95 . Available at HSN, Philips.com and Williams-Sonoma.

: . Available at HSN, Philips.com and Williams-Sonoma. Philips ProMix Hand Blender : $89.95 . Available at HSN, Williams-Sonoma, Philips.com and Amazon.

: . Available at HSN, Williams-Sonoma, Philips.com and Amazon. Philips Compact Pasta Maker : $199.99 . Available at HSN, Williams-Sonoma, Kohl's, Philips.com and Bed, Bath & Beyond; coming soon to Amazon. Notes to editor As small as 0.3 microns from the air that passes through the filter

Does not reduce or absorb carbon monoxide gas. Keep gas appliances well ventilated.

3Results are based on emission of the bacterium Pseudomonas Fragi from clean units and filters, after 1,6 and 24 hours of continuous use, varying in water consumption from 30-120ml/hr, using sterilized water spiked with said bacterium, conducted in a 1m3(35cuft) chamber refreshed at 560L/min (148gpm).

4Independent third-party test Determination of deposition of minerals from liquid droplets on furniture according to DIN 44973, IUTA e.V. To determine mineral deposits onto furniture from airborne liquid droplets over a period of 3 hours. About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips' health technology portfolio generated 2016 sales of EUR 17.4 billion and employs approximately 71,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-smart-air-purifier-by-philips-gives-families-the-power-to-improve-indoor-air-quality-300425779.html SOURCE Royal Philips

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Election day information: voting times, polling centers and races

Residents will have their final chance to cast votes in local races on Nov. 8, including seats on both the NLCS and MCS boards and Sheriff.
In the wake of a recent controversy involving an anti-Donald Trump themed video for Snoop Doggs version of their track Lavender, Canadian jazz hip-hop group BadBadNotGood have teamed up with ex-Beastie Boy Mike D for a performance on the musicians Beats 1 Radio show.

As Consequence Of Sound reports, The Canadian group are set to appear on Mike Ds bi-weekly Beats 1 Radio show this weekend, and in anticipation of the event, have released videos which show the group performing two tracks, with the ex-Beastie Boy on drums for their cover of Galt MacDermots Coffee Cold.

The group also perform a rendition of their track Lavender which, as we stated before, has seen some controversy of late, after Snoop Doggs version of the track was released with a video which sees the rapper pointing a gun at a fake Donald Trump. The controversy resulted in arguably the lamest rap beef of all time, with Trump taking to Twitter, as he is wont to do, to express his opinions on the matter.

Can you imagine what the outcry would be if @SnoopDogg, failing career and all, had aimed and fired the gun at President Obama? Jail time!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2017

Their performance is set to be aired on Apple Musics Beats 1 Radio this weekend, and also features an interview which sees the group talking about records with the hip-hop legend, so be sure to ch-check it out. In the meantime, take a gander at their performance of Lavender below.
Hard Times Continue For Local Rail

Mexico Threatens to Derail Kansas City Southern Mexican regulators have accused Kansas City Southern ( KSU) and miner Grupo Mexico of abusing their power on the nation's private railway system. In a preliminary report, Mexico's federal competition commission alleged that the two companies are setting inflated prices, restricting supply and blocking access to their extensive networks.

Kansas City Urban Core Justice

Cheapskate Kansas City Pro-Sports Cuts

Source: Chiefs revamp LB Johnson's salary The Kansas City Chiefs, who were tight to the salary cap, have agreed to a pay cut with linebacker Derrick Johnson, a league source told ESPN's Field Yates. Johnson was due a base salary of $4.75 million for 2017 and up to $1 million in per-game roster bonuses.

Tragic Crash Aftermath

Two children killed in crash after driver speeds away from minor fender bender KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Two children are dead and two adults are in the hospital after a crash near 12th and Ewing in Kansas City Friday morning. It all started as a minor fender bender between that car and another vehicle, but when the driver tried to speed away, he lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a utility pole.

Show-Me The New Boss

At the halfway mark, Missouri GOP legislators tout session's successes -- and promise more Missouri lawmakers wrapped up the first half of the 2017 legislative session having achieved the session's top priority: making Missouri a right-to-work state. Gov. Eric Greitens, a Republican, signed Senate Bill 19 into law last month. It bars labor unions and employers from requiring workers to pay dues and fees as a condition for employment.

Rock Chalk Bi-Partisan Push Back

Kansas Lawmakers Working To Reverse Brownback Medicaid Cuts With all of the talk in recent years about Kansas' budget problems, it can be hard to keep track of what programs have been cut and by how much. So, some Kansans may not remember that last summer Gov. Sam Brownback ordered more than $56 million in cuts to KanCare, the state's privatized Medicaid program.

Sound Of Kansas City Irish

Kansas City Musician Considers O'Malley's 'Home' - Especially On St. Patrick's Day For more than three decades, musician Bob Reeder has played weekly gigs - singing Irish folk songs and bawdy limericks - in an underground pub in Weston, Missouri. O'Malley's is roughly 50 feet underneath the ground in a limestone brewery cellar built in 1842.

Hottieand her pioneering work in "body acceptance" has made us feel just a bit luckier this evening as we compile some of the most important Kansas City mainstream media links for right now . . . Take a peek:And this is thefor right now . . .
A Plan to Make America Ache Again

Updated statement from yesterday's criticism . . . Here's the top ranking Democratic KCMO leader letting loose on the current proposal from the White House . . .Yesterday, President Donald Trump released his FY 2018 budget recommendations. Though the power to spend and appropriate lies squarely with Congress, every year the President offers a budget proposal. This years budget proposal left me astounded. Surely something with such blatant disregard for our most vulnerable citizens could not, should not, and will not pass in Congress.President Trumps cuts to several departments are simply put - harmful. This budget hurts working families, veterans, and especially low-income families and elderly citizens. Programs that our children and seniors rely on are now seen as burdensome and ineffective. How can that be?Programs that provide affordable housing, meals for the poor, formula for infants are crucial to our community yet have been cut or fully eliminated.I told a reporter this week, when I looked at the budget it was a nervous break-down on paper, and I meant every word of that. Everything that our office has been working on and pushing for was on the chopping block.Under the Presidents proposal, HUD funding will be cut by $6 billion dollars and EPA funding will be cut by 31 percent. What will happen to our environment or to the people who need housing services? For example, in Missouri, citizens in the LIHEAP, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, received over $73 million in 2016. This funding is critical to helping poor families afford heat and power to their homes. Veterans make up nearly 20 percent of all LIHEAP recipients. During the hottest and coldest months, energy bills can cost up to 30 percent of a low-income persons monthly income. The program is continually oversubscribed, and there are about 1.3 million additional households across the country that have not received funding who are eligible for the program. But with this budget, programs like these would be entirely eliminated.The Community Development Block Grant program would be eliminated under President Trumps cuts. This would be detrimental to the development and infrastructure in both urban and rural areas.President Trumps proposal to cut education by $9 billion is extreme. Public schools will see a loss in qualified teachers and training. Students struggling for affordable college will see a $4 billion cut to Pell grants.I want you to know, I cannot support this budget. Ive always believed that the budget is a moral document  one that reflects our values as a nation. This budget does just the opposite. I will remain committed to making sure that working citizens and working families, low-income individuals, struggling students, veterans, and rural families are protected.###############You decide . . .
St. Patrick's Day Festivities In Kansas City Celebrate Immigration And Diversity Tens of thousands of Kansas Citians are marking St. Patrick's Day. The festivities started this morning with the annual parade through the city. The celebrations come on the heels of Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny's meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House. With Trump standing alongside, Kenny reminded the president that St.

Progressives use St. Paddy's day to win points in a longstanding local debate over immigration . . . Conservatives once easily won this argument with when they toutedimmigrant status despite widely differing standards . . . However, the current Administration also hopes to curb legal immigrants in much the same way Americans once cracked down on the Irish. Take a look:
On Thursday our KICK-ASS TKC BLOG COMMUNITY warned that the Prez Trump budget proposal targeted the toy train and brings funding to a FULL STOP under new budget goals.

Dead Tree Media: Trumps budget could affect Kansas City streetcar expansion

Specials thanks to our blog community for keeping us in the loop about the crackdown on federal transit funds proposed by Prez Trump.Now . . . Our the newspaper catches up to our lead . . .The "could" part of the headline is optimistic and misleading . . .have long been a target of Republicans given that they're awarded like shameful civic welfare to politically compliant districts . . . Now, the new administration looks to refocus priorities and push forward with more substantial projects, the streetcar scheme is not included, of course . . .You decide . . .
The Turkish Minister of Interior Suleyman Soylu threatened that his country could open the floodgates for 15,000 refugees and migrants into Greece every month, according to Anadolu news agency.

If you want we can open the path for 15,000 refugees that we are not sending you every month and suffocate you, Mr. Soylu warned Europe. He added Europe should refrain from playing games in the region without taking Turkish interests into consideration. The Turkish Interior Minister also blasted European countries, especially Germany and the Netherlands who were against allowing Turkish political rallies on their soil in favour of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the referendum to be held on April 16.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
With 16.54 million passengers in 2015, Piraeus is the biggest coastal shipping port among 69 organized ports in the Mediterranean, according to data compiled by MedCruise, while the new management of Piraeus Port Authority (OLP), controlled by the Cosco Group since last year, is preparing to add to its real estate as a part of its general upgrading plan.

Starting from this year, Greeces main port will undergo a general facelift in terms of its infrastructure as a part of OLPs investment plan that provides for expenditure on improvement and maintenance totaling 15 million euros in 2017.

Kathimerini understands that in the medium term, OLPs new management will implement a development plan for the ports real estate that it is currently drafting. This will concern shops and reception and waiting areas, as well as the development of a hotel complex.

This planned utilization of the port zones real estate is expected to encourage passengers and other visitors to spend more time at the port of Piraeus, whose passenger traffic is by far the highest in the Mediterranean  more than twice that of Naples, in distant second place: The Italian port had 6.32 million passengers in 2015, according to the annual study of the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports (MedCruise), presented this week at the Seatrade Cruise Global 2017 fair in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The report showed that Greece recorded the second highest coastal shipping traffic in the Mediterranean (after Italy) in 2015, with 25.2 million passengers  the figures for 2016 are not available yet. Italy and Greece cover 70 percent of the total coastal shipping traffic in the Med, accounting for 37.3 percent and 32.7 percent respectively.

A significant factor contributing to Piraeuss huge passenger numbers is its link with the Saronic islands, particularly nearby Salamina. It is also the main port linking continental Greece with hundreds of islands in the Aegean.

OLPs coastal shipping turnover last year amounted to about 10.34 million euros, almost on a par with the year before, while net profits from this activity reached 1.59 million euros in 2016, up 45 percent from 2015.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on all Turkish expats residing in Europe to have more children in response to the segregation they are facing across the continent. Educate your children in the best schools, ensure your families live in the best locations, drive the best cars, live in the best houses and have 5 children, not just three, the Turkish President urged Turkish migrants during his address at a gathering in the city of Eskisehir, south of Constantinople.

That is the best answer to the disrespect and hostility you are facing, he went on to say. It is estimated that 2.5 million Turks living in Europe are eligible to take part in the April 16 referendum in Turkey which is related to increasing executive power to the President. Relations bewteen Turkey and the EU have been strained following a row between Turkey and the Netherlands and other EU countries over the banning of Turkish politicians to hold rallies in EU nations for the referendum.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Qinvest, the leading investment group from Qatar, has joined hands with Atlas Merchant Capital, a private equity firm co-founded by former Barclays chief executive Bob Diamond to buy Panmure Gordon, one of Britains oldest stockbrokers, said a report.

Qinvest, one of the world's most prominent Islamic financial institutions, already owns a 43 per cent stake in Panmure Gordon.

The deal will be regarded as a return to the City by Diamond, who resigned from Barclays in the wake of the Libor rigging scandal in 2012, according to BBC.

The offer, which values the the loss-making stockbroker and investment bank at 15.5 million, has been recommended by the board.

QInvest CEO Tamim Al Kawari said it was excited about this opportunity to work with Atlas to develop the business, alongside its management team and employees, and to assist it in fulfilling its potential.

Shares in Panmure Gordon soared 76 per cent to 105p in morning trading - 5p above the offer price, stated the BBC report.

The Boston-born banker was a controversial figure. Before being elevated to run the bank in September 2010, he was head of Barclays Capital, its investment banking division, it added.
Bahrain-based GFH Financial Group (GFH), a prominent financial group in the GCC region, has appointed Shaikh Ahmed Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa as the new chairman of the company's board for the next two years, while Dr Ahmed Al Mutawa has been named the vice chairman.



The announcement comes following the recent board meeting of the GFH group in Abu Dhabi where its new board of directors for 2017-2019 was endorsed.



As chairman, Shaikh Ahmed brings with him more than two decades of experience including in senior positions in banking, advisory, ministerial posts, and also as member in other company boards.



The new members industed into the GFH board include Kamal Abdulla Bahamdan, Mazin Mohammed Al Saeed, Jassim Mohammed Al Seddiqi, Rashid Nasser Al Kaabi, Ghazi Faisal Al Hajri, Mosabah Saif Al Motairi, Bashar Mohammed Al Mutawa and Hisham Ahmed Alrayes.



On his appointment, Shaikh Ahmed, said: "I am extremely proud to join the board of GFH Financial Group as its chairman during this exciting time of further development for the group following the delivery of strong progress and results in 2016."



"Following the recent AGM, and the announcement of a new strategy, which will focus on the acquisition of financial institutions, infrastructure investments, and other strategic assets, GFH is now entering a new phase of growth over which I am pleased to be presiding alongside a world-class board and management team," he stated.



Lauding Dr Al Mutawa for all his efforts, Shaikh Ahmed, said: "He played an invaluable role in guiding GFH to where we are today - a growing regional market leader and a well-diversified institution and global investor."-TradeArabia News Service
SSH, a leading project management firm in the Middle East, said its joint venture with Italy-based Studio Altieri, has won the main design consultancy contract for the upcoming Kuwait New Maternity Hospital (KNMH).



The contract has been awarded by design-and-build contractor Impresa Pizzarotti & C.



The KNMH, to be located to the west of Kuwait City within the Al Sabah Specialty Medical Area, is planned by the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) in association with Ministry of Health (MoH) as the end user, to be a state-of-the-art, world-class, specialist maternity hospital to service the growing healthcare needs of Kuwait and the GCC region on an international scale.



The new facility will bring together all aspects of maternity care into a single complex to form a specialist hospital for Kuwaits growing population.



The KNMH is to feature 27 operating rooms and will accommodate 780 in-patients, while a multi-storey car park will hold up to 1,300 vehicles. The project will stand 18 storeys tall when completed, said the statement from SSH.



As part of a national hospital regeneration programme, the MoH is implementing a major healthcare investment into specialist healthcare services through the delivery of a new dedicated national maternity facility.



The project design and build team has been awarded the $817 million contract by the MoH to deliver the hospital project in four-and-half years.



The site work for the project started in January 2017.



The project comprises the following buildings and components:

 Main hospital building, comprising a basement, ground floor, a six-level podium and 11 floors of in-patient accommodation;

 Annex building, which includes outpatient clinics, an auditorium and administrative facilities;

 Multi-storey car-park, which consists of two basement levels, a ground level, five typical levels and shaded rooftop parking; and

 Central utility plant, allocated on a separate plot and includes an underground service tunnel



The project includes the supply of all medical equipment and interior furnishing, as well as providing operational maintenance for the specialist facility after hand over, said the statement from SSH.



The consultant team will be fully utilising Revit building information modelling (BIM) software throughout the design development, including the use of BIM during the construction phase of the project, it stated.



The efforts of the JV consultant team in collaboration with Impresa Pizzarotti as the design/build contractor, will bring to fruition the vision that the MPW and MOH have for an international specialist maternity hospital for Kuwait to service the needs of the local, regional and international communities, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
Etihad Etisalat (Mobily), a leading mobile services operator in Saudi Arabia, has signed a collaboration agreement with Saudi Post, as per which all its mobily products and services like; voice and data SIM cards, recharge vouchers, and E-vouchers, will be available at all its offices and branches across the kingdom.



This agreement is aimed at enhancing and supporting the sales channels of Mobily's products and services, remarked Ismail Alghamdi, the chief business officer at Mobily, after signing the deal with Saudi Post CEO Sami Alowedi in the presence of several senior officials.



"We trust the capability of Saudi Post, one of the national organisations that is witnessing a remarkable development, and its wide spread network to facilitate the access to our products," he stated.



Mobily, he said, is always keen to work side by side with different government and private sectors to ensure the national transformation plan and 2030 Vision.



Alowedi, lauding the important role played by Mobily in developing telecom sector in the kingdom, said this agreement comes out of Saudi Post policy to collaborate with leading companies in different sectors to enhance postal provided services for citizens and expatriates around the kingdom.-TradeArabia News Service
Kuwait's Ministry of Public Works is set to award 13 maintenance project contracts worth more than KD50 million ($164 million) including five linked to roads in various governorates across the country, according to a report.



The prime ones are the maintenance of Kabad Road and the internal roads of Kabad area besides that of Al Firdous area and one for Farwaniya blocks 1, 2, 3, and 4, according to Arab Times.



A total of 13 maintenance contracts have been prepared and will soon be signed by Minister of Public Works Abdulrahman Al Mutawa, stated the report, citing a senior ministry official



"These contracts have been included in the budget of 2017/2018 fiscal and are part of the integrated plan which involves 42 contracts," revealed Mohammad bin Nakhi, the assistant undersecretary for Maintenance Engineering at Ministry of Public Works.



"Among these major works is the implementation of a new asphalt formula which will bring an end to the loose gravel problem. The new formula does not use natural sand and instead replaces it with small stones with polymer." he noted.



These contracts have taken into consideration the recommendations of the five-member committee for solving the traffic congestion and carrying out the urgent requests of the cabinet.
Tamkeen has signed an MoU with Bahrain-based Al Mabarrah Al Khalifia Foundation for a major programme aimed at enhancing the skills and capabilities of Bahraini youth through workshops and training.



Rayaat Program was launched in line with the Al Mabarrah Al Khalifia Foundations overall vision to provide students with scholarship opportunities at accredited universities in the kingdom in order to create an ambitious generation that can play an integral part in developing the community, said a statement from Tamkeen.



Students enrolled in the program are also exposed to numerous training programs and other team building activities aimed at elevating the soft skills of the next generation and creating graduates that are job-ready, it stated.



"Tamkeen supports entities that are focused on developing the skills and capabilities of Bahrainis at different stages in their career and studies," remarked its chief executive Dr Ebrahim Janahi.



"Also, it is of utmost importance that the youth are exposed to a range of skills that are required in order to excel in their studies and career journey; which will surely impact the overall economic development of the Kingdom," he noted.



On the new partnership, Al Mabarrah Al Khalifia Foundation Board of Trustees' chairperson Shaikha Zain bint Khalid Al Khalifa, said: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank Tamkeen for the efforts exerted in supporting the development of Bahraini youth."



"Our partnership with Tamkeen will further elevate the activities held as part of the Rayaat Scholarship Program. We are proud that till date 200 students have been enrolled in the program across various courses and specializations in order to fulfill the markets demands in line with the Economic Vision 2030," she added.-TradeArabia News Service
Qatar's cabinet has approved a draft law on the protection of industrial designs and another draft of its executive regulations with regard to trademarks, commercial data, trade names, said a report.

The decision was taken at the weekly cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani at Emiri Diwan, reported The Peninsula

As per the draft law, an owner of the registered industrial design has the right to prevent others from making, selling or importing products taking the shape of the design or model or including it, stated the report.

The duration of the protection of the industrial design or model is five years, renewable for two similar terms, it added.

The project includes provisions relating to the Protection of Industrial Property Office's issuance of a periodical journal called "Industrial Property" to publish the data required to be announced in accordance with the provisions of this law.

A registration book must be prepared in the Office to record all industrial designs and models, owners data, notifications assignment of property, beneficiaries of the licences, licences renewal, cancellation and all other related issues, so as determined by the executive regulations of the law.

The draft law includes the amendment of several articles in the Advocacy Law, and the addition of some articles to the law, stated the report.

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce prepared the draft law in the context of facilitating requirements for the investors and the business community.

Under this, private companies can be licensed to perform all or some services set forth in the Law No (25) of 2005 on the commercial register as amended by Law No. (20) of 2014, Law No. (5) of 2015 on commercial and industrial outlets, similar public facilities and street peddlers and Commercial Companies Law.
French oil giant Total has signed an agreement with Iranian authorities for a 50 per cent stake in Irans South Pars project which will developed at an investment of $4 billion, according to a report.



The South Pars field will begin production by the end of the fiscal year, said Oil Price.com citing Iranian officials.



The first stage of production will see output of 35,000 barrels per day, while the second stage will increase to 100,000 bpd, it stated.



The move makes Total the first Western supermajor to sign a deal with Iran on energy following the easing of sanctions.



In a regulatory filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Total said it would finance 50.1 per cent of the South Pars 11 project, which requires a total investment of $4 billion.



If this deal goes through, Total would be the operator of the project, while Chinas CNPC would hold a 30-per cent interest through a subsidiary, while Irans Petropars would hold 19.9 per cent, stated the report.



Iran shares ownership of the gas reserves in the largest field of its kind with Qatar. The 14-trillion-cubic-feet find represents eight percent of the worlds known reserves.



Total is also considering other investments in Iran, including a 10-million-tonne/year liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant and an investment in the South Azadegan oil field.
Israeli airstrikes on Syrian targets overnight have triggered the most visible skirmish between the two neighbours since Syrias civil war began in 2011, according to media reports.

Israeli warplanes were on a mission to destroy a weapons convoy destined for the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, reported Chicago Tribune citing Israeli officials.



Confirming the attack, the Israeli military said its aircraft struck several targets in Syria and were back in Israeli-controlled airspace when several anti-aircraft missiles were launched from Syria toward the Israeli jets.



Syria used Russian-made SA-5 surface-to-air missiles and Israel responded with its new anti-ballistic Arrow system, the Haaretz newspaper reported.



The exchange indicates that tensions may be escalating between the two countries as Syrian forces loyal to President Bashar Al Assad tighten their grip after years of civil war.



That could make it harder for Israel to prevent weapons being smuggled from Syria to the militant group Hezbollah in neighbouring Lebanon, reported Bloomberg.



The missiles triggered Israels emergency sirens, which may have forced the army to issue a rare communique confirming the skirmish. At no point was the safety of Israeli civilians or the IAF aircraft compromised, it said.

Israeli aerial defense systems intercepted one of the missiles, the army said, without elaborating. It would not say whether any other missiles struck Israeli-held territory, but said the safety of Israeli civilians and Israeli aircraft was "not compromised."



Israel is widely believed to have carried out several airstrikes in recent years on advanced weapons systems in Syria - including Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles and Iranian-made missiles - as well as Hezbollah positions, reported the Chicago Tribune.



It rarely comments on such operations and the military statement detailing the raid and comments confirming the operation by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were highly unusual.



"Our policy is very consistent. When we identify attempts to transfer advanced weapons to the Hezbollah, and we have the intelligence and the operational capability, we act to prevent that. That is what was and that is what will be," Netanyahu said.



Hezbollah is fighting alongside President Bashar Assad in the brutal Syrian civil war. The Iran-backed group is sworn to Israel's destruction and fought a month-long war with the Jewish state in 2006, stated the Chicago Tribune.

Syrian state television later said an Israeli jet was hit, a claim Israel denied.



It isnt the first time that Syria has fired anti-aircraft missiles at Israel, but it was the first time that Israel officially deployed the Arrow system, Haaretz said.
There's always a McDonald's restaurant welcoming you with open arms wherever you go. It's not going to be a surprise anymore if ever you'll see one even in the most far-flung places. What might surprise you, however, is that some of its restaurants are extremely creative. Listed here are five of McDonald's creative restaurants around the world.

McDonald's Museum-Restaurant In Rome

An ancient road that was part of the Appian Way was discovered in 2014. According to Independent, McDonald's contributed to the restoration of the site and built a glass wall on top. What's interesting is that you can still some skeletons still buried half-way as you eat that Big Mac. You don't need to worry -- the real skeletons were replaced by resin casts.

World's "Most Beautiful" Mcdonald's Branch In Budapest, Hungary

A lot of travelers say that Hungary has the most beautiful McDonald's branch in the world. It's an arguable claim that somehow make sense because the Nygugati station branch in Budapest was designed by the one and only, Eiffel Company. Yes, the company that built the Eiffel Tower and the one that also gave this branch elaborately designed ceilings and posh tables.

A Decommissioned Plane In Taupo, New Zealand

This branch in Taupo has a decommissioned plane on its side which was made in 1948 and served 56,282 hours during its time. But now, this plane is on a new mission and that is to cater hungry customers in its 20-seater cabin. According to Great Lake Taupo, it's one of the 10 coolest branches around the world.

Spaceship Restaurant In Roswell, USA

Roswell has a UFO museum, annual UFO festival and alien-themed shops in its area to commemorate the alleged crash-landing of a UFO in the city on 1947. With that, McDonald's wanted to blend in with its spaceship themed restaurant and Ronald McDonald dressed up as an astronaut inside the building.

Batumi, Georgia

Designed by the award-winning architect Giorgi Khmaladze, this McDonald's branch boasts of its exterior having 460 glass panels. The structure is also surrounded by a reflective pool which just completes the whole futuristic atmosphere.

Now, if you want to have a one of a kind McDonald's experience, you might want to visit these branches. Eating in one of them would really be an experience of a lifetime.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Washington, March 18

An American man has been charged with hate crime for assaulting an Indian-origin man and hurling racial slurs, mistaking him for a Muslim.

Jeffrey Allen Burgess, 54, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, has been accused of intentionally harming a man named Ankur Mehta on November 22 because of his "perceived race, colour and national origin".

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

A federal grand jury yesterday indicted Burgess of a hate crime charge in connection with the alleged assault at a Red Robin restaurant in South Hills Village, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and acting US Attorney Soo C Song for the Western District of Pennsylvania announced the indictment.

At the time of the incident, police said, Burgess was sitting next to Mehta inside the Red Robin restaurant when he began insulting him and then repeatedly elbowed him in the head.

"I don't want you sitting next to me...you people," Burgess was quoted as saying by witnesses in addition to his anti-Muslim racial slurs, according to a criminal complaint filed by Bethel Park police.

Witnesses told police Burgess struck Mehta four or five times and called him a "(expletive) Muslim," according to the complaint.

Mehta was treated at St. Clair Hospital for a laceration to the upper lip and a loose tooth. Mehta is of Indian descent, police said.

In addition to the slurs, Burgess told Mehta "things are different now," police said, which authorities believe was a reference to the election of Donald Trump.

If convicted Burgess faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years of prison, a fine of USD 250,000 or both.

Burgess also faces state charges of ethnic intimidation, public drunkenness and simple assault stemming from the same incident.

The indictment of Burgess comes amid a series of suspected hate crime cases targeting Indian-Americans.

On February 22, Indian nationals Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani were shot at a bar in Olathe, Kansas, by a man shouting "get out of my country". Kuchibhotla, 32, later died at a hospital.

On March 3, a Sikh American was shot and injured in Kent, Washington, by a gunman who reportedly told him to "go back to your own country." PTI
Gurugram, March 18

A Gurugram court on Saturday awarded life sentence to 13 former employees of Maruti-Suzuki India Limited, who it had found guilty of murder, in connection with the violence at the automobile giant's Manesar plant in 2012 in which a senior company officer had died.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Additional district and session judge RP Goyal granted life sentence to the 13 men, who had been convicted for murder by it earlier.

Of the 18 other ex-workers, who had been convicted of various other offences like violence, rioting and attempt to murder, four have been given a sentence of 5 years.

Fourteen other convicts would be released after paying a fixed amount of Rs 2,500 as fine. The court termed these 14 as "undergone accused" as they had already served a jail term of four and half years, which it felt was enough punishment.

The 13 persons who have been sentenced to life term are identified as Ram Mehar, who was the union president, Sandeep Dhillon, Ram Bilas, Sarabjeet Singh, Pawan Kumar, Sohan Kumar, Pradeep Kumar, Ajmer Singh, Jiya Lal, Amarjeet, Dhanraj Bhambi, Yogesh Kumar and Pradeep Gujjar.

During the proceedings today, the prosecution counsel Anurag Hooda sought death penalty for all the 13 murder convicted employees. Sessions judge R P Goyal, after taking into consideration all aspects, awarded life sentence to each of them.

Defence counsel, Rebbecca John, however, said she would approach the High Court against the decision.

Earlier, 31 workers had been convicted and 117 were acquitted by the court on March 10. Thirteen of the accused were held guilty of murder while the remaining 18 were convicted of violence, rioting and other offences.

Violence had erupted at the facility in August 2012 over disciplinary action against an employee during which agitated workers went on rampage, torching a part of the factory, setting senior human resource manager Awanish Kumar Dev on fire, and beating up and bludgeoning with rods 100 others.

Those wounded included some foreigners and policemen.

The police had arrested 148 workers in connection with the murder.

Hundreds of policemen in riot gear were today deployed at the court and outside automakers offices' over threats by workers to mobilise large-scale protests if their colleagues "did not get justice".

The administration had imposed section 144 in the district till March 25.  PTI
Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar/Bhiwani, March 18

After the breakdown of talks between the state government and All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS), the authorities have requisitioned the Army to maintain law and order for some districts in the state.

The Army authorities, after consultations with civilian authorities, mapped the areas in sensitive districts of Hisar, Rohtak, Bhiwani and Jind. The deployment of Army was likely to start in sensitive areas tonight, said sources.

A meeting of civilian, police and Army officials was held here today. They chalked out an action plan to deal with the situation after carrying out detailed mapping of sensitive areas in the district.

The sources said the state government had issued instructions to police officials in districts that they would be responsible if any untoward incident took place and strict action could be taken against them for failure in dealing with the situation.

While Rohtak, Jhajjar and Sonepat districts demanded 25 Army columns each, Hisar sought 20 columns and Bhiwani and Dadri 18 columns each.

The Army authorities were likely to deploy two or three columns in each districts in the first phase, depending on sensitivity of the situation, which could be reinforced in case of requirement at the earliest, the sources added.

Hisar DC Nikhil Gajraj said the Army would be deployed at certain sensitive points tomorrow. In the first phase, they will be deployed in specific areas. I cannot reveal the number of personnel right now. We will ensure that railway tracks and highways remain clear of protesters, he said.

He said 31 duty magistrates had been appointed in the district and 10 more would be in reserve, who could be deputed anywhere.

Book arsonists by name: Karnal DC

Karnal: Deputy Commissioner Mandeep Singh Brar and Superintendent of Police Jashandeep Singh Randhawa on Saturday held a meeting with officials to review the security arrangements in the district. The DC directed the officials to book arsonists by name instead of lodging FIR against unknown persons. He said nobody would be allowed to take law into their hands and action would be initiated against anyone indulging in unlawful activity. Officials have been directed to ensure videography of protesters in order to identity persons involved in arson and vandalism.

CBSE issues advisory to students

New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Saturday issued an advisory for students of Classes X and XII appearing for examinations on Monday in view of Jat agitation. "The students and parents are hereby informed and advised to take necessary measures to reach the examination centres well before the scheduled time to avoid any inconvenience in anticipation of the gherao," the advisory said.  PTI
Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 18

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has made it clear that an allottee is entitled to know how enhancement in allotment price has been determined. The assertion came in a case where societies allotted group housing sites were asking authorities to specify how additional demand was raised, but were not provided information.

Taking up the petition by EIL Pragati CGHS Limited and other petitioners against Haryana and other respondents, the Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Sudip Ahluwalia directed supply of account statement and calculation sheet.

The Bench observed the petitioner-societies were allotted sites for construction of multi-storeyed apartments in Gurgaon.

The Bench observed one of their grievances in the writ petition was that the petitioners have been asking Haryana Urban Development Authority to supply the details as to how additional demand was raised on the basis of enhancement of compensation of acquired land.

The Bench added it was apparent from record that petitioners submitted replies as soon as notices for additional demand were received, but no further action appears to be taken.

Since the petitioners are entitled to know as to how the enhancement in allotment price has been determined, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to Chief Administrator, HUDA, Panchkula, and Administrator, HUDA, Gurgaon, to supply complete statement of accounts and calculation sheet to each petitioner-society explaining how additional amount was determined.

After receipt of calculation sheet, the petitioner-societies may submit fresh representation-cum-objections, which shall be considered by the prescribed authority in accordance with law.
Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 17

A day after a Haryana ministerial panel reportedly reached an agreement with the Jat community, the pro-quota leadership today said their march to New Delhi and gherao of Parliament on March 20 was very much on.

All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti chief Yashpal Malik charged the Manohar Lal Khattar government with misleading the people and announced their plan to gherao Parliament remained unchanged.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Hitting back at Malik, Chief Minister Khattar said some of the protesters did not like peace and they appeared to be either politically motivated or had vested interests.

I am always prepared to negotiate with an open mind to resolve the issue. The Jat leaders can hold talks with me wherever they desire, said Khattar.

The ministerial committee, headed by Ram Bilas Sharma and Krishan Bedi and Kamal Gupta (Chief Parliamentary Secretary) among its members, held talks with the Malik faction yesterday and had reportedly decided to announce the end of the impasse today.

The Chief Minister said the protesters had decided to call off their stir after the agreement with the panel. One of the agreement points was that once the Punjab and Haryana High Court verdict on reservation was out, a provision for quota would be included in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution. The government was also to reinvestigate various Jat stir-related cases. The next of kin of those killed during the protests last year or those who sustained permanent disability (or their next of kin) were to be given regular government jobs within 60 days.

The samitis seven-point agenda was discussed in detail with Malik and other members. Almost everything has been decided, Ram Bilas had claimed yesterday.
Tribune News Service

Hisar, March 18

Calling upon people to maintain peace and brotherhood, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today said the governments volte face after compromise with Jat protesters was beyond comprehension.

Talking to mediapersons, Hooda said the sudden U-turn of the government on the demands pointed to a deliberate attempt to vitiate the atmosphere.

The Central and state governments had failed to meet the aspirations of the people on repeated occasions, he claimed.

Despite a compromise, the U-turn has revealed that the government is confused and unable to take a decision. The government is not taking a consistent position, exposing its weakness, the former Chief Minister said.

Hooda said the government seemed disinterested in lending an ear to the people.

This aloofness is the major cause of resentment and indicates a deliberate attempt to vitiate the atmosphere, he alleged.
Kolkata, Mar 18 (IBNS): Volvo Car USA, LLC (VCUSA) has announced the launch of the international student program, comprised of an all-inclusive one-time payment that allows the student to drive a new Volvo vehicle during their time studying in the US.

Parents and students alike will have the peace of mind of not having to make monthly payments, purchase separate insurance, establish US credit, or worry about routine maintenance and service. After graduation, simply turn the car in to a local dealer.



At Volvo, we strive to develop solutions to make life less complicated for our customers, said Rick Bryant, Vice President, Sales Operations, VCUSA.

The international student program is a prime example of this: one simple payment with nothing else to worry about during their time studying in the country, he said.



Students enrolled at a US college, with a Student Visa and valid drivers license are eligible. Full program details can be found by visiting VolvoCarsForStudents.com.
Geetanjali Gayatri

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 18

The state was put on alert today in the run-up to the March 20 Parliament gherao call given by Jat protesters. Paramilitary forces were deployed and Internet services suspended in all sensitive districts of the state. The government also issued directions to petrol pump owners to ration the sale of fuel to tractors and suspended the sale of liquor as a precautionary measure.

Amidst all this build-up, All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) president Yashpal Malik, interestingly, left the state to return to his native place in Uttar Pradesh to prepare for the protest. He would not come to Haryana before or on March 20 and proceed directly to Delhi.

Sources in the Home Department said that eight districts, including Rohtak, Jhajjar, Bhiwani, Jind and Kaithal, had been declared sensitive and 124 companies of paramilitary forces fanned out across the districts.

The government has not only suspended the Internet services to curb misuse of the social media, but also clamped Section 144 around railway tracks and national and state highways to prevent assembly of more than five persons. The government has also issued directions to petrol pump owners to ration the sale of diesel to the tractor-trailers and imposed restrictions on ferrying of passengers on the tractor-trailers and suspended the sale of liquor.

According to information, petrol pump owners have been asked to restrict the fuel supply to 10 litres per tractor after taking down its number and other such details.

Though the AIJASS underplayed Maliks absence right before the protest, Jat leader Ashok Balhara in Rohtak said that Haryanas Jats would choke Delhi, while Malik would lead the UP team. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar deliberately left Delhi without meeting us and the agreement he and his minister Ram Bilas Sharma are quoting was only points that we wanted to take up with the CM, he said even as Yashpal Malik stated that there would be no more talks with the government .

We have been betrayed and all talks with the Haryana Government are meaningless from now on. We are now all set to show our strength in Delhi which will become the venue of our dharnas. In Haryana, women will take over the dharnas and carry these forward, said Malik.

He maintained that Sharmas word was not acceptable to the Jats since he had entered into an agreement last year, too, after the agitation and that was denied by the CM in the Assembly. We did not want to repeat that mistake and wanted the CM to address a joint press conference. Now, let them face the consequences, he stated.

The government said that it was prepared for any eventuality though it was still keen that the Jats should come back for talks.
Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 18

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said a policy would be formulated for outsourced employees within the next 45 days.

This was stated by the Chief Minister at the meeting of Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) to discuss issues concerning various categories of employees.

He said a policy would be made for the regularisation of panchayat chowkidars. Considering the services being rendered by them, the government recently enhanced their honorarium from Rs 2,050 to Rs 2,550. Even the incentives of ASHA workers have been enhanced to Rs 1,000, he said.

Virbhadra said pension should be paid to all employees, particularly those working with the Himachal Road Transport Corporation. Money kept under the pension head should not be utilised elsewhere so that timely pension can be given to the employees, he said. Virbhadra said teachers hired by School Management Committees (SMC) should not be replaced and transferred as they were working in far-flung areas. It was also decided that their services would be continued for 2017-18. The Chief Minister also asked to formulate a policy for water guards appointed by panchayats.
Samaan Lateef

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 18

An unknown viral infection has gripped the Kashmir valley where thousands of children are being taken to hospitals. However, doctors have advised parents not to panic as the infection could be seasonal and would go away with simple medication.

At the Kashmirs lone tertiary care children hospital, GB G B Pant Children Hospital, the rush of viral-infected children has increased manifolds.

There is a huge rush of patients these days. For the past one week, the number of patients in the Out Patient Department has exceeded by 1,500 per day, while the rush in the Causality Department during night has gone up from 100 to 800, said the Medical Superintendent of GB Pant hospital, Dr KK Pandita.

Pandita said the infection would go as the weather would start improving.

In every district, hospitals are flooded with children suffering from viral infection. Many parents have stopped sending children to schools. I have three kids and all are suffering from viral infection. They are under medication and I have stopped them from going to school for the past three days, said Altaf Hussain of Wagoora Baramulla in north Kashmir.

After complaints of viral infection came from across Kashmir, the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) issued a public advisory asking people not to panic.

Please stay home from work or school if you are sick and limit contact with others to avoid infecting others, reads the advisory.

Viral infection is in the community for the past 14 days. There is no doubt about it. We have sent samples to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), New Delhi, to identify the virus, said Dr Rehana Kousar, Epidemiologist, Kashmir.

Dr Kausar said the NCDC report on the identification of the virus was expected to reach the state government on Monday. She advised parents not to send infected children to schools, which have become main source of spread of the viral infection.

However, she said the infection has plateaued with the improvement in the weather.

Officials in the DHSK said hospitals in Kashmir had adequate supply of drugs available to treat the epidemic of viral infection.

The DHSK has given symptoms of the infection as cough, fever, chills, sore throat, headache, fatigue and running or stuffy nose.

Reports of thousands of children infected with this virus, which is thought to be airborne, has come from all districts of Kashmir.

The out patient departments in hospitals across Kashmir are flooded with children complaining of sore throat, cough, fever, diarrhoea and dizziness. It is a viral infection and has attacked mostly children, several health officials said.

Acute viral respiratory tract infection is a contagious illness that spread every year from October through spring season. It is commonly caused by viral pathogens like rhinovirus and influenza. Dr Suhail Nayak, a paediatrician in Sopore sub-district hospital, said a few patients might need admission for hydration or fever control.

People should not panic because it is not swine flu. They can manage their children at home by giving paracetamol and lots of fluids, he said, adding that his OPD rush has increased from 100 to 300 per day.

The Doctors Association Kashmir said, Dont panic about the present epidemic of flu. It is seasonal and will go with the improvement in weather.

People should take universal precautions

Dr Muhammad Salim Khan, Head of Department, Preventive and Social Medicine, Government Medical College, Srinagar, said people should follow the universal precautions like covering the mouth and nose with a handkerchief while coughing or sneezing and avoid visiting crowded places unnecessarily.
Suhail A Shah

Anantnag, March 18

Chief Minister Mehbooba Muftis brother and ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat Tassaduq Mufti today urged the party workers not to put their lives in jeopardy to make him win the elections.

You will make me win the elections but not by putting your lives in jeopardy, Tassaduq said, while addressing a closed-door workers convention at Dak Bungalow here.

It was his first public address after he was nominated to contest the upcoming byelection to the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat.

The seat fell vacant after Mehbooba Mufti resigned to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir following her fathers death in January 2016.

The polls are scheduled to take place on April 12.

I am thankful to all senior leaders who have put their faith in me. But for me its the people first. You will have to first make sure that you are well secure before thinking of making me win, Tassaduq told the small gathering in his less than three-minute speech.

He told the gathering that it would be good if he won the elections and if he did not he would continue his work with all the vigour.

Whether I become a member of Parliament or not, we will win. We will together bring some change and this is my intention and this was my fathers intention as well, he said.
Samaan Lateef

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 18

An unknown viral infection has gripped Kashmir Valley where thousands of children are being taken to hospitals. However, doctors have advised parents not to panic as the infection could be seasonal and would go away with simple medication.

Meanwhile, the rush of viral-infected children has increased manifolds at G B Pant, Kashmir's lone children hospital.

"There is a huge rush of patients these days. For past one week, the number of patients in Out Patient Department has exceeded by 1,500 per day while the rush in causality department during night has gone up from 100 to 800," said the medical superintendent of GB Pant hospital, Dr K K Pandita.

Pandita said the infection would go as the weather would start improving.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

In every district, hospitals are flooded with children suffering from viral infection. Many parents have stopped sending children to schools. "I have three kids and all are suffering from viral infection. They are under medication and I have stopped them from going to school for the past three days," said Altaf Hussain of Wagoora Baramulla in north Kashmir.

After complaints of this viral infection came from across Kashmir, the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) issued a public advisory asking people not to panic.

"Please stay home from work or school, if you are sick and limit contact with others to keep from infecting others," reads the advisory.

"Viral infection is in the community for past 14 days. There is no doubt about it. We have sent samples to National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), New Delhi, to identify the virus," said Dr Rehana Kousar, Epidemiologist Kashmir.

Dr Kausar advised parents not to send infected children to schools, which have become main source of spread of viral infection.

However, she said the infection has plateaued with the improvement in the weather.

The DHSK has given symptoms of the infection as cough, fever, chills, sore throat, headache, fatigue and runny or stuffy nose.

"For treatment people have been asked not to use antibiotics of their own and seek medical help," reads the advisory.

Face masks are not necessary for general public, it said.

Reports of thousands of children infected with this unknown virus, which is thought to be airborne, has come from all the districts of Kashmir.

Out Patient departments in hospitals across Kashmir are flooded with children complaining of sour throat, cough, fever, diarrhoea and dizziness. It is a viral infection and has attacked mostly children, several health officials confirmed to The Tribune.

Acute viral respirator-tract infection is a contagious illness that spread every year from October through spring season. It is commonly caused by viral pathogens like rhinovirus and influenza.

Dr. Suhail Nayak, a paediatrician in Sopore sub-district hospital, said a few patients might need admission for hydration or fever control.

"People should not panic because it is not swine flu. They can manage their children at home by giving paracetamol and lots of fluids," he said, adding that his OPD rush has increased from 100 to 300 per day.

Dr Nayak said a few pharmaceutical companies have started business out of the infection.

Dr Yasir Wani, a paediatrician in central Kashmirs Budgam district, said parents could take care of infected children by giving antipyretic for fever and nasal decongestant for stuffy nose. "If your children have symptoms of the viral infection, better to keep them at home for a week till recovery. This will go a long way to prevent the spread of the viral flow."
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 18

Former MP and Congress leader Tariq Karra today said his fight against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideology will continue and ensure they are not able to impose their agenda in J&K.

Karra said this at his first rally in Srinagar after joining the Congress last month. He was given a warm reception by his party and workers in Srinagar.

When I quit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last year, a large number of well-wishers and workers advised me to form a separate political party. I had three options  one was to form my own party, the second was to join the National Conference and the third one was to join the Congress. I gave thought to forming a separate party, but it came to my mind that it will help the RSS agenda which wants the votes of Muslims to get divided, Karra told a rally that had gathered to welcome him after he joined the Congress.

He said he talked to the Congress high command and the party met all three parameters that he had himself set for joining any party.

My first parameter was the party which I would join should facilitate resolution of the Kashmir issue. My second parameter was that there should be protection and more empowerment of Article 370. And the most important was that the party should support my fight and help me in war against the RSS ideology. And the Congress met all three parameters, the former MP said, adding that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are keen to resolve the Kashmir issue.

He said the Congress would shortly form a group which would hold talks with people in Kashmir.

One of the founding member of the PDP, Karra had resigned during the last years unrest. At the time of his resignation, he had accused Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti of becoming a collaborator for fascist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-governed BJP and termed it an unnatural alliance.
Amarjot Kaur

She reminds you of that crisp, warm, and layered Amritsari kulcha, and hes soft and mushy like a Gujrati dhokla. Youd sayits a wee bit heavy, but together, Bharti Singh and her fiance Harsh Limbhachiya are a nourishing feast for your soul and they are all set to dance their way into your hearts in the up and coming season of Star Pluss dance-based reality show, titled Nach Baliye.

Common ground

We tried to look for a connecting chord and found that just like Gujarat and Punjab have one thing in commonthey share their border with Pakistan, Punjabs comedy queen Bharti and Gujarats dhaya dhikra (good boy) have comedy in common! Harsh is comic-script writer.

Jab they met

I would write scripts for Bharti in Comedy Circus and its been a six-year long association. However, it was only a few months ago that I proposed to her, begins Harsh. I received a message on my phone and thought that it was some sort of a typo or something... but he wrote I love you...; though I was happy because I liked him too, I didnt want to rush into things. So, I took a weeks time and said yes, confirms Bharti. The two got engaged at the roka ceremony on January 15, this year, and are now looking to get married by the end of this year, says Bharti.

No bar, only pyaar

Considering that Harsh is a Mumbai-bred Gujarati, he doesnt seem too concerned with either regional or lingual differences between him and Bharti. I dont care too much for these differences. We bond over jokes, he laughs. Also, love doesnt see caste or religion or region. We love each other for who we are and the best part about Harsh is that he is exceptionally hardworking and ambitious, which I like very much, adds Bharti.

Make it large

Bharti was recently in news for pulling a comic-roast on actress Tannishtha Chatterjee, while taking on her skin colour. The actress wrote about the issue on her Facebook account, which went viral in September last year. I keep making jokes about my body and I come from a place like Amritsar, where sarcasm is the first language and I have been taunted innumerable times for my weight, Bharti says. Also, its a roast; the actors were given a proper briefing before we started the show. I just feel one doesnt have to take themselves too seriously at times, she adds.

Now if you want to get more of Bharti and Harsh, catch them on Star Pluss Nach Baliye, season 8, on April 2.
Karachi/New Delhi, March 18

The two missing Indian clerics of Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah have been "traced and have reached Karachi", Pakistan on Saturday conveyed to India.

"Pakistan Foreign Office has confirmed that the two Indian clerics have been traced and reached Karachi," a source said in New Delhi.

The confirmation came after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke to Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, regarding the case. Aziz is in London currently.

The two missing Indian clerics -- Syed Asif Nizami, the head priest (Sajjadanashin) of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah, and his nephew Nazim Nizami -- reached Karachi this evening.

According to Pakistani media reports, both clerics had been in "interior Sindh where there was no communication network" and that is why they could not tell their relatives about their whereabouts. They will leave for India on March 20.

Earlier in the day, Pakistani sources had said the two clerics were in the custody of Pakistan's intelligence agency over their alleged links with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

They were offloaded from Karachi-bound Shaheen Airlines on March 14 at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, the Pakistani sources said.

"The personnel of an intelligence agency took both the clerics into custody after getting them offloaded and shifted them to an undisclosed location for investigation," a source had said.

They further said both clerics had been detained for their alleged links with Altaf Hussain's MQM.

80-year-old Asif along with his nephew Nazim had gone to Pakistan on March 8 to see his sister in Karachi. They arrived in Lahore on March 13.

Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria yesterday said Pakistan was "pro-actively pursuing" and have asked all departments concerned to look into the matter.

A senior Pakistani police official said the two clerics were being questioned on their exact whereabouts since March 15 when they went missing.

"The two have shown up today in Nazimabad and have informed the police about their presence in Karachi," SSP police Tariq Jameel said.

Another police official confirmed that the police had studied the CCTV footage at the Karachi airport to confirm if the two clerics came from Lahore or elsewhere.

"They apparently came to Karachi by road," the official said.

IG Police of Sindh A D Khawaja had told reporters yesterday that the clerics had not reached Karachi as they had not reported to the special branch.  PTI
Lucknow, March 18

A five-term Lok Sabha MP, BJP leader Yogi Adityanath is a fiery Hindutva mascot who has developed a reputation of being controversys favourite child over a period of time.

Named as the next Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh today, 44-year-old Adityanath, a priest-turned-politician, is known for his provocative speeches and mass following across the state and never shies away from making controversial remarks, be it about Islam or Pakistan.

Clad in his trademark saffron-coloured robe, the Gorakhpur MP is expected to give a push to BJP's Hindutva-wrapped agenda of development with the emergence of a separate powerbase for the party in eastern UP.

Born Ajay Singh, the diminutive shaven-headed politician is known for his powerful oratory, though most of his speeches hinge on divisive lines and has been in the forefront in keeping the communal politics alive in the country.

Adityanath, who is a strong votary of construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, drove BJP's Hindutva campaign in eastern UP in the just concluded Assembly polls in the politically crucial state where it won three-fourths majority.

Adityanath has rebelled against his party on several occasions, but because of the sway he holds over the 'Hindu' voters, the BJP apparently could not ignore his 'leadership qualities'.

He had floated Hindu Yuva Vahini, a right-wing outfit, in 2002. Ever since, the HYV has been largely instrumental in his meteoric rise  from a student leader to five-time MP.

Right from comparing Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan to Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed during the intolerance debate in 2015 to asking people to leave India if they don't practice Surya Namaskar in 2015, the Yogi has been at the centre of several controversies.

Playing the religious card during the pre-poll campaign, the firebrand leader had said controversial issues like love jihad and 'Kairana Hindu' exodus had always been on his party's agenda.

He had also said that the hurdles on the path of construction of a grand Ram temple will be gradually removed and its construction will soon start in Ayodhya.

Though known more for his rightist Hindu politics, it is to his credit that people in Gorakhpur, especially around the temple, hold him in high esteem irrespective of whichever caste or community they belong to.

Even Muslims around the temple are given protection by the Yogi. He is also the founder of the Hindu Yuva Vahini, a social, cultural and nationalist group of youth who seek to provide rightist Hindu platform.  PTI
Yash Goyal

Jaipur, March 18

An NIA special court on Thursday adjourned the announcement of sentence to three convicts in the Ajmer dargah blast case to March 22.

After a brief argument by defence lawyer JS Rana, NIA Special Judge Dinesh Kumar Gupta adjourned the case.

The sentence matter of another convict Bhavesh was also argued by the defence lawyer. Public prosecutor Ashwani Sharma was on leave.

On March 8, the NIA court had acquitted seven accused, including Aseemanand and Bharat Mohan, and convicted three others in the blast case of 2007 that had killed three people and injured 15.

Convicts Bhavesh Arvind and Devendra Gupta, who are in judicial custody, were brought to the witness box when the case was argued. The third convict, Sunil Joshi, had died in December 2007.

The seven acquitted are Aseemanand, Bharat Mohan, Harshad, Lokesh Sharma, Chandra Shekhar, Mafat and Mukesh.

The convicts were found guilty under the IPC, Explosive Substances Act and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

Aseemanand and Joshi were also accused of being involved in the Malegaon and Samjhauta blast cases.

Recently, Pakistan expressed concern at the acquittal of Swami Aseemanand in the Ajmer blast case. Indian Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh was summoned last week.

On the evening of October 11, 2007, at the time of Roza Iftaar, a powerful bomb blast had taken place in the compound of Dargah Sharif. The blast was to create communal disharmony, riots, strike disturbances in the country and insult the religious feelings of a particular community during the month of Ramzan, according to the chargesheet.
Lucknow, Mar 18 (IBNS) : Newly-elected BJP MLAs in Uttar Pradesh will meet in Lucknow on Saturday to elect the leader of the state legislature party, who will be the state's Chief Minister, reports said.

The meeting coincides the swearing-in of the new Chief Minister and his cabinet in neighbouring Uttarakhand.

Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav will attend the meeting to elect the Legislature Party Leader.

As speculations run high over the Chief Ministerial candidates, the names of Union Minister Manoj Sinha, Home Minister and former state chief minister Rajnath Singh, Maurya and eight-time MLA from Shahjahanpur Suresh Khanna are doing rounds.

In the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the BJP recorded a landslide victory by winning 312 of the state's 403 seats.
Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, March 18

It is now an open secret that Ghazipur MP and Union Minister For Communications And Railways Manoj Sinhas name has been finalised as Uttar Pradeshs next Chief Minister. The confirmation at the BJP legislators meeting in the evening is now a mere formality.

Union Minister Manoj Sinha also prayed at Sankat Mochan Mandir after visiting Kaal Bhairav and Kashi Vishvanath temples #Varanasi pic.twitter.com/Zpfs6zCeV5  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 18, 2017

Sinha on Saturday visited Sankat Mochan Mandir after visiting Kaal Bhairav and Kashi Vishvanath temples in Varanasi

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While Manoj Sinha, a Bhumihar (upper caste) claims that he is not in the race for the Uttar Pradesh chief minister indications suggest that is clearly the front runner for the post of 32nd chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

His low profile and hardworking track record has reportedly found favour with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.

Alumni of IIT-BHU and a former president of the BHU students union Sinha visited Varanasi early this morning to pay obeisance at the revered Kashi Vishwanath, Sankat Mochan and Kaal Bhairav temples.

After that he proceeded to his ancestral district of Ghazipur where he paid his respects at the temple of his kul devta at his from where he has proceeded towards Varanasi.

Due to maintenance work on the runway of Babtpur airport in Varanasi it is closed till 6 pm. Sources claim that the BJP is arranging a chopper or chartered plane may bring Sinha to Lucknow.

Meanwhile, UP observer and Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu arrived in Lucknow to attend the BJPs legislature partys meeting at Lok Bhawan.

Interestingly the meeting of the 312 BJP MLAs is being held at the newly constructed chief ministers secretariat complex built by outgoing chief minister Akhilesh Yadav adjacent to the BJP state headquarters.

Sources inform that retired UP cadre IAS Nripendra Mishra attached to the PMO has arrived in Lucknow. Well versed with the UP bureaucracy he may facilitate the process of reorganising the bureaucracy.

Meanwhile, supporters of the BJP state president, Keshav Prasad Maurya, held protests outside the BJP office in Lucknow in support of Maurya getting the top post.

Believed to be a strong candidate due to his OBC background Maurya appears to have lost out in the race apparently due to his criminal antecedents and lack of administrative experience.

Meanwhile, preparations are on at the Smriti Upvan at Ashiana for the swearing-in on Sunday to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP state president Amit Shah and a host of other dignitiaries.

DGP Javeed Ahmed and Lucknow SSP Manzil Saini are personally supervising the foolproof security arrangements for the occasion.

Chief secretary Rahul Bhatnagar has held a review meeting for the preparations for the oath ceremony. The return of a BJP government in UP after 14 year vanvas would be witnessed by a galaxy of leaders from the saffron family and the 325 MLAs of the BJP and its allies.
Prateek Chauhan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 18

The Border Security Force (BSF) has ordered an inquiry after its personnel were caught in a row with locals in Tripura over killing of three civilians who had protested alleged molestation bid by some paramilitary personnel.

According to BSF official sources, the three civilians, including a woman, were engaged in cattle smuggling and had attacked the jawans who opened fire in self-defence, a claim rejected by the local residents, who alleged that the paramilitary jawans were trying to molest a tribal woman at Bhangamura in South Tripura.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has reportedly sought a detailed report from BSF Director General KK Sharma on the incident. The BSF claimed that its personnel posted along the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura Frontier on March 17 observed 30-40 smugglers trying to smuggle cattle from India to Bangladesh through unfenced gap near BOP Bhangamura.

The BSF claimed that its personnel challenged the group and fired two warning shots into the air to disperse the smugglers, who instead encircled the paramilitary party and attacked them with sharp weapons and lathis.

Sensing their life in danger, the BSF party fired in self-defence, in which three smugglers died. Firing was the troopers last resort , it said.
New Delhi, March 18

Criticising Yogi Adityanath's selection by BJP as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily on Saturday said it is a "big assault" on secularism, but his party said it will act as a watchdog of people's interests.

"It is a big assault on secularism in the country. Maybe, the BJP or RSS would like to endorse their cause of Hinduism.

India is not Hinduism. Hinduism is not India.

"India is built above castes and religions and 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family) is the very foundation of our secular society. It is the biggest assault ever done on secularism," Moily said.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said "Congress Party will continue to act as a watchdog of people's interests and play a constructive role in progress of state of UP".

Tribute to new CM of UP; pic.twitter.com/AZ2wI2yVPB  Salman Khurshid (@salman7khurshid) March 18, 2017

He also said the prerogative to choose Chief Minister is always of the ruling party. "Excessive delay in arriving at a decision as also the compulsion to create two posts of Deputy CMs reflects a bitter conflict to share spoils of power despite overwhelming majority of over 300 MLAs."

Surjewala wished the new UP government well and said, "We sincerely hope that the BJP government in UP will now rise above rival claims and counter claims for share of power and concentrate upon fulfilling the promises made to people including waiving loans of farmers, reducing electricity tariff, giving cost plus 50 pc of MSP to farmers, creating jobs for UP's youth, reviving UP's industries and undertaking 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas'."

Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid, in a tribute to the new UP chief minister, put out a poem entitled "Tribute to new CM of UP".

"BJP troll brigade obviously demented IQ deficient. What a pity that party could not find intelligent advocates for lost cause," he also tweeted.

In another tweet, former Union Minister Khurshid said, "No more pretence! Yogi Adityanath to sit where Pantji, NDT, Bahugana et al once sat. Great test PM has put BJP trolls to. Explain this."

Another former Union Minister Rajiv Shukla said, "There is a question mark on whether Yogi Adityanath will fulfil the three issues of good governance, development and taking everybody along. This will also be a challenge for him and one wonders how he will be able to deliver on these fronts. He will have to find solution."

Another Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said, "Congratulations UP! Hello media the man you called 'fringe' is now mainstream!."

In another tweet, she said, "The New India Mr Modi spoke about, he is now putting into action with the choice of UP CM.

Welcome to the new normal..."

She also said, "Also the 'vikas ka mukhauta'. The mask is truly off.. bring on Shamshaan-Kabristaan, Diwali-Eid narrative".  PTI
Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, March 18

In a surprise move, the BJP today picked firebrand Hindutva leader and five-time Lok Sabha MP from Gorakhpur Yogi Adityanath as the next Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Adityanath, who lacks administrative experience, will be the 21st chief minister of the state and the fourth from the saffron party.

On his request, the BJP central leadership has endorsed two names as Deputy Chief Ministers. They are Phulpur Lok Sabha MP and state BJP president Keshav Prasad Maurya and BJP national vice-president and Lucknow Mayor Dinesh Sharma.

After the BJP legislature party meeting here, Union Minister and central observer M Venkaiah Naidu said he and Bhupendra Yadav, Rajya Sabha MP, had been meeting MLAs since morning to gauge their mood.

Later, in the BJP legislature party meeting, seniormost MLA and eight-time representative from Shahjahanpur Suresh Khanna proposed Yogi Adityanaths name, which was endorsed by 11 MLAs. As there was no other proposal, the name of Yogi Adityanath was accepted amidst cheering from all the MLAs, said Naidu.

Yogi then said that as UP was a big state, he would need the help of two lieutenants. National president Amit Shah was consulted and after clearance from the parliamentary board, the names of Maurya and Dinesh Sharma as Deputy CMs were cleared, said Naidu.

Interestingly, neither Yogi nor his two deputies are among the 312 BJP MLAs as well as the 13 from alliance partners  taking their combined tally to 325  who were elected on March 11.

While Yogi is a five-time MP from Gorakhpur, Maurya is a first-time parliamentarian from Phulpur and Dinesh Sharma is soon to finish his second term as Lucknow Mayor. Both Yogi and Maurya have no administrative experience. Sharma is also a professor of economics at Lucknow University. While Yogi is a Rajput, Maurya is an OBC and Sharma a Brahmin.

Naidu said the swearing-in ceremony would be held at 2.15 pm on Sunday in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and all the BJP chief ministers as well as CMs of NDA partners were likely to be present. Later, a delegation led by Yogi Adiyanath met Governor Ram Naik to stake claim to form the next government.

As Union Minister Manoj Sinha emerged as the strongest contender in the CM race, Yogis supporters laid siege to the BJP headquarters in Lucknow. Finally, a special plane took Yogi to Delhi from where he returned along with Maurya and UP in-charge Om Mathur, giving indication of the likely changes.
Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 18

The two Indian clerics who had been missing in Pakistan since March 14 have been traced. Sources in the government confirmed the news but there was no further information forthcoming.

The sources add that the Indian High Commission in Islamabad has also been informed of the development by Pakistans Foreign Office. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had a telephonic conversation with Pakistan's adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz regarding this. Sources confirm that the two clerics have been able to make contact with their families.

The mystery surrounding the missing clerics had been on since their disappearance a few days ago. Earlier in the day today, Pakistan said it was trying to locate the two Indian clerics. However, reports emanating from Pakistan seemed to suggest that the two clerics have been picked by Pakistan's intelligence agencies for their alleged links to Altaf Hussain and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

Speaking at a function in Mumbai today, Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit said, "The issue was taken up by the Indian government. Our authorities are looking into it. We are trying our best." The two clerics, Syed Asif Nizami and his nephew Nazim Nizami were offloaded from a Karachi-bound Shaheen Airlines on 14 March at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore.

A media report from Lahore has alleged that the clerics were taken into custody by the Pakistan intelligence agencies and have been detained at an undisclosed location for questioning.

India, meanwhile, exercised caution and only hinted at the possibility of the intelligence agencies being behind the abduction. The speculation was set in motion after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted, "We have also contacted their host in Karachi who appears to be under pressure not to speak to the Indian High Commission. I am in constant touch with our High Commission. However, there is no official confirmation regarding their whereabouts."

Asif Nizami is the head priest of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah. He along with his nephew Nazim Ali Nizami had gone to Pakistan on 8 March to see his sister in Karachi.

Duo to return tomorrow

According to Pakistani media reports, the two clerics, Syed Asif Nizami and his nephew Nazim Nizami, had been in interior Sindh where there was no communication network and that is why they could not tell their relatives about there whereabouts. They will leave for India on March 20. PTI
Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 17

The newly formed Congress government is all set to prune the security provided to VIPs, with 6,000 policemen attached with politicians and police officers likely to be sent back to field duty by next week. Also, the 60 police escort vehicles will now be used for general policing.

A state-level review committee under DGP (Law & Order) Hardeep Singh Dhillon was today constituted after Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Suresh Arora told Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh that Punjab had the best police-public ratio in the country, yet there were not enough policemen on the streets to check crime.

The committee will submit its report to the DGP, with category-wise recommendations, by March 24.

The other members on the committee are ADGPs (Intelligence) Dinkar Gupta, ADGP (Security) BK Bawa, who is member secretary, and IGP (Special Protection Unit) Pramod Ban.

The Bureau of Police Research and Development had in 2014 pointed out that 5,811 cops were guarding VIPs in Punjab (the highest in the country). This number later swelled to 12,000. Facing flak, the SAD-BJP government pulled back 4,000 security guards during two drives  the first in 2016 and the second just before the 2017 Assembly elections.

Police sources, pointing out that having guards had become a status symbol, said some SP-rank officials had more that 25 policemen serving them. A DSP-level officer, who was well-connected, had 20 gunmen and a Congress leader about 100.

Both AAP and the Congress had in their manifestos promised to do away with the "gunmen culture" in the state. Newly appointed Finance Minister Manpreet Badal had yesterday declined police security, the first politician to do so.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 18

SAD leader and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, speaking on the partys defeat, on Saturday said that his government delivered a bit too much to people, which they could not digest.

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It is like, if someone eats too much, he ends up vomiting. So we actually gave people too much to eat, said Sukhbir.

He said that the people of Punjab would soon realise their value (SAD), when there would be no development for the coming five years.

Our value will be known when there will be drought for five years. Difference between good and bad is not known until acknowledged, he said.

The Congress won 77 of the 117 Assembly seats in Punjab. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its ally LIP won 22 seats and the SAD-BJP combine was relegated to third spot with 18 seats. With ANI inputs
Official Twitter handle of Venkaiah Naidu

Lucknow, Mar 18 (IBNS): Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu while announcing the name of Yogi Adityanath as UP Chief Minister, said that the new BJP led government will work for development of the state.

"We will stand by our words (promise of BJP before election)," he said.

Five times Minister of Parliament for BJP from Gorakhpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath was formally announced as the new Chief Minister of the state by Naidu at a brief press conference.

Naidu said that Adityanath has been chosen as the leader of the BJP state legislature, unanimously.

The senior leader even announced the name of BJP state unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and former Mayor of Lucknow Dinesh Sharma as Deputy CM of UP.

While speaking about the mandate of UP assembly election that favoured BJP in 2017, Naidu said: "UP gave a message for development. Its mandate was against corruption, black money, caste and vote-bank politics."

The swearing-in ceremony will take place on Sunday at 5 PM.

Along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah, various Chief Ministers of BJP ruled states are invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 18

The Cabinet today directed the Department of Higher Education to submit a proposal to ensure at least one degree college each in all 81 sub-divisions of the state by the next academic session.

Presently, the state government is directly managing 48 degree colleges. Besides, the previous SAD-BJP government had established 30 degree colleges. However, they were finally handed over to Punjabi University, Patiala; Panjab University, Chandigarh; and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.

Although around 137 government aided colleges are also functional, they are almost autonomous in their functioning. Against 1,872 posts of regular teachers in 48 colleges run by the state, around 1,200 posts have been lying vacant for several years.

Subdivisions having no government degree college will be on top of the priority list. We will soon submit action plan to the government, said a senior officer.

A senior college professor said, Villages and towns usually spare their common land to set up such colleges. As far as infrastructure is concerned, the Centre is providing funds for higher education under its RUSA scheme on 60:40 sharing basis.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 18

The Capt Amarinder Singh-led government has decided to set up a group of experts to assess and analyse the quantum of the agriculture debt of farmers in the state and propose ways and means to waive the debt in a time-bound manner.

The group will be nominated by the Chief Minister himself and the Department of Agriculture will follow up to ensure that the group submits its report within 60 days.

A Cabinet sub-committee headed by the CM will consider and finalise the proposal to waive farmers agricultural loans.

The state ministers for finance, agriculture, irrigation and power departments will be members of the committee, which will be assisted by the Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Finance) and Financial Commissioner Development, with the Department of Agriculture facilitating its work.

A new legislation will be brought in to prohibit sale and auction of farmers land by lending agencies.

The Department of Agriculture will put up the draft bill for consideration in the next Cabinet meeting.

The Council of Ministers also reiterated the continuation of free-of-cost power to farmers and omission of Section 67-A of the Punjab Cooperative Societies Act, 1961, which relates to recovery of certain loans as arrears of land revenue.

Other important decisions include establishment of the Punjab State Agricultural Insurance Corporation, vigorous pursuance of the Agricultural Sustainability Programme, defraying of the farmers subsidy through direct bank transfers, strengthening and reorganising the Punjab Farmers Commission and setting up of an Agricultural Production Board.

A new wheat procurement policy was also issued by the Cabinet today, wherein all arrangements for procurement of wheat were reviewed.

The government has reversed the decision of awarding labour and transport contracts by the Food and Supply Department and given the powers to all Deputy Commissioners. It was also decided that payments to all farmers whose grains were procured would be released within a week.

What Cabinet decided at first meeting

House for Badal

CM Capt Amarinder Singhs predecessor Parkash Singh Badal to get free government accommodation of his choice. The previous Congress governments policy of allowing official accommodation for former CMs had been revoked by the SAD-BJP alliance.

Action plan on SYL

The government has resolved to pursue the SYL case legally and administratively to protect the states waters. The Irrigation Department will formulate a proposal for the canalisation of Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers and the construction of high-speed economic corridors on dhussi bundhs.

Curbs on stone laying

To be henceforth laid only by the President, Vice-President, Lok Sabha Speaker, Union Cabinet Ministers, Chief Minister, Assembly Speaker and state Cabinet Ministers. Even for major projects to the tune of Rs100 crore or Rs 200 crore, the names of Chief Minister and ministers will not be displayed on the foundation or inauguration plaques. These will carry a line saying that the project has been executed with taxpayers money.

Focus on jobs

Employment Bureaus to be set up in all districts. These will be manned by qualified professionals and specialists, including employment counsellors

Cable Authority Act

No monopolisation or cartelisation would be allowed in cable TV networks. A state-level statutory cable authority will be constituted, comprising senior mediapersons and professionals.

Reforms panel

Governance Reforms Commission to be reconstituted as Governance Reforms and Ethics Commission; to be manned by professionals.

Housing reservation

30 per cent quota for SCs in allotment of houses, residential and commercial plots

OBC quota

To be raised from 12 per cent to 15 per cent for govt jobs

Relief from Toll tax

Mediapersons to be exempted from payment on state highways

NRI Property Act

To be enacted for safeguarding property of NRIs, having provision of eviction of tenant at 90 days notice.

Industrial Policy

New one to be framed to revive industrial units. The previous policy was announced in 2013.
Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 18

A couple who were on their way to performing court marriage were brutally attacked by the womans relatives outside the district courts here.

The man, who was assaulted with sharp-edged weapons and was seriously injured, was rushed to hospital, and is said to be critical.

They were to get married against their parents wishes.

The victim has been identified as Pankaj Sharma. It was an inter-faith marriage as the woman belongs to a Sikh family and the man to a Hindu.

Later, two members of the womans family were arrested.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 18

The Cabinet today decided to enact a special Act to confiscate the properties of drug dealers. The Home Department has been directed to prepare and submit a proposal in the next meeting for the enactment of the Confiscation of Drug Dealers Property Act by issuing an ordinance. The proposed legislation will entail confiscation of properties and assets of those guilty of trading/ dealing in drugs.

It was also decided to set up a Special Task Force (STF) in the CMs office to prepare and implement a comprehensive programme to eliminate drugs, as promised in the Congress manifesto.

The STF would monitor measures taken/ to be taken to check the supply and consumption of drugs in the state on daily basis. It was also decided that anyone who registers himself at the District De-addiction Centres would be treated with compassion, provided medical care free of cost and no case would be registered against such persons. The STF will be headed by 1992-batch IPS officer Harpreet Singh Sidhu who was on deputation with the CRPF and will join as ADGP soon.
Ludhiana, March 18

Pankaj Sharma (26) and Ramanjot Kaur (21), who had an inter-caste marriage a month ago, were attacked by the latters family members near the district court complex here today. Pankaj sustained serious injuries on head, chest and abdomen. He was admitted to the CMC Hospital.

Ramanjot said they married against her parentss wishes on February 14.

During the court marriage proceedings the next day, her parents told the court that Pankaj was already married to one Karamjit Kaur of Jalandhar. The court asked them to produce evidence. Today, the woman appeared in the court but failed to produce any marriage proof.

When we were coming out of the court, my mother, father, brothers and several unknown persons attacked my husband Pankaj, said Ramanjot.

The police said two persons had been arrested and a case was being registered.  TNS
Sarika Sharma

There was still an hour and a half for the train to arrive. The young boy took out his sketch book and began to wield his pencil. A man noticed him, asked him if he could make his portrait. The little boy nodded and handed him the sketch in a short time. The man gave him a rupee as reward. Two more men on the train told him to make their portraits the next day. It soon became a routine. The 11-year-old was RM Singh, now known for painting official portraits of two Presidents of India, a rare achievement, an even greater honour.

Pathankot born RM Singh is a Chandigarh-based artist. He takes pride in the fact that he hasnt ever moved out of the city to promote himself. However, his work wasnt new to the corridors of power in Delhi when the chance to paint the President of India came up in 2012. Parliament House already had a portrait by him, that of former Punjab chief minister Gurmukh Singh Musafir.

Parliament House had since always housed portraits of prominent politicians and wanted to add some more. One of them was to be Musafir Sahibs. His family approached me to make one. This was unveiled by Manmohan Singh, the then Prime Minister, in 2009-10, Singh says. Former President Pratibha Patil is said to have seen it and liked it. Later, when Rashtrapati Bhawan invited artists to paint her portrait, his name cropped up too.

The selected artists had submitted their works, which were displayed in a room. Singh felt a little nervous. Around him were people who were bigger names, Vijender Sharma and Sanjay Bhattacharya among others. They were all big names and here was I, he says. However, deep down in his heart, he was also confident of his work. I felt that if this would be a fair selection, I stood a fair chance, he now tells. He was right. Three months later, when he had lost all hope of being invited to paint the outgoing President, he got a call from her office one day. I assumed they had called me to pick the work I had submitted, but they told me that madam wanted me to paint her portrait, he recalls.

Before his first meeting with President Patil, he had sent her way a message to wear a cream saree with golden border. But there she was, dressed in green. Singh was disappointed. As he expressed his dissatisfaction with the staff, President Patil noticed his discomfort and asked him what the matter was. Apprised about it, she had some sarees sent to Singh to select.

RM Singh retells all incidents in great detail and with a childlike innocence and sincerity. He says that is how he is. That is why when the Presidents staff felt scandalised at his touching her saree to give it a proper fall, he told them that she wanted her portrait to be the best and he would do whatever it would take to ensure that.

Present President Pranab Mukherjees portrait was made by Singh last year. He says that when this work was first commissioned, two-three artists, all big names again, are said to have been invited for the job. However, portraits by them were not accepted. They were big names. I too read books by them. But they couldnt do portraits. That is why I call this a very difficult genre. It requires extreme realism, he says.

His portraits are life size. While the body and proportion are easy to get right, faces are a challenge. Of the two he has done for Rashtrapati Bhawan, President Patils was tougher. At her age, there is a lot at play. Sometimes you are unwell... And that is where my expertise is required. You may not be feeling your best that day, but people want to look for the President of India in your portrait, he says. Pointing at a painting of a village adorning his living room, he says landscapes are very easy and so are several other genres. But every portrait is a challenge. The reason is that if you make a portrait and it looks like someone, but not someone, you fail. Almost like someone too doesnt work with portraits. People who do contemporary might say we have had enough of portraits, but there are big names that cant do realistic portraits.

He says he doesnt boast of his achievements and insists this is part of a learning process. Aadhi umr nikal jaati hai and you begin to learn. He says he is learning too, and how!
Abhilasha Ojha

Its a rough ride to Basar, a quaint hill town in the west Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. Though awarded the status of a town, Basar, to city-bred people, will still seem like a village  with all the nature's bounty, flora and fauna, in abundance.

Given our hectic and fast-paced lives, there's no denying that Basar's fresh air and fabulous natural surroundings are a treat to the eyes. From the Dibrugarh airport, we reach Bogeebil ghat to catch the ferry to cross the mighty Brahmaputra. But its majestic beauty is marred by numerous floating plastic bottles, empty chips packets, plastic cups and other waste floating in the river.

The river does boast of a bridge, the Bogeebil Bridge, albeit an unfinished one. It has been under construction for the past 18 years! However, once finished, it will reduce the one-hour ferry time to barely 10 minutes. It will be India's largest rail-road link on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. It will open a lifeline between the plains of upper Assam and the mountainous northern Arunachal Pradesh, bordering China.

From the ferry, Silapathar (roughly a 30-minute drive), a town in Dhemaji district in Assam, is the point from where the journey to Basar really begins. It is home to the Galo tribe, which worships Mother Nature by celebrating the Mopin harvest festival, regarded as one of the most important events for the Basar folk. The festival, in fact, is a throwback to the centuries-old belief of these people, descendents of Abu Tani, the mythical forefather of this tribe, to pray for a good harvest.

The census town is full of lush-green forests. While we rest inside a nakum, a wooden hut that doubles up as a rest house for farmers, it's interesting to learn about ethnic foods eaten in a typical Galo household. There's apong, the local rice beer, which everyone consumes in gallons, on a daily basis. Along with this beer, Galo women make rice cakes, fish curries, meat and many green vegetables. Boiled rice cakes, wrapped in leaves and boiled tapioca are some of the snacks that are consumed every day. There's also poka, a traditional rice wine, which jazzes up the socio-cultural life of this tribal town.

The traditional food eaten in Basar is intimately connected to the Galo tribe's socio-cultural, ecological, spiritual life and health. The processing and preparation of various ethnic foods by Galo tribeswomen demonstrate how they turn to the ecosystem to sustain and nourish them. Dishes made of local products  soybean, bamboo shoot, tree bean, laipatta (leafy mustard) and rai, are some interesting dishes that should genuinely be explored by connoisseurs and food experts.

One hears mystical stories of the spirits and deities residing in the forests of this hill town even as priests and shamans preside over rituals and sacrifices to invoke the spirits of the forests to protect them and ward off evil spirits. The air of Basar is always thick with the echoes of shamanic chants. During a traditional, community fish catching ceremony, when there's a near-fatal accident of a middle-aged man drowning, the community blames it on the absence certain rituals that should have been held prior to the fish catching exercise. "This cave," says one villager ominously, "has a spirit that caught this man." Later, this person fills us in with stories of youngsters gone missing in forests ("caught by the spirits never to come back") or those who came back but never remained the same ("the spirit lives on in them and we have to periodically offer prayers and sacrifices to appease the gods"). We hear stories of mithun sacrifice, a lovely, gentle-looking animal, that has to be sacrificed and fed to nearby villages during weddings ("the more mithuns you sacrifice, the more wealthy you are considered," explains another villager). Though several of these customs may be tough to relate to, the locals believe it is for the betterment of the community.

Basar is true to this spirit of community living; a treat to the eyes of any city-bred person where isolation and loneliness prevails despite all the glitz, glamour and wealth.
Vandana Shukla

The Kottapuram river, 45 km south of Kochi, Kerala, flows in its surreal majesty oblivious to a 124-metre-long scroll fluttering on its shores. The epic figure painting Walking out of Bayan Har by Chinese artist Li Boan chronicles the life of Tibetans, in the fluidity of everyday life and in the stillness of suffering. The theatre of their lives was initially enacted in the mountain region of China where the Yellow river originates. On the Indian soil at Muziris Heritage site, this work of art is a pause in the monumental web of time, rivers, shores, human journeys and their histories. It engages you in its reflective recess.

The act of viewing a work of art can contain its own share of blindness; for each viewer is not able to open and interpret all layers, few remain closed. By placing works of art at unusual locations the experience is enhanced, liberating it from the limitation of seeing.

Not all works at the third chapter of Kochi Muziris Biennale (KMB) offer you the privilege of reflective engagement; ardent expressions of peoples displacements, forced exiles, tales of human indifference and geographical arrogance pull you in by its sheer force. This art is not for comfort  to be discussed within compromised frames of artistic liberty over wine and cheese in air conditioned galleries. Most of these works are bold political statements.

Fear, tears and empathy

Wading through the seawater, which creates its own resistance, I walk through a long hall in Aspinwall House, reading questions inscribed on the walls by Chilean poet Raul Zurita, Dont you listen? Dont you hear me? Dont you feel me? At the other end of the installation created by him, I read his dedication to the three-year-old Syrian refugee boy, who was washed ashore a beach, while the world remained immune to the Sea of Pain. Or, the dark, blind labyrinth of The Pyramid of Exiled Poets, where the pupil of the eye doesnt function, you begin to see with the ears. Ales Steger, a Yugoslavian artist, creates an architectural homage to the exiled poets of the world. Inside the monument of the histories kept hidden from humanity you hear rasping voices of poets exiled from their land  Ovid, Dante Alighieri, Yang Lian, Joseph Brodsky, Ivan Blatny and the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, who wrote, Im a name without a surname. Stumbling inside the spooky dark labyrinth, fearing the dead-end in this strange isolation, the vocal remains of the world literature open my eyes in a new way to the experience of being exiled. In as connected a global world as we inhabit, no experience is isolated. Artists have expanded their canvas to assimilate the world, and the viewer is not allowed to remain a mere spectator, she has to step in and be a part of it.

Over a dozen venues where the works of art have been installed are found in the labyrinthine lanes of Mattancherry, in abandoned yards, godowns, temple courtyards, clubs, cafes, harbors and ruins. Art is life, it happens in the midst of all that life is about  out of the isolation of museums  in lanes laced with the smell of spice and fish, the staid uninhabited-for-long spaces, amid sounds of the waves and the hooting ships passing. Your perceptions explode with renewed receptivity. At one godown all visitors begin to sneeze and cough, to discover, the store is stacked with sacks of dried red chilies. Then, there are six venues for Students Biennale alone and several more for the collateral projects.

Out of the frame

Its an assembly of multiple realities, of layered truths, as the theme of the biennale Forming in the Pupil of an Eye, suggests, curated by Sudarshan Shetty. The biennale offers parallel realities of the world  viewed differently in the realm of political, historical, social and philosophical multiplicities. The complexity of religion and spirituality, cause of much distress in the world, is subtly explored using digital language by Lebanese artist Khaled Sabsadi, exploring 70,000 veils of light and darkness separating an individual from the divine, a belief held by Sufi scholars. He uses 100 video channels to interrogate the concept by creating an awe-inspiring 3D experience, based upon quest for divinity in his daily life and surroundings.

Chinese artist Yang Hongweis work Ye Yan Tu, of universal relevance is created within a dystopian world to explore the relationships of suppressed sexuality, power and industrialisation, blending narratives from past, present and future. The traditional 12-metre-long scroll, a paper-and-ink work, pushes all boundaries of artistic explorations, it makes one wonder if local artists, conscious of someone looking over their shoulder, are deprived of such excellence. Spanish artist Javier Perezs video installation features a ballerinas dance atop a giant piano in an empty theatre; her pointe shoes are fitted with sharp kitchen knives, on which she twirls and balances till she reaches exhaustion  humanitys ability to cruelty and violence in its pursuit of beauty and perfection is spine-chilling. Breaking the frame of expectation, Ouyang Jianghe puts poetry in a visual space; the play of light on the constantly moving texts throws up fresh contexts. Australian artist Alex Seton works are centred around home and displacement, a strong theme at KMB. His displayed work, Refuge, is a marble sculpture depicting an emergency blanket-like material draped around an absent figure.

Works of Indian artists present diverse views; Kabir Mohantys brilliantly researched perceptual video installation Song for an Ancient Land, Himmat Shahs figurative sculptures that put together diverse forms, schools and materials, giving a new frame to modernity  juxtaposing presence and absence. Or, P K Sadanandans ongoing highly ornamental and elaborate mural, not to be missed is Japanese artist Yuko Mohris highly sophisticated kinetic-sonic sculptures, made of discarded objects, takes the circuits made of space and sound to the next level.

Art for uninvited guests

Over 97 artists and 108 works of art from 31 countries scattered over a radius of 80-km periphery represent art practices from different continents of the world as well as from diverse regions of India, encompassing poetry, music, video, canvas, sculpture and other art forms using diverse materials in their distinct interconnectedness. What makes KMB more relevant for the contemporary times  caught between the either or of the globalisation versus deglobalisation debate  is its ability to offer an experience that defies the confines of national/ regional/ideological/ geographical/ racial or political frames.

At a time when liberal thought is being tested on the grounds of tradition, KMB thumbs the nose at regressive forces.

A labour of love, the catalogue is worth preserving. Art is no more meant for the privileged minority, my mind hums Adrienne Richs lines as I leave, You are taking parts of us into places never planned / you are going far away with pieces of our lives.

Facts about KMB

The third chapter of KMB, inaugurated on December 6, 2016, will be open till March 29, 2017. An initiative of the Kochi Biennale Foundation, founded by two Mumbai-based artists from Kerala, Bose Krishnamachari and Riyaz Komu in 2012, the biennale is supported by the Government of Kerala. It has changed the art education and art practices in the state, the number of national and international visitors, too, has grown steadily, benefiting tourism and subsidiary industries in the state.
Charu Chhibber in Chandigarh

A countrys extremities bear the burden of a cultural divide, where people often find themselves confused by the idea of unity in a vastly diverse identity-ism. Indias North-East is one such region that makes bold attempts to link with the North-West, yet finds itself severely curtailed. They look different, speak different, and seem to have strange food habits  a typical northerner would say. For easterners, we are largely a badly mannered class of people; we lack civic sense, and tend to overlook sensitivities of north-eastern women, though we may boast of our commercialized environment where everybody gets space to earn and splurge.

So, a few days back when Chandigarh hosted a three-day Destination Northeast 2017  a first  it was as if that part of India struggled to come up to our expectations: local delicacies were served with loads of noodles, cultural shows belted out western numbers interspersed with native tunes. The response was on expected lines: the crowds at the Sector 17 venue were a little surprised that what they were watching was also India, an India never seen before.

For some N-E participants, this part of the country is like been there, seen that. They are either back home or are trying to. Ask 20-something Nitha from Chandel district, Manipur. She left the Taj, Chandigarh, and a flourishing career in the corporate sector to help the poor and marginalized tribal families back home. She says there is a certain pride in serving ones community which no amount of money can compensate. Ditto for Reena Jhokchom. She decided to return to Manipur after studying at Panjab University.

The biggest push for these youngsters comes from educational and employment opportunities which cities like Chandigarh offer. That's why the city has a fair sprinkling of students from Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Assam and Nagaland. However, just like the push, there is also something that pulls many of them back. We could afford to study at Panjab University. But there are thousands of children in the North-East who do not get even elementary education, says Reena, who works as a marketing officer in Shillong with North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCORMP).

She says the region, where large areas remain affected by armed insurgency and drug abuse, lacks quality learning. The effect of modern education is infected by socio-political crises. Corrective steps must be taken now before the youth suffer consequences.

If we do not put our education to good use by going back and working for our people, who will? she questions.

I studied at the Institute of Technology and Future Trends (ITFT), Chandigarh, and did a stint of a year-and-a-half at the Taj. I found myself well equipped to help rural artisans to grow through improved management of their resources as well as marketing their products," says Nitha.

Pinky from Arunachal Pradesh says she studied in Bangalore. The North-East needs us, the educated youth. I find helping my people earn a living more rewarding than living a comfortable life in a big city. Pinki is a marketing professional with NERCORMP in Arunanchal.

She loves to travel, especially to north Indian states, which she terms as incubation centres of talent and acceptance. It is important to share with people back home what I learn here during such trips. People learn from stories, she says.
Kolkata, Mar 18 (IBNS): After being directed by the Calcutta High Court, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday took the charge of Narada sting investigation, officials said.

According to reports, an eight-member team of the central probe agency, led by CBI's anti corruption branch SP Nagendra Prasad, Joint Director A.K. Singh and DIG Abhay Singh, went to State Bank of India (SBI)'s Bengal headquarter in Kolkata's Strand Road area on Saturday morning and collected the Narada sting operation's raw tape and other evidences, which were kept in a safety vault there.

After taking all evidences and uncut footage, CBI's investigators rushed to their office at Nizam Palace and began primary investigation.

"We will examine the entire uncut Narada tape of 428 minutes and other evidences, including hard drive, laptop, pen drive and iphone, will also be checked," a CBI official told IBNS.

"We are now waiting for the arrival of a three-man CBI team, which is coming from Delhi, and the preliminary investigation report is likely to be submitted before the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday morning," the official added.

Meanwhile, Narada News's CEO Mathew Samuel said that he received phone call from the Central probe agency.

"I'm presently in Cochi and CBI officials called me today. They asked me to hand over all evidences and documents, relating to the sting operation, to them," Mathew Samuel told IBNS.

"I'll give them all evidences and I'm ready to cooperate with the CBI in this probe," Samuel added.

Earlier on Friday, a division bench, comprising of Calcutta HC's acting Chief Justice Nishita Mhatre and Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty, directed the CBI to begin probe into Narada sting case in next 24 hours and to submit the preliminary report by 72 hours.

After the division bench announced the verdict, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the judgement and said that her government and Trinamool Congress (TMC) party will move to the Supreme Court against the order.

Since Mar 14, news portal- Narada News- released several sting operation footage, where TMC's leaders, ministers, MPs and MLAs were exposed while allegedly taking bribes.

From the beginning, TMC leaderships had claimed that the sting footage was doctored and conspiracy of oppositions.

Following West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's direction, Kolkata Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) had started investigation into the matter.

Demanding CBI or ED probe into Narada case, at least three Public Interest Litigations (PIL) were filed before the High Court.

After authenticity of the Narada sting tapes were confirmed by two Central forensic laboratories (CFCL) in Hyderabad and Chandigarh, hearing in the case completed months ago and the order was reserved by the division bench.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)
Vishav Bharti in Chandigarh

If Captain Amarinder Singhs first innings as chief minister of Punjab is remembered for sending the Badals to jail, an anti-corruption drive and a bold stand on SYL issue, the second innings that started three days back will be defined by how he deals with bad financial health of the state, SYL controversy, unemployment and his famous coterie.

New state finance minister Manpreet Badal has already said that the government has inherited a financial mess from the SAD-BJP government. The state has a debt burden of Rs 1.7 lakh crore. So, itd appear the next five years are not going to be smooth.

The Akali Dal dismisses his allegation. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, SAD general secretary, says every new government claims that their predecessor left nothing for them. The Congress is doing the same. We started development works at a mega scale across the state. Would it have been possible without having a sound financial health? he asks.

He says that everybody thinks that the present government will continue with the development work and fulfill the promises they have made to the people. We do hope that Amarinder would not resort to vendetta politics against the Akalis or BJP workers.

AAPs HS Phoolka, who is also leader of the opposition in the Assembly, met the new Chief Minister on Friday and promised to play a constructive role. We expect them to protect Punjabs interests in the SYL, end drug menace within four weeks and give a job to each household. Amarinder Singh must remember that his party has been given a thumping mandate. If they treat it as an election jumla as the BJP does, then AAP will hit the roads, he said.

AAP thinks that the coterie around the Captain is the key troublemaker. The Captain is a well meaning man, but the problem is his coterie. I have seen him for two decades being surrounded by the same set of people. They never allow him to see the real picture, says Sukhpal Khaira, AAPs chief whip. The CM must first throw out the corrupt if he wants government to function.

The BJP says the party will wait and watch. At this moment, we are hopeful that the new government will continue the welfare schemes started by our government, says Madan Mohan Mittal, former cabinet minister.

For Communist Party of India, the biggest concern is promises made by the Congress in its manifesto. It is time to deliver on Rs 2500 allowance promised to the unemployed youth. The countdown has begun for making Punjab drugs-free within four weeks and for employment in each house, says Hardev Singh Arshi, state CPI secretary.
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, March 18

The Parents and Teachers Association of BHEL has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately intervene and provide financial grants so that Central School at BHEL is not shut, as admission to Class I in the school has been stopped from the next academic session.

A protest was staged under the aegis of the Akhil Bharatiya Kendriya Vidyalaya Shikshak Sangh and the Parents Association Kendriya Vidyalaya, BHEL, Sector 4, outside the school gate here today.

The association office-bearers also forwarded a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Human Resource Ministry and the Central School Organisation, New Delhi, through the District Magistrates office, urging them for continuation of Central School at BHEL here.

Harendra Singh from the parents association said hundreds of students are studying in the school that is the lone central educational institution in the district.

He said more than 1,700 students are studying at Kendriya Vidyalaya, BHEL, and if it was closed, they would find it difficult to get admission to other schools.

Former legislator Ambrish Kumar said it was ironical that on the one hand the Central government had announced opening of 50 new central schools in the country, on the other it was closing Central School at BHEL.

Mayor Manoj Garg said he would take up the issue with new Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, as there is no other Kendriya Vidyalaya in Haridwar where quality and affordable education could be provided.

BHEL Human Resource Department official SK Aggarwal said due to financial constraints, the BHEL Education Management Board, which runs all educational schools in the BHEL township, had written to the Central School Organisation expressing its inability in continuing with the academic session at BHEL Central School, Sector 4, from the next academic session.

Notably, the BHEL Education Management Board had last year closed Vidya Mandir School, Sector 1, for the same reasons.
Beijing, March 18

China and Saudi Arabia will increase their cooperation in the oil sector, including in Saudi oil exports to China, the two countries said in a joint communique issued on Saturday at the end of Saudi Arabian King Salmans visit to Beijing.

The worlds largest oil exporter has been looking to cement ties with the worlds second-largest economy.

After losing market share to Russia last year, Saudi Arabia has sought to boost oil sales to China, the worlds second-largest oil market, by working mostly with Chinas top three state oil firms.

Both countries are willing to raise their level of cooperation in the oil sector, including supplying Saudi oil to the continuously growing Chinese market, the two said in a statement issued by Chinas official Xinhua news agency.

Both sides stress the importance of stability in world oil markets to the global economy ... China appreciates Saudi Arabia being a safe and dependable oil supplier to the world market, and the role it plays in ensuring the stability of the global oil market, it said.

Salman oversaw the signing of deals worth as much as $65 billion on the first full day of his visit to Beijing on Thursday.

China has traditionally played little role in Middle East conflicts or diplomacy, despite its reliance on the region for oil. However, it has been trying to get more involved in efforts to end Syrias six-year-old civil war, where Riyadh supports rebels battling President Bashar al-Assad.

Last year, China also offered support for Yemens government, which is backed by a Saudi-led Gulf Arab coalition in a war against the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement that controls much of the country.

China has had to tread a careful line, though, as it also has close relations with Iran. Xi visited both Saudi Arabia and Iran in January last year.

The joint statement said both China and Saudi Arabia stressed their support for Yemens legal government.

Chinas renewed diplomatic push with the Middle East continues next week when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits China.

Diplomatic sources say China is trying to play the role of honest broker in the Middle East, as it lacks the historical baggage of the Americans or the Europeans.  Reuters
Bogota, March 18

Colombias largest rebel group has handed over 140 weapons to United Nations observers as part of an historic peace agreement.

Under the accord, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia agreed to turn over 30 per cent of its arsenal by March 1.

But delays in setting up the 26 rural camps where nearly 7,000 rebels are now gathered meant not all the containers designed to hold the weapons were ready.

Instead, rebels began registering their individual arms while authorities prepared an inventory of the arsenal.

The UN peacekeeping mission in Colombia announced Friday the first individual arms had officially been surrendered.

Army Gen. Javier Florez said the current FARC arms inventory accounts for 14,000 weapons, including 11,000 rifles.

President Juan Manuel Santos says the weapons handoff will assure a stable peace.  AP
Paris: Eleven candidates have been approved to run for the post of French president, the countrys Constitutional Council announced today, a month before the polling. The 11 candidates received more than 500 signatures from mayors which are required to compete in the first round of the election on April 23, councils president Laurent Fabius said. With no candidate expected to win an outright majority in the first round, the two top contenders will go through to a decisive run-off on May 7. AFP
Beijing, March 18

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrived in China on Saturday for what is likely to be a prickly visit, with Beijing angry at being told to rein in nuclear-armed North Korea and Washington repeatedly demanding it do more to control Pyongyang.

China is also expected to voice its strong opposition to this months deployment of a sophisticated U.S. missile defence system in South Korea.

Tillerson issued the Trump administrations starkest warning yet to North Korea on Friday, saying that a military response would be on the table if Pyongyang took action to threaten South Korean and U.S. forces.

He was speaking in South Korea, the second leg of his first visit to Asia since taking office. He was previously in Japan.

In Beijing, he may raise the prospect of imposing secondary sanctions on Chinese banks and other firms doing business with North Korea in defiance of sanctions, a U.S. official told Reuters in Washington, speaking on condition of anonymity.

US President Donald Trump said in a tweet on Friday that North Korea was behaving very badly and accused China, Pyongyangs neighbour and only major ally, of doing little to resolve the crisis over the Norths weapons programmes.

The state-run Chinese tabloid the Global Times said on Saturday that it was in Chinas interests to stop North Koreas nuclear ambitions but to suggest China cut the country off completely was ridiculous as it would be fraught with danger.

Once there is chaos in North Korea, it would first bring disaster to China. Im sorry, but the United States and South Korea dont have the right to demand this of China, it said in an editorial.

By not taking Chinas suggestion that the United States and South Korea should stop military drills in return for North Korea stopping its tests, and then all sides returning to talks, Washington was showing a level of inflexibility that was really disappointing, it added.

The official Xinhua news agency noted Tillersons comments in Seoul that military options against Pyongyang were on the table.

However, there is nothing new in this approach. These same tactics were once used by Trumps predecessor George W. Bush, and failed, it said.

Tillerson however is also expected to firm up a trip by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States next month for his first summit with Trump, and could choose to tone down any differences between the worlds largest economies, at least for now.

Xi meeting on Sunday

A former oil executive with no prior diplomatic experience, Tillerson will meet Chinas two top diplomats on Saturday and Xi on Sunday.

On Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying reiterated that talks were the best way to resolve the problems of the Korean peninsula.

As a close neighbour of the peninsula, China has even more reason than any other country to care about the situation, she told a briefing.

North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and a series of missile launches since the beginning of last year.

Last week, it launched four more ballistic missiles and is working to develop nuclear-tipped missiles that can reach the United States.

Washington has been pressing Beijing to do more to stop North Koreas nuclear and missile programmes.

China has called for a dual track approach, urging North Korea to suspend its tests and the United States and South Korea to suspend military drills, so both sides can return to talks.

Beijing has been irritated by suggestions it has not been doing enough, with the official Peoples Daily on Friday denouncing what it said was Washington and Seouls blind worship of sanctions and pressure.

There has been a narrative in the West suggesting that China holds the key to the North Korea nuclear issue. That is a misguided statement, said Wang Dong, associate professor of international studies at Chinas elite Peking University.

The bottom line is that the DPRK is not a puppet regime. We do not control them, and we have strongly opposed North Koreas development of nuclear weapons from the very beginning, he said, referring to the Norths official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

China has also been infuriated by the deployment of the THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, missile defence system in South Korea, which it says will both harm Chinas own security and do nothing to ease tensions.

China says the systems powerful radar will extend into the countrys northeast and potentially track Chinese missile launches, and maybe even intercept them. Russia also opposes THAAD, for the same reasons.

There are other tricky issues too, including the self-ruled island of Taiwan which China claims as its own.

The Trump administration is crafting a big new arms package for Taiwan that could include advanced rocket systems and anti-ship missiles to defend against China, US officials said, a deal sure to anger Beijing.  Reuters
Washington, March 18

US President Donald Trump has repeated his charge that predecessor Barack Obama had ordered a wiretap against him, rejecting rising calls from Republicans and Democrats to withdraw the charge and apologise.

Speaking at a joint press conference yesterday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Trump answered a question on the wiretap allegation by referring to the US National Security Agencys reported tapping of Merkels phone several years ago.

As far as wiretapping, I guess, by this past administration, at least we have something in common perhaps, Trump said. But Trump also said he did not endorse a Fox News claim that Britains Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), a spy agency, did the wiretapping for Obama, an allegation repeated by Trumps spokesman on Thursday, sparking a sharp rebuke from London. We said nothing about the GCHQ claim, Trump told journalists. That was a statement made by a very talented lawyer on Fox. And so you shouldnt be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox, he said.

Fox News said it could not confirm the allegations. Fox News knows of no evidence of any kind that the now President of the United States was surveilled at any time in any way, full stop, anchor Shepard Smith said, reading an official statement on-air.

Trump has accused Obama of ordering wiretaps at his Trump Tower in New York but two weeks after the extraordinary claim, he has not delivered any evidence. The claim has led to investigations in Congress and by the FBI but so far, no one has provided any evidence to substantiate it.

Top Republicans and Democrats on the House and Senate Intelligence Committee have all said they have seen no evidence. The FBI has remained quiet, however. Yesterday, the Justice Department said it had complied with requests from the Intelligence and Judiciary Committees in both houses of Congress for information related to surveillance during the 2016 election. House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes confirmed yesterday evening that the Department of Justice had fully complied with his panels request for information regarding potential surveillance of Trump or his circle during the presidential race. He did not elaborate on the details of the information.

The National Security Agency had partially met the committees request with plans to fully comply by the end of next week, Nunes said.  AFP
Lucknow, Mar 18 (IBNS): Yogi Adityanath, who has been announced as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister by Bharatiya Janata Party said that he would work towards establishing good governance in the state, during his interaction with media on Saturday.

Five times MP of BJP from Gorakhpur constituency in UP, Yogi Adityanath has been unanimously chosen as the leader of the state legislature at a parliamentary meet of the party' state unit.

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu who presided over the meet named Yogi as the new CM of UP.

On being chosen for the Chief Ministerial post, Adityanath said: "I want to thank BJP for trusting me and also grateful to the Governor for inviting us to form the government."

Adityanath, a fire brand of Hindutva (Hinduism), was often seen to be landing up in controversies for his attacks on Muslim community.

He also attacked Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan once and said: "I think there is no difference between the language of Shah Rukh Khan and Hafiz Saeed (terrorist)."

Highlighting the idea of development, Adityanath said: "We will take UP forward with Prime Minister's 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas (Development for all)."

Apart from good governance, the would-be CM of UP ensured that the BJP led government will improve the law and order situation.

BJP during the election campaign in 2017 criticised the former Samajwadi Party led government for poor law and order in Uttar Pradesh.

The swearing-in ceremony would take place on Sunday at 5 PM.

Image:Facebook


OKLAHOMA CITY  Traci Stackhouse was 14 years old when she started using tanning beds.

Stackhouse, a former Sapulpa resident who now lives in Edmond, was too young to have a drivers license, so her mother would drive her. She continued tanning when she grew older.

Now 47 and a two-time skin cancer survivor, Stackhouse has a warning for young people who want to use tanning facilities.

It is easy to say it is not going to happen to you, she said. My biggest advice is, you are beautiful the way you are. You dont need a tan to make you beautiful.

The Oklahoma State Senate this week is expected to take up Senate Bill 765, which would bar minors from using tanning beds.

Sen. Ervin Yen, R-Oklahoma City, is the author.

Yen is a cardiac anesthesiologist who gained attention for his legislative efforts to increase the states immunization rates by reducing exemptions to school-mandated vaccinations.

It shall be unlawful for any person under 18 years of age to use any tanning device of any tanning facility in this state, according to the measure.

Yen said the issue is about children and teenagers. He said some parents may not know their children are using tanning beds.

The health risks associated with tanning include skin cancer, premature aging of the skin, burns to the skin and adverse reactions to certain medications, foods and cosmetics, according to the bill.

In my opinion, there are teenagers who just dont understand the health risks associated with tanning, Yen said. They think they are bullet-proof. I am sure I did, too, when I was a kid. That is just like kids who text while they drive. They just think, I can multi-task.

The measure directs the State Board of Health to create rules to implement provisions of the act.

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed SB765 by a vote of 9-1 on Feb. 27.

Yen has run the bill in the past, but it didnt secure approval. He believes the measure stands a chance to secure Senate approval this session.

It flew out of committee, Yen said. I was quite surprised.

Sen. AJ Griffin, R-Guthrie, voted for the measure in committee, but has some reservations.

She said she would prefer that the measure had language that allowed for parental consent. She said the bill seems extreme for fairly innocuous behavior.

Griffin said she has the option of offering an amendment to the measure when it is taken up by the Senate.

Stackhouse has a different take on parental consent for tanning.

We wouldnt sign a document for our kids to smoke, she said.

Stackhouses cancer treatment included chemotherapy. Her mother was the person holding her hand when she was sick, and they had many discussions about her condition, Stackhouse said.

Her mother told her that if she had been aware of the risks, she would never have allowed her daughter to tan, Stackhouse said.

She advised people to use safer alternatives, such as self-tanners.

Rep. Katie Henke, R-Tulsa, is the bills House author.
Mumbai, Mar 18 (IBNS): Begum Jaan starring the effervescent Vidya Balan is all set to hit theatres on April 14. The recently released trailer has been deeply appreciated by the audience and critics alike. It crossed 20 million views on all social media platforms.

The world of Indian cinema has undergone a sea change in the coming years. Audiences pine for content driven impactful films albeit with a realistic touch. Begum Jaan thrives to be one such film giving you not only the best of content but a powerhouse talent in the form of Vidya Balan and strong impactful dialogues that leave a lasting impression much after watching the trailer.

Boasting of a stellar ensemble cast from the likes of Vidya Balan, Gauahar Khan, Pallavi Sharda, Chunky Pandey and Naseeruddin Shah amongst others, Begum Jaan is truly the film to watch out for in 2017.

Vidya has absolutely stolen the show in her whistleblowing performance of the bold yet badass Begum Jaan. Seen hurling expletives, holding guns or smoking sheesha, the dauntless Vidya Balan is ready to give you the fight of your life accompanied by her gang of women including Gauahar Khan and Pallavi Sharda amongst others.

Begum Jaan is one of the first few movies to highlight a topic like the menstrual cycle which is considered an absolute taboo in India. Vidya mouths the dialogue with such ferocity leaving you with goosebumps.

The surprise package is Chunky Pandey whose bald look imbues freshness giving us a break from his usual comedy escapades. Showcasing great content, strong dialogue delivery and of course the supremely talented Vidya Balan, Begum Jaan has given us one of the most impressive trailers of 2017.

Celebrities and industry stalwarts all seem to be completely smitten with the trailer.


Andrew Wiseman, CEO and Director of the Australian International Documentary Conference Director is stepping down, following a successful event held in Melbourne earlier this month.

Wiseman, whose credits include Kokoda, My Brother Jack, Curtin and Waiting at the Royal is returning to his own film projects.

This has been a great experience. The AIDC is a wonderful organisation that makes a major contribution to documentary, factual and unscripted content in Australia and internationally, he said.

Ive been very happy to have been part of it, but after a great deal of reflection, Ive decided my own projects are now my priority.

Co-Chairs, Fiona Gilroy and Denise Eriksen said, Andrew and his team have maintained the trajectory of growth since the conference moved to Melbourne in 2016 and theres a truly fabulous launching pad for further growth under a new Director/CEO.

Wiseman successfully steered the 30th anniversary conference, which attracted 678 delegates, speakers and industry decision makers from 14 different countries.

The position will be advertised in coming weeks. Andrew Wiseman will stay in the position until the new incumbent is appointed  and provide assistance during the transition period.
New US event drama Shots Fired, is coming to Showcase in April.

The 10 part FOX series is about the situation following a racially charged shooting in North Carolina.

It stars Sanaa Lathan, Helen Hunt, Richard Dreyfuss, Stephen Moyer, Will Patton and Jill Hennessy.

But it will also screen in Australia around three weeks after its US premiere, which is next week.

Update: Foxtel advised: Foxtel aims to consistently deliver programs express, however sometimes outside factors mean this isnt possible.

Examining the dangerous aftermath of racially charged shootings in a small Southern town, this dramatic new series that is a why done it? and a who done it? is an explosive look at the criminal justice system. When an African-American police officer kills an unarmed white college student, a small town in North Carolina is turned upside down. Before the town has a chance to grapple with this tragedy, the neglected murder of an African-American teen is brought to light, re- opening wounds that threaten to tear the town apart. Leading the Department of Justices inquiry into these shootings is seasoned investigator Ashe Akino and a young Special Prosecutor, Preston Terry, both of whom are African-American.

Mondays from April 10 at 8.30pm on Showcase.
New York, Mar 19 (Just Earth News): Every person a no matter how big, small or blue a can make the world more peaceful, equitable and healthy, the United Nations on Saturday told young people at a special ceremony for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that included the Smurfs and a handover of the key to Smurfdom.

Voice actors from the upcoming animated movie Smurfs: The Lost Village joined 1,500 students from the international Model UN conference to celebrate the upcoming International Day of Happiness, which focuses on personal well-being, and the SDGs, which include decent work for all, education and health services.

In a special blue carpet presentation, the United States stars of the movie  Demi Lovato, who voices Smurfette, Joe Manganiello who is Hefty and Mandy Patinkin or Papa Smurf  honoured three young students promoting the SDGs in their communities with a symbolic key to the Smurfs Village in recognition of their work.

On behalf of all Smurfdom, thank you for your work in awakening everything, in your community, through you social media, all over the world, in the ways that you have chosen to encourage people everywhere to make this world a better place for those who are so vulnerable in every way imaginable, Patinkin told Karen Jerath, Sarina Divan and Noor Samee.

Jerath, who is 20 years old, invented a containment device that could prevent offshore oil spills and ensure the protection of marine life. She was joined by Divan, 17, who expanded a UN Foundation girl empowerment initiative at her high school and beyond, and Samee, also 17, a UNICEF blogger and advocate on social justice issues.

Given a giant key with the SDG multi-coloured logo by UN Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, Cristina Gallach, the students were told the world needs you to continue.

Never be afraid to speak up and to make this world a wonderful, beautiful, hopeful, optimistic place full of freedom, joy, justice and dignity, good food, good water, good opportunities for people everywhere, forever, said Patinkin.

The Small Smurfs Big Goals campaign was created to encourage people to visit SmallSmurfsBigGoals.com to find out how to contribute to achieving the SDGs, and to share information, ideas and images on social media.

As part of on Saturday's festivities, the UN Postal Administration unveiled a special edition stamp sheet featuring the Small Smurfs Big Goals campaign.

The stamps, which feature images of the Smurfs and the SDG logos, were presented by UN Assistant Secretary-General for Management, Stephen Cutts, and the Belgian Ambassador to the United Nations, Marc Pecsteen de Buytswerve.

The event, held at the UN General Assembly in New York, was organized by the UN, UNICEF and UN Foundation, ahead of the International Day of Happiness marked annually on 20 March.

In 2015, the UN launched 17 SDGs that seek to end poverty, reduce inequality, and protect our planet  three key aspects that lead to well-being and happiness.

Along with New York, celebrations were held around the world to mark the campaign and the SDGs.

On Monday, the film cast along with the UN, UNICEF and UN Foundation will be at the Empire State Building to turn the iconic tower blue in honour of the International Day of Happiness and the Small Smurfs Big Goals campaign.

UN Photo/Evan Schneider (file photo)

Source: www.justearthnews.com
While enjoying our life we often forget what a crazy, scary and sometimes downright horrifying world we are living in. There are good things happening every day all over the world, yet we cannot dismiss the fact that the bad ones are not too behind. Its difficult to keep track of every single thing so we have brought forward some really strange and horrifying facts you never knew and would probably never wish to know about.

1 At any time one of the proteins in our brain can misfold and cause prion disease, silently spreading across a persons brain for years without causing any symptoms. Prions are transmissible and so difficult to destroy that after autopsy all equipment must be destroyed to avoid transmitted to someone else.

Our brain contains a protein called PrP. Prion disease is caused when the PrP protein folds up in the wrong way becoming a prion. Then it causes the other PrP molecules to do the same and initiates a chain reaction. Prions Disease can be acquired from another infected person or animal or it can be genetic. In most cases, however, it is spontaneous. A PrP molecule may suddenly misfold by chance. It will then keep spreading all over the brain for years. Prion Disease affects the nervous system in humans and animals causing changes in memory, personality, behavior, dementia, and abnormal movements.

The most horrible quality of Prion Disease is that it is extremely difficult to destroy. Thats because Prion Disease is resistant to disinfectants, ionizing radiation, ultraviolet radiation, and formalin. However, it can be destroyed through incineration providing the incinerator can maintain a temperature of 900-degrees F for four hours.(1,2,3)

2 Crucifixion is a method of capital punishment in Sudan and is the official death penalty for armed robbery.

Under Sharia Law, capital punishment is legal in Sudan.

Article 27 of the Sudanese Criminal Act of 1991 states, execution is either by hanging or stoning, or in the same manner as the commitment of murder by the perpetrator, and may be prescribed as a hudud punishment, or in retribution or approximation, and may be with crucifixion.

Crucifixion is the death punishment for armed robbery and is intended to draw attention to the crime and its punishment.(1,2)

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3 Male sea Otters often rape and drown baby seals, sometimes even guarding and copulating with the corpse for up to a week.

The cute and adorable sea otters have a dark, sinister side too. Male sea otters sometimes kidnap juvenile harbor seals and then rape them. While raping they hold the head of the baby seal underwater for as long as an hour. Being held underwater for a long time ultimately kills the pups. When the pup dies, the otter usually lets it go, but sometimes they may hang on to the dead pup and rape the dead corpse for up to a week.(1, 2)

4 The word excruciating literally means out of the cross and was invented because in those times there was no word in the English language which could describe the intense pain caused during a crucifixion.

The word crucifixion is based on the Latin verb cruciere which means to crucify, and the strongest adjective for pain, excruciating, means out of the cross. It was invented to describe the slow, agonizing torture and extreme pain suffered by the crucified person. Crucifixion is one of the cruelest forms of execution. The crucified individual not only dies from tremendous blood loss, but also from extreme agony due to crushed nerves, dislocated elbows and shoulders, exhaustion, and asphyxiation.(1,2)

5 During the French revolution, some of the guillotined prisoners were skinned and their skin used as a bookbinding. This process is known as anthropodermic bibliopegy, and it had been a technique practiced for a long time. Today there exists eighteen books which are surviving example of this macabre practice.

Binding books in human or animal skin is a process that is as old as human history. The human skin used to bind books are usually of defeated enemies or prisoners such as the skin of the people guillotined in the French Revolution. One of the oldest books bound in human skin is Relation des Mouvemens de la Ville de Messine, printed in 1676. It is in the Charles E. Young Research Library at UCLA. It contains a note which warns, The binding is human skin. The book is from the library of Armand Jerome Bignon (1711-1772), librarian of Louis XV. As of September 2016, there are eighteen such books whose bindings have been proved to be of human skin.(1,2)
New York, Mar 18 (Just Earth News): The Security Council on Friday extended the mandate of United Nations assistance operation in Afghanistan until 17 March 2018, stressing the political missionas role in supporting an inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.

Unanimously adopting a new resolution, the 15-member Council also requested the Secretary-General to conduct a strategic review of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and report back on the results of this exercise by July 2017, in order to ensure effective support for the Mission.

On the human rights front, the Council requested continued support efforts to strengthen the protection of children affected by armed conflict, and reiterated the importance of accelerating the establishment of a fair and transparent justice system. In that vein, the Council emphasized the importance of ensuring access for relevant organizations to all prisons and places of detention in Afghanistan.

Further in the text, the Council reiterated its support for the Government of Afghanistan, and in particular to the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF), in their fight against terrorism and violent extremism, calling upon the Afghan Government, with the assistance of the international community, to continue to address the threat posed by the Taliban as well as by Al Qaida, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh) affiliates and other terrorist groups.

UN Photo/JC McIlwaine (file)

Source: www.justearthnews.com
Google is expected to launch the next-gen Nexus 7 tablet this year with a new operating system. Details here!

Google's Andromeda on Nexus 7 tablet will be a game changer. The operating system could be the biggest strength as it will feature desktop-like capabilities. It is also plausible that the new OS will compete head-to-head with Windows or even Mac OS.

Is Andromeda too good to be true?

Perhaps Google wants to end the powerful smartphone competition by focusing on software optimization and faster OS update release. Plus, making the new Andromeda as a universal OS since there will come a time when mobile users want those features instead of a bigger RAM or a bigger battery each year. A software-optimized device would be much appreciated and make more sense.

However, it might not be a merge. The idea of Andromeda OS will likely be a cross-pollinating system but not merging together Chrome and Android OS. It would take more efforts if they're to be merged since all developers would be forced to make the apps compatible to the new OS. According to NCIX Tech Tips, Google might bring Chrome to Android instead.

The details on Google Nexus 7 2017 tablet is still scarce but reports suggest that it will make a debut this year. Recode learned that Andromeda will not kill-off Android and Chrome in an instant but rather, make it as an option on its first introduction.

Rounding up the specifications, the Nexus 7 2017 tablet will reportedly get a 4 gigs of RAM and 32 GB of inbuilt storage. Rumor has it that the device will come equipped with a Snapdragon 820. However, the problem with this chip is that it will be an old series when the Nexus 7 comes out.

Users in Android community expect the device to have at least a Snap 835 instead. Nonetheless, these specifications aren't yet to be authorized, thus, anything remains to be seen. Additionally, the 7-inch tablet will likely sport an AMOLED screen boasting 2560 x 1440 screen resolutions.
California Democratic lawmakers have submitted a proposal Monday, called the Degrees Not Debt program. This is the state's ambitious plan to date to help college students avoid student loan debt.

According to Forbes, the said program will assist almost 400,000 students from the University of California and California State University. The financial assistance will cover tuition and expenses, so that the students will no longer have to apply for student loans.

In a survey conducted last year, almost 30 percent of California students have reported that college costs is one major obstacle when it comes to their dream of pursuing higher education, The Atlantic reported. In the same survey, 82 percent have supported their support for additional grants and scholarships to help these students.

According to the California Assembly Democratic Caucus, Degrees Not Debt which costs $1.6 billion will be implemented in the next five years.

Lupita Cortez Alcala, executive director of the California Student Aid Commission, said that it is by far the most comprehensive and wide-reaching proposal in the US. The program also includes free tuition for the first year for the community college students.

Students who will be qualified for this program will still have access to Pell Grants, Middle Class Scholarships and other scholarships offered by the university. With the help of this financial aid, the lawmakers are hopeful that the students will finally be able to afford the costs of textbooks, transportation and overall living expenses in college.

While students are still expected and encouraged to help by working part time, the proposed grant will be covering the average cost of the tuition which amounts to $21,000 yearly for California State schools and $33,000 for the universities. Students whose families get an annual income of not less than $60,000 are expected to help with their child's education.
The MacBook Pro with Touch Bar has been hijacked by Pwn2Own hackers during the Pwn2Own Security Conference and Competition in Vancouver. Other exploits include compromising Safari and even the heavily-guarded Edge, which aligns with the central theme of the competition that no operating system or application can be fully secured from hackers.

A team of Pwn2Own hackers was able to breach the Apple security to fully exploit Safari. This was accomplished by Samuel Gro and Niklas Baumstark by using a number of logic bugs to fully exploit Safari and took control of the MacOS on the MacBook Pro with Touch Bar. The two received $28,000 for their exploit that Baumstark revealed as only a partial success. Nonetheless, the two hackers won the crowd with its nifty message on the MacBook Pro's Touch Bar saying "pwned by niklasb and 5aelo" as posted in Gro's twitter account, Digital Trends reported.

The Pwn2Own hackers competition in Vancouver saw many impressive feats that are important to the tech community as hackers do their exploits in a safe environment. Moreover, the exploits will give developers vital information on how to further strengthen the security of their systems though Pwn2Own's organizers do not truly believe as unbreachable. The most recent exploits last Friday morning belongs to Qihoo 360 team that was able to exploit the heavily-guarded Edge, which is considered by many security experts as one of the most secure browsers to date according to Arstechnica.

The Qihoo 360 compromised Edge by escaping the Windows virtual machine it runs on or the VMWare. This was accomplished by exploiting the heap overflow bug in the Windows kernel of Edge and the uninitialized buffer vulnerability in VMWare. The team received $105,000 cash prize for their exploits amidst other notable Pwn2Own hackers' exploits from the competition organized by the Trend Micro's Zero Day Initiative Group. The contest tries to replicate how a real-world zero-day market would be and how the tech community can better prepare for it.
Kabul, Mar 18 (IBNS): At least 19 militants were killed in an airstrike carried out by the Afghan army in the country's Baghlan province, local Khaama Press reported.

The agency quoted the Afghan Ministry of Defence as saying that the strike was carried out in Baghlan-e-Markazi district of the province.

Another 20 militants sustained injuries in the operation.








Kabul, Mar 18 (IBNS): At least 63 militants were killed in the past seven days in several counter terrorism operations in Nangarhar province of Afghanistan, provincial police chief General Abdul Rahman Rahimi said.

The general added that at lest 10 militants sustained injuries and another 30 arrested from several ares of the province during the operations.

Rahimi told reporters that the law enforcers also seized 450 kg of Hashish, 108 bundles of explosives wires and 4,300 explosives chargers, during the course of the week.
Wikimedia Commons

Toronto, Mar 18 (IBNS): The United States recently identified The Wells Gray area of central B.C.-- which had 317 grizzlies in 2012-- along with a larger area in northwest Montana, as possible sources of bear population to be tapped for reintroducing these to The North Cascade area, media reports said.

The North Cascade which once had thousands of grizzly bears now had fewer than 10 and since 1996 bears had not been spotted on the U.S. side of the border.

But the North Cascade area has a large remote wilderness habitat and could can accommodate about 200 grizzlies according to the U.S. federal assessment.

"Grizzly bears are a wilderness icon. They have enormous benefits for ecosystems  and they're essentially a missing piece here," Joe Scott of Conservation Northwest, a Washington-based environmental group that's been working on the issue for decades, was quoted as saying by CBCNews.

The U.S. federal had proposed to capture B.C. grizzly bears using baited traps, transport and deposit these by helicopter to their final remote destinations to Washington State.

This proposal was met with very favourably due to an online campaign by cartoonist, The Oatmeal.

More than 1000,000 people favoured the U.S. proposal of reintroduction of grizzly bears to the North Cascades ecosystem in Washington State, said the National Parks Service(NPS).

After the agencies received several requests for an extension to the comment period from members of the public and local elected officials, the NPS and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (U.S. FWS) decided to extend the public comment period through April 28, 2017.

"Because it's happening in a national park and because grizzly bears are something that people are passionate about [on both sides] ... it's not surprising that we have a large number of comments," Denise Schultz of the North Cascades NPS was quoted as saying by CBCNews.

Conservation Northwest, the National Wildlife Federation, and The Oatmeal had been supporting the proposal to move 25 bears over the next five to 10 years, then monitor those bears to see their behaviour and adaptability.

They also decided that the grizzly bears come from a source group that eats the same kinds of food as the landlocked North Cascades, and are stable and survivable after the young bears had been removed from the breeding population.

Scott was confident that B.C. people could afford to supply a couple of bears over several years and also hoped that Canadians who lived around Wells Gray would be happy to help the U.S. with that effort.

The B.C. Ministry of Environment refused to discuss the grizzly plan with CBC News till the U.S. government had decided what it planned to do.

Schultz of the NPS confirmed, there was no agreement at that time to move B.C. bears and added that much more negotiation and discussions need to be done before any commitment can be made or any decision taken.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)


In honor of St. Patricks Day, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) turned the famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign green to help launch the festive St. Patricks Day weekend (Photo courtesy of the Las Vegas News Bureau).

As the rest of the world gears up for St. Patricks Day, the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign turned green a day early on Thursday, March 16, kicking off this weekends festivities in conjunction with Tourism Irelands Global Greening 2017.

For the fifth year running, we are pleased to partner with Tourism Ireland on its Global Greening initiative by turning our iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign green, said Cathy Tull, senior vice president of marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. The variety of Irish offerings, not only this weekend, but throughout the year, highlight that Las Vegas is truly an international destination ready to accommodate visitors from across the globe..

Las Vegas is in great company as many iconic landmarks and sites around the world are going green in honor of St. Patrick. The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Niagara Falls, the Sydney Opera House, the London Eye and the Pyramids of Giza are all going green. New landmarks for 2017 include One World Trade Center in New York City, City Hall in London, Matsue Castle in Japan, as well as an Ethiopian Airlines airplane in Addis Ababa.

Niall Gibbons, chief executive of Tourism Ireland, added, The success of our Global Greening initiative is due in no small part to the great work that has been carried out across the world by Irish people down the generations and, in particular, to the great support weve received from the Irish embassy network and the Diaspora. The eagerness of cities and countries everywhere to take part underlines the strength of the deep connection that people all over the world feel to Ireland.

The Global Greening is a Tourism Ireland initiative which puts a large focus on Ireland around St. Patricks Day. It gives people worldwide the opportunity to connect with Ireland and kicks off the organizations promotional drive to grow overseas tourism in 2017. Ireland, like Las Vegas, is a top travel destination and regards tourism as their largest indigenous industry.

For more information, go to www.lvcva.com or www.visitlasvegas.com.
A couple weeks ago I was invited by Balzac Communications to attend a wine tasting featuring Vino Nobile di Montepulciano followed by a wine dinner with representatives from a number of wineries. Those wineries included:

Salcheto

Montemercurio

Poliziano

Le Berne

Boscarelli

Carpineto

Fattoria La Braccesca Antinori Family

La Ciarliana

Dei

Unfortunately, due to work commitments I couldnt attend the tasting, but jumped on the opportunity to have a dinner paired with these noble wines of Montepulciano. The dinner was held in Bostons historic Italian section of Boston known as the North End at Ristorante Lucia. We were swimming in wines to say the least, so I wish I had attended the tasting so I could have given more focus to each one as the table was lined with close to 20 bottles and food was being passed around. Below is a preview into the food of our evening:





Appetizers : Sauteed Mussels & Antipasto Della Casa

Pasta: Pasta al Forno, Risotto con Porcini

Entree : Sogliola Margherita, Pollo Arrabiata, Vitello Marsala

Dessert : Cookies, Italian pastries or Cannoli





Representatives spoke briefly about some of their wines and the wineries they represented, which I will highlight in upcoming blogs when I share with you 1-2 of my favorite wineries of the night, Montemercurio and Le Berne . I've visited Poliziano before as you can see from my previous article and I've done a full tasting of Carpineto wines as well and really enjoy both wineries, but these 2 wineries were new to me and I enjoyed what they had to offer. I'll dig more into it all next time, but wanted to share information about this wonderful wine region since I've been there a couple times now as well as what exactly vino nobile wines.





Visiting Montepulciano

The town of Montepulciano is located within the region of Tuscany, about 70 miles southwest of Florence. I had briefly visited this Tuscan Renaissance town years ago and more thoroughly the day after our wedding back in October 2013. Bring your walking shoes because it's a steep uphill climb to the top on via di gracciano, but take your time as it's lined with plenty of shops and cafes to stop and take a break at. My favorite are the quiet, picturesque alleys that break off from the main street before arriving at the top to Piazza Grande. I attended a wine tasting in Piazza Grande at Cantina Contucci and still have yet to open that bottle, but look forward to it!

Piazza Grande

Wine has been documented to be growing in this area since 790 AD when vineyards were donated to a local church. In 1966 this area gained D.O.C status (denominazione di origine controllata) and in 1980 became one of the first D.O.C.G (denominazione di origine controllata garantita) designations. The Consorzio just celebrated their 50th year in 2016.





The current wines being launched onto the market are the 2014 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano D.O.C.G., the 2013 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva D.O.C.G and the 2015 Rosso di Montepulciano DOC. A preview of the 2016 vintage was rated 4 out of 5 stars by oenologist Emiliano Falsini. According to the consorzio, the harvest year was highly favorable for the quality grapes that were selected for production. The wines are demonstrating intense colors and elegance.

There are about 2,000 hectacres (4,950 acres) of vineyards making up 16% of the total acreage of land with about 250 wine growers in total. The vineyards of Montepulciano are situated at about 250-600 meters. The recent annual production of the area totaled about 7 million bottles of Vino Nobile and 2.5 million bottles of Rosso di Montepulciano.

The vineyards here have been highly invested in totaling 8 million dollars in order for the wineries to practice sustainability. About 70% of the total wineries in Montepulciano are practicing sustainability. Biodiversity and organic winemaking is increasing as well with about 40% of the current vino nobile vineyards practicing. The Vino Nobile DOCG is also undergoing a project that will allow zero impact on the environment and will be the first winegrowing area within Italy that will have all bottles to be certified to show this impact of neutralizing the gas emissions once complete.





What makes up a Vino Nobile? The wine must be at least 70% prugnolo gentile, which you're probably familiar with as sangiovese. There is also allowance of up to 30% of other red Tuscan grapes. The wines can be released on the market after 2 years of aging and for riservas the wines must be aged for 3 years with 6 months in the bottle for a riserva. The consorzio describes vino nobile wines characterists as ruby red in color changing to garnet with age. They have an intense and ethereal aroma. On the palate they're dry, balanced and persistent with spicy notes from the oak aging.

It always surprises me how much of the wine produced within Italy is exported outside. Especially in regions such as Tuscany that produce highly recognizable and valued wines in other countries compared to some of the lesser known, smaller wine producing regions. Vino Nobile exports about 78% of their production with the US ranking at the top of the charts of importation at 21% second to Germany at a whopping 46%.





Have you been to this region and what are you favorite wineries or wines that you've tried?
A stunning landscape view of Ninh Thuan Province

From the stunning landscapes of Ninh Thuan to the astonishing and well preserved temples of Po Klong Garai and Po Rome, this ethnic minority will give us a fresh breathe of inspiration, peace and dreams.

During my day in a small village in the locality, I had an opportunity to contemplate Rija, a ceremony full of traditional rituals that Champa people celebrate in all of their residential areas to wish for a peaceful year and good health to all villagers. They also pray to have favorable weather conditions during a year.

When I first entered in this typical place of cult I had a big smile on my face to witness all the energy of all villagers from kids to old people preparing and celebrating this beautiful event. Then all the flavors came and began to witch myself. The smoke of incense combined with traditional fruits and local specialties offering in the ceremony is just a part of it.

Then artists in a local traditional music orchestra began to play drums and clarinets before a shaman entered in the ceremony with a very typical dance to pray for a peaceful year for all villagers.

This shaman showed a great charisma and energy in every move he made in the rhythm of a drums beats. That was when he was like in trance, literally possessed by the rhythm and the energy of villagers, I was like hypnotized.
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble (L) and Angel Gurria, Secretary General of the OECD speak at the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Baden-Baden, southern Germany, on Mar 17, 2017. (Photo: Franziska Kraufmann/dpa/AFP)

All eyes were on United States Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin as finance ministers and central bankers from G20 nations gathered in Baden Baden, western Germany.

Observers wondered whether Mnuchin would ape the tough talk that helped win Trump the presidency and has since seen the US walk away from a trans-Pacific free trade pact and attack "currency manipulation" by export giants China and Germany.

A European source said Washington displayed "full willingness to engage and to negotiate".

"Mnuchin's statement was not hardline ideology," a European source familiar with the talks said. "He had political points he wanted to make, but his style was engaging. There was no sense of wanting to take revenge or win a battle."

But there remained a gap on trade openness and climate change.

Participants still disagree on how to address trade in a final communique from the two-day summit, with the US at odds with other delegations over whether to repeat past commitments to reject protectionism, sources involved in the talks told AFP.

Trump himself sought to strike a conciliatory tone at a Washington press conference following his first meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Washington.

"I'm a free trader but also a fair trader," the president said, rejecting a description of his policies as "isolationist."

"Millions of hardworking US citizens have been left behind by international commerce and together we can shape a future where all of our citizens have a path to financial security," said the New York property tycoon.

'BUY AMERICAN, HIRE AMERICAN'

Slow growth and halting economic reform could be blamed for "a backlash against globalisation," OECD head Angel Gurria said in Baden-Baden as he presented a report urging nations to spread the proceeds of growth more widely.

Trump was elected on the back of exactly such a political storm over deindustrialisation in vast areas of the United States.

He declared in his inauguration speech that "we will follow two simple rules: buy American and hire American."

Those caught in the crosshairs include German luxury carmaker BMW, against which Trump has threatened punitive taxes of 35 per cent if it does not back down on building a factory in Mexico.

The rhetoric has alarmed key trading partners, including export giants China and Germany.

On Thursday, following talks with German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, Mnuchin said Washington had no desire to fight "trade wars" with other economic powers.

"Our desire is that ... when there is imbalances in trading relationships that we have a need to address that," Mnuchin said after the pair met in Berlin.

Mnuchin said Trump's administration would keep a close eye on the levels of key global currencies, but pursue policies in the interest of "economic growth that is good for the US and the rest of the world".

CLOUDS OVER CLIMATE CHANGE

Trump's stance on climate change also sat uneasily with the rest of the room, as sources say the US delegation is resisting wording in the final communique on the issue.

A source close to the talks said US negotiators appear to be unable to commit due to an absence of mandate from Washington.

On Thursday, Trump proposed to take the axe to environmental financing, slashing funds in his first national budget proposal for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by a third, as well as eliminate contributions linked to the UN climate change programmes.

But EU economy commissioner Pierre Moscovici noted that "we are not here to talk about the domestic policy of this or that member state, we are here to talk about what we can do together."

"It is essential that we affirm that common principles here so that the process can continue to advance," he told AFP.

French Finance Minister Michel Sapin said if no agreement could be found on both sticking points, that could be reflected in Friday's final statement.

"Our heads of states are meeting in a few weeks. On subjects that are so important, it's not up to the finance ministers to block or to walk back on the issue, there will not be any backsliding on such fundamental issues," he said.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and relevant agencies are requested to apply safeguards to protect domestic automakers.

The move is also intended to boost the development of support industries for the domestic automobile industry as it copes with a persistent low rate of local content and high production costs.

In a document sent to the MoIT this week, Dung asked the ministry to propose to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc revisions of policies and mechanism to boost the support industry, especially for the big investors and leading automakers.

Dung said a multi-sector working team should be set up to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the domestic automobile market in correlation with regional and global markets.

The evaluation must focus on opportunities and difficulties ahead of 2018, when the import tax on complete built-up units (CBUs) from ASEAN countries will be completely abolished. It should also provide a forecast of supply and demand in the country and the region, and an assessment of the capacity and development potential of local auto production, as well as domestic automakers ability to adapt to fierce competition given Viet Nams commitment to ASEAN to open its car market.

The document tasks the finance ministry with co-ordinating with relevant agencies to tighten management of tariff value and origin of CBUs, which should meet the ASEANs criteria of origin, in order to ensure the right implementation of tax regulations and international commitments.

Dung wanted the ministry to re-evaluate the special consumption tax level and registration fee on pick-ups, which then would be submitted to the Government and the National Assembly to supplement and revise.

The ministry will have to check and study MFN (Most Favoured Nation) tariffs on components and auto parts for revision, if needed, commensurate with the Governments orientation on encouraging domestic auto part production.

The MoIT and ministries of Transport and Science and Technology will design technical barriers appropriate to domestic regulations and international commitments to ensure no bad quality cars are imported to Viet Nam", according to the document. They should also protect the rights and interests of consumers and local automakers, simplify procedures and create favourable conditions for the automakers operation.

Vu Thanh Tu Anh, Research Director at the Fulbright Economics Teaching Programme in Viet Nam, told Thoi bao Kinh te Viet Nam ( Viet Nam Economic Times) that in the mid-1990s, automobile producers like Toyota and Nissan promised to achieve a localisation rate of 40 per cent within 10 years.

But so far, their localisation rate is about 10 per cent. This means the producers got incentives but what they have done for Viet Nam is not as much as the Government expected, said Anh.

Meanwhile, the import of cars is already surging. Vietnam Customs reported that nearly 15,300 CBUs were imported in the first two months of this year, an increase of over 4,000 units compared with the same period last year, of which 60 per cent were cars with nine seats or less.

The total value was estimated at US$309 million, with an average import price of about $20,200 each.
Representatives of Viet Nams transport ministry and South Korean counterpart at the signing ceremony.-Photo nhandan.com.vn

The two sides have agreed to co-operate in a number of fields, such as railway, seaport, shipbuilding and logistics.

Choi Jeong-ho, deputy minister of MoLIT, said the ministry was willing to share its experiences, support Viet Nam in the implementation of projects and help in transport development, especially in training human resources and connecting the transportation businesses between both countries.

He also expressed interest in becoming an investor in Long Thanh International Airport in the southern Dong Nai Province, which is expected to become one of the largest airports in Viet Nam with an annual capacity to handle 100 million passengers and five million tonnes of cargo.

Nguyen Hong Truong, Viet Nams deputy transport minister, said that the two nations had co-operated in four projects including Vinh Thinh bridge, Southern Coastal Corridor, National Highway 18 (Chi Linh-Bieu Nghi section), and HCM City-Trung Luong Expressway.

In terms of aviation, South Korea and Viet Nam have close co-operation in passenger and goods transport, ground services and human resources training. Now we will also work closely in areas such as maritime, shipbuilding, seaport construction, and loading and unloading equipment, Truong added.

Earlier, South Korea and Viet Nam had signed a Free Trade Agreement, which came into effect at the end of 2015, giving a boost to economic co-operation between the two countries. The growth potential of Viet Nams economy offers great investment opportunities for Korean businesses.
Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung (Third from right) Director General of the Russian oil and gas group Zarubezneft, Kudryashov Sergey Ivanovich, in Ha Noi on Thursday.- Photo giaoducthoidai.vn

During his reception for the visiting Director General of the Russian oil and gas group Zarubezneft, Kudryashov Sergey Ivanovich, in Ha Noi on Thursday, the Deputy PM hoped Zarubezneft to continue expanding its exploration and exploitation activities on Viet Nams continental shelf.

Dung attached significance to the co-operation project between the the Russian group and the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam), saying that it plays a key role in realising the Viet Nam-Russia comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership.

The Government of Viet Nam will create all conditions for more effective bilateral co-operation, he pledged.

Over the past years, the two governments have continuously facilitated co-operation between the two groups, contributing to the socio-economic development of both countries, Dung said.

For his part, Kudryashov Sergey Ivanovich expressed his thanks to the Government of Viet Nam for providing support for the companys operation, and briefed the host on the performance of the company in 2016 and the tasks set for 2017.

In spite of challenges facing the sector in 2016 with the low-record price fall to US$43 per barrel, Vietsopetro and Rusvietpetro still earned high profits thanks to minimising their production cost, he said.

He underlined co-operation potential for the two joint ventures in the future and suggested that they should continue seeking for investment opportunities in line with their benefits.
The Islamic State terror group released a video earlier this month threatening China with attacks on its soil. Analysts say that as China seeks to expand influence across central Asia, the Middle East and Africa, its nationals are being exposed to a greater terror threat and Beijing is having to adapt its response. Henry Ridgwell reports from London.
On Monday, the House Intelligence Committee will give FBI Director James Comey his first opportunity to publicly address President Donald Trump's claims that former President Barack Obama secretly wiretapped his phones in New York's Trump Tower. Comey will address his agency's investigation into the Trump campaign's contacts with Russia. VOA's congressional reporter Katherine Gypson has more.
In their first encounter, President Donald Trump hosted Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel, Friday. The meeting was viewed carefully because during his presidential campaign last year, Trump accused Merkel of "ruining Germany" because of immigration. VOA White House Bureau Chief Correspondent Steve Herman reports officials from both countries are terming the encounter a success.
A Christian activist group called on the Trump administration Thursday to grant Yazidis and Christians fleeing Islamic State-held territories special designation as victims of genocide and allow them to enter the United States.

All of these Yazidis, all of these Christians, all of these Armenian people that are fleeing genocide should be given priority entry in the United States, said Philippe Nassif, executive director of In Defense of Christians (IDC), a Washington-based nonprofit group.

Not because we favor them more, he said, but because they are at risk of being wiped out completely.

Nassif, his supporters and members of a broader anti-genocide coalition issued their call in person, descending on the U.S. Capitol to mark the first anniversary of the United States official recognition of acts of genocide by Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.

One year ago, then-Secretary of State John Kerry declared Islamic State ideologically, actively genocidal in its treatment of Yazidis, Christians and Shia Muslims. The statement came shortly after the House of Representatives voted 393-0, recognizing acts of genocide.

Yazidi children held in Syria

According to genocide survivors, official recognition and military operations against Islamic State are the first steps in a much longer process.

About 1,000 Yazidi kids are still being held by ISIS, Yazidi genocide survivor Nadia Murad told VOAs Armenian service, using an acronym for the Islamic State, which is also known as IS, ISIL and Daesh.

Most of them are in Syria, and they have been trained and brainwashed to commit suicide, she added. These kids will be used to blow themselves up in the future if they have not been saved.

Representative Anna Eshoo, a California Democrat who supports the IDCs work, stressed the importance of continuous efforts.

We cant take our foot off the pedal, she said. We have to stay on it because, listening to Nadia, it reminds us that we still have a great deal of work to do.

'Safe zones' will help

And it's not only hosting refugees but also securing territories for them in Syria and Iraq. Safe zones proposed by President Donald Trump will help, said Representative Jeff Fortenberry, a Nebraska Republican.

Once these areas are resecuritized, people can potentially return home and potentially have expanded rights and their own governments, he said.

U.S. lawmakers stressed that American responses to atrocities, and efforts to stop them, are what history will record.

The IDC on Thursday issued an open letter to Trump urging him to ensure the survival of vulnerable ethnic communities on the ground in Iraq and Syria.

This report was produced in collaboration with VOAs Armenian service.
Airbnb expects to maintain its rapid growth in Africa this year and double its customer numbers to 1.5 million, its Chief Executive Brian Chesky and regional head told Reuters on Friday.

The number of people using the online room rental service on the continent rose by 143 percent to about 765,000 guests in 2016 from the year before, said Nicola D'Elia, the firm's Africa and Middle East chief.

"If you just look at 2017, it's going to double, you will have 1.5 million people at the end of this year," added D'Elia.

Airbnb CEO Chesky confirmed that the California-based company expected to double African customer numbers this year.

"Certainly that would be the forecast," he said in an interview in Cape Town, adding: "This is literally just the beginning. It [Africa] is still relatively under-penetrated."

Chesky said the company had 77,000 homes across Africa - out of its 3 million globally - but that it could easily have "hundreds of thousands" in a continent that's home to over a billion people.

The 77,000 homes represented an increase of 95 percent from 2015 to 2016, the company said.

South Africa, which was an early adopter of Airbnb, is the top-ranked country in Africa in terms of listings and visitors, who mainly come from the United States, Germany, Britain and the Netherlands.

The top five cities in Africa are Cape Town, Marrakesh, Johannesburg, Nairobi and Casablanca, although listings are found in diverse locations from St Helena island in the south Atlantic Ocean to Freetown in Sierra Leone, and even a smattering in Somalia.

Chesky, who described Africa as "an incredibly exciting emerging market for travel", was speaking to Reuters in Langa, Cape Town's oldest township where he put in an appearance to surprise graduates from an Airbnb training program.
The Islamic State terror group released a video earlier this month explicitly threatening China with attacks on its soil. Analysts say that as China seeks to expand influence across central Asia, the Middle East and Africa, its nationals are being exposed to a greater terror threat  and Beijing is having to adapt its response.

The Islamic State video purports to show Chinese ethnic Uighurs fighting for IS militants in Iraq. They threaten to return home and shed rivers of blood.

Analyst Raffaello Pantucci of Britains Royal United Services Institute says the propaganda is part of Islamic States attempt to fight back in the face of heavy losses in Iraq and Syria.

If its able to say its fighting forwards, its got these groups of people from all over the world who are there fighting alongside them to ultimately return home and do horrible things there, then youre painting a much stronger narrative, and one which the group wants to project, he said.

Watch: China Mulls Response After Islamic State Terror Threat

Uighurs in China

The video invokes the perceived persecution by Beijing of majority-Muslim Uighurs in the western province of Xinjiang. China tightly controls access to the region, Pantucci said, and verifying reports of attacks there is difficult.

This year at least two potential attacks so far and a number of other odd incidents taking place, Pantucci said. And weve seen the governor in Xinjiang province actually having a very heavy clampdown and a very visible escalation of the security presence in the region, all of which suggests that China is increasingly concerned about the problems related to terrorism and extremism, and clearly IS is part of that picture.

Common enemy

Islamic State may be a common enemy, but there has been little coordination between China and the global coalition fighting the group, says Mathieu Duchatel of the European Council on Foreign Relations.

China wants support from Western states on its policies in Xinjiang. China considers that the anti-terror efforts that it is leading in Xinjiang are not being endorsed by countries in the West and the response in Europe at least is that there is a lack of transparency, Duchatel said.

Human rights groups accuse China of oppressing its Uighur population. In turn, Beijing accuses the West of double standards, he said.

China has a category which it calls the three evils. Terrorism, extremism and separatism are put together in the same basket, Duchatel said.

China adopted a law in 2015 allowing military deployment overseas on anti-terror missions. But Duchatel says working alongside Western or Russian forces against Islamic State remains unlikely.

The long-standing approach to terrorist risks for China has been to avoid attracting too much attention and becoming a target, he said.

That approach may change as Chinese nationals are exposed to a greater terror risk across the globe.
U.S. Republican congressional leaders have refused Democrats calls for a special prosecutor or select committee to investigate possible links between President Donald Trumps campaign and Russia, saying investigations by congressional committees are sufficient.

U.S. intelligence agencies said in January that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered hacks of the Democratic National Committees and Hillary Clintons campaign chairmans computers to influence the election on Trumps behalf.

Russia has denied this.

Three U.S. agencies, the CIA, National Security Agency and Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as the Justice Department, launched investigations into the matter under Democratic President Barack Obama.

In addition, here are some of the ways that congressional committees are looking into the matter:

House Intelligence Committee: The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence began its investigation of potential Russian influence on the 2016 presidential race before Trump took office January 20.

The panels chairman, Republican Rep. Devin Nunes, played a leading role in Trumps transition, which prompted some critics to question whether he was too close to the Republican president to conduct a fair investigation.

Some of Nunes statements contributed to their concerns, including his confirmation that he had spoken to journalists at the White Houses request to dispute reports that Trumps campaign had contact with Russia.

Nunes has also said he does not want the investigation to turn into a witch hunt like the 1950s McCarthy congressional hearings into some Americans alleged links with communism.

The committee members had to push for full access to information collected by the CIA, FBI and other agencies, but more recently they have said their access has improved.

The panel will hold its first public hearing on the matter Monday. FBI Director James Comey and the leaders or former leaders of most of the major U.S. intelligence agencies have been invited to testify.

Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the committee, said he does not know yet whether the panel is capable of conducting a credible investigation.

Senate Intelligence Committee: The U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is conducting its own investigation. Also started before Trump took office, it is considered the most robust congressional action.

Its chairman, Richard Burr, was re-elected in November in the Republican sweep that carried Trump into office and preserved Republican control of Congress. Although he was a Trump supporter during the campaign, he is not as closely linked with the president as Nunes is. But he also made calls to reporters as the White House tried to dispute allegations about campaign contacts with Russia.

Sen. Mark Warner, the committees Democratic vice chairman, said he had grave concerns about the independence of the committees probe after the report that Burr had helped the White House dispute the stories.

Burr and Warner have expressed fewer concerns than members of the House committee about the amount of information that intelligence agencies have provided to them.

The Senate intelligence committee will hold an open hearing on Russian efforts to influence campaigns more generally, March 30. The witness list includes experts, not current Trump administration or intelligence community officials.

Senate Judiciary Committee: Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, chairman of the panels subcommittee on crime and terrorism, and Sheldon Whitehouse, its ranking Democrat, announced that they, too, would investigate Russian attempts to influence the election.

They also have asked the FBI and the Justice Department to produce any information that supports Trumps unsubstantiated claim that his predecessor wiretapped him during the 2016 campaign.

The full Judiciary Committee is also investigating. Its chairman, Chuck Grassley, and top Democrat, Dianne Feinstein, have had officials brief panel members.

Grassley and Feinstein also sent a joint letter to Comey asking for a briefing and transcripts and documents of calls between Michael Flynn, Trumps former national security adviser, and Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak.

House Judiciary Committee: Committee Democrats tried to force the committee to ask the Department of Justice to produce records of its investigation into whether Trump or his campaign had ties to Russia, but panel Republicans blocked the effort.

The committees chairman, Rep. Bob Goodlatte, said instead that he would urge the government to continue its investigation.

However, Goodlatte said he had asked the Justice Department to brief the committee, and had not had a response.

House Oversight Committee: Jason Chaffetz, the committees Republican chairman, has resisted calls to investigate the Trump administration. After Michael Flynn resigned as Trumps national security adviser because of his calls to Russias ambassador, Chaffetz said his panel would not look into the issue.

He has, however, signed letters seeking related information, and he was among the first lawmakers to call for Attorney General Jeff Sessions to recuse himself from Russia-related investigations because of his contacts with Kislyak.


At least five Naxals and two police jawans were killed in a gun-battle between security personnel and militants in Dantewada district today.

By Press Trust of India: At least five Naxals, including a senior woman cadre, and two police jawans were killed in a gun-battle between security personnel and militants in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Dantewada district today.

Three security personnel, including two sub-inspectors (SIs), were also injured in the encounter.

An injured Naxal was arrested from the spot.

"The skirmish took place at around 2 PM between a team of state police's District Reserve Group (DRG) and the ultras in the jungles of Burgum village under Aranpur police station limits," Inspector General of Police (in-charge) Bastar Range Sundarraj P told PTI.

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"While the bodies of five rebels, including two women, belonging to Malangir Area Committee of Maoists, were recovered from the spot, two security personnel also lost their lives in the incident," the IG said.

ANTI-MAOIST OPERATION IN ARANPUR

DRG commandos had launched an anti-Maoist operation in the core areas of Aranpur based on specific inputs, the IG said.

When security forces were cordoning off jungles of Dorepara in Burgum village, they came across a group of Naxals leading to the gun-battle.

The intermittent firing lasted for more than an hour following which rebels escaped from the place, he added.

During a search, five bodies of ultras and a few weapons, including one AK 47 rifle and one Insas rife, were recovered, he said, adding one injured Naxal was arrested.

However, DRG constable Nirmal Netam and a Gopniya Sainik (secret troop recruited as auxiliary personnel) Sukram Gavde also killed in the exchange of fire, he added

TWO SI RANK OFFICIALS INJURED

As well, two SI-rank officials -- Sangram Singh and Dogendra Parte - and constable Mukesh Tatti, all belonging to DRG, were injured in the encounter, the IG said.

"The injured personnel were shifted to a local hospital and they were said to be out of danger," he added.

The injured Naxal was also being provided treatment.

Of the women ultras killed in the encounter, one was identified as Palle, who was active as secretary of Malangir Area Committee and member of Darbha Divisional Committee of Maoists and another as Vijje, a member of the same area committee, he said.

Palle was carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh on her head while Vijje was carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh, police said.

The identity of three other Naxals was being ascertained, he added.

ALSO READ | Chhattisgarh: 11 CRPF personnel killed in Naxal ambush in Sukma

ALSO WATCH | CRPF won't celebrate Holi today to pay tribute to 12 martyrs of Sukma ambush

--- ENDS ---
It could be a Hollywood screenplay. Juliana Armelin and her husband Paulo Siqueira decided to radically change their lives in 2010, quitting jobs in Sao Paulo's financial sector and moving to a farm seven hours away to start growing coffee.

Seven years later, they clinched for a second consecutive year Brazil's most prestigious coffee award, beating hundreds of established producers in a country that has exported coffee for more than 200 years.

"I would never imagine we could reach this status in such a short period," Siqueira told Reuters on Friday after the couple received the annual award from Italian roaster Illy.

"I used to say that we don't have a story on coffee, but only some chapters so far," said Armelin.

The couple met during college, graduating in engineering from Brazil's top ranked university, USP. They spent some years together in the United States getting Master of Business Administration degrees at the University of Chicago before starting careers in Sao Paulo.

Armelin is a former Mckinsey & Company consultant, while Siqueira held positions as a fund manager at Credit Suisse and boutique investment firm Vector Investimentos.

They ended up in the coffee business due to Armelin's father, who decided to start producing the beans.

"I helped him in the research and started to like the idea.

We already had thoughts at running something together," Armelin said.

After studying the possibility, they bought a 210-hectare (518 acres) farm in the municipality of Ibia in a coffee-producing region known as the Cerrado Mineiro, in Minas Gerais state.

"It was an old cattle ranch, only pasture," Siqueira recalled. They planted the first trees in 2011, collected the first beans two years later and had their first full harvest in 2015. Within a year, they received the first award.

The couple's farm is a state-of-the-art facility. The fields are 100 percent irrigated, with a fully mechanized harvest. The washed arabicas are put to dry in raised beds to avoid contact with the soil, which could affect the flavor.

"We studied a lot, talked to a lot of people who knew how to produce high quality coffee and we did everything they said we should," said Armelin. "Some people used to say that we were nerds that went to coffee production. And we used to say, 'yes, we are.'"

The Terra Alta farm was chosen for aspects like the plentiful availability of water and its flat terrain to allow for mechanization.

The couple used as much government-backed credit as they could to buy all the equipment. "We have debt for the rest of our lives," said Armelin, smiling.

The farm today exports 80 percent of its production, which varies from 10,000 to 13,000 60-kg bags per year. Many deals are done directly with gourmet coffee sellers in the United States.

Siquiera said the coffee community in the Cerrado region has always been very receptive, despite their unusual background.

But the couple stops short of recommending their experience to others.

"Even if you have the money, it really is not easy. Growing coffee requires extreme dedication," Armelin said, adding that she takes care of the financial details while her husband likes to be out in the fields.

But they have no regrets. "We like this a lot. We will probably be coffee growers for the rest of our lives," she said.
U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel shook hands warmly at the end of a sometimes awkward "getting-to-know-you" session Friday at the White House that seemed to symbolize the difficulties ahead for the trans-Atlantic relationship.

Trump and Merkel, considered the two most powerful leaders in the Western world, appeared to get off to a rocky start in their first face-to-face meeting. They notably did not shake hands as they sat for photographers in the Oval Office after their opening conversation.

At a news conference later, however, following their two hours of talks, both leaders made more conciliatory statements.

"They were civil. It was workmanlike. They did not demonstrate any particular affinity, and one could sense there had been some significant differences of opinion in the meeting," said Charles Kupchan, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

WATCH: Trump, Merkel Meet in Oval Office

Trump did not bring up the sharp criticisms of Merkel he issued when he was running for president last year, when he said the veteran chancellor's policy of welcoming immigrants was "ruining" her country and much of Europe. And Merkel was gentle in her comments about the immigration controversies in the United States since Trump took over the White House.

The problems of "migration, immigration, integration have to be worked on, obviously," Merkel said, adding: "But this has to be done while looking at the refugees as well, giving them opportunities to shape their own lives where they are. ... I think that's the right way of going about it. And this obviously is what we have an exchange of views about."

Trump, who once famously called NATO "obsolete," reaffirmed his support for the alliance, and Merkel said she was "gratified" by that. He did not, however, back down from previous criticism of allies who he says are not accepting their fair share of the defense burden.

WATCH: NATO Members 'Must Pay Fair Share,' Trump Says

Trump's NATO pledge welcomed

"I reiterated to Chancellor Merkel my strong support for NATO, as well as the need for our NATO allies to pay their fair share for the cost of defense," the U.S. president said. "Many nations owe vast sums of money from past years, and it is very unfair to the United States. These nations must pay what they owe."

Trump's NATO endorsement will be especially welcome to European ears, according to Jeffrey Rathke, deputy director of the Europe Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies: "This is more than the president has ever said about NATO since being elected. So today was a bit more than that, and that will help reassure our allies of the U.S. commitment."

Trump also tried to ease concerns that he will move the United States toward protectionism, as he has been portrayed by many European media, but he repeated that he will seek better deals with trading partners.

"I don't believe in an isolationist policy," the president said. "But I also believe a policy of trade should be a fair policy. And the United States has been treated very, very unfairly by many countries over the years, and that's going to stop."

Watch: President Trump, German Chancellor Merkel Discuss Trade, NATO

Merkel seeks 'compromise ... good for both'

Merkel struck a conciliatory tone, while not yielding on key German interests. "We tried to talk about areas where we disagree, and find a compromise," she told reporters. "That is good for both, because we need to be fair."

The German chancellor emphasized the need for trade deals that benefit both sides, but she seemed to be emphasizing that any negotiation with the United States will be with the entire 28-member European Union, not with individual member states.

"I think it's only fair, and that's the purpose of concluding agreements: Both sides win," Merkel said. "And that's the sort of spirit in which we ought to be guided in negotiating any agreement between the United States and the EU. I hope we will come back to the table and talk about the agreement between EU and the U.S. again."

WATCH: Merkel Discusses US-EU Trade Agreement Talks

Veteran observers of U.S. trans-Atlantic relationships generally agreed that this first meeting of two very different leaders and experienced negotiators was a substantive start.

"At the beginning it was much more of, 'It's a good meeting, we are hopeful we can work together,' " said John Hughes, a former U.S. diplomat who is vice president of the Albright Stonebridge Group. "But, at the same time, it became evident in some of Merkel's responses [that] she doesn't see eye to eye with President Trump on everything, and she was going to be forceful in making her case on some of these issues, and not just bowing down to his demands."

Merkel told reporters that she and Trump had more discussions ahead on economic topics, during a late lunch at the White House, but she said she wanted to "project" her view about how Germany achieved its dominant role in Europe  that economic advancement has always been accomplished together with security and peace.

"The successes of Germans have always been those where Germany's gains are one side of the coin," Merkel said, "and the other side of the coin has been European unity and European integration. That is something of which I am deeply convinced."
U.S. President Donald Trump has stuck by his claim that the Obama administration wiretapped his phones in Trump Tower with the help of British security, despite a complaint by British authorities that such an assertion is "ridiculous."

Trump spoke to reporters Friday at a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Questioned by a reporter about the allegation, which Trump first made in a tweet on March 4, Trump answered by referencing a wiretapping scandal in which U.S. security officials were found to be listening in on Merkel's private conversations.

"As far as wiretapping, I guess, by this past administration, at least we have something in common, perhaps," Trump said to Merkel.

Merkel did not answer and a few reporters in the room laughed nervously.

On Thursday, White House spokesman Sean Spicer cited a Fox News report to back up claims that the British spy agency, known as GCHQ, was involved in wiretapping Trump Tower.

Fox host Andrew Napolitano claimed that "three intelligence sources have informed Fox News that President [Barack] Obama went outside the chain of command" to order the surveillance and that GCHQ was involved.

A spokesman for GCHQ denied the claims, saying, "Recent allegations made by media commentator Judge Andrew Napolitano about GCHQ being asked to conduct 'wiretapping' against the then-president-elect are nonsense."

A spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday called Trump's claims "ridiculous" and said it would be impossible for Britain to spy on a U.S. citizen because of an agreement signed between the two countries. The spokesman said Britain had received assurances from the White House that the claims would not be repeated.

The White House has produced no evidence of its claim, insisting that it is only repeating "public reports."

Friday afternoon, a Fox News anchor read a statement on the air saying, "Fox News knows of no evidence of any kind that the now president of the United States was surveilled at any time, in any way, full stop."

Also Friday, the Justice Department said it has complied with requests from congressional Intelligence and Judiciary committees to provide information on any surveillance from the 2016 election.

The two top senators on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Republican Richard Burr and Democrat Mark Warner, said Thursday: "Based on the information available to us, we see no indications that Trump Tower was the subject of surveillance by any element of the United States government either before or after Election Day 2016."

Their statement followed one from House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, who also dismissed the president's explosive claim that Obama ordered the eavesdropping. "We've cleared that up, that we see no evidence of that," Ryan said.

Obama has dismissed the allegation as "simply false."
The Egyptian government is struggling to counter an increasingly violent insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula targeting Egyptian police, security forces and Christians.

Several militant groups, including Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, are controlling large swaths of Sinai, which borders the Gaza Strip and Israel, and have established rule separate from the government in Cairo.

"The insurgency reflects a breakdown in fundamental relationships between a portion of the people in Sinai and the Egyptian government," David Des Roches, a professor at the National Defense University in Washington, told VOA.

The militant campaign in the peninsula accelerated after the Egyptian military overthrew elected Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in 2013.

President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, who as defense minister led Morsi's ouster, declared a state of emergency in northern Sinai in 2014 and "launched a bloody offensive" against the militants. Hundreds of soldiers and police officers have been killed in the conflict, and hundreds of houses in the Rafah region have been razed by the Egyptian military, displacing about 10,000 people.

Locals' grievances

Analysts say the insurgency is gaining strength, partly because of the government's military tactics and actions that have alienated and angered the local population. The locals accuse the government forces of indiscriminate bombing of their villages as some militants hide among the local population.

"There seems to be a significant civil-military problem in the Sinai Peninsula. Unfortunately, the people who live there tend to regard the Egyptian government as a foreign occupying force," Des Roches said. "The relations have gotten so bad that you are in an almost insurgency situation. It really is a difficult and dangerous situation for the Egyptian government."

Sinai is one of the most underdeveloped regions in Egypt and has largely been neglected by the central government in Cairo. Local tribes recently threatened to start a civil disobedience movement to protest the harsh military actions and the poor economic situation with which they are faced.

"The Bedouin in the Sinai never fully benefited from membership of the Egyptian state. Unfortunately, the crackdown seems to be indiscriminate and obviously has led them to signal their displeasure with the Egyptian government," Des Roches said, adding that the crackdown is likely to be indicative of counterproductive Egyptian security forces' action. "If you crack down on the entire population, what you wind up doing is alienating them, driving them away from the government, towards the other side."

The volatile security situation in Sinai has also provided a fertile ground for the emergence of IS in the region, which capitalizes on the regime's alienating policies in Sinai, analysts say.

Already formidable

"The group [IS], which emerged after the 2011 uprising that overthrew Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, has already established itself as a formidable player in its own right," Khalil Al-Anani, an expert on Islamist movements in the Middle East, told VOA. "In recent months, it has staged devastating attacks on Egypt's police forces and claimed responsibility for a series of suicide attacks on military facilities in Cairo and the Sinai Peninsula."

IS militants also have targeted local Coptic Christians in Sinai, causing more than 100 Christian families to flee from the city of el-Arish. The group recently vowed in a video message to step up a wave of attacks on the Christian minority in the region.

Experts say by targeting the Christians, IS is attempting to promote sectarian tensions and violence in Egypt. It seems "a very bold strategy bidding on extremism, bidding on hatred," Alberto Fernandez, former director of the Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications at the U.S. State Department, told VOA.

To curb terrorism in Sinai, the government needs to regain the trust of Sinai people by treating them as full citizens. Otherwise, the problem will get worse, according to Al-Anani.

"The violence there indicates that the Egyptian tactics, which are rather heavy-handed, are not achieving their aim and they probably won't achieve their aim. I think a strategy that focuses more on engaging the population, addressing their needs, is likely to be more effective in the long run," Des Roches said.

Regional effects seen

Some analysts say the government's heavy-handed military approach, without pursuing a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy, is backfiring. "The new regime's policy has been proven counterproductive and created a fertile ground for terrorists by targeting ordinary people and the Bedouins," Al-Anani said. "The regime relied only on a security approach that alienated the local people and increased their grievances."

Analysts say if Cairo fails to properly handle the insurgency in Sinai, the consequences of IS's attempts to ally with local militant groups will be felt regionally. "Even if ISIS is defeated in Iraq and Syria, a foothold in Egypt could provide access to safe havens in North and sub-Saharan Africa, as well as in the Arab Peninsula," according to Al-Anani.

The government should reset its relations with the Sinai tribes to obtain their support against the militants by apologizing to them and compensating them for the "war crimes" it committed against them, Egyptian blogger and Sinai activist Massaad Abu Fajr wrote on his Facebook account.

"If the problem of alienated people in Sinai were adequately adjusted by the Egyptian government, ISIS would not be a consideration," Des Roches said.
As deaths from painkillers and heroin abuse spiked and street crimes increased, the mayor of Everett took major steps to tackle the opioid epidemic devastating this working-class city north of Seattle.



Mayor Ray Stephanson stepped up patrols, hired social workers to ride with officers and pushed for more permanent housing for chronically homeless people. The city says it has spent millions combating OxyContin and heroin abuse - and expects the tab to rise.



So Everett is suing Purdue Pharma, maker of the opioid pain medication OxyContin, in an unusual case that alleges the drugmaker knowingly allowed pills to be funneled into the black market and the city of about 108,000. Everett alleges the drugmaker did nothing to stop it and must pay for damages caused to the community.



Everett's lawsuit, now in federal court in Seattle, accuses Purdue Pharma of gross negligence and nuisance. The city seeks to hold the company accountable, the lawsuit alleges, for "supplying OxyContin to obviously suspicious pharmacies and physicians and enabling the illegal diversion of OxyContin into the black market'' and into Everett, despite a company program to track suspicious flows.





"Our community has been significantly damaged, and we need to be made whole,'' said Stephanson, who grew up in Everett and is its longest-serving mayor, holding the job since 2003.



He said the opioid crisis caused by "Purdue's drive for profit'' has overwhelmed the city's resources, stretching everyone from first responders to park crews who clean up discarded syringes. The lawsuit doesn't say how much money the city is seeking, but the mayor says Everett will attempt to quantify its costs in coming months.



Connecticut-based Purdue Pharma says the lawsuit paints a flawed and inaccurate picture of the events that led to the crisis in Everett.



"We look forward to presenting the facts in court,'' the company said in a statement.



Purdue said it is "deeply troubled by the abuse and misuse of our medication,'' and noted it leads the industry in developing medicines with properties that deter abuse, even though its products account for less than 2 percent of all U.S. opioid prescriptions.



In 2007, Purdue Pharma and its executives paid more than $630 million in legal penalties to the federal government for willfully misrepresenting the drug's addiction risks. The same year, it also settled with Washington and other states that claimed the company aggressively marketed OxyContin to doctors while downplaying the addiction risk. As part of that settlement, it agreed to continue internal controls to identify potential diversion or abuse.



While numerous individuals and states have sued Purdue, this case is different because Everett is getting at the results of addiction, said Elizabeth Porter, associate law professor at the University of Washington.



She thinks Everett may have a shot at winning, though it will have to overcome some legal burdens, including showing that diverted OxyContin from rogue doctors and pharmacies was a substantial factor in the city's epidemic.



Stephanson said he was "absolutely outraged'' after the Los Angeles Times reported last summer it found Purdue had evidence that pointed to illegal trafficking of its pills but in many cases did nothing to notify authorities or stop the flow. That newspaper investigation prompted the city's lawsuit.



In response to the newspaper's reporting, Purdue said in a statement that in 2007, it provided LA-area law enforcement information that helped lead to the convictions of the criminal prescribers and pharmacists referenced by the Los Angeles Times. The company also pointed to court documents that showed a wholesaler alerted the Drug Enforcement Administration about suspicious activity at a sham clinic noted in the newspaper's story.



Still, Everett contends Purdue created a market for addicts that didn't exist until the company let its pills flood the streets.



The region saw two spikes in overdose deaths: first from OxyContin and other opioid painkillers in 2008 and then, after the drug was reformulated in 2010, a spike from heroin as people switched to a potent but cheaper alternative, officials said.



The city contends Purdue's wrongful conduct fueled a heroin crisis in Everett. Between 2011 and 2013, nearly one in five heroin-related deaths in Washington state occurred in the Everett region.





In response to the drug epidemic, Everett last year began sending social workers on routine patrols with police officers. Sgt. Mike Braley says the community outreach and enforcement team strikes a balance between enforcement and connecting people to addiction treatment, mental health and other services.



"We understand that we can't arrest our way out of problems that addiction is causing our city,'' Braley said.



Sometimes it takes many follow-ups and hours of handholding to get people help. On their first stop one morning, Braley and his team check under a street overpass, a popular hangout for addicts. They find plenty of needles, drug packaging and mounds of garbage but none of the people they had encountered there recently.

They swing by a woody vacant piece of city property to follow up with a homeless man who told social workers he was on a housing list. He previously was reluctant to talk but opens up this time.





Social worker Kaitlyn Dowd offers to check on the man's housing status with a local nonprofit provider and then punches her number into a cellphone he recently got.



"You can call me, and I have your number,'' she tells him.



Social worker Staci McCole said they come across many cases where highly functioning residents were introduced to opiates or heroin.

"So many of these people - somehow it's taken a hold of them, and their lives now have forever changed,'' she said.
The Florida prosecutor who thrust herself into the forefront of the anti-death penalty movement is a political novice who was elected just seven months ago.



Aramis Ayala, a Democrat and former public defender and assistant state attorney, surprised many of her supporters when she announced this week that her office would no longer seek capital punishment in a state that has one of the largest death rows. In response, the states Republican governor promptly transferred a potential death penalty case to another Florida prosecutor.



I understand this is a controversial issue, but what isnt controversial is the evidence that led me to my decision, said Ayala, the first black state attorney elected in Florida.



She said there is no evidence that shows the death penalty improves public safety for citizens or law enforcement, and its costly and drags on for years for the victims families.

Activists cheered



Advocates seeking to abolish the death penalty said Ayala sent a powerful message. Her decision reflects decreasing support for capital punishment in the U.S., said Karen Clifton, executive director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network to End the Use of the Death Penalty.



There are some prosecutors who in practice are following her lead. They just havent spoken out like she has, Clifton said. It would be wonderful if they spoke out and we could have a louder voice.

Career in law

Ayala spent the first decade or so of her career as an assistant state attorney and public defender. She was a prosecutor in the state attorneys office for Orange and Osceola counties for about two years before she decided to seek the top job. The county is home to Walt Disney World and has grown more liberal over the past two decades.



Ayala didnt run on an anti-death penalty platform when she campaigned, because at the time Floridas death penalty law was in question after the U.S. Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional. A new death penalty bill was signed into law this week.



She instead emphasized that she would engage with average citizens if elected. She acknowledged that her husband had served time in prison for drug conspiracy and counterfeiting checks years ago.



Supporters surprised

Even some of Ayalas supporters said Friday they were taken aback by her decision.



Lawson Lamar, a former state attorney and sheriff, who backed her run for office, said: Anyone who raises their hand and takes the oath to be state attorney must be able to go with the death penalty even if they feel its distasteful.

Florida has 381 inmates on death and shows no sign of slowing down future prosecutions. The other state attorneys in Florida issued a statement Friday saying they would continue to seek the death penalty.





Backlash, some support

Rafael Zaldivar, whose son was murdered in Orlando in 2012, demanded her resignation.



She is an activist. She isnt a prosecutor. She has an agenda, said Zaldivar, whose sons killer was sentenced to death in 2015. Questions over Floridas death penalty law have cast doubt over the sentence. His case is on appeal.



After Ayala announced her decision, Gov. Rick Scott transferred the case of Markeith Loyd from her authority to another state attorney in a neighboring district. Loyd is charged in the killing of police Lt. Debra Clayton, as well as Sade Dixon, who was Loyds pregnant ex-girlfriend.



Dixons mother said she supported Ayalas decision, saying the death penalty would drag out the process for her family.



Ayalas decision could play into any future political aspirations. In California, then-District Attorney Kamala Harris faced similar circumstances a dozen years ago when she decided not to pursue the death penalty against a man accused of killing a San Francisco police officer. Harris went on to become the states attorney general and a U.S. senator.
Officials with the U.S. National Park Service say cold weather has destroyed half of Washingtons cherry blossoms, a display that normally draws more than a million tourists to the capital.

Gay Vietzke, the superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, said the damage occurred because of a wild weather roller coaster in Washington over the past few weeks.

First, record-breaking high temperatures in February  warmth that felt more like April than the second-coldest month of the year  gave the Japanese cherry trees an early start on their blooming cycle. Then a late-winter storm brought snow and freezing temperatures to the nations capital just as the peak display of blossoms was about to begin.

Washingtons cherry blossoms are so popular, and a magnet for visitors, that National Park Service officials discussed the situation at a news conference Friday.

We do anticipate that there will be fewer blossoms than normal, and the color therefore may not be quite as dense as weve seen in past years, Vietzke said.

Park officials say the drop in temperature to -5 degrees Celsius this past week killed virtually all of the blossoms that were in late stages of the bloom cycle. Buds that had not opened into full bloom survived.

The cold weather did not do any long-term damage to the trees, NPS experts said. Whatever blossoms survived the frost likely will reach their peak color and display around March 25-26, later than was initially forecast.

Diana Mayhew, president of the four-week National Cherry Blossom Festival, told reporters the festival would take place as scheduled, starting with the opening of a welcome area and stage Saturday.

Nearly 1,700 cherry trees line the U.S. capitals Tidal Basin, a scenic spot near many national monuments, and their blossoms in pastel pink are anticipated as a sign of spring.

About 3,000 of the cherry trees (they flower, but do not bear fruit) can be seen around the city and have been drawing crowds since Japan donated them to the United States in 1912 to honor the two countries friendship.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the meeting of finance ministers of the G20 countries was a success Saturday despite the ministers not reaching agreement on trade protectionism.

"I will leave here confident that my colleagues and I are able to work in partnership to ...foster and promote global growth and financial stability," he said.

Citing President Donald Trump's commitment to American companies and workers, Mnuchin pushed back on and effectively omitted a ban on protectionism from the joint statement released at the end of the summit.

Mnuchin did, however, say that the United States still believed in free trade.

We believe in free trade, were one of the largest markets in the world, were one of the largest trading partners in the world," Mnuchin said. "Having said that, we want to re-examine certain agreements," he continued, speaking specifically about NAFTA.

Other world powers present played down any disagreement between the countries.

"It's not true we are not agreed. It's completely clear we are not for protectionism," Wolfgang Schaeuble, finance minister of host country Germany, told reporters, though he did, without mentioning a country by name, say that "maybe one or the other important member state needs to get a sense of how international cooperation works.''

The G20 is a informal forum on economic cooperation between 19 countries plus the European Union. Representatives from the 19 countries and the EU will meet for a formal summit in July.
Europe and the United States should keep sanctions in place against Russia until there is progress in implementing the 2015 Minsk accords aimed at ending the violence in eastern Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said.

Tensions are again running high between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian separatists: Kyiv this week cut off cargo shipments from the breakaway regions until the separatists hand back control of businesses they have seized.

"It is important that Europe and the United States present a unified front and stick to the sanctions against Russia until there is progress in implementing the Minsk agreements," Gabriel said in an interview with the Passauer Neue Presse newspaper, to be published on Saturday.

"So far the United States has supported this common understanding and I hope it stays that way," he added.

Chancellor Angela Merkel held her first meeting on Friday with U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he appreciated the leadership of Germany and France in trying to find a peaceful solution in Ukraine.

Trump's positive comments about Russian President Vladimir Putin during his campaign for the White House last year have made Ukrainian officials nervous that he might be inclined to relax the economic sanctions.

Merkel, who will travel to Moscow in May, said in Washington she was working for a "safe and secure solution for Ukraine, but the relationship with Russia has to be improved as well."

More than 10,000 people have been killed in three years of conflict in eastern Ukraine. Merkel said there had not been the desired progress in implementing the Minsk accords, but Germany would continue to work to ensure they were implemented.
Germany's foreign minister says Turkey's chances of joining the European Union are dwindling, but the country might one day hope for a privileged partnership with the bloc.



Sigmar Gabriel told German weekly Der Spiegel in an interview published Saturday that Turkey is further away than ever before from EU membership.



Gabriel, whose center-left Social Democrats have tended to back Turkish membership in the EU, says he was always skeptical of the idea.



He says upcoming negotiations about the EU's future relationship with Britain might provide a blueprint for Turkey in the long term.



Relations between Berlin and Ankara have soured recently over a German Parliament resolution labeling the 20th century killing of Armenians as genocide, Turkey's crackdown on the opposition and civil society, and appearances by Turkish officials in Germany.
Early in the morning on March 11, shortly after counting was underway, the Aam Aadmi Party leadership were forced to confront the likelihood of defeat in Punjab. Ashutosh, the party's national spokesperson, watched the disaster unfold alongside Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. "We're still in the process," Ashutosh said on the phone a day later, "of trying to review the situation." It was a careful rationalisation of what, he admitted, had been a deflating, chastening 48 hours.

Kejriwal's house, festooned with tricolour balloons and LED screens, was ready to host a party. Crowds began to gather outside but just as rapidly dispersed. AAP won 20 out of 117 seats; throw in an extra two from the Lok Insaaf Party and AAP will have 22 seats in the Punjab assembly, 55 fewer than the Congress, led by Amarinder Singh, and just four more than the reviled Akali Dal-BJP alliance. Most exit polls-barring the India Today-Axis poll which predicted up to 71 seats for the Congress-suggested a photo finish. On India Today television, a bullish Raghav Chadha, the young party treasurer and spokesperson, said he would "leave politics" if AAP won fewer than 85 seats in Punjab. Unsurprisingly, Chadha did not respond to a request for comment.

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Here now for AAP? Kejriwal responded to defeat with a single tweet. Ashutosh says his attitude has been positive, resilient: "Nothing to worry about, defeats happen, we have to try harder." Though the complaint about EVMs and switching to paper ballots for the forthcoming municipal elections in Delhi suggests a less sanguine approach, it's hard not to sympathise with Kejriwal. The party banked nearly everything on success in Punjab. Goa was an afterthought, though it was rubbing salt in an already considerable wound to lose its deposit in 38 of the 39 seats it contested. Even in Punjab, more AAP candidates lost their deposits than won seats. And, in terms of the popular vote, with under 25 per cent, AAP finished third, though it will be the main opposition in the assembly. Kejriwal addressed over 95 rallies, having effectively decamped to the state from Delhi by the last weeks of the campaign.

For him, it is a personal failure. It will eat away at him, that Narendra Modi carried the BJP to the most handsome of victories in Uttar Pradesh without recourse to a prominent local leader. For the party, the goal was clear. Win Punjab, and AAP would have been a national force, in prime position to compete in other states and establish itself by 2019 as a significant impediment to the BJP juggernaut. Now those plans lie in ruins.

Ashutosh, one of very few AAP leaders willing to speak in the immediate aftermath of the election, argued that the glass was still half full. "You could term it a setback," he said, "but we have emerged as the second party in Punjab. Without muscle or money, we are the ruling party in one state, the opposition in another, and closer to national party status. To have achieved this in four years is no mean feat." Columnist Santosh Desai agrees that "25 per cent vote share in Punjab is pretty decent going for a new party". But, he adds, "given the opportunity that existed, it's difficult for AAP to take any good news out of this result. The incumbents were utterly discredited and the Congress is a non-starter in most of the country. AAP could not have had a better opportunity. It was their election to lose and somehow they did."

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Kultar Singh Sandhwan is one of the few AAP candidates to have won his seat. Late on Saturday night, the new MLA from Kotkapura, still celebrating his victory from the morning, sounded defiant, his voice scratchy from strain. A great-nephew of the former president Giani Zail Singh, Sandhwan insisted that "just two days before the election, we were sweeping Punjab". He alleges a "pact" between the Akalis and Congress. "Anyway," he says, "it is a blessing in disguise. We will have on-the-job training for next time. And we will force Congress to do good for Punjab, show them what opposition means."

Photo: Mail Today/Qamar Sibtain Photo: Mail Today/Qamar Sibtain

Sandhwan accepted that AAP had made mistakes. "We spent all our ammunition," he said, "on killing the Badals, and Amarinder was saved by default. That cost us." R.R. Bhardwaj, a former IAS officer close to Amarinder Singh when he was chief minister, joined AAP in disgust at what had become of the Congress. He led AAP's intellectual cell, helping to draft the manifesto for Punjab with a team of volunteers suspending prestigious careers and taking breaks from graduate degrees at universities such as Stanford and Oxford. Speaking to Bhardwaj on Holi, it was clear he felt not just disappointment but a degree of bitterness over the result.

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"People from Delhi," he said, "were controlling the party and did not know the ground realities. The distribution of tickets was very faulty. Lots of dedicated, sincere people who worked on the ground were left out and people with money were ushered in." When reached, Sanjay Singh and Durgesh Pathak, the leaders AAP sent from Delhi to galvanise volunteers and distribute tickets, confessed that they were not yet in the mood for a postmortem. Singh, in particular, had been hoist by his own petard. Among the mistakes Bhardwaj believes AAP made, was to "not see that Hindus make up 40 per cent of the electorate and that their socio-economic needs are different from the Sikhs. It did not help that Kejriwal stayed in a terrorist's house in Moga". Bhagwant Mann, meanwhile, Bhardwaj says, "is a good comedian but would have been a total misfit as CM".

Speaking anonymously, some within AAP claimed the wheels started to come off the Punjab campaign when Sucha Singh Chhotepur was humiliated and sacked for purportedly taking a bribe. They too asserted that Bhagwant Mann was a popular campaigner but "no one took him seriously as a possible chief minister". Still, says Bhardwaj, "while the enthusiasm of volunteers has been dampened, a major opportunity remains. It will be very difficult for the Congress to perform particularly with the coffers drained. AAP represents change and reform, but it needs to decentralise, to trust local people."

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Trust is something AAP will have to recover for itself among voters. While no formal post-poll meeting has been held, Ashutosh says the party will go ahead with plans to contest elections in other states, including Gujarat. Kejriwal is to headline a rally in Gandhinagar on March 26, and Ashutosh says there are no plans to cancel. Of more import, though, will be Delhi's municipal elections in April. It will serve as a referendum on the AAP government. "It may be true," Santosh Desai accepts, "that much of AAP's good work in Delhi is invisible to the middle classes because it benefits the poor. The municipal elections will be a good test of that boast, will show that AAP still has a future in Delhi."

For all the talk of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, 2019, and AAP's future as a national party, it is that future in Delhi that is most immediately at stake. AAP will need to rally round volunteers dispirited by the results in Punjab and Goa, rally round voters discomfited by the party's focus on Punjab at the expense of Delhi. "AAP," says Ashutosh, "has already declared more than 240 candidates and our good work in education, health, water resources will be rewarded." Perhaps. But the BJP is intent on capitalising on Kejriwal's embarrassment in Punjab, on making him a laughing stock. AAP's performance in the assembly elections two years ago cannot be repeated, but the party will have to hope that the exaggerated expectations stemming from that result, particularly among the city's middle class, don't curdle into exaggerated dismay at the perceived lack of performance. Blaming a recalcitrant Centre won't wash.

It may be premature to suggest AAP already faces an existential crisis. Pressure is being applied from all sides. A recently released Comptroller and Auditor General report, for instance, takes the party to task for violating financial propriety and Supreme Court guidelines by spending tens of crores advertising the Delhi government's achievements outside the state. AAP relies upon the energy it generates by being crusaders. They cannot allow the once strong outlines of their identity to become further blurred or that pressure will not be withstood. Voters don't want just another party, just another set of politicians seeking power.

Pankaj Gupta, AAP national secretary and a member of the national executive, was in charge of strategy in Goa. He says that "while AAP had the love and affection of people in Goa, we obviously didn't have their confidence". People do want an alternative, Gupta insists, "and it is our responsibility to grow that alternative, not to let it die."

--- ENDS ---
Former U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton says she is ready to participate in the public discussion about the change in the countrys political climate since the November presidential election.

Im like a lot of my friends right now, I have a hard time watching the news, she said Friday at the Society of Irish Womens 19th Annual Saint Patricks Day dinner in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

However, Clinton added, I do not believe that we can let political divides harden into personal divides. We cant just ignore or turn a cold shoulder because we disagree politically. We have to listen to each other and learn from each other.

Clinton said, I am ready to come out of the woods and to shine a light on whats already happening around kitchen tables at dinners like this to help draw strength to enable everyone to keep going.

Clinton was spotted walking in the woods near her home in Chappaqua, New York, shortly after her stunning loss in the presidential race. She has made few public appearances since then.

She is rumored to be considering a run for New York mayor, but her assistants have downplayed that notion.
The face of Indonesian President Joko Widodo was splashed all over posters for the fifth Congress of Indigenous People of the Archipelago (KMAN V) ahead of its convention in North Sumatra this week.

But the president, commonly known as Jokowi, suddenly canceled his appearance at the event, which convenes every five years to set its policy agenda and elect the leadership of the Indigenous People's Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN), which organizes KMAN.

His absence and other grievances have some at the congress saying the movement for indigenous rights is at a breaking point.

Several participants scoffed at Jokowi's conciliatory invitation to all the indigenous leaders present to visit him in the presidential palace on March 21.

"What's the point?" said Ruuka Sombolinggi, advocacy coordinator of AMAN. "We are not children, we will not be impressed by the president's house."

Jokowi's cancellation was the latest hiccup in indigenous Indonesians' struggle for recognition and legal protection.

A bill to protect their rights has languished for years in a back-and-forth between Indonesia's House of Representatives and the government. Indigenous rights activists had hoped that having the president at the congress would add momentum to their cause.

Now, as the congress shifts gears into internal politicking  to elect a new leader over the weekend  activists worry that their taxing struggle for indigenous rights has stalled again.

A people without a name

Indonesia recognizes more than 1,000 ethnic groups scattered across its 17,000 islands, and between 50 million and 70 million people are considered to be members of indigenous communities.

The indigenous people are often called "masyarakat adat," or people who use adat  customary laws. But there is no real word in Bahasa Indonesia for "indigenous," which points to how contentious the category has been in recent decades.

One common refrain in the country is that "all Indonesians are indigenous," which is to say, they originate from the geographical area they currently live in. As late as 2012, then-President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono denied that any indigenous people existed in Indonesia. But by the time Jokowi was campaigning for president in 2014, he could openly discuss a plan to support indigenous people.

"We really hoped that this event would open the government's eyes to the diversity and power of Indonesia's indigenous peoples," said Mona Sihombing of AMAN. "And among other things, we wanted officials to see what a huge voting bloc this is."

On Friday morning, a presidential spokesperson said that a long-promised task force on indigenous issues was no longer a priority, saying that it seemed like an unnecessary hassle given the option of "concrete" actions such as divesting "12.7 million hectares" of forests to indigenous ownership.

"This is the first time we are hearing this position on the task force," said Ruuka. "Until today, the president's team has said on many occasions that the task force will be a big part of its indigenous policy."

Later, Noer Fauzi Rachman, a presidential spokesperson, clarified that the task force was not entirely canceled, but its creation was just held up by bureaucracy.

"If it were up to me, the task force would have been created last year," Rachman told VOA. "Although he can try to influence the various ministries involved, the timeline at which these things happen is not up to the president."

Indigenous leaders react

On Friday afternoon, indigenous leaders reacted with dismay to the president's cancellation.

Alex Sangenafa, from Yapen, West Papua, delivered a high-volume, impassioned diatribe in front of the conference's main stage, expressing his disappointment. He approached a presidential spokesperson with eight enormous wooden arrows, symbolizing the eight-month deadline by which he hoped the indigenous people's law would be ratified.

"We Papuans came out of the woods" to vote for Jokowi, Sangenafa said. "We are confident that he comes from humble folks and sees the pain of his people."

His gesture was met with roaring applause.

"I'm not angry, I'm disappointed," he told VOA later.

"The suggestion that we should visit the Presidential Palace next week is beside the point," said Apai Janggut, an indigenous leader from Putussibau, Kalimantan. "As far as I was concerned, this was the absolute deadline for the government to effect change for our community. They have shown their priorities and we will vote accordingly."

Forests at crux of public policy

The president sent Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya in his place, and she announced plans to release 7,000 hectares of forest in Toba Pulp Lestari in North Sumatra back to indigenous ownership.

Handing the management of certain forests over to indigenous groups has been a cornerstone of the administration's indigenous policy. It dates to a Constitutional Court ruling from 2013 that "customary forests" are not part of state-owned forests, which set a precedent for transferring their ownership. In December 2016, Jokowi signed over 13,000 hectares to nine indigenous communities across Indonesia.

Activists argue that at least 8.2 million hectares in Indonesia should be in indigenous hands.

"The announcement of 7,000 more hectares in indigenous hands is certainly a good thing," said Abdon Nababan, a Batak person from North Sumatra who is the outgoing president of AMAN. "But between December 30, 2016, to the present, nearly four months, we've received a grand total of 20,000 hectares ... it's just too slow, no? Out of the millions ... that should be in our hands."

Nababan cited corruption, manipulation and carelessness as reasons for the slow federal action on indigenous rights.

"This is simply not progress," Sombolinggi said. She considers the back-and-forth between the House and federal government as "part of their game to avoid really addressing indigenous peoples. It's like pingpong."

In its early years, AMAN often took an adversarial stance to stand up for indigenous rights, which were a touchy subject in the early years of the Indonesian republic.

Sombolingggi said the recent stasis may spark a return to form. "We are at a crossroads," she said. "We have to decide whether to engage further, continuing the 'polite dialogue,' or become more confrontational."
A rocket launched from the Gaza Strip Saturday exploded near the Israeli city of Ashkelon, drawing a response from Israel.

No one was injured by the rocket, which landed in an open area, the Israeli army said.

Israel responded to the rocket attack by targeting two Hamas outposts with tank and aircraft fire. One was a military training facility north of Gaza City and the other an observation post close to the Israeli border.

No casualties were reported.

A similar rocket launch last month drew a response from Israel that targeted a different Hamas training facility. Four Palestinians were slightly wounded in that attack.

Israel and Hamas have clashed three times since 2008, with the latest armed conflict ending in 2014 and the two sides agreeing to a cease-fire.

The rocket launches are generally attributed to radical Islamist groups within Gaza, though the Israeli military holds Hamas responsible for all originating in Gaza.
Malaysia is sending troops to Somalia as part of the humanitarian mission to avert famine and save the lives of thousands of people, Somali government officials and diplomats said on Saturday.



I can confirm the report and the details will be given when the delegation led by Somali Deputy Prime Minister Mohamed Omar Arte, which has been visiting Malaysia, returns to the country, Somalias information minister, Mohamed Abdi Hayir Mareye, told VOA Somali.



Addressing the media in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Defense Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin said his country will send three officers and 17 personnel from the Armed Forces Medical Core to Somalia.



The infantry unit, consisting of an officer and 10 personnel, will provide security for the delegation. The food and medical supplies will be flown to Somalia by a Hercules C-130 aircraft, the minister said.



The minister said the troops, along with assets, will be mobilized from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Malaysia stationed a small number of troops to help in the evacuation of Malaysians in Yemen. But many consider them as part of Riyadhs military coalition to battle the Houthi militia in Yemen.



A Somali diplomat in the delegation, who asked not to be named because he was not authorized to speak about the issue, said the decision was reached on Tuesday following a meeting between Somalia Deputy Prime Minister Arteh and senior Malaysian officials, including the defense minister.



During the meeting, the Somali delegates appealed to Malaysia for assistance in providing aid and the security of the access roads, and Malaysia immediately responded to the request, the diplomat said. Malaysia will also ask its allies in the Gulf and Asia to assist Somalia.



Security help



Somalia's parliament has asked nations in the region to work together to help the country secure humanitarian aid access to reach 6.2 million people affected by the current drought in the aid-dependent Horn of Africa nation.



In an extraordinary session held Saturday in Mogadishu, lawmakers, endorsed a resolution on the drought.



Somalias Information minister Mareye said the resolution puts the country into an emergency state in order to respond to the drought that threatens to turn into a full-blown famine.





The resolution asks the African Union Mission in Somalia and the troop-contributing countries, especially neighboring countries to help the Somali National Army to secure the major roads leading to the drought-stricken areas, Mareye said. It puts the country into an emergency state.

The parliamentary resolution comes as a high-level delegation  led by the newly elected African Union Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad  was visiting Mogadishu.



In the citys presidential palace, Mahamat discussed the drought and security with Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre.

Fear of aid corruption

Somali officials coordinating the drought response worry that aid supplies could be stolen, and they also are concerned al-Shabab still poses a threat to many areas in south and central Somalia.

There is a fear that the aid falls into the wrong hand, especially the areas where the government has no authority. And another fear is about security, and both are delaying any aid meant to the needy people in the areas, a government source told VOA.

Al-Shabab, which has been trying to overthrow the Somali government for nearly a decade, has impeded access to areas hit by famine, making it dangerous or impossible for aid workers to reach those in need.



Poorly equipped and mostly unpaid Somali National Army forces, backed by African Union (AU) forces, seized territory previously controlled al-Shabab, but both AMISOM and Somali troops say more soldiers are needed to secure rural areas and major roads between towns, where the militants often carry out guerrilla style hit and run attacks.
Country-specific rules of origin within the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) would be "totally unacceptable," and a U.S. border adjustment tax would likely violate global trade rules, Mexico's economy minister said Friday.

Under the trilateral trade deal between the United States, Mexico and Canada, rules of origin can specify that products must meet minimum regional (NAFTA-wide) content requirements to be tariff-free, but there are no national content requirements.

"In no trade deal, whether bilateral, trilateral or multilateral, has there ever been any precedent treaty of rules of origin by country. It would be totally unacceptable," Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo told reporters at an event in the northern Mexican city of Monterrey.

Mexican officials have said the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump could try to push for national content requirements in a revamped NAFTA to boost jobs at home.

Trump has said the NAFTA deal has given Mexico "unfair" advantages and he wants to cut the U.S. trade deficit with Mexico. He is expected to submit his plan to renegotiate NAFTA to U.S. lawmakers soon.

Guajardo said talks to renegotiate NAFTA should move ahead regardless of the timetable for a U.S. tax reform.

Trump wants to cut corporate income tax rates and Republicans have proposed a border adjustment tax that favors exports over imports.

Guajardo said such a border tax would "very likely" violate World Trade Organization rules.

Mexico sends nearly 80 percent of its exports to its northern neighbor and a U.S. border tax could slow factory growth in Latin America's No. 2 economy.
The U.S. Secret Service on Saturday apprehended a person who had jumped over a bicycle rack outside the security perimeter of the White House.

President Donald Trump was not in the executive mansion at the time. He was at his Florida estate, where he had arrived Friday night to spend the weekend.

On Twitter, White House spokesman Sean Spicer applauded the Secret Service for its quick response.

This latest apparent attempt to breach White House security came eight days after a California man climbed over the White House fence and roamed free on the grounds for about 17 minutes.

Reports said Secret Service officers quickly tackled Saturday's intruder and arrested him within two minutes.

Alarm bells at the White House went off after the apparent security breach attempt, prompting dozens of long-gun-armed officers to run out on the lawn to prevent it.

A motive for the suspect's action was not known.
Peru is moving closer to recovering up to $50 million linked to corrupt arms deals involving ex-president Alberto Fujimori, according to a Swiss-based group assisting its efforts.

It said about a third of that sum could be returned in the coming months, starting as early as April, once courts in Switzerland and Luxembourg resolve disputes over frozen bank accounts.

Peru is trying to wrest back the funds in an ongoing 15-year-old corruption probe against Fujimori and his spy chief, Vladimiro Montesinos, who are both in jail for corruption.

They are suspected of getting "commissions" from weapons dealers that were secretly deposited into overseas bank accounts.

Peru has already recovered about $93 million linked to the 1990s arms deals, which included a purchase of Russian MiG-29 fighter jets, said the Basel Institute on Governance, the legal assistance group helping Peru.

Another $17 million - some $1.5 million from Swiss accounts and $15.5 million from Luxembourg - could be returned in the next few months, while recovery of $33 million in five other accounts in the two countries is less advanced, it said.

In one case outlined in a Swiss court ruling, the Russian company that sold Peru the MiG-29 jets deposited $16 million into Zurich bank accounts linked to Fujimori and Montesinos, according to court documents.

A portion of that money, now totaling nearly $1 million including interest, was then transferred to a separate account controlled by the man who signed the sales contract for the Russian company.

A three-judge panel of the Swiss Federal Criminal Court, in a ruling made public last week, rejected the man's last-ditch appeal to unfreeze his account and block repatriation to Peru.

The man's name has not been released by Swiss courts. Felix Fischer, one of his two lawyers in Zurich, declined to comment on the case, citing attorney-client privilege.

"The decisions are important because they bring new insight into legal practice advancing the fight against corruption and the recovery of stolen assets," the Basel group said.

A decision on the Luxembourg accounts is due to be announced in early April, said its managing director, Gretta Fenner.

Peru's Attorney General Pablo Sanchez Velarde did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the transfers or when they could take place.

The Basel organization said this is the first time a Peruvian confiscation order in a corruption case is being executed in a foreign jurisdiction.

"Peru is writing history with these cases," it said.
A U.S. House Intelligence Committee Monday will further investigate the extent of Russias alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election and President Donald Trumps claim that President Barack Obama had his phones tapped during the campaign.

During a public hearing, committee members will question FBI Director James Comey and Admiral Mike Rogers, the director of the National Security Agency, for the first time.

The Department of Justice delivered documents to the House and Senate intelligence committees Friday regarding their request for information that could shed light on Trumps claim that Obama tapped his phones at Trump Tower in New York.

Neither the Justice Department nor House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes elaborated on the information in the documents.

Pressure on Trump

Trump is facing increased pressure in Congress to back down from the wiretapping claims he made on Twitter March 4. A bipartisan group of lawmakers on the House and Senate intelligence committees said this week they have not seen anything to support his allegations.

We dont have any evidence that that took place, Nunes, a Republican from California, told reporters Wednesday. I dont think there was an actual tap of Trump Tower.

During a joint news conference with Nunes, Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California and ranking House Intelligence Committee member, agreed.

Theres no daylight between us on the fact that neither one of us have seen any evidence to support what the president tweeted, Schiff said Wednesday. Thus far, we have seen no basis for that whatsoever.

We will be asking the director if he has any evidence that substantiates the presidents claim, Schiff said. We think its in the public interest that this be openly addressed by the director.

No clarity from Trump

The committees focus on the White House could intensify if sufficient evidence is not presented, experts said.

It will be really incumbent upon the president to come forward, explain those statements, Susan Hennessey, a national security fellow at the Brookings Institution told VOA.

Trump did little to clarify his wiretapping claims during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House Friday.

He pushed back on reporters questions about why White House spokesman Sean Spicer had accused Britains intelligence agency of helping Obama conduct surveillance on Trump Tower.

Trump explained that his spokesman was simply repeating what he had heard a legal analyst say on Fox News.

We said nothing, Trump noted. All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television. I did not make an opinion on it.

Watch: Trump Wiretapping Claims to Dominate Intelligence Hearing

Trump hints he'll have evidence

During an interview with Fox News days earlier, Trump hinted that his tweets refer to surveillance more broadly.

A wiretap covers a lot of different things, he said. Trump also hinted more evidence to back his allegation was forthcoming.

Youre going to find some very interesting items coming to the forefront over the next two weeks, Trump said. The president said his administration will be submitting things to the panel and that he perhaps will be speaking about his claim next week.

On Thursday, both leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee publicly said they had not seen proof of Trumps charge.

A statement by Republican Chairman Senator Richard Burr and Democratic Vice-Chairman Senator Mark Warner read: Based on the information available to us, we see no indications that Trump Tower was the subject of surveillance by any element of the United States government either before or after Election Day 2016.

Open hearing may yield little

While the open, public nature of the House committees hearing may prevent a thorough examination of sensitive issues, Nunes and Schiff said they were doing everything possible to keep the American public informed.

This committee has a long track record of shining light on Russia and its activities, Nunes said.

But Hennessey said it is unlikely the hearing will result in any explosive revelations.

These hearings are not likely to resolve the issue, she said, adding there are too many unanswered questions.

The House Intelligence Committee will hold a second open hearing March 28 to allow additional witnesses to testify, including former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates.
The lower house of the Russian parliament has ordered a probe into whether RFE/RLs Russian Service, Voice of America, and CNN are in compliance with Russian laws.

The move by the State Duma on March 17 comes just days after Democratic U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen introduced a bill that would empower the U.S. Justice Department to investigate possible violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act by RT, the state-backed Russian TV channel.

The Russian initiative was introduced by Konstantin Zatulin, a member of President Vladimir Putins United Russia party, which holds an overwhelming majority in the Duma.

Approved by lawmakers on March 17, the move instructs the Dumas committee on information policy to probe compliance with Russian laws by VOA, CNN, and RFE/RLs Russian Service, known locally as Radio Svoboda.

Zatulin specifically linked the probe to Shaheens bill, which cited an assessment by U.S. intelligence that RT was used as part of a Kremlin-directed hacking and public-influence campaign aimed at helping President Donald Trump defeat his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, in last years presidential election.

RT and the Kremlin reject the accusation. RT is funded by the Russian government, but argues it is editorially independent from the Kremlin.

Both RFE/RL and VOA are overseen by the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), a U.S. agency that supervises international civilian government broadcasting and media operations.

VOA is a federal entity, while RFE/RL is a private, nonprofit organization funded by a grant from the U.S. Congress.

CNN has also come under fire from Moscow over its coverage of alleged Russian meddling in the presidential election and purported ties between associates of Trump and Russian officials.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova earlier this month accused the Atlanta-based international news network, which Trump has repeatedly criticized as well, of spreading false news.

Shaheen told RFE/RL that it appeared her legislation had struck a nerve with the Kremlin and some Duma members.

My bill is straightforward: RT News has made public statements boasting that it can dodge our laws with shell corporations, and this legislation gives the Department of Justice the authority it needs to fully investigate, Shaheen said in a statement.

The Foreign Agents Registration Act is a decades-old law that requires anyone working in the United States on behalf of a foreign government, in a political or quasi-political capacity," to register with the Justice Department.
New research warns that Australias Great Barrier Reef can be saved only if urgent steps are taken to tackle climate change. The study, published in the journal Nature, says parts of the worlds largest coral system will never fully recover from repeated bleaching, caused by spikes in the water temperature.

The Great Barrier Reef faces localized threats, such as the run-off of pesticides from farms and overfishing, but scientists believe its future depends on immediate efforts to reduce global warming.

Worst bleaching on record

They say last years bleaching of large parts of the reef was the worst on record. Theres evidence that a similar event is occurring this year. Corals begin to starve once they bleach, the main cause of which is heat stress resulting from high sea temperatures.

The world heritage body, UNESCO, has threatened to put the Great Barrier Reef on its in danger list because of mounting concerns over its health.

In response, Australias Queensland state government released a discussion paper to look at ways to improve water quality on the reef, which is contaminated by fertilizers and pesticides from farms near the coast.

Nick Casule from the environment group Greenpeace says while localized threats must be addressed, so must the broader issue of climate change.

'Warming killing the reef'

Poor water quality is a huge threat to the health of the Great Barrier Reef, Casule said. There is no denying that, and that comes from activities like agriculture and agricultural run-off into the reef. It also comes from activities like the industrial ports that are all up and down the Queensland coastline, but they cant be viewed in isolation. At the core of that has to be the recognition that global warming is what is killing the reef.

The Great Barrier Reef stretches for 2,300 kilometers down Australias northeast coast. It is home to a wondrous array of wildlife, including more than 130 species of sharks, 500 types of worms and 1,600 varieties of fish.

The reef pumps more than $4 billion into the Australian economy and employs 63,000 people mostly in the tourism industry, although some travel groups believe the damage inflicted on the coral system has been exaggerated, which has, in turn, seen many travelers from Europe and the United States cancel their trips.
By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Mar 18 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said he was "ashamed" of the Opposition parties "belittling democracy and ridiculing farmers" in the garb of seeking justice for them.

"The behaviour of the Opposition parties during the Budget speech today has belittled democracy. They were openly making fun and laughing in the garb of seeking justice for farmers," Fadnavis told reporters here after the presentation of Budget.

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"I am ashamed of their behaviour. It seemed that they had come to a park to play around. When they burnt copies of the Budget (referring to the Opposition members burning copies of the Budget in the Vidhan Bhavan premises), they indulged in a despicable act," said Fadnavis.

The chief minister added he himself spoke to Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and sought his partys cooperation in ensuring justice for farmers.

"I personally spoke to Uddhavji. We will be working together for the cause of farmers. And I am sure that the Centre too will help us. Once the Centre comes to a conclusion, the state government is ready to bear whatever is needed on its end to make farmers debt-free," he said.

Talking about the Budget, he said Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has ensured that the Budget keeps farmers as the focal point.

"We have invested a lot in the agricultural sector and this is reflected in the growth rate which from negative has become positive and in two digits. Never has been such a growth seen in the last 13 years," Mungantiwar said.

Fadnavis said that all sections of the society have been given justice in the Budget and a record level of rural development has been achieved by his government.

"In the two years, we have built more toilets than what they (Congress-NCP) could build in 20 years. The maximum investment is being seen in Maharashtra. But, if we spend Rs 30,500 crore on loan waiver alone, we will not have enough money for agriculture sector. Thus, we had approached the Centre," he said. PTI MM RMT RAX

--- ENDS ---
The U.S. Secret Service, the agency charged with protecting the president, vice president and the homes in which they live, said Friday that the man who scaled the White House fence last week was on the grounds for 16 minutes before he was apprehended.

The Secret Service statement on the March 10 incident said Jonathan Tran, 26, who faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, did not gain entry to the White House. President Donald Trump was in the residence at the time.

CNN reported that the suspect set off several alarms but was able to avoid other sensors.

Secret Service officers arrested Tran without incident shortly before midnight and identified him the next day. A spokesman for the Secret Service said a backpack Tran carried contained no hazardous materials. He said nothing of concern was found during a full search of White House grounds.

Tran, who has no criminal record, was quoted as saying, I am a friend of the president. I have an appointment. He also was quoted as having admitted he'd scaled the fence to get inside.

Trump, who was not involved in the incident, said the young man was a troubled person.

The Secret Service tightened security around the White House after intrusion incidents in September 2014, during former President Barack Obamas second term.
The U.N. refugee agency reports 1.6 million South Sudanese have fled to neighboring countries to escape famine, fighting and drought, making South Sudan the worlds fastest-growing refugee crisis

The office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) calls the rate of displacement from South Sudan alarming, placing an impossible burden on the region. This is particularly true of Uganda, which is hosting nearly half of all the refugees, some 800,000 people.

UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch says more than 2,800 people on average are fleeing into Uganda every day. He told VOA most of the refugees, 86 percent, are women and children.

They come in quite a desperate situation, being affected by instability, fighting and famine," Baloch said. "Food security is an issue. They arrive into settlements into northern Uganda. All the structures that we have been trying to put in place with the government in Uganda are overstretched.

'Impossible task'

For example, Balloch noted Bidi Bidi camp, one of four refugee settlements in Uganda, currently shelters 272,000 refugees.

With a low level of funding and host communities and the host government not having enough resources, it is making it quite an impossible task to help these desperate refugees, and that is the reason we are trying to sound this alarm, he said.

South Sudans civil war, which erupted more than three years ago, has displaced more than 3.5 million people, both inside and outside the country. The United Nations reports 4.8 million people inside the country are going hungry, with 100,000 facing famine.

Despite the bleak statistics, Balloch said South Sudan is not getting enough attention, nor is it getting enough resources. He said the U.N. has received only 8 percent of the $782 million it needs for its humanitarian operations this year.

He said the UNHCRs own appeal for Uganda is short by more than $250 million.
Kneeling on a patch of flat earth with a shovel in hand, Thea Nonce Jean tips cement where a floor is about to be laid.

His house is the first to be built in a tiny Haitian community on the edge of Tijuana, Mexico, a city just south of the U.S. border.

There's room for around 100 families on these plots  that means around 400 people. They can't keep living in the shelters," said Gustavo Banda, a local pastor who gave up the land for the construction of the settlement.

Jean, a 32-year-old Haitian stranded thousands of miles from home after hopes of asylum in the United States faded last year, is one of hundreds from the poor Caribbean nation now seeking to make a life in Tijuana.

Our country has hit rock bottom, said Jean, part of a steady stream of Haitians leaving the island since a devastating earthquake struck in 2010, killing around 200,000 people. Now we've decided to stay in Tijuana.

End of a dream

Paying thousands of dollars to human traffickers and crossing up to seven countries, Jean's American dream ended when the United States decided to deport all who tried to enter illegally.

When we heard the news it was very sad. We thought the decision would be temporary, but it wasnt, said Jean, who is building a wooden house for himself and his wife.

Now we have no money, nothing at home and we have to find a place to live.

Some 3,500 Haitians are now in the border cities of Tijuana and Mexicali, according to Mexican government data.

Waiting game for Haitians

Amid the hammering of tools and the swell of songs from their homeland, dozens of Haitians are working to build the Haitian Villa in the Canon de Alacran (Scorpion's Canyon) on the western flank of Tijuana.

Some of them who were interviewed by Reuters said they were waiting to hear from Mexico's National Migration Institute to see if they would be allowed to stay and work in Mexico.

The institute told Reuters that legalization for migrants is not immediate, and there are various requirements foreigners need to fulfill.

Come what may, the Haitians are not looking back.
Buses began transporting Syrian rebels and their families Saturday from the last opposition-held neighborhood in the central city of Homs.

So far, nearly 1,500 people have evacuated from al-Waer, most of whom were civilians. Their departure is part of a Russian-backed deal signed earlier this month.

Homs Governor Talal Barazi told AFP 423 rebel fighters had also left the district.

"Not a single weapon or fighter will be left in Waer," he said.

The fighters and their families are being taken to the northern rebel-held town of Jarablus on the border with Turkey.

Officials say the exodus will take several weeks.

The evacuation came about after a deal was struck last week between Syrian government and rebel representatives to allow 100 Russian troops to deploy in al-Waer and oversee the operation.

Thousands more civilians are expected to leave Homs to avoid conscription or arrest by Syrian security forces.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates 12,000 will leave under the agreement, including 2,500 rebels.

The Waer neighborhood of Homs is home to 75,000 people.
Zander Dejah, 25, pays $1,900 a month rent to live in a downtown San Francisco house with at least 40 other people, many of whom sleep in bunk beds.

Dejah is a resident of The Negev, a communal living space that styles itself as a home for millennial tech workers to brainstorm ideas, write code and create apps, even if they have to share toilets and bathrooms with dozens of others.

Houses like The Negev, located in a neighborhood known as "SoMa" or South of Market, have cropped up around San Francisco as an influx of young professionals, many of whom are tech workers, have faced the city's notoriously high rents and apartment shortages. It has three floors and roughly 50 rooms, filled with bunk beds, beer bottles and laptops, according to residents.

Dejah, born and raised in New York, graduated last year with a degree in computer science and math from McGill University.

Unemployed, he moved to California six months ago and found his room at The Negev on Craigslist.

"I thought New York was expensive," said Dejah, who quickly landed a job as a virtual reality engineer at consulting firm moBack. "It's basically an extension of college. We sort of live in a frat house."

The home is certainly filled with parties on weekends, but the residents make sure to sit down every Sunday for a communal dinner, akin to a traditional family gathering.

While some say communal housing provides a solution for many first-time workers fresh out of college, such housing also has created its share of controversy. Housing advocates have complained that this new dorm-like style of living has pushed up rents and forced longtime residents to move out.

Alon Gutman, who co-founded a company called The Negev and began leasing the building on Sixth Street in 2014, said, "We have never made somebody move out of that building," adding that his tenants pay 30 percent to 50 percent less than others in the neighborhood.

"We are trying to solve the housing crisis and increase density in a positive way."

The Negev company runs nine communal properties, three of which are in San Francisco. The others are in Austin, Texas, and Oakland, California.

The Negev properties, generally in run-down, low-income neighborhoods, are restructured to accommodate a large number of tenants, Gutman explained.

Sarah Sherburn-Zimmer, executive director of the Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco, said housing problems have arisen because occupants leave buildings being converted to communal homes and cannot afford to move back in or the space is no longer suitable for them.

"The Negev house takes affordable housing and makes it unaffordable," said Sherburn-Zimmer. "All they've done is take away housing from people who had it and loved it and pushed them out to make a quick buck."

Kumar Srikantappa, 31, who also pays $1,900 a month for a single room at The Negev, said he chose the house because of the social experience. After eight months there, the software engineer for Oracle Corp said he would soon be ready to live elsewhere.

"I met a bunch of friends, and I just want to move on to another location and into a bigger place," he said. "It's time."
The top U.S. diplomat is in China on the third and final leg of his first Asia tour, focusing on North Korea and its controversial nuclear and missile programs.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Saturday after meeting in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, tensions on the Korean Peninsula were at a rather dangerous level.

I think we share a common view and a sense that tensions in the peninsula are quite high right now, Tillerson said. He continued: We will work together to see if we cannot bring the government in Pyongyang to a place where they want to make a different course, make a course correction, and move away from the development of nuclear weapons.

Trade, South China Sea

Tillerson plans to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping Sunday. Beyond North Korea, discussions are likely to focus on trade and South China Sea territorial disputes.



The secretary also spoke about the U.S. and China independent of the North Korea issue, saying the countries had "a very positive relationship built on non-confrontation, no conflict, mutual respect, and always searching for win-win solutions."

Earlier in the week, the secretary called on China to step up its efforts to encourage North Korea to abandon its nuclear program. He also encouraged China to fully implement U.N. sanctions meant to pressure the North Korean government.

Friday in Seoul, Tillerson said the policy of strategic patience with North Korea has ended, and that military action against Pyongyang is an option on the table.

Tillerson said North Korea must understand the only way to a secure, economically prosperous future is for it to abandon its development of nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles and other weapons of mass destruction.

Set of capabilities

In a joint news conference with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, Tillerson said a comprehensive set of capabilities is being created to deal with the isolated country.

On the first leg of his tour in Japan, Tillerson said Thursday in Tokyo it is clear that a different approach is required after 20 years of failed diplomatic efforts to prevent North Korea from having nuclear weapons.


The Trump administration has appealed a decision by a federal judge that blocked the governments revised travel ban on people from six Muslim-majority countries.

The U.S. Department of Justice said in a court filing Friday it would appeal a ruling by U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang in the state of Maryland to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The move comes two days after the federal court in Maryland along with another in Hawaii struck down parts of Trumps travel ban, both ruling that it discriminated against Muslims.

Chuang issued an emergency halt to the portion of Trumps executive order that temporarily bans the entry of travelers from six Muslim-majority nations. He left in place the part of the order that temporarily bans refugees to the United States.

Another judge in Hawaii struck down both portions of Trumps travel ban.

The case now goes to a federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia.

Executive order

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said at a press briefing Thursday the government would vigorously defend this executive order. He described the court rulings as flawed.

Spicer said the administration would first appeal the ruling by the judge in Maryland and then seek clarification of Hawaiis ruling before appealing that decision.

An appeal of the Hawaii case would go the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, the same court that upheld a decision to block Trumps original travel ban, which was issued on January 27.

The new executive order, which was supposed to go into effect early Thursday, was reissued with the intention of overcoming any legal concerns with the first travel ban.

Trump has vowed to take the matter all the way to the Supreme Court, if necessary.

The Trump administration said the travel order is necessary to protect the country from the threat of terrorism.It features a four-month ban on admitting any refugees and a three-month freeze on issuing visas to people from Iran, Syria, Yemen, Libya, Somalia and Sudan.

An earlier version of the order included Iraq in the targeted countries, as well as a clause that exempted religious minorities from the ban.

Legal battle

Trump has said the courts ruling makes the United States look weak, and that he will continue the legal battle.

The danger is clear, the law is clear, the need for my executive order is clear, he told supporters Wednesday at a Tennessee rally. I was elected to change our broken and dangerous system and thinking in government that has weakened and endangered our country and left our people defenseless.

Both of the judges that blocked Trumps revised travel ban cited comments Trump made when he was a candidate for president and before he took office.

Trumps campaign once included a call to ban all Muslims from entering the United States, a policy that was later changed to advocating extreme vetting for people from countries with a link to terrorism.

Judge Derrick Watson of Hawaii said the case before him included significant and unrebutted evidence of religious animus driving the promulgation of the executive order and its related predecessor.

Arguing the case in Hawaii for the administration, Acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall said of Trumps comments: There is a difference between a president and a candidate.

This order doesnt draw any religious distinction at all, Wall added.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak by phone Saturday afternoon with the president of Brazil, a nation in which many favored Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton over Trump - due in large part to his opposition to free global trade.

Nevertheless, Brazilian President Michel Temer sent a message to Trump shortly after his November election victory expressing confidence they could collaborate to strengthen relations between the countries.

Temer has said increasing trade with the U.S. and securing more U.S. investment are keys to lifting Brazil out of what he calls a "very violent" recession, its worst on record.

Trump is opposed to global trade deals, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the NAFTA pact with Mexico and Canada, and he has said he would seek to rework them to protect U.S. jobs.

Trump's election has raised concerns in many Latin American countries due to his views on immigration, and his promise to expel undocumented U.S. residents and build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border to stem the flow of illegals.

Temer, a pro-business centrist, became president in August after Dilma Rousseff was impeached in the midst of the brutal two-year recession. The Brazilian economy is showing signs of recovery, but Temer still grapples with transportation strikes and street demonstrations against proposed changes to work rules and pensions.

Trump's conversation with the Brazilian president comes one day after he met at the White House with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

In tweets Saturday morning from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump reiterated a call for Germany to make a larger financial contribution to support NATO.



During his weekly radio address Saturday, Trump reiterated plans to reverse an executive action from Barack Obama's administration that was "threatening thousands of auto jobs in Michigan and across America." This comes on the heels of his visit earlier this week to Willow Run auto plant in Michigan.

The president also said task forces are being established in every federal agency to identify "unnecessary regulation" that is hindering job creation.

Before his phone call with Temer, Trump will receive his daily briefing at Mar-a-Lago - his fifth weekend there since taking office.
President Donald Trump agreed to add fresh Medicaid curbs to the House Republican health care bill Friday, bolstering the measure with support from some conservative lawmakers but leaving its prospects wobbly. House leaders discussed other amendments calibrated to round up votes and scheduled a showdown vote Thursday.



"I just want to let the world know I am 100 percent in favor'' of the measure, Trump said at the White House after meeting around a dozen House lawmakers and shaking hands on revisions. "We're going to have a health care plan that's going to be second to none.''



While the rapid-fire events seemed to build momentum for the pivotal GOP legislation, its fate remained clouded. One leading House conservative said the alterations were insufficient and claimed enough allies to sink the measure, and support among moderates remained uncertain.



"My whip count indicates that there are 40 no's,'' enough to defeat the bill, said Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., who leads the hard-line House Freedom Caucus. He said the change "doesn't move the ball more than a couple yards on a very long playing field.''



Across the Capitol, Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., facing re-election next year, became the fourth Republican senator to announce his opposition. That left Senate GOP leaders at least two votes shy of what they'd need to prevail.



Congressional Democrats remain solidly opposed to the GOP effort.



Thursday will mark the seventh anniversary of when Obama signed his health overhaul into law, one of his milestone domestic achievements enacted over unanimous GOP opposition. Beyond that symbolism, Republican leaders hope to allow time for Congress to complete the measure before an early April recess exposes lawmakers to two weeks of lobbying and town hall pressure tactics by activists, doctors, hospitals and other opponents.



The Republican bill would kill much of former President Barack Obama's health care law, including tax penalties for people who don't buy insurance and its expansion of Medicaid, the federal-state health program for the poor. It would create new tax credits that would be less generous than current federal subsidies for many consumers, and repeal levies on the wealthy and medical firms that helped finance Obama's expansion of coverage to 20 million Americans.



Trump's deal with lawmakers would let states impose work requirements on some of Medicaid's roughly 60 million recipients. The condition would apply to healthy people with no dependents, a White House official said.



The agreement would let states accept lump-sum federal payments for Medicaid, instead of an amount that would grow with the number of beneficiaries. The program currently costs the federal government around $370 billion annually and covers costs no matter the amounts.



Also, any additional states that expand Medicaid would not receive the additional federal money Obama's law provided them for doing so. Thirty-one states have enlarged their Medicaid rolls under the law.



"These changes definitely strengthen our numbers,'' said the House GOP's top vote counter, Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, among Trump's guests Friday. "But they also show that President Trump is all-in now'' to help win converts.



Those accepting the agreement included Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., leader of the Republican Study Committee, a large group of House conservatives.





It seemed clear that GOP leaders remained short of the 216 votes they'll need, and additional changes were in the works.



Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., said he'd been assured by House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., that the bill's tax credit would be adjusted to focus more benefits on lower-income people. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., among those who met with Trump, said the president "told his people'' to work on changes making the measure more generous for lower-earning and older Americans.



"Everything has to be a change that would increase the vote count,'' Scalise said.



Conservatives seemed unlikely to achieve their demands that the GOP bill's phase-out of Obama's Medicaid expansion - now 2020 - be accelerated to next year and that the credit be denied people with little or no tax liability. Centrists remained wary of yanking constituents from coverage. Many represent states where voters have gained Medicaid and other insurance under the 2010 statute.



"We'll see what changes they're going to make,'' said Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa.



In a report this week that prompted many GOP lawmakers to emerge as opponents, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the legislation would leave 24 million people uninsured in a decade, including 14 million next year, and boost out-of-pocket costs for many.



Heller joined three fellow GOP senators in opposing the bill: Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Mike Lee of Utah. Republican Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Ted Cruz of Texas have voiced strong objections, and Senate moderates don't want to boot constituents off coverage.



Republicans have a 52-48 Senate majority.



Nevada has expanded Medicaid and GOP Gov. Brian Sandoval has expressed opposition to the Republican legislation.
The head of the U.N. West Asia Commission has resigned under pressure, after refusing to withdraw a controversial report that said Israel has established an "apartheid regime" that discriminates against Palestinians.

Rima Khalaf, a Jordanian who heads the U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), told reporters Friday in Beirut that she could not accept a demand by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for her to withdraw the report.

"I asked him to rethink his decision, he insisted, so I submitted my resignation from the U.N.," she said.

The report titled "Israeli Practices Toward the Palestinian People and the Question of Apartheid" was published earlier this week, and drew immediate criticism from U.N., U.S. and Israeli officials.

ESCWA, one of five U.N. regional commissions worldwide, was established in 1973 to promote economic development and cooperation in the Arab world. It has 18 member states, Arab countries ranging from Oman to Morocco, and includes Palestine as a full member.

Khalaf, who is also a U.N. undersecretary-general, said the document "concludes scientifically and according to international law that Israel has established an apartheid regime."

She called the report "the first of its kind" from a U.N. agency and said it brings to light "the crimes that Israel continues to commit against the Palestinian people, which amount to war crimes against humanity."

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said it was published without any prior consultations with the U.N. secretariat and that it does not reflect the views of the secretary-general. The 75-page report was deleted from the ESCWA website by U.N. officials, but copies are still circulating online.

"A secretary-general cannot accept that an undersecretary-general or any other senior U.N. official that reports to him would authorize the publication under the U.N. name, under the U.N. logo, without consulting the competent departments and even himself," Dujarric said.

He also disputed Khalaf's account of the resignation: "This is not about pressure. This is about the secretary-general having the authority to manage the organization in a way that is done effectively and that can deliver on its goals."

Both Israel's U.N. envoy, Danny Danon, and the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, welcomed Khalaf's departure.

"Anti-Israel activists do not belong in the U.N. It is time to put an end to the practice in which U.N. officials use their position to advance their anti-Israel agenda," Danon said.

"When someone issues a false and defamatory report in the name of the U.N.," Haley said, "it is appropriate that the person resign."
The couple was travelling in their BMW when the vehicle suddenly caught fire with them stuck inside near Pattinampakkam locality of Chennai.

By India Today Web Desk: Professional car racer Ashwin Sundar and his wife Niveditha were charred to death late last night after their BMW rammed a tree and caught fire in Chennai.

The couple was returning from dinner when their vehicle hit the tree near the Pattinampakkam locality in the Tamil Nadu capital. Sundar was driving the car.

With their car trapped between the tree and the wall, they could not get out. Soon, the BMW caught fire and the couple was charred to death.

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Niveditha was a doctor in a private hospital in the city.

Locals who spotted the burning car informed the Chennai City police control room. A team from Adyar traffic investigation rushed to the spot immediately after.

Mylapore fire services personnel too swung into action. Sources said that the firemen took nearly half-an-hour to douse the fire.

CHARRED BEYOND RECOGNITION

The team later broke open the car and recovered the bodies. The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem in Royapettah government hospital.

According to sources, police were unable to identify the charred bodies initially. However, the couple was identified with the help of the licence plate number.

The couple lived in Alapakkam and were returning home after visiting a friend in Raja Annamalaipuram when the incident took place.

Also Read

BMW hit-and-run case: 4 injured, driver absconding

--- ENDS ---
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Friday it had awarded $100 million to upgrade Flint, Michigan's drinking water infrastructure to address a crisis that exposed thousands of children to lead poisoning.

The grant to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will enable the city to accelerate and expand its work to replace lead pipes and make other improvements, according to the EPA. Estimates of the upgrade's cost range from $200 million to $400 million.

Friday's announcement made the disbursement official. Last year, Congress passed and former president Barack Obama signed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act to allocate $100 million to aid Flint.

$31.5 million to be paid immediately

The EPA's state revolving funds, which Congress can allocate to help with cleanup efforts, were one of the few programs that the Trump administration did not slash in its proposed budget for the agency.

Flint's water infrastructure as part of our larger goal of improving America's water infrastructure, said a statement from agency Administrator Scott Pruitt.

The EPA will make $31.5 million immediately available for lead pipe replacements and upgrades, and Michigan will provide a $20 million required match.

The remaining $68.5 million will come after the city and Michigan complete additional public comment and technical reviews.

Today we have good news for families in Flint who have already waited far too long for their water system to be fixed, said a statement from U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, and Congressman Dan Kildee, all Michigan Democrats.

Flint mayor meets Trump

Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, also a Democrat, said the funds would help the city reach its goal of replacing 6,000 pipes this year. She met briefly with President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

In January, 1,700 Flint residents filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Michigan, saying the EPA failed to warn them of the dangers of the toxic water or take steps to ensure that state and local authorities were addressing the crisis. The plaintiffs seek $722 million in damages.

Midwestern politicians are worried about the elimination in the proposed U.S. budget of funding for an effort to clean up the Great Lakes, from which some states draw their drinking water.

Flint was under the control of a state-appointed emergency manager when it switched its water source to the Flint River from Lake Huron in April 2014. The more corrosive river water caused lead to leach from pipes and into the drinking water.

The city returned to its original water source in October 2015.
For some medical students, getting a yes or no Friday was more important than finding the right life partner.

Friday was "Match Day," the annual day when medical students find out which U.S. medical institution has accepted them for a residency program. It is a competition, of sorts: 32,000 training slots are available for 42,000 applicants, according to this year's data.

A residency, three to five years of practical experience and training in a student's chosen medical specialty, is the next step after medical school, which in the United States generally means four years of postgraduate university studies.

Of those 42,000 applicants vying for residencies, all but about 6,000 are foreign nationals. And that is where their aspirations could collide with President Donald Trump's latest executive order regulating immigration to the United States.

'Extensive upheaval'

The National Residency Match Program (NRMP), a nonprofit group that organizes the matches between students and hospitals, said the new immigration order has had a substantial impact on its program. In its current revised form, the order bans citizens from six Muslim-majority countries from traveling to the U.S., at least temporarily.

"The consequences of the [January 27] executive order are far-reaching for match applicants, and the upheaval it is causing is extensive," NRMP's chair, Dr. Maria Savoia, and CEO Mona Signer said in a joint statement.

"The affected applicants have worked hard for many years to achieve their goal of becoming physicians," the two medical-education experts said, "and they should not be denied that opportunity because of a blanket policy that does not consider the individual."

U.S. courts have issued a restraining order preventing enforcement of the travel ban, pending further legal arguments, but NRMP says it is concerned that some immigrants or foreign medical students with valid visas will nevertheless be delayed or rejected at U.S. borders.

Holidays at home are not care-free

In addition, foreign medical students who travel to their home countries during holidays or breaks in their university studies fear they may not be able to return in time to take up their new residencies in the U.S. Such medical programs typically begin each year on July 1.

"U.S. training programs should be able to select applicants based on their excellent character and qualifications, without regard to nationality. Both applicants and programs benefit from an orderly process for entry into graduate medical education," said Signer, who is a public health specialist, and Savoia. "The executive order disrupts that process very considerably."

Hospitals and other medical institutions that offer residencies worry that foreign students they choose for the multiyear training programs will be unable to begin their studies on schedule, Signer said.

Medical residencies are sometimes known as internships, or first-year post-graduate studies, because they occur during a fledgling doctor's first year of practical training alongside or under direct supervision of a fully qualified physician in one of 21 recognized medical specialties.

Is US becoming less welcoming?

Those who administer medical residency programs do not directly choose the candidates they would like to attract. Instead they rank applicants in order of preference. Under those conditions, Signer said, "It seems likely that residency program directors will be reluctant to rank J-1 visa applicants because they may not be able to enter the country to begin training."

The U.S. State Department's J-1 visa program offers foreign nationals an opportunity to come to the United States "to teach, study, conduct research, demonstrate special skills or receive on-the-job training for periods ranging from a few weeks to several years," according to Cultural Vistas, a nonprofit American group that has been organizing international exchange programs since 1963.

The perception that the United States is becoming less welcoming to foreign nationals in the medical professions appears to be having an effect.

Fewer non-U.S. citizen "international medical school graduates," or IMGs, submitted program choices for this year: 7,284 in 2017 vs. 7,460 in 2016. However, NRMP said more of these candidates (52.4 percent) were matched with institutions - the highest match rate since 2005.

Foreign physicians benefit all Americans

About 1,800 IMGs already enrolled in accredited residency and fellowship programs in the U.S. are impacted by the travel ban, according to Dr. Thomas J. Nasca, CEO of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

"These physicians are providing much needed medical care to a conservatively estimated 900,000 patients in urban, suburban and rural communities across the country annually. They are a valued and welcomed group of colleagues, he wrote in a statement.

Many communities, including rural and low-income areas, often have problems attracting physicians to meet their health care needs. To address these gaps in care, IMGs often fill these openings. These physicians are licensed by the same stringent requirements applied to U.S. medical school graduates, the chief executive officer of the American Medical Association, Dr. James Madara, wrote last month.

"The medical education community must support all international medical graduates and their families during these difficult times," NRMP's statement said.
Gibraltar Taxi Service Customer Charter

Government, in partnership with the Gibraltar Taxi Association (GTA) have announced the publication of an updated Gibraltar Taxi Service Customer Charter.

As part of the joint initiative, the Customer Charter aims to improve the information available for Taxi customers throughout all Taxi ranks. The Charter contains useful information on Taxi Customer and Driver rights and responsibilities amongst general information on the Taxi service. The Government says it believes that this is a step in the right direction but recognises that there are other challenges to overcome in this area.

The Minister with responsibility for Public Transport, the Hon Paul Balban, said: I am extremely pleased to see a revised version of the Gibraltar Taxi Service Customer Charter published. This shows the continued efforts of HMGoG and the Gibraltar Taxi Association to enhance the service. The Charter lays out the responsibilities of a taxi driver with regards to conduct and practice. It also sets out the rights of a driver, the rights of the customer and what they should each expect of each other. It also provides the user with the correct procedure if a complaint needs to be made.
Photo: Will Heath/NBC

In November, Dave Chappelle hosted a highly praised episode of Saturday Night Live, which just so happened to air a few days after Donald Trump was elected president. The dour circumstances would make a difficult task for any host  even for a consummate comedian like Chappelle  but he (unsurprisingly) managed to knock it out of the park with his politically charged monologue and some Chappelles Show shenanigans. However, as you might imagine, it didnt come easy for the SNL team to write a show that week, and Chappelle was seriously concerned that the writers werent going to come up with anything substantial by the weekend. At a certain point [on Election Night], we were all in the writers room, and as the night went on, and Trump was picking up these Electoral [College] votes, everyone stopped writing, Chappelle explained in a rare interview with the New York Times. And then everyone was just staring at the TV. I saw people tear up sketches they were writing. Theyd assumed Hillary was going to win. Now there was essentially no show on Saturday. It was like the wind got knocked out of the writers room. I was really worried.

Chappelle also noted that the best advice he got for his poignant monologue came directly from Louis C.K., less than 24 hours before showtime. I went to a comedy club Friday night [before the show] and saw him, he explained. And Louis told me: Forget the rest of the show. The monologue is all that matters. I was stressed out all that day. But right before I went onstage, this calm just washed over me. Everything just felt right. And the rest, as we know, is history.


If you ever wondered what happened to Lady Sybil after she died on Downton Abbey  yeah, were still not over that heartbreak  look no further than the trailer for Hulus new brothel drama, Harlots. Jessica Brown Findlay leads a female-dominated cast to tell the narrative of rival brothel owners in 18th-century London, with the show promising a whores eye view of the booming prostitution and sex-work industry during the time period. While Findlay plays a highly sought-after courtesan, her younger sister is grappling with joining the profession; their ambitious mother, on the other hand, just wants to have the best brothel in all of London and will stop at absolutely nothing until she gets her wish. It debuts on Hulu March 29.


By Press Trust of India: Guwahati, Mar 17 (PTI) Assam Governor Banwarilal Purohit today urged British Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata, Bruce Bucknell to take steps to ensure return of Assams treasure, 16th centurys Vrindavani Vastra to the state.

The Governor drew Bucknells attention to Assams treasure, Vrindavani Vastra, a drape woven by Assamese weavers during the 16th century under guidance of the Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardev and sought his help in the getting the drape back here.

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It is now in Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The British diplomat, who was in Assam, met the Governor at Raj Bhavan here and the duo discussed a number of issues of mutual interest, an official release said here.

The Governor pointed out that the state is rich in Eri and Muga silk, handloom and bamboo craft, and both Assam and Britain could work together in these sectors for further promotion so that both could reap rich dividends.

The Governor also requested Britains help to organize an exhibition of Assams handicraft in that country.

Besies, he also called for facilitating cultural exchanges between Assam and Britain.

He also appreciated the British Deputy High Commissioners gesture of visiting Assam and hoped that both would keep working to strengthen bilateral relations.

The British Deputy High Commissioner also hailed Assams tourism potential which can be extensively used to facilitate people to people contact between India and Britain. PTI DG SBN

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The audio launch of filmmaker SS Rajamouli's much-anticipated Baahubali: The Conclusion is likely to held in Chennai on April 9, say reports.

By India Today Web Desk: Be it the visual experience or the characters that come throughout the film, SS Rajamouli has created a world out of Baahubali. Arguably, Baahubali: The Conclusion is the most awaited Indian film of the year.

On Thursday, the makers finally unveiled the trailer of Baahubali 2, which received overwhelming response from fans across the world, clocking more than 65 million views, that too within 48 hours. Baahubali 2 trailer is now the most watched Indian movie trailer ever.

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Now, reports suggest that the audio launch of the film will be released on April 9. According to a report in The Times Of India, several eminent personalities from the industry are likely to grace the event.

Made on a budget of Rs 200 crore, reports suggested that Baahubali 2 has raked in Rs 500 crore globally through its satellite and distribution rights before the film's release.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave South 2017, SS Rajamouli revealed that Baahubali 2 would be bigger and better than Baahubali.

Also starring Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah, Sathyaraj and Nassar, Baahubali: The Conclusion will hit the screens on April 28.

ALSO READ: Baahubali 2 trailer- Five answers SS Rajamouli's film gives us

ALSO READ: Baahubali 2 trailer- Why SS Rajamouli's film is by far the best in Indian cinema

ALSO READ: Baahubali 2 trailer- SS Rajamouli's film clocks 65 million views in 48 hours

WATCH: Baahubali 2 Trailer

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Find out what goes inside the kitchen of Chef Gaggan Anand, owner and executive chef of a restaurant in Bangkok which has been declared Best Restaurant in Asia's top 50 for the third year running.

"This is like a science class!" said my daughter Chantal.

We'd just entered Gaggan's, the colonial-looking restaurant in Bangkok's Chidlom area that this February was declared Best Restaurant in Asia's top 50 for the third year running in the ranking sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna-as well as listed #23 in the World's Best 50 Restaurants.

Chantal is as quirky and unpredictable as Chef Gaggan himself. She confessed recently that she loves the sound and sensation produced by scraping a fresh carrot with eyes closed, and that sinking a knife into boiled beetroot sends chills down her back. Her first reaction to Gaggan's molecular cuisine laboratory in Bangkok, however, was apprehension. Along the wall were arrayed the instruments of molecular delight-freeze dryers,centrifuges, salamanders, vacuum sealers, a liquid nitrogen tank, a blast chiller, spherification kits.

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Gaggan doesn't cook like your mother would. Your mother might fry up some papris, douse them with sweetened yoghurt, spoon tamarind chutney over them and sprinkle on some rock salt and coriander, and bliss you out for ten minutes with her signature papri-chaat. But Gaggan's world was turned upside down during his many years under the tutelage of Spain's formidable Ferran Adria, master of El Bulli restaurant, home to cutting edge advances in molecular gastronomy. At the end of the apprenticeship, Adria told the young Gaggan, like a Holmes to a Watson: "You know my methods, apply them-to your cuisine."

In Gaggan's hands, the papri-chaat now turns molecular and emerges as the legendary Yoghurt Explosion-two yoghurt-coloured blobs in steel spoons. Pop them whole in your mouth and the agar-agar wrapping breaks, releasing the many complex flavours and tastes of papri-chaat. No crunch-but what a punch.

His crowning creation, the Yoghurt Explosion, says everything about him and his cuisine. Like most of the 25 finger foods on the menu at his eponymous restaurant, it is inspired by the sights and bites of the Calcutta streets he roamed as a kid. Every molecular creation at Gaggan's is at the same time a personal culinary retrospective.

His evolving menu now includes a Japanese dimension. "India gave me the spices and the tastes, but from Japan I get perfection," says Gaggan, who now makes frequent pilgrimages there. Already there is something of Zen in the presentation, and even an intriguing sushi. Gaggan also dreams of opening a weekends-only, 10-seater restaurant in Fukuoka.

The Gaggan experience is food as theatre, and costs 4,000 Thai baht a pop (Rs 7,500). Bookings need to be made as much as four months in advance. At the restaurant, the air quivers over the teppanyaki-style surround table, as if dinner will feature fire-eaters and hobgoblins throwing daggers at each other.

The menu card is a column of emojis-well, icons, really-each representing a single creation. But Gaggan himself introduces the dishes with the passion of a born raconteur. Then the dishes appear, mini masterpieces of bonsai food, served with as much attention to the presentation as to the taste and texture.

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Each bite-sized morsel has its own way of dismantling itself, the crust crumbling and dissolving while liquids packed in layers gush and squirt out, blend and merge, creating eureka moments of recognition, amazement, intrigue and sheer delight. At some point, you close your eyes, not long before the expression on your face says you've reached heaven.

Among my favourites was what looks like a white mushroom with foam on top, which discombobulates your taste buds with direct strikes of sambar, idli and fresh coconut chutney.

For me, though, the entire evening was worth it for the look on Chantal's face when she popped a red-and-white streaked ball in her mouth. Her eyes closed when she realised it was a chocolate. But a parsec later, the pani-puri's complex flavours hit her, and the most beatific smile appeared on her face.

"Cool beans," she said as we left. "This is the best science class I've been to!"

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Authorities released the identity of the man Friday who was killed in the rollover crash on State Highway 6, near Marlin, earlier this week.

Marco Moner, 19, of Cypress, died in the single-vehicle crash that happened about 6 p.m. Tuesday, when the Ford Explorer he was in had a blowout about three miles south of Marlin. Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. D.L. Wilson said six men were in the vehicle, and five were ejected after the blowout caused it to roll multiple times.

Agencies from around the region assisted at the crash scene. Three of the men were taken to Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center in Waco, and three were taken to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple, Wilson said.

Moner was pronounced dead at the Temple hospital early Wednesday morning as a result of his injuries, Wilson said. The three men treated at the Waco hospital were treated and released.

No updates were available for the subjects treated in Temple. Wilson said all six men are from the Houston area.
If tweets were votes, property-tax relief would be dead at the Texas Legislature and Texans would be saddled with even bigger tax bills.

City and county officials paraded before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday to bash Senate Bill 2 like a sad pinata. Reducing increases in property-tax revenues to 4 percent annually spells fiscal disaster, they warned.

Online, special-interest groups filled the Twittersphere with sob stories, scary scenarios and misdirection plays:

The cost of recording open meetings is up 199.7 percent since 2011  Texas Association of Counties.

San Antonio Police Chief [William] McManus says any legislation that caps a citys revenue will be a death blow to public safety  Texas Municipal League.

Fix school finance first  multiple tweets.

Local officials had all day  at taxpayer expense, of course  to spend in the committee hearing that dragged into the night. Beleaguered citizens who work for a living were vastly outnumbered by their public servants, in person and on Twitter.

An overweening sense of entitlement was definitely on display. State Sen. Paul Bettencourts bill to halve the current 8 percent threshold was branded as misguided or worse by an orchestrated tweet storm from special pleaders. Cities marched out police and fire unions to raise the threat level.

Never mind that Texas school districts work under a 4-percent formula. City and county officials soft-pedaled the fact that local governments can exceed the misnamed cap by putting higher levies to a vote of the citizens  as schools do. And the just-say-no crowd glossed over SB2s exemption of new construction that allows growth to pay its way.

The municipal smokescreen is the desperation of local control. Or, as Sen. Donna Campbell put it, local tyranny.

Pleading imminent poverty under SB2, government officials asserted that taxpayers would receive only token savings from Bettencourts measure. So is the sky falling or not? Can SB2 be an existential threat to localities but mere chump change to taxpayers?

Bettencourt isnt buying the local calculations. Voters shouldnt either.

While raking in record revenues that more than double the gains in average personal income and population growth, local governments  especially Texas biggest cities  have piled up massive debt loads to feed their ever-expanding bureaucracies and edifice complexes. Balancing budgets clearly is not in their skill set.

Local officials insist that SB2 will necessitate severe budget cuts. Texas lawmakers should call that bluff and send SB2 to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature.

If cities and counties want to put core services on the chopping block ahead of salaries and questionable pet projects, theyll prove their utter contempt for the public they purport to serve.

If SB2s modest and common-sense reforms cant pass the Legislature this year, state lawmakers will prove theres not a dimes worth of difference between them and local politicians.

For the record, the Senate Finance Committee approved SB2 on a 9-5 vote at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. State Sen. Kel Seliger, an Odessa Republican, broke ranks to join Democrats Royce West, Kirk Watson, Carlos Uresti and Juan Chuy Hinojosa in voting nay.

Kenric Ward writes for the Texas bureau of Watchdog.org. Contact him at kward@watchdog.org and @Kenricward.
WAHOO  Three Saunders County residents were arrested Thursday north of Mead on multiple counts of drug possession, defaced firearms and child neglect.

Heather Morgan, 33, Lindsay Blair, 28, and Christopher Frommie, 37, were arrested around 11 a.m. through a collaborative effort of agencies involved in the III Corps Drug Taskforce, said Saunders County Sheriff Kevin Stukenholtz.

A search warrant was executed at the farmhouse at 1090 County Road P, approximately three miles north of Mead. Law enforcement found an assortment of defaced firearms, home made silencers, swords, methamphetamines, amphetamines, marijuana, surveillance equipment and explosive devices, said Saunders County Chief Deputy Steve Malina.

Morgan faces charges of possession of a defaced firearm, four counts of possession of a destructive device, possession of a deadly weapon while committing a felony, three felony counts of child neglect, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Blairs charges are possession of a defaced firearm, four counts of possession of a destructive device, possession of a weapon while committing a felony, three3 counts of child neglect, possession of methamphetamine, possession of amphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Frommies charges include 15 counts of possession of a defaced weapon by a prohibited person, four counts of possession of a destructive device, possession of a deadly weapon when in commission of a felony, three counts of child neglect, possession of methamphetamine, possession of amphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Morgan was arrested at the residence, but Blair and Frommie were arrested at another location, Stukenholtz said.

With information that there might be children in the home, authorities waited until Frommie left the residence before engaging him, Stukenholtz said.

The counts of child endangerment related to the children in the house and around the drugs and firearms. But they were not home when the search warrant was executed, Malina said.

The charges of defaced firearms stem from the serial numbers being scratched off the firearms found in and around the home, Stukenholtz said.

Multiple firearms are not uncommon, but when the serial numbers are not on any of the weapons, personal use becomes a weaker argument, Stukenholtz said.

Malina said there were multiple loaded weapons around the home and on the property, including an electrical wire with a battery source connected to a gas tank in a car on the property.

Stukenholtz said there were two explosive devices in the home and two in the car.

Nebraska State Patrols bomb squad was on hand and detonated the explosives on site, rather than taking the chance of transporting them, Stukenholtz said.

The Mead Fire and Rescue Squad was also on hand to help ensure safety, he added.

All three arrested Thursday morning had prior records. Frommie has a felony record, prohibiting him from having an empty shell or gun powder, Stukenholtz said.

The III Corps Drug Taskforce focuses on a large area with multiple jurisdictions and the Saunders County Sheriffs Office has been collaborating with the group for the last four years, Stukenholtz said.
A man carrying explosives was shot dead by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Khilgaon area of Bangladesh.

By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: A man carrying explosives was shot dead by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Khilgaon area of Bangladesh on Saturday. The accused was killed when he was trying to cross a check post at Shekher Jaiga area in Dhaka at around 4.30 am.

RAB-3 Chief Khilgaon zone Tuhin Mohammad Masud confirmed the incident. He said that the accused came on a motorbike and tried to break through the RAB check-post at Shekher Jaiga. Masud said that the RAB members opened fire at the man.

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"Sensing the possible danger, members of Rapid Action Battalion(RAB) opened fire leaving the suspect dead. Two RAB members were also injured during the incident," said of RAB legal and media wing Mufti Mahmud Khan.

This is the first incident of attack inside a law enforcement agency's compound in Bangladesh.

RAB-3 Operations Officer ASM Shakhawat Hossain said that the attacker tried to throw something at the RAB members when he was countered at the checkpost. A huge amount of explosives were also found attached to his body, added the officer.

IS CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY

Meanwhile, the Islamic State (IS) claimed the responsibility for the attack.

Earlier, On Friday, a suicide bomber blew himself up at a RAB base in capital's Ashkona injuring two RAB members.

Today's attack and the suicide bombing on Friday came following a raid at a militant hideout in Chittagong's Sitakunda where 4 militants were killed by the joint force after a 19-hour siege. Huge amount of bombs and weapons were also recovered from the Sitakunda hideout.

Also read:

Suicide bomber blows himself up near RAB camp in Dhaka's Ashkona

--- ENDS ---
Rottnest Police have charged a 37-year-old man over an incident in which he's alleged to have thrown a quokka into the water from a jetty at Rottnest Island on Friday night.

Police say the quokka was able to swim to shore after the alleged incident, which happened around 10 pm near the Rottnest Hotel.

The man from Christchurch in New Zealand has been charged with Animal Cruelty and will appear before the Perth Magistrates Court on Saturday.

As part of ongoing inquiries into this matter, a 38 year old man of Noosa Heads in Queensland has been issued with a $200 RIA infringement by police and a notice evicting him from Rottnest Island.
Eskisehir: Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on his country's citizens in Europe to step up their rates of procreation and have five children each, saying a booming Turkish population would be the best answer to the European Union's "vulgarism, antagonism and injustice".

Nearly a week after a diplomatic row between erupted between the Netherlands and Turkey, Mr Erdogan continued what has become a daily ritual of mounting fresh attacks on Europe in front of cheering crowds of his conservative supporters.

Speaking in the central city of Eskisehir, Turkey's president urged "his brothers and sisters in Europe" to begin a baby boom in their new countries. "Have not just three but five children," he told his audience.

"The place in which you are living and working is now your homeland and new motherland. Stake a claim to it. Open more businesses, enrol your children in better schools, make your family live in better neighbourhoods, drive the best cars, live in the most beautiful houses."
By Press Trust of India: From Lalit K Jha

Washington, Mar 18 (PTI) Indian-American attorney Preet Bharara, who was recently fired by the Trump administration, was investigating into allegations of trading of health- related stocks of Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price, an investigative news media outlet has claimed.

New York-based independent and non-profit ProPublica, which is known for its investigative reporting mostly on health-related issues, in its latest report claimed that at the time of being fired, Bharara was overseeing an investigation into health-related stock trades made by Price.

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The story is based on sources and the White House has not commented on the allegations.

Bharara was fired this month after he refused to resign as being asked by the Department of Justice along with 45 other US attorney, all of whom were appointed by the previous Obama Administration.

ProPublica, however, in its investigative report has not concluded that Bharara was fired because of this investigation against Price.

Allegations against Price trading in health-related stocks first came in during his confirmation hearing for the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services.

"The investigation of Prices trades by the US Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York, which hasn?t been previously disclosed, was underway at the time of Bharara?s dismissal, said the person," ProPublica said, quoting unnamed sources. PTI LKJ ZH

--- ENDS ---
Scranton: Hillary Clinton says she's "ready to come out of the woods" and help Americans find common ground.

Clinton's gradual return to the spotlight following her presidential election loss continued with a St Patrick's Day speech in her late father's Pennsylvania hometown of Scranton.

"I'm like a lot of my friends right now; I have a hard time watching the news," Clinton told an Irish women's group.

But she urged a divided country to work together to solve problems, recalling how  as first lady  she met with female leaders working to bring peace to Northern Ireland.
Beijing: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has arrived in China for what is likely to be a prickly visit, with Beijing angry at being told to rein in nuclear-armed North Korea and Washington repeatedly demanding it do more to control Pyongyang.

China is also expected to voice its strong opposition to this month's deployment of a sophisticated US missile defence system in South Korea.

Mr Tillerson issued the Trump administration's starkest warning yet to North Korea on Friday, saying that a military response would be "on the table" if Pyongyang took action to threaten South Korean and US forces.

He was speaking in South Korea, the second leg of his first visit to Asia since taking office. He was previously in Japan.
Chain snatchers in Rajasthan's Ajmer district have been having a field day. And there seems to be little fear of law.

By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: It was Snehlata Panwar, an IAS officer, posted in Ajmer district, who became the victim when two chain snatchers on bike targeted her early this morning.

One of the snatchers, who came from behind, pulled her gold chain. Thereafter, the duo fled from there. The police is scanning through CCTV footage which has visuals of the IAS officer and the men on bike.

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Also Read || Rajasthan: Leopard attack causes another death in Sariska Forest Reserve ||

"I was walking there. A boy came from behind and snapped at my neck. The moment I looked behind, he had fled away after breaking the chain. My chain was of around 1.5 tola (16 gm approximately). There was no police personnel present in the morning. We are watching the CCTV footage in a house," says Snehlata Panwar, Director, Ayurveda.

Later, another attempt at chain snatching, suspected to be by the same duo, was made.

Two men on bike targeted another woman Savita Parashar. However, this one carried out in Christianganj police station area was unsuccessful. One of the snatchers, in a hurry, dropped a mobile phone, which was handed over to the police.

Also Watch || Chandigarh: Youth dies after being attacked, tortured by son of INLD municipal councillor ||

--- ENDS ---
He also added that government will help farmers who pay regular loan installments.

By Mayuresh Ganapatye: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said that his government will bring schemes for farmers instead of giving them loan waivers. He also added that government will help farmers who pay regular loan installments.

Fadnavis said," Govt is firmly standing behind farmers and in the last two years we have invested in agriculture that's why growth rate is good. We need to provide loan to farmers again and should see how investment is increased in this sector. We need to think about farmers who are regularly paying loan. They are 70 lakh to 1 crore farmers."

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CM Fadnavis, who returned from Delhi, also added that they met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and had a positive meeting with him and requested Centre for help.

"Whatever scheme Centre will make State will bear its share. I am hopeful that Mungantiwar will present pro farmer Budget and I will request Opposition to listen to Budget," he added.

The state has been demanding waiver of farm loans worth Rs 30,500 crore, stating that the move will help in retaining farmers in the institutional credit system.

Yesterday, a delegation led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and senior ministers, including collegues from ally Shiv Sena, met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and emphasised that it does not want the Centre to take the entire burden of the debt.

The demand to waive off farm loans from the state comes a day after the Agriculture Minister told the Lok Sabha that the Centre will bear the cost of the promised farm loan waiver in Uttar Pradesh.

Also read:

Cong demands loan waiver for farmers all over the country

BJP-led govt continues to face Oppn fire on farm loan waiver

WATCH THE VIDEO:

--- ENDS ---
by Jeffrey A. Tucker This article was originally published on FEE.org. Read the original article.

The pronunciation in English is lay-say-fair. Its French origins date back to the late Renaissance. As the story goes, it was first used about the year 1680, a time when the nation-state was on the rise throughout Europe. The French finance minister, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, asked a merchant named M. Le Gendre what the state could do to promote industry.

According to legend, the reply came: Laissez-nous faire, or let it be. This incident was reported in 1751 in the Journal Oeconomique by the free-trade champion Rene de Voyer, Marquis dArgenson. The slogan was codified finally in the words of Vincent de Gournay: Laissez-faire et laissez-passer, le monde va de lui meme! The loose translation: Let it be and let goods pass; the world goes by itself.

To generalize the principle: Leave the world alone, it manages itself.

A Simple, Beautiful Ideal

People should enjoy the liberty to manage their own lives, associate as they please, exchange with anyone and everyone.All these renderings express not only the idea of free trade  a main subject of dispute in 18th-century European politics  but also a larger and more-beautiful vision of the way society can be permitted to work.

This idea can be summed up in the phrase laissez-faire, or in the doctrine of what was once called simply liberalism, which today is clarified as classical liberalism. This idea is this: Society contains within itself the capacity for ordering and managing its own path of development. It follows that people should enjoy the liberty to manage their own lives, associate as they please, exchange with anyone and everyone, own and accumulate property and otherwise be unencumbered by state expansion into their lives.

In the centuries that have followed, millions of great thinkers and writers have elaborated on this core idea within all disciplines of the social science. Then as now, there stand two broad schools of thought: those who believe in state control of one or many aspects of the social order and those who believe that such attempts at control are counterproductive to the cause of prosperity, justice, peace and the building of the civilized life.

These two ways of thinking are different from what is called the Right and the Left today. The Left is inclined to think that if we let the economic sphere be free, the world will collapse, which advances some theory of the disaster that would befall us all without government control. The Right is similarly convinced that state control is necessary lest the world collapse into violent, warring, culture-destroying gangs.

The laissez-faire view rejects both views in favor of what Claude Frederic Bastiat called the harmony of interests that make up the social order. It is the view that the artists, merchants, philanthropists, entrepreneurs and property owners  and not the cartelizing thugs with state power  ought to be permitted to drive the course of history.

This view is now held by millions of thinkers around the world. It is the most exciting intellectual movement today, and in places where we might least expect to find it.

The growth of the idea of laissez-faire in our times is infused with a digital energy. Distributed networks take the idea to a whole new level: no one in control but everyone in control, with no central point of failure.

But the idea itself is not new in world history.

Deep Roots

Though it is mostly associated with 18th-century British thought, it is a view of society that has much-deeper roots in the Christian Middle Ages and early Jewish thought. Nor is laissez-faire somehow a Western idea alone. The deepest roots of laissez-faire actually trace to ancient China, and even today, the thoughts of the masters offer a fine summary.

Here are some examples from non-Western thought:

Lao Tzu (6th century B.C.): The more artificial taboos and restrictions there are in the world, the more the people are impoverishedThe more that laws and regulations are given prominence, the more thieves and robbers there will be

The Sage says: I take no action, yet the people transform themselves, I favor quiescence and the people right themselves, I take no action and the people enrich themselves

Chuang Tzu (369-286 B.C.): I would rather roam and idle about in a muddy ditch, at my own amusement, than to be put under the restraints that the ruler would impose. I would never take any official service, and thereby I will [be free] to satisfy my own purposes...." The world does simply not need governing; in fact, it should not be governed.

Pao Ching-yen (4th century A.D.): Where knights and hosts could not be assembled, there was no warfare afieldIdeas of using power for advantage had not yet burgeoned. Disaster and disorder did not occurPeople munched their food and disported themselves; they were carefree and contented.

The inviolability of property rights, the primacy of peace in world affairs and the centrality of free association and trade in the conduct of human affairs.Ssu-ma Chien (145-90 B.C.): Each man has only to be left to utilize his own abilities and exert his strength to obtain what he wishesWhen each person works away at his own occupation and delights in his own business, then like water flowing downward, goods will naturally flow ceaseless day and night without being summoned, and the people will produce commodities without having been asked.

These early beginnings of the idea began here but can be traced through thinkers of ancient Greece and Rome and through the Middle Ages, until the notion swept the world in the 18th and 19th centuries, giving rise to unheard-of prosperity, liberty and peace for all. In the 18th century and in large parts of the world (other than the English-speaking world), laissez-faire has been called liberalism or classical liberalism, a doctrine of social organization that can be summed up in the words of Lord Acton: Liberty is the highest political end of humankind.

20th Century Corruption

To be sure, the notion of liberalism was already corrupted early in the 20th century. As Ludwig von Mises wrote in his book Liberalism (1929), The world today wants to hear no more of liberalism. Outside England, the term liberalism is frankly proscribed. In England, there are, to be sure, still liberals, but most of them are so in name only. In fact, they are rather moderate socialists. Everywhere today, political power is in the hands of the anti-liberal parties.

That remains true today. And the revolt against this is often termed libertarian, a word that has long been associated with a primary concern for human liberty. It was a neologism for the postwar generation that was synonymous with liberalism. In current understanding, it refers to a tightening and radicalizing of the old liberal view. It asserts the inviolability of property rights, the primacy of peace in world affairs and the centrality of free association and trade in the conduct of human affairs.

It Can Exist

The state is on the march, but the resistance is growing.Such a society is not historically unprecedented. Murray Rothbard wrote about Colonial America as an example of a wildly successful experiment of society without centralized state management. Medieval Europe made the first great economic revolution without recourse to the power of the nation-state. David Friedman has documented competitive legal orders in medieval Iceland. Other writers go so far as to say that given how we conduct our lives day to day, relying on the productivity of private institutions and associations, we never really leave a practical anarchy.

As Mises says, liberalism/libertarianism/laissez-faire is not a completed doctrine. There are so many areas remaining to be explored and so many applications to make both in history and in our time. The most exciting books of our time are being written from the vantage point of human liberty. The state is on the march, but the resistance is growing.

It is a debilitating thing to watch the state push and push to gain more power, under the flags of Equality or Greatness or Security or Fairness, but it is a source of joy to know that ideas are more powerful than all the armies of the world. Reason, clarity, innovation, and relentless work for what is right and true will eventually lead the idea of laissez-faire to victory.

Sunday, February 26, 2017

Jeffrey Tucker is Director of Content for the Foundation for Economic Education. He is also Chief Liberty Officer and founder of Liberty.me, Distinguished Honorary Member of Mises Brazil, research fellow at the Acton Institute, policy adviser of the Heartland Institute, founder of the CryptoCurrency Conference, member of the editorial board of the Molinari Review, an advisor to the blockchain application builder Factom, and author of five books. He has written 150 introductions to books and many thousands of articles appearing in the scholarly and popular press.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Mar. 18, 2017 | 09:56 AM | MAYFIELD, KY

A Graves County woman was arrested Friday on theft and alcohol charges.

According to the Mayfield Police Department, officers were called to the Cellar Door liquor store Friday afternoon on a report of a detained shoplifter. Police found 44-year-old Regina Hayden of Boaz sitting in a van in the parking lot.

According to officers, Hayden took a half gallon bottle of whiskey from the store without paying for it. The whiskey was found in a van in the parking lot. Police said Hayden also appeared to be highly intoxicated.

After placing Hayden under arrest, police learned she had also stolen items from Stone's Health Mart Pharmacy about 30 minutes prior. Those items, a bottle of lotion and a bar of soap, were also found in the van.

Hayden was charged with theft by unlawful taking under $500, alcohol intoxication in a public place, and receiving stolen property under $500. She was transported to the Graves County Jail, after being medically cleared at Jackson Purchase Medical Center due to her level of intoxication.
A realtor and Islamic activist, Ansath (30), surrendered before the judicial magistrate on Friday evening in connection with the murder but his role in the murder is yet to be ascertained.

By India Today Web Desk: An outspoken atheist who posted anti-religion opinion and rationalist views on Facebook was hacked to death in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore on Thursday night. H Farooq (31), an iron scrap dealer, regularly criticised religion on social media and his posts against Islam had infuriated many recently.

A resident of Coimbatore's South Ukkadam, he was a member of Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam (DVK), a breakaway group of the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK).

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A realtor and Islamic activist, Ansath (30), surrendered before the judicial magistrate on Friday evening in connection with the murder but his role in the murder is yet to be ascertained.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Farooq was murdered after he had left his Bilal Estate house in South Ukkadam at around 11 pm after receiving a phone call. He was on his scooter and was nearing Ukkadam Bypass Road when four people on motorcycles intercepted him. He tried to flee but couldn't escape. Hearing the commotion, residents of the area rushed out of their homes after which the assailants fled. Locals found Farooq's body lying on the road. His body bore multiple stabs and cuts inflicted by the assailants. Coimbatore Deputy Commissioner of Police S Sravanan reached the spot with police and began investigations. According to DCP Saravanan, Farooq was the admin of a WhatsApp group of people with rationalistic views who regularly debunk religion and religious claims. That vocal opposition to religion might be a possible motive for murder, DCP was quoted as saying. Atheist Farooq had posted rationalistic messages on his Facebook page which attracted criticism by members of the Muslim community, who called him an apostate. Police collected grabs from CCTV cameras installed at various commercial outlets on the stretch to identify Farooq's killers. The last call on his mobile was traced to a SIM that was obtained on fake Vellore address. A large number of DVK cadre gathered at the hospital and demanded a high-level inquiry. Ansath's surrender has been linked to the pressure put on the police by DVK. A police official told a newspaper that the religious offence could be just one motive. "We are looking into multiple angles and it is yet to be known if he was executed by communal groups, business rivalry or for personal reasons. One of his controversial religious posts shared in FB attracted criticisms."

ALSO READ | Kerala: 20-year-old BJP worker hacked to death in Thrissur, party blames rival CPM

Bengaluru: BJP leader Kithaganahalli Vasu hacked to death by unidentified assailants

--- ENDS ---
On March 10, a day before the assembly election results in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur, the Congress appointed a new president in Arunachal Pradesh. In this northeastern state, where 43 of its 44 MLAs had deserted the party last year to form a BJP government, the choice of president was crucial as he would be tasked with rebuilding the party from almost scratch. The Congress high command handed the arduous job to Takam Sanjoy, who had lost the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Arunachal West. In 2011, India Today had reported an allegation of rape against him.

Yet, vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who talks of bringing transparency and merit to the Congress's organisational structure, believes Sanjoy is the best bet for reviving the party in the state. Such inexplicable decisions reflect the rot in a party that is down to just 813 assembly seats - 20 per cent of the total 4,020 in the country. The BJP's primary rival on paper is in power in only seven states - it's an alliance partner in Bihar - while the saffron party rules 14 and, at the time of filing this report, had won an invite from the Manipur governor to form a government in the state.

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More importantly, the Congress is out of power in eight big states - UP, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Rajasthan - that account for 331 Lok Sabha seats. In the Lok Sabha, the Congress has 44 MPs against the BJP's 282.

Putting such hard statistics and the March 11 debacle aside, Congress leaders exude optimism. "We won Punjab and are the single largest party in Goa and Manipur," says K. Raju, chief of the Congress's SC cell and a Rahul Gandhi confidant. "We will examine the factors behind our defeat in UP and Uttarakhand, but let's not forget we performed better than the BJP in three out of five states." Navjot Singh Sidhu, the newly elected Congress MLA from Punjab, has even declared the party's spectacular victory in the state-77 out of 117 seats-as a turning point. Sidhu's statement crediting the win to Captain Amarinder Singh and not Rahul Gandhi gave voice to what was so far a murmur in the party.

The rout in UP and Uttarakhand - a seventh defeat since the 2014 Lok Sabha polls - has once again put in question Rahul's leadership in the face of a surging BJP. Off the record, senior Congress leaders claim that a reshuffle at the top is inevitable. Party veteran P. Chidambaram has been more upfront. "The victories in UP and Uttarakhand have reconfirmed that Narendra Modi is the most dominant political leader. Punjab also has delivered a clear verdict in favour of the Amarinder Singh-led Congress," he tweeted, clearly indicating that Rahul Gandhi cannot be the Congress's answer to Modi.

Though most senior leaders are wary of putting it on record, there is consensus that the Congress's revival must begin by winning back states, and that required strengthening the organisational structure and nurturing regional leaders who can win elections. "With Rahul Gandhi failing to effectively challenge the Narendra Modi juggernaut, we need strong leaders in states who can take the prime minister head on," says a Congress general secretary on condition of anonymity. "Look at Modi's [lack of ] success against Nitish Kumar, Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Naveen Patnaik."

To be fair to Rahul, he has held several rounds of discussions with party leaders and workers on organisational restructuring from the grassroots. He has emphasised the importance of strengthening booth committees as a key to electoral success. But barring a few appointments, there have been no other attempts to galvanise the state units. In Congress-ruled Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's demand that state home minister G. Parameshwara not hold a second post, as state unit president, has gone unheard by the party high command.

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Rahul's inability to contain dissidence and infighting has cost the party dear in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Kerala. "He either placed his bet on the wrong horse or looked away when the party was bleeding in these states," says a Congress spokesperson. "In Punjab, however, he backed Amarinder Singh at the right moment and got results. The Punjab model must be followed in other states."

Ten states will be up for grabs before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections-Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajas-than, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and Nagaland. In Himachal, Karnataka, Meghalaya and Mizoram, the Congress is in power. Barring Tripura and Nagaland, the rest will be a straight contest between the party and the BJP.

Though several senior leaders claim that the immediate focus is the Gujarat elections later this year, the 'Punjab model' may not work there. The civic polls held late last year in the state indicate the Congress needs to recover considerable lost ground. Of the 123 municipal and district panchayat seats in 16 districts where by-elections were held in November, the Congress won just 16. The BJP clinched the remaining 107. The BJP, which faced a lot of heat from the Patidar quota agitation and allegations of atrocities against Dalits, attempted a course correction by appointing Vijay Rupani as chief minister in place of Anandiben Patel. The Congress is yet to declare a chief ministerial face.

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In Himachal Pradesh, even before the assembly elections later this year, the Congress faces twin challenges: Bhoranj assembly byelection in April and the Shimla Municipal Corporation elections in May. "The UP-Uttarakhand trend will continue in Himachal Pradesh and the BJP will win 60 seats [out of 68]," claims Anurag Thakur, BJP MP from the state. "The Bhoranj bypoll will be the beginning of a Congress-free Himachal Pradesh."

After five years in power in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah's first hurdle will be anti-incumbency. He steered the Congress to a win in 2013, with deft handling of backward class and minority votes. But as the UP results show, appeasement of minorities may no longer work. Also, the return of former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who feels he doesn't need a Modi wave or religious polarisation to win elections, has revitalised the BJP.

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In Chhattisgarh, former chief minister Ajit Jogi's exit last year could dent the Congress's chances in the 2018 elections. In 2013, the Congress won 39 seats, with a vote share of 40 per cent. At 41 per cent vote share, the BJP won 49 seats. Both Jogi's party, Janta Congress Chhattisgarh, and the Congress are vying for the Opposition space and accusing each other of going soft on the Raman Singh-led BJP government. Any division in the anti-BJP vote could mean the Congress slipping further.

With the three Congress bigwigs in Madhya Pradesh-Kamal Nath, Digvijaya Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia-focused on national politics, the party has failed to corner the BJP government under Shivraj Singh Chouhan, despite mega scams such as Vyapam. Nath and Singh have advocated that Scindia be projected as the chief ministerial candidate against Chouhan, but the central leadership's view on this is not known. "I will never seek a position; the top leadership has not spoken to me about this," says Scindia. "I will respond only when I am directed to by my leaders."

The 2013 assembly election results in Madhya Pradesh show how crucial election management would be for the Congress. The party had secured 36 per cent votes and 58 seats out of the total 230 constituencies. With 9 per cent more votes, the BJP walked away with 165 seats. "In a bipolar election, a swing of 9 per cent meant over 100 seats," says a Congress general secretary. "With a little push and a strong leader, we can easily win Madhya Pradesh, but Rahul Gandhi must understand this arithmetic."

The significance of grooming a regional leader is most evident in Rajasthan, where the Congress is showing early signs of a revival under 39-year-old Sachin Pilot, who was appointed state unit president in February 2014. The Congress won only 21 of the 200 assembly seats in the 2013 elections and drew a blank in the Lok Sabha polls next year. But in the elections to 37 local bodies held in December last year, the party notched 14 seats against the BJP's 19. In August 2016, it had won 13 of the 24 panchayat samitis, four of six zila parishads, and two of seven municipal bodies in the civic and panchayat bypolls. However, Pilot, who is touted as a chief ministerial candidate, faces opposition from within his party. Party veteran and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot says no decision has been made on the chief ministerial nominee.

With Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in its kitty and an impressive showing in Manipur, the BJP's next target is Meghalaya. "We will certainly win Meghalaya," asserts Himanta Biswa Sarma, convenor of the North-East Democratic Alliance, a BJP-led group of non-Congress parties. A former Congress leader, Sarma was the architect of the BJP's victory in Assam and played a crucial role in the formation of a BJP government in Arunachal Pradesh.

That leaves Mizoram as the only safe state for the Congress in the Northeast, as the BJP hardly has any presence there. But then, in 2012, the BJP did not win a single seat in Manipur. This election, its tally jumped to 21 MLAs.

--- ENDS ---
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 17/03/2017 (2061 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Jukebox musicals are like unfaithful husbands.

Theyre cheats.

Its best to get that opinion on the table when it comes to the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre production of Bittergirl: The Musical by Annabel Fitzsimmons, Alison Lawrence and Mary Francis Moore.

DYLAN HEWLETT PHOTO Three women bond over freshly failed relationships.

The core of the story is very specific, coming from the lives of the three Toronto playwrights who collaborated on the original non-musical play bittergirl as a creative coping mechanism after all three suffered relationship breakups back in 1999.

Their collective experience was woven into a play that invited audiences to have a few laughs of recognition, whether listening to the lame excuses of the dumper, or commiserating with the dubious survival strategies of the dumpee, which include calling in sick to work, exiling oneself to bed and obsessively driving by the exs home.

The original play incorporated girl-group music of the 1950s and 60s as a kind of dramatic punctuation. Bittergirl: The Musical weaves its songs directly into the mix, employing seasoned musical performers into the roles. Rebecca Auerbach is A, a 35-year-old anticipating a proposal when her boyfriend announces he is leaving. B (Sarite Harris) is a younger single, likewise romantically kneecapped when her boyfriend flies the coop. C (Alana Hibbert) is especially wounded because she has a child with her boyfriend, who abandons them both to realize a hitherto untold ambition to join the RCMP.

All three boyfriends are played by Michael Torontow, whose characters are alternately defined by cowardice, immaturity or delusion. (The fact that Torontow still manages to be somewhat likable is a singular achievement in itself.)

Throughout the 105-minute running time of the play (including an intermission), recognizable pop songs are employed as an emotional shorthand for the characters. The flush of true love is sung in an opening medley interpolating The Supremes I Hear a Symphony, and The Crystals double-shot And Then He Kissed Me and Hes a Rebel.

Subsequent heartbreak gets interpreted in songs such as Where Did Our Love Go?, Mama Said and Anyone Who Had a Heart. And so on.

Directed by Krista Jackson, its best enjoyed as a showcase for its performers. Auerbach, Harris and Hibbert are accomplished pop belters and each makes the most of her solos. For a fitness medley in which the three women employ a fitness regimen to get back on their feet, choreographer Kimberly Rampersad employs some intricately funny moves in an impressive display of graceful slapstick.

It all happens against a two-tiered, 60s pop-art-infused backdrop designed by Charlotte Dean, with music director Rachel Camerons all-female four-piece band providing live on-stage accompaniment on the upper tier. The set is as lovely to look at as the 60s and 70s music is lovely to hear, but both are temporally disconnected from a story that is struggling to be contemporary.

It amounts to a swell cabaret experience. But as a musical, again, it feels like a cheat.

In the best musicals, songs carry the plot forward. In a jukebox musical, the songs are there to be enjoyed in much the same way as one enjoys a Golden Oldies radio station, as a relaxing bask in the familiar. Here, the songs are shoehorned into the narrative, whether they fit (I Will Survive) or not (Hot Stuff).

One notable exception to this is a flat-out mockery of the Nazareth power ballad Love Hurts, which Torontow hilariously performs with the wind-machine-augmented bombast of Michael Bolton, cubed.

As a work of theatre, Bittergirl: The Musical is a fun diversion, if not an enduring work. To paraphrase the Canadian band Trooper: its here for a good time, not a long time.

randall.king@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @FreepKing

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Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 17/03/2017 (2061 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba is prepared to get back to negotiating a health-care deal with Ottawa when the federal government confirms in writing that funding for a promised research facility will be in Wednesdays federal budget, Premier Brian Pallister said.

Pallister said he is ready to make the best of a bad deal. He said Ottawa must prove its threat  to kill the facility unless Manitoba signs  is off the table, by including the $60 million in the budget.

The week after the budget Id be happy to fly down to Ottawa to negotiate, he said. We need something in writing that says the threat is off the table.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Premier Brian Pallister made it clear he's still not happy with the federal deal.

A spokesman for Finance Minister Bill Morneau said the federal government wont comment, saying it will not negotiate in public.

Pallister also wants to see a commitment in the budget to indigenous health care. Pallister has been clear for months the high rate of chronic illness among indigenous patients in Manitoba is a huge strain on the health system, and he expects Ottawa to address the disparities between on and off-reserve health access.

All provinces and territories  except Manitoba  have signed a health deal with Ottawa.

The deal secures at least three per cent annual increases in health transfers, as well as $11.5 billion split between the provinces and territories for home care and mental health.

The breakdown in talks was revealed this week, Pallister said, when Ottawa had suddenly threatened to pull $60 million in funding for the so-called factory of the future.

The facility was promised by the former Conservative federal government in 2015, but stalled because of the challenge of finding a suitable parcel of land for it.

In February, the site selection process was put on hold. Officials with the National Research Council (NRC), which is responsible for the project, told Manitoba officials that order came from the Prime Ministers Office.

In recent days, it was made clear to Manitoba that the offer of $60 million would lapse at the end of this month unless Morneau and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to reallocate it into next year.

We were clearly given the indication it was at risk, Pallister told the Free Press. Making threats in a negotiation is almost always self-defeating. It eliminates trust.

Nobody in the PMO would confirm or deny the allegation it directed the NRC to halt the project, sending the Free Press to the office of Industry Minister Navdeep Bains.

Bains was not available for an interview, but a spokeswoman said Ottawa supports the project.

Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr told the Free Press Thursday he is confident and hopeful it will proceed.

Pallister wants to see the evidence in the budget.

I need to see evidence that the threat is gone We were really making progress until this threat came into play, Pallister said.

No one should be in a position of intimidation or threat any time, let alone on anything as important as health care.

When were sure that threat is off the table, and the federal government is going to keep its word, then wed be in the position of signing on to the health accord.

Manitoba has also asked for $5 million in emergency funding to help fight the opioid crisis. B.C. and Alberta got $10 million and $6 million, respectively, to combat the crisis.

mia.rabson@freepress.mb.canick.martin@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 18/03/2017 (2060 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dani Reiss had no intention of running a billion-dollar clothing empire when he joined his dads shop making winter parkas 20 years ago. He was an English literature graduate from the University of Toronto, looking for a few bucks to finance his travel plans.

The last thing I ever thought I would do was work for my parents in the family business, Reiss said in an interview last year. I wanted to be a short-story writer; I wanted to write fiction.

Reiss skipped the writing in the end, sticking around to transform Canada Goose Holdings into one of the most valuable luxury brands in the world, selling US$900 down coats to everyone from park rangers to rapper Drake.

Michael Nagle / Bloomberg Dani Reiss (centre), chief executive officer and president of Canada Goose Holdings, rings a ceremonial bell as Tom Farley, president of the NYSE Group, left, cheers on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during the companys initial public offering in New York on March 16, 2017.

His overhaul of the 60-year-old company started by his grandfather paid dividends this week with an initial public offering. After a single day of trading, the business has a market value of about US$1.72 billion (C$2.29 billion).

Reiss, 43, took home almost C$70 million from the deal, selling 4.1 million shares at C$17 each. He maintains a 24 per cent stake in the company, worth another C$557 million after the stock surged 27 per cent to C$21.53 on the first day of trading in Toronto.

His partners at Bain Capital, the private equity firm, still hold a 57 per cent stake after pocketing C$123 million from selling shares, based on figures in the IPO documents. Bains stake after the IPO is worth about C$1.3 billion.

To get a sense of how much the company has grown under Reiss and Bain, consider the company was valued at US$250 million when Bain bought a 70 per cent stake in 2013, people familiar with the matter have said. Terms werent disclosed at the time.

Reiss, who rang the opening bell Thursday at the New York Stock Exchange before flying back to close the market in Toronto, says he has no plans to slow down after going public.

After posting annual sales growth of 38 per cent over the past three years, Reiss is now scanning the globe for additional opportunities to expand. With two-thirds of Canada Gooses nearly C$400 million in sales coming from Canada and the United State, the company needs to extend to Europe and Asia, Reiss said.

We definitely believe that we can continue to grow, Reiss said in an interview with Bloomberg TV Canada from his Toronto head office.

Employees there toasted the IPO with wine, as white balloons with GOOS  the ticker symbol  hovered over work stations.

The high-end clothing company, which opened its first two retail outlets in New York and Toronto last year, is targeting three more in 2018. The long-term goal is 15 to 20 stores, according to the IPO prospectus.

Were going to open stores in the best and biggest and most vibrant cities in the world, he said, citing Tokyo and Paris as examples. As we build the direct-to-consumers channel, as we lead with e-commerce, its also important to have some stores as gathering places where consumers can learn about the brand.

The company has a lot of runway in Europe, he said. Asia is a very strong market and China is a huge wide-space opportunity for us that were really, really excited about.

Since so much of the brand is tied to Canadas north, Reiss has no plans to shift production to the United States, even as U.S. President Donald Trump considers a border tax to encourage more manufacturing there.

We make our core products in Canada and were very focused on continuing to do that, Reiss said. We have a great trade relationship with the U.S. and I think were very well-positioned to deal with whatever happens politically.

Canada Goose has two factories in Winnipeg: one on Bannatyne Avenue with around 450 workers and another on Mountain Avenue that could eventually employ another 300.

Meanwhile, Reiss said hes working to make sure he avoids the third-generation jinx that has doomed so many companies. Reiss took over from his father, David Reiss, and grandfather, Sam Tick, who got it all started in a small Toronto warehouse in 1957.

Its the preplanned handover that doesnt work, Reiss said in an interview last year with Bloomberg TV Canada. For Reiss, the aspiring short-story writer, his rise to the top at Canada Goose wasnt preordained.

It wasnt premeditated, Reiss said. It wasnt what was always supposed to happen.

 Bloomberg News
Congress party says the results of Punjab Assembly polls is an outcome of failure of party's Delhi model.

By Abhishek Anand: The Delhi Congress is trying to cash the Punjab Assembly elections results in the campaigns for Delhi municipal polls. The party said the results of Punjab Assembly polls, in which the Aam Aadmi Party secured 22 seats, is an outcome of failure of party's Delhi model.

"The AAP celebrated its victory in Punjab before the poll results. Their defeat in the elections is a result of party's failed Delhi model. The voters of Punjab gave a strong message to the AAP that it can't fool them with false promises, like they did in Delhi two years back," said Chatar Singh, vice-president, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee. He said the party will use the Punjab results for campaigns in Delhi.

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The Congress secured 77 seats and formed the government in Punjab.

The Congress considers AAP as the closest competitor in the Delhi municipal elections, scheduled on April 22. As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is ruling all three municipal corporations -- North, South and East -- since last ten years, the Congress feels a strong anti-incumbency will lead to its defeat in the upcoming polls.

"The corruption and the poor financial conditions of the municipal corporations is a result of BJP's misrule for ten years. Also, corruption is deep rooted in the corporations. We have chalked out a roadmap to make all three corporations self reliant," said Singh.

The Congress has fielded its big shots, former Union home minister P Chidambaram and MP Jyotiraditya Scindia to roll out the roadmap to make corporations self reliant.

ALSO READ | Congress eyes Delhi, Rahul Gandhi to launch campaign for municipal election

How AAP, Akali Dal missteps helped Congress rebound in Punjab

--- ENDS ---
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 17/03/2017 (2061 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Carol Todd knows how the dangers lurking in cyberspace can drag children down into dark places.

Amanda Todd, the B.C. social activists daughter, took her own life in 2012 after she was relentlessly bullied and sexually harassed online.

As one of the keynote speakers at a national conference on mental health this week in Winnipeg, Carol Todd led important conversations about mental health and issues around societal pressures that lead to suicide and trauma.

Facebook, HO / The Canadian Press Amanda Todd is shown in an undated handout photo. A man wanted in Canada for alleged involvement in online abuse in the case of Amanda Todd was sentenced Thursday to nearly 11 years in prison by a Dutch court for cyberbullying dozens of young girls and gay men.

The conferences theme was promoting the journey to healing within.

She said young people can feel like they are living under a spotlight with the constant pressure to look a certain way, to be popular and to continuously photograph and document their lives on social media.

Kids can think theyre invincible. Their brain development isnt geared to thinking that (something bad or dangerous) could happen to them. When it does, they have no idea what to do because they think theyre going to get into trouble. Theyre afraid their device is going to be taken away as punishment, Todd said.

Then it just snowballs from there. Thats why it can quickly lead into mental health distresses like anxiety, behavioural issues and sleep problems. Its all compounded. It just continues. Thats why real-life stories sometimes hit home a little bit harder and the messaging is a bit deeper and thats why I put myself out there, continuing to share that message.

Amanda brought cyberbullying to international attention by posting a video on YouTube in which she told her story with handwritten signs, describing how she was lured by a stranger to expose her breasts on a webcam.

The picture ended up on a Facebook page made by the stranger and she was repeatedly bullied, despite changing schools. She took her own life at her home in Port Coquitlam, B.C., in 2012, not long after she posted the video.

Since then, her mother has become a social activist who addresses bullying, mental health, cyber safety initiatives and sexual victimization of children and youth.

When you look at psychology at the age of youth, its all about themselves, its very egocentric, Todd said. You post images of yourself, you take selfies. You (need to) ask the question, whats behind you, is there the name of a school, of a park? You dont know whos also lurking in the shadows. Its not always bad people, but you dont always know.

In the Winnipeg School Division (WSD)  the citys largest  student services co-ordinator Jon Olafson said gains are being made by parents and educators in assisting youth with mental health concerns, social media anxiety and bullying.

I do have hope that we are making some headway. Counsellors are saying youth are bringing this (mental health and online issues) to them and thats really encouraging, said Olafson, whose work involves supporting school counsellors to assist students in navigating healthy and positive relationships.

This is something that theyre not only dealing with amongst their peers or that theyre maybe reporting online or talking about to parents, but they are bringing it to the designated helpers in the school setting. To me, thats really encouraging, that theyre talking about it and feeling comfortable enough to do that Im hearing from my counsellors that youth are talking about it.

He said there is good work being done in the WSD around mental health and wellness. There are education modules relating to mental health, personal and online safety being delivered by WSD teachers in early years classrooms with the addition of cyberbullying and harassment and sexual consent as part of health classes in middle and senior years.

Were talking more about it, theres more awareness and people are sharing more, which I think is a great thing, Olafson said.

As adults and as youth, were still trying to figure that out. It has been talked about in research as it could be contributing to mental health issues.

Carol Todd / The Canadian Press Carol Todd (left) lost her daughter Amanda (right) to suicide in 2012, after Amanda was targeted by a predator on the Internet. Now Carol works to educate parents and children about how to keep themselves safe online.

Wade Sorochan of Edmonton, an author and motivational speaker, spoke at the conference about the effects of social media on mental health and how social media anxiety disorder may be the next recognized mental health disorder.

Todd said she advises parents to monitor their childrens electronic devices when they can. More importantly, she said they must keep the conversation going with their children about safety in the cyberworld, whats appropriate and whats not.

Sometimes people dont realize that its a whole computer system right in your childs hand, she said.

On Thursday in the Netherlands, the man accused of tormenting Amanda was sentenced to the maximum of 10 years and eight months in a separate case.

Aydin Coban, 38, was convicted of cyberbullying 34 girls and five gay men, behaviour the court called astonishing. In some cases, the abuse lasted for years.

He pretended to be a boy or girl and persuaded his victims to perform sexual acts in front of a webcam, then posted the images online or blackmailed them by threatening to do so.

Coban is charged in Amandas case. A Dutch court has approved the mans extradition to Canada. He has appealed that decision and denies involvement in any cyberbullying.

The RCMP charged Coban in 2014 with extortion, importing or distributing child pornography, possessing child pornography and child luring.

 with files from The Canadian Press

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 17/03/2017 (2061 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The decision of a council committee to approve the $168,000 purchase of a cellphone management system on the grounds it would provide needed security, eliminate needless roaming charges and free up enough staff time to pay for the purchase is being questioned by a national citizens advocacy group.

Earlier this month, councils innovation committee approved funding for a security management system, known as Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM), to manage the 1,800 cellphones used by civic staff.

An administrative report made the case that the $168,000 purchase price would be recovered over six years, as a result of lower cellphone bills and an equivalent savings in staff time.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / FREE PRESS FILES Coun. Cindy Gilroy said shes confident the administration justified the financial savings and said the system offers additional benefits.

But when the Canadian Taxpayers Federation reviewed the report and its accompanying cost-benefit analysis, a spokesman questioned how the system qualified for innovation funding and why more obvious and simple, common-sense solutions to lowering those costs were replaced with a high-tech, big-ticket plan.

I think there is always value in pushing people to think harder about the solutions theyre raising, but this one  some of it is pretty much sloppy thinking, said Todd MacKay, the organizations prairie director.

The cost-benefit analysis is so general to be useless analysis, it doesnt really show you anything $168,000 is a lot of money, you have to make a clear case for it and when youre using such vague generalities to justify that expenditure, thats not good enough.

If this is standard procedure for other governments, tell us which other governments are doing it. If no one else is doing this, they need to show why and they need to break it down a little bit more.

At the committee meeting, city staff told councillors it cost city hall $21,000 in inadvertent cellphone roaming charges in 2016, explaining the new EMM system would eliminate those charges by monitoring cellphone use.

When the Free Press asked for an explanation of the staff time saving attributed to the EMM system, it turns out an expectation of about $156,000 is based on an estimated two hours of time saved by each civic employee with a city-issued smartphone over the course of a year  with those saved hours converted into constructive work time.

Civic officials explained the expected savings would be achieved as a result of employees not having to perform such mundane smartphone-related tasks as setting up a device, searching for lost passwords, resetting passwords and waiting while operating systems are updated.

The two hours is the time saved by the employee servicing the device over the course of a year, which then frees them up to work on other tasks, said David Driedger, the citys manager of corporate relations.

Mayor Brian Bowman promised to create the innovation committee during the 2014 civic election; council approved it a year later.

Bowman wanted the committee to look at new and innovative ways to do city business.

MacKay said he didnt see how the EMM system qualified as being innovative, especially when, for him, the obvious solutions would have been for civic staff to either buy a $20 roaming package or turn off their phones while in the United States.

You dont need a PhD in information management to figure that one out, he said.

The city hasnt purchased the system yet. The administrative report said a request for proposals would be issued and awarded in the second and third quarters of the year, with the first 250 phones assigned to the new system by the end of 2017.

Full implementation would occur as departments found money to sign onto the system. The report estimated the cost for departments would be $100 per device to sign up with a $10 monthly support charge.

It didnt indicate whether any government agency recommended adopting the system or whether it is being used in any other municipalities. It did say Gartner, a U.S. information technology and industry adviser, endorsed the administrations approach and planning assumptions.

Committee chairwoman Coun. Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre) defended the approval decision. She said shes confident the administration justified the financial savings and said the system offers additional benefits.

For me, this was also about having a central system in place protecting all of our devices from hacking and issues like data roaming charges that would be able to be remotely disconnected, Gilroy said.

Coun. Marty Morantz (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Whyte Ridge), who is also chairman of the public works committee, said he was satisfied with the administration report, adding the staff savings are measurable and are conservative estimates.

Although efficiency savings may not directly impact the bottom line, they are quantifiable as they do contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of the workforce, Morantz said.

MacKay said the cost-benefit analysis assumed the saved time could be used constructively during working hours and increase staff productivity, but that analysis, and the councillors on the committee, ignored how people use their phones.

Most people know to upgrade their phones operating system at night, when theyre not using it, rather than in the middle of their working day, he said.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 18/03/2017 (2060 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  Call it the tale of two deficits.

In the eyes of the federal Liberals as they prepare to release their latest fiscal blueprint on Wednesday, the red ink across the budgets bottom line is no reason to panic  even if a recent report warned that Canadians might not see the books balanced until 2051.

Meanwhile, the Manitoba Conservatives are obsessed with taming the provinces deficit. Austerity has become the Pallister governments mantra as it makes no secret about the knives being sharpened as it prepares for its April 11 budget.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld The federal government isn't panicking over being in the red for their upcoming budget.

Why are things so out of balance between Ottawa and Broadway? Why is a federal deficit that already exceeds Justin Trudeaus campaign promises no need for panic while Manitobas shortfall is being treated like a five-alarm fire? Whos right? Whos wrong? And wheres the balance in all this budgeting talk Canadians and Manitobans will hear over the next few weeks?

While some of the differences between the Manitoba and Ottawa approach to budgeting come down to political ideology, conservative versus liberal, a lot of it is far more pragmatic, University of British Columbia economist Kevin Milligan said in an interview with the Free Press.

Ottawa is in better fiscal shape and the provinces have a looming cloud of health care and an aging population coming down the pipe.

He said in British Columbia its expected the provincial government would have to spend another two or three per cent of its gross domestic product on health care by 2030. Other provinces are in the same boat.

If Im a provincial finance minister Id be saying, wow, said Milligan.

The federal governments programs affected by the aging population, such as the Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement, will grow about 0.7 per cent of GDP by 2030, he said.

They dont have the economic burden the provinces do, he said. The provinces need to be much more cautious over the next 15 years.

Canadas unwillingness to put more on the table for health transfers adds to that burden as the provinces shoulder more of the health care load.

Manitobas debt load is more burdensome. Manitobas net debt per person is almost the same as the national net debt per person. However, where Canadas net debt has grown about 14 per cent in the last decade, Manitobas has almost doubled.

Its debt-to-GDP ratio has grown more than 10 percentage points in the last decade.

Theres no denying Trudeau made a big bet while campaigning in 2015, when he broke from the pack on deficit financing.

While Stephen Harper and the Conservatives were promising spending restraint after running six deficits in their decade of government, and the NDPs Tom Mulcair was promising to balance the budget against many of his own party members wishes, Trudeau stepped up to the plate with a red pen.

He said Canada could handle some modest deficits over the next few years; it would stimulate the economy.

Some thought it might be the death knell of his prime ministerial run. They were wrong. Canadians bought it, and Trudeau and the Liberals rode the red wave into power. More importantly, he had a mandate to grow the deficit.

Six months later, the promised $10-billion deficit was three times as big in the first Liberal budget.

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On Wednesday, his finance minister, Bill Morneau, will unveil his second budget to the House of Commons, with promises to focus on skills training to address the rapid pace of technological change and its impact on the workplace.

Even with the unpredictability of the new American presidents trade policies, Morneau heads into his second budget with some decent economic news. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said it expects the Canadian economy will grow 2.4 per cent this year, slightly higher than the 2.1 per cent predicted.

If it is true the economy has had a very good time, you wont see a $30-billion deficit next Wednesday, said Milligan.

The 2016-17 deficit was projected to be almost $30 billion last budget day but between economic growth and an infrastructure program that is slow to get out the door, the parliamentary budget officer recently predicted it may be as low as $20 billion instead.

The actual amount of red ink wont be known until Wednesday, but the Liberals have shifted their tune from promising to balance the books by 2019, to ensuring the debt-to-GDP ratio is lower within five years.

That ratio is a marker of the size of the debt to the size of the economy, or as Milligan calls it the definition of sustainability.

As long as your ability to pay for it is growing even faster than your debt, youre OK, he said.

Milligan said when the economy is shrinking, its expected that ratio will increase.

If its going up when the economy is also going up, thats a legitimate time to criticize, he said.

He said a $30-billion federal deficit is right about at the line of where that ratio will start to creep higher, so the federal government would be leaving itself vulnerable if the economy suddenly takes a turn for the worse.

Theres not a lot of wiggle room there, Milligan said.

Morneau has consistently said spending on things that really matter to Canadians was more important than balancing the budget no matter what.

He even at one point last year accused the Conservatives of being stuck in this whole balanced budget thing.

This week, on a pre-budget trip to Europe for the G20 finance ministers meeting in Germany, Morneau told business leaders we are using Canadas strong fiscal advantage to invest in the things that matter to people.

I will be confirming that Canada plans to continue doing what confident, optimistic countries do  invest in our people, our communities and our economy, he said.

Meanwhile, polling suggests a slight majority of Canadians is fine with this. A Nanos Research poll earlier this month found 52 per cent of Canadians were OK with deficits as long as the economy was growing faster than the debt.

Fast-forward almost a month to April 11 and you will see a different picture of how to write a budget.

Pallisters Tories have promised to balance Manitobas books in eight years, assuming they are re-elected for a second mandate. Pallister says he isnt going to cut spending, but he is going to find efficiencies.

We arent going to be reducing spending, he told the Free Press Friday. We have too many social challenges. The social challenges are real. But we have to find savings within and reduce the rate of growth in spending.

Pallister has put $1 billion in approved health-care capital projects on the shelf. He introduced balanced budget legislation that will see cabinet ministers get a pay cut if they dont hit legislated targets to reduce the deficit. He has signalled to labour unions upcoming negotiations will be hard line.

Everyone has to do their part to get the provinces books in shape, he says.

Pallisters budget will have a path towards balance. One of the biggest criticisms of the Liberal budget last year was its lack of direction on balancing the books.

Whats clear in this tale of two deficits: one government is fearing the worst of times and one is banking on the best of times.

mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 18/03/2017 (2060 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Renowned water-quality expert Eva Pip fears for Lake Winnipeg after the Pallister government vowed this week to slash government red tape.

Lake Winnipeg is in great trouble, the retired University of Winnipeg biologist lamented Friday.

Once you kill Lake Winnipeg, you cant put it back, she said.

Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press files Retired University of Winnipeg biologist Eva Pip, poses with wildflowers, at home near Beausejour. Pip is critical of Premier Brian Pallisters new bill.

On Thursday, Finance Minister Cameron Friesen tabled for first reading the Red Tape Reduction and Government Efficiency Act, which amends or eliminates 15 laws covering drinking water, hog barn operations, fisheries, labour arbitration, hazardous waste, noxious weeds and other areas.

I certainly did not expect they would go this far, Pip said. They are dishearteningly retrograde. Its reprehensible.

I dont think this government cares about the future, said Pip, who plans to speak when the bill goes to committee hearings.

The ones that especially concern me are the Drinking Water Safety Act, where they want to reduce the number of audits. It does talk about the elimination of permits.

It does imply there will be less monitoring and less vigilance  thats the opposite of what we need. We need more enforcement of what we have, said Pip, who also accused the Tories of reducing environment controls on hog barns. You have to have oversight, you cant just have development.

Premier Brian Pallister told reporters Friday that the bill wont harm Manitobans. Well never support a regulation that puts the health or environmental health of our province at risk, he said.

He also said theres no compelling evidence that any of the changes put water at risk.

Municipalities are cautiously optimistic the legislation will achieve what Friesen intends, eliminating the barriers that prevent business and local governments from thriving and expanding.

We want to govern efficiently, said Steinbach Mayor Chris Goertzen, president of the Association of Municipalities of Manitoba. Increased flexibility is a good policy to have.

Goertzen lauded a clause letting municipalities recover costs from property owners under the Noxious Weeds Act.

We welcome that, he said.

Looser regulations for hog barn operations and use of manure need monitoring, Goertzen noted. We do need to ensure that environmental protection for our communities is there.

John Woods / The Canadian Press Finance Minister Cameron Friesen speaks to media at a press conference before the provincial budget is read at the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg, May 2016.

Drinking water must be safe, he emphasized. Well be monitoring that closely. We have a very good working relationship with the minister of sustainable development.

But NDP environment critic Rob Altemeyer ripped into the Tory bill: The first action this government is taking on the environment is a weakening of environmental protections, he charged. Theyre repealing the moratorium on hog barns, so everyone has to be concerned about the health of Lake Winnipeg.

The hidden agenda has to eventually come out, Altemeyer said. It should be called the Green Protection Destruction Act.

Altemeyer accused the Pallister government of forgetting the Walkerton inquiry, after five people died and thousands became ill in the Ontario town in 2000 through contamination of the towns water supply.

Im not in any way saying our water supply is unsafe right now. Its safe now because of the protections we have, Altemeyer said.

Not alarmed at all was Todd MacKay, prairie director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. Its always important to review regulations and make sure theyre working for people, MacKay said.

Its a never-ending job, because things are always changing; otherwise, they get in the way for nothing, he said.

Don Leitch, president and CEO of the Business Council of Manitoba, supports a regular review of government regulations. Were not saying deregulate, were saying appropriate legislation, he said Friday.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 17/03/2017 (2061 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The national organization representing the countrys lawyers  including Crown prosecutors and defence counsel alike  is urging the federal justice minister to reject a call by Manitoba and Ontario to eliminate preliminary hearings.

In a four-page letter sent to federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, Saskatchewan Crown prosecutor Loreley Berra  the chairwoman of the Canadian Bar Associations criminal justice section  said ditching preliminary hearings would not reduce court backlogs and could lead to even more cases thrown out because of undue delays.

If preliminary inquiries were eliminated or severely curtailed, counsel would inevitably argue that superior court trials should be conducted within a shorter time frame (e.g. 18 months), Berra wrote in the March 14 letter. This would imperil more serious cases currently in the system.

John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press Files

Berra also said the delay issues brought up recently by the Supreme Court is not new, but highlighted the need for a thorough, evidence-based approach to criminal justice law reform, rather than suggesting a need to simply lop off important aspects of the criminal justice system with proven utility, like the preliminary inquiry.

Ian Carter, the criminal justice sections vice-president, said the associations position against scrapping preliminary inquiries is important because the organization is made up of both Crown and defence lawyers.

It is not simply a defence organization we discuss all of the issues and, on this, we had concerns. We dont see the benefit here.

Preliminary inquiries are held in cases involving indictable offences  serious crimes including murder, for example  in order for a judge to determine whether there is enough evidence to send the case to trial.

The bar associations position is that there are other ways to reduce court delays, including appointing enough judges, providing more legal aid, eliminating mandatory sentencing and using alternatives to court to deal with minor charges.

Last summer, the Supreme Court set time limits for criminal matters to make their way through the justice systems across the country.

Provincial court matters must now be completed within 18 months after charges are laid. Superior court cases  Court of Queens Bench in Manitoba  have a 30-month limit. Cases that take longer are now presumed to have violated an accused persons right to a trial in reasonable time unless the Crown can prove exceptional circumstances.

The bar associations letter comes in response to a push from Manitobas three chief judges and provincial Justice Minister Heather Stefanson for permission to scrap preliminary hearings.

The status quo will not improve the court backlogs experienced in Manitobas justice system, Stefanson told the Free Press in a statement.

A way forward identified by our government and many stakeholders in the justice system, including the Supreme Court of Canada, is to reconsider the utility of preliminary inquiries in light of court delays. This specifically was identified by the Supreme Court in the Jordan ruling.

Recognizing the need for major system changes, I, with Chief Justice Richard Chartier, Chief Justice Glenn Joyal, and Chief Judge Margaret Wiebe, suggested a balanced and responsible approach to the Attorney General of Canada. Our suggested approach is a pilot project which would replace preliminary inquiries with an out of court discovery process for more serious indictable offences.

Our proposal would also reduce the burden that victims and their families face when testimony must be given in both a preliminary inquiry hearing and the subsequent trial.

ADRIAN WYLD / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES The Canadian Bar Association ihas made an appeal directly to Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould.

Last month, Joyal told the Free Press the proposal is for a four-year pilot project to see if cutting preliminary hearings makes the system function more efficiently.

A pilot project by definition is temporary but one plus one is two. If you take away half the time that is being spent on cases now, there is time to reprioritize other matters, Joyal said. If people dont deserve to be in custody they deserve to know that earlier than later.

In the Globe and Mail Wednesday, Joyal said the bar association is taking a one dimensional, absolutist position on the issue, adding he sees up to 25 cases each month go to a preliminary hearing and then take another 18 to 24 months to get to trial.

That means for me to be able to comply with the presumptive ceiling and timelines, I have six months to schedule a very, very serious case.

Last week, Wilson-Raybould told a Senate committee she is open to the suggestion to adjust the Criminal Code to eliminate preliminary inquiries, but said she wants more data and research to show what it would do.

There isnt consistency within all the jurisdictions in the country in terms of whether or not they should be eliminated, she said. There is often rigorous discussion and debate about that. I will say, as I indicated in my direct conversation with minister Stefanson and (Ontario Justice Minister Yasir) Naqvi, I remain open to their suggestions.

The Senates legal affairs committee is studying the issue of justice system delays.

Wilson-Raybould said there are internal discussions in her department looking at the idea of eliminating the hearings as well, but she wont be making any decisions until more research is done and until reports from the Senate committee and a working group of federal-provincial justice ministers are delivered.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.camia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 18/03/2017 (2060 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba RCMP are seeking the publics help in finding a missing man.

Jeff Menard, 40, was last seen shortly before midnight on Wednesday, March 15 in Dauphin. Police believe he may be in the Winnipeg area, driving a 2008 Nissan Maxima with the Manitoba specialty plate #HOTMAIL.

Menard, who is Indigenous, 6 tall and roughly 190 lbs., is known for his clothing line Got land? Thank an Indian. Sales of the shirts and sweatshirts skyrocketed in 2014 after a student in Saskatchewan was told not wear the shirt because it was offensive.

PHIL HOSSACK / FREE PRESS FILES Jeff Menard, with the help of a friend, displays the front and back of his hoodie featuring the 'Got Land, Thank an Indian" slogan in January 2014.

Police are concerned for Menards welfare.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Dauphin RCMP detachment at 204-622-5020 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

jane.gerster@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 17/03/2017 (2061 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Federal Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan met with local Ukrainians in Winnipeg Friday night, who urged the Canadian government to provide more military support to Ukraine.

Thats what this is about, to show how seriously we take these viewpoints, as we look at the geopolitical aspect of things, the minister said Friday evening, wrapping up a two-day visit to military bases in Winnipeg and Regina.

The minister didnt commit to additional military support and he emphasized Canadas assistance covers development, policing and diplomacy to assist Ukraine.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS "The Ukrainian people are suffering in eastern Ukraine and we want to be able to show that direct support," Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says.

The Ukrainian people are suffering in eastern Ukraine and we want to be able to show that direct support. Its not just about troops. This is about Canadians caring about what is happening with the aggression Russia is demonstrating in that part of the world, the minister said in an interview.

The meetings followed an announcement a week ago that Canada will extend its military training mission, Operation UNIFIER, in Ukraine until the end of March 2019. Canadas renewed mission to Ukraine involves about 200 military trainers, the same number as the former Conservative government supplied.

Sajjan spent Thursday in Regina meeting the Saskatchewan council of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. The minister toured Canadas armed forces bases in Moose Jaw, Sask., and 17 Wing in Winnipeg as part of the two-day tour.

In Winnipeg, Sajjan discussed Canadas support for Ukraine and its army at the Holy Family Nursing Home at 165 Aberdeen Ave. He made an opening presentation and took questions from the audience for about an hour. The event was organized by the local Ukrainian community at the request of the ministers office.

Manitobas provincial council of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress applauded the extension of the military training mission, but they also said they are determined to maintain pressure on NATO countries, including Canada, to supply weapons to the Ukrainian army.

We are certainly hoping for additional information from the minister for Operation UNIFER and what else the government has planned in terms of assistance to Ukraine, said Myroslava Pidhirnyj, vice-president of Manitoba Provincial Council of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

She presented the minister with a three-point plan on the kind of assistance Canadian Ukrainians want, including ratifying a defence agreement on military co-operation and measures to allow NATO countries like Canada to export defence equipment to Ukraine.

We call on Canada and other NATO countries to assist Ukraine by providing defensive military equipment, she said.

With the struggle now intensifying again in eastern Ukraine, the number of dead in the three-year conflict is currently estimated at 10,000 for military and civilians, another 20,000 wounded and 1.8 million people displaced, according to figures supplied by the congress Friday. The conflict followed Russias invasion of Ukraine and its annexation of Crimea in 2014.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Minister of National Defence attends a meeting with the Ukrainian Canadian community at Holy Family Home to deal with Canada's support of Ukraine and contribution to the development of the Ukrainian Army Friday.

Its come to this static situation where it doesnt seem like a crisis but if you look at it, people are dying every day. People are displaced. Part of Ukraine is occupied. People are concerned, said Ostap Skrypnyk, executive director of the Congresss Manitoba council.

The concern was shared among the audience.

Im here to hear what the minister has to say about Canadas support to the Ukrainian military. I would like to see them provide the Ukrainian military with comparable weapons to what theyre facing. Russia is supplying the rebels so to speak, and I would like to see Canada and the United States provide Ukrainian military with more than logistics and military training, said Gerry Edmunds, whose wife has family in Ukraine.

A publisher of a Winnipeg-based Ukrainian language magazine said the ministers willingness to meet with the community was an important gesture and valuable for both Ottawa and Canadas Ukrainian community.

They need to ask the questions they have to the minister and hopefully get honest answers. Its an opportunity for him to meet with Ukrainians inside Canada and to know Canadians support what he does, what the government of Canada does for Ukraine, said Valerii Pasko, publisher of Ukrainian Winnipeg magazine.

alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca
Opinion

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This article was published 18/03/2017 (2060 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Thanks to sources such as Mennonite Church Canada, we have been reminded of a less-than-stellar episode in our history.

It would seem that Mennonites, along with Hutterites and Doukhobors, were banned from entering Canada from 1919 to 1921. An order-in-council by the federal government of the day deemed them undesirable owing to their peculiar customs, habits, modes of living. There was an assumption of their probable inability to become readily assimilated to assume the duties and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship within an unspecified but supposedly reasonable time frame.

Fear and loathing were stoked by reported claims that as many as two million Mennonites were heading for the Canadian border  at the time, there were not two million Mennonites in the world  and, of course, that they had been getting all the good farmland and there would be none left for the returning First World War heroes. We needed to look after our own, after all.

Almost 100 years later, the names have changed, but has anything else?

Canada was built on immigration, much to the detriment of the indigenous peoples. And it seems that once again, as we also did when we abandoned our Jewish relatives in the run-up to the Second World War, we have decided that there is a them and an us. We choose to ignore the fact that once, we were them.

True, we did not cross a border illegally. There were no borders. We hadnt created them yet. And some find the loophole in the Safe Third Country Agreement unfair, when all it says is that if someone gets onto Canadian soil, we have to allow them to apply for status. We dont even have to accept them. We just have to let them try.

Many newcomers come to Canada having made a purposeful decision. Immigrants come with resources of their own and fit quite seamlessly into our community and economy. Others, though, refugees, either due to a political climate (oppression or outright war) or the actual climate (famine or flooding) are fleeing for their lives. This has always been the case. This is our history, so who do we think we are to say we no longer have to share?

As for the argument that we already have people who need help here in Manitoba? Well, that is true. Winnipeg Harvest shares food with 62,000 Manitobans a month. Of these, more than 26,000 are children and more than 4,000 of them are under the age of two. Heres the thing, though: in 2008, only 40,000 people relied on food banks. Just as in 2006, we only had 6,600 children in state care while today we have 11,000. This, despite a motion unanimously approved by Parliament in 1989 to end child poverty by the year 2000.

Year after year, and budget after budget, we have allowed all levels of successive governments to convince us that maintaining an inequitable tax system and balancing the budget were more important than real and sustained investment in high-quality, low-cost child-care spaces, affordable housing, a minimum wage that one can live on or creating better access to education and job training. These proven poverty-alleviation strategies are given lip-service-level funding or passed over completely in favour of the high tide floats all boats mentality.

It hasnt worked yet, because trickle-down economics is a proven failure. So who are we to use the fact that we have allowed poverty to flourish as an excuse to close our borders now? We take in fewer refugees per capita than comparatively tiny land-mass countries such as Germany, Sweden and even Lebanon.

Speaking of boats, the one time in recent history when we did step up as a country was during the boat people crisis in the 1970s and 1980s. Fleeing the chaos that followed the war in Vietnam, 110,000 people were settled in a relatively short time by 1989. Despite the economic downturn of the 90s, they managed, and so well that when we finally decided to act for Syrian refugees, Vietnamese Canadians were in the lead. They remembered what they had faced to get here.

Others have made the argument that immigration is essential for Canadas economic future. History demonstrates that, by and large, newcomers  immigrant and refugee alike  arrive, settle and live in peace. They contribute through work, but also by volunteering to help others in their community succeed. We are also legally obligated, through international agreements, to accept, validate or deny refugee claims. None of this should matter, though, if we would only remember who we are and where we came from.

Those who have come to Canada since it was formed have shown more gratitude for the opportunity than those who took the land from our indigenous hosts to form it. We even continue to refuse to honour the treaties we signed with them. Who do we think we are, to say no now?

Kate Kehler is the executive director of the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg.
Opinion

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This article was published 18/03/2017 (2060 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau proudly declares that our governments top priority is creating long-term economic growth. Toward this goal he assembled a blue-ribbon economic advisory council consisting of 14 economists, business leaders, investment bankers and a token scientist.

The council is led by Dominic Barton, the head of a global management-consulting firm, and one of five founders of the Century Initiative. Mark Wiseman, another of the council members, is president and CEO of the CPP Investment Board. He too is one of the five founders of the Century Initiative.

What is the Century Initiative and why is it important? As they describe themselves, the Century Initiative was started by a group of prominent Canadians concerned about the Canada we will leave to the next generation. Its key policy is to spur economic growth via rapid population growth, trebling Canadas population by the end of the century.

ADRIAN WYLD / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Economic advisory council chairman Dominic Barton (right) with Finance Minister Bill Morneau.

Its important because this self-appointed group of experts are now positioned to shape Canadas economic policy. And their policies are radical. They are just as radical, albeit in the opposite political direction, as those proposed in the Leap Manifesto. Id be alarmed if Naomi Klein and Avi Lewis were setting Canadas economic policy; the Century Initiative may be worse.

The first set of recommendations from Morneaus economic advisory council, announced last year were lifted directly from Century Initiative policy. Canada needs to rapidly accelerate population growth, and spend massively on infrastructure. This will lead to prosperity, growth and pluralism.

Canadas economic policy is too important to be left to economists and business leaders and growth zealots.

First, it is based on the false assumption that economists and financial forecasters know what they talking about. Macroeconomic forecasting is not a science. Far from it. Economists are brilliant at spinning stories after the fact to explain the last recession or slowing economic growth, but have little ability to tell us what will happen next. The inherent weakness of economic forecasting has not escaped the attention of agencies ranging from the IMF, OECD, and US Congressional Budget Office. The principal value of economic forecasting, its seems, is to make soothsayers, homeopaths and astrologists look good.

Second, Canadas economic policy in coming decades will be driven by environmental policy. Climate change initiatives and the shift to a low-carbon economy are remaking our entire society. Ecological and environmental science expertise is essential for this discussion.

To have Century Initiative goals and values being inserted largely unfiltered into Canadas economic policy without full-throated debate borders on scandal.

Ecologists, who are real scientists, are well placed to present the opposition view.

Rapid population growth and environmental protection, especially the fight against climate change, are antagonistic goals. Our Paris Accord commitments to reduce greenhouse gases will be hard enough to achieve at our current population size, let alone double that by mid-century.The commitment to ramp up infrastructure spending by building more roads, bridges, and dams means pouring concrete. Cement production accounts for 10% of global greenhouse gases. Trebling Canadas population means trebling food demands. Agriculture accounts for one third of greenhouse gases.

We do not need massive and wasteful infrastructure spending to spur growth, leaving future generations to pay the tab. Quite the opposite. We need smart spending on necessary infrastructure.

Proper discussion about economic policy cannot occur if the only voices in the room are those of economists and business leaders. Canadas economic advisory council needs to be balanced with ecological and environmental expertise as a counterweight to the extreme views of growth zealots. Someone needs to say you cant get there from here. You really cant.

Scott Forbes is an ecologist at the University of Winnipeg.
A pack of stray dogs helped Delhi Police to crack a murder case by chasing away a man who was trying to hide his wife's dead body in the nearby forest area.

By India Today Web Desk: A dog is a man's best friend, sure they are but when it comes to being humane they have proved to be more empathetic than humans many times.

In a recent incident which occurred in Delhi's Sangam Vihar, a pack of dogs chased away a man who tried to dump his wife's dead body.

36-year-old Mohammed Anis murdered his wife Nargis because he doubted her for infidelity. Anis stabbed Nargis to death and hit her head with a spade till she succumbed to her injuries.

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Anis decided to dump her dead body in the nearby forest area but when he tried to, the street dogs present in the area chased him away. Anis abandoned the body and left.

Residents of the area noticed a sack with blood stains on it in the morning and informed the police immediately. The Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Chinmoy Biswal told IANS that the police nabbed Anis from the house as the neighbours identified Nargis's body.

"In his interrogation, Anish said the street dogs started barking at him when he was taking his wife's body to dump it in a nearby forest to hide the crime. He was scared of being caught by neighbours and therefore left the body a few metres away from his house," the officer told IANS.

Also read: After an intense battle, dog sacrifices life to save Kerala family from cobra

The police admitted that if the dogs would not have stopped him, he would have disposed off the body easily. The case became easier to crack because of the street dogs, said SHO Kuldeep Singh.

The deceased's body was shifted to AIIMS for post-mortem and further investigation. During investigation, the police found out that Anis would beat up Nargis for little things. The couple even had a fight before Anis murdered her brutally. The family of the deceased was informed by the police and the body will be kept in AIIMS mortuary till the family arrives in Delhi.

Also read: Rajasthan: Leopard attack causes another death in Sariska Forest Reserve

Also watch: Chennai: Car racer Ashwin Sundar, wife charred to death after their BMW goes up in flames

--- ENDS ---
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 18/03/2017 (2060 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Among the bitter images of his childhood at the Home for Mothers and Babies in Tuam, Ireland, two stand out as particularly wrenching to John Pascal Rodgers.

Of the first, he has no independent recollection as he was only a year-and-a-half old. His mother told him 48 years later about it. One day at Tuam, she explained, she found out she was about to be separated from her son by the nuns who ran the home, perhaps forever. So she came in and cut off a lock of my hair as a memento.

The nuns then sent her to a workhouse in Galway, he said. She was 17 years old. The key was turned in the door and she remained there 15 years until she got the courage to escape.

PA / The Associated Press The site of a mass grave for children who died at the Home for Mothers and Babies in Tuam, Ireland.

Of the second image, some four years later, he does have independent knowledge because he was older and it was so painful.

He is standing in the shadow of the homes 10-feet-high walls, utterly alone and friendless. Never mind that there might have been 100 or 150 other children on the so-called playground, as he described it.

He stood alone deliberately because he had already learned in his short life that even though you made a friend, you wouldnt keep a friend, not among the children at Tuam.

Id become friends with one or two of them and theyd disappear one after the other, Rodgers recalled in a phone interview with The Washington Post.

And I cried. And a week later, I might have gotten over that, and then Id become friendly with another little chap, he said. And hed disappear. And I cried.

Eventually he stopped trying to have friends, Rodgers said. He stopped trusting.

What became of those children who disappeared?

If he was a healthy little boy he was probably just bought for a price and shipped off to America or Australia, he said. Most went to America.

And of the ones who were not healthy?

 There were children who were extremely ill, he said. And they would disappear, too. But that was all kept from view. I wouldnt have known about those underground vaults and passageways, he said. They were accessible only to the nuns.

The memories of the mother and baby home at Tuam, operated by the Sisters of Bon Secours in Ireland from 1922 to 1961, known to him just as the Home, came rushing back to Rodgers, 69, on March 3.

That was the day a government commission investigating what had been a theory  that as many as 796 children born of unmarried mothers who had died at the home had been left in what appeared to be a disused underground waste facility  determined that it was very likely a reality.

A dig and a forensic examination revealed a structure composed of 17 underground chambers, containing significant quantities of human remains, the remnants of children who would have been anywhere from 35 fetal weeks old, as the commission put it, to three years old, dating from 1925 to 1961.

The concentration of samples, said the commissions report, was likely to date from the 1950s, just when John Rodgers was living there.

Ireland is still absorbing the shock of what Prime Minister Enda Kenny called a chamber of horrors.

There are calls now for a broader, wider investigation into all the homes used by all of Irelands counties to hide away unwed mothers and their children in the care of the Catholic Church, which then separated them for life, farming the children out to foster homes for a fee or making them available for adoption to affluent Americans, also for a fee.

Since the news broke, Ireland has been awash in guilt and shame, just as it has many times before as old wounds have been lanced, with the knowledge that the scandal at Tuam, and perhaps elsewhere, wasnt that much of a secret but rather something everybody knew or should have known, but from which they looked away.

No nuns broke into our homes to kidnap our children, Kenny said after the revelations. We gave them up to what we convinced ourselves was the nuns care.

From my own point of view, Lindsey Earner-Byrne, a social historian at University College Dublin said last week on RTEs Marian Finucane Show, I would have a problem with the characterization of the story as an element of our hidden history. Because I think, in fact, its just the history we havent been willing to acknowledge.

 They knew that the institutionalization of these infants would leave them much more vulnerable to infectious diseases and so on, she said, and that the price of that cultural and moral discrimination, if you like, was that these babies died at a rate six times that of other babies.

It was the painstaking research of Catherine Corless, a local historian with no academic affiliation, that led to the establishment of the investigative commission. It was known that a graveyard for children had once been on the grounds of the home and Corless, as part of an effort to raise money for a proper memorial, began doing intensive research on who was buried there.

She obtained the death records of 796 children, ranging from newborns to nine-year-olds, who had died from a variety of illnesses at the home. Yet she could find none of the names of those children among the records of those buried in any nearby cemetery.

She learned that two boys playing in the area in 1975 reported stumbling across what appeared to be human skeletons in a pit.

Catherine Corless, Tuam Historical Society The Tuam facility circa 1950.

And using old maps of the homes, she determined that the spot where the boys made their gruesome discovery was also the site where a septic sewage tank had been located when the home was a workhouse in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Her theory attracted international publicity in 2014 and then, in equal measure, disbelief.

I was a big skeptic myself, said Rodgers, 69, the author of a moving book about his mother called For the Love of My Mother.

I thought, How could that be possible? It broke my heart when it was confirmed as being true. It was an awful thing to have to digest, he said.

It reawakened so many memories. It was confirmation of everything my mother told me, he said, his voice breaking with sorrow.

Rodgers himself was finally removed at age six by foster parents, an older couple, he said, looking for someone to help them with their chores.

But he had not heard the last of his mother, an indomitable figure named Bridget Norah Rodgers, whom Rodgers calls Bridey.

She ultimately tracked him down and went to see him at the home of the foster parents. They advised her to flee to England before the police found her and recaptured her. His foster father, Rodgers recalled, gave her the boat fare.

That experience, of his mother fleeing, as if a criminal, left a deep impression and not a good one, Rodgers said.

I thought she was a woman of ill repute, running away from the police, running away from the nuns. Being a young boy, I didnt know what this meant. I was horrified. Thereafter I disowned my mother completely for about 25 years. I didnt love her. I didnt understand her.

Rodgers, at age 16, moved to Manchester, England, and worked in construction. His mother tracked him down there as well, wanting to take care of me. To keep away from my mother I went as far as Australia. And I left specific instructions to people I knew to write a letter to my mother Bridey and tell her they didnt know where Id gone.

Finally, he said, at 23, he met a lovely lady, bought a house, had three children and settled down in Galway.

Then, in 1985, he started having recurring dreams about his mother. In the dream, she was down and out in London, Rodgers said, going through litter bins, looking for letters with her sons name on it. If you dream about this once, thats one thing, he said. You dream about it three times and youre cracking up or see it as a message.

When it happened the third time, I got up and said Im going to England to look for my mother.

He had no luck finding her at first, until he placed an ad in a paper in the rewards section. Three days later, I arrived home in Ireland and my wife says, theres a telegram on the table for you. And the telegram was from my mother.

That, he said, was the best day of my life.

We communicated. We phoned. We wrote every week. And then she and her husband came to meet me for the first time in 20 years. It was a very emotional occasion. One moment she didnt have a living relative. And then all of a sudden she had a son, a beautiful daughter-in-law and three lovely grandchildren.

And during this reunification, the most moving moment was when my mother Bridey went through her suitcase and presented this lock of hair to my wife, Rodgers said, choking with emotion as he recounted his mothers words to his wife: Julie darling. I regret I wasnt here to give my son away when you got married. Im releasing him now. Hes yours.

Six years later she died. Rodgers, who had promised her to keep her secrets until her death, began to tell her story.

 The Washington Post
As a fifth-generation farmer living in Marquette County, I know firsthand the importance of having strong, vibrant rural communities when it comes to Wisconsins future.

When speaking with farmers, business owners and consumers across rural Wisconsin, I consistently hear the need to address the same issues: broadband, education, transportation and water quality. Gov. Scott Walkers budget makes it clear that he heard that message as well. Walkers recently introduced budget is good for Wisconsins farm families, our rural communities and our future.

Broadband

Unfortunately, farmers do not all have internet access, or even if they have internet, it may not be fast enough or dependable enough to complete farm business. Our rural communities need broadband. Farms and businesses need to be able to advertise and sell products online. Students need internet to complete homework and seek information. Walkers budget will expand broadband funding, an increase of $34.5 million over the biennium. This is good for all of us.

Education

In Wisconsin, our students success today is fundamental to our states future growth. Walkers budget increases Sparsity Aid by $20 million and provides 100 percent reimbursement for rural school districts in the High-Cost Transportation Aid program, increasing this support by $10.4 million. His budget allows school districts to enter into agreements to share or jointly provide services or specialists in areas such as attendance officers or lifesaving skill instruction, reducing the burdens on rural schools.

Transportation

Farms and businesses depend on a solid transportation system to market its products across the region, state and country. Walkers budget also makes key investments when it comes to transportation in rural areas. His budget contains the most funding ever provided to local governments for local road aids. Local governments will receive a total increase of $77 million in state aid and assistance over the 2015-17 biennium from the combined increases in general transportation aids, local road improvement program payments and state funded local bridge improvement assistance program payments.

Water quality

Water quality is essential for the long-term success of agriculture and Wisconsins rural communities. Farmers care deeply about the land they work and rely upon to make a living. Walkers budget emphasizes his commitment to Wisconsin farmers. It includes a number of initiatives to address land and water resource management, including $7 million in cost-sharing grants for farmers implementing conservation practices with the assistance of county land conservation departments. We continue to support county land and conservation staffing as we always have. Walkers budget also includes a 24 percent increase, an additional $825,000 each fiscal year (or $1.65 million over the biennium) in funding for nutrient management planning, which helps farmers determine when to apply manure and other nutrients at the proper rate and location. Continuation of the Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants program in the budget will help farmers work together to develop solutions to prevent runoff. These producer-led efforts maintain or improve water quality through improved or new approaches to farming practices.

After a thorough review of the fees and surcharges on farmers and businesses that are used to manage the agriculture chemical program and the Agriculture Chemical Cleanup Program, Walker included in his budget proposal a reduction of fees to farmers and businesses of $2 million per year. His proposal will still fully fund the cleanup efforts managed by the DATCP as well as oversight of product uses and regulations.

I am optimistic for the future of Wisconsins rural communities. I believe Walkers budget makes a strong investment in our rural communities and Wisconsins future. It is clear the governor is investing in our states priorities and moving Wisconsin forward.
Rapid action by both Gov. Scott Walkers opioid task force and the state Legislature is a reflection of the seriousness of the situation and a desire to help addicts immediately.

In an era of sharp divisions in the Capitol, 11 opioid-related bills are moving swiftly through the Legislature with bipartisan support.

According to a USA TODAY Network-Wisconsin report, heroins death toll rose for the ninth straight year in Wisconsin in 2015, and the total of 281 deaths was triple the number killed by heroin in 2010. Meanwhile, the number of total opioid deaths  which includes heroin and prescription opiates  topped the number of Wisconsin traffic deaths for the third straight year.

State Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, crafted 11 bills based on recommendations from the governors opioid task force. The package includes proposals that would grant legal immunity to people who overdose, allow school workers to administer overdose antidotes to students and require the University of Wisconsin System to open a school where high school addicts can continue their education during recovery. Other measures would allocate $5.5 million more over the next two years for treatment programs and four additional state drug agents.

Earlier this week, a Senate committee heard testimony on a bill that would expand limited immunity for people who receive first responder care after an overdose and on the DOJ funding proposal.

People might argue this is enabling the behavior, Nygren, whose daughter has struggled with heroin addiction for years, said of the bill allowing school employees to administer naloxone. But our long-term goal is to get people into recovery and to be functioning citizens. Theres one basic fact. If theyre dead, that cannot happen.

Sarah Butler, of Baraboo, shared her experience with addiction and recovery with lawmakers as they considered the bill to fund additional treatment and diversion programs, the Capital Times reported.

Butler, 29, was her mothers primary caregiver as she was treated for COPD. Feeling stressed, Butler started taking her mothers morphine. But after her mothers death, there was no more morphine. She replaced it with heroin.

She used heroin for about five years before she was arrested and faced prison time. She was able to enter Sauk Countys drug court instead, and has been clean for more than a year.

Her program included a sober living facility, outpatient treatment and regular meetings with a case manager.

When I was out there using, I didnt have much support, she said. When I entered into drug court that community wrapped their arms around me and gave me that support. Butler now works two jobs and has her own apartment.

Nygren told the Assembly Criminal Justice Committee the package of legislation would advance his goal of saving lives, rehabilitating addicts and stopping the flow of drugs into Wisconsin.

Speaking of the flow of drugs into our state: We have no such sympathy for those who deal the opioids. Their actions are instrumental in creating the addiction and the allocation of community resources to help the addicts. We look forward to continued prosecution of the dealers.

Our sympathy begins and ends with those who show a willingness to try to master their addiction, to turn away from addiction and toward positive contributions to their communities. As Rep. Nygren put it, to get people into recovery and become functioning citizens.
Ever since the federal government coerced states to raise their drinking age to 21 in 1984, nanny bureaucrats have been scheming ways to keep other things they deem dangerous out of the hands of 18-year-olds. Going to war and voting for those government nannies is okay, but puffing on smokes? No way.

Many counties and local jurisdictions in Massachusetts have passed local ordinances that have raised the legal age for cigarette sales to 21, and the towns of Sudbury and Holliston are the latest to join in on the latest nanny craze.

Sudbury already restricts sales to those at least 19 years of age, but Holliston now allows 18-year-olds to buy cigarettes. Theyve begun holding hearings and public comments on the new proposed rules.

As the MetroWest Daily News reported, In addition to raising the purchasing age to 21, the Sudbury Board of Health is debating a host of other youth-focused regulations targeting e-cigarettes, vaporizers and flavored products.

In Holliston, the Board of Health held a public hearing March 9 for preliminary feedback on whether to raise the age from 18 to 21.

At least 145 municipalities outlaw tobacco sales to people under age 21[]

The proposals in Sudbury include classifying e-cigarette and vaping products as ordinary tobacco. As Watchdog.org has previously reported, switching from tobacco to e-cigarettes has massive health benefits. If governments are committed to improving public health and not just prohibiting things they dont like, it wouldnt make sense to regulate both traditional tobacco cigarettes and vaping products in the same way.

Indeed, as the Daily News reported, the proposed Sudbury and Holliston regulations dont go far enough. According to activist Sarah McColgan, the Daily News reported, nanny bureaucrats need to target a wider range of products, prohibit a wider range of products and regulate advertising more heavily.

A recent study estimated that increased adoption of e-cigarettes instead of traditional tobacco saves tens of thousands of lives per year.
By Mail Today Bureau: An 18-year-old student of DU was crushed to death after her scooty was hit from behind by a bus.

The incident took place on Friday morning at around 9:15 am when Kajol Mandal, a resident of Sadiq Nagar, was on her way to attend computer classes in Lajpat Nagar.

"As she neared Moolchand flyover, a bus hit her from behind. She fell and was run over by the bus; she died on the spot. Passengers overpowered the driver, Hari Lal, and handed him over to police. The bus was impounded," a police officer said.

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Kajal was a second year BA student of School of Open Learning and was also pursuing a diploma in engineering.

ALSO READ | Delhi: Mercedes mows down 17-year-old boy near Paschim Vihar

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The two leaders share different views on trade, Russia and immigration, leading to some uncomfortable moments during their joint news conference in Washington, DC.

By Reuters: The first face-to-face meeting between US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel started awkwardly on Friday and ended even more oddly, with a quip by Trump about wiretapping that left the German leader visibly bewildered.

The two leaders share different views on trade, Russia and immigration, leading to some uncomfortable moments at a joint news conference on Friday in which they took pains to downplay differences that were hard to mask.

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Friday's meeting was the first between the new US president and the long-serving stateswoman, who leads Europe's largest economy. It was seen as one that could help determine the future of the transatlantic alliance and shape their working relationship.

Though Merkel appeared relaxed, the body language between them was not especially warm.

Trump and Merkel shook hands when she arrived at the White House but did not do so in the Oval Office where she frequently leaned towards him while he stared straight ahead, sitting with his legs apart and hands together. In the Oval Office both leaders described their meeting in brief remarks to reporters as having been very good.

She began her remarks at the news conference by saying it was better to speak to each other than about each other.

"We held a conversation where we were trying to address also those areas where we disagree, but we tried to bring people together ... (and) tried to find a compromise that is good for both sides," Merkel said.

They shook hands again at the end of the press conference and then exited the East Room together.

Near the start of the news conference, Trump pressed Merkel for Germany to meet NATO's military spending target, and Merkel reiterated her country's commitment to the 2 percent military spending goal.

"I reiterated to Chancellor Merkel my strong support for NATO as well as the need for our NATO allies to pay their fair share for the cost of defense. Many nations owe vast sums of money from past years, and it is very unfair to the United States. These nations must pay what they owe."

TRUMP BRINGS UP WIRETAP CLAIM

Trump also stood by unproven claims that the Obama administration tapped his phones, and expressed solidarity with a surprised Merkel, whose government charged Washington in 2013 may have been spying on her.

"As far as wiretapping, I guess, by this past administration, at least we have something in common perhaps," Trump said to Merkel, who looked bewildered as she stared back at him from her podium.

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In 2013 the German government said it had information that the United States may have monitored Merkel's mobile phone, prompting her to call Obama to demand immediate clarification.

The Republican and Democratic leaders of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee issued a statement on Thursday rejecting Trump's assertion that the Obama administration conducted surveillance on him.

IMMIGRATION DIFFERENCES

Trump, who as a presidential candidate had criticized Merkel for allowing hundreds of thousands of refugees into Germany, said immigration was a privilege, not a right.

Merkel hinted at differences, saying: "This is obviously something we had an exchange of views about."

The new US president has sought through executive orders to ban people from six Muslim-majority countries temporarily from entering the United States, causing an uproar domestically and internationally among critics.

Aside from business and foreign policy goals, relationship building was an important if less overt agenda item.

Merkel had close relations with Trump's Democratic and Republican predecessors, Obama and George W. Bush, and she is likely to seek a strong working relationship with Trump despite major policy differences and wariness in Germany about the former New York businessman.

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"Those who know the chancellor know that she has a knack for winning over people in personal discussions. I am sure that Donald Trump will not be immune," said Juergen Hardt, a conservative lawmaker who helps coordinate transatlantic relations for the German government.

The two also discussed Ukraine and Afghanistan.

Trump said he expected the United States to do "fantastically well" in trade with Germany, while Merkel said she hoped the United States and the European Union could resume discussions on a trade agreement. Trump said he did not believe in isolationism but that trade policy should be fairer.

Before the news conference, Trump and Merkel held a meeting with business leaders from the United States and Germany at the White House.

ALSO READ | Now, Donald Trump administration also backs India's NSG bid

ALSO READ | US lawmakers reject Trump's claim that Obama tapped Trump Tower; White House stands by allegation

ALSO WATCH | Indian government engaging with Trump administration on hate crimes in US: Sushma Swaraj

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China News on Women





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Richard Ledgett, deputy director of the NSA, told BBC News the idea that Britain had a hand in spying on Trump was 'just crazy'.

By Reuters: Allegations from the United States that British spy agency GCHQ snooped on Donald Trump during his election campaign are "arrant nonsense", the deputy head of the US National Security Agency (NSA) said in an interview on Saturday.

President Trump has stood by unproven claims that the Obama administration tapped his phones during the 2016 White House race. On Thursday his spokesman cited a media report that Britain's GCHQ was behind the surveillance.

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Richard Ledgett, deputy director of the NSA, told BBC News the idea that Britain had a hand in spying on Trump was "just crazy".

"It belies a complete lack of understanding of how the relationship works between the intel community agencies, it completely ignores the political reality of 'would the UK government agree to do that?'", Ledgett said.

There would be no advantage for Britain's government in spying on Trump, given the potential cost, he said.

"It would be epically stupid," said Ledgett, who is due to retire shortly.

WIRETAPPED

Current and former NSA officials have described an acrimonious relationship between intelligence agencies and the Trump administration.

Trump, who became president in January, tweeted earlier this month that his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama had wiretapped him during the late stages of the 2016 campaign. The Republican president offered no evidence for the allegation, which an Obama spokesman said was "simply false".

Fox News analyst Andrew Napolitano on Tuesday accused the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) - the British equivalent of the NSA - of having helped Obama to spy on Trump.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer quoted Napolitano's comments on Thursday.

GCHQ said the claims it spied on Trump were "utterly ridiculous" and should be ignored, in a rare public statement.

On Friday, Trump said questions on this should be asked of Fox News, not him.

Also Read:

US lawmakers reject Trump's claim that Obama tapped Trump Tower; White House stands by allegation

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: Bijnor, Mar 18 (PTI) A racket which allegedly involved selling of expired drugs and medicines after changing their wrappers and date prints was busted in a joint raid carried out by the police and drug department here.

A huge stock of expired medicines worth lakhs of rupees has been seized following the raid on a house in Mohalla Hazrat nagar at Noorpur yesterday.

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Two persons in this connection by the police while the owner of the house is learnt to have escaped.

The raiding team found the expired medicines and drugs stored inside the beds, boxes, under the beds and in the bathrooms of the house.

The accused allegedly used to sell this stock to medical stores in and around the area after changing the wrappers and date prints with the help of rubber stamps.

While one person has been arrested from the house which was raided, another has been held from Amroha.

The joint police and the drug Department team has taken the seized stock to the Noorpur Police Station.

The seized drugs and medicines included tablets, injections, syrups of all the big and renowned pharmaceutical companies, said Drug Inspector Ashutosh Misra.

From where these medicines came and who were they being supplied to is now being investigated.

Misra claimed that the seized medicines could be about Rs 8 to 10 lakh rupees. PTI CORR ADS

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On March 6, the New York Universitys Student Activities Board (SAB) informed the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) that the university was denying the groups application for club status without listing a single reason for its decision. The decision puts the IYSSE in a Kafkaesque situation where it will appeal the decision without being told why they were rejected.

The IYSSE submitted its appeal on Wednesday, writing:

The IYSSE is opposed to the current club application process, an arbitrary and capricious framework that denies club status to roughly 90 percent of applicants and functions to limit political and social activity on campus.

In its appeal, the IYSSE rejected the current application processmore fitting for an ancient monarchyin which the SAB censors political speech by determining whether groups are unique enough to merit club status.

This is the second time in consecutive semesters that NYU and the SAB have blocked the IYSSE from club status, despite the fact that the IYSSE satisfied all requirements both times. Last semester, the school denied the IYSSE using fraudulent arguments that the school had insufficient support to sustain a club on campus, that the IYSSE was insufficiently different from other organizations on campus like the International Socialist Organization (ISO), and that the university lacked funding for new clubs on campus.

The IYSSE refuted each of these arguments.

The IYSSE proved its staying power last semester by launching an intensive campaign in opposition to NYUs draconian club application process. The IYSSE held a demonstration opposing Trumps anti-immigration policies, and a large public meeting attended by over 40 students and workers. It submitted over 400 student signatures and received numerous statements of support from NYU faculty, including Professor Bertell Ollman.

The ISO club at NYU also responded to an open letter from the IYSSE and acknowledged that the two groups were distinct political tendencies that they support the IYSSEs right to have a club at NYU.

In addition, the IYSSE has written extensively on the close connections between NYU, Wall Street, and the military-intelligence complex, disproving the lie that the wealthy elite university does not have enough money to support more student clubs.

The IYSSE appeal notes that the SAB decision violates the universitys own protocols. The University Policy for Academic Integrity requires the school create a campus climate that encourages the free exchange of ideas, promotes scholarly excellence through active and creative thought, and allows community members to achieve and be recognized for achieving their highest potential.

As the appeal noted, It is impossible to reconcile these standards and principles with the way IYSSE members have been treated.

The IYSSE appeal pointed out that many SAB members boast of their connections to the Democratic Party and their aspiration for Wall Street careers on Facebook.

Inasmuch as several members of the SAB, as evidenced by their Facebook pages, are active in Democratic and Republican politics, their objectivity is subject to question. Further, the IYSSE wrote that it should go without saying that our academic freedom includes the right to present and discuss ideas that some SAB members may disagree with.

Many NYU students that support the IYSSEs right to club status were shocked by the SABs recent decision to reject the IYSSE.

Donald Jr., a physics student stated, Im mystified by the rejection, because it is so clear that this group has a following. The IYSSE is, if anything, underrepresented at the school.

I would like to see what other groups were rejected, were any of them also in opposition to the Democratic Party. I prided myself on the university being non-sectarian, and I would be alarmed by the university having such strong political leanings. Every student group should be able to exist under the umbrella of NYU.

Asked about his thoughts on academic freedom given the current political climate, he added, Personally, the rise of Trump has made me more interested in foreign policy. The physics students lounge is teaming with political discussion, and there is more interest in politics in 2017 than there was in 2016.

Im seeking to learn, and have more discussion. Now is a horrible time to be shutting down political groups because so many people are being politicized.

Arran Walshe, a PhD student, said, It doesnt seem that there is any reason for the IYSSE not to be given club status. The university has a mandate for helping facilitate discussion, and the IYSSE has demonstrated that it has support on campus. I dont understand what the possible reasoning could be.

As a newcomer to this country, I had assumptions about the state of political dialogue in the US. My wish was for these views to be disproven, but these kinds of actions confirm them. The [SABs] claims that this groups views are already expressed on campus reflect their bias. Who can really argue against a robust diversity of political viewpoints on campus?

When an IYSSE member pointed out that the ISO has openly stated that they have major differences with the IYSSE, Walshe added, That is telling. Even when the SAB is disproven they still dont reverse their decision.

I have some experience with university politics, and Ive seen how it works. It looks like they just come up with an excuse retroactively. They probably know their decision is baseless, but they use it anyway.

Honestly, every group deserves a clear elaboration of the guidelines. As it stands it looks like they have vague guidelines, and it is putting you in a Kafkaesque position.
The Globe and Mail and some other Canadian media outlets reported last week that Liberal Foreign Minister Chrystia Freelands maternal grandfather collaborated with the Nazis during World War II. Mikhail Chomiak was chief editor of a Ukrainian nationalist newspaper in Krakow, Poland, Krakivski Visti.

The paper, among the most important Ukrainian nationalist publications under the Nazis, was established in January 1940 with the full support of the German occupation. The Nazis provided Chomiak and his staff, drawn from a Ukrainian nationalist society, with printing equipment and their offices, having seized them from a Jewish newspaper that had formerly operated on the same premises. Krakivski Visti printed Nazi propaganda, including anti-Semitic diatribes, and political and cultural material on the Ukrainian nationalist movement, which cooperated intimately with the Nazis during the war of annihilation they launched against the Soviet Union in June 1941 Krakivski Visti began as a twice-weekly and appeared six-times a week under Chomiaks editorship from November 1940 until the end of March 1945. When the Red Army approached Krakow in October 1944, Chomiak and his staff fled to Vienna, where within a matter of days they resumed daily publication.

When asked at a March 6 press conference about her grandfathers ties to the Nazis, Freeland denounced the story as part of a Russian disinformation campaign aimed at destabilizing Canadian democracy.

I don't think it's a secret, declared Freeland, American officials have publicly said, and even [German Chancellor] Angela Merkel has publicly said, that there were efforts on the Russian side to destabilize Western democracies, and I think it shouldn't come as a surprise if these same efforts were used against Canada. I think that Canadians and indeed other western countries should be prepared for similar efforts to be directed at them.

But it quickly became clear that it was Freelandwho has previously praised her maternal grandparents, saying their experiences had a very big effect on mewho was the one spreading disinformation. Moreover, she has long known about this chapter in her family history having co-authored an article two decades ago with her uncle, historian J.P. Himka, dealing with Chomiaks role during the war.

Nevertheless, the corporate media rushed to Freelands defence. With one voice it declared the story was Russian disinformation aimed at undermining the ability of the Foreign Ministera staunch advocate of Ukraines ultra-nationalist, pro-western governmentto defend democratic Ukraine and otherwise oppose Russian aggression.

For months Canadas media has echoed the unsubstantiated claims of much of the US military intelligence establishment, the Democratic Party, and leading Republican war-hawks like John McCain that Russian President Vladimir Putin, working with WikiLeaks, surreptitiously intervened in the US election to favour Donald Trump. While initially a major motivation of the claims of Russian subversion was to divert attention from the substance of Hilary Clintons leaked emails, their overriding purpose has been to prepare the political ground for an intensification of US-NATO aggression against Russia.

Now faced with the revelation that Freelands grandfather was a prominent Nazi collaborator, Canadas media has responded in similar fashion. It has dismissed the revelation itself as unimportant, while seeking to transform it into grist for the Canadian ruling elites anti-Russia propaganda campaign.

Leading columnists have sought to downplay Chomiaks role in assisting the German occupation, with some going so far as to offer up bald apologias for Nazi collaboration. Writing in the National Post, Colby Cosh declared, I doubt whether it is appropriate for any of us to sit in judgment on Chomiak. The Ottawa Citizen s Terry Glavin described Krakivski Visti, a newspaper which published a special edition to promote recruitment for the Ukrainian division of the Waffen SSa force implicated in some of the worst Nazi crimes including the mass extermination of Jewsas the only intellectual lifeline left to the people of the dismembered Ukraine at the time.

While others have been more critical, all the pundits are insistent that the exposure of the Nazi ties of Freelands grandfather is a Russian smear, an irrelevancy having nothing to do whatsoever with contemporary events in Ukraine or Canadaexcept as a further demonstration that the Russians are bent on subverting democracy.

Thus, Edmonton Journal columnist Paula Simons wrote of Chomiak, Just labelling him a collaborator oversimplifies a horrifically complicated time. But it certainly suits Vladimir Putin and his allies now to insinuate that Freelands credibility is tainted by her grandfathers past. Macleans columnist Scott Gilmore, who not incidentally is the husband of Canadian Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, titled his comment on the Freeland issue Russias coming attack on Canada: The smear job on Chrystia Freeland is only the start. Why Canada is a logical next target in Moscows desperate clandestine war.

Fellow liberal Michael Harris, writing for i Politics, declared, Russia is working to destabilize democracies. Canada is now in the crosshairs.

Canada and the ultra-right in Ukraine

Freeland and Canadas media are determined to suppress discussion of her grandfathers actions during World War II and downplay if not excuse his role as a Nazi collaborator, because they recognize how damaging it would be for Canadas ruling elite if working people began to examine the political-ideological character and pedigree of the forces, Ottawaunder Liberal and Conservative governments alikehas been collaborating with in Ukraine.

Working alongside the US, Germany and other European imperialist powers and as part of a strategic offensive aimed at harnessing Ukraine to the west and using it to further encircle and pressure Russia, Canada has worked closely with ultra-right and neo-fascist forces. These forces are the political and intellectual successors of the Ukrainian nationalist movement that collaborated with the Nazis and participated in the Holocaust during World War II.

Indeed many of them, including the current government in Kiev, celebrate the Nazi collaborator Stepan Bandera and his Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), which engaged in brutal round-ups and mass killings of Jews, Poles and other minorities during the Second World War. Others, like the Right Sector militia, not only hail Bandera, but publicly identify with and pattern themselves in the fascist tradition.

Canada actively supported, including by funneling money to so-called opposition groups, the US-orchestrated regime change operation in Ukraine that culminated in the February 2014 coup in Kiev, against elected pro-Russian President Victor Yanukovych. This coup was spearheaded by ultra-right forces like the Right Sector and Svoboda Party, who violently attacked security forces so as to scuttle a compromise agreement between protesters and Yanukovych.

Canadas media is well aware of the extreme right-wing forces in and around the Ukrainian government and the role that fascist militia have played as shock troops in the war against pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine. Occasionally, when these forces threaten to cut across the imperialist agenda in Ukraine, the Globe or another media outlet will write a worried article about how right-wing militia might topple the Kiev government.

Reports about Chomiak began emerging in the Canadian media the same day that Trudeaus Liberal government unveiled a plan to extend the Canadian armys training mission in Ukraine by a further two years. Since 2015, 200 Canadian troops have been stationed in the west of the country, providing military training to the Ukrainian Army and National Guard to, in Trudeaus words, liberate the Donbas region from pro-Russian separatists. This is only the most obvious sign of Canadas staunch support for the far right, virulently anti-Russian regime in Kiev. Ottawa has also negotiated a free trade agreement with Kiev and offered favourable loans to Kiev to enable it to avert bankruptcy and continue the war.

Canadas key role in the US-led anti-Russian offensive in Eastern Europe goes well beyond Ukraine. Canada was among the most vehement supporters of expanding NATO eastward to Russias borders during the 1990s and first decade of the current century in violation of the commitments given Moscow at the end of the Cold War.

Four hundred and fifty Canadian troops are due to deploy to Latvia in the coming months to assume command of one of four NATO forward-deployed battalions to be positioned in the Baltic states and Poland to encircle Russia. The governments in all four of these countries are ultra-nationalist and hostile to Russia, increasing the likelihood that a provocation or unintended clash could trigger an all-out conflict that would rapidly lead to war between the US and Russia, the worlds foremost nuclear powers.

Canadian imperialisms readiness to work with such reactionary, ultra-right forces is bound up with the increasingly aggressive, predatory policy it has pursued in alliance with Washington over the past quarter-century. From the bombardment of Yugoslavia in 1999 and the neocolonial occupation of Afghanistan to NATOs 2011 regime change war in Libya and the current war in Syria and Iraq, Canadian forces have helped US imperialism raze entire societies. In the process, Canada has joined the US in working with extreme-right wing political forces, frequently including Islamist militia groups. During NATOs war on Libya, Canadian airmen described themselves as al-Qaedas air force.

In league with Washington, Canadas government and military also collaborated with extreme right-wing forces to oust Haitis elected president Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 2004. As a force of ex-soldiers led by former leaders of the Tonton Macoutes approached Port-au-Prince, Canadian and US troops occupied key strategic locations in the capital and deposed Aristide. They remained in the country afterwards to train a new police force capable of maintaining a pro-US government in Port-au-Prince and suppressing opposition in the Western hemispheres poorest country.

Canadian imperialisms turn to militarism and use of far-right forces as proxies on the world stage has been accompanied by a rapid shift to the right in domestic politics. The Canadian ruling elite has slashed public services and social programs, while abolishing core democratic rights in the name of the war on terror, which has also served as a pretext for whipping up anti-Muslim bigotry. The Liberal governments determination to establish a close partnership with the Trump administration, the most right-wing in US history, underscores how far the stampede to the right has gone.

Canadas role as a post-war refuge for Ukrainian Nazi collaborators

As important as the contemporary political interests of Canadian imperialist foreign policy are, they do not fully account for the closing of ranks around Freeland in the wake of the Chomiak revelation.

Canada has long served as an ideological center for far-right, Ukrainian nationalism, a process that began following World War II.

As part of its reactionary Cold War anti-communist and anti-Soviet policy, and with Washingtons active encouragement, Ottawa opened its doors in the years following 1945 to large numbers of Nazi collaborators drawn from the ranks of Banderas OUN and the pro-Nazi forces that made up the 14th Grenadier Division of the Waffen SS, also known as the Galicia Division. Chomiak entered Canada as part of this wave of Nazi-collaborator immigrants.

The Canadian government and media systematically covered up and ignored the presence of thousands of these pro-fascist Ukrainian fighters in Canada (an estimate by the Simon Wiesenthal Center in the 1980s put the figure at 2,000), including in an official government-sponsored investigation into war criminals.

The political descendants of these hard-right forces continue to play a prominent role in Canadas policy towards Ukraine today. During his visit to the country last year, Trudeau was accompanied by representatives of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, whose leader is Paul Grod. In 2010, Grod proclaimed on the occasion of Remembrance Day that the Galicia Division were fighters for their ancestral Ukrainian homeland.

Trudeau was also joined by UCC members who were involved in the Army SOS group. This organization held private fundraising events with the backing of the Harper Conservative government to supply military equipment, including weaponry, to the volunteer battalions directly on the front line of the Ukrainian civil war. Many of these battalions are drawn from far-right political parties and openly espouse fascistic views.

That prominent media commentators are ready to excuse Chomiaks collaboration with the Nazis as understandable and even justified must be taken as a warning by working people of the erosion of any democratic sensibility within the ruling elite. Even the Toronto Star s resident social-democrat, Thomas Walkom, embraced the arguments of the right-wing in his piece, asserting, I dont judge Chomiak. War presents impossible choices. Presumably, he and his wife reckoned they would fare better under a Nazi dictatorship than a Soviet one.

Such arguments, which portray the Soviet Union as equally or even more menacing than the Hitler dictatorship, have invariably been linked to right-wing efforts to downplay the horrific crimes of the Nazis, whitewash the vile role of their collaborators in Ukraine and elsewhere, and provide legitimacy to the revival of militarism and fascism internationally, including such forces as Frances National Front and Pegida in Germany.
A 43-year-old West Virginia coal miner was killed last month after he slipped and fell while repairing a plate press. Jason Kenneth Matthews of Bluefield, West Virginia had 13 years in the mines and worked as a plant attendant at a coal preparation plant in McDowell County.

According to a preliminary report issued by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Matthews was fatally injured when he fell through a 27-inch opening of a plate press he was repairing on February 27, plunging more than 18 feet before landing on a moving refuse belt. The victim was found in a transfer chute approximately 55 feet down the belt from where he fell.

Matthews leaves behind a wife and two children, according to an obituary posted on the Dudley Memorial Mortuary web site.

The Bishop Preparation Plant and associated surface mine are operated by Chestnut Land Holdings, LLC and are owned by West Virginia Governor Jim Justices Southern Coal Corp. The billionaire Democrat is the states richest man with holdings in coal, agriculture, and tourism throughout the state.

In addition to MSHAs investigation of the accident, a state-level investigation is being conducted by the West Virginia Office of Miners Health, Safety and Training (OMHS&T), which ultimately answers to the West Virginia governor through his appointed commerce secretary, Woody Thrasher.

Justice took control of the Bishop surface mine in 2011 and ramped up production to more than 350,000 tons before shuttering the mine sometime in 2016, according to MSHA records. On November 4, on the eve of the election, it was one of four mines Justice announcedto great fanfarethat he would be reopening.

Matthews is the third coal miner killed this year in the US and the second in West Virginia. His death comes on the heels of 54-year-old coal truck driver Franklin L. Vannoy at Coronado Coals Elk Lick Tipple in Logan County, West Virginia, in early February. Vannoy jumped from a dump truck he was operating as it overturned on him; he died from his injuries seven days later at CMAC General Hospital in Charleston.

In late January, 42-year-old Kentucky coal miner Ray Hatfield, Jr was killed after becoming entangled in a moving belt near which he was shoveling at R&C Coal LLCs Mine No. 2 near Pikeville, Kentucky.

All three fatalities occurred at small operations, historically the most dangerous and exploitative. Vannoy was a contractor and one of just 13 employees at the Elk Lick Tipple while Hatfield was one of nine miners employed by R&C.

Matthews was one of only five workers employed at the Bishop Preparation Plant and one of only three miners working at the time of the accident, which left him working alone near dangerous operating equipment. It is unclear if Matthews died from the fall itself or how long he lay in the coal bin before being found.

As the World Socialist Web Site wrote following Justices inauguration, The election of Justice has many parallels with the victory of Republican Donald Trump in the presidential election. As in the national election, the super-rich are seizing control of the machinery of government in West Virginia directly, while seeking to divert the growing anger of workers toward the political establishment in an extremely right-wing direction.

Like Trump, Justice ran as a businessman and political outsider promising to bring back coal jobs decimated over recent years by the global economic crisis. However, the plans of both Trump and Justice to revive the coal industry consist of gutting occupational health and safety standards and eliminating environmental regulations.

In his inaugural address, Justice claimed to be friends with the Trump family and pledged after receiving a congratulatory phone call from Trump, I will work closely with the President-elect and his administration on clean coal technology, rolling back job-killing [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency] regulations on coal, and growing West Virginias other job opportunities.

Such a program has nothing to do with protecting coal-mining jobs, raising living standards, or addressing the deep poverty and growing social crisis throughout Appalachia. Rather it portends a vast escalation of the assault on the coal miners and the working class of the region. To the extent that the coal industry experiences any revival under such policies, it will be based upon the super-exploitation of coal miners and the reopening of small and dangerous mines.

For its part, the Republican-controlled state legislature has introduced legislation which would eliminate the mandated four quarterly state inspections of all coal mines and replace them with one compliance assistance visit; eliminate the ability of OMHS&T to issue citations and fines for health and safety violations and replace them with compliance assistance visit notices; and consolidate existing state mine safety boards.

Although the Bishop mine is a nonunion operation, Matthews death also exposes the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) which campaigned hard for the coal baron Justice. In one union campaign video, UMWA President Cecil Roberts tells viewers, Jim is one of the good coal operators. He pays a good wage and his safety record is excellent.

In reality, Justice has a long record of ignoring health and safety standards and environmental regulations at his mining operations. According to a National Public Radio (NPR) investigative report last October, Justices mining companies owe $15 million in six states, including property and minerals taxes, state coal severance and withholding taxes, and federal income, excise and unemployment taxes, as well as mine safety penalties, according to county, state and federal records.

Moreover, NPR found that these delinquent Justice-owned operations have worse-than-average safety records with injury rates that are twice the national average and violation rates more than four times the national rate.

In December, Justices Southern Coal finalized a $5.9 million settlement with the EPA over more than 23,000 outstanding violations of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) at its mining operations between 2009 and 2014 in West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama. The settlement included a penalty of only $900,000 with the remaining $5 million consisting of company upgrades to pollution discharge controls.

As the Charleston Gazette-Mail noted at the time, while CWA violations can bring civil penalties of up to $37,500 per day of violation, The $900,000 penalty being paid by Justices companies amounts to an average of less than $40 per violation, not taking into account the potential for some violations to stretch for more than one day.

After endorsing Barack Obama in 2008, the UMWA chose not to endorse any presidential candidate in either 2012 or 2016. As the 2008 economic crisis eventually caught up with the coal industry beginning in 2012, the union turned on the Obama administration, shifting politically to the right and promoting the narrative that the administration was waging a war on coal through its limited environmental regulations.

As scores of coal mines were shuttered, thousands of miners laid off, and dozens of coal companies used the bankruptcy courts to shred wages, pensions, health care, and working conditions, the union proved unwilling to mobilize its membership for any serious struggle.

In its nationalist and corporatist outlook, the union preoccupied itself with directing the anger of coal miners away from any challenge to the capitalist profit system whose crisis lay at the root of the assault on them. It has focused its energy over recent years on organizing anti-EPA rallies and joining hands with the most reactionary sections of the ruling class in seeking to roll back environmental regulations on the coal industry in a utopian effort to return it to profitability and competitiveness on the global market.

As the union proudly proclaims on its web site, The UMWA has led the fight against a series of regulations coming from Washington that threaten jobs in the coal industry and other industries that depend on coal  The UMWA was a participant in the lawsuit against the EPAs Clean Power Plan that resulted in a stay of that plan, and is one of only three unions that has filed a suit against the New Source Performance Standards rule, which if allowed to stand will have the effect of outlawing any new coal-fired power plant from ever being built in the United States.

This outlook has effectively aligned the UMWA with the economic nationalist program of the Trump administration and its moves to gut environmental regulations.

In a statement following the election, Roberts claimed that the people have spoken. Far from warning coal miners of the threat posed by the incoming Trump presidency, he promoted dangerous illusions in Trump and signaled the unions willingness to work with the new president. President-elect Trump has spoken many times about addressing the serious economic disaster that is affecting large areas of Appalachia and other coal-producing areas of our country by putting coal miners back to work, Roberts stated. No one is more interested in doing just exactly that than the UMWA.
The WSWS is publishing new translations of Leon Trotskys writings from February-March 1917. In many cases, these articles are now in English for the first time.

This article was published in the Russian-language New York newspaper Novy mir (New World) on March 17, 1917. It was published in Russian in Trotskys 1923 Voina i Revoliutsiia (War and Revolution), vol. 2, pp. 434-438. It appeared in English in Trotsky Speaks. Below is an original translation. (Translation: Fred Williams; Copyright: WSWS)

Let us take a closer look at what is happening.

Nikolai has been overthrown and, according to some sources, is even under guard. The most prominent Black Hundreds have been arrested, and some of the most hated ones have been killed. A new ministry has been assembled of Octobrists, liberals and the radical Kerensky. A general amnesty has been declared.

These are all striking facts, major facts. These are the facts that are most visible to the outside world. On the basis of these changes in the highest levels of the government, the European and American bourgeoisie is evaluating the meaning of events and declaring that the revolution has been victorious and has come to an end.

The Tsar and his Black Hundreds fought only to retain power. The war, the imperialist plans of the Russian bourgeoisie, the interests of the Alliesall this receded for them into the background. They were prepared at any moment to conclude a peace with Hohenzollern and Habsburg in order to free up their most reliable regiments and direct them against their own people.

The Progressive Bloc in the Duma did not trust the Tsar and his ministers. This bloc was made up of various parties of the Russian bourgeoisie. It had two goals: first, to continue the war to the end, until victory; second, internal reform in the country: more order, control, accountability. The Russian bourgeoisie needs victory to conquer markets, to obtain territory, to get rich. The Russian bourgeoisie needs reforms mainly to enable victory.

But the progressive-imperialist bloc wanted peaceful reforms. The liberals intended to put Duma pressure on the monarchy and to hold it in check with the cooperation of the British and French governments. They did not want a revolution. They knew that a revolution which would place the working class at the forefront signified a threat to their domination and most of all a threat to their imperialist plans. The laboring massesin the cities, in the villages and in the army itselfwant peace. The liberals know this. Therefore, they have always been enemies of the revolution. A few months ago Miliukov declared in the Duma: If a revolution were needed for victory, then I would be against victory.

But the liberals have now come to power thanks to the revolution. The bourgeois journalists see nothing but this fact. As the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miliukov has already declared that the revolution had been conducted in the name of conquering the foreign enemy and that the new government has taken upon itself the task of conducting the war to the very end. The New York ammunition exchange took stock of the Russian revolution in precisely this way: the liberals are in powerthat means more shells will be needed.

On the Stock Exchange there are many clever people, and there are clever ones, too, among the newspapermen. But they all reveal their complete stupidity as soon as it comes to mass movements. It seems to them that Miliukov is managing the revolution, just as they manage their banks or newspaper offices. They see only the liberal governmental reflection of unfolding events, foam on the surface of the historical flood.

The long-restrained discontent of the masses has burst onto the surface so late, in the thirty-second month of the war, not because the masses confronted a police dam that had been greatly weakened during the course of the war, but because all the liberal institutions and bodies, ending with their social-patriotic henchmen, applied enormous political pressure on the least conscious layers of the working class, trying to instill in them the need for patriotic discipline and order. At the last moment, when starving women went into the streets and workers prepared to support them with a general strike, the liberal bourgeoisie, according to recent telegrams, tried to hold back the development of events through appeals and exhortations, just as one of Dickens heroines wanted to hold back the rising tide of the sea with a broom.

But the movement grew from below, from the workers quarters. After hours and days of indecision, exchange of gunfire, and skirmishes, the troops joined the insurgents from below, starting with the best units of the army masses. The old regime proved to be exhausted, paralyzed, annihilated. The Black Hundred bureaucrats hid themselves, like cockroaches, in their corners.

Then came the Dumas turn. At the last minute, the tsar had tried to dissolve it. And it would have submissively disbanded, following the example of past years, if it had been given the chance to do so. But in the capitals, the revolutionary people already reigned, the very same people who, against the will of the liberal bourgeoisie, had gone out into the streets to fight. The army was with the people. And if the bourgeoisie had not attempted to organize its own regime, a revolutionary government would have emerged from the insurgent working class masses. The Duma of June Third never would have dared to seize power from the hands of tsarism. But it could not fail to use the interregnum that had been created: the monarchy had temporarily disappeared from the face of the earth, but a revolutionary regime had still not formed.

It is very likely, even doubtless, that the Rodziankos, even in this situation, would have tried to steal away. But the ever-watchful eyes of the British and French embassies were monitoring them. The Allies undoubtedly participated in creating the Provisional Government. Standing between a separate peace coming from Nikolai, and a revolutionary peace coming from the working masses, the Allied governments considered that the lone salvation lay in a transfer of power into the hands of the progressive-imperialist bloc. The Russian bourgeoisie is now financially very tightly dependent on London, and the advice of the British envoy sounded like a command for them. Despite all their previous history, despite their own policies, despite their own will, the liberal bourgeois found themselves in power.

Miliukov now speaks about continuing the war to the end. These words did not easily pass his lips: he knows that they must arouse the indignation of the popular masses against the new regime. But Miliukov was obliged to say these words for the London, for the Paris, and for  the American stock exchanges. It is highly likely that Miliukov telegraphed his bellicose declaration to foreign nations, while concealing it from his own country. For Miliukov knows very well that he will not be able, under the present conditions, to wage war, crush Germany, dismember Austria, and seize both Constantinople and Poland.

The masses have rebelled with demands for bread and peace. The appearance in power of a few liberals has neither fed the starving nor healed anyones wounds. In order to satisfy the most acute and the most unpostponable needs of the people, peace is required. But the liberal-imperialist bloc dares not even mention peace. First of all, because of the Allies. Secondly, because the Russian liberal bourgeoisie bears an enormous share of the responsibility for the war in the eyes of the people. The Miliukovs and Guchkovs, along with the Romanov camarilla, plunged the country into this horrific imperialist adventure. Stopping this miserable war, and returning to where they began, means that they must make an accounting to the people. The Miliukovs and Guchkovs fear the liquidation of the war no less than they feared the revolution.

This is how they are as they stand in power: They must conduct the war, yet they cannot count on victory; they fear the people, and the people do not trust them.

 From the very beginning ready to betray the people and compromise with the crowned representatives of the old society, for they themselves belong to the old society;  not at the helm of the revolution because the people stood behind them, but because the people pushed them forward;  without faith in themselves, without faith in the people, grumbling against those above, trembling before those below; selfish on both fronts, and conscious of their selfishness; revolutionary toward conservatives and conservative toward revolutionaries; not trusting their own slogans, using phrases instead of ideas; frightened by the world maelstrom and exploiting it at the same time, banal, for they are devoid of originality, original only in their banality,profiteering with their own desires; without initiative, without faith in themselves, without faith in the people, without a world historical mission,they are like a cursed old man who has been doomed to lead and abuse in his senile interests the first youthful movements of a powerful people,without eyes, without ears, without teeth, without everythingthat is how the Prussian bourgeoisie stood at the helm of the Prussian state after the March revolution (Karl Marx, The Bourgeoisie and the Revolution, [1848]).

These words of the great master contain a perfect portrait of the Russian liberal bourgeoisie as it stands before us at the helm of power after our March revolution. Without faith in itself, without faith in the people, without eyes, without teeththat is its political face.

Fortunately for Russia and Europe, the Russian revolution has another genuine face: telegrams announce that in opposition to the provisional Government there is a workers committee which has already raised a voice of protest against the liberal attempt to rob the revolution and betray the people to the monarchy.

If the revolution were to stop today, as liberalism demands, on the very next day the tsarist-aristocratic-bureaucratic reaction would gather its forces and drive the Guchkovs and Miliukovs from their insecure ministerial trenches, just as the Prussian counterrevolution in its day tossed out all the representatives of Prussian liberalism. But the Russian Revolution is not stopping. And in its further development, it will sweep away the bourgeois liberals who are blocking its path, just as it is now sweeping away the tsarist reaction.

Novy mir, 17 March 1917
The WSWS is publishing new translations of Leon Trotsky's writings from February-March 1917. In many cases, these articles are now in English for the first time.

This article was published in the Russian-language New York newspaper Novy mir (New World) on March 19 , 1917. It was published in Russian in Trotskys 1923 Voina i Revoliutsiia (War and Revolution), vol. 2, pp. 438-440. It appeared in English in Trotsky Speaks. Below is an original translation.

An open conflict between the forces of the revolution, headed by the urban proletariat, and the anti-revolutionary liberal bourgeoisie, temporarily in power, is absolutely inevitable. It is possible, of courseand this will be fervently done by the liberal bourgeois and the quasi-socialists of the narrow-minded typeto gather many pathetic words about the great advantage of national unity over class divisions. But no one has ever yet managed to remove social contradictions with such incantations, or to stop the natural development of revolutionary struggle.

We know of the inner history of the unfolding events only through fragments and hints that have slipped out in official telegrams. Nevertheless, one can even now note two points where the revolutionary proletariat and the liberal bourgeoisie will increasingly come into opposition to one another.

The question of the form of state has already provoked the first conflict. Russian liberalism needs a monarchy. In all countries carrying out imperialist policies, we see the extraordinary growth of personal power. The British king, the French president, and more recently the president of the United States have concentrated in their hands an enormous share of state power. The politics of worldwide seizures, secret treaties, and open betrayals demands independence from parliamentary control and guarantees against changes in course which would be prompted by the frequent replacement of ministers. On the other hand, the monarchy is creating the most reliable support for the propertied classes in the struggle against the revolutionary moods of the proletariat.

In Russia, both of these causes act with greater force than anywhere else. The Russian bourgeoisie does not feel that it is possible to refuse the people universal suffrage, understanding that such a refusal would immediately arouse the widest layers of the masses against the Provisional Government and would rapidly give prevalence in the revolutionary movement to the new, most decisive wing of the proletariat. Even the monarch in reserve, Mikhail Aleksandrovich, understands that it would be impossible to approach the throne in any other way than universal, equal, direct and secret electoral rights. It is all the more important for the bourgeoisie to create in good time a monarchist counter-weight to the profound social and revolutionary demands of the toiling masses. Formally, in words, the bourgeoisie agrees to leave the resolution of this question to the future Constituent Assembly. But essentially, the Octobrist-Cadet Provisional Government[1] and the Octobrist-Cadet ministry supplementing it will transform all the preparatory work of convening a Constituent Assembly into a struggle for the monarchy against a republic. The resolution of the Constituent Assembly will to a large extent depend on who convenes it, and how. Consequently, even now, immediately, the revolutionary proletariat will have to set up its own revolutionary bodies, the Councils (Soviets) of Workers, Soldiers, and Peasants Deputies in opposition to the executive bodies of the Provisional Government. In this struggle, the proletariat must have as its direct goal the conquest of power, by uniting around itself the insurgent popular masses. Only a revolutionary workers government will possess the will and ability during the preparation of a Constituent Assembly to carry out a radical democratic cleansing in the country, to reconstruct the army from top to bottom, to turn it into a revolutionary militia, and to prove in deed to the peasant lower masses that their salvation lies only in supporting the revolutionary workers regime. A Constituent Assembly convened on the basis of this kind of preparatory work will truly reflect the revolutionary, creative forces in the land and will itself become a mighty weapon in the revolutions further development.

The second question, which must irreconcilably place the internationalist-socialist proletariat in opposition to the liberal-imperialist bourgeoisie, is the attitude toward war and peace.

Novy mir, 19 March 1917.

[1] This refers to the Duma Committee, headed by Rodzianko, and to the government of Guchkov-Miliukov; each name is based on the first, extremely confused American telegrams from Petrograd.
Directed by George Mendeluk; screenplay by Mendeluk and Richard Bachynsky Hoover

The Canadian-produced historical drama Bitter Harvest premiered February 24 in the United States, primarily showing in art theaters and in areas of the country with a large Ukrainian population.

The film, through the relationship of its main characters, Yuri (Max Irons) and Natalka (Samantha Barks), purports to tell the story of the Stalinist-produced famine that swept parts of the Soviet Union in 1932-1933. However, in addition to being highly cliched and cartoonishly melodramatic, George Mendeluks films is rife with anti-Russian and anti-Communist propaganda and distortions in line with the needs of Ukrainian nationalism.

Bitter Harvest is another attempt to equate the Holodomor [death by hunger] in Ukraine with the Holocaust, and thus is in line with the historical falsification that identifies the adventurist-bureaucratic crimes of the Stalin regime with the genocidal massacre of the Jews by the Nazis.

The film opens with a wildly idealized view of life in Ukraine prior to the October Revolution. Yuris neighbors are shown plowing fertile fields of wheat in crisp white traditional Ukrainian outfits, riding horses, singing and attending the local church. Yuri, who narrates the film, starts things off with a short history of Ukraine while we watch him frolic and swim with his childhood friend and later romantic interest, Natalka. Tsarist oppression is briefly mentioned, but otherwise life is good.

This all changes when Yuris grandfather (Terence Stamp) announces, Theyve killed the Tsar. Now Ukraine can be free!

Yuri pronounces the years from 1917 to 1921 the glorious years of independence. In fact, during the existence of the Ukrainian Peoples Republic in the period Yuri refers to, Ukraine underwent disastrous events that took the lives of more than 1.5 million people during fighting between Whites, the Red Army and the anarchist Revolutionary Insurrectionary Army of Ukraine of Nestor Makhno. The right-wing nationalist Petlyura regime, which governed Ukraine for part of this time, was also directly involved in anti-Semitic pogroms that killed an estimated 35,000 to 50,000 Jews. This history is omitted from Bitter Harvest .

Mendeluks film then moves to Moscow, painted in gray, drab tones throughout. Stalin (Gary Oliver) discusses collectivization and the Ukrainian situation with Politburo member and former chief of the Communist Party of Ukraine, Lazar Kaganovich (Paul Hickey), and another Stalinist official. The latter warns against forced collectivization. Stalin snaps at him that Lenin had also planned to crush Ukraine and enforce collectivization, but was too weak.

The Red Army unit in charge of enforcing collectivization in Yuris village is led by a Soviet Commissar named Sergei (Tamer Hassan), a sadistic, one-dimensional villain out of a comic book.

Yuri later leaves for Kiev to fulfill his dream of becoming an artist, while his now-wife Natalka stays behind in the village. Yuris other childhood friend, Mykola (Aneurin Barnard), drawn to the October Revolution and the promise of a brighter future, has already left for the same city to join in building a socialist Ukraine.

As the famine escalates in Kiev and the rest of the country, Stalin cracks down on Ukrainian culture and any independent thought within the Ukrainian Communist Party. The end of the policy of Korenizatsiya [indigenization], or the promotion of the national cultures and languages of the different Soviet ethnicities, is not explained. Instead, it is presented as the logical result of Russian chauvinism.

Yuri later goes to prison after killing a Red Army soldier. He eventually escapes and makes his way back to the village and his beloved Natalka. Along the way, he observes the horrific results of the famine and meets up with a group of anti-Soviet Ukrainian partisans and orphaned children. Bitter Harvest is primarily a cat-and-mouse game from this point forward between Yuri and the evil Sergei.

The anti-Russian chauvinist slant in Mendeluks work is not subtle. The trailer bills Bitter Harvest as telling the untold true story of Russias darkest secret. It does not explain how events that took place over 80 years ago in a country that no longer exists could be modern-day Russias darkest secret.

Other than Yuris friend Mykola, all the Red Army soldiers and supporters of the Soviet government are Russian. This is all part of the deliberate attempt by the filmmakers to conflate the Russian language, culture and ethnicity with totalitarian Stalinism.

Bitter Harvest concludes with a title informing the audience that 7-10 million people died in the famine between 1932 and 1933. These are the inflated figures promulgated by Ukrainian nationalists obsessed with pinning the genocide label on modern-day Russia.

In such mass crimes and suffering, exact numbers are difficult for historians to produce, but objective historians generally come to the conclusion that around 3 to 3.5 million people died in Ukraine during the famine. Furthermore, despite what the filmmakers would have one believe, not all of those who died in Ukraine were ethnic Ukrainians, as the country has been home to a large number of Russians, Jews, Tartars, Greeks and many other ethnicities for centuries.

Luhansk Oblast, today the site of the ongoing civil war, is the easternmost region in Ukraine. Long home to a large Russian population, the area lost over 25 percent of its population during the Soviet Famine.

The fact that the famine affected other parts of the USSR, such as Kazakhstan, where over a million people died, is only referred to once, by a former Red Army soldier.

In The Years of Hunger: Soviet Agriculture, 193133 (2004), R.W. Davies and S.G Wheatcroft estimate that 5.5 to 6.5 million died in the entire Soviet Unionnot just Ukrainebetween 1931 and 1933.

The argument that the famine was an act of deliberate genocide by Russia against the Ukrainian people is supported only by nationalist forces and the imperialist powers, including the US and Canada, which support their reactionary cause.

It is no accident that this fantastical historical drama should conclude by indicting modern-day Russia. Nor is it accidental that this preposterous film has been greeted with enthusiasm by the right-wing National Review and the liberal Huffington Post. Bitter Harvest takes its place in the frenzied campaign of sections of the American ruling elite against all things Russian, on the same weekend that marks the third anniversary of Russian annexation of Crimea no less.

While watching the film one is reminded of the work of historian Timothy Snyder, whose writing on Ukraine and Eastern Europe has been embraced by the American establishment. David North has previously stated regarding Snyder, In the writings of Timothy Snyder we are confronted with an intellectually unhealthy and dangerous tendency: the obliteration of the distinction between the writing of history and the manufacturing of propaganda in the service of the state.

The origins of Bitter Harvest as Russophobic and anti-Communist propaganda can be quite easily traced to the outlook and social position of the filmmakers, who are upper middle class members of the Ukrainian-Canadian community and travel in right-wing Ukrainian nationalist circles.

For decades, far-right elements within Ukrainian immigrant communities in both Canada and the US have peddled the myth that the Soviet Famine of 1932-1933 was a result of a Russian conspiracy against the Ukrainian people. In doing so they have become useful puppets of both Washington and Ottawa.

The films screenwriter Richard Bachynsky Hoover, in an interview with Focus, a Ukrainian Russian-language weekly news magazine, admitted that he considers Ukrainian nationalist war criminal Stepan Bandera a Hero of Ukraine and became personal friends with Banderas grandson during the Orange Revolution in 2004. Hoover claims the idea for Bitter Harvest first came to him while meeting with Banderas grandson, now a journalist in Kiev, in order to help Ukraine and popularize the story of the Holodomor.

Director Mendeluk was born to Ukrainian parents in Germany, who later emigrated to Canada. His previous efforts include several made-for-television movies, numerous episodes of television series and the teenage comedy Meatballs III: Summer Job (1986). The second-rate filmmaker was only able to make the $20 million dollar Bitter Harvest thanks to the support of wealthy Ukrainian-Canadians like Ian Ihnatowycz, president and CEO of a private investment holding company, and a zealous anti-communist.

New light has been shed on the contemptible background of this milieu. It was recently revealed that the grandfather of Canadas vehemently anti-Russian foreign minister, Chrystia Freeland, was a Ukrainian Nazi collaborator who ran a scurrilously anti-Semitic newspaper and celebrated the massacre of Jews at Babi Yar in 1941.

Both Freeland and Ihnatowycz attended the Toronto premiere of Bitter Harvest and posed for photos together. In December 2016, the pair took part in a commemoration by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress of the 83rd anniversary of the famine.

Mendeluks film should be avoided by viewers who are looking for objective information on the Soviet Famine and who do not want to be subjected to an inept piece of right-wing nationalist propaganda.
About 1,600 Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Administrators received layoff notices last Wednesday, the 15th of March. The layoffs would go into effect immediately prior to the 2017-2018 academic year and are limited to contracted and non-school based administrators.

The layoffs may not possibly be implemented depending on the finalization of state and city budgets this coming June. The district had announced 1,700 administrator layoffs at the same time last year, which were rescinded after state revenues were found to be better than expected at the start of the current fiscal year.

Regardless of the immediate fate of the school administrators, however, the ground is being fully prepared for the wholesale privatization of public schools in the nations second largest school district. The district serves 731,641, with 107,142 of those currently in independent private charter schools nominally part of the district but outside of most district regulations. The cutting of more than half of district administrative staff is meant to sharply accelerate that trend.

The announcement also arrives on the heels of President Trumps announcement to reduce the US Department of Educations budget by $9 billion while increasing funding for pro-charter and private school choice programs by $1.4 billion.

Under Trumps plan, Californias $113 million share of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program supporting before and after school programs will be entirely eliminated.

Other financial aid programs that California and Los Angeles college students depend on will be drastically cut as well, including the federal work-study program for college students and the Federal Supplementary Educational Opportunity Grant program. The latter program, offering a grant of $100 to $4000 in tuition assistance per year to extremely impoverished students, will be eliminated entirely. California receives $82 million from the program and the grants themselves normally do not have to be paid back by recipients except for a few exceptional cases.

Trumps budget has been embraced by his anti-public-school Education Secretary, Amway heiress Betsy DeVos. Endorsing the presidents reactionary conclusions about the ineffective character of the programs up for funding cuts, DeVos stated, Taxpayers deserve to know their dollars are being spent efficiently and effectively.

The attack on public education generally and LAUSD specifically is of course not the result of the Trump administration alone. In fact, the immediate trigger for the layoff announcement is the announcement by the California Department of Education under Democratic Governor Jerry Brown as to the unacceptability of the districts Local Control Accountability Plan or LCAP.

The LCAP mandates that local districts develop plans to meet testing provisions and other academic goals including compliance with the Obama administrations Common Core program. This mandates that state standards for math and science proficiency be written into curricula at the expense of arts and the humanities in order for these districts to be eligible for additional funding under the states Local Control Funding Formula.

The funding formula provides additional funding to schools with a majority of impoverished and ethnic minority students under the guise of educational equity. These schools, with an influx of funding under the formula, become eligible for takeover by private charter organizations should they fail to meet their LCAP goals.

One mechanism that has been utilized in the past is the so-called Parent Trigger, initiated under the Brown administration. This allows an underperforming school to be transferred to charter ownership if certain academic goals are not met. Use of such reactionary measures, created under Brown and Obama, will certainly be accelerated under Trump and Devos.

Job cuts and cuts generally have been accepted as inevitable by the LAUSD board. Board president Steve Zimmer all but announced this in a statement released after the layoff notice on Wednesday.

It is always painful to issue notices of potential changes in positions to our LA Unified family. Our hope is that this student achievement-centered approach will better align support closer to the classroom--both accelerating academic outcomes and minimizing ultimate job loss, he said. In other words, it is up to students and teachers to raise test scores with virtually no administrative support in the hopes of grabbing ever dwindling levels of school funding.

The Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, the union that represents the 1,600 administrators, is doing little to defend against the layoff measure, limiting itself to highlighting the emotional effects that the layoffs will have on workers.

The United Teachers of Los Angeles, representing 35,000 teachers and staff, has proven its political bankruptcy once again, not releasing a single word in support of the endangered administrators. This is largely due to that unions ongoing campaign to shield the Democratic Party from blame for the attack on teachers. During every contract negotiation, the UTLA claims that the district has enough money to meet teachers' demands but is prevented from doing so by its bloated bureaucracy. The reactionary essence of this position is now fully revealed in the administrator layoffs.

This once again highlights the fact that the capitalist system, whether at the national, state or local level, has no answer to the crisis of public education except for further attacks and greater privatization. What is needed is a movement of the working class and student youth to end the attacks on the basis of an international struggle for socialism, the only means by which public, high quality education for all can be realized.
As part of a month-long tour of Asia, the Saudi monarch, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, was due to visit the small Indian Ocean archipelago of Maldives this weekend, accompanied by an entourage of more than 1,000, including 25 princes and 10 ministers.

In this first-ever visit by a Saudi King, Riyadh was to announce investments of $US10 billion, three times the Maldives gross domestic product (GDP), underscoring the importance Riyadh places on its ties with Maldives.

The trip was cancelled yesterday on the pretext of an outbreak of influenza. The decision, however, reflects deep divisions in the ruling elite in the Maldives and mounting geo-political tensions in the region.

Sharp differences emerged over the Saudi investment, mainly between President Abdulla Yameen and the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) led by former President Mohammed Nasheed. The tensions relate to geo-political rivalry between the US and India on one side and China on the other. Maldives is strategically located southwest of India, near important sea lanes from Middle East and Africa to Asia and Australia.

According to unconfirmed reports, the Saudi government plans to buy one of Maldives atolls, Faafua collection of 19 low-lying islands, 120 kilometres south of the capital Male and home to 4,000 people. Since a constitutional amendment in July 2015, foreigners can buy Maldivian land, rather than lease it for up to 99 years, if the investment is at least $1 billion. Yameen has denied selling an entire atoll to the Saudis, but no details of the negotiations have been released.

With US imports of oil from Saudi Arabia declining by 40 percent during past 15 years, Riyadh is keen to boost its sales of oil and gas to China and other East Asian countries, and increase the security of the trade route. Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan and China were also part of the kings Asian tour.

To placate Riyadh, Male severed ties with Iran last May and joined the Saudi-led Islamic military alliance. Riyadh plans to develop a Special Economic Zone in Faffu, to help reduce its dependence on oil revenues. The projects reportedly include a sea port, airports, state-of-the-art facilities, sophisticated medical infrastructure, educational institutions and tourism-related centres to attract thousands of tourists from the Gulf States.

With these investments, Yameen is trying to strengthen his hand against his political rivals, including Nasheed and Yameens half-brother and long-time Maldives ruler Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Though they were bitter enemies a few years back, Gayoom and Nasheed joined hands last September against Yameen.

Nasheed, working as a stooge of the US and other Western powers and also India, criticised the Faafu deal, saying it was disturbing. Saudi Arabia wanted a base in the Maldives, he said, to safeguard its trade routes and locate strategic installations.

Having been ousted in 2012, Nasheed is trying to return to power by overthrowing Yameen with the support of the US, UK and India. The US and its allies are hostile to Yameen because of his close ties to China, not his anti-democratic record.

In 2015, Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in jail for arresting a criminal court judge while in office. He was released in January last year under pressure from the US and Britain. After travelling to London, supposedly for medical treatment, Nasheed launched a campaign against Yameen, mainly denouncing his links to China.

Still in exile, Nasheed plans to contest the 2018 presidential elections. In an interview with the Times of India on February 19, he said: We believe that India has a moral obligation to facilitate inclusive, free and fair elections in the Maldives.

Though New Delhi is concerned about the increased Chinese presence in the region, it is moving cautiously, worried that more pressure may push Male closer to Beijing. On a visit to Maldives on February 22, Indian Minister of State M. J. Akbar voiced his appreciation for the Yameen governments India First policy.

Sections of the Indian capitalist class are concerned that Saudi Arabias relations with Maldives will cut across its interests. A report by Fristpost.com analyst Shantanu Mukharji on March 6 noted: Saudi-Maldives collaboration leads to suspicion that Islamic forces may see a visible reinforcement or there may be a renewed radicalisation within the Maldives.

Published by the industrial conglomerate Indian Reliance Industries, Fristpost proposed: Perhaps a time has come for Maldives to accept one who can oversee the issues and whose advice comes handy to address matters of security, as in Mauritius, which has an Indian national security advisor with an intelligence background. Mukharji added: Nasheed is the only pro-India leader who can scuttle such deals and keep Indian interests paramount, but chances of his coming back to the political arena look remote.

Relations between India and Maldives were strained when in 2012 Male cancelled a $271 million contract granted to Indian company GMR group to develop and operate the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, saying it compromised national security and sovereignty. The contract was granted by Nasheeds government in 2010 for 25 years, extendable for another 10 years.

India first tried to work with Yameen and signed a military pact, Action Plan for Defence Cooperation last April. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi then boasted about Indias role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean region, but New Delhis attempt to bring Maldives into its orbit failed.

While trying to maintain diplomatic ties with the US and India, Yameens government is more oriented toward Beijing, and depends heavily on Chinese investment and concessionary loans. Chinese firms leased the Feydhoo Finolhu Island for 50 years for $4 million to develop a tourist resort, close to Male, with plans to increase annual tourist numbers to 1.5 million.

Chinese Exim Bank granted a $373 million loan to develop Male airport in 2015 and build a bridge between Male and the Hulhule islands, to be completed in 2018. The $210 million project is being constructed by Chinese CCCC Second Harbor Engineering Company, despite protests that it could destroy waves in this popular surfing area.

Chinese ambassador Wang Fukang told a New Year news conference in Male: Maldives is an important partner in the Maritime Silk Route project. He added: Maldives supports the One-China policy and Chinese policies regarding the South China Sea.

Beijing sees Maldives as part of its String of Pearls strategy that, together with the land-based Silk Road Economic Belt, seeks to link the Eurasian landmass, as well as Africa, both by land and sea, to counter the US strategic offensive against China.

The principal US Indian Ocean base, Diego Garcia, lies 1,000 kilometres south of Male, making Beijings growing influence a serious concern in Washington. With these tensions aggravated by President Donald Trumps belligerent America First program, the region has entered into an explosive situation.
By Press Trust of India: London, Mar 18 (PTI) An 11-year-old girl is set to become Britains youngest mother with police investigating circumstances of her pregnancy, media reports said.

It is believed that the father of the baby is also a minor and that, he could be a few years older than the mother-to-be, The Guardian reported.

Police have launched a probe in the case as the pregnant girl is due to become the UKs youngest mother, it said.

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Details of the girls pregnancy have been withheld due to legal restrictions.

The local authority is reportedly seeking strict reporting restraints in the high court, the report said.

A 12-year-old girl is currently the UKs youngest mother. She gave birth to a baby girl in 2014 when the father of the baby was 13; the lowest combined age of any British parents.

The number of teenagers giving birth has reached its lowest level in almost 70 years, official figures show.

According to the Office for National Statistics, 25,977 women aged 19 and under had babies in England and Wales in 2016 ? about the same levels last recorded in 1946 when 24,816 children were born.

While teenage pregnancy has dropped, official figures reveal that the average age of mothers giving birth last year had risen to its highest at 30.2 years. PTI CPS

--- ENDS ---
Thirteen Maruti Suzuki autoworkers were sentenced to life in prison by an Indian court on Saturday. Four others have been given five-year prison terms, and 14 more sentenced to three-year jail terms.

The workers are victims of a monstrous frame-up mounted by the automaker, the police and judicial authorities, with the full complicity of Indias principal political partiesthe Congress Party and the Hindu supremacist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The 13 workers condemned to life in prison include the entire leadership of the Maruti Suzuki Workers Union (MSWU). The MSWU was established by workers at Maruti Suzukis Manesar, Haryana car assembly plant in opposition to a stooge union that had connived with the company in their brutal exploitation.

The workers have been framed for a 2012 company-provoked altercation and fire that resulted in the death of a company human resources manager.

The victim Awanish Kumar Dev was beaten brutally and he could not escape from the fire because of the injuries inflicted by the accused, claimed prosecutor Lal Singh at a sentencing hearing Friday, at which the prosecution demanded capital punishment for the 13.

Justice R.P. Goyal did not condemn the 13 workers to executiona penalty the prosecution itself said should be reserved for the rarest of the rare cases. But a life sentence in an Indian prison, where living conditions are deplorable and prisoners are routinely beaten and otherwise abused, is tantamount to a slow death.

Many of the workers were previously subjected to torture, including severe leg stretching, electric shocks and water immersion, carried out in an attempt to extract forced confessions.

All 31 workers are the victims of what an MSWU press release has aptly described as class justice.

The Indian state and political establishment were determined to impose savage punishments on the Maruti Suzuki workers to intimidate workers in the Gurgaon-Manesar industrial belt and across India and reassure investors that the Indian elite will ruthlessly enforce sweatshop conditions.

In 2011, the Manesar assembly plant emerged as a centre of militant opposition to low wages, a brutal work regimen and the widespread use of contract and temporary labourconditions that prevail throughout Indias new, globally connected industrial sector.

In defiance of the government-recognized stooge union and against the counsel of the traditional labour federations, the Manesar assembly plant workers mounted a series of walkouts and sit-down strikes in the summer of 2011. Their determined stand galvanized support from workers across the Gurgaon-Manesar industrial belt, a huge auto-making and manufacturing centre located in Haryana state, on the outskirts of Delhi, Indias capital and largest city.

Little more than a year after the first strike mounted by the MSWUs short-lived predecessor, the MSEU, Maruti Suzuki and the state combined forces and used the July 18, 2012 altercation and fire to launch a vendetta against the most militant workers. While police arrested MSWU leaders and other militants on the basis of company-supplied lists of suspects, Maruti Suzuki management, with the explicit backing of the Congress Party-led Haryana state government, purged its workforce. Prior to reopening the plant, which was partially destroyed by the fire, the Japanese-owned automaker dismissed and replaced more than 2,300 permanent and contract workers.

On March 10, more than four-and-a-half years after their arrest, a Gurgaon District court pinned criminal responsibility for the July 18 events on the 31 workers. All 12 members of the MSWU executive and the worker whose abuse by a Maruti Suzuki labour contractor triggered the altercation on the plant floor were found guilty of culpable homicide (murder), attempted murder and other offences. The 18 others were convicted on multiple charges, including intentionally causing hurt, rioting and destroying property.

In reaching these verdicts, the court had to wilfully ignore its own finding that there had been collusion between the police and Maruti Suzuki management and fabrication of evidence.

So transparent was the frame-up, the court had to exonerate 117 other workers in its March 10 judgement, declaring all the charges against them without foundation.

Prosecution witnesses repeatedly failed to identify those against whom they had given evidence.

Moreover, defence lawyers showed that 89 of the workers had been arrested on the basis of names provided police in alphabetically organized allotments by four Maruti Suzuki contractors and ostensible eye-witnesses to the July 18, 2011 events. Thus, all the rioting workers that one witness reputedly saw had names with a first letter from A to G. Another only saw rioters with names in the G-P range, and so on.

There were another 11 workers against whom there were no witnesses whatsoever.

The 117 exonerated workers spent years in jail, because the prosecution, in flagrant contradiction to standard Indian practice, vehemently opposed their bail applications. Up to their acquittal earlier this month, the prosecution continued to insist that they were all guilty of grave crimes.

The evidence against the 31, including the 13 now condemned to life imprisonment, is not of a qualitatively different calibre. It too is full of inconsistencies, holes and obvious fabrications.

But from the start, what has motivated the company-state vendetta against the Maruti Suzuki workers is base class interests. With the prosecution case in tatters, the court acquitted some of the workers in the hope that it would thereby be able to enhance the legitimacy of, and move forward with, the frame-up against the MSWU leadership.

The pivot of the states case is the fire. But the prosecution was not able to provide any direct evidence linking any worker, let alone any of the 13 convicted of murder, to the lighting of the fire. They have never conclusively established where the fire began or how it was lit. Hours after the initial search of the fire site, investigators claimed they had found a match box that was mysteriously unscathed by the flames that had consumed all around it. This match box, in any event, has never been tied to any worker.

Underscoring the unstinting support of the political establishment for Maruti Suzuki, Indias largest automaker, the frame-up of the Manesar Maruti Suzuki workers was begun under Congress Party-led Indian and Haryana state governments, and has seamlessly continued under the BJP-led governments that later replaced them.

There is broad support and sympathy for the victimized and persecuted Maruti Suzuki workers in the Gurgaon-Manesar industrial belt. On Saturday, just hours after Judge Goyal delivered his punitive sentences, workers in four major Manesar factories, including Maruti Suzukis Powertrain plant and a Suzuki Motorcycle plant, staged a one-hour tool-down strike.

Fearing mass worker protests against the frame-up, the Gurgaon District authorities have invoked Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code, illegalizing all gatherings of five or more persons until next Saturday, March 25.

On Thursday, during a brief period when Section 144 was not in effect, up to a 100,000 workers in the Manesar-Gurgaon industrial belt boycotted lunch and dinner at over 50 plants in a show of solidarity.

While the Indian state and political establishment have stood four-square behind Maruti Suzuki and the frame-up of the militant Manesar workers, the union federations have systematically isolated the Maruti Suzuki workers.

The Stalinist-led All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) have maintained, for the past four-and-a-half years, a criminal near-silence about the state-company vendetta. They have urged the MSWU and the victimized workers to expend their energies appealing to the big business politicians and courts for justice, and have vehemently opposed a strategy for their defence based on the mobilization of the industrial strength and independent political power of the working class.

The frame-up of the Maruti Suzuki workers exemplifies the worldwide assault on autoworkers and the working class as a whole. With the support of the big business politicians and the state, the transnational auto companies are imposing sweatshop conditions, and not just in their newly opened plants in India and Mexico, but also in the traditional auto centres of North America and Europe.

Workers across India and around the world should come to the defence of the framed-up Maruti Suzuki workers, to force their immediate release, the vacating of all guilty verdicts and the reinstatement of all the workers purged in 2012.

The building of an international defence campaign can be a powerful step in developing a united global struggle of autoworkers against the transnationals to secure the jobs and basic rights of all workers.
Leading European politicians welcomed the election results in the Netherlands as the end of the series of successes by right-wing, nationalist movements that began with the Brexit vote in the UK and continued with the election of Donald Trump as US president.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker described the result as an inspiration. German Chancellor Angela Merkel called it very pro-European, and French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron said the feared victories of the right wing could be stopped.

Others emphasized how important it was to sharply oppose right-wing populists. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) leader in the German parliament, Thomas Oppermann, said, Rudeness needs to be answered with more rudeness. We must directly confront demagogues like [Geert] Wilders. Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) leader Horst Seehofer said it was worth something when a head of government took a stand against incitement and right-wing extremism.

In reality, the rise of nationalism and xenophobia has not been halted in the Netherlands. It is only developing through a different form. Instead of primarily proceeding through right-wing populist parties, it is now developing within the establishment partiesboth those on the right as well as those nominally on the left.

The neoliberal Peoples Party of Freedom and Democracy (VVD) of Prime Minister Mark Rutte has defeated the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) of Wilders by adopting its xenophobic programme. Britains Guardian wrote of a pyrrhic victory: Rather than challenge racists, Rutte has boosted their confidence, pouring arsenic into the water supply of Dutch politics.

Other Dutch parties have similarly moved far to the right. For example, the conservative Christian Democrats (CDA) conducted their election campaign with the demand that the school day start with the singing of the national anthem while standing. In the election, the CDA finished in third place, just behind Wilders PVV. It is expected to join the next government.

The ex-Maoists of the Socialist Party also supported these nationalist and xenophobic sentiments.

Even the right-wing British tabloid the Daily Mail remarked, If this stuff had been peddled by Mr. Trump, there would have been howls of liberal anguish from the usual quarters. But it is now part of mainstream Dutch discourse.

It is above all this shift to the right that, besides Ruttes support for the European Union, is being met with enthusiasm and support in other European countries.

In Germany, the Suddeutsche Zeitung cited Ruttes deliberately provoked conflict with the Turkish government as proof that liberal European democracies cannot be straitjacketed by autocrats. Rutte had shown himself to be a statesman who sets limits on Erdogan.

It is undeniable that Ruttes provocation against the Turkish government was an attempt to stir up nationalist sentiments and to overtake Wilders from the right just three days before the election. He denied entry to the Turkish foreign minister and had the Turkish family minister forcibly escorted to the border to prevent her speaking to an audience of fellow Turks about the constitutional referendum in Turkey.

This deliberate provocation was greeted with enthusiasm throughout Europe, also by Greens and supposedly left-wing politicians. For example, the former German Green Party Chairman Claudia Roth spoke in favour of banning Turkish politicians: Now it is important that we clearly define the rule of law.

Left Party parliamentary group chair Sahra Wagenknecht called on the German government to finally show its true colours. Merkel and Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel had the ability to stop Erdogans propaganda tour, she said, just like the governments of Austria and the Netherlands have done for their countries.

Many observers have now concluded that after the election in the Netherlands, Marine Le Pen still has a good chance of becoming French president, as Spiegel Online writes. Her Front National [FN] is anchored much more deeply in many social layers in France, is politically friendlier and more capable of winning a majority than the one-man party of the shrill Wilders in the Netherlands.

Large banks and fund managers have apparently also drawn similar conclusions, since they assess politics according to their future profit prospects. Yesterday, the Financial Times reported that global financiers line up to engage with Le Pen.

Analysts from UBS, BlackRock and Barclays, among others, have met with representatives of the FN to discuss its economic plans. The same applies to representatives of several dozen governments, including the US, Argentina, Sweden and Denmark. The chief strategist of the FN, Florian Philippot, has spoken recently with diplomats from five European and three Asian countries.

Wilders and other right-wing demagogues are only a symptom, not the cause of the turn to the right by bourgeois politics. The cause lies in the deep crisis of the capitalist system. Decades of welfare cuts and the enrichment of a tiny minority at the expense of the majority, along with increasing global conflicts, have generated economic and social tensions that cannot be overcome by democratic methods.

This finds its sharpest expression in the collapse of parties that had earlier preached social conciliation and then organized massive social cuts. The Dutch Social Democratic Labour Party (PvdA), the former coalition partner of Ruttes VVD, saw its vote collapse. It lost 29 of its 38 seats, and now only has just 9 deputies in the new parliament.

Those that have benefited from this collapse and the losses of Ruttes VVD (-8 seats) include the Christian Democratic CDA (+6) and the liberal D66 (+7), as well as a number of smaller parties. Wilders PVV was also able to increase its seat total from 15 to 20.

With the exception of the ultranationalist Forum for Democracy (2 seats), the smaller parties all advanced social demands or opposed xenophobia. For example, the immigrant party Denk (in Dutch: Think!, in Turkish: Equality) won three seats, the Pensioners Party 50+ won two seats, and the animal rights party PvdD three seats.

The Greens (Green-Left) increased the number of its deputies from 4 to 10. Under its 30-year-old leader Jesse Klaver, who has Moroccan and Indonesian roots and is compared alternately with the US Senator Bernie Sanders and Canadian Premier Justin Trudeau, the Greens have sought to present a more cosmopolitan appearance.

But none of these parties has an answer to the social crisis. They all support the capitalist system and seek to prevent an independent socialist movement of the working class. The Greens might even become part of the next government, in order to lend a more youthful face to the right-wing policies of the old parties.
At least 30 Canadian nurses working at US hospitals in the state of Michigan were told last week that they could not enter the country because of changes to immigration policies under the Trump administration.

According to a CBC report, Canadian nurses employed at Detroits Henry Ford Hospital were not able to renew their working visas. Immigration officials told one Canadian nurse new hire that advance practice nurses and nurse anesthetists no longer qualify for working visas because of the changes. All Canadian nurses employed in the US have non-immigrant North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) professional (TN) visas.

The nurses are being told by US immigration that they no longer qualify under the NAFTA TN category and that they must apply for H1B visas status, a more specialized category. Those applications can cost $3,000-4,000.

According to the CBC, some 30,000-40,000 Canadians work in the US under TN visas, which allow experts in certain fields a more expedited visa as long as they have a job offer.

Kathy Macki, the human resource director at Henry Ford Health Systems, reported at a press conference Thursday that 30 nurses have been affected so far by the changes. Hospital officials say they are working with the nurses to facilitate their being able to continue on the job in the US.

To apply for H1B status, Henry Ford would have to apply for expedited status, which could take up to three weeks.

Henry Ford hospital alone has hundreds of Canadian nationals on its staff and about 25 advanced nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists.

Mark Topoleski, an immigration lawyer employed by Henry Ford Hospital, told the CBC We really question the motives. All the immigration executive orders and all the things being rolled out have been focused on national security first, and this is clearly not an issue of national security whatsoever. Livelihoods are at stake.

US immigration officials say that they are suspending their fast track-program for processing H1B visas as of April 3. Applications for work visas typically take six months or longer. The suspension of premium H1B processing could last six months or longer and is in line with the virulently anti-immigrant stance of the Trump administration, which includes the recent travel ban on immigrants from six Muslim-majority countries. The courts have blocked that ban, at least temporarily.

At the Thursday press conference Topoleski said, It will have a drastic impact on Henry Fords ability to provide patient care. This change in policy was not announced and has yet to be put out in any written format, so we really dont understand the rationale behind this policy change. He said he had also heard reports of a case involving a Canadian nurse working in Washington state.

At the same press conference, Patti Kunkel, a Canadian nurse practitioner who commutes daily from Ontario to work in Henry Fords cardiac surgery acute care unit, said she was anxious. I worry Ill be turned away at the border. This puts stress not only on me but on my team. We have high-acuity patients, and theres a critical shortage of staff. Kunkel has practiced nursing in Michigan under terms of NAFTA since 2000.

H1B visas last for three years and can be renewed for another three years. There were an average of 140,000 H1B visas issued annually between 2006 and 2015. There are no official statistics on the number of people working on H1B visas, but the number is said to be close to 1 million.

TN visas give certain Canadian professionals, such as nurses, the right to work in the US with little paperwork and unlimited renewals. Mexican nationals also qualify for TN visas under NAFTA, but must apply for a visa at a US embassy or consulate first.

In a statement issued Thursday, Customs and Border Protection public affairs officer Kris Grogan claimed there had been no change in policy relating to TN status.

The move to restrict work visas for nurses comes as the United States continues in the throes of a nursing shortage that promises to get worse as the population ages. There are some 3 million nurses in the US and nurses comprise the largest sector of the health care workforce.

According to a report in the Atlantic, a large portion of the US nursing workforce is over the age of 50 and 700,000 are expected to retire by 2024. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1.2 million vacancies will open for registered nurses between 2014 and 2022, creating a shortage as large as any experienced in the US since the enactment of Medicare and Medicaid.

At the same time the supply of trained nurses is not keeping pace due to the chronic underfunding of the US education system. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, U.S. nursing schools turned away 79,659 qualified applicants in 2012 due to insufficient number of faculty, clinical sites, classroom space, clinical preceptors, and budget constraints.

An amicus curiae brief filed by the American Civil Liberties Union in relation to a lawsuit directed against the Trump administrations travel ban calls foreign-born health care providers a critical pillar of American health-care infrastructure. According to the brief, some 28 percent of physicians in the US are immigrants, as are 15 percent of registered nurses and nearly 21 percent of direct-care workers. These include home health aides and personal-care assistants. The brief also notes immigrant doctors and health-care workers are especially concentrated in medically underserved areas such as poor and rural communities.

Lack of trained nurses can lead to the reduction of the number of hospital beds or to overwork of nursing staff. According to the Atlantic, Overworking leads to fatigue and burnout, which threatens the quality of care and increases the incidence of error. Past research has found links between insufficient nursing staff and higher rates of hospital readmission and patient mortality.

There is a high turnover rate in the nursing field related to stress. According to the journal Nursing Economics, some 30 to 50 percent of new registered nurses change jobs or leave the field within the first three years of clinical practice.
The International Socialist Organization (ISO) and Socialist Alternative (SA) are appealing to the Democratic Party and the federal courts to oppose the Trump administrations reactionary immigration policies. By instilling illusions in the Democrats and the judicial branch as defenders of democratic rights, the ISO and SA are working to block opposition from developing in a revolutionary, anti-capitalist direction. This only facilitates Trumps plans to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.

The ISO and SA paint a false picture of the Democratic Party, portraying it as strenuously opposing Trumps immigration policies. In a February 14 article, the ISO quotes Democratic Senator Chris Murphy and praises his admirable bluntness in opposing Trump. SAs National Committee published a major policy statement on March 2 that claims the Democratic Party leadership is taking a more aggressive, oppositional stance in the aftermath of Trumps election.

SA goes so far as to praise key leaders like [Democratic Senate Minority Leader] Chuck Schumer, who clearly understand the necessity for a firmer approach and of making some concessions to the left of the party.

In fact, the Democrats, from supposed lefts such as Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren to Obama, have repeatedly declared their readiness to work with Trump to implement his bogus campaign promises to help US workers. As though it remains to be seen what type of policies this far-right government of billionaires, generals and outright fascists will pursue!

The Democrats have largely dropped their criticisms of Trumps travel ban on Muslims as well as his savage attacks on immigrants from Mexico and Latin America. Instead, they continue to press their anti-Russian witch-hunt and focus, in so far as they pursue social issues, on defending Obamacare.

Referencing the massive demonstrations that broke out in response to Trumps anti-immigrant initiatives, the ISO wrote on February 15 that the purpose of protesting is to force elected officials to back up their words with the kind of actions it will take to keep our families and friends safe, and to pressure Democratic-controlled city governments to take a stand.

In its March 2 National Committee statement, SA calls for a sustained grassroots campaign aimed at stiffening spines of elected Democrats. SA is already preparing to support the Democratic Party in the 2018 midterm elections, writing that the question of ousting the Republicans in Congress in the midterms will become a bigger point of discussion as the elections draw nearer. SA claims that Democratic gains in Congress would mark a dramatic shift which would significantly alter the political terrain and objectively constrain Trump.

At the same time, both the ISO and SA call for those opposed to Trump to place their faith in the courts as a mechanism for halting Trumps attacks on immigrants.

Citing the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision to grant a temporary stay of Trumps January executive order barring immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries, the ISO wrote on March 3: The protests will matter once again in determining what the judiciary does.

The court system will be a lot more vigilant in protecting its own authority and privilege in the face of such bullying from Trump, the ISO continues. Its a battle, in other words, between an incompetent and very stoppable presidential force versus a pliant and quite movable judicial object. For this reason, the ISO concludes, protests are needed to keep up the pressure on the courts.

In fact, these institutions of the capitalist state are responsible for creating the legal framework and military/police infrastructure that will be used to deport the millions of undocumented people living in the US today.

In 1993, El Paso Border Patrol Chief Slivestre Reyes initiated Operation Hold the Line, which militarized the border near the city of El Paso and forced migrants to cross through the uninhabitable desert of Texas and New Mexico. Reyes was later a leading Democratic congressman and served as Southwest co-chairman in Hillary Clintons 2008 presidential campaign.

In 1994, Democratic Attorney General Janet Reno initiated a similar program for the San Diego border region. Since the US government militarized the urban border areas, 11,000 migrants have died in the desert or the Rio Grande.

In 1996, Congress passed the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRAIRA), which made it nearly impossible for millions of undocumented people to achieve legal status and facilitated rapid deportations, including through the expedited removal process in which immigrants are stripped of the right to appear before a judge.

Democrats in the House and Senate provided IIRAIRA with the required margin of victory and President Clinton signed it into law. Nicknamed the Mexican Exclusion Act, prominent Democrats who voted yes included Harry Reid, Christopher Dodd, Dianne Feinstein, James Clyburn, Elijah Cummings, Sheila Jackson-Lee and Steny Hoyer.

In 2002, Congress passed the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act, which expanded the size of the border patrol and mandated the creation of a massive government database for immigrants biometric data. This law passed 411-0 in the House and 97-0 in the Senate. Not a single Democrat or Republican opposed the repressive law, including Bernie Sanders, Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Lee, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Charles Schumer or Paul Wellstone.

In 2005, Congress passed the REAL ID Act, again with Democrats supplying the votes needed to pass it in the House. The law made it drastically more difficult to apply for asylum and made it much more difficult for undocumented immigrants to win relief from deportation in immigration court. The law also severely restricted the right of immigrants to file habeas corpus petitions. The Senate passed the measure 99-0 with the support of such liberal senators as Barack Obama, Joseph Biden, Edward Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, Charles Schumer and Barbara Boxer.

In 2006, Congress passed the Secure Fences Act, which mandated the construction of 700 miles of physical barriers along the border and established a network of lighting, barriers and checkpoints to capture migrants. Again, the Democrats in both houses of Congress supplied the votes required to pass the measure.

From 2009 to 2017, the Obama administration used these laws to deport 2.7 million people. In 2009, Democratic Senator Robert Byrd inserted a provision into a federal budget law requiring that the government fill for-profit immigration prisons to ensure maximum profits.

Last month, 37 of 48 Democratsincluding Bernie Sandersvoted to confirm retired Gen. John Kelly as head of the Department of Homeland Security. Kelly was on record calling for more repressive anti-immigrant measures, and since his installation as head of Homeland Security, he has fully backed Trumps war on immigrants, proposing at one point the use of the National Guard and raising the possibility of separating children and parents who are caught trying to cross the border.

Not a single one of these laws has been struck down by the court system in which the ISO and SA place their faith. Federal courts have established that immigrantseven unaccompanied childrenhave no right to an attorney and have extremely limited due process rights. In most federal circuits, the government can indefinitely detain immigrants without giving them a bond hearing, and when a circuit court recently decided that immigrants should get a hearing after six months, the Obama administration appealed the decision to the Supreme Court.

Federal courts have also held that key Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizure do not apply within 100 miles of a land or coastal border. When the Supreme Court struck down some provisions of Arizonas anti-immigrant SB 1070 in 2012, the court ruled that the federal government, and not the states, could impose the reactionary measures. All eight justices who participated in the case, including the nominally liberal Ruth Bader Ginsburg, upheld the laws provision allowing state police to ask anyone their immigration status on the reasonable suspicion that they are in the US illegally.

Last year, the Supreme Court rejected a proposal that would have granted undocumented parents of US citizens the right to stay in the country legally.

Beyond the realm of immigration, both parties and the courts have implemented and acquiesced to drone assassination without warrant or trial, mass warrantless surveillance of the populations communications, torture at black site CIA prisons, wars of plunder carried out in violation of US and international law, the theft of the 2000 election, the gutting of the Voting Rights Act and the jailing of whistleblowers.

These unprecedented anti-immigrant and anti-democratic measures, carried out under the auspices of national security, are the conscious policies of a financial aristocracy overseeing record levels of social inequality and waging permanent war. There exists no constituency within the US ruling class for the defense of democratic rights.

Through its program of war and corporate plunder, the ruling class has created the toxic political climate of militarism, xenophobia and financial parasitism out of which Donald Trump has emerged.

But even as Trump and his fascist advisors prepare to impose the largest forced migration in post-war history, SA writes in its National Committee statement that there has been no point where the US ruling class, the strongest in the world, was prepared to simply abandon bourgeois democracy which has served them so well. And they see no reason to abandon it now.

These attempts to provide a progressive, democratic gloss to the very state institutions responsible for laying the basis for Trump expose the pro-capitalist and anti-socialist character of these organizations. The World Socialist Web Site refers to these groups as pseudo-left because they represent the interests of privileged layers of the upper-middle class and defend the capitalist system by spreading illusions in the Democratic Party and the possibility of reforming the existing economic and political order by applying pressure from below.

A genuine socialist response requires the opposite of what the ISO and SA propose. It completely rejects the entire reactionary framework of the so-called immigration debate between different factions of the ruling class. It insists on the unqualified right of all workers to live and work in the country of their choice, with full citizenship rights and without fear of repression or deportation.

It requires a political struggle to break the working class from any illusions in the capitalist parties and politicians as well as the various branches of government.

Now, more than ever, the working class is connected by family, supply lines and communication networks to their class brothers and sisters across the world. The objective interconnectivity of the world must be freed from the shackles of the nation-state system and the productive forces of the world economy liberated from private ownership and brought into harmony with the needs of the people in every country. This requires social revolution.
Talks were held over March 14 and 15 in the Chilean city of Vina del Mar over whether the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) can be renegotiated and proceed without the United States. In one of his first acts as president, Donald Trump announced that the US was withdrawing from the proposed trade bloc.

Under the terms of a February 2016 agreement, the TPP could only continue with the participation of at least six of the 12 countries that signed up to it, representing at least 85 percent of the combined Gross Domestic Product of the original prospective members. As the US represents 61 percent of the collective GDP, the actions of the Trump administration effectively killed the pact.

Representatives of the other 11 intended founding membersAustralia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Malaysia, Peru, Singapore and Vietnamnevertheless gathered on the basis that years of negotiations should not be cast aside. In most cases, the states sent senior trade or economic ministers, and sizeable delegations of officials. South Korea and China were invited to participate, though China sent only its special representative to Latin America, not a high-ranking trade official.

The Trump administration contemptuously sent Carol Z. Perez, the US ambassador to Chile who has no background in trade negotiations, to observe the proceedings.

None of the governments involved expected a definite outcome and none was achieved. The talks concluded with only a general agreement that there should be further negotiations in May, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Vietnam.

A statement issued after the talks expressed mutual concern with protectionism in many parts of the world. This was an implicit but clear reference to the Trump administrations threats to wage an America First trade war against major US competitors and to possibly ignore future decisions of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

For all the profession of concern over protectionism, however, the most obvious feature of the Chile summit was the manner in which it was used by various states to pursue their own national agendas.

Tim Groser, New Zealands ambassador to the US and former trade minister who represented it in initial TPP talks, summed up the standpoint of all participants. He stated bluntly: At the end of the day were all economic nationalists. Our responsibility is to look after our own countrys economic interests.

In January, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull floated the possibility that if China and other major economies, such as South Korea, agreed to join, then a revamped TPP could be formed.

The Chinese government has made clear that it has no interest in Turnbulls suggestion as it opposed the sweeping provisions of the TPP that stipulate the privatisation of state-owned assets, lifting limits on foreign ownership, enforcing intellectual property rights and opening up financial and service sector markets.

Ahead of the Chile talks, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop commented: The TPP set a very high standard in terms of a free trade agreement and I dont think we should expect that China is currently in a position to meet that standard.

Chinese representatives in Chile instead promoted the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a proposed Asia-Pacific trade agreement that does not contain many of the TPPs provisions and which excludes the US. Talks on the RCEP, involving China, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, India and all 10 member-states of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), have dragged on since November 2011.

Japan appears to have been primarily concerned with arguing that countries should not sign up to the Chinese-initiated RCEP until Beijing agrees to incorporate a range of the measures required for TPP membership. Japanese officials displayed far more interest in sideline talks on bilateral free trade agreements with Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and the South American states present.

Canada, for its part, used the meeting not only to pursue a free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan, but to further talks toward a possible agreement with China.

With the TPP effectively dead in the water, Australias trade minister likewise focussed on talks toward bilateral agreements with the Pacific Alliance statesMexico, Chile, Colombia and Peru. Australia already has bilateral free trade agreements with New Zealand, Chile, Singapore, Malaysia, the US, Japan, South Korea, China and a more limited pact with ASEAN. It is pursuing agreements with India, Indonesia and the European Union.

Politico commentator Adam Behsudi drew attention on March 14 to how the US withdrawal from the TPPon the eve of it being enactedwill allow other countries to expand their market share in Asia at the expense of American-based producers, particularly in areas such as agriculture.

New Zealand dairy exporters, for example, will increase their already significant competitive advantage over US rivals through a soon-to-be-finalised free trade agreement with ASEAN. Under the Australia-Japan FTA, tariffs on Australian beef will be slashed this year by another 10 percent, but not for American beef as it would have through the TPP. According to estimates by the American Farm Bureau Federation, the TPP could have enabled US exporters to win some $4.4 billion in new markets.

Even in more strategic economic sectors, such as finance, service industries and manufacturing, the nationalist agenda of the Trump administration may prove highly costly to American corporations. Its stated goal of renegotiating, in US interests, the terms of its trade relations with Canada and Mexico, Japan, South Korea, China and the European Union, and possibly even countries such as Australia and New Zealand, implies protracted negotiations that may well break down.

Politico cited the observation of Carlo Dade, of the Canada West Foundation economic think tank, on the possible consequences. We are not trying to take market share from the US, he stated. Its more like you are putting money on the table and pushing it towards us.

The inevitable heightening of trade conflicts over market share and sources of profit, above all between the US and the other major powers, will only fuel antagonisms and accelerate the descent of world capitalism toward military conflict and war.
As the academic year gets underway this month, students and staff at Australian public universities face deteriorating conditions. Starved of funds by one government after another, university managements are decimating full-time jobs, reducing face-to-face teaching and driving up class sizes.

Deep funding cuts imposed by the last Labor government have been compounded by multi-billion dollar cuts inflicted by the current Liberal-National administration. This is forcing universities into further restructuring as they desperately compete with each other to enrol students, particularly full fee-paying international students, and attract corporate investment.

Toward the end of last year, a new wave of job cuts began across the country, mainly via so-called voluntary redundancy or retirement programs that are used to get rid of targeted workers. These schemes have the full agreement of the two trade unions that cover university workers, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU). What follows is only a partial list:

Last November, the Queensland University of Technology said it would purge about 90 underperforming staff whose aspirations no longer align with those of the university because they were not bringing in enough money. Employees would be offered up to a years salary to quit with the help of a retirement tax package.

A week later, Curtin University in Western Australia confirmed 100 to 150 staff were expected to be axed for 2017. Blaming the former mining boom states economic slowdown, the management said it planned to allow fixed-term, casual and sessional staff contracts to expire in humanities to offset decreased research and contract income in the science, engineering and humanities faculties.

Later in the month, the University of Newcastle unveiled an organisational review that would involve about 170 redundanciessome 10 percent of its full-time and casual workforce. It was the 15th review or restructure in three years for what the vice-chancellor called a changing academic enterprise.

Meanwhile, Western Sydney University (WSU) unveiled a voluntary early retirement package, through which it ultimately secured the departure of more than 200 selected academics and administrative workers.

In early December, leaked documents revealed that over 400 job cuts were being planned at the University of NSW in Sydney as part of a further revamping of the universitys business model. A document called UNSW Strategic Initiatives Operational Excellence Business Cases Summary, sent anonymously to the NTEU, outlined annual cuts of $47.3 million, with severance pays calculated to reach $30 million.

Just days into 2017, the University of Canberra College (UCC), an offshoot of the university, released a restructure plan that would disestablish unspecified numbers of jobs, in order to be adaptable and deliver world class quality outcomes. The changes stem from the sale of 51 percent of UCC to private education provider Navitas in 2015. Since then, many cost-cutting measures have been implemented already, leading to redundancies, vacant positions remaining unfilled, and significant increases in workloads.

This week, Victoria University in Melbourne confirmed it would eliminate 115 jobs throughout the year as it establishes its planned First Year College.

Over the previous three years hundreds of full-time jobs have been axed nationally with the assistance of the NTEU and CPSU. While sometimes making token protests, the unions have stifled resistance, often securing deals with management to help impose marginally fewer retrenchments.

These cuts are escalating the casualisation of the workforce. According to the NTEUs own estimates, only 2 out of 10 recent new employees have been employed on a permanent basis. By the unions calculations, 63.8 percent of university staff are now working under insecure conditions. By 2015, 44.2 percent of contract research staff were employed on contracts of one year or less, and more than half the academics who taught undergraduate students were casuals.

This casualisation has serious impacts on the ability of teachers and other university workersliving from semester to semester and contract to contractto survive financially, let alone plan for their futures. It also makes them highly vulnerable to demands for increased workloads and to acquiesce to the ongoing cuts and underlying transformation of universities into corporate institutions serving the needs of business and the political establishment.

Domestic and full-fee paying overseas students all face decreased availability of staff for consultation and guidance, combined with the replacement of lectures and tutorials by on-line presentations, and larger classes. Adding to these pressures is the soaring enrolment of international students, whom the systematically underfunded universities treat as cash cows.

According to recent official statistics, 712,884 international students were enrolled in Australian universities, vocational colleges, intensive English-language courses and schools in 2016, up by 11 percent from 2015 to a new record. Higher education enrolments rose by 12.9 percent to 306,691, making up more than a quarter of the students at some universities. Universities, private education companies and related operators raked in $22 billion from these students in 2016, while slashing their workforces.

The complicity of the NTEU in these processes is typified by an email sent to its members at WSU on January 31, in which it reported that more than 200 jobs had been eliminated via the voluntary retirement scheme. It emphasised: Just to remind and to clarify: the NTEU does not contest the right of WSU Management to restructure its workforce, so long as it follows the provisions of the Agreements. Effective change management requires the contribution of frontline staff in decision-making.

In other words, the union supports the job destruction. Its only demand is that the university executives consult with it, as specified by the unions enterprise agreements, to ensure effective change management. For the past two decades, enterprise agreements have served as mechanisms to contain and suppress the opposition of university workers, with the unions continually trading off essential protections against job cuts and casualisation.

During 2017, a new round of enterprise bargaining will occur, with universities demanding the further elimination of job security and other basic conditions. At WSU, where the NTEU has previously agreed to new employees being placed on two-year probation periods, the administration wants to speed up procedures for sacking staff on grounds of misconduct, ill health, poor probation assessment or unsatisfactory performance. At Melbournes Deakin University, the proposed agreement would increase academic teaching loads by up to 80 percent and require academic staff to teach every trimester. Melbourne University is demanding a performance pay regime for general staff.

While collaborating with university managements, the unions are stepping up their efforts to sow illusions that the return of a federal Labor government would reverse this downward spiral. In fact, it was the last Greens-backed Labor government of 2007 to 2013 that imposed the education revolution, laying the foundations for the intensifying assault on staff and students.
An Apache gunship opened fire on a boat carrying Somali refugees off the coast of Yemen early Friday morning killing at least 42 people and wounding dozens of others.

The boat, which came under attack 30 miles off the Yemeni coast, was reportedly ferrying more than 100 men, women and children to Sudan.

Bullets from the attack helicopter riddled the boat ripping through the passengers, many of them women and children. Pictures posted online show the bloodied bodies of the victims being brought ashore. A number of the wounded taken to hospital were missing arms and legs.

Al-Hassan Ghaleb Mohammed, the boats pilot, told the Associated Press that the panicked passengers scrambled to hold up flashlights in order indicate that they were migrants and stop the surprise attack. All of those on the boat had official documentation from the UN Refugee Agency certifying that they were refugees.

As of this writing, no government has claimed responsibility for the attack, but it was most likely carried out by the Saudi-led coalition which has been waging a brutal war against Yemen for the last two years. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are currently the only militaries flying Apache helicopters in the region, and there were reports of intensified airstrikes in Hodeida Thursday night.

Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf monarchies, with direct military support from the United States, have been waging a brutal war against Houthi rebels who seized control of much of western Yemen in 2015 and ousted the US and Saudi-backed president Abd Rabbu Hadi.

The Saudi-led offensive has so far killed more than 10,000 civilians, targeting hospitals, schools, factories, market places, farm fields and social infrastructure with airstrikes in an effort to break the Houthis resistance. A naval blockade of Yemen by the coalition, enforced with the support of the US Navy, has pushed the country, which imported 90 percent of its food stock prior to the war, to the brink of famine.

The US has been waging its own war in southeastern Yemen since 2009, launching drone strikes against targets and individuals purportedly affiliated with Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. The Trump administration has ramped up the offensive begun by Barack Obama which has already killed hundreds of people, including women and children.

Fridays attack highlights the historic humanitarian crisis which is engulfing a significant portion of the African continent and Middle East, stretching from the Lake Chad region in West Africa to the Arabian Peninsula. The UN warned earlier this week of the largest humanitarian crisis since World War II as 20 million people in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and Nigeria face imminent starvation.

Civil wars stoked by the US government and its European allies combined with historic drought conditions are pushing millions across the Africa continent to flee their homes. It is estimated that at least 5.5 million African are refugees in other countries, and another 11 million are displaced within their own countries.

Even with the ongoing war, which has pushed the country to the brink of a famine, Yemen remains one of the most popular destinations for refugees fleeing war and famine in Somalia. At the end of February there were nearly 256,000 UN recognized refugees from Somali living in Yemen; this was second only to the more than 317,000 in Kenya.

Tens of thousands of people from across the Horn of Africa transit the Bab el Mandeb strait every year in order to reach the poorest country in the Middle East. Many of those who flee to Yemen end up in the Khazar refugee camp, a former military barracks located in a hot, desolate desert region two hours north of the southern port city of Aden.

While most intend for Yemen to be a temporary transit point, many thousands have been stuck at the Khazar camp for years on end. The camp currently holds 16,000 people, mostly from Somalia and Ethiopia.

With few employment opportunities for African refugees in Yemen, those who are physically able make the increasingly treacherous trek onwards to Europe. Hundreds of Somali refugees drowned in the Mediterranean in 2016 desperately trying to reach Italy.
Glossary of the week talks about the battle between Justice C.S. Karnan and Supreme Court and how he believes that HC and SC judges are corrupt.

Justice C.S. Karnan has been in the eye of the storm for way too long-for making allegations without proof against fellow judges, for misconduct and indiscipline, and so on. His recent clash with the Supreme Court may just be his moment of reckoning.

COURT CALENDAR

A battle of nerves that is slated to peak on March 31.

JANUARY 23

Justice Karnan writes a letter to PM Narendra Modi, accusing 20 past and present higher judges of corruption.

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FEBRUARY 8

The Supreme Court initiates suo motu contempt action, first-time ever against a judge. The seven-judge bench summons him to court on February 13, asks him to desist from all official work and return files.

FEBRUARY 9

Justice Karnan writes to Registrar General of SC, calls proceedings against a sitting high court judge "not maintainable under law" and "unethical against the SC/ST Act". It appears on WhatsApp.

FEBRUARY 13

Justice Karnan fails to show up, does not send a counsel. SC chooses to wait for three weeks for the judge to explain his defiance.

MARCH 8

Justice Karnan sends a fax to the SC Registry for a meeting with the CJI and other judges.

MARCH 10

SC issues a bailable warrant, directs director general of police, West Bengal, to serve it personally.

MARCH 11

Justice Karnan calls a press conference at home in Kolkata, calls the order "motivated, ridiculous and illegal", urges the President of India to "recall" it and Parliament and CBI to "probe" SC judges; says he is being targeted for being a Dalit.

MARCH 31

Next date of hearing.

GRUDGE LIST

That 20 past and present judges of the SC and some HCs were corrupt. The collegium system of selecting judges was "autocratic". He got "dummy" portfolios or

transfers because of his caste identity. Fellow judges wanted to subjugate him or turn him into a scapegoat. He was expected to conform to the unwritten code of coordinated consultations on cases. Fellow judges humiliated him in public, because of his "humble background" Lawyers, "encouraged and financed" by a few judges, tried to instigate him in court.

CONTROVERSIAL RULINGS

His judicial work has also stirred controversy.

2013

He ruled that couples in live-in relationships or those who'd had consensual sex would be considered married and be called husband and wife.

2016

Had an open altercation in court with a fellow Calcutta HC judge for overturning a decision they had taken earlier to not grant bail to the accused in the Kolkata flyover collapse case. Karnan later granted them bail without consulting his fellow judge.

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--- ENDS ---
The Goa state unit's chief dislike for the Goa Forward Party and its head Vijai Sardesai played a major role in Congress being unable to form the Goa government despite emerging as the single-largest party.

By Javed M. Ansari : The self goal scored by the Congress party in Goa, eventually paved the way for the Bharatiya Janata Party to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in the scenic coastal state, famous for its beautiful beaches and feni.

The ignominy of being pipped to the post despite emerging as the single largest party on March 11 could have been avoided but for the vaulting ambition of its state leaders particularly, Pradesh Congress Committee chief Eduardo Faleiro.

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Congress won 17 seats in Goa's 40-seat Assembly. The BJP came in a distant second with 13 seats, leaving Congress clear to claim majority if the latter could get the support of four other MLAs.

However, Eduardo Faleiro's pathological dislike for the Vijai Sardesai-led Goa Forward Party, which won three seats, and repeated attempts on his part to scupper a pre-poll alliance between the two parties from taking place was the single biggest factor that cost Congress the chance of forming the government in Goa.

GOA FORWARD: A LOST CHANCE

Congress's central leadership had assiduously worked on Sardesai in the months leading up to the Assembly elections, and had persuaded him to enter into an alliance with the party. However, Faleiro's refusal to negotiate with Goa Forward put paid to a formal alliance.

The central leadership then agreed to work out a informal arrangement by not putting up a candidate against Sardesai in Goa's Fatorda. The PCC chief did his best to derail this as well by letting an independent candidate compete against Sardesai on the Congress's symbol.

It took a desperate last minute-intervention on the part of Digvijay Singh, the AICC general secretary in charge of Goa, to get the Faleiro to back off.

WHO WILL BE CM?

On March 11, once it became evident that the Congress would need support from parties like the forward party and others to form the government, Digvijay Singh and former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat reached out to Sardesai.

After a bit of persuasion Sardesai and the other two Goa Forward MLAs agreed to support a Congress-led government provided somebody other than Faleiro was made the chief minister.

Sardesai was even made to speak to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi the Congress. It was at this stage that the Faleiro decided to throw his hat into the ring.

Sardeasi, predictably, refused to support him as the chief minister. Digvijay Singh and his team then spent the better part of a night getting persuade Faleiro to agree to Digambar Kamath as a consensus candidate for the CM's post.

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TOO LITTLE TOO LATE

However, by this time Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Manohar Parrikar, now the Goa chief minister, had managed to win over Sardesai and his MLAs, and as morning dawned the three Goa Forward MLAs were firmly ensconced in the safe custody of Parikarr's home.

Their phones had been switched off even as Digvijay Singh and Digambar Kamath desperately tried to speak to them in vain.

Two hours later, Manohar Parrikar called on state governor Mridula Sinha to stake his claim to form the government, along with the required letters of support from Sardesai and his Goa Forward MLAs.

ALSO READ | How the Congress lost in Goa? Delayed decision-making to be blamed

ALSO READ | Exclusive interview of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar: Delhi's pollution affected my health

ALSO WATCH | Manohar Parrikar wins Goa floor test with support of 22 MLAs

--- ENDS ---
Imagine you're walking into a supermarket. Your shopping cart is empty and the shelves are bursting with products to purchase. But the products being sold here aren't detergent, rice or a prime cut of beefthey're travel destinations, real estate and business investment opportunities, international cultural events, and actual products to buy that are deeply associated with their country of origin (think Ikea = Sweden; Samsung = South Korea; Mercedes = Germany). You see, this is no ordinary supermarket: it is the Supermarket of Nations.

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We shop at the Supermarket of Nations every day. Since the advent of the Internet, and international travel and investment made accessible to allour options are limitless. The Supermarket of Nations is one of the most competitive arenas out there, and every nation/country/city is vying for our attention.

In the last ten years, various place brand rankings have appeared to evaluate the success of these efforts. One such index is the Best Countries 2017, published last week. The survey included 21,000 people from 45 countries, and 80 countries were ranked based purely on perceptions of people around the world about them.

Photo: EPA

Israel came in 30th out of the 80 countries included in the survey. By any standards, Israel can be proud of this positioning, especially considering the great efforts by the BDS movement to discredit it. However, this achievement will be short-lived unless the Israeli government, and anyone who cares about Israel, starts paying attention to a worrying undercurrent.

I work with Prof. David Reibstein, the Wharton professor who co-created the Best Countries index, and as such I am privy to more in-depth information about the survey results.

Specifically, I asked to understand how millennialsthe next generation of decision-makers and movers and shakersview Israel. It turns out that their views of Israel are strikingly different to the overall population: millennials ranked Israel almost 20 points lower than the overall ranking, in the 48th place. As far as millennials are concernedIsrael is in the 79th (!) place for "Open for Business," 77th for "Adventure and Beauty," and 54th for "Cultural Clout." On the other hand, they ranked Israel 7th in the "Power" categorystrong army, politically influential, strong economyall attributes millennials are turned off by (because they believe these can only exist on account of minority rights, compassion and social justice).

Bottom line, the millennial generation is not seeing Israel for what it really has to offer, and since they're also not nearly as interested in the Middle East conflict as we may think (as research for the last 10 years has repeatedly shown)millennials are hardly seeing Israel at all. Any advertising exec will attest to the fact that it is extremely difficult to sell a product that isn't on its market's radar. And that products that aren't sold eventually are taken off the shelf to make way for those that can be.

In light of the above, the Best Countries 2017 index should serve as a wakeup call for anyone interested in improving Israel's image: in the Supermarket of Nations, millennials aren't buying what Israel is selling. This is because Israel's current offering is focused too much on its policies, and not enough on what else it has to offer (a young and vibrant country, exciting business sector, a huge contributor to social causes and sustainability, and much more). This trend can and should be reversed, with a long-term marketing strategy for Israel and a willingness to invest whatever it takes to move from strategy to implementation. Now.
Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and alleged inaction its part to act against the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack dominated the India-Pakistan session at India Today Conclave 2017.

By India Today Web Desk: It is the very terrorists who were trained to attack India and Pakistan who are now attacking them; you can't nurture snakes in your backyard and expect them to bite only your neighbour, said diplomat and former Indian high commissioner to Pakistan G Parthasarathy quoting Hillary Clinton.

Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and alleged inaction on its part to act against the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack dominated the discussion between Parthasarathy and Abdul Basit, High Commissioner of Pakistan to India, at the India Today Conclave 2017.

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While talking about the justice delayed in the Mumbai terror attack case, G Parthasarathy asked people not to forget the 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai that claimed 257 lives.

"Public memory is short. Don't forget the 1993 blasts. The main perpetrator Dawood Ibrahim is in Karachi," said Parthasarathy, who said history is repeating itself with regard to Pakistan providing a safe sanctuary to Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed.

Hauling up Pakistan for sitting on the 26/11 trial, G Parthasarathy said David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana have been tried by the United States and "my complaint is that all the evidence is there in the court (regarding) Headley meeting Lashkar chief".

In a fierce attack on Pakistan, Parthasarathy said even God will not help those who don't help themselves.

Basit countered saying Hafiz Saeed has been put under house arrest and said "sterile blame game" cannot yield results and instead asked India to not "jump the gun".

When asked about what is delaying the trial in the 26/11 terror attacks, Basit called it a "complex case" and turned around the question to question India on the progress in the Samjhauta Express blast case.

"By creating hype around it (terrorism), you cannot wish away other issues like Jammu and Kashmir," Abdul Basit.

To this, G Parthasarthy said that "nothing can justify terrorism". "The world's most-dreaded terrorist was living 40 km from the (Pakistan) capital in a palatial house and nobody knew about it," Parthasarathy said, referring to how US realised that the world's enemy no.1 Osama Bin Laden was living in Pakistan for seven years before they could capture him.

WATCH: G Parthasarathy, Abdul Basit discuss terrorism at India Today Conclave 2017

ALSO READ | India Today Conclave 2017: Indecision cost Goa, BJP election-winning machine, concedes Congress

Karan Johar at India Today Conclave 2017: Was there when my love was getting married

--- ENDS ---
US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel tried to sidestep their differences in a meeting at the White House Friday, but their first public appearance was punctuated by some awkward moments.

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Our two nations share much in common, including a desire for security, prosperity and peace, said Trump at the beginning of their joint press conference.

Merkel and Trump sit for a photo op (: )

X

"I reiterated to Chancellor Merkel my strong support for NATO as well as the need for our NATO allies to pay their fair share for the cost of defense. Many nations owe vast sums of money from past years, and it is very unfair to the United States. These nations must pay what they owe."

Merkel and Trump (Photo: EPA)

Immigration is a privilege, not a right, and the safety of our citizens must always come first, without question, he added.

During a photo op in the Oval Office, however, the two did not shake hands before reporters. Trump pushed back against the notion in Europe that his "America First" agenda means he's an isolationist, calling such a suggestion "another example of, as you say, fake news." And he referred to the United States as "a very powerful company," before quickly correcting that to "country."

Photo: EPA

When a German reporter asked Trump if he regrets any of his commentary on Twitter, Trump said, "Very seldom."





Photo: EPA

Merkel maintained her composure even when Trump repeated his contention that former president Barack Obama may have tapped his phones in Trump Tower. He sought to turn the explosive charge into a light joke when asked about concerns raised by the British government that the White House is now citing a debunked claim that UK spies snooped on Trump.

"At least we have something in common, perhaps," Trump said casually, In 2013 the German government said it had information that the United States may have monitored Merkel's mobile phone, prompting her to call Obama to demand immediate clarification.

As for the most recent report, Trump said he shouldn't be blamed for quoting a Fox News analyst who had accused British intelligence of helping Obama spy on him.

When the subject turned to economic issues, Merkel attempted to project a conciliatory approach. She said the "success of Germans has always been one where the German success is one side of the coin and the other side of the coin has been European unity and European integration. That's something of which I'm deeply convinced."

Those comments appeared aimed at making a case to Trump on the benefits of the European Union. Trump backed Britain's departure from the EU and has expressed skepticism of multilateral trade agreements.

The two leaders tried to express their common bonds but showed minimal rapport in their first encounter, a departure from Merkel's warm relations with Obama during his eight years as president. At the start of the news conference, Merkel sought to break the ice, saying that it was "much better to talk to one another than about one another."

Merkel said delicately that while she represents German interests, Trump "stands up for, as is right, American interests. That is our task respectively." She said they were "trying to address also those areas where we disagree but tried to bring people together."

"We need to be fair with each other," Merkel said, saying both countries were expecting "that something good comes out of it for their own people."

The meetings at the White House included discussions on strengthening NATO, fighting ISIS, the conflict in Afghanistan and resolving Ukraine's conflict, all matters that require close cooperation between the US and Germany.

The talks, postponed from Tuesday because of a snowstorm, aimed to represent a restart of a relationship complicated by Trump's rhetoric on the campaign trail. As a candidate, Trump frequently accused Merkel of "ruining" Germany by allowing an influx of refugees and other migrants from Syria and accused his campaign rival, Hillary Clinton, of wanting to be "America's Angela Merkel."

During the news conference, Trump predicted that a new health care law would be passed by a substantial margin and "pretty quickly," expressing optimism for his top legislative priority.

The new president reaffirmed the United States' "strong support" for NATO but reiterated his stance that NATO allies need to "pay their fair share" for the cost of defense. Trump said many countries owe "vast sums of money" but he declined to identify Germany as one of the nations.

Prior to his inauguration, Trump declared NATO "obsolete" but has since modified his stance, telling European leaders the alliance remains of strategic importance. Only the US and four other members currently reach the benchmark of spending 2 percent of GDP on defense. Germany currently spends 1.23 percent of its GDP on defense, but it is being increased.

Both leaders pointed to their work on the conflict in Afghanistan and efforts to combat terrorism.

When the topic moved to trade, Trump said the US would do "fantastically well" in its trade relations with Germany. The president has been deeply critical of foreign trade and national security agreements but suggested he was only trying to revise trade deals to better serve US interests, rather than pull back from the world entirely.

Trump said trade agreements have led to greater trade deficits. The US trade deficit with Germany was $64.9 billion last year, the lowest since 2009, according to the Commerce Department.

"The negotiators for Germany have done a far better job than the negotiators for the United States, but hopefully we can even it out. We don't want victory, we want fairness," Trump said.

Merkel emphasized the need for trade deals that fairly benefit both countries. "That is the spirit I think in which we ought to be guided in negotiating any agreement between the United States of America and the EU," she said.

But while the meeting between the two leaders ended on a polite note, Trump turned to Twitter on Saturday, writing that Germany owes "vast sums of money" to NATO and that the US "must be paid more" for providing defense.

Trump added that he had a "GREAT" meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, despite reports to the contrary.

He still, however, reiterated his stance that Germany needs to meet its end of the bargain if it is to continue benefiting from the military alliance. "Germany owes ... vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!"
IDF tanks and fighter jets attacked Hamas targets in the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday. The attack was in response to a rocket fired on the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council, which surrounds Gaza.

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Early Saturday morning, a rocket was reported to have fallen in an open area in the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council. No injuries or damage were reported.

Rocket falls in Gaza Envelope (Archive)

On Friday night, the IDF opened fire on Palestinians near the al-Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, for throwing Molotov cocktails. According to Palestinian reports, the shooting resulted in the death of a 16-year-old Palestinian, who died in the hospital after sustaining chest injuries, while another remains in serious but stable condition.

In total, five rockets have been fired toward Israel from Gaza and six from Sinai over the last month a half.
Following the confrontation between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Kulanu Leader Moshe Kahlon over the erection of the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC), and having Bayit Yehudi Leader Naftali Bennett accuse Netanyahu of "abandoning" Religious Zionism, Coalition Chairperson David Bitan (Likud) spoke out during a cultural event on Saturday, saying that the present situation may very well lead to early elections.

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"Bayit Yehudi and Kulanu are saying that the government depends on themwell, enough with that," said Bitan. "If the Likud and prime minister well get fed up, we'll dismantle everything and head for elections.





Bitan (Photo: Alex Kolomiosky)

"We won't have opinions and decisions forced upon us. Not by Kulanu and not by Bayit Yehudi. If these threats and remarks will continue, there's a good chance well be heading toward elections."

Bitan (R) being interviewed at the event by journalist Rina Matzliach

Former prime minister Ehud Barak also voiced his opinions on current events Saturday, though at a separate cultural event. Referring to an IDF operation on Friday, where an IDF Arrow missile intercepted a Syrian anti-aircraft missile targeting IAF jets returning from an offensive mission in Syria, Barak said, "this is technically the first time the Syrians fired and then we fired back an Arrow missile. It amounts to a unique technical accomplishment that puts us at the global forefront of missile defense capabilities."

Barak (Photo: Haim Horenstein)

However, Barak added that "perhaps further consideration would have concluded that it we should not fire the Arrow. The rocket debris that fell in Jordan forced Israel to admit to carrying out this actionsomething that it has never done before. I suppose that certain lessons will be learned from this."

Regarding the Israeli ambassador to Russia being summoned over the Israeli airstrike in Syria, Barak remarked that "the Russians are the landlords in Syria. They have allowed (Syrian President Bashar aled) Assad to keep his head above water. The Russians understand that Israel's action is meant to prevent weapons delivery.

"They probably expected Israel to have used its long-range weapons and not (operateed) above Syrian soil," continued Barak. "We need to be ready for the Russians having something to say about this. President Putin is the most Israel-friendly person to have ever sat in the Kremlin."

Finally, speaking of the possibility of him returning to politics, Barak said, "I don't burn with desire, but with concern. Even if the thought has crossed my mind, I don't involve myself with it."
Residents of cities in Crimea and Russia are gathering to commemorate the third anniversary of Russia's annexation of the Black Sea peninsula from Ukraine.

The annexation was widely denounced by the West, and both the United States and the European Union imposed sanction on Russia in response.

The annexation agreement on March 18, 2014, came two days after a referendum on secession that was hastily called in the wake of massive protests that drove Ukraine's pro-Russia president to flee the country.
The Dire Straits Experience will return to Israel for a performance set to take place on September 14.

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The cover band was established by original Dire Straits memberssaxophonist Chris White and drummer Chris Whittenafter a successful premiere show in London's Royal Albert Hall, which led to a very well received international tour.

True to the source

The band's faithfulness to the source material is highly praised, particularly for its lead vocalist Terence Reis's singing style and vocal range, which is amazingly similar to that of the original, legendary Dire Straits vocalist Mark Knopfler.

The band has so far sold more than 25,000 tickets in its combined performances in Israel.

The band, like in previous shows, is set to play famous songs such as Money for Nothing, Sultans of Swing, Brothers in Arms and Tunnel of Love.

The show will take place in the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, with ticket prices ranging between NIS 200600.

(Translated & edited by Lior Mor)
According to a report on ISISs news agency, Israel made aerial strikes on targets in the northern Sinai Peninsula on Thursday, killing two children.

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The report on Amaq alleges that the IAF attack took place in southern Egyptian Rafah on the Gaza border. The alleged targets attacks were not specified.

ISIS militant in Sinai (File)

The Egyptian Army announced on Saturday that 18 ISIS militants have been eliminated in recent days in northern Sinai, specifically in El Arish, Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid.

Amaq also reported last month on Israel allegedly killing five ISIS militants with a drone attack in Sinai . This was ten days after four rockets were fired from the peninsula into Israel, attacks for which ISIS claimed responsibility

(Translated and edited by J. Herzog)
The Greek parliament voted in favor of granting citizenship to descendants of Greek Jews, Holocaust survivors, on Friday.

The voting took place after decades of delay. In 2011, the Greek government had voted in favor of granting citizenship to elderly Greek Jews who had survived the Holocaust.

It is estimated that 20,000 descendants of Holocaust survivors of Greek origin live in Israel, while several thousands are believe to live in the US.

Some 60,000-70,000 Greek Jews, or at least 81% of the countrys Jewish population, were murdered by Nazi Germany.

All political parties voted in favor of the bill, except for Greeces major opposition party New Democracy that voted present and far-right Golden Dawn that voted against it.
A neo-Nazi organization active in Sweden has been disrupting lectures from Holocaust survivors throughout the country, but the police are refusing to provide security at the locations of such talks, according to Israels top envoy to the Nordic country.

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Ambassador Isaac Bachman, who has 29 years experience with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, wrote of this situation in a diplomatic cable to the MFA in Jerusalem.

The neo-Nazi Nordic Resistance Movement is known in Sweden for its extremely provocative activities, despite it being a small organization with no more than 200 activists.

Members of the Nordic Resistance Movement march in Sweden

It has a clearly racist and anti-Semitic ideology, and its members make sure to plan their activities to cause the most friction and receive the highest amount of media coverage.

As one would expect from such an organization, the Nordic Resistance Movement denies the Holocaust and deems the eyewitness accounts of its few remaining survivors to be preposterous.

As part of their campaign to interrupt lectures by survivors, they went to a talk given three weeks ago by a Holocaust survivor who has lived in Sweden for decades and who frequently shares his personal experiences with the public.

Members of the organization protested outside the hall where he was speaking and distributed flyers to attendees that spread their Holocaust-denying ideology. The informational materials claimed that lecture being given was entirely bogus. The ensuing verbal confrontations deteriorated into a physical brawl.

Describing the event in his telegram, the ambassador wrote, This incident is one of similar others in which the organization interferes with the running of lectures being given by Holocaust survivors

A similar and aggressive disturbance took place last April in another city in which the Holocaust survivors lecture barely continued, in spite of members of the neo-Nazi organization entering and interfering during. And all this (took place) after the police were called to the location.

Due to such talks having become targets for provocation, the schools that organize them have tried to obtain security from the police. So far, they have been unsuccessful. Bachman wrote that the police refuse to provide security at the events because the member of the Nordic Resistance Movement do not yet appear to innately provoke violence.

(Translated and edited by J. Herzog)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's holding a meeting at his official Jerusalem residence on Saturday afternoon with ministers before Shabbat ended rilied ultra-Orthodox members of the coalition.

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The ministerial meeting was concerning the establishment of the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation. It was attended by Likud Ministers of Tourism Yariv Levin, Culture and Sport Miri Regev, and Tzachi Hanegbi, who does not hold a portfolio. Coalition Chairman and fellow Likud member MK David Bitan also attended.

Rabbis MK Gafni (L) and Minister Litzman (File photo: Motti Kimchi)

The timing of the meeting incensed ultra-Orthodox parliamentarians. Minister of Health Rabbi Yaakov Litzman (United Torah Judaism) commented, I was shocked to hear about Prime Minister Netanyahus meeting with a few government ministers that was held in desecration of Shabbat.

This is serious damage to the sanctity of Shabbat and a change for the worse from the status quo prevailing throughout the years not to hold official government activities on Shabbat and holidays. Shabbat is a national day of rest, and throughout generations, the people of Israel know to keep the holiness of Shabbat and prevent desecrating it.

I intend to talk to the prime minister tonight on this subject and ask him for clarification on this serious incident.

MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni (United Torah Judaism) also released a statement claiming that he had spoken with Netanyahu on the matter. As the meeting did not relate to matters of life and death, the statement reads, it is very serious and unprecedented and unacceptable, even if it was an unofficial consultation.

Gafnis statement claimed that he received a response from Netanyahus people that a few ministers came to him, and he personally doesnt desecrate Shabbat. He promises that such an incident wont recur.

(Translated and edited by J. Herzog)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed his coalition chairman's threat of seeking early elections, confirming his change of opinion regarding the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC) on Facebook Saturday.

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Early Saturday the prime minister held a meeting with Likud Ministers of Tourism Yariv Levin and of Culture and Sport Miri Regev, and Tzachi Hanegbi, who does not hold a portfolio. Coalition Chairman and fellow Likud member MK David Bitan also attended.

The general consensus of the meeting was that the IPBC should not be allowed to be erected, and that the feud between Netanyahu and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon (Kulanu) over the subject of the IPBC and the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) cannot be allowed to continue.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon (Photo: Olivia Pitosi)

The ministers told Netanyahu that Kahlon has the most to lose from an election, claiming that they expect Yesh Atid Leader MK Yair Lapid to steal a lot of his votes.

During the meeting the ministers presented Netanyahu with the data concerning the IBA's restructure, claiming that it won't require any further spending, and is therefore out of the Kahlon's jurisdiction, since the finance minister cannot interfere in any law concerning communications which doesnt require funding.

In the meeting Netanyahu summarized that he will stand against establishing the IPBC, adding, "If we don't reach an agreement with Kahlon, we will hold elections."

In a Facebook post, Netanyahu confirmed, "I changed my opinion following a meeting I held with IBA workers yesterday. In the meeting I listened to heart-wrenching stories about experiences and dedicated workers sent home because of the IPBC.

"In addition to that, it was revealed during the meeting that, contrary to data by the Finance Ministry, the cost of keeping the IBA running is tens of millions of shekels cheaper than erecting the IPBC. So what do we even need it for?"

Sources close to Minister Kahlon responded to the Prime Minister claims, saying that Netanyahu "has Kahlon's number. If he wants to go back on his word he can call."

Those same sources added that "If Netanyahu wants electionsKahlon is not worried. The IPBC will be erected just as it was agreed on."

(Translated & edited by Lior Mor)
At India Today Conclave 2017 in Mumbai today four of the finest legal minds in the country debated the issue, the problems and possible way outs to avoid a clash between two key institutions of the government.

By India Today Web Desk: There have been many instances of conflict between the executive and judiciary in recent times with the striking down of the law for setting up National Judicial Appointment Committee by the Supreme Court.

At India Today Conclave 2017 in Mumbai today four of the finest legal minds in the country debated the issue, the problems and possible way outs to avoid a clash between two key institutions of the government.

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All the participants- former Supreme Court judge Justice BN Srikrishna, former Union Minister Kapil Sibal, noted lawyer Harish Salve and Arghya Sengupta, Research Director, Vidhi Centre For Legal Policy

- agreed that the conflict between executive and judiciary are on the rise.

While legal researcher Arghya Sengupta said that he did not see any problem in 'frosty relationship between executive and judiciary', Salve blamed the government for judiciary encroaching upon the domain of executive.

"When government shrinks, judiciary expands," Salve said adding, "If you invite a lion to walk on the streets, you cannot dictate it who to devour."

Both Salve and Sibal objected to interference by judiciary in the BCCI affairs recently.

THE PROBLEM

The participants in the discussion agreed that the massive backlog at various levels of judiciary is among the critical problems faced by judiciary today.

About 2.28 crore cases are pending in lower courts across the country, about 40 lakh in various high courts and over 68 thousand in the Supreme Court.

"On an average 90 cases are listed per day per judge in the courts. Every Monday and Friday 60 matters are listed for a judge in the Supreme Court," Kapil Sibal said while highlighting the workload on the judges.

Harish Salve pointed out that the judges-population ratio in India is highly skewed. "Ideally it should be 50 judges for every million population. In India, we have a sanctioned strength of 30 judges per million," he said.

"In reality we have 13 judges per million population in the country," Sibal said adding, "Centre cannot appoint judges in the lower courts and the state governments don't appoint judges in enough numbers because it is not their priority."

WHO IS TO BLAME FOR JUDICIAL DELAYS

Justice BN Srikrishna said that the executive, lawyers and judges, all three are responsible for delay in justice delivery in the country.

"Judges are not prepared themselves for the cases because they think the lawyers are not prepared for the cases. The lawyers think that judges would not be prepared, so they don't prepare. And, judges are overloaded because there are not enough judges in the courts," Justice Srikrishna said.

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Under the such circumstance the quality of judgement won't be good, the former Supreme Court judge said.

Research Director of Vidhi Centre For Legal Policy Culture Arghya Sengupta identified adjournments in the courts as the real problem for delay in justice.

He said, "Yesterday at the India Today Conclave, President Pranab Mukherjee said disruption in Parliament is a disease. Similarly, adjournments in courts of law are also a disease."

WHO SHOULD APPOINT JUDGES?

Appointment of judges in higher judiciary has been a major bone of contention between the executive and the judiciary.

Justice Srikrishna made an impassioned appeal to back to pre-collegium days as prescribed under the original Constitution.

"Follow the earlier convention of appointing judges in higher judiciary. Before collegium system was introduced, the CJI used to recommend the names of judges to the President, who would approve the names if there are not major objection to the names. Reverting to that convention is the only solution," Justice Srikrishna said.

Salve said that nobody seems to be serious about justice delivery system. "System of politicians appointing judges is not acceptable. System of judges appointing judges is also not acceptable," Salve said adding, "The NJAC judgement of the Supreme Court was unconvincing."

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WHAT IS THE SOLUTION

Justice Srikrishna said that increasing the number of judges and providing better infrastructure are the two measures that would make the justice delivery system quicker in India.

Sengupta said that better and deeper use of technology in judiciary would provide solution to judicial backlog. "Aadhaar-like system be introduced in judiciary so that the status of cases and engagement of lawyers can be made transparent. No lawyer should be given two cases at the same time."

"Increase the number of judges in courts, hike their salaries and increase the age of retirement for judges," Sengupta further argued.

ALSO READ | India Today Conclave 2017: Indecision cost Goa, BJP election-winning machine, concedes Congress

Also watch:

Executive vs Judiciary at Conclave 2017: When government shrinks, judiciary expands, says Harish Salve

--- ENDS ---
President Reuven Rivlin departed Saturday night for a state visit to Vietnam at the invitation of the countrys president, Tran ai Quang.

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Rivlin was accompanied on his visit by a delegation of Israeli business leaders headed by President of Israels Manufacturers' Association, Shraga Brosh, and a further delegation of heads of Israeli defense industry firms, led by Director General of the International Defense Cooperation Directorate of the Israel Ministry of Defense Brig. Gen. (res.) Michel Ben-Baruch.

President Reuven Rivlin (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

The president commented, This visit represents an expression of the growing friendship between our two countries.

He added, We see in Vietnam a country leading Asia, and we are following with appreciation their impressive economic growth. Security and economic cooperation between us will promote this prosperity and growth of both countries, and will contribute to the stability to each of our regions.

Rivlin continued, I believe that cooperation between Israel and Vietnam can contribute to the advancement and improvement of the lives of many. Together we can promote food security, agricultural advancements, water technologies, education, health, hi-tech, and cyber.

"We hope that over the course of this visit we will be able to advance in a very significant way efforts toward the signing of a free trade agreement between Israel and Vietnam, and to the strengthening of the firm friendship between our peoples.

President of Israels Manufacturers' Association, Shraga Brosh, commented, I am grateful to President Rivlin for including this prestigious business delegation in his visit to Vietnam. I am sure that this visit will promote trade with Vietnam, open doors, and strengthen the economic ties between the countries.
Senior German officials cast doubt Saturday on Turkey's chances of joining the European Union, amid growing tensions with Ankara over human rights and Turkey's claim that it's being treated unfairly by countries in western Europe.

In an interview published by Hamburg weekly Der Spiegel, Germany's foreign minister suggested that for now the most that Turkey can hope for is to one day achieve a "privileged partnership" with the bloc.

"Turkey is further away than ever before from EU membership," Sigmar Gabriel was quoted as saying.
It often takes baby steps to make changes in state laws and thats what former state Sen. Lowen Kruse was doing when he co-sponsored a bill in 2005 that resulted in the current law that allows convicted felons to regain their voting rights two years after they have completed their sentences, including parole or probation.

Now its time that the state take another step and drop that two-year waiting period, restoring former prisoners right to vote immediately after they complete their sentences.

Thats what Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha has proposed in LB75, which has been advanced by a legislative committee and is awaiting debate on the floor of the Legislature.

Its estimated that, if this bill is passed, it would affect about 7,800 felons in the state, not counting all the prisoners to be released from state prisons in the future.

During the legislative committee hearing on Waynes bill, Kruse said that his bill from 12 years ago was a political compromise that was made in order to get it passed. He supports the effort this year to allow convicted felons to vote as soon as they have completed their sentences.

Nebraska law now requires parole after a prisoner is released with nearly all sentences, and even with this bill, they would still have to complete their parole before being allowed to vote.

If LB75 becomes law, the state would become the 25th to restore felons voting rights immediately after they have completed parole or probation. Another 13 states and the District of Columbia allow ex-cons to vote as soon as they are released from prison.

When people leave prison, it can be difficult for them to adjust to life outside prison walls. The high percentage of criminals who return to prison is a serious problem that Nebraska must continue to work to address and this bill is one way to encourage community involvement. If former prisoners are encouraged to speak their minds about community and state issues, that could help them find their place in society and live law-abiding lives.

With Nebraskas continued issues with prison overcrowding, the Legislature should embrace this chance to encourage convicted criminals to leave their lives of crime behind them. LB75 is one way that the state can tell people who have served their sentences that they have paid their debt to society and are now full members of their communities.
Editor's Note: This is the third in a series regarding the mitigation hearing for convicted child killer, Sydney Thieszen, which was held in York County District Court this week.

Due to a Supreme Court ruling, which says juvenile offenders cannot be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, Thieszen will be re-sentenced for the crime of first degree murder.

YORK  Sydney Thieszen has been in prison since he was 14.

Hes now 44 years old.

So hes spent three decades behind bars  the majority of his life.

In an effort to show that Thieszen has matured since entering a life of incarceration, his attorney, Jeffrey Pickens, called to the witness stand Jeff Koch who has been a guard at the prison in Tecumseh where Thieszen has spent many years.

It was established that Pickens and Koch had never spoken to each other, prior to their interaction during this weeks court proceedings, which is necessary due to regulations set forth by the Nebraska Department of Corrections. Pickens said guards cannot talk to defense attorneys or give inmates a reason to believe they can help them leave custody.

Pickens, who has defended a number of inmates that are in the same situation as Thieszen (regarding the legal requirement to be re-sentenced), told the court that he has called prison guards to testify without ever speaking to them prior to the court dates.

Koch indicated that he has worked as a corrections officer at Tecumseh for a number of years.

I worked there three years, then quit and was gone for 10 years and now Ive been back for three years, Koch said. So I guess Ive known him (Thieszen) over the course of those years.

In the last three years, how often have you had contact with Mr. Thieszen? Pickens asked.

Every day, Koch responded, saying he works 12-hour shifts, four days a week.

So throughout your shift, you see him? Pickens asked.

Yeah, Koch said. I see him knitting.

Do you see him do anything else? Pickens asked.

No, pretty much just knitting and working out, Koch responded.

Knitting what? the attorney asked.

Blankets, they look pretty good, Koch said.

How big are the blankets? Pickens asked.

I dont know . . . bigger than you, Koch responded.

That isnt saying much, Pickens said. How long does it take to make one of those blankets?

I dont know. A couple of months probably.

How do they leave prison? Pickens asked.

Koch said they are taken upstairs and they go away. They used to take them to the hobby shop but now theres no hobby shop.

Pickens then corrected Koch, instructing him that Thieszen is actually crocheting. He also asked if Thieszen has tools hes allowed to use when crocheting, how many hours a day he does so and if he teaches other inmates the craft.

I dont know, hes got crochet hooks or whatever, Koch said. He spends about 6-8 hours a day doing it. And yeah, Ive seen him teach other guys.

Have you seen him paint? Pickens asked.

Yeah, Ive seen him do some painting, some pictures, Koch said. But they arent as good as his knitting.

Pickens asked if Thieszen has a lot of visitors, Koch said he did.

Are a lot of them women? Pickens asked.

I have no clue, I just write the pass, Koch said.

In the first three years you worked for DCS (correctional services), what kind of an inmate was he? Pickens asked.

He was a lot sneakier than he is now, Koch said. He was doin stuff he wasnt supposed to, he doesnt do that now.

Like what? Pickens asked.

I dont know, I never caught him, Koch said.

Now are you concerned he will violate the rules?

No, Koch responded.

How would you describe Mr. Thieszen now? Pickens asked.

He doesnt cause any trouble, we have no problem with him, Koch said.

In response to a question about Thieszens interaction with other inmates, Koch said, He talks to inmates, they talk back, they work out together.

Do you have a notion of what makes a model inmate? Pickens asked.

No, not really, they are all different, Koch said.

Is he a good inmate?

Probably, Koch said.

Does he do anything he shouldnt be?

No. Hes always been decent to me, Koch said.

Koch also noted that he was unaware if Thieszen had any sort of bad reputation according to other corrections officers. We never talk about him, so he doesnt have one. He pretty much always does what hes supposed to.

During cross examination, Corey OBrien with the attorney generals office established through questioning Koch that there are times during the day that Koch does not see Thieszen, as he might be in his cell or in the yard.

Does he pretty much hang out with the same group (of inmates)? OBrien asked.

Yeah, pretty much about the same group, about four or five of them, Koch said. They are all knitting or crocheting or whatever.

Do you have conversations with them? OBrien asked.

Yeah, about what they are making, Koch said. I talk to him almost every day, just normal conversations, like how are you doin, what you makin, that type of thing.

Do you ever talk about why he is in there? OBrien asked.

No, I try to not know what they did so I can treat them all the same, Koch said.

Are you aware of any misconduct reports for him? OBrien asked.

No, I never wrote him up, Koch said.

OBrien also asked if Thieszen has ever attended any therapy sessions in prison and Koch said he wasnt aware of any.

You indicated that in the past he was sneakier, OBrien said. What did you mean?

He looked guilty and like he was trying to hide stuff, Koch said. I never caught him with nothing though.

Has his demeanor changed? OBrien asked.

I believe so, yes. It doesnt look like hes trying to get away with anything now, Koch said.

Another witness, a psychiatrist, was also called to the witness stand during the hearing. Her testimony will be published in the News-Times on Tuesday.

It should also be noted that the prosecutions witnesses will be called at a later date, prior to sentencing.
MONDAY 3/20

>> Alcoholics Anonymous - Fresh Start Group meets Monday at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York.

TUESDAY 3/21

>> Sexaholics Anonymous, a 12 Step recovery group for those dealing with addiction to pornography, sex, and other forms of lust, meets Tuesday nights at 5:45 p.m. For more information please call our toll free number 1-877-889-8071 or visit sanebraska.org.

>> Parkinsons Support Group will meet Tuesday, March 21 at 2 p.m. in the Willow Brook AL Gathering Room. For more information, contact Rita Maloley at 402.362.0440.

>> La Leche League of York will meet Tuesday, March 21, at 7 p.m. in the Lower Level of the York Medical Clinic Building, 2222 North Lincoln Avenue.No pre-registration or fee. Pregnancy is the ideal time to seek birth and breastfeeding education. All women and babies are welcome. Contact accredited leader, Gloria at 402-362-6875 or turnbull@inebraska.com

WEDNESDAY 3/22

>> Alcoholics Anonymous - Fresh Start Group meets Wednesday at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York.

THURSDAY 3/23

>> Weight Watchers meets in the basement of the York Towne House, 5th & Grant Ave., each Thursday. Weigh in 5:15 - 5:45 p.m.; Member meeting 5:45 - 6:15 p.m.

>> AL-ANON meets Thursday at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York.

>> Narcotics Anonymous meets Thursday at 8 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in the Annex building.

>> A Baby Care class will be held on Thursday, March 9 at 7 p.m. in the Medical Office Building Lower Level, contact OB Director Nancy Hengelfelt, RNC, at 402.362.0457 for more information.

FRIDAY 3/24

>> Alcoholics Anonymous - Fresh Start Group meets Friday at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York.

>> Alcoholics Anonymous - AWOL Group meets Friday at 8 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York.

SATURDAY 3/25

>> Alcoholics Anonymous - Fresh Start Group meets Saturday at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York.
The following questions were asked recently on the Wonderline:

Q: I saw a vehicle in Harrison Park. Is that allowed? I didnt think people could drive vehicles in our parks.

A: If the vehicle was owned by the citys public works department, then it is allowed because they are there doing work.

The same would remain true for vehicles for law enforcement, emergency response, etc.

Otherwise, vehicles are not allowed in the parks, according to Section 25-1 of the municipal code. All motor-driven vehicles are prohibited in those areas, unless special circumstances exist and city permission has been granted.

Q: I read all these stories about the problems at the Tecumseh prison and Im just wondering when that prison was built and if there are any other facts you can give us about that particular facility. Im also curious about the town of Tecumseh itself, as to its size, its population.

A: The Tecumseh State Correctional Institution is a medium/maximum security state correctional institution for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

It is located in Johnson County, about two miles north of Tecumseh.

It was established in 1997. Construction began in 1998 and the facility began accepting inmates in December, 2001. All inmates are males who were adjudicated as adults and classified as medium or maximum custody.

The institution is designed to house 960 inmates; it is the only facility in Nebraska to house death row inmates (except inmates who are within a week of their execution, who are housed at the Nebraska State Penitentiary).

In 2013, it was over capacity with 1,008 prisoners. A prisoner riot occurred in 2015, which resulted in the deaths of two inmates and injuries to two guards.

Another incident occurred in March 2, 2017, resulting in the deaths of two inmates.

Regarding the town of Tecumseh itself, its population in the last official census was 1,677.

Q: I have another question about the prison in Tecumseh. They keep saying that they are having a hard time keeping help. Just how many jobs are open there right now?

A: According to an Omaha World Herald story that ran on March 5, there are 53 job vacancies at the prison in Tecumseh.

In that same story, it said that the amount of overtime hours worked at Tecumseh and the turnover rate for security forces is virtually unchanged from May 2015. Despite stepped-up recruiting efforts and increases in starting salaries, the overall number of job vacancies was higher than it was in 2015.

Q: I found those police statistics you ran this past week really interesting, for the York Police Department. It was fascinating to see how many calls the police go on and all the different types of things they do.

One area I didnt notice in the stories you ran had to do with domestic disputes. I read For the Record in the newspaper every day and Im always noticing, on a regular basis, how many times they are called to domestic disputes. Do you happen to have the year-end numbers for those types of issues as well?

I also noticed that you said men between the ages of 19 and 49 earned the majority of traffic tickets  I was curious as to how many women received traffic tickets in the city of York, if you could.

A: York Chief of Police Don Klug presented those numbers as well, we just didnt include the area called incidents, which would be more miscellaneous in nature than the arrest categories.

According to Klugs figures, there were 1,111 domestic/civil-related incidents to which York police officers were called. That was about a 1 percent decrease from the year before  so that number of calls stays pretty consistent year to year.

There were 1,445 incidents considered to be special services, which could have been for a variety of purposes.

There were 393 incidents regarding juveniles.

As far as women receiving traffic citations, here are the figures provided by the police department for the year of 2016: ages 16-18, five citations; 19-29, 19 citations; 30-49, 16 citations; 50-69, eight citations; and over 70, no citations.

As far as men receiving traffic citations, here are the figures provided by the police department for the year of 2016: ages 16-18, 12 citations; 19-29, 48 citations; 30-49, 33 citations; 50-69, 23 citations; over 70, three citations.

Q: I was making biscuits and ran out of buttermilk, which is a crucial part of my recipe that I always use. I couldnt get to the grocery store. Then someone told me you can just make buttermilk with milk and vinegar. Is that true?

A: Yes, we found a number of credible sources that say you just need to take one cup of milk and one tablespoon of white vinegar. Let it sit until it is thickened, about five minutes.

Q: I have recently discovered the joy of spaghetti squash, after never really understanding how to use it. Its so simple. My question, which you will probably think is stupid, is if we can grow these in Nebraska. Im assuming we can.

A: Yes, you can grow spaghetti squash in Nebraska. Direct sow after the last frost.

Q: Someone said there seems to be a lot more felony arrests lately and Im just curious how many felony cases have started since the beginning of this year.

A: We cant say exactly  but, upon reviewing the latest bind-overs to District Court (all of which are felonies in order for that to happen), the case numbers have reached 22 as of this week (with others pending for bind over in York County Court).
EXETER  A World War II veteran has been honored for his 70 years of Legion membership.

The award was presented as the Exeter American Legion held its annual Legion Birthday Party on March 13.

The Exeter Legion Post was originally chartered in 1926 and the current Legion building was purchased in 1954.

And since 1947, Roy Stubbendick has been a member.

During the party, Stubbendick was honored with his 70-year membership pin to commemorate the milestone.

Stubbendick was a C-47 pilot during World War II.

The C-47 was a flying truck. It held everything for the ground troops. There were many places we delivered the necessities of life, explained Stubbendick.

Stubbendick flew supplies on the India-Burma-China route for a little over a year before the war was over. Often there were no landing strips or airports, You just missed the trees and pushed things out the door.

Sometimes it was a little more than exciting because you never knew who was out there, he noted.

Stubbendick, who will turn 96 next month, recalled flying over Egypt and seeing the pyramids . . . as well as flying over the Amazon River which seems like we flew over for half a day.

In India, the men in his unit stayed four to a tent. Stubbendick recalled waking up in the night and hearing something moving in the tent. As he pulled his .45 out from under his pillow to be ready to shoot the intruder, he realized it was a cow. Thankfully, he didnt pull the trigger as cows are sacred in India.

After spending so many hours flying, he was instructed to park his plane on a mountain near Calcutta at the end of the war, and as far as I know, they (his and the other airplanes) are still there.

Riding home on a boat was a long trip for a pilot and Stubbendick vividly remembers their arrival home which was indicated by passing under the Golden Gate bridge.

That was a thrill, he remembered.

Stubbendick worked and resided in Exeter nearly 50 years before his retirement.
India Today Conclave 2017 has concluded. The two-day event witnessed business leaders, politicians, thought leaders and icons from all fields of life exploring and exchanging ideas. Among the top speakers were Prime Minister Narendra Modi, megastars Amitabh Bachchan, superstar Shah Rukh Khan, filmmaker Karan Johar, industrialist Mukesh Ambani and many others. Here's a highlight of what all happened on Day 2 of India Today Conclave 2017.

By India Today Web Desk: India Today Conclave 2017 has concluded. The two-day event witnessed business leaders, politicians, thought leaders and icons from all fields of life exploring and exchanging ideas. Among the top speakers were Prime Minister Narendra Modi, megastars Amitabh Bachchan, superstar Shah Rukh Khan, filmmaker Karan Johar, industrialist Mukesh Ambani and many others. Here's a highlight of what all happened on Day 2 of India Today Conclave 2017.

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AS IT HAPPENED:

8:41 pm: The mantra of new India will be opportunity for everyone. New India is not about upkaar but about avsar. It is about opportunity for all, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

8:39 pm: In the health sector, work is on at a quick place. A roadmap has been prepared to make healthcare accessible to the nation: PM Modi.

8:37 pm: The government recently approved the National Healthcare Policy. Over 70 per cent of medical devices come from abroad, we are trying to bring down that percentage through Make in India initiative, says PM Modi.

8:34 pm: Addition of optical fibres is happening at a very quick pace and that too in rural areas: Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

8:30 pm: Our government is working with total vision not tunnel vision: PM Modi

#ModiatConclave17We have been holistically working on power sector & have been successful too: @narendramodiLive https://t.co/VHffbdV2RJ pic.twitter.com/gVAfwNjXrx- India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

8:25 pm: The government's focus is now on next generation infrastructure. Significant resources have been devoted to the railway and road sector. Speed of work in the railway and the road sector is progressing at a very quick pace, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

8:22 pm: For the first time since Independence, Budget was presented one month before its usual time. This was done keeping in mind our farmers and the agriculture season: PM Modi.

8:20 pm: We have begun work on electrifying villages that did not receive electricity for so many years after Independence. Transparency in government work is our priority: PM Modi.

#ModiatConclave17Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas is not only a slogan, we trying to live it: @narendramodiLive at https://t.co/VHffbecDJh pic.twitter.com/oyVItk5qO6- India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

Bigger than the strength of the government is thejanshakti, says PM Modi

8:16 pm: People of country have united over the issue of black money and corruption following demonetisation. This will give rise to a new India: PM Narendra Modi.

8:15 pm: Why do small shops have to shut early. Why can't the small shopkeeper keep his or her shop open for longer hours. We brought changes to ensure shopkeepers can keep shops open longer and this gives better economic opportunities to them: PM Modi

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8:13 pm: Small changes can also have big impact, says PM Modi at India Today Conclave 2017.

8:10 pm: The manner in which the GST was achieved is as important as the GST itself. States have taken ownership of this: PM Narendra Modi.

8:08 pm: Make in India has emerged as the biggest initiative of India. We believe in cooperative federalism. And see the GST process for instance, it showed what deliberative democracy is about: PM : PM Modi

8:06 pm: Like the freedom movement, we need a movement for development, where collective aspirations propel growth of the nation: PM Modi

#ModiatConclave17PM Modi points out the achievements of India as a country in the last couple of years.Live at https://t.co/VHffbecDJh pic.twitter.com/IaZCCxTNPU- India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

8:05 pm: We considered the corrective measures that we took for bad policies of the past as reforms: PM Narendra Modi

8:03 pm: Aspirations of youth have changed. My government is working on a theme of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat: PM Modi.

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7:59 pm: You called me disruptor-in-chief, I am correcting past mistakes: PM Modi.

7:26 pm: Dreams need to be unlimited, there's no point them being limited. They have to be big. They have to go wrong: Shah Rukh Khan.

WATCH: Shah Rukh Khan giving some acting tips to Koel Purie Rinchet

7:21 pm: One should learn to ignore a lot being said about you, says Shah Rukh Khan.

The good point about social media is that you can put your point across, the bad point is a lot of other people can also put their views: Shah Rukh Khan

7:18 pm: I work with younger female actors to feel young, to get connected with the younger generation: Shah Rukh Khan.

#Conclave17Why knowing yourself is more important than knowing or not knowing others, asks @iamsrkLIVE https://t.co/VHffbecDJh pic.twitter.com/ply7tl8ldO- India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

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7:15 pm: To be a father at 50 makes me feel young: Shah Rukh Khan.

7:10 pm: We always tend to convince ourselves that whatever we are doing is right. Speak your mind inside the bathroom in front of a mirror: Shah Rukh Khan

7:06 pm: There have been times when I have been to funerals and cry and think whether the tears are real or not:Shah Rukh Khan

6:58 pm: There's nothing unreal about Hindi movies: Shah Rukh Khan.

6:45 pm: You have to remain connected to inner and outer world. When it comes to success and fame people would advise you all sort of things, it's all hogwash, says Shah Rukh Khan.

#Conclave17 Watch what @iamsrk has to say about the spotlight and the constantly changing world.LIVE https://t.co/VHffbecDJh pic.twitter.com/ICLPLO9MyO- India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

6:41 pm: Media often portrays that JNU is a sex den or den of rapes but that is not the case there, says Shehla Rashid.

ABVP Leader @_Janhwi talks about making college campuses more student and teacher friendly #Conclave17 pic.twitter.com/pDf179S7Xs- India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

6:40 pm: Feminism is all about breaking binaries: Sabika Abbas Naqvi, Gender Rights Activist.

6:32 pm: Our safety is in our freedom, says Shehla Rashid, former vice president JNUSU.

There is a conspiracy to make women change their religion: @Varada_M on Love Jihad LIVE https://t.co/VHffbecDJh pic.twitter.com/ivinV88GRO- India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

6:30 pm: Why is death/birth anniversary of Yakub Memon, Afzal Guru is celebrated, why can't we celebrate people like APJ Abdul Kalam: Jahnavi Ojha, ABVP

#Conclave17 It is very important for the women to be in student politics: Jahnavi Ojha, leader ABVPLIVE https://t.co/VHffbecDJh pic.twitter.com/br5ZekRoiJ- India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

6:25 pm: If Afzal Guru is a shaheed, then what about those who died saving our temple of democracy, our Parliament: Jahnavi Ojha of ABVP.

6:15 pm: Everybody can find ways to step back I am a rare person who had never meditated in my life. The last 20 minutes before you sleep and 20 minutes after you wake up are disproportionately important: Pico Iyer

6:10 pm: I am a multinational soul on a multinational globe. I fold up myself and carry it around as if it were overnight bag: Pico Iyer

5:59 pm: The real world has more potential to shock people today as they are spending humongous amount of time in front of a screen. Our devices more addictive than the most addictive drug: Pico Iyer

5:56 pm: Technology has made our lives brighter, healthier. We should understand that problems never exist in our devices, problems exist in us, says Pico Iyer

5:53 pm: Humans were never designed to live at a pace of machines: Pico Iyer.

5:51 pm: I have been reading India Today magazine since its inception, says author Pico Iyer

5:05 pm: Beauty of (Saadat Hasan) Manto is that after so many years, he is still relevant. If freedom of speech is curbed, we are going back in time , says Nandita Das.

4:35 pm: My biggest fear is the day when I am not doing any more work, not doing movies. Fear is not a bad thing, like you can't outrun your shadow, you can't outrun fear, says Alia Bhatt.

4:30 pm: True knowledge can be acquired by being on the threshold of ignorance, says Alia Bhatt.

4:25 pm: My father taught me that there is always someone better than me somewhere. So, never say that I have arrived: actor Alia Bhatt.

.@aliaa08 is playing the role of her father on #Conclave17 stage & asking these questions. LIVE https://t.co/VHffbecDJh pic.twitter.com/g9qUqq7lzH- India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

4:16 pm: We highly appreciate India's stand over the Syrian crisis. After the Arab Spring, the problem just expanded by external interference : Riad Abbas.

4:12 pm: The issue of refugees can be addressed but there is a need of solidarity and responsibility sharing. We in India have always welcomed refugees. India was born amidst a huge refugees crisis. During partition, the country struggled to address the problem but we managed to survive, says Venu Rajamony, Press Secretary to the President and Additional Secretary, Ministry of External Affair.

4:10 pm: Now it is the time for global solidarity. The world needs to be more protective, more solidarity is needed: Elhadj As Sy.

4:07 pm: The present situation is comparable to the one during the second World War. We should work towards ending the conflicts so that no one forced leave their home. Let's protect humanity, says Elhadj As Sy, Secretary General, International Federation of Red Cross.

4:04 pm: No body likes to leave his/her home. People are being forced to leave their country due to terrorism. Cross-border terrorism is the biggest reason behind the refugee crisis: Riad Abbas, Syria's Ambassador To India

3:57 pm: We should look for solutions through dialogues. We need to build up mutual trust. We are living in restless times. The world is in state of flux: Liz Mohn

#Conclave17 We are living in restless times. The world is in state of flux: Liz Mohn, Vice-Chairwoman, Bertelsmann Stiftung pic.twitter.com/sNeA1PpJzE- India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

3:55 pm: 65 million worldwide are fleeing military conflicts. Many of them come to Europe because they seek safety. We want to help, but we can't help all: Liz Mohn, Vice-Chairwoman, Bertelsmann Stiftung, Germany

3:47 pm: I am ready to be a judge even today at no cost, says Justice B.N. Srikrishna, former Supreme Court judge.

3:45 pm: Some people are appointed because they know the law, others are appointed because they know the judges: Harish Salve

In pictures: India Today Mumbai Conclave 2017 Day 2

3:41 pm: A frosty relationship between the judiciary and executive is actually not a bad thing, says Arghya Sengupta.

3:35 pm: I don't trust the politicians to appoint judges, I don't trust the collegium system either. I would never want to be a judge. I am not mentally trained for that: Kapil Sibal.

3:31 pm: We don't take judicial system seriously. Clients don't mind paying if you agree to take up their case: Harish Salve

ALSO READ: Executive vs Judiciary at Conclave 2017: 'If you invite a lion on street, can't dictate who to devour'

3:29 pm: On any given Monday or Friday there are 60 cases lined up, some of them running into thousands of pages, how can you expect a judge to come prepare: Kapil Sibal.

#Conclave17Unless men of integrity decide to appoint judges on objective basis, system will fail:@KapilSibal LIVE https://t.co/VHffbecDJh pic.twitter.com/hQYIlVaZng- India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

3:25 pm: Adjournments in the courts also responsible for pending cases: Arghya Sengupta, Research Director.

3:22 pm: Millions of people still have no access to courts in the country. People don't know how to go to court , says Kapil Sibal, lawyer and former Union Minister of Law and Justice.

3:16 pm: We need more judges in India, says noted lawyer Harish Salve.

2:25 pm: Always have a purpose in life. Dreams are not something you see while sleeping, dreams should keep you awake, says Mukesh Ambani.

2:23 pm: In the coming years, both me and my wife want to do something in the education sector: Mukesh Ambani.

2:17 pm: If you focus on the obstacle you'll never succeed, if you focus on the goal you'll achieve the target: Mukesh Ambani

2:15 pm: The challenge for us is execution. We are blessed to have a leader who not only understands the people but the world and technology: Mukesh Ambani on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

#Conclave17We are blessed to have a leader who understands not only people but world & tech: Mukesh Ambani on PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/3paTprtpmh- India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

2:13 pm: I haven't ever thought of joining politics. Politics is not my strength. There are various sectors through which one can work for the country: Mukesh Ambani.

2:10 pm: India today is exciting, India tomorrow will be fulfilling and game changing, says Mukesh Ambani.

#Conclave17India can overcome the challenge of educational infrastructure through technology: Mukesh Ambani LIVE https://t.co/VHffbecDJh pic.twitter.com/8vKgMJWViK- India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

2:02 pm: A second green revolution is possible through the digital platform. Like Make in India, Digital India, we need Keep in India to retain country's talented workforce: Mukesh Ambani.

In pictures: India Today Mumbai Conclave 2017 Day 2

2:00 pm: India can overcome the challenges facing the education sector through digitisation. Through Jio we are connecting some 58,000 colleges and schools. Once this is done, we'll have most digital enabled education system in the world: Mukesh Ambani.

1:57 pm: I have no doubt that India will propel itself to global level of performance. I believe the fourth industrial revolution is the first human centric industrial revolution. However, we need to create more jobs annually. The job creating potential of the organised sector is limited: Mukesh Ambani

1:54 pm: Jio network can be upgraded to 5G and beyond. By the end of 2017, Jio's network will cover 99 per cent population of the country. India is a huge and open market. India is fortunate to have a leadership which believes in connecting with the world: Mukesh Ambani.

1:51 pm: India is a very young nation and our youth adapt to technology very easily and I have seen this with my experience in the Jio business, Mukesh Ambani

1:48 pm: The world is on the verge of fourth industrial revolution. We are at the dawn of a new era of humanity and India must be prepared for it, says Mukesh Ambani.

1:42 pm: India today is great but India tomorrow will be fantastic. India is the fifth largest economy and the fastest growing economy. The day is not far when we will the third largest economy in the world: Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries.

1:30 pm: President Trump has always talked about getting rid of cross-border terrorism. President Trump won't tolerate Pakistan's doublespeak on terrorism, says Shalabh Kumar.

1:25 pm: A few years ago, when President Obama had just took the charge and he jumped the gun calling an incident a hate crime before it was established, he was severely criticised: Shalabh Kumar.

1:22 pm: The issue is being over exaggerated. There is racial motivation all over US, world. But President Trump took a very major step. You have to let investigating agencies to their job. You can't base your statements on hearsay, says Shalabh Kumar on recent hate crimes against Indians in US.

1: 17 pm: United States considers India as a true friend. His "Abki Baar Trump sirkar" ad based on Modi's election campaign went viral: Shalabh Kumar.

In pictures: India Today Mumbai Conclave 2017 Day 2

1:10 pm: US would want India to be a second alternate to China by promoting Make in India: Shalabh Kumar.

1:05 pm: Here in India, we have a reformer, Narendra Modi and in in the US we have Donald Trump. Both want to cut the red tape and perform. The 21st Century will be an India-America era, says Shalabh Kumar, Founder, Republican Hindu Coalition

12:53 pm: We want to be reassured that nothing happens in the future and so, the borders should be sealed. It is an open secret it is the military which takes decision in Pakistan and not the democratically elected government. As long as the military establishment calls the shots, there will be trouble: G Parthasarathy.

12:49 pm: There are no terror training camps in Pakistan. Terrorism is one issue which is a common challenge for both the countries. We also need to discuss Siachen, Jammu and Kashmir. We need to pug the trust deficit which exists at the moment. Dealing with terrorism requires cooperation between both the neighbouring nations, says Abdul Basit.

#Conclave17 Two Indian Sufi clerics are missing in Pak, here's what @abasitpak1 said about this LIVE https://t.co/VHffbecDJh pic.twitter.com/8uB8IjBD0x- India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

12:46 pm: Hillary Clinton had told Pakistan "you can't nurture snakes in your backyard and expect them to bite only your neighbours", when they talk about being hit by terrorism they should remember they are responsible for it, says G Parthasarathy.

12:44 pm: I hope things would move forward as far as 26/11 trial is concerned. For that to happen there has to be a conducive environment. We need to sit across the table and discuss things, we can't expect action in vacuum, says Abdul Basit.

12:40 pm: Nothing justifies terrorism. Osama, world's most wanted terrorist, was found living close to a military cantonment in a palatial house in Pakistan and they deny backing terror groups: G Parthasarathy.

12:32 pm: 26/11 Mumbai attacks trial is a complex issue. I would request my Indian friends not to jump the gun. We need to assist our court in order to give justice. Why is it taking time to bring perpetrators of Samjhauta blasts to books: Abdul Basit, High Commissioner of Pakistan to India.

12:30 pm: If 1993 Mumbai blast mastermind Dawood Ibrahim can't be executed, how can we expect justice for 26/11 victims so soon: Gopalaswami Parthasarathy, former High Commissioner of India to Pakistan.

12:23 pm: We stand for a better future for Muslims of the country. BJP is firmly against triple talaq: Piyush Goyal.

12:17 pm: No plans to disinvest Air India. Every country needs a national carrier. None of the private airlines would agree to operate Haj flights, says Piyush Goyal.

12:16 pm: I can do a good job in reviving the Congress, quips Power Minister Piyush Goyal.

12:14 pm: The greatest misfortune for India has been Congress' divisive politics. They have divided India on caste, religion lines. We don't divide society religious lines, says Piyush Goyal.

Must watch!.@prithvrj asks a question related to corruption to @PiyushGoyal, here's how the minister responded https://t.co/VHffbecDJh pic.twitter.com/bqlfOg31dY- India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

12:10 pm: Under PM Modi, collective decision making system is disappearing. The BJP excluded Muslims from political process in UP. They didn't field a single Muslim candidate in Uttar Pradesh: Chavan.

12:05 pm: The people of India have voted for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They believe that here is a leader who is working tirelessly for the country, says Piyush Goyal.

12:02 pm: We've envisioned a new India and our government is working hard towards it. The sad part of Congress is that it thinks only in a linear way, while the BJP has a holistic approach towards any issue, says Piyush Goyal.

12:00 pm: BJP promised many things to people of Uttar Pradesh during election campaign. Let's wait and see whether they deliver on the promises: Chavan

11:54 am: Hope Rahul Gandhi leadership continues in Congress for some more time, says Piyush Goyal.

11: 51 am: Yes, the party paid a huge price for indecision in Goa. The responsibility is collective. Party certainly needs restructuring. I don't agree with Sheila Dikshit calling Rahul Gandhi immature, says Chavan.

11:47 am: Congress is in a grave situation. We have been in trouble in the past. The crisis is real, but lets not forget the BJP got just 31 per cent vote, nearly 70 per cent don't want the BJP, says former Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan.

11: 45 am: People of India have decided what the future of India would look like by voting for the BJP. We have governments in northeast, very soon Karnataka will see a change of hands, says Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy and Mines.

11:14 am: Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt are the most talented actors in the industry: Karan Johar.

11: 12 am: I am the hero of my story. If ever a film is made on my life would want Ranbir Kapoor to play me on the big screen, says Karan Johar

ALSO READ: Karan Johar at India Today Conclave 2017: Was there when my love was getting married

11:10 am: I want to be the mother of my children. I don't want them to be filmmaker if they don't want to be. My need to have children was my sense of nurturing. There was deep amount of loneliness, there was a vacuum. I wanted to channelise my love: Karan Johar.

11:05 am: Love is a beautiful thing. I love people who love love. Self pity is the most wonderful thing to be in, but one has to get out of that zone after some time: Karan Johar.

11:00 am: My father's letter for me was my Bible for me for the next few years. He believed that I was best filmmaker in the world, says Karan Johar.

10:55 am: I am who I am and I am proud of what I am. I walk the talk. I am not apologetic about my orientation. Being honest, being a public figure, is very important: Karan Johar.

.@karanjohar was bullied, called pansy & how he dealt with people at that time, he spills everything at #Conclave17 pic.twitter.com/Cbq6mwVYDC- India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

10:50 am: My sexuality is certainly is a big topic of debate. My honesty on several topics is one of the reasons I want to connect with people. Sometimes your imperfections can channelise your thoughts. It is okay to be imperfect. Everything in life is not like a hallmark card, says Karan Johar

10:45 am: I love hearing abuse, I am completely a sadist on that aspect, says filmmaker Karan Johar.

10:40 am: I love being trolled with all my heart. Being relevant is strategic. After a film like My Name is Khan, I made Student of the Year for younger kids, I wanted them to know what I was, what is am doing. Aspiration is fantastic, delusion is not, says Karan Johar.

10:30 am: Creating virtual paintings are much more interesting than video games, says artist Dhruvi Acharya.

10:25 am: All machine learning can be a tool for artists, creators, says Laurent Gaveau.

10:14 am: It has been wonderful to work in India and bring out stories from the country and present it to the world, says Laurent Gaveau, Head, Google Arts and Culture Lab, Paris.

#Conclave17When art meets technology. Watch Google Arts & Culture lab head Laurent Gaveau explaining technology https://t.co/VHffbecDJh pic.twitter.com/xjezXkyI3x- India Today (@IndiaToday) March 18, 2017

9:55 am: Looking forward to speak at India Today Conclave 2017, tweets Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Will speak at the India Today Conclave 2017 at 7:40 PM via video conferencing. Looking forward to the programme. #Conclave17 @IndiaToday

- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 18, 2017

WATCH: India Today Conclave 2017: Sabka saath, sabka vikas doesn't mean ticket allocation, says Amit Shah

WATCH: India Today Conclave 2017: PM Modi has his own way of doing things, says President Mukherjee

ALSO READ:

In India, power concentrated in PM: 10 takeaways from President Pranab Mukherjee's speech at #Conclave2017

Shamshaan over Kabristan in Uttar Pradesh, says Owaisi; Sajjad Lone counters with democracy argument

--- ENDS ---
PM Narendra Modi will speak on "Setting India's New Agenda", a topic he has already been hinting at since the BJP's landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh.

By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will close the two-day India Today Conclave 2017 with his address via video conference this evening that brings the curtains down on one of the most anticipated events of the year.

"Will speak at the India Today Conclave 2017 at 7:40 PM via video conferencing. Looking forward to the programme. #Conclave17 @IndiaToday," the Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted this morning.

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PM Narendra Modi will speak on "Setting India's New Agenda", a topic he has already been hinting at since the BJP's landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh.

In his congratulatory remarks to his party after the March 11 verdict saw the BJP storming to power in India's most populous state, Narendra Modi had promised to build a new India by 2022.

The India Today Conclave 2017, India's most iconic ideas platform, is being held at Hotel Grand Hyatt in Mumbai.

Narendra Modi's Man Friday and BJP president Amit Shah, who also spoke via video conference, was one of the star attractions on the inaugural day of the conclave.

In his conversation with Managing Editor Rahul Kanwal on Friday, Shah said the massive mandate in Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand for the party is a result of Narendra Modi's policies and his popularity among the masses.

Also read:

India Today Conclave 2017: In praising Modi, President pushes a rider - Cong-led UPA made economy strong

India Today Conclave 2017: Bihar-style Grand Alliance threat to BJP in 2019? It failed in UP, says Amit Shah

--- ENDS ---
At the India Today Conclave 2017, PM Narendra Modi said, "GST is an example of delegated democracy. Continuous discussions were held with the states for every clause of the law. GST decision was taken by consensus. All the states have taken the ownership."

By India Today Web Desk: Days after the goods and services tax was approved by the GST Council, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the tax reform step is an example of 'deliberative democracy', where states not only participated in the process but took 'ownership' of it.

PM Narendra Modi said, "GST is an example of delegated democracy. Continuous discussions were held with the states for every clause of the law. GST decision was taken by consensus. All the states have taken the ownership."

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"GST has made us identify the federal structure of India afresh. Sabka saath, sabka vikas is not only a slogan for us. We have this in every action and decision of our working," Modi said while delivering his special address at the India Today Conclave 2017 in Mumbai today.

Modi further added, "GST is now ready to roll out. But, it is time for the nation to debate and try to understand as it rolls out."

Modi's address at the India Today Conclave 2017 followed soon after the BJP announced its Chief Minister candidate for Uttar Pradesh. After a long wait of one week the name of BJP MP Yogi Adityanath was finalised. Modi followed up the BJP decision by listing his government's achievements at the Centre in the last over two-and-a-half years.

Through Mudra loan scheme, we gave assistance to 6 crore people without seeking a collateral. The total loan amount is about Rs 3 lakh crore. All those 6 crore young people have turned into small entrepreneurs. They will provide employment to one or two or more people. This is a small step but can have huge cumulative effect in fighting unemployment. We asked the states to let the small shopkeepers open their kiosks round the clock as in the case of big malls. This step will generate employment in villages and small towns. We created skill development ministry to strengthen our workforce. Skilled workforce can help in making the country strong. Without connecting the people of India, the progress of the nation is not possible. We have experienced that after Diwali- after action was against black money- you have seen the mindset of the nation. We are witnessing what is generally seen during the wars. People are getting together to fight the bad habits inculcated over the years. This will form the foundation of new India. Under the Swachh Bharat Yojana, more than four crore toilets were built, which is a huge achievement. More than 100 districts have been declared open defecation-free. More than one crore people have quit their LPG subsidy. This has helped giving free LPG connection to crores of poor people. We had a target of providing free LPG connections to five crore people in five years, but in the last two years we have provided free LPG connections in about 2 crore homes. We decided to provide electricity connectivity to 18,000 villages, which could not have power supply for 68 years after Independence. About 650 days have passed since we launched the scheme and we have already done electrification in more than 12,000 villages. We have scrapped more than 1,100 old laws that had become redundant and were posing problems in various activities. We changed the Budget cycle to match it with the farm cycle of the country. We removed the artificial division of plan and non-plan expenditure in the Budget. We did away with Railway Budget as it had lost its relevance. I found out that more than 1,500 projects that were announced in Parliament as part of various Railway Budgets were consigned to some files, which had been closed for various reasons. We are trying to find out ways how to work on those projects which are important.

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India Today Conclave 2017: Prime Minister Narendra Modi presents report card

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The two missing Indian clerics of Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah are in the custody of Pakistan's intelligence agencies, official sources said.

By India Today Web Desk: Pakistan today said it is trying to locate the two Sufi priests from New Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, missing in the country after they visited Lahore's Data Darbar shrine earlier this week.

"The issue was taken up with us by the Indian government and our authorities are trying to locate them.It's an issue and we need to see where they are. We are trying our best," Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit said at the India Today Conclave 2017 in Mumbai today.

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DETAINED IN PAKISTAN

Though Basit did not clarify whether or not the two Indian priests - Syed Asif Nizami, 80, and his nephew Nazim Nizami, 66 - have been detained by Pakistan, official sources there have confirmed they are in the custody of Pakistan's intelligence agencies.

"The personnel of an intelligence agency took the two Indian clerics into custody and shifted them to an undisclosed location," news agency PTI quoting the official sources in Pakistan said.

On Friday, media reports had said the two priests have been detained by Pakistani intelligence agency, a claim also made by their families.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday said the Indian government has taken up the matter with Pakistan.

"The Indian High Commission in Pakistan has taken up the matter of missing Indians Syed Asif Ali Nizami and Nazim Ali Nizami at the highest level in the Government of Pakistan. We have also contacted their host in Karachi who appears to be under pressure not to speak to the Indian High Commission. I am in constant touch with our High Commission. However, there is no official confirmation reg their whereabouts. We are pursuing this further with the Government of Pakistan," Swaraj said in a series of tweets.

WHEN THEY WENT MISSING

The two Sufi priests visited Lahore on March 13 to pray at Baba Farid's shrine in Lahore. On March 14, they offered another chadar at the Data Darbar Sufi shrine, also in Lahore.

The next day, when they reached Lahore airport to take a return flight to Karachi, Nazim Ali Nizami was reportedly stopped to clear some documentation while Syed Asif Ali Nizami was asked to board the flight.

Asif Ali Nizami reached Karachi airport and asked his relatives to pick him up, but he did not come out of the aircraft. Since then, their mobile phones are switched off and their families in India claim they are untraceable.

Also read:

Missing Nizamuddin priests detained by Pakistani intelligence over suspicious movement: Report

Missing clerics of Delhi's Nizamuddin Dargah are in Karachi, says intelligence

Also Watch: India raises missing Nizamuddin priests issue with Pakistan

--- ENDS ---
YEREVAN, MARCH 17, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan visited PharmaTech Company, which is engaged in the production and import of medicines at RAO Mars section of Alliance free economic zone.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Armenian Government, the Prime Minister toured the site inspecting the premises and laboratories, and getting acquainted with the working conditions, output capacities and development programs. The Premier highlighted PharmaTechs expansion and the planned increase in the production volumes.

Karen Karapetyan next called at Arabkir Medical Center to inspect the process of pediatric services. A consultation was held on the spot with the representatives of the Association of Healthcare Institutions NGO, during which the Premier introduced the planned healthcare reform, dwelling on the philosophy and objectives behind the reform.



The meeting focused on the fight against corruption, the quality of services, the State order distribution system, drug policy, State control mechanisms and regional health systems.

The Prime Minister urged the representatives of Association of Healthcare Institutions NGO to engage in close cooperation with the Ministry of Healthcare in order to develop and submit a package of specific proposals on the issues discussed.
YEREVAN, MARCH 18, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan paid a working visit to Gegharkunik province, press service of the Government told Armenpress.

Firstly, the PM visited the newly constructed medical center in the city of Sevan and got acquainted with the process of the works. It was reported that the construction works of the center launched in August, 2016 and they are expected to be completed in summer, 2018. PM Karapetyan set a task to do everything to complete the construction works by the end of this year. 2 million 716 thousand AMD is invested for the implementation of the program by the co-finance of the Government and the World Bank. The medical center with latest equipment will serve over 40.000 citizens of the region.

Thereafter, the PM visited Ecomilk cheese factory in Akunk where he was introduced on the production process and the future plans. It was stated that many types of cheese are being produced at the factory, major part of which is being realized in the local market, and 25% of the production is exported to Russia. The factory has 40 workers and is filled with innovative equipment, new investments are expected to be made aimed at expanding and increasing the production capacities. The PM welcomed the initiative and said the Government is discussing the investment program on expanding the factory.

The PM also got acquainted with the activity of Akvatik LLC which exports alive and cooked frozen crayfish and produces canned food. Since 1996 the company exports crayfish to the Eurasian Economic Union and the European countries. The factory was build in accordance with the European standards and works with HACCP program. The factory mainly produces canned food for the Defense Ministry.

Karen Karapetyan also visited the newly constructed buckwheat processing factory in Tsovagyugh community. The heads of the factory said the demand of buckwheat in the Republic reaches 7 thousand hectares of production. It is expected to significantly increase cultivation areas and production volumes in the upcoming years by cooperating with the Agriculture Ministry. The factory received buckwheat processing machinery within the framework of the EUs ENPARD program.

The PMs last visit was in Chambarak community where he got acquainted with the activity and service quality of the local medical center. The center was reconstructed, equipped with property and innovative equipment in 2015 by the Healthcare Ministry and the Territorial Development Fund of Armenia within the framework of loan programs financed by the Government and the World Bank. The center serves 11-12.000 people. PM Karapetyan attached importance to the existence of modern medical centers in the provinces and the continuous development and expansion of services provided.
YEREVAN, MARCH 18, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Ambassador to Russia Vardan Toghanyan on March 17 had a meeting with the members of the Armenian business club of Russia, reports Armenpress.

The meeting was attended by nearly more than two dozen owners of Russian enterprises, heads of financial companies and individual investors.

The newly appointed Armenian Ambassador presented his stances on strengthening the Armenian-Russian bilateral trade-economic ties, attached importance to filling the existing gap in the bilateral commercial contacts and urged the businessmen to find new formats and options for deepening the bilateral trade turnover.

The Ambassador spoke about the existing opportunities in all spheres of Armenias economy, starting from the IT sector to agriculture, as well as the investment programs developed by the Government.

The Russian-Armenian businessmen in their turn presented their visions over the development of trade-economic ties with Armenia and were interested in the Armenian Presidents recent visit results to Russia and the upcoming parliamentary election.

Several entrepreneurs stated that smooth holding of the upcoming election and peaceful transfer to parliamentary system will greatly contribute to the further involvement of the Russian capital in Armenias economy by this leaving a positive impact on Armenias international rating.
YEREVAN, MARCH 18, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies told Armenpress, on March 18, as of 13:00, the Vardenyats Pass is closed due to snowstorm and low visibility.

All the remaining highways are open in Armenia.
YEREVAN, MARCH 18, ARMENPRESS. The establishment of Armenian Consulate General in Iraqs Erbil is very important for Armenia from the perspective of regional cooperation, Sargis Grigoryan  expert on Arabic studies, Researcher at the Department of Armenian-Kurdish Relations in YSU Institute of Armenian Studies, told reporters on March 18, reports Armenpress.

Armenias direct presence at Consulate level in Iraq will contribute to the development of Armenian-Iraqi relations which is quite important for Armenia. Of course, Iraq faces social-economic problems, however, its regional role is not decreasing, the expert said.

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree on March 13 on establishing an Armenian Consulate General in Iraqs Erbil. The Consulate Generals consulate district will encompass the Kurdistan region (Erbil, Dohuk, Sulaymaniyah).
Participating in a debate on 'The Future of Politics' at India Today Conclave 2017, former Union Minister Chavan said, "Without any doubt Congress is facing grave crisis. The party has been in crisis earlier as well and we came out of it. But, it does not mean that we will comeback automatically out of it."

By India Today Web Desk: While the Congress is still smarting under the loss in Uttar Pradesh Assembly election and lost chance to form government in Goa and Manipur, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan has joined the chorus asking for deeper analysis and urgent corrective measures.

Participating in a debate on 'The Future of Politics' at India Today Conclave 2017, former Union Minister Chavan said, "Without any doubt Congress is facing grave crisis. The party has been in crisis earlier as well and we came out of it. But, it does not mean that we will comeback automatically out of it."

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"We had been at low points in the past and even Mrs (Indira) Gandhi lost herself. But, this time crisis is real and we have to come out of it. In every single state, we have to study what has gone wrong and take measures," Chavan said.

Chavan further said that right now the BJP is 'premier political party' in the country. "They are winning elections. They won panchayat and urban body elections in Maharashtra. The BJP is an election winning machine."

But the fight has not been given up, said Chavan adding, "In May 2014, only 31 per cent vote. This means 69 per cent people still don't want BJP."

I am worried about the direction the BJP is taking the country to, Chavan said.

On the other hand, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said that the BJP is winning elections after elections because they have a decisive leadership.

Goyal credited the electoral victories to firm and decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

WHAT HAPPENED IN GOA

Asked as to what happened in Goa, where Congress emerged as the single largest party but the BJP snatched power from its hands, Chavan said, "The Congress Legislature Party could not choose a leader (to stake claim)."

Responding to Goa incharge Digvijaya Singh's charge against Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Chavan said, "The Congress is collectively responsible for the state the party is in today. Rahul Gandhi has said that there will be a restructuring. There is huge pressure that some changes need to be done."

Chavan said, we paid heavy price for indecisiveness in Goa.

Digvijaya Singh had earlier said that Rahul Gandhi could not make up his mind as to what was to be done in Goa after election results came out. He also allegedly said that Rahul Gandhi's phone was not reachable for eight hours. In the meantime, BJP sent Nitin Gadkari to Goa and managed to get enough number to form a coalition government.

Underscoring the role of Gandhi family in the party, Chavan said, "The Congress has worked in a particular way. While we were present in every state and we needed a glue to stay together. The Gandhi family provided that glue. We still need a glue."

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WATCH: Congress is facing grave crisis: Prithviraj Chavan at India Today Conclave 2017

WHY NO BJP MUSLIM CANDIDATE IN UP?

Meanwhile, Goyal defended the BJP's decision not to field a single Muslim candidate in Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. "We never look at the religion of the candidate or caste of the candidate. We don't divide society like that," Goyal said.

Responding to Chavan's charge against the BJP that it does majoritarian politics ignoring the concerns of minorities, Goyal cited winnability as the reason.

Goyal said, "A person, who serves society will be our candidate...A person, who wins and serve our society, will be our candidate."

"It is unfortunate that the Congress has divided Indian society along caste, religious lines. They are living in the old world of divisive politics," Goyal added.

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--- ENDS ---
YEREVAN, MARCH 18, ARMENPRESS. During Petersburg Spring-2017 International Art Contest, which was held on March 9-13 in St. Petersburg, Armenia was represented by student of Yerevans Tchaikovsky Music School, 17-year-old violinist Alexandra Kuzmina. She became the winner in the category Instrumental Art.

ARMENPRESS correspondent talked to Alexandra Kuzmina.

The jury consisted of famous artists, cultural figures of St. Petersburg. The President was Alexander Shustin, a professor at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. I have performed    and a part of Aram Khachatryans Gayane ballet designed specifically for violin, Kuzmina said, adding that the contests help her to develop, to assess really her capacities, to have goals and strive for perfection. Several years before she took part in this contest, however, took the second position.

I came to Armenia from St. Petersburg. In St. Petersburg I have studied at N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov Music School. My favorite teacher was retired due to health problems. Many in St. Petersburg knew the pedagogical activity of Gagik Smbatyan who teaches in Armenia and I decided to come here to continue my education under his leadership, she said.

I was 4 years old when I started to play violin. My mother saw in her dream that her child becomes a violinist, however, there are no musicians in our family. She thinks her dream was a divine phenomenon, Kuzmina tells.

Talking about her favorite composers, Alexandra said she is familiar with the works of Aram Khachatryan. Since I live in Yerevan, I more deeply feel the beauty of that music. I like the works of Johannes Brahms, Frederic Chopin, Astor Piazzolla and others, she said.

As for the future plans, Alexandra said after successfully graduating the school she has a great desire to study at the Yerevan State Conservatory after Komitas.
YEREVAN, MARCH 18, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Culture informs with a deep sorrow that on March 17, painter, Peoples Artist of the Republic of Armenia Anatoli H. Grigoryan passed away at the age of 75, press service of the Ministry told Armenpress.
YEREVAN, MARCH 18, ARMENPRESS. The return of Azerbaijani terrorists cannot be dangerous for Armenia or Artsakh, Sargis Grigoryan  expert on Arabic studies, Researcher at the Department of Armenian-Kurdish Relations in YSU Institute of Armenian Studies, said in response to Armenpress question which said what danger can have the return of Azerbaijanis involved in terrorist groups in Syria for Armenia and Artsakh.

If an Azerbaijani decided to enter the Islamic State terrorist group, he is no longer an Azerbaijani, he is considered as an IS member. Ideologically he cannot sacrifice himself for Azerbaijan, the expert said, stating that it is dangerous for Azerbaijan, and there have already been manifestations of terror acts.

Head of State Security Service of Azerbaijan Madat Guliyev said that nearly 900 Azerbaijanis joined terrorist structures. Moreover, some Azerbaijanis departed for Turkey but are unable to enter Syria to fight together with the terrorist groups. Thus, due to this situation, they return to Azerbaijan, Sargis Grigoryan said.

Commenting on the future of Christian minorities in Syria, Grigoryan said the future status of Christian minorities depends on who will come to power in Syria.

Of course, the Armenian community has old and deep roots in Syria and what power comes, they must understand that Armenians played and play a key role in the establishment of the state, the expert concluded.
US Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin speaks during a press conference at the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Baden-Baden, southern Germany, on March 18, 2017

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Saturday shrugged off an outcry over the omission of a long-standing anti-protectionist pledge from a G20 statement, saying language used in the past is "irrelevant."

"The historical language was not relevant," he told journalists after the gathering of finance ministers and central bankers in Baden Baden, western Germany.

"What is relevant is what we agreed as a group: to strengthen the contributions of trade to our economies and we will strive to reduce excess global imbalances to promote inclusiveness and fairness and reduce inequality."

"I think that accurately reflects what we as a group talked about."

After a two-day meeting, ministers from G20 developed and emerging nations said they were "working to strengthen the contribution of trade to our economies" but failed to spell out a pledge to reject protectionism in a closing statement.

The G20 has in the past pledged support to the existing multilateral trade system, including the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

But Mnuchin suggested that the US may in future look to renegotiate long-standing deals, including those agreed within the framework of the WTO.

"We want to reexamine certain agreements, we have talked about reexamining NAFTA," he told journalists, referring to the North American Free Trade Agreement between Canada, Mexico and the United States.

"We think there are parts of the WTO that are not being enforced and will look to aggressively enforce things in the interest of American workers, and to the extent the agreements are old agreements and need to be renegotiated, we?ll consider that as well," he added.

He also dismissed concerns that the communique did not reaffirm G20 members' commitment to the 2015 Paris climate accords, saying it did not fall under his remit as treasury secretary.

"That's more of an issue for G20 leaders" when they meet in Hamburg in July, he said.
Who are the wealthy Russian citizens who've invested a total of almost $100 million worth of properties owned by U.S. President Donald J. Trump? An investigative report by Reuters digs into that question.

Their review "found that at least 63 individuals with Russian passports or addresses have bought at least $98.4 million worth of property in seven Trump-branded luxury towers in southern Florida."

No comment from the White House, but a legal rep with the Trump Organization told Reuters "This is an overblown story that is media-created."

Alan Garten added, "I've been around this company and know the company's dealings."

The Reuters review of Russian investors in Trump's Florida condos found "no suggestion of wrongdoing by President Trump or his real estate organization," and none of the buyers "appear to be from Putin's inner circle."

Snip from Reuters:

But in the United States, members of the Russian elite have invested in Trump buildings. A Reuters review has found that at least 63 individuals with Russian passports or addresses have bought at least $98.4 million worth of property in seven Trump-branded luxury towers in southern Florida, according to public documents, interviews and corporate records. The buyers include politically connected businessmen, such as a former executive in a Moscow-based state-run construction firm that works on military and intelligence facilities, the founder of a St. Petersburg investment bank and the co-founder of a conglomerate with interests in banking, property and electronics. People from the second and third tiers of Russian power have invested in the Trump buildings as well. One recently posted a photo of himself with the leader of a Russian motorcycle gang that was sanctioned by the United States for its alleged role in Moscow's seizure of Crimea.() The tally of investors from Russia may be conservative. The analysis found that at least 703  or about one-third  of the owners of the 2044 units in the seven Trump buildings are limited liability companies, or LLCs, which have the ability to hide the identity of a property's true owner. And the nationality of many buyers could not be determined. Russian-Americans who did not use a Russian address or passport in their purchases were not included in the tally.

Russian elite invested nearly $100 million in Trump buildings
A Winnipeg woman says she was shocked to learn her niece was denied protection in Canada, even after going through the proper channels.

Martha Cummings-Newray said her niece, Watta Cephas, is from Liberia, but is in the United States under temporary protection status which will expire in two months.

She said Cephas was too afraid to illegally cross the border as so many others have, so she walked up to border guards on March 5 asking for refugee protection.

"She didn't want to get caught up somewhere where she would probably freeze to death," said Cummings-Newray, who is also from Liberia and received her Canadian citizenship in 2011.

Because of her legal status in Canada, her niece qualifies under the family exemption of the Safe Third Country agreement between Canada and the United States.

Cephas said over the phone from Minnesota that she went to the U.S. on a visitor visa in 2014 and was allowed to stay because of the Ebola crisis in her country.

She said she spoke to a government official in February who told her that her visa would not be renewed because of the new travel ban.

"I don't want them to send her back because I am afraid I might lose her again," she said.

Cummings-Newray said her home country is dangerous and corrupt. She said her niece survived the war, but experienced horrible things.

"All of the torture and torment they went through, even her father died trying to run, escape the rebels," she said. "They couldn't even bury him. They had to leave him right where he died and keep running."

Cephas said the border agents didn't believe her family connection and told her to go back to her country.

"I don't think that's your mother's sister," Cephas recalled border agents saying.

She said the agent took her phone and did not allow her to call her aunt for proof, denied her claim, and walked her back into the United States.

Immigration lawyer Bashir Khan said he is surprised at how many people like Cephas are being denied under the family exemption.

Story continues

"I am thinking that there is perhaps more stringent enforcement by CBSA," Said Khan. "I have known in the past of people coming into Canada and making a refugee claim at a port of entry and these people don't even have any documentation of relatives other than just a statement by their relative by a simple telephone call by the border officials."

Khan said Cephas could try again and ask for reconsideration of her claim if she provides proper documentation.

"This document could be a statutory document written by the relative in Canada in advance, confirm that the person trying to come into Canada is their blood relative," he said. "Or it could be a birth certificate or any kind of family documentation that shows there is a relationship between the refugee claimant and the blood relative that they are alleging."

Cephas said she is now too scared to try again, but is even more worried she will be deported in May back to the country she fled in fear for her life.
In a phony Boston accent, Daniel Boria quoted John F. Kennedy's moon speech and compared himself to the Wright brothers to explain why he tied over 100 helium balloons to a lawn chair and floated four kilometres above Calgary, getting in the way of commercial aircraft and putting hundreds of lives at risk.

Boria, 27, was ordered to pay $26,500 in fines when he was sentenced Friday, after pleading guilty in December to dangerous operation of an aircraft for the 2015 stunt.

''Unconscionably stupid' stunt

"Why climb the highest mountain?" said Boria outside court. "Why 85 years ago fly the Atlantic? Why do the Oilers play the Flames? I chose to fly a chair; not because it is easy but because it is hard. Because that goal served to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills."

In handing down the sentence provincial court Judge Bruce Fraser called Boria's stunt "dumb and dangerous" and "unconscionably stupid."

"There was nothing fantastic, fun or exhilarating about it," said Fraser. "There is no precedent for so foolish an escapade."

Fraser agreed to accept a joint recommendation between Crown prosecutor Matt Dalidowicz and defence lawyer Alain Hepner that Boria be fined $5,000 and make a $20,000 donation to the charity of his choice.

The veteran's food bank and the Royal Canadian Legion's Poppy Fund were the recipients of Boria's donation.

No regrets

On July 5, 2015, Boria tied $13,000 worth of industrial-sized balloons to a Canadian Tire lawn chair and took to the skies to promote his cleaning company, with the plan to parachute into the Calgary Stampede chuckwagon races.

Uncooperative weather forced him to bail early, and winds pushed his landing to Ogden Road, where he was arrested by police who had been monitoring Boria since he was spotted above the Stampede grounds. The Crown noted he has since earned the nickname "balloonatic."

Story continues

During the time he was in the air, 24 airplanes took off and landed in Calgary.

 He said the stunt was worthwhile and he has no regrets.

"[They] didn't charge the Wright brothers," said Boria.

"It's pretty hard to take it seriously when you guys are asking me these questions based on me flying a lawn chair."

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After months of on and off negotiations, the federal government has reached a settlement with three Canadian men as compensation for the role Canadian officials played in their torture in Syria and Egypt.

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland issued a statement Friday saying that with the settlement and an apology from government, the civil case involving Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad Abou-Elmaati and Muayyed Nureddin was now closed.

"On behalf of the government of Canada, we wish to apologize to Mr. Almalki, Mr. Abou-Elmaati and Mr. Nureddin, and their families, for any role Canadian officials may have played in relation to their detention and mistreatment abroad and any resulting harm," the statement said.

The statement does not provide any details about the nature of the settlements reached, financial or otherwise.

The settlement averts a long and potentially embarrassing trial for the government that was set to begin late last month.

It comes 15 years and two federal inquiries after the detention and torture of the three men.

"Our clients are gratified to have received an apology from the highest level of the Canadian government," Phil Tunley, a lawyer representing the three men, told CBC News in an emailed statement. "They and their families are pleased that their long legal ordeal is over."

Ten years ago, they each filed $100-million lawsuits against the government but temporarily halted their legal proceedings to allow former Supreme Court justice Frank Iacobucci to conduct an internal inquiry. In his 2008 report, Iacobucci concluded that Canadian officials were indirectly responsible for their torture.

In 2009, the House of Commons called on the government to provide compensation and a formal apology to Almalki, Elmaati and Nureddin and to do everything necessary to correct misinformation about them that may exist in records administered by national security agencies in Canada or abroad.

Story continues

The three men have been waiting until now.

Official documents

Lawyers representing Almalki, Elmaati and Nureddin fought and eventually won a lengthy court battle against the RCMP and CSIS to gain access to thousands of heavily redacted files, amounting to hundreds of thousands of pages.

They consist of internal memos, briefing notes from field agents to their superiors, interagency communications, emails, reports and even a memo that shows at least one senior RCMP officer might have had serious doubts about evidence suggesting Almalki was engaged in nefarious activity.

CBC News obtained exclusive access to some 18,000 pages, which showed that Canadian law enforcement officials not only knew three Canadians were being tortured in Syrian jails in a post-9/11 crackdown but also co-operated with Syrian officials in their interrogations.

The files also show that a Canadian ambassador helped to deliver questions the RCMP and CSIS wanted put to the Canadians imprisoned in Syria, a country with a dismal human rights record.

The revelations were featured in The Torture Files, a 2016 joint investigation by The National and The Fifth Estate.

Revelations arose from Maher Arar case

The circumstances surrounding the detention and torture of Almalki, Elmaati and Nureddin were substantially similar to those of Syrian-Canadian Maher Arar.

A 2006 inquiry led by Justice Dennis O'Connor found that Canadian officials played a role in Arar's torture, and he received an apology and $10.5 million from the federal government. O'Connor also recommended a review of Almalki, Elmaati and Nureddin's cases.

Almalki, a Syrian-born graduate in electrical engineering from Ottawa's Carleton University with a successful electronics export business, was arrested in May 2002 upon his arrival in Damascus to visit family. He was held in custody for 22 months.

He said he was beaten and tortured for seven hours on his first day of detention. His interrogators asked him whether he sold equipment to the Taliban or al-Qaeda. They wanted Almalki to tell them what he was planning in Canada and demanded he confess to being Osama bin Laden's "right-hand man."

Almalki said he was lashed hundreds of times on the soles of his feet, his legs, genitals and other parts of his body. The beatings were so severe, his legs were soaked in his own blood and he experienced paralysis from his waist down.

Almalki blames the Canadian government for his ordeal

"They caused the torture to happen, they caused the detention to happen," he told CBC's The Fifth Estate in June 2016. "They caused huge losses in my business. My brothers, their lives got destroyed. My kids, their lives got destroyed."

'They have betrayed me'

Elmaati went to Damascus to get married in the fall of 2001. He was handcuffed and hooded at the airport and taken to a Syrian prison and tortured. Then he was put on a private jet and sent to Egypt, where he was tortured further. He was released in January 2004.

"I believe that my government have mistreated me," Elmaati told The Fifth Estate last summer. "They have betrayed me, betrayed my trust. And they did not help me in a time of need."

Nureddin, a principal at an Islamic school in Toronto, was detained by Syrian officials in December 2003 as he crossed the border from Iraq.

He said he had no doubt that the questions he was being asked in Syria came from CSIS and the RCMP.

"I was shocked that my country, which was supposed to work for my safety, let me end up in the torture chamber," he said.

Nureddin was held for 34 days in a Syrian dungeon before he was released and allowed to return to Canada.

"My reputation has been damaged," he told The Fifth Estate last year. "So basically I am living in a limbo. I'm not above the ground nor am I under the grave."
By Press Trust of India: From K J M Varma

Beijing, Mar 18 (PTI) Indias ambassador to China Vijay Gokhale has met Wang Qi, the Chinese soldier who was stuck in India for over five decades after he had crossed the border during the 1962 war.

Gokhale met 77-year-old Wang and his family including his son Vishnua Wang, daughter-in-law Neha and granddaughter Khanak during their visit to Beijing yesterday.

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The ambassador enquired about their stay in China and assured all support, a twitter message posted by the embassy said.

Deputy ambassador Amit Narang has hosted a lunch for them, the embassy officials said.

Wang who arrived in his native village near Xian last month for the fist time after over 54 years is currently touring Beijing and expected to return to his village in the next few days and later decide his plans to return to India.

Wangwas caught when he entered the Indian territory shortly after the Sino-India War of 1962.

He was later released from jail and settled in Tirodi village of Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh where he married a local woman.

Wang returned to China on February 11 after India and China worked out modalities for bothWangand his Indian family to travel together to Beijing and later return as per their wish and stayed near Xian meeting friends and relatives. PTI KJV MRJ AKJ MRJ

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A documentary produced by a Regina educator takes a hard look at PotashCorp's relationship with a Moroccan mining company based in Western Sahara.

"Western Sahara [is] a UN non-self-governing territory that has been administered or occupied, depending on your view on the story, by Morocco for the last 40 years," Joshua Campbell told CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning.

"The Indigenous people in the territory are concerned about sovereignty over the resource. Basically, PotashCorp is paying a Morrocan state mining company for this phosphate that they say rightfully belongs to them."

Sirocco: Winds of Resistance is showingat St. Joseph High School in Saskatoon on Friday. Campbell hopes students will come away with a greater sense of the complexities surrounding globalization.

PotashCorp addressed the controversy in a November 2016 statement, which said the company "is mindful of the dispute between the Kingdom of Morocco and parties who claim to represent the interests of the inhabitants of Western Sahara. Our objective is to ensure that our business relationship lives up to our code of conduct as well as the international standards."
By Ju-min Park and James Pearson SEOUL (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday issued the Trump administration's starkest warning yet to North Korea, saying that a military response would be "on the table" if Pyongyang took action to threaten South Korean and U.S. forces. Speaking in Seoul after visiting the Demilitarized Zone dividing the Korean peninsula and some of the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, Tillerson said former President Barack Obama's policy of "strategic patience" towards Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs was over. "We are exploring a new range of security and diplomatic measures. All options are on the table," Tillerson told a news conference. He said any North Korean actions that threatened U.S. or South Korean forces would be met with "an appropriate response," turning up the volume of the tough language that has marked President Donald Trump's approach to North Korea. "Certainly, we do not want for things to get to a military conflict," he said when asked about possible military action, but added: "If they elevate the threat of their weapons program to a level that we believe requires action, that option is on the table." In spite of Tillerson's warning, U.S. officials have stressed that while an ongoing review on North Korea policy includes military options, such contingency planning has been conducted for decades and that the preferred course is to press Pyongyang to abandon its weapons programs through increased sanctions and other diplomatic pressure, particularly on China. Tillerson, a former oil executive with no prior diplomatic experience, travels to China on Saturday, where he will press Beijing, North Korea's only ally, to do more to rein in its neighbor. The main focus of Tillerson's trip, his first visit to Asia as secretary of state, has been on developing a "new approach" to North Korea after what he described as two decades of failed efforts to persuade it to denuclearize. Tillerson also visited Japan on his trip. Trump said on Friday that North Korea was "behaving very badly" and accused China of doing little to resolve the crisis over the North's weapons programs. "They have been 'playing' the United States for years." Trump said in a tweet, referring to North Korea. "China has done little to help!" ACTION WOULD BE HIGHLY RISKY For now, U.S. officials consider pre-emptive military action against North Korea far too risky, given the danger of igniting a regional war and causing massive casualties in Japan and South Korea and among tens of thousands of U.S. troops based in both allied countries. Such ideas could gain traction, however, if North Korea proceeds with a threatened test of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of hitting the United States. Just before he took office in January, Trump tweeted: "It won't happen!" when Kim said North Korea was close to testing an ICBM. Any preemptive attack on North Korea carries huge risks. "As a practical matter I dont see the administration deciding to preemptively strike North Koreas capabilities," Asia expert and former White House official, Mike Green of Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies said this week. "We wouldn't get them all and theres a risk North Korea would open fire with its hundreds of missiles and thousands of artillery tubes and its nuclear and chemical and biological weapons on Japan and Korea and even China." Tillerson will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the weekend and press him to do more on North Korea. He called on Beijing to implement sanctions against North Korea and said there was no need for China to punish South Korea for deploying an advanced U.S. anti-missile system aimed at defending against North Korea. China says the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system's powerful radar is a threat to its security. North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and a series of missile launches since the beginning of last year. Last week, it launched four more ballistic missiles and is working to develop nuclear-tipped missiles that can reach the United States. South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se told a joint news conference the missile system was only intended to defend against North Korea, not any other country. China resents U.S. pressure to do more on North Korea and says it is doing all it can but will not take steps to threatened the livelihoods of the North Korean people. It has urged North Korea to stop its nuclear and missile tests and said South Korea and the United States should stop joint military exercises and seek talks instead. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying reiterated that talks were the best way to resolve the problems of the Korean peninsula. "As a close neighbor of the peninsula, China has even more reason than any other country to care about the situation," she told a briefing. (Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in BEIJING, Christine Kim in SEOUL and David Brunnstrom and Susan Heavey in Washington; Writing by Robert Birsel; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Alistair Bell)
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish authorities have detained 740 people for suspected links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) over the last three days, state media reported on Saturday citing an Interior Ministry source. Authorities carried out 36 raids during the three-day period, seizing equipment, documents and more than a dozen guns, state-run Anadolu Agency said. Turkey faces multiple security threats, including Kurdish militants and Islamic State, both of whom have been blamed for bomb attack in the last year. The autonomy-seeking PKK is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and Europe. It first took up arms against the government in 1984. Since then more than 40,000 people, most of them Kurds, have been killed in the violence. Turkey's largely Kurdish southeast has been scorched by renewed fighting after a two-and-a-half year ceasefire between the government and the PKK broke down in 2015. (Reporting by David Dolan; Editing by Stephen Powell)
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New York, March 17, 2017Canadian authorities should immediately drop all charges against journalist Justin Brake, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Brake is scheduled to appear in court on April 11 to answer charges of criminal mischief and contempt of court in connection with his reporting on a protest in the eastern Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador last year.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police on March 7 charged Justin Brake, a reporter with the Newfoundland and Labrador online newspaper The Independent, after he reported on a sit-in protest at the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project site in October 2016. Twenty-seven other people were charged alongside him. If convicted of both charges, Brake could face a maximum sentence of more than 10 years in prison.

Brake, who was nominated for a Newfoundland and Labrador 2016 Human Rights Award for his reporting on Muskrat Falls, told CPJ that he spent roughly five weeks in Labrador covering the response of the indigenous Inuit population to the $11 billion dam project, which opponents say could carry environmental and health risks. When protesters broke into the Muskrat Falls site, despite an October 16 injunction ordering them to stay off the property, Brake followed them.

This happened spontaneouslyI knew it was a huge story for our province and in Canada, Brake told CPJ. There is a constitutionally protected law of freedom of the press. In the moment I trusted that my constitutional right would be protected. I was not protesting; I was not doing any damage or harm.

Journalists have a duty to document events of public interest, including actions of civil disobedience and the response of law enforcement. Reporters who are doing their job do not have criminal intent and should not face charges, said Carlos Lauria, the senior program coordinator for the Americas at CPJ. The charges against Justin Brake send a chilling message to Canadian journalists and should be dropped immediately.

Brake told CPJ that he carried a laminated press badge and that he had called the RCMP and Nalcor Energy, a provincial corporation under the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador developing the hydroelectric dam, for comment on the controversy over the dam. There was no confusion over who I was or what I was doing, he said.

Corporal Trevor OKeefe, the media relations officer for the RCMP in Newfoundland and Labrador, told CPJ in a telephone conversation that the RCMP is aware that Brake was a journalist reporting from the site.

We looked at it as an order in place that didnt admit people onto the siteWe conducted our investigation and there was a clear breach in that court order, OKeefe said. He added that the criminal mischief charge stemmed not from damage to property but from the fact that the protest prevented Nalcor Energy from using the property, causing them financial losses.

Brake is also facing a separate civil contempt charge after Nalcor Energy initiated proceedings against protesters. A court on October 24 approved the companys application for a Contempt Appearance Order that named Brake among 22 individuals required to appear in court on the grounds that they had violated the earlier injunction. Brake told CPJ that he left the site after learning of the October 24 injunction.

Brakes lawyer, Geoff Budden, told CPJ that he petitioned the court to vacate the October 24 order on the grounds that Nalcor Energy failed to inform the court that Brake was a working reporter.

On March 14, the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador denied the petition, finding that Mr. Brakes status as a journalist was not a material fact, and that even if it were, the court would not vacate the injunction orders, according to a copy of the decision reviewed by CPJ. The next hearing in that case is scheduled for May 5, Budden told CPJ.

In a statement emailed to CPJ, Gilbert Bennett, Nalcors executive vice president for power development, told CPJ that Brake was treated in the same manner as the protesters.

Mr. Brake was one of the people who entered and occupied the accommodations complex at the Muskrat Falls site in Labrador in October 2016. Mr. Brake was treated in the same manner as other individuals who chose to enter the site and take up occupation at the camp, Bennett said.
bb wrote:

Good to see you back LogicGuru! Been a while.

Thank you for bringing up an interesting topic. It is very helpful to point out to those applying. There are several schools that have multiple campuses and they will shuffle people around or rather they have a Campus "A" and Campus "B" - that's true of Insead, ISB i think and a few others. They are simply thinking like smart business people and managing space - demand for top MBA programs has been through the roof and they want to capitalize on this trend (perhaps a short term gain but long term lose but we will see). I don't think there is anything negative or dishonest in encouraging students to apply for the second less prestigious campus/program.



As to encouraging students to apply and answering their emails - all schools will do that and all AdComs will be vague with answers to your questions and ALL will encourage you to apply. They want as many applicants as possible. What kind of business man would refuse a customer into a store, even if a poor one who lacks money. You never know if they come back next year and buy something. It is also wise to encourage everyone to apply since you never know how good/bad a candidate is until you see their whole story and application.



I personally don't think it is a terrible thing, rather this should be something people need to be aware of - schools with 2 campuses.



What am I missing?

Posting an answer without an explanation is "GOD COMPLEX". The world doesn't need any more gods. Please explain you answers properly .

FINAL GOODBYE :- 17th SEPTEMBER 2016. .. 16 March 2017 - I am back but for all purposes please consider me semi-retired. Signature Read More

Hey bb,Good to see you too.What you have written in your post makes perfect sense. Well, I guess I also have no problems with schools having 2 campuses.IIM India have 6 + counting. UBC have HAAS and Anderson. INSEAD as you mentioned.The thing that bothered me with SCHULICH was the consistent effort on their part to convince students to join the India Campus.I got two mails from a guy named Kirthi and another guy named Satyajit and they tried a very hard sales pitch.Now Schulich doesn't need to do that. It's a top school in Canada. Moreover I have categorically stated in my letter on intent and my essay that I was looking for more international exposure. As you can see in my OP screenshot that some of the guys who have applied for Canada campus were offered seats to Indian Campus.During the application process students are under a lot of uncertainty and stress and might make a hasty judgement based on the approaching deadlines and the mildly flattering mail that SCHULICH sends ('We would like you to explore our Indian Campus because your profile is a good fit for our program and such').It is well known that most student applies to a bunch of colleges and the negatory response from even one of these school might affect the mental state of the applicant. Now we all know that most Schools need a confirmatory fees or an initial fee with the fully filled admission form. If some student mistakenly assumes that he has made the cut for the Schulich program but is offered a seat in India instead of canada because of logistic constraint and that nothing better would (or would not) come his/her way, he/he would be more inclined to join the Indian Campus and risk losing a substantial amount of money in case he/she is selected in another program just a few days later.The aim of my original post was to let students know that this is being done by SCHULICH. Of course we are all adults to make our own decisions as to accept or reject an admission offer.But it is also true that I have interacted with many Indian (+ near by nationalities) and some of them have (even those who want to join foreign schools) have taken admission to the India Campus. Some of them categorically denied the offer and were later admitted to Rotman, Monash (Australia), Mannheim (Germany) and other schools.I guess I wanted people to know that fact and also somewhere I wanted other students to share similar experience to have a meaningful conversation about the same.I think it escalated into something that was not my intention. All I wanted was to share and hear similar stories.I totally agree that SCHULICH should inform applicants using a disclaimer that some students might be offered seats in Indian Campus. They should have an option in the online application itself.:- I am willing to join the India Campus YES, NO , MAY BEBut yes I think the post is more of a non issue in case a student is adamant enough to join school other than his native country.Ironically enough the post is again a non issue in case a applicant is desperate enough to get a degree from any SCHULICH campus.p.s.:- It is good to be back here again after a 6 months break_________________
Antibiotics are chemical substances that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. The success of antibiotics against disease-causing bacteria is one of modern medicines great achievements. However, many bacteria harmful to humans have developed ways to circumvent the effects of antibiotics, and many infectious diseases are now much more difficult to treat than they were just a few decades ago. Antibiotic resistance is an especially difficult problem for hospitals with critically ill patients who are less able to fight off infections without the help of antibiotics.



Bacteria can develop antibiotic resistance because they have the ability to adapt quickly to new environmental conditions. Most commonly, bacteria share with each other genetic material called resistance plasmids; these shared plasmids, which contain the genetic code enabling antibiotic resistance, can spread throughout a bacterial population to create a strain of resistant bacteria. Less commonly, a natural mutation that enables antibiotic resistance takes place within the chromosome of the bacteria, and the resulting strain of bacteria can reproduce and become dominant via natural selection. In the absence of human involvement, however, bacteria in the wild rarely develop resistance to antibiotics.



In the United States, animals raised on industrial-scale factory farms are routinely administered low levels of antibiotics in their feed not as a cure for ongoing maladies, but primarily as a growth-enhancing agent to produce more meat and also as a prophylactic measure to compensate for overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. Currently, several antibiotics that are used in human medical treatment are administered non-therapeutically to healthy livestock and poultry. Examples include tetracycline, penicillin and erythromycin. This long-term non-therapeutic feeding of antibiotics to animals creates the ideal conditions for the development of antibioticresistant bacteria, as it kills the susceptible bacteria while leaving the resistant strains to reproduce and flourish. Europe is far ahead of the United States in the responsible use of antibiotics: On January 1, 2006, the European Union banned the feeding of all antibiotics to livestock for nontherapeutic purposes. This sweeping policy follows a 1998 ban on the non therapeutic use of four medically-important antibiotics on animals. The time has come for the United States to follow Europes lead.

Show Spoiler D

1. Based on the information in the passage, to which of the following practices would the author most likely be opposed?

Show Spoiler E

2.Based on the information in the passage, which of the following statements can be inferred?

Show Spoiler C

3. Which of the following best describes what the phrase prophylactic measure in the third paragraph means?

Show Spoiler A

4. The passage is primarily concerned with

Show Spoiler D

5.According to the passage, which of the following describes how bacteria can develop antibiotic resistance?

Show Spoiler B

6. According to the passage, why are antibiotic-resistant bacteria problematic for humans?

Show Spoiler D

7. Which of the following can be inferred about antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

A. Hospitals are hiring higher numbers of infectious disease specialists than ever before.B. Many health insurance policies do not or only partially reimburse patients for prescriptions of the newest and most effective antibiotics.C. The industrial farm industry contributes more than $100 million to incumbent members of Congress each year.D. Physicians routinely prescribe antibiotics to patients with viral diseases, even though antibiotics have no effect on viruses.E. Hospitals are enforcing more stringent hand-hygiene standards in an effort to reduce infections.A. Most industrial farms do not meet the standards for sanitation required by the United States government.B. If the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics were halted worldwide, there would be no new resistant strains of antibiotic resistant bacteria.C. European livestock and poultry are raised in more sanitary conditions than are those in the United States.D. Hospitals are better learning to cope with the growing spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria.E. It is possible for antibiotic-resistant bacteria in animals to be passed on to humans.A. a measure to cure the animals of any existing infectious diseasesB. a contraceptive measure to prevent the animals from spreading genetic diseasesC. a pre-emptive measure to kill bacteria in the animals before the animals become illD. an antiseptic measure to kill surface bacteria in the surrounding environmentE. a measure that creates a physical barrier that protects the animals from the bacteria in the surrounding environmentA. advocating the banning of a practiceB. explaining the mechanism of a processC. explaining the practices of a particular industryD. describing the history of a phenomenonE. weighing the costs versus the benefits of a practiceA. Radiation from medical devices such as x-ray machines weaken the immune system in both humans and animals.B. Resistant strains developed through genetic engineering dominate a bacterial population through natural selection.C. Medical practitioners over-prescribe antibiotics in hospitals which encourages bacteria to adapt and form resistant strains.D.Genetic material containing the resistant trait is shared among a bacterial population.E. Many antibiotics lose potency and become ineffective over time.(A) Antibiotics are no longer effective in treating disease.(B) Some diseases are harder to treat because some antibiotics are less able to fulfill their prescribed function.(C) Bacteria spread more easily in a hospital setting due to the close proximity of many patients who may harbor different bacteria.(D) Bacteria can infect both humans and animals.(E) Bacteria gain resistance via the exchange of plasmids.(A) If bacteria did not contain antibiotic-resistant plasmids, then they would be incapable of developing resistance to antibiotics.(B) Human involvement is necessary in order for bacteria to develop resistance to antibiotics.(C) The United States should ban the use of antibiotics for non-therapeutic uses.(D) If bacteria were not able to adapt quickly to new environments, it would be more difficult for bacteria to develop resistance to antibiotics.(E) Critically ill patients with infections due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria are more likely to die.
By Press Trust of India: From Fakir Hassen

Johannesburg, Mar 18 (PTI) Ahmed Kathrada, an 87-year-old Indian-origin anti-apartheid activist in South Africa, remains critical after undergoing a surgery, his foundation said, describing as "fake news" the reports that he passed away.

Kathrada underwent surgery a fortnight ago for blood clots in his brain.

"We condemn these rumours and request the public to refrain from reposting or spreading fake news or any updates that cannot be verified," said Nishan Balton, the Director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, who earlier this week confirmed that there had been complications following the surgery which had slowed down Kathradas recovery process.

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Kathrada, who frequently refers to Mandela as his elder brother is one of only three surviving political prisoners who were sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island together with him after the infamous Rivonia Trial of 1964. The others are Andrew Mlangeni and Denis Goldberg.

All of them played major roles after their release and Mandelas election as the first democratic President of South Africa in 1994.

"We reiterate our commitment to providing regular and accurate updates about Kathradas condition both to the media and the public," Balton added as he thanked people who have for the past week held mass vigils and prayers across the country.

Balton encouraged people to follow the Foundations social media accounts, where updates to Kathradas condition will be regularly posted.

Honoured with doctorates from universities all over the globe, Kathrada also received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, Indias highest honour for foreign nationals of Indian origin, in 2005 from the President of India.

In December last year, Balton announced that a donation to the Foundation of two million rand from the Indian government would kick start a campaign to raise 90 million rand before Kathradas 90th birthday to establish an endowment fund to support anti-racism struggles globally into the next generation. PTI FH UZM

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As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ
By Press Trust of India: Dehri-On-Sone (Bihar), Mar 18 (PTI) A poster carrying the name ISIS asking youths in Bihar to join the terror organisation was found pasted on an electricity pillar in Rohtas district today, police said.

Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Dehri, Mohammad Anwar Javed Ansari said that the police has seized the poster carrying the name and flag of Islamic terror organisation ISIS.

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The poster in English appealed to youths of Bihar to become members of ISIS. There is no name of the person issuing the poster.

The SDPO said that recovery of ISIS poster is being probed.

He, however, suspected it as foul play by some anti-socials to create fear in minds of people.

The police has been asked to be on extra alert in view of recovery of the poster, the SDPO added.

Dehri is a Sub-Division in Rohtas district of Bihar. PTI CORR SNS RG

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By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Mar 17 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir government is expecting over Rs 30,000 crore investment from the private sector over the next decade towards infrastructure development in the state.

"This year for the first time we are coming out with a tourism policy, which will also be the roadmap for the infrastructure sector till 2030," Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Tourism and Floriculture secretary Farooq A Shah told reporters here.

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"In this, we are expecting Rs 30,000 crore investment from the private sector towards infrastructure development, including hospitality, convention centres among others in the next 10 years," he said.

Shah said, the state government is planning to invest Rs 2,400 crore in the next 4 years to give a boost to the tourism sector.

The Kashmir valley, he said, had hosted 13 lakh travellers last year.

"Looking at the trend, this year we are expecting over 20 lakh visitors in the valley," he added.

Overall in the state, he said, the valley saw 13 lakh tourists, Ladakh saw 3 lakh, Amarnath 2.5 lakh and Jammu hosted 80 lakh pilgrims for Vaishnodevi.

Shah further said the state is focusing on eco-tourism and developing lesser known destinations to push tourism.

"We are in the final stages of developing the tourism policy. It is expected to be out within 6 months," he added.

J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who was present on the occasion, invited people to visit Jammu and Kashmir saying it is one of the most safest destinations in the country.

"We want you to experience the beauty of Kashmir and see for yourself that it is a safe place to visit," she said.

Blaming the media for unnecessarily highlighting incidents in one corner of the valley, Mufti said, "It seems as if no incident takes place in the rest of the country. By highlighting such incidents tourism in the state gets affected."

Talking about soldiers getting killed in Kashmir, she said, "People become emotional when they see the body of a young martyred soldier on television. The true way to salute these martyred soldiers will be to visit the valley."

During the event, the CM also launched the trailer of the Bollywood movie Sargoshiyan.

"We invite Bollywood to take advantage of the scenic beauty of Jammu and Kashmir. We are also planning to develop a village as a film city to facilitate production houses with seamless film shooting," she added.

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Asked who would she prefer as the brand ambassador, Deepika Padukone or Alia Bhatt, Mufti, in a lighter vein said, she would prefer the Khans.

"I would rather go for the Khans of Bollywood, preferably Salman Khan to promote tourism in the state," she added. PTI SM PSK RMT BAS

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The 41-year-old was escorted through arrivals by her oldest daughter Zahara as Vivienne and Know trotted along beside her while Maddox and Pax happily brought up the rear, Joinfo.com reports with reference to Daily Mail Online.

Shiloh was obviously tired from the long trip with the 10-year-old not seeming as bubbly as the rest of the children, hiding under a big hooded sweatshop.

The rest near skipped to their waiting car, with Angelina struggling to keep up at one point.

The children are frequent flyers so Knox  who looks more and more like his father Brad Pitt everyday  was prepared for the flight bringing a big box of activities for everyone to do.

The eight-year-old seems particularly into loom bands which you can make friendship bracelets from.

His twin sister carried two stuffed animals, who she hugged tight as they made their way through the airport.

For their flight, Angelina wore a white over-the-knee skirt with an off-white camisole.

As Los Angeles is still a little chilly at night, Angelina wore a long trench-like cardigan over the top.

She added: There is no shortcut to peace and security I am a proud American and I am an internationalist.

On Tuesday evening, Angelina was joined by her son Maddox as they visited Buckingham Palace after she accepted a new role as professor in practice of London School of Economics.

Prior to flying out of London, Angelina also sat down with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

On the home front Angelina and her estranged husband Brad have appeared to bury the hatchet following their split in September.

The pair had been together for 12 years and married for two.

Angelina has spoken of how wonderful actor Brad is as a father to their six children.
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 ...
The Centre is on alert ahead of the Jat community's scheduled march to Delhi. Delhi Police has said no dharna or violent protests will be allowed in the city.

By Press Trust of India: Entry of people to Lutyens Delhi will be restricted from today as Delhi Police has decided to impose prohibitory orders to prevent Jat community members from going ahead with their march to Parliament on Monday.

Delhi Police has decided to impose prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 across the national capital from today and put a strict vigil in Lutyens Delhi on Monday to prevent protesters.

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The All India Jat Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti (AIJASS), which is spearheading the agitation demanding reservations in education and government jobs, has given a call for a march to the national capital to gherao Parliament and to hold dharnas on the Delhi border blocking all highways to press for its demands.

The Delhi Police advised students and those appearing in various entrance examinations to start before time so that they don't get stuck owing to heavy checking and blockades.

"Under no circumstances, any kind of dharna, violent protest will be allowed in Delhi. We have put adequate security and safety measures in place and tractor-trolleys will not be allowed to enter Delhi from border areas," said Dependra Pathak, chief spokesperson of Delhi Police and Special Commissioner of Police (Operations).

A three-tier security cover will be in place with 110 companies of external force assisting Delhi Police in maintaining vigil.

"All the checkings will be in place and there might be inconvenience for children and entrance exam aspirants. It is advised that those who are appearing for CBSE exams or for other entrance exams should keep a track of time," he said.

ENTRY TO LUTYENS DELHI RESTRICTED

From 11 PM today, entry to Lutyens Delhi will be restricted and persons fulfilling certain criterion will only be allowed entry after proper verification and checking.

Bonafide residents, employees working in offices situated in Lutyens Delhi, emergency vehicles, entrance exam candidates, ambulance, hearse van, fire brigade, school buses and those who have come to the area for some work will only be allowed entry after furnishing proof, said another officer.

"New Delhi will not be used as transit point for people going from north to south Delhi or vice-versa. Commuters wishing to travel from south Delhi to central Delhi are advised to use Ring Road," said Delhi Traffic Police in an advisory.

Roads like Kamal Ataturk Marg, Safdarjung Road, Kautilya Marg, Kautilaya T Point Near Bihar Bhawan, route from Teen Murti to Gole Methi roundabout and Zakir Hussain Road for the commuters coming from Nizamuddin to India Gate will be closed from 8 PM onwards today.

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Other routes between Ring Road and San Martin Marg, Amrita Shergill from Lodhi Road, Max Mueller Mag from Lodhi Road, Arch Bishop Macarious from Lodhi Road and all lanes leading to Panchkuia road except Mandir Marg, RK Ashram Marg and Hospital Road will be closed starting 11 PM today.

STOP AGITATORS BEFORE THEY REACH CAPITAL, CENTRE TELLS STATES

Ahead of the Jat protests, the Centre has asked police forces of Delhi and its neighbouring states to stop the agitators before they reach the borders of the capital.

In an advisory, the Union Home Ministry told Delhi Police and governments of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to invoke CrPC 144 to stop Jat protesters, who threatened to stage protests in Delhi demanding reservations in jobs and education, from reaching the national capital, official sources said.

Arrest or detain the protesters much before they enter Delhi, disallow movement of buses carrying the protesters on highways and ban tractor trolley movement, the advisory said.

Top Home Ministry officials also reviewed the security situation in the national capital and neighbouring states in the wake of threat by the Jats.

Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi took stock of the law and order situation in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on Wednesday with senior police officials of the four states.

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He instructed the officials to ensure peace and prevent attempts to disrupt normal life during the protests.

CBSE ISSUES ADVISORY

Meanwhile, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) today issued an advisory for students of classes X and XII appearing for examinations on Monday in view of Jat groups threatening to intensify their agitation.

"The students and parents are hereby informed and advised to take necessary measures to reach the examination centres well before the scheduled time to avoid any inconvenience in anticipation of the gherao," the advisory said.

The exams scheduled for March 20 include, Class XII - (Mathematics, First Aid and Emergency Medical Care, Clinical Bio-chemistry and Microbiology-II, Microbiology (MLT), Health Centre Management, Opthalmic Techniques-II, Radiography-II (Special Investigation Imaging Radiography) and Class X - (Painting, Spanish and Russian.

ALSO READ | No Delhi Metro service in NCR from Saturday night over Jat quota agitation

WATCH VIDEO | Who are Jats and why are they protesting? All your questions answered

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The situation was at a crossroads, but must not be allowed to develop into a conflict, he said after hosting US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Joinfo.com reports with reference to the BBC.

Mr Tillerson spoke of dangerous levels of tension, a day after suggesting the US might launch a pre-emptive strike against North Korea.

North Korea is working to develop nuclear missiles that can reach the US.

Last week, it launched four ballistic missiles  defying United Nations resolutions.

Mr Tillerson is in Beijing in the final leg of his East Asia tour, which has been dominated by anxieties over North Korea.

In South Korea on Friday, he said a US military response would be on the table if North Korea threatened South Korea or US forces.

President Donald Trump tweeted that North Korea was behaving very badly.

He added that China  Pyongyangs main ally  had done little to help.

North Korea is behaving very badly. They have been playing the United States for years. China has done little to help!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 17  2017 .

Mr Wang defended the Chinese position, saying all parties were duty-bound to implement UN sanctions against Pyongyang, but also to seek dialogue and diplomatic solutions.

We hope that all parties, including our friends from the United States, could size up the situation in a cool-headed and comprehensive fashion and arrive at a wise decision, Mr Wang said.

Mr Tillerson did not repeat his threat in Beijing, but stressed that the US and China shared a common view that tensions on the peninsula are quite high right now  and that things have reached a rather dangerous level.

He added, however, that they had both committed to do whatever we can to prevent any kind of conflict breaking out.

The US has deployed its Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system (Thaad) in South Korea in a move it says is designed to protect against threats from North Korea.

But China has claimed the system goes far beyond the defence needs of the Korean peninsula.

Mr Tillerson, a former oil executive with no prior diplomatic experience, will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday.

Mr Xi is scheduled to visit the United States next month for his first meeting with President Trump.

Some commentators expect Mr Tillerson to downplay any tensions between the two countries ahead of that encounter.
" having kids ... would be wrong while the Other Woman is still in the picture"?

No, having kids would be wrong because you never felt "it" for your wife. Marrying her was wrong.

Cheating on her was wrong, too, but that seems to be the one wrong you're aware(ish) of. Still, the bigger wrong was marrying your wife after every cell in your body gave you the message that this wasn't the right woman for you, up to and including the affair with the woman who was at least closer to being right for you, and you still refused to receive that message.

I can't speak for your wife, but if I were in this marriage, I would want the truth so that I could get out ASAP and get on with the business of building a new life on terms that are not secretly undermining me. Threat to life and limb aside, I can't think of anything worse than living with someone who doesn't really want me there.

That better new life includes living alone, living with roommates who like me, or finding a partner who actually loves me. All would be a vast improvement over what you're giving your wife.
Morocco and Cote dIvoire have voiced their shared resolve to pool efforts to fight all new forms of crime, namely terrorism, cybercrime, maritime piracy and drug trafficking, and urged the international community to unite to put an end to these scourges.

This came in the joint communique released at the end of the just concluded friendship visit of King Mohammed VI to Abidjan. The visit was marked by tete-a-tete talks between the Moroccan ruler and President Alassane Ouattara on bilateral relations as well as on national, regional and international issues.

During the talks, President Ouattara informed his guest on the progress made by Cote dIvoire in the areas of democracy, the fight against poverty and the fight against terrorism.

The two Heads of State reiterated their determination to endeavor for a more united, solidarity-based Africa, able to fight effectively and victoriously all new forms of crime, namely terrorism, cybercrime, maritime piracy and drug trafficking, says the Joint communique, adding that they also called for sustainable and inclusive political solutions to crises on the continent.

In this regard, King Mohammed VI hailed the decisive role that President Ouattara continues to play in the peaceful settlement of these conflicts, as President Felix Houphouet-Boigny has always advocated.

President Ouattara who welcomed Moroccos return to the African Union, stressed the decisive role that the North African Kingdom will play within its institutional family and in consolidating peace and security in the continent, says the joint statement.

This return clearly shows the will and determination of the King of Morocco to engage in South-South cooperation and to participate fully in the development of the continent, as shown by the Morocco-Nigeria pipeline project, which will cross West African countries including Cote dIvoire and which will benefit the whole region, underlines the document.

For his part, King Mohammed VI pledged to back this African countrys candidacy as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2018-2019 term.

At the bilateral level, the two heads of State voiced satisfaction at the two countries cooperation, already cemented by 143 Accords, and underlined the need to implement these agreements for the development of the two countries and the well-being of their peoples.

They called in this regards on the follow-up mechanisms to hold regular meetings to supervise the implementation of bilateral accords.

They also welcomed the Second Session of the Morocco-Cote dIvoire Economic Impetus Group, which works to promote a genuine strategic partnership between the public and private sectors and to make of bilateral cooperation a genuine model of South-South cooperation for the whole of Africa.

During the royal visit, King Mohammed VI visited a number of structuring projects being carried out part of Moroccan-Ivorian cooperation to oversee the progress of works. One of these major projects underway is the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Cocody Bay.

In this vein, President Ouattara expressed his countrys gratitude to Morocco for its inestimable contribution to the development of Cote dIvoire, where it now stands as one of the main investors.
Dakhla, the pearl of the southern provinces, is hosting the annual Crans Montana forum, which brings together leading figures in the fields of economy and politics.

The event opened with a Royal Speech highlighting Moroccos steadfast commitment in support of Africas development.

Morocco believes in Africas capacity to rise to the challenges facing it and to ensure sustainable human development for its peoples, thanks to its vast natural and human resources, said King Mohammed VI in a message read out by president of the Dakhla oued Eddahab region.

The King commended the topics of the current edition of the Crans Montana forum which centers on characteristics and features of A New Africa for the 21st Century, saying that unlocking Africas potential hinges on how much belief we have in ourselves, how far we rely on our own capacities and potential, and how well we exploit them, within the framework of mutually-beneficial South-South cooperation and solidarity-based, strategic partnerships.

The Monarch added that Africa is buoyed by a new generation of pragmatic leaders working with a high sense of patriotism and responsibility to achieve their countries stability, political openness, economic development and social progress.

South-South cooperation, which is based on the culture of sharing and solidarity, is the mechanism that will enable our countries to exchange their expertise directly and immediately. It will help improve our field experience, make the most of our complementarities and expand our national markets. It will also open up new opportunities for efficient and beneficial investment and achieve effective sustainable human development, while respecting each countrys national sovereignty, as well as the principles of mutual esteem and equality, underscored the Monarch.

The King expressed Moroccos willingness to share its expertise in economy, agriculture, industry, energy, banking, insurance, transport and logistics as well as in the social and cultural, security and religious domains with fellow African countries.

He also highlighted the Kingdoms contribution in the field of security and stability and its contribution to UN peace-keeping operations and mediation aiming at peacefully settling conflicts in the continent.

In his address, the King placed special attention on the need to take joint climate action in Africa. In this respect, he recalled the convening of the Africa Action Summit, which was launched on the side-lines of the UN climate summit in November in Marrakech with a view to addressing the climate challenges Africa is facing.

The King also stressed the need for more cooperation to help African countries secure their energy transition and underscored Moroccos leadership in the field of renewable energies.

On Moroccos bid to join the West African Economic Community, ECOWAS, the Monarch highlighted the time-honored human, civilizational and spiritual bonds, as well as special relations based on fruitful cooperation and active solidarity shared between Morocco and West Africa, noting that the Kingdom joined word to action through the launch of the gas pipeline between Nigeria and Morocco, which stands as an example of regional cooperation that will benefit eleven African countries.
(HealthDay)For older patients discharged from the hospital to post-acute care (PAC) facilities, shorter length of hospital stay is associated with earlier readmission, according to a study published online March 3 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Carolyn Horney, M.D., from the University of Colorado in Aurora, and colleagues conducted a secondary analysis of the 2011 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases for California, Massachusetts, and Florida to define factors associated with readmission for patients aged 65 years and older who were discharged from hospital to a PAC facility. Significant predictors of readmission within seven days were examined.

The researchers identified 81,173 hospital readmissions from PAC facilities in the first 30-days after discharge from hospital. Readmission within the first week correlated with being older, white, urban, having fewer comorbid illnesses, and having a higher number of previous hospital admissions; patients readmitted in the first week less commonly had Medicare as a payer. The risk of early readmission was decreased with longer index hospital length of stay (odds ratio, 0.74 for length of stay four to seven days and 0.60 for length of stay at least eight days).

"Shorter length of index hospital stay is associated with earlier readmission and suggests that for this comorbid, older population, a shorter hospital stay may be detrimental," the authors write.

Copyright  2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) is alerting South Africans about an ATM card fraud method which has become popular among criminals in recent months.

Transacting at ATMs is quick and convenient, but unfortunately criminals exploit this facility for their own fraudulent purposes, said SABRIC CEO Kalyani Pillay.

Criminals use various ways to manipulate and distract ATM users in order to gain access to their bank cards and PINs.

ATM Card Swapping

SABRIC said the card swapping modus operandi listed below has become widespread in recent months.

While using an ATM, an unknown person will approach the victim to assist them.

Their card will be taken out of the ATM by the criminal who presses the cancel button on the pad. It is then swapped without the bank customer realising.

The card swap usually happens before the victim inserts their PIN, which prevents the transaction from taking place due to the swapped card now in the ATM.

During the process of assisting, the fraudster is close enough to view the PIN.

The victim will then leave the ATM after the unsuccessful transaction  without their bank card.

At the same time, the criminal walks away with the victims card and PIN, which will be used at a nearby ATM.

Criminals also attempt to confuse bank customers, making them more inclined to accept assistance at ATMs.

This is done by:

Changing the language on ATM screens so that it looks unfamiliar to a customer.

Activating the cardless function to change the way the display usually looks.

Jamming the card slot or the PIN pad of the ATM to lure a customer to a more remote ATM nearby.

Now read: South African criminal reveals how they steal your bank card at an ATM
YEREVAN.  The deputy of the Argentine Parliament Nilda Garre has submitted a bill on the criminalization of genocides denial, which also includes a denial of the Armenian Genocide. The deputy told the Armenian News-NEWS.am when the parliament of Argentina will discuss the draft and what are the prospects of its adoption.

You are the author of the bill on criminalization of the denial of genocides and crimes against humanity, including the Armenian Genocide. When will the bill be submitted? And, what are the prospects of its adoption in the parliament?

The bill I authored arose because of the negation position, which, unfortunately, have been manifested by civil servants in regard to the systematic nature of crimes against humanity committed during the last military-civic dictatorship. Thus, it includes not only the crimes against humanity committed during the dictatorship in Argentina but also genocides recognized by Argentina, such as the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide.

In this regard, it is important to recall that in 2006, the Argentine Congress passed the Law 26199 on recognizing the genocide of Armenians. The bill has already come into circulation, and we are waiting for the Committee on Criminal Legislation of the Chamber of Deputies to discuss it.

The countries that have already adopted such bills or are going to adopt are accused of violating the right to freedom of expression. Does your bill take into account these concerns?

When drafting the bill, we got familiarized with the experience of legislative regulations of this issue in other countries. We got convinced, that many people do not question the freedom of speech. It can be observed in such countries as Germany, Austria, or France. We should not overlook the traumas of the rejection that affect the victims of genocide and their relatives. The point here is not to deny the importance of protecting the freedom of expression. Let's not forget, that we are talking about the most serious crimes that a humanity can ever commit.

Why do countries like Turkey still deny the crime they committed?

I already asked this question. It's not me who should interpret Turkey's decisions. In return, I prefer to take an advantage of the experience and traditions of the countries that have criticized their past and recognized it, like Germany. I can also say that I want Argentina to take a full responsibility for its history - for everything good and bad. Countries that do not do this, risk to repeat the worst episodes of their past.
Bezos Earth Fund pledges $1 billion by 2030 to protect carbon stocks and biodiversity

Qatar's foreign minister calls criticism of West 'arrogant' and 'racist'

Delegations headed by Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs meet in Washington

French Finance Minister calls on EU to oppose U.S.

Armenian President: Aliyev's statements about intentional destruction of mosques have nothing to do with reality

German MFA reports constructive talks in EU on new sanctions against Iran

Kazakhstani President Tokayev instructs to increase oil supplies bypassing Russia

President of Artsakh holds expanded working meeting

Armenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports to receive more than 250 billion drams in 2023

Borrell says EU is dependent on supplies from China

Armenia official: Peace treaty implies restoration of sovereign territory

Guterres thinks mankind is heading for climate hell

Dollar, euro gain value in Armenia

General: Iran riots were US plan to derail nuclear deal

Minister: 'Lydian Armenia' may start exploitation of gold mine on Mountain Amulsar

Armenia political scientist: Balance is formed in region thanks to Iran

Minister: 70 schools will be repaired or newly built in Armenia in 2023

UAE lifts most COVID-19 restrictions for tourists

Political scientist: There is no Armenian-American agenda

President of Finland says country has no plans to host nuclear weapons

Russian Ambassador to Armenia: We are not used to making PR and playing games

Flight restrictions extended to 11 airports in Russia

Kopirkin: Spiritual core will help Armenia, Russia overcome difficulties, challenges

Armenia ranks among top 5 CIS countries for winter tourism

Envoy: Russian president awarded Armenian philologist with medal

Iranian intelligence arrests 26 terrorists: an Azerbaijani citizen among them

Russian Defense Ministry confirms: Azerbaijan fired at Khramort village in Artsakh

Number of oil and gas drilling rigs is up in US

Economy minister: Azerbaijan aggression prevented increase of Armenia wheat sowing areas

Gegharkunik governor: There are observers who recorded that Azerbaijan carried out aggression against Armenia

The National Interest: Iran turns attention to the Caucasus

Tokayev: Kazakhstan is ready to use other measures, besides diplomacy, for its defense

Economy minister: Primary agricultural products ensure 11%-13% of Armenia GDP

FAO: World grain prices rise in October

Kremlin urges Yerevan and Baku to refrain from destabilization

Governor of Armenias Tavush on possible handover of enclaves to Azerbaijan: Not being discussed now

Governor of Armenias Vayots Dzor: We have pastures that are monitored by Azerbaijan

WSJ: Sullivan is in contact with Ushakov and Patrushev on Ukraine

Vayots Dzor governor: Azerbaijan military that infiltrated Armenia can be seen with naked eye from Jermuk city

Armenia President: Military clashes, hostilities have direct impact on soil, air pollution

IRGC seizes over 1,500 weapons in Iran riots

Minister: $879 million worth of agricultural products exported from Armenia

Japan to exterminate 150 thousand chickens because of bird flu outbreak

Armenia informational online platform for promoting highly qualified specialists engagement is launched

South Korea's president apologizes for crush in downtown Seoul

Documento: Greek PM Mitsotakis used intelligence services to spy on dozens of people

Close to $98M to be allocated from Armenia state budget for agricultural projects in 2023

Man who set self on fire near Armenia government mansion is in severe condition

Anti-Iranian action to take place in Baku

UN promises to lift restrictions on Russian grain exports in near future

Fighter jet crashes in Saudi Arabia

About $770M to be assigned to Armenia territorial administration, infrastructure ministry next year

Armenia parliament vice-speaker: There is very important note in Sochi statement

Copper falls in price

New York bank robberies up 42% this year

Armenia President to attend climate change convention in Egypt

Gold prices change slightly

World oil prices falling

Mirzoyan, Blinken, Bayramov to meet in Washington today

How long will it take to know US midterm elections results?

Iranian Armenian MP: Iran-Armenia trade is expected to reach $1B

U.S. National Park Service urges against licking the Sonora desert toad

Azerbaijan army units open fire in direction of Armenia positions

Minister: Britain's government faces tough decisions

Pashinyan: Teachers in Armenia must get 800,000, 1,000,000 and 1,200,000 drams wages

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

U.S. arms sales in Europe are soaring

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

Iranian Parliament Speaker's visit to Azerbaijan postponed

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

Civilian exploded on mine in Artsakh

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
Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian on Friday met with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in New York City.

First, Nalbandian congratulated Guterres on his election as the UN Secretary-General, and wished him success in this important mission. Also, the FM conveyed to Guterres the greetings and good wishes by the President of Armenia, and, on his behalf, invited the new UN Secretary-General for a visit to Armenia.

Antonio Guterres, for his part, assured that, as the UN Secretary-General, he intends to have productive cooperation with Armenia. He recorded that, over the course of the 25 years of its UN membership, Armenia has actively participated in the work being carried out within the framework of the UN.

The FM, in turn, assured that Armenia will continue its constructive engagement and active work along the lines of the UN. Also, Edward Nalbandian presented to the UN Secretary-General the initiatives by Armenia towards the prevention of genocides and other crimes against humanity.

The interlocutors reflected on urgent regional and international matters. In this connection, Guterres appreciated Armenias efforts towards granting asylum to refugees.

In addition, Edward Nalbandian presented by the current situation with respect to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In turn, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed support to the efforts by the co-chair countriesi.e. Russia, the US, and Franceof the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group to find a pacific resolution to this conflict.

Within the framework of his visit to New York City, Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian met also with the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman. They discussed Armenias engagement within the framework of the United Nations.
At the India Today Conclave 2017, Karan Johar declared that he is the mother of his children, Yash and Roohi.

By India Today Web Desk: On March 5, Karan Johar announced to the world that he has become the father of two twins, Yash and Roohi. The children were born via surrogacy and both of them were named after Karan's own parents, with Roohi being an anagram of his mother's name, Hiroo.

The Ae Dil Hai Mushkil director had some choice words to say about parenthood at the India Today Conclave 2017 in Mumbai.

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When asked who would be his choice as the mother of his children, Karan replied, "I am the mother of my children." A while later, he said, "I am more of a mother than I am a father."

Adding on his perspective on parentage, Karan Johar said that he wouldn't want to impose Bollywood or filmmaking on his children just like his parents were supportive of his decision to be a filmmaker even though he was warned about joining the industry.

"My need to have children comes from my sense of nurturing. I wanted to channelise the love within me," Karan added.

Karan went on to say that the first day he saw Yash and Roohi, they were premature; they were supposed to be born in first week of April but they were delivered in February. When he later saw them, he wept.

"I didn't even realise that tears were rolling down my face because I just could not believe that there were two pieces of me staring at me, vulnerable, innocent and all piped and tubed up," Karan Johar said.

Highlights from Karan Johar's Koffee With Karan On The Couch segment:

"No happy marriages in Bollywood"

When asked about the one fact from Bollywood that would jolt him, Karan Johar said, "A happy marriage."

"If you are happily married, you don't exist," said Karan Johar.

"Delusion is the biggest plague in Bollywood"

Karan Johar said that according to him, delusion is the biggest plague in Bollywood.

"Aspiration is fantastic but delusion is not. Sensitivity runs very high in my industry so I lie because everyone is easy to offend," Karan Johar said.

"I like being trolled"

Speaking about trolled, insulted and abused on social media, Karan Johar said that he is a complete sadist and that he likes to hear abuses.

"It started with anger, went on to indifference, and now I look forward to them," Karan Johar said about his reaction to abuses.

"Hate, not love, transcends everything"

When asked if it is love that transcends everything, Karan Johar said, "No, these days, actually hate transcends everything."

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"There is a reality check that you have to account for. Love has to be substituted with pragmatism and the order of the day," Karan Johar said.

Three tips for the brokenhearted from Karan Johar:

Karan Johar had this to say about how to mend broken hearts at India Today Conclave 2017

1. Self-pity is a spa. It feels great to wallow in self-pity for a few days but you have to get out of it eventually.

2. Involve yourself in work. Make work your ambition, not your love life.

3. Go out there and have some fun.

"Ranbir Kapoor would play me in my biopic"

Karan Johar said that if his biopic were to be made, Ranbir Kapoor would play him, Juhi Chawla would play his mother Hiroo and Rishi Kapoor would play his father, the late Yash Johar.

However, he declined to answer who would play his two lovers, the ones he has often mentioned and also wrote about in his book, An Unsuitable Boy.

"I'd be rich and single than be poor and have true love"

When asked whether he would be rich and single or be poor and have true love, Karan Johar chose the former because "true love fades after a while and lust takes over."

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On Kangana Ranaut's statements on Koffee With Karan:

Karan Johar happily accepted that he is the flag-bearer of nepotism and that is the movie mafia, like Kangana Ranaut accused him of being on the sets of Koffee With Karan.

However, he also added that he did not understand what Kangana Ranaut meant when she said that their individual ideas of poverty are different.

"I have hemorrhoids"

Karan Johar said that he has hemorrhoids and turns out that it is one of the reasons why he always wears black.

"I would marry Shah Rukh Khan"

When given a choice to love, marry and hook up with one of the following: Shah Rukh, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Sidharth Malhotra, he said he would marry Shah Rukh Khan because he loves his bungalow.

However, he chose to kill both Aishwarya and Sidharth because in his own words, "I don't want to answer this question."

On the work front, Karan Johar's Dharma Productions has so far released OK Jaanu, the Hindi version of The Ghazi Attack and Badrinath Ki Dulhania in 2017. The company will distribute the Hindi version of Baahubali: The Conclusion and currently under production are a remake of Yash Chopra's 1969 film Ittefaq, a remake of the Hollywood film Drive and Ayan Mukerji's Dragon.

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WATCH FULL SESSION: Karan Johar on marrying SRK, unrequited love and dealing with trolls

ALSO READ: Karan Johar says that he would marry Shah Rukh Khan

ALSO READ: Here are Karan Johar's tips to deal with a heartbreak

ALSO WATCH: I'm a sadist, I love hearing abuse, says Karan Johar

ALSO WATCH: Don't want my reality to become a headline, says Karan Johar

ALSO WATCH: Don't ask me about nepotism, please!, says Karan Johar

ALSO WATCH: I am the mother of my children, says Karan Johar

--- ENDS ---
Armenia has addressed a number of previous recommendations of OSCE/ODIHR, says the OSCE/ODIHR interim report on parliamentary elections in Armenia.

According to the report, parliamentary elections are regulated by a comprehensive but complex legal framework, which was significantly amended in 2016 through an inclusive reform process that was seen by most OSCE/ODIHR EOM interlocutors as a step forward in building overall confidence in the electoral process.

Civil society organizations were initially involved in the discussions of the draft Electoral Code, but did not endorse the final text, as their calls to ease restrictions on citizen observers were not addressed, the document says.

The elections are administered by a three-tiered system, comprising the Central Election Commission (CEC), 38 Territorial Election Commissions (TECs), and 2,009 Precinct Election Commissions (PECs). The CEC regularly holds open sessions and publishes its decisions on its website. The PECs were formed by the TECs on 11 March. Some OSCE/ODIHR EOM interlocutors expressed concerns about PECs capacity to deal with the new voting procedures.

The OSCE/ODIHR experts note that voter registration is passive and based on the population register. OSCE/ODIHR EOM interlocutors generally assessed the accuracy of the voter list positively. In line with the law and in an effort to prevent voter impersonation, the CEC intends to publish scanned copies of the signed voter lists after the elections.

On election day, in a further effort to prevent voter fraud, voters will be identified through electronic Voter Authentication Devices (VADs). The use of VADs has been welcomed by most OSCE/ODIHR EOM interlocutors. However, due to the late development of the software and testing of the VADs, concerns have been raised about their functioning on election day.

The official election campaign started on 5 March. Allegations have been raised about widespread vote-buying by most OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission interlocutors. There is also a prevalent perception that pressure and intimidation of voters will occur during the campaign, the report reads.

As to the media environment, the expert say it is dominated by politically affiliated television.

A free Internet contributes to political pluralism and critical reporting. Contestants have so far received an equal amount of free airtime on the public broadcaster and have the right to purchase advertising time under equal conditions.

The contestants provide regular reporting on campaign finance, including before election day. Despite a prior OSCE/ODIHR recommendation, so-called organizational expenditures, such as for campaign offices, transport, and communication are excluded from the reporting.

The legal framework provides for international and citizen observation and entitles party proxies to be present at polling stations. To address potential overcrowding certain limitations were introduced on the number of citizen observers and media representatives at polling stations. Civil society and journalists raised concerns about these provisions.
The Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian (ORO) Bloc promises to declare amnesty in Armenia, should it win the forthcoming parliamentary election in the country.

Armen Martirosyan, who is second on OROs proportional representation list for the election, stated the aforementioned at an assembly with voters in Vardenis town.

A climate of justice needs to be established in the country, he added.

Also, Martirosyan noted that the liberated territories are the greatest impetus for Armenias development, and expressed confidence that Armenia will be able to defend both Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and these liberated territories.

In turn, ex-Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, who is third on the abovementioned proportional representation list, stated that they have a major economic plan.

Have faith that it is possible to come to power [in Armenia] through elections, he noted.

Oskanian added that if they come to power, there will be equality and justice in the country.

To note, on their way to Vardenis, the ORO Bloc members were welcomed in Artsvanist village with traditional Armenian folk music, and a sacrificial sheep was slaughtered under their feet.

The ORO bloc comprises former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan, and ex-FMs Raffi Hovannisian and Vartan Oskanian.

The parliamentary election in Armenia will be conducted on April 2.
STEPANAKERT.  The court verdict against Ilham Askin, Chairman of the Turkish Azerbaijani Cultural Association in The Hague, is a triumph of the law over unlawfulness.

Davit Babayan, Head of the Central Information Department of the Office of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic/NKR) President and Deputy Dead of the NKR Presidents Office, told about the abovementioned to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

There have been, there are, and there will be Armenian graves in Nagorno-Karabakh, stressed Babayan. Armenians have lived on this land for ages, they have fallen defending this land, and they have been buried in this land. For Armenians, graves are sacred, at both family and state level.

The Dutch court sentenced Askin to 120 hours of community service and a one-month suspended sentence, with two years probation, for his anti-Armenian statements.

He was prosecuted for having chanted, Karabakh will be the grave of the Armenians, during a Turkish rally in Almelo, the Netherlands.
YEREVAN.  Armenian Minister of Justice Arpine Hovhannisyan promises to open new jobs for residents of Tavush, a province bordering with Azerbaijan.

While presenting the program of the Republican Party of Armenia during a meeting in the town of Ijevan, the minister noted that along with many other initiatives, it is planned to create new jobs. In particular, more than 900 jobs are planned to open with the help of the branches of the Tavush Textile Company.

We do not promise you that everything will be good and will be changed immediately. We do not promise something that has a few chances to be implemented, Hovhannisyan said.

In turn, Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan reflected on importance of choice in human life.

Sometimes the choice requires you to make an effort, but you need to choose a realistic option. Many promise, and tomorrow they will say: well, what could we do now, we are not the majority, Srgsyan emphasized.

At the same time, he informed about the decision of the Prime Minister to set up an intergovernmental commission to solve the problems of Tavush region.
The Armenian side now has more advantages than Azerbaijan, Former Russian co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Vyacheslav Trubnikov, who was also the formed First Deputy FM and Chief of Foreign Intelligence Service of Russia, said in an interview with haqqin.az.

Asked about the possibility of pressure from the Russian side, the former co-chair said: No pressure on either of the sides will yield any results. The Armenian side now has more advantages than Azerbaijan: it has the occupied territories, the Nagorno-Karabakh. Do you think that having so many advantages it will easily agree to the solution of that issues? Armenia will play its trump cards to the maximum in the negotiation process, while pressure could yield the opposite effect. Therefore, it is necessary to patiently convince the parties to work towards a peaceful solution to the problem. There is no alternative to the conflict settlement. There is no military solution. Here the political will of both sides is needed.

It is first of all necessary to think about the creation of a climate of confidence, in no case coming up with a military rhetoric. Any military statements only move us away from the solution of this issue, the no-war-no-peace situation being extremely dangerous. Therefore, it is necessary to think about the issue every day, not assuming that the time is on the side of either of the parties.

Referring to the possibility of resuming the military actions, Trubnikov noted that he didnt expect that to occur. Nevertheless, that happened. But have you asked yourself why you pressed the trigger? The aspiration to solve the issue by force and new war will yield no result aside from the complication of the problem and possible loss of more territories for Azerbaijan.

Russia, for its part, will do its best for the military actions not to resume under any circumstances. This, after all, is a matter of our national security, and we wont allow a new round of conflict. As an OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing country, we will seek options for its settlement, Trubnikov stressed.

Together with this, he responded negatively to the issue of deployment of peacekeepers in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. What can this give? Disengagement and withdrawal of heavy weapons are already observed. The OSCE Minks Group crosses the contact line between the troops twice a year, and, in fact, through minefields, where instead of vineyards the Armenian armed forces have installed mines on the occupied territories. Therefore, I see no point in deploying blue helmets in the conflict zone.

According to the former co-chair, it is a different thing that both sides have an issue related to refugees. Apart from the issue of the Azerbaijani refuges, there are also those of Baku and Sumgayit Armenians, who were expelled from their houses long before the occupation of the Azerbaijani territories. Thus, this issue requires a complex solution without infringement on the interests of the parties.

The Azerbaijani and Armenians should themselves reach a certain agreement, while we must help them. Can you at last understand that this is not the issue of Putin, Trump or Hollande, but the one between you and the Armenians? You shouldnt throw your issues on us: you agree, and we will always be happy to help you. This is, after all, an issue of the sustainable development of Azerbaijan and Armenia, prosperity of your nations, therefore both sides should be most of all interested in peace, Trubnikov stressed.
Karan Johar, on Day 2 of the India Today Conclave 2017, had some useful tips for people battling a heartbreak.

By India Today Web Desk: Karan Johar was at the India Today Conclave 2017, and made sure he began the second day of the event with a bang. All present in the audience had a taste of Karan's wit and sense of humour when moderator Koel Purie Rinchet quizzed the Koffee show host on topics ranging from his love life to his newborn kids to the film industry.

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Among the topics the two discussed on stage, heartbreak too was one. When Koel asked Karan how he dealt with unrequited love and heartbreak, the filmmaker was only too happy to share his tips to survive a broken heart.

Check out Karan Johar's tips to get over a broken heart:

1. There's no tip. Self-pity is a spa, it's a great place to be in for a few days. Self-pity can take you through everything and then destroy you. So get out of it as soon as possible.

2. Make your work your ambition. Not your love life.

3. Go out there and have some fun!

Karan Johar was speaking on Day 2 of the India Today Conclave 2017, at a session called Heart to Heart: Koffee with Karan on the Couch, Love Beyond Boundaries.

ALSO WATCH: Karan Johar on marrying SRK, unrequited love and dealing with trolls

ALSO WATCH: I'm a sadist, I love hearing abuse, says Karan Johar

ALSO WATCH: Don't want my reality to become a headline, says Karan Johar

ALSO WATCH: I'm the mother of my children, says Karan Johar

ALSO WATCH: Don't ask me about nepotism, please!, says Karan Johar

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL COVERAGE OF INDIA TODAY CONCLAVE 2017

--- ENDS ---
ARF Dashnaktsutyun has changed its trace neither while being in power nor while being in opposition.

Member of ARF Bureau, Giro Manoyan, said the aforementioned at the meeting with the residents of Lchashen village in Armenias Gegharkunik province.

ARF-D showed that it is the only party, which tried to implement its programs when winning the confidence vote of the people, Manoyan said.

Despite being in coalition with the authorities, the MP candidate said they still have different views with the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement. We dont accept the Madrid Principles, and didnt accept the Armenian-Turkish protocols [either], he noted.

Manoyan added that ARF has no enemies in the country but only competitors and oppositionists. In this context, he noted that they are ready to cooperate with all the forces which they will have common views with.

According to the ARF Bureau member, among the currently operating political forces, ARF is the only one to be a truly sociality party, one of their aims being the just distribution of the countrys wealth between the people. It is not important what is said. The important thing is who says that. It is important for you to realize who you will elect. That bribe will then be taken from you. Let all those taking the [offered] bribe be sure that they will have to pay back hundred times more in the coming five years, he said.
By India Today Web Desk: There has always been a lot of "conjecture," to use Karan Johar's favourite word, about his sexuality. The filmmaker opened up in his memoir, An Unsuitable Boy, about how he is treated as the "poster boy of homosexuality" and wrote that people had let their imagination run so wild that there rumours that he was in a relationship with Shah Rukh Khan.

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At the India Today Conclave 2017 in Mumbai today, the filmmaker was asked who he would kill, marry and just be friends with, out of SRK, Sidharth Malhotra and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Karan immediately said, "I would marry Shah Rukh, I love his bungalow. I'll kill Ash and Sid, because I'm not going to answer that question."

In his book, Karan had written about the rumours about him and Shah Rukh, "I was traumatised by it. I was on a show on a Hindi channel, and I was asked about Shah Rukh... He worded it in such a way that I got really angry. I said, 'If I asked you if you are sleeping with your brother, how will you feel?' ...For me, no matter what ups and downs Shah Rukh and I have been through, he is a father figure, an older brother to me. For me to look at him in that way or be subjected to those rumours was just ridiculous."

ALSO READ | Karan Johar: Everybody knows what my sexual orientation is

ALSO WATCH: I'm a sadist, I love hearing abuse, says Karan Johar

ALSO WATCH: Don't want my reality to become a headline, says Karan Johar

ALSO WATCH: Don't ask me about nepotism, please!, says Karan Johar

ALSO WATCH: I'm the mother of my children, says Karan Johar

ALSO WATCH: Karan Johar on marrying SRK, unrequited love and dealing with trolls

--- ENDS ---
We have an issue of blood changing and bringing officials out of the rusted condition.

Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), said the aforementioned Saturday at the meeting with the voters in Noyemberyan town, responding to the question of one of the voters as to how the issue of workplaces, especially those for the youth, will be solved.

We indeed have an issue with the youths. They say, working in a state system requires experience, whereas currently we have a need for young and passionate guys, the PM said.

Referring to the conditions of the flat mortgage provided to young families, the PM noted that currently foundations are established, which will allow to bring cheap money to the market. According to him, its entry will, of course, be limited but the bank competition will increase. The capacity of the banks to dictate or offer their interest will decrease, Karapetyan said.

The residents also inquired about the healthcare sphere, expressing concern about the expensiveness of medical services. The PM noted that reforms have been made thanks to which the citizens willwithin the framework of state orderchose already on their own where receive treatment. We intend to eliminate the difference between the state order and market prices in order to eliminate the corruption risks and thereby reveal the shadow. Besides the state order, we want the Health Ministry to reveal the shadow of the rest of services, he said.

The campaign of the RPA is mainly run by PM Karen Karapetyan, who has not been included in the party's candidate list. He had pre-election meeting with voters in Tavush on Saturday. On Sunday, the PM will visit Lori province.
The latest

This Is It: Virtual Pride creates LGBTQ togetherness through technology

Throughout the pandemic, This Is It has remained vibrant and connective with the community - and that continues this weekend with its Virtual Pride event, a four-day online celebration.
Here at OnMilwaukee.com, we pride ourselves in being Milwaukee experts. Since it's literally our job to eat, sleep and breathe all things Brew City, we get lots of questions from our readers.

This is where we answer them.

In the "Ask OMC" series, we take your questions, big or small, and track down the answers. Send your query to askomc@staff.onmilwaukee.com. Be sure to include your name and location, and we'll consider it for our next installment.

This week, the question comes from Lisa B. in Oak Creek, who sent the following query: "It's getting cold out and my memory is fading. What's the color code for the flame on top of the Wisconsin Gas Co. building Downtown?"

That's a common question, Rachel. Before we answer, a little background is in order.

Although the building was sold to a developer more than five years ago, most Milwaukeeans still refer to the building at 626 E. Wisconsin Ave. as "The Wisconsin Gas Building." Designed in the Art Deco style by Eschweiler & Eschweiler and completed in 1930, the building is 250 ft. tall and has 20 floors. The first 2  stories of the exterior are granite, but the rest of the building is constructed of varying shades of brick. The upper floors are lighter, to give the building a taller appearance.

In 1956, a weather beacon shaped as a natural gas flame was added to the top building. The neon flame is 21 ft. tall and adds a unique splash of color to the Milwaukee skyline.

Known as the "weather flame," the light changes color along with the weather forecast for the following day.

Gold means the weather will get colder. Red means it's going to warm up. Blue means the weather will stay the same. When the light flashes, precipitation is expected.

If you need help remembering all that, try focusing on this rhyme:

"When the flame is red, warm weather is ahead.

When the flame is gold, watch out for cold.

When the flame is blue, there's no change in view.

Where there's agitation, expect precipitation."
This weekend, a reimagining of the timeless story of "Beauty and the Beast"  featuring a big, bold and new visual approach  will hit a theater by you. And also Disney has a new version of one of its animated classics coming to movie screens.

Indeed, in a case of impressive timing, the same weekend the Emma Watson-led live action adaptation hits cinemas, the Skylight Music Theatre opens its rendition of "Beauty and the Beast," premiering Friday night and running through March 26. And while the two share the same name, overall story  a romance between a beast and a kind-hearted beauty  and musical spirit, the Skylights opera goes much further back than Disneys tale as old as time, bringing an rarely done 18th century retelling of Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuves original, and infinitely darker, fairy tale.

"(The original story) is a little distressing," laughingly admitted James Ortiz, making his Skylight debut as the shows director as well as scenic and puppet designer. "If we really unpack it, its about a father who sells his daughter to a monster, a monster who then doesnt let her leave his house and every night goes Will you marry me? until she says yes."

In case that grim, problematic description wasnt enough, the Beast in the original story, according to Ortiz, is a borderline suicidal character. So how does one transform a beautiful tale of love out of a story dripping in Stockholm syndrome without going full Disney?

"When I read this adaptation, they managed to maintain a lot of the things that ground the story  some of that darkness  but the whole thing has this effervescence, and its quite classical," Ortiz noted. "It manages to have the flavor of that, but it was largely gilded and bright. Theres a lot of comedy in it, which was really exciting. It feels more like a Shakespeare bawdy; theres a drinking song in the middle of it, and youre like, Great!"

Working with music director Shari Rhoads, Ortiz also wrote a new libretto for the "Beauty and the Beast" adaptation, guiding the plots emotional throughline and adapting the humor of the original French to todays times to help make it as modern as it seemed at the time.

"The opera originally called for a ballet; theres moments in the middle of the show where theres just dance breaks, which is pretty ahead of its time for when it was written," Ortiz said. "Its also an opera with a fair amount of dialogue, so this was really a proto-musical. It was on its way to becoming the modern musical."

The smart reworking and look toward the future werent the only elements in this "Beauty and the Beast" adaptation  supposedly one of young Mozarts favorite operas, with its influence found in some of his early work  that caught Ortizs eye when he was first approached the show a year ago. There was also its star: a puppet playing the role of the Beast.

Coming hot off the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway show "The Woodsman"  which nabbed him a 2016 OBIE Award for puppet design  Ortiz wasnt sure he wanted to dive straight into another fantasy tale featuring puppets. However, he was won over by his appreciation for the opera as well as his own personal mission for the art of theatrical puppetry.

"Often times, puppetry is used as an effect or sometimes as a trick," he said. "I loved War Horse, and I love Avenue Q, and those are all extraordinary shows, but often times, its about the puppetry as a gag or a spectacle. For a while now, Ive been considering it sort of the CG of theater. It can be anything; we can Andy Serkis it in any way we want. Can we have a puppet be a dynamic, complicated, layered character? Can that work, and will an audience believe that? And I think the answer is yeah."

Hes going all in on that thesis with "Beauty and the Beast," devising a five-person puppet that lives up to the term "beast," a gorilla-esque being standing about eight feet tall and consuming the stage when he appears. Two people operate him from the inside, and two people guide him from the outside, creating a big monster with the ability to make small, nuanced movements  all while the fifth member of the character, Chazmen Williams-Ali, provides his voice.

"As you can imagine, its a tricky process," Ortiz said. "Incorporating a puppet at all, it requires a lot more time and effort."

To do so, Ortiz brought all the actors behind Azor the beast, and before working with the puppet itself, they broke down the scenes into his character beats.

"The great thing was five people had varying  in the best way  opinions of what that moment was," he explained. "So that was a great time for everybody to get on the same page with each other, saying Thats an even better idea than I had or being inspired by someone elses interpretation.

"Puppetry, I find, is another tool for actors to act with. Mask work, maskeup, clown work  very similar things. So its more about making sure we all know what the scene is about, make sure we all know what the layers are about, make sure we all know what the givens are and then just treat it like scene work  and then let the technical stuff figure itself out as we work together."

As that process went on, Ortiz noted that he was soon able to talk to all of the actors behind Azor as though they were one actor. Meanwhile, the actors joined together to use their synchronized breaths to communicate actions large and small to one another. In the end, not only did all of their work help make the puppet feel more lifelike rather than a sculpture but it also helped engage the other performers working against their massive, monstrous co-star.

"An actors function is to believably live in imagined circumstances, and the imagined circumstance is that (beast puppet) is real," Ortiz laughed. "So I think its actually easier for them. There were a couple of times in rehearsal where they were genuinely scared of the beast, which was sort of funny to watch. It was like, Why are they making that noise? We didnt talk  oh, that was just them!"

Its that kind of logic-defying, wonder-inducing reaction that Ortiz and Skylight hope to get from audiences as well with their rendition of "Beauty and the Beast"  no Disney magic need apply.

"In other types of puppetry and things like this, often times the operators are in black or theyre trying to hide them," Ortiz said, "but I always find it more magical and more dynamic when the audience has a choice to look at them or not.

"The whole play is about how love is magic, so theres a lot of magic in the show."
Bay View was only an independent municipality for less than a decade, but well over a century after its annexation by the city of Milwaukee in 1887, the neighborhood still feels like a village.

And perhaps nothing captures that spirit more than the paintings of Bay View by Milwaukee-born artist Ferd Wagner that adorn the auditorium of the 1922 Bay View High School.

The trio of brightly colored murals  painted in 1956-57 and perhaps five feet tall and 12 feet wide  were executed in the realist illustrational style for which Wagner was known.

In addition to these murals, Wagner painted covers for Hunting & Fishing magazine, some examples of which can be found online. X

The Bay View murals depict the growth of an urban landscape, but they explode with verdant, leafy greens. Nearby, a bronze plaque commemorates the March 25, 1957 dedication of the paintings, saying, "These Bay View murals marking the development of our community, are dedicated to Bay View's sons and daughters who gave their all that we might live."

The first mural, "The Spirit of Bay View"  a gift from the class of 1926  shows a schooner out in the harbor, as white men unload logs from a boat and a log cabin settlement can be seen at left. In the center, a pair of Native American children watch from behind a tree. Next to them is a pioneer man with a musket, waving his hat toward the settlement.

Theres also a Native American woman with a baby on her back and a toddler holding her hand near a birch bark canoe.

A plaque beneath the painting reads, "The Spirit of Bay View symbolizes all that is beautiful and true at her side in the community. Ready to provide for her material needs; at her feet and beneath the young tree of knowledge is youth, eager to learn the truth which sets men free."

Nearby, is "Child of Industry," donated by the classes of 1951 and 52. In the distance we see the rolling mills roaring at full blast, its multiple chimneys spewing smoke. Meanwhile, in the foreground, on a wood-plank sidewalk, a boy plays with a hoop and stick and a group of people chat in front of the nascent village of Bay View.

The accompanying plaque reads, "The village of Bay View, Child of Industry, developed by the iron works established in 1867, incorporated in 1879 and annexed to Milwaukee in 1887."

Here, in the foreground are two men, including a worker, and two children, one of which holds a model jet plane. Behind them curves the south shore, looking toward the industrial city to the north.

"I clearly remember him working on the Bay View murals, which were started in his garage at the cabin in Pembine," says the artist's grandson Jim Wagner. "Although I don't remember for sure, it's even possible that my brother or I may have modeled for him for the boy with the plane  I was 10 and my brother 8.

"I do remember modeling for him as a young boy for some of his commercial magazine illustrations. We have one original casein art illustration of one of those, hanging in our living room." X

The plaque below the final mural  presented by the classes of 1954 and 55  reads, "The Bay View of 1957, where ocean liners and jet planes continue the spirit of the past; and where neighborliness and perseverance are an earnest pledge to the future."

"These are great," enthuses Graeme Reid, director of collections and exhibitions at the Museum of Wisconsin Art. "And, its great to see that they have survived and seem to be in good condition. Kudos to Bay View High School for doing this."

"Recently, we were asked to comment on some Santos Zingale murals at a high school in Racine from the 1930s that had been removed and recently damaged by water after a fire. It takes enlightened leadership to recognize the value and importance of these works and all too often that is lacking. Too much art has been lost over the years."

Wagner was born in Milwaukee Oct. 16, 1894. At the age of eight, he won a dollar in a Milwaukee Sentinel drawing contest with a pen and ink illustration he called "Snow Bound." This early inclination toward nature and wildlife painting would continue throughout his life.

After graduating from high school, Wagner reportedly took a job as a farm labor to underwrite his studies at the Wisconsin School of Art, where he was a student of Alexander Mueller. Afterward, his first job was, he told the Sentinel, "drawing pots and pans for $10 a week" at a Downtown department store.

Next, he worked in the art department at a printing company under Thorsen Lindberg and saved enough to head south to the Art Institute of Chicago, where he studied illustration for four years.

After freelancing in the advertising industry, Wagner was sent overseas with a medical unit during World War I, a fact that led him to quip to the newspaper, "a fine thing for a Christian Scientist."

After the war, Wagner married and he and his wife Mildred had three sons  Richard (born around 1924), Alan (born circa 1925) and William (born around 1932)  and settled in Wauwatosa, keeping a summer home on Wiggins Lake at Pembine.

Wagner was a member, along with the likes of Gustav Moeller, in the Mens Sketch Club of Milwaukee, which was founded in 1922 as a club for men who enjoyed drawing or painting, and which continues on today as the Milwaukee Sketch Club. Wagner was also a member of the Milwaukee Art Institute and taught at least one year at the Layton School of Art.

In addition to commercial and freelance work  including those magazine covers and some sheet music cover art  Wagner exhibited his watercolors of cityscapes and natural scenes, many done at Pembine and a series, in the mid-50s, painted during a trip to California.

In 1971, the Milwaukee Journal wrote, "In a long and rewarding career, no one has painted the scenic splendor of Wisconsin, the memorable moments outdoors, with more responsiveness to nature than Ferd Wagner. Shows of his watercolors are tours of our resplendent rural areas."

Wagner continued to exhibit and offer painting demonstrations into at least the 1970s.

Though he died in 1982, Wagners vision of Wisconsins outdoor glories live on, including in the stunning and hyperlocal murals he created for Bay View High School.
Here's an unfortunate newsflash: Female news anchors are subjected to infinitely more criticism for their clothing than their male counterparts. In 2014, an Australian news host even wore the same suit for a year in order to prove viewers' knives are often out much more often for women than men.

As for more evidence: this.

One very alarmed viewer managed to wrestle his or her hands from clutching their pearls to write a letter  that's right; an actual letter  to WISN 12's Toya Washington to offer some observations and suggestions concerning her recent "more revealing" and "less professional" fashion choices  including *gasp!* a "camisole" on the Feb. 24 telecast. Here is a screenshot from a YouTube video WISN posted from that date:

TVSpy has a photo of the same telecast, or at least an almost identical outfit. And some Twitter photos from other newscasts in the past month:

This is what I get when I ask this one to smile...eerily similar to asking my kids to take a "normal" picture. @ppaolantonio pic.twitter.com/rk1EoTOeCq  Toya Washington (@Toya_Washington) February 11, 2017

Our reaction moments ago to the #Oscars mix up. @WISN12News is on now...we'll fix our faces shortly. pic.twitter.com/Dolox3S7qa  Toya Washington (@Toya_Washington) February 27, 2017

Won't someone think of the children!?

The explanation for Washington's recent fashion faux pas, according to the letter's author? Not only an obvious play for higher ratings, but "quite possibly, you might be 'feeling your age' as an anchor." The letter then closes with "keep up the good work, and we appreciate your consideration," before the author assumably went outside to chastise women whose shins were visible.

Along with a photo of the anonymous letter, Washington posted her response on Facebook, calling the criticism is "laughable" and noting she's bought one new work outfit in the past several months  and that's not planning on changing her wardrobe.

Sounds like viewers will be seeing the Feb. 24 outfit again soon. Sorry, anonymous 21st century letter writer!
Editors note: This article is one of an occasional Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service series profiling the 15 finalists for the Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDIs). The Milwaukee Asian Public Market Phongsavan is a finalist for the State Farm Building Blocks Award, which recognizes a real estate project that advances the community.

When siblings Pai Yang and Thai Vang came to the United States from Laos in the 1970s, they dreamed of opening a business and starting a new life in America.

In 2009, Yang founded the Asian Public Market Phongsavan, 6300 N. 76th St., in Havenwoods. Since then, it has expanded to a second location next door and annual sales are in the millions. The market houses restaurants with Asian and American cuisine and sells locally grown produce, Asian apparel and other merchandise pertinent to the Asian culture.

"We knew there was an opportunity in America to do something great and showcase our culture," said Vang, the general manager. "Creating the market was intended to bring our community together."

Starting the business was tumultuous. The city of Milwaukee wanted to turn the run-down auto shop into a junkyard, but Yang and Vang had a different vision, despite the challenges. "The transmission shop was very dirty so transitioning it to a market was a tedious process," Vang said. "Without the help of Havenwoods (Economic Development Corp.), the auto shop would not have been usable."

There also were financial roadblocks. "We talked to lenders and investment groups who said that creating a market that we envisioned was not possible; it was too much money," Vang said. The lenders estimated that the project would cost between $4-5 million.

Nevertheless, Yang and Vang decided to open a small market to prove to lenders that they could sustain a business and generate enough revenue to keep it afloat. "It was a tiny space, but people loved everything about it," Vang said. "The first year we made around $70,000, but the second and third year was where we saw the most growth."

The market, which serves as a business incubator for entrepreneurs, generated nearly $2 million annually after the first year. In 2014, the owners obtained financing for a new building. "We talked with so many lenders  some in state, some out of state  but Ridgestone Bank came through with the loan and it felt like all of our hard work had finally paid off," Vang said. The expansion cost $4.2 million.

The 84,000-square-foot building is home to 70 vendors, a food court and a concert area.

One vendor, Mao V. Thao, moved into the new building from the old store, which is still operating. "The new area is so spacious, and I think we are attracting more and more people to our stores, and not just Hmong," said Thao, 52. "The expansion is good for everyone." About 1,000 patrons visit the market each week.

According to Mailee Yang, Pai Yangs daughter, her mother deserves much of the credit for the markets success. "Whether it be Hmong or people of other cultures, my mother has always been well known in the community and people trust her," Mailee Yang said. "I think this goes for anyone entering a new environment: you always want someone to be there for you and make you feel comfortable."

She added, "People come here to shop, yes, but a lot of the community comes to connect with each other. The market is a place that everyone loves to be at."

According to U.S. Census data, approximately 50,000 Hmong live in Wisconsin and 12,000 live in the Milwaukee metro area. The Hmong population in Wisconsin has increased by nearly 200 percent since the civil war in Laos, according to Vang.

The market has created about 100 jobs and has been a catalyst for attracting new people to the area, according to Vang. "If you have a place where people can meet, it ties everything together," he said. "People are sometimes scared to get out of their comfort zone, and misconceptions are formed because of that."

Vang credits Yang for getting their business to where it is today. "Without Pai, Im not sure many people would have come around to the idea of this market happening," he said. "She put in a lot of work and made the people in our community feel welcome."

Added Plor Yang, another daughter of Pai Yang who has worked at the market for the past seven years, "(My mother) wanted to bring the community together and now Im helping her do the same; it really is amazing."

Vang and Yang foresee their children taking over the business one day.

"We want to be here forever," Vang said. "We started with food carts on the sidewalk and now weve got two great facilities where people gather every day."
If youre Australian and you were in school or university during the noughties, theres a pretty high chance you read or at least encountered Rusty Youngs 2003 book Marching Powder, purely by virtue of the fact that it was about cocaine. It really doesnt take much to encourage Aussies to read about cocaine.

But for Young, a University of New South Wales law graduate, Marching Powder was about one of the most fortuitous events of his life. He was backpacking in South America when he encountered the story about Thomas McFadden, an English drug trafficker who was incarcerated in the notorious San Pedro prison in La Paz, Bolivia. San Pedro is a unique setup for a prison  it operates more like a miniature city, with inmates buying and renting their accommodation within the complex, a drug-based economy flourishing, and elected leaders maintaining a remote semblance of law and order. Usually through stabbings.

Young bribed guards to allow him to stay within the prisons walls for three months, with McFadden, and Marching Powder was the result. More than a decade later, a unique project gave him the opportunity to return to La Paz and explore more deeply the drug trade he first experienced in Bolivia.

McFadden and Young in San Pedro

That project is the documentary Wildlands, released in conjunction with the recently launched tactical shooter Tom Clancys Ghost Recon Wildlands, an Ubisoft game set in a speculative near-future Bolivia which has been turned into a narco-state by a drug cartel.

The doco, hosted by Young, was an opportunity to reconnect with McFadden and the world he documented in Marching Powder, and also to gain a broader understanding of the supply chain of illegal drugs.

McFadden and Young, returned to La Paz

Along the way he spoke to a number of people, from DEA agents to cartel hitmen and even legendary American cocaine smuggler George Jung  the man best known to contemporary audiences via Johnny Depps performance in Blow. Of all of them, his favourite moment was reconnecting with his friend McFadden.

Being with Thomas in San Pedro was definitely a highlight, Rusty told PEDESTRIAN.TV. After all these years it was still very friendly and casual. You know  like Hey Rusty! Hey Thomas! That kinda thing.

He was also the most pleasant interview, too, of course.

He says the least pleasant was John Popeye Velasquez  a former hitman for legendary cartel kingpin Pablo Escobar. Whereas Rusty expected to run into people whose perspectives on the drug trade he couldnt relate to and might not agree with, the sheer ruthlessness with which Popeye recounted his many murders  including women  was a little hard to swallow.

Yeah, he was clearly a pretty bad dude. Perhaps a slightly understatement for a guy who has admitted to killing 300 people and is suspected of being responsible for up to 3,000 more.

John Popeye Velasquez at Pablo Escobars grave

By revisiting Bolivia, Rusty says hes fleshed out his perspective on the drug war through Wildlands. Even speaking to retired DEA agents Mike McManus and Mike Vigill  who he assumed he was going to virulently disagree with when it came to US policy in Central and South America  was eye-opening.

I mostly had a perspective from being in Bolivia so much, Rusty tells me. In Bolivia, the problems that the DEA are concerned with  cocaine, drugs, all that  are considered a Western problem, not a problem for Bolivians. So theres obviously some animosity there.

But speaking to Mike McManus and Mike Vigill changed my perspective a little bit  I met two guys who were just doing their bit and genuinely wanted to make things better, which I didnt necessarily expect. You know, it wasnt a politics thing so much.

The one question that kept coming up at the Q&A screening of Wildlands from the audience was a simple one: how do we solve the problems presented by the drug war and cartels? Is it legalisation? But Young says that it is a complex question with a number of influences and considerings  and not something that the documentary set out to answer.

I wanted to come in with no prejudices and no preconceptions, and just explore the different personal perspectives and experiences on this thing  obviously centred on Bolivia. Views are always skewed and theres always stuff we dont know  I wanted to just meet these people who are on the ground and basically amongst it all.

We didnt really set out to find solutions, we just wanted to see the drug war as it is.

The Wildlands doco is coming soon. Ghost Recon Wildlands is available for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Windows PC.

Photo: Rusty Young.
Karan Johar was at his candid best at the India Today Conclave 2017.

By India Today Web Desk: Karan Johar and Kangana Ranaut's war of words has been the subject of innumerable gossip columns. Kangana sent the grapevine into a tizzy when she called Karan the "flag-bearer of nepotism" and "movie mafia." Just as the media was lauding her for giving it back to the filmmaker on his own show, Koffee With Karan, he lashed out at her at an interaction at the London School of Economics for 'playing the victim card' at all times. Kangana, not one to take it lying down, retorted that she was playing the 'badass' card.

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Today, at the India Today Conclave 2017, Karan sarcastically agreed with Kangana and said, "I'm the flag-bearer of nepotism! Don't you know I won that award?"

Here are 10 of his most explosive revelations from the event:

1. Kangana killed it on the rapid fire of Koffee With Karan 5.

2. I have been at a shaadi ka mandap when the love of my life was getting married to somebody else.

3. (When asked if he believes love transcends everything) These days, hate transcends everything, unfortunately. But there is a reality check, that you have to account for. Love sometimes has to be substituted for pragmatism.

4. I would marry Shah Rukh Khan, I love his bungalow.

5. A happy marriage in the industry would really jolt me. I'd be like, "You're a dinosaur, get out of here."

6. I am the mother of my children. I am more the mother, than I am the father.

7. Aspiration is fantastic but delusion is not. Sensitivity runs very high in my industry, so I lie because everyone is easy to offend.

8. (Talking about social media trolls) I love hearing abuse, it almost entertains me now.

9. I'm not apologetic about my sexual orientation, and certainly not apologetic about my cinema.

10. The greatest misconception is that I'm clever, it's all an act.

ALSO READ | Karan Johar says he would marry Shah Rukh Khan at India Today Conclave 2017

ALSO READ | Karan Johar at India Today Conclave 2017: KJo's tips to get over a broken heart

ALSO WATCH: Karan Johar on marrying SRK, unrequited love and dealing with trolls

ALSO WATCH: I'm a sadist, I love hearing abuse, says Karan Johar

ALSO WATCH: Don't want my reality to become a headline, says Karan Johar

ALSO WATCH: Don't ask me about nepotism, please!, says Karan Johar

ALSO WATCH: I'm the mother of my children, says Karan Johar

--- ENDS ---
- One of the Chibok schoolgirls who escaped from Boko Haram terrorists in Borno state have urged the international community to to forget her and her other colleagues

- Sa'a said it was time for the world to do something concerning the abduction of over 200 girls from the hostel in Government Secondary School in Chibok

One of the escaped Chibok girls has called on international community not to forget them

One of the Chibok schoolgirls who escaped from Boko Haram terrorists in Borno state have urged the international community to to forget her and her other colleagues.

The girl with the pseudonym Sa'a said it was time for the world to do something concerning the abduction of over 200 girls from the hostel in Government Secondary School in Chibok.

The girls were abducted at on April 14, 2014, by terrorists.

READ ALSO: Top 4 CHILLING facts from Boko Harams executioners to Nigerian infidels VIDEO

While a few of the girls escaped, some other have also been released following a Nigerian government negotiation deal with the group.

However, Sa'a speaking with the Global Education and Skills Forum said: "How would you feel if your daughter or wife was missing? Not one day or two, but three years. It's very painful."

While lamenting the death of some parents of the abducted girls due to trauma and long wait for the return of their children, Sa'a majority of her schoolmates remained in the terrorists' den.

"I remember those girls, but their dreams are now no more," she said.

READ ALSO: All infidels will be wiped out!: Read what Boko Haram said before executing Nigerian spies (video)

Describing the incident of their abduction, the girl said she and a friend jumped out of the back of the truck as it went into the forest.

Sa'a said she and her fellow escapees were hidden in the forest overnight with the help of a shepherd.

"I thought I was going to die that night," Sa'a said.

She also noted that if she had taken a second thought about her jumping out of the truck, she would still remain in captivity till now.

READ ALSO: UN remembers Chibok girls as the world celebrates women's day

"These girls are human beings, not something that we can forget about," she added.

Meanwhile, next month will mark the third year of the girls' abduction by Boko Haram terrorists who have operated in the North-East since 2009.

The Bring Back Our Girls campaign group led by a former minister of education in Nigeria Obiageli Ezekwesili has held unto calling for the rescue by the Nigerian government.

Ezekwesili has also called for better equipping o,and welfare of Nigerian military troops fighting the dreaded terrorists group in the region.

She also called for federal government's commitment and transparency towards efforts made in rescuing the girls.

Source: Legit.ng
- Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, has said the police in Rivers are partisan

- Wike blamed the police for sabotaging the Rivers state amnesty programme

River state governor, Nyesom Wike has accused the police in his state and the Nigerian police as a whole of affiliating itself to a political party in the country.

Daily Post reports that Wike made this statement during a meeting with the new Commissioner of Police Zaki Ahmed at the government house in Port Harcourt.

The governor urged the police to concentrate on their constitutional responsibility of providing internal security for Nigerians.

Wike noted that the politicisation of police operations in the state had been counterproductive.

The governor lamented that the police had not reciprocated the investments made by his administration in their operations.

Governor Wike urged the police to concentrate on their constitutional responsibility of providing internal security for Nigerians

READ ALSO: Fayose, Wike absent as Osinbajo meets state governors

Wike said his administration had handed over 150 patrol vans to the police since he assumed leadership of the state.

He added that funds made available to the Police for communication gadgets in all 23 local government areas and purchase of bullet proof vests, were not regarded by the force.

Assuring of his administrations continued support, Wike urged the Force to be professional in the discharge of their duties.

According to the governor, due to the political considerations, the police sabotaged the Rivers state amnesty programme.

PAY ATTENTION: Get the latest News on Legit.ng News App

He said: The police instead of fighting crime has constituted itself into a political party. Everything for the police must be considered from a political viewpoint .

Allow politicians to play politics. Simply do security work. A state like Rivers is key to Nigeria. Our national assets are here and that is why we always support security agencies .

Recall that the last Amnesty Programme was not successful in Ogoniland as cultists and militants in the area refused to key into the programme.

The governor had said that the Amnesty Programme partnership was initiated by the State Security Council, but alleged that the police attempted to sabotage the programme.

Meanwhile, Governor Wike and soldiers have embarked on the destruction of arms & ammunition recovered during the 60-days of disarmament event of Rivers state amnesty programme.

Governor Wike has directed security agencies to liaise with the state government to package a special amnesty programme for cultists and militants for the Ogoni speaking local government areas of the state.

He said that his administration will work with stakeholders to ensure calm is restored across the troubled Ogoni communities.

Source: Legit.ng
Senator Shehu Sani has said the leaked memo of Kaduna state's governor to President Buhari is a cunning way for the governor to present himself as a competent alternative in 2019 election.

Senator Shehu Sani, the senator representing Kaduna state senatorial district has accused the governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai of trying to gather sympathy for himself as a'competent alternative' to President Buhari in 2019.

The Senator believes that Governor El-Rufai is looking for public sympathy by leaking a memo he wrote to President Buhari

The senator wrote: "The governor is entitled to his own opinion and perception but the contradiction and irony of it are basically two: first is that he accused me of being disloyal and disrespectful to the president and the party for speaking out my mind, and now he has done his own cunningly by criticising the president and the party, disguised it as a memo and leaked it out to the press; that also qualified him as "disloyal and disrespectful" the difference is that mine is blunt while his own is dubious.

READ ALSO: El-Rufai trying to divert attention from his alleged involvement in Apostle Suleman's scandal - Omokri

"Secondly, for all the issues he raised against the president, his own is worst in his space of governance, whether it's the existence of cabal or politics of exclusion or incompetence or public perception.

The leaked memo by governor El-Rufai criticised the Buhari's administration and party, APC

"The difference is that the president is tolerant to criticism and alternative views. The governor recently said I'm in the habit of criticizing him because I want to be governor of Kaduna state, that means logically he is now leaking memo to dust popular sympathy and cave an image of 'a competent alternative' to Baba.

"Those who cared to know about my little history know that I don't call a spade a pestle or a spoon.

"The governor always recommends that our party should punish me for criticising him; now that he has fired a cruise missile to the president through a deliberately leaked memo, he should also be treated same. If our able party chair will give me 5 strokes of cane for speaking out, the governor should be given thrice that for "leaking out".

PAY ATTENTION: Get the latest News on Legit.ng News App

"It's often said that look at the message and not the messenger, but there are times that you can only decipher the message by looking at the messenger. I will leave these personal proverbs for our great president to keep in mind

1. He who keeps a scorpion in his pocket must always watch his groin.

2. He who inherit a cobra should know that it's not a pet Senator Shehu sani Kaduna central."

Meanwhile, Shehu Sani has blamed the presidency for the rejection of Ibrahim Magu's nomination by the Senate.

The senator made his stance known on popular AIT breakfast show - Kaakaki on Thursday, March 16.

The senator stated that a nominee that comes from the president should enjoy a good report by agencies under the presidency and not otherwise as in the case of Magu.

Source: Legit.ng
Flash floods and landslides hit parts of Lima, leaving some communities cut off from roads Saturday, as others in Peru fled rising rivers, and millions fretted that they won't have drinking water. The government announced Saturday that so far this year 72 people have died as a result of heavy rains and flash floods around the country. Peru's geographic extremes help fuel the often deadly force of the mudslides known locally as huaycos, the indigenous Quechua word for flash flood-landslide. The South American nation of over 30 million has plenty of extremes: its Pacific coastal deserts in the west are interrupted by the soaring Andes, famed for the Inca people and Machu Picchu in the south. Further east, Peru has hot Amazon basin lowlands. The tremendously steep mountains combine with many rocky and sandy areas that lack the topsoil found in more temperate places, meaning fewer trees are there to stop mudslides. After weeks of heavy rain swept toward the coast late this week, many riverbeds in coastal areas went from empty to overflowing in no time. In Lima, some residents on the outskirts of the capital of 10 million awoke Friday to realize their bedrooms were filling with water. On Thursday and Friday, 10 people died in a landslide in the northern town of Otuzco. Seven of them were in trucks crushed by the huge flow of earth. Others found themselves cut off by mudslides that blocked portions of the main highway linking Lima to the center of the country. In one dramatic scene, rescuers used zip lines to help residents of Lima's Huachipa neighborhood escape over the torrent of brown water that was once their street, as it swallowed up cars and trucks. The floods have been triggered by the weather event known as El Nino, a warming of surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean that wreaks havoc on weather patterns every few years. - 'A difficult situation' - But this year it has hit Peru particularly hard. "It's a difficult situation, there's no doubt about it. But we have the resources" to deal with it, said President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. The government announced it would release 2.5 billion soles ($760 million) in emergency funds to rebuild affected areas. Over half a million people were getting assistance. While Peruvians have been dealing with huaycos for centuries, many poor residents of cities and towns build makeshift homes in areas that they may not realize could be flash-flood zones. At times, authorities tell different groups to move, but they voice frustration that they have nowhere to go. And authorities' presence in the poorest peripheral districts, many perched on mountainsides, can be inconsistent. The inundation came as the National Emergency Operations Center said at least 72 people have been killed in Peru this year in natural disasters. A total of 72,115 have lost their homes. Some opposition politicians have called for the president to declare a national state of emergency, instead of local ones. Among them were a few lawmakers urging Kuczynski to drop a bid for Lima to host the 2019 Pan-American Games so that more funds could be used for recovery efforts. - Roads become rivers - In metro Lima -- areas such as Huachipa as well as Carapongo -- locals had to form human chains to avoid being swept away to their death. Police and firefighters also used zip lines to evacuate people from the roofs of their homes. Frank Luis Limache, a resident of Huachipa, told El Comercio he was trapped with a group of more than 30 people. "Please. Help us. We are trapped in here and haven't eaten since last night," he said. The Rimac River in Lima toppled a pedestrian bridge linking El Agustino and San Juan de Lurigancho. In the Punta Hermosa district south of Lima, a getaway of posh beach flats, the usual upscale quiet was jarred by a huayco that on Wednesday swept a farm woman, 32, far from her farm, leaving her standing awkwardly near the beach with her bloodied cow. Caked in mud, her distraught image has become one of the local symbols of this flash-flood season. Meanwhile, city authorities slapped tight restrictions on drinking water use due to worries over the cloudiness of local river water. Those who could afford it, pounced on supermarkets and neighborhood shops to buy drinking water, causing shortages in many areas. In less-well-off areas, people lined up to fill buckets from tanker trucks.
Maya K Nigam is one of the many performers at the Taj Mahotsav in Agra.

By India Today Web Desk: A journey of DanceThe Taj Mahostav is an annual event of 10 day Shilpgram in Agra India. This festival invokes the memories of old Mughal era and Nawabi style prevalent in Uttar Pradesh in 18th and 19th centuries. The Mahostav also exhibits the performances by world renowned artistes from classical, semi classical, and popular art forms.

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For one of the participants, Maya K Nigam--a young Kathak Dancer from Delhi--dance is the rhythm of my life.

"I was definitely born to dance. I guess because at tender age of 4, I would be watching stuff on the TV and trying to memorise Kathak steps. I had a natural rhythm but it was self-practiced," she says.

Though from a teaching background, her parents are fond of dance and encouraged her to get trained as a Kathak dancer. The applause after every performance was a motivation for this young dancer. But the road wasn't all roses.

Also read: This male belly dancer is demanding just one thing from his audience: respect

"With my conventional education in English literature and Psychology, it was difficult to adjust by all means. But I had decided to take up dance as a graduation, and fur post-graduation degrees. Meanwhile, I stood my ground, won many awards in competitions, I started earning money through dance classes. My parents, especially my mother contributed a lot in this all."

Maya K Nigam is a trained Kathak dancer. Maya K Nigam is a trained Kathak dancer.

Over time, Maya's performances gained professional status. "My dance steps, gestures, postures and expressions were sharpened in different workshops and seminars. I realized that dance was a discipline I needed to follow, and this self-realization proved a turning point in my dance career."

Describing herself as a self-driven go-getter, Maya believes her grit, diligence, discipline and perseverance will help her in her artistic journey. But what about future plans?

"I have done theatre to know about abhinaya--the most important part of dance--through which we can convey our message to the audience. I am going to organize a dance and music festival in 2017 for the young upcoming artists, who are not getting a platform to showcase their own art, on behalf of my N.G.O Anjana Welfare Society."

She also has her own dancing troupe, where she works with many young renowned artists. Every day is a new experiment with the traditional base she fell in love with as a child. "Dance is my soul mate, my blood and flesh,in every moment of my work my practice. I have performed at many stage shows, but I know it's not sufficient. I am still learning from my guru, Pradipto Kumar. One cannot be perfect, but can be a student of life through dance."

--- ENDS ---

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Pope Francis is to visit Cairo next month for talks with the grand imam of the capital's famed Al-Azhar mosque, but also to show solidarity with Coptic Christians targeted by violence in Egypt. The pontiff, co-invited by Egypt's president for the April 28-29 visit, had hosted Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb at the Vatican last May, in a landmark meeting with one of Islam's top clerics. That encounter was the culmination of a steady improvement in a relationship that had broken down because of a series of spats under Francis's predecessor Benedict XVI. The current pope has made interfaith dialogue and reconciliation a leading theme of his pontificate and has also overseen an improvement in relations with the Orthodox and Protestant wings of christianity. The Argentine pope has a long-standing invitation to visit Egypt, issued by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi when he met Francis at the Vatican in 2014. The pope will meet both the president and the grand imam, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement. It added that "this important visit will contribute to reinforcing the message of peace as well as the spirit of tolerance and humanity's dialogue between all the religions and the rejection of... terrorism and fanaticism". Francis will become the second Roman Catholic pope to visit Egypt, following John Paul II's historic trip there in February 2000. Relations were derailed under Benedict after rows over a 2006 speech in which he was seen as having linked Islam to violence and 2011 comments condemning an attack on a Coptic church in Alexandria which Al-Azhar denounced as meddling in Egypt's affairs. - Suicide attack - Nearly 10 percent of Egypt's 92-million strong population belong to the Coptic community in a country where Sunni Muslims make up the vast majority. A suicide bomb attack on December 11, claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group, killed 29 people in the Coptic church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. The church is next to the Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral -- the seat of Coptic Christian Pope Tawadros II -- which Francis will visit during the trip. President Sisi condemned the attack, calling it cowardly and declared three days of national mourning. The attack was the deadliest targeting the Coptic community since the January 1, 2011 suicide bombing which killed 23 people in Alexandria. Since the army overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, the Sinai peninsula has been hit by almost daily jihadist attacks above all aimed at the police and army. IS called in a December video for attacks on Coptic Christians in Sinai, in particular in the town of El-Arish in the north of the peninsula. Seven Coptic Christians have been killed since, while dozens of families have fled the region. The Cairo visit has been carefully organised by French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, an experience diplomat and energetic promoter of dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and Islam. As head of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, he participated in a February 22 joint seminary with Al-Azhar, the first since 2011. The theme of the seminary was the role of the Al-Azhar mosque and the Vatican in fighting fanaticism, extremism and violence. Egyptian Coptic Catholic bishops visited the Vatican in February and had extensive discussions with Francis about their community's concerns.
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
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
This Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016 photo shows an Israeli Air Force F-15 plane in flight during a graduation ceremony for new pilots in the Hatzerim air force base near the city of Beersheba, Israel. Anti-aircraft missiles were launched from Syria into Israeli-controlled territory early on Friday, following a series of Israeli airstrikes inside Syria, the Israeli military said. The military said its warplanes struck several targets in Syria and were back in Israeli-controlled airspace when several anti-aircraft missiles were launched from Syria toward the Israeli jets. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

JERUSALEM (AP)  Syria fired missiles at Israeli warplanes on a mission to destroy a weapons convoy destined for the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah prompting it to deploy its missile defense system, Israeli officials said Friday, in a rare military exchange between the two hostile neighbors.

The Israeli military said its aircraft struck several targets in Syria and were back in Israeli-controlled airspace when several anti-aircraft missiles were launched from Syria toward the Israeli jets.

Israeli aerial defense systems intercepted one of the missiles, the army said, without elaborating. It would not say whether any other missiles struck Israeli-held territory, but said the safety of Israeli civilians and Israeli aircraft was "not compromised."

Israel is widely believed to have carried out several airstrikes in recent years on advanced weapons systems in Syria  including Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles and Iranian-made missiles  as well as Hezbollah positions. It rarely comments on such operations and the military statement detailing the raid and comments confirming the operation by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were highly unusual.

"Our policy is very consistent. When we identify attempts to transfer advanced weapons to the Hezbollah, and we have the intelligence and the operational capability, we act to prevent that. That is what was and that is what will be," Netanyahu said.

Hezbollah is fighting alongside President Bashar Assad in the brutal Syrian civil war. The Iran-backed group is sworn to Israel's destruction and fought a month-long war with the Jewish state in 2006.

The firing of missiles from Syria toward Israeli aircraft is rare, though Israeli military officials reported a shoulder-fired missile attack a few months ago.

Israeli Channel 10 TV reported that Israel deployed its Arrow defense system for the first time against a real threat and hit an incoming missile, intercepting it before it exploded in Israel.

Story continues

However, Arrow is designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles high in the stratosphere, so it remained unclear why the system would have been used in this particular incident.

The Israeli military would not comment on the type of system used.

Israel's powerful transportation and intelligence minister Yisrael Katz told the station "our message is clear, we will not be complacent with a Syrian policy that arms Hezbollah." Katz said "the fact that the incident developed into a situation where Israel claimed responsibility and the Syrians responded is significant."

A Syrian military statement said four Israeli warplanes violated Syrian airspace  flying into Syria through Lebanese territory  and targeted a military position in central Syria.

Damascus said Syrian anti-aircraft systems confronted the planes and claimed one of the jets was shot down in Israeli- controlled territory and that another was hit. The Israeli military denied the claim, saying none of the jets had been hit.

There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah.

The pan-Arab Al-Mayadeen TV, which has good sources within the militant group, dismissed reports by other Arab media outlets that a Hezbollah commander, Badee Hamiyeh, was killed in one of the airstrikes. It said Hamiyeh was killed Thursday in the southern Syrian region of Quneitra, near the Israeli-held Golan Heights.

Jordan, which borders both Israel and Syria, said parts of the missiles fell in its rural northern areas, including the Irbid district. The Jordanian military said the debris came from the Israeli interception of missiles fired from Syria.

Radwan Otoum, the Irbid governor, told the state news agency Petra that the missile parts caused only minor damage.

A chunk of missile crashed into the courtyard of a home in the community of Inbeh in northern Jordan, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Syrian border.

Umm Bilal al-Khatib, a local resident, said she heard a blast at around 3 a.m. and initially thought a gas cylinder had exploded. When she went outside she found a small crater and a 3-meter-long (10-foot) cylinder.

Israeli media said the interception by the Arrow system took place north of Jerusalem.

Arrow is part of what Israel calls its "multilayer missile defense," comprised of different systems meant to protect against short and long range threats, including the thousands of missiles possessed by Hezbollah in Lebanon and rockets used by Hamas and other Islamic militant groups in Gaza.

Israel has been largely unaffected by the Syrian civil war raging next door, suffering mostly sporadic incidents of spillover fire that Israel has generally dismissed as tactical errors by Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces. Israel has responded to the errant fire with limited reprisals on Syrian positions.

The Syrian conflict, which began in March 2011 as a popular uprising against Assad, eventually descended into a full-blown civil war, with Syrian government forces fighting an array of rebel groups. The chaos has allowed al-Qaida's affiliate in Syria and the Islamic State group to expand their reach.

The skies over Syria are now crowded, with Russian and Syrian aircraft backing Assad's forces and a U.S.-led coalition striking Islamic State and al-Qaida targets.

___

Associated Press writers Zeina Karam and Bassem Mroue in Beirut, and Omar Akour in Amman, Jordan, contributed to this report.
The EEOC has put companies in a difficult position regarding the use of criminal background checks to screen job applicants. This is because companies are obligated to screen out criminals, but now they face potential liability for doing just that. Here I will explain the reason for the conflict and how companies can best protect themselves.

Why Companies Use Criminal Background Checks

Criminal background checks are used by 70 to 80% of companies according to the Society for Human Resource Management. Federal Judge Roger Titus recently noted that even the EEOC uses criminal background checks in its hiring process. Companies use criminal background checks for several reasons and listed below are the top three:

1) Most companies simply do not want to employ dangerous or dishonest people.

2) Companies can get sued for negligent hiring and retention if they employ a person with known criminal propensities.

3) Some companies are legally required to screen out criminals for certain positions.

The Case Against Using Criminal Background Checks

There is a risk that the blanket exclusion of convicted criminals in employment screening will have a discriminatory impact on minorities. Racial minorities have disproportionate conviction rates.

For example, African Americans make up approximately 13% of the general population, but they account for 40% of the incarcerated population. The U.S. Department of Labor offers statistics and an explanation of the EEOCs enforcement guidance. The concern advanced by the EEOC and civil rights organizations is that a blanket exclusion of those with criminal records will exclude more minorities and create a risk of employment discrimination.

The EEOCs Solution and Attempts to Enforce It

The EEOC has launched an aggressive campaign against the use of criminal background checks. They sued a number companies, including BMW and Dollar General, over their use of criminal background checks. The EEOC charged these companies with discriminating against minorities for excluding all applicants with criminal records. The EEOC contends that companies cannot exclude all applicants with a criminal records. To do so, they say, will discriminate against minorities.

Instead, companies should assess each situation individually and determine if the applicants criminal record presents a genuine disqualification.

A Set Back for the EEOC and Confusion for Businesses

A federal judge recently dismissed one of the EEOCs background check cases and sharply criticized the EEOC for filing the case. The court found that there was no evidence of employment discrimination. The judge stated that the companies use of criminal background checks was reasonable and suitably tailored to its purpose of ensuring an honest workforce.

The company in that case, Freeman Companies, screened for convictions that had occurred in the last seven years and did not screen for arrests. The judge rejected the EEOCs argument that this screening process would adversely impact minorities. The Wall Street Journal offers more details on the judges ruling.

How to Use Background Checks and Stay Out of Trouble

Now that the courts have rejected the EEOCs position on background checks, how should businesses use background checks to screen job applicants? The safest course of action is to follow the EEOCs rules because they may continue their enforcement efforts .

Here is a summary of best practices:

Conduct Background Checks Only After a Conditional Offer of Employment is Made

The best way to control risk is to reduce the number of background checks. Do not run background checks on all applicants. Instead, make your employment offers conditional on passing a background check.

This will dramatically reduce the number of background checks and avoid numerous other thorny issues as well (background checks often reveal other sensitive personal info that could create other grounds for suit).

Modify the Use of Criminal History Information

Only search for criminal convictions, not arrests. Arrests do not mean much so exclude them. Consider limiting convictions to 7 to 10 years. Conduct an individualized inquiry into each case to determine the nature of the crime and how it relates to the position.

For example, if an applicant is applying to be a truck driver and he has driving related offenses, you can safely exclude that applicant. However, if the applicant has a 30 year old conviction for disturbing the peace, then that offense should be ignored because it does not relate to the applicants ability to drive a truck.

Also, allow the applicant an opportunity to explain the situation. The point is to use the criminal background information in a reasonable individualized manner instead of a broad policy of systematic exclusion.

Have a Consistent Policy

It is essential to have a consistent policy in how criminal background checks are used. If people are treated differently, the company would be open to allegations of employment discrimination. This puts employers in a conundrum because the EEOC wants companies to look at each criminal history finding on an individual basis. This makes it almost impossible to have a truly consistent policy because subjectivity will creep into the individualized inquiries.

Companies will need to document each case and explain the basis for each decision. As long as a logical basis exists for each decision, the company should be able refute any allegations of discrimination if they arise.

Conclusion

The EEOC is putting employers in a difficult situation with its aggressive enforcement efforts over criminal background checks. No perfect solution exists now. The EEOC should modify its position and issue clear realistic guidelines for companies.

In the meantime, companies need to walk a fine line and keep accurate records to support each decision involving an applicants criminal history.
The Indian Parliament, no doubt is a multi-coloured place where most of things and issues come unexpectedly. Each year, the discussions on a multitude of topics including the concerns for planet Earth to technology and space take place in Indian Parliament, most out of which are used to be illogical and hilarious. Out of heaps of questions asked of the current government of Indian and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this years assembly, Trinamool Congress MP, Sisir Kumar Adhikaris question was a clear stand out for others.

During the ongoing assembly in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, Sisir Kumar Adhikari asked the Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi if India was preparing to brew alcoholic drink on the moon and soon after it publicises, the general public and social media have started going gaga over it, thinking it to be a funny joke. But the question indirectly has made the Indian government open up about the objective of it future lunar mission.

In the Thursday Assembly in Lok Sabha, Adhikari asked Modi three questions which are:

Whether an Indian Spacecraft is planning to brew beer on the moon?

If so, the details of research plan and viability of yeast test, therefore?

The universal rules on Moon Lander therein?

Though, from a certain point of view, the questions of Adhikari carry a deep significance about Indias approach towards the upcoming lunar missions. From another side they seem just to be a cheap and illogical political trick to drag attention. However, in answers to these questions, Jitendra Singh, the minister of state in the PMs office, said,

No Madam. Indian Government has no plan to brew beer on the moon by any of the spaceships, designed and developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

However, Indian Government, in its response to Adhikaris question gave some promising clues to Indias future space exploration missions. He said,

Team Indus, the Bengaluru-based privately-funded company under the supervision of Axiom Research Labs Pvt. Ltd., is competing for the international Google Lunar XPrize competition and smoothly moving towards developing a spacecraft which will be capable of making a soft landing and travelling on the Moon.

The spacecraft, built by TeamIndus will be blasted off to Moon onboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) of ISRO under a business-related launch contract. As understood from the reports, published in the media, Team Indus is putting forward the suggestion for conducting an experiment to brew beer on the Moon using yeast.

The aim of this path-breaking experiment is to examine and monitor the capability of the yeast to survive in space and how it operates and grows under the severe gravity conditions of Moon. The plan of the experiment also includes brewing of a small amount of beer on Moon.

The Five entitled teams for the competition are: Israels SpaceIL, Florida-based space company  Moon Express, an international team called Synergy Moon, Indias Bengaluru-based firm Team Indus, and Japans Hakuto. SpaceIL. The Lunar probes of all the five teams will take wings on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

All the five teams will contend for the $20 million first prize, announced by the XPrize foundation. The team who will acquire the second place will be awarded the cash prize worth $5 million and bonus money will be offered for accomplishing additional assignments like taking a tour of an Apollo landing site or exploring water on the moon.

Among these 5 finalists, TeamIndus  the Bengaluru-based space startup is the only Indian company to compete for the Google Lunar XPRIZE. Ac per the official statement, given by XPRIZE Foundation and Google, now, the finalists have time till 31st December 2017 to prepare their lunar probes for the mission.

As per the earlier instruction, the competitor companies needed to conduct some specific activities on the surface of Moon, which includes, making their space probes take a trip of the Moon around1, 640 feet (500 meters) and transmit high-definition video, by the end of the current year. Initially, 33 teams have applied for the contest, however, only five teams have a successfully paved path towards the final round of Google Lunar XPrize.

As per the programmed agenda, Indias Team Indus and Chinas Hakuto team will share a lunar ride on ISROs PSLV launcher. Similarly, Floridas Moon Express will launch its probe from a startup Rocket Lab, which is currently working on a tiny rocket called Electron.
By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Mar 18 (PTI) Industrialist Mukesh Ambani today said there is a need to retain data generated domestically within the country rather than let it to go out and urged the government to start a Keep in India initiative for this.

"Keeping our data onshore will ensure that talent, technology, know-how and investments will flow into the country rather than flow out, and will create more jobs for us. Like the Digital India and Make in India campaigns, we need a Keep in India initiative to keep our data within our shores," Ambani said.

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"Apart from obvious national security and sovereignty conditions, pragmatic economic considerations also call for such safeguards," he told the India Today Conclave here.

Ambani, whose latest venture includes an over Rs 1.30 trillion investment to create one of the biggest telcos with a focus on faster broadband access, said data and information are the "power tools" in the digital age and it can also travel across the world at a fraction of a second and at negligible cost.

The remarks come within a month of Ambani describing data as the new oil and amid a growing unease in various circles about using data for furthering commercial interests by corporates.

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, "we are fortunate to have a leader who understands technology," and termed technology as best way to tackle red tapes.

"The Keep in India initiative can ensure that we develop the necessary human capital and maintain our leadership position in the field of technology for the generations to come," said Ambani.

He said his telecom service Jio is aiming to cover 99 per cent of the population by end of the year and announced an initiative to connect educational institutions over the next two years.

Terming job creation as a challenge, Ambani said Jio will be connecting 58,000 colleges and 1.9 million schools, which will seek to empower 200 million students with broadband access in the next two years.

He said the addition of 100 million subscribers in 170 days by Jio has already made the country the largest data consumer in the world, ahead of the US and China.

The swift on-boarding of subscribers was the fastest by a company the world has ever seen, Ambani said and claimed that it was faster than customer accretion by even Facebook and Skype. PTI AA SSM BEN ARS NRB RYS

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VIENNA (AP)  Much of Europe is cheering this week's Dutch election as a defeat for anti-EU forces. Yet populist demands to weaken Brussels' clout are being embraced by some mainstream leaders, including one who may play a temporary role in shaping the bloc's future.

Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz sees reforms that would shift power from European Union institutions to member countries as essential for EU survival. Progress on such reforms is how he plans to measure the success of Austria's EU presidency when his country takes over the rotating role for six months in the second half of 2018.

"We need a change of course in the European Union," Kurz told The Associated Press in an interview Friday. "The most important is the focus on the big questions and a European Union that steps back on the small questions."

Dutch politician Geert Wilders suffered an election defeat this week, in part because voters did not support his promise to take the Netherlands out of the EU. Populist politicians elsewhere already had recognized the unpopularity of too strong a Eurosceptic message.

Austria's powerful Freedom Party, for instance, now preaches more national rights and less oversight from Brussels, instead of an outright EU withdrawal.

Kurz is a member of the centrist People's Party. But his message is not that different from the Freedom Party's.

His comments reflect a greater European trend  mainstream parties encroaching on formerly populist positions to weaken the popularity of anti-establishment parties.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte was the latest to benefit from such a strategy. Even before the Netherlands election, Rutte's People's Party of Freedom and Democracy had moved increasingly to the right to counter Wilders' popularity.

Kurz on Friday suggested less is more for the EU, which he said stands to benefit if it focuses more on issues that even skeptical members can accept.

Story continues

"More cooperation in questions like external security and defense," he said. "And at the same time, no more rules on what restaurant menus should look like in Europe."

Kurz says most bloc members agree in the wake of the large influx of migrants Europe saw in 2015 and 2016 that strong controls on EU external borders are needed.

He said that a willingness to send migrants who enter the continent illegally to centers outside Europe must be part of a common immigration strategy, a stance that until relatively recently only was advocated publicly by Europe's anti-migrant parties.

But Kurz rejects suggestions that such views mean a turn by Europe's political mainstream  and the EU itself toward views previously espoused only by populists and rejected by the establishment.

"Who is a populist, and who isn't?" he asked, refuting as false arguments that maintain "there is a certain group of parties that are good and right and the others are bad."

Instead, he speaks of a "democratic competition" and changing circumstances that shape fluctuating political messages.

In defense of Hungary and other East European members whose populist leaders are most critical of the EU, he says they have "the same right to express their opinion" as other member nations.
The workplace is going to look drastically different ten years from now. The coming of the Second Machine Age is quickly bringing massive changes along with it. Manual jobs, such as lorry driving or house building are being replaced by robotic automation, and accountants, lawyers, doctors and financial advisers are being supplemented and replaced by high level artificial intelligence (AI) systems.

So what do we need to learn today about the jobs of tomorrow? Two things are clear. The robots and computers of the future will be based on a degree of complexity that will be impossible to teach to the general population in a few short years of compulsory education. And some of the most important skills people will need to work with robots will not be the things they learn in computing class.

There is little doubt that the workforce of tomorrow will need a different set of skills in order to know how to navigate a new world of work. Current approaches for preparing young people for the digital economy are based on teaching programming and computational thinking. However, it looks like human workers will not be replaced by automation, but rather workers will work alongside robots. If this is the case, it will be essential that human/robot teams draw on each others strengths.

The current UK computing curriculum is not preparing young people for a future of working alongside robots. The curriculum is based around computational thinking and programming. These skills should help pupils understand and use computers. But the reality is the skills and concepts pupils are learning will not prepare them for a robotic future.

Robot colleagues

It is hard to see why pupils will need to be able to convert numbers between binary and decimal or write programs using the computer language python. After all, the majority of students wont be growing up to build or program robots but rather to work with and rely on them. They need to know how and when the robots will go wrong, not necessarily how to build and fix them.

Story continues

The machines and tools of the near future will be based on complicated mathematics, precise engineering and algorithmic learning whereby the code rewrites and adapts itself over time. We should not fool ourselves that all of this could or should be forced into the school day. Indeed, something more basic might be better. Education should perhaps be driven by more elementary questions. What do we mean by a robot? What do we mean by artificial intelligence? What sorts of problems lend themselves to algorithmic solutions and which ones dont?

Many explanations of robotics focus on the similarities between organic systems and robots  but this approach fails to recognise that we as humans have a far better understanding of how robots work than how we work ourselves. AI almost by definition must take a computational approach to the world  and we should also teach pupils when to leave the computation to the computers.

The innovation foundation Nesta identifies creativity, dexterity and social intelligence as three key areas where automation is struggling to make inroads. In the future, society will need human beings with these key skills and ones like them that cannot be automated. Although a robot may be able to far surpass the diagnostic skills of a trained doctor, it is far more difficult to automate the bedside manner of an excellent nurse.

Being human

It is normal to be concerned about technological changes you dont comprehend. What worries me the most is when the general population leaps to the wrong conclusion  having a higher level of computing skills will not better prepare kids for an automation future.

Robots arent necessarily going to take your job, they are going to make you better at your job, allowing you to focus on the things that you have been specially evolved to be good at. AI is exceptional at many of the things humans are terrible at: performing repetitive, monotonous tasks; concentrating for long periods of time, and quickly searching vast databases of information. Automating tasks like these should be welcomed.

What we need globally is a population that is ready for the robotic revolution, ready to be a part of it, ready to be complemented by automated assistance. Part of being ready to work alongside machines is going to be learning how to be better at being human.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

The Conversation

Benjamin Wohl receives funding from HighWire Centre for Doctoral Training which is funding through the Research Councils UK digital economy theme of funding. He is affiliated with Code Club UK as a volunteer and helps run a weekly Code Club in Carlisle.
By Angus MacSwan QAYYARA WEST AIRFIELD, Iraq (Reuters) - As the battle for Mosul moves to the narrow streets and densely packed houses of the Old City, U.S. artillery gunners and helicopter pilots supporting Iraqi forces face an age-old problem  how to avoid killing civilians. They place their faith in precision missiles which can hit their target with great accuracy. But human instinct also comes into play against an Islamic State enemy which has used civilians as human shields and hides in houses and mosques. "Our mission is to find and destroy ISIS. We are not here to kill the wrong people," said Captain Lucas Gebhart, commander of the 4/6th Cavalry's Bravo Troop of Apache attack helicopters. The troop is based at this airfield about 60 kms south of Mosul, as is a rocket battery which fires into west Mosul. A major site at the height of the U.S. occupation, Islamic State captured Qayyara from Iraqi government forces in 2014 and destroyed it. The Iraqis retook it in July last year, and now the U.S. Army is building it up again as a support base for the Mosul operation. Gebhart, who wore a U.S. Cavalry hat with a crossed-sabre insignia along with his regular uniform, has been here since December. The troop flies close support for the Iraqi army and escorts medical evacuations. It has had more than 200 engagements with Islamic State fighters in that time, he said. "We fly every day, weather permitting. We are firing missiles most of the time," Gebhart told reporters. The Iraqi army started its offensive on Mosul, Islamic State's last stronghold in Iraq, in October and retook the east side of the city, bisected by the Tigris river, in January. The west, including the Old City, is much harder going. "The west side is very congested and it will present new challenges for us. We realise the need to be careful as we go forward," Gebhart said. One of those challenges is avoiding civilian casualties in a conflict where fighters are mixed in among the population and sometimes hiding behind them. "Everyone that flies with me are fathers and husbands, so we are very deliberate to avoid casualties we don't want. We use guided missiles. The things we shoot from an Apache, they go where we want them to go," Gebhart said. Targets are identified and approved by the Iraqi army. But circumstances can change in a moment. "I have personal experience of human shields. I engaged a target and they pulled a family of women and children out of a house. The missile was already in the air but I was able to move it," he said. "You've got a little bit of time. If something happens post-missile release, we have procedures to move it." Gebhart, aged 32, joined the military as a teenager after the 9/11 attacks on the United States. He served in the 82nd Airborne in Iraq in 2003 before going to West Point and becoming a cavalry officer. He also served two tours of duty in Afghanistan. "I love my job. I don't lose sleep over it," he said. WE LOVE TO FIRE In another section of the base, the 18th Field Artillery "Odin" battery operates a High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), fired off the back of trucks. On Friday afternoon, the battery fired 10 rockets, each worth about $100,000, in the space of about 20 minutes. They headed skywards in a cloud of white smoke and a flash of fire as a Bob Marley song played from a platoon tent. They would reach their target in east Mosul in about a minute. Lieutenant Mary Floyd explained that the rockets were GPS-guided. All fire missions were approved by senior officers at the Combined Joint Operations Centre and the coordinates were sent to the battery through computers. "The rockets go really high so we have to clear airspace - civilian and military - along the flight path. We have had to end missions because they saw aviation," she said. Although rockets are often aimed at targets in built-up, populated areas, the battery was confident they would hit what they intended. If the rockets are off target, they do not detonate, she said. "They have very, very low collateral damage, so we like to use them a lot," Floyd said, using the military term for civilian casualties. "When the rockets hit they land at near a vertical angle. That really confines the blast to one house." The battery has fired hundreds of rockets since deploying to Qayyara, she said. "The tempo changes. We'll go a couple of days without orders. Then we might be firing all night." The issue of civilian casualties has dogged the U.S. military during its long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, from shootings at check-points to drone bombings. In the battle for Mosul, Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition war planes have also been pounding parts of the city. Figures of such casualties are hard to come by. Washington has stressed its forces take every effort to avoid them. On Tuesday, a prominent Iraqi politician and businessman, Khamis Khanjar, said at least 3,500 civilians have been killed in west Mosul since the offensive closed in on it. The U.S.-led coalition said in a statement that up to March 4, it had assessed that "more likely than not", at least 220 civilians had been unintentionally killed by coalition strikes since the start of Operation Inherent Resolve. While the men and women of Odin battery were fully aware of the risk, they believe in their work. "We love to fire. It makes me very happy," Floyd said. "At night it is very beautiful." (Editing by Hugh Lawson)
The family of a British man imprisoned in Ethiopia have been told they can visit him for the first time since he was illegally captured nearly three years ago.

On Monday Andy Tsege will have been held for 1,000 days.

He was seized while at an international airport in Yemen, and taken to Ethiopia where he'd already been tried and sentenced to death in his absence.

The Ethiopians regard him as a terrorist, but his family say he's simply an outspoken critic of the government.

Mr Tsege was born in Ethiopia but sought political asylum in London and was granted British citizenship.

The Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has been under pressure to lobby the Ethiopian government for his release, and he raised the case with the country's PM during a visit to Addis Ababa on Thursday.

Mr Johnson said: "He now has a lawyer and he's been able to see that lawyer.

"We received undertakings that there would be regular access to that lawyer and an offer for Mr Tsege's wife and family to come out and see him, so we certainly raised those issues and made progress."

Mr Tsege's wife, Yemi Hailemariam, told Sky News she hoped it was a genuine offer - as she was previously warned she would be arrested if she travelled to Ethiopia.

"Although I'm very happy that he is finally able to see a lawyer after two and a half years, the coincidence surprises me that the day before the Foreign Secretary arrives in Ethiopia he suddenly gets access to a lawyer."

Maya Foa, from Reprieve, said Mr Johnson should have been trying to bring Mr Tsege home on his plane, but told Sky News: "I am hopeful that this visit will see a change in attitude from the Foreign Office, and that what we will see is an attempt to negotiate Andy's release back to the UK.

"This is a man who has done nothing wrong."

The news comes as the High Street retailer Lush stages a campaign in support of Mr Tsege.

Staff in all 102 UK stores have been briefed to discuss his case with customers and have been selling bath bombs embedded with his picture under the slogan Buy One Set One Free.

The company's ethical director, Hilary Jones, said: "We've had queues at our iPads to sign up to the petition.

"We've had people really interested. if you tell Andy's story it really affects people and they can see the total injustice."
Storyful

Activists glued their hands to the frames of two world-famous paintings by Spanish artist Francisco Goya at the Prado Museum in Madrid, on Saturday, November 5, in protest against inaction on global climate change.Futuro Vegetal, a Spanish activist group that has a history of carrying out non-violent civil disobedience to call for government action on climate change, said its members carried out the protest at the Prado Museum, where two activists glued themselves to the paintings The Naked Maja and The Clothed Maja.Video released by Futuro Vegetal shows one person glueing one of their hands to the frame of the paintings while the other writes +1.5 degrees celsius on the wall between the two artworks. Both people were seen wearing t-shirts with the Futuro Vegetal logo.I am stuck here because last week the UN made it official that it is already impossible to contain global warming at 1.5 degrees celsius, exceeding the limits set in the Paris Agreement and compromising our food security, said one of the activists, Europa Press reported.Despite this, government policies continue to subsidize the industrial agri-food system, one of the main [industries] responsible for the #ClimateCrisis, the group tweeted.The Prado Museum said its paintings had not been damaged.We reject endangering cultural heritage as a means of protest, the gallery added.Europa Press reported that the two activists had been detained by police Credit: Futuro Vegetal via Storyful
Moroccos King Mohammed VI has named Saad Eddin El Othmani from the Islamist PJD party as the countrys new prime minister. A royal statement said El Othmani had been asked to form a new government. El Othmani was foreign minister between 2012-2013 and had most recently served as the head of the PJDs parliamentary group. The appointment follows the kings announcement on Wednesday that he would replace Abdelilah Benkirane as Moroccos premier. The move aims to break a five-month post election deadlock which has left the North African state without a government. A psychiatrist by training and highly active on social media, El Othmani is regarded as a close ally of Benkiranes. It is not clear what difference his appointment makes to the PJDs negotiating position on forming a government. The PJD, which increased its share of the vote in elections last October, has led the government since 2011, when King Mohammed ceded some powers to ease Arab Spring protests.
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Mar 17 (PTI) Maharashtra today demanded waiver of farm loans worth Rs 30,500 crore in the state, stating that the move will help in retaining farmers in the institutional credit system.

A delegation led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and senior ministers, including collegues from ally Shiv Sena, met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and emphasised that it does not want the Centre to take the entire burden of the debt.s

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The demand to waive off farm loans from the state comes a day after the Agriculture Minister told the Lok Sabha that the Centre will bear the cost of the promised farm loan waiver in Uttar Pradesh.

Back in the state, Fadnavis has been facing a vehement demand from the Shiv Sena and the Opposition to waive off farm loans.

Fadnavis said his government is "determined" to free the farmers in the state from all their debts. Listing out figures, the Chief Minister said there are 1.18 crore farmers in the state with a debt of Rs 1.05 lakh crore. Of these, around 31 lakh farmers could not pay back the loan amounting Rs 30,500 crore.

"If the farmers are drawn out of this chain, they might suffer huge losses and in order to avoid this, the Centre should formulate a scheme to bring the farmers back in the credit limits," he said.

He said this will put them under the risk of borrowing from money lenders.

The delegation comprised of Union Minister Subhash Bhamre, Maharashtra Ministers Pandurang Fundkar, Subhash Desai, Divakar Raote, Subhash Deshmukh, Eknath Shinde, Babanrao Lonikar and Ramdas Kadam.

MLA Sanjay Kute, Prashant Bamb, Vijay Auty too were present with the CM during this meeting in New Delhi.

Apart from requesting the Union Government to frame a scheme to bring back farmers into institutional credit system in such a way that investment in agriculture doesnt get affected, Fadnavis said investment in the agriculture sector is the need of the hour. PTI PR IKA

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MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed the Syria crisis by phone, the Kremlin said on Saturday, after peace talks in Kazakhstan closed without any substantive negotiations. The Kremlin said in a statement that Putin and Nazarbayev exchanged views over the third round of talks on the Syria crisis in the Kazakh capital of Astana this week, but gave no further details. The Astana talks ended on Wednesday without progress after rebels boycotted the meeting. The talks are run by Russia, Turkey and Iran, backers of the warring sides, and have little U.N. involvement. Russia, Turkey and Iran agreed to hold the next meeting in Astana on May 3 and 4. In a separate statement on Saturday, Russia's foreign ministry said that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also discussed Syria on the phone with French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Jean-Marc Ayrault. Lavrov said that the refusal by rebels to join the Kazakh talks show "some countries" are trying to harm the peace process in Syria, the statement said. Lavrov did not name the countries. The rebels, who attended previous rounds in the Kazakh capital refused to join the latest talks, accusing Russia of failing to uphold December's shaky ceasefire. The foreign ministry statement added that both Russia and France agreed to work together preparing another round of parallel, United Nations-led Syria peace talks set for March 23 in Geneva. U.N. mediator Staffan de Mistura had earlier proposed to the negotiators in Geneva that the issue of fighting terrorism and the ceasefire should be handled in parallel talks in Astana. He wanted the focus in Geneva to be a new constitution, U.N.-supervised elections and accountable governance, based on Security Council resolution 2254. Many parties involved in the Syria peace process, including Russia, have said that Astana talks do not substitute negotiations in Geneva. Rebels and their families began leaving their last bastion in the Syrian city of Homs on Saturday, under a Russian-backed deal with the government expected to be among the largest evacuations of its kind. (Reporting by Katya Golubkova; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Julia Glover)
sleepwalking

John Everett Millais/Wikimedia Commons

Last night, most of us went to the safety and comfort of our beds before drifting off to a nights sleep.

For some, this was the last conscious action before an episode of sleepwalking.

Recent research from Stanford University shows that up to 4% of adults might have had such an experience. In fact, sleepwalking is on the rise, in part due to increased use of pharmacologically based sleep aids  notably Ambien.

Often, the episodes are harmless. Take for example, Lee Hadwin, a Londoner whose professional artistic talent seems to be present and activated only while he sleeps.

Sometimes, of course, sleepwalking is dangerous.

Somnambulists are in an irrational state during which they could harm themselves or others. Some extreme examples include the instance of the English teenager who in 2009 jumped eight metres out of her bedroom window, or the case of Kenneth Parks in Toronto, who in 1987 drove 23km and murdered his mother-in-law, all apparently while sleeping. Parks committed the act  if thats the right word  despite an agreeable relationship with the victim and a lack of motive.

Why do some enter into such a potentially harmful state during sleep?

One answer comes from studies suggesting that sleepwalking might not be an appropriate term for what is going on; rather, primitive brain regions involved in emotional response (in the limbic system) and complex motor activity (within the cortex) remain in active states that are difficult to distinguish from wakefulness. Such activity is characterized by alpha wave patterns detected during electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings.

At the same time, regions in the frontal cortex and hippocampus that control rationality and memory remain essentially dormant and unable to carry out their typical functions, manifesting a delta wave pattern seen during classic sleep.

Its as though sleepwalking results when the brain doesnt completely transition from sleep to wakefulness  its essentially stuck in a sleep-wake limbo.

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japan sleeping train

Chris Gladis/FlickrThe rational part of the brain is in a sleep-like state and does not exert its normal control over the limbic system and the motor system, explains the Italian neuroscientist Lino Nobili, a sleep researcher at Niguarda Hospital in Milan. So behavior is regulated by a kind of archaic survival system like the one that is activated during fight-or-flight.

But why would our brains enter into such a mixed state, representative of neither wakefulness nor sleeping? We need a restful sleep  would it not be more beneficial if the brain went totally comatose until that rest was achieved?

When one considers our distant, pre-human ancestors, answers begin to take shape. For aeons, the safety provided by the spot where our predecessors chose to lay their heads for the night was, in many ways, compromised compared with the safety of our current bedroom spaces.

Other species employ such strategies as well. Im reminded of a startling experience I had while hiking. As I was navigating the trail in the twilight, a deer jumped out from underneath the branches of a fallen tree and bolted off into the distance. I was amazed at how close I had come to it before it sprang into furious action  only a few metres.

It likely had been asleep and, upon waking, realised the potential danger it was in. What struck me was how the deer seemed to be triggered for action, even while asleep. In fact, many animals can maintain brain activity required for survival during sleep. For example, frigate birds fly for days, even months, and maintain flight during sleep while traveling vast distances over an ocean.

The phenomenon is observed in humans too.

On the first night in a new environment, research has shown, one hemisphere of our brain remains more active than the other during sleep  essentially maintaining a vigilant mode, able to respond to unfamiliar, potentially danger-signaling sounds.

Scientists now agree that bouts of localized wakeful-like activity in motor-related areas and the limbic system can occur without concurrent sleepwalking. In fact, these areas have been shown to have low arousal thresholds for activation.

Surprisingly, despite their association with sleepwalking, these low thresholds have been considered an adaptive trait  a boon to survival. Throughout most of our extensive ancestry, this trait may have been selected for its survival value.

During sleep, we can have an activation of the motor system, so although you are sleeping and not moving, the motor cortex can be in a wake-like state  ready to go, explains Nobili, who led the team that conducted the work. If something really goes wrong and endangers you, you dont need your frontal lobes rationality to escape. You need a motor system that is ready. In sleepwalking, however, this adaptive system has gone awry. An external trigger that would normally produce a small arousal triggers a full-blown episode.

Antonio Zadra, a professor of psychology at the University of Montreal in Canada, explains it like this: Information is being filtered by your brain, which is still monitoring the background  whats going on around the sleeper  and deciding whats important. Ok, so we are not going to wake up the sleeper or This is potentially threatening so we should. But the process of going from sleep to wakefulness is, in sleepwalkers, dysfunctional, clearly.

Despite evidence of localized activity during sleep in both human and non-human animal brains, sleepwalking is, among primates, apparently a uniquely human phenomenon. It stands to reason, therefore, that the selection pressure for this trait in our ancestors uniquely outweighed the cost.

Philip Jaekl studied neuroscience at York University in Toronto and went on to complete postdoctoral research at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, and at the University of Rochester in New York.

This article was originally published at Aeon and has been republished under Creative Commons.

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FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2017, file photo, South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard waits to give his State of the State address at the state Capitol in Pierre, S.D. Daugaard has vetoed a pair of gun bills coveted by conservative lawmakers, setting up likely veto override attempts when the Legislature returns to Pierre in March. (AP Photo/James Nord, File)

PIERRE, S.D. (AP)  South Dakota's Republican governor on Friday vetoed a pair of bills that would have loosened restrictions on carrying concealed guns in the conservative state.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard had warned he would veto the bills  one to let people carry concealed handguns without a permit, the other to allow concealed weapons in the Capitol building. Daugaard has said the state's current gun laws are reasonable.

"As a longtime member of the NRA, I support the right to bear arms," Daugaard said in his veto letter for the permitless carry bill. "It is paramount that our state protect the rights of our citizens while at the same time protecting the lives of our citizens. I believe our current laws appropriately protect both interests, and I ask that you sustain my veto."

Supporters of both bills plan to attempt overrides  and if that's not successful, to try again next year. Neither bill got the two-thirds support that suggests an override would succeed. Both passed one chamber only narrowly.

Daugaard's vetoes are the latest evidence of a split between a more moderate GOP governor and a Republican-held Legislature that grew even more conservative after the last election. Daugaard is in his second term and can't immediately seek a third, and has said he's looking forward to leaving politics in 2019.

The governor rejected a permitless carry bill in 2012. In the sessions since, he has won a pair of tax increases and also vetoed a bill to restrict the school facilities transgender students could use. When a transgender bill came back this session, he threatened another veto before it was pulled.

But Daugaard, described by confidants as a thoughtful, pragmatic leader, has also supported ideas backed by conservative lawmakers. Last week, he signed a bill to give legal protections to faith-based organizations that refuse based on their religious beliefs to place children in certain households.

Story continues

This session, the so-called constitutional carry bill would have allowed people who can legally carry a concealed handgun in South Dakota to do so without a permit. Right now, it's a misdemeanor for someone to carry a concealed pistol or to have one concealed in a vehicle without a permit.

Republican Rep. Lynne DiSanto, who sponsored the constitutional carry bill, said that it should be a "no-brainer" for the Republican supermajorities in the statehouse to override the veto, urging people to contact their GOP lawmakers to support gun rights.

"Gov. Daugaard just continues to disappoint," she said. "You can call him a Republican governor, because he has the, 'R,' but I wouldn't necessarily agree that he is."

The Capitol carry bill would have let people with an enhanced permit bring concealed handguns inside if they registered beforehand with security. There are no metal detectors or other security checks at the Capitol entrances to enforce the current prohibition on most people carrying guns in the building.

"During the legislative session, meaningful debates among the public and legislators are frequent and oftentimes passionate," Daugaard wrote in his veto message. "Our law enforcement officers are uniquely able to protect the public, and I believe this bill would complicate that work."

House Majority Leader Lee Qualm, its main sponsor, said he hopes to override the veto when lawmakers gather in Pierre on March 27 for the final day of the 2017 session.
By David Brunnstrom and Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration is crafting a big new arms package for Taiwan that could include advanced rocket systems and anti-ship missiles to defend against China, U.S. officials said, a deal sure to anger Beijing. The package is expected to be significantly larger than one that was shelved at the end of the Obama administration, the officials told Reuters on the eve of a visit to Beijing by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. "The political desire is there to do a substantial sale," one administration official said, adding that internal deliberations had begun on a deal "that's much stronger, much more significant than the one that was not accepted by the Obama people." President Donald Trump's administration is eager to proceed with the sales, but it is expected to take months and possibly into next year for the White House to overcome obstacles, including concern that Beijing's sensitivities over Taiwan could make it harder to secure cooperation on priorities such as reining in North Korea, the official said. Completion of a package also could be held up by the slow pace at which the Trump administration is filling national security jobs, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because initial work toward new arms sales has not been made public. Discussions between Taiwan and the new administration already have begun, according to a person in Taipei familiar with the matter. The White House declined comment. Details of the administration's approach to Taiwan emerged as Tillerson was due to visit China this weekend, where he will seek more Chinese support on North Korea and firm up a first meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping expected next month. In December, President Barack Obama's administration put the brakes on a Taiwan deal under discussion. That package was worth $1 billion, Washington's Free Beacon newspaper reported this week, citing unnamed officials, who also were quoted as saying the Trump administration was now preparing new sales. Ned Price, a National Security Council spokesman under Obama, said the previous administration put a "relatively modest" arms package for Taiwan on hold, in part to let the new administration make the decision. The Trump administration source told Reuters that the new deals under consideration would likely top the $1 billion mark. The new administration plans to focus more than the previous one on enhancing Taiwan's "asymmetric" capabilities, possibly with advanced multiple launch rocket systems, anti-ship missiles and other technologies that would enable Taiwan's military to defend against a much larger Chinese force in the event of an attack, the U.S. official said. Lockheed Martin Corp is the top U.S. manufacturer of multiple launch rocket systems. Other foreign companies involved in the sector include Germanys Diehl and Britains BAE Systems . A $1.83 billion arms sale to Taiwan that Obama announced in December 2015, to China's dismay, included two Navy frigates in addition to anti-tank missiles and amphibious attack vehicles. The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of one China. But successive administrations have continued providing billions of dollars in arms as part of a congressionally mandated requirement to ensure the island can defend itself. Taiwan has already been a major point of contention between Trump and China, which considers the island a renegade province. As president-elect, Trump broke with protocol and accepted a congratulatory phone call from the Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in December, angering China. He then suggested he might abandon Washington's "one China" policy, which accepts the self-ruled island as part of China. Once in office, Trump reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the decades-old policy. The White House is mindful that tensions could flare again over new arms sales. But some Trump aides insist they are needed to make clear that the United States, Taiwan's sole arms supplier, is committed to upgrading the island's defences. (Additional reporting by J.R. Wu in Taipei and John Walcott in Washington; Editing by John Walcott and Tom Brown)
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  A compromise crafted on the last night of this years legislative session resolved decades of debate in the Roundhouse.

A bipartisan group of state lawmakers reached agreement late Friday on a proposal to create New Mexicos first independent ethics commission. Each chamber later ratified their work  sending the proposed constitutional amendment to voters in the 2018 election.

Gov. Susana Martinezs approval is not required.

But some compromise was necessary Friday to keep House Joint Resolution 8 alive as the Legislature heads toward adjournment at noon today.

The new version of the legislation was crafted by a six-member negotiating team, with half the members appointed by the Senate and half by the House.

Now only voter approval is left to create a commission thats been a subject of debate for nearly 40 years.

We are literally just inches away, said Heather Ferguson of Common Cause New Mexico, which has been pushing for an ethics commission since the 1970s.

At the request of Rep. Jim Dines, an Albuquerque Republican and co-sponsor of the legislation, the latest version of the proposal now includes language making it clear how members of the proposed ethics commission would be selected.

Thats a critical component, he said, because it will ensure the Legislature cant tamper with the composition of the group and compromise its independence. The selection language, like the rest of the proposal, would be added to the state Constitution if voters approve.

There is no perfect way to create the commission, Dines told his colleagues Friday. But this language is the result of a great deal of time and effort being spent.

The proposal calls for a seven-member committee. The changes adopted Friday make it clear that one member each would be appointed by the governor, the Senate president pro tem, the Senate minority leader, the House speaker and the House minority leader.

The four legislative appointees, then, would appoint two more members.

Sen. Jeff Steinborn, a Las Cruces Democrat and co-sponsor, said the selection process ensures the membership isnt tilted toward one chamber or political party.

Were going to want to make sure its as apolitical as possible, he said.

The group would be empowered to consider ethical complaints filed against elected officials, candidates, lobbyists and others. It would have power to issue subpoenas for witnesses and records.

But other details would be handled by the Legislature later, if voters approve the amendment. A key question would be whether  or when  to make ethics complaints public.

Dines expressed optimism that the Legislature would value the groups transparency as a way to help build confidence in its work.

New Mexico is one of only eight states without an independent ethics commission.

In addition to Dines and Steinborn, the co-sponsors include Democratic Reps. Nathan Small of Las Cruces, Bill McCamley of Mesilla Park and Daymon Ely of Corrales.
For a moment last month, Central New Mexico Community College board member Tom Swisstack thought he was going to fall.

His apartment buildings floor began to crack before Swisstacks eyes as the former mayor struggled to hear the words of his nearby students: step forward. Swisstack did, smiled and exhaled as he took his virtual reality headset off.

It was so real it was unbelievable, Swisstack said. If youre afraid of heights, trying to move forward even when everyones telling you that you could do it, youre looking down and youre thinking, Im going to fall.'

Virtual reality headsets, green screens and programming computers were on display during a CNM open house event last month, celebrating the beginning of the Sandoval County CNM Digital Media Lab  a new partnership program between CNM Rio Rancho and the Sandoval County Office of Business Development.

The digital media lab, according to Sandoval County business development director Dianne Maes, will help teach students media production skills, including digital editing and computer programming. The programs high school and college students will also then work alongside small businesses or community projects within the county to create websites, videos, web designs and logos as part of a real-world project.

We have student project forms for businesses to fill out and then they try to match them with students, based on their interests, Maes said. We really are trying to help businesses and hoping to help businesses grow.

The Sandoval County CNM Digital Media Lab began shortly after the county ended its Innovation Lab program last year, that was then in partnership with Intel. Maes said the county was able to utilize funding from the previous program to kick-start their new partnership with CNM.

Swisstack said the programs initiative to connect digital-savvy students with businesses provides a unique resume-building opportunity for Rio Rancho-area students.

What I hope you can start to see is our students getting good paying jobs because theyll have some good solid practical experience that will help them move right into the workforce, Swisstack said.

During CNMs open house, professor Marla Peters and her students filmed volunteer event attendees in front of a green screen backdrop. Following a few different takes, including a shot or two with Swisstack, Peters taught passersby how to use basic green screen technology through an Adobe video-editing program.

With green screen, I can do anything  I can put you in New York, I can put you in the middle of an explosion, she said.

Peters, who previously taught at Independence High School and had students there producing anti-DWI public service announcements that were aired on TV, teaches computer information systems in CNMs digital media department. She said she hopes the program will encourage creative students to stay in New Mexico and seek job opportunities in the area.

We have very, very talented people in New Mexico but they leave because they cant find jobs in this field, Peters said. Were trying to really help them realize that there are pockets of places where they could utilize their talents, connect them to small businesses.
Local home builders have questioned the proposed new residential impact fee rates, following the Rio Rancho governing bodys recent initial approval.

Last month, Mayor Gregg Hull presented the final report and recommendation from the citys impact fee committee to city councilors during a regular governing body meeting. Hull, who was the special committees chairman, recommended decreasing the citys commercial, industrial and business impact fees, and increasing the citys residential impact fees.

Impact fees are charges developers pay to the city to cover the cost of major system-level improvements to handle the growth their developments will bring. Rio Rancho has seven impact fee categories: public safety, parks, bikeways and trails, drainage, water, wastewater and roadways.

The governing body approved the committees recommended rate changes, prompting city staff to present the impact fee changes as an ordinance at a future meeting.

John Garcia, vice president of the Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico, said he was surprised by the proposed rate increase for commercial development.

The impact fees in this particular submarket are higher than the rest of the region, Garcia said.

According to the proposed changes presented last month by Hull, impact fees for a single-family residential unit would increase from its current rate of $9,882 to $10,718.25 by 2021. If approved by the governing body, the new rates would begin July 1.

At first, the new rates would decrease to $9,427 in its first year and $9,714.30 by 2018, before increasing past $10,000 in 2019. The current impact fee rate for a single-family residential unit in Albuquerque is $7,901 and $10,252 in Bernalillo County.

Garcia said although he understands the role of impact fees on funding the citys infrastructure, the proposed new rate would put too much of a burden on residential impact fees.

We support the need for building out (Rio Ranchos) infrastructure, Garcia said. In my opinion, one way is through these impact fees, but they need to be complemented by other things than just these fees. Youre not going to get everything to build this place out with an impact fee only.

Brian McCarthy, co-owner of Abrazo Homes, said although he understood the citys want to increase residential impact fee rates, he was worried the change could impact potential homebuyers.

As costs increase, for every thousand dollars of a cost increase, theres another 700 people across the city who can no longer qualify for that home in question, McCarthy said.

Garcia and McCarthy said the new rates only incentivize commercial developments to consider building in the city.

In that regard, which kinds do you like best: commercial or residential? You need them both in the community, Garcia said. Just like they want to use it to attract commercial development, that will probably work and youre going to price out certain people in the market because the price is going to go up on a house and theres people that wont qualify for financing. The market will respond to this.
In recent weeks officials in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Bernalillo County and the town of Bernalillo have supported resolutions affirming their communities status as immigrant friendly but Corrales bucked the trend by rejecting a similar measure on Tuesday night.

Village Councilors voted 4-2 to defeat the resolution after more than three hours of at-times emotional comment and several testy exchanges between opponents and supporters.

Councilors George Wright, Patricia Clauser, David Dornburg and Jim Fahey voted against the resolution, while sponsors Ennio Garcia-Miera and Phil Gasteyer were for it.

Greg Polk, a village resident on the committee that helped craft the resolution, said it was modeled on those presented to governing bodies in Albuquerque and others in New Mexico and elsewhere in the country.

Garcia-Miera said the purpose was to ensure all village residents, regardless of immigration status, should feel safe in their community and trust that they could report a crime to local authorities without fear.

Comments from more than 40 Corrales residents revealed a deep divide. Those in support said it put into policy what has been customary in the village, that it does welcome all immigrants.

In the national atmosphere, I feel vulnerable. This is an issue for Corrales, said Eleanor Bravo, a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in the Philippines.

Opponents said it was a veiled attempt to create a sanctuary community policy. They criticized the resolution as being divisive. They accused the sponsors of making a national politics statement.

This is a stick in the eye of the elected president, said Corrales resident Jim Tritten. Keep Washington-level politics off the streets of our village.

After the comments, Councilor Wright questioned Corrales Police Chief Victor Mangiacapra, who said village officers currently do not ask the immigration status of people they stop. He said interaction with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) occurs at the Sandoval County Detention Center.

Wright said Congress is responsible for making immigration laws. He said the resolution would codify lawlessness and anarchy.

Fahey said the resolution was not necessary. Dornburg emphasized that the U.S. is a nation of laws and questioned why there should be excuses for anyone who comes here illegally.

On the same night, Bernalillo County Commissioners approved a measure declaring the county an immigrant friendly community. Albuquerque and Santa Fe city councils made similar decisions on Feb. 22 and the Bernalillo town council did so on Feb. 27.

After the Corrales meeting Garcia-Miera and village resident Mary Ellen Capek, a supporter, said they plan to continue efforts to ensure the safety of all immigrants and refugees in their community.

We have a meeting scheduled where we will devise a short-term and a long-term plan, Garcia-Miera said.

Asked why Corrales took a different direction than other local communities, Gasteyer ventured that village demographics have changed in recent years and it has become more conservative. He suggested people in Corrales who supported the defeated resolution could become involved with national organizations that are seeking to protect immigrants.
Farmers across Maharashtra are incensed with the slow procurement of the crop of tur dal they were asked to sow.

Farmers across Maharashtra, and especially from the Marathwada region, are reportedly furious with the Devendra Fadnavis government for its slow procurement of tur dal (pigeon pea) in the current season. Thousands of cultivators, who had responded to the state government's appeal to plant more pulses in the wake of the dire shortage and spiralling prices caused by the drought last year, now say that they are feeling cheated.

Aided by a good monsoon, there's been a bumper crop this year from the increased area under tur cultivation-1,394,300 hectares-a rise of 163 per cent. Unfortunately, the Fadnavis government's failure to purchase adequate quantities at the promised support price of Rs 5,050 per quintal has led to distress selling by beleaguered farmers. Private traders are offering far less-between Rs 2,600 and Rs 3,000 per quintal.

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The chief minister's recent announcement that government purchase centres will remain open for as long as it takes to procure the entire harvest has brought little comfort to the harassed farmers sweating in out in sinuous queues while waiting to sell their crop.

Till now, the government has procured 1,000,000 quintals, which is barely 20 per cent of this year's total production. Farmers complain that there aren't enough purchase centres. Uttam Shelke, a farmer from Latur, says it took him a whole week to sell his produce. He says many farmers who cannot afford to wait for extended periods are being forced to sell to private traders.

The Centre's decade-old ban on the export of pulses has also contributed to the problem. In February this year, the Indian Pulses and Grain Association submitted a representation to commerce secretary Rita Teaotia, demanding a lift of the ban on exports of pulses. A reply from the government is still pending. The issue has also assumed political colours, with the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS), an ally of Maharashtra's ruling dispensation, launching an agitation on the issue. On March 7, SSS workers demonstrated by dumping several tonnes of pulses and onions outside the premises of the state assembly.

Both agriculture minister Pandurang Phundkar and marketing minister Subhash Deshmukh insist that the state government is sensitive to the problem. But neither has offered any real solutions.

--- ENDS ---
For the past year and a half, Wynne Coleman has been a regular in the audience at Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education meetings. On Monday, she took the oath of office and settled into the center seat on the boards dais as its newest member.

It is a real honor to serve, she told the Journal. It is nice to be on that side of the table.

The longtime sales manager and mother of two girls, both at Cleveland High School, is ready to hit the ground running.

Though Coleman has only lived in New Mexico for five years, she previously served on the Basehor-Linwood School board, near where she grew up in suburban Kansas City, Kan.

Since her move to the Land of Enchantment, Coleman has been heavily involved with RRPS, joining the 2016 Bond Campaign Steering Committee and the Parent Advisory Board.

When board president Don Schlichte vacated the District 1 seat he had held for the past 16 years, Coleman decided to run.

She earned Schlichtes endorsement and beat two competitors, Natalie Nicotine and Margretta Franklin, in the Feb. 7 election. Nicotine was a close second, trailing Coleman by only 29 votes.

Two incumbents also won re-election: Martha Janssen for District 3 and Catherine Cullen for District 5.

Coleman said she is thrilled to be serving RRPS, which she calls the best school system in New Mexico.

Rio Rancho is such an incredible district and such a strong district, Coleman said. There are so many great teachers and staff.

Her top priorities include attracting and retaining quality faculty, managing the tight budget and supporting college and career preparation programs such as dual-credit classes and vocational training.

In a questionnaire posted on her campaign Facebook page, Coleman also expressed concern about several controversial policies instituted by the New Mexico Public Education Department.

The AF (school and district) grading system is weighted towards school improvement, so that high-performing districts like ours are penalized, because there is not as much room for improvement, she wrote. The PARCC testing amounts to over-testing, as it has been added on top of our other testing already in place.  Finally, the teacher evaluation system, although its intentions are good, was simply mandated from the state, without input from our schools, and is underfunded and burdensome.

Coleman told the Journal she believes RRPS should be appropriately vocal with PED by advocating for the district and questioning decisions.

At this point, it has been my observation that there is not communication, she said. Everyone has to make efforts on both sides, whether it is teachers or us as parents and up in Santa Fe. We should get that interaction going more.

Coleman said one of her strengths is big-picture thinking focused on the districts best interests. During her campaign, she walked door to door to talk with constituents and learn more about their concerns.

I thought it was really incredible, she said. I met a lot of people.

Asked if she is planning to stick around for over a decade, like her predecessor, Coleman said she imagines she will stay involved with RRPS one way or another.

The district, whatever you are, thats the foundation, she said. It is vital to the community.

RRPS board leadership positions

The Rio Rancho Public Schools board elected Ramon Montano president on Monday. Montano beat Catherine Cullen in a 3-2 vote, with new board member Wynne Coleman backing Cullen. He replaces long-time board president Don Schlichte, who did not seek another term. Cullen won reelection as board vice president in a 4-1 vote against Ryan Parra. Parra took the board secretary position unopposed.
On Saturday night, March 11, I started a long overdue conversation on the floor of the House. For the past 14 years, New Mexico tried an experiment  we cut personal and corporate income taxes to see if jobs would flow into the state. The experiment failed. Jobs and people left the state. Revenues tumbled. Schools, public safety and infrastructure were decimated. And the tax burden rose sharply on lower- and middle-class wage earners.

Two states that have recently been in the news  Kansas and Minnesota  have both taken steps to fix the problem. In Minnesota, for example, personal income taxes were increased by 2 percent on the highest income earners, with dramatic results. Job growth is way up, the deficit has been eliminated and services have dramatically improved.

I proposed a modest tax increase  a 1 percent increase in taxes on those individuals making more than $306,000. This means that for every dollar in net income over $306,000, the taxpayer pays 1 cent. The money will help pay for better schools, better paid teachers and public safety. The Republicans rejected the bill out of hand and defeated it on a technicality. Despite all the evidence in front of us, the Republicans continue to cling to the notion that somehow this will eventually work. It wont.

Just to be clear, the idea of tax cuts generating jobs started as a bipartisan effort. But now, 14 years later, we must admit that if tax cuts had worked, New Mexico should have been flooded with jobs. We cut personal income tax levels for the top 1 percent of wage earners by nearly one-half. We cut corporate tax levels as well. And instead of creating jobs and generating revenue the opposite has happened.

While arguing on the House floor for this modest tax increase, the Republicans proclaimed that it was the wealthy in our society that are the most productive, are the job creators, and raising their taxes will cause them to move.

On these points, I could not disagree more strongly. Until I took this job as a legislator, I would have been considered part of the top 1 percent. I have friends that are part of the top 1 percent. We run small businesses. We hire local workers. We generate revenue for the state. I can tell you that most of us would agree to pay more in taxes if it meant that those dollars would lead to better services for everyone.

And as far as the wealthy being the most productive members of our state, tell that to the hard-working educators, construction workers, child care providers, and so many more who keep our state running.

As for job creators leaving the state, our experience and that of other states leads to the exact opposite conclusion. If we raise taxes and wisely spend the revenue on creating excellent public schools and a first-class infrastructure supporting businesses, good jobs will follow.

What will work and what will make our state better is quality, not tax cuts.

It has taken a long time for this conversation to start. Hopefully it wont take as long for lawmakers to realize it is time to properly fund our schools, public safety efforts and roads.
The world is facing the most serious humanitarian catastrophe since the end of World War II. Twenty million people are at risk of starving to death in Yemen, Somalia, Nigeria and South Sudan. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is responding by slamming the door on refugees and cutting aid funding while proposing a massive expansion of the U.S. military.

Millions of people are barely surviving in the space between malnutrition and death, vulnerable to diseases and outbreaks, forced to kill their animals for food and eat the grain they saved for next years seeds, Antonio Guterres, the new United Nations secretary-general, said recently. 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.

While the United Nations scrambles to raise the $5.6 billion needed to avert the worst impacts of these crises, the Trump administration is slashing funding to the U.S. State Department, and, according to a draft executive order obtained by The New York Times, to the United Nations as well. The order as drafted (but not yet officially signed or released) calls for at least a 40 percent overall decrease of U.S. voluntary contributions to U.N. programs like the World Food Program, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and UNICEF. This is, frankly, a juvenile attitude unbecoming of the worlds only superpower, wrote former George W. Bush State Department official Stewart M. Patrick, now at the Council on Foreign Relations.

While the attitude may be juvenile, its impact on actual juveniles is deadly. Seven million people in Yemen are in danger of starvation, and 2.2 million of those are children. Close to half a million of those children are severely and acutely malnourished, which means they have already suffered potentially lifelong, developmental damage due to starvation.

Joel Charny, director of the Norwegian Refugee Council USA, said on the Democracy Now! news hour, If the war continues, people will die from famine. I dont think theres any question about that. We just have to find a way for the war to end. That would start with stopping the arming of Saudi Arabia, which is mercilessly bombing Yemen. Instead, on Tuesday, President Trump met at the White House with Saudi Arabias Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Defense Mohammed bin Salman, where they reportedly discussed resuming sales of precision-guided munitions to the Saudi dictatorship. Amnesty International urged Trump to block new arms sales, writing, Arming the Saudi Arabia and Bahrain governments risks complicity with war crimes, and doing so while simultaneously banning travel to the U.S. from Yemen would be even more unconscionable.

The war in Yemen is largely seen as a proxy conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran, with the United States, under Obama and now intensified under Trump, arming the Saudis and logistically supporting their bombardment of Yemen. It needs to be stressed that this is not something that started on January 20th, Charny said, referring to Trumps inauguration. This is something that the U.S. has been driving for some time. In his two terms, President Obama sold a record-breaking $115 billion in arms to Saudi Arabia, suspending sales only after a Saudi jet attacked a Yemeni funeral with back-to-back bombings, killing 140 people and wounding 500.

Millions more face famine and a painful death by starvation in Somalia, South Sudan and Nigeria. In South Sudan, despite oil revenue and fertile cropland, Charny says, unresolved political conflicts within the South Sudanese ruling class that date all the way back to the 90s, that were covered up during the independence struggle but have since emerged, leading to famine. In northeastern Nigeria, armed conflict between the group Boko Haram and the government make delivering humanitarian aid extremely dangerous. Somalia, where famine threatens populations that are actually reachable by the weak central government and aid agencies, Charny struck a more optimistic note: If were able to mobilize food and cash quickly, we can overcome the situation in Somalia  if we get moving.

Famine in these four countries is avoidable. President Trump should fully fund food shipments  not arms shipments  and spearhead much-needed diplomacy to avoid the immense catastrophe of 20 million horrific deaths by starvation. This is what would make America great.

Amy Goodman is the host of Democracy Now!, a daily international TV/radio news hour. She is the co-author, with Denis Moynihan and David Goodman, of Democracy Now!: 20 Years Covering the Movements Changing America. Distributed by King Features Syndicate.
Call it the antithesis of Sunshine Week, an annual celebration of access to public information. Despite former President Barack Obamas claim his was the most transparent administration in history, that very administration spent a record $36.2 million in 2016 on legal costs defending its refusal to turn over federal records sought under the Freedom of Information Act.

Just imagine the good that $36.2 million could have done.

It gets worse; for a second consecutive year, the Obama administration set a record for how often federal employees told citizens, journalists and others that, despite searching, they couldnt find a single page of files requested. It also set a record for outright denials of access to files, refusing to quickly consider requests described as especially newsworthy, and forcing people who had asked the government to waive search and copy fees to pay for records. The government even admitted that it had been wrong to initially refuse to turn over all or parts of records in more than one-third of such cases  the highest rate in at least six years.

As bad as those transparency figures are, the administration of President Donald Trump  a man who has broken with modern presidential practice by repeatedly refusing to make public his income tax returns, and barred some mainstream news organizations from a White House press briefing  could perform at an even lower level.

As expected, news organizations  led by the New York Times, the Center for Public Integrity and The Associated Press  have been among the top FOIA requesters over the past four years. And it bears noting that more than half the governments total record requests went to the Justice Department, Homeland Security and the Pentagon  because the public deserves to know how and if the government it elects and pays for is meting out justice and keeping it safe.

Its also interesting to recall some of the high-profile cases that pitted the publics right to know against government secrecy. On Monday, the AP settled its 2015 lawsuit against the State Department for files about Hillary Clintons time as secretary of state, at APs request, and received $150,546 from the department to cover part of its legal fees. Still pending are AP lawsuits against the FBI for records about its decision to impersonate an AP journalist during a criminal investigation, and records about who helped the FBI hack into a mass shooting suspects iPhone and how much the government paid to do it.

This week  Sunshine Week, the national initiative spearheaded by the American Society of News Editors to educate the public about the importance of open government, and the dangers of excessive and unnecessary secrecy  is an appropriate time to shine a light on such secrecy and to highlight the disingenuous claims presidential administrations tend to make as they throw about the buzzword transparency.

What matters is not whether an administration appears to play nice with the media or deems the press the enemy; what matters is whether the public gets access to the information it is entitled to. It didnt in 77 percent of its requests in the last two years of Obama, according to the federal government.

Time will tell if the sun will come out during the Trump administration.

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

Two months before a federal grand jury probe ended without an indictment of her chief political adviser, Jay McCleskey, Gov. Susana Martinez gave federal prosecutors a detailed defense of payments McCleskey received from her 2010 inaugural committee.

Whether that affidavit had any impact on the closing of the investigation is hard to determine. The U.S. Attorneys Office said it cant comment on investigative or grand jury matters.

Former Supreme Court Justice, Paul Kennedy, who represented McCleskey during that investigation, said Martinezs sworn declaration was just one of hundreds of documents submitted to prosecutors in the case to show nothing wrong had occurred with the handling of inaugural committee money.

I would say it was an important document, but it wasnt critical to the outcome, Kennedy said.

And the investigation was often mired in large amounts of paperwork and meetings among defense attorneys, local federal prosecutors and officials at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., where the final decision to end the investigation was made in February 2016.

No indictments were ever returned, and Martinez was never a target of the grand jury.

Disaffected Republicans had been talking to the FBI and federal prosecutors since at least 2013, complaining about more than $100,000 in checks issued by the committee without invoices to support them. Those included payments to businesses either controlled by or linked to McCleskey.

Kennedy currently represents Martinez and was authorized to talk about the case.

Everything that was done was totally legitimate, Kennedy said. It is done the same way in every other state and at the federal level. We looked at both the Bush and Obama inaugurals in setting up the committee.

The committee raised more than $960,000 in private donations and spent about $860,000. More than $100,000 was donated to SAFE houses  shelters for domestic violence victims  throughout the state.

Most of the inaugural money was raised in donations of $25,000 and $10,000 from energy companies doing business in the state. The amounts contributed were well above the states campaign contribution limits of $5,000, but there are no limitations on inaugural donations.

Another key issue in the federal investigation was whether money from the inaugural committee was used to pay for campaign expenses.

Kennedy acknowledged there was at least one payment of $3,000 to a fundraiser who raised money for both the campaign and the inaugural committee.

The worker was paid out of the inaugural fund for campaign work, although that money should have come from campaign funds. Kennedy attributed the payment to a clerical error. He said the invoice came in a month after the campaign had ended and said federal investigators were satisfied with the explanation.

Transition payments

Martinezs sworn declaration, dated Jan. 5, 2016, makes it clear that inaugural committee money was used to pay for transition expenses as well as inaugural expenses.

That was a key distinction in the investigation, because the Republicans angry with Martinez and McCleskey argued that the people who raised the money said the money would be used exclusively for the inauguration.

But Patrick Rogers, the attorney for the Susana Martinez Inaugural Committee, told the Journal on Friday that the articles of incorporation made it clear that money raised could be used for transition purposes as well.

Martinez says in the document that McCleskey received $57,000 directly from the committee for work he did on the inaugural events and for the transition, including advising me with regard to numerous final interviews of high level and other administration and staff and appointees.

The checks went to CD Production and Public Relations and McCleskey Media Strategies, both owned by McCleskey.

I would certainly have approved a significantly higher figure for Jays compensation had additional funds been available, she said in the affidavit. Other campaign workers were also paid for working on Martinezs inauguration.

While the hard work of certain individuals who had distinguished themselves on the campaign was rewarded through paid positions on the inauguration and transition, every individual who received compensation performed legitimate and valuable services to the inaugural and transition to earn their pay, she said in the declaration.

During the investigation, Martinez blamed the inquiry on her political opponents and called it a smear campaign against McCleskey, who has been her close political adviser since running her successful 2010 campaign for governor.

McCleskey has been a major player in getting Republicans elected in state and local elections. He also headed Martinezs re-election bid in 2014. Known for his aggressive, rough-and-tumble campaign tactics, he has aroused the ire of Democrats  and some Republicans.

According to copies of checks attached to the governors declaration, Lincoln Strategy Group, an organization McCleskey worked for when he signed on to the Martinez campaign, was paid $58,700 by the inaugural committee for performing administrative support including accounting and payroll services.

That is in addition to the $57,000 paid directly to the other two McCleskey companies.

Martinez said in her sworn statement that Lincoln Strategy was reimbursed for paying some inaugural staff salaries as well as administrative services.

Campaign funds

Martinez addressed the issue of campaign money in the sworn declaration, and Kennedy said he estimated that Martinezs 2010 campaign funds paid for about $100,000 in unreimbursed inaugural and transition expenses.

That is a completely legal use of campaign money, Kennedy said.

The decision was made not to reimburse the campaign because it would look bad.

In her affidavit, Martinez pointed out that a company called Targeted Victory built and hosted her campaign website and provided web services to her 2010 campaign.

The same company created another website for the inaugural and transition.

For the inaugural and transition, she said, the website handled announcements, press releases and set a system that allowed people to apply for jobs in her administration.

The transition received, reviewed and processed upwards of 3,000 applicants through the website, she said. Targeted Victory was paid $17,778 for its services for the inauguration and transition.

From the beginning, the proclamation and common sense made clear that the smooth transition of administrations was part of the inaugural process and there is absolutely nothing improper about spending inaugural funds for transition activities, as they are necessarily intertwined, Rogers said.

Kennedy said no rules govern donations or spending of inaugural committees.
Albuquerque City Councilor Dan Lewis plans to introduce a resolution Monday that, if approved, would require the city to undertake a good, hard evaluation of the impact the Albuquerque Rapid Transit project is having on traffic, businesses and the environment.

And if the project is found to have had a negative impact, the resolution calls for the city administration to come up with ways to mitigate those impacts, which could include re-opening dedicated bus lanes to general traffic.

Lewis, who is running for mayor, held a news conference outside of the iconic Frontier Restaurant late Friday to discuss his resolution.

Were going to take a good, hard evaluation of the changes, he said.

The resolution calls for the city to collect data after the project is operational and to compare that to data from the same period one and two years prior to the construction of ART. Areas that would be evaluated include traffic volume along Central Avenue and the residential side streets near Central, pedestrian traffic on Central, transit ridership, changes in business sales figures, the number of businesses that have closed, air quality and collisions.

Lets let our projects be driven by data, Lewis said.

Rhiannon Samuel, Mayor Richard Berrys spokeswoman, issued a statement responding to Lewis resolution.

We understand and expect the 15 mayoral candidates will have many ideas for the city, and we respect their ability to present those, she said.

The design team and our community have worked diligently for years to ensure that ART is a world class project that will bring economic opportunity for Central Avenue and the people of Albuquerque.

ART will transform Central into a rapid transit corridor with a 9-mile stretch of bus-only lanes and bus stations. The $119 million project is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.

Appearing with Lewis during his news conference was a handful of Central Avenue business owners, including Larry Rainosek, owner of the Frontier and Golden Pride restaurants.

Rainosek said he thinks the resolution is important because it will help speed up the modifications that will be needed to make the project workable for businesses. He said he thinks two lanes of vehicle traffic in each direction on Central are needed, as are many of the left turns that have been eliminated.

Anthony Anella, who owns properties along Central, said he thinks Lewis resolution holds elected officials accountable.

If any city councilor votes against this resolution, in effect, they will be saying to the citizens of Albuquerque that they do not want to know what the impact of ART is on our community, he said. If Mayor Berry dares to veto this resolution, in effect, he will be saying to citizens of Albuquerque that he doesnt want to know, either.
SANTA FE  A topsy-turvy 60-day legislative session dedicated largely to New Mexicos state budget crisis lumbered to a close Saturday with Gov. Susana Martinez accusing lawmakers of failing to do their job  passing a balanced budget.

She vowed to veto a tax increase proposal and call the Legislature back into special session to try again, though she did not say when that might happen.

What a waste of time, Martinez, a two-term Republican, said of lawmakers work.

Democratic leaders in the House and Senate, in turn, said they sent the governor a financial package that would avoid additional spending cuts and restore the states financial health, if only she would sign it.

The proposals include a $6.1 billion spending plan for the coming year, about $350 million in tax increases to help pay for it and a bill that would begin making changes to New Mexicos gross receipts tax code.

We passed a budget, a revenue bill and tax (overhaul) package  all three with overwhelming bipartisan support, Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, said after the session ended. In my opinion, this has been an extremely productive session  in fact, one of the most, if not the most, in the 13 years Ive been in the Legislature.

Some lawmakers urged Martinez not to call lawmakers back to Santa Fe for a special session too quickly.

I think we need to take a break, look at what were the sticking points and start talking, said Rep. Jason Harper, R-Rio Rancho.

New Mexico lawmakers have had to return to the Capitol for budget-related special sessions shortly after adjournment before.

In 2010, then-Gov. Bill Richardson called legislators back to Santa Fe less than one week after they failed to reach a budget agreement.

Other issues

Aside from the budget acrimony, lawmakers addressed some perennially troublesome issues.

They approved a measure to create an independent ethics commission to investigate allegations of misconduct levied against state officials, lobbyists and others. The proposed constitutional amendment goes before voters in the 2018 election.

Although details of the commissions day-to-day operations would still have to be figured out by legislators if the proposal wins voter approval, backers said its passage marked a historic day for New Mexico.

I am pleased that the voters of New Mexico will have an opportunity to decide on the creation of an independent ethics commission, said Rep. Jim Dines, an Albuquerque Republican who helped craft the legislation.

Other approved high-profile bills include:

 New limits on the small-loan loan industry, an effort supporters said would help protect low-income consumers from being trapped in a cycle of debt.

 A requirement of more campaign finance disclosures for dark money groups.

 Two proposed increases in New Mexicos $7.50-per-hour minimum wage. Martinez indicated Saturday that she would not sign them, however, saying the proposed wage levels were too high and would hurt the states economy.

Meanwhile, several bills vetoed by Martinez in the sessions final week could be headed for court. Top-ranking Democratic lawmakers say five of the governors vetoes should be ruled invalid because the governor did not state her objections to the measures within a set time period.

But Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Olivers office has indicated it will not move forward on enshrining the vetoed bills into state law without direction from the courts, and Martinez defended her actions Saturday.

Theyre vetoes; theyre absolutely vetoes, the governor said. My objections were based on constitutional law that allows me to do those vetoes.

Budget

But it was the budget that dominated much of the session in a state with the nations highest jobless rate.

Lawmakers began the session in January by passing a solvency package aimed at plugging a budget gap in the current fiscal years budget, and ended it by wrestling over ways to properly fund state government for the budget year that starts in July.

Democratic leaders said they hoped Martinez would propose a new budget package, if she ultimately rejects theirs.

House Speaker Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, said House and Senate leaders were more or less in agreement on the budget almost two weeks ago. But they held off sending it to the governor  at her request, he said  because they were trying to reach a deal that would win her support, too.

The communication between the Legislature and the executive was constant, Egolf said.

Unable to reach agreement, they sent her the plan theyd adopted. It won broad bipartisan support in the Senate but passed on party lines in the House.

And Sen. John Arthur Smith, a Deming Democrat and chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said some of the governors initial ideas  such as reducing state employee take-home pay  didnt pick up support even among Republicans in the Senate.

However, Martinez specifically accused legislators of knowingly passing budget and tax increase bills they knew she opposed.

Many in the Legislature failed to do their jobs, Martinez told reporters. I will never allow lawmakers to raise taxes on our families in order to bail out government spending.

The governor also said she has directed her administrations central budget office to begin studying a partial government shutdown, which could include state park closures and state employee furlough days.

But it was unclear exactly when that might be rolled out, or whether it was a threat aimed at getting more cooperation from lawmakers.

Smith said the closure of state government shouldnt be necessary. The budget debate at hand focuses on the fiscal year that begins in July, he said.

I do believe she can limp along until the end of June, Smith said.

The governor has vowed to veto any tax increases approved by lawmakers, but she suggested she would consider measures generating revenue for the state coffers if they were part of a significant overhaul of the states tax code.

Tax overhaul

One measure that could be key to resolving the budget impasse during a special session is a Martinez-backed tax overhaul bill sponsored by Harper that passed the House but stalled in the Senate during the sessions final days due to concerns about its impact.

The bill called for the elimination of more than 100 gross receipts tax exemptions, which would allow for the states base rate to be lowered.

Although the measure was designed to ultimately be revenue-neutral, Harper said it could generate as much as $100 million for the states coffers in the coming budget year if certain provisions were enacted before the rest of the bill.

But Democrats objected to some parts of the bill, including the proposed reimposition of a tax on food items that was stripped out before the measure passed the House.

Senate Democrats also suggested the bill was flawed, but they ultimately incorporated some of its elements into a separate tax overhaul measure. They said it was better to move cautiously and make only a few changes at a time, rather than all at once.

That prompted criticism from House Minority Whip Rod Montoya, R-Farmington, who said the bill would have been the most significant taxation reform bill in 50 years.

But Harper indicated he hasnt given up hope on the legislation becoming law.

I still remain very hopeful, Harper said Saturday. I dont think the sun is setting on New Mexico.

What lawmakers did (and didnt)

A look at proposals that passed and failed during the 60-day session that ended Saturday. Gov. Susana Martinez has until April 7 to act on legislation approved by lawmakers in the sessions final days

Budget/taxes

Passed: Raising $350 million in new revenues from taxes and fees on gasoline and diesel sales, vehicle sales, trucking permits and nonprofit hospitals while delaying reductions in corporate income taxes; funding of $6.1 billion for the coming fiscal year that boosts spending slightly on public schools and the judiciary and cuts funding for state colleges; maintaining spending on public safety and economic development subsidies.

Failed: Far-reaching tax reform plan designed to improve the business climate by sweeping away an array of tax breaks that would dramatically increase state revenues from nonprofit organizations such as hospitals and health clinics; increasing taxes on tobacco products and electronic cigarettes to fund education; restoring taxes on food; hiking taxes on junk food.

Business/labor

Passed: Raising minimum wage to $9.25 an hour and prohibiting further restrictions on employers who dont provide advance notice of work hours to employees; raising minimum wage to $9 an hour from $7.50 with an $8 training wage for the first two months of employment; capping interest on payday loans at 175 percent.

Failed: Capping interest on payday loans at 36 percent; prohibiting mandatory union dues; legalizing and taxing recreational marijuana.

Crime/public safety

Passed: Barring gun possession for those under permanent restraining orders in domestic violence cases; banning solitary confinement for pregnant or juvenile inmates; redacting names of rape and stalking victims from public release until a suspect is charged.

Failed: Requiring background checks on most private firearms transactions; banning alcohol from repeat drunken drivers; reinstating the death penalty for killers of law enforcement officers, corrections officers and children.

Education

Passed: Limiting the use of restraint and seclusion in schools; requiring statewide rules to prevent bullying in public schools; providing a 16-month grace period for students to qualify for a legislative lottery tuition scholarship.

Failed: Expanding early childhood education by tapping into the Land Grant Permanent Fund; allowing teachers to take more than three days of annual sick leave without affecting their performance evaluations; suspending the creation of new charter schools until 2020.

Ethics/transparency

Passed: Creating an independent ethics commission with approval from voters in a statewide ballot initiative scheduled for November 2018; identifying donors to independent political groups that spend unlimited amounts of money to influence New Mexico elections.

Failed: Funding for an overhaul of the states public website for campaign finance disclosures.

Health/family

Passed: Allowing workers to use sick leave already provided by employers to care for sick and aging relatives; outlawing the practice of conversion therapy to change a young persons sexual orientation or gender identity.

Failed: Allowing doctors to help terminally ill patients to end their lives legally; imposing a tax on sodas by excluding carbonated beverages from the definition of food.

Environment

Passed: Creating a fund for restoration of state trust lands damaged by oil spills, wildfires, illegal dumping and more; pursuing contracts for rooftop solar on state buildings to save electricity costs over time with no up-front public investment.

Failed: Increasing the amount of renewable energy supplied by investor-owned utilities and cooperatives; extending tax credits for household rooftop solar energy systems.

National issues

Passed: Ensuring access to contraceptives at no personal cost as provided under the federal Affordable Care Act.

Failed: Preventing state law enforcement agencies from enforcing some federal immigration laws; prohibiting state cooperation on construction of a wall on the border.

Memorials

Passed: Allowing the issuing of green and red chile license plates.

Failed: Making the green chile cheeseburger the states official cheeseburger; designating Chile Verde Rock as the states official chile song; declaring Gracias New Mexico as the official state winter holiday song; adopting La Marcha de los Novios as the official dance of New Mexico.
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.
LGs bootloader unlock tool now supports the U.S. version of the G5, though its important to note that this is just in relation to the unlocked model of the U.S. version, and not the carrier-branded models that could actually be purchased through carriers. If youre someone who either owns the unlocked U.S. LG G5 or you have found a good deal on one and are considering picking it up, using LGs official bootloader tool to unlock the phones bootloader can open up a whole other world of possibilities, because with an unlocked bootloader you can root the device, and with a rooted device you have access to all kinds of nifty software that non-rooted devices cant use.

While this might not appeal to the average user, it might be just enough of a reason to grab the phone if youre someone who likes to tinker with their devices. While it could have been possible to unlock the bootloader on the G5 before now, having the device supported in LGs official tool means the company themselves is supporting the act of unlocking the bootloader as well, and thats better than using an unsupported method in the event that something goes wrong.

Over on LGs Developer page where they list the supported devices, which also includes the likes of the LG V20 for the U.S., as well as various European models of the LG G5 and the European version of the LG V10 (save for France), you can find the methods for how to unlock the bootloader which is a fairly simple step by step process. Once youve unlocked the bootloader and if you want to move onto rooting the device, following that step you can do things flash custom ROMs which can allow the device access to all sorts of new features and a custom design to the UI that werent previously available. As noted before it can also open up access to things like root-only applications that you can find in the Play Store, and of course you can also load on custom recoveries so you can do all the special backups that youll want just in case. If youre planning to use the bootloader unlock tool on your LG G5, make sure you have the correct model and then youre free to continue with the process.
Philips is including the E14 candle bulbs in its Hue range of connected bulbs this year and its kicking things off by bringing the bulbs to Europe in April. That being said, Philips hasnt given an exact date for the European release, but for those consumers in Europe who will be looking to get their hands on these new connected bulbs, the launch will at least be around the corner. For the U.S. consumers who are interested in grabbing them, youll have to wait a little longer as Philips does state that the E14 Hue bulbs will be coming to the U.S., but they have been quite a bit more vague on the launch as they have merely stated that the release would be sometime later on this year.

While there are some Philips Hue bulbs that you can already pick up from various retailers like Amazon, expanding the range to include the E14 candle bulb means Philips is broadening the scope of the types of lamp fittings that can support Hue bulbs. The E14 are meant for lamp fittings of smaller size and because these will be included in the near future, Philips says that the release of the E14 Hue bulb will push them to cover about 80% of lamp and fixture fittings globally, which means theyre slowly but surely working towards including a compatible bulb for any fixture or fitting.

The new E14 Hue candle bulbs will be able to put out a cool 470 lumens with a 4000k color temperature and they will be a 6.5w bulb. In addition to keeping quiet on the exact times of release for both Europe and the U.S., Philips has also not yet mentioned which retailers would be carrying these bulbs, though its likely that anywhere you can buy the currently available Hue products will also end up carrying the new E14 candle Hue bulb as well. Philips has not mentioned a price point for either of the two markets, but in the U.S. other Hue bulbs go for about $49.99 so its possible that the E14 candle bulb could for about the same price when it launches. With the launch of these new Hue bulbs on the horizon, those with a Google Home speaker will have one more bulb to control.
By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Mar 18 (PTI) The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has prohibited American fast food chain McDonalds from selling Coke Zero across its outlets in the state for violating the Food Safety and Standard Regulations.

The order was issued after the company was found manufacturing and selling carbonated water--Coca Cola Zero-in loose and unlabelled paper glass. The carbonated water was being prepared from post-mix manufactured by Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages by diluting it with processed water and impregnating the mixture with carbon dioxide and was being served to the customers including children, FDA said in its circular dated March 15.

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The artificial sweeteners contained aspartame and accsulfame potassium, which causes obesity and higher blood pressure, it said.

The FDA action came after a Kolhapur-based FDA official has found that the product was being sold loose to unsuspecting clients, including children.

"We have banned the sale of this drink across all McDonalds outlets in the state with immediate effect. The drink was being served straight off the dispensing machines without any packaging or warning," FDA commissioner Harshdeep Kamble said.

McDonalds could not be immediately contacted. PTI AP BEN NRB BAS

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Mar 18 (PTI) Chief Justice of India J S Khehar today asked legal volunteers to work for the victims of crime this year, saying he wondered what happens to the victims of rape or acid attacks or those who lose their bread earners, while the criminals got access to justice till the very end.

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Calling upon legal volunteers to reach out to them to ensure they get the due compensation, he said in India, a convict in a terror crime has all possible access to justice as permissible under the law, even after exhausting all legal remedies upto the Supreme Court.

The Chief Justice was apparently referring to the case of 1993 Mumbai blast lone death row convict Yakub Memon whose petition challenging his capital punishment was rejected during the day on July 29, 2015 by the Supreme Court, but some activist lawyers had moved another plea the same night for re-examination of the verdict as the guilty was to be hanged on the morning of July 30.

The apex court had agreed to the request and accorded urgent hearing and, in a special sitting of a bench heard the plea for more than two hours from 0200 hours on July 30 as well as Memons counsel at length to reiterate its decision upholding the death sentence.

"Ours is a strange country. The bigger the criminal, the bigger is the outrage. As we have seen before that the convict in a terrorist crime who has failed up to the Supreme Court and also in his review, can get access to justice in a manner that we extend.

"I have wondered over the years, what about the victims. I have wondered over the years what about the families which have lost their bread earner. I have wondered over the years what about that acid attack victim who has been defaced and cannot survive the society. I think about rape victims and their lives and I wonder why we dont reach out to them.

"I wish to make an appeal to you today as a patron of the organisation. Let us reach out to the victims. Make 2017 a year of the victims," Justice Khehar said in his inaugural address of the 15th All India meet of State Legal Service Authorities.

The CJI asked National Legal Service Authority (NALSA), State Legal Services Authority and District Legal Service Authorities to send their para-legal volunteers to every trial court to inform the victims that their right to compensation is not closed.

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"Let us send our para-legal volunteers to every trial court to inform the victims. Let us inform every victim about section 357A of CrPC, that he has the right to compensation.

"Let us make them understand that the case is not closed with the acquittal or conviction of the accused. Let us have a heart and reach the victims," he said. (More) PTI MNL RKS ARC

--- ENDS ---
YEREVAN, MARCH 17, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Public Relations Association (APRA) in partnership with the World Communication Forum Association (WCFA) of Davos will hold the World Communication Forum (WCFDavos/Yerevan) in Yerevan on March 21-22 which is the first regional forum, reports Armenpress.

The topic of the regional forum is entitled From Crisis to Development: Powered by Communication.

Armenian, as well as foreign leading experts will take part in the Forum.

Founder, CEO and chief brand strategist of Brands of Desire brand consultancy Saurabh Uboweja will attend the Forum who said one of the priority topics is the countrys brand as a national dignity. In Yerevan I will try to use WCF platform to discuss completely new design options for countrys branding development, he said.

Solly Moeng  Executive Director at DonValley Brand, Marketing & Communications, said this years WCF in Geneva is simply perfect, and he is looking forward to visit Yerevan where he will have a chance to meet with leading communication specialists. We are going to talk about a number of interesting topics in Yerevan. My topic, in particular, covers the reputation management, how to manage the brands reputation, concerning any types of brand. I am looking forward to discuss all these in Yerevan and see your country for the first time, Mr. Moeng said.

Sean Gardner  co-founder of Huffington Post Twitter Powerhouses Series stated: In Yerevan I am going to speak about social media. For me the role of social media is to connect and cooperate people. We are coming to Yerevan.

The World Communication Forum is already being held for the 8th time on March 13-17, 2016. This year the Forum is being held in Geneva.

The Forum aims to discuss issues related to the innovative ways and issues of communication, as well as to outline the major trends of communication development.

During the past years the Forum participants have formed WCF Family, and the Armenian Public Relations Association is a member of it.
YEREVAN, MARCH 17, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian gave a speech in New York during the event dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Armenias membership to the UN. As Armenpress was informed from the pres service of MFA Armenia, Minister Nalbandian said,

Honorable Secretary General,

Your Eminences,

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,



It is a distinct pleasure to address you on the 25th anniversary of Armenias membership in the United Nations. I highly appreciate the presence of Secretary General here with us today. I also would like to thank all those who have contributed to the organization of this concert and all of you who join us for the celebration of this festive occasion.



Quarter of a century ago Armenia has been embraced by the community of sovereign states. It was the dream of many generations of Armenians scattered around the world that came to reality. I am glad to see here today many of those who stood by the newly emerging state and I would like to take this opportunity to once again acknowledge their indispensable contribution.



Needless to emphasize the whole significance of this day. It is not just the symbolism that matters. It is not about the status but the hope and vision for a peaceful and prosperous future, that rests in the foundations of the United Nations, that inspires to a common journey towards a better world free of wars, conflicts and dividing lines.



Armenia, as I believe numerous nations before us and many after, joined the United Nations with these aspirations and goals.



Armenia acceded to the family of nations during challenging times of its history but that has never diminished our resolve and commitment to the building of a society that fully adheres to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. We remain guided by the UN Charter that calls to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples.



It is a solemn duty of all states, ascribed through their accession, to ensure the full and unhindered application of these commitments. Armenia strictly adheres to its obligations in this regard, including in its efforts to ensure an exclusively peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.



These commitments also form the central pillar of Armenias engagement within the UN framework. First and foremost it refers to our dedication to the UN prevention agenda.



As a nation who passed through the horrors of the genocide we feel a moral obligation but also an authority to speak out against recurrence of crimes against humanity.



Armenia also contributes to the world peace in a most direct way through participating in a number of peace operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mali.



We joined international concerted efforts aimed at countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, combating terrorism and addressing refugee crisis.



From Syria alone, about 22,000 refugees sought shelter in Armenia, on per capita basis making our country the third largest recipient of Syrian refugees in Europe.



Our country does its best to contribute to promotion of tolerance and intercultural, interfaith dialogue, combating racism, hate speech and xenophobia.



I would also like to emphasize that it is not just the list of endeavors but rather the hard work, dedicated efforts and unreserved commitment that define the full depth of multifaceted activities of Armenia within the UN framework during the past 25 years.



As we embark on the next chapter of our collective journey, I would like to reiterate Armenias unwavering support to the strong and effective global leadership of the United Nations that translates international obligations and commitments into tangible actions, builds bridges between peoples and eliminates dividing lines, promotes good neighborly relations, peace and prosperity worldwide.



Thank you.
More on this:

1 3,000 Ride-Sharing Cars Could Satisfy NYC's Need for Taxis, Free Traffic

2 Lyft Finds It Cute That a Driver Worked Minutes Before Giving Birth

3 Lyft Co-Founder Says Americans Will Not Drive Personal Cars In Cities In 2025

4 General Motors Will Launch Its First Fully Autonomous Car Through Lyft
The highlights from a 7,700-word NYMag cover story on Kellyanne Conway, the Trump adviser the magazine dubs the "Real First Lady of Trump's America":

Her Secret Service code name : "Blueberry"

: "Blueberry" On whether she'd take the job as WH press secretary : "Slit my wrists, bleed out, put cement shoes on, jump off the bridge, and then I'll take the job  are you kidding me?"

: "Slit my wrists, bleed out, put cement shoes on, jump off the bridge, and then I'll take the job  are you kidding me?" Steve Bannon's quote: "I do think it was a little overplayed when she was quote-unquote the Trump whisperer. There's no Trump whisperer. There's just not. It doesn't function like that. He doesn't absorb information like that. Everybody that's looked at as a Trump whisperer? It's always meant to demean him."

"I do think it was a little overplayed when she was quote-unquote the Trump whisperer. There's no Trump whisperer. There's just not. It doesn't function like that. He doesn't absorb information like that. Everybody that's looked at as a Trump whisperer? It's always meant to demean him." And Conway's response to Bannon: "You realize I go on TV to defend you more now than Donald Trump? So while you're sound asleep and my husband is trying to master how to flip a pancake, I'm actually defending you."
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Mar 17 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to receive felicitations over the recent poll results of the BJP, with his Malaysian counterpart Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak calling him up today to congratulate him. "I spoke to PM @narendramodi to congratulate him on his victory in several states elections. Looking forward to my visit to India," Razak tweeted. "Thank you, Prime Minister. We look forward to welcoming you to India," Modi responded. Razak, who is expected to visit India in a few weeks, joined some other foreign leaders who have called up Modi to felicitate him on the BJPs win in Uttar Pradesh in assembly polls.

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Earlier, French President Francois Hollande, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Dhabi and former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper had called up Modi to congratulate him. PTI AKK AKK

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Security forces shot dead a man who tried to seize a soldier's gun at Orly airport in the French capital.

By Reuters: Security forces shot dead a man who tried to seize a soldier's gun at Paris Orly airport on Saturday, forcing the evacuation of the busy airport and putting security back in the spotlight in the middle of France's presidential election campaign.

The man, identified as a 39-year-old radicalised Muslim who was already on the radar of police and intelligence services, had earlier shot and wounded a police officer with an air gun after a routine traffic stop north of Paris, officials said.

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With the country in the throes of a highly-charged election campaign after two years of attacks on civilians and public targets by Islamic State militants - several of them in Paris - the anti-terrorism prosecutor opened an investigation.

A police source identified the man only as Zied B. and said he was known to the police for theft and drug offences.

An army spokesman said he was shot dead after a struggle with a female soldier on patrol in the airport terminal after he had earlier shot and wounded a police officer with an air pistol during a police check on the opposite side of Paris.

The man's father and brother were taken into police custody, a judicial source said. BFM TV, without giving a source, said the attacker had texted his father saying: "I've screwed up. I've shot a policeman."

CASE TURNED OVER TO ANTI-TERROR PROSECUTORS

President Francois Hollande said the case had been turned over to anti-terrorism prosecutors and a number of operations were under way. The incident had shown the need for the "Sentinelle" security operation brought in after an outbreak of attacks by militants in 2015, he said.

More than 230 people have died in France in the past two years at the hands of attackers allied to the militant Islamist group Islamic State, whose strongholds in Syria and Iraq are being bombed by an international coalition including France.

These include coordinated bombings and shootings in November 2015 in Paris when 130 people were killed and scores injured.

Strengthening France's security is at the heart of the campaign for presidential elections in April and May, where centrist Emmanuel Macron is predicted to hold off a strong challenge from far-right-winger Marine Le Pen, who advocates tough measures against illegal immigrants and radical Islamists.

AIRPORT STRUGGLE

Saturday's train of events began at Stains, near Le Bourget airport in northern Paris, where the man fled in a car after he shot and wounded a police officer at a road check.

Soon afterwards, he was involved in a carjacking in another Paris suburb Vitry where he threatened customers of a bar, Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux told reporters.

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Soon afterward at Orly, he tried to seize a Famas assault rifle from a young woman air force member who was patrolling the airport as part of the army's "Sentinelle" security operation.

The man and the soldier fell to the ground after an "extremely violent attack", an army spokesman said. In the ensuing struggle on the ground, other members of the patrol opened fire, killing him, an army spokesman said.

One witness, who gave only his first name of Dominique, said he saw a man seize the woman soldier by the arm and take hold of her weapon. Her comrades tried to reason with her assailant.

"We ran off, down the staircase. Afterwards, we heard two shots," he told BFM TV.

"Sentinelle" is the government's stepped-up security response to the January 2015 Islamist attack on the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo which killed 12 people. The operation was reinforced after the November 2015 attacks in Paris.

PRINCE WILLIAM VISIT, RUGBY GAME UNAFFECTED

Saturday's attacks would have no impact on a trip to Paris by Prince William, second-in-line to the British throne, and his wife Kate, who are due to end a two-day visit to the French capital on Saturday, a British spokesman said. The British royals earlier on Saturday met some of the survivors of the Paris attacks in a visit to a military hospital.

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An international rugby match, France versus Wales, was due to take place in Paris later on Saturday which the British royals were due to attend.

Around 3,000 passengers were evacuated from Orly, France's second-busiest airport, after the incident as security services sealed off the terminal and swept it for bombs, but no explosives were found. Crowds of passengers waited outside.

No one else was injured at the airport.

Flights were suspended from both airport terminals and some flights were diverted to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, airport operator ADP said.

But normal flight operations were later said to be resuming, the Paris airports operator said.

Last month, Egyptian Abdullah Reda al-Hamahmy, 29, was shot and seriously wounded when he launched himself at a group of soldiers, crying out "Allahu Akbar"

ALSO READ | France: 4 injured in shooting at Grasse school, letter bomb blast at IMF Paris office, nation on alert

ALSO WATCH | France terror attack: Nice under lockdown, Hollande extends emergency by 3 months

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Modified On Sep 13, 2017 05:43 PM By CarDekho for Honda WRV 2017-2020

The Honda WR-V isnt just a Jazz with some SUV livery. Heres Why.

Chances are youve learnt all you need to know about the WR-V after reading our first drive review. The car is Hondas first sub-4 metre crossover and goes up against other cross-hatches like the Hyundai i20 Active and crossovers like the Maruti Vitara Brezza and the Ford EcoSport.

However, there are a few things about this car that you may not know yet:

Global Product Developed by Honda India R&D

The Honda WRV shares most of its components with the Jazz and City, since all three cars are based on the same platform. However, Honda Car Indias R&D division has reworked the car for better rough road ability and the design has been overhauled to make it look distinct when compared to the hatchback its based on. The WR-V has been developed keeping Indian conditions in mind, but will be sold in emerging markets worldwide, including Brazil.

Same GC as Brazil Car

On paper, the India-spec WR-V has 188mm of ground clearance. This led many to believe it was reduced, as details of the Brazil-spec car indicated that it would have 200mm of ground clearance, matching the likes of the Ford EcoSport. However, there is no difference between the two cars in this aspect. The difference is apparent because India measures the minimum ground clearance, while Brazil uses a different method.

1.5-litre Petrol In Brazil

A drawback of Hondas crossover is its underwhelming petrol engine. The 1.2-litre unit is shared with the Jazz and lacks punch. This isnt helped by the fact that the WR-V is heavier than the Jazz. However, the Brazilian car will get the 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine, which offers better performance.

Since the WRV is a sub-4 metre car, Honda Car India wont use a petrol engine displacing over 1.2-litres as it will void any excise duty benefits (as per government norms). This, in turn, would make the car more expensive. Pity!

Read: Honda WR-V: Is It Priced Right?

HR-V Suspension

The WR-V uses suspension components borrowed from the HR-V mid-sized SUV for improved stability and bad road ability.

BR-V Based Transmission

While the petrol engine is carried forward from the Jazz, the five-speed manual transmission is different. Honda says it is based on the unit found in the BR-V and is a heavy duty, higher weight category transmission. The gear ratios have also been reworked, particularly to improve the cars performance off-the-mark, though, any difference was imperceptible in our first drive.

Learn more about the WR-V:

Read More on : WRV price
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New York, March 17, 2017Armed men attacked the Tripoli office of the Libyan TV channel Al-Nabaa and set the building on fire, according to journalists for the station, news reports, and the Libyan Center for Freedom of the Press, an advocacy group. The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on authorities in Tripoli to investigate the assault, bring the perpetrators to justice, and to safeguard the stations employees.

The attackers fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the office at around 1 a.m. on March 15, then stormed the building and set it on fire, Adnan Darwish, a journalist with the station, told CPJ. He said the attackers also stole administrative records pertaining to station employees.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, and the motives behind it were not clear. The station briefly went off air after the incident, according media reports and an emailed statement from Al-Nabaa, which said that no one was injured.

Libya is currently divided between two rival governments, one in the western city of Tripoli and one in the eastern city of Tobruk. Al-Nabaas coverage is generally sympathetic to the Tripoli faction.

Hours after the attack, the Libyan TV channel Al-Raseefa, which is generally sympathetic to the Tobruk faction, published on its Facebook page the names and salaries of Al-Nabaa employees, calling the station terrorist media. An Al-Nabaa journalist, who asked not to be identified for fear of his safety, said that the TV stations employees have been repeatedly threatened since the attack, and that some were not sleeping at home.

The assault on Libyas Al-Nabaa television channel was an assault on press freedom, CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour said. We call on authorities in Tripoli to bring those responsible to justice and to protect the stations employees from future violence. We further call on Libyan media to cease putting other journalists in danger by posting their personal information online.

On March 9 Al-Nabaa broadcast a leaked audio recording of a conversation between Mahmoud al-Misrati, the owner of the daily newspaper Libya al-Jadeeda, and an unidentified aide to Field Marshal Khalifa Belqasim Haftar, the head of the armed forces government in Tobruk. In the recording, the two discuss a campaign to portray groups that recently seized control of eastern Libyan oil facilities as terrorists. In a call with an Al-Nabaa reporter also broadcast on March 9, Al-Misrati confirmed the authenticity of the audio recording and accused Al-Nabaa of being run by terrorists.

Armed groups attacked Al-Nabaa last year because of its support of the Tripoli-based government, CPJ reported at the time.

Last week, authorities in Tobruk shuttered a radio station there after the station aired critical coverage of the Tobruk government. At least 11 journalists have been killed in Libya since conflict erupted there in 2011.
The Genting Dream will roll out a new children's program, Little Dreams, starting in April.

A prepared statement from the Genting Hong Kong brand said the program is designed for children from ages 2 to 12, and will be available on all sailings.

"Little Dreamers also offers a voyage of discovery where activities are designed to encourage an entirely new way of inspired and creative play where kids can open their minds to endless possibilities. Little Dreamers can participate in age appropriate workshops from the arts to music and dancing to manners and etiquettes. We believe that every childs dream should be encouraged, and a fertile imagination is the beginning of an infinite range of dreams being realized," said the company, in a prepared statement.

Little dreamers who join select April sailings of the Genting Dream will learn the ropes from Jean-Marie Dessard, the Belgian chocolatier, who will share the secrets of chocolate cup making. Dessard recently partnered with Dream Cruises.

The educational program will also include classes on manners and etiquette, arts and crafts, as well as interactive English games.

In addition, Easter sailings will see theme parties, workshops and a ship-wide Easter-egg hunt.
Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) announced that it will collaborate with Royal Caribbean Cruises in a joint venture to upgrade and improve Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) in Georgetown, Penang, to accommodate berthing of larger cruise ships at its facilities.

The 60/40 joint venture will be jointly managed by both parties, with the majority stake held by PPSB.

Plans for the facilities include extension of the existing berths to 688 meters from its current length of 400 meters. This will enable the terminal to berth two mega ships carrying over 4,900 passengers each at any one time, in line with the industry requirement as Penang comes of age as a choice port of call for international cruise operators, the port said, in a prepared statement.

In addition, the redevelopment will include spaces for tour buses to ease the flow of traffic in the areas around SPCT. The $35 million project will further focus on improving accessibility for the aged and physically challenged throughout the terminal from ship to shore.
After years of planning, SunStone Ships has announced a deal to build four expedition vessels with an option for six more in China, in a deal with China Merchant Industry Holdings (CMIH).

CMIH has a number of on-going cruise projects in China, including port development and rumored expansion into operating cruise brands.

SunStone plans on chartering the ships out and said it is the largest tonnage provider of expedition vessels," in a press release sent out after hours on Friday evening.

Chinese shipyards have yet to build a cruise ship; nor an expedition vessel. The adventure/expedition market has been nothing short of hot in the last year, with 12 other vessels ordered.

Carnival Corporation and China State Shipbuilding Corporation, along with Fincantieri, plan to launch the first Chinese-built vessel in 2023, on the existing Vista-class platform.

CMIH has entered into an agreement with Ulstein Design and Solutions, who will supply the design and equipment package for the new SunStone expedition ships, as well as the supervision for the building of the vessels, said a press release.

The ships will have between 80 and 95 staterooms, and be classed by Bureau Veritas.

CMIH has also entered into an agreement with Makinen, which will establish a cabin assembly plant and interior workshop at the shipyards facilities, and will be responsible for all interior spaces on the new builds.

Delivery dates and pricing are unknown.

The project was brought together by Tillberg & Reyes Group Co. Ltd., who acted as broker. Carlos Reyes and Andrew Zhang developed the commercial and financial models.

SunStone was spun-off from ISP in 2012.
Its amazing how just a few words spoken at the right time in your life (when you are ready to receive them) can make all the difference in how you view your career, your purpose, your mission.

My first boss, Mr. Beazely, told this serving wench at Enry Beazelys Fish-n-Chips that We are put on this earth to serve one another. If you are serving others, even if its just giving them tartar sauce for their fish  you are doing work that matters. That day I vowed to always do work that matters. And so after graduating from high school I interviewed at what I thought was kind of a small bank, to be a teller. I very quickly learned that a credit union was anything but a bank. That we were founded on the principles of people helping people, and chartered to promote thrift and make loans for provident and productive purposes. We do work that really matters.

Along my credit union journey I was fortunate enough to have Sarah Bang (now EVP of Industry Relations for CO-OP) as my boss and mentor. I was a young girl, and one of the first hires at the Oregon CU League without a college degree. I saw myself in management someday and she did too. So she worked through my imposter complex and helped me believe that if you Act like an expert, you will become one. Id like to think Sarahs words encouraged me to write two books, teach marketing at CUNA Management School and start my own consulting business.

Tom Sargent (retired CEO of First Tech CU) helped me through a difficult time when I made a colossal mistake at work. He told me that people that never make a mistake are not taking chances. And I took a big chance, and he admired that. Instead of getting fired, I got commended and continue to be a risk taker in the spirit of making things better.

So last year when I met the Chief of the Volunteer Fire/EMS department in my little town, I knew I would once again be guided by a mentor. This was something that was not on my radar at all. I have zero medical background, and quite frankly not a big fan of fires. But he told us the purpose of our Volunteer FIRE/EMTs: We help people get through their worst day with dignity, without judgment and we return home safe. What could matter more than that?

I have seen many people on their worst day. A woman on vacation with grandkids, hiking in the mountains only to trip and fall and crack her head open. Another woman who 5 years earlier lost her husband to a motorcycle accident only to find herself in another. This time she suffered a compound fracture. Or an elderly man that fell in his garage and was not found for hours. Cold, confused, alone, and unable to get up.

Recently I found myself talking to a group of executives at a credit union and the conversation turned to lending. Our bread and butter. One of their issues is they had become quite risk averse in their lending. And given their field of membership, their reputation was changing from one known for giving people a chance to only lending to A paper credit.

I remember being a loan officer, and how good it felt when you could help someone get through their worst day. Back in the day (Im talking the 1980s when there was no such thing as a credit score or a community charter) we made personal loans all the time. And some of these were very personal. I can remember loaning an older woman money to bury her husband. A single mother of 3 needed a new refrigerator. A young man needed new tires to Get to work and keep his job.

Financial planners advise their clients to have an emergency fund for when life happens. Even though we understand this advice, it sometimes just doesnt work to develop that emergency fund before you find yourself having a very bad day. Weve all been there  and most of us dont have those funds on hand. In these situations, the power of the cooperative spirit  people helping people  begs us to look at these loans as a person. Not a piece of paper. Remember, what we do matters. Look for a way to help your members through their worst day, and they will appreciate it the rest of their lives.
13 former workers of Maruti Suzuki India Limited were sentenced to life imprisonment today in connection with the 2012 Maruti factory violence and rioting case.

By Indo-Asian News Service: A Haryana court on Saturday sentenced 13 former workers of Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) to life imprisonment, in connection with the 2012 Maruti factory violence and rioting case.

The court also sentenced four other accused to five years' imprisonment, and said the sentence already served by the remaining 14 accused was sufficient.

On March 10, Additional District and Sessions Judge R.P. Goel held 31 former workers guilty of murder and attempt to murder, among other offences, at MSIL's Manesar plant on the evening of July 18, 2012.

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Maruti Suzuki Human Resource Department General Manager Ashwin Kumar Dev was burnt alive, and over 50 persons were injured in the violence.

Several policemen also suffered injuries.

ALSO READ | 2012 Maruti Suzuki factory violence: 31 convicted, 117 acquitted by Haryana court

ALSO WATCH | Violence at Maruti Suzuki's Manesar plant

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Leo and co. are nowhere to be seen, but the surreal images of Aydn Buyuktas could come straight out of Inception.

Buyuktas was inspired by Edwin Abbotts satirical novel Flatland: A Romance Of Many Dimensions  the tale of a two-dimensional world occupied by geometric figures. Using a combination of drones, 3-D rendering, and Photoshop, Buyuktas creates whimsically warped views of the world that defy the laws of physics. He has dubbed the two photo series Flatlands and Flatlands II.

The photographer first tackled his hometown of Istanbul, Turkey, transforming its familiar scenery into landscapes worthy of M.C. Escher. You may recognise icons like the Grand Bazaar and the New Mosque, though youve surely never seen them like this before.

More recently, Buyuktas travelled to the American Southwest to give a different terrain the same treatment. The area is like heaven for a photographer, he told Wired. Theres a certain surreality to its vast spaces to begin with, but through Buyuktas lens, the region takes on an even more dreamlike quality.

RELATED: Dronestagram Reveals The Most Mind-Blowing Drone Photographs Of 2016

Extensive planning and post-production is required to bring these fantasies to life. Before arriving in the United States, Buyuktas spent two months exploring the country via Google Maps to plot his shots. He then rendered each location in three dimensions using drafting software to determine exactly which shots would be needed to create the curved effect of his images.

Over five states and 12,000 miles driven in a Jeep, Buyuktas captured his newest series. Each photo required two drones, and though he wont reveal how many images it takes to create one finished product, he admits it takes hours in Photoshop to achieve the result.

Istanbul, Turkey 1/28 2/28 3/28 Istanbul, Turkey 4/28 Istanbul, Turkey 5/28 Istanbul, Turkey 6/28 Istanbul, Turkey 7/28 Istanbul, Turkey 8/28 Istanbul, Turkey 9/28 Istanbul, Turkey 10/28 United States 11/28 United States 12/28 United States 13/28 United States 14/28 United States 15/28 United States 16/28 United States 17/28 United States 18/28 United States 19/28 United States 20/28 United States 21/28 United States 22/28 United States 23/28 United States 24/28 United States 25/28 United States 26/28 United States 27/28 United States 28/28

Were officially declaring them hours well spent. If you like what you see, follow Aydn Buyuktas on Instagram for more topsy-turvy worlds.
African Americans experience a disproportionately high risk of cardiovascular disease, and statin treatment can be an important tool to lower the risk of plaque building up in the arteries.

But statin guidelines from different organizations vary, according to a new paper published in JAMA Cardiology and presented at the American College of Cardiology's annual Scientific Sessions.

The 2013 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines dramatically increased the number of people eligible for statins. Recent guidelines developed by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, or USPSTF, focus on a narrower population using clinical risk factors.

"We found one in four African Americans who would have been recommended for statin therapy under the ACC/AHA guidelines would not be recommended under new USPSTF guidelines," says Venkatesh Murthy, M.D., Ph.D., co-senior author and cardiologist at Michigan Medicine. "We wanted to determine whether the right people were being identified for statin therapy."

Murthy, an assistant professor, led a study of 2,812 African American adults who participated in the Jackson Heart Study in Jackson, Mississippi and were at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In 1,743 of the participants, Michigan Medicine and Harvard University researchers also analyzed the impact of calcification of the coronary arteries, which is associated with cardiovascular events, such as stroke or heart attack.

The study determined the stricter USPSTF guidelines did not identify as many individuals with coronary calcification as the ACC/AHA guidelines.

"Because the USPSTF guidelines target those with the highest risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, they also may miss some African Americans with some vascular calcification and low or moderate risk," says Ravi V. Shah, M.D., co-senior author from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

Researchers say the results support further personalization of recommendations for statin therapy, including targeted imaging.

This is the latest work to come out of the Jackson Heart Study, the largest single-site, prospective, epidemiologic investigation of cardiovascular disease among African Americans. The full study includes a cohort of more than 5,000 patients who live in rural and urban areas of three counties around Jackson, Mississippi. The subjects were each examined three times over a period of nine years, beginning in 2000.

###

Additional authors: Aferdita Spahillari, M.D., of Tufts Medical Center and Harvard University; Stanford Mwasongwe, MPH, of Jackson State University; J. Jeffrey Carr, M.D. and James G. Terry, M.S. of Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Robert J. Mentz, M.D., M.S of Duke University Medical Center; Daniel Addison, M.D. and Udo Hoffmann, M.D., MPH, of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Jared Reis, Ph.D., of the National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Jane E. Freedman, M.D., of the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Joao A.C. Lima, M.D., of Johns Hopkins University, Adolfo Correa, M.D., Ph.D. of the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Funding: This research was funded by the National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (grants HHSN268201300046C, HHSN268201300047C, HHSN268201300048C, HHSN268201300049C and HHSN268201300050C). Shah is funded by the NIH (grant K23HL127099).

Disclosure: Murthy has minor stockholdings in General Electric.

Reference: "Subclinical Atherosclerosis, Statin Eligibility, and Outcomes in African American Individuals: The Jackson Heart Study," JAMA Cardiology, March 18. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2017.0944
PHILADELPHIA -- Pulmonary embolism (PE), a blood clot in the lungs which causes shortness of breath and chest pain, is the third leading cardiovascular cause of death in the United States with more than 100, 000 lives taken each year. A typical intervention for PE patients includes anticoagulants in an effort to prevent migration of the blood clot, but the higher-risk PE population -- about 30 percent of all PE patients -- are potential candidates for catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) and systemic thrombolysis (ST), both of which employ "clot-busting" medications known as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA).

However, in a new study presented today at the American College of Cardiology 66th Annual Scientific Session, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have found that the utilization rates of these potentially life-saving medications are low, particularly in the sub-group of PE patients who are critically ill.

ST is the method in which "clot-busting" medication is administered intravenously (IV) to eliminate clots throughout the bloodstream, while CDT allows the medication to be directly administered into the clot in the lungs.

"For years, ST and CDT have been available for use in patients with PE, however, there has been little research done to understand how these therapies are being utilized in the real-world," said the study's presenter Srinath Adusumalli, MD, chief cardiovascular medicine fellow in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. "Our initial data suggest that, in fact, both ST and CDT are used infrequently to treat PE, including in young, critically ill patients who may experience the highest clinical benefit from those therapies."

Adusumalli and his colleagues performed a retrospective study in which they collected data from the OptumInsight national commercial insurance claims database and identified 100,744 patients who had been hospitalized with PE during a ten-year period (2004-2014). This is the first study of its kind to examine detailed procedural coding for pulmonary embolism therapies from a national database, allowing researchers to aggregate information from a national population rather than hospital or region-specific information. The team culled through the data and found that of the 100,744 patients hospitalized with PE, 2,175 patients received either CDT or ST - roughly two percent of all PE patients. In this same timeframe, the number of PE hospitalizations increased by 306 percent.

"Another question that emerged from these findings is whether we are adequately matching the right patients to the right therapies at the right time," said senior author Peter W. Groeneveld, MD, MS, an associate professor of Medicine, research director in the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, and director of Penn's Cardiovascular Outcomes, Quality, and Evaluative Research Center. "Since there is a lack of real-world clinical effectiveness and safety data on these therapies and a resulting lack of guideline-based recommendations, substantial clinical uncertainty persists as to when and in whom to use CDT and ST."

A larger team at Penn Medicine, including those who were involved with this study, created what's called the Pulmonary Embolism Response Team -- or PERT -- which is designed to employ rapid response techniques for the treatment of PE in order to match the right patient to the right therapy at the right time.

"The purpose of PERT is to ensure that high-risk PE patients are receiving the best kind of treatment plan on the most efficient timeline in order to improve outcomes," said Jay Giri, MD, MPH, an assistant professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and founder of the PERT at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. "However, it is important to state that most decisions made by PERT physicians are a matter of clinical consensus rather than being based on rigorous comparative effectiveness research. The current study re-emphasizes the clinical consequences of the dearth of data in the PE field."

While the team notes these data are clinically useful and could impact the patient care decision-making process, there is still more research needed. Co-presenter and study author Bram Geller, MD, a cardiovascular medicine fellow in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, added, "this study is the first in a two-step research plan, in which our next phase will be to actually evaluate the safety and clinical effectiveness of CDT versus ST by exploring patient outcomes in the OptumInsight commercial insurance claims database."

###

Additional Penn authors on this study include Lin Yang. This study is one of the first to be supported by Penn's Cardiovascular Outcomes, Quality, and Evaluative Research Center (CAVOQER) within the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics. Adusumalli is supported by a National Institutes of Health T32 training grant (3T32HL007843-20S1).

Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $5.3 billion enterprise.

The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top five medical schools in the United States for the past 18 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $373 million awarded in the 2015 fiscal year.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center -- which are recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report -- Chester County Hospital; Lancaster General Health; Penn Wissahickon Hospice; and Pennsylvania Hospital -- the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional affiliated inpatient care facilities and services throughout the Philadelphia region include Chestnut Hill Hospital and Good Shepherd Penn Partners, a partnership between Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Penn Medicine.

Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2015, Penn Medicine provided $253.3 million to benefit our community.
Friday, March 17, 2017

For those who want a funeral or memorial service without any mention of spiritual matters, you may find this reading to be helpful. It comes from a transcript of a speech given by writer and performer Aaron Freeman on NPR News All Things Considered.

You want a physicist to speak at your funeral. You want the physicist to talk to your grieving family about the conservation of energy, so they will understand that your energy has not died.

You want the physicist to remind your sobbing mother about the first law of thermodynamics; that no energy is created in the universe and none is destroyed. You want your mother to know that all your energy, every vibration, every BTU of heat, every wave of every particle that was her beloved child remains with her in this world. You want the physicist to tell your weeping father that amid the energies of the cosmos, you gave as good as you got.

And at one point, youd hope that the physicist would step down from the pulpit and walk to your brokenhearted spouse there in the pew and tell him that all the photons that ever bounced off your face, all the particles whose paths were interrupted by your smile, by the touch of your hair, hundreds of trillions of particles, have raced off you like children, their ways forever changed by you.

And as your widow rocks in the arms of a loving family, may the physicist let her know that all the photons that bounced from you were gathered in the particle detectors that are her eyes, that those photons created within her constellations of electromagnetically charged neurons whose energy will go on forever.

And the physicist will remind the congregation of how much of all our energy is given off as heat. There may be a few fanning themselves with their programs as he says it. And he will tell them that the warmth that flowed through you in life is still here, still part of all that we are, even as we who mourn continue in the heat of our own lives.

And youll want the physicist to explain to those who loved you that they need not have faith; indeed, they should not have faith. Let them know that they can measure, that scientists have measured precisely the conservation of energy and found it accurate, verifiable and consistent across space and time. You can hope your family will examine the evidence and satisfy themselves that the science is sound and that theyll be comforted to know your energy is still around.

According to the law of the conservation of energy, not a bit of you is gone. Youre just less orderly. Amen.

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WASHINGTON  Ohio Farm Bureau county leaders went to the Hill to discuss agricultural issues like trade, a new farm bill and regulations, but with the recent introduction of plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, farm leaders added these discussions to their agendas as well.

The Ohio Farm Bureau County Presidents trip took place March 13-15 in Washington, D.C., with a full schedule of meetings with legislators and agricultural leaders.

Health care

Right now, agricultural policy takes backseat while the health care issue is being sorted out, but health insurance is very much a part of agriculture and small businesses.

Following party lines, Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, said the Affordable Care Act is anything but affordable, saying small businesses have seen an increase of 82 percent in premiums.

More providers are dropping out of the program, leaving many counties with only one insurance provider option, which drives up the cost. What we have now is unacceptable, said Portman, who added the U.S. pays more than any other country in health insurance and has the least amount of people covered.

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, told the Ohio farm delegation the Affordable Care Act may not have been the most ideal health insurance plan put in place, but it did attract more Ohioans to sign up for health insurance than in years past. We need to get more young healthy people in the insurance pool to drive premium prices down, he said.

U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan also spoke to the Ohioans, and explained, as part of the plan to repeal Obamacare and open up free markets for health care, the Trump administration wants to offer association health plans. These plans would let you buy your insurance through the American Farm Bureau plan if you want to, he said.

Lets take, not just the buying power of all Ohio farmers, why dont we take the buying power of all farmers in America and allow them to set up a purchasing pool so you can get insurance. Having the buying pool of farmers across the nation would push costs down for all those purchasing into the pool.

Ryan said the new administration has a full agenda ahead oh and then, by the way, we got to get to writing our farm bill.

Farm bill

Randy Russell, president of the Russell Group, offered an insiders view on the D.C. political landscape, and said we have a real chance of getting a farm bill done on time.

One of the keys to making sure the bill is passed is continuing to link to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

There are only 34 House districts that are a majority rural and 195 that are a majority urban, he explained, which means there are not enough rural voters to pass the farm bill. To keep interest from the urban districts, the SNAP program needs to be included in the farm bill, Russell said.

Brown said his top priorities are centered around positioning the farm economy to thrive under the new farm bill. Im concerned about prices, he said, noting programs like the dairy Margin Protection Program (MPP) isnt working. But, he said, the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) program is working and providing grain farmers the help they need.

However, John Newton, director of market intelligence for American Farm Bureau Federation, disagrees. Newton said there is a major disparity in payments being made to farmers at a county-level (the ARC-County program).

Related: Ohio Farm Bureau Leaders visit the Capitol

Regulations

Portman, stressed the importance of reining in government agencies like the EPA.

The EPA has created over 29,000 regulations in the past eight years, many without using common sense and cost-benefit analysis, that had a big impact on our economy, said Portman.

Waters of the U.S.  repealed by the Trump administration  was one of those that demonstrated this overstep of the government and was unacceptable, said Portman.

Regulations usually start out with good intentions, but they usually end up not making sense, said U.S. Rep. Bob Gibbs, R-Ohio.

The EPA has not been helpful in protecting the environment, said Gibbs, who added the agency has actually made it harder to obtain the permits necessary to do the right thing.

Russell suggested the Trump administration will be good for agriculture in terms of regulations. I think there is a real opportunity to get production agriculture back in a seat at the table, instead of taking it in the seat of the pants, which is how its been, said Russell.

Tax reform

Speaker Ryan told the Ohio farmers legislators are working on tax reform that will lower tax rates, lower capital gains and dividends and abolish the estate tax. Because the last thing we want to do is have the government stand between you and your dream, and the ability to pass your dream on to the next generation, he said.

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said the Trump administration offers the best opportunity to get the federal estate tax repealed.

Trade

Duvall also suggested the Trump administration presents a bumpy ride in trade policy at first, but will hopefully be better for agriculture in the long run.

NAFTA needs updated and we have to make sure agriculture is represented in the process, said Portman. Portman said the United States exports 47 percent of its products to only 10 percent of the world. We have a trade surplus with that 10 percent of the world and a trade deficit with the rest of the world, he said.

We have a good opportunity for good trade agreements.

Immigration

Duvall said if he could spend more time discussing one topic, it would be immigration and farm labor because, it is such a big issue for us.

Jim Rowe, of Tuscarawas County, said many of the dairies in his county employ Spanish-speaking laborers. They want to be a part of the community, he said, but they fear living in an environment that does not make them feel welcome.

Rowe challenged Brown to come up with an immigration policy that helps immigrant workers integrate with their communities, so they dont have to fear a knock on their door that forces them to leave.

Opioid crisis

Brown and Portman both touched on the severity of Ohios opioid crisis and the need for health care treatment programs and education. Ohio has moved to the number one spot in the nation when it comes to opioid deaths. Ohio is also No. 1 in the nation in fentanyl abuse and in the top five for heroin abuse.

The opioid crisis is also the number one cause of crime in Ohio, said Portman. Fifty percent of the cost of Medicaid goes toward substance abuse, he said. Portman is working to introduce legislation that focuses on education and prevention of opioid use.

Buckle up

Russell told Farm Bureau members to expect the unexpected with the Trump administration. The three key issues for agriculture going forward will be the farm bill, trade and regulations.

Buckle up. Its going to be an interesting ride for about three years and 10 months.

Images from Ohio Farm Bureau leaders trip to the Capitol
As consumer preferences for potatoes become more specific, the number of potatoes that a farmer can produce of the required size can have a big impact on the value of the crop.

New enhancements to the NIAB CUF Potato Yield Model supported by Agrimetrics will enable farmers to get timely advice about predicted yield and crop value on their smartphones, tablets and other devices.

This is one of the case studies to be discussed at the Agri-Tech East Big Data Meeting 21 March 2017.

Professor Mario Caccamo is Head of Crop Bioinformatics at NIAB and part of the executive management team at Agrimetrics, the big data centre of excellence for the agri-food industry.

He says: Potato Yield Model (PYM) is a good example of how decades of science and field experience are being made available in a user-friendly way. Now farmers can use their smartphones to collect information about planting date, emergence of the crops and images of canopy to gain details of what is happening under the soil in their field.

Potato Yield Model

The PYM has been developed by NIAB CUF building on a body of work that was started in the early 1980s by Eric Allen and his colleagues at Cambridge University Farm.

Dr Firman, Head of NIAB CUF explains: The Potato Yield Model (PYM) combines variety specific data and incident solar radiation with information about canopy development to predict the total yield and size of potato tubers that will be available at harvest. Over the years this data has been used by NIAB to create a robust and reliable prediction model.

Many contracts for potatoes are agreed well in advance and so it is of benefit to all in the value-chain to know if there is likely to be a short-fall or surplus in supply.

Until recently canopy cover was estimated using quadrats and the potato plants were repeatedly sampled to determine the size distribution of potatoes and the data recorded by hand.

With the wider availability of camera phones and the increased use of aerial images it is now easier to capture canopy information that can be fed into models like the one developed at NIAB CUF.

Accessibility

The next step has been to make this model more accessible to farmers so that it is interactive and can be used directly in the field.

NIAB has partnered with Agrimetrics, to automate the process of data capture and provide instant access to the yield prediction so that PYM can be used on a smartphone or tablet in the field for example.

Early access to this information supports decision making for the farmer. The parameters for each crop are stored in a secure fashion and are not shared with other users of the system.

Many grower groups are choosing to use the platform to consolidate the information for the benefit of their members and this can provide useful insights. Robert Allen from potato growers GreenVale AP agrees this information is invaluable.

He says: Greenvale have been using the yield forecasting for four seasons and have considerable experience of using the output together with other agronomic data. This has been useful for both internal and supply-chain purposes.

Although data for the PYM can be collected on a smartphone, groundcover can be collected via many mechanisms and the model for predicting yield is entirely agnostic to data source.

Improving forecasting

For packers that have contracts with a several growers and fulfil orders from the supermarkets, estimate of yield improves forecasting and will allow alternative arrangements to be made in plenty of time if there looks to be a short fall in supply.

Additionally, PYM also gives estimates of the percentage of dry matter, which affects cooking time and is important for processing.

The PYM is available to UK and international growers via Potato Crop Management a web-based interface offered by the NIABNetwork platform developed in collaboration with KisanHub. It is currently being used by three big grower groups and about 30 individual farmers.

Agri-Tech Easts Big Data SIG: Bring Out Your Data, is to be held at the Lawes Innovation Hub, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ Tuesday, 21 March 2017.
Bird flu: Poultry in England must now be housed indoors
TerraCom Limitedhas announced it has made a total comprehensive $28.54 million loss after tax for the half-year to 31 December 2016.Despite the loss, the miner with development projects in Mongolia and Queensland says it achieved many significant milestones for the group.TerraCom executed a binding sale and purchase agreement to buy the Blair Athol Mine in Queensland, while it also secured US$12 million in funding for the mine's working capital.In Mongolia, the miner also executed a binding agreement with one of the largest private coal companies in China, for 5.5 years of offtake of hard coking coal.The group also saw its total net assets go further into the red, compared to 30 June 2016, primarily due to TerraCom's finance costs.TerraCom reported a loss of 1.14 cents per share.Shares in TerraCom Limitedlast traded 3.4% higher to $0.03.
Warren Buffett has a long and successful history in the insurance industry, and it has been a cornerstone of Berkshire Hathaway's (BRK.A 0.97%) (BRK.B 0.67%) growth strategy since the 1967 acquisition of National Indemnity. In fact, Buffett specifically referred to the insurance industry as Berkshire's "most important sector" in his latest letter to shareholders. Here's a rundown of Berkshire's insurance operations, and why Buffett loves the insurance business so much.

Berkshire Hathaway's insurance businesses

Berkshire Hathaway has three main insurance subsidiaries and a collection of smaller companies that mainly write commercial coverages.

BRK Subsidiary 2016 Float Size 2016 Underwriting Profit Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance $45.1 Billion $822 Million General Re $17.7 Billion $190 Million GEICO $17.1 Billion $462 Million Other $11.7 Billion $657 Million

The Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group is Berkshire's largest insurance operation by float size, and provides reinsurance to other property/casualty insurers, such as excess-of-loss and quota-share coverage. The operation is led by Ajit Jain, who is perhaps the most praised manager of any Berkshire subsidiary. In fact, in his most recent shareholder letter, Buffett even went so far as to say, "If there were ever to be another Ajit and you could swap me for him, don't hesitate. Make the trade!" General Re has a similar business model, providing reinsurance to the life/health insurance industry, as well as to property/casualty insurers.

Auto insurer GEICO is the most widely known of Berkshire's insurance operations, and was acquired in full by Berkshire in 1996. Since then, its market share has climbed from 2.5% to about 12%, and it has cost advantages over rivals that allow it to offer coverage at a lower cost than most of them.

Why Buffett loves the insurance business so much

In a nutshell, Buffett loves the insurance business for its financial structure.

Despite the common misconception, insurers' primary goal isn't to make money from the premiums they collect. If they can, it's a nice bonus, but it's generally not necessary for insurers to be profitable. In fact, many property/casualty insurers regularly operate at an underwriting loss, meaning that they pay out more money in claims than they bring in as premiums.

Instead, insurance companies collect sums of money known as float in advance for claims to be paid later, and invest this money in the in-between time for their own benefit. Essentially, Berkshire's insurance customers are letting them hang on to nearly $100 billion, which Berkshire can invest for the benefit of its shareholders.

Individual policies and claims come and go, but an insurer's float is usually a fairly steady amount over time. As the insurer's business grows, so does its float. In fact, Berkshire's insurance float has grown from just $39 million in 1970 to about $91.6 billion in 2016. Investing the float has been Berkshire's primary mechanism of growth over the years, and is how the company has grown into the massive conglomerate it is today. Buffett refers to the property-casualty insurance business as "the engine that has propelled our expansion since 1967."

Is Berkshire the best way to invest in the insurance industry?

I recently wrote an article where I called Berkshire Hathaway one of the best insurance stocks to buy 2017. And while it's not a pure play on the insurance industry, there are a few reasons I feel this way.

There are certainly some good reasons to like Berkshire's insurance operations more than peers. For starters, while many property/casualty insurers regularly operate at an underwriting loss, as I mentioned earlier, Berkshire does not. In 2016, Berkshire earned more than $2.1 billion of underwriting profit, and has operated at an underwriting profit for 14 consecutive years, a testament to the fantastic risk-management skills of Berkshire's insurance management teams.

In addition, all of Berkshire's major insurance operations have fantastic financial strength, with some of the highest ratings in the industry by Standard & Poor's and A.M. Best.

Finally, perhaps Berkshire's top competitive advantage is its willingness to invest in assets other than bonds, which dominate the investment portfolios of most property/casualty insurers. This is why when you invest in Berkshire, you aren't just buying an insurance operation -- you're getting some of the best insurers on the planet, as well as a diverse portfolio of dozens of subsidiary companies and common stocks.
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Mar 18 (PTI) Fastfood major McDonalds today said its website and mobile app do not store financial data of customers, after an independent blog claimed that the company was leaking personal data of over 2.2 million users in India.

"We would like to inform our users that our website and app do not store any sensitive financial data of the users like credit card details, wallets passwords or bank account information," an official spokesperson of McDonalds India (West & South) said in a statement. The quick service restaurants statement came after a post on independent blogpost hackernoon claimed that McDonalds Indias mobile app is leaking data of 2.2 million users.

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"The McDonalds India app, McDelivery, is leaking personal data of more than 2.2 million of its users which includes name, email address, phone number, home address, accurate home co-ordinates and social profile links," the blogpost had claimed yesterday. In the statement, McDonalds did not talk specifically about personal data of the customers while asserting that no financial data were stored. It, however, said the company is committed to "users data privacy and protection".

Hardcastle Restaurants, the franchisee of McDonalds for West and South India operations, said the company updates the security measures of the website and app on a regular basis and urged the users to update the app on their devices as a precautionary measure. "The website and app has always been safe to use, and we update security measure on regular basis," the statement said. However, it also suggested its users to update McDelivery app on their devices. "As a precautionary measure, we would also urge our users to update the McDelivery app on their devices," it added. PTI KRH PRJ BJ MR

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"Until my father brought me into Reliance, I was pretty sure that I wanted to study in a US university, hopefully a little bit of time either work at the World Bank or teach as a professor," he said at an interactive session at the India Today Conclave in Mumbai.

By India Today Web Desk: Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani has expressed interest in teaching and said that in the coming days, he along with his wife Nita Ambani will get involved in education.

"Until my father brought me into Reliance, I was pretty sure that I wanted to study in a US university, hopefully a little bit of time either work at the World Bank or teach as a professor," he said at an interactive session at the India Today Conclave in Mumbai.

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"So with my wife being a teacher, she is now saying that it is high time that you teach. Both of us will be involved in the education in the coming years, that is something that we want to do more for our own satisfaction than anything else", he added.

LAUDS MODI's DEMONETISATION, DIGITAL DRIVES

Mukesh Ambani on Saturday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his demonetisation move and digital drives.

"Thanks to demonetisation, India has taken a big leap forward from a predominantly cash economy to a digitally-enabled optimal cash economy. It has brought unproductive money into productive use, Ambani said, while addressing the India Today Conclave.

He said so far credit in the country had been high value and low volume, available only to a few people. "In the coming years based on your Aadhaar identity, it will be possible to get a loan on your mobile in just a few minutes", the richest man in India told the gathering.

DEMONETISATION DRIVE FROM NOV 8 TO DEC 30

India underwent demonetisation drive from November 8 to December 30 of high-valued Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes to cleanse the country of black money.

Asked about Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party's landslide victory in the recent Uttar Pradesh elections, despite the demonetisation drive which affected common people as well, Ambani said, "We are blessed to have a leader who not only understands the countrymen, but also understands the world and technology."

"What impressed me the most was when the prime minister visited the United States (when Barack Obama was the President) and during dinner, they only discussed how technology could benefit the poor and help develop a country."

Also read | Mukesh Ambani at India Today Conclave 2017: We are blessed to have a leader like Narendra Modi

WATCH VIDEO

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Health

The field of health is rapidly changing and increasingly complex. Our content helps you keep up with the latest trends in health care in ways you can understand.
New Delhi : In a significant development, over a million Muslims from across India, have called for the end of controversial divorce practice of triple talaq.

A petition started by the Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), an Islamic organisation affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), calling for the abolition of triple talaq, has received signatures of more over a million Muslims from across India with women in majority.

Several women have filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking the quashing of the triple talaq practice.

While calling for the ban of triple talaq, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad recently termed it as a pernicious social practice that has been banned or restricted in many Islamic countries.

The Union Minister for Law and Justice said that in the affidavit filed on behalf of the Union government, it was underscored that triple talaq was an issue relating to womens right to gender justice, dignity and equality.

The top court has been urged to spell out whether practice of talaq-e-bidat, nikah halala and polygamy were compatible with Indias obligations under the international treaties and covenants to which it is a signatory.

The government had cited the instances of changes in marriage laws in Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

The Centre also urged the court to examine whether Article 25 (1) was subject to Part III of the Constitution spelling out the Fundamental Rights, particularly the right to equality before law and protection of life and personal liberty.

Nikah halala means a man cannot remarry a woman after triple talaq unless she has already consummated her marriage with another man and then her new husband dies or divorces her.

Ministry of Law and Justice had referred to constitutional principles like gender equality, secularism, international covenants, religious practices and marital law prevalent in various Islamic countries.

Responding to a batch of petitions including the one filed by Shayaro Bano challenging the validity of such practices among Muslims, the Centre had first dealt with the right of gender equality under the Constitution.

All India Muslim Personal Law Board, however, had rubbished the stand taken by the Narendra Modi government that the apex court should re-look these practices as they are violative of fundamental rights like gender equality and the ethos of secularism, a key part of the basic structure of the Constitution.

Another prominent Islamic organisation Jamiat Ulema-i- Hind had told the court there is no scope for interference with the Muslim Personal Law in which triple talaq, nikah halala and polygamy are well rooted and stand on much higher pedestal as compared to other customs.

Source : Zee News
New Delhi : The China-Pakistan strategic friendship is all set to enter the next level with both nations firming up plans to jointly produce combat aircraft and missiles.

Global Times, the mouthpiece of Chinas ruling party, has reported that the two nations plan to build ballistic, cruise, anti-ship, and anti-aircraft missiles.

The development is significant given Beijings anger when India launched its long-range Agni-V  capable of hitting most parts of China.

Also in the works is the mass production of multi-role combat aircraft FC-1 Xiaolong.

These decisions were taken during Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Bajwas visit to the Chinese capital.

Islamabad will pay back China for the gift by ensuring that Beijings most ambitious project China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) gets fool-proof security from the Karakoram ranges to the Arabian Sea port of Gwadar.

In fact, Pakistan has already deployed more than 15,000 troops to protect CPEC, besides having raised a Navy contingent to protect the Gwadar Port.

Source : Zee News
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his strong and decisive leadership, Mukesh Ambani lauded the government's Digital India initiative and said the country is blessed to have a "leader who understands people, world and technology".

By India Today Web Desk: Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani put India firmly on the saddle and said the country could possibly lead the next industrial revolution which will be driven by human-centric technology.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2017 in Mumbai, Mukesh Ambani said if India can combine global technology with its street smartness, success is bound to follow.

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Technology is a great leveller and India, despite remaining on the fringes during the previous industrial revolutions, has the opportunity to be a leader of the next big technology revolution.

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his strong and decisive leadership, Mukesh Ambani lauded the government's Digital India initiative and said the country is blessed to have a "leader who understands people, world and technology".

WHY MUKESH AMBANI BELIEVES INDIA CAN BECOME A LEADER

The RIL Chairman said he has five reasons to believe that India will lead the next technology revolution in the world. Ambani said India boasts of a large young population that is under 35 and adapts easily to technology.

Next, he said India not having a legacy of technology will work to its advantage. India can skip multiple generations of technology and embrace the latest, he said. "What is perceived a liability is an asset," said Reliance Industries chairman, adding that India has the opportunity to start with a clean slate to reinvent itself.

He said the country is also working towards connecting more people to Internet, a move that will yield rich dividends in near future.

India has a huge, open market and in contrast to several countries that are closing themselves, Mukesh Ambani said India is connecting to the world and is therefore seen as an attractive destination for talent and technology.

The RIL Chairman said India has a leader with vision and determination to make the country a technology leader.

WATCH: India will lead the next technology revolution in the world: Mukesh Ambani at India Today Conclave 2017

PROBLEMS AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM

Mukesh Ambani identified the problem areas for the country: job creation, financial inclusion, education, affordable housing, healthcare and agriculture.

He said technology is a tool and its purpose is to solve problems and provide opportunities to everyone.

On the front of financial inclusion, Mukesh Ambani praised Narendra Modi's decision to demonetise currency. This, he said, has laid the foundation for a digitally-enabled optimal cash economy and a low-value, high-volume credit system that will in the long run benefit the common man.

He encouraged India to apply its inherent street smartness to global technology to be successful.

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HUD Secretary Ben Carson supports $6.2 billion in budget cuts to HUDBy Lynda Carson - March 17, 2017Oakland - Americans first are the ones to be placed at risk of homelessness according to released documents under the proposed $6.2 billion in budget cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Thousands of poor, disabled, and elderly HUD subsidized renters in Oakland are at risk of higher rents and homelessness, due to the Trump regimes scheme to grab $54 billion in funds from our nations non-defense domestic programs, to shift the $54 billion in funds to the military, and security.In the Bay Area according to HUD , the Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) has 13,422 federally subsidized housing units in its section 8 inventory, and 2,122 units in its low rent inventory, formerly known as public housing units.According to public documents, community wide there are 3,500 people on the wait-list for the Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly called section 8 voucher program) in Oakland, and 3,000 people are on the wait-list for public housing. Both wait-lists are presently closed. In project-based voucher apartments managed by the OHA, there are 6,000 people in the wait-list which is also presently closed. In public housing apartments managed by a third party in Oakland there are 4,477 people on the wait-list, and the wait-list is open. And in project-based voucher apartments managed by a third party in Oakland, there are 28,325 people on the wait-list which is also open.HUDs subsidized housing programs are being placed at risk of having $6.2 billion or more in budget cuts, because President Donald J. Trump wants to cut $54 billion from our nations non-defense federal programs so the money can be shifted to wasteful military programs , and security.HUD Secretary Ben Carson supports $6.2 billion in budget cuts to HUDThe proposed Trump regimes $6.2 billion in budget cuts supported by HUD Secretary Ben Carson, are far short of last years funding recommendations for HUDs programs that were made by the housing industry organizations known as PHADA, CLPHA and NAHRO. Reportedly, the Public Housing Authority leaders fear the proposed budget cuts that are being supported by HUD Secretary Ben Carson, because of what the budget cuts will mean for public housing, and subsidized housing programs for families and seniors.In opposition to PHADA, CLPHA and NAHRO, Ben Carson, the new multi-millionaire HUD Secretary, announced in a statement from HUD that he supports the Trump regimes proposed $6.2 billion in budget cuts to HUDs programs. Shortly before Ben Carson was recently accepted as the new HUD Secretary, he double-crossed the poor, elderly, and disabled in HUDs subsidized housing programs, by falsely claiming that he supports HUDs subsidized housing programs, which he does not.In a March 16 statement from HUD regarding Trumps proposed $6.2 billion budget cut to HUD: Today, the Administration proposed a Fiscal Year 2018 spending blueprint for discretionary programs in several agencies across the Federal Government, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The blueprint reflects the Presidents commitment to support HUDs critical functions that provide rental assistance to low-income and vulnerable households and to help work-eligible families achieve self-sufficiency. It also recognizes a greater role for State and local governments, and the private sector to address community and economic development needs. Moreover, the spending plan supports the longstanding homeownership mission of the Federal Housing Administration to provide mortgage insurance to credit qualified households. A more detailed program-by-program budget proposal will be announced in May. HUD Secretary Ben Carson , who recently bought a fancy $1.3 million home near D.C., in Vienna, Virginia, where he resides with his wife Candy, was A.W.O.L., and nowhere to be found by the media yesterday when it came time for him to step up to the plate on behalf of the poor, elderly and disabled, to oppose the proposed $6.2 billion in budget cuts that will harm hundreds of thousands of HUDs subsidized households. It appears that HUD Secretary Ben Carson, has been keeping a low-profile since he was recently hammered in the press for claiming that slaves were immigrants who came to America looking for a better way of life.People are already wondering why HUD Secretary Ben Carson, supports the $6.2 billion in budget cuts to HUD, and why he remains silent about the proposed budget cuts. Reportedly,  During his confirmation hearing , Carson told U.S. senators, under oath, that he no longer supported the extreme cuts he had once campaigned on for President. He called such cuts cruel and unusual punishment. His support of this budget breaks his oath to Congress, and it calls into question the ethical oath he swore to live by when he became a physician: to do no harm.Due to the lack of trust for the new HUD Secretary Ben Carson, a new organization has sprung up in recent days called Carson Watch, and they plan to keep a close watch on the new HUD Secretary, and his activities.In a March 16 message from Diane Yentel , of the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, in part it reads: President Trumps budget slashes critical resources used to help keep housed some of the countrys lowest income and most vulnerable seniors, people with disabilities, families with children, veterans, and formerly homeless individuals. At a time when Americas housing crisis has reached historic heights and the lowest income people suffer the most severe impacts, proposals to further cut these vital resources are unconscionable and unacceptable.President Trump proposes to cut overall HUD funding by 13% or $6.2 billion compared to 2016 levels. When compared to funding levels needed for FY 2017, the proposed cuts amount to a 15% or $7.5 billion reduction.If enacted, Trumps proposed budget would result in the most severe cut to HUD since President Reagan dramatically reduced funding in the early 1980s. Reagans deep spending cuts ushered in a new age of homelessness with a dramatic increase in the number of people sleeping on the streets, in cars, and in shelters. Years after those shortsighted and devastating cuts, a major infusion of resources were needed for homeless shelters and services. President Trump seems eager to follow in Mr. Reagan's footsteps, repeating his mistakes and working to make America homeless again.These budget cuts would have a devastating impact on millions of the lowest income people across the country. More than 200,000 seniors, families, and people with disabilities will be at immediate risk of evictions and homelessness, and local communities will be starved of the funding they need to build and repair affordable homes and revitalize distressed communities.President Trump proposes to eliminate Community Development Block Grants, the HOME Investment Partnerships program, Choice Neighborhoods grants, NeighborWorks America, and the Self-help Homeownership Opportunity Program. His budget also would eliminate the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, which coordinates the federal response to homelessness across 19 federal agencies, legal aid services that provide the only resource available to help deeply low income people avoid unwarranted evictions, and resources to help low income families heat their homes in winter.President Trump and Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney would have us believe that their budget would continue to provide housing assistance to the 4.5 million low income families who currently rely on these resources. However, their proposal identifies only $4.1 billion of the $7.5 billion they propose to cut. While they suggest that the remaining $3.4 billion can be addressed through reforms that reduce costs, there is simply no way to make up for this funding gap without directly harming the low income people who currently receive and rely on HUD housing assistance.Moreover, because the president proposes to reduce FY 2017 spending levels for non-defense programs by $18 billion, federal affordable housing resources could face even deeper spending cuts in the short term.With his budget, President Trump has broken yet another campaign promise  this time, his vow to revitalize distressed communities. HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson has also reneged on the commitments he made during his confirmation process to house as many families as possible in safe, affordable housingand look for ways to expand affordable housing options everywhere.According to the National Low Income Housing Coalitions (NLIHC) recently released report, The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes, the U.S. has a shortage of 7.4 million affordable rental homes available to the lowest income people. Every state and congressional district is directly impacted by the growing housing crisis. Because of chronic underfunding of rental housing assistance programs, just one in four of the poorest people in America get the housing assistance they need. At a time when investments in affordable housing are needed to help low income families access safe, decent homes, achieve economic mobility, maintain better health, improve educational outcomes, and create jobs, these proposed cuts are deeply misguided and wrong.This budget proposal must not and will not stand. Unlike President Trumps plan to use budget reconciliation to reduce access to healthcare coverage for 24 million people, any spending bill will require at least 60 votes in the Senate. We will work with allies in Congress and with residents, partners, stakeholders, and advocates across the country to ensure that this budget proposal is dead on arrival. Congress must maintain funding for all critical affordable housing programs.Lynda Carson may be reached at tenantsrule [at] yahoo.com >>>>>>>>>>>>
The Galaxy S8 to be unveiled later this month will blend fingerprint, iris and facial detection to verify users accessing mobile services including Samsung Pay, the sources said.

Its already working with banks to help them embrace facial recognition systems in coming months, they said, asking not to be identified talking about a private matter. Samsung declined to comment.

The Korean company needs to make a splash after killing off the fire-prone Note 7, which cost it more than $6bn (5.6bn) and the global lead in smartphones.

Success for the S8 will be crucial to salvaging Samsungs reputation, especially with de facto chief Jay Y Lee detained in a corruption scandal thats already led to the ouster of the nations president.

And itll be going up against the new iPhone due later in 2017  the 10th anniversary of the iconic device.

While previous Galaxy phones have allowed users to unlock their phones with facial recognition, the S8 would be the first to use the technology to verify financial payment applications.

With mobile security taking on greater importance among consumers, the Korean company has been trying to bolster its facial detection rate over the years, the sources said.

Iris and facial detection capabilities complement each other: Phones can rely on iris detection when theres not enough ambient light to recognise facial features.

But the smartphone unlocks faster and with more accuracy when it comes to recognising faces. Its a technology also sought after by competitors.

Apple had acquired facial recognition developers in past years, and won a patent last week for a method to detect faces using information in digital video feeds.

Samsung is resorting to other features to try and differentiate its most expensive phone in a field now crowded with up-and-coming rivals, including Chinese names such as Huawei and Oppo.

The S8 phone will also come with Samsungs own voice-based digital assistant, the sources said. However, that was developed largely in-house and the first version of the software wont borrow much from Viv Labs.

Samsung acquired the US-based artificial-intelligence software company only in October.

The Galaxy S8 is also said to come with a full-screen front, minus a physical home button.

Samsung will bury a virtual home button in the lower part of glass.

It will also employ more power-efficient OLED technology.

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TeleSur |  

It was right after prayers at a time when there are usually religious lessons for men in it, one witness told AFP.

On Thursday the U.S. government confirmed that it carried out an airstrike in Syria which, according to AFP, struck a mosque killing 46 civilians.

A spokesperson for U.S. Central Command initially denied that the bombing had targeted the mosque, saying instead that it had attacked a meeting closeby held by al-Qaida in Syria.

However, the same spokesperson later told AFP reporters that while the precise location of the strike was unclear, it was the same one widely reported to have hit the village mosque late on Wednesday night in Al-Jineh, in Aleppo province.

Abu Muhammed, a village resident, told AFP that he heard powerful explosions when the mosque was hit. It was right after prayers at a time when there are usually religious lessons for men in it.

I saw 15 bodies and lots of body parts in the debris when I arrived. We couldnt even recognize some of the bodies, he added.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 46 people were killed in the attack and over 100 wounded.

We are going to look into any allegations of civilian casualties in relation to this strike, said Colonel John J. Thomas, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command.

The U.S. reported this month that its attacks in Iraq and Syria had killed at least 220 civilians since 2014, though most human rights groups say the numbers are much higher.

Just last week, a Pentagon investigation into a U.S. attack on Yemeni village which killed dozens of women and children absolved military personnel of any war crimes.

Via TeleSur



Related video added by Juan Cole:

Al Jazeera English: Air raid hits Syria mosque, civilians killed
Tarot Card for the week of 11.6.22 The four of swords has arrived today to let us know that some of us need to take more time to rest, and for others, we might be recuperating from a big energy expenditure. Take naps, drink plenty of fluids - I have a feeling its going to get busy after...
North Korea may have test-fired five ballistic missiles, instead of four, into the East Sea on March 6, a news report said Friday, speculating that a fifth one ended in failure.

North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency reported on March 7 that four ballistic missiles were launched simultaneously the previous day.

NK News, a North Korea-focused U.S. newswire service, said there might have been a fifth missile at the test launch based on an analysis of the images released by North Korea's official news agency, KCNA.

On the day of the test-firing, U.S. Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters: "There were four that landed. There may be a higher number of launches that we're not commenting on. But four landed and splashed" in the sea, according to NK News.

While the U.S., South Korea and Japanese military authorities confirmed the launch of four missiles, the possible presence of a fifth missile was almost completely removed from KCNA coverage, CNN reported the following day.

On Friday, Defense Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun said, "There were four missiles (fired last week), and the number was obtained from a joint analysis by Seoul and Washington."

In its latest provocations on March 6, Pyongyang fired four ballistic missiles in an apparent reaction to the ongoing military drills by Seoul and Washington.

The four Scud-ER missiles, the improved versions of short-range Scuds with a range of 500-700 kilometers, flew about 1,000 km and reached an altitude of 260 km before splashing into the sea near Japan. (Yonhap)
Consider it a high-tech hostel as it has 140 self-contained classic (single occupancy) pods, equipped with USB ports, a pull-down plasma television screen, and more.

The futuristic design, stark white interiors and blue and neon white lights of the 'rooms' at the UrbanPod Hotel in Mumbai's industrial district of Andheri East make you feel as though you're inside a spaceship.

Inspired by a similar 'pod hotel' he stayed at in Singapore, co-founder Shalabh Mittal and partner Hiren Gandhi are excited to bring this global trend to India. Such pods, born of Japanese 'capsule hotels' that began operating in the early '80s-beginning with the Capsule Inn Osaka in 1979-offer travellers cheap lodging with a little more privacy than a hostel.

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UrbanPod, a first-of-its-kind hotel in Mumbai, about 20 minutes away from the city's airports, has 140 self-contained classic (single occupancy) pods (at Rs 1,800-3,000 plus taxes), equipped with USB ports, a pull-down plasma television screen, reading lights, a wi-fi connection, a safe and a mirror. The key card you get at check-in gives you access to a locker for your suitcase as well.

You could consider it a high-tech hostel, because even if you choose one of the 10 'suite pods', which allows you the privacy of a room, all the bathroom facilities are shared. But the hotel is a shoe-free zone, so at least you're likely to be spared the stink of toe jam.

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Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. is a mortgage-focused REIT externally managed by Invesco Advisors Ltd. Invesco Advisors LTD is a subsidiary of Invesco which is a leading wealth manager and investment company for individuals, high net-worth clients, institutions, public entities, corporations, and governments. The firm created Invesco Mortgage Capital, Inc to focus its decades of experience in the mortgage markets to generate a steady stream of cash for its investors.

The company was incorporated in 2008 in order to acquire, finance, and manage a portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and mortgages. Invesco believes that achieving the full potential of the mortgage market requires a blend of discipline, structure, and creativity because of long-term structural changes in the way real estate transactions and ownership are handled. The units of Invesco Mortgage Capital tend to yield high-double-digits and have paid more than $26 per unit on a split-adjusted basis since the dividend was initiated.

The objective is to provide risk-adjusted returns through dividends and capital appreciation using the combined strengths of three key Invesco groups; the in-house real estate team, the Worldwide Fixed Income team, and subsidiary WL Ross & Co. Invesco Mortgage Capital is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. As of Q3 2022, Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc held $4.9 billion in assets, $4.7 billion of which were listed as agency RMBS.

Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. elected to be taxed as a REIT and so distributes at least 90% of its income to shareholders each year. The fund seeks to generate a high level of income while maintaining a stable portfolio and book value within a dynamic market. The investment strategy is opportunistic and not limited to a single type of mortgage security and so provides greater diversification than most other REITs as well.

Invesco invests in a blend of residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) that are and are not guaranteed by a U.S. government agency or federally chartered corporation. The fund also invests in credit risk transfer securities, residential and commercial mortgage loans, and assorted real estate-related financing. Among the opportunities, the fund is pursuing are commercial real estate loan origination, securitizing residential mortgages, and risk-sharing arrangements with federal housing authorities.
In his moment of great triumph, after the BJP's landslide win in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was already thinking far, far ahead. Not just about general elections in 2019. But the next generation.

A day after the results, which saw the BJP capture power in all but one of the five states that went to polls, Modi told rapturous supporters at the party's headquarters in Delhi: "I see the election results in the five states as the foundation for a New India - a New India of the dreams of 65 per cent population of under-35 youth and of uniquely aware women groups. A new India in which the poor are looking for an opportunity to do something, instead of seeking something." Lest it be viewed as a slogan for his re-election campaign, he clarified, "I don't live by election calculations. My target is 2022, not 2019-2022 will mark 75 years of India's Independence. We have five years to contribute to change India."

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Those who have worked closely with Modi say that he not only means what he says but does what he means. And being among the most social media-savvy leaders of the world, he says and does most of it on his website. The same day the prime minister's website uploaded a new app that urged people to take a pledge that had shades of Martin Luther King Jr's famed 'I have a Dream' speech. It called for citizens to be a part of the 'New India' that "will be powered by the strength of each and every citizen of India, an India driven by innovation, hard work and creativity, an India characterised by peace, unity and brotherhood, an India free from corruption, terrorism, black money and dirt." All this by 2022, when India completes 75 years of Independence.

If one presses the 'Take the Pledge' button it goes to a page which has the hashtag #IamNewIndia and lists the following pledges to be ticked: stand for a corruption-free India, increase cashless transactions, work towards Swachh Bharat, ensure a drugs free India, encourage women-led development, protect nature and natural resources, support those with disabilities, work for shanti, ekta and sadbhavana (peace, unity and social harmony) and be a job creator, not a job seeker.

His critics, and there are plenty, trash such proclamations as another example of the silver-tongued Modi peddling fresh dreams to the Indian masses and pushing the arrival of his promised achhe din to 2022. But even the worst among them will acknowledge that Modi has now emerged as the dominant bull in India's political landscape and whatever he pledges to do has to be taken seriously. Few politicians in recent times have achieved Modi's electoral feats-winning an absolute majority for his party in the 2014 general elections and then delivering a smashing victory in the country's most populous state mid-way through his term.

Yet, even as he addressed a larger constituency, Modi was conscious that the electoral success in Uttar Pradesh demanded that he focus his energies on the new responsibilities it posed. Ever the pragmatic idealist, a day after Holi, Modi told senior officials who congratulated him on his victory: "We have a much bigger commitment because both Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are not among the best-governed states. We have to make a difference and it is a challenge to everybody." The prime minister was acutely aware that with expectations soaring he had to deliver across the country. As an official put it, "We have a huge agenda with all that has been announced so far. It will have to be implemented. The recent electoral wins will enable us to do this with even greater commitment."

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Those who know him well say that celebrations for the big electoral victories in the civic polls in Maharashtra and Odisha were as muted. "My entire focus and passion is on the development of the country, not on such victories," he reportedly told an aide. A senior official says the prime minister is not one to go about pursuing bold reforms as a consequence of the assembly polls results. As he puts it, "For him, reforms is an everyday process. But the wins in the assembly polls, particularly in UP, have convinced him that he is on the right path. He is now 100 per cent sure that he must stand more and more for the poor."

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For those who worry that Modi will now turn sharply left of centre and indulge in rank populism, such fears may be unfounded. As an expert put it, socialism is not in his DNA. Though the vision of the New India that Modi talked about is yet to be fleshed out, there is a clear understanding that the prime minister is moving away from a subsidy and dole culture.

The prime minister's call to the youth to be job creators rather than job seekers is another indication: he wants the nation to move away from the culture of dependence on government jobs and begin the process of ending reservations based on castes and communities. In his victory rally speech, Modi said, "The poor of the nation have discarded the mentality of liking a leader only because he has been given something. The poor want to progress by the dint of their hard labour. He says you create an opportunity for me, I will work hard and grow."

In his interactions with partymen and officials, Modi is fond of narrating an analogy used by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, the leader revered by the RSS and whose 100th birth anniversary is being observed this year. Upadhyaya talked of how if someone who didn't know swimming fell into a well and asked for help, comforting words would be of no use. One has to pull him out of the well to save him. But the person in trouble also needs to reach out, use his strength to be saved. Modi believes the government's role is to provide a helping hand to pull India's poor populace out of the well of despair. But in doing so, it must ensure that the person being supported is also trying to help himself, rather than become totally dependent.

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As a start, to ensure that doles and subsidies reach the intended recipients and to plug leakages, the prime minister has employed what is known as the JAM (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) trinity. Using financial inclusion (250 million bank accounts were opened under Jan Dhan), biometric identification (Aadhaar cards) and mobile penetration, the prime minister has been able to achieve a mini revolution in the way subsidies and doles are being disbursed to the poor. The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system has ensured that subsidies are delivered directly to the bank accounts of beneficiaries, plugging leaks and pilferage. Under the DBT, over Rs 1.5 lakh crore has been transferred to more than 320 million beneficiaries spread across 84 schemes and programmes.

Nowhere is that more telling than in the distribution of subsidised LPG cylinders in the country. Close to 15 million people who could afford to pay for cylinders heeded the prime minister's appeal not to avail of the subsidy. That itself resulted in an annual saving of Rs 1,800 crore. Then through the DBT system, where the subsidised amount is deposited in the bank accounts of claimants, the government was able to discontinue 34 million fake connections resulting in enormous savings. Under the PM Ujjwala Yojana, the government also provided over 15 million BPL (below poverty line) families gas connections waiving installation costs and giving the first cylinder free of cost. It was one of the main reasons why many women in UP, where a large number of BPL families benefited through the scheme, backed the BJP.

Modi's vision of a new India by 2022 and his re-election as prime minister, however, hinges on how well he delivers in the over 100 schemes that he has launched. Amitabh Kant, CEO of Niti Aayog, points out that Modi has shifted focus from inputs and outputs to outcomes. The prime minister chairs Niti Aayog meetings on a quarterly basis to check the progress of all the schemes and apply remedial measures wherever they are slipping up. Says Kant, "Apart from his tremendous vision, his ability to constantly innovate, his willingness to take strong decisions, the prime minister is also a details person and uses technology to leapfrog development." Yet, it is the bureaucracy that has let down Modi the most, along with the thin bench strength in his cabinet. For the more high profile programmes, it may now be wise for Modi to induct top drawer professionals to execute them. The UPA government brought in Nandan Nilekani to deliver on Aadhaar cards, and the success of the programme is evident. Modi must lay down a roadmap of his new India vision and fix firm targets for implementation.

More important, however, is how much employment these schemes will generate to mitigate the job famine that has afflicted the economy despite the comparatively healthy growth rate. Leading economist Rajiv Kumar points to what he calls the 3 Ds or deficiencies that he thinks the prime minister should address. Top on his list is to energise the thrust of the recent Union budget towards affordable housing. The Centre would have to work with states and private operators to accelerate the tender process, minimise costs and ensure quality construction. The target is ambitious: 100 million affordable houses by 2019. Even if half of that is met, it would create a large amount of employment.

Kumar also advocates that the government permit FDI in multi-brand retail, which could prove to be a massive job multiplier. His third prescription is to improve the sluggish investment climate and boost manufacturing. For that, the prime minister has to bite the bullet and deal with non-performing assets (NPA) in public sector banks. Modi has so far been careful not to recapitalise these banks because of the fiscal deficit and concerns that he would be letting the fat cats off the hook. Kant believes the Mudra scheme, which has already funded over 20 million small businesses with low cost loans, would boost the rural and informal sectors and provide employment. The Centre is focusing on the highly labour intensive textile sector, where it has announced a major package of reforms. Modi will also have to deal with rising farm distress.

On cleansing the nation of corruption, as the electoral results show, Modi has received widespread approval. He seems to have weathered the storm of demonetisation successfully despite the hardships it caused to the weaker sections and also the damage it did to the economy. If the poor have reposed faith in Modi, it is because they believe that the rich have finally got their comeuppance. But in his remaining tenure, Modi has to use big data analytics to track suspicious financial transactions and ensure that large amounts of fresh black money are not generated. He would also have to do this without allowing tax terrorism by officials entrusted with the job.

Modi's call for shanti, ekta and sadbhavana is laudable. So far, the prime minister has not fallen into the trap of aggressively pursuing the Hindutva agenda of mandir, uniform civil code and abolishing Article 370. He has instead remained focused on development issues-the plank that won him the 2014 elections. To his credit, the prime minister has learnt rapidly on the job. When he was accused of running a suit-boot sarkar by Rahul Gandhi, he moved swiftly to develop a pro-poor and pro-farmer image that robbed the Congress and Left parties of their major plank. Then he appropriated the anti-corruption plank from AAP through his demonetisation drive. In doing so, he also pulled off a massive social experiment that pitted the mass of the poor against the minority rich, fetching him rich pickings at the hustings. Modi's latest thrust on developing a 'new India' is being seen as a clever ploy to win over the youth and women, thereby expanding his support base exponentially as 2019 draws near. His recent stunning electoral successes has seen analysts even draw comparisons between Modi and such Indian political greats as Indira Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.

So where does Modi now stand in the pantheon of Indian leaders? Political analyst Yogendra Yadav believes that Modi has ensured that the BJP is now the hegemonic party in national politics. His definition of hegemony is power with legitimacy-Modi now enjoys the brute power of popular endorsement. In terms of leadership, Yadav says Modi is ready to take the position last occupied by Indira Gandhi. The prime minister has been able to sell his narrative successfully and convince people that he stands for national interests and is above the partisan battles that parties fight for.

Shakti Sinha, director, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, who served as A.B. Vajpayee's private secretary, believes that Modi is not an incremental or status quo leader but one who is "transformational". Unlike Vajpayee, Modi believes in a hands-on control of governance. In terms of vision, Sinha believes that Modi is closer to Nehru than Indira. If Nehru visualised modern India, Modi, flush with electoral success, is now projecting his vision of a new India. He is striking a chord with an Aspirational India.

Modi is also striving to break caste and community stereotypes and is willing to take bold decisions when it comes to selecting leaders. He made Manohar Lal Khattar chief minister of Haryana despite his Punjabi origins. He anointed Devendra Fadnavis as CM of Maharashtra avoiding the Maratha trap. And made Raghubar Das, a non-tribal leader, chief minister of Jharkhand. Yet Modi maintains a comfortable relationship with the RSS-almost a partnership-while ensuring that they have no veto power over his decisions. His critics point out that, in his core, Modi remains wedded to the Hindutva philosophy and warn that he will impose it at an appropriate time. They point to his silence when divisive communal issues are raised. Also, they fear that too much power may make Modi even more authoritarian.

So is Modi emerging as India's new visionary leader, bestriding the country for years as Nehru and Indira did, or will he flatter only to deceive? Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner, in his seminal book, Leading Minds: An Anatomy of Leadership, postulates that leaders relate stories integral to a society's understanding of its life and mission. Gardner argues that a successful narrative depends on "whether the leader's own actions and way of life reinforce the themes of a story that he or she relates". He then goes on to enumerate the five qualities that are key to a leader's success: the ability to construct and convincingly communicate a story; the capacity to embody the story in one's own life; an acute understanding of one's audience; the energy required to build and maintain a supportive organisation; and the skill to harness increasingly technical expertise.

Modi has all these qualities and more. In the 2014 elections, he successfully constructed a narrative that portrayed himself as one who could deliver the country from the economic morass it was in. His handling of Gujarat as a four-time chief minister was cited as a model of development. His own life was an example of humble beginnings as a chai-wallah and then personal sacrifices that saw him shun family ties and devote himself to organisational work in the RSS. Right through, he demonstrated tremendous energy and zeal to get work done using technology as an enabling factor (he did this even in his election rallies, remember the 3-D holograms of himself).

Gardner then talks of three kinds of leaders where such qualities are a constant: visionary, innovative and the ordinary. Ordinary leaders are those who seldom challenge the status quo and are content in empowering members so that the forward movement continues. He describes innovative leaders as those that take a latent narrative and give it a fresh twist to renew and transform society. In contrast, visionary leaders are rare. Gardner defines a visionary leader as one "who is not content to relate a current story or to reactivate a story done from a recent or remote past. This individual actually creates a new story, one that is not known to most individuals before, and achieves at least a measure of success in conveying this story effectively".

By that standard, Modi has certainly created his own new narrative and is on the cusp of being regarded as a visionary leader. Yet that endorsement from the people of India will come only if he wins the 2019 elections with a resounding majority. For the Opposition to deny him that pedestal, they have to do some hard digging, unearth how well or badly the century of schemes and programmes that Modi has launched are doing. A critical report card of Modi's performance backed with hard facts will hurt his credibility and stature more than spending time working out caste and communal combinations to win electoral polls. If they have to oust Modi, they will have to come up with their own unique narrative of development and get the people to believe them. At the moment, Modi is unstoppable.

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South Koreas President Park Geun-hye has become the countrys first democratically elected leader to be forced from office.

Judges unanimously upheld parliaments decision to impeach Ms Park over her role in a corruption scandal involving her close friend, Choi Soon-sil.

She now loses her presidential immunity and could face criminal charges.

There have been angry scenes outside the court. Police said two protesters had died.

The court ruling is the culmination of months of political turmoil and public protest. An election must now be held within 60 days.

Ms Parks office said she would not be leaving the Blue House, South Koreas presidential palace, on Friday nor making any statement.

Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn has called for calm, saying the government should remain stable to prevent internal conflict from spreading.

At the heart of the drama lies the close friendship between the president and Ms Choi.

Ms Choi is accused of using her presidential connections to pressure companies to give millions of dollars in donations to non-profit foundations she controlled.

Ms Park is alleged to have been personally involved in this, and to have given Ms Choi unacceptable levels of access to official documents.

Parliament voted to impeach Ms Park in December and the Constitutional Court has since been deciding whether to uphold or overturn this.

On Friday, a panel of eight judges ruled Ms Parks actions seriously impaired the spirit of democracy and the rule of law.

The court said she had broken the law by allowing Ms Choi to meddle in state affairs, and had breached guidelines on official secrets by leaking numerous documents.

Ms Park had concealed completely Chois meddling in state affairs and denied it whenever suspicions over the act emerged and even criticised those who raised the suspicions, it said.

But the judges dismissed some charges, including accusations Ms Park had infringed on freedom of the press by creating a media blacklist of cultural figures, and criticism of her response during the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster.

Ms Park was already suspended from presidential duties, with the prime minister taking over her responsibilities.

But she must now leave office  and her official residence  and a presidential election will be held within the next 60 days.

She has also lost her presidential immunity so could now face criminal charges over allegations she colluded with Ms Choi.

As the various twists and turns of the scandal came to light public fury across South Korea intensified, with many staging demonstrations calling for her to step down.

The final decision is being celebrated by many, but as the verdict came through angry scenes erupted outside court. Pro-Park protesters  mostly older conservatives  turned on police. Two people believed to be pro-Park died.

South Koreas Yon hap news agency reported that one was killed when a loudspeaker fell on them, while an elderly man fell from a police van.

Besides a possible criminal trial for Ms Park, there is also the ongoing prosecution of Ms Choi.

The de-facto head of Samsung, Lee Jae-yong, is also on trial for a string of corruption charges linked to the scandal.

Analysts say the protests in recent months have sent a strong signal that the close relationship between politicians and the chaebols  large family businesses that dominate the economy  needs to change.

A new election could change the political landscape of South Korea. But society remains deeply divided.

The moment the judgement was announced, there was cheering in the streets. But there is also pro-Park feeling.

The country is split and nobody quite knows what will happen. One argument is that if a court can remove a president, democracy is not weak.

The outcome is uncertain, but polls indicate a leftward shift. If the government does move to the left, that has consequences for the relationship with North Korea and the United States.

A leftish government might well re-open the industrial complex just inside North Korea, but with South Korean firms and managers. It might also seek more contact with North Korea, running counter to recent US-South Korean policy.

There is also a personal tragedy here. Ms Park is the daughter of Park Chung-hee, the general who seized power in 1961 and who set the country on a route towards industrialisation and democracy. He was assassinated, as was her mother.

She has lived an isolated life ever since, even as president. She has relied on her best friend for 40 years  Choi Soon-sil.

The friendship has cost her the presidency and an honourable place in history. It may now put her behind bars.

-BBC
18.03.2017 LISTEN

Tourism ! Some call it leisure, others call it business. It means different things to different people at different times. To many, traveling all over the world for business while you accidentally bump into unique destinations is Tourism. To a certain extent, this is true. However, tourism goes way beyond just travelling around. It encompasses travelling, visiting tourist destinations, learning diverse cultures and tradition as well as experiencing various lifestyles. Merely passing by a tourist site doesnt make one a tourist. You actually have to stay in a place and spend time at tourist sites to qualify.

In times past, life as a tourist wasnt very easy and only a handful of people could call themselves tourist dues to the financial implications. These costs were generated from hotel reservations, transportation, food and airtime. Fast forward a few more years,say hello to technology. Technology has made it very easy for everyone to be a tourist. It has come as a blessing to world tourism. Jumia Travel , Africas leading online travel agency looks at ways in which technology has blessed tourism.

Online Hotel Booking - Somewhere in the early 90s, there were a handful of recognized tourists. This was because of countless limitations and travel challenges. One typical challenge was accommodation or hotel booking. To make a reservation, tourists had to ask friends or family about hotel options or sometimes even travel blind by just packing and venturing into the unknown. With no place in mind, they just sleep at their final destination. Sometimes, that may not be the best because you may end up in a place of discomfort. In this day of technology where smartphones, computers, tablets and the internet are widespread, tourists can search for accommodation options in their desired destinations and make bookings online several months and weeks before they actually make the trip. This also enables them to compare prices and access promotions to obtain the best available rates. Its always good to save some money while on tour. You never want to be left stranded.

Transportation and Navigation - There is nothing more frustrating than getting lost in the middle of nowhere. One may argue that when this happens, it turns your trip into an adventure. Yes it does! But an adventure is fun and eventful when you actually meant to go on one. When you are trying to locate a tourist site or a destination in a foreign country without success, you end up spending more money or even fall prey to some criminals and fraudsters. Technology has made it possible for you to locate all your destinations by just a few clicks. Online maps and apps allow you to just enter these destinations. in a search box , click enter and get a direct route plus estimated time to reach these places. Making flight reservations as well us booking seats on trains and buses have become far easy with many apps and online services. How about grabbing a taxi from one place to another in a very busy city? Technology makes it possible to get picked up from the comfort of your hotel to your destination without the hustle of walking through the sun or snow or standing at the bus stop for hours and finally struggling with other people to get a seat on a commercial bus.

Social Media - These days, who is not on social media? Do you know anyone? Well maybe, that person doesnt have a device that supports social media. That might even be a rare case. With technology and the strong emergence of social media, nearly everyone and everything is online. Go to facebook, twitter, instagram, linkedin,pinterest and other social media platforms to see how many millions of people show where they are and what they are doing at various destinations around the world. If you have doubts about a particular country or tourist site, just search on social media and you will find over a dozen reasons why you should either go there or cancel it from your travel plan. Social media via technology has helped the tourism industry by allowing many tourist sites in various countries to showcase the beauty and rich history that these sites possess on a platform where millions can easily access in a split second. If ever there was a need to promote tourism as quickly as possible, that need was met with technology by the strong emergence of social media

Memories - The only prove for a tourist who claims to have been here, there and there is a real picture or video of him/her at that place. Just updating your facebook status or tweeting the name of the destination doesnt cut it. With the massive lift in technology, there are many ways that tourists can document their travels and keep long lasting memories about that amazing waterfall or that startling monument. High spec cameras or high resolution smartphones and tablets allows us to take really clear pictures and videos while storage devices like memory chips and external hard drives makes us keep these files for many many years. Having memories of these great destinations and tourist sites enables us to show our family and friends back home what beautiful places we have been to and why they should also go there thereby promoting tourism everywhere we find ourselves.

Payment - Cash is the most widespread payment method that most people are used to. There are other payment methods that tourists usually use. Although less popular, it is hoped that soon, many more people will patronize this as a quick and easy means of paying for goods and services. Online payment platforms as well as visa and mastercards allow you to access your bank account from halfway across the equator. Tourists no more have to be stressed about having access to funds in a distant land. They can pay for food, transport and hotel reservations through bank transfers, visa card withdrawals and POS transactions. How many people have been stranded because they didnt have a payment method applicable to their country of abode? A lot if you ask me. Technology has made it such that, no matter where you are, you can have access to your money. This eliminates the fear of many tourists to travel all over the world because of being stranded. More and more tourists will travel and this will help boom the tourism industry.
18.03.2017 LISTEN

A bill that seeks to amend the Special Import Levy, Act, 2013 (Act 861) to remove the levy payable on specific imported goods has been approved by Parliament.

A report presented by the Committee on Finance, under the signature of the Chairman, Dr. Mark Assibey-Yeboah, captioned, report of the committee on finance on the Special Import Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2017, indicated that the bill provides for the amendment of the Second Schedule of Act 861.

According to the report, the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, informed the committee that the purpose of amending Act 861 is to remove the one percent (1%) Special Levy on goods specified in the Second Schedule to the Act.

The Minister further informed the committee that government introduced the levy in 2013 to shore up dwindling revenues, adding that the levy was, however, to last up to 2017.

The committee noted that the removal of the 1% Special Import Levy forms part of government's efforts to remove taxes that increase cost of production, in order to free up capital for use by industry.

The Minister of Finance informed the committee that the impact of removing this tax amounted to GH71 million revenue loss. However, government hopes to recover the amount through better management of other revenue sources, the report noted.

The committee, after carefully examining the bill and finding it to be in the right direction, respectfully recommended to the House, and it was adopted and approved.

Due to the urgent nature of the bill, as stated by the report, it was taken through all the stages of passage in just one day, in accordance with article 106(13) of the 1992 Constitution, and order 119 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.

The Special Import Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2017 was laid in Parliament on Tuesday, 14th March 2017, and referred to the Finance Committee for consideration, out of the consideration, the committee put together the report before the approval.

By Maxwell Ofori, Parliament House.
18.03.2017 LISTEN

The Lower Manya Krobo Constituency Chairman for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. David Walter Hormenu, has launched a campaign against infant malaria deaths in the constituency.

The NDC Chairman, affectionately known as Chairman One, launched the initiative during the celebration of his birthday with children and nurses at the Atua Government Hospital, which is located in the constituency.

Throwing light on what motivated him to relegate political activities to the background and champion this initiative, Mr. Walter disclosed that he shed tears anytime he heard that an infant had died from malaria.

I feel pity and sorry for children with malaria virus, adding that he is ever-ready to stand against infant malaria deaths, as well as support to reduce infant malaria deaths drastically.

He took opportunity of the occasion to advise nursing mothers and parents to take care of their infant children, and educate them (mothers) on the constant use of treated mosquito nets.

The NDC Chairman said infant malaria deaths is gradually making its way into the constituency, and for that matter Ghana, hence will help curtail the menace, if not completely, to an insignificant level.

He was conducted around various wards of the hospital, particularly the children and maternity wards, by the administrator and doctors.

He later donated some quantities of treated mosquito nets, and as well as had refreshments with some mothers and pregnant women in the ward.

Stories from Isaac Akwetey-Okunor

([email protected])
The Writer

18.03.2017 LISTEN

Fear Of The Future

When God called Abraham, He told him to leave his country, people and follow Him. God did not give him the details of the assignment or the place where He was taking him to go. He just came and told him to leave and also gave him a list of blessings He (God) had in stock for him (Genesis 12). This is exactly what God does with us most times. He comes and gives you a glimpse of a project in a vision, dream or prophecy and expects you to walk through by faith. He enjoys seeing us believe His word. Abraham (Abram) believed God and departed as he was instructed; armed with various promises of God. But something happened after awhile. God came again, this time in a vision and continued dishing out the promises as He used to. But Abraham had some reservations. He had some fears in his heart and he promptly challenged God to explain them. Let's go through the story, "Afterward, the LORD spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great'. 'But Abram replied, 'O sovereign LORD, what good are all your blessings when I don't even have a son? Since I don't have a son, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. You have given me no children, so one of my servants will have to be my heir'.

"Then the Lord said to him, 'No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own to inherit everything I am giving you'. Then the LORD brought Abram outside beneath the night sky and told him, 'Look up into the heavens and count the stars if you can. Your descendants will be like that-too many to count! And Abram believed the LORD and the LORD declared him righteous because of his faith." Genesis 15:1-6.

Like we said, this was not the first time God was coming to give Abram (Abraham) promises. Abraham has been believing God and things have been working out beautifully. He had received favour from people including foreigners. He had won battles. God had also blessed him beyond his expectations. But there was a very important thing to sought out - he had no son of his own. And what about that? Yes, amongst the promises was that he will be father to many nations, as his descendants shall be innumerable, just as the stars in the sky. So Abraham has been battling with this missing link. "How will I produce nations without first having my own child?" How possible can this even be in our old age?" "What good are all these blessings when I don't have my own son? Will my servant inherit all my wealth." All these were going on Abraham's mind when God suddenly appeared to him in a vision.

And what did God do? The first thing He said to him was, "Don't be afraid." He had seen Abraham's fear before appearing in that vision. He also brought Abraham outside in the night and told him to look up and begin to count the stars in the sky. He said that if he (Abraham) could count the stars, then he would be able to count his descendants. Wonderful! Then God began to tell him what will happen to his descendants and even events that would happen hundreds of years to come.

What can we learn from all these? God is not ignorant of all that we are going through. He sees all the fears in our heart. He has seen the 'missing links' before giving us His promises,and He knows how to take care of them. When we know Him very well,no situation will make us afraid again. This is the person that calls things to be out of nothing. He sees the end from the beginning. He sees the whole eternity at a glance. Nothing happens without His Consent. So, why should you be afraid when you are in His hands? Just know that He will provide the 'missing link' to your miracles. Yes, as a human being, there could be hidden fears in your heart even as you read through this message. But what you have to do immediately is to take those fears to him in prayer. Don't hide them from Him. Don't pretend. Don't act super believer to Him. Just go to Him as you are. Table your fears in His presence. That was what Abraham did. Abraham opened up and poured his fears out to Him and he received prompt answers.Interestingly, God dramatized His answer by telling Abraham to count the stars of heaven in the night. He told him to look up. And this is the same thing He is telling you today. Look up! You must look up to see what God has in stock for you. You must look up to see what God is doing on your behalf. You must look up and move forward by faith.

Stop weeping. Stop sorrowing. Stop brooding over your condition, failures and mistakes. Look up! Once you are able to take your sight away from the negative situations, and refocus on the plan of God for you, you will be surprised to see your fears flying away. This is just the secret of those who succeeded in serving God. I believe this also because it is what I practice, and it has never failed me. I always focus on what God has said and what He is doing. Nothing can supercede what God has said concerning you. Bible also told us to look unto Him because He is the Author and the Finisher of our faith. If He started it, He will surely finish it. God did exactly what He told Abraham. Can you count the descendants of Abraham today? Can you count the Jews scatter all over the world- the Jews in Israel, America, Russia, Ethiopia, Europe, Africa, etc? Or can you count the children of Abraham by faith? God's promises are true!

Jacob at a time in his life was running away from his enraged brother-Esau. He had cheated on Esau; stole his birthright and also with the help of their mother maneuvered to take away his blessings from their father. As Jacob was running away from home, he came to a place he later named Bethel at night, where he decided to sleep over using stone as pillows. Here, Jacob was running away from his negative past, had a painful present and was not certain what his future will be like. He was running away from his brother, whom he had cheated severally, then here at Bethel he was lying frustrated in the middle of the night, using stone as pillow, also not sure what will become of him as he went to search out for an unknown uncle. Yes, All these fears were also shown in the vow he made to God in Genesis 28:20-21, "If he will bring me back safely to my father, then I will make the LORD my God. This memorial pillow will become a place for worshiping God, and I will give God a tenth of everything he gives me". You got that?

God had seen what Jacob was going through even before his prayer. Consequently, He gave Jacob a promise I personally consider to be one of the greatest I have ever found in the bible. And these are exactly what God is saying to you today. "I am the LORD, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I will give it to you and your descendants. Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will cover the land from East to West and from North to South. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. What's more? I will be with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. I will someday bring you safely back to this land. I WILL BE WITH YOU CONSTANTLY UNTIL I HAVE FINISHED GIVING YOU EVERYTHING I HAVE PROMISED" (verses 13-15). And these automatically settled Jacob's fears.

I will like you to know that God is aware of those fears in your heart. Take them to Him today in prayers. Like He did to Jacob, He is promising not to leave you until He has finished performing everything He promised you. Your future is well secured in His hand. He said that His thought for you is of good and not of evil, and also to give you an expected end (good future). Don't be afraid again! God bless you!

Rev, Agbo is the author of the book 'Power of Midnight Prayer'. Tel: 08037113283. E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.authorsden.com/pastorgabrielnagbo
17.03.2017 LISTEN

London, Mar 17, GNA - The new Executive Secretary of the Dakar-based Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) wants a move away from 'the colonial or neo-colonial narrative about Africa' in terms of knowledge production relating to the continent.

Dr Godwin Murunga, a Kenyan academic, told the GNA: 'The history and nature of knowledge production on Africa is skewed in favour of Western, largely foreign, academics.

'Too few people in the world want to listen to African academics speaking about African issues.

'It is only in Africa where many have a right to become specialists about the continent without as much as vising a quarter of it,' Dr Murunga said.

'We expect to construct new forms of knowledge that appreciate the complexity that Africa is and that reveal its relevance to ordinary peoples in Africa.

'Africans have been assaulted by all forms of policy prescriptions that undermine its capacities and render its knowledge suspect.

'CODESRIA must remain the one institution that keeps its faith in the experiences of ordinary Africans and that reveals the different ways in which its diversity is a strength,' said Dr Murunga, who until recently was the Director of King's College, London's African Leadership Centre in Nairobi.

'We must however invert the old model of North-South relations where African academics go to the North to learn about Africa.

'We need African academics to also go to the North and East and to go there with the aim of becoming specialists on the places they go to study,' he added.

Asked about CODESRIA's relationship with African governments, Dr Murunga told the GNA: 'Our engagement as academics with politicians has not been easy.

'Remember that the Council was founded by and became a home of academics who had been forced into exile.

'It also became the home where academic freedom was defended.

'Precisely because of this relationship of exile, and also the radical positions some of its members advanced after years of studying specific issues, African politicians have been less keen to embrace recommendations by knowledge institutions like CODESRIA,' Dr Murunga said.

He added, 'There are even weird situations where locally generated recommendations are ignored in favour of expert ones from foreign scholars, never mind that some of those very foreign scholars would be regurgitating commonly known positions already discussed and debated in Common Rooms and staff seminars on African campuses.

'Further, the experience of higher education institutions in Africa over the last three or so decades has undermined their capacity to be effective leaders in knowledge production.

'This affects the Council which draws its human resource capacity from universities.

'In many countries in Africa today, governments are highly suspicious of the social sciences and humanities and are rolling out programmes that de-emphasise the social sciences and humanities while encouraging STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] subjects.

'CODESRIA must make the point that this should not be a relationship involving a trade-off of one against the other,' Dr Murunga told the GNA

On how influential African think tanks have been in shaping the future of the continent, he said he did not see CODESRIA exclusively as a think tank, adding: 'It is indeed a space for thinking; but the knowledge it produces is guided by a set of principles.

'First, we keep fidelity to empirical data.

'Secondly, we deploy specific conceptual tools to discipline that data.

'Third, our bias is to reflect the concerns of our pan-African context.'

Dr Murunga said 'While we do not seek to bias our data, we are convinced that, data must be conceptualised in ways that are relevant to Africa and Africans and preferably the ordinary lives of a plurality of people on the continent.

'Many think tanks bias their findings in favour of specific ideological and political orientations.

'A good many are involved in policy-driven research.

'We do not bias our knowledge in favour of specific ideologies or political orientations.

'We are interested in basic research and prefer that research drives policy,' he added.

'Given this, many state and non-state actors might find CODESRIA a less enthralling institution.

'But it is the character of credible knowledge producing institutions like CODESRIA to keep a healthy distance from partisanship in order to serve the high goal of producing knowledge that opens our understanding of the many-sidedness of our realities.

'In this case, its influence rests in its enduring value as an institution involved in long-term research; its capacity to transcend the fad and fancy of easy conclusions and outcomes,' the new Executive Secretary added.

Dr Murunga, a historian and political analyst currently teaching at the Institute of Development Studies of the University of Nairobi, told the GNA that being appointed the seventh Executive Secretary of CODESRIA in its 44-year history was a call 'to duty that underscores my Kenyan citizenship but demands of me a continental vision.

'My task is to build on the work already done by my predecessors and ensure the process of consolidation and renewal pushes the Council into the apex institution it has been and deserves to be always.

'We will also leverage resources in order to mobilise more academics on the continent and Diaspora.'

In a statement announcing Dr Murunga's appointment, the President of CODESRIA, Professor Dzodzi Tsikata, said: ' he had valuable teaching and management experience and a deep knowledge of the higher education landscape in Africa.

'His appointment by the Executive Committee during its recent meeting in Accra brings to a close, a long search and selection process in which a high-level pan-African Search Committee played a major role,' she added.

Prof Tsikata of the Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER) at the University of Ghana said that for the fact that Dr Murunga was a member of the Executive Committee of CODESRIA for two consecutive terms (2005-2011), would bring to the organisation 'many years of robust scholarship as evidenced by the incisive analysis that characterised his numerous scholarly publications'.

GNA

From Desmond Davies, London Bureaux
By Morkporkpor Anku, GNA

Accra, March 17, GNA - Mrs Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, has advised students of the Regional Maritime University to be honest and morally upright and take up the challenges in the maritime space.

She said government would provide the enabling environment for the youth and expected them to contribute to nation building with the right altitude.

Mrs Quaye was speaking at the launch of the Student Representation Council (SRC) week celebration of the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Accra on the theme: 'The Role of RMU Students in the Growth of the Maritime Sector in Africa.'

The durbar and the cultural display were to foster unity among students, who were from different African countries.

The Minister said the country's economy depended on building the necessary infrastructure, especially the human capacity needs, which meant investing in educating the youth.

Professor Elvis Nyarko, the Vice-Chancellor, RMU commended the executives of the SRC for their hard work and passion to develop the students' frontiers.

He said the University which would be 60 years next year, has contributed to the human capital base of the West Africa sub-region.

The Vice-Chancellor said there were many opportunities at the University from the basic to the advanced level and therefore urged BECE graduates to take advantage of such opportunities to empower themselves.

Mr Eluagu Ongebuchi McDonald, the SRC President, RMU, told the Ghana News Agency that the SRC had purchased a bus for the students and also improved on internet connectivity for students.

He, therefore, called on students to remain united and make positive impact on the maritime industry on the African continent.

Mr Amagyei Papa Brobbery, Committee Chairman for the SRC week celebration, outlined some of the activities including career seminar, love summit, community service, inter-national cooking competition, Mr RMU contest and artist's night and a fun trip to sanjuna beach resort.

GNA
By Regina Benneh, GNA Banda (B/A), March 17, GNA - Fleeing Banda Ahenkro Public Sector workers who left the community amidst recent alleged threats of xenophobic attacks by some indigenes, have been rallied to return to post by Mr. Kweku Asomah Cheremeh, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, who has assured them of their safety.

This comes on the back of recent reported disturbances in that town by some group of native youths allegedly issuing anonymous threats to non-indigenous health staff and teachers working in the town to vacate their posts in their own interest to allow them (unemployed natives), to take over.

The swift intervention of the Brong Ahafo Regional Security Council (REGSEC), chaired by the Regional Minister, who has taken immediate steps to beef up security at the District capital town of Banda Ahenkro when he visited the community to assess the situation, has helped guarantee the safety of the absconded workers, necessitating their return.

There is now absolute quiet in the town with the deployment of a heavy police presence to help avert any possible volatile occurrence after the hospital had to be closed to the public as these workers, fearing for their lives, abandoned their posts and fled town.

Mr. Cheremeh, on a visit to the hospital, moved by compassion for the sick people desperately needing health care and anxiously waiting with no help in sight, got the telephone contacts of some health workers and personally called them on their phones to come back to work.

The Regional Minister expressing dismay at the situation which he said was a slur on the Region, urged the chiefs and the youth in the area to do away with ethnocentric sentiments and not do anything to create disunity to rift the country apart.

Mr Cheremeh urged the youth in the area to be more concerned about things that will bring development to the area and desist from acts and issues that could hold back progress.

Osabarima Okokyeredom Kwadwo Sito I, Chairman of the Banda Traditional Council said the issue was of grave concern to the Council and pledged to hunt for the so called perpetrators and bring them to face the law.

The Chief giving the background, said the so-called unidentified youth had put up anonymous notices at vantage points threatening that they were not ready to live peacefully with strangers working in the community.

He condemned the 'childish' act calling it 'a blunt show of cowardice' and dared the 'faceless' youth behind the act to come out boldly in the open and in the media to show to the whole nation the sort of jobs the 'strangers' were taking away from them.

Osabarima Sito I said 'the unfortunate situation is an attempt by some unscrupulous people to destroy the image of the area which hitherto had accepted public workers and lived peacefully with them irrespective of tribe and religion'.

GNA
Adenta (GAR,) March 17, GNA - The Adenta-Abokobi Divisional Police Command on Thursday, paraded eight alleged hardened criminals with their booty, for their victims as well as the public to identify them to aid prosecution.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Joseph Antwi Gyawu, told the media that the suspects were arrested in a swoop at a notable criminals hideout, based on intelligence.

He said from January to March 3 the Division had recorded more than 30 robbery cases.

ACP Gyawu said when the suspects homes were searched, the police retrieved four flat screen TV sets, two sets of home theatres, 35 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be narcotic drugs, two industrial cutters, four taxis and other implements intended to be used in committing crime,

He gave the name of the suspects as: Courage Amponsah 25, Yusif Feseini 34, Ishmael Mahama 30, Ben Doe Ativor Gabriel Natah alias Sylvester Natah 26, Isaac Awuku 23, Emmanuel Buame 25, and Kadir Mahama.

The Police Command noted that Mahama, Fuseini and Raymond Krasmpah, who have been terrorising residents of Agbogba and its environs, were convicted prisoners who were released recently.

ACP Gyawu said Krampah and one Razak were on the run and frantic efforts were being made to get them arrested.

He said after investigations the suspects would be put before court

GNA
By Press Trust of India: From Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Mar 18 (PTI) Nepals poll watchdog has decided to remove "Hindu state and monarchy" clauses from the statute of the pro-monarch and pro-Hindu Rastriya Prajatantra Party, saying that they contradicted constitutional provisions of a republican system and secularism.

The Election Commissions (EC) decision sparked a protest from the party with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Kamal Thapa urging the EC to correct its decision.

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"The EC has robbed the party of its soul by deleting a section about Hindu state and monarchy off the partys statute," said Thapa, also the Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP).

The EC yesterday decided to remove the portion that advocates Hindu state and monarchy from the RPP statute, saying the sections contradicted constitutional provisions of republican order and secularism.

After an emergency meeting, RRP termed the decision as "unconstitutional" and decided to challenge it in a court.

"The ECs decision to remove some sections of its charter was unconstitutional as the Constitution had ensured ideological freedom," said the party.

The RRP has been campaigning for reinstatement of a Hindu state since Nepal was converted into a secular nation through a parliament declaration in 2008, when monarchy was abolished following the success of the Peoples Movement.

"The RPP does not accept the decision which would forbid the partys principal norm, and requests the EC to rethink over the decision," RRP spokesperson Roshan Karki said.

The party has decided to submit a memorandum in all district election offices across the country on March 20 and put pressure on the government for the reinstatement of a Hindu nation from the first week of April.

The party would also register a Constitution amendment bill, demanding the reinstatement of the Hindu state and monarchy at the Parliament, and would raise a strong voice for the same, Karki said.

He said the party has also decided to launch a nationwide street movement demanding reinstatement of the Hindu state. PTI SBP CPS AKJ CPS

--- ENDS ---
17.03.2017 LISTEN

By Joyce Danso, GNA

Accra, March 17, GNA - Mr Martin Kpebu a legal practitioner on Friday said the establishment of Domestic Violence Support Fund to cater for victims of domestic violence seeking medical attention in the country was crucial.

According to him there are about 3,000 Ghanaians who suffer domestic violence and unable to pay for medical expenses as law at GH50.00 adding ''this tells you that the issue of poverty is not a joke it is serious.

'People are unable to pay the doctors to fill medical reports after they have been examined medically.'

He told journalists after a Human Rights Court had ordered for the urgent establishment of a Domestic Violence Support Fund

The court presided over by Mr Anthony Yeboah also gave six month within which enforcement would commence.

Mr Kpebu said one of the first step taken by victims are that whenever they report at the Police station they are given medical form. These forms are sent to the Hospitals for Doctors to fill after examination of these victims.

Mr Martin Kpebu a Legal practitioner went to court to seek an order compelling the state to provide free medical care for victims of Domestic Violence.

Mr Kpebu the applicant contended that section 8 of the Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (Act 732) free medical care was to be provided for domestic violence victim medical care.

According to him the section 29 of the Act also mentioned the establishment of a domestic Violence Support Fund.

He said the objective section 31 of the Act include 'basic material support of the victim of domestic violence and A rescue, rehabilitation and integration of the victims.

The applicant said government failure to provide free medical care for victims and setting up a fund to rehabilitate them was wrong.

He was therefore seeking for an order of mandamus compelling the state to set up the fund to provide medical care to the victim.

Plaintiff, had earlier gone to the Supreme Court over non-bailable offences which was in the country's statutes of which the Apex court agreed that such offences can be bailable. GNA
THE GHANA Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has described the recent nomination of additional 54 people to serve as ministers or deputies under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's administration as quite preposterous.

In a statement issued in Accra on Thursday, the CDD said, When confirmed by parliament, that would bring the total number of ministers and deputy ministers appointed so far in the Akufo-Addo-led NPP government to an unprecedented 110.

It said it considered this move and the obscene number of ministers a wrong one for several reasons: it would first represent the largest ministerial team assembled by any president/head of state of Ghana since independence and set a negative record for a country infamous for its oversized ministerial teams.

The president on Wednesday submitted additional 54 names as ministers of state and deputy ministers, bringing the number of appointees so far to 110, which appears to be the largest in Ghana's political history.

Comparisons

CDD-Ghana said the United States, a larger and more economically and financially complex country, has approximately 46 ministers, adding that India, a country of some 1.3 billion people, has 75 ministers.

The Centre said though it was being argued that the large ministerial team would bring more focus, supervision and efficiency to President Akufo-Addo's ambitious governance and socio-economic plans, it finds this argument weak, as there was no proven relationship between a large government and a well-governed, prosperous society.

In addition, there is no correlation or causation between the large retinue of political heads and political/socio-economic transformation. What is clear and certain is that, a smaller government is a cost-saving measure that signals a high level of discipline and focus of a government that wants to protect the public purse, the think-tank noted.

Insensitivity

It continued that the appointments betrayed inadequate sensitivity to the weak fiscal condition of the country currently, as it flew in the face of the president's promise to protect the public purse.

It is difficult to see how appointing such a large number of ministers, who will all be on ministerial salaries and benefits, can possibly amount to the promise of protecting the public purse. Indeed, a reduction in the cost of running government, including appointing the minimum number of ministers required by the Constitution, particularly those drawn from parliament, was one of the list of 10 actions CDD-Ghana urged the Akufo-Addo-led NPP government to undertake in its first year, it recounted.

Duplication

Additionally, it said such a development undermines Ghana's already weak state bureaucracy. Placing a team of politician ministers on top of the existing hierarchy of the ministries will lead to unnecessary duplication of senior personnel and eventually undermine the authority of the professional senior civil and public servants (particularly, chief directors and directors) in the same ministries; it will also encourage the politicisation of the bureaucracy, according to CDD-Ghana.

Furthermore, it noted that the appointment of many ministers does not in any way help to address the structural weakness of parliament vis-a-vis the executive, which the president alluded to in his State of the Nation Address.

By appointing so many of his ministers and deputy ministers from parliament, currently standing at 64 MPs, the president is further weakening the legislative body and at the same time undercutting his own promise to strengthen the institution to enable it serve as an effective check on the executive, it pointed out.

Job For The Boys

According to CDD-Ghana, it's deeply concerned above all, about the negative signals sent out by such appointments.

We note with consternation that nearly the entire presidential and ruling party campaign team as well as a large number of NPP MPs have been appointed to ministerial and other state bureaucratic positions. This suggests a continuation of the anti-developmental practice of 'party in government' system (conflation of the ruling party and the government), whereby political appointments are treated as 'jobs-for-the boys' or some form of material reward for individuals who played key roles in the election campaign of the president and his party, and an opportunity for them to rake in rents, CDD-Ghana expressed.

Unconstructive

It said appointing as many as 50 ministers and 60 deputies may have been made in strict conformity with the provisions of the 1992 Constitution, however, that is not constructive.

Publish Emoluments

Imploring the president to reduce the number of nominees, CDD-Ghana asked him to publish the salaries and emoluments of all appointed public office holders so that Ghanaians could begin to appreciate the true cost of governing the country.

[email protected]

By Samuel Boadi
We wish to express our unreserved joy and appreciation to the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, upon the news of the appointment of our hardworking Member of Parliament, Hon. Kingsley Aboagye-Gyedu, as a deputy minister of the Health Ministry.

Whilst we were in high hopes and expectant of an appointment for our MP, we were minded by the fact that the power to appoint rests solely with H. E. the President, as prescribed by Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

Furthermore, we are not oblivous of the fact that there are many 'competent' and experienced human resources available to H. E. the President, both within and out of the New Patriotic Party, for appointment, of which H. E. the President found Hon. Kingley Aboagye Gyedu as a worthy hand, to assist in the "efficient running of the State".

Hon. Aboagye-Gyedu, is a chartered accountant with reputable international experience garnered from his over 20years practice in the UK and Ghana until he was elected into the Legislative House of Ghana in 2012. Hon. Aboagye-Gyedu's expertise in Public financial management and auditing, as well as his candour, tactfulness, and harworking attitude makes him fit and well prepared to deliver on this new role in order to contribute towards the vision of H. E. the President to radically transform the Economy and promote the development and prosperity of the citizenry; and in particular towards safeguarding a strong financial base for the National Health Insurance Scheme and resusicate the Scheme, which has been a near-collapse under the previous NDC government.

Hon. Aboagye-Gyedu's appointment, we believe, will boost the morale of the teeming youths within the NPP family in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Constituency. And ultimately enhance the political fortunes of the Party not only in the Constituency, but the entirety of the Western-North enclave.

We wish to further applaud the Western Regional NPP and all who in substantial measure contributed towards this commendable gesture by H. E. the President. We also wish to congratulate Hon. Kingsley Aboagye-Gyedu for his appointment, and urge him to be modest and deligent in his assigned duties, as he has been known for.

-Signed-

Ronald Reagan Gyimah

(Convener)

024 681 3748

Benjamin Sabbah Somiah

(Research & Communications)

0249044409

De-Graft Adu Mensah

(Operations)

Samuel Biri

(Executive Member)

Manasseh Kojo Bentsil

(Executive Member)

Victoria Ama Bio

(Welfare)
Twelve of the world's leading cocoa and chocolate companies have promised to help Ghana address the issue of illegal mining known as galamsey which is destroying many forests.

This was announced Friday at a meeting jointly held by the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), IDH-the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), and The Prince's International Sustainability Unit (ISU) in London.

The companies pledged their commitment to develop an actionable plan to end galamsey which will include a greater investment in more sustainable forms of landscape management.

Lands Minister John Peter Amewu with HRH The Prince of Wales and other attendees

They would promised to partner with local groups to protect and restore forests in the cocoa landscape as well as significant invest in programmes to improve cocoa productivity for smallholder farmers.

Lands Minister, Peter Amewu thanked the companies and The Prince of Wales for their decision to help the country fight the menace of galamsey.

"On our part, we are poised to enhance the environmental governance regime in the cocoa sector and implement actions that will enable cocoa producers to adopt cocoa agroforestry systems and practices that are climate smart," he said.

The Prince of Wales lamented about the issues of deforestation in Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire, the world's leading cocoa producers, which he said are responsible low cocoa yields.

"Tropical rainforests play an absolutely crucial role in climate change mitigation and adaptation, in ensuring sustainable livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people and in conserving biodiversity," he said.

According to him, the most powerful direct reason for action is that deforestation undermines the very resilience of the cocoa sector itself.

"I am heartened that companies are undertaking to work up, in full collaboration with host governments and civil society, a Joint Framework of Action to make good on the commitments announced today, in time for COP 23 in November."

Executive Director of IDH, Joost Oorthuizen said they are happy to lead the initiative in the two countries which will help to improve their cocoa yields.

"In recent history, the cocoa sector has proven to not be afraid to address difficult issues like child labor, malnutrition, and poverty reduction, all in a non-competitive manner. This meeting provides a great starting point to expedite action on the deforestation issue in concert with other relevant stakeholders."

On his part, WCF Chairman, Barry Parkin, said the decision by the 12 companies to help the two countries marks a "crucial step forward" in the 21st Century.

"We look forward to more companies joining the effort and are grateful for the leadership provided by The Prince of Wales in convening today's landmark event," he said.

The programme which is the first of its kind covering the global cocoa supply chain was attended by HRH The Prince of Wales, Lands and Natural Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu, Senior executives from the companies and senior government officials from Cote d'Ivoire.

It also brought together a cross-section of the world's largest chocolate makers and cocoa buyers, producers and traders including Barry Callebaut; Blommer Chocolate Company; Cargill; CEMOI; ECOM; Ferrero; The Hershey Company; Mars, Incorporated; MondelAz International; Nestle; Olam and Touton.

There were ministers and senior government representatives of the two-leading cocoa producing countries  Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana  as well as France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, has seized over seven articulated trucks loaded with large quantities of illegal chainsaw lumber.

The illegal lumber was headed for neighboring Burkina Faso, but was intercepted in the Wenchi district on the Wenchi-Wa highway in the Brong Ahafo Region.

The Minister and members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), seized the trucks reportedly carrying about 2,400 lumber, as they returned to Sunyani from Banda Ahenkro on a fact-finding mission, and to restore calm in that area following recent threats of attacks on non-indigenes.

The trucks impounded include; 6 DAF and MAN Diesels with registration numbers AW 5459-11, PS 422-W, 32HL 4431, 11 H2768 and GT 4279-V.

They were suspected to have engaged in the illegal act at Deaba, a farming community in the Asunafo South District, and they decided to outwit security agencies by using Dormaa- Sampa- Nsawkaw road through Banda Ahenkro, where they were to join the Wenchi-Wa highway to Burkina Faso at Tinga junction.

Luck however eluded them when REGSEC and the Minister intercepted the trucks based on suspicion considering the quantity of lumber that was being transported.

The Regional Minister in an interview with the media on the matter lamented the rate at which the region's forest cover was being depleted, and pledged his outfit's readiness to put a stop to the act he described as criminal.

He said he will set up a task-force to monitor the activities of illegal loggers.

The truck drivers upon interrogation, admitted carting the lumber from Deaba in the Asunafo South District for a Burkinabe contractor with invoices that under declared the cost of the wood.

Brong Ahafo Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kwame Techi- Poku, has since ordered the trucks be impounded and kept at the Wenchi Police command for further investigations together with the Forestry Commission in Sunyani.



By: Mashoud Kombat/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, has lauded assembly members of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) for contributing to the removal of former KMA Chief Executive, Kojo Bonsu.

Simon Osei Mensah said their action will serve as a deterrent to anyone who occupies the position of the Kumasi Metropolitan chief executive.

Referring to them as gallant fighters, Hon. Simon Osei Mensah said the assembly members fought for a good course, and you fought until you achieved your aims and objectives.

This should send a signal to whoever is coming to take up that position, that there is a force to reckon with if you go wayward, and that should alert the person who is coming to take the position not to take such quality assembly members for granted. And that when they pursue a genuine course, they will make sure they pursue it to the end and to the fullest.

The Regional Minister was speaking to assembly members at the just ended election where members fully endorsed President Akufo-Addos nominee for the Kumasi metropolitan chief executive position.

The former Kumasi mayor, Kojo Bonsu, tendered in his resignation as Kumasi Metropolitan chief executive after several calls from the Asanteman Council for his removal from office in 2016.

The Asanteman Council alleged that Kojo Bonsu had unilaterally removed Amoamanhene, Nana Agyenim Boateng from the Kejetia Market project board without informing the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.



By: Lauretta Timah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
A cloud of uncertainty hangs over Parliaments ability to approve all of President Akufo-Addo's Deputy Ministerial nominees before the house rises at the end of the month.

The vetting of the 54 nominees by the Appointment Committee is expected to commence next Friday, which is just six days before the house rises on March 31.

Even though the Members of Parliament are expected to return from the break in the middle of May, it will be too long a time to wait for the president to have his full government machinery in place.

The president appointed some 50 deputy ministers and four ministers of state at the presidency, an appointment which has raised many eye brows.

It appears the vetting of the new appointees within a period of six days will be something nearly impossible.

Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu told Joy News' Joseph Opoku Gakpo the Appointments committee will do its best to vet all the candidates but cannot be sure if all will be done within the limited time.

For the positions as important at Deputy Ministers and four other ministers of state, the appointment committee may require some time to assess each nominee on their own merit.

NDC MP for North Tongu and member of the committee Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa is concerned the committee will not have enough time to do thorough screening.

But another member of the committee and NPP MP for Lawra Anthony Karbo disagrees.

Karbo who is playing a dual role as a member of the committee and deputy minister nominee said the committee will not do a bad job in vetting the nominees because of the limited time.

Meanwhile, Parliament was yesterday expected to approve the ten Deputy Regional Ministers who were vetted this week but that could not happen.

Member of the Appointment committee Joseph Yileh Chireh says time and human resource constraints were the reason why they failed to meet the deadline.

The house resumes sitting on Monday to consider budget estimates for the various ministries for approval.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com
I perfectly understand why President Akufo-Addo wishes to reward, with appointments to high office, as many as possible of those who helped to get him elected.

But there is a limit to everything, and in his appointments of ministers and deputy ministers, there the president has exceeded the limits of what the country expects of him.

Look at the context: great anger has been aroused recently against the members of the recently dismissed administration, for either selling motor-cars bought with public funds to themselves cheaply, or, in some cases, attempting to steal them.

This has created a backlash against the privileges associated with holding a high office in the land. The perception, among many members of the public, is that government in Ghana is of politicians, by politicians, for politicians.

Look at it another way  one of the most dynamic governments we ever had, that formed by Dr Kwame Nkrumah in 1954, was created out of a Legislative Assembly whose entire membership numbered one hundred and four!

President Akufo-Addos proposed government exceeds that number by six!

The president says he needs his 110 ministers and deputy ministers because of the peculiar challenges that his government faces. Certainly, the challenges are awesome, given the nature of his immediate predecessors administration.

But one cannot successfully meet a challenge by replacing it with a worse one. And the problem with large numbers of people trying to meet challenges and failing, spectacularly, to do so, is not unknown to management theorists:

QUOTE: In Parkinsons Law: The Pursuit of Progress, (London: John Murray, 1958) a chapter is devoted to the basic question of what he called comitology: how committees, government cabinets, and other such bodies are created and eventually grow irrelevant

Empirical evidence is drawn from historical and contemporary government cabinets. Most often, the minimal size of a states most powerful and prestigious body is five members. From English history, Parkinson notes a number of bodies that lost power as they grew [in number]: the first cabinet was the Council of the Crown, now the House of Lords, which grew from an unknown number to 29, to 50 before 1600, by which time it had lost much of its power.

A new body was appointed in 1257, the Lords of the Kings Council, numbering fewer than 10. The body grew, and ceased to meet when it had 172 members.

The third incarnation was the Privy Council, initially also numbering fewer than 10 members, rising to 47 in 1679. In 1715, the Privy Council lost power to the Cabinet Council with eight members, rising to 20 by 1725. Around 1740, the Cabinet Council was superseded by an inner group, called the Cabinet, initially with five members.

At the time of Parkinsons study (the 1950s), the Cabinet was still the official governing body. Parkinson observed that, from 1939 on, there was an effort to save the Cabinet as an institution. The membership had been fluctuating from a high of 23 members in 1939, down to 18 in 1954. UNQUOTE (Wikipedia)

(The British Cabinet now numbers 23 Ministers  as against Ghanas 50  for a country with a GDP of $2.858 trillion as compared to Ghanas puny 37.543 billion.)

But eloquent as the figures are, they do not tell the whole story. The complete story is this: the greater the number of people involved in taking and implementing important decisions regarding development, the more difficult it is to get any development done at all!

Who got which contract and why? Whose idea was it? Does someone else like or dislike that person? If temporary alliances are formed to try and push through a particular measure, is there any guarantee that another clique wont emerge to try and scuttle it?

Anyone who has been involved in the affairs of political parties knows that it is inertia that inevitably results from such internal bickering. And inertia ruthlessly wrecks the best plans evolved to enable a party to meet the challenges its stated objectives oblige it to tackle.

The President has first-hand experience of how peoples unrealistic expectations can lead them to jettison common sense and pursue a course that is injurious both to themselves and their colleagues. And the larger the number of people who are put in a position that they can use to erect barriers against national development, the more likely they are to do precisely that. In multiples.

It would be a pity if a man with the vision of the President were to be reduced, by circumstances, to spend a lot of time dousing fires within his own Government, instead of being left in peace to concentrate on seeking creative ways of making his Government count in the annals of history.

Even more important, one does not need prophetic powers to foresee that the very size of his Government could put off development partners who, out of good will, might want to assist Ghana to solve some of its problems.

What? A government comprising 110 members? He cannot be serious!

They wont say it to the face of the president, but they will secretly pencil it against him when they are ticking the boxes.

Mr President, it is always difficult for a sensitive person to say No! in case it may cause offence. But Ghana is in a bad way, and everything must be done to get her out of it, including being tough enough to reverse oneself when public opinion indicates that such an action might be required.

Reversing oneself doesnt always make one lose face. On the contrary, if it is done to achieve whats right for the nation, ones political stature can only grow from it.

www.cameronduodu.com

By Cameron Duodu
The Accra Regional Police Command has finally arrested a 38-year-old suspected armed robber who led a syndicate to terrorize residents of Agbogbloshie and its environs in Accra.

The suspect Yakubu Alidu, aka Bullet was arrested together with a member of his gang called Mohammed Iddrisu, 20, at their hideout at Weija in Accra.

Bullet, who was armed, allegedly led a gang of 10 suspected robbers to vandalize property and attacked some of the victims with machetes.

Other victims were also shot by the suspect, who is feared in the area.

Briefing the media on Thursday, the Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Osabarima Oware Asare Pinkro III, said Alidu and his accomplice were arrested together with other suspected criminals during a swoop at about 4am on Thursday.

The suspect, who has been terrorizing residents of Agbogbloshie for the past three months, has been on the wanted list of the police for some time now.

A bench warrant was issued for his immediate arrest by an Accra Circuit Court.

On February 2, 2017, he said the police received a report from one of Alidu's victims, who sustained multiple machete wounds on his body.

The victim, identified as Samiru Abdulai, a resident of Old Fadama, reported to the police that at about 9am on that morning, a group of men led by Alidu demanded money from him when he was putting up a structure at Kokomba market, near Agbogbloshie Market.

The victim said when he refused to give them money, they attacked him with a machete and bolted.

While the case was under investigation, the police also received another report on February 2, 2017 from two traders at the Konkomba Market named Philip Kofi Anderson and Sylvester Baffour that the suspect and his men had attacked and robbed other residents of their money and mobile phones.

Alidu and his gang, numbering about 10, again on March 3, 2017 attacked a drinking spot known as Konkonsah Drinking Bar and robbed the merry-makers of their properties.

Some of the victims, who declined to surrender their monies and phones, were brutalized.

The suspects, who were wielding cutlasses, guns and other offensive weapons, damaged a gambling machine at the drinking spot, stole an unspecified amount of money from the bar owner as well.

The suspects fled but there were empty bullet shells at the scene.

The suspects were immediately placed on the police wanted list, which led to his arrest.

He would be arraigned before court after investigations.

([email protected])

By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey


18.03.2017 LISTEN

By Joyce Danso, GNA Accra, March 17, GNA - Madam Akua Donkor, Founder and Leader of the Ghana Freedom Party on Friday disclosed her intention to establish a home to cater for abandoned kids in the country.

She has therefore asked mothers who abandoned their babies on rubbish dumps to bring their kids to her deserters home which is to be situated at Adieso in the Eastern Region.

According to her it was criminal for a mother to throw away her child or put them in polythene bags and abandon them.

Speaking to journalists after giving evidence in a robbery case in Accra, Madam Donkor said mothers who throw away their babies in polythene bags should be killed when caught.

'If you are pregnant and don't want the baby please walk to my place, give birth and leave the baby there I will take care of them,' she added.

According to her she was moved recently by the plight of a baby boy who was put in a polythene bag and abandoned at Akwatia in the Eastern Region.

When asked how she was going to fund the project, she said she would do her best to mobilise funds on her own to commence the project. GNA
"The remaining member states will fall in love with each other again and renew their vows with the European Union," Jean-Claude Juncker said.

By Reuters: European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is not worried about other European Union countries leaving the bloc after Britain because Brexit will make them see it is not a good option, he said in a newspaper interview.

Asked by Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper if other member states would follow Britain's example in quitting, Juncker said, "No. Britain's example will make everyone realise that it's not worth leaving."

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He added, "On the contrary, the remaining member states will fall in love with each other again and renew their vows with the European Union."

The EU's 27 leaders plan to declare "Europe is our common future" during a meeting in Rome next week to mark 60 years of the bloc.

Juncker said Britain would need to get used to being treated as a non-member.

"Half memberships and cherry-picking aren't possible. In Europe you eat what's on the table or you don't sit at the table," he added.

Juncker said more countries would join the EU in future, although not during his time in office, which runs until 2019, because none of the candidates fulfils the conditions yet.

ALSO READ | UK: Queen Elizabeth II gives PM May royal approval to begin Brexit

ALSO READ | European Union court's headscarf ban ruling sparks faith group backlash

--- ENDS ---
The night of Profane Association of West Africa PAWA, which is celebrated annually by the Atlantic Hall of the University of Cape Coast and sister allies from the Continental and Commonwealth Halls of the KNUST and the University of Ghana respectively, turned bloody in the late hours Friday and the early dawn of Saturday when they clashed with residents of Oguaa Hall.

The bloody quarrel which had led to one person stubbed in the stomach, another stubbed on the spinal cord and several others injured, occurred at the forecourt of Oguaa Hall when the combined force of ATL, Continental and the Vandors who have competed in the PAWA night to show their prowess in the use of irreverent language stormed Oguaa Hall.

Eye witness account has it that residents of Oguaa Hall which is close to ATL, were alarmed that their neighbours, ATL Hallers who are in the festive occasion of their hall week celebration, have planned to visit their hall of residents and pour human excreta on them as occurred in 2012.

In view of this, the premier Hallers of Oguaa mounted a blockage in front of their hall to ward off the threats of their counterparts from ATL who have been joined by their above mentioned allies.

Felt irritated by the blockage, eye witnesses say some ATL Hallers started pelting the Oguaa Hallers with stones which was retaliated.

According to sources, police personnel who were stationed in between the two halls intervened and restored calm and this occurred at about 11:15 pm.

In an interview with this reporter, some students who pleaded anonymity explained that the retaliation of stones pelting by Oguaa appeared to have triggered the anger of ATL and their allies who claim to be super powers and therefore cannot be defeated in any shape or form.

As a result of this, the students said, the merry makers gathered courage and armed themselves with more stones and other deadly implements and launched a fresh attack on their targets who were still guarding their hall.

They added that in the ensuing volatilities, the police fired series of tea-gas and rubber bullets at the Oguaa Hallers who were standing right in front of their hall, a situation that permitted their opponents to attack in their numbers.

Other sources that collaborated the story accounted that due to the intensity of the tea-gas and the rubber bullets, the Oguaa Hallers ran for their lives as some went into the hall whereas others run helter-skelter to escape the visible signs of dangers.

The vintage merry makers vent the spleen on a poor first year student and resident of Oguaa (name withheld) who was returning to the hall from private studies and stubbed him dangerously in the stomach and at the back because he was in Oguaa Hall outfit. An eye witness revealed.

Others who could not control their runs as a result of the impact of the tea-gas were heavily stoned by their assailants. This has led to some students sustaining several degrees of injuries in their heads and other parts of their bodies. This reporter gathered.

It is alleged that the combined blood seekers took advantage of the absence of their opponents and vandalised a 27 seater Coastal Buss of Oguaa Hall which was parked at the forecourt of Oguaa as of the time of the attack.

Alarmed by the vandalism, the Oguaa residents, eye witnesses say gathered courage and stormed the forecourt of their hall but the police who were just about hundred metres away and therefore saw the conducts of the combined merry makers started firing tea-gas and rubber bullets at them again.

The defenceless students at this point had no other option than to go to their various rooms. At about 4:00 am, the police guarded the ally students to board their busses and move to their various destinations.

As to be expected, one would have wished that the police would have remained at the scene to ensure total orderliness but as soon as the visiting merry makers left, the police team also went away.

One student added that at this juncture, the ATL residents came back to Oguaa for the second time and caused more damage to properties. He mentioned that they ATL took absolute control over the forecourt of Oguaa and destroyed various items running into several thousands of cedis.

A visit to the scene revealed that a Nissan Primeira saloon car that was parked in front of the same hall was alleged to have been badly damaged by the merry makers.

Several attempts by this reporter to get in touch with the Public Relations Officer of the University for further clarification proved futile as his mobile phone was switched off.

Stay tuned for more soon.
Having read and listened to arguments on Nana Addo's number of ministers and their deputies especially by the NDC and some think tanks gives me the impression that they think Nana Addo is just one of those unscrupulous politicians who would come into government with the sole aim of milking the country dry. This mindset held by a section of Ghanaians about Nana's government is just ridiculous to say the least. It simply means they do not know the man Nana Addo and his passion about the Ghana project.

This is the man who I learnt did not stay in government bungalow and refused to take rent allowances when he was made a minister for seven good years. This is the man we were told refused to take fuel from the state as a minister. This is the man, I'm told did not take per diem as a minister. It is also public knowledge that this man refused to take government land he was entitled to at the Airport area during the Accra land redistribution plan which was even lawful at that time. This is the man whose disgust and hate for corruption is not in doubt at all and cannot be tagged with corruption.

It is needless to say that most Ghanaians voted for change because of issues that are more important to them that they believe would bring relief to them and not trivialities such as government size brouhaha. As Niccolo Machiavelli rightly put it, "The end justifies the means" and the size of Nana Addo's government is just a means to an end and not the end in itself. The assumption that the fewer the ministers the more prudent a government is in safeguarding the public purse simply defies logical reasoning especially going by evidence so far in our fourth republic.

Hitherto Nana Addo's government, the Kuffuor-led administration had been the largest government with 93 ministers and deputies. He was accused that his government was too large but in terms of safeguarding the public purse, President Kuffuor's government is second to none compared to all the NDC governments in the fourth republic from January 1993 to January 2001 and from January 2009 to January 2017 in terms of prudent economic management and growth.

Now, to those doom mongers, this is how Nana Addo has started safeguarding Ghana's money already as Kwame Baffoe, a.k.a Abronye DC stated the facts on Oman FM's Boiling Point on Thursday, 16th March, 2017: An amount of Gh4.7 million was spent on Ex-President Mahama's inaugural ceremony on January 7, 2013. This happened even when the cedi to dollar ratio was Gh1.80 to $1.00. Going by that precedence therefore, before Nana Addo's inauguration, the former Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah, presented a budget of Gh5 million to Hon Yaw Osafo Marfo perhaps because he thought that outrageous amount they spent on JM's inauguration was prudent. Hon. Yaw Osafo Marfo also showed it to Nana Addo who in turn warned that they shouldn't spend anything more than Gh3 million on his inauguration because that would amount to profligacy. Finally, the transition team ended up spending Gh2.7 million instead of the proposed Gh5 million even when the cedi to dollar ratio had more than doubled from Gh1.80 to Gh4.30 to $1.00 by then. Even before Nana Addo had been sworn in as president, he had saved Ghana an amount of Gh2.3 million already.

Now, juxtaposing this to the NDC and those think tanks such as IMANI Ghana led by Mr Frankline Kujo who want to crucify Nana Addo because of their assumption that the pay basket for the ministers would be bloated due to large number of ministers and deputies, does it look to them that Nana Addo is someone who wants to milk Ghana dry?

As Nana Addo himself indicated in an interview granted to GTV and Graphic Journalists on Friday, 17th March, 2017, 42 out of the 50 deputy ministers nominated are all Members of Parliament who are already taking salaries very close to those of deputy ministers. Because they cannot take double salary as MP and a minister, all that would be done would be add a little top up to their existing salary which would be a very insignificant amount of about one thousand Ghana cedis (Gh1,000.00) compared to if he had appointed them from outside parliament.

I implore Ghanaians to give Nana Addo the benefit of doubt for him to deliver on his promises to the good people of Ghana since that is why we reposed our confidence in him and gave him our massive endorsement in the 2016 general elections. We believe Nana Addo will deliver so let's give him some space. He needs more competent brains to help him fulfill his numerous promises geared towards making Ghana a model of Africa.

BY

NICHOLAS BOADI
The CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Reginald Yoofi Grant has stated that the NPP government will pursue programs aimed at sustaining the operations of the Komenda Sugar Factory.

According to him, the government will continue to create the necessary conditions for the production of sugar and reduce the over reliance of imported ones and eventually cut down the high import bills.

Explaining the strategy by the government to achieve its objectives, Mr. Grant however said the NPP administration will adopt a private sector participation approach in realizing the objectives.

We want to push as much private sector participation in some of these venturesgovernment does not have the fiscal space to invest because its revenue have all been tied up to expenditure, he said.

Whereas there are government initiatives on the ground, we will also encourage the private sector to play a bigger role in bringing in businesses and expanding our industrial base.

The erstwhile NDC government revamped the Komenda Sugar Factory in May 2016 after several years of inactivity.

The recommencement has since been met with challenges including impact of illegal mining (galamsey) activities that were reported to have affected the availability of fertile lands for the cultivation of sugarcane to feed the factory.

The GIPC boss's comment also follows a recent visit to Mauritius with the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and some private and public sector delegation.

The African country is known for its ability to grow its economy largely with the sugarcane plantation that forms majority of its agriculture and industrial base.

I went into an agreement with Mauritius Institute of Sugarcane Research Institute to collaborate in the area of capacity building to support the cultivation of sugarcane in Ghana and they have already shown interest in Northern Ghana to create sugar estates, Mr. Grant said.

Already, the Integrated Water and Agricultural Development Ghana is engaged in the empowering people and improving livelihoods in the Northern part of Ghana (Sisili-Kulpawn) through the substantial production volumes of sugarcane.

The IWAD has also advocated the need for processing facilities to create value addition to the production chain.

Government in 2014 secured a thirty five million dollars Indian Exim Bank facility to bring the Komenda Sugar Factory back to life.

Currently Ghana's annual sugar requirement is estimated at close to four hundred thousand tonnes and the factory is expected to produce value added by-products such as energy and alcohol to support industry.



By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
Cairo (AFP) - A quartet of international groups said Saturday it supported efforts by Libya's unity government to assert control over Tripoli after days of fighting with rival militias.

The Cairo meeting by representatives of the United Nations, European Union, Arab League and African Union came a day after gunmen opened fire at demo nstrators protesting against militias in Libya's capital.

Speaking at a press conference afterwards, Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit said the quartet had followed the "dangerous developments in Tripoli."

"We agreed on supporting the (UN-backed) presidential council in its efforts to exert security control in the capital, including the implementation of the truce agreement," Abul Gheit said.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, UN envoy Martin Kobler and African Union Libya envoy Jakaya Kikwete also attended the meeting.

Friday's protests followed four days of clashes between pro-unity government forces and rival militias.

Kobler said it would not be time to lift an arms embargo on Libya until its armed forces had a clear chain of command.

"If you have an army with a clear chain of command, reporting to the supreme command of the army and the presidency council, they are entitled to exemptions from the weapons embargo," he said.

The fighting in Tripoli lasted four days and subsided only after the GNA signed a ceasefire agreement with militias from Tripoli and third city Misrata, along with local mayors.

The truce announced Thursday has largely held despite brief clashes the same day in the south of the city.

Militias have been key power brokers in a country plagued by violence and lawlessness since the NATO-backed ouster of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

The embattled GNA has secured the support of several armed groups, but dozens of militias continue to operate in Tripoli.

Abul Gheit said the quartet that met in Cairo was "prepared to support and facilitate any mechanism for dialogue between the Libyan parties."
18.03.2017 LISTEN

The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has dismissed assertion that governments huge team of appointees might result in mass corruption.

NPP Deputy Communications Director, Mike Ocquaye Jnr., said there is no evidence to prove that previous regimes which had small teams were less corrupt.

On the contrary, he said there were governments with lower number of ministers that were very corrupt.

He also indicated that the arguement that a small team is efficient than a huge one does not apply to Ghana because of her peculiar political system.

Speaking on Joy FM/MultiTVs news analysis programme Saturday, Mr Ocquaye Jnr. said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is focused on bolstering the economy of the country which has to be supported by the citizens.

Related Article: Akufo-Addo releases list of 54 more ministers and deputies

The president has suffered severe backlash after he appointed 54 additional Ministers to his already 36 Ministers. This brings to 110, the total number of government appointees.

Related Article: Learn how private businesses achieve more with a few workers - Lecturer tells gov't

Political opponents and some civil societies have registered their displeasure, casting doubts on the Presidents promise to protect the public purse.

Political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has said the huge size of government might encourage corruption since it would be difficult to monitor activities of all the ministers.

The President has explained he settled on the number because of the challenges facing the country which he said require more "men and women" on deck.

Related Article: Learn how private businesses achieve more with a few workers - Lecturer tells gov't

He is convinced the brouhaha generated by the size of his government will fizzle out after the economy begins to improve in the coming years.

Adding his voice to the defence, Mr Ocquaye Jnr., said former President John Mahamas government was heavily accused of corruption despite having 84 Ministers.

He said out of the 110 Ministers, 65 percent of them are Members of Parliament (MP) and they would not be entitled to double salaries, but rather one.

Related Article: Downsize your gov't, it's 'obscene' - CDD tells Akufo-Addo

"We cannot always just look at the cost of everything and not the value of it," he quoted former President Kufuor, adding everything would be forgotten if "these people together are able to succeed."

But Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga, said the President has set a bad precedent with his decision which he believes defeats arguments that the number of civil servants has to be reduced.

"By expanding the size of government, it makes it difficult to say you need a smaller size of civil service when you are expanding yours," he noted.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brako-Powers | [email protected]
18.03.2017 LISTEN

Mugabe Maase, one of Ghanas leading radio presenters said Nana Akufo Addo will lose his life before June the 1st thats why he will never be President.

Mugabe Maase made this statement during a holiday stay in the UK during which he met members of the youth wing of the National Democratic congress at a special meeting.

He said Nana Addo is wasting his time campaigning to be President because spiritually, he will not make it because by June he will be gone .I am telling you I have him in my palm like an egg. I will squeeze it and God will do the rest for me! (Akufo-Addo Will Die Before JuneMugabe Maase, Ghanaweb, February 6, 2016).

THE SCOURGE OF POLITICAL THEOLOGY AND THE CENTRAL ISSUE OF PROPHETIC CONUNDRUMS IN GHANAIAN POLITICS

In the lead-up to the 2016 general elections Rev. Owusu Bempah caused a major stir in the country, when he claimed that some members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were plotting Akufo-Addos death, or wanted him dead, whichever version suits the specifics of his outrageous prophecy.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) invited the reverend in for interrogation at its headquarters, and in the presence of his attorney, the reverent probably told investigators what the media had already reported about his privileged knowledge of anonymous persons who wanted Akufo-Addo dead.

As far as we can tell, nothing of substance came out of the interrogation.

And then quite recently, Prophet Kwabena Tawiah, founding leader of the Church of Rabbi, gave a prophetic ultimatum of six months for the imminent death of Akufo-Addo to transpire.

He too, like Rev. Owusu Bempah before him, is now claiming some members of both the NDC and the NPP have visited shrines to eliminate the first gentleman of the land.

Not to be outdone, Prophet Tawiah goes further to draw some interesting though curious parallels between the method allegedly used in killing Mills and the one to be used in Akufo-Addos murder. He describes this thusly:

I warned Atta Mills about the plot to kill him, he ignored me and look at what happened. They intend to use the same method to kill Nana Addo.

It is difficult trying to understand why these attention-seeking political theologians and doomsayers never prophesy about their own imminent deaths.

On the one hand, we do know for a fact that Rev. Owusu Bempah became an instant celebrity, an instant sensation, even, once he managed to inch closer to Akufo-Addo and his campaign machinery.

On the other hand, other political theologians like Prophet Kobi and Prophet Tawiah tried to curry favor with Akufo-Addo but may have failed in their attempts.

Prophet Kobis pre-election prophecy signaled electoral loss for Akufo-Addo once he, the latter, turned himself over to a Man of God for a thorough spiritual cleansing. He claimed that Akufo-Addo had been entangled in a dragnet of generational curses, and for which reason he needed a Man of God to set him free from his paternally imposed bondage of curses.

The election came to pass and Akufo-Addo won hands down. Then Prophet Kobi came up with other sophisticated escapist hypotheses to explain why his pre-election prophecy did not come to pass.

Instead, he blamed his prophetic fiasco on anonymous hackers.

The other competing hypothesis has it that Rev. Owusu Bempah acknowledged the spiritual strength, wisdom, and credibility of Prophet Kobis prophecy, that Akufo-Addo was in fact suffering under a Sisyphean pile of generational curses which potentially threatened his electoral success, following which Rev. Owusu Bempahs submitted himself to consistent prayerful intercessions and fasting in behalf of Akufo-Addo leading to the latters spiritual cleansinghence his landmark electoral victory which eventually unseated Mahama and closed the chapter on his scandalous reign, just after one term.

Kobi, salted fish. That is what he is.

Prophet Kobi quickly distanced himself from his co-religionist pal, Bishop Obinim, when a video surfaced on social media showing that he had prophesied about the latters meteoric ascension in the prophetic ministry.

He had paid a glowing tribute to Angel Obinim prior to his strange prophetic deliveryabout the latters transcendental powers of therianthropy.

After seeing the said video anonymously posted on social media Prophet Kobi strongly objected it, especially to one of the natural corollaries of his high-profiled prophecy, and this concerns Angel Obinims therianthropic powers, and how he used this power to transform himself into any animal of his choice, snakes and tigers, to harass, to intimidate, and to bite his enemies and detractors under the cover of darkness.

Angel Obinims alleged therianthropic powers, as well as the gathering momentum of his fluid shapeshifting charactorology, have subsequently made him a redoubtable symbol of transmogrification among his legion of ignorant followers. Obviously, one does not know what exactly to make of Angel Obinims shapeshifting tendencies in terms of the dimension of metempsychosis.

Notwithstanding, the media took note of this sensational grandstanding and public stunt by Bishop Obinim, his dedicated following and acolytes, thus earning him the kind of public attention Prophet Tawiah will have wished he only had. The latter, we strongly believe, is on an attention-seeking quest for public or mainstream acceptance, like his co-religionists Pastor Mensah Otabil and Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams.

Unfortunately, the intense political underpinnings of clerical rivalries are being progressively grafted onto the landscape of our secular national politics. It is not as if Ghana has institutionalized state religion, although this working hypothesis seems to be gaining some traction in the sacralization of executive politics, and yet one is at pains to acknowledge the creeping actualization of political religion into matters of policy formulation. This may not necessarily bode well for the sanctity of religious diversity in our national existence as one religion is certain to others.

Therefore, Prophet Tawiahs merely rehashing Rev. Owusu Bempahs passe prophetic nightmares will not earn him the kind of public attention he is so desperately seeking. Lets also add that Prophet Tawiah may have to sell this other prophetic snake oil by Rev. Owusu Bempah to the public:

When I was in heaven, the angel took to a location where they opened a curtain, I saw late President Mills alone in a room crying. Then the angel told me that he was not in that palace but God allowed them to bring him there at the time so he could teach me something which was that he never died a natural death

They have provided him with a bowl into which his tears fall anytime he cries. The reason is that they were preventing the tears from falling unto the land because that could cause chaos in Ghana. Ghana would have become a land of desolation. Its an innocent blood which have been sacrificed because of position

The angel opened another curtain, there I saw President Mahama with chains around his neck, waist and legs as well. The chains have been tied to a huge stone. He was sweating and crying profusely as well with a red scarlet tied around his waist as well.

Mahama will never become president ever again in the Republic of Ghana, says Rev. Owusu Bempah, the self-appointed spokesperson for the Electoral Commission (EC) and the people of Ghana.

The self-styled reverend now represents the popular willpopular sovereignty, namely, in matters of electoral politics.

These village prosperity theologians and political theologians have invested so much in prophetic alarmism as to make absolute nonsense of the products of rational intellection.

In their emotional economics of prosperity theology prophetic alarmism and unhindered pursuit of political mammonism dominate and displace soteriology. This makes Angel Obinim for one look more like pathetic fallacy.

But Akufo-Addo will not die.

In fact Akufo-Addo must not die. What for?

Whoever wishes him dead is wickedly unpatriotic and boundlessly evil, given that it is not our place to take up the authorship of his spiritual obituary.

Yes, we can always author his political obituary, not spiritual obituary, when he fails to prove his mettle for whatever reason(s).

Thus we all must do everything in our power to ensure he lives past the pale of longevity, to enable him fulfill his constitutional obligations to Ghanaians, including accomplishing such noble objectives as transforming Ghana industrially and bringing economic prosperity to the teeming generality of the masses. He must succeed.

We must wish him the blessing of longevity as he navigates through the emotional intricacies associated with the rough terrain of secular politics. In other words, he has to live long enough to honor all his campaign promises to shame the naysayers, his ardent critics and detractors of which this author cannot exclude himself.

Moreover, it is not as if the death wisher automatically enjoys longevity because the life of the person he or she wished dead is transferred to him or herthe death wisher. Of course, some of us may strongly disagree with him on grounds of policy strategies and tactics but that is not the same as wishing him dead.

And whatever we all wish to make of it, of the prophetic controversies, Akufo-Addo is presently the Political Father of Ghana embodying the soul of nation, of our national aspirations. For the sake of argument therefore, if he passes today which of course is not our wish, part of the nation dies. It is our submission that this ontological conundrum may not sufficiently gibe with rational mentation.

This iss the time the angels and God of Rev. Owusu Bempah must assert their protective authority in connection with the mortality of Akufo-Addo. We say this not as a mark or instance of playful frivolity per se, but rather as a re-stated contention of the reverends own controversial rhetoric inventory, where he categorically made transcendental or spiritual imprimatur the backbone of Akufo-Addos presidential aspirations and subsequent assumption of the executive office.

Let Prophet Tawiah, Rev. Owusu Bempah and Prophet Kobi therefore go to sleep, because the gentleman of the land will not and must not die just for them to appropriate this potential death to justify the statistical probability of their attention-seeking doomsaying frivolities, which may be unnecessarily interfering with the peaceful exercise of executive prerogatives and privileges in behalf of the nation.

Is there a place for the hopeless sinner, who has hurt all mankind just to save his own beliefs? Marley asks on One Love.

These beliefs could be ideological, political or religions, or simply a combination. Can our political theologians therefore help us answer this complicated question? This is why the first twonamely, Prophet Tawiah and Rev. Owusu Bempahshould rather think about their own pending mortality and leave Akufo-Addo alone. Other schadenfreude moirologists who wish him dead must also think twice and consider their own mortality in their scheming political calculations.

Perhaps Bishop J.Y. Adu, the man who reportedly healed hip-life star Okomfo Kwadee of his alleged madness, should come to the aid of his co-religionistsProphet Tawiah and Rev. Owusu Bempah. This is long overdue, if we must add!

On the other hand there is no doubt in our minds that Akufo-Addo has aged graciously although his boring, sleep-inducing drawl and Locally Acquired Foreign Accent sometimes make it seem as if he is incapable of kenesiological youthfulness. But, lest we forget, this observation is merely one of the normative features of ageing and therefore we should all learn to accept it. When all is said and done, it is possible for Akufo-Addo to outlive his most ardent critics and detractors.

And, unlike Akua Donkor, we will always wish Mr. President a happy birthday when we have to.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: SOME CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES

We can only hope that he successfully completes his term (s) on a good note for posterity to judge him right! In fact he must outlive his transient tenure of political office, long enough for him to share his post-presidential career of teachable experiences with Ghanaian citizens, as well as with his critics and detractors, if he does indeed succeed in taking the country to higher heights of sustainable industrial transformation that improves the lot of the teeming generality of Ghanaians.

Even those who die must also surely live to tell their stories. This is what the great Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah, the greatest African, has doneand Akufo-Addo may want to take a page from Nkrumahs book. For now he should wholeheartedly embrace the glamor of his security of tenure and not disappoint the millions who have put the national destiny in his hands.

Still, those of us on the sidelines who passionately love our beloved country will continue to critique his policies when they are not in keeping with the national interest. But then also we will give him his due when we absolutely have to. Both are patriotic responsibilities we cannot afford to shirk at the expense of national deterioration.

In the meantime, we will give him his head as he takes the initiative to fulfill some of his bold campaign promises. Lets rally around his progressive cause of transforming Ghana and bringing economic prosperity to the vast majority of Ghanaians. As Bob Marley said on So Much Things To Say:

Oh, when the rain fall, fall, fall now

It don't fall on one man's housetop. Remember that:

When the rain fall

It don't fall on one man's housetop.

Truth, we shall add, is an absolute defense. Truth, we shall again, is an offense but not a sin, quoting the great Bob Marley (see Jah Live). On this beautiful track also, though, Marley equates the polemic disbeliever in the transcendental and spiritual possibilities of man with what he aptly described as a foolish dog bark at a flying dog.

Could Marley have been right?

Answering this question is beyond our scope of mortal intelligence. We do however think that only Mugabe Maase, Prophet Tawiah, the all-knowing Rev. Owusu Bempah, Prophet Kobi, and Akufo-Addo himself can sufficiently answer this question!

We shall therefore defer this particular question, and the other complex question of life and death, to them for their spiritual wisdom to adjudicate!

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, one is just not too sure or clear about whether Prophet Tawiahs brand of prophetic hermeneutics rigidly follows a unique literalist typology where, among other things, there exists no alternative or competing situations, or claims, of prophetic interpretations beyond his.

On the surface though, there appears to exist an undercurrent of confident categorical exceptionalism in his typological literalismif indeed he does not also subscribe to the figuratist label. And since Akufo-Addo and his government claim to represent change in the status quo, what if the potential assassins are enemies, of progress, namely, of this change in a figurative sense in that Akufo-Addo is not necessarily a target for physical assassination, but rather his idea of change which some members of his own party as well as of the opposition may be opposed to?

Or that Akufo-Addo is going to be his own internal enemy, where he and some of his political appointees undermine his efforts and determination to transform Ghana via bad policy strategies and tactics, public corruption, mediocrity, political patronage, arrogance of power, and sheer incompetence?

The ultimate concern for us at this point is that whether Prophet Tawiah is a figuratist or literalist is irrelevant. The state must provide competent security detail for the president while his political theologian friends take care of his spiritual protection. This amounts to killing two birds with two stones.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

We intend the notions of theriathropy and metempsychosis which we associate with Bishop Obinim to stand as tropes for the change Akufo-Addo and the NPP promised Ghanaians, although this change also implies policy manifestations yet to unravel under the new administration.

This change is, however, not borne out of the policy question of secular liberalism. The pre-election catchy sloganeering catchphrase The Battle is the Lordswhich seems to have suddenly gone into convenient extinction after the general electionscaptures this supposed internal conflict between secular liberalism and political theology. The policy implications therein are enormous.

The core issue here is that, the likes of Prophet Tawiah, for all intents and purposes, may be resuscitating this internal conflict for public consumption. But we have to tread cautiously: For want of a nail, social and political stability was lost. Still, one has every reason to always wonder why these so-called Men of God finger Akufo-Addo as a serious target of political assassination in these Obinim-esque prophetic convolutions, yet the identities of the potential assassins always remain shrouded in absolute mystery where they are either unidentified or anonymous. What is the reason for this paranormal secretion? This is not only inexplicably strange but highly problematic as well.

That is, whether the author of this weird prophetic narrative is Prophet Tawiah or Rev. Owusu Bempah, the identities of the potential assassins however fall outside the boundary of rational speculation. The sad part is that Prophet Tawiah didnt identify the shrines those potential political assassins allegedly consulted. This is very confusing because it tends to reduce the presumed omniscience of the deities to whom these so-called Men of God appeal, to objects of ridicule and powerlessness. It even raises profound questions of credibility issues about these telluric representatives of God.

Clearly, then, we are seeing the scourge of post-truth politics, the deep state, arrogance of power, and alternative facts gradually seeping into the prophetic ministry as well, a means through which these sham political theologians, commercial dealers in spiritual snake-oil, and spiritual galamseyers crave after unwarranted public attention, relevance, and sympathy. The fact is that they dont deserve public attention.

And yes, some of this prophetic nonsense has serious national security implications for political stability. This is why we should not encourage or entertain them. Against this background therefore, we should and must ignore them, and allow Akufo-Addo to enjoy the inner piece he requires to effectively do his job, while doing everything in our power to ensure these unnecessary prophetic encumbrances do not in any way detract him from honoring his constitutional mandatesdefined by an array of executive privileges and prerogatives and national priorities.

Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.

REFERENCES

Ghanaweb. Akufo-Addo To Die In Six MonthsProphet Tawiah Reveals. March 14, 2017.

Ghanaweb. Innocent Mills' Soul Crying for JusticeOwusu Bempah. December 1, 2016.
18.03.2017 LISTEN

By Bajin D. Pobia, GNA

Tumu, March 18, GNA - Government is to roll out a programme under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) for agricultural investment in the Savannah Ecological Zone.

The 7,160 million Euros programme is to contribute to the development of a sustainable, resilient and modernised agriculture in the zone and all the 11 districts in the Upper West Region would benefit from it.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said this in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Kofi Dzamesi, the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, at the annual 'Paari Gbielle' Festival of the chiefs and people of the Tumu Traditional Area in the Sissala East District.

He said government was also committed to fulfilling its campaign promise of providing each community in northern Ghana with one dam to help address the gradual hampering of agriculture by inadequate and erratic rainfall, floods and droughts.

The provision of dams would enable community members to produce food crops and vegetables all year round especially during the off or dry seasons.

The dams would also provide jobs for the youth and help reduce the rural-urban migration.

In fulfilment of the one district, one factory project, Nana Akufo-Addo assured the people that the Ghana Cotton Ginnery in Tumu would be revamped.

He said five communities namely; Tumu, Bugubelle, Kong, Wellembelle and Kulfuo-Tarsor in the Sissala East District would have their dams desilted and rehabilitated with buffers created to protect the dams under the Adaptation Fund Project.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Ghana are jointly funding the project which would also come along with alternative livelihoods such as the provision of bee hives and fish caging.

President Akufo Addo said government was aware of the deplorable nature of roads in the district and gave the assurance that it was determined to complete ongoing roads and construct new ones to facilitate the transportation of people, goods and services.

He said the Tumu-Wellembelle, Tumu-Sorbelle, Tumu-Navrongo and Tumu-Hain roads would be upgraded, while the Nabugubelle-Dolibizon, Nabugubelle-Mwandouno, Bugubelle-Sentie, Bawiesibelle-Nabulo and Challu-Nabugubelle feeder roads would be worked on.

Emergency works at Tinabelle-Bawiesibelle and Dasima-Sentie feeder roads would also be tackled, President Akufo-Addo said.

GNA
By Samuel Akapule, GNA

Bolgatanga, March 18, GNA - Most Reverend Alfred Agyenta, the Bishop of Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese, has urged stakeholders in education to effectively implement the Child Protection Policy to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults.

He said he did not agreed with a section of the public who claim the contents of the child protection policy was alien to African culture adding that globalisation had brought the world closer together.

Bishop Agyenta said this when he opened a training workshop for stakeholders in education from the Northern and Upper East regions on the Child Protection Policy in Bolgatanga.

Participants involved the regional and district directors of education, and managers of the Catholic Education, Islamic and Presbyterian Education units.

It was organised by the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese of the Catholic Church in partnership with World Vision Ghana, a child-welfare Non Governmental Organisation.

The training was to sensitise participants on the policy and to ensure that they implemented it to help curb the spate of abuse in schools, homes and institutions.

Bishop Agyenta said the diocese had developed its own Child Policy Document, drawing its contents from the Child Protection and Family Welfare Document of the Gender Ministry and UNICEF.

He said it had also constituted Diocesan Child Safeguarding and Child Protection Teams to help address the phenomenon.

Bishop Agyenta said the Catholic Church had established 357 schools in the region made up of kindergartens, primary, junior and senior high schools and a training college to complement government's effort at delivering quality education.

'As major stakeholders in education it is, therefore, very important to help ensure that we create a safer environment to protect our children, young people and the vulnerable adults to become more responsible leaders in future.

'It is in this light that the Catholic Church will continue to always complement government's efforts at providing spiritual and moral formation to help nurture good values in our children to become more responsible citizens; for Knowledge without character is useless,' Bishop Agyenta said.

Presenting a report on the Catholic Education Unit schools in the diocese, Rev. Sister Bernardine Pemii, the Regional Manager of the Catholic Education Unit, said it was regrettable that teachers meted out inhuman abuses to children.

She cited instances where a school teacher asked a pupil to use the mouth to clean the blackboard and another where a nine- year-old pupil was asked by the teacher to carry 30 buckets of stones as his punishment.

Rev. Sister Pemii entreated the stakeholders to work hard towards ending such barbaric acts, saying such punishments could discourage many pupils from attending school.

GNA
President Nana Addo has reiterated his commitment to protect the public purse.

This promise comes at a time when Ghanaians are questioning the President's commitment to cut down on excessive spending after appointing some 110 ministers to serve in his government.

But speaking to Abdul Moomen of GTV, the President said government had already kick-started processes, including a directive for Ministers to declare their assets to check profligacy.

We want a situation where political office holders are the first to recognize that they serve the public interest not their own personal interest. I have said it time again that those of my party in adherence, like-minded people, who think that coming into the public sector is going to be an avenue for making money are going to be disappointed. To the extent that my eyes and ears can see what is going to happen, I am not going to allow it to happen. For instance, as we sit today, in the record time, all the first appointments that I made have all declared their assets, all 36 Ministers have all declared and filed their assets with the Auditor General.

It is part of the process of reassuring the Ghanaian people of the commitments that we made to protect the public purse. The commitments that we made to ensure that we live with the political system that minimizes corruption which has really ravaged our country and brought us to this low level of economic decline, there is going to be a systematic attempt to deal with it.

I need men for unprecedented challenges  Nana Addo

In response to the criticism over the size of his government, the President said the unprecedented problems confronting Ghana demand a large government, hence his decision.

I don't believe that my government in the Fourth Republic has big numbers in view of the swollen challenges, the President said in an interview with the Daily Graphic and Ghana Television.

In President Akufo-Addo's view, the end will justify the means, as he assured that his government was going to work for the people.

We have a problem, and what is the best way? It is better to have men and women capable of serving the nation's interests and to work to grow the economy If I succeed, you will soon find out the brouhaha is nothing compared to the success.



By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @EfeAnsah
Baden-Baden (Germany) (AFP) - Ministers from the world's top economies heralded plans to boost development in Africa on Saturday, at an otherwise fractious G20 gathering in Germany.

Berlin, which holds the presidency of the powerful nations' club this year, has made a hoped-for "Compact with Africa" a top priority for 2017.

Africa's future represents "a major geopolitical risk" but also a "chance", German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble told reporters Friday as the meeting got under way in the genteel western spa town of Baden Baden.

In their final communique, G20 ministers committed to "fostering private investment including in infrastructure," aiming at "sustainable and inclusive growth" for the continent.

It was "revolutionary" to see Africa so high on the agenda of the G20 for the first time, said Senegal's Finance Minister Amadou Ba on the sidelines of the conference.

Along with counterparts from Ivory Coast, Morocco, Rwanda and Tunisia, Ba was invited to join the world's biggest financial powers at the table in Baden Baden.

South Africa is the only nation from the continent to hold G20 membership.

"This G20 initiative is well timed with its philosophy of suggesting rather than enforcing, as well as the idea of working together," Moroccan Finance Minister Mohamed Boussaid said, emphasising that it was not an "aid programme".

'Win-win partnership'

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble attends a press conference after the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Baden-Baden, southern Germany, on March 18, 2017

While the conference has seen bitter wrangling over trade and climate commitments, consensus was easier to achieve on the Africa plan.

The G20 hopes to encourage private investment to build up jobs and infrastructure in African partner countries by offering political support.

Members are, however, offering no financial commitment of their own.

"Africa needs infrastructure, some efforts are already underway and should be sped up. We'll need to step on the accelerator and finally allow our countries to participate meaningfully in worldwide free trade," Senegal's Ba said.

European nations might find fewer African migrants and refugees coming to their shores if populations were able to flourish at home thanks to improved infrastructure, healthcare, and education, he argued.

But the African nations were "not here to lend a hand" to European politicians faced with rising popular disquiet over migration, Ba said.

Instead, they hope for "a win-win partnership" with wealthier countries.

To offer the continent a "hopeful and flourishing future, Africa needs the rest of the world by its side," European Union economic affairs commissioner Pierre Moscovici told AFP.

'Insufficient'

Before the German plan can be declared a success, G20 countries will themselves have to make financial commitments, said Friederike Roeder of NGO One -- failing that, the plans announced Saturday would remain "insufficient, short-sighted and one-dimensional".

For now, she said, ministers have done little but "reiterate existing plans" concentrating on private-sector investment, even though "these remain countries in need of international aid".

G20 representatives are slated to flesh out the Africa plans at a Berlin conference on June 12 and 13, before a heads of state and government summit in Hamburg in July.

In Baden Baden, there was "a real desire and engagement for this initiative to have concrete results," Morocco's Boussaid said.

Argentina, which will take the baton of the presidency from Germany in 2018, plans to keep the Africa scheme running under its stewardship -- in itself an encouraging sign, Senegal's Ba said.
By Press Trust of India: Jammu, Mar 18 (PTI) There is nothing new in poll boycott calls made by separatists in Kashmir, BJPs national general secretary Ram Madhav said today as he asked people to vote in large numbers.

"There is nothing new about it. Separatists have been giving such calls every time elections are round the corner. They have done the same thing now," Ram Madhav said while talking to reporters here.

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Asked about the call by separatist leaders for the boycott of upcoming bypolls in Srinagar and Anantnag Lok Sabha seats, Madhav said, "We also do the same thing and appeal to the voters to come out in large numbers and participate in the elections".

He said people should vote for whichever candidate they like as democracy is a celebration and everybody should participate in this celebration.

On whether the BJP would contest the Lok Sabha bypolls, Madhav felt that a mutually acceptable decision should be taken after consultations with the PDP, the partys alliance partner in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We had suggested to the leadership of the coalition partners BJP and PDP that they should sit and talk to each other. PDP should talk to the state leadership here and after that today or tomorrow the (BJP) central leadership will take a decision," Madhav said.

"Let the two parties sit and talk to each other first. BJP had fought on all the six in Lok Sabha elections earlier and after that in assembly elections too", he added.

The PDP has already announced its candidates for the two Lok Sabha seats but the BJP is yet to field any nominees. The rival parties, the National Conference and Congress would be contesting the elections as an allies and have shared one seat each.

"Whether BJP has very less votes and what decision is to be taken in account of that vote bank, the two parties should hold discussions to talk each other and both should be satisfied that should be the way out," Madhav told reporters.

The BJP leader had earlier held meetings with state party leaders here on their opinion about the by-elections for two Lok Sabha seats and legislative council polls. PTI AB DK ADS

--- ENDS ---
18.03.2017 LISTEN

It is too early for me to wade into the ongoing brouhaha over the presumably unprecedented large size of His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addos ministerial appointments. At 110 Ministers and Deputy Ministers, many a Ghanaian is worried considering the current decrepit state of the nations economy where the just outgone President Mahamas NDC-led government did not only corruptible embezzle State funds but also, left a huge national debt for the incoming government to deal or battle with.

Some Ghanaians are condemning the size as being too big; too far way ahead of any government Ghana has ever had. They see it as a waste of money and resources and only a creation of jobs for the NPP boys when viewed in terms of the poverty-stricken state of the country as at now.

However, others are arguing that the size does not matter as long as the 1992 Constitution at Article 78 does not lay limit on how many Ministers and Deputy Ministers a President can appoint. Even though there is no limit to how many people can be appointed as Ministers and Deputy Ministers, does common sense not apply here when we have such a weak economy as it is obvious at the moment?

I have no qualms about the number as long as they will be able to deliver on the numerous manifesto promises made to Ghanaians consequent upon which we all contributed in various capacities to ensure the election of Nana Akufo Addo and NPP on Wednesday, 7 December 2016, as the President and the ruling party, respectively. As said, I reserve my constructive or destructive criticisms or fervent approval for now.

However, I find those who criticised the sizes of previous governments Ministerial appointments as being huge but are now defending the current much larger one of President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo as normal, very hypocritical. They are behaving like the pigs in the Animal Farm story by George Orwell. The pigs that instigated the other animals to join them to revolt against man (Mr Jones) on allegation that man was evil, and on the slogan/mantra of, two legs bad, four legs good, became worse than man when they took over the administration of the farm after Mr Jones had been overthrown and chased out of the farm. Did they not start walking on their two hind legs, standing like man, drinking milk, eating eggs and sleeping in the same bed that Mr Jones had slept and ended up maltreating the other animals much worse than how Mr Jones had treated them?

I vehemently detest the hypocrisy of the Ghanaian politician.

As I write, some of the Senior Ministers of His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addos government have started exhibiting their Ghanaian-politician tendency and weakness of easily corrupting themselves. I have seen and heard what they are doing and I shall in the coming days take them on in a very drastic manner that will shock many a Ghanaian. We did not vote them into power only to come to continue with the corruption and injustices that President Mahama and his NDC-led government masterminded, orchestrated, perpetrated and perpetuated.

Corruption is not only about embezzling funds but as defined in the dictionary; it is illegal, bad, or dishonest behaviour, especially by people in positions of power.

His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo is a known and recognised man of integrity whose incorruptibility, firmness of character and fairness as a champion of Human Rights impacted on many a discerning Ghanaians decision to vote for him and NPP so there is no way that I shall sit back with arms folded around the chest when I see any of his Ministers doing acts that will compromise the Presidents hard-earned reputation.

Come what may, as long as God continues to grant me longevity, wisdom and strength, I shall take these Ministers on very soon should they not desist from their deplorably hidden agenda to condone and connive with others to commit acts of corruption.

If they think they now have power and can do as they want when they want, let them persist with their collusive intents and they will be shocked to the very foundations of their bones when I start to take them on. We voted for a change of government for the better but not for a change where the injustices, lawlessness, practice of selective justice and corruption that were the daily vitamin intake by the President Mahamas NDC-led government would be continued by the new administration.

Until that day which is clearly within sight, I rest my case.

Rockson Adofo

(Written on Saturday, 18 March 2017)
More than 1000 guns were recovered as armed bandits, cattle rustlers and vigilante surrendered their weapons as part of a disarmament process spearheaded by Zamfara State and 1 Division Nigerian Army.

In a statement by Brigadier-General Sani Kukasheka Usman who is the director of army public relations, he said the army and the state government is working towards peace.

READ ALSO: Army carries out series of clearance operation against terrorists, criminals

The region has recorded violence ranging from cattle rustling to Fulani herdsmen attack and the army has vowed to work towards achieiving peace.

He said: The disarmament of armed bandits, cattle rustlers and vigilante process spearheaded by Zamfara State and 1 Division Nigerian Army has been yielding the desired result as more persons have been surrendering themselves, arms and ammunition. This assertion followed the surrender of more arms at Gusau, Maru and Anka Local Government Areas of the State yesterday.

Thus the number of the recovered arms within this week is as follows; 3AK-47 Rifles, 2 G3 Rifles, 1 Small Machine Gun, 3 Pump Action Guns, 1 Teargas Launcher, 3 Teargas Canisters, 690 Locally Made Dane Guns, 192 Locally Made Pistols, 8 Locally made Pump Action Guns, 17 Locally Made Revolvers, 60 Locally MadeMulti-barrel Pistols and 13 Locally Made Double-barrel Rifles.

The State Government and the military have been working assiduously with all the relevant stakeholders to ensure the sustenance of the peace process.

See photos below:

Cattle rustlers, bandits surrender weapons

Source: Legit.ng
- Governor Nasir El-Rufai wrote a memo to President Buhari which was leaked to the press

- In it, he lamented that the APC and the Buhari administration had failed in some aspects

- The party has promised to respond appropriately

There are reports that President Muhammadu Buhari as well as the All progressives Congress (APC) is shocked by the leaked memo written by Governor Nasiru El-Rufai lamenting about the governance of Buhari.

A memo written by the Kaduna governor to President Buhari was leaked by Sahara Reporters where El-Rufai complained about some of the issues in Buharis administration.

READ ALSO: Buhari bashing: Reno Omokri attacks El-Rufai

The governor wrote: Poll after poll in Kaduna State, before and after the 2015 elections, clearly shows that my fate, politically and otherwise, is uncannily tied to yours. If you do well, I stand to benefit immensely. If you do not do well sir, whatever I try to do in Kaduna matters little to my present and any future political trajectory.

There is a perception that your ministers, some of whom are competent and willing to make real contributions, have no clear mandate, instructions and access to you. Ministers are constitutional creations, Mr. President, and it is an aberration that they are expected to report to the Chief of Staff on policy matters.

There is a strong perception that your inner circle or kitchen cabinet is incapable, unproductive and sectional. The quality and the undue concentration of key appointments to the North-East and exclusion of South-East are mentioned as evidence of this.

The Sun reports that President Buhari was shocked by the memo while the APC said it would have to study it.

Chief John Odigie-Oyegun who is the chairman of the party said the party would respond appropriately after it has gone through the memo.

He however said the legitimate view of El-Rufai was a source of worry for Nigerians.

READ ALSO: Apostle Suleman blasts Governor El-Rufai over his ordeals

We will study it and comment later publicly. We thought it was a private memo to the President, but we will look at it and if we have any suggestions to make, we will make them later. It concerns Nigerians and his legitimate views, which he has expressed. We will see how it concerns us, the party and the nation and if there is need, we will comment on it subsequently.

A highly placed member of the Buhari administration also said President Buhari was shocked that a private memo to him could be leaked to the press.

See the memo below

Source: Legit.ng
By Press Trust of India: From Sajjad Hussain

Islamabad, Mar 18 (PTI) Pakistans Senate Chairman and senior Pakistan Peoples Party leader Mian Raza Rabbani has criticised the Nawaz Sharif governments decision to revive the military courts for another two years term.

The political parties, including Pakistan Peoples Party, decided on Thursday to extend the military courts for another two-year term after these courts ceased to exist on January 7 at the end of two years fixed period.

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The courts were set up in 2015 as makeshift arrangement for speedy trial of terrorists after the Peshawar school attack in 2014 that killed about 150 people, mostly students.

Rabbani while chairing yesterdays session of Senate said the country found itself back to square one after the tenure of the military courts ended in January, Dawn reported.

He regretted that no headway had been made to improve the judicial system and that the present situation could have been avoided.

"I am pained at what is happening," he remarked, hoping the situation would not be the same two years from now.

Rabbani has been a strong opponent of military courts and was moved to tears on January 7, 2015 after voting on the 21st Constitutional Amendment to set up military courts.

At the time Rabbani had said that he had voted against his own conscience.

"I have been in the Senate for more than 12 years, but have never been as ashamed as I am today and I cast my vote against my conscience," he had said.

Rabbbani is considered as among few cleanest politicians in Pakistan who believe in constitutionalism and supremacy of law.

Responding to an observation of the Senate chairperson, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said military courts were never a priority of any political party.

He said that the decision had been taken in view of the peculiar law and order situation in the country.

Dar said the country was facing enormous challenges and Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad had been launched after Operation Zarb-e-Azb. There was no other choice, he added.

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan said the PPP had agreed to swallow a bitter pill on the government?s assurance that the term for military courts would be two years and that a national security committee would also be formed.

Meanwhile, it is expected that the parliament would pass laws next week to set up such court for another two years. PTI SH ZH

--- ENDS ---

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According to a statement signed by Hon. Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission Mustapha L. Sulaiman, the commission has released lists of shortlisted candidates according to states, for applications into Federal Ministries.

Below is the breakdown of the ministries involved:

1. Federal Ministry of Education

2. Federal Ministry of Labour & Productivity

3. Federal Ministry of Finance

4. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

5. Federal Ministry of Information and Culture

6. Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing

7. Federal Ministry of Science and Technology

8. Federal Ministry of Transport

9. Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation

10. Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation

11. Bureau of Public Procurement

READ ALSO: Massive recruitment hits Federal Civil Service

For the recruitment exercise, see instructions below:

1. All shortlisted Applicants are expected to check for their names under their State of Origin, below.

2. Thereafter, check the timetable to see when your ministry/cadre has been scheduled for Interview.

3. Candidates are expected to adhere strictly to the date/time as scheduled for their ministries/cadres.

4. Shortlisted Candidates should come along with their means of Identification (e.g. Drivers License, National ID card, International Passport, etc) and two (2) passport size photographs.

5. Candidates are also expected to come along with Originals of their Credentials and two (2) photocopies of each duly endorsed by them.

See how the FCSC list of shortlisted candidates for interview 2017 was arranged:

1. Abia state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

2. Adamawa state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

3. Akwa Ibom state - FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

4. Anambra state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

5. Bauchi state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

6. Bayelsa state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

7. Benue state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

8. Borno state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

9. Cross River state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

10. Delta state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

11. Ebonyi state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

12. Edo state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

13. Ekiti state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

14. Enugu state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

15. FCT Abuja FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

16. Gombe state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

17. Imo state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

18. Jigawa state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

19. Kaduna state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A, Addendum)

20. Kaduna state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

21. Kano state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

22. Katsina state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A, Addendum)

23. Katsina state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

24. Kebbi state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A, Addendum)

25. Kebbi state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

26. Kogi state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

27. Kwara state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

28. Lagos state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

29. Nasarawa state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

30. Niger state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

31. Ogun state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

READ ALSO: Police recruitment: 4 ways to check if you are successful (photos)

32. Ondo state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

33. Osun state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

34. Oyo state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

35. Plateau state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

36. Rivers state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

37. Sokoto state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

38. Taraba state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

39. Yobe state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

40. Zamfara state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A, Addendum)

41. Zamfara state FCSC List of Shortlisted Candidates (Batch A)

More information is available here.

Watch the video below of traders being affected by negative trends in economy:

Source: Legit.ng
Andrew Napolitano was a Superior Court judge in New Jersey until, frustrated by the constraints of his salary, he left the bench for more lucrative pastures: talk radio, a syndicated small-claims court TV series (Power of Attorney) and, eventually, Fox News, where he rose to become the networks senior legal analyst.

It was in that basic-cable capacity this week that Mr. Napolitano managed to set off a cascading scandal, which by Friday had sparked a trans-Atlantic tiff between Britain and the United States while plunging President Trumps close relationship with Fox News into new, murkier territory.

It was new ground for Mr. Napolitano, 66, who prefers being addressed as The Judge and once insisted that Fox News install bookshelves and wood-paneling in his newsroom office, the better to resemble a judges chambers.

But Mr. Napolitanos unlikely leap into global politics can be explained by his friendship with Mr. Trump, whom he met with this year to discuss potential Supreme Court nominees. Mr. Napolitano also has a taste for conspiracy theories, which led him to Larry C. Johnson, a former intelligence officer best known for spreading a hoax about Michelle Obama.
Rift Valley fever, Japanese encephalitis, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and many others lie in wait, and they are less remote than most Americans realize. Crimean-Congo fever, despite its exotic hybrid Russian-African name, circulates even in Spain. It killed someone there last year.

The early-warning system that protects America against viruses resembles the one that protects it against missiles. A network of laboratories around the world, known as World Health Organization reference labs, collects samples from disease outbreaks in local humans, animals and even insects.

Researchers share the genetic sequences, track dangerous mutations, and ship virus samples on to more sophisticated labs that can turn them into vaccines.

Only a tiny number of these sentinel laboratories are in American hands. The Navy runs two in Egypt and Cambodia, for example. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, of course, is one of the apex labs in the W.H.O. reference system, like the top labs in Paris, Moscow and Beijing.

But the systems furthest-flung sentries  the ones most likely to make first contact with a new viral foe  are those in the worlds poorest countries. These labs are often the descendants of British, French, Dutch or Belgian facilities founded during the colonial era or those started by the Soviets.

Vital as they are to global health, they are usually underfunded and underequipped, and their personnel undertrained. The Fogarty center helps remedy that.

Dr. Bausch has a $50,000 Fogarty grant to plan what could turn into a $2 million to $3 million investment in Sierra Leone, one of the three West African countries where Ebola killed 11,000 people in 2014.
By Press Trust of India: Jammu, Mar 17 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir BJP today said under pressure from China, Pakistan had decided to declare Gilgit-Baltistan region, bordering PoK, as the fifth province.

The party also said that Pakistans move was to address the Chinas security concern on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

"The move to declare Gilgit and Baltistan as a province of Pakistan has been made under the pressure from China which is highly concerned about the security of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor," state BJP spokesperson Virender Gupta told reporters here today.

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It is believed that Chinas concerns about the unsettled status of Gilgit-Baltistan prompted Pakistan to explore change in its status.

Warning Pakistan, he said the way it was succumbing to Chinas pressure it would be dangerous for its identity and integrity.

Gupta said if Pakistan continues to pursue its policy towards China, it may, one day reduce itself as a colony of China.

This policy in no way can harm India but it would prove as self defeating exercise on his part".

The BJP also charged Pakistan for violating the UN resolution in which it was asked to surrender the area of Jammu & Kashmir.

"Pakistans attempt to declare Gilgit-Baltistan as its fifth province, violates the 1948 UN resolution which accepted Pakistan as an aggressor," he said.

The BJP spokesperson said UN resolution also asked it (Pak) to surrender the area of Jammu and Kashmir that it had forcibly occupied, to India for the final settlement of the issue.

He further added that the entire J&K was an integral part of India and any unilateral decision that acceded to India by the Instrument of Accession is also against the spirit of the Shimla Agreement.

Gupta also warned Pakistan against instigating Pan-Islamic movement and supporting terrorism in the Valley and in India, and said that it may boomerang on it.

It may itself become victim of ISIS aggression that may enhance the class war in its society and lead to its complete destruction. PTI AB SMJ

--- ENDS ---
Mayor Bill de Blasio occasionally lectures his staff about what he calls teachable moments  mistakes they or others have made that provide an opportunity for reflection and a change of course.

But when federal and state prosecutors this week raised serious questions about his ethics while saying that his actions, including on behalf of campaign donors seeking favors with the city, did not rise to the level of a crime, Mr. de Blasio declared it a vindication. And he said nothing would change in the way his administration operated.

I think it is normal for an elected official to receive concerns from people and pass them along for an agency to assess, Mr. de Blasio said on Thursday, referring to federal prosecutors assertion that he had contacted city agencies on behalf of contributors. Thats how we have done things, thats how we will continue to do things.

One former senior prosecutor said the bar had been high all along for proving a criminal case, given that campaign contributions are legal and neither Mr. de Blasio nor his aides had personally profited from the transactions. But that is different from being given a clean bill of health, the former prosecutor said, declining to comment on the record about his former colleagues case.
Will President Trump ever learn  or care  that his fact-free tweets have painful consequences, not just at home but abroad? Surely he must sense this by now, as the administration faces the outrage of British allies who have been dragged into his increasingly bogus allegation that he was spied on by the Obama administration.

In a feverish defense of Mr. Trumps charge, the White House press spokesman, Sean Spicer, on Thursday cited an unsubstantiated Fox News report that the British intelligence agency, Government Communications Headquarters, had been secretly called on by the Obama administration to spy on Mr. Trump.

British officials were terse in their fury, dismissing the allegation as nonsense. Utterly ridiculous and should be ignored, the British agency said.

White House aides tried to calm the waters with incensed British officials, who said they had received assurances that the allegations would not be repeated. But no one speaks for Mr. Trump. On Friday, he stuck by his wiretapping charge  without disputing a Fox News commentators claim of British spy involvement  despite Republican leaders in Congress debunking his accusation, saying that intelligence investigators have found no evidence to back it.
OXFORD, England  One of the many issues that have been raised here in the aftermath of the Brexit vote revolves around identity. What does it mean to be British, to look British, to sound British?

I was born and raised here. I live here. Im unquestionably British. Ive been told that when I speak, I sound like Harry Potter, which is appropriate because I am very much a fearless Gryffindor.

But Im also the daughter of Pakistani immigrants. Im Muslim, Ive always been spiritual, and I choose to wear the hijab while examining my personal relationship with Islam.

When people look at me, they assume Im an immigrant or a refugee. Often in restaurants or at the theater, I am talked at, not to. Waiters and ticket takers try not to look at me, they ignore me, and then I speak and I see confusion kick in as they try to figure out who I am.
In Texas, which has for decades made an art of violating the voting rights of minorities, officials and lawmakers cant seem to keep their hands clean. Now, the state may become the first to have its voting practices placed under federal oversight since the Supreme Court struck down a central part of the Voting Rights Act in 2013.

A Federal District Court in San Antonio ruled on March 10 that the states Republican-led Legislature redrew congressional district lines in 2011 with the intent to dilute the voting power of Latino and black citizens, who tend to vote Democratic.

In two districts  one encompassing parts of South and West Texas, and the other in the Dallas-Fort Worth area  the court found that mapmakers used various methods that violated the Constitution or the Voting Rights Act. In the former, a Latino-majority district, they broke up cohesive Latino areas, pulled in Latino voters with lower turnout rates while excluding those with higher turnout rates, and included more high-turnout white voters.

The maps were first blocked in 2012 by a federal court in Washington, D.C., because Texas, along with several other states and jurisdictions with long histories of racial discrimination in voting, was required at the time to get federal approval for all changes to its voting laws or practices. Under this process, known as preclearance, Texas 2011 voter-ID law was also blocked. After the Supreme Court in 2013 invalidated the provision of the Voting Rights Act that determined who was subject to preclearance, Texas lawmakers jumped at the chance to restore the voter-ID law. (That law was struck down last summer by a federal appeals court for discriminating against black and Latino voters.) Local officials were also emboldened. In the city of Pasadena, where Latinos are the majority, Mayor Johnny Isbell quickly moved to change the citys election system in a way that kept control of the City Council in white hands.
Whatever Donald Trump has, its spreading.

Weve got a president who makes things up, and wont retract when hes cornered. This week press secretary Sean Spicer followed the leader. He picked up Trumps wiretap story and added a new exciting detail: Not only had Barack Obama bugged Trump Tower, he might have used British intelligence spies to do the dirty work.

The British, of course, went nuts, and national security adviser H. R. McMaster tried to smooth things over. McMaster is new to the job, having succeeded Mike Flynn, who had to resign for lying about his phone conversations. Flynn was not even around long enough for us to find out that he was also a lobbyist for Turkish interests and took $68,000 from various Russian connections.

This is how insane the Trump administration is: On his first day, the new secretary of the interior rode to work on a horse named Tonto, and nobody really even noticed.

The part of the gang that isnt involved in active fiction-writing is still saying things that are  peculiar. When budget director Mick Mulvaney rolled out the new Trump budget plan, the nation discovered hes Sean Spicer with a calculator.
On Monday, the House Intelligence Committee holds its first hearing on Russias hacking of the election. (No date has yet been set for the Senate Intelligence Committees parallel investigation.) The list of initial witnesses does not inspire confidence in the House committees effectiveness.

It should be relatively easy to get at the truth of whether there was collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia over the hacking. I have some relevant experience. When I was a member of Parliament in Britain, I took part in a select committee investigating allegations of phone hacking by the News Corporation. Today, as a New York-based journalist (who, in fact, now works at News Corp.), I have followed the Russian hacking story closely. In November, I broke the story that a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act court had issued a warrant that enabled the F.B.I. to examine communications between U.S. persons in the Trump campaign relating to Russia-linked banks.

So, I have some ideas for how the House committee members should proceed. If I were Adam Schiff, the leading Democrat on the committee, I would demand to see the following witnesses: Carter Page, Paul Manafort, Richard Burt, Erik Prince, Dan Scavino, Brad Parscale, Roger Stone, Corey Lewandowski, Boris Epshteyn, Rudolph Giuliani, Michael Flynn, Michael Flynn Jr., Felix Sater, Dmitry Rybolovlev, Michael Cohen, Jack Dorsey, Mark Zuckerberg, Peter Thiel, Robert and Rebekah Mercer, Stephen Bannon, Sebastian Gorka, Michael Anton, Julia Hahn and Stephen Miller, along with executives from Cambridge Analytica, Alfa Bank, Silicon Valley Bank and Spectrum Health.

There are many more who need to be called, but these would be a first step. As to lines of questioning, here are some suggestions.
SAN FRANCISCO  For sale: one billion Yahoo accounts, $200,000 or best offer. The passwords dont work, but the dates of birth, telephone numbers and security questions could still be useful to an adept cyberthief.

After federal prosecutors unsealed indictments this week against four men they say were responsible for a 2014 intrusion into Yahoos systems that affected 500 million user accounts, data on one billion accounts  stolen in another attack on the company a year earlier  appeared to remain available on underground hacker forums on Friday.

The authorities were tight-lipped about their investigation of the 2013 attack, which is the largest known breach of a private companys computer systems. The 2014 hacking of Yahoos servers is the second largest.

Were not willing to comment right now if there is a connection between the two investigations, Malcolm Palmore, who oversees the Federal Bureau of Investigations cybersecurity division in San Francisco, said on Wednesday in a brief interview after the government unveiled the indictments.
Nearly a decade after C.I.A. interrogators tortured a Saudi man suspected of involvement in Al Qaedas bombing of the American destroyer Cole in 2000, the prisoner continued to experience lingering psychological consequences, including nightmares that invoked being chained, naked and waterboarded, newly declassified documents show.

The detainee, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, is facing the death penalty over charges before a military commission at Guantanamo Bay that he helped plot the Cole attack, which killed 17 sailors, as well as an attack on a French-flagged oil tanker in 2002 that killed a Bulgarian man. The newly declassified documents are part of a petition in a related case his lawyers are filing with the Supreme Court.

The new details add to the growing public understanding of what American officials, desperate to get information out of Mr. Nashiri that they hoped would stop terrorist attacks, did to the prisoner. They also show how that treatment created long-term consequences. When Bush administration lawyers authorized the so-called enhanced interrogation techniques in 2002, one of their premises was that the program they enabled would inflict no lasting damage to the prisoners.
WASHINGTON  The Pentagon released an aerial photo on Friday of a pulverized building in Syria in an unusual defense of an American airstrike that officials said killed dozens of Al Qaeda operatives at a meeting place  and not civilians at a mosque, as activists and local residents maintain.

Far from settling the debate, however, the photo prompted fresh challenges from local activists who argued that the building was part of a religious complex. Some of them distributed their own photos of the devastation, fueling the dueling narratives.

The Pentagon has not said which Qaeda leaders it believes were killed in the strike but suggested it might make that information public once it receives confirmation. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that 49 people had been killed in what the group described as a massacre of civilians who were undergoing religious instruction.

Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said officials had watched the building for some time before unleashing a barrage of missiles and bombs after evening prayers on Thursday. He said dozens of militants had been killed in the strike on the building in the Syrian village of Al Jinah, in Aleppo Province.
Speaking during a session titled "Heart to heart: The Great Disconnect | Silence in a world of noise", renowned author Pico Iyer indeed made it a heart-to-heart session.

By India Today Web Desk: Attending his first India Today Conclave, Iyer spoke about not being able to be a part of the Conclave for the last 15 years. Recollecting that a student from his years with the "India Today of the West, Time magazine", had already been to the Conclave before he could.

Talking about the topic he was invited to speak on, Iyer said, "the rich irony of asking a writer to talk about silence, even worse a travel writer to talk about sitting still."

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He said, "but with the onslaught of information that we face every day, every moment, the world is dizzy. Everybody in this room is dizzy...the world is coming to us in a series of shots."

Talking about the Indian case especially, he said, "India is data mad". "Everyone here will take in more data today than Shakespeare did in an entire lifetime."

Speaking about the volume of information humans are bombarded with, the author said, "but that does not mean that we're taking in more. In fact, we barely have time to process any information that we do get."

He said, science and technology is giving human beings more time-saving devices, but "less and less time". As an example, he said, "it takes the average person nearly 25 minutes to fully recover his concentration after a call."

Saying "more data at my fingertips, but lesser chance to make sense of it," Iyer asked people to use the data you get.

Iyer believes humans were never meant to live at a pace determined by machines. He said, "we were made to live at the speed of life, not the speed of light."

Quoting the World Health Organisation, Iyer said, the health epidemic in the world is not Ebola but stress.

Coming back to his point of people being dizzy, he said, "technology has made our lives brighter, healthier, and more interesting. But if we're feeling dizzy right now, we're going to be much dizzier in ten years of time."

Using the term "mobophobia" -- the fear of living outside mobile service area -- Pico Iyer said that the problem never lies in our devices, but us and that if the problem lies in us, then happily, so does the solution.

"The people who have given us these technologies are also the ones to set the limits, he said."

Recounting the time he had begun writing, he said, "When IT began, and I started writing, getting information was the luxury. Nowadays, getting away from it is luxury."

WATCH:

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Iyer went on to give an account of the life-changing moment he and his family faced a few years back. His parents' house in California was burnt to the ground during a wildfire within a few hours. "My parents and I had lost every last thing we owned in our lives," he said. The only option left for him was to go and sleep on a friend's floor. When another friend noticed this, he suggested Iyer retire to a Catholic monastery he knew.

Iyer, with no better option, decided to go to the monastery. When he reached the place, what he found was "pulsing silence. Not the absence of noise, but the presence of something." During his time there, he felt happier, healthier, and capable of recovering from the devastation he had faced.

"Places like that can be found near Mumbai," he went on to explain. We need such places to retreat to, as he expressed further when he said that "the place is not important. The only thing that was important was my decision to step away from my life...these days that takes a lot of courage."

Instead of getting caught up in the vicious circle of information overdrive, we should take recourse to methods that can help us save ourselves. "I'm sure that everyone in this room is already doing something to preserve their sanity...maybe it's meditation...you know that if you don't do that, you'll lose your perspective."

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When moderator Nonita Kalra (Editor, Harper's Bazaar) pointed out that not everyone can find the ways to step back from life like Iyer did in the aftermath of his parents' house burning down, Iyer replied that "not everyone can find days to step back." It would take effort--but if we cut ourselves off from the onslaught of information, and enjoy silence, for even 48 or 72 hours, we'll get some of our sanity and energy back.

After all, as Pico Iyer rightly pointed out, "It's only by going nowhere that anyone can go anywhere.

--- ENDS ---
WASHINGTON  A California man who climbed over the White House fence last week managed to roam undetected on the grounds for about 17 minutes, as Secret Service agents appeared to ignore several alarms, officials said Friday.

The new details indicated that the episode was more serious than the Secret Service had originally stated. A Republican lawmaker said it also suggested the Secret Services security measures remain inadequate two and a half years after a series of lapses tarred the agency and led to major upheaval.

In a separate episode, officials also reported Friday that a Secret Service laptop was stolen from an agency vehicle in Brooklyn. But the Secret Service said in a statement about the theft that agency laptops are fully encrypted and are not permitted to contain classified information.

The fence-jumping episode took place on the night of March 10, and President Trump was inside the White House residence at the time.
As news of Mr. Trumps budget begins to sink in across the country, Americans are trying to parse what the changes to the governments spending plan might mean for them. It is only a proposal, an opening bid in what is likely to be a protracted public argument over national priorities. But it is important because it signals what the new president is thinking, his wish list for the size and shape of government.

In two days of interviews with beneficiaries of programs at risk in 11 states, many people said they did not see themselves reflected in Mr. Trumps vision for the government. And some felt surprise at what has been left out.

Ms. Feltner said that without the heating subsidy she would probably have to move in with her daughter and two teenage grandchildren. Id still like to have a little dignity left, and not have to move in with someone else, she said. I used to be the one packing up the food in the food pantry for people, she said. Now Im the one in line.

Another proposed cut would defund the Appalachian Regional Commission, which was founded in 1965 to strengthen economic growth in a 13-state swath of the country. Of the 420 counties in the commissions footprint, 399 voted for Mr. Trump.

I hate to see him cut us, said Chris Farley, 32, of Delbarton, W.Va., who was laid off from his job operating a drill at a surface coal mine in 2015 and is now in a jobs and education program partially funded by the commission.
RIO DE JANEIRO  Federal agents raided the operations of Brazils largest food companies on Friday over accusations that their employees oversaw a scheme that included bribing inspectors to allow rotten meals to be served in public schools and salmonella-contaminated meat to be exported to Europe.

The investigation by Brazils Federal Police, an agency similar to the F.B.I., deals yet another blow to the countrys business establishment, which is struggling to recover from colossal graft scandals around Petrobras, the national oil company, and Odebrecht, a huge construction company.

In the newest corporate scandal, investigators said that employees at two food-processing giants, JBS and BRF, paid federal inspectors to ignore the adulteration or expiration of processed foods. Inspectors also falsified sanitary permits, and bribes were channeled to the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party of President Michel Temer, according to the authorities.

Rafael Cortez, a political scientist at Tendencias, a consultancy in Sao Paulo, called the meatpacking inquiry one more element that will add to the picture of political instability. Brazils political establishment was already reeling from an array of other graft cases.
Ms. Merkel has consciously avoided becoming Mr. Trumps adversary. She dismissed efforts in Germany to portray her as a bulwark against his populist movement. Mr. Trump was harshly critical of Ms. Merkel during the campaign for allowing refugees into Germany, but he has moderated his words since taking office. He welcomed the chancellor to the White House for a full schedule of events that included an Oval Office meeting, lunch and a round-table discussion with German and American chief executives.

Still, both leaders advocated unapologetically for their worldviews. Mr. Trump appeared to go further than he has in the past on the need for burden-sharing in NATO. He demanded not just that members increase their military spending as a percentage of gross domestic product, but also that they make reparations for past American contributions.

Many nations owe vast sums of money from past years, and it is very unfair to the United States, he said. These nations must pay what they owe.

Mr. Trump also said he believed that Germany, like China and other trading partners, had taken advantage of the United States. Its not exactly good for our workers, he said, adding that they had been screwed. The president said his America First approach had begun reversing that trend, luring factories back to Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and other states that had lost manufacturing jobs to foreign countries.

Though Mr. Trump did not mention his executive order banning travel from six predominantly Muslim countries, he did say that immigration is a privilege, not a right, and the safety of our citizens must always come first, without question.

Ms. Merkel offered a vision of what she called open-minded globalization. Refugees, she said, needed opportunities to improve their lives, in part to stabilize their countries and prevent them from sliding into civil war. She extolled freedom of movement as one of the great strengths of the European Union. Germanys success, she said, was inextricably tied to the success of the European Union.
The top official of a United Nations commission that published a report describing Israels treatment of Palestinians as apartheid quit on Friday, saying the organizations leader insisted that she withdraw it. The report provoked outrage from Israel and the United States.

The official, Rima Khalaf, a Jordanian diplomat who is executive secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, defended the report. Her resignation, barely two days after publication, punctuated the polarized politics of the Israeli-Palestinian impasse.

Ms. Khalafs resignation also reflected the pressure from the Trump administration on her boss, Secretary General Antonio Guterres. President Trumps ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki R. Haley, has assailed what she and Israeli officials regard as a strong anti-Israel bias at the organization.

When someone issues a false and defamatory report in the name of the U.N., it is appropriate that the person resign, Ms. Haley said in response to Ms. Khalafs resignation. She praised Mr. Guterres for his decision to distance his good office from it.
The third annual Art for Tomorrow conference hosted by The New York Times in association with Qatar Museums from March 10 to 13, in Doha, Qatar, explored the relationship between art and public life. Participants, from 30 countries, included museum directors, gallery owners, curators, auction houses, collectors, entrepreneurs, investors, financial institutions, lawyers, artists, architects, urban planners and government officials, as well as corporate and civic leaders.

Following are excerpts from some of the panels as transcribed by Red Pencil Editing and Transcription. They have been edited.

Opening remarks by Farah Nayeri, a culture writer for The New York Times, who moderated a panel on museums and national identity:

Museums used to be fusty old places where countries used to stash the artworks that they had accumulated over the centuries. Today they are, as we know, so much more than that. Since the opening of the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain, they have taken on a host of other roles. Museums have become repositories of a countrys pride and symbols of a countrys identity. Now, for cities and countries to feel good about themselves, museums are constantly being built, rebuilt or radically revamped. And as in the case of Bilbao, they sometimes have also taken on the almost impossible duty of regenerating areas that have fallen into economic oblivion.

Dr. Hermann Parzinger, president of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, which oversees all museums in Germany, including five on Museum Island in Berlin, which are being renovated:

Respect for other cultures can only be learned when you see how cultures developed, how they inter-tangled, how they influenced each other. We have Syrian refugees we are training for museum guides  not only in the Museum of Islamic Art but also in a museum for Christian art. And they are fascinated understanding Christian art. And my dream is a Syrian refugee a few years living in Germany explaining a Christian sculpture to a Berliner. Our society becomes more and more complex and multiethnic, multicultural, multireligious, its important really to explain to each other what we are and where we come from. This political issue is, I think, the most important task for a museum.
Ms. Essaydi was born into a privileged Moroccan household. Her father had four wives and 11 children, and she grew up in a predominantly female domestic environment, where a womans role was defined as marrying and having children. That is what she did initially, moving to Saudi Arabia and raising a family. But in the early 1990s, she went to France to study art and later moved with her children to the United States.

Image Portrait of Woman in a Garden by the Moroccan painter Hassan El Glaoui. Credit... Ingrid Pullar, courtesy of the artist

Ms. Essaydis works are a fusion of Arabic calligraphy and the female form. They are also a riposte to the 19th-century Orientalist paintings of Ingres, Delacroix, and Jean-Leon Gerome, which were pure products of the imagination: semi-clothed concubines idly reclining in the harems of powerful men. These women were nameless and faceless objects of male desire; they had no personality.

Ms. Essaydis artworks  a result of lengthy photographic shoots  show real women from her family and entourage reclining inside historic Moroccan palaces. Their faces, hands and clothes are covered with Arabic inscriptions.

During the panel discussion, Ms. Essaydi described her relationship with Orientalist art as complicated. While she was able to appreciate the beauty of those works, I really cringe at their representation of the Eastern world and the degrading position of women in their art, she said. When these Western artists come to a world that they dont know, and portray women as sexual victims and the Eastern man as depraved, the effect is to emasculate the Eastern man, and to challenge the notion of honor and family.

Speaking of herself and other women in the Arab world, she said, We dont see ourselves in these paintings. Her aim, she said, is to break the stereotype by appropriating the imagery or the style of Orientalist painters.
Alibaba is a company valued at $260 billion, with hundreds of millions of buyers using its sales platforms. Millions of Chinese shop there for things as varied as snacks and knickknacks and phone charging cables, while global brands flock to its high-end sales platform, Tmall. In China, Alibaba is a kingmaker for hopeful tech start-ups, while an affiliated online mobile payment system is the envy of Silicon Valley. It has a growing cloud-computing business and increasingly extols its prowess with big data.

That leaves many businesses, big and small, wondering why it has such a hard time finding fakes on its sites. Its online system for reporting counterfeits, many say, is cumbersome and prone to hiccups. Against one of the worlds biggest tech firms, Mr. Hankerson employs his iMac, $74-a-month image-searching software, his phone and a lot of time  sometimes, he says, 12 hours a day.

Yet if he doesnt invest the effort, he worries that a flood of cut-rate replicas could undermine the future of his business. Shops on Alibaba  shops that sometimes sell outside China  offer their copies at a fraction of Mr. Hankersons prices. One Taobao store sold a version of his A-frame table, with a starting price of $5,295, for $24.

If this gets out of hand, people are going to be able to buy our stuff for next to nothing, he said. It could be devastating for us.

Fighting Fakes

Alibaba has long faced accusations that its sales platforms are a haven for fakes, and big organizations have been effective at bringing the problem to the fore.

Following complaints from industry groups, the office of the United States Trade Representative last year added Taobao to its list of notorious markets for counterfeit goods, after removing it four years earlier. The corporate owner of the Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent brand names, Kering, sued Alibaba two years ago over the prevalence of fakes on its services. Alibaba, which is fighting the suit in a New York federal court, says it has no basis.
BADEN-BADEN, Germany  The United States broke with other large industrial nations over trade on Saturday as the Trump administration rejected concerns among allies about spreading protectionism and made clear that it would seek new approaches to managing global commerce.

At a meeting of finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of 20 industrialized and emerging nations and the European Union, Steven Mnuchin, attending his first major international gathering as Treasury secretary, signaled that American policy would follow the campaign promises made by President Trump to put America first and review existing trade agreements to seek better deals for the United States.

As a result, the ministers joint statement, normally a study in blandness, became an unlikely focus of controversy here. The representatives could agree only on a tortured compromise stating, in effect, that trade is a good thing. Adjectives like open were dropped, and the ministers omitted language used in previous communiques that condemned protectionism, repudiating decades of free trade doctrine.

For Asian and European officials, many of them meeting their Trump administration counterparts for the first time, it was a startling lesson in how Mr. Trump and his team are overturning long-held assumptions about international commerce.
Her solution: Men have to wait for a woman to reach out  they cant initiate the conversation  so rather than feeling rejected if a woman doesnt reply to their pickup line, they feel flattered if she reaches out to pick them up.

Emily Witt, the author of Future Sex, which documents her experience as a single person in her 30s trying to understand dating and courtship today, thinks the app helps clear up confusion. A lot of contemporary dating, a lot of the kind of sense of unease, Ms. Witt said, comes from people not knowing how theyre supposed to ask and roles theyre supposed to play, because so many of the dating rituals are so patriarchal. Yet even so, a lot of women are still reluctant to ask a guy out. So I think the revolution of Bumble is taking that uncertainty completely out.

Ms. Wolfe did not initially plan to change the dating game. She was 23, unemployed and living with her mother when she took a trip to Los Angeles to visit a fellow alumna of Southern Methodist University. The hot water went out, so they went to another friends house to use the shower. That friend was Mr. Mateen. That night, they had dinner with his buddy Sean Rad, who was working at a tech incubator owned by IAC, which would eventually become the birthplace of Tinder. He needed someone to run marketing, and Ms. Wolfe was available.

She didnt have a career plan, exactly, but she had had plenty of jobs. In college, she sold tote bags to raise money for animals affected by the BP oil spill. Later, she volunteered in orphanages in Southeast Asia, excitedly phoning home to tell her parents she was going to start a travel website. They were like, Can you just focus on not getting malaria? she said. After college, she spent a month in a photography program in New York and worked a few odd assistant jobs before moving back in with her mother.

At Tinder, Ms. Wolfe said, she took the app to S.M.U., got sorority women to sign up, then immediately crossed the street to the fraternities and told them all the hot girls were on the app. When she started Bumble, she did much of the same, taking it to universities, signing up college women and assuming  as good marketers do  that where the women went, the men would follow. It was a crowded market, but Bumble now claims 800 million matches and 10 billion swipes per month. It ranks second in top grossing Apple downloads in the Lifestyle category, second only to Tinder.
By Press Trust of India: From M Zulqernain

Lahore, Mar 18 (PTI) An Ethiopian Airlines plane today made an emergency landing here when a Chinese man attacked his co-passengers on board and injured them.

Upon landing at the Allama Iqbal International Airport here, the crew called in officials from the Chinese Consulate and handed over the passenger.

The crew described the passenger to be "mentally deranged".

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"The Boeing 777 carrying more than 300 passengers was heading to Beijing from Addis Ababa when a Chinese passenger had a brawl with more than five passengers. He and a couple of other passengers also suffered minor injuries," an official of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) told PTI.

He said the Chinese passenger got out of control after he had an argument with a passenger sitting next to him.

"He got violent and started punching the fellow passenger. Those tried to intervene he also lashed them," he said.

The official said as the crew failed to handle the mentally deranged Chinese passenger, the pilot contacted the CAA authorities and requested for emergency landing.

"Upon emergency landing at Lahore, the Airport Security Force officials took unruly passenger into custody. A couple of passengers with minor injury were also provided with medical aid at the airport," he said.

The official further said the Chinese Consulate officials were called in and the Chinese passenger was handed over to them for further investigation.

The plane left for its destination after a four-hour halt. PTI MZ UZM AKJ UZM

--- ENDS ---
Sarah Mikyung Cho and Army Capt. David Wooyoung Yi were married March 18 at the Highlands Ranch Mansion in Highlands Ranch, Colo. The Rev. Kevin Perthuis, a minister of the First Church of God, officiated.

The bride, 32, is taking her husbands name. She was until April 2016, an optometrist at Great Lakes Eye Care in St. Joseph, Mich. She graduated from the University of Michigan and received a doctor of optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry.

She is the daughter of Hyun-sim Cho and the Rev. Young-ho Cho of East Lansing, Mich. The brides father is the head of the New Hope Baptist Church there.

The groom, 33, is an infantry officer stationed at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, where he is an R.O.T.C. instructor, and is studying for a masters degree in government studies. He has had three combat deployments: in Iraq, from 2008 to 2009, and twice in Afghanistan, from 2011 to 2012, and in 2014. He graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.
Pinning down the statistics on forcible entry proved to be a Sisyphean task. As the articles indicate, there are no federal mandates requiring police departments to catalog such operations.

As a result, Mr. Sack employed a variety of strategies to uncover the numbers himself. He set search-engine alerts to notify him when key terms appeared in local and national news reports, focusing on phrases like no-knock warrant. He combed through the filings from roughly 2,000 federal civil rights cases, isolating those that involved forcible entry in residential drug raids. And he relied on various databases compiled by outside organizations, including The Washington Post, The Guardian and the American Civil Liberties Union.

The most intensive research phase, Mr. Sack said, lasted until roughly the middle of 2016  more than six months of digging.

In the end, he identified 94 people, including 13 law enforcement officers, who had been killed as a result of forcible-entry raids from 2010 to 2016. But there is no way to know, he emphasized, how comprehensive the numbers are.

Im very deliberate about this: I cant say for sure that the numbers I came up with are absolute, he said. I think of them as a minimum. There might be many more out there.

And in a literal sense, he added, theres an uncountable number of injuries and maimings, not to mention the destruction of property.

Armed with a sense of the statistics, Mr. Sack began writing in the early fall. He quickly realized that two of the cases  those involving Henry Magee and Marvin Guy, who were the subjects of forcible-entry raids on their homes in Texas  had a number of significant parallels that, when considered in tandem, would allow for a separate narrative. (That second article can be found here.)
The plane landed, everyone got off and we arranged a ride into town, only to discover that we were in the wrong town. Air Inuit operates like a bus, stopping at each village to drop off and pick up passengers, and we had gotten off too early. The fault wasnt entirely ours  Aarons ticket was issued to the wrong place  but it meant that we had to wait a day for the next flight farther north.

Thats when the blizzard hit. It kept us trapped in the tiny town of Kangirsuk for three days as we watched our mussel-hunting opportunity wane with the latest full moon. Finally, the weather cleared and we flew to Kangiqsujuaq just in time. We managed to squeeze in three trips under the ice in the following days  though, as is often the case, the first day was the best.

It was brutally cold above the ice, and I was warm only after I pulled a homemade Inuit anorak over my store-bought parka. Beneath the ice it was perceptibly warmer. Getting in and out, swaddled in layers of clothing, tested my aging frame. Both Aaron and I ended up with water in our boots, which is obviously a problem in subzero weather. I was shooting a 360 video, so setting up the camera was another challenge for me, as was photographing under the ice for Aaron. Because of the difference in temperature, the lenses fogged and then froze.

Though it didnt look like the drawings in my sons storybook, it was just as magical. The ice was curved and smooth and glowed in places from aquamarine to cerulean blue. In darker passages, it sparkled in the lamplight. The air was heavy and salty. Sounds were muffled except for the unnerving gurgle of running water, a reminder that this was a temporary space.

One of the Inuit men offered me a clump of kelp with his bare hand, showing me in the light that it was clotted with dense amber-colored fish roe. We ate the roe together, the eggs firm and chewy and cold. I had been warned not to make loud noises that could trigger a deadly collapse of the ice, but it appeared very stable to me. Nonetheless, it was unsettling to crawl on all fours where the ceiling was low.

The Inuit live with a lot of accidental death, most often people who have gotten lost in a blizzard and frozen in the snow. Others have set off on their snowmobiles never to return, presumably having sunk with their machines to the bottom of the glacial waters. Still, to live with nature is an amazing thing.

Back above the ice, the sun was setting. The moon and Venus were clear and bright in the deepening blue sky. By the time we got back to the village, the sky was black and the eerie shimmer of the northern lights twisted and shifted in an ethereal dance overhead.
Hugh Hardy, an architect who breathed exuberant new life into some of New York Citys most storied theatrical landmarks, among them Radio City Music Hall and the New Amsterdam Theater, died on Thursday in Manhattan. He was 84.

The cause was a cerebral hemorrhage, his wife, Tiziana Hardy, said.

Mr. Hardy fell on Wednesday getting out of a taxi on Eighth Avenue across from the Joyce Theater, one of the many theaters and great public spaces that he restored or renovated. He and his wife had dinner anyway, then went to the Joyce for a dance performance. He lost consciousness there and was taken to Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital, where he died.

You have felt Mr. Hardys ebullient approach if you have ever taken in a show at the New Victory Theater on 42nd Street or the Majestic Theater in Downtown Brooklyn, attended a service at the Central Synagogue on Lexington Avenue, sought directions at the gingerbread information kiosk in Central Park, bought a book at the Rizzoli Bookstore (now gone) on West 57th Street, dined in the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center or Guastavinos under the Queensboro Bridge or  before Sept. 11, 2001  at Windows on the World atop the World Trade Center.

You have seen his masterly use of dramatic gesture if you have walked by the townhouse at 18 West 11th Street in Greenwich Village, destroyed by an explosion in 1970 when it was being used by radicals as a bomb factory, and rebuilt with a brick facade that seems to pivot  clearly signaling the disruption of the tranquil row.
When Charles Murray first visited Middlebury in April 2007, we did as Professor Stanger and others are suggesting now: We organized peacefully against Mr. Murray. Where did that get us? The word faggot was written on my door, and swastikas were drawn on a number of students doors. And I blame Mr. Murrays invitation to speak, and his research, for emboldening some students to commit these hateful acts.

I dont condone violence and I never will, but I do applaud those current students who turned their backs on Mr. Murray and drowned him out. Hate shouldnt be preached.

BRIAN PACHECO, NEW YORK

To the Editor:

Highlighting a recent incident at Middlebury College, Frank Bruni ascribes much of the blame for this refusal to listen to opposing views to emotional coddling and intellectual impoverishment at colleges. But why do schools, from kindergarten to universities, catch so much of the blame for faults that are pretty obviously embedded in our society?

Todays college students have grown up in an atmosphere saturated by interruptions, insults, disruptions and dismissals, often by our most visible leaders. Think of the highly contentious arguments on The McLaughlin Group (interruptions of Wrong!); the Tea Partys and pro-Obamacare groups disruption of town hall meetings; Donald Trumps repeated interruptions, shouting and denigration of his adversaries in the primary debates; and Senator Mitch McConnells recent silencing of Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Students must be educated to listen, reflect, and reply or refute, but its important to realize that colleges and universities are generally redressing this problem in society, not causing it.

ROBERT BRACKENBURY

CINCINNATI

The writer is emeritus professor of cancer biology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

To the Editor:

Frank Bruni assumes that reason still has power. If only. Bringing reason and sound argument to the table these days is like bringing a pillow to a gunfight. Misinformation isnt just winning, its trouncing the truth. The New York Times and others have worked valiantly refuting misinformation, yet vast numbers of Republicans are still convinced that climate change is a hoax, millions of fraudulent votes were cast in the last election, President Obama tapped Donald Trumps phone, and Islam is a religion of terrorists.
Reports that the Great Barrier Reef is dying come ever more frequently, ever more urgently. There is no mystery about the reason  its global warming, caused by the fossil fuels we burn. If we stopped heating the oceans, parts of the great reef off Australias north coast and other spectacular coral reefs around the world could still recover. The alternative is to weep at the loss of one of the most spectacular sights on earth, as the author of the latest report and his students did on examining charts of the damage.

The death of coral reefs is a tragedy on many levels. There is the sheer beauty of the forests of brightly colored corals and the equally kaleidoscopic fish they harbor, a panorama that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. Theres their extraordinary variety and value: Coral reefs are found in shallow waters in only 0.2 percent of the oceans, yet they support a quarter of all marine life and provide protein for millions of people. Finally, there is the role of the coral reefs as the alarm system of the oceans: Highly sensitive to the temperature of water, the reefs can die from an increase of only two or three degrees Fahrenheit. The vast stretches of bleached coral speak to oceans in deep trouble.

Last year was particularly disastrous for the Great Barrier Reef. The periodic heating of the Pacific Ocean known as El Nino, combined with the continuing warming of the seas from climate change, caused mass bleaching along vast stretches of the 1,400-mile-long reef. In theory, the return of cooler waters could restore them, but thats not whats happening.

Researchers led by Prof. Terry Hughes of James Cook University in Australia, the lead author of a report on the reef in the current issue of the journal Nature, were surprised at the extent of the damage. We didnt expect to see this level of destruction to the Great Barrier Reef for another 30 years, he told The Times. In the north, he said, two-thirds of the reefs are dead. And Australian government efforts to curtail dredging and pollution were not helping. The reefs in dirty water were just as fried as those in pristine water, he said.
As colleges nationwide prepare to announce this month which applicants they have decided to accept, its worth asking why so many admissions offices pass up easy opportunities to admit higher-quality students.

Nearly all colleges, for example, make use of two metrics to gauge student quality: cumulative high school grade point average and composite score on the ACT (the most widely taken college admissions exam). But research has shown that these metrics are imperfect: They are less predictive of student success than alternative measures that are equally simple to calculate and whose use would lead to a better incoming class.

Consider grade point average. Students whose overall G.P.A. is a result of doing better later in high school (say, junior and senior years) are much more likely to succeed in college than students with the same overall G.P.A. who did better early in high school (say, freshman and sophomore years).

A paper in The Journal of Public Economics by the economist George Bulman provides evidence for this claim, using data from Florida. He shows that an additional G.P.A. point in 11th grade makes a student 16 percentage points more likely to graduate from college, whereas an additional G.P.A. point in ninth grade makes a student only five percentage points more likely to graduate from college. Later high school G.P.A. is approximately five times more predictive of whether a student drops out of college within two years, and two times more predictive of eventual labor market earnings.
Of course, this is not the first time conservatives forged in the fires of elite institutions have ruled over Washington, nor is it the first time theyve felt outnumbered on college campuses. William F. Buckley Jr.s God and Man at Yale, published in 1951, famously captured the hostility he felt as an undergraduate in the late 1940s.

But most of the postcollegiate conservatives I spoke to felt glad not to be on a campus right now. The incident at Middlebury College this month, in which demonstrators disrupted a lecture by the Bell Curve co-author Charles Murray, prompted a resurgence of debate in conservative circles about liberal students intolerance of ideas they disagree with. But that debate also has a flip side: What is life on the defensive doing to the conservative students?

Last week, I went to a screening of a film by Rob Montz, a follow up to his documentary Silence U: Is the University Killing Free Speech and Open Debate? Like Mr. Montz, a 2005 graduate of Brown, some in the audience of about 30 had once been conservative- or libertarian-leaning students on overwhelmingly liberal campuses, and the location for the screening felt apropos: It was held in Washingtons Adams Morgan neighborhood, in a space where filmmakers and other creative types work. A framed front page of The Washington Post announcing Richard Nixons resignation decorated the room; on ground level was a feminist pop-up shop called the Outrage, selling Nasty Women Unite apparel.

The film was the second part of a series Mr. Montz has been working on about political debate on campus. In the first, he returned to his alma mater to cover the fallout of protests that shut down an appearance by New Yorks police commissioner Ray Kelly, in 2013; his latest examined the drama at Yale in 2015 over a lecturers email to students questioning the administrations guidance on offensive Halloween costumes.

Mr. Montz considers himself the beneficiary of a campus culture that fostered free debate. I had a couple of public debates on race relations in America at Brown, he recalled. As Mr. Montz tells it, he got destroyed in those debates, and it was a good thing. It informed a lot of the way I think about race relations now, he said. But being right of center on campus when Mr. Montz went to Brown  only a little over a decade ago  now feels remarkably changed.

Hes met students who support Mr. Trump because its cool to be hyper-reactionary, it makes them different, he said. An easy way to develop a reputation is to be super far-right. And theyre allowed to sit in their largely undercooked beliefs because they arent getting really serious pushback, theyre just getting garbage protest hysterics.

Still, as headline-generating as the student provocateurs of the kind who organize lectures by Mr. Yiannopoulos might be, the college Republicans I spoke to said that the more typical conservative-leaning student still feels inhibited about expressing political views on campus.




I HAVE been devoting this space to deliberately implausible ideas lately, and the time has come to turn to an issue that our politicians are actually debating: health care reform. Though debating might be a strong word, since the politicians Im talking about are all Republicans, and its hard to have a serious argument when most everyone involved (including our unhappy president) really, really wishes that they could just stop and talk about tax cuts instead.

In theory there is a coherent vision underlying Republican health care policy debates. Health insurance should be, like other forms of insurance, something that protects you against serious illnesses and pays unexpected bills but doesnt cover more everyday expenses. People need catastrophic coverage, but otherwise they should spend their own money whenever possible, because thats the best way to bring normal market pressures to bear on health care services, driving down costs without strangling medical innovation.

This theory  along with, yes, a green-eyeshade attitude toward government expenditures on the working poor  explains why conservatives think a modest subsidy to help people buy health insurance makes more sense than Obamacares larger subsidies. Republican politicians may offer pandering promises of lower deductibles and co-pays, but the coherent conservative position is that cheaper plans with higher deductibles are a very good thing, because theyre much closer to what insurance ought to be  and the more they proliferate, the cheaper health care will ultimately be for everyone.

Is there an existing health insurance system that vindicates this boast? Yes, in a sense: There is Singapore, whose health care system is the marvel of the wealthy world. Singaporeans pay for much of their own care out of their own pockets, and their major insurance program is designed to cover long-term illnesses and prolonged hospitalizations, not routine care. The combination has produced genuinely extraordinary results: The island state has excellent health outcomes while spending, as of 2014, just 5 percent of G.D.P. on health care. (By comparison, a typical Western European country that year spent around 10 percent; the United States spent 17 percent.)
The British were fully warned before they voted to quit the European Union that this also risked a breakup of the United Kingdom. When a majority of Scots voted against breaking with Britain in 2014, they were not then voting to break with the European Union, and their preference for staying in the union was firmly confirmed when 62 percent voted against Brexit in the referendum in June 2016. So the call by Nicola Sturgeon, head of the Scottish National Party and first minister of Scotland, for another Scottish referendum on independence should come as no surprise to Westminster.

Ms. Sturgeons call may be understandable, but another plebiscite before Britain concludes the Brexit process would not be prudent. And though Prime Minister Theresa May appears inconsistent in defending British unity while breaking European unity, she is right in arguing that the Scots need to wait until the complex negotiations with the union are concluded to make a reasoned judgment on what Scotland has to gain or lose from going it alone.

Mrs. May is expected to invoke the European Unions Article 50, which starts a two-year clock ticking for Britains exit, before the end of the month. Negotiations will determine the relations Britain will have with the Continent after the formal parting. Ms. Sturgeon, who heads a minority government in Scotland, would like an independence referendum sometime in the last months of negotiations, evidently on the belief that Scottish voters would be more likely to vote for breaking with Britain when the negotiations are in their homestretch and are likely to be at their most heated, most confusing and most frightening. She is expected to seek the backing of the Scottish Parliament next week.

But calling a referendum to take advantage of anticipated confusion is foolish. David Cameron, the British prime minister at the time, called for the 2016 referendum on European Union membership on the presumption that voters would opt to stay in. The opposite happened, forcing Britain and Europe into a divorce that is proving painful for both.
By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Mar 18 (PTI) Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, a doting father to three, says he is planning to quit smoking and drinking and adopt a healthier lifestyle to enable himself spend more time with his children.

The 50-year-old Bollywood stars remark came during a session at the second day of the India Today Conclave here.

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Asked if being an old parent he feared not getting enough time to spend with AbRam, his four-year-old son, he says, "Yes, thats an issue, that thought comes in my head, it came last night. One way to look at it is to keep yourself healthy.

"The presence of a little child at the age of 50, it is a good thing. It makes me come alive, it makes me see innocence and love in a different way," he said.

The "My Name is Khan" star says he wants to spend the next 20-25 years of his life with his kids and so he has been maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

"Having said that, will I be there to do the same thing that I did with my older kids? Yes, that is a worry. So that keeps you smoking less, drinking less, exercising more. I am planning to give up all (smoking, drinking, etc) and try to be healthier and happier," he said.

Shah Rukh was 15 years old when his parents passed away and he says he holds that against them.

"I dont want my children to hold that against me that I was not there," he says.

On a lighter note, the "Dilwale" star says he wants to embarrass his kids and be around hounding them for a long time.

"I want to be there to give them advice completely out of context and irrelevant. I want to find out about their personal lives when they are hating me for doing so. I want to be cumbersome and troublesome to my children. So I should work towards it and get healthy," he says.

"I am working with younger girls just to keep up with my children. I am not doing it out of any mid-life crisis. I am only doing it to make myself feel younger and get in touch with the younger me," he adds. PTI KKP KRK KIS

--- ENDS ---
In his short White House tenure, President Trump has already set a record for histrionic tantrums against the media  whether attacking CNN, The Washington Post, The New York Times or MSNBC for revealing his 2005 tax return, as he did last week. Hes actually pursuing a well-worn path of American presidents blaming the press for their problems.

Five decades of reporting have taught me that whenever a president starts screeching about the media, its a sure sign hes in hot water and fearing revelations about some policy disaster, damaging mendacity or political villainy. Even popular presidents with reputations for charming the press occasionally stoop to blaming the press for quagmires of their own making.

John F. Kennedy, for example.

In September 1963, with the Vietnam War escalating and the pro-American authoritarian regime of President Ngo Dinh Diem besieged by popular protests, President Kennedy used a private meeting with The New York Timess publisher, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, and James Reston, the Washington bureau chief, to charge that David Halberstam, the Times correspondent in Saigon, was undermining the American war effort and to pressure the publisher to pull Mr. Halberstam out of Vietnam. President Kennedy was particularly angered by a stream of front-page articles by Mr. Halberstam graphically describing battlefield defeats and the self-immolations of Buddhist monks.

What the president did not know was that The Times was already planning to replace Mr. Halberstam because the editors feared that Vietnamese secret police had marked him for assassination. Because I covered Vietnam policy in Washington, I had been told to get ready to replace Mr. Halberstam.
In particular, the catastrophe in Yemen  the country with the greatest number of people at risk of famine  should be an international scandal. A Saudi-led coalition, backed by the United States, has imposed a blockade on Yemen that has left two-thirds of the population in need of assistance. In Yemen, to starve is transitive.

The suffering there gets little attention, partly because Saudi Arabia mostly keeps reporters from getting to areas subject to its blockade. Ive been trying to enter since the fall, but the Saudi coalition controls the air and sea and refuses to allow me in. In effect, the Saudis have managed to block coverage of the crimes against humanity they are perpetrating in Yemen, and the U.S. backs the Saudis. Shame on us.

Likewise, the government in South Sudan this month denied me a visa; it doesnt want witnesses to its famine.

In the United States, humanitarian aid has been a bipartisan tradition, and the champion among recent presidents was George W. Bush, who started programs to fight AIDS and malaria that saved millions of lives. Bush and other presidents recognized that the reasons to help involve not only our values, but also our interests.

Think what the greatest security threat was that America faced in the last decade. Id argue that it might have been Ebola, or some other pandemic  and we overcame Ebola not with aircraft carriers but with humanitarian assistance and medical research  both of which are slashed in the Trump budget.

Trumps vision of a security threat is a Chinese submarine or perhaps an unauthorized immigrant, and thats the vision his budget reflects. But in 2017 some of the gravest threats we face are from diseases or narcotics that cant be flattened by a tank but that can be addressed with diplomacy, scientific research, and social programs inside and outside our borders.

Its true that American foreign aid could be delivered more sensibly. Its ridiculous that one of the largest recipients is a prosperous country, Israel. Trumps budget stipulates that other aid should be cut, but not Israels.
Its not unknown, of course.

In ancient Egypt, there was the symbol of the ouroboros, the snake that eats its own tail. Nerve-addled octopuses sometimes consume their own arms.

But weve never watched a president so hungrily devour his own presidency.

Soon, there wont be anything left except the sound of people snickering.

Consumed by his paranoia about the deep state, Donald Trump has disappeared into the fog of his own conspiracy theories. As he rages in the storm, Lear-like, howling about poisonous fake news, he is spewing poisonous fake news.

The Hirshhorn has a sold-out exhibit of Yayoi Kusamas stunning infinity mirror rooms. But they are nothing compared to the infinity mirror room of Trumps mind, now on display a mile and a half away at the White House.
NEW HAVEN  The Supreme Court nominee Judge Neil M. Gorsuch describes himself as a constitutional originalist. But originalism, which we are likely to hear a lot about during his confirmation hearings this week, comes in several flavors and is more complicated than the conversation about Judge Gorsuch or the Supreme Court would suggest.

Originalists believe that faithful constitutional interpreters must build on the solid bedrock of the Constitutions text, as that text was originally understood when drafted and ratified. For example, what did the Article III words judicial power mean in 1787-88? What did ratifiers of the 14th Amendment in 1866-68 understand themselves as doing when declaring that states must honor the basic privileges and immunities of American citizens?

Justice Antonin Scalia, whose seat Judge Gorsuch seeks to fill, described himself as an originalist and championed originalism on the court. Justice Clarence Thomas is also a professed originalist, as was President Ronald Reagans Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork.

But not all conservatives are originalists, nor are all originalists conservative. Most jurists, most of the time, follow modern judicial precedents rather than pondering first principles of constitutional text and history. Practical considerations also factor into most jurists decision making. Originalists are no different in this regard, but they are more apt to dwell on first principles of text and original meaning and to discard precedents violating these first principles.
In my fourth year as a practicing lawyer, in an earnest attempt to persuade a starry-eyed student whod just been admitted to law school to save himself, I warned him: Going to law school was one of my biggest regrets, ranking right up there with the time I accidentally bought low-fat Brie.

I was stuck inside with that sad slab of cheese for all of Snowmageddon 2010.

Harvard Law School recently announced that it will no longer require Law School Admission Test scores from applicants, joining the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law in this new policy. Students can now submit scores on the Graduate Record Examination, known as the G.R.E., instead.

The move might succeed in expanding the pool of applicants. But heres what it wont do: increase the number of people in law school who actually want to be lawyers.

See, the LSAT is a speed bump with potential to separate those who truly want to be lawyers  the ones who thrive doing logic games in the same way theyll relish adding Bluebook-style footnotes to briefs and motions in years to come  from those who just arent sure what else to do with their lives.
In Europe, he said, elderly people facing life-threatening diseases are often placed in palliative care and essentially told its their time to go. According to the Republican orthodoxy, government always takes away not only peoples freedom to choose their doctor, but also their doctors ability to choose the correct care for patients. People are at the mercy of bureaucrats. Waiting times are long. Quality of care is dismal.

But are Republicans right about this? Practically every wealthy capitalist democracy in the world has decided that some form of government-managed universal health care is the most sensible and effective option. According to the latest report of the O.E.C.D.  an organization of mostly wealthy nations  the United States as a whole does not actually outshine other countries in the quality of care.

In fact, the United States has shorter life expectancy, higher infant mortality and fewer doctors per capita than most other developed countries. When it comes to outcomes in some illnesses, including cancer, the United States does have some of the best survival rates in the world  but thats barely ahead of, or even slightly behind, the equivalent survival rates in other developed countries. In breast cancer survival, for example, the United States comes in second, after Sweden. Third-best is Norway, then Finland. All three countries have universal, government-run health care systems.

For colorectal cancer, the five-year survival rate after diagnosis in the United States brings it to a not very impressive ninth place in the O.E.C.D. statistics. Ahead of the United States are South Korea, Israel, Australia, Sweden and Finland, all with some form of government-managed universal health care. And when it comes to cervical cancer, American women are at a significant disadvantage: The United States comes in only 22nd. Meanwhile, life expectancy at age 65 is higher in 24 other developed nations, including Canada, Britain and most European nations.

Americans might still assume that long waits for care are inevitable in a health care system run by the government. But thats not necessarily the case either. A report in 2014 by the Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation specializing in health care research, ranked the United States third in the world in access to specialists. Thats a great achievement. But the Netherlands and Switzerland did better. When it comes to nonemergency and elective surgery, patients in several countries, including the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland, all of which have universal, government-guided health care systems, have faster access than the United States.

Its not just American patients who endure endless bureaucratic hassles. American doctors were also significantly more likely to report as major problems the amount of time they spent on dealing with administrative burdens related to insurance and claims, as well as on getting patients medications or treatment because of restrictions imposed by insurance companies, compared with doctors in most of the other 10 countries studied  including Sweden and Britain.

Overall, Americans spend far more of their hard-earned money on health care than citizens of any other country, by a very wide margin. This means that it is in fact Americans who are getting a raw deal. Americans pay much more than people in other countries but do not get significantly better results.
The goal, in other words, is to surface subjects tailored to individual readers without depriving them of that sense of a shared experience. Or without readers feeling they arent receiving the same hierarchy of news values that they once did and that everyone else is.

Wilson says The Times is working affirmatively to make sure this doesnt happen. To do that, he said the newsrooms top editors will select a core of about 20 to 30 stories that will be easily visible to everyone (out of the roughly 200 pieces of content published daily). If people have the feeling theyre getting cheated out of content they had before, something didnt go right.

Were trying to be a better navigator in getting our readers to the content they want to find, said Cliff Levy, a deputy managing editor involved in the project. Were not going to shortchange people.

Whether readers will agree is hard to predict. I suspect a significant percentage will see the benefits  especially those who already get much of their news through social media. But its worth remembering that the last two decades are filled with botched attempts at mass-media customization. Those early efforts were often saddled by poor technology and frustrated readers being required to click endless boxes to indicate their preferences, an annoyance to the few who bothered to undertake.

But that wasnt the only issue. Personalization can also leave readers feeling creepy about being watched by a company collecting data on their lives. It is the paradox of privacy: Someone might benefit from a weather alert in a city theyre visiting, but tell them their location is being tracked, and its a different feeling.

The Pew Research Center captured this in a privacy study that offered people an inexpensive thermostat that would track their movements around the house, from the kitchen to bedroom, and share that data with the manufacturer. In return, the sensor would lower their heating bills. Even still, almost twice as many adults rejected the idea as accepted it.

A Times reader who wrote recently would likely have been among those uneasy with the concept. Patricia Maher of Santa Cruz, Calif., complained about a current feature in The Times that uses personalization to suggest what stories a subscriber might want to read.

I simply want to voice my alarm at the subscriber-tracking, data analysis email I just received. It is downright creepy for the paper to send readers such blatant evidence they are being carefully tracked. I am well aware that every click is counted. I dont need to be reminded with an article count and illustrative pie chart detailing all of my activity at NYTimes.com.

Whether Maher is among the many or the few is unknowable at this point, since the most significant efforts are still ahead.
SAN FRANCISCO  Travis Kalanick, the famously combative chief executive of Uber, took the stage at a Vanity Fair conference in San Francisco last October and quickly faced a prickly question. Why all the blunders at the company, Vanity Fairs editor, Graydon Carter, asked. And had Mr. Kalanick learned anything?

Off in the wings of the auditorium, Bill Gurley appeared to tense.

Mr. Gurley has a lot riding on Uber. His venture capital firm, Benchmark, bought into Uber six years ago, when the ride-hailing company was a mere pipsqueak. Today, what was a 20 percent stake in Uber is worth billions.

Mr. Gurley is a rare figure, a Silicon Valley habitue who chides some of the biggest start-up stars to show some discipline and drop their arrogant behavior. That day in October, Mr. Kalanick passed Mr. Gurleys test. He answered calmly, saying that he could learn from leaders who had failed in the past. Weve made mistakes, Mr. Kalanick said. We always find a way to learn and to get better.

Mr. Gurley relaxed visibly.

Now, however, Uber faces precisely the kind of test Mr. Gurley has warned about. Former employees have said they were sexually harassed and discriminated against at the company. This month, Uber ended its use of a tool to thwart authorities in various cities who were trying to stop the ride-hailing service, after complaints that the behavior was unethical. Mr. Kalanick himself was caught on a video, which quickly went viral, in which he told one of Ubers drivers that some people just dont want to take responsibility for their own behavior, using an obscenity.
Each Saturday, Farhad Manjoo and Mike Isaac, technology reporters at The New York Times, review the weeks news, offering analysis and maybe a joke or two about the most important developments in the tech industry.

Mike: Aloha, Farhad! Im back from vacation in Hawaii, where I spent a week eating fish and getting tan. I would have stayed forever, but I think my presence was affecting their tourist economy. Also I need to find a way to keep this tan going, because I look great.

How was work? I have no idea what was going on in my absence.

Farhad: I had the best week of my life.

Mike: Hmm. Ill try not to read too much into that. Lets talk tech.

So Genius, formerly known as RapGenius, formerly known as the company whose co-founder couldnt stop getting in trouble, seems to be in some sort of trouble. The Verge reported on Geniuss strategic shifts and layoffs this week, which includes apparently moving away from the companys focus on annotation of texts on the internet and embracing some sort of video-centric plan. I honestly have no idea what that means, but it bums me out mostly because I was a big fan of Genius and its annotations, which were crowdsourced from the knowledgeable folks on the web.
SANTA ROSA, Calif.  In the heart of Northern Californias wine country, a civil engineer turned marijuana entrepreneur is adding a new dimension to the art of matching fine wines with gourmet food: cannabis and wine pairing dinners.

Sam Edwards, co-founder of the Sonoma Cannabis Company, charges diners $100 to $150 for a meal that experiments with everything from marijuana-leaf pesto sauce to sniffs of cannabis flowers paired with sips of a crisp Russian River chardonnay.

It accentuates the intensity of your palate, Mr. Edwards, 30, said of the dinners, one of which was held recently at a winery with sweeping views of the Sonoma vineyards. We are seeing what works and what flavors are coming out.

Sonoma County, known to the world for its wines, is these days a seedbed of cannabis experimentation. The approval of recreational cannabis use by California voters in November has spurred local officials here to embrace the pot industry and the tax income it may bring.
By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Mar 18 (PTI) Pakistan today said a trial in a terror case like 26/11 takes time to conclude and one must not "jump the gun" and must wait for the court verdict.

Abdul Basit, Pakistans High Commissioner to India, said Pakistani nationals suspected of involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attack case have been booked by the authorities and further progress is expected in the matter.

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"The accused have been booked and we hope to make further progress in the matter," he said at the India Today Conclave here.

"The crime took place in India. The trials in such cases do take time. Our government is trying hard to ensure justice (to the victims). But, lets not jump the gun. Let us please wait for the final verdict of the court," he said.

The Pakistani diplomat was replying to a query from a 26/11 attack survivor who attended the event.

"But, at the end of the day, bilateral cooperation is required to dispense justice," Basit said, adding, "We also need to see why it is taking too long to bring the perpetrators of the 2007 Samjhauta Express bombing (to book)."

Replying to another query, he said as far as the trial in the Pathankot terror attack case was concerned, "we strongly feel that both the countries should cooperate (in the investigation) and we need to sit across the table".

During an interactive session, Basit asserted that there were "no terror training camps" in Pakistan and maintained that his country too was a "victim of terrorism".

"This blame game is not going to take us anywhere. Lets not forget that Pakistan has been a big victim of terrorism."

Asked if Islamabad considers 26/11 attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed a terrorist, the Pakistani envoy evaded a direct reply and said the LeT founder has been put under house arrest as per the anti-terrorism law.

Speaking at the event, former High Commissioner to Pakistan G Parthasarathy questioned the neighbouring countrys commitment to fight terrorism.

"The worlds most wanted terrorist Osama bin Laden was found living with his family members in Pakistan (in Abbottabad town which houses a military base). Every terror attack in Afghanistan emanates from the neighbouring country (Pakistan)," he said.

Taking a dig at Pakistans claim that it too is a victim of terrorism, the veteran Indian diplomat said, "You cant nurture a snake in your backyard hoping it will bite only your neighbour." PTI APM RSY RC

--- ENDS ---
In Coudersport, Pa., a town in a mountainous region an hours drive from the nearest Walmart, Cole Memorial Hospital counts on two Jordanian physicians to keep its obstetrics unit open and is actively recruiting foreign specialists.

In Fargo, N.D., a gastroenterologist from Lebanon  who is among hundreds of foreign physicians in the state  has risen to become vice president of the North Dakota Medical Association.

In Great Falls, Mont., 60 percent of the doctors who specialize in hospital care at Benefis Health System, which serves about 230,000 people in 15 counties, are foreign doctors on work visas.

Small-town America relies on a steady flow of doctors from around the world to deliver babies, treat heart ailments and address its residents medical needs. But a recent, little-publicized decision by the government to alter the timetable for some visa applications is likely to delay the arrival of new foreign doctors, and is causing concern in the places that depend on them.
Hillary Clinton said she was ready to come out of the woods during a St. Patricks Day speech on Friday night in Pennsylvania in front of an overflow crowd  an indication that she plans to shed the low profile she has kept since the election.

Mrs. Clinton, the presidential candidate and a former secretary of state, made the comments at the end of a nearly 20-minute talk she gave at a yearly St. Patricks Day celebration held by a womens group in Scranton  in the northeast corner of a battleground state that made for one of her most surprising electoral losses in November.

Mrs. Clinton, whose grandfather and father grew up in Scranton, spoke about her familys connections to the area, including many summers she spent at a nearby lake as a child. But at the end of the speech, given in the ballroom of a local Hilton hotel, her words turned, if only glancingly, to current affairs.

Im like a lot of my friends right now. I have a hard time watching the news, Ill confess, she said, according to a video of the event. I am ready to come out of the woods and to help shine a light on what is already happening around kitchen tables, at dinners like this.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.  President Trump has selected George T. Conway III, the husband of his counselor Kellyanne Conway, to head the civil division of the Justice Department, people familiar with the decision said on Saturday, placing him in charge of a crucial office charged with defending Mr. Trumps contentious travel ban and lawsuits alleging that his business activities violate the Constitution.

Mr. Conway, 53, would lead a department of about 1,000 lawyers that has vast reach across the government, handling issues like national security and consumer protection and enforcing federal programs and the actions of the president himself.

A White House spokeswoman declined to comment on a personnel matter, and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests. The people familiar with Mr. Trumps decision confirmed it on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to pre-empt an impending announcement. The choice was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

If confirmed, Mr. Conway would immediately be in charge of representing Mr. Trump in the legal challenges  which are widely expected to reach the Supreme Court  over his executive order barring people from six predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States.
WASHINGTON  Deep into the Senates 68-page questionnaire of Judge Neil M. Gorsuch, the Supreme Court nominee was asked to describe how he had come to President Trumps attention.

The first thing he wrote was, I was contacted by Leonard Leo.

Most Americans have probably never heard of Leonard A. Leo, who has long served as executive vice president of the Federalist Society, an organization of conservatives and libertarians who place a premium on individual liberty, traditional values and the rule of law. But as Mr. Trump begins the process of filling what could be the most federal court vacancies left to any president in nearly a half-century, Mr. Leo is playing a critical role in reshaping the judiciary.

He sits at the nexus of an immensely influential but largely unseen network of conservative organizations, donors and lawyers who all share a common goal: Fill the federal courts with scores of judges who are committed to the narrow interpretation of the Constitution that they believe the founders intended.

The Supreme Court needs to be an institution that helps to undergird limited constitutional government, said Mr. Leo, 51, whose cerebral, unassuming demeanor belies the enormous clout he has developed in Washington.
Washington  In December 2005, when Congress enacted the Detainee Treatment Act, tightening restrictions against torture but barring lawsuits by Guantanamo detainees, Neil Gorsuch stood at the center of the internal debate about whether President Bush should issue a signing statement about the bill.

Judge Gorsuch, whose Supreme Court confirmation hearing is set to start on Monday, was then a senior official in the Justice Department. He pushed strongly for a signing statement  in part, he wrote in an email, because it could make clear the Bush administrations view that the new torture ban was best read as essentially codifying existing interrogation policies.

An email chain about the development of Mr. Bushs eventual signing statement, which attracted critics because it also claimed a right to bypass the torture ban under his powers as commander in chief, was among more than 100 pages of emails and documents from Judge Gorsuchs 2005-2006 tenure at the Justice Department that the Trump administration provided to the Senate late on Friday.

The executive branch had previously withheld those pages from nearly 175,000 documents it provided to Congress because it considered them covered by a privilege for confidential internal deliberations. But it waived that privilege after Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, requested their disclosure. Previous disclosures showed that Judge Gorsuch helped to defend and advance the Bush administrations positions related to Guantanamo detainees, military commissions and other policy disputes arising in the war on terrorism, although those policies had been set by others.
WASHINGTON  Minutes before President Trump was to take the stage in Nashville last week to make his case for the health care overhaul he had promised, he received some unwelcome news that shifted his script.

A Federal District Court judge in Hawaii had just placed another stay on his ban on travelers from six predominantly Muslim countries, dealing his order a second legal setback in two months. As a country music duo crooned in an auditorium still filling with adoring supporters of Mr. Trump, the president fumed backstage and huddled with his staff for a hasty redrafting of the speech.

When Mr. Trump emerged, he decided to relegate the health care overhaul, which he has identified as a top domestic priority, to a brief mention more than halfway through the speech. He instead replaced its prime billing with an angry diatribe against the travel ban ruling and the judge who had issued it.

I have to be nice, otherwise Ill get criticized for speaking poorly about our courts, he said. But he could not help himself: The president soon suggested that the court that had just ruled against him should be destroyed. People are screaming, Break up the Ninth Circuit! 
One of Ms. Ortegas lawyers, Domingo Garcia, said the case also raised questions about equality in the justice system. He cited a case three years ago in Fort Worth, in which a 16-year-old boy from a wealthy white family was sentenced to probation for a drunken-driving crash that killed four and seriously injured two. The boys lawyers argued that he was so spoiled that he did not realize that there were limits on his behavior, the now notorious affluenza defense.

Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican who brought the fraud charges, has applauded Ms. Ortegas sentence, saying that it shows how serious Texas is about keeping its elections secure.

Ms. Ortega said she had voted for Mr. Paxton as well as Mitt Romney, President Barack Obamas Republican rival in 2012, after being persuaded by the conservative father of her fiance, Oscar Sherman.

The outlines of Ms. Ortegas offense are mostly undisputed. While living in neighboring Dallas County, she registered to vote before the 2012 election, checking a box on the registration form that certified that she was a United States citizen. After voting in 2012 and 2014, she moved to Fort Worths Tarrant County in 2015, where she registered to vote again  this time, ticking the box that indicated she was not a citizen.

When her registration was rejected, she called elections officials, telling them that she had voted in Dallas. Told that people who checked the noncitizen box were ineligible to vote, she reapplied, this time indicating that she was a citizen. An elections worker who remembered her earlier comment about voting in Dallas became suspicious, and forwarded the application to the authorities.

Ms. Ortega was jailed on charges of voting fraud, a felony, and false statements on a registration application, a misdemeanor. State prosecutors argued that her actions and statements showed that she had intended to break the law, although they offered no explanation of why she would have sought to vote illegally.

A jury of 10 women and two men convicted her of the fraud charges, but the misdemeanor has yet to be adjudicated. After a month in jail, she was released on bail. Her four children have been placed with an ex-husband with whom she has scant contact.
For them, building a new life is anything but certain.

Normal life of Maiduguri masks the scars that the conflict left for some children, said Patrick Rose, a spokesman for Unicef. These children have experienced horrific things.

Amina

On most days, Amina, now 18, can be found on the street selling detergent and broth with her mother  the only one who knows her secret.

I feel so guilty, she said.

A year and a half ago, insurgents would come and go in Aminas hometown in the countryside. One day they decided to take her with them, shooting her older brother and tossing his body in the bush.

They took her to a Boko Haram camp, where she was shocked by the huge number of women living there, many of them pregnant or with infants. Amina was told that she would have to marry one of the fighters, but would first accompany them on operations to help kidnap other girls. If she did not do so, she would be killed.

On my first outing with them, I abducted three, said Amina, whose last name, like those of others in this article, is being withheld out of concern for their safety.

Capturing other girls soon became a pattern for Amina. Fighters would enter a village with guns blazing, kill and kidnap men, and expect Amina and other girls to round up the young women. They were told to leave behind older villagers and anyone nursing babies.

Kidnapping victims were easy to find. They were often crouched in terror in their homes.

When the girls would hear the gunshots, theyd run into their rooms and hide, Amina said.
KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo  Seven Congolese Army officers have been arrested and charged with war crimes after a video surfaced last month that appeared to show uniformed soldiers opening fire on a group of civilians in a massacre that left at least 13 people dead, the militarys auditor general said on Saturday.

The video depicts a squad of soldiers gunning down a group of people, which included women and possibly children, in Congos Kasai-Central Province. Most of the victims were unarmed, though a few men appeared to be holding slingshots. Several analysts who saw the video said that it revealed a government-sponsored massacre of civilians and that the video could be used as evidence of war crimes.

In connection with this video, we have found seven suspects, all are F.A.R.D.C. elements, who are currently in detention, said the auditor general, Gen. Joseph Ponde Isambwa, using an abbreviation for the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The officers, he said, had been charged with several crimes including war crime by murder, war crime by mutilation, war crimes by cruel inhuman and degrading treatment and denial of an offense committed by persons subject to military jurisdiction.
NEW DELHI  Indias governing party on Saturday appointed a firebrand Hindu cleric to lead the countrys most populous state, a turning point for a government that has, until now, steered clear of openly embracing far-right Hindu causes.

The choice of Yogi Adityanath  who has been repeatedly accused of stirring anti-Muslim sentiments  to lead Uttar Pradesh, came as a shock to many political observers here, who have become accustomed to the carefully moderated public positions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in line with his projected image as a pro-development leader and global statesman.

Mr. Adityanath has openly called for India to be enshrined as a Hindu rashtra, or Hindu nation, and supports the rebuilding of a temple to the Hindu god Ram, also known as Rama, on the site of a razed 16th-century mosque, a project that was halted after it incited bloody religious riots in the 1990s.

With the appointment, Mr. Modi is unveiling a vision of benign majoritarianism, said Shekhar Gupta, a longtime editor and political talk show host. That means its a Hindu country, thats the fact, and well be nice to you if you behave yourself.
By Press Trust of India: Lucknow, Mar 18 (PTI) UP Congress chief Raj Babbar today sought to distance party vice-president from the electoral rout in the assembly polls saying Rahul Gandhi was not responsible for it and the party had won three of the five state elections under his leadership.

"Congress has won three of the five states where elections were held and this goes on to prove that Rahul Gandhi was successful in his mission," Babbar told reporters at an event where the seven newly elected party MLAs were felicitated. He said the party has not yet analysed as to what went wrong for the alliance in UP.

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Babbar, however, took responsibility for the poor showing, saying "As President of the state party unit, I take all the responsibility or the defeat."

He maintained the partys stand that in Goa and Manipur, the Congress had lost to money and muscle power of the BJP, even after winning the polls. On the performance of the alliance in UP, he said that Samajwadi Party has started reviewing it and Congress will be carrying out its assessment soon. The Congress leader refused to comment on questions relating to poll strategist Prashant Kishor. The party will tomorrow hold a meeting of its candidates who lost, Congress sources said. PTI SAB SMI ADS

--- ENDS ---
A declaration by Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson that the United States would consider pre-emptive military action against North Korea raises a question that has dogged American military planners for 20 years: How could this be made to work?

The United States has long threatened force. The sincerity of such threats has always been ambiguous, as they are often meant less to prepare for war than to act as a deterrent to North Korea and a reassurance of the commitment by the United States to South Korea.

But there is a reason that, even as North Koreas weapons programs have passed red line after red line, the United States has never followed through.

Almost any plan would bring a high risk of unintended escalation to all-out war, analysts believe. It would place millions of South Korean and Japanese civilians in the cross hairs of North Korean weapons with few guaranteed benefits.
Once again, weve seen Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, said Sylke Tempel, the editor in chief of Internationale Politik, published by the German Council on Foreign Relations, remarking on the approach that Mr. Trump took during the leaders joint news conference on Friday.

He was Mr. Jekyll while reading his statement, saying nice things about economic ties, his commitment to Ukraine, common friendship; all the niceties, Ms. Tempel said. Then, in the question-and-answer session, hes his old self: disparaging the media, criticizing the British.

Although memories of Ms. Merkels warm relationship with President Barack Obama remain fresh in the minds of many Germans, it took repeated meetings over several years before the chancellor reached that level with Mr. Obama. During a joint news conference in Dresden in June 2009, she displayed stiff body language and a chilly formality, months after she had denied Mr. Obama permission to speak in front of the Brandenburg Gate during the 2008 presidential campaign.

In 2006, Mr. Obamas predecessor, President George W. Bush, sought to win her over with a playful shoulder rub, a move abruptly rebuffed by the pragmatic chancellor. One year later, however, at the summit meeting of the Group of 8 industrialized nations, she coaxed Mr. Bush to voice support for her vision of a global plan to combat climate change.

Yet both of Mr. Trumps most recent predecessors followed diplomatic conventions and worked within the institutions established after World War II to foster communication and cooperation among nations.

Mr. Trumps America First approach and his disparagement of global trade agreements have caused uncertainty among German politicians and industry leaders. Asked by a German journalist about this approach, the president insisted that while he was not against trade, the United States had been treated unfairly in global trade agreements. But I am not an isolationist, he said.

Less than 24 hours later, however, Mr. Trumps government refused to back a pledge to fully oppose trade protectionism at a meeting in Baden-Baden, Germany, of the finance ministers of the Group of 20, which comprises industrial and emerging-market countries as well as the European Union. Participants last year had agreed to resist all forms of protectionism.
The phrase Bizim bleibt, or Bizim stays became a rallying cry for the wider movement and gave birth to the Bizim Kiez organization, which is fighting to maintain diversity in the neighborhood.

After tenant outcry, the city also saved at least two apartment blocks in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg from being sold, using a legal tool known as the right of first refusal, which lets officials intervene if they can find funding for the purchase. In another case, the city recently stepped in and purchased a large disused freight station in the eastern district of Kopenick, which it plans to convert into affordable housing.

But like the right of first refusal rule, which depends on flush state funding, many of the anti-gentrification measures have limitations. The system of rent caps, which forbids landlords to charge more than 10 percent above the district average for a new rental contract, has many exceptions and loopholes. Often, landlords simply ignore it.

People are happy if they find an apartment in the city they can afford, said Ms. Werner of the tenants association. Its not the first thing they do to enter into a conflict with their landlord.

More effective are the so-called milieuschutz laws, translated as social environment protection, meant to prevent landlords from imposing expensive renovations that would effectively price out the current tenants. Today, there are more than 30 milieuschutz zones in Berlin, with more expected, though the protections are not ironclad. These zones prevent landlords from converting rental apartments to condos  unless they promise to sell only to current tenants for a period of seven years.

But then its very probable the landlord will try to kick out the tenants and sell the condos for lots of money, Ms. Werner said. We think the transition from rental to condos should be forbidden totally.
PARIS  An attack on a soldier at Orly Airport near here on Saturday is being treated as a possible act of terrorism, according to the Paris prosecutors office. The assailant, the prosecutor said, had carried out a burst of violence over a period of two hours before being fatally shot.

The Paris prosecutor, Francois Molins, said the motives of the assailant  identified as 39-year-old Ziyed Ben Belgacem  were unknown. But the prosecutor added that Mr. Belgacem had a lengthy police record, including arrests for robbery and drug-related offenses, and had served time in prison. He was known to the authorities, Mr. Molins said, but primarily as a criminal.

The shooting at Orly prompted a partial evacuation of the airport, the diversion of all flights and a security sweep to determine whether the assailant had left any explosives at the airports two terminals, officials said. Incoming flights were diverted to nearby Charles de Gaulle Airport.

The chain of events began when Mr. Belgacem was stopped by the police at 6:55 a.m. in the Paris suburb of Garges-les-Gonesse, after he was spotted driving at a high speed with his headlights off, Mr. Molins said at a news conference on Saturday evening.
VATICAN CITY  Pope Francis will travel to Egypt next month, the Vatican said Saturday, giving him another opportunity to promote better relations between Catholics and Muslims.

Francis has accepted an invitation to visit Cairo on April 28 and 29 from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Roman Catholic bishops, the leader of the Coptic Orthodox church of Alexandria and the grand imam of Al Azhar mosque, the Vatican said in a statement.

Christians, mostly Orthodox Copts, account for about 10 percent of Egypts population, which is overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim.

Violence sometimes erupts over disputes related to the building of churches, religious conversions and interfaith relationships.
By Press Trust of India: Chennai, Mar 18 (PTI) Tamil director Pa Ranjith, who helmed the gangster drama "Kabali", has dismissed reports that Deepika Padukone will star in superstar Rajinikanths next.

"No, it is not true," Ranjith tweeted when asked about it by a fan.

Deepika played the leading lady in Rajinikanths "Kochadaiyaan", Indias first photo-realistic motion-capture film, which marked the directorial debut of Rajinikanths daughter Soundarya.

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Vidya Balans name was also in the news for the lead role.

"We will know in a while," Vidya had told when asked about the project in an event last week.

Produced by Dhanushs home banner Wunderbar Films, the untitled project marks Ranjiths second consecutive collaboration with Rajinikanth after "Kabali". PTI CORR BK

--- ENDS ---
From The Guardian

A new poll found he is the most popular politician in America. But instead of embracing his message, establishment Democrats continue to resist him



Sorry, Bernie Sanders.

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If you look at the numbers, Bernie Sanders is the most popular politician in America -- and it's not even close. Yet bizarrely, the Democratic party -- out of power across the country and increasingly irrelevant -- still refuses to embrace him and his message. It's increasingly clear they do so at their own peril.

A new Fox News poll out this week shows Sanders has a +28 net favorability rating among the US population, dwarfing all other elected politicians on both ends of the political spectrum. And he's even more popular among the vaunted "independents," where he is at a mind boggling +41.

This poll is not just an aberration. Look at this Huffington Post chart that has tracked Sanders' favorability rating over time, ever since he gained national prominence in 2015 when he started running for the Democratic nomination. The more people got to know him, they more they liked him -- the exact opposite of what his critics said would happen when he was running against Clinton.

One would think with numbers like that, Democratic politicians would be falling all over themselves to be associated with Sanders, especially considering the party as a whole is more unpopular than the Republicans and even Donald Trump right now. Yet instead of embracing his message, the establishment wing of the party continues to resist him at almost every turn, and they seem insistent that they don't have to change their ways to gain back the support of huge swaths of the country.

Politico ran a story just this week featuring Democratic officials fretting over the fact that Sanders supporters may upend their efforts to retake governorships in southern states by insisting those candidates adopt Sanders' populist policies -- seemingly oblivious to the fact that Sanders plays well in some of those states too.

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From Consortium News

"Hacking" and "leaking" can be either good or bad depending on the motives behind the disclosures and your political perspective. Generally speaking, democracy benefits from transparency and from having a more fully informed citizenry.

But "leaks" can also be used to punish dissidents or to enflame public passions in favor of war or against some vulnerable minority group. Indeed, "leaks" can paradoxically be used to advance cover-ups by punishing people who tried to expose the truth.

An example of that sort of "leak" occurred during George W. Bush's presidency when his subordinates "leaked" derogatory information about former U.S. Ambassador Joe Wilson, who had offended the White House by exposing a key falsehood used to justify the Iraq War, that Iraq had been seeking yellowcake uranium from Niger.

To discredit and punish Wilson, Bush's aides disclosed through "leaks" that Wilson's wife, Valerie Plame, was a CIA officer as a way to suggest that Wilson's investigation was a junket, not a serious inquiry.

In other words, to discredit an attempt to honestly inform the American people about a false pretext for war, the Bush administration released classified information that was intended to undercut Wilson's reputation and which destroyed his wife's CIA career. The so-called Plamegate Affair sent a warning to other government officials who might be inclined to challenge the case for war in Iraq that -- if you dare do so -- you will pay a price. That "leak" was really part of a cover-up.

Still, as commonly understood, public-spirited "leaks" seek to expose the lies and the propaganda that are often used to justify war. Perhaps the most famous "leak" occurred during the Vietnam War when former senior Pentagon official Daniel Ellsberg photocopied a top secret historical analysis known as the Pentagon Papers and, in 1971, began distributing copies to major news organizations.

Thus, Ellsberg exposed decades of lies that the U.S. government had used to pull the American people into the conflict. The Pentagon Papers led more Americans to oppose the war and hastened its end although President Nixon and other war supporters denounced Ellsberg as a traitor and unsuccessfully sought to prosecute him.

Some "leaks" have been even more controversial. In 1975, former CIA agent Philip Agee published Inside the Company: CIA Diary that exposed covert CIA operations in Latin America. Patrick Breslin of the Washington Post described the book this way: "Agee has provided the most complete description yet of what the CIA does abroad. In entry after numbing entry, U.S. foreign policy in Latin America is pictured as a web of deceit, hypocrisy and corruption."

Agee identified corrupt politicians plus American and foreign CIA operatives throughout Latin America, thus reducing the CIA's powers to manipulate America's neighbors to the south.

In 1984, John Stockwell, former CIA director of the Angola Task Force, published In Search of Enemies, documenting how the CIA trained, armed and otherwise funded a "rebel" group to wage war in Angola ultimately leading to hundreds of thousands of deaths. Stockwell described how the CIA spread disinformation as part of an "information war."

For example, when Cuban soldiers came to assist the Angolans against a South African invasion, Stockwell's team invented a false report that Cuban soldiers were raping Angolan women. Stockwell described how the false story was planted in a small foreign newspaper before being republished all over the West. By detailing that sort of dirty trick, Stockwell's expose' made it more difficult for the CIA to run such "black propaganda" for a while.

Manning's Disclosures

In 2010, Pvt. Chelsea (then Bradley) Manning leaked files revealing war crimes and government deceptions related to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Manning copied war logs, including videos, and passed the files to WikiLeaks. One of the videos, entitled "Collateral Murder," showed U.S. soldiers in an Apache helicopter attacking and killing two Reuters journalists along with other civilians on the streets of Baghdad. Other of Manning's "leaked" documents revealed manipulations and schemes carried out by the U.S. State Department around the world.



Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, standing up for Pvt. Bradley (now Chelsea) Manning.

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Most of the world knows that since 2014 the US-led coalition air war in Syria, at a pretext of fighting against ISIS, has been carrying out air strikes on the territory of Syria illegally. As a result of indiscriminate air strikes on residential neighborhoods, probably thousands of civilians have died.

According to Al-Masdar, on March 12, at least 20 civilians, many of whom were women and children, died following the U.S. led coalition airstrikes in the southern outskirts of Raqqa. The number of victims is likely to increase as a great number of civilians have been badly wounded.

It should be mentioned that US jets, mistakenly according to US officials, bombed residential areas in Iraq. For the first week of March alone, more than 370 civilians have been killed as a consequence of airstrikes carried out by the United States in the western suburbs of Mosul.

However the coalition admits to only 188 civilian deaths since the start of the coalition air campaign in Syria, which is supposedly against ISIS, but many believe the actual target was the regime change of Bashar al-Assad. Since the beginning of the US lead coalition, then President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of State John Kerry had repeatedly said "Assad must go".

It's obvious that the coalition grossly underestimates the real number of civilian victims in order to avoid criticism by the UN, international human rights organizations and the public. Even conservative estimates of civilian deaths are more than 2,500 people.

It seems that the US-led coalition is intentionally damaging the urban infrastructure in Syria and Iraq. Destroying water supply systems and bridges over the Euphrates River, making it more difficult for the evacuation of civilians from besieged towns. It is fair to assume that the US is negligent in taking elementary precautions to prevent casualties among the local population.

In addition there are a lot of questions about the US simply ignoring information about the presence of civilians in the terrorist-controlled areas. This underestimation of the situation leads the US-led international alliance aircraft to massacre Syrians and Iraqis civilians. The latest admitted massacre was the US destruction of a mosque in Syria , resulting in the reported deaths of 46 civilians. Incredibly, the US military claims that it was not targeting the mosque full of people praying, but a building just 50 feet away where suspected al Qaeda militants were supposedly meeting.

Unlike the US led International coalition, the Russian anti-terrorist campaign in Syria is at the behest of the Syrian government. In addition, the Russians say they are fully coordinating their actions with the Syrian Command in order to avoid civilian casualties. Russia has reportedly destroyed numerous terrorists training camps, factories and workshops for the production of ammunition, as well as oil plants.

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From WSWS

The budget outline issued by the Trump administration Thursday morning is a blueprint for social counter-revolution. It proposes a massive increase in spending on military operations and domestic repression, while slashing domestic social programs by as much as 30 percent and eliminating dozens of agencies and programs outright.

The document deals only with discretionary spending, funds that must be appropriated each year by Congress, accounting for about one-quarter of the $4 trillion that the US government will spend in the fiscal year that begins October 1.

The budget leaves open the fate of the remaining $3 trillion in federal spending, which includes payments under entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and food stamps, as well as other legally required payments, such as interest on the national debt.

The increase in military spending is far larger than that proposed in an initial White House statement last month, which showed the Pentagon budget rising to $603 billion in Fiscal Year 2018. After criticism by congressional hawks like Senator John McCain, and push-back from the military brass, the Pentagon's budget will rise to $639 billion.

Instead of the 50-50 split between domestic and military spending in the discretionary portion of the budget, as prevailed under the Obama administration, the military share will rise to nearly two-thirds of the total, particularly if funding for the Veteran's Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and the nuclear weapons portion of the Department of Energy budget are included.

There is also a proposed $2.6 billion in funding for building a wall along the southwest US border -- only a fraction of the estimated $25 billion cost of this mad and inhuman project.



US discretionary spending in billions of dollars

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The Trump budget proposes the outright elimination of 19 government agencies, most of them long targeted for destruction by ultra-right ideologues and Christian fundamentalists. These include the National Endowment for the Arts; the National Endowment for the Humanities; the Legal Services Corporation, which provides legal services for the poor; the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; AmeriCorps; and the Chemical Safety Board, which investigates industrial disasters in chemical production and transport, including oil-well blowouts like the 2010 disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Destroying all these agencies saves only $3 billion, less than the cost of US military aid to Israel alone.

This is a budget that promotes death and destroys life. It pours billions into the Pentagon killing machine, at the cost of programs that provide food, shelter, heating, health care and other vital services for the population of the United States.

The biggest single cut is a $5.8 billion reduction in the budget for the National Institutes of Health, which funds a vast array of biomedical research by tens of thousands of health scientists. The biggest percentage cut, 31 percent, is in the Environmental Protection Agency, where 3,200 jobs and 50 programs would be eliminated, including all pollution cleanup operations in the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay, Puget Sound and San Francisco Bay. Half of the EPA's budget for research and development is eliminated.

Budget Director Mick Mulvaney declared arrogantly, "You can't drain the swamp and leave all the people in it. So, I guess the first place that comes to mind will be the Environmental Protection Agency." He continued, "The president wants a smaller EPA. He thinks they overreach, and the budget reflects that."

The biggest impact of the budget cuts will be on the urban and rural poor. Trump proposes to abolish the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides $3 billion a year to heat homes in the winter; the Community Development Block Grant program, which spends $3 billion on community development, affordable housing and aid to the homeless; the Appalachian Regional Commission, which promotes economic development and community infrastructure in that region; and the Delta Regional Authority, which does the same in the majority-black delta region of the state of Mississippi.

While Trump ran up huge margins in the popular vote in many impoverished rural counties, his budget wipes out much of the federal spending in those areas. He would eliminate long-distance Amtrak train service and the Essential Air Service, which subsidizes flights to small rural airports, and cut $500 million in Department of Agriculture funding for conservation, waste-disposal and water infrastructure in rural America.

Other significant cuts include $2.5 billion slashed from the Department of Labor for job training programs for seniors and disadvantaged youth, while funding would be increased for the Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment program, which reviews state unemployment claims and verifies eligibility, harassing jobless workers and actually making a profit for the department.

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Donald Trump's meeting with Angela Merkel

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Donald Trump does not like taking responsibility for White House screwups. He'll blame anyone else he can think of -- even his friends at Fox News.

On Thursday, White House press secretary Sean Spicer set off an international incident when he suggested that British intelligence might have spied on Trump during the campaign in response to a request from President Barack Obama. Spicer made this remark while once again trying to defend his boss, who two weeks ago tweet-claimed -- without offering any evidence -- that Obama had "wiretapped" him at Trump Tower during the 2016 election. Since then the GOP chairs of the congressional intelligence committees (and many others) have declared there is no proof to back up Trump's reckless charge, which apparently was based on a Breitbart news story that itself was based on a statement (or rant) by right-wing radio talker Mark Levin.

The obvious conclusion is that an angry Trump had tweeted out fake news falsely accusing his predecessor of criminal activity. But Spicer has continued to contend that Trump's allegations had a factual basis of some sort. And at the Thursday briefing he cited Fox News analyst Andrew Napolitano, who claimed on that network that Obama had used the United Kingdom's Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) -- the British version of the National Security Agency -- to eavesdrop on Trump with "no American fingerprints on this." (Napolitano is no credible source. Like Trump, he has appeared on the radio show of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. In 2010, Napolitano told Jones' audience that it's "hard for me to believe" that World Trade Center Building 7 "came down by itself" and that the 9/11 attacks "couldn't possibly have been done the way the government told us.")
[Part I of III]

Below, is a brief excerpt from a soon to be published Manuscript which details the results of a several year investigation in four countries into the fate of "Vanished Imam," Musa Sadr and his colleagues Sheikh Mohammad Yaacoub and journalist Abbas Badreddine.

The volume identifies who and for what reasons the Gadaffi regime was instructed to "disappear" Imam Musa Sadr, whose two companions were also killed to eliminate witnesses. A short summation of when and how Imam Musa Sadr and his companions were killed and what was done with their bodies is offered below.

During the morning of 25 August 1978, Imam Musa Sadr and two companions departed Beirut Airport for Tripoli, Libya at the invitation of Libyan leader Muammar Gadaffi to meet with Libyan officials. Imam Sadr had been informed a week earlier that his itinerary would include discussions as with an Iranian delegation headed by Ayatollah Khomeini's chief aide, Ayatollah Mohammad Hussein Behesti.

The purpose of the planned few days of meetings, as Gadaffi advised Imam Sadr was "to resolve political differences." Musa Sadr was persuaded that meeting the Iranians would be useful so they could resolve growing problems and tensions that Khomeini's inner circle believed could potentially destroy their revolution. And undermine the establishment of a hoped for, but still unsure "Islamic Republic of Iran."

[Above Photo: Muammar Gadaffi and Imam Musa Sadr outside the Libyan leader's office in Tripoli, Libya, August-early September, 1978. Courtesy of Libya News Agency (LANA)]

On arrival at Tripoli Airport the Sadr delegation was met by three officials including Libya's Foreign Minister Taha El Sheriff Ben Amer. After checking into the Peace Hotel in Tripoli the Musa delegation was immediately taken to Gadaffi's office for a meeting. The delegation was told that the Mohammad Beheshti delegation from Tehran was delayed but expected shortly.

The Iranian delegation never arrived nor, as recent evidence confirms, it was never intended that it would.

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By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Mar 18 (PTI) Shalabh Kumar, founder of the Republican Hindu Coalition that rallied behind Donald Trump during the US presidential election, today said reports on the racial attacks in the US were exaggerated.

"Let the investigation agencies do their job," Kumar said at the India Today Conclave here on growing racial attacks in the US.

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He was responding to questions after making the key-note address on Make India-America Great Again, Why Trump will be good for the world.

Kumar said the Kansas attack (in which an Indian techie was killed) in the US was confirmed by the FBI as a racial attack.

"As the confirmation came, Trump was supposed to attend an important meeting. But after the meeting, he did respond to the incident of attack and condemned racial discrimination," he added.

"At our RHC, we daily get 10 calls on an average on racial abuse and most of them are fake," the Indian-American entrepreneur said.

He said when Barack Obama had become the US president for the first time, he too had jumped to a similar conclusion when an African-American was attacked and later, he was criticised for his actions.

On the US administrations take on the H1B visa and its impact on Indian techies travelling to that country, Kumar said Trump was only trying to implement the existing rules and regulations.

"The visa was introduced many years ago for doctors and highly qualified engineers. Over a period of time, there have been some cases of abusing the visa facility.

"It was the Obama administration that had tried to make the H1B visa rules more stringent and not Trump. It was rejected by the Congress and the visa is the same.

"And, there is one Republican senator who has moved a bill to increase the number of H1B visa allocation to Indians. It shows that the new government is pro-India," he said.

On Indias cross-border terrorism issue with Pakistan and Trumps stand on it, Kumar said, "President Donald Trump does not tolerate a double face on terrorism. Like he has talked against the ISIS, he has also expressed his objections towards cross-border terrorism." PTI ND NM RC

--- ENDS ---
Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"Rob Kall's book, Bottom-Up: Tapping the Power of the Connection Revolution has really caused me to relook and reframe many of my thoughts on where our connectedness using social media tools like LinkedIn is headed, and not just for career trajectory but for life. If you are looking for a new perspective on our sometimes zany digital world we live in, this book will keep you reading and may ultimately revise but for sure challenge your current paradigm."



Wayne Breitbarth, author of The Power Formula for Linkedin Success: Kick-Start Your Business, Brand, and Job Search
Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"Putting real power into the hands of voters and consumers, has made bottom-up approaches massively disruptive for politics and brands. It's the present and future of politics and business. Rob Kall's book Bottom-Up pulls together the wisdom and experience of some of the leading thinkers who have brought the bottom-up revolution to full bloom."



Joe Trippi, pioneering Internet campaign manager of Howard Dean, digital campaign consultant
Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"Kall's Bottom-up explores refreshing yet timeless ways of seeing and ways of thinking about economics, knowledge and wisdom. He presents his message, that decentralized, local and small are both good and healthy in business and economics, in a model that makes sense and offers practical solutions."



Amar Bhide, professor of Economics, Tufts University, former editor, Capitalism and Society, author, The Venturesome Economy: How Innovation Sustains Prosperity in a More Connected World
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From Our Future

With typical bombast, Donald Trump calls his 2018 draft budget America First: A Budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again. No, it won't make America great again. It reflects a hardness of the heart and a sickness of the spirit unworthy of the American people.

Chances are, the great leaders of this country's history wouldn't even recognize its vision of America.

Trump's Budget Director Mick Mulvaney, a former Tea Party Congressman from South Carolina, has described the draft as a "hard-power budget." It slashes spending on diplomacy and foreign aid, while pumping up the military's already-over-inflated coffers. It boosts spending on what is already the largest military force in human history by $54 billion in a single year.

"The core of my first budget blueprint is the rebuilding of our nation's military without adding to our Federal deficit," says Trump in his introduction to the document.

But James Madison, the fourth president of the United States who helped draft both the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, once said:

"A standing military force with an overgrown Executive will not long be safe companions to liberty."

The U.S. military hardly needs "rebuilding." Pentagon spending has consistently risen through times of war and peace. And if Trump were genuinely concerned about the federal deficit, he could raise taxes on the wealthy to pay for his military spending spree. He asks everyone else, including future generations, to sacrifice instead.

The budget includes deep cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency (31 percent), the State Department (28 percent), the Department of Health and Human Services (18 percent), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (13.9 percent),

"(The president) is following through on his promises," said Mulvaney, echoing Trump's bombast. But this statement appears to be a lie.

Trump promised to invest in infrastructure, but his budget cuts road spending by nearly half a billion dollars, and includes no new infrastructure spending. He promised to end disease, but this program slashes public health and medical research spending.

Trump's budget would end all spending for National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. This is also symbolic, since these organizations make up only a tiny fraction of the federal budget. But these cuts, along with much larger reductions in funding for education and scientific research, constitute a fiscal war on the mind.

"Where knowledge is a duty," wrote Founding Father Thomas Paine, "ignorance is a crime." In Paine's sense, at least, this budget is criminal.

Its cuts to the EPA are an assault on the land itself. Trump's determination to gut environmental regulations would cause incalculable ecological damage in the pursuit of private wealth.

This disregard for the land would have horrified another Republican president, Theodore Roosevelt, who once said,

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How Not to "Broaden the Base"

The GOP, trying to "broadening its base" , is faced with the choice between their fast and furious, gun toting honky base; those poor shlubs they've been cultivating for decades to bulk out their own obvious old money minority constituency, (never mind that they abandon those shlubs anyway, right after each election); and virtually everybody else. They can't have gays and Jews and blacks on their podium; because at the sight of them, their actual largest base, inebriated, gun-toting, white bigots across the land, will walk away, finally feeling betrayed; when the actual betrayal is to their health, their infrastructure, their wilderness, their schools, and their jobs. The GOP will cotton to mega industry in the end because wherever they get their votes, corporations are the source of their financial support.

These would-be champions of everything backward are the people who pay no taxes, hide their money in the Caribbean, ship jobs overseas (Trump certainly has!), send our children to fight illegal wars, have all the abortions they need while denying them to others, crap on the environment, women, Muslims, and in general feel that they themselves are above the law. Those betrayals somehow escape the very loyal, entrenched, poorly educated far Right, and the GOP would like to keep it that way. Consequently, early education will get short shrift in their budget plans.

They decry "creeping Socialism",when Socialism in the US is out of the bag, the barn, and the closet. The only taxes that diminish with the GOP in charge are those of the filthy rich. The question is not which is the Capitalist, as opposed to Socialist party, the question is which party will spend our money wisely? The GOP wants to collect our taxes, and give us nothing in return. I'm OK with the Feds not giving us anything in return. I'm confident the states have all they need to provide for their citizens. And I'm equally OK with hanging on to my Federal Income taxes and giving it to the State instead. Let the Feds give a bake sale the next time they want to decimate a small Middle Eastern country. I will continue to support my State only until further notice. The GOP has miles to go before they sleep, and so many ugly promises to keep!
On March 15, US Senator John McCain (R-AZ) revealed just how ridiculous the American political establishment's reliance on Vladimir Putin as boogeyman has become.

McCain, seeking the Senate's unanimous consent to advance a bill supporting admission of the small country of Montenegro to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, warned that anyone who dissented would be "carrying out the desires and ambitions of [Russian president Vladimir] Putin." True to form, when Kentucky Republican Rand Paul objected (meaning only that the matter will actually be debated instead of rubber-stamped), McCain asserted that "the senator from Kentucky is now working for Vladimir Putin."

Paul's having some fun with McCain's over-the-top theatrics, describing McCain as "past his prime" and "unhinged" on MSNBC's Morning Joe. But let's set aside the rivalry aspect and look at what McCain's hysterical performance says about US foreign policy.

Montenegro is a small country (about 600,000 people) with a small military (less than 2,000 active duty soldiers, sailors and airmen) which is nowhere near the north Atlantic (its only coastline is on the Adriatic Sea).

Lest we forget, the Balkans are known for producing wars both small and large. Montenegro borders Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo and Serbia. Is there any particular reason the US should commit itself by treaty to intervene in the military spats that break out in that region at the drop of a hat (or the assassination of an Archduke)?

The only word I can come up with on short notice to describe the idea of bringing Montenegro into NATO is "nonsensical."

But even assuming the idea made sense at all, it hardly seems urgent. The matter has been pending for more than a year now (Montenegro received its initial NATO invitation in December of 2015). Is the world going to end if the US Senate takes time to talk it over instead of just stampeding on John McCain's command?

McCain seems to think so. He considers any Senate action other than unthinking, reflexive approval of anything he might happen to propose vis a vis US foreign policy to be evidence of a Russian plot to destroy America, and anyone who doesn't give him exactly what he wants on demand a Russian agent.

The American foreign policy establishment's use of Vladimir Putin as an all-purpose hobgoblin isn't just ridiculous, it's dangerous and insane. Left unchecked it will, sooner or later, drag America into unnecessary wars costing us untold blood and treasure.
Syrian ambassador to India Riad Abbas said "cross-border terrorism funded by western states and its allies" is the reason for the Syrian refugee crisis.

By India Today Web Desk: The current refugee crisis is comparable to the situation during the World World II and people are forced to leave their homes because home is no longer safe for them.

This was the sentiment among panelists at the session on refugee crisis at the India Today Conclave 2017.

Syrian ambassador to India Riad Abbas said "cross-border terrorism funded by western states and its allies" is the reason for the Syrian refugee crisis.

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WHAT PANELISTS SAID ON REFUGEE CRISIS

"We are living in restless times when the world is in a state of flux. A huge number of people are fleeing and seeking freedom and safety," said Liz Mohn, vice-chairwoman of Bertelsmann Stiftung, Germany.

Liz Mohn called for tolerance to other cultures while acknowledging that the huge number of people seeking refuge in Europe, and particularly Germany, is a challenge.

"Albert Einstein was a refugee... a refugee is a person on the move. We have a situation today that is comparable to the World War-II. People are forced to leave their homes because home is no longer safe," said Elhadj As Sy, secretary general of International Federation of Red Cross.

Arguing that the world talks about refugee crisis only when it hits the West, Elhadj As Sy said the "refugee crisis in Europe and the West represents only 14 per cent of the total refugees", adding it is predominantly an issue faced by the developing countries.

In contrast to the West's attitude to the refugee crisis, India has always offered asylum to refugees, said Venu Rajamony, press secretary to President and additional secretary to Ministry of External Affairs.

He said the world needs to share the responsibility and the answer lies in building bridges and not barriers, arguing that developing countries alone should not be left to carry the weight of refugees.

Also watch:

'The world is in a state of flux': Debate on refugee crisis at Conclave 2017

--- ENDS ---


Netanyahu and Trump

(Image by worldtribune.com) Details DMCA



ON WEDNESDAY, a U.N. agency published a report noting that "Israel has established an apartheid regime that dominates the Palestinian people as a whole." Yesterday, the author of that report who has served as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA) since 2010, Rima Khalef, resigned after the Trump administration, working in conjunction with Israel, pressured the U.N. Secretary General to demand that she withdraw the report.

Khalef, a Jordanian national who has served in multiple high government positions, refused the demand to repudiate her own report, instead choosing to resign. The report -- which was co-authored by the Jewish American Princeton professor and former UN official Richard Falk, a long-time critic of Israeli occupation -- has now been removed from the UNESCWA website.

What makes this event most remarkable is how unremarkable is the report's conclusion: it's a point that a former Israeli Prime Minister -- as well as Trump's own Defense Secretary -- have made unequivocally. Back in 2010, Ehud Barak, Israel's former Prime Minister and its most decorated soldier, explicitly warned that Israel was on a path to what he called a permanent "apartheid" state. As he put it: "As long as in this territory west of the Jordan river there is only one political entity called Israel it is going to be either non-Jewish, or non-democratic. If this bloc of millions of Palestinians cannot vote, that will be an apartheid state."

[...]

Seven years later, Israel is indisputably committed to exactly that outcome. Many of its key ministers do not even support a two-state solution. Israeli expansion of illegal settlements continues unabated. Palestinians are further away than ever from full political rights, or even enjoying the right of democratic self-determination. As Barak himself pointed out, this is the very definition of apartheid.

Yet now, thanks to the Trump administration's self-destructive devotion to Israeli interests -- an odd posture for a President who ran on a platform of "Putting America First" -- it is impermissible for U.N. officials to note this reality lest Israel be offended. In its report on the ouster of Khalef, CNN was surprisingly blunt about what this all means:

Click Here to Read Whole Article
Horrifying cellphone footage of a fatal shooting that took place in late 2016 has been released by a Florida state attorneys office.

The footage, shot by a number of witnesses and edited together in a macabre DIY action sequence, shows Ashad Russell, a Florida citizen with a concealed weapons permit, getting out of his car with his gun drawn. Ahead of him in the middle of the road, Lee County police officer Dean Bardes is being pinned down by an armed suspect, Edward Strother.

Strother appears to be sitting up, looking at Russell. In the footage, distantly, you can hear Bardes yell, Shoot him, shoot him. Russell fires three shots, all of which hit Strother.

Strother was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Lee County Sheriffs Office published a photo on Facebook with an accompanying statement praising Russell as a hero. The statement also manages to mention Ferguson, calling it a false narrative, in reference to the fatal police shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown in the Missouri town in 2014.

Russell was not charged with any criminal activity after the state attorneys office ruled that the killing was justified in order to protect Bardes life.

Apparently, despite the number of people stopped and filming on the highway, not one 911 call was made during the whole incident.

Watch the footage below, but here is a big GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING. Its pretty full on.

Source: Courier Mail.

Image: Facebook / Lee County Sheriffs Office.
A measure intended to include the island's only private hospital in all GovGuam health contracts ran into major opposition from insurance companies, which argued that the bill was anti-competitive and would ultimately increase costs for taxpayers. Bill 21-34 is a companion measure to another bill proffered by Speaker Benjamin Cruz, which proposes to select just the least expensive option for the annual GovGuam health contract. Bill 21 mandates the inclusion of private hospitals in contract proposals.

Officials with the Guam Regional Medical City expressed concern that they would be phased out of contracts with carriers because of their higher costs. Officials argued that this would leave thousands of government employees without access to specialty services provided by the hospital and hold patients accountable for medical bills incurred when receiving emergency services at GRMC.

Cruz introduced Bill 21 in response.

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Two health insurance providers participating in the current contract expressed opposition to the bill and were joined by StayWell Insurance. Calvo's Select Care, which has a contract with GRMC, said it supported all efforts to ensure the hospital remained viable.

"Nonetheless, we must oppose Bill 21-34 on the basis that private enterprises such as hospitals, clinics and insurance companies should be allowed to negotiate agreements without government interventions or mandates," according to SelectCare Health Plan Administrator Frank Campillo. "This bill infringes on free commerce and takes away the ability for insurance companies to negotiate with a provider."

It also discriminates against other medical providers that have also made large investments in Guam, but are not given the same type of advantages, according to Campillo.

Take Care: Bill provides 'unfair advantage'

TakeCare Insurance Company Inc., which is not contracted with GRMC, made several arguments against Cruz's legislation. TakeCare stated that the measure would violate the company's due process rights, violate the Organic Act, that the measure is legislation specially crafted for GRMC and that if it were enacted into law, GovGuam's healthcare costs would "skyrocket."

"With a guarantee of inclusion into the Government of Guam Health Plan, this Bill provides GRMC an unfair advantage in what should be a competitive healthcare marketplace. In an anti-competitive environment prices will skyrocket, patient care and quality will be compromised and the Government of Guam, its employees, and retirees will be left holding the bag," testimony from the company stated.

Staywell, which provides secondary insurance for government beneficiaries with dual coverage, stated similar concerns regarding their freedom to negotiate contracts.

GRMC, in its own testimony, stated that the bill would impose the same standard for all carriers and would not place any particular carrier in a disadvantage over the other.

"Requiring that all on-island hospitals be included in the network of any GovGuam contracted health plan can certainly not be construed as the government exercising undue influence over the operations of a private enterprise, as such requirements are already broadly operative at the federal level, and specifically in the case of Guam's own Medicaid State Plan," Eric Plinske, the hospital's director of corporate affairs, stated in testimony.
Despite the drop in Japanese visitor arrivals, the Guam Visitors Bureau is holding on to short-term fixes while long-term goals are in the works.

While it was a banner year for Guam tourism, seeing new heights of tourism arrivals and growth in markets such as South Korea and Hong Kong, Guams biggest tourism market, Japan, continues to plummet to new lows.

In 2010, Guam saw 893,865 visitor arrivals from Japan. In 2014, the total dipped to 810,856 and the forecast for next fiscal year is closer to 700,000 Japanese arrivals, Guam Economic Development Authority and a recent audit report show.

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GVB President and CEO Nate Denight remains confident that charter flight incentives and marketing measures will help Japanese visitor arrivals rebound after major flight routes were discontinued between Japan and Guam over the past few years.

I think we still have a good momentum, Denight said. My prediction is that well definitely see Japan turn around once the supply (in air seats) increases.

Effects of lost Japan flights

With airlines like Korean Air and Delta pulling seats from their Guam route, arrivals from Japan have dipped to just about 700,000, which is the projected visitor arrivals from Japan this year, according to an audit of GVB finances.

Our airline seating out of Japan has gone down with the exit of Korean Air and Delta out of cities like Osaka and Nagoya, Denight said. Were really seeing those effects this year in comparison to last year and thats why there are pretty sizable decreases in arrivals.

With about 100 charter flights made between Japan and Guam last year, Denight said there are at least 230 charter flights committed to servicing the route this year, most especially during the years busier tourism months like March, July and August.

Denight said GVB is actively participating in conversations with source visitor markets to see if existing carriers may expand to add more flights. GVB is reaching out to new carriers in Japan as well.

Heightened marketing

Another solution GVB has invested in is its marketing efforts overseas, Denight said. According to GVBs financial audit, around $15 million was spent on marketing alone last year for various visitors markets, but primarily Japan.

We had the best year of arrivals in our history, so I think the results speak for themselves, Denight said. The marketing expense is an investment. When you look at what we spend on marketing compared to the 1.5 million visitors that we bring in, I think its pretty good.

Projections from the audit stated that Guam could expect around 700,000 visitors from Japan and 625,000 visitors from South Korea  the islands two biggest visitor markets.

With a considerably small gap between the two markets, Denight believes that while Japan and South Korea have been neck and neck during some months, Japan will eventually make a comeback with much larger numbers in the future.

I think Japan will be performing relatively well and higher than Korea, Denight said. Itll be close and theyre definitely converging, but I think Japan will still be our No. 1 market. Once we get some additional air seats out of Japan, I think well see Japan start to increase again.

Denight added that he expects visitor arrivals from South Korea, the Philippines and Hong Kong to continue to grow this year, but it might not be another banner-filled year, he said, citing a 4 percent growth projected for 2017, compared to a 10 percent growth last year.

Promoting Guam abroad

GVB officials, including Denight and several GVB board members, are currently on a roadshow in Japan visiting the countrys top six cities with major flights to Guam.

Last week, the Guam delegation met with tourism partners in Sapporo, Sendai and Fukuoka. This week the delegation will travel to Nagoya, Osaka and Tokyo, Denight said.

During these showcases, GVB updates its Japan tourism markets with product information from Guam, including updates on Visit Guam 2017 Year of Love, GVBs marketing theme for the year, and other marketing campaigns, he said.
A woman who was accused of lying to a local firearms company to purchase guns for a convicted felon pleaded not guilty during an arraignment hearing on Friday.

Verlyn Marie Terlaje Aponik was indicted earlier this month in the District Court of Guam on two counts of making a false statement during the purchase of firearms and unlawful sale of firearms to a felon.

According to court documents, Aponik made a false written statement to Rush Armory, to a licensed dealer of firearms, in order to purchase a .9 mm pistol in May 2015 and a .9mm rifle, a Troy Par 233/256 rile, one Walter Uzi and a .22LR rifle in June 2016, court documents state.

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2006 sentencing

The indictment alleges that the guns she purchased were intended for Eric M. Aponik, a person she knew was prohibited from receiving a firearm.

In 2006, Eric Aponik was sentenced to 48 months behind bars, and five years supervised release after he entered into a plea deal and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine hydrochloride, court documents state.

He admitted that beginning in November 2004, he began receiving packages containing crystal methamphetamine that were shipped to Guam from Las Vegas, Nevada, the plea agreement states.

Verlyn Aponik is accused of selling or disposing of the firearms between May 2015 and December 2016 to Eric Aponik.

She remains on release under certain conditions imposed by the court while she waits for her trial that is scheduled for May 23.
Writings on the Wall

Many years ago, I got a phone call from Troy Torres at a political candidates office. He had seen an election estimate I had written and didn Read morePower of polls and weekend talks
Mr. Olaf Iversen, German Consul General of Federal Republic of Germany, visited Pinnacle Infotech Solutions Durgapur (BIM Campus)

1 2 3 German consul Mr. Olaf Iversen with Pinnacle BIM Team Mr. Olaf Iversen with BIM & BD Team Tree plantation by Mr. Olaf Iversen in Pinnacle Infotech

End

--Mr. Iversen visited Pinnacle's facilities and went through project presentations. He was pleased with the support and participation of the Pinnacle team. Mr. Iversen communicated with BIM & CAD team members. He showed immense interest in understanding BIM Processes , asking a lot of questions on construction and how Pinnacle is serving clients with comprehensive Building Information Modeling (BIM) services to enhance quality of construction projects. He also learned about how the BIM software applications are facilitating construction project coordination, collaboration, asset management, risk mitigation, logistic planning and cost estimate.The technical presentation was followed by a Cultural program where Pinnacle employees showcased their talent of singing and dancing. Afterwards, Mr. Olaf participated in a tree plantation program. He also went for a short trip around the city of Durgapur visiting Energy Park, Iskcon Temple, Durgapur Church, City Center and NIIT.cherished Mr. Iverson.Headquartered inwith overseas offices inandPinnacle Infotech is catalyzing renaissance in the construction arena with BIM services. Pinnacle facilitatesin over, across, collaborating across time zones with global delivery centers in, comprising of, Architects & Engineers. Being the leading provider of innovative BIM services to AEC Industries for over 18 years, Pinnacle has successfully executed 4500+ landmark BIM projects across industries including Airports, Hospitals, Medical Centers, Stadium, High Rise Towers, Infrastructure, University Campuses, Nanotechnology Research Centers, Industrial Plants, Retail Chains, Shopping Malls, Restaurants, Dams, Bridges & more.
It is time to go down the memory lane and relive this marvel of history in person.

By India Today Web Desk: The shipwreck that rests at the deepest depths of the water for over a century now intrigues us even today. Romances around the RMS Titanic have always captured our fancy--be it through its history, pictures or even the heart-rending climax of Jack and Rose in the movie.

Now, it's time to turn your long-drawn dream into reality. It's time to witness history in person.

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London-based tour operator, Blue Marble Private, is all set to launch diving tours to the RMS Titanic shipwreck.

Commencing in May next year, the company will run eight-day journeys that will end with an up-close encounter with the ruins of the vessel.

In Pics: Prayers mark Titanic anniversary

The journey will begin from St John's, Newfoundland (Canada). Taking nine travellers at a time, a helicopter or a seaplane will reach the expedition support yacht, set somewhere above the wreck.

For tourists from India, there are quite a number of one-stop or two-stop flights to St John's from Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru or Hyderabad. Most of the flights fly overnight to London, from where they take off for the St John's International Airport.

Picture courtesy:Twitter/b0yle

The visitors onboard will be taught about the mechanisms of a ship by the expedition crew, guest explorers and scientists. On the third day, three passengers at a time will be taken aboard a specially designed titanium and carbon fibre submsersible, to see the decaying remains of the Titanic itself. The tourists will sail over the ship's deck. And guess what? One might even catch a glimpse of that grand staircase that has stirred our minds for long.

Picture courtesy:Twitter/FanciFlautis1

This trip will, however, be a little expensive, with a close-up view of the wreck costing around 105,129 Dollars (Rs 68,77,066) per person. But paying for this kind of a once-in-a-lifetime experience is not such a bad deal either.

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As the world awaits its live TV service, over-the-top service provider Hulu has decided to search the market for a chief content officer.

According to TheWrap , the position would report directly to CEO Mike Hopkins, and the person filling it would oversee original programming and content acquisitions. In other words, whoever steps into this newly created role would be the Big Kahuna for content strategy for the entire enterprise  a pretty big weight on the shoulders given that Hulu has much work to do to catch up with its OTT rivals. AT&Ts DirecTV Now, DISH Networks Sling TV, YouTube Red, PlayStation Vue and others are already in the market with skinny TV bundles that are markedly similar to what Hulu says it wants to do. The only differentiator that matters will be content.TheWrap also reports that existing content chief Craig Erwich will remain as an SVP at the company, but will have an expanded focus on creative development and original production.The live service, which will go for $40 or under, was expected to roll out in the first quarter of 2017, but Hulu is still negotiating content carriage deals. It recently announced more programming details, noting that it will offer A&E networks. It will carry not only the flagship network, but also History, Lifetime and Viceland, and others.On the broadcast front, Hulu has secured ABC, CBS and Fox, but is still negotiating with Comcast over NBC. Also, three other major media companies - AMC Networks, Scripps Networks Interactive and Discovery Communications  are also still in talks with Hulu for carriage.That said, Hulu, which is co-owned by Comcast, Disney, Fox and Time Warner, couldn't come to terms with Viacom. Nonetheless, Hulus service expects to have more than 40 live channels.
Ford and Mahindra & Mahindra announce JV worth $275 million. Ford is transferring its manufacturing and sales operations to the JV. Mahindra will have controlling stake in the JV. Ford is not transferring the battery plant in Sanand.

As per statistics, the Indian car market is on its way to become the third largest automarket in the world, however what one needs to realize is that it hasnt been lucrative for all manufacturers who have ventured in it. After the complete exits of Fiat and GM, the next global automaker which is looking at reducing its stake in India is the US auto-giant, Ford.

In the last 2 decades, Ford has setup two plants in India, one in Chennai and the other in Sanand, Gujarat. While Ford has constantly utilized the plants for exporting vehicles outside the country, it still hasnt been able to grab a significant market share in India.

Now, Ford is handing over a 51 percent stake in its Indian operations to Mahindra. For this setup, Ford will enter into a JV with Mahindra and provide Mahindra with a majority controlling stake. However, Ford will retain equal amount of representation at the Board and command an equal amount of voting rights in this new arrangement.

Mahindra will be buying its stake in the JV. The US carmaker transfers most of its Indian business to a new JV controlled and managed by local rival Mahindra. The JV will develop, market and sell vehicles. Ford owns 51 percent stake in the partnership.

M&M and Ford will launch 7 new products. This includes three new utility vehicles under Ford brand, starting with a new midsize SUV that shares a Mahindra product platform and powertrain. Following the C-SUV for both companies that will be produced by Mahindra, of the next two vehicles, 1 will be built on the B-platform. Both brands will not operate under a joint brand. Ford and Mahindra to continue selling cars through respective dealers.

Ford is realigning its Business Operations via this JV with Mahindra. Prior to the current development, both auto manufacturers had already been working on multiple projects since earlier this year. The collaboration wasnt restricted to R&D alone, instead, it spread to functions like Sales & Distribution as well. Some Mahindra dealers had already started selling the EcoSport, especially in cities/towns where there was no dealership from Ford, a trial basis project in itself.

The last 2-3 years have been interesting for the Indian car market. While come global giants have left (for example GM & Fiat), others like Kia Motors & MG Motors have entered with a big bang! Now, the next new entrant which is scheduled to reach Indian shores is Great Wall Motors (from China).
Today's geology lesson is all about anticlines.

Students can read all they want about geological folds, axial planes, hinge lines, antiformal synclines and synformal anticlines. But it can still be a challenge to visualize just what geologists are talking about.

A better option is putting boots on the ground -- such as a trip to Iowa State University's Carl F. Vondra Geology Field Station near Shell, Wyoming. The field station is in the north-central part of the state, on the western flank of the Bighorn Mountains. Nearby is Sheep Mountain, a well-known and typical anticline.

The Bighorn River has cut a canyon through the mountain and students can hike along the river to get a good look at a natural cross section of the exposed geological fold.

But most students aren't able to make a trip to Sheep Mountain.

So Iowa State researchers have come up with a new option -- TouchTerrain.

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The web application is open source and free for private use through Iowa State's GeoFabLab. It allows anybody with a 3-D printer to easily and quickly print terrain models of any place on the planet, including the ocean floor.

To demonstrate, Franek Hasiuk, an Iowa State assistant professor of geology and David Morehouse Faculty Fellow, placed four tiles of 3-D-printed plastic, each about 4 inches square, on the desk in front of him. Put them together, and there's a scale model of Sheep Mountain and its central ridge rising out of the Bighorn Basin.

That's a teaching tool that can help students see and touch an anticline -- potentially a more powerful experience than studying a flat map or computer screen.

"This could be a key element in improving how geoscience students connect with the surface structure of Earth," said Chris Harding, an associate professor of geology and a member of Iowa State's program in human computer interaction.

But, said Hasiuk, to be really useful, there had to be a fast, easy and reliable way for people to make the terrain models.

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A technology challenge It's challenging to make 3-D terrain models that consistently print well on any commercial 3-D printer.

It requires an understanding of geographic information systems, computational geometry, design and manufacturing software and 3-D printing technology.

The TouchTerrrain development team includes Harding, with expertise in geographic information systems; Hasiuk, with expertise in 3-D printing of geological samples; Alex Renner, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering with expertise in simulations for 3-D printing; and Levi Baber, a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences information technology manager with expertise in server technology.

Even if a teacher had experience with geographic information systems, computer aided design software and 3-D printing, Harding said it can be a lengthy and complex process to generate a good digital terrain model that can be 3-D printed.

It's an even bigger challenge to create models large enough for the classroom by making several tiles of, say, the Grand Canyon and seamlessly fitting them all together.

"Our application makes it very easy to create physically large models by dividing the desired area into multiple tiles that can then be 3-D printed separately and glued together to form a much larger 3-D map," Harding said.

Models for everybody Visit the TouchTerrain website (http://touchterrain.geol.istate.edu) and you see a terrain map with Wyoming's Sheep Mountain inside a red box.

You can zoom in and out of that map, moving the red box anywhere in the world. When you settle on an area to print, you can adjust a few simple settings to match your 3-D printer, hit export and you'll get a file for your 3-D printer. And, if you want, the terrain can be exaggerated to accentuate subtle details.

Adjusting the application's digital models to a specific 3-D printer can be a big advantage for users.

"Why create a very large, high resolution model that takes a long time to process when a 3-D printer can only print out at a much lower resolution?" Harding said.

The cost of the resulting terrain models?

Operating a 3-D printer (now available for less than $2,000) costs about $1 per hour. Printing out a square, 4-inch terrain model typically costs about $2, Harding said.

The Iowa State researchers hope the ease and low cost of TouchTerrrain models will enable more geoscience teachers to use 3-D printed materials in their classes. The researchers' next steps include enhancing the application's capabilities and creating a way for teachers to connect specific locations with specific geologic concepts.

Hasiuk picked up a red plastic terrain model of north-central Iowa, a rolling landform known as the Des Moines Lobe. He said that model showed the effects of glacial activity and also represented one of the best things about TouchTerrain.

"You can't buy this anywhere," he said. "No one would ever make a terrain model of central Iowa, but this is very useful if you want to talk about your environment."
There are more than 2,000 species of fruit flies around the world. Some prefer warmer climates, whereas others are home in northerly latitudes. "We wanted to find out whether the circadian clock of the northern species differs from that of their southern relatives," explains Professor Charlotte Helfrich-Forster from the University of Wurzburg's Biocenter. "For this purpose, we compared two fruit fly species from Finland with one from Tanzania."

Long siesta at the equator

In the laboratory, the scientists varied the length of light and dark cycles to which the insects were exposed. In their first experiment, twelve hours of day were followed by twelve hours of night. This rhythm is typical for the equator where day and night are about equally long throughout the year. The African flies exhibited a characteristic pattern of activity under these conditions: Their active phases were limited to the time around dusk and dawn; in the meantime they rested. In nature, such behaviour is highly advantageous as it allows the insects to better cope with the heat of the day.

Being slightly more relaxed in the morning, the Finnish dipterans in contrast had their activity peak in the early afternoon and stayed active until nightfall, mostly without taking a siesta. From a biological point of view, this behaviour makes sense, because even at the height of summer, the northern Scandinavian sun is rarely strong enough to harm the animals.

In the next step, the scientists extended the lab day: They left the lights on for 20 hours before turning them off again for four hours. In response to this, the Tanzanian flies did not extend their resting period, but rather started to bustle about long before dusk. Their activity now peaked at a time of day when it would normally still be scorching hot. If there were 20-hour days in Tanzania, such behaviour would probably be very risky.

Tiny differences in the flies' brains

So the Circadian clock of the southern flies seems to be geared to more or less constant day lengths. The interval between morning and evening activity always has about the same length. The Finnish specimens on the contrary adapted their activity pattern to the longer days: They used the extended period of light for more extensive foraging which was ended only by the onset of darkness. "So the circadian clocks of the two species seem to respond very differently to the modified day-and-night rhythms, Charlotte Helfrich-Forster points out."We asked ourselves why this is the case."

On the surface of it, the circadian clocks of all three species seem to be structured identically: Both the Finnish fruit flies and their Tanzanian counterparts have the same clock neurons -- these are the nerve cells in the brain that make up the circadian system. Therefore, the Wurzburg scientists took a closer look at the flies' brains. "We were able to show that the Finnish species produce no blue light photoreceptor in specific neurons, very unlike their African relatives," says Helfrich-Forster. "This means that the affected nerve cells do not have a sensor for day and night." Other neurons lack a molecule named PDF which usually passes on the incoming light-dark signals to other centres in the brain.

Resetting the fly clock

But are these differences really responsible for the altered activity pattern in the Scandinavian insects? To answer this question, the Wurzburg scientists "reset" the circadian clock of the African Drosophila. Through genetic modification, they switched off the production of the blue light photoreceptor in those neurons in which it was missing in the Finnish flies, too. They proceeded similarly for the PDF. The result of the manipulation was striking: "The fruit flies from Tanzania now exhibited a rhythm of activity quite similar to that of their Finnish colleagues," Professor Helfrich-Forster emphasizes. "Also their siesta was less pronounced."

The ancestral fruit fly is believed to be of African origin. Over time, the insects also spread to cooler regions. The scientists assume that the flies' circadian clock also changed in the process, allowing the insects to adapt to the day length fluctuations and the lower intensity of the sun.
More efficient sensors are needed to be able to detect environmental pollution. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have proposed a new, sophisticated method of detecting molecules with sensors based on ultra-thin nanomaterials. The novel method could improve environmental sensing in the future. The results are published today in the scientific journal Nature Communications.

"This could open up new possibilities for the detection of environmental gases. Our method is more robust than conventional sensors, which rely on small changes in optical properties," says Maja Feierabend, PhD student at the Department of Physics and the main author of the article from Chalmers University of Technology and Technische Universitat Berlin.

Together with her supervisor, Associate Professor Ermin Malic, and Gunnar Berghauser, postdoctoral researcher at Chalmers, she has proposed a new type of chemical nanosensor that consists of atomically thin nanomaterials that are extremely sensitive to changes in their surroundings.

If you shine light on the sensor, you will see the optical fingerprint of the material itself. Molecules are identified by activating dark electronic states in the sensor material. If there are molecules on its surface, they will interact with these dark states and switch them on, making them visible. The result is an altered optical fingerprint, containing new features that prove the presence of the molecules.

"Our method has promising potential, paving the way for ultra-thin, fast, efficient and accurate sensors. In the future, this could hopefully lead to highly sensitive and selective sensors that can be used in environmental research," says Ermin Malic.

The researchers have filed a patent application for the novel sensor method. The next step is to work with experimental physicists and chemists to demonstrate the proof-of-principle for this new class of chemical sensors.
Three people with macular degeneration were blinded after undergoing an unproven stem cell treatment that was touted as a clinical trial in 2015 at a clinic in Florida. Within a week following the treatment, the patients experienced a variety of complications, including vision loss, detached retinas and hemorrhage. They are now blind.

A paper documenting the cases will be published March 16 in The New England Journal of Medicine.

The article is a "call to awareness for patients, physicians and regulatory agencies of the risks of this kind of minimally regulated, patient-funded research," said Jeffrey Goldberg, MD, PhD, professor and chair of ophthalmology at the Stanford University School of Medicine and co-author of the paper.

The three patients -- all women, ranging in age from 72 to 88 -- suffered from macular degeneration, a common, progressive disease of the retina that leads to loss of vision. Before the surgery, the vision in their eyes ranged from 20/30 to 20/200. Now, the patients are likely to remain blind, said co-author Thomas Albini, MD, an associate professor of clinical ophthalmology at the University of Miami, where two of the patients were subsequently treated for complications from the stem cell treatments. "Although I can't say it's impossible, it's extremely unlikely they would regain vision."

Appealing to patients 'desperate for care'

Two of the patients learned of the so-called clinical trial on ClinicalTrials.gov, a registry and results database run by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, where it was called "Study to assess the safety and effects of cells injected intravitreal in dry macular degeneration." Some of the patients believed they were participating in a trial, although the consent form and other written materials given to the patients did not mention a trial, Albini said.

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"There's a lot of hope for stem cells, and these types of clinics appeal to patients desperate for care who hope that stem cells are going to be the answer, but in this case these women participated in a clinical enterprise that was off-the-charts dangerous," Albini said.

Each patient paid $5,000 for the procedure. Any clinical trial that has a fee should raise a red flag, the authors said.

"I'm not aware of any legitimate research, at least in ophthalmology, that is patient-funded," Albini said.

At the clinic, which is not named in the paper, the patients had fat cells removed from their abdomens and a standard blood draw. The fat tissue was processed with enzymes, with the goal of obtaining stem cells. Platelet-dense plasma was isolated from the blood. The cells were then mixed with the platelet-dense plasma and injected into their eyes. Patients reported that the entire process took less than an hour, Albini said. The patients had both eyes treated at once -- another red flag, Albini and Goldberg said, because most doctors would opt for a conservative approach to observe how one eye responds to an experimental treatment before attempting the other eye.

Shoddy stem cell preparation may have led to some of the patients' complications, which could have been caused by injection of a contaminant or the cell wash solution into the eye, Albini said. When injected into the eye, the stem cells also could have changed into myofibroblasts, a type of cell associated with scarring.

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No evidence of vision restoration

But even if executed correctly, there is no evidence suggesting that the procedure could help restore vision, Goldberg and Albini said. In fact, there is sparse evidence that adipose-derived stem cells, the type of cells that the clinic claimed to use, are capable of differentiating, or maturing, into retinal pigment epithelium or photoreceptor cells, which play a critical role in macular degeneration and are the cells some researchers are targeting to develop therapies.

"There is a lot of very well-founded evidence for the positive potential of stem therapy for many human diseases, but there's no excuse for not designing a trial properly and basing it on preclinical research," Goldberg said.

The "trial" lacked nearly all of the components of a properly designed clinical trial, including a hypothesis based on laboratory experiments, assignment of a control group and treatment group, collection of data, masking of clinical and patient groups, and plans for follow-up, Goldberg and Albini said. "There was a whole list of egregious things," Albini said.

Listings on ClinicalTrials.gov are not fully scrutinized for scientific soundness, Goldberg said. Although still visible on the website, the listing now states: "This study has been withdrawn prior to enrollment." The clinic is also no longer performing these eye injections, although it is still seeing patients, Albini said.

The procedures were arguably not subject to Food and Drug Administration approval because the cells were not transferred between patients and were considered "minimally processed," according to Title 21, Part 1271.10, of the Code of Federal Regulations. The FDA released more specific guidelines in October 2015, after these procedures were performed, establishing the requirement for FDA oversight and approval for these types of procedures.

'It's alarming'

"We expect health care providers to take every precaution to ensure patient safety, but this definitely shows that the lack of oversight can lead to bad players and bad outcomes. It's alarming," Albini said.

The authors acknowledged that it is difficult for patients to know whether a clinical trial, or a stem cell therapy, is legitimate. Goldberg recommended that patients considering a stem cell treatment consult a website, A Closer Look at Stem Cells, maintained by the International Society for Stem Cell Research. It is also advisable to check if a trial is affiliated with an academic medical center, Goldberg said.
Some of them count the birds at a winter feeder, others walk along a stipulated route, summer after summer, to identify the butterflies they discover along the way. For a long time now, numerous nature enthusiasts have been contributing to the inventory count of biological diversity. Similarly, universities, research institutes and authorities participate in extensive monitoring programmes to assess the state of fauna and flora. There is a clear aim to all of this effort: the objective is to document any changes and, to the extent possible, stop the loss of biodiversity. Where can which species be found? Are the populations increasing or decreasing? Which animals and plants are experiencing serious difficulties? And are the measures taken to protect them actually achieving the desired result? "Questions of this nature can only be answered if there is good monitoring data available," emphasises UFZ ecologist Dr Dirk Schmeller.

State-of-the-art methods enable ecologists to use such information to obtain a fairly accurate picture of biological diversity and how it is changing. To this end, they observe various facets of biodiversity, such as the size of populations, the characteristics of species or the functioning of ecosystems and analyse how they change. To be able to obtain meaningful results, however, they need adequate data harvested over long periods of time. After all, they are only able to put a realistic figure on the loss of diversity and the role of humans by comparing different epochs: What was the world like before Homo sapiens transformed it completely? And what has changed since then?

The work by Dirk Schmeller and his British, French and Spanish colleagues now poses the question as to whether the monitoring programmes, which were launched only recently in most cases, can provide sufficient information. After all, humans started exerting pressure on modern fauna and flora and permanently altering them centuries ago. "In contrast, changes in society, such as more leisure time, higher environmental awareness and better education only comparatively recently brought about a situation where biodiversity data is being collected in a systematic way," the researcher explains. Is it therefore possible to use the information available to discern the consequences for biodiversity of the industrial revolution in the 19th century or the massive changes in agriculture since the 18th century?

In order to get a better assessment, Dirk Schmeller and his colleagues scrutinised for the first time the timeframe of European monitoring programmes. For this purpose, they consulted primarily the DaEuMon online database, which contains detailed information on the various monitoring programmes throughout Europe. It reveals, for instance, which methods are (or were) used to record data on which species in which countries. They additionally analysed information from other publicly accessible databases.

Even centuries ago, hunters, amateur naturalists and other enthusiasts began keeping records on the diversity of life. In this way, Dirk Schmeller and his colleagues came across studies on birds and plants dating from 1634, while the information on mammals even goes back just under a hundred years more than that. "There were no systematic data collections back then, however," the researcher explains. Instead, observers noted information on certain species in a rather arbitrary way and mostly limited themselves to relatively small areas and specific regions. In Great Britain, for example, there is a long tradition of birdwatching so that more is known about the history of the feathered inhabitants of the British Isles than about their relatives in other parts of Europe. This means that old data can provide only a very incomplete picture of the past diversity of the continent.

It is not until the second half of the 20th century that better information becomes available. Around 88 percent of European monitoring programmes were not kicked off until sometime after 1950. Just under half did not become operational until the beginning of the 1990s when the EU's Habitats Directive placed obligations on its member states to collect such data. But by that time Europe's ecosystems had already been under massive pressure for a long time. This is revealed by the history of human impact that the research team analysed and compared to the timeframe of the monitoring programmes as part of its study. Whether population growth or the emission of greenhouse gases, overfertilisation or pollution: all these issues have their origins long before the boom in monitoring.

Dirk Schmeller summarises: "As a consequence, we lack the correct baseline for all comparisons." People who are interested in the decline in the diversity of insects, for example, can indeed look back a few decades into the past. But they might then see only a fraction of the actual loss. They will find out little or nothing of all those species that were already unable to cope with the industrial revolution or the rapid changes in agriculture in the 18th century. "This means we are likely to massively underestimate the human impact," says Dirk Schmeller. This has far-reaching consequences. For example, when it comes to setting targets for nature conservation. It would appear to easily make sense if the objective is to preserve all bird and reptile species typical for a given area. The only question here is how to define "all." The list of species from the first instance of monitoring is, in all probability, incomplete, even if it does date back to the 1950s. Large numbers of the region's inhabitants were probably already long gone even by that stage.

Dirk Schmeller and his colleagues therefore argue that other sources of information should also be tapped in order to be able to look further back into the past. Firstly, they identify possibilities from a systematic evaluation of the extensive collections brought together by museums worldwide. "Secondly, palaeobiology can also supply very useful information," states Dirk Schmeller. This discipline attempts to reconstruct landscapes and ecosystems that have long disappeared. As an example, by drilling deep down into lake beds, researchers obtain sediment cores that can be examined for ancient pollen, seeds and microorganisms. More information on the biological diversity of bygone ages can also be found in fossils and old DNA. "These methods can be used to look back thousands of years," says Dirk Schmeller. "But we would content ourselves with as little as 250 years in order to be able to understand modern fauna and flora."
Collecting ice cores from high-mountain glaciers most at risk from climate change and storing them in Antarctica for future generations of scientists: that is the goal of ICE MEMORY, an international program aimed at preserving the memory of high-mountain glaciers.

Climate archives under threat

Non-polar glacial ice holds a wealth of information about past changes in climate, the environment and especially atmospheric composition, such as variations in temperature, atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases and emissions of natural aerosols or human-made pollutants The glaciers therefore hold the memory of former climates and help to predict future environmental changes.

Over the last few decades, glaciologists have been observing the effect of increased temperatures on the melting of high-mountain glaciers in Europe and especially in the Andes. Time is running out: if global warming continues at its current rate, glaciers at an altitude below 3,500 metres in the Alps and 5,400 metres in the Andes will have disappeared by the end of the end of the 21st century . These are unique pages in the history of our environment which will therefore be lost forever.

Protecting ice memory

Faced with this alarming observation, French and Italian glaciologists decided to take action and launched the ICE MEMORY project in 2015. Backed by the Universite Grenoble Alpes Foundation, it unites the following partners: CNRS, IRD, Universite Grenoble Alpes, National Research Council of Italy, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, as well as IPEV (French Polar Institute) and the Italian Antarctic research program (PNRA) as regards the Concordia station (joint French-Italian research facility located in Antarctica).

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Their primary goal: create the world's first ice archive sanctuary in Antarctica, using glaciers threatened by global warming. Antarctica is indeed the most reliable -- and natural -- freezer in the world. Hundreds of ice cores taken from around the world will be stored for several centuries in a snow cave at -54C in Antarctica, at the Concordia station, which is run by the French Polar Institute (IPEV) and the Italian Antarctic Research program (PNRA). These samples will be the property of humanity, with sustainable international governance ensuring their preservation as well as their exceptional and appropriate use, in order to enable future generations of scientists to carry out unprecedented analyses.

Unite glaciologists of the world

As part of the ICE MEMORY project, a team of French, Italian, Russian and American researchers carried out the first ice archive drilling operation on the Col du Dome glacier in the Mont Blanc massif, in August 2016. This mission represented the first stage in demonstrating the feasibility of the "ice core archive" project. Following successful completion of the operation, the team is set to carry out a second ice archive drilling operation on the Illimani glacier in Bolivia, in June 2017.

The consortium does not intend to stop at that. It hopes to unite the international community of glaciologists in order to carry out at least another ten or so drilling missions at various glaciers around the world, both those of scientific interest and those threatened by climate change.

The inaugural ICE MEMORY conference is due to be organised on 8-10 March 2017, under the patronage of the French national commission of UNESCO. It is set to mark the internationalisation of the program, with fifteen American, Russian, Chinese, Brazilian, Swedish, Japanese, German, Swiss, Italian and French scientists specialising in the study of ice cores due to attend.

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ICE MEMORY, a collaborative model

The project is equally jointly financed by the provision of human resources and equipment from partner scientific organisations and by private sponsorship, through the Universite Grenoble Alpes Foundation. Companies, foundations and private individuals are therefore joining forces to ensure that this adventure, this responsibility we all share, can be pursued.

Key dates

2015: Launch of the ICE MEMORY project

2016: First drilling operation at Col du Dome, France

February 2017: Patronage of the French national commission of UNESCO and the Italian national commission of UNESCO

March 2017: International launch at UNESCO Paris

May-June 2017: Illimani mission in Bolivia 2018-2019: Analysis of ice cores and creation of a reference database

2020: Creation of the snow cave at Concordia station, Antarctica

2021: Transport and storage of the first ice cores for archiving
A review of workers' compensation claims indicates that workers in Oregon's seafood processing industry are suffering serious injuries at higher rates than the statewide average, and the rate of injuries appears to be on the rise, researchers at Oregon State University have found.

Researchers examined 188 "disabling" claims, or claims from employees who missed work, were hospitalized overnight or whose injuries left them permanently impaired. They found that the average annual rate of claims was 24 per 1,000 workers, said Laura Syron, a doctoral student in OSU's College of Public Health and Human Sciences and lead author of the study.

"Fortunately, Oregon's seafood processing industry did not experience any fatalities during the study period, but the rate of injuries during that period is higher than Oregon's all-industry average," Syron said.

"This is an industry that merits more research and more support. Our goal is to use this information to assist seafood processing companies in the Pacific Northwest with protecting workers' safety and health."

The study is believed to be the first to examine worker safety and health in Oregon's seafood processing industry. The findings were published this month in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.

OSU researchers collaborated with the Oregon Health Authority on the study. Co-authors of the paper are Laurel Kincl, an assistant professor of environmental and occupational health; Ellen Smit, an associate professor of epidemiology; environmental and occupational health doctoral student Liu Yang; and Daniel Cain, with the state of Oregon.

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The study is part of a broader effort at OSU to understand and address hazards in the maritime industry.

"This important work complements injury prevention my colleagues and I are conducting with commercial fishing fleets in the region," said co-author Kincl, who is Syron's advisor.

Seafood is the most-traded food commodity internationally, and the value of processed seafood products in the U.S. topped $10 billion in 2015. The dangers of commercial fishing have drawn a lot of attention over the years through reality television programs and highly-publicized disasters and safety incidents.

But there is limited research on occupational health and safety in onshore seafood processing, a food-manufacturing industry that includes cleaning, canning, freezing and other packaging and preparation. In Oregon, employment in the seafood processing industry grew steadily between 2010 and 2013, with 1,240 workers employed in the industry in 2013.

"Processing is a critical component of the seafood supply chain, and it does not get as much attention as the fishing itself," Syron said. "Processing adds value to the product and it is also demanding work that can lead to significant injuries."

The researchers' review of workers' compensation disabling claims accepted for compensation between 2007 and 2013 showed the rate of injuries among workers in the industry was more than twice that of Oregon industries overall. The most common injuries included traumatic injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments or joints. The most frequent events that resulted in injuries were overexertion and contact with equipment or objects.

"The workers' compensation data gives us insight into the most severe incidents and those that cost employers the most money," Syron said.

The workers' compensation disabling data doesn't provide enough detail about the circumstances of the workers at the time of their injuries, so that is one area that warrants further study before prevention recommendations could be made, she said.

For her doctoral dissertation, Syron plans to examine seafood processing in Alaska, where seafood is an economically and culturally important natural resource. In that research, Syron will continue to explore injury reports in both at-sea and on-shore facilities. With interviews, she hopes to learn from companies' safety and health managers and directors, whose roles are dedicated to protecting workers' well-being.
Sanjay Dutt penned multiple songs when he was in Yerwada jail. One of the them will be used in his upcoming film Torbaaz.

By India Today Web Desk: Jail has made Sanjay Dutt a changed man, and as it turns out, a poet as well.

While the Munna Bhai actor was in Yerwada jail, he penned a number of poems, one of which called O Meri Aangan Ki Chidiya Hai Tu will be used in his upcoming film Torbaaz.

Sanjay Dutt is playing an army officer in Torbaaz, directed by Girish Malik. The film set in Afghanistan is an action thriller and revolves around the phenomenon of young children being indoctrinated to think that there is glory awaiting in afterlife after killing for virtuous reasons. This is the first time an Indian film will deal with the theme of child soldiers.

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According to a report in Mumbai Mirror, the producer of Torbaaz got emotional when he heard the song O Meri Aangan Ki Chidiya Hai Tu at Sanjay Dutt's residence.

"Girish and I had gone to meet Sanju in Agra where he is filming Bhoomi. He hummed a few songs he had penned when he was in prison. He has a scratch version recorded and I was touched by one particular song. O Meri Aangan Ki Chidiya Hai Tu is about a father-daughter relationship. It's beautifully written and is relevant to our film as Sanju's character loses his child. I got very emotional when I heard it and told him we would like to use it in Torbaaz. He readily agreed," Torbaaz producer Rahul Mittra was quoted as saying.

In fact, while he was in jail, Sanjay Dutt wrote songs across genres including some romantic numbers and qawwalis.

Sanjay Dutt has previously lent his voice to a number of songs throughout his career. Some of the most popular ones are Aye Shivani from Khoobsurat, the title track of Chal Mere Bhai and Samjho Ho Hi Gaya from Lage Raho Munna Bhai.

When asked whether Sanjay would sing the song written by him in Torbaaz, Rahul said, "We are yet to decide on that."

ALSO READ: Did Sanjay Dutt want to beat up Rishi Kapoor over an affair?

WATCH: Feeling of freedom yet to sink in, says Sanjay Dutt

--- ENDS ---
Should a military doctor obey an order to not treat an enemy combatant? Or certify a sick soldier as fit to fight? Should a nurse take part in interrogations? Ride along on medical caravans to build trust with locals? Violate patient privacy for military ends? These and other questions are being studied by Canadian researchers with the Ethics in Military Medicine Research Group, led by University of Montreal bioethicist Bryn Williams-Jones with colleagues at McGill and McMaster universities.

Their latest paper, published in December in the winter issue of the Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, compares the ethics codes of the Canadian Medical Association and the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. At issue: the ongoing debate over the "dual loyalty" of military healthcare professionals' and whether the two codes -- civilian and military -- are "necessarily incompatible."

"To put it bluntly, how can the military profession, whose mission of defending state interests can involve the use of deadly force, be compatible with the medical profession whose primary mission is to heal and save lives?" asks lead author Christiane Rochon. Her conclusion, with co-author Williams-Jones, her PhD thesis supervisor: The two codes are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they support each other, with the military one turning out to be even more comprehensive than the medical profession's.

The researchers studied the issue for three years, interviewing over 50 Canadian military health professionals -- physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, medical technicians, almost all of them high-ranking officers. "We wanted to understand the perspectives of health professionals working in a range of very challenging environments, from combat missions to humanitarian and peacekeeping missions," Williams-Jones told UdeM Nouvelles.

"They have a lot of tools to help them think through the ethical challenges they face, but those tools are not specifically adapted to their role as health professionals. As non-combatants they face different sorts of challenges." For instance, what is a military physician to do if asked by a commanding officer not to provide care to an enemy combatant? The easy answer: Obey medical ethics codes and international humanitarian law and treat the enemy; health care is a human right.

But some military medical personnel do feel they have a conflicting loyalty to their patient and their employer, and that feeling can be very complex, said Williams-Jones, director of the bioethics program at UdeM's School of Public Health. "It's not just whether they're healer or humanitarian or soldier; it's all of that mixed up."

In combat, a non-professional like a medic is first and foremost a soldier, someone who carries a weapon while dispensing care in the thick of the action. A physician typically operates further back: at a forward-operating base or the main base hospital. As such, the physician may be frustrated in not being able to provide the same level of care as he or she could back home, or by not being able to offer adequate follow-up, or by not being able to treat civilians," the study's authors found.

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In combat zones like Afghanistan and Mali, on humanitarian missions in places like Haiti and the Philippines, and on peacekeeping missions in Rwanda or Kosovo, the challenges are accentuated with each new case, telescoped in a short period of time "This isn't M*A*S*H," said Williams-Jones. "Physicians and other personnel are not there for years at a time; they're going in for maybe six weeks or six months, into a very tense environment and making resource-allocation decisions, deciding who gets care and who doesn't: our soldiers versus friendly soldiers versus enemy combatants versus civilians, children. These are real tensions."

In the military, health professionals are much more aware of their social mission as purveyors of public health than they are normally as civilians treating individual patients, Williams-Jones added. "The physicians come from a very wealthy environment, most working in public hospitals as clinicians who are one-on-one with a patient. But in combat or on a humanitarian mission, they're much more in public-health mode."

The Canadian military has had an ethics code since 1997; it was last updated in 2013. The CMA's dates back much further, with major revisions after the Second World War and in the 1970s and '90s; the latest was in 2004. Unusually for a modern military, the Canadian Forces Code of Values and Ethics says it's more important to respect human dignity (the first principle of the code) than it is to follow orders (its third principle). The Canadian Medical Association Code of Ethics, by contrast, "is more duty-oriented," the study says. The CMA code "is more focused on the physician's relationship with the patient and the medical community, so it is in general more individualistic than the [Canadian military's], which recognizes from the start the social role of the military and its responsibility towards society," Rochon and Williams-Jones argue.

But isn't the military's principle of "legitimate use of force" incompatible with the physician's principle of "do no harm"? No, the authors say. "This is a false dichotomy that does not reflect the military and medical realities of today," they write. "The principle of 'do no harm' in medicine is increasingly recognized as being intimately related to other principles such as beneficence and autonomy (i.e., in debates about euthanasia and assisted suicide). "In the same way, the use of force (and so doing harm to others) by soldiers is heavily circumscribed and controlled by international laws [...] For example, recent international peacekeeping missions have been heavily criticized for not allowing soldiers to intervene when witnessing rape, murder, and even genocide (e.g., in Rwanda). "[...] These kinds of situation have shown that the appropriate use of force needs to be evaluated in relation to other principles (e.g., preventing harm to civilians, justice) and so is not by definition negative or wrong."

Those perceptions are also a generational thing. In their interviews with the researchers, younger health professionals most often didn't identify any significant ethical challenges they faced, whereas those with 15 or 20 years experience said they had many. One thing they did agree on: They need more "downtime" to discuss ethics as a team and hash out solutions. To that end, the researchers hope to get new funding to develop practical working tools -- case studies, situation-specific and targeted ethics training, special versions of ethics guides annotated for military medical personnel, such as the one the British Medical Association published in 2012 called Ethical Decision-Making for Doctors in the Armed Forces.

The goal, concluded Williams-Jones, is simple: To make sure "that people have the ethics skills to handle situations on the ground. Ultimately, that's the most important thing."
People with asthma should be given tailored support to help them manage their condition, experts say.

Helping people with asthma take control of their own illness reduces symptoms, improves quality of life, reduces emergency use of health services and even prevents deaths, research has shown.

Supported self-management has been recommended in asthma guidelines for the past three decades, but implementation is patchy.

Clinicians and healthcare organisations should prioritise making sure that every person with asthma has access to support to help them control their illness, researchers say.

A team led by the Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research at the University of Edinburgh, Queen Mary's University of London and University of Manchester reviewed results from 270 studies that evaluated the success of supported self-management.

People of all ages and from a range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds benefit from tailored support to help control their own symptoms, the review found.

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Asthma is a common condition, affecting 334 million people worldwide. In the UK, asthma accounts for more than six million GP consultations and 100,000 hospital admissions each year, costing an estimated 1 billion annually.

Supported self-management helps people recognise early signs that their asthma is worsening and to take action accordingly.

Each patient is offered a personalised action plan with details of what medicines to take and advice on when to seek help if symptoms are getting worse. Patients have regular check ups to review their progress and their action plan is updated as needed.

Studies have shown that the approach saves lives, yet a 2014 review of asthma deaths suggested more than three-quarters of patients did not have an action plan to help them manage their condition.

The study, published in the journal BMC Medicine, was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research Programme.

Professor Hilary Pinnock, of the Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research at the University of Edinburgh, said: "Evidence is compelling that supported self-management for asthma works. The challenge is in making sure it is implemented across the health service, so that every person with asthma has access to a personal action plan and knows what to do if their condition is worsening.

"Supported self-management is being promoted across all long-term conditions and asthma has the best evidence base, so it should be an exemplar. We hope our review will be alert those commissioning or delivering services for people with asthma to the importance of ensuring that supported self-management for asthma is implemented now."

Dr Samantha Walker, Director of Research and Policy at Asthma UK, said: "It is well known that self-management is essential in helping people with asthma achieve good asthma control; whilst self-management can be complex, this research shows that it can significantly improve quality of life and reduce the rates of hospital admissions and visits to A&E.

"Two out of three asthma deaths are preventable with good basic care, and this research shows the difference supported self-management can make. We must take a bold new approach and take advantage of digital health solutions that could transform the way asthma care is delivered and support self-management. Digital action plans, smart inhalers and automated GP alerts are just some of the ways asthma care could be brought up to date and reduce the risk of potentially fatal asthma attacks."
New research suggests that GlycA, a newly identified blood marker, and C-reactive protein both independently predict major adverse cardiac events, including heart failure and death. Patients who have high levels of both biomarkers are at especially high risk.

That's the finding of researchers from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Salt Lake City, who teamed with LipoScience Laboratories to examine the markers to see if the two proteins, each previously linked to inflammation, are independent or related and whether either or both can identify patients at elevated risk for cardiovascular events.

Findings from the study will be presented at the American College of Cardiologists Scientific Session in Washington, DC, on March 17.

The research grew out of an earlier analysis that paired plasma samples collected as part of the Intermountain Heart Collaborative Study with an assay developed by LipoScience that uses nuclear magnetic resonance technology to measure, among other things, the particle numbers in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often called "bad" cholesterol. While scanning the plasma samples with the nuclear magnetic resonance technology, LipoScience had detected the GlycA and determined it to be a novel marker of inflammation.

Early research by the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute team showed that GlycA can predict heart attack risk; inflammation makes it more likely cholesterol plaques will rupture.

GlycA didn't predict coronary artery disease nearly as well, said J. Brent Muhlestein, MD, co-director of cardiology research at Intermountain Medical Center and the study's lead author.

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C-reactive protein has already been shown to accurately predict adverse heart events and coronary artery disease, so the researchers wondered if the two are independent of each other, or if GLycA just offers another way to measure the effects of CRP.

Using the same plasma samples -- part of more than 30,000 DNA samples collected over the course of 25 years at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute -- the researchers compared the value of both GlycA and CRP in predicting future heart attacks, strokes, or death.

For the study, nearly 3,000 patients undergoing coronary angiography were followed, two-thirds of them male. Sixty-five percent of them had been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, 42 percent with acute coronary syndrome, and 26 percent with diabetes.

"The correlation between GlycA and CRP was only modest," said Dr. Muhlestein. "Some patients had a high level of one and a low level of the other and vice versa. But the two proteins independently predicted future risk, and if you had both, it was the worst scenario completely. It tells us that GlycA is perhaps something important."

How important will be the focus of future research. Dr. Muhlestein said his research team would like to identify exactly what GlycA is, what it does, and the underlying physiology of its connection to inflammation.

The researchers hope to learn if it can be used as a marker of risk that leads to specific treatments, such as use of statins, which are commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol.

Other researchers involved in the study were Heidi T. May, PhD; Oxana Galenko, PhD; Kirk U. Knowlton, MD; James D. Otvos, PhD; Margery A. Connelly, PhD; Donald L. Lappe, MD; and Jeffrey L. Anderson, MD.

Intermountain Medical Center is the flagship hospital for the Intermountain Healthcare system, based in Salt Lake City.
A UN effort to detect illegal arms smuggling found that throughout 2016 North Korea was continuing to smuggle weapons out of the country and do business despite the many trade sanctions placed against it. The UN investigators found evidence of North Korean weapons being used in several African nations, especially ones that themselves were subject to UN bans on receiving foreign weapons. Often this evidence was uncovered by UN peacekeepers, most of whom are assigned to trouble spots in Africa.

North Korea was using its commercial and diplomatic contacts in Africa to find buyers and arrange clandestine shipment. Because of sanctions on North Korean use of the international banking system Africa is particularly attractive. Thats because of the rampant illegal trade in valuable ores and gems there and the many outlaw traders that buy and sell the stuff. Thus North Korea often takes payment in these rare commodities and then converts these items to cash which is smuggled back into North Korea. Thus North Korea arms merchants can do business in any of the many areas in Africa with lax law enforcement for clandestine smuggling and financial activities. This is all the more important because since early 2016 China has shut down a lot of those North Korean activities within China. The North Koreans were apparently quick to adapt.

Clandestine weapons exports to Africa is nothing new for North Korea. For example a 2013 a photo from North Korea showed an Il-76 transport in military colors. This was odd because while the North Korean state airline operates three IL-76s, the North Korean Air Force was never known to do so. The IL-76 in the picture appeared to be a civilian version with a military paint job. At the time it was unclear what the North Koreans were up to, although it was known that North Korea had used Il-76s in the past for arms smuggling and shady business in general. So having one pass for a military transport was probably part of some new smuggling scheme. Similar to the older American C-141, over 900 Il-76s were manufactured over the last thirty years. Nearly a hundred Il-76s were exported so far, mainly to Cuba, Iraq, China, India, Libya, and Syria. Most of these countries are willing to tolerate, for a price, the use of their Il-76s for some profitable illegal trade.

This was not the first time the North Koreans were caught using air transport for smuggling. For example, in late 2009, the U.S. alerted Thailand that a Georgian Il-76 transport, flying from North Korea, would stop to refuel in Thailand, had false documentation, and other problems worth looking into. When the transport arrived and Thai police checked, they found that the manifest listed the cargo as oil drilling machinery but the stuff was actually 35 tons of weapons. The crew was arrested (for carrying weapons and false documents) and the cargo was removed to a safe location for more thorough inspection. After going through all the containers (mostly wooden boxes marked "oil drilling equipment"), the Thais found ballistic missile components, apparently for North Korea's most recent, 6,000 kilometer range, missile. These were apparently headed for Iran (which can pay big bucks for such stuff and North Korea needs the money). The documents found on the transport, and interrogations of the five man crew, revealed that North Korea went to great lengths to try and hide who owned the aircraft, what the cargo was, and where it was headed. Iran continues to maintain trade relations, often illegal, with North Korea. Even though Iran got a treaty in 2015 to lift most of the trade sanctions it was long under the Iranians continue to have need of its smugglers to support its illegal activities (like supporting Islamic terrorism internationally.)

The Il-76 is the air equivalent of the old tramp steamer (elderly cargo ship favored by smugglers because of low cost but being reliable enough to deliver the goods). The Il-76 is certainly old and cheap (often available for as little as a million dollars) but reliability is becoming more of a problem so crews are paid well, in a similar fashion to those piloting drug smuggling planes in the Americas. .

North Korea has had to rely more on air transport for its arms smuggling because since 2012 there has been an increasingly effective crackdown on their use of merchant ships for smuggling. Some cases became famous, like the 2013 incident where a North Korean freighter was discovered off Panama carrying Cuban SA-2 anti-aircraft missile systems and MiG-21 components (including over a dozen jet engines) buried under a cargo of sugar. This turned out to be part of regular trade between the two countries. It was all unraveled when Panamanian authorities conducted a search of the North Korean freighter because of an American tip that the North Korean ship was carrying illegal cargo. A Panamanian warship passed near the North Korean vessel approaching the Panama Canal and noted that the North Koreans had turned off their tracking devices. This is what drug smugglers often do and the Panamanians forced the North Korean ship to stop so they could search it. The 35 man crew tried to resist the search and scuttle the ship but the heavily armed police made it clear that this might just get a lot of the North Korean sailors killed. The North Korean captain later tried to commit suicide. The ship was brought into a Panamanian port for a search and the crew were arrested.

Further investigation showed that for years a North Korean freighter would show up in Cuba every three of four months. Often the North Korean ships travelled (in violation of international law) with its tracker turned off. This is the AIS (Automated Identification System) and was originally developed to make it easier to track ships at sea. AIS is essentially an automatic radio beacon (transponder) that, when it receives a signal from a nearby AIS equipped ship, responds with the ship's identity, course, and speed. This is meant to enable AIS ships to avoid collisions with each other. Most large ships also carry INMARSAT, which enables shipping companies keep track of their vessels, no matter where they are on the planet. INMARSAT uses a system of satellites which transmit AIS-like signals to anywhere on the oceans. It only costs a few cents to send an INMARSAT signal to one of your ships, and a few cents more to receive a reply. The trackers, especially AIS, are essential to prevent collision while GPS and INMARSAT are crucial to avoid running into reefs, rocks, or (in bad weather) coastline. Only smugglers will turn these devices off, and this is often discovered when navies spot one of these ships on the high seas.

North Korean cargo ships are often found running dark. The North Koreans will turn on their devices when entering foreign ports, to avoid problems with the local authorities. The trips to Cuba were long believed to be some kind of smuggling operation, but since Cuba had little of military value for North Korea, no one looked too closely. Now it appears that Cuba was, at least in this case, trading sugar for repair services (on the missiles, the jet fighters and their engines, which wear out quickly). Cuba may also have been selling sugar as well as surplus weapons. Whatever North Korea and Cuba are saying, it is still in violations of the sanctions against North Korea, although North Korea insists that it is not. Besides, North Korea might have bought the old missiles and jets for their own use. North Korea has been caught buying MiG-21s illegally since the 1990s.

North Korea uses the same running dark tactics for its illegal airfreight deliveries to African nations. This is easier to pull off in Africa, which is, unlike the rest of the world, still lacking in an air traffic control system over most air space. Now more resources will have to be devoted to looking for illegal air traffic over Africa as well as monitoring ships that that are running dark and might have illegal North Korean cargo aboard.
While diving in Thailand in 2010, Mark Eakin, a scientist with the NOAA, saw some clownfish behaving in strange way - and for a very concerning reason. Clown fish live in sea anemones - jellyfish-like polyps with toxic tentacles - mainly for safety reasons. But the clown fish he saw had stopped doing that. "Instead of darting into their anemone for safety, the clown fish were going to nearby bleached corals, because something was wrong with their anemones," Eakin told The Dodo. "They didn't consider that a safe home anymore."

The clown fish had changed their behavior right after a mass coral bleaching event that happened in the area. Coral bleaching happens when sea temperatures rise, and corals expel the algae living inside their tissues, which turns the corals white. This kind of thing is happening all over the world, and now it's hit the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the largest coral reef system in the entire world. And this is bad news for the sea animals who depend on the reef.

Dodo Shows Faith = Restored Woman Tries Every Day For A Month To Rescue This Dog

Aerial view of the bleached coral on the Great Barrier Reef | Arc Centre of Excellence

In 2016, 67 percent of the northern region of the Great Barrier Reef died. This year, more bleaching has occurred, although scientists are still figuring out just how bad it is. Unfortunately, some are fearing the worst. "The severity of the 2016 bleaching was off the chart," Terry Hughes, the director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, said in a statement. "It was the third major bleaching to affect the Great Barrier Reef, following earlier heatwaves in 1998 and 2002. Now we're gearing up to study a potential number four."

Bleached and dead coral on the Great Barrier Reef | Arc Centre of Excellence

When coral reef systems die, animals lose their homes. Not just a few animals - millions of them.

A fish swimming next to bleached, dead coral | Arc Centre of Excellence

"You're losing countless different species - small organisms and vertebrates and reefs," Eakin said. "And of course, the fish communities are being affected. They're just gone."

A scuba diver surveying damaged coral on the Great Barrier Reef | Arc Centre of Excellence

Where do they go exactly?

Arc Centre of Excellence

"That's a very good question," Eakin said. "Some of them die ... through starvation or predation. They stop behaving the way they normally do, and they're more susceptible to predators."

Arc Centre of Excellence

Other animals may try and move elsewhere, but this isn't always the best option. "When the reef dies and gets covered in algae, they leave and move elsewhere to other nearby habitats," Eakin said. "But they won't be doing as well, and may be subject to greater predation."

A fish swimming next to bleached, dead coral | Arc Centre of Excellence
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Mar 18 (PTI) Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here and congratulated him on the BJPs success in the recent Assembly elections.

Sarkozy also congratulated the Prime Minister for the success of demonetisation, the PMO said in a statement.

Modi congratulated Sarkozy on the publication and success of his latest book, Tout pour la France.

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The two leaders discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest, the statement added. PTI AKK ADS

--- ENDS ---
AUSTIN, TEXASMusic knows no borders, and all the travel bans in the world cant do anything about it.

That was the message sent the way of the Trump administration at the South by Southwest festival on Friday evening, as artists representing the six nations targeted by a United States travel ban gathered in Austin for a defiantly joyous protest concert dubbed ContraBanned: #MusicUnites @ SXSW.

The musicians on hand  including Somali-Canadian sister act Faarrow and Toronto rapper Emmanuel Jal, representing South Sudan  came from worlds as varied as hip-hop, jazz, R&B and classical, but that was kind of the point. They could all easily come together onstage in the spirit of peace and unity, which a world separated by pointless political and religious borders would do well to emulate.

Further driving home ContraBanneds point about the foolishness of Donald Trumps attempted travel ban, the evenings scheduled closing act, Iranian-born U.K. DJ Ash Koosha, was conspicuously absent because he was denied entry into the States to attend the festival.

Yes, these are strange, baffling times we live in. Faarrows Iman and Siham Hashi, for example, dont even dare return from Los Angeles, where theyre currently living and recording their debut album, to visit their family in Toronto because theyre not sure theyll get back into the U.S.

We have Canadian passports but in our passports it says Born in Somalia, sighed Siham on Friday afternoon. Were on artist visas, and we were supposed to go back to Toronto and hang out and visit our family but our parents were, like, Dont even take that chance. Even when we were coming back from Kenya a few years ago and there wasnt anything about this travel ban, they put us in a little room and questioned us because our passports say Somalia. Im just so tired of this stigma.

Mom and dad were just, like: Its not worth it. You guys getting stuck in Canada and not being able to come back and finish your album would be horrible. So weve kind of slowed down on traveling.

The Hashi sisters fled Somalia for Toronto with their parents as refugees from civil war during the early 1990s and, thus, know firsthand the damage the U.S. ban on accepting refugees from countries currently facing grave humanitarian crises such as Somalia, Sudan and Yemen can do. The last drought in Somalia in 2011, they point out, killed more than 200,000 people, and theres another one happening now.

Most refugees are women and children but the media is all about fear-mongering and, like, Weve gotta keep everyone safe from terrorists, said Siham.

So were excited to have this ability to represent, because when people see us we want them to know that refugees, former refugees, come in all shapes and sizes and colours and personalities. Its not this one box of, like, a big, bad other.

Faarrow would prefer not to let politics intrude too much on their music  which, as evidenced by last years Lost EP, leans toward anthemic, girl-powered pop-R&B fun of the Rihanna variety  but the tenor of the times is now compelling them to lend their voices to the causes of peace, unity and common sense in the studio as well as in interviews.

Theyve done songs about their history and the plight of their home nation, such as the famine-themed Never Forgotten, before, but there could be a lot more coming. The forthcoming record, to be titled Love and Light Beams, will be preoccupied, says Siham, with the struggle of shedding all these societal pressures of being a woman, being a woman of colour, of being Somali, of begin refugees, of being Muslim  all these things that were put on us before we even knew who we are.

Weve done some songs about Somalia and stuff but now were back in the studio and it feels almost like we have to inject a little bit more, said Iman. We have to. Even now, when we leave, Im so looking forward to just getting back into the studio and just getting into creative mode again.

During the hours before the ContraBanned show, Faarrow also sat on a SXSW panel at the Austin Convention Centre with their fellow performers.

All shared roughly the same sentiment that theyd prefer not to have their music overshadowed by their cultural heritage and their politics, but are being forced into that position by the xenophobic nature of the present-day White House. Someone has to speak up for all the people in the six nations covered by the Trump travel ban who cant speak up for themselves. As Iraqi-American bandleader Dena El Saffar of the Middle Eastern folk-fusion troupe Salaam put it, I have a microphone and they dont.

I didnt plan to be an artist, but one thing that made me become an artist was I wanted to be part of the solution, said Jal, who lost his mother and many relatives to civil war in South Sudan before being caught up in the conflict himself as a child soldier. If I can do this, I can represent the voices of the people not being heard. . .

Theres a responsibility that I cannot run away from. Dead bodies talk to me, kids that died next to me. If I run away from representing their voices, Im running away from responsibility to bring that problem to a global stage.

Jal stressed musics ability to unite people of all backgrounds.

Im here interacting with different souls here onstage and we dont see each others colour, he said. If you want to know what the real world is, go to a studio and see different artists in one place just jamming. You will see the joy.

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When work brought Anand Prakash to the GTA from India in 2012, transit was a key factor in deciding where his family would live.

He chose an apartment at Emerald City, the growing master-planned community at Sheppard Ave. and Don Mills Rd., on the TTCs Sheppard subway line that allowed an easy commute to his job at IBM in North York.

Five years later, Prakash, 36, his wife, Neelam Kushwaha, 35, and their 6-year-old son, Aakhyan, are permanent residents of Canada and are putting down roots in the same Emerald City community. They have purchased a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condominium on the sixth floor of The Colours of Emerald City, a midrise building that is slated to be ready for occupancy in September 2017.

One of my friends was going to look at condos and suggested that I come along to keep him company, Prakash says. I picked up an Emerald City brochure, went home and suggested to my wife that we give it some thought.

Prakash and Kushwaha hadnt had any immediate plans to purchase a home, but the more they considered it, the more sense it made. They were planning to remain in Canada  We like the culture, so why not stay? says Prakash.

They researched different towns and neighbourhoods, debated the merits of houses compared to townhomes and condominiums. Ultimately, they decided Emerald City suited their needs, preferences and budget.

We wanted to stay in Toronto, said Kushwaha. North York is a happening place and we like it. We have many friends in Whitby and they have to do a lot of travelling to get to shopping or activities.

The family is close to nearly everything they need: Their son is enrolled in a variety of classes at the community centre; they have Fairview Mall across the road for movies and shopping; they enjoy the communitys green spaces; and theyre steps to the subway.

It was the right place at the right time for us, Kushwaha says.

Emerald Citys developer, Elad Canada, believes Emerald City is the right place for thousands of other couples and families, too. The community will eventually comprise nine condominium buildings in three blocks of three buildings, containing approximately 2,700 units; five rental buildings; and a series of townhomes.

The seventh condominium, The Peak, will be a 33-storey condo with four townhomes at the base and amenities including an indoor pool and sauna, terrace, party room and a dog wash. Sales have just begun with occupancy planned for 2020.

Elad is focused on master-planned communities, says Dror Duchovny, director of sales and marketing. They give us the ability to create something on a large scale and with that scale comes the ability to enhance and invest in the community.

We can reshape the neighbourhood.

At Emerald City, Elad Canada invested in building a 50,000-square-foot community centre, which includes a YMCA daycare, that has been turned over to the City of Toronto to operate. An additional aquatic centre, also built by Elad, opens this summer.

As well as ground-floor retail space in the condos  a dental clinic and a Tim Hortons are among the small businesses operating there  distinctive, multi-coloured conical sculptures by Canadian artist Douglas Coupland serve as a signature for the community.

Its great to support local artists in creating something new and beautiful for the community, Duchovny says.

Duchovny says the demographics of the neighbourhood have changed substantially since Elad Canada purchased the property in 2002.

We have a very diverse purchasing base that includes young families, young professionals and empty nesters, he explains. With the subway, the mall and the highway (Hwy. 401) nearby, it is a very strategic location.

Leo deSorcy, program manager for urban design in North York, notes the Emerald City site itself has undergone a metamorphosis.

The neighbourhood was built in the 1960s and 70s and there wasnt a lot of change for a long time, he says. Together with community working groups, we went through a series of exercises with the architects over an 18-month period to come up with a plan for redevelopment.

Originally, the site was very car-oriented, but Elad has added a layer of walkability, says deSorcy.

In addition, the official plan criteria for what makes a good neighbourhood came together here in a satisfying way. There is access to services; the community centre is a focal point for meeting others; and there is a mix of people and a connective network of public streets.

My sense from the public meetings and from being out and about in the community is that Elad seems to be building a really diverse, happy community, adds deSorcy.

People are using the facilities, theyre out and about and theres a sense of safety. Its clear that when you do things right, the outcome is really good.

*

The Peak at Emerald City

Address: 32 Forest Manor Rd., North York

Builder: Emerald City Developments V (C3) Inc., a subsidiary of Elad Canada.

Size: 33 storeys with 368 condo suites ranging from 475 square feet to 928 square feet; four townhomes from 1,636 square feet to 1,699 square feet

Floor plans: Condos with 1 bedroom, 1 bedroom plus den, 2 bedrooms and 2 bedrooms plus den. Two-storey townhomes have three bedrooms

Prices: Starting in the high $200,000

Projected completion: January 2020

Contact: emeraldcitylife.ca, 416-492-0001, emeraldcity@bakersales.info . Sales centre on Sheppard Ave., across from Fairview Mall.

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Men in the modern world are facing a new deadly epidemic  a pervasive, unrelenting loneliness.

Author Stephen Marche touches upon this in his latest book, The Unmade Bed: The Messy Truth about Men and Women in the 21st Century, in which he explores the complicated, changing relationship between men and women in todays society.

Marche spoke to the Star about what he thinks is behind the loneliness, why he hates the word bro and how Donald Trump is a good example of being caught between contradictory realities.

Why do you think loneliness in men has increased in recent years?

I think loneliness is swelling among everyone, but particularly among American men, theres this sudden, sharp spike in mortality related to loneliness, and basically, theyre killing themselves and I think a big part of it is that men are totally incapable of dealing with gender issues. Men are not talking about it and because they dont talk about it, they dont really know what is causing them to suffer so much.

Whats keeping men from reaching out to each other?

For men, culture tells them their friendships are primitive, literally  the man cave, right? Maturing for men means shedding their friendships and this is a real disaster. Research is pretty clear that exactly at the point when men lose their friendships, they start to have this heightened suicide risk and thats because, despite our culture in which the icons of masculinity  the cowboy, the astronaut  are lonely figures, men are every bit as social as women and if you take away sociability, they die from it.

The rise in male loneliness coincides with the rise in bro culture, which seems to celebrate male bonding. How does that work?

Think how the word bro is used. Its a pejorative term. Bro contains this sense that its a lesser form of society. Whenever somebody talks about bromance, theyre saying that male friendship is somehow weird. Maybe instead of dismissing male friendship as a kind of ridiculous idiocy, we should encourage it, because without it, people suffer.

So is it about changing the language around masculinity?

Its not that theyre not using the right language, its that theyre not using language at all. The way men talk about gender, theres two ways to do it. You can either call yourself a feminist, which is defining yourself by the theory of another gender, and then mens rights organizations, which are insane and require you to essentially discount the value of the equality of women. This is not a healthy way to talk about your own gender.

How do we change this?

Our gender debates are so consumed by outrage, but when you look at the underlying trends, everyone should be overwhelmed with hope. The situation is getting closer to equality, so I think the idea that were in a really terrible situation and we need to pull ourselves out is wrong. The question is, how are we going to deal with it in our intimate lives? And theres going to be a lot of turbulence around that.

What do you mean by turbulence?

In my book, I give this idea of the hollow patriarchy -- as women grow in power in the middle class while being kept from top positions in all sorts of fields, it creates these bizarre parodies of masculinity and I can think of no better example of that than Donald Trump, who is in no sense a return to traditional masculinity. This is a man who cannot tie his tie properly and has to use tape on it. Figures like this are the result of this kind of moment where were caught between two very contradictory realities and we dont quite know how to respond. We use this phrase, The battle of the sexes, and nothing could be more wrong. Its not a battle that were in. Were trying to figure out how to be just with each other while having male and female bodies, and that is the working out of a very beautiful problem rather than a catastrophe that were trying to avoid.

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OTTAWAThe Liberal government will commit in Wednesdays federal budget to offer disabled veterans the option of a lifetime pension by the end of the year, The Canadian Press has learned.

While the actual details of the pension will be worked out in the coming months, the commitment to a specific timeline will mark an important benchmark for the Liberals signature election promise to veterans.

Canada previously offered lifelong pensions to those hurt in the line of duty, but they were abolished in 2006 and replaced by a new system centred on a lump-sum payment for injuries and career training.

Read the latest news on the 2017 federal budget

The new system has become a lightning rod for veterans anger, with many complaining that it provides less financial support over their lifetimes and demanding that the pensions be restored.

The Liberals were the only party to promise in the 2015 election to bring back life pensions for injured veterans, with the pledge serving as the centrepiece of their effort to court veteran voters.

In last years budget, the government moved to increase the maximum lump-sum payment to $360,000 from $310,000, starting this April 1, with the increase retroactive for all who had received it.

They also topped up a number of financial benefits for veterans injured while in uniform and unable to work and reopened nine Veterans Affairs Canada offices that had been closed by the Conservatives.

Those measures were expected to cost $5.6 billion over six years.

But many questioned whether the government would make good on its pledge to bring back the disability pensions, which both the Conservatives and NDP said would be prohibitively expensive.

Representatives from a number of veterans groups interviewed earlier this week expressed frustration about the governments silence and perceived lack of progress on a number of fronts.

Those included providing free education to ex-soldiers and creating a new centre for veterans suffering from PTSD and other psychological injuries.

But the promise to bring back lifelong pensions as an option for disabled veterans alongside lump-sum payments and career training was clearly foremost in their thoughts.

Theres a lot of things left on (Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehrs) mandate letter that were waiting for, said Deanna Fimrite, dominion secretary-treasurer of Army, Navy, Air Force Veterans in Canada.

I think probably in the minds of most veterans it is: What is going to be done about lifelong pensions? I think thats number 1 on most of their lists.

Cities desperate for affordable housing money are also expected to find out next week that they will receive approximately half of the $22 billion in the Liberals social infrastructure fund.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously telegraphed to the mayors of the countrys biggest cities that they would receive close to the $12.6 billion they felt was needed to address an affordable housing shortage countrywide.

Since then, municipal leaders and housing providers have privately revised their budgetary expectations down to around $11 billion.

Multiple sources speaking on condition of anonymity say the Liberals will unveil spending next week that falls around that mark, making affordable housing a key storyline coming out of the Trudeau governments second budget.

Adding to the narrative is how the Liberals plans to get the money to cities, with the minister in charge eyeing some non-traditional ways of targeting the cash directly to municipalities so it meets the governments goals.

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OTTAWAThe Trudeau government has given apologies and compensation to three Canadians who were tortured in Syria.

The government said Friday it had settled long-simmering lawsuits filed by the men over the federal role in their painful experiences, though details of the settlement were not made public.

In October 2008, an inquiry led by former Supreme Court justice Frank Iacobucci found Canadian officials contributed to the torture of Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad El Maati and Muayyed Nureddin by sharing information with foreign agencies.

Iacobucci concluded the men were abused in Syrian custody and, in the case of El Maati, in Egypt as well.

The former judge cited the RCMP, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Foreign Affairs for mistakes in the cases.

All three men deny involvement in terrorism and none has ever been charged.

Our clients are gratified to have received an apology from the highest level of the Canadian government, said Phil Tunley, lawyer for El Maati and Nureddin. They and their families are pleased that their long legal ordeal is over.

Tunley would not elaborate on the settlement.

On behalf of the government, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland apologized to the men for any role Canadian officials may have played in relation to their detention and mistreatment abroad and any resulting harm.

We hope that the steps taken today will support them and their families in their efforts to begin a new and hopeful chapter in their lives.

Legal actions filed by the three men had been stuck in the courts for years. They sought compensation for experiences they say shattered their reputations and left them physically and psychologically wounded.

In statements of defence filed years ago in the cases, the government said that if mistreatment did occur, responsibility rests with Syrian and Egyptian authorities.

For years the government refused to budge even though Maher Arar, another Arab-Canadian who was abused in a Syrian prison, received an apology and $10.5 million, plus another $1 million to cover legal fees.

In June 2009, the House of Commons public safety committee recommended apologies and compensation for Almalki, El Maati and Nureddin. The MPs also urged the government to do everything necessary to remove false allegations about the men and their families in records held by national security agencies.

Almalki, an Ottawa electronics engineer, was detained in Syria in 2002 and held for 22 months.

El Maati, a former truck driver, was arrested in November 2001 upon flying to Syria to celebrate his wedding  nuptials that did not take place.

Nureddin, a Toronto geologist, was detained by Syrian officials in December 2003 as he crossed the border from Iraq, where he was visiting family. He was held for 34 days in Syria in late 2003 and early 2004.

The federal apology had been expected for weeks following word the government finally settled the cases.

It has been a long and difficult journey to justice for the three men, said Alex Neve, secretary general of Amnesty International Canada.

They deserve gratitude and respect from all Canadians for their steadfast determination. This compensation and the apology will now help them to recover and rebuild their lives, Neve said in a statement. It will also send a strong message that what was done to them cannot and must not ever be done to others.

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CALGRY, ALTA.A former organizer with Jason Kenneys campaign has been charged with common assault at the Alberta PC partys leadership convention.

Calgary police confirm Alan Hallman was charged after a disturbance was reported late Friday night at the partys convention hall in the citys downtown.

Police say Hallman had been detained by security by that time.

He was released on a promise to appear and no court date has been set.

Hallman says in a statement he regrets any inconvenience resulting from the incident and will work to resolve it quickly.

Hallman left Kenneys campaign in January after he was suspended from the party for inappropriate Tweets.

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The nurses' union at the premier hospital have been demanding higher pay than that recommended by the Seventh Central Pay Commission.

By Mail Today Bureau: Hundreds of patients had to face a harrowing time on Friday when emergency services were completely shut down after 5,000 agitating nurses at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) went on mass casual leave. Nearly 90 surgeries were postponed.

Several patients were forced to visit the nearby Safdarjung and other hospitals in wake of the nurses' strike, even as the AIIMS authorities likened the protest to blackmailing and arm-twisting of administration at the cost of poor patients.

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The nurses' union at the premier hospital have been demanding higher pay than that recommended by the Seventh Central Pay Commission.

A senior AIIMS faculty member told Mail Today, "This mass casual leave has badly hit the emergency services and the functioning of the operation theatres of the institute apart from other patient services."

The AIIMS Nurses' Union threatened to go on an indefinite strike from March 27 if their demands for revision of their pay scales and a hike in allowances are not met.

"We are protesting against the retrograde recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission. Our demand is that the entry pay grade for staff nurses should be enhanced to `5,400 from the existing `4,600 and the nursing allowance should be enhanced by `7,800. Apart from that, risk allowance and night duty allowances should be given to all nurses as it is given to all other government employees," said Harish Kumar Kajla, President of AIIMS Nurses' Union.

"We deal with the deadly infections daily but we are not provided enough risk allowance. If the demands are not met, we will go on an indefinite strike from March 27," Kajla added.

Reacting to the nurses' union mass causal leave at AIIMS, Dr Balram Airan, acting director, AIIMS said: "AIIMS administration said they have forwarded the demands of the nurses to the Health Ministry and requested it to convene a meeting with the Ministry of Finance to resolve the matter.

The AIIMS administration has already revised the pay scales for all its employees including the nurses as per the recommendations of the 7th CPC."

ALSO READ | 7th Pay Commission: Committee on Allowances yet to submit report, wait for good news gets longer

ALSO READ | Good news for government employees and pensioners: Your dearness allowance went up by 2 per cent

--- ENDS ---
In his latest sharply worded decision, a Hamilton judge known for his acerbic wit and creatively written judgments skewered a legal system that he says should have prevented a case from ever arriving at his courtroom door.

The facts, Justice Alex Pazaratz said, were simple.

She wanted a divorce. Her husband agreed. Neither wanted to see the other again, had agreed to it in fact.

They have no children. No jobs. No income. No property. Nothing to divide, Pazaratz wrote in his judgment.

But as with many legal issues, the situation may not be quite as simple as Justice Pazaratz insists, according to Queens University law professor Nick Bala.

Both parties agreed on the need for a divorce, but the matter was contested because the wife also wanted a restraining order, something her husband opposed.

The wife alleges her husband assaulted her. He was charged but acquitted at trial in 2015. The wife maintains she fears for her safety.

That is where the potential complication arises, Bala said.

As a rule, legal aid prioritizes cases where domestic violence is a concern, and rightly so, Bala says.

The applicant in the case is a 32-year-old Iraqi woman who arrived in Canada five years ago and has never worked in this country. She receives monthly assistance from the Ontario Disability Support Program.

Her husband, 43 and also from Iraq, has also never worked in this country, and also receives disability support. They were married in September 2014 and separated five months later.

In his ruling Pazaratz acknowledged the grave seriousness of domestic abuse but insisted that such a case need not consume so much of the taxpayers time and money, particularly when every day I see people with much more serious and complex problems who have been denied any help by Legal Aid.

The judge took particular issue with the husbands refusal to agree to an order in writing restricting he and his wife from contacting each other, even though hed agreed to such an understanding verbally.

It didnt have to be a formal restraining order. All she wanted was some sort of court order  equally binding on both of them  that they should stay away from one another. Just some protection, to be less afraid, Pazaratz wrote.

But again, the husband said he would fight such an order.

Would a person who actually had to pay for a lawyer out of their own pocket ever fund this kind of dispute? Pazaratz asked.

The next time anyone at Legal Aid Ontario tells you theyre short of money, dont believe it. It cant possibly be true. Not if theyre funding cases like this, Pazaratz decision reads.

Legal aid does face significant funding challenges and is running a deficit, Bala said. Given that, it is important for the organization to make careful choices about how and where it spends its money, but it is too easy to be very critical of an important public service, like legal aid, Bala said.

I dont see this as a gross expenditure of taxpayer dollars, he said.

The couples background as new Canadians is also a potential difficulty, Bala said.

Here are two people who may not fully understand the justice system in this country, he said.

That said, Bala agrees with Pazaratzs concern that when someone else is footing the bill, there may be less incentive to settle before hearing from a judge.

Even people who are paying their lawyers hundreds of dollars an hour sometimes wont settle without hearing from a judge, Bala said.

Toronto lawyer Philip Epstein, editor-in-chief of Reports of Family Law, is well versed in Pazaratz particular manner of writing, calling it blunt and refreshing.

He wants to send a clear message about how the system can be improved, and this certainly does it, Epstein said.

In the end, both parties agreed to a mutually-binding order preventing them from coming within 500 metres of each other.

I made a fuss, Pazaratz wrote, so they settled. But why do we have a system in which so much tax money gets wasted, unless someone takes the time to make a fuss?

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A person in police custody was injured after a police cruiser was involved in a collision on the Gardiner Expressway on Saturday.

At around 10:41 a.m., officers reported that they had been rear-ended at the Jamieson St. exit on the Gardiner.

The airbags of the cruiser deployed, according Toronto police Const. Allyson Douglas-Cook.

The two officers and the person in custody were taken to a local hospital as a precautionary measure. Paramedics said that the officers did not suffer injuries. The third person in the cruiser suffered minor injuries.

Collision experts are currently trying to determine what happened. Two eastbound lanes on the Gardiner expressway are affected by the investigation.

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This has been a dramatic week in the battle for Europe. The Dutch election is over, the incumbent prime minister has won, his far-right racist rival has lost and the sound of fizzy Champagne bottles popping open can be heard throughout the capitals of Europe.

But does this mean that the right-wing, populist dragon in Europe has been slain and we can all go back to where we much prefer to be, obsessing about Donald Trumps latest tweets?

Well no, not quite.

Here are five lessons from the crucial Netherlands election:

1. Its a triumph with limited impact

By any measure, the victory by incumbent Prime Minister Mark Rutte was impressive. His party will be the largest in the Dutch parliament by far, and he is certain to lead a coalition government. His populist challenger, Geert Wilders, came in a distant second. Wilders had led polls for nearly two years until recently.

The Dutch vote received intense international attention in a year of crucial European elections where extreme right-wing parties are a threat. Voters in France go to the polls next month, followed by Germany and then, possibly, Italy. But, even though Ruttes victory may give other mainstream European politicians a psychological boost, most analysts believe it will have little impact on other elections.

2. The mainstream lost as much as it won

Result aside, there were aspects of the campaign itself that may surface elsewhere. Rutte, ostensibly a liberal, did little to challenge the anti-Muslim rhetoric of Wilders. In fact, Rutte incorporated some of Wilders themes into his own campaign. This included a full-page letter in Dutch newspapers that criticized Muslim immigrants for not integrating into Dutch society: Behave normally, or leave, the letter warned.

This meant that Rutte fought Wilders on his own terms, instead of providing Dutch voters with a positive, high-minded vision of a Netherlands strengthened by its multicultural character. The result from the vote was looming political chaos in the country: an unprecedented splintering of Dutch politics where 12 parties are now fighting for a small slice of the pie.

3. The real winner was Jessiah

At a time when left and centre-left political parties are struggling throughout Europe, a surprising winner was the Green-Left party, led by a 30-year-old who is often compared in the Netherlands to Justin Trudeau. Jesse Klaver, dubbed by supporters as Jessiah, saw his party boost its number of MPs from four to 14.

Klavers rallies were among the campaigns largest and his TV debate appearances were praised. The son of a Moroccan father and Indonesian mother, Klaver told reporters on election day that the left should challenge the far right by standing up for their ideals: What I would say to all my left-wing friends in Europe: dont try to fake the populace.

4. The battle for France is key

Perhaps the most enthusiastic reaction to the Dutch election came from mainstream politicians in France, where far-right leader Marine Le Pen is a serious threat. This is the vote that may shape the next stage of modern European history. The first round of presidential election voting is next month, and a win for Wilders would have been a considerable boost to Le Pen.

Reflecting that anxiety, a spokesman for Jean-Claude Juncker, European Commission president, called the Dutch result a vote against extremists. Emmanuel Macron, the centrist candidate, is just barely ahead of Le Pen in recent polls.

5. Europes moderate centre can win

The Dutch result, even if its impact proves to be limited, may be a sign of a wider trend. The initial fear was that the British vote for Brexit and the American vote for Donald Trump would trigger a wave throughout Europe in the direction of far-right, anti-immigrant political parties.

But the reverse may be happening. In addition to the loss by Wilders, there are signs that support for Le Pen and for the far-right party in Germany is declining. There may be a backlash beginning to emerge against the radical right.

If so, that might encourage people, once again, to look at what else is on offer, and this would be another opportunity for Europes leaders to truly connect with popular concerns and worries. In politics, it is rare to have a second chance.

Tony Burman is former head of Al Jazeera English and CBC News. Reach him @TonyBurman or at tony.burman@gmail.com .

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ROCKVILLE, MD.A house in a Maryland suburb of the nations capital was levelled early Friday by a thunderous explosion heard for miles around, a blast so powerful it shattered windows and caused other damage to several neighbouring homes, authorities said.

The explosion shook the city of Rockville about 1 a.m. and scattered debris widely, a fire official said, adding that the cause wasnt immediately known.

As a precaution, utility workers turned off gas and power at the home and others nearby. Fire and utility officials also went door to door asking neighbours to leave for their safety. Yellow police tape cordoned off the site.

Its just a pile of bricks. Theres not anything left of the house, said Pete Piringer, chief spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service. Ive heard there were calls from miles away.

A legal notice appearing in the Washington Post on Wednesday stated the home would be sold at auction on Friday afternoon, but the auction firms website no longer listed it Friday morning. The auction firm referred questions to Brock & Scott, the firm advertising the sale, but they did not return calls seeking comment.

Gas service at the home was turned off in June 2015, but Washington Gas spokesperson Brian Edwards said unauthorized use had been detected at the home since January. A bill had been sent to the house, he said. Tests on Friday showed no leaks in the neighbourhood or from the street to the house, Edwards said.

Neighbours said a man lived in the home. Investigators didnt know if he or anyone else was inside at the time, but searchers were planning to exhaustively check the rubble during the day, Piringer said. They were on the site with search-and-rescue dogs as early as daybreak.

The powerful jolt shook residents from their sleep in the neighbourhood of modest, mostly one-story single-family homes, including Luzia Ricci.

I could feel it underground, she said. I was wondering, Are we having an earthquake? But it was so short.

Ricci said she went outside to see what was going on and could see the flames from her backyard. She started to go closer with her daughter, but then she heard another pop and backed away. She said her husband went ahead and captured video of the fire.

From the scene, Piringer described the home damage as catastrophic, and said about a dozen other houses, mostly built of brick, were damaged by debris kicked up by the blast. He said debris could be seen hanging 30 metres up in trees in the neighbourhood, and that the explosion even moved some cars parked along the street.

Summoned by several frantic 911 calls, about 75 firefighters needed only about 20 minutes to put out a fire in the rubble, Piringer said.

In May 2011, an explosion destroyed a home on the same street, killing two people, after a resident disconnected a clothes driers gas service without capping the line, Piringer said.

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HONOLULUThe U.S. government is asking a federal judge to clarify his order blocking President Donald Trumps revised travel ban, arguing it shouldnt apply to a global freeze on refugees entering the United States.

A Justice Department motion filed Friday asks U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson to clarify that the temporary restraining order only applies to the presidents temporary ban on travel from six Muslim-majority countries.

Watson issued a 43-page ruling on Wednesday after Hawaii requested he block enforcement of Trumps executive order, which the government calls a national security measure and critics call an unconstitutional and bigoted attempt to bar Muslims from entering the country.

Watsons ruling concluded there was significant and unrebutted evidence of religious animus behind the travel ban, including the presidents own campaign comments regarding Muslims.

He said Hawaii would suffer financially if the executive order constricted the flow of students and tourists to the state.

In seeking clarification, the Justice Department argued that the lawsuit failed to meaningfully challenge another section of Trumps order that bars refugees from travelling to the U.S. for 120 days and caps the number that will be allowed into the country this fiscal year at 50,000  a drop of nearly half.

The cap draws no distinction whatsoever on the basis of religion, government lawyers argued in a filing.

Opponents have argued that if that aspect of the ban takes effect, 60,000 people would be stranded in war-torn countries with nowhere else to go.

The Justice Department also argued that the Hawaii ruling shouldnt block Trumps order that security officials review whether other countries are providing enough information to ensure would-be immigrants arent a security threat.

Hawaii believes that the courts order applies to the sections of the executive order mentioned by the government lawyers, said Joshua Wisch, special assistant to Hawaiis attorney general. We do not believe the motion is necessary because the courts order was clear. We are drafting a memorandum in opposition that we expect to file soon, Wisch said in an email.

Trump has called the Hawaii ruling an example of unprecedented judicial overreach and has indicated it will be appealed.

Similar cases are being heard in federal courts in Washington state and Maryland. In all, more than half a dozen states are trying to block the travel ban.

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A Maryland man was arrested Friday on a cyberstalking charge in connection with allegedly sending an epilepsy sufferer an animated Twitter message telling the victim that you deserve a seizure, federal officials said.

The victim has been identified as a Newsweek writer who is a critic of President Donald Trump.

Newsweek said the victim was Kurt Eichenwald, a senior writer. The Justice Department said that after viewing the strobe image, the victim immediately suffered a seizure.

Eichenwald has written for Newsweek about having epilepsy.

Cyberspace is filled with harsh exchanges. However, the allegations in this case suggest it may be one of the first in which physical harm resulted from receipt of a cybermessage.

The suspect was identified by the Justice Department as John Rayne Rivello, 29, of Salisbury, Maryland. The department said he was arrested Friday in Maryland on a criminal complaint filed in the Northern District of Texas. Eichenwald lives in Dallas.

The Twitter message told the recipient you deserve a seizure for your post, according to a statement from the Justice Department. The statement did not name the alleged victim.

On his Twitter feed, Eichenwald said that the FBI had arrested the man who assaulted me using a strobe on twitter that triggered a seizure. The Dallas police also investigated.

The matter apparently can be traced back to last year.

In October, shortly after publishing an article about Trumps conflicts of interest, Eichenwald said that he received a video from a Twitter account that listed Mikes Deplorable AF as the handle.

According to a Newsweek article, Eichenwald said the video contained strobe lights, flashing circles and a picture of Pepe the Frog flying at the screen. Eichenwald said the images were designed to trigger an epileptic seizure.

He said he avoided injury by dropping his iPad facedown on the floor. Writing about the incident in Newsweek at the time, he said he expected more attacks to follow.

A similar message was received Dec. 15, Eichenwald said. He said he did go into convulsions.

His assailant, he said, knew his actions could injure me, and he succeeded.

In its statement, the Justice Department said evidence received pursuant to a search warrant turned up an iCloud account with a screenshot of a Wikipedia page for the victim.

The complaint said the shot had been altered to show a fake obituary, with the date of death listed as Dec. 16, 2016.

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WASHINGTONPresident Donald Trump said Saturday that Germany owes vast sums of money to NATO and the U.S. must be paid more for providing defence, reiterating his stance that European allies need to meet their end of the bargain if they are to continue benefiting from the military alliance.

Trumps tweet from his Florida resort, where he is spending the weekend, came the day after his first meeting with Germanys leader.

Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS, I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the president wrote. Nevertheless, Germany owes ... vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defence it provides to Germany!

Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump

Trump and Merkel tried to sidestep their differences in their meeting at the White House on Friday, but it was punctuated by some awkward moments.

During a photo op in the Oval Office, the two did not shake hands before reporters. Later, during a joint news conference, Trump pushed back against the notion in Europe that his America First agenda means hes an isolationist, calling such a suggestion another example of, as you say, fake news. And he referred to the United States as a very powerful company, before quickly correcting that to country.

When a German reporter asked Trump if he regrets any of his commentary on Twitter, Trump said, Very seldom.

The new president reaffirmed the United States strong support for NATO, but reiterated his stance that NATO allies need to pay their fair share for the cost of defence. Trump said at the press conference that many countries owe vast sums of money  but he declined to identify Germany, at the time, as one of those nations.

Read more: Trump says NATO nations must pay what they owe, during tense meeting with Merkel

Prior to his inauguration, Trump declared NATO obsolete but has since modified his stance, telling European leaders the alliance remains of strategic importance. Only the U.S. and four other members currently reach the benchmark of spending 2 per cent of GDP on defence. Germany currently spends 1.23 per cent of its GDP on defence, but it is being increased.

When the topic moved to trade, Trump said the U.S. would do fantastically well in its trade relations with Germany. The president has been deeply critical of foreign trade and national security agreements but suggested he was only trying to revise trade deals to better serve U.S. interests, rather than pull back from the world entirely.

Trump said trade agreements have led to greater trade deficits. The U.S. trade deficit with Germany was $64.9 billion last year, the lowest since 2009, according to the Commerce Department.

Merkel maintained her composure when Trump repeated his contention that former president Barack Obama may have tapped his phones in Trump Tower. He sought to turn the explosive charge into a light joke when asked about concerns raised by the British government that the White House is now citing a debunked claim that U.K. spies snooped on Trump.

At least we have something in common, perhaps, Trump said casually, referring to 2013 reports that the U.S. was monitoring Merkels cellphone conversations. As for the most recent report, Trump said he shouldnt be blamed for quoting a Fox News analyst who had accused British intelligence of helping Obama spy on him.

On economic issues, Merkel attempted to project a conciliatory approach. She said the success of Germans has always been one where the German success is one side of the coin and the other side of the coin has been European unity and European integration. Thats something of which Im deeply convinced.

Those comments appeared aimed at making a case to Trump on the benefits of the European Union. Trump backed Britains departure from the EU and has expressed skepticism of multilateral trade agreements.

The two leaders tried to express their common bonds but showed minimal rapport in their first encounter, a departure from Merkels warm relations with Obama during his eight years as president. At the start of the news conference, Merkel sought to break the ice, saying that it was much better to talk to one another than about one another.

Merkel said delicately that while she represents German interests, Trump stands up for, as is right, American interests. That is our task respectively. She said they were trying to address also those areas where we disagree but tried to bring people together.

We need to be fair with each other, Merkel said, saying both countries were expecting that something good comes out of it for their own people.

The meetings at the White House included discussions on fighting the Islamic State group, the conflict in Afghanistan and resolving Ukraines conflict, all matters that require close co-operation between the U.S. and Germany.

The talks aimed to represent a restart of a relationship complicated by Trumps rhetoric on the campaign trail. As a candidate, Trump frequently accused the chancellor of ruining Germany for allowing an influx of refugees and other migrants from Syria and accused his campaign rival, Hillary Clinton, of wanting to be Americas Angela Merkel.

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Re: Senator Don Meredith has disgraced himself and must resign, March 12

Re: Senators affair with teen breached ethics: report, March 10

Senator Don Meredith has disgraced himself and must resign, March 12

Im confused! A standing senator uses his power and influence to have a sexual affair with a minor in locations that were being paid for by the taxpayer and he is being asked to resign.

First, why wasnt this predator criminally charged? Secondly, why wasnt this senator kicked out of the Senate and put on the first bus to Toronto. Thirdly, why hasnt the standing government got involved in this?

B.C. Lisle, Bowmanville, Ont.

Reflecting on the $200 Sen. Meredith gave to Ms. M. to get her hair straightened, I cant help but think about the bounty of fresh fruit and vegetables the sum would have purchased for the disadvantaged youths that he proclaimed to champion. Hes a double-double disgrace.

Evelyn C. White, Halifax

He should resign. For heavens sake!

Kathleen Gallagher Ross, Toronto

After the recent fiasco with regard to expense claims and now the case of Sen. Don Meredith, it only strengthens the argument for the dissolution of the Senate as we know it .

All present sitting senators should be released from their positions.

I, for one, as a senior, retired and living on a small fixed income, am totally disgusted with Sen. Meredith and who knows how many of the others.

The Senate as we know it is a total waste of money and, apparently, common sense.

Jim Fegan, Oshawa

I am disappointed with the leniency your editorial treated the senator by asking him to resign. He should be sacked. His resignation should not be accepted.

How could a senator, an ordained pastor and a married father be allowed to get away with this serious offence by allowing him to resign? First, he denied, then he tried to derail the investigation, and when the report was ready he apparently requested two versions: a sanitized report for public consumption, the other for the Senate.

Is our red chamber so rotten?

Muri B. Abdurrahman, Thornhill

I cannot help but reflect on this issue: If this man were not a senator, would he not now be in jail for illegally having sex with a minor? I know of a college teacher who did just that, and got two years in jail. But, of course, he was just an ordinary professor.

Sigmund Roseth, Mississauga

If the members of the Senate, the Star and the Canadian public find Don Merediths behaviour disgusting, maybe its time to make it a criminal offence.

Phil Beard, Dundas, Ont.

The senators affair with the teenager who is only 16 years old is very sad. Being a senator and a Pentecostal pastor, Sen. Don Meredith has broken all ethics regarding both positions. Meredith should resign his senator position immediately. The unbelievable story of the guidance of spiritual advisers and that he is engaged in continuous prayers of repentance is amusing to read.

I wish to emphasize that no one in this country is above the law of the land. If one breaches the trust and take advantage of an innocent victim who is only 16, they have to be punished.

The right thing for Meredith to do is tender his resignation and give up his position of Pentecostal pastor.

We Canadians expect senators and members of Parliament to have the highest moral standard.

Kingsley George, Markham

Senators affair with teen breached ethics: report, March 10

I read on the front page of the Star that Sen. Don Meredith has failed to uphold the highest standards of dignity of the Canadian Senate.

After lengthy deliberation, Senate ethics officer Lyse Ricard has determined that Meredith broke Senate rules when he had a sexual relationship with a teenage girl.

I should think it was not the highest standards of dignity that were being measured here but rather the lowest, using a bar that is already set quite low indeed with regard to how senators have been conducting themselves in that body recently.

Robin Breon, Weston

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The semiconductor industry was hit by a major wave of consolidation in 2016 as chipmakers struck deals both large and small, with acquisitions totaling more than $98 billion last year.

Intel's (INTC) $15.3 billion purchase of Mobileye (MBLY) serves as just one of many indicators that last year's flurry of consolidation will likely continue this year. The deal also shows that more and more chip companies are diversifying beyond the legacy PC business and toward the rapidly developing autonomous car market -- an area where semiconductors have become a vital commodity in automakers' efforts to develop such technologies.

"The automotive industry and the tech industry are converging at a rapid pace," said Needham analyst Rajvindra Gill. "So you have auto companies like General Motors (GM) who are buying technology assets to support autonomous driving and, at the same time, you have semiconductor companies that have the hardware and processors but are buying software companies to become the primary channel for automakers."

Self-driving cars use mapping, machine-learning and computer vision technologies, among others, that require high-level processing chips, making chipmakers all that more ripe for acquisition.

Here are eight semiconductor companies that might get acquired next in the race to develop self-driving cars:
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) stock rose on Friday after it emerged that a group of shareholders suing the lender over a crisis-era capital raising have returned to the negotiating table.

There is a "50-50 chance" that a settlement could be reached which will enable the lender, and its former-CEO Fred Goodwin, to avoid going to trial, Sky News reported.

RBS stock had risen by more than 2.5% at 12:00pm GMT on Friday, to trade at 246.5 pence, which compares favorably against the 0.16% loss for the Stoxx Europe 600 Banks Index.

RBS has been defending itself from five separate groups who claim that the bank misled them about the true state of its financial position when it launched a 12 billion rights issue in April 2008, as the global financial crisis gathered pace.

The bank later fell into the arms of the U.K. government after its capital buffer was hit and solvency threatened by a pile of bad debts and mortgage bonds that were on its balance sheet at the time.

In December, three out of the five shareholder groups signed up to an 800 million settlement put forward by RBS. It has since reached a deal with another of the five groups.

However, one group of litigants led by Signature Litigation held out, demanding 1.2 billion from the bank, and pushing the matter toward a trial.

Earlier this week, in a pretrial hearing, a judge ordered the group of claimants to disclose more details about their funding position after concerns were raised over its ability to cover legal costs on both sides if it loses in court. In the absence of a settlement, the trial will begin in May.

The U.K. government still owns more than 70% of RBS. The lender reported its ninth straight year of losses in February, after booking multiple provisions for anticipated settlements of other legals cases, biting into its bottom line.

The failed separation of Williams & Glyn, ordered by the European Commission, meant a one-time charge. This added to the cost of a $3.8 billion to cover an anticipated RMBS settlement with the DoJ.

The lender has also made substantial progress in slimming itself down and refocusing on core domestic markets over the years.

Taking this and the increased flow of impairments and litigation in recent months, the multi-year decline of the RBS book value could now be nearing an end.

"We think the cost to RBS of a 9 billion DoJ settlement may be c6.7 billion - representing a 3.3 billion incremental cost. After this, we expect RBS's Tangible Book Value to bottom out at c285 pence in 2017, leaving 35 pence of excess capital which we expect to be returned from 2018," Peter Richardson, an analyst at Berenberg, earlier in March.
Shehla Rashid, former JNUSU vice-president, Sabika Abbas Naqvi, gender rights activist, Jahnavi Ojha and Varada Marathe, ABVP members, interacted during a session titled "The Big Issue: Girls Uninterrupted | Left, Right, Or My Right" at the India Today Conclave 2017. The session was moderated by India Today Managing Director Rahul Kanwal.

By India Today Web Desk: Responding to the question, "who creates more space for women in politics" by Rahul Kanwal, Sabika Abbas Naqvi recited a poem she wrote about reclaiming spaces for women. The poem explored all that patriarchy assumes when it observes a woman's kohl. Sabika, in her poem, turned them all around to prove how that very kajal will leave an indelible mark on everything that happens in the world, both in the present and the future.

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ABVP's Jahnavi Ojha said, "Campuses are a place where we not only study, but gain knowledge", and that after elections, she feels more empowered as a woman. Laying the blame for the misconceptions about women in ABVP on the media's door, she said, "The media has been focusing on ABVP's ideology." Bringing up last year's JNU sedition case again, and diverting from the topic that was being discussed, she asked, "If Afzal Guru was a leader of freedom, then who were the ones who destroyed our temples of democracy?"

Pointing out that Jahnavi's answer did not address the issue, Rahul asked Shehla Rashid if she would like to respond. Responding to Ojha, Rashid said that since the society is patriarchal, casteist and misogynistic, anything that happens in the setup will affect women regardless of their political ideologies.

Talking about how JNU offers women a space to address issues they are facing, Rashid compared JNU to NIT Srinagar, where she has studied, and said that NIT did not provide a similar space. She emphasised on JNU's GSCASH (Gender Sensitization Committee Against Sexual Harassment and pointed out that even Delhi University didn't have a similar committee in place.

WATCH:

"Our safety is in our freedom. It is in places where we are represented. And JNU is one of those places. Wherever we are represented, there we will be safe," said Rashid. Ojha hit back stating how some state level leaders of AISA are in jail in reference to a GSCASH case were an AISA member was accused of sexual harassment.

Responding to Kanwal who said that the right wing is highly abusive towards women on social media, Varada said, "right-wing-leaning women also get abused. You cannot say only leftist women are abused." She cited examples of the abuse she faced on social media, and also mentioned a few other cases of right-leaning women being trolled brutally online.

Gender rights activist Sabika said she salutes the women both from the right-wing and the left-wing for they have stood up on platforms where they face abuse and said, "We are a masculine society." She also said, "a lot of times when women make their own space in politics, they start emulating the masculinity of the arena. I have a stand against violence in campus. We need to talk about how much space there is for women to have a conversation."

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When discussing the subject of feminism, Ojha claimed that on campuses today, there was a concept of "designer" and "selective" feminism. In response Rashid criticised the campaigns of the ABVP in Delhi colleges, against live-in relationships and love jihad. "Feminism is about choice. Are you saying Hindu women don't have the sense to chose for themselves?" she said.

--- ENDS ---
Fired former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara was investigating stock trades made by Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, according to one report.

ProPublica reported on Friday that Bharara, who was fired by the Trump administration last weekend, was overseeing an investigation into the former Georgia lawmaker's investment activity. Price came under scrutiny during his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate over his trades of hundreds of thousands of dollars in shares of healthcare companies while he was in Congress.

A person familiar with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York told ProPublica that an investigation into Price's trades was underway when Bharara was fired.

A March 12 tweet from Bharara fueled speculation further.

"By the way, now I know what the Moreland Commission must have felt like," he wrote.

The Moreland Commission was launched in 2013 by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to investigate state government corruption. Cuomo disbanded the commission in 2014 as his office came into its focus, after which time Bharara said he would continue the commission's work.

The Wall Street Journal reported in December that Price, 62, traded more than $300,000 in health-related companies over a four-year period while sponsoring and advocating legislation that could potentially affect those companies' stocks. His trades included Amgen (AMGN) , Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) , Eli Lilly (LLY) , Pfizer (PFE) and Aetna (AET) .

He also made well-timed trades of Australian biotech company Innate Immuno, the share price of which doubled after his investment. Representative Chris Collins, a New York Republican who supported Trump and sits on the company's board, made a similarly well-timed investment.

Senate Democrats in January called for the Office of Congressional Ethics to investigate Price's trading activities. The violation in question is of the STOCK Act, a 2012 law designed to combat insider trading.

"We don't know if he broke the law, but there are certainly enough serious questions to warrant a serious investigation before any hearing is held on Congressman Price to become Secretary of HHS," Schumer said at a press conference at the time. "Bottom line, Congressman Price had the influence and was actively involved in pushing healthcare policies while simultaneously making dozens of trades in companies that would be impacted by those policies. He did this repeatedly and in such large numbers, he's likely to have made tens of thousands of dollars on one of these trades alone."

At his confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee, Price defended his activities.

"Everything that I did was ethical, above board, legal and transparent," he said. "The reason that you know about these things is because we have made that information available in real time."

Spokespeople for for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan and the U.S. Department of Justice declined to comment.
That Amazon.com (AMZN) is bent on growing the consumer reach and hardware/software ecosystem for its Alexa voice assistant was already pretty well-known prior to this week. But a pair of new moves point to a surprising willingness by Amazon to let Alexa impose itself on other parts of the company's empire. And one has to wonder what future moves such a strategy will lead to.

On Thursday, Amazon announced iPhone users will be able to access Alexa through Amazon's widely-used iOS shopping app. Tapping on the app's microphone button, which is located near the search bar, now allows users to direct commands and questions to Alexa in addition to making product searches.

One has to assume a similar feature will roll out for Amazon's Android shopping app in time. Since the app has to be opened for Alexa to be accessed, the solution isn't as convenient as pulling up the voice assistants Apple (AAPL) and Alphabet/Google (GOOGL) have respectively baked into iOS and Android. Apple's Siri can be accessed on iPhones and iPads by either pressing and holding the home button, or (on newer devices) by saying "Hey, Siri." Likewise, Google Assistant or the older Google Now service is accessible on many Android phones by holding down the home button or saying "OK, Google."

Jim Cramer and the AAP team hold positions in Apple and Alphabet for their Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells AAPL or GOOGL? Learn more now.

But as Google has shown by integrating its voice assistant within its iOS search app, there's still value in a solution such as Amazon, particularly for those already using the assistant on another device that provides easier access. And with Amazon's shopping app currently ranked #20 on App Annie's top U.S. free iPhone download chart -- it cracked top-10 on some days during the holiday season -- the move certainly does a lot to increase Alexa's smartphone reach.

Perhaps just as important, it gives owners of Amazon's Alexa-powered Echo speakers an easy way to control smart home devices or access other Alexa "Skills" one has come to rely on while away from home. Or perhaps simply when in a part of one's home where an Echo speaker can't hear you. Alexa's smart home ecosystem has grown rapidly over the last 12 months, and -- thanks partly to the more stringent requirements Apple places on hardware partners -- now appears to be larger than the ecosystem for Apple's HomeKit platform, which is integrated with Siri.

Amazon's move comes shortly after Lenovo's Motorola Mobility unit announced it would bake Alexa into most of its phones going forward, and Huawei announced its Mate 9 phablet would come with Alexa. More Android integration deals are likely in the coming months.

Separately, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced that developers relying on AWS to host Alexa Skills will now get a $100 promotional credit, along with $100 per month in credits for AWS usage charges. As it is, Amazon has already been giving Alexa developers some free monthly computing capacity, via its AWS Free Tier.

Though developers can also host Alexa Skills on other platforms, AWS has been a popular option. The AWS Lambda service, which lets the code for Alexa Skills (among other things) be run without having to manage individual server virtual machines, has much to do with it. Over 12,000 Skills can now be found on Amazon's site, up from just 1,000 eight months earlier.

Over 1,000 people were working on Alexa and the Echo line as of last May, and (judging by job listings) the number might be much higher now. In recent months, Amazon has been reported to be worked on an Echo-like device with a 7-inch touchscreen (useful for interactions for which voice isn't ideal), as well as an Alexa-powered home camera and an Alexa device (possibly the touchscreen product) that acts as a phone and an intercom.

All of these moves come as consumers get more and more comfortable using voice as an alternative input method to keyboards, mice and touchscreen taps/swipes. In a survey of 2,000 phone users done by ad services firm HigherVisibility, 21.6% of respondents said they use mobile voice search at least once a day, and another 26.7% at least once a week. 58.3% said they used it because it's either easier or faster than alternatives, and 26.2% because it can be used in situations where one can't type or look at a phone (for example, when driving).

Notably, 37.1% of Alexa users said they used the assistant at least once a day, a much higher percentage than the ones granted to Google Now (23.5%), Siri (21%) or Microsoft's (MSFT) Cortana (15.8%). 92.3% of Alexa users thought the assistant was accurate; Cortana and Google Now received scores of 93% and 90.8%, while Siri trailed the pack at 82%.

For all of its success over the last two years, there are still some things that Alexa clearly needs to work on, particularly with regards to its Skills ecosystem. Only 14% of Skills have user ratings of 4 stars out of 5 or higher, and 35% have just a 1-star rating. Moreover, a study done by voice analytics firm VoiceLabs found that only 3% of new "voice applications" enabled by consumers continue to be used during their second week. Certain "outliers" achieved a retention rate north of 20%.

Working with developers to create more compelling Alexa Skills needs to be an Amazon priority, as does finding ways to get consumers to re-engage with installed Skills and promoting popular ones on Amazon's site and elsewhere. Amazon also needs to put more work into improving Alexa's ability to maintain conversations with users. Google, whose AI investments have done much for the natural language-processing abilities of several of its services, arguably has an edge here.

But considering Amazon's hiring activity and the whirlwind of moves it's making to improve Alexa's usefulness and reach, there's a good chance that many of these issues will be addressed in time. Jeff Bezos' company was far from the first entrant in the voice assistant wars, but it's doing just about everything possible to make up lost ground, and then some.
- Kenyan doctors are not impressed that the government will hire medics from Tanzania

- According to doctors, the 500 foreign health providers will be too expensive to maintain

- The government should also first hire 1,400 local doctors who are unemployed before getting foreign medics, doctors argue

Hours after news emerged that Tanzania has agreed to send 500 of its doctors to Kenya, local doctors have reacted.

Oluga.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Joho beaten with unripe mangoes, rally disrupted(video)

The John Magufuli government agreed to send its medics to the country to meet a shortage of doctors in Kenya following a deal between the two countries.

But the Kenyan doctors have said the government should not hire any foreign doctors but should first hire the 1,400 who are jobless.

READ ALSO: Why Tanzania is sending 500 doctors to Kenya

Magufuli.

READ ALSO: Khalwale bashed for his unbridled jealousy of romantic ODM governor and his wife

The Star quotes the doctors' union secretary general Ouma Oluga saying the Tanzania doctors will be too expensive for Kenya as they would be paid KSh 20,000 per day.

"Kenya has about 1,400 doctors awaiting employment. It could be very costly and therefore a show of imprudent public finance management to have 500 Tanzania doctors at KSh 20,000 per day," he is quoted by the news site.

READ ALSO: 6 politicians who have changed names to win your vote

The foreign medics will also have to undergo serious training for three months before they are allowed to work in Kenya, Oluga added.

Source: TUKO.co.ke
By Press Trust of India: From Lalit K Jha

Washington, Mar 17 (PTI) US President Donald Trump today dismissed the notion that he was an "isolationist" in his policies, asserting that he believes in free but fair trade and a stronger America was in the interest of the world.

"My administration is in the process of rebuilding the American industrial base. A stronger America is in the interest, believe me, of the world as a whole," Trump told reporters at a joint news conference with the visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

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Germany and the United States, he said, must work together towards fair and reciprocal trade policies that benefit people of both the countries.

"Millions of hard-working US citizens have been left behind by international commerce, and together, we can shape a future where all of our citizens have a path to financial security. The United States will respect historic institutions and we will also recognize the right of free people to manage their own destiny," Trump said.

He rejected a description of his policies as "isolationist."

"Im a free trader but also a fair trader," he said.

On immigration, another issue dividing Merkel and the new US president, Trump said immigration was a "privilege" and not a "right." PTI LKJ ASK ASK

--- ENDS ---
Four Ukrainian soldiers were killed, another three servicepersons were wounded in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area in eastern Ukraine over the past day.

Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Spokesperson for ATO Andriy Lysenko said this at a press briefing, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "Four Ukrainian soldiers were killed, another three were wounded as a result of the armed hostilities in eastern Ukraine over the past day," Lysenko said. ol
Russia has always used advantages of the democratic systems in neighboring states in order to absorb them.

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has stated this in his address on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of beginning of the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917-1921, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Russia has always used the advantages of democratic systems in neighboring states in order to absorb them: from the time of Novgorod and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and ending with Central Europe after the World War II," the Head of State said.

The President stressed that even now shattering of the situation in our state from within was one of the methods of the Kremlin's hybrid war against Ukraine.

ol
Russian imperialism poses a very serious threat to peace and stability in the world.

This opinion was expressed by President of the Ukrainian World Congress, Eugene Czolij, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"The Ukrainian World Congress highlights the very serious threat of Russian imperialism to peace and stability in the world," Czolij said.

He also called on Ukraine's partners to help regain Ukraines control over Crimea. "The UWC calls upon the international community to firmly continue to uphold the return to Ukraine of illegally occupied Crimea and the territorial integrity of Ukraine, which today remains the outpost that prevents the advance of the aggression of the Russian Federation," the UWC President stressed.

ol
The Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine wants to question Paul Manafort (U.S. President Donald Trump's former campaign manager and ex-adviser of fugitive Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych) in connection with a corruption investigation.

This is reported by CNN.

As reported, Ukraine have made seven separate appeals over the past two years for help in questioning Manafort, including letters to FBI Director James Comey and U.S. Justice Department officials. Ukrainian officials said the US had not responded to those requests.

The U.S. authorities confirmed to CNN that the requests were received but declined further comment.

Official requests of Ukraine began in 2014. Ukraine wanted to question the former adviser Trump in the corruption case of former Minister of Justice of Ukraine Oleksandr Lavrynovych. Head of the Special Investigations Department of the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine, Serhiy Horbatiuk, pointed out in a conversation with the CNN that Manafort had not been charged with a crime and the prosecutor's office wanted him to give evidence in connection with special investigations.

ol
President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite has expressed her support for Ukraine and Crimea.

This is reported by Radio Liberty.

"Freedom may be occupied but can never be taken away. Crimea is Ukraine," Grybauskaite wrote on her Twitter page.

As a reminder, this week marks the third anniversary of Russia's occupation of Crimea. March 18, 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced "Crimeas admission to the Russian Federation" following the illegal "referendum", which took place on the peninsula on March 16.

ol
The Foreign Ministry of Turkey has issued the statement on the occasion of the third anniversary of the annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea as part of Ukraine by the Russian Federation.

This is reported by the Anadolu Turkish news agency.

"The annexation of Crimea is the overt violation of the norms of the international law. Turkey once again declares the non-recognition of the annexation of the peninsula, carried out on the basis of the results of the illegal referendum of March 16, 2014," the statement says.

The Foreign Ministry stresses that Turkey recognizes the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

"Ankara will continue to closely monitor the processes in Crimea and protect the rights and interests of the Crimean Tatars, who historically reside on the territory of the peninsula," the statement reads.

ol
Ukraines presentation became one of the most popular ones on the International Day at the Australian Defense College in Canberra.

This is reported by an Ukrinform own correspondent in Australia.

"Representing Ukraine, our Armed Forces here in Australia are using the opportunity to attract the attention of the international community to the Ukraines issue as now this is very important for us," said student of the Australian Defense College, Major of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Kostiantyn Kozma.

Kostiantyn and his family successfully acquainted the participants in the event with the Ukrainian cultural traditions, folk art and national cuisine with the support of the Ukrainian Embassy in Australia.

Holding of the International Day, initiated by the College management, is aimed at encouraging a multicultural dialogue among the college students and their families. Representatives of 25 countries from different parts of the world took part in this years festival, however, Europe was represented by only two states  the UK and Ukraine.

Ukrainian diplomats and Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia Mykola Kulinich came to support the Ukrainian major.

The training of Ukrainian officers in the key educational institution of the Australian Defense Forces is one of the forms of support and assistance which Australia provides to Ukraine.

ol
By Press Trust of India: Itanagar, Mar 17 (PTI) A high school student in Arunachal Pradesh, who has invented a novel spectacle for the visually impaired using ultrasound and infrared sensors to detect obstacles, was today assured full financial support by the state government to develop the gadget.

Anang Tadar, a Class XI student of New Galaxy Academy, Nirjuli, was recently awarded the Dinanath Pandey Smart Idea Innovation Award for inventing a gadget called Goggle for Blind (G4B).

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The invention bagged the most innovative award in the recently concluded Regional Level Science Festival at Regional Science centre at Guwahati.

Impressed by his innovation and keen to launch it in the market, the National Ignition Facility (NIF) and UNICEF have asked Anang to create few prototypes to test on blind people.

To develop these prototypes, Anang who comes from a poor family approached the state Chief Minister Pema Khandu for help today, an official communiquA said.

Appreciating the innovation that is intended to make life of visually impaired people easier, the Chief Minister offered full financial support to him to develop the gadget, the communique said.

The chief minister assured the student there would be no lack of support and that he could fully devote his time and energy to develop the machine that would bring joy to visually impaired people.

When Khandu asked what motivated Tadar to develop the gadget, the boy recalled being moved by the plight of a blind girl whom he saw few years back.

Saddened at her impediment, Anang had decided to use technology to help visually impaired people.

The technology he chose was similar to parking sensors used in cars.

Talking to PTI, Anang informed that the gadget is a spectacle by wearing which a blind person can detect any obstacles on all sides within a distance of two meters.

?The technology of the gadget is based on echo location as used by bats at night,? he said adding there are two ultra sensors on the left and right side of the spectacle to detect any obstacles. (More) PTI UPL CR CR PS

--- ENDS ---
Two Indian Sufi clerics who went missing in Pakistan have reached Karachi, and are set to return to India on March 20.

By India Today Web Desk: Two Indian Sufi clerics of Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah who went missing in Pakistan have been found, Sindh Police officials told the local media on Saturday.

Both were found in a remote village of Sindh province with no mobile connectivity, and were sent to Karachi. They will be deported to India on March 20.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today tweeted that she'd spoken to Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Adviser on Foreign Affairs about the missing Indian nationals.

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Aziz assured her "of all help in tracing the missing clerics," she said.

CLERICS TRAVELLED TO PAKISTAN ON MARCH 8

80-year old Syed Asif Ali Nizami and his nephew Nazim Nizami travelled to Pakistan on March 8, Swaraj said earlier this week. They offered 'chadars' at shrines in Lahore on March 13 and 14.

When they reached the airport the next day to take a return flight for Karachi, Nazim Ali Nizami was stopped to clear some documentation. Syed Asif Ali Nizami was asked to board the flight.

Asif Ali Nizami reached Karachi airport and asked his relatives to pick him up, but he didn't come out.

After that, their mobile phones have been switched off, and their family in India wasn't able to get in touch with them.

But today, Aamir Nizami, son of Asif Nizami, said that phone of one of the clerics was ringing.

"We have not spoken to them (the clerics). The Indian government called up. We thank them....Earlier his phone was switched off. Now its ringing. We shall be able to talk to him soon," ANI quoted Aamir as saying.

SWARAJ TAKES URGENT ACTION

Syed Sajid Ali Nizami, Asif Nizami's elder son, had said earlier this week that Sushma Swaraj and Rajnath Singh had "taken cognisance of the issue and promised urgent action. They have assured us that my father and cousin will reach back soon."

Sushma Swaraj said yesterday that the Centre had taken up the matter with the Pakistan government, and asked for an update. Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria confirmed the receipt of an Indian request seeking assistance for the recovery of the clerics.

He said it had been forwarded to the Pakistani Interior Ministry.

ALSO READ | Missing Nizamuddin priests detained by Pakistani intelligence over suspicious movement: Report

ALSO WATCH | Two Sufi clerics of Delhi's Nizamuddin Dargah missing in Pakistan

--- ENDS ---
User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale

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Paphos / Weak shaking (MMI III) : Was sitting on sofa with my husband. Both felt the tremor.

Paphos outskirts / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Sat on the sofa against the wall and it shook like someone was bouncing on it

Paphos / Weak shaking (MMI III) : Third floor apartment block in Paphos. Furniture moved slightly and dull rumble sound. Over in a couple of seconds.

Tala / Very weak shaking (MMI II)

Paphos / Weak shaking (MMI III) : Vibration for 2-3 seconds.

Paphos Cyprus (44.8 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : We are staying in a hotel in Paphos Cyprus and felt the floor shaking for about 20 seconds. It was not a good experience.

Kato Paphos / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : Felt ii for 5 sec in limnaria garden 3 floor in Paphos

coral bay / not felt

Emba / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Paphos universal area (45 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Tremithousa Paphos / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Light shaking indoors, crockery etc rattling. Felt sick, and for a while after. Waiting for the follow up!

Kato Pafos Universdal area / Weak shaking (MMI III) : I just felt 2 light ripples one after the other. The second one a bit stronger.No damage occured during this time

Felt it Limassol (MesaiYitonia) area / Very weak shaking (MMI II)

Paphos, cy / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Mesogi, Paphos / Very weak shaking (MMI II)

Limassol / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Limassol / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Emba Cyprus / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Tala, Pafos (52.8 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III)

konia paphos cyprus / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Kato Paphos / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : About 5 secs duration - walls and floor visibly vibrated distinct low rumbling noise slightly before during and after.

Kissonerga (48.8 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Paphos - Anavargos (46 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : to me it felt very stong

Paphos (45.1 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II)

Clorakas / Very weak shaking (MMI II)

EPISKOPI PAPHOS (88.1 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Was just watching tv in bed and the hole house just moved

Peyia (236.4 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Peyia cyprus / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Paphos / Very strong shaking (MMI VII)

Paphos (67 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Bed and wardrobEs shaking I was in a 2 nd floor appartment

Emba, (47.6 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) Chair jolted & some pictures moved on the walls. (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV)
The Trump administration on Saturday rejected a statement from other leading economies that warned against the perils of trade protectionism, the latest sign of how the administrations more combative approach to diplomacy could create rifts with U.S. allies and leave traditional partners in the dark about the direction of U.S. policy.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, appearing at a gathering of economic ministers and central bankers from the 20 largest economies, rebuffed multiple entreaties from German officials to include in the meetings joint statement language emphasizing the importance of free trade and that it should be conducted in a rules based manner, following existing standards and agreements.

By rejecting language that would have said the United States is opposed to protectionism, the White House sent a clear signal that it would not accept existing trade norms and could pursue a more antagonistic approach with trading partners around the world. Such language has been considered ordinary and non-controversial in recent meetings of the Group of 20.

I understand what the presidents desire is and his policies and I negotiated them from here, and we couldnt be happier with the outcome, Mnuchin said at a news conference Saturday.

Donald Trump made opposition to numerous trade deals a cornerstone of his presidential campaign and pulled the United States out of a broad Asia trade deal shortly after taking office, but has not yet followed up with other concrete steps to revamp the terms of Americas economic relationship with the world. He has threatened tariffs and other measures to correct what he says are other countries unfair advantages in their trade relationships with the United States, mostly taking aim at China and Mexico.

For many years, the United States has been the country rallying other nations to the cause of free trade and common language in the communiques that follow meetings of economic ministers and central banks. Several European officials and one former U.S. official who had attended past G-20 meetings said it was the first time the United States had blocked such an effort.

The move follows new strains in the U.S. relationship with Britain and Germany, traditionally two of the countrys most steadfast allies.

The White House on Friday cited an uncorroborated Fox News report to accuse a British spy agency of surveilling Trump at the behest of the Obama administration  an accusation the agency said was baseless.

Then the president launched a pair of tweets Saturday morning accusing Germany of failing to fulfill its obligations after several negative headlines about his meeting Friday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Washington.

Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS, I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Trump said on Twitter. Nevertheless, Germany owes vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!

(Germany does not owe vast sums of money to NATO, the defense alliance. Member nations are expected to spend 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense spending, but Germany spends 1.2 percent. Its unclear what Trump is referring to when he says the United States must be paid more for its defense of Germany, which hosts a major U.S. air base.)

German economic officials spoke Saturday in Baden-Baden at about the same time Trump sent the accusatory tweets.

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble said the United States was at an impasse with others about what they should say on trade protectionism, so they decided to say nothing. He also accused the Trump administration of not having a firm view on what it was seeking in a trade policy.

Obviously he had no mandate to talk about any definitions or interpretations of what the U.S. administration means by fair trade, and that is something we have to accept for the time being, Schauble said.

Schauble said that the finance ministers struggled to reach a consensus on how to approach trade.

We have agreed on some wording and language on trade policy, which may be helpful or not, he said at a news conference.

He added that sometimes at such meetings you cannot reach all the results that you may want to achieve because you cannot force partners to go along with wording they are not [okay] with.

The Germans had tried to get Mnuchin on board. Sensing opposition to the initial language from the Trump administration, German officials had watered it down several times but Mnuchin resisted.

Finally, about 1 p.m. Saturday, Germanys top central banker, Jens Weidmann, told his colleagues that the efforts to reach an agreement on the trade talks had failed.

Mnuchin then spoke up and asked whether they could agree on more generic language that said the countries wanted to strengthen the contribution of trade. Several other finance ministers balked, saying such language was meaningless.

Still, a version of Mnuchins proposal ended up in the final agreement, which contained just a brief generic reference: We are working to strengthen the contribution of trade to our economies.

The new language was markedly different from last years, when the finance ministers issued a joint statement that said, We will resist all forms of protectionism.

We believe in free trade. We are one of the largest markets in the world. We are one of the largest trading partners in the world. Trade has been good for us and good for other people, Mnuchin said at the news conference. Having said that, we want to reexamine certain agreements. . . . To the extent that agreements are old agreements and need to be renegotiated, we will consider that as well.

The G-20 first met during the George W. Bush administration, and its purpose is to try to get global agreement on issues that face each of the countries such as trade, taxes, financial regulation and national security.

Trump was elected in part because he vociferously rejected existing trade agreements, and the message Mnuchin delivered on behalf of the White House was that it planned to follow through on his campaign-trail promises.

Gary Schmitt, co-director of the Center for Security Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, said Trump could be sending a signal to other leaders that this is a negotiation, and the actions by Mnuchin at the meeting are an opening bid.

You make people come to you by laying out a strident position, Schmitt said, summing up the approach Trump has used for years in real estate and business. But over the long term, its much harder to hold to that. These are people who lead countries and have other trade agreements. The U.S. is going to learn its not as in-the-driver-seat as they think.

Joint statements issued after G-20 meetings are difficult to finalize and are only as meaningful as the countries want them to be. They arent formal treaties, but they do signal whether there is consensus. Many world leaders are trying to determine how Trumps America First mantra will affect existing and future trade agreements, which dictate how goods and services are imported and exported around the world. The U.S. economy is the worlds largest, and changes in the way it buys and sells goods will have global ramifications.

The White House has said it thinks existing U.S. trade deals are unfair to American workers because the deals allow countries to lure away American jobs and send their goods to the United States at unfairly low prices. In addition to scrapping the Asian trade deal, Trump also has said he will renegotiate  or dump  the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Critics of this approach have said it could isolate the U.S. economy, make goods more expensive for Americans and hurt American companies that rely on exporting their goods around the world.

The angst about Trumps approach quickly became the backdrop at the Baden-Baden meeting, and many foreign officials came seeking additional clarity from Mnuchin, whom most had never met. Mnuchin had spent his career in part at Goldman Sachs, starting a hedge fund and working as a Hollywood producer. They wanted to know whether he would veer from Trump on some of the economic nationalism they had heard coming from the White House.

He wouldnt, they quickly learned.

During a closed-door meeting Friday with other finance ministers and central bankers, Mnuchin delivered the same message that Trump had made for months, just slightly softer, according to attendees who spoke on the condition of anonymity to reveal internal discussions: The United States would unapologetically work to redraft trade practices in a way that helps American workers. He said trade agreements need to be free and fair and balanced. He also said an overhaul of the U.S. tax code was overdue and that the United States would rethink regulations put in place after the Great Recession.

Mnuchin repeatedly asserted that whats good for Americas economy is good for global growth.

My primary focus is on economic growth in the United States, Mnuchin said after meeting with Schauble in Berlin. I think that economic growth in the United States is good for us and good for the other major economies in the world.

The message was not unexpected, but for many of the officials it was the first time they had heard it in person from a member of Trumps Cabinet.

Mnuchin quickly became the center of attention, Canadian Finance Minister William Morneau said in an interview. Many sought one-on-one meetings with Mnuchin to explain their position and hear his views. The trade language in the joint statement served as a test to see how dug in Mnuchin  and ultimately Trump  was willing to be on trade.

Still, Mnuchin agreed to numerous meetings as he said he wanted to develop relationships with his foreign counterparts. He met with top officials from France, South Korea, Japan, China, Saudi Arabia, the European Central Bank, Britain, Germany and Argentina, among others. His first international trip was a blizzard of bilateral discussions, with everyone trying to size up the new treasury secretary.

Despite the reservations about a variety of Trumps positions, numerous officials said they were impressed with Mnuchins presentation and command of issues. So far, he is one of the only members of Trumps Cabinet who has sought to develop relationships with other foreign leaders. They still dont know whether they will be able to influence his thinking, but they feel he has a willingness to listen, several G-20 attendees said.

To a person, they have said they have been pleased with the way he is coming at issues, Morneau said. He is very constructive and talking about good relationships with all of his international counterparts.

Two European officials described Mnuchin as friendly but tough. They also said the U.S. delegation at the G-20 was routinely checking back with its counterparts in Washington on certain issues, leading some Europeans to wonder with whom they were negotiating, Mnuchin or Trump. But one of the European officials said this was not uncommon for a new administration, which was still formalizing its viewpoint on an array of complicated matters.

The G-20 finance ministers meeting is the precursor to a gathering of the G-20 heads of state this summer in Hamburg. Many expect that the discussions on trade will only intensify by then, but now they know where the United States stands.


Rear Adm. Robert Gilbeau enters the federal courthouse in San Diego on June 9. Gilbeau is accompanied by Bella, a little white dog that Navy officials say was serving as a therapy animal to treat his post-traumatic stress. (Lenny Ignelzi/AP)

Robert Gilbeau is in a heap of legal trouble. In June, he became the first active-duty Navy admiral in modern history to be convicted of a felony. Next month, he faces sentencing and could land in federal prison for up to five years.

Yet the disgraced 56-year-old officer can count on one thing: a military pension that pays him about $10,000 a month. He collected his first check last fall.

Gilbeau is one of seven current or former Navy officers who have pleaded guilty in an epic corruption and bribery scandal but are still eligible for generous retirement benefits, courtesy of U.S. taxpayers.

The Navy has yet to make a final determination on how much the other convicted officers will receive.

How the Navy decides to act could have repercussions for dozens of others who remain under investigation for their entanglements with Leonard Glenn Francis, a Singapore-based defense contractor who resupplied U.S. warships in Asia for a quarter-century.

View Graphic Prostitutes, vacations and cash: The Navy officials Fat Leonard took down

Known as Fat Leonard for his 350-pound physique, Francis has pleaded guilty to bribing scores of Navy officials over a decade with prostitutes, cash, hedonistic parties and other gifts. In exchange, according to federal prosecutors, the officials provided Francis with classified or inside information that enabled his firm, Glenn Marine Defense Asia, to gouge the Navy out of tens of millions of dollars.

Twenty-seven people have been charged with crimes since the investigation became public in 2013, including eight Navy officers indicted this month. Authorities say that the case is still unfolding and that more than 200 people  including 30 admirals  have come under scrutiny.

Navy officials declined to comment on specific cases but said they are reviewing conditions of discharge, including potential retirement benefits, for those convicted in the investigation.

These are serious matters, and the Navy engages in the diligence demanded in considering each case individually, said Capt. Amy Derrick, a Navy spokeswoman at the Pentagon.

Retirement perks for veterans can be substantial. Troops qualify for pensions after 20 years of service; annual payouts can exceed $150,000 for generals and admirals. Military retirees are also entitled to heavily subsidized health insurance.

Traditionally, the armed forces have been reluctant to eliminate benefits for felons, according to experts on military law. They said the services view pensions as sacrosanct partly because they dont want to penalize spouses or other family members who made their own sacrifices for the military.

Military personnel found guilty of serious misconduct are usually demoted and forced to retire. Because pension values are based on rank, losing a star or a stripe leads to a partial reduction in retirement income.

In exceptionally rare cases, military officers who are sentenced to prison or classified as deserters can be dropped from the rolls  the harshest category of discharge  and their rank, privileges and benefits erased completely.

Over the past decade, the Navy has dropped just four reserve officers from the rolls. Among them were a murderer, a drug dealer and a child pornographer.

But Gary R. Myers, a New Hampshire-based military defense lawyer, said the Navy probably will consider applying the unusual punishment to officers convicted in the Fat Leonard scandal, given their abuse of the public trust.

It would be a response to the egregious nature of what was done and the breach of faith with the American people by Navy personnel, Myers said. This is a monumental embarrassment to the Navy, and the Navy does not like to be embarrassed.

David P. Sheldon, a defense lawyer from Washington, said there are few guidelines for when the penalty should be imposed. He once represented a Marine major who was dropped from the rolls for a comparatively mild crime: concealing financial transactions.

The bottom line is its very, very rare, but its really up to their discretion, Sheldon said of the military leadership. You have officers who have committed very, very serious misconduct but are not dropped from the rolls.

Derrick, the Navy spokeswoman, declined to say whether the Navy is considering dropping officers from the rolls for their connections to Fat Leonard. She said she would not comment on internal decision-making and deliberative processes.

Defense attorneys for some of the convicted officers complained that the Navy is dragging its feet.

Four officers who pleaded guilty last year are serving time in federal prison but still havent been formally discharged from the military. The Navy has stopped paying their regular salaries while they are behind bars, but the fate of their retirement benefits remains up in the air.

I dont think they themselves know what they are going to do, said Robert Schlein, a San Diego lawyer who represents Lt. Cmdr. Gentry Debord, a 41-year-old supply officer convicted of taking bribes and prostitutes. I get the feeling that the Navy is just letting them sit and stew.

Debord pleaded guilty in October. He blamed his addiction to sex for agreeing to serve as a mole for Francis. He was sentenced to 30 months confinement in January and reported to prison last month.

Given his rank and 21 years of service, Debord would be eligible for a pension that would pay him about $4,000 a month. His lawyer said he expects that Debord will be demoted and collect somewhat less, but that the Navy hasnt tipped its hand.

Another officer who pleaded guilty last year, Cmdr. Michael Misiewicz, stands to collect a pension of about $6,200 a month, or $74,400 annually, based on his rank and 27 years of service. But the Navy has not settled his case, either, even though he reported to federal prison in August.

We have no idea why the process of separation and pension determination has taken so long and been so messy, said his attorney, Mark Adams of San Diego.

Misiewicz, a 49-year-old graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, admitted to leaking classified information to Francis for cash, luxury hotel stays, airfare and prostitutes, as well as tickets to a Lady Gaga concert in Thailand.

Besides handing down a 61/2-year prison sentence, a federal judge ordered Misiewicz to pay $195,000 in fines and restitution.

Military legal experts said the Navy may be waiting until any potential criminal appeals from the officers are finalized. Under the law, officers can be dropped from the rolls only after all appeals are exhausted  a process that could take years.

Theoretically, the Navy could also try to invoke the Hiss Act, a 1954 law passed by Congress that denies retirement benefits to federal officials convicted of disloyalty, bribery, graft and similar offenses.

The law was triggered by the case of Alger Hiss, the U.S. diplomat convicted of perjury and accused of passing state secrets to a Soviet agent. Congress later amended the law, and it is now limited to crimes related to national security, including espionage and treason.

Legal experts said it was unclear whether the Hiss Act could be applied in the Fat Leonard scandal. While several Navy officials have admitted to giving classified information to Francis, they were convicted of more general crimes, such as bribery and conspiracy.

The Navy could also try to discipline or levy financial penalties on retired officers who have pleaded guilty to crimes committed while they were on active duty.

Under military law, retired officers remain subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice and can be called back to face court-martial, demotion or other forms of punishment. While such cases are rare, experts said the circumstances could apply to 11 retired officers who have been convicted or are facing charges in the Glenn Defense investigation.

[Prostitutes, vacations and cash: The Navy officials Fat Leonard took down]

One example is Michael George Brooks, a captain who has been collecting a pension since he retired in 2011.

In November, Brooks pleaded guilty to taking bribes from Glenn Defense a decade ago when he served as U.S. naval attache in the Philippines.

Derrick, the Navy spokeswoman, said the service will not take any potential action against Brooks until after he is sentenced in federal court. A hearing is scheduled for June. Brookss attorneys did not respond to requests for comment.

Similarly, the Navy could take additional action against Gilbeau, the admiral who pleaded guilty last year.

Two senior Navy officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus considered dropping Gilbeau from the rolls after his conviction last year. But the officials said Mabus was advised by Navy lawyers to wait and see if Gilbeau was sentenced to prison.

Gilbeaus sentencing has since been postponed three times; his lawyers have said in court filings that he is recovering from back surgery. A hearing is scheduled for next month.

In his plea deal, Gilbeau admitted to lying to investigators about his contacts with Francis and concealing the nature of their relationship. He agreed to pay $150,000 in fines and restitution.

Prosecutors have said they will reveal more about Gilbeaus misconduct at his sentencing. They have indicated they will seek between 12 and 18 months of prison.

Gilbeaus attorney, David Benowitz, has said he will ask a judge to spare Gilbeau time behind bars. He did not respond to requests for comment for this article.

When Gilbeau appeared in federal court in San Diego to plead guilty last year, he carried a little white dog, named Bella, who was wearing a vest with Navy emblazoned on it. Navy officials said the pooch was a therapy animal to treat Gilbeau for post-traumatic stress.

Navy officials said that, unlike other officers convicted in the case, Gilbeau was allowed to retire in October because he had filed papers to leave the service years ago as part of a disability claim.

The Navy granted the request, but not before demoting him from rear admiral to captain. As an officer with 33 years of service, that reduced his pension by about $1,000 a month, according to Defense Department retirement data.

The Navy also slapped him with an other than honorable discharge  a black mark on his military record, according to documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.
One of a pair of stone towers, built in 1879 and 1889, which once drew fresh air into the U.S. Capitol for ventilation. Keeping the big building comfortable has been a challenge. (John Kelly/The Washington Post)

In June of 1894, the Washington Evening Star noted that in an effort to beat the heat, more and more members of Congress started wearing clothes made from a fabric known as homespun.

Nearly half of the Representatives have adopted the material to a greater or lesser extent, the Star reported. It is a sort of toweling, made of flax grown in Kentucky and Tennessee. It is very coarse and never wears out.

The writer explained that before the Civil War, homespun was considered only good enough for Negroes, slaves being commonly dressed in it. Though scarcely pretty, it is very cool. The Web of it is so loose that the breezes blow through freely.

Today we would call the fabric linen. It remains the perfect material to wear while sitting in a room full of hot air.

From the day Congress moved to Washington, its members have been obsessed with keeping themselves comfortable. And little wonder: Our city runs hot and cold. You think your office battles over the thermostat? Imagine working in the U.S. Capitol in the 19th century.

After last weeks column on the handsome brick tower at Judiciary Square that was built in 1881 to suck ventilating air into a nearby courthouse, David Huckabee of Arlington, Va., directed Answer Man to two similar towers on the west side of the U.S. Capitol. The two stone shafts  the House tower was completed in 1879, the Senate tower in 1889  were part of an effort to make working in the Capitol more bearable.

[Whats up with the odd brick tower near the Court of Appeals at Judiciary Square?]

To study the HVAC history of the Capitol is to encounter a litany of complaints about the buildings unhealthful atmosphere. Much brain power was expended on how to get bad air out and good air in, where to place ductwork, whether to have fresh air fall from the ceiling or rise from the floor, etc.

These were not minor concerns. Many offices had fireplaces, and smoke from dozens of chimneys would swirl around in the odd currents of the Capitol dome, often spiraling back down flues. Carbonic-acid gas, a byproduct of gaslights, would build up in the legislative chambers.

Various ventilation methods were employed. In the 1850s, the multitalented Montgomery Meigs created a system that used steam-powered fans to force air through the Capitol and across steam coils to warm the incoming air.

The system did not live up to expectations.

In 1868, Herman Haupt, chief engineer of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and ventilation expert Lewis W. Leeds were tapped to look into things. Leeds noted that inlets in the floor designed to admit warmed or cooled air were more or less contaminated by the refuse tobacco and spittle which had accumulated in them, and the air which came into the room was offensive from that cause.

Leeds urged that these inlets be abolished. (Apparently, it was too much to just ask politicians not to spit on the floor.)

The two stone shafts are about 400 feet from the Capitol and about 800 feet from each other. As the Star reported in 1908: By taking the air through the stone towers out on the Capitol grounds away from all contaminating influences, a pure and fresh supply is assured. (By contaminating influences, the reporter didnt mean lobbyists, but dirt and dust from roads, as well as exhalations from the Capitol itself.)

Beneath the towers were conduits nearly as big around as a railroad terminal. Huge fans  12 feet in diameter  spun at 110 rpm, drawing in fresh air at a speed powerful enough to sweep a strong man off his feet.

As impressive as this may have been, this was not manufactured weather, an early term for what we call air conditioning. It wasnt until 1928 that the Carrier installed an air-conditioning system on the House side. The Senate soon followed suit.

There were predictions that a cooler environment would lessen political frictions, as senators and representatives found themselves literally less hotheaded. That seems not to have happened. Perhaps only nitrous oxide could improve the mood in the Capitol today.

Twitter: @johnkelly

Improve Answer Mans mood. Send your questions about Washington to answerman@washpost.com.

For previous columns, visit washingtonpost.com/johnkelly.
Obituaries of residents from the District, Maryland and Northern Virginia.

Emmett Lanier, Montgomery deputy sheriff

Emmett Lanier, 87, a onetime Washington Senators batboy who later served as a deputy sheriff in Montgomery County from 1960 until his retirement in 1985, died Feb. 1 at his home in Annapolis. He had a gastrointestinal ailment, said his wife, Joan Lanier.

Mr. Lanier was born in Atlanta and grew up in Washington, where served as a batboy for the Senators from 1943 to 1946. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and received the Bronze Star Medal. While a deputy sheriff, he owned several businesses on the side, including a chain of dress shops, the Yum Yum boutiques, during the 1970s. He was a licensed boat captain.

Jane Clark, magazine editor

Jane Clark, 65, a senior editor at Kiplingers Personal Finance Magazine whose specialties included retirement and college coverage, died March 10 at a hospital in Washington. She died of injuries after being struck by a bicycle on a street in downtown Washington the day before.

Ms. Clark, a resident of Takoma Park, Md., was born in Winchester, Va. She began working at Kiplingers  then called Changing Times  in 1977. In the 1980s, she left to raise a family but continued to work part time for the magazine. She returned to full-time work at the magazine in 2002.

Sally Hanlon, health clinic worker

Sally Hanlon, 81, a onetime Maryknoll nun who later spent more than 30 years as an interpreter and clinic worker at La Clinica del Pueblo, a health center serving Latino and immigrant groups in Washington, died Jan. 26 at a care center in Greensburg, Pa. She had complications from dementia, said a sister, Sister Colette Hanlon, a nun with the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill.

Ms. Hanlon was born in Boston. She taught in Massachusetts, New Mexico and Peru before joining the Maryknoll order in 1963. While living in Bolivia and Peru for more than a decade, she served as an interpreter and community organizer for young people. She left her religious order in the late 1970s and settled in Washington. She served as an interpreter for La Clinicas executive director, Juan Romagoza, a surgeon who had been tortured in his native El Salvador.

Ms. Hanlon also helped organize the Community of Christ, an interfaith prayer group, and was part of a group of people who prayed for peace outside the Pentagon each Monday. She attended the Shrine of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in the Districts Mount Pleasant neighborhood.

Pablita Abeyta, congressional liaison

Pablita Abeyta, 63, a Navajo who retired in 2011 from the National Museum of the American Indian after many years as a congressional liaison, died Jan. 31 at her home in Washington. The cause was complications from brain surgeries, said her partner, Shaun Conway.

Ms. Abeyta, a native of Gallup, N.M., settled in the Washington area in the mid-1980s as a lobbyist for the Navajo Nation. After working on Capitol Hill as a legislative assistant, she spent the 1990s in the Smithsonian Institutions government affairs office. She then joined the Indian museum, which opened in 2004. Over the years, she helped draft legislation authorizing the museum and worked on funding appropriations for its operation.

She came from a family of notable artists, and many of her works were included in exhibitions, including the museum.

Everett Lyon Jr.,Gainesville doctor

Everett Lyon Jr., 86, who worked for 25 years as a general practitioner in Gainesville, Va., and treated county police officers and firefighters until his retirement in 2009, died Jan. 24 at his home in Manassas, Va. The cause was complications from pneumonia, said a grandson, Harry Fulwiler.

Dr. Lyon was born in Newport News, Va., and worked as a pharmacist and then as a doctor in Chesapeake, Va., before relocating to Gainesville in 1965. He was retired for several years before joining the Virginia Department of Health in 1993 and treating employees of Prince William County. He sang in the mens quartet at the Church of the Nazarene in Manassas and for many years flew a Cessna single-engine propeller plane.

Virginia Natoli,cashier

Virginia Natoli, 90, who worked for about 30 years as a cashier at Lee Volkswagen in Springfield, Va., died Jan. 1 at her home in Annandale, Va. The cause was diastolic heart failure, said Quentin Casper, a grandson whom she raised.

Mrs. Natoli was born Virginia Shiflett in Charlottesville, and she worked at a department store and as a meat packager before joining Lee about 1960. She volunteered at Word of Life International Church in Springfield, Va.

Charlotte Noshpitz,French Resistance activist

Charlotte Noshpitz, 91, a homemaker who as a teenager in Nazi-occupied France during World War II helped forge travel documents and ferry refugee children to safety in Switzerland and Spain, died Jan. 12 at a retirement community in Washington. The cause was congestive heart failure, said a son, Claude Noshpitz.

Mrs. Noshpitz was born Charlotte Sorkine to Jewish immigrants in Paris. Her mother was killed at the Auschwitz death camp, and her brother died in Soviet captivity near the end of the war. She helped her father escape to Switzerland before returning to Nice to work with the French Resistance, and later received Frances Resistance Medal for her wartime efforts. She settled in the Washington area in the mid-1950s.

 From staff reports
BJP leader Trivendra Singh Rawat takes oath as the new Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.

By India Today Web Desk: BJP's Trivendra Singh Rawat took oath as Uttarakhand Chief Minister today, a week after the BJP registered a landslide victory by winning 56 seats in the recent Assembly election in the hill state.

Rawat, who was elected as leader of BJP legislative party on Friday, took oath at the parade grounds in state capital Dehradun. He took the oath in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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"Trivendra Singh Rawat is a leader who has both organisational and ministerial experience. He is perfectly equipped to give the state the kind of leadership it needs," in-charge of the party's affairs in the state Shyam Jaju said.

HERE ARE THE LIVE UPDATES:

Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, who took oath earlier today, will hold his first cabinet meeting at 4:30 pm.

Dehradun: PM Modi at the oath taking ceremony of Trivendra Singh Rawat as Uttarakhand CM pic.twitter.com/DGgwZLbnfd- ANI (@ANI_news) March 18, 2017

Prakash Pant, Harak Singh Rawat, Madan Kaushik sworn in as Uttarakhand cabinet ministers

Dehradun: BJP's Satpal Maharaj takes oath as Uttarakhand cabinet minister pic.twitter.com/glv5L4eK2E- ANI (@ANI_news) March 18, 2017

Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, JP Nadda, Uma Bharti also arrive to attend oath taking ceremony of Trivendra Singh Rawat

Trivendra Singh Rawat to take oath as Uttarakhand Chief Minister shortly, Harish Rawat also present

Uttarakhand: PM Modi arrives in Dehradun; will attend swearing in ceremony of CM designate Trivendra Singh Rawat later

Rawat was party's top choice from amid the top office bearers like Prakash Pant and Satpal Maharaj, who were the ones to suggest his name.

"Providing people of the state with a corruption free government and bringing about a major change in the lives of the poorest of the poor as targeted by the Prime Minister will be our priority," Rawat told reporters.

Rawat-led BJP won 56 out of 70 seats in the Uttarakhand Assembly elections, the results of which were announced on March 11.

WHO IS TRIVENDRA RAWAT?

Rawat is the eighth Chief Minister of the hill state. Born in the family serving armed forces in December 1960, Rawat is an RSS veteran since 1979. He became a member of the RSS at the age of 19 and is known for his fierce loyalty to the BJP and has never shifted allegiance to any other party. Rawat was an organisational secretary of the state BJP when the state was formed on November 9, 2000. He was the Agriculture Minister in the previous BJP government. He served as the state cabinet minister in 2007. Rawat was in charge of the Jharkhand BJP and is credited with the impressive victory of the party in the 2014 assembly elections there. He was elected from Doiwala constituency of Dehradun district this election. Rawat has a record of winning all three times he has contested from this seat. In 2012, he shifted his constituency to Raipur in Dehradun. During his stint as agriculture minister in the Uttarakhand's previous BJP government (2007-12), Rawat was allegedly embroiled in a seed scandal. However, he denied charges. This election, Rawat won the Doiwala seat from Congress with a margin of 24,869 votes. The first challenge that stares Uttarakhand chief minister-designate Trivendra Singh Rawat in the face is how to chose his Cabinet

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--- ENDS ---
Two men were found shot to death in the District on Friday, in the first homicides in the city in almost a week.

By apparent coincidence, both incidents were reported to police at the same time, 8:55 a.m. The sites were both in Southeast Washington. The shootings were about four miles apart and appeared unconnected.

The occurrence of homicides is relatively unpredictable, but weather is sometimes thought to play a role. The killings reported Friday were the first since the start of a string of cold days with below-normal temperatures here.

In one case, police found Steven Edward Stewart Jr., 33, of Southeast fatally wounded in the 2200 block of Minnesota Avenue SE.

In the other, police found Bernard Coleman, 43, of Southeast fatally shot inside a house in the 4000 block of Cole Boulevard SE. Cole Boulevard is a two-block street about half a mile from Southern Avenue.

No information was available immediately about the circumstances of either shooting.

The last previous homicides in the city occurred March 11 when two men were fatally stabbed in separate incidents hours apart, both in Southeast.
A security fence is seen around the perimeter of the White House in Washington, DC, March 18, 2017. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

A person was arrested outside the White House Saturday after jumping over a pedestrian barrier, the Secret Service said.

The incident took place around 12:43 p.m. near the north entrance of the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue NW, officials said.

The individual, who was not identified, was immediately apprehended before reaching the White House fence, said Mason Brayman, a Secret Service spokesman. Criminal charges are pending, Brayman said.

President Trump was not at the White House at the time. He and his family are spending the weekend at his Florida estate.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer praised the Secret Service in a tweet.

Individual jumped bike rack on Pennsylvania Ave, not @WhiteHouse fence. Great response by @SecretService Spicer tweeted. The rack Spicer referenced is a barrier lower than the spiked fence that marks the north side of the complex.

Witnesses said Secret Service officers immediate cleared the pedestrian walkway along Pennsylvania Avenue. People were allowed to return about an hour later said Ken Garrison of Rockville, who was there with a group from DefendLife.org.

The incident occurred eight days after a California man carrying Mace breached the perimeter of the executive complex on the night of March 10, roaming the White House grounds for nearly 17 minutes before being taken into custody, according to officials.

[Fence jumper roamed White House grounds before arrest]

The recent events are certain to draw renewed scrutiny of the Secret Service. The agency came under criticism after a 2014 incident in which intruder Omar Gonzalez entered the executive mansion before being tackled by an off-duty agent in the East Room.

The chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Friday ordered the Secret Service to preserve documents in the March 10 episode and deliver a full briefing on Monday.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly, right, at the U.S. Capitol on Friday. (Win Mcnamee/Getty Images)

In a testy first meeting with congressional Democrats Friday, an unrepentant Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly said immigration agents would stay away from churches, hospitals and schools but would continue to enforce federal law.

Democrats grilled Kelly for an hour in a packed, closed-door meeting at the Capitol that aides said at times devolved into shouting, exasperating the secretary, a former Marine general, who blurted, give me a break, according to two people in the room.

Democratic caucus chair Rep. Joseph Crowley, who aides said banged his gavel several times to restore order, said afterward that Kelly was dismissive of members questions, seeming to treat them like the Marines he once led.

This is not boot camp, Crowley said at a news conference. This is not newly inducted members of the Marine corps. These are experienced lawmakers who understand the law.

Through a spokesman, Kelly said he told House Democrats that criminals are the administrations priority for deportation, and that immigration agents are not raiding sensitive locations, such as churches. He said they also are not targeting young immigrants protected under the Obama administrations Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA.

Democratic leaders meet with reporters on Capitol Hill Friday after a meeting with Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly about immigration. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

He was asked about DACA information potentially being used later, and he said it possibly could be, but he wouldnt do that, said Homeland Security spokesman David Lapan.

But Kelly also said he is considering separating parents and children who cross the border illegally  detaining the parents and placing children with relatives or a form of foster care, Lapan said. Kelly said he has not done that yet.

Lapan said the administrations goal in warning that families could be divided is to deter immigrants from making the illegal journey, where women have been sexually assaulted and men are recruited into the drug cartels.

I wouldnt call it dismissive, but he also just didnt accept everything that they were putting forward, Lapan said of the session with Democrats. His point is, what can we do, how can we stop people from making this dangerous journey? 

Kelly said his agency would detain and deport immigrants coming to America illegally to work. Those with a genuine fear for their lives, he said, will have a chance for a credible fear interview to see if they qualify for asylum, according to accounts given by Lapan and lawmakers.

The wide-ranging meeting with about half the 193 Democrats in Congress also focused on Trumps plans to build a border wall, and the fear rippling through communities from Virginia to California, where agents are rounding up undocumented immigrants  and not just the criminals Trump said would be his priority.

Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Ca.), the vice chair of the Democratic Caucus, said that despite Kellys statements, she and other members are receiving reports that immigration agents are going to sensitive places, such as churches. She worried that Homeland Security is not keeping close track of agents in the field.

He did attempt to answer certain questions in a thoughtful way, but still many, many questions remain, she said.

Sanchez also said House Democrats have repeatedly written to Kelly but have not heard back, something she said she hasnt seen in 15 years on the Hill.

We feel like we are sending letters into a black hole, she said.

Rep. Nanette Barragan (D-Ca.), a member of the Homeland Security committee, and others challenged Kelly over Trumps plans to build the border wall with Mexico.

Every member of Congress whos read classified briefings knows that the number-one terror threat is not coming through that south border wall, she said after the meeting. I said, look, what is the justification from taking away money from TSA and the Coast Guard, where there is a much bigger threat of terrorism, to plan out that south border wall? And I didnt really get an answer.
U.S. Border Patrol agents walk over a canal of water flowing into Mexico at the U.S.-Mexico border fence on Nov. 17, 2016 in San Luis, Arizona. (John Moore/Getty Images)

As the Trump administration advanced plans to erect a multibillion-dollar wall on the southern border, the leader of Mexicos national governors association said Saturday in Washington that President Trumps budget proposal proves that U.S. taxpayers will foot the bill.

Trump has insisted that he will force Mexico to pay for the wall, but Mexican officials have refused. The presidents budget request Thursday included $2.6 billion, mostly for first stages of the wall.

Trump is asking the Americans to pay for the wall, Gov. Graco Ramirez of the Mexican state of Morelos said in a news conference. The first victory is ours. Ramirez, who is president of the National Conference of Governors of Mexico, was in Washington for a meeting at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Ramirez spoke hours after U.S. Customs and Border Protection opened bidding for contracts to craft prototypes of the wall, a step toward fulfilling a campaign promise Trump made to build a big, beautiful, powerful wall to keep out illegal immigrants and drug smugglers.

The two requests for proposals offer a first glimpse at the administrations vision for the border, which already has hundreds of miles of fencing. One request calls for prototypes of reinforced concrete, while the second is open-ended, and could include durable see-through material.

(The Washington Post)

Both prototypes call for a 30-foot-high-wall, though 18 feet may be acceptable, and one that is aesthetically pleasing in color  at least from the U.S. side.

Omitted from the requests is the word impenetrable  a quality Trump vowed the wall would have. But the requests for proposals seemed to acknowledge that might not be possible.

Instead, the requests say the prototypes must be able to withstand for a minimum of 1 hour efforts to breach it by punching, using a sledgehammer, or a car jack, pick axe, chisel, battery operated impact tools, battery operated cutting tools, Oxy/acetylene torch or other similar hand-held tools. The requests also say the wall must have anti-climbing devices and mechanisms to prevent tunneling under it to a depth of six feet.

It shall not be possible for a human to climb to the top of the wall or access the top of the wall from either side unassisted (e.g. via the use of a ladder, etc.), the requests for proposals said.

The deadline for submitting proposals is March 29 and a federal official said the first contracts will be issued this summer. Soon afterward, the companies will build the prototypes in San Diego, where they will be tested.

The requests say the wall should be cost-effective to build and repair.

Federal officials declined to comment Saturday on the cost estimate for the wall, but the numbers have ranged from $12 billion to $21 billion, according to the Associated Press.

1 of 25 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  See what it looks like along the border fence between the U.S. and Mexico View Photos About 650 miles of fencing is already in place in parts of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, but the border is nearly 2,000 miles long. Caption About 650 miles of fencing is already in place in parts of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, but the border is nearly 2,000 miles long. Jan. 26, 2017 A photo taken by a drone shows the fencing on the border on the outskirts of Tijuana, Mexico. Mario Vazquez/AFP/Getty Images Wait 1 second to continue.

Ramirez, the governor from Mexico, said he was confident that Republicans and Democrats in Congress would defeat Trumps budget.

There are Republicans and Democrats who arent going to approve of that, he said. We have well-founded hopes.
A person sleeps at the McPherson Square Metro station, a stop used for shelter by many homeless District residents. President Trumps proposed budget cuts would drive up the number of D.C. homeless, experts say. (Amanda Voisard for the Washington Post)

For the Washington region, the best thing about President Trumps budget is that Congress will probably change it, officials and analysts say.

Unfortunately, the result may not be a whole lot better.

The White House plan, issued Thursday, would deliver a double whammy to the federal capital and its suburbs.

As in the rest of the country, it would cut federal spending in ways that stick local and state governments with sharply higher costs to protect the poor, improve transportation and safeguard the environment.

That could stall or reverse high-profile efforts by District Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) and others to reduce homelessness and narrow the income divide in a metropolitan area marked simultaneously by great wealth and deep poverty.

But the federal budget is likely to have an even greater impact on the Washington region than elsewhere because of Trumps pledge to dramatically shrink the federal civilian workforce. The plan would cost at least 15,000 local jobs in the first year and drain at least $2.6 billion from the regional economy, according to one estimate.

That would reduce tax revenue and make it harder for local governments to fill the gap created by lower federal spending on social services and other programs.

Were potentially going to get hit with a slowing economy and a reduction in federal assistance, Maryland state Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr. (D-Montgomery) said. It definitely has the potential to sink the regional economy into a significant recession.

The Trump administration said it wants to cut domestic programs that are wasteful, ineffective or better handled by local government.

But it wants to boost spending on the military and cybersecurity, two areas important to the Washington regional economy that could partially offset reductions in agencies responsible for health, social services and the environment.

Still, local officials and experts expressed increasing alarm as they analyzed the White Houses proposed budget. The initial outcry focused on headline-grabbing moves to defund the federal program to clean up the Chesapeake Bay and to potentially kill the light-rail Purple Line in suburban Maryland.

[Purple Line at risk as Trump budget would deal blow to regions transit]

The budget also would deeply cut federal funding across the region that is vital to providing more affordable housing in an area with soaring rents and home prices. It would slash support for job training and Meals on Wheels. And it could kill a program that helps 22,000 households in the District alone to pay electric and home heating bills.

Local county and municipal leaders said their coffers dont have anywhere near enough money to replace the lost revenue. They would face hard choices over whether to raise taxes, shift funds from schools or other priorities, or reduce services for their neediest residents.

Some of the most painful cuts are to funds that help low-income individuals get back on their feet so that they can become productive and successful members of the community, Fairfax Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon S. Bulova (D) said. Shifting funding responsibility to state and local governments is a death sentence to these services.

Some local leaders expressed hope that Congress will soften the blow, noting that lawmakers have the final say over the federal budget and typically give White House proposals a thorough rewrite.

Theres no sugarcoating this, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) said. The challenge for us, number one, is to make sure that these cuts dont come to fruition.

Some programs on the chopping block  such as Community Development Block Grants, which fund numerous programs to help the poor  have enjoyed broad political support in the past.

But Republicans control both houses of Congress, and many of them were already pushing for changes that could hurt the region, in the eyes of the Democratic elected officials who dominate it.

GOP defense hawks want to increase military spending beyond the level proposed by Trump, which could result in sharper cuts on the civilian side. And while many Republicans want to protect environmental and farm programs, the State Department, and foreign aid, the GOP appears less interested in preserving spending on programs important to the Washington regions housing and other anti-poverty efforts.

The Republicans have the entire legislative and executive branch of government, Leggett said. When theyve got both of those, it becomes much more difficult to stop.

New hurdles to housing

In both the District and the inner suburbs, Trumps budget would dismantle a patchwork of federal programs that the jurisdictions rely on to create housing for their most vulnerable residents.

[Trump budget would eliminate funding for Chesapeake Bay cleanup]

It also cuts a variety of other programs that serve the elderly, disabled and unemployed.

Its a vicious plan, really, George Mason University economist Stephen S. Fuller said. This will discriminate against smaller and poorer jurisdictions, particularly the populations that were targeted as needing these kinds of services. This deepens the division between the haves and the have-nots.

Trumps plan calls for eliminating funding for Community Development Financial Institutions, a Treasury program that helps entice developers and investors to build housing and businesses in low-income neighborhoods.

Without it, experts say, the effectiveness of the Districts Housing Production Trust Fund could be severely curtailed. Bowser has poured $100 million a year into the fund, but without federal incentives, the money would only stretch a fraction of the distance in coming years.

More immediately, Trumps budget could eliminate funding for more than 1,000 of the citys allotment of roughly 11,000 federal housing vouchers, according to an analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Depending on how the cuts are implemented, hundreds of low-income families, seniors and homeless veterans waiting for units could be cut off from new placements.

Combined, experts said, even half of Trumps proposed cuts would all but upend Bowsers pledge to end chronic homelessness in the city by the end of the decade.

It likely will result in increasing our homelessness statistics in the District, said Stephen Glaude, president of the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development. Where weve been making progress, this will slow us down.

Elected officials in the suburbs have similar worries. In anticipation of Trumps plan, Fairfax stopped enrolling new clients for housing vouchers about a month ago. Last year the program helped pay rents for 9,000 people in the county; their incomes averaged $17,470.

Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg (D) said her small city would lose two grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development totaling $1.2 million in the coming year if the budget passes.

These two programs provide affordable housing for renters and homeowners, and energy assistance that literally helps people pay for heat in the winter and cooling in the summer, Silberberg said. These programs are not abstract. Theyre real. Peoples lives are on the line.

In Prince Georges County, officials estimate the jurisdiction would lose $3 million for nutrition programs for the elderly and for a foster grandparent program. It also would lose about $7 million of federal funds for job training, which represents almost its entire budget for that purpose.

[Capitol Hill Republicans not on board with Trump budget]

Trouble on two fronts

At the same time that local governments would struggle to protect services decimated by the White House plan, they would face a shrinking tax base as federal workers lose their jobs.

George Masons Fuller, a longtime expert on the regions economy, said the proposed budget would lead to the loss of between 15,000 and 24,600 federal jobs in the area in the first year. About 370,000 people in the area hold federal jobs now.

The loss in payroll income, combined with an expected drop in federal spending on procurement, could mean a reduction in total federal revenue in the region of between $2.6 billion and $3.9 billion annually, he said.

We could be worse than that, depending on what this Congress does, Fuller said.

The regions highest-ranking Republican elected official, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, sought to deflect criticism of Trumps budget by emphasizing that it might never come to pass.

In an email to a reporter, Hogans spokesman, Douglass Mayer, began, As you know, Congress sets the budget on the federal level, and they havent passed a budget in eight years (or more).

Then, in response to specific questions about the budgets potential impact on Maryland, Mayer wrote six times: If any of these proposals ever become law or even draft legislation, we will take a serious look at how to address them during our own budget process.

Patricia Sullivan and Ovetta Wiggins contributed to this report.
Virginia Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam (D), vying to be the next governor, is often called low-key. Genteel. Even dull.

Not so Friday night at the annual St. Patricks Day fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.) that drew about 1,200 people  and every Democrat running for statewide office  to the ballroom of the Kena Shriners Temple in Fairfax County.

In fiery remarks that sometimes bordered on shouting, Northam twice denounced President Trump as a narcissistic maniac in a four-minute speech frequently interrupted by cheers from a crowd decked out in green hats, ties and shirts and a smattering of blue Northam stickers.

We have a fight on our hands, and I want to let you know tonight, Im ready for the fight, Northam said. We need to make sure that that narcissistic maniac doesnt come anywhere close to Virginia, and we need to make sure together that we take Virginia to the next level.

Northam, 57, is fending off an unexpected primary challenge from former congressman Tom Perriello, who is pitching himself as the bolder progressive better suited to energize voters in an election thats shaping up to be an early barometer of how voters are responding to Trump.

[Abortion rights group NARAL endorses Northam]

Northams newfound aggression may be paying early dividends. He crushed Perriello in the events straw poll, wining 78 percent of the vote.

People have been pleasantly surprised by how good Northam has become at speaking, said Todd Smyth, a 52-year-old computer developer from Fairfax.

The results arent entirely surprising; the fundraiser attracted older, longtime party activists wary of Perriello, who has largely been out of Virginia politics since he lost his congressional seat in 2010. Northam has spent years methodically building a network of support across the state, and has won the endorsement of nearly every state lawmaker and elected federal official.

[Perriello has a soft spot for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Lauryn Hill]

Perriello, 42, is betting he can tap into the energy of Virginians who are newly energized by the Trump administration, including those who have never before been engaged in politics.

Hes reaching out to local grass-roots Indivisible groups, which have been formed across the commonwealth to protest Republican policies, as well as appearing at protests against the Trump administration.

We are igniting something across the commonwealth of Virginia weve never seen before, said Perriello ahead of the straw poll vote, his remarks partially drowned out by the chattering of an inattentive crowd. We will be that firewall against Trumps agenda and hate, and we will fight for the economic opportunities and basic justice for every Virginian.

Connolly, the only Democrat in the congressional delegation who has yet to endorse a candidate, says Perriello should be worried that his candidacy has prodded Northam to display a new level of passion.

When Tom got in, I told Ralph, this is an opportunity to show fire in the belly. . . . Ralph actually had this audience more than Tom. Tom gave this professorial sort of talk tonight, very professorial, very erudite, very valuable. But Ralph appealed to the hearts, Connolly said.

If Tom is going to win, he has to catch the anti-Trump wind and persuade people that hes got the anti-Trump energy, Connolly said.

While Perriello faced a cool reception Friday, several Democratic activists said theyre happy the contested primary has injected energy into what was originally shaping up as a coronation for Northam.

[Ed Gillespie proposes tax cuts in Virginia governors race  panned by rivals]

Both candidates are basically evolving left. . . . Its very lively, its making people pay attention, said Sandra J. Klassen, a progressive activist who led Virginia Democrats backing Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) at the Democratic National Convention. This is clearly a result of what happened in 2016. There is a populist revolution afoot.

In an interview, Northam said his charisma Friday night wasnt out of character.

As people get to know me a little bit better, they see Ive got a lot of fire in my belly and have been in tremendous fights all my life, Northam said. Its good to have competition. So I think it fired up my team, it probably put a little heat under my fire.

And fired-up candidates are what many Democrats are seeking.

Before Trump, I was really tired of all the fighting and I wanted someone who could compromise, said Liz Milner, a 60-year-old library worker from Fairfax County who said shes become more politically active since the election, including protesting the federal travel ban outside the Trump hotel in the District. But I dont see ground for compromise anymore.

Others said Northam, a pediatric neurologist, shouldnt entirely abandon his country doctor manner, which they see as an antidote to Trumps bombast and showmanship.

A little bit of civility and genteel is sorely lacking right now, and we have kind of a legacy of civility and gentility in Virginia, said Susan Burke, a retiree in Fairfax.

The winner of the June 13 Democratic primary will take on one of three Republican contenders: political strategist and former Republican National Committee chairman Ed Gillespie, Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey A. Stewart and state Sen. Frank W. Wagner (Virginia Beach).
In a sense, children have had it better than grown-ups when it comes to patient-friendly care. They get to take flavored medications and at least one vaccine (oral polio) that is needle-free, with more probably on the way. Moreover, kids probably also still get the occasional lollipop (or stickers) for putting up with something that hurts.

There are no similar rewards for the rest of us, however, for certain medical procedures that can be painful, uncomfortable or downright disgusting. As a result, many adults simply avoid them. But this may be changing.

Now that weve required insurance companies to cover preventive screenings, we have removed one important barrier  cost sharing  but we havent removed the unpleasant barrier, and that can be just as important, says Jeffrey Levi, a professor of health policy at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University. Accessibility is not just about cost, its about making the process as easy as possible.

Take the colonoscopy, for example. The complaint about this potentially lifesaving screening is always the same: The procedure itself isnt so bad  its the prep.

[Colorectal cancer rates rising sharply among Gen X and millennials]

Getting ready for this exam (in which a physician inserts an instrument into the large intestine to search for inflammation, bleeding, polyps, ulcers and tumors) requires a day of drinking copious amounts of a vile-tasting solution that jolts your body into hours of purging. (Having a lollipop handy here actually might help, but not a red or purple one; these can stain the colon and be mistaken for blood.) The idea is to clean out your digestive system so the physician can get a clear look.

Nevertheless, the experience can be dreadful, and apparently discourages many people from having the screening.

Data suggest that about 40 percent of the people who should get a colonoscopy dont, mostly because of the prep, according to Douglas K. Rex, a distinguished professor of medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine. This is true both for those who have had colonoscopies as well as those who havent, suggesting that the word is out, he says.

But what if patients had something better-tasting to get them through that terrible day? Maybe it could help overcome what Rex calls the final frontier of colonoscopy acceptance.

Such a product probably is on the way, and it could be on the market within the next two years. Researchers are studying shakes (vanilla and strawberry-banana flavored) and food bars (lemon, white chocolate and coconut) that produce the same cleansing but without the nasty taste.

Patients in the early studies seemed to like them. Those drinking the new products were twice as likely as those who used the standard prep solution to be satisfied and four times as likely to recommend it, Rex says.

Its an attempt to make the prep easier and better-tolerated, says Rex, principal investigator for the clinical trials. The evidence indicates that the taste is a very substantial improvement over traditional preps.

The drinks and bars were developed by ColonaryConcepts, a company co-founded by Corey Siegel, director of the inflammatory bowel disease center at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and Joshua Korzenik, director of the Crohns and colitis center at the Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston. The goal of the new preparation is to lower patient resistance to colonoscopies, Korzenik says.

Less invasive screenings that dont require a prep, such as stool tests, also are available. But they are not as effective as the colonoscopy and are more likely to miss abnormalities.

Mammography, which produces an X-ray picture of the breast, is another important diagnostic tool  it has helped reduce breast-cancer deaths by 40 percent in the United States since 1990, according to the American College of Radiology  that many patients dont like. Most women find mammograms uncomfortable, and some even find them painful, because they require each breast to be squeezed between two plates to spread out the breast tissue and eliminate image-blurring motion.

Researchers in the Netherlands, however, are working on a breast-friendly method that uses inaudible sound waves to create a three-dimensional image of the breast while the patient lies on a table and the breast hangs freely in a bowl. The scientists have only just begun to study the procedure, which probably is at least 10 years away from clinical use if it proves as effective as mammograms.

Nevertheless, these approaches represent new efforts to make health care more palatable.

Understanding patient motivation  how people perceive procedures and their responses to them  can be important research, says Susan Czajkowski, chief of the health behaviors research branch of the National Cancer Institute. The easier you make it for people, the more you can improve their adherence.

Levi agrees. The perfect screen has no value if it isnt used, he says.

[Read more]

[How to have a safe and smart colonoscopy]

[Youve never heard of the powerful doctors making decisions about your health]

[The controversy over breast cancer screening guidelines ]
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly linked tweets from the Meme Magic Mike Twitter handle to Rivello. It is unclear if Rivello is connected to that account, which has tweeted attacks on Eichenwald. The article has been updated.

Newsweek writer Kurt Eichenwald, who received a tweet that authorities allege was designed to cause him to have an epileptic seizure. (Jessica D'Onofrio)

The arrest of a Salisbury, Md., man accused of giving a well-known journalist a seizure by sending him a flashing image online represents a new kind of prosecution for a new kind of crime.

The journalist, Newsweeks Kurt Eichenwald, suffered a seizure in Dallas after viewing the flashing animation when he received it via Twitter late last year, according to a statement from the Justice Department. Eichenwald had written about his epilepsy and publicly described a similar attack several weeks before the Dec. 15 incident, and authorities said the alleged attacker sent Eichenwald the image in an attempt to hurt him as revenge for what he saw as the reporters critical coverage of President Trump.

[Man accused of sending seizure-inducing tweet to Newsweek writer who has epilepsy]

Experts on cybersecurity said the incident was not the first in which technology was used to expose medically vulnerable people to injury, but some said it was the first time theyve heard of prosecutors bringing criminal charges in such a case.

This is a new era, said Kevin Fu, a computer scientist at the University of Michigan.

Authorities took John Rayne Rivello into custody Friday on suspicion of sending Eichenwald the image along with the message: You deserve a seizure for your post. Rivello has no previous criminal history, according to public records.

Legal experts compared the alleged crime to sending a letter bomb in the mail, or to purposely giving a person a dangerous allergic reaction.

What is new, because of the technology, is the ease with which certain individuals can be targeted across state lines by remotely distant perpetrators, said Andrea Matwyshyn, a law professor at Northeastern University.

In 2008, hackers introduced seizure-inducing images onto the website of the Epilepsy Foundation, an organization that provides resources for people with the condition. The group quickly moved to address the vulnerability, and although several users reported headaches and conditions that can be precursors to seizures, none were reported.

Although epilepsy is relatively common  about 4 percent of Americans have some form of the condition  very few have seizures triggered by flashing lights.

If you were going to target a particular person with epilepsy, you would have to know that this particular person was light sensitive, and that would be very rare, said Jacqueline French, the Epilepsy Foundations chief scientific officer and a professor at New York University.

Eichenwald declined to comment Saturday and referred questions to his lawyer, who did not respond to a request for comment. In his essay describing the first incident last fall, he said he received a video that contained a strobe light, with flashing circles and images of Pepe the Frog  often used as an alt-right meme online  flying toward the screen. In that case, he avoided a seizure by dropping his iPad. The similar message on Dec. 15 triggered convulsions.

[Once-comic Pepe the Frog has been declared a hate symbol]

Rivello, 29, apparently knew that Eichenwald would be sensitive to the images, authorities said. His father, David Rivello, declined to comment Saturday about his sons arrest when reached by telephone. Several other relatives did not respond to requests for comment.

Neighbors in Salisbury, on Marylands Eastern Shore, said Rivello lives alone in the house that he grew up in, usually seen only when he was out mowing the lawn or arriving home in a pickup truck that appeared to have a bad muffler.

Rivello told one of his neighbors that he worked as a financial markets day trader. He appeared to live modestly.

Ive only talked to him a couple of times, said Phillip Kemmerlin, who lives next door. Ive never really seen him walking in or out with anybody. I didnt know he was a political type of guy.

Online, Rivello has been exuberant about his hard-right politics, often tweeting dozens of times per day about his support for Trump and his frustration with anyone out of step with the White House agenda.

Eichenwald has been the subject of frequent scorn on Twitter from users who identify as Trump supporters. One  Meme Magic Mike  features photos of a scowling Trump in sunglasses and a leather bikers jacket and describes himself as a drinker of leftist tears. Snowflake melter. Some address a feud with Eichenwald and dismiss any pain the Newsweek reporter has experienced.

This reminds me of a boy who cried wolf over a Pepe cartoon, said one tweet on March 10, in response to a tweet by Eichenwald about a white woman at an airport complaining about being racially profiled at the security checkpoint.

He accused me of attempted murder by deadly Pepe meme back in October, another wrote about Eichenwald.

The taunts inspired numerous followers to post strobe images to Eichenwalds Twitter handle.

Although the Constitution offers broad protections to critical speech in public forums, experts said it is unlikely Rivello could successfully defend his actions as protected expression.

This doesnt even get in the door of the First Amendment, said Danielle Citron, a legal scholar at the University of Maryland. It doesnt have expressive value. . . . It doesnt express someones autonomy of views and opinions. Its not contributing to the marketplace of ideas.

Citron said there are other types of medical cyberattacks that could prove harmful to others and be considered crimes, such as the possibility that someone could hack into and take over a pacemaker or an insulin pump and kill a patient. Johnson & Johnson warned patients last year that the company had identified a vulnerability in one of its insulin pumps, a device used by about 114,000 patients, Reuters reported.

This problem isnt a one-off with Kurt Eichenwald, Citron said. Its of a piece with all sorts of other phenomena.

Hospitals are also at risk. In 2015, federal regulators warned that a drug pump manufactured by the medical-device company Hospira could be hacked, with potentially deadly consequences.

[Connected medical devices: The Internet of things-that-could-kill-you]

Fu, of the University of Michigan, said that a more common problem is malicious computer code, circulating online or on portable drives, that can end up in hospitals systems. A hacker might not be specifically targeting the hospital, but the code could cause the medical hardware to malfunction all the same.

Its about knowing whats at risk, Fu said. You cant protect what you dont know you have.

Jennifer Jenkins contributed to this report.
By Press Trust of India: From Lalit K Jha

Washington, Mar 18 (PTI) President Donald Trump has said that Obamacare was a "disaster" and its "failing miserably", as he plans to replace the affordable healthcare of his predecessor on account of significant increase in its insurance premium.

"Obamacare is a disaster. Its failing," Trump told reporters at a joint news conference with the visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

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"Obamacare will fail. It will fold. It will close up very, very soon if something isnt done," he said.

One of his major electoral promise, Trump has initiated steps to replace and repeal the signature healthcare initiative of his predecessor Barack Obama.

"Its all coming together. Were going to have great healthcare," Trump said in response to a question.

An alternative healthcare plan has been tabled in the US Congress, which he exuded confidence would be passed.

"Its going to be passed, I believe, I think substantially, pretty quickly. Its coming together beautifully. You have conservative groups, you have other groups. Everybody wants certain things. In the end, were going to have a great healthcare plan," he said.

Only half of the State of Tennessee, where he addressed a public meeting this week half, is covered.

"The insurance companies have left, and the other half has one insurance company and that will probably be bailing out pretty soon also. They?ll have nobody," he said, adding that there are many states where they have one.

Trump said the best thing he can do is absolutely nothing.

"Wait one year and then even the Democrats will come say, please, please, you got to help us. But its not the right thing to do for the people," he said.

"We have a great plan. We have a plan thats getting more and more popular with the Republican base, with the conservative base, and with people, generally. The press has covered it very inaccurately. People are truly covered well, and I think its going to be something thats going to be a model to be looked upon," said the President. PTI LKJ ZH

--- ENDS ---
This room, part of the South Dependency of Monticello, is going to be restored as the residence of Sally Hemings. (Norm Shafer/For The Washington Post)

Having spent the past five years immersed in research on the Jefferson and Hemings families for two historical novels I wrote, I was thrilled to learn that Sally Hemingss room at Monticello will be reopened. Id grown tired of hearing her described within the confines of two roles: Jeffersons concubine, as her son called her, and slave.

Other words could and should be applied to Hemings.

When Hemings was 14, she was assigned to accompany Thomas Jeffersons youngest daughter, Maria, to France, where Jefferson was serving as American envoy. According to Hemingss son Madison Hemings, at 16, Sally was pregnant with Jeffersons child, a son who didnt live long. When Jefferson prepared to return to the United States, Hemings and her brother James made bold plans to stay behind in slave-free France as full citizens of that country. This was no fools fancy. Hemings was intelligent  she quickly mastered the French language and, as a skilled seamstress, would have been readily employed. Her brother was equally employable, having been trained by Jefferson in the art of French cookery.

But in addition to being intelligent and bold, Hemings was savvy; when Jefferson argued for the Hemingses return to the United States, Hemings negotiated freedom for her children and extraordinary privileges for herself, as her son described them. If she returned with Jefferson, their children would be set free once they reached 21, and Hemings would never again do the work of the other enslaved women at Monticello. Around the plantation, Hemings was known to black and white alike as dashing Sally. She was described by others as very handsome, decidedly good-looking, intelligent, very special, extraordinary. She must also be described as confident to assume that she could hold Jefferson to a promise for more than 21 years.

Hemings might have remained free in France with her brother. Instead, she agreed to return with Jefferson, where for every enslaved woman the concept of consent could never be. Why? Perhaps she believed, as Hemingss great-granddaughter did, that Jefferson loved her very dearly. Perhaps there was some real feeling between the pair. But acknowledging the truth of Earl E. Thorpes statement that a central tragedy of the slave-white relationship was that neither side could love or hate in anything like fullness of dimension, I have to wonder whether there were other reasons.

Hemings also had a loved and loving daughter, sister, aunt and cousin. We know she chose to return to Monticello with Jefferson, and we also know that, once there, she leveraged her position into something that allowed her relatives advantages that other enslaved people didnt have. In addition to freeing Hemingss brother James, as he had promised to do in France, Jefferson granted requests for purchase or sale to five of Hemingss brothers and sisters, uniting their families. Hemingss brothers were granted freedom of movement seldom given to the enslaved and were sometimes paid for work or given spending money. Several were taught to read and write. At least one of her nephews was allowed to run away. Hemingss mother was retired to a cabin of her own that was 10 times larger than the ordinary slave cabin. Archaeologists have found remnants of glass windows and a set of English china in that cabin, unusual items to find in the cabin of an enslaved woman.

Perhaps 16-year-old Sally Hemings was simply outmatched in a debate with a persuasive, powerful, 46-year-old man. Or perhaps she saw a chance to improve life for her family. Perhaps she just missed her family. Well never know what she thought or felt.

But opening up the room where she lived at Monticello will force us to acknowledge her as a person who did think and feel, who lived her own extraordinary life and left her mark on our history beyond the role shes thus far been assigned, as merely a footnote to a scandal.

Sally Cabot Gunning is the author of Monticello: A Daughter and Her Father; A Novel and Benjamin Franklins Bastard.
TELLING METRO that it must reform itself  by improving governance, service and safety  before it can receive more funding is like telling a drowning woman she must learn to swim before shes entitled to a lifeline. At a certain point in the foreseeable future, the wise admonishments are irrelevant. Its just too late.

That point is drawing nearer. Even as ridership on the nations second-busiest subway system continues its dizzying descent, Metros board this month adopted a budget for the coming fiscal year that raises fares and cuts service  a recipe for further declines in ridership.

Its become almost a cliche to speak of Metros death spiral, but this is what a death spiral looks like: Rail trips in the second half of 2016 plummeted by 12 percent measured against the same period a year earlier, one of the steepest year-on-year descents in memory. Average weekday trips on the subway system last year fell to their lowest level since 2003, when the metropolitan areas population was 20 percent smaller than it is now. Since 2012, ridership on the subway has fallen short of projections every year, even as Metro has tried to recalibrate expectations in an era of telecommuting, Uber and alternative work schedules. In the current fiscal year, ending June 30, Metro projects the decline in ridership to leave a $125 million shortfall, equal to about 15 percent of the $839 million that had been projected in passenger fares and parking revenue.

When subway ridership and revenue continue to tumble even as population and the local economy boom, the time for drastic measures has arrived. This page has urged officials to consider a federal takeover of Metro, whose board, beset by parochialism of competing state and local officials, lacks adequate expertise in transit, finance and management.

That recommendation has now been taken up by the Federal City Council, led by former D.C. mayor Anthony A. Williams. The council, backed by more than 100 executives from major local businesses and universities, proposes that a temporary five-member federal control board take over from the current 16-member Metro board.

The idea is that a control board could empower Metros management, granting it the freedom to scrap unaffordable labor agreements and contracts and accelerate privatization. At the same time, the aim would be to persuade local jurisdictions to devise an earmarked, ongoing funding source for Metro, which, alone among major American transit systems, has always lacked one. That, in turn, might convince Republican leaders in Congress to increase funding for a network used on a daily basis by 40 percent of federal workers.

Governance reforms at Metro are crucial; so is more funding. To pretend that the former must be the focus before the latter is achievable is to push back the goalposts into the infinite distance, leaving Metro gasping for oxygen. Real improvements in service, reliability and safety  the only surefire way to reverse a free fall in ridership  will require investment.
AS VENEZUELA has plunged deeper and deeper into a economic, political and humanitarian crisis, its regional neighbors and the United States have stood back, refusing to adopt meaningful collective measures to pressure the authoritarian regime of Nicolas Maduro and instead hiding behind appeals for dialogue with the democratic opposition. Now the regions leaders are being bluntly called out by the secretary general of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro, who says the strategy has been a feckless failure and that collective action is imperative to restore Venezuelan democracy. The Obama adminisration ignored Mr. Almagro when he made a similar appeal last year. The Trump administration should listen to him.

Mr. Almagro, a former Uruguayan foreign minister, is anything but the right-wing fascist that Mr. Maduros propaganda describes. He is, rather, a leftist liberal democrat who has committed himself to defending the Inter-American Democratic Charter, a treaty adopted by the 34 OAS nations in 2001 that provides for action  including the suspension of OAS membership  when states breach democratic norms such as free elections, freedom of assembly and free speech.

The Venezuelan regime, says a 73-page report issued Tuesday by Mr. Almagro, is in violation of every article of the Inter-American Democratic Charter. As he put it, his report is brimming with abuses, rights violations, curtailment of civil, political and electoral freedoms, poverty, hunger, deprivation of liberty, torture, censorship, and the whole catalogue of violations of political, social and personal dignity.

Even the most servile apologists for the regime founded by Hugo Chavez acknowledge this descent into chaos, which Mr. Almagro says has produced a humanitarian crisis . . . at a scale unheard of in the Western Hemisphere. For the past year, debate has centered on what to do about it. The Obama administration, along with several Latin American governments, strongly backed a mediation mission led by three left-leaning statesmen and later joined by the Vatican. Opposition leaders, who had been pressing for a recall referendum to remove Mr. Maduro from office, came under heavy pressure from Washington to negotiate with the regime.

As Mr. Almagro vividly describes it, the initiative was an abject failure. The government fulfilled none of its promises and instead increased repression; the opposition was left divided and discredited. Concludes Mr. Almagro: We cannot allow the premise of a false dialogue to continue to be used as a smokescreen to perpetuate and legitimize . . . what has become a dictatorial regime.

Mr. Almagro is calling on the OAS permanent council to suspend Venezuelas membership unless the regime agrees within 30 days to hold general elections, release political prisoners and establish a channel for international humanitarian assistance, among other measures. While recognizing the limits of such multilateral measures to arrest the countrys slide, he says peer condemnation is the strongest tool we have.

Suspension would require a two-thirds majority on the OAS council, and Venezuela has leverage over a number of small states that it supplies with oil at a discounted price. But a strong stand by the Trump administration could make a difference. Mr. Trump should align himself with the OAS chief  and with the cause of democracy in Latin America.
John Kellys Feb. 28 Metro column, Aboard a torpedoed ocean liner was this reporters idea of somewhere to be, about one of the most colorful characters in the annals of journalism, Floyd Gibbons, evoked the memory of this illustrious reporter who helped put the Marine Corps on Page 1 during World War I.

There were only 36 reporters officially accredited to the American Expeditionary Force in World War I. On June 6, 1918, Gibbons, a war correspondent for the Chicago Tribune, entered Belleau Wood in France. Gibbons, a noncombatant, could carry no arms. He was armed only with his notebook and pencil.

As the Marine unit he was with advanced across the wheat field on its way toward the wood line, Gibbons was repeatedly hit by German machine-gun fire. One of the rounds ricocheted off a rock and ripped out his left eye. With his eyeball lying on his cheek split in half and his left hand and arm numb and out of commission, Gibbons wondered if he was dead. Then, pinching himself for reassurance, he concluded he was alive. Earlier that day, upon arriving at the front, Gibbons had sent his staff car back to the rear with a dispatch to be taken to the censors office. It read, I am up at the front and entering Belleau Wood with the U.S. Marines. He expected the censor to delete the last part because, up to that time in the war, no newspaper correspondent on any allied front had been permitted to say which troops were on which fronts. Before the driver reached the censors office, word had reached it that Gibbons had been wounded and was dying. When the censor came to Gibbonss dispatch, he concluded that it would be a crime to cut the last dispatch of Gibbonss life, so he decided to let it go through as written. Because the censor let Gibbonss dispatch go through, all correspondents were given the same privilege. For three days, the news traveled like wildfire through the United States that the Marines, Devil Dogs as the Germans were now calling them, were fighting it out with the enemy in Belleau Wood. At the end of the third day, censorship clamped down again.

Fred C. Lash, Springfield

The writer is a

former Marine public affairs officer.
IT WAS just minutes after Daniela Vargas appeared at a news conference this month in Mississippi, declaring she would continue to fight this battle as a dreamer to help contribute to this country, that federal immigration agents pulled her over. Two weeks earlier, agents had arrested her father and brother, undocumented immigrants, at the home they all shared, but let Ms. Vargas be. Now she was the target. You know who we are and you know why were here, they announced ominously.

Ms. Vargas, who is 22, arrived in the United States in 2002 as the 7-year-old daughter of Argentine immigrants, who then overstayed their visa. She had registered in 2012 and 2014 as a dreamer, protected under the Obama administrations Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which grants temporary protection from deportation and work permits to migrants brought to the country as youngsters through no fault of their own. Ms. Vargas was in the process of renewing that status, which she allowed to lapse last fall because she didnt have money for the fee, when she was picked up March 1.

The Trump administration says the shackles are off enforcement agents, who in turn have announced that morale . . . has increased exponentially in their ranks. The Department of Homeland Security warns that no classes or categories of illegal immigrants are exempt from deportation.

In the case of Ms. Vargas, retribution seemed to displace discernment and judgment. Although she has since been released, she still faces possible deportation  a status difficult to square with President Trumps professed sympathy for dreamers, and with his assertions that deportation efforts would prioritize the  bad ones.

Ms. Vargas is a far cry from a bad one. A store manager who planned to earn enough to finish her college degree, she hoped to become a math professor, and she had no criminal record. She worked and paid taxes; she was American in every way but by birth. I would do anything for this country, she told the Huffington Post.

Agents seemed to grasp that in February when they raided her home and picked up her brother, who has a criminal record, and her father, who doesnt, but left her alone. That she would be the subject two weeks later of what Immigration and Customs Enforcement called a targeted immigration enforcement action  directly after leaving a news conference called by immigration advocates in which she had expressed concern about her family  looks like official vindictiveness.

By prioritizing illegal immigrants who were serious and violent felons, as well as recent border crossers, the Obama administration frustrated many ICE and Border Patrol agents, who felt constrained from making collateral arrests. Now, the danger is that the pendulum is swinging in the direction of arbitrary and senseless enforcement. Agents recently have detained migrants with no criminal records, including outside a church shelter in Alexandria. In sweeps last month, agents detained nearly 200 migrants with no criminal history, in addition to hundreds more with criminal records. The best means of avoiding such excesses is for Congress to exercise effective oversight, and soon.
Mark Krikorian is executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies.

Are you now, or have you ever been, a hate group?

This is the question at the heart of an attempt to delegitimize and suppress views regarding immigration held by a large share of the American public.

Since 2007, the Southern Poverty Law Center has methodically added mainstream organizations critical of current immigration policy to its blacklist of hate groups, including the Federation for American Immigration Reform, the Immigration Reform Law Institute and Californians for Population Stabilization, among others. In February, my own organization, the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), got its turn.

The wickedness of the SPLCs blacklist lies in the fact that it conflates groups that really do preach hatred, such as the Ku Klux Klan and Nation of Islam, with ones that simply do not share the SPLCs political preferences. The obvious goal is to marginalize the organizations in this second category by bullying reporters into avoiding them, scaring away writers and researchers from working for them, and limiting invitations for them to discuss their work.

The rationale offered for CISs inclusion on the blacklist is implausible even for those predisposed to support blacklists. The SPLC long ago made a hate figure of John Tanton, a controversial Michigan eye doctor it breathlessly describes as the puppeteer of various groups skeptical of current immigration policy, including CIS. But whatever his vices and virtues, they are irrelevant to CIS; as he himself has written, I also helped raise a grant in 1985 for the Center for Immigration Studies, but I have played no role in the Centers growth or development.

Why CIS should only now qualify for the blacklist is something the SPLC offered no explanation for. Only in a blog post by Americas Voice, an allied group, were SPLC spokesmen quoted explaining how CIS meets their rigorous criteria for designating organizations as hate groups. Judge the rigor for yourself. Reason one: CIS has published work by independent researcher Jason Richwine, who wrote a contentious Harvard University dissertation on IQ a decade ago. (His work since has been on other subjects.) If this is evidence of hate, then the SPLC is going to need a bigger blacklist; other places that have published Richwines work include Forbes, Politico, RealClearPolicy and National Review, and his co-authors have included fellows at the American Enterprise Institute and New America.

Reasons two and three are almost too trivial to believe: CISs weekly email roundup of immigration commentary (from all sides) has occasionally included pieces by writers who turned out to be cranks; and a nonresident CIS fellow attended the Christmas party of a group the SPLC dislikes. Seriously, thats it.

Against these silly objections is CISs central role in the immigration policy debate. I offer the following not to boast, or even as evidence that our perspective is correct, but merely to demonstrate the absurdity of the blacklist effort. CIS has testified before Congress more than 100 times over the past 20 years. Weve also testified before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and our work has been cited by the Supreme Court and the Justice Departments Office of the Inspector General. Weve done contract work for the Census Bureau and the Justice Department. Our director of research was selected by the National Academies of Sciences as an outside reviewer for last years magisterial study of the fiscal and economic impacts of immigration. Our authors include scholars at Harvard, Cornell University, Colorado State University, the University of Maryland and elsewhere. We are one of the most frequently cited sources on immigration in the media (including in The Post).

Equating a group that has such a track record of engagement in the public policy debate with, for instance, the Holy Nation of Odin has nothing to do with warning the public of hate. The SPLCs true purpose can only be to deprive the American people of points of view they need to hear to make informed and intelligent collective decisions.

Of course, political combatants call each other names all the time; Ive succumbed myself on occasion. But the SPLC stands apart; its backed by a quarter-billion-dollar war chest, successful branding by SPLC co-founder and direct-marketing impresario Morris Dees, and a pose of disinterestedness and neutrality that has gained it credibility with many in the media and law enforcement.

Yet the SPLCs protestations of neutrality are false. It is an integral part of the immigration-expansion coalition, as even the briefest look at the Immigrant Justice page on its website will confirm. Regardless, the SPLCs smearing of political opponents continues to be reported as news; hours after publication of the latest SPLC blacklist, the New Yorker retailed the hate group charge against CIS.

My goal is not to plead to be taken off the SPLCs blacklist, but to condemn the blacklist itself and the willingness of news organizations to participate in this silencing campaign by using the blacklist label in their stories. This attempt to narrow public debate is harmful to our civic life. Widely held concerns among the citizenry dont just go away because gatekeepers of public debate decide not to allow them to be aired. As the cliche has it, this is why you have President Trump. And further attempts at suppression will yield worse.
The civil war over the Confederate Civil War soldier whose granite likeness has stood for more than a century outside the Rockville courthouse appears to be over.

Having been sheathed in plywood for two years  either to protect it from vandals or to protect viewers from its offensive sight  the soldier is moving, finally, to a new location at Whites Ferry on the Potomac River. That seems as fitting a place as any, since the cable car ferry, the Jubal A. Early, is named for a Confederate general who came close to capturing the nations capital in July 1864.

As Earlys invasion was turned back, so, too, has this tangible reminder of his lost cause.

The White in Whites Ferry refers to Elijah Viers White , who owned mills and warehouses after the war with his battalion surgeon, Edward Wootton of Poolesville. A native of Dickerson, E.V. White moved in 1857 across the river to Loudoun County. During the war, then-Col. White commanded the Confederate 35th Battalion of Virginia Cavalry. From Montgomery County, George Chiswell led a group of Southern-sympathizing men across the river to fight under him. Those who returned went on to become county commissioners, judges and state senators. A tablet in Monocacy Cemetery, in tiny Beallsville, lists 32 names of the men who joined what was known as Chiswells Exile Band under Lige White. The local chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy was named for him, and it continued right up to 1947.

When the Confederate statue was first proposed, a leading veteran thought it should be located at Monocacy Cemetery, just a few miles inland from Whites Ferry. But its symbolic importance in the county seat could not be denied. At the dedication, in 1913, 3,000 people showed up, in a county that then had only 30,000 people. That would be the equivalent today of 100,000 citizens turning out for a similar event in the county that now contains 1 million residents.

This decision to move the statue fell to Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) after Rockville city officials rejected a proposal to move it to the front lawn of the antebellum Beall-Dawson house, also in Rockville and the headquarters of the Montgomery County Historical Society. A property owner at Whites Ferry agreed to provide the old soldier with a new home on his land.

The soldier had already been moved once, back in 1971, from a prominent spot in front of the old courthouse to one side, where it was virtually hidden behind a grove of trees that blocked the view. For the second time now, revisionism and reconstruction have marched hand in hand to, if not erase, then at least to hide any evidence in the county of the late unpleasantness.

As we rewrite or at least relegate unpleasant history from a central site to an outlying location, far from the mad and maddening crowd, it seems the lost cause has lost again. So now, only a few ferryboat commuters will have to confront the ugly part of the countys history.

The rest of us can buy into the more pleasing narrative of our multicultural present and pretend the whole dirty business of slavery and the countys role in trying to preserve it never happened.

Eugene L. Meyer is a former Post reporter and editor and author of Maryland Lost and Found . . . Again and Chesapeake Country.
I was very disappointed to learn that The Washington Post Magazine will no longer hold its annual Peeps Diorama Contest [A note to our readers, March 12]. I entered five times but never so much as broke into the finals. Apparently, Harry Peeper and the Deathly Mallows, Phillipe Peep: Bird On Wire, Saturpeep Night Lives 40th Anniversary, Sledding Peeps at the Capitol, and, of course, 2016s iconic David Bowie Rest in Peeps (Apeep Insane Album Cover) failed to impress, but that was okay. It gave me hope each spring to enter yet again and test my marshmallow mettle against that of others. Please reconsider. This was going to be my year.

Erica S. Perl, Washington
This week, the Senate Judiciary Committee will question Neil Gorsuch about the judiciarys role. Herewith some pertinent questions:

 Lincolns greatness began with his recoil from the 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act, which empowered residents of those territories to decide whether to have slavery. The acts premise was that popular sovereignty  majorities rights  is the essence of the American project. Is it, or is liberty?

 Justice Robert Jackson wrote, The very purpose of a Bill of Rights was to . . . place [certain subjects] beyond the reach of majorities. Was that not also the purpose of the 14th Amendments privileges and immunities clause? It says: No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States. Was this amendments purpose to ensure that the natural rights of all citizens would be protected from abridgment by their states?

 If so, was the court wrong in the 1873 Slaughter-House Cases? It essentially erased the privileges and immunities clause, holding that it did not secure natural rights (e.g., the right to enter contracts and earn a living), for the protection of which, the Declaration of Independence says, governments are instituted.

 Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. says the doctrine of stare decisis  previous court decisions are owed respect  is not an inexorable command. The ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), upholding racial segregation in separate but equal facilities, has been undone. Should the Slaughter-House Cases ruling be revisited?

 The court, without warrant from the Constitutions text or history, has divided Americans liberties between those it deems fundamental, such as speech and association, and others, many pertaining to economic activity and the right to earn a living, that are inferior. Abridgments of the latter have been given less exacting judicial scrutiny. The court calls this rational basis scrutiny; it should be called conceivable basis scrutiny. If a legislature asserts, or the court can imagine, a rational basis for the abridgment, it stands. Do you think judges should decide which liberties to protect or neglect? Should courts examine evidence of whether economic regulations are related to public health and safety or merely reflect rent-seeking by economic interests?

 The Ninth Amendment says: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Robert Bork said this is akin to an inkblot on the Constitution that judges should ignore. Do you agree? How can judges be faithful to this amendment? Was James Madison correct that it should dispose us against a latitudinarian interpretation of Congresss powers? Is the Ninth Amendment pertinent to, say, the right to earn a living free from unreasonable licensure requirements or other barriers to entry into an occupation?

 Other than a law that abridges a liberty enumerated in the Bill of Rights, are there limits to Congresss power over interstate commerce?

 The Fifth Amendment says no property shall be taken for public use without just compensation. In the 2005 Kelo v. City of New London case, the court upheld a citys seizure of private property not to facilitate construction of a public structure or to cure blight, but for the public use of transferring it to a wealthier private interest that would pay more taxes. Did the court err?

 Madison worried that Congress would draw all power into its impetuous vortex. For many decades, however, our centrifugal Congress has been spinning off essentially legislative powers, delegating them to presidents and executive agencies. The Constitution says, All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress. Should the court enforce limits to Congresss power to delegate its powers?

 Citizens United held that unions and corporations, particularly incorporated nonprofit advocacy groups, can engage in unregulated spending that is not coordinated with candidates or campaigns. Was the court correct that Americans do not forfeit their First Amendment rights when they come together in incorporated entities to speak collectively?

 Is it constitutional for Congress, by regulating political spending, to control the quantity and timing of political speech?

 You commendably believe that judges should adhere to the original public meaning of the Constitutions text. Would you feel bound to follow a previous court decision that did not evaluate evidence of original meaning and was, in your view, in conflict with it? If not, would you be elevating the views of judges over those of the Framers?

 Oliver Wendell Holmes, a deferential, majoritarian jurist, said: If my fellow citizens want to go to Hell I will help them. Its my job. Discuss.

Read more from George F. Wills archive or follow him on Facebook.
In his March 13 op-ed, Headwinds for Trumps Mideast plan, Josh Rogin was too politically correct in discussing the Palestinian Authoritys payments to the families of those committing terrorist attacks. These payments are purportedly facilitated using U.S. funding that Congress is trying to eliminate. There is no disagreeing that rewarding bad behavior results in more bad behavior and punishing bad behavior results in less bad behavior.

All the other issues and caveats mentioned are tangential to the primary issue of not incentivizing terrorist attacks. If the Palestinian Authority wants and needs this U.S. funding, let it understand that it comes with a requirement for maintaining civilized behavior and not creating an incentive for chaos.

Jeff Siegell, Burke
A former Secret Service agent who guarded former US presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush, has said Donald Trump is not safe inside the White House.

By Press Trust of India: US President Donald Trump is not safe inside the White House and even the Secret Service would not be able to protect him during a terror attack, a former Secret Service agent who had guarded previous presidents has warned.

Former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino's statement came a week after the arrest of a man who jumped the White House fence and roamed around the higly-secured property for more than 15 minutes.

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"The intruder set off multiple alarms, alarms that clearly showed someone breached the property, and he was seen by officers who didn't think anything of it. This is a big story," Bongino was quoted as saying by the Fox News.

Bongino once guarded former US presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush.

"That just shows the president is not safe there - in the White House. The Secret Service does not have the assets, they don't have personnel on the ground they need to keep him safe," he said and claimed that in case of a terrorist attack the Secret Service would be unable to protect the US President.

"The Secret Service cannot even keep one person off the grounds - what will they do if 40 terrorists charge the White House? And believe me the terrorists are already thinking about that," Bongino said.

WHITE HOUSE FENCE JUMPED

In a statement, the Secret Service said Jonathan T Tran, 26, of California was detected crossing the White House Fence near the East Executive Avenue and the Treasury Department complex at 11:21 pm and was arrested at 11:38 pm.

Trump was at his residence at the time.

The Obama White House had experienced several major security breach and fence jumping, but this is the first after Trump became a White House resident on January 20.

According to the Secret Service, Tran scaled two other fences, one of them being eight-foot vehicle gate.

LAPTOP STOLEN FROM SECRET SERVICE

In another related development, the Secret Service acknowledged on Friday that a laptop with sensitive information was stolen from its agent in New York.

Republican Congressman Jason Chaffetz, Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, blasted the Secret Service for both the lapse.

"Tran may have attempted entry into the building. If true, these allegations raise questions about whether the agency s security protocols are adequate," he alleged in a letter to the Secret Service Director Bill Callahan.

"It was complete and utter total failures. The White House is probably the most targeted place on the face of the planet. We spend billions of dollars to secure it," he told the CNN..

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"This person was there on the ground for 17 minutes, went undetected, was able to get up next to the White House, hide behind a pillar, look through a window, rattle the door handle. It's just beyond comprehension, especially because it's not the first time this has happened," he said.

ALSO READ | US: In first Trump-Merkel meeting, awkward body language and a quip

ALSO WATCH | Indian government engaging with Trump administration on hate crimes in US: Sushma Swaraj

--- ENDS ---
When a winter storm delayed federal facility openings on Tuesday, I sensed a perfect day to visit a seemingly impenetrable museum exhibit: Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors at the Hirshhorn.

My effort started out well. At 12:15 p.m., I parked in front of the Hirshhorn. Then I saw a sign outside: No Same Day Tickets. In disbelief, I walked to the second-floor Infinity Mirrors entrance. No one was in line. I asked a smiling young woman if I could enter. She said, I would love to let you in, but the higher-ups made a policy of no same-day tickets today. I repeated my request to a nearby supervisor. Same answer. My appeal, Sir, there is no one waiting in line. It is a snow day. I have been here on two prior days, and lines stretched outside the door to where we are standing. Does it make sense to keep out todays visitors? His response: Thats the policy we decided today.

Undaunted, I drove to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. I said, as I did at the Hirshhorn, I dont have a ticket but decided to try a visit on this snow day. A young woman who worked there replied, Go check with my supervisor over there. I told the supervisor my request. She said, Go right in, sir.

At one museum, blind rigidity; at another, kindness and common sense.

Gregory Mize, Washington
The March 6 front-page article on the German military described the markings on the Bundeswehr tanks as the Iron Cross [Germany uneasily ratchets up military might in Europe]. The cross that Germany has used for about 100 years on its military vehicles is a black cross edged with white, but the term Iron Cross should be used only to refer to the military medal commissioned by Frederick William III.

Mary E. Butler, Ellicott City
So much for the forgotten men and women. Judging by President Trumps initial forays into economic policymaking, they would have been better off forgotten.

The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer, Trump vowed in his inaugural address. Everyone is listening to you now.

They are? The Republican health-care plan that Trump endorsed and the budget he just submitted cater more to the interests of the billionaires Trump chose for his Cabinet than to the lower-income, rural and older voters who formed the backbone of his electoral support.

Indeed, if you convened health-care experts and asked them to design a system guaranteed to alienate those Trump voters, you would come up with something like the American Health Care Act. The bottom line of the Congressional Budget Office number  that 24 million fewer would have coverage by 2026  actually understates the harms that the proposal would inflict on many Trump voters.

The insurance that people would obtain would have lower average actuarial values  CBO-speak for worse coverage. The high co-pays and deductibles about which Trump and other critics of Obamacare rail? They would tend to be higher than anticipated under current law and would climb even higher for the less well-off after 2020, when cost-sharing subsidies were repealed, significantly increasing out-of-pocket costs . . . for many lower-income enrollees.

The new system would hurt the oldest consumers. Insurers would be free to charge those between 50 and 64 five times as much as younger enrollees; under Obamacare, that differential is limited to three times as much. It would hurt those with lower incomes, because the tax credits would tend to be smaller than the subsidies available under current law, which are more generous to those who earn less  not to mention the extra hit after 2020, mentioned above.

It would hurt those who live in rural areas, with fewer available health-care services and therefore higher costs, because the tax credits would be the same across the country, not based on the cost of premiums in particular states.

Meantime, the ultra-wealthy would benefit, big-league. The Trump plan would eliminate the additional 0.9 percent payroll tax on earnings and the 3.8 percent tax on investment income for households making more than $250,000. Those in the top 1 percent (making more than $772,000 in 2022) would reap 40 percent of the benefits, according to the Tax Policy Center.

As former CBO director Douglas Elmendorf summarized the impact in recent testimony, Im baffled that anyone could have watched last years election campaign, seen the frustration and anger of many working Americans, and concluded that the most important thing they could do for our country is to make health care unaffordable for tens of millions of Americans of modest means who can afford care now, while cutting taxes for the richest Americans.

Trump appears to be aware of this, except when he isnt. In an interview with the president, Fox Newss Tucker Carlson cited a Bloomberg analysis that Trump-backing counties would do far less well under this bill than those where voters supported Hillary Clinton.

Well, I know, Trump replied, then added, We will take care of our people or Im not signing it. Two days later, Trump proclaimed himself 100 percent behind the great plan.

And then there is Trumps budget  in quotes, because it is a particularly bare-bones document that does not include his proposal for a massive tax cut. The latest version of his tax plan would cost $6.2 trillion over the decade, according to the Tax Policy Center, and, again, be heavily tilted toward the richest Americans. Even leaving taxes aside, Trumps proposals would hurt the voters whose interests he pledged to protect: cuts to job training, college aid, housing assistance, heating costs, rural development, meals for shut-ins and after-school programs for low-income students. Draconian, careless and counterproductive, said one House lawmaker  not a Democrat, but Kentucky Republican Hal Rogers, former Appropriations Committee chairman.

And its not like these domestic discretionary spending programs have been swimming in cash  funding levels are already set to be at their lowest as a share of the economy since such data collection began in 1962.

Which brings us back to Trumps inaugural address. For too long, he said, a small group in our nations capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost.

How does he explain himself to the people now?

Read more from Ruth Marcuss archive, follow her on Twitter or subscribe to her updates on Facebook.
Sesame Street airs on PBS, which is funded in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. (Zach Hyman/Sesame Workshop/Associated Press)

From Ronald Reagans welfare queen to this White Houses Detroit single mom, the unmarried mother remains a constant fascination to Republicans wielding budget-cutting scalpels.

Whereas Reagan was propagating a stereotype of the fraudulent abuser of public largesse when he popularized the term in 1976, framing welfare policy thereafter, President Trumps budget blueprint purportedly is aimed at helping single mothers (in Detroit, for some reason) by building a better military.

If youre having trouble connecting the dots, welcome to the fracas.

The budget, which includes massive cuts to spending in the arts, sciences (including medical research) and diplomacy  mostly in the interest of increasing military spending by $54 billion and subsidizing that blasted wall  was designed by asking: Can we ask the single mother in Detroit to pay for this?

This is how White House budget director Mick Mulvaney explained the administrations calculations on MSNBCs Morning Joe. Apparently cognizant of diversitys fealty to both sexes, Mulvaney also mentioned coal miners (with my apologies to Barbara Burns, groundbreaking female miner).

One of the questions we asked was, can we really continue to ask a coal miner in West Virginia or a single mom in Detroit to pay for these programs? Mulvaney queried. The answer was no. We can ask them to pay for defense, and we will, but we cant ask them to continue to pay for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Are there really no single mothers in Detroit listening to NPRs Fresh Air? Or whose kids watch Sesame Street? Although the CPB receives $450 million annually in federal funds, much of that money is distributed to local television and radio stations and producers. NPR, long an object of GOP contempt, probably will be fine thanks to donor support, but not so the local shows, which often are educational or public-safety-oriented.

The objective, Mulvaney said, is to keep Trumps campaign promises while not increasing the budget deficit. Among those promises: build the wall (delete I will make Mexico pay for that wall) and beef up national security.

And, of course, the ultimate goal in whittling away programs that serve the poor or protect the environment is to Make America Great Again. As Inigo Montoya said in The Princess Bride, You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Before we parse the meaning of the word great, a few facts: The proposed budget, which is really just a collection of bad ideas or suggestions, doesnt stand a chance of congressional approval as is. To pass the Senate, over which Republicans hold a relatively slim majority (52 to 48), it would require Democratic support. The blueprints strong emphasis on defense and security, notwithstanding cuts in airport policing, at the expense of domestic programs is a no-go.

Although many Republicans also oppose some of the more draconian cuts, others want yet more defense spending. Both Mac Thornberry (R-Tex.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.), chairmen of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, respectively, want $640 billion rather than the measly $603 billion proposed.

Given Trumps commitment to a military buildup  and the formerly silent Secretary of State Rex Tillersons recent remarks that military action may be necessary to end North Koreas nuclear games  investing in defense might not be a bad gamble.

But hope for a cancer cure might be. The National Institutes of Health  the nations premier research institution  is threatened with losing about 20 percent of its budget. And bets on climate-related concerns would be long shots. Among many related cuts, the budget would eliminate four NASA missions, including the Deep Space Climate Observatory, which monitors climate change from its position a million miles from Earth. Collect information that might suggest the need for environmental regulations? LOL.

By tragic coincidence, we learned the day before Trumps budget was released that vast portions of Australias iconic Great Barrier Reef, one of Earths largest organisms, are dead from overheated seawater caused by greenhouse gases emitted via the burning of fossil fuels.

But never mind. Greatness, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder  and Trumps idea of both tends toward reactionary excessiveness unburdened by historys future judgment. Besides, what do NASA missions have to do with coal miners or single moms?

Not one thing, other than a future for all those fatherless children in Detroit  and the coal miners daughter, who probably needs essential social services more than she does that blasted wall.

Read more from Kathleen Parkers archive, follow her on Twitter or find her on Facebook.
The March 13 WorldViews article Freed 20 years after slaying of 7 Israeli schoolgirls, Jordanian is hailed as hero reported that supporters of the Jordanian soldier believed he was provoked because he was mocked while he was praying. The article did not say that this is untrue; there is no evidence that the schoolchildren mocked the soldier in any way.

Reporting his supporters belief without any indication that their belief was mistaken conflated belief with reality and inadvertently lent credence to a horrible canard. The perpetrators victims deserve better.

Behnam Dayanim, Silver Spring
National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn, left, and senior adviser Jared Kushner, right, listen to President Trump address a meeting at the White House on Jan. 23. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Inside the White House, they are dismissed by their rivals as the Democrats.

Outspoken, worldly and polished, this coterie of ascendant Manhattan business figures-turned-presidential advisers is scrambling the still-evolving power centers swirling around President Trump.

Led by Gary Cohn and Dina Powell  two former Goldman Sachs executives often aligned with Trumps elder daughter and his son-in-law  the group and its broad network of allies are the targets of suspicion, loathing and jealousy from their more ideological West Wing colleagues.

On the other side are the Republican populists driving much of Trumps nationalist agenda and confrontations, led by chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon, who has grown closer to Chief of Staff Reince Priebus in part to counter the New Yorkers.

As Trumps administration enters its third month, the constant jockeying and backbiting among senior staff is further inflaming tensions at a time when the White House is struggling on numerous fronts  from the endangered health-care bill to the controversial budget to the hundreds of top jobs still vacant throughout the government.

(Deirdra O'Regan/The Washington Post)

The emerging turf war has led to fights over White House protocol and access to the president, backstabbing and leaks to reporters, and a heated Oval Office showdown over trade refereed by the president himself.

This account of the internal workings of Trumps team is based on interviews with 18 top White House officials, confidants of the president and other senior Republicans with knowledge of the relationships, many of whom requested anonymity to speak candidly.

For the most part so far, the ideologues are winning. One revealing episode came as Trump weighed where he would travel this past Wednesday following an auto industry event in Michigan.

Would he jet to New York at the invitation of Canadas progressive hero, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to attend a Broadway performance of Come From Away, a musical that showcases the generosity of foreigners?

Or would he fly to Nashville to dip his head in reverence at the gravesite of Andrew Jackson and yoke himself to the nationalist legacy of Americas seventh president?

Some of his New York-linked aides urged him to go to the play with Trudeau and Ivanka Trump, according to four senior Trump advisers. But Trump opted instead to follow his gut and heed Bannons counsel.

Absolutely not, the president said later of going to the play, according to one of the advisers.

(Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post)

Instead, Trump journeyed to Tennessee, where he laid a wreath at Jacksons tomb to celebrate what would have been the former presidents 250th birthday and delivered a fiery speech.

Trump aides pointed to his deliberation over what was a banal scheduling matter as an example of the Bannon-Priebus axis prevailing, as it has on many policy fronts  from national security to the budget to climate.

Trumps intention is to be Trump, said former House speaker Newt Gingrich, an informal adviser to the president. Being tough on trade. Recentering the country on American nationalism. Taking on illegal immigration. Strengthening our military. Decentralizing the system. Radical reduction in regulations.

He added, It would be interesting to see to what degree the New York liberals change Trump and to what degree Trump changes the New York liberals.

[Bannon vows a daily fight for deconstruction of the administrative state]

An unexpected political marriage has formed between Bannon, with his network of anti-establishment conservative populists, and Priebus, who represents a wing of more traditional Republican operatives.

They are often at odds with the New Yorkers, led by Cohn and Powell, who are close to Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, arguably the most powerful White House aide.

The lines can be blurred. Kushner and Cohn are particularly close with the Cabinets industry barons  Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson  as well as Chris Liddell and Reed Cordish, two businessmen recruited by Kushner to work on long-term projects. Bannon and Priebus have their own relationships with those figures.

Still, many people inside and outside the White House frequently note the growing visibility of Cohn and Powell and wonder if they might eventually gain influence over Trumps message and moderate it from Bannon-style populism, especially if the presidents popularity wanes further.

Theyre more involved than ever, Larry Kudlow, a Trump ally and longtime CNBC economic analyst, said of the group. Trump is instinctively drawn to them, but that doesnt mean hes losing his populist message. It means that in terms of day-to-day business and grinding out policy changes, hes drawn to the business people that are around him.

Tensions between Bannon and Priebus ran hot in the early days of the presidency, suggesting that their outsider-vs.-establishment feud would be the central division. But Priebus forged an alliance with Bannon, which they see as mutually beneficial because either or both could be sidelined if others, such as Cohn or Powell, ascend further, according to three White House officials.

The tug at Trump forces near-daily decisions between following his tendency to gravitate toward those he considers highly successful in business and maintaining the combative political persona cheered by many conservatives.

[Inside Trumps fury: The president rages at leaks, setbacks and accusations]

Internal competition has been a mainstay of every Trump enterprise. One top Trump adviser posited that, on a scale of one to 10, fighting between former aides Corey Lewandowski and Paul Manafort during the campaign would score an eight, while that between the Cohn and Bannon blocs at the White House would be a two.

The ongoing tension is real, this adviser said, but so far not debilitating: We chose to hire a lot of alphas. People in politics are insecure and will either adapt to the fact that this is an entrepreneurial White House and survive, or they wont. The cream will rise and the [expletive] will sink.

Sometimes when staffers feud, Kushner summons them to his office, a few doors down from the presidents, where the 36-year-old adviser sits them on the couch and mediates as though he were a couples therapist, officials said.

Priebus said there were benefits to a staff with diverse viewpoints and backgrounds.

We have an incredible team that is talented, unified and focused on advancing the presidents bold agenda, Priebus said in a statement. The greatness of this team comes from the unique strengths each member brings to this administration.

By most appearances, the New Yorkers are accumulating more power. Trump expanded Powells portfolio this past week, naming her deputy national security adviser for strategy in addition to her post as senior counselor for economic initiatives.

Born in Egypt and fluent in Arabic, Powell is taking on a more visible role in foreign affairs. At Fridays bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Powell sat two seats from Trump, with only Vice President Pence between them.

Powell has tapped the network she cultivated as a George W. Bush administration official and as president of Goldmans philanthropic foundation to invite guests for meetings with Trump. She dominated one such gathering on human trafficking, conversing with the authority of an expert, which impressed the president, aides said.

[From order to disorder: How Trumps immigration directive exposed GOP rifts]

Cohn, meanwhile, influences a wide range of policies domestic and foreign as director of the National Economic Council. Colleagues say he is opinionated and sharp-elbowed, walking between offices with the swagger befitting a banking titan. He is seen internally as a contender for chief of staff should Priebus exit, though one senior official noted, Nobody wants Reinces job here. I can tell you that with certainty.

Cohn and Powell huddle regularly with business executives, both on the White House campus and at glitzy off-site events. Several other senior staffers have groused that they are rarely invited to attend  and often dont know about the meetings. Their networking creates what one associate called a positive feedback loop: The executives often sing Cohn and Powells praises in their meetings with Trump.

Last month when two dozen manufacturing chief executives visited the White House, Trump singled out Cohn by noting his vast wealth.

You all know Gary from Goldman, Trump said. Gary Cohn  and were really happy  just paid $200 million in tax in order to take this job, by the way.

The executives from such behemoths as General Electric and Johnson & Johnson laughed.

Cohn is a registered Democrat, though he is known by many Republicans through his work at Goldman or summer parties in the Hamptons.

Trump enjoys having the rich and powerful reporting to him, irrespective of their political affiliations, his associates said. This may be one of the reasons he reached out to Jonathan D. Gray, who manages a $100 billion-plus portfolio as global head of real estate at Blackstone Group, to discuss the job of treasury secretary, even though Gray was a major fundraiser for Hillary Clintons campaign.

John Catsimatidis, a billionaire New York grocery magnate who has known Trump for decades, explained his friends thinking by quoting a Frank Sinatra song.

I dont want to blow my own horn, but remember the song, If I can make it there, Ill make it anywhere  New York, New York!  Catsimatidis asked. It takes a little bit extra to make it in New York than anyplace else. Trump gets that.

[Trump gives his hard-line campaign promises a more moderate tone in address to Congress]

Impressing the president, however, has not necessarily translated into policy gains. The conservative wing  Bannon, Priebus, senior policy adviser Stephen Miller and others  have notched victories in almost every sector, despite meetings Cohn and Powell have convened to promote a more centrist, business-friendly approach.

The president receives many different inputs, insights and ideas from a very diverse team of advisers, but it is clear to all that he is the ultimate decision-maker, said Kellyanne Conway, White House counselor. Hes the president.

Rather than embracing the Paris climate agreement, Trump has signaled his intent to roll back fuel economy standards and proposed a budget last week that would effectively gut the Environmental Protection Agency. The health-care bill he backs strips federal funding for Planned Parenthood, while the proposed budget curbs funding for the arts and sciences. And he is pursuing aggressive policies on immigration.

Show me one New York win, a senior White House official said tauntingly.

Said another official: Donald Trump is not the mayor of New York. Some of their ideas just dont have a national constituency.

A competition over Trumps trade and economic agenda is brewing between Cohn and Peter Navarro, an eccentric academic and former campaign adviser close to Bannon who directs the National Trade Council. It came to a head two weeks ago in the Oval Office, where Cohn shrugged off Navarros ideas as almost irrelevant, according to two officials. Trump stepped into the conversation and defended Navarro and his point of view.

Priebus has been frustrated with Cohn and Powell for what he sees as short-circuiting his process by communicating directly with the president on a range of matters, officials said.

Meanwhile, Cohn, Powell and other aides have chafed at Priebuss protocols because he and Deputy Chief of Staff Katie Walsh tried to exert complete control over the presidents daily schedule. A bottleneck is how one White House adviser described it.

After being pressured to let up, this adviser said, Priebus recently started giving other senior staffers and Cabinet members more influence over which individuals and groups get face time with Trump.

The president wants Ws  he wants wins, Kudlow said. Thats key to understanding this bit of change in the whole outlook. Hes trying to get Ws and have Congress work with him, and hes looking to lots of people to get them.
Conservative spending has already swamped the liberal opposition to Neil Gorsuchs nomination to the Supreme Court in the weeks leading up to his confirmation hearings, which are set to begin Monday in the Senate.

By a nearly 20-to-1 margin, conservative groups have vastly outspent their liberal counterparts on television advertising on behalf of Gorsuch, according to Republican estimates of ad purchases since the end of January. Most of the conservative fire has been directed at seven Democratic senators in states where President Trump won last year, trying to push them into beating back an expected blockade of Gorsuchs nomination from liberal Democrats.

So far, none of the 48 Senate Democrats have said they will back Gorsuch. But the genial judges tour of Capitol Hill has yielded few controversies, and if Gorsuch is confirmed, Democrats may look back with regret on their paltry investment in a campaign outside of Washington to beat him.

Across the country, from Trumps announcement of Gorsuch on Jan. 31 until last week, total ad spending was more than $3.3 million supporting Gorsuch, with just $181,000 from liberal groups opposing his confirmation, according to the GOP estimate.

Democrats and liberal groups did not dispute that they are being badly beaten on the airwaves in the fight over Trumps first nomination to the Supreme Court. Some estimates from conservatives suggest the spending deficit is even wider. Its a shocking disparity given the incredibly high stakes for a nomination that could keep the high court tilted to the right for decades to come.

(Peter Stevenson,Gillian Brockell/The Washington Post)

Senate Democrats are well aware that their most politically vulnerable incumbents have faced an onslaught of pro-Gorsuch ads. They say they hope that the energetic anti-Trump movement will turn its grass-roots energy to the Supreme Court battle.

I think most of the ad money has probably been on the pro-Gorsuch side in a lot of these states, but youre seeing grass-roots organizations mobilizing in a lot of these states as well. And, you know, if theres one lesson from the last campaign, its that those movements have important impact, said Sen. Chris Van Hollen (Md.), chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

There is not a lot of time left for anti-Gorsuch forces. His confirmation hearing to fill the seat of former justice Antonin Scalia begins Monday before the Senate Judiciary Committee, and leaders say they hope to bring a vote to the Senate floor by April 7.

Under the banner of the Constitutional Responsibility Project, the liberal coalition launched an ad campaign last week in Arizona and Nevada, targeting a pair of Republican senators up for reelection next year, Jeff Flake (Ariz.) and Dean Heller (Nev.).

Some liberal groups, particularly Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America, have access to millions of supporters. They delivered a petition to the Judiciary Committee with 1 million signatures last week in opposition to Gorsuch.

But the left  or the Resistance in Trump-era vernacular  is divided among a wealth of targets since Trump was inaugurated, including the charge to roll back the Affordable Care Act, impose a travel ban on certain immigrants and slash large chunks from domestic programs in the federal budget.

The emerging health legislation in the House, for instance, contains language eliminating federal funding for Planned Parenthood, forcing that group to keep a key part of its energy focused on that.

More ads are coming, however, as the activists hope to tap the large vein of opposition to Trump and his agenda.

People understand the stakes are high. This Gorsuch confirmation hearing brings a lot of different threads together, said Josh Dorner, spokesman for the Constitutional Responsibility Project. Youre going to see more energy building.

The lopsided lean to the political campaign is not a new phenomenon in Supreme Court battles. In the past decade or so, conservative donors have been much more willing to open their checkbooks to finance campaigns to win the judicial confirmation wars.

Never was this more obvious than after the February 2016 death of Scalia, leaving the court at a four-four deadlock in terms of ideological balance. This gave then-President Barack Obama an amazing opportunity in his final months in office to appoint a third justice and tilt the court to liberals for years to come.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) instantly announced that he would not allow whomever Obama nominated  ultimately Judge Merrick Garland  to receive confirmation hearings and a vote. Much was made at the time that this could hurt Republican senators up for reelection.

A small group of Democratic campaign operatives proposed an aggressive $30 million campaign that would target five Senate Republicans running for reelection in states that Obama had won twice.

According to a 17-page PowerPoint proposal, which was recently provided to The Washington Post, the plan called for creating the SCOTUS PAC, essentially a super PAC that liberal groups and wealthy donors would contribute to and run several mini-campaigns pressuring the key Republicans.

[Why the effort to keep Merrick Garland off the Supreme Court has been remarkably successful]

Research about the nomination process has been dominated by right-wing groups that stood up a response within hours [of Scalias death] and had a seven-figure paid media campaign active within days, the proposal said.

The idea fell flat with West Wing advisers and other liberal strategists.

Instead, a bare-bones campaign was run out of consulting firms close to the White House and congressional leaders. They failed to applying pressure on those five Republicans.

That pattern might be repeating itself with Gorsuch.

Its definitely lopsided, said Carrie Severino, chief counsel of the Judicial Crisis Network, the leading member of the conservative coalition supporting Gorsuch, referring to the conservative ad spending.

In Montana and North Dakota, where Democratic Sens. Jon Tester and Heidi Heitkamp, respectively, face reelection next year, more than 99.5 percent of all media money spent on the Supreme Court confirmation fight has gone toward supporting Gorsuch.

Severino said her group, including radio and digital advertising, has already spent $4 million and intends to spend much more if its necessary.

[Rulings offer glimpse into what kind of justice Gorsuch would be]

On the eve of Gorsuchs hearings, Senate Democrats finally shifted their focus last week away from Trumps scandals to the confirmation fight. They held several news conferences touting their favored messaging line of the moment: that the judges rulings side with corporate interests over average citizens.

There will be plenty of focus on it in due course. I think the hearings will be significant, and I think therell be considerable debate, and, you know, well see where it goes, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said.

Whitehouse is regarded as the best questioner among Judiciary Committee Democrats, but even he found his time spent on other issues. He appeared Friday night as the lead guest on HBOs Real Time with Bill Maher. During an eight-minute interview, the liberal firebrand host did not ask a single question about the pivotal hearings, and Gorsuchs name was never mentioned.

This makes the Gorsuch hearings even more important, because they might be the one thing that can shift the focus of the liberal movement onto the court and create the pressure needed to keep Democrats from supporting him.

Democrats are still hopeful that they can keep McConnells team from getting to 60 votes for Gorsuch.

As of right now, I think that theyre a long way from getting to that number, Van Hollen said.
President Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel participate in a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House on Friday. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

President Trumps unproven allegation that his predecessor wiretapped Trump Tower in New York ahead of the election blazed a new path of political disruption Friday as he dragged two foreign allies into his increasingly thin argument that he is right.

Standing next to German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a White House news conference Friday afternoon, Trump declined to express regret for the accusation he tweeted nearly two weeks ago, despite some of the highest-ranking members of his own party saying they have seen no evidence that any such wiretapping occurred. Trump also passed on the opportunity to reject an unfounded report from a Fox News commentator asserting that British intelligence agents were involved in the alleged spying  even though White House officials had just assured livid British leaders that they would no longer promote the claim.

As far as wiretapping, I guess by this past administration, at least we have something in common, perhaps, Trump said to Merkel, referring to reports that the National Security Agency had tapped the chancellors phone in 2010 under President Barack Obama.

Merkel did not respond to Trumps attempt at a joke.

The international incidents cap nearly two weeks of surreal debate over the presidents apparently baseless accusation that Obama personally ordered the wiretapping of his Trump Tower campaign headquarters, consuming the time of not only White House staffers but also Congress, the Justice Department, the CIA and other intelligence agencies.

(Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post)

[Trumps news conference with Merkel, in four minutes]

In the days since Trumps tweets alleging the wiretapping were posted, the White House has called for a congressional investigation, declined to comment, dodged questions, pointed to media reports that dont contain the information aides say they do and analyzed the presidents use of quotation marks  all while doubling down on his claim without providing any evidence.

As aides jumped to defend their boss, they often seemed to invent evidence as they went. In one instance this week, counselor Kellyanne Conway said televisions or microwaves could have been used as surveillance cameras in Trump Tower  a comment she later said was a joke.

In recent days, Trump and his press secretary, Sean Spicer, have said the presidents allegations referred to broader surveillance efforts  and not wiretapping specifically  but they otherwise did not back off the initial claim.

Meanwhile, an Obama spokesman and several members of the Obama administration have publicly denied the accusation, and FBI Director James B. Comey reportedly urged the Justice Department to dispute it. In Congress, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) and other prominent leaders  including all four top-ranking members of the two intelligence committees  announced this week they had no evidence that Trump Tower was wiretapped.

[House intelligence panel does not reveal whether documents substantiate Trumps claim]

Wiretaps in a foreign intelligence probe cannot legally be directed at a U.S. facility without probable cause  reviewed by a federal judge  that the phone lines or Internet addresses at the facility are being used by agents of a foreign power or by someone spying for or acting on behalf of a foreign government. Furthermore, no president can legally order such a wiretap.

Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), who has been a strong Trump supporter, told reporters Friday that the president owes Obama an apology. Its not a charge that I would have ever made, Cole said. And frankly, unless you can produce some pretty compelling proof, then I think the president, you know, President Obama is owed an apology in that regard. . . . If he didnt do it, we shouldnt be reckless in accusations that he did.

Trump has been feuding with the intelligence community since before he took office, convinced that career officers as well as holdovers from the Obama administration have been trying to sabotage his presidency. He has ordered internal inquiries to find who leaked sensitive information regarding communications during the campaign between Russian officials and his campaign associates and allies.

The controversy is scheduled to continue into a third week, with Comey set to testify Monday before the House Intelligence Committee. He has been asked to clarify whether the FBI is investigating Russias role in the 2016 election and alleged links between the Trump team and Russian officials.

On Friday, the House Intelligence Committee received a set of documents from the Justice Department in response to its request for materials regarding Trumps accusation. The panel did not reveal whether the documents substantiate or refute the presidents wiretapping claims.

[Inside Trumps fury: The president rages at leaks, setbacks and accusations]

Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) and ranking Democrat Adam B. Schiff (Calif.) originally asked the Justice Department to send copies of any wiretapping warrants, applications, court orders or other proof of Trumps allegations by last Monday. But the lawmakers extended the deadline at the administrations request. Many lawmakers have expressed skepticism that such wiretaps existed.

The uproar began early March 4, when Trump  angry over the decision by Attorney General Jeff Sessions to recuse himself from probes related to Russia and the election  went on a tear on Twitter from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, firing off four tweets accusing Obama of a plot to tapp my phones during the very sacred election process. This is Nixon/Watergate. Bad (or sick) guy!

Earlier this week, Spicer again attempted to buttress Trumps claim by reading aloud a report from Andrew Napolitano, a former New Jersey Superior Court judge and a regular commentator for Fox News. Napolitano claimed on air that three intelligence sources had said that Obama went outside the chain of command and used Britains main surveillance agency to spy on Trump so theres no American fingerprints on this.

Spicers quoting of the flimsy claim angered British officials, and a spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said at a news briefing Friday  before Trumps news conference in Washington  that they had received assurances from the White House that these allegations would not be repeated.

The Government Communications Headquarters, the British equivalent of the NSA, is usually tight-lipped on allegations related to intelligence matters, but it issued a statement calling Napolitanos accusations nonsense.

They are utterly ridiculous and should be ignored, the statement said.

[Britain: White House says it wont repeat claims that British agency wiretapped Trump]

Many foreign policy experts have expressed growing alarm about the Trump presidency and its relationship with European allies.

On two major relationships, both Britain and Germany, youve got this unease that somethings not right, said Julie Smith, a onetime deputy national security adviser to former vice president Joe Biden. . . . These are, frankly, fairly dark days in the transatlantic relationship.

A senior White House official said Friday that British concerns about the claim were relayed to Spicer by British Ambassador Kim Darroch and to national security adviser H.R. McMaster by his British counterpart, Mark Lyall.

When given the opportunity Friday to publicly refute the unfounded report, Trump passed.

We said nothing, Trump said at his news conference. All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for that on television. I didnt make an opinion on it. That was a statement made by a very talented lawyer on Fox.

So you shouldnt be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox, the president added.

After the news conference, Fox News issued an on-air statement delivered by anchor Shepard Smith saying that it could not confirm Napolitanos commentary: Fox News knows of no evidence of any kind that the now-president of the United States was surveilled at any time, any way. Full stop.

But the White House still did not retreat.

I dont think we regret anything, Spicer told reporters in the East Room after the joint news conference. We literally listed a litany of media reports that were in the public domain.

Adam reported from London. Rick Noack in London and Abby Phillip, Philip Rucker, Karoun Demirjian and John Wagner in Washington contributed to this report.
A prudent president, facing multiple battles on legislative and other priorities that are crucial to his first-year success, would find ways to avoid needless controversy. Not President Trump. Hes doing exactly the opposite, and the credibility gap continues to grow.

The House Republican leaderships proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, which Trump has embraced, faces serious opposition within the party. The presidents newly proposed budget, which would slash domestic discretionary spending, the State Department and the Environmental Protection Agency, has been met with stiff resistance, even among some Republicans. The administrations second attempt to impose a travel ban is on hold, once again caught up in the courts.

Meanwhile, Trump will not let go of his claim that former president Barack Obama tapped his phones at Trump Tower during the election, despite no supporting evidence. The president has been offered numerous exit ramps to put this self-created controversy behind him. Instead, he remains stubbornly defiant, perpetuating rather than closing a damaging chapter in his presidency that in the past few days became an international embarrassment.

The latest illustration of the presidents incapacity to admit error came Friday at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He was asked by German reporter Ansgar Graw of Die Welt about the angry denial by British officials that Britain, at the behest of the Obama administration, had spied on Trump during the presidential campaign.

Do you think it was a mistake to blame British intelligence for this? the president was asked. White House press secretary Sean Spicer had pointed to an unverified report about British intelligence a day earlier. Trump began his answer with what he hoped would be a lighthearted comment, but one nonetheless that suggested he didnt believe the British.

Gesturing toward Merkel, he said, As far as wiretapping, I guess, by this past administration, at least we have something in common, perhaps. The president was referring to reports that the National Security Agency had listened in on the German chancellery during Obamas presidency.

Despite laughter in the East Room, Merkel appeared to find no humor in Trumps response, offering a look that charitably could be called one of puzzlement that the leader of the worlds most powerful country would try to drag her into his controversy.

[Trump drags allies into the controversy over unproven claims]

Trump might have stopped there, but he plunged ahead. And just to finish your question, he told the German reporter, we said nothing. All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television. I didnt make an opinion on it. That was a statement made by a very talented lawyer on Fox. And so you shouldnt be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox, okay?

With that response, Trump was following a playbook that has become standard for his White House, which is to duck, deflect and in all other ways do everything but acknowledge that there is no credible evidence for Trumps original claim, tweeted out a few weeks ago. Having made the allegation, the president has asked others to prove it. When the evidence points in the opposite direction, the White House prefers to look for questionable ways to support what Trump claimed.

That was the case with Trumps words Friday. The talented lawyer to whom the president was referring was Andrew Napolitano, a former New Jersey Superior Court judge now working as a Fox News commentator. Napolitano was the originator of the assertion about the British role in the surveillance of Trump, basing what he said on three intelligence sources.

Spicer had cited Napolitano as he tried to defend his boss during an aggressively combative exchange with reporters Thursday. This is the same White House that has previously attacked accurate news stories that included the use of unnamed sources as fake news.

(Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post)

Spicers comments drew a swift and rare public rebuke from British intelligence, which called the claim utterly ridiculous. The dust up clearly strained tensions between the White House and Americas closest ally. Meanwhile, Fox News declined to stand behind Napolitanos claims, noting Friday that its news team has found no evidence to support what the judge had said. Thats one more case in which the White House has gone looking for a lifeline without success.

Day by day, the White House defense of Trump has been weakened, as one after another official has walked away from the presidents tweets about Obama. The four leaders of the House and Senate intelligence committees have said they have seen no such evidence. FBI Director James B. Comey let it be known almost instantly two weeks ago that there was nothing to the claim.

Other elected officials, including Republicans, have demanded that the administration provide evidence. One Republican, Rep. Tom Cole (Okla.), said Friday that the president should apologize to Obama.

[House Intelligence Committee receives DOJ documents on wiretap claim]

In the face of this, Trump had nothing to say until pressed twice by German reporters, to their credit, at Fridays session with Merkel. Spicer has been thrust into the role of leading the defense at the risk of his credibility. He has sought to redefine the English language by suggesting Trumps words did not mean what the words meant, hoping to take some of the sting out of the implication in Trumps tweets that Obama had broken the law by ordering surveillance on Trump.

This chapter could come to an end this week. Comey is scheduled to testify Monday in an open session before the House Intelligence Committee about Russian hacking in the election and related matters. He will certainly be asked directly about Trumps allegation against Obama.

The Russia investigation on Capitol Hill remains open and vitally important. That the Russians meddled in the election is not disputed, given the weight of the intelligence communitys findings. But much more needs to be known, and at this point, that responsibility falls to Congress.

One key aspect of that investigation is whether the Trump campaign or its close allies were in collusion with the Russians. That there were contacts between Trump officials and Russians also is not in dispute. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has acknowledged that he met with the Russian ambassador last fall, for example.

What is in dispute is whether those contacts were ordinary and legitimate, as the Sessions meeting was, or whether there were contacts between various Trump advisers and Russians that amounted to participation in a scheme to harm Hillary Clintons campaign and thereby help Trump.

James R. Clapper Jr., the former director of national intelligence, said earlier this month on NBCs Meet the Press, that, at the time he left office in January, he had seen no evidence of collusion between the Trump team and the Russians. Spicer was particularly irritated Thursday that this fact has gotten far less attention than Trumps tweets about Obama as he repeatedly chided reporters during the briefing.

If Comey shoots down Trumps allegation about Obama illegally ordering surveillance on Trump Tower, how will Trump respond? In other words, what kind of proof, evidence or testimony would satisfy him that what he said took place did not take place?

Based on his performance Friday, hes not prepared to accept the word of those who should know. If hes doubling down in the face of outright denial from the British intelligence community about a claim he saw on Fox News, whose testimony here would satisfy him? And what will his defenders say then? This week should provide the answer to that, at least.
(Jayne Orenstein/The Washington Post)

It was a half-hour before one of the sparsely attended committee hearings that take place almost every day on Capitol Hill  in this case, a session on energy infrastructure so dry it would not merit even the presence of a C-SPAN camera.

But in Al Frankens suite of offices in the Hart Senate Office Building, the man still known best as one of the early stars of Saturday Night Live was going through an intense rehearsal with four aides.

How much, Franken wanted to know, are the Chinese spending on clean technology research? Where do things stand on the University of Minnesotas study of torrefaction, a roasting process that produces better fuel for biomass energy production? And might there be a chance to ask a question about one of his favorite causes, loan guarantees for Native American reservations?

I just want to keep bringing it up, so they keep hearing it, Franken said, with a trace of a sigh.

Everyone is hearing a lot more from Minnesotas junior senator these days.

At the dawn of a presidency that stretches the limits of late-night parody, and at a moment when an out-of-power Democratic Party is trying to find its voice, the former comedian and satirist may be having a breakout moment as a political star.

He is also finding it safe to be funny again.

Franken, now 65, barely made it to the Senate, taking his oath in July 2009 after a ballot recount that took eight months to resolve. So he spent his first term trying to prove he was not a joke  buttoning up his wit, buckling down on esoteric issues and sidestepping all but his home-state media.

I won by 312 votes, right? he said in an interview. I had to show people that I was taking the job seriously, and I had come here for serious purposes, and I am still here for serious purposes. So I think I just felt like I was on probation.

That diligence paid off in 2014, a disastrous year for Democrats nationally, when Franken was reelected with a double-digit margin.

In between, he developed a reputation on Capitol Hill for policy chops and penetrating questions  skills that have been on display during confirmation hearings of President Trumps Cabinet nominees.

Franken had an instinct for the legislative process, but the one talent that surprised me a little bit beyond that was his talent for cross-examination, said political scientist Norman Ornstein, a close friend. He has that Perry Mason quality.

An exchange with Franken tripped up Jeff Sessions, then a fellow senator and now the attorney general, during his appearance before the Judiciary Committee.

Franken inquired what Sessions would do if he learned that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign had communicated with the Russian government in 2016.

He was trying to nudge Sessions into recusing himself, and he was startled when the Alabama senator offered information he had not asked for.

I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign, and I did not have communications with the Russians, Sessions said.

After The Washington Post revealed that Sessions had met with the Russian ambassador twice last year, the attorney general did indeed have to promise to step aside from any Justice Department investigations of the 2016 presidential campaign.



Sen. Al Franken works with staff in his office on Capitol Hill. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

In his grilling of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Franken revealed her lack of familiarity with one of the big debates in the education field, which is whether student achievement should be measured by proficiency or growth.

Franken later declared it one the most embarrassing performances by a nominee in the history of the United States Senate.

We wouldnt accept a secretary of defense who couldnt name the branches of the military, he argued as the Senate prepared to vote. We wouldnt accept a secretary of state who couldnt find Europe on a map. We wouldnt accept a treasury secretary who doesnt understand multiplication.

Although one had to withdraw (Andrew Puzder, Trumps first nominee for labor secretary), all of Trumps other nominees have been approved by the Senate, a reflection of two realities: Republicans have 52 votes, and Democrats, when they had the majority in 2013, did away with the power to filibuster Cabinet picks, a procedure that requires 60 votes to surmount.

But Frankens questions have left a mark. He will be at it again starting Monday, when Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch goes before the Judiciary Committee.

When he met privately with Gorsuch, Franken said, the nominee seemed evasive, on pretty much everything I asked him.

So given the chance to grill Gorsuch publicly, Im really going to be going to certain areas that serve what I consider his pro-corporate bias, which I think has been the bias of the court, the Roberts court, Franken said.

The Minnesota senator spent the last eight years proving that hes good enough, smart enough, and doggone it, people like him. (Dont groan. Reporters who write about him should be allowed the indulgence of using at least one of his signature lines from SNL.)

Nearing the halfway mark of his second term, Franken said, he feels a little freer to be myself, and so every once in awhile, something comes out.

At the end of May, Franken has a book coming out  part memoir, part policy prescriptive  that he has wryly titled: Al Franken, Giant of the Senate.

Franken has a laugh that bursts like a Tommy gun, and it does not take much to get it going. His staff keeps track of him on the Senate floor by listening for eruptions on their office televisions.

But the best stage to see Franken-style legislative improv is the hearing room. One recent exchange went viral.

Governor, thank you so much for coming into my office. Did you enjoy meeting me? he asked former Texas governor Rick Perry, who was up for confirmation as energy secretary.

I hope you are as much fun on that dais as you were on your couch, Perry replied. In the awkward laughter that followed, Perry added: May I rephrase that?

Please, Franken said, shuddering. Oh my lord.

Those moments aside, and with Donald Trump in the White House, I dont think my role to play here has anything to do with humor, Franken said. I dont think humor is the tool Im supposed to be using.

A celebrity becomes a senator



A taped message in the Senate studio on Capitol Hill. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

By one measure, Frankens career has come full circle. In a 1991 Saturday Night Live skit, he played a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. A week ago, on an episode of SNLs Weekend Update, cast member Alex Moffat portrayed Franken in what is now a real-life role on that panel.

He has many sides. During slow periods in committee hearings, Franken sometimes sketches elaborate portraits on a notepad. If he does not take them when he leaves, Senate staffers scoop up the Franken doodles as collectors items.

But celebrity is a tricky thing in the Senate chamber, a place already well stocked with ego and ambition.

Franken said he found an early mentor in Tamera Luzzatto, who was Hillary Clintons Senate chief of staff at the time. Luzzatto had previously worked for Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), another famous name.

Luzzatto advised Franken to keep a low profile, take care of his state and always show up well prepared.

What we really talked about is, there is still an opportunity in the Senate to get to know each other, and impress one another with your work ethic, Luzzatto recalled. The way one handles fame as an elected official  senators in particular  can help or harm you.

When Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), then the minority leader, made a speech on the Senate floor in 2010 opposing the confirmation of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court, he noticed Franken rolling his eyes. The impropriety was made worse by the fact that Franken was presiding over the Senate at the time.

This isnt Saturday Night Live, Al, McConnell said.

Franken apologized.

As it happens, Frankens arrival in Washington marked the very moment that Democratic power reached a pinnacle.

His belated arrival in 2009 gave the party its 60th vote in the Senate, the one that made their agenda filibuster-proof and opened, among other things, the possibility of passing President Obamas health-care law on Democratic support alone.

But that dominance did not last long. The following January, Republicans picked up a Massachusetts Senate seat and began a long march back to the majority, which they won in 2014, the year Franken was reelected.

And with Trumps election, the party is shut out of power at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue.

Franken brings a set of skills for navigating the wilderness they are in, Ornstein said. Its clear they need focused champions who can use the tools available to the minority to make points and frame issues and put people on the defensive and unmask things that need to be unmasked.

Where it took Franken nearly six years to agree to his first Sunday show appearance as a senator, he now shows up on them frequently. There has even been talk of his potential as a presidential candidate.

No. No, he said. I like this job. I really like this job. I like representing the people of Minnesota. I feel like Im really beginning to know this job.

Voters in Minnesota  a traditionally Democratic state that Trump lost by only a point and a half  also are paying attention to Frankens emergence.

With another celebrity in the White House, the context has completely changed, said Kathryn L. Pearson, a political-science professor at the University of Minnesota. Theres no question that his Democratic constituents are enthusiastic about his high-level role at the national level, but it certainly is riskier [with] Republicans in Minnesota, and even independents.

The night before a hearing, Franken takes the prepared testimony of witnesses home and pores over it for weaknesses and inaccuracies. If a study is cited in a footnote, he will read that too, he said.

Very often, when I think someone isnt being truthful, that gets my ire up, Franken said. He cited a skirmish in the Sessions confirmation hearing over a questionnaire in which the Alabama senator claimed to have personally litigated several important civil rights cases when he was a U.S. attorney. Other lawyers involved said Sessions role had actually been minimal.

Pressing Sessions on the discrepancy, Franken got him to admit that his role in some of the cases had consisted of assistance and guidance and that he had been supportive of them.

Republican senators objected to such rough treatment of one of their own. It is unfortunate to see members of this body impugn the integrity of a fellow senator with whom we have served for years, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) said.

But for Franken, the moment was sweet: That was fun for me.



Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) jokes and takes pictures with Minnesotans. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

But he is also part of the club. When the bells rang for a vote on a recent afternoon, Franken and four colleagues crowded onto a Senate subway car.

We have Franken here to make us laugh! Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) announced.

Which they all did.

The first time Franken presided, Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) told them, I was sitting and looking at his profile, and all I could think was Saturday Night Live. 

Franken smiled. All that seemed like a long time ago.



Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) attends a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee meeting. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

Jayne Orenstein and Julie Tate contributed to this report.

Read more at PowerPost
By Ananth Krishnan: China's "One Belt, One Road" project that includes a corridor through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has received unlikely backing by being mentioned in a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution, likely raising concerns in India that has expressed strong reservations about the plan.

As the UNSC on Friday adopted a resolution to extend the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) by one year, the text called on countries to "strengthen the process of regional economic cooperation, including measures to facilitate regional connectivity, trade and transit, including through regional development initiatives such as the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (the Belt and Road) Initiative".

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It also mentioned other "regional development projects", such as the Turkmenistan- Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, the Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000), the Chabahar port project, agreed between Afghanistan, India and the Islamic Republic of lran."

Also Read: China silent on link to Pakistan's new Gilgit ploy

Chinese diplomats have portrayed the reference to the Belt and Road and a "community of shared destiny", both of which are Xi Jinping's pet initiatives, as a victory of sorts, hailing it as a first for China's diplomacy.

The State-run Xinhua news agency reported that "after the council's unanimous adoption of the resolution, Liu Jieyi, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, told reporters here that the Chinese concept was put into a Security Council resolution for the first time on Friday, thus showing the consensus of the international community on embracing the concept, and manifesting huge Chinese contributions to the global governance".

Liu said the move would be "conducive to creating a favourable atmosphere for China to host a Belt and Road forum for international cooperation in Beijing this May in order to brainstorm on interconnected development."

China is in May expecting more than a dozen world leaders and representatives from many of the hundred international bodies and countries that China says have backed the plan.

Beijing had also invited Prime Minister Modi for the summit. He will not attend, as he will be travelling to China later this year in September for the BRICS Summit.

Also Read: China pledges firm response if Japan interferes in South China Sea

Moreover, India has also expressed reservations about One Belt, One Road. Indian officials have publicly described it as a "national initiative" of China, saying it hence didn't require endorsement from India or other countries.

India has also told China, most recently during last month's Strategic Dialogue in Beijing, that while it was in favour of connectivity projects, the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, which China has billed as a flagship of the Belt and Road, violated India's sovereignty as it passes through PoK.

Also Watch: India and China strategic dialogue begins in Beijing; foreign secretaries discuss bilateral issues

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--- ENDS ---
Security guards for an Islamic group pray during a demonstration in February against Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as Ahok. A Christian of Chinese ancestry, he faces trial for blasphemy. (Ed Wray/Getty Images)

When Willie Sebastian bought a tiny piece of land to build a storage space, government officials in the heart of the island of Java delivered him an unpleasant surprise: He could not register the purchase, since he was of Chinese descent, and therefore the land would belong to the local sultan.

The men at the land office knew he was Chinese, he said, even though his family had changed their last name from Lee in the 1970s, during his countrys right-wing dictatorship, to avoid discrimination.

They just looked at this face and knew, Sebastian said recently, pointing to his light skin and eyes, while working in his humble general store outside the historic city of Yogyakarta.

But my family has been here for generations. They say the land can be owned by natives, but I am native. Chinese Indonesians are Indonesians.

Indonesia, the worlds fourth-most-populous country, is a plural democracy that no longer recognizes racial divisions. But 20 years after the end of the violently anti-communist Suharto dictatorship, which banned Chinese-language materials and suspended relations with Beijing for decades, Sebastian and others in the region still face official discrimination, despite the intervention of the governments human rights commission.

An ethnic Indonesian Chinese devotee burns joss-sticks at a temple in Surabaya, eastern Java island, on the eve of the Lunar New Year. (Juni Kriswanto/AFP via Getty Images)

Questions about the role of Chinese Indonesians have loomed large in the worlds most populated Muslim-majority country over the past few months as Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known simply as Ahok, the most prominent politician of Chinese descent in decades, wages a reelection campaign while facing trial for allegedly insulting Islam.

At the same time, President Trumps arrival has made foreign-policy experts question whether Indonesia will have to rethink its relationship with China now that it is hard to predict the behavior of the United States, a long-standing ally that backed Suharto.

And here in Yogyakarta, a special region governed partially by a sultan with a lifelong position, Sebastian and others are pushing back against a 1975 decree that they think is being used against them unfairly.

My wife bought some land to open a convenience store near the airport, but its still not ours. They want us to rent our own land from the sultan, which we dont accept, says Siput Lokasari, a civil engineer who tried to take his case directly to the government with Sebastian. They received no response, despite recommendations from the National Commission on Human Rights that the policy be changed.

We are a minority. Theres been discrimination before this, and even though we have the law on our side now, a lot of other people are still afraid to speak up, Lokasari said.

Other local Chinese Indonesians, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said they had similar problems but chose not go to public for fear of hurting their cases.

Local officials said they could not comment on government issues and directed questions to the special governor. Representatives for Sultan Hamengkubuwono X did not respond to questions or interview requests.

Theres much less discrimination now against Chinese-descendant citizens than there was in the Suharto era, and this is one of few remaining official policies, but its still very much in practice around here, and its very much felt, said Budi Setyagraha, head of the Yogyakarta chapter of Indonesias Chinese Muslim association. And its not just an economic issue, but also a symbolic one. We all built this nation, and we all deserve to be treated the same now.

For centuries, people from China have been active in the thousands of islands that make up Indonesia, often as traders working alongside indigenous farmers and kings. The Dutch colonial government imposed a system of racial divisions here  as they did in South Africa  before Indonesian independence in 1949, but many of the modern laws concerning the Chinese population were passed during the Cold War.

In 1965, six Indonesian army generals were killed by other high-ranking officers, and conservative generals backed by the United States responded by accusing Communist Party leaders of attempting to orchestrate a coup.

Over the months that followed, military and civilian groups killed an estimated 500,000 to 1 million people, exterminating the worlds third-largest Communist Party (behind China and the Soviet Union) while torturing and killing untold numbers of people accused of association with communists. The government the military formed afterward, led by Suharto, ruled Indonesia until 1998.

Suharto used domestic elements that already existed, such as some anti-Chinese sentiment, as well as the geopolitical situation and the perceived eternal threat of communism, to craft his policy on the local Chinese population, said Baskara T. Wardaya, a professor at Sanata Dharma University at Yogyakarta who studies the role of the Cold War in Indonesian history.

But it was discrimination with uneven results. Chinese Indonesians were effectively banned from public life, from participating in politics and the military, while their children found it hard to enter public schools or universities. At the same time, Suharto relied on powerful Chinese businessmen to build the economy, and many became very wealthy while common Chinese citizens were left behind.

In 1998, anti-Chinese riots erupted across the country as business executives in the minority group were blamed for the countrys economic crisis.

It is estimated that there are at least 3 million Chinese-descended citizens in Indonesia, out of a population of approximately 260 million. A few prominently wealthy people contribute to the myth that the entire community is rich.

Across the country, Chinese Indonesians of more modest means, such as Sebastian and Lokasari, are closely watching Ahoks trial and election, hoping it turns on the law rather than on race. Closer to home, theyre pressing for the same principle to be upheld as they pursue their case against the government.

I dont feel that regular people treat me differently because Im Chinese. We get along great, says Sebastian, as customers make their way around a set of pink childrens bicycles, his radio blasts the song Every Morning by the 1990s rock band Sugar Ray, and two women wearing light-colored headscarves work alongside him. Right now my problem is the way the government is treating me.

Additional reporting by Bambang Muryanto.

Read more:

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Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
China urged the United States to remain coolheaded over North Korea and not to turn its back on dialogue, as visiting Secretary of State Rex Tillerson expressed a sense of urgency to curb dangerous levels of tension on the Korean Peninsula.

On his first trip to Asia this week, Tillerson earlier declared that diplomacy has failed to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear program and that a new approach was needed. On Friday in Seoul, he warned ominously that all options were on the table to counter the threat from Pyongyang.

President Trump weighed in Friday by goading China over Twitter for not doing enough to help prevent its ally from behaving very badly.

[Tillerson says diplomacy with North Korea has failed; Pyongyang warns of war]

But in a joint news conference Saturday with his Chinese counterpart, Tillerson struck a more diplomatic note, choosing to play down differences with Beijing and affirm that both countries share the goal of a denuclearized Korean Peninsula.

We share a common view and a sense that tensions on the peninsula are quite high right now and that things have reached a rather dangerous level, and weve committed ourselves to doing everything we can to prevent any type of conflict from breaking out, Tillerson said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed, adding a note of advice for Tillerson.

No matter what happens, we have to stay committed to diplomatic means as a way to seek peaceful settlement, Wang said. We hope all parties, including our friends from the United States, could size up the situation in a coolheaded and comprehensive fashion, and arrive at a wise decision, he said.

In February, China suspended coal imports from North Korea for the rest of the year, a move that cuts off the regimes major financial lifeline. Wang pledged to maintain U.N. sanctions on North Korea but said that Security Council resolutions also included clear provisions for efforts to resume talks to de-escalate the tension and to safeguard stability on the peninsula.

North Korea has amassed a sizable nuclear stockpile and appears on the brink of being able to strike the U.S. mainland and American allies in Asia. The situation has emerged as a major, early foreign-policy test for the Trump administration.

[As North Koreas arsenal grows, experts see heightened risk of miscalculation]

Tillerson said China and the United States felt a certain sense of urgency in trying to persuade Pyongyang to make a course correction and abandon its nuclear weapons program.

In Seoul on Friday, Tillerson said the Trump administration was exploring an array of diplomatic, economic and security measures to put more pressure on North Korea  including tighter sanctions  and that although a military response was possible if the threat from Pyongyangs missile program were to grow, we have many, many steps we can take before we get to that point.

Previous efforts to offer carrot-and-stick diplomacy to North Korea have failed, beginning with a 1994 deal under which Pyongyang would have received aid and two proliferation-resistant nuclear power plants in return for freezing and eventually dismantling its nuclear weapons program.

That deal collapsed in 2002, and North Korea completed its first atomic test in 2006. The George W. Bush administrations efforts at a new deal collapsed, and Pyongyang has managed to build up its stockpile and refine its missiles despite what on paper look like crushing international sanctions.

But even faced with the failure of previous talks and North Koreas chronic inability to keep previous promises, China insists that dialogue remains the only option.

It has proposed a deal whereby the United States suspends its annual military exercises with South Korea in return for North Koreas suspending its nuclear program, but Washington has already rejected the idea, saying it first needs to see positive action from Pyongyang.

Wang said tensions had risen precisely because talks had broken down, and he urged all sides to get back to the negotiating table.

Overall, though, Tillerson and Wang tried to strike a positive tone, repeating the reassuring mantra that U.S.-China relations were founded on the principles of avoiding conflict and confrontation, and promoting mutual respect and win-win cooperation  far from the sort of language Trump employed on the campaign trail.

Wang called their talks candid, pragmatic and productive, and Tillerson talked about a constructive and results-oriented relationship.

The secretary of state also talked of a trading relationship that is fair and pays dividends both ways, made a glancing reference to the countries maritime disputes, and said the United States would continue to advocate for universal human rights and religious freedom.

The two men also said they were working toward a face-to-face meeting between Trump and President Xi Jinping to build on a cordial telephone conversation the pair had in February.

We do look forward to this future opportunity for the two leaders to meet, Tillerson said at the beginning of a meeting with State Councilor Yang Jiechi, who outranks Wang as Chinas top diplomat.

The better they know one another, the stronger will be our bilateral relations, as well, because they can provide direction and guidance to both of our governments on how we can work more closely together to strengthen this very important relationship not just for our two countries but for many countries in the region and around the world, Tillerson said.

Read more:

WorldViews: As Trump and North Koreas Kim spar, China poses as the responsible actor

Tillerson says all options are on the table when it comes to North Korea

China tried to get the U.S. to negotiate with North Korea. The U.S. declined.

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
Before President Trump delivered his first major address to Congress, he sat down with H.R. McMaster, his new national security adviser, who had sketched out proposed changes to the address on index cards.

McMaster pressed the president to describe the battle against the Islamic State and al-Qaeda as a global and generational war that the United States would fight in partnership with its Muslim allies, according to a senior U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. And he urged Trump to strike the phrase radical Islamic terrorism from his remarks.

None of McMasters proposed changes made the cut.

The brief exchange between the president and his national security adviser highlights one of the early conundrums of Trumps presidency and his foreign policy. In his first budget blueprint, released Thursday, and in speeches, Trump has preached America First, an approach that involves bolstering U.S. military might, strengthening the countrys borders and slashing foreign aid. In practice, though, Trump has pursued a foreign policy that looks a lot like that of his Republican internationalist predecessors.

To some in the White House, the presidents decision not to include McMasters suggestions was proof that the Army general did not understand the true meaning of America First. McMasters views are generally in step with those of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

President Trumps America First budget for the federal government. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

Mattis and McMaster view ISIS as a global problem, said a senior U.S. official, using a common acronym for the Islamic State. They see it as a 20-year war. The president doesnt see it that way. Hes focused on the near-term threat in Iraq and Syria.

Other officials chalked up the omission to the presidents desire to deliver a speech that focused on domestic issues, or to the relatively brief window for making changes before Trump delivered the address. A lot of the speech was already fully cooked, said a second senior administration official who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss deliberations inside the administration.

The contradictions have raised big questions about the central thrust of Trumps foreign policy. On the campaign trail, Trump expressed disdain for nation-building, calling the American efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan a proven failure. But he also has faulted the Obama administration for withdrawing forces from Iraq in 2011 and has shown no sign of paring back the 8,000 troops serving in Afghanistan.

Trumps budget, a blueprint for his America First philosophy, makes big cuts to humanitarian, foreign aid and refugee assistance programs. Large international organizations such as the World Bank and the United Nations probably will have to make do with far less support from the United States.

Support for projects aimed at bolstering developing countries  even programs designed to help allies contain Islamic extremism  get a haircut.

[What Trump cut in his budget]

But Trump has pressed forward with the Obama administrations buildup in Eastern Europe, in conjunction with NATO, and in the Middle East has courted many of the Gulf Arab allies who felt insulted and ignored by the previous administration.

Todays meeting has put things on the right track, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia said after talking with Trump this week. All of this due to President Trumps great understanding of the importance of relations between the two regions.

Gone are the days of President Barack Obama haranguing Arab allies about their records on human rights or suggesting that they might have to learn to share the region with Iran. One Gulf Arab foreign minister recently summed up his good feelings about Trump by telling senior State Department officials: He doesnt like Iran. He wants to do business, and hes not going to tell us how to do business inside of our country, according to a U.S. official who met with the minister.

Meanwhile, an earlier draft order that would have directed the State Department to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization  a move that would put the United States in direct conflict with the Middle Easts largest Islamist movement and its millions of followers  has been shelved.

There is much more realism than isolationism or radicalism as [Trumps] critics often allege, said Andrew J. Bowen, a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute who focuses on Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States. This isnt internationalism, but its not an abandonment of Americas allies, either.

That almost-internationalist mind-set extends to the Pentagon, where Mattis has been a key American interlocutor with allied nations early in the Trump administration.

On a trip to Asia, he focused on the importance of working alongside traditional allies, such as South Korea and Japan, to counter the nuclear threat of North Korea. In the Middle East, he has advocated working closely with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in an expanding counterterrorism campaign aimed at destroying al-Qaeda and rolling back Iranian influence.

[In initial Asia visit, Mattis vows joint stance against North Korean nuclear threat]

His one big concession to Trumpism: Even as Mattis has pledged to maintain Americas military presence overseas, he has pressed allies to pick up more of the tab for joint training exercises and maritime patrols. To that end, he also has ordered his senior regional commanders to put price tags on upcoming exercises.

The big question going forward is how much intervention an America First foreign policy can accommodate. Already some of the battle lines are being drawn on Iran, where Mattis has championed a relatively modest approach that focuses on working with Saudi and UAE forces to roll back Iranian influence in Yemen.

But some Iran hawks in the White House have warned that such a strategy is insufficient to counter growing Iranian influence in Syria and Iraq. The officials have pressed for a major campaign to confront Iran in the two countries even as the United States and its allies battle the Islamic State.

At issue is the extent of Iranian influence inside Iraq. The hawks have maintained that without a sizable U.S. push in the coming year, Iran will come to dominate Iraq. In the Pentagon and the State Department, senior officials do not such see the situation in such dire terms.

Theres definitely a perception in the White House among certain people  and I mean the National Security Council  that the counter-[Islamic State] campaign was essentially making Iraq safe for Iran, said one senior U.S. official, who added that the view was not one shared by Mattis or Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

I dont think McMaster sees it that way. . . . What the president thinks, I cant characterize, the official said.

The same debate extends to the fight against the Islamic State in its far-flung outposts in places such as Afghanistan, Libya and Somalia. For Mattis and McMaster, the battle against the Islamic State remains a global one. To others, such a formulation is too broad.

Americans are tired of being globalist in nature, said the senior administration official who has advocated a narrower focus on the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Were fighting everyones battles for them. I think Mattis and McMaster will push the president to be more globalist in his thinking. But thats not the vision he was elected on.

Missy Ryan contributed to this report.

Read more:

Military brass like what they hear from White House  but worry about becoming props

Pentagon leader assumes new role: Turning down the temperature on Trump

Trumps generals, hardened by war, see militant Islam, Iran as dire dangers
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway arrives for news conference with President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

The husband of White House adviser Kellyanne Conway is poised to be nominated to lead the Justice Departments civil division, a powerful post overseeing the federal governments lawsuits on a wide variety of issues, including defending President Trumps executive order on immigration.

White House officials plan in coming days to announce the nomination of George Conway, a New York lawyer, according to people familiar with the matter.

Conway has worked for decades at the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, specializing in securities litigation and other corporate legal issues. His name had repeatedly surfaced as being under consideration for a number of jobs at the Justice Department, including solicitor general, who oversees the governments cases before the Supreme Court. His expected nomination to lead the civil division was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Kellyanne Conway is one of Trumps most high-profile aides, appearing frequently on television to promote and defend White House policies.

The Justice Departments civil division is an important but mostly behind-the-scenes part of the government. Its lawyers are responsible for defending federal policies and agencies in court, and for pursuing alleged wrongdoing by corporations.

During the Obama administration, the civil division racked up tens of billions of dollars worth of financial penalties against major corporations. Some of those settlements resolved probes of international banks for their handling of residential mortgage-backed securities that contributed to the financial collapse of 2008. Other settlements stemmed from investigations into whether pharmaceutical companies sold billions of dollars of prescription drugs under false pretenses.
Police move into position at Orly airport after a man was fatally shot in France.

March 18, 2017 Police move into position at Orly airport after a man was fatally shot in France. Christophe Petit Tesson/European Pressphoto Agency

French Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux said the man, who had taken a rifle from a guard at Orly airport, was the same person linked to a traffic incident outside Paris. Le Roux said the man was known to police and intelligence officials.

French Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux said the man, who had taken a rifle from a guard at Orly airport, was the same person linked to a traffic incident outside Paris. Le Roux said the man was known to police and intelligence officials.

French Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux said the man, who had taken a rifle from a guard at Orly airport, was the same person linked to a traffic incident outside Paris. Le Roux said the man was known to police and intelligence officials.

Photos from the scene after man was fatally shot at Paris airport after grabbing soldiers gun

Photos from the scene after man was fatally shot at Paris airport after grabbing soldiers gun

A man previously known to French anti-terror authorities was fatally shot early Saturday at Orly Airport after struggling to steal a soldiers gun and earlier assaulting a police officer at a traffic stop in a northeastern Paris suburb, the Paris prosecutor said.

The suspect, whom authorities identified as the French-born Ziyed Ben Belgacem, 39, told the officers he attacked in Orly Airport that he wanted to die in the name of Allah and that whatever happens, there will be deaths, according to Francois Molins, the prosecutor.

Just before 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Ben Belgacem approached three officers on patrol in Orlys South Terminal and took one of them, a woman, hostage. He held a gun to her head and, contrary to earlier reports, managed to wrest her assault rifle away from her.

Molins said the assailant intended to open fire on the crowd of travelers.

Earlier Saturday morning, Ben Belgacem shot and lightly wounded a police officer at a traffic stop and then hijacked a womans car at gunpoint in another nearby suburb, the Paris prosecutor confirmed. He continued to Orly, southeast of Paris, where he grabbed the assault rifle from a security officer on duty. The stolen car was recovered at the airport, French authorities said.

(Claritza Jimenez/The Washington Post)

French President Francois Hollande said authorities would investigate whether the attacker had a terrorist plot behind him, but the Paris prosecutors office had already announced that its anti-terrorism section had taken over the investigation.

Molins confirmed to reporters Saturday afternoon that Ben Belgacem, who was previously known to authorities in several drug and robbery cases, had been flagged on the governments radar for Islamist radicalism in the past after an examination during a prison stint.

In November 2015, Molins said, following the deadly Islamic State-orchestrated attacks on Paris, Ben Belgacems name had been among those whose homes French authorities searched in connection with an investigation into radicalized networks.

The searches  authorized under Frances official state of emergency, passed after the Paris attacks  have been frequently criticized as violating the civil liberties of those searched and detained, and rights advocates have pushed the government to define Islamist radicalism more clearly.

The mans father, brother and cousin had also been detained, Molins said.

The other two soldiers on duty at Orly fired a total of eight rounds at Ben Belgacem. No other injuries were reported.

[Europe may face a grim future with terrorism as a fact of life]

Witnesses at the airport described rapid gunfire in a bustling terminal full of weekend travelers.

We had queued up to check in for the Tel Aviv flight when we heard three or four shots nearby, one traveler, Franck Lecam, told Agence France-Presse.

The soldiers took aim at the man, who in turn pointed the gun he had seized at the two soldiers, another witness, identified only as Dominique, said on Frances BFM television.

The officers who were attacked belonged to Operation Sentinel, Molins said, an elite squadron of French security forces established in 2015 to combat terrorism.

Operation Sentinel, created after the attack on the satirical Charlie Hebdo magazine in January 2015, includes nearly 10,000 soldiers, about half of whom patrol in the Paris region, mostly at tourist sites and commuter hubs.

About 3,000 passengers were evacuated from the South Terminal, and passengers in Orlys West Terminal were confined there, Pierre-Henry Brandet, a spokesman for Frances Interior Ministry, said Saturday morning.

Shortly after noon, a police search of the airport ended and passengers from 13 flights stranded on the airfield were able to disembark, authorities said. Flights resumed.

The Saturday attack mirrored a shooting Feb. 3, when an Egyptian man attacked Operation Sentinel soldiers outside the Louvre museum and was then seriously wounded.

[Terrorist in nature: Knife attacker shot outside Louvre in Paris]

France has been under an official state of emergency since November 2015, when a cell of Islamic State militants carried out attacks on a concert hall, a stadium and a number of cafes across Paris. One hundred thirty people were killed.

Hollandes Socialist government has struggled to stave off a steady stream of attacks that have continued despite heightened security precautions, including the launch of Operation Sentinel and home seizures that critics say are ineffective and have infringed on civil liberties in the process.

For instance, despite the imposition of the official state of emergency, in July, a lone driver, allegedly inspired by the Islamic State, plowed through crowds gathered to celebrate a national holiday in the seaside city of Nice, killing 86.

A number of smaller-scale attacks have taken place since, including the July slaying of an 85-year-old village priest, when two attackers backing the Islamic State  one of whom had been on a government watch list  slit the priests throat in the middle of a Mass.

The country is on edge heading into rounds of a presidential election in late April and early May, in which issues of national security and immigration have been central talking points for candidates across the political spectrum. Hollande, whose historic unpopularity prevented him from standing for reelection, has been constantly criticized for perceived incompetence on security issues.

Marine Le Pen, the anti-immigrant leader of Frances far-right National Front who is leading the polls in advance of the first round of the presidential vote, wasted no time in blaming Saturdays incident on the incumbent administration.

France [is] overwhelmed by violence, the consequence of the laxity of successive governments, she said on Twitter. But there is the courage of our soldiers!

By contrast, Le Pens leading opponent for the presidency, Emmanuel Macron, a popular centrist candidate, gave a speech Saturday in Paris on the issue of defense, praising in his remarks the calm, control and professionalism of the officers at Orly.

Hollande, in a statement, reiterated Frances commitment to act without respite to fight terrorism, defend our compatriots security and ensure the protection of the territory.

Read more:

French politician promises refuge for U.S. scientists in age of Trump

As Frances far-right National Front rises, memory of its past fades

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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The Murdoch-owned Daily Telegraph and Australian have stepped-up their anti-Muslim witch-hunt, with articles yesterday featuring hysterical allegations that primary school children as young as 10 years of age are showing signs of extreme radicalisation.

The entirely unsubstantiated claims were taken up by a number of other corporate media outlets. They were made in the context of an ongoing campaign against the principal and vice-principal of Punchbowl Boys High School in south-western Sydney, who were dismissed by the New South Wales (NSW) Education Department at the beginning of the month amid absurd reports that the school had become a hotbed of Islamic extremism.

As the WSWS has documented, the two were removed, with the support of the state and federal Liberal-National governments, because they had allegedly opposed the introduction of an anti-radicalisation program that compels teachers to inform on their students. Under the initiative, rolled-out by the state Liberal-National government last year, schools are required to report anti-social and extremist behaviour to the police, under a definition so vague as to include any political opinion, including anti-war views.

Yesterdays articles in the Murdoch press make clear that in addition to agitating for increased government and police surveillance of working-class schools, the media campaign has a broader political purpose. Under conditions of mounting social tensions and intense hostility to the entire political establishment, it is aimed at diverting anger into the reactionary channels of nationalism and xenophobia, with the most right-wing, backward and disoriented layers of the population being incited against Muslims.

The front page article in the Daily Telegraph was almost entirely based on the comments of Mrs A, an anonymous woman said to be a former teacher at Punchbowl Public School, along with brief excerpts that the Telegraph claims are from school incident reports and complaints from 2014. Many students at Punchbowl Public School, a primary school, go on to attend Punchbowl Boys High School.

While the front page headline in the print edition blared BEHEAD OF THE CLASS. Teachers document extreme alarm, the allegations contained beneath failed to deliver on its hype.

A complaint, for instance, stated that two young students had been repeatedly uncooperative and disruptive and began audibly chanting the Koran in Arabic when placed in time-out. In one incident, a group of children allegedly called one of their class mates names. In another case, boys were teasing each other about eating sausages and seafood because they were doing work related to food in the classroom.

The article, and other coverage, made much of death threats, and warnings of beheadings. All that was cited, however, was Mrs. As claims, unsupported by any evidence, to have received notes on her desk, which she asserted were from students, and to have seen children run their fingers across their necks.

The accompanying Daily Telegraph editorial stated that the primary school was plagued by an aggressively Islamic atmosphere and called for the education department to take action.

Other reports yesterday quickly called into question Mrs. As claims.

SBS news highlighted comments she made, which were not included in the online version of the Daily Telegraph, declaring that Australia was a Christian nation and denouncing the presence of Halal-certified food in schools. Far-right parties, which specialise in anti-Muslim xenophobia, have focused a number of campaigns on conspiracy theories that Halal certification funds terrorism, or is part of a plot to Islamise Australia. In addition, none of Mrs. As multiple complaints were upheld or acted upon by education authorities.

Undeterred, the Daily Telegraph followed up today with an article claiming to cite the comments of parents at the school alleging a culture of Muslim groupism. The article featured quotes, supposedly from anonymous non-Muslim parents at the school, declaring that Muslim parents reject the school rules around violence and will not make eye contact.

In publishing such comments, shot through with thinly-veiled racism, the unmistakable aim of the Murdoch media is to whip-up sectarian divisions in the working class, and encourage the development of fascistic and xenophobic movements. The Daily Telegraph article yesterday was immediately picked up by a number of Facebook pages associated with the extreme right, with venomous comments directed at the primary school children from Punchbowl.

The clearest indication that the filth pouring from the Daily Telegraph is part of a broader agenda was the response of the NSW Education Department. The departments head, Mark Scott, assured right-wing radio host Ray Hadley that, in response to Mrs. As allegations, there had been a meeting with senior police, and that police and education officials were holding talks at the primary school yesterday.

In other words, all that is required for the highest levels of the police and the Education Department to be brought down on a school, are highly dubious, anonymous, anti-Muslim allegations. Their response highlights the extent to which 15 years of the bogus war on terror have been used to eviscerate basic democratic rights, and boost police powers, including over schools.

At the same time, the response of both the media and the NSW Education Department is another indication of the normalisation of anti-Muslim witch-hunts in official political life. In 2005, less than four years after 9/11, senior Liberal-National and Labor politicians, acting in concert with radio shock-jocks, whipped-up a nationalist and chauvinist atmosphere over false claims of racially-motivated violence by Middle-Eastern men, leading to racist riots in Cronulla, in Sydneys south-east.

Since then, social distress and alienation from official politics has only grown, with one election after another, at both state and federal level, dominated by mass rejection of incumbents and a slump in support for official parties. Explicitly anti-Muslim forces, such as Pauline Hansons One Nation Party are being promoted precisely in order to channel the widespread disaffection with social inequality, job losses and the gutting of essential social services in a reactionary direction.

The witch-hunt underway at the two Punchbowl schools, and the absence of any opposition from the political and media establishment, including its left-liberal wing, must sound a serious warning to the working class. Under conditions of the deepest crisis of capitalism since the 1930s, sections of the Australian ruling elite are emulating their counterparts in Europe and the United States, promoting the same virulent anti-Muslim racism that is the stock in trade of fascistic and right-wing populist movements, and the harbinger of major attacks on the democratic rights of the entire working class.

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With extreme recklessness, the Trump administration is charting a course toward war in the Asia-Pacific. From the response in the US media and political establishment, however, one would have no idea how dangerous the situation is, nor how incalculable the consequences.

The latest in the escalating war of words came from US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who said at a press conference in Seoul, South Korea on Friday that all options are on the table in dealing with North Korea. The comments came in advance of Tillersons visit today to China, North Koreas main ally.

Let me be very clear: the policy of strategic patience has ended, the former CEO of ExxonMobil said, in what was widely interpreted as a rebuke to the Obama administrations preference for economic sanctions in relation to North Korea. When asked about the possibility of a military response, Tillerson replied, If they elevate the threat of their weapons program to a level that we believe requires action then that option is on the table.

Echoing Tillersons threats, US President Donald Trump tweeted, North Korea is behaving very badly. They have been playing the United States for years. China has done little to help!

If words have any meaning, the statements from Tillerson and Trump make clear that the US is preparing pre-emptive war, justified by North Koreas reported plans to test an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching the continental United States.

There is a staggering disconnect between the terrible consequences of such a war and the way it is being treated in the US media. Tillersons comments were greeted with a shrug on the network news programs Saturday evening. The Democrats have remained silent.

What would come from a US strike on North Korea? Would the crisis-ridden North Korean regime respond by firing missiles against Seoul or Tokyo? Would it use one of its nuclear weapons? Would a war against North Korea spiral into a direct conflict between the worlds two largest economies, the United States and China? These questions cannot be answered for certain, but all scenarios are possible.

One of the few comments addressing the character of a US war with North Korea came from retired Army Major Mike Lyons, a senior fellow for the Truman National Security Project. Writing in the Hill on Friday, Lyons said that US allies in the Pacific should begin taking inventory of your military capability and planning for a military operation that could cause immediate casualties and destruction the world hasnt seen since WWII.

We would have to literally blanket the sky for hours with air strikes, Lyons wrote. The attack would not focus on just military targetsthere would be civilian casualties in the hundreds of thousands as well. He further warned, The war wont go as planned for many reasonsif the North is successful in launching a nuclear weapon that destroys part of Seoul, the US would likely be impelled to retaliate.

In other words, a war is being contemplated that could lead to the first combat use of nuclear weapons since the end of World War II.

Any military action in the tinder box of North East Asia can have far-reaching consequences, whatever the immediate intentions of the US may be. In recent weeks, the US and South Korea have engaged in large-scale military exercises; North Koreas ambassador to the UN has warned that the the Korean Peninsula is again inching to the brink of a nuclear war; North Korea has test-fired missiles in the direction of Japan; and the US has begun deployment of an anti-ballistic missile system in South Korea that is directed primarily at China.

On Tuesday, Japan announced plans to dispatch its largest warship on a tour of the South China Sea, prompting protests from China.

The German newspaper Die Zeit commented earlier this week on escalating geopolitical tensions throughout the world: Whether on purpose or accidentally, Trump could quickly get into a great war. Whether the United States, or anyone else, could emerge victorious from it, is doubtful.

The recklessness of US actions testifies to the fact that the root of the spiraling conflict is not to be found in the Asia-Pacific, but rather in the United States, which is facing an unparalleled series of crises.

Despite its increasingly provocative threats against China and North Korea, the US alliance system in Asia is showing severe signs of strain. The impeachment of South Korean President Park Geun-hye was seen as a blow to US interests in the region. Meanwhile the Philippines, a key US ally, has reoriented toward China at the expense of the US.

Washington's European alliance system faces an even more dramatic breakdown. The same day that Tillerson made his threats against China, Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held a press conference in which the NATO allies addressed each other effectively as adversaries.

At the same time, the Trump administration has proposed a budget that calls for cuts to domestic spending of over 30 percent in some departments, while adding some $52 billion to US military spending. The White House is pushing a health care overhaul that would gut Medicaid, the health care program for the poor and disabled, and cause more than 20 million people to lose health care coverage.

The imposition of these policies will lead to growing social discontent within the United States, which is already beset by record social inequality.

There is an element of madness in the Trump administrations policies, but it is a madness rooted in the contradictions of American capitalism. The American ruling class depends upon constant warboth as a means of diverting social tensions outward, and as the principle mechanism for maintaining its global position under conditions of economic decline.

Responsibility for this policy does not end with the White House. Whatever their differences, all factions of the political establishment are agreed on the basic strategic imperative of world domination. As for the pseudo-left organizations, which take their line from the Democratic Party and ooze with the complacency of the upper-middle class layers for which they speak, one would never know from reading their publications that world war is an imminent possibility.

The greatest danger is that the working class, which does not want war, is unaware of the gravity of the situation and is not politically organized and mobilized to prevent it. Policies that will have catastrophic consequences for workers in the United States and internationally are being carried out behind their backs. This plays into the hands of the conspiratorial cabal in Washington.

The development of a socialist, anti-war movement in the United States and throughout the world is the most urgent political task.
Political terminology frequently borrows from natural phenomena to interpret massive electoral mandates. Like forces of nature, they are unpredictable in arrival and overwhelming in manifestation. Hence, the election wave and the landslide victory. The underlying belief is that these are one-offs. They rarely strike the same place twice. This might have seemed to be the case for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. The party and its allies had won 73 of 80 Lok Sabha seats in 2014 and polled nearly 43 per cent of votes to record what poll pundits called a 'TsuNaMo'. A repeat in 2017 seemed unlikely for a variety of reasons. No CM face, no emotive issue like the Ram mandir and electoral defeats in Delhi and Bihar despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's whirlwind campaigns. In UP, the party also faced a youthful incumbent in the Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav, who positioned himself as a development icon and struck an alliance with the Congress. A resurgent BSP under Mayawati was another challenge. The BJP coined a slogan, 'Ab ki baar, 300 paar (this time, 300-plus)', but most leaders believed they wouldn't cross 260 seats. On the night of March 10, state unit president Keshav Prasad Maurya, author of the slogan, told India Today: "We'll get between 280 and 340 seats? not a single seat less than 280."

When counting began, the BJP wave rocketed past three figures, swamping the opposition and demolishing psephological presumptions that the vote would follow the established logic of caste and alternating preferences in state and national elections. Despite not fielding a single Muslim candidate, the BJP won in over 60 per cent of minority-dominated seats. The saffron surge breached its rivals' home turf, winning six out of 10 seats in Gandhi bastions Amethi and Rae Bareli and three out of seven seats in Mulayam Singh Yadav's boroughs, Etawah and Mainpuri. The Congress won only 7 of the 105 seats it contested, its worst showing since 1977. In contrast, BJP ally Apna Dal won 9 of the 11 seats it contested.

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When the BJP's counter finally stopped whirring, it showed 325 seats (with allies) out of 403, the party's best showing ever in the state. In pulling off this feat, the party ended a 15-year exile from Lucknow while also reducing regional players like the SP (45 seats) and the BSP (19 seats) to political irrelevance. If Uttar Pradesh 2014 laid the bedrock of the NDA, the thunderous mandate this time around evidently gave Prime Minister Modi the courage to think even beyond his next big challenge, the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking at the BJP headquarters on March 12, he outlined his 'Vision 2022' for a new India, three years ahead of the next general elections. The UP victory was no lightning strike, however. It reflected a fine synergy between Modi's populist image and party president Amit Shah's organisational acumen. Victory came after two years of planning, recalibrations in strategy, revitalisation of the party machinery and finally a breakout campaign.

"This is the beginning of the end for jaativaad and parivarvaad (caste and dynasty) and appeasement politics," said Shah. "It marks the dawn of the politics of performance. You cannot fool voters by building a 100 km express highway to camouflage maladministration, goondagiri and corruption." Shah is confident of extending the wave beyond the state. The UP strategy-an efficient electoral machine around a larger-than-life Modi-will be the cornerstone of its new electoral march.

ALSO READ | To keep tab on CM Yogi Adityanath, PM Modi's office appoints senior IAS officer as Centre's monitor

Brand Modi

A March 11 tweet by a BJP supporter revealed what the party thinks led to the wave in UP. "Modi is bigger than BJP. Modi is bigger than Ram mandir. Modi is new Ram of modern India." Riding atop Kalyan Singh's unabashed Hindutva agenda that promised to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya, the party won 221 of 425 seats in 1991. In 2017, it was the deft repackaging of Brand Modi that turned a caste battle into a class battle and a promise of good governance that trumped the religious card. The party's Hindutva agenda was relegated to the backburner. The party slogan, 'Na goonda raj, na bhrashtachar' was pasted prominently on the 10,000 party vehicles deployed during the campaign, an open dig at its rivals, the SP and BSP. The party manifesto pledged to end crime and corruption, to set up anti-Romeo squads, waive farm loans, form anti-mafia squads in every district and jail criminals out on parole.

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Modi was seen as the messiah leading a campaign against corruption and black money, a pro-poor PM with schemes for cooking gas and bank accounts and cheap loans for artisans and small entrepreneurs. The BJP's campaign struck a chord simply because its schemes had a better record of delivery than Akhilesh Yadav's government-run schemes. For instance, nearly 60 per cent of the PM's Ujjwala Yojana, a nationwide scheme for LPG connections to poor women, was sanctioned in UP.

"Demonetisation converted strong undercurrents into a wave for the BJP," says Maurya. "It established PM Modi in the hearts of the poor as the only one who could take on the corrupt." Economist and political analyst Surjit Bhalla has another take: "Mere rhetoric doesn't get votes, nor does just negative campaigning. The hope is created by the success of some of Modi's programmes, in sharp contrast to the empty promises of good governance which many rulers make."

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The party built itself around Brand Modi and organised 900 public meetings in the 45 days of the elections. The prime minister addressed 23 public meetings, Shah 90, Union home minister and former CM Rajnath Singh 75, Maurya 200 and Gorakhpur MP Yogi Adityanath 80, wearing down the opposition with its relentless campaign. Shah, the master strategist, kept in constant touch with Modi, updating him on the response to public meetings by various leaders. In the final phase of campaigning, the duo did a daily analysis of the party's situation and tweaked their poll pitch accordingly.

ALSO READ | Chinese media bets on PM Narendra Modi in 2019 after Uttar Pradesh win

Rebuilding the party

Whether Brand Modi would have worked in the absence of strong party machinery is debatable. This is where Shah stepped in. When the duo took up the UP challenge in 2014, the party machinery was in disarray. OBC members had drifted to the SP and the BSP after the Ram temple wave subsided. Mayawati's Dalit-upper caste alliance had nibbled away at the BJP's upper caste base.

The party's core strategy took shape in January 2016 when Amit Shah divided UP into six zones-western UP, Braj, Awadh, Kanpur, Gorakhpur and Kashi for electoral purposes. He then directed the party's state unit to form booth committees. A booth committee, consisting of 21 members, not only campaigns for the party but also brings voters to the booth on polling day.

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The BJP's booth committee model, now central to its countrywide electoral strategy, was developed by Modi in Gujarat in the mid-1990s. As Gujarat BJP organisational secretary, Modi had observed that the Congress's weakest link was its booth management. He drew on the BJP's ground-level workforce, mostly drawn from the RSS. When Shah took over as Modi's pointsman in Gujarat in 2002, he built upon this trademark model.

Shah organised 140,000 booth committees in consultation with UP organisation secretary Sunil Bansal and party in charge of the state, Om Mathur. The committees represented all the major castes of the area and were mandated to have at least five women each. Once the booth committees were organised in June, the party set up sector-level party committees to supervise 10-15 booths (block committees looked after over 100 booths). For a reorganisation at the district level, the BJP had, in 2015, divided the state into 91 party districts. The posts of presidents of these district bodies were soon filled. There was one big difference between 2014 and 2017, though: in 2014, almost half of the booth committees existed only on paper.

The booth committees followed another precision strike in 2015 in which Mathur played a key role. The party fought the 2015 district panchayat polls. The move involved taking risks but it promised to develop a grassroots leadership. The party won 562 of the 3,121 seats, an above average performance given the poor state of the party machinery on the ground. What these elections did, however, was create a ground-level leadership for the party which later helped in booth committee formation and creating foot soldiers at the grassroots level.

By October, the party's Lucknow office had a checklist of booth panel members, complete with name, father's name and his/her number in the voting list. Then, in a first in the party's history, Shah organised zonal level meets of booth committees in the centre of the corresponding zone. He also instructed them on how to woo voters and manage the organisational challenges on voting day. Zone-wise booth meets were followed by similar meets at the assembly level. By November, the party machinery was humming in top gear. Various programmes like women meets, youth meets, OBC meets were soon organised in quick succession.

The OBC outreach

Among Shah's biggest masterstrokes was the April 2016 appointment of Keshav Prasad Maurya, a former VHP leader, as state president. Maurya's strengths lay in his powerful oratory and grasp of party affairs. The Lok Sabha MP from Phoolpur also represented the biggest block of OBCs outside the Yadavs, Lodhs and Kurmis. In November, the party organised about 200 OBC meets covering two constituencies each. District-level youth meets were taken up by the BJP Yuva (youth) Morcha along with women meets in all districts by the BJP Mahila Morcha. Dalit swabhimaan (pride) programmes were also organised. That the party won 72 of the 83 Dalit reserved seats shows the success of this strategy. "When the Akhilesh-Shivpal Yadav fight was on, we were streamlining our strategy. Our party meets saw a 90 per cent response with near-perfect resonance between workers and leaders," says Bansal.

Shah also managed defections of key OBC leaders from the BSP, SP and the Congress. It began in October 2016 when leader of the BSP in the UP assembly, Swami Prasad Maurya, joined the BJP. Next to follow from the BSP was Brajesh Pathak, who led Mayawati's bhaichara committee aligning Brahmins with Dalits and OBCs. This triggered a torrent of defections-over 80 leaders of varying statures, including sitting MLAs, joined the BJP, cementing its caste base. Among the last to join were Raja Mahendra Aridaman Singh from the SP and Rita Bahuguna Joshi from the Congress in January 2016.

Lessons from Bihar

The 2015 electoral debacle in Bihar, particularly the RJD-JDU's bruising 'Bihari versus Bahari' (Biharis versus outsiders) slogan loomed large over the party leadership when it planned for UP. In the run-up to UP, the party opted for local leaders over central leaders unlike in Bihar where it had sidelined local leaders like Sushil Modi. Mid-rung leaders were empowered to run the campaign in line with Shah's vision of developing new leadership within the party. Nothing was left to chance. Special committees monitored election code violations. The panel registered as many as 100 complaints, mostly against the SP. The state government, for instance, was forced to remove the word 'Samajwadi' from government ambulance services. In another instance, CM Akhilesh got a notice for exhorting voters to take money if it was offered. Bansal, Shah's right-hand man, decentralised the working of about a dozen committees like programme coordination, election management, publicity, media and social media. The committee on tours, for example, strategically moved BJP campaigners through the seven-phase elections. The majority of the PM's 23 public rallies were held in district headquarters like Mirzapur, Devalia, Mau and Gonda and not big cities like Gorakhpur and Agra so as to attract the rural voters and farmers.

Shah focused on empowering young, upcoming party leaders. For the first time in the party's history, these leaders addressed large meetings during the four parivartan yatras which criss-crossed the state spreading Modi's development message. "Earlier, leaders like me rarely got to address public meetings of 5,000 to 10,000 people. This empowered the second- and third-rung leadership," says Subhash Yaduvansh, UP BJP secretary and a programme committee head. The party inculcated a culture of meritocracy, a feeling that hard work would be rewarded. Rules were framed and were strictly adhered to. Direct requests to the top leadership for a public rally of a leader or a request from a leader for a rally were not immediately entertained. All matters regarding rallies were handled only by the committee for rallies. UP BJP spokesperson Chandramohan credits Bansal for this: "He set a great example of purva yojana, purna yojana (advance planning, complete planning)."

ALSO READ | BJP seeks to do a UP in Narendra Modi's Gujarat. Early election on the cards?

A rainbow caste coalition

The BJP retained its main social constituents, the Brahmins and the Thakurs. They worked on the assumption that a percentage of the vote in each constituency-Muslims, Yadavs and Jatavs-were lost. They worked on consolidating the remaining castes.

Also crucial was Shah's caste arithmetic, which built up a rainbow of non-Yadav OBCs to build on the narrative that they were neglected while Yadavs got the government jobs and postings. If larger castes like Maurya and Kurmi were well represented in ticket distribution, smaller castes like the Vishwakarma, Beldar, Gaur, Baghel and Ahirwar also got their share. Among the Dalits too, small communities like Khatik and Dhobi were represented, apart from larger ones like Jatavs and Pasis. This strategy played a huge role in the near-marginalisation of Yadavs in the UP assembly. Only 18 Yadavs were elected this time, and six of them were from the BJP. The party had succeeded in defeating the SP at its own game.

Roles were clearly allotted to the main campaigners. Modi, Shah, Maurya, Yogi Adityanath and Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Uma Bharti were the main public campaigners. Singh and Bharti, both ex-CMs, chipped in with strategic advice, such as on garnering Rajput and Lodh votes, while also playing the role of guardian. Maurya was the BJP's face for non-Yadav OBC votes while Adityanath was the Hindutva icon. NDA constituent and Apna Dal leader Anupriya Patel, along with UP BJP general secretary Swatantra Dev, focused on the Kurmi votes with the latter also playing a role in coordination in western and eastern UP. While Mathur, Bansal and party secretary Shivprakash strategised, star campaigners Modi and Shah divided up the election issues. Modi focused on national issues and played on the aspiration card. Shah attacked the SP and BSP over misgovernance. Their efforts realised an electoral verdict whose impact will be studied for years to come.

WATCH VIDEO | Yogi Yug in Uttar Pradesh: From Gorakhpur to 5, Kalidas Marg

--- ENDS ---
In yet another sign of the threat of a wider war in the Middle East, the Syrian government fired anti-aircraft missiles early Friday morning at Israeli planes after Tel Aviv launched one of its deepest incursions into the conflict to date, carrying out a raid near the Syrian city of Palmyra.

Although none of the fighter jets were shot down, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) deployed its Arrow missile defense system to take down one of the Syrian missiles north of Jerusalem. Residents were awoken by air raid sirens and pieces of the Syrian missile landed in Jordan, prompting the Israeli army to issue a statement on the incident.

Israeli planes have conducted numerous strikes since 2012 on arms shipments Tel Aviv claims are being sent to Hezbollah in Lebanon. The army has tended to downplay these activities, with initial reports generally appearing in the international media.

But Fridays attack marked the deepest incursion yet. The positions hit near Palmyra were reportedly occupied by government troops and aligned Hezbollah forces who are advancing on Islamic State fighters to the east.

Israels growing aggressiveness in its actions over Syria is bound up with its role as the closest US ally in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly warned of Israels refusal to accept an expanded role for Iran and Hezbollah in Syria, both of which backed Assads forces in the countrys civil war. As Netanyahu provocatively declared during a recent visit to Moscow, One of the most important issues we will discuss is Irans attempt to make an agreement with Syria. With or without Syrias agreement, Iran will attempt to establish a permanent military presence in Syria, both on land and at sea.

In an ominous warning, the Israeli Prime Minister added, I will tell President Putin about my extreme opposition to this plan, and about the possibility Israel will choose to attack. I hope we will be able to come to the understanding necessary to prevent as much as possible confrontations between Russian and Israeli forces.

Israel has long maintained a belligerent stance towards Tehran. With the blessing of its US ally, Tel Aviv repeatedly invoked the claim that Iran was trying to develop nuclear weapons and warned that Israeli forces could conduct a preemptive strike on the country.

Netanyahu undoubtedly feels his hand strengthened by the repeated denunciations of Iran coming from the Trump administration. The Israeli Prime Ministers meeting with Trump in Washington last month and the pairs joint press conference indicated that the US is planning to work with Israel and a coalition of Sunni Arab states to conduct stepped up provocations against Tehran.

Responding to the Israeli raid, Russia summoned Tel Avivs ambassador to Moscow and demanded an explanation. Vowing that Israel would not back down, Netanyahu proclaimed in a statement released later yesterday, "Our policy is very consistent. When we identify attempts to transfer advanced weapons to Hezbollahwhen we have the intel and the operational capabilitywe act to prevent it. Thats how weve acted and how we will continue to actand everyone needs to take this into account. Everyone.

The Syrian government reacted by sending letters to the UN Secretary General and the director of the UN Security Council in which it denounced the Israeli attacks as a violation of Syrian sovereignty and a breach of international law. Damascus also claimed to have shot down one Israeli plane and hit another, but Israel denied this.

The potential for further clashes between Israeli and Syrian forces, or even with Russia, which is involved in the Syrian conflict to support the Assad regime, is heightened above all by the imminent prospect of a major escalation of the war by the Trump administration. The Pentagon is set to send a request to Defense Secretary James Mattis for a doubling of the number of troops deployed in the country, which would see the increase of US ground forces by 1,000.

American warplanes have already stepped up air strikes both in Syria and Iraq, with devastating consequences.

On Thursday, a US air strike hit a mosque in the village of Al Jina in Aleppo province, killing at least 46 civilians and wounding over 100. According to locals, there were 300 people in the mosque at the time and the death toll is likely much higher because many bodies remain unrecovered. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based group aligned with the opposition to Assad, described the bombing as a massacre. Concerns were also expressed that the targeting of a meeting so close to a mosque could indicate that the Pentagon has loosened the rules of engagement in Syria, in line with unconfirmed press reports earlier this week.

US Central Command confirmed it had conducted a raid in the area but refused to state its precise location, merely stating that it had been aimed at an Al Qaeda meeting. In a tacit admission that US planes bombed the mosque, Col. John Thomas, spokesman for Central Command, told the media, We did not target a mosque, but the building that we did targetwhich was where the meeting took placeis about 50ft (15 metres) from a mosque that is still standing.

Later in the day, Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis said the air strike had likely killed a number of high level Al Qaeda operatives and was carried out by manned and unmanned aircraft. We do not currently assess there were any civilian casualties, he declared.

The raid was not listed among those carried out by the US-led anti-ISIS coalition, indicating that the decision to target the area was taken unilaterally by Washington.

The US and its allies continue to vastly underestimate the numbers of civilian casualties caused by their murderous air strikes. Earlier this month, the coalition asserted that a mere 220 civilians had been killed in Syria and Iraq since raids began in 2014. This ridiculously low figure bears no relation to the genuine number of lives destroyed by US imperialism, a figure which will only rise as Trump escalates the conflict, as demonstrated by his recent granting of permission to the CIA to carry out drone assassinations without presidential oversight.

The US-incited war for regime change in Syria has now been raging for over six years and has claimed an estimated half a million lives. The Trump administrations plans to further escalate the conflict, under the pretext of combatting ISIS, will only compound the suffering of millions who have been forced to flee their homes and vastly increase the likelihood of a direct clash between the competing powers whose militaries are deployed in the region.

One of the most dangerous conflict regions is in northern Syria around the town of Manbij, where US, Russian and Turkish forces, along with their proxies and fighters from the Syrian government, are operating within firing distance of each other. The US has aligned itself with the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in its push to oust ISIS from its de facto capital of Raqqa.

Turkey, which directly intervened in the conflict last August with the backing of its own Syrian militia, designates the SDF as a terrorist organization and is deeply opposed to Kurdish involvement in the retaking of any territory from ISIS. Russia, meanwhile, is supporting Assads troops to recapture as much territory for the government as possible.

The sending of hundreds more US forces to this highly-explosive region only increases the danger of the Syrian bloodbath erupting into a broader conflict, with disastrous consequences for the population of the Middle East and beyond.
Alejandra Campoverdi is a current congressional candidate, a former White House aide, an ex-waitress and a one-time Maxim model all titles shes glad to have held.

The 37-year-old who is running for Californias 34th district opened up about the sexism shes faced during her political career in a new essay for Cosmopolitan titled I Posed for Maxim and Im Running for Congress. It Shouldnt Be That Shocking.

Im proud of the mosaic of experiences that make me who I am, wrote Campoverdi. My life experiences have forged me into a fighter and thats why I decided that I wont let others boxes stop me from doing what needs to be done - running for office, standing up to Trump and Republicans, and standing up for women in Los Angeles.

Campoverdi wrote that she started working at age 15, the daughter of a single mom who immigrated from Mexico. One of those early jobs was as a model.

Eventually, Campoverdi found her way to President Obamas White House, but just a week into her position, photos from her old shoot for Maxim surfaced.

Right behind the photos followed the hotter, more humiliating blaze of unveiled snark that pointedly implied that I didnt deserve what Id accomplished and had been overambitious for even trying in the first place, said Campoverdi, adding, I was now stamped as the White House Maxim Model. I had been reduced to a stereotype.

She continued, After crying for a week, I put my head down and worked even harder. The only thing that ever got me anywhere was working hard, showing up when I said I would or earlier, and doing more than just the job I was hired to do. And thats what I did for my next four years at the White House.

FROM COINAGE: This Is How Much It Would Cost to Paint the White House (And More Crazy Facts)

Campoverdi is one of 23 candidates running to fill the seat vacated by now-California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, in the April 4 special election. The top two candidates will continue onto a runoff election in June.

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She wrote in Cosmo that now, eight years on, she understands a lot more about the systemic sexism in politics than the young woman who beat herself up and took all the shaming so personally.

Calling out double standards, Campoverdi said that shes fighting back against the roles that women are sometimes typecast in, and notes that females shouldnt have to choose between being intelligent and feminine.

The larger problem is our need for many more women - diverse, young, and from a range of perspectives - to run for office, now more than ever, she said, adding, Now more than ever, we must recognize and accept the complexity of real women, and celebrate them in their quest for leadership roles. Whole, multidimensional women. Please throw your name in the arena, whichever one youre in - because it only gets better every time one of us tries.

In addition to her congressional run, Campoverdi is currently facing another challenge: a double mastectomy. She has a genetic mutation called BRCA2, which means she has an 85-percent likelihood of developing breast cancer. Campoverdi has decided to have the preventative procedure in two years.

RELATED VIDEO: Watch: Natasha Stoynoff Breaks Silence, Accuses Donald Trump of Sexual Attack

Speaking to PEOPLE earlier this week, Campoverdi said that shes opening up about her decision to bring attention to the importance of health care.

Health care is a life or death issue for so many Americans, so many people in my district in Los Angeles, Campoverdi told PEOPLE. Sometimes we can get into debates that are very theoretical about issues, and forget that theres a lot personally on the line for people every day - that every day someone doesnt have access to health care, or that every day somebody has a bill that puts them in the position of going bankrupt.

She added, Im fine being vulnerable about [my BRCA2 status], because if its able to bring the attention back to people, which is what this is all about, then its worth it for me.

This article was originally published on PEOPLE.com
The 50-year-old former teacher suspected of disappearing with a teenage student on Monday - setting off a multi-state AMBER Alert that is ongoing - allegedly groomed her at school, an attorney for the girls family tells PEOPLE.

Mary Catherine Elizabeth Thomas was reported missing by her family Monday afternoon. Authorities believe she is with Tad Cummins, a former health teacher at her high school in Culleoka, Tennessee.

A warrant has been issued for Cummins arrest for alleged sexual contact with a minor, according to the Tennessee Bureau for Investigation. The charge stems from an earlier alleged sexual interaction, on school property, between him and Thomas.

Since the teen vanished, an AMBER Alert has been issued in both Tennessee and Alabama.

It remains unclear at this time if Thomas was taken against her will when she went missing. But her familys lawyer, Jason Whatley, says whether she went willingly or not, she is still a victim.

This is a 15-year-old girl - and if they are together, she has been groomed by a 50-year-old authority figure, so how could we even define willingly? Whatley tells PEOPLE.

From left: Mary Catherine Elizabeth Thomas and Tad Cummins.

The Maury County Public School District, where Cummins taught and Thomas attended school, released a statement on Tuesday addressing the alleged sexual interaction

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.

Maury County Public Schools suspended the Culleoka Unit School teacher involved in the law enforcement investigation once we were notified of the allegations, the district said in its statement, according to WKRN.

Since then, the teacher has been dismissed as a result of the investigation, the district said. The district does not tolerate any manner of behavior that is alleged in this incident and will take swift action to remove parties from school campuses who are involved with investigations of this type.

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However, Whatley claims the school district did actually not suspend Cummins when the alleged interaction occurred and instead allowed him to continue teaching at Culleoka - where Thomas was allegedly groomed.

Mary Catherine Elizabeth Thomas

According to Whatley, a student reported to school administration on Jan. 24 that he saw Cummins kissing Thomas in his classroom the day before. One week later, law enforcement informed the teens family of the allegations.

My client was as mad as a wet hen when he learned he was kept in the dark, Whatley says. But Cummins was not penalized for the alleged kiss and continued teaching at the school, he claims.

Pick up PEOPLEs special edition True Crime Stories: Cases That Shocked America, on sale now, for the latest on Casey Anthony, JonBent Ramsey and more.

On Feb. 6, two weeks after the alleged kiss, Whatley says he sent a letter to the school district on behalf of the family, expressing their concerns.

It was only later that same day, after the letter, that Cummins was suspended, Whatley says.

[Maury County Public Schools] already dropped the ball when they failed to tell my client anything for a week, and then didnt get rid of this guy while they investigated, Whatley says. Even if they believe [Cummins] was falsely accused, you get the teacher [and student] out of the situation.

According to Whatley, the school districts decision to allow Cummins to continue teaching was the talk of the school.

I had to get on the school board about talking to their teachers about talking about it in school, in front of pupils, even in front of Mary Catherine herself, Whatley says.

MEDIA: I'm working on an update to our ongoing #TNAMBERAlert with new details and hope to have that out to you this morning. pic.twitter.com/XJbbvob4a9  Josh DeVine (@TBIJoshDeVine) March 16, 2017

Teens Family Is Very Scared for Her: Source

Thomas was last seen Monday morning after being dropped off at a local restaurant by a friend, according to the TBI. She was reported missing by her family later that afternoon.

On Monday about 3 p.m., she and Cummins was seen in Decatur, Alabama, according to investigators. Authorities previously alleged Cummins was armed and dangerous.

Speaking with PEOPLE on Wednesday, a family source says, Im very scared for [Thomas], adding, It so hard to understand what would bring someone to do these kinds of things.

I dont understand how this is real life, the source says.

Thomas was last seen wearing a flannel shirt and black leggings. She is 5 feet 5 inches inches tall and weighs 120 lbs., with blonde hair and hazel eyes.

Cummins was seen driving a Silver Nissan Rogue with a Tennessee license plate 976ZPT, according to the TBI. He is 6 feet tall and weighs 200 lbs., with brown hair and eyes.

Anyone with information on Cummins or Thomas should call the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

This article was originally published on PEOPLE.com
Mama June Shannon does not appreciate Mike Sugar Bear Thompsons fiance criticizing her parenting skills.

On Fridays episode of Mama June: From Not to Hot, Mama Junes daughter Alana goes out to dinner with Sugar Bear and his fiance Jennifer Lamb, where they allow her to eat unhealthily and order multiple dessert items. Later, Alana accompanies them to their cake tasting appointment, where she is given a batch of cupcakes to take home.

While Mama June, 37 is working out with her trainer Kenya Crooks at her house, Lamb and Sugar Bear arrive to drop off Alana from their cake tasting appointment with cupcakes in hand.

What the hell are you bringing cupcakes in here for? Mama June asks as she walks outside to greet her daughter. Were trying to eat healthy.

Okay, but Alanas 11 years old and shes a child so I thought they would be good for her. Here you go honey. Enjoy, Lamb says as she hands the box of cupcakes to Alana.

In agreement with Lamb, Sugar Bear also thinks his daughter can and should have the sweets.

Thats his child too and if he wants her to have it, he can, Lamb says in defense of her fianc.

You know how hard I f-ing have worked to get to where Im at now, Mama June pleads with them. And look at me now. Ive lost a lot of weight.

But even though Mama June has lost weight, Lamb doesnt want to hear it - and throws some jabs back at the reality star.

Well honey, I think Im beautiful the way I am. If you dont like me, you dont got to look at me, says Lamb. Thats why you stay up here in your little clown clothes. But you dont look at me and judge me. I have nothing to do with you.

Very quickly, Mama June reminds Lamb that she indeed does have something to do with her as long as she and Sugar Bear are together. You do have something to do with me because youre with my babys daddy, says Mama June.

And let the feuding begin!

I dont take advice from you, Lamb tells Mama June.

In an attempt to keep the discussion focused on her healthy eating habits, Mama June again asks the engaged couple to not give her daughter poor food choices - and threatens to not let them spend time with Alana if they continue to do so.

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Please stop bringing that s- into my house. Stop letting her have s-. If you all go out and have fun, whatever. I dont want to hear about it. Sugar Bear knows how I am about my kids, says Mama June. When it comes to my kids, if you cant follow directions, then you wont get no direction to be able to take her out and be able to bring her back.

Unsurprisingly, Lamb doesnt want to hear that and offers her opinion on Mama Junes parenting skills: Wow! Directions? Whack directions June Shannon. You need to get directions and learn how to be a mother.

In response, Mama June tries to bring it back to the main issue at hand: The point of the matter is that I would appreciate you not giving my daughter sweets. You as his soon-to-be wife should have enough respect to say, Okay, honey, you need to be healthy and so does his daughter. That is what Im worried about. So if you got money to blow, blow it. But know that whenever I see that s-, its going in the trash because youre not the mother and youre never going to be anything to Alana.

Despite the attempt to keep the conversation cordial, Lamb continues the criticisms of Mama June and her parenting skills.

Ill just be the mother that you cant be, she spews at Mama June, and adds in her confessional, My opinion about June Shannon being a mother to Alana: very poor. Very poor parenting.

FROM COINAGE: Best Home Improvement Tips for Every Budget

Finally, Mama June has enough of the conversation and calls the couple to stop being petty- which doesnt exactly go over well.

If it wasnt for him, you wouldnt be where youre at today, Lamb says to Mama June about Sugar Bear. He had to give you what you got.

Thankfully, Mama Junes trainer Crooks comes outside to the rescue and brings her back inside. Im trying to live healthy so that Alana dont have to worry about the diabetes, so that Alana dont have to worry about growing up unhealthy, Mama June explains to him.

Unfortunately, Lamb doesnt want to see Mama Junes perspective - and reminds Sugar Bear that one, he needs to take a stand against Mama June and two, he has two women in his life now that he needs to make a choice about.

You really need to put your foot down because June just runs all over you and I dont understand why you let June run over you, Lamb tells Sugar Bear.

She adds: You got two women in your life: one is your ex and one is me. And then you got Alana - Alanas in the middle. You got to be the man and get that s- straight with June.

Although Mama June has made impressive strides in her extreme weight loss journey to get down to a size 4, Alanas soon-to-be stepmom clearly isnt impressed with her - at all.

June is looking better on the outside, but shes still ugly on the inside, says Lamb.

Mama June: From Not to Hot airs Fridays (10 p.m. ET) on We tv.

This article was originally published on PEOPLE.com
(Photo: Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty)

The Obama White House is heading to the big screen via a high-concept workplace comedy, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Universal Pictures has optioned From the Corner of the Oval, a book proposal by Beck Dorey-Stein, a former White House stenographer.

The movie move comes after Random House Publishing Group division Spiegel & Grau preemptively picked up the proposal in a seven-figure two-book deal. The book is expected to be published in 2018.

Producing the feature will be Anonymous Contents Michael Sugar, who produced the Oscar-winning drama Spotlight, as well as the companys Nicole Clemens and Ashley Zalta. Aevitas Creative Management will also produce.

The book doesnt promise a revealing look inside the inner workings of the Obama administration, but focuses more on the White House as a workplace and on the relationships between the staffers.

From the Corner of the Oval follows a young woman living in Washington D.C. who is at an all-time career low when, through a twist of fate, she goes from serving cocktails to lobbyists to being hired as a stenographer in the Obama White House. The ultimate fish out of water, she stumbles into an elite world and finds herself navigating a series of misadventures in life and love.

Erik Baiers, executive vp of production, and Elizabeth Haggard, director of story Development, will oversee the project for Universal.

Dorey-Stein is repped by Becky Sweren at Aevitas.
Chuck Berry, whose rollicking songs, springy guitar riffs and onstage duck walk defined rock & roll during its early years and for decades to come, has died. The St. Charles County Police Department confirmed the news on Facebook. Berry was 90 years old.

"St. Charles County police responded to a medical emergency on Buckner Road at approximately 12:40 p.m. today (Saturday, March 18)," the Facebook post reads. "Inside the home, first responders observed an unresponsive man and immediately administered lifesaving techniques. Unfortunately, the 90-year-old man could not be revived and was pronounced deceased at 1:26 p.m." It went on to confirm that the man was Berry and added that his family was requesting privacy at this time.

Starting with his first hit, 1955's "Maybellene," Berry penned a collection of songs that, in both groove and teen-life mindset, became essential parts of the rock canon: "Roll Over, Beethoven," "Rock & Roll Music," and especially "Johnny B. Goode" were witty, zesty odes to the then-new art formsongs so key to the music that they had to be mastered by every fledgling guitarist or band who followed Berry.

As teenagers, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger first bonded over their love of Berry's music, and over the last five decades Berry's songs have been covered by an astounding array of artists: from the Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys, the Kinks, the Doors and the Grateful Dead to James Taylor, Peter Tosh, Judas Priest, Dwight Yoakam, Phish, and the Sex Pistols. As Richards said when inducting Berry into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, "I've stolen every lick he ever played."

By fusing blues and country, Berry also invented a signature guitar style  like "ringing a bell," as he put it in "Johnny G. Goode"  that was imitated by bands from the Stones and the Beach Boys to punk rockers. His lyrics  largely about sex, cars, music and trouble  introduced an entirely new vocabulary into popular music in the Fifties. In his songs, Berry captured America's newfound post-war prosperity  a world, as he sang in "Back in the U.S.A.," where "hamburgers sizzle on an open grill night and day." ''I made records for people who would buy them," Berry once said. "No color, no ethnic, no political  I don't want that, never did.''

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Related: Chuck Berry's Life in Photos

Yet Berry, in his role as rock and roll pioneer, also dealt with racism and bigotry, particularly when he was accused in 1961 of violating the Mann Act (transporting a woman or girl across state lines for purposes of prostitution). Berry claimed he had met Janice Norine Escalanti, a 14-year-old Native American, during a show in Texas and hired her to work at his St. Louis club, Club Bandstand. Imprisoned after a second trial (the first conviction was overturned due to the judge repeatedly using the word "nigra"), Berry, who pleaded not guilty, wound up serving nearly two years in prison and emerged a noticeably changed, bitter man. In recent years, he had mellowed somewhat, thanks in part to receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys in 1986 and being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Born in St. Louis on October 18th, 1926, Charles Edward Anderson Berry learned to play blues guitar as a teenager and first performed at his high school talent show. Music was his first love but not necessarily his first career choice. The son of a carpenter, Berry worked on a General Motors assembly line and studied to be a hairdresser. With pianist Johnnie Johnson (a regular part of his band for years to come), Berry formed a band in 1952. After meeting blues legend Muddy Waters, Berry was introduced to Chess Records founder Leonard Chess in 1955. Berry brought along a song based on the country tune "Ida Red." With a new title and lyrics  and an immediately grabby, grinding opening guitar lick  the song was transformed into "Maybellene." On a return trip, Berry brought his recording of the song and was immediately signed to the label. "[Chess] couldnt believe that a country tune (he called it a hillbilly song) could be written and sung by a black guy," Berry later wrote in his 1987 memoir Chuck Berry: The Autobiography.

"Maybellene" hit Number Five in 1955 and established Berry's career and sound. By the end of the 1950s, he had logged seven more top 40 hits: "Roll Over Beethoven" (Number 29), "School Day" (Number Three), "Rock & Roll Music" (Number Eight), "Sweet Little Sixteen" (Number Two), "Johnny B. Goode" (Number Eight), "Carol" (Number 28) and "Back in the U.S.A." (Number 37). Although he was already in his early thirties by the time he scored those hits, Berry was unabashed about why he wrote for a younger audience. "Whatever would sell was what I thought I should concentrate on," he wrote in his memoir, "so from 'Maybellene' on, I mainly improvised my lyrics toward the young adult and some even for the teeny boppers, as they called the tots then."

Each song was defined by the Berry trademarks: that blend of propulsive beat, rueful charm, and ringing guitar. "The beautiful thing about Chuck Berry's playing was it had such an effortless swing," Keith Richards wrote in his memoir, Life. "None of this sweating and grinding away or grimacing, just pure, effortless swing like a lion." During a concert in 1956, Berry was so self-conscious about only having brought one suit that he invented a new stage move "to hide the wrinkles," as he told RS in 1969. That move, the duck walk, also became part of the rock & roll lexicon.

Intentionally or not, Berry also set the template for the rock and roll bad boy beyond his Mann Act conviction. Early in his life, Berry spent three years in reform school for an armed robbery attempt. In 1979, he was indicted for tax evasion and filing false income tax returns and spent three months in jail. (At his sentencing, he burst into tears.) In 1990, he was sued by several women who claimed Berry had videotaped them in the ladies' room in his restaurant in St. Louis. (Berry reached an out-of-court settlement.)

When he was released from a Missouri prison in October 1963 after his Mann Act conviction, Berry was embittered, but he also saw his footprint all over a new generation of bands. The Beach Boys had released their first single, the Berry-influenced "Surfin' Safari," while a new band from England, the Rolling Stones, released Berry's "Come On" as their first single in 1963. At first, Berry picked up where he left off, writing fine new songs like "You Never Can Tell" and "No Particular Place to Go" that held onto his devil-may-care attitude.

In 1966, Berry left Chess, his longtime home, for another label, Mercury, but the result was a series of sub-par albums and weak re-recordings of his hits. (One notable exception: a jam with the Steve Miller Band captured on the 1967 album, Live at the Fillmore Auditorium). In 1969, he returned to Chess  and returned to form  on harder-edged songs like "Tulane," a drug-dealer romp that showed his newfound relevance. In 1972, he scored his first and only Number One pop hit with the novelty song, "My Ding-a-Ling." His last album of original songs, Rock It, was released in 1979.

Berry was a notoriously tough and irascible character offstage. On tour, he long traveled alone, using backup bands hired by the promoters. He demanded payment in advance, a specific kind of amplifier, and a limousine (with no driver) for his shows. In 1986, Richards assembled an all-star backup band (including Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, and sax player Bobby Keys) to play behind Berry in the documentary Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll. Even then, Berry intimidated Richards onstage and off and only showed up on the first day of filming after he demanded an extra cash payment of $25,000. Despite those difficulties, the 1987 movie, directed by Taylor Hackford, became one of rock's most acclaimed concert films.

Up until his death, Berry (who is survived by his wife Themetta "Toddy" Suggs, whom he married in 1948, and four children) continued to perform at clubs and casinos. Once a month, he played at Blueberry Hill, a restaurant and bar in St. Louis. He lived in St. Louis but often spent time at Berry Park, a 155-acre property in nearby Wentzville, Missouri. (As he told Rolling Stone in 2010, he even still mowed the lawn there.) Asked by RS in 1969 about rock's role, Berry said, "Like any music, it brings you together, because if two people like the same music, they can be standing beside each other shaking and they wind up dancing, and thats a matter of communication ... so I say it's a means of communication, more so than other music, to the kids."

Related: Chuck Berry Punched Keith Richards in the Face

Watch The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android.

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Chuck Berry's Hall of Fame Jam C'est la Vie: The Best of Chuck Berry Chuck Berry's Bottomless Vault: Inside His Box Set All Stories

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New York magazine just came out with a major profile of Kellyanne Conway, and, yep, it's crazy, from the cover line (The True First Lady of Trump's America) on down.

The cover story by Washington correspondent Olivia Nuzzi follows the counselor to President Donald Trumpand, yes, again, "true first lady"through the White House, TV appearances, her home life, and one endlessly fascinating steak dinner.

Here are the 11 most insane things you'll learn from it:

1. Conway's Secret Service code name is Blueberry.

That's because she was the 1984 Miss New Jersey Blueberry Princess. And the World Champion Blueberry Packer. And Secret Service told Conway that her code name had to start with "B."

How I'll forever see Kellyanne Conway after reading this piece by @Olivianuzzi https://t.co/P8p4jF4iBT pic.twitter.com/ytXRBN1P0X  Cher (@thecherness) March 18, 2017

2. She also eats cinnamon Orbit gum.

Just like Sean Spicer.

3. She definitely doesn't want Sean Spicer's job.

Slit my wrists, bleed out, put cement shoes on, jump off the bridge, and then Ill take the jobare you kidding me?

4. She's said 1.2 million words on TV .

Or at least that's what she claimed to New York. Direct quote: "Excuse me, Ive spoken 1.2 million words on TV, okay?

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5. There's one computer on her desk, not five.

At one point, Conway was discussing the amount of work she does for the White House (and oh, yes, we'll get to that later). But for now, just know:

6. She is here to make friends

Unlike Steve Bannon, who told New York, I have enough friends."

7. She ate a decorative scallion because she thought it was asparagus

Many fun details in @Olivianuzzi's Kellyanne Conway piece. I think this scallion tidbit is my favorite. https://t.co/rhHAKJbORx pic.twitter.com/TJxZxKnf40  Henry J. Gomez (@HenryJGomez) March 18, 2017

8. She loved Mary Tyler Moore

I just remember thinking Mary Tyler Moore was really cool, but not because anybody sat there and said, Shes a feminist! I just thought she was composed and stylish and had a big smile," she said. Now she would have to be, like, a brain surgeon at NASA whos vice-president of the United States on the side, adopting babies from faraway lands.

9. She had friends who went to the Women's March, maybe

I dont object to other people marching at allyou know, my friends were there, she said. But Id rather do than march; Id rather act than talk.

10. Arianna Huffington bailed on a baby shower they were supposed to host together

That time Kellyanne Conway was supposed to host a baby shower with Arianna Huffington.... https://t.co/u6UC2OT1zc pic.twitter.com/7YAyBN8IaK  Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) March 18, 2017

11. She's leading production of a Trump mannequin for Disney World's Hall of Presidents.

It's her childhood dream.

12. There's, um, some tension between herself and Steve Bannon. And she maybe doesn't think she gets enough credit.

And there's so much more. Read the rest of it, right here.




CENTERVILLE, Ohio (AP)  Family members say a woman found dead along with her airline pilot husband from apparent fentanyl overdoses had long batted drug problems.

Police say the children of 36-year-old Brian Halye (hah-LEE') and 34-year-old Courtney Halye found their bodies Thursday at their home in Centerville near Dayton.

Brian Halye was a pilot for Spirit Airlines, which said he last flew March 10.

The Dayton Daily News (http://bit.ly/2mV3DrZ ) reports that police records show that Courtney Halye's mother called police in January 2016 because she was worried that her daughter had threatened to harm herself.

The mother told police in January 2016 her daughter had been "hooked on drugs" on and off for about seven years.

Brian Halye told police that his wife had battled heroin and cocaine addiction for quite a while.

___

Information from: Dayton Daily News, http://www.daytondailynews.com
By Steve Barnes LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Reuters) - Arkansas lawmakers on Friday gave final approval to a bill setting aside an official state holiday solely for slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and relegating Confederate General Robert E. Lee to a separate, lesser observance. Supporters of the legislation argued that celebrating a war hero of the pro-slavery Confederacy on the same day as King's birthday, as has been done for a quarter century, was an affront to the memory of the African-American leader's nonviolent quest for racial equality. Opponents of the bill denounced it as disrespectful of the states Civil War heritage. Governor Asa Hutchinson, a Republican who had lobbied both chambers of the Republican-dominated General Assembly on behalf of the measure, praised lawmakers for its passage. This bill was one of my priorities, Hutchinson said. The support for a separate holiday to recognize Martin Luther King far exceeded my expectations. The measure gained final passage in the state House of Representatives on Friday, with bipartisan support from 66 members, while 34 Republicans opposed the bill, abstained or voted "present." The Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill last week. We are taking Robert E. Lee and putting him in the basement and acting like we're embarrassed, said state Representative Jana Della Rosa. If we learned anything in the last election, people in Arkansas don't care about political correctness. Look who we just elected president." Arkansans voted overwhelmingly last year for Republican Donald Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton in the presidential race. The King birthday holiday will continue to be observed on the third Monday of January in Arkansas. The legislation approved Friday stipulates that the second Saturday in October will be recognized as a memorial day for Lee but will not count as an official state holiday. King, who was assassinated in 1968, and Lee, the commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, are still honored jointly in Mississippi and Alabama. Hutchinson has long advocated separating the two observances. An attempt to do so in 2015 sputtered amid protests from Confederate history enthusiasts and cultural conservatives. In an apparent attempt to defuse opposition, lawmakers included language in the bill specifying that Arkansas public schools instruct pupils in civilian and military leadership during the Civil War as well as the civil rights movement. Arkansass original Lee holiday was enacted in 1947, and the King designation in 1983. Two years later the two holidays were combined. (Editing by Steve Gorman)
An ISIS-inspired module, recently uncovered by the UP ATS, wanted to eliminate three Shia clerics in the state, cops say.

Security around the Taj Mahal has been beefed up

By Shashank Shekhar, Arvind Ojha: Shia clerics, Islamic education bodies and their establishments in the state were among the top targets of an alleged ISIS-linked terror module busted by the Uttar Pradesh anti-terrorism squad (ATS).

According to investigators, the self-radicalised group wanted to eliminate three Muslim clerics from Lucknow who had openly criticised ISIS ideology. Both Sufi and Shia clergy from the city had protested against pro-ISIS beliefs.

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The officials claim that the terrorists had done a recce of the daily routines of all three Muslim leaders and were following their routes to carry out an attack. A diary and documents seized from their rented house in Haji colony revealed their targets.

Saifullah, who was gunned down by cops in an encounter this month was staying in Lucknow with Atif, Danish Akhtar alias Jaffar and Syed Mir Hussain alias Humza.

Police had claimed that they were trying to set up an ISIS-inspired terror module of Khorasan, the branch of Islamic State based in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region.

NO EVIDENCE YET OF COMMUNAL ANGLE

"They wanted to eliminate three Muslim clerics associated with a prestigious organisation, as they had raised their voices against ISIS ideology. We have provided them safety and are ensuring that they are safe," said a senior police officer.

However, investigating agency is yet to establish if the group's motive was also to spread communal violence in the state by attacking their targets.

The officer said that documents recovered from the terrorists show that they were also prepared to fight with commandos in case of a hostage-like situation. Their computers had training videos and literature related to past terror attacks.

The case was transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) this week.

ISIS-BACKED CHANNEL PRAISED SAIFULLAH

A pro-Islamic channel called Al-Hindi on Telegram, an encrypted chat platform, had also praised Mohammad Saifullah, who was killed in a counter-terror operation. They termed him as a 'soldier of Khilafah from India' and incited Muslims to follow his example and launch lone-wolf attacks.

Al-Hindi channel made a series of posts on Saifullah as an example to launch attacks in India, a jihadi monitoring intelligence body SITE reported. Al-Hindi is not the only ISIS-backed channel.

TAJ MAHAL POSSIBLE TARGET

There are several other channels operated by jihadis, particularly by the ISIS and Al Qaeda for encrypted communication. Just a week after the UP ATS crackdown, a pro-Islamic State media group warned of attacks in India and published a graphic depicting the Taj Mahal in Agra as a possible target.

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The graphic by the Ahwaal Ummat Media Center was posted on a channel of Telegram on March 14. The graphic features a fighter in combat fatigues and black headgear armed with an assault rifle and a rocket-propelled grenade facing the 17th century monument in Agra.

An inset in the graphic features another image of the Taj Mahal within crosshairs with the words 'new target' below it. There is another image of a van with the Arabic text Agra istishhadi (Agra martyrdom-seeker), implying a suicide attack.

Security around the historic building has been beefed up after the issue came to notice.

ALSO READ | ISIS will meet al-Qaeda's fate in India, it will flop: Union Minister MA Naqvi to India Today

ALSO READ | Lucknow encounter ends, ISIS terror suspect killed: Timeline of events

ALSO WATCH | Lucknow encounter: ISIS module used specialised app to communicate

--- ENDS ---
Good Morning America

For the past three months, Lauryn Bosstick, a Texas-based mom of two, has added a new step to her nightly routine: taping her mouth shut. Bosstick, an entrepreneur and founder of The Skinny Confidential -- a lifestyle product line, book and podcast -- said she considers the technique, called mouth taping, a positive addition to her wellness routine. Bosstick said she first heard about mouth taping at night from multiple wellness experts she interviewed for her podcast, who each praised it as a way to reap the health benefits of nose breathing.
By Angus MacSwan QAYYARA WEST AIRFIELD, Iraq (Reuters) - As the battle for Mosul moves to the narrow streets and densely packed houses of the Old City, U.S. artillery gunners and helicopter pilots supporting Iraqi forces face an age-old problem  how to avoid killing civilians. They place their faith in precision missiles which can hit their target with great accuracy. But human instinct also comes into play against an Islamic State enemy which has used civilians as human shields and hides in houses and mosques. "Our mission is to find and destroy ISIS. We are not here to kill the wrong people," said Captain Lucas Gebhart, commander of the 4/6th Cavalry's Bravo Troop of Apache attack helicopters. The troop is based at this airfield about 60 kms south of Mosul, as is a rocket battery which fires into west Mosul. A major site at the height of the U.S. occupation, Islamic State captured Qayyara from Iraqi government forces in 2014 and destroyed it. The Iraqis retook it in July last year, and now the U.S. Army is building it up again as a support base for the Mosul operation. Gebhart, who wore a U.S. Cavalry hat with a crossed-sabre insignia along with his regular uniform, has been here since December. The troop flies close support for the Iraqi army and escorts medical evacuations. It has had more than 200 engagements with Islamic State fighters in that time, he said. "We fly every day, weather permitting. We are firing missiles most of the time," Gebhart told reporters. The Iraqi army started its offensive on Mosul, Islamic State's last stronghold in Iraq, in October and retook the east side of the city, bisected by the Tigris river, in January. The west, including the Old City, is much harder going. "The west side is very congested and it will present new challenges for us. We realize the need to be careful as we go forward," Gebhart said. One of those challenges is avoiding civilian casualties in a conflict where fighters are mixed in among the population and sometimes hiding behind them. "Everyone that flies with me are fathers and husbands, so we are very deliberate to avoid casualties we don't want. We use guided missiles. The things we shoot from an Apache, they go where we want them to go," Gebhart said. Targets are identified and approved by the Iraqi army. But circumstances can change in a moment. "I have personal experience of human shields. I engaged a target and they pulled a family of women and children out of a house. The missile was already in the air but I was able to move it," he said. "You've got a little bit of time. If something happens post-missile release, we have procedures to move it." Gebhart, aged 32, joined the military as a teenager after the 9/11 attacks on the United States. He served in the 82nd Airborne in Iraq in 2003 before going to West Point and becoming a cavalry officer. He also served two tours of duty in Afghanistan. "I love my job. I don't lose sleep over it," he said. WE LOVE TO FIRE In another section of the base, the 18th Field Artillery "Odin" battery operates a High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), fired off the back of trucks. On Friday afternoon, the battery fired 10 rockets, each worth about $100,000, in the space of about 20 minutes. They headed skywards in a cloud of white smoke and a flash of fire as a Bob Marley song played from a platoon tent. They would reach their target in east Mosul in about a minute. Lieutenant Mary Floyd explained that the rockets were GPS-guided. All fire missions were approved by senior officers at the Combined Joint Operations Center and the coordinates were sent to the battery through computers. "The rockets go really high so we have to clear airspace - civilian and military - along the flight path. We have had to end missions because they saw aviation," she said. Although rockets are often aimed at targets in built-up, populated areas, the battery was confident they would hit what they intended. If the rockets are off target, they do not detonate, she said. "They have very, very low collateral damage, so we like to use them a lot," Floyd said, using the military term for civilian casualties. "When the rockets hit they land at near a vertical angle. That really confines the blast to one house." The battery has fired hundreds of rockets since deploying to Qayyara, she said. "The tempo changes. We'll go a couple of days without orders. Then we might be firing all night." The issue of civilian casualties has dogged the U.S. military during its long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, from shootings at check-points to drone bombings. In the battle for Mosul, Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition war planes have also been pounding parts of the city. Figures of such casualties are hard to come by. Washington has stressed its forces take every effort to avoid them. On Tuesday, a prominent Iraqi politician and businessman, Khamis Khanjar, said at least 3,500 civilians have been killed in west Mosul since the offensive closed in on it. The U.S.-led coalition said in a statement that up to March 4, it had assessed that "more likely than not", at least 220 civilians had been unintentionally killed by coalition strikes since the start of Operation Inherent Resolve. While the men and women of Odin battery were fully aware of the risk, they believe in their work. "We love to fire. It makes me very happy," Floyd said. "At night it is very beautiful." (Editing by Hugh Lawson)
The first meeting between President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel ended on an awkward note as he appeared to ignore a request by Merkel for a handshake before a joint press conference Friday, reports said. The rejection for a handshake from Trump's side reflected the difference in views between the two on a wide range of issues including trade, Russia and immigration, which led to some uneasy moments at the news conference.

When Merkel arrived at the White House, she and Trump shook hands. The leaders then met privately in the Oval Office, before meeting journalists there. Even as Merkel kept leaning toward him in a friendly gesture, Trump looked straight ahead, sitting with his legs apart and hands together. Throughout the press conference, Merkel appeared relaxed but the body language between them was not so warm, reports said. Later, both leaders told reporters their meeting was very good.

Read: What Are The Core Issues To Be Discussed During Trump And Merkel's First Meeting?

During the meeting, Trump complained that the U.S. had been treated very, very unfairly and sarcastically praised German trade officials for having an upper hand over their American counterparts.

"On trade with Germany, I think were going to do fantastically well. Right now, I would say that the negotiators for Germany have done a far better job than the negotiators for the United States. ... We dont want victory, we want fairness. All I want is fairness," Trump said during the press conference.

Read: France's Hollande, Germany's Merkel Say Trump Poses A 'Challenge'

Trump also made it clear to Merkel that Germany and other European nations must pay their "fair share" of costs for NATO.

Trump said: I reiterated to Chancellor Merkel my strong support for NATO, as well as the need for our NATO allies to pay their fair share for the cost of defense. Many nations owe vast sums of money from past years, and it is very unfair to the United States. These nations must pay what they owe.

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Contrasting views regarding immigration came to the fore too, when Trump said: "We also recognize that immigration security is national security. We must protect our citizens from those who seek to spread terrorism, extremism and violence inside our borders. Immigration is a privilege, not a right, and the safety of our citizens must always come first, without question."

In response, Merkel said it was important to stop traffickers but it must be done with the aim of giving refugees the chance to lead better lives.

"Migration, immigration, integration has to be worked on, obviously. Traffickers have to be stopped. But this has to be done while looking at the refugees as well, giving them opportunities to shape their own lives where they are; help countries who right now are not in an ability to do so -- sometimes because they have civil war," she said.

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Bangladesh police shot dead a suspected militant in the capital Dhaka on Saturday a day after a suicide bomber blew himself up at a security forces camp.

The man was killed as he tried to enter a police check-post on a motorcycle armed with explosives.

The incident came days after raids on suspected militant hideouts in the troubled country, which has suffered a series of Islamist attacks in recent years.

"An unidentified miscreant tried to penetrate RAB (Rapid Action Battalion) 3 check post with motorcycle and explosive at Shekje Jaiga on March 18 at 0435 hours," the police said in a statement.

The suspected militant was declared dead after the check-post team opened fire, a police spokesman told AFP.

The attack came a day after a man blew himself up at an RAB camp near Dhaka's international airport, wounding two policemen.

Bangladesh beefed up security at all international and domestic airports after Friday's attack, one of the first in recent years against the elite RAB police unit.

Bangladeshi security forces launched a nationwide crackdown on Islamist extremists following a deadly siege at a cafe in Dhaka last year, arresting scores of suspects.

The drive was led by the RAB, which is tasked with tackling militancy and serious crimes in Bangladesh.

Last year's attack on the Holey Bakery, a cafe popular with foreigners, badly undermined Bangladesh's reputation as a relatively moderate Muslim nation.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, in which 22 people including 18 foreign hostages were killed.

The government has denied the presence of IS in the country and blames local extremists.
Berlin (AFP) - Germany's foreign minister on Saturday openly accused Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan of ramping up anti-European rhetoric in a bid to score political points back home ahead of a key referendum.

Sigmar Gabriel described Erdogan's comments, including likening Germany's current leaders to Nazis, as "ludicrous" but said Europe should stop responding in a war of words which only plays into the Turkish leader's hands.

"He needs an enemy for his election campaign: Turkey humiliated and the West arrogant," Gabriel said in an interview with the German weekly Der Spiegel.

"What has been said these last few weeks is so ludicrous and absurd that it is difficult to continue to listen to them," Gabriel said.

Erdogan has repeatedly accused Germany and the Netherlands of behaving like "Nazis", comments that have left The Hague and Berlin aghast and prompted warnings from Brussels for the Turkish strongman to show moderation.

EU chiefs blasted his comments as "detached from reality" and incompatible with Turkey's ambitions to join the bloc.

But Gabriel said responding to the comments would only serve Erdogan's interests. "I am of the mind that we do not need to respond to all provocation with a counter-provocation," he said.

The Turkey-EU row has escalated notably after the Netherlands and Germany blocked Turkish ministers from holding rallies in their countries, ahead of the April 16 referendum which opponents fear will create a one-man rule in Turkey.

The German minister defended Saturday the banning of rallies, aimed at winning votes from a Turkish diaspora that numbers as many as 1.4 million in Germany alone.

"He who exceeds the limits should not think that he can spread his political views in our country," said Gabriel.

"Germany, as well as Turkey, deserves respect," he added. "We can criticise Germany and German politics, even harshly, but there are limits set by our laws."

Story continues

On Friday a Turkish pro-government newspaper depicted Chancellor Angela Merkel in a Nazi uniform with a Hitler-style moustache, labelling the German leader "She Hitler".

"We are not taking part in a game of provocation," German deputy government spokesman Georg Streiter said in response to the newspaper splash.

In a seeming hint of what's to come, Erdogan on Saturday said he expected parliament to approve restoring capital punishment after the referendum, a move that could end Ankara's bid to join the EU.

Turkey completely abolished the death penalty in 2004 as part of its efforts to join the European Union, which makes its removal a non-negotiable pre-condition for membership.
ISLAMABAD (AP)  Ahmad Waqas Goraya couldn't see anything through the black hood, but he could hear the screams.

A blogger with a penchant for criticizing Pakistan's powerful military and taking the government to task, Goraya was kidnapped in January along with four other bloggers.

"I could hear the screams of torture," he said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press, struggling for words as the memories flooded back. "I don't even want to think about what they did."

Even more terrifying was the accusation of blasphemy __ punishable by death in Pakistan __ hurled at him and his fellow bloggers. They were held in what Goraya called a "black site" on the edge of Lahore that some say is run by Pakistan's powerful intelligence agency.

Analysts say the blasphemy law is a powerful tool to muzzle critics. Some say it is being used by extremists to silence moderates at a time when Pakistanis are increasingly speaking out against violence and extremism, and voicing support for a crackdown on Islamic militants.

In Pakistan, even the suggestion of blasphemy can be tantamount to a death sentence. It has incited extremists to take the law into their own hands and kill alleged perpetrators, often forcing people to flee the country, as Goraya and the other bloggers have.

The government heightened concerns earlier this week when it said it had asked Facebook and Twitter to ferret out Pakistanis posting religiously offensive material, promising to seek their extradition if they are out of the country and prosecute them on blasphemy charges.

In one high-profile case six years ago, Punjab Gov. Salman Taseer was gunned down by one of his guards, who accused him of blasphemy because he criticized the law and defended a Christian woman sentenced to death for allegedly insulting Islam's Prophet Muhammad.

"Right now they have made sure I cannot come back to Pakistan by introducing blasphemy charges," Goraya said.

Story continues

The lawyer who is arguing the case against the bloggers, Tariq Asad, has openly called for their deaths, while praising outlawed Sunni militant groups who want the country's minority Shiites declared non-Muslims.

"They should have been killed," Asad told the AP. "If I had the opportunity I would have killed them."

Asad smiled at the suggestion that invoking the blasphemy law subdues the media and frightens social media activists.

"They should be scared," he said.

The blasphemy charges against the bloggers being heard in Islamabad's High Court were filed by Salman Shahid, who has ties to Pakistan's Red Mosque, a hotbed of Islamic militancy where hundreds were killed in clashes with security forces in 2007. Asad is Shahid's lawyer.

Zahid Hussain, a defense analyst and author of several books on militancy in the region, said invoking the blasphemy law is a form of "pushback" against the proliferation of news outlets and social media that amplify moderate voices.

Extremists "are trying to reassert themselves with this ideological battle and the easiest thing for them to use is the blasphemy law," he said.

Hamid Mir, a popular Pakistani news anchor, says both media owners and journalists operate under a cloud of fear. Threats come from a variety of quarters in Pakistan, including the powerful spy agencies, but the most frightening involve the blasphemy law, he said.

Mir was shot six times in a drive-by shooting in Karachi three years ago. The culprits were later said to have been killed, but Mir pointedly accused Pakistan's intelligence agency at the time.

"I am not afraid of bullets or bombs," he said. Even with three of the six bullets still in his body, he has refused to leave Pakistan.

But now he is having second thoughts. Last year, he was charged with blasphemy after writing a column condemning those who would kill in the name of honor following the burning death of a young girl.

"It broke me," he said. "Here I had done nothing wrong and for four months I faced this blasphemy charge. Then I thought I should leave my country."

Asad, the attorney prosecuting the bloggers, also argued the case against Mir.

Senior Pakistani lawyers told Mir there was only one lawyer who could defend him, Rizwan Abbasi, who was defending the seven militants accused in the deadly 2008 assault in Mumbai, which killed 127 people. Abbasi had also defended Hafiz Saeed, the founder of the outlawed Lashkar-e-Taiba group and one of India's most wanted men.

"I thought if the judge saw him by my side he would think 'if he is with him then I won't get into trouble if I free him,'" said Mir, explaining that judges and lawyers fear retaliation from militants if they exonerate someone of blasphemy.

But even Abbasi needed help. He had Mir send his column to five of the country's top clerics to ask if it contained anything blasphemous. They all rejected the charge and it was dropped, but Mir says his approach to journalism has changed.

"I don't talk about human rights any more. . . You become selective in your criticism," he said.

The Committee to Protect Journalists and Amnesty International have spoken out against the abduction of the bloggers and expressed concerns about journalists' fears regarding the blasphemy law.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did nothing to allay those fears this week when he demanded a review of social media to seek out offensive content, and when his interior minister said the government had reached out to Facebook and Twitter.

Facebook said it reviews all government requests "with the goal of protecting the privacy and rights of our users." Twitter declined to comment.

In the past, Pakistan has banned YouTube after the circulation of videos deemed offensive to Islam.

Goraya, the blogger, is still haunted by his three weeks of captivity, where he said cells were packed with men both young and old, many in chains. One of his eardrums is damaged and he no longer has feeling in one hand.

"I was tortured beyond limits, beatings, different equipment used, psychological torture," he said.
BOSTON (AP)  Boston College's chancellor, the Rev. J. Donald Monan, who is credited with transforming the regional Roman Catholic school into a nationally-regarded university, died Saturday. He was 92.

Monan died at Campion Renewal Center, a Jesuit community in Weston, after a brief illness, the university said.

He was Boston College's longest-serving president. After stepping down in 1996 after 24 years as president, he became the university's first chancellor.

College President William Leahy praised Monan as a skilled leader who helped transform the Jesuit college from a financially strapped, predominantly male commuter school to a co-educational and nationally ranked university.

"Monan devoted more than four decades of his life to Boston College, playing a decisive role in its reorganization and increased recognition in American higher education," Leahy said in a statement. "He has left a lasting legacy."

Cardinal Sean O'Malley, the archbishop of Boston, said Monan "exemplified selfless dedication and service" to God.

During Monan's tenure, the liberal arts college embarked on a rapid expansion, acquiring a neighboring all-women's Catholic college and building dozens of dorms and academic and athletic facilities. The college also stepped up its academic standards and student admissions.

Today, Boston College has about 14,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Its endowment is among the largest in the nation, and it has a consistently high standing among national rankings.

As the university came into its own, Monan also became a prominent figure in the strongly Catholic city of Boston and beyond. In 1999, he was one of several Boston leaders who persuaded the New England Patriots not to leave Massachusetts for Hartford, Connecticut.

Monan grew up in the Buffalo, New York, area and became a Jesuit priest in 1955. He taught at St. Peter's College in Jersey City, New Jersey, and was a dean and vice president at Le Moyne College in Syracuse before coming to Boston.

Funeral arrangements are pending.
SAO PAULO (AP)  Brazil's agriculture minister says he will meet with ambassadors and representatives of the European meat industry amid an investigation of Brazilian meatpackers that police allege have used chemicals to improve the appearance and smell of expired meats.

Blairo Maggi on Saturday told Sao Paulo's Jovem Pan radio station the meeting is scheduled for Monday. Calls to the ministry seeking more details went unanswered.

Investigator Mauricio Moscardi Grillo said Friday some of the expired meat was exported to Europe. He said four containers of meat contaminated with salmonella were stopped in Italy in 2016.

Two of the country's largest meatpackers JBS and BRF are among those being investigated.

Both have issued separate statements denying any wrongdoing and saying they comply with regulations.
Brasilia (AFP) - Brazilian President Michel Temer called an emergency ministerial meeting for Sunday to deal with a growing scandal over the safety of meat and poultry sold at home and abroad by the world's leading supplier.

A two-year police investigation revealed Friday the existence of a corrupt scheme in which dozens of health inspectors were allegedly bribed to certify tainted food as fit for consumption.

Brazilian multinationals caught up in the growing scandal insisted on Saturday that their products were safe, but the scandal has sparked growing public fears. It comes at a sensitive time, as Brazil and other members of South America's Mercosur group are pushing for a trade deal with the European Union.

Temer was set to speak by phone on Saturday to US President Donald Trump, though their agenda was unclear. The United States last year began accepting imports of raw beef from Brazil.

Brazilian authorities on Friday raided more than a dozen meatpackers, issuing 27 arrest warrants and closing a chicken-processing plant run by the multinational BRF group and two meat-processing plants operated by the local Peccin company, the Agriculture Ministry said.

An additional 21 establishments are under investigation, and the ministry dismissed 33 officials involved in the scheme.

The authorities did not say where tainted products had been found, but noted, in a news conference in the southern city of Curitiba, that carcinogenic substances had in some cases been used to mask the odor of bad meat.

In addition to the giant BRF firm, which owns the Sadia and Perdigao brands, companies under investigation include JBS, a world leader in meat sales and owner of the Big Frango, Seara Alimentos and Swift brands.

JBS took out a full-page ad in the newspaper O Globo to say that the federal office conducting the investigation had made no mention of health problems stemming from JBS products. The BRF group is running similar ads, saying its products pose no health risk "whatsoever."

Story continues

- De Niro's testimony -

An ad in which American actor Robert De Niro testifies to the qualify of JBS's Seara ham -- with its "authentic Italian flavor" -- has gotten heavy play on Brazilian television.

But Professor Silvia Farias, who shops in a Rio supermarket, said reports that some chicken products may be mixed with cardboard are worrying.

"We go to the supermarket, we buy meat for our family's consumption, and what do we expect? That it is in good condition," she told AFP. "I would never imagine that the meat could be mixed with cardboard."

Brazil sells meat and poultry to at least 150 countries, so the scandal is deeply concerning to national authorities.

Eumar Novacki, executive secretary of the Agriculture Ministry, acknowledged such concerns but insisted that the irregularities found so far constituted an "isolated fact" involving "the behavior of a minority."

He described Brazil's system of food inspection and certification as "robust."

Novacki also pointed out that all Brazilian exports are inspected upon arrival in other countries.
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Police detained an executive of BRF SA on Saturday, as the meat company and rival JBS SA took out full-page advertisements to burnish their image after raids to investigate alleged bribes paid to conceal unsanitary conditions in Brazil's meatpacking facilities. Roney Nogueira, a government relations executive with BRF, turned himself into police for questioning at Guarulhos airport in Sao Paulo, according to a BRF spokesman. The company, along with JBS, is part of a massive meatpacking industry that in recent years made Brazil one of the world's top exporters of meat. Police sought Nogueira, who was returning to Brazil from South Africa, because he allegedly discussed bribing health inspectors, including one who helped prevent the closure of a plant in the state of Goias, according to court documents. Police said Friday's raids were prompted by evidence that some meatpackers had paid inspectors and politicians to overlook the processing of rotten meat and exports with fraudulent documentation and even traces of salmonella. Highlighting the importance to Brazil of agriculture, one of the few vibrant sectors in an economy still struggling from two years of recession, President Michel Temer is scheduled to meet with meat industry executives on Sunday, a government spokeswoman said. On Saturday, JBS and BRF launched a public relations offensive to deflect a crisis that threatens an industry with $12 billion in annual exports. In a statement late on Saturday, BRF said some allegations made by police were false or based on faulty understanding. "BRF never sold rotten meat," the company said, adding that mentions of spoiled or contaminated products by police were specifically tied to smaller meatpackers unrelated to the company. JBS, the world's largest meat producer, in advertising Saturday made similar clarifications, noting that allegations of "adulterated products do not involve any JBS brands." "Quality is the foremost priority of JBS and its brands," read one of its full-page advertisements in publications that included the major dailies of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. In an email, a JBS spokeswoman said the ads, which also include radio and television spots, would run across 27 different media outlets through Monday. BRF, for its part, ran ads addressing "the millions of consumers whose confidence we have earned," vowing to adhere to the principles of "truth, respect, quality and transparency." The detection of salmonella in four containers of meat shipped from a BRF plant to Italy violated no regulations in Brazil or Europe, the company said in its separate statement to the media, adding that the strain of the bacteria was considered safe by regulators. BRF also said allegations that cardboard had been found in its sausage meat were false. Joao Gomes Cravinho, the European Union's ambassador to Brazil, said Saturday the bloc had asked Brazilian officials for more information about Friday's raids and whether the problems indicated a systemic problem or isolated incidents. "We have to protect the safety of consumers," he said. Investors on Friday hammered shares of both companies after news of the raids. JBS plunged 11.0 percent, while BRF fell 7.0 percent at the Sao Paulo stock exchange. (Reporting by Paulo Prada; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Tom Brown)
The newly-elected BJP legislators are scheduled to elect their leader in the state capital on Saturday evening.

By India Today Web Desk: While the swearing-in of the next chief minister of Uttar Pradesh has been scheduled for Sunday, the mystery over the prospective CM candidate continues. Union Minister Manoj Sinha is touted to be the front runner.

The newly-elected BJP legislators are scheduled to elect their leader in the state capital on Saturday evening.

While Sinha's is a probable choice, another name doing the rounds for the CM post is Rajnath Singh, the incumbent Union Home Minister.

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Sinha has been credited for amassing the votes for BJP from the Bhumihar community in the recent Assembly election. Sources said that Sinha, in all likelihood, fits Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah's plan for Uttar Pradesh.

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MANOJ SINHA: Manoj Sinha is the MoS (Independent Charge) for Communication in the Narendra Modi government. He is also the MoS Railways under Suresh Prabhu. He is a Lok Sabha member from Ghazipur constituency. Recently, India Today magazine included him among the seven most honest members of Parliament. In 2014, Sinha was elected to the Lok Sabha for the third time. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1996. Sinha is a civil engineer. He obtained his engineering degree from the Banaras Hindu University. During his student days at the BHU, Manoj Sinha was the president of the Kashi Hindu Vishwavidyalaya Students Union in 1982-83. Sinha belongs to Bhumihar caste, which has sizeable influence in the bordering area adjoining Bihar. As a deputy to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, Sinha is considered among the most efficient ministers of Modi government. In the recently held Uttar Pradesh election, Sinha was entrusted with the responsibility of managing all the seven Assembly segments under his parliamentary seat of Ghazipur, where don-turned politician and the BSP candidate Mukhtar Ansari has considerable influence. In his own words, Manoj Sinha left 'no stone unturned' during the election campaign. At the end he secured five of seven seats assigned to him by the party bosses. It is being hailed in the BJP as big achievement as the party had not won even one seat from Ghazipur district in 2012.

Also read:

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister to be sworn in on Sunday, no clarity on name yet

What's stopping BJP from naming next Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister? Several reasons, say party insiders

Shamshaan over Kabristan in Uttar Pradesh, says Owaisi; Sajjad Lone counters with democracy argument

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By Jeff Mason and Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump stood by unproven claims on Friday that the Obama administration tapped his phones during the 2016 White House race and shrugged off a dispute with Britain over the notion their spy agency had a hand in it. British Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman earlier in the day dismissed the charge against Britain's GCHQ spy agency as "ridiculous" and said the White House had promised not to repeat it. But at a news conference Trump brushed aside a question about whether it was a mistake to accuse British intelligence of eavesdropping. "We said nothing. All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television. I didn't make an opinion on it," Trump said. He was referring to Fox News analyst Andrew Napolitano who on Tuesday accused Britain's Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) intelligence agency of having helped Obama, a Democrat, wiretap Trump, a Republican. White House spokesman Sean Spicer on Thursday quoted Napolitano's comments about GCHQ during a testy briefing with reporters. But speaking at the White House news conference, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, at his side, Trump distanced himself. "That was a statement made by a very talented lawyer on Fox, and so you shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox. OK?" Trump said while standing by his initial charge that the previous U.S. administration eavesdropped on him. "As far as wiretapping, I guess by this past administration, at least we have something in common, perhaps," he said to Merkel. U.S. ties with Germany were frayed by news reports in 2013 citing leaked intelligence documents that Washington had bugged Merkel's mobile phone. NO APOLOGY A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said British officials had voiced concern to senior Trump aides but the official declined to explicitly apologize for Spicer's citation of the Fox News allegations. The Republican Trump, president since Jan. 20, tweeted this month that his Democratic predecessor had wiretapped him during the late stages of the 2016 campaign. Trump offered no evidence, and an Obama spokesman has said the claim is "simply false". Leaders of both major parties in Congress have joined a growing chorus disputing it. On Friday, the U.S. Justice Department said it had responded to a request by committees in Congress for documents that could shed light on Trump's claim. A government source, who requested anonymity when discussing sensitive information, said an initial examination indicated it contained no evidence to support Trump's charge. On the "Fox & Friends" program, Napolitano, a political commentator and former New Jersey judge, said that rather than ordering U.S. agencies to spy on Trump, Obama had obtained transcripts of Trump's conversations from GCHQ so there were "no American fingerprints" on it. Late on Friday, Fox News anchor Shepard Smith said: "Fox News cannot confirm Judge Napolitano's commentary. Fox News knows of no evidence of any kind that the now president of the United States was surveilled at any time in any way, full stop. Dominic Grieve, chairman of the British Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee, said a U.S. president cannot task the GCHQ to intercept an individual's communications. In a rare public statement, the GCHQ, Britain's equivalent of the U.S. National Security Agency which monitors overseas electronic communications, said the claims should be ignored. Reuters reported earlier this week that an unidentified British security official had denied the allegations about Trump. GCHQ, based in western England, is one of three main British spy agencies alongside the MI6 Secret Intelligence Service and the MI5 Security Service. (Additional reporting by Elizabeth Piper, Michael Holden and Guy Faulconbridge in London; Writing by Howard Goller; Editing by Mary Milliken)
Paris (AFP) - Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate on Saturday told injured survivors of the 2015 Paris terror attacks they admired their courage, on the second day of a visit to France.

The couple met the survivors at the Invalides military hospital in Paris before viewing world-renowned Impressionist artworks by Claude Monet and Edgar Degas at the Musee d'Orsay.

They also watched France play Wales in a Six Nations rugby match at the Stade de France later in the day as the royal couple wrapped up their first official visit to the city where William's mother Diana died in a car crash 20 years ago.

An incident at Paris' Orly airport earlier Saturday, in which a radicalised man tried to grab the rifle of a female solider before he was shot dead, did not appear to affect the visit.

But it was a reminder that France remains on high alert for attacks. More than 230 people have been killed by jihadists since January 2015.

At the Invalides hospital, William and Kate were clearly touched by the plight of 25-year-old Jessica Bambal Akan, who was seriously injured in the deadliest attack to hit France, the coordinated shootings and suicide bombings in eastern Paris on November 13, 2015 that left 130 people dead.

The woman, who still needs to use a wheelchair as a result of her injuries, was celebrating her 24th birthday with three friends at the Belle Equipe bar when jihadist gunmen sprayed the terrace with bullets, hitting her in the leg, back and hip.

"We are all lucky to be alive," she told the royals.

Noticing the pleated and patterned Chanel dress that Kate was wearing, she told her she was determined to pursue a career in fashion despite her injuries.

"I am ambitious, I am still ambitious. I need to live and to work. I want to show these men they cannot win," she said.

A firefighter identified only as Kevin described how he was attending a concert at the Bataclan concert hall that night when he heard gunfire.

Story continues

"They (the attackers) started shouting at the audience and opened fire," he said.

"Anyone who shouted was shot, so I tried to be as quiet as possible.

- Brexit? No comment -

"I was hit twice in the leg but lay there and kept quiet."

Ninety people were killed at the Bataclan.

William told the survivors, who are being treated at the hospital: "You are very brave, you should be proud of yourselves."

Later the couple surprised tourists and art lovers at the Musee d'Orsay, the highly popular museum housed in a former railway station, by arriving for a visit that had not been announced to the public in advance.

William and Kate, who met while both studying history of art at university, were shown artworks including one of Monet's iconic paintings of a fog-shrouded Houses of Parliament in London as the crowds snapped them on their phones.

They then moved on to the Trocadero building, overlooking the Eiffel Tower, where they watched a demonstration of rugby skills as part of an initiative to showcase Britain and France's shared interests at a time when Britain is about to trigger the formal process of leaving the EU.

A young English boy at the event asked William what he thought of Brexit.

The prince, sticking to the protocol that British royals are not supposed to get involved in politics, replied with a smile: "I can't answer that question, but good try."

William pledged Friday that Britain will retain close links with France despite Brexit as they attended a star-studded dinner at the British embassy with film stars Jean Reno, Audrey Tautou and Kristin Scott-Thomas.

No official commemoration of Diana's death was planned during the trip, which comes just months before the 20th anniversary on August 31.
President Donald Trump 's proposed budget  slashing more than $50 billion in spending on nondefense programs  is likely to spark strong political opposition from Democrats.

"President Trump is not making anyone more secure with a budget that hollows out our economy and endangers working families," Nancy Pelosi, House minority leader (D-California), told reporters Thursday. "Throwing billions at defense while ransacking America's investments in jobs, education, clean energy and lifesaving medical research will leave our nation weakened."

But the list of budget cuts includes some that will likely also face political pushback from Republicans, such as that of a 43-year-old popular program that has allocated tens of billions of dollars of grants to states, counties and cities  in both red and blue states.

The Community Development Block Grant program, administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, helps state and local government fund a wide range of projects from housing to public services.

At a time with many states struggling to balance their budgets, the loss of these grants will further widen funding gaps for both Republicans and Democrats. As of the last election, Republicans control 32 of the nation's state legislatures.

Despite the popularity of the program with state and local officials, the Trump administration argues that the $150 billion that has been spent during the program's lifetime could be better spent elsewhere.

"The program is not well-targeted to the poorest populations and has not demonstrated results," the Trump budget proposal said.

To win approval of the proposed $3 billion in annual cuts to the program, the Trump administration will have to convince a majority of the Senate to go along with the plan.

But Republican senators will likely face strong resistance from state and local officials, especially in states like Texas, Arizona, Louisiana and Alabama, which were among the program's biggest beneficiaries in the latest fiscal year.

Story continues

Watch: This budget is 'heartless'





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Sofia (AFP) - Bulgaria said Saturday it was ready to boost patrols and finish a fence along its southeastern frontier with Turkey in an effort to hold off any new influx of migrants.

The pledge comes as Turkey is in separate rows with Bulgaria and the EU, raising worries Ankara could allow a rush of asylum seekers across the border.

"We are ready to protect the country's border in the way provided for in our legislation," Bulgaria's Defence Minister Stefan Yanev said on a visit to the border town of Malko Tarnovo.

Bulgaria is angry at Turkey's open support for Dost, a party for the ethnic Turkish minority, which is running in the Bulgarian general elections for the first time.

The government in Sofia summoned Turkey's ambassador and recalled its own envoy from Turkey for consultations on Thursday.

Sofia slammed Ankara for encouraging Bulgarian citizens living in Turkey -- who number some 200,000 -- to vote for Dost. It called the move "direct interference in Bulgarian domestic affairs".

Ankara has also been locked in a wider row with the European Union after several bloc members prevented Turkish ministers from holding rallies ahead of the April vote on boosting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers.

As a result, Ankara has threatened to scupper a 2016 deal with the EU to brake the flow of migrants entering the bloc.

This could become a major problem for Bulgaria, which shares a 270-kilometre (165-mile) border with Turkey and would be on the frontline of a new migrant wave.

"The aim of our visit is to inspect the new protective barriers and assess and update the plans for protecting the border," Yanev said Saturday.

Bulgaria had already built over 200 kilometres of razor-wire topped fences to halt an influx of Syrian, Afghan and other migrants last year and Yanev said Saturday that another 24 kilometres of barriers would be ready by May.

Several hundred border police and an additional 200 army officers were also dispatched to patrol along the frontier even if migrant numbers registered a sharp drop compared to last year, he added.
Ottawa (AFP) - Canada's government pledged Can$120 million (US$90 million, 84 million euros) Friday to help relieve food crises in four countries where 20 million people face starvation and famine.

The funding for afflicted populations in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen came a week after the United Nations launched an urgent appeal for $4.4 billion in aid by July to "avert a catastrophe" in the region.

"It is a human tragedy that the situation has deteriorated to the extent where we have over 20 million people facing starvation," said international development minister Marie-Claude Bibeau.

"This assistance will be disbursed immediately to the most affected areas. We urge all actors in the affected countries to facilitate humanitarian access so that assistance can reach those most in need."

The UN has warned that the world is facing its worst humanitarian crisis since the end of World War II because of the food crisis, brought on by conflicts in northeastern Nigeria, South Sudan and Yemen, as well as a severe drought in Somalia.

Famine has already been declared in parts of South Sudan.

Canada said its funding would take into account the specific needs of women and children, and include the provision of food, healthcare services, clean water and sanitation facilities.
By Ethan Lou CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - A candidate with plans to merge Alberta's splintered right-leaning factions has won the leadership of the province's Progressive Conservatives (PC), the party said on Saturday, heralding a political shift in Canada's oil heartland. The merger plan by former federal cabinet minister Jason Kenney has a high chance of going through as the other right-leaning faction, the Wildrose party, has agreed to it. But Kenney may not get to shepherd the merged conservative party, as Brian Jean, the head of the currently bigger Wildrose, has said he would vie for the new leadership. Terms of the merger are also unclear and subject to talks. Nonetheless, a tie-up would bolster the pro-business right against the incumbent left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP), which has drawn the ire of conservatives by imposing a carbon tax on the emissions-heavy energy sector and by what critics see as heavy government spending despite budget deficits. "Today we are sending a message to the NDP ... You will be facing a strong, united opposition." Kenney said after his victory in the province's largest city of Calgary. "To our friends and fellow travelers in the Wildrose party ... let us reunite the family." The next election has to take place on or before May 31, 2019. A victory by the merged conservative party would restore the status quo for the mostly right-voting province and could bring drastic changes, as both the PC and Wildrose have opposed most of the NDP's policies. The NDP rose to power in 2015 after nearly half a century of PC rule in Alberta, aided by a divided right and voter anger over low oil prices, entitled politicians and government budget woes. Now in its second year, the NDP government takes credit for federal approvals of pipeline projects that would boost the province's economy by exporting its landlocked crude. But low global oil prices have largely persisted, taking a toll on Alberta's commodity-dependent economy. The provincial government projects deficits until 2024. Representing an Alberta federal electoral district, Kenney served in multiple portfolios in former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper's cabinet. He survived the 2015 federal election in which his party lost power, but resigned his parliamentary seat shortly after to seek the leadership of the aligned but separate PC party in Alberta. NDP leader and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley tweeted her congratulations minutes after Kenney's victory. (Editing by Leslie Adler and Tom Brown)
Bangui (Central African Republic) (AFP) - With a spike in militia killings, a deepening humanitarian crisis and the army still in shambles, the Central African Republic's bid for peace and stability remains elusive.

A three-year civil war that erupted in 2013 between Muslim and Christian militias left thousands of people dead and displaced hundreds of thousands of others, disrupting farming, transport and public services in one of the world's poorest nations.

The nation breathed a sigh of relief in March 2016 when President Faustin-Archange Touadera took office, with a mandate to lead the country through its transition to peace.

But Central Africa's war wounds have proved hard to heal, with swathes of the country still facing unrest.

Since November, violence has raged in the central Ouaka region, leaving hundreds dead and many more injured.

Last week, 11 people were gunned down in their village in Ouaka near the provincial capital Bambari, according to local authorities and the UN peacekeeping mission in Central Africa, MINUSCA.

A local official, speaking on condition of anonymity, blamed the Union for Peace in Central Africa (UPC), saying that armed attackers from the group "invaded the village, shooting at residents".

MINUSCA spokesman Herve Verhoosel said, however, that it was unclear whether the UPC or a rival faction -- the Popular Front for the Renaissance of the Central African Republic Republic (FPRC) -- was to blame.

Both the UPC and the FPRC are factions of the ex-Seleka, the mainly Muslim rebel coalition that seized power from ex-president Francois Bozize in March 2013, sparking civil war.

Anti-balaka ("anti-machete") militias, drawn largely from the deeply poor nation's Christian minority, fought back, in a war that killed mostly civilians and prompted an international intervention.

The Seleka rebellion was disbanded six months after the coup, but some of its factions have rejected the disarmament process and remain active to this day.

Story continues

- Mass displacement -

An independent expert of the United Nations, Marie-Therese Keita-Bocoum, in February said that "armed groups reign as masters over more than 60 percent of the territory, benefitting from total impunity.

"They have taken the place of the judicial apparatus and terrify the population."

Due to the rise of violence, coupled with a shortfall in aid funding, the humanitarian situation in the country has taken a turn for the worse.

The UN says some 2.2 million people -- more than half the population -- remain in dire need of assistance.

"One in every five Central Africans is either displaced internally or is a refugee in neighbouring countries," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Thursday, adding that 100,000 new internally displaced people had been registered since September.

Funding for aid agencies, which are major contributors to basic social services in Central Africa, remains critically short, OCHA said in a statement.

- President without an army -

While parts of the country remain wracked by violence, military intervention in 2013 by France and MINUSCA restored relative calm to the capital Bangui.

But since France withdrew in October, and with the Central African army still under an international arms embargo, the UN peacekeeping force is now the sole functioning force on the ground.

With international support, efforts are under way to bring the national army back into action -- though it is unclear how long that process will take.

According to General Herman Ruys, who heads the European military training mission in Central Africa, the country's first 750 troops will be ready for operations in mid-May.

And at a recent meeting, US ambassador Jeffrey Hawkins pledged $8 million (7.5 million euros) in aid for military equipment purchases, local media reported.

On a recent visit to restive Bambari, Touadera announced: "I have come to tell you that I have decided to restore order in Bambari and in Ouaka province."

But without a functioning army, it remains to be seen how he plans to do that.

"The weapons that the army (today) has are barely enough to equip... 150 men," the recently appointed Central African military Chief of Staff Ludovic Ngaifei has said.
After two years of living with her infant child in an Indonesian prison, convicted killer Heather Mack was forced to give up her baby Stella. Mack gave Stella to a woman who agreed to care for her until she is released from prison in 2025, People reported Friday.

Mack, a 19-year-old from the Chicago area, gave birth to Stella during the murder trial and has lived with her in prison ever since as per Indonesian custom.

For nine months and two years I have loved and cared for my baby in the strangest of situations. Stella never dreamed of being born into a live here with me at Kerobokan prison, she told People this week. But for us, it has been a beautiful two years. We wake up together and we hold each other when we fall asleep. She is everything to me.

GettyImages-470508874

Photo: Getty Images

Mack and her then-boyfriend Tommy Schaefer, the father of Stella, were convicted of murdering Macks mother, Shiela von Wiese-Mack, and hiding her battered body in a suitcase after an altercation in August 2014. Mack was on vacation with her mother in Bali, Indonesia, staying in a five-star resort at the time.

Von Wiese-Mack had originally planned the trip as a way to mend the tumultuous relationship between her and her daughter, according to reports. Instead, Schaefer showed up without her knowledge and an altercation ensued. Schaefer testified that he killed Von Wiese-Mack by bludgeoning her with a metal fruit bowl, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The two could have been sentenced to death by firing squad but were eventually put in Kerobokan prison: Mack for 10 years and Schaefer for 18.

The teenager was Von Weise-Macks only child and was set to receive $1.56 million in the form of a trust on her 30th birthday.

I dont regret killing my mother, and as evil as that may sound, thats my reality, Mack said in a YouTube video posted in February.

Story continues

Schaefers mother, Kia Walker, originally attempted to gain custody of Stella in order to raise her among family near Chicago, but her requests were denied by the court, according to NBC Chicago. Instead, Stella was given to an Australian-Balinese woman named Oshar Putu Melody Suartama, who befriended Mack after seeing her sleeping on the prison floor while she was there serving as a translator.

More than two years ago I opened up my heart to Heather and Stella and today we open up our home to Stella who I will love as my own, Suartama told People this week. This isnt goodbye. Stella and her mom will continue their precious bond for the years to come.

GettyImages-468195852

Photo: Getty Images

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The firebrand Gorakhpur Member of Parliament pipped the other front-runners - Union Minister Manoj Sinha and state BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya - for the post.

Yogi Adityanath after being chosen as UP BJP legislature party leader.

By India Today Web Desk: Yogi Adityanath was named as the next Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister in a meeting of the newly-elected BJP legislators in Lucknow, a week after the BJP stormed to power in the state winning 312 of the 403 Assembly seats in the state.

Adityanath's name was proposed by BJP leader Suresh Khanna and was supported by Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu.

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The 44-year-old firebrand Gorakhpur Member of Parliament has pipped the other front-runners - Union Minister Manoj Sinha and state BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya - for the post. Maurya and senior BJP legislator Dinesh Sharma will be Adityanath's deputies.

The swearing-in of the next Uttar Pradesh government will be held in Lucknow on Sunday evening.

Shrikant Sharma, Sidharth Nath Singh, Sangeet Som, Suresh Rana, Pankaj Singh, Swami Prasad Maurya and Rita Bahuguna Joshi are some of the leaders likely to be inducted into Adityanath's cabinet.

HERE ARE THE LATEST UPDATES:

Supporters of Yogi Adityanath celebrate in Gorakhpur.

#WATCH: Five time MP from Gorakhpur Yogi Adityanath set to become next Uttar Pradesh CM, supporters in Gorakhpur rejoice pic.twitter.com/Y6DLZiN0Qw- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 18, 2017

BJP supporters in Varanasi celebrate after Yogi Adityanath was declared Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.

Celebration in Varanasi: Yogi Adityanath set to become the next Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, will take oath tomorrow pic.twitter.com/CG1xNniZaD- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 18, 2017

Congratulate Yogi Adityanath, hope under him Uttar Pradesh will reach new heights of development, says Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh.

Supporters in Gorakhpur rejoice and burst crackers as five-time MP from Gorakhpur Yogi Adityanath becomes Uttar Pradesh CM designate.

Supporters in Gorakhpur rejoice and burst crackers as the five time MP from Gorakhpur Yogi Adityanath becomes Uttar Pradesh CM designate pic.twitter.com/uE1dxJ0JRO- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 18, 2017

We have spoken to chief ministers from Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir. CMs from BJP, NDA are expected to attend the swearing-in event, says Venkaiah.

PM Modi's itinerary of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. PM Modi's itinerary of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.

PM Modi and Amit Shah will also remain present at Adityanath's oath-taking ceremony tomorrow, says Venkaiah Naidu.

Yogi Adityanath to take oath as UP CM on Sunday, Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma deputy chief ministers of the state.

#WATCH Yogi Adityanath chosen as Uttar Pradesh BJP legislature party leader pic.twitter.com/OPnuON4BTg- ANI (@ANI_news) March 18, 2017

Shocked at the political development in Uttar Pradesh, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi has tweeted, Mr Modi is making a "NEW INDIA" in UP.

We have got a massive majority after 15 years. We will follow Modiji's agenda, said Yogi Adityanath.

BJP MLA Suresh Khanna proposed the name of Adityanath.

Yogi Adityanath chosen as Uttar Pradesh BJP legislature party leader.

Yogi Adityanath chosen as legislature party leader pic.twitter.com/qy3F7XNQdc- ANI (@ANI_news) March 18, 2017

News of Yogi Adityanath being chosen as CM designate for UP is based on sources; no official announcement yet.

I am very happy with this decision. Issues like of corruption, law and order, women safety will be handled well by Yogi Adityanath. He is the right candidate and one who can handle every kind of challenge in UP, says BJP leader Uma Bharti.

Supporters of Yogi Adityanath shout 'Yogi,Yogi' outside Lok Bhawan (Lucknow) where BJP MLAs meeting is underway.

UP BJP's legislature party meeting about to start shortly. Sunil Bansal, Venkaiah Naidu and Apna Dal's Anupriya Patel along with her supporters have arrived at the meeting.

BJP leaders Yogi Adityanath, Bhupendra Yadav, Om Mathur, KP Maurya and Sunil Bansal held a separate meeting, ahead of BJP MLAs' meet.

Yogi Adityanath has reached the VVIP guest house, is meeting Venkaiah Naidu.

BJP leaders Keshav Prasad Maurya, Kalraj Mishra and Apna Dal leader Anupriya Patel have reached VVIP Guest house.

Manoj Sinha has returned to Varanasi after visiting Ghazipur. He is expected to fly back to Delhi by a commercial flight.

Adityanath, the firebrand Member of Parliament from Gorakhpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh, is one of the names doing the rounds as the 32nd Chief Minister of the state.

The Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya is also in the national capital and met Amit Shah earlier today.

Supporters of Adityanath and Maurya in Lucknow demonstrated in a show of strength, demanding their leader should be made the state Chief Minister.

Not in race for CM post.Legislature party and Parliamentary board decides.Section of media unnecessarily speculating:Manoj Sinha (file pic) pic.twitter.com/ftU0gtsmKV- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) 18 March 2017 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah, among others, will attend the oath ceremony.

"The names in the media reports are pure speculative. Today evening, we will be meeting the MLAs and then we will decide," Venkaiah Naidu told reporters in Lucknow.

Union Communications Minister Manoj Sinha, who most are betting on, today visited many temples in Varanasi, Modi's Lok Sabha constituency.

Na hi mera koi daava tha aur na hi main kisi race mein hoon: Manoj Sinha,Union Minister on next UP CM pic.twitter.com/nSeY85uE5s- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) 18 March 2017 While the BJP has decided to swear in the next chief minister on Sunday at 5 pm, it has not yet announced who is going to occupy the chair.

Apart from Manoj Sinha, Home Minister and former state Chief Minister Rajnath Singh, Maurya and eight-time MLA from Shahjahanpur Suresh Khanna are also being projected as the main contenders for the post.

Also read:

Manoj Sinha leading Uttar Pradesh CM race as BJP keeps suspense alive

What's stopping BJP from naming next Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister? Several reasons, say party insiders

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister to be sworn in on Sunday, no clarity on name yet

WATCH VIDEO

--- ENDS ---
Former "Power Rangers" star Ricardo Medina Jr. pleaded guilty Thursday to voluntary manslaughter in the stabbing death of his roommate, according to a statement released by the Los Angeles District Attorney's office. He faces six years in state prison when he is sentenced on March 30th.

It was an offer that was definitely worth it for him to take, Medina's attorney Stanley Friedman said, according to the Los Angeles Times. It mitigated his risk of potentially getting a life sentence.

Read: Power Rangers 2017: Fans React On Twitter To Alpha 5s New Look

Medina was charged in January 2016 with the first-degree murder of Josh Sutter, 36, after an argument had ensued over how Medinas girlfriend parked her car. According to investigators, Sutter had forced his way into Medina's room after the altercation and was later stabbed multiple times in the abdomen by Medina with a samurai sword.

After Medina called 911, Sutter was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Medina initially claimed he acted in self-defense. Prosecutors played his 911 call in which he is heard talking to Sutter. "Damn it, Josh. Why did you do this, man? Why did you make me do this?"

The 38-year-old actor appeared as the red Power Ranger in three different series of the long-running franchise. He starred in Power Rangers Wild Force (2002), Power Rangers Wild Force: Identity Crisis (2002) and Power Rangers Samurai (2001). Medina's credits also include appearances on "CSI Miami" and "ER."

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BEIJING (Reuters) - China will begin preparatory work this year for an environmental monitoring station on Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, an official said, as two U.S. senators introduced a bill to impose sanctions on its activities in the disputed waterway. China seized the strategic shoal, which is also claimed by the Philippines, in 2012 and the United States has warned Beijing against carrying out the same land reclamation work there that it has done in other parts of the South China Sea. This week, Xiao Jie, the mayor of what Beijing calls Sansha City, an administrative base for disputed South China Sea islands and reefs it controls, said China planned preparatory work this year to build environmental monitoring stations on a number of islands, including Scarborough Shoal. The monitoring stations, along with docks and other infrastructure, form part of island restoration and erosion prevention efforts planned for 2017, Xiao told the official Hainan Daily. The report comes ahead of a visit to Beijing at the weekend by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, where he is expected to reiterate U.S. concern about Chinese island building. Tillerson has called the activity "illegal" and last June, then U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter warned that any move by China to reclaim land at Scarborough Shoal would "result in actions being taken by the both United States and ... by others in the region which would have the effect of not only increasing tensions, but isolating China." A spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department, Anna Richey-Allen, said it was aware of the Chinese report and reiterated a call on South China Sea claimants to avoid building on disputed features. The Philippine foreign ministry declined to comment, saying it was trying to verify the reports. Washington stresses the importance of free navigation in South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion worth of trade passes each year. China claims nearly all of the sea and Washington is concerned its island-building is aimed at denying access to the waters. This week, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Ben Cardin introduced the South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act, which would ban visas for Chinese people helping to build South and East China Sea projects. It would also sanction foreign financial bodies that "knowingly conduct or facilitate a significant financial transaction for sanctioned individuals and entities" if China steps up activity at Scarborough Shoal, among other actions. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying called the bill "extremely grating" and said it showed the "arrogance and ignorance" of the senators. Bonnie Glaser, an Asia expert at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, said it was unclear if China planned dredging work at Scarborough Shoal, something that could wreck efforts to agree a code of conduct for the region that Beijing professes to support. She noted that parties to a 2002 declaration of conduct had agreed to refrain from inhabiting uninhabited features. During his January confirmation hearing, Tillerson said China should be denied access to islands it has built up in the South China Sea. He subsequently softened his language, saying that in the event of an unspecified "contingency," the United States and its allies "must be capable of limiting China's access to and use of" those islands to pose a threat. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Christian Shepherd; Additional reporting by Manuel Mogato in Manila and David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and James Dalgleish)
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - China, backed by Russia, blocked a short U.N. Security Council statement on Myanmar on Friday, diplomats said, after the 15-member body met to discuss the situation in Rakhine state, where the country's military is conducting a security operation. The U.N. human rights office last month accused the military of mass killings and rapes of Rohingya Muslims and burning their villages since October in a campaign that "very likely" amounts to crimes against humanity and possibly ethnic cleansing. U.N. political affairs chief Jeffrey Feltman briefed the council behind closed doors. Britain requested the meeting. "We did put forward ... some proposed press elements but there was not consensus in the room," British U.N. Ambassador Matthew Rycroft, president of the council for March, told reporters after the briefing. Such statements have to be agreed by consensus. Diplomats said Myanmar neighbour China, backed by Russia, blocked the statement. The short draft press statement, seen by Reuters, would have "noted with concern renewed fighting in some parts of the country and stressed the importance of humanitarian access to all effected areas." Some 75,000 people have fled Rakhine state to Bangladesh since Myanmar's military began a security operation last October in response to what it says was an attack by Rohingya insurgents on border posts in which nine police officers were killed. The European Union called on Thursday for the United Nations to send an international fact-finding mission urgently to Myanmar to investigate allegations of torture, rapes and executions by the military against the Rohingya Muslim. Following a closed-door council meeting in November and as Western nations became increasingly concerned about how Aung San Suu Kyi's government was dealing with violence in the divided northwest, Suu Kyi told diplomats in the capital, Naypyitaw, that her country was being treated unfairly. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols)
Dhaka (AFP) - The Islamic State Group claimed responsibility Saturday for a suicide bomb attack on a Bangladesh security forces camp, while police in Dhaka shot dead a suspected militant in a separate incident.

The Bangladeshi government has repeatedly denied the presence of IS in the country, blaming attacks on local extremists.

"A caliphate soldier in Bangladesh carried out a martyrdom operation with an explosive belt in a camp for special forces in Dhaka," IS announced in its daily al-Bayan radio bulletin Saturday.

Two policemen were wounded in the apparently botched attack on Friday when a man blew himself up at an elite forces camp near Dhaka's international airport.

The camp attacked was occupied by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), an elite force tasked with combatting militancy.

Asked about IS' claim of responsibility, RAB spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan told AFP: "IS has no presence in Bangladesh at all".

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a major attack on a Dhaka cafe last year in which 22 people, including 18 foreign hostages, were killed.

The Bangladeshi government however has said a new faction of homegrown extremist group Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) was behind that and other attacks.

Critics accuse Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's secular government of using the spate of attacks in the country to demonise her domestic opponents.

On Saturday a man on a motorbike tried to cross a RAB security roadblock in Dhaka carrying a bag with improvised explosive devices.

Bangladesh police shot the suspected militant dead, Khan said.

"As he was carrying explosives we primarily suspect him of being a militant," Khan told AFP, adding further investigation was needed to ascertain his identity.

A bomb disposal unit recovered the biker's bag containing multiple small improvised bombs, which were later defused, Khan said.

Friday's bomb attack was one of the first in recent years against the elite RAB force, which has led a nationwide crackdown on Islamist extremists, arresting scores of suspects.

Story continues

Police have this month also been carrying out a series of raids in the southern Chittagong region and say they killed four suspected militants when they stormed an extremist hideout on Thursday.

Former US Secretary of State John Kerry said last year there was evidence to link extremists behind attacks in Bangladesh to IS.

"There is the ideological footprint of IS in Bangladesh, there is no denial about it," said Shahab Enam Khan, a terrorism expert at Jahangirnagar University.

"However, we have not received enough evidence of their physical existence in concrete organisational form in the country yet."
A month after a missing college students remains were found in Texas, the man she was dating has been charged with her murder, police said.

Zuzu Verk, a 22-year-old student Sul Ross State University in Alpine, went missing on Oct. 12 and her body was found in a shallow grave in the wilderness near Alpine on February 3.

Read: Couple Speaks Out After Arrest for Staging Murder Hoax: 'I Just Thought It'd Be Really Cool'

Robert Fabian, 26, was the last person to see her, according to authorities. Neighbors told police they heard Fabian and Verk argue at his Alpine apartment late evening on October 11.

According to reports, Fabian initially told police that the couple had a romantic night planned but that it ended with Verk leaving after an argument. He claimed that was the last time her saw her.

Police, however, said that his story changed after being questioned and that he acted suspiciously in the days following Verks disappearance.

Search warrants found that Fabian called his friend, Chris Estrada, twice during the early morning of October 12 and later borrowed a Ford F-150 pickup for an unknown reason, according to reports.

Police said that Estrada told them that he drove Fabian to a store on the evening of October 12, and let the him use his card to buy three plastic drop cloths.

Read: Woman Charged With Murder After Allegedly Forcing Boyfriend to Drink Bleach: Cops

Those drop cloths are similar to the ones wrapped around Verk's remains when they were found, police said.

Fabian is charged with murder and his bond is set at $750,000.

Watch: Cops Say Teen Strangled High School Girlfriend Found Dead in His House

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It was on this day in 1963 that the Supreme Court handed down the Gideon decision, which guaranteed the rights of the accused to have a public defender in court.

Clarence Earl Gideon

Clarence Earl Gideon

In Gideon v. Wainwright, the Court concluded that the Constitution required state-provided legal counsel in criminal cases for defendants who are unable to afford to pay their own attorneys.

The Gideon decision touched on three amendmentsthe Sixth Amendment, the 14th Amendment and the Fifth Amendment. But the Sixth Amendment was at the decisions core.

Prior to 1962, indigent Americans were not always guaranteed access to legal counsel despite the Sixth Amendment. Clarence Earl Gideon, a Florida resident, was charged in Florida state court for breaking and entering into a poolroom with the intent to commit a crime.

Due to his poverty, Gideon asked the Florida court to appoint an attorney for him. The court declined to do this and pointed to state law which said that the only time indigent defendants could be appointed an attorney was when charged with a capital offense.

Left with no other choice, Gideon represented himself in trial and lost. Gideon then studied the law while in prison, and he filed a petition of habeas corpus to the Florida Supreme Court, arguing that he had a constitutional right to be represented with an attorney, but the Florida Supreme Court did not grant him any relief.

Gideon then sent a handwritten five-page petition to the United States Supreme Court asking for his appeal to be accepted. The Court agreed, and future Supreme Court Justice Abe Fortas was assigned to represent Gideon.

A unanimous Supreme Court said that state courts were required under the 14th Amendment to provide counsel in criminal cases to represent defendants who are unable to afford to pay their own attorneys, guaranteeing the Sixth Amendments similar federal guarantees.

The right of an indigent defendant in a criminal trial to have the assistance of counsel is a fundamental right essential to a fair trial, and petitioners trial and conviction without the assistance of counsel violated the Fourteenth Amendment, wrote Justice Hugo Black in the unanimous opinion.

Story continues

The Court also said that the Constitutions Sixth Amendment gives defendants the right to counsel in criminal trials where the defendant is charged with a serious offense even if they cannot afford one themselves; it stated that in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to  have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

The right of one charged with crime to counsel may not be deemed fundamental and essential to fair trials in some countries, but it is in ours. From the very beginning, our state and national constitutions and laws have laid great emphasis on procedural and substantive safeguards designed to assure fair trials before impartial tribunals in which every defendant stands equal before the law, said Black.

Gideon did receive a second trial in Florida, where he was found not guilty with the help of an attorney.

An equally significant book from Anthony Lewis, Gideons Trumpet, memorialized the case in our culture.
LIMA, Peru (AP)  The intense rains, overflowing rivers, mudslides and flooding being experienced in the country are the worst seen in in two decades, Peruvian authorities said Saturday, affecting more than half the nation as the death toll since the beginning of the year hits 72.

Prime Minister Fernando Zavala on Saturday updated the number of dead to 72 in comments to local radio station RPP.

The government says 374 people were killed in 1998 during a similar period of massive rains and flooding caused by rains blamed on the El Nino climate pattern.

The rains have overwhelmed the drainage system in the cities along Peru's Pacific coast and the health ministry has started fumigating around the pools of water that have formed in the streets to kill mosquitoes that carry diseases like dengue.

Lima has been without water service since the beginning of the week. The government has deployed the armed forces to help police control public order in the 811 cities that have declared an emergency.

"The prices for lemons have gone up, as well as for potatoes and cooking oil," said Sara Arevalo, a mother of five who was shopping at a market in northern Lima. The government has acknowledged that prices have shot up some 5 percent because of the flooding.

The highly unusual rains follow a series of storms that have struck especially hard along Peru's northern coast, with voracious waters inundating hospitals and cemeteries, and leaving some small villages entirely isolated. The storms are being caused by a warming of the surface waters in the Pacific Ocean and are expected to continue for another two weeks.

Even Peru's capital city of Lima, where a desert climate seldom leads to rain, police on Friday had to help hundreds of residents in an outskirt neighborhood cross a flooded road by sending them one-by-one along a rope through choppy waters. The muddy current channeled down the street after a major river overflowed. Some residents left their homes with just a single plastic bag carrying their belongings.
(Reuters) - A man charged in the shooting of two Detroit police officers earlier this week has been linked through DNA evidence to the fatal shooting of a university police officer last year, authorities said.

Raymond Durham, 60, who was charged in shootings of two Detroit officers on Wednesday, is now the "prime suspect" in the November shooting death of Wayne State University Police Sergeant Collin Rose, Detroit Police Chief James Craig told the media on Friday.

Craig declined to provide details on the DNA evidence that links Durham to Rose's death, citing the ongoing investigation.

Durham was charged by the Wayne County Prosecutor on Friday in connection with the shootings of the two Detroit officers, the Detroit Free Press reported.

He was arraigned while in hospital, where he is receiving treatment after being shot in the leg during a shoot-out with officers.

One officer was shot once in the ankle and twice in the upper torso, but was wearing protective body armor that likely saved his life. The other officer was shot in the neck, police said. They are both recovering in hospital, the Detroit Free Press reported.

The shoot-out occurred while officers were investigating drug activity on the city's West Side, just blocks from where Rose, 29, was shot on Nov. 22. He died a day later.

Police are compiling evidence to present to prosecutors regarding Rose's killing, Craig said on Friday. He said he anticipated charges would be filed against Durham for that shooting.

(Reporting by Timothy Mclaughlin in Chicago; Editing by Paul Tait)
Early Friday afternoon, President Trump and German Chancellor Merkel held one of the more awkward photo ops in recent memory. Merkel sat, looking like she was trying hard to appear casual. Trump barely bothered, grimacing tightly. When photographers asked for a handshake, Merkel asked Trump if they should shake hands. He either did not hear or pretended not to.

As it turns out, this was only a warm-up for the dual press conference the two leaders held later Friday afternoon, during which Merkel stood beside Trump as he ridiculed a German reporter, lied about his statements on his baseless conspiracy theory that President Obama surveilled him, and refused to back down on claims that have set off a diplomatic incident with the United Kingdom.

Related Story

Why Trump Cant Let Go of His Wiretapping Claim

The fact that it might be a tense conversation was clear from the two leaders opening statements. Trump, during his, once again complained about the cost of NATO. I reiterated to Chancellor Merkel my strong support for NATO as well as the need for our NATO allies to pay their fair share for the cost defense, he said. Many nations owe vast sums of money from past years and it is very unfair to the United States. These nations must pay what they owe.

As for Merkel, she used her own statement to issue a veiled scolding for Trump, who previously said she was ruining Germany with a catastrophic mistake of an open-door refugee policy. I've always said it's much, much better to talk to one another and not about one another, and I think our conversation proved this, Merkel said.

Recommended: Is Tillerson Really Articulating a New Policy on North Korea?

Perhaps that is so, but there was little talking to each other during the press conference; instead, Trump shot from the hip and Merkel sought to either smooth things over or stay out of the way. It wasnt an easy task.

Story continues

Trump got several questions about his continued, inexplicable insistence that President Obama surveilled him prior to the election. He ignored the first, which came from a German reporter, but answered it the second time, when a second German reporter asked if it had been a mistake for Sean Spicer to read a story in the White House briefing room on Thursday that accused the British intelligence agency GCHQ of helping to surveil Trump.

The president started off with an uncomfortable deadpan remarkjoke?about the 2013 revelation that Merkel had been the subject of NSA wiretaps.

As far as wiretapping I guess by this past administration, at least we have something in common perhaps, Trump said, to somewhat incredulous laughter in the room.

And just to finish your question, we said nothing, Trump continued. All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television. I didn't make an opinion on it. That was a statement made by a very talented lawyer on Fox. And so you shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox.

Trumps claim of having tendered no opinion was a lie. In a series of March 4 tweets lodging the allegation, and he most certainly did make an opinion, calling it McCarthyism and Nixon/Watergate and calling Obama a Bad (or sick) guy! And in pinning the story on Andrew Napolitano, a onetime New Jersey judge who is a Fox legal analyst, Trump implied that it didnt matter whether he gave a platform to baseless accusations, much less endorsed them, because he hadnt originated them. The buck doesnt stop in Trumps Oval Office.

Recommended: What If the 'Populist Wave' Is Just Political Fragmentation?

The problems with this approach became clear with Britains fury about the GCHQ accusation. After complaints from U.K. officials, the White House issued a statement saying, Ambassador Kim Darroch and Sir Mark Lyall expressed their concerns to Sean Spicer and [National Security Adviser H.R.] McMaster. Mr. Spicer and General McMaster explained that Mr. Spicer was simply pointing to public reports, not endorsing any specific story.

If that explanation was intended to soothe tensions with Americas closest ally, Trump did all he could to throw things back into chaos during the press conference, managing to poke sore spots for both Britain and Germany at the same time.

Trump also berated a German reporter who asked Merkel about Trumps isolationism and then asked the president why he was scared of adversity in the news.

Nice friendly reporter, he said sarcastically. I am a trader, I am a fair trader, a trader that wants to see good for everybody worldwide, but I'm not an isolationist by any stretch of the imagination, so I don't know what newspaper you're reading, so I guess that would be another example of fake news.

If the goal of the press conference was to present some sort of unified face on trade, however, that didnt happen. Merkel offered a platitudinous plea for a win-win solution, but Trump was more interested in grievance and competition. I would say that the negotiators for Germany have done a far better job than the United States but hopefully we can even it out, he said.

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American reporters were more interested in finding out about the state of the Republican Partys attempt to repeal Obamacare. Trump has put his weight behind the bill and met with members of the conservative Republican Study Committee to try to make the case for the bill. The bill looks tenuous at best, beset by criticism from moderate and conservative Republicans alike, but Trump promised a happy ending.

In the end were going to have a great health-care plan, Trump said, but he didnt say how, preferring to dwell on the existing law. Obamacare will fail. It will fold. it will close up very, very soon if something isn't done. I've often said politically the best thing I can do is absolutely nothing. Wait one year and then even the Democrats will say, Please, please, you gotta help us.

But Trump offered no indications on what changes were going to be made to the bill to bring more votes into the fold.

During the press conference, the American journalist Mark Halperin asked Merkel a question about whether she thought Trumps different style than past president was good for the world. The chancellor gamely tried to answer.

For Germany I can say, well people are different, people have different abilities, different traits of character, have different origins, have found their way into politics along different pathways, she said through a translator. Which, well, that is diversity, which is good! Sometimes its difficult to find compromises, but thats what weve been elected for.

The fact that Merkel had to work hard to say something diplomatic in response to such a softball question said a great deal about the press conference. But give the chancellor credit for effortTrump didnt even bother to try diplomacy.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
Barely five years ago, in 2012, the political map of Uttar Pradesh was a crimson-dominated rainbow, bearing the imprint of a spectacular Samajwadi Party victory over Mayawati's blue brigade. This Holi, the rainbow has changed hue again-now it's awash in saffron, with other shades jostling for presence. It signifies not just a power shift from the SP to the Bharatiya Janata Party-triggered by an extraordinary saffron surge-but the rout of the regional forces at the hands of a national party after a decade-and-a-half of eventful politics in the state.

To many, the BJP's landslide in UP is a mere reassertion of the verdict of 2014, when the party won 71 of the state's 80 seats (the NDA won 73) in the Lok Sabha election. However, the important question is what caused the two back-to-back landslides, in 2014 and 2017, for the BJP in less than three years.

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The Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the early 1990s had brought about the party's previous peak during the three successive assembly elections in 1991, 1993 and 1996. Today, when the Ram temple issue lies dormant, sub judice in the Supreme Court, how does one explain the remarkable rise in the BJP's stock in 2017?

Apart from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership skills and extraordinary nationwide appeal since 2014, and BJP president Amit Shah's enviable record and expertise in election management, the most obvious answer seems to be electoral and social realignment-substantive, decisive and durable shifts in voting preferences-in favour of the BJP.

One of the prerequisites of electoral realignment is high voter turnout, spurred by successful political mobilisation. For a state that has a record of low voting, UP saw its highest turnout of 61.1 per cent this election, up almost 2 percentage points from the 2012 average of 59.4 per cent. Given the size of the UP electorate (141 million in 2017, according to Election Commission data), even a small increase like this can be enormous in real terms.

The higher turnout this time was largely driven by women, who outnumbered the men by more than 3 percentage points. The Modi government's Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, ensuring cooking gas cylinders to the poor, and the BJP's image of zero tolerance on crime against women are thought to have encouraged more women to step out and vote for the party. Higher turnouts also bring in first-time voters in their droves, impacting election results. The BJP cornered 34 per cent of the votes in the 18-25 age group.

Socio-political movements in the past, such as the JP movement in 1977, the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in 1991, the Anna Hazare-led anti-corruption stir in 2011, have all ensured high turnouts in subsequent elections. Both in 2014 and 2017, the BJP's attempt to spread its base through new branches of the party in remote areas appears to have paid off.

The BJP also worked aggressively among students and through bodies such as the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. Given the new rural outreach in 2014 and 2017, the BJP was able to break its image of an urban, middle-class party and sweep most of the countryside, particularly finding favour among the Extremely Backward Castes (EBCs) and Dalits other than Jatavs.

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The India Today post-poll data shows that while the BJP retained 62 per cent of its traditional voters among the upper castes, it was also able to woo EBC voters other than the Yadavs, securing 58 per cent of their vote. The EBCs that gravitated towards the BJP belonged primarily to the Lodh, Kushwaha, Kurmi, Koeri and Other Backward Castes (OBCs).

The post-poll data shows the BJP drew the support of 57 per cent Kurmi voters, 63 per cent Lodh voters and 60 per cent OBCs. In western UP, the supposed anger of Jats against the BJP proved to be a myth. The party captured a sizeable 43 per cent of the Jat vote. It also succeeded in bagging 17 per cent of the Dalit vote, mainly from non-Jatav communities such as Pasi, Valmiki and Khatik.

And though the SP got 80 per cent of the Yadav vote, only 18 per cent of the non-Yadavs went with it. The BSP was popular mainly among its core Dalit voter base, getting 62 per cent of Scheduled Castes votes, mainly Jatavs.

The BJP's electoral and social realignment has almost routed the regional parties in UP. Just consider the decisive nature of their drubbing in 2017. The SP, which had won 224 out of UP's 403 seats in 2012, has been reduced to a tally of 47 despite an alliance with the Congress, which was expected to consolidate the Muslim vote. This is the SP's lowest tally ever. Ally Congress, which held the pole position in UP's politics for the first few decades after independence, has shrunk to a pathetic seven seats, its lowest ever in an assembly poll in the state.

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The BSP, which won 206 seats in 2007 and 80 in 2012, is down to 19 seats, its lowest tally since 1993. It bagged only two of the 85 reserved constituencies. The BSP's whitewash means Mayawati will be in no position to be re-elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2018, when her term ends.

So punishing has been the SP's defeat that 15 of its 25 contesting ministers lost, including prominent names such as Abhishek Misra, Ravidas Mehrotra, Kamal Akhtar and Arvind Singh Gope, as well as Gayatri Prajapati, who was arrested in Lucknow on March 15 on charges of rape.

The SP even lost in its pocket boroughs-all four seats in the Yadav stronghold of Etah, two out of three seats it contested in Etawah (Shivpal Yadav was the only winner from Jaswantnagar), four out of five seats in Firozabad district, five out of six seats in Budaun district and two out of three seats in Kannauj, from where Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple Yadav is an MP. Even in Azamgarh, the Lok Sabha seat of Mulayam Singh Yadav, the party could retain only five of the nine seats it won in 2012. Aparna Yadav, Mulayam's other daughter-in-law, lost to Rita Bahuguna of the BJP in the prestigious Lucknow Cantonment seat.

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Many factors brought the rout upon the satraps. The primary reason was the failure of the BJP's rivals to stitch together a Bihar-style mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) that became the BJP's nemesis in the Bihar assembly elections in 2015. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who created the template of the grand alliance, had warned the SP and the Congress at the time they sewed up their coalition in January that "no mahagathbandhan is possible in UP without the BSP and SP being a part of it". According to him, the campaign against demonetisation has hurt the SP-Congress, since the poor see it as a drive against the corrupt rich by the Modi government.

THE FAILURE to put together a grand alliance split the minority vote, benefiting the BJP. The BSP, SP and the Congress had all pinned their hopes on the 19 per cent Muslim vote in UP. The BSP was most aggressive in wooing the Muslims, providing them tickets in 99 seats and openly calling for a Dalit-Muslim alliance. The SP-Congress alliance was more subtle in its approach. One of the most important imperatives driving the alliance was the need to prevent a split of the minority vote.

Yet, during the campaign, the two allies avoided making overt overtures towards Muslim voters. Nevertheless, the end result was a division in minority support. India Today post-poll data shows the SP-Congress alliance got 70 per cent of the Muslim vote and the BSP 16 per cent. The fallout was ironic: of the 88 constituencies, where a fourth of the vote rests with the minority community, the BJP won 57. Only 28 seats went to the SP. The BSP won just three.

Muslim-dominated Saharanpur, Bareilly, Muzaffarnagar, Moradabad, Shamli, Bijnor and Sardhana in western UP and eastern UP's Khalilabad, Tanda in Ambedkar Nagar, Gainsari and Shrawasti seats in Shrawasti district largely voted saffron. It is likely the BJP made rich gains in these seats due to counter- polarisation-consolidation of support from the majority community.

However, a small section of Muslims, too, reportedly voted the BJP. India Today post-poll data shows about 2 per cent Muslims voting for BJP plus allies. In some Muslim-dominated constituencies, including Deoband, Muslim women are reported to have voted for the BJP.

The SP suffered because of other factors too. The bitter family war in the Yadav clan, between Akhilesh Yadav and uncle Shivpal, caused intense inter-generational factionalism within the party. In the process, a weakened Akhilesh ended up giving too many seats to the Congress, which pulled the coalition's share of seats and votes down. The SP's weak record on law and order as well as corruption and criminal charges against key candidates, such as Prajapati, eroded its credibility.

Mayawati's hubris, her failure to learn from the 2014 Lok Sabha drubbing-when her party drew a blank-and her myopic focus on minority votes wiped out her party. The BSP's 22.2 per cent popular vote, a fraction higher than the SP's 21.8 per cent, should not be misread. It merely reflects the fact that the BSP contested all 403 seats while the SP was in the fray in 298.

Finally, it is the BJP's landslide, the second after the Modi tsunami of 2014, that will resonate with the voters in elections in the future. The BJP's gain in vote share in 2017 compared with 2012, without the backing of any popular movement, is impressive. With 39.7 per cent popular votes in 2017 compared with 15 per cent in 2012, the BJP's vote share has more than doubled. It gained nearly 25 per cent votes, which is more than the vote share of each of its regional rivals.

The last time UP witnessed a saffron surge at the ballots was during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in 1991. The party bagged a 31 per cent vote share, and the charismatic Lodh leader Kalyan Singh became the chief minister. After the dismissal of his government by the Centre following the demolition of the Babri Masjid, the BJP performed even better in 1993, with a 33 per cent vote share. In 1996, its vote share dipped slightly to 32 per cent.

Thereafter, it was a continuous slide in the next three elections, down to 15 per cent-its lowest-in 2012. Both SP and BSP gained big during this entire period. Now, in 2017, the BJP's successful social and electoral realignment has reversed the trend.

Bypassing the Muslim voter, the BJP made a virtue of creating and consolidating majorities by stitching together a broad, pro-poor alliance of farm communities that had gone underrepresented in the past, such as the EBCs and non-Jatav Dalits. The Modi government's positioning of demonetisation as a drive against the venal rich fetched votes since it had enormous appeal among the rural poor.

Through the surgical strikes against terrorists in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and pan-India nationalist appeals, the BJP was able to ideologically unite and consolidate its urban upper caste base with the rural poor. It created a message of hope, optimism and unity through promises of development and law and order.

Massive mandates carry the burden of great responsibilities. In the end, as the BJP's UP president Keshav Prasad Maurya told India Today: "Vikas and vishwas (development and trust) that the voters have for the BJP won the day." The UP voter expects that a BJP government in both Lucknow and Delhi will help transform Uttar Pradesh into Uttam Pradesh (ideal state). For Modi's party, the task of rebuilding the country's most populous state has just begun.

--- ENDS ---
Vijfhuizen (Netherlands) (AFP) - Relatives of those killed when flight MH17 was downed over Ukraine in mid-2014, on Saturday planted the first trees in a Dutch memorial park not far from where the ill-fated plane departed.

"Today is a very important day for all the next of kin. We are planting the first trees... to create a monument for MH17," Evert van Zijtveld, chairman of the MH17 victims' foundation said.

"We are planting the trees to ensure their memory will not be forgotten and to remind us that we still want justice for MH17," Van Zijtveld, who lost a son, daughter and his parents-in-law, told AFP.

The Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 passenger jet was shot down over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014 en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur killing all 298 on board, most of them Dutch citizens.

"The 298 trees will remind us of each life that was stolen on July 17 that year," said Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, who also planted a tree.

The park, in the shape of a giant ribbon consisting of apple, ash and hawthorn trees among others, lies a few kilometres from Schiphol airport, from where MH17 took off.

A Dutch-led criminal investigation into the attack concluded in September last year that a BUK missile, transported from Russia, was fired from a field in a part of war-torn Ukraine then controlled by pro-Russian rebels, and hit the plane.

But it stopped short of saying who pulled the trigger.

The Dutch-led investigation did not directly accuse Moscow of supplying the BUK missile and its transporter system -- and the Russian government has repeatedly denied any involvement.

The incident came at the most heated point in the war, straining tensions between the West and Moscow even further.
Istanbul (AFP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday he expected parliament to approve restoring capital punishment after next month's referendum in a move that could end Ankara's bid to join the EU.

His remarks came as Ankara was locked in a bitter standoff with Europe after Germany and the Netherlands blocked Turkish ministers from campaigning for a 'yes' vote ahead of the April 16 referendum on expanding Erdogan's powers.

The spat has seen Erdogan unleashing a volley of barbs against Berlin and The Hague, even likening Germany's leaders to Nazis, in remarks which were on Saturday rubbished by Berlin's top diplomat as "ludicrous".

With the bitter standoff showing no sign of ending, his remarks on restoring the death penalty looked set to further strain relations.

Turkey completely abolished the death penalty in 2004 as part of its efforts to join the European Union and the bloc has made clear that any move to restore it would scupper Ankara's already-embattled membership bid.

Erdogan raised the idea of bringing back the death penalty after the failed coup of July 15, suggesting it would bring justice to the families of the victims.

"I believe, God willing, that after the April 16 vote, parliament will do the necessary concerning your demands for capital punishment," Erdogan said at a televised rally in the western city of Canakkale, his words greeted by loud cheers.

To become law, the bill would still need to be signed by the head of state. But Erdogan said he would sign it "without hesitation".

- 'Ignore Hans and George' -

EU officials have repeatedly warned Turkey that restoring capital punishment would spell the end of its decades-long bid to join the bloc.

But Erdogan and his ministers have said they need to respond to popular demand for such a move to deal with the ringleaders of the coup.

The Turkish strongman said he did not care what Europe thought about such a move.

Story continues

"What Hans and George say is not important for me," he said, using two common European names. "What the people say, what the law says, that's what is important for us," he added.

Erdogan has repeatedly raised the idea that Turkey could restore capital punishment.

But this is the first time he has directly called on parliament to approve it after the referendum on constitutional change.

No judicial executions have taken place since October 25, 1984 when leftwing militant Hidir Aslan was hanged following the 1980 military coup.

After the measure was outlawed, the 1999 death sentence against Kurdish separatist leader Abdullah Ocalan -- and others on death row -- was commuted to life behind bars.

- A political gambit? -

In his latest salvo, Erdogan blasted German Chancellor Angela Merkel for backing a Dutch refusal to let Turkish ministers hold rallies in Rotterdam.

"Shame on you! You are all the same," he said.

"You will not divert this nation from its path. On April 16, my nation will give the West the most beautiful response to its false behaviour, God willing," he added.

Analysts say Erdogan is happy to pick a fight with Europe in a drive for nationalist votes that could prove crucial in determining the outcome of what is expected to be a tight referendum.

He has particularly needled Germany and the Netherlands by saying their behaviour was reminiscent of Nazi Germany.

Denouncing his remarks as "ludicrous", German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel also accused the Turkish leader of openly playing to the gallery ahead of the referendum.

"He needs an enemy for his election campaign: Turkey humiliated and the West arrogant," Gabriel said in an interview with Der Spiegel magazine on Saturday.

- Gulen guilt? Berlin unconvinced -

And in comments likely to further anger Ankara, Germany's intelligence chief said Berlin was unconvinced by Turkish assertions that US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen was the mastermind behind the July 15 coup.

"Turkey has tried on different levels to convince us of that fact, but they have not succeeded," foreign intelligence service chief Bruno Kahl told Der Spiegel.

In the wake of the putsch, Ankara launched an unprecedented purge of alleged Gulen supporters, with some 43,000 people jailed and awaiting, or on, trial.

Kahl said that the coup was launched by "part of the military" who expected to be hit by a purge.
Paris (AFP) - The Basque separatist group ETA's pledge to fully lay down its arms after decades of violence will not "be subject to any negotiations", French Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux said Saturday.

He spoke a day after the head of the Basque regional government asked Paris and Madrid to help broker talks with the group, which has said previously it would give up its arms for amnesties or improved conditions for imprisoned members.

"The only way to disarm within the frame of the law is to reveal the location of the weapons to authorities," Le Roux said in a statement. "The terms of their delivery cannot be subject to any negotiation."

ETA has not yet issued a statement on the pledged disarmament.

Basque government head Inigo Urkullu confirmed on Friday the possibility that ETA was ready to give up its weapons by April 8 after decades of conflict in Spain and France, and said he hoped it would be "definitive, unilateral, irrevocable, complete and legal".

The central government in Madrid, a fierce opponent of ETA, reacted with scorn, demanding that the group simply "dissolve" and never reappear.

ETA, founded in 1959 and considered a terrorist group by the European Union, has been seeking to negotiate its dissolution in exchange for amnesties or improved prison conditions for its roughly 350 members held in Spain and France.

The group is blamed for the deaths of 829 people in a four-decade campaign of bombings and shootings for an independent Basque homeland, which straddles northern Spain and southwestern France.
BERLIN (Reuters) - European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned in a newspaper interview that a trade war between the United States and Europe would not be good for either. Asked by Bild am Sonntag newspaper whether Europe could withstand a trade war with the United States, Juncker said: "A trade war would neither be in Europe's nor the USA's interests." He said it was necessary to take protectionist comments being made by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration seriously and also to be prepared. On Thursday U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the Trump administration had no desire to get into trade wars but certain trade relationships needed to be re-examined to make them fairer. Juncker said he was pleased that he would be meeting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday, adding: "We want to conclude a free trade deal between the EU and Japan this year." Trump has accused Japan of exploiting a weak yen to give its exports an unfair trade advantage. In similar vein, Trump's top trade adviser has accused Germany of using a "grossly undervalued" euro to gain a competitive advantage. (Reporting by Michelle Martin; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Brussels (AFP) - The EU is set to re-commit itself to "our common future" at a summit marking its 60th anniversary, defying Brexit and growing euroscepticism, according to a draft declaration.

They also vow to work for "even greater unity" while allowing "different paces and intensity" of cooperation -- a notion which could fuel tensions among member states.

"We are determined to make the EU stronger and more resilient, through even greater unity and solidarity amongst us," says the draft document by 27 member states and EU institutions, dated March 16.

The declaration is likely to be subject to negotiation by EU nations ahead of a summit on March 25 summit, marking the 60th anniversary of the bloc's founding Treaty of Rome.

The Rome anniversary summit comes at a critical juncture for the European Union, with Britain about to trigger divorce talks while other eurosceptic movements vie for power.

The one-and-a-half page text, a copy of which was obtained by AFP Saturday, vows: "Unity is both a necessity and our free choice.

"Taken individually, we would be sidelined by global dynamics. Standing together is our best chance to influence them, and to defend our common interests and values."

But it continues: "We will act together whenever possible, at different paces and intensity where necessary, as we have done in the past within the treaty framework and leaving the door open to those who want to join later."

The wording evokes the notion of a two-speed or multi-speed Europe, backed by EU heavyweights France and Germany in response to Brexit.

But it is resisted by newer central and eastern European EU members, led by Poland, who fear being left behind.

The draft document, written in English, the bloc's main working language even though Britain is about to leave, may well be subject to change before the Rome summit.

But some parts are more likely to remain as they are.

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"Our Union is undivided and indivisible," says the statement, whose final phrase is the same as the declaration which marked the 50th anniversary of the Rome.

"We have united for the better. Europe is our common future," it says.

Adopted by 27 countries a decade ago, that document aimed at relaunching the EU after the crisis triggered by French and Dutch voters' rejection of an EU constitution.

The Rome summit will be clouded by Brexit, but also by upcoming elections in France and Germany where populist forces are vying for power, despite far-righter Geert Wilders' failure to make a breakthrough in Dutch polls last week.
Protesters marched through the streets of Seoul on Saturday demanding the repeal of ex-President Park Geun-Hye's impeachment.

Prosecutors have ordered the ousted president to appear before them on Tuesday next week for questioning over the corruption scandal that triggered her dramatic downfall.

A criminal suspect in the scandal, Park had repeatedly refused to make herself available for questioning by the prosecutors before the country's highest court confirmed a parliamentary impeachment motion against her.

Saturday's protest against the impeachment saw 2,000 of her supporters walking slowly, waving banners and national flags, including a huge one carried by some 100 people.

They followed a black funeral limousine decorated with national flags.

Friday's final ruling stripped her of power and executive privileges, including protection from criminal indictment, and she left the presidential palace at the weekend.

The corruption and influence-peddling scandal is centred on Park's close confidante Choi Soon-Sil, who is on trial for abuse of power and coercion.

Choi is accused of using her presidential ties to force local firms including Samsung to "donate" nearly $70 million to non-profit foundations she allegedly used for personal gain.

Park -- the 65-year-old daughter of the late former strongman Park Chung-Hee -- has been named as Choi's accomplice who helped her extract money from the firms.

The scandal that rocked the nation has also seen the heir to electronics giant Samsung, Lee Jae-Yong, arrested and charged with bribery for offering millions of dollars to Choi in return for policy favours from Park.

Park has voiced defiance over the court ruling, saying "the truth will eventually be revealed".
By Anna Mehler Paperny TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada's border authorities detained more Mexicans in the first 67 days of 2017 than they did annually in any of the three previous years, according to statistics obtained by Reuters. The spike comes immediately after Canada's federal government lifted its visa requirement for Mexican citizens in December. Many Mexicans looking north have shifted their focus from the United States to Canada as President Donald Trump vows to crack down on America's undocumented immigrants, about half of whom are Mexican. On Friday, Reuters reported, immigration judges were reassigned to 12 U.S. cities to speed up deportation. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said it detained 444 Mexican nationals between Jan. 1 and March 8, compared with 410 for all of 2016, 351 for 2015, and 399 for 2014. The CBSA can detain foreign nationals if it is believed they pose a danger to the public, if their identity is unclear or if they are deemed unlikely to appear for removal or for a proceeding. The number of Mexicans turned back at the airport has risen, too - to 313 in January, more than any January since 2012 and more than the annual totals for 2012, 2013 and 2014. With the visa requirement lifted, all that Mexicans need to come to Canada is an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), obtainable online in a matter of minutes. But they cannot work without a work permit, and the eTA does not guarantee entry. Canada issued 72,450 travel authorizations to Mexican citizens between Dec. 1, 2016, and March 10, 2017 - a significant increase compared with a similar period when visas were required. Canada's Immigration and Refugee Minister Ahmed Hussen has said his department is monitoring the situation. His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon. (Reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny; Editing by Leslie Adler)
By Gabriela Baczynska BRUSSELS (Reuters) - "Europe is our common future," the European Union's 27 leaders plan to declare in Rome next week, in defiance of its worst blowback ever - Brexit. A one-and-a-half page draft, seen by Reuters in advance of the meeting to mark 60 years of the bloc and entitled "The Rome Declaration", is an effort by the 27 to chart a course for their future after Britain leaves in 2019. "We are determined to make the EU stronger and more resilient, through even greater unity and solidarity amongst us. Unity is both a necessity and our free choice," it reads. "Taken individually, we would be sidelined by global dynamics. Standing together is our best chance to influence them, and to defend our common interests and values ... Our Union is undivided and indivisible." The draft, dated March 16 and prepared by the chairman of EU leaders' summits Donald Tusk, will be debated among the capitals next week and may yet change before it is finally adopted in Rome next Saturday. "In the 10 years to come we want a Union that is safe and secure, prosperous and sustainable, with an enhanced social dimension, and with the will and capacity of playing a key role in the global world," it says. It pledges more security cooperation between EU states and their defence industries, effective management of immigration and tight external borders. It vows to promote global trade despite the new U.S. President Donald Trump's criticism of international agreements, to develop the bloc's single market and promote jobs and innovation. "Europe is our common future," the last sentence of the declaration reads, an exact repeat of the final line of the EU text signed in Berlin in 2007 to mark 50 years of the bloc. MUTLI-SPEED EU The Tusk draft is very soft on the idea of a multi-speed EU, or allowing willing countries to foster closer ties in areas they can agree on, while leaving reluctant ones behind. Tusk has warned against such a scenario, but it has been increasingly backed by Germany and the bloc's executive in Brussels. They see it is as the only way for the EU to stave off a wave of euroscepticism, nationalism and populism engulfing the bloc. "We will act together whenever possible, at different paces and intensity where necessary ... leaving the door open to those who want to join later," reads the only reference to multi-speed Europe in the text. Another delicate issue is further enlargement, which is anathema to some member states. Others say the doors must not be shut, as EU entry criteria promote democracy and stability in neighbouring countries. "We want a Union which remains open to those European Countries that fully share our values," the text reads. Other tricky areas include the concept of fostering more "social Europe", where the idea is to fight discrimination and ensure equal opportunities in education and jobs. The draft calls for "A social Europe: a Union which promotes economic and social progress as well as cohesion and convergence, taking into account the variety of social models and the key role of social partners..." Eastern states fear their cheap workers may lose out if the wealthier West uses that goal to demand equal treatment for local and migrant labourers in their markets. (Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska; editing by Andrew Roche)
Eventually, the BJP's move to take Congress rebels into its fold paid off in Uttarakhand. The party won 57 of the 70 seats in the state, the incumbent Congress reduced to a mere 11. It was a respectable victory in more ways than one for the BJP, especially after its botched attempt to wrest power from the Congress a year earlier. That failed floor test, in fact, became the starting point for the party's campaign in the state, that ended in an impressive 45 per cent vote share in the state.

The BJP campaign strategy was simple-discredit the Congress's one-man army of Harish Rawat and highlight play up the good governance of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. So, whether it was the bold decisions of the surgical strikes and demonetisation or pro-poor schemes such as Ujjwala and Jan Dhan accounts, the BJP played it to full advantage.

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National party president Amit Shah personally monitored the campaign, using the state organisation and its workers to mobilise crowds for public meetings. The party relied on central leaders rather than old faces like B.C. Khanduri, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank or Bhagat Singh Koshyari to do the campaigning. Union ministers and election in-charges of the state J.P. Nadda and Dharmendra Pradhan worked with central party in-charge of the state Shyam Jaju. While the central leaders carried the BJP message to different parts of the state, Shah himself and the prime minister stepped in to lend the campaign an edge.

The BJP went on the offensive from the very start, taking on the Congress over the various scams during its rule, be it the polyhouse scam, the seeds scam or the infamous flood relief irregularities, all during former CM Vijay Bahuguna's tenure. Once Bahuguna joined the BJP, the Congress tried to deflect the blame on the BJP, but it didn't stick. At the same time, Rawat's attempt to rake up reduced funding in centrally funded schemes was countered with data.

This has been the worst and most disappointing election for the Congress in the four assembly elections since the state came into being. Hiring election strategist Kishor did not do the party any good either. Accepting responsibility for this defeat, Rawat termed it as Modi's revolution, but also touted it as the miracle of the EVM. Rawat himself lost from both the Haridwar rural and Kichha seats. Party president Kishore Upadhyaya and seven of his cabinet colleagues too were defeated.

Former CM Koshyari termed this victory as a mandate against what he called the the corrupt, scandalous, autocratic and arbitrary Congress government.

For the BJP, the defeat of state party president Ajay Bhatt from the Ranikhet assembly constituency did come as a blow, but it was attributed more to the revolt of one of its workers. However, of the 11 rebel Congress MLAs who went over to the BJP, seven of the nine who had contested the election won. The 10th rebel, Vijay Bahuguna, had fielded his son Saurabh from the Sitarganj seat, who won. Similarly, it was 11th rebel Amrita Rawat's husband, former Union minister Satpal Maharaj, who contested the election and won. The three BJP legislators-Dan Singh Bhandari, Shailendra Singh Rawat and Bhimlal Arya-who had revolted and gone over to the Congress, lost.

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Soulless supermalls housing luxury labels, traditional suit tailors, and markets full of cheap designer knock-offs, Hong Kong's flaccid fashion scene has long struggled to compete with the sartorial cool of Tokyo's Harajuku, or the street style of Hongdae in Seoul.

But a new generation of independent designers in Hong Kong is changing all that with creations that are putting the city on the international fashion map.

Eschewing advertising and straplines for Instagram and hashtags, many choose influencers over models, and pop-up events instead of bricks-and-mortar stores, collectively channelling the "Hip Hong Kong" brand -- at home and abroad.

"Social media is the cornerstone to success as a start-up, brands now have the opportunity of being stocked simply based on their Instagram appeal," says Jasmine Smith, founder of lingerie firm Raven + Rose, pointing to the fact she had a wait list by the time she launched her first collection in the city fuelled by online interest in her images and styling.

Smith has since secured a deal with the Four Seasons, where her designs sit next to international giant La Perla. Her local popularity has helped her springboard internationally: her pieces have been worn by Madonna's backing dancers, American grunge star Alana, and featured on Asia's Next Top Model.

- Tired of big brands -

"Style pockets" she says are now dotted around the city -- from trendy SoHo on Hong Kong island to gritty Kwun Tong and arty Sham Shui Po in Kowloon, these are hotspots where the city's style mavens and upcoming local designers reign supreme.

"What sets Raven + Rose apart is its recognition for those that flirt on the outskirts of what is mainstream," adds Smith. Her #OwnYourBody campaign, which features a range of ordinary women in Hong Kong in her designs, has been shared by thousands.

She is not alone in transforming a loyal local following into international interest. Anais Mak's Jourden brand started as a single line collection in Hong Kong, before being hailed in Vogue and is now stocked at Barneys in the US and Isetan in Tokyo.

Story continues

Last month Polly Ho of Loom Loop won acclaim for her show at New York Fashion Week, while Fiona Lau and Kain Picken of Ffixxed Studios enjoyed similar success in Paris.

Little more than two years after it launched in Hong Kong, start-up retailer Grana secured millions from Alibaba's entrepeneurs fund. It now ships to 11 countries, with plans to expand across Asia.

Ho says: "In the past few years I feel young people are setting up their own brands again. Maybe in response to too much uniform fast fashion."

Luke Grana agrees, suggesting people are tiring of what is on offer from the big brands at both ends of the spectrum.

"We're already beginning to see luxury fashion brands lowering their prices in Hong Kong due to the decline in sales reported over the last six months. Fast fashion brands with lower quality apparel are (also) experiencing a drop in sales," Grana adds.

The government too is keen to capitalise on renewed interest in Hong Kong's fashion scene, allocating around HK$500 million ($65 million) to support local talent in the 2016-2017 budget.

The Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has launched a number of initiatives to showcase emerging brands internationally, collaborating with department stores and staging fashion events in key cities.

"We've noticed lately that the younger generation of fashion designers are rapidly expanding their brands and networks. Many of these talented designers have already built their names locally and are ready to take the next step," says Rebecca Tse of the HKTDC.

Last November the body organised for up and coming Hong Kong designers to showcase their collections at key Tokyo department stores, as well as for a special fashion week show in the city, and in Copenhagen, and New York.

Tse admits it is a mutually beneficial arrangement.

"The international showcases are a chance to show off the hip Hong Kong brand. Showcasing local talented designers is also a great way to show off the city as a fashion metropolis," she explains.

- Creative opportunities -

The combination of a rising localism among the city's youth, and a renewed global interest in Hong Kong's cultural scene -- both inspired by the 2014 Umbrella Revolution protests against Beijing -- may also have helped the city's independent fashion scene.

"I think it definitely galvanised certain ideas around the city's identity for a lot of people and this has a really positive flow-on to the creative scenes," says Picken of Ffixxed Studios.

"I think part of the (revival) is that many consumers just want something new and unique. Especially young people who want clothes that speak to them and their lifestyle," he adds.

The city's youth are also turning more to the arts -- including homegrown fashion -- to express their individuality. Cristina Kountiou, a professor at Hong Kong's prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design, says there has been a surge in interest in the school's fashion programmes.

She adds: "Now our fashion design students often don't want to leave Hong Kong, choosing to stay on after graduation to make the most of creative opportunities that are growing in the city."
By Elizabeth Piper LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May pledged on Friday to fight for the "precious, precious union" of the United Kingdom, unveiling what she called her Plan for Britain with a warning to Scotland not to pursue its independence plans. May, appointed prime minister soon after Britain voted to leave the European Union in a referendum last June, said she would negotiate a Brexit deal for the whole country but needed everyone to pull together to get the best outcome. Facing two years of what are likely to be difficult talks for Britain, May wants to stamp her authority on a new agenda for the country but is struggling to repair the deep divisions exposed by the Brexit vote. Nationalists in Scotland have condemned her move to block their demands for a new independence referendum before the EU talks end as an "outrage", and Northern Ireland's largest Irish nationalist party says it wants a vote on splitting from Britain after both regions voted to stay in the bloc. "The coming negotiations with the EU will be vital for everyone in the United Kingdom ... It is essential that we get the right deal, and that all of our efforts and energies as a country and focused on that outcome," May told her party. "We need to do so united, as one United Kingdom, all pulling together to get the best outcome," she said, promising to ensure all the voices and interests in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are represented. "I will always fight to strengthen and sustain this precious, precious Union," she added. It will not be an easy fight. The ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) in Edinburgh has refused to back down over its demand for a new independence vote after May said: "Now is not the time". Angus Robertson, deputy leader of the SNP, received a standing ovation at the party's conference in Aberdeen when he said: "Scotland's referendum is going to happen, and no UK prime minister should dare to stand in the way of Scottish democracy." In her speech, May tried not to linger on the complexities of Brexit, saying simply she would adopt a "phased approach" to deliver a "smooth and orderly Brexit" and offer certainty wherever possible. Instead, she wanted to reinforce her pitch for the political center ground and move the conversation away from the EU and Scotland. She pledged to boost technical training, reform energy markets and increase selective schools. "Our Plan for Britain is a plan for a brighter future," she said. (additional reporting by Elisabeth O'Leary in Aberdeen, Editing by Stephen Addison)
Authorities in Palm Beach County, Florida, want the federal government or President Donald Trump to cover costs for the latters security during his visits to the Mar-a-Lago estate, CNN reported Friday. If neither of the two sides agree to help with the cost, the county is likely to increase taxes, the report added.

The Secret Service is responsible for protecting the president, but the local sheriffs office is reportedly asked to help in several public and private ways. Citing estimates provided by the Palm Beach County sheriffs department, CNN reported about $60,000 is spent on overtime every day when Trump visits his private club.

Since Trump assumed office Jan. 20, he has made four visits to Mar-a-Lago already, and counting the fifth trip over the ongoing St. Patricks Day weekend, the total expenses borne by the county are already about $1 million. The costs associated with the 70-year-olds visits are currently not budgeted for the county, , CNN reported.

"It means the local taxpayers will have to bear the added burden of being part of the security for the president of the United States," Paulette Burdick, the Democratic mayor of Palm Beach County, told CNN. "It will either be cuts or increase in taxes."

According to Palm Beach County Commissioner Dave Kerner, the proposed 2018 budget for the county had a $40 million deficit. This meant that in a bid to cover costs related to Trump, officials at the county will likely have to cut corners on certain programs.

"I know that my taxpayers shouldn't have to bear the burden," Kerner, who is also a Democrat, told CNN.

He is reportedly proposing a plan to tackle the issue  make Mar-a-Lago pay for the countys services through a yearly tax bill.

"Frankly, as long as it is not on my constituents, I don't care who pays it," Kerner reportedly said.

Trump has hosted world leaders, including Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at the lavish Mar-a-Lago estate. He will also reportedly host Chinese President Xi Jinping at the club during the latters visit to the U.S. in April.

Story continues

Each visit to Florida by the president reportedly costs an estimated $3 million.

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Paris (AFP) - A powerful far-right leader, a scandal-hit conservative, a 39-year-old former investment banker and a man who believes the EU is an American plot: here are the candidates bidding to become French president:

- Marine Le Pen -

Since becoming party leader in 2011, Marine Le Pen has been on a drive to purge the anti-EU, anti-immigration National Front (FN) of its historic racist image and re-position it as a party of nationalists from both left and right.

Tipped for first or second place in the election's first round next month, polls show the 48-year-old struggling to win a run-off against her main rival in May, where she would need to garner more than 50 percent.

The former lawyer and twice-divorced mother of three has batted away allegations of illegal campaign financing, expenses fraud and undervaluing her assets -- denouncing them as a plot to bar her path to power.

She has presented the election as a battle between the "patriots" ready to defend France and its values and "globalists" whose support for immigration and open borders have caused economic and social calamity.

- Emmanuel Macron -

The telegenic former investment banker hoping to become the youngest president in France's post-war history was an advisor to current Socialist President Francois Hollande and later became his economy minister.

The 39-year-old, a one-time philosopher's assistant, quit the government last year and launched his own centrist political movement "En Marche" ("On the Move").

Polls currently show him running neck-and-neck with Le Pen in the first round and easily beating her in the second round.

Macron has never stood for election before but presents himself as the man to rejuvenate French politics and combat Le Pen's nationalism with an unabashedly pro-European, pro-business platform.

Opponents accuse him of being short on substance and of trying to be all things to all voters by claiming to be "neither of the left nor the right".

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- Francois Fillon -

Ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy's former prime minister is a canny political veteran who has spent a lifetime preparing for his shot at the Elysee Palace.

The clear frontrunner at the start of the year, he has been embroiled in scandal after scandal since January when he admitted to paying his wife and children hundreds of thousands of euros from public funds to act as his parliamentary assistants.

They are suspected of having done little or no work in return, leading Fillon to be charged on March 14 with misusing public money.

The 63-year-old devout Catholic wants to slash state spending and cut 500,000 public sector jobs over the five-year presidential term. Polls currently show him running in third.

- Benoit Hamon -

The leftist rebel who quit the Socialist government in 2014 in protest at its policy of debt reduction was the surprise winner of January's Socialist primary.

The mild-mannered former education minister, 49, saw off ex-prime minister Manuel Valls with a staunchly leftist programme, including a steep increase in welfare spending, financed in part by a tax on robots.

Despite a lifetime in the Socialist party, he has been deserted by many of its heavyweights who have switched their support to Macron. Polls currently show him running a distant fourth, marginally ahead of Jean-Luc Melenchon.

- Jean-Luc Melenchon -

Communist-backed firebrand Melenchon has been one of the harshest critics of Hollande's presidency and is known for his fiery, and sometimes flowery rhetoric.

Melenchon, who came in fourth in the 2012 election behind his arch-nemesis Le Pen, wants to dump France's presidential system for a parliamentary system and renegotiate EU treaties.

The 65-year-old nationalist, who appeared as a hologram at a rally in February, promises a 100-billion-euro stimulus package and a greener economy.

- Also running -

- Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, 56: A staunch defender of French sovereignty who wants to ditch the euro. He won 1.79 percent in 2012.

- Francois Asselineau, 59: Anti-American hard-right nationalist convinced the European Union is a CIA-backed plot.

- Nathalie Arthaud, 47: Economy teacher running for a Trotskyist party. She won 0.56 percent in 2012.

- Philippe Poutou, 50: Former worker standing for the New Anti-Capitalist Party who came to national prominence fighting for jobs at a Ford factory.

- Jacques Cheminade, 75: Veteran former civil servant who received 0.25 percent of the vote in the 2012 presidential election.

- Jean Lassalle, 61: An MP from the Pyrenees region who regards himself as "a shepherd at the Elysee Palace", referring to the French president's residence.
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP)  Eintracht Frankfurt captain Makoto Hasebe, the Bundesliga's most capped Japanese player, has been ruled out indefinitely with a knee injury that needs an operation on next week.

Frankfurt says the 33-year-old Hasebe was injured against Bayern Munich last weekend when he crashed against the post after clearing the ball. A scan on Thursday found the injury to be worse than initially thought.

Hasebe wanted to play on Saturday against Hamburger SV but had to drop out of training on Friday.

Frankfurt says, "The decision that an operation is unavoidable was made by the sporting management and team doctor."

Hasebe has played in 236 Bundesliga games. He recently overtook Yasuhiko Okudera (234 appearances for Cologne and Werder Bremen in the first division from 1977-86) as the league's most capped Japanese player.
Drawing together much of the Wests biggest powers, France reportedly intended to sail carriers and head up drills with the United States, Japan and Great Britain in the western Pacific in May. The expected maneuvers were viewed as a way for France to show China its militarys strength, Reuters reported Friday, citing sources.

In the second and third weeks of May, the French planned to send their Mistral naval carriers, capable of transporting helicopters, around Tinian island, where it will team up with U.S. and Japanese forces as well as two British helicopters. The island is part of the Northern Mariana Islands, a commonwealth of the U.S., located north of Guam.

Read: France Preparing For War?

Though the sources were anonymous, one made it clear that the future military exercise was directed towards China. "Rather than just being a naval exercise, this amphibious exercise will send a clear message to China," the insider told Reuters.

China steadily ratcheted its military presence in the Pacific  where France still has a stake in places like French Polynesia  as well as the South China Sea. The Chinese military announced the building of its second aircraft carrier in 2015 and its expected to potentially reach full service by 2020, according to The National Interest back in October.

The report stressed France and Britain attempted to create "closer defense ties" with Japan, which planned to send its biggest warship to several Asian nations in and around the South China Sea for a three-month training with the U.S. Navy in May. The drills and trip were reported as Japans largest mobilization of its naval forces since World War II.

Read: Japan Launches New Spy Satellite To Watch North Korea

The U.K. reportedly sent four jet fighters in October to train with the Japanese Air Self Defense Force.

The South China Sea continued to be a sticky issue between China, the U.S. and Japan. The hotly disputed waterway became a reason for considerable military posturing from each party, especially after China installed man-made islands in the heart of the valuable international trade route.

Story continues

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Photo: Reuters

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Grasse (France) (AFP) - A 16-year-old boy who opened fire at his school in southern France, slightly wounding four fellow pupils and a teacher, was charged over the attack Saturday along with an alleged accomplice.

The heavily armed teen appears to have been motivated to launch Thursday's assault by "bad relationships" with his classmates and aimed to kill up to 14 of them, authorities said.

The shooter, who has not been named because he is a minor, was charged with attempted homicide, and an accomplice was charged with helping him. Both are behind bars.

Investigators said the boy, a student at the Alexis de Tocqueville high school in the hillside town of Grasse, was carrying a small arsenal of weapons as well as a homemade explosive device in a bag.

Authorities have not detailed their evidence against the 17-year-old alleged accomplice, and he refused to speak to investigators.

However, his parents recently reported him to authorities for writing a letter to an American prisoner in the state of Ohio who is serving a sentence for committing three murders at a high school.

The head teacher and four pupils wounded in the attack were not the intended targets of the shooter, said local prosecutor Fabienne Atzori.
Yes, there is life after dragons and frost giants, and for Game of Thrones' Robb Stark (Richard Madden) that life continues in space as, yes, an interstellar priest.

That's the premise of Amazon's new streaming series Oasis, a science fiction tale based on the novel The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber.

SEE ALSO: Amazon plastered New York transit with Nazi imagery and nobody is happy

There's not much available online in the way of a trailer, other than a super-brief snippet tossed into the middle of Amazon's other pilots, which makes it seem like Amazon is playing to its installed base instead of trying to draw in new viewers. (Or maybe it's just that they still haven't figured out how to compete with Netflix yet.)

Image: Amazon

The hour-long episode is free (if you sign in with an Amazon account) and the initial episode looks fairly low budget for sci-fi. Nevertheless, the show's lifted by the quality of the camera work and a stellar cast, which includes Anil Kapoor (Slumdog Millionaire) and a no longer cute and cuddly but fully man-bearded Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense). We even get an eyeful of prime Madden beefcake in the nude early on, so there's that.

Without spoiling anything, we can reveal that the plot is about Madden's character leaving Earth (which is on the verge of collapse) to travel to a human colony on another planet.

Image: Amazon

Game of Thrones star? Check. Use of the word "strange" somewhere in the show's lineage as possible Hollywood mojo to duplicate the success of Stranger Things? Check. Now all viewers have to do is submit to Amazon's ever creeping eCommerce embrace and the purveyor of pampers and toilet tissue might have something here.

However, other than Transparent and The Man in the High Castle (I mean, Goliath is okay, I guess), Amazon's original lineup hasn't been able to compete with the original hits streaming from Netflix, but this new sci-fi candy might help.

So far, viewers have given the pilot 4.5 stars. That, and the idea of a pious but ruggedly sexy "Robb Stark in Space" should be enough to give the show a fighting chance.
MOSCOW (AP)  Residents of cities in Crimea and Russia are gathering to commemorate the third anniversary of Russia's annexation of the Black Sea peninsula from Ukraine.

The annexation was widely denounced by the West, and both the United States and the European Union imposed sanction on Russia in response.

The annexation agreement on March 18, 2014, came two days after a referendum on secession that was hastily called in the wake of massive protests that drove Ukraine's pro-Russia president to flee the country.

In Sevastopol, Crimea's prime port of the base for Russia's Black Sea Fleet, about 3,000 people gathered to mark the anniversary. Other commemoration festivities were held throughout mainland Russia on Saturday, news reports said.
BOSTON (AP)  Boston is staging its annual St. Patrick's Day parade after a rancorous attempt to bar a group representing gay veterans.

The South Boston Allied War Council reversed its decision earlier this month to keep OutVets from marching.

But the dispute left hard feelings  and lingering accusations of homophobia  in its wake. Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, Democratic Mayor Marty Walsh and other high-profile politicians condemned the attempt to keep OutVets from marching with its rainbow banner. It touched off outrage on social media.

Dee Dee Edmondson is a lawyer for OutVets. She says members of the group are looking forward to "marching proudly" in Sunday's parade.

OutVets was first allowed to participate in the parade in 2015 after decades of resistance that had kept gays out of the procession.
"We will follow in the footsteps of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is running a corruption-free government in Delhi," Rawat said after being elected as the BJP's legislative leader in Dehradun.

Trivendra Singh Rawat was greeted by supporters after he was elected as the legislative party leader.

By Ajit Kumar Dubey, Manjeet Negi: A staunch nationalist and former RSS man Trivendra Singh Rawat will today take over as the chief minister of Uttarakhand as he was unanimously elected as BJP's legislature party leader by party MLAs in Dehradun on Friday.

Having defeated Congress by bagging almost 4/5th majority in the 70-member house, the BJP chose the former RSS man as its chief ministerial candidate who is party in-charge for Jharkhand and helped the saffron party bag power there in the last elections.

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"We will follow in the footsteps of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is running a corruption-free government in Delhi. Our first priority would be to give a corruption-free government to the people of Uttarakhand," Rawat said soon after he came out of the party meeting.

He will take over as the eighth chief minister of the state in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah.

Rawat is from a military family as his father joined the Army in the British era and served in the post independence times also. As one of the nine siblings, Rawat made his mark as a ABVP leader and was leading the student union in Srinagar Garhwal University in Uttarakhand where he completed his education.

A staunch Army enthusiast, he has been associated with several organisations working for the welfare of Army personnel and their families. Rawat also organised a function to felicitate the sister of Indian prisoner Sarabjit, who was killed by inmates of a jail in Pakistan, which alleged him to be a RAW spy.

The chief minister-elect of Uttarakhand also has a large number of friends in Army circles and is known to be raising their grievances and issues at different platforms.

At the legislature party meeting in Dehradun, Rawat's name was proposed by other two contenders for the CM post Prakash Pant and Satpal Maharaj, MLAs from Pithoragarh and Chaubattakhal respectively.

Soon after the meeting, incharge of the party's affairs in the state Shyam Jaju described Rawat as the most suitable choice for the new responsibility, since he was a leader who had both organisational and ministerial experience having served as BJP's organisation secretary and a minister.

"Rawat is a leader who has both organisational and ministerial experience. He is perfectly equipped to give the state the kind of leadership it needs," he said.

ALSO READ | Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister to be sworn in on Sunday, no clarity on name yet

WATCH | Former RSS pracharak Trivendra Singh Rawat to be next Uttarakhand CM

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Jerusalem (AFP) - A rocket fired by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip slammed into southern Israel on Saturday, prompting retaliatory Israeli tank fire, sources on both sides said.

The Israeli army said the rocket hit an open area. "No casualties have been reported."

Palestinian security officials said the Israeli tank fire targeted an observation post of Gaza's Hamas rulers, near Beit Lahiya in the north of the territory, close to the border with Israel.

An Israeli military spokeswoman confirmed the tank fire "in response to the rocket attack".

Last month, Israeli warplanes and tanks pounded Gaza in response to a similar rocket launch, hitting Hamas military facilities and wounding four Palestinians, none of them seriously.

Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2008.

Since the last one in 2014, a fragile ceasefire has been observed along the largely closed border.

Missiles and rockets are periodically fired at Israel, generally by hardline Islamist groups opposed to Hamas.

But Israel holds Hamas responsible for all rocket fire from Gaza regardless of who carried it out.
Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump unleashed a diatribe against Germany on Saturday, saying Berlin owes NATO "vast sums of money" and must pay the United States more for security.

His latest tweetstorm comes a day after he met German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Washington, where the two leaders showed little common ground over a host of thorny issues, including NATO and defense spending.

"Germany owes vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!" Trump tweeted on Saturday morning.

He prefaced his statement by lashing out at the news media. "Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS," he tweeted, "I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel."

That appeared to be far from the case on Friday, when the veteran German leader arrived hoping to reverse a chill in relations after Trump had said during his campaign last year that her decision to allow refugees into Germany was a "catastrophic mistake" and suggested she was "ruining Germany."

But during a joint news conference, Trump accused Germany of unfair trade practices and ripped into Washington's NATO allies, demanding they pay back "vast sums of money from past years."

Merkel said Germany had committed to increasing its military spending to two percent of GDP, a target NATO member states formally agreed in 2014 to reach within 10 years.

A German government spokesman declined to comment about Trump's tweets on Saturday, referring AFP to Merkel's statements on the subject during Friday's news conference.

- Treaty commitment -

Trump had made European defense spending an issue during his campaign, saying the United States -- which spends just over three percent of its GDP on defense -- carries too much of the financial burden for supporting NATO.

However, critics pointed out on Saturday that NATO members don't pay the United States for security, but contribute by spending on their own militaries.

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"Sorry, Mr President, that's not how NATO works," tweeted Ivo Daalder, a former US ambassador to NATO. "This is not a financial transaction, where NATO countries pay the US to defend them. It is part of our treaty commitment."

"We fought two world wars in Europe, and one cold war," he added. "Keeping Europe whole, free, and at peace, is vital US interest."

US defense spending -- $679 billion in 2016 -- accounts for nearly 70 percent of the total defense budgets of NATO's 28 members.

But member states resolved to increase their defense spending after the dramatic events of 2014, when Russia annexed the Black Sea peninsula Crimea from Ukraine and began backing separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine.

Then, the Islamic State group declared a "caliphate" just across NATO's southern border in Syria and Iraq.

NATO members agreed on a ten-year plan to each increase their national defense spending to two percent of their respective GDPs.

Five -- Britain, Estonia, Greece, Poland and the United States -- have met that goal. Three more -- Latvia, Lithuania and Romania -- are expected to do so this year.

Last year, according to the alliance, 23 of the 28 member states increased their defense spending in real terms, the first time that has happened in more than two decades.

"This is not a business ledger sheet with credits and debits," another former US ambassador to NATO, Douglas Lute, told AFP. "It's a ten-year investment program and allies are making progress, slowly."

Trump has also worried US allies by criticizing the military alliance as "obsolete" and failing to meet the challenge posed by Islamic terror groups.

- Added value -

Germany, whose militaristic past has led it traditionally to be reticent on defense matters, currently spends 1.2 percent of GDP.

But the country's defense minister has called for changes to the way NATO members' commitments to budget targets are assessed.

Speaking on Friday ahead of Merkel's trip to Washington, Ursula von der Leyen told AFP that the two percent target paints an incomplete picture of actual contributions, saying member states that take part in NATO operations and exercises or contribute personnel and hardware should get credit toward the two percent goal.

"For me, the question is who is really providing added value to the alliance," she said.

Von der Leyen proposed using an "activity index" that would take participation in foreign missions into account when assessing budget earmarks for defense.
ROME (AP)  A young man from Ghana has been jailed after migrants told authorities he tortured them while they were in Libya awaiting smugglers to send them by boat to Italy, police said Saturday.

Police in Agrigento said several migrants identified the 20-year-old as the man who had raped several women and beat, burned or administered electric shocks to migrants who were kept in a "safe house" in Libya awaiting passage.

A police statement said the man arrived on the Sicilian island of Lampedusa on March 5. Authorities said migrants recognized him as having committed torture and they had to intervene to stop several from trying to lynch him.

The alleged torturer, who wasn't identified in the statement, is being investigated for human trafficking, kidnapping, sexual violence and aiding and abetting clandestine immigration.

Other migrants who have reached Italy after rescue at sea in recent years have given authorities similar accounts of being tortured while spending weeks or months in Libya waiting for passage after long land journeys across Africa, where they are fleeing poverty, persecution or violent conflict.

Police said the migrants said the Ghanaian man would torture them while they were speaking by phone to relatives as a way to extort more money from family members, who, alarmed by their screams, would send additional funds to ensure the migrants would soon leave Libya.

The police statement quoted one migrant as saying that whenever he called home, the Ghanaian man would tie him up, make him lie down and beat the soles of his feet with a rubber tube, to the point he could barely walk. Another migrant said the alleged torturer attached electrodes to his tongue and set off an electric current. Others reported being burned by boiling water he poured on them.

Palermo-based prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for the man on March 14.

With much of Libya essentially lawless after the 2011 demise of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi, authorities in Italy have heavily relied on migrants' accounts to learn about human traffickers and their helpers.
Yahoo Singapore file photo

While Singapore does not claim to be an example for others, it does ask to be allowed to work out a system that is best for itself, said Singapores High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Foo Chi Hsia in a letter to The Economist magazine.

Foo was responding to an Economist article on March 9 entitled Speak out and be damned, which noted measures taken by the authorities to stifle free speech even as leaders such as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong urged Singaporeans to speak up.

The article also cited the case of three protestors, including blogger Han Hui Hui, who were convicted for creating a public nuisance at Speakers Corner in 2014. They were not charged for criticising the government, but for loutishly barging into a performance by a group of special-education-needs children, frightening them and denying them the right to be heard, said Foo.

In no country is the right to free speech absolute. When this right is extended to fake news, defamation or hate speech, society pays a price. Witness the Brexit campaign, and elections in America and Europe.

Foo added that while authorities do not stifle criticism of the government, we will not allow our judiciary to be denigrated under the cover of free speech, nor will we protect hate or libellous speech.

People can go to court to defend their integrity and correct falsehoods purveyed against them. Opposition politicians have done this, successfully.

In 2015, Foo also wrote to The Economist to rebut the magazines article on the lack of freedom of speech in Singapore.

This week, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a statement rebutting Hans allegations of being mistreated by prison officers during her time in lock-up. Her online comments on the 2014 case were also deemed by the Attorney-Generals Chambers as tantamount to scandalising the judiciary.

Han has been given a week to remove her blog posts on the case and apologise for them, or face contempt of court proceedings.
Athens (AFP) - Greece's Jewish community hailed on Saturday lawmakers' decision to allow descendants of Holocaust survivors to apply for Greek citizenship.

The parliamentary amendment follows calls from the Central Board of Jewish Communities, the group's president David Saltiel told AFP.

"This is a moral victory," and a "fresh step forward in the recognition of the history of the Holocaust and of Greek Jews," he said.

In 2011 Greece recognised the right of Jewish survivors of the World War II Nazi Holocaust to gain back the nationality they had lost if they left the country, Saltiel said.

The new amendment concerns relatives of those survivors, many of whom live in Israel.

Thursday's vote passed largely unnoticed but has since become a political controversy.

The leftist Greek government on Saturday sharply criticised the opposition conservative New Democracy (ND) party for abstaining from the vote.

The ND countered that it backs the measure and attributed its abstention to confusion during the voting.

As expected the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party, the fourth biggest in parliament, voted against the legislation.

Before the Nazi occupation, there were over 50,000 members of Greece's largest jewish community in the second city Thessaloniki.

Eighty percent of the Jewish community in Greece were slaughtered during the war and now stands at less than 5,000 people.

In January the Jewish community in Thessaloniki finally got the go-ahead to build a Holocaust museum partly funded by Germany.
Guatemala City (AFP) - Guatemala on Saturday asked Interpol to be on the lookout for a lawmaker accused of war crimes dating back to its 1960-1996 civil war.

The request was made in case Edgar Ovalle, a deputy for the ruling National Convergence Front, has left the country, prosecutors said. A warrant for his arrest was issued Friday by a Guatemalan court.

Prosecutors accused Ovalle a year ago of belonging to a group of retired military officers responsible for the forced disappearances and massacres of indigenous civilians between 1981 and 1986.

Guatemala's 36-year war between government troops, left-wing rebels and right-wing vigilante groups left an estimated 200,000 people dead or missing, according to the United Nations.

A lower court refused to lift the immunity Ovalle enjoys as a lawmaker so he could face the charges. But the Supreme Court overturned that ruling Wednesday, saying sufficient evidence exists against the legislator.

Ovalle has not attended any sessions in Guatemala's congress for the past month because he is sick, said fellow lawmaker Javier Hernandez. But Hernandez said he did know where Ovalle is now.
By Bill Berkrot WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Patients who received Abbott Laboratories' novel dissolving vascular stent had a significantly higher rate of serious adverse heart events than those treated with the company's widely used Xience drug-coated metal stent two years after implantation, according to data presented on Saturday. New guidelines for blood vessel size and proper implantation techniques put in place for the new Absorb stent since the study began, however, should lead to better results, researchers said. They reported that 19 percent of those who received Absorb in the 2,008-patient trial had it implanted in blood vessels now deemed too small for the device, hurting overall results. "The difference between Absorb and Xience when they're both implanted in properly-sized vessels with good procedural technique is likely to be quite modest and possibly not clinically important," said Dr. Stephen Ellis, director of interventional cardiology at Cleveland Clinic, who presented the data at the American College of Cardiology scientific meeting in Washington. Stents are tiny tubes used to prop open diseased arteries cleared of blockages. The two stents demonstrated similar safety between one and two years, but a difference turned up by the end of year two. Absorb, which is larger than traditional metal stents, is made of a plastic designed to fully dissolve over the course of about three years, leaving a naturally flexible blood vessel. After two years, 10.9 percent of Absorb patients had experienced target lesion failure, versus 7.9 percent for Xience, a statistically significant difference. TLF combines heart-related death, heart attack related to the treated vessel and need for repeat procedure due to reclogging of the treated part of the artery. The TLF finding was driven by a higher rate of heart attacks - 7.3 percent for Absorb versus 4.9 percent for Xience. The difference between the two stents declined and was no longer statistically significant when the smaller-vessel patients were excluded, researchers reported. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it was informing healthcare providers of the increased rate of major adverse cardiac events observed in patients receiving Absorb in the study. The agency said it will continue to monitor Absorb's performance in clinical studies and reports submitted to it. Absorb won U.S. approval last July, but longer-term data is needed to assess its true value. All of the benefit of using the larger, more-difficult-to- place stent, "if there is going to be a benefit, will come after it has been fully absorbed," said Ellis. "We await long-term outcomes," he added. "If this device doesn't produce better long-term outcomes, there's no point in using it." (Reporting by Bill Berkrot; Editing by Dan Grebler)
The House passed a bill Thursday barring the Veterans Administration from putting veterans on a no-guns list if they were determined to have mental illnesses. Under current law, the Veterans Administration decides that a veteran is "mentally incompetent" if they need another person to help them with their finances, and reports those names to the FBI, which adds them to the National Instant Criminal Background Check Systemthe national database gun merchants have to check before they can legally sell a firearm.

The Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act, which passed the House in a 240-175 vote, is now headed to the Senate, where Democratic Senators will surely reintroduce warnings made by both Congressional Democrats and retired military leaders regarding mentally ill people accessing firearms.

Read: Should Immigrant Veterans Be Allowed In US? Deported Marine Begs Trump To Come Back Home

More than 8,000 Americans died from gun violence in 2014. And 80 percent of the U.S. population believed that those suffering from mental illnesses were partially to blame for the troubling amount of gun violence, according to a Gallup poll from Sept. 20, 2013.

"It's going to result in more deaths, more suicides of veterans throughout this nation," retired Navy Capt. Mark Kelly said Thursday in a phone a call with reporters. "It weakens our background-check system and makes our country a less safe place."

The bills sponsor, Rep. Phil Roe of Tennessee, said the current practice by the VA violated veterans' rights under the second amendment, and that there was "no relation between" balancing a bank account and handing a firearm. The VA sent 167,815 names to the FBI by Dec. 31, 2016, after beginning to do so in 1998.

Congress passed the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act in 1993 to prevent mentally ill people from committing acts of gun violence in response to the failed assassination attempt on former President Ronald Regan. The act, which installed federal background checks on American gun buyers while imposing a five-day waiting period on purchases, was named after Reagan's cabinet member James Brady, who was shot by John Hinckley Jr., during an assassination attempt outside a Washington, D.C., hotel in 1981. Hinkley was later determined to be mentally ill.

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The Trump administration released a statement Thursday confirming he would sign the new bill into law if it passed the Senate.

Of the 1.7 million U.S. veterans who served in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, about 300,000 (or just under 20 percent), were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder or major depression, according to the American Psychological Association.

Related Articles
Actor Vinay Pathak discusses his lead role in Hamlet: The Clown Prince in Rajat Kapoors Shakespeare Comedy Theatre Festival.

Actor Vinay Pathak talks to India Today about his upcoming performance in Rajat Kapoors Shakespeare Comedy Theatre Festival.

You play the lead role in Hamlet: the Clown Prince in Rajat Kapoors Shakespeare Comedy Theatre Festival. Are you scared of clowns?

I find them both eerie and fascinating. When I was six, a circus clown stared and laughed at me and then pulled a gag on me. The audience was laughing away. I had nightmares for four months.

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Name a Shakespeare character you admire?

My favourites all are ones that I havent played yet. Prospero and Caliban from The Tempest, Iago from Othello and Mercutio from Romeo and Juliet.

A gaffe you got away with because the audience thought it was part of the act?

During C for Clowns, I once got on stage having forgotten to wear the striped underwear. My back was bare, so every time I turned the audience literally saw my brief-clad ass and roared. I thought I was having a great show. Later, in the wings, my co-actor Atul Kumar brought it to my attention.

Do fans of Bheja Fry still come up to you and say Its ringing???

All the time.

What do you say?

Shut this down dude. Theyre like Really. I say, Phone bulvale. Kaan baj rahe hain tere. (Get someone to call your phone. Its your ears that are ringing.)

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Homs (Syria) (AFP) - Nearly 1,500 people, mostly civilians, left the last opposition-held district of Homs on Saturday under a controversial Russian-supervised deal to bring Syria's third city under full government control.

The evacuation of Waer, a northwestern district of the city that has been under siege by the army for years, is the latest in a series of "reconciliation" deals struck by the government that the rebels say amount to starving them out.

It comes ahead of a new round of UN-brokered talks that open in Geneva on Thursday in an attempt to end the conflict that has killed more than 320,000 people and driven millions from their homes.

Thousands are expected to leave Waer in the coming weeks in the final phase of the evacuation agreement, which had stalled in recent months.

An AFP correspondent saw a first wave of three green buses carrying civilians including children as well as dozens of fighters, their rifles slung over their shoulders.

Throughout the day, women and children munching on pieces of bread lined up to load their luggage onto the buses, while men appeared to go through extra screening in separate lines.

Stern-looking Russian forces looked on, wearing green fatigues with black bulletproof vests emblazoned with the word "Police" on the front.

"Syrian police, Russian military police and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent will protect the convoys and accompany them from Homs onto Aleppo province," Homs governor Talal Barazi told AFP.

Barazi said evacuations were over for Saturday and that a total of 1,479 people -- including 423 rebels -- had left.

"Not a single weapon or fighter will be left in Waer," he said, adding that about 40,000 residents were expected to stay in the district.

- 12,000 expected to leave -

Three waves of rebels and their families had already left Waer under an agreement first reached in December 2015, but subsequent evacuations stalled.

In a new deal reached last week, government and rebel representatives agreed that up to 100 Russian troops would deploy inside Waer to oversee the final phase of evacuations.

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"Russia is a guarantor of the Waer agreement's implementation and will monitor its execution," said the Russian colonel overseeing the operation.

"Russian forces came to Syria for this -- to help their friends and allow people to live safely in this country again."

Moscow is a decades-old ally of the Damascus regime, and in September 2015 launched an air campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad's forces.

That backing has helped government forces recapture swathes of territory, including the whole of second city Aleppo as well as the famed desert city of Palmyra.

Under the agreement, evacuees will be bussed to opposition-held parts of Homs province, the rebel-held town of Jarabulus on the Syrian-Turkish border or the northwestern province of Idlib.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates that a total of 12,000 people, 2,500 of them rebels, will leave under the deal.

Over the past month, government forces have stepped up their bombardment of the district, killing dozens of people, the Britain-based monitoring group said.

No aid has reached Waer in at least four months. A UN convoy tried to gain access to the district in February but it was seized by gunmen who diverted the assistance to a government-held area.

The government has agreed "reconciliation" deals for several rebel-held areas, and touts such agreements that grant safe passage to surrendering fighters as key to ending six years of war.

But rebels say they are forced into such deals by siege and bombardment, and the UN has sharply criticised them.

The most notorious of the agreements was the December evacuation of the rebel-held east Aleppo after months of government siege.

The UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria earlier this month said the deal "amounts to the war crime of forced displacement of the civilian population" because it had left civilians with "no option to remain".
Mosul (Iraq) (AFP) - Elite Iraqi forces battled house by house in the Old City of Mosul on Saturday, inching towards the mosque where the Islamic State group proclaimed its "caliphate" in 2014, a spokesman said.

Commanders said that progress in the densely populated warren of alleyways was slow but that government forces had made new gains from IS in the heart of their last major urban bastion in Iraq.

"Our forces are 800 metres (yards) from the mosque," said Captain Firas al-Zuwaidi, spokesman for the interior ministry's elite Rapid Response Force.

He was referring to the Al-Nuri Mosque, where IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the cross-border "caliphate" spanning jihadist-controlled territory in Iraq and Syria in his sole public appearance in July 2014.

"We are encountering difficulties -- bad weather and streets too narrow for our military vehicles which cannot enter," Zuwaidi said.

"The fighting is street by street, house by house," he said, as the sound of mortar fire rang out from the heart of Iraq's second city.

The battle for the Old City was always expected to be the toughest of the campaign to retake Mosul from IS, further complicated by the presence of hundreds of thousands of civilians believed to have stayed on under jihadist rule.

Iraqi forces launched the huge operation last October, retaking the east of the city in January before setting their sights on the smaller but more densely populated west.

The Tigris River divides the two parts of Mosul. The Old City lies at the heart of the west bank.

The Rapid Response Force is being backed up by the federal police who have made steady gains in recent days.

They have now taken the Al-Arbiaa market and a grain silo overlooking the Old City, federal police commander Lieutenant General Raed Shakir Jawdat said on Saturday.

That came after Jawdat announced the capture of the Al-Basha Mosque and the Bab al-Saray market on Friday.

Iraqi forces had already taken a string of key targets in west Mosul, including the airport, the train station, Mosul Museum and the provincial government headquarters.
Mosul (Iraq) (AFP) - Elite Iraqi forces said they were battling house by house in the Old City of Mosul on Saturday, inching towards the mosque where the Islamic State group proclaimed its "caliphate" in 2014.

Iraq began an operation on February 19 to retake west Mosul, which is the last major Islamic State group urban bastion in the country and includes the Old City.

Commanders said that progress in the densely populated warren of alleyways was slow, but that government forces had made new gains from IS in the ancient central district.

"Our forces are 800 metres (yards) from the mosque," said Captain Firas al-Zuwaidi, spokesman for the interior ministry's elite Rapid Response Force.

He was referring to the Al-Nuri Mosque, where IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the cross-border "caliphate" spanning jihadist-controlled territory in Iraq and Syria in his sole public appearance in July 2014.

"We are encountering difficulties -- bad weather and streets too narrow for our military vehicles which cannot enter," Zuwaidi said.

"The fighting is street by street, house by house," he said, as the sound of mortar fire rang out from the heart of Iraq's second city.

The battle for the Old City was always expected to be the toughest of the campaign to retake Mosul from IS, further complicated by the presence of hundreds of thousands of civilians believed to have stayed on under jihadist rule.

- 'Hump of western operations' -

Iraqi forces in January retook the east of the city, which is divided by the Tigris River, before setting their sights on its smaller but more densely populated west bank.

The Old City lies at the heart of west Mosul.

Emily Anagnostos, an analyst from the Institute for the Study of War think tank, said the current phase of the operation was a delicate one.

"This stage is the hump of western operations that the ISF (Iraqi security forces) needs to get over without incurring significant ISF or civilian casualties," she said.

Story continues

"ISIS resistance is tough in this area, the streets are too narrow for large vehicles, and the weather is poor. ISIS is exploiting these factors as part of their defence," Anagnostos said, using an alternative acronym for IS.

The Rapid Response Force is being backed up by the federal police who have made steady gains in recent days.

They have now taken the Al-Arbiaa market and a grain silo overlooking the Old City, federal police commander Lieutenant General Raed Shakir Jawdat said on Saturday.

That came after Jawdat announced the capture of the Al-Basha Mosque and the Bab al-Saray market on Friday.

"The federal police and the Rapid Response Force led a surprise attack and besieged Daesh cells in the Old City, killing 13 of them with grenades," Jawdat said, using an Arabic acronym for IS.

- Civilians evacuated -

Iraqi forces had already taken a string of key targets in west Mosul, including the airport, the train station, Mosul Museum and the provincial government headquarters.

The fall of Mosul, Iraq's second city, would be a major setback for IS following months of losses in Iraq and neighbouring Syria.

Iraqi authorities launched the fight to retake Mosul from the jihadists on October 17 last year, with the support of the US-led coalition that launched strikes against IS in Iraq and neighbouring Syria in 2014.

Jawdat said Saturday the federal police had evacuated civilians in the vicinity of the Old City.

More than 150,000 people have fled their homes in west Mosul, the Iraqi authorities say, of which two-thirds have found shelter in camps near the city where they receive food, blankets and foam mattresses.

The United Nations has warned that the exodus of tens of thousands of west Mosul residents could overwhelm aid groups trying to help them.

Lise Grande, the UN's humanitarian coordinator in Iraq, has said that any increase in the pace of the exodus could stretch aid groups "to the breaking point".
Products like "Hey Joe" Merlot and "Wammy Bar" ice cream edibles have stoked a decade-long battle between Jimi Hendrix's surviving family members  and now a new lawsuit aims to shred a line of products including liquor and marijuana.

A company run by Jimi's adopted sister Janie, who controls the guitar legend's estate, filed suit this week against his brother, Leon Hendrix, and Leon's business partner over a trademark dispute, according to documents obtained by Mashable.

SEE ALSO: Starting Sunday, you can stream Prince's music almost everywhere

At issue are several lines of novelty merchandise bearing the late musician's name and likeness, including weed, food, liquor, and electronic products.

Leon sells these hippie-kitsch items through a company called Purple Haze Properties LLC with longtime friend Andrew Pitsicalis.

Purple Haze Properties' line of "Jimi's Wines."

Image: screenshot

Janie, and other family members behind Jimi's estate, run a more polished operation at Authentic Hendrix LLC, where you can buy Blu-Ray concert tapes, posters and clothing that actually looks like something you might see in a retail store.

That company and affiliate Experience Hendrix LLC, which owns all of the Jimi-related rights, claim in a lawsuit filed Thursday in a Los Angeles district court that Leon's shop has "attempted to hijack trademarks and copyrights for their own personal gain.

It's the latest of many episodes in this iteration of the Hendrix family feud, which started when the estate's previous owner, Jimi's father Al Hendrix, died in 2002 and cut Leon out of the will in favor of Janie.

In the past decade, Leon and Pitsicalis have lost other lawsuits over their attempts to market various products with Jimi's name  most recently, a bottle of "Purple Haze liqueur" last year.

Purple Haze Liqueur, subject to the family's most recent lawsuit.

Image: tiger paw beverage company

"Undaunted by their previously failed and enjoined efforts to exploit the Hendrix marks," the complaint reads, "Leon and the Pitsicalis defendants have now aggressively escalated their conduct into a full-scale assault."

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When asked for comment, Pitsicalis emailed a letter from their lawyer with a point-by-point rebuttal of each paragraph of the press release accompanying the lawsuit.

The rebuttal got into the weeds of each of the past cases but the gist was that the other side exaggerated the scope of each of the victories and misleading represented multiple decisions within the same case as separate victories.

"Experience Hendrix has long known of my clients legal and proper Jimi Hendrix products and brings this frivolous suit now only to further tarnish and interfere with Jimis Brother Leons lawful and proper business that rightfully respects Jimi Hendrixs legacy," the lawyer, Thomas Osinski, wrote.

There was also some more personal family business. Osinski notes that Leon is Jimi's "actual brother that grew up with him" and his family in Seattle. Even this fact has been litigated  Leon sued Janie for defamation at one point after she referred to him as Jimi's half-brother.

The long and bitter courtroom beef between the family members can be traced back to Jimi's death sans-will in 1970, according to the Seattle Times.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department on Friday said it delivered documents to congressional committees responding to their request for information that could shed light on President Donald Trump's claims that former President Barack Obama ordered U.S. agencies to spy on him. The information was sent to the House and Senate intelligence and judiciary committees, said Sarah Isgur Flores, a Justice Department spokeswoman. The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Republican Devin Nunes, said in a statement late on Friday that the Justice Department had "fully complied" with the panel's request. A government source, who requested anonymity when discussing sensitive information, said an initial examination of the material turned over by the Justice Department indicates that it contains no evidence to confirm Trump's claims that the Obama administration had wiretapped him or the Trump Tower in New York. The House Intelligence Committee will hold a hearing on Monday on allegations of Russian meddling in the U.S. election. Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey and National Security Agency Director Mike Rogers will testify and are expected to field questions on Trump's wiretap claim. Leaders of both the House and Senate intelligence committees, including from Trump's Republican Party, have said they have found no evidence to substantiate Trump's claims that Obama ordered U.S. agencies to spy on Trump or his entourage. The White House has publicly offered no proof of the allegation. On Monday, the House panel sent the Justice Department a letter asking for copies of any court orders related to Trump or his associates which might have been issued last year under an electronic surveillance law or a wide-ranging anti-crime statute. (Reporting by Mark Hosenball; Additional reporting by Eric Beech; Editing by Warren Strobel, Howard Goller and Lisa Shumaker)
DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's King Salman, who was on an official tour in Asia, has left China to head back to his kingdom, the state news agency SPA reported on Saturday. Saudi Arabia's octogenarian monarch, who has overseen the launch of an ambitious economic reform plan since his accession two years ago, was on a month-long tour of Asia that took him to Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and China. The visits to countries that are some of world's biggest importers of Saudi oil aim to promote investment opportunities in the kingdom, including the sale of a stake in national oil company Saudi Aramco. Asia also figures in the kingdom's plans for military cooperation, with Malaysia and Indonesia listed as members of a Saudi-led Islamic Military Alliance formed just over a year ago. In China, King Salman oversaw the signing of deals worth as much as $65 billion on the first day of his visit there on Thursday. He was due to visit the Maldives on Saturday, but the visit was postponed due to a local outbreak of flu, the government of the Indian Ocean archipelago said on Friday. (This story has been refiled to correct day of SPA report to Saturday, not Friday) (Reporting by Mohamed El Sherif; Writing by Rania El Gamal; Editing by Tom Hogue)
Berlin (AFP) - Some 30,000 pro-Kurdish demonstrators rallied in the German city of Frankfurt on Saturday calling for "democracy in Turkey" and urging a "no" vote in an upcoming referendum on expanding Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers.

Turkey angrily denounced the demonstration as "unacceptable". Many demonstrators carried symbols of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which has battled the Turkish state for over three decades in a continuing insurgency.

Tensions are already running high between Berlin and Ankara after German authorities refused to allow some Turkish ministers to campaign in the country for a "yes" vote in the April 16 referendum that would hand Erdogan an executive presidency.

Significantly more people turned up than organisers had been expecting for the rally, which took place ahead of the annual Newroz festival when Kurds mark the traditional New Year.

Saturday's protest march in Frankfurt went off peacefully, a police spokesman said.

Some of the participants carried flags and banners of the outlawed PKK, as well as portraits of the group's jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan, who is serving a life sentence in Turkey, calling for his release.

Police said no banners or flags were confiscated so as to not provoke the crowd, but added that photos had been taken which could lead to future prosecutions.

Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said in a statement that the presidency "condemned in the strongest terms" the fact that the rally had been allowed to go ahead.

"It is unacceptable to see PKK symbols and slogans... when Turkish ministers and lawmakers are being prevented from meeting their own citizens," he said.

He said the "scandal" of the Frankfurt demonstration showed that some EU countries were actively working in favour of a "no" vote in the critical referendum.

"We once again remind European countries: on April 16 the decision is to be made by the (Turkish nation), not Europe."

Story continues

More than 40,000 people have been killed since the PKK launched its insurgency against the Turkish state in 1984.

The group is listed as a terror organisation not just by Turkey but also the European Union and the United States.

The Turkish foreign ministry said in statement that Germany's toleration of a rally with symbols of a group that it itself regards as a terror outfit was the "worst example of double standards".

Erdogan on Monday accused German Chancellor Angela Merkel of "supporting terrorists", in a spiralling diplomatic row.

Turkey has long accused Germany of providing refuge to Kurdish and other militants.

A Merkel spokesman described Erdogan's jibe as "clearly absurd".

Erdogan has also accused Germany of "Nazi practices" for blocking his ministers from speaking to Turkish voters resident in Germany.

Germany is home to the largest Turkish diaspora in the world, many of whom are of Kurdish origin.
By Press Trust of India: New York, Mar 18 (PTI) Human skull evolved along with two-legged walking, according to a new study which found that bipedal mammals have a more forward-positioned foramen magnum than their quadrupedal close relatives.

The evolution of walking on two legs in fossil humans can be detected by checking the foramen magnum - the place at which the spinal cord passes through the skull, researchers said.

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Compared with other primates, foramen magnum in humans is shifted forward, they said.

Researchers, including those from Stony Brooke University in the US, have shown that a forward-shifted foramen magnum is found not just in humans and their bipedal fossil relatives, but is a shared feature of bipedal mammals more generally.

They compared the position and orientation of the foramen magnum in 77 mammal species including marsupials, rodents and primates.

Their findings indicate that bipedal mammals such as humans, kangaroos, springhares and jerboas have a more forward-positioned foramen magnum than their quadrupedal close relatives.

"This question of how bipedalism influences skull anatomy keeps coming up partly because its difficult to test the various hypotheses if you only focus on primates," said Chris Kirk of University of Texas in the US.

"However, when you look at the full range of diversity across mammals, the evidence is compelling that bipedalism and a forward-shifted foramen magnum go hand-in-hand, Kirk added.

"Weve now shown that the foramen magnum is forward-shifted across multiple bipedal mammalian clades using multiple metrics from the skull, which I think is convincing evidence that were capturing a real phenomenon," said Gabrielle Russo of Stony Brook University.

The study was published in the Journal of Human Evolution. PTI APA SAR SAR

--- ENDS ---
LIVERPOOL, England (AP)  Romelu Lukaku has cast doubt on his future at Everton but he's continuing to score the goals that could secure his team a place in Europe.

The striker set up a goal and scored twice in stoppage time to wrap up a 4-0 victory over 10-man Hull on Saturday at the end of a week when Lukaku revealed he would not be signing a new contract with the Merseyside club. Lukaku is the first Everton player to score 21 league goals in a season since Gary Lineker in 1985-1986.

Europa League-chasing Everton moved level on points with fifth-placed Arsenal but behind on goal difference having played two games more than the London club.

Everton went in front with a first goal from 20-year-old Dominic Calvert-Lewin nine minutes into his sixth Premier League appearance.

Relegation-threatened Hull began to gain the upper hand, but the momentum was halted when Tom Huddlestone was sent off for a shin-high challenge on Idrissa Gana Gueye in the 73rd minute.

Everton took control when Enner Valencia scored within a minute of coming off the bench after being set up by Lukaku's lobbed assist.

Valencia returned the favor, with a through-ball for Lukaku in the first minute of stoppage time. Lukaku still found time to find the net again by exploiting a defensive mix-up.
ALPINE, Texas (AP)  A West Texas man has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge in the killing of a college student he was dating.

The remains of Zuzu Verk were found last month in a shallow grave in the wilderness near Alpine, about 200 miles southeast of El Paso. A Brewster County grand jury indicted 22-year-old Robert Fabian on Friday in the death of Verk, a student at Sul Ross State University in Alpine.

His bond is set at $750,000. He already was jailed on $175,000 bond on an evidence tampering charge. His attorney didn't immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

Verk, of Keller, went missing Oct. 12. Her remains were found Feb. 3 and identified through dental records.

Neighbors have said they heard Fabian and Verk argue at his Alpine apartment late evening on Oct. 11.
(ORLY, France)  French soldiers shot and killed a man who wrestled a colleague to the ground Saturday and tried to steal her rifle at Paris Orly Airport. The melee forced the airports busy terminals to close and evacuate and trapped hundreds of passengers aboard flights that had just landed.

The 39-year-old Frenchman, who authorities said had a long criminal record and was previously flagged for possible radicalism, first fired bird shot at police officers during an early morning traffic stop before speeding away and heading for the airport south of Paris.

There, in the public area of its South Terminal, the man wrestled the soldier who was on foot patrol and tried to snatch away her rifle, authorities said. The French defense minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, said the patrols other two members opened fire. Le Drian said the soldier managed to keep hold of her weapon.

Her two comrades thought it was necessary  and they were right  to open fire to protect her and especially to protect all the people who were around, Le Drian said.

The attack further rattled France, which remains under a state of emergency after attacks over the past two years that have killed 235 people.

Witnesses described panicked bystanders fleeing, flights halting, traffic chaos and planes under lockdowns. French authorities, however, stressed that security planning  reinforced across the country in the wake of repeated attacks  worked well.

The soldier was psychologically shocked but unhurt by the rapid and violent assault, said Col. Benoit Brulon, a spokesman for the military force that patrols public sites in France. No other injuries were reported.

Wed already registered our bags when we saw a soldier pointing his gun at the attacker who was holding another soldier hostage, said Pascal Menniti, who was flying to the Dominican Republic.

Authorities said at least 3,000 people were evacuated from the airport. Hundreds of passengers also were confined for several hours aboard 13 flights that were blocked in landing areas, and 15 other flights were diverted to Paris other main airport, Charles de Gaulle, the Paris airport authority said.

Story continues

A French official connected to the investigation confirmed French media reports that identified the attacker as Ziyed Ben Belgacem, born in France in 1978. The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to publicly discuss the mans details.

The attackers motives were unknown. After the airport attack, his father and brother were detained by police for questioning Saturday  standard operating procedure in such probes.

The anti-terrorism section of the Paris prosecutors office immediately took over the investigation. The prosecutors office said the attacker had a record of robbery and drug offenses.

He did not appear in a French government database of people considered potential threats to national security. But prosecutors said he had already crossed authorities radar for suspected Islamic extremism. His house was among scores searched in November 2015 in the immediate aftermath of suicide bomb-and-gun attacks that killed 130 people in Paris. Those searches targeted people with suspected radical leanings.

French President Francois Hollande said investigators will determine whether the attacker had a terrorist plot behind him. He ruled out any link between the attack and the upcoming two-round French presidential election in April and May, noting that France has been battling extremist threats for years.

About 90 minutes before the airport attack at 8:30 a.m. (0730 GMT, 4:30 a.m. EDT), the man was first stopped by a police patrol in northern Paris because he was driving too fast, police said. As he was showing his ID papers, the man pulled out a gun and fired bird shot at the three officers, injuring one of them in the face, police said.

Police fired back. The man fled in his car. That traffic stop at 6:50 a.m. was at Garges-les-Gonesse, north of Paris near Le Bourget airport. The man later abandoned that vehicle at Vitry, south of Paris, and stole another at gunpoint, police said. That car was later found at Orly Airport.

Orly is Paris second-biggest airport, behind Charles de Gaulle. It has both domestic and international flights, notably to destinations in Europe and Africa. The attack brought airport operations to a screeching halt.

Traffic was jammed near the airport and people wheeled suitcases down the road. Augustin de Romanet, president of the ADP airport authority, said passengers who were prevented from disembarking from flights were allowed off around noon, once a search of the airport was complete.

The airports South Terminal did not reopen until late afternoon.

A witness identified only as Dominque told BFM Television that the attacker held the soldier by the throat and held her arm and her weapon.

We saw it was a serious situation, so we escaped, he said. We went down the stairs and right after we heard two gunshots.

Taxi driver Youssef Mouhajra was picking up passengers at Orly when he heard shots, which he first thought were just a warning.

We have become accustomed to this kind of warning, and to having the soldiers there, he told the AP.

Then he saw people fleeing the terminal.

I told (the passengers) lets get out of here, he said. As he drove away, he saw soldiers and police rushing toward the airport.

The military patrol was part of the Sentinelle force installed around France to protect sensitive sites after a string of deadly Islamic extremist attacks. The force includes 7,500 soldiers, half deployed in the Paris region and half in the provinces.

Saturday was at least the fourth time that Sentinelle soldiers have been targeted since the force was created. It was set up after the deadly attack in January 2015 on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris and reinforced after the assaults that left 130 people dead in Paris on Nov. 13, 2015.

The shooting comes after a similar incident last month at the Louvre Museum in Paris in which an Egyptian man attacked soldiers guarding the site. He was shot and wounded and taken into custody.

It also comes just days before the first anniversary of the March 22 attacks on the Brussels airport and subway that killed 32 people and wounded hundreds of others.

___

Leicester reported from Paris. Associated Press Writers Angela Charlton, Samuel Petrequin and Nicolas Vaux-Montagny in Paris and Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen contributed.
Paris (AFP) - A man who said he was ready to die for Allah was shot dead on Saturday after attacking a soldier at Paris's Orly airport, triggering a major security alert that caused travel chaos.

Ziyed Ben Belgacem, a 39-year-old French national, grabbed a female soldier and put a gun to her head, seizing her assault rifle, Paris prosecutor Francois Molins told a press conference.

"Put your weapons down, hands on your heads. I'm here to die for Allah. In any case people are going to die," the attacker told the troops in Molins's account of the attack.

He tried to use the soldier as a human shield but she dropped to her knees, giving her two colleagues an opportunity to shoot him.

Ben Belgacem was carrying a petrol can in a backpack as well as a copy of the Koran, Molins said. Officials say he had a string of criminal convictions and was previously investigated for links to radical Islam.

The incident comes as France remains on high alert following a series of jihadist attacks that have claimed more than 230 lives since January 2015.

Molins said Ben Belgacem had also fired at police in the northern Paris suburb of Garges-les-Gonesse earlier on Saturday, slightly injuring one officer in the head.

Prosecutors said they opened an anti-terror investigation.

- 'Total panic' -

The attacker's father, brother and 35-year-old cousin have all been detained for questioning, Molins said. All three had made contact with the police themselves.

Flights were halted at Orly for several hours following the shooting, which happened just before 8:30 am (0730 GMT). Around 3,000 people were evacuated from the building.

Incoming flights were diverted and thousands of passengers stranded at Paris's second-largest airport, but normal service resumed by mid-afternoon.

France goes to the polls on April 23 in the first round of a two-stage presidential election in which security is one of the main issues on voters' minds.

Story continues

Witnesses described scenes of chaos as the shooting took place.

"There was total panic," Sofiane Slim, a check-in assistant at Royal Air Maroc, told AFP.

Elite police teams secured the airport and searched it for explosives but none were found.

French President Francois Hollande said his government was "determined to fight relentlessly against terrorism, defend the security of our compatriots and ensure the protection of our country".

- 'France still a target' -

Ben Belgacem is believed to have stolen a car and driven to Orly after shooting at police north of the city, Molins said.

He had committed several armed robberies and was investigated for radicalisation in 2015, although he did not feature on the list of those thought to pose a high risk.

He lived in an apartment in Garges-les-Gonesse, which was searched by investigators after the shooting on Saturday.

The shooting took place on the second day of an official visit to Paris by Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate, which was unaffected.

France remains under a state of emergency after a series of terror attacks, including the November 2015 massacre in Paris and a truck attack in Nice last July.

In mid-February, a machete-wielding Egyptian man attacked a soldier outside Paris's Louvre museum before being shot and wounded.

The soldiers on patrol at Orly airport belong to Operation Sentinelle, a force of 7,000 troops deployed in the capital and other cities after the January 2015 attacks in Paris.

On Thursday, a letter bomb exploded at the Paris offices of the International Monetary Fund, injuring a secretary who suffered burns to her hands and face.

Investigators suspect a Greek far-left group was behind the attack, which Hollande said showed that France was "still targeted".
Here's all you need to know about Kapil Sharma's girlfriend Ginni Chatrath.

By India Today Web Desk: Kapil Sharma who has always been tight-lipped about his relationship, surprised everyone by introducing girlfriend Ginni Chatrath to the world on Saturday. He shared an image with Ginni with a note that said, "Will not say she is my better half, she completes me... love u Ginni. Please welcome her. I love her so much:)."

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Very little is known about the pretty girl who stole Kapil's heart. Here are few things you would like to know about Kapil's girlfriend Ginni Chatrath.

1. Ginni aka Bhavneet Chatrath hails from Jalandhar and the couple know each other since their college days.

Kapil Sharma and Ginni Chatrath in a still from Hans Baliye. Kapil and Ginni have appeared together in comedy reality show Hans Baliye. The show was aired on now defunct channel STAR One. The couple shared a great chemistry on the show, and although they knew each other from before, but they came closer while working on this show.

3. Ginni has completed her MBA in Finance from a college in Jalandhar and is currently handling her father's business in Jalandhar.

4. Ginni is the eldest daughter of her family and has a younger sister. There were reports in 2013 regarding Kapil and Ginni's engagement and that they were all set to tie the knot in 2014, but then Kapil got busy shooting for his debut film Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon.

#lovehimsomuch #karwachauth #feelingblessed ????? A post shared by Ginni Chatrath (@ginnichatrath) on Oct 19, 2016 at 8:57am PDT

5. Kapil was earlier linked to Preeti Simoes, creative director of his show and his co-star Sumona Chakravarti, but looks like these rumours didn't affect their relationship and they are all set to walk down the aisle soon.

Also read: Kapil Sharma introduces his girlfriend with a sweet post on Twitter

Ginni is from Jalandhar and the couple know each other since their college days. Picutre courtesy: Instagram/ginnichatrath Ginni, who resides in Jalandhar, will move to Mumbai after marriage and might also handle Kapil's production house, K9 Productions.

7. Kapil introduced Ginni on Facebook as his wife. He posted their pic with a note that said, "Meet my wife... I love her more than Deepika ;)." But Kapil's sister Pooja Devgan denied the rumours in an interview to dailybhaskar.com.

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8. Ginni is an absolute stunner and her pictures on her Instagram account prove it. She had also shared several posts in support of Kapil on her social media accounts.

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Security forces shot dead a man who seized a soldier's gun at Paris Orly airport Saturday. A police officer was shot and injured in a separate incident in Stains, north of the French capital, by the same earlier in the day, the French Interior Ministry said, according to local reports.

The man, apparently a radicalized Muslim, took refuge in a shop around an hour after he shot and wounded the police officer.

Interior Ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet told Agence France-Press: "A man took a weapon from a soldier then hid in a shop in the airport before being shot dead by security forces."

Officials from the Interior Ministry confirmed it was the same man who shot a police officer in Paris' northern outskirts earlier in the morning. Police sources told Reuters the man was a "radicalized Muslim known to intelligence services."

This incident comes as France is on alert just weeks away from presidential elections. About 3,000 people were evacuated from the second largest airport in the French capital in the morning and both terminals were closed. Airport authorities kept posting updates on its social media site.

Read: Florida Refuses Death Penalty For Orlando Police Shooting Suspect

Brandet said no one was wounded in the incident. The demining operation is complete but the airport is still closed.

The soldier whose gun the man tried to seize was a member of the army's " Sentinelle " operation which is responsible for patrolling airports and other key sites since January 2015 when Islamist attackers killed 12 people at the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo.

Meanwhile, a large number of people were stranded at the airport.

Story continues

The country remains on high alert after attacks by Islamic State group's militants killed dozens of people in the past two years, including coordinated bombings and shootings in Paris in November 2015 in which 130 people were killed. A state of emergency is in place till the end of July, according to reports.

The airport shooting will have no impact on a trip to Paris by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, who will end their first official visit to France in Paris Saturday, a British spokesman said, according to Reuters.

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A laptop computer containing highly sensitive information was stolen inside a Secret Service agents vehicle parked in her Brooklyn driveway, police sources told the New York Daily News Friday. It contained floor plans for Trump Tower, information about the Hillary Clinton campaign email investigation, and of course, other national security information.

The break-in took place outside of the womans home in Bath Beach, Brooklyn, where the robber was identified as a white man wearing dark clothing. Surveillance video showed the man getting out of a vehicle, possibly an uber, according to the Daily News. Shortly after, the man was seen walking away from the area with a backpack.

Read: Secret Service Photos With Trump's Sleeping Grandson Under Investigation

It remains unclear if the robbery was random or if the woman, who has not been identified, was deliberately targeted. But police and the agency were said to be frantically searching for the laptop since it was stolen Thursday.

The agent told police that other sensitive documents were also in the man's possession, but its unclear what those documents are, sources told WCBS. The information on the laptop cannot be remotely erased, sources told the station.

Other items aside from the laptop that were stolen included coins and a black bag with the Secret Service emblem, but they were later recovered.

The laptop, which is considered a compromise of national security, has yet to be recovered.

"The Secret Service is very heavily involved and, citing national security, there's very little we have on our side," a police source told the Daily News. "It's a very big deal.

"There's data on there that's highly sensitive, the police source added. They're scrambling like mad.

Two Secret Service agents were under investigation Thursday after taking pictures with President Donald Trumps 8-year-old grandson, Donald Trump III, who was sleeping in his bed. They were assigned to protect the child but instead decided to take a selfie.

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The incident allegedly happened last weekend, and it was reported that the child was freaked out after waking up randomly from his sleep, Mother Jones reported. The boy told his mother, Vanessa Trump, who then notified the childs father, Donald Trump Jr.

The two unidentified agents were reported to the agencys Office of Professional Responsibility.

The U.S. Secret Service is aware of a matter involving two of our agents and one of our protectees. Our Office of Professional Responsibility will always thoroughly review a matter to determine the facts and to ensure proper, long-standing protocols and procedures are followed, the agency said in a statement.

Related Articles
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's right-wing party Saturday picked a controversial firebrand leader to head India's most populous state, where it won a landslide victory last week.

Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party won an absolute majority in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, home to 220 million people and seen as a bellwether of national politics, in a massive vote of confidence for the premier halfway into his first term.

After an hours-long meeting with local BJP legislators on Saturday, senior party leader M. Venkaiah Naidu announced 44-year-old Yogi Adityanath as Uttar Pradesh's next chief minister.

"Tomorrow Yogi Adityanath will take oath as chief minister," Naidu said at a press conference in Uttar Pradesh's capital Lucknow late Saturday.

Earlier television footage showed BJP workers garlanding and feeding sweets to the Hindu hardliner who was draped in his iconic saffron-coloured robe.

A five-time MP from the BJP, Adityanath is a popular leader known for his fiery Hindu rhetoric who has stirred controversies over his polarising and inflammatory speeches against Muslims -- who form nearly 20 percent of the state's population.

Most recently, he lauded US President Trump's travel ban that aimed to halt immigrants from a handful of Muslim-majority countries from entering America, saying India needed similar action to check terrorism.

He has often fanned flames over religious conversions, inter-religion marriages and has reportedly been arrested and charged with several crimes in the past including rioting, attempt to murder and trespassing on burial places.

The rise of the Hindu priest-turned-politician in Uttar Pradesh, a state prone to sectarian strife, surprised many after Modi made his development agenda the focus of his campaign in the region, which is traditionally fractured along caste and religious lines.

Observers questioned whether Adityanath would continue pushing his "Hindutva", loosely translated as "Hinduness", ideology as chief minister.

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"PM @narendramodi says development & growth is his primary agenda. Allowing Hindutva hardliners to helm a major state is a costly mistake," said senior journalist Malini Parthasarathy on Twitter as #YogiAdityanath became a top-trending topic in India.

But the BJP, which won 312 of the total 403 seats in Uttar Pradesh, reassured Adityanath would work for development and anti-corruption.

"This mandate is against caste politics, religious politics," Naidu said.

With last week's clear win in the politically crucial state, the BJP hopes to boost Modi's chances for a second term in 2019 general elections but it was unclear whether Adityanath's appointment would help it get there or backfire.

Modi's dominance has been largely unchallenged since he won the first overall majority in three decades in 2014 elections on a pledge to wipe out corruption and kickstart the economy.
BERLIN (Reuters) - European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is not worried about other EU countries leaving the bloc after Britain because Brexit will make them see it is not a good option, he said in a newspaper interview. Asked by Bild am Sonntag newspaper if other member states would follow Britain's example in quitting, Juncker said: "No. Britain's example will make everyone realise that it's not worth leaving." He added: "On the contrary, the remaining member states will fall in love with each other again and renew their vows with the European Union." The EU's 27 leaders plan to declare "Europe is our common future" during a meeting in Rome next week to mark 60 years of the bloc. Juncker said Britain would need to get used to being treated as a non-member. "Half memberships and cherry-picking aren't possible. In Europe you eat what's on the table or you don't sit at the table," he added. Juncker said more countries would join the EU in future, although not during his time in office, which runs until 2019, because none of the candidates fulfils the conditions yet. (Reporting by Michelle Martin; Editing by Ruth Pitchford)
BEIJING (AP)  U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Saturday pushed for closer China-U.S. cooperation on dealing with North Korea's nuclear program in his first face-to-face talks with top Chinese diplomats.

Tillerson's visit to Beijing followed his remarks in South Korea on Friday in which he warned that pre-emptive military action against North Korea might be necessary if the threat from its weapons program reaches a level "that we believe requires action."

China, the North's biggest source of diplomatic support and economic assistance, hasn't responded directly to his remarks, although Beijing has called repeatedly for all sides to take steps to reduce tensions.

Tillerson stressed the need for a "results oriented" relationship with China in comments following his meeting Saturday with Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

"We renewed our determination to work together to convince North Korea to choose a better path and a different future for its people," Tillerson said.

He said Wang agreed on the need for a "course correction" with Pyongyang. Bringing North Korea "to a different place" is a matter to be approached with "a sense of urgency," Tillerson said.

Wang restated Beijing's calls for dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea and called Tillerson's visit an important step toward a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, expected next month.

Tillerson met later with Yang Jiechi, Xi's top foreign policy adviser. He is scheduled to meet with Xi on Sunday morning before returning to the U.S.

As North Korea's most important source of diplomatic support and economic assistance, China has grown increasingly concerned about the possibility of conflict on the Korean Peninsula.

Wang warned last week that North Korea on one side, and the U.S. and South Korea on the other, were like "two accelerating trains" headed at each other, with neither side willing to give way.

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He floated a proposal that North Korea could suspend its nuclear and missile activities in exchange for a halt in joint U.S.-South Korea military drills. That was swiftly shot down by the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, who said Washington has to see "some sort of positive action" from North Korea before it can take leader Kim Jong Un seriously.

While China has agreed reluctantly to U.N. Security Council resolutions sanctioning North Korea, it is adamantly opposed to measures that might bring about a collapse of the North Korean regime and send waves of refugees into northeastern China while South Korean and American forces take up positions on its border.

That's left Beijing with few options other than to call for renewed dialogue under the Beijing-sponsored six-nation format that broke down in 2009.

In a further sign of its frustration with Pyongyang, China last month banned imports of North Korean coal for the rest of the year, potentially depriving Kim's regime of a key source of foreign currency.

On Friday, Tillerson signaled a tougher strategy toward North Korea that leaves open the possibility of pre-emptive military action.

"Let me be very clear: The policy of strategic patience has ended," he said after visiting the heavily militarized border between the rival Koreas. "We are exploring a new range of diplomatic, security and economic measures. All options are on the table."

Past U.S. administrations have considered military force because of North Korea's development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles to deliver them, but rarely has that option been expressed so explicitly as by Tillerson.

North Korea has accelerated its weapons development, violating multiple Security Council resolutions without being deterred by sanctions. The North conducted two nuclear test explosions and 24 ballistic missile tests last year. Experts say it could have a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the U.S. within a few years.

China has stridently opposed the deployment of a U.S. missile defense system to South Korea, saying its X-band radar can peer deep into China to monitor flights and rocket launches. The U.S. says it's a system focused purely on North Korea and poses no threat to the security of other nations.

Tillerson's visit to Beijing is the final stop on his three-nation swing through Northeast Asia, which began in Japan. State Department officials have described it as a "listening tour" as the administration seeks to coordinate with its Asian partners on a coherent North Korea policy.

Though it didn't come up in his public remarks, Tillerson was expected to discuss with China its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, including its building of islands atop coral reefs, complete with airstrips and military installations.

During his confirmation hearings in January, Tillerson compared China's island-building and deployment of military assets to Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, and suggested that China's access to its newly built islands should be blocked.

While Trump pledged during his campaign to slap 45 percent tariffs on imports from China and label the country a currency manipulator, there has been little indication of his doing either. His pick for U.S. trade representative, Robert Lighthizer, has said he would use a "multifaceted approach" to cracking down on Chinese trade abuses.

Tillerson's trip also highlights the Trump administration's apparent lack of concern with human rights abuses in countries overseas, formerly a key element of U.S. policy toward China  and a major irritant in bilateral relations.

In a departure from past practice, Tillerson skipped the launch of an annual report on human rights last week that cited numerous abuses by China. He has also said the U.S. would not continue participating in the U.N. Human Rights Council unless it undergoes "considerable reform."
New York (AFP) - The deputy director of the US National Security Agency has described White House allegations that Britain helped spy on President Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign as "just crazy."

The accusations infuriated British officials, prompting an uncommonly vehement denial from Britain's GCHQ intelligence agency and forcing White House spokesmen to back away from earlier statements.

Trump has nevertheless refused to back down from the unproven claims.

In a BBC interview published Saturday, the NSA's Rick Ledgett said that suggesting British intelligence would take sides in the US political process "belies a complete lack of understanding of how the relationship works between the intel community agencies; it completely ignores the political reality of 'Would the UK government agree to do that?'"

Related:

For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android.

Fox News commentator Andrew Napolitano claimed early in the week that former president Barack Obama had turned to Britain's GCHQ surveillance agency to tap phone lines in Trump Tower while Trump was still living there.

That claim was later repeated by White House spokesman Sean Spicer, and then by Trump himself, who has stood by it even after denials from a series of top US political and law-enforcement officials, as well as the British.

Not mincing his words, Ledgett called the claim "arrant nonsense."

"It would be epically stupid," he added.

On Friday, Fox News said it was unable to confirm the allegations of Napolitano, a regular guest on the network.

Ledgett said the mission of American intelligence is to be apolitical, and to "speak truth" to the nation's leaders.

He is due to retire soon from the NSA, which oversees electronic surveillance of foreign intelligence.

Trump has provided no evidence to support his shocking allegation early this month that Obama was responsible for "tapping my phones" in Trump Tower last fall.

But he said on Wednesday that "I think you're going to find some very interesting items coming to the forefront over the next two weeks."

On Friday, during a joint news conference with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel, he implicitly maintained his allegation.
President Donald Trump, right, listens as Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, left, talks at Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla. on Feb. 20, 2017, where Trump announced that McMaster will be the new national security adviser. (Photo: Susan Walsh/AP)

NEAR TAL AFAR  On the rolling hills of the battlefield near Tal Afar in northern Iraq, fighters belonging to the armed brigades known as the Popular Mobilization Forces [PMF], made up of mostly Shiite tribal members, hustle to and from a front-line base confronting forces of the Islamic State.

Tal Afar is still largely under the control of ISIS. The PMF has captured the citys airport, but its forces remain mostly on the outskirts of the city, three to five miles from the center.

The city was once held up as an example of tribal unity between Shiite and Sunni Muslims after it was liberated from al-Qaida by American troops commanded by then Army Col. H.R. McMaster.

Last month President Trump nominated McMaster, now a lieutenant general, as his national security adviser, a pick that was widely praised by both Republicans and Democrats. McMasters experience in Iraq goes back to 1991, when as a captain in the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment he commanded a tank unit that defeated a much larger Republican Guard force, a battle for which he was awarded a Silver Star. His doctoral thesis became a popular book, Dereliction of Duty, which argued that American military commanders during the Vietnam War failed to challenge their superiors on their flawed strategy.

His approach to military operations earned him respect when he ousted al-Qaida insurgents in 2005 in Tal Afar by attempting to forge alliances among Iraqi tribal leaders and religious factions.

Now as another war rages in northern Iraq over Tal Afar and Mosul, McMasters reputation and experience may be useful in helping Trump formulate a strategy.

But Trump has shown little interest in the ongoing battle in Iraq, instead focusing on the defeat of what he has called radical Islamic terrorism, a phrase McMaster rejects. Trumps campaign rhetoric called for harsh measures, including torture for prisoners, and he raised the possibility of taking revenge on fighters families, which would alienate the very people McMaster worked so hard to win over.

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This war, with new soldiers fighting an even fiercer enemy that uses civilians as human shields and shoots refugees when they attempt to flee, could be a recipe for disaster even if ISIS is defeated; the American forces and the Iraqi government may not be able to maintain tribal and religious unity in the aftermath.

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Sheik Maitham Zain is a commander for a PMU brigade in the Tal Afar district operations. (Photo: Ash Gallagher for Yahoo News)

On the Tal Afar front lines, most in the PMF, also known in Arabic as Hashd al-Shaabi, for now are still taking orders from Baghdad.

Sheikh Maitham Zain, one of the commanders of a PMF brigade, spoke with Yahoo News. He said, The most difficult thing we are facing is the human crisis here. Mortars hit us. Theres a house [ISIS uses] where there are two floors. On the second floor, there are ISIS fighters, underneath [civilians]. We are fighting for families.

Zain went on to explain why he thinks the battle for Tal Afar is important. The most important leaders from ISIS are from Tal Afar, and its made the battle for Tal Afar more difficult.

But one of Zains own fighters, a 16-year-old named Meysar, is also from Tal Afar. He is of Turkmen ethnicity, a majority Sunni group. He says he is fighting for his familys land. After ISIS took over Tal Afar, we ran away to escape, now we want to take it back.

His family is safely in another city, but he believes theyll be able to go home after ISIS is kicked out of Tal Afar.

While Meysar is too young to remember McMaster, he says he does remember living his whole life with war around him. Ive been injured, he said, during battles in Turkmen communities in Iraq. And while he didnt say how hed been injured, it helped make him stronger: Now Im a good [fighter].

Meysar was shy, but it was evident he was happy to be allowed to fight with the PMF. For him, its revenge against ISIS.

The PMF comprises around 40 units, under an umbrella created by the Iraqi government to unite militias against ISIS. Most of the Shiite brigades receive some support from Iran, while Turkey supports the outnumbered Turkmen and Sunni brigades. But there is rivalry. Some of the Shiite militias have been accused by human rights groups of mistreating Sunni civilians.

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In 2005, when McMaster entered Tal Afar, one of his main strategies for defeating al-Qaida insurgents was to integrate his soldiers into the local culture and society, and to create trust between Shiite and Sunni Muslim communities.

He even trained his men, at a base in Colorado with simulated situations and role playing in dealing with Arab culture, language and customs, and in interacting with religiously minded tribes. His tactics were considered successful.

Tal Afar Mayor Najim al-Jibouri (center) with then Col. H.R. McMaster (right) in January 2006. (Photo: Cpt. Samuel P.M. Cook/MCT/MCT via Getty Images)

Iraqi Gen. Najim al-Jabouri, who now oversees all operations for Nineveh province in northern Iraq and the Mosul offensive, was chief of police in Tal Afar before becoming mayor in 2005.

In an interview with Yahoo News he explained that the problem in Tal Afar, the [former] chief of police was from the Shia {Shiite} side and the mayor was from the Sunni side and they created problems. The mayor, at that time, worked with the terrorists.

AlQaida controlled most of the city, he said, and life was difficult. Tel Afar often looked like a ghost [town], there were no birds, no life.

But he takes pride in his relationship with the American forces. I was a good adviser. I told them, We need to win the people. Together they were able to rid the city of al-Qaida by the end of 2005. He believes the U.S. forces were key to helping create the golden years for Tal Afar, which lasted until 2007.

Jabouri said, In the beginning we cleaned [the city of al-Qaida]. after that, we held the city very strong. After that, we had to build, give the people jobs. And step by step, the relationship between the Sunni and Shia and the American forces got better.

The concept of clear, hold and build that Jabouri alluded to is a counterinsurgency strategy applied by Gen. David Petraeus in Afghanistan and Iraq. McMaster used this approach to rebuild civil society in Tal Afar.

But even so, intermittent attacks continued in the city from 2007 on  and American soldiers were gone by 2011, against Jabouris advice. He said McMaster agreed with him, but it seemed the U.S. government wasnt interested.

In 2014, ISIS took over Tal Afar.

Jabouri blames weak Iraqi security forces and corruption, which angered the people and reawakened sectarian divisions. Jabouri also believes that for Iraq to have a peaceful future, the Iraqi central government must learn the lessons of the past and invest in healing the rifts between the tribes.

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But at another front in the battle for Tal Afar, another PMF commander, who calls himself Abbas, sits in a safe house near the front lines, and in a dimly lit room welcomed Yahoo News.

Abbas is strong in his Muslim faith and he attributes his mission to fight against ISIS and freeing civilians as Gods orders. For him, outside forces have perpetuated the disunity and conflict in his country.

But hes not from Tal Afar and doesnt know much about McMasters campaign, so hes skeptical of American involvement. Considering they are the strongest in the world, they are the ones who invaded [against] Saddam [Hussein] and created chaos in Iraq.

Hashd-alshabbi fighters unpack canons to shoot back at ISIS on the frontlines near Tal Afar in Northern Iraq. (Photo: Ash Gallagher for Yahoo News)

While he acknowledges that the Americans have upgraded Iraqs weapons and technology, he is still angry about their 2003 invasion of Iraq and says the U.S. has not paid for the damage. They didnt repair [relationships] in Iraq, but they did sow more chaos and blood and bad people.

He also thinks outside majority Sunni countries, such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia are benefiting from the conflict in Iraq. There is a fight for an Islamic leader and in that, the Turkish and the Saudis [benefit].

When dinner was brought to the room, Abbas and his men shared their favorite war stories, joked and laughed. But when the conversation grew more serious, they began talking about their frustration with their rivals, the Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.

Last year, heavy clashes between Shiite militias and Peshmerga in an eastern province of Iraq left nearly 50 dead, most from Hashd al-Shaabi forces. Many in the PMF still carry wounds from the battle.

But Jabouri puts much of the blame on the Iraqi central government and the countrys Constitution. He believes it is problematic because it identifies the people by their religious and ethnic groups, Shiite, Sunni, Turkmen and Kurd, rather than Iraqis, as a whole. This, he said is part of the disaster in Iraq.

With tribal lines drawn, McMasters hopes for national unity seem distant. Gen. Jabouri however, has hope. He considers McMaster his friend; theyve stayed in close touch over the years and he believes McMaster can influence Trumps decisions over Iraq, both militarily and in repairing his beloved country.



Back at the front-line base, near Badoush, PMF fighters loaded cannons aimed at ISIS forces across the open fields. The tube-like shooters were set up in a grassy yard outside a small house. When fighters hear ISIS shoot, they shoot back.

In between the loud pops of cannon rounds, fighters laugh and pose for photos. They dont have common military uniforms: Some wear used U.S. or Russian camouflage, some mix and match with their own clothes, others add scarves on their heads, and some even walk around without proper shoes or protective gear. For now, these men dont care much about the American involvement. PMF fighters dont receive air or ground support from coalition forces, which are more heavily involved in Mosul.

We dont have any connection with the coalition, Zain said, Our weapons and support are from the Iraqi Defense Ministry.

They take pride in pushing ISIS back on their own, but Zain also emphasized he would like to see a unified Iraq overcome religious differences. We as fighters here believe we are fighting on behalf of the world and behalf of [the U.S.], he said, Human kindness is not based on the interest of parties; we look at people with one [set] of eyes, equally.

Zain pointed out that his unit helped host a medical clinic with a makeshift emergency room, treating wounded soldiers and civilians alike.

Head Doctor at the frontline clinic near Tal Afar, receiving patients, civilians and soldiers from the battlefield. (Photo: Ash Gallagher for Yahoo News)

Fighters and medical staff rushed to the examination room for initial treatment and then helped carry a stretcher to a Red Crescent ambulance. PMF soldiers recited a common Shiite prayer to bless the injured, Oh God, praise and peace be upon Muhammed and his families, they chanted. For this PMF brigade, the mission was humanitarian.

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Based on his rhetoric, Trump sees the American mission here as less about stabilizing or unifying Iraq with humanitarian assistance and more about rooting out an existential military threat to the U.S. During the presidential campaign, Trump said he would have a plan for defeating ISIS in the first 30 days of his presidency, but so far Trumps administration has yet to roll one out.

McMaster may have his work cut out for him in the weeks ahead. Political analyst and Brookings Institution fellow Jeremy Shapiro says, These two are set up for conflict and failure. McMaster is so antithetically opposed to the approach to Islam and the war on ISIS that Trump has proposed that I cant see him accepting it.

Shapiro believes that although Trump praises military leadership, he really isnt focused on details of Middle East conflicts, nor is he very interested. For Trump, he said, the mission is just about killing terrorists and going home. He added: If you allow the generals to deal with it, theyll suck resources in forever.

The American people, Shapiro fears, dont have the national will to occupy Iraq and sustain the casualties necessary to reconstruct a country whose internal rivalries they barely begin to understand. McMaster does understand, but whether his vision and advice will prevail in the treacherous climate of the Trump administration remains to be seen.

Once ISIS is expelled from Iraq and tribal militias no longer have a common enemy  or the backing of coalition forces  the old rivalries may resurface, and once again create an opening for another extreme and armed insurgency.

_____

Ash Gallagher is a journalist covering the Middle East for Yahoo News.
Yogi Adityanath was today picked to lead Uttar Pradesh after the BJP won a landslide victory last week.

By Reuters: Prime Minister Narendra Modi picked Hindu hardliner Yogi Adityanath, who has been accused of inciting violence against India's Muslim minority, to lead its most populous state after his party won a landslide victory last week.

Adityanath's appointment to lead Uttar Pradesh was denounced by opposition party members.

But officials of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party said Adityanath, who will take charge on Sunday, was the appropriate leader for the state.

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"This is a watershed moment in the history of BJP," Venkaiah Naidu, Federal Information & Broadcasting Minister told reporters after BJP officials met in Uttar Pradesh's capital Lucknow on Saturday.

"The mandate is for development, good governance and against caste politics."

Modi's BJP won control of the state a week ago, earning the biggest majority there for any party since 1977, after the Prime Minister pitched himself as a man on the side of the poor.

The win has raised the prospect of Modi's re-election in general elections in 2019.

But Manish Tewari, senior leader at the Congress party, tweeted that Adityanath's appointment was a "harbinger to greater polarisation."

Adityanath, 44, is the head priest of the Gorakhnath Mutt, a Hindu temple in eastern Uttar Pradesh, and a fifth-time lawmaker in the Indian parliament.

He has supported strong laws for cow protection, and also said minority groups that oppose yoga should either leave the country or drown themselves in the sea.

He has also been accused of making inflammatory speeches during the campaign in Uttar Pradesh, where Modi's party didn't field a single candidate from the minority Muslim population.

Professor Sudha Pai, an expert on Uttar Pradesh politics at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, said Adityanath "is not a good choice and will not help Modi's development agenda."

Federal Interior minister Rajnath Singh, telecom minister Manoj Sinha and BJP state president Keshav Prasad Maurya had also been seen as contenders for the post of chief minister.

ALSO READ | Adityanath: 7 things that you may expect Yogi to do as Uttar Pradesh CM

Yogi Adityanath is new UP Chief Minister; state BJP chief KP Maurya, Dinesh Sharma to be his deputies

India Today Conclave 2017: PM Modi presents report card, calls GST an example of deliberative democracy

ALSO WATCH | Yogi Adityanath named as next Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister

--- ENDS ---
Sure, former President Barack Obama is taking some high-profile time off. He's kite-surfed with a billionaire adventurer and hit the links in Hawaii. But that doesn't mean it's going to be all fun and games when the president returns to his new home to Washington, D.C. All signs this week pointed toward a busy post-presidency for Obama.

That's in stark contrast to what the 44th president had hoped for his time outside the White House. "I want to do some writing," he told reporters just ahead of President Donald Trump's inauguration. "I want to be quiet a little bit and not hear myself talk so darn much. I want to spend precious time with my girls."

Indeed, Obama will likely get some writing done, but it might not be a leisurely activity. Penguin Random House purchased the rights to his book, as well as the rights to Michelle Obama's book, with reports suggesting the fee might have been some $65 million. The tens of millions on the line might add just a skosh of pressure to the writing. Penguin Random House announced Monday it intended to sell the books to publishers across the globe.

Meanwhile, Obama's Foundation is wrapped up in talks over a community benefits agreement that would ensure the group takes specific action to help Chicago as it gets to work on the former president's library in the city. Local groups are in a fight over who should monitor the legally binding agreement and the Obama Foundation has attempted to reassure the community.

"The Obama Presidential Center will invest in our community, creating new jobs, and making Jackson Park a world-class site for South Side residents and for visitors around the world," a foundation official said to DNA Info Chicago this week.

Once Obama comes back from his vacation this week in French Polynesia, there will also be work to do at his new home in Washington. He has moved into D.C.'s Kalorama neighborhood, right by White House adviser Jared Kushner and wife Ivanka Trump. The house constructed in 1928 has nine bedrooms and will likely house the family at least until Sasha Obama, 15, graduates from Sidwell Friends School. Meanwhile, Obama has rented office space at the World Wildlife Fund in the city, where he is expected to help the National Democratic Redistricting Committee alongside former Attorney General Eric Holder.

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Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) on Sunday said that Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) should be deported as she rallied for Georgias Republican Senate nominee, Herschel Walker. Legal immigrants are more patriotic than the leftists these days, Haley said at the Hiram, Ga., rally. They worked to come into America and they love America.
By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon on Friday denied accusations by a Syrian rebel group that the United States had targeted a mosque in Syria and, in a rare move, showed an aerial image to illustrate the mosque was intact and the building destroyed was in fact across the street. Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis, addressing a Pentagon news conference, said he believed dozens of al Qaeda fighters were killed in the Thursday strike by manned and unmanned U.S. aircraft on an al Qaeda meeting place in the village of al-Jina, Aleppo. Davis said the U.S. military had not yet seen any credible allegations of civilian casualties, including on social media. The Pentagon released to the public the image it showed to reporters: a black and white aerial image showing the mosque still standing across the street from a building that had been reduced to rubble by the strike. Next to the charred plot where the al Qaeda militants had met was another building, which was also still intact. "We struck a meeting of senior al Qaeda terrorists, some of these were likely high value individuals, we're currently assessing that," Davis said. But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitoring group, said both buildings together make up the mosque. The air strikes hit the mosque complex, which consists of a center belonging to an Islamist organization and a nearby prayer area, destroying the religious center, it said. The Observatory said the strikes had killed at least 49 people and wounded dozens, mostly civilians who were attending a prayer and religious lesson at the center. In a statement following the new conference, the Pentagon said intelligence indicated that the building that was struck was a "partially constructed community meeting hall" that was used by al Qaeda leaders "as a place to educate and indoctrinate" militants. The statement said surveillance showed that the strike took place after evening prayers had finished. It added that the image shown to reporters was taken less five minutes after the strike. Reuters was unable to independently verify whether the mosque may have suffered any structural damage that could be difficult to see from an aerial image. Ahrar al-Sham, a powerful Syrian rebel group, on Friday said the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State was behind a deadly mosque attack near Syria's Aleppo that a war monitor said killed dozens of people. The Observatory said jets hit around a mosque in al-Jina village near Atarib in the western part of Aleppo province, a few miles (km) from Idlib province on Thursday. The United States has been leading a coalition in an air campaign against Islamic State while also carrying out air strikes against al Qaeda in Syria, which it says sought to take advantage of the chaos from Syria's civil war to reconstitute itself in ungoverned towns. Syrian military and Russian jets have also carried out numerous air strikes against targets in Idlib and western parts of Aleppo province, which are held by rebels seeking to oust President Bashar al-Assad. There are concerns about an increased risk of civilian casualties as U.S. President Donald Trump considers options to accelerate the fight against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria. According to the U.S. military, 220 civilians killed have been killed since the start of the air campaign against Islamic State in 2014, but that estimate is far lower than those provided by monitoring groups. (Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart. Additional reporting by Ellen Francis.; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
(VATICAN CITY)  Pope Francis will visit Egypt in late April, reflecting improved Vatican-Muslim dialogue after years of tension that developed during the previous papacy of Benedict XVI.

The Vatican said Saturday that details of the April 28-29 trip will be announced soon.

In Egypt, presidential spokesman Alaa Youssef said the visit to the majority Muslim nation comes in response to an invitation from President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who met Francis when he visited the Vatican in late 2014.

The Vatican said the pope was going also upon invitations from Catholic bishops in Egypt, Coptic Orthodox church leader Pope Tawadros II and the grand imam of the Al-Azhar mosque, Sheik Ahmed el-Tayyib.

In May 2016, the imam came to the Vatican, where the pope embraced him. That meeting was seen as reopening an important channel for Catholic-Muslim dialogue after Al-Azhar had frozen relations with the Vatican. The freeze was triggered by demands by Benedict in 2011 for greater protection of Christians in Egypt following a New Years Day bombing of a Coptic church in Alexandria that killed 21 people.

Youssef said that during his visit Francis will meet with el-Sissi as well as with the imam, who is Egypts top Muslim cleric, and with Tawadros. He said Egypt hopes the visit will cement the spirit of tolerance and dialogue among followers of different faiths and further isolate extremism and terrorism.

Last month, the Vaticans point man on Muslim relations, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, participated in a conference at Al-Azhar focused on how Muslim and Catholic leaders can work to counter fanaticism, extremism and violence in the name of religion.

Al-Azhars grand imam has a reputation as a moderate who seeks better relations and understanding with the Roman Catholic Church. He frequently meets with Tawadros and leaders of the smaller Egyptian church denominations.

Pope Francis has stressed working for reconciliation and overcoming divisions among all peoples as urgent goals of his four-year-old papacy.

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In contrast, Vatican relations with much of the Muslim world suffered early in Benedicts papacy, when, during a speech in 2006 in his native Germany, he spoke about Islams relation to violence.

Most of Egypts Christians are members of the Orthodox church led by Tawadros. Christians overall are believed to account for about 10 percent of the countrys 92 million people.

Christians often complain of discrimination, citing their apparent exclusion from top positions in the security services, academia and the diplomatic service.

Since his election in 2014, El-Sissi has sought to reassure Egypts Christians, promising them equality and protection.

But a series of brutal killings of Christians recently in northern Sinai claimed by a local affiliate of the Islamic State has forced hundreds of Christians to flee the area in search of safety elsewhere in Egypt.

The IS group also claimed a suicide bombing in December that targeted a packed Orthodox church in the heart of Cairo, killing about 30, mostly women, during a morning service.

___

Hendawi reported from Cairo.
Paris (AFP) - Locked up in about 140 metres (460 feet) of ice capping a Bolivian mountain lie 18,000 years of climate history, dating back to an epoch when humans were only just learning to farm.

But this precious archive of environmental change since the last Ice Age is melting fast, to the despair of scientists.

They have now decided to take matters in hand, in a remarkable initiative that combines glaciology with high-altitude trekking.

An international team will set out in May on a gruelling trip up Bolivia's 6,400-metre Illimani peak to drill three ice cores from its crowning glacier.

These will be preserved for posterity, along with cores from other glaciers, in the natural freezer that is Antarctica.

"Eventually, these ice cores will be all that is left of the glaciers," said Jerome Chappellaz of France's CNRS research institute, a partner in the endeavour dubbed Ice Memory.

Glacier ice contains traces of gas, chemicals and dust.

Analysed in the lab, this is a treasure trove of data on past changes in the climate and environment, including rainfall trends, forest fires, atmospheric temperatures, levels of greenhouse gases and chemical pollutants. They provide a crucial benchmark for understanding how our climate is mutating.

"The glaciers... hold the memory of former climates and help to predict future environmental changes," said the Institute of Research for Development (IRD), another mission member.

But time is running out.

"If global warming continues at its current rate, glaciers at an altitude below 3,500 metres in the Alps and 5,400 metres in the Andes will have disappeared by the end of the 21st century," said the IRD.

"These are unique pages in the history of our environment which will... be lost forever."

A glacier is a slow-moving mass of ice formed when snow accumulates year after year, compacting the layers below into a dense body of ice.

- Sanctuary -

At the Illimani site, two metres of snow fall every year, translating into a very detailed record that by now lies 140 metres deep.

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"Studying the glacier therefore means the past of this environment can be reconstructed as far back as the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM)" -- the peak freeze, about 21,000 years ago, during the last Ice Age, mission coordinators said in a statement.

At the time, vast ice sheets cover much of North America, northern Europe, and Asia, before starting to melt as the climate warmed, allowing modern humans to thrive and spread.

The Illimani expedition is the second leg of Ice Memory.

The first three ice cores -- between 126 and 129 metres long -- were taken from the Col du Dome glacier in Mont Blanc in the Alps in August last year.

They have been placed in a deep freeze at a research institute in Grenoble, at the foot of the Alps, to eventually be moved to the French-Italian Antarctic research base Concordia.

There a cave is being prepared for their permanent storage at an average of minus 54 degrees Celsius (minus 65.2 degrees Fahrenheit) -- a temperature that should keep them safe even at top-of-the-scale global warming.

The "ice archive sanctuary" should be ready by 2020.

In the end, the team hopes to amass hundreds of ice samples.

But drilling an ice core at these kinds of altitudes is no easy feat.

"It requires a lot of equipment," Illimani project head Patrick Ginot of the IRD told AFP ahead of the team's departure.

"Twenty guides and carriers will help us to transport the material from an altitude of 4,500 metres to the summit at 6,300 metres.

There is a passable road for up to 4,500 metres, but beyond that not even a helicopter can go.

The helpers will carry the material, all 1.5 tonnes or 30 cubic metres of it, up the last 1,800 metres on their backs -- about 30 kilogrammes per person at a time.

- 'Property of humanity' -

The kit includes the core drill, 75 specially insulated boxes, and camping gear. It all left from Grenoble on a 10,000-kilometre (6,200-mile) boat ride for La Paz in February.

Upon reaching the summit, two teams of six to eight people will take turns drilling, so as to minimise the physical challenges of high-altitude exertion.

The mission will take about a month, after which the team will have an estimated three tonnes of ice to bring back down.

The precious samples will be placed in the 75 insulated boxes to travel to Grenoble on a five- to six-week boat journey.

"One of the most difficult challenges will be to maintain the cold chain," said Ginot.

One core from Col du Dome and one from Illimani, will remain in Grenoble for analysis, while the other four are bound for Antarctica.

"These samples will be the property of humanity," said the IRD.

They will be preserved "in order to enable future generations of scientists to carry out unprecedented analysis."
New York (AFP) - Still relishing provocation three years after their release from a Russian prison, the punk rockers Pussy Riot are reviving their challenge to President Vladimir Putin in an action-packed autobiographical theatrical piece.

Maria Alyokhina, one of two key members of the group who went to prison, has taken Pussy Riot in a new avant-garde direction in an hour-long performance called "Revolution" that merges punk, electronica, theater, documentary footage and plenty of snide references to Putin.

Characterized by Alyokhina as a "living book," the piece is based on a memoir she will publish later this year. It kicks off with an allusion to Russia's Bolshevik takeover 100 years ago and a rhetorical question about whether her piece is about that revolution.

"No, the one that's happening now!" Alyokhina shouts in unison with actor Kiryl Kanstantsinau before embarking on an frenetic account of the feminist collective since its founding in 2011.

Alyokhina and fellow member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were charged with hooliganism after they sneaked into a cathedral near the Kremlin and -- for less than a minute -- performed a "punk prayer" against Putin.

If Pussy Riot was about shock tactics, Alyokhina in "Revolution" explains the intellectual underpinnings. Putin, the piece charges, had been transforming himself into an emperor through fraudulent elections.

The Russian Orthodox Church, she charges, had become "servants of the tsar" with little to do besides selling "elite porcelain eggs and replicas of imperial-era medals."

Pussy Riot casts itself a part of the history of revolution. Screen images shift from Eugene Delacroix's painting "Liberty Leading the People," the goddess triumphantly raising the French tricolor, to footage of Pussy Riot rising in Red Square to sing "Putin Has Pissed His Pants."

- Taking 'Revolution' to Russia -

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Pussy Riot's music, which earlier had the blunt force of punk, becomes more rhythmic and intense in "Revolution." The music takes on the edge of digital hardcore groups such as Atari Teenage Riot as Pussy Riot teams up with the Russian duo Asian Women on the Telephone, whose saxophonist Nastya exhales from deep in her lungs over an energetic electronic backdrop.

Alyokhina, 28, relives her detention in a penal colony in the Ural Mountains, where she recounts being disciplined for waking up at 5:45 am instead of 5:20 am and going on a hunger strike to protest her conditions.

She ends the piece with a warning that freedom does not exist on its own -- "Fight for it every day!"

As part of her defiance, Alyokhina said she plans to perform "Revolution" in Russia shortly and is not thinking about the consequences.

"We are living in the country where the secret service is ruling... for 100 years," she said after the New York premiere of "Revolution" Friday at the National Sawdust experimental music venue.

"I think we shouldn't play chess with them because they will win for sure," she said. "What we can do is to be ourselves, believe in what we are doing, and love what we are doing."

- Complacency in US -

"Revolution," which earlier toured the US West Coast, comes as Putin has risen to the forefront of US political discourse. US intelligence agencies have accused Russia of meddling in the November election, in which Donald Trump pulled off an upset victory.

In a subtle nod to US protesters, Alyokhina took the stage in a trademark Pussy Riot balaclava before folding it back as if to represent cat ears -- an emblem of feminist opponents of Trump, who famously boasted of getting away with grabbing women "by the pussy."

Pussy Riot bandmate Tolokonnikova has recently gone in a different direction by turning her gaze on US rather than Russian politics. In a song and video before the election called "Make America Great Again" after Trump's slogan, Tolokonnikova imagined a dystopian world under the tycoon's reign with women branded like cattle.

Alyokhina was less animated about Trump, attributing his election to complacency under former president Barack Obama.

"People just kind of relaxed and thought or felt that what they had was forever," she said.

To Americans fearing a dire erosion of freedoms under Trump, Alyokhina suggested looking at her experience in Russia to compare.

"When you have something for a long time, you sometimes forget that you have it, actually," she said.

"And you start to be really snobbish and critique and say, 'We're not free!' and so on. But come on!"
Luanda (AFP) - About 200 demonstrators protested under heavy police surveillance in the Angolan capital Luanda on Saturday against a draft law criminalising all abortions.

The proposed new penal code has been sharply criticised, including by Isabel dos Santos, reported to be the richest woman in Africa and the daughter of veteran President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.

The mostly female protesters chanted "Freedom for women", "Prison will not solve anything" and "Let us decide", before dispersing after about two hours.

Public protests are rare in Angola and can often be targeted by Angola's security forces, but the peaceful march was allowed by authorities.

The draft penal code, currently before parliament, punishes anyone who has an abortion or performs one with up to 10 years in jail.

"The government or lawmakers have no right to decide whether we must have a child or not," Lauranda Gouveia, a marcher, told AFP.

"If this law is passed, women who get pregnant after rape will have the choice of trauma, prison or possible death after a clandestine abortion," added Sizaltia Cutaia, of the local Open Society activism group.

The draft code was strengthened after lobbying by church leaders and has triggered public debate.

Isabel dos Santos this week used her Instagram social media account to denounce the "criminalisation of women".

Dom Manuel Imbamba, spokesman for the Episcopal Conference of Angola, told AFP that it supported the anti-abortion law, saying "life cannot be negotiated or trivialised."

The ruling MPLA party on Thursday said that a vote in parliament next week had been postponed.

Angola, which had been ruled by President dos Santos since 1979, is updating its 1886 penal code dating back to the Portuguese colonial era.
Adityanath, the firebrand Member of Parliament from Gorakhpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh, is one of the names doing the rounds as the 32nd Chief Minister of the state.

By India Today Web Desk: Amid suspense over who the next Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister will be, BJP leader Yogi Adityanath has flown to New Delhi to meet his chief Amit Shah. Adityanath, the firebrand Member of Parliament from Gorakhpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh, is one of the names doing the rounds as the 32nd Chief Minister of the state.

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The Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya is also in the national capital and met Amit Shah earlier today.

Amid suspense over next UP CM, Yogi Adityanath flies to Delhi to meet Amit Shah

As both Adityanath and Maurya met Amit Shah in Delhi, their supporters in Lucknow demonstrated in a show of strength, demanding their leader should be made the state Chief Minister. While the BJP has decided to swear in the next Chief Minister on Sunday at 5 pm, it has not yet announced who is going to occupy the chair.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah, among others, will attend the oath ceremony. The 312 newly-elected BJP MLAs will meet in Lucknow later today at the Lok Bhawan - the new secretariat building built by outgoing Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav - where the leader of the BJP legislature party will be elected.

Lucknow: Yogi Adityanath's supporters demonstrate demanding that Adityanath be made Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh pic.twitter.com/kDmVWpGfiT- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 18, 2017

Senior central BJP leaders M Venkaiah Naidu, Bhupendra Yadav, Om Mathur and Sunil Bansal have reached Lucknow and will be present in the meeting.

Lucknow: UP BJP Chief Keshav Prasa Maurya's supporters stage demonstration demanding that Maurya be made the CM of UP pic.twitter.com/qwAR0WsJTl- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 18, 2017

"The names in the media reports are pure speculative. Today evening, we will be meeting the MLAs and then we will decide," Naidu told reporters in Lucknow.

Meanwhile, Union Communications Minister Manoj Sinha, who most are betting on, today visited many temples in Varanasi, Modi's Lok Sabha constituency. Sinha denied he is in the race.

"I am not in the race for the CM post. The legislature party and the Parliamentary board decides that. A section of media is unnecessarily speculating," Sinha said.

Also Read

Manoj Sinha leading Uttar Pradesh CM race as BJP keeps suspense alive

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WASHINGTON (AP)  Republicans intent on scrapping Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act have a budget problem.

As it turns out, repealing and replacing the law they hate so much won't save nearly as much money as getting rid of it entirely, the goal they've been campaigning on for seven years. That means trouble for the federal deficit and for Congress' fiscal conservatives who repeatedly warn about leaving their children and grandchildren worse off financially.

President Donald Trump and other GOP leaders know they can't just get rid of the law; instead they've vowed to "repeal and replace" it. So they've come up with a bill that would fix Obama's "disaster" and insist it would give Americans more choices on health coverage.

But it only reduces the deficit by $337 billion over a decade and doesn't move the federal budget much closer to being balanced, if at all. That's one big reason many budget-conscious Republicans have joined Democrats in opposing the repeal-and-replace version pushed by the White House and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.

In proposing his 2018 budget on Thursday, Trump called for spending billions more on defense while slashing domestic programs. He vowed during the campaign to leave the costly mandatory programs such as Medicare and Social Security untouched, and he won't raise taxes. That budget plan guarantees large deficits.

"Our military is more important to me than a balanced budget," Trump said in a Fox News interview in January.

The initial Republican plan to completely scuttle the 2010 health care law promised a cut of more than $2 trillion from the deficit over 10 years.

The GOP health care bill cuts the deficit by much less.

"Now that (health care repeal) is actually going to happen, they've changed their priorities greatly so that they're not actually trying to generate any significant savings," said Maya MacGuineas, president of Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a Washington-based advocacy group for budget discipline. "And there's no sign what they can fill it in with."

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A senior member of the House Budget Committee, Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., says: "Oh yeah, there's no question. It's much tougher, much tougher" to balance the budget after repealing and replacing the health care law.

What would be left behind, according to the Congressional Budget Office, is $9 trillion in projected deficits over the coming decade and fewer ways for Trump and Republicans controlling Congress to cut.

The worsening deficit creates a huge problem for other critical pieces of Trump's agenda, including tax reform, a big infusion of infrastructure spending or helping people with the costs of child care.

First, swelling deficits mean less money for such legislation.

The deepening debt hole also means problems when Republicans try to pass a budget outline this spring, since some tea party Republicans and deficit hard-liners will insist on promising to balance the budget even though the math no longer works. More realistic lawmakers will resist that.

Under the arcane congressional budget process, the yearly budget blueprint doesn't by itself make any changes to government programs, but it makes it easier to enact follow-up legislation like tax reform, which is the top GOP priority after dealing with health care.

But if they can't pass a budget, Republicans can't pass tax reform  at least without help from Senate Democrats  because of Senate rules.

The fiscal picture, meanwhile, has another complication. If Republicans can successfully pass their health care repeal and replacement they will have used up their opportunity to cut Medicaid to generate savings toward a balanced budget. The health measure promises an enormous $880 billion cut from Medicaid over 10 years and it's not credible to say Republicans could claim more in subsequent legislation.

"They've taken (Medicaid) off the table," said Douglas Holtz-Eakin, a conservative economist and former Congressional Budget Office director.

"The math doesn't work," said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md. "Just nothing that they're doing adds up right now."

How big is the problem? According to calculations by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, if House Republicans were to simply plug their health repeal and replace bill into last year's budget resolution, they would fall $350 billion short of balance by the end of their 10-year goal. And if further Medicaid savings are taken off the table, the gap is more like $500 billion.

"It's going to be extremely difficult," admitted budget panel member Cole.
ABERDEEN, Scotland (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May, about to trigger Brexit should think again about her refusal to discuss a new Scottish independence referendum, Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon will tell her Scottish National Party on Saturday. May has stoked anger among the Scottish nationalists by blocking their demands for a new independence referendum before talks for Britain to leave the European Union end. "(May) has time to think again and I hope she does. If her concern is timing then -- within reason -- I am happy to have that discussion," Sturgeon, who also heads the devolved Scottish government, will say according to a text of her speech. A vote in the Scottish parliament next week, where pro-independence parties have a majority, will almost certainly authorize Sturgeon to seek a legally binding vote on a new referendum. But under Britain's constitutional arrangements, that vote would have to be signed off by the British parliament. May, facing two years of hugely complex talks with Britain's soon to be erstwhile EU partners, has said "now is not the time" to discuss the matter of Scotland. Last June's vote to leave the EU has altered the political landscape and shaken the ties of the United Kingdom's four nations. England, the UK's most populous nation, and Wales voted to leave while the Scots and the Northern Irish wanted to keep their EU membership. Faced with being taken out regardless, Scots must have a new choice, argue the nationalists. Northern Ireland's largest Irish nationalist party says it too wants a vote on splitting from Britain after the region voted to stay in the bloc. May has been accused of telling Scotland what to do and ignoring its democratic process, something which may even increase support for Scottish nationalists. Scots voted against independence in 2014 by a 10 point margin. But Sturgeon was elected last year on a manifesto which included the possibility of a new independence vote if there were a material change in circumstances "such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will." "We can still decide which path we take," Sturgeon will tell her party's conference. "Whatever our different opinions on independence, we can all unite around this simple principle: Scotland's future must be Scotland's choice." (Reporting by Elisabeth O'Leary Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP)  Somalia's government on Saturday blamed the Saudi-led coalition for Friday's attack on a boat that killed at least 42 Somali refugees off the coast of war-torn Yemen, calling the assault by a military vessel and a helicopter gunship "horrific."

Somalia urged the United States-supported coalition to investigate. The boat was packed with dozens of refugees, some of them women and children.

"What happened there was a horrific and terrible problem inflicted on innocent Somali people. The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen is responsible for it," Somalia's foreign minister, Abdisalam Omer, said on state-run radio. He said Yemen's government also must give an explanation for the attack and that those responsible must be brought to justice.

Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire in a separate statement called the attack "atrocious" and "appalling."

Yemen's Shiite rebels also have blamed the Saudi-led coalition. There has been no coalition comment.

The attack came just weeks after Somalia's recently elected president, the Somali-American Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, chose to make Saudi Arabia his first official foreign visit overseas.

The attack highlighted the perils of a heavily used migration route running from the Horn of Africa to the oil-rich Gulf, right through Yemen's civil war.

Laurent De Boeck, the head of the Yemeni office for the International Organization for Migration, has said the agency believes all those on board the boat were registered refugees.

A Yemeni trafficker who survived the attack said the refugees had been trying to reach Sudan. Somalia's foreign minister on Saturday said their ultimate destination had been Somalia.

The trafficker, Al-Hassan Ghaleb Mohammed, said the boat left from Ras Arra, along the southern coastline in Yemen's Hodeida province, and was near the Bab al-Mandab strait when the attack occurred.

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Mohammed described a scene of panic in which the terrified refugees waved flashlights, apparently to show they were not combatants. He said the helicopter then stopped firing, but only after dozens had been killed.

Video of the aftermath showed dozens of slain migrants, along with others who suffered gunshot wounds, lost limbs, or had broken arms and legs.

The Saudi-led coalition has been heavily bombarding the coast around the port of Hodeida, where it accuses the rebels, known as the Houthis, of smuggling weapons in small boats.

The coalition began striking the rebels and their allies in March 2015, hoping to drive the rebels from the capital, Sanaa, and restore the internationally recognized government. The rebels remain in control of Sanaa and much of northern Yemen, and the conflict, which has killed an estimated 10,000 civilians, is in a stalemate.

Since the beginning of the air campaign, Yemen has been under an air and sea embargo. The coalition is the only party to the conflict with naval and air forces, and rights groups have documented hundreds of airstrikes in which civilians have been killed.

Despite the fighting, African migrants continue to arrive in the war-torn country, where there is no central authority to prevent them from traveling onward to a better life in neighboring oil-rich Saudi Arabia.

More than 111,500 migrants landed on Yemen's shores last year, up from around 100,000 the year before, according to the Regional Mixed Migration Secretariat, a grouping of international agencies that monitors migration in the area.

The turmoil has left migrants vulnerable to abuse at the hands of the armed trafficking rings, many of which are believed to be connected to the multiple armed groups involved in the war.

Refugees have fled Somalia over its past quarter-century of chaos, desperate to avoid warlord-led clashes, attacks by homegrown extremist group al-Shabab and deadly drought.
Not everyone at Donald Trump's favorite news network is gobbling up his latest piece of red meat.

Fox News anchor Shep Smith countered Trump once again Friday, this time aiming his measured, declaratory tone at the president's outlandish claim that his predecessor was wiretapping him.

SEE ALSO: How to predict the president's next bogus tweet: Just watch Fox News

"Fox News knows of no evidence of any kind that the now president of the United States was surveilled at any time in any way," anchor Shep Smith said during a Friday broadcast. "Full stop."

Smith's "full stop" comment, which was spread widely on social media, comes after analyst Andrew Napolitano claimed on Fox & Friends Tuesday that "three intelligence sources have informed Fox News that President Obama went outside the chain of command" and requested British intelligence officials spy on Trump.

But that wasn't the case.

"Fox News cannot confirm Judge Napolitano's commentary," Smith said.

Looks like Smith's continuing his journey to become the most viral fact checker on the network.
By Jack Kim

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean prosecutors questioned the chairman of the SK Group on Saturday in connection with an influence-peddling scandal that brought down President Park Geun-hye, the latest corporate leader to come under suspicion.

Park, South Korea's first democratically elected leader to be removed from office, faces allegations that she colluded with a friend, Choi Soon-sil, to pressure big businesses to donate to foundations set up to back her policy initiatives.

Officials at the prosecutors' office could not be reached immediately for comment about their reasons for summoning SK Chairman Chey Tae-won.

Chey did not comment to reporters when he arrived at the prosecution office. A spokesman for the SK Group also declined to comment.

Park is due to appear for questioning on Tuesday.

She and Choi have denied wrongdoing.

Related Video:

For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android.

An election to pick a new president will be held on May 9 and reform of South Korea's powerful family-run conglomerates, known as chaebol, is a major campaign issue.

The SK Group is South Korea's third-largest chaebol, with units in chemicals, telecoms and semiconductors.

Chey is likely to be asked about discussions between the group and the presidential Blue House in 2015, around the time he was released from prison when a four-year term for embezzlement was commuted.

Three SK executives were questioned on Thursday as part of the same investigation.

At least two other conglomerates are being investigated, including the Samsung Group, South Korea's largest chaebol. Its leader, Jay Y. Lee, is in detention on trial on bribery, embezzlement and other charges.

Lee denies all charges and Samsung denies wrongdoing.

A spokesman for the Lotte Group said this week it was cooperating with the prosecutors' investigation.

Park, who was impeached by parliament in December and dismissed from office by the Constitutional Court on March 10, is accused of bribery, extortion and abuse of power in the scandal that has rocked South Korea since October.

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The political crisis comes as tension with North Korea has been rising over its weapons development in defiance of U.N. resolutions.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in Seoul on Friday a military response would be "on the table" if North Korea took action to threaten South Korean and U.S. forces.

Tillerson also dismissed Chinese opposition to South Korea's deployment of an advanced U.S. anti-missile system aimed at defending against North Korea. China says the system's powerful radar is a threat to its security.

Tillerson was in China on Saturday for what is likely to be a prickly visit, with China angry about being told to do more to rein in North Korea.

(Additional reporting by Jeongeun Lee; Editing by Robert Birsel and Paul Tait)
Update: The city of Dallas issued a statement clarifying the calls affecting the 911 call center were "abandoned calls," not ghost calls, and T-Mobile has been found to not be at fault for the problem.

An issue with "ghost calls" from the T-Mobile network flooding 911 and emergency service phone lines in Dallas, Tex. may have in part to blame for the death of a six-month old child and a Dallas-area man.

A number of reports have indicated the 911 call centers in Dallas were hit by a spike in calls from T-Mobile that overwhelmed their systems and making it difficult for callers to connect with the help they need.

The dire situation appears to stem from a problem on T-Mobile's side. When T-Mobile customers place a call to 911, their phones repeatedly call the number. Those calls register to the call center operators as immediate hang-ups, which requires the operators to return the call to verify if it was legitimate. Those attempts to reach the caller often further clog the system.

Because of the massive influx of calls, the babysitter of six-month old Brandon Alex was unable to reach 911 last Saturday when she attempted to call after the child fell off a bed and was having difficulty breathing. Days earlier, Dallas are man Brian Cross died after his husband was unable to reach 911 for more than 20 minutes.

Police are investigating if the deaths were the result of the ghost call issue.

"It is outrageous that T-Mobile still has not resolved the ghost-call issue that is putting Dallasites in danger by clogging our 911 system," Mayor Mike Rawlings said in a statement.

The problem has been ongoing for T-Mobile customers in Dallas since November 2016. Company officials believed the problem had been solved in January, but it has since returned.

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According to a report from the Washington Post, there were 360 emergency calls on hold on the day of Cross' death. Days after that, 442 callers were placed on hold for an average of 38 minutes.

T-Mobile has pledged to deal with the issue. The company's executive vice president David Carey told the NBC affiliate in Dallas the company will "stay on this until it is fully resolved and everybody can rest comfortably that when they call 911, that their call and emergency request for help will be addressed immediately."

T-Mobile CEO John Legere reportedly spoke with Dallas city manager T.C. Broadnax earlier this week and committed to sending the company's "top engineers to the city to deal with the issue."

Dallas officials have promised to continue providing additional staffing support to the 911 call center and urged its residence to stay on the line if they are put on hold when calling because hanging up sends the caller to the back of the queue and causes further delays.

Related Articles
Issues such as corruption, law and order and women's safety will be handled well by Yogi Adityanath. He is the right candidate and one who can handle every kind of challenge in UP, said Uma Bharti.

By India Today Web Desk: Ending days of uncertainty, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday announced that Yogi Adityanath would be the next Uttar Pradesh chief minister. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place in Lucknow around 5 pm on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah among other senior party leaders are expected to be present on the occasion.

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The five-time Gorakhpur MP was picked ahead of the other two front-runners for the top post - UP BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and Union Minister Manoj Sinha. Adityanath will have two deputy chief ministers in Maurya and BJP legislator Dinesh Sharma.

Union Minister Uma Bharti has welcomed Adityanath's elevation. She said, "I am very happy with this decision. Issues such as corruption, law and order and women's safety will be handled well by Yogi Adityanath. He is the right candidate and one who can handle every kind of challenge in UP."

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said, "I congratulate Yogi Adityanath, hope under him Uttar Pradesh will reach new heights of development."

7 REASONS WHY CHOOSING ADITYANATH MAY HELP BJP GAIN A STRONGER FOOTHOLD POLITICAL NARRATIVE: A part of the pre-election narrative that has helped the BJP in the elections will continue as the opposition will link Yogi's appointment with BJP not giving any ticket to Muslims. RELIGION vs CASTE: Religion helped BJP create a larger vote bank than the caste vote banks already present in the state. To keep the edge that BJP has gained in these elections, Yogi may keep religion at the forefront. YOGI vs SURNAME: As Ajay Singh, he's immediately recognised as a Thakur, as Yogi the caste goes in the background. DEPUTIES TO BALANCE: The two deputy chief ministers will enable the BJP to talk differently with different stakeholders - development when needed, religion when needed. RISK OF AMBITION: Adityanath's earlier rejection of different roles at the Centre showed his determination for the CM's chair. Disappointing Adityanath may have been risky for BJP. CADRE vs LEADERS: A vocal and dedicated cadre support could have forced the BJP's hand much like Modi's anointment as PM candidate in 2014. EXPERIMENTS ARE FOR LABS: The road to Delhi goes via Lucknow. What better way to experiment Hindutva in the run-up to the 2019 general elections than in India's largest state. If it works for Uttar Pradesh, the BJP will definitely be looking to make it work across India.

Also read | Foreign media on Yogi Adityanath: Modi picks Hindu hardliner to lead India's most populous state

Also read | Adityanath: 7 things that you may expect Yogi to do as Uttar Pradesh CM

Also read | 5 things you must know about Uttar Pradesh CM designate Yogi Adityanath

Also read | What clinched it for Yogi Adityanath as next Uttar Pradesh CM: All you need to know

WATCH VIDEO

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BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said after talks with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Saturday that there had to be a commitment to using diplomatic means to peacefully settle the North Korea issue. Tillerson said Wang had agreed they would work together to try to get North Korea's government to change its current course of pursuing nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The two were speaking to reporters after meeting in Beijing. (Reporting by Yeganeh Torbati; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Tom Hogue)
After actively opposing President Donald Trumps initial travel ban, technology companies are opting to not to mount a legal challenge to the most recent version of the executive order, according to a report from Reuters.

A legal brief filed Tuesday in federal court in Hawaii listed support from 58 Silicon Valley companies. By comparison, a similar brief filed in opposition of President Donald Trumps original executive order banning travel from seven majority-Muslim countries had 127 signatories.

Companies who challenged the original ban but have decided not to pursue the same legal avenues in response to the revised order include Apple, Google, Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, Intel and Netflix, among others.

The companies have yet to disclose why they have opted not to sign on to the most recent brief, though it may reflect the general belief the most recent executive order has been crafted in a way that would pass legal muster.

The ban will not be without legal challenges, though. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson ordered an emergency freeze of the executive order, which would have barred citizens of six Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States and would have suspended the admission of refugees.

President Trump has insisted the ban is necessary for national security, and called Watson's order "unprecedented judicial overreach."

Tech companies will still have the opportunity to sign on to the brief challenging the order as it continues to move forward through the court system, though none of the big players in the industry have openly expressed their intention to do so.

Airbnb, Dropbox, Lyft and Kickstarter are among the companies that have already signed the brief. A representative for Uber told Reuters the company is in the process of adding its name to the filing as well.

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Much of Silicon Valley spoke out against the original executive order because its implementation left company employees in limboespecially those working or traveling overseas. The tech industry is heavily reliant on skilled workers from overseas and has a vested interest in making their entry into the country feasible.

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FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Around 30,000 Kurdish supporters demonstrated in the German city of Frankfurt on Saturday against Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and an April referendum that would give him sweeping new powers. Protesters chanted "Erdogan terrorist" and "freedom for Ocalan", referring to Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the militant Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), with many waving flags featuring Ocalan's face. The European Union and United States consider the PKK a terrorist group and it is banned in Germany. "The Europeans should hear us, empathize with our suffering and help us. It would be best if they imposed economic sanctions on Turkey," demonstrator Sinan Anin said. The protest brought swift condemnation from Turkey, which said Germany was allowing open support for terrorism. "We strongly condemn the German authorities for allowing the demonstrations by PKK terrorist supporters," Ibrahim Kalin, Erdogan's spokesman, said in a statement. He said Germany was treating terrorists as legitimate actors while calling meetings between Turkish politicians and citizens in Germany "dangerous", a reference to the recent ban in German cities on referendum rallies by Turkish politicians. Police in Frankfurt, where hundreds of officers were deployed to the event, described the protest as peaceful and said on Twitter that most of the demonstrators had complied with German laws, adding: "We want to guarantee they can exercise their fundamental rights." On Wednesday Martin Schaefer, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, said the German government had approved voting by the estimated 1.4 million Turks living in Germany who are eligible to cast ballots in the April 16 referendum. Erdogan is seeking support among Turks abroad for the referendum. German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel has said Erdogan is taking advantage of a sentiment many people of Turkish origin have in Germany that they are neither accepted nor welcomed. Demonstrator Mustafa Bostan said if Erdogan won the referendum, things would worsen: "It could be that he'll say: 'I've won again' and then he'll start fighting again and destroying Kurdish towns or killing Kurds." Relations between Ankara and Berlin have been burdened by the arrest of a Turkish-German journalist in Turkey and by Erdogan's description of the bans on planned rallies by Turkish ministers as "fascist". (Reporting by Reuters Television; Additional reporting by Tulay Karadeniz in Ankara; Writing by Michelle Martin; Editing by Dale Hudson and Julia Glover)
Beijing (AFP) - The US and China pledged on Saturday to work together in addressing the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear programme, as US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned regional tensions had reached a "dangerous level."

The language from Tillerson and his Chinese counterpart after talks in Beijing was notably conciliatory after a run-up in which US President Donald Trump accused China of doing nothing to control its rogue neighbour while Beijing blamed Washington for fuelling hostilities.

"I think we share a common view and a sense that tensions in the peninsula are quite high right now and that things have reached a rather dangerous level," Tillerson said after talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

"We will work together to see if we cannot bring the government in Pyongyang to a place where they want to make a different course, make a course correction, and move away from the development of nuclear weapons."

Tillerson arrived in Beijing earlier Saturday after visits to US allies Japan and South Korea where he said the US would no longer observe the "failed" approach of patient diplomacy, warning that American military action against the North was an option "on the table."

But Tillerson refrained from further tough talk in his joint appearance with Wang, who appeared to chide the US diplomat over his rhetoric this week.

"We hope all parties including our friends from the United States could size up the situation in a cool-headed and comprehensive fashion and arrive at a wise decision," Wang said.

Neither side indicated any concrete next steps, and Tillerson did not explicitly back Beijing's calls for negotiations with North Korea, which Washington has rejected.

- Twitter blast -

In a Friday Twitter blast, Trump had accused Beijing of failing to use its leverage as North Korea's key diplomatic and trade partner.

"North Korea is behaving very badly. They have been 'playing' the United States for years. China has done little to help!" Trump said.

Story continues

The hardened US stance followed two North Korean nuclear tests last year and recent missile launches that Pyongyang described as practice for an attack on US bases in Japan.

Beijing is reluctant to squeeze the unpredictable North, now led by Kim Jong-Un, too hard lest it trigger a confrontation or messy regime collapse.

China, however, has accused Washington of escalating tensions by holding military exercises with its ally Seoul and deploying an anti-missile system in South Korea.

Beijing wants to resume multi-lateral diplomatic negotiations with North Korea on dismantling its nukes -- which UN resolutions bar it from having. Various rounds of such talks in years past failed to deter Pyongyang.

- Summit looms -

"We both hope to find ways to restart talks and do not give up hope for peace," Wang said.

China has criticised the US get-tough approach, saying diplomacy was the "only feasible option" and challenging the Trump administration to propose a clear alternative.

One reason for the amicable tone Saturday may be that delicate negotiations are under way for President Xi Jinping's first summit with Trump next month in the United States.

Trump has been a frequent China critic, and the encounter could be crucial to setting the tone in the big-power relationship.

Tillerson was expected to meet Xi on Sunday morning.

Beijing shares US concerns over Pyongyang but has been accused of not fully enforcing UN sanctions.

But it took one of its toughest steps yet in February, halting all imports of North Korean coal -- a key source of income for the impoverished state -- for the rest of this year.

Wang Dong, a North Korea expert at Peking University, said it was wrong to think Beijing can control the unpredictable and head-strong Pyongyang.

"It is unreasonable for the United States to accuse China of doing nothing on the DPRK (North Korea)," Wang said.

"This is an extremely complex and sensitive issue. There is no one magic formula."

The Obama administration had ruled out diplomatic engagement until Pyongyang fully committed to denuclearisation.

North Korea insists it needs nuclear weapons for defense. It conducted its first underground atomic test in 2006, triggering global condemnation. Four more followed.

There was no immediate reaction from North Korea but the country's top newspaper Rodong Sinmun carried a commentary Saturday threatening to launch a devastating nuclear attack if the US takes military action.

"Should the US government continue putting pressure on us, efforts to seek a new exit (in the nuclear impasse) would be lost forever," it sai
By Yeganeh Torbati and Ben Blanchard BEIJING (Reuters) - The United States and China will work together to get nuclear-armed North Korea take "a different course", U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Saturday, softening previous criticism of Beijing after talks with his Chinese counterpart. China has been irritated at being repeatedly told by Washington to rein in North Korea's surging nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, one of a series of hurdles in ties between the world's two largest economies. But Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described the talks with Tillerson as "candid, pragmatic and productive". The two sides appeared to have made some progress or put aside differences on difficult issues, at least in advance of a planned summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump. On Friday, Tillerson issued the Trump administration's starkest warning yet to North Korea, saying in Seoul that a military response would be "on the table" if Pyongyang took action to threaten South Korean and U.S. forces. Tillerson took a softer line after the meeting with Wang. He told reporters both China and the United States noted efforts over the last two decades had not succeeded in curbing the threat posed by North Korea's weapons programmes. "We share a common view and a sense that tensions on the peninsula are quite high right now and that things have reached a rather dangerous level, and we've committed ourselves to doing everything we can to prevent any type of conflict from breaking out," Tillerson said. He said Wang and he agreed to work together to persuade North Korea "make a course correction and move away from the development of their nuclear weapons." Wang said U.N. resolutions on North Korea both mapped out sanctions and called for efforts to resume efforts for a negotiated settlement. "No matter what happens, we have to stay committed to diplomatic means as a way to seek peaceful settlement," he said. Wang said he and Tillerson "both hope to find ways to restart the talks". "Neither of us are ready to give up the hope for peace," he said. Tillerson had said on Friday that any talks on North Korea could only take place after it began the process of unwinding its weapons programmes. A U.S. official had told Reuters in Washington earlier this week that Tillerson may raise the prospect of imposing "secondary sanctions" on Chinese banks and other firms doing business with North Korea in defiance of U.N. sanctions. Trump said in a tweet on Friday that North Korea was "behaving very badly" and accused China, Pyongyang's neighbour and only major ally, of doing little to resolve the crisis. XI-TRUMP SUMMIT However, the two sides appear to have toned down differences as they work on finalising a trip by Xi to the United States, possibly next month, for his first summit with Trump. Wang said the two countries were in "close communication" on arranging the meeting, but gave no details. The state-run Chinese tabloid the Global Times said on Saturday that it was in China's interests to stop North Korea's nuclear ambitions but to suggest China cut the country off completely was ridiculous as it would be fraught with danger. "Once there is chaos in North Korea, it would first bring disaster to China. I'm sorry, but the United States and South Korea don't have the right to demand this of China," it said in an editorial. A former oil executive with no prior diplomatic experience, Tillerson will meet Xi on Sunday. North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and a series of missile launches since the beginning of last year. Last week, it launched four more ballistic missiles and is working to develop nuclear-tipped missiles that can reach the United States. Washington has been pressing Beijing to do more to stop North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes. China has called for a dual track approach, urging North Korea to suspend its tests and the United States and South Korea to suspend military drills, so both sides can return to talks. China has also been infuriated by the deployment of the THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, missile defence system in South Korea, which it says will both harm China's own security and do nothing to ease tensions. China says the system's powerful radar will extend into the country's northeast and potentially track Chinese missile launches, and maybe even intercept them. Russia also opposes THAAD, for the same reasons. There are other tricky issues too, including the self-ruled island of Taiwan which China claims as its own. The Trump administration is crafting a big new arms package for Taiwan that could include advanced rocket systems and anti-ship missiles to defend against China, U.S. officials said, a deal sure to anger Beijing. Wang said Saturday's talks included discussions on THAAD and Taiwan but did not give details. (Additional reporting by Elias Glenn; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
By Ben Blanchard BEIJING (Reuters) - China is likely to express its anger at being told to rein in nuclear-armed North Korea when U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrives in Beijing on Saturday, his first visit to the country since taking office last month. Beijing is expected to call on Washington to share responsibility in lessening tensions in the region, while strongly opposing this month's deployment of a sophisticated U.S. missile defence system in South Korea. Tillerson issued the Trump administration's starkest warning yet to North Korea on Friday, saying that a military response would be "on the table" if Pyongyang took action to threaten South Korean and U.S. forces. He was speaking in South Korea, the second leg of an Asia visit that has also taken him to Japan. In Beijing, he may raise the prospect of imposing "secondary sanctions" on Chinese banks and other firms doing business with North Korea in defiance of sanctions, a U.S. official told Reuters in Washington, speaking on condition of anonymity. U.S. President Donald Trump said in a tweet on Friday that North Korea was "behaving very badly" and accused China, Pyongyang's neighbour and only major ally, of doing little to resolve the crisis over the North's weapons programs. Tillerson however is also expected to firm up a trip by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States next month for his first summit with Trump, and could choose to tone down any differences between the world's largest economies, at least for now. A former oil executive with no prior diplomatic experience, Tillerson will meet China's two top diplomats on Saturday and Xi on Sunday. On Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying reiterated that talks were the best way to resolve the problems of the Korean peninsula. "As a close neighbour of the peninsula, China has even more reason than any other country to care about the situation," she told a briefing. North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and a series of missile launches since the beginning of last year. Last week, it launched four more ballistic missiles and is working to develop nuclear-tipped missiles that can reach the United States. "BLIND WORSHIP" Washington has been pressing Beijing to do more to stop North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes. China has called for a dual track approach, urging North Korea to suspend its tests and the United States and South Korea to suspend military drills, so both sides can return to talks. Beijing has been irritated by suggestions it has not been doing enough, with the official People's Daily on Friday denouncing what it said was Washington and Seoul's "blind worship" of sanctions and pressure. "There has been a narrative in the West suggesting that China holds the key to the North Korea nuclear issue. That is a misguided statement," said Wang Dong, associate professor of international studies at China's elite Peking University. "The bottom line is that the DPRK is not a puppet regime. We do not control them, and we have strongly opposed North Korea's development of nuclear weapons from the very beginning," he said, referring to the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The state-run Chinese tabloid the Global Times said on Friday that it was in China's interests to stop North Korea's nuclear ambitions. "The North Korean nuclear issue is caused by (the)Washington-Pyongyang confrontation. China has no obligation to shoulder all the responsibilities," it said in an editorial. China has also been infuriated by the deployment of the THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, missile defence system in South Korea, which it says will both harm China's own security and do nothing to ease tensions. China says the system's powerful radar will extend into the country's northeast and potentially track Chinese missile launches, and maybe even intercept them. Russia also opposes THAAD, for the same reasons. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard, Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
BEIJING (AP)  U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Saturday pushed for closer China-U.S. cooperation on dealing with North Korea's nuclear program in his first face-to-face talks with top Chinese diplomats. Tillerson's visit to Beijing followed his remarks in South Korea on Friday in which he warned that pre-emptive military action against North Korea might be necessary if the threat from its weapons program reaches a level "that we believe requires action." China, the North's biggest source of diplomatic support and economic assistance, hasn't responded directly to his remarks, although Beijing has called repeatedly for all sides to take steps to reduce tensions.

TOKYO (AP)  North Korea has conducted a ground test of a new type of high-thrust rocket engine that leader Kim Jong Un is calling a revolutionary breakthrough for the country's space program. Kim attended the test at the Sohae launch site, according to a report Sunday by the Korean Central News Agency, which said the test was intended to confirm the "new type" engine's thrust power and gauge the reliability of its control system and structural safety. The KCNA report said Kim called the test "a great event of historic significance" for the country's indigenous rocket industry. He also said the "whole world will soon witness what eventful significance the great victory won today carries" and claimed the test marks what will be known as the "March 18 revolution" in the development of the country's rocket industry.

ISLAMABAD (AP)  Ahmad Waqas Goraya couldn't see anything through the black hood, but he could hear the screams. A blogger with a penchant for criticizing Pakistan's powerful military and taking the government to task, Goraya was kidnapped in January along with four other bloggers. "I could hear the screams of torture," he said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press, struggling for words as the memories flooded back. "I don't even want to think about what they did." Even more terrifying was the accusation of blasphemy __ punishable by death in Pakistan __ hurled at him and his fellow bloggers.

Story continues

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  New Zealand authorities say they're unable to investigate an incident involving a U.S. Embassy staffer based in Wellington after the U.S. government elected to shield him by invoking diplomatic immunity. Police said Saturday they responded to an incident in Lower Hutt near Wellington early on March 12. They said the American had left the scene before police arrived, and nobody was taken into custody. In their statement, police declined to release further details of the incident but said they're keeping the investigation open. The day after the incident, police asked New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to seek a waiver of immunity from the U.S.

NEW DELHI (AP)  An Indian flight attendant who was injured in the Brussels airport blasts last year said she has recovered 70 percent of her previous fitness level and would like to resume her passion, flying. Nidhi Chaphekar suffered burns and a broken foot in the explosions. She said she is looking forward to visiting Brussels next week to take part in the anniversary commemoration and meet the doctors and others who helped her. The March 22 bombing in the Brussels airport and subway killed 32 people and wounded 270. A photograph of Chaphekar, a flight attendant with India's Jet Airways, became an iconic image of the attacks.

TOKYO (AP) _ A court held Japan's government and a utility liable on Friday for neglecting tsunami safety measures at the Fukushima nuclear plant and ordered them to pay more money to dozens out of the thousands of people who fled radiation released during the March 2011 disaster. The ruling is the first from about 30 lawsuits filed by thousands of evacuees and could set a precedent for the other cases. About half of the 150,000 people forced to leave their homes still cannot return, six years after a massive earthquake and tsunami destroyed the plant and caused reactor meltdowns.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  From the deserts of southern New Mexico and Nevada to islands in the Pacific Ocean, the U.S. government conducted dozens of nuclear weapons tests from the 1940s until the early 1960s. Vintage rolls of film collected from high-security vaults across the country show some of the blasts sending incredible mushroom clouds into the sky and massive fireballs across the landscape. Others start with blinding flashes of light followed by rising columns of smoke in the distance. A team from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory this week published more than five dozen films salvaged from government installations where they had sat idle for years.

BEIJING (AP)  China plans to build the first permanent structure on a South China Sea shoal at the heart of a territorial dispute with the Philippines, in a move likely to renew concerns over Beijing's robust assertions of its claims in the strategically crucial waterbody. The top official in Sansha City that has administered China's island claims since 2012 was quoted by the official Hainan Daily newspaper as saying that preparations were underway to build an environmental monitoring station on Scarborough Shoal off the northwestern Philippines. The preparatory work on the stations and others on five other islands in the strategically vital waterway was among the government's top priorities for 2017, Sansha Communist Party Secretary Xiao Jie was quoted as saying in an interview published in the paper's Monday edition seen online Friday in Beijing.

YANGON, Myanmar (AP)  Four men accused of involvement in the murder of a top legal adviser to Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi's ruling party appeared in a Yangon court on Friday to hear the charges against them. The alleged hired gunman, Kyi Lin, and three accused plotters were read the murder charge against them for the Jan. 29 shooting of lawyer Ko Ni. A fifth suspect is on the run. Ko Ni was noted for criticizing army interference in politics and advised Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy on ways to get around articles in the army-imposed constitution that give the military wide powers even after Myanmar's transition to democracy last year.

ISLAMABAD (AP)  Pakistan says authorities are looking for two prominent Indian Muslim clerics who went missing during a visit to the country earlier this month. A Foreign Ministry spokesman said Saturday that Asif Ali Nizami, the custodian of a famed Sufi shrine in New Delhi, and another cleric arrived at the Karachi airport on March 8. Their families have since lost contact with them. The ministry spokesman, Nafees Zakaria, said Pakistan is looking into the matter following an Indian request. India's external affairs minister, Sushma Swaraj, said on Twitter earlier this week that she had taken up the case of the missing clerics.
LONDON (Reuters) - Allegations from the United States that British spy agency GCHQ snooped on Donald Trump during his election campaign are "arrant nonsense", the deputy head of the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) said in an interview on Saturday. President Trump has stood by unproven claims that the Obama administration tapped his phones during the 2016 White House race. On Thursday his spokesman cited a media report that Britain's GCHQ was behind the surveillance. Richard Ledgett, deputy director of the NSA, told BBC News the idea that Britain had a hand in spying on Trump was "just crazy". "It belies a complete lack of understanding of how the relationship works between the intel community agencies, it completely ignores the political reality of 'would the UK government agree to do that?'", Ledgett said. There would be no advantage for Britain's government in spying on Trump, given the potential cost, he said. "It would be epically stupid," said Ledgett, who is due to retire shortly. Current and former NSA officials have described an acrimonious relationship between intelligence agencies and the Trump administration. Trump, who became president in January, tweeted earlier this month that his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama had wiretapped him during the late stages of the 2016 campaign. The Republican president offered no evidence for the allegation, which an Obama spokesman said was "simply false". Fox News analyst Andrew Napolitano on Tuesday accused the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) - the British equivalent of the NSA - of having helped Obama to spy on Trump. White House spokesman Sean Spicer quoted Napolitano's comments on Thursday. GCHQ said the claims it spied on Trump were "utterly ridiculous" and should be ignored, in a rare public statement. On Friday, Trump said questions on this should be asked of Fox News, not him. (Reporting by Andy Bruce; Editing by Dale Hudson)
From Esquire

I have to tell you, I am getting tired of all this winning.

On Wednesday night, the president* winged his way to another sparsely attended love fest, this one in Nashville. While he was airborne, his latest attempt at a Muslim ban got skinned alive by another federal court, courtesy of an action brought by the attorney general of Hawaii. From the BBC:

Judge Watson said the court had established a strong likelihood that, were the ban to go ahead, it would cause "irreparable injury" by violating First Amendment protections against religious discrimination. In his 43-page ruling, he argued that a "reasonable, objective observer" taking into account the context of the Executive Order would conclude it "was issued with a purpose to disfavour a particular religion".

And on what did Judge Watson base this conclusion? It was based on the fact that the president* has surrounded himself with creeps and morons. Well, not in so many words, but the judge's intent was clear.

It notes statements made by Mr Trump such as a 2015 press release calling for "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States", and his adviser Rudolph Guiliani, who said in a television interview in January: "When [Mr Trump] first announced it, he said: 'Muslim ban'. He called me up. He said: 'Put a commission together. Show me the right way to do it legally.'"It also says there is a "dearth of evidence indicating a national security purpose". In his ruling, Judge Chuang wrote: "To avoid sowing seeds of division in our nation, upholding this fundamental constitutional principle at the core of our nation's identity plainly serves a significant public interest."

The judge also cited Stephen Miller, whom the administration occasionally allows out of the locked ward to comment about policy on national television. Nothing good ever comes of this. A while back on Fox News, Miller burbled that the new travel order would "have the same effect" as the old one. Nice call, Einstein. You certainly made the judge's job easier.

Story continues

(By the way, one of the dissenters was Judge Jay Bybee, one of the Avignon Presidency's permanent gifts to the Republic whose views on civil liberties during his previous tenure in the Executive Branch were, ah, unique.)

So, naturally, having been handed his ass by a federal court that based its ruling partly on the fact that his spokespeople can't keep from running their yaps in counter-productive ways, the president* took to the podium and proceeded a) to trash the court that will hear his administration's appeal of this latest setback, and b) defend his current Muslim ban against charges that it is unconstitutional by announcing his preference for its previous iteration, which actually was declared unconstitutional. From The Tennessean:

"A judge has just blocked our executive order on travel and refugees coming in to our country from certain countries," he said. "The order blocked was a watered-down version of the first order. This ruling makes us look weak, which we no longer are."

(The crowd in Nashville was certainly a hoot. They chanted, "Lock her up!" the way that Springsteen crowds call for "Badlands," and they booed Hawaii. What kind of person boos Hawaii?)

How many feet can one man shoot himself in? Opinions vary.

Respond to this post on the Esquire Politics Facebook page.

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Despite his divisive and strong pro-hindutva image, 44-year-old Yogi Adityanath was chosen over Shahjahanpur MLA Suresh Khanna, Lucknow mayor Dinesh Sharma, UP BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Manoj Sinha.

By Prabhash K Dutta: The suspense is over. Yogi Adityanath will be taking oath as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh today.

BJP president Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have apparently had differences over various names,that cropped up in the last one week, with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Names like veteran RSS man and multiple-time MLA from Shahjahanpur Suresh Khanna, Lucknow mayor Dinesh Sharma, UP BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Manoj Sinha were talked about and debated within and outside the BJP.

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But, despite his divisive and strong pro-hindutva image, 44-year-old Yogi Adityanath, born as Ajay Singh Negi in Uttarakhand's Garhwal, won the race to the Chief Minister's chair in Lucknow.

With Yogi Adityanath at the helm of affairs, the next BJP government in Uttar Pradesh is likely to do the following seven things on priority.

SHUT DOWN SLAUGHTERHOUSES

During the election campaign, BJP leaders including party president Amit Shah and Yogi Adtiyanath raised the issue of illegal slaughterhouses in Uttar Pradesh.

The BJP has attacked the abbatoirs for allegedly slaughtering cows. No evidence was put forth, but the BJP leaders at local levels kept saying that cows were illegally slaughtered at such places.

The party promised to shut down slaughterhouses in Uttar Pradesh in its manifesto. Yogi Adityanath has, himself, been vocal about the closure of slaughterhouses and so, this could be on priority for his government.

RAM TEMPLE AT AYODHYA

The BJP promised in the last Assembly election, like it has done in every poll since the Ayodhya movement led by LK Advani, that it would take concrete steps to build the Ram Temple in Ayodhya at the site, where Ram Lalla temple has been erected after the demolition of the Babri mosque in 1992.

Yogi Adityanath has said it many times that with or without Supreme Court's decision, he is in favour of building a 'grand temple' at Ayodhya.

The chants of 'Jai Sri Ram' could be heard everywhere from the BJP supporters in Uttar Pradesh soon after reports came out that Yogi Adityanath was elected as the Chief Minister-designate.

A WHITE PAPER ON KAIRANA

The BJP has alleged that there has been mass exodus of Hindus from Kairana in western Uttar Pradesh, which witnessed communal clashes 2012-13 onwards.

Yogi Adtiyanath wanted the Centre's intervention in Uttar Pradesh raising Kairana at various platforms.

During the election campaign, BJP president Amit Shah had promised a white paper on the exodus of Hindus from Kairana if the party was elected in Uttar Pradesh.

ROMEO SQUAD

For over the past three years, the BJP has raised the issue of love-jihad in Uttar Pradesh, accusing Muslim youths of luring Hindu girls with false promises and changed identities.

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None of the allegations levelled and incidents cited by BJP leaders as proof of love-jihad could be proved correct. But, the allegations have continued till recently.

Yogi Adityanath, himself, has been very vocal about the allegations. During the Uttar Pradesh election, Yogi reiterated his promise to set up a Romeo Squad to tackle the 'threat of love-jihad'.

KABRISTAN AND SHAMSHAAN

At an election rally in Bahraich, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Samajwadi Party government, which was voted out in the polls, of practising discrimination in power supply and providing state help to villages on the basis of religion.

Modi said, if a village has a kabristan, it must have shamshaan also. His statement was seen as polarising voters in the middle of elections. But, the BJP defended the remark.

The BJP leaders dig out data from the state government's record to prove that more aids were given for kabristan than shamshaan in Uttar Pradesh. PM Modi talked of extending equal help from the administration, they said.

Yogi Adityanath may be doing the same by reducing the grant for kabristan if it (government) cannot provide similar aids for shamshaan as most Hindus prefer to cremate the dead bodies along the banks of rivers.

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RAISE TRIPLE TALAQ

The battle of triple talaq is being fought in the Supreme Court. But, the BJP has used the issue both to attack Islamic clerics and defenders of personal law against the idea of having a uniform civil code.

After the stupendous victory in Uttar Pradesh election, the BJP leaders claimed that they got support from Muslim women, who were with the party on the question of triple talaq.

The state government cannot do much with regard to triple talaq as the matter is seized with the apex court and also because if a legislation is required for doing away with the practice, the law can be passed by Parliament. But, Yogi Adtiyanath's government can raise the bogey time and again to serve its political purpose.

FARMERS' LOAN WAIVER

While everything else up the sleeves of Yogi Adityanath will come from the basket of the hard-core Hindutva ideology, the government is expected to move forward and set up a committee on loan waiver of the farmers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised it during the election campaign. BJP chief Amit Shah said during his first interview after victory in Uttar Pradesh at the India Today Conclave 2017 that a decision would be taken in this regard.

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WATCH VIDEO

--- ENDS ---
President Donald Trump on Friday appeared to dismiss any dispute with Britain over the accusation that the latter's intelligence snooped on him at the behest of his predecessor Barack Obama ahead of 2016 presidential election. The spying claims were made by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, who cited a Fox News commentator.

On Thursday, Spicer supported the presidents wiretapping claims by reading from several news clippings  among them was a claim by Fox News analyst Andrew Napolitano, who said three intelligence sources told him the Obama administration used Britains Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) to eavesdrop on Trump.

We said nothing, Trump told a reporter Friday. All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television. I didnt make an opinion on it. You shouldnt be talking to me. You should be talking to Fox.

Spicer reiterated the presidents response, saying: I dont think we regret anything. As the president said, I was just reading off media reports.

Spicers allegation triggered a quick response from the GCHQ, who called the original claim by Napolitano as nonsense and utterly ridiculous. The British government also denied the claim.

I dont want to get into private conversations, but weve made clear to the administration that these claims are ridiculous and should be ignored, a Downing Street spokesman said. Weve received assurances these allegations wont be repeated. We have a close relationship which allows us to raise concerns when they arise, as was true in this case. This shows the administration doesnt give the allegations any credence.

British Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman James Slack reportedly said Friday the White House has promised not to repeat the unsubstantiated claim.

On Friday, Fox News also clarified its stance on the original claim by Napolitano. On the morning show Fox & Friends, the networks anchor Shephard Smith said: Fox News cannot confirm Judge Napolitanos commentary. Fox News knows of no evidence of any kind that the now President of the United States was surveilled at any time, in any way, full stop, Smith said.

Story continues

The White House also said U.S. officials spoke with British authorities to explain Spicers claims.

"[British] Ambassador Kim Darroch and Sir Mark Lyall expressed their concerns to Sean Spicer and General McMaster. Mr. Spicer and General McMaster explained that Mr. Spicer was simply pointing to public reports, not endorsing any specific story," the White House said Friday.

Earlier this month, Trump claimed in a series of tweets that Obama spied on him before the November 2016 election without any substantial proof. However, Obamas spokesman denied the allegations. The president also insisted he would investigate the matter.

Related Articles
The Trump Administration notified a federal judge in Maryland it is appealing his order blocking enforcement of revised restrictions on immigration from Mideast nations. The appeal, the notice said, will go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

At issue is a temporary order issued early Thursday morning by U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang of Greenbelt, MD, imposing a nationwide ban on enforcing the Trump Administrations 90-day suspension of entry into the U.S. of foreign nationals from six Mideast nations that have Muslim majorities.

Judge Chuang was one of two federal trial judges to act against the new version of the immigration restrictions. U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson of Honolulu had barred not only the suspension of entry from those six nations but also the 120-day suspension of immigration by refugees from any nation.

As of late Friday night, no formal notice of an appeal of the Watson order had been filed in Honolulu. If one were to be pursued in that case, it would go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit  the same tribunal that had blocked the first version of the executive order last month.

The fact that the appeal that was filed was set for the Fourth Circuit Court does not necessarily mean that the Administration had decided not to try to go directly to the Supreme Court to test Judge Chuangs ruling. Under federal court rules, an appeal must already be actually filed and pending in an appeals court before a move to bypass that level can be made in the Supreme Court.

The Administration has the option of asking the Fourth Circuit Court to put Judge Chuangs decision on hold briefly to give the Circuit Court time to consider a further order to forbid enforcement of the 90-day suspension. That is the tactic it tried unsuccessfully in the Ninth Circuit Court last month when a Seattle judge had blocked the original Trump executive order.

Meanwhile, the Seattle jurist  U.S. District Judge James L. Robart  on Friday night put on hold two separate requests pending before him to block at least parts of the revised executive order.

Story continues

He did so on the expectation that the Administration would be appealing in the Hawaii case. He based that on public comments made by President Trump and by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer after they had learned of the Hawaii decision by Judge Watson.

One of the cases before the Seattle judge was a challenge by five states seeking to stop enforcement of both the 90-day and 120-day suspensions. The other is a lawsuit by several individuals who are either U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, along with their children, some of whom are not citizens.

In two similar 12-page opinions, Judge Robart said an appeal of the Hawaii case to the Ninth Circuit Court would mean that guidance is likely to be available soon that would affect the issues before him in the two pending cases. So, acting on his own without a request from either side in either case, he imposed a stay on the requests for an enforcement ban in each.

He said that stay would remain in effect as long as the Hawaii judges order remained, thus saving time and effort in his court on similar legal questions. Any decision by the Ninth Circuit Court on those issues would be binding on the Seattle judge.

If the Administration chooses not to appeal the Hawaii order, after all, the judge might have to move ahead on one or both of the cases in his court.

The indicated plan by the government to appeal the Maryland case to the Fourth Circuit Court would not have an impact on the Seattle cases, because that Circuit Court does not make decisions binding on the Seattle court.

One possible explanation why the Administration had not filed an appeal notice in the Hawaii case emerged very late Friday in Honolulu when government lawyers asked Judge Watson to clarify and narrow the scope of his order. Until that is resolved, the government presumably would not decide whether to appeal.

The motion asked the judge to limit his ban on enforcement to the 90-day suspension of entry of foreign nationals from the six Mideast nations. The motion argued that the challengers had done little to challenge the executive orders provisions regarding refugees, and had not challenged several provisions about administrative steps the government planned under the executive order. The judges order, the motion argued, thus swept more broadly than it should have.

The motion noted that the challengers would oppose the motion, on the premise that clarification was not necessary. The motion asked that the dispute be resolved early next week.

Legendary journalist Lyle Denniston is Constitution Dailys Supreme Court correspondent. Denniston has written for us as a contributor since June 2011 and has covered the Supreme Court since 1958. His work also appears on lyldenlawnews.com.
By Jon Herskovitz

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Bands with diaspora from the seven Muslim-majority countries on U.S. President Donald Trumps original travel ban took to the stage in Austin to build resistance against executive orders critics see as perpetuating bigotry.

For many musicians in the "ContraBanned" showcase that went from Friday night to early Saturday at the South by Southwest music festival, the show put a human face on the countries that have become a focal point of current U.S. politics.

"I understand the travel ban was done with the impression for securing a place of safety for Americans. I feel it is short-sighted and perpetuates the xenophobia that exists in this country," said Bassel Almadani, frontman and vocalist for the soul and funk band of Bassel & The Supernaturals.

Almadani, raised in the U.S. Midwest from parents born in Syria, has relatives who have given up hope on leaving the country ripped apart by a civil war due to Trump's proposed bans.

He has been trying to use his act to raise awareness about the six-year civil war that has set new standards of savagery in its impact on civilians, leaving an estimated half a million people dead.

The Trump administration has said its executive orders are common sense approaches that will protect the American people.

Attention from the bans has opened the door for Almadani to play in places like churches in Kansas where congregants want to learn more.

"For a good five years there, I thought I was pulling teeth to get that conversation moving," Almadani said in an interview.

"It wasnt until the immigration ban went into place that people became more intent on the issue and more supportive of the cause."

Before the so-called "travel ban bands" took the stage in Texas, the U.S. government said it would appeal against a federal judge's decision that struck down parts of the Trump travel ban on the day it was set to go into effect.

Story continues

The acts included people Kayem, a Libyan-American from Chicago and the sister group Faarrow, born in Mogadishu, Somalia and relocated to Canada from a refugee camp.

London-based, Iranian born artist Ash Koosha would not attend after trouble securing a visa.

South Sudanese-Canadian artist Emmanuel Jal said the showcase dubbed "music of the banned nations" could change hearts and minds.

"The people who voted for Trump voted out of fear. Let us fight with love because love will win," he said.

(Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
By Mica Rosenberg

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. government took the legal battle over President Donald Trump's travel ban to a higher court on Friday, saying it would appeal against a federal judge's decision that struck down parts of the ban on the day it was set to go into effect.

The Department of Justice said in a court filing it would appeal against a ruling by U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia.

On Thursday, Chuang issued an emergency halt to the portion of Trump's March 6 executive order temporarily banning the entry of travelers from six Muslim-majority countries. He left in place the section of the order that barred the entry of refugees to the United States for four months.

Another federal judge in Hawaii struck down both sections of the ban in a broader court ruling that prevented Trump's order from moving forward.

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In Washington state, where the ban is also being challenged, U.S. District Court Judge James Robart put a stay on proceedings for as long as the Hawaii court's nationwide temporary restraining order remained in place, to "conserve resources" and avoid inconsistent and duplicate rulings.

The decisions came in response to lawsuits brought by states' attorneys general in Hawaii and refugee resettlement agencies in Maryland who were represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Immigration Law Center.

Detractors argue the ban discriminated against Muslims in violation of the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of religious freedom. Trump says the measure is necessary for national security to protect the country from terrorist attacks.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told a media briefing the government would "vigorously defend this executive order" and appeal against the "flawed rulings."

The Department of Justice filed a motion late on Friday night seeking clarification of Hawaiis ruling before appealing to the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

Story continues

The 9th Circuit court last month upheld a decision by Judge Robart that halted an original, more sweeping travel ban signed by the President on Jan. 27 in response to a lawsuit filed by Washington state.

The new executive order was reissued with the intention of overcoming the legal concerns.

Trump has vowed to take the fight all the way to U.S. Supreme Court.

The 4th Circuit is known as a more conservative court compared to the 9th Circuit, said Buzz Frahn, an attorney at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett who has been tracking the litigation nationwide.

"The government is probably thinking that the 4th Circuit ... would lend a friendlier ear to its arguments," he said.

Judges have said they were willing to look behind the text of the order, which does not mention Islam, to probe the motivation for enacting the ban, Frahn said. Trump promised during the election campaign to ban Muslims from entering the United States.

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently split 4-4 between liberals and conservatives, with Trump's pick for the high court - appeals court judge Neil Gorsuch - still awaiting confirmation.

Hans von Spakovsky, from the Washington D.C.-based Heritage Foundation, said the Department of Justice might want to time their appeals to reach the Supreme Court after Gorsuch is confirmed. He said the court would be likely to hear the case.

"They will take it because of its national importance," Spakovsky said.

(Reporting by Mica Rosenberg in New York; Additional reporting by Kristina Cooke in San Francisco; Editing by Sue Horton, Mary Milliken and Paul Tait)
BADEN BADEN, Germany (Reuters) - The United States remains committed to free trade but wants to re-examine some trade deals and correct their excesses, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday after G20 finance chiefs backtracked on past commitments about trade. Making only a token reference to trade in their communique, finance ministers and central bank chiefs from the world's top 20 economies broke with a decade-long tradition of endorsing open trade, a clear defeat for host nation Germany, which has fought to maintain the G20's past commitments. "What was in the past communique is not necessarily relevant from my standpoint," Mnuchin told a news conference in Baden Baden after his first meeting with the finance chiefs of the world's 20 biggest economies. "I understand what the president's desire is and his policies, and I negotiated them from here. I couldnt be happier with the outcome," Mnuchin said. In the new U.S. administration's biggest clash yet with the international community, G20 finance chiefs rowed back on a pledge to reject protectionism and maintain an open and inclusive global trade system. "We believe in free trade, we are in one of the largest markets in the world, we are one of the largest trading partners in the world, trade has been good for us, it has been good for other people," Mnuchin said. "Having said that, we want to re-examine certain agreements," Mnuchin said, adding that NAFTA would have to be reviewed, some WTO rules needed to be better enforced and older agreements may have to be renegotiated. Although the government is also reviewing financial regulation, Mnuchin pledged support for the now stalled Basel III accord, a major global attempt to regulate lenders consistently. "Were hopeful there will be a resolution on the Basel III/IV changes," Mnuchin said. "We need to make sure we bring unity to the international market." (Reporting by Balazs Koranyi and David Lawder; editing by David Clarke/Ruth Pitchford)
SANTIAGO (Reuters) - A 35-year-old driver for ride services company Uber was shot dead in the Chilean capital Santiago as he attempted to resist being robbed by passengers, police said on Saturday. Three people had requested the ride late on Friday using a cash payment option that Uber [UBER.UL] introduced last year, Santiago police said. The option does not require customers to register their credit card information. Uber's unit in Chile did not immediately respond to requests for comment. But the company has faced criticism for not doing enough to prevent its drivers from being targeted by criminals, who ambush drivers after requesting rides using the cash option to help conceal their identity. A Reuters analysis of official crime data in Sao Paulo, Brazil, last month showed a spike in robberies involving Uber drivers since the company started accepting cash payments in the city. Earlier this week, Chile's government proposed regulations for transportation companies that operate via cellphone applications. (Reporting By Felipe Cambero; Writing By Mitra Taj; Editing by Tom Brown)
Santiago (AFP) - Douglas Tompkins's widow vividly remembers the suspicions the late billionaire raised when he started buying up land in Patagonia, the natural paradise at the bottom of South America.

Some accused him of preparing a storage site for American nuclear waste, she says. Others said he was starting a cult, still others that he wanted to launch a Jewish state -- even though he was raised Episcopalian.

Now, just over one year after his death, she hopes her late husband's final wishes for the land will lay the controversy to rest for good.

Tompkins, the co-founder of The North Face outdoor label and clothing brand Esprit, has donated a tract of land the size of Rhode Island to the Chilean government as a national park -- the largest such donation in history.

This week, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet accepted the 407,000-hectare (one million-acre) donation in a ceremony held in a verdant Patagonian meadow and attended by Tompkins's widow, Kristine McDivitt, a former CEO of the outdoor clothing and gear company Patagonia..

The ceremony came a year and three months after Tompkins's death at age 72 in a kayaking accident in the Patagonia region he adored.

"Douglas Tompkins's generosity and love of nature" shine through in his gift, Bachelet said on accepting the land on behalf of the Chilean state.

"If there were still any suspicions, with this gigantic donation they have been definitively left in the past," said Chilean journalist Andres Azocar, who has written a biography of Tompkins called "The Green Billionaire."

- Powerful enemies -

Much has changed in the quarter-century since Tompkins moved to Chile and started buying up huge swathes of land here and in neighboring Argentina.

The American magnate stoked controversy with his outsized ambition and ability to use his massive fortune to gobble up privately owned land in the remote southern region.

His plans to turn the land into national parks made him some powerful enemies in a Chile just emerging from the bloody 17-year dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.

Story continues

It was a time when the country was deeply suspicious of outsiders, especially from the United States, which had backed Pinochet's coup.

Tompkins's opponents included president Eduardo Frei, whose administration stalled him on his first initiative, the creation of Pumalin Park -- a private nature reserve of 3,000 square kilometers (1,200 square miles) in southern Chile.

And while the animosity faded over the years -- the parks Tompkins created are today broadly hailed as an environmental and tourism boon in both Chile and Argentina -- some still harbor lingering bitterness toward the late conservationist.

"He pressured landholders to sell their land at despicable prices," Belisario Velasco, the deputy interior minister under Frei, told AFP Friday.

"I don't see the benefit of this deal for the state."

- 'Skin of a hog' -

Tompkins launched North Face as a mountaineering store in San Francisco in 1966.

He and his first wife, Susie Tompkins Buell, soon began selling quirky fashions that, in 1971, became the Esprit brand -- today a hugely popular global chain.

Tompkins sold his stake in The North Face in the late 1960s and in Esprit in the 1980s.

The rugged, white-haired adventurer moved to Chile in 1990.

The controversy around him also extended to Argentina, where some accused him of buying up freshwater supplies for a future business venture.

"They're accusing me of all kinds of things," he told Argentine newspaper La Nacion in 2013.

"I've already developed psychological armor against it. Sometimes it's tragicomic. You have to have a good sense of humor and the skin of a hog: hard and leathery."
Seoul (AFP) - The United States on Saturday denied a report saying Secretary of State Rex Tillerson opted not to have dinner with his South Korean counterparts on a diplomatic visit because of "fatigue".

Tillerson visited Seoul Friday on his first tour of the flashpoint region, where he warned military action against nuclear-armed North Korea was an option if the threat from the regime escalates, in what appeared to mark a major policy shift.

The Korea Herald reported that Tillerson had "shortened diplomatic consultations and public events in Seoul". It added that his meetings with Foreign Minister Yun Byung-Se and Acting President Hwang Kyo-Ahn had been brief compared to those with Japanese officials on the previous leg of the tour.

"Seoul officials said the US side opted not to have a meal together, citing the secretarys 'fatigue'," the report said.

However a US embassy official in Seoul on Saturday dismissed the account as "incorrect", saying: "There was no dinner planned".

"He had a private dinner and he had no official dinner planned," the official told AFP, adding that Tillerson had held "substantive" talks with Hwang and Yun.

South Korea's conservative Dong-A Ilbo daily quoted an unidentified South Korean foreign ministry official as saying that the Seoul visit was a short working trip and that "diplomatic meals are not essential" on such visits.

But the centre-right JoongAng Ilbo daily said Tillerson might have found it unnecessary to dine with officials from the outgoing government of impeached ex-President Park Geun-Hye ahead of fresh elections in May.

Tillerson broke with decades of tradition by opting not to take any accredited reporters with him on the Asia trip apart from one journalist from a conservative publication.

The former ExxonMobil CEO had until now kept a very low profile since taking up his position on February 2, speaking in public only a handful of times and not holding a single news conference in the US.

Tillerson, who Saturday flew to Beijing, spent 24 hours in South Korea to discuss the North, which carried out a missile test last week that Pyongyang described as a drill for an attack on US bases in Japan.
To strengthen its hold in Syria against the Islamic State group militants, the U.S. military has plans to deploy up to 1,000 more troops into northern Syria in the coming weeks. The plan comes before the offensive on the Islamic State group's de facto capital of Raqqa, according to U.S. defense officials familiar with the matter, the Washington Post reported.

The U.S. military's plans to deploy 1,000 more troops is pending approval from Defense Secretary Jim Mattis after which, it can increase direct combat involvement in a conflict zone that has seen Russian, Turkish and Syrian opposition forces operating together, the Post reported.

Read: Russia Deploys Special Forces In Libya Indicating It's Using Syria Tactic Over There

Initially, the new contingent of U.S. troops would not get involved in combat role but would only enter the complex battlefield. To weaken the Russian, Turkish and Syrian opposition forces operating in the city of Manbij west of Raqqa, the U.S. Army Rangers have already been sent. Last week too, a U.S. marine artillery battery was deployed near Raqqa, the Post reported.

President Donald Trump has spoken in favor of cooperation with Russia in Syria on counter terrorism operations. Russias air and ground forces are fighting a civil war on behalf of Syrian President Bashar Assad while the U.S. and NATO-ally Turkey back separate rebel forces in both the fight against Assad and the anti-Islamic State group's campaign.

The marine troops that were deployed last week by the U.S. came days after a convoy of U.S. troops crossed into Syria from Iraqi Kurdistan.

"It's a visible reminder, for anybody who's looking to start a fight, that the only fight that should be going on right now is with ISIS," Pentagon spokesman and Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said, according to the New York Times.

Related Articles
Washington (AFP) - When Curtis Reeves shot to death a fellow movie spectator who threw popcorn at him, the police veteran reignited a heated debate in the United States over when self-protection is a legitimate defense.

The January 2014 altercation took place in Florida, where lawmakers this week debated whether to further extend immunity granted under the state's "Stand Your Ground" law to people who committed involuntary manslaughter when they felt threatened.

Reeves has invoked the controversial law -- which helped neighborhood watcher George Zimmerman get acquitted over the shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin in a move that triggered nationwide outrage.

Florida, under Republican rule, is said to have the most gun permits of any US state. It is also the third most populous.

The Sunshine State was the first to adopt a "Stand Your Ground" law, in 2005, with the blessing of the arms lobby.

Under the measure, defendants can use force without retreating if they feel they are in immediate or imminent threat of bodily harm or death.

More than 20 states followed Florida in adopting similar legislation, triggering many more self-defense claims in homicide cases.

The laws have proven citizens innocent after they were brutally and inadvertently plunged into violence. But they have also been exploited by drug traffickers and murderers to escape well-founded charges.

- 'Anecdotal' benefits -

"Although there may be anecdotal evidence of this incident defused or that tragedy avoided by 'Stand Your Ground' approaches, overall, 'Stand Your Ground' laws do not deter burglaries, robberies, or aggravated assaults," said Chuck MacLean, associate professor of law at Indiana Tech Law School.

The laws, on the contrary, "increase overall homicides, firearm homicides and firearm accidents," he told AFP.

Since it passed the law in 2005, Florida has seen a 24 percent increase in homicides, according to a study published in January in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Another report by the National Bureau of Economic Research in 2012 found that "Stand Your Ground" laws were strongly associated with homicides among white males.

"Given that the overwhelming majority of concealed guns are owned and carried by white males in the United States, it is plausible to expect the SYG impact to be more pronounced for this group," the study said.

"Furthermore, it has been argued that the SYG laws may embolden individuals to stand their ground rather than simply walk away and may lead to individuals resorting to the use of deadly weapons even in incidents with no real threat to people's lives."

- Popcorn against gun -

Reeves failed to convince a Tampa judge that his act fell under the measure.

In her ruling last week, Circuit Judge Susan Barthle said she had "considerable doubts about his credibility," and the septuagenarian is now sure to face trial.

The ex-police officer's testimony was "significantly at odds" with that of other witnesses and with the physical evidence, according to the judge.

A surveillance camera recorded part of the incident inside the darkened movie theater.

As commercials are shown on the silver screen, Reeves can be seen leaning toward his neighbor seated in the row in front of him, upset that the man is tapping away on his smartphone.

The neighbor, 43-year-old Chad Oulson, is seated next to his wife and texting instructions to the babysitter watching their 22-month-old daughter.

The argument between the two men becomes heated, and Oulson throws his popcorn bag toward Reeves, who then draws his gun and fatally shoots Oulson in the chest.

Defendants in Florida must be able to prove that they reasonably believed they were in imminent danger of grave bodily harm or death before pulling the trigger.

Republican lawmakers have proposed a bill where that burden would fall to the prosecutor, who would need to prove "beyond a reasonable doubt" that the defendant's claim to self-defense is baseless.
By Andrew Cawthorne CARACAS (Reuters) - Fifteen corpses, three of them headless, have been found in a mass grave at a Venezuelan prison and more may be discovered, investigators said on Saturday. The grisly find this month at the General Penitentiary in central Guarico state has thrown a spotlight on the South American nation's crowded, violent and gang-dominated prisons where scores of inmates die each year. The public prosecutor's office said 20 forensic experts combing the site at a prison stable had found the remains of at least 15 people, though three were missing skulls. "We presume there are more corpses," it said in a statement. Authorities have given no explanation for the deaths and there has been little national outcry given the litany of horror in Venezuela's prisons in recent decades. Rights group A Window On Liberty has said the number of victims, presumed killed in gang violence before the prison was recently closed for refurbishment, could rise to 100. "Whether 14, 50 or 100, they were people under the state's responsibility," the group's coordinator Carlos Nieto said, adding that the facility used to house 9,000 inmates. Venezuela's prisons are notorious for ease of access to weapons and drugs as well as mobile phones and computers hooked up to the Internet, allowing inmates easy access to the outside world, often to run criminal activities. Some prisons have discos and even swimming pools. The country's more than 30 facilities house about 50,000 people, but were built for a third of that, rights groups say. In perhaps Venezuela's worst single prison incident, about 130 prisoners were burned or hacked to death with machetes during gang fights at Sabaneta jail in Maracaibo in 1994. Late last year, gruesome accusations surfaced that two men were murdered, mutilated by a confessed cannibal then fed to fellow prisoners during rioting at a police detention center in western Tachira state. (Editing by James Dalgleish)
By Anthony Deutsch and Thomas Escritt AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - After fending off nationalist Geert Wilders at Monday's election, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte must patch together a stable coalition that reflects the rise of fringe parties that made huge gains on the left and right. The once tiny Green Left and 50Plus parties ate away at support for the mainstream parties. They will have to be considered by Rutte's center-right VVD, which lost ground but remains the largest party with 33 seats, as it seeks a majority of at least 76 in the 150-seat house. The process cannot formally begin until Rutte's VVD has been asked to head formation talks and preliminary election results have been declared official by the Electoral Council on Tuesday, and could take weeks or months. Talks could drag on until after the summer as parties dig in their heels on their policy red lines, according to NRC newspaper commentator Tom-Jan Meeus. "Because we have a budget surplus now there is no rush to set up a coalition," he said. Signing up to a coalition is not without its risks, as the Labour party of Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem found out. Rutte's partner of the past four years was almost wiped out, tumbling from 38 to 9 seats, punished by voters for backing Rutte's austerity program. The consensual traditions of the Dutch proportional system dictate that the largest party leads talks and the parties which gained most ground must be seriously considered. Wilders' Party for Freedom, which rose to second place with 20 seats, has been ruled out by all the major parties, for whom policies like quitting the European Union, closing the border to Muslim immigrants and banning the Koran are anathema. Labour will likely be replaced as junior partner by the Christian Democrats and the progressive centrist Democrats 66, which would leave Rutte five short of a majority. The highly fragmented field, with 13 parties in the new parliament, gives Rutte plenty of options - but each brings its own difficult policy compromises. In coming days, Edith Schippers, the health minister chosen by Rutte's party to lead exploratory talks, will consult with all winning parties, ranging from Wilders's anti-Muslim party to Denk, which aims to represent Dutch Muslims. On the fringes are likes of the Party for the Animals, whose environmentalist, animal-rights message won it 328,000 votes and five seats, must also be consulted. On one issue, there is relative unity: with Wilders all but certain to play no role in the next government, nearly all parties are broadly supportive of the European Union. STICKING POINTS Some of the key issues: Immigration and duel citizenship: Rutte's VVD pledged to carry on tightening immigration controls during a campaign dominated by questions of identity. But the Greens want to do the opposite, restoring the country's reputation as a haven of tolerance by accepting refugees. The Christian Democrats (CDA) want to do away with dual nationality to force immigrants to integrate, a measure opposed by several other parties. Pensions, retirement, elderly care: As part of a punishing austerity program, Rutte's government cut spending on elderly care and raised the retirement age from 65 to 67. 50Plus, the pensioners' party, wants to undo these changes. Energy, climate and fossil fuel: Rutte cut spending on fighting climate change and on renewable energy and opened new coal-fired power plants. The Greens want to close them and channel an extra 8 billion euros into renewables. Healthcare and elderly benefits: Rutte's government introduced a compulsory "own contribution" to healthcare costs, before insurance coverage kicks in. In 2016 and 2017, it was set at 385 euros a year. The Greens and 50Plus want to abolish it. Taxation: Rutte and the Christian Democrats want to lower taxes, while the Greens want to introduce a pollution tax and increase the rate of social security contributions for people with an annual income above 150,000 euros by 10 percentage points to 17.5 percent. Euthanasia and medical ethics: D66, for decades the champion of progressive reforms from drugs decriminalisation to equal marriage, called for euthanasia to be an option for people who were not ill but who merely felt that their life was "complete". The Christian Democrats and two smaller, more radical Christian parties, strongly oppose this measure. (This version of the story corrects the name to Tom-Jan Meeus in paragraph 4) (Reporting by Anthony Deutsch, Thomas Escritt, Stephanie van den Berg and Toby Sterling)
Washington (AFP) - A man who scaled a White House fence earlier this month traipsed the grounds of the executive residence for more than 16 minutes prior to his arrest, the US Secret Service said.

The trespasser breached the grounds while the president was in the Washington mansion just before midnight on March 10.

The individual managed to climb over an outer perimeter fence, scale a vehicle gate and hop another fence near the southeast corner of the White House's East Wing before he was captured after his 16 minute-plus jaunt, according to the Secret Service statement.

Uniformed officers took the intruder -- who CNN reported was identified in court records as Jonathan Tran, 26 -- "into custody on the grounds without incident."

"The Secret Service can confirm that at no time did the individual gain entry into the White House," the statement said.

Republican Congressman Jason Chaffetz dubbed the incident "a total and complete embarrassment."

"(Homeland Security chief John) Kelly told me that this person was there on the ground for 17 minutes, went undetected, was able to get up next to the White House, hide behind a pillar, look through a window, rattle the door handle," the lawmaker told CNN.

According to the Washington Post, Tran, who is from northern California, was carrying a backpack and two cans of mace.

If convicted he faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, according to the paper.

Following the incident US President Donald Trump praised the Secret Service for a "fantastic job."

The White House has seen a string of high-profile trespassing incidents in recent years.

In one notable 2014 incident, while Barack Obama was president, a disturbed Army veteran jumped the White House fence, sprinted across the lawn and entered the building with a knife in his pocket.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  The wife of a former Tennessee schoolteacher accused of kidnapping a 15-year-old student is pleading for her husband to bring the girl home.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said it remains "extremely concerned" about the well-being of Elizabeth Thomas, who was last seen Monday in Columbia. Tad Cummins was placed on the TBI's Top 10 Most Wanted List.

A statewide Amber Alert from the TBI says Cummins "may have been abusing his role as a teacher to groom this vulnerable young girl for some time in an effort to lure and potentially sexually exploit her."

Cummins' wife, Jill Cummins, on Friday asked her husband to turn himself in and bring the teenager home.

Tad Cummins formerly taught at the Culleoka Unit School. He was fired after the alert was issued.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Jermaine Anderson keeps going back to the same memory of Donald Trump, then a candidate for president of the United States, referring to some Mexican immigrants as rapists and murderers.

"You can't be saying that (if) you're the president," says Anderson, a 21-year-old student from Coconut Creek, Florida.

That Trump is undeniably the nation's 45th president doesn't sit easily with young Americans like Anderson who are the nation's increasingly diverse electorate of the future, according to a new poll. A majority of young adults  57 percent  see Trump's presidency as illegitimate, including about three-quarters of blacks and large majorities of Latinos and Asians, the GenForward poll found.

GenForward is a poll of adults age 18 to 30 conducted by the Black Youth Project at the University of Chicago with The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

A slim majority of young whites in the poll, 53 percent, consider Trump a legitimate president, but even among that group 55 percent disapprove of the job he's doing, according to the survey.

"That's who we voted for. And obviously America wanted him more than Hillary Clinton," said Rebecca Gallardo, a 30-year-old nursing student from Kansas City, Missouri, who voted for Trump.

Trump's legitimacy as president was questioned earlier this year by Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga.: "I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected. And they helped destroy the candidacy of Hillary Clinton."

Trump routinely denies that and says he captured the presidency in large part by winning states such as Michigan and Wisconsin that Clinton may have taken for granted.

Overall, just 22 percent of young adults approve of the job he is doing as president, while 62 percent disapprove.

Trump's rhetoric as a candidate and his presidential decisions have done much to keep the question of who belongs in America atop the news, though he's struggling to accomplish some key goals. Powered by supporters chanting, "build the wall," Trump has vowed to erect a barrier along the southern U.S. border and make Mexico pay for it  which Mexico refuses to do. Federal judges in three states have blocked Trump's executive orders to ban travel to the U.S. from seven  then six  majority-Muslim nations.

Story continues

Related:

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In Honolulu, U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson this week cited "significant and unrebutted evidence of religious animus" behind the travel ban, citing Trump's own words calling for "a complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States."

And yes, Trump did say in his campaign announcement speech on June 6, 2015: "When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best...They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people." He went farther in subsequent statements, later telling CNN: "Some are good and some are rapists and some are killers."

It's extraordinary rhetoric for the leader of a country where by around 2020, half of the nation's children will be part of a minority race or ethnic group, the Census Bureau projects. Non-Hispanic whites are expected to be a minority by 2044.

Of all of Trump's tweets and rhetoric, the statements about Mexicans are the ones to which Anderson returns. He says Trump's business background on paper is impressive enough to qualify him for the presidency. But he suggests that's different than Trump earning legitimacy as president.

"I'm thinking, he's saying that most of the people in the world who are raping and killing people are the immigrants. That's not true," said Anderson, whose parents are from Jamaica.

Megan Desrochers, a 21-year-old student from Lansing, Michigan, says her sense of Trump's illegitimacy is more about why he was elected.

"I just think it was kind of a situation where he was voted in based on his celebrity status versus his ethics," she said, adding that she is not necessarily against Trump's immigration policies.

The poll participants said in interviews that they don't necessarily vote for one party's candidates over another's, a prominent tendency among young Americans, experts say. And in the survey, neither party fares especially strongly.

Just a quarter of young Americans have a favorable view of the Republican Party, and 6 in 10 have an unfavorable view. Majorities of young people across racial and ethnic lines hold negative views of the GOP.

The Democratic Party performs better, but views aren't overwhelmingly positive. Young people are more likely to have a favorable than an unfavorable view of the Democratic Party by a 47 percent to 36 percent margin. But just 14 percent say they have a strongly favorable view of the Democrats.

Views of the Democratic Party are most favorable among young people of color. Roughly 6 in 10 blacks, Asians and Latinos hold positive views of the party. Young whites are somewhat more likely to have unfavorable than favorable views, 47 percent to 39 percent.

As for Trump, 8 in 10 young people think he is doing poorly in terms of the policies he's put forward and 7 in 10 have negative views of his presidential demeanor.

"I do not like him as a person," says Gallardo of Trump. She nonetheless voted for Trump because she didn't trust Clinton. "I felt like there wasn't much choice."

___

The poll of 1,833 adults age 18-30 was conducted Feb. 16 through March 6 using a sample drawn from the probability-based GenForward panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. young adult population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4 percentage points.

The survey was paid for by the Black Youth Project at the University of Chicago, using grants from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation.

Respondents were first selected randomly using address-based sampling methods, and later interviewed online or by phone.

___

Online:

GenForward polls: http://www.genforwardsurvey.com/

Black Youth Project: http://blackyouthproject.com/

AP-NORC: http://www.apnorc.org/
Before jetting off to Paris for a two-day visit, the Duchess of Cambridge was on hand for St. Patricks Day celebrations in London. The royal, who was at the annual event alongside her husband Prince William, dressed festively for the occasion, wearing a custom emerald green Catherine Walker coat. The double-breasted jacket, a new addition to her incredible collection of outerwear, features gold buttons and velvet trim.

While the Duchess handed out sprigs of shamrocks to the Irish Guards in Aldershot at the parade, she also attached some to her coat. Additionally, she adorned the topper with a gold Cartier Irish Guards brooch, a family heirloom that once belonged to the late Queen Mother who wore it in 2000 to the Irish Guards Centenary service.

This isnt the first time shes worn the sentimental accessory. In fact, shes worn it every year that shes attended the event since 2012. (In 2016, the mother-of-two skipped the gathering in order to spend time with Prince George and Princess Charlotte before jetting off on a tour of India and Bhutan.) Known for repeating outfits, the duchess wore the same Emilia Wickstead coat two years in a row (2012 and 2013), but has switched it up every year since, opting for a brown Catherine Walker coat and a green Hobbs coat that she belted.

Which festive style is best?

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and @YahooBeauty.
(This version of the March 17 story, fixes spelling of EY Fintech analyst's name, paragraph 23) By Cate Cadell BEIJING (Reuters) - Ant Financial Services Group, the world's largest financial technology company, is confident of closing a deal for U.S. money-transfer firm MoneyGram International Inc, a top executive told Reuters, despite a higher bid from a U.S. rival. The proposed $880 million deal is a first major step by Ant, the payment affiliate of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding, to expand its business overseas, as the firm, valued at $60 billion, sets itself up for a public offering. "MoneyGram we view as very attractive because it gives a global network of remittance capability and kind of an omnichannel approach that connects us," Douglas Feagin, head of Ant's international strategy, said in a phone interview. "That's why we've entered the transaction and look forward to completing the deal with them." But the plan faced a major hurdle this week as U.S. electronic payments firm Euronet Worldwide Inc launched a higher $1 billion bid for MoneyGram on Tuesday, arguing that its all-American deal would face less regulatory scrutiny than a lower bid by Ant. Ant said earlier that it was making progress and on schedule to obtain all required regulatory and shareholder approvals, while MoneyGram has yet to decide whether it will recommend Euronet's higher offer to its shareholders. Feagin, who had worked at Goldman Sachs Group Inc for more than two decades before joining Ant in 2016, declined to say whether Ant would raise its offer for MoneyGram, but said the deal was important for the firm's global push. "Today with our wallets you can transfer money in a country quite easily, and we want to enable that more broadly around the world. That's what MoneyGram would help us to do," he said. MoneyGram, which was rescued through a $1.5 billion financing deal in which Goldman participated after the subprime mortgage crisis in 2008, has long dominated the global money transfer industry with its large network of retail locations. The Dallas-based firm has about 350,000 outlets in shops, post offices and banks in nearly 200 countries and territories. Its rivals include Euronet and Western Union Co. A combination of Ant's technological expertise and MoneyGram's brand could be a game-changer for the global payment industry, analysts say, with scope for more consumers to use online transfer services rather than taking cash to storefronts. Feagin added Ant would look longer-term to grow its business in developed markets, though it would take a cautious approach. "We're going to be more careful about that in terms of designing the strategy and the kinds of customers we can access. We don't go in with a blind eye to the competitive nature of certain markets," he said. SOUTHEAST ASIA Ant, which dominates China's online payment market but has been ramping up investment overseas amid fierce rivalry at home with peers such as Tencent Holding Ltd's popular WeChat Pay, is also eying several new deals around Southeast Asia this year, Feagin said. "We're focused on larger markets there in terms of the population and the opportunity set. So I would expect to see some other partnerships this year," Feagin said. Ant Financial is currently in talks with Indonesian media conglomerate Emtek to launch a payment joint venture, a source with direct knowledge of the discussions told Reuters. Feagin declined to comment on specific deals. The push underlines Ant's ambitions to create a network of financial assets around the region. Ant has made a series of investments in foreign payment firms in recent months as it looks to create an international network. The spate of deals since the end of last year include tie-ups with Ascend Money in Thailand, Kakao Pay in South Korea and Mynt in the Philippines, following earlier investment in Indian firm PayTM. "(Southeast Asia) is quite attractive because it has the fundamental characteristics of high mobile phone usage and rising per capita income, but still has a large population that is not banked," said Feagin. According to analysts, the competition for payment and remittance assets in the region has spiked as firms look for deals to avoid the regulatory hurdles involved in entering the markets alone. "There's pressure in these markets because there's only a limited number of quality assets," said Hong Kong-based EY Fintech analyst James Lloyd. "It wouldn't surprise me if other technology companies, Chinese and otherwise, are equally engaged in these markets, looking at what viable payments or remittance players they could link to a global network," he said. Ant Financial has confirmed plans for an IPO but it is not expected until 2018 at the earliest. It raised $4.5 billion in a record funding round in April, valuing the firm at around $60 billion, the same as American Express Co or insurer Chubb Ltd and more than any other privately held fintech firm. Last month Reuters reported that Ant, whose hallmark payment app Alipay boasts around 450 million users, was in early talks to raise between $2 billion and $3 billion in debt to fund acquisitions and foreign investments. (Reporting by Cate Cadell; Editing by Will Waterman and Alex Richardson)
BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Saturday for Europe to set about standardizing rules on using data in Europe, ahead of a visit to the CeBIT technology fair in Hanover where digitalization is expected to be in focus. "We want to create a digital single European market. That means we need to have legal situations that are as similar as possible in all European countries," Merkel said in her weekly video podcast. A key issue is determining who owns the data and the related copyright issues, Merkel said, adding: "We're still discussing that." She said that in the automobile sector, for example, it was important to clarify whether data belonged to carmakers or software manufacturers because it was possible to develop new products with the data about clients. "We need to very quickly and uniformly implement legislation in Europe regarding copyright laws and the ownership of data," she said. (Reporting by Michelle Martin; Editing by Stephen Powell)
By Liz Lee KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Limited plans to set up a regional distribution hub in Malaysia to cater to its fast-growing business in the region, two sources aware of the discussions said. The hub would be sited within KLIA Aeropolis, a 24,700-acre development led by airport operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) that is expected to generate more than 7 billion ringgit ($1.58 billion) worth of domestic and foreign investments. Alibaba executive chairman Jack Ma and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak are expected to announce the plans at an event in Kuala Lumpur next week, the sources said. The hub will be set up with the help of Malaysian state-linked agencies. It was not clear whether Alibaba would invest any funds in the project. "Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has existing facility for Alibaba Group to pilot their distribution services here, and if (Alibaba) decide to expand in the future, there is the option to build more on other (undeveloped) sites in KLIA Aeropolis," one source said. Alibaba and the Malaysian prime minister's office did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Najib appointed Ma as his government's digital economy adviser during an official trip to China in November. Malaysian media reported that Ma, whose Alibaba owns Chinese online shopping business Taobao, would help steer Malaysia's e-economy development with the implementation of online payment and banking. "Many people see Malaysia as an emerging hub next to Singapore. Malaysia may not be able to take all of Singapore's business but it is a good choice (logistically)," one source said. This would mark Alibaba's first investment in Malaysia. The company invested $1 billion last year to control Singapore-based e-commerce platform Lazada, Southeast Asia's largest online shopping platform. It also increased its shareholding in Singapore Post to 14.4 percent from the 10.2 percent acquired in 2014 and bought a 20-percent stake in Thai e-payment service, Ascend Money. Ties between Malaysia and Beijing have blossomed in recent months with a surge of investments from China. China agreed to buy assets of troubled state fund 1MDB for $2.3 billion in December 2015. Najib returned from November's Beijing visit with 14 agreements amounting to $34.4 billion, which included an agreement to buy four Chinese naval vessels and collaboration to build rail projects in Malaysia. Sources said the distribution hub would be part of Malaysia's Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ), also slated to be launched during Ma's visit next week. "KLIA Aeropolis includes many components and the DFTZ is likely a new component to be added into the development," one source said. Plans to establish the DFTZ were announced in the national budget last October. (Reporting by Liz Lee; Additional reporting by Anshuman Daga in SINGAPORE and Adam Jourdan in SHANGHAI; Editing by Paul Tait)
Earth's relentless campaign against the human race reached out to Florida, only to receive some unique touches from that state.

It was like a scene out of a horror film, as dozens of alligators gathered around a giant sinkhole lined with vultures as hikers watched -- standing as still as statues -- from a distance.

We can only await the arrival of Florida Man.

(thanks to Steven "Gaea's minion" Kaye)
Welcome, Neighbor!

Thank you for sharing my journey with me. It's a bumpy ride, but hopefully you'll find it worthwhile! To reach out to me, send me an e-mail at jamesbradfordpate@yahoo.com.


CHARLESTON -- The Coles County Arts Council invites young local music students to audition for the opportunity to perform in their annual Honors Recital.

This years auditions will take place Sunday, April 2, beginning at 1 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 2206 Fourth St., in Charleston. Each student will receive written comments from guest judges. Students who qualify through the audition process will be asked to perform in the Honors Recital, which will be held on Sunday, May 7, at 2 p.m., also at Wesley United Methodist.

Audition guidelines and the entrance application can be viewed and downloaded at the Arts Council website, www.colescountyartscouncil.org. There is a $20 entry fee, and applications must be received by Monday, March 27.

The top three participants in grades six through 12 will be chosen as scholarship winners. Scholarship funds allotted will be applied to music camp fees at Eastern Illinois University in the areas of Band, Jazz Ensembles, Choral Ensemble, String Ensemble or Keyboard Studies. (With committee approval an equivalent amount may be applied towards a similar camp at any college or university in Illinois.)

The Arts Council encourages teachers and parents of young musicians to visit the website and apply to audition. The recital will be a unique opportunity for students, families, and music instructors to meet and find out what others are accomplishing in the world of music in Coles County.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Halbe, CCAC Music Chair 2017, at 217-460-2800 or at elizhalbe@gmail.com.
SPRINGFIELD -- The rescheduled annual meeting of Land of Lincoln Honor Flight (LLHF) of Springfield will be conducted at 9:30 a.m. March 25 at the Lakeside Christian Church hall, located at 225 Toronto Road (I-55, Exit 90 west) in Springfield. The January meeting was canceled due to an ice storm.

This meeting is open to the general public, including veterans, guardian escorts, volunteers and supporters of LLHF. A recap of the 2016 flight season, which consisted of six flights, will be included, along with financial status and statistics.

The spring flights of April 11, May 23 and June 20 have been previously announced but the fall flight schedule will be in place by the time of the meeting. As LLHF begins its ninth year of operation, there will also be additional information on upcoming plans, guardian training, fundraiser events and more, as well as updates to the current Veteran Waiting List. After the summaries and saluting of LLHFs partners, the meeting will conclude with door prizes, raffles and light refreshments.

Veteran applications continue to be accepted, with priority given in the following order: World War II (person enlisted by 12/31/1946), then Korean War Era (01/01/1947 to 12/31/1957), followed by the Vietnam War Era (01/01/1958 to 05/07/1975). Any certified terminally ill Veteran should contact LLHF directly. Also, because every Veteran flies with a guardian escort -- a volunteer who pays their own way -- applications for future guardians are also currently being accepted. This may be any able-bodied person, 18-70 years old, except for veterans who have already been honored with a flight or a spouse/significant other of a Veteran on a flight.

The guardian fee includes LLHF training, cap and T-shirt, round-trip flight to Washington DC, bus tour during the day, meals & snacks, refreshments and the rare privilege of spending the day honoring our true heroes -- the veterans.

Veteran or guardian applications may be obtained at www.LandofLincolnHonorFlight.org or by contacting John Dust at HonorFlightGuy@aol.com or phone 309-339-0227.

LLHF is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that receives no government funding or grants. It is only able to honor the veterans on these flights to DC due to the generous donations, sponsorships, fundraising events, merchandise sales and supporting efforts of the many local businesses, individuals and organizations within their service area.

Those interested should visit the web site to make a donation, hold a fundraiser, book a board member speaker or obtain more information on the Honor Flight mission. Also consider following LLHF on their Facebook page to stay current on upcoming events and flights.
Class I -- Seventh & Eighth Grade

Class II -- Ninth & Tenth Grade

Class III -- Eleventh & Twelfth Grade

There were 92 essays for judges to read. All of the judges agreed that this year the essays were very hard to judge given the topic and that the students did a good job expressing their opinions. The first-place essays have been sent to the 19th District for further competition.
Art Talk Tuesday scheduled at Flourishes

SHELBYVILLE -- Local artists of all skill levels are welcome to join the free sessions at Art Talk Tuesday at Flourishes Gallery and Studios, located at 140 1/2 East Main in downtown Shelbyville.

There is no cost or registration needed.

Sessions begin at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays. The first half hour focuses on sharing projects as well as receiving feedback on creations. This is followed by a discussion of upcoming area art opportunities.

Tuesday's topic is filling a shadow box to create a meaningful artwork. Supplies are needed.

For more information, call 217-827-5690.

Library to host March of the Stuffed Animals

CHARLESTON -- The Charleston Carnegie Public Library will be hosting March of the Stuffed Animals. Join us in your pajamas for our stuffed animal parade. Bring your favorite plushie to show off.

There are two times and dates to join in the parade: Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. and Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Both parades will start in the Craft Room for children ages 2-6 with a caregiver. Count and group your fuzzy friends as well as read some great math stories.

This is a free program and is open to the community. A library card is not needed to attend. For further information visit our web site at www.charlestonlibrary.org or call 217-345-1514.

PCH volunteers host March chocolate sale

PARIS -- The Paris Community Hospital Volunteers will host a South Bend Chocolate Company sale in March.

The sale will take place on Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., near the FMC rotunda entrance.

The sale will offer nearly 50 varieties of gourmet chocolates and snacks. Items will include award-winning salsas, hot sauces, jams, jellies, relishes, and preserves made by Kathy's Kitchen. Others will include McArthur Bakerys Ooey Gooey Butter Cake.

Cash, checks, and credit cards will be accepted. Chocolate sales support the efforts of the PCH Volunteers, who provide financial assistance to hospital projects and award scholarships to area students who are pursuing healthcare careers.

Shelby County Health Fair to be held

SHELBYVILLE -- The Shelby County Health Fair will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Shelby Christian Church, 200 North Hickory St.

Over 35 vendors are signed up for this year's fair. Special events include Lions Hearing Van and Paddis Air Filled Fun.

The fair will have three grand door prizes, which you will need to be present to win, along with many more prizes.

For more information, call Betty Watkins, SAIL, at 217-774-4322.

Local author to speak at Effingham library

EFFINGHAM -- Local author Dale Fitzpatrick will share his book, "Pioneers in Illinois History," from 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday in the Genealogy Room at the Suzette Brumleve Memorial Effingham Public Library.

A retired surveyor, Fitzpatrick began his book as an exploration of his family history, but quickly branched into the history of Illinois Northwest Territory and the history of Illinois as a whole. He focused particularly on the impact religious organizations had on the settling of Illinois.

Books are available for any donation. All donations will go toward the Effingham County Genealogical and Historical Society.

No registration is required.

Casey-Westfield Alumni Association to meet

CASEY -- The Casey-Westfield Alumni Association annual meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Casey United Methodist Church.
The world faces the prospect of more tension with China over trade, security and human rights after Xi Jinping awarded himself another five-year term as leader of the ruling Communist Party and called for self-reliance in technology, a stronger military and protection of core interests abroad. At a party congress, Xi gave no sign of plans to change the "zero-COVID strategy that has frustrated Chinas public and disrupted business and trade. He called for faster military development and announced no change in policies that strain relations with Washington and Asian neighbors. Xi is tightening control at home and trying to use Chinas economic heft to increase its influence abroad.
When Raouf Agrignan was looking for a business to invest in, he asked his sister, Kadie, to help him find one in Lincoln.

They looked at a gas station, but it didn't seem to be the right fit.

But then a light bulb went off in her head: Why not invest in something they both knew something about.

For both of them, caregiving seemed like a good fit.

Raouf immigrated to the U.S. 14 years ago from the African country of Togo to go to college. While working on his engineering degree, he worked as a certified nursing assistant with both the elderly and autistic children.

Kadie, who has been in the U.S. 12 years, has worked as a caregiver, has a degree in gerontology and is working toward a degree in healthcare administration.

She also has a son with special needs who needs round-the-clock care, so she has experienced both sides of the coin.

So when the opportunity arose to buy the Lincoln franchise of Right at Home, a company that provides in-home care and assistance to seniors and disabled people, the two jumped at the chance.

"I thought that this was the best business to invest in," Raouf said.

They took over the business in December.

Raouf, who is a chemical engineer in Sioux Falls, is mostly a hands-off owner of the business. It's Kadie who runs the business day to day as general manager.

Kadie, who worked as a nursing assistant for more than a decade before going back to school, said she saw first hand how important in-home care is for seniors.

"Many people don't want to move to nursing homes," she said.

According to the AARP, more than 80 percent of people say they want to stay in their homes as they age rather than moving to assisted-living facilities or nursing homes.

Not only that, it's generally cheaper to stay at home, and people who do so tend to stay healthier, Kadie said.

However, many seniors still need assistance with things such as caring for themselves and taking their medications, which is where businesses like Right at Home come in.

The business was founded in Omaha in 1995 and still has its corporate headquarters there. It has franchises in hundreds of cities, including the one in Lincoln, which has been open for more than eight years.

Raouf Agrignan said the Lincoln office serves about three dozen clients and has around 15 employees, most of whom work part time.

While he and Kadie plan to keep running things pretty much as they have been run, they do want to make some changes with an eye toward growing the business.

One of those changes is hiring a full-time nurse who would be able to provide skilled nursing care.

Another is hiring more caregivers with language skills so that the business can cater to a more diverse clientele.

That seems like a sound business plan, considering the number of both Asian-Americans and Hispanic-Americans over the age of 65 are projected to double by 2030, according to the U.S. Administration on Aging.

For now, though, Kadie Agrignan, said they will continue to focus on providing top-notch personal care to the clients they have, a responsibility she takes very seriously.

"When you go to someone's home to take care of them, you become their family and are part of their life," she said.
A few years ago, Luke Haynes visited The Chinati Foundation in Marfa, Texas, and encountered Donald Judds 100 untitled works in mill aluminum, an installation Judd created three decades ago of 100 41-by-51-by-72-inch metal boxes in two former artillery sheds.

Coming from architecture myself, I got fascinated in the slight change, but maintaining the same understanding, Haynes said. Those, in that case, were all about maintaining a certain volume. They had all eight corners, you knew it was the same rectangular volume, but each piece was different.  It really gave viewers the understanding of what Donald was trying to present. He was making objects that were made of a material that held a certain space. Period. That was it.

Inspired by the minimalist masters installation, Haynes set to work on a project to bring that sense of an object holding space to quilts, crafting 50 of them made within specific parameters that, when viewed together, turn the quilt into sculpture -- as minimal and repetitive as quilts can be.

Those quilts are now on view at the International Quilt Study Center & Museum in an exhibition simply titled Log Cabins by Luke Haynes.

In making the quilts, Haynes worked with the following restrictions -- each of the quilts would be made using a log cabin pattern -- the first, oldest and simplest traditional quilting design. Each would by 90-by-90 inches. Each block on every quilt would have a red center with the remainder black or white.

The only change between them would be the size and orientation of blocks and the unavoidable variety of the used clothing that was utilized to create the quilts.

What I was trying to battle, for a lack of a better term, in the world of quilting is this sculptural painting thing, Haynes said. From the outside, quilts are either received as paintings or as utility objects. Theyre either something you keep in your trunk and is valueless or you put them on a wall and pretend its a painting and then you ascribe a value to it, likening it to a painting. I think that loses some of the three dimensionalness.

That three-dimensional aspect of the quilts cannot be missed in the IQSCM installation of Haynes quilts.

Hung on large, two-level, cubic metal and wire frameworks, the quilts are draped over the poles that make up the structures or hang loosely off the walls. Only a single quilt in each of the towers is hung traditionally, but it still flies in the interior space rather than being on a wall.

That seemingly haphazard, disrespectful display destroys the preciousness of the quilts as either fine art or historic examples of the form, forcing them to be viewed as what they are -- objects.

I like that breaking of the preciousness, Haynes said as he walked through the exhibition March 3 before a First Friday lecture. Then youre not just pretending its a painting. Youre not having a paintings conversation about an object. ... What you get is the objectness of the quilt. You still get to see some of the preciousness. Theres a lot of work that went into each of the pieces. You can get the textures and the tones and all of the work. But you still get that objectness, that push/pull of the scale which I think is great.

Haynes, who is based in Los Angeles and Kansas City, was trained in art and architecture at Cooper Union in New York, moving toward quilting after a chance encounter with a box of fabric remnants -- seemingly a long journey from architecture to quilts.

The long answer is its taken my career to get me here, he said. The short answer is I think theyre the same. Its human scaled utility. Its a designated environment for function. So you use a quilt to keep you warm like you inhabit a room to keep you out of rain. Its layering, its materiality, its a lot of geometry. Its a layering of craft skills to create a shelter, in its simplest form.

Haynes first quilts reflected his art background -- figurative pop art pieces that placed an Andy Warhol Double Elvis, Andrew Wyeths Christinas World and portraits of Abraham Lincoln on the quilts, creating conversations about the imagery intended to be placed on a bed, a clash between art and utility.

With the Log Cabins of Donald Judd, as he calls the project on his website, Haynes dug into the nature of the quilt as a crafted object -- the material, the pattern and its construction.

It took me probably four years to make all 50 in total, Haynes said. Theres over two tons of clothing, fabric and used material thats gone into these. Theres a Goodwill by the pound. You go buy hundreds of pounds of clothing and deconstruct it. I use that as the material.

That use of discarded everyday material has a double impact. First, the quilts have a depth and texture derived from the material -- wool, cotton, linen or whatever -- that isnt typically seen in quilts made with uniform cotton backing.

More importantly, the used cloth introduces the concept of the material in which the quilt -- as sculpture -- is made of.

Now this is made out of the conversation of the community that clothing has come from," Haynes said. "Often youll find people coming up and saying Oh, I had that shirt or Those sheets were on my childhood bed. That process is really important.

While Haynes has succeeded in creating an exhibition of quilts as objects, of holding space made of material, he readily admits Log Cabins and the quilts arent purely minimal, a la a Judd steel cube or a John McCracken plank leaning against a wall.

The thing about quilts is there is no way to uncontextualize the object, Haynes said. You cant say That wouldnt keep me warm. If I were to make in such a way that you couldnt read it as a quilt, then it wouldnt be a quilt and Id be making soft sculpture. To say these are simple minimalist in that they dont allude to the object that they are is not wholly true. You can say they are quilts.

But they come as close as quilts will get to minimalism and, critically, move the focus away from surface and utility.

What happens so often is that people lose the sculptural quality of the quilt because they talk about quilt history and what this block means and this is from this year and heres how it was made, he said. Or the other side of that is Im an art quilter and its like a painting, let me talk about painting. You dont ever get to say, this holds a space.

Haynes quilts hold a space in the most challenging IQSCM exhibition yet, a show that forces the audience to look at the pieces far differently than the typical quilt show and injects the ideas of art and objectness into the discussion.

They like it a lot, Haynes said of the reaction to the show, wherever it has been exhibited. I wasnt sure. Ive only heard one dissenting opinion so far. I dont mind dissenting opinions at all. It lets me know Im knocking on peoples doors.
Coming Monday

Brasch's bill (LB155) would require a 70 percent passing grade on the U.S. citizenship and naturalization test. Krist's bill (LB14) would require a social studies curriculum to ensure all students would become responsible citizens who possess a deep understanding of the U.S. Constitution, and who are prepared to preserve, protect, and defend freedom and democracy in their nation and the world. The bill would require that districts use the citizenship and naturalization test.
Jane P. Hailey, 7/25/1941 - 3/14/2017, of Bellevue, Omaha, and Lincoln, died at Bryan Memorial Hospital in Lincoln. Mrs. Hailey was born Jane Phyllis Zapponi in Arlington, Mass., the daughter of Kathryn and Nino Zapponi. She attended Arlington schools and was an honor graduate of the McLean Hospital School of Nursing, after which she pursued a career in psychiatric nursing for more than 20 years in Massachusetts, Maine, Omaha, and Okinawa, Japan.

Subsequently, she was a school nurse in Bellevue Public Schools, a visiting nurse for the Omaha VNA, and assisted in developing nursing programs at Omaha's Quality Living, Inc. She was stricken with Multiple Sclerosis in 1990 and endured that disease's depredations with grace and courage for the remaining 27 years of her life.

She is survived by her husband, Robert, daughters Kaydra Johnson (Todd) of Lincoln, and Leisha Hailey of Los Angeles, Calif., grandchildren Sam and Ione Johnson of Lincoln, and brother Keith Hayward of Bedford, Mass. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A memorial gathering will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 20, at Roeder Mortuary Chapel, 11710 Standing Stone, Gretna. No flowers, please. Memorial gifts could be directed to the National MS Society. Arrangements: Roeder Mortuary, Inc., Gretna; RoederMortuary.com
Machines used to make counterfeit pills are reaching the US border in record numbers.

US Customs and Border Protection is seizing pill presses at a rate 19 times higher than in 2011. That's the year the synthetic drug fentanyl exploded in the US drug market, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

While the Justice Department's Drug Enforcement Administration deals with a national problem of synthetic fentanyl overdoses, these machines are playing a critical role in getting deadly counterfeit drugs onto American streets.

"To the naked eye, you can't tell the difference," said John Martin, special agent in charge of the DEA's San Francisco division. "If you have counterfeit pills, you can't make them without pill presses."

Counterfeit pills marketed as oxycodone or Xanax but made with fentanyl can be deadly. Fentanyl is 25 to 50 times stronger than heroin and up to 100 times more potent than morphine.

The painkiller was once found only in pharmacies but is now manufactured in China in synthetic form and widely available on the American black market.

Pill presses -- which can easily be bought online -- allow someone to take powder and press it into a pill that looks legitimate. "People have died from ingesting what they think is a legitimate painkiller, (but really) it's a counterfeit pill that contains fentanyl," Martin said.

Across the country, authorities have seen this play out.

The death of pop icon Prince may turn out to be one of the most famous cases of counterfeit pills. Police reportedly found mislabeled pills laced with fentanyl in his home, and the drug was found in his system.

And with the machines easily available, the demand high and the setup easier than ever, it means the potential profits are huge.

Forty-three percent of America's goods from outside the country arrive at the Port of Long Beach, California, according to US Customs and Border Protection. Authorities hold questionable pill press machines while they investigate whether they are coming into the country legally.

Most come from China. That's where much of the illegal fentanyl is manufactured, as well. Clandestine Chinese labs manufacture a synthetic version of fentanyl that is easily bought on the dark Web. Mexican drug cartels later began to buy it and resell it across the border.

Pill press machines themselves are not illegal, as long as they are properly registered with the DEA before they are shipped. But many of them are not.

These devices vary in size from giant industrial electric ones, bigger than refrigerators, to plastic tabletop machines. Some can generate 170,000 pills per minute. CNN got exclusive access to the warehouse where they are kept.

"With all the overdoses we're seeing, the increase in overdoses in the last couple years, I think these types of interceptions are extremely important," said Cheryl Davies, assistant port director at Los Angeles International Airport. "They have a lot of impact on our communities."

Finding the pill presses is difficult. Every 7.8 seconds, a new container is processed at the port. By checking manifests for key words and electronically scanning suspicious containers, customs agents have been able to find and seize dozens of illegally imported presses. Since 2013, there have been more than 80 seized.

When they find one that is not properly registered, they alert law enforcement.

In 2015, Customs alerted the DEA about one such pill press that arrived from China. The DEA got a warrant to place a GPS tracker inside the shipment and traced it to Gary Resnik, a 32-year-old man. When they searched Resnik's home, agents found six pill presses and nearly 30 pounds of acetyl-fentanyl. The DEA alleges that Resnik and three other men were importing the synthetic opiate, making their own pills and selling them in bulk. Authorities later charged Resnik and others with federal narcotics and money laundering in the Los Angeles area.

Martin explained that pill presses have made it easier for drug dealers to make millions of dollars out of their homes, without being affiliated with any kind of big drug cartel.

It's cheap and easy to order wholesale fentanyl powder and a pill press online. For $5,000 to $6,000, Martin said, someone could potentially make $10 million worth of fake pills.

"A kilogram of fentanyl wholesale is about $3,500 to $5,000. The pill press, let's say you buy it for about $1,000 and the die for $100, that's not a huge investment. You get the binding material ... on the dark net, and you can start making these pills," he said. "So there's huge profit to be made on these counterfeit pills."

The acting DEA administrator, Chuck Rosenberg, went to China in January to meet with officials about keeping synthetic fentanyl and pill presses from being shipped illegally over to the US.

Since then, the Chinese government has banned six variations of synthetic fentanyl, but it continues to make up a large portion of the seizures of synthetic drugs recorded by the DEA.
The head of a state agency that regulates major oil pipelines in Nebraska says he fears opponents of the Keystone XL pipeline might have vandalized his home.

Jeff Pursley says someone dug a trench in his front yard overnight Thursday, ripped out his flowers, moved a bench and dumped dirt on his doorstep near 12th and Van Dorn streets.

Pursley is executive director of the Nebraska Public Service Commission, which is tasked with reviewing the Keystone XL's proposed route through the state.

The house isn't listed under his name: His family recently moved in with his mother-in-law, and it was her home that was vandalized, Pursley said. But he has listed the address on public records filed with the state.

Pursley reported the incident to Lincoln police.

"It's simply speculation on my part," he said of any connection to Keystone XL, but noted his mother-in-law's home had never been vandalized before. "This seemed to be more of a message than just vandalism."
Margaret Reist Local government reporter Margaret Reist is a recovering education reporter now writing about local and county government and the people who live in the city where she was born and raised. Follow Margaret Reist Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Thank you, National Reading Month.

Because of you, I got to start my week off in the polar bear room, a colorfully-decorated place with large, plastic connecting blocks, play dough and  most importantly  Heather, ZaMonica, Landon and Raylan.

Lets be honest, when I showed up at the Community Action Partnerships Head Start day care center, I was no match for the play dough and connecting blocks. But I had a book, which gave me some cred.

We sat on the carpet Monday morning and I read Llama Llama Wakey Wake, a tale by Anna Dewdney about a young llama's morning exploits.

Its been awhile since I was the center of attention with 2-year-olds, although I may be slightly overstating my status in the polar bear room.

And its been years since I could recite Margaret Wise Browns Goodnight Moon and Dr. Seuss The Foot Book from memory, when Corduroy Bear and Winnie The Pooh and the adventures of the Berenstain Bears were the stuff of my daily life.

So it was fun to be back there, if just for a short time, to remind me that while I loved the nighttime reading ritual when my kids were young, it also played an important role for the developing brains in our household.

The folks who work with kids every day know this well, which is why I was at the day care center  along with a host of other volunteers  to help the Community Action Partnership kick off the next part of its Head Start book campaign.

The Community Action Partnership is the recipient of federal Head Start funds in Lincoln, which it uses to fund two full-day day care centers and home-based programs.

The campaign already has raised $5,700 to send home one book each month for five months with each of the 225 children in the day care centers. They still need to raise $3,000 to do the same with the 132 children they serve in home-based programs and 34 children in a Wahoo school program.

The campaign  similar to many other reading programs in schools and community organizations around the city  coincides with National Reading Month, which is intended to remind us adults just how important reading is to young children.

Three years ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics formally noted this by adopting a policy encouraging pediatricians to remind parents to read daily to their children.

It recognized the importance of early brain development in a child's first three years, as well as the role such daily rituals plays in cementing relationships between parents and children.

The National Center for Education Statistics found that 26 percent of children read to three to four times a week by a family member recognized all the letters of the alphabet, compared with 14 percent of those read to less than that.

Maybe you've heard of the 30 million-word gap?

It came from a 20-year-old study that tracked how many words young children from upper-, middle- and low-income families heard at home.

Researchers tracked 42 families, and their results were extrapolated to predict that by age 3, children of professionals would hear about 45 million words, compared with only 13 million for a child in poverty. Thus the 30 million-word gap.

Subsequent studies have found somewhat smaller gaps  and it's important to note it's not just about reading books.

The type of interaction is important  back-and-forth conversations are better than one-way, and positive interactions better than negative. And some studies found lower-income families have more conversations with children than high-income, and it happens in various ways, including playing games.

Bottom line: Playing games, singing, reading books. They all make a difference.

It's why the Nebraska Education Association kicks off each March with Read Across America Day on March 2, in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday.

Schools take part in all sorts of ways. This year, for instance, Educare, the preschool that partners with the Buffett Foundation, Lincoln Public Schools and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, invited local dignitaries and police officers to read "Green Eggs and Ham."

It's not just in March. For the past two decades, the Lincoln Education Association has spearheaded Harvest of Books, a campaign thats sent more than 160,000 new books home with every first-grader in the citys public and private schools.

Lincoln City Libraries is in the midst of a campaign to encourage parents to read 15 minutes a day to their children. And LPS and the city libraries just hosted their second African-American read-in.

It all boils down to this, really. You should always listen to Dr. Seuss, who offers spot-on advice on nearly every subject, including the benefits of reading with our eyes open.

"And when I keep them open, I can read with much more speed. You have to be a speedy reader 'cause theres so, so much to read!"
All attendees at the two City Council candidate forums last week were civil and courteous  the eight candidates and audiences, alike.

Because of the recent presidential campaign and election aftermath, audiences were specifically asked to be courteous at each of the forums. One was sponsored by Leadership Lincoln, a nonprofit group that encourages diverse local leadership, and the other by the Nebraska League of Conservation Voters and five other organizations with liberal reputations.

The audience of approximately 300 people at the Conservation League forum Thursday night so rigorously abided by the no cheering, no jeering rule that no one clapped after individual candidates spoke; applause was held until the end of the 90-minute forum.

The eight candidates for the three at-large council seats said they respected each other. And two  Roy Christensen and Leirion Gaylor Baird, who sometimes are on opposite sides of city issues  hugged.

All eight candidates agreed that humans played a role in climate change, a consensus that wasn't evident when a similar question was posed at a local candidate forum two years ago.

Some conservatives nationally downplay any connection between human activity and climate change, and the question at last week's forum was an obvious attempt to see which local candidates, if any, share this viewpoint.

All council candidates also indicated some level of support for local environmental efforts in their answers.

* Bennie Shobe: The city needs to make responsible choices, listen to science and the experts, and do things to slow down climate change. The city needs to remove barriers for citizen participation and find innovative ideas for what humans can do to mitigate further damage to the planet.

* Brayden McLaughlin: City codes keep people from putting up solar panels and make building very small houses almost impossible. He said we should all try to be the best stewards we can, personally and as businesses, neighborhoods and public utilities.

* Deb Andrews: The city has not weighed in on potential pollution from a proposed chicken processing plant at Fremont, upstream from Lincoln, and said the city needs to stop running big, empty buses fueled by diesel.

* Leirion Gaylor Baird: The city has an important role in environmental issues, she said, and pointed to the fact that 48 percent of the Lincoln Electric System portfolio comes from renewable energy. We have to be good stewards over the long term.

* Lou Braatz: Climate change "is real, is man-made and is irreversible." The city could look at converting all public buildings to renewable energy and could help homeowners in older neighborhoods weatherize their homes.

* Maggie Mae Squires: Labels herself a progressive and is passionate about environmental issues. She suggested neighborhood associations might get together to put up wind turbines. She said the city needs to formally oppose fracking near the city and that Pinnacle Bank Arena should be covered in solar panels.

* Roy Christensen: Pointed to his own successful efforts to get Black Hills Energy to pay for the conversion of two city buses to natural gas. "Clean energy makes sense, saving energy makes sense and polluting less makes sense," he said. The city needs to participate in what is reasonable and possible.

* Tom Nesbitt: A much-higher authority has "given us the natural resources ... and our planet and we need to take care of those." He said he is not an expert on environmental issues but would listen, learn and take a leadership role in this area.

All eight candidates disavowed negative advertising, and said they respected each other as people who cared about Lincoln, despite differing philosophies, in their answers to specific questions about campaigning and partisan politics.

I've seen enough negative attack ads for a lifetime, said McLaughlin. It doesnt belong in Lincoln."

But that doesnt mean negative advertising wont be part of the city elections, with the primary April 4 and general election May 2, because negative advertising at the local level almost always comes from separate campaign committees.

Candidates have no control over these groups, noted Christensen.

In answers to a carefully worded question about the role of Planned Parenthood locally, none of the eight candidates said anything derogatory about the organization.

Planned Parenthood, because it provides abortion services as well as general health services, has become a lightning rod for anti-abortion sentiments.

Candidates were asked if they would support or advocate for Planned Parenthood to be listed as a resource on the city's webpage regarding domestic violence and sexual assault, and if they would take proactive measures to help Planned Parenthood become part of the sexual assault-response team.

None of the candidates said they would specifically oppose a web listing, although several of the candidates, who are registered Republicans and identified themselves as pro-life, offered more cautiously worded support.

Christensen said he was willing to talk with anyone about reducing domestic violence, which he said is a "plague upon us all."

Nesbitt said we need to come together as a community to work on domestic-violence issues.

McLaughlin, who acknowledge Planned Parenthood has provided good general health care services, said he would have to take a look at what would be on the website and what services the city would be promoting.

Andrews, an independent, and Braatz and Shobe, both Democrats, supported working with Planned Parenthood on domestic-assault issues.

Gaylor Baird, a Democrat, supports including Planned Parenthood on a list of agencies but suggested there should be a statement on the website that this is not an endorsement of a particular viewpoint because of the controversy.

"We do have to find ways to get along, despite very strong and different views on the subject of Planned Parenthood," she said.
RICHLAND  A 37-year-old Columbus woman was killed early Saturday morning in a one-vehicle rollover on U.S. 30 near Richland.

Amy Mindrup was pronounced dead at Columbus Community Hospital following the accident near County Road 4, just east of the Richland curve.

According to the Colfax County Attorney's Office, a Colfax County Sheriff's deputy on routine patrol spotted the accident around 2:15 a.m. Saturday. The 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe rolled at least once before coming to rest right-side-up on the north side of the highway.

Both occupants were ejected from the vehicle.

The deputy found Mindrup near the Tahoe and 41-year-old Angel Velazquez, also of Columbus, in the grass median.

Both individuals were transported by ambulance to Columbus Community Hospital, where Mindrup was pronounced dead.

Velazquez was later flown to a Lincoln hospital. His injuries aren't believed to be life-threatening.

A press release from the attorney's office says neither vehicle occupant was using a seat belt at the time of the crash and alcohol was likely a contributing factor in the accident, which remains under investigation.
Is, as a Chinese proverb suggests, one picture worth more than 10,000 words? The photo with this column is from a 9-by-7-inch reproduction -- undoubtedly from a glass plate negative that would have allowed tremendous magnification to the point where signs painted on downtown buildings windows could even be read -- which certainly is worth a minimum of 10,000.

The photo was published in 1889 as a series of books titled "Lincoln, Picturesque and Descriptive" and probably sold by subscription. This particular photo was taken from the visitors gallery in the second state capitol to show the downtown area of Lincoln looking to the northwest.

Another book published the same year, "History of the City of Lincoln" by A. B. Hayes and Sam. D. Cox, gushes with praise saying that although it has no fuel, no mines, no water power, no remarkable natural advantages, Lincolns growth in just over 20 years of existence has been more remarkable than that of any other city in the West.

By reading these two books and newspapers, city directories and a number of other sources one can learn the following about Lincoln in 1889:

* the population was about 48,000;

* there were 250 miles of streets of which seven were paved and 329 of them with names;

* R.B. Graham was the mayor; Lincoln had both 20 miles of water mains and sewers;

* there were 10 radiating lines of railroads;

* seven street railway companies had 35 miles of tracks;

* the district had 26 schools and there were four universities with Nebraska Christian University (later Cotner University) having just opened and Union College about to open in a few months;

* 13 temperance unions and 40 churches and synagogues fought 30 saloons;

* 23 newspapers were published locally of which four were dailies, 12 weeklies and the balance monthlies;

* and there were 10 banks.

Newspaper publisher C.H. Gere, also Lincolns postmaster, reported first-class letters cost 2 cents to mail. There were three deliveries daily in the business district and two in the outer areas.

The picture itself looks first at the intersection of 14th and K streets. At the left, on the southwest corner was John Enoch and Ela Gores Capital Boarding Barn, one of 20 livery stables operating in the city. The house just beyond the barn complex, at 1309 K St., was the home of William Miller. Lincoln mayor and attorney A. J. Sawyer razed the livery for a brick apartment building which was ultimately replaced with the current state printing facility which connects to the capitol by tunnel under 14th Street.

The church at the middle of the photo, on the northwest corner of the intersection, is the First Baptist Church which sold their lots given to them by the Capital Commission in 1867 on 11th Street and built this brand-new brick building dedicated in June 1888 at a reported cost of $40,000. The Baptists built, at the same time, their parsonage directly left (west) of the church at 1332 K St. for their minister, Ow. A. Williams. In September 1965, the current stone, $550,000 church replaced the brick church and parsonage.

In 1867, the Capital Commission gave the then-unorganized Lutheran church lots 7, 8 and 9 on Block 97, which were directly west of the Baptists church and parsonage. A short time later a small frame church was built there at 1328 K St. on lot 9. The two lots to its west were sold for a retail store. When the Lutherans moved to the previous Plymouth Congregational Church building at 17th and A streets, contractor Carl Olson converted the old church pictured into apartments which in turn were razed for parking in 1984.

The uncompleted building on the right of the intersection might look familiar but few would correctly identify it as the First Christian Church. First Christian originally built on the lots given to them by the Capital Commission on the northwest corner of 10th and K streets in 1870, but in 1885 it purchased lots on the northeast corner of 14th and K streets for $4,500 and dedicated its new building there in 1889 a few months after the picture was taken.

Unfortunately, a nationwide depression caused the Northwestern Mutual Insurance Co. to foreclose on the church which had borrowed to create the building as well as for their Nebraska Christian/Cotner University in Bethany. The Christian Church moved to rented quarters and after sitting vacant for some time, the 14th and K building was acquired by the Roman Catholic Church which was rebuilt after a subsequent fire and today is St. Marys Church.

With 40 houses of worship in the city, it is not unusual to pick out more churches in downtown Lincoln at that point in history. Directly behind the Baptist Church is First Congregational Church and to its right is the adjacent First Presbyterian Church both of which sat on what today is the site of the Cornhusker Hotel and attached office tower. Directly behind First Congregational is First Methodist and parsonage renamed St. Paul Methodist in 1883. Directly behind the Christian Church is St. Theresa Roman Catholic Church on the northeast corner of 13th and M streets.

Only three easily visible and identifiable buildings from this 1880s view still exist. The greatly rebuilt Burr Block on the northeast corner of 12th and O streets, sometimes referred to as Lincolns first skyscraper, the U.S. Post Office/Federal Courthouse, later Lincolns City Hall at Ninth and O streets, and the renovated First Christian, later St. Marys Church.
GRAND ISLAND  New rules for how long recreational-vehicle users and other campers can linger at Nebraska's state parks will help make better use of campground space, Game and Parks Commission officials say.

Adopted Friday, the changes clarify that campers may remain in a single park area or campground for no more than 14 consecutive days in a single 30-day period.

Exceptions can be made in limited cases.

With permission from the park superintendent, a camper may move to a different campground in the same park if one-quarter or more of the sites are available. If a park only has one campground, the superintendent can allow campers to remain as long as they switch sites and plenty of space is available.

Jim Swenson, parks administrator with Game and Parks, called the changes a "prudent action" that will "provide the most opportunity for the greatest number of guests."

Commissioners unanimously approved the changes Friday following a public hearing at Boarders Inn and Suites.

No one opposed the new rules, and several people thanked Swenson and the commission for their efforts.

"It doesnt leave a lot of room for ambiguity, said Kerry Crosby, an avid RV user from Lincoln.

Swenson said the changes were prompted in part by a surge in the popularity of RVs.

RV sales jumped 32.5 percent from 2010 to 2015, he said, citing data from the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association. Last year alone, sales rose another 15.1 percent.

Other new rules limit occupancy of campsites to two tents, or one camping unit such as an RV and one tent, and clarify exactly how the process should work for "first-come, first-served" campsites.

Such campsites must be paid for first, then immediately occupied  not the other way around, according to the new rules. Claiming a campsite spot in advance with a vehicle or tent isn't allowed.
Carolyn Hotchkiss, daughter of Christina and Scott Hotchkiss of Omaha, is the first Nebraska NEST Birthday Baby, Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg announced. Stenberg gave Carolyns mother a $529 contribution to a Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST) college savings account for Carolyn, who was born Jan. 13. She is the first NEST Birthday Baby to be chosen in a yearlong NEST sweepstakes honoring Nebraskas 150th birthday celebration.

Each month of 2017, NEST will select one parent or legal guardian of a Nebraska newborn to receive a $529 contribution to a NEST college savings account. The family will be selected through a random drawing of entries submitted to the NEST website or by mail.

Stenberg is trustee of NEST, and First National Bank of Omaha is Program Manager. Parents and legal guardians may enter at www.NEST529.com/NewbornDrawing. Entries will be accepted until Jan. 10, 2018, for babies born in 2017. The final drawing will be in early 2018 .

Rules for the sweepstakes are at www.NEST529.com/NewbornDrawing and treasurer.nebraska.gov/csp/scholarships/. Information about the Nebraska Sesquicentennial can be found at ne150.org
CALEDONIA  Brandon A. Dobrowski, 17, has achieved the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America, that of Eagle Scout. Brandon is a member of Troop 161, sponsored by St. Rita Catholic Church. His scoutmaster is Tim Falendysz.

Dobrowski, son of Ronald A. and Michelle M. Dobrowski of Caledonia, has held the leadership positions of den chief, patrol quartermaster, troop historian, assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, Leadership Corps and senior patrol leader.

He has earned the Arrow of Light, World Conservation Award, Freeze Out Award and 28 merit badges. Dobrowski has attended Life to Eagle Training and attended Troop Junior Leadership Training (four times). He has also a member of the Order of the Arrow at the level of Brotherhood.

Dobrowski attended Robert S. Lyle Summer Camp for seven years and was part of Trek 712-V at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

Dobrowskis Eagle Scout service project benefited the Caledonia Historical Society by refurbishing an area near the old train depot. They had to dig out the area and then move in materials and place paving bricks on top to create an aesthetically pleasing standing area directly outside the depot. Finally they sanded and painted a bench to compliment the new addition. Dobrowski led his fellow scouts, friends and family in more than 142 man-hours to complete the project.

Dobrowski, a senior at Horlick High School, plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to further his education in industrial engineering, and has the ultimate goal of attaining a doctorate degree.

Dobrowski will receive his Eagle badge during Troop 161s annual Eagle Scout court of honor ceremony at 6 p.m. today, March 18.
RACINE  Coming Together Racine will host a race relations film at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, at the Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St. The film is based on Ntozake Shanges Obie award-winning play, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf. Following the film, a member of Coming Together Racine will facilitate a discussion. For more information, call 262-636-9217 or go to www.racinelibrary.info. A valid library card is required.
RACINE  The man who broke into a Dover home and slit a mans throat to test if he considered himself a murderer was sentenced to 40 years in prison Friday.

Ronald Kaehne, 29, who was also sentenced to 25 years of extended supervision, wrote the judge a letter prior to the hearing where he called himself "God's angel of death," according to the judge.

During the sentencing Friday on two counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, armed burglary and battery, Kaehne sat in silence with no expression. He only appeared to move once in the courtroom, stirred to a fleeting scowl, by the continued sound of the victim's family shifting on a creaking courtroom bench.

In December, Racine Circuit Court Judge Emily Mueller rejected Kaehne's plea of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect saying the condition that psychologists settled on didn't raise to the level of the gravity of the crime she described as "serious and bizarre" that Kaehne planned and tried to carry out Jan. 17 2015.

Debroah Collins, the psychologist hired by the state, testified she believed Kaehne suffered from a personality disorder with schizotypal features. Melissa Westendorf, a psychologist with the defense, went further and said he had schizophrenia because his journal showed a delusional pattern over eight years.

The incident

Dale Parker, 59, the Racine man whom Kaehne tried to kill as he slept at his girlfriend's house, said he knew immediately that Kaehne wanted to kill him.

"I remember the look in his eyes. They were red. I knew what he was there for. He was there to do harm," Parker said.

It was the first time Parker had seen the man who turned out to be his girlfriend's neighbor.

"He lived in a house three-quarters of mile behind us, but we never knew him," Parker said.

In fact, responding deputies from the Racine County Sheriff's Office followed Kaehne's tracks in the snow back to his home to locate him.

After the crime, Kaehne allegedly went back to his home to write in his journal about how it went down.

Kaehn's writings

Judge Mueller said Kaehne wrote about his disappointment that he didn't carry out the murder and for "making mistakes" and leaving a trail.

"I read your journal, and it is obsessive," Mueller told Kaehne in court.

Mueller said the journal, along with letters from the defendant's mother, siblings and pastor  as well as two letters Kaehne wrote to her from prison  were taken into account for the sentencing.

"You thought you were God's angel of death and his avatar on Earth, and you wanted to prevent Satan from taking over the world and creating a much worse apocalypse. Those are the words you used," Mueller said. "But what you ended up doing is standing over these people. One of them woke up, you panicked, so you slit his throat and told law enforcement that if you killed one, you'd have to kill the other, leave, and hope you didn't get caught."

The sentencing

In the sentencing, Mueller said she considered the fact that he had no criminal history, but concluded he needed mental treatment in a prison rather than a mental institution, away from society.

"I encourage you to take the medicine that you're prescribed by a doctor," Mueller said.

Parker, upbeat and moving on with his life, said this is the third incident in which he's been injured helping a woman with an assailant.

"One time, I was rescuing a lady and I got shot in the side, and the second time, I was run over and have a scar on my arm," Parker said. "I think it's time to stop rescuing damsels in distress."

Parker said the night of the incident, his girlfriend at the time, Danell Hintz, 55, called him and said she felt "somebody was looking at her" and asked him to come over. When Parker arrived, he saw tracks in the snow around the windows.

"I didn't tell her about the tracks at the time, but I decided to stay the night," Parker said.

In the middle of the night Parker, who had served in the Marine Corps, was awakened in the middle of the night by Kaehne standing over him with a "Rambo"-style knife.

"I don't know what you call it, an angel or whatever, but I woke up," Parker said. "I pivoted in bed and kicked him right in the throat."

The two fought and Parker was cut in the neck from under his ear to near his Adam's apple. Hintz managed to grabbed her bedside gun, secured in a concealed carry class just a year prior. Hintz believes that the gun made all the difference and the intruder started to run. Parker said he took it from her and fired a shot as Kaehne got away.

"I saved her and she took me to Jamaica." Parker said. "But we're not together anymore."

Hintz said she coped with the crime by "smudging" her house of evil spirits, the Native American tradition, and is proud to say she continues to protect her home with arms.

"I dare anyone to come into my home unannounced today," Hintz said outside of the courtroom.

Parker said he's please the sentencing is over and wants to move on with his life. Parker has a new love interest and will soon opening a used car business with his friend in Racine.
RACINE  Ascension All Saints Hospital patients were greeted with a little luck 'o the Irish Friday when a hospital volunteer decided to dress up as a leprechaun in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

Jerry Merrill, a 79-year-old volunteer greeter at Ascension, said he has a history of dressing up for the holidays and enjoys the smile it brings to patients' faces.

"I just like to do this kind of stuff," Merrill said. "Maybe I'm a little bit crazy, but I enjoy it."

Merrill has worked at Ascension as a greeter in the St. Luke's Health Pavilion for the past three years, providing guidance to patients arriving to the hospital. Two years before that, he drove the hospital's courtesy van.

A lifelong Racine native, Merrill graduated from Racine Lutheran High School in 1956. He worked as a painter and sandblaster at Postorino Decorating for 37 years before lung surgery forced him to retire.

Merrill turned his attention to volunteer work. In past holiday seasons, Merrill has dressed up like an elf, replete with the green tights, as well as Santa Claus, sometimes combining the holiday-themed costumes with a cheery red nose.

For St. Patrick's Day this year, he donned a silly leprechaun hat with a long, red beard attached. The reaction brought smiles and chuckles from many patients, young and old, as they walked into and out of St. Luke's Health Pavilion, 3821 Spring St., Friday.

His favorite part of being a greeter is the children he sees and with whom he interacts.

"I just love the kids," Merrill said. "The kids are the greatest. The parents are alright too, but when the little kids come by ... some are bashful, some are not, it just makes your day."

Merrill also said he enjoys watching babies go home for the first time. "I always say my kids were never that small, but I suppose they were," he said.
An Open Letter to Every "Mom"

From a Victim Turned Survivor

By Beth Baumann. March 16th, 2017

Article Source

Whenever I read the latest updates from Mom Demands Action, I cant help but cringe. This gun control group tries to use their standing as mothers to advocate against the Second Amendment. They use their experience as mothers to claim they know whats best for each and every one of us.

But they dont know our story.

They dont know my story.

Heres my letter to all of those moms out there.

Dear Moms, I am a Second Amendment advocate and I want to tell you my story. I want to tell you why Im pro-gun and why you do NOT speak for me. A few weeks shy of my 19th birthday, I was sexually assaulted in my college dorm room. My virginity stolen from me by a guy I had just met. I was new to the adult world, 600 miles from home, and forced to press charges against my perpetrator. Everywhere I turned, I was afraid  paranoid even  that he was behind me, lurking and watching my every move. I felt insecure. For the first time in my life, I was afraid. Afraid to walk to class, afraid to walk to the dining hall, afraid of staying on campus  until eventually, everything I did was out of fear of my attacker. That experience in my life was horrific, but it was an eyeopener. It made me realize two things: 1. The world isnt always peaches and sunshine.

There is evil in the world and people who want to hurt you.

2. At the end of the day, the only person who can

protect me is me. When you talk about campus carry advocates being drunken college kids who are going to shoot each other up, youre utterly wrong. Youre talking about people like me. Youre talking about young women just like my 19-year-old self who are in need of protection. What do you propose we do to defend ourselves? Carry a rape whistle and hope someone hears us? Dial 9-1-1 and wait until the cops show up? Why should a survivor, like me, advocate in favor of victimhood? That is what your group is all about  creating more victims. Instead of relying on others to protect me, I rely on myselfand my proficiency with my firearm. I will never apologize for doing everything in my power to make sure other women dont have to go through the horrendous pain I went through. I will never apologize for advocating for women to protect themselves. But I will call out people like you who try to keep me, and others like me, from protecting ourselves. Sincerely, A victim turned survivor

This effectively explains what the survival thought process means for a woman - anyone in fact. The "bleeding hearts" Moms Demand Action type anti-gun people just do not see or apply any logic -- instead their thinking is that everyone is supposed to meekly surrender to victimhood. They themselves of course are perfectly free to remain potential victims if they so wish, but are in no position morally to try and deprive others of their rights and chosen means of self protection.

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Another new party!

We have hundreds of political parties in the country but only a dozen participate in the Power Games and only a handful get to be part of a government at a time and help themselves with the loot. Yes, gather 10,000 signatures,
CPN-UML's Mechi-Mahakali campaign over

Even as the CPN-UML claims that the partys Mechi-Mahakali Campaign was largely successful despite obstructions by the Madhes-based parties at some places, critics say the rally created social tension.
EC's decision may affect local poll: DPM Thapa

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Kamal Thapa has urged the Election Commission to correct its decision regarding to remove the portion of Hindu state and monarchy from the party statute.
Heritage Reconstruction 2.0

There is a nifty little galli that cuts through the heart of Thamel and connects Jyathas Chinatown to familiar haunts clustered around Chaksibari.
India to provide 30,000 tonnes of urea to Nepal

India has agreed to provide 30,000 tonnes of urea following Nepals request to prevent a shortage during the spring planting season, Agriculture Inputs Company (AIC) said.
Modi assures fair probe into Kanchanpur incident

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged a fair and impartial investigation into the Kanchanpur incident of March 9, where 32-year-old Govinda Gautam was killed by the Indian border security force, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), at the Nepal-India border in Punarbas.
Answers Africa is one of a kind platform created for Africans both locally and in the diaspora and those seeking for more in-depth information about Africa. We have always focused on creating the highest quality informational contents right from the beginning. We share the most relevant information on the latest and trending news, events, people, and places in Africa.

We produce contents across various categories including Politics, People, Love and Romance, Nature, Entertainment, Technology and pretty much everything else that Africans may find relevant.

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10 Famous TV Personalities Born In Ethiopia Ethiopia is a country best known for its fast athletes like Dibaba and Bekele, breathtaking models like Liya Kebede and of course Haile Selassie but there are also famous TV personalities who are doing a great job in entertainment and pushing the country to civilization. The following is a list of ten most famous TV ...

Top 10 African Authors of All Time The pace of present African literature is moving at a high-speed; more defiant in both style and tone than those of the great independence writers generation. Here, the subjects of taboo are widely explored. The emerging African authors of this generation are not afraid to go further afield for the literary fodder. Meanwhile, since the birth ...

Maina Kageni Biography  Daughter, Salary and Gay Rumors Maina Kageni is one of those Kenyans who has remained as interesting as ever in the eyes of the public. A strong Red devil fan and lover of football, the man is currently a Breakfast Show presenter with Mwalimu Kingangi on Nairobis Classic 105 Radio Station. Many questions have always emerged on the man in serious ...

Kalekye Mumo  Biography, Boyfriend and Salary Kalekye Mumo has been described as someone who is as vibrant as she is beautiful, a Kenyan radio queen, TV host and media personality, movie actress, Musician, businesswoman, and fashionista but what else is there to know about this Kenyan icon, Kalekye Mumo and her co-host Shaffie Weru have been among the most listened to radio presenters ...

Julie Gichuru Bio  Age, Husband & Children In Africa, women have a long history of bringing under control obstacles to keep their heads above the water. So, it comes as no surprise whenever African women are recognized and decorated across the continent and globe for performing brilliantly well in their various fields of endeavor. In Kenya for instance, a list of national ...

Jeff Koinange Biography  All About His Age, Wife  Shaila Koinange & Family Jeff Koinange is a well-known Kenyan journalist. He currently hosts Jeff Koinange Live on KTN. Koinange has served as a journalist in the United States and has also worked for a few U.S. broadcasters. He was born in Kenya but attended college in the United States, which may explain his accent. There are several interesting ...

Caroline Mutoko Biography  Age, Daughter & House Caroline Mutoko is a Kenyan radio presenter, famously known for hosting a morning breakfast show on Kiss 100 FM. The station is based in Nairobi and ranks among the highly-rated radio stations in Kenya with online streaming services as well. Learn more about the Kenyan-born journalist. Caroline Mutokos Age and Bio Born on January 4, 1973, Caroline is ...

The Most Stunning News Presenter In Kenya Discloses Her Real Age  You Would Not Believe It In modern African societies, it is often regarded as impolite or outright lack of disrespect to ask a woman of her age. We also have seen celebrities lie about how old they are when asked their age. People, mostly women have refused to let people know their real age, despite being public figures. The few ...

Demystifying Chimamanda Ngozi Adichies Biography, Husband & Education Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian novelist, non-fiction writer, short story writer and actress. As a seasoned Nigerian writer, she has been called the most prominent of a procession of critically acclaimed young anglophone authors that is succeeding in attracting a new generation of readers to African literature. She has been making Nigeria proud in the global scene ...

Wole Soyinka  Biography, Wife, Children, Family, Quick Facts Professor Wole Soyinka, a great and brilliant Nigerian writer and political activist, who was the first African to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. The name, Wole Soyinka, is a household name both in Africa and beyond especially in the field of literature. With over 50 pieces of work, his writing includes poems, novels, memoirs ...

5 Most Vulgar Kenyan Radio Presenters It appears being vulgar is the real deal nowadays especially for the fact that the world is becoming more exposed and civilized. Sadly, but true, young people are constantly being exposed to images, discussions, and content that most people would deem detrimental to the African culture and moral statutes. This is because most of us ...

6 Sexiest News Anchors In Kenya Some news anchors have been stealing eyes every time they appear on-screen. Most of us hardly concentrate on the programme they present as our entire focus is usually on their striking physique and beautiful faces. It is common knowledge that Kenyan women are amazingly beautiful. From the celebrities to the everyday woman, they are all in ...

Interesting Oprah Winfrey Quotes To Keep You Motivated Oprah Winfrey is one of the worlds most powerful women in the media and business sectors. Her life is the typical success story that motivates and lifts ones morale. One amazing thing about this media mogul is her sincerity about past hurts, mistakes, healing, and success. The renowned talk show host and media personality is the first ...

Chinua Albert Achebe Biography- Family, Net Worth & Death Chinua Albert Achebe, of blessed memory, was a Nigerian prolific author best known for his inventive style of writing and simplicity of expressions. Famed as one of the finest writers Nigeria has ever produced, Achebe lived and died an international hero and a literary giant, who left behind unforgettable legacies and footprints in the sands of ...

Steve Harvey  His Wife, Kids & Height Steve Harvey is an American comedian, actor, radio and TV show host, producer and an author of different relationship advice books. Steve Harveys Early Life Born in Welch, West Virginia, on January 17, 1957, as Broderick Stephen Harvey, Steve was the last of five children. His family relocated to Cleveland when he was young and there, he attended Glenville High School from ...

Intriguing Things You Should Know About Danny Kokers Rise to Fame and Who His Wife Is Danny Koker is popular as the star of the History Channel reality TV series, Counting Cars. Prior to him appearing on the show, the TV personality was a musician who had embarked on a number of national tours with his rock group, Counts 77. He and his group have released quite a number of songs ...

Fun Facts You Didnt Know About Andy Cohens Rise to Prominence and His Partner Andy Cohen is one of Americas top media personalities who gained prominence after helping to bring the Bravo network back to life. He also hosted a couple of shows on the network, including the popular nightly series Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. After rising to the position of head of production and development at ...

Tracing Isha Sesays Career Until CNN, Her Worth And Why She Divorce Her Husband As far as journalists of African origin go, Isha Sesay is one of the most famous on the continent  and by extension, the world. The Sierra Leonean and British journalist has had a successful career since she joined the industry in 1998. In that time, she has worked for a host of major media ...

Open Secrets of How Joanna Gaines Balances Her Career With Being a Wife and Mother Joanna Gaines is the co-founder of Magnolia Homes, a business she runs with one goal: converting houses to homes. She doubles as the lead designer of the company which she co-owns with her husband, Chip Gaines. Lady Gaines gained massive popularity when she became a co-star with her husband on the HGTVs show, Fixer Upper. ...

Juicy Details of Ayesha Currys Love Story With Stephen, Her Family Members and Recent Pursuits When your husband is one of the greatest basketballers that the NBA has ever seen, then it bestows on you the status of a celebrity wife  and may not even demand that you do anything extra to maintain that status. However, Ayesha Curry, the wife of multiple NBA champion, Steph Curry, is not one ...

What Is Tarek el Moussas Ethnicity, Why Did He Divorce His Wife and Who Is He Dating? Tarek El Moussa has made himself one of the most recognizable men on reality television, especially to fans of HGTV. Thanks to his expertise in the world of real estate, Tarek has become a national star. But even to his hardcore followers, there are questions about Tarek El Moussa that remain unanswered, such as his ...

Fun Facts About Natalie Beckers Lonely Childhood and Eventual Career Success Natalie Becker is an actress of South African descent who became famous for her appearance in films like The World Unseen and The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior. A multitalented individual, Natalie is also a television/radio presenter. She is also a co-founder of the Thought Leader Global Media which she runs together with ...

Top 3 Female CNN News Anchors You Didnt Know Were Africans CNN is one of the leading news agencies in the world. The satellite and cable news network was founded in 1980 by Ted Turner and has been one of the best sources of news for a number of years. It also boasts of the best journalists and presenters all around in media broadcasting. The company is a ...

Channels That Aided Katie Pavlichs Growth as a Journalist and All About Her Marriage To Friedson If you have ever come across any Fast and Furious featuring Barack Obama, it is the handiwork of Katie Pavlich. The book which claims to have exposed Obamas bloodiest scandal and the shameless cover-up thereof, has been earning Pavlich much praise and fame ever since it was published in 2012. Nonetheless, Pavlich is more famed ...

Is Oprah Winfrey Married? Husband, Children, Biography, House, Facts Oprah Winfrey is a billionaire philanthropist, talk show icon, producer, actress, and writer. The media icon famously dubbed The Queen Of All Media owns and hosts the highest-rated television program in the media circle. Read more about the powerful television star below. Oprah Winfrey Biography Oprah was born as Orpah Gail Winfrey on January 29, 1954, to a ...

Who Is Arsenio Hall, What Happened To His Talk Show and Why Do Fans Think He Is Gay? He is one of the funniest beings to have graced the comedy constituent of the American entertainment industry. Arsenio Hall has a reputation for the rib-cracking disposition always portrayed in his comedy roles. He is not just a comedian; he is also an actor and a former talk show host for his popular show, The ...

What Is Woah Vicky Famous For and Who Are Her Family Members? Like most social media celebrities in this digital era, Woah Vicky is one of those stars that have utilized the internet as a powerful tool to propel themselves to instant fame. The social media space, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, etc., offers lots of people the right opportunities and potentials to become superstars overnight. Not everyone achieves ...

Where Is Michael Strahan Since His Retirement From The NFL and Who Is His Partner? Michael Strahan is a retired American football player turned media personality. He played the defensive lineman position and holds the record for most sacks in a single NFL season. He also only played for the New York Giants throughout the entire 15-year professional career that saw him win a Super Bowl ring. In February 2014, ...

How Wendy Williams Went From Being a College DJ to Having Her Own Talk Show and More About Her Divorce Wendy Williams is a former radio personality, now talk show host, who is known for her outspokenness and brash no-nonsense attitude. She gained fame and notoriety for her on-air clashes with celebrities before moving on to host her own talk show. Since 2008, Williams has hosted the nationally syndicated television talk show, The Wendy Williams Show. ...

Who is Sunny Hostin? Her Husband, Family & Net Worth Sunny Hostin is no ordinary Latina  American lawyer but also a successful columnist, multi-platform journalist, and social commentator. A happily married woman and mother of two, Hostin is the Senior Legal Correspondent and Analyst for ABC News and co-host of ABCs popular morning talk show, The View. She is a legal expert popularly known as a former ...

Who Is Robert Costa and Is He Married, Who Is His Wife? Robert Costa is a political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC who is regarded as being part of Americas next generation of journalists. The University of Notre Dame graduate, who is of Italian/Portuguese descent, has been lauded for his fresh political perspectives in an industry full of old heads. In addition to his work listed above, Costa ...

Team Valor Pokemon Go  7 Key Facts You Need To Know Team Valor Pokemon Go  The craze of the new game Pokemon Go is one that took the gaming world by storm sending teenagers and adults alike into a frenzy and one of its teams Team Valor, has proven to be instrumental in making it so. Before the game was created, Pokemon was a cartoon ...

Sheryl Underwood  Husband, Family & Net Worth She is known for her trademark smile which can be described as the brightest and broadest smile ever seen on planet earth. She is none other than Sheryl Underwood the comedian, actress, and TV host whose funny wits has left America in great awe. Although Sheryl has risen to become an important personality in the industry, ...

Team Mystic Pokemon Go: 7 Facts You Need To Know And Signs You Are One Team Mystic of the break out game Pokemon Go is a team that is full of sass and chivalry. With an enchanting monicker, Team Mystic stands out from the rest of its counterparts and deserves to take the crown as champion in the Pokemon gaming-verse. To be a member of this exceptional team of Pokemon battle ...

Exploring Guy Beahms Dr Disrespect Persona, Wife and Why He was Banned Permanently From Twitch Guy Beahm who is popularly known by his online alias  Dr DisRespect, is an award-winning Twitch.tv streamer. He has leveraged on the Twitch platform to become an internet personality that is quite widely known. His online success is just more proof that anyone who is good at what they do can attain celebrity status ...

Critical Facts About Lee Ann McAdoo  The Infowars Anchor Lee Ann Mcadoo is a conservative journalist and television host whose interests in conspiracies and astrology has established her as a famous American reporter. Often referred to as Wonder Woman, McAdoo is a reporter who works for InfoWars.com, a controversial right-wing website run by radio show host, Alex Jones. Who Is Lee Ann McAdoo? Lee Ann McAdoo was born on 7 ...

Millie Weaver  Age, Husband & Infowars Career Millie Weaver is an American model, journalist, political activist, and social commentator. The young and beautiful journalist rose to fame working as a reporter for a controversial right-wing website InfoWars.com. Also known as Millennial Millie, Weaver is a social media influencer with over 100,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel and over 35,000 followers on Twitter. Who Is Millie Weaver and What Is ...

Is Jessica Tarlov Married? What Are Her Height & Weight? Jessica Tarlov is an American political consultant, strategist, and analyst whose influential and regular TV presence has made a popular figure. A good example of beauty with brains, Tarlov has appeared on various TV networks, mostly the FOX News Network where she is known for her liberal views on political analysis and insights. She is also the senior director ...

Who Is Kelly Rebecca Nichols  Alex Jones Ex-Wife? Kelly Rebecca Nichols is the ex-wife of controversial American radio show host, Alex Jones. She got nationwide attention following her divorce and subsequent custody battle with her estranged husband. Nichols, who worked with PETAs public relations department, was herself no stranger to controversies as she was involved in several publicity stunts of the non-profit animal rights ...

Who Is Bree Morgan  Cole Sprouse Ex-Girlfriend And What Is She Up To Now? Although Bree Morgan became famous through the Instagram, she also sapped some dose of popularity from Disneys sweetheart, Cole Sprouse of the Sprouse brothers. She is not only an Instagram star but also a YouTube vlogger whose popularity has long exceeded the ordinary level. Bree is conspicuously prominent on the internet and has her digital savviness ...

Does Vanna White Have Husband or Children, What Is Her Net Worth / Salary? For over three decades, Vanna White has been a household name, famous as the co-host and letter turner of the iconic NBC game show Wheel of Fortune. The talented and beautiful television personality is also an actress with several TV series and films to her credit. Since making her Wheel of Fortune debut in 1982, she has become one ...

Liz Wheeler  Biography, Husband & Net Worth Liz Wheeler is the kind of girl who sets the room on fire whenever she comes around. In this situation, however, she sets our screens on fire each time she appears as the host of One America News Tipping Point. She is, therefore, a presenter, publisher, consultant and a member of the Board of Zoning ...

Betty White  Net Worth, Children & Husband The entertainment industry will remain indebted to personalities like Betty White who brought something extra to the table and kept the world entertained for donkey years. The comedienne, actress, and writer graced the big screens in the early 50s as a show host and has been a delight since then. She is the queen of ...

Is Bill Nye (The Science Guy) Dead or Alive, What Are His Net Worth & Education? Everyone will always remember Bill Nye as the Science Guy. Besides his TV show Bill Nye the Science Guy, he is well-known for his Netflix show Bill Nye Saves the World which started airing in 2017 as well as his appearances in many famous media projects as a science educator. The star studied mechanical engineering ...

Is Cesar Millan Dead, Who Is The Wife & What Is His Net Worth? Cesar Millan is the famous dog whisperer who often stirs up mixed emotions. The Mexican-American is precisely speaking, a dog behaviorist; he has been in the game for over 25 years. His Emmy-nominated television series, Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan further pushed his method and tactics into the limelight. The series was produced from 2004 ...

Is Thomas Sanders Gay and Does He Have A Boyfriend? By the time Vine was shut down in January 2017, Thomas Sanders was already popular within and beyond the internet community for his heavy involvements on the online video hosting platform. After the tragic shutdown of Vine impacted on the growing career of the multi-talented personality, he immediately switched over to YouTube where he continued to upload ...

Is Shepard Smith Gay, Who Is The Boyfriend & What Is His Net Worth? There are only a few media personalities who are as bold and confident as Shepard Smith. Apart from his impressive stint at Fox News Channel which includes but not limited to his classic news delivery, upfront stance on virtually every issue and much more; he loves his job as much as he loves his personality. Smith ...

Is Milo Yiannopoulos Gay? His Husband and Net Worth Milo Yiannopoulos is a popular writer, journalist, polemicist, public speaker, and political commentator who is also known as the founder of The Kernel, an online blog. He has been said to be among the list of 100 weird and influential people in the United Kingdom. He appeared on this list as a result of personal beliefs and ...

Does Ryan Seacrest Have A Wife Or Girlfriend, What Is His Net Worth? From radio to television, Ryan Seacrest is a household name and a force to be reckoned with in showbiz. The radio personality, television host, and producer is best recognized as the host of the popular TV talent search contest American Idol. Heres how the media personality who always knew what his lifes ambition was and diligently pursued ...

Is Anderson Cooper Gay, Who is The Boyfriend or Husband? For many, the thought of becoming a millionaire by writing and talking about other people appears unachievable but this is the reality of the prominent American journalist Anderson Cooper who gathered millions of dollars for conducting accurate political analysis and other vital reports on TV. He is the main anchor of the CNN news show Anderson ...

Is David Muir Gay or Does He Have A Wife, What Is His Salary? David Muir is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who works for the ABC broadcast-television network and anchors the ABC World News Tonight with David Muir program while also co-anchoring the magazine program 20/20. The Ithaca College graduate, whose show has become the most-watched newscast in America, has covered stories from all across America and the world; reporting ...

Joel Osteen  Divorce Rumors, Net Worth & Family Members Joel Osteen is an American Televangelist, Senior Pastor of Lakewood Church based in Houston, Texas, a husband and a father of two. He is an author of many books, seven of which are New York Times Best Sellers and his televised sermons capture more than 7 million viewers per week and 20 million every month ...

Who Is Todd Chrisley? What To Know About His Children, Gay Rumors & Net Worth Premiered on the USA network in 2014, Chrisley Knows Best is one of the most watched family reality TV shows in the U.S. The series which is currently in its sixth season is centered around U.S real estate mogul Todd Chrisley and his family. The show reveals Todd the patriarch of the Chrisley family as a strict dad who rules ...

Who Is Shannon Bream Of Fox News? Her Husband, Children & Net Worth Shannon Bream who hosts the iconic primetime program started her journalism career in the late 1990s debuting as the evening and late-night news reporter for the CBS affiliate, WBTV. The beauty from America currently works for the Fox News Channel and she is best known for anchoring the primetime program. She also hosts Americas News ...

Is Troye Sivan Gay, Who Is His Boyfriend and What Is His Net Worth? Troye Sivan is an Australian singer and songwriter best known for songs like Happy Little Pill, Youth, Heaven (with Betty Who) and The Boyfriend Tag (with Tyler Oakley) which have all garnered him different awards and ranked on the Billboard Charts. Sivan, who was born in South Africa but now resides in the United States, is ...

Did iDubbbz Have Cancer, Is He Gay and Who Is His Girlfriend Now? iDubbbz is one YouTuber who has made a career out of courting controversy. Renowned for his absurdist channels and comedy video series, the Los Angeles based personality is the owner of two channels, iDubbzTV, and iDubbzTV2, as well as the brains behind comedy video series such as Content Cop, Kickstarter Crap, Gaming News Crap, and ...

Inside Greg Gutfelds Love Story With Wife Elena Moussa and Why Fans Thought He Was Gay Greg Gutfeld is a seasoned American television producer whose career in the media industry has spanned over a decade. He is a man of many talents who makes extra income through comedy, journalism, and editorial works. Gutfeld regularly appears on Fox News Channel as a panellist and co-host of the political talk show The Five ...

Works That Made Bo Burnham A Household Name and How Much He Is Worth Now One of YouTubes first viral stars and the worlds most exciting young comedian, Bo Burnham, has always amazed critics and comedy aficionados alike. Often regarded as the Justin Bieber of comedy, thanks to his fresh looks, floppy blond hair and hoodies, he has a multi-faceted career bigger than many comedians twice his age. It wouldnt ...

Is Louie Anderson Gay And What Is His Net Worth? Louie Anderson has one of the most abstract faces in the industry and equally knows how to use it to his advantage. He is not only a stand-up comedian but also an actor and television host who is known for his distinctive comic wits. Some of his notable projects include Family Feud, where he was ...

Is Don Lemon of CNN Gay, Who is His Partner and What Is His Salary? Don Lemon has risen to become one of the most recognizable faces on CNN over the past few years. The fiery journalist, who anchors CNN Tonight with Don Lemon, is liked and somewhat disliked for his strong and candid opinions on a variety of matters that do not just include politics but also race, significantly, matters that ...

Is Rachel Maddow Gay, Who is the Wife and How Much Does She Earn in Salary? Rachel Maddow is an award-winning American journalist, political commentator, and television news anchor. She is best known for hosting the popular nightly TV show The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC. Prior to this, she hosted a talk radio program on Air America Radio from 2005 to 2010. As of now, the TV sensation co-anchors MSNBCs ...

Demystifying Pokimane  Her Real Name, Ethnicity & Boyfriend Like most social media celebrities in this digital era, Pokimane Thicc is one of those stars who took advantage of the internet to make a name for herself. Given the unlimited potentials which the social media space offers, many people have been instantly propelled to fame just by posting creative online contents. Not only has ...

A Breakdown of Kris Jenners Net Worth, Sources Of Income and Relationships Over The Years Standing outside and looking in, Kris Jenner looks like the oil that greases the wheels of the entire Kardashian/Jenner machine. She has been dubbed a momager and rightfully so because she seems to have had a part to play in the trajectory of each and every one of her daughters individually and the Kardashian brand ...

Pursuits That Brought Liza Koshys Fame To its Zenith and Her Love Life Since David Dobrik Liza Koshy is an American actress who has leveraged YouTube as a platform to promote her comedy while also serving as a television host on occasions. She is talented and funny and has gathered a lot of fans from around the world. Koshy started on Vine in high school and was able to get millions of ...

Alex Aiono Biography  Inside The Life Of The American Singer Not everyone who started from the streets has attained the heights where Alex Aiono is currently. His story could be referred to as the perfect definition of rising from Grass to Grace. He came into the limelight after he started out as a YouTuber, singer, and producer. One fascinating thing about the young YouTuber is ...

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
NEA staffer electrocuted in Baridya

A Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) staffer was electrocuted in Bardiya district on Friday night.
Nepali telecom service users do not complain, say NTA data

Nepali people may seem like a docile lot based on the data provided by Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), where only 22 formal complaints were filed against the regulator of telecom service in the fiscal year 2015-16 but on social media, its the wild west of complaints.
No temp cops in sensitive districts: Govt

The government on Friday told the Election Commission (EC) that it may not mobilise temporary police in the districts categorised as sensitive.
Officials say headway on OBOR, TTA unlikely during PM's China visit

As Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal prepares to leave for China next week, all eyes are on the possible Chinese takeaways from the visit.
Our first nations

The debate on ethnic federalism makes for an interesting topic for several reasons. It talks about divesting some state power and granting them to smaller entities;
Outside In, Inside Out

Womens Studies and Gender Studies as academic programmes have been gradually gaining a foothold in Nepal.
RPP to move SC against EC's decision

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has decided to move the Supreme Court against the Election Commission (EC)s decision to remove constitutional monarchy and Hindu state from partys statute.
Unpaid airport project workers walk off job

Construction work on Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa has come to a halt as the Chinese contractor has not been able to pay the workers and suppliers.
Which books deserve a sequel?

Some sequels seem fitting or inevitable (Rabbit reduxed and then rich and then resting in peace), while others, usually ones written by somebody besides the original and dead author, feel more like grave robberies. But the impulse toward exhumation can be hard to resist: After all, its Margaret Mitchell whos dead, not Scarlettright?
Yemen migrant boat attack kills at least 42

Forty-two people have been killed when a boat carrying Somali refugees off the coast of Yemen was fired at from a helicopter, the International Organisation for Migration says.
ANTHONY KAYBING

PRESIDENT of the Autonomous Bougainville Government Chief Dr John Momis has announced his support of the new Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL), which has shaken itself off after the sudden exit of Rio Tinto last year.

The government believes BCL has stepped away from the post-colonial, pre-crisis model that left Bougainville at a disadvantage.

The company is now partly owned by the Bougainville government, the PNG government, Panguna landowners, the people of Bougainville and minority private shareholders and, together with the landowners, it still plans to redevelop the defunct Panguna copper and gold mine for the benefit of Bougainville.
The adoption of appropriate policies is the key to getting Papua New Guinea back on track, not grandiose schemes, vote-buying and sweet-talk.

It is also important to ensure that the conduct of the election itself is free and fair and that electoral systems and processes are transparent and subject to international and domestic public scrutiny.

THE result of June's national election will determine the future of Papua New Guinea and it is important that voters are well informed about the issues that are critical to the nation through informed, open public debate.

The latter is what has brought the nation to its knees, coupled with unprecedented levels of corruption, waste and mismanagement.

I am concerned about the level of gutter politics exhibited in the election debate so far. There has been a tendency on the part of puppets of the current regime to engage in slanging matches and personal attacks.

Such self-preserving behaviour is counter-productive and clouds the real issues.

As I consider whether to nominate for election, I see six main issues that should be discussed widely and openly.

There are extraordinary levels of corruption , waste and mismanagement, which have brought Papua New Guinea to the brink and into international disrepute

There are grave threats to parliamentary democracy , human rights, freedom of speech and freedom of association. The election itself is under threat from the Governments stranglehold over the institutions that influence election outcomes

Unprecedented economic and financial mismanagement , which are shaking the foundations of the nation. If allowed to continue, the task of rescuing and restoring the economy and public finances will be extremely difficult

The stalling of the machinery of government and consequent failure of service delivery, resulting in declining living standards. Essential sectors such as health and education have been so badly funded and managed that Papua New Guinea is begging Australia to fund them by way of direct budget support, as well as to underwrite the lavish APEC exercise

The collapse of law and order with growing social dislocation because of poverty, unemployment and rising prices caused by the governments recklessness. The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, once a proud and effective institution, is struggling to cope because it is under-funded, under-manned, fractured and politicised

Politicisation, misuse and abuse of important institutions of state such as the Central Bank and the Treasury. State-owned enterprises have been used as personal piggy banks and slush funds. Watchdog bodies have been undermined and perverted.

These are the issues that need to be debated, in a rational and productive way. Only through informed public debate can we understand the nature of our problems, identify solutions and implement rescue plans.

At present we are hearing too few voices because there is an air of fear and intimidation across all sections of society. People need to speak out - silence serves to encourage thieves and wreckers.

I call for public vigilance and debate over the conduct of the elections - the nation cannot afford for the Electoral Commissions systems to be bypassed or manipulated.

The first step should be for people to check the electoral roll  this can be done easily and quickly on the internet at this website. Any omissions, mistakes or inconsistencies should be immediately reported to the Electoral Commission.

Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of parliamentary democracy, and part of that is faith in and support for the Electoral Commission and electoral processes.
Several villages in Cayuga County and western Onondaga County will be holding elections on Tuesday, although most of the races on the ballots are not contested.

Village clerks reported the following information about elections scheduled for Tuesday, March 21:

Cato

Village of Cato residents will host a general election to fill three positions. Incumbent Carl Lincoln is seeking re-election as mayor while incumbent Joseph Vincent looks to extend his term as a trustee. Anna Owen will run unopposed for a second trustee position, which was previously filled by Mark Owen. All candidates are running on the Republican Party line for four-year terms.

Polls will be open from noon to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, at Village Hall, 2564 Millard Ave., Cato.

Cayuga

The mayoral position and two trustee spots are up for election in the village of Cayuga. Incumbent mayor William Sherman, with the Cayuga First Party, is running unopposed. Incumbent Trustee Tara Fricano, with the Neighbors for the Community Party, is also running, as is political newcomer Donald Wilson Jr., with the Cayuga Loyalists Party. Trustee Ron Erickson chose not to run again. All of the positions are two-year terms.

Polls will be open from noon to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, at the Cayuga Village Clerk's office, 6205 Railroad St., Cayuga.

Elbridge

Elbridge Mayor Hank Doerr and three trustees are all seeking re-election in uncontested races this year.

Doerr is looking to add another four years onto the seat he has held since 2006, and Trustees Chris DeCola and Anthony DeMarco are also each looking for another four-year term. Trustee Stephanie Harris, who was appointed to the village board last year to fill a vacancy, is looking for another year to finish the unexpired term. All the candidates are running on the Citizens Party line.

Voting takes place from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, at the Elbridge Village Hall, 210 W. Main St., Elbridge.

Jordan

Jordan Mayor Richard Platten and two new trustees will be on the ballot this year in uncontested races.

The mayor seeks to extend his nearly 40-year tenure with another four years, while Karen Simko, a newcomer to the community, and longtime resident Tim Stapleton look for their first four-year terms as trustees. Voting takes place from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 21,, at Jordan Bramley Public Library, 15 Mechanic St., Jordan.

Meridian

Two candidates are seeking re-election in the village of Meridian.

Incumbent Donald Bratt, Sr., will once again run for a four-year term as mayor while incumbent Sandra Appleman is running for a four-year term as a trustee. Bratt is affiliated with the Carpenter's Party and Appleman is running on the Apple Party line. Both are running unopposed.

Polls will be open from noon to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, at the Village Office, 11320 Short Cut Road, Meridian.

Port Byron

Port Byron will hold a special election this year in light of the village mayor's resignation last summer.

Former Mayor Kenneth Burnett stepped down last July due to health concerns, according to his letter of resignation. Trustee Ron Wilson, who previously served as mayor for 26 years straight until he was unseated by Burnett in 2015, is running unopposed on both the Democratic and Republican lines to serve the remaining two years on Burnett's term.

Wilson was appointed by his fellow board members to serve in the interim until a special election, village officials said. Mary Jump, who was later appointed to similarly fill Wilson's spot as trustee, will also run unopposed on both party lines to finish the three years left on the term.

Polls will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 21 at the Village Office, 52 Utica St.

Skaneateles

Skaneateles architect Andy Ramsgard is challenging incumbent Mayor Marty Hubbard for the mayor position.

Ramsgard, on the Skaneateles Neighbors Party ballot line, seeks his first four years as mayor after running unsuccessfully for trustee the past three years, while Hubbard, running on the Citizens Party line, looks to extend a mayoral tenure that totals 10 years. Mary Sennett, who previously served as trustee from 2011 to 2013 and incumbent Trustee Carol Stokes-Cawley are running unopposed on the Citizens Party line for two four-year trustee seats.

Voting takes place from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, at the Skaneateles fire station, 77 W. Genesee St., Skaneateles.

Union Springs

The village of Union Springs has four uncontested positions open for elections this March. Current Mayor Bud Shattuck will be running for a second two-year term under the Republican ticket. Three two-year trustee positions are open, too, including one held by incumbent Marion Case, a Republican. She will run again, also uncontested. Republicans Bill Boyd Jr. and Brian Cornell are running for the two remaining village trustee spots. Those terms will expire in 2019.

Voting will take place from noon until 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, at the village office, 26 Chapel St., Union Springs.
Together We Will, Northern Arizona, a local social justice organization, will host the Nasty Women Art Exhibition Friday, April 14 from 4-10 p.m. and Saturday, April 15 from 2-5:30 p.m., at the Hive at 2 S. Beaver St., suite 190.

Artists are invited to contribute artwork to be sold during the weekend event, which will also include a series of performances.

This is an opportunity to resist through art, said Cristy Zeller, one of the shows organizers.

Artwork can include any medium, including paintings, photos, drawings, collage, textiles, ceramics, sculpture, furniture, poetry, creative writing, essays, video/film, dance and musical pieces. Submissions are due by April 1.

Activist art activities will be available as well as art by kids for sale, including cards and jewelry. A local food truck will be on-site and a bar available in the Hive.

All proceeds will be donated to Victim Witness Services of Flagstaff. For more information, visit www.naznastywomenexhibition.org.
Two Coconino Community College students have been chosen for the 2017 All-Arizona Academic Team Scholarship. The scholarship provides free tuition for 60 credit hours at the recipient's choice of one of the three state universities: Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University.

Tara Bubbico and Kadie Radics received the honor from CCC. Bubbico will be graduating in May, and Radics completed the requirements for her associate degree in December.

The recipients are recognized for their academic excellence and their service to the college and the community. Bubbico and Radics were involved in several projects that included: a homeless clothing drive, a Giving Tree during the Christmas season for the children of victims of domestic violence, and an Honors in Action Project, called "Mirror, Mirror," which helped to increase awareness of the media's influence on negative body image.

"I want to make a difference," Bubbico said. "I want to not only make a difference but create a place where people can go to make a difference."

After she receives her Associate of Science degree from CCC, Bubbico, who is a CCC2NAU student, will transition to Northern Arizona University to work toward a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering.

Bubbico and Radics are both members of the Beta Gamma Chi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society.

Radics said the accomplishment is concrete proof that she followed through on promises she made after high school. She is a first-generation American and college student.

"It means a lot to not let my dad down, because he risked a lot coming here," Radics said. "I'm happy to make him proud. Education means a lot to a lot of people, but to a first-generation American, it means, 'I did it.'"

The students were honored at the All-Arizona Academic Team Recognition Ceremony in Phoenix March 9. The event celebrates the academic achievements and leadership of students enrolled in Arizona's community colleges.
By Damali Mukhaye

The former FDC presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye has called upon persons in authority to do everything in their power to investigate the growing wave of crime being committed against Ugandans.

Speaking to journalists at his offices along Katonga road, Besigye said that the country has turned into a mafia state where organized crimes have continuously been executed on citizens and government officials including police officers, judges and others.

He was speaking in the wake of the gruesome murder of the police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi.

Besigye has also advised the government to seek external assistance where it lacks capacity.

Related Stories

Assistant Inspector General of Police Andrew Felix Kaweesi shot dead.

President Museveni condemns the killing of Andrew Felix Kaweesi

PM calls for a thorough investigation into the murder of Felix Kaweesi.

Kaweesi To Be Laid To Rest On Tuesday

Lwengo district declares week of mourning in honor of slain AIGP Felix Kaweesi.
By Ezekiel Ssekweyama

Authorities in Lwengo district have declared a week of mourning in honor of the slain Assistant Inspector General of Police Andrew Felix Kaweesi.

Kaweesi was gunned down yesterday morning by unknown assailants near his home in Kulambiro, a Kampala suburb together his body guard and driver.

George Mutabaazi, the district chairperson says given the late Kaweesis contribution towards the development of the district and the social welfare of communities, they could not afford to continue with their normal routine when Kaweesi is killed.

Speaking from the deceaseds home at Kitwekyanjovu village in Lweng, Mutabaazi said that the district has lost a great leader.

According, to Mutabaazi, the late Kaweesi was the brain behind the extension of electricity power lines to sixteen villages that are neighboring his home.

Among his other social contribution to the district is the excavation of two water valley tanks per parish in Kyazanga Sub County and three more at Katovu Town board.

Mutabaazi adds that Kaweesi has also helped at least 100 children to enroll in the various security agencies.

Related Stories

Assistant Inspector General of Police Andrew Felix Kaweesi shot dead.

President Museveni condemns the killing of Andrew Felix Kaweesi

PM calls for a thorough investigation into the murder of Felix Kaweesi.

Kaweesi To Be Laid To Rest On Tuesday
My son is a proud high school graduate, contributing employee and active participant in his community. A lot of that success is the result of the Medicaid-funded IRIS program that provides long-term supports to people with disabilities in Wisconsin.

IRIS helped my son with his job and some supports he has learned so he could be successful. The health insurance he gets pays for more than our private health-care plan ever would, including therapies when he was younger.

My family and so many others in the disability community cant believe that the Republican-proposed American Health Care Act is moving so quickly with so little time for public input and for no opportunities for public hearings.

Policymakers need to hear stories like ours before they rip $35 billion from Medicaid programs in the next decade. They need to understand the consequences that will harm people with disabilities, frail elders and low-income women and children.

We have tried to call our members of Congress, but many wont have town-hall meetings and arent picking up their phones. Thats wrong. They need to slow down this huge cut, listen to our stories and analyze the consequences.

Families like ours will live with these consequences for decades to come. My son deserves better.

Mechele Mihalovic

Onalaska
Ejected a decade ago from its place among the planets, the distant, icy world of Pluto still has its admirers.

The runt of the litter and ninth in line from the sun, Pluto was  for 75 years after its discovery  considered a peer of hefty Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. And then one day it wasnt.

People like to root for the underdog, said Kirby Runyon, a Johns Hopkins University scientist behind a renewed effort to restore Plutos lost title.

Runyon and some leading planetary scientists have launched what might be the best shot in years at returning the icy rock now known as a dwarf planet to what they consider its rightful orbital place. And Pluto wouldnt be the only one up for a promotion.

Its advocates generous definition of a planet would include Earths moon and crowd the cosmic neighborhood with 110 planets. The matter will be considered this week at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Texas.

Runyon, 31, a doctoral candidate in planetary geology, recently waded into a long-simmering debate with the biggest names in astronomy.

This is really just a Pluto-nostalgia thing dressed up like science, said renowned planet hunter Mike Brown, an astronomer at the California Institute of Technology, who literally wrote the book on Plutos ouster, called: How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming.

The Pluto-huggers think this is their chance, Brown said.

Plutos popularity surged after a NASA flyby in the summer of 2015 revealed ice mountains, hazy clouds, canyons and cliffs, capturing imaginations everywhere. Images even revealed evidence of volcanoes. Admirers among the public were invited to suggest mythology-themed names for these Earth-like features.

Dear Pluto, lookin good. But youre still a dwarf planet  get over it. Love, Neil deGrasse Tyson, the celebrity astrophysicist and director of Hayden Planetarium in New York City, wrote on Twitter at the time.

Tyson and Brown gravitate toward the 237 astronomers who convened in Prague in August 2006 and voted Pluto out of the planet club. The controversial vote by the International Astronomical Union  157 members were opposed  rewrote the universal definition of the planet. Overnight, Pluto was relegated to dwarf planet status.

The IAUs new criteria required that a full planet must clear the neighborhood around its orbit, meaning it must gravitationally dominate its surroundings and slingshot away debris.

This was a hail Mary attempt on the part of the IAU to declassify Pluto, Runyon said. No planet has totally cleared its orbit.

Even mighty Jupiter has a cloud of asteroids. The strength of a planets slingshot forces decrease as it gets farther from the sun. Earth wouldnt clear the debris way out in Plutos neighborhood, Runyon wrote.

So he co-authored and proposed a new definition with scientist Alan Stern, the principal investigator for NASAs Pluto flyby.

Among planetary scientists, almost no one considers it anything but laughable, Stern said. The astronomers went into an area they dont own or know very much about, and they made a mess of it.

Here lies the rift over the Pluto identity: on one side, astronomers, and on the other, planetary scientists.

If youre off in the woods and need emergency brain surgery, but the only doctor around is a foot doctor, you better say your prayers, Stern said. This is what happened: The podiatrists got hold of the brain surgery of planetary science.

Brown, the Pluto killer, discovered in 2005 another shape in that far-flung neighborhood, and it was the densest one yet. His discovery of Eris, a little smaller but denser than Pluto, partly prompted the IAU to reconsider what makes a planet, well , a planet and rewrite the definition.

The only reason Pluto was ever considered a planet was because people were grossly mistaken with how big it was, Brown said.

The New York Times reported the discovery in 1930 with an article suggesting Pluto could be bigger than Jupiter  it wasnt. In the following decades, the perceived size of Pluto would shrink and shrink.

Now Pluto is understood to be roughly the size of North America. One could line 59 Plutos across Jupiters equator. By volume, more than 200,000 Plutos could fit inside Jupiter. Plutos closest neighbor is Neptune.

If Neptune were a Chevy Impala parked at the curb, ask yourself what car would Pluto be? ... It would be a matchbox car, Tyson said in an interview with TV host and comedian Stephen Colbert. During his appearance, Tyson wore a planetary necktie that omitted Pluto.

If its not on a casual accessory owned by Neil deGrasse Tyson; its not worth knowing, Colbert quipped. Forget it, forget it, who cares?

Al Tombaugh sure does. His father was just 24 years old and farm-raised, the sort who taught himself to build telescopes and scout distant space, when he spotted Pluto in February 1930 from Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz. Clyde Tombaugh became the first American to discover a planet, and he would die about 10 years before his find was reclassified as a dwarf.

His son, Al, learned of the vote when a reporter called soon after.

It caught me completely off-guard, me and my mother and my sister, said Tombaugh, a retired banker and contractor in New Mexico. Its just tremendously flawed and its unfortunate it was ever brought for a vote ... It took [Pluto] out of the public view.

Plutos fans at New Mexico State University carried picket signs proclaiming Size doesnt matter! The debate spilled into popular culture with cartoons of a sad-eyed pup beside Mickey Mouse. There were petitions and ironic T-shirts: Its okay, Pluto. Im not a planet either. The defiant city council in Madison, Wis., adopted a resolution declaring Pluto Madisons ninth planet.

The American Dialect Society chose as its 2006 word of the year plutoed: to demote or devalue someone or soemthing.

Science teachers around the world changed lessons, took down posters, added disclaimers to textbooks.

The students got it. Theyre not as emotional about it as the adults and teachers were. Some of them were fighting mad over it, said Tim Kent, who runs a traveling space lab for Baltimore County schools. I understand why they did it. There may be 2,000 rocks out there. How can you call them all planets?

The reworked IAU definition maintains old requirements that planets must orbit the sun and have enough mass and gravity to wrap themselves into a ball.

If you look at the solar system with fresh eyes, Brown said, you realize there are eight dominant bodies and everything else is being pushed around by these eight bodies.

Runyon, however, proposed a definition that dramatically eases the standards: Round objects in space that are smaller than stars, he wrote.

But theres an exact science packed in that simplicity. Any round planet must possess enough mass and gravity to pull itself into a sphere. Tiny Pluto meets this criteria, so does Jupiter.

Nobody is going to say a hummingbird femur isnt a femur just because its little, Runyon said.

Anyway, he isnt asking the IAU to accept his definition. He hopes it catches on among science teachers and students. The astronomers are more concerned with the external orbit-clearing forces, he said.

If planets were people, the IAU would define people on who they hung out with and what bars they visited versus who they are on the inside, he said.

Its a message he hopes resonates with admirers everywhere of one former runty, underdog planet.

If Neptune were a Chevy Impala parked at the curb, ask yourself what car would Pluto be? ... It would be a matchbox car. Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist
Have you ever wondered what would have happened had Julius Caesar heeded the soothsayers warning?

Me neither, but when desperate columnists are looking for a hook, any port in a storm will do.

Beware the ides of March, the seer reportedly told Caesar. The Roman emperor apparently scoffed and tweeted The Ides of March have come on his TheRealCaesar account.

He then was stabbed 23 times by a mob of mutinous senators and died March 15, 44 B.C.

March was the New Year under the early Roman calendar. Because it was created by the government, it had only 10 months and very few actual working days.

The Ides of March  March 15  marked the first full moon of the new year. A new years festival was held by the banks of the Tiber River, which featured food, wine, music and sacrifices to the Roman deity Anna Perenna for a happy and prosperous new year.

Julius Caesar reformed the calendar in 46 B.C., increasing it from 355 to 365 days, introducing Jan. 1 as the first day of the year and adding a leaping year every four years. He then was granted the title Dictator for Life  which clearly was a shorter term than he expected.

Today we have replaced the ides festival with a different form of madness that involves the worship of collegiate roundball and office pools. Sixty-three teams are sacrificed to crown a champion.

I hope the rest of the month, like the ides, will be tranquil  exception granted, of course, to our friendly Irish folk and their annual festival. March indeed started like a lion. So far weve had snow to remind us that winter is not yet over, along with thunderstorms and even a tornado in La Crosse County to remind us of spring and summer  and several days of unrelenting wind.

The wind blew down a grain bin on our farm  thankfully it did not hit any equipment  and also blew several panels out of our greenhouse. I have rounded them all up; I will need to set aside a day armed with some twine and duct tape to effect repairs.

We did not lose power like some folks in Wisconsin. The wind did take down a few trees in our region, including a few in Riverside Cemetery in Black River Falls. Damage to gravestones appeared to be minor.

Shearing season approaches

Well have lambs at some point with our lion. Preparation for the upcoming lambing season started with the annual sheep shearing. This past year was the first time we had our flock sheared before lambing. We had healthier lambs and it was much easier for them to nurse.

Our aptly named shearer, Randy Schier from Granton, Wis., came this past week. Now all 21 of our sheep  ewes, the past years lambs and our two older rams  are clean-shaven. Lambing season will begin in a couple of weeks, give or take.

Cracking business busy

The chickens have come through the winter in great shape. Some have a few feathers missing, but the hens continue to reward us with between a dozen and 20 eggs every day. The eggs come in many colors, shapes and sizes. One recent day I collected one large egg that looked more like a duck egg  it barely fit in the egg carton. And in the same nest was a tiny egg that looked like it belonged to a robin  without the blue hue, of course.

Apparently theres nothing eggs-act about this business.
The Rev. Patrick Desbois has dedicated his life to making sure the Holocaust is never forgotten.

The historian, author and Georgetown University professor will present Holocaust by Bullets at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 23, in the Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre.

A powerful exhibit of Desbois work, also called Holocaust by Bullets, documents this lesser-known side of the Holocaust with eyewitness testimonies, photographs and archival materials. It will be on display in the Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Atrium Lobby until Monday, March 27, and is free and open to the public.

Desbois has devoted his life to researching the Holocaust, fighting anti-Semitism and furthering relations between Catholics and Jews. He is the president of YahadIn Unum, a global humanitarian organization he founded that is dedicated to identifying and commemorating the sites of Jewish and Roma mass executions perpetrated by Nazi mobile killing units, the Einsatzgruppen, during World War II.

In 2004, he initiated an effort to thoroughly detail the nearly forgotten history of the genocide by asking the aging witnesses to share their memories and videotape their testimony. With their help, his organization is able to locate the evidence that validates the historical facts of this chapter of the Holocaust.

Desbois is author of The Holocaust by Bullets: A Priests Journey to Uncover the Truth Behind the Murder of 1.5 Million Jews, which won the National Jewish Book Award, and the recently released The Fabric of Terrorists: Into the Secrets of Daesh, based on his investigation of the Yazidi genocide in Iraq.

This presentation by Desbois is part of the Teaching the Holocaust Workshop held at Viterbo University and is part of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leaderships spring lecture series. It is free and open to the public. No tickets are necessary, but seating is limited. For a full schedule of D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership events, visit viterbo.edu/ethics.
BLACK RIVER FALLS -- Jackson County Emergency Management and Ho-Chunk Emergency Management will co-host a National Weather Service SKYWARN Severe Weather Spotter training session at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Ho-Chunk Tribal Office Building, W9814 Airport Road, Black River Falls.

This two hour class includes a multimedia presentation, and is intended for storm spotters and anyone interested in learning more about weather. This class is open to the public and free of charge.
Northern Arizona University is asking for a 2 percent increase in tuition and fees for new in-state undergraduate students and a nearly 3 percent increase in fees and tuition for new out-of-state undergrads at its Mountain Campus in Flagstaff.

Continuing students will not see an increase in tuition under the Pledge program that is in its 10th year.

In all, NAU looks to increase tuition revenues next year by about $2.6 million, if enrollment stays flat.

NAU, Arizona State University and the University of Arizona released their tuition proposals for the 2017-2018 academic year Friday.

NAU is recommending increasing tuition and fees from $10,764 to $11,059, an increase of $295, for new in-state undergrad students and from $24,144 to $24,841, an increase of $697, for new out-of-state undergrads. Undergrad students who are part of NAUs Pledge tuition program will not see an increase in tuition. About 22,000 students are enrolled at NAUs Mountain Campus this year.

According to a press release from NAU, President Rita Cheng is also proposing a one-year moratorium on new NAU fees and fee increases, except for an increase in the universitys honors program. Cheng said the university also plans to eliminate 41 course fees and reduce another 246 fees next year.

NAUs proposed base tuition for 2017/2018 is $10,038 and fees are $1,021. Last years base tuition was $9,746 with $1,018 in fees. Its proposing a base tuition of $23,820 for new 2017/2018 out-of-state students with $1,021 in fees. The $3 increase in fees is due to the Arizona Financial Aid Trust, a fee that all new Arizona university students must pay. The AFAT fee is based on that university's tuition. The AFAT fee does not apply to students who are part of the Pledge program.

This is not an easy decision, especially when combined with maintaining the Pledge tuition program and keeping the change in tuition rates for the next year as low as possible, Cheng said in the news release. NAU has committed to increasing the conversation over the next year around differential program costs and student awareness of fee uses.

Two years ago, the Arizona Legislature cut operating funding to state universities by $99 million -- NAUs share of that cut was about $17.3 million. This decreased the Universitys total state funding from about $110.8 million to about $93.5 million, and it recovered only about $1.5 million in the current budget year.

NAU gets approximately 42 percent of its total revenues from tuition and about 19 percent from state appropriations.

According to its website, ASU is planning about a 1.4 percent increase in total tuition and fees for new in-state undergrads and a nearly 3.5 percent increase in total tuition for out-of-state undergrads.

UA is proposing a 4 percent increase in total tuition and fees for in-state undergrads and a 2 percent increase in fees and tuition for out-of-state undergrads.

The Arizona Board of Regents will hold a public hearing on the proposals from 5 to 7 p.m. March 28. The meeting will be livestreamed to locations around the state and comments will be taken at those locations. In Flagstaff, students and the public can watch the meeting and make comments at NAUs Babbitt Administrative Center. The regents will also accept comments via e-mail to the Arizona Board of Regents at tuition@azregents.edu; by regular mail at 2020 N. Central Ave., Suite 230, Phoenix, AZ 85004; or by fax at (602) 229-2555.

The university presidents will present their proposals to ABOR from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 30. The presentation will be live-streamed from the ASU Memorial Union, Turquoise Room. ABOR is expected to set 2018 tuition rates and fees for state universities on April 6.
In the early decades of the 20th century, La Crosse was home to an interior design firm known throughout the upper Midwest. Oyen Designs provided interior decorating, and it also furnished frames, carpets and draperies. The artists who worked there came from different countries, and they worked together to create a renowned design studio.

One of those men, Axel Soderberg, painted this picture.

Axel Edward Soderberg was born in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1859. He attended the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Art in Copenhagen, and he decorated the Swedish kings palace in Uppsala. In 1893, Soderberg immigrated to the United States to decorate buildings for the Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Odin J. Oyen was born in 1865 in Trondjem, Norway. His family immigrated to Madison in 1870. He attended the Art Institute in Chicago in 1883 and, after graduation, he moved to La Crosse. In 1888, Oyen joined Louis Nelson to form Nelson & Oyen, an interior design firm. In 1890, the men decided to dissolve the firm and go their separate ways. A year later, Oyen started his own interior design firm and hired his father and brother as painters.

In 1903, Soderberg joined Odin Oyens decorating firm in La Crosse. Oyen enticed Soderberg from a job opportunity at a competing decorating firm in Clinton, Iowa. Soderberg is described as the most significant artisan of Oyen. Together Oyen and Soderberg were a phenomenal team. Both men were immigrants, and part of their success and teamwork may have been because they had similar artistic techniques and wanted to succeed in their new homes.

Oyens firm specialized in murals and interior designs in buildings, such as churches, banks, hotels, clubs, hospitals, libraries, courthouses, schools, theaters and breweries.

The La Crosse County Court House, which opened in 1904, was decorated by Oyen and Soderberg. The murals on the inside of the dome, the grand staircase and the circuit courtroom were primarily the work of Soderberg.

Soderberg worked with Oyen until his death in 1922. Shortly after, in 1926, Oyen died, and his business was carried on by Louis Nelson and Oyens son Leighton. The firm dissolved in 1931 during the Great Depression, when the number of business contracts declined. Part of this decline was due to stylistic changes with which the firm could not keep up.

This painting by E. Soderberg shows the teamwork between Soderberg and Oyen. There is a small blue sticker on the back from Oyens Art Store at 114 S. Fourth St. It is a mix of gouache and watercolors, and it depicts pioneers on their journey westward in covered wagons. More than likely it was a study for a large mural commissioned for a public building.

Oyen and Soderbergs work can still be viewed in various institutions across the Midwest.

This painting represents a partnership between two immigrants who created art in numerous buildings. It was intended to recognize pioneers and western expansion, but more importantly for us, it also tells the story of two Scandinavian artists who together built their careers and homes in the young city of La Crosse. For this, it is treasured in the La Crosse County Historical Societys collections.
Every now and then, a typical Catholic asks Father Dwight Longenecker for his take on whether Rome will ever ordain more married men as priests.

This is logical, since Longenecker is a former Anglican priest who is married and has four children. He was raised as a fundamentalist Protestant, graduating from Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C., and now leads Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in that same city.

These conversations begin with the layperson cheering for married priests. Then Longenecker mentions the elephant in the room  the 1968 papal encyclical Humanae Vitae defending church doctrines forbidding artificial contraception. Surely bishops would strive to ordain men who, with their wives, would defend these teachings. Right?

They might have a dozen kids, says Longenecker. Whos going to pay for them?

The typical Catholic assumes the bishop will do that. Actually, parishes are responsible for their priests pay, even when his children go to Catholic schools and off to college. That might require parishioners to put more than $5 in offering plates.

The typical Catholic then says: I dont think having married priests is such a good idea.

Longenecker is ready for more chats  in person and at his Standing on my Head website  after recent remarks by Pope Francis to the German newsweekly Die Zeit.

Asked about the global shortage of priests, Francis expressed a willingness to consider ordaining viri probati (tested men), such as married men already ordained as deacons. While voluntary celibacy is not a solution, he added, We need to consider if viri probati could be a possibility. ... We would need to determine what duties they could undertake, for example, in remote communities.

This latest Pope Francis sound bite was not surprising, since Vatican officials have often discussed ordaining more married men, said Longenecker, author of 15 books on Catholic faith and apologetics.

This is all coming from his perspective, from South America, said Longenecker, referring to the popes years in Argentina. Catholics there can go a year without seeing a priest. Then he shows up on a donkey, after a long ride from somewhere else. ... The crisis is even more pronounced than here.

So far, Longenecker has written a stack of articles addressing questions about married priests. One crucial fact is that celibacy for priests is a matter of church discipline, not doctrine. The pope could change this discipline and bishops could petition for changes to be considered.

Meanwhile, churches in the East  Orthodox Christians and Eastern Rite Catholics loyal to Rome  have maintained ancient traditions allowing married men to become priests, with celibate monks and priests serving as bishops. In the West, the celibate priesthood discipline evolved through the centuries, until the First Lateran Council made it a requirement in 1123. In 1980, Pope John Paul II created a pastoral provision in which some Protestant clergy, such as Longenecker, could convert and become Catholic priests.

Catholic laypeople need to know that a viri probati option would almost certainly lessen the shortage of priests, but it wouldnt be a magic bullet for all the challenges facing the church, noted Longenecker. And there is no guarantee that married priests would  as many parishioners seem to assume  understand married peoples problems better than a celibate man.

Married men are not automatically great husbands and fathers. The wives of pastors face their own challenges  positive and negative  as do their children. Married priests, just like other priests, may struggle with exhaustion, stress, workaholism and sin.

Marriage is not the magic bullet that makes everyone live happily ever after and instantly makes all men wonderfully sympathetic pastors, argued Longenecker on his website. Guess what? Married clergy run off with other women (and men). They neglect their wives and kids. They are just as mystified as any other man about the strangeness of love and the demand for self-sacrifice. ... Im not saying that all married priests are skunks. Im just saying that marriage is not an instant fix.

The bottom line: A good, mature married man with a good marriage and his feet on the ground would be a good priest. But the same goes for a celibate man. If he is a good, mature, well-adjusted person, hell be a good priest.
PHOENIX  The state Court of Appeals on Thursday upheld the limits enacted by the Department of Health Services on when doctors can recommend marijuana to patients with post-traumatic stress syndrome.

Appellate Judge Samuel Thumma, writing for the unanimous court, rejected arguments by the Arizona Cannabis Nurses Association that it was illegal for Will Humble, then the director of the agency, to conclude that the only legitimate use of marijuana for PTSD is for palliative care, meaning helping to alleviate the symptoms.

The court also upheld Humble's requirement that patients try some more traditional therapies to deal with their PTSD before they can legally try marijuana.

Attorney Ken Sobel who represents challengers blasted the ruling. He said it is based on a misreading of the 2010 voter-approved law that makes marijuana use legal for medical reasons.

And Sobel said the requirement of PTSD sufferers to first try something else amounts to a nanny state approach to the law. He vowed an appeal to the state Supreme Court.

That 2010 Arizona Medical Marijuana Act specifically allows the use of the drug by patients suffering from a list of specific medical conditions like glaucoma, AIDS and any chronic or debilitating condition that leads to severe and chronic pain. At last count there were more than 116,000 people who had the required doctor's recommendation that allows them to buy up to 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana every two weeks.

That same law, though, also requires the health department to consider requests to expand the list of qualifying conditions.

Humble initially rejected pot use for PTSD.

In 2014, however, he changed his mind after finding some scientific evidence that it can help some people with the condition. Humble said there also was anecdotal testimony, including by those diagnosed with PTSD, that smoking the drug helps.

But Humble limited its use to palliative care.

I've never seen anything that says it's an effective treatment, Humble told Capitol Media Services at the time.

And Humble imposed another condition.

He said doctors could recommend marijuana only to patients who already were being treated for PTSD, even if it was only counseling sessions. Humble said he wanted to be sure that physicians were not promoting marijuana as the first course of action before trying something else.

Sobel, representing the nurses' group, said Humble exceeded his authority in imposing such restrictions. He was particularly angered by the idea that PTSD sufferers, many of them veterans, had to jump through hoops and try other treatments before they could get the marijuana they need, a requirement unique to those who want to use the drug for PTSD.

We believe that the men and women who fought for us in Afghanistan and Iraq and who returned home with these significant horrible injuries should not be required to do more than the other listed conditions, Sobel said.

What the court is telling them by their decision is, Go get in line at the Phoenix VA, he said, noting the problems that facility has had in providing rapid care. Good luck.

The other alternative for veterans, Sobel said, is to seek out private  and expensive  treatment before being allowed to ask a doctor for a recommendation for medical marijuana.

Thumma, however, said challengers had not shown that Humble had exceeded his legal authority in setting the restrictions. He also rejected arguments that the distinctions between patients who want medical marijuana for a cure and those who want it solely to treat the symptoms are illegal.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump's proposed budget would gut programs for science and the environment, reflecting the Republican's rejection of mainstream science.

Trump has frequently called climate change a "hoax," and his EPA chief, Scott Pruitt, said last week he does not believe carbon dioxide is a primary contributor to global warming. Trump's proposed budget would cut the Environmental Protection Agency budget by 31 percent  nearly one-third  and eliminate more than 3,200 jobs.

That amounts to 20 percent of the agency's current workforce of 15,000.

White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney said the Trump administration is cutting spending for climate change efforts because "we consider that to be a waste of your money."

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Mulvaney said: "I think the president is fairly straightforward. We're not spending money on that."

The EPA budget would drop to $5.7 billion from its current $8.1 billion.

Trump's proposed budget goes far beyond EPA cuts.

It would eliminate funds for the Clean Power Plan, former President Barack Obama's signature effort to address climate change by restricting greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants.

Four different NASA Earth science missions would be shut down, including one championed by former Vice President Al Gore, a leading climate change activist.

The plan also would eliminate funding for the State Department's Global Climate Change Initiative and the U.N. Green Climate Fund, which help developing nations address climate change. It also would cut $250 million from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grants that help coastal communities adapt to climate change, deal with invasive species and maintain healthy water and fisheries.

The budget also eliminates funding for regional programs to clean up the Great Lakes, Puget Sound and Chesapeake Bay, as well as Energy Star, a popular program to promote efficiency in home appliances. Midwest Republicans in Congress were upset with the Great Lakes program cut, while Democrats denounced the overall plan in stark language.

"Literally and figuratively, this is a scorched-earth budget that represents an all-out assault on clean air, water and land," said Gina McCarthy, who led the EPA in Obama's second term.

Margie Alt, executive director of Environment America, called the budget proposal "dirty and dangerous" and said it would cripple U.S. efforts to combat climate change.

"It is basically a 'get out of jail free card' for polluters," Alt said.

But Thomas Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, an advocacy group backed by billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch, said Trump's budget "offers a much-needed resetting of the relationship between the federal government, the states and the American people."

By slashing budgets for the EPA, Interior, Energy and other departments, Trump is taking needed steps to "eliminate the architecture of President Obama's politically motivated climate action plan" and re-emphasize the core mission at federal agencies, Pyle said.

Waleed Abdalati, NASA's former chief scientist and now head of an environmental science research institute at the University of Colorado, said Trump's budget "really makes a troubling statement." The only reason to cancel the already-launched satellite championed by Gore "is not money  it's just you don't like it," he said.

Trump and other administration officials are wrong if they think ignoring global warming will make it go away, Abdalati added.

"Climate change will never disappear," he said. "It's not changing because we're studying it. We're able to meet the challenges associated with it because we're studying it. The Earth will go on doing what it does."


Americas travel industry says it fears new restrictions on foreign visitors to the United States will harm U.S. tourism.

President Donald Trump approved the travel restrictions. They affect people from some Muslim majority nations.

But online searches for flights to the United States are down in most major nations, not just those affected by the travel order.

Some rights groups have criticized the travel restrictions, saying they unfairly target Muslim visitors. The rules led to protests around the country and legal action. U.S. courts have temporarily blocked enforcement of Trumps travel orders.

Patricia Rojas-Ungar is with the U.S. Travel Association. She says tourism is a very competitive business. She says the U.S. tourism industry will be hurt if foreigners fear coming to America.

Travelers have a choice and, if they feel any concern or anxiety about traveling to a destination, they can very well pick another destination to go.

Rojas-Ungar said even people in countries not covered by the restrictions could be afraid to plan a U.S. trip. She added that worried travelers going elsewhere could affect the economic health of many states.

Travel and tourism is a top economic driver for the U.S. economy. Its a $2.1 trillion dollar industry, and we support 15.1 million American jobs...

Rojas-Ungar added that tourism creates many jobs that cannot be exported. They include positions in restaurants and hotels. She said she hopes the Trump administration will make travel policies clearer in the future.

She would also like to see more efforts by U.S. officials to extend a warmer welcome to visitors.

Andrew Coggins studies travel issues. He is a professor at Pace University in New York City. Coggins says the restrictions are likely to keep many foreign visitors and students away because of fears they could face bigotry and prejudice.

Even if the travel rules keep getting revised, as they did once before, he said the message sent will not be easy to change.

The damage has been done, he said. I think the resentment is there. It has been generated and it is not going to go away that fast.

Coggins says New York City alone could see hundreds of thousands fewer visitors and lose millions of dollars.

Juhel Miah, a British citizen and mathematics teacher, brought attention to the issue after he was removed from an airplane. He and a group of students were going to a school trip to America.

Miah told VOA he is still not sure why he was prevented from visiting the United States.

I really think I was being targeted. Is that because of my name? Is that because of the way I look or the color of my skin? Who knows? I do not know.

He added that many other teachers have contacted him and are considering canceling plans to visit the U.S. with their students.

But he has also received encouraging emails from Americans, including one from a fifth-grader in Atlanta. The teacher said these reactions still make him want to visit America very much.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Jim Randle reported this story for VOANews.com. Bryan Lynn adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

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Words in This Story

tourism  n. the activity of traveling to a place for pleasure

anxiety  n. a feeling of being worried

bigotry  n. act of having strong and unfair dislike of others

resentment  n. feeling of anger about something viewed as unfair

encouraging  adj. causing a feeling of hope and confidence
Higher education has been a dream for generations of men and women all over the world.

Many people consider higher education a major step on the path towards success.

Most high-paying jobs require a college or university degree. And parents often begin saving for their childrens college years when they are still young.

But does higher education improve the lives of all people in the same way?

People have long called college the great equalizer, meaning it gives students from all backgrounds the same opportunities or similar chances for success.

A study released in February 2017 supports this idea. The study comes from a research program called the Equality of Opportunity Project. It is operated by Stanford University and other top schools in the United States.

In the study, researchers examined tax records from about 30 million U.S. college students and their families. The tax records were from the years 1999 to 2013. The researchers then compared the earnings of families before their children went to college to the income of individual students about 10 years after they completed their studies.

The findings may not come as a surprise to some. For example, it showed a degree from an Ivy League or other highly selective school helps students from low income families a great deal.

Ivy League is a term for eight private universities in the northeastern United States. Many people consider them to be among the best for higher education in the world.

Two of the eight, Columbia University and Cornell University, are in New York State. The others are Brown University in Rhode Island; Dartmouth College in New Hampshire; Harvard University in Massachusetts; the University of Pennsylvania; Princeton University in New Jersey; and Yale University in Connecticut.

The study found that about 60 percent of the lowest income students at Ivy League schools earned as much as students from the highest income families later in life. But the high cost and intense level of competition to attend one of these schools can be a barrier for many students.

What may be more interesting is what less widely known colleges can do, says Niklas Flamang. He is a doctoral degree candidate in economics at Stanford.

Flamang says the study identified 10 less selective universities that also helped large numbers of students escape poverty. The State University of New York at Stony Brook is one example. Fifty-one percent of Stony Brook students from the lowest income group entered the highest income group sometime after graduating.

Flamang says this proves that any given college can be a tool for success.

"From a societal perspective, these universities really contribute to economic mobility in the sense that they both admit a large share of low income students, and also provide excellent outcomes for these low income students."

However, there are other issues to consider. The study notes that Ivy League and other top schools are less likely to admit students from low-income families. On average, a young person from the highest income background is 77 percent more likely to attend one of these schools than someone from the lowest income background.

Also, while a college education may help almost everyone, higher income students still have an advantage. That is the opinion of Dirk Witteveen, a doctoral candidate at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.

In February, the journal Social Forces published his report on a study of college graduates and their earnings.

Witteveen examined information from the U.S. Department of Education on all students attending an American college or university in 1993 and 2008. He did not compare different schools or degree programs.

Instead Witteveen compared the earnings of all students 10 years after they graduated. He found that the students born into the highest income families still earned at least two percent more after college than anyone else.

Witteveen says this is because people from wealthier families have more connections that can help their children.

"Some families have connections within professional industries that could lead to a good first job or a great first internship. So, more generally, this means that class is a much wider concept than just the amount of money that your parents earn or the amount of wealth that your parents have."

Witteveen suggests that almost no amount of education can take the place of these special relationships. Colleges can help lower income students by doing more to connect them with successful graduates. Also, programs teaching skills like network-building should become part of how colleges prepare students for the real world.

But some people would argue that college is not the only path to success.

Nicholas Wyman is head of the Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation. His company helps organizations and educators with job training for employees.

Wyman argues that there are still many well-paying jobs that do not require a college degree. This includes jobs in manufacturing and other highly technical fields.

There is no guarantee of a job, Wyman said. College is definitely a pathway for some people, and there is no question that it is very successful for many people. But for some people, there are alternatives.

Many U.S. high schools once offered classes in how to repair automobiles and other machines. But programs like these have become less and less common over the years. Wyman says this is because many Americans do not want their children working in positions involving physical labor. He suggests parents should support students interests in these fields to keep manufacturing jobs from leaving the country.

And, with the cost of college rising, Wyman says young people may find the success they are looking for at a much lower price.

Im Pete Musto.

Pete Musto reported this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. How important do you think a college education is to a persons success? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

degree  n. an official document and title that is given to someone who has successfully completed a series of classes at a college or university

background(s)  n. the experiences, knowledge and education in a person's past

selective  adj. careful to choose only the best people or things

doctoral  adj. of or relating to the highest degree that is given by a university

graduating  v. earning a degree or diploma from a school, college, or university

societal  adj. of or relating to people in living together in organized communities with shared laws, traditions, and values

perspective  n. a way of thinking about and understanding something

contribute  v. to help to cause something to happen

mobility  n. the ability or tendency to move from one position or situation to another usually better one

outcome(s)  n. something that happens as a result of an activity or process

advantage  n. something, such as a good position or condition, that helps to make someone or something better or more likely to succeed than others

journal  n. a publication that reports on things of special interest to a particular group of people

internship  n. a position as a student or recent graduate who works for a period of time at a job in order to get experience, often without pay

class  n. the way people in a society are divided into different social and economic groups

concept  n. an idea of what something is or how it works

network  n. a group of people or organizations that are closely connected and that work with each other

alternative(s) - n. something that can be chosen instead of something else
Some government officials in Taiwan are unhappy with pro-China political statements by Taiwanese universities.

The government officials believe that such statements are hurting their efforts to reduce the islands dependence on China.

Taiwanese media say as many as one third of Taiwans 152 centers of higher education have prepared statements supportive of Chinas political beliefs.

Many of these colleges and universities are private and depend on money from overseas students. They expect that the number of Taiwanese students will fall, so they are trying to persuade Chinese from the mainland to study on the island.

The statements usually promise that mainland students will not be given information suggesting Taiwan and China are separate countries. The statements also promise to block their exposure to information supporting Taiwans legal independence from China.

Liao Pei-an works at Taipeis Shih Hsin University, a private school for students interested in working for news media.

She said: We aresaying to mainland Chinese students that our curriculum wont touch on politically sensitive activities and that we wont carry out one-China, one-Taiwan, two-Chinas or Taiwan independence activities.

Taiwans Ministry of Education would not tell VOA how many schools have prepared pro-China statements. But on its website recently, the ministry said exchanges of students should be equal, win-win as well as respectful of academic freedom.

Chinas Communist leaders say Taiwan is part of the country, yet the island has operated under a separate government since the 1940s. Public opinion surveys show most Taiwanese want their island to remain independent of mainland China. But China says the two sides must someday become one.

Some parents in China fear political differences might cause conflicts between their children and the Taiwanese.

Nathan Liu is a professor at Ming Chuan University in Taiwan. He says universities and government agencies in China that approve study programs in Taiwan may believe they must be more careful because of the islands current leadership. He says the pro-China statements might be designed to deal with these concerns.

My guess would be that first, students or family, parents, they believe that Taiwan is not a good place to go, said Liu. Number two, schools, the people in charge believe I better play safe. I dont want to get in trouble if the policy changes...and I still have students in Taiwan.

Liao says Shih Hsin University prepared its pro-China statement because some local governments in the mainland needed it before approving study in Taiwan. She added that the school does not place limits on what can be taught to mainland Chinese students.

She said, "Provincial governments also have pressure from their superiors and to let these students go study in Taiwan they might need this document. These are a minority of the provinces.

The pro-China statements were released after Tsai Ing-wen was sworn-in as Taiwans president in May 2016.

Observers say the statements weaken her efforts to lessen Taiwans economic dependence on China. She wants to improve economic relations with India and countries in Southeast Asia.

Tsais government and officials in Beijing have yet to talk with each other because they cannot agree on whether Taiwan is part of China or a separate nation.

This lack of agreement has angered China. So, some experts believe China is using economic measures to try to weaken Tsai.

The number of short-term university students from China to Taiwan has fallen in recent months. The education ministry said it fell from 34,114 in the 2015 and 2016 school years to 32,648 this year. From 2011 to 2013, the number had doubled.

And the number of mainland Chinese tour groups going to Taiwan dropped about 30 percent between May -- when Tsai took office -- and the end of 2016. Experts blame the decrease on pressure from China.

Tour operators protested against Tsai in September. Experts in Taiwan fear that other businesses dependent on China could also begin protesting if China takes action against them.

Taiwan exported more goods to China than to any other country last year -- $11 billion.

Lai I-chung creates policies on China for Taiwans majority party.

He says (China) wants to put pressure on Taiwanese businessmen. But these businessmen are not representing the interests of Taiwan, justtheir own interests.

I'm Jonathan Evans.

Correspondent Ron Corben reported this story from Bangkok for VOANews.com. John Smith adapted his reporting for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

expose  v. to cause (someone) to experience something or to be influenced or affected by something (+ to)

curriculum  n. the courses that are taught by a school, college, etc.

superior  n. a person of higher rank or status than another

tour  n. a journey through the different parts of a country, region, etc.


Hundreds of companies have expressed interest in helping build U.S. President Donald Trumps southern border wall. However, only one of them is from Mexico.

Around 640 companies, mostly from the United States, have registered with the U.S. to design and build the wall. Among them are also companies from Spain, Germany, South Africa, Britain, Ireland, Puerto Rico and Canada.

The only company from Mexico is Ecovelocity. Located in Puebla, near Mexico City, the company sells cheap industrial LED lights. Theodore Atalla is the owner. He is a Greek-Egyptian native who has lived in Mexico for nearly 20 years.

Atalla said his lights, mostly imported from China, are cheaper than his competitors. He wants to provide lights for the wall that many people in Mexico hate.

"It would only be on the Mexican side because I don't think we would be allowed to work on the other side," Atalla said in an interview. "They said they only wanted American products."

Two other Mexican companies told Reuters that they are willing to work on the project.

Mexico's Cemex is one of the world's largest cement producers. It is willing to provide quotes to supply materials for the wall. And its competitor, Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua, has also said they might be willing to work on the project.

Both companies have a history of projects in the United States.

Im Phil Dierking

Anthony Esposito reported this story for Reuters. Phil Dierking adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

Do you think a wall is a good idea against illegal immigration? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

cement  n. a soft gray powder that is mixed with water and other substances to make concrete

industrial  adj. of or relating to factories, the people who work in factories, or the things made in factories
The parliament of South Africa may soon consider a law that would permit limited trade and export of rhinoceros horn for personal use.

The government proposed the law earlier this year. It accepted comments about the measure for 30 days. That period ended on March 10.

The measure has some supporters. But animal rights groups strongly oppose it.

The government wants to permit domestic trade in rhino horn and individual exports of two rhino horns at one time. The horns must be for personal use only. There would be strict controls on the trade.

South Africas Department of Environmental Affairs said records would be kept about the buyers and sellers of rhino horns. Officials would keep genetic information about each horn.

Domestic trade in rhino horn was banned in South Africa in 2009.

But, two independent rhino breeders won a court case challenging the ban in 2015. The government appealed the ruling but it was not successful. So the Department of Environmental Affairs proposed the new law.

Independent rhino breeders who sought to cancel the ban are happy about the proposed law. Pelham Jones is the chairman of the Private Rhino Owners Association. He said the trade would be supervised by wildlife officials and would not harm living rhinos.

The benefit of domestic trade is that it will allow now a partial supply of rhino horn from existing stockpiles, no injury to existing live animals whatsoever, to be traded in South Africa, to be exported with a CITES permit.

But opponents say all trade in rhino horn should be banned. They believe even limited trade will cause criminal groups to become involved. Jo Shaw is the manager of the World Wildlife Funds South Africa Rhino Program.

We dont believe that the necessary control mechanisms are currently in place at an international, national or provincial level to enable law enforcement and permitting staff to be able to regulate this legal domestic trade alongside the existing levels of illegal trade in horn.

International trade in rhino horn has been banned since 1977.

Jones says there is no proof that the international ban has protected rhinos. He says legal trade will help the animals.

He argues that many reserves where rhinos are protected have sold their rhino populations because of security costs. Jones notes that the sales will help pay for some of the costs of keeping and protecting rhinos.

A rhino horn can sell for as much as $23,000. The South African government reports that every year the country loses about 1,000 rhinos to poachers.

These criminals sell the horns to people in Asian countries where the horns are used to treat some medical problems. However there is no scientific evidence that rhino horns can help someone with such problems.

Im John Smith.

Correspondent Thuso Khumalo reported this story from Johannesburg. John Smith adapted his reporting into VOA Special English. Mario Ritter was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

domestic  adj. of, relating to or made in your own country

stockpile  n. a large supply of something that is kept for future use

CITES permit  n. permission given under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international agreement between governments; its goal is to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

mechanism  n. a process or system that is used to produce a particular result

enable  n. to make (someone or something) able to do or to be something

regulate  v. to make rules or laws that control (something)

reserve  n. an area of land where animals and plants are given special protection

poacher  n. someone who hunts illegally
More than 300 woodturners from throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and California are showing their skills this weekend during the s
LEXINGTON  A year of events highlighting Nebraskas 150 years of statehood was revealed at the Dawson County Historical Museums annual meeting at Stone Hearth Estates in Gothenburg.

Guest speaker at the Feb. 25 event was Barb Batie, who is a member of the Nebraska Sesquicentennial Commission. Batie told of events happening around the state this year for Nebraskas 150th birthday. She also encouraged people to visit the web site NE150.org to find out about other interesting things the public can do to help celebrate Nebraskas 150th birthday.

The DCHM annual meetings purpose is to go over finances from the previous year and to announce upcoming events, said Crystal Werger, executive director of the Dawson County Historical Museum.

Werger said most of the museums strategic planning is done during committee meetings and regular monthly board meetings.

We elect new board members at the annual meeting, but we can also do that during the year if we have available spots to fill. Right now we have 11 people on our board of directors but we can have up to 13, Werger said.

No board member retirements were announced at the annual meeting, she said. Two new members of the board are Courtney Anthony of Lexington and Scott Foster of Gothenburg.

The historical society strives to have a board member from each community in the county and from each community served by the museum, she said. A board member is still needed from the Farnam area.

At the meeting, Werger gave a summary of what will be happening at the museum in 2017.

She said the museums overall theme for this year is 150 Years of Dawson County in Nebraska. This means everything revolves around what has happened in Dawson County over the last 150 years, Werger said.

Dawson Public Powers exhibit in the art gallery right now is a great example, she said. The next exhibit in the art gallery will be art from the museums collection, things Dawson County citizens collected and either had in their homes or businesses. The art will really tell a story of Dawson County through the art of its citizens, but it wont necessarily be art from Dawson County. The exhibit will be displayed from April to May.

Joe and Dianne Jeffrey will have an exhibit in the museums art gallery in June and July, Werger said. The theme and items for this exhibit are still being planned.

Also during June and July, Cheri Bergman, museum curator, will showcase ranching in the main gallery, she said.

An exhibit titled Decades of Fashion will be on display in the art gallery from August to September. Also during this time, the Nebraska Childrens Mobile Museum will be at the Dawson County Museum Sept. 1 to 3.

The Dawson County Museum will also be partnering with the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce for a Historic Tour of Homes and Edwardian Tea on Saturday, Sept. 9, she said.

In October, the Museums main gallery will have an exhibit from the University of Nebraska-Lincolns Minority Health Disparities Initiative called Looking Past Skin: Refocusing Agriculture, Immigration, and Our Well-being. This exhibit will run from Oct. 17 to Nov. 18.

We will have an evening event on Friday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. hosting several keynote speakers from this project. This is definitely a date youll want to save on your calendar, Werger said.

The last exhibit of the year at the museum will be Painting the Legacy of Nebraska, featuring paintings of each county in Nebraska by Todd Williams. The paintings are traveling to several museums throughout the year, with the Dawson County Historical Museum being one of them, Werger said.

The exhibit will feature about 30 of the 93 paintings on display in the art gallery between Nov. 1 and Jan. 6, she said.

Another topic Werger discussed at the annual meeting is work on the museums Mainstreet Exhibit. A goal of the museum is to finish the separating walls this year, she said. We have a few more walls to build on the business side, but several of the walls in the house have been painted, Werger said.

For more information on the Dawson County Historical Museum, visit www.dchsmuseum.com or call 308-324-5340.
LEXINGTON  Some of the men who served with Cpl. James D. Davis in Vietnam are traveling to Lexington to honor him and invite the public to join them.

A memorial service is planned for noon on April 1. The date coincides with the 46th anniversary of when Davis died.

Davis, formerly of Overton and son of Bill and Rosie Davis, was a member of the Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division.

We want the family and friends to know Jimmy is not forgotten, said Gary Gilliam of St. Louis, who also served in Charlie Company. We invite family, friends and classmates who would like to pay tribute at the memorial to join us at noon on April 1 at his gravesite. He said groups such as Veteran of Foreign Wars, American Veterans, American Legion and Patriot Guard are welcome too.

Davis is buried at St. Anns Cemetery, located on Road 435, on the eastern outskirts of Lexington.

Gilliam is a member of the Charlie Company Memorial Team that travels the U.S. to remember their fallen brothers from Vietnam.

Some of us have traveled 7,000 miles to provide memorial services for men who died in our unit in 1970-71, he said.

Gilliam said Davis became part of the Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division in October 1970, and became close to those he honorably served. He was a brave young soldier who died serving the country he loved, he said. Gilliam said Davis died taking part in the last major battle of Vietnam, Lam Son 719, which spanned from February to April 1971. With continual daily contact throughout the campaign, Charlie Company fought along with other elements of the 2nd and 506th BN to rescue trapped divisions of the South Vietnamese Army from the clutches of the overwhelming number of enemy combatants of the North Vietnamese Army, said Gilliam.

He said Charlie Company lost five men in this battle. Davis and his fallen brothers were among the 219 Americans who died in the 45 day battle.

Gilliam said the story of the Charlie Company and their strong bond of brotherhood began in the mountainous region in the northernmost province of South Vietnam in 1970 and was rekindled about 12 years ago.

In 2005, 35-years after serving in Charlie Company, one of the men received a phone call from his commanding officer from Vietnam, Captain Bob Seitz, asking him to come to Washington D.C. on Memorial Day to lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery for their fallen brothers. Since that time over 100 men who served in Charlie Company during the period of 1970 to 1971 have been located. Annual reunions began in 2007 and continue today.

In September 2015, five Charlie Company men journeyed to Augusta, Ga. to visit the gravesite of Sergeant First Class Domenic Smigliani, who was the platoon leader and a father figure to the men of Charlie Company 2nd Platoon. Smigliani died July 27, 1971 and this was the first time anyone from the unit had visited his gravesite.

We should have done this all along, Gilliam said was the sentiment at the gathering, along with a commitment to visit more graves. That desire was shared with more members of the Charlie Company and a memorial team was formed.

So far, the Charlie Company Memorial Team has visited 15 of the 25 gravesites of fallen brothers. Gilliam said they dont know ahead of time how they will be received, but past experiences have been both positive and healing.

We dont share the hurt and pain part of it, but we do share the bravery, said Gilliam.

Regarding Davis, he said they will talk about his dedication and tenacity to hold off the enemy.

Gilliam said there are 14 men who have committed to be in Lexington, the Charlie Company Memorial Teams largest group to date. They will come from Connecticut, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma and Wyoming.

Gilliam said they never know who will show up, but they try to invite family members and alert the public ahead of time.

At another memorial, Gilliam met the sister of one of his comrades who questioned why they were doing this after 46 years.
Marlene Houchin, 65, of Gothenburg, died March 14, 2017 in Kearney. Memorial Services will be held on Monday, March 20, 2017, 10:30 am, Evangelical Free Church 1721 Lake Avenue, Gothenburg. Memorials may be directed to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312. Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapels, Gothenburg, is in charge of arrangements.
Public invited to Potato Bar Fundraiser

TWIN FALLS  Our Savior Lutheran Church is hosting its 30th annual Potato Bar and Auction Fundraiser at 5 p.m. April 1, at 464 Carriage Lane N. in Twin Falls. Dinner will be followed by the live auction at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend. The cost is $5 per person or $20 per family. The live auction will feature the Rev. Steve Crittenten as the auctioneer and will include both silent and live auctions. Proceeds will go to support children ages elementary through high school going to camp at Luther Heights Bible Camp located in the Stanley Basin. For more information, go to osltf.org or call 208-733-3774.

Unitarians discuss the idea of happily ever after

TWIN FALLS  Why are we drawn to the idea of Happily Ever After? Could it be that within each of us is a knowing that life is a gift? That we are blessed and that when we choose to live in gratitude, happily ever after (not perfectly ever after) is not only possible but probable?

Newcomers of all religious paths or none at all are always welcome. We are handicapped accessible. Please park in the rear of the building. Child care is available. Magic Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship meets at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Vendor Blender and Event Center, 588 Addison Ave. W. in Twin Falls.

Ascension revives book club

TWIN FALLS  Ascension Episcopal Church has revived a bi-monthly book discussion focusing on books promoting aspects of spiritual growth. Aprils book is The Heart of Centering Prayer (Nondual Christianity in Theory and Practice) by Cynthia Bourgeault. The public is welcome to participate. Ascension Reads will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. April 27 at 371 Eastland Drive N. For information, call Dave Duhaime at 208-733-8881.

The Third Sunday in Lent will be observed with services of Holy Communion at 8 and 10 a.m. with the Rev. Neal Collins presiding. Child care will be provided beginning at 9:30 a.m. A fellowship coffee hour will be held after the 10 a.m. service. The adult discussion group Ascension Cafe will meet from 9:10 to 10 a.m. Sunday. Jeff Gooding will continue a three-part discussion about Lent.

The listening/discussion series of the teachings of Fr. Richard Rohr on The Path of Descent will conclude from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday in the Memorial Room. Thursdays in Lent include a simple Soup Supper at 6 p.m. followed by a Lenten study of the psalms from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. All are welcome for worship, study and fellowship. For more information, go to episcopaltwinfalls.org or call 208-733-1248.

To submit information about church events and news. Contact Matt Gooch at mgooch@magicvalley.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday for publication on the Saturday religion page. Please insert Church News in the email subject line.
Cassia County

Felony sentencings

Albert Gonzales Ochoa; felony possession of controlled substance, guilty, $535.50 costs, $100 restitution, 48 months probation, two years determinate time, two years indeterminate time, 36 days credited time, penitentiary suspended; misdemeanor drug paraphernalia - use or possess with intent to use, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; misdemeanor possession of controlled substance, dismissed on motion of prosecutor, $100 restitution.

Lakeishia Ann Barrett; felony possession of controlled substance, guilty, $535.50 costs, 30 months probation, one year determinate time, three years indeterminate, seven days credited; misdemeanor drug paraphernalia- use or possess with intent to use, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

McKell Lorraine Maria Hitt; felony controlled substance- manufacture or deliver, or possess with intent to manufacture or deliver, guilty, $535.50 costs, $100 restitution, 36 months probation, two years determinate time, three years indeterminate time, ten days credited, penitentiary suspended.

David Martinez; felony possession of controlled substance, guilty, $535.50 costs, $100 restitution, two years determinate time, two years indeterminate time, 68 days credited, retained jurisdiction, penitentiary suspended; misdemeanor drug paraphernalia-use or possess with intent to use, dismissed by prosecutor, $100 restitution; misdemeanor fail to provide vehicle insurance, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Mary Elizabeth Murphy; felony possession of controlled substance, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; felony evidence destruction, alteration or concealment, guilty,$495.50 costs, 12 months probation, one year determinate time, two years indeterminate time, four days credited, penitentiary suspended; misdemeanor possession of controlled substance, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; misdemeanor drug paraphernalia-use or possess with intent to use, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Felony dismissals

Albert Gonzales Ochoa; felony possession of controlled substance, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; misdemeanor drug paraphernalia - use or possess with intent to use, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Vadian Eugene Dougal; felony attempted kidnapping-second degree not for ransom, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Jimmy May Voss; felony rape, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; felony sexual penetration- forcible by use or foreign object against the victim's will, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; felony battery with intent to commit a serious felony, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Driving under the influence sentencings

Derek W. Fadich; felony driving under the influence (found guilty of two or more violations within ten years, guilty, $290.50 costs, $100 restitution, three years driver's license suspended, retained jurisdiction; misdemeanor driving without privileges-second offense, dismissed on motion of prosecutor, $100 restitution; misdemeanor alcoholic beverage consume or possess open container by driver, dismissed on motion of prosecutor, $100 restitution.

James Ray Braden; misdemeanor driving under the influence, guilty, $300 fine, $202.50 costs, 90 days driver's license suspended, 12 months probation, 120 days jail, 118 days suspended, two days credited.
TWIN FALLS  Standing in a kilt and a bright green shirt under a leather vest, Doyal Bennett was representing his familys multicultural heritage as he waited for Fridays St. Patricks Day Parade.

With both Scottish and Irish ancestors in his background, Bennett lifted up one sleeve to show off a tattoo of his familys Irish crest. The kilt, he explained, is something he wears around town regularly.

But Bennetts biggest reason for joining the celebrations along Main Avenue was to hang out with friends and meet new ones, he said.

Its mostly just getting out there and celebrating being together, Bennett said. Something Ive always heard is on St. Patricks Day, everyones a little Irish  even if youre not.

On a day known as a celebration of Irish culture, with sayings like Kiss me, Im Irish and Luck of the Irish, the Times-News asked parade goers whether they, like Bennett, had Irish roots.

Many didnt know for sure, but liked carrying on in the spirit of the holiday. If nothing else, it was a reason to have a parade and get out of the house.

Heres what a few of them said:

Alan Boardman, 29, Shoshone

How Irish is he? To be honest, probably a little bit, said Boardman, who sported a green shirt and a red beard. He suspected he was a little bit Irish, English and German.

What brought him to the parade: Boardman was working in downtown Twin Falls on Friday and met up with his girlfriend and son for the parade. This is actually the first-ever St. Pattys Day parade Ive been to, he said.

His girlfriend, Kayla Fisher, said shed been waiting on Main Avenue for two hours with their 4-year-old son, Curtis, after coming down from Shoshone.

Barbara King, 69, Twin Falls

How Irish is she? Just on St. Patricks Day, King said.

What brought her to the parade: It was such a beautiful day, and the kids and I havent gone to a parade in a long time so I thought we should do it, she said. King attended the event with four grandchildren, and was wearing a T-shirt with shamrocks that read This is my lucky grandma shirt.

Danielle Pereira, 29, Twin Falls

How Irish is she? I know that I have some Irish, but I dont know how much, said Pereira. She came downtown to watch the parade with her 5-year-old son, Everett.

Her favorite St. Patricks festivities: I just like to dress up, she said. Green is my favorite color.

Pereiras ensemble included a shamrock on one check and green-beaded necklaces.

Sara Stanhope, 34, Twin Falls

How Irish is she? I know I get it from my moms side of the family, said Stanhope, as she sat on the steps outside the Twin Falls School District building wearing a shirt that said Irish princess.

What brought her to the parade: Its been a while since I actually came to a parade, she said. Stanhope had been wanting an excuse to get out of the house and enjoy the weather.

Doyal Bennett, 34, Twin Falls

How Irish is he? It sounds like my family went from Scotland, to Ireland to here, Bennett said. He didnt know who his closest Irish relative was, but his father has a book of his familys history.

What he did at the parade: Bennett brought a horn flask to drink beer out of while he hung out with friends.
February 23, 1973  March 14, 2017

GRAND VIEWDean David Jayo passed away on March 14, 2017 at St. Lukes Hospital in Boise. He was a beloved son, brother, father and friend to many. His easy going personality and witty humor will especially be remembered and missed.

Dean was born in Mountain Home, on February 23, 1973 to Fred and Dee Jayo. He attended school in Grand View and graduated from Rimrock High School. Dean went on to the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, where he earned an Associates Degree in Diesel Mechanics. After the passing of his father Dean took over operations of Jayo Custom and Trucking. He loved driving truck! Hauling potatoes was his favorite time of year.

Dean enjoyed life to the fullest. He loved hunting, fishing and just being in the mountains. He blessed the world with his two beautiful daughters. He really loved driving around with them, teaching them how to drive, how to shoot guns, and all the other outdoor experiences he was passionate for. Dean lived for his girls. He also enjoyed spending time with his many friends and cousins.

Dean is survived by his daughters Brittney Jayo and Freddi Jayo of Morgan, Utah; his mother, Dee Jayo of Grand View; his brother, Randall Jayo (Launa) and nephew, Nic Jayo both of Eden, Idaho; niece Natalie (Garret) Lammers and great-niece Ryanne Lammers both of Kimberly, Idaho. Dean was preceded in death by his father Fred Jayo.

The family would like to thank the wonderful nursing staff at St. Lukes Hospital for their compassionate and professional care.

Services will be held Monday, March 20, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Community Hall in Oreana, Idaho. Dean will be laid to rest next to his father at the Oreana Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, in Mountain Home.
Now that President Donald Trump has unveiled his budget and put public broadcasters on notice that he plans to zero-out the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, alarm bells have gone off. The hashtag #JusticeForBigBird started trending, and the CPB (I currently sit on its board of directors) defended itself in a statement that read, in part: The elimination of federal funding to CPB would initially devastate and ultimately destroy public medias role in early childhood education, public safety, connecting citizens to our history, and promoting civil discussionsall for Americans in both rural and urban communities.

But this defense ignores todays dramatically changed media environment. Public media now rarely offers anything that Americans cant get from for-profit media or that cant be supported privately.

The presidents budget is, as he might say, an opening bid. So, by the time a budget is passed, odds are that CPB will still be left standing. But if Congress actually seeks to make a meaningful cut to the $445 million annual appropriation for public television and radio, it will be tough for the CPB and its constituent networks, PBS and NPR, to make the case that they still deserve the moneyeven though, according to a PBS survey, 70 percent of Trump voters dont favor eliminating federal funding for public broadcasting.

They will have a hard time arguing that at a time of near-limitless viewing and listening choicesand with Big Bird already migrated to pay cabletheres still a market failure: a dearth of offerings of for-profit TV, radio and the Internet that necessitate a continued federal subsidy.

And theyll have to acknowledge, and take steps to correct, the reality that public broadcasting appeals to a narrow regional and socioeconomic audience. Arguing as a 7-year-old valiantly did at Sen. Tom Cottons (R-Ark.) recent town hall that Trump is deleting all the parks and PBS Kids just to make a wall just wont cut it.

It was 1967 when the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was established to encourage public telecommunications services which will be responsive to the interests of people both in particular localities and throughout the United States, which will constitute an expression of diversity and excellence, and which will constitute a source of alternative telecommunications services for all the citizens of the Nation. In an era in which television was described as a vast wasteland, CPB would encourage the development of programming that involves creative risks and that addresses the needs of unserved and underserved audiences, particularly children and minorities to viewers that wasnt then available via commercial outlets.

But if thats the mission, its mission accomplished now in the private sector. For-profit media produce programming that is racially and ideologically diverse. Audiences once considered underservedwhether that means children of color, political conservatives, devotees of independent film or science geekscan find what theyre looking for on commercial radio and TV. Yes, public media makes outstanding contributions, from the films of Ken Burns to the enterprising foreign reporting of NPR. But one cannot assume that absent federal funding, there would be no sources of support for diversity and excellence.

Fifty years ago, after all, was before 24-hour-a-day news, premium cable, satellite radio and the Internet, when broadcast was dominated by the major networks, and radio was moribund. Today we live in a golden age of commercially produced original American drama, comedy, news and reality programming.

Programming that features diverse casting and diverse storytelling can be found on a multitude of free and pay servicesranging from ABCs lighthearted but thought-provoking sitcom Blackish to Netflixs critically acclaimed, hard-hitting 13th, a documentary about race, justice and mass incarceration. Netflix has the film The Wise Kids, a well-reviewed story of a gay evangelical Christian high school student. HBO now airs new episodes of Sesame Street.

In the past, if viewers wanted a news alternative to the big three networks, the only place they could turn was PBSs MacNeil/Lehrer Report. Today there are the major cable outlets (Fox News Channel, CNN, MSNBC) and their smaller siblings (Fox Business Channel, HLN, CNBC). Theres a proliferation of partisan cable news programming, ranging from right-leaning Newsmax to left-leaning VICE. Nearly every point of view and every type of music can be heard on SiriusXM satellite radio. It was PBS that once had to be the vehicle for Julia Child; today shed be a staple on the Food Network. Theres no reason Downton Abbey couldnt have run on BBC America.

All this might matter less if it were clear that public media was a preferred choice of a broad cross-section of the American public. Doing so was part of the original mission. The Public Broadcasting Act charged public broadcasters to encourage noncommercial educational radio and television broadcast programing which will be responsive to the interests of people both in particular localities and throughout the United States. Instead, public media today looks far too much like a niche programming service for a left-leaning, upmarket urban constituency.

Of the top 10 most popular NPR affiliates, only one (Atlanta) is found in the South or Southwest. The major, producing stations of television programminglocals that provide the lions share of content broadcast on smaller affiliatesare based in liberal bastions Boston, New York and Washington. NPR, in data expected to appeal to financial underwriters, boasts that some 58 percent of NPR listeners are college graduates, and that its listeners are 74 percent more likely to earn more than $100,000. (One NPR slide deck boasts that its programming reaches cultural connoisseurs likely to drink four glasses of wine per week.) The appeal makes a virtue of its elite demographics, noting NPR attracts an audience most notably distinguished by its educational excellence and professional success. In 2014, Pew Research found that The clear majority of audience (67 percent) is left-of-center. Nothing wrong with that, of course, unless your statutory mandate is to reach and inform the American citizenry broadly.

That funding of public media has become a partisan issue suggests a failure on its part. If there is a coverage bias at work it shows itself in story selection, particularly: the Dakota Access Pipeline protests rather than the economic benefits of fracking. Ideally, public media would cover these evenly.

One area where public media does, increasingly, provide something the market doesnt is local news and public affairs programming. In recent years, an increasing number of NPR stations (New York, Boston, Portland, Los Angeles, Dallas, St. Louis) have moved to a news and public affairs format, providing local news coverage at a time when local newspapers are withering and the ranks of state capital and city hall reporters have been decimated. This type of coverage would seem an ideal function for public media and a way, potentially, to reach a wider variety of viewers and listeners. It may, indeed, be a rationale for ongoing government support, but could just as well point toward a way for public media to thrive in a post-subsidy era.

Good local programming helps local stationswhich are independent, nonprofit entitiesraise local funds, just as national programming attracts private-sector underwriting. Already, according to NPR, its member stations only rely on government funding for 14 percent of revenue. CPB distributes community service grants to local stations, but much of that money winds up being recycled to PBS and NPR for the right to air national programming. This year, 40 percent of NPRs more than $200 million in revenue came from local stations. In 2014, PBS assessed member stations $186 million, a large chunk of the $223 million distributed that year in community service grants for local television stations. Money for local stations, in other words, doesnt all stay local.

Apart from the budget process, the president should use his appointment prerogative for the CPBs three open board seats to steer public media in a different direction. That will continue to be my mission as a board memberencouraging public media to adapt to a new environment. Public media must demonstrate that it can serve truly diverse audiences in ways the private market cant. Otherwise, the systems budget will deserve to be zeroed out.
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Republicans in the legislature are trying to find ways to cut taxes this session. In the House, the GOP wants to make a small cut to income taxes, a plan that would benefit the wealthiest Idahoans the most.

The Senate on Thursday introduced its plan: a surprise move to repeal the states tax on groceries. We think thats a much fairer way to bring tax relief.

All Idahoans pay a 6 percent tax on groceries. Killing the grocery tax will help people struggling to afford food, local farmers who sell direct to consumers, and cities in border communities where residents sometimes drive to a neighboring state to shop to avoid Idahos food tax.

Gov. C.L. Butch Otter isnt a fan of repealing the grocery tax. But he stopped short of threatening to veto the plan when he sent a letter to Republican leaders this week.

Legislators have just one week left to find a solution. Will it be the Houses income tax relief, or the Senates repeal of the grocery tax? Or nothing at all?

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Jeers to the Cassia County School District, which this week announced it was relocating the popular principal of Oakleys junior and senior high schools.

The school board met in executive session to discuss the move and then provided almost no reasoning to parents for why Michael Corbett was being reassigned to a vice-principal position at two Burley elementary schools. Even Corbett said he wasnt quite sure why he was being moved.

Parents, students and community members were understandably upset and protested Thursday, waving signs in front of the Cassia County School District office.

We understand that school districts often have to make difficult decisions when it comes to putting the right administrators in the right places. But it was downright wrong not to be more transparent about its reasoning.

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When one of the worlds most awesome natural wonders is in your backyard, sometimes its easy to take it for granted.

Flows have surpassed 18,000 cubic feet per second, their highest in two decades. Thats drawing hundreds of onlookers a day to the falls. The city opened its fee-collection booth on Thursday. Officials expect massive crowds over spring break.

Experts say the stunning flows will continue for at least the next month. Dont miss your chance to see a truly stunning natural spectacle at its zenith. It might be another 20 years before the falls are this impressive again.